GLOW GETTER | My TIFF Celebrity Facial with IMAGE Skincare

My Image Skincare O2 facial at the ready...

Anyone else notice that whilst on the red carpet, celebs always seem to carry an extra dose of glow? It can't just be the makeup, or the lighting, or the flattering reflection off the carpet itself. 'They must have something done,' I always mutter to myself as I sit on the couch watching the Emmys/Globes/Oscars, curtains sometimes drawn since I've probably put on a sheet mask at this point, often hugging my not-very-toned arms for comfort, always eating chips. And it's not just the women. The men always look like they've Benjamin Button-ed, too. I need their secret. I want in. 

And so, when the charming team at Charming Media invite me to TIFF to try out a celebrity red carpet treatment firsthand, I give a little fist pump and reply y-e-s. The first few weeks of school have all but destroyed any summer glow that I had so I neeeed this treatment. And there's a chance I might see Ryan Gosling. There's always that. 

I head up to a beautiful private suite at the very top of Trump Tower (you-know-who doesn't own it anymore btw) where Esthetics Plus has teamed up with Deadline Hollywood to provide spa treatments to TIFF's A-list talent to help them get red carpet ready. I'm given the choice between a Sunescape spray tan, NovaLash lash extensions or an IMAGE Skincare facial. I'm not big on spray tans, am super tempted by the idea of lash extensions, but decide that what I really need in my life right now is glowing skin. 

I'm told I just missed the Orphan Black girl as I lounge back and get ready for bliss. I've seen IMAGE Skincare products at Gee Beauty (one of my absolute fav spots in the 6ix) but have yet to try them out for myself. My esthetician tells me that IMAGE Skincare was created by a European plastic surgeon and is considered one of the most innovative skincare brands in the industry, with potent active ingredients that score results. As someone in her late-30's, I'm always looking for Results. And since I won't do Botox quite yet, I'm happy to invest in products that actually work. After looking at my skin, she decides on the O2 Lift Facial which uses oxygen, plant-derived technology and specially concentrated enzymatic botanicals to deliver instantly luminous, lifted skin. My oxygen facial (that red carpet secret I've been seeking) lasts about an hour but is so relaxing it feels like three. She massages and exfoliates my face, then puts on a mask that slowly, oh-so-awesomely sinks into my skin (see pic below) delivering O2 particles exactly where I need them. My dehydrated face takes it all in as my esthetician remarks that 'some people need it more than others.' Um, note to self: Must. Drink. More. Water. My stress level was close to a 9 when I walked in but I glide out at a solid 3. Maybe 2. I catch a glimpse of myself in the elevator on the way down and expect redness after the exfoliation but only see a pretty rush of colour in my cheeks. No downtime, no swelling - just calm, glowing skin. 

The week following my treatment, I'm given an IMAGE Skincare Post Treatment trial kit to keep my celeb glow going. My skin feels quite dry for the first few days post-treatment as it adjusts to all the attention, but then I notice that my skin looks healthier, plumped up, and I'd even saying glowing, even when I'm makeup-free. If only Ryan Gosling could see me now. Um, he might give me an autograph, right?

Want to try the products for yourself. Head to epbeauty.ca to find an IMAGE Skincare distributor near you. Scroll down for pics from my red carpet facial + see some of the celebs who tested out IMAGE Skincare during TIFF, including RG, of course :) 

 

You know your brand's made it when it has its own magazine...

Jason Sudeikis picks up some IMAGE Skincare products for his gorge wife, Olivia Wilde...

Anne Hathaway checks out IMAGE Skincare for the first time

John Legend. Wow, he really does have great skin, no?

Grace Van Patten takes home IMAGE Skincare

Ryan Gosling. Um sorry, where was I?

Dreaming of Ryan...sigh...  Oh wait, I mean my husband. Right, my husband...

My IMAGE Skincare post treatment kit keeps the glow going...

WHAT'S GOOD | My Top Summer Beauty Picks from Sephora

Okay, so I have good news and I have bad news. Let's start with the good news: a shiny new Sephora is now officially open at Vaughan Mills. Now for the bad news: a shiny new Sephora is now officially open at Vaughan Mills. The minute I heard my fave beauty boîte was coming to VM, my heart swelled and my credit card dug itself deeper into my wallet. 
Let's just say that I have a bit of a problem when it comes to Sephora. Like any addict, I require a level of self-control that isn't always easy to maintain. If it's a tough day, or a rainy day, or any day that ends in 'day', I find myself coveting that new cream, that new shade of lipstick, that new highlighter, that serum that everyone's obsessing over.

Still, a blogger's gotta do what a blogger's gotta do and I had to go to check out the new Sephora and report back. See pics I took at the VIB grand opening party and my top summer beauty picks from Sephora over on the Vaughan Mills blog now. Some damage was done (but I have to say my skin is looking great)...

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Hair Dare with Dove Regenerative Nourishment

I’m not really a hair person. As a fashion stylist, I constantly change up my look. As a beauty junkie, I have loads of fun switching up my makeup on the daily. But as for my hair? It’s just there. I get it cut every 3 months or so (just a trim, please) and wouldn’t normally get it coloured if I didn’t have greys. Oh, and I rarely, if ever, (like maybe 3 times a year), use any heat styling tools on my hair. The dryer just sits there. The curling wand I spent so much money on lives in its drawer unless I have to dress up. And while I used to use my straightening iron all the time, it too has languished over the past few years. While it’s probably healthy to avoid all the heat styling, I counteract the benefits by going to bed with wet hair all the time and often throw it into a ponytail when it’s still wet, which causes serious breakage. I call this no-maintenance, French girl beauty. For the record, I’m not even French. But if I’m honest, I’m really just lazy when it comes to hair.

When Dove challenged me to a hair dare, I was super excited. This was exactly what I needed. I’m not boring. I’m not predictable. And while I’m fine with low-maintenance, no-maintenance is a problem. I feel totally ready for a change. Challenge accepted.

I go to my stylist, Michelle, and instead of my regular ‘Just give me my natural brown - like the colour of my roots, minus the greys’, I say ‘I want to go dark.’ She just stares at me in the mirror. She thinks I’m kidding. We sit there staring at each other for a good minute. After years of trying to convince me to do something fun, here I sit, ready to do it with no prompting on her part. Once I convince her I’m serious, we agree on a shade that’s 2 shades darker than my regular colour and a cut that’s definitely more than a trim. When it’s done, I’m kind of loving it and of course, she styles it in a way that I never have the patience to do myself. 

A few days later,I wash my hair with my regular shampoo. I let it air dry but somehow, the air dry look just doesn’t do my new cut or colour justice. My hair looks dry and frizzy and not at all like it did with Michelle. Okay Dove, let’s do this.

I’m usually reluctant to try drugstore brands because I’ve become so accustomed to blowing my full paycheques on salon products. Luckily, Dove and I go way back so there are no trust issues here. When it comes time to wash my hair the next time, I’m ready to try the Dove Regenerative Nourishment Shampoo and Dove Regenerative Nourishment Conditioner. With its Red Algae + Keratin NutriComplex, it helps regenerate the healthy look and feel of hair damaged by over-processing. I never use masks or clarifying shampoos or oils or really anything that I should be using to keep my strands healthy so I totally need this. The shampoo smells amazing and I only need a bit of conditioner to make my hair feel super soft.

I’m feeling so empowered that I decide to bring out my neglected heat styling tools and give them a go. I dry my hair with actual hot air (bam), I straighten it to get rid of my ever-present poufiness (kazow) and I even use my curling wand to give my hair those easy, beachy waves that I always like on other people. 

The next time I wash my hair, I decide to really go for it and use the Dove Regenerative Nourishment Serum-in-Oil. After adding a few drops (just put a few pumps in your hand, rub together and smooth through the ends - so easy) my hair doesn’t even look like my hair anymore. The straightening iron usually gives me loads of flyaways and a generally crispy feeling but the oil just gives it this crazy, amazing shine.

No more no-maintenance for this girl. Now that I know I can colour and heat style my hair to my heart’s content and still walk away with gorgeous locks, the possibilities are endless.I should probably let Michelle sit down before I tell her…

Ready to try something new? Why not try the Dove #HairDare challenge? I dare you ;)

The Regenerative Nourishment range, formulated with Red Algae + Keratin NutriComplex, is a specific daily program for damaged, over-processed hair, making it smoother and stronger against breakage - as if damage never happened. Learn More!

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by Dove Canada via Mode Media Canada.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dove Canada.

THE HYPE | Korean Beauty Secrets You Need to Know

I've heard all the hype. And I thought it was overblown. But after starting with a sheet mask here and a serum there, I'm now fully, unapologetically, hooked. Read on for my top K-Beauty picks from The Face Shop...

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#WIN IT | A Holiday Beauty Boost from pürminerals and TSC

I'll be honest - my pre-kid self wasn't all that discerning. Like wine, I'd pick makeup based mostly on the packaging (doesn't everyone?), without giving much thought to what ingredients it contained. Since I'm super careful about the products I give my kids, I now try to be more thoughtful about my own skincare regimen, too. 

I started using Pür Minerals products a few months ago and have become a complete convert. It goes on light, never looks cakey, and helps me look glowy and well-rested after those nights (make that most nights) when I'm short on sleep. 

The Shopping Channel just sent me the brand new  Pür Minerals 5PC Holiday Pürfection Collection to test out, just in time for party season. The set includes:

o   Pur Minerals 4-IN-1 Pressed Mineral Powder with SPF 15 -$32.00

o   Pur Minerals Fall Matte Pallette- NEW- $35.00

o   Pur Minerals Chisel Brush- $26.00

o   Pur Minerals Lip gloss in Tickled -20.00

o   Pur Minerals Eye Pencil in Hello Bright Eyes W/ Smudger -$19.50

o   Total Value: $132.50

While the set normally retails for $79.99, the Pür Minerals 5PC Holiday Pürfection Collection launches this week as the daily Today’s Showstopper at The Shopping Channel for only $47.95. Um, crazy good deal for this set. Sale starts this Friday, Dec. 12 at 10 p.m. ET and ends Sat., Dec. 13 at 10 p.m. ET  - or until quantities last.

Now for the fun part:

The Shopping Channel has given me an extra Pür Minerals 5PC Holiday Pürfection Collection set to give away to one of you! 

Here's how to win it.

1) Follow @theShoppingChan and @realliferunway on Twitter. 

2) Tweet the following '@theShoppingChan & @realliferunway are giving away Pür Minerals Holiday Pürfection Collection & I want it! RT to #win http://bit.ly/12JHP6L'

3) For a bonus entry, 'like' this post on Instagram. 

4) Open to residents of Canada only.

5) Contest ends Friday Dec 12th at 5 pm.

GOOD LUCK! xx