Dear Cosmetic World,  It’s all about the toner. We mostly love you, but true to form, you confuse us once again. What is the difference between a toner and an astringent and should we care? I think yes, but let’s read on.  A toner is water based. An astringent is alcohol based. At least it should be. Or used to be. There is the danger of drying out the skin with too much alcohol so astringents are mainly recommended for the oilier skin types. But caution is advised. When people cleaned with regular bar soaps and heavy cold cream, residues on the skin were a huge issue. Cold…

The two young teens closed their menus having settled on their breakfast options.   “What can I get for you this morning?” the waitress asked, pen poised. Felix looked up and grinned. “Well, I’m going to have the 3-egg option, sunny, brown toast and jam, orange juice and coffee, please.  And I think my buddy is going for the Red Dye #40. “ Both the waitress and Oscar appeared confused. Oscar shrugged and said, “Um, I ate already so I’ll just have the Kellogg’s corn flakes, but with the strawberry flavoured milk. And throw in the Yoplait yogurt on the side, please…

Some TV ads are so irritating you just have to grab the remote and FF, skip, silence, or smash.  ‘Anti-Aging’ cream ads fall into that category for me and once viewed I do not wish to see it again. I do not believe most of what I hear and I feel sorry for those who spend money on false assurances, sometimes at a risk to our health. We buy. We try. What about our crushed morale, when success was not around the corner. Lift the crow’s feetTighten the layersShrink the bagsLighten the dark circles Promises. Promises. Promises to achieve the truly perfect solution to aging? A constant…

Alarm awake another dayPut the body wash in playFocus, stretch to morning cleanseSquish the pump. Squirt away  Bubble lather aims to cleanGentle soothing grapefruit sheenPromising a glow skin shineIs danger lurking? Quite unseen? Ready now to face the day!Although quite polluted.Sad to say Our skin often feels it could use a little help. This typical morning cleansing ritual described above would not occur if you truly knew what you were doing. Body washes are in. They smell great. Affordable. Functional. What more should one ask for? How about asking for a cleanser that does not contain…

When you whisper ‘marula’ in an elephant’s ear, watch him smile. It is true that they do love to eat the fruit of the marula tree, but does it really make them ‘tipsy’ as legend says?  Elephants that consume fermented marula fruit from the ground sometimes appear drunk. Perhaps the fruit does ferment in the stomach, turning to alcohol.  The elephant has always been admired. Aristotle once said ‘The elephant surpasses all others in wit and mind’. The elephant can identify languages, read our body talk, mourn their dead, mimic our voices. They can use tools to achieve a goal…

“DIY Dawn Dog Shampoo That Kills Fleas’ A Pinterest recipe that caught my eye. “Kills fleas? What and who is the killer?” I wondered. The recipe is simple. Water, White vinegar and Dawn dish soap. As water and white vinegar are considered safe, it has to be the Dawn detergent that is the hero bug killer. I am quite familiar with the pros and cons of detergent but washing my dog in a chemical laden detergent would not be my first choice, fleas or no fleas. I decided to investigate. There are warnings on this dish soap recipe:  Don’t use on your dog if skin problems already exist…

Year: Future. After Covid.  Setting: Customer in front of a street vendor Kiosk: The Truth Be Told Cosmetic  Learning what NOT to buy  Customer points to a cream jar, “I would like to try that moisturizer, please, Monsieur.” Jean Francois: “Oh madam, I think you have NOT made a good selection in a face cream.  Non, non. Malheureusement, that cream contains mineral oil, a petroleum that penetrates the skin and clogs your pores. You need your pores to be free, open, so as to release toxins, not bury them.  Her finger zeros in on…

10% off Summer Must-Haves Neem Body BarNori-Neem SoapSheamu Butter (both sizes)Shargan ButterZinc Oxide Blend (tub and tube)July 8, 9, 10 only Wednesday, Thursday, Friday3 day Special Summer must-haves never change. We love the outdoors and while adapting to the new rules and staying safe, there are still  the Canadian summer go-tos! Neem Body Bar Hiking in a provincial park?Golfing at dusk?Camping under the cedar trees?Fishing for pickerel at dawn? Or quietly enjoying the rhythms of lapping lake waters?  Whenever the activity ventures…