Vicki’s May Beauty Faves

While I patiently await sunny weather and patio season, I spend my days indoors experimenting with new beauty products, some newly launched and some cult-classics that are new to me. Below are some of my recently discovered faves. —Vicki Duong

redken extreme length leave-in. Lately I’ve been pulling double duty and double masking with weekly face masks paired with a good hair mask. My go-to as of late is the Redken Extreme Length Leave-In ($29), a biotin based treatment that not only penetrates deeply to nourish your tresses but also aids in hair growth. Luscious locks, here I come!

essence double trouble mascara. Let your eyes do the talking with the newest mascara from drugstore fave, Essence, appropriately named Double Trouble Mascara ($7). Not only does it add volume, definition and curl, but a double-sided brush allows you to customize your look. (Bonus: it also comes in a waterproof formula!)

boscia. Getting pedicure ready has never been easier than with this foot peel ($25) from Boscia. Not only does it deeply penetrate your skin to help shed dead skin cells, but it uses a plant-based alcohol to a gentler peel than its competitors. While the shedding process may not look pretty, the slow revelation of baby soft skin is oh-so-satisfying.

kid sister. My gua sha is one of my favourite parts of my skincare routine. While the process is rooted in Chinese tradition, using a gua sha gets a sleek update with my newest and greatest gua sha, this stainless steel beauty ($32) from Kid Sister. The stainless steel is non-porous, super durable and extremely chic.

charlotte tilbury. When it comes to signature shades, is there a more iconic cosmetic shade than Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk? Advertised as a soft rose-golden highlight that suits a wide range of skin tones, Charlotte Tilbury has outdone herself once again by expanding the collection with new products, including the often sold-out Beauty Highlighter Wand ($52) that adds the perfect amount of glow to your complexion. 

cerave. Retinol can be an intimidating ingredient to add to your skincare routine because it can be extremely reactive, but CeraVe makes it easy with their new Resurfacing Retinol Serum ($26). As a serum blended with ceramides, retinol is more gently delivered to your skin without compromising the protective barrier while also combating acne marts and uneven skin tone.

lancôme. Maybe it’s my crush on celebrity spokesperson, Zendaya  but the Idôle fragrance ($126) from Lancôme has quickly become my new go-to. A fresh blend of jasmine, musk, citrus and rose feels young, modern and clean, suitable day or night. Plus, the sleek bottle boosts that it is the world’s thinnest fragrance bottle.

first base. If you’re looking to brighten up your complexion, there’s nothing quite like vitamin C to combat dullness. First Base is a made in Canada brand that is Eco Cert certified and their impressive Double Dose Organic Vitamin C Serum ($118) makes the ideal addition to any skin care regimen. It features a blend of stabilised vitamin C paired with potent ingredients, including acmella oleracea, a plant that mimics botox by targeting facial muscle tension.

clarins. Why just add a hint of shine to your lips when you can also deeply moisturize and protect them, too? Check all the boxes with the Clarins Lip Comfort Oil ($30) that provides a sheer tint of colour while nourishing your lips without the stick of a gloss. My fave shade is Pitaya, a cool-tone fuchsia that adds a soft flush to my lips.

kms hair. If you’re an avid gym attendee like myself, you know that planning sweat sesh with hair washing days is enough of a workout on its own. Greasy hair days are no match for the new KMS Hair Cleansing Mist ($21). Think of it as a major upgrade to traditional dry shampoos. It’s more eco-friendly because it uses minimal ingredients without an aerosol container. Just shake, spritz and style your hair while the product absorbs oil and neutralizes odours.