Beauty that gives back from Mary Kay, Denim for Hope, Avon and Vapour Organic Beauty!

Mary Kay Nourishine Plus Lip Gloss in Celebrate - $18 - has an ultra-comfortable, non-sticky formula with brilliant shine plus an instant boost of moisture in a shimmery peachy-pink shade that looks great on any skin tone and was created from the fun swirl of two glosses: Cream & Sugar and Pink Parfait and Mary Kay Creme Lipstick in One Woman Can - $16.50 - a long-wearing, stay-true formula and creamy texture with vitamin E & C in a shimmery berry shade

$1 will be donated from each sale of  these special-edition products to the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation (MKACF) in support of its effort to assist women living with the appearance-related side effects of cancer and its treatments as well as those affected by domestic violence.

Available until August 15th while supplies last through your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant - if you don't have one you can locate one at - www.marykay.ca or 1-866-455-5454.

Available until November 15th while supplies last through your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant - if you don't have one you can locate one at - www.marykay.ca or 1-866-455-5454. - See more at: http://www.beautycrazed.ca/2013/08/mary-kay-fairytales-fantasy-fall-2013.html#sthash.Vc2hQBCk.dpuf

Second Yoga Jeans has partnered with Jean Machine for Denim for Hope to help support the Plan Canada Because I Am A Girl movement that aims to help break the cycle of poverty for children, specifically girls across Africa.

Two styles of D4H jeans - a mid-rise skinny indigo blue denim with sand coloured stitching and a high-rise skinny black denim with tonal stitching - designed specifically for the cause and priced at $100, featuring a signature Denim for Hope label with heart detail. 10% of every purchase will be directed towards Because I Am A Girl to improve the lives of millions of young women and girls in the developing world.

Who said buying a pair of jeans won't change the world?! Available exclusively at Jean Machine.

Avon Foundation Rose Zippered Case - $6 - a pretty polyester and nylon fully lined mesh bag with zip-closure with ribbon and charm accent. 100% of the net proceeds will go to breast cancer research, awareness and support services.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

Vapour Organic Beauty Siren Lipstick in Courage - $22 - with a long-wearing and moisturizing formula in a warm, classic red that lives up to its name with 30% of its proceeds from sales going directly to the Center for the Intrepid that provides state-of-the-art medical care and rehabilitation for wounded veterans.

Available at www.vapourbeauty.com.

- Lisamarie -

Test Driving Yoga Jeans!

Jeans have been a staple of my wardrobe since my early teens and although they have come a long way since the days before they started adding things like lycra and spandex to denim and the only way to have skintight jeans was to soak in a hot bath while wearing them to shrink them to your body and then have to lie on the bed and pull the zipper up with a coat hanger - but even with all the improvements, I have still been hard pressed to find jeans that are really comfortable - until I found Yoga Jeans by Second Denim Co that is.

My biggest problem with jeans has usually been that after a couple hours of wear they start to droop and bag which is really unflattering - So not a problem with my Yoga Jeans - made from premium denim from around the world with an average shape memory retention of 92% - I can bend, twist and stretch all day long and my Yoga Jeans hug my curves and look like they just came out of the washer!

Yoga Jeans come in a multitude of colours, rinses, textures, styles and rises so there is something for every taste and body type and they won't only make you look good but also feel good about the fact that you are buying Canadian - they are 100% Canadian-made as well as socially responsible - produced with eco-friendly practices, including using 50% less water during washing and treating with only non toxic chemical free dyes.

A pair will set you back around $130 and if you're in Toronto you can find them at Shopgirls - 1342 Queen Street West - otherwise check out the store locator at www.secondclothing.com to find them near you.

- Lisamarie -

Test Driving Tru Luxe Jeans

Tru Luxe Jeans are the brainchild of designer Nancy Bolen who felt the denim market lacked personality so decided a line with comfort, fit and most importantly style was in order! She wanted jeans with bling - but didn't like the low rise, tight fitting styles existing so decided to come up with something that was comfortable with enough stretch that they would fit the majority of body types out there but still have flash with one of a kind embellishments that are edgy but refined. Basically jeans that would look trendy, youthful and sexy but were meant for women, not teens!

What's really great about the jeans is the price point - $98 - which really can't be beat for sparkle butt jeans! I often admire similar jeans at Guess which run close to $200 and have such a low rise that parts of me are put on display that nobody wants to see!

The Tru Luxe jeans give me the embellishment I love with a reasonable waist height which is by no means "mom jeans" but also not the kind of rise that requires me to travel with a pole. They also have the perfect amount of stretch - not so much that they loosen up and become all baggy at the butt and knees but enough to make them comfortable to move in. My only complaint would be that they don't come in a petite size. So after getting a pair of the boot cut style hemmed to fit me, pretty much all of the boot cut was gone, I would have been better off with a straight leg. Other styles available other than the boot and straight leg are: skinny leg, skinny crop and bermuda short.

Soon to be available at Canadian retailers I am told but in the meantime you can check them out for yourself and order online at www.truluxejeans.com

- Lisamarie -

Prints and hot hues are here to liven up your Gap jeans!

Tired of your plain old denim jeans and looking for something to liven up your fall denim wardrobe? Check out these new offerings instore and online at www.gapcanada.ca.

1969 Mid-weight Legging Jeans in Watermelon (and Island Palm above) - $79.95

1969 Lightweight Corduroy Leggings in Rust - $69.95

Where the hell were these 1969 Mid-weight Legging Jeans in this Snakeskin print in my clubbing days?!

or here's the same thing in a Mini Cheetah print? Each $79.95

I think I'll just stick with the slightly more normal and a lot less tight - Perfect Trouser Pants in Navy Pinstripe - $69.50

- 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 -

Jeans Rehab: Recycle and REUSE Jeans!

Since we throw away millions of jeans every year,  REUSE Jeans launched a new line of 80% recycled denim in spring of this year. Something new made with something old!  This line ranges from classic cuts to skinny jeans, and include designs details such as embroideries or crystals on the back pockets.

Pictures: REUSE Jeans

Prices: $85-95

-Christelle-

Why Be Stupid? Diesel Has a Few Good Reasons...

I already knew there was no cure for stupid, but for Diesel Jeans stupidity should be celebrated with this fall ad campaign - a follow up of the spring campaign - So if you were looking for more reasons to act stupid, here is a new list for you!

-Christelle-

7 For All Mankind Releases a Limited Edition with Japanese Photographer

7 For All Mankind and famed Japanese photographer, Mika Ninagawa, have joined forces in the creation of a limited edition collaboration. It's the first time the label has incorporated the works of a photographer into its designs and it's out this week! Mika's style is all about still life photography of flowers, goldfish and landscapes...and I like the idea of real pictures being incorporated to t-shirts, it's quite striking and different. Too bad, there is not more of it.

-Christelle-

Jacob is a new destination for denim this spring!

Jacob has probably never been your go-to store for denim but they aim to change that this spring by stocking the season's trendiest denim items.  Since all I ever wear is jeans I'm happy to hear that I can continue wearing them AND call myself trendy this spring!

Jegging - $39 - half jean, half legging - I'm intrigued.  I like leggings but they sometimes make me feel a little bit naked so I think I will enjoy leggings in a denim for a less exposed feeling!  They come in a dark wash or black

Boyfriend Jeans - $58 - available in several versions ranging from lightly faded to deliberately worn these are a nice alternative to the skinny jean.  I especially like that they are meant to be rolled up at the bottom which means my short self can save some money on hemming!

Slim Leg Jeans with Zipper - $68 - these would be great to wear with high boots, that zipper would keep the material from getting all bunchy under your boots!

Denim Shirt - $48 - I cannot believe these are back!  Do not make the unfortunate mistake that we made in the 80's of wearing denim shirts with the same coloured denim jeans - not a good look in retrospect!  But with a pair of black lettings or a flirty little skirt this would be adorable!

Denim Jacket - $68 - Again, no denim with denim please!  Slap a Metallica patch on the back and you can be me in high school!

 

- Lisamarie -

Sex Sells...Diesel Jeans.

My good old favorite Diesel is at it again! Another day, another wacky ad campaign...there is nothing like half naked young people to sell ANYTHING.

-Christelle-

Diesel Had One Idea and That Was Stupid!

Diesel's new ad campaign is wacky, as usual, and promotes stupidity... that's right, you read correctly! This season's campaign is called "Be Stupid" (as if stupidity needed to be promoted)! According to Diesel, stupidity inspires and generally leads to brilliance... and in this particular case, I'm going to agree with them:

-Christelle-