Beauty Feature: Oh-la-la Summer Nails

Yes, I know summer is almost over but that doesn't mean I can't gush over my top picks for summer nails. My nails were bright and sunny thanks to these hot shades from Zoya and OPI!

1. OPI South Beach Collection in Party in My Cabana: This gorgeous creamy pink is such a pretty colour on fingers and toes. Such a flirty colour it couldn't help but get compliments all the time!
2. Zoya La-Di-Da Collection in Pippa: Sunny banana yellow! Love! Rocked this on tips and toes.
3. Zoya La-Di-Da Collection in Ali: Neon pink is so me! Loved how opaque this colour was, but the finish dried almost like a matte polish. Once I swiped on a top coat it was good to go. Didn't like it so much on my toes - it lost its shine once my toes were in sand. It was also hard to get dirt off the colour.
4. OPI South Beach Collection in Conga-line-Coral: Metallic coral rose - it's like a sunset on your fingers and toes!
5. Zoya La-Di-Da Collection in Paz: I'm so a kid of the 80's because I gravitate to bright neons! Hot neon orange shade for the summer especially on tanned skin!
6. Zoya La-Di-Da Collection in America: This sophisticated bright orange red perfect for those summer cocktail events.

What shades were you rockin' this summer? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

Beauty Feature: Fall Beauty Trends With Makeup Artist Andrea Claire

I love gabbing about beauty trends with other makeup junkies and this season's looks are definitely something to talk about. I had the awesome pleasure of interviewing one of my mentors during my early years as a makeup artist, Andrea Claire, on the latest beauty trends for Fall. Find out Andrea Claire's must-do's and must-don't this season!

Makeup Junkie: What will be the top beauty trends we'll be seeing this Fall?

Andrea Claire: The smokey eye, the matte red lip, 80s revival

MJ: What are some trends women should avoid this season (if any)?

AC: 80s revival! I am the original 'LaRoux' from her Bulletproof video with pictures to prove it. :) I lived it and loved it. I wore 5+ colour shadows on my eyes but I was 15 and immersed in Duran Duran, Ultravox, Love & Rockets etc. I love the look but if you had been there done that and bought the lime green shadow you cannot do that again! Besides, it is very much a 'must have young skin' to pull it off. Bold colour blocking with eye shadows can age you and have you looking like you are stuck in a time warp. This look is only carried off if you are an adolescent so if you are 21 and under I say rock it, over 21 opt for another trend of the season.

80's revival at Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 - Style.com

MJ:
What products are a must this Fall in achieving these beauty trends?

AC: I am LOVING all things Yaby these days. Yaby's eye shadow palettes have amazing pigments, blendability and variety. Lipsticks MAC Russian Red or FACEatelier's Magenta. For the smokey eye the trend is to layer a metallic - blue, violet, green or bronze, you can find these in Yaby's palettes or Covergirl's palettes in Dazzling Metallics, Firecracker or Blazing Blues.

MJ: Can you share with our Makeup Junkie readers some expert tips on achieving some of the beauty trends?

AC: Smokey Eyes - layer carbon/charcoal shadows with metallic colour. If you find shadows are difficult to blend with your dark base then layer MAC's Smolder pencil with a Lise Watier's Metallic Eye shine pencil, smudge together with a Q-Tip.

Smokey eyes at Versace Fall 2009 - Style.com

Matte Red lips
- the key to a strong lip is to apply the lip liner after the lipstick so it doesn't appear to geometric. If matte is too drying for you and you live in a cold climate then I would dot a smidge of vitamin e on top - not to add gloss but just a little moisture.

Red lips at Jean Paul Gaultier Fall 2009 Couture - Style.com

MJ:
What is your beauty mantra?

AC: It's so hard not to sound cliche here! lol! Be realistic. Be real. Stay gold Ponyboy. Beauty is not serious - beauty is a moment in your day that can convey confidence, flirtiness, calm. What I mean is, all women 'take 5' in their day by touching up here and there - before a meeting you step into the ladies and reapply lipstick, before a date you curl your lashes, apply gloss; or even before a job interview you matte down shine. Beauty is a moment in time that is forever changing. Embrace those little moments but don't be those moments just live in them. See! I sound cliche! HA! Life is short - enjoy it - have fun with it. That's what beauty and fashion is all about; well, to me anyway. A form of expression that can change day to day, season to season - enjoy the trends but remember to enjoy life too.

Makeup Junkie agrees - beauty is a moment in time that is always changing! So have fun with it - play with trends and figure out what works for you. Thank you to Andrea Claire for taking time to share with our readers her Fall beauty tips!

Andrea Claire is a seasoned beauty expert. She started her career in Kitchener, Ontario before relocating to Toronto in the early 90s. In Toronto, Andrea's career quickly blossomed where she went from salon stylist to session stylist. As both a hairstylist and make up artist, Andrea's passion for the industry and thirst for success motivated and challenged her to continually better herself. We have seen Andrea on Stylin' Gypsies, So Chic, Canadian Idol, tv guest appearances and behind the scenes for NY Fashion Week and Canada's Fashion Week. "Relocating" became a popular word in Andrea's vocabulary. In 2006, Andrea relocated with her family to Singapore where she became a regular team member for Bazaar, ELLE, Amica and VIP shoots as well as wrote many beauty articles with tips, tricks and trends.

Andrea Claire's Work

What's next? Andrea and her family have now relocated to Austin Texas where direct flights to LA, NY and Toronto will still allow her to jetset with her beauty box. Andrea has proudly been a mentor for many up & coming young artists, accessible and willing to give guidance; always about positive energy Andrea believes that today's assistant is tomorrow's trendsetter. Inspire and be inspired.

www.aclairebeauty.com
www.judyinc.com/andreaclaire

Beauty Feature: Fierce Fall Makeup at ChickAdvisor.com

Are we talking about Fall already?? Besides the pretty Fall colours, there are some must-have makeup collections to look forward to! Check out my "Fieerrce Fall Makeup Preview" at www.chickadvisor.com! Stay tuned for more reviews on the hottest collections for Fall!

Hair 101: Styling Tips For Gorgeous Waves

Some are blessed with gorgeous hair that requires little or no styling at all. If you're like me, then a lot of effort is involved in getting that celebrity hair. Nowadays, women want sexy big Gisele hair or boho beach waves like Lauren Conrad. Don't fret my beauties! With some must-have products and a few styling tips you can have celebrity-worthy hair in no time!

Styling Tips:
• For voluminous loose waves, add a volumizing product like 1. Schwartzkopf Professional OSiS Glamour Queen, to the roots and a styling cream with a light hold to the ends. To keep it effortless and easy, this works best when hair is left to air-dry.
• When hair is still wet, scrunch hair in hands after applying a styling cream to encourage some wave or curl.
• Blow dry hair completely dry before styling. Cuts down on damage to the hair and makes styling easier.
• Whether you use a round brush, curling iron, or flat iron it’s all about the direction in which the hair is styled. Achieve volume at the root by blow drying the hair up with your hands or round brush (at the crown or front section to crown).
• You can also use 2. Velcro rollers to achieve volume.
• To give the hair more definition, take pieces here and there and curl with a 3. flat iron for a softer wave or a curling iron for a more defined curl. Twist the flat iron all the way down the hair curling away from the face. Using a curling iron, wrap sections of hair around the barrel.
• To really loosen the curl, flip hair upside down and shake at the root or finger-comb through the hair. You can also brush through the hair for even looser waves.
• For extra volume and hold at the root, use a product that will add volume and texture like 4.
Schwartzkopf Professional OSiS Dust It. This powder looks like baby powder but dissolves right into the scalp. Sprinkle and shake at the root or anywhere you need extra volume. Dust It absorbs oil and is remoldable. If hair starts to go flat mid-day, just shake your hair at the root. Finish hair with a medium hold spray or Glamour Queen.

Schwartzkopf Professional products are sold at most salons and beauty supply stores. In Toronto, you can purchase at Lift Beauty Boutique.

www.schwarzkopf-professional.com

Makeup Junkie Site Restored

Last week my site went through some unfortunate events and a lot of bloggers are going through this right now. Makeup Junkie was being labeled by Google as hosting "malicious software". After trying everything I could, my site was eventually deleted! You can imagine the panic I went through (thanks to my husband for keeping me calm and collected). I'm still not sure what caused it all but I eventually had to take off any third party links to ensure I would get my site back.

I just want my readers to know that my site is back to normal so please don't be scared to come back! :) I suggest any bloggers going through this to post in the Blogger and Google forums listing what happened in the most calm and polite manner. I posted asking why my site was deleted and I received a response rather quickly. My site was back and running the next day thankfully! I remember that moment of feeling like I've lost almost 3 years of my work and thoughts! Good luck to those that are frantically trying to get their site back - I feel for ya! Don't give up because eventually things will be resolved! :)

Hair 101: Healthy Hair Tips

Healthy hair doesn't just happen on its own. Like any relationship, maintaining your hair requires some effort (for some A LOT of effort). How many of you are wishing your hair would just grow? When I used to work at a salon, I used to get women all the time telling me how they were painfully trying to grow out the asymmetrical bob. Read on to see how you can get healthy hair and promote hair growth. Love your hair and your hair will love you back!

1. Lead a healthy lifestyle. I may not always eat the best foods or exercise regularly but I do make an effort! Eating good foods, staying active, and taking multi-vitamins will do wonders for your hair. When I was pregnant, I ate healthy and took multi-vitamins. When I added Calcium pills to my regime in my 3rd trimester, I noticed my hair grow at twice the speed! My hair was always so shiny and thick. My co-workers at the time used to ask me if I got my hair done. I guess it is true when they say what you put in your body counts!

2. Cut your hair every 6-8 weeks. I'm lazy when it comes to this kind of stuff but believe it or not getting regular trims will promote hair growth. Women used to groan when we would tell them to come in more regularly instead of once a year. This didn't go over to well with gals trying to grow out their already short hair. As painful as it may be, trimming your hair regularly means you'll have to get less and less cut off each time you come in. When you don't trim your hair, the breakage will continue until it reaches your root which will eventually make your hair grow slower. If you see a lot of fly-aways or short hairs at your roots, that is breakage.


3. Protect your hair at all times. The majority of us use some sort of hot styling tool everyday which is why it's especially important to protect it. If you protect your hair with a styling product first, it will burn the product off rather than your actual hair. Even if you will be wearing your hair au naturale, you still need a protector in your hair to protect from the sun and pollution. For really damaged hair, curly and frizzy or if you regularly colour your hair, I recommend Moroccanoil Treatment. This oil treatment adds protein to the hair, restoring it back to its natural healthy state. It's light-weight and absorbs quickly into the hair so your hair will never feel oily or heavy. You can use this wet or dry as a style finisher for added shine and to tame frizz. It smells amazing and you can also massage it on your nails and cuticles!

For normal hair, I like to use Schwarzkopf OSiS + Buff Styling Cream. This product is a styling cream, leave-in conditioner, and protects your hair from heat, the sun and pollution. It is light-weight enough for even the finest hair. If your hair has a slight wave and you're going for that beachy wave, apply this to your hair damp and let it air-dry. Then take pieces that are straight, and curl with a flat-iron or curling iron. The results are gorgeous!

Moroccanoil Treatment and Schwarzkopf OSiS + Buff Styling Cream are sold at most salons and beauty supply stores. In Toronto, you can purchase at Lift Beauty Boutique.

Have you tried these products? What do you think? What are your healthy hair tips? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

Beauty Feature: Beach Babe Beauty

For most of you summer started in June, but my summer didn't start until last Friday! This past weekend was a scorcher (after a month long drought!) and what do you do when it's sticky hot? Go to the beach! And that's exactly what we did. Most women that go to the beach don't wear anything on their face other than sun block. I was tempted to bare my natural skin but the makeup junkie in me just couldn't! I decided to use this opportunity to put some talked about beach must-haves to the test!


1. per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel To Go: I had featured this product last week (click here), but I didn't really get to test it's sweat-resistant/water-resistant claims. After sitting in the hot beating sun and splashing around in the water, my face didn't melt off all day and looked bronzy and glowy. Even with all the sweating, my skin didn't feel heavy or sticky. Great alternative to a tinted moisturizer and bronzer!


2. Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Mascara: This is the one mascara I've been using all summer long. It perfectly defines, separates, adds volume, and lengthens all in one. It also doesn't flake or smudge. My lashes looked great in and out of the water. This mascara also has tube technology which means it comes off in little tubes with warm water!


3. Becca Beach Tint in Watermelon: The last thing you want to do is bring your whole makeup stash to the beach. This creme stain for cheeks and lips is a definite must-have! It is oil-free, streak-free, and waterproof. Surprisingly it didn't sweat off my watermelon glow and lasted on my lips after drinking. It did come off a bit on the lips after eating something oily but that is to be expected. A little goes a long way so start with a tiny drop and blend into the skin with your finger. This colour also looks gorgeous on tan skin. The light watermelon scent is just delicious!


4. YSL Gloss Volupte Sheer Sensual Gloss Stick SPF 9 in Iced Lychee: New for Fall but a must for Summer! Gloss and lipstick in one - LOVE! This sheer gloss stick gives your lips extreme shine and drenches your lips in moisture. I love the way it feels on the lips, although I wish the moisturizing factor lasted longer. I layered this over top of the Becca Tint to enhance the colour a little more and to protect my lips from the sun. Iced Lychee is a sheer pinky-coral and gave my lips a bit of colour, but I prefer using it over top of a stain for more colour and moisture. While I've become a fan of this gloss stick, I'm not sure I would pay $30 USD for a sheer lip colour!


5. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 85: Sunblock is essential when frolicking in the sun. This sunblock contains Helioplex technology which delivers the highest UVA protection. The Dry-touch technology helped quickly absorb into my skin and got rid of excess shine without a chalky-white finish. The sunblock has a light scent and never felt heavy or sticky on my skin. It's also water-proof and sweat-proof! I love the high SPF factor because I didn't have to reapply every half hour.

Have you tried any of these products? Hate 'em? Love 'em? What are your beach babe must-haves? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

And The Winner Is...


Webgrrl Toronto! Congratulations!

You have won all 6 Annabelle Cosmetics Studio Pigments plus 2 brushes! Makeup Junkie hopes you enjoy these fabulous pigments as much as we do. We will be contacting you shortly for your mailing address.

Thank you to all the Canadian readers that participated. We wish we could give you all a prize but don't worry! Annabelle Cosmetics is doing their own contest called the Ultimate Makeup Junkie Contest (we know it's unrelated but we're flattered Annabelle used our name!). The contest will be running from August 17 until October 12. Click here for more details.

www.annabellecosmetics.com

Beauty Feature: Annabelle Studio Pigment Give Away!

We at Makeup Junkie love quality products for a steal and we know our readers do too! Canadian cosmetic giant, Annabelle Cosmetics, will be launching the line's new Studio Pigments ($8.50 CDN) August 16 exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart! If you love to express yourself using bright bold shades then you'll love these pigments. Recommended by the Makeup Artists in the Annabelle Studio, these pro performance loose powders are highly concentrated and super pigmented. Their incredibly ultra fine texture make these powders easy to blend together.

Available in 6 shades: Karma, Cobalt, Dragonette, Greed, LOL, and Magentini

Top Row L-R: Magentini, Karma, LOL
Bottom Row L-R: Dragonette, Greed, and Cobalt
The above image is a swatch of the powders dry. You can see they are still highly pigmented when used dry. The colours are beautiful and bold and all compliment each other nicely. You can create many different looks or use one shadow for a sheer wash of colour and use another shade wet as a liner! Use Annabelle's A-8 small shading brush and press onto the lid rather than back and forth. This will prevent any fall-off onto your cheek and help the colour go on a little bit heavier. Wet the A-14 angled liner brush, mix with the powder and line your lash.
Top Row L-R: Magentini, Karma, LOL
Bottom Row L-R: Dragonette, Greed, and Cobalt
The above image is a swatch of the powders used wet. The colours have double the intensity and are very long-wearing when used wet. The packaging is an excellent design. The powders are enclosed in a snap closure container that makes these pigments mess-free and transportable. When you open the container there is a small hole the size of a pea where the colour comes out of. These pigments definitely stand up to the quality of M.A.C.'s Pigment Powders but at a fraction of the cost! Hopefully Annabelle will add more shades to the line!

Now that we've gushed all about Annabelle's fabulous Studio Pigments, Makeup Junkie will give one lucky reader (Canadian residents only - sorry!) all 6 Studio Pigments plus A-8 and A-14 brushes! All you have to do is email us telling us you absolutely have to have this prize! Click on "Contact Us and Product Submissions" for our email address. Winner will be announced next Monday, August 17th, at 12 pm!

Annabelle Cosmetics available in stores all across Canada. If you are a US resident and would like to purchase Annabelle products you can purchase over the phone at 1 800 387-7710.

www.annabellecosmetics.com

Beauty Feature: Faux Tan, Healthy Skin


North Americans are notorious for believing in "the more tan the better", but at what cost? In places like China or the Philippines it is quite the opposite. Whitening and lightening creams stock their shelves while North Americans are saturated with tanning salons, self-tanners, and bronzers.

Warnings about tanning beds being one of the leading causes of skin cancer have been all a buzz everywhere, especially in the beauty world. It's a scary fact knowing that before the age of 30 our risk of getting skin melanoma increase to 75 %! I think I've used a tanning bed maybe 3 times in my life and only because it was all the rage with my friends back then. I remember not really enjoying the whole process of wiping down the bed, wearing those silly looking eye goggles, stripping down to my underwear, and having the feeling of claustrophobia come over me while my skin baked. Yes, having tan skin instantly was gratifying but definitely not worth skin cancer.

Sun in a healthy way without frying your skin to a leathery golden brown (or in some cases orange). Fake 'n bake is out, but healthy skin is always in! Faux tan with these skin saving products!


Protect your face with a moisturizer that has an SPF. Too much sun on the face will speed up the signs of aging. For the last few months I've been using Lancome's Primordiale Skin Recharge Visible Smoothing Renewing Moisturizer SPF 15 ($78 CDN). I love the soft creamy texture and how fast it absorbs into my skin. It's a perfect day cream that feels light-weight but moisturizing enough for even the driest skin. Designed to give your skin a smoother more radiant finish, my skin is exactly that.

Bronzed skin should never look heavy or flat. Whether it is a powder, gel, or cream, bronzers are a great way to mimic a sun-kissed tan without damaging the skin. Select a bronzer that has a luminous quality to it like Bobbi Brown's Illuminating Bronzing Powder ($40 CDN). I have Bali and it gives me a natural deep golden glow. The formula is ultra-soft, super blendable, and the micro pearls leave skin looking naturally radiant! Apply bronzer to the high points of the face: temples, cheeks, bridge of nose and chin.

Your lips need some sun-loving protection too! I love tinted lip balms that have an SPF because it cuts down on your time and the amount of products you have to carry with you. M.A.C.'s Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balm ($17.50 CDN) hydrate, protect and provide a sheer colour to the lips. I have Lilt of Lily (soft creamy pale pink) and Just a Smidge (soft pastel yellow with multi-coloured pearl). Both are very sheer and almost look clear on my lips - I prefer a little more colour but these are great choices for the "no-makeup" makeup look. The texture feels very smooth and my lips feel heavily coated. It's not quite sticky but feels rich on the lips leaving them moisturized for hours! Love the slanted squeeze tube packaging - very portable and easy to apply.

Prep your skin for a self-tanner by exfoliating. The dead, dry skin will be removed, leaving a fresh smooth surface for an even all-over application. Lise Watier's Gommage Bora Bora ($21 CDN) is an exfoliating gel for your face and body! I found this gel to thoroughly but gently exfoliate my skin. I had soft, radiant skin all day long. My favourite part about this product is that I could use it on my face. I find most body scrubs are too harsh for the face area but not this one. No streaky tans with this exfoliator!

Go faux when you want that glow! It's true that some self-tanners are a pain to apply and the results are often a streaky mess (a la Lindsay Lohan!). I'm really enjoying Per-fekt Body Perfection Gel ($48 USD) because the gel is easy to apply and the results are instant - no waiting around until the next day to see the tan! This gel was designed to be the alternative to traditional bronzing self-tanners. It firms, tones, and improves the skin's suppleness and elasticity while giving you that bronzed glow you love. The gel is also transfer-free and water-resistant, the perfect choice for summer activities. I have Exotic and LOVE the deep golden brown glow it gives my skin! The gorgeous shimmer looks especially sexy on my legs! Do wait a few minutes for it to dry before putting on your clothes and wash your hands immediately so they won't stain.

Lather on the sunblock for those outdoor activities. The longer you'll be out in the sun the higher the SPF should be. Neutrogena has a great range of SPF products that go as high as 100! Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 85 contains Helioplex technology which delivers the highest UVA protection. The Dry-touch technology helped quickly absorb into my skin and got rid of excess shine without a chalky-white finish. The sunblock has a light scent and never felt heavy or sticky on my skin.

Do you use tanning beds often? What is your sun protection regime? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

Beauty Feature: Good For Your Skin Cosmetics

What you put on your skin counts. Every beauty brand is coming out with products that are either all natural, organic, or anti-aging. With so many cosmetics offering similar benefits how do you really know which ones work? Makeup Junkie has tested some of the most talked about good-for-your-skin products on the market. If you've been curious about these products, read first before making a pricey purchase!

1.Tarte ReCreate Anti-Aging Foundation With Wrinkle Rewind Technology SPF 15 ($37 USD)
What it is: A natural foundation with clinically proven anti-aging results.
What it does: Wrinkle Rewind Technology has clinically proven to decrease fine lines and wrinkles while increasing your skin's elasticity, firmness, tone and overall moisture. Micronized minerals brighten skin and offer sun protection.
Clinical results: Significant increase in skin elasticity, firmness and resiliency an average of 22% after 2 weeks of use and 43% after 4 weeks of use.
Significant reduction in the appearance of fine lines and facial wrinkles an average of 39% after 4 weeks of use and 67% after 6 weeks of use.
Increases skin's overall moisture by 52.82% within 15 minutes of application.
The Real Deal: While wrinkles and fine lines have not totally wreaked havoc on my skin yet, I did notice my skin looked much smoother and youthful right away. The foundation texture almost had a soft whipped feel to it and blended really nicely onto the skin. The medium to full coverage did not fade throughout the day and also did not feel heavy on the skin. I received many compliments on how good my skin looked which is always good in my books!
Boo Points: We're all for green packaging here at Makeup Junkie but I was not too impressed with the "Flo-Thru Pump". I don't know if I just received a dud, but the pump broke after only a few uses. It was annoying having to bang the bottle onto a dish to get the foundation out!

2. Smashbox HALO Hydrating Perfecting Powder and Brush Set ($59 USD)
What it is: Hydrating anti-aging powder with a science of skincare built in.
What it does: The advanced formulation of pure gold, 48 minerals, 11 amino acids and a powerful peptides deliver powerful anti-aging benefits, while the patented hydration system continuously hydrates your skin all day. Built-in shaver allows for the convenience of a pressed powder but with the radiant finish of a loose powder.
Clinical Results: After 10 minutes there is a 33% decrease in the appearance of wrinkles around the eyes.
After 6 weeks of use, there is a 67% decrease in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles overall.
The Real Deal: Definitely hydrating for my sometimes dehydrated skin! During the winter to spring transition, my skin was a flaky mess but Halo did a good job of not accentuating my dry skin. It has a light coverage but definitely buildable and it left my skin looking luminous. In terms of wrinkles, I don't have a whole lot besides fine lines. I didn't notice the lines around my eyes decrease but the powder didn't enhance them. It's a great finishing powder for under the eyes because it has a brightening quality to it. The texture is also very light. Getting the right amount with the built-in shaver took some time to get used to but it's a cool idea. It really makes you conserve more especially since it comes with the high price.
Boo Points: The high price and the brush. The travel size Kabuki brush felt prickly on my skin and there is no way to transport it. It just ends up getting dirty. The built-in shaver can get a little messy but it stays in one place for the most part.

3. per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel To Go ($17.50 .25 oz)
What it is: A multitasking all-in-one vitamin enriched, sweat-resistant and water-resistant skin perfector.
What it does: Instantly improves skin tone, reduce redness, and help minimize the appearance of enlarged pores and fine lines. Enriched with powerful antioxidants including the universal antioxidant alpha lipoic acid, and vitamins A and E to help repair, protect, and fight future environmental skin damage, this lightweight gel helps maintain hydration leaving the skin with a healthy, even glow by locking in moisture and absorbing excess skin oils.
The Real Deal: I had heard of per-fekt before but wasn't sure if it was a primer or a foundation. The gel texture is very light-weight and blends effortlessly onto the skin. It did soften the appearance of my pores and reduced red areas on my face. I have Rich, a warm tan for a healthy sun-kissed glow. It definitely enhanced my summer tan and gave the skin a beautiful radiance without looking oily. If you have close to perfect skin, then you can get away with using it as light foundation. For me, I like a little more coverage. It evened out my skin tone but I felt some blemishes needed a bit more coverage. I like using this as a base/primer and then applying a tinted moisturizer on top. Foundation glides seamlessly overtop of the gel and lasts longer. You don't need to set with powder because the gel absorbs excess oils. Shh - I went through a couple weeks of laziness and slept with it on and never broke out once! I guess it really is good for your skin!
Boo Points: The price! The travel size is a small tube and is pretty pricey. A little goes a long way but for how long? I've had it now for almost a month and have a lot left so we'll see . The regular size is $57.50 ($USD)! I guess if I use it just as a primer at least I know my skin is benefiting from it! Pretty pricey primer though don't you think?

4. Cosmedicine Honest Face Skin Tint & Treatment SPF 20 ($35 USD)
What it is: A lightweight, all-in-one face finisher and skin treatment with antioxidants and UVA/UVB, SPF 20 sunscreens. It's great for even the most sensitive skin.
What it does: Creates a natural, healthy-looking finish with no telltale lines. Delivers the benefits of essential moisture, broad-spectrum sunscreen protection, and potent antioxidants with skin-refining color.
Clinical Results: 72% reduction in dryness
28% increase in skin hydration
41% increase in skin elasticity
27% reduction in fine lines and wrinkles
The Real Deal: This is a kick-ass tinted moisturizer! This has definitely become a staple in my makeup bag especially for summer. My skin always looks its best in the summer months so I was in search of a lighter foundation. The tint feels weightless and makes your skin look flawless minus the caked on look. I find with some tinted moisturizers, the coverage is minimal. With Cosmedicine's, my skin tone is evened out and my blemishes disappear! I also found with some tinted moisturizers my skin looked too shiny. This tint delivers a fresh, dewy finish. I've never been so happy with the appearance of my skin - I think its a combo of per-fekt gel as a base and Cosmedicine tint on top. For oilier skin, Cosmedicine has an oil-control version too!
Boo Points: Nothing! What's not to love??

Have you tried these products? What good-for-your-skin cosmetics do you recommend? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

Beauty Feature: Get Gorgeous With Lift Beauty Boutique!

Whether you're walking down the isle, celebrating a birthday, or winning an award there's only one place that will get you looking your most beautiful - Lift Beauty Boutique! Located in the upscale Yorkville neighbourhood of Toronto (sorry non-Torontonians), Lift is tucked away in a 3rd floor chic boutique-style salon. You'll never feel snubbed or rubbed the wrong way (they give wicked head massages though!) when you enter this casual girly atmosphere. Everyone that comes by always feels like "they're hanging out with their girlfriends"! Don't be fooled by the young, beautiful staff - they've got plenty of experience under their belts! This is an especially great spot for gals who have had a bad hair experience at a salon - the stylists actually listen and only recommend what suits you the best. Always honest and genuine!


The salon houses some of the top brands on the market like: Schwarzkopf, Classified Cosmetics, Orly, and the boutiques very own cosmetic line Lift Cosmetics!

Meet the owners, Emily Hartzman and Lauren Simpson. Fresh out of makeup school, the then 21 year old BFF's were passionate about creating a cosmetic line that would be skin conscious, especially for cancer patients and cancer survivors. After the launch of Lift Cosmetics, the young entrepreneurs went the next step and opened Lift Beauty Boutique. They have been making women look fabulous for nearly 3 years now and are still going strong! They've been featured in countless magazines and publications including Lou Lou and Fashion Magazine. Clients range from tweens and up.


The salon offers cuts and styles, blow outs, colour/highlights, mani/pedi's, makeup application, and eye brow shaping. What the salon is really known for are their express services which cater to women who need to be in and out for a special occassion. The salon is always offering different promotions and discounts so do check their "Specials" page often. They've also changed their hours to accommodate later appointments.

Recommendations:
"The Emily": I named Emily's (Master Stylist) blowouts because they are worth naming! While she is also known for her beautiful, precise cuts and natural highlights, her blowouts are stunning. Your hair will be soft, smooth, and voluminous! Her little touch - a soft loose wave created with a round brush.

Eye Brow Shaping/Manicures/Makeup Applications
: Lauren is the master esthetician not only because she is amazing but because she does it all! Whether it's waxing or plucking, she will give your brows the perfect shape for your face. The manicures are very relaxing and her polish application is spot on. I find some manicurists miss part of the nail when applying colour. Makeup applications are fresh, flawless, and beautiful. Whatever the occassion she can create the perfect look.

Funky Hair Cuts
: Along with Brianne's (Junior Stylist) bubbly hilarious personality you'll love her funky cuts. Whether it's a trendy cut or just a simple style Brianne does it all!

Lift Dual Finish Powder Foundation and Moon Dust Loose Pigment
: One of my faves from the line is the Dual Finish Powder Foundation. It's a powder and foundation in one and makes your skin look flawless. It also applies sheer but has buildable coverage. I love Moon Dust Loose Pigment! I use this on the eyes as a shadow, as a highlighter and on the lips! If you want a sheer colour apply dry, but apply wet if you want more intensity. Mix with a clear gloss and you have a custom-made shimmery soft gold with pink gloss!

Tip: if you need your hair done for a specific date book at least 2-3 weeks in advance as their weekends and later appointments get booked up quickly!

Lift Beauty Boutique
114 Cumberland Unit 303
To book or for pricing call: 416-960-LIFT
Website: www.liftbeautyboutique.com
Blog: liftbeautyboutique.blogspot.com

Fabulous Beauty Deals!

Makeup Junkie readers are savvy beauty finders and we know you like a good deal! Check out these sites for discounts and more!


www.beautyticket.com: Brands like Stila, YSL, Bliss, Pop Beauty, Lancome and more! Up to 85% off!!!! Happy dance! New products and brands weekly!


www.fabuloussavings.ca
: Our lucky US readers are probably familiar with FabulousSavings.com. Well, us Canadians have come into some luck! FabulousSavings.ca has come to Canada! The site lists a bunch of participating companies and features their deals of the moment. The site not only offers beauty deals but everything else from clothes to home & garden furniture!

Know of any other great sites that offer amazing deals? Post it on our comments box! Thanks!

Beauty News: Makeup Junkie Is Back!

After a much too long hiatus, I am back to regular postings on Makeup Junkie! Due to different variables of things that were going on in my life, writing had almost come to a halt. Going back to work full-time plus juggling a family became a struggle and was quite an adjustment. Along with having to remove my name and my picture from the site (always a professional!), I almost felt like apart of me was lost. A little dramatic - I know, but I never realized just how much Makeup Junkie was apart of me. Aside from that, I felt like I was letting my readers down and for that I deeply apologize. Thankfully my new role with ChickAdvisor.com in September will still allow me to maintain Makeup Junkie! I'm thrilled to be apart of the team!

Thank you to my readers who visited Makeup Junkie even when there were no new postings! Thank you to Donna De Leon and Mae Amparo for contributing and attending events for me lately! Much love from the Chief Makeup Junkie! xoxo

Beauty Launch: Mary Kay Cosmetics - Not Your Grandmother's Makeup Anymore!

Think you know Mary Kay? Well think again. We'll be honest - we were a little
skeptical about previewing the Fall/Winter 2009 beauty launch. Here is what Makeup Junkie writers, Donna and Mae, had to say of their experience with Mary Kay!

Having childhood memories of my mother’s pink Mary Kay train cases and the ever elusive pink Cadillac, I was not sure what Mary Kay had to offer to our generation. After previewing the new line up I was pleasantly surprised!

The lip glosses in new colours, Bronze Bliss and Fancy Nancy, go on light, sheer and is non-sticky. It also lasted through my morning coffee all the way until lunch. The Mary Kay Loose Eye Shadows in Lilac Lace, Cashmere, and Pink Organza are wonderful and highly pigmented. The really cool thing about this eye shadow is that it comes in a mascara-like package with a tapered sponge tip for application. I thought it was an interesting concept especially for those on the go. All you have to do is pull out the wand, swipe on your eyelids and blend with your fingers!

I love the cheek colour palettes. The Soft Sable blush was the perfect shade for my medium-beige skin. Silk Nectar is more suitable for ivory/beige skin tones. Both palettes come with three colours. I like being able to choose one colour or blending two or three colours together for a custom shade.

Also new to Mary Kay’s line up is the TimeWise® Replenishing Serum+C, (okay I have to admit aging is not my concern since I look ten years younger than my age). Although I cannot speak about having a younger appearance, I can say that after a few days of usage my skin does feel more resilient and revitalized after use.

Gift sets, Bella Belara in pink packaging and Belara in blue packaging, include a Fragrance Solid Compact that comes in a cute little case for traveling, a Shimmerific Body Powder to give your body that extra sparkle, and a Body Lotion which leaves your skin feeling luxurious.

Makeup artist, Diana Carreiro, shared with us her favourite Mary Kay products. She was extremely enthusiastic and made us wanting more!

One of Diana's must-haves was the Mary Kay Timewise Age-Fighting Lip Primer. Not only does she use it to prime her client's lips but to erase mistakes too! You know those little mascara-opps! we all make when applying our mascara? All you have to do is take a cotton swab, rub some primer on it and erase the mistake! The lip primer will carefully lift off the mascara without disrupting the eyeshadow below! Another fave of hers was the Mary Kay Crème Lipstick in Tanned. It is a pretty neutral color that looks great on any skin tone. It’s creamy and smooth but does not feel heavy. Mary Kay Eyesicles Eye Color is a cream to powder shadow packaged in a convenient squeeze tube. This is great for using as a base on the eyelids to give your shadow that extra "pop". It comes in Vanilla and Island Bronze.

President of Mary Kay Canada, Ray Patrick


The infamous Mary Kary Pink Cadillac! It has since been updated but nevertheless it is pink and very cute!

Mae, Heather, and Donna

After attending the preview, I have to say all my preconceived notions of Mary Kay have been dashed and put away. So much so that I'll be calling my nearest Mary Kay consultant!

Have you tried Mary Kay products? Love 'em? Hate 'em? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

For more information on Mary Kay products, their charitable foundations, or to become a Mary Kay representative visit www.marykay.ca!

by Donna Marie De Leon and Mae Amparo
Photos courtesy of Donna Marie De Leon