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Beauty Vixen

Aquaphor has been a household staple for more than a century, which makes it a perfect fit for Vintage Vanity, my series where I explore beauty products that have lived on bathroom counters and shelves for decades, that you can still get today.

The brand’s story starts in 1924 with the original Aquaphor ointment. By 1936, it was being sold exclusively to doctors, pharmacists, and hospitals in hefty 5‑lb tubs. It wouldn’t reach consumers directly until 1982.

In 1991, the brand introduced Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment, which is the formula most of us know and love. They added Lip Repair in 2011, the mini jar in 2014, Ointment Body Spray in 2017, and the Healing Balm Stick in 2022 to their lineup. There is also the Baby line, which formulas are identical to their non‑Baby counterparts (which is good to know if the product you want is sold out).

Original vs. Advanced Therapy

The Original Formula still exists, but the version you’ll see almost everywhere today is Advanced Therapy. The difference comes down to purpose: Advanced Therapy is designed to actively support healing, thanks to the addition of glycerin, panthenol, and bisabolol. It’s my personal go‑to, especially in the mini tub, which is perfect for tossing into any bag.

Aquaphor Advanced Therapy

This is the formula most people picture when they think of Aquaphor. It comes in tubes and tubs of all sizes. I keep a tube in my bathroom to protect my skin when I colour my hair, and a tiny tub at my desk for cuticles, rough patches on my skin, as well as my lips.

Unlike plain petrolatum jelly, Aquaphor Advanced Therapy is 41% petrolatum, with the remaining ingredients chosen to soften skin and support healing.

Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick

This is the mess‑free version of Aquaphor. It is fantastic for elbows, lips, and any dry spots that need quick moisture. It is also great for on the go, no risk of it oozing out and into your bag. I also use it when colouring my hair because the stick format gives me more control (I usually apply the stick first and then add a layer of the Advanced Therapy).

This formula contains 30% petrolatum, plus shea butter and avocado oil for extra nourishment.

Aquaphor Ointment Body Spray

This is one of the newer additions and possibly my favourite. It sprays out as a light, foamy texture that feels almost like a dry body oil when applied to damp skin. It absorbs quickly and does not feel greasy on me.

It uses the same ingredients found in Advanced Therapy, just in a different ratio. I have no idea how they made it work this well, but I am glad they did.
After trying so many Aquaphor products over the years, I genuinely appreciate how well they do what they are meant to do: lock in moisture and help skin heal. It is impressive that after 102 years, the brand is still innovating while staying true to what made it iconic in the first place, healing skin. 

Aquaphor can be found at most drugstores and mass market retailers.
*Products were sent for review purposes. All views and opinions are my own.
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*Post features gifted items

Give your eyes what they deserve: an oil-free eye makeup remover that uses the latest advances in ingredient technology. Save your eyes from harsh tugging, and let the dual-phase formula of this gentle eye makeup remover do it's job. Love the removal as much as the application thanks to a lightweight formula that doesn’t leave skin feeling dry or greasy. Correct the occasional eyeliner “oops,” experiment with eye shadow shades, and layer on waterproof mascara for mile-long lashes without compromise. Shake it up and swipe it off until you’re ready to start all over with a new, eye-catching creation. -marykay.ca

Mary Kay has always had, in my opinion the best eye makeup remover available, their Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. It is duo-phase so once shaken up and applied to cotton pad it just removes everything in the eye area, gently, quick and without any eye irritation. All that being said, they revamped it, and made it even better. Which really shocked me, because it was already fantastic – I mean how could they improve it.

I happen to have a whole bottle that I just opened of the old formula, and I just got a new bottle. Which means we get to compare the two.

New formula on the left; old formula on the right.

First up, the ingredients. I thought they would be almost identical, but they are actually quite different. All the key things are still there to take your makeup away quickly though. It really does a fantastic job of it too.

The duo-phase formula needs a little shake to mix it up, it isn’t oily or greasy, but it does leave your lids with a feeling clean and hydrated. It never stings my eyes, and believe me, I have gotten it into them. It is Ophthalmologist and Dermatologist tested as well as tested for skin irritancy and allergies. Which makes it suitable for contact lens wearers, those with sensitive eyes or skin.

I clearly love this stuff, but the real question is, is it better than before? I would say yes. The old formula left a bit of residue on the lids and skin, this one there isn’t that. I also found it took a bit less effort to remove the makeup.

Pros:

·      Works well and quick to remove makeup

·      Leaves skin soft

·      Doesn’t sting

·      No tugging required

·      No fragrance

·      Tested to be gentle and safe

Cons:

·      None, really, I can’t think of one

Overall, I love this product! I will buy it for as long as they make it. Nothing compares to it for how well it quickly, gently and effectively removes eye makeup. When I wear waterproof eye products, they’re always hard to remove and they hurt my eyes, but this product never does. It is an All-Star, that’s for sure.

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

*This post features PR items sent for review purposes. All reviews and opinions are my own, I was under no obligation to post about it.

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I think it's safe to say, most people hate facial sunscreens. I feel so lucky to live in a time where there has been a major shift towards sunscreens that are skincare. Now, so many formulas are being brought out that are doing so much more than just being the SPF step in your routine. You're now getting skin care benefits and protection all in one. Cutting down on heavy layers and making the process feel fantastic.
Aqua Bomb Broad Spectrum SPF 50 has been a hot ticket item for almost a year now. It was honestly hard to find. I adore Belief's Aqua Bomb range and I really just had to try it out.

 It feels silky and smooth, it absorbs quickly and without heaviness or tackiness. It feels amazing on the skin and just weightless. It's honestly hard to believe it's a sunscreen at all. 
The formula uses Homosalate (9%), Octocrylene (9%), Octisalate (4.5%), Avobenzone (2.7%), providing a broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection. There is also a bunch of great skincare love in the tube, Maragold Extract and Woodbine are just two.
Pros:
  • Light weight
  • Hydrating
  • No white cast
  • High SPF Value (50 SPF)
  • No Pilling
  • Feels great on the skin
Cons:
  • Is a bit pricy ($51.50), but it is inline with Belif's pricing

Overall, this is a great SPF, well worth the money because it is skin care and SPF that just feels like skincare. I love the feel on my skin because it really isn't there. I love that is a high SPF because that is what I look for. It also just fits with what I like about Belif as a whole, it is skincare that is working for me, and that is a great thing.

You can find Belif at Sephora, The Face Shop and Belifcanada.com

 

 *product sent from PR for review purposes. All views and opinions are my own.
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NudesStix has launched a new line of Multi-Functional skincare products called NudeSkin. I was lucky enough to be sent a few of the items to try out, so I am going to do a reviewed of what I tried out.
First of all, all the skin care that comes in tubes, comes in metal tubes which helps keep active ingredients like Vitamin C, active longer (less air and light getting to it), so that is pretty awesome. All the formulas are multi-functional, which makes them pretty impressive.
The packaging is also are fully recyclable, but my community doesn't take them or the black plastic caps (although there are other stores that you can take your empty skin care and cosmetics in Canada to be recycled).
Secondly, it all comes in plastic packaging that happens to say "This box is 100% biodegradable", which is confusing to me. I can't recycle in my products that will break down where I live because it can degrade the recycled end products, but I also can't put it in my compost bins, my city just will not take compositable plastic. That just leaves the trash for it to go. It is made of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) which they tell me will be 100% biodegradable in a landfill situation, which is fantastic.
NUDESKIN Gentle Hydra-Gel Face Cleanser / 70ml / $40
This is a non-foaming cleanser that is extremely gentle. It is a 3-in-1 Skin Cleanser, Skin Softener and Skin Brightener.
It has Hyaluronic Acid as a humectant, Bergamot Fruit Oil as an antiseptic for pores, AHA to brighten skin, Cicer Seed Extract to improve tone and Mushroom extracts to brighten skin
This is an incredibly light cleanser, its texture is very watery, it just blends into the water on your face when applying it. Because it does not foam it make it seem like it isn't doing a thing. All of which seems kind of odd. That being said I do find it does a nice job of cleaning skin for a second cleansing or a morning wash. It is gentle, and if that is what you are looking for then this might be perfect.
NUDESKIN Lemon-Aid Detox & Glow Micro-Peel / 60ml / $40.00
This is a totally unique to me product. It is a facial peel that you have to rub for a few minutes to get the best use out of, but it doesn't contain harsh scrubbers, just tiny light feeling bits that you don't even notice until you start rubbing them around. It is really neat.
They are claiming it is a 3 in 1 peel that is a Deep Pore Cleanser, Cell Renewal Exfoliant and Skin Brightening Glow all in one. It contains Papain (Papaya Extract) to enzymatically peel the skin, and has apple and pomegranate extracts to renew the skin. It also has Vitamin C and Lemon Peel oil to boot radiance and glow. It also has hyaluronic acid to hydrate and cellulose to make that neat gentle peeling texture I was talking about. Sounds pretty good right?
It smells fresh too, not too lemony, but bright and sunny.
NUDESKIN Citrus-C Mask & Daily Moisturizer / 60ml / $48
This is a moisturizer, primer and mask all in one. You can apply it lightly as a moisturizer or thicker as a hydrating sleep mask. It can also be sued as a hydrating makeup primer.
With Yuzu Oil, Turmeric Extract and Vitamin C in it, these ingredients help brighten the skin, reduce the appearance of blemish and damage and help support the skins cellular health.

I found when I applied it thinly as a step in my skin care routine, I needed just a bit and my skin felt super supple and soft. I just couldn't get over how nice it felt. I noticed the light lemony scent too. My skin felt instantly more calm then it did before application and it looked generally great. I really liked it and could see me using it everyday forever actually.
I also noticed when I did apply makeup after it, because my skin was so soft my foundation or concealer they went on smoother and less patchy.
As for a sleeping mask, it is fantastic! I have been doing my normal night time routine and then apply a bit of it as if I was normally moisturizing. Then after a few minutes I apply a thicker layer. Due to the fact my skin is always dry and dehydrated I find I would suck it up way too fast otherwise. That being said my skin loves this so much. It stays put for quite a while and then absorbs nicely leaving my skin so soft that I wake up with nicely hydrated and plump skin.
NUDESKIN 5% Citrus Fruit & Glycolic Glow Toner / 95ml / $34
This is one of those Glycolic Acid based toners that help exfoliate and tone the skin after washing and before serums and moisturizing. It is said to have the 3-in-1 features of being a Deep Pore Cleanser, Cell Renewal Exfoliant and giving Skin Brightening Glow.
It has 3% Glycolic acid and 2% Fruit Acid Complex. I thought this was interesting, mainly because most of tones like this I have tried only have glycolic acid and this was blend. The 2% is made up of Grape, Lime, Lemon, Apple, and Orange to exfoliate the skin. There is also Hyaluronic Acid so that the skin stays hydrated.
I generally like AHA toners so it is no shock that I really liked this one. I like using it a few times at week at night to loosen dead skin cells and also just freshen up it. My skin reacted really well to it and I enjoy that it is in a pump format so I don't splash product around everywhere.
NUDESKIN Hydra-Peptide Lip Butter / 10ml / $22
This is an incredible thick and rich lip butter that coats your lips with a velvety smooth hydrating butter that just slightly tingles.
With avocado and shea butter, vitamins A and E it is rich and penetrates the lips to help deal with chapped lips quickly and prevent them all together. It also has Pal-KM2K, a peptide that help improve lip texture, shade and volume (not to mention hydration and softness).
I found the texture to be soft and thick but in all the right ways. It just coats my lips and stays put for very long time. There is peppermint oil in it, so it gives a minty scent, taste and of course there is a resulting tingle from it. This has quickly become my faourite lip balm in my collection.
Overall, I really love these products. The true standouts are the Citrus-C Mask & Daily Moisturizer, Hydra-Peptide Lip Butter and Lemon-Aid Detox & Glow Micro-Peel. They are all just fantastic. My skin adores the Moisturizer/Mask, it is just the type of hydration my dry and dehydrated skin desperately needs. The lip butter really sooths my lips feels fantastic on. Finally the peel is just so unique and easy way to gently remove dead skin

So there you go, new multi-purpose skin care from NudeStix.

Have you tried any of their products yet?
*Products were provided for review purposes, all views and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission. Thank you for supporting my blog.
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*This post features PR samples
Self-care comes in lots of shapes and forms, and right now self-care is more important than ever. I know my day to day routine has been flipped on its head and if it wasn't for some new self-care routines I don't know how I would survive. So with that, I bring you a few self-care items that I have been loving lately.

Baths:
Baths have become a daily must for me. When we first went into lockdown, I honestly was not having a good day, they were all terrible. Baths helped me relax and lower my heart rate. Now that things have settled in a bit I've started to work out and I am taking baths to soothe my muscles as well as relax.

Dr. Teal's has been my go-to for baths for years (you can check out past Dr. Teal's reviews here), but I am relying on their products now more than ever.
Dr. Teal's Foaming Bath With Pure Epsom Salt* is a great combo of bubble bath and Epsom salt, you get both in one go. The bubbles are plentiful and last a long time (a must for any good bubble bath I must say). The Shea Butter & Almond Oil version offers the added benefit of nourishing oils and butters so my skin doesn't dry out and a light pleasant scent. This is my go-to right now for a nice relaxing bath with bubbles.
When I feel my muscles need extra love because I worked out or I am feeling just really worn out I reach for a salt to put into my tub. Dr. Teal's Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution in Shea Butter & Almond Oil*. Epsom Salt is well known for helping sore muscles so it plus a hot bath always makes me feel a lot better. The shea butter and almond oil add a pleasant nutty scent and hydration for my skin.
Post bath I need to add lotion to my skin or else it gets too dry really fast. Dr. Teal's Body Lotion* in Shea Butter is perfect after having a bath using either the salt or the bubbles, it matches the scent had is super hydrating. With Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter and Vitamine E it is just what my skin needs as the weather starts getting warmer and my baths are getting longer.
 Hand and Foot Care:
Now that I have extra time I figure dedicating a bit of time daily to my hands and feet. With all the extra hand washing going on I think we all could use a bit more hand love too.
Flexitol Heel Balm has been a favourite of mine for a while. Just like their hand creams that I love, this heel balm has Urea in it to help heal your skin quickly. This balm helps even the most painful cracked feet heal. It is thick and rich, so you don't need much to help repair your feet, I usually just spot apply it to my heels and where I am really dry.
Mary Kay's Mint Bliss Energizing Lotion for Feet & Legs* has been my go-to lotion for slathering all over my feet right before bed. I slather it on and put on a pair of my nighttime socks (yes, I have specific socks I wear to bed). I love the fresh mint scent and tingle it gives my feet, but most of all I love how soft my feet are when I wake up in the morning.
When it comes to my hands, I have tons of hand lotions, and well I use them a lot, but sometimes you need something more. That is when I reach for Purple Tree's Miracle Balm*. It comes in lots of flavours/scents but I have the Pomegranate. It is a multi-purpose balm that can be used for just about anything. I love it on my lips but I often use it on my knuckles and anywhere else I have cracks on my hands before applying lotion.
I am trying very hard to give my nails some extra love right now too. So I have broken out my CND Nail Rescue Kit*. It has served me well in the past. I am applying the Cuticle Eraser, Solar Oil and RescueRx nightly and noticing my nails are getting stronger and longer every day. It is a nice treat before heading to bed and I really think it is helping in the health of my nails.
Face Masks:
My face has taken a beating lately, which seems strange since I am not going out, but who knows it probably mainly all stress-related. Treating my skin to a little extra love goes a long way to helping my mental state and my skin healthy.

Freeman is a brand I only recently rediscovered. I used to use them in the 90s as a teen and now I see that they have lots of neat products I am love as an adult.
Moisturizing Hydrogel Mask* has Coconut Milk + Hyaluronic Acid in it to help restore lost moisture to your skin and leave it radiant looking. It is a two-piece sheet mask that is easy to apply and wear.
The Cleansing Sheet Mask* has Charcoal + Probiotics in it to clear out pores. It is a one-piece bamboo sheet mask.
The Brightening Sheet Mask* has Hibiscus + Vitamin C in it to help boost luminosity and heal discolouration. It cotton single-piece sheet mask.
If sheet masks aren't your thing or you're looking for something more classic, Freeman still makes their original masks in both full-size tubes and single portion sized. While I definitely have loved the full-sized in the past, they are huge and an incredibly good value, the single-use are great because they stay fresh in their pouch and you can try out a bunch of them without much investment or shelf space.

Here I have their classic Revitalizing Pomegranate Peel-Off Mask*. I remember using these at sleepovers in middle school and loving the peeling action. As an adult, I love how amazing my skin feels after using it. AS well as their Cleansing Apple Cider Vinegar Clay Mask + Scrub* which is a multi-tasker as being both a scrub and mask.
Hair Masks:
Finally, my last self-care category is hair masks. My hair is fried, it needed a trim when everything got shut down and hasn't gotten better since. My way of coping has been hair masks. I toss some on while I am in the bath and let it sit for about 10 minutes or sometimes overnight in my hair.
I am personally really adoring The Body Shops Banana Truly Nourishing Hair Mask. I go it as a gift for my birthday and have been using it quite a bit ever since. It is a very thick mask so little is needed.  It smells just like bananas which is actually quite delicious. I am also loving L'oreal Hair Expertise Extraordinary Oil 1001 Uses Mask. It is a Coconut Oil-based mask that can be used before washing hair as a pretreatment, as a mask after shampooing or leave-in treatment. I like using it as an all-day mask. It is thinner in consistency so you can really apply quite a bit into your hair.
So those are some things I have been using to aid in my mental and physical health lately. I think taking some time for self-care has become a major part of preserving my mental wellbeing. I hope some of them can help you on your journey to self-care.

What Self-Care steps have you been taking lately?


* marks denote products sent for review purposes. All views and opinions are my own.
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About Me

Jill Oliver-Fox is a Toronto based beauty blogger with a love for beauty, food, and pets. She began the blog in 2009 and hasn't stopped since. To read more about Jill and the Blog, click here.

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