Hi-Def Makeup

It has been an uber-busy week for us over here at Canadian Beauty, what with post-birthday partying ("...so sorry I could make it to your fete, lets celebrate now") that has led us into post-post-birthday detoxing. In any case, as we sit here drinking our lemon water, our nails have been filed and buffed and now China Glaze's Hybrid dries on our nails in a rebellious move against all those dark and bright polish colours. At this point, we prefer the nude shades, s'il vous plait.

In any case, on to the matter at hand. Hi-Definition Makeup.

We were among the lucky few women who had a chance to attend a mini-info session held by Sharp that aimed to educate us about High Definition Television. As we sat listening to the logistics about what really makes high-def picture (you need a high definition set, such as a pretty Sharp flat-screen, and actual high-def transmission, it turns out), we had a chance to look at the difference between regular TV and high-definition TV.

There were two sets side by side and both were playing Enchanted which features Amy Adams. Now, I wouldn't say that the difference between the two sets was night and day, but the Sharp High-Def picture was definitely clearer and that meant that we could see Amy Adams' every freckle. She's a pretty girl, so it didn't make a difference to us, but imagine if it was an actress who had recently undergone some surgery? I am sure that we would have been able to see that in an instant.


The presentation led me to think about all the Hi-Def makeup that's on the market these days. Cargo and Smashbox are both trying to cash in on the trend, and it's only a matter of time before MAC has its own High-Def collection, and Dior issues a high-def limited edition compact. Just you wait, we'll be seeing more of this marketing tool... and that's exactly what I think these makeup collections are: marketing tools.

What could possibly be the difference between high-def makeup and regular makeup? For makeup to be suitable for high definition TV, it would need to be almost full coverage, so that we can't see any of the flaws that regular skin has, and it would need to be almost skin-like so that the makeup itself is not perceptible by the eye. Silky smooth formulations that deliver a punch is what we would need.

But think about it for a second longer.

High-definition picture means that what you see on the screen is comparable to what you would see in real life. That means that any makeup that provides a high level of pigment but remains good quality and un-mask like is high definition makeup. High Definition Makeup then is all around us, it's really just a matter of finding the right kind for your skin and your needs.

I've checked out Cargo's Blu_Ray Collection "created especially for filming in high-definition" and honestly, I can't figure out what makes it different from other makeup products. The powder and blush only come in one colour and those colours are not universal. Both are silky in feel but they don't last a long time and there's nothing else that's special about them.

The Mattifier, as far as mattifiers go, is good, but again, mattifiers are a dime a dozen and I don't know what makes this especially suited for high-definition television. Furthermore, if I was working on a film that I knew would only be viewed in high definition, I wouldn't bother with a mattifier and would just apply more makeup after every take - and that's pretty much how sets operate. The makeup always looks perfect because it's constantly being touched up - and in a perfect world... no, nevermind, we would not want someone touching up our makeup constantly.

In any case, high definition makeup marketing is just beginning, and I think that we, the consumers, should be wary of any such endeavors to pull us into stores and to the makeup counters.

Sharp's presentation was wonderful in that it made us realize that high definition picture is definitely a way of the future, and if we were ever considering purchasing a high-definition flat-screen, Sharp would probably be the television we would get. When it comes to makeup, though, as always we go with the best colour match and whatever really strikes our fancy.

Smashbox O-Gloss... One of a Kind?

Some time last week, I got to try Smashbox's O-Gloss. Like the O-Glow Blush that came before it, Smashbox O-Gloss promises to customize its colour to your lips. And of course, what it really does it turn the same bright pink shade no matter who applies it and where they apply it. Want proof? Take some of the product and rub it into the back of your hand. You'll see that it turns bright pink. If you like the colour, then super, if not, then keep moving, I guess.


Personally, I like the O-Gloss colour but the wow factor has worn off for me. Especially because I came across Too-Faced Mood Swing Lipgloss a week before, and it is essentially the same thing.


The only difference that is Mood Swing says that it's going to change colour according to your mood. The truth is that it turns into a bright pink gloss - no matter what mood you're in. It really depends on how much you're in the mood to spend - the Too Faced gloss is slightly cheaper.

Eyeliner How To

I always always get asked by my friends whether they should wear eyeliner - and I always say yes - and then I get asked how to put eyeliner on.

If you have the time and the patience, you can experiment all you want. Play around with different brands of pencils, different kinds of liquids, and different nibs. After all, practice really does make perfect.

But, if you're a true beginning and you want a short cut to emphasizing your eyes, here's the real deal - eyeliner made easy!

The first thing you need is a cream eyeliner. Smashbox makes a great one in a waterproof version, but honestly many department store brands offer them so get whichever one suits your fancy. They last a long time and are fully worth it. The next thing you need is this arced eyeliner brush from Smashbox. Yes, Smashbox is the only company that makes this and it makes putting eyeliner on much easier!
Now, once armed with those two products, you simply dip the brush into the eyeliner and walk it across your eyelid. I'm not being simplistic, it's really that easy, and those two products really are the ones that will do most of you work for you. Trust me - I have put on a lot of eyeliner and done a lot of experimenting and I know how to get the best results.

If you're a beginning, don't worry if you have to go back and fix mistakes. Even makeup artists have to do that, and it'll give you a flawless look. To make any corrections, I like to use a sponge shadow applicator dipped in some makeup remover. I find that the Q-Tips sometimes get caught in my eyelashes.

Good luck!

Smashbox Spring Collection

There's been great buzz about Smashbox's spring line and there should be - parts of the collection are packaged in in biodegradable plastic - and so it's called Green Room. (The green room is where celebrities wait before they go on a television talk show, and so the name reminds you of the celebs but refers to the "green" nature of the packaging. Well done, Smashbox, well done.) I think this means that my eyeshadow will last longer than the case that holds it (I don't think I've ever finished an entire eyeshadow before). In any case, here's the rundown: The collection contains 3 glosses (no further explanations needed there), 2 eyeshadow quads (one in neutral tones and one with wearable pinks), 2 bronzers and a Luminizing Primer.

When it comes to the bronzers, there's a golden shade which is the lighter one, and a shade that looks a little... taupe. Just be aware of that if you happen to order the bronzer online. Neither are overly shimmery, so that's a good thing. Like all things Smashbox, the quality really is excellent.

And we finally come to the Luminizing Primer. It really is a hybrid, just like it says on the tube. Smashbox has cleverly designed this so that the original primer is on the outside of the tube, and a highlighting lotion is encapsulated inside. It's a nifty little trick in packaging. There are two holes in the nozzle and when you press the tube, both the luminizer and primer are dispensed equally. You mix them together in your hands and apply. I guess they could have made them mixed from the factory and made the dispensing like all the other Smashbox primers, but what would be the fun and novelty in that? In any case - the luminizer is sheer, but I have to say that if you're going to put foundation over this anyway, it might not do much good to the look of your skin. That said, it's still a nicely formulated product.

Overall - the collection is interesting. Good quality products in nifty packaging. If the colours work for you and are what you're looking for, give it a go!

Have a lovely weekend, my poppets!

And if you haven't joined the Facebook group, do it soon. A reader wrote a lovely message on the group wall, and it made me wonder what stories my other readers have!

Arrivederci!

Smashbox Deal

This Smashbox deal from Ulta is ridiculously good. $9.99 for all the things in the picture.

Smashbox on QVC

On the 19th (tomorrow) Smashbox will be showing their new products on QVC. Unfortunately we don't have a QVC in Canada, but I'm sure something similar will be turning up on The Shopping Channel so I am going to keep my eyes peeled.

I can't wait until the new Smashbox products are in stores so that I can try them for myself.

Canadian Beauty News: August 10, 2007

Canadian Beauty's Amazing Readers

Not that I ever had any doubts, but it's clear that I have the best readers! So many of you told me what your favourite MAC products were and entered the Paint Pot giveaway contest. Some of the products mentioned were already my favourites too - like the Blot Powder and the Lipglasses - but you've also told me some of your favourite lipstick shades which I'm going to have to check out, and many of you mentioned that you love MAC Mineral Skinfinish powder foundation. I am definitely intrigued.

In any case, on to the contest winner. I wrote down all the names, put them in a box, and picked out a slip. The winner is Natalie! Natalie wrote that she loves MAC Lipglass. Congratulations, and you didn't leave your email address so please email me! Henna@CanadianBeauty.com.

Thanks so much to everyone who entered. I'm having another giveaway in a couple of weeks (and one that's a bit bigger), so there will be more chances to win!
Another big thanks to everyone who voted in this week's poll. Many of you said that you find Canadian Beauty News useful, and so I'm going to continue writing it. So lets move along, shall we?

Lets begin with a look at two new collections, both promising a look that's of pure luxury.

Chanel Collection Fall 2007


There are so many great products in this collection that I don't even know where to begin. I was waiting to see what colour nail polish Chanel would introduce this season as that would probably help determine where the dark polish trend is going. They bring out Tulipe Noire - a dark red with gold shimmer. Chances are that if you look online this colour is already sold out, but since we Canadians probably only got the Fall collection in our stores within the last week, chances are that if you run to your neighbourhood Chanel counter, you'll find the polish. The colour is pretty and it works well with the more dramatic makeup looks we'll be seeing come fall.

Also not to be missed is the two lip palettes that Chanel is offering.


There's one with four lip colours, called Camelias, (in the picture above) and another trio (in the first picture) called Orchidees. Though both are absolutely beautiful, I love the trio. The glosses are non-sticky and easily applied with a lip brush or your finger. The darkest colour can be worn sheer or dark. Better yet, you can combine it with the pink or the pale gold to give you a more shimmery look. Absolutely beautiful. There's something about palettes this season!

Remember I told you that if I found a nice dark colour for fall, I'd let you know? Well check out Glossimers in Hibiscus. It's a dark plum colour with beautiful gold shimmer that would work well on many skin tones.

Whatever you like best of this collection, make sure you grab it while you can. Chanel items come in such limited quantities that they run out quickly! You should be able to find the collection at your local Chanel counter.

Smashbox Decadence Collection

In case the new Chanel collection wasn't enough, Smashbox also has offerings for Fall that promise to give you a look that's opulent.
Eyeliner fans everywhere will be glad to see that one of the featured items in the new collection is a Waterproof version of their popular cream eyeliner! This version, called Jet Set, is black with gold and silver shimmer, but when I tried it on I found that the shimmer didn't necessarily take away from the dark inky black colour. Used with a Smashbox brush, this eyeliner is pretty much unbeatable.
The collection also features a dark maroon lip gloss that's very pretty and sheer. It's perfect if you want to update your look without going too dark and dramatic, so be sure to check that out.
Also part of the collection is the lipstick you see above, called Photo Finish Lip Luxe. The lipstick is a pretty pink colour but the best part is that the top of the tube contains a shimmery lip gloss and a mirror! This lipstick is a pretty nude colour and the gloss could be worn alone or with the lipstick.

Smashbox says that the Decadence Collection is for the "ultimate glamour girl" and when I saw this product, I couldn't agree more. The collection is already on counters so check out the accompanying eye shadows and a new blush while you're there.

Whispers and Rumours

Nars has a new Multiple coming out. The colour? The same as their famous blush - Orgasm. I don't own the original Orgasm blush, but I might cave when I see the Multiple since I love that finish and have a thing for cream blushes. I'll keep you posted of course.

Shop Crawl

Last night was the Chick Advisor Shop Crawl and many props go to Ali of ChickAdvisor for organizing the fab event. Guests left with a free Keihl's bath and shower gel as well as Sunsilk products! There was even a draw at the end of the night for a give basket as well as a fashion show and contest to see who had picked up the best outfit.

I ended up not buying anything but I had a great time at the event and will definitely be going to the next one.

Great Links

Elke tells you about her favourite gloss.

Luccia tells you about Bigelow Chemists, NYC.

This mommy blog is really funny.

Smashbox Eyeliner Brush

This one's for the rookies. I tried Smashbox Arched Eyeliner Brush and was thoroughly impressed with it. I usually don't use liquid eyeliner to line my eyes, and don't line on top, so I really don't have experience with the whole lining process, but when I used this brush nobody can tell. The problem that I have had when lining is that my brush is too long and bumps into the mirror as I go in close to see my eyes better. When I used this brush, I didn't have that problem and the line went on thin and smooth. If you know someone who is new to makeup, give this to her - I can't think of a better present to give to someone who's still learning to put liner on. Pair it with the Smashbox eyeliner (which is smooth and doesn't budge) and you're good to go!

Canadian Beauty News: February 23, 2007

Changes

It seems that Holt Renfrew is increasing its beauty department - which is a good thing for those of us who can't always make it down to a Sephora. The only problem is that each product line doesn't necessarily have its own beauty counter. Instead, product booths have been set up in the aisles between the big names so you'll have to browse and look for what you're after.

Walk around and you'll see the whole Fusion Beauty collection - including their lip plumpers and airbrush gun. I also spotted the GoSmile teeth whitening system as well as the whole T3 collection of hairdryers and straightening tools stacked on a table.

I love the new expansion. Yes, some of the brands are those that Sephora already carries, but it's nice to know that there's more than one place that you can get them. Also, it seems that the expanding line of products is just a hint of what's to come.

New Products

Ever since I tried the Glossing Cream, I've been a huge fan of Frederic Fekkai products. They do what they say they'll do and you know that if they're good enough for Fekkai's slew of celebrity clients, then they'll work for you too. So, I was thrilled when I spotted his Winter Hair Lift-Define-Shine Styling Compact. Glossing Balm on one side and Wax on the other, this cute compact goes with you so that you can smooth on products to revive your hairstyle after stuffing it under a winter hat. What a nifty idea!

Also, I finally had a chance to try out Smashbox's new blush, O-Glow, since it's finally in stores. I was so skeptical before trying this blush but it is truly amazing! When you squeeze some out of the bottle and put it on your finger, what comes out is a clear silicone gel. Rub it into your cheeks and it instantly develops into a bright pink hue that blends into your foundation and skin tone seamlessly. Because it's a silicon base, the application is super-smooth and you're left with soft, polished looking skin. Apparently, the technology (yes, it really is technology) works with your own body heat to activate. The result is a clean pink blush that makes you look as if you've just stepped out of the winter winds. I love this blush - it's truly one of a kind, and it seems that I'm not the only one who likes it so much. It's already almost sold out, so if you don't have it already, pick it up or order it in before it's gone.

Finally, if you've been a fan of Body Shop's White Musk collection, know that they have now expanded the line to include bubble baths, body creams, and a scrub. The scrub, called White Musk Sensual Scrub Body Polish, is the star of the new line - it is rich and creamy. If you're in the market for a new body polish, this might be the one to try!

An Oldie but a Goodie

We've all heard the wonders of Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer but I hadn't had the chance to try it until it came to my local Shoppers Drug Mart. Even then, I wondered whether I really needed to add an extra step to my morning routine. Well, it turns out that a primer is what I've needed all along. You know how sometimes you put a gel moisturizer on your face or something that builds a layer all its own, and you when you try putting foundation on top it sort of rolls off or gets clumpy? My solution used to be to either eliminate the foundation or the moisturizer. Well, it turns out that I didn't have to choose one or the other. A primer lets me use both. I smooth on the primer once the moisturizer has soaked in and it goes on nicely. Once it's on, I can continue with my concealer and foundation. The bonus? I found that I actually need less of each if I've used the primer. Genius!

(picture from sephora.com)