EYELASH EXTENSIONS
Celeb cred Jennifer Lopez, Jessica Chastain, Julianne Moore, Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian
For the sake of space, we could only list a few celebs, but just about every starlet turns to fake lashes or lash extensions to get that coveted doe-eyed look. Lash extensions are favoured by many actors to save time at TIFF, where days are packed with premieres, red carpets, interviews and parties.
There’s no daily application required, they’re smudge-proof and waterproof and last up to six weeks. Get your own pair at Winks Eyelash Boutique (from $125, 70 Yorkville, 416-777-9465, winksboutique.com), which has seen many a celeb in its time and uses quality mink lashes.
Kathryn Gaitens
CHEMICAL PEELS
Celeb cred Jennifer Aniston, Freida Pinto, Gwyneth Paltrow, Courteney Cox
Chemical peels may sound scary, but they’re actually a relatively painless way to keep your skin looking its best. Done properly, they tingle more than burn. Unlike the old days when a peel could leave you fire-engine red for days, the current versions are highly customizable and available as “lunchtime” treatments that involve little to no redness or downtime. That’s part of why celebs love them – there are no embarrassing after-effects for paparazzi to capture.
For beginners, I recommend a SkinCeuticals gel peel from Compass Dermatology ($175, 650 Mt Pleasant, 647-351-9277, compassdermatology.ca). It’s a superficial acid peel designed to smooth out skin texture and leave you looking refreshed.
Michael Watier
Halle Berry
REIKI
Celeb cred Sandra Bullock, Halle Berry, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, Angelina Jolie
You’re not gonna look your best if your insides are a mess. Celebs get their energy in check with reiki, a healing technique where a therapist channels energy into a patient to activate a natural healing process for both the body and mind. Get the real deal at The Rock Store ($95 for a one-hour session, 602 Markham, 416-516-2191, therockstore.ca), where every treatment is an individualized experience.
Michael Watier
Nicole Kidman
GOLD FACIALS
Celeb cred Nicole Kidman, Cameron Diaz, Ellie Goulding, Bar Refaeli
The only thing actors like more than little gold statues named Oscar are trendy 24 karat gold facials. The treatment is supposed to pack major anti-aging and hydrating benefits. Find the Toronto version at the luxe Four Seasons Spa ($265, 60 Yorkville, 416-964-0411, fourseasons.com/toronto).
It begins with a copper-enriched lactic acid peel to boost collagen and even skin tone, followed by an anti-inflammatory gold serum to heal accumulated environmental damage. You also get a plumping massage and eye contour treatment to round out the 90-minute experience and leave with a dusting of gold shimmer oil to light up your complexion.
Looking for something a bit more budget-friendly? Do it yourself at home with celeb makeup artist Victoria Radford‘s signature 24k gold bio cellulose sheetmasks. Pick some up at her buzz-worthy new Yorkville salon ($17 for one or $45 for three, 115 Hazelton, 416-399-3704, victoriaradford.com).
Cate Blanchett
COLD LASER FACIALS
Celeb cred Christy Turlington, Kate Winslet, Cate Blanchett, Eva Longoria
Cold lasers, trendy in Los Angeles and Vancouver for years, are now gaining traction in Toronto. They’re a proven way to help your skin look its best without going under the knife or resorting to injections. My favourite local spot to indulge is The Freeze Clinic ($199, $175 for first-time clients, 808 Danforth, 647-700-5880, and other, thefreezeclinic.ca), which combines the biostimulating cold laser with diamond microdermabrasion, LED coloured light, micro-current therapy, oxygen infusion and products from all-natural Canadian brand Consonant.
Honestly, it’s like five facials in one. The treatment repairs sun damage, increases collagen, hydrates and can help with conditions like acne and eczema.
Betty White
OXYGEN FACIALS
Celeb cred Gwyneth Paltrow, Emma Stone, Madonna, Betty White, Jennifer Lopez
Oxygen facials are all the rage with Hollywood stars because they produce visible benefits without any pain. To take it up a notch, try the OxyGeneo 3-in-1 super-facial (geneo.ca), which exfoliates, infuses nutrients and oxygenates the skin all in one quick 30-minute treatment at Glow Medi Spa ($145, 129 Yorkville, 416-920-9998, glowmedispa.ca).
The secret to the treatment is the CO2 bubbles that gently burst on the skin and call oxygen-rich blood to the area, which increases capillary flow and skin metabolism. The result? Plumped skin, more hydration and a healthy glow.
Sofia Vergara
LUXURY SPRAY TANS
Celeb cred Sofia Vergara, Lindsay Lohan, Taylor Schilling, Kirsten Dunst, Kim Kardashian
Celebs don’t bake their precious skin in the sun. The douse themselves in SPF, then turn to luxury faux tan brands like Vita Liberata to give them that gorgeous glow. It’s a favourite among red carpet revellers because of its organic formula, natural-looking colour and streak-free distribution. Pick up their at-home products at Sephora (from $30, 220 Yonge, 416-595-7227, and other, sephora.com), or get a professional to spray you at Ritual ($50, 571 Wellington West, 416-306-0040, ritual.ca).
