Holiday: OPI-Sheer to the Top

It's November!

This month and next will be full of holiday beauty.

There is so much to share!

Sheer to the Top! ($27.00 CAN) is a great Christmas gift for the nail lover in your life!  

The set contains Top Coat, Matte Top Coat, and So Elegant.

This Winter it's ALL about layering. 

You have the perfect products to do so.

My favourite is So Elegant . It's a glitter nail lacquer studded with black and chrome particles.

Mattify it with Matte Top Coat or create a design by adding Top Coat on top. So many options!

“Top Coat provides a high-gloss, protective shine, while Matte Top Coat gives lacquer a velvety finish. So Elegant is a new, limited edition glitter with chunky black and silver sparkles that can be worn alone or over any OPI hue. As the name suggests, this shade lends a chic, glamorous element to nails,"Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Co-Founder & Brand Ambassador.

Are you ready for Fall nails?

Let's talk: Wedding Invitations- Part #2

My invites are here!

I know that it's suggested to send them out three to four months before.

We opted for something much earlier because we have a small list.

After getting all the information I needed, I decided to go forward with ordering on elegantweddinginvites.com.

Toronto: World Mastercard Fashion Week + Giveaway

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend World Mastercard Toronto Fashion Week. 

It was a great opportunity to check out everything fashion and beauty under one roof. 

What I really loved was that this time I had the opportunity to see the whole picture. 

The conception of the backstage look to the runway!

Maybelline-Mélissa Nepton:

This look was all about the brows!

"Well-Groomed, bold brows brought focus to the eyes at Mélissa Nepton" -Grace Lee, Lead Makeup Artist, Maybelline New York Canada

Love the brows? Get the look?
Start with the Define-A-Brow® pencil to shape.
Use the Eyestudio® Brow Drama to fill in.

Essie-Mélissa Nepton:

Hello Spring nails!

Want the look?
You need:
Apricot Cuticle Oil (base)
Ridge Filling Base Coat(on top)
Where’s My Chauffeur? or Turquoise & Caicos or Absolutely Shore (on all but the ring finger)
No Place Like Chrome (ring finger)
Good to Go Top Coat (top coat)
Quick-e (Quick drying)

Redken-Mélissa Nepton:

"It's simple but there is still technically behind it"- Jorge Jao, Redken's Lead Artist 

One of the staples to get the look is the Pillow Proof blow dry express primer. This is a must have for curly haired girls like me because it has a heat protectant hair primer. Which protects your hair up to 450 degrees. Plus cuts down blow dry time, provides 24-hour lasting volume and helps to reduce breakage. Totally wish I had this in my high school blow dry my hair straight everyday phases.

Not sure if you can pull of this look?

Jorge recommends a simple 3-step regime to get you started.

PRIME

Starting with Pillow Proof blow dry express primer to prep hair.

STYLE 

Using any Redken styling products. 

EXTEND 

Use Pillow Proof blow dry two-day extender a dry shampoo to extend your style.

Feeling more confident?

Canadians! 
Do you want to win a Redken Prize pack which will help you get Redken Ready?
*The contents are a secret but trust me..you will be happy*

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Fill out the mandatory fields & comment to enter.

Skin Care: Live Clean (Fresh Face) Line

Skin care is really major to me right now.

With the engagement shoot coming up, bridal shower and of course the wedding- I'm doing everything I can to maintain perfect skin.

I did have a skin mishap a few weeks ago which completely set me back but now I'm back!

I'll be introducing Live Clean Fresh Face into my regime. 

Live Clean Fresh Face™ is a luxurious and prestige collection of eco-friendly skin care promising exceptional performance with natural plant based ingredients and pure essential oils.

I love Live Clean Fresh Face™line because all of their products are composed of 98% plant-derived ingredients- plus:

• Petroleum free
• Hypoallergenic 
• Dermatologist tested
• SLS/Sulfate free
• DEA free
• Paraben, Phthalate and Phosphate free

The three products in my arsenal are:

Live Clean (Fresh Face) Hydrating Creamy Cleanser ($14.99 CAN)
Gently cleanses pores/skin of oil and makeup without stripping moisture.

Contains:

• Kaolin Clay
• Orchid extract
• Vitamin C 
• Lavender
• Cucumber
• Chamomile
• Milk Thistle
• Mallow
• Aloe 
• Buckthorn

Live Clean (Fresh Face) 24 Hour Hydrating Day Cream ($19.99 CAN)

Hydration for 24 hours
Contains:

• Orchid extract
• Vitamin C  
• Lavender
• Cucumber
• Chamomile
• Milk Thistle
• Mallow
• Aloe 
• Buckthorn

Live Clean (Fresh Face) Refreshing Facial Wipes ($9.99 CAN)

Alcohol and oil free wipes
Contains:

• Orchid extract
• Vitamin C 
• Lavender
• Cucumber
• Chamomile
• Milk Thistle
• Mallow
• Aloe 
• Buckthorn

Additional products:

• Foaming Daily Cleanser 
• Refreshing Facial Toner 
• Smoothing Facial Scrub 
• Soothing Daily Moisturizer 
• Nourishing Night Cream 
• Repairing Eye Cream
• Glowing Daily Serum 
• Anti Aging Recovery Cream

Live Clean (Fresh Face) is available at Walmart, Target, Shoppers Drug Mart, Rexall and PharmaSave.

EOS Limited Edition Breast Cancer Awareness Collection

Eos has a limited edition Breast Cancer Awareness Collection ($9.99) which 100% of net profits are donated to the Canadian Cancer Society.

The collection includes:

• Pomegranate Raspberry Smooth Sphere Lip Balm
• Berry Blossom Hand Lotion,
• Limited Edition Strawberry Sorbet Smooth Stick Lip Balm 

I love eos because they're paraben-free, gluten-free and always smell sooo good!

You can the collection at Shopper’s Drug Mart, Loblaws, Target, Walmart, Giant Tiger, Rexall, Sobeys, Lawtons, and evolutionofsmooth.ca

NewYorkColor: Halloween Challenge #NYCbeautypro

Did you know that my love of SFX makeup has lead me to blogging.

I love using makeup to create a fantasy and have fun.

This months theme is "Black Magic, Witch Craft and more..

Every year, I do something gory..BUT I decided to switch it up and go cutesy.

In other words.. I'm in the "more" section.. HAHAHA!

This look is EXTREMELY easy to do.
Get a headband with ears or DIY one!

How to Get the Look:

• I took the HD Trio Eye shadow ($2.99 US) in Skyrise Steel(The darkest colour) and applied it on the tip of my nose and down to my cupids brow. I used the same palette to make the whiskers and highlight my inner eye (the silver). 
• On my lips I used the Expert Last lip color ($1.99 US) in Red Rapture.

Final question:

Do I look like a cat, mouse or ?

Maybelline Master Kajal Eyeliners Swatches

What do you look for in an eyeliner?

For me, I need a brand that is:

• Waterproof
• Pigmented
• Doesn't smudge

I found that with Maybelline Master Kajal Eyeliners ($11.99 CAN)! 

Cone tip applicator and cream stick formula with intense kohl pigments provide a bold smoldering line.

Tip: With Kajal's it's important use them sideways while rotating. 

NEVER on the tip because the tip can not be sharpened. 

As you can tell from the swatches the colour you see is what you get. 

These are really pigmented and suitable for all skin tones.

Jet Set into Fall with Revlon- London

Revlon Canada gave a few bloggers the opportunity to participate in a challenge which allowed us to receive products based on a fashionable city. We had no idea what city we were getting ahead of time. I was so happy that I got London, England!

When I was younger, I spent a few summers in England with my Granddad and Grandmother. From early age, I've had the opportunity to experience London's Fashion forward culture and loved it. 

I still have some of the items in my closet, years later.

Revlon's London look is an intense smoky eye with a natural lip!

Makeup Products:

• Revlon Colorstay ShadowLinks- Onyx & Gunmetal ($3.49 CAN)
• Revlon Colorstay Skinny Liquid Liner in Blackout ($10.49 CAN)
• Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara in Blackest Black ($10.49 CAN)
• Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in London Posh ($13.59 CAN)

-Glide charcoal along inner corner of the eye to outer crease creating an angled line. Use Onyx to extend the line slightly outside the outer edge and blend colors together.
-Create definition by using liner on upper lash line and outer edges of lower lash line. Apply Onyx along the liquid line to add sparkle. Finish with mascara.

-Keep lips neutral with London Posh.

Revlon Colorstay Skinny Liquid Liner in Blackout
Create whatever line you want skinny or thick!

Revlon Colorstay ShadowLinks- Onyx & Gunmetal

This is actually the first time that I 've used the eyeshadows.
I was pretty excited to see how pigmented they were!

Revlon Bold Lacquer Mascara in Blackest Black

This is a holy grail product! It's the darkest mascara that I've seen on the market.

Final look with Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in London Posh applied.
I reviewed them here: Moisture Stain

Nails:
Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy™ Longwear Nail Enamel- All or Nothing & High Stakes

Canadians! 

Do you want the opportunity to win some of these products? 

Check out my Twitter  @JennMUA for more information.

Everyday Makeup: Cat eyes & Pink Lips

Right now my to go look is a cat eye and pink lips. It's a face that I can do in 5 minutes flat! I find it also looks best whenever I go with a natural canvas. That means no foundation, contour, highlighter or blush. No extras!

It's important that your cat eye is clean. There are so many advances out there right now to help you achieve that! A pointy tip liquid liner pen is vice of choice. Essence's liquid eyeliner waterproof “Black” is one of my top fives under $5.00.

As a woman of colour, finding a perfect pink is crucial. I always go with the one that has a blue base. If you see L’Oréal Paris Extraordinaire by Colour Riche  “Rose Symphony” in stores- Pick it up! It's a pigmented lip gloss that has a smooth application.

On the brows, I'm actually using a Revlon® Colorstay™ eyeliner. It's long lasting and the perfect shade.

What is your everyday makeup look?

Let's talk: Wedding Invitations- Part #1

Let me start off by saying wedding planning is not as easy as it seems. 

Time really flies by quickly. My advice is start early and get help.

I do have a church, venue and food planned but everything else has not been determined yet. 

I did send out my Save the dates (in August) but now it's time to pick my invites. 

Did you know that some invites can cost you $600+? 

THE BEST OF ME Movie

I love movies!
It's the perfect way to get away from reality and float new somewhere new (for at least 2 hours).
I also love a great love story! 

Coming to the theatres soon is a movie called THE BEST OF ME. 

It’s based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks and follows two former high school sweethearts, who find themselves reunited after 20 years apart. 

Check out the trailer:

Doesn't it look good?

THE BEST OF ME prize pack includes mini manicure & Tissue sets.

Winners have been chosen check your email ladies!

NewYorkColor: Fall 14 Runway Challenge

Here is my second look for NYC Canada Beauty Pro program challenge. 

September's theme is Fall 14 Runway looks.

Do I go for Derek Lam's coloured smokey eye or Rag & Bone's dramatic Cat eye?

I decided why not do both!

How to Get the Look:

• I took HD Trio Eye shadow ($2.99 US) in Blue's Cafe and applied the blue over my lower lid. Making sure that it didn't touch my crease.
• Then I used NYC Waterproof Eyeliner pencil ($3.99 US) on my upper and lower lash line. Filling in any gaps and using it to clean up my wing.
• I took HD Trio Eye shadow ($2.99 US) in Blue's Cafe and applied the gold on my inner corners.
• On top of that I used NYC Sparkle Eye Dust($2.99 US) in Golden Champagne.

I finished off the look with liner + Mascara. Also a nude lipstick since the eyes were bold.

Would you wear this look?

L'Oreal Paris: The Collection Exclusive Pure Reds by Colour Riche

It's been a while since I really fell in love with a red lipstick. I was truly excited to get this exciting information from L'oreal. I know so many people who freak out when they see a red lipstick. This collection may help some ladies get their first red inspired by their favourite celebrity L'oreal beauty ambassador. These lipsticks are available in November!

The collection features six matte red lip ($10.99 CAN) and nail colours($3.99 CAN) ranging from 

a Classic Red to a Fiery Red to a Ruby Red.

My favourites are Blake & Laetitia!

Personalized Bridesmaids Gifts?

I was trying to think of the perfect bridesmaids gifts to give out and was stumped.  I really wanted to give the girls something that they would cherish as an appreciation of them putting up with me. That's when an idea of personalized jewellery came to my attend via an email. 

*Light bulb* It's unique and personal.

Anastasia Beverly Hills + The Perfect Wedding Brows

As a beauty blogger, one of my favourite things is getting to meet the creators of a product.

When I received an email from Sephora asking me if I wanted meet with Anastasia Soare, brow expert and beauty specialist to the stars, I responded with a quick yes! 

An area on my face that doesn't get as much TLC as it should is my brows!

I never know what products to use to get the perfect look. At the event, I got to have a one-on-one with her (She did my brows!!!)  and speak about her key products.

From our talk I discovered that I need to invest in brow stencils!

They're easy to use and made of plastic that can cleaned and reused.

A fuller brow works for my bone structure and I need to stop talking so much off the top and let them grow in.

Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW™ Pomade is a bride's best friend!

I'm overdramatic but I fear I'll sweat out my brows on my big day. Anastasia suggested using the DIPBROW™ Pomade because it's smudge-free and waterproof. Go in with light strokes to get a natural looking brow. She picked the colour Ebony for me.

Every girl has to have a Brow gel in their possession.

To set your brows it's good to finish them off with a gel.

Clear is perfect because it goes with all skin tones.

What are your brow must haves?