MAC Magnetic Nude Collection

Glimmering metallics and natural nudes redefine winter opulence with MAC's newest collection - if you're looking for a little shimmer and shine in your life to beat the winter blues then check out Magnetic Nude!

Extra Dimension Eye Shadow - $22.50
A Natural Flirt - iridescent light pink (metallic)
Sweet Heat - soft peach pink (metallic)
Platinum Love - bright clean silver (metallic)
Amorous Alloy - deep terracotta copper (metallic)
Silver Dawn - dirty grey mauve (metallic)

Fluidline - $19
Chilled - frosted white gold (pearl)
It's Physical - brown with purple pearl (pearl)
Our Secret - metallic brown with red pearl (pearl)

Opulash Mascara - $19
Bad, Bad Black

Lipstick - $18
Close Contact - creamy peach (amplified)
Sensual Sparks - dirty cool caramel (amplified)
Carnal Instinct - deep brick red with gold pearl (frost)
Morning Rose - soft cool rose (cremesheen)

Lipglass - $18
A Quiet Roar - creamy off white
Oh My Darling - pale yellow pink
Overspiced - dirty muted coral
Hell Bound - brick red with gold pearl
Steel Kiss - dirty mauve with green pearl

Extra Dimension Blush - $29.50
At Dusk - dirty cool pink (satin)
Autoerotique - dirty coral rose (satin)
Pleasure Model - soft terracotta with pearl (satin)

Extra Dimension Skinfinish - $55
Superb - sot peachy nude with multidimensional shimmer
Magnetic Appeal - medium tan with fine gold sheen
Fairly Precious - peach with dimensional pearly green

128 Split Fibre Cheek Brush - $42
255 Split Fibre All Over Eye Brush - $38.50

Available at MAC counters across North American and online at www.maccosmetics.com.

- Lisamarie -

Blonde hair has more fun with Schwarzkopf Professional Blondme!

Whether it's the finer hair of natural blondes or the chemically damaged blonde hair from a bottle, blonde hair needs more loving care than darker shades of hair. 

Since the colour is more prone to looking dull it makes sense to use products especially meant to keep things vibrant and the Schwarzkopf Professional Blondme collection has it covered with:

Illumi Lights Shampoo - 250ml - $16.25 - daily cleansing shampoo infused with keratin and silkpowder extract for highlighted blonde hair to selectively protect and activate them to restore their vibrancy in between salon visits.

Blonde Brilliance Shampoo - 250ml - $16.25 - a tone cleansing shampoo with colour reviving pigments to enhance blonde tones to improve clarity and richness - available in cool-ice and warm-caramel.

Blonde Brilliance Conditioner - 200ml - $17.25 - intensely conditions and detangles hair, ensuring easy hair comb-ability and reducing flyaways for all blonde hair types.

Blonde Brilliance Intense Treatment - 200ml - $25.50 - a rich and intense mask with extra keratin that repairs the inner hair structure and provides intense hair strength, elasticity and vitality for all blonde hair types.

Volume Miracle Cream - 150ml - $19.95 - with an amplifying effect that builds up the hair structure, adding maximum volume and strength that can be used before blow drying.

Glorious Hold Hairspray - 300ml - $17.95 - with flexible hold that allows you to style and restyle if needed as well as offers 24 hour humidity protection and UV filters protect against colour fade.

Shine Magnifying Spray - 200ml - $19.95 - a light, fine, leave-in mist that provides an instant drying high-gloss finish.

Available at Schwarzkopf Professional partner salons across Canada - go to:
www.schwarzkopf-professional.ca to find one near you.

- Lisamarie -

Nicole by OPI and Carrie Underwood collection - with pastel swatches!

Nicole by OPI is launching a new collection inspired by Carrie Underwood in a variety of colours and finishes. The shades are meant to encapsulate her soulful spirit and showcase different facets of her personality.

Available January for $10.99 each at Shoppers Drug Mart, Target, Walmart, Jean Coutu, London Drugs and Loblaws.

There are 14 shades in the collection so be sure to also catch up on the dark shades and the glitter shades from the past couple of weeks!

Southern Charm - charming nude

Sweet Daisy - peach blossom

Love My Pups - sweet pink

Carnival Cotton Candy - spun sugar pink

Color Me Country - hot pink

Some Hearts - romantic coral

The one thing I found about the pastel shades compared to the glitter and dark shades, they took 3 coats for even coverage so be prepared to spend a little more drying time with these!

- Lisamarie -

Mascara Monday - Hard Candy Flat to Fab Lash Building Mascara

Hard Candy Flat to Fab Lash Building Mascara - $7 - create dramatic volume and curl with this long wearing instant curling and volumizing mascara with a formula that is smudge-proof and clump free.

Available exclusively at Walmart.

The brush is really big so I expected it to be harder to use, especially for the bottom lashes but it actually is quite easy to handle and didn't mark up my skin.

It adds nice definition and a fringey, fluttery lash which I like but I wouldn't call it dramatic volume by any stretch...

and while it's not clumpy, I don't find it does much in the way of curling - I wouldn't throw away your lash curler for this one!

- Lisamarie -

Perk up winter pallor with a bronzer from Bourjois, Avon and Rimmel!

If the lack of sun has you looking a bit pasty and pale, it's time to break out the bronzer. You might want to try something different then your usual summer pick though, nothing looks faker then being too bronze in the winter so go with something lighter then your summer bronze, the best choice is something a shade or two deeper then your natural skin tone - here are a few natural choices:

Bourjois Bronzing Primer - $24 - with a light, velvety texture that smoothes, evens and mattifies the skin. Contains cocoa beans and orange blossom elixir for radiance, hydration and the added bonus of a yummy chocolate fragrance! With a universal bronzing shade that matches all complexions and that you can wear under foundation or on its own to perfect the skin.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Avon Marbleized Bronzer - $15 - in 3 shades: Glam Glow, Beach Glow and Natural Glow - with swirls of sun-kissed shades that blend together for a multi-dimensional glow.

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

Rimmel Natural Bronzer - $8.99 - in 5 shades: Sun Shine, Sun Glow, Sun Light, Sun Bronze and Sun Dance - for a warm, healthy glow year round with a soft, silky texture and an enhanced waterproof mineral formula to ensure a natural sun kissed glow all day long.

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

Winter Warriors - Bioderma Atoderm Levres Moisturizing Stick

Cold weather wreaking havoc with your lips? Then check out my newest, favouitest thing on my pucker:

Bioderma Atoderm Levres Moisturizing Stick - 4g - $6.95 - a paraben-free balm that brings new life to dry and damaged lips. With shea butter and vitamin E to protect and restore hydration to bring back softness and suppleness.

Best and worst thing about it though is the the raspberry scent - best because it smells wonderfully fruity, worst because it smells so good it makes me want to lick my lips!

Available at Murale and murale.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Stick your neck out with Dr Renaud, PCA Skin and Philosophy!

Laboratoire Dr Renaud Pure Neck & Decollete - 50ml - $51.95 - with a unique formulation that combines a lifting effect with a firming and anti-wrinkle action to remodel the neck, reduce a double chin and smooth the decollete for improvement of skin texture.

Contains Acetyl Tetrapeptide-9 - expert peptide, Centella Asiatica, Pea Extract, Glaucine, Calcium and Essential Nutriments. And free of parabens, alcohol, colourants, mineral oil or any toxic ingredients.

Available at spas and clinics across Canada - go to www.ldrenaud.com to find a location near you.

PCA Skin Perfecting Neck & Decollete - 85g - $75 - specifically formulated for the delicate skin on the neck and chest to improve laxity, wrinkling, hyperpigmentation and persistent redness and provides smoother and younger looking skin in as little as one to five weeks.

Contains Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 - to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5 - to stimulate collagen production to strengthen skin and minimize wrinkling; Vitis Vinifera Fruit Cell Extract - to protect epidermal stem cells from damage; Calcium Hydroxymethionine - fortifies and restructures thin, fragile skin; Niacinamide - minimizes hyperpigmentation, impaired barrier function, breakouts and skin redness; Rye Seed Extract - stimulates the synthesis of stress fibers to reduce laxity in the skin; and Vitamin A - promotes a clear complexion and an even skin tone.

Check out www.beautynext.com for details on where to purchase near you.

Philosophy Miracle Worker Miraculous Anti-Aging Neck and Decollete Cream - 60ml - $59 - a light and silky textured, targeted, anti-aging care for neck and decollete and is formulated to help improve the appearance of wrinkles as it supports collagen and improves elasticity for firmer looking skin. A nurturing blend of omega 3, 6 & 9 essential fatty acids deeply hydrates and smoothes skin while a multi-active form of vitamin C helps brighten and even skin tone.

Available at select Shoppers Drug Mart, Sephora and The Bay stores across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Powder your way to skin perfection with Kat Von D, Buff'd, GOSH, mark. and Maybelline!

Kat Von D Lock-It Powder Foundation - $41 - with a budge-proof, 24-hour formula and 17 shades including 5 shades of Light, 8 shades of Medium and 4 shades of Deep - that is buildable and evens out the complexion while hiding imperfections - all without the need for touch-ups. As well, it's smudge and sweat-proof and won’t cake or crease and the velvety texture wears with a breathable, light touch with a flawless, matte finish.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.

Buff'd Mineral Makeup - $20 -  available in a mind-blowing 68 shades of cools, neutrals, beiges, warms, goldens and olives and if you still can't find one to suit in all of those, they will even custom blend one for you.
Not only is there a choice of colour, you also choose the formula to suit you best: 

Original: a great full-coverage foundation with fantastic oil absorption and natural UV protection. ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, mica, iron oxides, ultramarines.

Light: specifically for those who prefer a lightweight foundation that still offers buildable coverage and great oil absorption. ingredients: mica, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxides, ultramarines.

Concealing: made with a touch of kaolin clay offering even better coverage with greater oil absorption. Ideal for those with combination to oily skin and a great spot concealer. ingredients: titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, iron oxides, kaolin clay, mica, ultramarines

And while I like a powder foundation a lot, I find this loose type very messy - I'm well aware that I'm a slob! So if you are likewise gifted, do yourself (and your bathroom counter) a favour and pick up a sifter jar at the beauty supply store - the mesh top keeps your brush from picking up too much powder and making a mess!

Can't decide on the best shade? Order a sample or two for $1.75 - or just need to refill your pot or have one of your own? A refill is only $12.80!

Available online at www.buffd.com.

GOSH BB Powder - $20 - available in 3 shades, it offers a flawlessly matte finish with a light moisturizing coverage and blends flawlessly with the original GOSH BB Cream or can be worn on its own for a more natural look.

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

mark. Great Finish Pressed Perfecting Powder - $14 - in 7 shades: Very Light, Light, Light Medium, Medium, Medium Dark, Dark and Deep - keeps shine under control with a lightweight formula that provides an instant, natural-looking finish that can be used over foundation or on its own.

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

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind The Perfector Skin-Smoothing Powder - $14.99 - in 4 shades: Fair, Light, Light/Medium and Medium - combines pressed powder and smoothing primer to resurface and perfect skin that won't cake or settle, while adding a touch of radiance for a younger looking skin instantly.

Available at drug and mass merchandisers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

MAC Punk Couture

MAC Punk Couture collection is dark, edgy and with a rebellious spirit - I'm undecided about the black glosses, but all in for the rest of it!

Eye Shadow x4 - $47.50
Punk Couture
All Races - cool light taupe-mauve (matte)
Magic Moor - rich blackened plum with pearl (veluxe pearl)
Idol Eyes - silvered violet with gold (lustre)
Carbon - intense black (matte)

Pigment - $25
True Chartreuse - flat, rich chartreuse green
Neo-Orange - intense neon salmon
Magenta Madness - intense neon blue-pink

Penultimate Eye Liner - $25
Rapidblack - true black

Eye Kohl - $19
Smolder - intense black

Haute & Naughty Too Black Lash - $25

Lipstick - $18
Studded Kiss - dark oxblood red (retro matte)
Instigator - deep blackened plum (retro matte)
Hautecore - true matte black (retro matte)
Punk Couture - deep blackened grape (retro matte)

Cremesheen Glass - $25
Jet Boy - sheer black with gold pearl
No Apologies - sheer black with pinkish purple pearl
Dark Outsider - creamy true black

Nail Lacquer - $19
Impassioned - bright warm pink (cream)
Formidable - teal green with pink multi-changing pearl (pearl)
Nocturnelle - black as night (cream)

Available now at MAC counters across Canada and online at www.maccosmetics.com.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Tristan elle and lui

Love your Tristan clothes? Now love your Tristan scents with their very first fragrances for both men and women!

Tristan elle - 50ml EDP - $55 - an elegant floral fragrance with modern twist with top notes of pink berries, lemon and pepper; heart notes are a multi-coloured mix of delicate and precious jasmine and magnolia; and base notes of white wood, musk an patchouli.

Tristan lui - 50ml EDP - $55 - was inspired by the opulence of high quality fabrics, leather and wood with a musky bouquet of cardamon, saffron and incense with a leather base note mixed with musk.

And while the women's is a little too floral to be to my taste, the men's is really nice - I'm not a big fan of male fragrances that smell so metro that women would be comfortable wearing them too - I like my men (yes, that's plural, I have a whole string of them) to smell manly, like they could pick me up and carry me out of a burning building or other such manly pursuits and the Tristan lui has me practically feeling the heat!

Available at Tristan stores across Canada and online at www.tristanstyle.com.

- Lisamarie -

Early signs of aging are banished with Artistry Youth Xtend!

The Artistry Youth Xtend skincare collection addresses the first visible signs of aging including fine lines and wrinkles, crow's feet and loss of skin clarity and radiance caused by UV exposure, free radical damage and lifestyle to help repair the appearance of past damage as well as protect it against future damage.

All thanks to: LifeSirt - derived from the Mediterranean myrtle plant to help revitalize the look of skin; Micro X-6 Peptide with six amino acids to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles while improving firmness and elasticity; and a nutrient-rich extract from the fruit of the African baobab tree along with acerola cherry extract and black currant extract to deliver protective antioxidants plus soothing and moisturizing benefits.

Available in the collection are:

Advanced Creamy Foam Cleanser - 125ml - $42
Advanced Softening Toner - 200ml - $45
Serum Concentrate - 30ml - $125
Enriching Eye Cream - 15ml - $75
Protecting Lotion - 50ml - $100
Enriching Cream - 50ml - $100

And while the Serum is the hero of the line, I have to say that my faves are the Creamy Foam Cleanser and Eye Cream. I like a thicker cleanser when the weather gets cold but creamy cleansers don't usually foam, which is something else I like in a cleanser - this one is creamy and foamy - perfect!

Available through an Amway Independent Business Owner or at Amway.ca/Artistry

- Lisamarie -

Shop The Body Shop and put an end to domestic violence!

Not only can you get some great deals at The Body Shop this week, but they will also be donating $1 from every purchase to charities that work towards ending violence against women in Canada from December 26-29th. The deals you can expect to see include: 

1.       Sale products up to 50% off (example: seasonal ranges and select gifts and discontinued products)

2.       Rest of store (excluding gifts) is buy 2 get 2 free
3.       Gifts 30% off  

By shopping you'll be supporting The Body Shop's Stop Violence Campaign which has been raising funds and awareness for the past 20 years. You might be surprised to know that during the holiday season, domestic violence is especially prevalent. On any given day during the holiday season, 3300 women and their 3000 children will be forced to sleep in emergency shelters to escape domestic violence.

 Doing good while shopping should be the real meaning of boxing day!

- Lisamarie -

Maybelline Color Elixir - with pretty in pink swatches!

Maybelline Color Elixir by Color Sensational - $10.99 - in 20 stunning shades: Enchanting Apricot, Mandarin Rapture, Signature Scarlet, Vision In Violet, Dashing Orchid, Amethyst Potion, Caviar Couture, Raspberry Rhapsody, Mauve Mystique, Intoxicating Spice, Caramel Infused, Nude Illusion, Glistening Amber, petal Push, Blush Essence, Rose Redefined, Celestial Coral, Captivating Carnation, Hibiscus Haven and Fuchsia Flourish.

The Elixir incorporates a unique double-phase technology formula that primes lips and delivers a perfect, smooth layer of colour that offers depth and gloss all at once. It also has a nifty, specially designed, leaf-shaped applicator to apply the creamy balm so that it clings to the lip surface, filling in fine lines to create a smooth canvas - while lightweight pigments in the formula float to the top along with gloss ingredients for high-impact colour with dimension and brilliant shine.

Breathtaking Apricot

Blush Essence

The texture is light and not at all sticky and I love the sweet scent. Because of the glossy formula though it doesn't have a lot of staying power, some of the colour remains after eating, drinking, making out,  but the shiny wears off pretty quick.

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Happy Holidays from Beauty Crazed!

It's that time of year again when we like to take a moment to thank all of our wonderful readers for putting up hanging out with us over the past year.

Here's hoping that your holiday season is calm and peaceful, unless you're hitting those boxing day sales in which case - remember to lead with your elbows!

- Lisamarie & Christelle -

Petite palettes for the eyes from Avon, mark., Mary Kay, bareMinerals and Sephora!

Avon Wrapped in Velvet Eyeshadow Palette - $12.99 - in a rich and warm collection - Crushed Velvet and smooth and cool colour collection - Velvet Smoke - each with 5 light to dark shades that include 4 plush shimmery shadows and 1 rich matte liner that can all be used wet or dry.

mark. Fab Five Eye Shadow Compact - $14 - with five earthy shades that are universally flattering and can be mixed and matched for unlimited looks. Formulated to blend easily over the skin.

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

Mary Kay at Play Just For Eyes Eyeshadow Palette - $12 - this limited edition set offers beautiful and lightweight shades to play up any eyes!

Available through your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant - if you don't have one you can find one at - www.marykay.ca or 1-866-455-5454.

bareMinerals Ready Eyeshadow 8.0 The Power Neutrals - $50 - in 8 powerful nudes: Boss Lady, Moneymaker, Schmooze, Boardroom, Exec, Payday, Magnate and Get Ahead - that combine a proprietary SeaNutritive Minera Complex composed of positively-charged, antioxidant-rich sea minerals with cold-pressed borage oil, caffeine, and cucumber—ingredients known to deliver anti-aging benefits including reduced appearance of puffiness for a softer, smoother, revitalized eye area. It looks like a powder but feels like a cream and delivers a beautifully smooth application of vivid color with 12-hour long-wear.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.

Sephora Event Entry Palette - $13 - features eight everyday shadows for a natural or sophisticated gaze. It can be used to create nude or smoky looks to suit every occasion with a variety of neutrals, shimmery browns, bright grays, and a smoky black. The entire palette is designed to be slipped into a pocket or purse for easy application anywhere.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Grapefruit greatness from Bliss!

I love all things grapefruit - and while I appreciate a tangy one, I especially love a sweet pink one like the kind found in:

Bliss Grapefruit + Aloe Soapy Suds Body Wash + Bubbling Bath - 473ml - $21 - a luxe lathering bath and shower gel that gently cleanses and conditions from head to toe while scenting your skin with an uplifting blend of fresh aloe and sweet, sun-kissed pink grapefruit.

Bliss Grapefruit + Aloe Body Butter - 200ml - $29 - has the same wonderful scent in a luxuriously rich creamy body moisturizer that delivers long-lasting, skin rejuvenating and lasting hydration with sodium hyaluronate.

Available at Sephora and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Nicole by OPI and Carrie Underwood collection - with dark swatches!

Nicole by OPI is launching a new collection inspired by Carrie Underwood in a variety of colours and finishes. The shades are meant to encapsulate her soulful spirit and showcase different facets of her personality.

Available January for $10.99 each at Shoppers Drug Mart, Target, Walmart, Jean Coutu, London Drugs and Loblaws.

Enjoy the dark shades from the collection, catch up on the glitter shades and check back next week for the pastel shades!

American As Apple Pie - classic red

Fisher Queen - deep, deep eggplant

Goodbye Shoes - gray green

Backstage Pass - brown with purple nuances

- Lisamarie -

Mascara Monday - MAC False Lashes Mascara

MAC False Lashes Mascara - $25 - formulated to create thick, long and full-feathered lashes, the iconic mascara adds colour - find it in: Plum Reserve - plum; Blue Charge - bright mid-tone blue; Counterfeit Brown - mauvey brown; Artificial Aubergine - eggplant - with an innovative double-lush brush that delivers just the right amount of pigment for a gorgeous, velvety finish.

Available at MAC counters and online at www.maccosmetics.com on December 26th.

I tried the Artificial Aubergine which looks quite colourful on the want but doesn't show up as anything weird on the lashes at all - colour is supposed to make my blue eyes look bluer but I don't see any difference from one eye to the other...

Love the formula which gives me the nice, fluttery lashes that are my fave

without any clumping!

- Lisamarie -