Beachy waves in 5 easy steps from celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin - or with a couple of products from Victoria's Secret and mark.!

Get the beachy wave look without having to spend the day covered in sand.

Celebrity hairstylist, Jen Atkin - with a client roster that includes Lorde, Katy Perry, Jennifer Lopez, Kaley Cuoco and Kim & Khloe Kardashian shared her 5 easy steps for achieving the perfect beachy waves at home:

1. On damp hair, apply mousse (Jen recommends Mousse au Lotus Volumatrice by Leonor Greyl) to add volume and create a product foundation.  Rough dry the hair.
2. Once dry, curl sections with a 1 1/4” curling wand.  Be sure to tug on each section after it’s curled while it's still hot, as this will relax each curl.
3. Next, use a flat iron to add a bend to the roots and smooth over the ends to soften.
4. Then, liberally apply a texturizing spray (Jen recommends Oribe Dry Texturing Spray).  This will up the volume with just the right amount of gritty texture.
5. Replicate that wind-whipped hair by piecing out the ends with a wax (Jen recommends Osmo Clay Wax).

Of course the best way to learn all the tricks and tips is directly from the pro herself and we were excited to learn that Jen will be in Toronto to teach a one-day, hands on hairstyling workshop on July 31st - e-mail workshops@beautycharisma.com for more details or to reserve your spot!

And for those days that you don't have time for even five step hair, here are a couple of products that will help you get a beachy look in a spray!

Victoria's Secret Beach Sexy Beach Hair Wave Spray - 177ml - $12 - with UV absorber creates loose, natural-looking waves on all hair textures, for that effortlessly sexy, fresh-from-the-beach look. Sea salt helps add texture to all hair types, especially wavy. A blend of buriti oil and sunflower seed extract helps protect hair from UV damage.

Available at www.victoriassecret.com.

mark. That's Beachy Texturizing Surf Spray - 200ml - $16 - just spray and scrunch for immediate texture and volume - for a sexy, beachy look and free-flowing shine.

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

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Victoria's Secret Forbidden

Inspired by the girl who seduces her way through life which is so obviously me, it's not even funny...

Victoria's Secret Forbidden - 100ml EDP - $68, 200ml Fragrance Lotion - $20, 250ml Fragrance Mist - $25 - a warm scent that is tempting and entirely addictive with notes of exotic pear, jasmine, amber wood, juicy blackberry and warm notes from sustainable sources including incense wood, roasted tonka and Australian sandalwood.

I don't know how seductive I think this scent is, it's warm and sweet, men might want to eat you up like a cookie so I guess there's that! Even with the pear and blackberry notes I don't find it that fruity which is a disappointment to me - but overall I like the scent a lot.

If nothing else I have to love the pink, subtle animal print on the bottle!

Available now at Victoria's Secret stores and online at www.victoriassecret.com.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Victoria's Secret Bombshell Holiday Collection

Sparkle in the new year thanks to a limited edition collection of fragrances from Victoria's Secret with bottles  as beautiful as the scents themselves!

In 3 scents:

Bombshell Diamonds - frosted vanilla, passion fruit and brilliant lychee blossom.

Bombshell Platinum - sparkling freesia, iced berries and sandalwood.

Bombshell Sparkle - luminous peony, lotus flower and winter woods.

All 3 scents are available in:

50ml EDP - $64
100ml Shimmer Lotion - $24
250ml Body Mist - $28  

Available for a limited time at Victoria's Secret and victoriassecret.com.

- Lisamarie -   

Take the day off gently with makeup removers from Bourjois, Victoria's Secret, Neutrogena and Marcelle!

I think we are all in agreement that the worse thing you can do for your eyes, lashes and skin around the eyes is rub too vigorously when trying to remove makeup. Of course with the heavy duty makeup formulas out there now this is sometimes easier said then done so you need a makeup remover that's up to the job! Even when not wearing waterproof makeup my preference is to still use a remover intended for it. They tend to be the dual-action formulas that you need to shake first before using and I find the oil phase critical to being able to remove the makeup without having to rub!

Here are a few that I highly recommend:

Bourjois Paris Express Eye Makeup Remover - 200ml - $18 - with a fresh, non-greasy two-phase formula that removes even heavily pigmented and waterproof makeup in one sweep. With an oil phase that is concentrated with cleansing agents for easy makeup removal and a water phase to leave skin feeling fresh without any greasy feeling.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Victoria's Secret VS Pro Clean FX Instant Makeup Remover - 118ml - $10 - a dual-action formula that gently removes makeup from lids, lashes, lips and all over the face. Gentle enough to remove even your toughest makeup - including waterproof! It leaves skin refreshed and silky soft—ready for any sexy new look.

Available at Victoria's Secret - www.victoriassecret.com.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-Up Remover - 162ml - $12.99 - a 100% oil-free dual-phase liquid activates when shaken to gently whisk away even waterproof eye make-up without any tugging, pulling or stinging. With aloe and cucumber extracts to soothe skin and leave it feeling clean and fresh.

Available at drug, grocery and mass retailers.

Marcelle Essentials Gentle Make-Up Remover For Sensitive Eyes - 150ml - $14.25 - with a half-oil, half-water emulsion that easily dissolves eyeshadow, mascara and lipstick - even long-lasting and waterproof formulas without irritation. Infused with green tea extract to soothe the delicate eye area along with cucumber extract for cooling freshness to help out with under eye puffiness and dark circles.
Hypo-allergenic and perfume free - it's great for all skin types, sensitive eyes and even contact lens wearers!

Available in-store and online at www.marcelle.com.

- Lisamarie -

Primed for perfection with Hourglass, Victoria's Secret and Cargo!

I am not the most dedicated of primer wearers, especially during the summer - I just find that adding an extra layer of product to combination skin just ends up making my skin feel heavy and greasy especially in hot weather! Now that fall has arrived, I'm breaking out my primers again trying to find ones that feel weightless, keep my makeup in place and don't clog my pores - here are 3 that I'm loving and are worth trying if you have the same issues:


Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer - 10ml - $21 - an oil-free mineral primer with SPF 15 that helps even out skin tone, neutralize redness and provides the perfect base for flawless makeup application and keeps it looking fresh, while absorbing excess oils and minimizing the appearance of enlarged pores.

I am amazed at how much this primer helps on my oily t-zone - I used to have to touch up my foundation in the afternoon because it had disappeared but now all I need is a bit of powder and I'm good for the rest of the day!

Available at Sephora and sephora.com.

VS Pro Airbrush FX Shadow Correcting Primer - 28ml - $18 - with a weightless formula has a subtle peach tint to instantly correct the look of dark shadows and spots as it creates a smooth, velvety surface and ensures a flawless foundation application that lasts.

What's nice about this one is because it has a bit of colour already, you don't necessarily need to apply foundation all over your face after you use it - just apply foundation to areas that really need it and leave the rest be!

Available at victoriassecret.com.

Cargo Blu_Ray Activating Face Primer - 30ml - $34 - get ready for your close-up - with this lightweight primer developed for the high definition film biz to help reduce shine, refine pores, and to visibly reduce fine lines and imperfections. Free of all the things you don't want: oil, silicone, paraben, fragrance and talc.

I avoid cameras like the plague so I'm not sure how good it looks on film but in person it really does even things out and creates a perfect canvas for makeup!

Available at eBeauty.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Your workout gets colourful with Marika, Victoria's Secret and Puma!

If you're going to work out you might as well do it in colour and style - here are a few things I've been torturing myself in lately:

Marika Tek Venus Crew Neck Dry Wik Short Sleeve Tee - $28 - in sizes S - XL, it's made with a rayon/poly blend that's breathable and super soft with high tech wicking abilities for the ultimate in cool dry comfort - and if there's anything worse than feeling all wet and gross during a workout, I don't know what it is! I just love the ultra violet colour with the lime trim and best of all, you just throw it in the washer, no special cleaning required!

Available at www.marika.com.

Victoria's Secret The Most-Loved Yoga Pant - $34.50 - made with cotton/spandex it has a slim fit and a boot leg which makes it super comfortable - what I love best about it though is that it comes in four different lengths - short, regular, long and Xlong - which is important for a shortie like me!

Find them at www.victoriassecret.com.

Puma Tech Performance Seamless Jacket - $51 - in sizes XS - XL it's made with a mylon/elastane blend for long wear and comfort with a cyclofresh plus finish for superior odour control. What I like best about it though other then the cheerful Very Berry colour are the thumbholes that not only keep the sleeves where you want them but also keeps your hands warm on cold mornings!

Find it at www.puma.ca

- Lisamarie -

Victoria's Secret helps you take sexy to the beach (or where ever else you may be going)!

Be it vacation, camp or a stint in rehab, you don't want to lose your golden glow while you're away but you also don't want to take up valuable packing (shoe) room by having to lug around full sized products - Victoria's Secret Beauty to the rescue!


Victoria's Secret Glow-to-go Travel Kit - $19.50 - includes smaller versions of their Tinted Self-tan Lotion - 75ml and Tinted Body Lotion with Shimmer - 75ml as well as a full size Lip Gloss in Sunkissed to perfect your beach babe look - tucked inside a clear pouch with just enough room left for a teeny bikini!

Available now at Victoria's Secret and www.victoriassecret.com.

- Lisamarie -

This new year gets you new makeup with a new contest! Contest!

Are you a makeup purger who spent your new year's day throwing out all the tired old boring stuff you are tired and are now looking to restock your makeup bag with fun, new exciting stuff? Then you're in luck - we'd like to give you a bit of everything - it's all shiny and new and there's certainly more than enough makeup here to get your through to the next clean out! Here's what's up for grabs:

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in Bronze Persepolis and Yves Saint Laurent Eye Shadow Duo in Silver Moire/Flannel Black
Maison Lancôme Blush - because it's the freaking cutest thing ever!shu uemura Eyelash Curler -  because it's only the best one in the whole world according to some!
Lise Watier Festive Palette Eyeshadow Trio and Mascara in Soleil - because the palette sparkles and everyone needs things that sparkle!
Victoria's Secret Party Perfect Makeup Kit - because good things DO come in small packages!
eos Lip Balm in Passion Fruit - because things that are round are fun!
Maybelline Baby Lips Lip Balms in Cherry Me, Pink Punch and Peach Kiss and
Kiss My Face Lip Balm Tempting Trio Pack - maple sugar, orange vanilla and mochamint - because we want your lips to be super kissable!
Dior Diorskin Forever Compact in Honey Beige and Dior Rouge Dior in Angelique Beige- because everyone wants to look flawless!
Marcelle Fantasia Eye Shadow Quad Palette in Fairytale Mix - because it's way too cute for you to not have one!
Honoré des Prés fragrance samples of the entire line - because it's hard to decide exactly how you want to smell!
Diva Derme Brow Extender in Diva 1 Caramel Blonde
Sleek MakeUP Brow Kit in Light - because brows are the new black!
Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Blush in Neapolitan Lane - because who doesn't want dollskin?!
mark. Main Squeeze Lip Gloss in Honey Squeeze and mark. Earn Your Metal Liquid Shimmer Eyeliner in Silverado
Avon Super Shock Eye Liner in blackened metal and Avon Super Extend Eye Accents Mascara in black topaz
Vasanti Lipstick in Luxembourg and Liquid Liner in Cleopatra nestled together in a hot pink clutch - because, well because it's in a pink clutch and what's not good about that?!GOSH Eye Dust in Clay and Soil
Pur Minerals On the Go Lip and Eye Trios
L'Oréal Colour Riche Lipstick in Raisin Rapture, L'Oréal Infallible Lipstick in Unending Kiss and Ravishing Red, L'Oréal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara in black and L'Oréal Color Infallible Eyeshadows in Forever Pink, Unlimited Sky, Time Resist White, Flashback Silver, Bronze Divine, All Night Blue, Burning Black and Permanent Kaki
Hard Candy Eye Def Glitter Eyeshadow in What Sandy Says Goes and Hard Candy World Balmination Glossy Tinted Lip Balm in Fishnet
Cake Flavoured Lip Gloss in Gold Glimmer
Nicole by OPI Nail Polish in Kim-pletely in Love and It's All About the Glam
Smith Farms Lip Tint
It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer in Neutral Medium
The Body Shop Extra Virgin Minerals Loose Powder Foundation in Natural Vanilla
Sephora Beauty To Go Brush Set
Lisa Hoffman Variations Fragrance Roll-ons
Thursday Plantation Trea Tree Liquid Filled Cotton Tips
And a whole bunch of samples: Lancome Genifique, Cils Booster XL and Tresor Midnight Rose, M. Asam Vino Gold 24h Moisturizing Antioxidant Cream, Magic Fini and Perfect Teint, Nine West Love Fury, Mereadesso Face + Neck Toning Gel, Julep SPF 30 Hand Cream and Age Defying Hand Brightener

This contest is open to everyone everywhere 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 - which prize item would you be the most excited to win? 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

3 entries if you post this contest as a post or on the sidebar of your blog

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 "New Year Makeup Contest" in the subject line.  Remember to leave a post or you name won't actually end up in the draw! Winner to be decided by random drawing and you have until February 3rd to enter. Good Luck!

- Lisamarie -

Seduction is on the holiday menu at Victoria's Secret!

My Victoria's Secret holiday catalogue arrived a couple of weeks ago and not only have I been drooling over the gorgeous lingerie, but also admiring all the model's makeup - this is the perfect seduction look - super sexy but still strangely kind of natural looking which is a makeup look that men really like as most of them are not overly fond of too much makeup.

Here's what you need to pick up for the ultimate seduction courtesy of Victoria's Secret:

Dream Angels Push-Up Bra - $52-$98 (depending on how much bling you have on it) - Available in lots of different colours with lace and/or sparkle which are beautiful! I have several of these in the non-push up variety and they are super comfortable - I don't tend to go for push-ups in public because it scares small children so this is definitely a holiday treat for the husband!

 

Bombshell Seduction - 50ml EDP - $52 - with notes velvet magnolia, warm musk and sparkling grapefruit - really, the name says it all!

"Hello Bombshell!" Makeup Kit - $30 - includes: 30 Eye Shadows; 5 Lip Glosses; 5 Lipsticks; 4 Blushes; 1 Luminous Powder; 1 Translucent Powder; 1 Bronzer; 1 Mascara; 1 Lip Liner; 1 Eye Liner; and 5 Brushes. There's enough makeup here to achieve any look you could possibly think of (but if it's a little overwhelming you can also check out their Party Perfect Makeup Kit)

Dream Angels Heavenly Shimmer Lotion - 250ml - $20 - If you're going to have that much skin on display it should shimmer - not to mention smell good from a sensual blend of white musk, sandalwood, vanilla and white peony!

Available for your seducing pleasure at Victoria's Secret stores (if you're lucky enough to have one in your city) or online at www.victoriassecret.com.

- Lisamarie -

Victoria's Secret celebrates 1 year in Canada the usual way...with underwear of course!

It seems like only yesterday that giant lines were forming at Yorkdale with people just itching to get into VS's first Canadian store! 

And what better way to celebrate then bringing to the wonderful Canadian people the Showstopper Bra and Fantasies Fragrance Collections:

The Showstopper by Victoria’s Secret allows you to show nothing but your shape. The collections innovative technology gives flawless coverage, while providing all day comfort. Available in three styles: Demi, Perfect coverage, and Multi-Way, with a variety of fall shades including Very Fuchsia, Turkish Blue, Royal Paisley, Black, White and Nude. Prices range from $49-$59.50 and sizes 34B-38DD.
 
VS Fantasies Fragrance Collection allows you to indulge your fantasy with scents like flirty florals, tempting fruits and seductive warms. Available at 3/$25, 5/$35
 
o   Fragrance Mist – $12.00
o   Hydrating Body Lotion- $12.00
o   Ultra-Moisturizing Hand and Body Cream- $12.00
o   Deep-Softening Body Butter- $12.00
o   Daily Body Wash- $10.00
o   Smoothing Body Scrub- $10.00

Available now at your local Victoria's Secret store - get over there now and sex it up!

- Lisamarie - 

Victoria's Secret wants you to rock some cotton undies!

There truly is no justice in the world.  I wear cotton underwear and look like an overgrown schoolgirl, model Lais Ribeiro wears them and looks...well, like a Victoria's Secret model! Enjoy her 2011 Cotton Lingerie collection  commercial and join me in lamenting the inequities of life!

If the video above is being tempermental - you can find it directly on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgcKLdp89ew

- Lisamarie -

Smooth out your pucker with a lip polish from Fresh, Victoria's Secret and LUSH!

I'm sure you've noticed how bright lips are for summer this year and nothing looks worse than brightly coloured lipstick on top of chapped lips!  Luckily it's an easy overnight fix with the use of a lip polish followed by a generous dollop of balm - feel free to try out one of my favourite polishes:


Fresh Sugar Lip Polish - $26 - enriched with real brown sugar crystals to gently buff away dry flakes, meadowfoam seed, jojoba seed and grapeseed oils to nourish the lips, shea butter for long-lasting moisture and Vitamin E to help prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin.  The best part of course is the smell - it smells just like my favourite Fresh fragrance!  Word of warning though, it smells better than it tastes so resist licking your lips!

Available from Sephora.

Victoria's Secret Pro Smooth FX Lip Scrub & Balm - $14 - if you like your scrub and balm together in one place you'll like this duo from VS. The bottom holds a sugar scrub while the top flips up to uncover a moisturizing balm. Available at Victoria's Secret - www.victoriassecret.com

LUSH Mint Julips Lip Scrub - $8.95 - it's minty and chocolatey and all around delicious!  It contains peppermint oil which not only smells great but also makes your lips tingle a bit!

- Lisamarie -

Victoria's Secret celebrates the Incredible!

Victoria's Secret is celebrating the 5 styles of the Incredible by Victoria's Secret bra collection - guaranteed to make you look just like Adriana here (okay, that a lie, but it will still make the girls look pretty darn good!).  Their most comfortable bra is now available in a Front-Close Push Up ($54 solid, $58 print) as well as a Front-Close Multi-Close ($58 solid or print) silhouette.  The collection is super-soft, virtually seamless, with self-adjusting straps and a smoothing back construction that creates a perfect fit.  Also available in the line is a Push Up ($54 solid, $58 print), Demi ($49.50 solid, $54 print) and Front-Close Demi ($49.50 solid, $54 print).

If that's not Incredible enough - they have also launched the Incredible Fragrance collection -

A floral-fruity fragrance with top notes of Juicy White Peach, Pear and Water Lily; mid notes of Magnolia, Honeysuckle and Iris Flower; and a base of Natural Vanilla, Sultry Australian Sandalwood, Liquid Musk and Coconut Milk

100ml Eau de Parfum - $55.00

Scented Mist - $28.00

Scented Body Lotion - $24.00

And if you happen to be at the Yorkdale Mall VS store on Thursday (March 3rd) between 5-7 you can hang out with Victoria's Secret Angel Lily Aldridge!  Have your pic taken with her and if you purchase something Incredible you get to join the VIP (read shorter) line!  They will also be doing makeovers with a beauty purchase (not Lily, the actual make up artists I expect). 

- Lisamarie -

Meet an angel in person - Victoria's Secret's Chanel Iman!

Mark your calendars for next Wednesday (February 9th) from 4-6pm when Chanel Iman will be making an in-store appearance in Victoria's Secret at the Toronto Eaton's Centre.  Customers will have the opportunity to take a special Valentine's Day keepsake photo with Chanel. Don't like long lineups?  Buy a new Love Push-up Bra or Sexy Little Things Noir: Love Me fragrance and you go straight to the VIP line!  Bring the boy and he can buy you some new pretties, you can let him meet Chanel, everyone's happy!

- Lisamarie -

It's not easy being an Angel - ELLE's coverage of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show!

Every man's favourite night of the year is coming up on November 30th when the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show airs and ELLE has been hanging around backstage taking photos and trying not to get in the way!

Photos by Kelly Stuart

You can check out all the action at:
http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Fashion-Spotlight/Winged-Victory?cid=sm_pr_VSshow2010

- Lisamarie -

Victoria's Secret introduces it's latest fragrance - Heavenly Flowers - and it's fit for a MILF!

I don't think this is intended to be a Mother's Day fragrance but when I saw the picture of the girls, the aprons just screamed MILF and it occurred to me that kids with MILF moms must have it really hard this time of year, what do you get the mom that already has everything including the lust of every teenage boy in the neighbourhood?

How about Victoria's Secret's newest fragrance Heavenly Flowers - it's a cocktail of mandarine, guava, gardenia and lily of the valley.  It comes in bottle form with the most adorable cap or as a solid perfume bracelet.  Available until June at www.victoriassecret.com.

- Lisamarie -

Running with Scissors...and Designing for Victoria's Secret!

It's a recession, I hear, and Victoria's Secret has decided to sell you half garments for the price of...two oh never mind. This swimsuit for Spring 2010 is not just an eyesore, it's hilariously ugly. Every time I look at this picture, I laugh hysterically. If Borat had a girlfriend, she would wear this. I just know it.

This is what I would design if I was really angry and intoxicated while holding a pair of scissors. You know, just an ordinary night out.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to bleach my eyeballs, because there is only so much hideousness I can take in one day.

-Christelle-

Victoria's Worst Kept Secret: It's Ugly.

In an explosion of colors and ugliness that can only be compared to...wait, I can't think about a worse runway. Let me start again. The latest Victoria's Secret collection introduced über tacky designs yesterday (I'm trying to speak Heidi Klum Samuel's language, get it?). And if you don't believe me, here are a few pictures that should convince you:

Chanel Iman is clearly the best thing in this picture. If you think it looks bad from the back, I've got bad news for you...

...It looks worse from the front.

Nothing says "class" like "Hey You" on your crotch. Men are not that thick, you know.

Stripperlicious! You know Lil' Kim will fight you to death for this outfit. Or maybe not, since she wore a similar design 10 years ago. She's over it, and you should be too.

Yes, the model is hot. Her khaki-colored lingerie is not.

What's Victoria's Secret target market exactly? Teenagers or women? Or women who think they are still teenagers? My head hurts. I need a drink again. I'm becoming a raging alcoholic and it's all Victoria's Secrets' fault.

-Christelle-