Get a sultry barely there pout with a hydrating lip formula.

June 14, 2012 in Makeup by Denise Wild

We are all creatures of habit, or so they say. I’ll admit, I do have a tendency toward pink lipstick; nudes and browns don’t get their timeshare in my wardrobe of lip shades. Truth is, I’ve always felt that they wash out my complexion. Recently, I stood up to the old habit adage, sprang for something new, and was pleasantly surprised. Ilia lipstick in Funnel of Love is now my gal Friday for downplayed lips. I suddenly feel I can pull off that sensual smoky eye and pale pout that once eluded me. Now just to get that bombshell purr…


GS Approved: Boasting 85% organic ingredients, and 99% natural, Ilia Beauty is the new major player on the block. Bye bye balm, then stick, then gloss, Ilia’s natural formula means easy one-step application for lips that are smooth, soft and stylish. Housed in a recycled aluminum casing, Ilia is all about beauty – yours and mother nature’s.


Inspiration: At the mention of Brigitte Bardot, one conjures images of the sultry kitten’s winged liner, nude pout and tousled hair. An icon of French sexuality, Bardot perfected unkempt style and epitomizes it today.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

Try a tinted balm to get low-maintenance lip colour on the go.

May 11, 2012 in Makeup by Denise Wild

Most gals I know have a wardrobe of lip options: balm, gloss, stick, stain. My day-to-day option usually consists of a balm layered with lipstick on top, or a stain with balm reapplied throughout the day. When I’m taking it easy, I’m taking my Hurraw! Black Cherry Tinted Lip Balm with me. An easy, non-committal way for me to keep lips hydrated and at the least look like I’ve tried a little. Slightly glossy and tinted rouge, with flavour reminiscent of cherry pie, it’s the perfect balm for everyone.

GS Approved: Raw and vegan, Hurraw! knows how to make a balm that’s sleek and smooth, not chalky or waxy. A host of natural and good-for-you ingredients makes it literally good enough to eat!

 

Inspiration: The classic hard-rock album “Cherry Pie” by the big-hair band, Warrant, is a summer road trip classic. Hurraw! Black Cherry Lip Balm’s subtle cherry pie pout will become your classic summer go-to.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

Get super-soft skin with a low maintenance way to wear body oil.

April 24, 2012 in Body by Denise Wild

One of the best compliments someone can give me, other than telling me my skin looks ‘perfect’ is that my skin is so soft. I am always delighted because I put the effort into making it as soft and smooth as I possibly can. One of the tricks I have is to splash a natural body oil all over – while I’m in the shower. A quick rinse means the oil stays on my skin, but doesn’t leave me feeling greasy under my clothes. A quick pat dry with a towel and I’m ready to rock and roll. My current staple is Soapwalla Luxurious Body Oil – an all natural, hand-blended oil containing Ginger, Citrus and Lemongrass which invigorates skin cells and has a bright wake-up scent. Working together to regenerate and hydrate cells, a blend of Jojoba, Sweet Almond and Coconut Oils is topped off with Mowrah Butter, an oil from the Indian Madhuca tree.

GS Approved: A one-woman show, Soapwalla is created by Rachel Winard in her home studio in Brooklyn, NY. Rachel has been handcrafting her own skincare for years as a response to not finding skin care that would be kind to her sensitive skin caused by Lupus. A natural health advocate, Rachel is a modern day entrepreneur inspiring others to live life from the inside out.

Inspiration: Generally oil and water do not mix, but as I like to splash a little oil on at the end of my shower, it’s a good idea to be smart and safe – slippery bathroom tiles are not sexy. This fair trade Vetiver Bath Mat by Giaim offers style and safety, is hand-woven, and releases natural fragrance each time it gets damp.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

Use a blend of natural oils that replicate the body’s natural oils to replenish and nourish.

April 20, 2012 in Body by Denise Wild

Having soft skin is a matter of genetics, diet and environment. It’s also a matter of comfort. Dry, itchy skin is not a pretty feeling, but neither is a sticky, oily feeling under clothes. An ideal solution is Goé Oil. 100% natural, with no mineral oil or silicones (which ‘coat’ the skin rather than sink in) it is formulated with oils high in omega and essential fatty acids such as Rosehip, Meadowfoam and Rice Bran.


GS Approved: A blend of 28 pure plant, fruit and flower oils, Goé Oil is an all over body oil that mimics naturally occurring sebum in skin. Feel soft and smooth all over – Goé on, try it!



Inspiration: The retro packaging of Goé Oil gives a luau feeling of beachside days gone by. Keep the retro hula style alive with these fun grass-coloured earrings by DittyDrops.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

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

Fall in love with a lipstick for all occasions.

March 2, 2012 in Makeup by Denise Wild

If you’re like me you’re always on the hunt for that perfect lipstick. One that’s not too dry with just the right amount of pigment and that lasts most of the day too! Lancôme’s new Rouge In Love Lipstick contains “colour catching” polymers which form a fine layer of pigments on the surface of the lips providing stunning colour lasting up to 6 hours while the nourishing oils keep lips smooth and hydrated. Like a second skin this lipstick feels weightless – in 24 stunning shades it’s like a wardrobe for your lips and will take you to any occasion, from morning to night!

 
GS Approved: The irresistible design of Rouge In Love makes this more than a lipstick, it’s an accessory on its own! The brushed metal cap and modern silhouette has made me fall in love.

 
Inspiration: Emma Watson is the fresh young face of Lancôme. She’s a classic beauty with a really modern style – she’s the perfect ambassadress for the Rouge In Love line.

 
Beauty Editor: Elaine Atkins

Get silky hair with a smoothing shampoo.

January 2, 2012 in Hair by Denise Wild

I think all of us out there want silky hair, no matter what our natural texture. As a naturally curly haired girl I have learned to embrace my curls (frizz and all!) but there are definitely days when I look to change it up and go straight. Since I’m going against nature I definitely need all the help I can get. A good shampoo is where it starts and Herbal Essences Touchably Smooth Shampoo has a formula that leaves hair smooth and shiny. The built in smoothing serum with a formula containing pink lily and Asian silk extracts is the key to achieving the desired sleek look.



GS Approved: Not only does this shampoo leave your hair feeling silky smooth, it has a great fresh scent that’s not too fruity. The first time I used this stuff the husband and I were standing in a long line up at the grocery store and he sniffed my hair and told me how nice it smelled. Married to a guy that usually doesn’t notice my new perfume, this product definitely gets the thumbs up from me!




Inspiration: Have you seen that new hilarious show Suburgatory? Jane Levy is the shining start and normally sporting curly locks she looks beautiful with a sleeker more polished look for the red carpet.

Beauty Editor: Elaine Atkins

Get your thighs ready for swimsuit season.

June 17, 2011 in Body by Denise Wild

Ok, I have to admit it, it has been years since I’ve hit the beach without a sarong or wrap around my legs. This is all going to change this summer thanks to NUXE BODY BODY-CONTOURING SERUM FOR EMBEDDED CELLULITE. Embedded cellulite is the deep-set adipose cellulite that creates a quilted appearance when you pinch the skin.  Put literally, this is the not-so-attractive cellulite on the back of the thighs.  This product’s texture creates an immediate photo-smoothing effect to help reduce the appearance of “dimples” right away. And with repeated use you skin’s elasticity is improved which makes thigh circumference appear refined. Just rub on and this new body-contouring serum immediately melts onto the skin, leaving it feeling incredibly soft and smooth.

 

GS Approved: NUXE BODY BODY-CONTOURING SERUM FOR EMBEDDED CELLULITE is paraben-free and 94% of its ingredients are of natural origin. Brazilian Mimosa (patented by NUXE) and Glaucine extract work together to improve skin’s elasticity while botanical caffeine, cocoa polyphenols (patented by NUXE), and Yacon extract help to reduce the appearance of embedded fat.  Natural and slimming, it doesn’t get better than that.

 
Inspiration: No one has sexier, mile-high legs than former Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham. Even being pregnant with her fourth child doesn’t stop her from showing off her amazing gams.

Beauty Editor: Elizabeth Violette

Let your inner radiance shine through with a mineral powder bronzer.

May 30, 2011 in Makeup by Denise Wild

Sometimes an all out bronzed look is not what we’re going for. Just a little bit of an enhancement to my complexion is often all I need especially on a daily basis. This silky smooth Summer Bronzing Compact by Clarins is perfect for everyday wear. It instantly warms up my complexion by leaving a natural looking glow without a lot of shimmer. I love the subtle healthy sheen it leaves me without looking too tanned.


GS approved: Not only is this product fantastic but the compact is gorgeous too! With the beautiful mosaic design this is definitely something a collector like me can appreciate.


Inspiration: I love the subtle and natural radiance Leighton Meester’s is portraying. The queen of mean on Gossip Girl is certainly giving off an angelic glow proving that versatility is one of her many talents.

Beauty Editor: Elaine Atkins

Battle dry skin with a patented lightweight nourishing cream!

April 25, 2011 in Skincare by Denise Wild

We all know that having consistently dry skin can actually be damaging, especially after a bitterly cold winter – but do we know how to repair it?  Lancome’s new Genifique Nutrics Nourishing Youth Activating Cream is the answer.  This long-lasting skin nourishing solution is specially formulated to regenerate certain cellular targets in the skin order to strengthen its barrier and repair the damage caused by dryness.  I know what you’re thinking – creams made for dry skin are generally thick, oily and feel heavy, but I must tell you that I’ve been using the cream for just over a month and have found it to be extremely lightweight and smooth on the skin!

GS Approved:  With a unique combination of active ingredients, the patented Genifique technology, the Nutrics complex, is comprised of different lipid fractions that leaves the skin soft, revived, and luminous.

Inspiration:  A youthful, luminous look is a classic that will never go out of style.  Achieve a youthful, luminous complexion like that of Vanessa Hudgens by using Lancome’s Genifique Nutrics Nourshing Youth Activating Cream on the daily!

Beauty Editor:  Anjali Handa