Trends: Thigh High Slits

It's been a while since I've done something on fashion trends.

Let's get started with this trend: Thigh High Slits.

I swear slits are one of those trends that will never die.  They just start getting higher and higher! 

Being 5'2, I'm not sure if I'm going to embrace this trend this summer.

Maybe I start out with a starter piece and go from there.

Here are a few fabulous ladies rocking the trend: 

Rihanna rocking an amazing dress from her river island line.

Maria Menounos in a canary yellow dress at the Grammy's.

Jennifer Lopez at the Grammy's look at that leg!

Would you rock the thigh high slit trend?

Avon MagiX Cashmere Advanced Liquid Dark/Deep Foundation

I couldn't wait to test out the Avon MagiX Cashmere Advanced Liquid Foundation ($15.00 CAN) because they had a great range for Women of Colour. That's one of the main things that attracted me to a line.

The cashmere-soft feel you love…now with new skin brightening benefits. Advanced new formula gives skin an instant radiance. 70% of women saw more radiant, younger-looking skin. After 4 weeks of use, spots and discolorations appeared diminished. Brightens complexion and creates a pore-free, line-free and shine-free look. Leaves skin feeling ultrasoft and moisturized with a natural finish. SPF 15*

I love the "squirt" bottle and applicator.

  It's clean and easier to push out the amount of foundation you want without wasting it.

There are seventeen shades in the line ranging from light Ivory to Rich Espresso. So there is a shade for everyone!

The formula is really smooth. They describe it as "cashmere-soft". A little bit goes a long way. It can be applied with a sponge, brush or fingers. Lately, fingers have been my favourite way to apply foundation because I want a sheer finish. I will also use a wet sponge, if I want a sheer-dewy look.

This foundation brightens up your face. It doesn't apply flat nor is it muddy. Must women of colour know exactly what I mean by that statement. Wait until you see the swatches below!

One of the great selling points of the foundation is how it how it creates a pore-free finish. I know a few ladies who have an issue with large pores. You don't need a primer if you use this foundation.

The three darkest foundations in the line- Rich Espresso, Dark Cocoa and Earth shades do NOT contain SPF. I do use a moisturiser which contains SPF- so the lack of SPF is not an issue for me.

Also those three foundations would be perfect for special occasions where camera flashes were involved. If you're an Make up Artist looking for an affordable foundation to add to your kit for darker tones, this would be a good start.   

SWATCHES

From Left to Right:

Earth- Caramel- Sable- Rich Expresso- Medium Beige- Nutmeg 

Blended

From Left to Right:

Earth- Caramel- Sable- Rich Expresso- Medium Beige- Nutmeg 

Earth is a perfect match for me.
It's blended on the left and you can't even see it. Love!

Have you tried foundation from avon before?

Beauty News: OPI, Macadamia Natural Oil & Elizabeth Arden

OPI

OPI Matte Top Coat ($10.95 CDN) instantly transforms glossy nail lacquer to a matte finish when applied over any OPI hue. Matte Top Coat provides sealing protection without shine and protects nails from chipping, making manicures last longer. With a matte, transparent finish, Matte Top Coat is designed to leave nails velvety smooth while creating a touchable texture for an edgy appearance.

“A matte finish can be worn over any OPI nail lacquer shade and should be applied after the base coat and primary coats of color to give nails a unique look,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Co-Founder & Artistic Director. “Using Matte Top Coat to transform any shade in your collection makes it a more versatile and budget-friendly way to embrace the matte trend. Give your favorite lacquers an update with a new finish without altering the color.”

Matte Top Coat contains no DBP, Toluene, or Formaldehyde. This product includes OPIʼs exclusive ProWideTM Brush for the ultimate in application.

*Available in April 2013*

*****

Macadamia Natural Oil

Macadamia Natural Oil No Tangle pre-styler is an indulgent, lightweight spray that works to quench hair and protect strands from heat styling, over-processing and environmental damage ‑ sun, sand and sea ‑ while providing natural UV protection. This pre-styler smoothes and softens hair while protecting wet strands from breakage and eliminating frizz and fly-aways.


“This lightweight cream spray is the perfect product for the girl-on-the-go. Not only does it detangle hair effortlessly without causing breakage and split ends, but it can easily be tossed in your beach bag for lazy summer days at the beach or in an overnight bag to refresh yesterday's blow out,” advises Nathan Cheli, Global Artistic Educator for Macadamia Natural Oil. “Beachy waves are also easy to achieve by simply spraying the No Tangle pre-styler on damp hair and pinning it in to a low bun while it dries.”

NO TANGLE PRE-STYLER BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Detangles instantly and painlessly
• Protects wet hair from breakage and damage
• Provides natural UV protection
• Infuses moisture and shine
• Gives shape and hold
• Creates voluminous and smooth hair finish

The No Tangle pre-styler( $15.00) contains Macadamia Oil with Omega 7 for unparalleled absorption and restoration and is the perfect match for Macadamia Natural Oil's No Tangle brush, an innovative product that utilizes a unique flex bristle design that gently and easily diffuses tangles and knots.

NO TANGLE BRUSH BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Minimizes breakage, splitting and damage caused by unnecessary hair stress
• Smoothes the cuticle layer, making hair shinier and more manageable
• Works on all hair types and can be used on wet or dry hair

*****

Elizabeth Arden
Elizabeth Arden introduces PREVAGE® Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum ($115.00), a revolutionary new treatment clinically proven to make lashes and brows appear longer, fuller and healthier in as little as
two weeks*

Developed in partnership with the world-renowned Bascom-Palmer Eye Institute, Elizabeth Arden’s PREVAGE® Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum is clinically proven and dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested. The safe and easy-to-use formula is fragrance and colourant free and is suitable for contact lens wearers.

Key Ingredients:
PREVAGE® Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum is powered by an exclusive triple peptide complex and blend of Pro-Vitamin B5 and antioxidants. Innovative ingredients and benefits include:

• Triple Lipopeptide ComplexTM– supports lashes natural life cycle so lashes and brows appear lush, healthy and revitalized.
• Retinyl Palmitate (Pro-Vitamin A), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E) and Ascorbyl Palmitate(Vitamin C) – this vitamin blend fortifies, protects and revitalizes eye lashes for a healthy appearance.
• Panthenol – conditions lashes and promotes lash flexibility and durability.
• Vitamins A, C, E, ProVitamin B5 and Botanical Extracts - Help minimize breakage as lash conditioners fortify to help protect, revitalize and recover from environmental, chemical and physical damage.

Directions:
Apply once daily at bedtime to clean eye area. Using the applicator, apply one stroke of PREVAGE®
Clinical Lash + Brow Enhancing Serum to the base of upper and lower lashes, from the inner to outer
corner. Follow the same directions for brows, covering the entire eyebrow area. Continue using 3 - 4
times per week to maintain the desired look and condition of lashes and brows.

Is the Tresemme Keratin Smooth line for you?

I have been on my hair journey (doing my hair on my own) for a year now. One of my biggest issues has been frizz! I would straighten my hair and within the hour my hair would curl right back up. It's so frustrating. I'm always on the hunt to find something to maintain the frizz.  

I will be trying out the Tresemme Keratin Smooth and Platinum Strength 

to see if it makes a difference on my hair.

The Keratin Smooth line nourishes hair and infuses keratin from root to tip for instantly smoother style and frizz control that lasts up to 48 hours. 

Platinum Strength repairs up to 2 years of damage after just 5 uses resulting in beautifully smooth, moisturized and healthy-looking hair with all its natural strength.

Before I got started, Gino Vivacqua, Tresemme's Technical Activation Specialist answered a few of my burning questions. I`ve never used keratin and I was afraid it would damage my hair.

1. What is keratin? Any of a class of tough, fibrous proteins that are the main structural component of hair, nails, horns, feathers and hooves. Keratins are rich in sulphur containing amino acids.
   
   
2. Is it safe for my hair?
   Yes, safe for your hair. Keratin is naturally found in hair, so it is a good thing to have in a product for your hair... We have done lots of consumer testing with our Keratin Smooth range and all are safe for consumers.
   
   
3. Can ladies with chemically processed hair use the new Smooth Line?
   Well hair that is chemically processed is severely damaged i.e. dry and feels rough. TRESemme Keratin Smooth Shampoo gently cleanses (lower sulfate formula). Keratin Smooth Conditioner and Serum have a high level of conditioning agents which nourish your hair to leave it smooth, soft, shiny, manageable and with less frizz.
   
   
4. What makes the new smooth line unique to other brands?
   The shampoo has less sulfate than many other shampoos in the market today; the keratin in the products – again, not many others have keratin products; proven frizz protection for up to 48 hours.

Hope this post helped ladies!

Loving: Maybelline New York Volum’ Express The Rocket Mascara

When I took off my lash extensions I was so sad because I missed walking up to full voluminous lashes!

To fill my lash void, I applied two coats of New York Volum’ Express The Rocket Mascara and I immediately fell in LOVE! 

Long, voluminous & lump-free lashes in less 2 minutes!

Maybelline New York Volum’ Express The Rocket Mascara finds its power from the special brush—a first of its kind innovation that quickly coats lashes from roots to tips with explosive volume. The multi-patented brush has an internal core made of a firm elastomeric material, which applies pressure to lashes and deposits a big dose of mascara to each one. The core is surrounded by evenly-spaced, flexible bristles that coat and comb lashes from root to tip—eliminating the potential for clumping.

The lashes up-close!

The Maybelline New York Volum’ Express The Rocket Mascara can be found at Walmart ($10 CDN).