spring cleaning - makeup bag edition.

Happy first day of SPRING! I am beyond excited that winter is behind us and we have sun and warm weather to look forward to! This time of year is usually reserved for cleaning your windows, your closets... but what about your makeup bag? Cleaning out your makeup bag is important in keeping things fresh and (you looking your best), and what better time than Spring to give your makeup bag an update. Out with the old and in with the new!

Here is a handy chart from makeup.com that outlines the lifespan of our beloved cosmetics. If it's past the recommended keep time (or you can't remember when you bought it... i'm looking at you lipgloss with the name worn off) it's time to replace it.

Some of these dates are a guideline, but keep in mind - powder products tend to be safer to keep longer than two years, but mascara is a must-replace every three months due to the sensitive nature of our eyes and the perfect conditions for bacteria to build up in the tube. Here's a tip to help you remember: when you open your new mascara take a marker and write the date of opening on the package and keep this in your makeup bag or drawer, or if you're tech-savvy, set a reminder on your smartphone for 3 months from the purchase date to buy a new one!



Who regularly cleans out their makeup bag? Let me know in the comments below! 

february beauty buys!

Finally it's March! And among the arrival of SPRING (we're seriously dying a slow, snow-covered death here in Ontario), this also means it's time to review last month's beauty buys!

L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray

A makeup setting spray was an usual drugstore find, as I've only seen the luxury beauty brands offering them, so when I spotted this one from L'Oreal I thought I would give it a try. I am going to give it another chance, but I can't say I was overly impressed the first time I used it. It's mist isn't "super-fine" as it claims, and I was shiny a couple hours later. For everyday use, it might do the trick, but I still prefer Urban Decay's All-Nighter setting spray for bridal, special events, and all-day/night wear. Considering this one is $17 (not that cheap for drugstore), I would probably just recommend splurging on the Urban Decay one.

Shoppers Drug Mart, $16.99

Marcelle BB Cream

An old favourite! I recommend this BB cream to everyone. It has just the right amount of coverage to make your skin look like it's naturally flawless when you don't want to wear a lot of makeup, plus it has all the benefits of a BB cream... and if you get the 'anti-aging' one it has sunscreen for an added bonus! 

Shoppers Drug Mart, $22.95

NYX Baked Blush + Illuminator

I saw this product in a tutorial and wanted to give it a try, and managed to get these on sale at Target's liquidation sale. Colours are "Sugar Mama" (coral) and "Spanish Rose" (pink). They are baked and have a shimmery finish, which is nice if you want a highlighted look. For a drugstore brand, I was impressed with the pigmentation, and finish.

Target, $10.99 (on sale for $7.69)

St. Tropez Self-Tan Bronzing Mousse

A celeb-favourite! An easy to use self-tanning mousse that gives you a rich bronze colour. Good for maintaining your vacation tan, or for pretending you don't like in such a desolate and depressing climate.  Recommeded for use with the tan applicator mitt. 

Sephora, $38 

Sally Hershberger Supreme Lift Root Spray

This was a re-purchase for me, I've used this product for a while as it really does give volume and body to your hair when sprayed on roots before blow-drying. And I love the hot pink packaging!

Shoppers Drug Mart, $12.99

L'Oreal Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Colour Riche in "Nude Ballet" 

I'm a sucker for nude lipsticks/glosses/pencils, I legit probably have about 15-20... So what's one more? This was another Target Liquidation find, and something that's been on my radar since I read Kim Kardashian wore this at her last wedding. It's a really pretty colour, not too light, but still considered nude, and has a lot of pigment. It creates a natural look and lasted quite a while! I will definitely try other colours of this product.

Target, $8.99 (on sale for $6.29) 

Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser

A lot of my beauties don't use/understand/know about the beauty blender (foundation sponge that creates a flawless finish!), and that's a blog post in itself, but I recently picked up the solid cleanser for beauty blenders because I was sick of using lathery shampoo that took forever to rinse out. 5 stars for this product!!! If you own a beauty blender I advise you to fork over the $20 for this cleanser - you will not be disappointed. It took every trace of makeup off my BB and rinsed clean in just a couple minutes. 

Sephora, $20

Stila Eyes are the Window Eyeshadow Palette in "Mind"

I love this palette!! The colours are beautiful, the pigment is amazing, and they are all matte finishes which I am obsessed with lately. Don't get me wrong I love a good shimmer shadow, but mattes are so versatile and create a modern, clean, youthful eye look. Every colour you need to create a natural to smoky-eye look is here, and as a bonus it's formulated without parabens and sulphates. If anyone wants to see swatches, let me know in the comments! 

The Beauty Boutique, $60

Rimmel Wonder'lash Mascara

I picked this mascara up after reading a review of new drugstore products to try, and I've used it a few times with mixed feelings. Initially I liked the first application, but have changed my mind in subsequent applications. I like the applicator wand and formula (it contains argon oil), but it didn't volumize (is that a word?) my lashes as much as I would have liked; it's more of a separating and lengthening formula. To be honest, I feel like every mascara that is sold at the drugstore is manufactured in a massive warehouse from the same formula, and then sent to different lines for different brand packaging. THEY ALL DO THE SAME THING. Just a thought I have from time to time.

Shoppers Drug Mart, $8.99 (on sale!)

Maybelline Fit Me Matte+Poreless Foundation

I have combination skin and large pores, so anytime a product claims to mattify and minimize pores I'm all over it. I liked this foundation's coverage and finish, but after a couple hours I was no less shiny than usual. I wouldn't say this is a breakthrough in mattifying foundation, but it's worth picking up if you are looking for a good drugstore foundation. 

Shoppers Drug Mart, $6.99 (on sale!)

____

If you have used any of these products I'd love to know your thoughts in the comments!

Lianne

how I fill in my brows + 5 brow products to try

I love brows! Strong brows, shaped brows... There's no doubt bold brows are the newest hot accessory, and are so important to the overall look of the face. I get a lot of questions and comments on my brows, so I figured I would film a short video showing how I fill my brows in using my favourite product of the moment, Anastasia Beverly Hills' Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown (available at Sephora).

HOW-TO:

Using a small angle brush, dip into pomade and take a small amount of product on your brush (a little goes a long way with this stuff!) Spread it around on the back of your hand to warm it up and evenly disperse it on the brush. Using small strokes, apply to your brow sparingly with the aim to build up a natural looking eyebrow. Use a little more product on the arch and tail and less on the head of the brow (to avoid the angry "Uncle-Leo" look). Continuously brush through with a spooly brush to shape brows and disperse the product. 

(I'm dreaming of spring in Paris, hence the music!)

If you're not into the pomade, and feeling major regret for past plucking, here are four other products with my stamp of approval to help you fake it.

1. Make Up For Ever Eyebrow Pencil 

This pencil delivers a precise line, while the highly pigmented formula delivers long lasting hold. $23, sephora.ca

2. Annabelle InstaGlam Brow Design + Fix 

This marker plus brush allows for precise and even application. Double-duty bonus points: There’s colour on one side and a natural-hold gel on the other! $13, annabelle.ca

3. Benefit Gimme Brow 

This unique gel contains volumizing fibres that really creates an enhanced brow effect. It's a must-try! $26, benefitcosmetics.com

4. NARS Brow Perfector 

Great for creating a really natural defined brow and comes in a unique range of shades. Longer lasting than a pencil. $27, murale.ca

beach beauty must-haves... what to pack if you're heading south.

I just returned home from a sunny vacay in the Bahamas (snow and -30 degree weather welcomed me with open arms - why do we live here again?) and it inspired me to write a post on beauty essentials for your suitcase. Read on if you're heading south for spring break!

1. sunscreen 

This is a must. Ideally SPF 30, but at the very least 15! There is nothing beautiful about wrinkles and age spots, or worse, skin cancer. Have no fear bronze-loving beauties, you will still tan with sunscreen, just won't be experiencing the damage that UVA and UVB rays do to unprotected skin.

LD Pick:Ombrelle Complete Sunscreen Lotion, $20 [I scored mine at Winners for $10!]

2. body lotion

After a day in the drying sun and chlorine-filled pool, you'll want to nourish and hydrate your skin, and what better way to do that than with a really good moisturizer. Bonus points if it contains shimmer elements to really make your tan pop!

LD Pick: Biotherm After Sun Oligo-Thermal Sparkle Cream, $37

3. bronzer/highlight

Bronzing and highlighting products are great for giving your skin a radiant, luminous finish, and for the start of your vacation, bronzer can help you fake it before you make it! The Too Faced bronzer I love combines the natural, therapeutic effects of real cocoa powder with their signature bronzing pigments, creating a unique matte bronzer that neutralizes red, and evens out and enhances all skin tones.

LD Pick: Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder, $30 [smells like chocolate!]  //  MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in "Lightscapade", $37

4. bb cream

The last thing you want to do on vacation is wear a lot of heavy foundation [or spend lots of time in the bathroom getting ready!] so packing a BB cream is a must. This easy to use product smooths skin and evens out skin tone in a flags, with just the right amount of coverage. Finish with a bronzer to give yourself that 'au natural', flawless skin that's perfect for the resort.

LD Pick: Marcelle BB Cream, $23

5. waterproof mascara

At the beach, or for those humid nights, waterproof mascara will stay put [no mascara smudges!]

LD Pick: Lancome Hypnose Waterproof Custom Volume Mascara, $31

6. a bright lipstick

If you choose to pack no other element of makeup on your vacation, pack a bright lipstick. In a vibrant pink, or punchy coral, it gives your face a pop of colour while still remaining fresh and natural.

LD Pick: Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivid Lipstick in "Fuchsia Flash", $8

7. spf lip balm

Don't forget about your lips in the sun - they can experience the same damage the rest of your skin does! And anyone who has burned their lips knows how painful it can be. Make sure to pack a lip balm with SPF and reapply often.

LD Pick: Blistex Ultra Protection SPF 30 Lip Balm, $4 

8. nourishing face cream

Even though you've just protected the delicate skin on your face with sunscreen all day (Right? Right??), you should still rehydrate at night with a light face cream that won't weigh you down [and doesn't contain retinoids that make your skin sensitive in the sun].

LD Pick: Nivea Aqua Effect Moisturizing Night Care, $12

And before you go... Don't forget about a bright mani/pedi, and some self-tanner for a head start on that J-Lo glow!

Bon Voyage Beauties!!!

the 10 dos and don'ts of bridal makeup.

Along with family visits and lots of food, the holidays usually bring with them a host of engagements, and by this time of the new year wedding planning is in full swing for many couples! Whether you are newly engaged or have been planning for a while, make sure you don't forget one important element - wedding beauty! Below is a list of 10 expert bridal tips, to make sure you look flawless on your big day!

DO:

1. 'Make sure you have your trial at least three weeks, but no more than 3 months before your wedding. If you plan on using fake tan for the big day, have a test run before your make-up trial so that your artist can see what colour your skin becomes with the tan,' says M·A·C Senior Artist, Rebecca Butterworth.

2. 'Wear a white t-shirt if you’re having your make-up test in a store so that you can see how the make-up looks against a pale colour and take a picture of yourself in day light (with no flash) to see how it looks' says celebrity make-up maestro Caroline Barnes.

3. 'Bring references to your make-up trial, also known as "tears". Start looking for images of make-up that you really like and bring them with you on the day. Try to identify what it is you like about the make-up in the image and take into account that if you have the skin colour of Dita Von Teese then the make-up of Kim Kardashian won't necessarily translate onto you,' says Rebecca from M·A·C.

4. 'Remember that bridal make-up needs to have enough colour to compensate for the whiteness of the dress. There’s a big difference between everyday clothes and a wedding dress, so there should be difference in your make-up, too. Starting with beautiful natural-looking skin, and adding colour to cheeks and lips will really make you glow,' says Bobbi Brown.

5. 'Use false eyelashes – whether strip or the more natural individual, they’re a brilliant way to make your eyes stand out, and looks amazing in photographs.'

DON'T:

1. 'Have your make-up trial anywhere with overhead fluorescent lighting. If you have a professional make-up artist coming to your home, arrange a time when it’s still daylight outside,' says Caroline Barnes

2. 'Trowel it on. It’s a total myth that your make-up has to be plastered on for the photographs. Lots of wedding photography is done in natural light, and if you choose a heavy base the make-up will look obvious. Just ensure your T Zone is matte and that can be achieved with fine translucent powders and blotting powders, not layers of make-up.'  

3. 'Go for anything too trend-led. It's worth bearing in mind that you'll have to live with photos from your wedding for the rest of your life, so it's best to avoid statement looks and opt for something more classic; that glittery eyeliner you saw on a Parisian catwalk might look super pretty and modern now, but chances are it'll look tired and dated in twenty years' time. This isn't to say that you'll have to make yourself up in a symphony of beiges though if you're used to a more punchy make-up - vintage wedding dresses in particular can look breathtaking with a classic old Hollywood lipstick colour,' says Alex Babsky.

4. 'Be scared of going a bit brighter. Neutral, brown, and pale lip colours can look washed out in photographs, so choose a lipstick that’s one or two shades brighter than what you would normally wear. If you usually wear a neutral hue, it should be worn as a base, with a pink or rose colour on top. If you typically wear dark lipstick, use that as the base, and apply a brighter pink on top to give the colour a lift. Pinks, roses and plums are all great, classic choices for brides,' says Bobbi.

5. 'Rush. Allow at least 45 minutes to an hour for make-up application on the wedding day,' says Bobbi.

Lianne 

my fave products of 2014!

2014 was an amazing year for me, and in the process of turning my passion into a career, I discovered a few favourite products that I want to share!

FACE

Starting with foundations, I really like Urban Decay Naked Skin foundation for a lighter, skin-finish texture. For a fuller coverage on my skin type (combination) I really like M.A.C. Studio Fix Fluid. If you have dry or mature skin I highly recommend M.A.C. Mineralize Moisture foundation - it really makes skin glow!

For concealer, M.A.C. Pro Longwear is amazing and lasts all day - but to avoid creasing MUST be set with a powder. For a drugstore concealer Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser is another great one to try.

Contouring was all the rage this year, and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit is the holy grail, but another great contour product is Benefit's Hoola Bronzer... works great for contouring because it's matte.

I love a good blush and like to use different colours depending on the day and my mood, but I found myself reaching for Naked Flushed by Urban Decay. It's so nice because it's blush, bronzer and highlighter all in one that you can customize depending if you want more glow or more colour. Another blush I've been using pretty much everyday for the past month is "Blushbaby" by M.A.C.. It's very soft and natural and goes with so many looks.

A primer for oily skin that I discovered this year and absolutely LOVE is BECCA Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector. It really keeps skin matte the longest of any primers I've tried.

EYES

For eyeshadows I was all about the Urban Decay NAKED palettes this year, specifically 2 (looked best with my colouring). I also liked Maybelline's cheaper alternative to a neutral palette aptly titled 'The NUDES'. (Can you tell I love a natural eye look?!)

I almost exclusively used liquid liner this year, and found myself reaching for Revlon Colourstay Liquid Eye Pen in "Blackest Black". Makes winged liner so easy, and stays on all day!

The lashes I finished my look with the most often was ...Ardell Demi Wispies! I used countless pairs on clients and got many compliments while wearing them myself. They are the perfect amount of drama and natural, and fit perfectly with the cat-eye look I do so very often. 

For brows I only use Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow pomade, but for those who want an easier option I recommend M.A.C.'s Veluxe Brow Pencil... The creamy texture makes filling in brows a breeze and comes with a handy brush attached for easy blending. 

LIPS

LIPS! How could I pick just one?! Impossible! For luxury lipsticks I love all M.A.C. lipsticks, and at the drugstore I love Revlon lipsticks (sometimes you can even get them on sale at shoppers for $4.99! Keep an eye out for that).


BONUS:

For setting sprays, Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray works great to keep your makeup looking amazing for hours, and I also use M.A.C. Fix+ for setting, as well as prepping the skin, as a tool to make 'dry' eyeshadows 'wet', and to apply loose pigment (just spritz your brush before dipping into shadow/pigment).


Comment below with any other products you loved in 2104! I always want to hear about great products, old or new, as there are so many out there I don't get to try them all!

the school of professional makeup

It's been one year since I made the decision to pursue makeup art as a career, and I figured now would be a good a time as any to share my experience with the school that changed my career path. I started my journey where most people do - with an online search for the best school to attend. Being a resident of Niagara, I soon realized that I would have to travel to Toronto for the best program (and one that strictly focused on makeup art), and there were only three main schools that offered a recognized diploma program worth checking out. The School of Professional Makeup was one of them, and after much deliberation and soul searching I scheduled a tour. Rob Closs, the school's owner and creative director met with me and gave me a one-on-one tour of the school's facility and available programs. Rob and I clicked right away! He was professional but friendly, and down to earth (translation = hilarious!) After touring another popular makeup college, I knew what the right decision was; I decided to attend PRO makeup, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The program was very comprehensive and included everything a makeup artist would need to succeed in the world of Film & TV, bridal and editorial. Rob (who had previously worked with popular TV hosts 'Steven and Chris') instructed a few classes, but the majority of the time we had Christine, a veteran in the business having previously been a trainer for MAC Cosmetics, a regular backstage at Toronto Fashion Week, and a MUA for "So You Think You Can Dance Canada". We really learned from the best!  Every class was fun and engaging, and at the end of the semester we were privileged with the honour of working with renowned photographer David Hou on a professional photo shoot for our portfolio. 

Making the transition from Marketing to Makeup was a tough decision, but the easiest part of it all was attending The School of Professional Makeup... And the ironic thing is I live in Niagara Falls and commuted 4 hours every day to attend. I loved every second of my experience at PRO Makeup, and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to make makeup art a professional career choice!