What Men Want: Beauty Products and Tools Edition

I’m writing this post on behalf of Mr. Geeks. He is your typical man when it comes to beauty and grooming: very anti-product and when he finds something that he likes, he sticks to it forever. No exaggeration.

I asked him to write this post himself but he doesn’t know the beauty jargon. If he did post an entry, all we’d get is “This is X. I like it. It works. /grunt” :)

There is one beauty/grooming tool in particular that he constantly raves about: a nail clipper. Specifically, Sally Hansen Clip and Catch Nail Clipper ($4.99 at Well.ca, and drugstores). It solves the first-world problem of getting nail clippings all over the floor and well, everything. A plastic compartment catches clippings until you’re done, then you can dispose of them properly in the sink. Simple but kinda genius, eh? “Why hasn’t anyone else thought of this?” He tells all his friends about it. Haha.

Sally Hansen Clip and Catch Nail Clipper

A black background is manly, don’t you think? I briefly considered using bacon as a backdrop…

I gave him this after he complained of irritated dry skin on an especially cold week: Dot & Lil Repair + Calm After-Shave Serum ($30 online). The serum moisturizes with rice bran and avocado oils, then calms the skin with calendula. This is lightly scented essential oils of tea tree and cedarwood, so it doesn’t smell girly. This oil-based serum soaks into the skin immediately, which he really liked. Boys don’t like anything greasy so this one gets a thumbs up. I noticed that it does moisturize well with only a couple drops for his chin and cheek area. :) I used this to calm my skin post-wax and it is excellent for that, too.

Dot & Lil Repair + Calm After-Shave Serum

I gotta give him props for trying. One day I presented him with a box of products, including Head & Shoulders Deep Clean Shampoo ($5.99 at Well.ca, drugstores and mass market stores). He actually read the instructions, leaving this shampoo for several minutes before rinsing. “I can feel it working,” he tells me. “It feels tingly.” That’s as much of a review one can get out of that guy. :D Anyways, this stuff is supposed to remove 100% of dandruff, buildup and grease. I admit that I’ve borrowed this in the shower as well, because I love the citrus-y, minty scent in the morning.

Head & Shoulders Deep Clean Shampoo

The one cologne he uses is YSL La Nuit De L’Homme Le Parfum. He doesn’t wear it everyday but when he does, it’s “because [he wants] to smell nice.” Ladies, if you haven’t sniffed this one yet, you must. :) It’s a very irresistible scent that’s light enough for the day, but it really is more of an evening cologne. From Fragrantica: top notes are bergamot, anise and pepper; middle notes are lavender, french labdanum and fruity notes; base notes are vetyver, patchouli and vanille.

YSL La Nuit De L'Homme Le Parfum

What’s the man in your life (boyfriend / husband / brother / father) attitude towards beauty and grooming products? Does he love it as much as you, or is he a bit like Mr. Geeks?

Going Somewhere Warm For Spring Break? Reveal Smooth, Glowing Skin with These Must-Have Products!

So you’re going away to a warm destination for spring break. Lucky you! (Translation: take me with you!) Time to work on that winter skin and get it ready for, um, less clothes. ;) Not sure where to start? I’ve compiled some of the best products for you here. Keep on reading!

Dot & Lil grapefruit & bergamot scrub bar
Photo courtesy of Dot & Lil

In the shower, exfoliate once a week with Dot & Lil Grapefruit & Bergamot scented sugar body scrub bar ($10 for 125 g/4.4 oz at Dot & Lil online store). The ground apricot kernels, sugar and poppy seeds slough off rough skin, while rich cocoa butter and avocado oil nourishes the skin at the same time. The grapefruit & bergamot scent is so invigorating in the morning. :) I love this scrub bar because it is so effective at eliminating dry spots after just one use. It’s also available in Oatmeal & Honey scent, which of course I want now!

Spring Break Prep 2

After exfoliation, you need to moisturize the heck out of that dry skin! This is just the perfect thing for my inner lazy girl: Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturiser for Dry Skin ($9.99 for 184g at Well.ca, drugstores and mass merchandise stores). I have never finished a bottle of lotion in my life because it just takes too long to apply! This lotion in spray format is so quick and effective. Just spray and rub down a little, et voila — nicely moisturized skin! Also available in Aloe Fresh and Cocoa Radiant (an old favourite).

You’re probably familiar with Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs in the spray format. If you are, you’ll know that it creates a huge mess all over the tub/floor. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup ($13.99 for 4 fl oz at select drug and mass retailers) is so freakin’ amazing. It’s makeup for your legs! It takes everything that’s good from the original spray (evens skin tone, sheerly bronzes the skin, believable tan) and takes everything bad out (messy application, too much shimmer). I wore this to a wedding in lieu of sheer stockings and loved it. The shade #02 Medium is quite dark on me right now, so I made sure that I blended really well. It isn’t greasy nor sticky at all, and it doesn’t transfer to my clothes. This is perfect for a natural insta-tan for your pasty legs when you land on that tropical destination. ;) It covers imperfections (veins, scars, uneven skin tone) beautifully. Warning: pasty leg photos coming up!

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs 1
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup #2 Medium – Before & After

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs 2
Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs Leg Makeup #2 Medium – Before & After
(oh hai, sorry I’m not Mariah.)

I’m guessing my leg modelling career isn’t going to take off anytime soon. ;) Moving on.

Waxon Lycon BareEase
Waxon photo source: waxon.ca

Before even thinking about rocking that bikini, let’s tackle that situation down there, shall we? :P

Last week I was at Waxon Wax Bar, compliments of Lycon Canada. Waxon is the first wax bar to get Lycon Precision Wax in Toronto. Of course, brave little me thought it’d be a good idea to get a Brazilian wax (yes, that’s full waxing for your hoo-hoo). The things I do for beauty! I’m familiar with the service as I’ve had it done before elsewhere. Lycon Precision Wax is supposedly “virtually painless.” I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt; I felt a bit like Steve Carell in The 40 Year Old Virgin: “aaahhh Kelly Clarkson!” My waxer used soft wax in the front, and hard wax underneath. Both worked well; she didn’t have to go over any areas twice.

I will say that although I almost screamed from pain during my waxing session, I didn’t experience any post-wax soreness. In the past, I was bruised for the next couple of days. None of that with this wax. Next time, I think I’ll prep for the service with BareEase, a cream for the area to numb the skin. You’re supposed to put it on 20-25 minutes before your appointment. NumbNuts is also available for the boys, ha! Best name ever.

MICRO pedi

Emjoi MICRO Pedi ($49.99 at Shoppers Drugmart) gives us no excuse to have flaky feet ever again. This handy little tool has a micro mineral roller that spins at 360º, 30 times per second. It comes with two interchangeable rollers: a pink for dry skin, and blue for extra exfoliation for gross rough spots. In under a minute, I was amazed at how this cleaned up my “winter feet” as I call them. It gently buffed away the dead, rough skin on my feet. This is going to save me a lot of money on pedicures this summer. This is a game changer, people. It’s so much easier to DIY your pedicures with MICRO Pedi.

Guess who needs a vacation soon? This girl. I don’t think it’s going to happen anytime soon but at least a girl can dream. Or at least waiting for spring conditions to stay in Toronto. :) What are your vacation product must-haves? Hope to talk to you in the comments!

Summer Primpin’: Rise Above Common Summer Beauty Problems With These Hot Weather Essentials!


My neighbour’s cat relaxing in the shade on a hot day

The dog days… er, cat days of summer are here!  You know, summer is a pretty rough season for the beauty-obsessed.  Not only does our makeup melt due to humidity giving us permanent raccoon eyes, but the hot weather leads to less clothing, meaning actual skin exposure.  Ohmygod.

Lucky for us, I know just the right products to keep us looking cute and fresh even though it is eleventy thousand degrees outside.  Here are my answers to common (first world) beauty problems that your pretty vain selves have to face this summer.  Yes, I’ve tried all of these and love them.  I know, I’ve been busy. :)

Problem #1: Your greasy sunscreen is cramping your style, big time.


Mary Kay Sun Care SPF 30 Sunscreen, Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50, Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration SPF 50

Great news!  Some companies really know what they’re doing on the sunscreen front.  First of all, for your face, Skinceuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 ($39 at various locations in Canada) is a gorgeous velvety mineral sunscreen with a slight tint that suits fair-to-medium skin tones.  While sunscreens alone will not protect against IRA, adding an antioxidant like SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic ($152) has been clinically proven to prevent IRA damage.  This means you’ll be protected against bad IRA, UVA and UVB rays!

For the rest of your body, Mary Kay Sun Care SPF 30 Sunscreen ($20) and Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 ($10.99) provide UVA and UVB protection as well as doubles as a body lotion with their silky smooth texture.  Great for you lazy gals out there! ;)

Problem #2: You are blinding the world with your paper-white legs in your short shorts and mini-skirts.


Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs, Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Oil, Mary Kay Sun Care Subtle Tanning Lotion, Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Effect Oil-free Sunscreen SPF 30

For the entire world’s sake, bronze up those legs — and while you’re at it, your entire body, too.  Great for bronzing newbies is Mary Kay Sun Care Subtle Tanning Lotion ($20), because it provides results so subtle that you can’t screw it up.  Still an all-time favourite of mine is Weleda Sea Buckthorn Body Oil ($28, review here) for gleaming golden legs.  Don’t sacrifice SPF for your leg bronzer; get both — plus the yummy signature coconut scent — with Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Effect Oil-free Sunscreen SPF 30 ($10.99).  If you want to cover some imperfections, Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs ($15.99) is your best friend.  Do it in the tub (it’s messy!) and make sure you spray evenly.

Problem #3: Your flip flops are exposing your — let’s face it — not-so-cute feet.


Sally Hansen Soften Your Step Tool, Sally Hansen Moisturizing Foot Creme in Lavender

Whether you’re a spa pedicure or a DIY kinda girl, there’s no excuse for dirty flaky feet this season. To go the DIY route, scrub off the dry skin with Sally Hansen Soften Your Step Tool ($7.99).  Sally Hansen Moisturizing Foot Creme in Lavender ($7.99) is a welcome alternative to the usual minty foot creams.


YSL 1 Rouge Pop Art, Sally Hansen 560 Kook-A-Mango, Misa Sandals, Flip Flops & Hip Hop


Wearing Misa Sandals, Flip Flops & Hip Hop and Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs


Clockwise from top-right: Maybelline 160 Chiffon Chic, Sally Hansen 430 Grass Slipper, Maybelline 330 Tenacious Teal, YSL 16 Bleu Majorelle

So many cute colour options, ladies!  For summer, you can’t go wrong with any vibrant colour under the rainbow!  The best part: nail polishes come vibrant at all price points.  Maybelline Color Show Nail Lacquer ($2.96 – $3.99), Sally Hansen Complete Complete Salon Manicure ($7.49), Misa Nail Lacquer ($7.95, ON SPECIAL NOW at Trade Secrets!), YSL La Laque Couture ($27).


YSL 1 Rouge Pop Art, Sally Hansen 560 Kook-A-Mango, Misa Sandals, Flip Flops & Hip Hop
Maybelline 160 Chiffon Chic, Sally Hansen 430 Grass Slipper, Maybelline 330 Tenacious Teal, YSL 16 Bleu Majorelle

Problem #4: You’re too embarrassed of your dark under arms to even sport a tank top in public.


Schick Hydro Silk Razor, Dove  ClearTone Anti-Perspirant

Okay so this pretty close to TMI territory, but here’s the thing: I was using this natural deodorant that shockingly darkened the skin in my under arms. I was so appalled that I had to switch right away. I’m not kidding you, but Dove ClearTone Anti-Perspirant ($3.99-$4.99) has helped my under arms’ skin tone tremendously since I’ve used it for a few weeks.  Despite regular shaving and sweating, this anti-perspirant keeps me smelling fresh and moisturizes quite well, too!  This one’s a keeper.  And speaking of shaving, which is my hair removal method of choice for my underarms, the new Schick Hydro Silk Razor ($13.99) is pretty awesome.  With five blades and a water-activated moisturizing serum, you can even ditch your shaving cream!

Whew!  That was a long post!  What are your favourite summer rescue products?  Any favourites of yours on my list?