The face mist that actually does something

Listen, I’ve always enjoyed the occasional misting of a facial spray and have often kept one in my vicinity should the urge to spritz suddenly strike. I just was never sure if these kinds of products actually did anything—like provide tangible skincare benefits—other than perk me up or make my skin feel momentarily refreshed. But that was before I tried the new Rhode Glazing Mist. I really didn’t expect to love this thing as much as I did, but here I am. The magic, I suspect, is the blend of ectoin, an amino acid derivative that binds water to the skin, and ceramides, which are genius for reinforcing the moisture barrier. The result is skin that stays happily hydrated long after your finger has lifted off the atomizer. (The formula is, in fact, clinically proven to serve up all-day hydration.) Yet it also feels featherlight and not at all greasy. It’s even spiked with purifying ingredients to help balance and clarify the complexion over time. Not only does my skin feel amazing when I use this mist, it looks it, too. Revving up radiance like you wouldn’t believe, it truly lives up to its “glazing” moniker. It’s become the final step in both my morning makeup routine and my evening skincare regimen. 

The glossy stain that makes your lips look incredible

Violette_FR knocks it out of the park yet again! French makeup artist extraordinaire Violette Serrat just launched what has to be one of the most innovative lip products ever created. (I’ve been a beauty editor for close to 15 years now and a lip-colour wearer for nearly 25, so I don’t say this lightly.) It’s called the Violette_FR Lip Nectar and it’s spectacular. The product is a stain-oil hybrid that imparts just the right amount of colour to perk up your face (without screaming “LIPSTICK!”) and a hearty dose of juicy, gorgeous shine. “I love the idea of a stain, but the colours are usually not my thing—they’re often very bright, almost neon—and they’re often water-based, which means they’re extremely drying,” Serrat recently explained to me over Zoom. So, naturally, she set out to create her own ideal version of the product. “I wanted it to be really hydrating, because my mouth is always dry. I wanted the shine to last a really long time, [for the formula] to be like a cocoon on your lips and I didn’t want the product to go everywhere.” It took two years to get just right, but thanks to the infusion of micro-droplets of oil and a finely-tuned assortment of super wearable shades, she arrived at her dream formula. Serrat had on Rose de Moab, a lovely caramel-y beige, during our call, which I have been mainlining ever since—though Pois de Senteur, a stunning watermelon-esque pink, has been my go-to for after-work patio hangs. It pairs beautifully with an ice-cold margarita.

The viral peel that’s *finally* available in Canada

I have a friend who moved to New York City a few years ago, and every time she’d return for a visit, she’d make sure to pack a few bottles of The Ordinary’s peeling solution in her suitcase for her poor Canadian friends who couldn’t get it at home. She’ll be very happy to learn she no longer has to be our skincare mule as the much raved-about red elixir has finally landed on this side of the border. Launched in 2017, the cocktail of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids quickly went viral for its ability to noticeably improve skin’s texture, even out its tone and reduce pore congestion. Seriously, if you’ve never tried it before, prepare to be in awe of how glassy and smooth your face is after. The thing is, it’s potent—like really potent—which is why it wasn’t allowed in Canada for so long. But now, thanks to the addition of “For Professional Use” verbiage on the box and bottle, you can get your hands on it. Just make sure to follow the instructions to a T because, again, this stuff packs a punch. Leave it on for no longer than 10 minutes, no more than twice a week, and you won’t be disappointed. It costs just $13 and rivals a lot of fancy, pricey treatments (even some in-clinic ones) I’ve tried in the past. Seriously, it’s that good.

The limited-edition set that’s a true work of art

On June 21, in honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, beloved Canadian Indigenous-owned makeup brand Cheekbone Beauty teamed up with celebrated Cree artist Kent Monkman to create an exquisite limited-edition set. It includes some of Cheekbone’s most popular essentials: Mattifying Moon Dust (a translucent setting powder that controls shine without dulling your glow), Horizon Lip Pencil in True Red (a bold shade in a creamy, pigmented formula), Healing Lip Oil in Resilience Red (a sheer, hydrating lip oil in a limited-edition colour celebrating strength and vitality) and Uprise Mascara (which was crowned best mascara in our recent Green Beauty Guide.) The cherry on top is the collectible packaging showcasing Monkman’s iconic work, “Giants Walk the Earth”—described as “a powerful reimagining of presence, legacy and identity.” The box’s sleeve also unfolds into a frame-able print.

The super light moisturizer that’s perfect for summer

I, like many beauty aficionados, have long been a fan of Tatcha’s The Dewy Skin Cream. It’s pillowy and plumping and perfectly suited to below freezing Canadian winters. But come summertime, I usually swap it out for something lighter. Now, I’ve got just the thing: the new Tatcha The Dewy Milk Moisturizer. Consider it the warm-weather version of the iconic lilac jar. The texture is fluid and milk-like, and the formula is powered by the same Japanese purple rice as the original to protect against free radicals. It also features zinc hyaluronate for lightweight, oil-balancing hydration, as well as prebiotic-green-tea extract to boost luminosity and support the microbiome. I tested this stuff out during a recent heatwave and, wow, did it deliver. This was a total delight to apply even when the Humidex was reaching is-this-real-life-level highs. My skin was supple and bouncy without resembling an oil slick in the slightest, which, in that weather, was no small feat. 

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