Health and Beauty: Skin Refresh

by Bronte Tagliani

This month I've really been focusing on "spring cleaning" my products cabinet at home. As the cool weather was fading I had that urge to clear away those products that have been sitting at the back of my shelf and with all the open space I wanted to trial some new comers that might earn a spot on my regular list. In this round up I chose 4 of the newest products for skincare from the luxury boutique Constance and Charles. Lucky for you they do ship so you can get these in-store (if you are local in Quebec) or online, score!

First up from Intraceuticals, the awesome Australian brand that I have already talked about on my blog a few months back. They've just come out with the "Atoxelene line wand" pictured above. For those of you that might be a little unsure about taking the plunge into preventative BOTOX, this is the answer to your prayers. It's like botox in a little wand... no needles, no pain, no bruising but less lines. YES please, I'll take a case full! They actually should relabel it the Magic Wand. 

I've been using this for over a week and I do feel more relaxed across my forehead where I have been concentrating my applications. I've also been applying on the smile lines around my eyes, but I haven't noticed a difference there yet. I think if you're not quite ready to jump on with medical injectables, then this product is a great substitute! 

Bioeffect, made in Iceland has the coolest packaging ever (well I think so) and this EGF Eye Serum is what every woman, young or mature needs in her anti-aging arsenal. Not only does it offer instant cooling to your delicate under-eye area with the roller ball applicator, the gel is cooling as well. I've noticed the hydration effect lasts all day, even on the hotter days that we have had so far. It hasn't helped with my dark circles (that's mainly from sleep deprivation) but I do feel like the hollows and or puffiness is markedly less than before I started. It did take about 3 weeks to see results, and I use it twice a day after cleansing, but the small container has already lasted 6 weeks and it's still going!

Dry and hard winter feet... gross! But a reality for so many of us, especially if you live in a colder climate like I do. My feet barely exit socks and boots, so when summer rolls around I'm always unprepared to show off my feet in scrappy stilettos or wrap sandals. This year I wanted to focus on not having to HIDE my feet and this product is seriously a gem of a find. The Chemistry Brand might sound a little geeky, but it's got some serious merit behind it's science and it works! This one is a keeper.

I started out using it when temps were still cooler overnight, every night after my shower liberally rubbing in about a quarter size dollop (with a nice massage) then wearing socks to bed. After a week I noticed much softer heels with no dry cracked areas and I've kept on with the application about 3 times a week before bedtime. This product has a lasting minty fresh scent and it's great for your hands as well. (Though they do have another product specifically for hands.)

 

The final product I chose to trial for my spring edit was the matte finish mineral sunscreen from Coola. Once a sun-worshiper (Shhhh...I used to lay out at midday for an hour slathered in coconut oil tanner) for endless summers. I'm now a huge advocate of sun protection and I've done a full 360 turn around so now you'll never catch me outside without sunscreen. What drew me to this SPF 30 was the matte finish. I really don't like the oily, runny shiny sunscreens of past summers and this one sure delivers that matte finish. The way I like to apply it is after my moisturizer but before my powder coverage. It lasts all day, though I do reapply, just because I'm super cautious, plus sun damage is one of the major aging factors that we can prevent! I think the only thing you need to watch with this one is your application amount because if you apply too much (I'm talking a lot here) and you don't wear coverage over the top, you'll look kind of like Snow White with a pale whitish glow... but that's cool too if you're into it and at least you won't be a sunscreen covered grease-ball. 

Each product shown above has good reason to take up space on my bathroom shelf, they all earned their place and I'm glad I did that big spring clean up to make room! If you're keen to find any of these to add to your collection of secret anti-aging weapons, like I mentioned earlier you can find them all at the gorgeous luxury boutique Constance and Charles. Don't miss out!

Style: My Spring fling with Melissa Nepton

by Bronte Tagliani

I am still asking myself the question this week, where is spring? I know that April showers are supposed to bring May flowers but we're still getting drowned over here! Well, in light of the cooler temps, I wanted to style for you this gorgeous yet versatile sweater that is the prettiest pastel blue color. Just the color alone can combat a serious case of the BLUES... (pun intended) Yes it's a sweater, but it's the cut-outs and open-back that say spring. The snake-print jeans are a cut above a basic white pair, though that would have been my other choice for this outfit. Since I've never worked at your office I can't say what goes over there, but in my office this is trés chic!

 

Next up, this striped cold-shoulder top is layered with a light white crepe underneath, the extra privacy is appreciated but you can use it to add some dimension to your outfit too. Tuck it in for a sleek look, or leave some of the fabric showing for an asymmetrical layering like I have done here.

A good friend once told me that you can never have too many pairs of black pants... true words and with this pair you can dress the outfit up with heels for a night out, or stick with flats for a casual event like brunch with the family.

There are other great pieces which I love in the newest collection from Melissa Nepton (too many to talk about though) all are available in store or online at Boutique Liv & Charlie. If you hurry, you'll still be in time to grab something sweet for your Mother's Day outfit!

Above: "Avenger" sweater by Melissa Nepton/ Jeans by Molly Bracken/ "Zacasha" Tiger eye sautoir blue necklace.

Below: Melissa Nepton "Olsen" top/ Pilgrim "Morena" earrings in green and "Vilma" ring in green

Style: Dress me up feat Melissa Nepton

by Bronte Tagliani

 

Finally it's warming up and we are all feeling that bounce back in our steps. Spring is the time to bare some skin and show a little leg or shoulder with fun and flirty cut-outs. I was so excited to have both those ideals met with the newest collection from Melissa Nepton now available at Liv & Charlie.

For these personal outfits I wanted to keep the makeup look natural, also because of the fact that my skin is super pale from having not seen a ray of sunshine this winter any heavy makeup would just make it look like my head is different from my body. (And really who wants that look?) 

Photos: Steve Madden Photo/ Makeup: Valerie Quevillon/ in Collab w ATOU Lifestyle

 
 

Denim is such a classic fabric that you can't really go wrong with this daytime look. The button down collar keeps it classy and the length is moderate. The frayed hemline and mini side split adds that touch of "now" to the dress.

Pair it with your favorite neutral bag and suede booties (open toed if it's not raining out) and y'all be set to shop the town!

Above: Melissa Nepton "Xiri" denim dress/ Pilgrim "Worthy" earrings in blue + gold/ Fenti Sunglasses in latte/ Sam Edelman shoes

 

Above: Melissa Nepton "Mateo" Dress/ Pilgrim "Hold Tassel Hoop Earrings".

The flirty floral print on this silky cut-out dress is perfect to show your bold attitude heading into the warmer months. Wear it now with a leather jacket and pumps, wear it later in the summer with cut-out sandals. Date-night outfit dilemma solved!