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Canadian Beauty

SHEET MASK | Catkin Summer Palace | Cosmetic Proof

by Lina Clémence July 15, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

Gifted by a friend

Happy Sunday! As I type this, I am sipping my coffee and watching a replay of Stage 9 of the Tour de France and happy as a clam! That is what Sundays should be all about – coffee, cats, husband and TDF! Today’s mask is from Chinese brand Catkin, who I got to know through Instagram for their pretty packaging paying tribute to traditional Chinese art.

Catkin Summer Palace Sheet Mask Review

What makes this mask special? This mask is soft as silk and contains snowgrass, hyaluronic acid and fullerene which is a potent antioxidant.

The mask fabric was very clear and invisible so much so you could barely see it! It was indeed incredibly soft, but eyeholes were a bit small and I don’t like the feeling of the mask sitting so close to my waterline.

Mask Summary:

Price: $3.99 USD I think?

What it does: Moisturizing and hydrating

Scent: Very faint. Leans a bit more medicinal

Essence Type: Clear and watery

Duration: 25 minutes

Thickness: So thin and soft! Practically invisible!

Mask Fit: My eyes were a bit bothered as the eye holes were really small!

Tackiness: Super light

Hydration: Decent! I used my Skoah Hydradrew Mask and I was all good!

Other notes: I actually found this more hydrating than expected as I most Chinese brands have similar hydration levels to Beauty Diary in that there is no tacky finish whatsoever making them great summer options, but they do require a little boost of hydration sometimes.

Final verdict: Loved the fabric, the packaging and how soft it felt on my skin as well as the results, but those eye holes man, those were just not comfortable!

Have a great afternoon everyone!

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July 15, 2025 0 comments

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Canadian Beauty

3 Halloween Costume/Cosplay Ideas for Black Women with Blonde Box Braids

by Lina Clémence July 14, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

2.1K

I am a HUGE fan of taking a “Black” spin on beloved media characters, whether it’s for Halloween or cosplay in general. And for me, this usually means using different coloured box braids over wig or just leaving my natural hair colour.

Back in 2021 I had the INCREDIBLY fun honour of partnering with Pinterest to bring some Halloween costume ideas to life, and I since I ended up capturing way more content than was needed… I thought I’d share more photos here, as well as some recommendations on how to make them yourself!

Full outfit breakdowns to come of each individual costume.

*Some of the links included in this post are affiliate links. This means, at no additional cost to you, if you click on them and make a purchase, I will make a small commission.*

3 Costume Ideas for Black women with Blonde Box Braids

When brainstorming what to be for halloween this year, I started by looking for characters with blonde hair–for the sole reason that I already had golden blonde box braids in.

So here is what I came up with:

1. Rapunzel

This one was a no-brainer. The moment I put in my blonde boxbraids, I knew I wanted to try to do a halloween costume inspired by Disney’s Rapunzel.

Like is there any better concept for long thick box braids?

I ordered the dress and corset from SHEIN (boo, I know.. this is before I knew better). And ran to the dollar store to pick out a varied selection of fake flowers to stick in my hair.

It’s funny, when I debuted this costume on TikTok people either…

Came at me for being… racist?

Or critiqued the fact that I was wearing the corset backwards… but Rapunzel in the movie has her ties in the front.. so I was just trying to emulate that the best I could.

I probably could have tied it better, but still. 😐

2. Sailor Venus

A second no-brainer for me was dressing up as Sailor Venus… although it was a tie between her and Sailor Moon. In fact, it’s my goal to work my way through cosplaying all of the Sailor Scouts

This costume, I was quite proud of because I made most of it from scratch.

Items I purchased to bring this to life:

What I DIYed:

The Tiara made out of thick stock paper, Gold letter cut outs, and a plastic gems

Skirt and the cape (…Is it a cape?), using some shiny satin fabric I purchased at Michaels.

Skirt Instructions HERE (though I just safety pinned it together here).

Cape Instructions HERE

Love Chain, using red and gold beads from Michaels.

I didn’t take many pictures of the back, but you can see how I styled my box braids below, and a little tiny peek of the yellow bow.

3. Tinkerbell

Or… Mother Nature…. or Princess Tiana with Blonde Hair….

This costume was admittedly VERY low effort. I got the dress off SHEIN again, tied up my hair in a large bun, threw on a green head wrap to add a bit more *flavour*… and was good to go.

If I had been able to find some wings, I think the vision would have been much clearer…Because as it stood, no one really knew who I was trying to be. It’s giving a bit more of a Disney-Bounding vibe, more than anything.

But luckily we have Photoshop AI to help us out.. okay maybe AI has a ways to go…

Final Thoughts on my Blonde Box Braid Halloween Costumes

Did this help you gather any inspiration for your next Halloween costume or maybe your venture into cosplay?

I’m always on the hunt for good ideas for the future, so drop your recommendations below! Or perhaps, recommend a box braid colour, and I’ll see what costumes I can come up with!

Halloween-Related Posts:

July 14, 2025 0 comments

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Canadian Beauty

Classy on the Run: Gift Guide for Her

by Lina Clémence July 13, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

Christmas is my absolute favourite time of the year, and as far as I am concerned, that kicks off in September. I love stashing gifts away over the fall (and even earlier) to make sure that I get the best deals and the most perfect gifts. The only problem is sometimes I buy a gift and then forget about it…and end up buying that person more! One of my favourite sales to shop is Bay Days at The Bay, though I found that they had excellent sales leading into the entire holiday season. One thing I made sure to note was when Christmas trees and decor went on sale. Right now we have no where to store a tree (though I did buy some decor this year!). However, we are really hoping that 2020 is the year we manage to break into the Toronto housing market (fingers crossed for a townhouse!!), and my biggest hope for 2020, cheesy as it sounds, is to be able to have our own Christmas tree. As in… I have been collecting Christmas ornaments on various trips and on sale over the last few years and could probably deck out an entire tree. Anyways, enough about me. Let’s talk presents.

If you have not already, don’t forget to check out my Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide for Her, 2019! There I have included many of my favourite tiny things!

I was lucky enough to be able to attend Laline Canada’s PR launch with my best friend. We both fell head-over-heels for the beautiful soft scent of Laline’s Dead Sea collection. This soft and sweet fig & sandalwood scent somehow manages to fill the room without being overpowering. retailing for $39.95 (though often they have various sales!), the Dead Sea Reed Diffuser* is a wonderful gift for any woman in your life. I currently have mine sitting on my dresser. I really love the jade coloured detail!

Another gift that would be great for the aspiring chef in your life are these beautiful Le Creuset 11cm Salt & Pepper Mills in Cherise, retailing for $60. They come in a boxed set, and are perfect for gifting. My husband and I gave these to my Mother-in-law for Christmas and she was thrilled. I loved them so much that I bought myself two sets since we were hosting Christmas for our family. I thought that they would be perfect to have on hand for future Christmases & Thanksgivings.

I love gong to the One of a Kind Show, and this is my second year buying from Poppy’s Pom Pom. This creamy knit hat has cable knit details and a fluffy real fur pom on top. I love that these real fur poms are upcycled: formerly a real fur coat that nobody wanted, it was given a new life as a pom. You can find some of their hand knit goods here!

This Mini Hand Cream Kit* ($22) from Laline is a perfect gift to split up among friends, or wrap up for somebody special. Ever since I started working an office job, I had a renewed love for moisturizing hand creams for the dry winter months.

As for this cute plaid scarf, it came in a previous FabFitFun box. Its not so much this particular scarf that I am suggesting as a gift (though it is lovely!), but more so the idea that if you get something in a subscription box that isn’t your style, put it aside and see who may appreciate it as a Christmas gift. Once I have gone through my pile so share with friends and family, I donate the remainder either through The Shoebox Project, or directly to a local shelter.

Laline’s Shea & Kukui Shower Oil* ($25) is a perfect little luxury to open under the tree and enjoy in the shower. Every time I use it my skin is left feeling silky smooth and looking radiant.

Cela has been on a role lately, appearing in ipsy bags, and opening a new spa in North Toronto (stay tuned for a blog post about my experience there!). This Toronto-based Canadian brand knows a thing or two about creating effective products with unique and beautiful scents. Creme de la Creme Light* ($49) has become a favourite of my colleauge’s to keep on her desk at work, and a favourite of mine to keep on my dresser. The packaging is elegant, and the scent is divine. We had a bit of a debate, but to me, it smells like a mature version of a Terry’s Chocolate Orange. Seed to Skin Scrub* ($42) has become another favourite of mine. Made with Abyssinian oil, Cupuacu seed power and cedarwood oil, again, this product smells incredible and leaves my skin feeling oh-so-good. Consider gifting one of these products along with a spa gift certificate to Cela’s Hammam spa for the ultimate indulgence.

If you have been a reader of my blog or subscriber to my YouTube channel for more than 5 minutes, then you will know that Charlotte Tilbury is one of my all-time favourite makeup brands. If Cela can do no wrong with skin products, then Charlotte can do no wrong with cosmetics! While I would happily recommend her entire Christmas collection, I wanted to shine a light on three products that really stand out for me. The Magic Dreams* kit ($135) includes her iconic Magic Cream and Magic Night Cream along with an adorable sleep mask. You can never have too many sleep masks (especially if you are doing some holiday travel!), and her Magic Cream always leaves my skin looking radiant. I’m on my fourth tub of it since I was first introduced. Her Starry Eyes to Hypnotise palette ($95) is pricey, but I was able to pick it up with Sephora’s VIB Rouge 20% off sale. I’ve mostly stuck to the gold and pink quads (what else is new?), but have been impressed by the pigmentation and wear of the palette. Finally, a classic in new packaging, the holiday packaged Filmstar Bronze and Glow* comes with the most perfect tiny brush to apply it with! I have already used up an entire one of these, and have suggested it to so many friends! Seriously, I love the subtle definition and glow that this product creates.

Givenchy’s L’Interdit Eau De Toilette* ( $73 for 35mL, $99 for 50mL, $118 for 100mL) has a beautiful warm floral scent that I am constantly complimented on. With hints of jasmine, orange blossom and vetiver, this would be a lovely gift for your mom, wife, girlfriend, or yourself!

Of course, body products, such as I Love’s mini body washes (perfect to split up in stockings or among friends!), or Bath and Body Works body washes and body sprays are always a hit. And, while I love a good holiday scent (hello Vanilla Bean Noel*!), I encourage you to also consider gifting from their regular collection. After all, their classics, are, well, classics for a reason!

Happy gifting!

Products marked with a * were sent by PR for my consideration.

July 13, 2025 0 comments

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Canadian Beauty

Eris Mx Perfume Review | Canadian Beauty

by Lina Clémence July 12, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

SALT.

Olfactory magic in Mx. creates the scent of salt without using any of the actual material. Maybe it’s the use of spices that are adjacent to the salt in my kitchen that gives me that salty scent, without it just being mineralic like sea water. There’s a warm dry cocoa, a bit of piquant ginger, but all of them are far away and out of reach so it’s like I’m getting a memory of them not even the actual flavour. It’s the faded dustiness of opening a spice cupboard and reaching for something savoury instead of something sweet.

It’s the perfect perfume when you’re sitting inside and watching a blizzard.⠀⠀⠀⠀

July 12, 2025 0 comments

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Glow From Within | 3 Products to Achieve It – Bookaholic Beauty

by Lina Clémence July 11, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

Recently I’ve been quite taken with the idea of enhancing my bare skin. I’ve been on a bit of a foundation kick, but all of a sudden, that’s flipped and I now want to get the glow from within “I was born this way” kinda look.

Here are products that help achieve that. Granted, I do have a favourite, but depending on your budget, or what’s already in your collection, any will work. This list goes in descending order (from worst to best):

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops Moonlight mixed with Cerave SA Renewing Cream (CAD 52.00)

This experiment came about when I realized that I hadn’t ever touched my mini highlight drops in the shade Moonlight. It’s a little too pale and silver for my skin tone (plus I think that they dry too quickly), but I’m still determined to finish the damn thing. This combo (of drops + cream) looks great under foundation, but by itself, the shimmer particles are a little too shiny and visible for my liking.

GlamGlow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer Nude (CAD 59.00)

I used the moisturizer in this no-makeup, makeup look, and man, I got so many compliments on how healthy my skin looked! Keep in mind, this was while I was sick with a cold, so that tells ya something. Although this looked beautiful, its not nearly moisturizing enough for me on its own (so I have lay it on top of another moisturizer), and the scent is a little sweet for my taste. If you aren’t bothered by scents and have a more normal to combo skin, check it out. Overall, I really like this!

In the picture to the left, I’m wearing the moisturizer all over with a little of my PF concealer under the eyes, and some blush to liven up my sickly self. And yes, we can talk about those brows. What can I say, I was trying something new!

Niod Photography Fluid 8% Tan (CAD 32.00)

Blame Wayne Goss for this one. I fell in love with the idea of this product when I heard him talk about it. So what is the photography fluid? To be honest, I’m no sure I could explain it, but it’s a liquid that dries to nothing on the skin, but leaves the most subtle, skin evening glow on the skin. It made the redness on my skin disappear, yet did not settle into any fine lines or dehydrated areas. The first time I tried it (in store), I couldn’t tell if anything happened, but then I saw myself in natural lighting (and took a photo), and I was very, very impressed. Just remember, less is more…no need to slather the stuff on (you’ll look patchy and weirdly tanned 🙈)! Just a couple drops will do as it spreads easily.

After purchasing it and trying it on at home, my thoughts are a bit more defined.

On my skin tone, it doesn’t necessarily add a very obvious colour or tan (which is a good thing), but for those on the lighter spectrum, it will give a warm sun-kissed glow. There is also a 12% (champagne gold) fluid, so with these two I think they’ve got a relatively wide spectrum of skin tones covered.

It did not mix well with my current foundations (IT Cosmetics CC Cream or the EX1 Invisiwear foundation). The drops didn’t really blend with the product and it looked streaky and patchy. Now I apply the drops first (either mixed with my First Aid Beauty moisturizer or by itself) and then apply the foundation (or wear it on its own). That makes a winning combo.

Applying it with my hands on freshly moisturized skin blends everything in beautifully. A dense buffing brush also works. It also looks great applied on the traditional bronzing spots on top of foundation.

It smells kinda funky. Very chemically actually. I can’t say that it’s pleasant, but the scent dissipates upon the skin and now I’m so used to it that it doesn’t really bother me anymore.

Bare Face

Niod Photography Fluid 8% + FAB Moisturizer

Which of these three products appeals to you the most?

July 11, 2025 0 comments

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Canadian Beauty

Flexitol, for Fresh Feet All Summer Long

by Lina Clémence July 10, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

Feet are incredibly important in our daily lives; they support us and take a beating every day. Yet they almost seem forgotten in our self-care routines. Last year, I vowed to be better on my feet, and this year, I am supporting that goal with Flexitol products.

Flexitol Foot Odour Powder Spray*

For about a decade now, I have been using spray anti-perspirant on my feet in the summertime to prevent stinky feet and to prevent excessive sweating. I am known for ruining flats by wearing them after a day of work, and without socks to soak some of that moisture, and the shoes get permanently stinky (like I have had comments on it, they smell). So the spray prevents all that from happening and keeps my feet fresh.

The fact that I had to use my arm pit anti-persperant always kind of sucked. I found a few deodorants for feet, but they were just very smelly perfumes that did nothing for the sweat that happened.

This is where Flexitol comes into play; their Foot Odour Powder Spray is an antiperspirant for your feet. It not only makes them smell great (in a non-flowery way) but also stops excessive sweating down there. The spray is also pretty strong and wide, which is great because not everyone can twist and turn to get their feet up where they need them for an accurate spray.

It kills odours on contact, works for 24 hours, and absorbs wetness. It is fantastic.

Flexitol Heel Magic

I get cracked heels. It started happening a few years back, and now it happens more often than I would like to admit. Heel Magic is just like magic because after just a few days, cracked heels look so much better.

I also get strange tears on my feet as I swim more in my condo’s pool every summer. I think the concrete floor just rips it up so fast, especially on my big toe and the ball of my Heel. I started using Heel Magic to help, and it really got my feet on the right path so quickly. I still need to be careful in the pool, but it isn’t weeks recovery anymore.

The stick makes for easy application, and the Shea, Olive, and Coconut oils hydrate to help repair and smooth out the skin.

I like to use it wherever I get calluses, not just my cracked heels.

Flexitol Anti-Fungal Liquid & Medicated Anti-Fungal Cream*

Now, foot fungus isn’t something I’ve had to deal with much (I’m fortunate), but my husband goes to the gym and plays hockey several times a week, as well as works on his feet. So he’s pretty prone to athlete’s foot. In the past, he’s tried sprays, and he found them extremely messy and not super effective for spot treating areas.

The liquid is perfect for treating a small area, under toenails, between toes and one toenail. The cream is great for all-over treatment and relief.

The lotion contains Tolnaftate (1%), 15% urea, menthol, and aloe the soothing benefits of menthol and aloe. A combo that helps both kill fungus and keep feet soft.

The liquid contains 25% Undecylenic Acid (which is the maximum strength without a prescription), Urea, Aloe, Vitamin E, Tea Tree, and Eucalyptus Oils. It can kill fungus on the skin but also on the nail, so it can be applied on, under, and around the nail to help combat fungus growth. It’s non-greasy, so it’s really great for spot treating between the toes and on the nails.

I plan on swimming in my condo’s pool all summer long, so I am glad to have this on hand if things start to get a little itchy or look scaly.

Overall, I really have enjoyed trying these products out. I’m ecstatic to have found an upgrade with the Foot Odour Spray. It works so much better than what I was using and makes me feel a lot more confident during this season. The Heel Magic is a staple in my life. My feet stay soft and smooth and look great with little effort and no grease. The anti-fungal products have been great for the hubs, and I’m glad to have them around, just in case.

My must-buy items are the Foot Odour Spray and Heel Magic; I don’t think I can manage without them.

*All products were sent for review purposes, and all views and opinions are my own. Links are affiliate, I may make a small commission I’d you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog.

July 10, 2025 0 comments

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Rainbow Ready with Glam that Gives Back from Quo Beauty, Peace Out and HAUS LABS!

by Lina Clémence July 9, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

If there’s anything better than bold, beautiful Pride products, it’s bold, beautiful Pride products that give back. This month, look good, feel good and do good with these three fabulous ways to shop with purpose and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Quo Beauty is turning up the joy this Pride with a limited-edition collection that’s as vibrant as a dance floor at 2 a.m. Think high-voltage colour, sparkle that won’t quit and serious self-expression vibes.

Here’s what I’m especially loving from the collection:

Quo Beauty Rainbow Maker – $10 – instant rainbow realness. A swipe of this and you’re basically a walking parade float (in the best possible way).

Quo Beauty Gemstone Festival Headband – $20 – sparkly, colourful, and extra in the best way. It’s giving main character energy. (I may or may not be wearing mine to do laundry right now.)

Quo Beauty Lip Oil – $10 – nourish those lips with four juicy flavours: Mango, Tutti Frutti, Island Punch and Strawberry. Tastes like a tropical vacation. Looks like high-gloss heaven.

Quo Beauty Flash Dry Nail Colour – $12.49 – in 8 shades of mood-lifting magic: Sizzlin’, Afterglow, Mimosa, Banana Split, Mojito, Electric, Taro and Standout – two coats, fast dry, zero drama.

Even better? Shoppers Drug Mart is donating 10% of Quo Beauty Pride Collection sales (up to $30,000) to Pflag Canada, supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ folks and their families through peer support and advocacy.

Peace Out
Pride Limited Edition Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots – 16 healing dots – $26 – it’s your favourite pimple patch -but now in colour! These limited-edition healing dots are decked out in Progress Pride flag colours and packed with skin-saving goodness like salicylic acid, retinol, and aloe vera. Combined with patented clean hydrocolloid polymer technology,
impurities are extracted and a barrier is created to help guard against
external elements. Get clearer-looking skin overnight. Bye blemishes, hello radiant skin.

And it’s not just skin-deep: Peace Out, an LGBTQ-founded and run brand, is donating $25,000 to The Trevor Project, supporting LGBTQ+ youth with life-saving crisis intervention and suicide prevention services.

Available at Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca.

HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA
Color Fuse Longwear Hydrating Glassy Lip + Cheek Blush Balm Stick – $47 – Mother Monster delivers once again! In 12 shades with a high shine finish: Glassy Ginger – dusty pink, Glassy Cayenne – deep rose, Glassy Cinnamon – beige pink, Glassy Cove – brownish red, Glassy Hibiscus – deep mauve, Glassy Rosette – rose, Glassy Pomelo – peach pink, Glassy Pitaya – cool pink (my fave), Glassy Lilac – lavender, Glassy Watermelon – ruby, Glassy Tangelo – orange, Glassy Acai – black cherry – your new best friend for juicy,
dewy, glassy colour that lasts all day. Packed with skincare superheroes like fermented arnica, goji berry
complex, and fermented shiunko, it plumps, soothes, and brings that
born-this-way glow.

For every HAUS LABS item sold during Pride, Sephora is donating $1 to the Born This Way Foundation, supporting mental health and wellness initiatives for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth.

Available at Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca.

However you show up this month (and every month), these brands are making it easy to do it with style, heart and rainbow energy to spare.

🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride!

– Lisamarie –

July 9, 2025 0 comments

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Canadian Beauty

The secret to radiant, hydrated skin: Kiehl’s new Ultra Pure Serums

by Lina Clémence July 7, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

When it comes to serums, Kiehl’s definitely knows what they’re doing.

Their Midnight Recover Serum is one of the brand’s most iconic and bestselling products, so when I heard that they released a new line of serums, I already knew they would be great products.

The new Kiehl’s Ultra Pure Serums are specially formulated to deliver potent, targeted treatments for various skin concerns, all while being gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin types. These serums are made with ultra-pure ingredients, meaning that they are free from a long list of potential irritants, including fragrance, parabens, sulfates, and more. In fact, each serum has only 10 ingredients or less, which makes them ideal for those with sensitive or reactive skin who may be prone to irritation or allergic reactions. Additionally, the Ultra Pure serums are formulated with a high concentration of active ingredients, allowing them to effectively target specific skin concerns and deliver visible results.

First up is the Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 5.0% Niacinamide (C$35), which is great for oily skin since it visibly reduces excess oil and imperfections.

This serum contains five per cent Niacinamide to visibly reduce shine and soothe skin. It also helps to reduce the appearance of imperfections in just two weeks with regular use and also reduces redness. It is great for all skin types and is formulated for skin absorption and efficacy. Apply this to skin morning and night before your moisturizer.

If you need some extra hydration, check out the Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 1.5% Hyaluronic Acid (C$35) which contains seven ingredients to replenish and hydrate dry skin.

Like the name suggests, this serum contains 1.5 per cent Hyaluronic Acid to leave skin looking and feeling more plump, healthy, and hydrated. This can be used morning and night on skin before your moisturizer.

Finally, if you are looking for smoother skin, then take a look at the Ultra Pure High-Potency Serum 9.5% Glycolic Acid (C$35). This serum contains seven ingredients that help to visibly smooth skin texture and boost skin’s glow.

This serum contains 9.8 per cent glycolic acid to refine skin’s texture for a smooth and glowing appearance. It helps to minimize pores in as little as four weeks and boosts skin renewal in as little as three days. Make sure to apply this serum in the evening only so it works overnight while you sleep.

Kiehl’s Ultra Pure serums are a great option for those looking for effective, targeted skincare treatments that are also gentle and non-irritating. With a range of different formulations to choose from, there’s something for every skin concern. You can also mix and match these for a custom skincare routine. I also love that they are all $35, which for Kiehl’s is a great price and rivals their drugstore counterparts. Considering how much their other serums are, at this price it’s really a great deal.

Have you tried the Kiehl’s Ultra Pure Serums yet?

Please note, all products provided by PR. All opinions are my own.

Like what you read? Check out these related posts:

Best face forward: The skincare you need to try for May 2020

Spring cleaning: New skincare products from Olay you need to try for spring

Rise & shine: Olay Retinol24 Skincare line

Spring ahead! The skincare products you need to try in March

The post The secret to radiant, hydrated skin: Kiehl’s new Ultra Pure Serums appeared first on A Pop of Colour.

July 7, 2025 0 comments

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2019 Goals | A Certain Romance

by Lina Clémence July 6, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

Looking back at 2018…

I didn’t set goals for myself in 2018, but I can’t help but feel that I didn’t quite end up where I wanted to be. I felt directionless, unproductive and uncreative for most of the year. There were highs (a solo trip to Amsterdam, an amazing press trip to Montreal, smashing a few work goals), there were lows (not spending enough time with the people I love, letting work get in the way of my health, never getting around to working on those extra income streams I’ve been dreaming about), but overall I’m happy to say goodbye to 2018 and feeling positive about what’s to come.

I have a good feeling about 2019. I’m excited to start fresh, with a head full of ideas and a list of concrete steps to bring them to life. I’m also looking forward to making small changes in my daily routine, and I hope that I will feel more energized and better over the next twelve months. You’ll notice a couple of overarching themes in the list of goals below — less screen time, more time spent learning new skills and putting them into practice. I also have a big partnership lined up for 2019, which you will be hearing about soon enough. Yes, this year is going to be a good one!

My 2019 Goals…

Decluttering. My big plan for the first day of the year? Binge-watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, the brand new Netflix show by the author of the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. I’m hoping to get some serious decluttering inspo, because I often feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I own — clothes with the tags still on, mystery kitchen accessories, tote bags (so.many.tote.bags!) and various beauty bits I’ve accumulated over the years. This year, I want to do a couple of big decluttering sessions and (hopefully) pick up the habit of tidying up as I go.

Reading. At some point during my Ph.D. program in literature, I fell out of love with reading. I can’t think of anything that makes me quite as sad as having lost my passion for stories and how they’re told, so I signed myself up for a reading challenge. Over the course of the year, I’ll attempt to read 52 books. It’s ambitious, but I’m not putting any pressure on myself (I know I probably won’t make it) and I’m going to keep the reading list light and fun. The goal is to rediscover my love of reading. You can follow along on Twitter, where I’ll be using the hashtag #andreannereads to document the experience.

Writing. It feels impossible to write for myself when I spend all day writing at work. By the time 5 pm rolls around, the last thing I want to do is to write more. This year, I want to make time for my own writing — blog posts, freelance articles, diary entries, creative writing…It all counts!

Cooking. It’s no secret that I don’t enjoy cooking (just scroll through my Twitter feed), but the takeout spending was a little out of control in 2018. I’d like to learn how to make two or three dishes that are healthy, easy and quick to make. It seems achievable, but I can already tell that this is the goal I’m going to struggle with the most.

Focusing. My brain is always bubbling with ideas, so I tend to jump from one project to the next without ever truly seeing anything through. The goal for 2019 is to focus my energy, starting with the projects that are the most likely to bring me happiness in the future. The first thing I want to tackle is my online portfolio, as I’d like to pick up a few bilingual freelance content creation and social media management contracts on the side and build my own business from there.

Learning. Libraries, research, papers, degrees…I truly feel at home in a classroom. I did a Digital Marketing Management certificate from the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies a few years ago, and it helped me land my dream job. Since then, I’ve taken a few online courses, but I now have my eye on a writing course from Ryerson. I’ve been putting off taking more courses because they’re time-consuming and expensive, but I’m starting to feel a little restless and this could be just what I need.

Saving. There’s no way to sugarcoat this goal to make it Instagram-worthy — I’m currently repaying my enormous student loan…and it’s awful. I’m lucky to have been able to study for as long as I have and to have found my dream job in my dream industry, but the downside is that I have to make a lot of sacrifices to be able to slowly pay back my debt and buy underwear when I need it and save a little. It did not go well in 2018, let’s leave it at that.

Travelling. If all goes well (see above), 2019 will be the year I finally visit Disney World. This is the big trip Nick and I are saving up for this year, but I’d like to do a short solo trip somewhere close by too. Why is travelling so expensive? I’m putting it out into the world — I want to travel more in 2019! I should probably start buying lottery tickets…

Unplugging. An unrealistic goal for someone who lives and works on the Internet, I’m sure you’ll agree. For me, it’s not so much about logging off for extended periods of time or giving up social media (that being said, I haven’t used Instagram all that much in 2018 and I don’t miss it), but rather limiting how much I use my phone while also doing other things. There’s really no need for me to check Twitter when I’m having coffee with the girls, to look at Instagram stories when I’m watching TV or to scroll through Reddit until 4am when I should be sleeping — it’s not useful or productive. I hope that I can be more ‘in the moment’ this year…as cheesy as that sounds.

What are your goals for the new year? Do you relate to any of the above? Please tell me I’m not the only one who has yet to master the art of cooking a healthy meal at 30 years old…

July 6, 2025 0 comments

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Canadian Beauty

Frozen Persimmons |A Beautiful Zen

by Lina Clémence July 5, 2025

written by Lina Clémence

David has had to convince me of frozen fruit a few times now. Always a fan of blueberries, his fridge tended to have the usual frozen fruit varieties of berries and mangoes. He would freeze bananas (which I readily loved with huge slathers of peanut butter) and most recently, he suggested that persimmons were great frozen as well.

I really love persimmons but sometimes I lose the waiting game of “when is it ripe?” and reaching for one will see my fingers depressing just a bit too deeply into the skin. A lumpy blacked persimmon doesn’t sound all that appetizing but we’ve chucked them whole, skin on, into the freezer. A day’s wait turns the ripened persimmon into, basically, fruit sherbet.

The skin comes off amazingly easy if you leave it out for a few minutes. Easily peel-able by hand in large strips, the remains are a huge globe of creamy sweet fruit, that isn’t ice-like. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first one I ate but I’m coming around and these are definitely delicious.

July 5, 2025 0 comments

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