Colour Me Skeptical

Oh wait, I was skeptical but now I'm not.

Skeptical about what?

The Body and Leg Shine from The Body Shop. I tried this on my arms, forgot about it, and put a long-sleeved shirt on. Later that day, as a rolled up my sleeves, I noticed that my arms were still sparkling gold and smelled great.

I wouldn't try this if I were wearing something white, but it's a great product otherwise. It's a one-up from those gold-tinted oils, and the gel stick feels cool going on which will be great when weather warms up.

Find it at the Body Shop with the rest of its summer collection.

This Just In

Starting today, May 12th, The Body Shop is lowering its prices on 300 products throughout its stores so that you're paying fair Canadian prices. That means, that you no longer have to buy your Body Shop products in the U.S. to get value for your money. I, for one, commend the Body Shop on this, and couldn't be happier!

If you're wondering how prices compare on cosmetics in general, you should have a look at U.S. websites and then compare it to prices of items in stores here. The differences are baffling and quite frankly Canadian customers are being ripped off. The only thing you can do is not purchase items from Canadian stores if you can help it. I should add that the discounts don't just evade us when it comes to face creams - clothes are the same, and one friend who returned from a business trip told me that she was "never going to shop in Canada when prices in the U.S. are almost wholesale in comparison." Well said!

Again, I'm a huge fan of shopping online, and if nothing else, it's good for comparison shopping. Shopbop.com ships everywhere in the world and they have fantastic sales so if you know your jean size for a particular brand, I'd just get it from them. They also have a great selection of designers if that's more your style, and a friend of mine recently bought a Marc Jacobs bag from there at a good price, so take a peep. Also their models have excellent makeup!

MTV and Body Shop Pair Up For AIDS Research

Check it out: MTV and The Body Shop have paired up yet again to create a product that’s original and the proceeds of which will benefit AIDS prevention. Remember last year? They made that perfume in a pink bottle; this year it’s a lip butter.

I like this year’s offering better. It’s a very light sparkly pink that goes on so smooth, typical lip butter style. Very nice, really.

If you want to help the cause against HIV and AIDS and want to getvsomething for your endeavors, pick this up while quantities last and your local Body Shop locations. $5 from each purchase goes to "empowering young people to protect themselves."

Body Shop Flags at Half Mast

So sad: Anita Roddick, the founder of the Body Shop, died yesterday due to a brain hemorrhage.

The woman was a pioneer in the beauty world. Yes, her soaps smell amazing but she was the one who introduced using natural ingredients in beauty products. Anita was also respected and lauded for using her company to raise funds for charity: the money went to AIDS research, helping battered and abused women, and many of her lotions and potions used Fair Trade ingredients ensuring that those from developing countries were paid fairly for their labour and goods. As well, the Body Shop was one of the first companies to be blatantly and proudly against animal testing.

Because of her, words like "body butter" and "foot scrub" are household names, and the beauty world will certainly miss her.

Canadian Beauty News: July 6, 2007

OK, this version of Canadian Beauty News is all about reader questions but first, I'll tell you about the outcome of the masks that I've been reviewing!

Mask Roundup

Overall, I have to say that I really really liked the Biotherm. I liked how my skin felt afterwards, there was no residue, and it was just what I was looking for. I also really liked the Lancome warming mask and I think that I'm going to use it in the winter. None of the masks that I tried were horrible and I'm sure the question remains - do you even need a mask at all? After doing this project for about a month, I can say YES, having a mask as part of your routine is a good idea. It soaks up excess oil, tones, and has a nice effect on your skin even if it's temporary. A mask is especially useful in the summer.

Though I found it hard to incorporate into my routine at first, I've found that there are two best times to use it. The first time is after work or a day out when your face may be a tad fatigued. It's nice to come home, put on a mask and relax for a few minutes. The other best time to use it is in the morning so that you can brush your teeth, pick out what to wear, and get ready for your day before washing it off. The advantage that this has to using it at another time is that your face is already free of any makeup so you do not have to wash it before applying the mask. Most masks were only to be used once or twice a week and I'm guessing that this is because they're supposed to be intensive products - they are either very hydrating or could potentially be drying. Keep this in mind when you are buying a mask for yourself!

Reader Questions:

We continue then with the following email I received:

Hi there,

What do you think of the Kinerase line at Shoppers?? It is $$$$$ and does not get completely glowing reviews on MUA BUT... I've heard some say that just the gentle cleanser and cream (or lotion, depending on skin type) used together (and as their ONLY skin care products) have saved their skin - transformed it, really.

What do you think? Buying only 2 products could be cost effective if the line is really that good...

I'm thinking Shoppers has an amazing return policy, too, if I'm not that impressed after trying it!

Unfortunately, I have not had a chance to try the Kinerase line but I too have heard a great deal about it. I will, however, give you my honest opinion about what I would try from the line. I would not use the cleanser because I think that there are plenty of reasonably priced cleansers on the market and this is a product that goes down the drain when the job is done. This in mind, there is no replacement for a good moisturizer that works well with your skin. If I thought that Kinerase was the moisturizer for me, then I would go ahead and get the day cream and the night cream. Just my two cents. Have any readers out there tried Kinerase? What did you think?

One of my friends has also asked me about my favourite body washes and it just so happened that I was recently gifted a Body Shop Satsuma Gift package! Those of you who have been reading this site for a while know that I love coconut scented products so I wouldn't have picked this up myself, but I am thrilled with it! I especially love the Satsuma shower gel! I had never tried it before, and I now know why it's been a part of The Body Shop roster for so long! It smells so fresh and tangy which makes it perfect for the summer. The scent is strong enough that the whole bathroom smells of it.

Satsuma - Canadian Beauty Approved.

Great Beauty Reads

Teri from Pretty By Nature brings you some great Do-It-Yourself Skin Care Recipes.

Toya from The Life of a Ladybug gives you her reaction to MAC's C-Shock collection.

The Indie Perfume Blog tells us about Ava Luxe, an artisan perfume line.


Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Minty Masks Part 2

The Body Shop Blue Corn 3 in 1 Deep Cleansing Scrub Mask has been part of the Body Shop line ever since I can remember but I had never tried it before. To my surprise, this mask was actually quite minty! The scrubby bits in this mask are very finely ground so they end up providing mild exfoliation. If you find that you're sometimes pressed for time with your skin care routine, this may be just what you're looking for - a product that scrubs and deep cleans all at once. Sensitive skins should keep in mind that the level of mintiness in this mask might be irritating to the skin. The mask does absorb oil nicely and is great for the summer.

Invest

Though I've been quite diligent when it comes to wearing sunscreen this summer, somehow a short walk to the grocery store resulted in a wee bit of skin darkening.

The next day I realized that the Lancome foundation that I had been wearing on and off (and which was doing a swell job of controlling the oilies) was now too light for my skin. It's off only by a smidge but I'm thinking that there's no telling when the sun will do more work on my skin and so I've put it away for now.

Which leads me to the point I wanted to make: remember that you may not be able to wear the same makeup in the summer as you do in the winter. You may just want to invest in either new foundation or concealer or both.

Now I've been cheap before - I've thought, well the summer here in Canada only lasts a couple of months and why should I buy something that I won't be able to wear the year round? And then I saw pictures where my makeup was obviously too light and I had to change my ways. Do yourself a favour and learn from my mistakes.

Get a darker shade of makeup that can be sheered down so that it can take you through the summer. Also remember that your tan will probably last well into October and you might be wearing the makeup until then and so it is actually a good buy. Once your tan fades just store the foundation or concealer in a dark cool cupboard and take it out if you go on vacation to some place warm or think of yourself ahead of the game for next summer.

Canadian Beauty news: June 22, 2007

It's been an exciting week here at Canadian Beauty - there's a new look to the site and it's not quite perfect yet, so we're still fiddling with it. I've received feedback from quite a few of you this week saying that you like the new look and I'm glad - I like it too! Thanks so much for all your support, comments, questions, and general feedback these past few months! And now for what else is new...

Body Shop Sale

The Body Shop is having a huge sale right now! They are selling many of their limited edition products at discounted prices (up to 75% off on some items) or at "buy one get the other half off". Products on sale include Runny Honey shower gel, and Peach Body Butter. If you're a fan of the Body Shop, you should stop by and stock up on the goods!

Chat with Eve's Makeup Artist

I don't normally listen to Eve's music but I do know that she's a MAC Viva Glam representative and it's come to my attention that they've used selections from MAC's latest makeup collection - C-Shock - for her new video Tambourine. Below is my favourite look.
For Eve's look, her makeup artist, JJ, used the following products:

Eyes: Saddle Eye Shadow, Electric Eel Eyeshadow, and Bang on Blue Eyeshadow, Technikohl pencil in Auto-de Blue
Cheeks: Fancy Ray Creme Blush
Lips: Cork pencil, Mega lipstick, Overrich lipstick (C-Shock collection)

I'm a fan of the bright eye makeup and the pale but natural looking lips. I might use the teal eyeshadow (Big T from the C-Shock collection) or liner instead of the blue here and try the same products for the lips.

What amazes me is that teal eyeshadow or liner always makes its way into a few summer collections every year. I've been sporting summertime aqua liner since high school and I still remember the comment I got from my sister when I showed it to her: "Going for the 'natural' look, eh?" Still, I love that bright pop of colour that goes especially well with a tan. Teal eyeshadow for the summer - count on it. It's one of the rare truisms of our time.

But that's not all. MAC is hosting a special event for its loyal fans.

MAC is hosting a live chat with JJ, Eve's makeup artist, from 5:00pm to 6:00 pm EST on WEDNESDAY, June 27, 2007! All you have to do is go to http://www.maccosmetics.com/EVE. Log in and talk to JJ - he used to be a MAC artist so you can ask him any makeup application questions you might have or ask him questions about the look that he's done on Eve! If you decide to check this event out, let me know how it went!

Gloves in a Bottle

You may have already heard about this product and I've given it a thorough testing before reviewing it: it's Gloves in a Bottle. The product is a shielding lotion and basically consists of silicons that not only relieve your hands of any topical dryness but also prevent them from getting dried out further. It's an excellent alternative to regular hand creams because it's not at all greasy and it dries and absorbs into your hands very quickly. I always have it on hand because I can put it on and then continue with my day. You can purchase the lotion online here.

Reader Questions:

I got the following question from C:

I am looking for a matte eyeshadow in a peachy/pinky/nude colour. My favourite shade is in the L'oreal quad "Woodrose", but I don't use the other 3 colours. I find it extremely hard to find a matte shadow, with absolutely no shimmer or sparkle. I have been told by a cosmetician at my local Shoppers Drug Mart to try MAC, but MAC is not sold in my city, and I am hesitant to buy online. Any other suggestions?

Well, C, I can give you a product that I have used in the past as a nude eyeshadow - it has great staying power and works nicely as a base to other eye makeup. Try L'Oreal Wear Infinite eye shadow single in colour 801 Sandy Shores. It's a light beige and goes on a little more lightly than the colour you see in the pan. I hope you're able to find it!

Next week I will be talking about my favourite eye shadows that stand up to the summer heat and stay on even without a primer!

I also got a request to suggest a face mask for oily/combination skin and in a couple of weeks I'll talk about my favourite masks to use in the summer!

Great Beauty Reads

A Touch of Blusher talks about Western skin care vs. Japanese skin care.

Michelle from All Lacquered Up discusses the summer nail trends and picks her favorites.

Elke finds some great bath & soap products.

One last thing...

I am wearing what is quite possibly the cutest outfit ever today. I've received innumerable (that's right, innumerable) compliments while I was out and about town! The dress is from Urban Outfitters and though it's long enough that one could wear it on its own, I had a luncheon
to attend today so I wore it with the leggings which are from American Apparel. This led many people to comment "love your top...er..dress...or top....". Anyway, I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend and enjoys the sunshine!

Olay Quench Therapy Skin Repair Concentrate

You know what I'm going to use to help my feet get ready for summer sandals? Of course, it's a never-fail product from the Quench line, this time the Quench Therapy Skin Repair Concentrate. I love every body care item from this line and this one is no exception. Now, if you're using this on your feet don't expect a miracle. It can help dryness but it's not going to take off a whole winter's worth of callouses. You're definitely going to need a foot file too (the one on the right is from the Body Shop but you can really get them from anywhere). Just scrub away all the dead skin after showering or soaking your feet in warm water for about 10 minutes, and keep the dead skin away by using the Olay Repair Concentrate. Try it. It works and you'll soon be ready for your flip-flops.

Mother's Day Body Shop Scrub

When it comes to picking out Mother's Day gifts, it seems that The Body Shop is almost a natural place to go - they have lovely baskets and their scents are traditional so it's easy to find something that isn't too "out there" or potentially offensive. You can also pick products to put in packages yourself and should you be doing that, the Body Shop scrubs should definitely make the cut. My favorites are the creamier scrubs (like the Brazil Nut one in the picture) simply because they're so moisturizing and feel luxurious on the skin. Plus, scrubs often seem like nice products to have but ones that Moms don't always want to invest in themselves. Just a suggestion!

Body Shop Concealer

The Body Shop actually has foundations and face products in great colours even if their range not be the biggest on the market. I picked up their concealer stick when I tried it on in a store and found that it matched my skin perfectly. The best part is that their makeup line has been expanded and though this concealer started out as coming in only 3 tones, it now comes in 8! It's nice to know that The Body Shop is making makeup to suit a variety of skin tones.

The concealer itself is a pencil that smooths on to the skin very easily and works at covering anything from the under-eye area to blemishes. It's a matte finish too so it looks very natural and doesn't settle into lines. In a pinch you can also easily blend it out and use it as a foundation.

The only bad thing about the concealer is that the size isn't a normal one so you'll have to buy the specific body shop sharpener for the pencil. I've not yet found another pencil that's this chubby so the sharpener is only used for this pencil. Although the price of the pencil is reasonable, having to buy a sharpener is an add-on. Remember that if price is a consideration in your decision of whether to buy. Maybe the next time they do a revamp of the makeup line they'll fix the size of the pencil as well, but until then this is a crutch in an otherwise great product.

Clean Your Brushes

It's May 1st today which means that it's time for me to clean my brushes. Experts recommend that you should give your brushes a thorough cleaning every 4-6 weeks, so I just clean mine at the beginning of every month. Have you cleaned your brushes recently?

Herbal Essences Clarifying Shampoo

I was going to write about Herbal Essences much earlier, but I'm glad I waited because today I got the best response ever:

"Hey, your hair smells nice today!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, what is that, Herbal Essences?"
"Actually, it is Herbal Essences!"

This came after I used their shampoo and conditioner. Their scent together wasn't too strong for me, but I guess people who sat behind me could get a whiff of it now and then. I used the Degunkify shampoo and Drama Clean Conditioner which smell like "icy pineapple". I would try to clarify what that smells like but their label is actually pretty accurate. It's like a very fresh pineapple scent.

Remember how I wrote that clarifying shampoos are great to have around? Well Herbal Essences Degunkify deserves a space on the shower shelf. I've been using it a couple of times a week - when I want to "degunkify" my hair or after I have a particularly strenuous workout and I love how shiny and soft it makes my hair but without stripping it of moisture completely. I love this shampoo and recommend it.

Also remember that clarifying shampoos are great to use when cleaning your brushes because they won't leave add or take anything away. Simply fill your sink with warm water and a smidge of shampoo and swirl your brushes in the warm soapy water. Leave to dry on a towel and you'll be left with clean soft brushes.

Canadian Beauty News: April 20, 2007

Well the weather here in Toronto has warmed up a little, and summer cosmetic collections are on their way, but unfortunately not much has hit the counters yet on this side of the border. Here's a rundown of what's new in stores and fresh on the shelves:

New Nail Polish:

OPI's new summer collection has been spotted! Hard to find in spas and nail shops, the best place to get the newest colours is Trade Secrets! Featuring a mix of dark and light colours the collection has everything you could want for spring and summer. My favourite colour is "I Only Drink Champagne" which is a light gold shade that shows up as almost white on the nail. I also love the shimmery silvery "Happy Anniversary" shade from their 25th Anniversary collection. It has multi-coloured shimmer in it but when you put on two coats, it shows up as silver. A pretty fun shade for the summer. To the right is a picture of it, but the shade is much nicer in real life.

Benefit's New Collection

New products from Benefit have also hit shelves or will later this week for some stores. The problem I found was that testers were still unavailable so I was unable to really get a glimpse of any of the colours or try any of their new products so I'll have to post an update later.

Look Fab Studio

Last week I talked about the Look Fab Studio that opened on the 13th in downtown Toronto. Has anyone had a chance to check it out for themselves? Thoughts? Experiences? Share them in the comment section below. You all know that I was blown away by the studio but I'm interested in knowing what other people might think.

Reader Questions:

A couple of weeks ago, M asked me the following question:

One quick question, do you know if i can buy Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque here in Toronto.

After a bit of searching, I came upon the mask in a health food store. My suggestion would be to check out the health food store in your neighborhood and see if they carry it. Because many of these stores are quite small and sometimes family run, they might be able to bring in the mask if you request it.

I also received this question last week from H:

I have dark undereye circles and after reading a number of reviews, decided to purchase the Bobbi Brown corrector and concealer kit (as well as the undereye moisturiser). I even e-mailed a Bobbi Brown makeup artist. I am following the application instructions religiously, but still end up with the product drying into a powdery finish and settling into fine lines. I never thought I had a lot of lines around my eye area, but when I laugh or smile, the product now highlights these lines. (I even e-mailed a Bobbi Brown makeup artist and I have had no joy following her instructions.)

The product seems to work for many people and I would love to know the secret.

I too have heard so many things about the Bobbi Brown corrector and concealer. It's hard not to buy into the hype. Bobbi Brown is great at what she does for the most part, the products are flawless. That said, the one thing that bothers me about the Bobbi Brown makeup counter is that they don't offer any samples. You can try the stuff on but there's no telling whether you will be able to duplicate the same look at home, and whether the foundation or concealer you tried on will look good in the lights you have at home.

I think that the concealer and corrector combo is nothing out of the ordinary. Why do I need two products to do the job of one? Theoretically, the corrector is just going to mix into my concealer when I put it on, right? So why can't I just have a concealer that fixes what the corrector would have?

As for the product settling into lines - I feel that the problem is that the concealer is just too creamy. The concealer is so creamy that it needs to be used with a powder which could just make it into a paste which then settles into fine lines. My advice is to try skipping the under-eye cream which may be adding to the creaminess of the concealer. Save the cream for night time and hopefully it will make a difference. Without the cream, you may not need to add powder on top of your concealer so see if you can go without it. If it still creases, then try it with the powder. If you still see creasing, try a different powder such as MAC Blot Powder which is specifically meant to reduce oil and shine. I use it to set my makeup and find that it lasts a long time.

Finally, if that doesn't work - ditch the Bobbi Brown products. I know it's hard because they're so expensive, but there are plenty of cheaper concealers out there on the market, so you might not feel bad doing it, if you can find a stellar replacement. I swear by MAC Select Cover Concealer and have never had a creasing problem with it. I hope that helped, but keep me posted on your results!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!

Body Shop Lip Butter

The first time that I tried the Body Shop Lip Butters, I found that they were a gritty oily mess and so never went to their area of the store ever again. Then recently as I was looking through some of their newer products, I decided to try on the Grapefruit Lip Butter since it smelled so yummy. Imagine my surprise to find that it was beautifully creamy and soft! This is one of the smoothest lip balms that I have ever tried, and I immediately went into the store and tried them all. It turned out that they're all like that! They're so great that it's hard to pick a favorite but the Papaya one is a good choice, as is the Grapefruit one. The lip butters are a must-have for those who love their lip balm.

Take the Plunge - How to Apply Makeup

Lately, I've been asked by a few people to tell them how they can start wearing makeup. So, for them, and for anyone else who might be wondering, here are a few tips on easy methods to incorporate cosmetics into your daily getting ready routine.

To begin, by no means am I saying that you have to be wearing makeup to look good or presentable. It totally depends on YOU. Nobody is telling you to wear makeup or not wear it. That said, makeup can often make you look more polished and put together which is why some people reserve it for special occasions or job interviews.

Now, everyone has a tinted lip balm or sheer lipstick in their arsenal. Even if it's just a clear gloss, that's good enough and can make a difference. If you're going for an everyday look, stick to a natural pink gloss. My favorites are offerings by Nars, Cover Girl, and Lancome.

The other very easy product that makes a difference is mascara. Personally, I think mascara is a must for every girl because nothing's better than long luscious lashes. The right ones can even curl your lashes a little giving them a lift - perfect if your lashes are straight and you want to give them some oomph. Cover Girl's Volume Exact is a stellar choice if this is your need. When you're applying, make sure that you start at the base of your lashes and wiggle the comb as you work your way up. Most mascaras need you to do this twice if you want to get a maximum effect - any more and you run the risk of clumping. If you want curl, hold the wand at the very tip of your lashes and sort of wiggle it back and forth while moving up quickly. This should help get some lift in there. Another great mascara choice is L'Oreal Voluminous - it's pretty much a no-fail formula that delivers.

If you really want to make an impact on your look, pick up a concealer for those problem areas. For many people, this is mainly those dark circles under your eyes. You'll be surprised at what a difference concealing them can make. Here's an important tip for selecting a concealer. When you go to the makeup counter, the artist will probably try to sell you a shade that's lighter than your foundation or natural skin tone. Although this is a good tip and works great for film and photographs, it doesn't always translate well into everyday makeup. A light shade can look too obvious - even J. Lo is sometimes guilty of wearing very obvious-looking concealer. When you blend the concealer under your eyes, you want to blend down to where your cheeks start. This means that the blending of colours should be flawless and it's a better idea to get a colour that matches your face rather than being a shade lighter. I love MAC concealer - it comes in a ton of colours and the finish is probably the most natural one out there.

Finally - if you've mastered all the above products, head down to the makeup counters and grab a new blush. Applying blush for the first time can be tricky but there are two ways you can go about it. Either do the 'ol smile and apply, or you can suck your cheeks in and put it on your cheekbones. Try each method on a cheek and see which works best for you.

What kind of blush should you buy and which brush should you use? I say skip the brush altogether and go for a cream blush. That's what I used when I first started using makeup and I still love the glow and natural look that this gives me. Now some people go for a powder-finish blush and though that has its good points, I would stay away from it because it's harder to work with. Gel blush dries quickly and mistakes are hard to fix.

I love MAC's blush creme. It comes in a range of wearable shades and none but the limited edition ones have shimmer so they always look natural. Though the texture is quite creamy, a little goes a long way and once set with translucent powder, the blush lasts all day. Just swipe your middle finger through it, and tap on to your cheek in a circular motion. Tapping is important. If you swipe, you won't get the best colour payoff and it can just smudge all your other makeup off. Tap starting in the middle where you want the colour to be most concentrated and work your way out. If you put too much on, simply use a bit of moisturizer and tone it down.

And there you have it: 4 product that will probably only take you 5 minutes to put on in the morning once you know what you're doing, which will probably be in a week. I hope that helps!

A Girl's Best Friend

Seriously, y'all, clarifying shampoos are a girl's best friend. If you're ever going through a time when you feel that your hair is looking a little lifeless and lusterless, just use a shampoo that claims to take a lot of gunk out of your hair. Your hair might be a little frizzier because there's nothing weighing it down, but it will probably look healthier and rejuvenated. Word to the wise: most volumizing shampoos are clarifying too and a good one will be absolutely clear.

Canadian Beauty News: April 6, 2007

Stila Event and Giveaway!

Have you been dying to try the Stila Plumping Lip Glaze? Want a free sample? Click here to get a coupon redeemable for a free sample of lip glaze from Holt Renfrew. Mind, the sample is a teeny tiny one (I've gotten more generous samples from Sephora) but it will definitely give you about 5 uses, so head on over and pick one up.

Love Stila? Well then listen up: once a year Stila has a major event at Holt Renfrew's. A celebrity makeup artist comes in from NYC and has a team conduct makeovers. You have an expert choose products for you and tell you what looks good. The catch is that you have to buy 4 products, though they don't have to be the ones that they used on you. But! You also get a gift bag full of Stila goodies and they're full-sized products! If you're a Stila fan - they do make wonderful foundations and lip products - this is an event that you should not miss out on. The event is in the first two weeks of May so call your nearest Holt Renfrew location and to find out the dates in your area. Book an appointment and secure your place before they fill up!

Good Deal

If you're a fan of The Body Shop's body butters and scrubs, you might want to head in there and stock up. They're having a sale: 2 products for $30 (Canadian) and at the end of April, the prices of the body butter is going up! Run in before soon and grab what you like because these are products that you can go through fairly quickly anyways.

India Hicks

Crabtree and Evelyn stores have been carrying India Hicks products for a little while now. The line has a sweet scent and promotes calm island living. Now, Holt Renfrew carries the line too, so if you had wanted to purchase an item from the collection, you have your choice of retailers.

Reader Question

I got this email from a reader in Canada:

I am desperately seeking Nars Orgasm blush in Canada.

I don't live in a big centre so I need it shipped to me.

Any advice?

HELP!

i NEED it.

-s

PS, i know I can order straight from Sephora but ABHOR the 40 dollar total after shipping costs.

Now, I get several emails of this kind. People know that the product is available in Canada, but often can't make it to the area that has the blush. If it was another product, I would suggest a drugstore alternative, but I really haven't been able to find anything that looks just like Nars Orgasm.

I would refer you to Bombshell Bargains but they're not selling the Nars Blush in Orgasm.

There are two ways that you might be able to find the blush for a cheaper price, but neither has the security of a real store. The first option is to check out Ebay. The key to Ebay shopping is to make sure you check what the shipping price is before you bid on an item. You may find that someone has used the blush just once and didn't like it and so they're giving it away and will settle for selling it at less than the price they paid for it.

The second option is to check out the swap boards at Makeup Alley. Again, you may find that people have bought something or have been gifting something that they don't like and are willing to either sell it to you or trade you something for it. For example, for the Nars blush, you might have a lipstick and an eyeshadow that's gently used and you can do without that the other person want.

Of course, since these aren't secure stores, buyer beware! There are no guarantees when dealing with someone who is hidden under a false name, so be careful. Good luck!

Olay Radiance Ribbons Body Wash

I've mentioned that I love the Olay Body Wash with Body Butter Ribbons, so when a new version came out - with Radiance Ribbons - I had to try it. This version may just be a little more moisturizing than the other. It's hard to tell when they're both leave your skin so soft. This body wash does seem slightly thicker and has the same thick rich lather that all the Olay Body Washes have.

Now, I've read other reviews and it seems that some people have trouble getting the most out of this body wash. I use a loofah mitt much like the one to the left (from the Body Shop). You can find these mitts everywhere and I use them so that I can exfoliate, clean, and moisturize my skin all in one shower. I squirt a loony-sized amount (Americans, think larger than a quarter) on to the mitt and that's all I need. If you haven't tried using the body wash this way, give it a go - I think you'll find that you get tons of lather and no gloopiness.

Notes from Behind the Runway at L'Oreal Fashion Week

I thought I'd talk about some obversations that I made while I was backstage at L'Oreal Fashion Week!

Firstly, the models' skin was almost always prepped for makeup with moisturizer. Almost without exception, the makeup team used L'Oreal Happyderm Moisturizer.

They used sponges to apply foundation.

True Match concealer was used both under the eyes and on the eyelids if there was discolouration there.

Blush was blended with powder and then applied on the cheeks. Eddie Maleterre (Official Makeup Artist for L'Oreal Paris and the Artistic Director for L'Oreal Fashion Week) and the other makeup artists would tap the powder brush in powder and then in blush and then apply the combination on the models. The brush used for blush was usually smaller than a traditional blush brush and the colour was blended on in small circles. You could try using this brush from Sephora.

Almost always, when it came to lining the eyes, makeup artists used an eyeliner brush dipped in dark eyeshadow rather than use liquid eyeliner or pencil.

Models wore false eyelashes for almost every show.

The only time I saw lip liner being used was with red lipstick.

Finally, hairstyles were set with copious amounts of hairspray. It seemed as if the hair stylists sprayed hair thoroughly before any step - before putting curlers in, before using a curling iron, before using a straightening iron, before teasing hair, lots and lots and lots of hairspray was used. The hair was beautiful to look at, shiny, and seemed to stay put for the most part.

Obviously, this and some of the other tips are better suited for backstage, but there's definitely a few things we can all incorporate into our everyday routine. I love the blush trick and that's what I'll be trying out.