Loulou's views

Disclosure: I have partnered with Allergen Inc. and  Juvéderm for this campaign, and have received treatment and  monetary  compensation. All views and opinions are my own.   If yo u're on the fence about  Juvéderm  let me put your mind at ease–over the course of several months, I had the  opportunity  to experience  Juvéderm   fillers with Dr. Caronline Tosoni , and I loved my experience. She is one of  the  best cosmetic physicians in Ottawa, and after seeing her several times for consultations and treatments, I can see why she's so loved in this city. Many  people  I know go to Dr. Tosoni,  including several of my close friends. Her professionalism and expertise can't be beat! A ll the doubts I had prior to making my appointment with Dr. Tosoni were put to rest after my first visit with her. My initial fear was the pain from the needles, and wondering if anything would go wrong. I wa...

Disclaimer: I am partnering with Allergen for this campaign and I am being compensated for my blog posts and treatment sessions. I recently wrote about my consultation with Dr. Caroline Tosoni–a leading medical aesthetics expert and owner of Ottawa's top cosmetics clinic, Tosoni MD . During my consultation, Dr. Tosoni explained the benefits of Juvederm and how long each treatment would last. She answered all my questions (Will it hurt? Can I wash my face and put makeup on after? Is it safe?) and she put my mind to ease. I am thrilled to be working with Dr. Tosoni (and the Allergen team) so I can share my experience with my followers. Many people I know have done wrinkle-reducing injections like Juvederm, but don't openly talk about it. Is it because we associate these procedures with an older demographic? The truth is, women are starting to take care of their skin with Juvederm in their 20's as a preventative measure to help reduce the onset of fine lines. Juvederm ...

Disclaimer: I am partnering with Allergen for this campaign and am being compensated for my blog posts and treatment sessions. I go for weekly blow-dry's. I highlight my hair every couple of months. I go for manicures and pedicures every two weeks. I work out regularly. I take vacations as often as I can, for work or pleasure. I indulge in getting massages. I do this because I have learned there is nothing wrong with taking care of myself and putting self-care on the never-ending to-do list. When I turned 40, I started thinking about the things I wanted to do to continue improving myself. Eating well, working out, and taking care of my appearance are all important things to me, along with being the best mom, wife, and friend I can be. I lead a busy life, working several jobs in communications and social media and being a mom to my two boys. Life is busy, but I make it a priority to take care of myself. I also started thinking about my journey with aging, and started consid...

I always love trying new make-up, and when I was asked to review the Dermablend Professional  line, I quickly said yes. I have been looking for a new foundation for a while, and thought it was the perfect opportunity to try this make-up because of all the great things I kept hearing from other beauty product lovers like myself. Dermablend Professional lets you decide how much you want to cover up when you're applying your make-up, and with their easy to use online 'shade selector' , you can make sure you're choosing the colours that are right for your skin tone. Dermablend Professional is powerful make-up anyone can use, created by a dermatologist. These products provider excellent coverage and they are dermatologist and allergy-tested. They're also fragrance-free—perfect for those with sensitive skin. Here are the products I put to the test and loved: Dermablend Professional Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation: This medium cover liquid foundation helps even out...

To ensure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label. What's your beauty routine? As a beauty blogger, there is nothing I won't try (as long as it's safe for my skin). I have my favourite go-to skin-care products that are part of my every day routine, morning and night—and I take my skin-care routine seriously, especially because I am not getting any younger. Some products work amazingly well on my skin, where I instantly see results like more hydration, and firmer skin. Surprisingly, the products I love—the products that work best on my skin—are not the most expensive products on the market; in fact, most of my favourites can be picked up at the drug store. Sometimes, we're under the impression the more fancy the product, the better it is—and that's only true when we're talking about designer handbags! When I was younger I didn't put much thought into my skin-care routine, and I know there were things I did that were damagi...

When I was asked to take part in the #Ceramide2WeekChallenge to put Elizabeth Arden's new Advanced Ceramide Capsules Daily Youth Restoring Serum to the test, I said yes right away–because I'd never tried these capsules before and because I had always heard great things about how well they worked. After a couple of weeks of using these little capsules–morning and night, as part of my daily skin-care routine–they've become a must-have product for me and they're a skin-care product I'd recommend to anyone looking for a serum that works well in giving skin the extra moisture it needs, while at the same time minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. These iconic capsules have been around for a long time, and have always been a cult favourite; now that they're improved and include two kinds of ceramides–a skincare ingredient that protects the skin while trapping moisture in–they work even better than before and have triple the anti-aging power. They...

La Roche-Posay  is known for great skincare products, especially for those who suffer from dry or sensitive skin. The new Toleriane Ultra is amazing at providing extra moisture during the winter and  Toleriane Ultra Overnight works while you sleep so you wake up feeling refreshed, with glowing skin. I was given the new Toleriane Ultra line to try and I loved the products; they instantly moisturized and soothed my skin. The soft, fresh formula (fragrance-free) restored lost moisture to my skin quickly, and I only had to use a small amount. It uses minimal ingredients, yet delivers excellent results. The Toleriane Ultra Eye Controur  cream was especially soothing for my sensitive eyes that suffer from redness, stinging, and puffiness. It targets the discomfort of the eye area with La Roche-Posay Thermal Spring Water, naturally rich in selanium, helping to relieve sensitive skin while preventing signs of aging. The eye cream is preser...

I hate to say it—but... I'm so busy. The last couple of months have been busier than usual, and there is no end in sight, especially since the holiday season is here. I know—we all lead busy lives—but even though we're juggling a hundred things a day while trying to find some sort of balance that works for us, it's essential to take care of ourselves, too. I work full-time, run a business I love, and take care of my family, which in itself is a full-time job that never ends—and the most rewarding job of all. From housework to preparing meals to after-school activities and keeping up my social life (that's important, too!) I always make sure I'm taking some time for myself. Weekly visits to the hair salon? Check. Staying active and working out? Check. Taking vacations whenever we can? Check. A great skin-care routine? Check. By the end of the day, I'm ready for a moment of relief, and that usually comes after the children have gone to bed. Late at night,...

I'm always looking for great skin care products, because I'm always being asked by friends what my favourites are. I love recommending products that are affordable and deliver good results.  A great product and company I trust is Aveeno , so I was happy to be asked to review their new Absolutely Ageless collection. The new Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Collection includes a daily moisturize with SPF 30, restorative night cream, eye cream, nourishing cleanser, and intensive renewal serum. These products work together to deliver real great results for healthier, more youthful looking skin. Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Daily Moisturizer SPF 30: This moisturizer did a great job providing maximum moisture to my face, especially where it was needed most. It smells delicious, too, probably because of the blackberry leaf extract that's in the product, which helps improve the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.  I noticed a difference in my skin in only...

It's mid-February and that means we're in the middle of awards season. It's always fun getting ready to head out onto the red carpet, and... wait. I mean, it's alway fun to imagine we're rocking the red carpet and being interviewed about what designer we're wearing. Even if we're not on the red carpet, we can easily achieve a red carpet look effortlessly at home. Without a team of hair stylists, and make-up artists, even. The secret? COVERGIRL and Pantene.  Here are some tips on how you can achieve a truly glamorous look for a night out, even if it's not on the red carpet. Once you've got your outfit planned (little black dress and a killer pair of heels, or a cute top and jeans always works!) try these beauty tips to make yourself simply gorgeous: Ace that bace: Want glowing skin? Start with a base. Moisturize, every day, and every night. (And I don't want to hear any excuses for not washing your make-up off before bed! None!) Af...

I was in Toronto yesterday for a Red Carpet Grammy Viewing Party with P&G , in partnership with Shoppers Drug Mart. I had a great flight into the city with Porter Airlines, as always, and arrived to my hotel with enough time to relax and get ready for the big Grammy party. Outfit of choice? My new Free People dress—perfect for this event. A little flow-y, a little fun, a  little flirty—and perfect to mingle in! It was a night of glamour and fun as we watched the stars arrive on the red carpet (how cute were Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez?), dished on the best looks of the night, and talked about the best hair products and make-up to wear on the red carpet—and every day, really. We talked fashion, hair, and make-up with ET Canada reporter Sangita Patel , Pantene Pro-V hair stylist Justin German , and COVERGIRL make-up artists Veronica Chu . These three know a thing or two about achieving the right look, and listening to them talk about their favourite beauty looks a...

I'm a beauty product junkie, and I love trying new products, especially products I know my skin will love. Winter is harsh, but that doesn't mean there isn't a way to save our skin from the elements. I was on Daytime Ottawa today talking about what my favourite products are that'll help save your skin this winter, from La Mer to La Prairie, and everything in between. Here's what I'm loving right now:  Laboratoire Dr. Renaud: I'm a fan of the Dr. Renaud skin care line. This complete skincare brand addresses all skin conditions, from dryness (which we're experiencing now) as well as acne, anti-aging, sun-care, and more. This Canadian company has a rich history of innovation spanning over 50 years—so I do trust the products they put out! I'm loving the 3D Lifting Serum . This serum is a cream-based, won't leave your skin oily, and helps firm skin, while preventing wrinkles. It's also super moisturizing, as well. Dr. Renaud ExCe...

It's been unseasonably warm for November. I haven't started complaining about the weather like I usually do this time of year, but don't worry—cold, snowy days are coming, along with all my posts about how much I dislike the weather. Even though there is no snow on the ground, I miss summer. I miss the carefree days and wearing nothing but flip flops and a little dress. I miss staying out late at night, on a patio, with family and friends, and I miss evenings at the park with my boys. Now that November is here, it's complete darkness by 4:30 p.m. and I'm finding it difficult to stay upbeat, so last week, I got ready to go out with my girlfriend for a night out. Sometimes, all you need is an excuse to get dressed up, put on your favourite lipstick, listen to some music, and laugh the night away with friends. I'm telling you—make-up and a night out with good friends is an excellent way to not let the colder weather and shorter days bring you down. My go-to...

It's time to face reality—summer is (pretty much) over. I know, right? Wasn't it just yesterday I was writing about summer and how much I loved living again? After months of carefree living in nothing more than flip flops and little dresses, it's time to start thinking about fall clothes and make-up. Thanks summer, for being awesome—from BBQ's to concerts to pool parties and a trip to Greece, it was amazing. But now, I have some shopping to do! (I love September, and not just because it's my birthday month.) Boots, sweaters,  jeans, and some new make-up will help you bring your fall look together. Fall is the perfect time to experiment with new beauty products, trying on different shades, and doing something a little different with your hair, or even just giving your hair some much needed  love—after all, if you spent all summer in the sea and in pools, your hair is probably damaged. It's easy to keep your daily beauty routine simple enough so that you ...

I just got back from an amazing quick trip to Toronto. Thank you, Almay Canada , for flying me to Toronto and for putting me up in the ultra-cool Hotel Le Germain at Maple Leaf Square, so I could attend the beautiful breakfast event at Aria. It was a lovely treat, and a pleasure being there in person. Are you ready to talk makeup? (And win some great beauty products from Almay, too?) Almay is a brand we all know and love, but did you know that Almay was the first hypoallergenic cosmetics brand? Almay uses hypoallergenic ingredients, and tests all products with dermatologists and ophthalmologists. This is really important to me, becuase what I put on my face as part of my beauty routine has to pass a few tests—and Almay passes, with flying colours. Almay is celebrating its hypoallergienic heritage with a fresh take on beauty— pure beauty. Almay understands that women and moms are busy—we wear many hats, and accomplish more before 9 a.m. than is sometime...