Pampering yourself at home Head & Shoulders

This post is sponsored by Head & Shoulders; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Pampering yourself at home has never been easier thanks to Head & Shoulders’ new Supreme collection of shampoos, conditioners and scalp treatments! They will help turn your beauty routine into a Supreme Sanctuary experience. My hair was in dire need of some TLC so I decided to spoil myself with the new collection! They have products for every type of hair so you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for you.

Each product was more of a surprise than the next. My impression of Head & Shoulders definitely changed after discovering this new collection. I had the impression that Head & Shoulders was only a product line for dandruff, but I discovered that they in fact have products that leave my scalp and hair feeling renewed, confident and revitalized! Their new collection includes 3 pre-wash products, 4 shampoo and conditioner collections, one conditioning mask and 2 leave on treatments.

The Supreme Color Protect with Argan Oil and Manuka Honey is the perfect shampoo and conditioner duo for color and chemically treated hair. Free from phosphates, parabens, phthalates and dyes, it will keep your color looking its best while making your hair feel like you just left the salon! The scent is light, fresh and will leave you counting down the seconds until it’s time to wash it again! You can find this collection online at Target.

The Head & Shoulders Supreme Detox & Hydrate shampoo and conditioner are made with Argan Oil and Coconut water. This scalp renewing formula has the most lovely scent and it’s safe for color and chemically-treated hair!

The Nourish & Smooth shampoo and conditioner is one of my favorites. It’s made with Argan Oil and Jojoba Oil and helps to nourish your scalp and smooth away frizz. It’s perfect for this warm spring weather.

The Supreme Soothe & Strengthen shampoo and conditioner is a scalp calming and hydrating formula that’s made with Argan Oil and Rose Essence. The scent is heavenly and leaves my hair and scalp feeling healthier and more hydrated.

Their new Supreme Line also has a few treatments that can be added to your routine as well! I love pampering myself once the kids are asleep and I have some alone-time! The Supreme Exfoliating Scalp Scrub is an amazing addition to your shower routine. You simply massage it before shampooing and it will remove build up and renew the skin’s surface! The Supreme Soothing Leave on Scalp Cream is another winner for me. You can easily apply it and it doesn’t leave a residue. Finally, the Supreme Hydrating Scalp Serum is perfect to use between washes and helps to keep your scalp hydrated and irritation free. It’s made with Vitamin E and Argan Oil and I can’t even begin to explain how good it smells as well!

It’s not a surprise that the Head & Shoulders new Supreme Collection is endorsed by the Skin Health Alliance and it will definitely help you elevate your regular beauty routine! It’s time to elevate your hair washing experience with Head & Shoulders new Supreme Collection! You can find the Supreme Collection online at Target.com. Click here to learn more!

Shellac Nails At Home!

With social-distancing and even lockdowns in full effect all over the world, it will be nearly impossible for the foreseeable future to get that manicure that we all so desperately are missing! I used to do my own shellac nails at home so it looks like I’ll be dusting off my machine and I thought I would share what you need to do it too! I’ll let you know what’s a need and what’s a nice to have. I condensed the list at the bottom with a quick tutorial on doing your nails!

UV/LED Gel Curing Lamp

Click here for one that I found on Amazon.

I don’t think you need the most expensive brand (the professional ones are close to $300). I bought mine for around $60 and have had it for over 6 years. Like anything on Amazon, read the reviews. I wouldn’t buy one that is $20, but I saw a few good models in the $40-$60 range. Click here for one that ships prime.

The Polish

Click here for No Wipe Top Coat + Base Combo

Top Coat + Base Coat + Color Coat: The base coat will prepare your nails for the color coat and make the polish last longer. It’s a non-negotiable (I’ve tried before without the base coat and your nails wont last longer than a day). The top coat is crucial to sealing in the color and giving you that shine! If you’ve had shellac done, then likely you know that once you’ve finished getting your nails done, they usually wipe them down with 99% isopropyl alcohol. This is to remove the sticky film that’s left over by the clear top coat after it’s cured.

Given what’s happening in the world right now, it’s really hard to find99% isopropyl-alcohol in stock, so I recommend this brand: CLICK HERE, which is a top coat that does not require any wiping down afterwards and it comes with the base coat as well! 99% of the brands I’ve come across require the alcohol wipe down, so definitely stick to this brand. Make sure it says on the bottle: “No Clean Topcoat” (all the bottles look so similar). I’ve had this brand used on me a few times in nail salons and love the color selection too. I definitely recommend them!

Color coat: Now’s the fun part! Colors! Make sure when you’re shopping, you read the descriptions because not all colors apply the same. Some are translucent, so no matter how many coats you apply, they’ll still be see-through! Others are opaque and there are even matte finishes. Click here to see colors that I love. Read the reviews - not all brands are the same. I’ve used the brand that I’ve linked and love it. I’ve stuck to Amazon links because it ships quickly, but if you wanted the professional grade colors, you can shop OPI and CND as well (I prefer OPI).
I LOVE this color set from the same brand as the top and base coat. CLICK HERE to shop

If you choose a top coat that is not a “no wipe”, then you absolutely need isopropyl alcohol!

100% Acetone + Cuticle Pusher

Click here to shop Acetone

Click here to shop Cuticle Pusher

This is used to removed the shellac when it’s time to redo your nails. It’s SUPER important that it’s 100% acetone. Nail polish remover is not strong enough to remove the shellac and you’ll be sitting for hours waiting for it to work. CND is more pricey of a brand (they’re usually sold only to professionals) but it’s worth it. Their products are such good quality. Click here to shop.

When it comes time to remove the shellac polish, you can simply dip half of a cotton ball in the acetone solution, apply the cotton ball on the top of your nail and wrap with aluminium foil and wait 5-10 minutes! When you remove the foil, you’ll see the polish peeling off and you can then scrape it off with a cuticle pusher. Alternatively, you can buy these reusable plastic finger clips to hold the cotton ball in place, click to shop, but they are nice to haves - not necessary.

Cuticle Remover

Click here to shop

For a more professional look after your manicure, I recommend the CND Cuticle remover solution. You put on your cuticles, wait a few seconds and it makes all the difference when trying to push back or trim your cuticles! Click here to shop.

To Sum It Up

UV Machine
No Wipe Top Coat + Base Coat
Color Coat
100% Acetone or Gel Remover Solution (NOT nail polish remover)
Cotton Balls
Cuticle Pusher (to scrape off polish when removing after it has soaked in acetone)
Plastic Finger Clips (nice to have, not necessary)
Cuticle Remover Solution (nice to have, not necessary)
Nail file, nail clippers etc. to cut and shape your nails

Doing Your Own Nails

1. Start with clean nails. Wash your hands without soap. Do all the filing, shaping, cuticle cutting etc first.

2. Apply a thin layer of the base coat to nails, turn on machine by pressing button on top and put in machine for 10 seconds. I start and finish one hand before moving on to the next so that I don’t make any mistakes and so that if I get some on my skin, I can wipe it off without ruining my nails. If you mess up a nail by hitting it somewhere, you’ll likely have a to start again from step 1 (which is so annoying).

3. Apply color coat on top of base coat and put in machine for 60 seconds. Don’t put too thick of a coat or the color will bubble. It’s better to do multiple coats to get the coverage you want than to do 1 super thick one.

4. Apply additional coats (if necessary) and after each coat, put hand in machine for 60 seconds. I generally do 3 coats if it’s a light color, like a white, and 2 coats if it’s a darker color.

5. Apply a thin layer of the clear top coat (don’t forget the edges of your nails) and put in machine for 1 minute! If you chose a top coat that is not a non-wipe, this is where you will use your 99% isopropyl alcohol and wipe down each nail to remove the sticky film. If you used the one I recommended, then you’re done! Time to do the next hand :)

Botox: Your Questions Answered!

I’m answering your top questions about Botox and hope I can help you make an informed decision about how to find a doctor and whether Botox is right for you! I worked in an anti-aging clinic alongside a doctor for almost 3 years that specialized in Botox, Fillers, Laser for resurfacing & veins, Microneedling, PRP, Radio-Frequency skin tightening and the list goes on. I was witness to hundreds if not thousands of patients receiving treatments and saw results first hand. So this post is not only about my experience with Botox this past time, but I have had it done before, have seen it done many times on other patients and have tried many other treatments!

Where I Went

I went to see Dr. Mandeville at the Lafond-Mandeville Clinic. She was referred to me by a friend, was calm, patient, has an array of treatment options, is experienced and believes in using treatments to enhance your appearance to give you a natural and refreshed look. She specializes in everything aesthetic: Botox, Fillers, Treatments for veins, stretch marks (this is next on my list) and more. She takes a cautious approach and as I mention down below, my Botox used to cost me $600, but because of the technique she used, she was able to use less product and it was under $200! I was really shocked and pleasantly surprised when I got such a beautiful result by only using 1/3 of the amount of Botox. Regardless of the look you’re hoping to achieve, it starts with a good and experienced doctor. You can book an appointment with her by calling 514-693-0009 or visit her website to see everything else she offers.

This goes without saying, but I’ll mention it just in case, everything is confidential at a doctor’s office. I will never know if you visited her and any treatments you do will be kept private! I also do not make a commission off of you seeing her. I am sharing my honest opinion and results. I highly recommend her clinic and will be going back in a few weeks for another treatment that I can’t wait to share! Click here to visit her site.

Before Botox!

13 Days After Botox

Truth Bomb

I hear a lot of my friends say: “I don’t think my husband will let me”. First off, it’s your face, not your husband’s, so unless the reason is financial and you discuss purchases with each other, the decision should be solely up to you. Do you ask your husband to go colour your hair or to get a bikini wax? Second, likely if your husband has an issue with cosmetic procedures, it’s because he’s seen horrible results on other people who have been over injected. This won’t be the case if you choose your doctor carefully.

TRUE STORY: Jason once told me early on in our relationship while I was working at the anti-aging clinic: “I don’t like Botox. I never want you to get it done.”

To which I replied: I already get Botox. Every 3 months.

TRUTH: When cosmetic procedures are done properly, no one should be able to tell that you’ve had something done. Their reaction should be: Omg you look great! So rested!

Botox vs Fillers - What's The Difference?

Botox and fillers are not the same things at all and people often confuse the two. Fillers do what the name suggests, they fill. They fill your lips, they can fill the hollowness under your eyes to conceal dark circles, they can fill your cheeks to restore fat loss, they can fill your chin to give a more defined jaw line and the list goes on (I’ll cover fillers in another post). The result is immediate - the area injected looks filled. Botox, on the other hand, is a neurotoxin that works on your muscles and can take anywhere from 2-10 days (sometimes longer) to take full effect! It works on fine lines and wrinkles that are caused by your muscles contracting. So when you lift your eyebrows and have all those lines on your forehead or if you have frown lines between your eyebrows or crows feet on the side of your eyes, those are treated with Botox! Neutrotoxins can also treat a variety of other cosmetic issues that most people don’t know about! It can be used to fix a “gummy” smile - you know how some people smile and you see their gums? A bit of Botox can fix that! It can also work to fix “orange peel” skin (the look of indents and holes on the skin caused by contracting muscles).

Is Botox the Only Product?

No! Botox is actually a brand of neurotoxin -just like Kleenex is a brand of tissue. It’s main competitors are Dysport and Xeomin. Botox has been around the longest which is why it’s habit to refer to neurotoxins as Botox. I have tried all 3, and my preference is Botox (but it could very well be psychological because studies have shown they are the same). The price point is very similar between the 3 and will likely vary slightly, if at all in the same clinic.

How Long Does It Last?

This varies per person. I, for example, have extremely active forehead muscles (unfortunately) and move them A LOT because I’m expressive when I talk, so my treatments usually last 3 months. I’ve seen people, however, who are able to only come back every 5-6 months!

What Age to Start Getting Treatments?

I don’t think there is a “right age” per se. I think that as soon as the lines on your forehead, around your eyes etc. start bothering you, you should get it done (within reason - I am not recommending that you start at 18 years old)! I believe that getting Botox is no different than colouring your hair to hide greys. Some people love their grey hair, others don’t. I believe it’s a personal choice and I don’t believe that any woman should look in the mirror and have to live with not liking the way they’re aging.

The picture below is how my forehead was relaxed. I was not raising my eyebrows, just smiling. When I put on makeup, it’s all I would see and they became more pronounced when I was tired. The picture next to it is my forehead now when it’s relaxed, wrinkle free!.

What's the Cost

Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. The amount of Botox you need will depend on the areas that need treating, how you use your muscles and the result you want. It is sold by the unit and usually is between $8-$12/unit. I have seen people need anywhere from $120-$800 for the result they want. The best way to find out is to book a consultation because the doctor will be able to tell you when they see you! I will say one thing that I learned after getting my most recent treatment with Dr. Mandeville: The doctor you see and the way they inject will have an impact on the amount of product you need. I’ve done Botox many times and have always needed 30-50 units injected to get the result I wanted. When I went to see Dr. Mandeville, her technique was obviously different, because I needed under 20 units to get the result I wanted!

Is There Any Downtime?

With Botox and neurotoxins, no! It’s a procedure you can literally do during your lunch break. The picture below was me immediately after my treatment when I was back in my car and I had no makeup on. You can see, if you look SUPER closely, the tiny red dots where I was injected, but if I needed to go back to work I could have easily covered them up.

Is It Painful?

No, not at all (and I’m such a wimp for pain). I would say that the discomfort is similar to getting your eyebrows waxed. But MUCH less than getting a bikini wax. It feels like a little pinch and normally is done in under a minute.

My Advice

1. Anti-aging procedures are not something you should find a bargain for. You should NEVER go to the “cheapest” place, let a sale determine who you choose or buy on Groupon. This is your face, the first thing you’ll see every day in the mirror and some some treatments can have horrible long term results if not done by a professional and the truth is, not all doctor’s are the same. Anti-aging procedures are not as simple as they seem and they require technique, an aesthetic eye and experience to get a natural result.

2. Don’t rely on Google or a fancy website to find your doctor. A nice website or showing up at the top of Google likely means that the clinic has invested in marketing and doesn’t necessarily mean you are falling on the most experienced or best doctor for you. Go to someone who was referred to you. Even if it means driving a little farther or waiting to get an appointment because the doctor is busy - don’t compromise on a great result. I can’t tell you how many people used to come into the clinic I worked at in tears, begging us to fix the work that “reputable” doctor or plastic surgeon had done. Just because a doctor can do a beautiful nose job doesn’t mean they have the technique to make your lips look subtly plump or to inject Botox for a natural look.

3. Find a doctor who is a minimalist. There is nothing worse than being over injected and being unhappy with your result. I would rather go back 2 times to see a doctor and take it “slow” than get it done in one shot and wish I hadn’t done it at all.

If I missed any questions, let me know down below! I’ll happily add them to my post ASAP! Feel free too reach out to me too with any questions if you prefer!

Drugstore vs. High End Makeup - Is There Really A Difference?

I've always wondered whether the big priced tag attached to some of my favourite brands of makeup really was justified. I'm by no means a product junkie, so I decided to go to someone who is and put some makeup to the test! I spent the morning with Amanda from Lashes Lips N Liner (follow her on Instagram for your daily dose of makeup heaven and product recommendations) and we did a quick makeover using drugstore brands on one side of my face and high end makeup on the other. Surprisingly, when I asked you all on Instagram which was which, the majority of you spotted the difference! I'm going to cover which products we used, which Amanda thinks are comparable and which she absolutely thinks are worth the extra investment! We went for a super quick and easy every day look and will be covering some tips and tricks next week!

Click here to follow Amanda on Instagram!

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BEFORE - NO MAKEUP

AFTER! MAkeup by Amanda
left side: Drugstore brands ($43)
right side: High end brands ($158)

These are the products we used: 

Correcter/concealer: Pixi by Petra ($17) vs Benefit Boi Ing ($30)
Blush: Annabelle ($8) vs. Burberry ($50)
Mascara: L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara ($6) vs. Urban Decay Perversion ($32)
Brow Gel: Essence Make Me Brow ($4) vs. The Brow Gal ($22)
Lipstick: Rimmel by Kate ($8) vs. MAC ($24)

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Drugstore Total: $43
High End Total: $158

Over all, the only 2 products that Amanda really recommends spending a bit more on are the Concealer and the Lipstick. You can see in the picture that my dark circles aren't as well concealed by the cheaper brand (and we know that as moms we need all the help we can get covering those bad boys)!

The lipstick is also worth the investment for a few reasons: 
#1. The feel. I could IMMEDIATELY feel the difference. The more expensive lipstick felt nicer on my lips
#2. The smell. The cheaper brand had a more plastic and synthetic smell.
#3. The wear. The cheaper lipstick will run and will not last as long. 

Stay tuned next week for our 5 product - 5 minute makeover! 

Click here to follow Amanda on Instagram - she offers tons of product recommendations, unboxings and product hauls and TONS of makeup advice!

Neutrogena To The Rescue This Summer!

I got my hands on Neutrogena's MUST HAVE products this summer and am thrilled to say they don't disappoint.

Light Therapy Acne Spot Treatment : Ok so this is the coolest product I've seen all year. It uses red and blue light to treat acne without any discomfort! It's portable (it is literally the size of a pen), it's quick (the treatment takes 2 minutes) and it's affordable. This is totally my must have product this summer for those hot days and the blemishes that often accompany them! Click here to get more info.

Deep Clean Micellar Water and Makeup Remover: BEST feature of this product, hands down: It removes waterproof makeup! This had me jumping for joy. I am obsessed with micellar water but I haven't been able to find one that removes waterproof mascara and waterproof sunscreen which leaves me struggling in the summer for something that works. I am so happy to have discovered this just in time. It smells divine, is gentle on my sensitive skin and doesn't leave a residue behind. OBSESSED. Click here to learn more.

Hydro Boost Gel Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion: The first thing I noticed was the smell - it smells heavenly and not like a sunscreen at all. It goes on so smoothly, doesn't leave a white residue behind, is SPF 50 (no sun spots for me!!) and a little goes a long way! I also love that it's a gel cream - it has the most incredible texture. Click here to learn more!

Deep Clean Purifying Micellar Cleansing Wipes: These 3 in 1 wipes are perfect to throw in your purse, gym bag or work bag for a quick midday cleanse and makeup touch up during the hot sticky summer. I love that it targets impurities and removes makeup and cleanses without needing water! Click here to learn more.

Hydro Boost Multivitamin Booster with Hyaluronic Acid: This serum can be used on it's own or added to a moisturizer you already have for added moisture and radiance. It helps to energize and brighten the look of your skin with Hyaluronic Acid and a Multivitamin Complex!  I will definitely be adding it to my tinted moisturizer because my skin needs all the hydration it can get after being out in the sun. Click here to learn more.

If you're looking for a few new additions to your skincare routine, I totally recommend one of the above products! Let me know what you think of them in the comments below!

xox Tovah

Check Out My Results After Using White With Style! + Promo Code for up to 90% off!

I got my hands on White With Style - the teeth whitening system that I keep seeing celebrities use and have been dying to try out! It's a super simple whitening system and gives you whiter teeth in 30 mins! Use code: MRSNEWMOMMTL for almost 90% off your order!

The Sparkle White Professional Teeth Whitening Kit comes with everything you need - whitening trays, whitening gel and the cool blue light to activate the gel. Have a look at my before and after pictures below. My pics show my teeth after 2 treatments (and when you buy the kit, it comes with enough whitening gel for 10 treatments!). 

Use code: MRSNEWMOMMTL to get this teeth whitening system for only $28 (that's almost 90% off!) Click here to visit White With Style and don't forget to add some teeth whitening pens to your order so that you can whiten on the go - click here to see the 3 pack of whitening pens. 

Before

After 1 treatment

After 2 treatments

As if the results weren't enough of a reason to want to try White With Style, their products are Vegan, Cruelty Free, BPA Free, Gluten Free, Sensitivity Free, are available in peroxide or peroxide free and come in 10 fun flavours (I tried the mint!).

To answer some of your most frequent questions from my Insta Stories: 

1 - No, my teeth were not sensitive after! I usually have super sensitive teeth and can't usually use whitening strips, but I had NO issue with this system. 

2 - No, my gums did not hurt after . My kit came with vitamin E swabs to wipe off any of the whitening gel that got on my gums - but you can also use regular cotton swabs!

3 - Yes these are my real results! 

4 - I spaced out my 2 treatments by 4 days. I did drink coffee during those 4 days, but I made sure to first have my morning coffee, then I whitened my teeth and then didn't have another coffee or wine until the next day :)

Use code: MRSNEWMOMMTL for up to 90% off your order! You can get the Sparkle White Teeth Whitening Kit for only $28! Click here to visit White With Style and order yours now!

Function of mrsnewmommtl - Personalized Hair Care with over 12 Billion Formulations!

Everyone's hair is unique in it's own way... so why should we all have the same shampoo and conditioner? WE SHOULDN'T! Function of Beauty allows you to create customized shampoo and conditioner based on your preferences and have it delivered right to your door (in a gorgeous package I might add). Visit their website by clicking here and you will also save $5 off your first order! As if the concept wasn't amazing enough... it is also cruelty-free (yay for no animal testing!) and free of parabens, sulfates, and GMOs!

The process is so fun and simple. You visit their website, fill out a hair profile questionnaire (your hair type, concerns, things you would like to improve about your hair etc.), you choose the color of your shampoo and conditioner (they can be the same color, different colors, and even dye free), and then choose your scent! Did I mention you even get to personalize your label? Ya.... how cool is that? Mine say Function of Mrs New Mom MTL

You get this gorgeous box in the mail with your personalized products and an information pamphlet inside summarizing everything you chose! This is actually one of the coolest products I've had the chance to review.

My Hair Profile is: WAVY, FINE, DRY
My Hair Goals were: LENGTHEN, VOLUMIZE, SHINE, ANTI-FRIZZ, FIX SPLIT ENDS
And I chose the fragrance: All (you)calyptus (which smells heavenly by the way)

Whether it's for yourself or for a gift... you will not be disappointed! 

Click here to start the Hair Quiz and get $5 off your first order!