Spring Beauty Review: Sephora Loves Canada Palette And We Love Sephora!

Aww shucks, you love us and we really, really love you Sephora! Us Canadian girls have sure embraced Sephora ever since it launched in Canada. Some of you call it your mecca for beauty and some of you call it home. Thank you Sephora for dedicating a palette especially for us Canadian beauty junkies! 

I was expecting the Sephora Loves Canada Minibag ($15 USD) palette to be the typical blockbuster size, but in fact it's the exact opposite. It's a lil' mini one and adorable to boot! It's a purse-friendly size that you can tote with you for touch-ups throughout the day or for an evening makeup change. To top it off, you can hold it by the red handles like a shopping bag - makes you want to shop doesn't it?

Shadow swatches

In the past, Sephora's shadows haven't really impressed me much. I always found that they weren't pigmented enough and faded quite quickly. I was pleasantly surprised that these shadows were silky soft and highly pigmented. The palette contains great basic neutrals that are perfect for day and can add drama for night. There's a good mix of shimmery, matte, and satin shadows as well. Not only can this palette work for everyday, but I can see a lot of brides reaching for this one especially if they will be doing their own makeup.

Blush swatch

When you slide out the right side, a shimmering neutral blush is added to compliment your neutral eyes. It adds a soft hint of colour and leaves a beautiful glow on the skin. This also works great as a highlighter. Sephora blushes are actually really good. I've tried a few in the past and they are always silky smooth and highly pigmented.

Gloss swatches

I love all the hidden compartments. Slide out the left side and 4 neutral shades from light to dark finish off your look. From left to right, the first shade is a frosty champagne, shimmering beige, shimmering pink-brown, and shimmering plum. The glosses are sheer and feel smooth to the touch. They don't last very long, but you can apply these over your favourite lipstick for longer wear.

Overall, it's a collector's item that is fabulous for when you're on-the-go and it makes a great gift for that special makeup junkie in your life (could be you)!

Have you tried this palette? Love it? Hate it? Want it?

http://sephora.com

Product was sent for editorial consideration and I truly love it. 

CRAZY Weekend!!!

So I am doing great in Utah, I really am, I love it.......but I ADORE Portland and have missed it greatly. It's quirky, unexpected, fun, artistic and fits me like a glove. I was so happy to travel back this weekend for some great times and photo shoots. Friday was packed with rushing from the flight to grab my rental car. Side note, look really cute and somewhat "lost" and the boys behind the counter will pretty much give you anything you want =). Isn't it cute???

I was so pleased with my cute little ride and rushed off to my first appointment....shopping with my dear friend Nicole!!!!! I had missed her so much and it was so great to hit up our favorite haunts and eat yummy food. The next morning I awoke at the crack of dawn to bid farewell to Nicole and head out on the road to the wedding. The bride was lovely and her bridesmaids charming. They were all so beautiful it made my job super easy.

 Next I went straight to the airport to catch my flight down to California. My "who did you sit by" companion was Mary. A lovely woman from Sacramento who had just been visiting her daughter and very first grandson. We chatted and laughed talking about babies and my life when I lived in Siberia. We walked out together, rushing somewhat as I had to get home quickly and she had to pick up her cute pup before the kennel closed. I was then met by a tall dark and handsome man that I lovingly refer to as Dad and we rushed to my childhood home to get my little sister ready for her Senior Ball.

 It was wonderful to spend time with my family and meet some smooshy nieces and nephews I had not yet met. That night my Dad took me and my sisters-in-law, my grandmother and great grandmother, in from Hawaii, out to our fav restaurant where we just sat for hours eating, talking, laughing...it was a dream. I left the following evening and was lucky in my travels again in the "who did you sit by" category. Lovely Christine was my companion on this leg of the trip and we talked as if we had known each other for years. Her daughter was off doing service in New Zealand and was named Jen as well. Unfortunately it was SUPER windy upon arrival and we had to circle for what seamed like FOREVER in gusts of wind in a tiny plane. Needless to say I enjoyed the lunch my mother so lovingly made for me before I left but didn't keep it down. Christine, you are a beautiful soul and I thank you for the patience and grace under fire that you exuded =). YUK! I am now home, safely on the ground, in my pjs still and about to take a nap!Just wanted to fill you in on some fun times and leave you with some glow wisdom that I thought was pretty appropriate =).

 Whether your next flight is 2 or 12 hours, here’s what to do to keep looking fresh on board and when you land:

• Slick on a thick layer of lip balm as soon as you board the plane. Sticks can be waxy and drying, so look for a balm in a tube or pot. My new favorite is Lavanila's Healthy Lip Shine, which contains apricot, jojoba, and sunflower oils and shea butter. I’m also a fan of Kiehl's Coconut Scented Lip Balm, as well as Aquaphor, which you can find in any drugstore. For a little natural color, dab on a bit of lipstick (not a thick layer) first. The color will stay on even when you reapply the balm.
• Carry a lubricating nose spray. Dry, stale airplane air can irritate sensitive nasal passages, especially if you have allergies or you're recovering from a cold. And there's nothing worse than getting a nosebleed at 30,000 feet in cramped quarters. Look for a nonmedicated saline solution like Ocean Nasal Spray (available at drugstores).
• Pack moist towelettes to wipe off oil and makeup before you land. It's impossible in the plane's closet of a bathroom to wash your face with one hand while pressing the faucet with the other. Basis So Refreshing Facial Cleansing Cloths are individually wrapped and contain aloe, chamomile, and green tea extract.
• Keep everything in a small Ziploc bag in the outside pocket of your carry-on for easy visibility and access.

Summer Beauty Review: mark by Avon Ibiza Glosses

Mark does lip gloss right!

In its upcoming summer 2011 collection, mark introduces Ibiza Sol Marbleized Lip Gloss. The packaging tempts us to get “bonita” – pretty in Spanish – with these luscious lips shades. Sounds like a plan to me!

The glosses come in three shades:

• Bonita Pink – a matte bubblegum pink with a rosy red swirl
• Chica Coral – a muted peach with a metallic dark coral swirl
• Hola! Bronze – a darker dusty rose with a shimmering mocha swirl

Although the colours look pretty vibrant in the tube, they’re actually pretty natural looking once applied – to my surprise! Each gloss has shimmering golden undertones which go along with the beachy, exotic theme. The consistency is thick enough to stay put for a couple hours, but that’s about as long as you can stretch it without having to reapply.

The rectangular casing is pretty neat with use of negative, clear space around the product. Once opened, the fragrance is even better! It really does smell like an instant vacation with coconut notes that make you day dream of being on the beach.

Overall, this product is a perfect everyday gloss at a pretty decent price point. Each 0.13 fl. oz. lip gloss retails for $10 on meetmark.com, or through your Avon representative. 

by Brooke

Products were sent for editorial consideration.

Joy Approved: 5 Pink Blushes You Should Know

In case you missed my post on The Joy of Makeup, read about the 5 pink blushes I reach for in my kit! Click here to read the post. What are your fave must-have pink blushes?

www.joyofmakeup.ca

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!!!