Event: L'Oreal Paris Canada Holiday Party

December is just full of holiday beauty events! Makeup Junkie guest contributor and pro makeup artist, Marlene Gordon, attended the L'Oreal Paris Canada holiday party held at the Trump Hotel! It was an event not to be missed - check out the dessert table and you'll see what I mean. Here's what she had to say about all the goodies and the slew of new products for 2013! 

I'm not a particularly festive person, but when I got an invite to the L'Oreal holiday party, taking place at the Trump Hotel- I got festive pretty quickly!

After noshing on  hors d'oeuvres and sipping on (several) cocktails, I got down to business and previewed L'oreal's 2013 products. There are some exciting things in the horizon!

Here are my favourites:

• Colour Riche eyeshadows: 4 shades in each palette. 20 different colour combinations available.
• Miracle Blur: A priming product that softens fine lines and smooths imperfections.
• Telescopic Mascara: Boasts extreme length and definition. I've tried it and it gives super long, individual lashes, no clumping.

Swag!

Look out for all these goodies in January!

About Marlene Gordon

Mar Gordon has always shown an affinity for art and beauty. Her career path was solidified at the age of sixteen when meeting the late, great make-up guru Kevyn Aucoin at a book signing. 

Mar has worked in the make-up industry for the past twelve years in many different facets; from editorial to bridal to runway. 

She is available for private and commercial bookings.

www.margordon.com

Beauty Event: Canadian Beauty Innovation Awards Recap

A few weeks ago, guest contributor and pro makeup artist, Marlene, attended the Canadian Beauty Innovation Awards. Here's what she had to say. Thanks Marlene!

I had the pleasure of attending the Canadian Beauty Innovation Awards. These awards celebrate new, ground-breaking cosmetic products developed in Canada. After seeing some of the finalists, I have to say, we are pretty innovative! There were ten finalists but here were my favourites.

Thalgo's "Booster Collagene".-This potable collagen contains hyaluronic acid, vitamins, and marine collagen and will boost the effects of your existing skin care regime. I drank one, it's not awful. 

Ela Bloom facial oil-A blend of 12 different botanical oils that sooth and repair the skin. What makes them stand out from the plethora of facial oils on the market? They are additive and preservative free and every Ela Bloom product comes with a "Bloom Date", so you know exactly when the product is made. I used my sample for a few nights and it left my skin feeling supple, not greasy. www.elabloom.com 

Aquafolia lipbalm-This spinach extract infused balm hydrates and claims to soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth. It is toxin free and the super hygienic packaging has an air tight seal, so once the product is dispensed, it doesn't seep back in. I tried a bit on my dehydrated lips and I'm seriously considering purchasing it, even with the $28 price tag. www.aquafolia.com/en

Consonant's Hydrextreme - Took home the grand prize! This hydration serum contains only two ingredients, yes just two: gylcerin and Cassia Angustfolia seed extract. Consonant skin care owner Bill Baker said he wanted to change the gold standard of using hyluronic acid in all anti-aging products, using something more effective and safer for your skin. www.consonantbody.com

World Mastercard Toronto Fashion Week Backstage Beauty Recap

It's been a while since Makeup Junkie has covered fashion week in Toronto, but we're back thanks to my brilliant makeup artist friend and writer, Marlene Gordon! She did an amazing job repping for MJ and covering all the backstage beauty. Thank you Marlene for being awesome!!

Check out what she had to say of backstage beauty at Toronto Fashion week!

There was no shortage of super hydrated, dewy skin backstage at the World Mastercard SS 2013 Toronto Fashion Week collections. This lustrous skin was seen at Joe Fresh, Pink Tartan, Arthur Mendoça and VAWK. Lead make-up artist for Maybelline New York Canada, Grace Lee used BB cream to prep the skin and Baby Lips(yes, lip balm) to impart a glow. This was sometimes mixed with Colour Tattoo cream shadow in Barely Branded. The result, sheer luminous skin!

Backstage at Joe Fresh

Maybelline Spokesmodel, Charlotte Free, backstage at Pink Tartan

Bold lip colour is here to stay! Seen at Joe Fresh, Korhani and Lucian Matis. At Joe Fresh, Lee used Vibrant Mandarin Vivid lip colour set with a bit of translucent powder for a "chalk-like look". For Matis it was a custom blend of Electric Orange and On Fire red.

Joe Fresh

Fire orange-red lips as seen backstage at Lucian Matis.

Glowing skin and bold lips at Arthur Mendoca 

Bright lips at Korhani.

I love when make-up artists get inspiration from unconventional places, such as left over material from a recent renovation. Lee used electrical tape, cut into little quarter-moon shapes and placed it on the model's eyelids. She envisioned it glinting as the model walked down the runway, and that it did!

Electrical tape used on lids as seen at VAWK.

No mascara was used. The skin was sheer and dewy, a little contouring with a darker FIT me powder and Maybelline's sheer Colour Whisper was dabbed on the lips.

The second look for Vawk used Master Duo liquid liner to create a "double liner" look. Contouring again with a darker powder and sheer Colour Whisper on the lips.

Backstage at VAWK.

Besides all the amazing hair and makeup that was seen at fashion week, a MAJOR highlight was the legendary supermodel, Pat Cleveland, who opened the show for Pink Tartan! 

I am loving the beauty trends for Spring. Many pretty things to look forward to! And did you know Maybelline makeup could look so good? I think it has a little something to do with makeup genius, Grace Lee and the amazing backstage team! 

Lead Artist, Grace Lee, posing with Charlotte Free.

What were your favourite looks?