Canadian Beauty

PARKSHOW Spring/Summer 2014

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Henna

Last night, (Saturday, March 15th) was PARKSHOW – Alberta’s epic ready-to-wear fashion show that is maybe the best fashion show around – at least for consumers – because you can get your hands on nearly every single item on the runway at a pop-up shop held directly after the show.

Put on by PARK (Promoting Artists | Redefining Kulture) PARKSHOW is one of a kind. PARK aims to promote and aid designers, and is a completely not-for-profit company. It is free to show at PARKSHOW, and this year, PARK chose 10 designers and one artist from Western Canada who they wanted to support.

“PARKSHOW is a great opportunity to increase brand awareness within the Calgary and Alberta market,” says Edmonton-based, Alisha Schick of SUKA Clothing. “The PARK team provides a professional platform for designers to present their collections to buyers and clients.”

The designers who showcased at PARK this season were: Calgary-based, EG Forge, Rebecca King, Bano eeMee, CAMP Brand Goods and MALIKA, CoutuKitsch along with Edmonton-based, SUKA Clothing, AMOR Jewelry, LUXX Ready to Wear and Regina-based, Kazz Clothing.

Of those, Rebecca King, Bano eeMee, CAMP Brand Goods, and Malika were definitely polished and unique enough that you wanted to own what they put out. Rebecca King, especially, seemed to appeal to the aesthetic of a lot of Albertans. Her collection featured heavy belted scarves, tunics made of earth-toned plaid, sweaters that could be worn as coats, and light toggle jackets. None of those things are what you would see on a typical spring/summer runway, but King seems to know her audience and her booth was over-run with customers following her show. Spring/Summer in Alberta means warm yet stylist clothing.

CAMP Brand Goods, the clothing company that makes clothes you want to have fun in, was also a huge hit – cottage-ready tanks, tees, and sweatshirts in ultra-soft lux fabrics were on everyone’s must-have list.

Finally, Bano eeMee and Malika, offered up tons of beautiful leather goods in styles that felt fresh and wearable and still spring-like.

100 per cent of the proceeds from PARKSHOW2014 (admission tickets, bar sales, sponsorship) enable the organization to continue raising awareness and exposure for aspiring artists.

You can purchase and check out items by most of the designers on their websites, and at independent retailers throughout Calgary. Stay tuned for more news on events by PARK.

Posted in Your City | Tagged Alberta, Calgary, Fashion, PARK, PARKSHOW 2014, Western Canada | Leave a comment

Thursday Threes: Best Drugstore Mascaras

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Henna

L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Butterfly Mascara

This mascara has an amazing new asymmetrical wand shape letting you get mascara on evenly throughout the lashes.

$12

Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara

We love this mascara because it really builds volume with just one coat.

$13.

CoverGirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Mascara

We love this mascara because you can keep building volume with it or apply just one coat for length.

$10

Posted in Search for the Perfect Mascara | Tagged CoverGirl, L'Oreal, Marcelle, Mascara | Leave a comment

Nuxe’s Reinvention of Cold Cream

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Henna

Cold Cream was so called because it literally felt cold when you applied it to the skin. Made of a blend of water and mineral oil, the water typically started evaporating as your rubbed it in and so your skin felt a little cold. Rich and thick, there isn’t anything that cold cream can’t do. It was a favourite for tissuing off makeup and amazing on very dry feet. But these days, I’m loathe to use so much mineral oil on my skin, and so it’s so nice to have found an alternative.

Nuxe has reformulated the typical cold cream with almond oil instead, and the result is the cold cream we always loved but with natural oils and a slightly lighter formula. While typical cold cream would be extremely greasy and kind of sit on the skin, the oils from this one absorb into the skin over time leaving it soft and hydrated.

The entire line of Bio Beaute includes a face cream, hand lotion, body lotion, and body balm, all using the cold cream formulation. The Body Balm is super thick and feels more like a typical cold cream. You need to rub it into the skin until it disappears, and it is superbly hydrating. The only issue? Applying cold cream in the winter isn’t so fun (especially after ahot shower!) but I have to say that my hands are loving this cream.

Check out the entire range now.

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart for $29.

Posted in For the Body | Tagged Nuxe | Leave a comment

Your Mid-Winter Pick Me Up Thanks to Skinceuticals

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Henna

I hate to say this, but it seems like the cold weather is sticking around for a little while longer, and I know that my skin needs some TLC. If you’re in the same boat, then check out Skinceuticals Hydrating B5 Masque.

A mix of b5, water, and glycerine, this is a thick mask that can even be used as a moisturizer. Apply a thick or thin layer on your skin and let it soak in. Then either wipe away or keep on.

I actually use this in the morning after cleansing because I love the cooling and refreshing feeling of the gel. It wakes me up and I’ve found that a dose of moisture makes my skin look more vibrant. It even takes care of any residual acne scarring – I think the moisture makes the dry skin around the scar plumped and hydrated and then makes it a little less obvious.

My skin tends to be oily so I’m not leaving this on after I use it, and I just wipe it off with a towel, rinse with a bit of water, and then go on to the rest of my skincare.

Pick this up from dermatologists’ office or online for $64.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Mask, Skinceuticals | Leave a comment

Clarins Spring 2014 Collection: Opalescence

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Henna

A brighter you. That’s what the Clarins Spring 2014 collection offers you, and the array of shimmery and creamy options really do deliver.

Like any good makeup artist, Clarins offers a good base with its collection of three new colour-correcting bases. Yes, this is the new trend that you’re going to be seeing on counters this year: products that correct the base instead of just covering it up. The Clarins bases come in rose, champagne, and bronze. They all combat dull skin in their own way and create a more even canvas on which to spread foundation or concealer. These are sheerly tinted and light in texture. If you have oily skin, they can likely replace your moisturizer. They are suitable for all skin types and absorb quickly. If I were using a makeup base, I would use it after applying this cream.

Next, four new brightly-coloured cream blushes. These are cream to powder formulas and are a little bit harder to the touch than most cream blushes. They are quite different from MAC or Bobbi Brown cream blushes that are more emollient and look almost greasy and shiny on the skin. Peach, Candy, Grenadine, and Rosewood are the colours that they come in.

The main attraction is the Opalescence Face and Blush Powder. A blend of peach, bronze, and rose powders (like the bases offered in the collection), this soft palette is great for setting makeup and adding a touch of warmth to the skin. There’s a tiny amount of shimmer in the powder and this is not for those who want completely matte skin.

The mineral eyeshadows on offer are smoky purples and light pinks. Pretty for the summer. Because the shadows are mineral-based, they are quite shiny but ultimately long-wearing.

The Joli Rouge Brilliant Sheer Lipsticks are adorable and will likely appeal to many people. They’re sheer, but brightly coloured (as the name states!) and easy to wear! They are moisturizing and shiny and so do not have great wear time. The colours: Tropical Pink, Coral Tulip, and Pink Orchid are lovely. Truly, you can’t go wrong with any of them.

Finally, Gloss Prodige in clear and Coral Slip.

Pick up the entire collection at Clarins counters now.

Posted in Spring 2014 | Tagged Clarins | 2 Comments

Jo Malone London Rain Collection

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Henna

London Rain – there’s nothing that smells quite as good as the air after a rainfall, and Jo Malone’s latest collection builds on that idea.

The London Rain Collection features four different scents in a large 100ml bottles ($135 each).

The four scents are:

Rain & Angelica

Glassy beads of dew, awakening a London park at dawn. A revitalising scent, enlivened with herbaceous angelica and juicy lime on an earthy base of vetiver. Aqueous and clear.

Wisteria & Violet

A soft morning shower, soaking purple wisteria cascading over London stone walls. Infused with the wet-petal scent of violets and water lily. Rainwashed and intoxicating.

White Jasmine & Mint

An afternoon cloudburst, drenching gardens exuberant with jasmine, lily, orange flower and rose. Eccentric with its dash of scrambling wild mint. Enchanting and refreshing.

Black Cedarwood & Juniper

Midnight rain. Seductive with the carnal touch of cumin, chilli leaves, and aromatic juniper. Dark with cedarwood.Humid with moss. Modern and urban.

The first scent that I smelled was Black Cedarwood & Juniper. This is a very masculine scent (although all Jo Malone colognes are technically unisex) and really works well on men. It’s different from most male scents in that it’s without the overbearing sharp citrus notes. It’s definitely urban in that it’s a cool sharp scent, and lacks any kind of warmth. The juniper and cedarwood work so well together, and I did try to wear this myself but it just didn’t work on me.

I’ve also smelled White Jasmine and Mint, which is turning out to the hit of the collection. This is definitely a more feminine scent and is simply fresh and floral. The Jasmine, Lily, Orange Flower, and Rose are so pretty and jasmine is the overarching note that I get when I wear this.

This collection is limited edition. Jo Malone is available exclusively at Holt Renfrew.

Posted in Perfumes | Tagged Jo Malone | 1 Comment

3 Worst Lip and Cheek Stains – And 8 Best

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Henna

See which multi-taskers left readers rosy and glowing … and which ones failed to impress

This is a TotalBeauty.com Makeup article

Nothing says pretty and youthful quite like rosy lips and cheeks, but alas, most of us aren’t born with a perpetual glow and just-bitten lips. That’s where these lip and cheek stains come in. See which ones have earned a permanent spot in our readers’ makeup bags and which ones were tossed in the trash.

See products

NO. 8: BENEFIT POSIETINT, $30

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.0

“My favorite lip stain ever,” says one reviewer.

NO. 7: BOBBI BROWN POT ROUGE FOR LIPS AND CHEEKS, $26

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.4

“This is the one thing that never gets taken out of my purse,” says one enthusiastic reviewer.

NO. 6: VINCENT LONGO LIP AND CHEEK GEL STAIN, $22.50

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.5

“It lasts and lasts, and you can reapply if needed. Works perfectly on cheeks, too,” one reader says.

Want to see the No.1 lip and cheek stain? Click Here!

Posted in More Than Beauty | Leave a comment

L’Wren Scott x Bobbi Brown Amnesia Rose Collection

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Henna

Exclusive to Holt Renfrew stores, this collection will be available March 1st and features limited edition products.

The Amnesia Rose collection was a collaboration between L’Wren Scott and Bobbi Brown. Bobbi Brown did the makeup for her Fall 2013 collection and the colours that she used are packaged in a chic palette – along with four lipsticks.

The Amnesia Rose Palette ($79) seems pretty versatile – great for day or night, with a combination of matte and sparkly, light and dark shades. It includes:

Amnesia Rose Eye Shadow, Silver Lilac Sparkle Eye Shadow, Pink Lilac Sparkle Eye Shadow, Iron Eye Shadow, Ultra Violet Shimmer Wash Eye Shadow, Mulberry Eye Shadow, Desert Rose Pot Rouge, Sand Pink Blush.

The lipsticks ($33) are in limited edition packaging, and the colours available are:

Heather Mauve, Wine, Vintage Red, Cosmic Lily.

Posted in Spring 2014 | Tagged Bobbi Brown, L'Wren Scott | Leave a comment

Tom Ford Blush Review

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Henna

Blush. It actually drives me crazy. I love how it looks on other people (most of the time) and sometimes I love how it looks on me, but every once in a while I catch an image of too much blush, and I decide never to wear blush again. Plus, I like matching my blush to my lipstick, and my lipstick changes according to my mood, the weather, the time of day, so that makes matching blush a little impossible.

But then when I find a blush I like… well, then I’m on the blush bandwagon again.

Tom Ford Blush has got me back on the bandwagon.

At $65 it’s probably the most expensive blush that you will own, but the pan is nice and large so you can properly pick up enough product on your blush brush, and the blush is pigmented just-so that you can layer on lots or wear very sheerly and create a seamless finish. The lasting power? Basically all day.

Some of the colours do have shimmer in them. The shimmer is not undetectable, but it’s not nearly as distracting as, say, Nars Orgasm shimmer. I have the blush in Ravish, and it’s kind of a dark pinkish plum with a bit of coral in it. It’s natural looking on deeper complexions but anyone with a medium skin tone or lighter will need to use it with a lighter hand. The shimmer is lighter than the blush and makes skin look pretty and glowy.

Is this the only blush out there that can deliver? Probably not… but if you have to have Tom Ford, then know that this blush is a great one. It’s velvety, smooth, and just so easy to use.

Tom Ford products are sold at Holt Renfrew Bloor St. and Vancouver locations.

Posted in Spring 2014 | Tagged Blush, tom ford | Leave a comment

Philosophy When Hope is Not Enough Serum Review

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Henna

Want to take your skincare to the next level? Add a serum to the mix. Apply this after cleansing and toning, but before your moisturizer. You can use a serum morning and night, and a good one will be light-weight enough to use twice a day.

My most recent find is Philosophy’s When Hope is Not Enough antioxidant and firming serum. I love that it has a gel formulation which feels light and soothing on the skin. It absorbs quickly and is gentle enough to use all the time. Because it’s oil-free and so light, it’s suited for all skin-types. On an oily day, you’ll just need your sunblock on top, and those who have dry skin will need to use their regular moisturizer on top of this.

Because it’s so light and unassuming, this serum will fit into your beauty regimen easily and soon enough you’ll be wondering what you ever did without it!

After a few weeks of using this serum, I’ve found that my skin looks refreshed thanks to the vitamins C and E in this serum. It’s also smooth and thankfully, this water-based serum hasn’t irritated my skin at all.

Pick it up at Sephora for $49.

Posted in Skin Care | Tagged Philosophy, Serum | Leave a comment