UPDATE: Estee Lauder Free GWP At Holt Renfrew!

UPDATE: Estee Lauder is only offering one GWP at Holt Renfrew locations in Canada. Thanks!

For all you makeup junkies that love your gift with purchases, Estee Lauder at Holt Renfrew locations has some fabulous GWP's starting February 19 to February 28!

Free with any $55.00 Estée Lauder Purchase:

    * Re-Nutriv Ultimate Lifting Crème – 15ml
    * Deluxe Eyeshadow Compact – 8 shades
    * Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick – Apricot Sun
    * Double Wear Mascara – Black
    * Sensuous Gold Atomizer – 5ml
    * Linen Tote with Snake Print Trim Handles

www.esteelauder.com

Makeup Junkie Holiday Gift Guide 2008: The Gift of Vintage Glamour

This Holiday season give someone you know (or yourself) the gift of vintage glamour! Estee Lauder's latest Holiday collection, Vintage Jewels, is the perfect mix of modern elegance and Old Hollywood glam. Every luxurious detail will leave you giddy with pleasure!

The Shimmering Jewel Powder (Limited Edition, $37 CAD) is absolutely exquisite! I love the jewel detail of the powder and the gold shimmer adds the perfect touch. I almost didn't want to use it because I was afraid to ruin it! Sweep on anywhere you want a radiant shimmer. Adds a beautiful warm glow to the skin. I even dusted this on before I wore my lipstick and little glints of gold shimmer peaked through - gorgeous!

I LOVE the Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick with Faceted Design (Limited Edition, $23 CAD)! It's just too beautiful to use. Ruby (Sapphire look) is a brilliant true red, although I prefer something a bit deeper. The texture is rich and moisturizing with lots of shine and colour. My favourite feature of the lipstick is the rare jewel-inspired design! Definitely a collector's item.
There are 3 looks to choose from: Amethyst, Sapphire, and Emerald. All 3 are stunning but my favourite is the Sapphire look. Estee Lauder Signature Silky Eye Shadow Duo with Faceted Design in Sapphire (Limited Edition, $28 CAD) creates a stunning smoky eye. I rocked this duo shadow below on a night out with the hubby and loved it! I swept the sapphire blue shade all over the lid, into the crease and bottom lash line then highlighted with the silvery-blue in the inner top and bottom corner and crease. I also highlighted my cheekbones with the Shimmering Jewel Powder. I opted for a nude lip instead because the red lips would have made my look too heavy for where we were going. The texture is so soft and blends amazingly on the eye. It's also long-lasting and crease-free!

I layered the Smoked Eye Pencil in Smoked Sapphire (Limited Edition, $22 CAD) underneath my shadow for more intensity and staying power. Love this deep navy pencil! It glides on smoothly and blends easily for a sultry finish.




If you love anything vintage or know someone that does, then this is the perfect collection for that vintage junkie!

Vintage Jewels is available at select Estée Lauder counters across Canada.

www.esteelauder.com

Beauty Feature: Mascaras Battle It Out Round 3!

Round 3 of "Mascaras Battle It Out!" is a special edition featuring the newest innovations in mascaras! Gimmicky products peak my interests for a second, but I always go back to what works. Some may argue that oscillating or vibrating mascaras are the future of mascara, but you don't know until you try them!

My Lashes: stick straight, lacking volume and length
Mission: To find a volumizing, lengthening, smudge-free, non-clumping mascara.
Round 3: Oscillating, vibrating mascaras that do all of the above!

Mascara: Estee Lauder TurboLash All Effects Motion Mascara
Rating: 6 winks
Special Feature: Brush vibrates to give you volume, length, and curl.
Smudge-factor: none
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes especially after 2 coats
Volume: moderate
Curl: yes
Wand: Full vibrating bristles that tapers at the end to reach all the little lashes. As soon as you twist the wind the vibrations start.
For: Gals who want long, natural looking lashes and hate all the mess from wiggling the wand back and forth.
Overall: My rating is mediocre but I actually don't mind the mascara - it's the price. My lashes on the right eye are super long and separated but not very voluminous. The first coat is natural looking but I wanted a more dramatic effect. After swiping on 4 coats, my lashes were a little more dramatic. Although, I didn't like how wiry my lashes looked up close. The vibrations definitely help with the lift and separation but I hate how long it takes to apply the mascara. To ensure every lash is coated, you have to brush the wand up slowly. You'll need to work in 10 extra minutes every morning to rock this mascara!
Beauty Stash Worthy: I've tried non-vibrating mascaras that give you the same effect plus the volume, but the vibrations really do help lift my lashes at the root. And that's where it's most important - for me at least! Would I pay $40 + for another mascara? Probably not.


Mascara: Lancome Oscillation Mascara
Rating: 7 (10!) winks
Price: $39 CAD
Special Feature: 7000 oscillations per minute vibrating Powermascara.

Smudge-factor: none
Clump-factor: YES!
Lengthening: very
Volume: yes - extreme!
Curl: yes
Wand: Thin, rubber-like bristles that get at every lash. Press the button on the cap before pulling wand out of tube.
For: Gals who love clumpy, faux lashes without having to move the wand back and forth.
Overall: Ok, did you see my left eye?? Seriously, this is only 2 coats! The Estee Lauder version took 4 coats to stand out. The only time my lashes have ever looked this extreme are when I apply fake lashes! I gave this a 7 because from far away or in photos my lashes looked fabulous! But up-close it was just a clumpy mess! To get the clumps out I had to use a razor sharp eyelash brush to comb through it. The oscillating brush definitely makes a difference with lift and coating each lash. However, the tiny rubber-like bristles and oscillation don't seem to do a good job of separating and de-clumping. At the unveiling of this mascara, Jean-Louis Guéret, THE designer of all Lancome brushes was lovely enough to demonstrate the motion on his lashes! Again, the whole process is really slow - start at the root and slowly work your way up. I was also told I wouldn't need an eyelash curler but I definitely do. The formula seems so heavy it weighs down my barely-there lashes. I would have given it a higher rating if it weren't for the clumping, but the faux lash effect has got me! If you're going to come out with an innovative mascara with a high price your lashes better look dramatically different!
Beauty Stash Worthy: Uhm, yes I hate clumps but YES I love how my lashes look after! Isn't this so wrong? I'll sacrifice a few minutes to comb out the clumps! Would I pay $40+ for another one? If it'll save me money from buying fake lashes and glue why not!

Estee Lauder TurboLash Mascara is available in Canada October 2008 and Lancome Oscillation Mascara won’t be available until December 29, 2008 and will be sold at The Bay exclusively for one month. On January 30, 2008 it will be available everywhere else at all regular Lancôme counters.

Have you tried either mascara? Love it? Hate it?

www.lancome.com and www.esteelauder.com

Think Pink: Evelyn Lauder Lip Color Collection and Pink Product of The Day

The Evelyn Lauder Lip Color Collection ($22 USD) is a must-have, sophisticated collection of pink lip colours chosen by Evelyn Lauder in a limited-edition pink case exclusively for the Pink Ribbon Collection. The set includes three lipstick shades in two of Estee Lauder's most popular formulas, Pure Color Long Lasting and Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre.

Estee Lauder is such an iconic brand and for the classic woman. These lipsticks are très sophisticated and look just lovely on the lips.


Pure Long Lasting Color in Bali Rose (Limited Edition): This shade gives the lips a kiss of rose. I love the pearly shimmer and full colour it gives the lips. The formula is ultra creamy and long-lasting. Take it to the office and wear into the night with a dash of black liner smudged into the lash line!

Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Candy: Candy is as sweet as a candy pink should be! It definitely gives the lips a beautiful pop of colour but is still wearable for day. Keep the eyes soft with a few coats of mascara and let your lips be the focus. The shimmery finish enhances the lips leaving them full and plush.

Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Rich Berry: Love! The richest berry pink you'll ever swipe on your lips! The pigment can be sheer with one swipe but add a few more and it's a full colour with lots of glossy shine. These lipsticks are super emollient leaving your lips smooth and moist. Love Rich Berry with bronze eyes and bronzy cheeks!

Estée Lauder will donate $500,000 in connection with the sales of its Pink Ribbon Collection to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Have you tried Estee Lauder lip colours? Love it? Hate it?

www.esteelauder.com




http://beautyblognetwork.com/

October Is Think Pink Month at Makeup Junkie!

October 1st marks the beginning of Think Pink month here at Makeup Junkie! This special month will be all about raising awareness and money for Breast Cancer Awareness. October 1st - October 31st Makeup Junkie will be doing our part in getting you in the know so be ready for an informative yet fun-filled month dedicated to a special cause: you and your breasts! Here's what's coming up in October:

Estee Lauder and its brands will be selling 24 Pink Ribbon products to raise money for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Brands included are: Aveda, Bobbi Brown, Bumble and Bumble, Clinique, Darphin, Donna Karan, Jo Malone, La Mer, Lab Series Skincare for Men, Ojon, Origins, Prescriptives, Tommy Hilfiger Toiletries and Sean Jean Fragrances. Stay tuned for Pink product reviews from some of these brands as well as other brands also participating in BCA!


Makeup Junkie will be participating in Comments For A Cure by The Beauty Blog Network starting October 20 - October 22. Here's how it works: For every comment made on all blog posts during those 3 days Makeup Junkie will donate $1 for every comment to The Breast Cancer Awareness Fund! So be ready to comment for a good cause! Also, help spread the word by visiting my fellow bloggers participating in BCA. Check out The Beauty Blog Network for product reviews, contests and to donate! My fellow Total Beauty bloggers are also Thinking Pink! Check out the TotalBeauty.com to see participating bloggers.


And just for fun and to keep you guys Thinking Pink, I will be wearing and featuring my favourite pink coloured product of the day for the whole month of October!





Makeup Junkie also wants to hear from you! Send in a personal story you'd like to share related to BCA on Makeup Junkie. We want to help get the word out so hearing from you is important. Email your stories or comments to joy@makeupjunkie.ca. Feel free to add a personal photo to go along with your story. Help find a cure!

For more information visit http://www.bcrfcure.org/ to see how you can help.





http://www.beautyblognetwork/

Beauty Review: Kissable Reds For Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day! V-Day isn't just for lovers so give some hugs and kisses to your bestest friends and family! But if you're looking to give those smackers some serious attention here are some juicy reds I alternate between that'll make those lips look their most kissable!

M.A.C. Cremestick Liner in Red Enriched (in pic Enriched Red oops!): If you're going to do a red lip you'll want to make sure you line your lips to prevent feathering or bleeding. Start at the bow of the lip and work outwards to get the most precise shape. I love a lot of M.A.C. lip liners but this is one of my favourites. I love how creamy these liners apply to the lip - no tugging and easily applies over the entire lip. I've even used this on its own with a bit of balm. Red Enriched goes best with warmer reds but I've used it with bluer based reds. The only negative is that the retractable liners don't last as long as a pencil, but the creaminess and longevity makes it a must-have.


C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint Red: I'm addicted to lip balms and have close to 20 hanging around my house and various purses. I love tinted lip balms even more. These balms come in handy little tubes and impart sheer colour with high shine leaving your lips super moisturized and your breath smelling fresh. Perfect on its own or over your favourite red lipstick.




M.A.C. Lipgelee in Dewy Jube: I love these glosses because they are so super smooth and they give just enough colour. Dewy Jube is one of my favourites from the line (I definitely prefer these over M.A.C.'s lip glasses). It's a pretty cherry-pink that gives the lips a juicy pop of colour. This would look pretty with some shimmery shadow and soft pink blush.



M.A.C. Lustreglass in Venetian: Also another favourite of mine, Venetian is a gorgeous cherry red with gold flecks in it (I used this on-set "Where'd You Get That?" on host Ali from Chick Advisor). The difference between Lustreglass and Lipgelee is that these colours give the lips more colour and stay on a bit longer. This is one colour that looks beautiful all year round - especially looks great with bronzy skin. The only thing I hate about these glosses is that they are sticky and leave a white crust on my inner lips - yuck. But the colour gets me everytime!

Loose Lips NY Hint of Mint Lip Gloss in Mint Cherry: I received the purse size version and it has become one of my go-to glosses when I'm in a hurry for a glam night out. This gloss has some serious shine, colour and also freshens the breath (needed for those close encounters hehe)! The colour goes on like a full colour lipstick but the glossy texture doesn't overpower the lips.








Pink Beauty Luscious Lip Sheer Lipstick in Elsie: I know, I've given this rave reviews many times on my blog but I can't help it! This is one of the most wearable reds because the colour is so buildable. Elsie looks warm against my skin but looks cooler on fairer skin tones. Besides the vintage feel and adorable packaging, I just love how moisturized my lips feel. And even though it's sheer, the colour stays on a while leaving a nice stain on the lips.





M.A.C. Lipstick in M.A.C. Red: Classic. Besides other classics Ruby Woo and Russian Red, M.A.C. Red has a satin finish rather than matte. This is a great blue based red perfect for fairer or olive skin tones. The colour is intense and long-lasting.




M.A.C. Pro Longwear Lipcolour in Alta Moda: I think this colour has been discontinued which is too bad because it's a beautiful deep reddish-brown. If you hate reapplying your lip colour throughout the day, then the Pro Longwear's are perfect. These lippies will outlast any smooch and still be on the next day (this theory may have been tested ;). Also works great as a stain but if you have dry lips like me, your lips will end up getting crusty even with the gloss top coat. But if you have no lip issues then lucky you!


Estee Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in Rich Red: This super creamy lipstick has long-lasting moisture and intense colour. What's more to love is the luxurious signature gold packaging it comes in perfectly worthy of a public appearance. It's a gorgeous warm red with little gold flecks.







M.A.C. Matte Lipstick in Diva: When I want all eyes on my lips, I turn to my lovely Diva lipstick from M.A.C. I love the intense burgundy red colour and the matte yet creamy texture. I also love this as a stain which I pat lightly onto my lips with my finger. My lips look like they have enjoyed a few glasses of red wine. I also love dabbing a bit of gold gloss to the center of the lips for some dimension and poutiness. I'd normally recommend a soft eye with this lippie, but don't be afraid to smudge a bit of black liner or shadow around the eye. Think 1920's Clara Bow and add lots of shimmer to the cheekbones for some serious glamour.

What are some of your favourite red lippies? What are your V-Day plans? I'd love to hear about them! Happy shopping! xoxo

Makeup Junkie Wants To Know What's In Your Makeup Bag?

Makeup Junkie wants to know what's in your makeup bag - you know, the must-haves that you absolutely cannot leave the house without! I have a habit of going through other friend's makeup bags or makeup artist's kits. I just love seeing the faves and beauty essentials because it's just so personal and unique to each woman's needs. I also love seeing products I've never tried - going through a friend's makeup bag is a great way to test out new-to-you products without having a salesperson breathe down your neck!

I will start with my own makeup bag. These are pretty much the essentials I carry with me all the time. A little excessive? Maybe, but I like to be prepared for anything like if I get stranded somewhere or have to do an on-the-spot makeover! lol My mood changes so quickly so whether it's a neutral, bronzey, or glam look I'm going for I like to have it all in one place. Most of these products stay in my bag all year long, but I switch out a few when the season's change. In the Spring, I'll probably switch out my reds for pinks and corals and add some pretty cream or gel blushes. Who knows, the possibilities are endless!

Top row: M.A.C. clear makeup bag - this was actually from the line's skin care travel kits. I prefer clear bags because I can see everything instead of rummaging for 20 mins to find a gloss! The bag is starting to rip at the sides though. It should come with a warning: "Bag cannot exceed 10 products!"
Starlet Travel Brush set- I never wanted to buy a travel brush set because I have so many brushes. I hated carrying the other ones in my purse because they weighed my purse down. Oh, as you can see I added my fave M.A.C. #109 brush to the inside zipper of the case. I just love using this to contour or buff blush into the cheeks for a natural flush.

Middle Row L-R: M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium Dark -never makes skin look powdery, Nars Single Eyeshadow in Bengali - deep chocolate brown for when I want to smudge liner into the lash line or add a little drama to the eyes, Nars Duo Eyeshadow in Key Largo - I love this pale peach/bronze duo for everyday and looks great with any colour palette, Nars Duo Cream Eyeshadow in Thebes - great cream shadows in silver and pale gold as a base or for a little highlight and shimmer, Nars Blush in Deep Throat - for a peachy/pink glow like Orgasm but darker, Nars Blush in Mata Hari - for when I want a girly pink glow, Face Atelier Blush in Mocha - a neutral rosy/brown blush for those natural days

Bottom Row L-R: Nars Multiple in South Beach - perfect on-the-go bronzer since Benefit's Hoola is too bulky. The apricot hue gives the face warmth and goes great under your favourite blush, shadow or lip product. Pink Beauty Lip Sheer Lipstick in Elsie - makes your lips look you've been making out all day and great for when you want to add some drama in the evening, Pink Beauty Glamour Glaze Gloss in Dearest - coppery/pink shade looks great on its own or over top of any lipstick, Nars Lip Gloss in Stolen Kisses - a caramel/pink for the perfect neutral lip, Nars Lip Gloss in Giza - nice peachy gloss for a peachy look and pairs well with a smoky eye, Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Spark - for when I want to add a sheer pop of colour usually on its own or over Elsie or a berry lip stain for a more intense colour, Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Gold Berry - limited Holiday collection, love wearing this amber-gold in the evening on its own or over top of a red, Loose Lips NY Hint of Mint Gloss in Mint Cherry - gives the lips a kiss of sheer red and freshens my breath, Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bettina - when I want a matte pinky-nude for a smokey eye, Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Calliope - when I want a matte coral/peach colour, C.O. Bigelow Cinnamint Mentha Lip Shine - moisturizes lips, smells yummy, and is a great clear gloss, M.A.C. Limited Lip Stain in Lovin' It Light - I actually use this wine/berry shade on my cheeks and lips for that "snow-bunny" flush and the staying power is amazing, YSL Touche Eclat in #3 - brightens my under eyes and conceals dark circles, L'Oreal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara Black - gives me the fullest, longest, clump-free, smudge-free lashes ever, Smashbox Photo Op Undereye Brightner - I use this under my Touche Eclat to make my under eye luminous and helps diffuse fine lines and dark circles, Covergirl Line Exact Black - for my cat-eye/hollywood glamour mood, Tweezerman Tweezers - the best of the best in tweezers because you never know when a stray will pop up, Face Atelier Camouflage Duo Medium - creamy med-full coverage for those pesky blemishes or when I don't have time to apply foundation, M.A.C. Eye Paint Untitled - the only primer I use for my shadow (way before all the primers came out), M.A.C. Matte2 Eye Shadow in Signed, Sealed - love this for a smoky eye because the deep eggplant/grey-black makes my brown eyes stand out, Shu Uemera Eye Lash Curler - cult classic and gives my lashes the most perfect curl (can't wait to test out Billy B.'s - stay tuned for that review!)

Wow, I carry a lot of product with me! My purse is another story - you'll find hand creams, cuticle cream, travel perfumes, nail file, baby balm, cheerios, business cards, pens, cell, keys, organizer, wallet of no money haha. It's amazing how much we carry with us! Email me at joy@makeupjunkie.ca with a picture of your makeup stash and a rundown of your products. Feel free to give a detailed description but a list with just the names is fine too. I'll feature one a week on my site. I can't wait to see what's in your makeup bag!

For more info on each products visit these sites:
M.A.C. Cosmetics, Nars Cosmetics, Starlet Cosmetics,Pink Beauty Cosmetics, Face Atelier, Smashbox Cosmetics, Estee Lauder, Loose Lips NY, C.O. Bigelow, YSL, L'Oreal, Cover Girl, Tweezerman, Shu Uemera

Beauty Review: Into The Night With Estee Lauder

Estee Lauder's 2007 Holiday collection, Into The Night, is for the social butterfly who is running around the city with shopping bags in hand and by night is mingling in her most fab cocktail dress marking her martini glass with her crystal ruby red lips. Sound like you? Well, if you love rich metallic hues of gold, copper, bronze, and red then indulge in this collection! The collection consists of two limited edition shimmer powders, Signature Shimmer Powder in Gold Pearl and Rose Pearl, and Platinum Illuminator Loose Shimmer Powder. Both can be brushed onto the face and body to give your skin a beautiful sheen. For eyes that sparkle apply the Double Wear Stay-in-Place Shadowstick in either Gold Pearl or Golden Peach alone or as a base. Add some intensity by applying Signature Silky Eye Shadow Duo in striking pearl Citrine (warm amber gold/olive) or semi-matte Ginger (nude rose/plum-brown). Glam up those lips with Pure Color Lipstick in any of the following gorgeous shades: Gold Ruby, Platinum Blush, Tiger Eye, and Platinum Amber (stunning gold amber). Give those lips a festive glimmer and shine with Pure Color Crystal Gloss in Gold Berry (my personal fave!) or Light Copper. Don't forget to give your nails some love! Make them dazzle in Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Copper Rose or Satin Gold!

I really love the duo shadow Citrine because the hues are perfect together! The metallic colours are really wearable because the texture is sheer and silky. They lasted a whole day of furniture and baby shopping! The colours were subtle enough for day and the shimmer wasn't overkill. For the evening, I added a deep forest green in a matte texture to the outer lash line and all across the bottom lash line. Fabulous! And my favourite part of all is the Pure Color Crystal Gloss in Gold Berry! It's a rich warm berry-red with gold flecks and would look gorgeous on any skin tone. The gloss is a full colour but is still luminous and shimmery. I used the Pure Color Lipstick in Platinum Amber over top in the center of my lips to give the illusion of a fuller lip. The colour and shine lasted through a few cups of coffee and didn't crust or cake on the inner part of the lip like some glosses do. Gold Berry is my fave new lip colour for the holidays! If red is too bold a statement for you, Gold Berry is the perfect alternative.

Into The Night is available on-counter now and the best part is that it will be around for four months! So, glam up the season in one of the hottest collections this holiday! Happy shopping!

Beauty Review: The Return Of The Lipstick

I remember being 15 and buying my first non-drugbrand lipstick from MAC in Paramount. It was a big deal; almost a rite of passage. Every time I carefully applied my lipstick I felt like a grown up; like a real woman. There's just something sensual and sexy about applying lipstick. By the end of the '90's, Jennifer Lopez's nude glossy lips were all the rage. My little tubes of lipsticks were soon replaced by the shiny slickness of a lip gloss. The rich colour and creamy texture women once loved were given the boot for a sheer shimmery (sometimes goopy) wash of colour.

Over the years the formulations of lip products have evolved to suit every woman's wants and needs. Now glosses come in every texture, colour, and finish. The lipstick has fought hard to stay in the game by also changing the formulations to compete with the gloss. With Fall approaching, beauty is now returning to a more polished and glamourous look. Lips are more defined and have a sophisticated semi-matte finish. Celebrities like Gwen Stefani, Dita Von Teese, and Christina Aguilara have helped women everywhere welcome the return of 1940's glam. Designers like Proenza Schouler, Diane Von Furstenburg, Gucci, and Valentino to name a few have put the gloss to rest and have coloured the model's lips in shades of red, bordeaux, wine, and burgundy.

I recently tried Estee Lauder's new line of Signature Lipsticks and I absolutely adore them! The golded fluted lipstick case has been updated to a more sleeker and slimmer look. It screams luxurious and I feel kinda special every time I pull it out in public. The colour is rich, creamy and moisturizing and smells of fig and vanilla - mmm. My favourite of the bunch so far is Rich Berry, Burnished Bronze, and Rich Red. The Signature Lipstick is available in 24 gorgeous shades and I just can't wait to get my hands on the rest of them! They won't be available until October so be on the look out! You don't have to get rid of your glosses this Fall but be sure to make some room for lipsticks because they're here to stay. Happy shopping!

Beauty Review: The Look of Fall At Estee Lauder

There are many beauty trends for the up-coming Fall season but one that stands out to me is definitely the return of the glam look of the 1940's. Estee Lauder's version is a more modern take of the Old Hollywood glam. The gorgeous After Hours Collection sets the mood with silver smoked greys, scarlet reds, and shimmer in all the right places. I love the Brillant Shimmer All Over Powder that can be used to highlight the areas that catch the light. Just swirl your brush over the shimmering rose powder and voila instant glow! The Pure Color Eyeshadow in Smokey Moon is a smoked out silver grey and is full of velvety rich colour perfect for a sultry eye. It blends smoothly onto the skin. The Double Wear Stay-in-Place Shadow Stick in Silver Pearl is a perfect compliment to the eyeshadow and can be used in the inner corner and brow bone for highlighting. I applied it early morning one day and it stayed on until the late hours of the evening without a crease in sight! I fell in love with the Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in After Hours Red. It really complimented my skin tone and the colour was rich and smooth. It also lasted through a few cups of coffee! I'm excited to see more Fall collections even if it means that Winter is just around the corner!! Ahhh! Happy shopping!

After Hours is available now at Estee Lauder counters.

Beauty Review: Fall Ready Eyeshadows!

I know it's officially three weeks or so into the summer but if you're a true makeup junkie you're always ahead of the game! Estee Lauder has come out with a line of Signature Silky Eyeshadow Duos in 8 shades just perfect for Fall. These new crease-resistant duos come in colour-coordinated shades in matte, semi-matte, and pearl finishes. The texture is actually silky and soft.

I received Cappuccino (bone and warm brown), Ginger (honey drop and coffee brown), Plum Sugar (pale shimmer lavender and plum) and Pink Dusk (pale shimmer pink and coffee brown). These shades are perfect for everyday and provide just the right amount of colour. I'd definitely recommend these duos for the office or bridal makeup. The line also includes deeper tones for dramatic looks. I love how matte and shimmer textures are combined which offers great versatility and depth. I tested it out for a day and the shadows managed to stay on without fading too much. Everything about the duo shadow is great but the packaging. It comes in the signature Estee Lauder navy blue compact; classic but a little too boring for me. However, Estee Lauder's older customers can appreciate this type of packaging. If you're like me, I'm all about quality products with cool packaging. I'm a very visual person so the packaging has to be visually appealing to me.

All in all, the shadows have staying power and come in beautiful colours. It's available now at Estee Lauder counters for $28 (CAD). For me to spend $28 on a product the whole package has to be there, but my mom is thrilled to have some new shadows to add to her roster! Happy shopping!

Beauty Review: The Summer's Sexiest Pout

I've neglected my site for a while and I think it's definitely time for an update don't you? Well, to start off my product review lineup is Estee Lauder's new High Gloss Plump gloss which I'm very excited about! I've never been a huge fan of plumping glosses only because the tingling sensation irritates my lips, but High Gloss Plump does the opposite! The gentle tingling sensation last for a few minutes and leaves your lips looking pouty-licious! The peppermint flavour even makes your mouth feel refreshed, perfect for those hot summer days. Your sexy full lips will last up to 4 hours and over time the natural ingredients will make your lips smoother, softer, less lined, and will boost your skin's natural collagen production.

High Gloss Plump comes in 8 beautiful summer-ready shades and the pearl finish is the icing on the cake! It's a gorgeous finish that makes that pout stand out even more. I received Peach Plump which is the perfect shade for summer and is my new fabulous find! It's perfect for any skin tone and neutral enough to go with just about any makeup look. The gloss has the perfect amount of colour and goes on smooth. It's a bit sticky but definitely not tacky. The slanted tip makes for an easy application. This limited edition gloss is available at Estee Lauder counters now so get them while they last! Snatch one up for $20 (CAD) - for a perfect pout it's worth every penny!

Beauty Review: Large Pores? Forgetta 'bout It!

Enlarged pores and dull, flaky skin can discourage any makeup junkie from applying her trusted foundation, but it doesn't have to be that way! The lovely people at Estee Lauder sent me their Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher a month ago and I have faithfully been using it every morning before my daily moisturizer. I'll be honest, I don't have large pores to begin with but they're visible enough to bother me. I do, however, suffer from dull flaky skin on occassions. Here is what it promised:

"In just four weeks, this state of the art, fast-acting treatment provides Estee Lauder's most dramatic skin resurfacing benefits to date; significantly reducing the appearance of enlarged pores and delivering soft, smooth radiantly healthy looking skin."

Interesting facts about pores: Dark clogged pores or blackheads is due to an accumulation of impurities and sebum which become dark when oxidized by the air. When pores are clogged, natural sebum secretion is blocked and unable to flow outside the pore, resulting in swelling of accumulated sebum within the pore shaft which causes the pore to stretch.


Effectiveness: After using Idealist for four weeks, I have noticed an improvement in my skin. Prior to this, my skin was in the worst shape ever and I'm not sure if it was due to allergies or from another product I was testing out. Whatever it was, Idealist couldn't have come at a more perfect time. My pores were small before but are practically invisible now. The texture of my skin is very soft and smooth. My blackheads were embarrassingly visible on my nose but now are barely noticeable and have prevented further blackheads from reproducing. Idealist promises a more even skin tone, but it's not as even as I'd like it yet. However, this could be due to the sun and my face not getting an even colour. The product is light in texture, does not clog the pores, and feels velvety soft when applied to the skin. It's even a great primer for makeup! Overall, on a scale of 1-10 I'd give it an 8.5 and would definitely recommend it especially to people who have oily skin or suffer from large pores. A 30 ml bottle is $63 and a 50 ml bottle is $93. Hey, it's probably cheaper than laser resurfacing! Happy shopping!

Estee Lauder Idealist Pore Minimizing Skin Refinisher is available from all Estee Lauder counters nationwide July 2007. Stay tuned for my review of Estee Lauder shadows, high lighters, and lip products!