Filed under: Beauty Swellness

Beauty Swellness: My top 3 Aveeno travel essentials

Aveeno travel essentials

Sometimes my schedule can feel overwhelming. I’ve been traveling more than ever, and while it’s exciting and fun, it can also bring about stress. The lack of routine, while it suits me, at the same time also drives me bonkers. But ultimately my love for discovering new places, new flavours and having new experiences is what keeps me going.

What else keeps me going and helps bring some balance is a healthy routine, no matter where I may find myself in the world. My adventures may have me rappelling down a waterfall (like I did this month in Puerto Rico) or surfing with a friend in Barbados or in California, but my beauty regimen is a comforting constant in my life. And there are a few items I never leave home without, including my Aveeno® faves (I am an Aveeno® ambassador, after all, and use their products regularly because I know I can rely on them).

My absolute essential, if I had to name my one Aveeno® must-have, is the Aveeno® Positively Radiant® Make-Up Removing Wipes. When I have the energy to, I’ll use them as a way to preliminarily remove makeup, oil and dirt from my days exploring a new town, and also wash my face with a cleanser, but to be honest, most nights when I’m traveling for work, I get back to my room quite late and I am ready to fall into bed immediately, so these wipes are a quick way to remove all of the makeup and grime before I crash. There are many times I’m tempted to skip this step, but then I hear in my head every derm and makeup artist I’ve ever interviewed telling me that cleansing before bed is crucial, and I remember that I don’t want clogged pores and breakouts and so I break out one of these Aveeno® wipes and I’m done and under the covers of the plush hotel bed in no time flat. (I also count on these wipes after running a race; so great for cleaning off all of the sweat after a marathon!). The wipes have a pleasant but not overpowering fresh scent, and the packaging helps keep them from drying out (I’ve tried other brands that dry out pretty quickly, but these stay juicy with its natural soy extract formula).

Now, I know I just said the Positively Radiant Make-Up Removing Wipes are my #1, but how about we call it a tie? Because no matter where my travels take me, I need to have my Aveeno® Protect + Hydrate™ Suncreen Lotion SPF 45. I wear sunscreen every day, no matter what season it is (in the winter, I will switch to a regular moisturizer for my body since it’s all covered up by layers, but SPF on my face is part of my everyday routine). This SPF 45 lotion is my travel sunscreen go-to for many reasons: it comes in a 81-mL tube, so I can toss it into my carry-on luggage as it meets the TSA liquid requirements; it smooths on easily and absorbs quickly, which is important because I often don’t have a ton of time to get ready in the mornings when I’m traveling so I have to be really efficient with my time; and lastly, I can use it both on my face and my body (so I don’t have to pack two different products).

Last but not least is a product that’s a new addition to my product lineup: Aveeno® Positively Radiant®  Targeted Tone Corrector. Despite my diligent use of sunscreen, I can still get some dark spots, and evening my skin tone with a product that’s not irritating to my skin is a priority. This Targeted Tone Corrector has vitamin A, to help fade those freckles, while also helping with blotchiness and dullness. So, it helps me look radiant, even if I may not be feeling so radiant due to jet lag. And I am pretty much in a constant state of jet lag (and also oftentimes if not jet lag then poor sleep habits, which can make my skin less than glowing too).

What are my other never-leave-home withouts, which I recommend you travel with besides these beauty products? A swimsuit (even if there’s no pool where you’re staying, there may be a hot tub at a spa you go to, or on your balcony, and you wouldn’t want to miss out on using that, would you?), flip flops (they’re easy to slip on if you need to step out quickly to grab breakfast in the hotel, for example), leather moto jacket (which can easily be worn no matter if your outfit is more dressy or casual and it’ll keep you just warm enough in locales such as in the Caribbean where it can get a bit breezy at night) and a travel adapter (one with at least a few USB ports, too, so you can charge multiple devices easily, which is helpful when your hotel room just has one hard-to-reach outlet).

Travel adventures and living life on the go simply becomes much easier when you have things like these essentials to count on keeping you on a healthy track. Because there are enough other variables to juggle with–a foreign language, flight delays, limited wifi, you name it–when out exploring and away from the comforts of home!

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Leave a Comment May 30, 2017

Beauty Swellness: Update your skincare routine for spring

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It’s officially spring, and even though it’s fairly chilly in Toronto, it’s a good time to look at your skincare routine and start transitioning it for the new season. Which is why I snapped up the invite for a facial at Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie Paris at the Shangri-La Hotel. “Now is a great time for a facial, to repair any damage from the winter season and to prep for spring,” says Alex Weisseneder, senior esthetician.

What she recommends getting your skin set for spring:

Exfoliate, but not too often. “People often over-exfoliate. Twice a week is good. If you over-exfoliate, you’ll strip the skin of its natural oils and your skin will become excessively oily, which could cause more breakouts.”

Book a facial to get your skin glowing. One customized to your skin, as I had done at Miraj Hammam Spa. I have combination skin, so while my forehead was dry (I’m guessing from lots of sun exposure as I was just in Vegas and California) but the T-zone can get oily, so my esthetician chose the products to target my skin’s needs.

Lighten up on your moisturizing cream. The heavier, richer cream you’ve been using for winter can be replaced now with one that is a lighter formulation, that is thinner in texture and oil-free. Some people are more sensitive to the weather changing, so pay attention to what’s working and not working for you during this transitional period.

Besides the skincare benefits of enjoying a facial at the spa, Miraj is one of my faves in the city for its top-notch spa services but also its cozy lounge area. I’ve tried several treatments here, including the Thai massage. A couple of hours here is a nice way to get away from the chaos of the city and recharge mentally for the busy spring season ahead.

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1 Comment March 28, 2017

Beauty Swellness: Backstreet Boys mani

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I’m on my way to see the Backstreet Boys in Vegas, baby! While I’ve seen BSB in concert many, many times, I think this show in Sin City will be extra fun (and I should hope so as the tickets cost a small fortune!).

So what better way to declare my boy boy band love than with a fun mani from Tips Nail Bar? The awesome Naomi Misu at Tips wasn’t too familiar with the wonders of BSB so she had to watch music videos and research some photos to see what they look like (and she was thorough, she noticed AJ is always in shades!).

I’d asked for each of their faces, and then because I love the Millenium album, I also asked for the silhouette of the album cover (the boys all standing in their white outfits) on another nail, and the rest were simpler (a heart, a star, BSB and 4ever — the BSB Naomi did in the typography from one of their albums, she’s the best!). I love how she did Nick’s hair and the shades on AJ are the best!

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The nails make me giggle so much. And I have to laugh because while they’ll make sense this weekend while in Vegas, after this weekend I’ll just be the weirdo with the Backstreet Boys nails (…or is that what I am now??). Or maybe as someone at Tips (another fan) said, “Backstreet Boys is always in style.” Hahaha!

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Oh, and a PSA for all the non-fans: Backstreet Boys has not gotten back together. They’ve never broken up! Kevin left briefly but he’s back. They’ve been recording regularly all these years!

Leave a Comment March 17, 2017

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