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

This Is What I'm Thankful For

To all my Canadian readers, I am thankful for YOU! Happy Thanksgiving to all the readers, my family and friends in Canada. There are so many things I am thankful for but above all I'm so very thankful for my family! Even at your darkest moments there are moments to be thankful for. Happy feasting and have a fun and safe long weekend!

Beauty Buzz: Makeup Junkie Makes iVillage Canada's Top Blogger List!

Makeup Junkie is gushing! Thanks iVillage for listing us on the list of 8 top beauty bloggers to know in Canada! I'm glad to be among some of my favourite bloggers. Check out iVillage Canada now to get to know us! 

My Week In Photos

Where did I go right? I made all these changes and then just disappeared. I tend to bounce around from one thing to another and it's quite possible I should have been diagnosed with ADD as a kid. My kids keep me busy and when I'm not being a mom, I'm working at my career always trying to better myself and exercise my creativity.

Here's what this Makeup Junkie has been up to over the last two weeks and it's only going to get busier with more photo shoots (including a BIG one that I have to keep on the DL for now), weddings and events like the Toronto International Film Fest! It's the last week of summer - boohoo - so get out there and enjoy it!

My beautiful client and hair stylist, Eva Therese! I did her makeup for her uber sexy shoot! Photo taken by the talented Cynthia Bugala.

This gorgeous bride was once a Maid-of-Honor for one of my past brides!

One of my clients and high school classmates at her bridal trial. Grace Kelly inspired!

I wrangled up my boys and went on a makeup shopping trip with my makeup artist friends, Donna Marie and Lelo, to attend Yaby Cosmetics first pop-up shop in Toronto! I got a few shadows, highlighter in Light, a freestyle palette, and a few packages of their empties and one pack of grippies. The grippies came in handy for my Shu Uemura blushes and the empties were just perfect for my lipsticks. I put them in a small Aveda freestyle palette I've had for a while. If you didn't attend, you missed out on some really great discounts! 

I'm excited to get back into doing photo shoots - my portfolio certainly needs an update! Something magical happens when you work with other creative people who share the same vision. I'm looking forward to a couple of big shoots coming up so stay tuned! I shot with up and coming photographer, Camille Rojas, and Donna Marie did the hair. I can't wait to see the finished shots! 

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. ;)

Makeup Junkie Buzz: Featured On Beauty Nine To Five!

Makeup Junkie has been featured along with other fantastic beauty bloggers on Beauty Nine to Five! Own a beauty brand or business? Work as a beauty professional and in need of employment? Beauty Nine to Five is a "beauty career website that brings beauty industry employers and job seekers together...". Where was a site like this when I was starting out in beauty?? 

It's a great platform and resource for beauty professionals in Canada so be sure to check it out! 

beautyninetofive.com

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: Makeup Junkie Has A New Sister Site!

I'm excited to announce the new launch of my personal website, The Joy of Makeup! At the new Makeup Junkie sister site you will be able to view all my makeup work, services and rates, latest makeup jobs or events, and beauty tips. I also have a dedicated blog on the site which I will occasionally be updating with new work, makeup 101's, and beauty tips so be sure to visit!

I'm very excited about it - it's been a long time coming. Feel free to stop by and check out my work - I'd love to hear from you! Join my new FB page here and chat with me on Twitter here!

xo
Joy

First Post of the New Year With A New Makeup Junkie Contributor!

Happy New Year! Yes, we're 10 days into the new year and I'll admit - I needed an extra week to recover from the busy yet blissful holiday. Plus, it didn't help that I was feeling a little under the weather but I'm back and looking forward to another year full of beauty! To kick off the first post of the New Year I'm excited to introduce a new Makeup Junkie contributor! 

Meet Brooke. She's a young, beautiful gal who will be bringing some fresh, new content to Makeup Junkie! She's the only one here that has some true journalism credentials. Her love of writing and classic beauty style is a Makeup Junkie fit! 

Brooke's beauty must-haves? 

Chi Flat Iron, A&G hair products like Liquid Varnish and Fastfood, Shwarzkopf Osis Dust it, and tons of Loreal Double Extend Mascara! Brooke’s friends and family say that her look just wouldn’t be the same without long black lashes.

No wonder she's got fab hair and gorgeously long lashes! Welcome Brooke! Stay tuned for her first post!

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.

Makeup Junkie On Vacay!

This Makeup Junkie has been road trippin' with the family which explains my lack of posting. Sadly, we'll be on the road back home Sunday but that means I'll be back to it blogging away and featuring some Fall favourites! I know, gabbing about Fall trends already seems so wrong but September is just around the corner! I can't wait to share some of my fall faves and hear about what you'll be rocking this season. Hope everyone is enjoying the last month of summer! Much love!

xo

Joy