Cute Makeup Tips

Makeup Junkie decided to put a couple of CoverGirl products to the test by doing complete makeup looks. Check out our must haves and our can-do-without products!

Must Haves:

Cover Girl TruBlend Liquid Makeup

I really liked this foundation. I found that it blended well into my skin. It’s lightweight and gives pretty good coverage without the cakey feel or look. All I needed was one pump to even out my skin tone. One thing I should mention is that it’s fast drying so you have to work quickly when applying. If you’re someone who likes the matte look then this is a great foundation for you.


Cover Girl & Olay Simply Ageless Sculpting Blush

I love love loved this cream blush! I would definitely recommend this product. It goes on smoothly and it blends nicely into the skin. It’s great especially if you like that glowy dewy look. Colors I tried were Rich Cinnamon which is on the peachy side and Lush Berry which is more on the reddish pink side. This is a definite must have!




Cover Girl Eye Enhancers 4-Kit Shadows in Crystal Waters

These colors are amazing! The pigmentation was great and even greater when I applied the Cover Girl TruConceal as a base to my eyelid. The texture is like satin and very smooth, making blending effortless. This is great for a blue/green smokey eye. I used this palette to do a night look and I loved how it looked on my eyes. It’s also not to shimmery which I like. Beautiful colors!

Cover Girl Eye Enhancers 3-Kit Shadows in Café Au Lait

Again, satin texture and smooth application. I’d have to admit the color payoff wasn’t as great as I expected but it was buildable. This is a great everyday palette for those who like the natural/neutral look. It has subtle shimmer and gave me a glistening eye every time the sun touched my face.

Can-Do-Withouts:
Cover Girl Continuous Color Lipstick

This lipstick has a very moisturizing texture. However, I’d have to disagree that the color is lasting. After only an hour or wear, my lipstick had already came off and it left a pink stain. I tried this lipstick in Classic Red but I found that the color was more on the dark pink side and I felt that the color wasn’t suited to my skin tone. If you have dry lips like me, then this is great for you but if you want lasting color I’d apply lip a lip liner first.


Cover Girl TruConceal Concealer

This is probably not my favorite concealer. It had a thin but creamy consistency, however, it failed to cover up my dark under eye circles. Although, I did find that it was a good as a base for my eye shadows. It was also good for spot concealing and covering up any blemishes, but I can do without this concealer.

Cover Girl TruBlend Pressed Powder

Initially I found that the product was a bit on the heavy side no matter how much or how little powder I put on the powder puff. So I decided to try a powder brush instead of the puff and the product ended up crumbling and making a huge mess. Instead I placed the product on my face with the sponge and because it still looked heavy I ended up using a duo fiber stippling brush to blend it into my skin. The results were flawless, however, I wish I could have skipped all those steps and just used the sponge it came with.

Cover Girl Brow & Eye makers Pencil

I’m a fan of eye shadow when it comes to filling in the eyebrows, and when I tried these I realized even more why I prefer eye shadows to pencils. I found the pencils to be a little too stiff when applying on my eyebrows. I had to press really hard and even then I didn't get enough colour.

www.covergirl.ca

by Donna Marie

I love gabbing about beauty trends with other makeup junkies and this season's looks are definitely something to talk about. I had the awesome pleasure of interviewing one of my mentors during my early years as a makeup artist, Andrea Claire, on the latest beauty trends for Fall. Find out Andrea Claire's must-do's and must-don't this season!

Makeup Junkie: What will be the top beauty trends we'll be seeing this Fall?

Andrea Claire: The smokey eye, the matte red lip, 80s revival

MJ: What are some trends women should avoid this season (if any)?

AC: 80s revival! I am the original 'LaRoux' from her Bulletproof video with pictures to prove it. :) I lived it and loved it. I wore 5+ colour shadows on my eyes but I was 15 and immersed in Duran Duran, Ultravox, Love & Rockets etc. I love the look but if you had been there done that and bought the lime green shadow you cannot do that again! Besides, it is very much a 'must have young skin' to pull it off. Bold colour blocking with eye shadows can age you and have you looking like you are stuck in a time warp. This look is only carried off if you are an adolescent so if you are 21 and under I say rock it, over 21 opt for another trend of the season.


MJ: What products are a must this Fall in achieving these beauty trends?

AC: I am LOVING all things Yaby these days. Yaby's eye shadow palettes have amazing pigments, blendability and variety. Lipsticks MAC Russian Red or FACEatelier's Magenta. For the smokey eye the trend is to layer a metallic - blue, violet, green or bronze, you can find these in Yaby's palettes or Covergirl's palettes in Dazzling Metallics, Firecracker or Blazing Blues.

MJ: Can you share with our Makeup Junkie readers some expert tips on achieving some of the beauty trends?

AC: Smokey Eyes - layer carbon/charcoal shadows with metallic colour. If you find shadows are difficult to blend with your dark base then layer MAC's Smolder pencil with a Lise Watier's Metallic Eye shine pencil, smudge together with a Q-Tip.


Matte Red lips - the key to a strong lip is to apply the lip liner after the lipstick so it doesn't appear to geometric. If matte is too drying for you and you live in a cold climate then I would dot a smidge of vitamin e on top - not to add gloss but just a little moisture.


MJ: What is your beauty mantra?

AC: It's so hard not to sound cliche here! lol! Be realistic. Be real. Stay gold Ponyboy. Beauty is not serious - beauty is a moment in your day that can convey confidence, flirtiness, calm. What I mean is, all women 'take 5' in their day by touching up here and there - before a meeting you step into the ladies and reapply lipstick, before a date you curl your lashes, apply gloss; or even before a job interview you matte down shine. Beauty is a moment in time that is forever changing. Embrace those little moments but don't be those moments just live in them. See! I sound cliche! HA! Life is short - enjoy it - have fun with it. That's what beauty and fashion is all about; well, to me anyway. A form of expression that can change day to day, season to season - enjoy the trends but remember to enjoy life too.

Makeup Junkie agrees - beauty is a moment in time that is always changing! So have fun with it - play with trends and figure out what works for you. Thank you to Andrea Claire for taking time to share with our readers her Fall beauty tips!

Andrea Claire is a seasoned beauty expert. She started her career in Kitchener, Ontario before relocating to Toronto in the early 90s. In Toronto, Andrea's career quickly blossomed where she went from salon stylist to session stylist. As both a hairstylist and make up artist, Andrea's passion for the industry and thirst for success motivated and challenged her to continually better herself. We have seen Andrea on Stylin' Gypsies, So Chic, Canadian Idol, tv guest appearances and behind the scenes for NY Fashion Week and Canada's Fashion Week. "Relocating" became a popular word in Andrea's vocabulary. In 2006, Andrea relocated with her family to Singapore where she became a regular team member for Bazaar, ELLE, Amica and VIP shoots as well as wrote many beauty articles with tips, tricks and trends.


What's next? Andrea and her family have now relocated to Austin Texas where direct flights to LA, NY and Toronto will still allow her to jetset with her beauty box. Andrea has proudly been a mentor for many up & coming young artists, accessible and willing to give guidance; always about positive energy Andrea believes that today's assistant is tomorrow's trendsetter. Inspire and be inspired.

www.aclairebeauty.com
www.judyinc.com/andreaclaire

Back in October of 2008, Makeup Junkie tested and reviewed 10 must-have mascaras and we had a blast doing it! We've gone and tested more mascaras just in time for the hot, sweaty, summer season. If you've been searching for the perfect mascara and don't want to dish out a lot of money to do it, read on because we've got you covered! (Results may vary and can perform differently on everyone.)

Mascara: Stila Convertible Mascara
Rating: 9.5 winks
Price: $22 USD
Special Feature: Innovative polymer formula encases each lash with smudge-proof, water-resistant tubes. Double-ended brush: large brush volumizes and defines while thinner brush defines the lower and harder-to-reach lashes.
Smudge-factor: none!!
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: Definitely
Wand: Medium and thin brush
For: Gals who want everything out of a mascara with extra definition.
Overall: I've never tried any mascaras from Stila and was pleasantly surprised that this mascara performed so amazingly! You get it all plus it's one of the few mascaras that didn't smudge or smear after a long day at work. I would have given it a perfect 10, but washing the "mascara tubes" can get a little messy. Expect to invest an extra 5 minutes cleaning the tubes off.

Mascara: Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
Rating: 6.5 winks
Price: $24 USD
Special Feature: Waterproof version of the cult classic, Dior Diorshow Mascara. Big fat wand for big fat lashes.
Smudge-factor: yes, very smudgy - boo!
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: extreme
Wand: Big fat brush
For: Gals who want big volume, dramatic lashes, and don't normally smudge.
Overall: I was sadly disappointed in this must-have cult fave. Big voluminous lashes - check. Smudgy-smeared mess - check! I figured the water-proof version would not smudge but I couldn't be anymore wrong. I really loved how dramatically long and full my lashes looked but hated the smeary mess it made throughout the day. I found the big fat brush quickly coated my lashes but it was hard not to get the mascara all over my lids. The icing on the cake - the high price tag. All in all, gals who don't have a problem with smearing will love the big faux lash effect but you can probably get the same effect for cheaper.

Mascara: Flirt! Lash-A-Delic in Groovy Blue
Rating: 8 winks
Price: $14 USD
Special Feature: Buildable colour and definition.
Smudge-factor: no
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: natural volume but buildable
Wand: medium wand
For: Gals who want electric colour and fun, bold lashes.
Overall: Love! Adding a bright colour on the lashes adds an element of surprise. It's unexpected and gives a fun twist on your everyday makeup. Groovy Blue is bold but really makes brown eyes pop! If wearing blue on its own is too bright for you, swipe this over your favourite black mascara to tone down the blue. You'll love the volume, lift, and definition this mascara gives you - and not to mention the hot pink packaging! Also available in Boogie Brown and Mod Black.

Mascara: Benefit BADgal Waterproof Mascara
Rating: 6.5 winks
Price: $19 USD
Special Feature: Waterproof version of the best-selling original, BADgal Mascara. Waterproof and smudge-proof formula that gives you the same voluminous effect as the original.
Smudge-factor: yes!
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: medium wand not like the original fat brush
For: Gals who want lushes lashes while singin' in the rain. Good for those who don't have a problem with smudging.
Overall: Another mascara I had high hopes for. I definitely preferred this brush over the original one because it was easier to coat each lash without the mess. I also liked the lift and volume it gave. I did NOT like the smeary mess it made. It's not fun walking around thinking you look great only to discover hours later that you have mascara smeared all over your bottom lash line. I guess I'm just not one of the lucky ones who don't have smudging issues!


Mascara: CARGO blu_ray Mascara
Rating: 7 winks
Price: $20 USD
Special Feature: Comb-like brush allows for extra definition and a natural finish. Made for high-definition film.
Smudge-factor: a little
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: natural but buildable
Wand: comb-like wand
For: Gals who want extra definition and natural volume.
Overall: You can expect good lift and no clumping with this mascara. The comb-like brush also allows you to get right to the root and those hard-to-reach lashes. If you like a natural finish then this mascara is great, but if you want more volume you can add a few more coats. But if volume is what you want then just go with a volumizing mascara. The mascara smeared a little but surprisingly not as bad as the waterproof brands. While it gave good lift on first application, my lashes did start to droop throughout the day. Bottom line, for those who have naturally voluminous lashes and just want a natural finish and extra definition, then this mascara gets the job done.

Mascara: Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara
Rating: 7.5 winks
Price: $22 USD
Special Feature: A multi-effect volume mascara that is formulated with hard waxes and synthetic polymers. Creamy formula conditions lashes.
Smudge-factor: a little
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: medium wand
For: Gals who love volume and want to reapply without the clumps.
Overall: I am a huge fan of Anastasia's brow line and was excited to try this mascara. The mascara gave instant volume and lift from the first swipe. I was able to reapply more mascara for extra volume without clumping. It smeared just a bit on the outer corner but nothing too noticeable. All in all, it's a good mascara but you can probably get the same results with a cheaper brand.


Mascara: CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe Mascara
Rating: 7 winks
Price: $8.99 CDN
Special Feature: Blackest-black formula, now tinted with luxe shimmers. Giant luxe brush helps blast lashes to their biggest, boldest and most beautifully shimmering.
Smudge-factor: a little
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: fat wand
For: Gals who loved the original LashBlast mascara but want to give their eyes more attention with some shimma'.
Overall: I'm a huge fan of the original LashBlast waterproof formula, however, while it gives you the same big volume, I found the shimmer really subtle. What's the point of a shimmer mascara if you can barely see it? I applied a few more coats and was able to see it shimmer in the right light. It's kind of gimmicky but fun for perking up those lashes for a night time event.

Mascara: Maybelline Lash Stiletto
Rating: 6.5 winks
Price: $9.29 CDN
Special Feature: Elastic formula stretches lashes up to 70% visibly longer in one step. Pro Vitamin B-5 and silk protein strengthen and condition for hi-gloss black-patent shine.
Smudge-factor: a lot
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: wand is tapered at the end
For: Gals who want sky-high length and glossy shine.
Overall: This mascara gave good lift and length but nothing extreme compared to other lengthening mascaras. I found the length of my lashes to look the exact same compared to that of a volumizing mascara. I did like the wet glossy finish it gave my lashes but hated how much it smeared and smudged. The tapered brush made coating each lash really easy but overall didn't win me over.

Mascara: Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara
Rating: 7.5 winks
Price: $16.50 USD
Special Feature: Mineral pigments add natura rich colour. Anacia Senegal thickens for length and volume.
Smudge-factor: none
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: natural
Volume: natural
Wand: medium
For: Gals who are looking for something all natural for the lashes in every way - natural finish and natural ingredients.
Overall: I like the natural ingredient factor, however, the finish was too natural for my almost non-existent lashes. This is great for the "no-makeup-makeup-look" when going to the gym when you just want a little definition. The volume is buildable but it took several coats before I was satisfied with the volume. At least there are no clumps! Amazingly, it did not smudge. Not sure if that has anything to do with the mineral pigment possibly working like a stain on the lashes.

Mascara: Lise Watier 24 Hrs Glam Mascara
Rating: 4.5 winks
Price: $20 CDN
Special Feature: Elastic polymer formula and Flexi-QueenTM brush surrounds each lash with 3D waterproof film for 24 hour glamourous look. Waterproof and resists sweat, humidity and tears.
Smudge-factor: none but it did flake
Clump-factor: very clumpy
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: medium
For: Gals who want glamourous volume all day and all night.
Overall: Do not attempt a 2nd coat if you want to avoid a clumpy, spidery-mess. It's no joke when they say it's elastic. When I applied a 2nd coat the elastic fibers stuck to each other. It was like stringy cheese! It would also pull some of the first coat off which was very annoying. When I attempted to comb the clumps out, I ended up taking the mascara off instead and had to reapply in some areas. There was no smudging but the mascara did flake a lot. While the lift and volume lasted all day, my lashes looked like a mess.

To view previous mascara reviews click Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and Round 4!

What's #1 on your mascara list? Have you tried any of these? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

If there's one way to get some attention this Valentine's Day it's to swipe on some fabulous lippies in the most kissable colours and textures. From tinted lip balms to lip stains, you'll be sure to find something that will make your lips say "kiss me" and keep your special Valentine wanting more!

CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain ($9.99 CDN): Hot of the runways this Spring, lipstains have reemerged just in time for Valentine's Day! Pat McGrath, CoverGirl Global Creative Design Director and my idol, has created ten sumptuous shades that deliver the most beautiful flush of colour to the lips. These water-based stains deliver weightless colour without the heavy look of lipstick or the stickiness of a gloss. The stain is the first of its kind that does not contain alcohol and has conditioners like glycerine and hyaloronic acid to soften and smooth the lips. Its fool-proof pen-style applicator looks like a marker and applies very much the same way. Just colour in those lips for some kissable colour and it will last for hours - certainly through an all night smooch session!

(L-R): Teasing Blush, a pretty berry pink and Flirty Nude, brown-based orange. I love swiping either for an "easy breezy" no-fuss look or using it to really define the lips and adding some gloss to make those lips pop. My normally dry lips never chap or dry out with these stains. They have definitely become staples in my makeup bag and at the low price point you might as well get all 10! Tip: Make sure lips are dry so that the stain can really sink into the lips. Blot lip balm with a tissue prior to application.


Tarte 24/7 Natural Lip Sheer with SPF 15 ($14 USD): I've never tried a tinted lip balm that was budge-proof until I tried Tarte's 24/7's! If you're usually a chapstick gal but want a hint of colour this Valentine's, these creamy lip sheers will give you the right amount of moisture and colour. Eat, sip wine or champagne and Tarte 24/7 will leave a nice stain keeping those lips soft for some after dessert kissing! My favourite part of Tarte products are the Skinvigorating Ingredients and green packaging!

(L-R): For something daring try Monday, a sheer red. And for something sweet but naughty try Tea Time, a deep rose.
Smashbox O-Plump Intuitive Lip Plumper with Goji Berry-C Complex ($24 USD): Whether you believe Smashbox's O-Gloss and the most recent addition, O-Plump, gives your lips your own personal shade of pink or not, it does deliver a lovely healthy pink flush to the lips. If your looking to plump up your normally thin almost non-existent lips, O-Plump will definitely give you the luscious plump you need! I've never really had a need for lip plumpers plus I hated the stinging "sensation" it gave my lips. Since O-Plump, I actually enjoy the tingling minty coolness it leaves and my pout has never looked so juicy (so says the hubbie)! I found my lips looked full and plump even into the next day. Whether it's really my personal shade of pink or not, the shade that develops looks great on me. I love swiping this on when I don't want to think about what shade of lip colour I want to wear. A little mascara, blush and O-Plump is all you need to make your Valentine's swoon!

Prescriptives Colorscope Lipcolor in Classic Red ($17.50 USD): Classics are classic for a reason. They never go out of style. You'll love the creamy smooth texture of Prescriptive's Lipcolor. It hugs the lips and the colour goes on rich with a moist, shiny finish. Evoke the Old Hollywood starlet in you with Classic Red. To keep this bold colour in tact and in kiss-perfection, prime your lips with Benefit Lip Plump. Line your lips with the same colour lip pencil. Apply Classic Red lipstick with a lip brush for precise application. Blot with tissue so it leaves a first layer stain on the lips. Apply Classic Red again. Skip the gloss to get the true look of Old Hollywood glam.

Have you tried any of these lippies? Love 'em? Hate 'em?

Beauty products will always have a place in our lives because for some of us, we would die without it! No matter how bad the economy is you can always count on a blush to perk you up or a pretty gloss to put a smile on your face. Let's be realistic though. As much as we'd like to go crazy on the newest beauty launches, it's just not financially sensible for some of us. Look on the bright side - this is the perfect time to rediscover an oldie but goodie (not too old!) and make it new again! Here are some tips on what to splurge on and how to maximize what you already own!

Steal: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser is a cleanser I always have in stock. It's so versatile and works for all skin types especially those with sensitive or severely dry skin. You can use it with water or wipe off with tissue when water and a sink isn't available. It can also be used as an eye makeup remover - just dab a pea size amount onto a cotton pad and wipe. Another great trick I learned from a makeup artist I was assisting is to mix Cetaphil with brown sugar to use as an exfoliant for the face or lips! It effectively and gently removes dead skin cells, makes your skin soft, and smells yummy.

Steal: Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion has helped me get over some irritating, bumpy moments. When my skin has had it with being a guinea pig, it gets back at me with a red, itchy rash usually around my eyes, cheeks, and mouth. Cetaphil lotion always brings my skin back to normal and clears up those rashes. I've even started using it as an eye cream on my son and it has helped clear up the dryness around his eyes. You can also use it as a body moisturizer. Mix this with a shimmery pigment powder and use it to highlight anywhere you want some sexy shine! Add a bit of this to your favourite liquid or cream foundation to make an instant tinted moisturizer! Also available with SPF!

Splurge: When it comes products that help the performance of your makeup, I always like to spend a little more. Cargo blu_ray High Definition Mattifier is both a makeup primer and a mattifier so you're getting more bang for your buck. Your makeup will apply beautifully, last longer, and keep the shine away!

Splurge: If you don't have a good base then the rest of your look will just fall apart. I never like to skimp out on a good foundation. I just discovered Era Everyday Foundation and I've fallen in love! You may remember this one-of-a-kind airbrush, wear/water resistant oil-free foundation used by celebrity makeup artist, Carmindy from What Not To Wear. I tried it on a few clients who also fell in love with the flawless, yet natural feel and look of the foundation. It literally takes seconds to apply whether you spray it directly on the face or onto a sponge. It can also double as a concealer - just dab more on the areas that need extra coverage. The brand also carries a heavier version for more problematic skin, Era Face Foundation. Available everywhere and in Toronto, at Lift Beauty Boutique.

Splurge: It's hard to find a really good product that you can truly use on your eyes, lips and cheeks. I love multi-use products like NARS's makeup staple, The Multiple and now available in the Multiple Duo! They come in a variety of colours and give your skin a radiant, glowy finish. Just swipe on your eyes with some mascara and liner, dab it on the apples of your cheeks for fresh pop of colour, and slick onto the lips - your look is complete and all with one stick. The Duos give you even more choices so you can use one colour on the eyes and another on the lips. You can also use it to contour and highlight the cheeks. For a full colour finish on the lips use with a lip liner and a non-shiny lip balm. For a glossy finish, swipe on a clear shimmery gloss over top. My tip: finish the eyes and cheeks with a translucent powder for long-lasting effect.


Steal: If you love to have fun with colour and like creating a variety of looks on your eyes, CoverGirl's Eye Enhancers are a real steal! Colours range from neutral to tropical and come in shimmery, metallic or matte textures. You also have a choice of getting a single pan or a palette of 4 shadows. Use them wet for intense colour and as a liner or dry for a more natural effect.


Steal: You don't have to spend a lot of money to give your skin a luminous finish. Pigment powders can be messy but they can be used in many ways. I've become a fan of CoverGirl's TruBlend Mineral Blush and Bronzer. The Mineral Blushes go on great as a sheer blush, as a finisher after your makeup has been applied to brighten up your look, mixed with a moisturizer to highlight the cheekbones and anywhere on your body, or added to a clear gloss for a custom colour! For a faux tan use the Mineral Bronzer on the high points of your face with a brush, mix with a moisturizer for a bronzy glow, mix with a clear gloss for a sun-kissed hue on the lips, layer over top of a cream shadow for a bronze finish on the eyes, or mix with a liquid/cream foundation! Comes in a jumbo-size container so it will last for a while!

Steal: When it comes to my mascara, I've found drugstore brands are superior to the higher end lines. In the world of tube mascaras (mascaras that wash off with water, don't smudge or smear), L'Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara at $13 plus CDN is considered a steal when compared to other tube mascaras. You get a nourishing lash primer and the blackest black mascara all in one! Plus, you don't have to spend extra money on an eye makeup remover because it comes off with lots of warm water!

Steal: I've experimented with many natural products from head to toe but when it comes to the lips I'm all about it. Maybe it's because I ingest so much lip gloss and lip balm on a daily basis?? For something all-natural without a heavy price tag try a line like Kiss My Face. They carry everything including a great selection of lip products. I am loving the Sheer Organic Shine in Ruby. It's a gorgeous shimmery medium-pink that has a minty non-sticky finish. I'm dieing to try their Organic Lip Balms. Stay tuned for my review and colour swatches!

The bottom line is to be creative and come up with new ways to use the existing products you own. What would you splurge on and what do you consider a steal? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

The "smokey eye" is like a little black dress - it's classic and will never go out of style. Whether your wining and dining with friends or checking out the bar scene this holiday season, smokey eyes will always work and keep you looking glamourous.


1. Lise Watier Smokey Eye Kit ($34 CAD) has everything you need in one little kit! The set includes Solo Eye Shadows in Ecru mat and Charbon , Waterproof Eyeliner in Noir Intense, and a duo ended eyeshadow brush for perfect application. Ecru mat is a perfect base with the right mixture of beige and pale pink to brighten up the eyes. Rather than it being matte, the texture has a gorgeous subtle sheen. Charbon is not at all your typical black - it's better. The shade is a like a gun-metal grey mixed with black and has flecks of gold and silver in it. Noir Intense eyeliner glides on smoothly and stays put all night. The kit even comes with step-by-step instructions for achieving a smokey eye! You can also watch Lise Watier's Beauty Clips for a lesson on creating a smokey eye using these products! Click here to watch.

2. CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1- Kit Shadow in Shimmering Onyx ($4 CAD) is a definite must for this season! This shimmery black shadow is gorgeous for creating a smokey eye with a little dash of twinkle. Dust from lash line to crease and add to the bottom lash line. To add more drama, wet your brush before dipping into the powder and smudge into lash line. The result is smoldering and will last much longer when applied wet. Pigment is strong and blends beautifully. At $4 a pop, this shadow is a steal!

Have you tried these products? Love 'em? Hate 'em?

Ellen DeGeneres!!! CoverGirl beauty giants announced today that the comedienne and talk show host will be their newest face and appear in campaigns starting January 2009. This will be her first ever beauty campaign. I love Ellen and think she is a fantastic choice. She's got a generous heart, down-to-earth attitude and flawless skin - definitely a true CoverGirl! Check out her announcement on the Ellen Show today: Ellen's announcement. Hilarious!

What do you think of Ellen DeGeneres as the new face?

For more information visit www.covergirl.ca.

Who better to get the beauty scoop for Fall from none other than makeup artist extraordinaire, Pat McGrath for P&G Beauty's CoverGirl Cosmetics! Here is the trend report and must-have list of CoverGirl products to achieve Fall's hottest looks!

The Trend: Abstractions in Black
The Designers: Balenciaga, Lanvin, Yohji Yamamoto, Viktor & Rolf and Gucci (image shown).

The Look: Abstract designs in inky black gave the smokey eye amodern twist, enhanced with shiny, glossy texture to make eyes the focus. Eyes were sexy, glamorous and intense with a smudge of gothic black as well as a twist of autumnal colour, especially seen at Yohji Yamamoto.

P&G Beauty Products:
CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara in Very Black
CoverGirl LineExact Liquid Liner in Very Black
CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1-kit Eye Shadow in Shimmering Onyx
Olay Regenerist Eye Makeup Remover Plus Anti-Wrinkle
Treatment


The Trend: Metallic Embellishments
The Designers: Versace (image shown), Belstaff, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Bottega Venetta and Oscar de la Renta

The Look: Soft autumnal shades were blended with metallic golds and bronzes into the corner of the eyes for this play on smokey effects with light. At Dolce & Gabanna and Nina Ricci, this was combined with soft colours on the mouth for a powerful effect.

P&G Beauty Products:
CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 3-kit Eye Shadow in Dazzling Metallics
CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara in Very Black
CoverGirl Wetslicks AmazeMint Lipgloss in No Care Bare
Olay Definity Illuminating Eye Treatment


The Trend: Structured Colour
The Designers: Dior (image shown), Miu Miu, Bottega Venetta , Galliano and Louis Vuitton, and featured bright colour shaped around the eyes (Dior) or purple eyeliner (Bottega Venetta).

The Look: This look was taken to the extreme at Dior using bold, daring lashes of turquoise eyeliner and shadows, exaggerated by nude lips. In contrast Bottega Venetta focused on clear skin with eyes defined with purple, while Louis Vuitton toned down the look with softer shades of colour.

P&G Beauty Products:
CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 3-kit Eye Shadow in Firecracker
CoverGirl LineExact Liquid Liner in Very Black
CoverGirl Wetslicks AmazeMint Lipgloss in Freedom of Peach
Olay Regenerist Detoxifying Pore Scrub

The Trend: Florid and Flushed Cheeks
The Designers: D&G, Roberto Cavalli (image shown), Anna Sui, Y3 and Louis Vuitton

The Look: Dynamic and strong, cheeks were a central focus that allowed colour to be prominent and impactful. Florid and flushed, beautiful and intriguing, cheeks and blusher were especially big news.

At D&G, Roberto Cavalli, Anna Sui, Y3 and Louis Vuitton cheeks
were flushed and fresh, reminiscent of long country walks and crisp autumnal days. To truly convey this fresh and youthful look, blush was also given an interesting twist and used on the forehead as well as cheeks. The overall impact was an intriguing combination of drama and romance.

P&G Beauty Products:
CoverGirl TRUblend Liquid Make-up
CoverGirl TRUblend Naturally Luminous Blush in Shimmering Sands
CoverGirl Continuous Colour Lipstick in Bronzed Peach
Olay Total Effects Instant Smoothing Serum

The Trend: Supernatural Enhanced Beauty
The Designers: Valentino (image shown), John Galliano, Prada, Calvin Klein, Stella McCartney and Hussein Chalayan

The Look: Beautifying, modern and perfecting, the supernatural enhanced beauty look was all about amazing, truly beautiful skin and an ethereal look. Models were made to look incredibly fresh faced with clear skin, defined lashes, and groomed brows for an overall natural enhancement.

Eyes were softly shaded and light natural blush on cheeks gave the overall impression of truly perfect, feminine girls.

P&G Beauty Products:
CoverGirl TRUconceal Concealer
CoverGirl TRUblend Naturally Luminous Blush in Pure Romance
CoverGirl Wetslicks AmazeMint Lipgloss in Pink Positive
Olay Definity Night Anti-Spot Treatment

Stay tuned for my reviews of some of the hot CoverGirl products you can use to achieve these looks! I'd love to hear what's your favourite look!

www.covergirl.ca and www.pgeverydaysolutions.com

images: Style.com