May Favorites

Yeah, I'm a slacker but it's summer and me and my boys are LOVING our time together!!! How is your summer going? What plans do you have and what are you enjoying? Here are some products that other readers are loving.
Kelby says: My favorite product this month is Laura Geller Long Lasting Color Brow Marker Duo. It is truly easy to apply, just like a marker, but matches my hair color perfectly (I got the Taupe). It's fool proof, comes off easier than any other of my products (even with just my face wash!!). I recommend this to anyone who can't leave the house without doing their eyebrows!

Nancy gives us her favs:I'm nearly 52 years old and I've always had a huge interest in beauty products. Over the years I've seen products come and go. And because I've always been on the hunt for the best product to make me look my best, I've tried quite a few. I don't regularly shop the cosmetics counters at the dept. stores because I feel that one can look good with less expensive products purchased at Target or a drugstore. That doesn't mean I haven't tried some. Lancome has been a fave foundation in the past as well as Clinique's eye shadows and Estee's aero matte translucent face powder. But recently I've discovered some products that have made me look the best I've looked in a long time (in my opinion!) They are:

 Oil of Olay's Regenerist night resurfacing elixer, 

 L'Oreal's Magic Smooth Souffle foundation and 

 L'Oreal's HIP eyeliner in black.

My skin has never looked so youthful and dewey without looking greasy. I don't know if it's the Olay elixer or the L'Oreal foundation...or a combination of the two. Whatever, I'm satisfied! As for the eyeliner, I really prefer a pencil as I seem to be able to use them the best (I sorta have all thumbs). This HIP eyeliner applies so smoothly. And it stays on for hours.

I wanted to share my 3 fave products. I don't know if my standards have lowered or these are really good products because I never endorse a product to anyone. Generally, if I like a product okay, I change my mind after a few weeks of using it. But not these! I really love them.

K ladies, my turn!!! Here is my first love of June =): 

LOVE this swimsuit!!!!! SO worth it the money and since this is the first month of pure sun here it is on my May favs list!!! The video has the rest =).

Sucker Punch Babydoll Tutorial

I have gotten quite a few requests for this look and it was about time to do it. I haven't seen the movie but I hear it is visually stunning and worth it. Have you seen it? Was it any good? Well, this little chica was the most understated as far as makeup was concerned out of all of them. I remember her from A Series Of Unfortunate Events and RARELY do I think that someone who has dark hair naturally looks better blond. Gwen Stefani is one and now this girl is another. I LOVE it!!! I am for sure a fan of the glowing skin and the pink cheeks. Overall, one of my fav looks and I might just do the hair thing again = D. Enjoy!!!

How To Beat The Bed Rest Blues: Makeup Part 1

Many of you may think I'm ridiculous for even bothering to wear makeup while I'm in the hospital, but to prevent myself from getting deeply depressed, putting on makeup puts me in a good mood. Plus, it forces me to have some sort of routine and purpose for getting up in the morning. Many nurses have asked me if I was being discharged because I'm wearing makeup and wearing normal clothes and when I get wheeled to my ultra sounds, I get a few stares because I'm not wearing the typical hospital garb. One of my favourite nurses, Esther, told me that oddly enough pregnancy looks good on me - I'll take it! Guess I should be pregnant all the time! ha!

Now, don't go thinking I'm wearing a full face of makeup. I'm wearing enough to make me look polished and playing on that "pregnancy glow". Check out which products have been keeping this face in check!

1. Nanoblur ($19 CAD): I've had this product for a while and haven't really had much chance to test it out. I decided I'd use Nanoblur because it could blur out any imperfections that my minimal makeup wouldn't cover up. If you don't know the genius of Nanoblur you'll want to know it. It's not a skincare product but a quick fix for when you need to look 10 years younger in a matter of seconds. It blurs fine lines, wrinkles, redness, minimizes pores and even mattifies the skin making it appear more even and less shiny. It works really well as a primer too. In seconds, I can really notice a difference in the texture and appearance of my skin. I don't have very big pores, but around my t-zone area they are more prominent. As soon as I apply this stuff, it instantly smooths out. The texture applies thick and is more suited for drier or mature skin types but I'm sure would work well on oily skin too in smaller amounts especially since it mattifies. I do find that you have to work it into the skin fast because it absorbs quite quickly. You also have to let it set for a few minutes or else your foundation or concealer won't blend nicely. Great thing is that you can apply when you're on the run over your makeup for a mid-day perk-me-up. It's a great quick fix at such an affordable price!

2. Cover FX SkinTint FX SPF 30 in M Light ($39 CAD): Just because I'm not getting any sun doesn't mean I can't fake it. As mentioned in a previous post, SkinTint FX has been my go to TM. Packing this one for the hospital was an obvious choice for me. It gives me a sun-kissed, radiant glow while giving me some coverage. I don't want to look like I'm made up and SkinTint looks so close to my natural skin. If you're not in the loop, Cover FX wants you to help them spread the word about skin cancer! For the month of June, with every new "Like" on their FB page, they will donate $0.25 to skin cancer research: David Cornfield Melanoma Fund Fund in Canada, The Skin Cancer Foundation in the US and SKCIN, The Karen Clifford Skin Cancer Charity in the UK.

3. Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener ($18 USD): This one is an oldie but a goodie! I've been using Photo Op for years to brighten under my eyes (read past post here). If you don't suffer from severe dark circles, you can get away with using this as your normal concealer. But for someone that does need more coverage, this helps brightens the under eyes under your concealer. Instead of taking a full coverage concealer with me, I only packed Photo Op because again I didn't want to look too done up. This brightens and gives a luminous effect and if I apply a few layers it covers up the darkness alright. I've also been using it to highlight the inner corners of my eyes, my brow bones and my cheekbones!

4. Urban Decay Naked Palette ($58 CAD): This has to be my HG of neutral palettes! I've been dieing to get my hands on this ever since its launch and every time I went to a Sephora it was sold out. One of my BFF's was doing a little makeup shopping at her local Shoppers and asked me about Urban Decay. Seeing how she's in the Durham region, I was surprised to know that this location carried UD products. I immediately asked if the Naked palette was in stock and to my surprise it was! She snatched it up for me and now we are forever buds. There are a ton of reviews and swatches out there so I'm sure you know what all 12 shades look like. I love the mix of shimmery, matte and satin tones making it an ideal palette for everyday, bridal and for more dramatic looks. I've used it on a lot of my clients and this is one palette I use on myself whenever I go out. I don't use it everyday at the hospital but when I know a visitor is coming I'll emphasize my eyes a little. The shadows I use the most are: Buck (matte brown), Half Baked (bronze), Smog (golden brown shimmer), Dark Horse (bronze-plum shimmer) and Hustle (mocha shimmer). 

5. Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara ($34 CAD): There hasn't been a Lancome mascara that I've been disappointed with. If you love the lengthening effect of the Hypnose line, you will love the feathery, voluminous finish of the new Doll Lashes mascara (unscented version for Canada). Here's what I love: 

• gorgeous, feathery, and voluminous
• the conical brush allows you to get at every lash and at the root
• love the subtle sheen and the shade is a deep, dark black
• gives a very dramatic lash with a few swipes
• lashes feel very soft to the touch

What I didn't love: 

• I found the handle of the brush a little big and awkward to hold
• didn't give my lashes as much lift as compared to other brands I've tried. The length was just ok for me. 
• the softness of the lash didn't hold the lift and caused my lashes to droop later on in the day
• I prefer water-proof versions. This one was the regular mascara and did smudge on my bottom lash line.

I'm curious to try the water-proof version (if one is released) and see if the lift, hold, and smearing is better. But I really do love the "doll-like" effect it gives. I received the one that is rose scented and actually don't mind it but I think most will appreciate the non-scented version. This mascara will be available mid-August. 

Have you tried any of these products? Stay tuned for part 2 of my makeup must-haves!

Products were sent for editorial consideration (with the exception of the UD Naked Palette) and I truly love them!

How To Beat The Bed Rest Blues: Skincare

I know, I just couldn't stay away! Stoked that I got my new laptop adapter and now I can blog away! 

Everywhere I look, I see women in their hospital gowns, hair matted, skin pale and sallow, dark circles and puffy eyes. Granted, the majority of them just gave birth and looking hot really isn't their first priority. I'm bed ridden, but since I can still move around a bit I'm making an effort to look as "non-patient" as I can if you know what I mean. I refuse to wear a hospital gown unless I really need to and make time to fit in a skin and makeup routine. These to me are some of the things that will keep me sane and feel normal in a not-so-normal situation. 

Many of the beauty articles you're reading now are all about "How To Beat The Heat With These Products", but since my problem is being in a stuffy hospital with average air circulation, I need products that will make my skin look bright and radiant! Since the a/c is broken, we have fans blowing everywhere. To prevent my skin from looking lack-luster and dry, I've turned to a few must-have products starting with skincare!

1. Dr. Dennis Gross All In One Cleanser With Toner ($32 CAD. The Shopping Channel): Have I mentioned before that I love multi-taskers? I didn't want to pack a slew of beauty products so this cleanser was the perfect choice. It's a 3-in-1 cleanser that cleanses, tones and removes makeup even water-proof products. It contains natural Witch Hazel, Chamomile, Hyaluronic Acid, and Vitamins A,C, and E so it won't strip your skin. What I love most about it, is that it works for all skin types. If you have dry skin like me, you just need to massage into skin with dry hands for 10 seconds. Oilier types have to massage it in for 30 seconds. It applies really creamy, yet rinses off easily leaving my skin feeling smooth and clean.

2. Bobbi Brown Brightening Advanced Serum ($105 USD): I don't usually wear serums, but once I tried the newest star from Bobbi Brown I couldn't put it down. I seriously love the way it feels on my skin and how luminous my face looks after. It applies so silky smooth and feels super hydrating - some days I'll just apply this on my skin with no moisturizer. It's infused with Red Algae, Vitamin C Complex, and a unique blend of Grape, Mulberry, Scutellaria (soothing and anti-inflammatory properties) that even out the tone of your skin and make it look brighter. I've started noticing that since I've been using it, the tone of my skin seems brighter, texture smoother and my pores smaller. I apply this under my lotion to absorb and lock into the skin, but I think you're supposed to apply over your lotion according to the site. Either way it works lovely, but I'm still balking at the price. I believe in investing in good skin care, so if it's within my budget it's something I would definitely buy again. 

3. La Mer The Eye Concentrate ($165 USD): La Mer products are a luxury and definitely not apart of my everyday skincare regime. I was lucky enough to receive a deluxe size and thought why not spoil myself while I'm in the hospital! It's the perfect traveling size. It's a very rich cream so you only need a little at a time. With the dryness in the air right now, the skin around my eyes are loving it. I've only been using it for a little over 2 weeks so I'm not sure it's doing anything for my dark circles but they definitely look hydrated and radiant. 

4. La Mer Creme de la Mer ($135 - $1650 USD): My first experience with this luxurious cream, my skin was not in the best shape. I actually had a reaction from a medicine at the time when I started using this. You can read about it here. This time around, my skin is pretty normal despite being on the drier side but can I tell you - I don't like this cream - I LOVE this cream! Why must my skin have expensive taste?? It's just what the doctor ordered. My skin soaks it right up and after my skin looks glowing. Again, it's a deluxe size and I'm trying to savour it as much as I can but I know it will be all gone by the time I'm out of the hospital. I'm sure once that happens, my skin will need less moisture. If you can afford it, it's a fabulous cream. My skin just looks so much smoother and and more luminous.

5. La Mer The Body Creme Tube ($130 USD): Can't forget about the body! I received a deluxe size in the tube form which is so compact and portable. Again, it leaves your skin unbelievably soft and supple. I rarely have to reapply throughout the day because it's so hydrating. It doesn't leave a greasy finish like most richer creams. It has a light scent, but disappears right away. 

What's the lesson here? Use expensive skin creams while you're in the hospital and you will feel like a super star! It really is a treat especially when all I have to look forward to is laying on my bed all day. I believe if you don't take care of your outer appearance, it will start to affect the way you feel on the inside. Since I can't control when the baby will come, this is one area of my life I know I can control!

Have you tried any of these products? Do you turn to beauty products to get you out of a funk? Stay tuned for How To Beat The Bed Rest Blues: Makeup post!

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

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

Behind-the-Scenes: Eco-Chic Bride Winner Photo Shoot!

See behind-the-scene shots of our Eco-Chic Bride winner taken a couple of days ago with fellow beauty blogger and bride-to-be Monica from Beauty Parler! The shoot was sponsored by Revolution Organics, Schwartzkopf Essensity, Glam by Brianne, and Carey Ann Photography. To read about our fun shoot, click here.

Photo Credit: Carey Ann Photography

Beauty News: M.A.C. Bloggers' Obsession To Sell Exclusively Online!

M.A.C. really loves bloggers even when our opinions are brutally honest. They strategically created an exclusive line with nine beauty bloggers from all around. How amazing is that? And one of the bloggers just happens to be fellow Canadian beauty blogger, Lesley Ellen of Lipstick, Powder, 'N Paint - way to represent Ellen!

If you ever dreamed of creating a makeup line you can live vicariously through these bloggers! What do you think of the line?

Lesley Ellen (www.lipstickpowdernpaint.com) 

"Parisian Skies", a muted grey blue

Probably my favourite and not just because Ellen made it! I just love anything to do with Paris and the colour is beautiful!

Lianne Farbes (www.themakeupgirl.net)

"Hocus Pocus", dark sooty grey with silver pearl

Christine Mielke (www.temptalia.com)

"Jealousy Wakes", seething emerald green with teal and gold pearl

Amber Katz (www.beautybloggingjunkie.com)

"Sparkle, Neely, Sparkle!", a deep rusty brown with champagne coloured sparkle

Patrice Yursik (www.afrobella.com)

"All of My Purple Life", deep purple grape with subtle sparkle

Lily Nima (www.beautymaverick.com)

"Caqui", persimmon orange

Karen Monterichard (www.makeupandbeautyblog.com)

"Evolution Revolution", a warm peachy pink with subtle purple, green, and blue micro glitter

Aileen De Los Angeles (www.theshadesofu.com)

"Sonoran Rain", deep coral red with gold and silver pearl

Wendy Lam (www.nitrolicious.com)

"Nitro:licious 2046", intense shiny red

Available in North America June 21, 2011 at www.maccosmetics.com only.