A WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF YOU?

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.

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.