Makeup Book Collection

This Christmas I was lucky enough to receive some beautiful, inspiring makeup/photography books to add to my collection. As I was organizing my shelves I though I would share with you some of my favorites!

Kevyn Aucoin

 

All of the Kevyn Aucoin books are filled with celebrity transformation, amazing beauty tips and personal images from his fashion and editorial work. The only one that I am missing in my collection is Makeup is Art, unfortunately it is out of print and all of the copies I have found are super expensive! Alas one day I may be lucky enough to own it, but for right now I am just putting it on my wish list!

Stephane Marais

Filled with theatrical, whimsical, runway Polaroids of top models throughout the years, this book gives you a sneak peek at what kind of creativity goes into makeup for the runway.

Marie Claire

Top beauty pro's give us insider tricks of the trade for a flawless application. The full pages of stunning photographs, cover everything you need to know for a head to toe makeover.

Scott Barnes

This much anticipated book lets us in on some of Scott Barnes signature looks that he has created for the world's top celebrities.

Alex Box by Rankin

When I opened this up at Christmas I was BEYOND ecstatic! This powerhouse duo of Makeup Artist Alex Box and photographer Rankin created such an original, awe-inspiring book it will definitely leave you speechless and appreciate the power of makeup.

Makeup Is Art

This book was also must have on my list this year. Authors Jana Ririnui, and Lan Nguyen filled this book with imaginative images ranging from body to underwater makeup.

STEAMCREAM - Too cute to resist

I was first lured in by Steamcream's super cute packaging when I first laid my eyes on it at Holts. I've been dying to try it out ever since.

Lucky me, received a tin (freedom and discipline, as shown below) in my stocking at Christmas!

The result:

Steamcream is a freshly handmade vegan moisturizer which claims to be effective on all skin types (as it contains many soothing ingredients). From personal experience, I would not recommend this product to those with hyper sensitive skin as it does contain fragrance and would definitely be irritating to some.

The product itself has a very creamy texture. It goes on thick but quickly absorbs leaving your skin soft and hydrated with a luxurious spa like scent (lavender and chamomile to be exact).

The options of design on the tins are too hard to resist and it's the perfect size to bring along in your purse,

for travel and of course a great addition for myself and any other Makeup Artist's kit.

Though it claims you can use it on your hands, face and body  I primarily use it as a hand cream. With the small size of the tin and the amount of moisturizer I soak up in the winter a tin would be gone in no time!

With a price point of $19.00 a tin,  it's definitely worth a try. It is now available at Holt Renfrew and Murale.

Ingredients:

Oatmeal Infusion (Avena sativa), Orange Flower Water (Citrus Aurantium amara), Almond Oil (Prunus dulcis), Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Glycerine, Stearic Acid, Triethanolamine, Organic Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis), Lavender Oil (Lavandula angustifolia), Chamomile Blue Oil (Matricaria chamomilla), Orange Flower Absolute (Citrus Aurantium dulcis), Rose Absolute (Rosa damascena), Neroli Oil (Citrus Aurantium amara), Cetearyl Alcohol, *Coumarin, *Geraniol, *Citronellol, *Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume, Methylparaben, Propylparaben.

*Occurs naturally in essential oils
Vegan

New Years Eve Nails

This year for NYE I decided to not get my customary manicure and try the Sephora for OPI:Chic Print for Nails

What you need to know:

This innovative line, brewed by Minx (and loved by your favorite celebrities) creates customized nails, featuring fierce patterns and prints to satisfy your wildest mani-and-pedi dreams.  One set of Chic Print for Nails contains 16 nail patches of varying widths, for a one-time application to fingers or toes.

I chose the Chrome Lace pattern. It was so easy to apply and lasted about 2 days.

Hope you have a fabulous 2011!!

xoxo

Budget Friendly Holiday Lips

L'oreal Infallible Lipstick in Beyonce is our absolutely new fav red for this holiday season.

The payoff of the product make the ridiculously reasonable price tag all the better.

It applies so smoothly and does not BUDGE!!

A definate must have for any red lip lover!

Holiday Makeup Must Haves

December officially marks the start of the Holiday season. We thought we would let you in on a few of our favourite products for this time of year.


Yves Saint Laurent - Golden Gloss

These glosses are made with real 24-karat gold flecks, an absolute luxury for your lips!

The colors are strong enough to wear on their own or for a more intense color you can pair it with your lipstick. The glosses contain Nigelle and Cameline Oils to give your lips a little extra TLC.

Our picks for the season : #17 in Cherry, #6 Golden Plum, #20 Golden Macademia.

NARS Sheer Glow and Sheer Matte foundation

 We're loving this foundation! With it's sheer and buildable coverage, skin has never looked so flawless!

Sheer Glow is a glowing, satin-finish foundation that works best for those with normal to dry skin.

Sheer Matte provides a soft matte finish and helps control oil and shine throughout the day.

Both foundations were made to enhance your skin's natural tone. No need to apply all over your face. Just in areas where it is needed. It is recommended that you apply the product with your fingertips (clean fingertips!) No need for a sponge or brush.

Cake Beauty Luminizer Lotions

Who says highlighting is limited to your cheekbones? For that extra Holiday shine try Glow-rious for a subtle golden glow or Hi-light for a pearlescent sheen. The lotions are made with Shea and Mango butters as well as Aloe Vera oils to keep your skin soft and hydrated all winter long. All of Cake's products are 100% paraben free, Canadian made and smell amazing!

Urban Decay NAKED Palette

 If you can manage to get your hands on this (word is they're sold out until January) you won't be sorry. With a color range that is wearable for just about every skin tone you simply can't go wrong. For $44 you get to try out a full range of 12 shadows, a dual ended 24/7 liner and the infamous eye primer potion. Take your look from day to evening all in one palette. A definite must for the holidays and all year round. Who could ask for more!?

 NARS - The Multiple

 The season just wouldn't be complete without The Multiple. It has been a staple in our kits for years now. This product adds a blendible highlight to cheeks, a pop of color on eyes, and a slight sheen to lips. Our favourite is Copacabana. After applying powder and blush add a touch of product under your brow and cheek bone. For best results apply this with a beauty blender sponge or fingertips. 

MAC - Fix + Spray                                             

No application is complete without a few spritz's of this product. We like to apply this before and after applying makeup to keep the skin looking smooth, hydrated and flawless. Keeping your face revitalized with ingredients like green tea, chamomile and cucumber this has become a product we cannot live without.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let us know what your Holiday must-have beauty products are!

Perfect Primer

We received a free sample of the new L'oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base in the mail and have been using it religiously every day before applying our foundation or tinted moisturizer.

We have to say we absolutely L-O-V-E this product!

It is a super silky texture that just glides over your skin. It leaves a semi matte finish without that tight feeling most matte products produce.

Most definately a new staple in our makeup kit!!

Vanity Girl

We've been on a desperate search for the perfect vanity and I think we've finally found it!

Vanity Girl Hollywood provides vanities, full length, and table top mirrors to add that backstage feel to any home.

 Broadway Lighted Vanity Makeup Desk 

Broadway Lighted Vanity Mirror

These 2 options come equipped with 13 dimmable 40 watt bulbs, a scratch resistant frame and dual power outlets for all of your hair tools!

Diva Lighted Wardrobe Mirror