New scents and all-natural acne care make our May must-have beauty list
If you're a beauty fanatic (like all of us here), you'll want be extra-excited about the month some of Canada's most beloved brands are having. Gwyneth Paltrow recently shared her love of Leaves of Trees, the Toronto-based all-natural brand, to her readers on goop.com, and they have a new delicious hand-cream scent you'll want to devour. Quebec retailer Simons, who in recent years spread its stylish offerings throughout the country with new locations in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, just launched a trio of signature scents that you'll want to get your hands on. These picks and more make our must-have list for May. Happy almost summer!
Going clear
Sufferers of adult acne (hey, thanks a lot hormones!) may now have all-natural relief. From the queen of green, Tata Harper, comes the Clarifying Mask. Made with a unique combination of natural honey (which is antiseptic and moisturizing!), willow bark, sage and lavender essential oils, this treatment will help to restore balance to the complexion while it's tough on blemishes. Rejoice!
Tata Harper Clarifying Mask, $91, Saks Fifth Avenue, tataharper.com
Inhale exhale
Detoxify your complexion while you hydrate with this overnight gel cream that is refreshingly lightweight. It's perfect for combination and oily skin that requires an anti-aging boost while it soaks up moisture.
Philosophy Take a Deep Breath Oil-Free Oxygenating Gel Cream, $49, Sephora.com, Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart
Ciao bella
Recently relaunched in Canada, the Decléor brand's signature serum is reportedly how Bella Hadid keeps that money-making face looking so good. Made of all-natural neroli, sandalwood, sage and juniper berry, two drops of this serum will get you glowing by morning.
Decléor Aromessence Neroli Hydrating Oil Serum, $79.50, Hudson's Bay and select professional spas
Sweet aromas
Beloved all-natural beauty brand Leaves of trees is gaining a global following thanks to a recent mention on goop.com. Just in time to match all the well-deserved hype, this Toronto-based co. brings its latest hand and body lotion scent to the market, called Chajara (which means 'trees' in Arabic). With its key ingredient, argan oil, sourced from a women's cooperative in Morocco, this aromatic moisturizer gets its luscious scent from rose, petitgrain (a citrusy, green note), the woodsy oudh and sandalwood, as well as a touch of patchouli.
Leaves of Trees Chajara Argan Hand and Body Lotion, $32, leavesoftrees.com
Let's get sudsy
One of two new scents for Indigo's signature beauty line, this sweet smelling, moisturizing bar will bring back memories of salt, sand and sun. Just add water.
Dew + Posey Bar Soap in Ocean Breeze & Crushed Coconut, $10, chapters.indigo.ca
Scentsational
Montreal-based fragrance designer Ruby Brown, who also played muse for Simons' new trio of signature scents, worked with the retailer to create three juices that reflected the quintessential fabrics found in a contemporary closet, as well as Contemporaine, the exclusive, in-house fashion brand for Simons. Made in Canada, with 100 percent recyclable packaging, Soie (silk) has notes of grapefruit, rose and bergamot, while Coton (cotton) contains mandarin oranges, violet leaves and water jasmine, and Lin (linen) boasts bergamot, cyclamen and lily of the valley at its heart. These fresh, crisp fragrances are made for summer.
Simons Eau Contemporaine Soie, Coton and Lin, $50 each, simons.ca