February 28, 2011

MAC Jeanius - genius or just another beautiful collection to suck the money out of my wallet?!

With Jeanius MAC has come up with one super creepy beauty picture and one lust worthy collection - Kudos to you MAC!  Check out the limited edition goodness:


Eye Shadow - $23.50 - these are what I am most lusting after!
White jeanius - white with silver pearl
Diva in Distress - mid-tone grey with silver pearl
Motorhead - mid-tone dirty blue with copper pearl
Stovepipe Black - black with copper pearl
Lipstick - $17.50
Acid Washed - grayish beige with gold pearl
Riveting Rose - deep burgundy with blue pearl
Pretty Please - pale pink pearl
Lipglass - $17.50
Painted On - grayish beige with gold pearl
Indigo Pink - deep burgundy with blue pearl
Docile - chrome pink peach with gold
Powder Blush - $23.50
Overdyed - bright magenta (satin)
Pink Cult - mid-tone dirty neutral pink (matte)
Nail Lacquer - $17 - I also have my eye on these!
Biker Blue - black base with purple and blue pearl
Frayed to Order - white matte with soft pink duochrome pearl
Penultimate Eye Liner - $21
Rapidblack - true black
Penultimate Brow Marker - $21

On counters and online www.maccosmetics.com March 3rd.

- Lisamarie -

Make Up For Ever can make you look exactly like Britney Spears - well her video makeup look anyhow...!

The fine folks at Make Up For Ever were so stoked to see their Aqua Cream #2 in Steel being applied by Britney during her latest video "Hold It Against Me" that they had one of their celeb make up artists, David Hernandez, create a fun tutorial that shows you how to get her look from the video, step by step.

Aqua Cream was a natural choice for the video since the 100% sweat-proof, melt-proof formula guaranteed long-lasting color that stayed put through multiple dance numbers and under hot studio lights.  You can find the "Hold It Against Me" video here: 

- Lisamarie -

Lancôme wants everyone to Look Good Feel Better March 1-14!

If you've been thinking about picking up one of my favourite serums - Lancôme Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate - the time to do it is March 1st - March 14th! During this time period, Lancôme will donate $7 for every bottle sold to Look Good Feel Better - Canada's only cancer charity dedicated to empowering women to manage the effects that cancer and its treatment have on their appearance.  In addition, Lancôme will donate $1 for every new fan of Lancôme Canada's Facebook page to the charity - www.facebook.com/lancomecanada
Lancôme has pledged to donate a minimum of $10,000 to Look Good Feel Better in celebration of International Women's Day.

Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate -  30ml - $95 - 50ml - $125 can be found at your local Lancôme counter or at www.lancome.ca and if you aren't already aware of its awesomeness, you can check out my review here!

- Lisamarie -

February 27, 2011

Herbal Essences wants you to put your fantasy in a bottle and win it already!

Here is a really cute new contest from Herbal Essences!  Head over to Fantasy Ocean on Facebook where you will uncover a treasure trove of potential fantasy prize experiences. These fantasies are thought starters and just the beginning – three lucky winners will receive a $5,000 prize that will go toward making their own personal fantasy come true. You can enter once per day beginning February 28, 2011 through to May 31, 2011.

Begin by cursing through a list of Herbal Essences-inspired fantasies and selecting the dream experience that most resonates with you. Next, select the bottle you’ll pop your fantasy in – one of Herbal’s new collections with tailored conditioning powered by water. Then, you’ll be the first to cast your fantasy in a bottle into the Herbal Essences Fantasy Ocean. To read the contest’s rules and regulations, please click here.

If you want a refresher on the line, check out my interview with Herbal Essences celebrity stylist Charles Baker Strahan, where we learn how to transform our shower into a hair paradise!  And remember if you win, your favourite beauty blogger is great company on a dream vacation!

- Lisamarie -

February 26, 2011

French Connection Spring/Summer 2011 Ad Campaign - You Are...?

The spring/summer ad campaign for French Connection is super fun - be amazed by the incredible talents of the ladies - shake your head at the guys being well, guys and everyone's cute clothes!
consider this if you are sick of rising gas prices...
this my friends is talent!
This is how Christelle cuts her hair...
They would really like us to think that size doesn't matter...

- Lisamarie -

Haunted by Joy Preble

Haunted by Joy Preble - $10.99 - Sourcebooks - ISBN: 13: 9781402244681 - I have been reading up a storm lately including a couple of sequels.  I was going to tell you about the other sequel I read to Waiting to Exhale - but the villainess in Haunted is so awesome that I ended up enjoying this book more! 
Haunted is the sequel to Dreaming Anastasia - which I highly recommend you read first, it makes you appreciate the sequel more!  Both books have all the fantasy, comedy and romance you could ever want but I think their genius is in the choice of villainesses.  I think the same goes for books as it does for movies - it's only as good as its villain and the villainess in Haunted is none other than Rusalka, a Russian mermaid.  Now I love mermaids - The Little Mermaid is still one of my favourite animated movies (and Ursula kicks ass!) but this ain't your typical mermaid, let me tell you! 

I won't give away the book, I hate it when people do that, let's just say that all of your unanswered questions from Dreaming Anastasia will be answered in Haunted - and you will love it!


And what really made me decide to review Haunted this week is that I have been obsessed with mermaids because of Harajuku Lovers G of the Sea which just came out and is too cute for words!

- Lisamarie -

26/02/11 Link Love

Want your own customizable magnetic palette without spending big bucks? Beauty's Bad Habit shows you how to make your own!
AOYV find her love and joy in NARS Lovejoy.
Take a look at INGLOT's new Chelsea NYC Studio: Kim Porter shares pictures from INGLOT's Grand Opening event.
Inspired by Parisian culture with Asian nuances, The Beauty Nerd features gorgeous beauty products from Tokyo Milk.
Revlon's Super Lustrous line has officially converted Angela at Do Want Makeup into a lipstick lover! Check out her review of Wine With Everything.
Come over to Jeweled Thumb to see some new lipsticks from Essence at a price point everyone will love! Hot Beauty Health shares the best travel makeup to stay gorgeous on vacation.
Love Rihanna? Musicalhouses attempts to dupe her "Who's That Girl" eye look!
Hot thermal springs, healing white silica muds, soothing spas...sounds a bit like heaven, right? While most of us can't get to Iceland, check out Socialite Dreams review of the Iceland Blue Lagoon Spa Mud Mask that you can use at home.
Take a peek at the toners and moisturisers in Rachel's current skincare routine.
Retrodiva shows how easy it is to use the Kiss Premium Eyelashes. Gorgeous lashes in just a flash!
Blush Fiend Tracy at Beauty Reflections reviews Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush and other blushingly beautiful blushes during Blush Week!!
Sarah from IHeartCosmetics reviews the new Naked Skin line of 97% natural facial skincare.
Missed out on New York Fashion Week? Make sure you check out Krasey Beauty's recap on fall beauty trends.
Ever wondered how to pick the right blush to go with red lips? The Lip Print gives you a few pointers.
At Music and Make Up Jo has lip swatches of her favourite red lipsticks.
Jellyminx shares her first nail stamping experience!
Cindy over at Prime Beauty happily referees the Lip Crayon Smackdown! See who comes out on top between NARS, Tarte and Clinique!
Do Revlon creme glosses live up to the hype? Check out Spiced Beauty to see how she scored them for 2.50 each!
What's the hottest new lipstick in the drugstore? Find out over at theNotice (and don't miss Rae's swatches of the entire line!)
Do men moisturise? Isn't it too macho for them? hellcandy's bf guest posts and reveals all...Click here to read his post.
Katie sounds the dupe alert siren when comparing Kat Von D's Beethoven palette ($34) to the NYX Jazz Night palette ($8) on My Lips But Better.
What did you buy from Mac’s Wonder Woman collection? Check out Anita’s Wonder Woman haul over at Pleasureflush.
***
Feel like there isn't enough nail polish in your life? Beauty Crazed has a nail bonanza contest going on that you should enter! What are you waiting for?!
Phyrra's Indie Spotlight for February is Sobe Botanicals! Learn all about Lex, and don't miss out on entering the giveaway, too!

February 25, 2011

Shoppers Drug Mart now offers a whole lot more Essie!

I was excited to see that Shoppers is now carrying a wide range of the Essie Nail Lacquer - $11.99 - available in 54 iconic shades: Nudes - blanc, waltz, allure, limo-scene, adore-a-all, vanity fairest, mademoiselle; Pinks - ballet slippers, sugar daddy, fiji, muchi, muchi, pink diamond, eternal optimist; Roses - mob square, secret story, miami nice, watermelon, plumberry, bachelorette bash, big spender, jamaica me crazy; Plums - angora cardi, it's genius, bahama mama, sole mate, devil's advocate, sexy divide, wicked; Reds - bordeaux, wrapped in rubies, fishnet stockings, a-list, forever yummy, jag-u-are, russian roulette, lollipop, firth avenue, e-nuf is e-nuf, peach daiquiri; Neutrals - chinchilly, merino cool, mamba, buy me a cameo, mink muffs, little brown dress, in stitches; Deeps/Blues/Greens - licorice, over the edge, midnight cami, aruba blue, beach bum blu, trophy wife, turquoise & caicos, sew psyched. The display looked like a giant beautiful rainbow!

I was also psyched to see the French Affair spring colour collection on display!

Also on display was the Essie Care Line - six treatments for specific nail health needs and two customized top coats.  All the care products contain a clinically proven formula to nourish and protect nails.  Every base coat delivers the following ingredients selected to respond to specific nail needs: Argan oil to restore nutrient content of nails, Vitamin E a nourishing anti-oxidant, an oil blend which delivers extra conditioning for dry, brittle nails and incudes jojoba, apricot, safflower, wheat, sweet almond, avocado, macadamia and sunflower as well as Hexanol, a specialized strengthener for soft, weak nails.
Base Coats:
Grow Faster - $9.99 - five-day growth treatment for healthy normal nails
Feed Me - $9.99 - deep hydration treatment for dry, brittle nails
Grow Stronger - $9.99 - fortifying treatment for soft, weak nails
All in One - $11.99 - total nail treatment acts as both a base and top coat
Cuticle Care Solutions:
Smooth Trick - $9.99 - a hydrating cuticle oil (available in March)
Disappearing Trick - $9.99 - dissolves excess cuticles
Top Coats:
Good to Go - $9.99 - rapid dry top coat
No Chips Ahead - $9.99 - diminishes nail chips

- Lisamarie -

MAC Future Face - the face of your future?

Would it surprise you to know that I have never even tried a MAC foundation?  I'm not sure how this has happened especially considering  how often I hear people comparing colours or describing their skin tone in MAC shade speak!  I will need to get myself down to a MAC counter and right this wrong one of these days especially after seeing all the lovely choices - including the new powders!  And I have to say, I love the lipstick in the above shot - so pretty!

Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder - $27.50 - with a pressed texture that beautifies as it benefits.  Gives a sheer to medium, smooth, even coverage for a flawlessly soft and even tone with caring, comforting properties.
Light - soft pale beige
Light Plus - pale golden beige
Medium - soft creamy beige
Medium Plus - tan beige
Medium Dark - caramel beige
Medium Deep - rich golden tan
Dark - deep caramel
Dark Deep - rich golden bronze





Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation - $32 - in 8 new shades to round out the line: N18, NW18, NW22, NW33, NW44, NW46, NW48, NW58
Studio Moisture Tint SPF 15 - $38
Medium Plus - tan beige
Dark Plus - neutral tan beige
Brushes
150 Large Powder Brush - $50.50
190 Foundation Brush - $38.50

Available now at your MAC counter or online -  www.maccosmetics.com

- Lisamarie -

Introducing My First Clarins!

My First Clarins is a new line of skin care created for girls aged 16 to 25 to help them learn the value of a good beauty regimen.  The Daily Energizer range is made up four products at an extremely affordable price:

Fresh-Energy Cleansing Gel - 75ml - $15 - its gentle cleansing base neutralizes the effects of hard water while the creamy foam eliminates impurities and make-up and protects even the most delicate skin.  Contains Saponaria for cleansing and Moringa for purifying.


Daily Energizer Wake-Up Booster - 125ml - $15 - recharges skin energy and revives a healthy glow while it's moisturizing action ensures a soft, smooth look while its toning benefit refreshes and provides a pleasant feeling of well-being.  Contains Caffeine to boost and revive skin cells, Redcurrant to moisturize, refine and tighten skin texture and White Tea to protect against free radicals for instantly fresher-looking and radiant skin.

Daily Energizer Cream (normal to dry skin) and Cream-Gel (for normal to oily skin) - 30ml - $25 - gives ideal skin moisture and helps to eliminate minor imperfections for soft, skin that doesn't shine.  Skin is perfectly hydrated with an even, fresh-looking, bright complexion.  It's also an excellent make-up base. Contains Vitamin C to energize skin cells and Turmeric, an antioxidant, both which leave the skin more resistant and full of energy.  As well, it contains Alchemilla extract, rich in flavonoids and tannin which act on how bright and matte skin appears.  It unifies skin tone by regulating the melanogenesis process, diminishes shine and reduces the appearance of small imperfections by slowing down excess sebum release and Ginkgo biloba which ensures optimal cell and skin tissue oxygenation by stimulating microcirculation.  The skin appears bright and fresh-looking.

Not only is Clarins promoting good skin care in girls, they have also partnered with Fast and Female - an organization whose mission is to promote the health of young girls through sports because Clarins feels that a healthy diet, exercise and a healthy skin care routine are the guarantees to preserve beauty youthfulness.  To this aim, Clarins will donate $1 from each My First Clarins product sold during the months of March and September. Clarins and Fast and Female will also collaborate on various innovative online campaigns featuring contests on Facebook - all of which will be targeting young girls. For more information on Fast and Female, visit the website at www.fastandfemale.com

And they might be aiming this at young girls - but I'm young-ish, and I cannot resist Clarins quality at those kind of prices so don't think I won't be picking up some of this for myself!

- Lisamarie -

February 24, 2011

Land of the Stupid, Home of the Brave: Visit Diesel Island!



After launching the Be Stupid campaign, Diesel’s next step is the creation of an entirely new and stupid society... an interesting concept. Think "Jersey Shore" stupid but with better-dressed people!

So will you visit Diesel Island this summer?

-Christelle-

New and Notable at Shoppers Drug Mart - Clarins, Soap & Glory, Rimmel and Marc Jacobs!

Clarins Skin Illusion Foundation SPF10 - 30ml - $42 - in six shades: 103 Ivory, 105 Nude, 107 Beige, 109 Wheat, 110 Honey, 112 Amber - has a Light-Optimizing+ Complex to capture, diffuse and intensify light immediately.  Fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed away for an even, radiant complexion. Contains a Silicium mineral extract to hydrate a nd tone the skin and deliver a feeling of suppleness and comfort as well as a plant-based micro-patch that acts like a reservoir providing time-release hydration to keep skin supple, replenished and comfortable all day long.
Soap & Glory Mist You Madly range - not new, but new to me - they arrived last month but got shoved  in with the other products so it wasn't until I took a close look that I realized they were new products! Available in the range are: Mist You Madly Body Spray - 250ml - $11.99, Clean, Girls Body Wash - 500ml - $9.99, The Daily Smooth Body Butter - with rosehip seed oil and cocoa butter - 250ml - $14.99 and Scrub 'Em and Leave 'Em Body Buff - with babassu oil and sea salt - 300ml - $14.99 - the Mist You Madly scent they all have is lovely with top notes of citrus, bergamot, mandarin, jasmine and freesia on a mix of musks, sandalwood, vanilla and amber.
Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation - $11.49 - blends seamlessly for undetectable coverage that goes on smooth and lasts all day.  Available in eight shades: Ivory, True Ivory, Warm Ivory, Soft Beige, Classic Beige, Sand, Nude, Warm Sand
Concealer - $8.99- 2-in-1 concealer and highlighter that adapts to your skin tone - in three shades: Ivory, Classic Beige, Soft Beige
Marc Jacobs LOLA Purse Spray - 20ml - $69 - refillable EDP comes in the most adorable casing and if you don't have a purse already, it comes with one of those too!

- Lisamarie -

GAP's spring look adds years of therapy to my life!

GAP has a new silhouette which they claim channels the 70's but in a more streamlined way.  They can call it whatever they like but all I see are bell-bottoms - and here is my sad childhood story associated with them.  When I was young we used to go and visit my grandmother who would give me cast off clothing from my aunt which she had saved in a trunk for for when it would fit me.  One particular visit I was thrilled to receive a pair of bell-bottom jeans - they actually looked very similar to the ones pictured here except that on the back waistband they were embroidered with orange mushrooms - I thought they were the coolest thing ever - and they were - in the 70s - in the 80s, not so much.  I proudly wore them to school the following day and was thoroughly mocked.  Children can be so cruel!  Despite my fashion-forwardness and early understanding of what's old is new again, I never did wear that pair of jeans again and have not been able to embrace the return of 70s look.




GAP High Waisted Pin Tuck Flare Jean - $89.50


Vintage Two Tone Flare Jean - $79.50
Those of you without emotional scars relating to denim, can find these and other styles in a variety of washes at your local GAP store or at www.gapcanada.ca

- Lisamarie -

Serious Skin Detailer - for baby-butt worthy skin!

Serious Skin Detailer - $59.95 - a complete, age-defying facial that identifies and finely details-out all aspects of visually aging skin.  It layers three specialized formulations to systematically: micro-peel and evacuate pores with skin brightening acids; flood the skin with effective antioxidants and nurturing skin hydrators and soothers; and draw-in and close-tight squeaky-clean pores for a tightened and unbelievably smooth appearance. After just one use, your skin will look and feel noticeably different.  Perfect to use before a special event and/or as part of your weekly beauty regime.

When I saw this set came with a little dish and brush, I knew right away that I would love it - skincare that comes with little dishes or brushes or that I have to mix together myself is my kryptonite - it makes me feel like a skin scientist or something - I know, I'm so easy to please!  Despite all of the different products, it's very easy to use - all you do is add a dropper and a half of the step 1 bottle into the dish and then brush it all over your face and jaw line.  Wash out the dish and brush while you wait 3 minutes then add a dropper and a half of the step 2 bottle into the dish and brush that right over the first layer.  Wait another 3 minutes and wash it all off with a damp washcloth.  Immediately after removing steps 1 and 2, apply a mask of step 3 all over and let it set for 3-5 minutes - remove with a damp washcloth and splash clean with cool water. Then prepare yourself for super soft skin - it will be hard to resist constantly touching your face!

The product name really makes me laugh, and when I use it, I can't help but think of myself as a car being detailed.  I haven't quite decided what kind of car though, am I a flashy sportscar? An import?  Anything but a minivan!

Now I don't have sensitive skin or anything but I did notice that the area around my nose where I tend to be slightly sensitive tingled when using this product so I would recommend doing a patch test first if you are concerned.  Also keep in mind that this product may make your skin more sensitive to the sun so be certain you wear sunscreen if you are going out afterwards.  I probably wouldn't use this right before a special event as suggested because my skin was slightly red for about an hour after using, also when my skin feels that clean, I hate to put makeup on it!

You can find the Serious Skin line at The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com

- Lisamarie -

February 23, 2011

Kat Von D Spring 2011!

Everyone's favourite tattooed chick is back with a super pretty spring collection!
True Romance Eyeshadow Palette - Truth - $44 - with eight colours: Sugar Skull - vanilla, Long Distance - citron, Snake Eyes - lime, Finland - cream aqua, Prague - plum, Galeano - pale lilac, Rehab - golden tan, Sister - peach - love, love, love these colours!  These seem so spring-y to me!
True Romance Pigments - $21 - in six colours: Johnette - royal blue shimmer, Ladyhawke - reddish plum shimmer, Meditation - copper rose shimmer, Rapture - golden peach shimmer, Starcrossed - golden beige shimmer, Torment - iridescent medium purple shimmer
High Voltage Eye Primer - $20 - have been dedicated to my UDPP for years now and figured that maybe it was time to try something new so I have been testing out different primers over the past few months.  This one rocks!  Not only does it do a great job keeping eyeshadow in place but I have also been using it on days when I don't want to wear any eyeshadow but still need a little something to make me look awake and polished.  It has a soft shimmer in it that makes it look great on it's own!
Lock 'N' Load Makeup Setting Mist - $31 - with Temperature Control Technology to prevent makeup from melting when it's hot and cracking when it's cold. Works expertly on all skin types and prevents loss of color, melting, sliding, caking, cracking, excess shininess, fading blush, eyeshadow, and lip color disappearance. And it won’t leave your skin feeling sticky or tight.

Go check it out at Sephora or on sephora.com.  What do you think of the collection?

- Lisamarie -

Step right up for OPI Femme De Cirque!

Four new shades will join the OPI SoftShades collection in April with the introduction of Femme De Cirque.
I Juggle...Men - iridescent shimmer coat
So Many Clowns, So Little Time - creamy nude pink
In the Spot-Light Pink - pop of pink
Step Right Up! - light pink

Available at the beginning of April at your usual OPI haunts for $10.95 each.

- Lisamarie -

L'Oréal Hair Expertise finally makes its way to Canadian soil - well hair really but you know what I mean!

For years now I have been forced to listen to my European friends and bloggers  rave about the L'Oréal Elsève haircare line.  As I never travel to Europe and Christelle is too mean to bring me back presents when she goes - I have never actually been able to get my hands on this line to try it. L'Oréal felt my pain and is bringing me (okay fine,us) products from the line that will specifically meet the demands of Canadian women's hair - to help it cope with the harsh winters and dry, humid summers - with a new look and a new name for the line - Hair Expertise!  Consisting of five categories: damaged, dry, coloured, frizzy and dull hair - there is something for everyone!

For damaged hair: Total Repair 5 - a pro-keratine (the conditioning formula that reinforces each hair fibre to give it strength to resist daily wear and tear) and ceramide (the formula restores smoothness to the hair fibre, leaving it soft to the touch with a healthy looking shine) enriched formula that targets 5 of the top Canadian hair problems: weak, limp, lifeless, dull and straw-like hair without weighing it down.
Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo - 385ml - $5.99 - penetrates the hair to deliver targeted root-to-tip nutrition.  hair is thoroughly clean and ultra shiny all over.
Total Repair 5 Repairing Conditioner - 385ml - $5.99 - instantly detangles hair, helping to repair the fibre while strengthening and protecting hair from root to tip. 
Repairing Detangling Spray - 250ml - $6.99 - instantly detangles, while strenthening hair to visibly reduce breakage.
Night Elixir - 150ml - $6.99 - infuses your hair with essential nutrients overnight for incredibly soft hair in the morning.
Repairing Mask - 300ml - $6.99 - gives in-depth nourishment and intense repair for damaged brittle hair.
For dry hair: Re-Nutrition - enriched with royal jelly - a rare and precious natural and nourishing ingredient to help your rediscover the sensation of bouncy and incredibly silky hair.  your hair regains elasticity and suppleness to leave it looking full of life.
Re-Nutrition Shampoo - 385ml - $5.99 - gently cleanses dry hair, restoring hair's elasticity and suppleness.
Re-Nutrition Shampoo 2-in-1 - 385ml - $5.99
Re-Nutrition Conditioner - 385ml - $5.99 - replenishes hair's softness and manageability and leaves a delicious honey and floral scent.  The ultra melting texture soaks into the hair fibre, nourishing the hair from root to tip.
Nourishing Cream Care - 200ml - $6.99 - ultra moisturizing formula instantly nourishes to bring back bounce without weighing hair down.
Deep Nourishing Mask - 300ml - $6.99 - drenches very dry hair with essential nutrients to leave it soft, shiny and feather-light.
For coloured hair: Color Radiance - with a UV filter formula combines an active nourishing ingredient and filters, to work on 2 levels: to nourish the hair and transform the surface, hair feels silky to the touch; and to help protect the hair fibre from external aggressions and accentuate your colour's radiance.
Color Radiance Shampoo - 385ml - $5.99 - is perfectly balanced to cleanse deeply while protecting coloured hair - available in dry or normal formula.
Color Radiance Conditioner - 385ml - $5.99 - instantly detangles without weighing the hair down.  It nourishes and protects coloured hair's vibrancy - available in dry or normal formula.
Protecting Detangling Care - 250ml - $6.99 - instantly detangles coloured hair without weighing it down.  Brilliant and intense, hair is sublimed and protected all day.
Protecting Mask - 300ml - $6.99 - deeply nourishes and envelopes your hair in a sublime texture.
For frizzy hair: Nutri-Sleek - with Mediterranean Argan Oil, a naturally derived softening ingredient for an intensely smoothing formula with a dual action: intense nourishment - the formula nourishes hair and calms frizz for even smoothing right to the ends for hair that is 4X smoother; and 48H protection - with a shield effect, the formula protects the hair from dampness or humidity to control and prevent frizz.
Nutri-Sleek Shampoo - 385ml - $5.99 - deeply cleanses dry, coarse and rebellious hair while soothing, calming and nourishing for a sleek and manageable result.
Nutri-Sleek Shampoo 2-in-1 - 385ml - $5.99
Nutri-Sleek Conditioner - 385ml - $5.99 - deeply nourishes rebellious hair for perfectly frizz-free, silky smooth renewed hair with softness and shine.
Smoothing Detangling Care - 230ml - $6.99
Smoothing Creme Care - 200ml - $6.99
Deep Smoothing Serum - 50ml - $6.99 - to instantly fight flyaways and prevent frizz.
For dull hair: Nutri-Shimmer - contain protein + pear - the nutritive and energizing elements contained in pearl protein give natural pearls their brilliant shine and resistance.  Nutri-Shimmer penetrates the hair to give targeted nutrition to the fibre, balanced from root to tip, without weighing down the hair.  Instantly the micro-splits of the hair cuticle are more even.  Smoother, the surface of the hair captures and better reflects the light.  Perfectly nourished, the hair fibre becomes stronger.  your hair looks revived.
Nutri-Shimmer Shampoo - 385ml - $5.99 - penetrates the hair to deliver feather-light root-to-tip nutrition, leaving it thoroughly clean and ultra-shiny all over.
Nutri-Shimmer Shampoo 2-in-1 - 385ml - $5.99 
Nutri-Shimmer Conditioner - 385ml - $5.99 - instantly detangles hair without weighing it down.
Shine Detangling Care - 250ml - $6.99 - effectively conditions and detangles hair while infusing mirror-shine effect.

Available this month at your usual haunts.  How about you, had you heard of Elsève before and been dying to get your hands on it too?

- Lisamarie -

London Fashion Week: Charlie Le Mindu and More Amber Rose Awesomeness!

Charlie Le Mindu, a London-based wig designer, presented this unique collection during London Fashion Week. I know it's hard to believe but this runway is an improvement from his previous show: at least this time the models weren't naked!



Amber-Rose, Kanye's ex girlfriend hang out at the London Fashion Week dressed in a dress so tight, it should be illegal. Two words: Squished. Bosom.

-Christelle-

February 22, 2011

Seeing the damaging results of too much sun? Clinique can help you out with that!

Clinique Repairwear Laser Focus - 30ml - $53.50 - wrinkle and UV damage corrector that has a patented enzyme blend that works to mend sun's visible damage - the breakdown of collagen, uneven skin texture and the early appearance of lines and wrinkles.

The serum address 3 main areas of concern:
UV Damage:

UV is still one of the leading causes of accelerated aging.  Harmful rays penetrate deeply into skin causing direct damage to cellular DNA and distortions in the skin’s regeneration process, and indirect damage from the release of free radicals. The visible results of sun damage include: breakdown of collagen, uneven skin texture and the early appearance of lines and wrinkles, the “solar scars” that are the noticeable proof of collagen loss from extended UV exposure.
A potent blend of three patented repair enzymes encapsulated in a liposome delivery system work to help visibly reverse UV damage and mend “solar scars.”  This technology represents 20 years of clinical study into molecular delivery systems and aids penetration deep within the surface of the skin to dramatically revitalise the appearance of photo aging.
  • Micrococcus Luteus (Ultrasomes V) – these liposomes work best at night to intensify the skin’s ability to visibly repair sun-inflicted damage from UVB rays.
  • Photolyase Fermentate (Photosomes V) – absorbs visible light to promote natural cellular repair, working efficiently during daylight hours, to improve the appearance of sun damaged skin over time.
  • OGG-1 Fermentate (Roxisomes) – derived from the mustard plant, protects cells from oxidative damage resulting from UV and intrinsic ageing.
Wrinkles:
A high-level peptide complex boosts natural collagen production and helps maintain existing natural collagen with essential ingredients. Skin becomes more firm, and the appearance of lines and wrinkles is diminished.  Targeted for application around the entire face and especially the delicate eye area, it works to help reverse one of the most visible signs of ageing by effectively smoothing and softening the appearance of eye creases.
  • Whey Protein – a natural, amino acid rich, polypeptide helps skin look and feel more firm and resilient while minimising the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
  • Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A) – helps to plump the skin and increase natural collagen production, resulting in firm skin and minimised appearance of lines and wrinkles.
  • Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 – this bio-peptide helps prompt natural collagen production.

Free Radical Protection:
Additionally, a cocktail of ingredients work to protect skin by helping to fight free radicals from environmental aggressors and to prevent future damage to the skin.
  • Vitamin C and E (Aminopropyl Ascorbyl Phosphate and Tocopheryl Acetate) – provide antioxidant protection from free radicals induced by UV.
  • Ergothioneine – this naturally occurring amino acid is a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect skin from environmental aggressors. Works with Vitamin C and E, helping to provide balance to the skin and helping to re-activate each other.
  • Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Juice Extract – contains Ellagic Acid to help protect the skin and defend the skin against visible damage.

The promise is that just 3 drops twice a day and in 12 weeks achieve 63% of the visible wrinkle reducing power of a laser. Having finished my bottle now I can't tell you about any dramatic results like that but to be fair, I am a sunscreen nut and don't have any serious sun damage to contend with.  I can tell you that the small lines around my eyes have disappeared and and my entire face feels firmer. What I really enjoyed was the texture of the serum itself, evidenced by the fact that I finished the entire bottle and you can imagine that finishing something almost never happens around here!  The only thing I didn't like about it was the dropper format - I would have much preferred a pump!  Should I ever run out of serums and be in the market for one, I would use this one again!

The other issues with getting too much sun are dark spots and uneven skin tone - Clinique has a product to deal with that too - Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector - click on the link to find my past review on it!  The good news is that it now comes in a 50ml size which makes it great if you want to also treat your hands, neck and décolletage at the same time - 50ml - $93 - 30ml - $63

Both products are 100% fragrance free, oil free, non-acnegenic, dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested.


And of course the best thing you can do to avoid having to use either product is to wear your sunscreen!

- Lisamarie -

Aimee Mullens new global ambassador for L'Oréal Paris!

L'Oréal continues to impress me with their choice of spokeswomen.  This time it's Aimee Mullens - who is obviously beautiful but there is a lot more to her!  Born with a limb anomaly, she lost both of her legs when she was only one year old.  She forged ahead with prosthetic and embarked on a remarkable athletic career which saw her compete in top level NCAA competitions and the 1996 Paralymic Games where she set 3 world records!  From there she went on to model, act and be an all around inspirational role-model to people everywhere!

No word on what her first campaign will be but I have no doubt that she will kick butt!

- Lisamarie -

Spring lip swatches! GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick Shocking Coral, Givenchy Rouge Interdit Candide Tangerine, Revlon Colorburst Gloss Strawberry and Smashbox Limitless Gloss Boundless!




I decided that this is the year to embrace the coral lip trend and I'm so happy I gave it a try!  Some of the colours seem kind of unwearable in the tube but are so dramatically softer looking on your lips that there is nothing to be scared of - and it's such a flattering colour on pretty much anyone that you should definitely add one (or four) to your spring makeup shopping list!
GOSH Velvet Touch Lipstick 145 Shocking Coral - a new colour in the core line, this was my absolute favourite!  It looks shockingly bright in the tube but goes on totally wearable!
Givenchy Rouge Interdit 50 Candid Tangerine - from the spring collection - this one is more full on orange than coral but as ORANGE as it looked in the tube - it calmed down quite a bit on my lips.
Revlon Colorburst Gloss 006 Strawberry - part of the new gloss line - it looked really coral in the tube but looks more pink on - still like this colour though!
Smashbox Limitless Long Wear Lip Gloss SPF 15 Boundless - this looked really peachy in the tube but went on more pink - that's the thing I find with most glosses - you can expect the actual colour on your lips to look way sheerer than the tube colour!

- Lisamarie -