Toronto

  • May 10th, 2012

    Aesop's Table

    No wolf in sheep's clothing, Aesop products for skin, body and hair are just as classic and understated as the labels suggest.

    This year celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Australian brand has made its Toronto debut at menswear boutique Oliver Spencer. On my visit, the line was spread on a central table to allow shoppers easy access to tubes and bottles of gender-neutral, subtly-scented concoctions like the Resurrection Aromatique Hand Balm with mandarin rind and wild rosemary ($29 for 75 mL), which instantly soothed my post-swimming pool parched hands.

    This is one line that might have to be hidden from the boyfriend. —Kat Tancock

    Oliver Spencer, 962 Queen St. W., Toronto, 647-348-7673, www.oliverspencertoronto.com

  • April 27th, 2012

    Health Food Store Scores

    Our Editor's spill their best beauty and wellness secrets straight from the shelves of your local health food store.

    I bid farewell to dry skin the day I discovered Weleda’s Sea Buckthorn Body Oil two years ago. For maximum absorption, I use it right after the shower, while the pores are still wide open. Its slightly golden tint does wonders to one’s legs, leaving them radiant and summer-ready. Weleda's Sea Buckthorn Body Oil, $26.00, www.weleda.com —Anya Georgijevic

    Rumour has it it’s good for your heart, immune system, and metabolism, but I love coconut oil because it adds bold flavour to everything from rice to stir-fries. Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, from $11.99, www.nutiva.com —Kelsey Dundon

    I’ve recently become obsessed with The Simply Bar, which is a super high protein energy bar that is low in calories, vegan, gluten free, low GI, blah, blah, blah. Those things are important, of course, but I just love that it is tasty and really fills me up! The Simply Bar, $2.49 to $2.99 from Urban Fare, Whole Foods, Planet Organic, and more. www.thesimplybar.com —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

    I drink "green water" with a teaspoon of mint flavoured liquid chlorophyll (the stuff used in photosynthesis) which has a plethora of health benefits which range from healing tissue, to aiding anemia to curing bad breath! It can also be used as a natural mouthwash. —Sarah Bancroft

    My children are always bringing home colds. To fend off sniffles, I load up on Sisu vitamin C. $25.89 at Noah's Natural Foods, www.sisu.com —Athena Tsavliris

    I like to have a bag of superfoods on hand should I have the urge to snack on vitamin-filled veggies. Rhythm Kale Chips are crispy creations in flavours including kool ranch and mango habanero. There are no regrets after eating these chips. Rhythm Kale Chips, $6.99, www.rhythmsuperfoods.com —Jaelyn Molyneux

    I first bought Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap out of curiosity after watching the film about him on Netflix, and I have to admit that I kind of love the soap, especially the fact that it lathers beautifully despite being sulphate-free. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap, $6.99, www.drbonner.com —Christine Laroche

  • April 23rd, 2012

    Keep It Simple

    Who remembers her first skin care regimen? As a teen I used to slap on Oil of Olay like cream cheese on toast and I was faithful to just one cleanser: Simple.

    Launched in 1960 in the U.K. (every girl I knew started with Simple) the brand took a ‘no nasties’ approach before it was fashionable. Simple cleansers, scrubs and creams contain no colour, perfume and fuss and are also incredibly reasonable (hence, the teen/student fan base).

    Today, I still carry Simple's kind to skin cleansing facial wipes with me wherever I go; equally handy for sippy cup spills and mascara runs. –Athena Tsavliris

    Now available in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart across the GTA.

  • March 26th, 2012

    Drugstore Divas: Toronto

    Because beauty doesn’t have to cost a pretty penny, we’re spilling the deets on our best-loved drugstore products. Trust us: They are as affordable as they are awesome

    Simple Skin Care
    A staple since our teen years, Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser ($9.19) is still the best sensitive-skin cleanser we’ve ever come across.

     

    Hold It
    The gold standard of hairspray, find me a stylist that doesn’t swear by L'Oréal Elnett Satin Hairspray ($11.99).

     

     

    Back to Basics
    Why spend a fortune on artisan lip balms when good old Vaseline ($1.99) will do? No girl should be without it.

     

     

    Quick Change Artist
    We change our polish as often as our pants (yes, daily) so there’s no point in shelling out on expensive lacquers. Sally Hansen’s Complete Salon Manicure Nail Polish ($6.99) is five-steps-in-one. Save on time and cash.

     

    Simple Soap
    Beautifully packaged hand-milled soaps belong
    among our delicates. To keep us squeaky clean, we choose the ever-so-lovely Dove ($1.99 for a 2 pack). —Athena Tsavliris

    All products available at Shoppers Drug Mart, www.shoppersdrugmart.ca

     

  • February 17th, 2012

    Beauty and the Boys

    Why do things in a man’s wash bag seem more interesting than our own? Much to his chagrin, here’s what we pillage every day:

    If ‘men sweat and ladies perspire’ we may need some help. Alcohol and aluminum- free, the eucalyptus deodorant from Malin+Goetz keeps us dry as a duchess. $20 at Jacob & Sebastian, 622 Queen St. W., Toronto, 674-345-0478, www.jacobandsebastian.com

    Our boy likes his hair products (lucky us) and we routinely dip into his jar of Kerastase Homme Densifying Modeling Paste. It’s great for taming fly-aways and we love the smell. $35 at www.kerastase.ca

    The old-school barbers of Florence might not approve but Proraso isn’t just for signori. The brush and shaving cream combo that Sweet Cheeks uses on his five-o-clock works wonders on our legs. Get great tips for a close shave here. From $7 at Shoppers Drugmart, www.shoppersdrugmart.com

    While we’re at it we may as well take the wash bag too. This handsome one from WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie is made from recycled cotton canvas. It’s roomy enough for all his haul, plus our own. $225 at www.mrporter.com —Marianne Wisenthal

  • January 9th, 2012

    All Natural

    With so many good, eco-conscious cleansers, moisturizers, and cosmetics out there, it’s never been easier to go green.

    Featuring everything from cleansers and body oils and sunscreens, this Quebec-based company is all about keeping it natural. Smith Farms is the brainchild of sisters Julia and Rebecca Sinclair-Smith and boasts products made from 100 per cent natural ingredients, free of nasty parabens, pesticides, or artificial dyes.

    Each product, including a medicinal marshmallow face cream, ($28) goat’s milk soap ($15) and shea butter lip balm ($5) is handmade at the family farm in Western Quebec and packaged simply using eco-friendly materials.

    Just think, cosmetics good enough to eat. —Athena Tsavliris

    See website for stockists, www.smithfarmsproducts.com

  • September 26th, 2011

    Natural Glow

    Fancy a beauty ritual with great returns on little output?

    It’s no wonder beauty editors are raving about the Binchotan facial puff ($19). Who knew flushed cheeks and a barefaced glow could be this simple? The sponge is made with konjac vegetable and charcoal powder which both have innate detoxifying and exfoliating properties. Use daily for skin that’s clean, bright and smooth.

    It only lasts a couple of months before you’ll need to chuck it, so take our word for it, and buy a few. —Athena Tsavliris

    At Jacob and Sebastian, 622 Queen St. W., Toronto, 647-345-0478, www.jacobandsebastian.com 

  • September 12th, 2011

    In the nick of time

    He rocked the beard way before it was cool. Now, he’s reuniting with the razor. Equip your lad with the right arsenal and he’ll never go ape again.

    Start with a good blade that has been warmed in the sink or under hot running water. Crown Shaving Co. has all the products  he’ll need. A pre-shave formula ($18) to help reduce burn, nicks and cuts, a thick and silky shaving cream ($26) infused with peppermint and eucalyptus, and a soothing after-shave lotion ($18) to nourish and hydrate freshly shaved skin. The products (made in small batches in Toronto) are alcohol and paraben-free and come in apothecary style packaging.

    He’ll look smooth, glowy and polished. Your mum may (finally) approve. —Athena Tsavliris

    Visit www.crownshavingco.com for stockists.

     

  • September 9th, 2011

    Perfect Formula

    If you have completely and utterly perfect skin, well, you can go for a long walk and not come back. This one's for the rest of us.

    Women with problem skin who've “tried everything” know that acne products can be as flawed as what they're trying to fix. The ones that kill sebum and bacteria also strip your skin, making it flake faster than a fairweather friend. And the ones that are gentle and organic just don't do the trick.

    Enter the happy medium. FORMULAB, developed locally by Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, is an acne-targeting system combining your standard active ingredients (anti-bacterial sodium compounds in the soap-free cleanser, witch hazel in the astringent toner, benzoyl peroxide in the spot cream) with soothing botanical extracts (grapefruit, green tea and cucumber) to keep skin healthily balanced. Products are sold individually or in two sets: one for young adults, one for real adults, both a reasonable $97.
    —Sarah Nicole Prickett

    www.formulab.ca

  • August 15th, 2011

    Just another mani monday

    From moon manis to minx to crystal studded acids, who needs accessories when you’ve got statement talons?

    Yeah, around here, we love our weekly manicures. But when we’re pushed for time, stick-on polish  is the next best thing. We’ve tried a few, and Sephora’s are by far the easiest to apply. Stick, snip and file. They last a few days and come in an assortment of prints (leopard is the cat’s meow). —Athena Tsavliris

    At Sephora stores across the GTA, www.sephora.com