Store Review: Victoria's Secret Grand Opening in Vancouver - Most beautiful Retail Store in Vancouver!

This may not exactly be a beauty and health topic but I am so excited about this that I just want to share this with everyone anyway.

Today is the GRAND OPENING of the Victoria's Secret's Flagship store in Vancouver. FINALLY! Waited forever for Victoria's Secret to come to Vancouver. Have been counting down the days since the renovation started months ago. It was supposed to open in early summer but it finally opened on 27 Aug 2013! :)

The side entrance on Robson Street. Closed for today

Vancouver Sun reported there were more than 400 people in the line before the store opened. When I went there during lunch time and there was still a long queue, checked with one of the ladies in the queue and she said that it took her 20 mins to get near the entrance, so I joined in the queue.

Reporter on site. Guess this is a newsworthy event!

After standing in line for 20 mins (had a hotdog and made a new friend in the line), I was wowed by the store.

This was where I started

20 mins later - I was finally near the main Entrance on Burrad St

It was the most beautiful Victoria's Secret Store that I had been to. Visited stores in Toronto, Singapore, San Francisco. It just makes you want to visit the store again, stay there and try out the sexy lingeries, workout gear and the fragrances. It definitely deserves the title of the Most Beautiful Retail Store in Vancouver. :)

The grand staircase with beautiful LCD display behind it

The Lingerie Collection

Beautiful Display

Bright and neat 

Display showing Victoria's Secret Runway Show

Central display at the Entrance

PINK and Victoria's Secret Workout Gear are downstairs

Beautiful Display at the Entrance

Besides the usual fragrances and lingerie, there was a huge collection of workout gears - sports bra, yoga pants, cycling pants etc! Beautiful and reasonably priced! Aritzia and Lululemon are in for some tough competition in town! Is that why Aritzia is having a sale at Canada Place for the week? I wonder what Lululemon is going to do. I love competition in the retail industry! It means more SALES!!!

It was a pity that the lines at the fitting room and checkouts were incredibly long too. I just didn't have enough time to try or buy anything. Look forward to my next trip to Victoria's Secret!

One last look before I head back to work. Will be back soon!

Product Review: H2O+ SPA Targeted Care Softening Mint Foot Rub -Soothes and softens tired feet

While I was at the H2O+ store, I also bought the SPA Targeted Care Softening Mint Foot Rub. It normally retails for C$17+ tax, but I bought it for an additional C$10 together with the purchase of my favourite H2O+ Face Oasis.

What is it? 

According to the description on the tube, the H2O+ Softening Mint Foot Rub is made of cooling mint and marine extracts that rapidly smooth awat dryness.

• Peppermint oil and menthol instantly soothe tired feet with a cooling sensation
• Salicylic and lactic acid gently sloughs away dull surface cells for a smooth texture and revitalized tone
• Shea butter and hydrating marine botanicals help to deeplyy moisturize and protect

My Experience

Unlike the H2O+ Hand and Nail Cream, the H2O+ Softening Mint Foot Rub is very rich and creamy. Since it is a foot rub, I gave my feet a 2 minute rub before I put on a pair of socks for an hour. I love the refreshing and cooling sensation for the entire hour, especially for tired feet. After an hour (or more if you have the time, overnight is the BEST!), my feet feel smooth and revitalized!


My Verdict

I love the H2O+ Softening Mint Foot Rub especially if I have been on my feet for more than 2 hours (walking, shopping, doing sports). Refreshing and Revitalizing! Definitely a buy if it's available for an additional C$10 with purchase!

PS: I don't recommend using the Foot Rub on the hands because it feels too sticky, in fact, I wash my hands after the foot rub as I do not like the feeling. Plus, if you accidentally rub your eye, it will sting real bad!

Update:

H2O+ store has closed in Vancouver. I guess if you did not get a chance to grab some of the Foot Rub, a simple and effective way to moisturize your feet is just using Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Check out my blog on using Extra Virgin Olive Oil for moisturizing feet.

7 reasons why you should replace petroleum-based makeup with mineral makeup

Why use Mineral Make-Up?

1. Does not clog pores
2. Hydrating
3. Soothing
4. Anti-bacterial
5. Protective 
6. Longer shelf life (inert and in powder form)
7. More water resistant (rain, humid summer and tears)

It is really what mineral-based make up lacks that makes them so good for the skin.
The best-selling mineral make-up brand, Bare Escentuals, claims that their make-up is so good for the skin, you can actually sleep in it! Tempting idea but I will test that on one of the days when I am absolutely tired!

What is Mineral Make-Up?

Mineral make-up is made from minerals ground into an ultra-fine powder. Different cosmetic companies have different recipes, but most formulas contain the following: 

• Titanium dioxide (natural anti-inflammatory and natural sunscreen)
• Zinc oxide (natural anti-inflammatory)
• Pure pigments (natural colour)
• Mica (smooth texture and glow)
• Clay (creamy texture and natural oil absorption) 
• Rice starch (natural emollient and anti-inflammatory)

What  most Mineral make up does not contain: 

• Artificial colours
• Oils
• Perfumes
• Preservatives

Mineral makeup comes in powder form and acts as multiple products in one (foundation, concealer and powder and many brands contain enough SPF to replace daily sunscreen application). There are also mineral-based eye shadows  blushes, glosses, lipsticks and mascara which share the benefits of the more-common foundation/powder products, but these types of products may contain other ingredients (particularly "wet" products such as lipsticks and mascara) such as oils, waxes and colour. Be sure to check a product's ingredient information if you're concerned about the use of animal by-products or possible skin-irritating ingredients.


My personal experience
After trying Bare Escentuals BareMineral foundation for a week, I agree that it is more gentle on my skin than regular make up. My face does not feel oily or dry at the end of the day. In fact, it feels so natural that I am motivated to apply it every day. The suncreen portion seems to work better than my Clarin's sunscreen. I do not totally agree that it does not clog pores at all but my skin can definitely breathe much better compared to using normal make up or even the Clarin's sunscreen! I still feel the need to use my Thomas Roth Clinical Peel at least once a week. Just to prevent a build up of clogged pores. 

Product Review - Bare Escentual BareMinerals Try. Believe. Love. 6 Piece Starter Kit (mineral foundation)

Today I am going to review the Bare Mineral Make up which I bought from Sephora and used for about one week.

What is it?

The Starter Kit contains the following items: 

• Original SPF 15 Foundation (size:small)
• Matte SPF Foundation (size:small)
• Mineral Veil Finishing Powder (size:small)
• SPF Concealer in summer Bisque (size: petitie)
• Mini Full Flawless Face Brush
• Mini Concealer Brush

This is Bare Escentual's introductory kit to its BEST seller - Bare Minerals. 

These exclusive formula made up of 100% pure minerals provide the look for beautiful bare skin, while giving flawless coverage without any harsh chemicals. 

How much and where?

The Starter kit usually retails @ US$20 from Bare Escentual's website. I got mine at one of Sephora's VIB sales for US$10 as Sephora Canada store does not carry the Starter kit. Sephora Canada carries the bigger full size starter kits (retailing for C$61)

How to use it? 

• Tap the concealer summer bisque lightly to place some of the powder on its cover. Use the concealer brush to pick up the powder and tap off excess powder. Apply on imperfections on face
• Tap the original or matte foundation to place some of the powder on its cover. Use the mini flawless brush to pick up the powder in circular motion and tap off excess powder. Apply on on face by moving the brush lightly in circular motion.
• Apply eye make up and blush
• Tap the mineral veil to place some powder on its cover. Use the mini flawless brush to pick up the powder in circular motion and tap off excess powder. Apply on face by moving brush lightly in circular motion
• Finish off with lipstick

My Experience

I love how easy it is to use the concealer, foundation and mineral veil. It is quick and I don't need a lot of skills to get a close to flawless skin without looking made up (especially if I put on light make up). Just close to perfect, healthy looking skin after less than 5 mins. The foundation is powder based but yet it does not feel dry or cakey even after an entire day. The best part is that because it is so light, it is very easy to remove. I usually get some clogged pores and some breakouts after a week of regular make up but I must say that I have not gotten any of those after one week. 

My Verdict

I definitely highly recommend BareMinerals to those who like simple, light and natural make up. It's quick and easy for someone who does not want to wake up a whole lot earlier just to put on make up before work. I have combination skin and it definitely works for me. The effect is so rewarding that I am motivated to use it every day.