Mejuri rings, M&S earrings and vintage ear cuffs

It’s been a legend for decades, covertly deleting anything you don’t want to see. Now, The Concealer (that’s its name—it’s like the Cher of beauty) is even better. Not only are there more shades, but the high-coverage formula is thinner and smoother, mimicking the look of bare skin. The tiniest bit yields a flawless, natural complexion.

Makeup artist Rose-Marie Swift believes skin should look alive. (That explains the “Living” part of her celebrated Living Luminizer highlighter.) As such, this isn’t your matte, silicone-y type of primer. The gel cream is meant to be a transitional layer between skincare and foundation, locking in hydration and gripping makeup all day.

You know how your face looks all healthy and dewy after a workout? That’s what this mist does but without the physical exertion. Souped up with hyaluronic acid, jojoba oil and pomegranate extract, it makes skin look positively juicy (but not at all oily) all while setting your makeup for the entire day. Even hours after spritzing, the luminosity’s still there.

It’s called Beautiful Skin Foundation and that’s exactly what it achieves. The buildable coverage blurs pores on contact, along with anything else you might not be fond of, yet the texture’s so light, it almost feels like a tinted moisturizer. Skin looks silky and naturally radiant (not greasy or shimmery) and stays that way for 16 hours.

When Becca went out of business, many mourned the loss of their forever-favourite highlighter: the divine Shimmering Skin Perfector. (It’s like golden hour in a compact.) But then Smashbox swooped in like a superhero, adopting the brand’s most popular prods (highlighter included) and saving them from discontinuation.

Take your face on vacation with this bronzer stick. It glides on seamlessly, blends with next to no effort (because no one should have to work on vacation, of course), but then once it sets, it sticks around for as long as you say so. It’s even water-resistant. And the effect is so beautiful: glowy and fresh like you’ve abandoned your laptop for two full weeks.

Canadian brand Marcelle recently removed all talc from its powder products, as the mineral may be harmful to lungs if inhaled. Housed in a compact largely made from recycled materials, this silky powder sets makeup and sops up excess sebum while maintaining a natural, never-dull finish. It’s also infused with hydrating hyaluronic acid.

With just a few pats of a finger, this buttery balm melts right in. Lips and cheeks are visibly plumped, topped with a sensual sheen and flushed with a light wash of colour. As part of Chanel’s sustainability-focused N°1 collection, 86 per cent of the ingredients are naturally derived and the packaging is free from cellophane wrapping and paper leaflets.

They say you can’t improve upon perfection and yet, somehow, that’s exactly what Clarins has done. The French brand reformulated its bestselling lip oils, making them even more nourishing than before thanks to organic jojoba and rosehip oils. A single swipe drenches lips in moisture while glazing them with wet-like shine.

This formula is so light, it feels like you’ve got nothing on. The colour goes on sheer, but can be layered for more punch, and the moisturizing satin finish (shout out to squalane and sunflower seed oil) leaves lips soft and pillowy. Also, the shades are sensational, from ultra-flattering nudes to a perfect rusty red inspired by Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

Michelangelo used a chisel, Mario Dedivanovic uses makeup. The celeb artist is known to sculpt faces with clever shading—a lifted cheekbone here, a sharper jaw there. Now, he brings his expertise to lips. A matte pencil contours and keeps lipstick from bleeding, while a brush pulls in the colour at the corners for a fuller pout.

And the prize for multi-tasker of the year goes too… In one nifty tube, you get a spoolie brush to shape and fluff your arches, a sheer liquid micro-liner to fill in gaps with thin, hair-like strokes and a waterproof flat-edged pencil for shading. Talk about saving space in your makeup bag. Not to mention the savings to your wallet.

Have you heard about the soap brow trend? It refers to brows that are brushed straight up. Some get the look with actual bar soap (hence the name), while others turn to brow lamination, a salon service akin to a perm. This wax stick has to be the easiest way to get the look, instantly lifting arches and keeping them in place all day long.

This waterproof liner lasts a full 24 hours without ever moving or fading. And exciting news: It’s available in a rainbow of shades and finishes, from matte white to pearly bronze. It also boasts a bendy hybrid tip—part felt applicator, part brush—to provide optimal control. Lining your eyes has never been easier or more fun.

There’s smooth and then there’s your face after using this treatment. Fruit-derived alpha-hydroxy acids clear away dead cells and debris to resurface skin without stripping it of moisture. There’s also wild rose to keep excess oil in check and niacinamide to minimize the look of pores. Texture? What texture?

Shrimps earring (brown and pearl), Large pearl earring, stylist’s own

The reviews for this product are off the charts, and once you use it for a while, you’ll see why. Powered by floral extracts like cornflower, cherry blossom and peony, the comforting mask calms signs of sensitivity like redness and rough texture. Come morning, you’ll see a smoother, more even complexion.

These capsules are small but mighty. Each contains a potent blend of brightening ingredients, including vitamin C, langsat leaf extract and ginger, to reduce the size, number and intensity of dark spots while you slumber. With each application, skin becomes clearer and more even, taking on a near translucent gleam.

We all know we shouldn’t pop our pimples, but that doesn’t mean we don’t occasionally do it anyway. Dermalogica gets that, so instead of shaming us, it’s devised a product that can mitigate the damage. Spiked with salicylic acid and squalane, this targeted fix nixes red or brown marks (both new and old) caused by picking.

There are a lot of products out there promising to grow your lashes. Some don’t make any difference, others leave your lids red and itchy. This one gets everything right. In clinical trials, 97 per cent of participants showed longer, thicker or darker lashes after 12 weeks. Plus, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E make it nice and gentle.

This is what sunscreen dreams are made of. A lightweight lotion that delivers broad-spectrum protection with a hearty side of hydration. You’ve got centella asiatica, a K-beauty hero famed for its healing properties, along with hydro-ionized mineral water to quench thirsty skin. The best part? It disappears into all complexions—zero cast, ever.

This moisturizer is of the “teach a man to fish” school of thought. Rather than just serving up hydration on a platter, amino acids, peptides and ceramides strengthen the skin barrier so that it becomes better at retaining water. Skin emerges more resilient, and bounce and elasticity are restored.

Ask any derm what ingredients they recommend most and they’re bound to list vitamin C. The multi-tasker brightens skin, fights against damaging free radicals and stimulates collagen production. And it doesn’t have to break the bank, either. This drugstore option adds in peptides and lactic acid for a glow you can really see.

There’s the constant movements—blinking, squinting, smiling—the incessant screen time, the lack of sleep… Our eyes go through a lot and it can show. This concentrate helps skin repair itself, improving the look of crow’s feet, under-eye lines and puffiness. You can even use it on those 11s between your brows.

Nope, it’s not a lip balm. This product is actually meant to be applied around the mouth to iron out vertical lines and smile lines. NeoGlucosamine, a building block of hyaluronic acid, and NeoCitriate, which promotes collagen, help plump and revitalize skin in as little as three days. Do you know what that means? No more feathered lipstick.

Rixo dress, Stradivarius scarf, H&M earrings

It’s a detangler, a smoothing serum, a shine spray and a nourishing treatment—all in one. Put it this way: When Kim Kardashian said nobody wanted to work these days, she definitely wasn’t talking about this product. Laced with vitamin C and amino acid serum, the multi-tasking mist leaves hair looking glorious and never weighed down.

Trying to grow your hair? One of the best things you can do is minimize breakage. This shampoo does exactly that, fortifying strands from root to tip. It was actually found to lessen hair fall due to breakage from brushing by 97 per cent. And good news: It now comes in an eco-conscious refillable aluminum bottle.

Jonathan Van Ness wants you to be your most fabulous self, right down to your scalp. Enter this nutrient-packed oil. Once a week, let it sit for 15 minutes pre-wash and it removes buildup (sebum, dry shampoo, etc.) while calming skin and rejuvenating follicles. Hair feels incredible after.

When you take the time to pull out your curling iron or diffuser, you want it to be worth it. Canadian hairstylist Jason Lee gets that. That’s why this airy spray he created ensures waves and curls— both natural and styled—remain pristine even after you’ve slept on them or brushed them out. It also builds texture and protects against heat.

Get a brighter blonde without even going to the salon or using bleach. It’s not a purple shampoo but rather an innovative treatment that gets rid of impurities that darken and dull blonde or highlighted hair thanks to vitamin C and chelating agents, a.k.a. compounds that trap metals. You spray it on before shampooing and keep using it until you’ve reached your desired lightness.

It’s not a pre-wash treatment nor a mask that subs in for conditioner. It’s a supercharged cream you’re meant to use once a week after shampooing, but before conditioning. Harnessing the magic of rice (think rice water, rice bran oil and rice ferment), it makes even the driest, most damaged hair look flowy and glossy again.

This featherlight foam plumps each strand from root to tip for luscious volume that won’t fall flat by noon. In clinical testing, 90 per cent of participants said their hair looked thicker and fuller all day. And unlike a lot of mousses, it’s got flexible hold, so it never goes stiff or crunchy. Also, it’s Aveda, so it smells wonderful. (Think lavender, rosemary and vanilla.)

Rixo dress, Stradivarius scarf, H&M earrings

Most body washes are made up of about 70 per cent water. This one contains exactly…none. It’s a concentrate that activates with the water in your shower. So brilliant! The 100-mL zero-waste metal tube lasts over 30 washes and coddles skin with aloe and vegetable glycerin. You’ll also love how energizing the citrusy herbal scent feels in the morning.

K-Beauty brand Belif is famous for its Aqua Bomb moisturizer, a cooling gel that’s like a drink of water for your skin. Now you can get that feeling all over. Full of hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, this lotion bathes the body in moisture yet is so light, it makes fast-absorbing seem like an understatement. No more waiting around to get dressed.

Secret gave its aluminum-free deodorant a revamp this year. The new dry stick formula contains three times more odour fighters than before, keeping you smelling fresh for up to 48 hours, while still being supremely gentle on skin. It’s also plastic-free now (yay!), with a tube that’s crafted from 90 per cent post-consumer recycled paper.

Two types of exfoliation, with zero irritation. Instead of traditional micro-beads, which pollute waterways, this scrub polishes skin with sugar crystals that dissolve in water and prevent over-exfoliating. You’ve also got pomegranate enzymes to gently break down dead cells and squalane to replenish moisture as you buff.

Earlier this year, Venus announced nearly all of its five-blade razors would be going from plastic handles to metal ones. That was good news because metal is weightier, so it provides more control when shaving. It also lasts longer, thereby reducing waste. The brand will also be packaging refillable razors in plastic-free boxes now. Great moves all around.

Cos dress, vintage bracelets, Mejuri cuff, bangles and rings, disc ring, stylist’s own

We were not ready for the chicness of French fashion house Hermès’s first nails lacquers, from the weighty bottles with ivory and gold caps to the rainbow of delectable shades (milk chocolate, vibrant mustard, marinière navy—all so good!). It’s not style over substance, either: The creamy formula is utterly opaque, applies like a dream and lasts and lasts.

Who hasn’t gazed at the backs of their hands, analyzing every encroaching sun spot and fine line? This non-greasy hand cream knows our fears and comes at them with ingredients more commonly seen in face serums. A peptide duo targets wrinkles and crepiness, while hexylresorcinol goes to work on dark spots.

Grown Alchemist takes hand washing to lavish heights. It looks, smells and feels expensive, because, well, it is. But now, with the introduction of generous refill packs in the three sophisticated woodsy/ citrusy/ herby scents, topping up your amber bottle is much more economical and way less wasteful.

Like purple shampoo for the nails, this violet-tinted treatment casts a flattering, brass-neutralizing gloss over yellowed tips. At the same time, it works to strengthen weakened bonds, whether it be from gloveless dish-washing, nail-biting or repeated attempts to replicate (and remove) Hailey Bieber’s glazed donut gel mani.

Shrimps jacket, Mejuri ring and earrings

Maison Margiela’s Replica scents aim to recreate a specific time, place and memory—from a bubble bath in Beverly Hills to a library in Oxford. Autumn Vibes is its first one based on a Canadian location: Montreal in the fall, with its wooded trails and scarlet leaves, channelled here via fir balsam, cardamom spice and cedarwood.

There was a time when everyone and her BFF emitted whiffs of Moroccanoil’s golden, argan-oil-spiked hair treatment with every flick. Now, in response to persistent fan requests, that sweet, spicy aroma has finally been bottled again—but this time in the form of an actual fragrance mist designed for both hair and body.

“I made a fragrance for myself,” Rihanna declared when launching Fenty Eau de Parfum. It would go on to sell out twice before (finally!) becoming available in Canada. Intriguingly composed of only middle notes, the warm floral enchants at first sniff with magnolia and Bulgarian rose blooms, zesty tangerine and sensual patchouli and musk.

Like forever Pinterest inspo The Talented Mr. Ripley in a bottle, this eau de toilette conjures the sun-drenched Italian coastline, a grove of fluffy white orange blossoms and a certain summery languor. (Picture Gwyneth in a knotted shirt and scarf-adorned ponytail.) Woodsy vetiver, fruity fig and fresh basil give it an invigorating boost. Bellisima!

Beauty direction and copy: KATHERINE LALANCETTE

Model: AMRITA PALAHEY/ELITE LONDON

Hair and makeup: ASHLEY READINGS

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