Backstage and on the runway for Lucian Matis Spring/Summer 2013

Going backstage at Fashion Week is always a trip - lines and lines of models getting their hair and makeup done and people running everywhere - what seems like utter chaos somehow turns into perfectly coiffed and made up models strutting beautiful clothes down the runway!

Grace Lee, Lead Makeup Artist for Maybelline was on hand again this year designing and directing the looks. I especially love the one she came up with for the Lucian Matis show - striking and simple - totally something that can be worn in the real world too!

Grace started with a base of Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in1 Beauty Balm to perfect the skin. The brows were filled in and then set with clear Great Lash Mascara. For the eyes she used a mixture of a taupe Eye Studio Color Tattoo and clear Baby Lips to give it that glossy effect and the lashes finished with a coat of Volum'Express Mega Plush. And my favourite part, the lips, are a mixture of On Fire Red and Electric Orange Color Sensational Vivids Lipcolor (coming your way this January.)

Jorge Joao, lead stylist for Redken came up with this gorgeous flowy look with a little help from: REDKEN Iron Shape, REDKEN Fashion Works 12 and REDKEN Shine Flash 02

And of course there were clothes - there was a series of very sheer garments - that don't seem very practical to me and ones made out of croc embossed leather or pleather that didn't seem to fit the models very well so I can't imagine they would look good on normal people - so I'm going to ignore them and concentrate my pictures on stuff I would love to buy and wear, these gorgeous prints!

- Lisamarie -

Get your all-access pass to Fashion Week courtesy of Maybelline and then enter contests from L'Oréal and MAC all without leaving your computer!

It's Toronto Fashion Week and since everyone doesn't live in Toronto or wants to deal with all those angry, hungry fashion people, Maybelline is bringing you lots of ways to participate in all the fun from your own home!

Maybelline/YouTube/IMG partnership streaming fashion shows live at: YouTube.com/FashionWeekLive

to keep beauty and fashion insiders completely up-to-speed with show schedules and backstage beauty trends.

Dedicated World MasterCard Fashion Week tab offering a unique fan experience at: Facebook.com/maybellinenewyork

where fans can find the latest video uploads including Q&A’s with Grace Lee and a daily photo albums. Regular posts will keep fans on the inside of Fashion Week’s action and excitement.
 
Join the virtual conversation from the backstage, to the runway via Twitter: Twitter.com/MaybellineCan

for instant updates, pics and more - join the conversation throughout Fashion Week. Maybelline insiders will deliver live updates from backstage to the front row. The MNY team will keep a pulse on the fashionistas gracing the tents in Toronto with #MNYEyeSpy.

Visually rich beauty content geared toward the style savvy micro-blogging community at: MaybellineCanada.tumblr.com/

will act as the visual extension of the brands community. Fashion and beauty lovers everywhere will be able to catch a glimpse of the eye candy of Fashion Week. Also on Tumblr, helping to decode the top beauty looks each day will be Maybelline’s Daily Trend Report. Scroll through backstage snapshots, product sneak peaks, look inspiration and ‘how to’ instructions. Beyond the fashion week tents, Maybelline New York’s Q&A series ‘In a MNY Minute’ is where notable faces will share where to eat, drink and shop in Toronto during #WMCFW!

Follow the boards on Pinterest to re-pin beauty inspiration and runway looks from the catwalk: Pinterest.com/maybellinecan
The brand’s official ‘online scrapbook’ will have pin boards populated with the latest images from the catwalk, backstage beauty inspiration, product highlights and more. Repinning welcome!

Partnering with Maybelline New York backstage is Redken 5^th Avenue. To get connected with Redken 5th Avenue NYC, official hair sponsors of World MasterCard Fashion Week follow @Redken_CAN on Twitter or fan the brand on Facebook: facebook.com/RedkenCanada.

And finally, if you are going to be there in person, a view of the backstage has never been clearer than this season! Maybelline New York and Redken (Official Hair Sponsor of World MasterCard Fashion Week) have erected a set of floor to ceiling windows that will allow the public to have a peek into its backstage environment unlike ever before – it’s the ‘Beauty Fishbowl’! Located at the west side of the fashion week tents at David Pecaut Square (Metro Hall side) the brand invites the beauty crazed (see, they want us to come) to visit for a VIP view!

Want to be a part of Canadian beauty history? L’Oréal Paris and FASHION Magazine invite Canadians to officially name a new, limited edition raspberry-hued Colour Riche lipcolour. Never before available in Canada, this new shade of lipcolour is numbered 35 among the existing 104 shades of this legendary lipcolour, in homage to FASHION Magazine’s 35th anniversary, Canada’s top beauty and fashion magazine.
It's easy to enter, just go to www.fashionmagazine.com/nameourlipstick until April 1, 2012 to enter your shade name for the new Colour Riche Lipcolour No. 35. A panel of judges, comprised of L’Oréal Paris and FASHION Magazine’s editorial team, will shortlist the top five names. From April 2-24, 2012, the public will vote for their favourite shade name among the five finalists. On April 26, the shade name with the most votes will be awarded a Grand Prize of a $500 gift basket from L’Oréal Paris plus a V.I.P. package for two to FASHION Magazine’s 35th Anniversary party in October 2012 including accommodations, spa treatments, dinner and $2,000 shopping spree. Full rules and regulations can be found at www.fashionmagazine.com/nameourlipstick.
All finalists will also win $250 gift packages of L’Oréal Paris’ most iconic products including FASHION’s favourite Colour Riche Lipcolours.
The newly named L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche lipcolour will join the 104 existing shades of Colour Riche® Lipcolour currently available in Canada in mass-market retailers and drugstores beginning October 8 for a limited time only and for a suggested retail price of $10.99.

And while your creative naming juices are going, MAC is inviting their fans to vote for their favorite shades starting March 12 on Facebook. 18 popular lipsticks, lipglasses and eye shadows have been selected from past collections; the three shades with the most votes from each category will come back as an online exclusive, limited edition collection.

Voting opens to all Facebook fans March 12-30. The collection will be available online in North America in August and internationally Fall 2012.

In the running are:

Lipstick:

3N as seen in N Collection (January 2008)

Candy Yum Yum as seen in Quite Cute (April 2011)

Eden Rocks as seen in Eden Rocks (May 2001)

Moxie as seen in Retro Matte Lipsticks (September 1999)

Rocker as seen in Time Rocker (Fall 1999)

Shitaki as seen in Cuisine (March 2001)

Lipglass:

2N as seen in N Collection (January 2008)

Bait as seen in Lure (June 2006)

Cult of Cherry as seen in Cult of Cherry (September 2008)

Emancipation as seen in Wonder Woman (February 2011)

Flash of Flesh as seen in M·A·C D’Bohemia (May 2005)

Icescape as seen in Love Lace (December 2009)

Eye Shadow:

Cool Heat as seen in Cool Heat – June 2008

Guacamole as seen in Salsabelle (May 2005)

Heavenly Bliss as seen in Eden Rocks (May 2001)

Jeté as seen in Danse (January 2006)

Moth Brown as seen in Madame B. (March 2005)

Solar White as seen in Cool Heat (June 2008)


Do you have a favorite shade or two not listed here? MAC invites you to start your own campaign; tweet about it using #MACBYREQUEST

In North America only, you can vote by text -  TXT a shade name to 898622. The texter will also receive future sms/mms from MAC Cosmetics Online, featuring exclusives and events. Msg&Data rates may apply. 

- Lisamarie -

Contessa 23 Canadian Hairstylist of the Year Awards - prepare to be amazed!

The best and brightest of Canada's beauty industry talent gathered at the Sheraton Centre Hotel in Toronto this past weekend for the Contessa 23 Canadian Hairstylist of the Year Awards - for those of you who haven't heard of it before, it's the Oscars of the Canadian beauty industry!

I must admit that one of my favourite parts of the evening was the people watching in the lobby that I did beforehand where I witnessed every manner of dress you could possibly imagine: fur & facinators; feathers & tulle; sequins & lace and of course hair in every style and of course colour under the rainbow!

Now enjoy some of the winning styles!

Véronique Beaupré won the award for Canadian Hairstylist as well as Quebec Hairstylist and her Montreal salon - local b - won - Canadian Salon Team - Photo by Simon Normand

Avant Garde award - Palma Aushilevich - The Hair Spot - Toronto - Photo by Babak

Master Colourist and Makeover Colourist award - Timothy Switzer - Timothy & Co. Salon & Spa - Oshawa - Photo by Greg Swales

Session Hairstylist award - Olivier Miotto - Glam Salon Boutique, Montreal -  Photo by Sylvain Blais

Elite Master Hairstylist award - Guylaine Martel - Guylaine Martel Artistes Coiffeurs - Mont-Saint-Eustache Photo by Alain Comtois

Ontario Hairstylist award - Mandy MacFadden - Salon Decorum - Newmarket - Photo by Richard Dubois

Alberta Hairstylist award - Wendy Bélanger - Influence Salon - Calgary - Photo by Nico Iliev

- Lisamarie -

The ShOws have me thinking spring - spring makeup that is!

The ShOws (and no, I don't know why there is a capital "O" in the name, it's a mystery, deal with it) took place a couple of weeks ago pre-fashion week at the Ritz Carlton and featured the spring 2012 collections of four Canadian designers who are now based in Europe and was hosted by Coca Rocha whose doc - Letters to Haiti - was also shown as part of the festivities.

I'm sure you've long since admired the fashions elsewhere but I've been thinking about the beauty looks evident in each showing and thought I would do a round up of them, enjoy!

Thomas Tait - used a colour palette of black and white with pastels thrown in so you would have thought there would have been some colour in the face, but he went with a fresh-faced look which I guess went well with the sneakers! Since it's hard to look that glowy when your a model embarking on fashion week I suspect a good skin luminizer was involved such as Hard Candy Glow All The Way (26.5g - $8 - available at Walmart) - apply strategically or mix a touch in your foundation for an all over glow!

Calla Haynes - whites and the prettiest prints were paired with bright coral lipstick and after acquiring a fondness for coral this summer I am super happy to see it will be back next year! Coral is great because it's one of those universally flattering colours which can go more orange or more pink depending on your preference. I'm particularly loving Lise Watier Glam Rouge Infini in Corail Pop Glam ($27 - available at Shoppers Drug Mart)

Jean-Pierre Braganza - had a collection full of neutrals with pops of coral here and there. The coral theme continued on the cheeks with blush slashes - reminiscent of the blush stripes we did in the 80's. I'm not recommending you copy the application technique but I sure do like the idea of a bright blush especially when the rest of the face is so subdued. Make Up For Ever High Definition Blush in Quickie, a salmon pink ($29 - available at Sephora) is a great choice for the bright blush look!

Todd Lynn - I must admit, this was my favourite collection, not only did I love the clothes all white, black, silver and indigo but I also loved the pop of colour they used in the makeup in blue eyeshadow! I have long been a fan of blue eyeshadow and always get excited when it comes back into favour! Get the look with Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Powder in Indigo ($42 - available at The Bay) or if you think the blue eyeshadow look is a little too 70s for your taste do a thick blue liner just on the top lid, liquid liners work best for a clean punch of colour such as Stila Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Curacuo ($29 - available at Sephora).

On such a frosty morning, spring seems so far away - spring makeup however is yours for the asking!

- Lisamarie -

Get the look! Schwarkzopf Professional hair and Smashbox makeup at the Lucian Matis show!

photo by Arline Malakian

To prepare the hair for blow drying, the Schwarkzopf Professional hairstylists applied a combination of OSiS Soft ‘n Straight ($19.50) and BC Oil Miracle ($39).  BC Oil Miracle helps to add moisture, condition, protection and shine to the hair.  OSiS Soft ‘n Straight is a non-chemical straightening balm to help protect hair, prevent frizz and smooth hair down. Also used in the preparation stage was OSiS Flatliner ($21) to protect hair from Flatiron heat used to create the sleek ponytail. 

Once they put  the ponytails in, to keep the look sleek, the stylists used OSiS Aquaslide ($20), which is quite light because it is water-based.  It is a medium hold strength product and the water makes it a lighter product to work with and shampoo out. Next the stylist used OSiS Elastic flexible hairspray ($19) to hold the style and give control over the surface of the hair after the ponytail was put in.  Finally, for added shine – because of course this was Lucian Matis’s show, they used OSiS Sparkler shine spray ($19) to finish it off.

You should keep in mind that a pony like that makes a hell of an instant face lift too - not that 18 year old models need it but the rest of us...

photo by Arline Malakian

Amazing hair requires a fabulous makeup look by Smashbox which the artists started with Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer to hydrate the complexion, they then used Smashbox's new highlighting illuminating Halo Wand in shades gold and pearl, placing it across forehead, cheeks and chin to bring luminosity to the skin. Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Foundation SPF 10 was then applied in one shade all over and a lighter shade applied in a grid pattern over top. Halo Yellow Colour Correcting Hydrating Powder was then applied as a corrector and then a corresponding Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder shade was used on the perimeter and into the hairline. Finally luminous tinted moisturizer was brushed over top of finished, powdered face in shadowed areas to provide a youthful smooth finish and to airbrush away any existing flaws.

Lid Primer was then applied to the lids and Brow Tech-to-Go on the eyebrows to fill them in naturally, while defining the ends. From the Eyeshadow Trio in Telephoto, they applied the lightest shade underneath the brow and blended into crease and lids - they then used the Amethyst shade to brighten for a modern spring look. Shadow liners in Black and brown were layered for a fresh, smoked mirage that is subtle and suitable for a spring smoked look after which liquid liner in black was applied. Several coats of Full Exposure Mascara was then applied on top of fake lashes for extended volume and depth.

Tinted Lip Treatment was applied to moisturize followed by Smashbox Nude Lip Liner and was finished off with an accent of colour on the lips and a coat of Smashbox Refection High Shine Lipgloss.

Finally the cheeks, a pop of colour was added to the cheeks with Smashbox Blush Rush in Flush - try saying that 6 times fast!

Strangely, since it was a fashion show, there were also clothes! My pics are not as good as the professional ones above - I was in the second row close to the start of the runway and for skinny girls, these models sure can move - but I did my best and here are a few of the outfits that caught my eye - even if I'm not sure who could ever possibly wear them - like where would you have to be going to require these outfits? But if nothing else, they're fun to look at!

 

 

 

 

- Lisamarie -

Think you know Mark's? Think Again! Contest and Event!

As much as I love the idea of high fashion-fashion, realistically my everyday life is more about comfortable, affordable clothes that look stylish and wear well. In the past couple of years, Mark's has really upped its fashion game, if you thought they were all about men's clothes and workboots, you need to check out the new Mark's!

Just to give you an idea of what I mean the outfit on the left consists of a Soft Drape Cardigan - $44.99; Sweatshirt Sweater - $34.99 (both in sizes S-2XL); Skinny Jean with Zipper Leg - $64 (sizes 2-18); and Suede Stacked Heel Lace-Up Bootie - $99.99 (sizes 6-11) - that's my idea of a cute, comfortable, wearable outfit and those boots are too adorable for words!

You can go check out the Fall Lookbook to see more great looks: http://www2.marks.com/lookbook/en/

If you haven't been to a Mark's lately, we want to give you a good excuse to get there so up for grabs are 2 prizes with a $50 gift card to help you buy your favourite blogger a pair of suede booties (size 8) - or something for yourself I guess, if you must!

This contest is open to all our Canadian followers and it's very easy to enter, just leave a comment letting us know that you follow (if you aren't a follower you can sign up through Google or Facebook - signups are in the right sidebar)

1 entry for following and leaving a comment answering the question - Have you been to a Mark's store lately - if so, what did you think? Please also leave your e-mail so we can find you if you win!

And for extra entries you can do one or both of the following:

1 entry for following @BeautyCrazedCan on Twitter and tweeting the contest
1 entry for "liking" Mark's on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/smartclothes

If you prefer not to leave your info on a public post, please leave a post saying you want to enter and then e-mail your info to info@beautycrazed.ca, please put "Mark's Contest" in the subject line.  Remember to leave the post or you name won't actually end up in the draw! Winner to be decided by random drawing and you have until October 7th to enter. Good Luck!

And if you're in Toronto and have some time to spare tomorrow, come check out the Mark's Runway show happening at Yonge Dundas Square:

- Lisamarie -

SHAN Swimwear: Get Beach Ready!

SHAN introduced this new collection at the recent Toronto Fashion Week. I love the retro vibe of this collection and the beach cover ups and sun dresses will definitely hide your winter sins...

Pictures: SHAN

-Christelle-

Backstage at Toronto LG Fashion Week!

Would it surprise you to know that up to last week, I was a fashion show virgin?  Being the beauty side of Beauty Crazed, I don't attend them - but Christelle was out of town so I got pressed into duty!  My show pick was BASCH by Brandon, I liked him on Project Runway Canada so I figured if nothing else, it would be entertaining. From the opening beat of Rhianna's S&M and the first model who came strutting down the runway in a sheer black dress complete with lime green underwear it was quite the kinky ride! There were a lot of dresses, most of them black, some of them very tight and almost all of them really short!  I'll be posting the collection soon, I actually really like it, but for the sake of the show, they really sexed the hell out of it!

The real reason that I agreed to fill in though, was I was given the opportunity to go backstage and see the hair and makeup people in action, which was too good to resist!

I was expecting it to be a bit of a crazy circus, but it was actually pretty calm and civilized.  No screaming, no freak-outs and no half naked models running around (sorry Erin).  Just a lot of very focused people turning ordinary looking models into catwalk goddesses!

Eddie Malter, Artistic Director for LG Fashion Week and Official Makeup Artist for L'Oréal Paris welcomed me backstage and let me watch him and his assistant Vivi get model Marla runway ready for the Lundström show and very patiently put up with my peppering him with questions. It's amazing how much work goes into a deceptively simple looking smokey eye and pale lip! Eddie was very generous in letting me get in close to see his technique and I have already been able to create his look at home!  I was hoping for some brush secrets but he uses a french brand that are discontinued so no luck there!  What I was really wowed by was the mascara he used.  I was told it was super secret but I'm a bad secret keeper -L'Oréal Architect 4D - only in Europe right now but coming to Canada at some point - Eddie is a fan because it gives the lashes a super matte look - I would have sworn that Marla was wearing false lashes under the mascara, but she assured me she wasn't - I can't wait for this mascara to make it's way here!

Eddie and Marla - don't those eyes look amazing?!

After makeup, I was passed over to Eric Del Monco, Lead Hair Artist for LG Fashion Week and Official Hair Artist and Colourist for L'Oréal Paris. He was busy supervising the hair for the Lundström show but he took some time to give me a rundown on what was going on.  He had just finished the hair for the Cydelic show seen above.  That's designer Choryin Choi in the background, you can tell he also thinks the hair is a feat of gravity!

The Lundstrom hair had a very sleek, shiny look and Eric let me in on the secret - L'Oréal Elnett UV Protect Hairspray - the more you spray, the shiner it looks - unlike other hairsprays that just make the hair stiff and sticky, Elnett still lets the hair move and makes it shine like crazy!  He also filled me in on some other fall trends heading our way including feathered hair, updos and loose twists as well as the hot haircolour for fall which is black!

Eric and his model -it's hard to appreciate just how much work goes into the hair until you get back there and see it for yourself! 

Thanks again to Eddie, Eric and to everyone backstage for letting me come hang out! Same time next year?

- Lisamarie -

Tweet and win 2 Front Row Seats for Friday's LG Toronto Fashion Week!

L’Oreal Paris has 2 front row seats up for grabs tomorrow (Friday) via their Twitter contest below. All you have to do is follow and retweet the following tweet below found on L’Oreal Paris’ twitter page (L’OrealParisCAN) today to be entered into a contest for the chance to win 2 front row seats and a backstage experience at LG Fashion Week Beauty by L’Oreal Paris on Friday, April 1 at 5 p.m.

@LOrealParisCAN L'Oreal Paris Canada

RT & Follow @LOrealParisCAN for your chance to win 2 front-row seats and a backstage experience tomorrow (Friday) at 5pm #LGFW!

And of course 2 seats means you could take me...

- Lisamarie -