sugarshock beauty blog

it's oh so quiet...

2009-11-05T10:21:00.011-05:00

Sorry for the dearth of posts of late, dear readers. Fact is, I've accepted a new position in the beauty sphere (which I'm quite excited about and hope to share details about soon). But in the meantime, things will be very quiet around here because SugarShock Beauty will be going on indefinite hiatus.
So yes, the news is bittersweet, but, onwards and upwards, as they say! You've no idea how much I've enjoyed sharing beauty scoops and product finds with you over the last couple of years. My readers are some of the coolest around.
Where shall you go to get your beauty fix from now on? Check out these SugarShock Beauty-approved sites.
The Canadian girls:
Beauty Editor
Beauty Geeks
I Heart Beauty
Lipstick Powder n Paint
And of course, the classics:
Beauty Addict
Bella Sugar
Beauty Blogging Junkie
Yours in Beauty,
Kristen
xoxo

liquid gold: vasanti magic liner

2009-10-30T10:55:00.022-04:00

Eyeshadow color range is seemingly endless, but eyeliner colors just haven't kept up the pace, which poses quite the conundrum for us colored-eyeliner-lovers. So when I spy a particularly fab shade of metallic purple or cobalt blue shadow that would make for a killer liner, I'll dip my brush into water and then into the powder, pulling the old "liquid-eyeliner-in-a-pinch trick". But "in a pinch" is the operative phrase here, because let's face it, water doesn't have much staying power, and if you're in a hurry, the aforementioned process can seem entirely too fussy. So when I witnessed Vasanti's Magic Liner, a special potion that turns powder shadow into liquid eyeliner, I had one of those "wish-I-would've-thought-of-it" moments. It's basically a clear gel paired with a liner brush, that, when met with powder eyeshadow, becomes a pigmented, smudge-proof eyeliner. Brilliant! The best part? Dip the brush back in the tube, and it comes out clean and ready to take on the next color. Now, my beauty quandary is this: So many liner color options, so little time.

shadowboxing: cargo mediterannean nights and hands of hope palettes

2009-10-29T10:42:00.021-04:00

Beauty fiends like myself anxiously await the holiday season to see what kinds of gorgeousness the beauty brands will unleash upon us. Each season, the brands seem to one-up themselves by showcasing ever-showy baubles, palettes and trinkets – each one seemingly prettier than the last. And Cargo has wowed me with their newest holiday palettes, Mediterranean Nights and Hands of Hope. The shadows and bronzers, themselves ornamentally embossed, come packaged in chic black boxes with gold imprint that look like something straight out of Arabian Nights. The Hands of Hope palette offers up nine iridescent eye shadows, each carved out with the Hamsa hand – a symbol of peace, hope and prosperity. And the colors are breathtaking: some vibrant (like the jewelled purple) and some neutral (like the gorgeous Gunmetal Grey), they're just right for eye-makeup-look experimentation around the holidays.

Next up, we have the Mediterranean Nights palette, with four eyeshadows and two blush/bronzer duos inlaid with beautiful Middle Eastern-inspired patterns. This is the more neutral palette of the two, but no less beautiful. In fact, I had a hard time deciding which palette I liked more - they're both so stunning. Cargo shadows and bronzers are always top-notch: highly-pigmented, long-wearing, easily blendable and crease-free. These holiday gems are a prime chance to get extreme value for your money – (each are valued at roughly 100 bones, but priced around $30) – to treat yourself or to check off a couple of girlfriends on your gift-giving list this year.

skin fix: mama mio boob tube

2009-10-28T10:35:00.022-04:00

Now, usually I steer clear of any beauty creams specifically designed for the girls, in the belief that that area will do well enough on its own, thank you very much. But lately, I've started to notice the effects of neglect in this region (read: the force of gravity), and in the name of prevention, have decided that my pair might just deserve some extra special attention beyond my typical body moisturizer. Behold the cheekily named cult product Boob Tube by Mama Mio, a rich decollete cream designed for "owners of boobs of all ages". The gist? Think of it as the quality of facial skincare, but for your boobs. It's packed with pretty much every most-hyped skincare ingredient known to man: CoQ10, to help protect collagen and boost skin strength; shea butter to improve elasticity and improve skin tone; and a whole host of oils, including olive, sweet almond, evening primrose and avocado, to nourish and replenish moisture. Why I love it: Boob Tube has the loveliest botanical-ly scent and its rich texture melts into skin without feeling greasy. This product is such a joy to use that it's a constant reminder to treat this area with utmost care. And while I know that nothing can stop the downward sag, using Boob Tube will hopefully at least slow it down. I gifted it recently to a friend for her baby shower and this product was the talk of the party - all the ladies (most of whom were moms) wanted to know where to get it (you can find it at The Bay in Canada or online at mamamio.com). Mama Mio is designed with moms in mind, but anyone can use it, because, really, none of us can escape the downward spiral of time.
For the month of October, Mama Mio is donating $1 from the sale of Boob Tube to support Breast Cancer Awareness.

too faced lashlight puts lashes under the spotlight

2009-10-27T10:19:00.019-04:00

We've seen light-up lipglosses before, which come equipped with mini flashlights for touching up in the dark. And now comes Too Faced Lashlight, a mascara with an LED-lighted wand that shines a light on each and every lash for precise application. I'm not sure why you'd need this, unless, of course, you're a vampire and daylight makeup application is a no-no (and, for those of us who aren't creatures of the night, the idea of applying mascara in the dark would be sheer insanity). So for me, Lashlight fits squarely in the category of "Things that make you go: hmmm". It did, however, bring to mind my beloved Tweezlight, a nifty little gadget that's a tweezer fitted with a miniature flashlight, and that actually makes quick work of honing in on every stray brow hair that's ripe for the plucking. Sounds gimmicky, but Tweezlight is actually a pretty novel innovation.
But there was one feature about Lashlight that did capture my beauty imagination: the formula is said to contain millions of microscopic mirrors that bounce the light off of lashes for a bedazzling effect. So it could be worth checking out for that alone.
What do you think: Will you be trying the Lashlight?

styleshock: evan rachel wood at fashion group international's night of stars

2009-10-25T21:36:00.017-04:00

Bravo Evan Rachel Wood. It looks like you've finally found your stride, style-wise. For a while there, you were looking like Dita Von Teese's 'Mini Me,' and that was, well, more than a little creepy (considering both of you have dated and/or married the Dark Lord himself, Marilyn Manson). Well, we both know that little dalliance didn't really work out, but it surely put you in line to join the cast of True Blood and sink your teeth into the coveted role of Vampire Queen Sophie-Anne LeClerq. You're still channelling old Hollywood glam as Sophie, vamping it up with red lips and the like, but off-screen, I'm really loving your modern-girl beauty look. Your grey smokey eye is a refreshing take on the trend and it really brings out the steely-blue of your eyes. A lighter-than-usual lip, in a subtly shimmery rosy hue, keeps the look soft yet still glam. And while you've gone to the dark side again with your hair, the deep red hue really suits you and nicely off-sets your porcelain skin. Whatever it is you're doing, keep it up, because playing Miss Sophie-Anne really agrees with you.
Image: Trueblood.net

fixation: kat von d true romance eyeshadow palette in true love

2009-10-23T15:22:00.004-04:00

I kind of love Kat Von D's "stickin-it-to-the-man" sense of style (read: tattoos-a-plenty and full-throttle makeup), which appeals to my inner goth-rebel. Those same sensibilities show up in her makeup line for Sephora, and her newest holiday palette offering, the True Romance Eyeshadow Palette in True Love, is about breakin' all the rules when it comes to beauty and eyeshadow pairings. While most palettes give us either "cool" or "warm" shades – (and never the twain shall meet) – True Love gives us both in one slick black matte case, and they're meant to be mixed and matched. Now, you might not think that purple and gold would go well together, but Kat's picks, most of which have a hit of metallic to them, mesh together surprisingly well, giving a sort of edgy royalty effect. The stand-outs are Peanut, an iridescent champagne with tinges of silver; Benji, a creamy, highly pigmented coppery gold; and Cholita, a deep, dark burgundy purple with subtle shimmer. Now go forth and blend.

gold star: YSL beauty your lovely duo lip colour palette

2009-10-22T10:33:00.007-04:00

"Hello, gorgeous!" Those were my precise words when I spied this luxe, shiny bauble that's the pièce de résistance from YSL's Holiday 2009 collection. The Lovely Duo Lip Colour Palette houses two ultra-moisturizing, looks-good-on-everyone lipcolors - one a subtle soft-pink lipstick and the other a super-sheer, shimmery peach gloss. But let's be real here, gals; this is really about the compact, and what a piece of loveliness it is. Inspired by the luggage tags found on YSL handbags, this chunky – (and weighty, I might add) – golden, mirrored compact is engraved with YSL's signature art-deco-ish, heart-emblazoned logo. The Lovely Palette, which is also available in a silver version housing two eyeshadows, comes complete with a patent-leather cord so you can attach it to your handbag, belt or keyring for an extra hit of bling. Pull this baby out post-dinner, or whenever you need a lip touch-up, and makeup application becomes the ultimate indulgent experience. An accessory in itself, the Lovely Palette just screams chic. It's just a little bit of YSL for those of us who can't afford to splurge on a month's-worth-of-rent handbag or Trib Twos. Need I say more?
Get it now while supplies last - it's limited edition, but of course.

master of disguise: makeup forever HD invisible cover concealer

2009-10-21T10:33:00.016-04:00

A girl can never have too many concealers. And sometimes, what works to cover a spot (think: thick, opaque spackle) is too heavy for around the eye area. Your eyes, after all, are the place where most people look when they're talking to you, so you want them to see your eyes, not your makeup, right? Well, Makeup Forever's HD Invisible Cover Concealer solves that conundrum, as it's practically undetectable to the naked eye. Seriously - you dab it on with the ingenious soft silicone applicator tip, blend a bit with the applicator (which ensures smooth coverage), and presto, the concealer disappears, taking dark circles along with it into some magical realm. The HD Invisible Cover Concealer has a wonderfully creamy texture too, and packed with Green Micro Algae, it revitalizes tired eyes, brightening along the way. Oh, and did I mention this concealer is infused with Gatuline In-Tense? (say what?) It's a plant-based uber skincare ingredient that lifts, firms and drenches parched undereye skin with moisture, so this concealer treats as it conceals, all while remaining gloriously undercover.

skin fix: dermalogica daily microfoliant

2009-10-20T11:07:00.023-04:00

Ask any beauty editor which skincare product they can't live without and chances are (in Canada at least), it's this unassuming little tower of power, the Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant. When I first entered the beauty magazine scene a few years ago and encountered this famed skin elixir, I was honestly a little bewildered, unsure of how to use this strange powder exfoliant that was said to smooth many a tired complexion. But then, after trying the rice-based Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant for myself, I became a believer. Unlike many exfoliators (of the so-called "mechanical" variety), the Daily Microfoliant has no visible granules, so it's not at all rough (read: no sandpaper-like feel here). Instead, when activated with water, the Microfoliant powder emulsifies and releases rice enzymes and salicylic acid to "micro-exfoliate" skin, smoothing and brightening all the way. It's also got a brightening complex infused within the formulation, with licorice and grapefruit extracts to help even skin tone. Meanwhile, a complex of green tea, gingko and colloidal oatmeal calms everything down, so skin is back to its normal self, but a brighter, more radiant self. It's so gentle, you can use it every day, hence the "Daily" moniker. Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant is such a joy to use and delivers such great results, that I look forward to using it every morning - it's kind of like my own personal daily facialist, but in the convenience (and privacy) of my shower.

styleshock: christina ricci at spike tv scream awards 2009

2009-10-19T16:37:00.012-04:00

I did a double-take when I first saw Christina Ricci's red-carpet look from the recent Spike TV Scream Awards. At first, I thought her hair was pulled back into an updo, giving the effect of short hair. But upon further inspection, it appears that she has, in fact, gone for the chop. While she's always been on the shorter end of the hair spectrum, not many people can pull off a full-on crop. Christina, however, has the amazing bone structure to pull it off and she oozes class and simple chic. But it also helps to follow the golden beauty rule of donning a shorter 'do: you need to amp up the makeup to bring forth the feminine vibe. Christina gets it just right with smoldering eyes that contrast a lighter-hued, soft champagne-y eyeshadow on the lids next to the slightly tougher, sexy edge of fully-rimmed black-lined eyes. And is that lipliner I spy her wearing? If you'll notice, there looks to be a deeper, rosier hue on the outside of her lips and a frostier, lighter pink in the centre. This could be just a visual trick for the red-carpet, since, from far away, the color blends together as one. But as The Beauty Counter blog pointed out the other day about one Halle Berry, obvious lipliner á la En Vogue is on the way back.

What say you of Christina's new look?

beauty to go: benefit celebutante personal stylist kit

2009-10-19T11:29:00.014-04:00

Packing my makeup bag for an overnight trip, or even just for lugging to the gym, can be a recipe for a beauty meltdown. Invariably, my instincts for editing things down to the essentials go by the wayside and, rather than stick to my daily beauty products, I'll sit and mull over every single product in my (mammoth) arsenal, weighing its pros and cons. The result: A bag full of items that I really didn't need to bring (Will I really wear that teal eyeliner? Not likely). Benefit's Celebutante Personal Stylist Kit is my saving grace because it does the thinking for me. Packed with many of Benefit's beauty hits, including the multi-tasking rose-tinted Lip & Cheek Stain Benetint, the bronzer-meets-blush Dallas Face Powder, uber-versatile Velvet Eyeshadows in satiny-pink Leggy and rosy-brown Dandy Brandy, High Beam Luminescent Complexion Enhancer, a lipgloss and two lipsticks, along with a fluff shadow/talent brush – it's got pretty much every item I need to make up when I'm on-the-go. It's all packed in a chic, hot-pink, pencil-case-sized box that takes up very little space in your purse, gym or travel bag. What's more, the folks at Benefit having thought of everything, Celebutante also includes a handy-dandy little step-by-step lesson guide with key tips for how to use the products. Your personal stylist, if you will. Less thinking, more prettifying!

this just in: coco rocha is the new face of rimmel london

2009-10-16T11:42:00.012-04:00

Like most beauty/fashion aficionadas, I love me some Coco Rocha. Her versatility and chameleon-like haircolour changes and penchant for doing an Irish jig on the runway are totally refreshing in the modelling world (which tends to be known for bland, cookie-cutter Eastern Europeans devoid of personality). So I was thrilled to hear that she's been scooped up as the new face of Rimmel London, joining fellow models Kate Moss and Lily Cole. Another new face to watch? Georgia May Jagger, the love-child of Jerry Hall and Mick Jagger, also joins the Rimmel roster and will appear with Coco in the 2010 campaigns. Kudos to Rimmel for breaking the mold and signing on models rather than celebs to rep the brand. Even though it was just announced that Fergie is launching a fragrance with Avon, I have to wonder if this is a turning point in the celeb versus models showdown.
Are celebs on the way out? Celebs versus models: What do you think?

luxe for less: dove nutrium moisture body wash

2009-10-16T10:41:00.021-04:00

I busted out the winter coat this week to combat the uncharacteristically winter-like weather up here in Canadaland (even though winter's start date is actually more than two months away). That means I'm not only swathing myself in a wearable sleeping-bag, but also stocking up my arsenal of protective bodycare products to defend my skin against chilly winds. Usually, I don't give much thought to body washes, other than looking for anything that says "creamy" or "moisturizing", but I've found that the more hydrating a body wash claims to be, the heavier my skin feels. Luckily, there's some big news on the body wash front courtesy of Dove. With the Nutrium line of Body Washes, they've found a way to infuse needed moisture into skin deep down – 10 surface layers deep – so it doesn't simply sit at the surface. The Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash with Nutrium Moisture gently cleanses, so you feel clean, but it doesn't wash away natural moisture; it actually replenishes with naturally-occurring lipids and soybean oil. Protective glycerin, a humectant, forms a kind of shield that helps hold in moisture. Post-shower, my skin feels fresh and hydrated but not cloaked in oil. And I don't skip the moisturizer afterwards – (body washes weren't made to replace body moisturizer) – but I find that my skin needs a little less nourishing cream/lotion than usual. There's a reason why Allure magazine named Dove Body Wash with Nutrium Moisture as one of this year's Biggest Beauty Breakthroughs.

fragrance notes: the body shop love etc. eau de parfum

2009-10-15T12:00:00.015-04:00

I was ready to pass off The Body Shop's Love Etc. as just another flaky, fruity/floral girly scent. (Chalk it up to the tween-esque, heart-covered box). But when I found out the fragrance was created by none other than Dominique Ropion, the renowned perfumer behind Givenchy Very Irresistible, Burberry the Beat, and a roster of fragrances for Frederic Malle, I knew I was in for something special. And it is. Call me addicted, if you will. This perfume is a bit deceiving because you might think that, being called "Love" it would be rom-com-ish and a bit boring, like a bouquet of carnations for Valentine's Day. But Love Etc. is more like a bouquet of orchids, as it's pretty yet sexy, feminine yet sophisticated and sparkling but warm. The main notes of the scent are jasmine and vanilla, an ingredient which is actually also derived from a flower, the vanilla orchid. On their own, these notes can be heady at times and too sweet at others, but Love Etc. also combines pear, neroli and bergamot at the top, heliotrope, lily of the valley in the middle, and creamy musk and sandalwood at the base, creating a beautifully sensuous mix. Love Etc. is uplifting and it just puts me in a good mood when I wear it. And the bottle? It's simply feminine and pretty with a chic gold cap. I also adore the Love Etc. Body Lotion, an intensely moisturizing, and very fragrant way to experience Love Etc. Layering it with the Eau de Parfum gives the scent immense staying power, too. What's more, this scent is the first ever to use community-traded alcohol based on organically-grown sugar cane from Ecuador. Just another reason to love this scent.

natureshock: green beaver "for my sister" natural deodorant

2009-10-15T10:20:00.009-04:00

Have you been caught by the pink wave? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and you've probably noticed the onslaught of "pink" products, all in the name of supporting breast cancer awareness (BCA). It's definitely a worthy cause, and one I can totally get behind, but it seems a lot of these products reserve such a small amount of the proceeds to the cause, or are such unlikely product tie-ins, that it comes off as a bit self-serving and blatantly consumerist, leading to the phenomenon of "pinkwashing" (read more about it over at A Girl's Gotta Spa and BellaSugar who wrote interesting posts on the subject.) Some say that any awareness for the cause, however unlikely, is a win for BCA, but I'm a bit skeptical. Who could forget the pink Dyson Vacuum Cleaner?
But thankfully, there's also plenty of brands that are truly passionate about fighting breast cancer, and Canadian natural beauty brand Green Beaver is one of them. For Green Beaver co-founder Alain Menard, the fight became personal when his sister Michèlle Ménard, a 32-year-old mother of three, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She's been battling the disease for seven years, and has survived a mastectomy as well as continued chemotherapy. Alain came up with the "For My Sister" all-natural deodorant, with – wait for it – 100% (!) of the profits going directly to research at The Campbell Family Institute for Breast Cancer Research and McGill University. The idea: using products with natural ingredients lessens the amount of potentially toxic chemicals that go into our bodies and into the ecosystem. It's all about prevention, folks.
While I was obviously touched by the personal story behind this product, I was still a little "meh" about using it, since most "natural" deodorants I've tried just didn't measure up to drugstore brands. But I'm happy to report that this aluminum-free deodorant with skin-soothing aloe and chamomile is also surprisingly effective and kept me dry and odor-free all day long. Lesson learned. It's also got a pleasant, citrus scent that's light enough so it doesn't overpower your perfume.
You can find Green Beaver "For My Sister" Natural Deodorant at many natural food stores in Canada or purchase it online. Go to Green Beaver's website for more info.

beauty wishlist: marc jacobs lola solid perfume ring

2009-10-14T13:51:00.014-04:00

Marc Jacobs's Lola perfume bottle is like a little piece of sculpture, so it was only fitting that the brand would turn it into wearable art. Enter the Marc Jacobs Lola Solid Perfume Ring - the coolest cocktail bauble you ever did see. This little bit of gorgeousness landed in my inbox today, courtesy of Sephora, and though I'm not much of a jewelry wearer, I need this ring on my finger, STAT! It's fitted with a solid perfume of Jacobs's latest scent Lola, so you can swipe on the pink peppercorn, grapefruit, rose and vanilla scent wherever you go. If you're a Sephora Beauty Insider, you can get on this little number before anyone else, since it's a Beauty Insider exclusive. The ring even comes with its own little pouch, shown here. Can a Lola Handbag be far behind? Yes, please!
UPDATE: If you're in Canada, you'll have to wait until February to get your hands on this little trinket. It will be available at department and drug stores for $49.

fixation: korres lip butter

2009-10-13T14:15:00.016-04:00

I haven't had a potted lip balm in my purse for years, mainly because I like the hands-free convenience and minimal mess factor of tube glosses. But I'm willing to make an exception for Korres Lip Butter in Quince, which is my new, heavy-rotation lip product. Pourquoi? Korres Lip Butter is a tinted balm that's the closest thing to the texture of real butter I think I've ever tried; it melts into lips with its moisturizing shea butter and rice wax-infused formula. And though the color looks rather shocking in the pot, when you put it on, it's the loveliest, most flattering petal-pink that seems to wake up your whole complexion (I kid you not). It's got a super-subtle, fruity scent, but it's made without synthetic fragrances and dyes (along with no parabens, sulfates and petrochemicals). And, packaging-wise, the vibrant fuchsia lid just makes me happy for some reason; it hints at the prettiness within, and does not disappoint.

be a dude magnet with eau flirt

2009-10-13T10:22:00.018-04:00

Axe Body Spray is billed as the chick magnet for men (you've probably seen those creepy "Chocolate Man" ads where desperate, ravenous women chomp off said man's body parts). And now, there's a fragrance that's claiming to do the same for women – only this time, it's backed up by research. New from Harvey Prince, the company that brought us Ageless, the first anti-aging perfume, comes Eau Flirt, a fragrance billed as "the world’s first perfume clinically proven to make men flirt with women". Eau Flirt was inspired by a groundbreaking study that found men's passion is stirred not by typically sexy musky notes, but by a combination of pumpkin pie and lavender scents. As such, Eau Flirt incorporates those two main essences along with fruity top notes of black currant, plum, raspberry and apple, floral and spicy middle notes of jasmine, ylang, nutmeg and cinnamon (the classic aromas of pumpkin pie), and a drydown of musk and rare and precious woods.
Women have long used fragrance to woo the opposite sex, and while I'm not sure this one will ensnare hordes of potential suitors, as far-fetched as it may sound (the product sounds like it was created by the hilariously fantastical minds of the editors at The Onion), Eau Flirt definitely has me curious and actually sounds kind of yummy. When the study in question came out (conducted by the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation), I wondered when someone would dream up a scent that captured these aromas (imagining that women might slather themselves with pumpkin pie filling as a tool of seduction in the meantime).
So what do you think – Will this scent make guys melt?

styleshock: katie cassidy at hollywood life's hollywood style awards

2009-10-12T09:33:00.009-04:00

Katie Cassidy's gone all Betty Draper on us. That is, the sex-kitten Betty Draper from the recent Italy episode of Mad Men, "Souvenir", where our (un)happy 1960s housewife did as the Romans do and dialled up her inner temptress with a towering, statement-making bouffant updo. Katie channelled Betty (minus the best accessory of all: the dashing Don Draper) at the recent Hollywood Life's Hollywood Style Awards, sporting this highly-coiffed, sky-high updo of her own, paired with a chic little pouffy-sleeved LBD (for a full-scale view of Katie's look, check out Red Carpet Fashion Awards). And while I kind of hated the over-the-top-ness of it at first (just as I disliked Betty's hair at first sight, since it was so out-of-character for her), now, the 'do is growing on me because it's so different than anything else we've seen on the red-carpet and I applaud Katie for taking a risk. Of course, we'd expect nothing less from Katie, also known as the new "Amanda" on Melrose Place. Love that she kept the makeup minimal, save for a whisper of '60s-esque winged black eyeliner, to round out the look.

What do you think of Katie's look? Too much or just right?

Image: Life.com

face of the day: collette dinnigan spring 2010 ready-to-wear

2009-10-09T09:38:00.006-04:00

What with all the heavyweight designers and their outlandish beauty looks presented in Paris this week, such as Marc Jacobs for Vuitton (those 'fros!) and John Galliano (those mime lips!) it was pretty tough to stand out from the pack. But designer Collette Dinnigan delivered us from wackiness with this simply stellar and surprisingly wearable look. While I've been loving all the statement lips we've been seeing on the spring 2010 runways, it was refreshing to see some color again on the the eyes. Here, the eyes are done up in a forest-y green shade, which might seem a little dark for a spring look (and more in line with fall/winter shades), but it simply proves that the "seasonal color" rule was made to be broken. Plus, the green has a bit of brightness to it, which makes it feel fresh and new, and yes, spring-like. The rest of the face is otherwise kept soft, with neutral, browny-peach blush and a peachy-nude lip – almost a perfect match to the neutral shade worn at the recent Chanel show, which, as Beauty Editor pointed out, is almost a dead ringer for MAC's famed Twig lipstick. Love the hair too: slicked into a side chignon, it looks fresh and modern and a little romantic. And behold the brows! This girl obviously has great eyebrows to begin with, but they've been played up with some brown shadow to deepen their presence, which frames the entire look beautifully.
Image: Elle.com

fragrance notes: guerlain idylle

2009-10-08T11:25:00.015-04:00

As much as I try to fight it, I'm pretty much a classic floral perfume girl at heart. The scent of roses and jasmine are some of the prettiest scents on earth for me, hence, my obsession with Stella McCartney's range of scents that riff on various rose notes. So why do I fight it? Well, let's face it, florals can seem boring and feel a little grandmother-y. But Guerlain's new scent, Idylle, created by its new-ish in-house perfumer Thierry Wasser, is a modern take on floral that's far from boring. Described as a "love dream", Idylle is an intensely romantic and pretty fragrance that kind of feels like you're walking through the most amazing flower garden packed with blooming roses, lilac and jasmine. It opens up with Bulgarian rose, raspberry, lychee and freesia, giving it a fruitiness at the top that's not at all cloying. Then, at the heart, the scent opens up to all those lovely florals: rose, peony, jasmine, lilac and lily-of-the-valley. Idylle finishes with the slightly woody white musk and patchouli at the bottom. While Idylle is described as a chypre floral, the musk and patchouli notes are so subtle you almost don't even notice them, which I kind of like. They're still there, and they give the fragrance structure, but they keep quiet so as to enhance the blooming freshness of the juice. My one qualm with Idylle is that, like all things precious and fleeting, the scent just doesn't last as long as I want it to; after spraying it on in the morning, it seems to be gone before lunch. Which kind of makes me love it more, in a way - you always want the one that got away, so to speak. And of course, let's not forget the stunning bottle - created by French designer Ora Ito, it's shaped like a glimmering, golden raindrop that's like a piece of sculpture in itself.

face of the day: chanel spring 2010 ready-to-wear

2009-10-07T21:32:00.014-04:00

What's not to love about the romantic and perfectly undone beauty look from Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel show? With their updos all tousled and a bit askew, and their hair strewn with foliage-themed combs and barettes (not to mention the flora and fauna-esque jewelry draped around their necks), the girls looked a little like dreamy wood nymphs from a JRR Tolkien novel. A perfect reference for a spring runway show, don't you think? Love the face-framing tendrils of hair falling ever so randomly.
The makeup, meanwhile, was soft and pretty, featuring super-subtle peachy-pink lips, barely-there blush and neutral eyes with glimmers of copper. It had kind of a monochrome effect - a study in neutrals, befitting a nature girl. And of course, a canvas of perfect porcelain skin a la Miss Cate Blanchett. The look was such a hit that some of the models were actually, dare I say it, smiling during the show. Well done, Karl.
Image: NYmag.com

one-hand wonder: belvada cosmetics mascara

2009-10-07T13:45:00.017-04:00

Thought you'd seen it all when it comes to mascara? Me too, until I spied this little number from Canadian beauty company Belvada. No, it doesn't vibrate, oscillate or spin, but what it does do is an entirely novel approach to applying mascara. Belvada Mascara is an all-in-one product that is entirely housed in one applicator, so there's no separate tube and wand to pump and fiddle with. You just flick up the switch on the side, and out comes the brush, fully coated – (while any excess is removed as it slides out) – with enough inky black product to cover both sets of eyelashes. Hence, its "one-handed application" moniker - it is, essentially, a super streamlined mascara. And the resulting fringe post-application is also something to behold: precise separation with little to no clumping and lashes that still look voluminous and full.

bepoke labs T3 featherweight hairdryer contest winner

2009-10-07T13:42:00.002-04:00

Today we're announcing the winner in our Bepoke Labs T3 Featherweight Hairdryer giveaway. Congratulations to Rachel Bovard! Your prize will arrive shortly.

Didn't win? Don't fret, there's plenty more contests to come!