In the realm of cosmetics, it’s easy to get lost, with the dizzying number of new arrivals hitting shelves. Our team presents its discoveries and suggestions for products tested… and approved!
Posted at 9:00 a.m.
Uomo by Guess: summer evening companion
Summer is well established, and it’s time to unpack the new Guess eau de toilette, which takes no risks in its composition before jumping into the water. We start with a classic fern accord, with a very fresh bouquet of lavender, sage and geranium, accentuated by hints of grapefruit. All of this very quickly slides into background warmth, with woody accents and moss undertones. Very classic and discreet, it can be seen as the pleasant companion of a summer evening. However, there is a downside in his score: his outfit is really not impressive and struggles to go until the end of the evening. Other eau de toilette will do better, but will probably command a higher price.
Price: $75 for 100 ml, available online now, then at Jean Coutu, Brunet and La Baie starting September 14
Bloom the rose
PHOTO PROVIDED BY SELV RITUEL
The new Le Rituel Quartz shower gel and bubble bath by Selv
Selv is a Montreal company that offers its customers gentle rituals to take care of themselves at bath time. Over time, its offer has grown — bubble bath, bath bombs and salts, shower gel, face products, etc. —, driven by the philosophy of “slow living” and ecological awareness (the ingredients are natural and the packaging materials, as sustainable as possible, such as glass). For the summer, it is the rose that inspired Selv, with two new products that we have adopted with joy: the bubble bath and the Le Rituel Quartz shower gel. Biodegradable, vegan and designed for sensitive skin (even baby’s!), they offer the perfect fresh rose scent to start the day off right… or end it by relaxing in an enveloping bath. A renewed pleasure with each use.
Price: $24 each (475 ml), available online and at points of sale
Phyt’s, pioneer of natural beauty
PHOTO PROVIDED BY PHYT’S
Phyt’s anti-pollution range
It is interesting to (re) discover companies that have proven themselves. Like Phyt’s, a French company which has just celebrated its 50th anniversary (including 35 in Canada). A pioneer in natural beauty, Phyt’s has offered 100% natural skincare since its inception and now has 20 ranges and more than 300 products in its catalog, all Cosmebio certified, so without any synthetic ingredients. We were able to try an in-cabin treatment adapted to our skin type at La Loge, in Mile End, and were won over by the gentle effectiveness of the formulations, contained in single-dose ampoules, and by the nimble fingers of Geneviève Larivière, beautician and co-owner. Adopted daily, the serum from the anti-pollution range leaves our skin radiant while the hydro-cleansing milk removes impurities and make-up in no time while keeping the skin hydrated.
Variable price depending on the product and the type of facial treatment
Body care
PHOTO RICARDO PARRA, PROVIDED BY NECESSAIRE
“Taking care of your body as you take care of your face” is the philosophy of the Nécessaire brand.
What a great discovery this American and minimalist unisex brand called Nécessaire, which devotes a cult of beauty to the body worthy of that which is generally accorded to the face! Always looking for new body moisturizers, we fell in love with this vegan serum for the body — yes, for the body — with hyaluronic acid, this miracle molecule with notorious moisturizing properties. Fragrance-free, this serum is a valuable addition to the beauty routine of all skins prone to dryness in this world. We can’t wait to test it on our first sunburns, who knows? Just apply it to the desired areas, after which we follow (or, why not, we mix) with our usual moisturizer. With its gel texture, the serum is applied in a jiffy and leaves the skin with a soft sensation of freshness. A small amount is enough. If you like the product, you will be seduced by its body lotion (still odorless) and its foaming shower gel (with eucalyptus).
$60, on sale at Sephora