Beauty News: Makeup Junkie Wishes Pink Beauty A Very Happy Birthday!

One of Makeup Junkie's fave brands, Pink Beauty Cosmetics, is celebrating their 3rd Birthday! To celebrate, Pink Beauty is offering 30% off your entire order between June 1-8! Have a very Happy and Sweet Birthday!

For more information click here.

Makeup Junkie "Best In Nails 2008" Survey Winner!

Makeup Junkie apologizes for announcing the winner a day late! There's just never enough time in the day! Alright, we're down to the second last survey and we know you are anxious to find out who the winner is. The winner of the fabulous Pink Beauty Lip Gloss Trio is:

Darlene!!

Congrats! These glosses are Makeup Junkie approved and we hope you like them as much as we do! We will be emailing you for your mailing address. Thank you to everyone that participated! There is one last survey so you still have the chance to win the Stila/Bobbi Brown beauty prize. Winner will be announced this Friday. We ask that you do not try entering the contest twice. Thanks!

And because we love our readers so much we will be doing a give away just for fun! Stay tuned for the give away details this Friday! It's a good one!

Makeup Junkie Readers' Beauty Stash Awards 2008 - Best In Nails!

Yesterday, Makeup Junkie announced the lucky winners of our first round of Makeup Junkie Readers' Beauty Stash Awards 2008 surveys. Today we're announcing a new survey, Best In Nails! What trendy shades did you rock this year? We want to know! Here are the contest details:

To vote visit: Best In Nails 2008
Start: December 2, 2008
End: December 9, 2008 12 pm
Give Away: 1 lucky winner will win a Holiday Lipgloss Trio from one of my fave cosmetic lines, Pink Beauty! This must-have gloss set, Tres Chic, includes Frilly, Sugar Pie, and Coy!
Announced: Winner will be randomly chosen on December 9, after 12:30 pm! Good luck and stay tuned for more surveys and prize announcements!

Beauty Deal: Pink Beauty Cosmetics Deal In LouLou Magazine!

If your a Lou Lou Magazine and Pink Beauty fan then you're in for a sweet deal! Pink Beauty is offering 20% off all regular priced items at Pink Beauty Cosmetics online boutique! Click here for details!

Here at Makeup Junkie we are BIG fans of this Canadian beauty line! Some recommendations: Elsie Luscious Lip Sheer Lipstick, Kimberlina Luscious Lipshimmer Lipstick, Mabel Luscious Lip Sheer Lipstick, any of the glosses, Soft Flush Powder Blusher in Love At First Sight, Cream Radiance Rouge in Delight, and Soft Flush Powder Blusher in Object of Affection.

Makeup Junkie Holiday Gift Guide 2008: The Gift of Perfectly-Polished-To-Go!

Perfectly-polished girls-on-the-go will love these ready-made sets that will doll you up for those holiday parties!

Smashbox Rapture Best of Smashbox Kit ($19 USD) are perfect travel-size products that you can throw into any cute little clutch. The set includes Smashbox best-sellers Bionic Mascara in Jet Black, Mini Fusion Soft Lights in Dusk, and Mini Lip Enhancing Gloss in Aura.

Mini Lip Enhancing Gloss in Aura is a gorgeous shimmery nude pink. My picture does not do it justice. This Full Color gloss has a nude base with a pink pearl finish to it. I definitely don't own a gloss like this and I think I'll have to pick up the full size version! I love Smashbox glosses and think the finishes are beautiful and long-lasting.

Mini Fusion Soft Lights in Dusk, a mix of shimmery golden bronze, deep bronze, tan, warm pink and champagne, gives the skin a gorgeous bronze glow. Swirl all the colours together for bronze flushed cheeks or use each shade separately. You can use the darkest shade to contour the hollows of the cheeks, the champagne shade to highlight the cheekbones and inner corner of eyes, and swipe the warm pink shade on the eyelids. Get your shimmer on this Holiday!

Smashbox Bionic Mascara in Jet Black gives your lashes intense colour. Your lashes will stand out with this rich black pigment. BIONIC is the first ionic mascara for longer, stronger and more voluminous super-power lashes! What is "ionic technology" you ask?

"The primary ingredient in BIONIC is a chain molecule with a positive charge. The friction caused by sweeping the mascara brush across lashes causes a negative charge. Since opposites attract, the positively charged formula adheres to the negatively charged lashes for a dramatic effect that lasts all day."

Hmm, a lot of hype and marketing? I loved how dark my lashes looked, but it was only good for length and not volume. The water-resistant formula also smudged on me and my lashes were flat by the end of the day. It didn't work for me but it may work for you! Trying a travel size version is a good way of trying the product before committing to the normal size and normal price.

Additional Smashbox Rapture Holiday Sets:

Rapture Lip Gloss Set ($29 USD): Lip Gloss in Illume, Radiant, Candid, Ravishing, Lovely, and Stunning. Stay tuned for my review!
Rapture Flawless Finish Primer Set ($39 USD): Award-winning Photo Finish Foundation Primer in both travel and full size!
Rapture Eye Shadow and Brush Set ($59 USD): 8 eye shadow duos, Definer Brush #15, Shadow Brush #32
Rapture Travel Brush Set ($49 USD): Travel Face Brush, Shadow Brush, Blending Brush, Smudger Brush, Contour and Liner Brush


Give a true glamour girl a "Perfectly Pink" gift from the brand Pink Beauty Cosmetics! Doll pink cheeks and soft pink lips is the signature look for the ultimate girly-girl this Holiday. The "Perfectly Pink" ($55 CAD) set includes my favourites Soft Flush Powder Blusher in Love At First Sight, Luscious Lipshimmer Lipstick in Kimberlina, and Glamour Glaze Lip Gloss in Sweet Pea.

Luscious Lipshimmer Lipstick in Kimberlina is the sweetest pale pink with swirls of gold shimmer. Pink Beauty lip products are a must-have, must-try! Absolutely moisturizing sheer colour that is buildable. I also love the sugary sweet scent. Versatile colour for a subtle day finish or for some glitz at night. Kimberlina is another pink lippie to add to my beauty stash!

Soft Flush Powder Blusher in Love At First Sight gives you the prettiest pink flush ever! Another must-have from Pink Beauty, the brand's powder blushes are highly pigmented and are so velvety-soft you can dab on with your finger. Love At First Sight is a true, clean pink that gives you doll-like pink cheeks. It's the perfect compliment to the set's soft pink lippies. Let your cheeks be the focus this Holiday!

Glamour Glaze Lip Gloss in Sweet Pea is a soft baby pink with a bit of creamy shimmer. I love Pink Beauty glosses for the moisturizing and non-sticky factor plus the yummy scent! Sweet Pea gives a hint of pink and would be lovely for fair skinned glamour girls everyday or to compliment a smoky eye. For my medium-dark skin tone, Sweet Pea can look a bit chalky on its own. I prefer using it over top of Kimberlina to highlight and plump up my lips. The result is beautiful!

Additional Pink Beauty Holiday Sets:

Lipgloss Trios Au Naturel ($49 CAD): Baby Cakes, Dearest, and Glitz
Lipgloss Trios Tres Chic ($49 CAD): Frilly, Sugar Pie, Coy

Lipstick Trios Traffic Stopping ($59 CAD): Vivi, Elsie, and Beatrice
Lipstick Trios My Fair Lady ($59 CAD): Abigail, Camille, and Mabel

Pink Beauty Best Sellers Set ($110 CAD): Luscious Lip Sheer Lipstick in Abigail, Luscious Lipshimmer Lipstick in Clarabelle, Lip Scintillate Lip Gloss in Frilly, Glamour Glaze Lip Gloss in Baby Cakes, Eye Splendor Shadow - Satin Finish in Chi Chi, and Cream Radiance Rouge in Allure

Check the Pink Beauty site later this week for details on the Holiday collections!

Fall Beauty Trends: Pink Beauty Is Perfectly Pristine

If I want to turn on the glamour that's effortless and no-fuss, I turn to Pink Beauty . This season it's all about Perfectly Pristine (limited edition $65), regal and sexy yet unmistakably classic and gorgeous. This lovely collection features all the products you need to achieve a red carpet look inspired by the glamourous faces of Old Hollywood.


Luscious Lipsheer Lipstick, Elsie: This is definitely a staple in my beauty stash! I've given this wearable red lippie rave reviews a few times in the past and it never disappoints. Elsie is the perfect red to wear anytime of the day. It's buildable so you can get a sheer wash of colour and for a stronger hue apply more layers for night. The formula is also super moisturizing and it feels like you're wearing a lip balm.

Lip Scintillate Lip Gloss, Fabulah: A new favourite! Fabulah gives your lips a sheer kiss of cherry hue. Looks pretty on its own if you want a hint of colour and lots of shine or over top of Elsie which gives it a rich red colour. Complimented with a yummy scent and a non-sticky texture. No need to shy away from this red!

Cream Radiance Rouge, Captivate: This red-rose shade gives the cheeks a healthy dose of colour. These cream blushes are buildable and can be layered until your desired intensity. Also a multi-tasker, these blushes can be worn on the lips as a creamy stain or underneath a favourite lipstick or gloss. It has a hint of a rosy scent and has a creamy texture that is never sticky and very blendable. Colour lasts and lasts.

Eye Splendor Shadow Velvet Finish, Sweet Nothings and Devoted: I love the velvety matte finishes of these shadows. The colour payoff is great and never creases. Sweet Nothings is a bone white that can be worn as an overall shadow, base, or a highlighter. Devoted is a brown black which is a softer alternative to black. It is not included in the collection but is a perfect pair for classic eyes. Use this as a liner with Sweet Nothings swiped across the entire lid. Devoted can also give the eyes a sultry smoky finish. It has become one of my new favourite browns!

The Look: Pale eyes meet cherry cheeks and a bold red pout. Crisp, clean lids paired with super-rosy cheeks and red-stained lips are reminiscent of Veronica Lake. Our Perfectly Pristine collection is regal and sexy yet unmistakably classic and gorgeous.

Limited Edition Perfectly Pristine collection $65 ($93 value). Includes free shipping (use code FALL).

What do you think of this collection? Have you tried it? Love it? Hate it?

www.pinkbeautycosmetics.com

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

Beauty Review: Think Pink For Spring!

My latest obsession for lips has been the colour pink. I go through these phases - one season it's peach, next season it's nude, the season after that it's orange and coral, and then red. Oh, the beauty of makeup and all its possibilities! Here are some pink lippies I'll be rockin' this Spring with probably more new ones to come!


M.A.C. Slimshine Lipsticks in Bare: When Slimshine's launched last year, I fell in love with the sheer textures and great colour payoff. I also loved the slim and sleek packaging. Bare is a really nice neutral pink with gold flecks and looks beautiful paired with a smoky eye. M.A.C. has just launched new Slimshine colours along with last year's most popular colours. I think I'll have to pick up Rock Out, bright blue pink with gold pearl. It may be too bright for some but it applies really sheer so it's not too overpowering.

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Bettina: Ever since I started using Nars products, I've fallen in love with the Velvet Matte pencils. It has a really nice matte texture but looks creamy and not dry. Bettina is a really nice rosy pink with beige undertones. Looks great for everyday or with a smoky eye. I love it on its own or under a shimmery gloss.

Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Pop: I really love these glosses (although it was not a popular item on TotalBeauty.com). I think the glosses have a great non-sticky texture and the shine is perfect. I hate it when glosses are too shiny that it looks like a wet, goopy mess. It also doesn't leave a crusty white line on the inner part of my lips. I haven't experienced a grainy texture and the smell is fine. I also hate the harsh tingling glosses of some plumpers and these glosses give a natural plump without the lovely stinging effect. Pop is a pretty fleshy pink that is the perfect nude-pink. The colour is similar to M.A.C.'s Underage Lip Glass without all the stickiness. It gives the lips a nice natural plump look. Perfect for everyday on its own or over top of a lipstick. Also a great choice for a dramatic eye.

Pink Beauty Glamour Glaze Gloss in Sugar Pie: I reviewed this during my 5 Days of Pink Beauty and I had rave reviews about the lip products. The glosses aren't sticky and super moisturizing. They smell yummy too! I love the cotton candy pink colour to this gloss - it looks bright but goes on sheer and gives the lips a soft pink hue that's noticeable but not overpowering. Very wearable for the day with just a shimmery pale shadow, mascara, and a neutral blush.

Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Beauty (true colour): Can you tell I'm a fan of Smashbox glosses? The glosses come in a range of sheer, true and full colour. So whether you like a lot of colour or not you're bound to find something. Beauty is a warmer pink with coral undertones. This colour looks great against really bronzy skin and golden-bronze shadow. Beauty will definitely take you into summer!

L'Oreal Colour Juice Gloss in Watermelon: This was my beauty winner 2007 for Best Inexpensive Gloss. I love these squeezable tubes that are the perfect size for a small purse. It offers juicy shine and great colour payoff. They're not too sheer so you can actually see it on your lips. Watermelon is a deeper pink with a gold shimmer. This would look great on any skin tone.

Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Spark: This has become one of my new favourite glosses. Spark is a beautiful berry pink shimmer that gives the lips a sheer pop of colour. It really brightens up the skin tone. This looks pretty with bronze shadow, loads of mascara, bronze cheeks mixed with pink blush - together is the perfect "ski bunny" effect.

Do you have favourite pink lip colours you'll be wearing this Spring? If not, what will be your Spring must-have for lips?

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

Holiday Gift Ideas For Every Woman In Your Life!

There's a gift for every woman whether she is a busy mom, glam girl, or trendsetter. My gift ideas are some of the best products I've tried this year or from brands that I've loved for years. So, if you know of a friend, sister, aunt, mom, or grandmother that is a makeup junkie or is in some major need of a makeup update check out the list and check it twice there just might be the perfect gift!


1. Makeup Junkie: I'm not speaking about myself (well maybe a little) but for every woman that hoards makeup in every nook of their house! Makeup junkies love trying multiple products at a time so holiday collections are perfect! Some makeup collections I'm lusting after: Nars Night Series Mini Palette, Nars J. Mendel Lip Palette, Nars Dolce Vita Set, Benefit's Powder Pop!, Sephora's Supermodel Kit, and Stila's Face Contouring Trio.


2. Busy Mom: I call this the 'mommy essentials'. As a busy mom, I've been able to cut down my makeup application to half the time I used to (something my husband really appreciates!). Four easy things busy moms can do: even out skin tone where needed, open up the eyes, and add colour to lips and cheeks. Quick and easy and you still end up looking polished. I used to use a tinted moisturizer and it was great but then my skin started to change after I had my son. To give me more coverage without feeling heavy or cakey, I switched to Face Atelier's Ultra Foundations (LOVE! Don't forget about the 25% with Face Atelier until Dec. 31st! Enter discount code 'makeupjunkie'). Lack of sleep most of the time equals dark undereye circles. I love Smashbox's Photo Op Under Eye Brightner because it makes my under eye look luminous, diffuses fine lines and slightly conceals. Over top of it, I have to apply my YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch because it is the perfect undereye concealer (for me and I've tried so many!). I never leave the house without curling my lashes with my Shu Uemera eye lash curler (heard Billy B.'s is great for smaller eyes) and applying a couple coats of L'oreal Voluminous mascara. It just opens up the eyes and makes you look more awake. To brighten up the eye, I just add Nars' Duo Cream Shadow in Thebes, a silver and gold with shimmer, to the inner corner of the eyes and center of lid. For a little colour, double a bronzer like Benefit's Hoola as cheek colour and for an overall healthy glow. Swipe a gloss like Nars' Stolen Kisses on the lips - my favourite neutral gloss! The busy mom will think you are a life saver (or time saver). It's really a perfect collection for anyone on-the-go!


3. Glam Girl: Everyone has a glam look busy mom or not and I love to do it up every now and then. Whether you have a fetish for a smokey eye or feel sexy in a red pout, Pink Beauty Cosmetics is the perfect line for every glam girl! I just felt so pretty and girly using Pink Beauty! I'm lusting after Luscious Lip Sheer in Beatrice, a deep red and Lip Scintillate Lip Gloss in Fabulah, a rich shimmery red. Whatever your definition of glam is Pink Beauty will definitely have something for you.

Photo: Content in On Makeup Magazine!
4. The Makeup Artist: Makeup artists can be very particular about their makeup and tools. Your best bet is to just ask her what she wants but if you want to surprise her I can help you out! Some brands that makeup artist love and rave about are of course M.A.C., Make Up For Ever, Face Atelier, Billy B. Beauty (tools and brushes), Three Custom Color, MudShop, Nars, to name a few. There are so many pro makeup lines and a great resource for more pro brands is The Powder Group. Another great gift makeup artists love are magazine subscriptions and The Powder Group is launching On Makeup Magazine next February! I've been waiting for a magazine that was makeup artist related and all about makeup! The MudShop also has some really great books you can purchase for the working makeup artist or the makeup artist newbie!


5. Trendsetter: Trendsetters like to be ahead of the game and have a style all of their own. M.A.C. has always been one step ahead and is perfect for the woman that likes to stand out in a crowd. They have their amazing Holiday collections but for a trendsetter I'd get her something from the Metal X collection that will make her shine above the rest. Glitter eye liner and metallic cream to powder shadows - need I say more??


6. The Minimalist: Minimalists like no fuss multi-purpose products that they don't have to reapply during the day and don't care for a lot of makeup - just enough to look healthy and radiant. Perfect line for a minimalist is Benefit Cosmetics which is known for their quick and easy fixes. Popular items that I love: Benetint Pocket Pal, Rush Hour, Eyeliner Gilded, and Dandelion.

Photo: Organic Body Bar in Ocean Minerals
7. The Globally Conscious: You can still care about the environment and be self-indulgent thanks to Tashodi, a Canadian based bath and body line that is committed to producing products that are fairly traded, organic, all natural and green friendly! I received 100% Pure and Certified Fair Trade Lip and Cheek Tints in Full of Fairness Pink. It is meant to keep your lips moisturized with a bit of colour and tint your cheek to its natural hue. I prefer it more as a lip balm because it is very moisturizing and I like the sheer pink colour on the lips as well as the spearmint and peppermint flavour. Keeps my breath feeling fresh! I also got to try their Organic Body Bar in Ocean Minerals, an invigorating eucalyptus and lemon blend. I love how you can exfoliate with the Celtic sea salt and moisturize with the fair trade shea butter at the same time! And for the first time I soaked in the bath at my new house! I received their Pure Bath Soaks in Pure Lavender, a mix of pure lavender aroma and moisturizing benefits in their fair trade cocoa butter shavings. Truly a pampering experience! What's also cool about the Pure Bath Soaks is that it comes in a really nice jar that I can use for whatever my heart's desire! To top it off, the packaging and promotional material are made from plant fibers and are biodegradable and recyclable!


8. Bath and Body Connoisseur: I love having yummy smelling soft skin. I had the pleasure of trying Bobe (pronounced "beau-bee") products a few months ago and I use it every day! If you're looking for great quality products at affordable prices then Bobe is the perfect gift. I recommend anything from their line because they come in so many enticing flavours and scents! My favourite from the line is the Silken Cream body butter. And at $8 (CDN) for a 4.5 ounce jar you can't go wrong!

Hope the list will give you some holiday gift ideas and make your shopping experience stress-free! And as always don't forget to give back to the community or to your favourite charities! :) Happy shopping!

Up Close and Personal With April Jacob of Pink Beauty Cosmetics

Now that I finally completed my interview with Michael DeVellis I can now move onto my interview with Pink Beauty creator April Jacob. It's over a week late but it's better late then never so lets move on! After my fabulous 5 days of Pink Beauty, I thought it would be appropriate to end it with an interview to get the goods on the creator of this amazing makeup line. After a few emails back and forth with each other, I could already tell the interview would be easy going - like two girlfriends chatting about their favourite things: makeup!

My interview with April took place November 22nd at 3 pm. We were supposed to meet in person at a Starbucks downtown but due to a surprisingly icy few centimeters of snow we decided to do a phone interview instead. Plus, we both agreed it was in her best interest to stay away from icy sidewalks especially being 8 months pregnant (that's right - her and her hubby are expecting their first baby)! Having been there and done that, I totally understood.

Right before I called, I could feel nervous jitters starting to set in. I always get a little nervous before an interview especially if it's with someone I admire. However, as soon as I heard her voice, my nervous jitters quickly disappeared. The excitement in her voice and bubbly attitude made me feel like I was talking to an old friend. I was expecting an "I'm-too-cool-for-you" attitude that is all too familiar with some people I've come across in the fashion industry. So, it was a nice surprise.

April, who has been a makeup artist for the past 10 years in all aspects of the business including television, film, print work and fashion as well as working at various cosmetic counters, had a good idea of what women wanted out of a cosmetic line.

"In my past experience I felt that consumers felt over whelmed by products that were currently on the market with how much time, effort and skill that we required to replicate a certain look. I knew I had to create a line for the everyday women that required minimal time and effort to use but still gave maximum impact and for reason all the products in Pink Beauty are buildable texture."

When I think of the colour pink, I think of beauty, femininity, delicate, and soft. Pink to me, is such a personal colour because it really brings you back to your childhood. To like pink, you have to be a real girly-girl at heart and the name "Pink Beauty" definitely reflects that. And if you're also wondering about the cute little dog in her Pink Beauty logo, there is also a personal story behind that and the inspiration for the line.

"I absolutely adore the colour pink - as do a lot of others! I was inspired by the beauty and purity of the colour pink. It represents so many beautiful things like grace, femininity, compassion, self acceptance – just to name a few. I wanted to create a line that would inspire inner beauty. So Pink Beauty not only makes you look good but feel good too! My dog Neesha was part of my inspiration for our icon Penelope – who is Pinkie’s dog in Pink Beauty. She is very dear to me and is with me everyday here at the office. One of the things that the colour Pink also represents is friendship and so I wanted to represent that element with our silhouette icons Pinkie and her little dog Penelope. Every colour collection is inspired by their glamorous adventures - the first one being Beloved which was our Spring/Summer 2007 Collection."

I loved how the products were named after old fashioned names because it reminded me of the glamourous women of the past. Sharing a love for Old Hollywood glamour, deciding on the names also had a personal attachment for April.

Photo: "Elsie" is the lipstick shown in the middle - one of my faves!

"I wanted to have fun and playful names for the shades. All of the lip sheers are named after old fashioned girls names which is reminiscent of the old Hollywood glamour feel that the line has. Elsie and Beatrice lip sheers are named in honor of my two late grandmothers. I also wanted the lip sheers to have more of a personal connection - we all get attached to our favorite shade of lipstick that we wear everyday! Dearest – which is one of my all time favorite products in the line – was actually a bit of a mishap in the lab. I was looking to create a pinky bronze shade with a touch of pearl as all of the glosses from our Glamour Glaze Lip Gloss collection have. The lab submission came back with way too much pearl but I just loved the effect that it had with the two shades of the pink and bronze mixed together. I wore it everyday for the next few days. I received a ton of compliments from friends and even total strangers! Everyone wanted to know what I was wearing on my lips. I knew I had to keep it as it was and for that reason I named it Dearest! "

Choosing the names is just one aspect of creating a top-selling makeup line. Packaging sometimes can be make-it or break-it for me. A product not only has to have functionality but appealing packaging as well. I just adored Pink Beauty's matte pink packaging.


"I spent a lot of time designing the packaging of Pink Beauty. I absolutely love beautiful packaging! All of the products are done in our signature baby soft pink. I get a lot of positive feed back from consumers about how they love that fact that their Pink Beauty really stands out in their makeup back amongst a sea of black products! There are two elements to the packaging – the soft matte pink packaging which represents the vintage old Hollywood glamour feel to line. However, when you pop off the top you see the glossy black which represents today’s modern sophistication. After all - Pink Beauty is all about 1940’s Hollywood glamour meets modern day sophistication created for today’s modern glam girl!"

As a makeup artist I'm always looking for products that will enhance my kit and make my job easier. Because her products are buildable and multi-use it's perfect for the makeup artist on-the-go (and for anyone on-the-go!). Pink Beauty is a favourite with the makeup artist for Crossing Jordan and is currently being used on set! Right now, there isn't a makeup artist discount, but in the future she is thinking about implementing a makeup artist reward program. When the beauty line was first established it was made to cater the everyday glamourous woman. Now that it's fan base is growing, the line will be expanding in the future to include a foundation line and accessories with the possibility of refillable pans. The foundation line will be in stick form because it's the easiest to use that can be applied with your fingers. The foundations will be yellow-based and not pink-based. Yay!

I love hearing about other women's 'must-haves' in their makeup bag. April dishes on what are staples in her makeup bag. "I love Cream Radiance Rouge because it's a multi-purpose product that can be used on the eyes, lips, and cheeks. 'Delight' would be the shade because it's the most neutral and doesn't have any red in it." Bonus tip for her Eye Splendor Shadows: they can be applied with your finger if you want a single wash of colour! The texture is almost a creamy powder. I tried it and the pigment actually applies with the same intensity as using a brush!

Every woman has their own signature 'glam' look that makes them feel glamourous and beautiful. "My favourite look is to do a red lip and keep everything else soft and sheer. I don't even use a liner on the eyes...just lots of Lash Extravagance Mascara in Lavish." One of my favourite looks as well! Great look for the many holiday parties coming up! And now that she's a new mom-to-be, April lists 3 products every mom-on-the-go needs. "Definitely Lash Extravagance Mascara, Cream Rouge Radiance for the eyes, lips, and cheeks and finish with Glamour Glaze Lip Gloss because it's the quickest to apply. It's not heavy or sticky and has lasting colour."

April loves creating new products. Her love of traveling and seeing other cultures inspires her everyday. What she loves about being a makeup artist is being able to build personal connections with different women everyday and helping each of them find their inner pink glow! After speaking with April, I really felt her personal connection with Pink Beauty. It isn't just another makeup line with a name stamped on it because you can tell she put heart and soul into it. She listened to what women wanted and designed the line for women on-the-go who want a little glamour without all the fuss.

As the conversation winds down, we gab about what she likes to do when she's not working. "I love traveling and spending a quiet night with my husband and my dog Neesha". With the soon-to-be addition to the family, those quiet nights will probably get a little louder hehe. We talk a little more about motherhood and first time jitters. It's great hearing about what she's been feeling and going through because it's like I'm experiencing it all over again. Could we be seeing a lip gloss named after her baby? I guess we'll just have to wait and see!

Congrats April and I wish you all the best! Thank you again for such a wonderful interview and for bringing out my inner pink glow!

Pink Beauty is sold in various Holt Renfrew locations across Canada and now online at www.pinkbeautycosmetics.com.

Beauty News: Pink Beauty Does Timeless Elegance For The Holidays!

Pink Beauty Cosmetics is THE go-to cosmetics line for glamour girls who appreciate old Hollywood elegance in a modern twist. Holiday 2007 is all about "Timeless Elegance" at Pink Beauty and who doesn't want to look timeless and elegant? Women everywhere can achieve that classic 1940's glam look with this holiday collection. April Jacob, founder of Pink Beauty, has put together seven easy-to-apply must-have products for the glamour-girl-on-the-go!

1. Sweet Nothings Eye Splendor Shadow – Velvet (nude) Cdn$23;
2. Worshiped – Eye Splendor Shadow – Velvet (tan) Cdn$23;
3. Devoted - Eye Splendor Shadow – Velvet (brown black) Cdn$23;
4. Lavish Lash Extravagance Mascara (black) Cdn$25;
5. Longing For Soft Flush Powder Blusher (rose) Cdn$23;
6. Beatrice Luscious Lip Sheer Lipstick (red brown) Cdn$27; and
7. Dearest Glamour Glaze Gloss (coppery pink) Cdn$21.

April Jacobs, a professional makeup artist for over 10 years in the film, tv, beauty, and fashion industry, outlines seven simple steps to achieve "timeless elegance".

1. Sweep Sweet Nothings over entire eye, from lash line to brow. This creates a
canvas and ensures the next shadow application will blend out subtly. Sweet
Nothings is also an instant highlight for the brow bone.
2. Brush Worshiped on the lid with a sweeping motion and blend into the crease.
3. Use a damp eyeliner brush to apply Devoted along the upper lash line only. This
proves to be much easier then using liquid eyeliner, yet the same definition is
achieved with minimal time and effort.
4. Add Lavish mascara to the base of lash and use a zig-zag motion to get mascara
from root to tip. For maximum glamour, apply three to five coats.
5. Use a soft fluffy blush brush, and apply Longing For to the apples of the cheeks,
blending outward to the hairline. This imparts a sheer, soft and subtle diffusion
of colour on the cheeks.
6. Apply Beatrice—the perfect luscious lip sheer shade of sophisticated red to
complement any skin tone. Use a lip brush starting in the center of lips and
working outwards.
7. Top off with Dearest, the ideal lip gloss for added fullness and enticing shine.

"Timeless elegance" is not only the perfect look for the holidays, but for anytime of the year. These 7 products are definite must-haves for every woman-on-the-go that wants a little glamour without all the fuss. I can tell you firsthand that Pink Beauty products are so easy to use and buildable. Most of the products don't require a brush! So, go for a classic look this holiday that will look great in pictures year after year! Stay tuned for my interview with April Jacob! Happy shopping!

Beauty Review: Pink Beauty Day 5

Day 5 of Pink Beauty has arrived which means this is the last day of Pink Beauty Week! I'm a little sad because I've been having so much fun playing with the products and coming up with different looks. Today's look was inspired by beautiful sunsets in the early summer months before it gets all muggy and humid. Sunsets always have a gorgeous gradient colour of burnt oranges, golds, and peachy-pinks. I did a day look and a night look using the main products and adding extras to change the looks. First up is what I call sweet sunset which is definitely wearable for day. Here are the products I used and how I achieved the look.


Sweet Sunset Look:
If you're looking for ways to wear colour during the day without over doing it, try this look out. It's all about adding subtle hints of colour to enhance your natural beauty. On my eyes, I used Eye Splendor Shadow in Worshiped (yes, I'm using it again!), a neutral beige, as my base and on the bottom lash line. I added Eye Splendor Shadow in La-Di-Da, a gorgeous amber orange, to the outer corner of the eyes. This shadow has a really nice sheer finish so if you're not used to colour I suggest starting out light and building on top of it until you are comfortable with the colour. I used a blending brush to make sure the colours were blended well together and there were no harsh lines. Even though I had a bit of colour on the eyes, I still wanted a subtle pop of colour on the cheeks. I dabbed on Cream Rouge Radiance in Enchant, a peachy-pink shade, to the apples of the cheeks. To sweeten the look, I applied Luscious Lipshimmer Lipstick in Maribeth, a lovely burnt orange with gold flecks and swiped on a little of Glamour Glaze Lip Gloss in Dearest, an opalescent pinky-coppery gloss, to the center of the lips.


Sultry Sunset Look:
The second look I call Sultry Sunset. I've always noticed that when the sun is almost done setting the colours go a hazy burnt orange. To bring the day look into night I used the same main products but added a dark brown liner, opted for a nude lip, added some shimmer, and darkened my eye shadow and blush. I added more of the La-di-da shadow to the crease area and applied it to the bottom lash line. I smudged a dark brown liner to my top and bottom lash line. I also added a shimmery gold shadow to the inner corners of the eyes. I swiped on another coat of mascara to add on to the drama. On the cheeks, I added a bit more of Enchant to deepen the colour and give my cheekbones some definition. I added a shimmery highlighter to my cheekbones. To balance the smoky eye, I applied Luscious Lip Sheer Lipstick in Mabel (not shown in picture but you can check out Day 1 to see the colour), a sheer nude. I also applied Dearest gloss on top to give me a shiny pout.

The result:
I just love how you can use the same products to achieve 2 totally different looks. La-di-da eye shadow is such a gorgeous amber shade and would especially look great on darker skin tones. If you have fair skin, you can still get away with this shade but in a lighter application. If you have baby blues, this shade will brighten and enhance your eye colour. Enchant cream blush is such a pretty shade and would look great on anyone. If you're tired of pink, then this peachy-pink shade is a great alternative. It's a little more womanly and little less girly. I also love using peachy shades on darker skin tones to brighten up the complexion. My next favourite lip product has to be Maribeth lipstick. It has the same effect as Elsie, the sheer red lipstick, because it perks up any complexion. This is great for any skin tone as well. I actually have similar shades from a few other brands - it's my staple colour especially during the summer months. Pink Beauty's version is my favourite hands down because it's sooo moisturizing! Dearest gloss is such a sweet treat because it looks amazing on its own and goes great over any lipstick. I love the two-tone effect it has. Mabel lipstick is my favourite nude lipstick and doesn't have a chalky effect like some I've tried. The gold shimmer gives it some dimension and doesn't look flat on the lips.

Well, today ends my week of Pink Beauty!! I hope you enjoyed the looks as much as I enjoyed creating them. Thank you for all your great feedback! It makes doing this all the more enjoyable. Pink Beauty Cosmetics is a Canadian line that is sold at various Holt Renfrew locations across Canada. If you get a chance to pop in, don't forget to stop by the Pink Beauty counter for a sweet dose of glamour and fun! Once you try the products, I guarantee you'll be hooked! I'm very excited to be meeting with April Jacob, the creator of Pink Beauty Cosmetics, tomorrow so stay tuned for my interview with her! Happy shopping!

For more info visit www.pinkbeautycosmetics.com!

Pink Beauty Day 5 Will Have To Wait!

Sorry guys, Pink Beauty Day 5 won't be posted until tomorrow. Today was just a busy pmsing day and I just wasn't in the mood to get all prettied up. Although I did take my son to the park and dabbed on Captivate Cream Radiance Rouge blush and Luscious Lip Sheer Lipstick in Elsie to perk me up hehe. I just love these 2 products! But I will not disappoint tomorrow! I'll be doing a day and night look so stay tuned!

Beauty Review: Pink Beauty Day 4

Pink Beauty Day 4 was a preview of the holiday season to come with Santa Clause and friends bringing smiles to kids both young and old! I was in a festive mood which called for bright lips and shimmery skin. I also wanted a bit of rouge on the cheeks to give that "just pinched" youthful glow we so long for as you get older. I created a day look and a night look using 3 main products and adding a couple extras to change it up. These are two of my favourite looks because it just tends to make you look radiant and glamourous without putting a whole lot on. First up is the day look. Here are the products I used and how I achieved the look.


The Day Look:
Since I was adding a bright pop of colour on the cheeks and lips, I wanted to keep the eyes subtle with a hint of shimmer. To wake up my very tired eyes, I decided to use Eye Splendor Eye Shadow in Worshiped, a neutral beige, all over the eyes. As I mentioned in my previous posts, I've been using this shadow everyday as a base or on it's own because it's such a great neutral. I then added a white shadow that has a subtle sheen to it, in the inner corner of the eyes and the bottom lash line. For the day, I wanted to keep the shimmer to a minimum. I also lined the inner lash line with a creamy beige eye pencil to whiten up my whites to make them look brighter (if you have fairer skin use a white pencil). I added 2-3 coats of mascara to plump up those lashes (against a subtle eye long, full lashes are a must!). To give me that youthful flush I applied Cream Radiance Rouge in Captivate, a rich berry-red shade, to the apples of my cheeks (set your makeup with powder after you've applied cream blush. Cream blushes blend better on non-powdered skin.). To finish the look, I applied Luscious Lip Sheer Lipstick in Elsie, a gorgeous sheer brick red, to my lips.

The Night Look:

Changing this look from day to night is easy and only needs a couple of products: shimmer and black liquid liner. I added a shimmery metallic shadow over top of my existing shadow in a soft taupe shade. I also added some to the bottom lash line. I then winged out black liquid liner to give me that cat eye effect. I applied a few more coats of mascara. I also applied an iridescent highlighting cream in a champagne shade to the cheekbones to give a luminous glow. Everything after that was easy. I added more of the Cream Radiance Rouge in Captivate to the cheeks to deepen the colour. I also deepened the lips by adding Captivate and then applied the Luscious Lip Sheer in Elsie, over top a few times. And voila - go from day to night in a few easy steps!

The result:
I LOVE the lip sheer Elsie and I think the cream blush in Captivate is just beautiful! They just complimented each other so well. Because I heart these two products so much I just had to do 2 looks! Elsie is the perfect red for just about any skin tone because it is so sheer that you can't go wrong. If you've been afraid to wear red especially during the day, Elsie is absolutely wonderful! For the day, I applied it once and it gave me a subtle hint of red that is so wearable. For the evening, I applied it a few times until I reached my desired colour of red. I've said this before, but I just love how buildable all the products are. The lipstick is also super moisturizing! I didn't need to add any lip balm to my chronically dry lips. Elsie is my new fave lip colour for all year round (its nestled itself nicely into my makeup bag)! It brightens you up and adds nice colour to the skin. Captivate cream blush gives you a pop of colour without looking overdone. If bright cheeks and lips are too much for you, then opt for a more neutral blush or a bronzer. But the two really do go nicely together. I'm not really sure if I should have used the cream blush on my lips but I did and it didn't dry out my lips or give me a reaction. :) Whenever I'm feeling down or tired, this look always gives me a pick-me-up-perk-me-up. This will definitely be my holiday look! Stay tuned for my last day of Pink Beauty tomorrow but the fun will not be over because I'll be featuring my interview with April Jacob later on this week! Happy shopping!