We’re #obsessed

When it comes to oil cleansers I can rhyme off a solid list of existing options, so let’s just say I was skeptical about trying Pai Light Work Rosehip Cleansing Oil, $70. It would have to be pretty ah-mazing to bump any of my top picks, because my metrics in terms of texture (oily but not too greasy, ya know?) and efficacy (sayonara long-wear foundation, waterproof mascara and SPF) are complex. Well, friends, this baby has it all! An indulgent blend of oils (there’s olive, sunflower, orange, basil, and more) transforms with water into a comforting milk that whisks away my day face and leaves skin nourished. It creates a divine cleansing experience that I look forward to every 👏damn👏 day👏. It’s a bit splurgy, yes, but also basically priceless – because if there’s one skin care tenet we should all know it’s that without proper cleansing anything else put on top of skin is a big ol’ waste of active ingredients. Plus, despite being v liberal and using 3 pumps vs the recommended 2, I’ve found one bottle has lasted an eternity.

From a potent Vitamin C serum to a gentle-yet-effective peel system, one of my OG beloved skin care brands has had a solid 2019 of notable launches. But it wasn’t until early December that I was formally introduced to my fave from them of the year: Dermalogica AGE Bright Spot Fader, $62. A blend of salicylic acid and niacinamide, it reduces breakouts while brightening post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation – aka my complexion nemesis. Usage was recommended to me during a treatment at the newly opened Toronto flagship store by one of the brand’s trained experts (thanks, Karon!). I’ve been busting it out religiously to address spots new and old and witnessing seriously impressive results.

If you know me, you know I live for Tracee Ellis Ross. She is my EVERYTHING goals: her joyous outlook, that radiant skin, all of the stellar fashion choices, achieving bigger and better success in her 40s, and, of course, THE HAIR. So, when I found out she was launching a hair care line I knew in my heart of hearts that it would be the best thing ever. And when she brilliantly appeared at the launch preview to show media/the world how to use the products by stepping into the SHOWER HERSELF I nearly lost it. My gawd, I love this woman! Having jumped on a south of the border shopping opp, I can attest that the Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Leave-In Conditioner, $25 USD, lives up to the hype. The formula is a creamy whip that sinks in to hydrate quickly and deeply, without leaving a questionable coating on curls. And I love that the tube is thoughtfully hefty, for all of us who ‘need more than a dime-sized amount of product.’ Thank you, TER, for pursuing your dream that you’ve stated was a decade in the making.

The benefits of using a retinol are well documented but I’ve had a bit of a struggle finding a formula that my skin can tolerate without turning red and flaky. While I’ve found two retinols that don’t irritate my skin (shoutout to Olay and SkinCeuticals!), I’ve also been using Beautycounter Countertime Collection and loving it. The line contains what the brand has dubbed a ‘Retinatural Complex’ which is a combination of bakuchiol (a natural, plant-based ingredient which comes from the leaves and seeds of the babchi tree) and Swiss Alpine rose. Together, this duo gives skin a similar result to using retinol but without the irritation. I have adopted the Mineral Boost Hydrating Essence, $80, the Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream, $120, and the Ultra Renewal Eye Cream, $93, into my skincare routine and my visage has never looked more radiant and smooth. I still use my trusted retinols but the combination of using this trio a few times a week with retinol is working out quite nicely.

There’s nothing quite like falling in love with a new lipstick and Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture The Slim Matte Lipstick, $50, was one of my faves that came out this year. The slim tube is super easy to apply (I have thin lips and most traditional tubes require some manoeuvring during application) while the densely saturated colours are weightless, ultra-flattering and long-wearing without creating dryness. It’s a must-try for any matte lipstick lover. My heavy rotation shades are: Rouge Extravagant (a bright red), Peculiar Pink (a deep berry) and Corail Antinomique (a vibrant coral).

I’ve rarely met a bold lippie I haven’t liked, but the Maybelline New York Superstay Ink Crayon collection deserves a rave review. Stacked with 12 intensely pigmented colours, $10 ea., the creamy long-lasting formula manages to stay put without leaving lips chapped. I’ll also allot bonus points for the slim form that slips easily into a pocket or pouch, and there’s a built-in sharpener hidden in one end that maintains precision of the nubby tip. If you’ve seen my face lately it’s likely been adorned with this vibrant pink, aptly called Treat Yourself.

Ok, full disclosure: you won’t be able to get your hands on this incredibly chic CHANEL beauty collection. But hear me out! Sometimes the most memorable items we beauty editor’s come across are limited edish (i.e. they’re here for a good time, not a long time). And, in some cases, they’re also less than practical items, like that standout shown top left. A highlight (literally) from the fall/winter collection, was when Julie Cusson, CHANEL makeup and hair artist in Canada, revealed this divine glittering gel for skin (and hair, because why not?) & I longed to dip into it immediately. No idea how I’d actually use it, or where it would be ‘suitable’ in regular life, and that’s exactly the point! The best of beauty should illicit a visceral response with a widening of the eyes and a gasp that escapes your lips. This did that, and it speaks to the innovative outlook of the storied label that Best Of 2019 Beauty contrib Aleesha Harris called out earlier (her fave is still very much avail, BTW). As a sign of things to come, that glitzy one-off only makes me eager to see what Lucia Pica, the brand’s imaginative Global Creative Makeup and Color Designer, has dreamt up for us in 2020. I promise to keep you posted in a timely manner.

It’s no secret I’m a frequent hair dyer (this year alone I had blue, pink, peach and green locks). While I often leave big colour transformations in the hand’s of my hairdresser, I do dabble in at-home hair colour and Moroccanoil Color Depositing Mask, $32, has given me my most even, profesh-looking bathroom dye job yet. While I’ve only tried the Aquamarine shade (pictured above), I mixed it with the brand’s Weightless Hydrating Mask, $76, to create a soft pastel hue and I was blown away by how foolproof and seamless the colour applied. It washed out after a few shampoos but with each wash the colour still looked even and intentional. IMHO this is a no brainer for anyone who likes to experiment with hair colour.

While I love a great new lippie (see YSL), an eye-opening mascara and basically any and all makeup, the true test of a new product is whether it finds its way into my everyday makeup bag. This little wonder did just that as I can’t imagine not using this colour corrector on my under-eyes on the regular. I adore the ‘Medium’ shade of Charlotte Tilbury Magic Vanish, $38, for camouflaging my dark under-eye circles. It’s mega pigmented so you just need to tap a teeny bit on but the peachy tone hides my blue-ish, purple-y bags on even my most tired, jet-lagged of days. Sometimes I don’t even need to bother with concealer on top, this stuff is *that* good.

While I always try to get a solid heavy duty exfoliation in once a week, sometimes my hectic schedule gets in the way of my usual weekly slough-off. Enter: This Works Morning Expert Multi-Acid Pads, $66. These nifty exfoliating pads contain azelaic and fruit acids along with vitamin B3, aloe and niacinamide to gently whisk away dead skin cells and reduce breakouts. They cleared up a nasty patch of hormonal acne along my jawline and I now can’t live without them, using one pad on my face, neck and décolletage a few times a week. Added bonus: they’re biodegradable and free from phthalates, parabens, and a laundry list of other nasties.