I decided to work and live in Toronto for the month of July. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I had the pleasure of staying at The Kimpton Saint George Hotel. This is a cute and modern boutique hotel in a perfect location. It’s anchored in the posh neighborhood of Yorkville. If you are not familiar with the area, its full of upscale shops, great restaurants and a vibrant cultural scene. To me, location is everything because you can easily walk around and take in the beautiful sights and things to do.

When I entered the hotel you are immediately surrounded by amazing artwork - I was told it is all by local artists. I love that touch. How else can you learn about a city then through the eyes of those that live there.

As I made my way to my room, I noticed the amazing mirrors they have in the hallways. Ya’ll know I love a good mirror. From the hallway floors to the moose lightening - this boutique hotel had so many cute details. Inside the room, I noticed luxury Atelier Bloem bath amenities (making you feel like royalty). The room was super spacious for one or if you are traveling with a partner.

I headed down to visit the fitness center, it was a good size with a variety of machines, free weights and again one of those beautiful mirrors. I then made my way to grab a bite to eat + drink inside the restaurant, The Fortunate Fox. The service was amazing, the espresso martini was a 10/10 and when you go, please have the enchiladas!
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Overall, my night stay at The Kimpton Saint George was an amazing time. Make sure you book a stay next time you are in Toronto, you will not be disappointed. Visit, https://www.kimptonsaintgeorge.com/ for more details.
Amenties at a glance:

• -Fitness Centre
• -Yoga Mat in the Room
• -In Room Dining
• -Dog Friendly
• -Restaurant and Bar inside the Hotel
• -In Room Beauty Services (I’m hoping to check these out next time)
• -Healthy Travel: Take one of Kimpton's custom designed PUBLIC bikes for a ride around town.

We love our luxe products, but we also love our products for less. Don’t sleep on some great affordable beauty products you can find at your local drugstores. In this issue we share some of our favorites or products we wanted to test out to see how they compare to the more luxury products we love. Now, you all know how I feel about skincare, I have used this drugstore favorite for years – Elf Cosmetics. These products are super affordable, and you can find just about everywhere. What I love about Elf skincare products is they are light, airy and make perfect skin prep products before you apply makeup.
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I found this great affordable set at Target called the Hydrated Ever After Skincare Kit. This would be a great option for someone who wanted to try Elf products out for the first time, and it was under $15! The kit includes: Eye Cream, Cleaning Balm, Face Cream, Face Cleanser and Hydrating Booster Drops (which is what I like to mix into my foundation to give me skin some extra moisture). These are also a great travel size, beauty on the go! I hope you enjoy this issue and let us know what are your favorite drugstore beauty finds?

Hey Ya’ll!
You all know my love for SKIN. I decided to try this “ethical beauty” company named Derma-E. They say “they are committed to you health, well-being and the natural environment.” I am always down to try skincare products that are natural and clean. I only wish they had sent me a moisturizer and a cleanser. I used my own cleanser however and used the rest of their products. The products I used are:


Derma-E Vitamin C Instant Radiance Citrus Facial Peel

First Impression: It smells GREAT! It also comes with a small spoon, which I’ve never used before. It is used to take the peel off - we shall see. I typically swear from peels because my skin sometimes ain’t having it, but since the brand is “natural” we shall see.


​After used: The  citrus facial peel consistency reminds me of mashed sweet potatoes the application with a little spoon makes it a little tricky to apply.  I think I prefer applying mask with my hands. After applying the mass I’m leaving it on for three minutes because sometimes my skin freaks out on peels, you can leave it on for five minutes it says.

However, I’m am going to just try it for three minutes. After about a minute or so and I can already feel it tingle a little bit not to the point where I have to take it off. The smell is amazing though, it’s really fragrant. After my timer went off, you’re supposed to scrape the peel off with the little spoon again so I did that and that was fine. Then you’re supposed to rinse with cold water to neutralize the peel slight (tingling after application is normal) and then follow with your favorite derma E moisturizer again they didn’t send me a moisturizer just the serum spray and toner so I’m going to use the toner next.

Derma-E Anti Wrinkle Toner

First Impression: Smells amazing. I like toners so I’m looking forward to using this.
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After used: No complaints on this, it was light and not overpowering (did not make me face sting).

Derma-E Blue Light Shield Concentrated Serum
First Impression: Smells good, the texture is gel like and the color looks like a greenish/gray - I am used to serums being clear or white.
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After used: Make sure you rub it into the skin really good and make sure your skin in dry first.

Derma-E Blue Light Shield Spray
First Impression: the spray is green, not used to color from sprays. The smell however smells like green tea, I’m looking forward using this.

After used: Spray felt amazing after the peel and toner. Spray was very light and the smell reminds me of being in nature (if that makes sense).

Derma-E Sun Defense Mineral Sunscreen (Face)

First impression: Looks like standard sunscreen

After use: Ladies, make sure your skincare routine includes sunscreen! Yes my melaninated ladies, we can still get skin cancer so wear it!

Derma-E Sun Defense Mineral Sunscreen (Body)
                                 
                                  First Impression: Looks like standard sunscreen

After use: No complaints here.

In review, my skin felt amazing after the routine. I allowed my face to react to it after several hours and it was just fine. I like the company is clean, natural and stands behind their products.

Is this something you would try? You can find more information here

Hey ya’ll! I decided to try out some Bliss products and thought I’d do a video for the first time ever! Let me know what you think :)

Step 1:
Cleanse face with Bliss Makeup Melt
-The texture is like jelly but not sticky :) This works much better if you do not wet your face first, apply the melt directly to the skin to get makeup off, make sure you cleanse for twenty seconds or more! Rinse your face and pat dry with a white paper towel. Pro tip: my friend Sylvia taught me that. A white paper towel has less chemicals and colors like hand towels that you don’t want to put on your face. Plus, a white paper towel you simply toss and don’t reuse. Lesser the chance to put more bacteria on your face.
Step 2:
Apply Bliss Mint Chip Mania Mask.
-I am in LOVE with this mask. It smells just has it sounds. It goes on smooth and it smells AMAZING. Since I am trying to get my body together, no mint chip ice cream - so a facial mask it is! When the mask is applied it has a cooling sensation but not overpowering. Allow the mask to sit for 10 minutes. In the video I steamed while having the mask on, you don’t have to be fancy like me and use a steamer however. Now, when you cleanse your face there is an extra bonus with this mask. The “chips” are exfoliates! You are giving your face a double whammy cleanse.
Step 3:
Moisturize with Bliss Drench and Quench
-After pat drying again with a white paper towel, I apply the moisturizer. This moisturizer is a fun blue color but goes on clear. This moisturizer is supposed to last all day long giving extra moisture to the face. Now, if you run a little oily - I would suggest getting a more matte moisturizer for the day. However if you are doing this a night, I think you will be okay.
Interested in trying this 3 step skincare routine? You can find all the products here.

​Tell me how you like it! Get your glow on, sis!

Hey ya’ll! I recently had a chance to try out Tula Skincare. They are a clean + effective skincare brand that formulates all products with probiotics and superfoods. So basically all good things for your face - which I am all about!

They never formulate with Phthalates, Parabens, Toxins, Carcinogens, Mineral Oil, Sodium Laurel Sulfate, and harmful preservatives. We are also proudly cruelty free!

Products I tried (all pictured above):

The cult classic purifying face cleanser
-This smells AMAZING! I used this while showering after a workout. It calmed my face down from sweating and left it smelling so good hours after. You will need to use a good moisturizer after.

Get toned pro-glycolic pH 10% resurfacing toner
-This came In a cute pump, you will need to use a cotton ball or pad for the face. The texture is very water based and easy to glide on. It does not sting like some toners, which I liked.

Hydrating day & night cream
-This was very moisturizing and had a soft smell. It paired well with the cleanser.

Rose glow & get it cooling & brightening eye balm
-Okay, I loved this product! After washing my face, I used this under my eye area. It comes in a stick form so very easy to use on the face. It’s also pink :) When I applied it I felt the cooling feature right away, it did not have a smell to it.

Brighten up smoothing primer gel
-I used this after the eye balm before moisturizer. It did not have a smell but had a very smooth texture like a moisturizer cream.

Balance beauty gummy vitamins
-Can't go wrong with gummy vitamins! This is how I life to take mine :)

If you are interested in trying one or two or all these products, you can use my discount code MORGANOWENS and get 15% off at www.tula.com
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Let me know if this is something you would try!

Since we all are spending more time at home, this is a great chance to get some self-care and beauty routines in place. Time is always something we say we need more time of and now we have it. Try one or all of these suggestions:

1. DIY Mask
For glowing skin mix together 2 tablespoons of yogurt and 2 tablespoons of lemon. Do a patch of skin to test, make sure you are not sensitive to break out. Let the mask sit on your face for 5 minutes and rinse. Continue with your normal daily skin routine. If you are doing face masques I would not over do them. Try it once a week.


2. Plan it out
Utilize this time to plan out some healthier meal options to keep your mind, body and soul healthy. Use free platforms such as Pinterest to search for meals no matter your dietary restrictions. Whether you are keto, vegan, vegetarian, low carb, high carb - whatever it is, they have a ton of meal ideas and recipes that you can simplely pin and plan your meals for the week!


3. Get Moving
Gyms are closed but don’t let that keep you from executing your health goals. There are a ton of online platforms with workouts to keep you accountable. Curvy Cardio has a great at home program that has daily challenges, meal ideas, live workouts and more in a private support group for only $15 a month! Interested in joining? Email [email protected] to participate all in the comfort of your own home!


4. Stock up on Vitamins
I’ve started incorporating taking apple cider vinegar gummies from a brand called Goli three times a day. These replace taking ACV shots that honestly, I could not stand the taste or ‘burning’ feeling when ingested.  These gummies have also helped with my digestion, my energy level and immune system. They are vegan and 100% organic. If you want to try them visit www.goli.com and use my code ‘miss_morgan86’ for a special discount!


5. Online Shopping
I know a lot of us do this anyway, but take advantage of the deals and discounts retailers are rolling out right now due to a lot of stores closing temporarily. On top of saving, you can also earn money back. You heard me right, you can get cash back on your online purchases. I utilize a site called Ebates, it has hundreds of you favorite online and in store retailers with cash back ranging from 2%-15% cash-back. The service is completely free, all you have to do is click on the website you want to shop at though Ebates and thats it - you get a check in the mail every 3-4 months. To learn more and to start making money use my link to sign up https://www.rakuten.com/r/MORGAN6440?eeid=28187

Whatever you do, let's try to stay positive and healthy!

Make sure you subscribe to my email list & blog on morganaowens.com, follow me on instagram: morganangeliqueowens as I will be doing giveaways that you don’t want to miss!

Beauty/Lifestyle Brands interested in being featured please email [email protected]

Hey Winter!

Don’t let winter stop you from being great. Honestly the winter season is my favorite season. I love the fashion, the beauty trends and all things “cozy” in my lifestyle. During the winter time I make sure I take care of my skin, my body and my mind.

1. Moisturized Skin

With the change in tempatures make sure you keep you skin hydrated. This means keep drinking your daily intake of water, wear your moisturizer and don’t forget your sun screen. Yes, sun screen! If you don’t have a skincare regimen, you better get one. Everyone’s skin is different so what works for me, may not work for you. Make sure you cleanse, tone and moisturized. A couple of my favorite skincare brands are: Bliss, Pure Beauty Bar, Grace & Grit and Kielhs. You can learn more about these products here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/miss_morgan86

1. Take Care Of Your Body

Did you make a New Years resolution to get in better shape? We all did but this time let’s take baby steps incorporating a better and healthier lifestyle for our bodies. I’ve started incorporating taking apple cider vinegar gummies from a brand called Goli three times a day. These replace taking ACV shots that honestly, I could not stand the taste or ‘burning’ feeling when ingested.  These gummies have also helped with my digestion, my energy level and immune system. They are vegan and 100% organic. If you want to try them visit www.goli.com and use my code ‘miss_morgan86’ for a special discount!

1. Make Your Home Cozy

Winter time is the perfect time to incorporate some “cozy” items into your household such as soft throws, comfy pillows, hot chocolate kits, diffusers, etc. This will transform your living space into a peaceful retreat. After a long work week and often times gloomy weather, what is a better way than coming home to some tranquility. Infuse these “cozy” staples in rooms where you know will find peace - whether it be a home office, bedroom or somewhere else off limits to the rest of your household. Personally, I like to cuddle up with a soft throw you can always find affordable ones at TJ Maxx, Homegoods or Target.

Try incorporating these three things into you Winter routine. Before you know it your skin will be glowing, your body will feel amazing and your mind will be at peace!

Make sure you subscribe to my email list on morganaowens.com, follow me on instagram: morganangeliqueowens as I will be doing giveaways that you don’t want to miss! In honor of my new column/blog I’m having a launch party on February 29th from 1-4pm - you can RSVP for free via Eventbrite. Search: Professional Pretty Blog Launch https://www.eventbrite.com/e/professional-pretty-blog-launch-tickets-89498730111

Beauty/Lifestyle Brands interested in being featured please email [email protected]