Spring Beauty Review: Vasanti Is Blooming With Colour!

Vasanti's spring/summer collection is making me fall in love with colour this season! Yes, these two items have quickly made a home in my kit. Vasanti certainly doesn't skimp on quality or pigment making their products makeup artist worthy!

Vasanti Silky Eye Shadow Duo in Mount Rushmore ($20 CAD): Alright, it's time to gush over how much I adore this silky duo of goodness! Texture - amazing. It's silky-soft and applies like butta'. It blends beautifully onto the skin. I love the combination of a satin-frost finish with a matte shadow. It makes it wearable for anytime of the day and photographs wonderfully. Now, let me gush over the colour combo! The silver infused taupe with the deep purple make this one hot smokey eye perfect for spring! This duo will definitely take you into fall and winter. For day, you can apply the taupe shade all over the lid and use a damp angled brush to line the eyes with the purple. I actually used this on a mother-of-the-bride last week and she loved it! This is the perfect duo to enhance brown, green or hazel eyes! At $20 a duo, this really is affordable for such a well-pigmented palette. New shades available in Colosseum, Lake Louise, and Statue of Liberty.

Vasanti Vitamin E Infused Lipshine in Caribbean ($15 CAD): These glosses are super hydrating and give the lips unbelievable shine. Caribbean is a sheer hot pink. If you're trying to ease into the bright lip trend, using a sheer gloss is the way to go. My lips have some colour to them so the hot pink doesn't really translate. I wish it would have been a little more pigmented, but it looks gorgeous over a hot pink lip stain. New shades available in Caspian, Red Sea, and The North Sea.

Have you tried Vasanti's new spring/summer collection? Love it? Hate it? Want it? 

http://vasanticosmetics.com

Products were sent for editorial consideration and I truly love them.

Summer Beauty Review: Are Tinted Moisturzers Created Equal?

Spring is just beginning here in Toronto, but I see summer skies on the horizon! My skin is starting to behave now that the weather is turning a bit warmer which means I can put away my heavier foundations! I've been living on tinted moisturizers since April, but my skin is still needing a bit of coverage. If you're deciding to make the switch to a tinted moisturizer, there's a few things to keep in mind. 

Are tinted moisturizers created equal? I've been test driving 3 since March and each one has their good and not-so-good features. Here's what I thought and what worked for me and will hopefully work for you!

The Tints:

mark by Avon Get A Tint Tinted Moisturizer Lotion SPF 15 ($10 USD): Light-weight and oil-free. Gives enough coverage and shimmer for a balanced glow. Unique skin-balancing formula hydrates while it prevents shine in those spots prone to excess oil. Available in Ivory/Nude, Buff/Natural, Honey/Golden, Almond/Mocha.

Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 ($30 CAD): Light-weight hydrating formula that protects the skin with SPF and covers imperfections naturally for a no-makeup look. Available in 6 shades. 

Cover FX Skintint FX Treatment and Tinted Moisturizer SPF 30 ($39 CAD): Rejuvenating liquid mineral treatment. Pearlized minerals provide tinted sun-kissed looking skin. Perfect for dry, sallow, sensitive or sun-damaged skin. Oil-free, fragrance-free, and paraben-free. Available in C Light, C Deep, E Light, E Deep, M Light, and M Deep. 

The Coverage (T-B in photo):

mark by Avon in Buff/Natural: The most economical out of the 3, this tint actually gives some coverage! The formula didn't feel heavy or greasy and evened out my skin tone pretty good. On darker blemishes, I did have to apply a separate concealer for more coverage. The Buff shade works for my skin tone right now, but probably won't as I get darker. When first applied, the shimmer seemed very noticeable and I found myself trying to brush it or sponge it away. I was scared that as the day wore on, I would end up looking like an oily mess. Surprisingly, the shimmery particles faded to a sheen leaving my skin glowing and didn't make me shinier. For oilier skin types, however, I'm not sure if the results will be the same. Any oily lovelies that can weigh in? I think this would work great on the decolletage for a sexy glow and on the legs especially if you need to hide any nicks or bruises.

Clinique Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer in #3: In March, I was actually light enough to use this shade which is for more fair skinned beauties. The downside - the shade doesn't work for me now. The upside? I'm getting more tanned! Yay! Out of the 3, the Clinique version provides the best coverage yet still looked natural. I didn't have to use a separate concealer over my blemishes or red spots. I really liked the light-weight feel to it. Those that are oilier will appreciate the non-shimmery formula.

Cover FX Skintint FX in M Light: This has been my go-to TM for the past month or so. I love the golden tint it gives my skin! Out of the 3, the finish is the closest to looking like your natural skin. I love the mousse-like texture - it feels like air when applied. It has a pearlized texture rather than shimmer so you're left with skin that glows. The downside? My skin isn't the most perfect right now and I find it doesn't offer enough coverage. My solution? I've been mixing this with Cover FX's Natural FX Water-Based Liquid Foundation SPF 15. The combo gives me enough coverage while still feeling and looking like a TM. It's the pricier option of the 3, but all Cover FX products have ingredients that repair and heal the skin. Perfect for both normal or more problematic skin.

To Tint or Not-To-Tint?

Meredith from her lovely blog, et tu and you, did a post about tinted moisturizers and debated whether switching to one would work for her (click on link above to read). She asked me to weigh in on it and I'm so glad she did!

Wearing a TM really depends on your skin type and your lifestyle. There are ones that offer more coverage and in my experience the ones I love are tarte's Smooth Operator and Clinique's Moisture Surge. These are great options especially if you are used to a full coverage foundation. However, mixing your moisturizer with your favourite foundation also does the trick. I've fallen in love with mixing my Cover FX Skintint with the Natural FX. 

As I said in my reply to her, there is a time and place for everything. If you're working out and still want a bit of coverage (for fear of running into that hottie or ex), a TM is your best friend. Nothing is worst than foundation dripping off your face and onto the workout equipment! If I'm running errands, I usually slap on a bit of concealer with my TM. If I'm attending an event that requires long lasting makeup, I will use a full coverage foundation. If you normally have flawless skin (damn you!), then you can get away with wearing a TM all year round. But if you're less fortunate like me, I use a heavier foundation in the winter months and switch to a TM in the warmer months.

And as always, I am never without a face primer. Make sure you apply a primer (mattifying one if oily) first to keep your TM on all day. Since they don't offer as much coverage, the chances of it fading is greater. Don't be afraid to do a light dusting of translucent powder to set it.

What is your favourite tinted moisturizer? Do you prefer it over a full coverage foundation? Have you tried any of the 3?

Products were sent for editorial consideration and I truly love them.

Fantasy Fairy Makeup

This is just whimsical fun =). My fav is seeing my youngest Branson in the background. He kept saying (with a confused look),"Um. you look (pause) pretty Mommy?" Yes it was in the form of a question LOL. I have to admit that I didn't love how the brown line underneath turned out but practice makes perfect right? =) Come with me to a land of fairies. If you want to blend in, you may want to try this look out....okay I'm a geek but ENJOY!!!

Mature Makeup Conversation

Here are a few things that I wanted to share with my ladies that are of my more "mature" audience =). I'll have some more tutorials coming up on age spots, under eye circles, foundation application, colors and lipstick application.

Beauty News: La Mer Partners With Oceana For World Oceans Day

Beauty products make us feel good and look good, but when beauty makes the world a better place indulging in your favourite products just feels right. If you live to frolic in our beautiful oceans and love all the amazing sea creatures that live and roam in our oceans, then we need to do a better job at protecting them. With companies leaking oil and radio active chemicals seeping into our oceans, the animals and our health are at risk.

La Mer has partnered with Oceana, the world's largest international ocean advocacy organization since 2005. In honour of the sea, La Mer has created a limited edition 100 ml World Oceans Day Creme in a commemorative ocean-inspired jar. In addition, La Mer will make a $200 000 donation to Oceana in support of their Habitat Protection Campaign as well as other global initiatives for ocean conservation.

La Mer, a luxury face cream, has become a cult classic all around the world. I had a little container of this rich cream and I was sad to see it go. It was perfect for my winter dry skin and left my face feeling unbelievably hydrated. If you can afford this pricey tub of goodness (unlike me), go out and buy one in support of our oceans.

For more information about World Oceans Day and the partnership between La Mer and Oceana, please visit www.lamer.com/oceana.

La Mer’s Limited-Edition 100 ml World Oceans Day Crème de la Mer will be available exclusively at Holt Renfrew in Canada: May and June 2011.

Suggested Retail Price: $420

The Glow And J-Lo Win the Book!!!

 Many of you watch her on American Idol and have asked for more tips on how to achieve her gorgeous look. So I turned to my friend Scott Barnes, who was her makeup artist for more than 10 years and whose book, About Face, features Jennifer on the cover. Scott points out that Jennifer often pairs a smoky eye with pale lips. This combination can look polished for daytime or glamorous at night, depending on how much “smoke” you apply. Here’s how Scott does it:

• Line the inside of your upper and lower lids with a black eye pencil. Scott’s favorite is Maybelline ExpertWear eyeliner in Velvet Black. First he flames the pencil with a lighter or match; this softens it and makes it easier to smudge. But be careful! Let the pencil cool and test it on the back of your hand before using it. He also uses the pencil to fill in between the upper and lower lashes to make them look thicker.
• Use an eyeshadow brush to apply brown or gray shadow in the crease. Sweep the brush back and forth from the inner corner to the outer corner to build up color and give your eyes depth. (For Asian ladies who don’t have an obvious crease, feel where your brow bone is, then move your finger down until the bone stops and your eyeball starts. That’s where your shadow should go.) Bring the shadow above the crease and under the brow bone, but leave a space between the shadow and your brow as well as the middle of your upper lid. Then take a shorter, tapered brush and use the same shadow above and below your eyeliner making the line thicker at the outer edges of your eyes. Blend well so it doesn’t look stripy.
• Use your finger to dab on shimmer in the middle of your upper lid. Scott likes gold (with brown shadow) or silver (with gray shadow). As he says, “When you look down, there’s something happening on your lids.” For evening, dab a bit more shimmer on your brow bone, between your shadow and your brow.

Want to win an autographed copy of Scott’s book? Send an email to Submissions@AskJessicaWu.com and tell me your favorite J Lo look. I’ll choose one at random and announce it in an upcoming Shout Out. Good Luck!

A Mother's Day Wish List

Happy soon-to-be Mother's Day! Ok, most moms are run-down, tired, and maybe a tad crazy, but being a mommy has its perks. Nothing beats little hugs and kisses, cute scribbles that are supposed to be you, and hearing "I love you - you're the best mommy (no joke my son says this to me on a daily basis!), but we get to be pampered and spoiled with gifts for one whole day all for being an awesome mom! Really, moms should be recognized everyday but I'll take what I can get.

I really don't expect much on Mother's Day - a good brunch with my boys and letting me do nothing is good enough. But...who doesn't like gifts? This is my wish list and hopefully you can get some ideas for the special moms in your life! 

Revolution Organics All-Over Body Balm ($28 CAD): As you can see, I don't have any makeup on my wish list at the moment - I know shocking! But right now, I have pretty much everything I could ever want. The All-Over Body Balm from Revolution Organics has been on my "Want" list for a while especially since I got pregnant. I was pleasantly surprised to receive it recently and it couldn't have come at a better time! My skin has been especially dry on my face and my belly has been getting the itchies due to this growing baby. I love that this comes in a portable stick - I throw it in my purse and I'm prepared for an itch attack anytime of the day. You can rub it straight out of the tube on anything from your head to your toes, that needs instant moisture. I love it and when we're out, I use it on my son who has eczema. It's all-natural and has a bunch of organic ingredients that help repair and hydrate the skin. It's the perfect gift for any mom-to-be or moms-on-the-go!

Parisian Chic: A Style Guide By Ines De La Fressange ($34 CAD): The idea of having a Kobo crossed my mind, but the truth is I love keeping original books. I found out about this book from Stephanie of BlushPretty and I knew I had to have it. I love little books like this especially since I have a love affair with anything Parisian (weird since I haven't even traveled there yet - insert sad face). If you've always wondered about the mystic behind Parisian women's effortless beauty, model Ines De La Fressange shares the well-kept secrets of fashion, decor, beauty and much more! You will love the photography and her charming sketches. Who doesn't love receiving books? Top it off with TIME to actually read it and this gift is golden!

Valentino Cat-Eye Tortoise Sunglasses ($250 USD): I did makeup for an event at my best friend's optical the other day and absolutely fell in love with these shades! Cat-eye shaped sunglasses may not seem like a classic shape, but this one really works for the roundness of my face. I especially loved the little "v" cut-out detail on the sides of the glasses. Besides eye cream, a pair of good shades will keep your eyes protected from the sun this summer and keep wrinkles at bay!

Maxi Dresses: I found this one on Motherhood Maternity, but it's not necessarily the one I want. I figure with the hot summer and my prego belly, a maxi dress will look stylish, be easy to throw on, and most importantly keep me cool. I really dislike a lot of maternity clothes, so I will be shopping around and will most likely buy regular clothes in Large. I seriously need to stock up on dresses asap! What mom doesn't like a shopping spree? A sure winner!

What are your must-get items for the special moms in your life? For all the moms out there, what's on your 'want' list?

Revolution Organics All-Over Body Balm was sent for editorial consideration and I truly love it.