Note 11 - The Beauty Edit
I’m currently writing this from my Airbnb in Göteborg, Sweden, looking over snowy rooftops and I can’t wait to share more about the city in next week’s blog post. But for now, let’s bring it back to beauty, the topic of today’s post.
For me, beauty is a ritual. The time I take for myself in the day, whether that’s for skincare or makeup. There’s something so fundamental about taking off your makeup for the day, or applying a little bit of blush to add some colour to your face. These tiny habits make me feel more put together and remind me to take care of myself even when life gets busy. I also love discovering new products, testing out creams and serums in department stores, and researching reviews online. It’s all part of the fun!
In today’s post, I’m walking you through my full beauty routine, the best facial I’ve found in Montreal, and a few other beauty-adjacent recommendations I’ve been loving lately.
Have a good Sunday!
What I Wore (In My Hair) This Week
I had these cute personalized claw clips made for me and my sisters for Christmas (if one of you is seeing this, I’m sorry, I’m terrible at keeping secrets). I love wearing a claw clip, especially to pin up the top section of my hair and then curl the rest so it falls effortlessly around my shoulders.
Claw clips - Etsy
Skincare Routine - AM & PM
Skincare is my thing. I love the entire process and the routine of it. Whether it’s applying my morning products to start the day feeling fresh or winding down at night by removing everything and layering on my essentials. It’s a ritual I genuinely look forward to every morning and night.
I’ve been fortunate to have had pretty good skin over the past decade, but I still wanted to take things more seriously and introduce actives for preventive care. So last year, I booked a consultation with dermal therapist Joanna Flemming (who also co-hosts one of my favourite podcasts, Style-ish by Shameless Media). She put together a routine tailored to my needs and my budget, and honestly, if you can do something similar, I can’t recommend it enough.
And finally, I have to admit: I am fully converted to the LED mask life. You’ll catch me wearing mine religiously.
Makeup Edit
When it comes to makeup, I like to keep things simple. I’m still very much a fan of the “no-makeup makeup” trend. I love browsing the clean beauty selection at Sephora, and my favourite brand by far is Westman Atelier. The finish of their products is just so natural and gorgeous.
I don’t wear foundation, but I’m obsessed with the glowy base you get from the Glossier FutureDew primer paired with the Kosas concealer and a light dusting of Laura Mercier powder.
My everyday must-have is the Westman Atelier blush stick in Petal. Sometimes I add a little Benetint on top to give my cheeks extra life, and on some days I’ll reach for the Westman Atelier bronzer stick too (in the shade Biscuit).
To finish, I just add a touch of mascara and a pink lip, or a gloss if I’m feeling it!
Everyday Delights - Beauties Lab
Beauties Lab
Glowy face after the facial
Beauties Lab
Last week I had a facial at Beauties Lab, my absolute favourite beauty destination in Montreal. It was my third visit there but it was a bit more special because they’ve recently introduced Biologique Recherche facials with the clinical-grade skincare brand. Every time I go there, I’m really impressed with the attention to detail. The decor is so unique and inviting, the staff is very warm and knowledgeable, and the facials leave me glowy and sculpted. I couldn’t recommend it enough.
This Week’s Edit
If you’re into beauty and want to learn more about what happens behind the scenes in the industry, I highly recommend The Barefaced Podcast (and their Substack). The host does deep dives into beauty trends, breaks down market research across different regions, and explains it all through the lens of a beauty market research company, so everything is backed by solid data.
The iconic brush is actually really good and actually lives up to the hype! I got mine last year, and it took me a little while to warm up to it. At first, the mix of boar bristles and nylon felt a bit itchy, but over time, I’ve come to love it. The way it smooths my hair is unmatched.
Seriously, look no further; these are the best makeup and vanity bags. I use the medium one for my everyday makeup, the small one for essentials when I’m on a plane, and the large one for all my skincare and body products when I travel. They come in different colours, but what I love most is how easy it is to see everything inside.
The Art of Loving, Olivia Dean
This is the album I’ve been listening to the most lately. It’s perfect in the background while I’m having breakfast, driving, or even doing Pilates. It’s such a solid album from start to finish, and I’m honestly gutted that I’ll miss her show in Montreal next summer.
Love, S.
