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?

Nicole by OPI: Carrie Underwood collection- January 2014

A new Nicole by OPI collection is coming out in January 2014!

It's a collaboration with Six-Time Grammy Winner

Carrie Underwood 

“Carrie is the perfect partner for Nicole by OPI. Her music evokes powerful emotions in its listeners, and we wanted to give fans a way to express their feelings through colour,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director.

14 new nail lacquers($10.99 CAN) ranging from creamy pinks to chunky and textured glitters.

Carrie’d Away

Carrie’s own gold record signature shade.

Lips are Dripping Honey

This multi-gold glitter is sweet on you.

Southern Charm

Frankly my dear, this nude shade looks charming on you.

Sweet Daisy

A bouquet of southern peach blossoms.

Carnival Cotton Candy

This spun sugar pink is all about fun.

Goodbye Shoes

Hit the road, but leave me this standalone gray-green.

Backstage Pass

I want access to this brown with purple nuances.

Sing You Like a Bee

Put some of this frosty ice on that, honey!

Party Bus

Celebrate on-the-go with this party-perfect confetti glitter.

Love My Pups

Let’s “paws” for this adorably sweet pink.

Color Me Country

This soul-ful hot pink makes me want to sing.

Some Hearts

You can’t beat this romantic coral dream.

American as Apple Pie

Tradition runs deep in this classic red.

Fisher Queen

I’m hooked on this deep, deep eggplant.

Shades will be available at Shoppers Drug Mart, Target Canada, Walmart Canada, Jean Coutu, London Drug, and Loblaws.

Mariah Carey Limited Edition Holiday OPI Nail Lacquers

I'm sorry guys... 

I'm totally skipping Halloween and going straight to the holidays!

This holiday- Spiced Beauty is going to be the ultimate gift guide.

I have sooo much to share and giveaway.

Let's not forget it's my 5 year bloggerversary in December!

Out this month is the Mariah Carey's 18 New Limited Edition Holiday OPI Nail Lacquers!

OPI announces the launch of 18 new limited edition holiday nail lacquers inspired by recording artist and international superstar Mariah Carey. This seasonal promotion includes an assortment of red, burgundy, maroon and chocolate brown hues, along with glitter-packed gold, bronze and pearl shades. Mariah Carey Holiday also features six new Liquid SandTM lacquers, ranging from icy blue to frosted pink to sparkling graphite. Each of the Liquid Sand shades showcases OPI’s groundbreaking technology for a textured, matte finish infused with reflective sparkle.

I was sent two shades from the line.

Ski Slope Sweetie

Colour: Golden pearl

Very Pretty! This colour looks way better in person. 

I had a hard time photographing it- but overall you get the idea.

Cute Little Vixen

Deep red violet 

Perfect Fall/Winter shade.

Looks great on all skin tones.

Mariah Carey Holiday collection is available this month- October 2013, at professional salons and spas across Canada.

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.

Top 10 Best Products of 2012

This has been a GREAT year for new collections!
As a Canadian Beauty Blogger, I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to try out

  these products and share them with you.

Let's get started!

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB in Deep 
Deep brown girls rejoice! There was an amazing BB cream made for us this year!
I can never express how excited I was to finally be apart of this movement.

Annabelle Cosmetics TWISTUP Retractable Lipstick Crayons in Royale

There is a great Canadian product which I actually finished within a month.

No sharpener needed!

 L'oreal Colour Caresse- Violet Chiffon
LOVE at first swatch.

Perfect color for EVERY skin tone!

Salon Effects Real Nail Polish Strips

These are a life saver!

Probably one of the best nail strips I've tried.

Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams
Pigmented, long lasting, waterproof & creamy!
Get every color if you can!

Mary Kay® Mineral Eye Colors 

If you haven't tried Mary Kay, you're missing out!

It's such a great line that has something for everyone.

I'm always amazed how pigmented and silky their shadows are.

Ben Nye Banana Luxury Powder

I've said this once and I'll say it again: This is liquid gold!

One the best highlighters I own!

Givenchy: Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara
This an amazing high-end mascara which does everything it claims.

Intense volume, strong curl, infinite length, and complete lash care.

Sephora + Pantone Universe Foiled Waterproof Eyeliners

Another waterproof gem!

I love these because they are small enough to fit in my purse. 

OPI Bond-ettes Limited Edition Mini Lacquer Set 

Another great collection by OPI!

Why is it my favourite? Just check out the swatches!

There were so many other products that deserve attention but these were my favourites.

Let me know if you you tried any of these products before!

Holiday Nails: OPI Bond-ettes Limited Edition Mini Lacquer Set

If you're not into hair or makeup, nails is the easiest way to make a statement. 

Call me old fashioned but I still love a gorgeous red or shimmery manicure for the holidays. 

For the holiday inspiration, check out the OPI Bond-ettes Limited Edition Mini Lacquer Set ($14,95).

Bond-ettes features four shimmery shades from the new limited edition Skyfall lacquers, inspired by the latest installment in the James Bond series.The Bond-ettes mini set features a spectrum of light to dark shimmers: GoldenEye, The Spy Who Loved Me, Live and Let Die, and The World is Not Enough.

Check out these swatches from the Bond-ettes collection:

"The Spy Who Loved Me" is my favourite! 

I also liked the combo of having "Golden Eye" on top.

I love the ideas of the mini bottles in a set. It's very rare that I finish a full-sized bottle. Having minis in a set is also a great way to try out several colours from a collection.  It's also a great gift to give! You can pick up a set from your local Trade Secrets.

Which color is your favourite!

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?

Dinner with OPI's Suzi Weiss-Fischmann

I recently had the opportunity to do something amazing.
I had dinner with Suzi Weiss-Fischmann!

Suzi Weiss-Fischmann is OPI's Executive Vice President and Artistic Director. For two hours, a table full of Canadian Beauty bloggers and I talked about the wonderful world of nail polish. It was amazing!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Today marks the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month! Cancer is a serious issue for me because it has affected so many individuals in my family. I would honestly do everything in my power to help out the cause.

In this post I'm going to highlight three amazing causes which you should support:

Rethink Breast Cancer, a charity that speaks to the needs of young women, has collaborated with top beauty, fashion, and lifestyle companies to design products where proceeds benefit breast cancer education,support and research programs. From nail polish and hair products to bracelets and watches, we encourage looking good for a cause this October! 

Beauty News: OPI, Shinto Clinical Beauty, The Body Shop & Murad

OPI launches Pure Lacquer Nail Apps for instantaneous manicures and pedicures created using precut nail strips made of 100% real nail lacquer – providing a high-gloss finish, long-lasting wear and zero dry time. Offered in both cream and shimmer finishes, Nail Apps are available in 14 different styles – ranging in design from edgy snake print and fishnet to feminine gold lace and floral.

“To make Nail Apps last even longer, upgrade your service by having your manicurist cure the nail strips with a GelColor Top Coat. With this addition, Nail Apps will last up to two weeks,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann. “If you chose at-home application, place each Nail App carefully, trimming where necessary. Top coat is not recommended. Within minutes, your nails will be uniquely designed like never before!”

I want to try these so bad!!!

Tell me if you see these in stores.

***

Did you see Kimora Lee Simmons on the Shopping Channel back in April? 

She debuted her new line, Shinto Clinical Beauty in Canada.
I'm loving the packaging!

Shinto Clinical is packed with anti-oxidant/anti-inflammatory ingredients that have been fused into state-of-the-art delivery systems to rejuvenate and nourish skin.

***

I truly think I was born lippy! I think it's that Island blood flowing through my veins...I'm joking.

This month The Body Shop came out with the lovely Born Lippy™ Stick Lip Balm.

 I usually wear them under my lipsticks because they have a thicker consistency.

I think that is why they make my make my lip color last longer.

Less touch ups through out the day makes me a happy girl.

Gives lips a pop of color, a shot of moisture and a soft shine. 

***

Murad has come out with a new Intensive Resurfacing Peel.

• Resurfaces to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Brightens tone and smoothes texture
  
  I love Murad because it works with my skin.
  That's big because I'm prone to breakouts.

The formula is very light.
There are Glycolic and Salicylic Acid in the formula to reveal a fresh glow.

Have you tried/want to try any of these products?

August Favs: OPI, Sephora, It Cosmetics and others!

 I LOVE all of these products! If you would like any reviews, please let me know :)