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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? 

Makeup Moment: M.A.C. So Chaud By The Seine...

Taking a wee break from the Fall beauty trends today. It's been a crazy September. Back-to-school, TIFF, shoots, and weddings oh my! I'm not complaining, but lately my mind has been drifting and dreaming of far away places like my trip to Paris back in April. I never did tell you how M.A.C. So Chaud lipstick and I fell in love in Paris...

If I want to glam it up a bit but don't have a lot of time, doing a bright bold lip is my go-to. My time was much better spent sipping the famous Angelina's hot cocoa in the Tuileries. Much thanks to my bold lippies and saving me time! 

I wanted a orange-red matte lipstick and after much "serious" research, I decided M.A.C. So Chaud was the winner. It's matte without being too drying like their matte lipsticks of the past and gives me the richest pop of colour a gal could ask for. I found myself reaching for this lipstick a lot. We spent time by the Seine watching the boats go by, buying posters and post cards from street vendors, doing goofy poses in front of the Louvre with the Eiffel Tower always in the background. Even after noshing on many buttery, flaky croissants So Chaud still stayed on with barely any touch-ups needed. 

This lipstick will forever have a special place in my beauty stash. After all, we did share Paris together...

Makeup 101: Wear Metallics This Fall

Photographer: Camille Rojas Photography, Makeup: Joy David-Tilberg, Hair: Donna Marie De Leon, Model: Masha (Elmer Olson), Photo Assistant: Helen Yinn

Reach for the most luxurious, rich metallics this season. I loved this recent shoot we did. The look I was going for was a mix of ethereal and mermaid. You like? Visit The Joy of Makeup to see how you can wear Fall's metallic trends! 

Summer Beauty Review 2012: True Blue

My oldest son thinks I'm a pretty cool mom because one of my top 3 favourite colours is blue. From clothing, to makeup, to accessories blue is one colour I've been rocking this summer. And it has to be a vibrant, cobalt blue otherwise it doesn't excite me as much. It's amazing how colour can affect your mood!

Here are some "true" blue beauty must-haves to add to your beauty stash!

YSL La Lacque Couture in Bleu Majorelle: This polish has become one of my all-time favourite shades. Bleu Majorelle is a colour you can wear any time of the year and any skin tone can rock it. It's vibrant, rich, and has amazing shine. This bold blue might not be office appropriate so save it for a get away or a night out. 

Le sigh...Bleu Majorelle shot in Paris. Photo Credit: Makeup Junkie.

mark Keep It Going Longwear Liner and Shadow in Paradiso: Talk about getting more bang for your buck. I am pleasantly surprised at how well these liners/shadows perform. They are well pigmented and last all day with no smearing or fading. Having a shadow and liner in one is a bonus! I love layering these under powder shadows. Paradiso has one bright blue shade and the other half is a chartreuse. It looks best wearing the chartreuse on the lid as a shadow and the blue as a liner. The blue looks gorgeous as a shadow too. Sorry, didn't get a chance to do a swatch (camera is out of commission at the moment!). Available in 6 other shades. 

YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Waterproof in Majorelle Blue: I've tried some coloured mascaras in the past and the shade just didn't show up that well on its own. Well, you don't have to worry about that with YSL's version. This mascara is gorgeous and I love the voluminous finish it gives my otherwise flimsy, straight lashes. The blue is very vibrant and really brightens the whites of the eyes. It's a great trick when your eyes are looking a little tired. To make it a bit more wearable, I like to layer on a black mascara and then brush on the blue on top. It's still noticeable but not so in your face. I'm a fan of YSL mascaras, but the price is definitely for those splurge worthy moments!

What true blue products are you loving right now? 

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

Summer Feature 2012: Summer Days

Happy Be-lated Canada Day to all my Canadian readers and Happy 4th of July to all my American readers! As usual, life is busy and I'm trying to fit in posts where I can. We're off to BC this Friday so I apologize for the lack of posting! 

It's an oven in Toronto which means summer has really arrived. Here are some pretty things keep you cool and looking lovely this summer!

• mark Easy Going Maxi Dress: I'm not too keen on my legs and hate to show them (hi, body issues!). Maxi skirts and dresses have become my new summertime BFF. They are a summer essential. I LOVE this tribal inspired maxi from mark by Avon. Isn't it pretty? It's perfect for walks in the city or taking a stroll on the boardwalk. The straps are adjustable and the bustline has an elastic waist so the fit is great. When it's cooler, I love pairing this with a cropped jean jacket. It works with flats or wedge sandals. 
• mark Fit to Print Reversible Beach Bag: How fun is this beach bag? It's the perfect tote for anything really. You can use it for shopping, as a gym bag, or like how I use it - as a diaper bag! It fits everything I need. And when you want something more nautical, reverse the bag. The blue and white stripes will pump up any outfit. 
• mark Triple Sparkle Necklace: Lately, I've been really into simple jewelry that I can wear everyday. This trio of goldtone, silvertone, and hematite spheres adds a little sparkle to your basic tees or tanks. I love layering this with other necklaces. It's become one of my faves!
• mark Pretty Stellar Ring: If you swell and get bloated from the heat like I do, you'll appreciate this adjustable gorgeous turquoise ring from mark. The band is stretchy so you can wear it on any finger you desire. Love! 
• L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Balm in Pink Satin: Tinted lip balm lipsticks are all the rage right now and are so easy to wear on a super hot day. This one from L'Oreal is Dior's cheaper lil' sister, but L'Oreal's has an SPF 15. The packaging is very similar with its pink case. The line does offers more shades than Dior's, but L'Oreal's pigment is more sheer. If you want to save, you will like L'Oreal's version. Pink Satin is a very sheer light pink. If you have more pigment on your lips this shade won't really show. I'd go with the darker shades if you want more colour. 

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

Summer Feature 2012: Beach Love

There are certain things that have to be apart of my summer - traveling, BBQ (foodie over here!), and Bob Marley. Warm, sunny weather brings on so many possibilities so you need to be prepared for any situation. If you're a sun lover and like to spend your days chilaxing on the beach, here are a list of my must-have beach essentials!

• la Vie en Rose Tankini in Saffron: I don't know if I've met any woman who LOVES bathing suit shopping (and if you do then grr). If the search for the perfect swimsuit has been a painful one, go visit la Vie en Rose for a variety of styles for all shapes at reasonable prices. If you've been on the Tangerine Tango tip, you'll love this one! Ok, so I'm not in my 20's anymore and have had 2 kids which means things sit a little differently (ok I'll blame it also on my lack of exercise). Tankinis may seem a little "mature" but they are a belly-conscious girl's BFF. I love this one from la Vie en Rose. It gives you support in the bust area and hides that not-so-tight tummy. The simple design yet bold shade will have you looking fab while laying under the sun. 
• la Vie en Rose Bottoms with Side String: The side strings on the matching bottoms give the entire look a younger, trendier feel (plus you can loosen a bit more if it's feeling a bit snug on the hips). And if you've got a lil' booty goin' on, the bottoms are full coverage! 
• Vichy Captial Soleil SPF 30 Luxurious Protective Oil: Want to make your bod look sexy and still be protected from the skin? I'm loving this protective sun oil from Vichy. I've had issues in the past with other SPF products giving me rashes, but so far so good! What I like to do is spray in my hands, then rub onto my skin. This way I know I'm covering all areas properly. The texture feels pretty silky, but for some might feel heavy for everyday. Your skin will look radiant though! It's perfect for lazing around at the beach. Keep in mind, it's not waterproof so you'll need to reapply. If you plan to use it on the face, spray into your hands first then apply on the face. If you burn easily, you something with a higher SPF. 
• YSL La Laque Couture in Corail Colisee: I am loving YSL's new line of La Laque polishes! The shades are so bold and lovely. They are a cream finish and apply perfectly with little streaking. And the wear-time is really good. I wore one in Paris and it lasted for almost the 11 days. The brush is a little different than I'm used to, but I actually like it. It has a rounder edge and is wide which is perfect for my wide nail beds. Corail Colisee is a juicy, tangerine coral. It's a beautiful shade especially against tanned skin.  

• Dior Addict Lip Balm in Crystal Coral: I LOVE tinted lip balms. I am never without one. When I first saw Crystal Coral in the tube, it didn't really excite me. But one swipe and now I'm in love. It's the perfect mix of coral with a hint of pink shimmer. It's so gorgeous and is always in my purse. It's my go-to lippie right now for easy-breezy sunshine fun! Lip balms with an SPF irritate my lips, but if you need sun protection I recommend using a clear balm with SPF then applying this on top. I love the moisturizing texture and the shade is sheer but still very noticeable. Would I purchase again? I love Dior lip products, but at $30 for a tinted balm it's a bit absurd. Why do I have to have such expensive taste?? Anything Dior are splurge items for me so get this when you feel like a luxurious makeup treat! 

• Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray: This is on my need-to-get list right now. I tried this from a friend of mine and I kind of need to have it now. Like sushi (talking about food again!), it's an acquired taste. Call me crazy, but I love it when my hair is a little crazy and curly in the summer. I don't even mind the frizz because it makes those wavy styles look effortless. I like to go a little boho-chic in the summer, so beachy hair is where it's at. If you've frolicked in the ocean before, then you're familiar with the voluminous, sexy texture the salt water gives you. Surf Spray is salt-water in a bottle but with some nourishing ingredients to give back some moisture. To avoid over doing it and making your hair feel too sticky or dirty, spray it in your hands first then work it into the ends. Your waves and curls will last all day! 
• Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow in 26E: Gimme! Gimme! Anything that is sweat-proof or water-proof is an all around summer essential whether you're at the beach, poolside, or at the cottage. I've been a fan of MUFE's Aqua Creams so I'm thrilled they came out with a pencil version. When you're on the run, these are definitely more convenient and they are so portable! They are easy to apply - just rub on the lids and blend with a brush or your finger! They set pretty fast so you have to blend rather quickly. Lasting power is amazing and they are fabulous under powder shadows. Surprisingly, I don't think I own a shade like this at least not anymore. It kind of reminds me of MAC's Expensive Pink with less gold and more of a pink finish. 26E is a beautiful metallic peach-pink. The finish almost looks like a duo-chrome. I'm so in love with this shade. On my undertone, I seem to bring the pink undertones out. A lot of splash in the water or catching a few rays on the beach won't make this shadow budge! 

• mark The Last Straw Hat: I love me a sexy hat especially to hide my bed head. Can I tell you how many mornings I have thrown on a hat to drop off my son at the bus?? To give you even more protection from the sun, a hat (and I'm not talking about a baseball cap) will keep those harsh rays from sucking out your youth! I love this floppy one from mark by Avon (but not liking the price - I don't think I've ever paid that much for a hat!). 

What are your beach essentials? 

Products were sent for editorial consideration (except Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray) and I truly love them! 

YSL 30 Day Skin Care Challenge Week 3: Forever Youth Liberator

We're on Week 3 of the YSL 30 day skin care challenge! I hope my naked face photos have been giving you a good laugh or are at least making you feel better about your naked face! I have to say, doing this challenge has forced me to become more comfortable sans makeup. I'm gonna say it, but I feel "liberated" almost (pun intended)! 

I'm happy to report that I'm feeling much better than last week and I even got some colour back in my face (thank you Mr. Sun for shining down on me)! So, do you see a difference? I don't see a significant change in my skin because it was alright to begin with. I have seen a difference in how smooth my skin feels and how even my skin looks. I barely have to wear any coverage. My skin also looks radiant and glow-y all day long. Now that I'm looking at all 4 pictures, my under eye circles do seem a tad lighter - a tad not a lot. In Week 1, the darkness covered the width of my eye. In Week 3, the darkness starts now from the middle to inner under eye. Not bad! 

Only one more week left and then you'll never have to see anymore naked face photos (maybe...)! 

YSL 30 Day Skin Care Challenge Week 2: Forever Youth Liberator

If you've been following my blog then you know that I've committed to a 30 day skin care challenge thanks to YSL's Forever Youth Liberator line. Why did I commit to a whole month of showing my face naked? I blame it on my crazy love for beauty products and will try anything that will maintain the only thing I was blessed with - good skin. Sure, I have the odd adult acne flare ups and flakiness (ok some fine lines too), but for the most part I've got some pretty smooth texture. Don't hate (wink, smile).

Don't get me wrong though. I definitely have those days when I my skin can look sallow and lack luster like this week. The end of week 2 has been rough. I've been battling a cold since Monday (when you have kids your home becomes a germ fest - I know gross!). Although I haven't been feeling my bestest, I've been making an effort to give my skin some TLC with YSL's Forever Youth Liberator line. Just because I am sick, doesn't mean I want to look sick and I think I've been doing a good job of that. None of the mom's realized I was sick all week until I started coughing up a lung today (yes, I will be visiting the walk-in today).

Here's my naked face Week 2. What do think? See any changes? Gah, I think being sick has sucked the colour out of my skin. That and Toronto has seen only rain for the last week or so. And I promise to put a little more effort into my hair next week!

I haven't really noticed a change in the darkness of my under eye circles, but my pores do look smaller, my skin looks much smoother, and my fine lines near my eyes don't seem as noticeable. They look like they've been getting some plumping action (or maybe that's just some PMS bloating - oh ya that's happening too).

Stay tuned for Week 3 where I'm hoping I'll be feeling much healthier than this week and looking thrice as beautiful!

YSL 30 Day Skin Care Challenge Week 1: Forever Youth Liberator

Bob Dylan sang it best, "Forever young, forever young, may you stay forever young." For centuries, this has been an on-going quest; to look young forever. Unfortunately, "forever" in a physical sense doesn't exist but we can sure try and make it last thanks to the super geniuses in beauty!

For the first time ever, this Makeup Junkie (along with other beauty bloggers) is committing to YSL's 30 day skin care challenge. I'm putting their Forever Youth Liberation skin care line to the test. It's designed for us 30-somethings and up. Here's the low-down on why this could change the future of your skin care regime!

Forever Youth Liberator is based on Glycobiology. Glyco-wha? Glycobiology is a revolutionary science that studies the role of glycans in skin regeneration (which YSL is an exclusive beneficiary). Glycans are naturally present in our body that are found commonly on the surface of cells. They are like little communicators between cells making sure our skin keeps regenerating its youth! As we age, these glycans diminish (insert sad face).  

Glycanactif is a patented complex of 3 glycans that will unlock that youthful skin we all have (under the layers of dull, wrinkly skin). This is the active ingredient present in the Forever Youth Liberator range. 

Forever Youth Liberator Serum: The star product of the range! It contains the highest levels of Glycanactif. Gives the skin instant radiance, hydration and wrinkle reduction (within 1 month).

Forever Youth Liberator Eye Creme: De-puffs, illuminates, gets rid of wrinkles, and brightens dark circles. 

Forever Youth Liberator SPF 15 Creme: Protects the skin from sun exposure, adds radiance, and gets rid of wrinkles. Suitable for Normal to Dry skin.

Ok, brace yourself. For the love of blogging, I am posting photos of my face - NAKED!! If you stop reading my blog because of this I understand. You will have to see naked face photos for 1 month! Ahh!

This is me pre-YSL-Forever-Youth-Liberator. No, I'm not "smizing". I'm trying to manage a smile, but it pains me (why didn't I wear my hair down?). I've been having a case of adult acne so please forgive me. And please don't knock my brows - I'm trying to grow them in! 

That's a little better. I'm still not thrilled to have no makeup on, but at least my hair is down! This is after 1 week. I've been applying the serum first day and night, eye cream at night, and day cream during the day. It's hard to get the same lighting and to really notice a difference after 1 week, but I really love how the products feel on my skin. The serum is nice and light and when paired with the day cream really gives my skin a luminous finish. My skin feels so soft! I have noticed my skin has a smoother texture especially near my nose just under my eyes and my blemishes seem less prominent! 

As for the eye cream, I have high hopes for it because it claims after a month my dark circles will be less noticeable (don't all eye creams claim that?). As you can tell, there's really no change in my dark circles. But I do love how it feels around my eyes. It does illuminate the area and makes it look glowy. 

Well, that rounds up Week 1! Stay tuned next week to see more of my naked face hopefully looking twice as youthful! 

Products were sent for editorial consideration and so far loving them!

Spring Beauty Review 2012: Clinique Almost Lipstick Collection

Not quite a lipstick and not quite a lip balm - Clinique Almost Lipsticks are the perfect marriage of both. Here are some scenarios these almost lipsticks are great for: 

• When you're rushing out the door and don't have a mirror. The lipsticks are so sheer it's like applying a lip balm. No mirror necessary. 
• A long plane ride. I wore one on the way to Paris and it kept my lips pretty moisturized with a sheer pop of colour. 
• For the not-done-up look like when you're going grocery shopping, the gym (who am I kidding) or taking the kiddies to the park. 
• When you're looking for a polished look but don't want a severe or super slick lip. The Almost Lipsticks give enough colour and shine to define your lips naturally. They contain transparent pigments that merge with the natural tones in your lip to create your own unique shade!
• If you're a lipstick newbie or afraid of lipstick. These lippies may come in a stick form but they apply smoothly and softly onto the lips. The braver you become, you can layer and layer for a stronger effect and before you know it you'll be addicted to lipstick! Ahhh!

Top to bottom: Flirty Honey, Lovely Honey, Luscious Honey, Tender Honey, Spicy Honey, and Chic Honey

I'm really glad Clinique launched new shades because Black Honey just didn't work for me. My lip's undertones brought out the reds in the shade which look dated on me (think the '90's). Sadly, I've misplaced Shy Honey which was a sheer mauve but looked almost clear on my lip. It was great for those days when I just needed some shine and hydration. You won't find any stickiness, but with that means it won't wear for too long. If you don't mind reapplying, you'll find yourself reaching for these often because they are so easy to wear. The ones I use the most are Flirty, Luscious, Lovely and Tender. They really are a glorified tinted lip balm, but the Almost Lipstick is a cult classic so if you're a fan you will love! I also think the slim packaging makes it very purse and kit friendly. 

If you're looking for a lip that is effortless for spring or summer these are definitely one to check out! 

Retails for $18 CAD and is available worldwide. 

www.clinique.com

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

Spring Beauty Review 2012: Bite Beauty High Pigment Matte Pencils

Don't put away your matte lipsticks away just yet. Matte, bold lips and bare faces were all over the runways this season. Sometimes all you need is a pop of colour on the lips to brighten up the whole face and a matte texture - while not easy for everyone to carry off - is effortless. Depending on how thick you apply it, you can dab it on to look like a stain from a just eaten popsicle. Rule of thumb: your lips must be in tip-top shape to pull of a matte lip. Matte textures can enhance already dry, cracking lips. I like to either use a lip scrub or a more fool-proof way, a warm wash cloth. Just rub gently in a circular motion and then apply your favourite lip balm. Let your lip balm set for a while before applying a matte lippie. 

If you've read my site, then you know I adore Bite Beauty lippies. I finally got my hands on the popular High Pigment Matte Pencils and tested out their Spring picks. These 5 shades are permanent to the line: Madeira (nude pink), Chablis (soft coral rose), Amarone (raisin berry), Rhubarb (plum rose), and Zinfandel (electric coral). The pencils are described as a "long-lasting matte pencil", but I found the texture to apply very creamy which was great for my dry lips. 

What I loved: 

• Creamy texture doesn't accentuate fine lines or chapped lips.
• Amazing vibrant pigment. The shades are beautiful.
• The pencil allows you to line and fill in your lips easily for a perfectly defined pout. 
• Contains super antioxidant reservatol which fights free radicals with long-term anti-aging benefits.
• Paraben, sulfate, phthalate free.
• Self-sharpens.

What I didn't like: 

• While I loved the creamy texture, I didn't find it to last as long as some other matte lipsticks I've tried. It kissed off on my cups and my lil' guy's cheeks. The brighter shades lasted a bit longer than the lighter shades. 
• It did bleed a bit, but was ok when I applied a clear lip pencil. When I didn't wear lip balm or took off excess balm, it didn't bleed as much. 

L-R: Madeira, Rhubarb, Chablis, Amarone, Zinfandel

I love how highly saturated the pencils are. What you see is what you get. Madeira I found to be a little too nude on my lips. I had to add something a bit peachier or pink to make it work for my skin tone. On lighter skin tones, it's a perfect nude lip. Rhubarb is pretty universal and looks gorgeous with a bronzey eye for night. Chablis is a lovely rose shade for day and a great basic. I love Amarone and Zinfandel. These two shades are the ones I've used the most. Amarone is a deep fuchsia or bright berry. Looks amazing with a bare skin and a bit of liner and lots of mascara on the eyes. Zinfandel is hot for spring/summer. It's very bright and leans more coral with orange undertones. Looks fantastic against flawless, bronzed skin or a modern Old Hollywood glam look. 

Overall, I really love these pencils. I don't mind the creamy texture since I have naturally dry lips. I just wished they lasted longer on the lips. If you love a more matte texture and brighter lips you will love these pencils!

Have you tried Bite's High Pigment Matte Pencils? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Want 'em?

Retails for $24 USD and is available at Sephora locations all across North America and Sephora.com. 

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

Spring Beauty Review 2012: Lancome Rouge In Love

Lancome is giving your lips something to love. If you aren't familiar with the beauty posing in the ad (how could you not know?), it's none other than the young, gorgeous actress from Harry Potter, Emma Watson. This once ingenue has turned into quite the beauty and fashion muse. It was a smart move by Lancome to use a younger spokesmodel to target younger women and make them lipstick addicts. 

I'm already a lipstick lover so it's not hard for me to fall madly in love with a lipstick. The Rouge In Love line is a selection of high pigmented, featherweight, lipsticks with at least 6 hours of wear. The collection is broken up into categories to suit your mood: 

JOLIS MATINS: Fresh, light shades Subtle, soft brilliant colour. (Identified with the letter "M" in the shade number)

BOUDOIR TIME: Flashy, trendy shades Bright colour reflection. (Identified with the letter "B" in the shade number) 

TONIGHT IS MY NIGHT: Deep, head spinning shades Deep lacquered effect, luminous colour. (Identified with the letter "N" in the shade number)

  

I got to try Midnight Rose, a bold fuchsia rose. This lipstick falls into the "N" category. The lipsticks have a lot of pigment, but the texture is very light and airy. I wore this for my Christmas dinner (late review!) and it lasted fairly long - until dessert - with little fading. I'm not a huge fan of the rose scent, but I love the colour so I'm willing to wear it. It's not intoxicating and eventually fades. The silver metal packaging is pretty compact and just beautiful. 

I love the shade of course and opted for a fuchsia lip rather than the typical red for the holidays. This of course will be a popular shade for Spring. A bold shade looks better with neutral eye, black liner or no liner and lots of mascara. In this case, I'm wearing my falsies from Velour Lashes in "You Complete Me". I think for Spring/Summer I'll skip the black liquid liner and keep the eyes really clean with a bright lip. 

Here's a closer look of Midnight Rose. Isn't it pretty? To view swatches of the complete collection, visit Karla Sugar!

Lancome Rouge in Love Lipstick retails for $30 CAD and are sold at department stores all across North America. Have you tried the Rouge in Love collection? Love it? Hate it? Want it?

www.lancome.ca

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

Spring Beauty Review 2012: Dior New Look

Could Natalie Portman be anymore stunning? I love that one of my favourite actresses is the spokesmodel for one of my favourite beauty brands!

Dior's New Look collection features new packaging, but the shades bring you back to Christian Dior's first runway show. It's a mix of the old and new and the results are beautiful! 

If you've never tried Dior's eye shadow quints you must. The colours are gorgeous and the finish is stunning. I only own 4 palettes, but I need more. From one palette, you can create multiple looks and mix with other shadows in your stash. 

Dior 5 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette in Royal Khaki ($60 CAD): I love, love this palette. It's a neutral with a twist that can easily make a few different smokey eyes. Unfortunately, my camera is ka-putz right now so I can't post any swatches but you can view them on Escentual.com. There are 3 shimmery shades - khaki-gold, white, and silvery-grey. The black and khaki green in the middle have a semi-matte finish with a soft sheen. It's a great neutral to have in your kit because you can mix it with a lot of other shades. I've done a day look using just the gold or khaki green on the lids and lining and accenting with the black. I've also done a smokey eye using the gold and the silvery-grey with the black. Love it! It's such a versatile palette! Oh, and this is Natalie's favourite palette - enough said.

Dior 5 Couleurs Eye Shadow Palette in Bleu de Paris ($60 CAD): I love this palette based on the name alone. Mr. Dior's inspiration for this palette was the blue sky overlooking the beautiful city that he loved so much - Paris. This Makeup Junkie will soon be enjoying the same blue sky he once did - in a few weeks!!! EEEK! Beyond excited! Yes, you will be seeing posts dedicated to Paris coming up - the clothes, the makeup - oh what to bring! 

Alright, lets get back on track! I love the mix of smokey blue, navy blue, silvery-blue, and baby blue. If you want to get away from the typical smokey eye, try a deep navy one. Gorgeous! Blues really make the whites of the eyes pop and make brown eyes really stand out. To see swatches, visit Escentual.com. 

Palettes also available in Grege and Rose Porcelain. 

Diorshow New Look Mascara ($28.50 USD): To celebrate the cult classic mascara, Diorshow, Dior has come out with a newer version featuring a smaller brush. Dior started the fat mascara brush trend, but they've scaled it down to be able to coat each lash. New Look mascara also has Lash Multiplier TM serum treatment formula that thickens, separates, and extends the lashes. 

I was really hopeful that this mascara would be a new fave. Diorshow never worked for me and the brush was way to big for my eyes. I don't know if the formula was just too heavy, but it would weigh my lashes down and never held its curl. The waterproof version did the same thing and smudged like crazy. New Look didn't smudge on me, but again it didn't lift my lashes. It did make my lashes look thicker, but my lashes are stick straight and need more lift than volume. What I did love was the brush. It made coating each lash very easy. The pointed tip also made it easier to coat the bottom the lashes. Overall, not a must-have mascara for me, but if you're not lash challenged like I am you might love this! Also available in Brown and Blue. 

Have tried Dior's New Look collection? Love it? Hate it? Want it?

www.dior.com

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

Spring Beauty Review 2012 Part 2: You're Invited To A Dior Garden Party!

I'm really kicking myself that I'm just jumping on the Dior bandwagon now. I'm seriously falling hard for this luxurious line and it's scaring me how many things I want! Ahh! Wallet. Can't. Handle. 

The Spring collection has so many beautiful pieces to choose from. My last Dior post featured the gorgeous Milly Garden clutch. The other products from the collection are equally as amazing. I got to sample a couple products for Spring and I am in love! 

Dior Garden Pastels 5 Couleurs High Colour Eyeshadow Palette (LE, $60 CAD): Can I just say I am super impressed with Dior shadows. I recently had a chance to watch a fellow MUA work with Dior shadows on one of her clients and the results were stunning! There are so many palettes I want now from Dior. A lot of the shadows are shimmery, but in the majority of the Quints you will find matte shades to anchor the whole look. 

Swatched dry.

Garden Pastel has 5 iridescent shades that are meant to give you an easy breezy kind of spring look. I love all the rose details embossed in the shadows - beautiful design I almost don't want to use it! The texture is very soft and is highly pigmented. It looks even more amazing when used wet and lasts longer too. For an easy day look, you can combine two shades together for a wash of colour. Line the top inside waterline for subtle definition, add a couple of coats of black mascara and you're done. For night, mix the bolder shades with a smudgy black liner. 

All the shades compliment each other beautifully. Shades include: golden champagne, pale turquoise with silver shimmer, chartreuse green, shimmering turquoise, and lavender pink. This is a great shimmery palette of pastels that you can mix with other shadows in your stash. 

Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in Tulip Pink (LE, $36 CAD): When I first saw this shade out of the tube, it didn't excite me all too much. On my hand it swatched a lot darker than when it was applied on my lips. Tulip Pink is a medium-toned pink that gives you "my lips but better" look. On my lips, it applies like a soft rose-pink and is subtle enough to go with these bright spring pastel shades. It's also a really great bridal colour! Rouge Dior lipsticks glide on so smoothly giving the lips lots of colour and shine. They contain a new generation of plumping hyaluronic acid microspheres that give the lips natural fullness without a stinging sensation. These lipsticks along with the Dior Addicts have become a must-have! I need more! 

Have you tried Dior's Spring collection? 

www.dior.com 

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

Spring Beauty Reviews 2012: Maybelline Takes Over World Mastercard Toronto Fashion Week!

In honour of World Mastercard Toronto Fashion Week happening next week, March 12 - 17, I thought I would feature some of Maybelline's newest products. In case you didn't hear, Maybelline is now the beauty sponsor for fashion week in Toronto! 2012 seems to be the year for major change. Although I won't be able to attend, I can't help but feel a new vibe and excitement in Toronto as we enter a new chapter for fashion week! One of my favourite makeup artists, Grace Lee, is also the new lead artist for Maybelline Canada and has created all the amazing beauty looks you will see on the runway. 

Check out some of new favourites from Maybelline. The brand has really transformed the formulations and packaging to rival some high end brands. 

1. Maybelline Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner: Hands down one of my all-time must-have liquid liners. Everyone needs to have a black liquid liner in their beauty stash. It's so versatile for day and night and can create a polished look without piling on tonnes of makeup. This liner has a firm felt tip and is ultra thin. It creates the most perfect line without skipping or tugging at the skin. I've always loved the technique of tight-lining the eye (lining the top inner waterline). It gives beautiful definition without a having to draw a heavy line. The thin pointed tip allows me to get right to the root of my lashes. Just dot with or use small strokes along the inner lash line until there are no gaps. I used to use a pencil but the liquid liner just enhances the eyes that much more plus this doesn't do the messy smudgy thing on my bottom lash line! Score! 

Photo Credit:  Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

I love me some Adele! She is everywhere right now and so is her 60's inspired cat eye. When doing this look remember to use short, small strokes. This will make lining the eyes easier and avoid a crooked mess. Also, a great tip Grace Lee said on City Line today - remember to lift the lid slightly to get right at the lash line. 

2. Maybelline EyeStudio Color Tattoo 24 Hour Cream Gel Shadow in Audacious Asphalt & Tough As Taupe: I've been playing around with these for the last few days and I'm really impressed with the results. I love cream gel shadows especially when they can double as an eyeliner or shadow base. The line includes 10 shades, mostly bold and bright. The finishes are also shimmery and metallic, but there are 2 shades that are matte. They apply very easy and blend beautifully. It also is packaged in a glass jar which makes it feel less cheap but it's not so kit friendly. The wear team claims 24 Hrs, but there's no way I'm going to wear this until the next day. It wore for a good 6-8 hours with no creasing or fading. 

L-R: Audacious Asphalt, Tough As Taupe

There are a lot of fun punchy colours, but I really like Audacious Asphalt and Tough As Taupe for everyday or a smokey eye. Audacious Asphalt goes on like a taupey-grey with a silvery finish. I love mixing this with a smudgy black liner or dark grey/black shadows for a smokey eye. Tough as Taupe on me has a hint of purple and looks a little bruised on my eye if worn by itself. It works better when I mix with a chocolate brown or deep purple shadow. It would be great if Maybelline launches more neutral shades with less shimmer. 

3. Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush: "Dream" and "bouncy" are the perfect words to describe these blushes. It's a powder-gel blush with silicone elastomers. The blushes are light-weight like a powder but give the skin a beautiful flush like a cream blush. They last surprisingly long on the skin and don't fade or budge. They also have good pigmentation to them. 

L-R: Fresh Pink, Pink Frosting, Coffee Cake, and Candy Coral 

Fresh Pink is a soft baby pink which gives the skin a delicate doll-like flush. Pink Frosting is one of the blushes I reach for often when I want to give my skin a perk-me-up. It's a brighter pink with slight shimmer. Coffee Cake is a neutral brown that can double as a bronzer for the cheeks. So on trend right now, Candy Coral is a tangerine-coral that really brightens and warms the skin. This is the other shade I reach for often. 

Have you tried Maybelline's newest products? Will you be attending World Mastercard Toronto Fashion Week? If so, can't wait to hear all about the beauty looks and of course the amazing fashion!

www.maybelline.ca

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

Spring Beauty Review 2012 Part 1: J'Adore...Dior Garden Clutch Milly Garden!

This is a momentous occasion! It's my first Dior review (cue the fireworks)! To be honest, back in the day Dior to me was a brand I associated with my mom. As I've gotten older, I have a higher appreciation for the classic brands like Dior. Plus, the packaging, trendier colours, and spokesmodels like the legendary Kate Moss now speak to a younger audience. Alright, shall we gush over how gaw-geous the Dior spring collection is??

Ok, lets take a moment to pause and admire Milly in all its glory. I own a lot of fabulous makeup products, but the Dior Garden Clutch Milly Garden has to be one of the most beautiful makeup palettes I own. Inspired by Mr. Dior's country garden, Milly Garden offers 3 shadows to light up and emphasize the eyes and two lip glosses - one to enhance the lips and the other to colour them. It comes cased in a pale pink case with a delicate weave decoration and two silver plated rosebud clasps. The shadows have delicate roses designed into them. Inside it has a mirror and a metal cover to protect the lip products. It's exquisite and is definitely collector-worthy. 

Milly Garden has 3 shimmery shadows that offer a fresh and radiant look. One is a violet-tinged grey, silver with blue undertones, and a soft pink. The shadows suit fair-skinned beauties better, but to make it work for me I love mixing it with a deep grey, black, or violet depending on my mood. They apply sheer but can be layered for more pigment. The violet-grey makes for a subtle smokey eye for day, but just add black liner for more drama. I think the shades also work really well for bridal. 

I'm becoming a huge fan of Dior lippies. These glosses are very sheer and give you a pretty nude pink lip. The plumping gloss doesn't sting and has a nice minty tingle. 

Isn't it pretty? If you're a Dior fan this is definitely one to add to the list. It's a splurge item though - yikes $75 - but think of it as a piece of "jewelry" or art that you will display on your vanity for years to come! 

The Garden Clutch is also available in Granville Garden, a more neutral palette perfect for warmer skin tones. 

Retails for $75 CAD. Milly Garden is exclusive to Holt Renfrew and Granville Garden is a Bay exclusive. 

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