Billy B. Brushes

Have you heard the news? Billy B. Brushes are now available in Canada and are being sold exclusively at Holt Renfrew stores!

I sat down with Billy yesterday and talked to him about his brushes, which I have and of which I am a big fan.

Billy told me that he chose to make brushes because he wanted really good tools that he could use himself and that would be great for everyone. The great thing about the brushes is that they're amazingly light, and are just the right size to fit the contours of your face.

Take a look at the powder brush, for example. It's small enough for you to apply powder under your eyes and in the corner of your nose without getting powder everywhere. It also won't pick up too much product which means that you'll be able to use just the right amount.

Also check out the size of the ferrule of the brush (the metal part). It's very long and is almost half the length of the brush. Its size is key because it means that when you wash your brush, there's less of a chance that you'll get the wooden part wet. That part can be damaged easily with water, and a long ferrule is the best way of protecting it. These brushes will last a long time and are a great investment.


I also like the foundation brush and would always recommend a brush instead of a sponge for applying makeup. Billy B. also pointed out that it's much better for the environment if you use a makeup brush because you won't be throwing latex sponges in the trash! I think this is an excellent point, and if you haven't switched to a foundation brush yet, you should consider it.


Another hit from the Billy B. line is the lipbrush which is retractable and lidless. It's great to throw in your purse loaded with product, ready for touch-ups.

You can also get the brushes from Billy's website and the essentials set is really great. It's small enough that you can take it with you very easily, so do check it out.

Billy was at Holt Renfrew's beauty event last night - did anyone attend?

Butter London

Butter London nail polish is not from London! It's actually from Seattle.

That done, lets talk about the actual nail polish itself which is now available at Holt Renfrew stores all over Canada.
The fact is that the formula is thin and very easy to apply. All you need is three coats to give you rich even colour that's glossy even when it's dry. I'm happy to say that the polish stays on without chipping for a long long time, and it really has great wear. Best of all, it costs $14 which means that it's not too much more expensive than an $11 bottle of OPI.

My favourite shade is Yummy Mummy which I've been wearing non-stop since I got it. It's a neutral shimmery colour that will look good on almost everyone.

Stop into your nearest Holt store to pick up this poilsh or check out the Butter London website for a list of retailers.

Beauty.com

Readers, click on over to Beauty.com. Look familiar? Remind you a little of Sephora.com?

Interesting, huh? What it really shows is who Beauty.com is trying to compete with. Unfortunately, as far as I am aware, Beauty.com still only ships within the USA which means that there's no way they're going to be selling as much as Sephora.

L'Artisan Parfumeur

Creating a perfume is an art. Each perfume is different in so many ways, and there are no two that can be exactly alike. When asked how she came up with her new perfume, Gwen Stefani said that she talked about her ideas with a perfumer who then came up with a bunch of different versions that suited her vision. She picked one and that was her scent.

Whether it's celebrity perfumes or ones for a label, it seems that the perfumer is working under the direction of someone else and has limited say over how the perfume should actually smell.


But there's a label that turns this on its head: L'Artisan Parfumeur is a line that takes the master perfumers from all over the world and gives them the creative reign to make the perfume fo their dreams. Having a no holds barred approach has meant that this label is often on the leading side of trends, and each of their creations inspires perfume companies around the world. The L'Artisan Parfumeur experience doesn't stop at scents for the body. They also make scents for the home and one of they have products that have achieved cult status such as their Amber balls which are made of terracotta but contain crystals infused with the rich scent of amber.
They also have car air fresheners and these leather charms crafted for Bottega Veneta, my all-time favourite design house, known best for their leather goods. L'Artisan Parfumeur has also introduced a new line of organic skin care called Jatamansi, so if that's your thing, you must check them out.

If you want to try any of the L'Artisan Perfumes, you can order samples from their website and only have to pay for shipping and handling. Otherwise, you could also visit Noor which is located in Yorkville downtown Toronto - they carry perfume line, many of the accessories, and can order in anything you like.

Noor

Located in the uber-posh part of Toronto, is a store that carries what you can't find anywhere else - the full line of Erno Lazlo skincare products, The Art of Shaving products for men who like their products old-school, and a range of perfumes that come from all over the world.

The store is Noor and it's located under the Four Seasons Hotel on Cumberland Rd. but don't let the location intimidate you. Once in the store, the only thing to remind you of its location will be the occasional celebrity popping in or the Burberry-clad couples that come in and ask for products by name.

Let its owners Nahla and Fred show you around. Their enthusiasm about their products is infectious and they're so helpful that there's a good chance that you'll be able to find your signature scent at the store.

Noor carries the best of the best - Penhaligon's from London is stocked and asked for by name, and you can find the whole line of L'Artisan Parfumeur at the store. If they don't have what you want, then they'll simply order it in for you.

If you live in Toronto or want someplace special to visit when you come to town, you simply have to check out this store. It's a shopping experience that's hard to find anywhere let alone in your own backyard.

Makeup Artist Makeup

There's a good chance that many of you have not heard of Kryolan Dermacolour cosmetics. It's the brand that makeup artists use the most instead of regular department store or drugstore foundation. Kryolan foundation isn't necessarily known for its oil-absorbing or antioxidant properties but it does cover and it does stay. The other great thing about it is that it shows up very well on film so what you see is always what you get. I've tried foundation from the brand and I've been impressed! This stuff can cover up anything - tattoos, scars, birthmarks. Look for Kryolan at your local makeup artist supply store. It's a very popular industry brand and they will have heard of it.

If you live in Canada or in the Toronto area, you can purchase Kryolan products from Industry Cosmetics.

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!

Canadian Beauty News: June 15, 2007

Hello poppets! (Points if you recognized the Mrs. Doubtfire reference there.) It's finally the weekend and I don't know about you but I'm a little tired out this week. Makeup does always cheer me up, though, and I'm hoping that these new products do the same for you, so lets get started!

New MAC collection

MAC's new collection is called C-Shock and is filled with... you guessed it, colours that are BRIGHT! Yellows, blues, and pinks make this collection what it is and here's a rundown of what's included:

Lipstick

Blast O’ Blue Sheer mid-tone blue (lustre)
Overrich Creamy silver pink with white pearl (glaze)
Out To Shock Soft metallic coral with silver pearl (frost)
Vivacious Sheer mid-tone pink with silver pearl (lustre)
Pomposity Bright raspberry with silver and pink pearl (frost)

Lipgelee

She-Boom! Creamy magenta (cream)
Lil’ Sizzler Metallic peach with pink and white pearl (frost)
Mega Soft metallic lavender with silversparkle (frost)
Sugar Shock Sheer red berry (cream)

Eye Shadow

Going Bananas Soft lemon yellow (frost)
Eyepopping Soft lime green with gold and yellow pearl (satin)
Wondergrass Intense kiwi green (frost)
Big T Intense aqua with green pearl (frost)
Fab & Flashy Mid-tone orange with gold pearl (frost)
Bang On Blue Royal blue with pink pearl (frost)
Romping Rich Magenta with pink pearl (frost)
Passionate Bright clean red (matte)


MAC collections are so intriguing - you never know what you're going to get, but I certainly didn't expect to see a bright blue lipstick! Though I was mildly shocked when I first saw it, my instinct told me that MAC would give us something that was wearable - and this shade certainly is. It's a very sheer shimmery blue and you know what? Even I can pull off this shade. Die-hard makeup lovers will want this in their kit because it can instantly turn a too-warm shade of lipstick cooler! When I slicked it on my bare lips, they turned a mauve colour and it was actually quite pretty. The effect will depend, of course, on how much you put on, but I could get away with a couple of coats.

I also love the bright lipgelees - they're a bright pop of summery colour and go perfectly with the no-makeup look you might be wearing anyway. Check the collection out at a MAC counter near you!

Estee Lauder High Gloss Plump

Have you wanted a lip plumper but were waiting for one from a brand more familiar to you? Well the wait's over!

Estee Lauder now has it's High Gloss in a plumping version. The gloss smells sort of like cinnamon and produces a burning effect on the lips rather than one that's cooling (a significant characteristic to note among lip plumpers). I've been using this gloss and I really love the feeling - to be quite honest, I find it very addictive! It's not a painful burn but I'm not very sensitive so remember to keep your own threshold in mind when you use any product that might irritate your lips.

The gloss comes in beautiful High Gloss shades, and is available in creams and shimmers. When I use lip plumpers I actually like clear ones because the burning action makes my lips turn a nice shade of bright pink! Estee's version has a beautiful shimmery shade called Opal Plump and it's gorgeous on. Visit an Estee Lauder counter and try the glosses on for yourself!

Products Now Available!

I've noticed that Shoppers Drug Mart has been expanding in a big way and the products that you can now find at your local drug store are quite impressive! I've recently seen that they now carry some products from the Dr. Hauschka line (though not the cult favourite pink Drying Lotion)! I've also noticed the Zeno zip zapper (officially called the Pro Acne Clearing Device) among other goodies, and I'm actually dying to try it and I might now that it's more readily available.

I've also been reading a great deal about the new Holt Renfrew store that opened up in Vancouver. It seems that more excitement has been generated by its amazing beauty floor than any other department! Among some of the lines now available to Van city dwellers are Cle de Peau, Becca, and Besame! It may just be the right time for me to make a trip out west!

Great Beauty Reads:

A Touch of Blusher tells us about an "unprecedented masterpiece": Suqqu Clear Veil Powder.The Mineral Makeup Blog reviews Bare Escentuals Prime Time.

The Perfume Bee reviews Razala Natural Perfume.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Mattify Your Face

It might just be that you've never ever heard of this product - and that's because it can be hard to get your hands on it. I first heard about OC 8 mattifying gel on a trip to England. it seemed to be what many people there recommended and I could find it easily at the drugstore.

In Canada, you need a prescription for this product through your dermatologist. In the U.S.A. it's over the counter, I believe.

Pharmacological hoops aside, the way this gel works is pretty basic. It's made of a material that absorbs oil, and for some reason, that material isn't found in any other product. Though it's a topical treatment, it works really well. It goes on like a regular gel (and a little goes a long way) and needs a minute before it dries to a matte finish. After this, you could put on your makeup as usual or use a primer to help makeup go on more smoothly. I've prefer the first way, but I think that it depends on what kind of makeup you're using. Though the bottle says that you can use this on top of makeup as well, I've found that even though this looks fine in person, the result in pictures isn't always the same. Use under makeup, not over.

If you've found that the normal silicone primers haven't been working for you and you're done with powders as well, you might want to hunt this down and give it a shot. I liked it so much that I keep an extra bottle in stock.

SK-II Air Touch Foundation

The SK-II Air Touch Foundation might just be the most high-tech product on the market right now. It's not a foundation you apply with a brush, not with a sponge, and definitely not with your fingers. The SK-II foundation comes in it's own pump that uses an internal motor. The first time you purchase the foundation you're paying for the whole system, but thereafter, you can merely purchase refills. The foundation is sprayed by the pump but in a way that's a lot different from your traditional spray foundations. It's not a burst of foundation that you get but a steady stream so that you can customize application.

So, apart from the motorized application, what's so great about this foundation? Well, apparently once you switch on the compact (yes, you have to switch the compact on) it ionizes the foundation particles making sure that they're only attracted to the moisture on your skin. What this means is that you don't end up with foundation on your eyebrows or eyelashes the way that the regular spray foundations do.

Space-age technology aside, how does the foundation actually measure up to others on the market? Not bad, actually, aside from the fact that it's offered in only limited shades. I thought that the foundation felt good once on but I had to let it "set". Right away the foundation felt and looked a little wet, but you just have to let it dry and you're left with a smooth even finish.

I would recommend this to anyone who likes spray foundations and to those who want a heavier coverage but don't like how that can stick to fine facial hairs. The SK II Air Touch Foundation really does leave your skin looking flawless and holds up well throughout the day.

SK-II products are sold at Holt Renfrew stores across Canada.

Canadian Beauty News: May 4, 2007

Thankfully, the weather is definitely warming up and with that come tons of new products out on shelves! Here are some highlights of what's new on shelves!

Shoppers Drug Mart News:

There's a brand new Shoppers Drug Mart Boutique that just opened in Toronto and I'm sure that there will be others opening around the country soon. This new one also carries a brand that's been missing - Estee Lauder. This is exciting because if you wanted to collect Shopper's points or spend points or what have you, now you can.

Also, in honour of their 1000th store opening, Shoppers is selling a kit, if you will, of Lancome mascara with their BiFacile makeup remover and an eyeshadow duo. You can either choose from Hypnose mascara or L'Extreme. I've tried the Hypnose before and I liked it - it's a full-volume mascara that really doesn't clump so you can put as many coats as you need. The price of the kit is $29 which is amazing considering that's usually the price of the mascara alone! If you're going to be needing a new mascara soon anyways, then be sure to get one of these packages.

New Eyeshadows!

On to the more exciting world of all the new eyeshadow sets that have popped up in stores this week!

First: the Stila Summer Eyeshadow Trio is now in stores. Of the three palettes offered, my favourites were the Mazatlan and the Vallarta. The Mazatlan (in picture) adds to the plethora of gold palettes that are already out there, but the bronze shade in it has a tinge of green in it which makes it different.

New Cargo palettes are also in shop - the ones I looked at were Paradise Island and Ibiza. Ibiza has your standard range of golds and bronzes, but Paradise Island is a nice range of neutrals that I'm sure would suit a variety of eye-colours and skin-tones. The palette is on the right and I love the middle colour which is a taupy-lavender shade. The crease shade is also nice because it's not too dark or obvious looking.

Laura Mercier Mineral Foundation Review

Laura Mercier is the first of the department store brands to come out with her own line of mineral foundation - it's available in five colours plus a bronzing shade, and there are no colours for darker shades. I was matched to the second darkest shade (I'm a medium tone anyways) which still wasn't a perfect match for my skin tone.

The foundation still gave me medium coverage and felt like nothing on. It wasn't shiny but wasn't completely matte either because of the pearl pigments in the powder. What was amazing is that the foundation stayed on all day, and even absorbed some oil! At the end of my day, my face had a glow to it but I didn't think that it was so much that I needed to touch up my makeup. I thought that was pretty amazing.

The downside is definitely that there are nowhere enough colours offered but I have to commend Laura Mercier - if she can't make the colour great, she won't make it at all. Why make darker shades if they're only going to be ashy or too pink? You may as well stick to making the foundation in the colours that show up well and will match people's skins. The foundation I tried was a little too pink and not warm enough for my skin but I'm sure it would match someone with pink undertones.

I say that if you can find a good match in this foundation, then pick it up. It's a great choice for mineral makeup.

Great Beauty Reads:

Toya tries Carmindy's (from What Not to Wear) 5 Minute Face.

eBeautyDaily tells us how to fix a common hair-colouring problem.

All Lacquered Up shows us candy coloured nail polishes from Zoya.

Finally,

Elke interviewed me for her blog, so if you've wanted to know more about me and Canadian Beauty, read the interview!

Have a lovely weekend, everyone! Remember to wear sunscreen when playing in the sun!

Where to Shop: Cherry Culture

I recently discovered Cherry Culture - an online retailer that sells cosmetics that are different. Now, these may be products that you've just read about in magazines or seen other people carrying, but dear readers, you too can get your hands on the unique lip glosses, blushes, and nail polishes as well. To begin: YES, they do ship to Canada.

Cherry Culture markets itself to the younger crowd but personally I think that it's a myth that purple eyeliner is only for those under 20 - anyone can wear it provided that it's the correct time, place, and most importantly technique. That said, there's something for everyone here. There are flavoured glosses, pretty lipsticks, and easy-to-apply cheek tints. The best part? You'll probably be one of the few with the product because they're not brands you can find everywhere. Who doesn't love to hear: "Ooooh! Where'd you get that?!" (I know I do!)

If you haven't already, head over to www.cherryculture.com. They carry a lot of brands including: TINte, Fresh, Juice, Freeze 24/7, Jelly Pong Pong, Bloom, and many others. I'll be reviewing a product from there later this week, so stay tuned!

Where to Buy: Breath Palette, Beauty Buffet

Breath Palette is an ingenious idea - 30 different flavors of toothpaste so that you never get bored of the same old minty taste. The way it works is that you don't really taste what the flavor is. You smell it. The taste in your mouth is still a nice fresh mint but only after you've been rewarded with something sweeter.

And where can you pick up the whole line of Breath Palette toothpastes? Why at Blossom Bath and Beauty of course. If you've never visited their stores, you must (either online or in Toronto). They have a huge offering of beauty lines that you can't find anywhere else. Another example? Beauty Buffet, a line that used to be carried by Sephora but isn't anymore. Beauty Buffet lets you build your own palettes. You pick whether you want your palette to carry eyeshadow, blush, powder, lip gloss, or cheek tint, and then just pick the colours you want. Snap them into the palette and you're ready to go.

The best part about Blossom is that the staff is friendly and helpful - and they let you play with the testers without pressuring you to buy anything. The stores are well-stocked so if there's a brand you've been looking for, you might just find it there. Check their website for store locations and to order online.

Where to Buy: Chantecaille

Chances are that you've come across Chantecaille products in your online shopping - Neiman Marcus in the U.S. carries the line, but alas, they don't ship to Canada. Chantecaille is a true luxury brand. One just has to take a look at the beautiful butterfly logo that's embossed on their eye shadows. Every palette they make comes with a brush and a huge mirror. This brand does not cut corners. Not only are all the powders highly pigmented, but they are all vitamin-infused.

So where can you buy Chantecaille in Canada? Why at Delineation of course. The store, based in uptown Toronto, has been a beauty fixture for almost 2 decades and always carries the newest most talked about brands. They carried Cargo before anyone had even heard of the brand. And right now, they carry Chantecaille.

But what's the best thing about Delineation? They deliver. Yes, that's right. You can click on their website, go through the abundance of brands that they carry, and order what you like. Visiting the store is fun, though. The service is excellent - not only is someone always there to make sure you can find what you're looking for, but they totally understand that sometimes a girl just likes to browse around and play with makeup herself.

Later this week I'll review a product Delineation sell.

Lothantique Soaps

I love Lothantique bars of soap. Creamy lather? Check. Moisturizing? Check. Huge bars that last forever? Check!

But the best part is the scent. These soaps smell so good - the patchouli one is my absolute favorite. The fragrance lasts in the shower and the bathroom yet only scents your skin slightly so that you can layer with a Lothantique fragrance or another one you love.

I have seen Lothantique at many higher-end spas and apothecaries, so I think that they're pretty easy to find. You could, of course, just head over to your nearest Belle De Provence store where you will be sure to find them.

The Curl Ambassadors

Last week, it was time for some pampering. Hair pampering that is. The thing is that I have long curly hair and I wanted to go to a place that knew it well and could take care of it. So I thought I would try a new salon that a friend had told me about - The Curl Ambassadors. I booked myself for a "Curly 'do" and headed down to the shoppe.

The Curly 'do was a session where I could take care of my hair and learn how to make it look its best! My stylist asked me whether I wanted to blow dry it or air dry it - whichever was more practical for me. She asked whether I wanted volume or not and what I normally used in my hair. At the end of the day, she wanted to ensure that I was going home happy and that I could replicate the look at home.

The care and service that I received at The Curl Ambassadors was nothing short of phenomenal. I was treated like a real person and not just another customer. Throughout the hair washing, conditioning, and styling process, not once did my stylist try to peddle me a product or make a sale. Instead, while I waited for her to get ready, I was handed a slice of home-baked banana bread and offered tea or coffee. Everyone was so friendly that I felt as if I had been coming there for years!

While my hair dried, I had a chance to speak with Betty and Caroline, the owners and founders of The Curl Ambassadors. It turns out that the pair had always worked together for corporations where they were involved in customer service which is why the service at their salon was so great! Because they both have curly hair and have daughters with curly hair, they knew that there was a need for a place that inspired pride for curly hair. As Betty says: "If I want another blow-dry, I could walk into any salon and get that, but it's not practical for my hair and it's not a look that I can necessarily replicate at home! I wanted a place that would help me take care of my curly hair and tell me how I could make it look its best."

And so The Curl Ambassadors was formed. The name is the key behind their philosophy. They don't just want to give people nice hair cuts or new hair styles. Betty and Caroline want to teach people that they can be proud of their curly hair and want to give them the tools to be able to take care of it properly. They want people to wear their curly hair proudly and be ambassadors for curly hair! The salon is for people with all kinds of curly hair - whether your hair has been straightened, relaxed, or just a victim of too much heat styling, they'll take care of it and make it feel better.

The salon even has workshops for people to attend so that they can take home even more tips on how to care for their hair. They also carry a wide variety of products specifically for curly hair, including Mixed Chicks, Deva Curl, Jessicurl, Kerastase (including products from their Elasto-Curl line), and Curls. You can also get free sample from some of the lines so that you can try products out at home and see if the results are as great as they were in the salon. While we're speaking of products, it's worth mentioning that The Curl Ambassadors now carry Carol's Daughter products so if you've been waiting to get your hands on those, give this salon a visit.

I left The Curl Ambassadors with a head full of curly hair that was moisturized and well taken care of. If you'd like to visit The Curl Ambassadors call the numbers on the banner above, and if you'd like to be added to their mailing list so that you too can find out about special workshops and events, email them at curlambassadors@bellnet.ca.

Tune in later this week to find out about a great new product I brought home from the The Curl Ambassadors.

Cake - in Your Shower

Usually, I steer away from products that smell sweet. Do I really want to smell like I just spent 25 minutes baking in a pre-heated 325 degree oven? No thanks.

And then I discovered Cake Beauty. Their smells are not too sweet and when you get a sniff of a Cake product, you'll know what I mean. Think Vanilla and coconut scented products that smell yummy not foody.

Product to try? Cake Desserted Island Creamy Body Buffer. In a word, WOW. As I used this, my mouth was literally watering and afterwards I couldn't stop sniffing my arms. It's super-creamy and moisturizing too... the texture is a lot like frosting actually! This is one product that you have got to try for yourself.

Oh, and if you're wondering where you can get it? Check their website! You can click through by province and find all the stores and spas that carry their products. P.S.: quite conveniently, you can also get them at Indigo Bookstores, so if you're browsing the books, check for Cake as well!

Canadian Beauty News: February 9, 2007

Followups:

Last week I mentioned that many perfume companies just weren't giving out samples the way that they used to. While that's true for the most part (and especially when it comes to higher end scents) when a company really wants to promote its scents, then samples are to be had. Case in point: Banana Republic. They launched a new line of perfumes in Fall 2006, and now with every (and any) purchase, you get samples of the perfume line! I'm sure that if one really wanted a sample, one could walk into the store and just ask, so if that's your thing, check out Banana Republic.

I also said that Sephora stores would probably be getting the Carol's Daughter products in soon. Well, it turns out that some salons across Canada will be getting the line before Sephora does! Right now, Ellenoire in Dundas, Ontario carries some of the line, and soon Curl Ambassadors from downtown Toronto will too! Keep an eye out for Carol's Daughter because there are other places that will be bringing in this line over the next month or so.

New Collections!

Get thee to your nearest Sephora. Why? Because as of now, the Stila collection has come in and has been set up! Exclusive to Sephora stores, the new collection features two eyeshadow trios, and plumping lipglazes, all of which come in beautiful (springy) colours! The eyeshadow trios are definitely the highlight of this collection. As is expected with Stila, the eyeshadows are highly pigmented and well-coordinated. The Ravishing Rose trio has a beautiful lavender colour that's super wearable and just purple enough. The eyeshadows also come in a pretty satin box that has a mirror inside. I doubt that anyone would store their palettein it, but the box would make a lovely jewelry case so it's worth having nonetheless. Check out the collection - you won't be disappointed.

Everyone has been raving about the newest Lancome collection but we Canadians have had to wait for it. Well, wait no more - as of now, most department stores do have the full collection in. The only problem is that some of them haven't received testers yet and so have not actually displayed the full line. If you know that you want something from the Spring '07 line (like the collectible eyeshadow palette) I suggest that you just ask for it and buy it before it sells out. My personal favourite from the collection is actually their Sweet Caprice Hydrating Lipbalm. The colour is sheer and the gloss feels wonderfully cushiony on the lips.


Reader Questions

Nothing delights me more than receiving questions from Canadian Beauty readers!

This week I received this email from T:

Enjoying your blog. Makeup Alley is raving about a lotion, cream
and cleanser from a line called "CeraVe". It is in drugstores
everywhere in the States. It is kind of replacing the cetaphil
craze.

I have gone on the CeraVe website to ask where they may sell
the products in Canada - no answers to my e-mails.

Thought maybe you might have come across it in your shopping
journey...???...

Unfortunately, I have not been able to find CeraVe anywhere either. After searching far and wide, my recommendation would be to just buy it from eBay if you feel that you really have to have it. Of course, as when buying anything from eBay, be careful who you buy from! Good luck!

The next question comes from A:

I was wondering if you have come across any wicked eye liner pens that are not only water proof but have their tip realllllllllllly thin...I usually come across thick ones and I haven't been able to find an extremely thin one.

A: You might want to try Lancome's Artliner, which isn't waterproof, but does have amazing and unparalleled staying power. It also has the thin tip you're looking for! You could also try the Make Up For Ever Waterproof Eyeliner that also feature's a thin tip. It really depends on whether you prefer a pen or a paintbrush, but both are excellent choices. Good luck!

Where to Buy: Kevyn Aucoin

The name Kevyn Aucoin is synonymous with excellent foundations and products that you can't beat. Unfortunately, though you can order the goods online, it's difficult to buy makeup without trying it first.

It turns out that there's only one store in Canada that carries the line, and that's Pir Cosmetics which is located on Bellair Street in the tony Yorkville area of downtown Toronto. Open for 8 years, it's not hard to see why people love the store. Walk in and you're guaranteed that the person helping you is a bona fide makeup artist and knows what will look good on you. You may even be lucky enough to have the owner, Franchie Pir, help you with what you're looking for. Want to try something on? No problem. A professional makeup brush is whipped out, you're told to stand by the window where the light is best, and you'll get professional advice about the product.

Besides carrying Kevyn Aucoin, Pir Cosmetics also has products from other hard to find lines such as Talika and Sundari. The Hourglass brand of cosmetics is also sold exclusively at Pir. Pir Cosmetics is a Canadian Beauty must visit.

Canadian Beauty news: January 25, 2007

One of the things that I love about the beauty industry is that it's constantly changing, and in my opinion, it's changing for the better. These days it really seems like companies are listening to what their customers want and need, which is excellent. Makeup counter associates are friendly and helpful, and they understand when you don't like something. Gone are the times when you couldn't even approach the Chanel counter unless you reeked of No. 5.

Of course, to get a high end product, you no longer have to go into a high end department store. Shoppers Drug Mart is clearly following the lead of British drugstore chains and keeps adding cosmetics brands to their lineup. Their newest addition? Benefit. Yes, you heard right. Benefit products are now available in those Shoppers Drug Mart stores that carry luxury beauty lines. The smaller stores will only have a limited number of Benefit products (such as their best sellers) while some of the larger stores will have the entire line. If you're a collector (or hoarder) of Shoppers Optimum Points, I know that this information will be like music to your ears.

In other news, MAC now organizes its lipstick collection by finish! When I saw this I was truly thrilled. How many times have you stood at the MAC lipstick bar staring at all the colours and picking them up to look at the base to check whether the lipstick was matte or satin? Well now that is unnecessary. Figure out which finish you like best and then choose a colour from that section - it's really that easy. I really like the Lustre finishes which go on moist and shiny and now I can finally see which colours belong to that group.

Speaking of MAC, everyone seems to be raving about the Raquel Welch collection. Everyone, that is, but me. I suppose the colours are great - if your skin tone is like Raquel's, of course. To be honest, I really don't see what the fuss is about these celebrity collections other than the fact that they're endorsed by a celebrity. I mean, of course, the colours had better look good on the celebrity in question, but really, with a little photoshopping, anything will look good on them. So really, is a celebrity inspired (or endorsed) collection that much different than any other MAC collection? I don't think so. MAC's colour collections are usually really nice anyway so the name hired to promote a specific collection doesn't really make that much of a difference.

Another new collection that just came out is one by Clinique collection, although you wouldn't be able to tell if you checked out their websites. The collection is nice and well.. springy, for lack of a better word. It features 4 new blushes, that are made up of a variety of colours. The design is difficult to explain so I'll just say that the colours are arranged in a flower pattern reminiscent of the one in this Yves Saint Laurent compact (pictured left). It's a pretty collection for the spring. My favourite product that they're offering is a new eyeliner called Violet Amethyst. The colour is similar to Laura Mercier's Black Violet Kohl Eye Pencil - both are very dark purples. (Picture from Blogdorf Goodman.)

Interestingly, and perhaps in order to promote their new collections, nearly every beauty counter is holding some sort of event where they invite in a professional makeup artist who can do your makeup for you and teach you some new tricks. If you like sitting in a chair, closing your eyes, and opening them to see how an expert would do your face, then this is the time to call your favorite boutique and make an appointment. Make sure you ask them whether there's a fee for the makeover (usually that fee goes towards the purchase of new products) so that you're not in for a surprise when you get there.