Beauty Review: Beauty Rants and Raves for Toronto Week of Style



Rant: The makeup and hair for the first show Bambumoda, was not one of my favourites. Sure, the metallic gold shadow and black liner winged out to the side is one of Spring's hottest trends, but I think it was poorly executed. It looked amateur compared to what we're used to seeing on the runways of NY or Paris. The makeup looked messy and seemed as though it was slapped on. Foundations seemed off on some of the models especially the darker skinned models like the one in the picture. She's a beautiful girl and the makeup did not do her justice. Her skin looked grey and ashy. The shadow colour definitely did not work for her - it looks like silver and gold were mixed together and the lip colour was way too light for her skin tone. The key makeup artist of a show will create one look for all the models and it's up to the team of artists to make it work no matter what their skin colour is. She could have used a warmer shade of gold or a bronzier gold to compliment her skin tone. Hair was down and kept pretty natural. It was neither good or bad - it was just meh.


Rave: I was happy to see that a little more effort was put into the hair and makeup at the Fashion Fringe show. I wasn't able to get the best pictures but you get the idea. The makeup was feminine and playful. The eyes were kept simple with shimmery pale shadow and black liner, cheeks and lips had a beautiful pop of colour in a bright pink. With the combination of dewy skin, flushed cheeks, and bright lips the girls looked radiant and youthful. It was all about volume with the hair. The hair was pulled back, teased at the crown and the ends, and braids were intertwined throughout the hair. I loved how the braids gave the poofy coif some texture and made it more interesting to look at. Overall, I thought it was definitely a step up from the other night.


Rave: The show, Sparkle, ended the Toronto Week of Style. The girls all looked very tropical with their bronzed skin, colourful makeup, and beach wavy hair. I thought this girl looked phenomenal. Her bronzey skin was flawless and shimmered and glowed in all the right places. I thought the makeup was the trendiest of all the looks, however, I was a little tired of seeing the winged out black liner again. I loved the lilac and purple tones that were used on the eyes and the hint of clear gloss in the inner corner was a nice touch. The sea foam liner used on the bottom was exaggerated and extended to the nose. The colour looked great on all the models. The cheeks had a beautiful berry pink flush mixed with bronzer and a gold high lighter. The lips were finished with a berry pink gloss. The loose waves reminded me of the beach and went perfectly with the whole look.

I would love to hear your rants and raves of the looks from Toronto Week of Style!

Makeup 101: Bridal Beauty Tips Part 1



Alright, lets get back to some makeup talk already! 'Tis the season, spring and summer bring pretty flowers and warmer weather and also weddings! I've done makeup for a lot of weddings and I always get asked about makeup looks, what products to use, rates and preparations before the big day. You brides have enough to deal with when it comes to planning the wedding of your dreams so I'm here to make things a little easier. Whether you're planning to do your own makeup or have an expert do it here are some bridal beauty tips to help get you through your big day!

1. Finding a good makeup artist and rates.
Referrals are always the best way to find a makeup artist because you know that they've been referred for a reason. No body will refer a bad makeup artist. Also, find and book an artist 4-6 months prior to your wedding. A really well-known artist gets booked up pretty quickly. If you have no referrals, the internet is also a good source because many artists will provide their portfolio and rates online. Another good source are spas and hair salons. Inquire about whether they have a bridal party package which most do. Visit your local makeup counter as well. For example, MAC offers makeup consultations/applications but you must commit to buying $40 of product. The only thing that could sway you from deciding to do your wedding makeup at a counter is that you have to go to them rather than coming to you. And most times, big wedding parties can't fit in the store.

A good makeup artist will not only provide a sample of their work but will offer a consultation (which is a must) along with a digital picture so you can see what the makeup will look like. Find an artist that is willing to travel to you. Some will provide a face chart with the colours and products used, however, this is optional but even if they don't have a face chart they can at least write down the products. If you have a specific look in mind, bring it to the consultation. This is a good guideline for the artist to see if it'll work for you. A good artist will be able to use the right products and colours for your skin tone and type.

Rates vary from artist to artist. Most if not all makeup artist charge for a makeup consultation and will ask for a deposit the same day as the consultation. This is to ensure the booking as well as the number of people getting their makeup done. Most makeup artists will provide a receipt of some sort with the deposit amount and total owed on the day of the wedding. You will both sign it and you should both have a copy. Shop around for makeup artist rates until you find someone that fits within your budget. Most makeup artists will not do the makeup if there is less than 2 people getting their makeup done. Keep in mind that the less people there are, the higher the rates will be (again rates vary and this is not always the case). If an artist has to travel a long distance to do the makeup her rate will most likely include a small traveling fee. If you're unsure how much you're willing to pay to get your makeup done, I always ask potential clients how much they will be spending on hair. Makeup should be about the same cost. People sometimes forget that makeup done well of course is just as important as the hair! Anyone can do makeup, but not everybody knows what techniques to use for different lighting or the right products to use to achieve a flawless face.

2. Hairstyles and rates.

When finding a good hair stylist use the same resources as finding a makeup artist. If you have a regular stylist you go to then finding someone to do hair on your wedding day is done. Most salons have bridal packages that will be able to accommodate your entire bridal party and usually the makeup application is included in the price. If you use a freelance hair stylist, rates again vary. The plus side with a freelance stylist is that they will come to wherever you are with all their equipment. Always do a consultation first and make sure they have a sample of their work on hand. Consultation fees will vary as well. If you're handicap when it comes to hair like me, having a hair stylist will benefit you big time (although for my wedding I got my friend who is good at styling hair to do mine for free!). Bringing examples of looks is always a good guideline and a good hair stylist will tell you if it will work with your hair/face. Don't be afraid to speak up if there's something you don't like about the style - same goes for the makeup. We'd rather you speak up than be miserable all day. But try not to be too nit-picky! haha

3. Prepping yourself for the big day!

a. I always tell brides to make sure they get enough sleep before the wedding. You'll need your energy with all the emotions you'll be feeling, the many people that you'll be greeting, the over smiling you'll be doing picture after picture, and of course partying it up with your guests at the reception (and don't forget about all the lovin' you'll be making at the end of the night!).

b. Water! Water! Water! Drinks plenty of water to keep you and your skin hydrated and looking beautiful.

c. Never get a new hair style a few days before your wedding. If you're dying for a new colour or cut do it at least 2 weeks in advance so that you can recolour your hair if you need to or if you need your hair to grow out a bit.

d. A week from a wedding book a facial. This way if you break out a bit after, your skin will have some time to recover. Booking a waxing around this time is also good too. If your hair grows fast do it 3 days before the wedding. Never do it the same day or you'll be left with a red inflamed face!

e. Get a mani/pedi 2 or 3 days before so that the polish colour is still fresh and chip free.

Stay tuned for what products and styles will work for you in Part 2 of my Bridal Beauty Tips!
*Above picture is of my beautiful friend Donna after our makeup consultation and on the day of her wedding.

Beauty Icon of the Month: I Love Kylie!















I know the month is almost ending but I had to squeeze in my beauty icon of the month Kylie Minogue! She's come a long way since her "Loco-motion" days which I of course was a big fan of! She came into my life and then she left but resurfaced with her catchy dance tune "Can't Get You Outta My Mind". This Australian beauty has appeared in a handful of films and tv shows, appeared at the top of the music charts, sold millions of albums, and has recovered from her battle with breast cancer which has probably been her biggest accomplishment yet. Her most recent ventures include Kylie - The Exhibition held at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England that opened February 2007 which looks at Kylie as a popular style icon and H&M's new summer campaign "H&M loves Kylie". Kylie designed a fabulous swim wear line featuring 15 limited edition bikinis and swim suits. The style is a bit of her stage persona mixed with a relaxed bohemian beach style and the colours are amazing ranging in metallic silvers and aquatic blues. What's even more fantastic is not only will you look amazing on the outside but you'll feel great knowing that 10% of the money spent on the 'H&M loves Kylie' line will be donated to WaterAid. The international charity WaterAid is dedicated to the provision of safe domestic water, sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people. For someone that's battled with breast cancer, Kylie you've been an inspiration to many and have never looked more beautiful than you do now!

Toronto Week of Style Part 3



I wasn't able to make the Sweet Escape or Lust and Seduction show on Friday which featured bikinis and lingerie. I attended the finale show Sparkle, which was held at the Docks. The description of the show was "exploring the world of high-end fashion with an evening of music, gorgeous people, and a behind-the-scenes look into the world of glitz and glamour". It was supposed to take after VH1's Fashion Rocks, but was sooo the opposite! Since the show was on a Saturday I was sure there would be a huge turnout especially since it was being held at the Docks. We waited almost 2 hours until the show finally started. Yes, shows during Fashion Week rarely start on time but in this case I think they were stalling in hopes that more people would show up.

The guest hosts were Serenity and Ty Harper of Flow 93.5. Overall, they did a good job of hosting and entertaining a tough crowd. If it weren't for the music in the background, you could probably hear a pin drop! I really felt bad for them which is why my friends and I over did it by laughing and cheering loudly at all their jokes. I felt even worse for the performers Ray Robinson, Point Blank, Page, Daetona, Untitled, Marcus Voyce, and Cory Lee. I gotta give it up to Page (they had mad base although holding an alcohol bottle and throwing money in the crowd was a little cliche) and Cory Lee (nice voice, beautiful, and entertaining) for trying to get the crowd going. One of the singers from Untitled sang to me and I managed to snap a shot of him. Oh, I'm sure I was the envy of all the girls there - yah right.

The clothes featured were from the much talked about Brazen Hussy, 100 Miles Clothing, Honey Matthews, LRG, and Famous Stars and Straps. It was all hip-hop urban street wear with a mix of hoochie chic (it's not an official fashion term but it's the best way I can describe it!). I thought Brazen Hussy and Honey Matthews had some pretty dresses but most of the other brands were a little too "music video" for me. I'm all for being sexy and showing a little skin but I really hope that wearing booty shorts with both butt cheeks hanging out does NOT become a trend! The highlight of the night I thought was the throwback to fashion from the '80's and early '90's. What were designers thinking back then with tapered jeans, acid wash denim, and fluorescent clothing?? It was a hilarious showcase which was definitely needed to get any type of response from the crowd. All in all, it wasn't the best in fashion I've seen but it was entertaining. My friends and I went outside to get some air and when we came back in the after-party was non-existent. There was literally two people dancing to some ol' school and the rest were just hanging around the bar. It was lame so we took the after-the-after-party to another club called Shmooze. All was not lost - good thing for hook-ups especially after midnight!

So, do I think Toronto has got style? Hell yah, we got style! Did the Toronto Week of Style prove we have style? I think The Style Council of Canada just needs to improve on better ways of showing and executing it. They had the right idea of showcasing undiscovered talent and bringing fashion to the masses but it just missed the mark. At times, I felt like I was watching a college fashion show. Every detail from lighting, to audio, to hair and makeup needs to be on-point and if there are technical glitches which there always are, the show still needs to appear flawless and seamless. However, I'm glad I got to experience Toronto's first ever Week of Style. I met some really great people and got to learn about some really cool clothing lines. Zaigham and his team have a really great concept which has the potential to be something big for Toronto. I commend them for trying to make a difference in our city. For the first year it was a good try and hopefully next year will be better. Practice makes perfect right? Stay tuned for my rants and raves about the hair and makeup!

For more info on the Toronto Week of Style visit Week of Style.com. To view more photos from the show check out Sparkle! on Facebook!

Toronto Week of Style Part 2



Fashion Fringe competition was a show inspired by an event that takes place during London Fashion Week in which they recruit undiscovered talent in Canada to compete against each other. Ali, co-founder of ChickAdvisor.com, and I decided to check out the show because we thought it might be something worth seeing. I think the concept was great but it was poorly executed. The show seemed really short and there were a lot of technical hiccups throughout the show. I thought that there were some really pretty pieces that stood out and some that stood out in the worse possible way (unfortunately I couldn't hear the names of the designers too well but when I do will post them). When the show ended, I think everyone was a bit confused because we thought the 2nd show of the night, Art of Denim, would be up next. We were asked to wait outside the venue so they could set up for the second show which we thought was a little odd. After a few minutes of waiting outside, Ali and I decided to skip the 2nd show and have martinis instead! We walked up the street to B Espresso Bar where we had the most refreshing pineapple basil martini ever (read more about it and Ali's review of the show on ChickAdvisor Blog). I found out yesterday from Zaigham, the producer, that the Art of Denim was way better than the first show. I'd love to hear from anyone else that went.

To view more photos from the show check out Fashion Fringe on Facebook!

Toronto Week of Style Part 1


Last night's show was the finale of the first ever Toronto Week of Style. From Wednesday to Saturday there was a series of 6 fashion shows featuring designers from all over the world. I'm a huge supporter of Canadian talent especially because there are so many undiscovered talents out here. While I thought the Toronto Week of Style was a great concept did it prove to me that Toronto has style? Here's my thoughts on this weeks shows:

Bambumoda was the first fashion show that launched the Toronto Week of Style and was held in the beautiful Arcadian Court in the Simpson Tower. The room is very grand and elegant which led me to believe that we were going to be in for a spectacular show. The turnout was about 350 people (so I was told) as opposed to the 700 that rsvp'd, however, it seemed like there was about a hundred people tops. The purpose of the show was to give a forecast of the trends we will be seeing and wearing in the next several years. Five designers were featured: Lifetime Clothing, Mehnaz, Obey, Artful Dodger, and Mooks. Celebrity models were Billy Hamilton of Silverstein, Simon Mohos from YTV, Rob Dyer from Skate4Cancer (Week of Style Homepage has it as Skate4Canada - error??) and Husein Madhavji from Star Daily (the only one I recognized).There were Indian inspired pieces, artful urban wear, and indie rock outfits. I thought some of the clothes were pretty cool and definitely wearable. I loved the graphic tees and thought the artwork was amazing. The Indian inspired pieces were beautiful as well. However, the trends featured aren't all that different than what's out right now. Because of all the hype, I was expecting a lot more. On the plus side, I'm glad I got the chance to see some of the smaller but up-and-coming brands out there since I live in the bubble of mainstream fashion.

Stay tuned for Part 2 and 3 of my review of Toronto Week of Style! To view more photos from the show check out Bambumoda on Facebook!

Makeup Artist of the Month: Agostina


I've been wanting to feature a makeup artist every month and now I finally have the opportunity to! Agostina, who is from LA, is my first featured artist and I'm so excited to feature her. We crossed paths through the wonderful world of beauty blogging and I became an instant fan of hers. If you're not familiar with her site, makeup2beauty, then you've been missing out! As a celebrity makeup artist (Nicolette Sheridan, Eva Longoria, Elisha Cuthbert to name a few) for 20 years now, she is able to give informative beauty advice on picking the right colours for your skin tone to summer beauty tips.

Below is the Q&A I had with Agostina. Read on and be sure to check out her site makeup2beauty and to view her beautiful makeup portfolio visit Cloutier Agency. Enjoy! Thank you Agostina!

Makeup Junkie: Give us a brief background on how you got your start in the fashion industry.
Agostina: Liberal arts degree (no job) + love for makeup & fashion = free lance makeup artist (job).
When I saw there was a credit line for the makeup artist in a Vogue editorial - I knew that's what I wanted to do for a living. Be part of a team that created beautiful images for women.

MJ
: What is the most gratifying part about being a makeup artist?
A: To be able to show a woman her outer beauty and watch how it empowers her inner beauty.

MJ
: Do you have a favourite celebrity client that you love to work with?
A: No, I don't have a favourite celebrity client. I'm very blessed, I love working with all my celebrity clients.

MJ: What is one makeup product that you absolutely cannot live without?
A: Concealer/cover-up - as a woman and a makeup artist - having flawless, looking skin is my first priority.

MJ
: Why did you start your beauty blog makeup2beauty and what is the most important tip you can share?
A: I started makeup2beauty to help empower women as consumers in the cosmetic market.
As a makeup artist I'm asked daily questions about what products to use and what to buy - I want women to have the ability to become their own beauty expect.
The important tip I have is that beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin - so, take good care of your skin first, then the rest will come easier. (I totally agree!)

MJ
: Fun Facts:
Steven Meisel or Gilles Bensimon?
A: Gilles Bensimon - original and he was one of the first major photographers to believe in me.

LA or NY?
A: LA, of course.

Alexander McQueen or John Galliano?
A: Tough question - because I would love to design makeup for both of these fashion designers.

lipgloss or lip balm?
A: Lipgloss

flip flops or platform sandals?
A: Platform sandals

Beauty News: Elle's "It" List and Top 5 Self-tanners For June 2007 On Stands Now!



Check out Elle's June 2007 issue which is on stand now! Featured are Elle's "It" list for all the must-have beauty products and the top 5 self-tanners for the summer! I'm lovin' Clarins new Summer Fever lip gloss palette featuring high shine sunset coloured glosses. I shall have to check those out! In the top 5 list for self-tanners Dove's Energy Glow Daily Beauty Body Lotion takes a spot. I think I'll have to check this out too - I love body lotions that bronze your skin at the same time. I've been using Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer but the smell makes me gag. To see the hottest in beauty products for the summer don't forget to check the June 2007 issue of Elle on stands now! Happy shopping!

Beauty Review: Is There Really Such A Thing As "Anti-Poof" Hair Products??




Hair products have definitely come a long way and how lucky for us! Women with all different hair types can be guaranteed these days to find a hair product to work for their specific need. It's unbelievable how many homemade recipes involving olive oil and mayo women would try just to have picture perfect hair! Many hair care lines now have products to suit your every need including poofy-out-of-control hair. Sunsilk has got your hair problems covered - frizzy, poofy, flat, kinky, normal, dry, and dull!

My hair problem: poofy hair that dries into the shape of a pyramid! The solution: Sunsilk's Anti-Poof Operation Shampoo and Conditioner. The Jojoba Oil in the shampoo/conditioner claims to seal those poofy strands and prevent them from expanding. Here's what I thought:

1. Effectiveness: My hair gets extremely poofy when it starts to dry so when I received Sunsilk's Anti-Poof Operation Shampoo and Conditioner I was tres excited but very weary. I wouldn't exactly claim it's "anti-poof" because the poof factor is definitely still there. I'd rate it a 6, however, had I tried it with the 24/7 creme it's effectiveness probably would've been close to a 9. On the smooth factor it would get an 8.5 because my hair does feel soft and smooth after. My hair also doesn't feel weighed down or waxy.

2. Scent: I'd give it an 8 because it's nice and not overwhelming.

3. 2nd Chance? I'd say a 7. I think I need to try all 3 products together to really give it an honest review. I'd use it again because it certainly isn't as poofy as it normally is when I use regular shampoo and conditioner. I think depending on the range of coarseness your hair is normal wavy hair could probably get away with just using the shampoo and conditioner but coarse thick hair like mine would need the extra 24/7 creme. Plus, you can't help but love Sunsilk's cheeky and witty ads!

If anyone else has tried it I'd love to hear if it "de-poofed" your hair! Happy shopping!

Beauty News: What's New at MAC!


I know all you M.A.C. addicts have been anxiously awaiting their new summer collection, Strange Hybrid, and now it's here! The colours are like a beautiful summer garden, bright like the flowers in bloom. I never get tired of the bronzey hues but everyone needs a little colour in their life right?



Next on the list is M.A.C.'s new Slimshine Lipsticks. It's a slim lipstick that provides the shine and moisturizing comfort of a gloss, but in a smooth non-sticky finish. I'm not really sure how different these are than their regular line of Lustre lipsticks aside from a slimmer packaging. It would have made a difference if the lipstick's had an SPF especially since it is launching right before the summer.



Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 is like the regular best seller Prep + Prime Face but with sun protection! It preps the skin for your makeup ensuring long lasting effects while at the same time protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays. This is a definite must for the summer months and all year round!

Happy shopping!

Beauty Blogs: Bloggers Take the World By Storm!

It's no news that bloggers have become the new marketing tool for many companies because a) it's cheaper than paying for advertisements and b) more people can be reached in a shorter span of time. Bloggers have been around for some years now and it seems to have reached its peak in popularity more so now than ever. Whether someone is just writing about their day to day life or sharing information to help others, people everywhere are reading and there is always someone that can relate. The blogging community has a huge following some reaching a few hundred to a few thousand! The power of the internet and the power of free speech is astonishing at times. If someone wants to be heard, he/she can voice it on the internet via blog or another platform like Facebook (which has taken on a life of its own!) and it will travel faster than a wildfire. It seems blogs are fast becoming the chosen source of information these days. If one needs information on beauty, fashion, technology, or celebrity gossip it's just a click away and it's free (the majority of the time)! I think people are also drawn to blogs because they know that the writer is giving their honest opinion. We're not being coached on what to say which is why so many beauty companies for example take a chance and send free products for us to sample and review. Even if it's a bad review, any press is good press right?

Events and its organizers are slowly getting on the bandwagon and utilizing bloggers to be their voice, giving us full access for media coverage. Zaigham Zulqernain, the Executive Producer behind The Toronto Week of Style says, "It makes total sense...collectively, these blogs have a much bigger readership than their offline counterparts...with blogs quickly becoming the most important and most read means of disseminating news, their importance to us is not lost." I agree! Bloggers are definitely here to stay! To see the press release on the Toronto Week of Style bloggers click here.

Beauty News: The Toronto Week of Style May 23-26

Between the week of May 23-26 marks the first ever Toronto Week of Style which I along with other fellow bloggers, will be covering and reporting on! What exactly is the Toronto Week of Style you ask? It's an exciting celebration of Art, Design, Film and Fashion. The week will include six fashion shows over four days showcasing work from over 30 designers all over the globe including the top in Canadian design. Executive Producer, Zaigham Zulqernain, created the Toronto Week of Style to support the up and coming talent in the style industry by giving them the channels to communicate to the masses the trends for up coming seasons. It will also provide the fashion industry's most important people - us the consumers, direct access to what's currently on the market now as compared to normal Fashion Week where you have to wait nine months to buy what you saw on the runway. While fashion is the foundation of style it will also focus on creators of lifestyle components such as cosmetics, hair care, liquor, phones, and cars. A city without style is not a city at all and Toronto's definitely got style! Stay tuned for my coverage of the events!

Click here for more information on the designers, venues, and times. Click here to RSVP - it's a free event! How sweet is that??

Beauty Blogs: Apples2Apple.com Lists 8 Ways To Use Your Moisture!

Who knew you could use your moisturizer in more than one way! If you're dishing out big money for a moisturizer you might as well get the most bang for your buck. Check out Apples2Apple.com for some great tips on how you can use your moisturizer 8 different ways!

Beauty News: Product Review Club at ChickAdvisor.com!


Remember that fabulous site I told you about a few posts back called ChickAdvisor.com? Well, if you don't I'll refresh your memory. It's a wonderful site created for women from all over to share their honest opinions on beauty, fashion, restaurants and more! If you are a member, then you're probably already familiar with the Product Review Club. If you're not a member (hello, what are you waiting for??), then sign up today to become a member so you can also receive FREE products to try and review! It's as simple as that. I already received my full size samples of Sunsilk's Anti-Poof Shampoo and Conditioner! Don't you just love cool clubs with benefits?

For more details, visit "Chick Lit" the official ChickAdvisor blog. Once you sign up, be sure to read the forum for details on the Product Review Club.

The Battle of the Brunettes Vs. the Blondes! Which Team Are You On?


Brunettes are boring and blondes have more fun. Brunettes are the smart ones and blondes are just plain dumb right? Of course not! But those are some of the stereotypes that have been around for ages. Well, the fine marketing team of Sunsilk's Color Boost hair care line has taken this stereotype and given it a humourous twist by conducting a variety of secret experiments to expose who is more superior between the brunettes or blondes (the brunettes seem to be kicking ass!). If you're not familiar with Sunsilk's Color Boost hair care line, it's a line dedicated to help enhance the colour of your hair whether your brunette or blonde and includes shampoo, conditioner, and a Color Boost that actually deposits gentle colorants that give your hair subtle but noticeable brightness. It's also the first daily haircare product with cationic dyes that bind color to your hair - just like products you'd find in the salon that gives your 'do a lil oomph whenever it needs it.

Check out this hilarious clip on YouTube to see which models pig out more on junk food.
To see the final result visit Colour Showdown. The results are shocking!

Because my readers are so awesome, the fine people at Sunsilk are giving us coupons to receive up to $3 off any of their Sunsilk Color Collection products! Thanks Sunsilk! Click here for the coupons:
http://www.gethairapy.com/colorcoupon/cs.html

Whether you're blonde, brunette, redhead, or bald we are all fabulous! Happy shopping!

*Stay tuned for my review of Sunsilk's Anti-Poof Shampoo and Conditioner!

Beauty Review: Moisture Loss No More with Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion!



I bet the majority of you all have tubs and bottles of body butters and creams stocked in your bathroom cupboards or overflowing on your vanity tables. I myself have a cupboard full of unfinished body creams from all different brands. Women are always in the search for that one product that will solve all their dry skin needs. We all want to have softer, smoother younger looking skin right? Skin MD's Natural Shielding Lotion is a face, hand, and body lotion that will cure cracked dry skin and much more! Here is what Dr. Lisa Benest, board of certified dermatologist says about the Shielding Lotion:

"Shielding lotions not only protect the skin's barrier but they restore the moisture to the skin and allow the skin to continue to moisturize itself, so that your skin does not become addicted to moisturizer and ultimately cures the dry skin."
Most body lotions only temporarily relieve dry skin and do not protect the skin's barrier. The Shielding Lotion literally acts as a shield protecting against mild soaps and cleansers and any other irritant that would strip away the skin's natural moisture. It lasts for hours and does not wash away like most conventional lotions. It is also good for people with eczema and psoriasis. The lotion contains no animal products and no animal testing, dermatology tested, fragrance and colorant free, hypoallergenic, paraben free and non-comedogenic.

Here's what I thought:
The lotion definitely acts as a "shield". It almost has a watered down gel texture and easily blends into your skin. My skin felt smooth and it really did feel like there was a barrier on my skin. When I washed my hands, they did not dry out right away. Over time, I did see a noticeable difference in the appearance of my hands. I'm constantly washing my them and washing baby bottles so my hands were becoming cracked and looking older beyond their years. I had asked a friend who has eczema on her face to test out the lotion but she was a little skeptical about being a guinea pig for fear her face would become worse. Fair enough and understandable.

When I asked my friends what they thought of the packaging, they thought it was a little boring and was a product that you would only see in a doctor's office. They said the packaging needs to be redone to compete with the millions of other body lotions out there. One of my friends, who is a true beauty junkie, said that even if the product has amazing healing properties she still wouldn't dish out $25 + based on the packaging. To appeal to lovers of the beauty industry it's got to have the whole package or the "it" factor. When asked about the scent half said they liked that the Shielding Lotion didn't have a fragrance and the other half would prefer a subtle scent.

Will I stop using my other body butters and creams? The truth is I haven't and probably won't. Reason being is that I can't resist yummy scented products and love how soft and supple my skin feels after. The Shielding Lotion makes your skin smooth but doesn't give it the same softness body butters do. I do think the healing properties that the Shielding Lotion offers is amazing. It's great for people that don't appreciate a good body butter or don't have the time to keep reapplying lotion. It's $25 (USD) for a 4 ounce bottle which should last you up to 1-2 months with daily use. I'd recommend it for people that have seriously dry skin. The packaging could be a little more interesting but I never judge a book by its cover.

All in all it seems to deliver exactly what it claims to do. I have a huge obsession with body butters and creams so it hasn't exactly won me over. What I've been doing when my skin is in need of some serious moisture is applying the Shielding Lotion first then applying my vanilla scented body butter over top to please my senses and make my skin feel as soft as my baby's bottom. If there is anyone that has been cured from eczema or psoriasis from the use of Skin MD's Natural Shielding Lotion, I would love to hear about your experience! Happy shopping!

*Special thanks to Pete for sending me a sample! For more information on the product or where to buy please visit Skin MD Natural.com

No Updates Since Sunday!


Ok, so I've been feeling a little guilty and pressure because I haven't had time to update my site and desperately want/need to! I do have a really good reason though! My hubby and I officially tied the knot yesterday so you can imagine the madness that was going on this week. We decided to be a little unconventional and we did a quick and easy wedding at City Hall. It was just perfect and I wouldn't have had it any other way. No stress and we got to relax for the rest of the day. It was a surprise to all our family and friends. Our three friends who were our witnesses were the only ones aware of our secret nuptials. As soon as this crazy weekend is over I will be blogging full force!