Beauty Review : Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick Compact

As the Emmy Awards fast approach us we are all on the hunt to replicate that gorgeous glow found amongst all the starlets. To achieve that perfect glow Makeup Junkie has been on a hunt for a product which provides radiance and glow minus the greasy looking shine which some products end up giving off. Look no more, I have found just the product to make you look your personal best whether it’s for a wedding occasion or a night on the town. Bobbi Brown’s Shimmer Brick Compacts give the right amount of glow and can work as a multi purpose product ranging from bronzer to eye shadow shades. The Shimmer Brick Compacts come in five versatile shades of Bronze, Beige, Pink, Rose and Apricot. The most universally flattering shade, also the winner of In Style Weddings 2008, would be the Apricot; however the other shades are great add-ons once you become completely obsessed with this product. The great thing about this product is that it looks totally natural and doesn’t look as though powder is sitting on your skin. This product really gives the illusion that you are glowing from within. So next time you see starlets with that perfect glow rest assured that you too can look as glamorous and polished!

Makeup Obsession: Liquid Liner

Every woman loves the look of a well defined, crisp liquid liner a la Angelina Jolie. Getting that perfect look however can be somewhat frustrating with the vast liquid liners out there promising the perfect line which only disappoint due to their awful tip applicators. One liquid liner that rises to the challenge would be Lancôme’s Artliner. It is much thinner than most applicators and makes for easy application even amongst the novices. This incredibly precise felt tip applicator is perfect for achieving that Fall liner look which nicely complements the season’s very berry lip. Artliner comes in five beautiful colours to match your desired look. Don’t be afraid to pair liquid liner with false lashes this fall for sultry evening eyes. Catwalks near and far oozed with sexiness and no better way to get that look then with false lashes! For lashes we turn nowhere but MAC. The perfect accessory to your liner look would be either the MAC # 3 lashes or the #7’s. For the more cat eye look opt for the #36 lashes or the #20 half lashes. Be sure to use the Duo Adhesive sold at MAC because that is by far the best lash glue on the market. This surgical adhesive stands up to tears and leaves lashes intact all night.

Celebrity Beauty Style: Sultry Leona Lewis

Someone this beautiful cannot be ignored quite easily and that is why singer/songwriter Leona Lewis is sparking buzz everywhere she goes. Her killer looks are complemented by amazing makeup that she is always seen wearing. On her album cover her look is so fresh, yet sultry and sexy at the same time. Its not overdone but screams perfection and elegance.

If you would like to recreate this look for a night out or a secret rendezvous, then head to your MAC counter in search for the following:

SKIN: To achieve Lewis’ flawless radiant skin try MAC Mineralize Satinfinish SPF15 Foundation followed with the Mineralize Satinfinish Natural Powder.

EYES: A beautiful play on the smokey eye! Try MAC eyeshadows in Juxt, Greensmoke, Smoke & Diamonds and Carbon. To intensify the look apply MAC Paint Pot in Painterly. This will keep your eye makeup from melting into the skin and will keep it looking crisp no matter what it is you’re doing. Rim the inner eyes and upper lash line with MAC Eye Khol in Feline and use the Greensmoke eyeshadow to create some smokiness on the lower lashline. For highlighting the inner eye corner and browbone, try MAC Pigment in Vanilla.

CHEEKS: To get that natural cheek try MAC Mineralize Blush in Nuance mixed with MAC Powder Blush in Gingerly. Apply the Gingerly blush along the cheeks and the Nuance one just the apples for some dimension.

LIPS: Go for a glossy nude lip with this kind of eye and skip the liner. If you’re someone who needs a bit of liner for definition try MAC Cremestick Lipliner in Sublime Culture and try MAC Lipstick in Jubilee or Freckletone.

Makeup Obsession: Hourglass Veil Fluid Makeup Oil Free SPF 15

It never fails, you read every beauty article on the next best foundation only to run to the nearest store to purchase it, use it, and be disappointed by it. Foundation is the number one key makeup product that determines just how fantastic the rest of your makeup will look. Picking a great foundation is like picking out the finest wine. You can’t rush into it and you can’t just go for the cheapest thing. After all, we spend so much money on our clothes, our hair, our shoes, yet when looking for foundations we gasp at anything over 20 dollars.

I have recently become obsessed with a foundation by Hourglass called Veil Fluid Foundation. Never before has a foundation done what it’s actually been set out to do-make your skin look absolutely flawless! Now before I tell you the price of the foundation you need to know how amazing it is. I know many of you reading this are notorious for doing what we’re told never do-you pick your face. I too am guilty of this and therefore need a good foundation to make me look picture perfect (post picking). This foundation covers so well and does not look thick and mask like at all! It comes in 7 shades with good colour tones however does not go dark enough for a much deeper skin tone. Tyra Banks could wear it but Naomi Campbell may not find her shade. Nonetheless, for those who do find their shade they will be completely hooked!! It lasts all day and gives a natural slightly dewy look to the skin. Its best applied with a brush however don’t get sold on buying the specified brush, it’s not the greatest. This foundation is best applied with the MAC #187 Brush or MAC #190 brush. And now, to drop the bomb- its $60. This may seem like a lot of money but just think about the new shoes you just bought that probably only go with one outfit, which you can only wear once because everyone will remember that outfit! In other words, you will use it more than those shoes which probably cost ten times the price!! Here are the quick facts about the foundation:

• Formulated with Matrixyl to stimulate the production of collagen and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
• Skin Tightener ST improves skin's texture and promotes younger looking skin.
• Advanced silicone creates a flawless finish.
• Oil, fragrance and paraben free, SPF 15.

Its sold at Sephora and before purchasing it I strongly recommend you get a few samples. You definitely want to make sure that you’re getting the right shade. Wear it for a few days and wait for the compliments to roll in. It will just confirm that $60 is a small price to pay for flawless skin.

Meet The Writers!

I'm excited to announce three new writers to the Makeup Junkie team! All three are as equally obsessed with makeup as I am so it was the perfect fit. I owe it to the readers to have fresh new content everyday. We hope you enjoy the new additions and keep coming back for more!

Ell began her makeup career at a young age, being surrounded by it through years of dancing competitively. She immersed herself in makeup becoming fascinated by its endless possibilities. After learning as much as she could on her own, Ell enrolled into the makeup program at Seneca College in Toronto to build on her skills and truly hone her art. Immediately following that she worked with numerous freelance artists and was a resident makeup artist for salons. Ell has worked in the makeup industry for over 6 years, providing her skill and talent to one of the biggest makeup companies in the world. Ell has worked on numerous fashion shows including Fashion Cares, Brown Shoes, and others throughout the city. Ell also provides her services for photo shoots and weddings working with fine talent and creative geniuses. Ell continues to work in the industry and draws her ideas and inspiration from everything around her. You can never stop learning and growing when it comes to makeup. The minute you think you have mastered everything is when you truly haven’t learned a thing at all.

Fun Facts:

I’m a makeup junkie because... makeup doesn’t judge you! It never gets too tight on you and it doesn’t matter how much you’ve indulged in that chocolate cheesecake, it will still fit!!!

Gloss Girl or Lipstick Lady?

I’m a gloss girl but not just one gloss, it must be at least two for optimal shine and patent leather lips!

One beauty product you absolutely can not live without?

I can't live without my foundation- what else is out there that will even out my skin and make me look flawless! I know you were all assuming I would say mascara or bronzer- but come on, really, can you really live without your foundation?!!? I know I can’t.

If you could be a muse who would it be for?

I would be both Billy B’s and Roberto Cavalli’s muse- Great clothes and a great face.

Chocolate or sex?

Definitely sex, however it must be immediately followed by chocolate- immediately.

What makes you smile?

Women who have their makeup on before entering their vehicle make me smile. Sunshine. Women who wear blush; they are the ones who truly understand the power of the cheeks. And of course sunshine…. Did I mention sunshine? And great shoes on sale.

Shiv enjoys socializing with her girlfriends, spending time with her family and trying out different cuisines with her wonderful boyfriend. She currently works full time for a TV network in marketing/advertising and part-time at Sephora. Shiv is also a freelance makeup artist for weddings and fashion shows.

Fun Facts:

I'm a makeup junkie because... I love all things to do with beauty. I started my makeup obsession when I was 10, spending hours at Shoppers trying on different products. My first makeup purchase was Revlon lipstick in Coffee Bean (don't ask how I remember that!). I love how makeup can take you from drab to fab in a matter of minutes.

Gloss girl or lipstick lady?

I'm definitely a gloss girl, I carry 6 in my purse, leave 2 on my desk at work and have a gazillion in my drawers at home.

One beauty product you absolutely can not live without?

I absolutely cannot live without my Carmex lip balm, it does wonders for dry, chapped lips.

If you could be a muse who would it be for?

Definitely Jay Manual. He's got a great personality and I love his style. He always does a fabulous job enhancing a woman's beauty and it's even better that he's from the GTA!

Chocolate or sex?

Hmm, this is a tough one but I think I would choose chocolate because I can get it whenever I want it, lol.

What makes you smile?

Lots of things make me smile, but as an artist the biggest satisfaction I get is seeing a bride completely happy with the way she looks. I love being part of her big day.

Mascaraholic is a 22-year-old university student living in the beautiful city of Toronto, Ontario with a love for books and all things beauty. While she is always busy with classes, essays and work, she refuses to subscribe to the belief that all work and no play make her a dull girl! A touch of highlighter on the cheeks, some peachy-pink liner on the lower waterline and a tiny bit of shimmer on the inner corners of my eyes and she looks rather radiant while working, thank you very much! Mascaraholic loves trying new products and experimenting with the newest beauty tips and trends. Most importantly, she loves giving recommendations and writing reviews!

Fun Facts:

I'm a makeup junkie because... makeup is my creative outlet. With different shades, textures and finishes, the combinations you can come up with are endless. I love playing up neutral, daytime looks with a tiny splash of colour just to keep things interesting. It's one of the things that makes being a girl fun and some days, all you need is the right shade of lipstick to make you feel like you can take on the world.

Gloss girl or lipstick lady?

Both! I wear lipstick more often during the fall and winter and I prefer gloss during the spring and summer seasons, but my new favourite thing to do is layer them together.

One beauty product you can't live without?

Mascara! It's the one product I never leave the house without. Two coats and I look bright-eyed and awake!

If you could be a muse who would it be for?

Maureen Kelly of Tarte Cosmetics. I'm a huge fan of her line and I would love to inspire some products that are both practical and pretty.
Chocolate or sex?

Chocolate. More specifically, Lindt 85% Cacao dark chocolate. It's indulgence #2 (after makeup!).

What makes you smile?

Autumn in Toronto. I love everything about the season! My favourite thing to do is walk through local parks toward the end of September and the first week of October. The scenery is stunning.