Jean Vest inspiration for Spring/Summer: Rihanna, Kim K, Nicki & Keri Hilson

I love the combinations that you can rock them with.
Jeans, tights, shorts, skirts.. the combinations are limitless.
Check out some of my favorite picks:

Rihanna: Cropped with white slashed denim

Nicki Minaj: Graphic v-neck top

Keri Hilson: Black tank top & leather pants

Kim Kardashian: White tank top & tights

Would you rock them?

Rimmel Glam’eyes HD Eyeshadow - Product Rave

Here is a quad that I am excited to share with you all from Rimmel. It's the Rimmel Glam’eyes HD Eyeshadow! What really got me is the "HD" factor. A lot of brands claim that they are HD but fail in comparison to this quad.

Velvet-HD technology: prismatic pigments in the powder catch light at multiple angles, reflecting the perfect colour for the light you are in. Now that’s what we call flattering! And great news – the crease-resistant colour wears for up to 10 hours, so no need for touch-ups.

Quad breakdown
  • They come in eight different color coordinated patterns. 
  • Can be used Wet/Dry.
  • EXTREMELY Pigmented. 
  • Long lasting.
  • $7.95 Canadian per quad.
SWATCHES:

Gorgeous quad! I can't wait to try out the other colors.

Have you seen these in stores?

Hair Inspiration from Ciara & Kim K featuring Bella Dream Hair

I've always loved Kim & Ciara's hair.
 Long, curly and healthy looking.
Whether they're wearing pieces or not, I really wanted to try out this style.

Thankfully I got a boost from Bella Dream Hair.
 I'm wearing pieces from Brazilian Wavy collection.
Brazilian hair matches African American textures as well as Latina and Armenian textures. Hair can be flat ironed or curled and made to look deep wavy.

This was my first time wearing virgin hair extensions. At first I wasn't sure if it would suit my hair texture but it blended well once my hair was straightened.

After using these extensions on and off for almost three months,
 I want to share some tips with you to get the best out of your wear.
  • Use the least amount of oil in your hair. Matted flat hair is not cute
  • Do a conditioner wash every two weeks. This eliminates build up.
  • Always let the hair air dry when wet. Less heat damage.
  • Add heat protectant when straightening. Less heat damage.
  • Always tie-down your hair at night .Made my natural hair "lay" down easier.
  • Try flexi-rods over night for curly styles. Less heat damage.
  • SEAL your wefts. Eliminates shedding.
I hope these tips help you when taking care of your extensions. It took me a while to actually get all those steps down. Thankfully I watch a lot of youtube videos to gain insight on what works best for me.
I will be trying out there Brazilian Curly as my next style :D

New York Fashion Week Recaps: Levis, John Frieda for Zac Posen Look & EMU Australia

I didn't get to go to New York Fashion week this year. I can't tell you how excited I was to receive emails to some of the events in my mailbox. The worst part was declining the offers due to work. Anyways that is not going to stop me from sharing some recaps over here at Spiced Beauty!

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THE LEVI’S® BRAND LAUNCHES ITS FIRST EVER GLOBAL COLLECTION AT
NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

The Levi’s® brand launched its first ever global collection during New York Fashion Week at SoHo’s landmark Mercer 82 event space yesterday afternoon. The Levi’s® Fall/Winter 2012 collection is based on a more refined and tailored look, for both men and women. The designs were inspired by the idea of craftsmanship, honesty and authenticity – honoring tradition while defying convention, redefining the norm and re-crafting and re-creating iconic Levi’s® styles.




The key trend for men this season is the tapered look, for a great flattering fit that sits just below the waist, is slouchy on the top and has a slim tailored leg.

For women, the key look for the season is the Bootcut Skinny, which the Levi’s® brand has completely reinvented. No longer your mother’s bootcut denim, this season will see the launch of this new take on a classic – a sexy,modern skinny fit making you forever think differently about the bootcut.

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JOHN FRIEDA® GLOBAL CREATIVE CONSULTANT LUIGI MURENU
CREATES THE LOOK FOR ZAC POSEN FALL 2012

For Zac Posen’s Fall 2012 collection, John Frieda®, Global Creative Consultant, Luigi Murenu’s, vision seamlessly blended the timeless glamour of the 1950’s and the allure of Japanese sophistication. Murenu has created a sculptural style with a twist of couture, “For sleek, flawless up-dos with clean lines, I wanted the look to evoke not just a different era, but a special cultural experience as well,” Murenu explains. “The structure and craftsmanship of the styles are meant to suggest an aspirational time and place. My goal was to make the models look like what I envisioned a modern geisha to be, infused with the sleek simplicity of 1950’s Hollywood glamour.” Murenu says.

The Inspiration: Japanese architecture
The Zac Posen Fall 2012 collection evokes the exotic, delicate elegance of Japanese architecture. Inspired by the minimalist yet impactful aesthetic of Japan’s structural designs, the innovative collection puts a modern spin on traditional silhouettes.

How to Get the Look at Home:
Step 1: On damp hair work through 10 drops of NEW John Frieda® Frizz-Ease® Sheer Solution™ Lightweight Frizz Control and then thoroughly blow-dry to smooth hair and fight frizz.

Step 2: Brush hair into a high ponytail. Pull hair parallel from the outer corner of the eye back to get the perfect height. Secure ponytail with an elastic and secure the end of the ponytail with a small rubber band, leaving about 3-4” from the end.

Step 3: Spray hair with John Frieda® Luxurious Volume Extra Hold Hairspray.


Step 4: Roll the ponytail under and to the left to create a semi side bun, and pin to the securing elastic.

Step 5: Flat iron the remaining 3” of ponytail, and position in an upward direction – it should have a modern Geisha feel. Apply John Frieda® Full Repair™ Touch Up Flyaway Tamer to smooth out flyaways.

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EMU Australia unveils its Fall/Winter 2012 Collection during New York Fashion Week

EMU Australia partnered with Style360 to showcase their Fall / Winter 2012 footwear, apparel and accessories collection during New York Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion. Inspired by the natural elements of Australia and Nordic fur trends, EMU Australia tells a tonal story with a wide-range of neutrals and subtle placements of earth-like colors including mushroom, red earth, clay, boysenberry and hedge green.

Inspired by the ever-changing landscape, the apparel collection represents the brands strong link to the Australian environment. The women’s range features luscious outerwear pieces including a double face sheepskin coat with a vintage Nappa finish and snow tipped long hair sheepskin vests and jackets. The Merino wool collection includes structural tailored pieces, hand felt chunky knits, and premium basics that are functional and enduring.
This season, EMU Australia introduced men’s apparel for the first time in their 15 year history. Classic and timeless design has been the key driving force for the collection with luxurious sheepskin and Nappa sheepskin coats, chunky Merino wool pullovers and sweaters as well as Merino wool jersey basics featured throughout.
The accessories collection consists of chunky knit scarves, earmuffs, gloves, mittens, beanies and hat styles made from the premium Australian materials including double face Merino sheepskin, Nappa sheepskin and luxurious Merino wool.

Have you ever attended a fashion week in your city?


NewBeauty - TestTube™ Canadian blog exclusive!

A few weeks ago I asked "What is the best beauty box in USA?" on twitter. Nine people out of ten ladies said NewBeauty - TestTube™! I'm excited to share the goodies that I received in my NewBeauty box. Before we get started I will let you all know that this is a USA ONLY box. I'm giving you all the exclusive on my Canadian blog.
TestTube is an exclusive, one-of-a-kind sampling program enabling members the opportunity to try a variety of the best beauty products before investing in them, and then share their feedback about the products. Every three months, for just $29.95 (plus shipping and handling), subscribers receive a TestTube filled with deluxe and full-size samples of coveted, high-performance luxury products and the latest issue of NewBeauty magazine. TestTube subscribers also receive videoemails, demonstrating how to achieve optimal results with the products.



 Let me start off by saying I am so amazed! I've never seen anything like it. We have monthly box subscriptions in Canada but we don't get magazines or anything similar to NewBeauty. I am a big fan of magazines. I couldn't get over how thick this magazine was. There was a lot of great content to read.



 


Moroccan oil glimmer shine spray
This is actually my second bottle of the spray. I love it! Very lightweight and not greasy.
$24.00 value.





Dr.Brandt pores no more anti aging mattifying lotion
This weekend I actually mixed this with a bit of a foundation. *Thumbs up*
$60 value.






Garner skin renew dark spot corrector
I suffer from light pigmentation on my cheeks. I'm excited to full try out this product for eight weeks. Hopefully, I will see some progress soon.
$17 value.





Hydroxatone 90 second wrinkle reducer
I did not try out this product because I do not have any wrinkles at the moment.
$79.95 value





Lashfood natural eyelash conditioner
This is the first natural lash conditioner that I have heard of. This baby should last me  four to five months.
$95 value





Ahava extreme day cream
Very rich cream with antioxidants. A little goes a long way.
$68 value.




Kerstin florian foot balm
Perfect for the cold winters. I think I might just keep this in my purse.
$32 value







Kneipp herbal bath
I like this because the scent is not overbearing. One capful is all you need.
$19 value




$50 dollars spa look gift card








Overall I thought that this was a great value for your money. Expecially if you're into trying out high end products at a fixed low price. I admit that some products were not for me "wrinkle reducer" but that is the pro of beauty boxes. Share the contents with your mom, sister, aunt or whoever. If I lived in America I would definitely be a subscriber of NewBeauty - TestTube™.


Have you tried NewBeauty - TestTube™  before?
If not, what do you think of subscription boxes that come three times a year? Love? Hate it?
Share your thoughts below!


My Schick Hydro Silk razor experience

I know you all have seen posts on this Schick Hydro Silk razor popping up everywhere. I have put this baby through a two week trial and I'm ready to share my experience with you!

Let me start out with my shaving story. I wasn't blessed like my mother to have hairless legs.. YES.. you heard me hairless legs. I've tried everything from electric razors to nair because I could never get the hang of razors.

Lugging big cans of shaving cream to the tub is not my idea of a good time. Nothing is worst than getting there and finding out the can is empty!

I wish I had something like the Schick Hydro Silk razor when I was growing up!
Razor Breakdown
  • Water- activated serum
  • Five curve- sensing blades
  • Sleek and fashionable handle
  • Easy removal head
  • Great grip
This was one of the most comfortable shaves that I have EVER had! The fact that I received a close shave with no irritation on numerous occasions is amazing. I really feel like the ease of the shave had to do with the water- activated serum. For some odd reason I thought the serum was suppose to be on the side. The fact that it was built in to the head and continued to "flow" through out my shaves was great. I also liked the fact that the razor came with an extra head.

Overall I recommend this razor and I will continue to use it.

Beauty Blogger Basics: Camera + Quick Editing

In my blogger career I have used three cameras with prices ranging from $199 to $900. I'm not a professional photographer but I'm blessed with a natural eye because I'm a videographer. 
I spent three years in college earning my diploma for it.

So when I'm asked what camera to purchase I think I have some background to make a good choice. Here are some insights that may help you:
Cameras that I own.