The Good Customer

WHAT? : Bon Bon # 12 bubble bath by Tokyomilk. Infused with Japanese green tea extract, avocado oil, olive oil, and vitamin E.  No.12 fragrance is aptly named “gin & rosewater” – a fragrance combination of citrus zest, rosewood, mimosa, and mandarin.

WHY? : The beautifully illustrated packaging will inspire you to decorate your bathroom with these vintage-style glass bottles. Oh, and the bubbles! So plentiful and luxurious. The lingering scent will leave you and your bathroom smelling oh so fresh.

WHERE? : Homewerx, 1053 Davie Street, Vancouver BC, Canada  (604) 662-2204 ;  Tokyomilk online ;  Sallie Home online ; Anthropologie online

HOW MUCH? : 16oz/473ml – $22.00 ;  33.8oz/1l – $33.00

FUN FACT: The founder of Tokyomilk, designer Margot Elena is also known for her other luxurious bath/perfume product lines – Archive and Lollia.

Popularity: 4% [?]

WHAT? : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics Mittens. Woven with an acrylic and wool blend and lined inside with polar fleece, these mitts bear the country’s maple leaf emblem on the palm-side.

WHY?: They are the “IT” item of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. Not only are they the official “torchbearer” mittens, but it seems that everyone at the games – spectators and participants alike – are sporting a pair. All net proceeds from sales of these mittens go towards ”Own The Podium” – an initiative which helps support Canadian Olympic athletes. Initially, it was anticipated that 1 million pairs would be sold. Now, that number has increased to 3.4 million. With the 2010 Olympics in full swing now, the popularity of these mitts have exploded. Sellers on “ebay” are posting them for sale as much as 3 times the original price.

HOW MUCH? : $10.00 (CDN) retail.

WHERE? : In Canada: The Hudson Bay Co.; Zellers; Home Outfitters; Official Olympic Stores/Kiosks (Vancouver International Airport- YVR)     Online: HBC Online Store (shipping only within Canada); www.ebay.com

Get you hands in one before they sell out!

Popularity: 4% [?]

WHAT? : Kinerase skin lotion

WHY? : Because it contains a secret ingredient : N6-furfuryladenine. Sounds like something out of a chemistry text book, doesn’t it?  You then might ask yourself – do I really want this on my face?  Oh yes, you do!  

Otherwise known as “kinetin”, this plant-based antioxidant has been found to delay age related change in plants. Studies have shown that the compound may also delay or prevent a range of cellular changes associated with aging of human skin cells. In lay person’s terms – it slows the skin’s “aging” process. It’s not the fountain of youth, but any delay is better than none, right?

Kinerase also claims that this lotion is clinically proven to improve skin hydration by 25%. And we all known that hydration is the first step to fighting signs of aging. 

Developed by pharmaceutical company Valeant, this product is not your average beauty product. Don’t expect to find it encased in a cute package and smelling of all things ‘sugar and spice’. This is a no nonsense… give it to me straight… out of the lab…. into my cosmetic bag …. and onto my face, kind of product!

When applied onto the skin, this product feels velvety and leaves a matte finish. It is non-comedogenic, hypallergenic and fragrance free. An excellent product for sensitive skin. If your skin type is toward the dry side then you might opt for their “cream” version. And if you would like SPF protection – both the lotion and cream is available with SPF 30.

HOW MUCH? : $119 / 80ml

WHERE? :   www.kinerase.com ;  www.sephora.com ;  www.nordstroms.com

Popularity: 4% [?]

WHAT? : Fresh Appleseed Brightening Exfoliant

WHY? : First of all… you’ll have to restrain yourself from eating this stuff straight from the tube – yes, it smells that good! Pomegranate seeds and bamboo gently exfoliates. Citrus fruit acids help in the turnover of cells. Appleseed oil and evening primrose butter nourish and protect your skin. Result:  A smooth and glowing complexion! Even suitable for sensitive skin.

WHERE? :  Fresh retail stores (worldwide)  www.fresh.com ;  Sephora ;  Saks Fifth Avenue ; Neiman Marcus

HOW MUCH? :  $60.00 USD

Popularity: 1% [?]

WHAT? : Jamieson’s Electrolyte + C

WHY? : If you’re anything like myself – forget to take vitamins/supplements and always on the go… this is an excellent product for you. A wonderful alternative to all those “vitamin” beverages on the market. And perfect to quench your post-workout thirst. 2 flavours in each box of 50 – zesty citrus & fruity pom-berry. Each sachet of powder contains 500mg of buffered vitamin C, 75mg of magnesium, and 100mg of potassium.

HOW? : Dissolve a powder sachet into 500ml of water. Mix and drink!

WHERE? : Local pharmacies and supermarkets. Check  www.jamiesonvitamins.com for locations.

Popularity: 1% [?]

WHAT? : Kielh’s Epidermal Re-texturizing Micro Dermabrasion. This product is part of Kielh’s  Dermatologist Solutions line. Products within this line address specific problems or concerns– for those customers who find the need to “kick it up a notch” in their beauty regime.

WHY? : An intense, result-oriented product for smoother and brighter skin. The amazing combination of the products’ 3 key ingredients (micronized shells, shea butter, and willow herb) yields incredible results. A product that abrades, hydrates, and soothes! Having never invested in a professional service before, I cannot compare the results of this at-home procedure to those achieved at the hands of a professional. But if you are looking an intense scrub, THIS product is for you! A word of caution: it’s not for the faint of heart. One whirl of this product will reveal skin that you’ve probably not seen since birth. The directions suggest that you use this product on dry skin, but if your skin feels irritated, you can apply with some water or on damp skin. Use in the morning and your skin will be glowing all day. Tip: Great for elbows and knees too!

WHERE? : www.kielhs.com;  Keilh’s retail stores (worldwide);  Barney’s NY;  Saks Fifth Avenue; Nordstroms; Bloomingdales; Holt Renfrew (Canada)

HOW MUCH? : $40.00

Popularity: 3% [?]

~Curly Cute Do~

WHAT? : Aveda’s Be Curly Curl Control Lotion

WHY? : While the majority of my girlfriends are buying flat irons and rushing out to test out the newest straightening products, I am obsessed with all curl enhancing methods. As my hair is naturally straight, I am in the habit of creating my curls through the chemical way – perming. To maintain my cute do, I am constantly in search of the perfect curl-enhancing hair products. This product from Aveda, is great for shorter styles. Product claims to tame curls but I think it also defines the curls/waves quite well. Fabulous product for all climates.

HOW? : Although the directions recommend that you use this product on dry hair, I have used it on damp hair and have had great results. In fact, a hair dresser at an Aveda salon had suggested using it in this manner. A little goes a long way.

WHERE? : www.aveda.com ;   Aveda Salons (check website for locations) ;   Eccotique Spa & Salon (Vancouver, BC) ;   Essentique Spa Salon (Winnipeg, MB) ;   Euphoria Salon & Spa  (Buffalo, NY)

HOW MUCH? : $18.00 USD

Popularity: 8% [?]

~My Instant Coffee~

~Cup+Coffee~

WHAT? : Starbucks VIA Ready Brew Tumbler

WHY? : Stainless steel interior – wonderful to keep your drinks hot or cold. Even though it is not insulated, it did keep my coffee comfortably hot for about an hour. Tumbler holds 10 oz of liquid – the recommended amount of water per VIA . Unscrew the bottom panel of the tumbler and you will find 6 individual compartments – to house your VIA coffee packets. Compact and portable – Love it!

WHERE? : www.starbucksstore.com ;  Retail Starbucks stores throughout North America

HOW MUCH? : $16.95

Popularity: 1% [?]

~Peel So Smooth~

WHAT? : MD Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel – One box has 30 applications, packaged individually. Great for traveling!

WHY? : A two-step regimen in 2 minutes a day resulting in smoother and firmer skin. A patented system coined “microexfoliation” – a gentle, non-irritating method of removing cellular debris from skin surface. Plus, there is no recovery time.

HOW? : Swipe the moist towelette from the “step 1″ packet over face. Wait 2 minutes, swipe moist towelette from “step 2″ packet over face – this is the neutralizer. Voila! Instant radiance. I recommend to use in the morning for glowing results all day.

COST? : $80 USD

WHERE? : www.mdskincare.com ;  www.sephora.com ;  www.nordstroms.com ;  The Bay Department Store (Canada)

Popularity: 1% [?]

~My Favourite Appliance~

~Exquisite Capsules Of Caffeine~

HOW MUCH? : Machine – $279;  Capsules -  0.55 USD/0.63 CDN each

Popularity: 1% [?]