Depending on the look that you are going for, you can use Abba pure performance hair care to get you there. For Smooth Strands for All Day Easy use the products; Soothing Blow Dry Lotion and Firm Holding Hair Spray. A Textured Lift with Fabulous Volume & Style; Volumizing Root Spray, Texturizing Cream and Firm Holding Hair Spray. Add Volume with Touchable Texture; Volumizing Root Spray, Texturizing Cream and Firm Holding Hair Spray. Get Smoothing Volume with Defining Texture; Volumizing Root Spray and Firm Holding Hair Spray.

Using the right combination of the Abba products can give you that salon style look that you want. The treasures to give you the right look are listed below.

Smoothing Blow Dry Lotion: Light weight lotion to tame frizz and enhance shine.

Application: Work a small amount into palms and smooth all over surface of damp hair, then blow dry. For increased shine add a small amount to finished style.

Volumizing Root Spray: Targeted spray creates volume & lift.

Application: Spray in 2 inch sections; targeting the roots, then spritz throughout the lengths. Style as desired.

Texturizing Cream: Lightweight cream creates shape with flexible hold.

Application: Work a small amount evenly throughout damp or dry hair and style as desired. Layer on more product as needed for increased separation.

Firm Hold Hair Spray: Finishing spray for lasting hold and UV protection.

Application: Spray 8-10 inches from dry hair to achieve desired hold.

For more info: www.abbahaircare.com

Shampoo comes in three varieties: Deep Clean 2 in 1for the man on the go, Anti-dandruff to ensure that you are all clear and Thick & Clean for the man with the full head of hair. $4.77-$7.99

Three under arm selections; Anti-Perspirant $4.99-$6.99, Deodorant $4.99-$6.99 and Clinical Anti-Perspirant $9.99-$10.99: all available in Clean Comfort and Extra Fresh scents.

New in the collection of Body and Face Washes is sensitive clean with MICROMOISTURE technology. Joining the existing line of Body and Face Wash products;  clean comfort, deep clean, and extra fresh, along with the Body and Face Bars; deep clean and extra fresh.

The Shower Tool allows you two body clean options; the tough scrub side gives a deep down clean, while the woven mesh allows a rich soothing lather to clean $4.99-$6.99.

All these products are designed to fit a real man’s needs.

Men+Care, is available at major drug and retail stores across Canada.

www.Dove.ca

What better to match your freshness feeling than with the perfect outfit, “from the fashion runways to accessories purple is the colour of choice this spring and summer 2011”. No matter what you are doing Go Fresh fits your lifestyle: an evening out with the right shoes or purse, to the beach with a great sundress or with your friends in a tank top. Rebalance brings you back to a state of equilibrium infused with plum and Sakura blossom.

Go Fresh is also available in these other fabulous fragrances: Revive, leads you back from that long day amid pomegranate and lemon verbena, Burst, to kick start the day right with the advantages of nectar and white ginger, Energy, to face the day surged with grapefruit and lemongrass and Cool Essentials, with cucumber and green tea to relax and lighten to a state of ease.

All these scents are available for your convenience in the personal care aisle.

More Information: www.dove.ca

American Crew says they have found the answer with their American Crew Trichology Hair Recovery System which is based on the most recent science. The light and effective gel + foam has a unique formula which features Hops, Swertia, Japonica, Rosemary and Silica combined with vitamins and minerals to restore hair and add volume. The new Trichology Foam gives men an easy way to integrate the system into their daily routine and takes almost no effort to apply.

American Crew says that these 3 things are a result of their formula:

1) Prolongs Hair

2) Fuller, Thicker, Stronger Growth

3) Increases  Hair Shaft Density

The product goes for $39.95 for the shampoo/foam pack.

STYLE.ca Product Review: 5 out of 5

- Joe F

We’ve all heard stories about how many weeks or months pay should be spent on an engagement ring and how diamonds are the only way to show someone that you love them, but are these things really true?  Is there really a hard and fast rule on how much a ring has to cost in order for someone to know that you truly love them?  Of course not.  How many diamonds are in a ring, how many carats it is, or even how much it cost is of little consequence.  What matters is that you choose a ring that will make her happy and that will suit her style and personality.

It is important to note that price certainly does add luxury.  Purchasing a gold ring rather than gold plating means that you get jewelry that will look better and last much longer, but it isn’t all that matters.  Diamonds are certainly the tradition, and they make a wonderful choice for a large number of brides.  With that said, however, if your soon to be fiancée loves emeralds or thinks that rubies are the most incredible stones out there, then don’t hesitate to think outside of the box.

Your engagement isn’t about conforming to rules and traditions, and your ring shouldn’t be either.  Take the time to really think about what your partner will love, and use those qualities to help you find the perfect ring.  When you buy something that takes her breath away, money and carat size will be of little consequence.  While spending enough money to ensure quality is always crucial, you don’t have to ensure that your ring cost exactly the right number of paychecks.  The best advice anyone can follow when choosing an engagement ring is to put aside the rules and take the time to follow your heart instead.

I was recently having a casual conversation and was absent-mindedly swinging around a knit hat when the guy I was talking to gave me an incredulous look and asked: “are you swinging around your intimates?!” This got me thinking: if a magenta knit hat can pass off as intimates, Toronto really needs some major improvements in the lingerie shopping department. Although it’s a bit of a hike, New York City has THE best lingerie store on this side of the pond, Kiki De Montparnasse. Named after Man Ray’s mistress, the shop is slightly pretentious, shamelessly kinky, super sexy and tremendously luxurious.

The affectionately nicknamed Kiki DM houses the finest French lingerie, bath and body products, art, and what they call “instruments of pleasure”.  The flagship New York store oozes sex appeal and looks very much like a Parisian boudoir with its plush cream carpets, chandeliers, sheer black curtains, a huge bed dressed in burgundy silk and gold sheets and pillows, and a minimalist approach to displaying their merchandise.  Their second store in Los Angeles is a bit flashier to match the dazzling lights of Hollywood and is brighter and more modern, but just as seductive as its New York counterpart. Marble floors, velvet drapes, a fireplace, candles and a 1000 square foot garden with a courtyard fountain keep with the theme of absolute luxury.

The merchandise is just as sexy and luxurious as the actual stores are. Their lingerie is designed with the art of seduction in mind, and only the finest silk and French laces are used in each collection. Kiki DM also creates loungewear, but they’re a far cry from the average sweats so commonly lounged in. Sheer baby dolls, body conscience body suits, rompers, corsets and tank and boy short combos ensure you’re not lounging for long. Despite their seriously sexy lingerie, their less than serious French lesson panties are their top sellers. Not your average French tutorial, these panties come in 5 “lessons” and read, “mange-moi “ (eat me),  “ aime-moi” (love me), “fesse-moi” (spank me) and  “attache-moi” (tie me up).  Best paired with their silk blindfolds and 24K gold handcuffs, Kiki DM is not afraid to show their kinky side.

Putting just as much thought into their bath and body collections as their lingerie, the lotions and potions have “been developed to embrace and expand sensual discovery on every level”.  Each limited edition scent is formulated with the most refined and natural ingredients, and all bath and body lotions have aphrodisiac scents. Candles, triple milled French soaps, body shimmer and massage oil among other products are all a part of the Kiki DM lifestyle as “sensual pleasure and fulfillment are paramount to a well-lived life”. Those may just be the sexiest words to live by ever.

Aimee Brothman
Writer, Style.ca

There are five basic types of sinks on the market today, and each one should be chosen considering your needs, who uses it the most, the size and style of your washroom, and your decorating style. If you are unfamiliar with the types, each category has been listed with a brief description.

Vanity Sinks

Vanity sinks are sinks that are installed into cabinetry. They are functional because they provide ample storage space and keep all your toiletries neatly out of sight. However, since they can take up a lot of room, they are most suitable for large bathrooms as opposed to a tiny powder room.

Pedestal Sinks

Pedestal sinks usually come in one piece as the sink sits on top of a pedestal and are usually made of porcelain or marble. This adds to their sophistication and quality. They take up very little room, so are an excellent choice for a small bathroom.

Vessel Sinks

Vessel sinks sit on top of a counter and often looks almost like a bowl or some other vessel. They are very decorative and have a contemporary look and feel. This type of sink can vary in size and can come in a variety of different materials, with the most common being glass, stone and metal. If you are going for a more modern look than vessel sinks are your best bet.

Console sinks

Console sinks are sinks that are mounted on a countertop, connected to a wall and supported by two legs at the back. This is a great style for smaller bathrooms as it can make the room appear larger than it is. There is no cabinet, but placing a basket under it is a good way to create some storage space.

Wall-mounted Sinks

Wall-mounted sinks are the type of sinks most often seen in public restrooms. They are functional and take up little room, thus making them perfect for even the smallest bathroom. Since this type of sink can be pulled away from the wall, they are best suited for households without small children or anyone who needs to use a sink to support their body weight.

Careful consideration should be taken when selecting the perfect bathroom sink to ensure it best suits your lifestyle and design. Shop around to find the best one for you.

The bed is the obvious focal point of the bedroom in regards to furniture so it should look presentable. To get a more contemporary look to the room, I suggest a solid platform bed with a wooden slatted base (I find the metallic ones don’t have a personal vibe to them and they come off as a little cold). The low to the ground look is very much in vogue right now and if you have a small bedroom, it gives off the look of extra space. I also believe that a box spring isn’t necessary because I honestly find them a little tacky and well, boxy. I got my black-brown platform bed frame at Ikea in a Queen size a couple of years ago and it’s still going strong! It’s the Malm model and Ikea.ca lists it at $189.99, which is around a hundred dollars less than what I paid for it originally. But even at almost $300 it was an amazing deal!

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/S39849855

I’m really plugging Ikea here but another great item that I have in my bedroom is the Hemnes 6-drawer chest in black-brown. What I like about it is that it’s tall and that is another great way to save space and give the room a more modern look at the same time. I have nothing against the longer ones that take up half the wall; they can look amazing if you have the room (unfortunately, I do not) and if you find a piece that compliments your living space instead of overwhelming it. It’s listed at $299 and comes it also comes in a cute blue color that I wish I had thought to buy but at the time I was so concerned with being “matchy-matchy” (my entire bedroom furniture is Ikea black-brown and it looks good but I should’ve shaken things up a bit)!

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/70121249

As for shelving, I recommend wall shelves as opposed to having a giant book case. That enables you to keep only a few of your favorite books, CDs/records and knick-knacks in your bedroom. The living room is the place to keep the heavier objects but the bedroom should have a lighter, airier feel to it.

Layla Brown

Freshening Accessories

No one likes to enter a bathroom filled with lingering and unpleasant mysterious odours, so be sure to have plenty of air freshening supplies on hand.  Choices can be based on packaging style to suit decor, product convenience and effectiveness, or simply for liking the fragrance it delivers.

So what will it be? An anti-bacterial ocean breeze scented spray that allows you to combat odours and germs, or the dual functioning benefits of a fragrant toilet paper holder that releases a pleasant scent with every spin?

Ozone friendly aerosols and ornaments filled with scented potpourri or droplets of your favourite essential oils make wonderful environmentally safe fresheners. Or for a more lasting effect opt for an automatic wall-mounted freshener with timing features capable of delivering bouquets of pleasant aromas every hour.  Whatever the choice in freshening devices, a bathroom’s first impression is greatly measured by its welcoming odour.

If caught in a situation of unexpected company arriving and your air freshening resources have suddenly depleted, simply place as a small cupful of scented fabric softener in an inconspicuous area to quickly freshen up the room.

Clean and Tidy

Place necessary accessories such as waste baskets and towel racks in plain view. This will help to avoid and divert potential sloppiness from happening in the first place.  In the event that plain view tactics do not improve a messy situation, stop mess culprits in their tracks by using a visual aid, such as placing a large sign on the door that says; “Slob Prevention Training Program in Effect Until Further Notice”, and then removing the sign once the situation has improved.

Wall mounted soap dispensers keep your favourite cleansers and soaps neatly organized and hygienic and keep counter tops free from product clutter. For easy clean-ups of toilets, sinks, door-handles or any other bacteria breeding crevasses, furnish the bathroom with a stylish dispenser containing some handy disinfecting wipes.

Adding functional and stylish accessories will keep bathrooms looking clean and smelling fresh, which will benefit everyone.

Barbara Sonja Biller

I prefer to take a bath rather than a shower, and try to do so everyday.  So when I designed my house, I took a long time deciding what kind of a tub I wanted. This is important because there are an astounding amount of options out there.

My first decision was whether I wanted a whirlpool bath or not.   Obviously, the big advantage is the massage you receive when you turn on the jets.  However, you can’t use any oils, bubble baths or salts if you don’t want to make a huge mess.  The noise of the motor is also an issue, as well as the space you need to house it.

I have always been a big fan of the old fashion tub as well. However, if you like to have a platform around your bath to keep shampoos, bath oils, candles and towels, than this won’t work well for you.   With a freestanding old fashion tub, you are limited to a soup holder that crosses the tub.  I find it gets in the way.

A freestanding tub also requires exposed fixtures which are very expensive.  So, I decided to take and old fashion tub and drop it into a platform that I covered with marble tiles.  I saved money on the facets because they were mounted from the platform instead of leading from the bathroom floor.

These tubs also come in different sizes.  You can have a 5 or 6 foot long tub.  Since I am only 5’5”, I decided for the 5 footer.  Also, you use less water to fill it which saves money in the long run.

Now, I can come home, light a few candles and relax in my luxurious tub.  Sheer heaven.

O. Alexandra Viteznikova