countdown to christmas : last minute finds …

December 24, 2015By stephanie

It scares me to think that if you have landed here today … you may have not yet finished your holiday shopping. Yikes! But … I feels ya. There is always that last minute gift you need to get … for that unexpected guest, that one gift to add to add to the one for your sister (because you felt it needed something extra!), or for your second cousin who was supposed to head to Jamaica for a holiday getaway … but changed her mind … so now she is coming to the family dinner.

lastminute

It’s moments like these when your local drugstore becomes your best friend of the moment.

Some of my favourite drugstore finds that make for a well-received gift are :

Maybelline Eyeshadow Palettes : There is a colour set for almost any makeup style – The Nudes, The Blushed Nudes – both less than $20 and super easy to find in the drugstore, so you’ll be in and out in a flash. Plus, the consistency and quality is A+ and rival most other shadow palettes out there in the higher price ranges.

EOS Lip Spheres : Anyone and everyone can use a good lip balm. EOS Lip Spheres are minimalist yet pretty and chic. They come in grown up flavours, and there is even a holiday set of 3 which can be DIY decorated to show off one’s festive spirit.

Benefit  Cosmetics … well, Benefit anything : Available in most Shoppers Drug Marts around the GTA, something from Benefit always does the trick. Perhaps one of their box of powders (Dandelion is always a classic, but Roackateur is quite fun); or maybe a BadGal Mascara and Liner wrapped into a DIY Eye set; or any of their many boxed makeup sets … really, can’t. go. wrong.

So this is it … you’ve got only a few hours left to shop.  Good luck … and may the force be with you!

Happy Holidays!

-s-

countdown to christmas : NARS blushes

December 23, 2015By stephanie

Sometimes the best christmas gift is not something made all frilly with holiday touches. It’s not about a limited edition lip gloss set, or a holiday themed makeup bag. Instead, its about those tried+true makeup products that a girl yearns for all year round.

nars

For me, that would probably be a selection of NARS blushes. I bet you I am not alone on that sentiment. NARS blushes are best known for their superb pigment, their finely milled consistency, and just the right amount of shimmer. The colour selection is vast, and th e end result is always natural, see-through blush. Some might say you cannot go wrong with Orgasm (which is true) … but my favourites are Deep Throat, Luster and Oasis.

If you are going for a simple stocking stuffer, picking up just one blush is sure to make a gal happy. If you are trying to go with a really well-rounded gift, I would suggest the following DIY gift set :

– Paloma Contour blush
– Deep Throat blush
– a beautiful blush brush

Wrap it up pretty in a small makeup bag, and even the most novice beauty junkie can give herself cheekbones and structure in a flash.

-s-

countdown to christmas : nails nails and nails …

December 22, 2015By stephanie

Even if a lady doesn’t get her nails and cuticles tended to on the weekly (or monthly), a fresh manicure and coat of nail polish always manages to make her smile. Whether she loves bright pops of colour, a palette of neutrals, or is always up-to-date on the latest negative space nail art, there is a nail polish out there for her.

nailpolish

Nail polish makes for a great stocking stuffer for several reasons : bottles can be inexpensive, they come in every colour under the moon ALL-YEAR-ROUND, and they are the perfect stocking stuffer size.

If you happen to know someone who leans towards bright pops of colour from neon oranges and pinks to deep jewelled blues and purples, then pick up a couple of bottles of China Glaze. With so may bright colours to choose from, plus some fun glittery formulations, you won’t run out of options from this brand. I find two coats does a nail good and a properly done application can last a few days before a touch-up is needed.  May I suggest that you grab Mix and Mingle and Coal Hands, Warm Heart from the holiday collection and present them as a set – the manicure that would result would be epic for the new year!

If your bestie, girlfriend, our favourite niece favour a more neutral and nude palette, how about seeking something classic from the Essie line. Essie has one of the best pinks : Mademoiselle ; but I favour Ballet Slippers just a hint more. I also enjoy Merino Cool, Master Plan, and Chinchilla. This is definitely the brand I go to when I was a polished manicure with a sophisticated look. Even the sheerest of colours go on without a streaky appearance.

Know for a fact that the person you’re trying to gift probably won’t have time to paint their nails, but would love a manicure for a day or two?  Then there is an option for you : Kiss Nails! “Press-on” nails are BACK and with a vengeance … and with a much better style selection. Kiss Nails come in a variety of styles to choose from : from the classic french manicure to pro nail art designs to even holiday themed ones. A box or two inside a stocking will definitely garner some holiday cheer!

Happy Shopping!

-s-

countdown to christmas : charlotte tilbury filmstar killer cheekbones set

December 21, 2015By stephanie

I think every girl whom loves a little sparkle on the face deserves to own something beautifully luxe. My pick for a super luxe piece to place under the tree for her would be something decadent from the Charlotte Tilbury line.

charlotteIf money is no object to you this holiday season, why not pick out one of Charlotte Tilbury’s Signature Look sets, that comes complete with a makeup bag and everything a girl  needs to complete the perfect face. My personal favourite is Rock Chick (eyeshadow palette pictured above), but plenty rave about Uptown Girl and the brand’s own favourite, Dolce Vita.

If you are having a bit of trouble choosing a signature look (choosing colours for anyone cane tough), then might I suggest picking up the Filmstar Killer Cheekbones Set – You can’t go wrong with this piece, and with all the talk about contouring that happens 24/7 on the beauty blogs, a bronze+highlight set might just be the winner!

The set comes with Charlotte’s  Filmstar Bronze+Glow Palette, which is set in a stunning gold case, and her Powder+Sculpt brush which makes defining the cheekbones so much easier.  The powders themselves are so finely milled and have just a hint of shimmer that your end result will look neither overdone nor plastic and shiny.  Having the tapered brush  allows for a more precise application and proper blending.

There are more holiday sets to choose from – some limited edition and some mini-editions from the line – but I think either of the above two choices are your best bet. They are staples to the brand, and can replacements can be picked up all year round. As a girl who loves makeup, I love when I can replenish an item easily once I have hit the pan.

Charlotte Tilbury is currently available at Holt Renfrew in Toronto!

-s-

countdown to christmas : goody hair accessories

December 18, 2015By stephanie

I think the hardest thing to find during the holiday season are useful stocking stuffers. I mean, sure, you could fill a stocking for someone with like, cute little lotions, and candies and what not … those are always welcome and always fun … but what about something items that are really really useful. Those items that when in a pinch, the recipient says “OMG – thank goodness you put those in my stocking at Christmas – it really came in handy!”

goody

This year, I plan to stuff stockings – at least those for my fellow beauty junkies – with a selection of items from Goody (the source for Hair Accessories and Styling Tools). I plan to start with a couple of staples almost every girl needs : Ouchless Elastics in an assortment of colours or basic black and a series of bobby pins from regular size to skinny.  Even girls with pixie cuts can find use for a decent bobby pin!

Then I plan to round it out with one of my favourite brushes from the line : Goody’s Quikstyle Padlle Brush! As a girl growing out my hair long, I love this brush; AND … as a mother with three children whom don’t know how to properly towel off after their bath … I  LOVE THIS. It’s microfibre bristles remove water to dry hair faster. I rarely blow-dry my hair when I’m not looking to set it in a specific style, so I find this brush super efficient and effective when I need to air dry right quick. The brush is anti-microbial so it inhibits cooties from infecting the brush (another thing a mom might love about it!). It’s larger handle allows for better grip and control.

Goody Hair Accessories can be found throughout most of your big box retailers like Wal-Mart, Rexall and Shoppers Drug Mart!

-s-