The wait is over - Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Inspired By Carmindy arrives at Shoppers Drug Mart!

You may have noticed that a new line has appeared at your local Shoppers thanks to Sally Hansen and Carmindy - who was in Toronto recently to launch it!  I'm a Carmindy fan from way back and have always admired her style on What Not To Wear - I like that she never tries to force a complicated makeup routine on someone who normally wears no or minimal makeup which I'm sure was the inspiration for her 5 minute face. The line includes all of the products that you need to achieve your own 5 minute face:

Airbrush Spray Makeup - $21- in 4 shades - the paraben free formula delivers an "airbrushed" effect to even out skin tone and visibly diminish the appearance of fine lines and skin irregularities. Contains cork oak and nourishing olive extracts to nourish skin and boost radiance while vitamin A provides antioxidant protection.

Fast Fix Concealer - $12 - in 3 shades - effortlessly conceals dark circles, flaws and fatigue without caking or sheering out when blended. Contains sunflower seed oil, mango butter and papaya and lemon extracts to smooth and revitalize skin. The formula also comes in 2 specialty colours: yellow to neutralize and diminish dark areas, redness and discolouration; and pink as an all-over brightener that adds lightness to dark areas.
Truly Translucent Powder - $19 - in 3 shades - ultra-fine loose powder with micronized colour provides skin-perfecting coverage with a seamless, naturally translucent finish. With emollient papaya extract to help restore suppleness while bamboo powder helps absorb oil.  

Natural Powder Blush - $14 - in 3 shades - ultra-blendable, natural veil of colour that is long lasting, buildable and colour true with a formula that adapts to complement natural skin tone.  With papaya extract to nourish skin, bamboo powder to absorb oil and pomegranate for antioxidant protection. Natural Highlighter - $13 - in 2 shades: Pink Lust or Gold Luster - a weightless creamy texture creates a soft iridescence that makes skin glow with the look of health and vitality. Formulated with safflower, moisturizing shea butter and vitamins A & E.
Forever Stay Eye Pencil - $11 - in 3 shades - with an easy glide, long wear, waterproof formula. Formulated with cornstarch and moisturizing glycerin, they are fragrance and paraben free.
Lift and Define Mascara - $14 - in 2 shades - coats lashes from base to tip for superior lift and definition with a self-building, customizable formula that goes from natural to dramatic in just a few strokes and a tapered brush that reaches even the tiniest hidden lashes. Contains pantheol, keratin and wheat proteins to condition lashes and help prevent lash fall-out and dryness.

Forever Stay Moisture Gloss - $12 - in 12 shades - with a moisturizing formula that saturates lips with stay true colour, keeping them soft and smooth for up to 6 hours. Paraben free with kokum butter, grapefruit extract and jojoba oil.

Need help with yours, there's even an app for that! It allows you to create you own custom profile with skin tone, hair and eye colour, chose your favourite looks and learn Carmindy's wonderful and easy makeup techniques!  Available for iPhone and iPod Touch.

Also available in the line:
Luminizing Face Primer - $19
Your Skin Makeup - $19
Luminous Matte Pressed Powder - $19
Sheerest Cream Blush - $14
Sun Glow Powder Bronzer - $14
Fast Fix Eye Shadow Base - $11
Instant Definition Eye Shadow Palette - $12

Available at select Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharmaprix stores. You can also find some of the items as well as some really nice sets at The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com

I still love What Not To Wear - but I miss something that Carmindy used to do when the show first started - remember when she used to go through the participant's makeup bag and tell her what was wrong with everything she was using? I loved that!

Have you seen the new line and what do you think of it?

- Lisamarie -

Want a shot at becoming head make up artist for Dracula the Musical? Read on my friends...

If you are a make up artist looking to break into the world of film, Make Up For Ever has the coolest contest ever starting today! It's open to aspiring and pro artists so take your shot at a dream gig!

To celebrate the debut of famed French choreographer Kamel Ouali’s production of DRACULA L’Amour Plus Fort Que La Mort, MAKE UP FOR EVER has partnered with Bram Productions to host an international make up artist competition.  One lucky artist will win the coveted position of head make up artist for DRACULA, and help design the make up looks for the musical’s entire cast.  The contest is open to both professional and aspiring make up artists, as well as artists in other fields who embrace creativity and individuality.

HOW TO ENTER

Artists must design two make up looks, one day time look and one night time look, that each embody the theme and concept of Dracula.  Each look should be created on a live model, and then photographed.  To enter the contest, contestants can submit the photos of their two creations on www.draculalespectacle.com through December 20^th.  beginning December 1

SELECTION PROCESS

Contestants will be judged based on their creativity, originality and the quality of their designs by Kamel Ouali, Dany Sanz and a panel of industry professionals. 

10 artists will be chosen to compete in the final challenge, which will be held in Paris on January 10^th, 2011.  Nine of the 10 finalists will be selected by the panel of judges, and one additional finalist will chosen by the general public.  Consumers all over the world can vote for their favorite artist from December 21^st to 30^th at www.draculalespectacle.com. 

As noted in the rules and regulations, all semi-finalists will be responsible for their own travel to and accommodations in Paris for the final challenge.  The grand prize winner will be announced on January 14^th, 2011.

PRIZES

§  Grand Prize:  Contract with Bram Productions to become head make up artist for Kamal Ouali’s upcoming production of DRACULA L’Amour Plus Fort Que La Mort in Paris.

§  2^nd Prize:  A nine month training course at the prestigious MAKE UP FOR EVER ACADEMY in Paris worth 6,880 Euros, or MAKE UP FOR EVER product valued at the same amount.

§  3^rd Prize:  An intensive two week training course at the MAKE UP FOR EVER ACADEMY in   Paris worth 2,000 Euros, or MAKE UP FOR EVER product valued at the same amount.

More information and full contest rules are available at www.draculalespectacle.com and www.makeupforever.com

Let us know if you enter, we will be sure to go vote for you!

- Lisamarie -

Karen Scott Cosmetics has a way to make you beautiful in five minutes!

If you are a LA girl, you probably already know about Karen Scott and Salon Republic where eyebrows are tamed, faces are transformed with makeup and the cosmetic scholar can even receive a makeup lesson!  If you do live nearby and haven't been in to see Karen, I'm told that she can transform your life (and take years off) with the perfect arch!  You can find her at:  Salon Republic, 9911 Pico Boulevard, Suite 200 W, Studio 21, Los Angeles, CA  90035 and call for an appointment at 310-553-5126.

Those of us in colder parts of the world can take some solace that Karen Scott now has a cosmetics line that the rest of us can get our hands on!

It's the kind of line that will appeal to those that like to perfect an easy and flawless look that will enhance your natural beauty and not drown it out with a lot of bright colours!  The winners for me from the line are the concealer (it magically covers everything, even my too much TIFF partying dark circles) and the Tawny Eye/Face Color (pictured left) - it gives my pale skin a natural looking glow and is the perfect eyeshadow wash for that "there, but not there" look!  These two products are part of her easy 5 minute look which she has been kind enough to share with us.  What I really like about this routine is it is a super quick way to get a polished look for work when I oversleep and also easy to glam up by adding a red gloss and a little colour on the lids!

Cover, Touch, Set & Go!

* Apply Blemish Capillary Concealer sparingly on redness and or blemishes.

* Blend with wet sponge until blended evenly into skin.

* Dust Tawny Eye/Face Color all over face using Kabuki Brush.

* Apply more to the apples of the cheeks and dust on eyelids too.

* Brush brows with clear brow gel.

* Apply lip gloss.

* Add 1-2 coats of your favorite mascara.

* Have yourself a beautiful day!

You can check out the entire Karen Scott Cosmetics line on her website at www.karenscottcosmetics.com

- Lisamarie -