Is it fall yet?! I hope so, I’m excited to jump back into long sleeves again as my body constantly gets confused with summer outside but feels like winter inside the office. I’ve tried a variety of products during the summer and it’s 100% my fault I did’t individually talk about them all. Here, I have a round up of stuff that I’ve quite enjoyed during the sunny warm days; from products used for Brazilian waxes to shampoo!
Apothekari Dermaceuticals Shade SPF 30 Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen*
First, this brand is found in Vancouver and is found by Sharmani who is a pharmacist! It is great to know that someone behind the skincare creation has a strong scientific foundation who cares about skin. This natural and mineral based sunscreen doesn’t produce the white cast on the skin and provides both UVA and UVB protection.
The Broad Spectrum Mineral Sunscreen ($45 CAD) contains red algae extract that absorb UV radiation, as red algae lives in shallow water and takes in a lot of sunny rays. That is a neat scientific fact I learned about red algae itself! The sunscreen is recommended to be patted into the skin, rather than rubbing it on like a lotion. It has a bit of tackiness in it but doesn’t leave the skin feeling uncomfortable. Needless to say, this sunscreen was very useful during the hot summer – and no, I won’t forget it I still need sunscreen all year long!!
Stripped Wax Bar Bare Basics Waxing Aftercare Essentials Kit*
Stripped Wax Bar’s name says it all. They are a Canadian wax bar that features waxing services for gents and ladies! I have been a waxer (?? I will just dub myself this term,) since I was in high school as my hair used to be inches long on my arms and legs!! I have started getting into Brazilian waxes a few years ago and Stripped Wax Bar sent me their Bare Basics Waxing Aftercare Essentials Kit ($40 CAD) for the summer.
The kit contains three products:
- Calm Down Relief Cream for Post-Hair Removal: This is a lotion that contains Vitamin E, Peppermint Oil, and Tea Tree Oil. It has a very nice cooling effect for post waxing and post shaving.
- Smooth Roller Ingrown Hair Treatment: My favourite of the three and SUPER useful for those post Brazilian waxes. This is for prevention of bumps and ingrowns – something I commonly experience. It contains tea tree oil, Vitamin E and comfrey root. It has also a very strong tea tree scent. Because I was very eager to prevent those itchy bumps, the Smooth Roller was definitely over-used as it has a REALLY nice cooling sensation, but I applied it on twice a day and my skin down there got a bit too much exfoliation. Use this sparingly.
- Buff Stuff Exfoliating Washcloth: This is a cloth made of natural, agave plant fibres. This has a nice scrubby feel; it is a bit on the rough side which I don’t mind.
Caudalie Grape Water*
If you read my Europe shopping haul, you know I love Caudalie! I have here the mini version of the travel size of the Caudalie Grape Water ($14 CAD) and it is a lifesaver to carry it around and keep one in the office. My boyfriend gets warm super easily and I spray the $*&# out of this and he loves it. Back, face, chest – this mist goes everywhere where the sun don’t and do shine.
Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Face Wipes*
As I didn’t wear much makeup this summer, the Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Face Wipes ($12.99 CAD) were much appreciated within the city and on my trip! There were days in Paris where my skin felt super dirty ( I walked down a road on the day they were emptying the garbage,) and the wipes felt very refreshing. The wipes are very moist, but the skin absorbs it very quickly.
It contains tea tree oil, aloe vera, and Copaiba Oil – making it very soothing and bacteria killing! The scent does have a herby fragrance which may throw some people off, but I love anything that smells sharp, my boyfriend thought it was ok. He got a few pimples on the bottom of his chin and I would use the wipes and he goes ‘ahhhhhh’ (in a good way!) I also would recommend not using this in replacement of a cleanser if you have makeup on as it doesn’t take everything off. The only other drawback is that these wipes should avoid the eye area, as tea tree oil can sting.
Juice Beauty Prebiotix Hydrating Gel Moisturizer*
y otherfdf f Another product with a herb and citrus scent is the Juice Beauty Prebiotic Hydrating Gel Moisturizer ($65 CAD,) which was launched earlier this year. The ingredient list is amazing; it contains viola flower, chia, and coconut extract to lock in moisture. It also has fermented kumaru which absorbs UV light and reflect visible light, whicch gives the skin a nice glow. It also contains linseed, which soothes the skin; and American bamboo which is rich in antioxidants. Organic jojoba and prickly pear is also used for a boost of hydration.
I’m not done.
There is also organic grape, apple, aloe, lavendar, clary sage, and juniper. This is like a green smoothie in a bottle for your skin. Instead of feeding my inside, my biggest organ is being fed. While the moisturizer is a good boost in day time, I like something heavier for night time. My favourite use for the Prebiotix Hydrating Gel Moisturiser is under foundation as it creates a great canvas for my skin.
Viviscal Gorgeous Growth Densifying Shampoo and Densifying Shampoo *
The Viviscal Gorgeous Growth Densifying Range contains shampoo, conditioner, and elixir. I will talk about the elixir in another post, but here I am reviewing the Densifying Shampoo ($19.99 CAD) and Densifying Conditioner ($19.99 CAD). These products contains biotin, keratin, and zinc to boost healthier and voluminous hair.
The scent reminds me of a salon; light and floral. After washing my hair and I used a blow dryer, my hair appeared bouncier and easier to fluff with my round brush. I noticed it looked less flat at the top. My head of hair is already as thick as a turnip; but the flatness in the morning is the annoying part when it comes to getting ready. I find the shampoo + conditioner enables my hair to look bouncy, shiny, but not flat. I cannot say if got more hair out of this; but having healthier hair is more important to me!
Looking at the products I reviewed on here; I think I am fairly certain I love things that have Tea Tree Oil in it and things with a botanical scent. With the heat this summer, my skin and hair needed a lot of maintenance and these products provided what I needed.
What were your favourites this summer?
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