FIVE TO TRY . H¥DRATION MASKS FOR DR¥ SKIN

Winter takes a toll on our skin – especially given the current temperatures. Sometimes it feels like no matter how much moisturizer or beauty oil I apply to my skin, it will never feel truly hydrated, soft or satisfied. This type of situation calls for an army of hydrating masks that are prepared to rejuvenate your skin from the driest of conditions. I've assembled a team of five hydrating products to call to battle whenever my skin begins feeling tight or dry. It may seem excessive to some, but each product is so truly unique, and effective that I simply cannot fathom saying goodbye to a single one.

THE ARM¥

Arbonne | RE9 Advanced Intense Hydration Overnight Mask [*]($81) – I've mentioned recently that I've been striving to create a more natural skincare and beauty regime, and this overnight mask brings me one step closer. The RE9 Advanced Mask features algae, stabilized vitamin C, peptides, mango seed and shea butters, cassava extract, and golden jojoba and olive oils to 'soothe and nourish, keeping [skin] hydrated all night long, so you say good morning to a glowing, refreshed face.' The formula sinks deeply into the skin, disappearing within an instant, meaning I can either layer on argan oil for added hydration, or simply sleep peacefully, without feeling the mask on my skin. Plus, it's so light that it can be used daily without causing breakouts – a sign that I need to stock up on this ASAP, especially given that this was a limited-edition released for Arbonne's 35th Anniversary. 

Kiehl's | Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque ($36) – This was one of the very first overnight masks I ever tried, and it has maintained it's place in my skincare posse thanks to it's effective formula. The Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque is formulated with 'Ophiopogon Japonicus, also known as Fountain Plant, which fills skin's ’'hydration reservoir'' to help reduce moisture depletion.' It leaves my skin intensely hydrated, even after a single use, however it does take a few sleeps to get accustomed to. The formula is rather sticky, which means you're often found peeling yourself from your pillow come the morning – a small price to pay for such wonderful results. It also makes a great option for those with sensitive skin given that it is silicone-, paraben-, fragrance- and colorant-free. 

GlamGlow | THIRTSYMUD Hydrating Treatment ($76) – I had been dying to try out this hydrating treatment and finally got the opportunity thanks to this trial-sized version I snagged in a Sephora Favourites kit from Christmas. THIRSTYMUD moisturizes, restores, replenishes, and calms the skin via three complexes. 'Dewdration™ boosts and locks in moisture for a dewy and youthful result, while HydraPack™ leaves skin with an instant silky, soft, and supple feel, and GreenEnergy™ smooths and energizes the skin, giving you a healthy-looking, glowing complexion.' Like most products from GlamGlow you experience a slight tingling, cooling feeling upon application, which would feel especially lovely when used on vacation, as it also features a coconut scent. And yet it's still found a home in my winter loves despite the summery scent, because of the healthy, dewy glow it adds to my skin.  

Origins | Drink Up 10-Minute Mask To Quench Skin's Thirst ($29) – This is my go-to hydrating product – primarily thanks to the scent, partially thanks to the speed. The  Origins Drink Up 10-Minute Mask is an apricot-scented mask that was created for days when your skin is feeling extremely dry and you're looking for a quick boost of moisture. Within 10 minutes this mask hydrates, and delivers a soft and supple appearance to skin, through the use of ingredients like emollient-rich apricot kernel oil and algae extracts. I find myself predominantly using this mask on morning when my skin is looking worse for wear, and I somehow forgot to apply an overnight mask the night before. I simply apply it all over my face before I begin styling my hair and wipe it off before applying makeup to create a smooth base for makeup application.

Peter Thomas Roth | Cucumber Gel Mask ($56) – The Cucumber Gel Mask only reaches it's full glory when it's been left in the refrigerator for a few hours before application. The coolness of the gel feels refreshing on the skin and helps to remove puffiness, and redness. But the Cucumber Gel Mask does much more than just that thanks to the inclusion of botanical extracts from cucumber, papaya, chamomile, pineapple, sugar maple, sugarcane, orange, lemon, bilberry, and aloe. These extracts make this mask one of the most hydrating masks I own. It's also the most versatile, and can be used to calm and soothe irritated skin after sun exposure, peels, waxing, and facials. I swear there is nothing that the Cucumber Gel Mask cannot do, and the best part is that I'm not even showing the full size here, which is actually 150mL. That's a whole lotta mask!

If you're interested in testing it out, Peter Thomas Roth also offers this adorable set of minis in the Mini Mask Magic Kit.

What mask do you reach for come winter?

AM¥     XO

[*]Some of the items in this post have been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer.

5 THINGS . WTF WINTER . RESCUE KIT

The snow may be absent but there is no doubt that we are well into winter now – negative temps, bundled bodies, and the always-anticipated-but-not-so-welcomed dry skin. I've always had a few products that I reach for at this time of the year, but never have I been so confident and content with my 'winter skincare rescue kit'. It's the perfect mixture of soothing and hydrating products packed alongside one creamy exfoliator to ensure my skin is soft, smooth, and nourished all season long.

Whenever I arrive back at my condo after braving the frigid temps the first thing I long for is a hot, steamy shower – it not only warms me up, but instantly puts me into a state of relaxation. And it's times like these when I reach for The Body Shop Coconut Body Scrub – the scent takes me to a tropical paradise, while the creamy scrub softens my skin without stripping it of moisture. Once I run out of this scrub I'll definitely be turning to the newest range from The Body Shop for the Wild Argan Oil Rough Scrub because it looks incredible! From here on out it's all about the moisturizing products, and for my body there is no brand I trust more than Josie Maran, especially the Whipped Argan Oil Intensive Hand Cream. Although it may be a hand cream, this stuff works wonders on the backs of my hands, arms, elbows, even my heels – if there is a rough bit on my body this product will ensure it vanishes. 

My face has been loving the new Biotherm Aquasource Cocoon sample, which I received in my Winter Luxe Box. This is the invisible balaclava of this skincare world – it truly does nourish your skin like a balm, lasting for hours, yet has the lightweight feel of a gel. But there are still days when my face feels absolutely beaten by the wind and is in dire need of a moisture miracle. These days call for the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque, a clear gel which envelops skin in a moisture barrier that works overnight to deeply hydrate and protect. It takes some time to get used to wearing this mask overnight as your face literally sticks to the pillow, but now that I'm accustomed to the stickiness I wake up feeling refreshed, with softer, rejuvenated skin. Last but not least, is the Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Mint, which I apply as frequently as possible. I've spoken of this product a million times over because it's just that amazing for winter, especially as a preventative measure before you have to face the cold.     

What are you essentials for braving the cold and coming out of it with beautiful skin?

AM¥     XO

SEVEN TO TRY . FOR WIDE AWAKE E¥ES

We've all been there. Partied a little two hard and woken up with big black bags under our eyes – not a good look. This weekend I have a few events that will require me to stay up past my typical 10:30pm bed time, so I've compiled a kit of seven products to ensure I look bright-eyed come morning – yes, I'm that much of a grandma.

The first savior for tired eyes is a product that is entirely new to me, and contains dragon's blood... you heard me, dragon's blood. The Rodial Dragon's Blood Eye Masks[*] use bio-cellulose technology and dragon's blood [a natural plant extract] to intensely hydrate and plump the under eye region. Much needed for those of us who forget to guzzle water before bed after a night of drinking. I further hydrate this delicate area with my most-loved Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado – the unique formula applies as a cream but quickly transforms, giving a water-like feel as you massage it in. Now to the makeup, the most compelling way to fake that you've had a full 8 hours of sleep. My go-to for concealing under the eyes is my Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque – I've been using it for years now as it instantly hides dark circles and never creases, which can accentuate my naturally puffy eyes. What a lot of people don't recognize is that it's equally as important to colour correct your eyelids as well, and my mom has got me hooked on Benefit's Lemon-Aid for this. The soft-yellow shade corrects redness that may occur if you 'forgot' to wash your makeup off – I say 'forgot' because I often know that I should wash my face and simply choose sleep instead. The next step is to line the waterline with a nude eye liner – this will make your eyes appear larger without having the stark effect that a white pencil can have. I love the Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Liner in Nude because the creamy formula ensures I'm not tugging at my eyes. I then pop a bit of my Stila Smudge Crayon in Kitten in the inner corners and blend with my ring finger – the pearl champagne shade has an instant brightening effect and can double as a brow bone highlight. The final step is mascara, and lots of it. I received a sample of the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara[*] in the Double Exposure Palette and have been obsessed with it ever since. The thick brush is similar to Make Up For Ever's Smoky Lash, which was formerly my HG mascara, creating thick bold lashes, without clumps. And if all that fails... well, you're most likely a zombie and should just throw on some sunglasses.

What are your go-to products for the day after a sleepless night?

AM¥     XO

[*]Some of the items in this post have been sent to THE PRETT¥ VAIN for purpose of review. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer.  

MORNING SKINCARE REGIME

I haven't been able to consider myself a 'fully functioning adult' until earlier this month. Why you ask? Well up until now I've been seriously avoiding committing to a skin care regime. It's not that I didn't have great skin care products, I did, and skin care is one of my favourite categories to purchase from. I just couldn't get behind the routine of it all. But now, on the verge of 25, I've finally come up with a morning regime that takes less than five minutes and has left my skin rejoicing. I wouldn't say that this is my 'be-all and end-all' skin care regime – I'm still on a hunt for the perfect moisturizer – but it's pretty damn close.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Cleanser ($44)

Those of you who followed THE PRETT¥ VAIN pre-makeover will know that this is, and most likely will forever be, my HG face wash. I grew up using Cetaphil, one of the gentlest cleansers on the market, and now, years later, I consider Purity to be it's high-end older sister. The pH-balanced formula dissolves dirt and makeup with ease – I never feel the need to use a makeup remover – and never leaves my skin feeling tight. A great option for those with sensitive skin or anyone on the search for a gentle cleanser.

Caudalie Beauty Elixir ($53)

With a fan base that includes Liv Tyler, Karlie Kloss and Victoria Beckham you know that the Beauty Elixir simply has to be worth the hype. This part-toner, part-serum mist of essential oils and plant active ingredients instantly wakes my skin up leaving me refreshed and radiant for the day. It's not often that a skin care product can deliver such immediate results, but I truly notice lackluster skin on days when I forget to spritz. I even carry a travel-sized version with me at all times to wake me up when I'm looking bogged down.

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum ($79)

This is the first full-sized serum I've ever purchased, and to be honest I probably would have doubted purchasing it more had it not come complete with a travel-sized Beauty Elixir in Caudalie's Instant Radiance Set. This highly concentrated serum is dispensed via a dropper and contains Viniferine, a molecule collected from grapevine sap, which is 62x more powerful at minimizing the appearance of dark spots than Vitamin C. I wouldn't say that I have an abundant level of dark spots, however during that dreadful time of the month I get pimples which always result in discoloration. I've been using the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum for about 3 weeks now and have already noticed a decrease in these areas, resulting in a more even skin tone. It also is brilliant at increasing radiance, which is my main goal in skincare and life – I was born to shine.

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation Moisturizer ($48)

Sheer Transformation is the only product in my routine I'm still on the fence about. In some regards I absolutely love it; the oil-free, lightweight formula feels great on my skin, and completely disappears almost immediately. However, with a name like sheer transformation you would expect just that. Albeit loaded with potent ingredients like vitamin C, licorice, sugar cane and multifruits AHA's, I've yet to notice a difference in my skin that I can attribute to this moisturizer. It hasn't led my skin astray and certainly hasn't created any new issues but I know in my heart that this simply will not proved the protection my skin needs for the harsh winter ahead. I may revert back to my previous love, Origins A Perfect World, but I'd love to hear what moisturizer you guys suggest!

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado ($35)

A brief history on my life with Avocado: when I was in Grade 8 I was obsessed with becoming a biochemist and was constantly re-creating beauty recipes from the internet, my favourite was an avocado, honey and olive oil hair mask. Flash forward to University where my roommate got me addicted to avocado slathered on toast with salt and pepper. And now I use the Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado (of course) to help brighten my under eye region. The formula is truly unique; the look and feel of this treatment is that of a cream... until you start to work it into the under eye area, at which point is takes on a water-like texture, absorbing instantly. I've noticed a decrease in the darkness of my under eye circles and an increase in moisture, which means it'll be a few more years before I start noticing those dreaded crows feet. Thanks Avocado :)

GlamGlow BrightMud Eye Treatment ($76)

Some days it feels like a mountain of makeup is the only solution to tired eyes, but instead I turn to the GlamGlow BrightMud Eye Treatment. I don't use this treatment on the regular since it is quite a steep price point, but on days when I look and feel like a zombie it is the only product that will revert me back to human form. The treatment itself only takes 3 minutes and requires absolutely no water. You simply 'tap' it onto the under eye region, wait 3 minutes and wipe it off with a clean cloth. The brands Tapwipe™ Bioactive Mud works immediately to brighten and hydrate the under eyes to make you look and feel as good as new.

What products complete your morning skincare regime?

AMY     XO

KIEHL'S • MICRO-BLUR SKIN PERFECTOR

After being turned onto this miracle product by my friend and fellow blogger, Teresa of What T Loves, I knew I had to share it with all of you. But I couldn't help but ponder how I should define the Kiehl's Micro Blur Skin Perfector. It's classified as a skin moisturizer on their website, but it is so much more than that. I like to consider it a primer with added skin benefits. Regardless of it's definition, one thing is for sure; the Micro Blur Skin Perfector is the shit.

This flesh-toned specialty product is designed to diminish the appearance of pores and refine skin texture, providing long-lasting pore and texture correction. The first thing I noticed was the breathable formula. Some primers – ahem, Smashbox's Photo Finish – leave your skin feeling heavy and clogged, but the Micro Blur Skin Perfector is uniquely different. With a water-based formula and a silicone level that is significantly lower than your average primer it is no wonder why skin is left refreshed and hydrated. And the inclusion of lipo hydroxy acid, bark and lentil extracts means it is able to minimize the appearance of fine lines, pores and uneven skin texture for immediate and long term effects. I can't speak to the products long-term effects on the skin as I have only been using it for a week, but I am in awe of the immediate benefits I notice when worn daily under my foundation. My skin is noticeably smoother, the appearance of my pores is minimized and, my personal favourite aspect, it isn't completely mattifying so I still maintain a natural dewyness and glow. Best of all, it lasts for 12+ hours – even on the sweatiest of days  – meaning you will spend less time touching up your look! 

Have you become entranced by the blurring powers of the Kiehl's Micro Blur Skin Perfector yet?

AM¥     XO