Beauty Trick

Here's a response to the many queries I get concerning smeary eye makeup, either above or below the eye area. Usually, I recommend a change in product but I realize that this might not always be an option so I've figured out something better.

Take your favourite translucent powder and dab or dust it wherever the offending smears occur. I know that this seems pretty basic, but it really works!

Know that you can put the powder on top of your regular eyeshadow and as long as you are dabbing carefully it won't mess up your eyeshadow and will keep the smears at bay.

Get Rid of Blackheads

Someone in the comments asked me how to deal with the blackheads that plague their extremely oily skin. This commenter says that she's tried everything and nothing has worked.

Let me lay it down for you: no product can miraculously get rid of your blackheads. No cream, no toner, no lotion, no potion.

Furthermore: any solution is a temporary one at best. Your pores will keep clogging up and you will have to keep unclogging them, that is just the nature of the beast.

There are solutions though, and the best one that I have found is to have a manual extraction during your facial. One by Dermalogica is excellent, try it once and you will be sold.

You should also exfoliate regularly. The Neutrogena Wave does a pretty good job of vibrating impurities out of your skin. There is nothing like it and it will keep your skin clear after your facial.

Finally, there's the Biore Pore Strips - they're a quick fix and can ruin your skin so use them sparingly.

Those are the only ways to get rid of blackheads, and I have found them to work. I know this is one of those problems that many of you have dealt with, so if you have something to add, leave a comment!

Reader Question - Allergies

I received this reader question a while ago, and though I've already replied directly to the reader who asked it, I'm blogging it now because I think that it might be helpful for some readers experiencing the same problem.

The reader wrote:

I have a rather perplexing question:
I have bad acne along my chin (mostly cystic) and I have very sensitive skin to boot. I am allergic to silicones AND glycerin (this is really bad because it's in everything), and my question is: are there any facial moisturizers that are silicone and glycerin-free? I have been looking high and low, and I am having a hard time trying to find any.
Any recs would be wonderful!!!!!

And here is my answer:

I've taken some time to get to your question because I've been looking hard at skin cream formulas! And I have some bad news.... almost all of them contain either some kind of glycerin or some kind of silicone. So: that leaves you with two options. I found this Lush moisturizer called Skin Drink that doesn't have any glycerin in it and the moisturizers from The Body Care Deli doesn't either.

Since you can't use glycerin or silicones, that leaves you with moisturizing your skin with either petroleum jelly or mineral oil. If you're nervous that these two ingredients could cause acne, you could try olive oil or an almond oil instead. (True story: my mother uses olive oil to moisturizer her skin and it works well.)

Experiment with those and let me know how it goes. I hope I've helped!

Reader Question - Total Makeover

As promised, I am getting to some reader questions! I just received this one from N:

"I am currently living in Africa. I will be back in Toronto in a few short weeks and will be hitting the job market with a vengeance. I need to look good, and feel good, and have limited time to shop around at various spots (as much as I would LOVE to) for different products. Once I have a job and some money in the bank, I will definitely be experimenting with more products and lines.

But for now, I need a favour and I'm asking you for your honest opinion: What is the best counter or line to go to for a total makeover solution to be transformed from African bush baby to job-interview appropriate? I am Caucasian, mid 20's, blue eyes, light brown hair. I'm not afraid of drugstore brands and am not able to completely blow the bank -- I will likely pick up a few of your Best Ofs 2007 to offset some of the major costs, but would be willing to visit a few higher-end counters to get that professional look. "

Here's my answer, which I'm sure the long-time readers will surely anticipate. If I had to pick one counter that will give you a great makeover no matter what, I'd choose Bobbi Brown, hands down, all the way, each and every time.

That's not to say that people at the Estee Lauder, Lancome, or other counters won't be good - it's just that it'll take more searching to find a makeup artists who does a look you like. You won't have to search at Bobbi Brown... they all do great natural/work-appropriate makeup and the products are quality. From your makeover, definitely invest in the foundation and concealer (if you need them) and then perhaps even the Face Base. But when it comes to finding an eye pencil, mascara, regular moisturizer, and basic lipsticks, balms, etc. just head to the drugstore for the time being. You might also want to get the eyeshadow that they use on you, if you like it. It's often hard to find exact dupes for eyeshadows and if you really like a colour, your best bet is to get it. But then again, you could use the colours as an inspiration point, and find similar ones that work within your budget.

Good luck on your move, and I hope you make it here safe and sound!

Reader Question: It's all about the pores

I received this reader question last week:

I have a question for you, I hope there's a solution to my dilemma here. What can one do to minimize the pores? I have combination skin, and on my nose and around it on my cheeks the pores are very visible. People say my skin looks very well, and I am cleaning/moisturizing/toning and all that every day. But no matter what kind of foundation I put on, either mineral or cream, my pores are still visible. I've even started to use a primer, hoping it will solve the problem. It didn't. What do you suggest I should try?

I want to start off by saying that visible pores are a big problem for many people - and when I say problem all I mean is that many people are very conscious of their pores. I think that sometimes, people are overly conscious and shouldn't be because other people don't necessarily notice pores on other people and your problems are sometimes self-perceived.

That said, yes, one of the best ways to hide the appearance of pores is by using a primer and then a foundation. The primer should be silicone-based and I've seen this conceal pores the best. You may also try adding a serum to your routine - Estee Lauder's Idealist would work very well. If you're using a foundation, I'd recommend using one that is matte. The reason your pores don't necessarily look smaller with a mineral foundation is because most of them have a lot of shimmer in them and that draws attention to skin problems. If you want to use a mineral foundation with minimal shimmer, try using L'Oreal Bare Naturale Mineral Makeup. If you'd like to use a cream foundation, try to find one that's matte and has silicones in it.

I hope that helps! Above all, remember that the size of your pores isn't really a big deal. More often than not, it seems worst to you than it really is.

I'm Curious

What makeup do you all carry in your purse with you? Foundation to touch up? Blush? Eyeshadow? Or are you just a lipstick girl? Tell me in the comments, please!

I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

Reader Question - Jar Packaging

This past weekend, I had an interesting exchange with a reader who was wondering what my thoughts are on jar packaging. You see, she had found a moisturizer that really worked for her skin but it was in a jar. Since it was so expensive, the reader wanted to know whether it was worth purchasing - would the active ingredients go bad before she had a chance to use the whole jar?

What did I think?

Well, it's commonly known that antioxidants lose their efficacy if they're exposed to light over a long period of time. That means that if you have a moisturizer that has many antioxidants in it, not only should it be in a pump bottle, but said bottle should also be opaque. This way, the antioxidants will stay intact and will work on your skin. Many consumers are also concerned about bacteria getting into moisturizers and getting skin infections. Some companies sell their moisturizers with spatulas to take care of this problem, but I see that as useless - how do we know that the spatula isn't going to inadvertently get bacteria on it as well?

Unfortunately, most cosmetic companies still do not sell their moisturizers in suitable packaging. I suppose that it's because jars look more luxurious or that older customers are not used a pump bottles. It sometimes seems that the more expensive the moisturizer, the more likely it is that the packaging will be a jar.

Still - at the end of our conversation, I told my reader that if the moisturizer made such a difference to her skin, then she should go ahead and buy it. Chances are that if it worked on her, then it probably was something special, and some of my favourite moisturizers have come in a jar. Though it might not be the best packaging - if the product inside works, then that might be all that really matters.

Your Questions

Good evening, everyone. I am once again going through contest entries!

How do you avoid tan lines? Stay out of the sun, or wear sunscreen everywhere! There is no magical method, that is just what you need to do.

For all of you who want to know about foot creams: don't worry, you'll get a lot of information before the summer! I actually used to be such a stickler about applying foot cream before bed every night, but then I realized that the time I was spending was inversely proportional to the time people actually saw my feet so I stopped. I also got a foot file and that changed my regimen. You should get one too. Use it conjunction with whatever creams you're using and you'll notice a huge difference.

As for bangs or no bangs... bangs all the way!

And Botox Facial Creams?! What are those? I know about Botox, I know about facial creams, but sweetie, nothing is going to do to your face what Botox does. They just don't have the technology yet.

That covers some of today's entries. If you'd like to ask questions or talk about makeup in a forum-like setting, head over to the Canadian Beauty Blog Facebook group. If you join, you also get notifications as soon as a contest starts, and that can be very handy indeed.

And as always, more product reviews coming right up!

Instant Gratification: You Asked, I Answered

Last night I went over some of the answers that I've gotten for the contest I'm running. Thanks to everyone who entered some feedback - I like hearing about what you're enjoying reading and what you want to read about.

To that end, I decided to address some of the feedback that's been left and answer your questions.

Someone wanted me to write about mascara. You know I've tagged the posts, right? You can read every mascara review I've written (28 of them!) by clicking on the mascara tag. Most of them are still on the market too.

A girl asked me about skin fixing powders and potions. I will say this much for now: they all work on the surface of the skin and that's what you want. Anything else could cause damage and why go for that? Once again, it's always a good idea to stay away from products that have alcohol in them. It's just too drying for any kind of skin.

As for covering the Nars line: I know that I don't do a lot of this, so I'll cover more in the future - I actually have a lot of Nars products so I will be writing about them soon.

Moisturizers for cold weather: here's a start! I tagged all the products that are excellent for helping you combat dry Canadian winters.

Oh, and if you ever want to know where you can purchase a product or where I got mine, just ask me in the comments section. If something looks obscure, it probably is, but that doesn't mean that it's impossible for you to find, and you can get almost every single brand online now.

And drugstore brands: these fascinate even me and there are many good products to be bought at the drugstore. Here are the ones I've written about.

As for some of the other queries: I'm working on them! As always, if you have a specific question just email me.

Reader Question - Blush!

Here's part of an email I received from a reader:

I'm 35 yrs old and have yet to find the perfect blush for me.I usually stick to drugstore products,but am never really happy with the shade or quality of the product.

I've decided to go with either a Nars or Mac sheertone blusher,but I'm not sure what shade to use.

I have dark brown hair,hazel-green eyes,freckles,and light skin.I'm told that I'm a "cool" when it comes to makeup.

I find pink shades look better than peach ones on my skin and I like the look of a healthy glow.

Can you please give me some suggestions for colours from the mac sheertone and nars?

I'm ready to splurge on a great blusher and would love your input.

Thanks so much!

My answer:

I'm glad that you are ready to go for a department store blush, but before you do, I want to point you towards the L'Oreal Bare Naturale Blush line because those products are very good and reasonably priced. I've tried 2 of the colours and they were wonderful because they had just the right amount of pigment. If you want to reconsider the drugstore, I highly recommend them.

But when it comes to department store, MAC and Nars are both good. I personally love the Sheertone blushes. They are virtually goof-proof. The Nars blush doesn't come in as many colours and the blushes are more pigmented which makes them tougher to work with. Try MAC Sheertone in Pink Swoon or MAC Sheertone in Pinch Me (this one is a peachy pink). Both are great colours.

Let me know how it goes!!

Reader Question - Brush vs. Sponge

Here's a reader question I received today!

What is the best way to apply cream foundations found in compacts? I have been using MAC and the sponge that comes with it. Is it better to apply these with a foundation brush and then blend?

First of all, hello to you too, yes I'm having a great day, and thanks for writing in!

The sponge is good but I find that it absorbs too much product which can be a waste. I do prefer a foundation brush and if you use a nice one you don't have to do any extra blending after your initial application. Try it - I think you'll be pleased with the results.

Reader Question - Eyeshadow Base

Here's a reader question I recently received:

Hey there.

I love your 'Canadian Beauty' blog, especially the reviews on the M.A.C. products =) Good job!

I have a question regarding eyeshadow bases. Hope you can help me. I currently don't use eyeshadow bases, but I'm looking for one, cause I find my eyeshadow doesn't 'stick' that well (the colors doesn't show that well) and doesn't last that long. I'm looking at M.A.C. paint pots and cream color base. I only want to get either one of them. Which one would you recommend? It would be great if it can be use under any colors of eyeshadow and still would not change or shift the color of the eyeshadow. And which shade would you recommend? I have drak brown eyes, fair asian skin and black hair. (If that helps somehow =P)

Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks heaps!!! =)

Lots of hugs,
L...

and here's my reply:

MAC has a new collection out called the N Collection and there's a paint pot called Ochre. It's matte and kind of a neutral creamy colour and I think it'll work well with your skintone. It's very long lasting and won't change the colour of your shadow. I hope that helps!

I've been Tagged

The Bargainista tagged me and so I am participating in a meme about this blog - perhaps I will answer some questions that have been on some of your minds.

1.What is the story behind the name of your blog?

Well - I live in Canada and it was quite snowy outside so that I was acutely aware of my surroundings. I wanted a name that was catchy and easily memorable and "Canadian Beauty" just came to mind. Of course, I knew that my readers would be from all over, and so I added the tag line "By a Canadian - for everyone."

2. Why did I start blogging?

I've always been a writer. I just wanted to jot down thoughts about the products that I bought and already had, so I decided to do it on a blog.

3. What is your best and worst blogging experience?

The best is interacting with readers and answering their questions. I really enjoy that and respond to every single email I get. Being invited to go backstage at New York Fashion Week was another high for me and this blog - I want to be able to do more of fun things like that.

The worst experience is getting emails from people who have clearly not read the blog at all, either asking me to feature content (that is already there) or telling me off for no good reason. Those are the emails I ignore.

4. What do I think will happen to the blog in 2008?

I find it difficult to predict what will happen with this blog - what I've learned to accept is that there are no boundaries to what can happen! All I can do is be open to everything that comes my way.

And now I would like to tag some of my blogger friends - All Lacquered Up, Lipstick Powder 'n Paint, and Product Girl!

Why I Blog

Everybody reads (or should read) Seth Godin's blog. Yesterday he wrote about workaholics and something he said responds directly to the many emails I get from my readers asking me how I manage to write so much:

"The passionate worker doesn't show up because she's afraid of getting in trouble, she shows up because it's a hobby that pays. The passionate worker is busy blogging on vacation... because posting that thought and seeing the feedback it generates is actually more fun than sitting on the beach for another hour. The passionate worker tweaks a site design after dinner because, hey, it's a lot more fun than watching TV."

That pretty much sums up the way I operate these days. I keep expecting to wake up feeling tired of this hobby, but each day brings so much that I have a feeling that I'm not ever going to be tired. Read Seth's blog: it's full of life lessons.

Cleanser Question

My dear friend Tara asked me to recommend a cleanser for her. What I'm using right now is nothing special but it works. A few weeks ago, I had some breakouts so I changed cleansers. I started using Noxzema Triple Clean Antibacterial Lathering Cleanser. It's a little drying for this time of year, but my skin loves me for using it and looks great. I just follow up with a light moisturizer that I love and I'm good to go. A little goes a long way - I need less than a pea-sized amount and I know that this large tube will last me a long time.

Benefit High Beam - Worth the Hype?

I got this reader question this weekend:

I know you like Benefit products, and I've read a lot about their
"High Beam" highlighter in magazines, but I can't decide if it's worth
the price -- do you know if it lives up to its hype?

Yes, it's true, j'adore anything Benefit - especially their Dallas Blush - but, their products can be rather pricey. The High Beam retails for $24 (US) which is kind of expensive for something that you're probably not going to use every single day.
I gotta say that the High Beam is a well formulated product - it's a nice light formulation and does add a nice amount of glow without making you look overly shimmery or sparkly.

Is it worth the price? Yes and no.

From what I've seen, there's nothing on the drugstores shelves like it. Nothing in a liquid form, that is. But, I think what works well is one of those mousse or liquid eyeshadows. Every brand has one, including L'Oreal, Maybelline, and Revlon. These shadows go on as a liquid and dry to a powder, and I like them better than powder shadows for highlighting, because I find that the liquid can be sheered out as much as I like. You could also mix it with a moisturizer to give you something that was even sheerer. It's not the perfect dupe for the High Beam, but it's a cheaper alternative.

I hope that helps!

Reader Question: How do I find the time?

So a reader asked me: how do I find the time to update this blog so frequently?

It's a question that I get asked all the time - by readers, friends, and family! No, this is not my full-time job, and yes, there is a lot of information on this site.

But guess what? If you haven't figured it out already, I love beauty products and I love writing, so you don't have to twist my arm to make me work on this blog. I love finding and then trying the latest products, I get excited when I hear about new beauty lines, and I love interacting with readers.

Still - at the end of the day, my love of beauty products is what keeps me going. Even if I know that there's nothing new on shelves, I always slow down as I walk through the cosmetic section of a department store and I test out new colours.

I really and truly enjoy what I do - hence all the updates!

Next question?

Canadian Beauty News: July 13, 2007

Happy Friday! Today's edition of Canadian Beauty News is all about new colour collections and I'll talk about a new mascara. If you haven't already, please take a moment to answer the poll on the left. Thanks!

New MAC Collection

So, MAC is keeping us on our toes by introducing a new colour collection next week. This one will be launched on the 19th and it's going to be going quick. Why? Because it features a new series of pigments and those are always snatched up by MAC fans quickly.

The collection is called Rushmetal and features a series of pigments. The full colours are listed below but check out the image from MAC.

Pretty, right? You know that the gold pigments are going to appear more metallic than anything else you've ever tried before, so if you've been waiting for MAC's own take on the whole metallic trend, here you go! Here's what's part of the collection:

Lipstick

Thrills Rosy copper with gold pearl (frost)
Frenzy Soft muted pinky-peach beige with golden shimmer (frost)
Soft Lust Tan with white pearl (lustre)
Fast Lane Mauve with silver pearl (lustre)

Pigment

Rushmetal Rich copper sparkle
Revved-up Icy rose with reflects
Gold Mode Tan gold
Mauvement Cool taupe with gold pearl
Off The Radar Warm orange with gold sparkle
Copperized Olive green with gold pearl
Quick frost Creamy white with soft green pearl
Cocomotion Dirty gold with olive undertone and gold sparkle

Brush

#239 Eye Shader
#249 Large Shader

Also: if you're wondering about the Novel Twist collection that's introduced by MAC for Nordstroms, you should know that Canada won't be getting that collection. I was looking forward to the Paint Pots that are a part of that collections and luckily those will be in Canada some time in the fall, so stay tuned!

Bobbi Brown's Sandwashed Nudes

The Bobbi Brown Sandwashed Nudes palette is now in stores. This palette is pretty much the talk of the town and many people have said that they bought it on the spot. I've checked it out, and I found that many of the shades were cool-toned so if that's not your thing for eye makeup, you might want to skip out on the palette. Still, Holt Renfrew, the only vendor of this line in Canada, is hosting an event next weekend so that customers can try the new makeup out for themselves before buying. Why not let an actual makeup artist do the look on you before you make up your mind? Call your local Holt's and book an appointment for yourself!

Cover Girl Eyeliner and Mascara

How do you make a great mascara better? You make it waterproof! That's right, the folks at Cover Girl have introduced a waterproof version of their VolumeExact mascara! Does it work as well as the original? I think that it might work better. Because the waterproof version goes on drier than the original, there's no wait time in between coats and you can really build those lashes up. I love it, and if you've been waiting for a good waterproof mascara, then you have got to check this one out.

They now also have an eyeliner called LineExact! According to Cover Girl, the thicker base of the pen eyeliner makes it easier to hold than most, and you can draw a straight thick or thin line quickly and easily. I don't usually wear eyeliner so I thought that I was a good candidate for trying this out. Well guess what? I got a straight line on my very first try and found that I could replicate it again and again.

The one and only problem you might run into with this eyeliner is that it goes on very wet and you need to give it a moment to dry or it will go all over your eyelid. My suggestion? Read a paragraph after doing one eye and then do the other. Your eyes have to look down to read, so that distracts you and gives the eyeliner enough time to dry. Just a suggestion...

Reader Question

I got the following skincare-related question from C:

Have you come across a nice light moisturizer for the summer that still tends to the needs of dry skin and won't break the bank? What about a night cream for a 20-something year-old that helps slow the skin's ageing process? I've got fine lines but don't want to go for the traditional wrinkle creams targeted at more mature women - if I start now, what will I use when I'm 40?!

I have to say that my favourite light moisturizer is the Aqua Fusion by Lancome. As for something that reduces lines - I know that two things work to reduce wrinkling long-term - a good chemical (as opposed to physical) exfoliator and something that has lots of antioxidants in it. I love Clinique Clarifying Lotion in Mild and I also like Neutrogena Healthy Skin Lotion for Night when it comes to good skin exfoliants. As for a lotion with tons of antioxidants and still is light, you could use Clinique Antioxidant Lotion or Lancome Primordiale Cell Defense Serum is pretty amazing too (I'm going to be reviewing this one soon)!

Do you have a beauty question to ask? Email me! henna@canadianbeauty.com.

Great Beauty Reads

A look back in time at Beauty and Fashion Tech's review of the Zeno acne device.

The Makeup Girl talks about Billy B. Paintbrushes.

The Indie Perfume Blog tells us about vintage perfumes.

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!

Reader Question: Molton Brown Products

I got the following email from Mr. C:

Where can we buy Molton Brown Hand washes in the Toronto Area?

I don't want to buy on-line because my wife has scent allergies, so we need
to test them before purchase. Where can we do this?

You can get Molton Brown products at Holt Renfrew stores across Canada. I'm not sure whether they carry the hand washes, but I do know that you'll be able to find the shower gels and other bath products.

Keeping the scent allergies in mind, you should realize that Molton Brown products are very heavily scented - perhaps more than most shower gels and less than those you can buy at Lush. I have found, however, that the scent does not always last on the skin or in your hair even though the scent might be quite strong in the shower.

Hope that helps!