Canadian Made Products: KonaKare & Beauty According to Ale

I love trying out new brands.
Especially if they're Canadian and all-natural!

Introducing Kona Kare!

Using only the finest oils and butters from all corners of the world, our Lip Butter Balm is truly unrivalled! Amazingly blended with Monoï de Tahiti oil – a miracle wonder – from French Polynesia, our Lip Butter Balm not only moisturizes and protects your lips from dehydration, but it is also conditioned to be an incredible lipstick primer and also offers a natural brilliant shine.

Introducing Beauty According to Ale!

New, all natural and preservative free way to combat dry hands.

The line features a Sugar Scrub and Moisturizing Pomade.

Exfoliating Sugar Scrub

A fantastic sugar scrub that will do wonders for sensitive, dry and/or overworked skin. Staying true to the name, this product is handmade, preservative free, dye free and contains all natural ingredients. Use to exfoliate your hands, feet and/or face/body. Once a week for FACE and 2-3 times a week for hands, feet and body.

Moisturizing Pomade

This subtley spice moisturizer is perfect for dry, overworked skin. Handmade and all natural, this product is dye and preservative free; making it great for skins of all types including those with sensitive skin. Infused with Geranium and other essential oils to make your skin look good and feel good.

Scrub on the left & Pomade on the right

I like these products because they contain ingredients that I can actually pronounce. Such as Cocoa butter, jojoba, evening primrose essential oils and beewax (in beauty according to ale) and Monoi de Tahiti oil (konakare). It's such a small thing but it's really good to know what you are putting on your hands/lips/face. 

Which product do you want to try?

Canadian Pre-Holiday Prep!

I can't believe the holiday's are already here! It seems like yesterday, I was in June and I was celebrating my birthday in Dominican Republic. I really need a vacation *sigh*.. Is it just me or do you feel like in the summer everything is perfect. Perfect skin, hair, body.. my list can go on and on. Now I have to work a little harder to make sure that everything is perfect. As a Canadian Beauty Blogger, I compiled a little list of awesome Canadian products which may help you get prepped for the holidays.

Lise Watier - Beauty in a Flash Kit

This must-have of the holiday season is inspired by the concept of the Advent calendar, where you can find behind each door a "beauty in a flash" solution to get an express beauty makeover. ($42.00)

  BIO LIFT EYE PATCH moisturize and reduce visible signs of fatigue around the eyes.

FLASH LIFT RADIANCE VIALS Quickly erase signs of fatigue, visibly smooth lines and wrinkles, while brightening your complexion. For instant lift and radiance, apply under or over makeup.

VENT DU SUD Blending the sensual, feminine notes of passion flower, jasmine and rose with the warmth of an exotic fruit cocktail and the sweet, hot traces of amber, vanilla and wood-scented musk, Vent du Sud Eau de Toilette is your passport to the exotic.

Elizabeth Grant - Moisturizing Socks

Help soften and hydrate cracked dry heels. These non-slip socks help to keep feet looking soft and moisturized to help repair chapped heels and toes ($29.99).

Look inside these socks!!

Whenever I take them off, my feet are always super soft.
I'll share what product I use with them in another post soon.

Love Fresh -  Body Butter in Pomegranate

This thick, rich formula is packed with Aloe Vera, Chamomile, White Willow bark and Calendula extracts($24.99).

A little bit goes a love way and it smells so good!

******
I should also add this for anyone who is looking for holiday gifts.
The Shopping Channel has several Holiday Specials which is definitely worth checking out.

They also have a payment plan which works on EVERY item.

 What have you been using to prep yourself
for the holidays?

Purolator Shipping Tips for Makeup!

I'm always shipping makeup to other countries. Whether it's for a giveaway or a swap, I want the items to arrive safe and in one piece. I usually ship regular mail but now I'm looking for other shipping options. I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Laurie Weston, National Retail Manager, Purolator Inc about the best way to ship makeup and much more. She gave me a lot of helpful insight that I want to share with you all!

Jenn:
How should I pack my makeup? (box.. parcel..etc)

Laurie:
The best way to package make-up and most women’s all-time favourite - the lipstick - is to ensure it is placed in a small sturdy box with some padding or protective package to minimize movement during delivery.

Here are some other tips you may find useful:

• Avoid using previously used boxes as these can lose their strength over time.
  
• For fragile items, the padding or protective package used should be at least three inches thick.
  
• If you are shipping several items together, wrap and cushion each one separately.
  
• Avoid using wrapping paper to ship a gift as it can get damaged during the delivery cycle. Instead, try durable shipping paper and boxes available at your local Purolator Shipping Centre.
  
• Affix appropriate labels when required: heavy weight, glass and liquid.
  
• A strong seal is essential; always use tape that is designed for shipping such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon or glass reinforced tape. Never use string or elastic bands on the outside of your parcel as it can get caught in our sorting machinery. Seal all box seams with tape and be sure not to leave any open areas which can snag on machinery.

Depending on the amount of make-up you are shipping, I suggest you stop by one of our Purolator Shipping Centres to help you pack it so it’s done right.

Jenn:
What are makeup products that I should not ship?


Laurie:
When it comes to making sure the person on the other end looks and feels glamorous, there are no limits as to what you can ship. As long as it’s packaged properly even the most delicate make-up essentials can travel safely in our system. We’re committed to making sure everyone has the chance to look beautiful!

Jenn:
How to get the best out of my shipping?

Laurie:

Stopping by one our Purolator Shipping Centres is the best solution to getting the personalized service you need; selecting the proper packaging, getting all your questions answered and providing the best solution to your shipping needs is what we do best. Our Shipping Experts are friendly, knowledgeable and ready to assist with even the most unique shipping requirements. Many of our locations are open seven days a week.

Jenn:
How do I ensure that the individual receives my package?

Laurie:
You would want to make sure the shipment is clearly labeled and packaged properly. Retain your Package Identification Number (PIN) for easy tracking of your package. Our shipping system has the ability to email you and the receiver notifications of when the package was shipped and the date and time of delivery. Having peace of mind knowing your shipment is in good hands will leave you with time to focus on the other things on your to-do list that need to get done this holiday season.

Jenn:
Why should I ship with Purolator vs. any other shipping company?

Laurie:
We are committed to making sure all our customers are taken care of and we are committed to getting your packages delivered on time. We believe that customer experience is not just what you say but what you do, and our goal is to get it right the first time. Your package is as important to us as it is to you, we’ll make sure you don’t have to worry once you hand it over. If you have any questions or need assistance, be sure to stop by one of our shipping centres or give us a call at 1-888-SHIP-123. We’re here to help.

Nicole by OPI Modern Family Collection- Bottle Photos

Have you heard that Nicole by OPI is doing a Modern Family Collection?
I had the opportunity to get a sneak peak of the collection at the Toronto Glossy Box Party!

Nicole by OPI, in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, launches 14 new nail lacquers inspired by ABC’s award-winning comedy, Modern Family. The nail line features shades created to capture the show’s colorful personalities, from a classic taupe named after family patriarch Jay, to a sparkly pink hue fitting for toddler Lily.

Names of the polishes in the collection:
Am I Making Myself Claire? Make no mistake…I’m liking this lilac.
     I Do De-Claire ! Let me just say how frosty cool this soft rose is!
     She’s Lily Something Pink, sparkly stars…So Daddies’ Little Girl-y!
     A Like-Haley Story… Typical teenagers (and their moms!) will love this not-so-typical fuchsia.
     My Jay or the Highway! This trendy taupe is inflexibly cool. Period.
     Stand by Your Manny Be loyal to this periwinkle blue.
     Alex by the Books Look Smart in this seafoam green.
     Haley Good Lookin’… She’s cookin’ up plans for this pink super-glitter.
     Basking in Gloria This red-violet is the color of passion.
     Luke of the Draw Chances Are you’ll love this gunmetal glitter.
     A Phil’s Paradise No fooling…This pewter is the real deal.
     Candid Cameron Call this teal just like you see it…gorgeous!
     Back in My Gloria Days… This voluptuous violet has still got it goin’ on!
     What’s the Mitch-uation? This cobalt blue demands an update.

I took close up pictures of three of my favourite colors:

Which color is your favourite?

Do you want to see sneak peaks of other 2013 collections?

This collection is available January 2013.

I'm loving L'oreal Colour Caresse- Violet Chiffon

I have been receiving a lot of twitter questions about the lipstick that I was wearing in my Ben Nye Post.

It's L'oreal Colour Caresse by Colour Riche - Violet Chiffon

Colour Caresse by Color Riche is formulated with L'Oreal's revolutionary Lightfeel System to deliver a feather-light finish without being sticky or heavy.

 I can't believe it took me soooo long to share this with you all.
I've been in love with these line since early this year. L'oreal has always made some of my favorite 

lipsticks and the Colour Caresse line is so exception. It was literally LOVE at first swatch.

Violet chiffon is a gorgeous wearable purple. It applies like butter!
Very smooth with a beautiful pigmented finish.
I love lipsticks but sometimes you just need something that is not heavy.
This is definitely what I would look for.

  Doesn't matter what skin tone you are it's a universally flattering shade.

IMATS Toronto 2012 Experience + Haul

Another Toronto IMATS has come and gone. As per usual it was a day filled with vloggers, bloggers and beauty lovers! For the second time the venue was at Toronto Congress Centre which is located in Etobicoke. I got there a little bit later in the morning (around 11) and was shocked at the sheer number of people which was there. I came with a direct game plan and didn't stray away from my budget. 

First on my list was bdellium tools!  After hearing several bloggers rave about them, I know I had to get a few brushes from the line. Then off to Beauty So Clean and lastly finish off at Face Atelier to see what's new.

This years exhibitor list was much smaller than the earlier IMATS that I have attended.
That didn't stop groves of people from coming out to enjoy the beauty deals and watch the seminars.

Believe it or not, the ATM's on site ALL ran out of money before 2pm!
I was so happy that I traveled with cash.

Check out some pictures that I took of the show on Saturday:

I finally got to see one of my favourite bloggers/MUA Joy from Makeup Junkie.

bdellium tools booth set up.

I was debating whether I wanted the 957 or 958.
I should have just taken both!

If you're squeamish look away!
I couldn't leave without taking a picture. It's actually a replica of a full-sized man.
It was like 5'10! He even had shoes on!!

End result from the Make-up as Art seminar featuring M.A.C. Pro artist Melissa Gibson.

 OCC Skin on display.
Such vivid colors!

Emmy-winning makeup artist Eve Pearl doing a seminar on
How to Turn your Career into a Thriving Business

Last but not least my Haul! 

• Opi Drop it- drying drops+ free nail polish
• Opi Chipslip
• Beauty So Clean 
• Mascara shield
• bdellium studio line brushes in 957 & 949
• bdellium green bambo series brush set
• FACE atelier lip glaze in Obsession

Such a small haul but honestly at this moment I have everything I want.

Did you go to IMATS this year?