Toronto: My Experience at Salon Escape (and a Giveaway!)

September 3, 2012 | 23 Responses

A few weeks ago, I let someone new touch my hair. I was invited to the trendy Yorkville neighbourhood to Salon Escape to meet senior stylist Leland Olson for some much needed pampering.

Salon Escape is located right in the heart of Yorkville, just steps away from Bay station. The salon is spacious, clean and brightly lit. The atmosphere is friendly and homey. It was clear that the other clients that day were regulars as their conversations flowed like they were old friends.

Photos via Salon Escape

After receiving my yummy complimentary cappuccino, I was seated in front of my very own TV while Leland applied my hair colour. I decided to go chocolate brown à la Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. I mean seriously, who doesn’t have a hair crush on Princess Kate? My roots were darker and my ends were lighter than my desired shade, but Leland easily evened out my colour.

My hair after my visit with Leland at Salon Escape

Another look (makeup from my shu uemura fall look)

I wanted my hair to be super shiny, and I am so happy with the results. The dark chocolate brown is exactly what I wanted. I don’t want high maintenance colour, but my natural ashy dark brown doesn’t cut it either. This is what I wish my natural colour would be. As for the cut, I just went for a trim and re-shaping of my layers as I am growing my hair for as long as I can for the big day. I think Leland did a fabulous job listening to my hair concerns, and I would recommend him and Salon Escape in a heartbeat.

Oh, and I have to mention: Salon Escape’s prices are really reasonable, especially in a high-end neighbourhood. Women’s cut and style start at $37. Colour starts at $51. Highlights start at $71.

Salon Escape
132 Cumberland Street, Toronto, ON.
(416) 324-8080
www.salonescape.ca

Toronto area readers, keep reading for a giveaway and a chance to win a free blowout and style!

Click here for a giveaway and a chance to win a free blowout and style!

Say Goodbye Crocodile Skin and Static-y Dry Hair, and Hydrate Yourself for Spring’s Coming.

March 8, 2012 | 8 Responses

Joico K-Pak Revitaluxe Bio-Advanced Restorative Treatment *. Don’t be fooled by the lightness of this treatment. Even though it isn’t thick, it smooths out my hair beautifully in the shower. Every time I use this, my hair looks shiny and is immediately tangle free for after-shower brushing. Available at Trade Secrets (www.tradesecrets.ca).

Live Clean Baby Shampoo & Wash ($6.99). I’m on my second (huge) bottle of this baby shampoo & body wash. I’m a huge fan of the Live Clean brand; they are proudly Canadian, SLS-, phthalate, and paraben-free, which makes them super gentle for babies and big babies alike. This works well as a shampoo and body wash because it doesn’t strip the skin dry. During bouts of really bad eczema flare-ups, this was the only soap I could use that didn’t irritate. Available at drugstores, grocery stores, Walmart and Zellers.

Holistic Vanity Rosacea Care Skincare Line * ($26 – $57). Founded by Kristen Ma (also co-founder of Pure+Simple), this line of products geared towards rosacea sufferers is super effective for hydrating sensitive skin. I suffered from a bit of skin sensitivity this winter, and my skin immediately drank up the Soothing Pomegranate Seed Lotion ($57) and Comforting Camellia Oil ($57). The oil can be a bit greasy for day use, but I am obsessed with it for my nighttime skincare regimen. It smells great, too! The whole line contains all-natural anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, aloe vera juice and sea buckthorn, and is 89% to 100% organic. Available at Pure + simple spas in the Greater Toronto area and online.

eos Smooth Sphere Lip Balm * ($3.99). I’m late to the eos Smooth Sphere train, but I do love these little spherical balms! Not only are they cute, but they do a great job at keeping my lips from getting chapped. They are addictive, but it’s nothing to worry about; this little lip balm does not contain petrolatum, so go ahead and get obsessed all you want. Available at at all major food, drug, and mass retailers.

Vichy LiftActiv Serum 10 * ($55) This velvety serum is great for a major hydration boost. What I love most about it is how it primes the skin beautifully for makeup application. It freshens the skin and doesn’t leave it greasy or oily. Available at Shoppers Drugmart.

LUX Spa (www.lux-spa.com). Take a break from shopping and indulge in a relaxing mani-pedi at the new LUX Spa Downtown Toronto location (211 Yonge Street, Mezzanine Level / 416.367.8414) across from the Eaton Centre. The mani-LUX ($38) and pedi-LUX ($58) services include a moisturizing scrub that takes the winter skin off immediately. While you’re there, indulge in some amazingly scented LoveFresh (www.lovefresh.com) products; I can’t get enough of the Vanilla Bean lotion. Mmmm!

Annabelle and Marcelle Beauty Premiere Party Rocks Toronto!

November 21, 2011 | 17 Responses

Last week, I went to the much anticipated Beauty Premiere party being hosted by two of my favourite Canadian brands: Annabelle and Marcelle. The party was held at the uber swanky Thompson Hotel Rooftop. Check out the view!

The view from the Thompson Hotel rooftop

The venue was packed! Of course, almost everyone from the Toronto Beauty Bloggers community came out to mingle. I got a little carried away chatting that I didn’t get to snap too many photos, but I have enough to share with you.

Beauty Premiere introduced several exciting new products from the brands. They had booths set up and a member of their team talked to us about the innovations and benefits of each product. The makeup and skincare products below will be available by Spring 2012.

Marcelle Renforcils Waterproof Eye Make-up Remover

Marcelle Renforcils Waterproof Eye Make-up Remover is a gel make-up remover with micellar water. Think about it like this: it’s our beloved Marcelle Essentials Purity Soothing Cleansing Water in gel form. Not only will it pack the same make-up removing power, but it also contains ingredients that fortify your eyelashes to prevent fallout. Great idea, no?

Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara

Marcelle is coming out with a new mascara called Xtension Plus. It promises to provide extra length and curl. Apparently it’ll be as good — if not better — than the Power Volume mascara in terms of curling power, so I am very excited about this one! I received it in my swag bag so I’ll definitely review it after I’ve played with it for a while.

Marcelle BB Cream

Pardon the awful picture quality — the lighting conditions were clearly not something my Canon G11 can handle. Anyway, what’s big and cool in Asia is now slowly coming to Canada. What am I talking about? The super popular BB Cream is supposed to provide a lot of good-for-your-skin ingredients while offering a little bit of coverage to even out your skintone. Available in two shades: Light-to-Medium and Medium-to-Dark.

Marcelle Gene Youth Skincare

A trio of day cream, night cream and eye cream, they are also coming out with Marcelle Gene Youth Skincare. Unfortunately I don’t have anything to say about these guys because it got too loud in the party and I couldn’t hear anything! Sorry. :S

Annabelle Smudge Paints

The Annabelle Smudge Paints aren’t new, but because they are awesome, they deserve to be shown off in the party. These are gel liners or cream eyeshadow bases, and they have great staying power.

Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner

Eight new colours of Annabelle Glitterama Liquid Eyeliners are coming out as well.

I had a great chat with the lady at the Glitterama booth, but I didn’t get her name! I was telling her the fact that I try both high- and low-end brands for my blog, and many times I’ve been impressed with how well Annabelle and Marcelle products stack up against the expensive brands. She told me that they know that, and their marketing team knows that. I wish more people knew, though. Every time I recommend the brands to someone who’s not into beauty, they said they haven’t even tried anything from these brands. But slowly but surely, I think we beauty bloggers are getting that word out!

Annabelle Big Show Lipglosses

The Annabelle Big Show Lipglosses are sheer, high-shine, unscented, non-sticky lipglosses. They feel really nice and moisturizing on the lips. Oh and, we even had the opportunity to create our own shade. !!!

Annabelle Big Show Lipgloss Mixing Station

Annabelle Big Show Lipgloss Mixing Station — with gorgeous Robyn of Fashionista 514!

My favourite guy that night — Mr. Lipgloss Scientist Dude, who by the way, gave me some photography tips as well.

O hai. This is my lipgloss. I don’t know what to call it yet, but for some reason “Seduction” keeps popping up. Haha.

Makeup platter

There were servers who were walking around with hors d’oeuvres, and others who were walking around with platters of makeup. Yes, eyeshadows, eyeliners, and other makeup free for all! I’m pretty sure I saw this scene before in my sweet sweet dreams.

Keep reading to see more pictures!

Click to see more pictures!