Beauty Review: Maybelline Superstay 24 Color

How great would it be if you only had to apply lipstick once throughout day? Maybelline’s Superstay 24 lip colour makes the claim that it’ll last 24 hours if applied properly. This dual ended lip product works by applying the richly pigmented colour to clean, dry lips. Once the colour dries completely – which takes about two minutes – you apply the conditioning balm to add moisture and sheen.

L-R: Timeless Rose and Always Hot Chili

This is a very effective product at a great price point. I tried two different colours – Always Hot Chili and Timeless Rose. The colours are highly saturated, and even though I did have to reapply a couple times during the day, it did last significantly longer than many other lip products I’ve used in the past. I found that the key to maintaining smooth looking pout was to reapply the conditioning balm often.

Whenever I see that a lip product that claims to last all day, I’m always a little wary considering how often we drink water or coffee, eat or brush our teeth throughout the day. When applied properly, I believe this product puts forth a valiant effort. The first time I tried to apply it, I must have applied the conditioning balm prematurely which resulted in the lip colour shifting and clumping on my lips. Definitely not the type of product to apply while you’re in a rush!

Since these colours are highly pigmented, I would recommend using this product to accentuate your lips as the focal point, pairing it with a more neutral eye colour. [Editor's note: If you like the idea of long-lasting colour but find the colours too pigmented, where as a stain by dabbing the colour on with your finger. The effect is a bit of colour that will last all day.]

Available at drugstores and retails for $9.99 CAD.

Have you tried Superstay 24 Color? Love it? Hate it? Want it?

by Brooke

Products were sent for editorial consideration. 

www.maybellinenewyork.ca

Beauty Review: Maybelline EyeStudio Color Plush Eyeshadow

I’m going to be honest I’m not one to carry many drug store brand eye shadows in my professional kit. But after using Maybelline Eye Studio Color Plush Eyeshadow I may have to reconsider. I was very surprised upon trying these shadows. They were extremely soft and smooth and blended easily on my eyelids. One downfall of being so soft was that I noticed there was some fallout while applying to my lids. So be sure to tap any excess off your applicator or brush before applying it on. 

All the palettes are available only in a shimmery finish so if you’re more into mattes then these palettes are probably not for you. One thing I love about these palettes is that they came in a lot of different color combinations so it makes it easy to use. They even have a little picture on the back of the palette of an eyelid done up with the shadows. This is great for those of you who are unsure of where to place the colors on your lid. 

Another nice thing about these palettes is that the pigmentation is actually quite good and if you’re the type to use an eye primer or base the color will stand out even more and look very vibrant. So whether you’re an everyday wearer of eyeshadow or a professional makeup artist (maybe mix with a matte shadow to make it more appropriate for photography) I think these are a great item to have in your kit. Below are some pics and swatches of the palettes I tried.

#100 Sunset Seduction

#90 Irresistibly Ivy

#80 Pink Persuasion

#60 Spirited Seas

#20 Saphire Siren

#30 Purple Icon

Have you tried any of these palettes? Love em? Hate em? Want 'em) Makeup Junkie wants to know!

www.maybellinenewyork.ca

Donna Marie is a regular Makeup Junkie contributor! Read about Donna here and be sure to visit her beauty blog, Makeup by Donna Marie. Must reads - read up on her beautiful bridal trials and fantastic product reviews! 

www.makeupbydonnamarie.blogspot.com

Beauty News: Maybelline Mascara Confessions with ChickChat TV!

Mascara is definitely a must-have for every woman. Without it, achieving that flirty flutter would be impossible! I had the pleasure working with Ali De Bold again, host and founder of Chick Chat TV, getting women to try Maybelline's most innovative mascara, Maybelline New York Pulse Perfection! This mascara is not in stores yet, but if you visit Well.ca you'll be able to purchase one during their pre-sale event!

Enjoy the two episodes of Mascara Confessions! I had a blast being apart of it, although watching myself makes me cringe! How important is mascara to you? What qualities make a winning mascara? Makeup Junkie wants to know!


www.maybellinenewyork.ca
www.well.ca
www.chickadvisor.com

Beauty Feature: Mascara's Battle It Out Round 5!

Back in October of 2008, Makeup Junkie tested and reviewed 10 must-have mascaras and we had a blast doing it! We've gone and tested more mascaras just in time for the hot, sweaty, summer season. If you've been searching for the perfect mascara and don't want to dish out a lot of money to do it, read on because we've got you covered! (Results may vary and can perform differently on everyone.)

Mascara: Stila Convertible Mascara
Rating: 9.5 winks
Price: $22 USD
Special Feature: Innovative polymer formula encases each lash with smudge-proof, water-resistant tubes. Double-ended brush: large brush volumizes and defines while thinner brush defines the lower and harder-to-reach lashes.
Smudge-factor: none!!
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: Definitely
Wand: Medium and thin brush
For: Gals who want everything out of a mascara with extra definition.
Overall: I've never tried any mascaras from Stila and was pleasantly surprised that this mascara performed so amazingly! You get it all plus it's one of the few mascaras that didn't smudge or smear after a long day at work. I would have given it a perfect 10, but washing the "mascara tubes" can get a little messy. Expect to invest an extra 5 minutes cleaning the tubes off.

Mascara: Dior Diorshow Waterproof Mascara
Rating: 6.5 winks
Price: $24 USD
Special Feature: Waterproof version of the cult classic, Dior Diorshow Mascara. Big fat wand for big fat lashes.
Smudge-factor: yes, very smudgy - boo!
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: extreme
Wand: Big fat brush
For: Gals who want big volume, dramatic lashes, and don't normally smudge.
Overall: I was sadly disappointed in this must-have cult fave. Big voluminous lashes - check. Smudgy-smeared mess - check! I figured the water-proof version would not smudge but I couldn't be anymore wrong. I really loved how dramatically long and full my lashes looked but hated the smeary mess it made throughout the day. I found the big fat brush quickly coated my lashes but it was hard not to get the mascara all over my lids. The icing on the cake - the high price tag. All in all, gals who don't have a problem with smearing will love the big faux lash effect but you can probably get the same effect for cheaper.

Mascara: Flirt! Lash-A-Delic in Groovy Blue
Rating: 8 winks
Price: $14 USD
Special Feature: Buildable colour and definition.
Smudge-factor: no
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: natural volume but buildable
Wand: medium wand
For: Gals who want electric colour and fun, bold lashes.
Overall: Love! Adding a bright colour on the lashes adds an element of surprise. It's unexpected and gives a fun twist on your everyday makeup. Groovy Blue is bold but really makes brown eyes pop! If wearing blue on its own is too bright for you, swipe this over your favourite black mascara to tone down the blue. You'll love the volume, lift, and definition this mascara gives you - and not to mention the hot pink packaging! Also available in Boogie Brown and Mod Black.

Mascara: Benefit BADgal Waterproof Mascara
Rating: 6.5 winks
Price: $19 USD
Special Feature: Waterproof version of the best-selling original, BADgal Mascara. Waterproof and smudge-proof formula that gives you the same voluminous effect as the original.
Smudge-factor: yes!
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: medium wand not like the original fat brush
For: Gals who want lushes lashes while singin' in the rain. Good for those who don't have a problem with smudging.
Overall: Another mascara I had high hopes for. I definitely preferred this brush over the original one because it was easier to coat each lash without the mess. I also liked the lift and volume it gave. I did NOT like the smeary mess it made. It's not fun walking around thinking you look great only to discover hours later that you have mascara smeared all over your bottom lash line. I guess I'm just not one of the lucky ones who don't have smudging issues!


Mascara: CARGO blu_ray Mascara
Rating: 7 winks
Price: $20 USD
Special Feature: Comb-like brush allows for extra definition and a natural finish. Made for high-definition film.
Smudge-factor: a little
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: natural but buildable
Wand: comb-like wand
For: Gals who want extra definition and natural volume.
Overall: You can expect good lift and no clumping with this mascara. The comb-like brush also allows you to get right to the root and those hard-to-reach lashes. If you like a natural finish then this mascara is great, but if you want more volume you can add a few more coats. But if volume is what you want then just go with a volumizing mascara. The mascara smeared a little but surprisingly not as bad as the waterproof brands. While it gave good lift on first application, my lashes did start to droop throughout the day. Bottom line, for those who have naturally voluminous lashes and just want a natural finish and extra definition, then this mascara gets the job done.

Mascara: Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara
Rating: 7.5 winks
Price: $22 USD
Special Feature: A multi-effect volume mascara that is formulated with hard waxes and synthetic polymers. Creamy formula conditions lashes.
Smudge-factor: a little
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: medium wand
For: Gals who love volume and want to reapply without the clumps.
Overall: I am a huge fan of Anastasia's brow line and was excited to try this mascara. The mascara gave instant volume and lift from the first swipe. I was able to reapply more mascara for extra volume without clumping. It smeared just a bit on the outer corner but nothing too noticeable. All in all, it's a good mascara but you can probably get the same results with a cheaper brand.


Mascara: CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe Mascara
Rating: 7 winks
Price: $8.99 CDN
Special Feature: Blackest-black formula, now tinted with luxe shimmers. Giant luxe brush helps blast lashes to their biggest, boldest and most beautifully shimmering.
Smudge-factor: a little
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: fat wand
For: Gals who loved the original LashBlast mascara but want to give their eyes more attention with some shimma'.
Overall: I'm a huge fan of the original LashBlast waterproof formula, however, while it gives you the same big volume, I found the shimmer really subtle. What's the point of a shimmer mascara if you can barely see it? I applied a few more coats and was able to see it shimmer in the right light. It's kind of gimmicky but fun for perking up those lashes for a night time event.

Mascara: Maybelline Lash Stiletto
Rating: 6.5 winks
Price: $9.29 CDN
Special Feature: Elastic formula stretches lashes up to 70% visibly longer in one step. Pro Vitamin B-5 and silk protein strengthen and condition for hi-gloss black-patent shine.
Smudge-factor: a lot
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: wand is tapered at the end
For: Gals who want sky-high length and glossy shine.
Overall: This mascara gave good lift and length but nothing extreme compared to other lengthening mascaras. I found the length of my lashes to look the exact same compared to that of a volumizing mascara. I did like the wet glossy finish it gave my lashes but hated how much it smeared and smudged. The tapered brush made coating each lash really easy but overall didn't win me over.

Mascara: Kiehl's Marvelous Mineral Mascara
Rating: 7.5 winks
Price: $16.50 USD
Special Feature: Mineral pigments add natura rich colour. Anacia Senegal thickens for length and volume.
Smudge-factor: none
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: natural
Volume: natural
Wand: medium
For: Gals who are looking for something all natural for the lashes in every way - natural finish and natural ingredients.
Overall: I like the natural ingredient factor, however, the finish was too natural for my almost non-existent lashes. This is great for the "no-makeup-makeup-look" when going to the gym when you just want a little definition. The volume is buildable but it took several coats before I was satisfied with the volume. At least there are no clumps! Amazingly, it did not smudge. Not sure if that has anything to do with the mineral pigment possibly working like a stain on the lashes.

Mascara: Lise Watier 24 Hrs Glam Mascara
Rating: 4.5 winks
Price: $20 CDN
Special Feature: Elastic polymer formula and Flexi-QueenTM brush surrounds each lash with 3D waterproof film for 24 hour glamourous look. Waterproof and resists sweat, humidity and tears.
Smudge-factor: none but it did flake
Clump-factor: very clumpy
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Wand: medium
For: Gals who want glamourous volume all day and all night.
Overall: Do not attempt a 2nd coat if you want to avoid a clumpy, spidery-mess. It's no joke when they say it's elastic. When I applied a 2nd coat the elastic fibers stuck to each other. It was like stringy cheese! It would also pull some of the first coat off which was very annoying. When I attempted to comb the clumps out, I ended up taking the mascara off instead and had to reapply in some areas. There was no smudging but the mascara did flake a lot. While the lift and volume lasted all day, my lashes looked like a mess.

To view previous mascara reviews click Round 1, Round 2, Round 3 and Round 4!

What's #1 on your mascara list? Have you tried any of these? Makeup Junkie wants to know!

Beauty Feature: Mascaras Battle It Out Round 2!

Welcome to Round 2 of "Mascaras Battle It Out!" Lash-challenged sisters like me will try anything to get va-va-voom lashes. How many times have we snatched up a mascara claiming to give you bigger than big lashes only to be disappointed? From the moment I started wearing mascara, it has been my quest to find the ultimate one. Today's Round is all about colossal, bodacious, and extreme mascaras!

My Lashes: stick straight, lacking volume and length
Mission: To find a volumizing, lengthening, smudge-free, non-clumping mascara.
Round 2: Extreme volume mascaras with big brushes

Mascara: Too Faced Lash Injection
Rating: 3.5 winks
Price: $19.50 USD
Special Feature: Unique elastic polymers that curl, fatten and stretch far beyond the natural lash.

Smudge-factor: yes
Clump-factor: no
Lengthening: no
Volume: yes, but no wow factor
Curl: no
Wand: Giant brush
For: Gals who want extreme volume and want a mascara that washes off with water.
Overall: Not a fan. I had high expectations from magazine reviews, but was highly disappointed. The most foulest, chemically smell came out as soon as I opened it. I also found the formula to be really dry - another dud? It took me several coats to lengthen my lashes and to create any kind of volume. The more coats I applied, the drier my lashes looked. It also smudged and flaked throughout the day. It did remove easily with warm water, but who really cares.
Beauty Stash Worthy: Not for this Makeup Junkie!

Mascara: Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara
Rating: 6.5 winks
Price: $19 USD
Special Feature: Rich, sexy formula and oversized brush builds thick, beautiful and bodacious lashes.

Smudge-factor: a little
Clump-factor: none
Lengthening: yes
Volume: yes
Curl: yes
Wand: Oversized brush
For: Gals who love big lashes and big brushes
Overall: I really liked BADgal Plum Mascara for making the colour of the eyes pop. The original mascara does give you the volume, but to really make my lashes stand out I had to apply a few coats especially to get it really black. I also found the formula to be a little dry and not rich like it claims. The oversized brush made the application messy and it was hard to reach my smaller lashes. Comparing it to cheaper brands, I find it offers the same effect. I would have given it 7 winks but it smudged a little. The good thing is that you can layer on more without clumps. All in all, you get a nice volume on the first coat but to get it "bodacious", you need a few extra coats.
Beauty Stash Worthy: If you're a fan of Benefit's fun names and cute packaging then sure. But for me, I'd go with a cheaper version that gives you the same effect.

Mascara: Maybelline the Colossal Volum' Express Mascara
Rating: 7.5 winks
Price: $7.99 CAD
Special Feature: Lash-boosting collagen formula and unique Mega Brush plump lashes one by one for 9x the volume in just one coat.


Smudge-factor: none
Clump-factor: no
Lengthening: yes
Volume: definitely
Curl: after 2 coats
Wand: Super thick bristle
For: Gals who love extra volume with virtually no clumping and don't want to spend a fortune.
Overall: It's a good mascara for its value. The word "colossal" invites big expectations though. It gives lashes beautiful volume, length, and doesn't clump but I see no difference from the original Volum' Express Turbo Boost Mascara. The fat wand did make a mess on my lids but that's a given with big wands. I would say that the packaging is pretty "colossal"! I hate extra packaging - what ever happened to eco-friendly? I would have given it an 8 if it weren't for the packaging and the "colossal" expectations.
Beauty Stash Worthy: For the cheap price you can't go wrong.

To view Round 1 of "Mascaras Battle It Out!", click here.

Have you tried these mascaras? Love 'em? Hate 'em?

Beauty Review: Maybelline Mineral Power!

I think the last time I used drugstore brand face products was back in high school. Formulations have definitely changed since then, especially since we've entered the era of mineral makeup. Maybelline is the latest cosmetic giant to expand the brand's line to include a mineral collection, Mineral Power, which includes concealer, loose powder foundation, liquid foundation, finishing powder and loose powder blush. Surprisingly, the majority of the products did not disappoint! The quality rivals some of the higher end brands. Check out my reviews from ChickAdvisor.com!




This was my favourite of the bunch! I was VERY surprised how amazing the quality was. I prefer this one over the loose powder because the coverage is a bit heavier. Like others have said a little goes a long way. It has a creamy consistency and blends beautifully onto the skin. I've tried many foundations and this one is right up there with my favourite Face Atelier! Pretty much the same consistency and your skin looks amazing! I also like that it doesn't feel like you're wearing a lot of makeup. I chose Honey Beige and it matched my skin perfectly. Works really well under the loose foundation powder. It's also long-lasting and lasted through a sweaty workout! It would be perfect if it had an SPF but since my skin is sensitive to some SPF products I prefer to use separate sun protection that I know works with my skin. The plastic squeeze tube also makes it easier for transporting. For makeup artists building their kit I'd definitely stock up on these foundations. It's inexpensive, very transportable, and the range of colours is fairly decent. When I run out of this one and my higher end ones I may have to pick up another one of these!




I definitely prefer this over Bare Escentuals brand for many reasons. It doesn't make my skin look shiny and oily, doesn't make my skin itch (no SPF - sometimes it agrees with me sometimes it doesn't), and the diameter of the case is big enough for a proper mineral buffer. It has a light-medium coverage which gives a natural finish. I prefer something with a bit more coverage though. I decided to use it as a finisher over the liquid version and it worked wonderfully together! It's long-lasting and lasted through a sweaty workout! The colour I chose was Honey Beige and I was pleasantly surprised that it matched my skin perfectly. Doesn't look chalky and gives the skin a luminous glow. I'd recommend it!





I chose to get the bronzer as the finishing powder. I was really curious to see how good Maybelline's bronze coloured powder would be. I really love the golden hue - no orange mess here! Plus, the pigment is strong so you can afford to use a light hand. I also love the texture. The powder is silky smooth and blends easily on the skin. The mineral texture makes my skin look luminous. It also has great staying power - it lasted through a sweaty workout! I swear lol. The packaging is sleek and has a convenient slide compartment for your sponge - perfect so it won't get dirty. But I wouldn't use the sponge for the bronzer - always use a big powder brush for a natural effect. If you're in the market for a bronzer it's a really inexpensive quality bronzer!





I chose the True Peach shade and I was really happy it was a true peach shade and not peachy-pink. I prefer a pressed powder blush but I loved how natural the blush looked. It's definitely buildable so you can keep applying until the desired colour. The little brush kind of irritates my skin so I prefer to use a real blush brush. You definitely need to tap it off in the container before applying because the brush can grab a lot of product. If you buff it into the skin it looks like the colour is coming from underneath the skin. I love how healthy and radiant the colour makes me. I'd definitely recommend it for those who love mineral blushes or love loose powders.





This was my least favourite product from the line. I chose Medium Beige seeing how that was the second last dark shade and it was still too light for me. It didn't give me a greyish hue, however, but rather the white raccooned look. But once I applied a more yellowy concealer over top it neutralized it a bit more. The coverage I'd say was med-full. I found the coverage to be decent and I did like the the luminous effect it gave to the under eyes. But I have other concealers that do a better job. If the line offered a wider range of colours it would really make a difference. Overall, it was just kind of "meh" for me. I wouldn't say I don't recommend it but it's not for me. May work for some but not a wide majority.

All in all, Maybelline's Mineral Power collection is a great buy if you love mineral products and inexpensive but quality makeup. Since trying this line it's kind of re-opened my eyes to drugstore brand foundations and I may even consider picking some up in the future. But for now, my heart is with Face Atelier! Has anyone else tried the Maybelline's Mineral Power collection? Love it? Hate it? Happy shopping!

To read more reviews of Maybelline's Mineral Power collection visit ChickAdvisor.com!

Makeup 101: Bridal Beauty Tips Part 2

Now that we've got the formalities out of the way, lets get to the fun stuff! When it comes to makeup on your wedding day you want to be able to look back 10 or 20 years from now without any regrets. I always recommend that brides choose classic and timeless looks. Save the bright shimmery shades for any other day or better yet your bachelorette party! Whether you're looking for a look to show the makeup artist or doing your own makeup, here are some beautiful looks that are easy to re-create and beautiful year after year.


1. Classic Old Hollywood: This is one of my favourite looks that never goes out of style and one of the easiest to re-create. It's all about defined brows, flawless skin, bold lips, and flirty eyes. Before applying any makeup, make sure your skin is clean and moisturized. Wait for about 5 minutes after applying moisturizer to let it set and soak into the skin before putting on your base. Prep skin with a primer (one with an SPF is even better) like M.A.C.'s Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 or Lorac's aquaPrime Oil Free Makeup Primer to keep makeup on longer.

Your foundation should last long and not look powdery or caked on. Your skin should look radiant and fresh and not shiny and oily looking. For wedding makeup I recommend the following foundations: oily skin I like MAC's Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 or Make Up For Ever's Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation, normal or combination skin I love Face Atelier's Ultra foundation or MAC's Face and Body Foundation, and for dry skin try Bobbi Brown's Moisture Rich Foundation or Bobbi Brown's Luminous Moisturizing Foundation. Use concealer only where needed: under eye, around the nose, and obvious blemishes. Set with a loose powder and touch up shiny skin with blotting papers throughout the day.

Use an eye primer or base before applying shadow so that it will not crease or fade. I like using MAC's Eye Paints as a base in any of the neutral colours. Use shadow colours in light shades like champagne, silver or taupe. Benefit's new Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner comes in many beautiful shades including a black one which can be used as the black liner. Finish off the eyes with lots of waterproof mascara from Maybelline and fake lashes in #4 from MAC (optional). To define the brows, use a slanted brush and brow powder for a natural effect like Benefit's Brow Zings which comes with a brow wax to keep in place, brow powder, tweezers, and slanted brush.

For blush, I would add a little more colour than the picture because you don't want to look pale. Go for neutral tones in browny pinks or rose. I like powder blushes from Bobbi Brown's in Almond (toasted almond) or Tawny (medium pinky brown). This look is all about a strong, bold lip in red. And since this can get messy with all the kissing you'll be doing you want to make sure it stays put. I like Nars' Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Forbidden Red because it also acts as a lip liner. If you'd prefer a lipstick then make sure to get a lip liner to prevent the colour from bleeding like MAC's lip pencil in Brick. If the red in the picture is too strong for you opt for more berry-reds or reds in a sheer form. Make Up For Ever has a great lip matifyer called Matte Lip that you can apply over any lipstick or gloss with long-lasting effects. This is a great option for people who don't normally buy matte lipsticks. For even more kiss-proof lips try Make Up For Ever's Lip Plus Lipstick Sealer.


2. Youthful but Classic: This is today's version of the Classic look just more youthful and softer. The brows are still softly defined, skin is still flawless but is slightly luminescent, the eyes are warmer and not as defined, cheeks are rosier, and lips have a pop of colour but in sheerer tones of red and are not strongly defined. Use a nice gold shadow on the lid and in corner of eyes like MAC's Eye Paint in Base Light. Smudge a brown shadow like MAC's Espresso into the upper lash line and outer crease. Load on the waterproof mascara and add some falsies to the outer corner. Sweep a soft pink powder blush onto the cheeks like MAC's Dame (one of my favourite pink blushes!) or Benefit's Dandelion highlighting powder. Finish the look off with a juicy pout in MAC's Venetian Lustreglass or L'oreal's Colour Juice Stick in Cherry Freeze (Ali from ChickAdvisor.com had this in her makeup bag and we used it on her podcast shoot!). Be sure to line lips in a corresponding shade to prevent feathering or bleeding but blend really well with a lip brush so it does not look too defined. Wearing a lip primer is a good idea as this will also keep your lip colour on all day. I use Benefit's Lip Plump all the time to smooth out lines and to prep the lips before applying colour. For extra lasting effects apply Make Up Forever's Lip Plus Lipstick Sealer as mentioned in #1.


3. Classic Bridal Beauty: This is a look that looks good on almost anyone and can be used any time of the day. Brown tones on the eyes, pink rosy cheeks and a pink pout. Check out Bobbi Brown Cosmetics.com for tips and instructions on how to re-create this look. She has even created a custom bridal palette!

4. Looks for Darker Skin Tones: I love doing smokey looks or deep cocoa and amber colours on darker skinned women. Darker tones can get away with doing a smokey look on the eyes because it doesn't look overdone as it would on someone with fairer skin. Check out Iman Cosmetics for tips and products. There are some amazing looks on there!

That rounds out my list for my favourite bridal beauty looks! I hope all you brides out there were able to get some ideas and helpful tips. Remember, in the end you want to look like you but only better on your wedding day. Congratulations and all the best on your journey to wedded bliss!

Beauty Reviews: Drugstore Brands vs. High End Brands

I've been asked a few times why I rarely recommend or review any drugstore brand cosmetics. I'll be honest - as a make-up artist I'm used to sticking with high end brands but that doesn't mean I think less of drugstore cosmetics. The drugstore is where I began my love affair with make-up and I still continue to buy a mascara or two here and there. Brands like Revlon, L'oreal, Maybelline, and Max Factor have gone above and beyond changing their formulations and packaging to match those of their higher end competitors. If you're looking to buy quality make-up on a tight budget, here are some recommendations and make-up artist favourites.

1. Foundations: "L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup, and Cover Girl's Queen Collection Oil Free Liquid Makeup for darker skin tones

2. Tinted Moisturizers: Quo's Skin Tint SPF 15 and Wet n Wild Ultimate Sheer Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15

3. Concealers: MAX Factor's Erase Secret Coverup, Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Under Eye Concealer

4. Loose Powder: Revlon's Bare It All Lustrous Powder, Cover Girl's TruBlend Powder with Minerals

5. Pressed Powder: Physician's Formula Powders (they come in many types to suit your needs), L'oreal True Match Super Blendable Powder

6. Corrective Products (rosacea, blemish and scar marks): Physician's Formula, Quo's Bags Away or Colour Corrector Camouflage

7. Blush (powder, cream, or stain): Quo, L'oreal, Cover Girl's Cheekers Blush, Revlon's Limited Edition Pinch Me cheek stain, Wet n' Wild Twist Up Blush Sticks, Revlon's Cream Blush

8. Eyeshadows (powder, cream, liquid): Revlon's Limited Edition Diamond Lust, Revlon's Illuminance Cream Eyeshadow, Revlon's
ColorStay 12 Hour Eyeshadow Quad, Cover Girl's Queen Collection for darker skin tones, MAX Factor MAXeye Shadows, Quo Stay Put Cream Eye Colour

9. Eyeliners (pencil, liquid, cream): NYC Liquid Eyeliner, NYC's "Miss Sparkle" Highlighter Pencil, Physician's Formula's Eye Definer Felt Tip Eye Marker, Cover Girl's CG Smoothers Eyeliner

10. Mascara:
Natural - Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
Volume - Maybelline Volum Express Turbo Boost Waterproof
Lengthening - L'oreal's Lash Out Mascara

11. Lipstick: L'oreal's Colour Riche, Cover Girl TruShine Lip Color for a sheer finish, Cover Girl's Queen Collection for darker skin tones, Wet n Wild Precious Metals

12. Lip Gloss:
High shine/sheer colour - Wet n Wild's Glassy Gloss Lip Gel, L'oreal's ColourJuice Gloss, Maybelline's Shiny-licious Lip Gloss ,

Plumping - Wet n Wild's Mega Plump Lip Gloss, Physicians Formula's Plump Potion Needle-Free Lip Plumping Cocktail

Shimmery Liquid Colour - Revlon's Super Lustrous Lip Gloss, Bonnebell's Lip LITES

Darker Skin Tones - Cover Girl's Queen Collection

Stain: Revlon's Limited Edition Just Bitten Lip Stain

13. Tinted Lip Balms: Bonnebell's Lip LITES Glossy Tints, Wet n Wild's Pout Protector SPF 15, Burt's Bees Lip Shimmers

14. Lip Balms: Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil, Neutrogena's Lip Moisturizer SPF 15, Aveeno's Intense Relief Medicated Therapy, any of the original Bonnebell Lip Smackers for yummy scents, Wet n Wild Jumbo Juicy Lip Balm

15. Lip Liners: Wet n Wild Creme Lip Liner Pencils, Cover Girl's Queen Collection for darker skin tones

16. Bronzers: Physicians Formula has a variety of bronzers to choose from, NYC Bronzing Face Gel, Bonnebell's Gel Bronze, L'oreal Glam Bronze Bronzing Powder

17. Highlighters and Body Shimmers: Revlon's Limited Edition Bare it All Lustrous Lotion, Wet n Wild's Mega Pump Shimmer

18. Multi-Purpose Products for Eyes, Lips, Cheeks: Wet n Wild's 3-of-a-Kind Twist Up Stick, Wet n Wild MegaGlo Face Illuminator, Physicians Formula's Bronze Gems Matte & Bright Bronzer, Highlighter & Eye Shadow

Tools: Quo has an assortment of tools, Revlon has a variety of tweezers and eye lash curlers

Brushes: Quo brushes are a favourite among make-up artists because they're affordable and quality brushes, buy Sonia Kashuk brushes if you're in the US, affordable and high quality. Her make-up line is also wonderful.

That wraps up my drugstore brand favourites! I hope this was helpful and I'd love to hear what your favourites are! Happy shopping!

*Quo is only sold in Canada at your local Shoppers Drug Mart. All other brands you can find at your local drugstore.

Beauty Products for Moms-on-the-Go! (Part 2)

These are the products I recommend for quick and easy applications.

1. Face: A good moisturizer that gives you a radiant glow like M.A.C.'s Strobe Cream. You can mix with your normal moisturizer if you need more moisture or your favourite foundation for a nice sheer dewy effect. I also love to use this as a highlighter on the cheekbones. *Tip: For darker skin tones I recommend mixing a gold highlighter with your moisturizer.



2. A really good eye cream to calm down those bags and puffy eyes after a night of broken sleep (I am happy to say that my baby boy is finally sleeping through the night!). I've been using M.A.C.'s Fast Response Eye Cream, however, I'm thinking about trying some other new ones - if I can afford it! I really do love this product though. The caffeine in it helps reduce the puffiness and the silicone base acts as an optical illusion to hide fine lines and dark circles. *Tip: The eye area is very delicate. Apply using your ring finger as it uses the least amount of pressure.



3. Tinted Moisturizer with an SPF. I love anything that makes my skin look dewy and fresh. Lately I've been using Stila's Sheer Colour Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 and I'm lovin' it! It's easy to apply and I almost feel like I'm not wearing anything. I don't need a brush and apply it with my fingers like I would a normal moisturizer. It was also featured as Sephora's "Best Of 2006" so that should tell you something.



4. For those that need a bit more coverage or have dark under circles (me!) I would definitely recommend a concealer. A few months ago I was on the hunt for really good concealer and I have found two great ones. The one I've been using currently is M.A.C.'s Studio Finish Concealer Palette SPF 35. It's a heavy duty concealer that comes in Light, Medium, Dark, and Deep Dark. You just apply it with your ring finger. It covers everything from blemishes to tattoos and doesn't crack under the pressure. I never have to retouch it at the end of the day. What I love most, and I'm glad they finally came out with something like this, is that you have 3 colours that you can match to fit your needs. No one has one undertone to their skin. Your under eye can have more of a blue undertone while your skin has a pink undertone. And with an SPF of 35 you can't go wrong. *Tip: Applying the concealer with your ring finger warms it up making it blend easier onto the skin. If you don't like using your finger I recommend the #194 brush from M.A.C.


Face Atelier's Camouflage Duet is another favourite of mine. It has more of a medium to full coverage and has a nice satin finish with a luminous sheen which I love using under the eyes. For you make-up artists out there that don't know (but of course you do!), they have a great pro discount program and it's easy to sign up!



5. Women on the run rarely have the time or energy to put effort into their eyes. The easiest thing you can do to bring out the eyes is highlight the brow bone, inner corner, and center of the eye. It'll make you look fresh and awake. Right now I'm in love with Nars' line of cream shadows especially their newest duo edition in Thebes. One side is a sheer platinum shimmer and the other side is a sheer gold. You can mix them together or wear on their own. Just apply with your ring finger. It is a perfect choice for highlighting the eye. They come in many gorgeous colours and have a lot of pigment yet they glide on sheer. You can also layer them with a powder shadow for a punchier effect.


Some other good ones to try are M.A.C.'s Eye Paints (also finger friendly) in Stilife (icy peach frost), Untitled (pale mauvy-pink shimmer), or Base Light (pale gold shimmer). These suckers are water-resistant and crease proof.



6. A good eye lash curler to open those peepers up. Opening up the eyes will also help you look more alive. My all-time fave is Shu Uemera's. This is a staple in every make-up artist's kit. *Tip: To avoid an unnatural lift, curl your lashes 3 times starting at the base of the lash, then the middle, and if you have long enough lashes at the tip of the lash. This will help give a more natural lift.



7. An amazing mascara. Right now I am obsessed with finding the best mascara for my short-barely-there-stick-straight lashes (damn my Asian genes!). The only ones that give me the lift are waterproof formulas which I don't like to use on a daily basis. I have a few in mind that I will have to try out. I have a few from Maybelline that I have sitting around that I'm willing to give a second chance since I can't afford to buy more right now. However, the one I carry in my kit and is a great all-purpose mascara is Maybelline's iconic pink and green tube of Great Lash Mascara which is celebrating it's 35th anniversary! Congrats! The waterproof one works great on me but like I said in the above. *Tip: Start the mascara at the root of the lash. This will help lift the lash and prevent it from drooping. As you work your way up, wiggle the wand back and forth. Avoid the "wiggle" if you have naturally clumpy lashes.



8. A little bit of blush goes a long way. It not only makes you youthful and healthy but it gives pale tired skin a much needed flush of colour. Anything that is cream-to-powder, gel based, or a stain I love and absolutely recommend when you're on th go. Nowadays, there are so many great products that fit the bill and all of them are blendable with your fingers. I also love multi-purpose products. My favs right now for cream-to-powder is NARS The Multiple in South Beach for a warm peachy hue or Malibu a pinky-brown shade. They have a beautiful shimmer to them that gives your skin a radiant finish. They can be worn on the eyes, lips, and cheeks although I only use mine on my cheeks. Actually South Beach is great on the lips paired with a gloss.


Gel Stains: I love all the Tarte gel Stains. I love the yummy smells and the sheer dewy effect it gives the skin. They're easy to blend and stay put all day. My favourites are Flush (berry-red shade) and Tipsy (a coral peach shade with a touch of shimmer).



Stains: I love Benefit's Benetint Pocket Pal. It's a mini version of Benetint and it's so convenient you can bring it anywhere with you. It has a nice rosy pink hue to give your cheeks a healthy glow. On your lips, it gives a "I've been kissing for hours" look and comes with a clear gloss to help keep your lips moisturized and shiny. *Tip: For creams, stains, or gel blushes always apply only on the apples of the cheeks. They're meant to give you a natural flush. For powder blushes you can extend to the hairline. To find the apple of your cheek, smile!:)


9. The product I'm most addicted to are lip products. I've had to cut myself off from buying glosses because I have too many and I rarely wear them now. Now that I have a baby, I can't help but smother him with kisses. Sticky gloss on his cheek does not go over well with him or my hubby for that matter. On special occasions when I'm going out for drinks or some other event I will slick on the gloss. Other than that tinted lip balms have been my best friend. I'm obsessed with normal lip balms at the moment as well. That's a story for another time. My favourites right now are M.A.C.'s Tinted Lip Conditioners with SPF 15 in Petting Pink (soft pink) and Fuschia Fix (deeper pink). They are super moisturizing and have a yummy vanilla scent to them. The colour is just the perfect amount and goes on sheer. The packaging has also changed and is oh-so chic!

Well, that rounds out my list for now. Stay tuned for my update on finding a liquid bronzer!