things i'm loving: pinterest

If you're at all interested in art, fashion, design, photography, or beauty, you have to check out my new obsession: Pinterest.

Falling in love with images online is a common occurrence for me, so I keep an inspiration folder on my desktop that I'm constantly filling with things I find gorgeous. But this folder gets messy and is hard to browse, you see?

When I discovered Pinterest, I was ecstatic to learn that I could bookmark or "pin" images while I browse blogs and other sites, and save them to "pinboards" organized by subject.

Once you apply to join Pinterest, you can install the bookmarklet in your browser. When you see something you like, you just hit "Pin it" and all the images on that site pop up. You pin the one you want, like so:

You assign this pin to a board, add a description and tags and pin it like this:

What's great about pinning is it preserves the link to the source of your image, for easy photo crediting or reference later.

You can also follow the boards of other users, or re-pin their pins to your own boards. Browsing through all your contacts' pins is like looking at a dynamic, evolving inspiration board. If you follow people with like interests and tastes, you'll find yourself discovering more beautiful things that you could ever come across alone. E.g.:

So far I'm using it to keep track of makeup and beauty ideas, wedding fashion and decor, style, decorating, and photos I find truly captivating. You can use it to save and organize pretty much anything, however, from recipes to potential dogs to adopt.

You can also login and link your Pinterest account to either your Facebook or Twitter handles, which saves time and allows you to share or tweet your finds with your friends and followers.

So, join up and follow me so I can follow your pin boards and see what you find beautiful or inspiring!

wedding planning: hairstyle

Finding a wedding hairstyle is more of a process of elimination than a search.

Browsing magazines and beauty blogs is a deeply ingrained part of my weekly internet wandering, and as such I regularly come across hairstyles that make me swoon. Sifting through all these to find one that would actually suit my face and work with my hair type is where the real effort lies.

Although I'd love to wear my hair in ringlets, if there is a hint of humidity or rain on the big day, those coils would be flattening out in seconds. I'd love to wear something elegant and sleek, pulled right back off my face like a ballerina. Unfortunately, I was not blessed with the best bone structure. My face shape is that of upside-down egg (in Brian's words), and more puffy than chiseled. As such, I'm better of with something more voluminous.

I started to consider a Texas beauty pageant-inspired style, or different variations on a beehive. This was quickly shot down by my friends who convinced me that "you want people to notice you when you walk down the aisle, not your huge hair!"

The photos below represent the final collection of images I took my stylist, so we could narrow it down to the style that would work best with my face, hair and outfit.

As we discussed the options, I suggested the idea of a convertible hairstyle: updo for the ceremony, down for the reception. I'd gotten the idea from Laura + Billy's CreativeLive wedding, and loved the idea of having both the elegance of an updo and the party style of loose curls. Luckily, my stylist was willing and excited to do this.

We decided on an updo that was a hybrid of the top two images, though a bit more loose and less shellacked. She showed me how to take down the updo and restyle it slightly so it resembled something between the images of Kristen Bell and Lara Stone. She did an excellent job, and I'm confident she'll make it look even better on the actual day.

To find the perfect style for you, I suggest considering the following factors:
- hair length
- hair texture
- face shape
- season (read: humidity factor)
- tone of the wedding

holiday 2010 beauty picks

Welcome to my 2010 holiday beauty guide! Today's picks are the best products I've tried over the last few months, and plan on keeping handy for the holidays this year.

First up, Today was a Fairytale nail polish by Deborah Lippmann. I bought this to wear on my wedding day (and not because of the cheesy name, I swear - it matches my shoes), but I've kind of started wearing it already. You've got to test things out, right? Deborah Lippmann's polishes are generally quite fun, and many of them contain loads of glitter. Several of her polishes have been created with or inspired by celebrities (e.g. Bad Romance for Lady Gaga and Believe with Cher).  The thing I like about the glittery shades are that they give great coverage with only one coat. I find this shade in particular to be really festive, and great for the holidays.

I've been meaning to buy MAC paints for years. After bemoaning melting eyeliner and disappearing shadow, I finally picked some up to prevent both effects. Paints are silky creams that can act as powerful eyeshadow primers, or will stay put as long-lasting shadows. When I was doing theatre, I saw a lot of makeup artists and other performers use these paints as stage makeup, as they hold up even under hot lights. I love the easy-to-squeeze tube format, and I am impressed with how little you need to get great results.

I had never heard of Pixi until my mom brought me back a bunch of wonderful makeup treasures from Target after a recent trip to Georgia. This brand seems to be aimed at a younger market, but its products are of really good quality. I enjoy this Wakeup kit, as it's great for travel (hello, Christmas holidays) and has a good balance of natural and more dramatic shades. The shadows and blushes are highly pigmented, and apply really well. The lipstick shades are current and suit a range of skin tones.

Another Pixi product, Lip and Line, is not a particularly new product idea, but the execution is good. The colour of the product in liner and lipstick is an exact match (to avoid that dreaded lined look) but it provides the shaping and staying power of liner with the creamy, heavier coverage of lipstick. The pale pink shade has a great matte finish and looks awesome when worn with a smokey eye and a bit of bronzer.

Benefit's Magic Ink liquid liner is the BEST eyeliner I have ever used. It it jet black, beautifully fluid, and should win awards for its incredible staying power. It even lasted through a snow storm, with my awkward "fight the wind" face and resulting tears. It is practically indelible, but does come off easily with makeup remover, or even soap and water. A lot of my clients and friends look at liquid liner suspiciously, as if it might hurt them or force them into looking like a post-bender Amy Winehouse. Liquid liner is best when applied with a light hand, and although it takes a bit of practice to master, is definitely worth the effort. I actually only use liquid and gel liners now, but more on that later.

My new hairdresser used Aveda's Volumizing Tonic on my fine, straight hair after my last cut and it worked wonders. It is made with aloe and wheat protein, smells incredible, and it really does pump up the volume. This is a great product for dramatic hairstyles for holiday parties. It's also what I used to get Sara's hair up to such great heights for her recent photoshoot.

Mannequin Skin by Jemma Kidd was another one of my mom's Target treasures. A small palette containing four different concealers (green to neutralize redness, a beige to prime eyes and lips, yellow to lighten dark circles, and shimmery shell pink to highlight), it is a great fix-all kit. It's also a good tool to keep handy for days where you may not be feeling your most glowy or may have had a few too many holiday cocktails the night before.

Similar to Mannequin Skin, Smashbox's Photo Op Under Eye Brightener is all about making you look fresh. What sets it apart from most other concealers is its consistency. It relies on light-reflecting particles to deflect darkness from under the eyes, rather than heavy pigmentation to cover darkness. This is particularly effective, because it just floats gently on top of skin, rather than sinking into any fine lines around the eyes. A definite winner.

Last up today is my final Target treasure, Dramatically Defining Long Lasting Gel Liner by Sonia Kashuk. As I previously mentioned, I now only use liquid or gel liners. This is mostly due to my eye shape, and the fact that my eyelids move eyeliner all the place. Unlike kohl liner, liquid and gel dry and stay where they're supposed to. I also find the colours to be richer and more vibrant in gels and liquids, and for eye shadows to pop more dramatically when applied next to them.

smashbox fall 2010 masquerade collection

Right beside the building where I'm taking my Photoshop night classes is a huge drugstore with a sprawling luxury cosmetics section. It's the perfect place to visit during break time.

Tonight I tested Smashbox's fall 2010 Masquerade collection, and it is glorious. The three best parts of the collection are:

The Creamy Cheek Colour and Brush is so smooth, and it can be blended seamlessly and streaklessly onto the apples of cheeks using the kabuki style brush on the other end. Smart, compact, and high quality. The colour is also a great coral pink that would be flattering to most skin tones.

The eye palette is great because it contains a perfect balance of creamy and matte neutrals and very rich metallics. I tested every colour and each one is velvety and densely pigmented. I know the general rule is to wear the neutrals for day and jewel tones for night. I personally think, however, that if you blend a jewel tone really well into the crease of your eyelid, or apply it with a slanted brush to your top lash line, it looks stunning for day. This is one of the best, most versatile and wearable palettes I've seen in years.

The O-Gloss Noir is just amazing. Like the original O-Gloss, this lip gloss is meant to appear differently on every person's natural lip colour. On mine, it morphed into a perfect rose-plum that had just a hint of vamp. If I were to buy one part of this collection, O-Gloss Noir would be it!

summer 2010 beauty picks

Here are the goodies I'm turning to as my summer beauty favourites. One row at a time!

Body Shop Lightening Touch Concealer

This concealer works by reflecting light away from the skin, disguising dark circles and blemishes with a feather-light finish. The applicator brush is really soft and gentle, which goes easy on the thin and delicate skin under your eyes.

Rusk Coral Therapy Marine Nutrient Treatment

This treatment goes on thick, smells incredible, and rescues sun-fried summer hair. I also really love the colour of the tub.


Bare Escentuals All-over Face Colour in Warmth

Bare Escentuals has a whole collection of All-over Face Colours, but Warmth is one of the best. It's a very natural-looking bronzer that works best when applied with a big fluffy brush and a light hand.

Klorane Dry Shampoo

As I've posted before, I love dry shampoo. This one is not quite as good as KMS's hair makeover, but it does the trick if you can only make it to the drugstore. As a warning, spray from at least 10 inches from your scalp, or you'll end up with white, powdery roots!


Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Coral Queen

Rimmel is really great about releasing new, on-trend shades for each season. Their colours are always very rich, especially for a drugstore brand. Coral Queen (and its toned-down, frosted cousin, Soft Coral) is a fabulous shade for summer, especially when worn with bronze tones on eyes and cheeks. It would also transition well into fall, to be worn as a pop of brightness with a plum eyeliner or a chocolate brown shadow and neutral blush.

Too Faced Natural Eye Kit

Whenever I travel, I treat myself to a new makeup product. Some people opt for shot glasses or snow globes, but I love buying cosmetics and trying them out when I go out that night in a new city. Every time I use the product afterwards, I remember that particular vacation. I picked up this kit at the Sephora on 5th Avenue on my trip to NYC this spring. The shadows are finely milled and rich, and the shades are just lovely. It's a great product to pop in your bag with some foundation, mascara and lipstick when packing light for a trip.

Morrocanoil Oil Treatment

My friend Kate -- a beauty editor with a huge arsenal of products to test, and serious knowledge of what makes a quality item -- names Morrocanoil as one of her favourite beauty products. What I love about it is that it simultaneously fights frizz and adds powerful shine while treating and conditioning the hair. It's a nice alternative to the silicone-based products that were so popular in the last decade (Citre Shine, Frizz Ease) as it's really just beautifully scented argan oil. The one downside is it's pretty pricey; a large bottle runs about $40. Start with the small bottle at $14 to see how you like it, or try a drugstore brand argan oil for only $6.


Anastasia Brow Stencils

I finally bought these babies after reading about them and recommending them to friends for years. They are just great for touching up your brow shape, or for starting from scratch if you've never shaped your brows before.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

A few months ago I did a photoshoot with Andrea Hausmann (an amazing Montreal photographer) for my birthday. The pics are pretty intense, so I'm too shy to share them here at the moment, but they are so well done. Andrea has a great team working in her studio, and Christelle Souverbie, is her talented in-house makeup artist. Christelle recommended several products to me, but the one I was most interested in was this eye shadow primer. As she explained, this stuff will lock in your eyeshadow for a week! It's a great product for special events such as weddings where long-lasting makeup is a must.

Smashbox Cream Eyeliner Palette

As I referenced in my previous post, this cream liner does not move, melt, or smudge unless you're dealing with extreme conditions. It's softer than liquid liner and easier to apply than kohl liner (pencil) and comes in a variety of rich shades. This palette is a good starter kit to help you find the shade that best suits your colouring.

Joe Fresh Lip Stain

As my longtime readers will know, lip stain is my favourite beauty product. I've tried pretty much every one on the market. Benefit's Benetint is the gold standard, but Joe Fresh's is the best low price version I've seen. The colour selection is great, the staying power is impressive, and the price ($6) is right.

L'Oreal Superior Preference hair colour in Red Copper Auburn

Lastly, this is my preferred shade of hair colour these days. I was hooked on Frederick Fekkai's line until it (sadly) stopped being sold at Murale and Sephora's near me. This shade is vibrant, long-lasting, and as natural-looking as red on a dirty blonde can be.

l'oreal lash boosting serum

Until recently, the only knowledge I'd previously had of lash growth serums was of the pricey kind being hocked by Brooke Shields via infomercial, or the sketchy looking ones advertised in the black and white advertising sections of Tiger Beat magazines alongside Sea Monkeys and "How to get your any guy you want" 10-step programs.

So when I received L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum in the mail, I was intrigued to see that lash serums were now available at a lower price point. Affordable, yes, but would it work?

It did. It does! I've been applying it fairly consistently, twice a day, for the past 6 weeks, and have definitely noticed results.

- my lashes are thicker at the base, and seem generally healthier

- they seem much more resilient, and don't fall out when I curl them or remove eye makeup

- they are definitely longer, and this especially shows when mascara is applied

I put on some L'Oreal Double Extension mascara, which extended the length even further, to show you the effects:




If you can look past the horror of my unkempt eyebrows, you can see that this stuff made my lashes pretty long and thick. L'Oreal Lash Boosting Serum is something that I would certainly have been skeptical of, and probably wouldn't have bought, but am really happy I tried. I would buy it again myself, and would recommend it to anyone who's looking for some extra oomph in the last department.

review: nuxe crème fraîche

This is the good stuff, folks.

I decided to spring for a slightly more pricey cream. I normally try to stay in the < $20 range when it comes to moisturizer, but my winter-ravaged skin was screaming out (read: flaking and swelling and turning red) for something more potent.

After a lengthy consultation with the cosmetician, I decided on Crème Fraîche by Nuxe. Formulated for dry and very dry skin, this cream lives up to its claim to moisturize for 24 hours. If I put it on before bed, I can skip moisturizing the next morning and my skin still feels great all day.

It's all-natural, paraben free, and packed full of plant milks, saps, and essential oils. I love the way it just soaks into my skin, soothing instantly. After just over a week of using it, I notice a huge difference in the quality of my complexion.

It's about $35, which is a few levels up from my usual Oil of Olay or La Roche-Posay favourites, but my skin is forcing me to have more expensive taste.

I would highly recommend Crème Fraîche as a salve for anyone who suffers from painfully dry and red skin, especially in the winter.

review: gosh cosmetics extreme art eye liner

This week I tested GOSH Cosmetics Extreme Art Eyeliner. Using them marked the beginning of beautiful cosmetics relationship.

Why I love them:

1. Each one of the great palette of colours is amazingly vibrant


2. They look great on all skin tones


3. They're semi-permanent and waterproof, so they last all day


4. They dry quickly and set well


5. Can also be used with a coat of clear top coat for nail art

I suggest you try the particularly colour-saturated Green Grass or Deep Sea for special occasions and the slightly more subtle and very elegant Orange Art or Gold Art for daytime. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart across Canada (or Pharmaprix here in Quebec).

review: kms hairplay makeover spray

Until recently, I'd sworn off bangs entirely. Every time I tried to rock them, I would be appalled by photos of me with combover-esque cowlicks and greasy, stringy fringe, I had resigned myself to the sad fact that bangs would never work for me. That was before I discovered dry shampoo.

Anyone who's had bangs knows that small section of hair gets dirty way before the rest of the head does. No matter how clean the rest of one's hair is, greasy bangs can make a girl look like a pubescent athlete post-gym class.

Dry shampoo is the solution!

Back in November, I posted about Cake Beauty's Satin Sugar Hair & Body Refreshing Powder.

Since I was travelling almost every day over the holidays and not having access to showers, blowdriers, and flat irons, I purchased KMS Hairplay Makeover Spray and was thrilled with the results. I can go from looking haggard to fresh in 5 seconds with this stuff.

Costs approximately $18. I'm still on the hunt for a cheaper dry shampoo (since it looks like I'll be using bottles of it), but this one is worth the investment.

cusp of winter beauty picks

Alright folks, the air is starting to get dry just as our social calendars are starting to fill up for the seasons. 'Tis the season to slough off the dead skin, breathe some life into our dry hair, and put some rouge on our cheeks. I've been doing all sorts of testing (and online trolling) to bring you my beauty picks to whip you into tip top condition.

First up, Satin Sugar by Cake Beauty. If you're like me, cold weather and busy days see you waiting a little longer between hair washes. This sweetly scented powder (for both light and dark shades) soaks up oil, and leaves hair clean and fluffy. Toss it in your purse for a post-work touch up to your bangs before heading out.



On the subject of hair, I've been using this amazing Lush bestseller, BIG shampoo. It smells incredible, and it pumps an amazing amount of volume into your locks.



This amazing Ultimate Blockbuster palette by Sephora is fantastic. I was lucky enough to receive one from my friend Kate last year, and I have used the awesome array of colours for my own daily beauty routine, as well as for countless photo shoots. I tend to be skeptical about the quality of cosmetics in large sets, but all of the products in this set perform really well. At under $50, it's an amazing deal that will give you a lot of mileage.

More beauty picks to come soon.

back to black

With the onset of autumn, I always look forward to the new crop of blue-red lip colours that populate my favourite beauty boutiques.

Over the past year, however, I've noticed the trend of black lipstick bobbing up far more often than candy apple, crimson, or berry. As makeup artist Nadine Luke asserts in this video tutorial, "black is back in a big way."

Would you go for it? You know I will!

recommended: sensé and bare escentuals

As I've said before, I am very picky when it comes to skincare, mostly because my skin is too.

I usually use La Roche-Posay products on my sensitive, dry skin, as they are very gentle and moisturizing. I have previously tried other systems such as Clinique and Proactiv. Those trials ended in flaky, irritable skin, and a distrust of any prescribed system. For the past 2 years, I've loyally stuck to my Lipikar Surgras and little else.

SENSÉ

As a true beauty product aficionado, however, I am always open to try new things. So when Carolyn suggested I try Sensé, the skincare line she sells, I was more than happy to do so.


What I liked most about the system was how clean and firm (but not stripped or tight) it left my skin feeling. My face felt truly refreshed, and had a nice glow going. Most importantly, it didn't irritate my skin, which so many products do. It also has a really pleasant smell, and blends easily onto the skin.

What also won me over is the fact that it's all-natural; its list of ingredients is so simple (and paraben-free) that all the products are actually edible.

Carolyn has been using the system for a while now, and she has noticed a huge difference in the appearance and health of her skin. Since I see her often, I can attest that it really has given her a glowing complexion.

BARE MINERALS

I've been using Bare Minerals products ever since reading Beauty Confidential by Nadine Haobsh 2 years ago. I love the foundation, as it blends amazingly well, is featherweight, and amazingly covers my red skin. I've tried all different kinds of foundations (most recently Almay Smart Shade, with disastrous results) and I can say without a doubt that Bare Minerals is my favourite to date.

For the photo above, to further perfect Carolyn's gorgeous skin, I applied Bare Minerals I.D. foundation in Golden Medium, and added all over Warmth, and finished with Mineral Veil.

WHERE TO GET THEM

You can buy Sensé products direct from Carolyn (carolyn[at]healthygirl.net) and have the products shipped to your door within 2 days.

Bare Escentuals products can be found at Sephora, and at a lot of drugstores that sell premium product lines.

summer makeup picks

Let's take a second to acknowledge that this collage is clearly not my best work. Ok? Ok. Moving on, here are my picks for makeup this summer. Clockwise from top left:

Aqua Eyes Eyeliner by Makeup Forever
One day I felt like being indulgent and got my makeup done before going out on a Friday night. Apparently, I wasn't the only one going unnecessarily glam, as the store had just been cleared of dozens of fans and their moms who'd come to get their makeup done before going to the Britney/Pussycat Dolls concert. I was very sorry to have missed seeing those finalized makeup looks. "Homer, you've got it set on whore!" Anyone?

Back to my point. The makeup artist put this eyeliner on me and it stayed vibrant all night. I bought one in violet and wear it constantly, even when it doesn't match my outfit because it glides on beautifully and really stays.

Nars Eyeshadow Duo in Scorching Sun
I don't own this duo yet, but I plan to once I pinch my pennies for a few more weeks. I tried it on at a Sephora in Manhattan and was struck by how well the pigment could be applied, and was shocked that it suited my ghostly pale skin. All the reviews I've read of it claim this duo of bright gold and glazed apricot is flattering to all skin tones.

MAC Paint in Bare Canvas
Quite simply, it's a fantastic base that will make your shadow stay put, and prevent creasing. It can also be worn alone for a lovely, smooth look. I would especially recommend using this or a similar eye base for a special event such as a wedding or prom... or any night if you're a sweaty individual or if there is any kind of booze involved.

"Tresor D'Afrique" Palette by YSL Beauty
Annoying colonialist name aside, this palette is pretty fabulous. Richly pigmented, it went on really well when I sampled it, and would flatter both warm and cool skin tones of all shades.

Eye Shadow Quads by Annabelle
Finally, other drugstore brands are taking a hint from L'Oreal (HIP) and trying to knock off higher end brands such as MAC and Makeup Forever by offering highly pigmented eye shadows. Canadian brand Anabelle took it a step further and created customizable palettes (à la MAC) at a much lower price point. I've yet to try these (besides on the back of my hand) but I like them in theory because I like anything customizable and affordable. I really would have appreciated this a few years ago, but I am happy that Canadian teens will be able to afford to get creative with their palettes. Babysitting money stretches a lot farther on a drugstore brand budget!

Newbie Collection by Bare Escentuals
A fantastic price ($18) for an into kit to one of my top 5 all-time products, bare minerals foundation et al.

California Kissin' Gloss by Benefit
I've had my eye on this baby for a while now, so I jumped for joy when in arrived in the mail as part of my bday gift from Brian's family. With its blue shimmer, it offsets the yellow in one's teeth, and apparently brightens the smile. While I'm not 100% sold on that, it definitely brightens my mood with its minty, sparkly goodness. It reminds me of retro Crest toothpaste from the 80s.

MAC Lipstick in Ruby Woo
A few weeks ago, I attended a Mad Men party (I am so white). After one vodka soda, I was forcing this lipstick on every female attendee. It has a completely matte finish (much like the lipstick available in the late 50s-early 60s) and really sticks to your lips for a long time. I think it's my new go-to red.

Lastly, MAC has finally started posting tutorials. As much as I like watching the all sassy gals on Youtube, it's refreshing to watch videos that don't have star wipes or terrible theme music. The sculpted lip video is especially good.

look du jour

update: l'oreal double extend mascara

After reading my confused and disappointed review of the L'Oreal beauty tubes mascara, Matchstick sent me a whole new package.

This time the mascara was definitely working properly. The mascara slid over the base coat quickly and easily, and seriously extended my lashes. This product honestly gives the best results in terms of length, of all the mascaras I've tried. It also maintains the curl of the lashes for much longer than other products.

I would call this mascara a special occasion product, like Smashbox Photo Finish, as its results are quite dramatic...but I'm actually kind of addicted to it. In fact, my other mascaras just don't seem to have enough oomph in comparison.

The best part (because I'm a weirdo) is watching the "tubes" come off when you wash your face. I actually look forward to getting ready for bed, because I get to feel the bizarre effect of gently pulling what are essentially fake eyelashes off, and watching them wash down the drain. TMI? But, seriously, it's really fun.

In case you're interested in giving it a try, the coupon above gives you a bit of a discount.

Also "Matchstick is looking for feedback from anyone who may have seen my posting regardind L’Oreal Beauty Tubes. If you click on the link below and complete the survey, you will be helping them by donating $2.00 to Shelternet, so please Click Here to take their short feedback survey.

For every survey that is completed, Matchstick will make a $2 donation to Shelternet (shelternet.ca), which is a Web-based Women and Children’s Crisis Support Center that provides aid and financial support to locally based women’s shelters across Canada.

Your time and feedback is greatly appreciated"

l'oreal double extension beauty tubes mascara

Damn. I was excited for this one. After significant miscommunication between FedEx and I, this package from Matchstick finally arrived at my door. The package of makeup was generous and fun. The featured product, being l'oreal double extension beauty tubes mascara, was a major disappointment.

To test out the kit, I wiped off all my makeup to start fresh.

I then applied the liquid eyeliner and smokey eyes eyeshadow quad, which both went on smoothly and with surprisingly rich pigmentation. The eyeliner (in carbon black) was especially nice. I used the little brush set that came in the kit, which was cute and effective.

I then applied the white base coat, which is meant to lengthen and build the lashes. So far, so good. The problem arose when I pulled out the wand for the mascara and saw that it was covered in black chunks.

Despite the odd appearance, I tried applying it on my lashes anyways, none stuck. Instead, it just fell to floor in chunks.

As I paused to take photos, the base coat started stinging my eyes. My eyes are not normally sensitive, so this was troubling.

I tried again to apply the mascara, but it just wasn't working, unfortunately.

I can't imagine that this is the intended texture of the mascara, but I tried both tubes and they both were very chunky. My guess would be that in the transportation process (which was lenghty, due to the mix-ups) the temperature changes affected the consistency. That is the only explanation I can think of.


Final review: eyeshadow, eyeliner and brushes: good. Mascara: unfortunately terrible (but may or may not have been damaged in transport).

review: harajuku lovers fragrance

Today I received a promotional package of a new fragrance collection by Gwen Stefani, Harajuku Lovers. I am happy to say that I liked them individually (for the most part), and I think they work well as a collection. There is nothing overly unique about the scents, rather they all seem to incorporate familiar and well-loved notes such as vanilla, violet, coconut, pear, and musk. Many of the scents stir up all sorts of childhood recollections, and with scent being the sense most closely associated to memory, these perfumes are an example of the way just a sniff can conjure up all sorts of nostalgic thoughts.

That being said, these fragrances are best suited for younger ladies. The cutesy packaging (each bottle is a cartoon version of Gwen and her backup Harajuku dancers) could be very attractive to 'tweens and early teens (I would have been hooked at that age at least). At the same time, as a twentysomething I also enjoy most of them. Use sparingly and they are truly subtle and sweet; overdo it, however, and they are cloying and sickly sweet. Moderation is key. Here is my take on each one of the scents. I also enlisted some help in the form of a certain B "can I be anonymous?" F, for a man's opinion.

G
My review: One of the freshest smelling scents I've come across. Really fresh and clean. Would be most appropriate for summer. A bit like walking into a beach-themed store. Or the smell of the beach that lingers on your clothes even after you've gone home. Reminded me a bit of Hollister's signature fragrance that is sprayed like clockwork in its stores. Coconut suntan lotion. Citrus zest. makes my mouth water. Want to drink it, possibly as a cocktail. Could be a bit cloying to wear it. Overall, love it.

His review: "It smells like coconut, and pineapple, so I guess it smells like a pina colada. I wouldn't not like it if I smelled it on a girl."

LOVE
My review: didn't like it as much as G. Sickly sweet. Very floral and slightly "oriental" as musky, spicy fragrances are often outdated-ly described in magazines. Reminds me of a body spray I had as a child. Delicate. A bit musky. More appropriate for night time wear.

His review: "It reminds me of perfume. It's the most perfumey, I mean."

LIL ANGEL
My review: Melon and pineapple. Lemon. Super sweet, almost like candy. Banana popsicles. Very intriguing. It makes you want to figure out what the individual notes are. Seems really wearable. Much more mild than the first 2. Second favourite so far.

His review: "it smells really sweet. It's hurting my eyes."

MUSIC
My review: Similar to Davidoff's Cool Water for women. Much cooler notes than the others. More natural, less sweet. Seems like it would be most appropriate for someone active, and not a girly girl. A bit spicy. Smelled this one for a long time to try to get a sense of all the layers of scents, and didn't get sick of it.

His review: "This is the best one I think. It's kind of fruity"

BABY
My review: Quite different from the others. Baby powder. Soap. A grown-up take on Love's Baby Soft. Nothing stand-out though. Best for natural beauties. After smelling it for a while, and wearing it for a few hours, it really grew on me. It's very subtle and clean smelling.

His review: "Uck. Soap. Baby powder. All these perfumes burn my eyes."

Scent is very personal and individualized, so it is tough for me to recommend any certain perfume. If I were to buy any of them I would buy G, Lil Angel, and possibly Baby. Seeing as they're being released as a group, and that the packaging is so cute, they are clearly being marketed as a "collect 'em all" deal.  Priced between $25 and $45, they are affordable, should you be tempted.

in three acts

I'm standing on the corner of St. Laurent and Rue des Pins waiting for the bus this afternoon. At my feet is a giant, black and yellow toolbox. An early twenties-ish guy pulls up to the stoplight in a grey Buick. He is wearing a hot pink shirt and unabashedly singing along to the lyrics, "Beverly Hills, that's where I want to be!"

He looks over at me, lowers his sunglasses, and yells, "What are you doing with that huge toolbox? Construction?"

I laugh out loud and yell back, "No way. It's full of makeup!"

"Rock on!" is his reply, as he speeds away in his starter car.

Yes, that's right, I carry a 40 pound makeup kit with me to my serious sessions. Today was one of them. Tomorrow morning I have a job interview for a makeup artist position (because why the hell not?). The lady doing the hiring asked me to bring a portfolio of my work. Seeing as most of my photography is not taken specifically for the purpose of showing my makeup skills, I figured it was time for an update.

Farah (below) kindly volunteered. The first photo is meant to show a natural, yet polished look:



These two show a more exotic, fun makeup look:





While the last ones show a full makeup look, smokey eyes and berry lips:





Let me tell you, finding the right exposure to show off makeup is no easy feat. It forced me to play with the manual settings of my camera, which I have been too lazy to do for the most part. I am, however, pretty happy with the final results. Here's to hoping my potential boss will be too.

ageless beauty

Last weekend I experienced my first family wedding. Our entire extended family was excited for months leading up to the big day. So much so that we had a big sleepover the night before so that we could all have breakfast and get ready together the day of.

I spent the morning of the wedding doing what I do before every major formal event: everyone else's hair and makeup. For some reason people expect me to be stressed out by this, but I continually tell them that in these moments I am in my glory. Beautifying others is far more exciting than putting the same colours on my same boring face, after all. My aunt Lena (whose house we were at) kept saying, "make sure you leave time for yourself!" and I reminded her that on the day of my own prom I did hair and makeup for 7 other people before my own.

I am so excited for the getting ready part of the day that I drift off to sleep visualizing which colour eye shadows, and which style of updo or curls I will choose for each person. In fact, when I'm at the gym, I distract myself from the tasks at hand (mostly running on the treadmill is when I'm most bored) by carefully visualizing outfits, makeup application techniques etc. Then, when I have an event to dress up for, I am totally, creatively prepared.

A few weeks ago, as a favour for my friend Amy, I did prom makeup for her little sister and a friend. I was shocked to realize that these girls had no idea what kind of look they wanted, what colours they preferred, or even celebrity fashion influences (to give me an idea of their own taste). Amy's sister's friend just stared at me blankly when I asked her any questions about her preferences, or whether she wanted a natural or dramatic look. I guess their nonchalance surprised me because I am SO certain about what I want and love and/or hate, that I would never let someone do my makeup unless we had discussed the look in depth. But I guess not everyone is a psycho when it comes to makeup.

Amy somehow finagled me into going to the pre-prom party to take photos, wherein I was the awkward stranger with the camera, but Amy's family seemed to appreciate it. Apart from being rather uncomfortable, the experience allowed me to check out what "kids" are wearing to prom these days. This was Oakville, so the dresses were all pretty high-end. Almost all of them were cocktail length, which was pretty cute actually. It looked young and fresh and fun.

Standing in the line of parents (beside Amy, who was yelling at girls to put down their coolers and Coronas for the photos: "you just look tacky!"), I began to feel the gulf of 6 years since I graduated high school.

At this past weekend's wedding, however, I looked at age very differently. I had as much fun ordering Shirley Temples at the bar with my 14-year-old cousin as I did drinking rye on the rocks with my brothers, snacking on wedding cake with my parents, and sipping white wine with my grandma and great aunt.

Speaking of the latter two ladies, both of them are so gorgeous and classy. My grammie, with her southern-influenced sassiness and penchant for bright colours; and Joyce ,who has my dream job working for a specialty chocolate company and about the best fashion sense of anyone I know, are both an inspiration to me. I would love to work towards having their sophistication.

We so often associate beauty with youth, with an unlined face and a taut body. At 25, I even feel my own anxiety sneaking up on my sometimes, in regards to my skin or my figure. But instead of worrying about moving away from my youth, I would like to think about what I am moving towards, and what kind of woman I would like to become. With role models like my older family members, it's exciting to realize that personal style only improves with age.

because i'm feeling superficial

Straying from the straight and narrow of academia, and into more fun and frivolous territory, I present to you this week's top beauty picks.

Sebastian 2 + 1 Conditioning Treatment is a worthwhile investment. It was recommended to me by the best stylist I've ever met (who I can no longer afford to visit) as the best at-home conditioner on the market. This stuff does not come cheap. At a beauty supply store it was over $20, but if you consider that it gives you multiple treatments, and salon quality results at home (and that a salon deep conditioning treatment costs upwards of 30 bucks a pop), I feel that it is worth it. The name stands for 2 parts moisture, 1 part protein—a ratio that fortifies your hair without leaving it slicked down. A deep conditioner is great during the summer, when your locks can quickly get dried out by the sun. This one really does the trick, even on my hack job of a highlighted head.

After searching long and hard for a face wash that would cleanse and moisturize my skin, I have finally found my ideal product. This bar costs about 8 dollars, which seems pricey for a bar of soap, but very cheap for a face wash. Happily, it is the latter, and therefore a great deal. It cleanses very gently, while managing to remove makeup, and leaves my skin feeling soothed to the point where I don't have to use moisturizer. This is the best product I have found in a long time.

I haven't yet tried these next two products, but if I had disposable income, they would be first on my list. PosieTint is the lite version of Benefit's Benetint, which I use daily as a lip and cheek stain. This colour looks adorable and I would love to try it out. I'm banking on it having the same staying power and a-little-goes-a-long-way quality as Benetint.

Apparently, neons and primary colours will soon be on their way out for makeup (to be replaced by pastels, ick), so I say enjoy this trend while it lasts. Used individually, the colours in this palette (especially when paired with a swipe of black liquid liner) would create a fantastic graphic look. However, one of the coolest things a makeup artist taught me about colour application is that any colour can be made to look natural, when used in moderation, or in conjunction with other colours. For example, that vivid red could be paired with a cream or sage green shadow to create a much more muted look.