MONTEIL . ÉLIXIR MÉTAMORPHOSE . PRO DNA SERUM

After finishing, and falling in love with my current serum, the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, I didn't think it was possible to find joy elsewhere. The Vinoperfect Radiance Serum had everything I had every wanted in a serum, and yet given my insufficient funds I wasn't able to repurchase it. So I set out on a mission to rummage through my stash to find something equivalent in order to maintain my glowing, even complexion. Low and behold I stumbled upon the Monteil Élixir Metamorphose Pro DNA Serum ($95) and was instantly taken by the luxurious packaging. 

I've heard of Monteil Paris over the years, but chalked them up as a luxury french brand that targets those looking to fight anti-aging with products that feature high price points. And while I still maintain this outlook on the brand I couldn't help but fall hard and fast for the Élixir Metamorphose Pro DNA Serum – the high prices are real, but so is the luxury behind the products. For instance the active agent in the Pro DNA Serum is based on results from Nobel prize-winning research, preserving the youthfulness of skin. I may only be 25 with little to no signs of aging, but I do believe that to have beautiful skin as you age means taking proper care of it while you are young. This serum reinforces that fact, as it protects the DNA in the cell's nucleus, thereby prolonging the life cycle of that cell – woahhh science! 

The serum itself feels absolutely amazing on the skin. I have a hard time describing the feel, and the only way I know how to do so is to say this: You know in the movie Uptown Girls where Brittany Murphy's boyfriend sings 'Sheets of Egyptian Cotton'.. well the feeling I associate with the Pro DNA Serum is the same whimsical feeling I feel when I envision sleeping in sheets of Egyptian cotton – soft, velvety, and the utmost relaxing. It's dispensed via a dropper, but I only need half of the product collected in the dropper to cover my entire face, which also prolongs my time with this wonderful serum. I can't really tell if it's made a difference in my skin since switching from the Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, but it also hasn't caused an adverse reaction or reversed the effects of the Vinoperfect Radiance Serum, meaning it's currently filled the void in my skincare regime. 

If I had an endless supply of money I would repurchase the Monteil Élixir Metamorphose Pro DNA Serum time and time again.

What is your go-to serum at the moment?

AM¥     XO

[*]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.

TRESEMMÉ . PERFECTL¥ (UN)DONE WAVES

We may be smack dab in the middle of winter in Toronto, but that hasn't stopped me from dreaming of striped cabanas, beautiful beaches, and perfectly waved hair created by a simple dip in the ocean. While I won't be dipping my feet in the salt water any time soon, I have discovered a new line of hair care products to help me achieve touchable, beach-inspired locks at home. The new TRESemmé Perfectly (Un)done Waves Collection is certainly not the first of it's kind, but given that TRESemmé offers salon-quality products at drugstore prices it's definitely a line to acquaint yourself with.

The TRESemmé Perfectly (Un)done Waves Collection consists of 'five wave-enhancing cleansing, conditioning and styling products – comprising shampoo, conditioner, a sea foam, sea salt spray and a hairspray.' The line uses a natural Sea Kelp Extract to help shape and form hair, creating natural looking waves that last all day long. To create the waves shown above, I began by washing and conditioning my hair with the TRESemmé Weightless Silicone Free Shampoo ($8) and Conditioner ($8). The combo is said to 'nourish hair without weighing it down, for a look that's full of body and shine', however I didn't notice a huge difference in comparison to my current shampoo and conditioning regime. Once my hair was towel-dried I applied three pumps of the TRESemmé Wave Creating Sea Foam ($10), as well as a healthy spritzing of the Sea Salt Spray ($10) before blow-drying my hair. I have naturally straight hair, so creating a wave without the use of a curling iron is next to impossible, and most times I'm still not 100% happy with it until it's survived a night of sleep. So of course, it came as no surprise that once blow-dried my hair didn't look anything like the style above, however I did notice that my hair was extraordinarily voluminous. I also noticed a slight stickiness, most likely from the Sea Salt Spray, which I somewhat expected, as you do with any sea salt product. The difference between this Sea Salt Spray and the others that I have tried is the fact that the stickiness subsides dramatically after styling, and it provides added hold to the curl to improve the lasting-power of your waves. Pretty ideal if I do say so myself. I finished the look with a healthy coating of the TRESemmé Ultra-Brushable Hairspray ($7) before finger-combing through my curls to reveal 'perfectly (un)done waves'.

I'm quite smitten with this collection – more so the styling products than the shampoo and conditioner. The products truly help to create beach-inspired waves, and work together to extend the wear time, without compromising style, or leaving you with helmut hair. 

THE PRODUCTS

How do you achieve beach-inspired waves in the winter?

AM¥     XO

[*]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.

LOOSE BUTTON . SPRING LUXE BOX MEMBERSHIP

The Loose Button team, who curate Toronto's favourite beauty box, Luxe Box, have been hard at work and have put together some amazing options for the Spring boxes. The brands featured include Buxom, Vita Liberata, Too Faced, and Soap & Glory, just to name a few. I would absolutely hate to miss out on this box, which is why I am sharing this with you today :).

Luxe Box is the leading beauty membership service in Canada. Every season (i.e. once every 3 months) every Luxe Box Member receives 7-8 beauty and lifestyle products, with complimentary shipping. You can choose to spend $26/season, with the option to cancel anytime you want, or choose a membership plan if you want to spend the whole year with Luxe Box. 

I am so excited for this box to arrive, but cannot decide whether to stick with the original box or trade up for one of the Limited Edition Luxe Box that appear from time to time.

Will you get a Luxe Box this season?

AM¥     XO

[*] This blog post was sponsored by Loose Button. All views expressed reflect my own opinion on the product. For additional information please see the Disclaimer.

DEBORAH LIPPMANN . MIST¥ MORNING

Whisper, Misty Morning, Chantilly Lace – sounds a little sensual to me. I'm actually talking about Deborah Lippmann's latest collection, Whisper, which features four sheer polishes meant to exude softness and elegance in an understated matter... Far from the sensual world I've made it out to be – hence the groping photo in the background. But there is something delicately sexual about Misty Morning ($18), the pale, barely there blue that I'm sporting on my hands this week. It required some additional TLC during application due to the sheerness, but to be honest had my nails been in better shape I wouldn't mind the lack of opacity – especially given the grey undertones. 

The Whisper collection is currently available from Sephora, and will be coming to Murale locations shortly. This collection is a must see for all the future brides out there... or anyone looking for a more demure valentines nail. 

THE SWATCH

What shade from the Whisper Collection is your favourite?

AM¥     XO

[*]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.

MONTHL¥ FAVOURITES . JANUAR¥ EDITION

Every month there are a handful of products that I reach for time and time again. Normally there seems to be a general theme, skin care, or weather related, etc..., but for the first month of 2015 my top picks are kind of all over the place. I've been obsessed with everything from hair care to tanning products, but these ten proved to be the real game changers of January. 

MAKEUP

I've kept my makeup exceptionally minimal this month, some days not even putting an ounce on just to give my skin a break. On days when I do apply makeup there are three products that I can't seem to get ready without, including the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, Anastasia Contour Kit and the Make Up For Ever Ink Liner. All three are so lust-worthy that you are probably sick of hearing about them, but let me break down why I keep them within arms reach. A) I've never experienced a primer that feels this luxurious, while truly extending the wear time of my makeup – and it never breaks me out. B) The Contour Kit is 'bow down bitches' worthy – it features 6 shades, 3 for highlighting and 3 for contouring, which work together to give you that perfect Kardashian chiseled effect. And finally, C) I've tried a lot of liners in the past but none are as pigmented or smudge-proof as the Ink Liner.

To add a lil sumthing, sumthing to my otherwise boring January looks I've been reaching for my new ColourPop Lippie Stix. I purchased a total of 5 shades from this line, but Feminist is hands down my favourite shade/formula. Nails wise nothing has been worn nearly as frequently as my Essie Cashmere Matte polishes – between myself and my friends. There is something truly unique about the demi-matte finish these polishes feature, which makes me forget what a pain they are to apply. 

MISC.

I was also introduced to a few products that made my eyes brighter, my skin more tanned and my hair glossier – three side effects you can't ignore, in the best way possible. For brighter eyes I've turned to the Rodial Dragon's Blood Eye Masks, which intensely plump and hydrate the under eye region. Realistically though, I'm just a little kid trapped in a grown up's body who loves the idea of applying 'dragon's blood' to my skin. The tanned skin comes from my frequent use of the Karora Express Bronzing Mousse, a company/product that is brand new to Canada and couldn't come at a better time. This tanner helps me go from vampire to Brazilian bombshell, real quick. Plus it adjusts based on your skin tone to ensure you never end up a Snooki hue. And finally, my hair has been praising the Fekkai Brilliant Glossing Shampoo and Conditioner this month. I originally HATED this shampoo, until I figured out how to produce a decent lather with it – simply apply, quickly shove head back under the water, then lather up. When I dry my hair, it looks and feels healthy and has a killer sheen, even if I've yet to style it. 

What products were you obsessed with this month?

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.