Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow...

It's with bittersweet feelings that I announce the farewell of my beloved blog, Makeup Junkie. It's hard to believe I started MJ 6 years ago. I can still remember sitting at my computer and publishing my first post and feeling bright-eyed and optimistic about belonging to the beauty blogging world. The countless people I've met, boxes and boxes of products I've tried, tested, and stashed, the awesome press mentions and the events I've been able to attend will forever be apart of my life and I am truly, truly, grateful.

Each and every one of you that I've met, become friends with, and conversed with virtually will remain near and dear to my heart always. It's been a blast being able to share my love of beauty with so many. Thank YOU the readers who take time out of your day to read this wee lil' blog. Without you, my addiction to makeup would seem pointless! I adore you and will be forever touched by the support you have given me over the years. Thank you to the many amazing PR reps who have generously fed my love of beauty products. Trust me, I will miss being able to try all the newest launches but even I know there comes a time when all good things must come to an end.

I had no idea where Makeup Junkie would take me or where I would take MJ, but that has been the fun of writing this blog. I feel like you've watched me grow from a young, wide-eyed beauty blogger girl and blossomed into this confident, drop-dead-sexy WO-MAN...NOT! Joking aside, I've definitely changed over the years which is why I've made the decision to close this chapter of my life. Why now at the start of a new year? It just feels right and I finally feel ready. It's crossed my mind over the last couple of years, but more so in the last month. I've decided to refocus my energy on spending more quality time with my husband and 2 boys and putting more time into my makeup career and other new ventures.

You'll still be able to catch me writing about beauty on my personal makeup artist blog, The Joy Of Makeup and on Glow Canada so do stop by and say "hi"! And I'll still be on Twitter so holla and follow me on Instagram - I finally ditched the Crackberry!

Again, many many thanks for sharing your beauty addictions with me and letting me share mine with you! Thank you for making my life richer and fuller. May 2013 and beyond bring you lots of love, happiness and very many pretty things! Farewell my Makeup Junkies!

Hugs,
Joy a.k.a. THE Makeup Junkie

It's A New Chapter For Makeup Junkie!

I'm changing things up on Makeup Junkie! You'll still be able to get a healthy dose of beauty reviews and beauty news, but I want to make it more personal. I want to share my beauty experiences through snap shots because photos tell stories and capture beautiful moments. I've gotten bored of my usual swatching and reviewing. The majority of the products either go into my kit or in my lovely storage bins. I have so many products, but only a handful actually make it on my face. I want to display my latest beauty loves in interesting ways other than on my hand. I've fallen into the vortex that is the ho-hum of life that even my makeup routine has become predictable (eww when did I become predictable?).

In the last few months, I've had a sudden surge of creativity. I haven't felt this way since before my first son was born 6 years ago! I forgot what an excited, emotional mess a creative person can be. I'm a makeup artist so one would naturally think being creative goes hand in hand. However, like life I was stuck in a rut.

Lately, I've become obsessed with photographs and design. I recently re-vamped the logos and banners for this site and the Joy of Makeup. I spend a lot of time reading tutorials and tinkering around in Photoshop (like making my own Polaroid effects - so fun!). I may not be a crafty DIY gal, but I make up for it graphically. I've also been sucked back into Pinterest. I had stopped "pinning" for months, but needed some creative inspirations for a few projects I'm working on. Pinterest is brilliant for creating story boards and also wasting A LOT of time. Well, it's time to put my ideas into action! 

The world around us is beautiful and tragic all in one. I'm so lucky to be able to see the world from the eyes of a 6 and 1 year old. Kids remind you to appreciate and enjoy the little things. They fall, shed a few tears, and quickly get back to exploring life with a smile on their face. A lesson to learn and live. Life is fleeting so I'm going to pick up my fantastically pedicured feet (DIY by the way) and start living life - in my prettiest shade of lipstick of course! I hope you'll stay a while and join me. ;)

Au Revoir Toronto! Bonjour Paris!

Jet-setting to Paris tonight to celebrate our 5 year wedding anniversary! This has been a dream of mine and I finally get to la vie en Paris! 

If you notice there are no new updates on Makeup Junkie for a couple of weeks it's because I'll probably be spending my time gorging on stinky cheese, baguettes, croissants and Laduree macarons! I'm going to try and post a few quick features on Parisian beauty and what I'm wearing but forgive me if I don't get around to it! I will for sure update you on Parisian beauty and fashion when I get back! But my inspiration is definitely effortless and all about lips!

Au revoir for now! 

xo

Makeup Junkie

A Big Makeup Junkie Thank You!

Where to begin! My last post I was still on bed rest. I still owe you a couple of posts on the beauty products I relied on to keep me looking pretty and sane in the hospital. Well, a lot has happened in 2 weeks. I am no longer on bed rest because my little buddy decided he didn't want to miss the summer and was born on June 11 just two days before his older bro's birthday!

Since he was born 8 weeks early, he's been in the hospital and is doing incredibly well. We're so grateful and fortunate that he has received the best care. I just want to thank my family, friends, blogger and makeup artist friends, and you the readers for your continued love and support! I am so overwhelmed by the messages I receive. Your kind and encouraging words have really gotten me through some tough moments and continue to inspire me to stay strong. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart and I love you all!

Hopefully, I will get back to blogging soon. I have so many hot summer collections to share with you and even some Fall ones! I hope you all are enjoying the summer! 

xo,

Joy

Blogging Hiatus

Hello my dear Makeup Junkies! Unfortunately, I'll only be updating my site on a minimal basis - the most once a week. Baby has decided that mommy needs to take a much needed rest and will be at the hospital on bed rest until baby arrives. It's not the most ideal situation but whatever will bring baby into this world healthy and strong! I was finally able to hook up the internet (thanks to my awesome hubby), but to keep charges down will update once a week.

I'll miss perusing my favourite beauty sites but can still connect with you via Twitter, Facebook, and email! Thank goodness for technology or else I would just go batty! For any urgent requests, please contact me via email.

Thank you for all the well wishes - I truly appreciate all the love and support. Baby and I are doing well so far and hopefully this good streak will continue! Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts! Muah!

Much love,
Joy xo

Beauty News: This Makeup Junkie Is In 24 Hours Today!

 

I'm thrilled to be in today's Toronto edition of 24 Hours! Check me out on page 22 talking about holiday beauty trends and Latisse, the first and only prescription eyelash growth treatment that is now available in Canada. In case you haven't heard, I am currently the beauty expert for Latisse and I've also been lucky enough to give this lash treatment a spin! It's only been a little over a month and I'm starting to see some growth and fullness.

If you're not familiar with Latisse it grows your natural lashes longer, fuller and darker. The results are significant as well! When I get a chance I will post some photos of my lash progress. Like the article says, if you try the product now you won't have lush lashes in time for your holiday parties. It takes 16 weeks to see full results. But hey, why not start the new year with long, beautiful lashes?? When you reach for your eyelash curler and mascara, it won't take much effort to get that flirty lash you've always wanted! Sounds good in my books! 

As with any cosmetic treatment, book an appointment with your physician to see if Latisse is right for you. Customers can only get this product with a prescription. Latisse has been clinically tested to safely and effectively grow your natural lashes. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me anytime!

To read the rest of the 24 Hour article click here. Thank you to Tanya Enberg for your fabulous write up! 

For information on doctors in your area that prescribe Latisse click here. For more information on Latisse visit

www.latisse.com.

This Makeup Junkie Gets Real...

I don't know if it's the time we're living in but everyone I know is going through something. In the last few weeks, I've heard it all from relationships crapping out, to losing out on job opportunities, to not feeling recognized. Through all this negativity I've witnessed my blogger and Twitter friends, some I've only known for less than a year, swoop in to save the day. Some gestures are big and some are small but nonetheless, these gestures have brought much needed positivity to whatever the situation is. I think it's pretty amazing. 

I really love being apart of a community that I share and have so much in common with. We go about our days, blogging away, not really grasping what we really are to each other. We can be so focused on numbers, beauty reviews, and events that sometimes we forget to take time getting to know the person behind the blog or brand. When we think of the perks of being a popular blogger, we think of free beauty products and exclusive event invites. But the true perks are connecting with other people on-line and in person.

I've always been a pretty positive person and not just because my name is Joy. Like everyone, I've gone through a lot of struggles so to get through life being positive is my only option (plus my son and hubs are so darn hilarious it's hard to stay sad). I always try to help or promote people wherever I can and even when it bites me in the butt, I try not to get jaded. Some may take my niceness as naivety or ass-kissing, but it's genuine. That's just who I am and I'm not going to apologize for it (ironic because I always say "sorry" - guess that's just the Canadian in me eh?). I've had those moments - and I'm sure you have too - when I feel like I've given all I can (especially if you're a parent!) and I just want to say "screw them!". Then it just starts to eat at me, because if you can help someone why wouldn't you? I'm not saying to not be cautious because there are some people that just want to use and abuse you. But if you really want to come out on top, be honest. The same goes for helping others - don't do it to get something in return.

Anyways, I'm going off on a tangent now! With so many social media platforms like Twitter & Facebook, trying to make it as a makeup artist or blogger (or whatever your career is) is a hustle and highly competitive. If you're a new blogger or makeup artist, don't let the growing numbers of either industry scare you off or keep you down. If you are a talented makeup artist and work hard at your craft, you will get noticed and succeed! The same goes for bloggers - try not to worry about numbers or let jealousy take over you (that goes for personal life too). Keep doing what you're doing and the opportunities will come. Write what you're passionate about and do it because you really love it - not because you want free products, to be famous, or go to cool events. What's great about the blogosphere is that each blog(ger) is unique and translates to each person in a different way. You can't win 'em all and not everyone will like you but that's life. The internet universe is pretty roomy so there's lots of space! 

What compelled me to write such a long, sometimes cheesy, maybe overly dramatic post (hey- I can say whatever I want. It's my blog! lol)? When I needed to vent, a few special peeps (you guys know who you are!) brightened my day. A comment that almost brought me to tears (or I'm pms'ing majorly) was when one mentioned that I helped her out this week and she wanted to return the love! My gesture was small I thought, but I never realized how much it meant to her. It's that moment I realized why helping others is worth it! You just never know when you'll change someone's life big or small, so don't forget to check in once in a while and show some love to your fellow bloggers, friends, and family (even when he/she doesn't deserve it! lol). And remember, rise above all the negativity and be the bigger person! And more great advice I got from another special peep - use the negativity as fuel to get where you want in life because that is the best revenge!

At the end of the day, it's not our jobs or our blogs that define who we are. It's how we do it. And I'm done. Thanks for listening! xo

Fall Trend 2010: Dewy Skin

Glow on girl! Dewy skin is back this season so all you shimmer junkies can rejoice. Back in the day, the word "dewy" was over-used and over-done. Dewiness this time around should be less wet or moist looking (bad choice of words?) and more glowy and radiant.

1. Shu Uemura Stage Performer Instant-Glow ($49 USD): Supermodel skin in a tube? Yes please! Inspired by the models' hectic schedules during fashion week, this beauty cream is designed to revive tired looking skin, enhance the finish of your makeup, and deliver a natural glow. It contains depsea water to improve skin's moisturizing ability and contains ginkgo leaf extract to fight oxidation. I've replaced my day cream with this one and kind of love it too much. Once it settles into the skin, I really notice a rosier glow and a more even skin tone. It definitely delivers instant results.

2. Benefit Girl Meets Pearl ($30 USD): Pearls don't just drape around your neck anymore. Meet Benefit's liquid pearls for your face! This lovely golden-pink highlighter is a light-weight cream used to give your skin that "lit-from-within" glow. Similar to Benefit's That Gal Brightening Primer (love), just twist the bottom and dab a little on where light would naturally hit you. To avoid a disco shine, keep it to the high plains of the cheekbones, inner corner of eyes, and a little down the nose - don't forget to really blend into the skin. You can wear over top of makeup or on bare skin. You'll also love the light sweet scent of raspberry!

Throughout the Fall, I'll be posting photos of me (yikes!) trying out the hottest trends. This is my version of the dewy trend. 

Skin:

Shu Uemura Stage Performer Instant Glow

CoverFX BritePrep FX

Benefit Erase Paste

tarte Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer

Benefit Girl Meets Pearl (cheekbones, down nose)

CoverFX Setting FX (dusted lightly over t-zone)

Cheeks:

Smashbox O-Glow Bronzer (contour)

M.A.C. The Soft Meow Mineralize Blush (Fabulous Felines Collection)

Eyes:

CoverFX EyePrep

Anastasia Highlighting Brow Kit (brows)

Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in Almond (lid/crease)

NARS Duo Shadow in Rajasthan (metallic beige on center of lid)

Anastasia Brow Duality (Lace Shimmer on inner corner of eyes)

Milani Liquif Eye pencil in Black (waterline and smudged into top lash line)

Lancome Definicils Precious Cells Mascara

Lips:

Korres Lip Butter in Guava

What do you think of the dewy skin trend? Love it? Hate it? Rockin' it?

Products featured were sent for editorial consideration.