Editor favourites: Our top finds this month
Products we couldn’t get enough of this April
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April gifted us a rare celestial event in the form of a total solar eclipse. Depending on where you’re located in Canada, you may have been lucky enough to view it safely. We also celebrated Earth Month by purchasing from sustainable manufacturers and by taking advantage of recycling programs.
We asked experts for advice on spring cleaning and shedding winter weight safely. We got a sneak peek of lululemon’s Team Canada Olympic Collection and chatted to celebs like Mae Martin and Phil Rosenthal on their latest projects and a few of their favourite things. We broke out our bike shorts and air purifiers to ring in the warmer weather.
We are constantly searching for the best, most practical or efficient gadgets, tools, beauty products, home goods and services the Canadian marketplace has to offer. After extensive product testing, researching and reviewing, we narrow our list to offer our readers the best of the best. We’re often asked things like, “What’s on your wishlist?” or “What products are you most excited about?” If you’re curious about our favourite products of the moment (and why), read on.
To discover more of our top picks, check out our favourites from March.
April editor favourites
Fenty Beauty We’re Even Hydrating Longwear Waterproof Concealer
Why I love it: “My day-to-day makeup routine usually consists of concealer, mascara, brow gel and a good blush. This curated approach means the performance of each product counts. This Fenty Beauty concealer fully delivers on its claims of hydration, coverage and long wear. The creamy formula, which features skin-loving ingredients like prickly pear cactus extract and Persian silk tree extract, is easy to build and blend and gives the eye area a brightened, perfected look.” — Aleesha Harris, Fashion Editor
Price: $40.50
Where to buy: Sephora
Why I love it: “I love supporting Canadian brands and this one, born out of the Vancouver neighbourhood of the same name, offers premium eyewear at an affordable price. When I say affordable, I mean all sunglasses and frames are only $28. How? According to the brand’s website, ‘KITS is vertically integrated, lean and local. This enables us to make premium eye care affordable, convenient and fast.’ The Brooke Sun is my current favourite, but I often grab for the Wrecks too.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor
Price: $28
Where to buy: KITS
Frank and Oak The Linen Long Sleeve Shirt
Why I love it: “I’m all about good quality timeless pieces, and this linen long-sleeve shirt is a must-have for warmer days ahead. The best part is its versatility. Pair this with wide-leg trousers and your favourite sneakers for a stylish outfit with minimal effort. I love throwing this on as an easy topper (I sized up for an oversized look), especially with some comfy denim jeans or over an all-black outfit to add some contrast.” — Jacqueline Osias, Deals Coordinator
Price: $90 (currently on sale from $119)
Where to buy: Frank and Oak
Solawave 4-in-1 Skincare Wand & Activating Serum Kit
Why I love it: “This little red-light therapy wand and activating serum is one of the last steps in my nightly skincare routine. It took the internet by storm over the last year, as it’s said to help reduce fine lines, wrinkles and blemish marks as well as depuff and tone the skin. Over two months of use, I’ve noticed glowing, radiant skin that is mostly blemish-free. It’s easy to use and the warmth on my skin feels quite therapeutic before bed. The galvanic current helps the absorption of my custom serum and moisturizer from Prose (my current faves).” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor
Price: $189 (currently on sale from $198)
Where to buy: Solawave | Amazon | Urban Outfitters
Balzac’s Coffee Roasters Anniversary Blend
Why I love it: “What do Justin Beiber and Balzac’s Coffee Roasters have in common? They’re 90s Stratford, Ont. babies. Balzac’s is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a blend of 100 per cent rich and aromatic Arabica beans. I love visiting the first Balzac’s cafe when I’m visiting Stratford and enjoying the coffee at home with my Breville Barista Touch.” — Randi Mann, Shopping Editor
Price: $16.50
Where to buy: Amazon
Why I love it: “Comfort is key and these kicks keep my toes and arches happy all day. Plus, the retro dad look is in. The 327s are a nod to the ‘70s — a time when running shoe standards shifted to focus on performance rather than aesthetics. New Balance reimagined classic design elements to create this contemporary yet tried-and-true comfort shoe.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor
Price: $130
Where to buy: New Balance | Amazon
Why I love it: “The sun is finally starting to peek through the winter grey, which means it’s time to grab a chic new pair of sunglasses. A perfect pick for any fashion fan, these Butterfly Sunglasses from CHANEL add a touch of elegance to every ensemble. From the sleek, two-tone frame to the polarised lenses, these frames are a stylish eyewear pick to wear on repeat.” — Aleesha Harris, Fashion Editor
Price: $780
Where to buy: CHANEL | Fashion Eyewear
Mejuri Calendula Pendant Necklace
Why I love it: “Mejuri recently launched the Calendula Pendant Necklace for their Spring Floral Necklace collection and I’ve been wearing it with every outfit ever since. This vintage-inspired piece is handcrafted in 18K gold vermeil and can be layered or worn alone as a statement piece. It’s the perfect combination of timeless and feminine. If you’re looking for a last-minute gift for the special mother figure in your life, I think gold is always a good idea, or splurge on that special someone with the subtle Diamond Necklace. Order by May 8 to ensure your gift arrives on time for Mother’s Day.” — Jacqueline Osias, Deals Coordinator
Price: $148
Where to buy: Mejuri
Why I love it: “Sunny days have arrived and it’s so important to protect your skin from the elements. I’m obsessed with this mineral sunscreen by Hawaiian brand KOA. It’s so difficult to find a mineral sunscreen that has a high SPF (this one is SPF45) for an affordable price. It doesn’t leave any stickiness or heaviness on the skin, protects from UVA and UVB rays, is reef safe and comes in a clear formula or two different tints depending on how bronzed you’d like to look.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor
Price: $29
Where to buy: KOA
lululemon Dance Studio Relaxed-Fit Mid-Rise Cargo Pant
Why I love it: “Trust me when I say, I’m not a great dancer. Thankfully, you don’t need to prove your dance prowess in order to step out in these studio-inspired, relaxed-fit pants. The cargo style features a lightweight fabric that’s easy to move in (and perfectly packable), while the extra pockets offer utility. Plus, the customizable elastic cords allow for customization of the fit.” — Aleesha Harris, Fashion Editor
Price: $138
Where to buy: lululemon
Why I love it: “The b, mat by b, halfmoon (formerly B Yoga) has changed the yoga game for me. I experimented with several high-quality mats for different yoga styles during my free ClassPass trial. Vinyasa yoga, especially the hot kind, became my preferred practice. Finding a mat that could handle the sweat was crucial to my experience. Out of all the mats I tested, the b, mat was the clear winner. It had the best grip, cushion, weight and design for the value (I use the everyday 4mm but the strong 6mm is a great option if you fancy more cushion). Whether you’re a sweaty yogi or just sweat a lot during workouts, the b, mat is a dependable choice.” — Jacqueline Osias, Deals Coordinator
Price: $116–128
Where to buy: Amazon | Altitude Sports| b, halfmoon
Why I love it: “This multicooker makes dinner a dream. The clean touchscreen design simplifies slow cooking, pressure cooking and searing. The 5.6L inner pot is large enough to make meals for multiple people and the toxin-free nonstick coating makes it easy to clean. One qualm: make sure you close the lid fully for pressurization. In the next iteration of the pot, I’d love to see or hear a signal letting home cooks know that the lid is slightly ajar.” — Leigh Taveroff, Shopping Editor
Price: $255 (on sale from $320)
Where to buy: Our Place | Amazon
U Beauty The Super Intensive Face Oil
Why I love it: “If you have combination skin like me, the right facial oil can be a game changer. This intensive oil from U Beauty gives skin a powerful dose of moisture thanks to ingredients like avocado oil, hyaluronic acid and vegan squalane. One pump leaves my skin looking radiant and hydrated. It’s perfect as an overnight treatment, pre-flight skin saver, or a skincare topper. In a word: obsessed.” — Aleesha Harris, Fashion Editor
Price: $248
Where to buy: Holt Renfrew | U Beauty
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ltaveroff@postmedia.com
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