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Makeup Junkie Holiday Gift Guide 2008: The Gift of Pretty Nails

Exclusively at KOHLS and here for a limited time only, Flirt Cosmetics introduces the Nail Wishes Holiday Set, $12.50 US. This set consists of 6 lustrous nail polishes in colours that’ll make the perfect accessory to any outfit. The pink packaging with holiday stars will bring cheer to any recipient or you can split up the set for economical yet lovely stocking stuffers.

The set includes: a snowy white, cotton candy pink, 24K gold, classic red, hot fuchsia and a vino burgundy. This is my first time trying this brand of nail polish and I am absolutely loving them. First coat applies streak-free with strong colour. Add a little base/top coat for extra long wear and you’re good to go!

www.flirtcosmetics.com

Beauty News: Benefit's Brow Bar

The Benefit Brow Bar is now open in Canada and just in time for the holiday season!

Who doesn't love perfectly arched brows? Visit the Brow Bar at Holt's located at 50 Bloor St. West in Toronto or call 416-922-2333 Ext 2599 for more info!

If you've had a chance to visit the Brow Bar, do share!

Beauty Icon: Fallin' for Alicia Keys

Alicia’s talented ability to use the keys to serenade her listeners through soulful R&B or dramatic melodies has launched her to the top of the charts. She has won numerous Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards and American Music Awards. It’s no surprise with hits like Fallin’ and A Woman’s Worth.

What I love most about Alicia is her flawless complexion, her skin is always glowing and she’s been blessed with gorgeous eyes. Alicia’s go-to look is nude lips with a smoldering smoky-eye and of course extended liner. She’s constantly transforming her ‘do, from curly and long, to short and bouncy looking fab no matter what look she’s going for.

Gorgeous and talented, what more can you ask for in a Beauty Icon?!

Makeup Junkie Holiday Gift Guide 2008: Philosophy Sets

Philosophy knows how to make gift giving easy. Every year the delicious line of bath and body products comes out with delectable, festive scents that will please every palate. For the baker, the chef, the party girl and for those who just want to celebrate - Philosophy’s got you covered. Not only do you get the 3-in-1 formula – shampoo, shower gel and bubble bath – but you also get the recipe to create the sweet treat!

The Recipe Box ($22)

This set includes 3 sweet flavours - strawberry shortcake, red velvet cake, and sweet creamy frosting, yummy!

The Holiday Cookbook ($42)

Who needs dessert when they have red velvet cake, cinnamon buns, spicy pear cobbler, pumpkin spice muffin, gingerbread and double-rich hot cocoa??

The Cookie Exchange ($36)

Everyone loves a delicious, melt in your mouth cookie, trust me, this one is good! This set contains scents of snickerdoodle, oatmeal raisin, sugar cookie and chocolate chip.

Celebrate! ($36)

When it’s time to celebrate, we can’t wait to get a glass in our hands - so why not start celebrating in the shower with this set of high-foaming formulas of pink, lavender, and pomegranate bubbly.

I am such a sucker for packaging, and with all these great gift giving sets, Philosophy has made it really easy to please just about everybody! Check out the rest of the holiday sets at Sephora.com!

Think Pink: Clinique Great Lips, Great Cause Lipstick Set

Clinique has come out with a lovely lipstick set to support breast cancer awareness, the Great Lips, Great Cause Lipstick Set ($16.50 US). What’s even better is $10 from every sale goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation!

It comes in one shade, a pretty pink with shimmery glitter. Some may find the glitter a bit much, but just add a dot of gloss to soften it. Shiny lips will make you feel hot and knowing you’re supporting a great cause will make you feel even better.

The lipstick comes in this adorable, metallic, princess pink tube all in a silvery case. How cute will you look pulling this out of your purse?!

http://sephora.com

http://beautyblognetwork.com/

Beauty Review: Persian Cold Wax

Now that the cold is making its way into our lives we can actually get on the waxing wagon, yup that’s right, we can actually let our hair grow past stubble so we can relish in 3-4 weeks of soft, smooth skin.

There are so many hair removal products on the market and I have tried most of them yet I keep coming back to Persian Cold Wax ($13.99 at most drugstores).

I was first introduced to this product by one of my closest friends when we were entering our awkward teen stages - I have been using this for years and honestly nothing compares. What I love most about this wax is its water soluble, so there’s no sticky, messy feeling because a little water gets it right off (no need for special oils). It’s also all natural, so it doesn’t irritate the skin. And best of all, waxing reduces the hair growth, so I don’t need do anything for 4-6 weeks now! The only thing, it says you’re not supposed to heat it but without a quick sec in the micro its way too thick, so I recommend 5-10 seconds, that’s it or you’ll have an unpleasant, unattractive, painful burn. It also comes with wax strips that are re-usable, you just have to wash them and you’re good to go.

In a perfect world, women would have been born hairless but since the world isn’t perfect I’m loving Persian Cold Wax.

What’s your fave hair removal product?

Beauty Review: Kat Von D

Kat Von D star of hit reality series LA Ink, partners with Sephora to create an edgy yet glamourous makeup line. The line consists of shadows, liners, lipsticks and brushes all in black packaging with silver tattoo designs. Her signature look is smoky eyes and red lips - a mix between old-Hollywood and punk rock. Hot!

My fave products from the line are the True Romance Eyeshadow palettes ($38) in Ludwig and Beethoven. Both have great pigment and give an intense smoky eye with a mix of some neutral shades. Ludwig consists of more earthy tones, with greens, browns and bronzes and Beethoven is a deeper palette with blues and purples. These will take you straight from day to night.

The Rock ‘n Roll Duo Shadows ($28)

This combo of satin and glittery shadows looks like the perfect duo but to be honest they aren't very good. After scratching away I'm left with bland lids and a tattered brush, boo. I definitely recommend the palettes over these even though they look appealing, save your time and money ladies.

Autograph Eyeliner ($18)

These liquid liners are fab! With shades of glittery black, silver and antique gold you can create any look. I love the handle, it's sort of rubbery making it easy to hold and the brush is thin enough to create that perfect upward line.

I haven't tried the lipsticks or lipglosses, but they look luscious!

Anyone tried the Kat Von D line? Love it? Hate it?

www.sephora.com

Beauty Icon of the Month: Anne Hathaway - From Princess to Fashionista

Anne Hathaway is one of those girls who just never stood out in my mind especially when I thought of fashion forward beauties and beauty icons - that is until Devil Wear's Prada. Before then, all I could picture was an awkward girl next door made pretty. I guess I was watching too many re-runs of Princess Diaries.

Anne was in Toronto last week promoting her movie Rachel Getting Married, check out this post for more. She has been featured on the cover of many magazines, and this month she is on the cover of prestigious fashion mag W:

How fierce does she look? And where did those cheekbones come from??

I love how Anne can pull off fresh face beauty with her soft porcelain skin and charming dimples yet step into couture and she is a whole other woman.

She isn't our typical Beauty Icon, but her simple beauty is what makes her stand out from the crowd.

Fall Beauty Trend: Shadow Made Easy by Cargo

Does the light shadow go on the lid or in the crease? Does the dark shadow go on the lashline or on the browbone? What colour goes where?? This is a common concern that many people have and guess what, Cargo’s Essential Eyeshadow Palettes ($32), new this Fall, answer all your questions.

There are 3 new palettes, the Warm/Neutral, Cool/Neutral and Dark/Neutral all in the beige, taupe, brown family so they work on every skin tone. I was never a fan of CARGO shadows, the pigments always seemed so weak, especially their palettes, but these are great and they actually last. They have a stain finish, so minimal shimmer which means you have the opportunity to add from your own collection to get your own creation.

Warm/Neutral - (cream/ ivory beige / warm brown / dark neutral brown)

Cool/Neutral - (peach ivory/ tan/ warm brown/ dark brown)

Dark/Neutral - (pink champagne/ light taupe/ medium ash brown/ deep charcoal brown)

These shadows give the perfect “not wearing any makeup” look and you can squeeze on some gloss for the day and add some cat-eye liner with red lips for the night! Glamorous!

Cargo has a few more palettes out this Fall, that I have yet to try, but they look so vibrant:

Color Eyeshadow Palette ($28)

Artistic packaging and four generous shadows make up this palette. They come in 8 combinations, ranging from shimmery pinks to brown sheens.

Being as vibrant as they are, I’m just hoping that these palettes have intense pigments – there’s nothing that I hate more than having to scrape shadow just to see a lil' colour.

Wet/Dry Eyelining Palette ($32)

This compact contains 8 liner shadows that can be worn wet or dry. The dry look gives a more natural effect where as the wet gives a precise, sharp line. I did a quick swatch test on these, and they looked great on my hand.

If you’ve tried the new CARGO line, let me know what you think!

www.sephora.com

Ahh, the Sweet Smell of Fall!

As soon as we say farewell to August and hello to September the distinct scent of Fall is in the air. I think a lot of it has to do with the memories of going back to school, finding the perfect outfit, the perfect way to do your hair/makeup and of course the perfect fragrance. This Fall, some introductions to the world of fragrance are:

Burberry The Beat

Notes: Bergamot, Cardamom, Pink Pepper, Mandarin, Iris, Bluebell, Ceylon Tea, White Musk, Vetiver, Cedarwood.

This is a light and fresh fragrance, both sensual and feminine – lovely for those of you who like the smell of perfume without it being too overpowering. The packaging is clean, with a subtle Burberry print definitely not in your face but stylish at the same time.

Gucci by Gucci

Notes: Guava, Pear, Tahitian Tiare Flower, Musk, Honey, Patchouli.

This is more on the musky, woody side. This fragrance is for someone who likes strong, rich scents. I love the packaging, Gucci has done a solid square bottle for many of their perfumes but this one looks so classy in chocolate brown with gold trimmings and it comes with an adorable little charm. So cute!

elle by Yves Saint Laurent

Notes: Cedrat, Peony, Lychee, Pink Berries, Freesia, Jasmine, Patchouli, Vetiver, Ambrette.

This fragrance is a mix between floral and fruity, so lovely! It's very light but lasts all day. And the pinkish-purple bottle with gold monogram is hot! Perfect for you fashionistas!

Alright ladies let me know if you've tried these and what you think. If you have any fave perfumes (or fave bottles that you bought just to add to your fragrance wardrobe), do share!

Fall Beauty Trends:Tarte, Let's Play in Gray

Gray is definitely an "it" colour this fall. Whether you're wearing it, accessorizing with it, painting it on your nails or accentuating your features, gray is it.

I used to think gray was such a dull colour, but if worn correctly it can be very flattering. Check out this new palette by Tarte, the Eye Couture Day-To-Night Eye Palette ($60)- so chic. The lush purple, quilted packaging screams luxe princess and the shadows are the perfect combo to take you straight from day to night.

Let’s focus on the gray shadows - you can begin your day by sweeping the light gray on the entire lid, line the eyes and you’re good to go. Whether you’re heading out for drinks after work, that hot date or a nite out with the ladies, a little charcoal gray in the crease will create a sexy smokey eye. Add as much or as little as you like, these colours have great intensity. Not only does this palette come with 10 shadows, it also comes with a double ended pencil liner and a double ended brush.

Finish the look with some lip colour, like Tarte's Limited Edition Lip Couture, also a purple, quilted box (I'm a sucker for cute packaging!) with 4 lipsticks and a universal lip liner. These colours are flattering on all skin tones, I especially love the red with a hint of orange and the nude.

Now all we need are some comfy, gray sweaters, stylish boots and trendy jackets - Fall here we come!

Beauty Review: Cover Girl TruBlend Minerals

Let me begin by saying that I have become a blush/bronzer girl. I cannot leave the house
without it on. Especially on the days when my skin is looking bland, blush/bronzer is the quickest, most effective way of looking fresh, glowy and ready to go.

CG’s TruBlend Blushes and Bronzers are loose powders that are made from natural minerals. They come with a puff, but I definitely recommend using a brush for accurate application. I love the texture of mineral makeup, it’s so soft and goes on silky-smooth.

The CG TruBlend Blush comes in 2 shades: Pure Romance which is light pink and Shimmering Sands which is more on the coral side.

The CG TruBlend Bronzer also comes in 2 shades: Golden Sunrise which is brownish-gold and the Natural Bronze which is copper-gold. Both look fabulous on any skin type.

The one frustration I have with loose powders is the mess they make. No matter how careful I try to be, it somehow ends up all over the place. I’m just waiting for the day when cosmetic companies design a more efficient container, then I’ll be all over the loose powders. (Tip: instead of peeling the sticker that covers the holes on loose power packages, use a pin to poke just a few holes, this will help eliminate some of the mess).

But regardless, the CG TruBlend powders are gorgeous - with just the right amount of shimmer and colour, I was able to achieve the perfect sun kissed, health-looking glow without looking overdone. Guess I’ll just have to suck it up!

Have you tried any of CG TruBlend products?

www.covergirl.ca

Beauty Review: Thevi Cosmetics for Ethnic Women

I had the opportunity to try a few products from the Thevi Cosmetics line. The line was developed by new entrepreneur, Thevaki Thambirajah, who had a difficult time finding shades that matched her unique skin tone, so she developed her own line which caters to new ethnic communities: light to dark skinned women of Asian, South Asian, Hispanic, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean descent. With 3-years of developing formulations and shades to match a range of skin tones, Thevi is a line ethnic women can call their own.

Triple Split Shadow in Bistro ($22 US)
This is such a lovely combo of colours. I love when companies put multiple shades in one compact, it makes it so easy to carry around. The yellow gold, warm brown and metallic grayish-brown are gorgeous and blend really well together. I used the gold on the entire lid and blended some brown into the crease and outer edge of the lid. I noticed that I didn’t need a lot of product on my brush, the pigments are quite strong and went on really smooth. I saw minimal creasing and it stayed as vibrant at the end of the day as when I first applied, impressive. I went on their website and learned that the shadows are water-proof, it’s lovely for you beach babes looking to enhance your summer-time glow!
High Impact Lipstick in Drama ($22 US)
How sexy is this colour?! I’m definitely one of those girls who never wears red. Every time I do, I feel like everyone is staring at my lips. But I really like this lipstick. It is very moisturizing, glides on effortlessly and has a glossy finish. Not to mention the packaging - très chic!

Mineral Finishing Pressed Powder Duo in Mocha Mates ($28 US)
This is a blush, bronzer and all over face powder in one. Since there is only one shade and it’s meant to suit most skin types, I find this to be a bit dark. I was expecting it to be more translucent but it wasn’t which is why I prefer to use this as a bronzer/blush. Online, it says “this micro-milled pressed powder visibly blurs away fine lines and uneven coloration, nurtures skin with conditioning and anti-oxidant vitamins and minerals, and is suitable for even the most sensitive skins.” I didn’t notice any blurring of fine-lines or uneven coloration, but it definitely has a nice finish. You can also use the darker shade as a contour colour to bring out those cheekbones.

The packaging and quality are definitely on the higher end, and it's reflected in the prices. But, when you're searching frantically high and low for that perfect match, price comes secondary. Currently, the products are only available online. Happy shopping!

Has anyone had a chance to try this line?

Makeup 101: False Lashes Made Easy

Gorgeous, lush lashes made easy with a great pair of fake lashes. Here’s how you can achieve that full, sexy gaze.

Tools:
Toothpick
Lashes
Glue
Tweezers
Eye liner
Mascara

Step 1: Apply liner and curl lashes (this is a key step so the lashes blend in, also worse case scenario the lashes don’t stay on and come off in the middle of the night, the liner will make sure you won’t look awkward and unfinished)

OPTIONAL: Before applying you can measure the lashes by placing the lashes on the lash line (do not add glue yet). If you need to trim start on the outer edge.

Step 2: Using the tweezers to hold your lashes, take a toothpick and pick up a little bit of glue. You only need a thin layer and draw a line on the edge of the lash. Too much glue will make it super sticky and unmanageable. Note: the glue is white but will dry clear

Step 3: Time to apply the lashes. The best way to make these look as natural as possible is to place them as close to the lash line as possible. Hold the two ends and press down. Tip: if you put them on wrong you have some time to quickly adjust and you can always add more glue if necessary (Remember the shorter end of the lashes go towards the inner corner of the eye)

Step 4: Finish with more liner and mascara

Done and done, gorgeous in seconds!

Good Luck Ladies!

Beauty Review: CAUDALIE Skincare

If you’re looking for a natural skincare regime, CAUDALIE is a must. The line comes straight from France where the vines grow lush with grapes that produce not only delectable wine but are also powerful enough to help fight aging and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Out of all the products I have tried from the CAUDALIE line, I love each and every one of them. Here are a few of my faves: (just so you know my skin is pretty dry, occasionally oily on my nose, but for the most part dry)

For those days when you are super tired (which means everyday for most of us), the CAUDALIE Cleansing Water ($15-$29) removes impurities in seconds. Just soak a cotton pad and wipe your face until the cotton pad is clean, no need to rinse. This is a great makeup remover, cleanser and toner all in one.

The CAUDALIE Gentle Cleanser ($32.50) is a milk cleanser that can be tissued or rinsed off. I like the look of my skin after I use this because it looks extra hydrated and feels super soft. I prefer to use this only at night so it can hydrate my skin while I sleep.

The CAUDALIE Instant Foaming Cleanser ($13-$32.50) is really, really nice. The foam is airy and works right into the skin giving you a nice squeaky clean feeling. It works for all skin types but I think it's probably best for normal to combo.

The CAUDALIE Beauty Elixir ($19-$62.50) is one of the many products I’m hooked on. It sets makeup, refreshes, hydrates, tones, adds radiance and is basically the perfect wake-me-upper. A few friends say it smells like medicine, but I love the smell, it reminds me of a cozy, relaxing day at the spa.

Last but not least, the one moisturizer I will shrivel up and cry without, the CAUDALIE VINOSOURCE Anti-wrinkle Nourishing Cream ($61). It is so amazing and does wonders for dry skin - no more flaking, no more uncomfortable tightness, no more bland looking skin. I have tried many, many, many moisturizers and this is one that I cannot live without. Only thing, it's a bit pricey but my justification is: what's the point of having nice makeup when you don't have great skin, right? In my books, it's worth every penny.

Has anyone tried the CAUDALIE line? What do you think?

Now all I need is a nice glass of wine :)