Toronto born cosmetics, skin care and beauty brands are few and far between when walking the aisles of Shoppers Drug Mart or Sephora. Why should the 100-mile diet end in your stomach? Take a trip off the beaten track and you’ll find Toronto is brimming with locally produced brands that are as good for your skin as they are for your wallet. Cosmetics companies, big and small, have been popping up in Toronto, taking a direct approach to making our city just a little bit more beautiful. Not to say you can’t look your best au natural(I sure as hell can’t be bothered to make myself up on a daily basis), but why not indulge in something local when freshening up in the AM.

Here’s a look at 5 Toronto beauty brands making their way into our makeup bags.

Bite Beauty (@bitebeauty)
“Edgy, edible, innovation for lips” is the mandate Susanne Lang, founder of Bite Beauty, lives by when crafting her wide range of completely organic and edible lip colors. Makes putting on lipstick in the morning a little less daunting when there’s the possibility of it doubling as an afternoon snack, no? With a wide range of bold lipsticks ($24), luscious lacquers ($24) and even naturally-plumping cinnamon tinted lip oils ($22), Bite is just as chic as it is scrumptious. Available at Sephora .

LoveFresh (@LoveFresh)
Why lather yourself with chemicals to get clean and fresh when you can treat your body to a taste of what nature gave us. LoveFresh, the brainchild of Toronto native Stacey Davis, promises “a simple moment of luxury” with every application of her wide range of products. If you’ve stepped in a spa (Stillwater, The Ten Spot and Lux Spa to name a few) in Toronto in the past year or so, it’s likely you’ve had the pleasure of trying some of Davis’s products which range from body oils and lotions to liquid eyeliners and eau de parfums. A personal favorite is the LoveFresh Sugar Scrub ($30) which comes in a variety of scents and scrubbing of dead skin seem ultra-glam.

Rebels Refinery (@rebelsrefinery)
Who ever said skin care was just for the gals? It certainly wasn’t Eric Fallon, founder of the brand new men’s skin care line Rebels Refinery. Fallon, along with three good friends, decided to start the line when they took a look at the toll their lifestyle was having on their skin and realized it was time to put down the Irish Spring. Launching a simple skin care regime in January of this year (ranging from $13-$17 each or $57 for the full kit), Rebel Refinery seeks to ease the oft hesitant “manly man” into the wonderful world of clear, clean and smooth skin. Available at 889 Yoga and Wellness Spa and Jacob and Sebastian

Province Apothecary
I first discovered Province Apothecary while perusing the goodies at the Junction Flea one weekend, hosted at The Great Hall. Founder Julie Clark began her foray into natural skin care while studying Aromatherapy and Holistic Health in 2010. Certified as a Holistic Health Practitioner, Clark also offers skin consultations and custom organic aromatherapy facials. Find all of her products available on her website (ranging from $8 for lip balm to $80 for skin serums), or visit the studio in the heart of Little Portugal.

Crawford Street Skincare
Oftentimes the best things in life are born from unfortunate situations. Such is the case with Crawford Street Skin Care, the aptly titled line of organic and natural products from Gaelyne Leslie, who launched the line of skin care after experiencing a severe allergic reaction to store-bought cosmetics. Using fair trade or organic products when possible, Leslie aims to provide her customers with a healthy glow free of chemicals, artificial dyes and fragrances. Personally, I’ve been holding my Mint-Vanilla Lip Balm ($5) closely all winter to keep my lips pucker ready. Available at The Big Carrot or Ecotique.

SNOW BUNNY BEAUTY

Beauty products to beat that cold-worn skin, hair and lips

Whether you’ve been hitting the slopes, or just walking the sidewalks on a blistery windy day, winter-worn skin, hair and lips are probably no stranger to you by now. These essentials moisturizers, exfoliators and de-frizzers will help to primp and polish, and get you back to snow bunny beautiful.

1. Ceraminde capsules, $86, Elizabeth Arden.

2. Body butter, $24, LoveFresh.

3. Scrub, $40, Bliss, available at Sephora.

4. Shampoo, $30, Lush.

5. Hand cream, $17, Weleda.

6. Moisturizer with SPF 20, $53, Clinique.

7. Lip polish, $26, Fresh, available at Sephora.

8. Hair treatment, $41, Moroccanoil, available at select salons.

9. Lip balm, $5, Burt’s Bees.

Psst…If you’re going to be outside in the cold for a long time, make sure you moisturize beforehand—and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Happy Sunday! I hope you’re all enjoying your weekend as much as I have been. My son’s hockey team won their first playoff game of the season, my daughter had a blast at her birthday party and I relaxed after both, the best way I know how…. with a luxurious bath.

There is nothing better than unwinding after a hectic day with a relaxing bath, some peace & quiet and your favourite candle. This weekend, I finally had a chance to try out the Lovefresh body wash and body butters that I’ve heard such wonderful things about. Lovefresh is a line of all-natural products that uses fresh ingredients and essential oils to create mouth-watering scents such as pomegranate, key lime coconut, pink grapefruit & tangerine, lavender, pear, vanilla bean and lemon.  Their products are well known in my neck of the woods and can be found locally in Toronto spas.

The packaging is sleek and simple. The scents are glorious!
Vanilla Body Butter 8 Fl.oz/240 ml – $24 CDN

The body wash is infused with spring water and natural extracts including elder flower and chamomile. It retails for $20 CDN and comes in 6 different scents including an unscented option called NAKED. I found this to be a very effective cleanser, but gentle enough to be used daily on the skin. I especially love that it doesn’t harbor any harsh detergents like other body cleansers I’ve tried.

Lemon Verbena Body Wash
16 Fl.oz/500 ml – $20 CDN

The body butter is so luxurious!! It’s thick and rich formula is packed with Aloe Vera, Chamomile, White Willow bark & Calendula extracts that leaves my skin feeling incredibly nourished and soft. The body butter actually penetrates my skin quickly and leaves no greasy residue.  The only thing this leaves behind is an amazing scent which fills the room. The body butter retails for $24 CDN and is available in 6 scents, the two I have and 4 others (Lavender, Water Lily, Pear & Lemon).

Pomegranate Body Butter 8 Fl.oz/240 ml – $24 CDN

The company, founded by Stacey Davis is proudly Canadian and available at retailers across Canada or online here. Along with the body butters and body washes, there are also body scrubs, body lotions and lip balms available.

I can’t wait to try the Lovefresh body scrubs!

By Jane at DALY BEAUTY

Ugh there is nothing like a cold Canadian winter. The temps dip below zero, the furnace cranks up, and everything becomes dry, crinkly and papery. I actually dry my laundry by draping it all over the place just to get extra moisture in the air. Showers and baths feel good because they are, well, water, and that is what our skin is missing, but we have to be careful to replenish and moisturize our skin once we dry off. I have a foolproof trio of goodies that are getting me through this nasty cold weather:

LUSH Ro’s Argan Body Conditioner: Dry skin? If you don’t have this stuff go get some stat. It is miraculous. Perfect post exfoliation in the shower, and ideal for shaving. Seriously, if you haven’t shaved your legs with Ro’s, you will be amazed. You almost don’t need lotion after the shower when you use Ro’s, and it smells like honey & roses. Protip: your underarms will thank you for this.

Lovefresh Sugar Scrub: Scrub away flakes and alligator skin with Lovefresh Sugarscrub – really. I use this head to toe once a week or so and not only does it prep the skin for moisturuzing by leaving it smooth and silky, but it adds a magical moisturizing treatment to your skin. It smells like a sweet sugary treat but really leaves little scent behind on the skin. Protip: use it where you wax to avoid ingrown hairs. You know what I’m talking about.

LUSH Dream Cream: The first LUSH product I fell in love with is still one of my absolute favourites. If you apply Dream Cream at bedtime your skin will still be moist and dewy in the morning. I apply it after the shower and when used with Ro’s, dry skin does not stand a chance! It smells like soft lavender and rose, but again, the scent dissipates and does not interfere with perfume or linger.

What are your cold weather soft skin secret weapons?

Lovefresh Vanilla Sugar Scrub

All natural sugar scrub for the body using the finest ingredients. Created by LOVEFRESH Founder, Stacey Davis in Toronto, Canada.

The ultimate hydrating sugar scrub with botanical extracts and shea butter. This scrumptious scrub is gentle enough to use daily. Exfoliating with sugar helps to increase circulation and will certainly rejuvenate your skin…leaving it feeling scrubalicious!

100% of Chicks dig it | READ THE REVIEWS

I got one of these from the One of a Kind Show in Toronto. I bought a gift set of a body wash and lotion, and the founder, Stacey Davis who was at the booth gave me the sugar scrub to try. She said it’s their top seller and I can see why. I have been using it regularly in the shower for the past two months and I love it. I have tried many body scrubs and there are many that I like, but this one does it all. It exfoliates and moisturizes long after you leave the shower. There is shea butter in the scrub so you will notice that it is still on your skin after you rinse the sugar off. My legs get dry in the winter so I really appreciate that.

I love the subtle scent of the Vanilla and the texture of the product. It reminds me of sugary marshmallows if that makes any sense. All of LOVEFRESH’s products are all natural so I never have to think twice about what I’m putting on my skin. This makes a great gift for someone or something to pamper yourself with. I would buy this again.

A delicious treat for the body. This is more than just s scrub; it’s a moisturizer as well. It seriously leaves your skin feeling like velvet for at least 2 days. I use it in the shower before I even turn on the water. Once I’ve done my scrub down I turn on the shower and let it rinse away. So far I’ve only tried the Vanilla, but I can only imagine how delicious the other flavours smell.

By Notable | Posted in Entrepreneurs – Nationwide

Stacey Davis started making natural cold processed soap after she became a certified aromatherapist, and launched her company, LOVEFRESH, shortly after. What advice does she have for other young professionals? Find out in today’s YEDaily…

Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
I am the Owner/Founder of a Canadian beauty line that works hard to give women (and some men) healthy, glowing skin.

Why did you start working at your company?
I started LOVEFRESH because I felt there was a real disconnect between fabulous natural products and gorgeous packaging. It didn’t make sense to me and I felt as though I could marry the two and make something special. Although I had no formal education in design, I have a definite eye for what I like and a sense of what others may like as well.

What was the inspiration for this career route?
I became a certified aromatherapist and had no idea what to do with this new found information…so I started to make natural cold processed soap. I am a great cook so it came fairly natural to me.

What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis?
I love to make product, getting my hands into new formulations and experimenting on what does and doesn’t work. I have a ton of recipes that I do not sell to the public (but I can assure you, my family and friends are stockpiled with all sorts of interesting bath products).

The most challenging part?
I struggle with the business aspect of it. It’s difficult when you make all the decisions. I don’t have anyone to bounce off ideas to (I tend to go with what my gut tells me) and I have been very lucky in that department; I guess I have a “sensible” gut.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I don’t like to live five years down the road,  I am really enjoying the space I am in right now.

What does success look like to you?
Success has always been freedom to me. The freedom to make your own choices and not live with regrets. I am living a successful life right now as I am able to do exactly what I want and feel completely full.

What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
When I first started selling to the public five summers ago, I worked down at the St. Lawrence Market. It was a tough crowd. Every Saturday I would pack up my bestsellers and head down there. By the end of the summer, a customer told me that she loved my body butter so much, she felt it was just as good as the body butters at the Stillwater Spa. My goal from that moment on was to see LOVEFRESH at Stillwater Spa. It took me 2 years, but we got there and now sell a tremendous amount of product to them.

Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
It takes a tremendous amount of sweat to make something successful and profitable.

Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Yes. I have been a big supporter of breast cancer research and treatment this year. It hit very close to home recently.

What to you is notable?
Looking at the big picture. I hope we can all step out of our busy lives and think about how we can make a positive impact on the time we spend on earth.

Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
None of the above, I am old school (no cell phone for me).