Gareth Pugh for MAC

It's that time of the year again, a time when we urge to dress up and look scary or as sexy as possible. Applying Halloween makeup sure is a lot of fun, experimentation, and we always try to impress others. However, there are several safety issues we should always keep in mind.

Fake blood dripping into your eye? Could be hazardous. Sharing makeup? Absolutely never! And of course, never ever share contact lenses! Here are a few more tips I've collected from various sources, including Health Canada and the FDA, so please keep these in mind:

• Follow all directions carefully. 
• Don't decorate your face with things that aren't intended for your skin. 
• If your face paint has a very bad smell, this could be a sign that it is contaminated. Throw it away and use another one. 
• Like soap, some things are OK on your skin, but not in your eyes. Some face paint or other makeup may say on the label that it is not for use near the eyes. Believe this, even if the label has a picture of people wearing it near their eyes. Be careful to keep makeup from getting into your eyes. 
• Even products intended for use near your eyes can sometimes irritate your skin if you use too much. 
• If you're decorating your skin with something you've never used before, you might try a dab of it on your arm for a couple of days to check for an allergic reaction BEFORE you put it on your face. This is an especially smart thing to do if you tend to have allergies. 
• NEVER buy colored contact lenses without a prescription and a proper fitting! Yes, this is a very serious issue. Severe scarring permanently impairs vision and sometimes leads to blindness. A warning from the health authority: "Without a valid prescription, fitting, supervision, or regular check-ups by a qualified eye care professional, decorative contact lenses, like all contact lenses, can cause a variety of serious injuries or conditions. For example, lens wear has been associated with corneal ulcer, which can lead rapidly to internal ocular infection if left untreated. Uncontrolled infection can cause corneal scarring, which can lead to vision impairment, and in extreme cases, blindness or the loss of an eye. Other risks include conjunctivitis; corneal edema (swelling); allergic reaction; abrasion from poor lens fit; reduction in visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and other visual complications that can interfere with driving and other activities."
• Be careful of those fake eyelashes. The fake lashes form a perfect environment harboring bacteria which can lead to fungal infections. Try to avoid wearing false eyelashes for more than 4 hours. Improper use and attachment of  fake eyelashes can lead to permanent damage of natural lashes and hair follicles, in other words stopping your natural eyelashes from growing.

Now here is the most obvious tip: You should never sleep while still wearing makeup.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

There are hundreds of various body butters, lotions, and cremes and yet it's becoming increasingly difficult to find the right one for my sensitive skin. After trying out even the most popular body butters, including those designed by body care giants such as Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works, I began looking for products without irritating ingredients and overpowering scents. And recently, I was given an opportunity to try body butters by Fruits & Passion, a master perfumer that offers scented body care products made with natural ingredients.

To be honest, I am very impressed. The packaging and branding is lovely, plus it smells naturally fresh and delicious. The formulas are effective and create an experience inspired by nature. I believe Fruits & Passion has some of the best body moisturizers in Canada, and I will definitely come back for more.

At this time, I am using the new 24H Moisturizing butter for the body in Ocean Flower and Grapefruit & Guava. The non-greasy and easily absorbing formulas are perfect for most skin types, especially the Ocean Flower formula as it has worked wonderfully for even the most sensitive, eczema prone skin. In fact, I have given it to my boyfriend in order to test it out and he loves it: "Smell good, and actually works!" If you have dry or itchy skin, or if you suffer with eczema you may give it a try. 

Grapefruit / Guava:

• Made in Canada 
• Enriched with shea butter, grape seed oil and coconut oils, plant based glycerin and 7 fruit extracts Creamy and non-greasy 
• Spreads and penetrates easily 
• Mineral Oil and Silicone free 
• Toning effect 
• Smells fresh and not overbearing 
• Lightly fragranced 
• Affordable

Ocean Flower: 

• Made in Canada 
• Enriched with shea butter, coconut oil, mineral water from Canada and a mineral complex 
• Softens and revitalizes skin 
• Mineral oil free 
• Rich, yet non oily leaves a protective film on skin 
• Delicate scent
• Easily absorbing
• Affordable
• Works on eczema prone skin

How to Use: Apply all over the body and massage in circular motion to aid absorption.
Where to buy: Visit www.fruits-passion.com

Value: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Performance: 5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Price: $$

Overall: 5/5 

Would I use it again? YES.

Have you been staying up late? Well, with all that chronic stress and busy lifestyle, how can we possibly get enough rest? I stay up late quite often, and sure enough end up looking like a mess the morning after. The worst side-effect, of course, is the fatigued puffy skin around the eyes, and sadly, I couldn't find promising remedies until now.

A few weeks ago, I've been introduced to SkinCeuticals Advanced Professional Skincare and the AOX+ Eye Gel, an eye treatment to combat signs of fatigue. This daily antioxidant serum-in-a-gel is specifically optimized for the anatomy of our delicate and thin under-eye skin. The product contains an array of antioxidants like phloretin, L-absorbic acid (also known as Vitamin C), and ferulic acid to help protect the delicate eye area from stress. Other ingredients include Ruscus aculeatus (derived from an evergreen shrub native to Western Europe), which revives the skin and reduces the appearance of puffiness, and caffeine assists in reducing the look of under-eye bags.

So does it work? Ultimately, it does! It works wonders on tired and puffy eyes, and certainly helps with dark circles, giving the skin more of a fresh, vibrant, & illuminating appearance. Now a part of my daily morning routine, the AOX+ Eye gel is definitely worth a try. Plus, one can always benefit from using a daily antioxidant treatment, especially this particular one designed specifically for the sensitive and delicate eye area. 

CLAIM:

This breakthrough serum-in-a-gel contains a synergistic antioxidant combination to help protect the delicate eye area from oxidative stress, while targeted actives revive under-eye skin and reduce the appearance of puffiness.

• Prevents signs of aging.
• Corrects signs of photodamage.
• Helps reduce the appearance of puffiness and under-eye bags.
• Combats signs of fatigue to restore a fresh, vibrant appearance.

PROS:

• Best used for prevention and correction
• For Women aged 25+
• Protects delicate area under the eyes
• Skin immediately becomes illuminated
• Designed for daily use
• Easy to use packaging

CONS:

• May be rather expensive for some at $80+ per 15 ml

Directions: Once in the morning, apply under the eyes and around the brow area avoiding eyelids.

Where to buy:

SkinCeuticals is available through selected distribution channels via dispensing doctors, medical-spas and high-end spas across Canada. For store locator please visit www.skinceuticals.com/canada

Value: 3.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Performance: 4/5
Packaging: 5/5
Price: $$$$

Overall: 4/5 

Would I use it again? Very likely.

Other Reviews:
Amazon.com - 4.5 stars
Makeupalley.com - 3.6 stars, 71% would buy it again

After successfully completing the Aloe Replenishment Gel by Naturopathica, I have searched for other similar products, and even after sifting through numerous all-natural skincare listings on  Etsy, I have re-visited NATUROPATHICA – a breakthrough line of high performance skin care made with only the best natural and active ingredients that are proven effective, non-irritating and 100% good for the skin. 

A new era anti-aging skin serum, Vichy Idealia, transformed my skin to having more radiant, fresh complexion regardless of my stressful lifestyle, giving my skin a second chance!