Say goodbye to winter blues with a new spring fragrance.

May 1, 2013 in Fragrance by Denise Wild

This news couldn’t have come at a better time. One of my favourite flowers and one that evokes spring and summer memories for me is definitely jasmine. In the city you can sometimes find jasmine flowers in neighborhood trees and the scent just fills the air with a lovely delicate fragrance. L’Occitane La Collection De Grasse Jasmin & Bergamote encapsulates this feeling of happiness in the most perfectly blended perfume. While Jasmine can be delicate yet rich all at the same time the Bergamot lightens the fragrance up. No doubt this will be my go to fragrance in warmer months.

GS Approved: L’Occitane will be launching “La Collection de Grasse” featuring four exclusive fragrances by perfumer Karine Duberuil. Using precious extracts from around the world the main ingredients in each of the scents seem to enrich each other. I had a hard time choosing my favourite!

Inspiration: When I think of the Jasmine flower the first word that comes to mind is “delicate”. I will fully admit I watched (and read!) the Twilight Saga. And I will fully admit that I loved it! Kristen Stewart’s character Bella is no doubt a delicate character. I won’t ruin it for you but the last book and last movie is the one I loved the most as Bella becomes not so delicate anymore and finds her true self!

Beauty Editor: Elaine Atkins

Get summer ready with an easy to use waxing kit.

March 27, 2012 in Body by Denise Wild

The weather in Toronto has been unseasonably warm, but you won’t find this girl complaining. Bring on the short skirts and tank tops! But this also means getting summer ready by making sure you’re hair free. The new Veet EasyWax Electrical Roll-On Kit makes it super easy to stay smooth for up to 4 weeks. Easy to use, this light and compact device is simple enough for even first time users.

GS Approved: The Veet EasyWax is formulated with natural beeswax and uses the same ingredients you’d find at professional salons. This makes it gentle to use even on sensitive skin.

Inspiration: I love Jennifer Aniston’s red carpet look – she looks self-assured and beautiful. Knowing your skin is smooth, soft and hair free will give any girl that extra boost of confidence.

Beauty Editor: Elaine Atkins

Nourish your skin with a Shea Butter Moisturizer.

January 27, 2012 in Skincare by Denise Wild

Living in Canada dry skin is a reality. Shea butter has always been known to have moisturizing and nourishing properties and while I love using Shea Butter creams on my body, I always thought it would be too heavy to use on my face. L’Occitane has added a new Ultra Gentle Moisturizer with 8% Shea Butter to their famous collection. The light and fluid texture makes it ideal for daily use, protecting and moisturizing skin without feeling greasy.

GS Approved: In the early 1980’s L’Occitane launched a sustainable joint-development program with the women of Burkina Faso with Shea Butter paving the way for their economic emancipation. They started with 10 women and today there are over 12,000 women producing the precious Shea Butter for L’Occitane.

Inspiration: It’s hard to stay chic and stylish in the winter months when we’re all bundled up. I’m glad that at least my skin will look its best but I still wish I could sport a glamorous parka like this one by Isaac Mizrahi.

Beauty Editor: Elaine Atkins

Hydrate your skin with a lightweight serum.

August 23, 2011 in Skincare by Denise Wild

Dehydration is one of the culprits of pre-mature aging. But the thought of slathering on a bunch of heavy creams is certainly less than appealing especially if you have oily skin or when it’s humid out! A great solution is Sea Buckthorn Hydrating Serum by Sibu Beauty. This light and non-oily serum (in fact, it’s water based) uses natural sea buckthorn oils to improve skin tone and texture. As a bonus, it stimulates your own natural collagen production – you’ll have the face of your youth back in no time.

 

GS Approved: This little “superfruit” can be found thriving in the harsh conditions of the Himalayas. It contains powerful anti-oxidants and contains numerous essential fatty acids. Known by natives to promote health, you can be sure this amazing orange berry will promote healthy skin too!

 
Inspiration: An all natural and free trade brand such as Sibu makes me think of one of the most well known vegans around – Alicia Silverstone.  This all-natural beauty is definitely doing something right, her skin is always youthful looking and hydrated.

Beauty Editor: Elaine Atkins

Moisturize your skin this summer with a blissful body butter.

June 30, 2011 in Skincare by Denise Wild

Although I love their intense moisturizing effects, I typically stay away from body butters in the summer, as they tend to be too thick and oily for the humid temperatures. The skincare gods must have been listening when I hoped to find a moisturizer that worked like a body butter but didn’t feel like an extra layer on my skin.  The Self Sanctuary Peony Apple Body Butter by mark. is just that.  A luscious scented moisturizer that softens the skin but feels light enough to wear on even the hottest and most humid summer days – this is a must-have in my summer skincare routine!

 

GS Approved: As part of a complete bath and shower collection, the Peony Apple Body Butter is scented with a mix of crisp apples and fresh peonies – it’s a moment of bliss as you nourish your skin.

 

Inspiration: Actress Eva Longoria’s skin is always radiant and healthy-looking.  Achieve this same look by adding mark.’s Peony Apple Body Butter to your daily routine.

Beauty Editor:  Anjali Handa

Look like you belong on the red carpet with a bold lipstick.

May 25, 2011 in Makeup, Skincare by Denise Wild

Dior is known for its sophistication, quality, and luxuriousness. Now they can add a new adjective to their vocabulary; bold.  The New Dior Addict Lipstick line is 56 different shades inspired by bold fashion.This includes direct from the runway Red Carpet #963. No matter which striking shade you choose your lips will be indulged in a ultra-hydrating formula that creates a veil of luminous shine and vibrant color.

GS Approved: The New Dior Addict Lipstick has a unique key ingredient; Mirror Jelly. Mirror Jelly adds shine, volume, and hydration to your lips. The polymers in Mirror Jelly provides a long-lasting, second-skin effect with exceptional hydrating and softening properties. The silicone oil in Mirror Jelly creates a light, smooth texture.  And the 25% less wax than a standard lipstick creates a light-reflecting, voluminous effect.

Inspiration: Kate Moss is the new face of Addict Lipstick and we don’t think anyone could fill those shoes better. She’s beautiful, fashion forward and bold. All of the things that the New Dior Addict lipstick embodies.

Beauty Editor: Elizabeth Violette

Ensure tangle free tresses with a moisturizing detangling solution.

May 16, 2011 in Hair by Denise Wild

When you have curly hair like I do tangles are simply a reality. I worry that over time my hair will become more fragile. Matrix Biolage Hydrathérapie Detangling Solution may just be my savior! Formulated to condition, detangle and control static this product also provides much needed moisture to my hair without weighing it down. Light enough to use daily my hair’s natural soften and shine is restored.



GS Approved: Paraben free and containing ingredients found in nature such as aloe and passion fruit, hair is protected from the moisture depleting environment.






Inspiration: One of my favorite movies of last year was Tangled – isn’t it every girl’s dream to have flowing, long, gorgeous and strong hair? Mandy Moore who also has beautiful shiny hair lends her voice to the character Rapunzel who definitely uses her hair to the fullest in this cute Disney film.

Beauty Editor: Elaine Atkins

Even if you don’t sleep 8 hours a night, look like you do!

April 7, 2011 in Skincare by Denise Wild

With so many eye creams and serums on the market, it is becoming extremely difficult to zero in on the products that truly do what they claim to do.  Most eye serums today promise to reduce the appearance of dark circles, wrinkles, puffiness and under-eye bags, but unfortunately do not deliver fast enough.  That’s why switching to Avon’s Solutions Vibes Wake Up Eye Roller has been a refreshing change in my skincare routine.  This is a product that not only works, but it works fast – literally within minutes.  The serum comes with a vibrating roller ball that, when applied under the eye, stimulates the microcirculation needed to make your eyes look and feel like you’ve had 8 hours of sleep!

GS Approved: The serum is formulated with Revitawake Complex and Sunflower Seed Extract, making it light, non-greasy, and safe for all skin types.

Inspiration:  Have you ever been envious of those models and celebrities who party all night but look fabulous the next morning?  Avon’s Solutions Vibes Wake Up Eye Roller will help you achieve a fresh-looking face within minutes of applying it. 

Editor’s Note:  My favourite part about applying this serum is feeling the cooling effect of the metal roller ball against my skin.  That, combined with the automatic vibration of the tube, makes my eyes feel energized and vibrant after a minimal amount of sleep. 

Beauty Editor:  Anjali Handa

Use a facial cleanser that removes make-up and tones your skin.

August 31, 2010 in Skincare by Denise Wild

Suitable for all skin types, Vichy Essentielles Facial Cleanser, with rose polyphenols, is a light, non-greasy fluid that has been especially devised to cleanse and delicately remove make-up, leaving the skin hydrated and soft. By carefully cold-extracting the rose petals, these powerful active ingredients protect the skin from external aggressions while soothing the skin’s surface. This formula was carefully developed to obtain the best cosmetic properties and optimal tolerance. This hypoallergenic, paraben-free facial cleanser also contains glycerin, a moisturizing active ingredient known to cleanse and tone gently without a drying effect.     

GS Approved: Whipping up a luxe lather, we love that this facial cleanser contains rose extracts, a soothing ingredient perfect for calming your fabulous skin.

 

Inspiration: Borgo Santo Pietro is an 11-room luxury boutique hotel set in 13 acres of landscaped gardens tucked away in the Tuscan hillside not far from the cultural centres of Florence and Siena, Italy. With enchanting gardens and the fresh scent of the flowers like roses, this enchanting retreat will remind you that rose extracts create a soothing effect that your skin will adore.

Beauty Editor: Ashley Frejlich

Moisturize your way to a summer glow when you apply a tinted face cream.

August 23, 2010 in Skincare by Denise Wild

Take to the tan, Nuxe Paris Teint Éclat Prodigieux Moisturizing Tinted Cream is a light and silky moisturizer that provides a natural, healthy-looking glow with barely there coverage. It leaves the skin glowing, even and feels just like skin. An exceptionally versatile formula with Wild Chicory Root and Gymnema Sylvestre, provides excellent coverage with a natural sheer shade that blends easily into the skin tone. This tinted cream contains mineral powders and pigments that help to minimize imperfections to deliver a flawless finish. Frangipani flower helps seal in skin’s moisture while Jasmine flower protects the skin from pre-mature aging. The result is a lightweight texture and a clean, natural finish. Forget wimpy moisturizers that can’t commit, this tinted cream with its unique combination of Anti-Terne® botanical active ingredients, lasts from day to night to deliver that healthy sun-kissed look.

GS Approved: No need to bake at the beach or in tanning beds: with a unique combination of Anti-Terne® botanical active ingredients, get a natural-looking, glowing tan instantly on your face.

Inspiration: True island luxury begins with an escape to one of Caribbean’s gems, Altamer Resort, Anguilla. Altamer is home to three spectacular beachside villas, unprecedented in their luxurious and technological details and designs yet artistically simple and appealing. With sublime white beaches Altamer is the most outrageous in luxury. Smooth your way to that same luxury with a tinted face cream and gets you that sun-kissed, polished glow.

Editor’s Note: On average, Altamer Resort rates are $44,000 per week. I can sum up a traveller’s experience of Altamer in one word: cerulean (from the Latin word heaven). This resort effortlessly brings elegance to any holiday and it is truly heaven. If you don’t have $39,000 in your back pocket, not to worry, grab a tinted cream like one from Nuxe Paris and look and feel like heaven in the convenience of your own home. Now that’s a luxury at your fingertips!

Beauty Editor: Ashley Frejlich