Spoiler alert: my favourite feature hasn’t really been living up to its name recently. You can chalk that up to a) lack of natural light for photography and b) less than usual amount of things I think you should spend your hard-earned money on. I’m not that easy to impress! But I do think you’ll be impressed by this week’s round-up. And, in case you’re curious, each and every item here was personally purchased with the exception of the polish (I got that in a gift bag at a TIFF party).
With new hair (colour) comes great responsibility. Along with swapping in a purple shampoo once a week or so, I picked up the Kevin Murphy REPAIR-ME.WASH & REPAIR-ME.RINSE from Brixton Parlour when Dianna performed my most extreme hair lightening yet back in August. This cruelty-free line boasts a shampoo infused with powerful bamboo protein and silk amino acids and conditioner with shea butter and aloe vera. What this really means: my hair actually feels less damaged than before I went from deep brunette to blonde-ish! I love the scent, I love how it feels and I love how smooth my strands get. Bonus: also sulphate- + paraben-free!
It’s rare that I find a truly transformative skincare product, but I’ve been shouting the praises of First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads from the rooftops. I picked these up after reading a piece on BeautyEditor about the benefits of acid-based exfoliation and I’m so glad I did. After a single use, I noticed more radiant skin that felt more even in tone and texture. I woke up incredibly glowy the first morning after and it’s only been getting better since. These gentle pads slough off dead layers of skin and somehow infuse my skin with moisture (I think it’s the aloe & cucumber that balances out the glycolic & lactic acids). If you’re not a beginner in the acids department, Michelle has 12 other exfoliating pads you might like to try instead.
I know deep berry, navy and greige hues are de rigeur for fall, but I’m gravitating towards this gorgeous gold. Aside from leopard, gold is my most favourite neutral. I love that this metallic hue (L’Or from L’Oreal) applies like a brushed gold. You’ll have to excuse my application – I layered it over a weeks-old gel job. Keep your eyes peeled in the drugstore for this beauty!
My girlfriend Lisa works at Shopper’s in the beauty department, so you’d be right in assuming that I give the aisles an extra wander when she’s there. She was raving about the Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil the last time I visited and sent me home with a deluxe sample. Well, it’s amazing and I just picked up a full-size version over the weekend. This is perfect on so many levels: it tastes like candy, it applies the sheerest wash of colour and it makes your lips look juicy. That’s the best way I can describe it. It has just the right amount of slip and it’s a joy to re-apply. Bonus: it softens.
If you’re on the hunt for a new blush or a new highlight, give the Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop Splits a try. Becca’s silky smooth mineral blushes are paired with one of the cult favourite highlights from Jaclyn Hill’s collab – this one is Pamplemousse with Prosecco Pop. If you missed out on the palette like I did, this is a great way to get your glow on in a new way. I love this peachy pink paired with the golden highlight, but really had trouble putting down Hyacinth x Champagne Pop, a more fall-appropriate berry.
When it comes to bake shops in Toronto, I most certainly play favourites. Bobbette & Belle have been my sweets of choice for a few years now: I can’t help but indulge in their flaky croissants, perfect-crumb cakes and delicious tarts. They made all of the sweets for our engagement parties, my bridal shower and our wedding and I find myself recommending them on the regular: they’re that good. I’m so excited to have this collection of their recipes in our home and can’t wait to give them all a whirl. Whether you buy cookbooks for the pretty pictures, the fan-favourite recipes or the witty commentary, you’ll find all of that and more in the Bobbette & Belle cookbook. Buy it! They’re lovely and their treats are delicious.
That’s all for now! Let me know which items you’re lusting over in the comments below xo
