Lipstick Powder N Paint

When you’re trapped at your desk (or wherever else you wish you weren’t) and all you can think about is sinking your feat into some grainy, hot sand, this line of products from Philosophy does a decent job of transporting your mind to an area far, far away (and where piña coladas present themselves to you almost instantly).

All of the products in the Surfer Girl Set have a wickedly sweet, kiwi papaya scent, so you can leave your atomizer at home. The boost of gold shimmer adds some glamour to your beauty routine while the exfoliating body wash banishes rough areas for good. Oh, and a lip shine that mimics surfer-chick subtlety? Yes, please.

Philosophy
www.philosophy.com
Available at Macy’s and Sephora

ACNE is the four letter word that makes most people cringe. I am sadly one of those unlucky people that have adult acne; mine is caused by overactive hormones and I really hate it. I am working hard to battle it and with the help of my Esthetician, Doctor and Dermalogica, I hope to win that battle soon.

HOW IS ACNE CAUSED?
“Blemishes start when sebaceous glands, which are attached to the skin’s hair follicle canal, produce too much oil. When there is excess oil production – combined with ‘sticky’ dead skin cells lining the hair follicle canal that fail to flake – the pore becomes clogged. These conditions multiply, causing inflammation,” explains David Orentreich, Clinique’s Guiding Dermatologist.

Good daily skin care is so important for acne prone skin and will help remove excess oil, keep pores clear, and speed the healing of breakouts.

WOULD A FACIAL HELP?
People with blackheads and other non-inflammatory blemishes may indeed find regular facials help to reduce the amount of breakouts they experience. During a facial treatment, estheticians perform extractions by manually removing pore blockages, or comedones. By extracting these impactions, the pores are cleared of excess oil and cellular debris. Blemishes are less likely to form, improving some cases of non-inflammatory acne.

HANDS OFF!
David Orentreich strongly recommends that you do not take matters into your own hands – that means NO squeezing or PICKING (though so tempting). He says that squeezing traumatizes and often breaks the stretched pore under the surface. The pore contains oils and bacteria and when squeezed will set off a spot.

SUGGESTED PRODUCTS

Clinique Acne Solutions Clear Skin System Kit

The perfect introduction to the Acne Solutions Clear Skin System. Three simple steps that work together to treat acne—and help prevent future breakouts.
Step 1: Cleansing Foam
Step 2: Clarifying Lotion
Step 3: Clearing Moisturizer

Kit includes a 1.7 oz Cleansing Foam, 3.4 oz Clarifying Lotion, and a 1 oz Clearing Moisturizer.

Clinique
www.clinique.ca www.clinique.com
Available at Sears and The Bay

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Line with Microclear

This line contains a new technology called MicroClear, which is clinically proven to boost delivery of acne medicine to unclog congested pores and speed treatment deep to the source. Each product is formulated with skin-soothers, including green tea and cucumber, to actively reduce redness and irritation.

Products in the line: 3 in 1 Hydrating Acne Treatment, Power-Foam Wash, Power-Clear Scrub.

Neutrogena
www.neutrogena.com www.neutrogena.ca
Available at CVS Pharmacy and Shoppers Drugmart

Clean and Clear ADVANTAGE Acne Control Kit

This convenient kit includes 3 Acne Controlling products that contain bacteria-fighting ingredients, penetrating pores and fighting breakouts long after you’ve washed your face.

Kit includes: Acne Control Cleanser 4 oz, Acne Control Moisturizer 2 oz, Spot Treatment .5 oz.

Clean and Clear
www.cleanandclear.ca www.cleanandclear.com
Available at CVS Pharmacy and Shoppers Drugmart

Murad Acne Complex Starter Kit

Sized for travel, this comprehensive collection of blemish-blasters is equipped with four target-specific products, which work synergistically to heal acne and decrease oil production.

Kit includes: Clarifying Cleanser 2 oz, Exfoliating Acne Treatment Gel 1 oz, Acne Spot Treatment .25 oz, Skin Perfecting Lotion 1 oz.

Murad
www.murad.ca www.murad.com
Available at Sephora and Chatters

Philosophy Acne Kit

Philosophy offers a four-step approach to treating acne that is benzoyl peroxide free.
Step 1 – Suppress excessive oil production
Step 2 – Shed the pore wall (exfoliate)
Step 3 – Help sanitize the skin to protect against bacteria
Step 4 – Seal the skin to help keep the good treatments in and the bad elements out

Kit includes: On A Clear Day Super Wash For Oily Skin 3.3 oz, On A Clear Day Blemish Serum for Adult Acne 1 oz, On A Clear Day Hydrogen Peroxide Cream 1 oz, On A Clear Day Protection Cream 1 oz.

Philosophy
www.philosophy.com
Available at Sephora and Blossom Lounge

Dermalogica MediBac Clearing Adult Acne Treatment Kit

Each product, with its unique acne-fighting and clearing ingredients, is designed to be layered upon the skin to provide around-the-clock, maximum control of the four main factors that contribute to acne: overactive sebaceous glands (the production of too much oil), dead skin cell accumulation, bacteria and inflammation.

Kit includes: Clearing Skin Wash 1.7 oz, Clearing Mattifier 0.5 oz, Overnight Clearing Gel 0.5 oz, Concealing Spot Treatment 0.1 oz, Sebum Clearing Masque 0.75 oz and a Oil Control Lotion (sample).

Dermalogica
www.demalogica.ca www.dermalogica.com
Available at Spas throughout North America

If you find that nothing is helping clear up your acne, visit your doctor or dermatologist.

Valentine’s Day will soon be here. Here are a couple of my picks for getting all sassy for your big date with that special someone…

Philosophy Valentine’s Day Lip Duo
Give your special someone sweet kisses this Valentine’s day. Pucker up with philosophy’s high-gloss, shimmery lip shines in powdered sugar cookie and raspberry sorbet. These deliciously scented lip shines smooth and soften lips for the ultimate kiss.

Innocent Illusion by Thierry Mugler ‘Seduction’ Kit
A personal seduction kit to charm in all innocence. Two must-have roll-on perfumes which will caress the skin with the sensual, mysterious notes of Innocent Illusion. A multicolored lip gloss feels sublime on your lips and perfects your charms. All packed in a Thierry Mugler mirrored makeup case.

Tarte Infinite Glow
Achieve a naturally radiant look with this essential palette from Tarte that has everything you need to tan, highlight and add rosy color in minutes. Includes a Mineral Powder Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess (sheer golden tan), award-winning gel Cheek Stain in Tipsy (sheer coral pink) and a moisturizing 24/7 Lip Sheer in May Flowers (sheer rose).

Smashbox ‘O-GLOSS’ Intuitive Lip Gloss
The lip gloss that delivers a personalized pink pout. O-GLOSS is packed with natural skin energizing ingredients like smashbox’s exclusive Goji Berry-C Complex, ginkgo biloba, marine plankton and moisturizing pomegranate seed and avocado oils for long-lasting colour and shine.

Too Faced Hopeless Romantic Quickie Chronicle
The palette features seductive hues of Eye Shadow, Blush, and Lip Gloss.

Benefit Thrrrob
This pretty pink powder provides that natural flush, that you usually can only get from being a little naughty. Perfect for brushing onto cheeks, forehead and chin.