by Jennifer on November 10, 2010
Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean that you can take a break from your teeth. That’s why we love teeth whitening options that keep our smiles looking fresh and youthful which are also easy for travelling. When we first came across Love That White Smile, we, well smiled, because its On-The-Go Cleaning pen not only brightens our teeth and removes surface stains, but it’s also great to tuck into our carryons. The non-abrasive pen is also great for sensitive teeth, plus it has a minty fresh flavour. So we can drink our coffee and sip on red wine to our heart’s content no matter where we are in the world.
Available at Rexall Pharma Plus, $19.89.
by Stephanie on October 27, 2010
Kate Spade Nylon Large Violet with Bow, $95
There’s the beauty musts you pack in your luggage and then there are those essential carry-on items that need to be at your side at all times. So what do we suggest you tote along? It’s all about quality, not quantity (think dual-use) especially since we know space is at a premium. Plus the no-liquids-over-100ml is still in effect. Here’s what we can’t leave home without.
1. Lip & Body Salve. Airplanes have this effect of dehydrating the body and that includes your skin and lips. Our favourite product to cure both aliments is C.O. Bigelow’s Rose Salve, $6 which is super-moisturizing and isn’t greasy.
2. Facial Blotting Tissues. Oily skin alert! If you’re skin is on the oily-side, facial blotting tissues are a must 24/7. We’re fans of the Tea Tree Oil Facial Blotting Tissues from The Body Shop, $10. Like salicylic acid, tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic great for controlling oil without drying skin out. Plus the tissues can be used over makeup or on bare skin.
3. Cheek and Lip Stain. There’s not point in carrying a blush and lipstick on board. Instead get a dual purpose product. As we’ve mentioned before, we love Benefit’s Pocket Pal, but if you’d rather go for something with a darker stain, try Stila‘s Convertible Color. Our favourite bold shade is Poppy and is flattering on all complexions. READ MORE
by Stephanie on September 28, 2010
Let’s be honest. There’s nothing like a good lipstick, blush, mascara, OK-well any beauty product to cheer a girl up and when it comes to travelling making that careful selection about what you want to tote along with you is a challenge for any beauty devotee. One adorable and stylish must-have we recently discovered is Stila’s limited-edition Travel Palettes. Available in four different compacts including “Make an Impression in Moscow,” “Trendsetting in Tokyo,” and “Road to Radiance Across USA,” our favourite has to be “Pretty In Paris.” The palette includes four complimentary eyeshadows and a convertible colour for lips and cheeks (another one of our favourite beauty must-haves), and fits perfecting into our onboard bag. Retailing for a bargain at $10, you can purchase both at Stila or Sephora.
by Jennifer on September 16, 2010
We became Yes to Carrots fans a couple of years ago when the quirky beauty brand infused with the orange root veg hit shelves in Canada. We love their hand and elbow cream to keep our hands soft during dry months and long flights, and it helps keep our cuticles in check in between manis. So just imagine how excited we were to hear that the company is now launching a new line in Canada — this time infused with another beauty staple — cooling cucumbers. Yes to Cucumbers is the soothing answer to all your travel beauty needs, and we all know that travelling can be stressful on your skin. Our pick from the new line are the facial towelettes. READ MORE
by Stephanie on September 2, 2010
There is nothing worse than getting a nice manicure in preparation for a two-week vacation only to get a chip on your nails three days in. Of course you could always bring along a bottle of polish for touch-ups or some remover to start from stratch. But really, who wants to be doing their nails when they’re on vacation? We personally have had polish accidents and it’s not fun to deal with that in your beauty bag.
Thankfully we’ve discovered Shellac, a hybrid nail colour created by CND. Essentially it’s nail polish and the process isn’t unlike your typical manicure — base coat, colour, and top coat — no drills, buffing or filing. The main difference is that between coats you have to let the polish dry under a UV lamp for about 2 minutes, but once your last coat dries, that’s it’s. Totally dry. READ MORE
by Stephanie on July 24, 2010
When the temperature soars — like it has been all over Europe, the U.S. and here in Canada, sometimes all you need is a quick refresh — that’s why we love Avène Thermal Spring Water. The water is more than just bottled water in a spray can. It comes from spring in the town of Avène, a city in the south of France, and has been used since 1743 to help a variety of skin conditions from psoriasis, to burns. The journey the rain water makes from the Cévennes Mountains Sanite-Odile spring takes 40 years and along the way picks up minerals that make the water super special. The water is then bottled and voilà! READ MORE
by Stephanie on July 13, 2010
The Spa Week Traveling Beauty Kit
How do you travel with your beauty products? Do you lug everything in your bathroom, drain the essentials in containers or shop everywhere for mini versions? If you’re like us and hate the idea of adding another 10 pounds to your suitcase just to be sure you have your favourite face wash and body lotion in tow, then we’ve found the perfect one-stop shop for you. READ MORE
by Jennifer on June 18, 2010
While we’re on the wash-your-hair-once-a-day bandwagon, there are those times when travelling that a shower or a spritz of water just won’t liven up your limp day-old locks (hello trans-Atlantic overnight flight). Just because we don’t have access to our shampoo and conditioner doesn’t mean we want to deplane with desperate looking tresses, but to be honest, we haven’t been big fans of dry shampoo. The sweet smells and powdery finish can leave your hair looking lackluster, dull and dry — not to mention the tangles that ensue.
It looked like our hair was going to always be bun-ready until we discovered Oscar Blandi‘s Pronto Invisible Volumizing Dry Shampoo Spray. Not a powder, you spray this clear, dry shampoo on your roots for an instant lift, minus the frosty, dull finish. And the scent isn’t too strong. We both tested out the spray (for blondes and brunettes) and found that it gave our hair instant texture, volume and a new life. There was no stickiness or residue, and best of all our hair look healthy and shiny.
So, once you’re off that plane, dip into your luggage and give your hair a spray. Dry shampoo skeptics have met their match.
Available at Sephora.com.
by Stephanie on May 25, 2010
In case you’re unfamiliar with Kevin Murphy, he’s an award-winning Australian hairstylist who has worked in the industry for over 20 years, creating editorial looks for magazines like Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Maire Claire and many more. His most recent and (in our opinion) most exciting endeavour is his launch of hair products into the North American market.
The thing is there is a lot to love about this line and his products. First all everything is Paraban and Sulphate free, which is not only good for the environment, but our hair too! Plus they’re brimming with essential oils. Call us superficial, but we also love the chic and sleek packaging too.
Thankfully Kevin Murphy has thought about us travellers and has created three jetpacks, depending on your hair needs. There’s the Angel Jetpack for those with fine hair, the Luxury Jetpack for thick and coloured hair and the Balancing Jetpack for those that need a little TLC. Each jetpack contains a shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, body lotion and hair treatment.
If there’s anything else you must, must try is Anti Gravity. It is amazing if you have fine hair and want volume. Totally oil-free, it gives hair a great shine and doesn’t leave a gross residue. Another plus, it controls flyaways.
Available in store at Sephora and online at Kevin Murphy.
by Jennifer on April 30, 2010
If you haven’t tried Moroccan Oil on your hair, you need to get to a salon fast and pick some up! A hairdresser’s secret weapon, Moroccan Oil transforms dry, dull lock into shiny, smooth hair that glistens. Goodbye frizz! Goodbye split ends! Just a tiny amount in damp hair seals the strand and leaves hair looking healthier. It seriously helps us get through those busy times when we can’t get in for a trim. And it’s a must in our travel beauty bag — with humidity changes, wind and different water types where ever we go, this magical oil keeps our tresses perfectly in place. Even better, they now have this great little travel pack, so you don’t have to tote your full-sized bottle around and possibly forget it somewhere. With mini versions of the oil, shampoo, conditioner and styling cream, what ever your hair conundrum while travelling, you will be saved!
You can pick up this airplane-friendly gem at salons across Canada or at moroccanoil.com.
