Laura Gellar Phenomenal Foundation Product Review

What is so "phenomenal" about Laura Gellar's Phenomenal Foundation? Maybe just the fact that I had a really hard time making up my mind about it.

Let me tell you why.

The first time I used this foundation, I wore it on its own, without a primer to see how it would wear. I used a foundation brush and noticed that my coverage was a little streaky and when I tried to rub the streaks away, I found that I couldn't! The foundation had set. I just put a bit of foundation on my fingers and fixed the problem.

At the end of the day, I was very pleased to see that my foundation - and the rest of my makeup - was just as I had left it. I looked so fresh.

So this foundation really is phenomenal in a way - it lasts very well and has a way of sticking to your skin. Unlike most long-wear foundations, you can apply it to a sheer finish if that's what you prefer. The only problem is that it is a little difficult to apply and I found that I got streaks a little too easily. When I used my fingers, the foundation stuck to them and I didn't feel as if I was getting the best use out of it. The other thing is that it only comes in 4 colours so if you want full coverage, make sure that the colour match is exact.

Blush-N-Brighten

I know, I know, yet another blush. But I can't help it! I love blush and it's one of those products that can make you look more awake, fresh, and pretty all with the swish of a brush.

My newest find: Laura Geller's Blush-N-Brighten.

The marbling effect that so many makeup brands tout is a little over-hyped, and in my opinion this is mainly done so that the product looks pretty. All in all, nothing wrong with that.

But this blush has the perfect amount of shimmer, warmth, and pink. That means that it'll not only warm up your skin, but do it with a certain amount of subtlety. This is just the second Laura Geller product I've reviewed, but so far, I am very impressed with her line.

You can get Laura Geller's products at Sephora.

Laura Gellar Eye Spackle

Finally! A product that gives Urban Decay's Primer Potion a run for its money. I tried the Laura Gellar Eye Spackle and fully expected it to have broken down as the day went on, but this was so not the case.

It comes in a pot but it's not creamy. When you put the Eye Spackle on your eye lids, it goes on sort of heavy and feels like it's sticking to the skin. It also does not go on clear. It's white and just sort of sticks there. Eyeshadow then sticks to it. You might think that this means that the eyeshadow goes on clumpy or streaky but not so, my friends. Eye shadow goes on smoothly enough on top of the Eye Spackle and then stays on the whole entire day!

I think that this might even work better than the Primer Potion, which is a first. If you found that the Urban Decay Primer Potion didn't work for you, then you should definitely try this - it's a product worth getting excited about!

Canadian Beauty News: May 11, 2007

The sun is out and shining and with the great weather come great new products and events!

Toronto - Global Capital of Style?

A couple of nights ago, I went to the Press Party for Toronto Week of Style. Happening in a couple of weeks, the week will feature fashion shows and styles aimed more at the public than the buyers of stores. The week is hosted by the Style Council of Canada and the shows are grouped by theme rather than designer. Bambumoda, for example, will showcase the trends coming up in the next 4 or 5 years, while Fashion Fringe will be more about undiscovered talent from all over the world. There will also be a Denim show, a show for swimwear, for lingerie, and best of all, one for pop culture.

I have to say that the best part of the whole event is that bloggers are given the same amount of respect as the rest of the media. Great seats, personalized attention, and complete lack of snobbery were features of the press party and made me glad that I had gone. This is likely the first of many posts that I'll write covering the event, so stay tuned!

Oh, and associated with Toronto Week of Style, is a campaign that says that Toronto is the Global Capital of Style. Is it? What do you think?

New Products from Duwop!

Duwop has expanded its product line and those products are finally in stores this week.

Lets begin with the E-lix-r-stix. Basically a pen filled with a gloss that tastes sort of like a cookie. These have a runny consistency sort of like Cargo's Purse Gloss but also go on smooth and semi-sheer. They come in 4 great colours that look natural on. I tried, I liked!

Next comes Blushbooster, meant to be layered on top of regular blush to add shine or... I don't know, layer on more blush? Really, I don't know why they'd call this Blush booster when it's pretty much just a regular blush. It comes in nice colours, has a smidge of shimmer (not too much), and goes on smoothly. It's not so sheer that you have to layer on tons to get good colour payoff, but it's not ultra-bright either.

Finally, there's Duwop Realipstick which is a nice normal glossy lipstick that comes in neutral tones only.

Overall, the new products add to Duwop's reputation of having products that provide a natural look. The products they offer are good and if you want lipsticks or blushes that look natural on your skin, and if you want a line that offers everyday basics in flattering colours, then Duwop is the line for you.

Laura Gellar Now IN

I know that there are those of you out there that may have had an eye on Laura Gellar products that have until now only been sold online or on TSC. Well, Sephora now has a truncated version of the line available - they have her most popular products in! The Spackle Trio, and Lip and Eye Spackle Duo are both in stores.

I also spotted the Bronze-N-Brighten, though for the life of me, I can't figure out why this is so popular. I'm not saying that it's not a good bronzer and that it won't brighten up your skin. I am just not wowed by the whole marbled compact marketing campaign. Look, once your swirl your brush in (or run your finger through) the compact, you basically end up with a shimmery pinkish bronze that you then dust on your face. Well, wouldn't putting that pinkish bronze shade (already blended, I mean) in a compact be a better idea because it would give you more consistent colour? Why the marbling? Oh, and don't even bother telling me that I can pick out just the pink or the brown and use them as eye shadows - who would actually do that? Anyway, perhaps you will like the pinky-bronze colour that this compact yields and let me know if you do. The powder itself is smooth and easy to apply.

New Estee Lauder Collection!

Listen up - Tom Ford has designed his final collection for Estee Lauder and Holt Renfrew is now taking advance orders for it!

The collection is called Azuree Soleil and has a range of pinky-plummy colours, called Soiree, and then a range of more bronze shades, called Bronzee. As can be expected from Estee Lauder, the formulations are amazing.

If you've been looking for a highlighter that's not too shimmery, you must check out The Face Sheen which goes on so smoothly and has just the right amount of shimmer and gloss.

Tom Ford has also created a new scent to go with the collection - it's called Tom Ford Azuree Soleil. Finally, a summer fragrance that doesn't smell like suntan oil or a margarita. The Estee Lauder website says that there are notes of Sandalwood, Gardenia petals, Coconuts, and Orange Blossom, among other things, but I couldn't recognize any of those when I smell it. To me, it just smells of the ocean and it's a nice pleasing scent - not too fresh and not too warm.

Great Beauty Reads

Ageless in Los Angeles talks about new Prom beauty.

All Lacquered Up tells us about the chemicals in nail polishes.

Pretty By Nature tells us about PhytoOrganics - a hair care line from Nexxus.


Alrighty, well that's all for this week. Have a wonderful weekend!