Vicki’s October Beauty Faves

While it’s hard to fathom, another month has come and gone and the new year is slowly creeping towards us. I might not be quite ready to tackle my holiday wish list but that doesn’t mean I don’t have beauty recommendations of products I had the opportunity to try in the past month. Here are some of my favourite discoveries in the month of October. —Vicki Duong

institut esthederm. Embracing ageing means updating my skincare routine as my skin matures. Lately I’ve been reaching for the Age Proteom Advance Serum ($139), a quick absorbing formula that leaves skin feeling more radiant and firm while tackling fine lines. Plus, the unique packaging adds to the experience with a dropper that fills as you remove it from the bottle.

NARS. When it comes to complexion, two birds, one stone has been my go-to when in a time crunch. The Light Reflecting foundation ($68) from NARS is advertised as a skincare foundation that instantly boosts skin’s appearance upon application and overtime with continual use. The formula provides medium, natural coverage while good-for-your-skin additions, such as soothing oat and repairing Japanese lilyturf, help repair even sensitive skin types.

aerin. Miley said it first, you can buy yourself flowers. While maintaining flowers might not be worth the work, carrying florals is made simple when you opt for the new Rose de Grasse Rouge ($205) fragrance from Aerin. This romantic blend of red roses mixed with rich amber, sweet raspberries and earthy musk smells like date night but is fresh enough to wear daily.

olaplex. Haircare repair is made simple with Olaplex and they’re not just treating the hair on your head. The Lashbond Building Serum ($92) is a highly concentrated formula that amps up the look of your natural lashes to get the look of lash extensions without the maintenance. After a few short weeks my lashes were longer, fuller and thicker.

bioderma. If you’re not using body oil yet, what are you waiting for? Don’t let the consistency fool you, the Atoderm 2 in 1 oil ($34) leaves a silky dry touch that is never greasy or sticky. It deeply nourishes your skin while also repairing your skin’s pH levels leaving your skin hydrated for longer. I especially love applying it after any shaving or exfoliating to add suppleness back into my skin.

peace out. Shopping for skincare patches is made easy with Peace Out. Seemingly the authority on potent patches, Peace Out knocks it out of the park again with their new Retinol 360° Eye Lift Patches ($39). These c-curved patches fit comfortably around the contours of your eye while delivering a dose of retinol, peptides, and of hyaluronic acid lifts and hydrates even the most tired eyes.

pixi. Just like everyone else, I love a good TikTok recommendation. Products going viral is usually a sure-fire sign to know that it performs. Case and point, these Beauty On-The-Glow sticks ($24) from Pixi, a glowy balm that leaves a soft flush of colour. The easy twist-up packing makes precise application a breeze while the flexible coverage can be blended in easily with just your fingertips. No wonder it’s a social media fave!

sliick by salon perfect. Getting a high-quality wax no longer requires trips to the salon with the Sliick by Salon Perfect products. Not only is it easy to use, but it’s easy on your wallet. Their waxing kit ($23) contains wax beads, a spatula and a microwavable cup. Best of all? The wax is a hard wax, meaning no strips required and that the wax adheres to the hair, not your skin. Just apply, let it set and let it rip!

loo drops. While this isn’t a beauty product, it has become a bathroom countertop staple for me. Loo Drops ($16) is a Vancouver-based brand that creates blends of odour-eliminating drops that can be used before or after you do your business. With three unique scents, such as Eucalyptus Citrus and Bergamot Mint, there’s no reason to be embarrassed by what comes naturally.

biolage. Repairing and strengthening hair strands is no easy task but Biolage is up to the task.The new Bond Therapy line from the brand is crafted for damaged and processed hair without weighing down locks. My favourite product from the line is the Intensive Treatment ($20), a pre-shampoo treatment infused with coconut oil that works to rebuild distressed hair.