by Pretty Chic Travel on February 2, 2012
Nothing says summer quite like the glow of lightly bronzed skin. And even though it’s grey, gloomy and in the midst of a bitter winter, we’re all about dreaming of sunny summer days. Or even better a quick sunny destination trip. Whether you’re faking a glow in winter, or planning a trip to the tropics, these are our favourite picks for faking the bake.
1. Nars Bronzer in Casino, $39, narscosmetics.com
We can’t hide our love for Nars cosmetics. From blush to gloss to this shade of bronzer. Ideal for darker skin tones, you can sweep a bit on your cheeks for colour, but it’s also great for a bit of contouring as well.
2. Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder, $50, guerlain.com
With just a touch of a light pink in this bronzer makes it perfect for just about any skin tone. Plus you don’t need to worry about adding an extra flush for a healthy glow.
3. Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder, $28, benefitcosmetics.com
Brighten up your skin all year long with a dusting of this light and blendable powder. It gives a hint of colour, without worrying about the dreaded orange hue. We pair it with a touch of rosy bush for a healthy glow. READ MORE
by Stephanie on January 24, 2012
Whether you’re planning a cold city getaway or a beach vacation, sometimes the easiest way to brighten up your look is with a bold lip colour. On the Spring 2012 runways, there were plenty of fresh and playful choices from the orange hues at Rick Owens, Jeremy Laing to the bright pink shades at Nanette Lepore, Betsey Johnson and Nichole Farhi. Next time you’re jetting off, try incorporating a punchy lip colour into your travel ensemble. It’s the fastest and most compact way to change up your look. READ MORE
by Stephanie on January 10, 2012
When it comes to toting our beauty essentials one item we can’t leave home without is our favourite fragrance. There are always challenges when it comes to packing liquids and with the case of perfume, less is always more, which is why we’re always on the lookout for a mini portable, roll-on or even solid perfume to pack on our next trip. We recently found 11 travel-friendly versions we think you’ll love too. READ MORE
by Jennifer on December 9, 2011
While we’re definitely lovers of nail polish all year long, there’s just something extra special about slicking on a new shade for the holidays. It’s also the perfect excuse to play with shimmers, sparkles and glitter that you might otherwise think are too glitzy for every day. Think outside the classic red, and opt for shimmery purples, golds and festive effects. Here are a few of our favourites this season — you can bet we’re rotating through these shades from now until the new year.
1. Deborah Lippmann, Do Ya Think I’m Sexy, $18
Hello, holidays! Just looking at this sparkle-packed red polish makes us festive, merry and bright. Chic on it’s own, or to add some bling to your favourite red polish, slick a coat of this on top. Available at lippmanncollection.com.
2. O.P.I, William Tell Me About OPI, $10.99
Deep, dark shades are ideal for winter, and this dark purple hue will pair perfectly with your LBD and great accessories. Plus, it’s classy enough to sport at the office. Available at opi.com.
3. Essie Luxeffects Topcoats, A Cut Above and Essie Set In Stones, $9.99
Try these two glitzy shades over top of your favourite nail polish, or wear on their own. The silver is an easy go-to and the red/pink glitter will add shine to your outfit. For a less obvious splash of glitter, try sweeping this polish over just one finger (the ring finger is our favourite), and keep the rest simple in a solid colour. Available at essie.com.
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by Stephanie on November 28, 2011
Love them or hate them, us Canadians have to face the cold, windy and often harsh winters that leave us dreaming about summer days and hot destination escapes. Even if a warm weather vacation is on the agenda, you still have to deal with the elements for the remainder of the season. To help you cope with the worst the winter has to offer, we’ve found 7 skin savers that will leave you looking gorgeous well-past the last snowfall. READ MORE
by Stephanie on September 25, 2011
We’re always looking for a new polish to add to our collection and this fall there were so many looks we loved on the runways — from the metallics at Chanel, to the burgundy and nude tips at Jason Wu and pastel hues at Nicholas K — there were many looks to match the season’s fashions. Here are 7 of our favourite polishes to try now.
Chanel Graphite 529, $26 at select Chanel counters
Grey is always a fall favourite and we can’t get enough of the silvery metallics polish from Chanel, seen on the Fall 2011 runways.
YSL Moonlight Blue #44, $29, available at Holt Renfrew and select Bay stores
Rich and denim-like, a dark blue sapphire shade like this one from YSL, is a must this fall.
Essie Carry On, $10, available at Shoppers Drug Mart
Say hello to burgundy. Seen at shows like Jason Wu, Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo, this is the perfect shade to complement your fall wardrobe. READ MORE
by Jennifer on June 14, 2011
Although we wish we could, we can’t always jet off to a far off destination for a weekend. Sigh. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get our travel fix by staying in our hometown of Toronto. We adore our beautiful city, but what we love the most is the selection of luxe spas that we can beckon on at a moment’s notice. And for all those fellow Canadians making a sunny summer vacation to the country’s largest city, be sure to treat yourself to one of these amazing spas as part of your trip. Here are our top picks for the ultimate spa experience in Toronto.
Photo courtesy of Old Mill Inn and Spa
Old Mill Inn and Spa
Can’t make it across the pond this year? Treat yourself like British royalty at this west-end spa set in a Tudor-style atmosphere. Converted into a high-end hotel and spa, the old mill is complete with a garden terrace, spectacular afternoon tea and elegant spa facilities. While there be sure to ask for the Tudor Calming Facial (suited for sensitive skin, it’s ideal for a traveller), and guys can also get a treat with the Gentleman’s Hot Towel Facial.
oldmilltoronto.com
Photo courtesy of Hammam Spa
The Hammam Spa
Travel through Turkey, Spain and Morocco, all in one day. The Hammam Spa located in Toronto’s trendy King West area, is like taking a trip to the hot springs in the Mediterranean — the traditional steam room is infused with essential oils to help ease away any stress before your treatment (be sure to arrive 30 minutes before, so you can really take advantage of the chilled vibe). Our favourite treatment? The Hammam facial with Dermalogica products.
hammamspa.ca READ MORE
by Stephanie on June 1, 2011
Bronzer is one makeup product that often gets a bad rap — too much shimmer you look like a disco ball, not the right colour and you look orange. While we know it’s tempting to let the sun give you a natural glow, you’re also giving yourself sun damage which translates to wrinkles and sun spots — not pretty. Instead slather on the SPF and use a bronzer instead. There are so many fantastic formulas out there, it’s easy to find one that suites your skin and your beauty style. Here are five we love.
Guerlain Terracotta 4 Seasons Tailor-Made Bronzer, $74
Definitely a splurge, this Guerlain bronzer one of those beauty items well-worth your money. Designed for all-year wear, the powder has four different gradations that works for all skin shades. It’s an extremely natural looking glow (completely matte, no shimmer), and also contains SPF 10. Available at Sephora and Guerlain beauty counters.
Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder, $33
Formulated with an ideal balance of red and brown tones for a super natural look, this bronzing powder from Bobbi Brown isn’t too dark, making it ideal for those with more fair skin tones and as the summer progresses, it’s easy to build more coverage. It feels great going on, is totally matte and comes in seven different shades. Available at Sephora and Holt Renfrew.
M.A.C. Surf Baby Skinsheen Bronzerstick, $30
We’re loving the limited edition Surf Baby! collection from M.A.C. and in particular the bronzers. A nice summer alternative to powder is a bronzer stick, that requires more blending and careful application. While it’s not ideal for beginners, we do like the sheer coverage and lightweight feel. Available at maccostmetics.com. READ MORE
by Jennifer on March 15, 2011
Ok, so it’s not quite summer yet and we still have a couple of months of bleak winter, but it is still the perfect time to talk about a light, fruity fragrance. Why? Because it’s a pick-me-up when there’s still snow outside and you might just be planning that great escape from winter and a fresh scent is a must for a beach getaway.
One of our all-time favourite scents has to be Jo Malone’s Nectarine Blossom & Honey Cologne (we adore a few Jo Malone scents, but this is definitely the one we go through each year). It’s super fruity with hints of spring blossoms and the sweetness of honey, but it’s not too rich with sweetness and in hot temps the scent’s fruitiness shines through. The 30 mL size is also ideal for travelling and only £34.00. If you’re looking to add more depth (or just not ready to spritz on a full-out spring fragrance yet) try mixing it with another Jo Malone fave, Warm Nutmeg & Ginger Cologne. It softens the fruit just enough to make a fragrance perfect for the transition from winter to spring.
Available at Holt Renfrew and jomalone.co.uk.
by Jennifer on February 16, 2011
It’s always tough to decided which lip products to take on a trip. You want the hydrating qualities of a balm, the high shine of a gloss and the richness of a lipstick — but who wants to tote all those around in multiple shades? It will quickly fill up your makeup bag and we’re all about just packing the essentials.
Enter our new fave lip product that is a solution to all the above problems. The NARS Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil is like a balm, subtle gloss and lipstick all in one compact pencil. The jumbo size pencil makes the colour easy to apply. It goes on fluidly, with no stickiness, rich colour and the lightweight formula has Vitamin A and E to keep lips soft. We say toss two of your fave shades in your beauty bag — one for day time and a darker or brighter hue for night. Our best picks: New Lover (a strawberry pink for day) and Baroque (a deep raspberry shade for night).
