The beauty edit
The Kit’s beauty director, Katherine Lalancette, sees a slew of new products every day. Here she shares her latest obsessions
The fragrance mist that’s been years in the making
The Kit team has strong feel- ings about what shampoo smells the best. Rani, our exec- utive editor, swears by Aveda’s Brilliant line (citrus, clove and clary sage) while Oana from the art team is partial to Maui Moisture’s tropical aroma. My loyalty lies firmly with Moroc- canoil’s spicy amber mélange. I describe it as “globe-trotting trust-funder.” You know, boho with a budget — wears 24 karat- gold anklets and gallivants along the Mediterranean every summer. I’m not the only one who’s obsessed. For years, fans have begged the brand to bottle the scent in a fragrance. And the wait is finally over. Presenting Brumes du Maroc, a perfume mist for hair and body. It (pre- dictably) smells incredible — like emerging from the sea, the sun on your damp skin: warm yet refreshing — and packs in argan oil, the signature Moroc- canoil ingredient, and vitamin E to nourish, as well as UV ab- sorber technology to help pro- tect against the rays. Morocca- noil Brumes du Maroc hair and body fragrance mist, $36 (100 ml), sephora.ca
The skin-clearing hybrid that’s finally in Canada
When Bliss first opened in New York City in 1997, it spawned a skin-care revolution. Before then, spas were largely seen as stuffy and serious. Bliss was the opposite, all cheeky puns and cheerful branding: Pampering didn’t have to be pretentious. It was so popular, even Julia Rob- erts had trouble getting an ap- pointment. Soon after, a prod- uct line was launched, which was available in Canada for a time but hasn’t been seen on northern shelves since 2018, when Bliss underwent an over- haul. Now it’s back, exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart. The new lineup stays true to Bliss’s playful DNA but is much more affordable this time. A standout is this bestselling clarifying ton- er-serum that blends salicylic acid, witch hazel, niacinamide and zinc to purify pores without irritating or stripping skin. Its arrival is timely given that fall is often synonymous with more breakouts. My own seasonal smattering of bumps is nothing a nightly swipe of this stuff couldn’t handle. Bliss Clear Genius 2-in-1 clarifying toner + serum, $20, shoppersdrugmart.ca
The nail polish shade inspired by compost (yes, really)
“Ugliest colour in the world?” That was the subject line of the email announcing L.A. brand J. Hannah’s latest nail polish shade. I was, of course, instantly intrigued. The hue is a take on Pantone 448C, a muddy olive- brown that market researchers have branded as the most un- appealing colour out there. J. Hannah decided to make it into a polish and call it Compost to illustrate the fine line “between the hideous and the refined” (and perhaps remind us all not to throw our food waste in the trash). I, for one, am hooked. There’s something about the in- tentional drabness that makes it all the more cool, like some- thing an Olsen twin would pair with unwashed hair and an ill- fitting coat. It’s also the perfect palate-cleanser following a summer of brights. Sold out for a while, it’s now back in stock, so if you’re hunting for a great fall polish, run! J. Hannah nail pol- ish in compost, $24, jhannah- jewelry.com
The razor that helps minimize waste
Venus is on a mission to be- come more sustainable and I am very much here for it. The brand recently announced it’ll be upgrading almost all of its five-blade razors from plastic handles to metal ones. That’s a big deal for two reasons: 1) They’re designed to last longer, thereby reducing waste and saving you money, and 2) I find the weight of the metal pro- vides better control when shav- ing compared to flimsy plastic. Another big change: Venus’s re- fillable razors will now be pack- aged in 100 per cent plastic-free boxes. This move alone will eliminate an estimated 240 tonnes of plastic — that’s the equivalent of 24 million water bottles! Now, sure, there are more sustainable razors out there, namely single-blade safe- ty razors that are entirely made of metal, but for a major player like Gillette to make these kinds of tweaks is a huge step toward solving beauty’s alarming waste problem. Gillette Venus deluxe smooth platinum razor and 3 blade refills, $20, amazon.ca
The hair regimen that gives you supermodel strands
Growing up in Brazil, Clarissa Fonseca de Queiroz learned to care for her hair at an early age. She recalls her grandmother whipping up nourishing treatments with ingredients from the garden. Now living in Montreal, she’s infused that timehonoured wisdom into the Hair Routine, an eco-luxury haircare line. It’s super simple: first, the balancing shampoo and conditioner, designed for all hair types, stimulate and refresh the scalp while hydrating lengths. Then, one of three targeted treatments helps tackle your particular needs. There’s a handy and very thorough quiz on the website — at one point, you’ll be asked to dip a strand in water to see how it reacts — that helps you figure out which one is best for you. You’ll also be advised on how often to wash your hair to get it to its optimal state. Smart! I recently began following the routine and am already noticing a huge improvement in terms of shine and manageability. The Hair Routine balancing shampoo and conditioner, $65, ssense.com