Beauty Spring Feature: Hello Kitty! Hello Pretty!

Spring is around the corner - I can feel it in my bones! I don't know about you but I'm so ready to shed my puffy winter coats and mits all for something breezy, Spring-y, and sexy. To ease the drag of this cold, grey winter I've been turning to my Spring makeup collections. To kick-off Makeup Junkie Spring faves, I'm getting pretty with Hello Kitty for Sephora!


When I was between the ages of 7-10, I was obsessed with Hello Kitty. My BFF is still obsessed and she's in her mid 30's! Every time I see anything Hello Kitty, it makes me feel all fuzzy and warm. I feel like a kid again. So, when Sephora announced they were launching an exclusive Hello Kitty beauty line I was ecstatic. Even if you're not a fan, you can't help but love this cute kitty face!

Hello Kitty Charmmy Kohl Eyeliner Kit ($28 USD): This set of pencils in a reusable tin set reminds me of a pencil crayon set I had when I was in school. I had assumed that all the Hello Kitty products would be all cuteness and little quality but I'm really happy I was wrong! These kohl pencils are highly pigmented and has a smooth, velvety glide. It doesn't tug or pull at the skin. The pencils have exceptional staying power, but I did find it smudged a tad on my bottom lash line. However, the colour didn't fade at all. 

L-R: Good Night Dreams (black), Grape Juice (purple), Chocolate Milk (brown), Happy Cloud (white), Bicycle (teal green), Blue Sky (bright light blue), Blueberry (navy)

I adore the range of shades in this kit. There is something for everyone. You have a mix of neutral and really fun, bold shades. This Spring is definitely about playing with pretty colours so go with it and have fun!

Hello Kitty Charmmy Eyeshadow Stick in Teacup ($16 USD): I LOVE makeup products that make my life easier. I haven't used shadow sticks in while, but with a new baby on the way I will probably be stocking up on more of these quick sticks. Hello Kitty's version reminds me of M.A.C.'s Shadesticks which were a staple in my kit. These shade sticks apply a gorgeous pearlescent finish that brightens up the eyes. I love the smooth and easy-to-blend texture - no need for brushes! These are fab for layering underneath a powder shadow for intensity and dimension. With an eye primer, the shade stick didn't budge one bit but without one I did notice it crease and fade a tiny bit towards the end of the day. 

Eyeshadow Stick in Teacup (shimmering golden medium brown)

The collection again offers a wide range of shades so you'll be sure to find something you love. Seriously, Teacup was made for me! This shade of bronzey-brown goodness is usually my go-to everyday shade. I have been using this almost exclusively ever since I received it. It looks great paired with a bold lip, pinky or a muted peachy lip. To have it in a shade stick is a woman-on-the-go's dream! Just swipe on and you're out the door. You can apply as sheer or as heavy as you want - a definite must have from the Hello Kitty collection!

The Hello Kitty line is sweet and good for you. Products contain powerful extracts of strawberry, apple, and grape seed to hydrate and soften skin. They are packed with powerful antioxidants that fight free radicals, and improve skin's elasticity and youthfulness.

Hello Kitty for Sephora is now available at Sephora locations worldwide.


Products were sent for editorial consideration and I truly adore them.

NYFW F/W 2011 Beauty: Trend Report: Elie Tahari

NYFW F/W 2011 Elie Tahari

The runway beauty look for Elie Tahari was very reminiscent of a porcelain doll. Kimberly Soane for Bobbie Brown played up the look with luminescent cheeks, plush rosy lips, and barely-there shadow.  Even the hair--a sleek center part pulled into a low ponytail--reinforced this play on minimalist chic.  Esther Langham for Moroccan Oil finished off the locks with a few spritzes of shine spray for a glossy, polished look.

NYFW F/W 2011 Elie Tahari

 NYFW F/W 2011 Elie Tahari

 NYFW F/W 2011 Elie Tahari

 NYFW F/W 2011 Elie Tahari

Photos provided by beautypress.com. 

NYFW F/W 2011 Beauty: Trend Report: Badgley Mischka Makeup

NYFW F/W 2011 Badgley Mischka

Tom Pecheux for MAC Cosmetics created a 40's Hollywood glam makeup look (with some edge, of course), using black and silver metallic shades on the eyes. Eyebrows were defined, cheeks were contoured and lips were a lighter shade of red.

NYFW F/W 2011 Badgley Mischka

 NYFW F/W 2011 Badgley Mischka

Photos provided by beautypress.com.

NYFW F/W 2011 Beauty: Trend Report: Anna Sui

NYFW F/W 2011 Anna Sui

At Anna Sui, 60s-mod makeup and big, retro hair complemented the Boho chic style of the Fall 2011 collection. Pat McGrath for CoverGirl traced a bold dark line into the crease of the eye and applied white eyeliner on the inner bottom lids for a wide-eye effect. Cheeks were flushed with a hint of color and lips were neutral and glossy. Garren for René Furterer amped up the volume or the hair, heightening the back of the crown for a retro look.

NYFW F/W 2011 Anna Sui

 NYFW F/W 2011 Anna Sui

 NYFW F/W 2011 Anna Sui

 NYFW F/W 2011 Anna Sui

Photos provided by beautypress.com.

NYFW F/W 2011 Beauty: Trend Report: Nanette Lepore

NYFW F/W 2011 Nanette Lepore 

Nanette Lepore's Fall 2011 beauty looks played up the ethereal whimsy of her collection. James Kaliardos from MAC augmented the look by opting for a naked face save for a bright red lip and frosty eye accents.  The hair-- crafted by James Pecis for Morrocanoil--was a messy take on the french braid with intentionally haphazard sections pinned back.
 NYFW F/W 2011 Nanette Lepore 

NYFW F/W 2011 Nanette Lepore 

NYFW F/W 2011 Nanette Lepore 

NYFW F/W 2011 Nanette Lepore 

NYFW F/W 2011 Nanette Lepore 

Photos provided by beautypress.com.

NYFW F/W 2011 Beauty: Trend Report: L.A.M.B.

NYFW F/W 2011 L.A.M.B.

Despite the fact that there were six different beauty and hair looks coming down the street-gang inspired L.A.M.B. runway, the one commonality that all seemed to share was that the bigger and fiercer, the better. Hair by Danilo spanned the gamut from bouffants tucked behind lady-like head scarves, dramatically side-swept bangs, oversized buns, theatrical extensions, and an array of headpieces. The different beauty looks done by Charlotte Willer for Maybelline New York was as equally fierce with inky eyeliner, strong brows, pops of electric turquoise, thick cat eyes, and shimmery eye accents all toned down with a neutral lip.

NYFW F/W 2011 L.A.M.B. 

 NYFW F/W 2011 L.A.M.B. 

 NYFW F/W 2011 L.A.M.B. 

 NYFW F/W 2011 L.A.M.B. 

 NYFW F/W 2011 L.A.M.B. 

 NYFW F/W 2011 L.A.M.B. 

 NYFW F/W 2011 L.A.M.B. 

Photos provided by beautypress.com.

NYFW F/W 2011 Beauty: Trend Report: Vera Wang

NYFW F/W 2011 Vera Wang

For the Fall 2011 Vera Wang runway show, the makeup and hair played on the idea of a contrast between feminine and tough. Orlando Pita for Moroccanoil slicked back straightened hair and teased the bottom into a tucked-in ponytail. Lucia Peroni for Clé de Peau Beauté gave the models an intense pewter smokey eye which added a rougher edge to the clean, lady-like canvas: dewy cheeks and beige lips.

NYFW F/W 2011 Vera Wang

NYFW F/W 2011 Vera Wang

NYFW F/W 2011 Vera Wang

Photos provided by beautypress.com.

NYFW F/W 2011 Beauty: Trend Report: Michael Kors

NYFW F/W 2011 Michael Kors

Iconic models such as Carmen Kass, Karolina Kurkova and Angela Lindvall walked the runway at Michael Kors' Fall 2011 collection, celebrating his 30th anniversary in fashion. Dick Page for Shiseido created a clean, minimal makeup look and hair was simple and effortless- loose twists with hair parted in the middle and pieces intentionally sticking out. 

NYFW F/W 2011 Michael Kors

NYFW F/W 2011 Michael Kors

NYFW F/W 2011 Michael Kors

NYFW F/W 2011 Michael Kors

NYFW F/W 2011 Michael Kors

NYFW F/W 2011 Michael Kors

Photos provided by beautypress.com.

NYFW F/W 2011 Beauty: Ouidad Trend Report: Rebecca Minkoff

NYFW F/W 2011 Rebecca Minkoff

Ouidad kicked off NY Fashion Week 2011 with the Rebecca Minkoff show, the inspiration was a throwback 60’s vibe with a gypsy feel, and Ouidad’s “morning after” long, loose tousled styles were the perfect compliment to the collection.  To get the look, Ouidad used PlayCurl Volumizing Foam and Climate Control to give models a less polished “urban gypsy” look.

NYFW F/W 2011 Rebecca Minkoff

NYFW F/W 2011 Rebecca Minkoff

 NYFW F/W 2011 Rebecca Minkoff

 NYFW F/W 2011 Rebecca Minkoff
  
Photos provided by Kristen Somody Whalen.

NYFW F/W 2011 Beauty: Trend Report: Betsey Johnson

NYFW F/W 2011 Betsey Johnson

The Betsey Johnson Fall 2011 show featured bold and unforgettably creative makeup and hair looks. Charlotte Willer for Maybelline New York used vibrant blue and gold shadows to colorblock the eyes and bold red on the lips. Peter Gray for Redken used a 1920's black bob wig on the models, strategically spray-painted with gold and a black lace pattern. Nonie Creme for Butter LONDON used a metallic olive color on the nails, adding a grunge element to the look.

NYFW F/W 2011 Betsey Johnson

 NYFW F/W 2011 Betsey Johnson

 NYFW F/W 2011 Betsey Johnson

Photos provided by beautypress.com.