Product Love: Hawaiian Tropic

 

IMG_2116As a former professional tennis player, I spent hours upon hours each day training in the Florida sun. With so much time spent outdoors, it has always been a priority for me to protect my skin. I would apply sunscreen every two hours to every inch of my body.

As I stopped playing tennis, so did my obsession with making sure my skin was protected. I would go outside and lay on the beach and forget to put on sunscreen. I would complain that it smelt bad, it was sticky, I didn’t like the feeling. Every excuse I could come up with. That was until I found out my dad had melanoma.

This was a huge wake up call for me. An eye opener. A slap in the face that the sun is dangerous and that I need to make sure I am protected. I was on a mission to find a sunscreen that I could enjoy putting on.

One sniff of Hawaiian Tropic and I was sold. Unlike other sunscreens, it smelled delicious, like fresh flowers. Probably smelled better than a lot of my perfumes. But aside from smelling great, it also went on my skin great. It wasn’t heavy like other sunscreens I had tried in the past, it didn’t feel like it was clogging up all my pores and making me break out. In fact, once I put it on, I completely forgot it was even there.

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What I really love about the Hawaiian Tropic line is that there are specific sunscreens for your specific needs. I found two that really benefited my lifestyle; The Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless Face Sunscreen  and the Hawaiian Tropic Sport Clear Spray Sunscreen. I am going to tell you a little more about these two products and why I personally love them so much.

 

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Weightless Face Sunscreen 

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The name of this product speaks for itself, weightless. I really struggled finding the right sunscreen especially for my face because a lot of them felt heavy and would leave me breaking out. I am not going through puberty anymore; pimples all over was not a good look. However, this lotion goes on light, and even moisturizes your skin. That sounds like a win-win to me!

Another great aspect of this sunscreen is the container that it comes in. So many times I have accidentally poured out way too much sunscreen and then was stuck with it all over my hands. This container allows you to control how much comes out, which is great especially for smaller areas like your ears and nose.

It is small enough that you can take it anywhere with you, even carry it on the plane, a huge plus for me since I have to travel for work a lot! And of course it leaves your face smelling great. I cannot recommend this product enough.

 Hawaiian Tropic Sport Clear Spray Sunscreen 

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The second product that I love and that I use on the rest of my body is Hawaiian Tropic Sport Clear Spray Sunscreen. As a former professional athlete, a sports reporter, and someone who is just always on the go I needed to find a sunscreen that could keep up with my busy lifestyle, this one happens to be perfect.

It is easy to spray on so I can get those hard to reach places but also reapply in seconds. Another bonus is it comes in SPF 50 so you really know you are protected. And if this wasn’t enough, it is also lightweight so your skin can breathe throughout the day.

I must say that since I started using Hawaiian Tropic, putting on sunscreen is no longer a hassle, but part of my daily routine as it should be. When I traveled to Greece this summer, my Hawaiian Tropic products were the first things packed in my suitcase. Even in the middle of winter, the first thing I do when I wake up is apply my sunscreen.

If you are like me, someone who struggles to remember sunscreen, to enjoy sunscreen, and to just use sunscreen in general, then I think it is time to give Hawaiian Tropic a try! If all else, at least it smells like flowers.

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Product Love: Biosil

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For the last six years I have worked on air as a reporter and host, you know what that means? It means for the last six years, nearly every single day, I have had to use heat products on my hair. Yes, for the last six years I have had to straighten, curl, wave, colour, you name it I have had to do it. As you can imagine doing this every day for six years can take a toll on your hair. I started to notice it was feeling dry, thin, and it wasn’t growing anymore. I was devastated but I didn’t know what else to do.

I had heard that biotin and silica and other pills and vitamins could help strengthen my hair again but no matter what I tried, it didn’t seem to work. That was when I decided to graduate from the grocery store and make my way to a real health store. It was by total fluke that I stumbled across Biosil. After reading the label that said it helps hair, nail, skin growth and contains silica I decided to give it a try.

With my product love section of the blog, I have the opportunity to share with you products that have really worked for me in categories such as beauty and health. This is one of the products that I have truly falling in love with.

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Biosil contains ingredients like CH-OSA and helps your body produce collagen, elastin, and keratin. It was just two weeks after I started using Biosil (two capsules everyday) that I started to notice a different. At first, it was my nails. As a videographer, I was constantly breaking my nails because I had to carry my camera equipment, but for the first time every my nails were strong. They weren’t breaking, they were actually growing. I didn’t have to keep shellac nail polish on them either. They were strong all on their own.

 

The next area I started to notice a difference was my skin. Working on air, I have to put “T.V.” makeup on everyday. This means I basically have to cake up every inch of my skin thanks to all that new HD technology. I would always get breakouts from the makeup I was wearing. Yet after about a month of using Biosil, I started to see a change in my skin. It was clearing up and it was also less dry. For the first time in my entire life I was confident to walk down a street without any makeup on during my off days. I finally felt free and it was fantastic.

Yet the real reason I started taking this product was for my hair, and I still wasn’t seeing much change in that area. You may feel the same way, but don’t give up so easily. It was only after a few months of using the product that the change in my hair was noticeable to me. It wasn’t growing like a weed like my nails were, but it wasn’t breaking as much as it used to. It also wasn’t feeling as dried out. For the first time in a long time my hair actually felt… healthy.

I take this product everyday and I really do swear by it. Sure my hair isn’t  quite where I would want it to be and that is mainly because let’s face it, I won’t get it there unless I stop the heat products and colouring. Yet I am truly amazed when I look back at my stories on air and gone are the days of dead and dull and dry hair.  I see that my hair is shiny, healthy, and much longer than what it used to be.

I have spoken to a lot of women who feel the same way as me. Maybe they don’t have to style their hair every day, but as we age our hair, skin, and even or nails start to take a toll. Everyone who I talk to who has similar problems I tell them about my miracle product. I know that I will be continuing to use this product on a regular basis even when my days on air are a thing of the past because it really truly works.

For more information check out their website; www.biosilusa.com

P.S. one little piece of advice, I would recommend the capsules over the drops. The drops do work amazing, but they taste a little funky!

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Product Love: Garnier

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I have to admit, in the past I would always walk right past Garnier on the shelves and move on to the more expensive “salon recommended” brands. It wasn’t until after I decided to spend all my money on purchasing a condo that I had to start cutting back on my spending, and decided to give Garnier a try.

As an on air reporter and host, I am constantly damaging my hair. I use heat products daily, I colour monthly. I needed to make sure that I was using hair products that would both protect and repair.

I found a Garnier product that promised me that right on the label. Enter Garnier Damage Erase line. Not only did the shampoo, conditioner, and spray cost less than buying one item from my previous go to, it also said that the Marula oil used they use helps preserve and reconstruct distressed and damaged hair.

Gariner sure talked the talk, but did it actually walk the walk was the question? When I first opened the bottle I was distracted right away by the delicious flower and fruity smells. Ok, I knew I was going to come out of the shower smelling fantastic, but would the product actually work?

I have to admit I was beyond impressed with Garnier. My hair was just as soft if not softer than after using the expensive salon products. As I continued to use my new found obsession, my hair continued to stay soft, it stopped breaking, it started actually growing, and it was started to shine again on air.

As someone who travels a lot for both personal and work reasons, I am on the road a lot. I need to take my Garnier with me to make sure that my hair is constantly ready for whatever elements are thrown my way.

I have to say Garnier has been a life saver for both my hair and my bank account and I will never go back to another product ever again.

For more information on Garnier’s Damage Erase line, check out their website; http://www.garnier.ca/en-ca

 

 

My Love Letter to Canada

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Dear Canada,

It is hard for me to find the right words but I guess I can start off with Happy Birthday, you look damn good for your age. I was born in this country exactly 28 years and 6 months ago, the first Canadian born member of my family. My family had moved to Toronto from South Africa in 1987 with maybe $1000 to their name. They made this move in hopes of a better life and more opportunities for the family. It was hard to know back then, but it was indeed the right move.

After a few years of finding their feet in Canada, my brother had the freedom of studying whatever he wanted at school, my parents had the freedom of starting their own business, I had freedom to roam around my neighbourhood safely, something uncommon in South Africa. All of the dreams that they sought out in Canada was starting to become a reality.

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Growing up I had the chance to follow dreams of my own. I made an incredible group of friends, I played competitive tennis, I studied interesting classes at school. Eventually I moved to the United States to pursue my tennis career and even received a full tennis scholarship to school in America. I got my first job as a news reporter in Texas. Yet Canada was always my home, and after a few years of exploring other places, it was time to return home.

Living in America, I was always asked why I loved Canada, what made it so special to me? I didn’t quite have the right words to say. It was an indescribable connection that made this place my home.

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Maybe because it had blessed my family and myself with so many opportunities. My dad became a successful director and was able to provide a life from my brother and myself. My brother graduated top of his class in chemical engineer from the University of Toronto and went on to become a professor at the University of Victoria. I, myself traveled around representing  Canada at various tournaments as a competitive tennis player. Yes, Canada had sure blessed our family with amazing opportunities.

Maybe it was the fact that Canada made me feel safe. I heard these horror stories from life in South Africa. Countless robberies, and shootings, and violent acts. Yet in Canada I felt safe and secure. Like I could walk down the street alone and not have to fear for my life. Something that I think I take for granted, but something that many places in this world do not have.

Maybe it was because Canada opened up my eyes. It is so multi culture and so welcoming, it taught me about acceptance, about sharing, about peace. I never grew up understanding discrimination, hatred, violence.

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Maybe it was your exterior beauty. Your mountains, oceans, landscapes. Your exciting cities, your wildlife. There is just so much to explore, to see, to do. There is no where else in the world like you.

I had the chance to follow my dreams, to pursue my goals. Something I too think I take for granted because how many countries still don’t allow women equal rights. Would I have been able to study broadcasting and become a sports reporter if my family had stayed in South Africa? Who knows, but what I do know is that here in Canada no matter what I dreamed for myself, I was given the chances, the education, the opportunities to follow those dreams.

Canada thank you, thank you for the lessons, thank you for the opportunities, thank you for welcoming my family with open arms. Thank you for your hospitality, your safe neighbourhoods, your history, your beauty, your peace, your love. For allowing me to leave, but always letting me back.

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On your birthday, I hope that every single Canadian takes a moment to say thank you, because I know there are many just like me, first generation Canadians who were given a chance thanks to you.

xo

Mia

Makeup Monday: Mary Kay Summer Makeup Review

While fellow Torontonians may argue that summer is not coming this year, I promise the warmer temperatures will be here soon. The beaming sun, the beach time, the patio weather, it is coming. With the change in the temps also comes a change to my skin. Warmer weather, humid air, it certainly has an effect on my skin. So with the change of the season also comes change to my skin care routine and the makeup that I use.

As an on air personality, I have to be really careful with the makeup products that I use. I wear a lot of makeup for work, but want to also make sure it is gentle on my skin. As you know I have been a fan of Mary Kay products for quite some time because of this, and yet again I have fallen in love with their summer line. I wanted to share with you some of their summer products that I absolutely love and why.

Clear proof Deep Cleansing Charcoal Mask- $26

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This is by far my favourite product of the entire summer line. Saying I am obsessed would be an understatement.  I use this mask about 3 times a week and I love, love, love it. I put the past on my skin and neck for about 10 minutes. How It works is it goes on creamy and then dries up, absorbing any dirt that may be on your skin. As a reporter, I wear a lot of makeup, and with the warmer temps the combination of makeup and sweat causes my skin to get oily. The mask works wonders by unclogging pores, absorbing excess oil, reducing shine, and just helping clean my skin overall. Plus I love the slight peppermint sent which just makes my skin feel refreshed.

Beauty that Counts Baked Cheek Powder- $23

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the heart shaped powder made me automatically fall in love with it, but how it looked on my skin got me hooked. Adding a slight tint of shimmer is perfect for summer but also perfect for on camera.  It adds the perfect rosy colour to my cheeks without looking overpowering. What I also love is it looks great on all skin tones so even as my skin starts to get a tan, it still compliments me well.

Mary Kay Summer Time Jewel Kit- $89  

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The Jewel Kit comes with three eye shadows, a bronzer, lipstick and eyeliner and all of the colours are perfect for the sweet summertime. The eyeshadows include sweet cream ( a perfect highlighter) Hazelnut (a perfect base) and Emerald ( a perfect fun addition). What I love is that while I usually use deep browns, these colours help me transition to a more subtle summer look without losing the smokey eye look.

Another part of this kit I love is the bronzer. The colour that I have is Sunny Spice. What I love about this colour in particular is that it has a matte finish which is perfect for on air and it really helps define your cheekbone. I have yet to get rid of my baby fat chubby cheeks, but this bronzer helps out with that.

The best part is that both the eye shadows and the bronzer contain vitamin A, C, and E which helps protect against wrinkles. That is right, a makeup that not only makes you look great but does great things for your skin. Basically a win win situation

These are some of my favourite products for the upcoming season from Mary Kay, but of course the best way to make sure your skin is looking fresh and clean during the summer is wash off all that makeup and make sure you got your sun screen on in full force.

Happy summer time y’all

xo

Mia