July 17th, 2009, 11:54 am |
2 comments
by Michelle
Confession: ever since I started working in the beauty biz, I’ve thought about creating my own line of skincare products. So I have to admit that I’m a bit jealous of Jessica Burman from Kitchener, Ont., who in 2004 launched Cocoon Apothecary, a line of all-natural products formulated with certified-organic botanicals.
Sometimes it can be hit and miss with natural products, but I was thrilled that I actually LOVED the stuff Jessica sent me to try. When most of the stuff that crosses my desk is full of ingredients I can’t even pronounce, I appreciate that I can actually identify nearly every item on the very short ingredient lists on the labels.
Jessica recently switched to packaging everything in eco-friendly glass, not plastic bottles. And you can tell just by smelling the products that what’s inside are lots of good-for-your-skin essential oils. (I hate the chemical smell of faux lavender, for example, but this stuff is the real thing.)
Here’s what I tried:
The Touchy Feely Body Lotion ($20 for 240 mL) contains organic lavender and rosemary essential oils and is not only incredibly moisturizing but also relieves minor skin irritations from insect bites or sunburns.
The Petal Purity Facial Cleanser ($16 for 100 mL) somehow manages to remove all traces of dirt, oil and makeup without stripping my skin. The secret? Organic almond and coconut essential oils, which bind to pollutants and gently remove them from your pores. But thanks to purifying geranium and lavender essences, it doesn’t make me break out.
The Rosey Cheeks Facial Cream ($40 for 100 mL) contains natural sources of vitamin A (retinol—read more about how much derms love it here), as well as organic rosehip, avocado and green tea oils. Besides hydrating and smoothing, it helps diminish scars and sun damage. Sign me up!
One more reason to love this line: BeautyEditor.ca readers can receive 25% off! Just visit the website at cocoonapothecary.com and use the word “BEAUTY” as your discount code. Happy shopping!
I’m not really a chocoholic—I’m more of a savoury girl—but even I want to slather myself in Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula. Yes, it smells that good. But there’s more to it than that.
When I lived in Australia a few years back, this was THE cult product that all the beauty editors talked about. (No, I wasn’t a beauty editor then, but I sure was obsessive about reading magazines.) Anyway, the reason it was a favourite (and still is, I’m guessing) is because it’s instantly softening, improves the appearance of marks, scars and stretch marks, and soothes skin post-tanning (which… ahem… you know you’re not supposed to do, right?). It’s also great for smoothing cuticles, elbows and knees, and even leaving on your feet overnight to get rid of dryness and cracking. All of that and it’s non-greasy, too.
Quite impressive for a moisturizer that’s under $10, no?
Priced at $5.99. Available at Wal-Mart, Shoppers Drug Mart, Overwaitea and Pharmaprix stores across Canada.
April 10th, 2009, 4:35 pm |
1 comment
by Michelle
Some great tips in The New York Times the other day on drugstore products that work just as well as their pricier department store counterparts (according to pro makeup artist Ann Orcutt). Check out her favourites—and find out where to order them online with FREE shipping and no minimum order!
CoverGirl AquaSmooth Compact Foundation (“The best liquid coverage in a compact liquid/powder format.”)
CoverGirl Cheekers Blush (“It has a bit of sparkle in it, it’s not just a flat color.”)
L’Oréal Voluminous Mascara (“Makeup artists who trained me eight years ago said that it was the best, and I still think it is.”) [Ed's note: I've heard this from makeup artists too—it's a great mascara.]
Revlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eye Shadow Quad (“This is the only drugstore eye shadow I like.”)
Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector (“This is practically an exact copy of the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat Radiant Touch Highlighter.”)
Olay Foaming Face Wash (“My skin is at its best when I’m using this stuff.”)
Read more here—then head over to online drugstore Well.ca, where you can pick up these products, AND get free shipping with no minimum order! Now how budget-friendly is that?!
