Holiday Lookbook 2011: Say It With Glitter This New Year's!

Wow, it's New Year's Eve already! Unfortunately I can't do a lengthy post - gotta get ready and the kiddies to see some friends! Tonight will be a G-rated event for us, but if you're doing something that involves copious amounts of alcohol, loud music and your 4-inch heels here's a hot New Year's Eve look done by my good friend and makeup extraordinaire, Mila Victoria (miss you Melsie!)! Check out her awesome Youtube video for a glittery gold eye.

Since the Makeup Store products are not available in Canada, why not try Canadian company Lit Cosmetics? They have a gazillion colours to choose from including tons of golds in various tones. For instructions on how to apply click here. 

Whatever you're doing have fun and don't drink and drive. Here's to ending 2011 on a high note and starting the new year on an even higher one! Happy New Year's my lovely makeup junkies! 

What's your perfect New Year's Eve look? What's everyone doing?

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

Holiday Favourites 2011: Last Minute Gift Ideas!

Scrambling around for some last minute gifts? You're not alone!

Tarte Puttin' On The Glitz Color Collection & Clutch ($48 USD, LE): For the makeup lover in your life that loves a little glitz and glam, this set of 3 palettes plus a gorgeous clutch and gloss will put you on her "nice" list forever! The palettes feature a good mix of matte and shimmery shades plus they are all well pigmented and long-lasting. You also get a new shade of their best-selling blush 12 hr Amazonian Clay Blush, bronzer and highlighter. The clutch has clever button snaps that allow you to interchange the palettes to suit your mood: casual Friday, sultry Saturday, or high-tea on Sunday. It also features slots for all your major cards, a mirror and a holder for the Maracuja infused gloss. 

Ojon Damage Reverse Starter Set ($32 USD): If you're not familiar with this fabulous all-natural hair line, this is a great set for those who are in need of some hair repair! My hair has been in the worse state it has ever been. It's overgrown and breaking at the root. Plus, my hair is coming out in clumps still which unfortunately is common after you have a baby. My hair already feels ten times better now that I've been using this set. It includes: Restorative Shampoo, Restorative Conditioner, and Restorative Hair Serum. 

What's on your last minute gift list? 

Both are available at your local Sephora store and Sephora.com. 

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

Holiday Lookbook: A Little Bobbi Brown and Armani To Glam Up Your Look

"Holiday smokey eyes" consists of rich colours in glitzy and shimmery textures. I love metallic finishes and glitter this time of year. Have some fun and bump up a traditional smokey eye with shades of metallic silver, grey, and black with flecks of silver glitter. For those of you who shy away from too much shimmer and glitter, Bobbi Brown has a great palette out this holiday. 

Bobbi Brown Cool Party Eye Palette ($45 USD): Go icy or go sultry, Bobbi's palette will take your day look easily into a nighttime smokey eye. I love gunmetal greys and silvers for a smokey eye. This palette is for cooler skin tones and would look amazing on anyone with fair to medium-dark skin tones. My skin is on the warmer side so I find only the taupe, and the 2 darkest shade really work for me. As long as you mix the darker shades with the lighter ones, warmer skin tones can wear this palette too.

For a sultry smokey eye, start with the darkest shade on the lid. Apply a medium shade to the crease and use the 2 lightest shades as a highlight on the brow bone and the inner corner of the eye. The shadows are long-lasting as well and very well pigmented. 

Gloss d'armani Lip Gloss #101 ($36 CAD): A smokey eye would not be complete without nude lip and a long-wearing one at that. Armani's newest line is a long-wearing gloss that is full of colour. While you're sipping champagne or noshing on some delectable chocolates, you don't want to worry about reapplying your lip colour every hour. When you first apply the gloss, it goes on smooth and non-sticky. But after minutes of applying, the texture starts to feel thicker and a bit tacky. It claims to last for 8 hrs, but it's more like the colour lasts for 6-8 hrs (the drier your lips the longer it lasts I find), and the shine lasts for about 3-5 hours. It's not a liquid lipstick, so as a gloss this is one of the more longer wearing glosses. I really like the angled sponge applicator. It really follows the contours of your lips making the application a breeze. #101 is a nude beige with silver shimmer. It looks gorgeous on the lips especially when paired with a smokey eye. It gives just enough colour so the lips don't look too pale. The shimmer gives good shine and makes the lips appear fuller.

Tip: If you're going to wear shimmer on the eyes and lips, keep the face shimmer-free. Use a matte blush and keep foundation more velvety than dewy. Also, exfoliate your lips really well before applying this gloss. I found it accentuated my chapped lips and dried them out slightly. 

Swatches:

Bobbi Brown Cool Party Palette

 

d'armani Lip Gloss #101

Have you tried these products? 

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

Holiday Lookbook: YSL Beauty 2011

You may want to skip the mistletoe this year because you'll want to keep these lipsticks on! I adore YSL lipsticks especially the Rouge Pur Couture line (Makeup Junkie Top 5 Lipsticks)! And now they've come out with Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre which is equally as amazing. 

L-R: 

YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Rouge Eros ($30 USD): The original shades have a creamy non-shimmery finish, but Rouge Eros perfect for the holidays, has a subtle shimmery finish to it. This shade brings out more of the cherry undertones on me which I just love. To keep it on longer, apply a lip similar shade or use an invisible liner to prevent bleeding. I prefer it without gloss, but if you want some glossy shine just dab in the center of the lips. 

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in #110 Fuchsia Symbole ($30 USD): This lipstick has name all over it - literally! The lovely team over at YSL sent me my favourite shade of lipstick - a bright, fuchsia with gold shimmer. I didn't think it was possible but I've fallen even more in love with their new line (and it doesn't hurt that this particular shade has my name on it). It is still well-pigmented but has more slip to it than the original formula. My lips also don't dry out with this lipstick. I especially love the golden undertones and the shimmery finish makes the lips so pretty!

Make these lippies stand out by wearing minimal makeup and keeping the skin looking flawless and radiant. Swipe on a neutral shade on the eyes, define with black liquid liner and tons of mascara. Keep cheeks neutral either with bronze or a pale pink.

Swatches: 

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Rouge Eros

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre Fuchsia Symbole

Have you tried these lippies? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Want 'em?

www.yslbeautyus.com

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

Holiday Lookbook: Shu Uemura 2011

The holiday season is such a fun time for makeup because the packaging is always interesting and beautiful. The colours are sparkling and bold. Holiday parties are a fun time to experiment with some colour! Think outside the typical smokey eye or red lip. Shu Uemura's holiday collection is a great example of how to use some bold yet wearable colours. 

This season Shu Uemura teamed up with internationally renowned film director, War Kong Wai, to create some exciting eye palettes and lip shades. The palettes also feature a cool hologram! While the blue palette was gorgeous, I was immediately drawn to the purple palette. It features 4 shadows, 1 highlighter, and 1 cream blush that can also be used on the lips. The colour payoff is fantastic as usual and you have the option of creating many different looks. If you want something more subtle, use the gold across the lid and apply the cream blush a little heavier on the cheeks and lips. A purple smokey eye will definitely take the original version up a notch. This is definitely a palette to have fun with!

Swatches:

Have you tried Shu Uemura's holiday collection? Love it? Hate it? Want it?

Available at Holt Renfrew locations across Canada. 

www.shuuemura-usa.com

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

'Tis The Season For Giving Because Doing Good Is Beautiful!

It's not hard to get swept in all the hoopla that is the holidays. We're consumed with holiday parties, kid's Christmas concerts, primping to look your best and lots of shopping. I too get lost in all the madness especially with two little ones because you just want to make it as magical as possible. Thanks to the beautiful Rhia from artistrhi, she reminded me about the spirit of giving! Be sure to check her blog to donate to her special charities! I thought it was such a fantastic idea that she used CanadaHelps.Org to create her own donation page so I created one of my own!

Children's charities have become near and dear to my heart. In the effort to make my blog more personal, I've been going back and forth about whether I should post photos of my kiddies. My kids are my whole world and beauty blogging is also apart of my world so it seems natural to want to share the things that I love the most on the blog. This is the first time I've ever posted photos of my kids! Meet Little Man and Baby Z!

Many of you may remember me being hospitalized in the summertime. Well, shortly after I gave birth my son was admitted to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto and needed surgery so that he could start eating. He was born 2 months early. As you can imagine, it was a gut-wrenching experience leaving my new baby at the hospital for almost 2 months. Thanks to the amazing staff and surgeons at Sick Kids, at 6 months Baby Z is doing well and thriving!

(Excuse the boxes in the background - we just moved!)

If you are in the spirit of giving, I would love for you to visit my donation page and give to 2 important charities: Sick Kids Foundation and Plan Canada. There are so many kids in need so lets make this holidays a special one for them. Thank you to everyone that has donated - this is the best gift I could ever receive! Happy Holidays everyone and remember doing good is beautiful! 

To donate please visit: http://www.canadahelps.org/GivingPages/GivingPage.aspx?gpID=15606&fb_source=message 

A donation button will also be on the right hand side of my blog. :)

xo,

Joy

Holiday Lookbook: Chanel Holiday 2011

I love being me, but I'd like to be her for at least a day. She's the "it" girl everyone wants to know at all the parties. 

If you want her look, you'll need to get your hands on Chanel's very luxe holiday collection. You can't get anymore glamorous than shimmering golds and ruby reds together.

Chanel Glossimer in Sparkle D'Or ($36 CAD): Chanel Glossimers are in my top 5 for glosses. One day I shall do a post of my favourite glosses to wear and to work with! This is definitely a splurge item, but because I use them for work I consider it an investment (I say to myself as I take out my wallet to pay). My stash is slowly growing. I love a lot of different glosses, but the Glossimers give such a dazzling shimmer to the lips it's unlike a lot of the other glosses I own. These are my go-to bridal glosses and just about every bride I've used them on has fallen in love. Sparkle D'Or (not pictured above) is the perfect shimmering gold gloss lovely on its own or added to the center of a red lip or just about any colour.

Chanel Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss in Triomphal ($32 USD): With the amount of champagne you'll be drinking this holiday, you'll want something that's long-lasting. Not for the faint of heart, these long-wearing liquid lipsticks are richly pigmented with lots of gorgeous shine. The first night I wore this out, I made the mistake of wearing a lip balm and a gloss over top. I wore no lip liner, which was a bad move because it ended up bleeding and feathering. The next time I wore it, I blotted my lips after I applied my balm and used a lip liner first. It didn't budge for hours. Triomphal is stunning and looks more ruby red on me which I love. Looks beautiful with a baby pink cheek and shimmer on the cheekbones.

Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour in Famous (LE, $32 USD): Appropriately titled, 'Famous' will get you noticed. The texture is really moisturizing and applied more like a gloss but with lots of pigment. I was pleasantly surprised because I thought it would look a lot heavier, but it's definitely wearable for day. It has a hint of shimmer which adds nice dimension to the lips. I'm totally in love with the packaging and is so Chanel. The black and gold combination is becoming a slight obsession of mine. The click-open case is wildly entertaining. I sat for minutes popping it open. I wouldn't say this is long-wearing, but it lasts for 4 hrs or so. I didn't find I needed a lip liner with this, but it didn't feather or bleed either even with lip balm. 

Chanel Eye Shadow Duo in Noir/Ivoire ($42 USD): An easy duo for a quick smokey eye. Noir/Ivoire is a classic palette of black-brown and ivory-gold. Creating a smokey eye with this was effortless. Use Ivoire as your base and highlight and apply Noir on the lid. Done! If you want a more classic look that puts the focus on your lips, use Ivoire all over the lid and dampen an angled brush and line your eyes with Noir. The textures go on very smoothly and are nicely pigmented. However, I found I had to layer the shadows over a long-wearing cream base to prevent it from fading. While it is a nice palette that could be considered a staple, this is definitely a splurge item. There are other brands that are much cheaper and have long-wearing shadows.

Chanel Highlighting Powder (LE, $72 USD): The holidays just isn't the same without a magical dusting of shimmer. This ivory mixed with pink and mother-of-pearl finish is a gorgeous highlighter. The design alone will appeal to us Chanel collectors, but even I think it's a little absurd to pay this much for a highlighter. Again, it is Chanel and as much as I love the brand I can't even justify it. But if you have the money or feel like splurging, well be my guest but I'd pass on this one from the collection.

Chanel Le Vernis in Rouge Carat ($25 USD): Red is such a classic shade, but you'll love this festive version. Rouge Carat is a sparkling ruby red with gold shimmer. I love Chanel polishes so I'm willing to splurge on their must-have shades.

Swatches: 

L-R: Chanel Glossimer Sparke D'Or, Rouge Allure Famous, and Rouge Allure Extrait de Gloss in Triomphal

Chanel Eye Shadow in Noir/Ivoire

Chanel Highlighter

Have you tried Chanel's holiday collection? Do you have any favourites or is this a pass?

www.chanel.com

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

And The ebeauty.ca Winner Is...

Donna Marie!!!

Congratulations! We hope you enjoy this awesome beauty prize pack from ebeauty.ca! My apologizes for announcing the winner so late! It's been a crazy week and I was fighting a cold - bleh. Thank you to everyone that entered and thank you to ebeauty for sponsoring this great giveaway! 

xo

Joy

Holiday Favourites 2011: The "It" List

Christmas shopping is a fun yet tortuous task for me. It's not even the money factor (ok, maybe a little). It's the case of "one for you, one for me". As you peruse my "It" list for this holiday, you'll be sure to find something to add to your wish list! 

The Makeup Newbie

Clockwise: 

• Laura Mercier The Book of Nudes ($48 USD):  Popular among makeup artists and makeup lovers, Laura Mercier's palette of nudes does not disappoint. I'm ashamed to say, but this palette is the first Laura Mercier product in my beauty stash and it is here to stay! This book of nudes will ease any makeup newbie into the world of makeup. The shades and textures are very wearable. It's a palette that will take you from day to night in a snap. The mix of matte and shimmery finishes make for a great bridal palette as well. 

It includes: 8 Eye Colours in Buff (matte finish/ soft neutral cream), Tiger's Eye (sequin finish/ sparkling chocolate brown), Sandstone (sateen finish/ pale peachy pink), Bamboo (luster finish/ golden brown shimmer), Baroque (sateen finish/ warm terracotta), Fresco (matte finish/ neutral beige brown), Granite (matte finish/ smoky gray), Cocoa Brown (sateen finish/ shimmering brown), 1 Tightline Cake Liner in Ground Espresso (universal black-brown)
3 Crème Veils in Bronzer Veil (universal bronze), Cheek Veil (matte rose peach), Glow Veil (radiant neutral beige shimmer).

• Makeup iQ App For iPad/iTouch by TracyP Makeup ($0.99): Every makeup newbie can use a little help. Why not learn about makeup and have fun while you're doing it? If you haven't heard, one of my favourite makeup artists, Tracy Peart of TracyP Makeup and Cityline's/Breakfast Television's key makeup artist in Toronto is the visionary genius behind this awesome app! The best part is that you can learn about makeup wherever you are!

It's a quiz and makeup game mixed into one. Answer the skill testing makeup questions...the more answers you get correct, the more makeup and hairstyling you can apply to your model. The goal of this app is to help you learn more about makeup application, and have fun while you're learning. It's inexpensive and valuable at the same time! I love gifts like that - don't you?

• Make Up For Ever Wild & Chic Best of Kit ($55 USD): The holidays is the perfect time to stock up on must-have products. Most brands launch kits that have their best-sellers like this lovely kit from one of my makeup staples Make Up For Ever. If you have a gal pal just learning to wear makeup, this kit has all the essential to create a polished look. The kit includes: HD Microfinish Powder
  Full Size Aqua Cream in 13 Warm Beige (champagne shimmer)
  Travel Aqua Eyes in Mat Black 0L (black)
  Full Size Lab Shine in Star Collection - S4 (pearly pink beige)
  HD Microperfecting Primer
  Full Size Smoky Lash Extra Black Mascara

 It's a phenomenal deal considering there are 3 full size products in the kit. Love all their products!

 The Makeup Junkie

 

•  Sephora by OPI Glimmer Wonderland 18 Piece Mini Nail Colour Set ($48 USD): Because a makeup junkie can never just have one! All nail junkies rejoice! This must-have set holds cute minis of Sephora by OPI's best-sellers, trendy shades and everyday basics. Give as one gift or divide between your besties - you decide!
• Korres Cherry Picked Cherry Oil Lip Gloss Quad ($28 USD): Forget about your friends - save this one for yourself! If you love gloss, Korres glosses are the bees knees! These lovely lippies come in 4 best-selling and flattering shades and they make your lips look fantastic! You get all shine without the stickiness and it's packed full of good stuff like Cherry Oil which hydrates the lips and Vitamin E & C offers antioxidant benefits. This all-natural lip set contains 4 Cherry Oil Lip Gloss in Natural Purple 25 (sheer dusty rose), Naked Rose 22 (sheer golden rose shimmer), Fuchsia 54 (shimmering muted fuchsia), Light Purple 23 (mauve pink shimmer). These glosses are definitely in my top 5 for glosses!
• Avon Expert Mega Palette ($29.99 USD): Makeup Junkies everywhere will love the many looks upon looks that can be created from this Avon mega palette. I haven't always been a fan of Avon shadows but this set seems very well pigmented especially the blushes which I'm a fan of. This amazing set contains 36 eye shadows, 36 lip glosses, and 6 blushes. Each level is like a little surprise!

Smokey Eye Lovers

•  Make Up For Ever Wild & Chic Aqua Eyes Set ($36 USD): Again, another amazing value set from MUFE! I've always been a fan of these long-wearing pencils. If you love your smokey eye, you'll love smudging these into your lash line for that sooty rock 'n roll effect. These also work great as a base under powder shadows. If you're also a fan of colour, you will enjoy these universally flattering shades: Full Size Aqua Eyes in Mat Black 0L (black) and 5 Travel-size Aqua Eyes in Dark Grey 21L (dark metallic grey), Iridescent Navy Blue 3L (navy blue sheen), Blue With Green Highlights 12L (metallic teal blue), Pearly Brown 2L (golden brown sheen), Purple 11L (metallic purple).
• Buxom Armed & Gorgeous ($29 USD): These double-ended waterproof smoky eye sticks are no joke! For the friend who loves to bounce around from party to party, these pencils will work double duty as an eye liner and shadow. These shadow liners glide on smoothly but you have to work quickly if you want to smudge them out. The kit comes with a smudging brush and a sharpener (still haven't figured out how it works). It twists up so I guess the sharpener is used if you want the ends to be more of a point for lining. It comes in lovely shades that work for a lot of skin tones. Smokin' Pistol & Switchblade (smoky coal/ smoky metallic indigo), Two by Four & Torch (smoky black-brown/ smoky metallic brass), 5" Stiletto & Slingshot (smoky plum/ smoky metallic chrome). 
• Vasanti Nude Pink Lip Kit ($25 CAD):  A smokey eye is not complete without a nude lip! Available in nude pink and nude brown, these lip kits are the perfect compliment to this season's smokey eye. These limited edition kits offer such great value and all products are full size. It includes Sweden Ultra Luxe Lipstick (the perfect everyday pink), Norwegian Vitamin E Infused Lip Shine (shimmering pale pink), and a Pro Lip Brush complete with a silver cover. The set comes in a cute re-useable tote perfect for gift-giving and traveling! I am a huge fan of Vasanti lip products because they have a balm-like finish that glides on smoothly and keeps your lips moisturized without any stickiness. There are so many gorgeous shades to choose from! Sweden is a great choice for a nude pink lip because it leans more warm so your lips will never look chalky.

The Home Body

 

Clockwise: 

• Sleeping With The Enemy Coco Chanel's Secret War by Hal Vaughan ($21 CAD, Chapters.indigo.ca) and Paris Wife by Paula McLain ($19 CAD, Chapters.indigo.ca): Beauty and style lovers will enjoy this book about a secret side of Chanel's life. If you're obsessed with Chanel and old Paris like I am, you or your special gal pal will love this book!

I haven't started reading Paris Wife yet, but it came highly recommended. Told in the voice of Ernest Hemingway's first wife Hadley, tells his story from her point of view. You will fall in love with characters like Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and others from Paris the Lost Generation. 

I purchased both books at Chapters/Indigo's on-line store. Fighting the hustle and bustle of holiday shoppers is not what I call a good time. Shopping on-line just makes total sense and I highly recommend shopping Chapters/Indigo's on-line store. It's user-friendly and full of great gift ideas and recommendations. You'll also benefit from cheaper prices if your a member. The best part was the super quick shipping time! It only took one day and a half for me to receive my order! Chapters.Indigo.ca is PTPA Approved so be sure to make this a shopping destination this holiday!

•  La Vie en Rose Minnie Surprise Me Long-Sleeved Top & Pants ($69.95 CAD):  For the ones that love to get cozy at home and are big Minnie Mouse fans, she will instantly fall in love with this adorable pajama set. It's cotton and feels oh-so soft and luxurious! I love lounging around in this while I snuggle up to a good book and mug of coffee...fantastic!

•  Philosophy Sweet Kisses & Merry Wishes Set ($36 USD): Those that love to pamper themselves at home will enjoy a relaxing bubble bath with this yummy and scrumptious smelling set of body washes from Philosophy. For the longest time, Orange Mimosa was my favourite body wash but now I have some new faves! This offers such amazing value because it also comes with matching lip glosses! These would be perfect for dividing amongst the favourite gals in your life. The set comes with: 4 Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath in Sugar Sprinkles Funnel Cake, Peppermint Bark, Pomegranate Bubbly, Old Fashioned Eggnog and 4 Lip Shine in Sugar Sprinkles Funnel Cake, Peppermint Bark, Pomegranate Bubbly, Old Fashioned Eggnog. My personal favourites - Sugar Sprinkles Funnel Cake and Peppermint Bark! I also love the recipes on the bottles - something I will have to try this holiday! 
• Aveda Grounding Soy Wax Candle ($29 USD): Lighting some candles is the perfect ambiance for a relaxing soak in the bath. Aveda's soy wax candle uses the aromas of pur flower and plant essences including organic vanilla, ginger, and cassia. You will enjoy up to 50 hours of aroma that burns cleanly and completely. Those that are green friendly will appreciate the chic 95% recycled glass holder it comes in. 

 The Big Spender

• Jo Malone Cologne Collection ($95 USD/$110 CAD): For the gal pal that loves only the best. If you have the money to dish on a luxury gift set, this cologne set from Jo Malone will be adored by the fragrance lover in your life. What I love about Jo Malone fragrances is that you can combine with other scents in the collection and create your own custom scent. The set includes Grapefruit, Red Roses, Vanilla Anise, Pomegranate Noir, and Wild Bluebell. I absolutely adore Vanilla Anise and I love the understated yet elegant packaging.
• La Mer The Discovery Collection ($260.00 USD): I'm all for dishing out money on expensive skincare because to me good skin is the most important. La Mer isn't just expensive - it's luxuriously expensive so only splurge on this for your BFF or yourself! But when it comes to this line it's definitely worth it! I love La Mer cream and I wish I could own multiple tubs of this. This set includes 1 oz Creme de la Mer, The Radiant Serum .5 oz, and The Eye Balm Intense .17 oz. 

So, what's on your wish list? How much do you spend on friends?

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

Holiday Favourites 2011: Stocking Stuffers

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's December 1st which means there's only 24 days left to get your Christmas shopping done! I'm still trying to accept that we had our first snowfall in Toronto yesterday. To brighten up the mood, peruse my Makeup Junkie stocking stuffer favourites! There is something for everyone (and maybe yourself) at every price point.

Under $20

1. Tokidoki Arte Palette - 'Til Death Do Us Part ($10 USD): This fun palette has a mix of fun and very wearable shades. It includes four shadows in matte cream pink, shimmer light pink, pearl denim blue, matte black with sparkle and a golden pink blush. Perfect for that special teen in your life who is obsessed with anything funky and artsy. Available at Sephora.
2. mark by Avon Nailed It Trend Holiday Mini Nail Laquers ($7 USD): How adorable is this mini nail duo? And the price makes it right! Nail polish junkies will love Sure Fire, a festive metallic berry colour, and Meltdown, a metallic taupe shade. Wear separately or pair together for a trendy french manicure. Available through your Avon or mark sales representative.
3. mark by Avon Clean Up Time Conditioning Bath Soaps ($12 USD): For the bath and body junkie, these body soaps made with Fair Trade Certified cocoa butter, shea butter, and white tea extract make your skin feel heavenly! Comes in a set of 3. Give to one person or break it up into 3! Available through your Avon or mark sales representative.
4. eos Limited Edition Organic Lip Balm Smooth Spheres 3 Pack ($8 USD): These fun balls of lip balm not only satisfy visually but they leave your lips feeling super smooth and moisturized. I'm a little obsessed with these lip balms and so is my 5 year old son! This 3 pack includes Sweet Mint, Strawberry Sorbet, and Passion Fruit. Besides it being a great lip balm, my favourite part is that it's inexpensive! Give as one gift or to save some money split them up!  Available at Walmart and Pharma Plus stores in Canada.

Over $20

 

1. mark by Avon Showcase Color & Clutch To Go ($20 USD):  Uber glam and super functional, this handy makeup clutch will help you look good as you bounce around from party to party! Includes 6 lipglosses, 1 all-over face colour, 4 eyeshadows and 2 blushes. Bonus: remove the palette insert and it transforms into a useable clutch! Available through your Avon or mark sales representative.
2. Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick Set of 5 ($25 USD): I'm becoming quite a fan of Canadian brand, Bite Beauty! This good-enough-to-eat (yes that's right) line of lip products is highly pigmented using food-grade colouring that is approved and used in yogurts and other foods. For all you wine lushes, each lipstick contains 5 glasses of Resveratrol, a super anti-oxidant that fights free radicals and repairs your lips overtime. The set includes mini lipsticks in Shiraz (soft plum), Fig (nude rose - personal fave), Pepper (dusty rose), Bouquet (soft pink), and Champagne (pearly nude - great for using as a highlight in the center of lips). It's free of all the yucky stuff so let your lips lick, taste and maybe even bite! Perfect for the lip junkie(s) in your life who love all things natural. Available at Sephora.

 

3.  Bobbi Brown Classic To Go Palette ($25 USD): A lovely stocking stuffer for the "sophisticate" always on-the-go. This classic palette will take you from day to night in seconds! This mini palette includes 3 shadows in Bone (off white), Cement (grey beige), and Caviar (Blackest Brown), Mini Naked Plum High Shimmer Gloss (rosy brown with shimmer), Pale Mauve Lip Color (light pinky mauve), and Tulle Lip Color (soft pink). Save this for your fair to medium skin beauties - Bone, Cement, and Tulle barely show on me, but the plum gloss is gorgeous and Caviar is one of my go-to dark shades for lining the eyes or creating a smokey eye. Available at Holt Renfrew across Canada.

4. Benefit The Big 10 ($32 USD): New to the brand? This is a great way to sample the line. Already a fan? You'll love these travel-size minis of their best-selling products plus some new ones! Having your best gal pals over and want to do something special? This set is perfect for gifting a few stocking stuffers. The set includes Dandelion (one of my favourite pink blushes and all-over face for brightening back in the day), Erase Paste in Medium (a MJ fave), Benetint, Posietint (MJ fave), High Beam, Ooh La Lift, Stay Don't Stray, That Gal, The Porefessional (MJ fave), and Bella Bamba (new box powder a new fave).  Available at Sephora.

What will you be filling your stockings with? 

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