SPARITUAL - VEGAN NAIL POLISH REVIEW

I recently was introduced to this line of vegan nail polish called SpaRitual and absolutely loved it. Now, I have heard many things about vegan nail polish including that they lose their luster, don’t last, and chip easily, but I did not have any of those problems with this brand. Not only is it good quality, but it is free from 5 of the most harmful chemicals found in nail polish including DBP, toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, and formaldehyde resin. SpaRitual makes many vegan products, not just nail polish, and I look forward to experimenting more with this brand in the future. If you are pregnant or looking to live a more vegan and chemical-free lifestyle I highly recommend you also check out this brand. If that doesn’t sound like you, well I am sure you can still appreciate a good manicure and this rad color.

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To see all the SpaRitual colors available click HERE

Usually, they run about $12 a bottle - I got two, Spellbound (pictured above) and Loving in Pink which almost looks like pink chrome.

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I hope you enjoyed this vegan nail polish review of SpaRitual nail polish. If you have any questions or comments feel free to leave them below!

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VITAMIN C - THE BRILLIANT BENEFITS AND WHY YOU NEED IT IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE!!

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Ever since I turned 30, I have become way more interested in and motivated to take better care of my skin. Past mistakes of falling asleep with all my makeup on or not putting SPF on when I am going outside are behind me and I now understand the importance of investing in nutrient-rich products that preserve my youthful appearance. One such nutrient-rich product (besides blue light product for those who work in front of a computer and SPF for those who work outside) that I highly recommend you add to your current routine are serums with Vitamin C.

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful anti-aging ingredients on the market today and has so many amazing benefits including being a potent antioxidant. Unfortunately, digesting it doesn’t guarantee the benefits will go straight to where you need them, but using a topical form of Vitamin C can. Further, it’s a product that is very safe to use no matter your skin type, and only in the rarest situations does it cause minor irritation.

Additional Benefits of Vitamin C Serums

• It is a nutrient-packed antioxidant!

• It is safe to use in conjunction with other active ingredients like Retinol, alpha Hydroxy acids, SPF etc.

• It allows your skin to retain moisture.

• It helps fade skin pigmentation and smooth out skin texture which helps your skin appear brighter and healthier.

• It reduces inflammation and minimizes redness for a more even skin tone.

• It can help fade hyperpigmentation like those sunspots you got when you were in your twenties and never wore sunscreen or Melasma.

• It can help reduce the appearance of under-eye circles and hydrate the area.

• It can reduce the appearance of fine lines and promote collagen production which helps retain your skin’s elasticity longer and keep things looking firm and tight.

• It helps to smooth and replace damaged skin cells caused by the sun, by accelerating cell turnover.

• It helps protect the skin against free radicals and environmental pollution.

When picking your Vitamin C products it is important to know that not all Vitamin C agents are created equal and some oxidize quicker than others, rendering them less potent. When choosing Vitamin C serums make sure to look for products that contain Ascorbic Acid like ‘L-ascorbic acid’ which is one of the most stable derivatives of Vitamin C. Further, make sure to store all your products out of sunlight in a cool, dry place to ensure that they don’t spoil.

When it comes to using Vitamin C products, remember that consistency is key and that they typically can be used twice a day. If you are unsure of where they fit into your current skincare routine, typically the steps in skincare go as followed: Cleanse, Toner, Vitamin C Serums, Moisturizer, SPF.

Lastly, to help you get started I have compiled a shortlist of Vitamin C products below that you can use daily to benefit your skin.

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VITAMIN C SERUMS TO CONSIDER

At the top of every beauty editors list, The C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum By Drunk Elephant is one of the most popular Vitamin C serums on the market today. Packed full of antioxidants, nutrients, and fruit enzymes to visibly firm, brighten, and improve signs of photo-aging, this potent vitamin C day serum doesn’t come cheap! WIth 15% L-Ascorbic Acid not only is this product strong but it also has Pumpkin Ferment and Pomegranate Extract in it that works together with the Vitamin C to dissolve dead surface skin cells and minimize the appearance of pores. Further, this Drunk Elephant vitamin C serum also contains Chronocyclin, a peptide that mimics the antioxidant benefits of vitamin D for more youthful-looking skin. One thing to note about this product though is that a gradual introduction of this product into your skincare routine is advised and after the first use, it is recommended to store this product in your fridge to help maintain its potent antioxidant activity and effectiveness.

Price - $105 CAD

L'Oreal’s Revitalift Triple Power LZR 10% Pure Vitamin C Concentrate is a high end drugstore accessible product that contains 10% Pure Vitamin C, is formulated without water and is protectively sealed in an air-tight tube. This product can be applied every morning and evening to revive the radiance of your skin in just one week.

Price - $30.99 CAD

Last but not least, Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum is a powerful lightweight serum that supports youthful luminosity while delivering antioxidant defense against environmental stressors and free radicals. Not only does this serum contain vitamin C but it also contains collagen to smooth the look of the skin. Good for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin, this product leaves all skin types soft, smooth, and glowing.

Price - $60 CAD

One of my all-time-favorite brands, Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate 12.5% Vitamin C skincare serum reduces the look of fine lines with a formulated light weight cream. It also helps to improve the skins texture by reducing the appearance of pores and correcting uneven skin tones. Additionally, it is free of parabens, and phthalates, can be used twice a day and contains pure vitamin also known as L-Ascorbic Acid which improves the appearance of skin aging and protects from skin damaging free-radicals.

Price - $109 CAD

For those who are price conscious, The Ordinary Vitamin C Serum Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% could be the perfect product for you. Priced at $5.80 CAD this water and silicone-free formulation suspends a whopping 23% pure l-ascorbic acid stably and is formulated without parabens, sulfates or phthalates. It is also vegan, cruelty-free, and formulated without oil, alcohol, silicone, nuts, gluten, and fragrance, and works for all skin types. Not only that but The Ordinary Vitamin C Serum is equivalent to a single grande latte at Starbucks!

Price - $5.80 CAD!!!!

Glow Recipe’s Pineapple Vitamin C Serum is a potent, lightweight Vitamin C and AHA serum concentrated with smoothing pineapple juice and hyaluronic acid to brighten and even out your skin tone. Good for normal, dry, combination, and oily skin, Glow Recipe’s Pineapple C Bright serum’s liquid formulation bright, smooth, and hydrated as well as provides calming effects thanks to its inclusion of Chamomile. A few important things to note, this product is vegan, cruelty-free, and gluten-free, and is a clean product formulated without sulfates (SLS and SLES), parabens, phthalates, and more

Price - $68.00 CAD

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If you have any questions or comments about the benefits of vitamin C or have a vitamin C serum you want to recommend to me to try, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below!

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IS BLUE LIGHT FROM YOUR PHONE/COMPUTER DAMAGING YOUR SKIN? YES! HERE'S WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT!

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Since I relying heavily on both my computer and phone for work as well as for entertainment (Thanks COVID!), I am spending so much time in front of a screen these days! I was shocked to learn after a recent visit to my dermatologist, that the dark spots (hyperpigmentation) I recently noticed that had appeared on my face (especially around my eye area) were due to the blue light that emits from my computer and phone screen! I knew it was a culprit for eye strain, cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye diseases, but was completely unaware of the damage it was causing to my skin!

WHAT IS BLUE LIGHT AND WHAT ARE THE SIDE EFFECTS OF BLUE LIGHT?

In a nutshell, blue light is a high-energy, short-wavelength light that emits from the sun, indoor lights, and our screens. Normally this wouldn’t be an issue but now, since most of us spend over 50% of our day in front of a screen, the damage it is causing to our skin has become even more apparent!

Currently, there is evidence showing that blue light contributes to the development of brown spots and skin hyperpigmentation around the mouth, eyes, and face such as melasma. Currently, research is being done to see if it could also be the possible cause of premature photoaging and the breakdown of collagen known to cause wrinkles and impact skin laxity. Further, Dr. Shari Marchbein, a board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University School of Medicine says, "There's also evidence that as blue light penetrates the skin, reactive oxygen species are generated, which leads to DNA damage, thereby causing inflammation and the breakdown of healthy collagen and elastin, as well as hyperpigmentation."

WHAT INGREDIENTS PROTECT AGAINST BLUE LIGHT?

Both my dermatologist and Marchbein recommend finding a product that you can use daily that contains iron oxide and antioxidants in the ingredient list. Both of these ingredients help create a protective barrier from blue light rays that emit from our phones and computers as we continue to work from home. In addition, my dermatologist also always tells me to wear sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 even in the winter or on cloudy days as skin damage from the sun’s rays is still an issue even if the weather gives you a different impression.

In addition to adding products to protect your skin from blue light, lowering the brightness level on your screens to 50 percent or switching on the darker "Night Shift" setting (as long as you don’t dim it so much that you're straining your eyes) are two additional suggestions to helping prevent skin damage from blue light along with going hands-free as much as possible and ironically social distancing from your devices. LOL!!

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To help you combat this new skincare issue, I have compiled a shortlist of products below that contain the recommended ingredients you need to combat blue light that you can use daily to protect your skin.

If you have any questions or comments about blue light skincare products or the effects of blue light on the skin, please feel free to leave them in the comment section below!

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SKINCARE PRODUCTS FOR BLUE LIGHT

Since its launch, Vivier Skincare’s ‘Sheer SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Moisturizing Lotion with Antioxidants’ has been part of my daily skincare line up. Its ChromaTint™ technology gives my skin an instant natural looking glow while also providing protection from damaging blue light rays emitting from the sun and computer. Further, it also features a light weight formula with anti aging benefits thanks to the added antioxidants!

Great for all skin types, Vivier’ Skincare’s Sheer SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Lotion can be used daily on the face, neck and chest area.

On days that I don’t feel like wearing makeup I always reach for my Vivier Sheer SPF 30 Mineral Tinted Lotion. I find that it smooths out any imperfections I may be experiencing while also evening out my uneven skin tone. The fact that it give me a nice glow, protects me from damaging blue rays, and moisturizers my skin while also providing anti aging benefits, is just an extra bonus!  

Price - $48.00

One of the first tinted moisturizers I ever owned was the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer. It has a lightweight, oil free formula great for combination and oily skin, and it acts almost like a lightweight foundation. Although this product doesn’t have SPF it does give a boost of moisture to your skin and helps with oil control on acne prone or sensitive skin. It also comes in a range of light skin tones.

Price - $59 CAD

The NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer is a lightweight tinted moisturizer great for people with normal, dry and combination skin. Like a translucent veil, this tinted moisturizer offers blue light protection while also evening your skin tone. Infused with naturally derived ingredients, NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer helps keep thirsty skin hydrated. Oil-free and luxurious, it obscures the appearance of lines, wrinkles, pores, and other imperfections. It is also paraben, sulfate, synthetic fragrance, synthetic dye, petrochemical and GMO free, and comes in a range of light to medium skin tones.

Price - $58 CAD

A new product to pop up on my radar, bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Defense Radiant Protective Vail is bareMinerals answer to the effects of blue light. I was recently sent a sample of this product to try and found it to be to my satisfaction. I noticed some reviews online that mentioned it had a ‘funny smell’ but personally I thought it to both smelled and look just like an unscented sunscreen. With that being said bareMinerals is a clean beauty company that doesn’t add artificial fragrances to their products and considering it has a 30 SPF in it, I found no reason to be put off by its smell. One thing I would note about this product is that when applied, the cream does leave a sheer white layer which makes me believe it would be better suited for fair to light skin tones. Additionally, I do think this would make a great product for men who are concerned about blue light but do not want to wear a tinted product.

Price - $39.00

One of my all-time-favorites, the Origins GinZing™ SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer is a light weight, oil free tinted moisturizer that is good for all skin types. Not only will it help you fight off the negative effects of blue light but it also hydrates, helps cover up uneven skin tone and brightens and smooths out your skin texture. Additionally, it comes with great SPF protection, is great for guys that don’t want to look like they are wearing makeup and is made with the high quality ingredients. Origins GinZing™ SPF 40 Energy-Boosting Tinted Moisturizer is a clean skincare product which means it’s also free of any parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, paraffin or formaldehyde. In all honesty, mine doesn’t leave my desk!

Price - $52 CAD

A ‘Best of Beauty’ Award Winner, bareMinerals COMPLEXION RESCUE™ Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream SPF 30 come in a large range of shades from light to dark skin tones. Great for both dry and combination skin, it offered a medium foundation coverage and a natural radiant finish - almost like it combines the benefits of a BB cream with a CC cream. bareMinerals Complexion Rescue™ is a dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, oil-free, silicone-free, and fragrance-free product that is also free from parabens, sulfates and phthalates. It offers 30 SPF protection, is formulated with mineral electrolytes and has heart-leaf globe daisy antioxidants, all of which protect you skin from environmental stressors and pollution.

Price - $40 CAD

tarte Maracuja Hydrating Tinted Moisturizer is a vegan, lightweight tinted moisturizer that delivers a beautiful sheer coverage that hydrate, soothe and brighten your skin’s appearance. Infused with Maracuja Oil super fruits, Hyluronic acid, and Turmeric root extract this product provides coverage and hydration for up to 12 hours. Further, it is also cruelty-free and gluten-free as well as parabens, formaldehydes, phthalates, mineral oil, and triclosan free. I am also happy to share that out of all the above products recommended, this one comes in the largest range of skin tone shades from light to dark!

Price - $38.00

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I GOT MY EYEBROWS MICROBLADED!

Last week it happened! I did it! I finally pulled the trigger and got my eyebrows microbladed, well actually I did a hybrid which is part microblading part powder brows!

Is Microblading Permanant? How Long Does Microblading Last?

I am sure many people would agree with me when I say that microblading brows, although an old and popular practice in Asia, feels like a new beauty phenomenon that only recently started to grow in popularity here in North America. This craze of ‘semi-permanent tattooed eyebrows’ first caught my attention about two years ago when a couple of girls I follow on Instagram started talking about it in videos and stories. Right off the bat, I was curious. The whole idea of being able to wake up and have sharp, beautiful brows was very appealing to me. As someone who naturally doesn’t really have an eyebrow tail and is constantly filling them in every day, I knew this could be the solution I was looking for. It is important to keep in mind however that both microbladed eyebrows and powder eyebrows will fade over time especially as skin cells turn over and they are exposed to the sun (another reason to wear sunscreen) so you can expect to need to get touch-ups every 6 months - 1 years.

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*** UPDATE *** Just wanted to drop in here quick and update you as it has been over a year and a half now since I had my eyebrows microbladed / powder brows done and although the shape is not as sharp and defined as it used to be (some fading at the top of the arch has occurred and at the tail as predicted) they still look great and I can still get away with not having to fill them in every morning.

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So what took me so long? I know when it comes to things like travel or food I can often be a person of impulse, but when it comes to getting a tattoo on my face, it’s a totally different story. Before diving headfirst into getting my eyebrows microbladed / powder brows, I wanted to be completely aware of what I was doing, who I would be going with, and that what I am seeing on IG wasn’t all smoke and mirrors (because let’s be honest you never REALLY know). I wanted to be diligent. I wanted to find someone I could trust. I wanted to make sure they had a good reputation with many happy clients who gave raving reviews.

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But How Much Does Microblading Cost?

Microblading isn’t cheap and neither is tattoo removal so it’s very important to be confident with who you are going to go with when getting your eyebrows microbladed / powder brows as well as feel comfortable with the cost! With that being said I paid $650 CAD!

So, fast forwarding to a little over a month ago when I finally decided to pull the trigger. I had been following the journey of this brow artist named Nicole (@browsxbianca) for a while and loved her work. I knew she had professional training, had a studio in Toronto, and did pop-ups in Halifax. She had also already microbladed eyebrows on a couple of girls that I knew and they were all very excited and happy with her work. I was elated to hear how thorough she was at explaining everything and making you feel comfortable; how she personalized the brows to suit your face shape, preference and colouring; and how she talks you through the healing process. It all felt very genuine and natural, and I felt so confident she would do a great job that even when she threw me a curveball and suggested that I don’t fully microblade my brows but instead actually do half-soft powder eyebrows (which I had never heard of before), I already had so much confidence about my decision to go with her I didn’t second guess it. She’s the expert after all! 

Does Microblading Hurt?

Surprisingly, not really… with that being said Nicole did use a numbing cream on me after the first pass of microblading which was like a 4-6 out of 10 in terms of what I can handle (I have a tattoo as well so I'm no stranger to this kind of pain) so it wasn’t so bad. I did sneeze a lot though and start to get teary eye but not because of pain, more so because the whole area is connected - kind of like allergies when you rub your eyes and it makes you sneeze.

Microblading Healing Process

Going into my appointment, I knew that I would receive tons of questions about the procedure and the microblading healing process so I decided to make it easy and film the whole thing. I have broken up the whole program into three parts because although the process of getting microbladed eyebrows / powder brows usually only takes 1.5-2 hours, the entire healing process of microblading can take up to a month and you have to go back for touch-ups in 6 weeks’ time.

So here is part one of my three-part ‘Microblading Brows Series’. A little behind the scenes of my journey if you will. I even made sure to share clips of my brows before and after microblading so you can really see the difference it makes! Nicole also does talk about the microblading healing stages and microblading aftercare so if you’re curious to know what that looks like make sure to watch it! Hope you enjoy it!

I will be updating this blog post with two more videos, one documenting the stages of microblading healing and another when I go for my touchups so you can get a real look into what getting your eyebrows microbladed /powder brows really means.

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MICROBLADING BROWS PART 2 - THE HEALING PROCESS OF MICROBLADING

As promised, I am back with part 2 of my powder brow / microbladed eyebrow journey. This time we are talking all about the healing process of microblading. Over the course of three and a half weeks, I documented every big milestone in my microblading healing process so that you can get a clear understanding of what you are in for. I have compiled all of the clips into a simple, straightforward video for a perfect ‘behind the scenes' post microblading / powder brow experience to give you a full understanding of all the stages of microblading healing. Hope you like it!

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MICROBLADING / POWDER BROWS PART 3 - TOUCH UPS

Hello Friends! I am back with the final video/part 3 of my microblading / powder brows journey. This time I will be going in for my touch ups and making a few adjustments to my shape and intensity. One thing I learned through my microblading journey is that the process is not a wham-bam, thank you mame thing! Touch-ups after your first session are necessary to achieve the perfect microbladed eyebrow or powder brow. Anyways, today I am taking you back to Brows By Bianca Studio here in Toronto for a behind the scenes look at how we achieved my perfect brow! In this video Nicole also explains the benefits of going for powder brows over microbladed brows and why she recommends powder eyebrows or hybrid brows to the majority of her clients like me.

To learn more about Nicole you can check out her website at www.browsbybianca.com 

If you have any questions about my microbladed eyebrows / powder brow journey or my microblading healing process / questions about aftercare for microblading, please feel free to leave them in the comments below, otherwise don’t forget to check back for updates or follow me on Instagram @IsThatSoh for video releases and announcements!

Xo

-Soheila 

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