Vicki’s November Beauty Faves

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the end of the year is approaching. November came and went in the blink of an eye and it seems like we’ll be waiting for the ball to drop at the count of midnight in no time. Despite the lightning fast-paced of the past few weeks, that doesn’t mean I didn’t have the opportunity to discover some new beauty faves. —Vicki Duong

4th & fir. It’s the time of year where adding festive charm to your ensemble can be as easy as adding luxe fabrics and a pop of colour to your rotation. A new go-to has been this Burgundy Velvet scrunchie ($14) from Asian- and female-owned brand, 4th & Fir. The rich shade compliments any holiday party while the hand-sewn scrunchie is sure to keep your tresses in place.

crawford street. Cold cream gets a modern upgrade with Crawford Street Skincare and an infusion of rose water. Ideal for winter weather, the cold cream ($34) is not only moisturizing but effective for cleansing with emulsifying properties that melts makeup and breakdown sunscreen. Despite its thick and rich texture, this cruelty-free formula also works well on sensitive and dry skin.

versed. Keep your lips hydrated with a hint of crimson with the Silk Slip ($14) from Versed,  a moisturizing lip oil that heals your peckers while also leaving a slight tint. The blend of jojoba, camellia and sesame oils leaves a soft flush that can be used as a dewy blush for added versatility with every swipe.

avelle skincare. Face oil is one of the vanity items that is a must-have year-round. Lately the Avelle Skincare Rejuvenating Face Oil ($89) has been my fave to deeply hydrate and leave enough slip for easy gua sha gliding while antioxidant rich oils leave your skin as glowy as ever and prepped for makeup application.

clarins. Keep your hands hydrated and looking their best, even in frightfully cold weather with this Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Balm ($36) crafted with fair-trade organic shea butter that repairs every part of your hands. The eco-friendly balm also targets age spots and protects from external aggressions, no wonder it’s become a handbag staple.

olay. A Vita fave, the iconic red jar from Olay gets a hydrating update with the new Regenerist Hyaluronic + Peptide gel moisturizer ($45). This fragrance-free gel provides the boost of hydration you’ve come to expect from Olay plus an extra-smooth application that promises to leave you with healthy looking skin within weeks or regular use.

prada. For a scent that wears like a cosy sweater, the new Prada Paradoxe Eau de Parfum ($192) has become a new holy grail. The mix of amber and floral adds earthiness to this light scent while the bottle fashioned after Prada’s triangle logo elevates any shelf. Best of all? Once you use every last drop this is bottle is designed to be easy to refill.

facial fitness. Turns out one of our favourite beauty products I tried this month isn’t a product at all, but rather a treatment. The microcurrent toning facial ($115) from Facial Fitness has been one of the most effective treatments I had in a while. Using microcurrents, the rods stimulate your facial muscles to not only plump the skin, but target the look of fine lines and wrinkles, visible after the very first treatment.

charlotte tilbury. With flash photography coming back into trend, avoiding flashback is a must. One of our fave celebrity make-up artist, Charlotte Tilbury, knocks it out of the park yet again with a brightening version of her Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder ($58), an ultrafine powder that promises no flashback while also setting undereyes and adding a boost of hydration.

amika. Add va-va-voom to your hairdo with this flexible mousse ($37) from Amika that adds body to your locks while also providing long-lasting flexible hold. The airy mouse makes updos a breeze for holiday get-togethers while also providing heat and frizz protection. Not heading to a shindig? Fret not, the mousse also provides natural lift to your roots for an everyday glam.