When it comes to skincare, it seems like there’s always a new trend to check out.
From “it” ingredients to new devices and tools, taking care of your skin can certainly get more complicated than it needs to be. But one beauty mandate that all beauty editors can agree on is adding a serum to your daily skincare routine.
Paired with your favourite moisturizer, a serum can help tackle fine lines, complexion problems, and dehydration — it’s all about finding the perfect serum for you. We’ve reached deep into our beauty bags and scanned the depths of beauty forums to help you on your mission, no matter what your price point might be.
Check out this bottle packed with clean and natural ingredients. Infused with rice bran oil, fractionated coconut oil, golden jojoba oil, lavender oil, rose geranium oil, frankincense oil, and vegetable glycerin. Apply a couple drops onto your skin to stay moisturized and glowing!
Where to shop: Pivot Skincare, $55.00
For those looking for a serum that will keep your skin feeling hydrating without draining your wallet, The Ordinary’s Hylaronic Acid 2% + b5 is the serum for you. This serum is nice and thick, making it the perfect addition to your nighttime routine. Let your skin soak it all up while you sleep. Pair it with your favourite moisturizer for the best results.
Where to shop: Deciem, $6.80
The La Roche-Posay serum improves imperfections and signs of aging. Tighten your skin and pores for a beautiful complexion. It’s also paraben and fragrance free which is definitely a plus.
Where to shop: Shoppers Drug Mart, $42.00
This awesome bottle is sure to reduce any blemishes by decreasing sebum activity. It’s vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without alcohol, silicone, nuts, gluten, and fragrance.
Where to shop: Sephora, $5.90
This lovely orange bottle of moisture, will do wonders for your face. Revive your skin with the help of these three cold-pressed seed oils which include cumin seed oil, camellia oil, and rosehip seed oil. Even put the Oils Of Life on before you apply your makeup for a flawless base.
Where to shop: The Body Shop, $44.00
Ranked amongst Amazon’s best beauty sellers is the 20% Vitamin C + Vitamin E + Ferulic Acid Serum by Timeless. Reviewers say that it greatly improves the texture of your skin and helps with reducing the appearance of acne scars and age spots. Not to mention, it’s a great alternative to more expensive serums, with some users saying that it’s a great alternative to the Skinceuticals Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid Serum.
Where to shop: Amazon, $29.95
The rejuvenating serum is perfect if you want to add some extra nourishment into your skincare routine. Replenish your face with moisture using this product, your skin will thank you.
Where to shop: Saje, $28.00
Another one of Amazon’s best selling beauty products is the OzNaturals Anti-Aging Hylauronic Acid Serum. With over 100 5 star reviews, this serum will make your skin softer and smoother in just a few months. Some reviewers even noticed that it helped fade hyper-pigmentation scars and diminish fine lines. If you’re new to the serum game, this is a great one to kick your journey off with.
Where to shop: Amazon, $24.02
Known for combatting uneven skin tone, softening scars, fine lines, rough texture, and general dullness, it’s no surprise that vitamin C is one of the most sought after ingredients on the market right now. La Roche-Posay’s formula combines pure vitamin C with exfoliating salicylic acid, thermal spring water, and soothing neurosensine, which works on even the most sensitive skin.
Where to shop: La Roche-Posay, $59
Another splurge-worthy serum to have on your radar is HydrExtreme by Consonant Skincare. With only two main ingredients — Cassia Angustifolia Seed Extract and Vegetable Glycerine — this cult-favourite promises hydrated, smoother, and youthful skin. As the grand prize winner of the Canadian Beauty Innovation Awards, this formula also help to sooth conditions like eczema and dermatitis.
Where to shop: Consonant Skin, $72
Loaded with vitamin B3 and C, you most definitely will improve any uneven skin tone or a dull complexion. Get ready for the most beautiful and refreshed skin of your life.
Where to shop: Shoppers Drug Mart, $43.99
One long-time favourite in the skincare community is the Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair. With over 2500 five star reviews, beauty lovers of all ages turn to this formula for brighter, fresher skin, and to reduce the look of fine lines. While it might be on the pricier end of the spectrum, it’s worth it. One reviewer even said, “I’ve tried to save a few bucks and go with other nighttime serums from various companies — none of them compare.”
Where to shop: Sephora, $128
Struggle with sensitive skin? This serum is formulated just for you. Fight the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dull skin. Boosted with Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid, this magic in a bottle will sooth any skin sensitivities you may have.
Where to shop: Lancôme, $99.00
This regenerating, anti-aging, and nourishing serum contains 2x the concentration of Labrador tea, which is a strong antioxidant, and 60% of active ingredients. It’s a lovely blend of natural plant and flower extracts leaves the skin glowing.
Where to shop: Hudson’s Bay, $94.00
Containing L-ascorbic acid, alpha tocopherol, and ferulic acid, this SkinCeuticals serum will protect your skin against environmental pollutants, UVA/UVB, and infrared radiation. It’s also paraben free, so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your face.
Where to shop: SkinCeuticals, $185.00
Articles You Might Be Interested In
11 Cult French Pharmacy Beauty Essentials You Can Get On Amazon
The 10 Beauty Products That Meghan Markle Swears By
A Popular Korean Beauty Brand Is Opening Its 1st Canadian Store In Toronto
11 Of The Best Beauty Products According To Thousands Of Canadians
10 Of The Best Brow Bars To Check Out In Toronto
Washing your face at the end of everyday is crucial, regardless of if you wear a full face of makeup or just a swipe of mascara and lipstick. Ask any beauty and skincare aficionado and they’ll likely tell you that removing your makeup isn’t the same as washing your face. Yes, it’s a great first step but it’s not the only step.
If you’re guilty of this, you may be now in the market to buy a cleanser that won’t only help get all traces of makeup off your face — a face wipe can only do so much — but also address your skincare concerns like acne, redness, and dehydration. When looking to buy a new cleanser, obviously price plays an important part. Just because one might be expensive, it doesn’t mean it’s the best cleanser and it certainly doesn’t mean the cheapies are crap.
When it comes to skincare and beauty products, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by not only how many there are, but how many are launched constantly. It can make even the most beauty-obsessed feel inundated from time to time. The truth is, there are a handful of products out there that are definitely worth the hype and need to be on everyone’s radar like yesterday. Whether these products cost $5 or $100, these are the products that actually do what they say they will. As beauty and skincare buffs, we’re sharing cult beauty products that we’ve not only tested, but we love and truly believe in.
Instagram/@glossier
Whether you’re after bold, dramatic brows or you’re looking for a more subtle look, Glossier’s best-selling Boy Brow is exactly what you need. Inspired by traditional hair pomade, it has a waxy consistency that doesn’t leave hairs looking stiff or crunchy. It comes in blonde, brown, black, and even clear if you just want some hold.
Instagram/@francisca.carvalhoo
This award-winning, lightweight foundation delivers buildable coverage and a long-lasting, hydrating glow with a luminous & natural finish. But more importantly, it leaves you with the perfect balance between a dewy and matte finish, conceals even the most stubborn acne marks, and hides redness without feeling cakey or heavy.
Instagram/@skinceuticals
Don’t let the price point scare you, this serum is what skincare dreams are made of and after one use you’ll understand why skincare professionals can’t get enough of it. It’s a daytime Vitamin C antioxidant that delivers advanced environmental protection and improves the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness, leaving you with a glowing and youthful complexion.
Instagram/@narsissist
Easily one of the best-selling blushes on the market, and equally as famous for its name. You’ll be swearing by its perfect pink colour that looks natural and has a slight shimmer to it, so it leaves you with a flattering and beautiful glow.
Instagram/@samanthachepi
How do we love thee? Let us count the ways. Free from oil and alcohol, this toner is made for all skin types (even the most sensitive) and contains 5% glycolic acid, which is a gentle, exfoliating AHA, so it sloughs away dead skin cells. It’s also equipped with aloe vera extract to help calm and soothe the skin, leaving you with a bright and glowing complexion The best part? You can pick this up at your local Shoppers Drugmart the next time you need to grab paper towel.
Instagram/@deciem
Toronto-based beauty company Deciem launched The Ordinary just two years ago, which is an affordable line of vegan and cruelty-free skincare products. Easily the most coveted product in the collection is the Hyaluronic Acid, which is not only under $10, but it also gives you an intense dose of moisture and will leave your skin feeling plump, soft, but most importantly insanely hydrated.
Instagram/@gabsurefashionista
This is a cult favourite and makeup artist must-have for a reason. A quick spritz on your faces leaves your skin feeling revitalized, and gives you with a dewy, moisturized glow. Whether spritzed for a hydrating boost or mid-day pick-me-up, this facial spray helps revive dehydrated skin anytime, anywhere.
Instagram/@katesomervilleskincare
Whether you struggle with cystic acne or you woke up to a frustrating zit, this spot treatment works fast to give you acne-free skin. It contains the highest level of sulphur allowed to effectively heal blemishes, reduce acne, and help keep skin free of new breakouts.
Instagram/@olivecooke
You don’t need to spend the day near the ocean to achieve enviable beach waves thanks to Ouai. This weightless mist is infused with rice protein that’ll add hold and just the right amount of texture to achieve the ‘just got out of the ocean’ look. Simply spritz on damp or dry hair to activate natural waves, enhance hair texture, and boost body. Plus, it smells like a tropical paradise, so yeah, it’s pretty amazing.
Featured Image: Instagram/@taraleydon
Articles You May Be Interested In:
8 New Drugstore Beauty Products Worth Checking Out
The 7 Most-Wanted Skincare Items And Their Drugstore Dupes
6 Products To Use To Achieve The No Makeup-Makeup Look
Sephora Just Launched A Cult-Favourite Skincare Brand In-Store
Glossier Play Is Finally Here And Here’s What’s In Our Cart
One fateful day sometime last year, I took a look at my bathroom shelves and realized (to my horror) that they were lined with single-use plastic bottles containing my hygienic “essentials.” For the fine humans in the back — I had over 50 sample, travel, and full-size products all enclosed in plastic packaging. At that moment, I suddenly realized that this was not okay — for me at least — so I decided I had to try a low-waste skincare routine.
Earlier last year, I ditched plastic shopping bags and began using reusable totes instead. I also made an effort to ask waiters for no straws and avoided single-use coffee cups like they were the plague (because they’re just as gross).
Instagram/@lushcosmetics
I want to preface my routine by saying that although some brands have been or have begun packaging products in plastic-free containers, these brands aren’t necessarily perfect but are better than products packaged in 100% plastic containers.
Instagram/@norinovreness
Coconut oil cures all, right? Well, I’m not so sure about that, but it is the perfect first step to take off all the dirt and makeup from your day. Right now I’m using a jar of organic coconut oil from the grocery store that comes packaged in glass (just don’t use the one you cook with), but if you’re feeling fancy, the RMS Beauty Raw Coconut Cream will do the trick.
To take off the oil, I wet reusable cotton rounds in warm to hot water and make small circular motions around my face until all of the oil is removed.
Instagram/@sajewellness
Others rave about honey as a natural, low-waste cleanser, but I’ve tried it and it’s just not for me. Instead, I use solid facial cleansing bars. Right now, my go-to bar is the Zap Tea Tree Oil Face Bar from Saje which comes packaged in cardboard. To use, I run the bar under warm water and then lather it between my hands. This creates a milky cleanser that I use to remove any remaining oil, makeup, or dirt on my face.
Also, Lush has recently come out with a naked skincare line with tons of different cleansers that I have been dying to try! There are a ton of mainstream and accessible, or locally-made options out there!
Instagram/@cocokindskincare
When I mentioned earlier that I have dry skin, I meant that I have very very dry skin, which requires semi-frequent exfoliation. I am currently using cocokind’s Sea Moss Exfoliator, which is a very gentle mechanical exfoliator that does the job right. It’s packaged in cardboard and glass, but has a plastic lid — hey, you can’t win them all.
Instagram/@deciem
Last but certainly not least, my favourite part of my skincare routine: oils! While I have experimented with different oils in the past, I’m currently using The Ordinary’s 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil which is packaged in cardboard and glass with a plastic dropper. It’s super hydrating and leaves my face glowing!
I hope I’ve inspired you to try your own version of a low-waste skincare routine because you and the planet deserve it!
Featured Image: Instagram/@emma_sugi
Articles You May Be Interested In:
How I Made The Switch To A Low Waste Period Routine
Does Going Zero Waste Mean Buying More Stuff?
Toronto Is Getting Another Zero-Waste Retail Store
Inside Unboxed Market: Toronto’s First Waste-Free Grocery Store
6 Skincare Products That Will Solve All Your Skin Problems
There is certainly no shortage of beauty products these days, meaning your self-care regime can easily break the bank. While it’s definitely reasonable to fork up cash on your tried and true favourites, there is room to save on many beauty staples… If you thought under $10 was a good deal, think again! Why not set the bar higher and even aim for even lower? The truth is, a lot of beauty companies are ripping you off; price doesn’t always signify quality.
Your blemishes really aren’t going to know the difference between a $20 acne spot treatment and one that costs under $3.00. With over 323 reviews and a 5-star rating, E.L.F’s Acne Fighting Gel is undoubtedly just as potent as the more expensive versions, the main blemish fighting ingredient being Salicylic Acid.
While most cotton pads are affordable, daily usage can really add up; you probably go through way more of these than you think. Stop buying these from the Drugstore because for the same price you can buy a pack of 300 at Walmart. Reviewers also comment on the good quality of these Equate Cotton Pads, stating no cotton threads are left behind after usage.
Hair masks can get ridiculously pricey, especially if you’re someone who colours your hair often. If you’re looking for something to breath life back into your last dye job, look no further than Garnier’s Vibrance Hair Treatment. It has a near perfect rating out of over a thousand reviews, the best part being the $3.97 price tag.
Department stores like Sephora are out here trying to sell you bougie teasing combs and brushes for handfuls of money, when in reality, all you need is a normal comb. This comb by Goody is only $2.47 and looks fancier than it is thanks to the cute purple colour. At the end of the day, let’s be real: does a teasing comb really elevate things that much? The answer is no.
Doing extractions at home can be hella scary, but there are tools like this Revlon Blackhead Remover that are the equivalent of having an aesthetician that lives in your bathroom. Rather than spending over $100 for facial to get rid of those pesky zits, spend $6.99 on this bad boy and it will remove blemishes very effectively, without hurting your skin.
While many beauty bloggers attest to Beauty Blenders being worth it, unless you’re a makeup artist, you’re not really going to see any difference when using the Real Techniques version. Get essentially the same product for a fraction of the price. Having used this exact product myself, I can honestly say it works incredibly well.
I can’t rave enough about the facial serums by the brand The Ordinary! Traditionally, serums were one of the most expensive beauty products until this awesome brand disrupted the market with its incredibly low prices. Their Hyaluronic Acid is only $6.80 and will leave your skin feeling supple and moisturized.
Spectro Cleanser is a great alternative to expensive acne-fighting cleansers with this tried and true product. Their Blemish-Prone Cleanser is even cheaper than Cetaphil, but is just as much a cult product. What’s great about this cleanser (besides the affordable price) is that it works on all skin types, whether you have sensitive or normal skin.
Makeup removing wipes are one of the biggest rip offs in my opinion, considering the limited number of wipes that usually come in a pack. E.L.F Cosmetics version has rave reviews, only costs $3.97, and has 20 cloths in each pack. Purchasing these over others seems like a no-brainer.
Charcoal masks were essentially an Internet sensation in 2018, with consumers not being able to get enough of these. While certain brands can get quite pricey, Life Brand’s Charcoal Peel of Mask is only $6.99 and has a ton of good reviews. This is one product that falls under the “no-name” paradox: it’s the same thing without the price of the brand name.
Another amazing product from The Ordinary is their Niacinamide Acid only costing $5.90. Once, after receiving a facial, the aesthetician recommended me this product over the expensive spa brands they carried, saying it had the highest level of Zinc out of any product. It really does wonders as a facial serum for acne and has kept my blemishes at bay.
Featured image: Instagram/ @gothamista
Posts you might be interested in:
8 Places To Buy Affordable Designer Makeup
I Tried Dollarama Makeup — Here’s How It Went
9 Drugstore Makeup Products To Replace Your High-End Faves
The 6 Best Budget-Friendly Makeup Lines
22 Beauty Hacks to Get the Most Out of Your Makeup
When it comes to innovative beauty brands you don’t need to look far – in fact, some of the most renowned companies were created right here, in our own backyard.
From amazing cosmetic formulations to ingenious skincare products, Canada has no shortage of brands that will leave you looking fresh and flawless. Actually, the odds are more than likely that you’ve used some of these products before (and found them next level, of course).
Here are 9 amazing brands you didn’t know were Canadian.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdtNk9LAfLc/?hl=en&taken-by=consonantlife
Consonant is Canada’s premium skincare company with a focus on keeping things simple. Their dedication to 100% natural, clinically proven skincare products maintains a regimen that is edited and effortless. Natural can be just as results driven and luxurious as chemically derived beauty products. We can attest to this, as we loved their award-winning Natural Foaming Face Wash. Just in time for Pride Month, Consonant is launching a new, limited-edition Lip Balm: Peace, Love, Lip. The lip balm costs $9 with all proceeds supporting LGBTQ students. You can purchase it here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bip9rMWHdtL/?hl=en&taken-by=bitebeauty
As the name implies, Bite Beauty’s range of lip products seem so delicious you may want to take a bite out of them. The crazy part? You probably could! The Toronto-based company specializes in handcrafted, small batch lipsticks formulated with natural and organic ingredients. The results are rich pigmented lip colours without compromise.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Biw_esTgub4/?hl=en&taken-by=deciem
The Ordinary skincare products are anything but ordinary. The line, which was created by Deciem (The Abnormal Beauty Company), features an evolving collection of skincare products centered around clinical technologies: when it comes to results, they don’t mess around! The same goes for the price – the entire line is affordable AF.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiFUXSkFVkn/?hl=en&taken-by=iliabeauty
The now LA-based line was originally started in Vancouver by founder Sasha Plavsic. Contrary to many organic brands on the market, the packaging and product branding is next level – feeling bougie after use is an inevitable byproduct (who’s complaining?). Not to mention, each product is chalked full of 85% bioactive organic ingredients.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiFwNhOgD-m/?hl=en&taken-by=maccosmetics
By now, most of us know that MAC Cosmetics is Canadian, but this wouldn’t be an amazing beauty brand list without it’s inclusion. The Toronto-based brand was started when co-founders Frank Toskan and Frank Angelo were fed up with the lack of makeup that photographed well (sorry, LuMee cases hadn’t been invented yet) so they created their own line. The rest is history!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiCgpNLjx7Q/?hl=en&taken-by=rmsbeauty
RMS Beauty is another natural cosmetic line, that proves natural doesn’t imply kooky. If you still need convincing, Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr has been a faithful client for years, working directly with the founder Rose Marie. Both these beauties are into that kale lifestyle – avoiding daily exposure to chemicals and being healthy AF. Plus who doesn’t love a multipurpose product?! Obsessed with the Lip2Cheek cream.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bi5IQtMH6J1/?hl=en&taken-by=nudestix
Nudestix is a vegan-friendly and cruelty-free lined created by a mother-daughter trio (so cute!). The simple line is essentially a bunch of easy-to-use makeup crayons, that will makeup your life a hell of a lot easier. Their makeup sticks for lips, face, and eyes, will leave you feeling fresh-faced and nourished. #GoNudeButBetter
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bip6GeaA4qQ/?hl=en&taken-by=sajewellness
In case you haven’t noticed, Canadians do natural so well! Saje Wellness is another 100% natural beauty and wellness line that is changing the game. The brand not only carries skincare products, but also specializes in essential oils and oils blends with the purpose to function as natural remedies. Along with aiding in ailments, they also smell lovely! I’d call that a win-win
https://www.instagram.com/p/BifY6lCgyfi/?taken-by=stellarbeautyofficial
There’s been a huge spike in promoting diversity within the beauty industry and Canada isn’t lacking. Call Stellar Beauty the Fenty Beauty of the north! Former Electric Circus VJ, Monika Deol found that when it came to finding the right shade, the struggle was real. That’s when she decided to create her own line of cosmetics. Stil,l to this day, her best product is the Limitless Foundation that comes in an extended shade range.
Featured image: Instagram/ @consonantlife
Posts you might be interested in:
Casper Just Opened Its First Canadian Store In Toronto And It’s Nothing Like You’ve Seen Before
10 Canadian Accessory Brands to Rock This Summer
8 Canadian Fashion Brands The Royals Love
Canadian Shopping Websites You Should Know
Get to Know These Canadian Brands That Design for Real Bodies
The process from product production to beauty retailer can be a lot less of a standard practice than you would imagine. With cost inflation and product placement, these larger stores have the power to control the system. Recently, smaller brands have been trying to shed some transparency on pricing and production with brands like The Ordinary and Beauty Pie. Many secrets still remain but we have a feeling this was something that contributed to how a small cosmetic brand disappeared overnight.
Sometimes we forget how much power major retailers have. They have so much monopoly over the industry that they’re often able to cover up stories and continue work in their best interest. That seems to be the story going around these days with Sephora versus small vegan makeup brand, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics.
“Even co-founder and CEO David Klasfeld’s LinkedIn page is wiped clean. Just a couple weeks prior on March 20, the brand listed a $10-or-less flash sale on all products, which might have indicated an imminent closure, Racked reports.”
The company’s website says: “Our website is temporarily offline, in the interim, shop OCC at Riley Rose, Urban Outfitters & Nordstrom!”
Next thing we know, there is a lawsuit between the two companies. Read more on Racked to find out about the actual reason for the lawsuit.
Featured Image: Instagram/@ataeva_irulda