Losooking to fight aging signs, improve skin tone and overall texture? Well then consider the new line called Algenist. The product from the line that best fits my skin needs is the Targeted Age Correcting serum. It is made with Alguronic acid which helps decrease the production of melanin. The serum is also jam packed with vitamin C which is great for un even tone and adds over all brightness of the skin. This product is free of parabens and sulfates. I have been using the light weight serum day and night for a about week, and so far, this relationship is blosming. Sure, it’s still honeymoon phase but no promises have been broken. My skin tone is noticeably more even and clear.I am actually starting to consider using a Tinted Moisturizer and give up on my love for foundation. This product can be found at Sephora Yorkville and Eaton Centre locations. Check them out and give me your feedback.

Lot’s of my friends are on the juicing tip and it’s no wonder with its amazing benefits, but it is time consuming and -at first- daunting. I need a healthy change so I started to look for a juicer that’s not wasteful, quick, easy to use and clean.

As I searched, The Vitamix The Total Nutrition center was the one caught my eye. The Vitamix takes a whole fruit or vegetable and grinds it up into juice heaven! This 2-horse power machine has the power to make fresh veggies into hot soup and milk into ice cream, all in the matter of minutes.

It’s so easy to use and what really sold me is that I simply drop soap in water and run the motor and rinse. I am a diva on a time and can be frugal. A blender for $500 seemed outrageous until I weighed the pros and cons but you can get any juicer that fits your budget.

Benefits of Juicing

-I no longer buy juice, I make my own
-I waste none of my hard earned money because left over produce I can blend up in a tasty treat.
-I meet my daily requirements for fruit and vegetables.
-I can’t put a price on looking good from the inside out.
-The amount of compliments I’ve received since juicing is priceless.

Look and feel Younger recipes:

• One-half pound broccoli
• One-half pound celery
• Five oranges

Washing the fruit and vegetables. Don’t to discard the orange skin because they’re loaded with nutrients. Put all the ingredients (peels included) into the juicer, discard any unwanted pulp, and enjoy. Because this particular recipe has high vitamin C content, it works to achieve a youthful look and better health but also boost the body’s immune system.

Being forever young starts from taking care of you. Make the investment you won’t regret it!

If you didn’t catch the first season of Treme on HBO you missed out. Treme is David Simon’s follow up project to The Wire, one of the most critically acclaimed television series in recent history. Treme doesn’t disappoint.  The show takes place in New Orleans during the months after the storm, showcasing beautiful yet gloomy, panning shots of the neighbourhoods, bridges, graveyards and empty dilapidated houses. Like The Wire, Treme trails an overwhelming amount of characters in their daily trials but despite the amount, Simon takes pains to ensure we connect with each one.

The show deals with the difficulties the residents are faced with while tackling the daunting task of rebuilding their city. Each character struggles in their decision to stay, rebuild and recover or pick-up leave and start fresh.  Some can’t deal with the horrors of their new reality and the loved ones lost.  Others are simply overcome by the magnitude of the job.

Treme bravely takes on the task of trying to touch on every aspect of New Orleans culture. Treme also depicts the laissez faire attitude of the people, with a strong focus on the city’s distinct food and rich history of music; especially Jazz. Both food and music are depicted as a mainstay of New Orleans and Simon does a great job of instilling the viewer with the uniqueness of the city.

I would rank this show right along side A Confederacy of Dunces as a poignant depiction of a one of a kind city. At the end of every episode I want to live out the words of that old Lee Dorsey classic, “Everything I do gohn be funky from now on.”

The situation: We all have insecurities; my skin is my daily torment. Since moving to Toronto my skin has been acting up and going crazy, so I’m on the hunt for the holy grail of foundation.

The requirements: it has to last, give coverage, look natural and leave me breakout free.

I have searched high and low. At times I’ve felt desperate and sad because everything was causing my skin to react. I decided to give a skin care product disguised as makeup a try.

Winner: Kiehl’s tinted moisturizer – I know I know, it’s not a foundation, but it works better than most foundations. Kiehl’s product melts into the skin and lasts all day, giving the skin a beautiful, natural and glowing complexion. It gives coverage comparable to a light foundation and looks great in pictures.

I add a drop of concealer where needed and the tinted moisturizer helps it last longer instead of wiping it off. I’ve been testing this product for a month and my skin is breakout free and awesome. I actually wake up in the morning and consider not putting anything on my face – an insane statement for a beauty lover.

I’d recommend this product to everyone; it’s incredible staying power makes it a good fit for even oily skin during these cold times. I love living in Toronto and now my skin doesn’t have to suffer for it.

Signing off
Maram Aoudi

Although winter is almost done, it’s not gone fast enough. An escape is needed. Here’s what I’m using to help say goodbye to the winter chills: Neroli essential oil, it’s uplifting properties will brighten your mood and skin.

Neroli is one of the richest (in property and price) essential oils out there. It takes one ton of blossoms from the orange tree to extract 1 kg of essential oil. These oils are used in different products as aromatherapy and as a cure to dull skin.

Effects on the mind: Neroli, an orange blossom, is used in many perfumes as an alternative to Rose and Jasmine. It has a floral, fresh and sweet scent while maintaining earthy and calming properties.

Effects on the Skin: Neroli’s properties help the natural exfoliation of the skin, giving your skin shelter from the dull and dreary cold. Neroli helps brighten the skin, sooth and tone redness. It also combats the signs of aging and scarring by its powers of stimulation and cell growth.

Look for products that use neroli to help maintain or enhance your glow. Outsmart the cold weather and become your own sunshine with therapy massage bar by Lush Handmade Cosmetics: Coco and Shea butter, lavender and neroli. This products is calming, relaxing and soothing- everything you need to set your mind and day in line.

Signing off

Maram Aoudi

Cover Girl’s clean foundation is refreshing. It’s nice to get away from all the jazz and fluff around new cosmetics. This product delivers exactly what it promises, a sheer, clean and fresh look. This foundation brings makeup back to basics.

I remember the first time I ever bought foundation, I didn’t know what I wanted, a lady looked at me and simply handed me a bottle and it fit everything I needed. This is how I feel about this product; it’s simple, light coverage, with a soft and natural finish. It reminds me of a tinted moisturizer with greater staying power.  The color selection is great as well, lots of undertones and shades for everyone to try.