Event: L'Oreal Luxe Beauty Blogger Holiday Party!

I'm really lucky to know so many wonderful people in the beauty world. When I entered the beauty blogging world almost 6 years ago, I didn't know what it would mean for my life. I'm very thankful that I get to test out products for free, blog about them, and get invited to swanky events. I have a healthy addiction to products, but that's not why I blog. I really do love to write and connect with other beauty fanatics.

What do you get when you put a group of beauty bloggers in one room? A bunch of lushes who pose endlessly in front of a camera, hilarious photos, and giddy excitement and squeals over products. 

PR powerhouses and sweeties, Isabelle and Kristina, hosted a beauty blogger holiday party on behalf of L'Oreal's Luxe brands like YSL, Giorgio Armani, Shu Uemura, Biotherm, and Victor & Rolf. This event was the first time in almost 2 years that I've attended one. I made a point to make it out for this one because Isabelle and Kristina have been amazing and I finally wanted to put faces to their lovely names! Plus, I got to hang out with some of my favourite beauty bloggers and friends some I haven't seen in years!

Reviews to come of the amazing products that we received - all I can say is that these holiday collections are a must-have. It was some serious swag! I'm so forever grateful!! 

Check out pictures from the party courtesy of L'Oreal and my Crackberry. Thanks again for one of the most fun events I've been to!

Say wha??? Naughty or nice? I guess I've been a very nice blogger!

Blogger babes Lisa from Beauty Crazed, Elaine from Toronto Beauty Reviews, and Stephanie from Blush Pretty.

The gorgeous Isabelle showing us the new lovelies from Armani. Uh, hi can I tell you how much I love the Maestro Foundation????

The stunning and bubbly Rema from The Burgundy Book. Isn't that hot red lippie from Armani amazing??

I loved Julie, the MUA doing Elaine's makeup! She did my makeup too. On Elaine she gave her some Old Hollywood glama - gorgeous! And there's preggers Steph photo bombing! 

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Prettiest gifts I ever did see! The lovely Kristina and Arianne from Glitter Geek.

Splurge worthy. Love these shadow palettes that can be worn wet or dry!

The adorable Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura collection.

Here we go trying to come up with a sexy pose. I could not "smize". Tyra would be disappointed.

Charlie's Angels? Sexy right?

Aww aren't we a pretty group? Back row: Jessica from Beautizine, Isabelle, Lisa from Beauty Crazed, Elaine from Toronto Beauty Reviews, me.
Middle Row: Christine from Perilously Pale, Arianne from Glitter Geek, Steph from Blush Pretty.
Front Row: PR rep (opps don't know her name!), Rema from The Burgundy Book, and Kristina.

Fall Beauty Roundup

Makeup Junkie: Fall Beauty Roundup

It's November which means it's time to start dishing on my favourite holiday products and collections! But before I do, check out my fave Fall beauty products this season. What made your list?

I'm trying out a new site called Beauty Sets. It's similar to Polyvore, but this is made just for beauty bloggers and allows you to lay out your photos like a magazine. Pretty cool! You like?

Beauty News: The Buzz In The Beauty World

When outdoor events start happening in Toronto, we know summertime is almost upon us! If you're visiting Toronto, June is a great time to come. Luminato has started and there are many cool events happening around the city! If you're a beauty fanatic and need to know the latest trends, be sure to catch Lead Makeup Artist for Maybelline New York, Grace Lee! For more information, visit www.luminato.com/events/maybellineny. 

Legendary fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld, will be collaborating with the master of beauty, Shu Uemura, to create a Holiday collection for 2012. What do you guys think? Are you looking forward to this line? I'm sure it will be fabulous and if it is I just might forgive Karl for calling Adele fat...we'll see. 

Makeup 101: The 5 Minute Face

Mornings are harsh (and yet I'm up after midnight writing this!). There's just not enough time in the day to do everything I want to accomplish. My day starts in the wee morning and it ends in the wee morning. You'd think spending half the morning in a drowsy state and getting sick would teach me a lesson.

Being able to put makeup on or style my hair is a luxury these days with two little ones. Applying my makeup in a matter of minutes is a must! Here are the products I currently use on a daily to look fresh faced and somewhat presentable in 5 minutes!

The 5 Minute Face by makeupjunkie13 on polyvore.com

Top Row:

Garnier BB Cream Miracle Skin Perfector ($19.99 CAD): You'd have to be hiding under a rock if you haven't heard about the latest craze in beauty. BB Creams, a beauty secret from Asia, is now hitting North America. What is a BB cream and why all the buzz? BB creams is an all-in-one skin perfecting product that  combines skincare with makeup. Some are even made to improve acne overtime. 

I first learned of it when my brother's girlfriend from Korea was visiting us. She said she loved because it improved the overall appearance of her skin and lightened her skin too. Making my skin lighter really didn't appeal to me so I brushed it off not really thinking it would make its way here. 

Brands like Garnier have included all the skin nourishing properties minus the skin lightening ingredients. I've heard Marcelle's is really good and I tested Estee Lauder's version. I found it to be drying for my skin and the shade was too light. I've been testing out Garnier's for a few weeks now and so far I'm liking it. Here's what I like about it: evens out my skin tone, diffuses my wrinkles and fine lines, makes my skin look radiant, and is ultra moisturizing. It also has sun protection. It's a cinch to put on especially if you're in a hurry!

The shade I received is medium-dark. It seems to match me pretty well, but it has a slight pink undertone. After it sets, it just looks like my skin. The coverage is like that of a tinted moisturizer. I'm not really sure what sets it apart from some TM's that also offer anti-aging ingredients, SPF, and coverage. Possibly BB creams offer higher anti-aging ingredients? All in all, I really love how my skin looks after. I get decent coverage in a matter of seconds. Available January 2012. 

Smashbox Photo Op Under Eye Brightener ($18 USD): A staple! An eye brightener and concealer all in one. Read my full review here. 

Anastasia Brow Duality ($23 USD): A multi-purpose highlighter for brows, eyes, cheekbones, and even the top of your lips! I like to wear this in the inner corner for a brightening effect. Read my full review here. 

Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler ($26 CAD): I never go a day without this! This lash curler gives my lashes the most perfect curl. 

L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara ($12 CAD): For the longest time I was using Covergirl LashBlast Waterproof Mascara, then I moved on to various ones from L'Oreal to Maybelline to some high end ones. The drugstore near me had a sale on L'Oreal mascaras so I picked up this one. I hadn't really heard reviews for it but I picked it up anyways. It's a great waterproof mascara with minimal smudging. I'm able to get my lashes full and long with lots of curl (waterproof mascara is the only thing that can curl these straight lashes). The only downside, not a huge one, is that my lashes look crunchy and hard rather than soft and fluttery. 

tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Liner ($18 USD): Finally an eyeliner that actually doesn't smudge! For subtle definition I like to smudge underneath my top lash line very close to the base of my lashes. Read my full review here. 

Bottom Row: 

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Pink Blossom ($7.99 CAD): Tinted lip balms are the easiest lip products to wear. You get a little colour and it hydrates at the same time. I love Burt's Bees tinted lip balms. They are inexpensive and give just enough colour. Pink Blossom is a soft pink, but surprisingly it really shows on the lips! I think it's the perfect shade of pink - not too red and not too pale. I also love Tiger Lily for a peachy nude lip. Read my full review here. 

Korres Cherry Picked Cherry Oil Lip Gloss ($17 USD): When I want a little glossy shine, I love wearing these glosses from Korres! For a pink nude lip, I like layering Light Purple 23 over top of Burt's Bees Pink Blossom. Read my full review here.

Becca Beach Tint: I think a flush of colour on the cheeks is the perfect perk-me-up. These lovelies don't budge and give the prettiest glow. Thanks to ebeauty.ca, I was able to add Guava, Grapefruit and Peach to my collection. Read my full review here. 

Benefit PosieTint ($36 CAD): I like to go between a few cheek tints and this is definitely one I reach for. Read my full review here. 

Revolution Organics Beauty Balm ($34 CAD): When I want a really dewy finish and when my skin is screaming for moisture I love dabbing these puppies on. For a really quick look, I use Bronzed on my eyes, cheeks and lips. I own all three in Blushed, Sunkissed, and Bronzed. Read my full review here. 

When you only have 5 minutes, what are your go-to products? 

Products were sent for editorial consideration (with the exception of the L'Oreal mascara and Shu Uemura lash curler) and I truly love them. 

Holiday Lookbook: Shu Uemura 2011

The holiday season is such a fun time for makeup because the packaging is always interesting and beautiful. The colours are sparkling and bold. Holiday parties are a fun time to experiment with some colour! Think outside the typical smokey eye or red lip. Shu Uemura's holiday collection is a great example of how to use some bold yet wearable colours. 

This season Shu Uemura teamed up with internationally renowned film director, War Kong Wai, to create some exciting eye palettes and lip shades. The palettes also feature a cool hologram! While the blue palette was gorgeous, I was immediately drawn to the purple palette. It features 4 shadows, 1 highlighter, and 1 cream blush that can also be used on the lips. The colour payoff is fantastic as usual and you have the option of creating many different looks. If you want something more subtle, use the gold across the lid and apply the cream blush a little heavier on the cheeks and lips. A purple smokey eye will definitely take the original version up a notch. This is definitely a palette to have fun with!

Swatches:

Have you tried Shu Uemura's holiday collection? Love it? Hate it? Want it?

Available at Holt Renfrew locations across Canada. 

www.shuuemura-usa.com

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

Fall Beauty Review: Say "Boo!" This Halloween With Shu Uemura Tokyo Lash Bar 2011

As fun as ghoul and gore are for Halloween, nothing is more exciting to look at than fantasy makeup. The mix of colours and detail tell a beautiful story. You just need a big imagination and of course some handy makeup and tools to execute it. Shu Uemura's Tokyo Lash Bar collection of fantasy lashes are the perfect way to add some drama and intrigue to your overall look. Known for their extensive line of lashes, you'll find anything from natural to sci-fi to fantasy. I've used their everyday lashes on my clients (provided by them of course), and the luxe finishes and dramatic designs make these the cream of the crop! If I could afford to, I would stock my kit full of Shu lashes! 

If you haven't thought of visiting your local Tokyo Lash Bar already, do keep them in mind for a unique Halloween costume. Here are some fun and fabulous ideas to try on this Halloween!

Shu Uemura Tutu Laceflare Falsies ($28 USD): These are my absolute favourite! These tutu inspired lashes are fun and flirty. Fulfill your childhood dreams of being a ballerina! For a dramatic flare, pair these lashes with a dark smokey eye much like the picture above and red bold lips. And if you want these lashes to really stand out, think fairy ballerina. Create a flawless canvas with lots of gold shimmer. Use a white shadow all over the lid from lash to brow bone - don't worry if you get white on your brows. Then load up the eyes with gold glitter and shimmer. Be creative - create a glimmering masquerade mask around the eyes or apply on the outer part of the eyes and on the cheekbones a temples. Apply a cream base shadow in white or close to your skin colour first (even Vaseline works) to adhere the glitter to your skin. Use a liquid liner winged out to define the eyes. Finish the lips with a red lippie and style your hair into a classic ballerina bun.

Up and coming makeup artist, Arianne for The Glitter Geek, created a masquerade look using these lashes! Check it out here!

 

Shu Uemura Mini Fancy Bon Bon Lashes ($22 USD):  How fun are these accent lashes?? If you want to be more colouful this Halloween, these lashes are a must. Do something really fun and bold on the eyes. Think circus but like you're on a runway. No scary clowns allowed just super cute ones! Choose a gradient of colours on the eyes in reds, yellows, oranges and greens. Or even more fun - think candies! Be a human lollipop - kidding! Use candy inspired shades to create a sweet and flirty look. 

Shu Uemura Ethnic Charm Lashes ($65 USD): Another gorgeous pair of falsies, this luxurious pair will make your outfit. It's a pricey pair so save these for a fancy Halloween bash. The mix of feathers and colourful beads will definitely make your eyes stand out. Think tribal warrior princess, but if you're feeling more groovy throw on your bell bottoms, platforms, a peace sign necklace and make love not war. Peace dude!

For tips on how to apply fake lashes click on a past post here. Jump to step #7.

Whatever you decide have fun, be safe and munch on plenty o' chocolates! Happy Halloween!

Have you tried any of these lashes? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Want 'em?

Available at Holt Renfrew locations across Canada. 


www.shuuemura.com

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

Fall Beauty Review 2011: Shu Uemura My Lips Are Matte About You

I've tried a lot of matte lipsticks, but Shu Uemura's Rouge Unlimited Supreme Mattes ($36 CAD) are a dream. For someone that has chronically dry lips, I'm so drawn to matte finishes. Damn you flaky chapped lips and dry weather! These matte lippies are like none other I've tried though. They are soft, smooth and have a soft-focus powdery finish. I actually found that compared to other matte lipsticks, these did not accentuate my fine lines or chapped lips. However, exfoliating is essential for matte lips and while the flakes aren't as noticeable you can still see them. The soft-focus finish just made my lips look smoother and looks more natural. Other matte lipsticks can look and feel heavy like it's sitting on the lips.

The line is available in 6 shades: Angelic Pink (light pink with cool undertones), Evil Pink (bright warm pink), Darling Beige (nude beige), Alluring Brown (brown with rose undertone), Sensual Red (brick red with gold shimmer), and Brilliant Gold (sparkly gold glitter - Artist shade meant for mixing and layering).

Evil Pink caught my eye instantly. I wore this a lot towards the end of the summer when my skin was nice and bronzey. Angelic Pink and Darling Beige have a lot more white in them and are on the cooler side. Both look more like nudes on me which I love with a smokey eye. To make it work for my skin tone, I added a gloss over top with warmer undertones. If I were to reference a celebrity, Angelic Pink would so be a shade Kim Kardashian would wear. Alluring Brown is actually a great neutral and works for many skin tones. It has a rosier undertone so it makes this brown very wearable. Brilliant Gold is exactly that - brilliant. This looks pretty on its own when you want a subtle colour on the lips with gold shimmer or to perk up a flat lipstick or gloss.

Matte lips can look very polished with a very clean and flawless makeup look. Soft neutral eyes with lots of mascara, sculpted cheeks are a great fall look. To give the skin a subtle glow, add a highlighter to the high plains of the cheeks. To off-set shimmery or metallic eyes, matte lips are the perfect compliment. And if matte lips seem to heavy for you, wear the lipstick like a stain by pressing the colour into the lips with your finger. This will look softer and more natural.

Have you tried Shu Uemura's new matte lipsticks? Love it? Hate it? Want it? To view swatches, visit my gorgeous friend, Arianne's blog, Glitter Geek!

Available at Holt Renfrew locations across Canada. 

www.shuuemura.com

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

Spring Ready: I'm The Crazy Hot Pink Lipstick Lady!

I love me a good pink lipstick. What can I say? I'm a girly-girl at heart. I own a range of pinks from soft to bold, but it's the bold pink lippies that are taking over my beauty stash. You can definitely say my lips are ready for Spring's bold lip trend!

Here are just a few of my favourite bold pinks that I switch between. They are all very similar, but the undertones vary from cool to warm and red to magenta with textures ranging from matte to creamy. I love them all!

Top to bottom: 

Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Lipstick in PK 369 ($24 USD): I believe this shade was an LE, but a new one was released PK356. These lipsticks are super juicy on the lips and the colour stays on allll day - no joke. It has a creamy finish, but it lasts even through eating a meal. I love the cool undertones in it too. This a shade that just makes your face come alive. 

Borghese B Moisture Lip Colour in Primale Pink ($24 USD): This is my first time trying anything from Borghese. I love the creamy finish and how plump it makes my lips look. The shade on me looks neon pink with warm undertones if that's possible. Looks amazing with just a bit of bronzer on the cheeks and bronze shadow. 

YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Le Fuchsia ($30 USD): This is hands down one of my favourite lipsticks! It's shocking, luxurious, and rich - I love you long time! To read a full review click here.

Lancome L'Absolu Rouge in Fast Kisses ($35 CAD, LE Mark Fast): Another favourite, I fell in love with this lippie at first swipe. Too bad it's a LE though! For a full review click here.

Tarte LipSurgence Natural Matte Lip Tint in Lively ($28 CAD): Tarte is one of my all-time eco-friendly lines that doesn't skimp on quality or pigmentation. If you love a matte lip, you'll want to get your hands on one of these lil' chubbies! For a full review click here.

Julie Hewett Icon of Beauty Lipstick in Scarlett ($22.50 USD): Julie Hewett is not as known in Canada, but should be! I love their line of lippies. Named after Hollywood starlet, Scarlett, this is a red-carpet worthy shade! For a full review click here.

Have you tried any of these lippies? What bold pinks are overflowing your beauty stash right now?

Spring Beauty Review: You Want Colour? Shu Uemura's Morphorium Blue Palette Is Full Of Sweet, Sweet Colour!

In case you missed the Spring beauty forecast, bold colour is everywhere this season! For my everyday, my makeup is pretty boring and this coming from a makeup artist. Bronzy brown lids, mascara, concealer, pink or peach blush, bronzer, and a pink or peach lipstick or gloss are pretty much what I wear during the week. Before child (B.C.), I relished being in my 20's and loved wearing bright bolds on the eyes. But After Child (A.C.), I've become quite the plain jane simply because it's quick and I don't want to stand out too much in the crowd of moms wearing sweats at my kid's school.

When I first opened Shu Uemura's pretty new spring palette, Morphorium, it awakened the youthful silly girl that is still in me. I am in love with the bright purple and blue shades! I may not sport these during the day but I'll at least consider these hues when going out on the weekend now.

Shu Uemura's makeup never skimps on pigment. What you see is what you get. During a recent wedding, I had the chance to pull out this palette to create a purple smokey eye. I was so excited because I much prefer applying bold colours on other people plus I don't get to do too many evening weddings and this look was very appropriate.

All the shades with the exception of the deep purple have a shimmery finish. The bronze shade is actually a cream that you can use as a base. The chartreuse-gold was a bit more glittery and grainy than the other shades. I used this sparingly as a highlighter only in the inner corner of the eyes. The Shu Uemura ad uses the vivid blue shade as the focal of the look all over the lid and the deep purple as an accent in the crease to add dimension. At the wedding, I used the deep purple all over the lid and into the crease and added dimension with a black shadow and liner to give it a smokey effect. I used the sheer pinky-peach blush with silver shimmer to compliment the eyes. It gives the cheeks a very pretty glow. I finished the look with a soft pink lipstick and gloss.

I love the presentation of Shu Uemura's palettes. They are always so colourful with an artistic finish. This latest one is definitely spring in a palette, however, at $69 USD is pretty pricey. It also comes in a neutral palette called Sunset Gold but I'm sure most of you already have a lot of these shades. To be honest, although all the shades work beautifully together the deep purple is the only shade I'd actually use. If that's the case, you may want to just purchase a single shadow in this shade at a much cheaper cost. 

Have you tried Morphorium Blue Palette? Love it? Hate it? Want it?

www.shuuemura-usa.com

Fall Trend 2010: Dewy Skin

Glow on girl! Dewy skin is back this season so all you shimmer junkies can rejoice. Back in the day, the word "dewy" was over-used and over-done. Dewiness this time around should be less wet or moist looking (bad choice of words?) and more glowy and radiant.

1. Shu Uemura Stage Performer Instant-Glow ($49 USD): Supermodel skin in a tube? Yes please! Inspired by the models' hectic schedules during fashion week, this beauty cream is designed to revive tired looking skin, enhance the finish of your makeup, and deliver a natural glow. It contains depsea water to improve skin's moisturizing ability and contains ginkgo leaf extract to fight oxidation. I've replaced my day cream with this one and kind of love it too much. Once it settles into the skin, I really notice a rosier glow and a more even skin tone. It definitely delivers instant results.

2. Benefit Girl Meets Pearl ($30 USD): Pearls don't just drape around your neck anymore. Meet Benefit's liquid pearls for your face! This lovely golden-pink highlighter is a light-weight cream used to give your skin that "lit-from-within" glow. Similar to Benefit's That Gal Brightening Primer (love), just twist the bottom and dab a little on where light would naturally hit you. To avoid a disco shine, keep it to the high plains of the cheekbones, inner corner of eyes, and a little down the nose - don't forget to really blend into the skin. You can wear over top of makeup or on bare skin. You'll also love the light sweet scent of raspberry!

Throughout the Fall, I'll be posting photos of me (yikes!) trying out the hottest trends. This is my version of the dewy trend. 

Skin:

Shu Uemura Stage Performer Instant Glow

CoverFX BritePrep FX

Benefit Erase Paste

tarte Smooth Operator Tinted Moisturizer

Benefit Girl Meets Pearl (cheekbones, down nose)

CoverFX Setting FX (dusted lightly over t-zone)

Cheeks:

Smashbox O-Glow Bronzer (contour)

M.A.C. The Soft Meow Mineralize Blush (Fabulous Felines Collection)

Eyes:

CoverFX EyePrep

Anastasia Highlighting Brow Kit (brows)

Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow in Almond (lid/crease)

NARS Duo Shadow in Rajasthan (metallic beige on center of lid)

Anastasia Brow Duality (Lace Shimmer on inner corner of eyes)

Milani Liquif Eye pencil in Black (waterline and smudged into top lash line)

Lancome Definicils Precious Cells Mascara

Lips:

Korres Lip Butter in Guava

What do you think of the dewy skin trend? Love it? Hate it? Rockin' it?

Products featured were sent for editorial consideration. 

Beauty Feature: Tokyo Meets Luminato For Shu Uemura

The Luminato festivities have begun in Toronto and there are many beauty events to get your beauty fix! Tomorrow, June 16, you can discover the Tokyo vibe with Shu Uemura at the Yonge and Dundas Square from 11 am - 11 pm. Come and observe principal artist, Taca Ozawa, demonstrate the true Art of Japanese Beauty. This is the perfect time to indulge in their wide array of luxury faux lashes (application free with lash purchase)! 

In the evening enjoy musical performances from Japanese pop divas:

7:45: De De Mouse

8:50: The Moist Towelettes 

9:30: Maki Nomiya

Don't fret if you miss out on the festivities at Dundas Square. Visit the Shu Uemura counter at Holt Renfrew from June 17th to June 20th. With any purchase of $150, you will receive a unique Shu Uemura gift. 

Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor Street West

Thursday - Friday 10 AM - 8 PM
Saturday 10 AM - 7 PM
Sunday 12 PM - 6 PM

Call to book your appointment 416.922.2333.

It's no secret that Shu Uemura's lash curler is a staple in my kit, but I've discovered a new favourite from the Gem Glam Summer collection! Be sure to check it out!

Shu Uemura Gem Glam Cream Eye Shadow in Pearl Light Pink ($36 CAD): I love cream shadows especially if they are waterproof. Shu Uemura's version is a light-weight shadow with a smooth texture that is easy to blend. This crease-proof shadow is great on its own for a subtle natural finish or can be layered underneath a powder shadow for a high-intensity finish. Layering cream shadows underneath a powder is one of my favourite makeup techniques. 

Pearl Light Pink is soft, sweet and feminine. It has a gorgeous shimmery finish. Use it as a base shade with chocolate browns, purple-plums, or charcoal greys. Highlight the inner corners and brow bone to open the eyes. Make it edgy with kohl liner smudged on top and bottom. It's a versatile product that definitely stands up to the heat! 

Have you tried this product? Love it? Hate it? Want it? 

www.shuuemura-usa.com

Beauty News: Shu Uemura Opens New Location in Toronto!

If you haven’t already heard, Shu Uemura opened its third counter in Canada at the Holt Renfrew on Bloor St. and Makeup Junkie was there to get the inside scoop!

Let us introduce you to Mr. Shu Uemura, one of the greatest makeup artists of our time, and his philosophy behind the Shu Uemura brand. “Beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin.” With the company's philosophy of ‘nature, science and art', this theme is evident throughout the line. We have known Shu Uemura for the eyelash curler (which we swear by – this product should be a staple in any woman’s makeup case), but we were unfamiliar with some of the other products Shu Uemura had to offer.

The Holt Renfrew staff were most enthusiastic about the Cleansing Oil (shown above), another star product the brand is known for. Just apply on a dry face and it will gently rub off any makeup. Our Makeup Junkie staff have tried it for several days now and have fallen in love with the Cleansing Oil. More products to be excited about is a new skin care line launching this Fall called Red Juvenus. The line consists of 5 rejuvenating skin care products which will help correct the first signs of ageing (pictured below). After trying some of the products, our writers found that it immediately made their skin feel more supple and re-vitalized.

A favourite among us Makeup Junkies was their Tokyo Lash Bar. We loved the displays of the brand's fake lashes, ranging from natural to fantasy to theatrical.

Makeup Junkie also had a chance to speak with Taca Ozawa, the new principle makeup artist in Canada. He was very helpful and informative showing us different products from the UV Under Base SPF 10 (mousse-like tinted primer good underneath foundation, minimizes pores and gives skin a healthy glow) to the blush (with good pigmentation that only a little is required) to the eyeshadows and lipsticks (a wide range of colours and long-lasting pigment). He even demonstrated on one of our writers, Donna, the "Shu Uemura way" of applying blush.

All you need to do is take one side of your blush brush and dip it into your blush. Next, starting at the top of the cheek bone, stroke your brush forward only once in one fluid motion. Then sweep up to the temple using the clean side of the brush. And then 3 small strokes downward and forward to blend.

Our writers left with a new found love of the Shu Uemura brand. It was through Mr. Shu Uemura's passion of wanting to be the "most advanced makeup artist in the world", that the line has inspired so many makeup lovers and makeup artists around the world. Discover and experience the new counter until July 12th, and you will receive a complimentary application of Shu Uemura's bestselling luxe brown eyelashes with a minimum purchase of $45. Spaces are limited so be sure to book an appointment!

www.shuuemura.com
www.holtrenfrew.com

by Donna De Leon and Mae Atiga
Photos courtesy of Donna De Leon

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!