Toronto - HEALTH & BEAUTY
May 20th, 2013
summer in the city
As we breeze into summer temps, it's time to trade in cold weather creams and salves for a beauty regime that reflects the season.
Argan oil is fabulous at bringing back luster to winter-damaged skin and hair. Buy it pure, and lather it on from top to tail. From $17.89 at www.noahsnaturalfoods.ca
Trust Bumble and bumble's surf foam wash shampoo and rinse for beachy hair all the time. From $24 each at www.bumbleandbumble.com
Obsessive Compulsive's lip tars have super staying power and will stick to your lips all day long, even in a heat wave. From $18 at Sephora.ca
Give your talons a break from dark lacquers and intricate nail art, and try a nude with attitude. Deborah Lippmann Careless Whisper is our pick. From $15 at select retailers. May 15th, 2013
From B to C
Move over BB, we’re into CC now.
We admit that to anyone but beauty enthusiasts, this sentence must sound like gibberish, but long-time readers will know that we love a product that multitasks. Short for ‘Complexion Corrector,’ the Almay CC Cream is packed with complexion improving ingredients, while conveniently providing coverage with one product. Unlike its predecessor BB, CC can be thought of as more of a skincare product, rather than a makeup one. Almay’s brand new Smart Shade CC Cream does the trick without having to spend a fortune on multiple products. Wear alone for a light summer cover up nad you've got this season's minimal trend covered. —Anya Georgijevic
$16.95 at London Drugs and Shoppers Drug Mart.
May 13th, 2013
here comes the sun
In my teens and early 20s I'd lather myself in olive oil and fry in the Med sun like saganaki on a grill. It's never too late to smarten up, and these days I'll always forfeit an Aphrodite tan for better skin.
Herewith, my three favourite sunscreens:
I swear by Coola and in the summer months particularly, there is always a tube in my bag. If you're all about mineral filter sunscreens, this is the one for you. Tip: the unscented version applies best. www.coolasuncare.com
Skinceuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense SPF 50 is another frontrunner. It's lightweight, paraben free, applies beautifully and performs wonders on oily skin.http://www.skinceuticals.com
The sunscreens from Toronto's Pure and Simple only use natural ingredients and help reduce the signs of premature aging. I'm a big fan of most of their products and the sunscreen is no exception. www.pureandsimple.ca
Now all we need is non-stop sunshine. Come on you sun goddesses, pray with us.
—Athena TsavlirisMay 10th, 2013
a spa story
Prologue [proh-lawg, -log] noun, verb: a preface or introductory part of a discourse, poem, or novel.
It’s this kind of philosophical approach that the owners of Prologue Lifestyle have infused into their airy new spa boutique on King East.
Bay Street boys and girls flock to the sweeping space for pampering that includes waterless foot treatments, organic facials and post board meeting neck and shoulder massages. The attention to detail is impeccable: iPads in lieu of magazines, leather club chairs, medical-grade sterilizing and a sleek wine bar stocked with Niagara vintages. There’s also a thoughtfully curated selection of hard-to-find skincare lines like New Zealand’s Nellie Tier and Sweden’s Recipe for Men.
After a soothing Plantae Facial ($105) we finished our own discourse with a cool glass of Angels Gate Riesling. We just love a happy ending. -Marianne Wisenthal
Prologue Lifestyle, 322 King St. E., Toronto, 416-815-9888, www.prologuelifestyle.comMay 6th, 2013
Get up, stand up
When it comes to working out, we like to know that we're getting somewhere.
And while endless squats might do everybody good, these days, we're more interested in a personalized approach to fitness. That's why we're so enamoured with the Posture Academy program at Rosedale's Eden Pilates. In two weekly one-hour classes for four weeks, you'll learn to balance your muscles and improve your posture, all based on a private and customized body analysis and resulting in a better understanding of what your body needs.And if we grow a centimetre taller, we won't complain, either. —Kat Tancock
$249, first session starts May 25, www.edenpilates.com
April 15th, 2013
it's only natural
Tired of natural beauty products that do little more than leave you smelling like a vegetable patch?
With an elegant new store, and dozens more products, Jacob and Sebastian is our go-to for natural creams, scrubs and lotions that are as luxurious as they are effective.
We asked owner, Joel to share the products he can’t live without:
Rahua Shampoo and Conditioner are the first hair products that actually changed the texture of my hair for the better. I love the conditioner because it doubles as a styling cream making it that much more worth it!
Tata Harper's Hydrating Floral Essence is worth every penny! This facial spray hydrates, plumps and balances all skin types (it's even oil-free).
The YOSHII Towels are the softest (and most beautiful) towels that I have ever used. They’re quick drying, ultra absorbent, and compact for easy storage.
Red Flower Ohana Gingergrass Bamboo Scrub contains the tiniest little crushed bamboo granules for the gentlest full-body resurfacing. I love this body scrub because it doesn't leave a greasy film on the skin, but lathers and rinses clean (from the tub too!).
MUN's Nighttime Dream Youth Serum does it all (while you sleep!). I’m prone to dark under eye circles and I have pretty temperamental skin in general, but this prickly pear and argan concoction noticeably smooths, balances and brightens my easily aggravated skin. Plus, it smells amazing.—Athena Tsavliris
April 8th, 2013
drugstore divas: toronto edition
We’re suckers for luxe creams in pretty packaging, but sometimes, it’s those cheap and cheerful drugstore buys that work the biggest miracles.
Chapped lips be gone. Our kit is never without a pot of good old-fashioned Vaseline.
Essence Cosmetics is another makeup kit staple. The colours are gorgeous, with nothing over $3.99. Bargain.
When we can’t be bothered to wash our hair, Klorane's dry shampoo (or a chic cashmere beenie) works wonders.
Another mane miracle, is the restorative conditioning mask from Live Clean’s argan oil collection.
And for winter worn hands, few things beat Burt’s Bees hand salve. —Athena Tsavliris
April 5th, 2013
the pony makes a comeback
After years top knotting her tresses the fashion girl is returning to her classic ponytail.
“We imagine that even when Eve was having a bad hair day, she’d rip a vine off the Tree of Good and Evil and whip her boob-length hair back into a swingy ponytail,” wrote The Cut in a recent spotlight of the best ponytails in history.
Barbie and Brigitte Bardot made the list, of course, but our personal pick is Audrey Hepburn’s simple, polished pony.
But if you like yours low and loose, Honestly WTF has you covered, and if it’s sleek and polished you’re after, have a look here.—Athena Tsavliris
March 11th, 2013
spring skin lab
When winter is overstaying its welcome, we’d give anything not to see dry and ashy skin reflected in the mirror.
Thankfully Julie Clark, a Toronto-based holistic health practitioner, has developed Province Apothecary, a line composed of local, plant-based and synthetic-free ingredients.
The result is a range of gentle facial products: We loved the Nourishing + Revitalizing Moisturizer ($70). Thicker than our usual face creams, just a little goes a long way and it is ideal for protecting rosy cheeks against the wind. The Invigorating + Balancing Toner ($40) has been a lifesaving refresher after workouts (and nights out). Not sure where to start? A skin consultation or facial at Clark’s Roncesvalles studio is a good place to start.
There’s really nothing provincial about it. —Julie Whelan
March 8th, 2013
the cat's meow
Ever since make-up artist Charlotte Tilbury showed us how to create the perfect feline flick, liquid liner’s been a staple in our kit.
But instead of black, it’s a catflick in high wattage colour that we’re flirting with. Think acid yellow, of-the-moment orange or cobalt blue. A line across the upper lid is all you need, drawn with a steady hand and finished with a sexy, little flick.
Tarte has a creamy Amazonian clay infused eyeliner ($24) that comes in a range of colours and Nars and Mac are always frontrunners for colour rich pencils and liners that are easy to work with.Meow.
—Athena Tsavliris




