Cold Weather Skincare Essentials, Body Edition: Smith Farms, La Roche Posay, Curel, Biotherm

January 5, 2013 | 6 Responses

As a follow up to my Cold Weather Skincare, Face Edition, here are my favourites for body skincare for this winter. So much to love here, you guys.

Glitter Geek Cold Weather Skincare: Body Edition

For All Over The Body

Smith Farms Honeysuckle Hair and Body Oil ($16.00 for 103 ml, online) is a glorious oil for after a shower or bath. My itchy flaky legs become wonderfully soft and smooth with one use of this oil. It locks in the moisture with its several oils (organic sweet almond oil, organic jojoba oil, organic sunflower oil) and leaves you smelling like a baby (honeysuckle essential oil). A bonus: Smith Farms is Canadian! They are located in the Quebec/Ontario border, and they make safe all-natural products locally.

For Hands + Every Other Body Part That’s Itchy and Irritated

For me, Winter brings burning red eczema. I have to be careful of soaps (nothing too foamy) and detergents (I wear gloves when washing dishes). As for products…

I use La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP ($33 for 400ml, in pharmacies) on the onset of an eczema flare-up, and that’s usually the end of the story. It is described as a lipid replenishing body balm, and made specificially for extremely dry, itchy skin. It is a thick balm that forms a barrier on my hands and instantly soothes any irritation.

Throughout the day, I keep my hands moisturized with Biotherm Biomains Anti-Aging Moisturizing Hand Cream ($29.50 for 100 ml, in Sephora, The Bay, Sears and Shoppers Drugmart) on my desk side. I’m so pleased to say that this silky hand cream has faded my summer sun spots and overall has made my hands look younger. Yes, this is my first experience with anti-aging creams and yes, this really works!

For Cold Feet (Literally, not Figuratively)

Is anyone else sick of peppermint foot creams? I don’t know about you, but if it’s the middle of winter, the last thing I want to put on my feet is a cooling minty cream. Thank goodness there’s Curel Foot Therapy Cream ($3.99 for 100 ml, in mass market retailers). Its slightly nutty scent is comforting, but more importantly its thick texture works well on dry, cracked heels. It contains shea butter, coconut milk and vitamin E to help provide a moisture barrier in the driest of months.

What are your winter must-haves for the body? Have you tried the products I mentioned here? How did you like them?

Best of Beauty: My Favourite Products of 2011.

December 23, 2011 | 13 Responses

Out of the many products that I tried this year, here are the 9 that have stolen my heart forever (in no particular order). Links lead to the products’ corresponding reviews.

Diorskin Nude Healthy Glow Powder in Aurora is the first Dior makeup I ever bought, and is still my favourite bronzer to this day. Let’s hope they come out with another great one next summer. (Limited Edition for Summer 2011)

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush gets a lot of rave reviews and for good reason. I recently added Exposed to my stash and my friends agree that it is a universally flattering blush.

MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter in Bright Forecast is my first line of defence against under eye circles every. single. day. It is life changing.

Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara is my favourite mascara of the year. I recommend it to everyone.

Lise Watier Wet & Dry Eyeshadow Quad in Équinoxe + Métamorfix Liquid Transformer was the best makeup palette/set I tried this year. The colours and performance are unparalleled. (Limited Edition for Fall 2011)

Giorgio Armani Rouge d’Armani in Rouge 406 is a beautiful red lipstick and the formula is divine. I try a lot of lipsticks and think that the Rouge d’Armani is one of the best. I must try more colours next year. (Limited Edition for Fall 2011)

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil is one product I can’t stop raving about. What can I say; I just love it so much! This one isn’t new; it’s a classic that I got to finally try this year.

Velour Lashes in You Complete Me gives me Bambi eyes. That is all.

THANN Jasmine Blossom Set is a staple in my bathroom. I just can’t get enough.

What are your favourite beauty products of 2011?

Holiday Gift Guide 2011: Best in Face and Body Skincare Sets

November 30, 2011 | 16 Responses

For stuffing stockings to show you care

Weleda Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream ($16) or Skin Food *($20). Winter is coming, and that usually means dry cracked skin. Weleda’s holiday offerings contain soft moisturizing gloves with your choice of hand moisturizer. Sea Buckthorn is naturally healing, while Skin Food’s rich texture eliminates dry patches overnight. These are great stocking stuffers for frequent hand washers, as well as eczema sufferers. Available at Weleda online, Whole Foods Market, natural independent health food stores, Planet Organic Market, Nature’s Fare, Noah’s Natural Foods and Rexall Pharma Plus stores.

Pure + simple Super-plump Lip Kit ($34.95). Stay away from the petroleum-based lip balms, which actually dry out your lips in the long run, and go natural. This kit contains soothing Lavender Lip Oil and the Collagen Elasin Eye + Lip Concentrate, which keep your lips plump and protected for all the smooching you’ll be doing this season, amirite? Available at Pure + simple spas in the Greater Toronto area and online.

For the one who is hard to please (Glitter Geek’s TOP PICK)

Thann Jasmine Blossom Set ($50). Is your mother-in-law hard to please? Yes? This set is perfect for anyone you want to spoil. This actually makes me want to get out of bed and hop in the shower in the morning. Oh, and my lazy self has been putting on the lotion everyday, too. This is the most beautiful green that smells like crushed up jasmine buds. Both the body milk and the shower cream moisturize the skin incredibly. I cannot recommend it enough! Available in the flagship Thann store (in Ottawa) and online.

For anyone, anytime

NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi-usage Dry Oil ($42 for 100ml). Although not technically a gift set, NUXE Huile Prodigieuse is a champ at multitasking and so luxurious that it makes a fabulous gift. It keeps skin and hair beautifully moisturized and also doubles as a fragrance. It’s a cult product for a reason. Available at Shoppers Drugmart and Beautyphica (get a bonus 50 ml Huile Prodigieuse OR for a limited time here!).

For the new mom or hard working gal who truly deserves a spa day

Pure + simple Super-hydrating Intensive Kit * ($99). It’s no secret that I’m a Pure + simple junkie, and my newest discovery is the Cellular Repair Face Cream in this set. I’ve been using this medium weight face cream both for day and night and it is a dream to put on. The Collagen Elastin Plus serum and Skin Restoration Cloth Mask are must haves for a home spa day. Tip: do the mask in the dark or risk scaring your significant others or pets. Available at Pure + simple spas in the Greater Toronto area and online.

For those who are nice… ‘kay maybe the naughty, too

The Body Shop Spiced Vanilla Bath and Body Products * (from $4 to $18 each). The Body Shop is one of my go-to shops for holiday shopping because of their holiday scents. My favourite is the Spiced Vanilla, which smells divine and is available in different bath and body products. If you must have just one for a stocking stuffer, the Body Butter is a no-brainer (and on sale for $10 right now!). Available at The Body Shop stores and online.

Philosophy Sweet Kisses and Merry Wishes Set ($47). If you have never tried Philosophy shower gels, you’ve been missing out. Philosophy makes the best shower gels in the scents of the season. This set contains four (FOUR!!!) shower gels and coordinating lip shines. Gift it to one special nice person, or break it up as separate stocking stuffers for the naughty ones. Available at Sephora stores and online.

Anything catch your eye?

What will you be gifting from these sets, and what will you be keeping for yourself?