Cosmetic of the Day - L'Oreal Beauty Tubes

When it comes to my make-up, mascara is one of the most important items; right up there with lip gloss and a compact.

So when I received L'Oreal's new Beauty Tubes Mascara, I was skeptical, to say the least. So I let the Beauty Tubes Mascara sit there for a while and continued to use my Voluminous mascara.

After a while, I figured, why not, and gave it a shot, and I'm actually glad I did.

Now I don't know how you feel about mascaras that are thick, but I like my mascara to really thicken my eyelashes and add some serious volume, and L'Oreal's Beauty Tubes do just that.

First, you put on this white substance and have to wait 30 seconds for it to dry. I usually apply two coats of this.

Then, you apply the mascara and, before you know it, you have really thick, beautiful eyelashes that last all day and never flake. L'Oreal nailed it this time.

What's even better about having the mascara on is taking it off. I strongly recommend that you wash it off with Dove soap and warm water; that's the most effective way to do it. And don't panic: the mascara will come off in long black strings and you'll initially think your eyelashes are coming off. They're not.

If you're interested in trying L'Oreal Beauty Tubes, you can get a $5 coupon by heading to BeautyTubes.ca and typing in reference code BLYQ. This is available to Canadian residents only.

Fall 2008 Makeup Trends

By Danielle Lemay


Fall 2008 makeup is all about being bold and looking as sexy as can be. That said, here are 4 items you simply can't do without this season, so head out as soon as you can and prepare to look hot as the weather cools down.

Fall 2008 makeup trend #1
Dark lipstick
I know that we've been keeping it subtle around the mouth for a while not, but it's time to kick it up a bit and get with the high drama lips. And no, I don't mean for you to start wearing that nasty orange-red lipstick from the '90s.

Rather, go for a glossy dark shades like Smashbox's Wicked Lovely Lip Gloss in Sultry. If you still aren't a big fan of the dark colors, you can start out light and glossy with other colors like Coy or Sweet and work your way to Sultry at your own pace. I know you can do it.

Recommended: Smashbox's Wicked Lovely Lip Gloss in Sultry

Fall 2008 makeup trend #2
Dark eyeshadow
Fall 2008's eyes are all about glamour and deeper shades of grey. Of course, you needn't look like a raccoon throughout the day, but when it's time to head out on the town on a Friday night, you can coat your lashes with a pewter-colored powder that will bring out the sexy vixen in you.

So invest your hard earned dollars in NARS' duo eyeshadows in Paris or Pandora, but again, you don't have to live by the trends religiously; if you know that grays don't suit you, don't force the issue - but use this season to try something new anyway.

Recommended: NARS' duo eyeshadows in Paris or Pandora

Fall 2008 makeup trend #3
Shiny, healthy skin
I don't know of a time when craters were the "in" trend, but I do know that the matte look has taken a backseat to fall 2008's more luminous look. I have to warn you, though, this look is not for women who have deep lines and wrinkles on their faces; the luminous look will only make you look older.

For the rest of you, Shiseido offers up a handy little kit that promises to help your face shine its brightest and look its best no matter where you venture. The combination of products promise to diminish dark spots, freckles, and dullness, and reveal a bright, healthy complexion.

Recommended: Shiseido White Lucent Brighten Up Eye Kit


Fall 2008 makeup trend #4
Long, thick lashes
No eye looks right without long, lushes, uber-feminine lashes and what better way to get those perfect lashes than with the right mascara? Say goodbye to clumpy, dumpy lashes and say hello to a mascara that grips onto the lashes from root to tip and elongates what you were born with.

Sold exclusively at Sephora, Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes Mascara will give you the perfect, sexy eyes you've been longing for, without making you look like you lumped 5 pounds worth of mascara on.

Recommended: Givenchy's Phenomen'Eyes Mascara

Full Lips - 7 Ways To Get The Look

By Danielle Lemay

Most of us aren’t blessed with full lips like Angelina Jolie’s, nor would most of us want them (I don’t know about you, but they would completely take over my face). Nevertheless, considering that lip size has been linked to sexual attraction, it’s always good to have that fuller lips look going for you.

Of course, you don’t want to look like you just stepped out of a lip-injection party, either. So here’s how to achieve full lips without needles… or ass fat.

Invest in a high quality lip balm
Balm, unlike gloss, is used to help turn your lips into healthy, full lips by treating cracks and peeling. Apply it to your lips and make sure to dab it with a tissue afterwards, just in case you’re anything like me and lob the stuff on like it was a snack.

Suggested brands:
Burt's Bees Beeswax
Fresh Sugar Lip Balm (with SPF 15)
Benefit Lipscription
NARS’ Lip Therapy

Use a lip liner
I know, I know, when you hear the words “lip liner” you immediately imagine old The Jenny Jones Show episodes where she had on those rebellious Latina girls with dark brown lip liner and some light colored lipstick, which essentially made them look like they had mustaches.

But I’m not talking about using a lip liner that can double as a mustache tracer; the lip liner you want to invest in blends with your lip color. For example, if your lips have a naturally pink hue, you would purchase, you guessed it, a pink-hued lip liner.

Your objective, when using lip liner, is to define your lips. So don’t draw a new pair or make a crooked line. Simply shape the outline of your newly full lips and fix any tiny asymmetries.

(Note: Remember to purchase an appropriate-sized sharpener to go with your new lip pencil.)

Suggested brands:
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
Givenchy Lip Lip Lip! Liner
Stila Lip Pencil

Apply some gloss
You knew this was coming. While shine is not cool on other parts of your face, it is so good for your lips’ image. Not only does a lip gloss make your lips look incredibly kissable, it manages to add a fullness effect that your lips would not otherwise have.

Note that if you purchase a gloss, chances are that your long strands of hair will get stuck to your lips when the wind blows said strands onto your lips. But hey, no one said that having full lips was a simple task.

Suggested brands:
Dior Addict Ultra Gloss
Du Wop Lip Venom
Fusion Beauty LipFusion Lip Plump

Add a dash of white shimmer
You may have been doing the three aforementioned steps for ages and are thinking, Hey, wait a minute, she didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. But did you know that adding a touch of white shimmer to your lips can make the difference between nice lips and kissable, full lips?

Although you can use a white shimmer eye shadow, I recommend investing in some white shimmer lipstick instead. This way, you can apply the lipstick anywhere you are.

The secret to perfecting this trick is to apply the white shimmer right smack dab in the middle of your lips on the lower and upper lip. Be sure not to rub your full lips sideways after application.

Suggested brands:
MAC Glaze in Bubbles
NARS Lip Lacquer in Galactica
Sephora Gloss Lipstick in Sheer White Pearl

Apply your fuller lips

I see women in washrooms all over the world applying their lipstick in 3 seconds flat and not paying much mind to what they’re doing, but I believe that applying make up is a very sensual experience and you should be very aware of what it is you are doing.

That said, when you’re preparing to leave the house tomorrow, dedicate some time to prepping your lips and before you know it, they’ll be looking so sensuous that someone will ask you if they can kiss your full lips.

Until next time, make it up.

Lip Gloss - 7 Essentials

By Danielle LeMay

In recent years, lip gloss has become the new lipstick, replacing the once blunt colors with brilliant, shiny, plumped up lips.

Unfortunately, there are so many lip gloss options out there now, that it’s difficult to figure out which ones are best and which ones leave you with nothing more than sticky, smudged lips.

Luckily, it wasn’t too difficult to find some of the best lip gloss money could buy because it seems that the cosmetics companies really know what they’re doing when it comes to lip gloss nowadays.

So whether you want to plump your lips up, make them shine, or give them a slight hue, here are the perfect lip glosses that will do just that.

Lip gloss #1
Lip Fusion
Used as a standalone, or under or over lipstick, Lip Fusion’s goal is to plump your lips while simultaneously adding shine.

Using marine collagen micro spheres, your lips will swell within seconds of application and the results may be seen upwards of 48 hours.

The best part is that it’s completely transparent so it can serve to enhance your lips and any lipstick you want to wear. Or, you can opt to go nude and let your swollen lips shine at their best.

Approximate cost: $35

Lip gloss #2
Dior Gourmette
If you’re the kind of woman who carries nothing around with her but her lip gloss, then you’re going to love Dior Gourmette.

Disguised as a silver bracelet with the Dior logo, underneath the logo hide two lip gloss shades – pink shimmer and light bronze shimmer – that can be applied easily and discreetly.

Approximate cost: $70

Lip gloss #3
Nars Lip Gloss
A simple-looking tube and sponge wand provide both enough shine and color (the gloss comes in a variety of colors) to last you through dinner.

With unique names like Orgasm, Boogie Nights and Dirty Shame, there is definitely a hue that’s perfect for your beautiful lips.

Approximate cost: $25

Lip gloss #4
Laura Mercier Lip Glace
A transparent high-shine gloss that can be worn alone or over lipstick, Lip Glace gives your lips that glassy-looking shine in an instant.

The drawback is that if your hair is down, it may get stuck to your lips. So this gloss is best worn on days when you opt for an up-do.

Approximate cost: $20

Lip gloss #5
Bare Escentuals Mood Lips Lip Palette
Containing five translucent colors – red pearl, turquoise pearl, orange pearl, silver pearl, and violet pearl – the palette will transform your lipstick shades or can be worn on their own.

Made with lavender essential oil, antioxidant agents like green tea and pomegranate extracts, and shea butter, the palette is a must-have for any woman with problem lips.

And if the palette itself weren’t enough, the case comes with a mirror and a brush for your application pleasure.

Approximate cost: $25

Lip gloss #6
Pout Lip Gloss
Infused with peppermint, Pout cools the lips and makes them tingle instantly. A patented technology further hydrates the lips and stimulates your natural collagen.

Available in transparent or four other colors, you can wear Pout alone or over your favorite lipstick.

Approximate cost: $25

Lip gloss #7
Hard Candy Stain & Shine
A two-in-one tube that’s small enough to fit into your back pocket, one side of this tube offers up lip and cheek color, and the other side delivers a sheer gloss that can be worn with the color or alone.

Available in two colors – siren red berry stain or cotton candy pink – Hard Candy manages to give your face everything needed to warm up your complexion.

Approximate cost: $15

Lip gloss for you

No matter what your mood or your style, there are myriad lip glosses to be found and there’s bound to be one that’s suitable for you.

Now you can plump, shine and color with one simple step. Enjoy.

Best Mascaras

By Danielle Lemay

With the myriad of mascara options floating around cosmetics counters of late, it’s quite difficult to figure out which ones are the best mascaras. With promises of lengthening, volumizing, curling, and giving the illusion that you have more lashes than you actually do, mascara is an essential part of eye enhancement.

But which one should you buy? Which are the best mascaras on the market? Well, it all depends on what kind of lashes you have and how you want to enhance them.

No matter your eyelash situation, though, there’s no need to worry; there’s something out there that’s perfect for you.

Note: All amounts are in US dollars.

What you have: Short lashes
Best mascaras #1
Lengthening mascara
Although some people think it’s a gimmick, thanks to their thick bristles, lengthening mascaras allow for more mascara to be applied to your lashes - especially to the tips of your lashes, where it’s most important.

Recommended mascara: Lancome Definicil – approximately $21
Recommended waterproof mascara: Shu Uemura – approximately $23

What you have: Straight lashes
Best mascaras #2
Curling mascara (and eyelash curler)
Using a heated eyelash curler, curl your lashes before applying any mascara, then use a curling mascara to further curl your lashes and keep them looking great all day long.

Recommended mascara: Agnes B Cil Festival Mascara – approximately $13
Recommended waterproof mascara: Estee Lauder Illusionist Curling Mascara – approximately $21
Recommended eyelash curler: Talika Heated Eyelash Curler

What you have: Thin lashes
Best mascaras #3
Volumizing mascara
If thin lashes are your problem, you definitely need a mascara that will darken and thicken your lashes instantly, leaving you with full, defined lashes.

Recommended mascara: Bourjois Pump Up The Volume – approximately $13
Recommended waterproof mascara: Bourjois Pump Up The Volume Waterproof – approximately $13

About waterproof mascara

Many women who use waterproof mascara complain that it doesn’t come off entirely for days and that they end up losing lashes whenever they use it. And while that may be true, if you use a waterproof mascara remover and a swab, you can remove the makeup without causing any damage to your lashes.

I wouldn’t recommend using it every day, however, simply because there’s no need to and it is, after all, more difficult to remove than the non-waterproof variety.

Non clumping mascara

If you don’t want your mascara to get clumpy on your eyes, here are a few tips to follow:

Best mascaras tip #1
Apply the second or third coat right away
Don’t let your mascara dry up before you apply another coat, otherwise you will get clumps on your lashes guaranteed.

Best mascaras tip #2
Remove excess mascara
If the tip of the mascara brush has an excess amount of mascara, use a tissue to remove it and avoid a potential clump up.

Best mascaras tip #3
Don’t pump the wand
When applying mascara, don’t pump the wand in and out of the brush like a madwoman before you apply, you will cause the mascara on the brush to dry and get wet and dry and get wet, and that leads to clumping.

When to throw mascara out

So when should your mascara get the old heave ho? Typically, it would be between two to four months, even if you barely used it.

Once the seal of a mascara tube is opened, oxygen begins to pollute the makeup and it will begin to get clumpy and unhygienic, which may lead to eye infections.

Beauty editors’ favorite mascara

Finally, while there are many pricey mascaras that promise to give you the longest, strongest, sexiest lashes in the world, America’s No. 1 mascara has been the same one for years: Maybelline Great Lash.

Whether you opt for the waterproof variety or you just want to decorate your lashes with the regular kind, many American women swear by this mascara… and it’ll only run you about $5.

Keep the best mascaras

Keep your eyes looking beautiful and make sure to remove your eye makeup every night to keep your eyes looking as young as they can for as long as you can.

Understanding Makeup Brushes

By Danielle Lemay

If you’re anything like me, you probably have hundreds of makeup brushes in your house, but have no clue what most of them are for. And while using your fingers may be great for you now, they are harsher than brushes and may not do as good a job.

So if you agree that it’s time that you got your makeup drawer organized and began applying makeup like the pros, then let’s find out what’s what when it comes to makeup brushes.

Choosing the hair on the brush

Before you run off to the first drugstore you find, you need to figure out what kind of hair you want to have on the makeup brushes you’ll be choosing. It is in your face’s best interest to choose natural hair.

Whether it’s badger, squirrel or goat, ensure that the makeup brush’s hair is soft and pliable, and use gentle strokes when applying any makeup to your face to avoid irritating your skin.

Understanding makeup brushes




Makeup brushes #1
Foundation Brush
Rather than use your fingers and miss a couple of spots on your face, opt instead to use a foundation brush that will ensure sheer coverage.

To use it, pour a small amount of foundation onto the top of your hand. Dip the end of the brush into the foundation and lightly blend the foundation onto your face and neck, starting from the middle of your face and working outwards.




Makeup brushes #2
Concealer Brush
Used to help you hide those tiny little flaws, this brush promises to cover it all up without leaving any area looking clumpy or overdone.

Again, dab the brush into a bit of concealer and apply it to the necessary areas for full coverage. Designed to work with the more opaque formula, yet still creates natural-looking results.







Makeup brushes #3
Blush Brush
Without a doubt the mother of all brushes, the blush brush can be used to apply powder to the entire face or simply to contour the cheekbones.

Brush tips differ: there are flat tips and round tips. They will both do a fantastic job of spreading your powder evenly so don’t fret about that. Remember to blow off the excess powder each time after you dip.

To apply blush, smile and place the color on the apples of your cheeks.





Makeup brushes #4
Eyeshadow Blender Brush
Whether your objective is to create a sexy, smoky look, or illuminate you eyes with some shimmer, this eyeshadow brush will help you create the look you desire.

Start from the outermost part of the lid and work your way in. If you plan on using this type of brush for very different colors (say, black and a luminescent color), then you should consider purchasing two.




Makeup brushes #5
Eyeliner Brush
If you have been applying eyeliner with a pencil all this time, using an eyeliner brush will change the way you look at liner from now on.

The beauty of this brush is that it can be used wet or dry. Dip it into a shadow. Apply the line against the roots of your lashes or opt to create a cat eye line. Either way, this brush will help you create a smoother or even subtler line.




Makeup brushes #6
Eyebrow Brush
Your eyebrows can make or break the look of your face and if they’re not filled in properly, it could leave you with streaks or a terrible mishap if you forget you’re wearing makeup and rub your brows.

An eyebrow brush coupled with a brow liner or brow mascara will fill your brows should there be any gaps and will help them set properly and without clumping or smudging.




Makeup brushes #7
Lip Brush
If you are committed to lip liner to define your “a little bit thin” lips, a lip brush will help make your lips look fuller and more luscious.

Using a darker lip color, line the outermost part of your lips. Then, dip the liner into a lighter color and fill in your lips. This will keep the lip color on for a longer period of time.

Cleaning makeup brushes

As important as it is to use the right brushes for the right area of your face, it’s just as important to take care of your brushes and make sure they last you a while (they’re not cheap).

Every month, make it a point to wash your brushes with a mild soap or shampoo. Color will run from the brush so keep rinsing them until the water is transparent.

If possible, hang them to dry naturally. Otherwise, just lay them on a cotton towel, flipping them every so often until they air dry.

Professional makeup application

Now that you know what kinds of brushes are absolutely necessary for a perfect face, invest in some great colors and you will look like a beauty queen every time you leave the house.