Okay so I knew the Ford Flex was a big car, but I didn’t quite grasp how big the thing really was.
Although my blog mainly focuses on beauty, I’ve gotten many opportunities to tap into the lifestyle market here and chat about different industries other than lipstick and nail polish. I’m lucky to get the opportunity to work with Ford Canada and they often offer me some of their new cars to test drive for a week. I don’t test them out for engine speed or any other specs that you would find on an automotive blog, I just drive them for everyday use and look for the flashier features. Example, do the seats massage your back? How is the audio quality? Do they come in pretty colours?
Okay, all jokes aside, I was offered the chance to try out the 2016 Ford Flex, which is a huge car. Ford describes it as a crossover vehicle, meaning that it’s a vehicle built on a car platform and combines the features of an SUV and a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback. You may have seen these guys on the road as the Flex is shaped like a box on wheels. Not only is it a large car in general, but it’s also quite long, so I actually didn’t end up driving it too much since I rely on parallel parking for my day job and I didn’t think I would find a parking spot large enough for this beast.
This car did come in handy though because I needed a vehicle to transport my bike from my house to my condo, and it fit perfectly in the back thanks to the fact that the back row of seats fold down, all at the push of a button. Seriously, if you are lugging around large stuff on a daily basis, consider getting this car, it has TONS of room.
Now onto the most important stuff. Yes it has a heated steering wheel (a new must for me), heated seats, and an amazing entertainment console. The 2015 Ford Flex has the new SYNC 3 system, which is a user interface which allows drivers to interact through voice control or with a tap on the touch screen. So say for example you want to know some restaurant suggestions, well all you have to say is “I’m hungry” and the car will tell you some hot spots.
As for driving, the Flex offers a super smooth ride and has enough pep in it to really zoom on the highways (in fact, it has an available 3.5L EcoBoost® that generates 365 horsepower and 350 lb.-ft. of torque across a wide 1,500-5,500 rpm range).
Overall, I really enjoyed my time with the Flex, although I did learn that it was too big of a car for my liking (a standard SUV is big enough for me!). It also wasn’t the greatest on gas mileage, but that’s to be expected when the vehicle is as large as that one is. If you like big cars though, I would look into the Flex, as I actually liked the look of the vehicle (it’s a monster) and it’s definitely something different than what you generally see on the road.
Have you driven the 2015 Ford Flex?
Please note, I received no compensation for this post aside from the car for a week. All opinions are my own.
Like what you read? Check out these related posts:
Did you catch me this morning on CTV Morning Live Winnipeg?
As you may be aware, today is Earth Day, which is the largest environmental event in the world. More than six million Canadians—including nearly every school-aged child—participate in an Earth Day activity in their communities. The mission of today is to foster and celebrate environmental respect, action and behaviour change that lessens our impact on the earth.
It doesn’t take much to make a difference, which is why I was on TV this morning talking about some vegan, organic, and paraben-free cosmetic products from London Drugs. Okay, so you may be thinking that using these products may not necessarily impact the earth that much, right? Well, not only are these products better for your health, but lots of them are cruelty-free, vegan-free, and gluten-friendly, as well as features recyclable materials.
So if you want to be a little more health conscious for your skin and body, as well as earth-friendly, here are some brands – and some of my favourite products – that you may want to check into.
Emani Cosmetics
Made in the USA, Emani Cosmetics is makeup with natural and organic ingredients. Their products are 100 per cent vegan and gluten-friendly, 100 per cent cruelty-free, and 100 per cent talc-free and paraben-free. In addition to being free of petrochemicals and irritants, their products are packaged in recycled and biodegradable paper. Emani Vegan Cosmetics is committed to excluding any ingredient that has been shown to have negative health effects.
Although they have a vast range of product selection, my favourite items are the HD Corrective Concealer (C$24.50), the Perfect 10 Primer Serum (C$38), the Sculpting Pressed Blush (C$19.50) and Organic Soy Infused Mascara (C$24), which works as a mascara and lash treatment for longer lashes).
Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics
I’m still new to this brand of mineral cosmetics, but Youngblood is the premier luxury mineral cosmetics line made of natural, finely ground minerals from the earth — without any of the common irritants (including chemicals, dyes and preservatives) found in conventional makeup. Mineral makeup (which is an inorganic solid substance that occurs naturally in rocks and in the ground) reflect light to help smooth the appearance of fine lines and blemishes. If you suffer from rosacea, acne, and discolouration, mineral makeup is great because they do not support the growth of bacteria and microbes, and pose a lower risk of allergic reaction, making it great to use on skin conditions like rosacea, acne, and discolouration.
Give the Youngblood Lip Gels (C$26) a try for a naturally selected formula that contains Momordica Grosvenorii Fruit Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil and Sweet Almond Oil for a nourishing, long-lasting, mirror-like finish while remaining petroleum, fragrance, mineral oil and cruelty-free.
Their Hi-Definition Mineral Perfecting Powder (C$46) is amazing if you have a special event. This finishing powder, which applies translucent, keeps skin hydrated and balanced by locking in moisture while naturally absorbing excess oil and mattifying shine – even in high humidity. The powder is enriched with silica, which reduces the appearance of fine lines and pores due to its optical light reflecting properties as well as skin- revitalising minerals zincite and rhodolite. It also leaves a cooling, soothing sensation upon contact due to the use of the anti-inflammatory and calming licorice root.
Mineral Fusion Mineral Makeup
Another mineral makeup brand, Mineral Fusion’s goal is to leave skin and hair in better condition than they found it. This includes selecting effective natural ingredients, as well as making their products free of gluten, parabens, talc, artificial colors, synthetic fragrances, SLS, and phthalates. Their products are also cruelty free and they are committed to sustainability and utilize wind power, soy inks, packaging from recycled materials and packaging that is recyclable.
Since summer is coming up, give their bronzer a try. I love this blush/bronzer duo (C$30), which contains pomegranate, red tea, white tea plus vitamins C and E that defend against free radical damage and give skin a healthy radiance.
EcoTools
You may have seen EcoTools already as the brand is available at most drugstores. Their brushes feature eco-concious materials that are 100 per cent cruelty free, and that feature recycled aluminum and renewable bamboo.
They offer a wide range of products, including makeup brushes, brush cleansers, bath tools, and much more. Their makeup brush starter set includes a blush brush, a shading brush, angled eyeliner brush, concealer brush, brow and lash groomer and brush bag. The packaging is 100% tree-free paper and 100% recyclable made from 80% bamboo and 20% cotton fiber.
Herbatint
I was once told by a colleague that anything that changes the colour of our skin (he was referring to self tanner) and hair, probably isn’t good for you. I think it’s safe to say that most people dye their hair. In order for the colour to work though, we are feeding so many chemicals into our locks.
If you like going the at-home route for colouring your hair, look into purchasing Herbatint Permanent Haircolour Gel, which is the safest permanent hair colour product on the market. 60 Million Consumers, France’s leading consumer testing organization, confirm that Herbatint is the only safe hair colour product that contains no carcinogens or toxins, protects both hair and scalp, and leaves hair soft, radiant, and beautiful. Their Permanent Herbal Haircolour Gel (C$18.99) is available in 36 colours, so I’m sure you can find a colour to suit the shade you’re looking for.
Green Beaver Sunscreen
They say to wear sunscreen everyday to protect skin from the sun’s harsh rays. Well what if I told you you could be increasing your risk of cancer by wearing sunscreen, the one thing that’s supposed to help you from getting melanoma.
Studies have shown that most sunscreens contain chemicals that can increase your risk of cancer and other health issues. The chemicals from sunscreen absorb into the blood, can act like estrogen (take a look at the sunscreen bottles in your cabinet right now, do they have the ingredients oxybenzone, methoxycinnamate, and PABA in them? Those ingredients are estrogenic chemicals linked to cancer).
Although there are many sunscreen brands out there (I always get suckered in by Hawaiian Tropic), take a look at organic brands for the best way to protect your skin (both inside and out). Canadian-brand Green Beaver (C$20.99 at London Drugs) is a line of organic products, which includes sunscreens in its impressive stable. Their certified-organic sunscreens are developed for all skin types (available in both kids and adults versions), and include natural and gluten-free ingredients.
La Roche-Posay
If you like the whole mineral thing (plus want more of a BB-like formula), La Roche-Posay’s Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra-Fuid Lotion SPF 50 (C$34) is a 100 per cent mineral sunscreen, which has a universal shade for an instant glow. It has high UVA/UVB high protection and is fragrance-free, paraben-free, non-comedogenic and water resistant.
I’ve really been loving the push towards more natural products in the beauty industry. We use these products to look and feel more beautiful, but the chemicals that we are putting on our body can be ruining our insides (so not cute).
This post is in collaboration with London Drugs, as they have a variety of products that are gluten-free, vegan, cruelty-friendly, mineral-based, and organic. Although a lot of these products are available at most drugstores, I know brands like Emani, Mineral Fusion, and Youngblood are a little more hard to find, but you can order them online through London Drugs’ official site.
What’s your favourite earth-friendly beauty brand?
Also, don’t forget to enter my signed Demi Lovato CD and Lovatics by Demi New York Color prize pack, as well as my Genuine Health giveaways!
Please note, I am working with London Drugs on this post. All opinions are my own.
Like what you read? Check out these related posts.
When I got the email about MAC’s new collab with Brooke Candy, I didn’t even give it a second thought. I always look forward to MAC collaborations, but since I had no clue who Brooke Candy is, I didn’t really bother reading about the product line up.
Anyways, last week I ended up receiving the two nail polishes from the collection, so I did my research into the other items and who exactly she is. Turns out Brooke Candy is a “fiercely independent digital sensation”, meaning she’s a signer and rapper, not yet signed to a music label, although many people have wanted her. She’s also the daughter of the CFO of Hustler magazine and did an internship with celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe. According to Wikipedia, she’s best known for sporting metallic bikinis and pink cornrows, Candy has been compared to Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga, CupcakKe and Nicki Minaj.
Based on the packaging from the collection (metallic grey with matte black splashes of paint), this collection leans more towards Kat Von D than Nicki Minaj. Same with the assortment of products. Although there’s lipsticks, lipliners, Vamplify lip lacquers, a bronzing powder, Studio Eye Glosses, and more, there are two shades of MAC Studio Nail Lacquers (C$15.50 each).
Madame Candy is a nude cream shade, which is quite sheer when applied. I had to use three coats to get it opaque, and although it’s just a nude, it’s one of those everyday you-can-wear-it-with-anything kind of colours. It pretty much matches my skin tone since I am quite fair, so it’s not a stand out to me.
Black Stallion is a midnight purple in a cream formulation. At first glance, in the bottle this looks like a black, however it applied like a deep purple. They were probably following the same lines as the Till Death Do Us Part Vamplify lipstick (an intense dark purple) and Witching Hour lipstick (a rich purple matte). I had to use three coats to get this looking opaque, and even then I feel like I could have done a fourth coat. Aside from it’s thin consistency, it is a really pretty colour, and if you had to choose between the two shades, I would go with this one hands down.
This was my first foray into MAC Studio Nail Lacquers. I’ve (surprisingly) never tried them out. The colour did go on quite glossy and was fast drying. The colours in this range aren’t that stellar, and to be honest, would be better suited as a fall collection as opposed to a spring one (although deep purple is still in for this season).
The MAC Brooke Candy collection launches in North American stores on May 5, 2016 and online April 28, 2016.
Also, don’t forget to enter my signed Demi Lovato CD and Lovatics by Demi New York Color prize pack, as well as my Genuine Health giveaways!
Will you be picking anything up from the MAC Brooke Candy collection?
Please note, I was sent these products from PR. All opinions are my own.
Like what you read? Check out these related posts:
Brown and beautiful: NARS Cordura duo
Alexandra Stan’s Lemonade music video inspired look
The perfect bronzed glow
Banish those undereye circles!
