Beauty Vixen: skin care

Aquaphor's New Lip Balms Let Nature Do the Work

You already know Aquaphor. It has been a staple on bathroom counters for decades, and there is a reason for that, it works. In fact I have already done a post on Aquaphor for my Vintage Vanity series, check out the link here. So, when I heard they had a new Naturally Inspired Lip Repair line, I was curious.

I have been trying out the Lip Repair Stick with Coconut Oil and the Lip Repair Stick with Aloe Vera, and here is what I think.

Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick Naturally Inspired Coconut Oil.

Ingredients: Octyldodecanol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Beeswax, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Water

Designed as immediate relief for Very Dry lips, this one noticeably richer on the lips than its counterpart, which I really did like. It is not heavy or greasy, but you can tell it is doing something. It glides on smoothly and doesn't smother the lips with a gloopy texture or feel waxy. The texture reminds is very similar to the original “Advanced Therapy” lip balm, but with a slicker smooth feeling to it. My lips felt noticeably softer after using it consistently for a few days, and to be 100% honest, they finally are not cracking (something I have been struggling with for a few years now).

Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick Naturally Inspired Aloe Vera

Ingredients: Octyldodecanol, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Beeswax, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil, Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Water

This one is formulated for immediate relief for Dry lips and as a result has a slightly lighter texture to it when applied, nothing too drastic though. If you tend to find regular Aquaphor too heavy for daytime use, this one might be the better fit for you. As a person who has currently 40+ aloe vera plants growing in their home, I really believe in the plants healing properties, and I think having it in a lip balm is always a great thing.

What Both Have in Common

Both sticks are formulated with 99% naturally derived ingredients, and have a base of Shea, Sunflower, Coconut and Castor Oils as well as beeswax, all of which are excellent for hydration and slip on the lips. They are fragrance-free, preservative-free, and dye-free, which is great news for anyone with sensitive lips. I find them very slick and has a great glide on my lips, something that I really like that in a lip balm.

Pros:

Fragrance-free, dye-free, preservative-free
No taste
99% naturally derived ingredients
Both glide on smoothly with no waxy or gloopy texture
Great for sensitive lips
Stick format

Cons:

No SPF, which would have been a nice addition
The coconut oil version may not be moisturizing enough for extremely chapped lips on its own

Overall:

I like both of these a lot. I think most people would be happy with either one, but if I had to pick, I would say the coconut oil stick for the drier seasons, and the aloe vera for the spring and summer. They are a solid addition to the Aquaphor lineup and a nice option if you want something a little more nature-forward without sacrificing performance.

You can Aquaphor at most drugstores and mass-market retailers, including Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart.

*This post features products that were gifted to me for review. As always, all opinions are honest and entirely my own.

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Mary Kay Canada launched a few new items in the fall and winter of 2025. I thought, since 2026 is just getting rolling, that it would be a good time to look at the new products that are part of their permanent lineup.

Mary Kay Great Heights Waterproof Mascara $21.00

Get ready for out-of-this-world lashes! Mary Kay® Great Heights® Waterproof Mascara combines waterproof strength with next-level length for stellar eye looks that go beyond.

I love a good waterproof mascara, one that dries down without flaking and stays put all day long. This one is a good mascara for everyday wear. It doesn't pack on too much thickness or length, but it does darken my lashes and define them nicely. If you are a fan of the original Great Lengths Mascara, you will probably like this a lot, but it definitely has less payoff in the length department. I haven't had it flake or smear once. I really think that Mary Kay makes some of the best mascaras out there right now, so it is nice to see a waterproof option being added to their lineup, since it is what I wear 95% of the time.

Mary Kay Shimmer Eye Shadow Stick $25.00

Add a swipe of celestial shimmer to every look with this creamy, easy-to-use eye shadow stick. The smooth, buildable formula glides on effortlessly for radiant colour payoff and all-day wear — no brush or blending required. Available in five out-of-this-world shades that dazzle with dimension. Whether you’re bold or keeping it soft, these versatile sticks make eye-catching beauty a breeze.

I love a good eyeshadow stick, something easy to apply that looks good. But one gripe is that if they have shimmer in it, it never stays put. That is not the case with these shimmer eye shadow sticks. They apply like butter and blend out so well, but then set. They set so darn well that I couldn't make the shimmer migrate when I tried.

These sleek sticks come in 5 shades: Midnight Galaxy, Radiant Bronze, Copper Nova, Golden Sunrise, and Pink Prism.

Mary Kay Multi-Benefit Concealer $22.00

This creamy, full-coverage formula helps blur blemishes, dark spots, and redness while remaining lightweight and buildable. Infused with vitamin E and plant-derived glycerin, it nourishes skin while staying crease- and transfer-resistant. Designed to move with your skin, this long-wearing concealer offers sweat- and humidity-resistant coverage in nine versatile shades. Use it alone, under or over foundation, or even as an eye primer for a seamless, all-day look.

Years ago, I got to try out some excellent concealers from Mary Kay; now they have a whole new formula that comes in 9 shades: Light 1, Light 2, Light 3, Medium 1, Medium 2, Medium 3, Dark 1, Dark 2, and Dark 3.

I tried out Light 1 and Light 2.

These concealers are incredibly pigmented; a little goes a very long way! This is defintly a full pigmented concealer. It blends out really easily onto hydrated skin and doesn't look patchy on me at all. I do feel this style of concealer has the tendency to separate, so I like to flip it around after every use, from upside down to right side up, when storing, to keep it mixed together.

Mary Kay Undereye Corrector $22

Tired eyes meet their match with this lightweight, peach-toned corrector that instantly neutralizes dark circles for a refreshed, wide-awake look. Designed to work seamlessly under concealer, the creamy formula blends effortlessly, delivering a smooth, sweat-resistant finish. Available in two shades—Light Peach and Deep Peach—to complement a range of skin tones.
These come in the same packaging and an almost identical formula as the concealers. They come in two shades: Light Peach and Deep Peach.
Both are extremely pigmented, and a tiny dab goes a very long way to cover undereye circles.
I personally had to mix Light 1 with Light Peach to get a good colour for me, but if I were doing more full glam makeup, it would be fantastic for an underlayer of colour correction that would last all day.

Mary Kay Clinical Solutions Barrier Restore 1:1:3 $56.00

Get fast-acting barrier repair and visible redness relief in one single step. If you suffer from skin redness, dryness, itching, rough texture or overall sensitivity, you may be dealing with a compromised skin barrier. Mary Kay Clinical Solutions Barrier Restore 1:1:3 to the rescue! It’s clinically shown to start reinforcing the skin barrier in just three hours, and reduces the appearance of skin redness in two weeks.

2025 was a terrible year for my skin; it seems my barrier is incredibly messed up. This lotion could not have come at a better time. I found that since using it, my skin has had zero reactions to it. My skin feels hydrated after using it and is generally less red.

I haven't used it enough to see differences in texture, but overall, my skin is much happier, and I know it is a safe product to use, as I am not having any reactions to it.

Overall:

I love these products. I love the Shimmer Sticks the most. I have been wearing them almost daily, and they really don't budge. I had a coworker comment on my swatches on my arm from 2 days prior. They are that good. I love the shades too. I look forward to the possibility of Mary Kay expanding the shade range or even having some matte ones in the future. I can hope. The waterproof mascara holds its own in situations that usually cause my mascara to run. The barrier restore 1:1:3 is soothing my skin more and more every day. The concealers and correctors are incredibly pigmented and have been great for my redness.

You can purchase Mary Kay products at MaryKay.ca or through your Independent Beauty Consultant.

*Porodcuts sent for review purposes, all opinions and views are my own.

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Feet are incredibly important in our daily lives; they support us and take a beating every day. Yet they almost seem forgotten in our self-care routines. Last year, I vowed to be better on my feet, and this year, I am supporting that goal with Flexitol products.

Flexitol Foot Odour Powder Spray*

For about a decade now, I have been using spray anti-perspirant on my feet in the summertime to prevent stinky feet and to prevent excessive sweating. I am known for ruining flats by wearing them after a day of work, and without socks to soak some of that moisture, and the shoes get permanently stinky (like I have had comments on it, they smell). So the spray prevents all that from happening and keeps my feet fresh.

The fact that I had to use my arm pit anti-persperant always kind of sucked. I found a few deodorants for feet, but they were just very smelly perfumes that did nothing for the sweat that happened.

This is where Flexitol comes into play; their Foot Odour Powder Spray is an antiperspirant for your feet. It not only makes them smell great (in a non-flowery way) but also stops excessive sweating down there. The spray is also pretty strong and wide, which is great because not everyone can twist and turn to get their feet up where they need them for an accurate spray.

It kills odours on contact, works for 24 hours, and absorbs wetness. It is fantastic.

Flexitol Heel Magic

I get cracked heels. It started happening a few years back, and now it happens more often than I would like to admit. Heel Magic is just like magic because after just a few days, cracked heels look so much better.

I also get strange tears on my feet as I swim more in my condo's pool every summer. I think the concrete floor just rips it up so fast, especially on my big toe and the ball of my Heel. I started using Heel Magic to help, and it really got my feet on the right path so quickly. I still need to be careful in the pool, but it isn't weeks recovery anymore.

The stick makes for easy application, and the Shea, Olive, and Coconut oils hydrate to help repair and smooth out the skin.

I like to use it wherever I get calluses, not just my cracked heels.

Flexitol Anti-Fungal Liquid & Medicated Anti-Fungal Cream*

Now, foot fungus isn't something I've had to deal with much (I'm fortunate), but my husband goes to the gym and plays hockey several times a week, as well as works on his feet. So he's pretty prone to athlete's foot. In the past, he's tried sprays, and he found them extremely messy and not super effective for spot treating areas.

The liquid is perfect for treating a small area, under toenails, between toes and one toenail. The cream is great for all-over treatment and relief.

The lotion contains Tolnaftate (1%), 15% urea, menthol, and aloe the soothing benefits of menthol and aloe. A combo that helps both kill fungus and keep feet soft.

The liquid contains 25% Undecylenic Acid (which is the maximum strength without a prescription), Urea, Aloe, Vitamin E, Tea Tree, and Eucalyptus Oils. It can kill fungus on the skin but also on the nail, so it can be applied on, under, and around the nail to help combat fungus growth. It's non-greasy, so it's really great for spot treating between the toes and on the nails.

I plan on swimming in my condo's pool all summer long, so I am glad to have this on hand if things start to get a little itchy or look scaly.

Overall, I really have enjoyed trying these products out. I'm ecstatic to have found an upgrade with the Foot Odour Spray. It works so much better than what I was using and makes me feel a lot more confident during this season. The Heel Magic is a staple in my life. My feet stay soft and smooth and look great with little effort and no grease. The anti-fungal products have been great for the hubs, and I'm glad to have them around, just in case.

My must-buy items are the Foot Odour Spray and Heel Magic; I don't think I can manage without them.

*All products were sent for review purposes, and all views and opinions are my own. Links are affiliate, I may make a small commission I'd you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting my blog.

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This is part one of what I hope is a very long series about vintage beauty products that are still sold today. I decided to hunt down a big old pile of products that have been on the shelves of stores for decades. This included soaps, lotions, balms and lip balms. I started my project with a bar of soap, and well ended up using it for 5 months straight. Which was great because I loved it, but it didn’t help review all the soaps I could.

I also was at a loss on how to even approach the project. I have tried to write one big post for each category, but there have been no reviews. Instead, for now, I am reviewing each item as I use them. Today that is Unscented Neutrogena Facial Cleansing Bar Original Formula aka Neutrogena Transparent Facial Bar.

This soap has been around since 1954. Manny Stoloroff, the founder of Neutrogena, went to Belgium and found a non-alkaline soap that was created by a chemist there. He bought the distribution rights and called it Neutrogena. In the ‘50s, it became popular for those who did not want the harsher soaps of the day on their face, and people were willing to pay a huge price increase for it ($1 vs 10 ¢ for the competitors).

Today the key thing that continues to make it a special bar is that it is dermatologist-recommended.

Review Time:

Now I used this bar on my body for the most part, I only used it on my face a few times.

I have never really liked bar soap, it has always felt like a film is left all over my body when I am done using it. It doesn’t matter if I use a loofa, a poof or even a washcloth, I feel a film after rinsing. This soap never once did that for me. Every time I washed with it, it felt like I used a body wash. It rinsed clean away.

After every use, my skin felt great, never once dry or tight. That goes for my face too, which is surprising since I have very dry skin.

It is completely fragrance-free, which if you are going to use it on the face, is fantastic. It lathers easily with a loose lather. It did a great job of eliminating odour on my body, so I knew it was getting me clean.

Pros:

- Oil-free

- Ph of 8 (in the ideal bar soap range)

- Dermatologist recommended

- Fragrance-free

- Easy rinsing

- No residue

- Safe for the face (actually recommended)

- Inexpensive (a 3-pack costs $7.50 to $10.00 CAD)

Cons:

- Each bar is wrapped in plastic, so it is not plastic-free.

Overall:

Overall I am shocked at how much I like this bar. Every time I use it my skin feels soft, clean and just overall nice. Which is how I want to feel. As someone who generally hates bar soap, I am surprised I did so well right out the gate with trying out this bar. If this was the only body wash or soap I had for the rest of my life, I would be ok with that.

Ingredients:
Triethanolamine, TEA-Stearate, Glycerin, Sodium Tallowate, Water (eau), Sodium Cocoate, Sodium Ricinoleate, Sodium Oleate, Cocamide MEA, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Sodium Stearate, BHT, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrasodium Etidronate, Trisodium HEDTA, Sodium Metabisulfite.

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Confession time, I have never used a self-tanner before. This might be a little shocking, but I just never wanted to until now. This past summer, I started to think maybe a tan would look good on me. That being said, I was in no way going to get an actual tan outside, I have 4 family members who have fought skin cancer. This is where Tanologist comes in.

I decided to use their Medium Tinted Self Tan Mousse. They make a colourless version, but I chose the tinted guide version to help me apply it, especially since I am a novice.

The instructions are easy to follow:

Moisturise dry areas like hands, elbows, knees & feet
Apply to the skin in sweeping motions from head to toe using a tanning mitt & wash hands thoroughly after application
Shower off guide colour in 1-4 hours, depending on the desired end result

I used a tanning mitt I got on sale at Shoppers to apply it. The application was easy, and the product went on really smoothly. I was surprised how even it all went on with the mitt.

The scent is that of green tea. I had heard for decades how bad self-tanner smelt and was so surprised this smelled wonderful. It 100% smells like The Healing Garden's Green Tea scent from the Y2K Era. I know this because I loved it so much that when it got discontinued, the hubs bought out a discount store of roll-ons of it for me. I still have a body spray and an eau de toilet hanging around. The fact is smells just like that to me is very endearing.

I waited the full 4 hours before having a shower to wash off the guide colour. I found the guide colour helpful, but it was kind of orangey. While I waited those 4 hours, I wore some dark pyjama pants around the house. The formula was mildly tacky, even when dry, but nothing that bothered me and my pants never stuck to my legs or anything that drastic. It never transferred anywhere, either.

The tanner on my right leg vs my bare left leg.

The results...

Since I had no clue how this all worked, I can say that I may have gone a bit heavy around those dry areas, even though I moisturized. I also have some hyperpigmentation just below my knee area, so I probably should have gone and moisturized, too. Oh well.

Well, I like it. It is strange to see me with a tan or any type, but it is a nice change, and the one I was looking for. I don't look orange, which was a fear, I just look tanned. I will definitely use it again. I am actually thinking of using their Daily Glow Lotion for the rest of my body. I like the idea of adding a hint of colour and moisturizing daily.

left is bare legs, middle is with the tanner and guide on, right is the final result.

Pros:

Easy to use
tinted guide to help with even application
great colour
not orange
smells like green tea to me
didn't stain clothing
inexpensive - Sells for $24.99 CAD or $21.49 USD
comes in Light, Medium, Dark and Extra Dark

Cons:

Is a little tacky when applying

Overall:

I am really happy with how my tan turned out. It is fading nicely and evenly, which is also great. It smelt good. It is a fraction of the cost of the other brands out there. There isn't much downside if you want to try tanning out.

You can find Tanologist products at Shoppers Drug Mart or Target.

*Products were sent for review purposes, all views and opinions are my own.

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From time to time, I use up a bunch of stuff, get tired of the packaging hanging around and do an empties post. Now is that time.

Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Stick

My mom brought me three of these a few years back. I really like them for travel or for touch ups on a day out. I first heard about it when my friend Melissa blogged about it. I really love them, unfortunately they expired on me, so what is left is going into my recycling pile.

Saje Well-Being Balancing Diffuser Blend

I got a set of Saje oils a long time ago. This has been a long time coming in the using it up department. I recently got a diffuser for my office and since I started online classes, I managed to use this up in the first few days. I liked it a lot but I have a lot of oils to use up. Plus, they stopped selling this scent.

Farmx Super Greens Cooling Gel

I got this sample size and two more, from Topbox to try out. I liked it a lot. I kept this one at work because it was tiny and made sense. I am still working on the other two, but it has been fantastic.

Trader Joe’s Hydrating Gel Moisturizer

I got this a long time ago, and well, I love it. It is everything everyone ever says about it. When I went to Buffalo and visited Trader Joe’s, I got a lot of skin care, but they were out of this. Lucky for me I have a backup.

Mary Kay Lash Love Waterproof Mascara

I love a good waterproof mascara. I usually stick to drug store, but I got this one to try out and I loved it. I love it so much. It meets all my needs for not smudging and keeping my lashes looking dark and full. I would buy it again in an instant.

L’Oréal Brow Stylist Definer

I got this a long time ago, and it is fantastic. I can’t believe I actually used up an entire brow product. It had a super fine tip as well as a great little brow brush. Highly recommend.

Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Body Wash

This one seems to also have a cult following. I strangely enough love the bottle; it has a great squeeze to it and a cap that lets the right amount out. The formula is gel like and lathers fantastically. I have a backup and just got the shampoo and conditioner, so I am pretty happy that I’ll get to try them out soon.

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous cleansing Butter

This is a fantastic cleansing balm. I used all of it up, which is kind of impressive, and I have a brand-new tin to start. I genuinely love this cleansing balm, and I love a lot of cleansing balms. I also love this comes in a tin and is plastic free.

St. Ive's Energizing Body Wash - Citrus & Cherry Blossom

This was Mr. Fox's. He goes through a lot of body wash, so he used it up pretty fast. He seemed to like it ok but hasn't repurchased it. I think he got it as an attempt to find a drug store dupe for TBS Satsuma body wash. I liked the smell and saw at the drug store for $4.99 the other day, so I would consider buying it for him.

Irish Spring Moisturizing Face + Body Wash - Moisture Blast

I got sent a similar one a few years back for review, he still likes the brand and buys it a few times a year. He says it cleans well and doesn't dry him out.

Garnier Fructis - Pure Clean - Shampoo

This is a silicone free shampoo for those with normal to oily hair. Mr. Fox once again used this and not me. He didn't rebuy it, but did seem to like it

So there you go, a pile of stuff I will be recycling. If you are looking for where to recycle your empty beauty products in Canada, check out my post on the topic here.

*Some links may have affiliate links. I appreciate your support .

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Aquaphor's New Lip Balms Let Nature Do the Work

Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick Naturally Inspired Coconut Oil.

Aquaphor Lip Repair Stick Naturally Inspired Aloe Vera

What Both Have in Common

Pros:

Cons:

Overall:

You can Aquaphor at most drugstores and mass-market retailers, including Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart.

Mary Kay Great Heights Waterproof Mascara $21.00

Mary Kay Shimmer Eye Shadow Stick $25.00

Mary Kay Multi-Benefit Concealer $22.00

Mary Kay Undereye Corrector $22

Mary Kay Clinical Solutions Barrier Restore 1:1:3 $56.00

Flexitol Foot Odour Powder Spray*

Flexitol Heel Magic

Flexitol Anti-Fungal Liquid & Medicated Anti-Fungal Cream*

Up & Up Sport Sunscreen Stick

Saje Well-Being Balancing Diffuser Blend

Farmx Super Greens Cooling Gel

Trader Joe’s Hydrating Gel Moisturizer

Mary Kay Lash Love Waterproof Mascara

L’Oréal Brow Stylist Definer

Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle Body Wash

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous cleansing Butter

St. Ive's Energizing Body Wash - Citrus & Cherry Blossom

Irish Spring Moisturizing Face + Body Wash - Moisture Blast

Garnier Fructis - Pure Clean - Shampoo

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