The five makeup essentials you should never leave home without! Featuring Aveda Eye Definer in Black Orchid, Petal Essence Eye Color Trio in Plum Mist, Mosscara inBlack Forest, Lip Nourish-mint Smoothing Lip Color in Vanadinite, and Hydrating Lip Glaze in Cherry Blossom.

I’ve always been obsessed with nails. Even if I’m not dressed up, my nails always are! Whether they’re bright, classic, bold, trendy or sparkly, nails have the ability to wear it all.

Here are my favourite nail colours for spring…1 for every occasion:

BRIGHT – Vodka & Caviar – OPI
CLASSIC – Pedal Faster Suzi – OPI
BOLD -Lincoln Parkafter Midnight – OPI
TRENDY – Fly – Nicki Minaj for OPI
SPARKLY – Save Me – Nicki Minaj for OPI

Of course if you’re anything like me you’ll want to pull off two looks at once! Sparkly and Bright? The best combo!

Since this is Eccotique’s first nail post, I thought I’d remind you of these quick and easy steps for the perfect polish application.

1)      Apply a base coat – Our SPA experts recommend OPI Natural Nail Base Coat
2)      Choose your favourite nail polish colour and apply it to both hands. Follow with a second coat.
3)      Apply a top coat – Our SPA experts recommend OPI Top Coat. For quick drying time, you could use OPI Rapid Dry Top Coat.

My happy tip for you: Apply a sparkly nail polish on top of any colour. Add a little sparkle to your shine.

Remember to keep your hands happy.

You shouldn’t need to bring your entire make up bag with you wherever you go. In fact, I’ve only got 5 items that I bring with me everywhere.

My fav 5 essential makeup items:

1. Moisturizing mascara – so you can reapply without getting that chunky look. Choose mascara that adds volume and lengthens, they never flake off!
2. Lip Glaze – a solid color makes more of a statement then a gloss and you’ll use less so it will last all season!
3. Lip Saver – with an SPF is a must
4. Loose mineral powder – controls oil levels and doesn’t dry out
5. Bronzer – apply it to the areas on your face where the sun would naturally hit. It will keep you looking radiant even on dull weather days

Throw a few Q-tips in your bag because a little bump on the bus while applying mascara is never fun! Also, pack bobby pins. They can transform your hair look quickly if you plan on going from day to night, you never know! You might not need them but your friends might.

If you have to constantly reapply then your makeup isn’t doing its job, plus you’ll go through it twice as quick. That’s extra cash you could use towards something else I am sure you deserve…

Remember – Be good to yourself

Valentines Day gift giving is not just for couples! Tell a friend that you love them on Valentines Day too with a special Sweet Treat you made yourself!

Keep old jars from jams, pickles, sauces and baby food; be environmentally friendly and creative with a Do It Yourself Sweet Treat Body Scrub!

All you need is:

Emptied, clean and dry standard sized baby food jar
1/4 cup confectioner’s sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 Aveda Soothing Aqua Therapy
12 drops of your favorite Aveda Singular Note Essential Oil or 6 drops of 2 aromas if you can’t decide on just one!

Here are the steps:

1. Combine confectioner’s sugar, brown sugar and Aveda Soothing Aqua Therapy in the empty jar and give it a quick stir
2. Add Essential Oil(s). I used Ylang Ylang and Rose oil
3. Stir with a spoon to ensure oil is evenly distributed, then secure the lid
4. All done! Ready to scrub, scrub, scrub
5. Decorate your Sweet Treat Body Scrub Jar anyway you want, make it personal for each friend

Make sure you make a Sweet Treat Body Scrub for yourself too! Remember to moisturize after using the scrub to keep your skin looking fresh longer.

With swimsuit season only 5 months away, we thought what better time to show you a laser hair removal demonstration video. Eccotique Spa East in Metropolis at Metrotown has a unique Pain-Free, Hair Free ™ laser hair removal system that removes unwanted hair quickly and with no down time. Oh and the best part is that unlike other hair removal systems it’s practically painless! The service feels similar to a hot stone massage. Typically 4 to 6 treatments are adequate to see noticeable results.

Take a peek!

Photo credits: 1-5. unknown 6. unknown, via Habitually Chic 7. Sukima porcelain candleholders

Winter tends to be the season that I let myself go especially once the holidays are over. “I don’t need to shave my legs, no one will see them.” “Pedicure…nah, I won’t be wearing sandals this time of year.” “Relaxation, what is that?”

It dawned on me that if I spent more time being good to myself during the Winter, I might feel a little more energized. I might not dread those damp dark days. And so, I made a list of ways to relax, warm up and feel better during the cold winter months that I’d like to share with you.

        1.    A Hot Stone Massage – Quite possibly the best way to warm up and relax at the same time. The tension will literally melt away.

        2.   A foot bath with sea salt – You might not always see those feet in closed toe shoes but they’re still there. A foot bath keeps the feet healthy and feeling fresh.

        3.   An all over body scrub followed by intense moisturization – Exfoliation and hydration are important year round but especially during winter months when skin tends to get real dry.

        4.   A hot bath with an aromatic candle – Just plain relaxing!

        5.   A new hair color – I don’t know about you, but I always feel refreshed when I switch up my hair color. Even if it’s just a shade darker or lighter.

        6.   Warm milk with cinnamon – This cozy drink makes me feel fuzzy all over. Try adding honey or sweeteners if you’re feeling up for it.

        7.   A hair treatment – A hair treatment will help restore moisture leaving hair softer, more supple and shiny.

        8.  Purchase a humidifier – This has been my saving grace! A humidifier next to your bed will help eliminate dry skin that comes from cranking the heater on a cold day.