Brands We Love: Svelty Cosmetics

Child Defying Colour

I've been having my hair coloured for years now, and gone in every which direction possible. Classic shades however are my revert go-to. The most common of picks, is a few shades darker than my natural hair colour (dark brown) so, the classic black. People say black is harsh and hard to keep up with. I beg to differ. It's all in the product and care keeping. I went back to black when my son was 2 months old because I actually thought it would be the easier route. I was right. And thanks to L'Oreal's new Preference Infinia it stays that way, through the abuse it takes in styling to the many washes it needs to free it of cereal and other baby edibles.

Be it cozy evenings, day to day shenanigans, game night, or breaking a sweat (all captured above, courtesy of my instagram husband) I need colour that lasts and doesn't call for a trip to the colourist every 4-6 weeks. Sorry colourist friends for cheating on you but for the first time ever, L'Oreal has created an at home colour refresher - enriched with condition based pigments specific to your shade, that keeps you flaunting "day one" colour. With powerful colour bases and a luminous system of conditioning, you'll be never dull - always revived. 

Check out a few of my other favourite colour enhancing/protecting products here as well.

For more every day hair pulling mama action, don't forget to follow along on social media: @peeksatfiveft on both Snapchat and Instagram.

Be bold and stay beautiful.
XO, Olivia Murray.

This is a sponsored post. All opinions and views remain that of my own.
I do not endorse products in which I do not truly use or support.

L'Oreal hair products, ℅ Influenster, L'Oreal

Get Your Scrub On

Some habits got put on the back burner when I decided to take on motherhood. My skin care, wasn't one of them. When you've got a little one, all you want to do is snuggle up close to them and as soon as they get to a stage where they let you have some time to yourself, you'll want to do the same thing with some other important people in your life.

It's hard for me when choosing products, to find everything I like. For anyone who knows me or follows along on social media (instagram, pinterest, twitter) they'll know I have a serious passion for organics. I try to implement that into all areas and aspects of my life. I also love to support both local, Canadian, or small businesses. Both those preferences can come with an unfriendly price tag however. And while I normally don't care when it comes to such things, I've got a small human requiring a whole lot of everything with price tags of their own that just guilts me every time I "want want want" something. Thankfully, I met JOE. Oh, you don't know him? I'll introduce you.

If you are familiar with Frank (the scrub that's been getting worldwide hype) well, Joe is merely the Canadian relative. And who doesn't love a Canadian boy? Joe is a Canadian brand providing natural, vegan, and fair trade scrubs.

Let me be completely honest with you and say this, they're uh-mazing. I first got on board with Joe when the classic coffee scrub was the only option, but they've since branched out and now offer a matcha and charcoal product as well. Sensitive skin? Eczema? Uneven skin tone? Dryness? Lack of elasticity and colour? Joe has got! you! COVERED! I can't say I've had severe skin problems since my early teen years (see my mother for terrible photos of me with acne, braces, and frizzy hair) but I have sensitive skin that can flare up with any problem on any given day, irritating easily with the smallest bother. Thankfully I can trust Joe for face, hands, or body to get the job done without the use of filler chemicals, harmful parabens, or unnecessary scents and colour dyes. I love being confident enough in a product's ability to sooth, moisturize and smooth out my skin tone - all while being safe enough to share.

Contemplating? You don't have to dive into commitment. Joe has full size bags as well as combo packs (love) but they also offer a mini bag, now available in all 3 types, for only $5. I know you'll want the full size in every option, and I'm so confident that I'm helping you get started by sharing a special discount using the code "PEEKS25" which is valid on any product of your choice. Pssst, that makes a 50g bag only $3.75. Are you seriously going to say no?

Chances are you deserve a coffee - don't you think your skin does too?

XO, Olivia Murray.

Friday Five: Ways You're Wrecking Your Skin

We all want to "love the skin we're in," but more often than not we don't even realize that we're actively doing things that work against putting our best face forwards. While the list is somewhat endless, of things you can do to damage your skin, today I've compiled my list of most commonly made no-no's when it comes to unseen habits behind ruining that selling feature.

1. Nighttime Neglect. Probably of the most frequently made mistakes but also one of the most damaging ones, is going to bed wearing your daytime cosmetics. Makeup sits on your face and collects dirt all day long. Why prolong it's removal for another 6-12 hours? Take it off as soon as your day's over. A quick task with long term benefits. Makeup clogs your pores, preventing them from being able to breathe which in turn maximizes them and can eventually age you. Regardless of what your pre-bedtime routine consists of, it's the accumulation of what your skin consists of that repeatedly touches your pillow that's an issue. Even a freshly washed face each night, is bound to give off some oil or sweat while sleeping, which is why pillow cases need to be washed every 1-2 weeks (at longest) to avoid unconsciously clogging your pores.

2. Embracing The Heat. Too hot of showers and too many rays. We all love the heat. But that doesn't necessarily mean your skin does too! Showers and sunshine are two of the most commonly forgotten source of damage to the skin. There is a misconception that hot showers are pore opening and cleansing. However, a shower/bath that's too hot can actually work in reverse - eliminating the healthy, moisturizing components of your skin such as your body's natural oils which help it from drying out. And then there's sunscreen. Relatively self-explanatory. Sun burns. Sun spots. Wrinkles. You name it, it's not nice - especially when it's every bit preventable. Opt for makeup containing an SPF or if it's not too much to ask? Just go the distance and apply actual sunscreen. Liberally.

3. Touching your face. Hands off! No seriously. It might not cross your mind but every time you pick at, scratch, rub, touch, or rest your hands on your face you're passing of (bad) oils, dirt, bacteria, and other face damaging nastiness as well as risking scarring, inflamed skin, irritation/reaction, or flaring a breakout. Don't touch and if you have to? Try to remember to clean your hands before doing so.

4. Lack of Essentials. Hydration. Produce. Sleep. Without all of the above, you're asking for skin that's dried out, glow free, and colourless. Fluid intake as well as a good moisturizing agent will help your skin shine and maintain it's elasticity (no lines). When it comes to food, produce (fruits and vegetables) are jam packed with antioxidants, natural sugars, and a ton of vitamins that promote a healthy colour with or without makeup. After a day of remembering those agents, you need enough sleep. Inadequate rest can deprive you of your skin's dewiness and replace it with dreaded dark spots.

5. Sticking To One Product. I fall in love and rave about products just as much as the next girl does but one product will no suffice. There is no one product that can take you through every day, each season, every weather. Some occasions call for more moisturizing, some a toner, and some days you just need something light and airy when your skin needs a break. Over using one product can be really aggressive on your cells, so choose a variety of products with different components (find a line you love and see if they offer an array of options for numerous needs). 

If it seems like a lot to remember, fear not. Practice implementing one thing at a time. It will soon become habit and before you know it, you'll be subconsciously living a dermo-friendly lifestyle.

Happy Weekend!

XO, Olivia Murray.

Friday Five: Acne Fighting Foods

Let's be real, there's fewer things more annoying than facial flaws and stocking your bathroom like a pharmacy of products, only to receive minimal results. It's not so cliche when said that "beauty is from within." On a completely literal level, it's actually all too true. What's inside our bodies generally comes out one way or another. Whether you have glowing skin genes or are less fortunate there are some tried and true consumables that don't require a trip to that hole in the wall Asian market or overpriced naturopath's.

• • •

Watermelon.

A high consumption of watermelon is an easy, summery way to achieving dewy, glowing, and radiant skin. It only makes sense that such a fruit, composed primarily of water, would leave skin more hydrated but that's not all. Watermelon (in full fruit or juice form) is proven to aid acne - including but not limited to pimples/whiteheads/blackheads, as well as prevent or limit skin issues such as acne scaring, red blotches, dark circles and even wrinkles. A childhood favourite but full of Vitamin A, B, and C, mineral water, and two skin friendly compounds "Lycopene" and "Citrulline" that your adult skin will adore.

Avocado.

Not just a California favourite or growing trend on restaurant menus. Avocado is commonly known for it's "good fats" which already increases it's female fan base but it's also very rich in both Vitamins C and E - reducing skin inflammation, increasing skin's vitality and acting as a natural moisturizer.

Brown Rice.

A super simple swap when cooking your favourite rice incorporated meal at home and a growing option if asked for at your favourite oriental take-out spot. It's widely known that choosing anything whole grain over "bleached" or white is the smarter choice but you can feel even better about your meal knowing that brown rice is a source of protein, magnesium,  antioxidants, and best of all? Vitamin B, which acts as a stress reliever and regulating the accompanying hormones that come along with such life dilemmas. 

Berries.

The perfect fix to replace a sweet or sugary craving. Berries are absolutely full of flavour and crammed with acne fighting, skin repairing, toxin preventing antioxidants. Although any berry consumption is a step in the right direction, the full benefits come from those that are fresh not frozen or preserved.

Chocolate.

That's right! Go loco for cocoa. Okay. Well it might not be that simple! Dark chocolate and (high flavanol) cocoa powder however, will give you the luxury of having a guilt free pleasure that your skin can "thank you" for at the same time. Both are full of natural plant compounds with heavy antioxidant properties, which promote circulation and skin hydration. Problems with rough, dry, or scaly skin? Find moderation in consumption, given that each piece of solid chocolate comes with calorie intake but treat yourself - and your skin.

"The only beauty I know is health."
( – Heinrich Heine)

Happy weekend-ing.
XO, V.