February 29, 2012

Go light at night (cream) with Estée Lauder, Biotherm and Mary Kay!

If you're oily/combo skinned and avoid using a night cream because you find them so thick that they clog your pores and make you break out giving you less than ideal skin upon waking then are you ever in the right place! Check out 3 products that will have you glowing in the morning without the heaviness:

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair - 30ml - $63, 50ml - $94 - I can't believe that it's been around for 30 years and this product is actually a little sentimental for me, it's the first thing I ever purchased at a Holt Renfrew counter - long before I actually even needed a night cream! Of course that's one of the nice things about it, you can use it at any age and the results you will get will differ depending on what you are trying to achieve! Research done recently proves that women continued to experience a dramatic reduction over 12 months in major signs of visible aging with continued use. This includes: skin tone, skin clarity, lines, wrinkles and barrier strength. To commemorate their anniversary and celebrate these amazing results, Estée Lauder has unveiled a new limited edition bottle.

You can find the pretty new bottle at The Bay, Sears and Holt Renfrew while they last!
Biotherm Aquasource Nuit - 50ml - $48 - a high density hydrating jelly good for all skin types that contains revolutionary skin care technology to specifically address the overnight hydration needs of women. Concentrated in Mannose, Thermal Plankton Cellular Water and P. Antarctica, a micro-organism that has the unique ability to retain water to help replenish skin’s water reserves. Upon wakening, the skin looks beautiful and more luminous, day after day. The feel of the product is wonderful, it's so light but I must admit, I am most taken with the smell - it's amazing! A combo of citrus fruits, accented with apricot, jasmine and musk - yum!
Biotherm Aquasource Nuit - 50ml - $48 - a high density hydrating jelly good for all skin types that contains revolutionary skin care technology to specifically address the overnight hydration needs of women. Concentrated in Mannose, Thermal Plankton Cellular Water and P. Antarctica, a micro-organism that has the unique ability to retain water to help replenish skin’s water reserves. Upon wakening, the skin looks beautiful and more luminous, day after day. If nothing else I'm going to have to try it for the smell - it's amazing! A combo of citrus fruits, accented with Apricot, Jasmine and Musk - yum! I also like how light the jelly is, very unlike the usual heavy night-cream deal!
Biotherm Aquasource Nuit - 50ml - $48 - a high density hydrating jelly good for all skin types that contains revolutionary skin care technology to specifically address the overnight hydration needs of women. Concentrated in Mannose, Thermal Plankton Cellular Water and P. Antarctica, a micro-organism that has the unique ability to retain water to help replenish skin’s water reserves. Upon wakening, the skin looks beautiful and more luminous, day after day. If nothing else I'm going to have to try it for the smell - it's amazing! A combo of citrus fruits, accented with Apricot, Jasmine and Musk - yum! I also like how light the jelly is, very unlike the usual heavy night-cream deal!
Mary Kay Timewise Night Restore & Recover Complex - 30ml - $40 - an advanced age fighter that works with your skin’s natural cycle to recover from the day’s damage: it activates collagen production, targets the skin matrix, helps skin recover from daily damage and restores the skin barrier so you can wake up to younger-looking skin. Also available in a formula for normal/dry skin.

Available exclusively from your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant - find one at www.marykay.ca

A night cream is one of the easiest and best things you can add to your beauty routine if you aren't already using one - your skin is just hanging out all night wanting to work hard to recover from the days stresses and it can really use and so appreciates the helpful ingredients that you feed it at night!

Are you a night cream lover and if so, tell us about your fave!

- Lisamarie -

Eye Love Wednesday - eye pencils that make life easier from Sue Devitt and Marcelle!

Sue Devitt Eye Illuminator Pencil - $30 - Intensify your own eye color naturally with this water resistant pencil with  its rich shades and velvety formulation it glides on extra smoothly for a fool-proof application. Ceramide 2, Hyaluronic Filling Spheres and Nylon-12 anti-aging ingredients lock in moisture and expand and contract with facial movements without creasing to create a long-lasting, luminous eye. It can be applied along the base of the eyelid and bottom lash line for an intense smoky look or used all over the lid for effortless shadowing.

Available in Canada at Pir Cosmetics and in the States at www.suedevittbeauty.com
Marcelle Lux Cream Eye Shadow + Liner - $13.95  - in 8 shades: Enchantmint - mint green; Wisteria - purple; Ballerina - pink; Vanilla Ice - cream; Sunstone - golden; Taupe du Jour - taupe; Sea Breeze - green blue; and Cloud-9 - blue - one side offers waterproof, smudge-proof, transfer-proof and crease resistant colour that will last you 9+ hours! With a formula is creamy and glides on without tugging at your eyelids which also makes it perfect for lining. On the other end is a blending sponge to help smudge the line or blend the shadow.

Available in store or online at www.marcelle.com.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... mark. All the Highlights Soft Glow Illuminator!

Knowing how much of a packaging whore I am, it will hardly be surprising to you that I love this new palette - mark. All the Highlights Soft Glow Illuminator - $20 - great for any skintone, you can swirl a brush over the whole thing for an all over glow or use the shades individually on lids and/or cheekbones.

If you're fair, I will recommend that you avoid the bottom strip for the all over thing, I thought it gave my light skin a bit of a muddy look - it's a great eyeshadow wash though! That's if you can stand to sully the palette of course...

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

- Lisamarie -

February 28, 2012

Quo Emerald Skies Spring 2012

This pretty collection spans the colour spectrum with soft medium tones, a splash of cool pastels, easy, chic pinks and natural shades, all housed in stunning, precious-stone inspired packaging.

Face Palette - $20 - to help create a glowing spring look, each palette houses two blush shades and a complementary bronzer that soothes and moisturizes skin with jojoba seed and apricot seed oil, aloe vera and chamomile extracts. Shades include: New Edge and Force of Nature.

Eye Shadow Trio - $15 - housed in a jade-inspired palette, these complementary eye shadow trios contain vitamin E, jojoba seed oil, aloe vera extract, chamomile and apricot kernel oil. Shades include: Earth Rituals, Aurora Borealis, Aquarelle and Soft Alternative.

Lipstick - $15 - with aloe extract and Vitamin E for smooth kissable spring lips. In shades of Harmony and Oasis.

Lip Gloss - $12 - Add some shine to spring beauty looks with one of the best glosses on the market, the gloss contains nourishing aloe and vitamin E. Shades include: Tulle, Dessert, Flashy and Iris.

Quo After the Monsoon Brush Collection - $60 - This limited-edition set comes with 10 brushes and a unique brush roll that features removable storage, to help protect and store brushes. Collection includes the following brushes: powder, blush, foundation, concealer, lip, liner/brow, crease blender, all over shadow, definer shadow and shadow smudger.

Available now at Shoppers Drug Mart.

- Lisamarie -

MAC & Marcel Wanders

MAC has teamed up once again with Amsterdam-based, globally renowned, industrial designer Marcel Wanders to bring you the second incarnation of MAC & Marcel Wanders. This limited-edition colour collection features his wonderfully sophisticated, attention-grabbing aesthetic. The Dutch design dynamo’s antique-meets-modern cult-collectible packaging returns an ultra-sleek chrome finish.

Air Of Style - $48

MAC & Marcel Wanders Brush Clutch - $96

Sheer Mystery Powder - $72
Light Medium Pale Ivory
Medium Plus Tan Beige

MAC & Marcel Wanders Lipstick - $26.50
Annelie - soft peachy beige with pearl (frost)
Annemiek - soft neutral pink with pearl (frost)
Felicienne - dirty mauve with pearl (frost)
Inez - plum with gold pearl (frost)

MAC & Marcel Wanders Lip Gloss
- $26.50
Jana - creamy beige with gold pearl (frost)
Julia - light blue pink with pearl (frost)
Karin  - pink-mauve with pearl (frost)
Kim - dirty plum with pearl (frost)

False Lashes Mascara - $21.50
False Black - black

MAC & Marcel Wanders Brush - $96

Available March 1st at MAC counters and online at www.maccosmetics.com

- Lisamarie -

Smell my fingers! Scented nail polish polish swatches - Sephora by OPI It's My Pink and Dior Forget-Me-Not!

Scented nail polish - gimmicky? Maybe, but I don't care - beauty is supposed to be fun and what could be more fun then accosting random people on the street and making them smell my fingernails!?
Part of the Sephora by OPI Betsey Johnson collection - It's My Pink - scented with Betsey's Too Too fragrance. The colour is gorgeous and the scent is apparent and really lasts! I was expecting to be able to smell it right after I painted my nails but not much past that - I could actually still smell it the next day - by the end of day 2 it was gone, so don't worry you are stuck with it if the thought doesn't amuse you!
Part of the Dior Garden Party Spring 2012 collection - Forget-Me-Not - scented with rose vapours. The scent from this one didn't last much past the painting process - it was gone in a few hours - great colour though!

What are your thoughts on scented polish - too gimmicky or too fun?

- Lisamarie -

February 27, 2012

Mascara Monday - Divaderme MascaraDiva and LashExtender

Divaderme MascaraDiva - $20 - Divaderme LashExtender - $29 - adds hundreds of tiny fibres to your lashes to achieve a similar effect to that of false lashes. It's pretty easy to use - you just apply your mascara and while it's still wet you apply the LashExtender and after that another coat of mascara to seal the fibres - go crazy and apply a second coat of LashExtender and mascara for a super dramatic look! Available at Trade Secrets - www.tradesecrets.ca

Unlike some fibre products - these fibres are dark, not white which I think is a much better idea. But let me tell you - and I'll freely admit the problem could be spastic me, but this product makes a hell of a mess. I could not figure out a way to use it without fibre fall-out all over my cheeks. It's not a huge deal, it brushes away easily enough but I think in the future, I will apply foundation after using the LashExtender for easier clean up! Also, learn from my mistake, my first instinct was to blow up on my face like you do when your hair is in your eyes to get rid of the rogue fibres - this is a bad, bad, bad idea - all it does is blow little fibres into your eyes and you do not want them in your eyes, they ouch!

Once the LashExtender was on and coated with the mascara I found very little fall out - by the end of the day I might have a fallen fibre here and there but overall I am impressed with this fibre product. And while I am sure the makers would like you to buy the mascara and the fibres but if you are skint I don't see any reason not to just buy the LashExtender and use it with your own mascara!
Naked on the right - one coat of LashExtender on the left
Two coats of Lash Extender on each eye - it really does give a feathery kind of effect like falsies do!
The second coat on the left was done later when everything was dry and as you can see it's clumpier than the right which was done all at once - so if you are going to do multiple coats it seems to go smoother if you don't wait too long inbetween!

- Lisamarie -

Lancôme, Banana Republic and Trump International Hotel want you to get out of the house and do some shopping!


For a second consecutive year, Lancôme is celebrating women by supporting 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.
 
Lancôme will donate $7 for every Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate sold at Lancôme counters in Canada or at lancome.ca between March 1st and 14th. The suggested retail prices for Génifique Youth Activating Concentrate are $95 for 30 ML, $125 for 50 ML and $155 for 75ml.
 
Moreover, Lancôme extends this initiative with social media by donating $1 to Look Good Feel Better for every new fan of the Lancôme Canada Facebook page and $1 every time a fan shares the Lancôme Celebrates Women application to their network between March 1st and
14th. www.facebook.com/lancomecanada
 
Lancôme has pledged to donate a minimum of $10,000 to Look Good Feel Better to celebrate International Women’s Day!
 
Banana Republic’s latest Mad Men collection will be in stores across Canada March 1 - however you can enjoy a sneak peek at their Mad Men launch event at Yorkdale Mall on Wed. Feb. 29 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Get chic 60s style with a ‘How to Get Mad Style’ presentation (6:30 p.m.) from noted expert Tammy Palmer, makeup artists demo the perfect red lip and winged eye liner, retro cocktails, appetizers and more. 
Trump International Hotel & Tower Toronto is teaming with leading luxury jeweler Birks to create exclusive shopping experiences for its guests. The partnership, in conjunction with Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, underscores the newly opened hotel’s promise to set a new standard of luxury on the Toronto hospitality scene. 

Launching the program is a special “Warm Your Heart” romantic getaway offer.  The package is an ideal surprise for a very special someone and includes:

- Option of one or two nights in a luxurious one-bedroom suite with champagne, bouquet of roses and personalized note waiting in-room 
- A private VIP shopping experience at Birks’ flagship boutique, located at 55 Bloor Street West in Toronto, to redeem a $1,500 CAD gift certificate towards a special piece of Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry.  For example, the 18k rose gold mother of pearl cocktail ring, pictured above, is a stunning piece,, valued at $1,995 CAD and the perfect gift for your favourite blogger.
- Complimentary set of champagne flutes from the Birks Living Collection (valued at $120 CAD) 
- 4 PM late check-out to linger a little longer

Priced starting at $1,795 CAD for one night and $2,195 CAD for two nights, the Warm Your Heart package will be offered throughout 2012 and is subject to availability. 

Trump Toronto guests will also enjoy invitations to exclusive, in-store events on an ongoing basis at Birks, whose closest store is just a five minute walk from the hotel.  On arrival at the store, they will be treated to a welcome glass of champagne, and will have access to a private lounge for discreet shopping. In addition, jewelry orders will be delivered complimentary to the hotel.

Reservations can be made at www.TrumpTorontoHotel.com or by calling (855) 88-TRUMP (87867).

- Lisamarie -

MAC Chen Man

Chen Man, the star of the Chinese fashion photography world, has created a bold, sensual and lyrical MAC collaboration that is inspired by her fascination with love and water.

Beauty Powder - $27.50
Play It Proper - pastel soft pink with sparkles
Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo - $24
Supersweet Duo - half bronze, pink, gold melange/half solid golden pink - frost
Pink Union Duo - half taupe, lavender, brown melange/half solid dark violet - frost
Love Cycle Duo - half light blue, white, dark blue melange/half solid dark royal blue - frost
Mascara - $18
Zoom Fast Black Lash - carbon black
Fluid Line - $18
Blacktrack - solid flat black
Waveline - navy blue with low level gold pearl
Reflects Glitter - $24
Reflects Blue - sparkling blue
Pigment - $24
Naval Blue - deep smoky blue
Brow Set - $18
Clear
Brush - $23.50
208 Angled Brow
Lipstick - $17.50
Budding Love - pale lavender - lustre
Force of Love - vivid honeysuckle pink - matte
Lipglass - $17.50
Budding Love - pale lavender
Force of Love - vivid honeysuckle pink
Gloss - $23
Clear

Nail Lacquer - $19
Breezy Blue - dark blue
Pinkly Fresh - mid-tone blue pink

Available March 1st at all MAC counters and online at www.maccosmetics.com - with all this pink and blue, I am looking forward to seeing this collection in person!

- Lisamarie -

February 25, 2012

Environmental Defence's Eco-Beauty Market - going natural no longer means aschewing deodorant or smelling like patchouli!

Environmental Defence is a Canadian environmental action organization whose aim is to challenge and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all.

They recently held their first eco-beauty market where you could sample and shop green cosmetic, skincare and hair care products as well as bring in your old toxic products for safe disposal.

More than 12 companies and retailers participated - some of which I already knew about and loved - Consonant and Green Beaver come to mind as well as a bunch that were new to me and I enjoyed discovering! Proceeds went to support Environmental Denfence's Just Beautiful campaign - which aims to eliminate the toxic ten worst ingredients found in personal care products - for more info check out the website at: www.justbeautiful.ca

Now enjoy some of my new finds from the market: 

worldPRODUCTS is a plant-based luxury line which contains no artificial colour or fragrance and no sodium lauryl sulphate or parabens, and is designed to cleanse and moisturize the whole body. Each product can be used interchangeably on both skin and hair, with the option of adding a blend of 100% organic essential oils according to each user’s choice. This concept helps to eliminate the number of products an individual needs for everyday hair and skin care, and alleviates the proliferation of non-biodegradable plastic bottles normally required for multiple beauty products.
worldPRODUCT Hair & Body Pomade - 56.7g - $19 - is made of Beeswax which provides hold to the hair and organic Jojoba oil which offers shine. As well, it can also be used for deep reaching relief of severely dried out skin.

Check it out the line at: http://world.ca/products
Awaken My Senses Organics make all of their products from certified organic or wildcrafted ingredients sourced from fair trade suppliers with no fillers or artificial chemicals of any kind - handmade fresh and shipped within one week of manufacture.
Rose Hydrating Mist - 120ml - $20 - is calming, cooling and soothing to the skin. The Rose is well known for its ability to retain moisture and this unique property is passed along in both rose oil and rose water to leave your skin feeling luxuriously hydrated - not to mention, it smells amazing!

Check out their website for more info and to order: www.awakenmysenses.com 
Cocoon Apothecary offers all the good things like: natural, vegan, biodegradable ingredients, antimicrobials for better health, antioxidants to slow the effects of aging, 100% organic essential oils and no artificial fragrances or colours. And yet still amuse me with their product names: Rosey Cheeks (face cream), Eyewaken (eye cream) and (shown)
Touchy Feely Organic Body Lotion - 240ml - $21- oils of lavender and rosemary make it smell great, is anti-bacterial, perfect for irritated skin and contains olive oil for your dry skin woes.

For more info about the line, where to buy or to order online, check out: www.organicskin.ca
Great environmentally-friendly beauty can be hard to find especially if you don't live in a big city - but not anymore thanks to Green Beauty.ca. They carry great lines like Butter LONDON, Consonant, Soya Boutique and one I'm particularly excited to find a Canadian source for again - Vapour Organic Beauty!
Vapour Organic Beauty Aura Multi Use Blush - $28 - a great cream blush that can also be used on the lips and eyes. Made with 70% certified organic ingredients, 30% minerals and vitamins and is 100% natural and chemical free

Check out all of the lines they carry and order at: www.greenbeauty.ca
L and S Soap Series is the place to go for 100% natural handmade soaps and body products. They use herbs, spices, ground leaves and roots to offer many interesting colours and values and only high integrity essential oils for a clean, fresh and pure scent. I especially love the smell of the:
Peppermint Body Bar - 115g - $5 - created with base oils of olive, canola and coconut. The lather is soft and creamy with loose and quick-forming but stable bubbles. Scented with peppermint oil obviously.

More info including where to buy can be found at: www.landssoapseries.com

It is certainly nice the way there are so many more choices for natural, green and organic products these days - is there any that you have discovered that we should know about?

- Lisamarie -

25/02/12 - Link Love

Beautifully Addicted To.... shows you how to create Galaxy Nails.

Musicalhouses takes a look at Benefit's latest boxed blush offering, Benefit Hervana!

Tigers get frisky on Valentine's Day as Addicted to Beauty enjoys London Zoo's viral campaign.

At Musing on Beauty, Mariella tries two of the Edward Bess Quad Royale and is positively surprised!

Dry skin got you down? Kajal Couture lets you in on an AMAZING new body moisturizer collection from Burts Bees.

Beautywoome's response to the Kate Upton's Sports Illustrated cover is thatreal boobs have rights too!

Valentine's Day may be over, but here at My Funny Valentine, we love pink lippies all year round!

The Pink Sith has found yet another TAUPE eyeshadow to drool over. This time it's Rouge Bunny Rouge Loose Glitter Pigment in Caress Of Mink!

Curious about the new NARS Cosmetics Spring Collection? Check out Krasey Beauty's swatches and review!

Lisamarie from Beauty Crazed would like to escape the cold weather for a resort. But, since that's not happening, she's brought it to her fingers with the essie Resort Collection! Check it out and see if it brings you warm thoughts too!

Looking for the ultimate baby pink lipstick? Amy Antoinette reviews Clarins Joli Rouge Baby Pink Lipstick.

At theNotice, Rae takes you through the BB Breakdown, with bare-faced (!) and full-face swatch comparisons of Garnier and Marcelle's BB Cream offerings.

Tracy at Beauty Reflections shares her secret beauty habit and wants to know yours!

Has Pammy Blogs Beauty discovered a new Holy Grail eye shadow? Check out her review of L'Oreal's new 24 hour Infallible Eye Shadow in Iced Latte.

Phyrra debuts her first video tutorial of the year, a vibrant sapphire blue look with Makeup Geek & Sugarpill.

The Beauty Spotlight Team Makeup Bag Spotlight - Beauty Info Zone

Check out the 'regulars' as well as the 'guest stars' in Lisa's Mystery Makeup Bag from Beauty Info Zone!

http://beautyinfozone.com/armani/mystery-make-up-bag-whats-inside-lisas-bag/

February 24, 2012

Glow on with Benefit, TIGI, Physician's Formula and GOSH - swatches!

One of the easiest things you can do to perk up tired looking skin and give yourself a bit of an instant facelift is to add a rosy flush to the apples of your cheeks. If you go with a shade that's not too dramatic, you don't even need to mess around with a lot of blending so it's super quick too! Here are a few that I'm loving right now:

Benefit Hervana - $36 - with four shades: lucky shell, divine peach, heavenly rose & berry delight that blend together perfectly for a heavenly flush. Just swirl your brush in the palette and apply!
Hervana
TIGI Glow Blush - $20 - In 4 shades: Brilliance, Haute, Lovely & Awaken. has a mineral baked formula that offers a great glowing effect and can be used wet or dry and double as an eyeshadow. Contains ginseng, chamomile and green tea. Available at selected salons and Trade Secret stores.
Brilliance
Physicians Formula Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush - $15.99 - now available in 4 shades: Pink, Warm, Rose and Natural - a colourful palette of complementary colours which blend together to deliver a cheerful pop of colour and soft iridescence - can be used to highlight, contour and add radiance as well as a Violet scent meant to provide you with a feeling of joy each time you apply.
Rose
GOSH Natural Blush - $16 - in 2 new shades: Melon and Flower Power - with a smooth, light texture from a unique blend of micro-fine colour saturated powder particles that result in a flawless silky, natural finish. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart.
Flower Power

Are you a regular blush wearer or are you like me and forget and then wonder why you look so tired all the time!? I'm going to try very hard from now on to remember to slap a bit on, since these ones take almost no effort, I really have no excuse!

- Lisamarie -