The Future Smells Like Chanel

Vitamin Daily — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:00:00 +0000

If Coco Chanel was right when she declared, “a woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future,” then perhaps it’s time we talked No. 5 year plans.

At Holt Renfrew’s Chanel Olfactive Bar, trade fortune tellers for fragrance experts and sit in a tweed chair surrounded by black and white photographs of Mademoiselle. Instead of crystal balls, there are ceramic blotters so you can smell the fullness of each fragrance as the perfumer would, without the successive sprays.

The bar is also the exclusive carrier of Les Exclusifs de Chanel collection, from which we found our next scent (we’d tell you what it is, but some things in life should remain a mystery).

Chanel Olfactive Bar at Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor St. W., Toronto, 416-922-2333 (call to book an appointment), www.holtrenfrew.com

Made you Blush

Vitamin Daily — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:00:00 +0000

We love our collection of glosses, balms and blushes, but that doesn’t mean we don’t heart it when our makeup does double duty.

The new Instant Blush Magic Colour ($28) by Clarins is made for the cheeks but can also be used on the lips to enhance their natural hue.

The pale pink, glossy texture goes on clear and is activated by the skin’s acidity and heat, adjusting to your skin tone. The result is an instant natural-looking rosy glow and a light pink lip.

Double trouble.

At Shoppers Drug Mart.

Sandy Locks

Vitamin Daily — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 04:00:00 +0000

The quest for Erin Wasson’s supermodel body may be beyond our grasp but now her perfectly tousled hair is just at our fingertips.

For naturally sexy waves, spray luxury Swedish line Sachajuan’s Ocean Mist formula from roots to tips on clean, towel-dried hair. Mist, twirl and scrunch for a look that’s more Venice Beach than Vegas. Finish with a dash of bronzer (or your own freckles) and one of Wasson’s designs for surf and skate brand RVCA.

Radical style, ladies. 

Ocean Mist, $34 at PIR Cosmetics, 25 Bellair St., Toronto, 416-513-1603, www.pircosmetics.com

Fly Away

Vitamin Daily — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:00:00 +0000

The smell of barbecues, campfires and sunscreen tantalizes our senses and affirms that summer is here. And so does the stench of most bug sprays.

This year, we’re keeping the bugs at bay with Buzz Away, a DEET-free insect repellent with cedarwood, citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus and lemongrass. Although you have to apply it more frequently than other repellents, the smell is subtle and more fresh than fierce and the convenient 60 ml bottle ($10.25) is easy to tote around.

Cottage country, here we come.

$10.25 at Well.ca

Summer Grooming Guide Toronto

Vitamin Daily — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 04:00:00 +0000

Get pretty from head to toe with our editors' top pampering picks.

Shear Genius
Consult the experts at John Steinberg & Associates for your next cut and colour. 585 King St. W., 416-506-0268, www.johnsteinbergerhair.com

Eyelash Envy
Ask for Priya at the Shu Uemura lashbar at Holt Renfrew on Bloor. She has the steadiest hand and of course rocks our makeup too. 50 Bloor St. W., 416-922-2333, www.holtrenfrew.com

Body Bliss
Book a 60-minute massage with an RMT at Inspired Health and top-off with 30-minutes in the infrared sauna for good measure 5-320 Danforth Ave., 416-461-8688, www.inspiredlife.ca

Stubble Trouble
Civello Rosedale is our number one choice for Brazilian waxing. 887 Yonge St., 416-924-9244, www.civello.com

Naked nails
Since we stumbled on Arona Nail & Spa earlier this month, we’ve been back twice on our own and brought our mum and sister for a special treat. 205 Davenport Rd., 416-413-1100, www.aronanailspa.com

Scalp Soother

Vitamin Daily — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

The word ‘salon’ once typically referred to a regular gathering of artists in a fashionable household.

The latest artist to arrive in Yorkville is Shu Uemura and the salon of choice is Hair on the Avenue. Visit the striking and dramatic new concept space and treat yourself to a Scalp Ceremony treatment. Sit back and relax for an invigorating massage of specially blended essential oils that moisturize your hair and much-neglected scalp. We left feeling totally refreshed and reinvigorated, inspired by the great master himself.

From $25. Hair on the Avenue, 112 Avenue Rd., Toronto, 416-922-0112, http://hairontheavenue.ca

Stiletto Surrender

Vitamin Daily — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

We adore a foot rub after a long night of dancing in heels, but it never occurred to us to start the party with one.

On Thursdays through Saturdays, between 7 p.m. and 11p.m., indulge in a divine, 45-minute foot and leg massage at Che Bella Spa’s new evening offering, The Red Door. Make it part of your getting ready ritual with the gals, pamper a bride-to-be or book one with your significant other.

She's got legs, and she knows how to…sorry about that.

$55 per person or book a group of four for $185. The Red Door at Che Bella Spa, 10 Castle Knock Rd., Toronto, 416-485-1225,  www.red-door.info
www.chebellaonline.com 

Eye Do

Vitamin Daily — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

A woman’s urge to explore her new man’s medicine cabinet is undeniable.

Of course, finding too many products is a turnoff, but too few can also be disappointing especially if you have to smell like Axe for the rest of the day. Imagine our surprise when we discovered Kiehl’s Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. Vain? Perhaps. But it also shows remarkable judgment. A tiny amount packs a powerful punch without clogging pores or leaving an oily sheen. In fact, mix a little in with your concealer for lasting coverage.

The man may be gone, but his beauty ritual lives on in our eyes.

Kiehl’s, 407 Queen St. W., Toronto, 416-977-3588, www.kiehls.com

Time to Play Footsie

Vitamin Daily — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

In summer, the frequency of our pedicures goes up almost threefold.

To give wallets a fighting chance, an arsenal of good, reasonably-priced spas is a necessity. Do yourself a favour and add Arona Nail and Spa to your rotation. The Standard Pedicure is just $28 and includes a thorough buff and relaxing massage in a pristine setting.

Arona welcomes walk-ins and has a wide selection of OPI, Essie and China Glaze polishes. But when we realized it was full of regulars (including super-cute moms and daughters on a spa day) we knew it was a keeper. 

Arona Nail and Spa, 205 Davenport Rd., Toronto, 416-413-1100, www.aronanailspa.com

Lip Locked

Vitamin Daily — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

On our last trip to NYC, we were devastated to find that Space NK no longer carries Dr. Lipp lip balm in its US stores.

Naturally, we scoured the beauty blogs and discovered a very simple solution. Now Personal Care 100% Pure Lanolin is a heavy-duty moisturizer for ultra-dry skin and cracked heels that has worked wonders for our pout. At 207mL ($12.29, the tub is not exactly portable, but decant some into a small, clear travel pot and it’s a luscious lip balm to go.

Since this home remedy costs a fraction of the original, why not treat yourself to a new lippy too?

Noah’s Natural Foods, 322 Bloor St. W, Toronto, 416-968-7930, http://www.noahsnaturalfoods.ca/