Strong enough for a man? The ultimate test....

I am what many would call a deodorant devotee. I use it consistently and frequently, usually more than once a day. There is my usual morning freshening, the post-work/pre-gym touch up, and then finally the post sweaty shower dose. I love my deodorant and, well, being smelly is a personal (petrifying) fear of mine. So when Secret's new Clinical Strength deodorant came across my desk, I was thrilled, automatically assuming it was some super power deodorant with the ability to totally relieve my stinky paranoia. That was until I read the directions...

Plain, simple and straight to the point, they read: "Apply two clicks of product to underarms at bedtime". That can't be right I thought, who applies deodorant only once a day...and at bedtime for that matter? So onto Google I go to find out what exactly this product is all about. On the Secret website an (overly) informative little video tells me how this new product has been designed to provide "prescription strength wetness protection for the most demanding body chemistry's". Okay, fair enough...anyone who has set foot in an overcrowded elevator at 5pm knows there are definitely people in this world with more demanding body chemistry's, but was I one? I didn't think so. Then again, this little video is telling me that my normal deodorant should be protecting me for 24-hours after one application...maybe my body is a little more demanding then I thought.

The video explains that the product is designed to be applied at night to take advantage of your body's natural temperature variation. Our sweating is more controlled in our sleep (unless of course you're sleep involves visions of you and G.Clooney getting steamy together) and this allows for the deodorant to create a more effective barrier in your sweat ducts. Oh all right, enough of the technical stuff....go watch the video for yourself and then come back and I'll tell you if it works!

Ah, welcome back! Visual aid #1 over. So, did anticipations meet expectations? Well obviously I was a little skeptical so I had to put this product to the ultimate test. After a late night shower I applied the product the night before my hardcore double duty morning at the gym: BodyPump and BodyFlow Thursdays (p.s...for those of you who haven't tried LesMills classes, get to your gym now and take one, they will rock your world!)

Admittedly it was very difficult to wake up the next morning and head to the gym without my usually dose of baby powder freshness but I left with the optimism that even if this product (and its odor fighting capsules) didn't work, there was likely going to be someone else in my class who smelled equally as bad as I did. Stepping into my weight training class the room was already a sweltering temperature and I could feel my poor little glands just waiting to burst. I reach for my underarms in some sort of Molly Shannon-type instant reflex. Still dry. Phew. After the crazy hard squat track? Still dry. After 150 shoulder presses? Still dry. After 60 more minutes of bending myself into every insane yoga, pilates, and tai chi pose in the book? You guessed it...still dry.

I'm admittedly amazed (and it takes a lot to do that to me), but it got better. Convinced that I would give this stuff a go for the full 24-hours, I hit the showers and put in a full 9-hour day at work and I was still dry and odourless as I headed into the showers at 9pm that evening. Still not quite believe it wasn't a completely fluke (hey, you can expect to convert a deodorant devotee overnight can you?!) So I tried it the next day...and the next...and the next. It is now Monday evening and here I sit, pre-evening shower, and yes...I am still dry.

Secret's new Clinical Strength deodorant is available from all major retailers and pharmacies nationwide.

Toronto beaut*eh's take note!!!

Revlon and Johnson & Johnson are having one of their amazing warehouse sales from now until Sunday at 5pm at the International Centre in Mississauga! An opportunity not to be missed by all you bargaining beaut*eh's, I stopped by this afternoon and (after the initial product obsession overload subsided) found loads of great deals. Believe me, it is like a beaut*eh goddess' greatest dream come true!

I got ALL THIS for $20!

I'd like to point out that the tanner, which I paid $3 for, would have cost me almost $15 on its own in the stores! And besides that I managed to score a pair of amazing tweezers for $3, a magnifying tweezing mirror (badly needed!) for $4, some yummy Vanilla Mint Listerine for $2, three OxiClean purse sprays for $5, and a wicked nude nail polish for $2! How amazing is that? And believe me...it was hard for me to stick to my strict budget of $20 (I have student loans, okay?!) because I easily could have walked out with hundreds of dollars worth of stuff had I had the opportunity...and the cash flow...and didn't already have shelves overflowing with makeup and products that I really should use first. But such is my life and hopefully not yours, so don't miss out on this amazing opportunity!

Products on sale include Revlon, Almay, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Listerine, Clean & Clear, Roc, Nivea, Jergen's, Playtex, Trojan, as well as fragrances by Lacoste, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Britney Spears, JLo, Ralph Lauren and many, many more. And everything is up for 75% off the retailer prices!! I mean, what more can you ask?

Check out this amazing sale from today thru Sunday at the International Centre, 6900 Airport Road, Hall 4A, Mississauga. Free parking and free admission, doors open at 11pm everyday but Saturday when they open an hour earlier for all you eager beaut*eh babes!

So you're a twenty something...what now?

That was the question facing former Chatelaine.com editor Dayna Boyer as she went in search realizing that the last thing she needed in her 20-something life was another half-hearted stereotypical article giving her fashion or relationship advice.

“I couldn't find a magazine or website for my generation that reflected my values,” said Dayna Boyer. “Most 20-somethings are looking for some kind of direction, meaningful work and life experiences. So, I saw a niche in the online magazine market that hadn't been filled and I filled it.”

Launching October 6, Boyer's new website 20-something.ca will feature topics such as as health, style, love, life and diversity from the unique perspective of those who know it best...20-somethings themselves. With a special category for the LGBTQ community, dating content for inter-religious couples and even a food blogger who specializes in modern allergies, this unique online magazine strives to be accessible to a wide range of lifestyles across Canada.

Featuring a group of experienced writers (yours truly included!) who "strive to empower 20-somethings to make informed decisions in every facet of their lives", the website aims to dispel the stereotypes that often surround 20-somethings and highlight some of the young Canadians who are striving to make sure this generation is one that matters.

Still wondering 'what now?' Well then click on the link below to get your invite to this fall's hottest launch party and find out why we 20-something's are the best thing out there.

R.I.P Patrick Swayze

"Nobody puts baby in a corner..." - Patrick Swayze as Johnny Castle in Dirty Dancing

Another great loss for the entertainment world, Patrick Swayze, the man who made every woman wish to be stuck in a corner, has died after succumbing to pancreatic cancer. A terrific actor, a beautiful dancer, and a wonderful humanitarian (and the star of my all-time favorite film, Dirty Dancing), he will be sadly missed by all who lived to see him in his prime. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family.

Don't ever forget how important your regular health check ups are all my beaut*eh*ful followers....xoxo

Brunette is the new blonde

Okay, okay. So the title of this post is only relative if you are (like myself) a brilliant brunette. Not that I don't love all my wicked blonde, red, pink, green, and blue haired readers just as much but well, admittedly, I love being a brunette. Sure I went through that awkward teenage faze where I died my hair every single colour under the sun, I had highlights and lowlights, chunky streaks and multi-tonal hues. But by mid-university years I had grown (what I thought at the time to be) wiser and decided to give my hair a rest from all the chemicals and processing I had tortured it with over those few years. And that was when I came to love being a brunette.

It has now been nearly four years since a dye bottle last touched my precious locks and I have to admit, I think my hair loves me for it. So how excited was I when a sample of Pantene's Brunette Expressions landed on my doorstep last week? Too excited probably, but we all know from past posts how I get about my beauty products so I won't get into that. The even better part about discovering this little treat in my mailbox? It was 10am on my day off and I hadn't showered yet. Woo!

It was all the motivation I needed to drag my lazy butt off the couch from a morning of catching up with my PVR. Having a vague recollection of having used the product once or twice before when it turned up in my bathroom at some point during my years away from home, I couldn't exactly recall what kind of "brunette expression" it was meant to promote, so I flipped over the bottles and started reading.

Designed to protect brown hair against damage using Pantene's famous pro-vitamin system, it includes something called prismatic shine enhancers which "boost dark brown tones by protecting against against daily damage and stresses that can dull brown hair". Hmmm, I glance up at my hair in the mirror. I wouldn't say my hair was dull by any means, but sure it could probably use a bit of a boost. I guess there was only one way to find out. Turning on the shower, I jump in (okay, not literally...I wasn't that excited about shampooing my hair, this isn't an Herbal Essence ad after all)

Popping open the shampoo I am a little shocked at the deep brown shade of liquid that comes oozing out. Normally one wouldn't place much faith in a product of this colour, no matter where it is going on your body but especially when it is going on your head. However, the iridescent tone of the brown made me curious and so, on it went.

So, okay...it is a shampoo. There isn't really much you can say about a shampoo. It did everything a shampoo is supposed to do. It foamed and smelled pretty, which are all pluses in my books. No complaints there. Rinse, rinse, and on goes the conditioner. This is where I get a bit more picky. I like my conditioners thick and pasty, I like to really feel the conditioner working its magic on my hair and I was not disappointed this time around. But really, after all those years that Pantene has been around they've obviously been doing something right. So again, there were few surprises here.

But was there surprises when I was dried off, blown out, and straightened down? No, not really. Maybe the product didn't work wonders on enhancing my brown hues because, well, my hair is naturally brown and full of all its own wonderful highlights. Maybe it was because, as I noted prior to my shower, that my hair wasn't really what one would term "dull". In actually fact my hair is pretty shiny on its own. So maybe it wasn't the best product for me to test and maybe some of you out there will love it (or its Blonde and Red counterparts) if you have dull hair or dyed hair or, well, less wonderful hair than me...ha, just kidding!

The complete line of Pantene Expressions haircare products are available now from pharmacies and department stores nationwide. Visit their website for more information on these products and more.

Are food allergies the new eating disorder?

Ever heard of orthorexia? Neither had we. But a new article from Flare Magazine describes the eating disorder, which is characterized by obsessive focus on eating healthy foods, in parallel to some of today's more common food allergies to question if woman are hiding their disordered eating behind the lies of food intolerances. A must read for anyone who has every skipped the bread, the milk, the dairy, etc.

Bravo to Glamour magazine!

Check out this article from The Toronto Star praising the new issue of Glamour magazine which features the beautifully revealing picture, seen above, of plus-sized model Lizzie Miller. God bless real women!

The question: how many vibrating devices does a girl really need?

Okay, so it became very clear to me this week that I need to find a company who has no ties, whatsoever, to any form of facial cleanser. Why you ask? Well between the two different cleansers that I had on the go, plus the skin cream and toner I am testing out I found myself faced with my next challange: Clean and Clear Advantage Blackhead Eraser. Problem was my skin was so damn clean I wasn't sure if there was going to be any blackheads to erase.
Yes, I pondered dirtying up myself for a few days, letting myself get good and gross, and then going in for the kill, but I didn't think my boss at my retail job, where I am face-to-face with people all day, would appreciate my disgustingly oily mug coming anywhere within 50-feet of her customers.

And so I decided one fateful night, that it was now or never, clean or...well, cleaner.

Popping open the package I take a quick glance over the instructions, which seem simple and straightforward enough, pop the batteries in the little plastic eraser thingy, and give the bottom a little twist to switch it on. Whoa. To say this little guy packs quite a vibrating punch is quite an understatement. Immediately I am already unsure about how I am going to feel about this sucker being on some of the most sensitive skin on my face. Before even adding a scrubbing pad I test its strength against the skin of my arm, the nape of my neck, and finally my face. All the most sensitive places that should be considered in a case like this. Hmmmm. Thinking about whether I want to go through with this. Thinking, thinking. Suddenly I realize that I am grunting and moaning (in deliberation) while standing alone in my family bathroom while a dull humming sound makes its way through the door...and my visiting elderly Grandmother is standing on the other side waiting to pee. Awesome. Red faced, I shut off the device, let out a giggle (because that doesn't make it any more awkward, I swear) and make a quick escape to my own bathroom.

Laughing at my own misfortune and deciding that this would make too good of a blog post to pass up I take out one of the textured pads and attach it firmly to the velcro top on the eraser. Wetting my face and then gently wetting the pad I get started on the areas where I have had trouble with blackheads before: the area around my nose and my chin. Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, it begins again. Moving in upward motions like directed, it takes me about 30 seconds before I realize that my greediness to have a good blog post is definitely not worth sacrificing my skin for. But, never one to give up with out a fight, I persevere.

The main problem? The burning sensation that I believe to be a result of the textured pad scaling along sensitive skin (especially that tricky area right beside your nose). However, as the cleanser (a "specially formulated blackhead fighting serum") starts to lather and foam a bit more I find the burning lessening, although not completely. Since I was instructed to use it all over my face as well as in my blackhead prone areas I slowly start to move the eraser to the other parts of my face (mostly to distract from the still tingly sensation I was experiencing). Admittedly the less sensitive areas were more resistant to the product and I did feel like I was getting the exfoliating end of the bargain, like promised. One minute plus and my time was up, cool water splashed on face in relief, I patted down with a towel and prepared myself to inspect.

There was a little redness, yes, but that was to be expected. My skin felt noticeably softer and smoother, but what about those pesky little blackheads. Did it live up to expectations? Well let me tell you. For someone who thought they didn't even have blackheads the evidence on that little pad told me otherwise. The shocking layer of dirt kept me mesmerized for a good five minutes before I busted out the magnifying mirror and decided it was time to look a little deeper into my skin. Oh yes, there they are. Blackheads. Apparently I do have them....and still have them. How was that even possible after that much dirt was just sucked from my skin?

Oh yes, this challenge was on. Two days later I went for it again. More burning, more tingling...less blackheads. Day five: less burning, less tingling...less blackheads. The tingling and the burning never completely went away but by day ten my skin was noticeably less riddled with dingy pores and my skin was soft, soft, soft. Who would have thought from that first experience to this. I was admittedly pleasantly surprised with the results. And I guess what they say is true....no pain, no gain!

Clean and Clear Advantage Blackhead Eraser is available now from all major pharmacies and department stores nationwide. Visit the Johnson & Johnson Canada website for information on this product and more!

What is beaut*eh*ful to you?

Okay, so as this dear little blog of mine begins to take off and more and more people are talking about it I am realizing that I am going to need to start writing a bit more frequently than I currently am. Unfortunately, since I like to give myself a good few days testing out each products and it isn't really great for me to be overlapping products while testing them out, I am stuck only posting once or twice per week. This is where you guys come in. I am thinking about maybe adding in a few new dimensions to the blog so that I can be posting to you all more regularly, but I want to hear what YOU want to read about. Yummy recipes? Daring fashion? Healthy workouts? What is it that makes Canadian women beaut*eh*ful to you? Tell me about it at cdn.beaut.eh@gmail.com and be part of all of this!! Can't wait to hear from you all!! And thanks for all the love :)

Caitlin xoxo