Matter Baby Suncare Stick SPF 30 - Review

I love a good SPF. Unfortunately, there aren't that many options on the market that don't risk actually increasing free radical damage to the skin or unbalancing the endocrine system. Fortunately, more and more companies are beginning to formulate safe sunscreens that function effectively while preserving the modern textures that the conventional sunscreen producers have developed.

A perfect example of such a sunscreen is the Matter Baby Suncare Stick. Formulated with non-nano zinc oxide at a 20% concentration, this emollient sunscreen butter glides onto skin (tugging? zero. zip. zilch.) and leaves a slightly dewy finish and a velvety smooth texture. In the past, I've had issues with stick sunscreens; they've always been either too hard to apply properly, or have left behind a noticeable white cast. While the Matter SPF does apply as an opaque white cream, a gentle massage and a bit of pressing melts the formula into the skin, rendering it almost imperceptible. While it may seem odd to be talking about SPF in autumn, the sun doesn't disappear as soon as september rolls around. In fact (as anyone who has ever come back from a ski trip with ridiculous goggle tan-lines will tell you), UV radiation can often be magnified by the reflective expanses of snow we get in the winter. We all know that unprotected exposure to the sun ages our skin prematurely, it only makes sense to take preventative measures.

This sunscreen is quite moisturizing, and, as such, can be worn over just a serum, an oil, or even on bare skin. However, those with drier skins (my people!) will probably want an added layer of moisture underneath it, as (with any physical sunscreen) a certain amount of cling to flaky patches should be expected. Also, given that this stuff was formulated for babies, it's completely scent-free and very gentle on the skin. In fact, the high level of zinc oxide coupled with emollient shea butter and skin-repairing capric/caprylic triglycerides actively calm inflammation while protecting the skin from the sun's harsh rays.

(oh, and it's made in Canada. So that's nice)

Check Matter out here.

Province Apothecary Parfum Botanique No. 7 - Review

Finding a good natural personal fragrance can be a bit of a headache. With so few brick and mortar stores that ascribe to the green beauty dogma, buying blind is something that a lot of us have to do. No.7 in Julie of Province Apothecary's Parfum Botanique lineup is one blind buy that I do not regret at all.

All the notes in this fragrance are clearly listed on the Province Apothecary webstore; Sicilian bergamot, Australian sandalwood, juniper berry, bay laurel, and vetiver make this scent warm, smoky, and spicy with a hint of bitter, almost food-grade zest. On my skin, the sandalwood and vetiver are the most prominent notes (I'm fine with that, they're the reason I chose this scent!) I have noticed, however, that when I apply this fragrance to clothing, the bay laurel sticks around a little bit longer (a note on this: you must be careful as this perfume is oil based, but a few drops on the inside of the collar and the cuffs really improve the longevity without risking any staining).

Speaking of the longevity, I will say that it isn't on par with that of any synthetic scent (which is fine by me if it means I don't have any of these fragrance fixers in my system). This perfume projects for about 3 hours before settling very close to the skin. However, what I find incredibly nice is that once it has settled onto the skin, it stays there, enhancing your natural musk. Furthermore, the bottle is such a convenient size that it's really no hassle to carry it around for re-application. In fact, whipping out this gorgeous glass bottle with its oh-so-chic label, and dabbing the roller delicately on my pulse points feels like a luxury that I am affording myself rather than a chore to maintain my scent.

I'm so pleased to have found a line of unisex Canadian fragrances that I can really get behind! Next on my shopping list: No. 14. Ylang ylang, atlas cedar wood, frankincense, benzoin... swoon.

Corpa Flora Beauté Divine Cleansing Oil - Review

Apols. for the blurriness, the packaging is quite reflective (I'll get better; pinky promise)

Today's review is of another one of my favourite cleansers. The Corpa Flora Beauté Divine (which translates to "Divine Beauty" in english) Cleansing Oil has been one of my go-to take-the-day-off cleansers for the past two months. Designed by Céline Champigny, Corpa Flora is a line of completely water-free products manufactured in small batches in Québec. 

I love supporting small upstart brands (especially Canadian ones), but I often find that either the packaging or the formula lacks sophistication. This is absolutely not the case with Corpa Flora. Packaged in a gorgeous, heavy dark glass jar, this wonderfully refreshing blend of camellia, sunflower, and rosehip seed oils is protected from oxidative damage due to light and looks great sitting on a dressing table to boot! 

Let's talk ingredients. The carriers in this blend are, as I mentioned, camellia, sunflower, and rosehip (all superstars in their own rights: pampering, moisturizing, renewing). Caprylic/capric triglycerides from coconut oil also make an appearance as well as ECOCERT certified emulsifying agent polyglyceryl-4 oleate. Enriched with lemon myrtle and cypress essential oils, this cleanser is an absolute joy to massage into the face: it smells like a walk through the forest. Scent aside, these essential oils also give the oil extreme detoxifying properties, and encourage a reduction in breakouts; everything you want out of a cleanser!

The Corpa Flora Beauté Divine Cleansing Oil is a great way to get your evening facial massage on, and (given the fact that the formula emulsifies completely upon contact with water) even those who loathe the feeling of oil on their skin can benefit from its supreme dirt, makeup, and sunscreen dissolving properties. 

I rate this cleanser incredibly highly; you can purchase it direct from Corpa Flora here.

Cocoon Apothecary Ancient Mud - Review

Let's talk face masks. More particularly, the Cocoon Apothecary Ancient Mud face mask.

This glorious dark green paste is made up of four ingredients: glacial marine clay from British Columbia, Dead Sea mud, neroli essential oil, and rose essential oil. It's simple. It's basic. It's perfect. BC glacial clay is magnificently drawing and pore purifying, Dead Sea mud is incredibly rich in minerals and detoxifies like no other, neroli essential oil strengthens pores (helping them stay nice and small once the clay is rinsed off) and also stimulates the break-down of scars, and rose essential oil pampers the skin, while assuring that the mask cleanses effectively without stripping any moisture. Four excellent ingredients, blended perfectly into a slightly salty, fabulously floral scented mask.

But how are the results? Magical. the first time I rinsed this mask off my face, I was dumbfounded. My pores had disappeared. Completely. As with any clay mask, these results were temporary, but I found that even once my skin had re-normalized, my pore size was visibly reduced. I don't suffer from GIANT pores (one of the few upsides of having very dry skin), but I do have a little crop of blackheads on my nose. Or rather, I should say I did have, because having used this mask twice a week for four weeks, those pesky blackheads have packed their bags, and are out the door.

This mask is an absolute joy to use, and leaves me with a fresh "I've just come from the spa" glow. It's a bit difficult to remove (the dead sea mud tends to be a bit grainy, and takes several rinses to wash off completely), but for a mask this affordable that performs this effectively, I can put up with an ever so slightly reduced ease of use.

Seriously. Buy it. It's only 24$.

GRAYDON The Serum - Review

Photo via

It's time for my first review, folks! On the docket today is The Serum by GRAYDON Clinical Luxury by Nature. This product is a face oil composed of cold pressed blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, and strawberry seed oils; according to GRAYDON's site, it takes 100 pounds of fresh berries to make one 30ml bottle of this stuff! Can you say precious? 

The first thing I noticed about this oil is the remarkably viscous texture; I use a lot of face oils, and even the ones that have avocado oil bases or are enriched with shea butter or coconut oil (both solid at room temperature) can't compare in thickness. As such, this is definitely not an oil for those afraid to look a bit "glowy". Because of The Serum's incredible viscosity, I've had great success using it to treat the eczema that crops up on my eyelids, directly under my nose, and in my eyebrows (does anyone else get this? It makes me feel like a mutant flake monster) when I'm over-stressed and under-rested. The fact that The Serum is a blend of cold pressed oils makes it even more perfect for this purpose as, I've found, essential oils can sometimes cause irritation when the skin's health has already been compromised.

Holy-grail level eczema clearing properties aside, this oil is supercharged with antioxidants (I'll say it again, 100 pounds of fresh berries), and is an absolute delight to apply. It's a gorgeous dark yellow-green and instantly makes my skin feel more supple, protected, and nourished. There's also been a lot of talk recently about raspberry seed oil possibly containing UV filters (some folks are saying it has an SPF between 28-50); while I'm not convinced about this just yet (sunblock is something I will never EVER go without during a prairie summer) it's definitely something to consider.

The only gripes I have with this product are complaints about packaging. First of all, the small plastic cap that covers the nozzle of the bottle cracked the first time I took it off (this isn't an isolated problem either; I had the same issue with the cap on a GRAYDON toner) making travel with this product very difficult. Secondly, the ink(?) with which the label is printed rubs off like the wax used on scratch off lottery cards. I'm serious. It's weird. 

All in all, this in an excellent oil, with some unfortunate packaging problems.

The Serum (30 ml) costs 45$ and is available online from Clementine Fields 

INCI (as printed on label): cold pressed blueberry seed oil (vaccinum myrtillus), cold pressed cranberry seed oil (vaccinium macrocarpon), cold pressed red raspberry seed oil (rubus idaeus), cold pressed strawberry seed oil (fragaria vesca), grapefruit seed extract (citrus grandis) and nothing else!