Product Spotlight: EOS Lip Balm

With their bright colours and unique spherical shape, EOS lip balms certainly get noticed. Once you get past the fun and funky packaging, you’ll find a product that is definitely worthy of the attention.


EOS stands for the “evolution of smooth”—a description that certainly fits. EOS lip balm is gluten-free, paraben-free, petrolatum-free, and phthalate-free. It is also 95% organic and 100% natural. Its ingredients include proven natural moisturizers, shea butter and jojoba oil, and antioxidant-rich vitamin E. And EOS products are not tested on animals.

Smooth sphere lip balms come in a range of natural flavours that glide on easily, including summer fruit, honeysuckle honeydew, medicated tangerine, lemon drop (SPF 15), and sweet mint. Smooth stick lip balm also comes in sweet mint and two additional flavours: vanilla bean and pomegranate raspberry. (Full ingredient lists are available on the company’s website as www.evolutionofsmooth.com.)

EOS lip balms are a must-have, especially for the upcoming winter season. They also make great stocking stuffers for anyone who wants to get a jump on their Christmas shopping! Visit Great Lengths Hair Gallery for a full selection of EOS lip balms.

Pumpkin—Not Just for Pie

The word “pumpkin” typically brings two thoughts to mind—pie and Halloween. But highly nutritious pumpkin can (and should) be a lot more than a dessert or decoration.

Most of us have probably heard about “eating a rainbow” of produce, since more colours mean a broader range of nutrients. The deep yellow/orange hue of pumpkin is part of this rainbow. Pumpkin and other squash are loaded with important carotenoids, which have been shown to prolong life. (http://bit.ly/pUxc5w ). Pumpkin is particularly high in alpha-carotene, which some sources say is a more powerful cancer-fighter than its better known relative, beta-carotene. (http://bit.ly/nZMbf1)

Pumpkin provides a lot of fibre with few calories. It is also a good source of vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, iron, and calcium.

And don’t forget the seeds. Whether you scrape them out of your jack-o-lantern and roast them yourself, or buy them from your local bulk food store, pumpkin seeds (also known as pepitas) offer a lot of nutritional benefits. According to Canadian Living, they are “among the leaders of phytosterols -- a naturally occurring compound with an established reputation for cholesterol-lowering properties. Phytosterols are also being studied for their potential role in prostate health. Each 1/4 cup (50 millilitre) serving of the seed provides a healthy dose of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and is a good source of minerals, including phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and iron, making it one of the most nutritious and flavourful seeds around.” Pumpkin seeds can be sprinkled in salads or on soups, but be sure you don’t go overboard. One cup of pumpkin seeds is 750 calories. (http://bit.ly/nB8j9o)

Pumpkin is very easy to incorporate into your diet, and not just in the form of pumpkin pie. Pumpkin and squash puree make wonderful soups. Roasted pumpkin or squash can be seasoned in a variety of ways—butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, cinnamon, and curry can all be used to create different side dishes. What’s more, pumpkin and squash are grown locally and are abundant this time of year, so be sure to get yours!

Product Spotlight: Kevin Murphy Session Spray

Intense hold with humidity resistance and UV protection—what more could hair need?

Kevin Murphy Session Spray provides a firm hold without flakiness. It contains hydrolyzed wheat protein, a natural source of vitamin C that creates a protective barrier against moisture loss while promoting shine. Its ivy leaf/stem extract helps to seal in moisture to prevent breakage while also adding shine. Ivy extract also helps prevent and treat dryness caused by too much exposure to heat.

The styling resins used in Session Spray provide a firm but flexible hold with excellent memory and resistance against high humidity.

As much as we love what is in Session Spray, the list of what’s not in it is equally impressive. It is free of parabens and CFCs. It is also low-VOC (volatile organic compound).

Session Spray is halfway between a styling product and a finishing product. The moulding resins it contains are a slightly wetter formulation than standard hairsprays and allow you to style the hair with a sleeker appearance.

Session Spray and other Kevin Murphy styling products are available now at Great Lengths Hair Gallery.

What’s Hot for Accessories this Fall

Accessories are an easy, affordable way to stay on trend each season. Here are just a few of the more “accessible” accessory trends this fall, summarized from Vogue magazine:




• Colour blocking in purses and shoes. Contrasting blocks of colour—turquoise and earth tones, oranges and reds—are paired together in geometric designs that make a bold statement.

• Snakeskin. Animal prints in general are very popular this season, but snakeskin is making an appearance in accessories. Real snakeskin is beyond the reach of most people, but there are plenty of faux snakeskin purses, boots, and shoes around for those who prefer a more affordable option.

• Gloves. Gloves were all over fall runways and shown in a variety of styles, colours, and materials—lace, leather, fur, snakeskin, and even polka-dotted.

• Long earrings. Again, the emphasis is on variety, from long tasselled earrings that graze the shoulder to delicate beading and large geometric shapes.

• Menswear-inspired shoes. The hot shoes for fall are penny loafers, brogues, and tasselled shoes with a feminine touch delivered via a high heel. The Toronto Star featured this trend in its fashion pages recently.( http://bit.ly/oRAkN0)

• Clutches. The clutch purse is a big trend, and the colour blocking trend is apparent here too.



To get a look at these and other trends in accessories, visit Vogue’s gallery at http://bit.ly/pz3EPZ0.