At Naturopathica, every ingredient counts. The New York based brand's products are packed with luxurious, high-quality, natural ingredients working in harmony with the skin's anti-aging process to restore healthier, younger looking skin.

As a fan and a loyal customer, I've never been disappointed in Naturopathica. The brand's high standards and commitment is evident in every product I've tried, including the Vitamin C15 Wrinkle Repair Serum. This potent daily serum is formulated to firm, brighten and protect the skin while helping reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Containing a powerful blend of 15% L-Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin E and Oat Beta Glucan, the serum helps correct skin tone and stimulate collagen production. Plus, Hyaluronic Acid adds essential moisture and helps calm irritation. So powerful, it's left my face looking brighter and more radiant in just a matter of days.

Featured Ingredients:

15% VITAMIN C (L-ASCORBIC ACID): Clinically proven to be the most effective form of Vitamin C, L-Ascorbic Acid actively stimulates collagen production to combat fine lines and wrinkles, provides strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and improves skin tone and texture.

VITAMIN E AND ERGOTHIONEINE: This powerful anti-oxidant duo enhances Vitamin C performance, boosts cellular energy and helps prevent elastin damage.

HYALURONIC ACID: Capable of holding up to 1,000 times its own weight in water, this bio-hydrator helps plump and enhance collagen production to quench dull, dehydrated skin.

OAT BETA GLUCAN: A powerful anti-inflammatory agent and cell immunity booster, it helps heal and guard skin against free radicals for healthier, younger-looking skin.

PROS: 
Firming and smoothing effect
Light texture and scent
Reduced appearance of fine lines
Contains powerful ingredients proven to be most effective
Easy to use
Well designed
Made in USA
Helps calm irritation

CONS: Can be pricy for many at $114

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

Overall: 5/5

Australian-made and natural, Dr. Roebuck's is the natural active skincare line formulated 'for all things precious' aka our skin. The Pure Body cream is incredibly hydrating, enriched with powerful anti-oxidants from France, White Tea, Macadamia Oil and Vitamin E all working harmoniously with Shea Butter base.

My over-exposed to sun, dry skin is suddenly rehydrated, moisturized and tightened. The cream is thick in texture, but non greasy, free of nasty chemicals, and ensures efficacy for the most sensitive skin. It can also greatly help in the reversal of sun damage - which is one of the reasons why I've been using it.

PROS:

• Enriched with powerful antioxidants 
• Natural and chemicals free
• Great for sensitive skin
• Anti-aging
• BPA & Paraben Free
• Tightens skin
• Hydrates well
• Creamy texture
• Non-greasy
• Pleasant scent

CONS:
Takes a while to apply all over the body

Price: $29.95/250ML
Available at Murale stores across Canada and online at murale.ca

Overall, this is a luxurious body cream, natural, and made with some of the best quality ingredients. My skin felt a lot softer only after a few days - Pure Body is so soothing too!

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

Overall: 4/5 

I can't imagine the makeup world without brushes. Having the right makeup tools is essential to achieving the right makeup look. With that in mind, I absolutely agree that it's important to invest in high quality makeup tools for applying makeup. In my experience, the best premium brushes came from NARS. A few months ago, NARS introduced new line of exquisite makeup brushes designed with the finest quality hairs. This 16 piece comprehensive Artistry Brush Collection features iconic design - the matte black finish with sharp debossed logo and signature pop of red - it's stunning, sexy, and seductive!

These brushes are perfect for achieving a full look:

Bronzing Powder Brush #11 - $58
- a natural, soft bronzing powder brush.
An essential for controlled application, this bronzing powder brush has a dense concentration of high-quality goat hair that holds and applies product evenly for an allover glow.  

Contour Brush #21 - $47
- an angled brush ideal for contouring.
Expertly angled for sculpting and contouring the cheekbones, this brush is an essential for highlighting. High-quality, premium goat bristles blend and define for controlled product application. 

Eye Shadow Brush #40 - $36
-a versatile brush ideal for application of eye color.
An essential for a masterful sweep of allover shadow, this brush is made of high-quality sable hair. It picks up and deposits the perfect amount of pigment to create a polished look.  

Precision Contour Brush #44 (for eyes) - $32
The firm, flexible hair design of this brush is ideal for applying concentrated color. A must for creating a smoky eye, it deposits color perfectly in the eye crease.

These brushes are beautiful. I have them on display in my bathroom and it's been such a pleasure using them everyday. Overall, they rate very well on both Sephora.com and other channels. I would highly recommend most of NARS brushes as they are so well designed. If the price wasn't a factor, I would get all 16!

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

Overall: 4/5 

Would I use it again? YES!

Our skin regenerates at night, and while that beauty sleep is crucial and makes so much difference, it's often not enough to make significant changes to our skin tone or help those dreaded dark spots disappear. Although most of us associate dark spots with aging, it's actually common for skin hyperpigmentation to result from sun damage (aka tanning), so it's important to avoid exposure to UV rays altogether. I keep reminding myself to apply that sunscreen before I step outside this summer!

All that sunshine - the main cause of dark spot formation. But don't despair - there is hope. With so many of us concerned over uneven skin tone, Vichy has stepped up to the game with yet another amazing product, the ProEVEN Night concentrate. 

ProEVEN Night's formula is concentrated with molecules, Vitamin C, and other ingredients to help treat visible dark spots and also prevent future spots from appearing. Use it every night as a night treatment and you'll start seeing results from the 1st morning. For me, it was subtle, but definitely felt like my skin was a lot smoother and lighter. 

PROS:

• Suitable for sensitive skin
• Paraben-free
• Formulated with Vichy Thermal Spa Water
• Fresh hydrating gel texture
• Can be used as a mask when applied in thick layer
• Exfoliates the skin
• Great for light skin tones

CONS:

• Takes a few weeks to see a difference
• Can be pricy at $49

Overall, Vichy ProEVEN Night is a promising product. After doing some research I've found other consumers who've seen amazing results. I will be patiently using this product for another month or so to see if I'll get even better results!

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

Overall: 4/5 

Would I use it again? YES!

My new go-to and the latest addition to my purse, the Make Up For Ever HD Blush in 410 is a dream and a must have for Spring/Summer 2014! The beautiful coral colour blends so easily and seamlessly into my skin - I love it.  This new generation HD Cream Blush "has been created to melt into the skin for a natural flush of colour for both on camera and in everyday life." 

Available in such a wife range of colours, it will suit every skin tone, and give you naturally sculpted cheeks for a healthy glow. No more clown look! The hues range from light to medium to tan to deep for both cool and warm undertones. The compact with a mirror, being small and lightweight, makes it ultra-convenient for any size makeup bag or purses. I've applied the HD Cream Blush with my fingertips, as well as a small sponge - it blends very well!

 For a warm look, I'm wearing the 410 along with Rouge Artist Intense in 50. Take a look:

PROS:

• Sheer, seamless finish
• Perfectly balanced and smooth texture
• Lightweight
• Long lasting
• Natural colour with luminous finish
• Compact packaging with mirror
• Comes in 16 shades
• Great for everyday use

CONS:

• None!

Where to Find: in-store at Sephora, online at Sephora.ca, and MAKE UP FOR EVER Boutiques

Price: $31.00

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

Overall: 5/5 

Would I use it again? YES!

While I haven't dyed my hair for at least 9 months, my mother not only dyes her hair regularly, but also has tried numerous brands of hair dye. I have convinced her to try Tints of Nature - Conditioning Permanent Colour in 7R Soft Copper Blonde. This was her first time trying out a natural hair colouring system. The product claims to be free of ammonia, resorcinol and parabens. The colour gently cover grey, and uses natural ingredients such as orange, aloe, comfrey, grapefruit and chamomile. Tints of Nature is a highly effective permanent hair colourant made with up to 60% certified organic ingredients.  And while not being a 100% natural option, Tints of Nature is a good alternative, a gentler way to colour your hair with the lowest possible level of PPDs.

I’ve been regularly hitting the pan, in other words, finishing up the products. In the last few months, I have finally completed quite a few. It feels rewarding to be able to finish. Finally! I’m glad I rarely throw out beauty items into the garbage, unless of course, it’s something that absolutely has to be thrown out. Take a look at the full list:

• Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Wash: 4/5 - skin feels smoother
• Sexy Hair Curly Sexy Hair Shampoo: 4/5 - perfect for wavy hair
• Philosophy Holiday Lights Aglow Shampoo and Body Wash: 3/5 - smells great, but somewhat drying and pricey, although, perfect for a bubble bath
• Befine Skin Care line - provided by GlossyBox: 5/5 - excellent quality, natural, leaves skin glowing. I may purchase full size products, but it's hard to find, and their online assortment seems limited. 
• Clarks Botanicals - from Glymm bag: 4/5 - a very good resurfacing moisturizer, but very expensive at full price
• Herbaflor Organic RoseHip Oil: 4/5 - the oil is quickly absorbant, nourishing, prevents skin damage, and smoothes out wrinkles
• Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital Moisturizing Cream: 4/5 - affordable, high quality, non-greasy cream that  is perfect for daily use - with spf 30
• Joico K-PAK Revitaluxe: 3/5 - it's OK, I didn't find it all that great.
• Cyberderm Moisturizer Samples from Glymm: 4/5 These are very potent and creamy, and seem like a good investment in the future.
• Got2B Got 2 Be 2 Sexy Voluptuous Volume Mousse: 3/5 Works well, but feels somewhat sticky
• John Frieda SheerBlonde Lightening Conditioner: 5/5 This is my favourite conditioner. It leaves my hair feeling smooth and silky, and makes the blonde highlights much brighter. 
• Naked Princess - Naked Shine Luscious Lip Gloss in Barely Nude - this was such a small sample from Glymm that I could barely notice a difference 
• Rimmel Hide the Blemish Concealer in Ivory 001: 4/5, full Review coming soon
• Principessa - Bacio Me Lip Balm: Click Here for Review
• Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Conditioner: 4/5 Great product for the price
• Macadamia Natural Oil Healing Oil Treatment: 5/5 Amazing!
• Macadamia Healing Oil Spray: 4/5 Amazing! full reviews to come
• Vitamine & Sea Clay Mask: 3/5 - felt like any other clay mask 
• The Body Shop Natrulift Firming Day Cream with organic pomegranate: 3.5/5 Nothing special
• Tom Ford Lavender Palm: 2/5 Smells like soap!
• Atelier Cologne Trefle Pur: 4/5 Love it!
• Olay Regenerist Moisturizer: 3/5 OK, but not great. Will not buy again.
• Social Butterfly Hair Perfume: 3/5 Convenient to have in case of emergency hair day
• CK One Eau De Toilette
• Dove Damage Therapy Burst Conditioner
• John Frieda Frizz Ease Sheet Solution Lightweight Frizz Control
• Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner
• Sebastian Volupt Shampoo: 4.5/5 Love, love love it! This is perfect for my hair, and I don't have to wash it as often. 
• Mai Couture Foundation Papier: 3/5 I like the idea, but it needs something more
• Got2B Kinky Curling Mousse: 4/5 I love most products by Got2B. They are incredibly affordable and work very well. This one was no exception. 
• Victoria's Secret Island Waters Coconut Water & Pineapple Moisturizing Cream: 3.5/5 The scent is too strong, and I may have developed allergies. 
• Amir Argan Oil Moisturizing Conditioner: 2/5 Did absolutely nothing and it's quite pricey!