How to make hair soft with Rose Water

As a young girl, I used to always watch my grandmother use rose water on her face and on her hair. She would even put a couple of drops in her water and would tell me that it would give her a calming effect. Rose water has many advantages and recently, I discovered that Pantene launched a new Sulfate Free Rose Water collection, so I had to give it a try. 

Quand j'étais jeune fille, je regardais toujours ma grand-mère utiliser de l'eau de rose sur le visage et sur les cheveux. Elle mettait même quelques gouttes dans son eau et me disait que cela lui donnait un effet calmant. L’eau de rose présente de nombreux avantages et récemment, j’ai découvert que Pantene avait lancé une nouvelle collection d’eau de rose sans sulfates; j’ai donc dû faire un essai.

As you know, I’ve dipped in the pond of hair coloration for almost a year now. At 32 years old, it’s no secret that I started having grey hair but I also wanted a little change to my always dark hair. We all know that dying your hair also dries your hair which means having to take extra good care of your locks. However, you do not always want to be worrying about what is in your shampoo… Is it ok for my hair? Will it make my colour fade faster? 

Comme vous le savez peut-être, je viens tout juste de plonger dans le monde de la coloration de cheveux depuis près d’un an maintenant. À 32 ans, ce n'est pas un secret, mais j'ai j’ai commencé à avoir des cheveux gris, mais en même temps je me suis dit que je voulais changer ma coiffure et essayer quelque chose de nouveaux. Nous savons tous que le fait de teindre nos cheveux les assèche, ce qui signifie qu'on doit bien prendre soin de notre couleur et de nos mèches. Par contre, on ne veut pas pas toujours se soucier de ce qui se trouve dans notre shampooing… Est-ce que c'est trop fort pour mes cheveux? Cela fera-t-il disparaître ma couleur plus rapidement?

I was so happy to discover that the Pantene Rose Water shampoo and conditioner were 100% sulfate free, no parabens, no mineral oil and no dyes. 

Tout récemment, j'étais super heureuse de découvrir que le shampooing et le revitalisant Pantene Rose Water étaient 100% sans sulfate, sans parabène, sans huile minérale et sans colorants.

Why Rose Water? The Pantene Rose Water collection contains rose water from the petals and buds of the rosa gallica plant, which was found to be rich in Vitamin B3 & Vitamin B5. Rose Water is rich in vitamins, antioxydants and nutrients which will hydrate your hair and lock in the moisture. 

Pourquoi l'eau de rose? La collection Pantene Rose Water contient de l’eau de rose issue des pétales et des boutons de la plante rosa gallica, riche en vitamine B3 et vitamine B5. L'eau de rose est riche en vitamines, en antioxydants et en nutriments, qui hydrateront vos cheveux et emprisonneront l'hydratation.

I’ve been using the Pantene Sulfate Free Rose Water collection for the past 4 weeks and I’ve noticed that my hair is soft, shiny and my color is actually more vibrant that usual. Also, I suffer from a very dry scalp which is the consequence of high stress periods. After using the Pantene Sulfate Free Rose Water collection I’ve noticed a significant difference in the hydration of my scalp, it’s not itchy or flaky. The Pantene Sulfate Free Rose Water collection is made with a pH equivalent to our scalp’s pH level, which prevent drying the scalp. 

J'utilise la collection Pantene Sulfate Free Rose Water depuis maintenant 4 semaines et j'ai remarqué que mes cheveux étaient doux, plus brillants et que ma couleur était plus éclatante que d'habitude. De plus, je souffre d'un cuir chevelu très sec, qui est la conséquence de périodes de stress intense. Après avoir utilisé la collection Pantene Sulfate Free Rose Water, j’ai remarqué une différence significative dans l’hydratation de mon cuir chevelu: elle ne démange pas et j'ai moins de pellicules. La formule de la collection Pantene Sulfate Free Rose Water est faite avec un pH équivalent à celui de notre cuir chevelu, ce qui évite le dessèchement du cuir chevelu.

Honestly, I am very pleased with the Pantene Sulfate Free Rose Water collection for my dry coloured hair but it’s also very good for any type of hair. If you would like to test it out, the Pantene Sulfate Free Rose Water collection is available at your local pharmacies and the pumps make it super easy to use in the shower! 

Honnêtement, je suis très satisfaite de la collection Pantene Sulfate Free Rose Water pour mes cheveux secs et colorés, mais elle convient également à tous les types de cheveux. Si vous souhaitez le tester, la collection d’eau de rose Pantene Sulfate Free Rose est disponible dans vos pharmacies locales et l'embout en pompe rend l'utilisation très facile sous la douche!

*This post was created in partnership with Pantene. All opinions are my own.
* Cette publication a été créé en partenariat avec Pantene. Mes propos reflètent mes propres opinions.

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Top 4 luxury hotels to visit in Puerto Vallarta with Air Transat

I think it's safe to say that I love Mexico. One place I had never visited is the West Coast of the beautiful country, more specifically Puerto Vallarta. Tickets were booked, luggages were made and after spending an incredible week in Playa Del Carmen where I got engaged, I was off to Puerto Vallarta with Air Transat.

I am very proud to be part of the Air Transat family and even more so as in 2018, they became the first major international tour operator to be Travelife Certified for all its activities in recognition of its commitment to sustainable tourism.

Did you know that Air Transat offers an incredible Luxury collection, what does this mean: 

• 40 hotels to choose from in 10 amazing tropical destinations
• Free access to airport VIP lounges
• Upgrade to OptionPlus on Air Transat flights
• If you fly with Club Class, you get very spacious seats, the option of travelling with 2 checked bagages of 23kg each, a gourmet menu by renown chef Daniel Vézina and many more...
• Private roundtrip transfers between the airport and the hotel

If this is the kind of trip you are looking for, whether you are travelling with your family or with your significant other, it is totally worth looking at the selection of Luxury hotels that Air Transat has to offers and all the perks that come with this service.

Now, let's talk about Puerto Vallarta and the 4 amazing hotels we had the immense pleasure of visiting. Puerto Vallarta is definitely a Mexican destination that is underrated. The region is absolutely breathtaking, you get the ocean and the mountains, what more can you ask for. Ok, the sand is not white but the juxtaposition of earth and water makes for absolutely picturesque views and the most beautiful sunsets you have ever seen. Better yet, the water is warm, the city is filled with culture and exudes a very European vibe. 

Hotels

MARIVAL RESIDENCES LUXURY RESORT NUEVO VALLARTA - 5 Stars - Family hotel

For our first 3 nights, we had the pleasure of being hosted at the Marival Residences Luxury Resort. The amazing team placed us in the most amazing penthouse suites that had rooftop pools overlooking the ocean, which was a dream. The rooms were super spacious and so convenient for families, especially with kids, since the penthouse was equipped with a full kitchen. Let me tell you all the great things this resort has to offer:

• Loved the layout of the hotel, everything is very close by, the beach, the restaurants, the beach club, all in a small distance
• Very spacious rooms with 24-hour room service
• 4 à la carte restaurants that require no reservations
• Amazing service all around the resort
• Amazing breakfast service, very healthy food options all round the hotel
• Mozza Mare Beach Club that has an amazing menu and butler service to your beach chairs
• Bikes available to go around the property
• Very family-friendly
• Amazing beach location: the best stretches for miles and has an amazing view of the mountains

GRAND VELAS RIVIERA NAYARIT - 5 Stars - Family hotel 

We spent a day at the Grand Velas hotel and let me tell you that this hotel is straight out of a luxury hotel catalogue. The resort is breathtaking, every little detail counts for this hotel. The Grand Velas is a very family friendly hotel. We had the chance of eating at one of their restaurants and the food was absolutely delicious and ended the day, with the most amazing massage. 

SECRETS VALLARTA BAY PUERTO VALLARTA - 5 Stars - Adults only

For our last 4 nights, we made our way to the Secrets Vallarta Bay Resort, where we had very nice rooms with the most amazing views of the sunset. What I loved the most about this hotel is the fact that you have the city on one side and the ocean on the other. This is perfect if you want to spend the day at the beach but then take a quick taxi to the city for an evening stroll or some shopping. Let me tell you a bit more on this hotel: 

• All inclusive Adults only
• Spacious rooms
• Super close to the city of Puerto Vallarta
• Very friendly staff
• Really enjoyed the breakfast buffet (very easy to have healthy meals)
• Entertainment at the bar lobby
• Amazing spa experience where you can relax for hours.

HOTEL MOUSAI - 5 Stars - Adults only

Not many words can describe the beauty that is this resort. The Hotel Mousai is the perfect place for a couples retreat. The decor of this hotel is breathtaking and most importantly the rooftop pool. This hotel is all about the food and the pool, the beach is not very close and you need to take a shuttle to get to it but lounging by the pool makes it the perfect day. We had the pleasure of spending the day at the pool with drinks and such nice meals that it really made it the perfect day. Hotel Mousai is definitely a place I would come back to with some girlfriends or with my fiancé for a nice 5 relaxing trip. 

In resume, Puerto Vallarta is an absolutely beautiful destination and should be a must on your vacation list. It's a city that is surely very underrated and I do not understand why, as the ocean is adorned with a magnificent view of the mountains which makes the views absolutely breathtaking and the temperature more than perfect. Aside from the food being delicious and the community being so welcoming, Puerto Vallarta is in my books the place to be in Mexico. 

Excursions

SAYULITA - SAN PANCHO

There is nothing more that I like than discovering cities and getting lost in the streets. Our first excursion was in Sayulita, an absolutely beautiful little village. Sayulita is so laid back relax and it has such a surfer vibe, streets filled with cute cafés and artisan shops. The beach is beautiful and you can take surf lessons, enjoy a nice meal at a beachfront restaurant. A short 10 minute drive away is San Pacho, the most charming little village that is less touristic and has the most breathtaking beach. Picture ocean on one side and the mountains and jungle on the other, it was so beautiful that I got very emotional, I'm not going to lie!

TACO TOUR

I mean the title says it all, if you love tacos, you NEED to book this tour. The tour is with Cookin' Vallarta, a company that hosts cooking experiences through different cities in Mexico. What is a Taco Tour you may ask, well it means you get to try tacos at 5 different spots, from super local counters to cool hip restaurants, you get to taste the best of the best. Honestly, this was the coolest experience and something I recommend to absolutely everyone, a must in Puerto Vallarta! 

Please let me know if you have any hotspots in Puerto Vallarta, because I will definitely be travelling there again xxx

*This post was created in partnership with Air Transat. All opinions are my own.

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Top 9 midi skirts for Spring

If you don't follow me on Instagram, you really should! Jk! But really, every day I share my #lapizoftheday which are my daily looks, and these days most of my daily outfits consist of midi skirts. There is something just so feminine and sophisticated about a midi skirt. I pair my skirts with knits, with simple t-shirts, with boots, with sneakers, etc. Currently, a midi skirt is the most versatile piece in my closet and I rounded up my fave 9 midi skirts for Spring. 

Si vous ne me suivez pas sur Instagram, vous devriez vraiment! LOL! Toutes blagues à part, chaque jour, je partage mes #lapizoftheday qui sont mes looks du jour, et ces jours-ci, la plupart de mes tenues quotidiennes sont constituées de jupes midi. Selon moi, une jupe midi a quelque chose de tellement féminin et sophistiqué. J'associe mes jupes à des tricots, à des t-shirts, à des bottes, à des souliers de course, etc. Présentement, une jupe midi est la pièce la plus polyvalente de mon placard et j'ai trouvé mes 9 jupes midi préférées pour le printemps.

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All new swim you need

The most asked question I get on Instagram is where is my swimsuit from?! In the last year, I won't lie, I've been flaunting my #bikinibody lol I feel good about it and I've found really good bathing suits, so why not?! And obviously, if I find the best swimsuits, I want to share it with all you ladies, so you can flaunt your curves. Here are my top picks for this swimsuit season: 

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Why you need a Vitamix in your life

For as long as I can remember, I've been telling the boyfriend that the first item on our wedding or moving-in registry would be a Vitamix. We've been avid smoothie drinkers for the last 4-5 years and I knew the Vitamix would change our lives. Well, last month, Vitamix sent over their Vitamix A2500 and it was just like if someone had gifted me a Chanel bag. Yes, I've been referring my Vitamix to a Chanel bag, because I will be honest, they were on the same line of the bucket list for me.

The minute the Vitamix arrived at home, the ideas went flying, from smoothies, to ice cream, to soups, to wellness shots, there isn't much a Vitamix can't do. 

To share my love on the Vitamix, I wanted to share with you my classic everyday smoothie recipe. At the Cruz household, we drink smoothies 4-5 mornings a week. It is the easiest and freshest way to start our mornings and gives us all the energy we need for the day. Mr. Cruz is usually in charge of making the smoothies in the morning, as he literally just has to put jogging pants on to be ready for work (perks of working from home). We don't usually stick to recipes, we add to taste but here is the classic smoothie we drink everyday:

- 2 cups of kale leaves

- 1 banana

- 1/2 cup of frozen strawberries

- 8 frozen cherries

- 1/2 cup of frozen pineapples

- 1 tablespoon of almond butter

- 1 teaspoon of turmeric

- 1 cup of coconut water

We change up our recipe depending if we want something with kale or something more fruity and usually we keep it lighter in the summer. Smoothies are very seasonal in my opinion. Honestly, the Vitamix has changed our routine, I am now making wellness shots, celeri juice, different kind of soups, energy balls, the possibilities are endless. Make sure you follow me on Instagram @lapiz_of_luxury where I usually always share my Vitamix adventures on my Stories. Also, don't hesitate to share with me some of your recipes! 

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Depuis la nuit des temps, j'ai toujours dit à l'amoureux que le premier item sur notre liste de registre de mariage ou de déménagement serait un Vitamix. Depuis près de 4 ou 5 ans, nous buvons beaucoup de smoothies et je savais que le Vitamix allait changer nos vies. Eh bien, le mois dernier, Vitamix nous a envoyé son Vitamix A2500 et c'était sincèrement comme si quelqu'un m'avait offert un sac Chanel. Oui oui, je viens de comparer mon Vitamix à un sac Chanel, car pour être honnête, ils étaient au même niveau pour moi sur ma liste.

La minute que le Vitamix est arrivé à la maison, les idées se sont envolées, qu'il s'agisse de smoothies, de crèmes glacées, de soupes, il n'y a pas grand-chose qu'un Vitamix ne puisse faire.

Il est évident que je voulais partager mon amour pour le Vitamix avec vous, donc, je me suis dit qu'on débuterait avec ma recette classique de mon smoothie du matin. Chez les Cruz, nous buvons des smoothies 4 à 5 matins par semaine. C'est la façon la plus facile et la plus fraîche de commencer nos matins et ça nous donne toute l'énergie dont nous avons besoin pour la journée. M. Cruz est généralement chargé de préparer le déjeuner le matin, car il doit seulement enfiler un jogging pour se préparer au travail (les avantages de travailler à la maison). Nous ne nous en tenons généralement pas aux recettes, nous ajoutons au goût, mais voici le smoothie classique que nous buvons tous les jours:

- 2 tasses de feuilles de chou frisé

- 1 banane

- 1/2 tasse de fraises congelées

- 8 cerises congelées

- 1/2 tasse d'ananas congelés

- 1 cuillère à soupe de beurre d'amande

- 1 cuillère de curcuma

- 1 tasse d'eau de coco

Nous changeons notre recette dépendamment si nous voulons du chou frisé ou quelque chose de plus fruité et nous gardons généralement nos smoothies plus légers en été. Les smoothies sont très saisonniers à mon avis. Honnêtement, le Vitamix a changé notre routine, je fais des shots de bien-être, du jus de céleri, des soupes différentes, de boules énergétiques, je vous le dit les possibilités sont infinies. Assurez-vous de me suivre sur Instagram @lapiz_of_luxury, où je partage toujours mes aventures avec mon Vitamix sur mes Stories Aussi, n'hésitez pas de partager avec moi certaines de vos recettes!

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