I got a little held up last year keeping this site up to date as work was a little nuts. That being said I am going to be much more focused on keeping the updates and posts more frequent. A few things I discovered in 2012 that I felt I had to share are some of my new must haves that I can’t seem to survive without. So here they are:

Giorgio Armani Maestro Eraser

This is a concealer skin treatment hybrid and it is amazing and the new direction of cosmetics. This concealer contains ingredients that help treat the dark circles as well. It blends beautifully and as always I am a big fan of any products that performs multitasking. You can find it at Holt Renfrew and at some Sephora‘s here in Canada as well as all better departments stores in the US.

Becca Beach Tint

This Beach Tint from Becca is great as a lip and cheek water-resistant tint. Becca has finally returned to Canada with Sephora and this is one of my favorite products I use everyday. The colour can be applied in layers to decide on the intensity and natural looking so great even for makeup newbies.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy

I have always been a huge fan of Fresh beauty products. This Advanced Therapy from their Sugar lip line is unbelievable. It provides so much moisture than the previous ones and is absolutely a must have in anyone’s bag during the winter months. I have to say my lips seem to be finally surviving this winter thanks to this product. I never leave home without it.

Chanel’s Fall/Winter 2013 Runway Nail Colour

Chanel FW 2012

Every season Chanel‘s Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel make up, creates polish colours to complement the collection that creates an absolute frenzy with fashion and make up fans. These trend setting colours sell out and have even been found on eBay for 3x their retail price, Chanel Jade anyone? This fall 2012 Le Vernis shade is no exception. For this fall look Peter only created one Le Vernis shade for the runway to complement the incredible make up that included crystal eyebrows and wardrobe, “Frenzy” is a stunning greyish taupe that is bound to create a frenzy this fall. I predict seeing it on many nails when it is released.

Bumble and Bumble Pin Tin

As all my friends know especially the ones who are hair and makeup artists, I am completely challenged when trying to do my hair. I have had them text me step by step instructions for when I have had to do my own hair for events. But now things have changed. I picked up the Bumble and Bumble Pin Tin the other day, which is in stores just in time for the holidays, and I am officially in love. This pin tin has 4 different styles of hair pins and are stored by type and size, it also comes with a few step by step instructions. I can honestly say I attempted one of the styles and I succeeded and got a ton of compliments at two separate fashion events. I also love the fact that they are white as they become part of the style. Plus I love how organized they stay. A definite recommendation.

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer

Smashbox cosmetics is a company that is extremely well known especially for their primers. The original primer has garnered a cult following. Now there is a new addition to the family and I have to say I am pretty excited about it. The Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer is a primer that provides amazing hydration to the skin yet is still oil free. Something that has been hard to find. This is a great item to have in your makeup bags for this upcoming fall and winter when the heat gets turned on and your skin starts drying out. Try it, I definitely recommend it. And bonus…it’s paraben free!

L’Oreal Paris New Hair Care Collection

Total Repair 5

So I admit I am a total product junkie. It may be a result that I continually get bored of my natural hair colour so I do things like dye it red or dark brunette, and when the upkeep becomes too much I strip it out and go back to my natural hue of blonde. But from all that torture my hair is just not as great as it used to be, say bye bye to natural waves and healthy shine. Well I have been scouring high and low to find products to try and revive my hair instead of chopping it all off and starting fresh. So when L’Oreal started advertising their new hair care line I thought I may try it. When I saw it on sale in my local drug store I bought every piece from the Total Repair 5 Collection; shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, overnight treatment, leave in detangler treatment; junkie, I know…Anyways to my surprise for the first time ever my hair has taken to all the claims and actually looks healthier, feels softer, has more body and has more shine! I felt I had to share as I know many of us are obsessed with finding the perfect product. Well as of right now this one comes pretty close and it is at a much more affordable price than the professional brands. I will definitely recommend this particular collection and I have a feeling the other ones in it will be just as great.

Dedicated Post:

Burberry Beauty

I am definitely a make-up junkie…there really is no question. But I have to admit my newest cosmetic obsession really does deserve it. Burberry Beauty is really what I feel so many woman were looking in the beauty market. It is makeup for women, not makeup artists. It was the brain child of Christopher Bailey as he felt there wasn’t any makeup out there that reflected his Burberry girl. With colours named like Trench, Khaki, Almond, Cameo, you can truly see the Burberry influence. The colours are incredibly wearable and soo easy to use, and it it gives a great fresh faced look.

I also love the packaging with the iconic plaid all over it.

Shadows:

These sheer shadows can be applied with your finger or a brush. The colours are amazing. Some of my favourites are Khaki, Gold Trench, Almond and Trench.

Lip Gloss:

Burberry Natural Lip Glow Lip Gloss

This gloss is absolutely amazing. There is great colour coverage, but absolutely noooo stickiness, so hello windy days, as there were will be no hair caught in the gloss or leaving those dreaded gloss lines on your face!

Lipstick:

Burberry ‘Lip Cover’ Soft Satin Lipstick

This lipstick actually feels hydrating on your lips. I love how if you apply it and slighlty blot it with your finger you get a great stained appearance. And can I just say how much I love the packaging. It is so sleek and sophisticated AND there is a magnet in the cap which prevents it from falling off in your purse….Genius!

Foundation:

Burberry Sheer Luminous Fluid Foundation

This foundation is absolutely incredible. I have been one to preach them amazing qualities of Gorgio Armani, but I must admit as much as I still love the Armani foundation, this one has surpassed it in my loves. There are uv filters in it, so you need to shake it up before you use it, but the colours and texture on the skin are incredible. One pump is truly all you need for coverage. I find I don’t even need to use concealer anymore with it. This is a definite recommend to anyone, and they have a great range of colours to choose from.

Currently in Canada Burberry Beauty is exclusive to Holt Renfrew Bloor Street in Toronto and Vancouver, you can order it from them from where ever your are, or you can also shop online at Nordstrom since they now ship to Canada.

Dedicated Post:

Chanel Fall Nail Polish Colours

So every season Chanel always seems to come up with the best nail colour trend defining colours, Le Vernis Nail Colours have always been on every fashionista and fashion and beauty editor’s nails and wish lists. Will we ever forget Black Satin, Noir Cermaic, Jade, Particular, or Nouvelle Vague? Well this fall they have quite a few colours up for grabs, some of them very limited and very hard to get your hands on, and one that has now, so I have been told, been added to their line-up, just like Black Satin was. Here are the shades that I am truly lusting after….

Paradoxal

Paradoxal

This is an incredible dark grey with an iridescent violet in it…definitely looks incredible on the nails, and if it is any indicator, even though it is no longer limited edition, they still can’t keep it in stock and there are wait lists.

Black Velvet

Black Velvet

This is an amazing velvety black with more of a matte finish. One word of warning this limited edition shade definitely needs a base coat, it grips your nails like I have never seen before. I love the velvety matte finish, I feel that is a fresh take on the normal shiny black we have been seeing everywhere.

Les Khakis

Les Khakis

These three shades were limited edition shades created for Vogue’s Fashion Night Out and they were launched at the Chanel in SOHO. So many people were lusting after them in other cities, that some Chanel counters got them, though I can tell you there was a definite wait list for them – I was one of them on it! I have to admit, I love all three shades:

Khaki Brun

This one looks a little more green in real life. I absolutely love it, it is a nice warm shade that really flatters many people and makes a great every day colour.

Khaki Rose

This is a more pinky brown version of particular. It is a colour that I can see all ages loving and is incredibly sophisticated.

Khaki Vert

This one is probably my absolute favourite of all the fall shades. It is the perfect Khaki green, is more cool toned then the other two shades in Les Khakis. It is most likely going to be my go to colour for the whole fall season. I absolutely love it!

Chanel has definitely done it again as Peter Philips has been creating some incredible colours that women are going nuts for. I can’t wait to see what they have in store for Spring 2011!

I’m Obsessed

Summer Beauty Staples

As much as I love summer, one does need a few great beauty staples to help survive the heat while still looking absolutely fabulous. These are a few items I use every day that help me stay looking my best and help to keep me cool and fresh looking during those extremely hot and humid days. Ladies you really only need a few essentials to get you through, so are are my beauty must haves:

Sunscreen:

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is a true beauty must have for anyone. A quick application every day before you head out and before your make up is applied is all that is needed. It helps keep your skin looking younger and you can still get a tan, just a much safer one! My absolute favourite is Dermalogica’s Solar Defence Booster SPF 30. I have  tired many brands through out the years and this is definitely the best. It doesn’t irritate your eyes, so you can get it nice and close to the eye area and it leaves no white residue, which is something I absolutely hate.

www.dermalogica.com

Tinted Moisturizer:

Tinted Moisturizer

During the summer I find foundation just too heavy. I also feel that it looks super obvious when you start to sweat it off.  A great tinted moisturizer is really all you need. The great thing about a tinted moisturizer is you can go a shade darker than your natural skin tone to give you more of a tan look with out the dreaded face mask look of a foundation since it goes on nice an sheer. It is great at evening out your skin tone and giving it that nice and healthy glow that everyone covets. I really like the ones by Laura Mercier as they offer great options for different skin types; there is the original, oil free and luminizing. I really feel everyone can find their perfect match from them.

www.lauramercier.com

Waterproof Mascara:

Waterproof Mascara

So I have still yet to understand why make-up companies continue to make non-waterproof mascara…really what woman is able to wear it and not raccoon it? Anyways, after many tests with many different brands including the expensive designer ones, I have found one that seems to really live up to all its claims, and it stays on. Trust me, I have gone swimming with it on, worn it in of 46°C weather with high humidity and even slept with it on (I know I know…soo bad for you) BUT alas no smudges!!! I also love how the Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express mascara really allows you not to have to choose between having volume or length for you lashes from your mascara. It really delivers, and I find when you have great lashes you need very little else make-up wise.

www.maybelline.com

Lip Gloss with SPF:

Lip Gloss with SPF

Gloss is a must with any girl, and the is especially evident in the summer months. But in the summer you also want to protect your lips from the sun. Not only to keep them looking great, but also take it from me, sun burnt lips are the absolute worst!!! There are lots of lip balms to choose from with an SPF in them and even a few tinted ones, but to be really honest I am lazy and I don’t really want to go through a whole process of applying those and then following up with a gloss. Plus that is way to many products to carry around. That is why I was soo excited to find out that Clinique now offers there long last glosswear with an SPF 15. My favourite every day colour is bamboo pink, a beautiful natural pink with a little bit of an extra punch to it.

www.clinique.com

Blotting Papers:

Blotting Papers

Everyone sweats, it really is a natural phenomena. Though I do love how many women refer to it as glowing…sounds soo much classier. Unfortunately to continue adding powder to combat it, ends up making your face look like you have caked make up on, that is why I prefer blotting papers. There are lots out there but I have to say it is better to go with the ones that don’t have powder in them. I really like the MAC ones. There blotting film works amazing. I have even had some of my guy friends borrow them to remove the extra grease on their face. I will tell you one secret though…if in a pinch, toilet seat covers work great!

www.maccosmetics.com

Hair Ties:

Hair Ties

If my hair isn’t up for the day, I still need to have an elastic on hand just in-case I want to throw it up and get it off my neck, or it just isn’t looking so fabulous. I love these hair ties for that reason, they look great on your wrist if you aren’t using it, and they also are so gentle on your hair that when you do use them to through your hair up, it doesn’t damage it like other elastics do. The brand emi-jay are my favourites since there are lots of colours to choose from including my favourite, the metallic collection, and they are also done by these two teenage girls in the states, which I think is amazing. Try them I guarantee you will be as addicted to them as I am, I sometimes even have more than one on my wrist since they look so great!

www.emi-jay.com

Well those are my main beauty staples for the summer, occasionally I will add a liquid blush and a great powder bronzer, but for every day this is it.

Stay tuned for my next posting project for the whole month of August!