Quo Velvet Kiss Lipstick Review

You can never have too much lipstick...or at least I can’t and since I love the quality of Quo Cosmetics (sold exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart) I recently added a couple of the Velvet Kiss Lipsticks to my collection.

Available in an array of popular shades to suit all preferences these creamy beauties are lightly scented and stylishly packaged in chic blue tubes. To open you simply push the bottom to release the lipstick and apply the smooth, buttery pigment that glides on effortlessly. The rich, trendy shades drench lips in full-coverage, luscious color for a brilliant finish and comfortable wear.

This supple formula is one that is generally enjoyed by most women; it has the intensity of a matte pigment with luminous satin-shine and just the right amount of lightweight moisture to keep lips from drying out and peeling. I like that the color can last a few hours without smudging, staining or bleeding. You can also layer them lightly for a softer finish and the velvety effect gives you a full, gorgeous pout!

The shades I have are #8- a pretty rose hue that transcends all seasons and #1 a bright, playful pink. Both flatter most complexions and for just $12.00 each they are definitely purse-worthy!  

*Press samples featured

Holiday Fashion & Accessories: Shay Lowe, Aldo, Call it Spring & more!

As the August humidity blankets Toronto I am trying to beat the heat while previewing fabulous holiday collections adorned with tinsel and snowflakes. This year many brands are bringing out their best and below are a few of my favorite show-stopping pieces from the showcase.

Aldo is releasing some stunning, blinged-out accessories and shoes that will glam-up any holiday event with fun metallics and lavish accents. From sparking evening bags, beaded clutches and elaborate necklaces that pair perfectly with your little black dress they have a great selection!

The necklace below is my favorite! There is something beautifully eccentric about this piece and I love that it can take a boring outfit from blah to wow with the snap of a clasp.

Long, dangle earrings accentuate sexy party updos!

Large accent pieces seem to be making a bold comeback this holiday. I love this interesting combination of diamonds and pearls!

I was delighted to see that the stud trend hasn't fizzled out yet! I think they make everything look more edgy.

This unique clutch is a showstopper!

 Aldo also has some great styles for men, these black shoes are dressy and sophisticated.

To keep your boots and shoes protected from snow, slush, dirt, grime and damaging salt this winter the Boot Rescue wipes have you covered. Ideal for leather and suede they remove stains and restore shine. You can pick them up at Bed Bath & Beyond, Loblaws, Walking on a Cloud and at bootrescue.ca.

 Shay Lowe also pulled out all the stops this year with layers upon layers of glam!

My favorite piece of jewelry from Call it Spring is this fabulous set with white stones and diamond facets.

If you plan to travel this winter or if the special men in your life need sophisticated luggage BLACKBOOK TRAVEL CO. offers high-end, timeless pieces.

Look for these great products this holiday and stay stylish!

Mary Kay Timewise Microdermabrasion Plus Set

I am a huge fan of microdermabrasion and I even have my own machine for professional weekly treatments at home! The process of renewing surface cells has greatly improved my complexion, diminished blemishes and evened the texture of my skin which is fabulous for makeup application. Less discoloration and problem areas also means less concealer and foundation needed to achieve a flawless finish! As part of their fall collection Mary Kay is taking supple skin to a new level with the Microdermabrasion Kit which incorporates the same exfoliating ingredients used by dermatologists.

This cute set comes with the Microdermabrasion Refine which is a cream exfoliator that reduces the appearance of fine lines to polish and provide a radiant, healthy glow. The formula is oil and fragrance-free and the micro-fine exfoliating particles distribute efficiently over the skin's surface to provide a gentle yet effective treatment and slough away dead cells. Although this product doesn't give you the same results as the microdermabrasion machines you can use the cream twice a week for super soft, rejuvenated skin that looks fresh and healthy. The Refine Cream retails for $35.00.

The Timewise Collection also includes the Pore Minimizer to comfort, calm and reduce redness with a skin silkening complex. This is a great product to use after exfoliation to soothe and revive and in the morning when my pores are largest it helps shrink and smooth with a fast absorbing, lightweight formula. Overtime this “high-def power duo” is designed to dramatically improve skin texture for a more youthful glow and it makes a fabulous addition to your weekly facials. The kit is also great for travel and it isn't too early to get a head start on your holiday gift list! The Pore Minimizer retails for $35.00 and you can get both products as a set for $60.00.

You can purchase Mary Kay products at marykay.ca and through independent consultants.

*Press samples featured

Mark Limited Edition Matte Makeup Review: Eye Shadow, Mini Lacquers & Lipstick!

Although summer is still in full-swing fall will be here before we know it and many brands are breaking out their most sultry, irresistible shades to keep you stylish as the weather cools down.

The Matte Full Color Lipsticks are rich and seductive with intense pigmentation and a creamy formula that glides on smoothly without drying out the lips. The packing is simple yet chic with an innovative magnetic closure and the gorgeous shades are super trendy paired with summer dresses or fluffy fall scarves.

Siren is a classic, vibrant red, Vixen has a rich wine tone that is always popular for fall and Starlet- a sexy, lavish pink flatters all complexions. These scintillating lipsticks have great staying power and coverage with a moist shine-free finish. When I think of must-have fall hues these three beauties are on the top of my list and they retail for just $13.00 each.  

The On the Dot Matte Eye Color Compact has 9 velvety, bendable shades so you can mix, match and create with confidence! These hues are beautifully matched with cool undertones and a soft, creamy texture that is ideal for blending. The saturation can also be enhanced with primer and a bit of layering.

The light lavenders can be used to create soft, summery looks and the smokey navy is great for evenings out. My go-to color in this palette is the pretty teal in the top row but I'd trade the grey tones for brighter pigments. The palette retails for $18.00 and makes a cute gift!

Although this next palette isn’t matte it is another pretty On the Dot Compact and if you prefer shimmery shades you’re going to love this! The Bold Palette has intense pigmentation, gorgeous color selection and a silky texture for high-impact results. With three wonderful gold hues, blue, teal, purple and frosty silver you can create a variety of stylish effects. This palette also retails for $18.00 and it is great for travel!

The limited edition collection also includes the Nailed It Matte Trend Mini Lacquers in the shades Violet Riot (which I love) and Teal Appeal. These little bottles are the ones I pack for vacation since they have full-size brushes and great coverage making them easy to work with. I may be getting a bit ahead of myself but when I see these cute little duos I think stocking stuffers! The set retails for $9.00.

Since I’m in the fall spirit and desperate to beat the heat I have to share the new Crazy for Cranberry Body Scrub from the Limited Edition Bath & Body Collection. The scrub also foams away oil and dirt while the gentle beads provide mild exfoliation with natural walnut and bamboo powder. The scent is sweet and calming with an invigorating blend of cranberry, fruity rose and creamy vanilla bean to leave skin lightly scented and feeling soft, supple and fresh! The scrub retails for $14.00 and the collection also includes a body wash, body mist, hand cream and body butter with the same tantalizing aroma!

You can pick up these great products at avon.ca and through independent consultants.

*Press samples featured 

Getaway to Montreal Quebec!

Since my last trip to The South of France and the Italian Riviera I’ve been searching the map and travel books for my next exotic getaway! It seems like I’m always planning a new adventure and although turbulence totally freaks me out I love discovering new places! Until we decide on our next destination we took a short trip to Montreal which is a city I love visiting! The French-Canadian fusion and old European charm offers a different experience than your average day in Toronto and it's only a 50 min flight! Below are a few of my photos.

Browsing the streets of Old Montreal.

You can enjoy a tour of the city on a romantic horse and carriage ride!

Guess who I met at the Montreal Pier...Rick Genest! Just kidding, this is an amazing life-like, wax statue of him promoting the museum.

I love having dinner or lunch in Old Montreal, you can enjoy a meal lounging on the street patios while taking in the sights, sounds and performances!

I don't know why I feel the need to have pizza everywhere I go but the variety in Montreal is delicious and dare I saw generally better than Toronto's. Although poutine is the dish to be had in Quebec the French Onion Soup is not to be missed either!

I have been to a few versions of the Notre-Dame Basilica including the one in Paris but Montreal's is a must-see!

Mount Royal boasts stunning views of the city and there and many scenic hiking trails if you like to walk, jog or bike. 

Until next time Montreal!

Pur Minerals Femme Fatale Collection: Inspired by The Man From U.N.C.L.E

This Friday the action packed spy thriller- The Man From U.N.C.L.E hits theaters across Canada and the film takes fans on an exciting journey of secret agents, espionage and cool gadgets. Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the Canadian premiere hosted by Pür Minerals and introduced by Rick Campanaelli of Entertainment Tonight. The red carpet was swarming with media and eager movie-goers and the cast made an appearance before the show began.

I thought the movie was funny, intense and intriguing and although the high speed chases and debonair leading men stole the show I was mesmerized by the retro makeup, colorful fashion and eccentric layers of jewelry! The women from the 60’s didn’t shy away from a little bling, thick eyeliner and chic sunglasses.

To celebrate the release Pür Minerals has launched the Femme Fatal Collection inspired by the film. The kit comes with everything you need to create a posh 60’s look or beautiful everyday makeup and the formulas are wonderful!

I've become a little obsessed with The Secret Crush Palette and it has become one of my go-to products for it's versatility, color pay-off and quality. The combination of intense shimmery hues and beautifully pigmented matte shades complement each other well and flatter all complexions. 

There are rich crease colors including smokey black for definition and sculpting, brilliant highlighting shades and gorgeous hues for the lids including rose gold, deep gold and sultry bronze. On its own the palette retails for $39.00 and makes a great addition to your collection if you love classic, trendy hues!

To achieve flawless matte skin the 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup is formulated with an age-defying Ceretin complex to smooth, firm and lift so you are always ready for your close-up! The compact may look simple but it is actually an all-in-one skin-enhancing foundation, powder and concealer that helps prevent and correct your biggest skin concerns. It also contains SPF 15 for a layer of protection and the lightweight mineral pigments even skin texture and color while brightening dark spots, fading blemishes and preventing oiliness.

Shade: Medium/Dark

You can wear the powder on its own for a natural finish or pair it with your favorite foundation if you require more coverage. It makes a fabulous setting powder to lock in your look and the formula is vegan friendly and free of parabens and gluten. It retails for $32.00.

To apply both liquid and pressed foundation the flat top Chisel Brush is designed for full coverage application. I like dabbing the surface in powder and patting it on for a wonderful, smooth finish without disturbing underlying makeup. The brush retails for $26.00

One thing that stood out about the movie was the thick, plush lashes on the leading ladies. The girls wore glamorous heavy falsies which made their eyes look gorgeous! If you don’t always have time for false lashes the collection includes the Big Look Lengthening Mascara for a thick, voluminous effect. The non-clump formula also contains nourishing argan oil for a dewy sheen. The mascara retails for $22.00.

I love bold eyeliner and so did the fashionistas from the 60’s! Lacquered black lines with or without a wing were favored in the film along with pops of flashy color! The Double Ego Dual Ended Liner has a pencil on one end and a liquid felt point on the other. The blue-green shade called Queensland is a fun accent and the creamy formula glides on for great coverage, smooth lines and all day color! Just make sure to recap the liquid end because like many felt tips it tends to get dry! The liner retails for $23.00.

You can get the entire collection for just $29.00 at purminerals.com

*Press samples featured