Living Beauty, Issue 03

The Body Issue: From Head to Toe

No. 01 — GOOD GIRLS

BY HADLEY FREEMAN

In a combination of personal experience and deep reporting, writer Hadley Freeman confronts anorexia, the least understood mental illness. Sharing her personal experiences, including her shame, fear, loneliness and rage, Freeman tells an honest and hopeful story of overcoming disordered eating.

A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER

Spring is an exciting time, when the smell of freshly cut grass can light up a concrete jungle like Toronto. The change of the seasons is an ideal time to switch up your skincare and explore newness in all facets of life. We’re highlighting that delightful sense of discovery with our Living Beauty Guide to London (page 7), where our team puts the spotlight on the UK capital.

Personally, I can’t wait to go back to Uncle Zorro, a great little spot in Covent Garden with deliciously fresh food and amazing coffee — keep an eye out for the vintage pink car parked out front.

At Living Beauty, we’ve always stood by our philosophy that every client is an individual who has their own customized needs. This issue of the Living Beauty Newsletter is all about cutting through the noise and understanding every part of your body.

It’s also a deeply personal issue for me. In March, I had a rhinoplasty to alleviate lifelong pain and breathing problems. Going under the knife wasn’t an easy decision, as I’ve always been adamant about maintaining my face’s natural character. I finally found the right plastic surgeon — Dr. Mike Roskies, a facial plastic surgeon who practices preservation rhinoplasty at his clinic in Toronto. On page 3, he and I get real about the personal and professional aspects of rhinoplasty, including everything I did to prepare for my time in the operating room.

My experience with Dr. Roskies underscores the importance of expert advice in all aspects of beauty and wellness. Invest a bit of time in your skincare routine and you’ll get the results you’re looking for. It took me three years to find a surgeon who understood and valued my sense of individuality. And the wait was definitely worth it.

xo Mariam

and CEO, Living Beauty Inc.

No. 02 — BIOHACKING

There’s no turning back the clock, but there are certainly lifestyle choices that can keep you healthier, longer. And with ongoing research into epigenetics, the study of how your behaviours and environment can affect the way your genes work, we’re all about making smart choices in the short term to benefit ourselves in the long run.

No. 03 — TUBING MASCARA

Tubing mascaras, like VMV Hypoallergenics

Ooh-La-Lash! Volumizing Mascara ($36), wrap around each individual lash, creating a cocoon-like tube with less flaking, less smudging and easy removal with warm water. VMV’s take is hypoallergenic, designed especially for eyes that get teary from mascara.

No. 04 — METABOLIC POWER

Cells are the building blocks of our body, and new technologies are empowering us to better understand our metabolism for long-term health. Take Levels, wearable tech that collects biometric data through a patch to optimize your metabolic health. Then there’s NMN, a molecule that’s been shown to suppress age-related tissue inflammation, improve mitochondrial function, improve function in the brain and more. When it comes to health, knowledge is power.

No. 05 — BIOLOGIQUE

RECHERCHE SERUM 3R

Renovating, regenerating, restructuring — it’s the ideal spring vibe and the purpose of the Biologique Recherche Serum 3R (from $77). Designed for devitalized and mature Skin Instants©, this serum both prevents and corrects signs of aging by removing dead skin cells, fighting dryness and promoting firmness and elasticity, all while protecting the skin from external aggressors.

Discover some of the trends and movements on Living Beauty’s radar this season and find out how they’re impacting the beauty world.

Founder

“We’ve always stood by our philosophy that every client is an individual who has their own customized needs.”

Mariam’s Surgery Care Routine

How do you get ready for a life-changing surgical procedure?

Here’s everything Mariam did to get her head in the game.

LAC+Co. Blow Out

“Two days before my surgery, I visited LAC+Co to have my hair coloured and blown out so I wouldn’t look totally atrocious during recovery. It just made me feel better.”

Gel Manicure

Removal

“Normally, I have a gel manicure from One 2 One. I had to remove it because the anesthesiologist needs to see your fingernails.”

Biologique Recherche

Facial

“I had a Biologique Recherche facial with MC 110 focusing on exfoliation to help get my skin in its best condition.

You don’t want this too close to the surgery, so I did this about two weeks out. Then, one week before my surgery, I did the Soin Restructurant et Lissant treatment to lift and hydrate.”

Diet and Detox

“You have to stop drinking alcohol two weeks before your surgery. I’ve had one glass of wine since. After the surgery, I slept for two days straight. You forget how much surgery can affect you. Just make sure you have chicken soup!

So grateful to my friend Ora for dropping off a few containers the day of my surgery.”

Post-Op Products

“You can’t really use skincare for the first week after your surgery.

I used Biokiss on my lips and, when my skin was dry, I would put Serum Amniotique VG on my cheeks, forehead and chin.

I’ve started using Serum Biosensible on my nose, because it’s a bit red, and then of course Collagene Originel.”

IN THEIR OWN WORDS

Mariam White

“When I was 14, my brother accidentally kicked me in the nose and I haven’t been able to breathe properly since. So, in 2010, I started visiting several plastic surgeons to inquire about a septoplasty to improve my breathing, but they insisted that I had a collapsed nostril and that my whole nose needed to be redone. The only way to preserve my ‘natural’ nose was to have a septoplasty with an ENT, but that procedure failed to make a difference in my quality of life and I gave the whole idea a rest. However, when the pandemic began, I had some more time to think about myself and how I wanted to move forward now that I've passed 40. Living with constant sinus pressure and a runny nose just seemed like something that I could try to fix instead of giving up on the dream to finally sleep properly. But with the decision to improve my physical health came accepting that I would be changing the appearance of my nose, the body part that I had a love-hate relationship with and that inconveniently sits in the middle of my face. The shape of my nose started to emerge when I was 14 — it’s familial; my mother inherited hers from her beloved father, and had a nose job when she was 30 (on Halloween and, yes, she did answer the door to trickor-treaters in her bandages).

It used to be a joke that a Jewish girl’s right of passage was rhinoplasty, but I think that my mother had regrets about her own choice and always told me that I should leave mine alone.

In high school, I was bullied about my nose and even my wedding photographer asked me if I liked my profile.

I was actually comfortable with the way it looked, which is what I feared most about getting this change. I knew physiologically that I couldn’t live like this, waking up in pain in the middle of the night, but my nose is a link to the past and I felt conflicted about changing it. My nose also didn’t stop me from getting married, building a great business and making so many of my dreams come true. In fact, I think it played a part in my life journey so far. Getting bullied for something you can’t control sucks, but in the '90s, you just moved on and built resilience, a quality that has helped me in my life.

In 2020, I started visiting different plastic surgeons in Toronto who would show me

a rendering of my ‘new’ nose, and I left each appointment feeling ‘meh.’ They looked nice — read: basic — but they just weren’t what I wanted — when something is too perfect, it loses that character and sex appeal and these surgeons couldn’t understand that a bump and nod to my ethnicity was something that I really liked. My celebrity references were Rachel Weisz, Hailey Bieber for her cute bump, the Kates (Winslet and Blanchett) and the goddess Isabella Rossellini, most of whom definitely have more prominent noses.

The truth is that each time I visited a plastic surgeon I was looking for a reason to say no. Was their bathroom clean? Did their staff look too ‘done?’ Was their schedule too open?

When I found Dr. Roskies on Instagram, I noticed that his ‘after’ noses looked very natural. He performs preservation rhinoplasty, which is best suited for a patient like me because I wanted to reduce or lower the hump rather than change my entire look. But I still walked into his office with every excuse not to, wondering if he could even operate based on the fact that I had a previous surgery. After a lengthy onehour consult, Dr. Roskies determined that I had enough material to work with (turns out the previous surgeon removed zero septum), explained the process and drew out a nose on an iPad in front of me. To my surprise I put down the deposit right then and there. It just felt right.

Now, a few weeks after the surgery, there have definitely been some psychological ups and downs because I’m in that adjustment period where I am still getting used to my face. The pain was actually minimal, although my face swelled up pretty badly during the first week of recovery. I am very happy with my choice of doctor.

Dr. Roskies truly listened to me and was conservative with the change, leaving a little bump and explaining everything clearly throughout this whole process. Most importantly, my septum is perfectly straight — I felt that rush of cold air through my nostrils when I woke up from surgery. What’s been really nice is that people keep telling me I look like myself and I can’t stop staring at my profile in the bathroom mirror.

After 30 years, I’m not letting my bullies win, but doing this for myself and on my own terms.

My mother told me a funny story before my surgery to make me feel better

about changing my nose’s character. My Bubby — grandmother — saw her for the first time after her rhinoplasty and asked, ‘Why didn’t you make it smaller?’”

Dr. Mike Roskies

“There are three major camps of rhinoplasty. The first is subtractive or reductive rhinoplasty. The problem with that technique is that when you remove tissues from a nose that not only have form but also function, it loses both. When you disrupt those valves, patients can’t breathe afterwards and the nose collapses over time. To counteract that, in the late 1980s surgeons developed a technique called structural rhinoplasty, which is what most surgeons are using today. This is taking cartilage from elsewhere in the body and using it to actually reinforce and strengthen the nose so that it doesn’t fall apart after you reduce some aspects of it.

Preservation rhinoplasty, which is the technique I use, has gained a lot of popularity in the last five years. The concept is, instead of rebuilding and reconstructing the nose, it should always feel the same and, most importantly, you should not have any long-term complications. It feels more natural, and it looks more natural. There isn’t too much you need to do by way of preparation. You have to be fit both physically and mentally and in the best possible shape you can be in. You also have to be mentally prepared for the long haul, as you’re going to have good days and bad days.

In recovery, there’s the rule of twos. It takes two weeks after surgery to look socially presentable, where you can walk on the street without major bruising or swelling and being noticed by a passerby. Then it takes two months for you to feel comfortable with your nose, when the changes are most substantial. Over the next two years is when the waiting game begins. It takes a very long time for swelling to go down, and the earliest you’ll see the final result is in eight to 10 months, but it often takes 12 months to two full years. It is an absolute journey.” 

Dr. Mike Roskies, MD, MSC, FRCSC, is a facial plastic surgeon and the owner of Yorkville Plastic Surgery in Toronto.

Earlier this spring, Living Beauty Inc.’s Founder and CEO Mariam White underwent a rhinoplasty procedure. Here, Mariam and her surgeon, Dr. Mike Roskies, share the emotional journey and the science behind getting a nose job.

A little swollen but still smiling six weeks after surgery

Happy and smiling with my original nose in December 2022

My parents at their wedding in 1968— and mom with her original nose

The Hair

Whether your hair type is dry and brittle or oily, its condition often comes down to the health of your scalp. At the Fairmont Pacific Rim’s Willow Stream Spa in Vancouver, the Nourishing Hair and Scalp Treatment Add-On intensely moisturizes the hair with Shaeri’s signature products made of botanical ingredients from Morocco. It begins with an application of oil that’s warmed up and drizzled along the hairline. “This hydrates and nourishes the scalp while relaxing the body and mind. An intense care mask is then applied to the ends of the hair, followed by a full scalp massage,” says spa treatment manager Anna McAlary.

WHAT TO TRY

Shaeri Shampoo (200 ml), $30

Manta Healthy Hair Brush, $45

↑ Shaeri Deep Conditioning Mask (250 ml), $56

HOT TIP

↑ Shaeri Hair Oil (100 ml), $49

Whether at home or at the spa, don’t rush your Shaeri hair treatment. “We encourage our guests to leave the product in for a minimum of one hour before rinsing for best results,” says McAlary.

The Lips

At Tight Clinic in Toronto, nurse injector Nanz A. Adu-Gyamfi, RN BScN, says that lip filler can be helpful for those with concerns regarding fine lines on their lips and dehydration and those who want to create or restore volume.

“By respecting the natural anatomy of one’s lips, great results are inevitable and will allow for the lips to appear increasingly hydrated and rejuvenated,” she says. Here are her expert tips for lip-care on all stages of your journey.

PRE-INJECTION LIP CARE

→ Stop the use of all substances and medications that can cause blood thinning 72 hours before treatment. Some common daily-use substances include alcohol, ibuprofen, aspirin, fish oil and oral Vitamin E.

→ Clients taking blood thinner medications, such as Apixaban, Warfarin or Rivaroxaban, for a health-related condition must always seek medical approval from their primary healthcare professional before stopping their medications.

→ Oral arnica can be taken to assist with bruising. The herb comes in pellet form to be placed underneath the tongue and can be taken prophylactically two to three days before treatment to help minimize bruising and pain.

POST-INJECTION LIP CARE

→ I encourage clients to drink lots of water and usually recommend applying a hydrating ointment to the lips several times throughout the day. My favourite product to use on fresh lips is Aquaphor.

→ Avoid deep pressure and activity to the lips for at least 10 days or for the duration of your swelling. This includes massaging the lips, intense kissing, biting of the lips, puckering or drinking out of a straw or any other activity that can cause the filler to migrate or be displaced.

→ Avoid exercise for at least 24 hours after your filler treatment to keep swelling and discomfort under control.

→ Bromelain, a derivative of pineapple, can also assist with healing of freshly injected lips. It has anti-inflammatory properties that help with swelling which will usually occur with lip filler injections.

→ Schedule a follow-up appointment two to three weeks post-treatment. Experiencing lumps in the lips after filler is injected is common. Often these lumps will naturally subside as the lips heal. In some cases, a massage by your injector will be performed to smooth out any remaining lumps felt in the lips.

REMOVAL CONSIDERATIONS

→ The product used to dissolve hyaluronic acid can trigger clients with bee allergies.

→ Depending on how much filler a client previously had injected into their lips, sometimes multiple sessions are required to fully dissolve the filler.

→ Keep the lips hydrated and moist by consuming lots of water and applying a topical hydrating ointment to the lips throughout the day.

WHAT TO TRY (wait at least 24 hours after treatment)

Biologique Recherche Biokiss (15 ml), $75

← Biologique Recherche Creme Contour Yeux et Levres Biofixine (15 ml), $141

The Eyes

The eye area is notoriously delicate and mascara is a common culprit when it comes to causing eye irritation. Ooh-La-Lash! by VMV Hypoallergenics brings bold volume to lashes without common eyesore allergens like dyes, fragrance and phthalates. “It features a special compound that swells up and surrounds each lash strand in a tube,” explains VMV founder Laura Verallo de Bertotto. For ongoing eye care, Biologique Recherche’s Creme Contour des Yeux VIP O2 was recently reformulated to better absorb into the eye area and combat dark circles, while Magicstripes Wake Me Up Collagen Eye Patches provide an instant soothing pick-me-up.

WHAT TO TRY

Biologique Recherche Creme Contour des Yeux VIP O2 (15 ml), $105

← Magicstripes Wake Me Up Collagen Eye Patches (Single Pack), $14

The Cheeks

When volume is a key indicator of youth, keeping your face fit can make a big difference. “A big part of being a fit fat cell is maintaining a healthy size. You can promote healthy fat cell size through regeneration — the more cells you have, the smaller the average cell size. You can also promote healthy fat cell size by inducing lipid release. Our formula combines both strategies. It’s unique in that respect.”

Ivan Galanin, founder of Adipeau

WHAT TO TRY

↑ VMV Hypoallergenics Ooh-LaLash! Volumizing Mascara, $36

HOT TIP

No need to rub harsh makeup removers over the eye area, which can further irritate skin. Oooh-La-Lash! dissolves with just a few splashes of warm water.

The Décolletage

Every professional Biologique Recherche facial treatment tends to the décolletage and the neck, not just the face, and it’s something that Veronika Gueorguieva, education director at Living Beauty Inc., says should be taken into consideration at home.

“There is a saying that the skin on the neck shows the true age of the person,” she says, pointing to the fact that people often neglect to apply their skincare and SPF to the area. “That’s why we should never forget to use our products for the face on the neck and the decolleté as well.”

WHAT TO TRY

Biologique Recherche

Masque Biofixine (100 ml), $307

The Arms

A little bronzing can go a long way to giving the appearance of toned arms. “If you're looking for a way to add a little extra confidence to your skin, then using self-tan might just be the perfect solution,” says James Read, founder of James Read Tan. For a touch of radiance, his Click and Glow Body Drops can be mixed with your SPF or body lotion for easy application. “Your skin will be left looking toned and radiant, boosting your confidence and making you feel your best.”

WHAT TO TRY

↑ Biologique Recherche Liftkiss (Single Mask), $36

↑ Adipeau Active Face Cream (50 ml), $120

Biologique Recherche Creme Matricielle (100 ml), $120

To Tone and Hydrate:

↑ Biologique Recherche Creme Matricielle Body (100 ml), $120

HOT TIP

To Glow:

↑ James Read Tan Click & Glow Body (30 ml), $68

The compact size of James Read Tan’s Click and Glow Body Drops means you can click anywhere and anytime, making them the perfect addition to your gym bag, to bring on holiday or to add to your daily skincare routine, whether it's morning, afternoon or even before bedtime.

Caring for your face and body doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We break down what to use where and how, so your routine stays effective.

The Hands

Hands are put through a lot of manual labour every day, from environmental stress to exposure to drying products like sanitizer or dish soap. Keep your bathroom stocked with products that nourish this hardworking area and remember to make time for some dedicated pampering for your mitts.

WHAT TO TRY

Olverum Purifying Hand Wash (250 ml), $44.50

The BODY GUIDE

↑ Olverum Soothing Hand

Lotion (250 ml), $49.50

Magicstripes Hand

Repairing Gloves (Single Pack), $20

The Stomach

Lymphatic drainage is a popular professional treatment with big-time benefits that include strengthening the immune system, reducing cellulite and boosting your mood. Performed on the stomach, it can improve bloating, break down fat cells and ease tension. And it’s something that Dr. Carolina Orrego of Restored Movement in Toronto says can be incorporated at home. Here’s her advice on how to treat your tummy to some TLC.

→ Prepare the skin by using Lotion P50 Corps and Gant de Massage Corps, spreading over the abdomen in a clockwise motion about five times.

→ Press your palms flat down gently onto the area in between your hip bones five times.

→ Apply a generous amount of Huile Sous-Ombilical to hands and make circular movements around the belly button five times in a clockwise pattern.

→ Place hands under the middle of the rib cage and gently brush down, working around the belly button, covering the abdomen surface area.

→ Lastly, place either palm on the side of each rib cage and bring together towards the middle with gentle pressure and down towards the groin again five times.

→ End by pumping the lymph nodes between the hip bones three times.

HOT TIP

To keep your belly happy, stay hydrated daily and try to avoid high-sodium or bloating foods.

“I love incorporating specific cleanse and detox juices and broth into my diet and exercise and body flow movements, ending my showers with cold water and doing belly breathing techniques to help extend the effects and benefits of a lymphatic massage.”

Dr. Carolina Orrego

WHAT TO TRY

Biologique Recherche Huile Sous-Ombilicale (100 ml), $174

↑ Biologique Recherche Massage Glove Corps, $59

Biologique Recherche Serum Matriciel Body (100 ml), $168

The

Vulva Indulge in some intimate TLC with a versatile finger vibrator and some aloebased lube to help get your juices flowing.

WHAT TO TRY

The Butt

For a taut tush this spring, give your derriere some extra care with the exfoliating power of Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50 Corps. It not only smoothes skin but prepares it to better absorb moisturizers.

HOT TIP

For best results, apply in an upward massaging motion with the Biologique Recherche Massage Glove.

The Legs

Got a pair of Jacquemus’

Le Short in your cart? Prep your gams for their postwinter reveal with a combo of exfoliating, sculpting and firming products.

WHAT TO TRY

The Feet

Take time at the end of a busy day of summer adventure to refresh your feet with a soak and soothing, cooling lotion. You’ll thank us in the morning!

HOT TIP

We’re all about dipping our toenails in zesty citrus hues this season. Think: Hermès orange, Gen Z yellow and pink grapefruit.

↑ Dame Fin, $172.50

WHAT TO TRY

↑ Biologique Recherche

Liposculpt AC (200 ml), $178

Biologique Recherche

Gommage P50 Corps (200 ml), $118

↑ Dame Aloe Lube (120 ml), $25

Biologique Recherche

Lipogen AC (100 ml), $154

↑ Biologique Recherche

Lotion P50 Corps (250 ml), $129

Olverum Firming Body Oil (100 ml), $98

WHAT TO TRY

Olverum Body Polish (200 ml), $86

Biologique Recherche Creme Defatigante (100 ml), $72

↑ Biologique Recherche Creme Dermo-RL Corps (175 ml), $165

COLLAGE BY TAHREEM ALVI

Guest Editor

Tina Cable Owner, Myüz Makeup

Artistry & Esthetics

Winnipeg, MB

Tina Cable is all about practicing what she preaches. A busy mom who tends to the skincare needs of her Winnipeg regulars at Myüz Makeup Artistry & Esthetics, she always makes sure to schedule regular facial appointments in her calendar.

We caught up with Tina to discover a few of her personal wellness essentials, from following what lights her up to her at-home rituals, plus her must-have skincare products.

Love What You Do

“I think my favourite piece of advice to give people is to love what you do. Be excited to get up everyday and go to that place where you can create and thrive in your practice, whatever that may be. I will always encourage one to find their passion, run with it and don’t look back.”

Biologique Recherche

Gant de Massage Visage

“Another great form of selfcare but from the comfort of home is to use the Gant de Massage Visage. It’s such a fun way to spice up your regular cleansing routine with the added bonus of improved circulation, and it feels incredible.”

Manta Healthy Hair

Brush

“Lately I’ve been wanting to put more care into my scalp and hair. Using the Manta with the Biologique Recherche Complexe Cegaba + Bioproline serum is perfection. You get a scalp massage, exfoliation and gentleness!”

Biologique Recherche

Creme Masque Vernix and Creme PIGM 400

“My clients always ask me how to achieve glowing skin and I will always recommend the same thing: a combination of Creme Masque Vernix and Creme PIGM 400. If you haven’t tried these two products together, do it now. You will glow like never before.”

VMV Hypoallergenics

Ooh-la-lash!

Volumizing Mascara

“A mascara that actually doesn’t run down your face and stays put! Hypoallergenic and a tubing type of mascara, it’s perfect for someone still on the hunt for the right mascara.”

Regular Facials

“I schedule regular facials for myself with my team because I know how important it is to take time to nurture yourself.”

Biologique Recherche

Fluide VIP O2

“This is one of my favourite finishing serums because of how it protects and shields the skin from the extreme environmental aggressors we deal with these days. I also love it as a makeup primer.”

OOH-LA-LASH! VOLUMIZING MASCARA, $36

BODY OF WORK

We’re living in an age of body commodification where, with enough resources, everything from your lips to your hips can be tailored to your liking. And with social media presenting us a constant barrage of images of other people’s bodies, aspiring for a celebrity thigh gap or an influencer’s snatched waistline can start to feel like a purchase within reach, like a designer handbag or a new car. But whatever your physical wellness goals, it’s important to remember that true physical empowerment comes from within.

Take Michelle Obama. During her time as FLOTUS, her toned arms garnered nearly as much attention as her advocacy for healthy families. But in the six years after leaving the White

House, Obama went through menopause and has since found that working out no longer delivers the same results. Her fitness goals have shifted, and that means moving on from chasing those famous biceps. “I am still physically active, and my goal now, instead of having ‘Michelle Obama arms,’ I just want to keep moving,” Obama told People magazine last year. Indeed, movement and caring for your health can take you a lot further than aspiring for a specific appearance. Margot McKinnon, the founder of Body Harmonics Movement and Health in Toronto, says that feelings of strength and confidence don’t always correlate to how a body looks on the outside, or a number on a scale. “When you strengthen the upper

body properly, you end up with a more open posture and that helps people feel more confident,” she says. “You get away from this idea that ‘my arms aren’t toned’ to ‘my posture is upright and I’m feeling strong.’ And that’s where real confidence comes from.”

When working towards your goals, McKinnon explains that, by focusing on creating balance between strength, flexibility and mobility, you’ll feel stronger and more confident in the way your arms work. And it’s this feeling, rather than a specific aesthetic result, that’s key. “As you start to feel better and feel like you have more poise and more lightness in the body, the look becomes secondary.” 

“People—parents especially— carry so many burdens and that can take a toll on our wellbeing, so we have to force ourselves to slow down and recharge.”

When it comes to aspirational fitness goals, we’re all about finding empowerment within.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF YOU?

We asked our UK Living Beauty family members to share their insider tips on the perfect day in London, from spas and salons to parks and pubs.

JAMES READ Founder, James Read Tan

DOMINIC HAWKSLEY CEO, Olverum

Taking into account our health and wellness from head to toe, we asked some of our professional partners from across the country to share what they love most about their body.

“I have two. First of all, my smile. I think a smile is the best makeup, the best skin care, the best everything. Even if I feel awful, my mindset changes when I smile in front of a mirror. The second is my collarbones. Whenever I wear a strapless top or dress, I feel sexy and feminine. I find it really attractive as well.”

Mélissa Trudeau, Superviseure, Rainspa, Montreal

“My shoulders. They carry so much!”

Linda Brigley, Founder, Spirit Spa, Halifax

“I recently became a mom for the first time to a beautiful little girl. Every day when I see my stretch marks on my tummy, I'm reminded of what I had to endure to bring her into this world and how strong my body was. Something that brings joy and that I cherish everyday.”

Priyanka Mukhi, Owner/founder, Xpressive Beauty, Toronto

“I would say my hands because I can build better skin for each client, including myself, and change the way it looks and feels. But I try to love every part of my body since they are all beautifully connected to perform well.”

Hwaran Yoon, Founder and Owner, Refine Medi Spa, Edmonton

“London is truly a city like no other. With its efficient transportation system that connects the city, it's no wonder that it's one of the easiest cities to travel around. Personally, I love living in London, especially in Richmond — one of my favourite places to be. It has everything I need: great bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. Not to mention, Richmond Park is an absolute haven for my dog and me. Whenever I'm there, I feel free and happy, making it my safe place.”

Carnaby Street

“Although Oxford Street can be overwhelming due to its busy atmosphere, Carnaby Street is a different story. It's the perfect place for me to visit whenever I'm in London. It's cool, trendy and has everything I need — from great shops like Liberty to fantastic coffee spots.” ↓

The London Edition

“Its beautiful interiors are perfect for meetings and socializing with friends. I even held a press dinner at the hotel when it first opened. Plus, it's located on the same street as the Sanderson Hotel, where I used to have a salon.”

Claridge’s

“When it comes to indulging in an afternoon tea experience, there's no better place than Claridge's.

As one of the oldest hotels in the world, stepping inside feels like stepping back in time, with an abundance of fascinating history to explore. Recently, they've added a new five-level spa underneath the hotel that's simply breathtaking.” ↓

Norma

“As a foodie, one of my favourite restaurants in London is Norma. Their food is inspired by Sicilian culture with an emphasis on the Moorish influences of the island's cuisine. The restaurant's sharing plates are perfect for groups of friends and the food is simply amazing.” ↓

Noble Rot

“Great French food from a small but perfectly formed menu with two outposts, one on Lamb’s Conduit Street, a lovely little street slightly away from the Central London hordes, and in Soho. As their name suggests, they are big into wine, so the wine list is incredible. Try the appetizer of choux pastry stuffed with duck liver paté — if you like that sort of thing — served with Tokaji jelly.” ↓

Bedales

of

Borough

“The OG of wine bars and our single fave space in London to go midweek. Head for the basement area.” ↓

Kiln

London’s Parks

“London is full of beautiful parks — Regent’s Park, St James’ Park, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens — but slightly north of Central London is Primrose Hill. It’s not big but a short hike to the top gives you wonderful views of the city’s skyline. Kenwood House in Hampstead Heath is also beautiful and a great place for a picnic. It featured in the movie Notting Hill."

Brat Restaurant

“Shoreditch is a great area to walk around. In fact, check out the graffiti tour of Shoreditch for the real hidden London.” ↓

Ember Yard

“The best cocktails and tailored small plates in town. It’s £££ but worth it.”

“A great Thai-inspired restaurant in Soho where everything is cooked in clay pots in front of you. There’s always a waitlist so drop in, put your name down — request a seat at the bar — and then go to the Crown pub next door, where a nine-year-old Mozart once gave a recital.”

TIM AND DANI BINNINGTON

Founder, Manta, and Founder, Healthy Whole Me

Soho

“For drinks, my go-to spot has always been Soho.

I remember visiting for the first time when I was just 18 and I've been hooked ever since. Soho has it all, from charming little bars and restaurants to cozy coffee shops.”

The Wolseley

“We love going somewhere special for breakfast, like the Wolseley restaurant. Some of the dishes have roots in Austria and since I’m Austrian that’s so nice!” ↓

Spitalfields Market

“We love a mooch around Spitalfields Market in East London for a bit of young designer shopping, funky stalls and unusual shops. We then enjoy strolling down Brick Lane for the hustle and bustle and arty, creative feel.”

Mildred's

“We love one of the oldest vegan restaurants in Soho called Mildreds. It’s small but with a fab selection of wonderful plant-based dishes."

Soho Theatre

“We then head off to Soho Theatre to catch a new act if we are lucky. We both love Soho for the vibe, night and day!” ↓

IN THE DEEP

There’s a common belief that skincare needs to go deep into the skin to be effective, but maintaining healthy skin is a little more complicated. There are three main layers to the skin, each with its own distinct functions and characteristics, and all three are intertwined.

In skincare, is going deeper always better?

DERMAL-EPIDERMAL JUNCTION

An important communication area for skin cells, mediating the signals that influence their behaviour, this lipid junction system is like intercellular cement and forms a protective wall that prevents the skin from losing its water. In fact, skin disorders like dry skin or irritation can all be attributed to a low concentration of these phospholipids. They can be greatly assisted by creams rich in amino acids, glycoproteins and essential fatty acids, which help rebuild the structure of the skin to limit water loss.

The superficial layer is the epidermis, and its vitality plays a major role in determining skin’s brightness. Consider that it has five layers and four

types of cells and you start to understand the intricacy of your skin. Next is the dermis, the middle layer that gives the epidermis firmness and tone and contributes to its hydration. This is where you’ll find capillaries, lymph node endings and sensory receptors. And between these two is the dermal-epidermal junction, which provides cohesion between these two layers and ensures good communication between their cells. Finally is the

hypodermis, the deepest and thickest layer of dermal white adipose tissue that consists of fat cells. Reaching it can be tricky, and it’s something that Adipeau has perfected with a new technique. “Adipeau uses the pore housing the hair follicle to reach the dermal adipocytes or fat cells,” explains founder Ivan Galanin. “So, it’s really not a question of penetration — going through something — but of translocation — sliding down the pore.”

ADIPEAU ACTIVE

By stimulating new fat cells in the deepest layer of the skin, Adipeau treats sinking and sagging skin at the same time, a revolutionary first in skincare.

This quintessential serum reduces wrinkles and fine lines by targeting both the epidermis, where it optimizes hydration, and the dermis, where it increases elasticity.

STRATUM CORNEUM

The outer layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum is home to your unique microbiome, or skin flora. The average adult has one thousand billion bacteria of more than 200 different species on their skin. This diverse collection of microorganisms helps to control the balance that characterizes healthy skin, forming a biofilm that helps protect against infections. Biologique Recherche’s Lotion P50 helps with shedding this layer and revealing fresh skin beneath, a natural process that slows with age.

EPIDERMIS

The protective layer of the skin, the epidermis, is made up of five layers of cells that are constantly being renewed to help protect the skin from external attack. In addition to components like fibroblasts, which secrete collagen and elastic fibres, and melanocytes, which produce the skin’s pigment, this is where you’ll find filaggrin, a key player in the skin’s barrier function. Filaggrin strengthens the skin’s natural barrier by bringing together structural proteins that form tight bundles.

CEO

DERMIS

ART

in Kuala Lumpur, Ilham Alshahab creates interpretative art as a form of storytelling. The contrast between the abundance of whimsical colours and elements and the elusive narrations in her work leaves room for mystery. For this issue, Ilham created the illustrations for “Your Guide to Living Beautifully” on page 2 and “In The Deep” on page 8. eelhum.com @unagilham Mariam White Founder and

BIOLOGIQUE RECHERCHE SERUM ELASTINE (30 ML), $130 Scan the QR code to find the Newsletter and much more from Living Beauty online. Living Beauty is a division of Living Beauty Inc. Have a question? Want to carry our brands? Contact us at:

@ian___woods

Tahreem Alvi is a Toronto-based

art

natural and confident

she delivers unexpected, thoughtful multimedia expressions to every project she creates for. For this issue, Tahreem created the collage for “The Body Guide” on page 4 and the illustrations for “Body of

ILLUSTRATION BY ILHAM ALSHAHAB

LAYERS OF THE SKIN