Sephora Color Charged Graphic Lacquer Emerald Nails

I couldn't have picked a better timing for this post!

Green nails just in time for St. Paddy's Day!

This post was apart of Challenge Two for Fashion magazine's Beauty Panel.

I used Sephora Color Charged Graphic Lacquer in Emerald ($12.00 CDN).

Can you believe I applied this with three coats (no base or top coat).

To make my ring finger pop, I used Maybelline Color Show Nail Sticker in Divine Crocodile.

I'm a part of Fashion Magazine's Beauty Panel!

If you follow me on twitter, most of you know that I'm now a part of Fashion Magazine's Beauty Panel!

What's beauty panel you ask?

A panel of  Canadian beauty bloggers & MUA's who share our insight on 

weekly questions dealing with makeup, hair & nails.

Real Technique Brushes are now sold in Canada!

I remember my first encounter with these brushes. It was at an Ulta in Buffalo, New York.
My first time ever in Ulta and the real technique brushes were on sale. 

One base/flawless set was left and I told my friend that she could have it. 

Flash forward to now.. 

Real Technique brushes are now sold in Canada!

I know it took a while but I love that fact that I can drive to walmart and pick up products
that I know bloggers in USA and UK rave about.

*More and more walmart locations are getting the brushsets and individual brushes- so don't fret if you can't get the set that you want at the moment. Another option for getting items you want is shopping online at farleyco.ca. 

I was sent the Real Techniques Your Base Core Collection. 

You can never go wrong with a great set of face brushes!

Comes with:
-Detailer brush
Precision cut to effortlessly conceal problem areas; or, use with lipstick for long-lasting shape and definition.

-Pointed foundation brush
Use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage.

-Buffing brush
Ideal for full coverage application of powder and mineral foundation.

-Contour brush: 
Delicately applies highlighter to contour or create sheer, soft-focus finish

Why you should get it:

• The brushes are soft but firm enough to get the job done.
• Synthetic taklon bristles are great for anyone with sensitive skin. - Plus they are good with wet & dry products.
• The case transforms into a stand- Perfect for someone like me who is always misplacing brushes.
• The brushes have the "usage" names on them. e.g "Contour Brush" - Always good for someone who is new to makeup.
• Last but not least they are 100% cruelty-free.

Have you tried Real Techniques brushes before?

Caryl Baker Visage- The Ultimate Facial

How many times a year do you get a professional facial? 

Every month? Every six months? NEVER?

What If I told you that you can do this at your local mall!

I was recently treated to the "Ultimate Facial" at Caryl Baker Visage. 

The Ultimate Facial is a 60 minute treatment that combines the use of 

deeply hydrating collagen and cell boosting oxygen.

I got my complimentary facial done by a very knowledgeable lady named Jacqueline. She answered all of my questions! I love the fact that she wanted to get to know my skin. We talked about what I think my problem areas are and what I can do to change it.

Having these conversations are crucial. A lot of places slap on product on you without asking what your skin regime is, skin type or if you have allergies.

I have a grape allergy and she made sure that she didn't use any products that contained grapeseed oil.

I should also add that she did a skin analysis on me using a magnifying lamp. Other than the light discolouration on my cheeks she told me that all my pores are small and consistent. YES!! Honestly that made my day. Hahaha!

Before she added the collagen mask, she properly cleansed my skin. It's really important to start with a clean base to make sure that you get the best out of your facial.

The collagen sheet mask was kept on for 10 mins. Did you know collagen diminishes fine line and wrinkles? I'm blessed that I don't have this issue but I was told that early prevention is the best way to combat it. The second part of the facial involves using cell booting oxygen directly on the skin. It's suppose to plump up the skin and leave you look radiant. 

I will add that going to get it on a Friday evening was not the best idea on my part. The mall was packed and it was noisy (I'm easily distracted). They did put down a privacy screen for me which did help a bit. Next time I'd schedule my appointment for early morning or in the middle of the week when I know not as busy.

Overall, I loved the facial. My skin looked amazing and I loved the products she used.

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.