Under $100: Best fashion and beauty buys for February

Hydration surge

Like clockwork, by the time February rolls around my skin is dry, tight and itchy. Thanks in part to arctic winds, cold temperatures and drying indoor heating. Neostrata to the rescue. This Canadian skin-care company makes products that really work. One of its many dream creams is this daily moisturizer that targets dry and dehydrated skin with a blend of emollients; glycerin attracts moisture while Shea butter nourishes skin. - Julia McEwen, fashion and beauty director

Neostrata Moisture Infusion Hydrating Cream, $31, neostrata.ca.

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Denim for days

A longline denim jacket has been on my style list for a long time now. I love the length of this one as well as the true-blue wash. And at just under $100, the price isn’t too bad either. - Alexandra Donaldson, fashion and beauty editor

Boyfriend fit denim jacket, $99.50, frankandoak.com.

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Mighty Mask

To combat the days where my skin is looking dull and dried out thanks to the cold temperatures, I’ve incorporated this moisturizing and remineralizing mask into my routine for a skin refresh once a week. The osmoregulatory betaine, Norwegian glacial water and mineral extracts (zinc gluconate, magnesium aspartate and copper) in this mask bring my visage back to life in only five minutes. Best buy? I think so. - Linda Cotrina, web producer

Skeyndor MyMask Fresh Sorbet Moisturizing & Remineralizing Mask, $65, carylbakervisage.com.

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Scrub your way to brew-tiful skin

I’m a sucker for a good exfoliating body scrub. This Canadian made, all natural and organic coffee scrub keeps my skin glowing. Made with coffee, pink himalayan salt, avocado oil, and grapefruit essential oil, this exfoliant detoxifies my skin leaving it smooth and well hydrated all winter. - Alisha Hunter, fashion and beauty intern

Coffee Body Scrub Grapefruit + Avocado 125g, $18, simply-polished.com.

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Call of the wild

This Zara skirt is same same but different to Australia’s Réalisation Par’s Insta-famous “The Naomi” leopard skirt. Unlike the elastic waist band of Réalisation Par, this one has an invisible zipper and comes in a darker leopard print with a longer hemline. The kicker? In true Zara fashion it’s far cheaper—$200 cheaper with no extra duty fees. - JM

Animal print skirt, $49.90, zara.com.

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Raised brows

While I used to never fill in my already full brows, in the last year or so I’ve noticed sparseness where there wasn’t any before. While I won’t be turning to any treatments like microblading just yet, I do want a quick and easy way to fill in spots that still looks natural. This brow tint pen is a great option for someone like me. With simple hair-like strokes I can make sure my brows are full—not patchy—and it takes no time at all. - AD

Revlon ColorStay Brow Tint, $14, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

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Break out

If you’re anything like me, the winter tends dry out your skin but you somehow still manage to get those pesky breakouts. This blemish stick uses a lemon witch hazel and aloe vera formula to target problem areas naturally. Now go enjoy the rest of the season with confidence! - AH

Lemon Blemish Stick, $9, thayers.com.

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Black magic

Masking might be one of my top five favourite pastimes. So when this Garnier mask landed on my desk I eagerly brought it home to try. My skin type is dry with a side of dehydrated so I was cautious using a charcoal peel-off mask because of the drying reputation. But after 20 minutes my skin felt cleaner and looked poreless with no additional dryness. If you do have dry skin, I suggest following up with a moisturizing mask. - AD

Garner Skin Active Black Peel-Off Mask with Charcoal, $11, amazon.ca.

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Seeing red

For someone who relies on a neutral wardrobe, I often find myself accessorizing with red. Red nails, red lip, red shoes. So it makes sense that I’m keen to add a red purse to my wardrobe. I love the muted tone of this minimalist option—it’s simple and classy while still packing the punch of a power colour. - AD

Bag 3115, $58, oakandfort.com.

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Dainty

Subject II Change is a Canadian company that creates a wide variety of stunning jewelry. This particular beauty is one that I’ve had my eyes on since its release in early January. Its gilded sterling silver is complemented perfectly by the dainty cubic zirconia. - AH

Diamond Eye Vermeil Ring, $60, yourfavouritesubject.com.

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Spell it out

To be honest—I’m not pro-Valentine’s Day but I am a fan of heart prints and the word love—both for aesthetic reasons and because I’m not a monster. This curved scripted pendant from Canadian jewellery brand, Jenny Bird, looks stunning on its own or fits right into a layering three-way. - JM

Love Pendant, $95, jenny-bird.ca.

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Oil change

While squalane and jojoba oils are top of mind these days, there is another oil that I’m seeing more and more in beauty and skin-care products. It’s called baobab oil and is a rich anti-oxidant that is a great moisturizer for skin. I’ll be trying out this affordable option that recently came across my desk to try it out. - AD

R&R Luxury Baobab Oil, $17, beautella.ca.

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Red alert

If you’re sick of wearing sweaters and cardigans why not layer up with a spring staple like a jean jacket? Take it one step further and spice up your look with a punchy red version. - JM

Coloured denim jacket in Fired Red, $39, joefresh.com.

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Punch of pink

It doesn’t matter how many sweaters I own, I will never stop growing my collection. This elegant fuzzy pink sweater can easily be dressed up or down, making it a lovely versatile piece for your wardrobe. Plus its light pink colour and twisted back is gorgeous (and flirty) for February. - AH

Fuzzy Twist Back Sweater, $61, oohlaluxe.com.

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Happy feet

I love camp socks and spend most of the winter (and fall and spring) months wearing my grey and beige socks pretty much every day. Perhaps that’s why my husband picked me up the ankle version of my beloved winter warmers. They’re a little less chunky, so they fit easily into the nicer footwear I’ll wear to work which means even more opportunity to be cozy this season. - AD

Cotton Cabin Ankle Socks (2 pack), $18.50, roots.com.

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The glow up

In the last five years highlighters have soared to the top of my makeup must-haves. Why? Because they glow and bestow my skin with a hydrated (even if it’s not), younger and overall more healthy appearance. I’m especially a fan when they’re available in a versatile stick. This one from Australian beauty brand, Nude By Nature, adds the perfect amount of opalescent radiance to my visage. The cream-to-powder formula also has active skin-care ingredients—such as kakadu plum, vitamin C and desert lime—to boot. - JM

Nude By Nature Touch of Glow Highlight Stick in Opal, $28, shoppersdrugmart.ca.

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High visibility

Coming up on the heels of fanny pack popularity are camera bags. Perfect for traveling or everyday commuters—this cross-body bag gives you access to all your essentials and looks pretty cool while doing so. - JM

TNA Zoet Camera Bag, $40, aritzia.com. 

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