Canadian Living November 2014

“ CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU TO MEET Ashley Murphy,” said Marc Kielburger, a longtime friend of Canadian Living and cofounder of Free the Children. We were discussing the speakers and guests for the upcoming We Day tour when he shared with me the incredible tale of a tiny baby, born with AIDS and addicted to crack. She not only survived but thrived and, thanks to her adoptive parents Kari and Don Murphy, matured into a confident young woman intent on making the world a better place. Ashley would be taking centre stage at National We Day to share her journey, which has seen more challenges in 16 years than most of us see in a lifetime. I immediately wanted to know more about the family that saved her life. What I…

Could you have sitting disease? Just because you’re a weekend warrior or you hit the gym every day doesn’t mean you’re healthy. Sitting all day is connected to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease and premature death. canadianliving.com/sitting Should you be using coconut oil? Great for your skin and delicious for cooking, coconut oil has unique properties that can boost your health. Reap the benefits of this oil with our helpful tips. canadianliving.com/coconutoil You’ve likely seen electronic cigarettes on store shelves—but are they good for you? Can they help you quit smoking? Find out more about this unregulated industry. canadianliving.com/ecigarettes…

No longer designed just for ladies or gents, the latest fragrances to hit store shelves are blurring gender lines. This crop of ultra-sexy scents features notes typically relegated to colognes—think leather, rum and tobacco. Uninterested in girlie and butch labels, today’s woman shops for a scent that is distinct—and it’s all about personal preference. Like a masculine garment on bare skin, gender-bending eau won’t dilute your femininity. Are you woman enough to try one on? — Julia McEwen CHOCOLAT CHAUD A classic scent that transports you back in time, Valentino Uomo smells like a luxe Italian chocolate shop crossed with a men’s club. The tasty mix of bergamot, myrtle liqueur, roasted coffee and gianduja (a chocolate-hazelnut cream) makes this fragrance almost edible. Cedar and white leather round out the scent. Valentino Uomo Eau de…

GENEROUS GROOMED BROWS make a major statement this season. “My favourite brow trend is the full, brushed-up brows at Pamela Roland and Naeem Khan,” says Madron, a New York City makeup and eyebrow artist with 20 years of experience under her (designer) belt. When it comes to shaping brows, Madron advises against threading and waxing, which can remove more hair than intended. Strategy is key, so plucking one hair at a time is a safer bet, says Madron. “Eyebrows are design—they’re an art!” Once a professional has shaped your arches (using tweezers), Madron suggests maintaining them at home. After you’ve groomed and filled your brows, pull out one or two stragglers every day. “It’ll eliminate the risk of overdoing it.” She also warns against shaping brows to match the trends. “Always sculpt…

Need a little help with your brows? Madron talks us through shaping the fullest, most face-flattering arches. Step 1: Using short, light strokes, fill in eyebrows with a wax-based pencil, focusing the most colour in sparse areas and the arches. If you have dark brows, choose a colour that’s a shade lighter; if you have light brows, go one to two shades darker. Step 2: Run a spoolie or clean mascara wand through the brows to soften and blend, and to remove any excess product. Step 3: Using an angled brush and working in short strokes, blend in brow powder to add fullness and to set the wax in place. Step 4: Seal the powder and secure hair in place with brow gel. 1. Sephora Retractable Brow Pencil, $16, sephora.ca. 2. Anastasia Synthetic Duo Brush,…

Women across countries and cultures describe beautiful skin with words like smooth, plump and radiant, but how they achieve it varies from place to place. In France—one of the world’s skin-care leaders—facial massage has been practised for decades, bestowing anti-aging benefits and relieving stress. Alex Weisseneder, facialist at the prestigious Miraj Hammam Spa by Caudalie Paris in Toronto, says that facial massage “brightens up the complexion, aids circulation— which is good for impurity removal—and helps reduce fine lines.” Facial massage is easy to do at home, often with products that are already in your beauty cabinet. To begin, cleanse and exfoliate your skin, says Weisseneder, then warm a small amount of oil or serum in your hands. Liquid products slip better than creams and minimize tugging on the skin. For Mature Skin Using…