Found these while perusing Pacific Mall with miss Dani Roche. We laughed, these are adorable and fairly hilarious. Love it. Et tu?

New Year, new hair! I finally did it! I dyed my hair. Though, I am not a hair color virgin, this is the first time I’ve dyed my hair, since my DIY ombre experience last year. As I see it, the fun-est way to bring about change is a dramatic haircut or a  new hair color and lucky(ish) for me, the salon & spa across my apartment MoSheta (on Queen Street West ) is having a $50 hair color deal (check it out here, it is available only for the first two weeks of January). I prefer at-home hair dye experimenting so I was excited to treat myself to a nice salon visit!

My experience at MoSheTa was one filled with ups and downs. Ups – Aimee,  the lovely, friendly and upbeat hairstylist. Downs – she was pretty much the only one working and had to rush between customers. However, I give her big kudos for being attentive in her attempts to make the additional waiting experiences  more relaxing with mugs of green tea and a variety of magazines. YAY!

All-in-all, I’m satisfied with the medium brown color I selected. However, in the natural light, the pigment looks lighter at my roots than it does at the base. Or maybe it’s just me being picky. But even with the discounted price next time I think I am going to pick up a box of Feria and do it myself. I guess old habits dye-hard.

I’ve been a huge proponent for black and white semi-photography. It’s been a crazy-ton of fun to learn to make meaning out of something desaturated. Something that is typically flat, clear cut, mildly predictable, and often linked to being predictable. I shot some of these snaps when reviewing the HANA Hair Dryer, gifted from the very generous folks at Misikko Beauty. I’ve been struggling and grappling with my current one (whose brand shall remain unnamed). I tried it out and my eyes (and hair) were blown open.

Within the packaging, fun add ons like a bear (which became earless, who knew), an eyelash curler, Paul Mitchell shampoo and product, Bobbi Brown makeup brushes, and a HANA eyemask. Basically, a box that dreams are made of. Small snippet pictured below.

The result? The hair dryer is more than phenomenal. One of the things that I always struggled with was hand and finger fatigue. HANA eliminates much of that because it has individual settings for both heat and cold shot (single finger setting, and easy to use switches pictured below). And while the product says “for professional use only”, as you can tell my by meek attempts at styling my hair (you haven’t seem me trying too hard, I swear!), I am by no means a professional. Meaning that anyone can absolutely acquire this beautiful, compact tool for their personal use. Out with the old (donating) and in with the HANA. If you purchase this item from Misikko.com, you actually receive 42% off the regular retail price ($334.99).

Other details:

• 2 fan speeds, 3 heat settings plus cold shot
• Ceramic Heater – Most Advanced Far Infrared Ionic Heat
• Elements: Pure Tourmaline Crystals Add Antibacterial Ions and Shine
• Italian Design
• 2 Years Warranty
• Accessory – Concentrator
• Comes with a heat proof pouch

 

Highly recommend this product – the only downfall? When it’s new, it smells new (when it blow dries). Enjoy freely though, it’s changed my hair into something shiny and all too happy. www.misikko.com for more beauty tools.

This year I really made a conscious effort (border line obsessed) to use all-natural, if not organic products and that included what I used as part of my beauty regimen.  Someone told me once what I put on my body is just as important as what I put in my body and it stuck.  It only make sense right? I’m not 100%(as you’ll see below) but I was able to scrounge up some goodies I hope you’ll try.

Merben Body Brush

I’ve contemplated buying this brush for a very long time but never got around to it until a few months ago. To keep it short, it works wonders! You use it right before you jump into the shower as a dry brush all over your body to exfoliate, improve circulation, and the sight of pesky cellulite. It’s a great mini-massage and leaves your skin silky smooth. Who wouldn’t want that?

Sugaring – Sugar Moon

Nothing does it like sugaring. It’s surprisingly not very big in Toronto but works so much better than waxing and is all-natural! The sugar paste is made of sugar, lemon, and water and sticks to the hair as opposed to the skin, which also makes it much less painful. I go to Sugar Moon. The best, hands down!

Carol’s Daughter Love Butter

In a word – AMAZING!! I honestly try not tell people I have it because I don’t want to share. It’s made from Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter and Sweet Almond oil and is free of parabens, petroleum, mineral oils, and artificial colours. It comes with a real cinnamon stick inside and smells like Christmas! My absolute favourite product of the year.

Ole Henriksen products – Face wash and wipes

I am constantly on the hunt for the best cleansers for my face, and at least for right now, I think I found them. For regular cleansing I use the African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser and The Truth To Go Wipes right before a workout or when I’m on the go (these wipes are called “The Truth” because they are! Best wipes to remove makeup). Both deep clean and moisturize without leaving your skin feeling either heavy or tight and the wipes smell like orangesicles!  Again, all-natural, anti-oxidant rich products.

Karma Organic Nail polish remover with Soybean Oil and Lavender

A friend of mine bought this nail polish remover for me and I am hooked! No more nasty acetone smell and weak nails. Although it takes a bit more work to get the polish off, it’s worth it. This nail polish remover smells like lavender and claims to improve the strength of your nails, which I don’t doubt. You can buy at 889 Yoga and Wellness Spa

The Healthy Deodorant by Lavanila Laboratories

It keeps me dry and I smell nice. Bonus: it lasts forever. Minus: it’s a pretty penny.  This has to be the only thing I’d really consider a splurge on the list but hey, it’s good stuff. When I decided to switch deodorants I not only wanted something without aluminum, I also wanted something that would be good for my skin, so I use this and I’m happy. There are 21 essential minerals, 18 amino acids, and goji berries!

d.v.j. beautenizer fiberwig LX mascara

My lashes are the kind that go all over the place so I am obsessed with mascaras and finding one that’ll make them look like falsies. This one hasn’t been half bad. It has a plastic brush that combs through lashes root to tip to define them and give them lots of length. Although it has become my go to for the last few months, I’m open to suggestions. I used to be a Dior Show girl but still on the hunt.

Vega Complete Whole Food Health Optimizer

I have been telling everybody and their mama about Vega. I love it. It has been a godsend. I have to thank Lyzabeth Lopez of Hourglass Workout for turning me on to this. It’s animal product, dairy, gluten, soy, sugar, wheat, yeast, artificial sweetener, GMO, and pesticide free, and has 100% of recommended daily vitamins and minerals.  I take it to go every morning I go to work and it keeps me satisfied.  Why is this under beauty? My nails are amazing, my skin is clear and I’m usually mistaken for being in my early 20s rather than my actual age. You can get it from Nutrition House or most health food stores.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Ok, so this really is not for everybody but I love it and thought it should be added. My hair is thick and curly and needs a ton of moisture so Jamaican castor oil has been my source! It’s thick, coats the hair, and is a miracle growth serum. I kid you not. Use it either as a hot oil treatment or as a leave in. I get mine from Honey Fig, but can probably get it lots of places if you search. You can get just the regular castor oil, or varieties infused with lavender or pimento seed.

Prada Parfum

Ok so if you were looking for a something a bit more traditional, here you go. I’m not big on perfume, but if I had to choose, it’d be Prada (Puh-rada). It started with Infusion d’Iris a few years ago and now it’s Infusion de Tubereuse. I love. I first got a whiff when I was in NY this summer and kept the card for the longest time so I didn’t forget what it was. Light, subtle, and very feminine.

So there you go – my picks for 2011! Honourable mentions go out to sleep and exercise which I did not get enough of this year (NY resolutions 1 and 2).

What could you not do without this year? Let us know!

 

Have a beautiful 2012!

This is just sadness. But fantastique because this little guy (I named him Hank) came with an amazing HANA hair dryer from Misikko Beauty. Review of it to come…just thought you guys could use a little Friday funny.