All posts filed under: Beauty

Denis Gagnon x Lancôme Fall 2011 Makeup

Here is my last bit of Denis Gagnon related fashion news today, a new makeup collaboration with Lancôme for Fall 2011. The collaboration will become available in Mid August at select Lancôme counters. To reflect the brand’s philosophy of partnerships between arts and beauty, Lancôme pursues its mission to promote excellence by associating with talented Canadian fashion designer Denis Gagnon. This artistic collaboration between Lancôme and Denis Gagnon started in 2010 with the celebrations surrounding the designer’s 10th anniversary and the related exhibition of his work organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. For this occasion, Lancôme had created makeup looks to complement the Spring-Summer 2011 collection of Maison Denis Gagnon. In the fall of 2011, Lancôme will continue this association by launching a limited edition, exclusive makeup collection created in collaboration with the fashion designer. These beauty looks, created by makeup artist Lora Spiga in collaboration with Denis Gagnon, feature smoky and sophisticated eyes that ooze self-confidence, combined with a seductive mouth in shades of nude to intense purple. “I wanted to create …

John Allan’s Club at The Bay, Queen Street Launch Party

I attended the opening party for the John Allan Club at The Bay on Queen Street. The John Allan Club is a membership based men’s grooming club where all aspects of male grooming are taken care of by expert staff. The Bay John Allan Club is first international location and the sixth overall. John Allan was in attendance along with Bonnie Brooks and one of the Bachelors from that horrible, horrible Bachelor series. I think he’s following me because I saw him again while I was out last week, ha ha. I don’t need to be in close proximity to anyone on that show. Anyways, John talked for a bit and I decided to record some video.

Nails, Nails, Nails, Nails

This year I wanted to wear more nail polish. I buy tons of the stuff but never wear it. I would get depressed looking at my nail kit when adding newly bought polish. There were ones still unworn and in their original packaging. My friends at Brill Communications told me that I needed to try Deborah Lippmann’s Addicted To Speed topcoat. It was a life changer they said. I was skeptical but I liked Deborah Lippmann nail polish so I gave it a shot. I tracked it down at Holt Renfrew and ended up buying a Spring 2011 NARS nail polish called Desperado which they describe as vintage bronze. Addicted To Speed was a life changer, I kid you not. It’s the fastest top coat out there and it only sticks to nail polish. I’m loving, loving this product. Complete and utter fanboy. I get excited for chips in my nails because it means time to change colours. That’s how easy it is to do my nails. I wasn’t sure I would like Desperado initially. …

MAC x Wonder Woman

Oh MAC collaborations, they are always so much fun. Wonder Woman, can you believe this. Banish any thought of being a Plain Jane: M∙A∙C and Wonder Woman have joined forces! For Spring 2011, take a trip to Paradise Island with a legendary line up of super-sized Mineralize Skinfinish, bold Eye Shadow quads, Pigment, Opulash, lipsticks and oversized Lipglass, jumbo-big Powder Blush and Penultimate Eye Liner, Nail Lacquer and Lash inspired by the larger-than-life Bold Babe. Dashing and dazzling, the iconic super heroine reminds us that inside every woman is a Mighty Aphrodite full of courage, confidence and charisma. Kaboom! Mission Accomplished! Wonder Woman will always be associated with Lynda Carter in my mind. I grew up watching the 70s television show.  I never got the invisible plane or the truth lasso but she was strong and had bulletproof gold bracelets. ] This isn’t the complete collection so you’ll have to check out the other offering when the collection hits the stores in North America on Feburary 11, 2011 and internationally on March 11, 2011.  The …

OPI x PUMA Canada x Browns Shoes

I like hearing about Canada-only collaborations. This time OPI, PUMA Canada and Browns Shoes have teamed up to bring exclusive products to the Canadian market. April marks the spring/summer 2011 launch of exclusive PUMA ballerina flats for Browns Shoes and B2. To celebrate this, PUMA Canada teamed up with OPI to create a special gift with purchase at select Browns Shoes and B2 locations. Limited to only 50 bottles per participating store, PUMA Red by OPI is sure to go fast! (while quantities last, some restrictions apply.) So Brown Shoes and PUMA Canada have teamed up to create a set of exclusive ballerina flats not sold in any other store. In turn PUMA Canada called on nail giant OPI to come up with the PUMA Red nail polish. I’m not into ballet flats so the shoes do nothing for me. I’m intrigued by this retail move. Technically over collaborations but I cant help but get excited by ones that involve the Canada market like this. images: courtesy of PUMA Canada

Calvin Klein Beauty Launch

I attended the launch event for the new Calvin Klein fragrance called Beauty. This was an interesting event because two people heavily involved in the development of the fragrance were in attendance, Perfumer Sophie Labbe and Senior Manager Global Marketing Stephanie Schwab. Both women talked about their involvement in the fragrance from the creation of the packaging and advertising, to the actual scent itself. I managed to get a bit of Sophie Labbe talking about Beauty. Beauty is a floral scent with it’s main influence being the Calla Lily. Top notes are Fresh Notes and Jasmine. Middle notes are Lily, White Flowers and Spicy Notes. Base notes are Cedar and Ambrette. It’s a nice light fragrance but not something I gravitate to. The event also had a photo exhibition that interpreted the beauty of the Call Lily through the eyes of five female photographers: Caitlin Cronenberg, Davida Nemeroff, Jody Rogac, Karen Roze and Natasha V. There is also big advertising campaign with Diane Kruger for Beauty but I’m not that concerned so I haven’t linked …

Jonathan+Olivia x TOPSHOP Kate Moss x TOPSHOP Make up x TOPMAN

Jonathan+Olivia is expanding on their TOPSHOP minishop and bringing the final Kate Moss for TOPSHOP collection, TOPSHOP make-up and TOPMAN this December. I know many guys were asking about TOPMAN when Jonathan+Olivia launched TOPSHOP womens and now it’s arrived.   Jonathan+Olivia is one of 3 external retailers carrying the make up line. images: courtesy of Jonathan+Olivia

NADA Fragrance by Aromachology

Anna dello Russo wasn’t the only one launching a fragrance. Toronto based NADA used a dancing flash mob to let get the word out about her new perfume. Nada partnered with Aromachology to create the NADA fragrance. The NADA fragrance has a spicy, oriental-musk undertone of honeysuckle, ginger and saffron, and finishes with seductive top notes of lotus flower, amber and jasmine. “I was really inspired by the fluid movement of our flowing fabrics and the seductive air of our new fragrance — dance is a natural pairing of the two. So we worked with the Ryerson Dance Program, to create something really interesting,” says Nada Shepherd, Creative Director and founder of the self-named women’s wear label. “The NADA signature fragrance is for women who are looking for something a little edgy, a little interesting, and a flash mob builds into an amazingly exciting personal experience, just like our fragrance. It’s dark and sexy just like the music and movement our choreographer Missy Morris put together” says Shepherd. Morris hand-selected a group of over 60 …

Anna dello Russo in Fragrance

When Anna dello Russo’s people, Anna Dello Russo Factory, email you about her new fragrance you step up and listen. I’m a huge Anna fan. She has a closet I would die for but she has fun and loves fashion. Most importantly Anna doesn’t take herself very seriously and she’s always smiling. She is a great representation of all the things I love about fashion. ANNA DELLO RUSSO, the fragrance, is a delectable and sophisticated scent that calls to mind the sensory pleasures of sweet treats and primary sensations. The essence of vanilla mixed with almond creates a scent inspired by the memories and the flavors of childhood— the wholesome smell of warm cookies coming from Grandma’s kitchen on Christmas Eve. Anna Dello Russo, the fragrance, is a tactile perception; a smell to touch. “You smell so good that I want to eat you, they will tell you,” she says. Firmenich was brought in to help make this perfume a reality. The golden, slipper shaped bottle is typical Anna but I’m not a fan of …

TIFF 2010 – Donato Salon + Spa at The Brill Building

Brill Communications set up a two day mini Donato Salon + Spa at their office, The Brill Building. I didn’t get my makeup done here but I did get my nails done. The nail polish was by celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann. It is amazing. My first colour was Bad Romance which is a GaGa blackened fuschia (pictured above).  I really love this nail polish colour.  I visited the Tastemakers Lounge earlier in the day and had a Joe Fresh jade colour put on.  It was TIFF and I was feeling indulgent so I had the jade removed and Bad Romance put on.  I really do love the sparkly nail polish add purple to that equation and I’m easily sold.  The second day I returned and had a combo of two nail polishes put on.  The results was a blood red sparkly mix that looked amazing.  I can’t remember the rich red colour used but the sparkle was Ruby Red Slippers.  I love the names of Deborah Lippmann’s nail polish too. Check out the Deborah Lippmann’s …

TIFF 2010 – DPA Gifting Lounge

The InterContinental Toronto Centre on Front Street welcomed the Dubois, Pelin and Associates (DPA) Gifting Lounge during the Toronto International Film Festival. The Presidential Suite, which has this amazing wrap around terrace and fantastic views, was the location. Sponsors for the DPA Gifting Lounge included: MICALLA, FeenieBeadie, ANZIE, Ruby Wow!, Royal Blush, Glass Harp Gallery and Susan Hood designs, Michique, Roots, LouLou Bell, SwissTEC, Imperfect Indulgence, RevitaLash, Sula Beauty, Bathing Belle Swimwear, Snoflake, Barbara Bela, Sodaliscious, Turbine, Eva Varro, Pearl Resorts & Spa, Jumeirah Hotels and Resort Kusmi Teas, FUZE, The Berry Company, Galloping Cows, Ridiculous by Jilli, Manitobah Mukluks, Marchon Eyewear, AMC, Author Ann Kaplan and Lomography. There were a lot of great Canadian brands at the lounge, too many to talk about individually. It was great to see Canadian content getting pushed to the celebs. ANZIE jewellery initially invited me to the DPA Gifting Lounge so I could get a look at the collection. I was familiar with the brand as I’ve seen them at Holt Renfrew before. I didn’t know that they …

TIFF 2010 – Murale/Sally Hershberger Lounge

The Murale/Sally Hershberger Lounge set up shop in the Intercontinental Toronto Yorkville Hotel. I was at the Intercontinental so much it almost felt like a second home. I laughed at people wondering if I was famous walking into and out of the hotel. Of course, I had my neon green Prada shades on. Sally Hershberger is a well know celebrity hairstylist who brought some of her crew to Toronto do get everyone’s hair red-carpet ready. There was also complimentary makeup applications and I took advantage of those services. Sponspors for the Murale/Sally Hershberger Lounge included: Coty Inc, Sally Hershberger Professional Hair Care, Murale I had my makeup done on Saturday and Sunday at the lounge. I had Dino on Saturday and he gave me a bit of smokey eye. It wasn’t dramatic but it was quite pretty. Sunday I had my make up done by Anil Bhatoo of Murale and he gave me dramatic makeup to go with the leather Danier dress I was wearing. It was my favourite look of TIFF. I also discovered …

MAC x Disney – Venomous Villains, the looks are out.

I previously mentioned the upcoming Venomous Villains collection from MAC Cosmetics. The colour palette and product shots are now available. I’m dying over the nail polish. It’s out at all MAC stores on September 30, 2010. Prices range from $15 – $30. Sleeping Beauty got her prince, and Snow White may have been the fairest in the land, but when it comes to classic fairy tales, good girls are so cliché. What really captures our attention are the vampy devilish divas that always manage to cast a spell over everyone they meet. In the spirit of the unabashedly cunning seductress, M•A•C Cosmetics has collaborated with Disney to created four separate colour collections that pay homage to a cast of characters who aren’t shy about being very, very bad. There’s the incomparable Cruella De Vil, the infamous London heiress hell-bent on obtaining one very couture fur coat; the jealous, aging supermodel that is Snow White’s Evil Queen; Maleficent, a snubbed evil fairy whose vengeance put Sleeping Beauty to bed without supper; and the devious Dr. Facilier, …

TIFF 2010 – Aromachology

I have meant to stop by Aromachology but our timing has been off. Aromachology is a personalized perfume shop that allows the customer to create their own special scent. They also have candles that make great gifts.  The idea of creating my own personal scent is very appealing and daunting. I like so many things and trying to put myself in one box is never going to work. I look at my fragrance collection and it’s all over the place, women’s, men’s, floral, oriental or musky.  Aromachology had a pop up store at the Four Seasons during  TIFF and I stopped by to check it out. Basically there are 5 base scents to choose from: Sophisticated & Sensual Floral, a Totally Edible Gourmand, an Exotic Spicy Oriental, a Clean & Fresh or a Bold & Brisk Woodsy. Then you make a choice between 15 top notes to add to the base: Creative – Juniper Berry and Carnation; Inspiring – Orange and Lemon; Spontaneous – Tuberose and Citrus; Graceful – Jasmine and Egyptian Musk; Courageous – …

TIFF 2010 – Aveda Experience Centre

Some people have an immediate positive effect on me that usual end up with me having a huge crush. They can be men and women because it’s about the energy they radiate, the knowledge they hold and most importantly their passion. Ray Civello is one of those people. He is the President of Aveda Canada and has salons, spas and stores across the country. I visited the new Aveda Experience Centre at 155 Cumberland Avenue. It carries the full range of lifestyle products, makeup, hair and skin care. Aveda is a line that is plant derived and natural. They’ve been around for 30 years and employ the top scientists in plant-based cosmetics to come up with their products. Guests are welcome to complimentary hand and scalp massages and makeup touch-ups. I had a hand massage and it was quite relaxing. “We chose Yorkville because it is the epicentre of errand-running and multi-tasking for busy urbanites; our Experience Centre provides a refuge from the hustle and bustle with an opportunity to be nurtured and revitalized.”, says …

Watch It! Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray: Kristjan Hayden

Like I need an excuse to post a video featuring Pastel Supernova. A studio, natural lighting, Aveda Control Force and a muse. This video features hair wizardry by Kristjan Hayden from the Civello Salon Queen Street location utilizing Aveda Control Force Firm Hold Hair Spray. Art Direction and styling was provided by Diego Armand, one of Toronto’s Top Dressed (well deserved I might add).

NARS Vintage Nail Polish Collection

NARS introduces a Vintage Nail Polish Collection including five shades, resurrected by popular demand, with NARS’ signature longwearing formula, imparting an initial high gloss lustre that is water and detergent resistant. Perfect for fall, the seasonal height of the fashion year, these vintage polishes are being brought out from the archives to NARS counters for a limited time. With classic cinema as their common theme, below are the shades, their descriptions and the movies that inspired them. I love the colour palette in this collection and the vintage movie concept is intriguing. Mash – Army green infused with gold King Kong – Copper brown infused with gold Midnight Express – Deep navy Zulu – Forest Green Full Metal Jacket – Gunmetal Gray I’ve seen most of the movies referenced with my favourite being Full Metal Jacket.  Stanley Kubrick is my absolute favourite director.  I wonder how many of the younger set will even understand the movie references.  The nail polishes will be available on October 1st at Holt Renfrew for $21 each. image: courtesy of …

geekiviews: Cromwell and Cruthers Shaving Oil 2010 Redux

This post is part old and part new. I had my friend The Grumpy Owl review Cromwell and Cruthers Shaving Oil back in 2009. It’s an awesome review which is reproduced in it’s entirety below. Cromwell and Cruthers have re-branded the product and I like the new slick look. I also like that Philip Sparks and Mackenzie James are involved in the advertising campaign. I have behind the scenes footage. geekiviews: Cromwell and Cruthers Shaving Oil Originally Published: 2009/01/02 This edition of geekiviews features a guest blogger, The Grumpy Owl. He’s a guy and the Cromwell and Cruthers Shaving Oil is for men. So it made sense that he review it instead of me. I hate oiling up my body. It’s the sort of the thing that one should have a person for. Preferably young, buxom and foreign. So, when Geekigirl gave me a plastic vial of Cromwell and Cruthers Shaving Oil, I viewed the product with some trepidation. Oil is bad enough but shaving is worse. The last time I combined the two, I …

geekiviews: The Red Door

The Red Door provides foot massages for men and women. It operates out of the Che Bella Spa every Thursday, Friday and Saturday between 7 and 11 p.m. I missed the opening launch party for Red Door so rock-it promo provided me with a complementary couples treatment. I brought Danielle from Final Fashion and I learned that this was her first trip to a spa. Massage therapists provide the treatment. It’s 45 minutes long and includes a hot foot soak and massage of feet and legs. Prices are $55 per person, $100 per couple and $185 for a group of four. Che Bella Spa is in an old Victorian home. The space definitely has that homey and welcoming feeling. There are three treatment rooms available. Danielle and I had the attic like room upstairs that is totally private. It’s perfect for couples with the shared couch and quite tranquil.   Televisions are available for watching but we kept it off. When I’m at the spa I like to relax and focus on myself and the …

Venomous Villains – MAC x Disney Villains

The Venomous Villains collection from MAC Cosmetics sounds like a lot of fun.  I can’t wait to see the colour palette for the villians. Four of Disney’s nastiest characters — Cruella De Vil of “101 Dalmations” fame, the Evil Queen from “Snow White,” Maleficient from “Sleeping Beauty” and Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog — are getting their own color lineups come Sept. 30. The bold hues in the lineup — 40 in all, ranging in price from $12 to $29.50 and divided into four collections emblazoned with the characters’ images — were inspired by Pantone reproductions of Disney’s original drawings. “Disney gave us the colors used when these characters were drawn throughout their history,” said Balbier, noting that Cruella and the Evil Queen share more “real woman” shades, such as red lips and peachy blush. Maleficent is “pure fantasy,” said Balbier, noting that offbeat purples, blackened shades and pearlized nails were used. Dr. Facilier headlines the new Magically Cool Liquid Powders. “This is a featherlight powder that goes on like a mist …

alice + olivia for MAC

M·A·C Cosmetics and alice + olivia have teamed up. I’m in love with the colours and have to get the nail polishes for sure. “If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn’t. And contrary-wise, what it is, it wouldn’t be. What it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?”— alice + olivia = Stacey Bendet, New York native, downtown-fashionista, all-around fun girl, and the sum total of design line alice + olivia, M•A•C’s latest collaborator. A frump-fighting, pro-pixie, anti-seriousness collection of colour that includes new takes on Dazzleglass Crème. So Rich So Pretty Nail Lacquer and Partylicious Pigments…hip + happy = alice + olivia for M•A•C. The collection will be available starting July 8, 2010 until August 2010 at MAC stores.

Sanrio 50th Anniversary – Sanrio x Demeter

Sanrio 50th Anniversary – Sanrio x Demeter Fragrance Library

Sanrio and Demeter teamed up to create signature fragrances for various characters. The Sanrio Demeter Fragrance Library will initially feature scents from Hello Kitty, My Melody and Little Twin Stars. More scents are planned for the future including a scent inspired by the Sanrio Boutique. It seems like Sanrio gum and scented erasers. You can purchase the fragrances online at DemeterFragrance.com, urbanoutfitters.com (Hello Kitty, My Melody, Little Twin Stars) and Sanrio Boutiques. As a “thank you” to their ever-loyal fans, SANRIO plans to unveil special co-branded collections, starting this summer with SANRIO x Dr. Martens. Signature Dr. Martens 8-eye boots & mary jane strap shoes will be bestowed a trademark Hello Kitty bow for this limited edition collection. Collaborations with a diverse group of brands including Brunswick, Girl Skateboard Co., Aerial7, Lomography, Demeter Fragrance, Mimobots, and Build-A-Bear Workshop will launch a plethora of amazing products at retail partners worldwide, featuring an assortment of SANRIO characters. A benchmark of SANRIO’s 50th Anniversary will include iconic characters appearing together for the first time ever (outside of SANRIO’s …

Comme des Garçons - Wonderwood, A short film by the Brothers Quay

Comme des Gar̤ons РWonderwood, A short film by the Brothers Quay

Comme des Garçons is releasing a new fragrance called Wonderwood. To launch the product, The Brothers Quay were enlisted to create a short stop motion film. The scent is made up of three different types of woods, Oud, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Cypress wood and Gaiac wood. Woody notes: Patchouli, vetyver and synthetic woods: Javanol, Cashmeran and Pachminol.(source)

(untitled) by Maison Martin Margiela

(untitled) by Maison Martin Margiela – Video

Previously I posted about the newly release fragrance called (untitled) by Maison Martin Margiela. The scent is, as Martin wished, a ‘green flash’ – an olfactory equivalent and translation of the blank canvas and cleansing visual signature ‘white’ of Margiela. It is at once, clean, fresh and astringent, eschewing the floral hallmarks of contemporary perfumes and harking back to 1970’s trends, such as Chanel’s Nº19 There is now a short video created for the fragrance. (untitled) scents * Top Notes: Galbanum essence, Box green, Bitter orange blossom absolute * Middle Notes: Lentiscus resinoid, Jasmine, Galbanum resinoid * Base notes: Musk, Cedar, Incense resinoid The blog Coute Que Coute has an interesting post about his adventures at MMM HQ for the launch of (untitled).

Dermalogica

Group Therapy with Dermalogica

I’m a big Dermalogica fan. I got into to their skin care regimen a few years ago. Even though I receive products from other brands I always have some sort of Dermalogica product in my routine.  I attended a Dermalogica event called Group Therapy with .  It was a bloggers only event.  Dermalogica is smart and called us online editors instead of bloggers in their communication.  It was a personal face analysis session at the Dermalogica Training Centre in Toronto. I wanted to take advantage of the Dermalogica experts and check that I had the right product mix. It was a very informative session and it changed up my routine. Prior to attending the session my kit included: Special Cleansing Gel, Skin Prep Scrub, Multi-Active Toner, Total Eye Care and Active Moist moisturizer.  At the session, my expert recommended some different products in the line. I discovered the PreCleanse as the first step. It’s a lightweight cleansing oil that removes sebum and oil based debris from the skin before using the Special Cleansing Gel. It …