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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring the founder of AdornedMagazine.com Sara Koonar!

Every Sunday I feature a blogger, artist, photographer, makeup artist, actress, socialite or all around awesome person on my blog in a feature I like to call "You Go Girl!" or in some cases "You Go Boy!".

This week Ill be featuring editor and founder of AdornedMagazine.com Sara Koonar.

Sara's worked as an intern at Fashion Television & glow where she had her first article published in a national magazine. She's also had experience with modeling, television, radio, print, photography and design.

In her spare time Sara is working on a novel series and a screenplay. You can find her in the front row at Toronto Fashion Week and mingling at cocktail parties at TIFF.

Interesting Fact: Did you know Sara has a famous Canadian leading man? Find out who he is at the end of this post!

Sara graciously agreed to chat with me and was quick to respond to all my questions. She's sweet and friendly which made this super easy and fun! See what Sara had to say about her career, life and beauty.....
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Sara pictured with DSquared

Sara tell us a little about who are you & why are you so fabulous?

I am the editor and founder of AdornedMagazine.com. I was born in Canada to an Italian mother and Indian father. Both of my grandmother’s were seamstresses, they were who I spent most of my time with. So, since I was a kid I have been interested in clothing, how it is made, what makes it beautiful and why we should appreciate design.


I went to school for journalism at University of Ottawa and Centennial College in Toronto and have worked with Fashion Television and glow Magazine.


I am not sure if I would call myself fabulous, but if you insist...

Where can we find you on the world wide web?

www.AdornedMagazine.com
www.twitter.com/adornedmag

How did you become interested in journalism?

I am incredibly curious. My choices were either detective or journalist. I also love being the one who delivers the news first. When my friends want to know the latest on what is happening in pop culture they know where to go.

What beauty products would you recommend to other women and why?

I have very sensitive skin and try my best to use products that are as close to natural as they can be. My favourite product line right now is Kiss My Face. I found them at my local drug store and they have everything from body wash, shaving lotion to lipstick.

Your favorite beauty treatment is?

I use Kiss My Face’s Pore Shrink Deep Cleansing Mask once a week. The combination of bentonite clay, tea tree oil and lemon grass oil makes my face feel so smooth and clear.

Who would you say have been some of your favorite celebs/people to interview?

My most memorable interviews are with designers. They are creative free spirits and always have the most interesting stories to tell. My favourite interviews have to be with Dsquared2 (Dean and Dan Caten) and Chip and Pepper (Chip and Pepper Foster), both Canadian, entrepreneurs, twins and incredibly full of life.


The best interviews are the ones that are natural. Forget your list of questions, put it aside and talk to your subject as if you were out grabbing a coffee with a friend. You will be surprised how much better the interview will turn out when it is comfortable and casual.

What are your favorite beauty looks for spring/summer 2010?

For hair, I love the long messy side braid we saw on Alexander Wang’s Spring 2010 RTW runway or the high ponytail with a thick glossy (with the help of product) braid that Blake Lively wore on Gossip Girl this season.


For makeup, I loved the lilac eye shadow on the models at the Versace Spring 2010 RTW show. You have to be careful with colourful eye shadow to not look like you stepped out of the 80s, but if done the right way I think it is very pretty and fresh.


What prompted you to start
adornedmagazine.com?
Blame it on the recession. Right now there are hundreds of journalism students graduating from school and competing over a handful of jobs available. By creating an online fashion magazine I was hoping to give a voice to these young and talented writers. Also, as you may notice, people do not want to wait six months to find out what will be in season for Winter 2011. Why not know right away? That is the beauty of the internet.


Who is your favorite fashion designer and why?

That really changes every season depending on their collection. Right now I am obsessed with Alexander Wang. He creates these womenswear collections that are inspired by men’s fashion; it is the way he marries masculinity and femininity that is incredible sexy. Plus, he is 25 years old and for someone to achieve the success he has in such a short time says something about their talent.

Are there any makeup or beauty faux pas you really cant stand?

Stringy extensions (the kind where you can see where the hair has been attached) and girls who wear the wrong shade of red lipstick. You can’t just wear any shade of red lipstick, pay attention to your skin tone because certain shades can really do you an injustice.

Are you guilty of any yourself?

Of course, I wore a pair of really long fake eyelashes (the costumey type) and looking back on the photos I realized how terrible it looked. While you are young it is best to keep your look natural, wait until later in life to add all those visual tricks.


Favorite career highlight & why?

I am still just beginning my career and have had the opportunity to experience incredible art, meet interesting people and visit gorgeous places. Being able to appreciate each of these moments equally as a highlight is what makes the path I have chosen so much more exciting.

What can people expect from Sara Koonar in the future?

I have millions of ideas brewing and just waiting to be unleashed.
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A big thank you to Sara Koonar for chatting with me I want to wish her all the best in her career and future. If you haven't checked out AdornedMagazine.com yet, what are you waiting for?!

Did you know Sara has a famous Canadian leading man?
The answer: Jonathan Matthew Poirier, better known by his stage name JDiggz, a Canadian hip-hop MC and producer.

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Thursday, May 27, 2010

Make Up For Ever in Montreal here I come!

Im heading to Montreal today for the weekend and I wont lie one of the reasons im excited to go is the possibility of checking out the Make Up For Ever store there.

Here's whats on my wishlist (you know if money wasn't an issue!)

- 5 Camouflage Cream Palette

-
Glitter pigment

- Lashes lashes and more lashes

- Lip gloss galore

- more face & body foundation


Well....pretty much everything actually!

Is there any Make Up For Ever product that you have and would recommend? Any must haves??

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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Quick Tip: A clever way to save space and store those tweezers!

Taking up half the shelf of your medicine cabinet just for your tweezers is a bit silly when clearly that space could be better used by something more important like your sunscreen or fav bottle of perfume.

Solution: Use a small magnet with a sticky back or some double sided tape (if not metal) and place it along the side of your cabinet... voila! A new place for your tweezers that's out of the way ;)

ps- This could also work on the inside of your vanity doors too ;)


Happy Organizing!


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Sunday, May 23, 2010

Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring MTV Host Aliya-Jasmine Sovani!

Every Sunday I feature a blogger, artist, photographer, makeup artist, actress, socialite or all around awesome person on my blog in a feature I like to call "You Go Girl!" or in some cases "You Go Boy!".

This week Ill be featuring MTV Host and Segment Producer Aliya-Jasmine Sovani.
As one of the hosts on MTV she has interviewed big-name celebrities like Kanye West, Brad Pitt, Dave Navarro, and Perry Ferrell. Now as the host of MTV NEWS, Aliya-Jasmine brings viewers the latest in-depth interviews with some of music's biggest names as well as emerging bands.

Before working at MTV , AJ was a television producer for MuchMusic (MuchOnDemand; MuchNews), as well as the Tour Correspondent for MuchMusic's VJ Search, a reporter for a national Men`s magazine, and a host/field producer for BPM TV (digital music channel). A former arts student, AJ has studied and lived all over the world (including Italy, LA, New York and the remote town of Perce, Quebec).

I have admired her for a long time, shes smart, sassy & beautiful all at the same time! I remember the first time I saw her on TV back when she was on BMP TV with her funky clothes and crazy hair.. She represented a strong beautiful yet funky south asian woman to me and I'm so glad to see shes doing her thing now at MTV.

I got the chance to chat with AJ recently about beauty, charities, her career & life, here's what she had to say.

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So AJ tell us a little about who are you & why are you so fabulous?

(Laughs.) Isn’t that a loaded question? If I’m fabulous at all it’s by association. I work with – and get to meet - some very fabulous people. I am a host & producer for MTV News. It airs weekdays at 6;26pm (eastern time) and brings you up to date on pop culture news.

Where can we find you on the world wide web?

Check it: www.twitter.com/AliyaJasmine
www.facebook.com/AliyaJasmine,
www.youtube.com/AliyaJasmine, and of course www.mtv.ca/news

What beauty product would you recommend and why?

I adore Dermalogica skin care. I use their thick moisturizers before bed and first thing in the morning. The MTV gig requires me to wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis, so the feeling of washing it all off and moisturizing can be so liberating. Is that dorky? It’s true.

Your favorite beauty treatment is?

Aveda’s Damage Control conditioner for my hair.

Who would you say have been some of your favorite celebs/people to work with?

Tom Cruise was a super nice guy, believe it or not. Chris Rock, Jared Leto, Columbus Short, Jessica Biel, Slash, Kanye West, James Hetfield from Metallica…all among my faves.

You're in a huge rush, what one beauty product do you grab?

Kiehls lip balm with SPF 15.

You were involved with Boobyball, a fundraiser for rethink breast cancer in which you did a video shoot that focused mainly on your chest, you seemed pretty comfortable in your body but have you ever had body issues?

The spot focused directly on my breasts. That was the point, to raise awareness about breast cancer and target a young audience that, in my opinion, disassociate the breasts that are sexualized in ads with the breasts that get cancer. The ad was aimed to show that cancer can affect everyone. But to answer your question, I was completely uncomfortable doing it! When I wrote the script for the PSA it was meant for someone else to play the main character, we even held casting sessions… but a few days before we shot the spot, I found out my cousin would be losing one of her breasts because of cancer. That is when I agreed to lend my face to the cause.

Yes, I have had body issues. As you can see in the ad, I have scars all over my body from a really bad car accident I had in 2001. I spent half a decade with so many issues I was shy to wear shorts in public. It has been a very long journey for me to go from not wearing shorts in my backyard, to wearing a bikini on national television. We all have “body issues,” we always will, but I think we as women need to embrace the idea that these are our bodies and we should accept them. As women we should empower ourselves to embrace our bodies and whatever they look like.

What would you say to those who have low self esteem?

Make a list of the things you like about yourself. And concentrate on those. Accept the fact that even the most confident & beautiful person in a room has something about themselves they are insecure about. It’s human nature. Having low self esteem can become a disability, and life is too fantastic & short to sweat the small stuff.

How did you get your start in television?

I was an intern at Fashion Television and then got a job in production at MuchMusic.

Are there any makeup or beauty faux pas you really cant stand?

Full makeup face with thick eyeliner on the beach. It drives me NUTS! Natural is underrated.

Are you guilty of any yourself?

Ironic considering my last answer, but I love thick eyeliner! Haha. Maybe too much.

Favorite career highlight & why?

Working the MTV Video Music Awards the last 3 years has been pretty amazing!

Do you have any beauty secrets?

I know nothing about makeup. That’s the tomboy in me. So I listen to my makeup artist, she’s amazing & gives wicked beauty tips. Don’t have a makeup artist? Listen to mine! You can follow her on twitter: twitter.com/luckymakeup

What can people expect from Aliya-Jasmine in the future?

I might run for Parliament. (No, not really.) I’m working on some really cool specials for MTV News about issues I think people my age give a sh*t about. Look, I love train wreck TV as much as anyone else… but I don’t think that means young people my age don’t want good smart TV anymore. It’s not that we don’t care, its just that it’s hard to keep our attention. In the past I produced a story on the Canadian Seal Hunt, and went to Africa to expose the fight for girls right. I’m hoping to do some more cool social issues & youth based issues for the station.

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Aliya-Jasmine was open minded, sweet and totally willing to answer all my questions so I would like to thank her for doing the interview and for being an inspiration :)


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Friday, May 21, 2010

Quick Tip: How to store SMALL beauty items in a BIG bag!

Sometimes us girls need certain beauty items on the go like nail files and polish, but with the big bags that are in fashion these days these items can be a pain to find when you need them.


Solution: use a hard glasses case you have just laying around the house to store them, that way your small beauty items will be all in one place and easy to find ;)


Happy Organizing ;)

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Thursday, May 20, 2010

When Life Hands You Lemons...Beautify Yourself!

So we've talked about the different uses of Vodka and the benefits of honey but today is all about LEMONS!

Lemons are rich in vitamin C but also contains other important nutrients for our health, for example magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. The high proportion of vitamin C is the main reason why lemons can be considered as one of the necessary substances in our daily diet.

Not only are lemons great for your diet and body but they can also be a part of your beauty routine. Lemon juice is a natural antioxidant which helps stimulate collagen production in your skin as well as many other fabulous things.

Here are some examples of how lemons can be used to help everything from your nails to your hair.

Lemons....What are they good for?!

Healthy Nails
- Soak your fingernails (or toenails) in lemon juice for 10 minutes. Then brush your nails them with a tooth brush or nail brush using a mixture of 1/2 white vinegar and 1/2 warm water, then rinse with warm water. This treatment helps your fingernails stay strong and bright! You may be surprised at how shiny and amazing your fingernails look!

Remove Blackheads - Rub lemon juice over the areas that contain blackheads right before you go to bed. Rinse your face with cool water when you wake up. Repeat this every night until blackheads are dissolved and gone. The citric acid helps naturally dissolve the oils that form blackheads in your skin! If the lemon juice is too strong and stings wash face after 10 minutes. Note: If the lemon juice is too strong and stings wash face after 10 minutes with cold water.

Brighten Skin - Use fresh lemon juice on any area of your body, including your face, to brighten up and soften your skin. Simply rub a fresh lemon on this area before you go to bed. Rinse in the morning. You can also add 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice to your bath water and soak for 20 minutes for an all over treatment. Note: If the lemon juice is too strong and stings wash face after 10 minutes with cold water.

Condition Hair - Dull, damaged hair will benefit from lemon juice! Combine 3/4 cup Olive oil, 1/2 cup raw honey, and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice. Set aside. After shampooing your hair, towel dry your hair and work the lemon juice mixture in your hair by combing it evenly throughout your hair. Then cover hair with a plastic cap for a 1/2 hour. Shampoo and rinse your hair as usual.

Bleach Hair - The all natural alternative to bleach is to use the juice from 1/2 - 1 lemon into your hair. Squeeze it directly into your hair. (Don't worry if you get some seeds in your hair. You'll rinse those out later!) Sit in the sun for 25 minutes. Shampoo and condition as usual. If your hair is light colored, you will see more blonde highlights. If you have darker hair, you will notice some nice red tones.

Dry Skin – You can use lemons to help with your dry skin! Simply make a mask by mixing equal amounts of honey, lemon and vegetable/canola/olive oil. Apply to dry areas and allow it to dry thoroughly. (about 10 minutes) Rinse with warm water. This mixture is a good moisturizer for dry skin or dry skin patches.

Oily Skin Toner - Combine 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons vodka, 1 tablespoon distilled water, and 1 teaspoon witch hazel. Apply with cotton balls to your skin, then rinse. This mixture will keep in the refrigerator for a week and can really help your oily skin woes!

Exfoliate Dead Skin Cells - Rub a cut lemon dipped into a half-teaspoon of sugar over your face for a few minutes. Do this every night to help remove accumulated dead skin cells and refresh your skin. Note: Avoid if you have any sores or scabs.

Dandruff Treatment - Mix a few tablespoons of fresh lemon juice with 1/2 cup of olive oil. Rub it gently onto your scalp. Allow to remain for 15 minutes, then rinse, shampoo, and condition as usual.

Breath Freshener - Use lemon juice to freshen your breath. Lemon has been used for years (mostly mixed with water to make lemon water), as a natural breath mint. The acidity in lemons, helps destroy bacteria in your mouth that gives you bad breath. Drink lemon water during the day, to freshen up your breath anytime!

Body Purifier - Lemon water is also a great detoxifier for your body. Be sure to wash lemon thoroughly to clear of any bacteria on skin.

Lighten & Soften Elbows: You can also rub cut lemons directly on elbows to lighten lighten and soften them.

Natural Astringent: Lemons mixed with cucumber juice makes a natural astringent. Inside and Out!

For Soft Silky Hair: Apply warm/hot oil and lemon juice to your scalp and wrap for 30 minutes before thoroughly rinsing.

Help Blemishes: Combine and blend a few drops of lemon juice with enough plain yogurt to cover face. Allow to blend 30 minutes before applying to clean skin.

Wrinkles: Mix olive oil with lemon juice, apply to your face in the evening.

Make a Toner: Steep a peppermint tea bag in a cup of boiled water for 15 minutes. After the tea is cooled, discard tea bag. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and quarter cup of witch hazel. Store in glass container in the refrigerator. Apply daily after cleansing face.

Other benefits of lemons

  • Its clean aroma helps to uplift our spirit and calm the nerves. For this reason they should not be used prior to sleeping since lemons make us energetic and uplifted.
  • Its soft, refreshing fragrance can be used in candles and oil burners or you may use fresh lemon peel in a bowl of hot water.
  • It is believed that lemons help to reduce high blood pressure.
  • It helps digestion because it activates the intestines' secretions.
  • Lemons help to stimulate circulation. This is the reason why many aromatherapy soaps have lemon essential oil.
  • Because of its high vitamin C content, it helps boost the immune system.

Lemons provides many health benefits. When mixing or creating a homemade formula be sure to use caution as allergies, sensitivities, or other reactions may occur. A test patch is a good idea especially when using these ingredients on your face.

Using these lemon juice beauty tips can really save you money on products you may have purchased. Lemons are highly beneficial and are a natural way to enhance your inner beauty! Enjoy ;)


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Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Amazing Alternate Uses for Vodka!

If you’re a fan of vodka, you know that its smoothness and versatility make it the perfect drink to pair with pretty much any mixer. There’s no end to the praises to be sung about this uniquely intoxicating alcohol, but did you know that there are plenty of other uses for vodka? It turns out that it’s actually a pretty handy substance to have around.

I came across these interesting uses for vodka and felt I needed to share :) Please keep in mind I haven't tried these so I'm not so sure how accurate they really are but its interesting none the less...


- To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew.

- To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka. The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs.

- Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after shaving. The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.

- Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse skin the and tighten pores. (make sure there are no open sores or this may be painful!)

- Add a splash of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo. The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair.

- Pour one-half cup vodka and one-half cup water in a Ziplock freezer bag, and freeze for a slushy, refreshable ice pack for aches, pain, or black eyes.

- Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter then apply the alcoholic extract to aches and pains.

- Make your own mouthwash by mixing nine tablespoons powered cinnamon with one cup vodka. Seal in an airtight container for two weeks. Strain through a coffee filter then mix with warm water and rinse your mouth. Don’t swallow.

- Using a q-tip, apply vodka to a cold sore to help it dry out. (again may be painful)

- To treat dandruff, mix one cup vodka with two teaspoons crushed rosemary, let sit for two days, strain through a coffee filter and massage into your scalp and let dry.

- To treat an earache put a few drops of vodka in your ear. Let set for a few minutes. Then drain. The vodka will kill the bacteria that are causing pain in your ear.

- To relieve a fever, use a washcloth to rub vodka on your chest and back as a liniment.

- To cure foot odor, wash your feet with vodka.

- Vodka will disinfect and alleviate a jellyfish sting.

- Swish a shot of vodka over an aching tooth. Allow your gums to absorb some of the alcohol to numb the pain. (If all else fails, just turn the bottle up and drink it, nothing will matter anymore anyway!)

- You can also kill weeds with vodka, just mix 1 oz of vodka, 2 cups of water and a couple of drops of liquid soap into a spray bottle, mix and voila!

- Did you child get loose with a sharpie and draw all over your TV? Never fear a little Vodka on a clear rag will help clean the marker off easily.

- Clean jewelry. Soak the jewelry in vodka for five minutes, then rinse, and dry.

- Clean lipstick from clothing. Rub the stain with vodka, then throw into your regular wash.

- To increase the life of cut flowers, add a few drops of vodka vase water along with 1 teaspoon sugar.

- Use undiluted vodka to remove paint from clothes

- Use vodka to remove hair dye from your skin.

Have you given any of these uses for Vodka a try?

If you get a chance to test any of these vodka theories please let me know.

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Sunday, May 16, 2010

Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring Makeup Artist to the Stars Tracy Peart!

Every Sunday I feature a blogger, artist, photographer, makeup artist, actress, socialite or all around awesome person on my blog in a feature I like to call "You Go Girl!" or in some cases "You Go Boy!".

This week Ill be featuring Canadian Makeup artist to the stars Tracy Peart. She's the resident Make-Up Artist to Toronto's City TV's Breakfast Television, Cityline and CTV/MuchMusic. Tracy's tv career started at Toronto's television station City TV. Making a name for herself at City TV, Tracy was requested by Breakfast Television's Dina Pugliese (Co-host of Breakfast Television) and Cityline's Tracy Moore (host of CityLine) to be their exclusive makeup artist.

I have to say Tracy is probably one of the sweetest people Ive come across. She's always tweeting with other makeup artists and her fans, and throughout this whole interview process she thanked me for the opportunity but the truth is I'm a huge fan of her and her work so I was super honored when she agreed to chat.

I asked Tracy some Q's and here's what she had to say.
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Who is Tracy Peart and why are you so fabulous?
My name is Tracy Peart, I'm a makeup artist who's born and raised in Toronto. I'm a Taurus, I'm blunt, I'm sarcastic and a great listener! I'm fabulous because, as corny as it sounds I try everyday to help my clients feel as beautiful as they can!

Where can we find you on the world wide web?
I have a blog that I started in January of this year at www.tracypmakeup.com where I share my work, ideas and opinions about makeup. A website where I'll display all my work will be coming later this year.

I'm also on Twitter @TracypMakeup

What one beauty product would you recommend to my readers and why? Smashbox's Photo Finish Foundation Primer! I believe it does a great job in smoothing out the skin before laying down a foundation and does an amazing job at cutting down shine for those really oily clients. P.S. I find you can apply it with a foundation brush, but I believe I get the best results when applied with your finger tips.

Do you have any "rules" about makeup/beauty you live by?
Just wear it! Honestly! Makeup is meant to be your friend. The worst thing to do when your unknowledgeable or intimidated by it, is to not wear it. WRONG! I don't care how beautiful your face is, even Halle Berry's beauty is enhanced with makeup. The key is to start small and build your way up!

You're in a huge rush, what one beauty product do you grab?
Lip gloss! No matter who you are or how big or small your lips are, everyone looks sexier with a shiny lip!

How did you get your start in makeup?
I originally studied Film/Television Production and I swore I was going to be the next female Quentin Tarantino. After school I spent a lot of time on sets, as a Production Assistant, but quickly found myself hanging around the makeup artists. Mesmerized by the transformations they performed with makeup, I eventually decided to study makeup artistry. I started off in the beginning years in cosmetic sales with what seemed like every company on the planet! Did a quick stint in Film and eventually landed in Television.

Tattooed makeup, yay or nay?
Big Nay, for a couple of reasons!
1) Makeup trends change with the times just like hairstyles and clothes. We today don't wear our makeup the way it was worn in the 1920's, 30's or even the 80's! Can you imagine if we all ran out and tattooed a dark lip, thin turned downward eyebrows and heavy black smokey eyes like the 20's & 30's. Or Bright multi-colored eyeshadows, bushy brows and bacon strip blush like the 80's. We would look ridiculous. So getting your brows done or a permanent eyeliner is a mistake, you can't change or hide it like you would with clothes for your body tattoos.

2) With time the tattoo changes color and sharpness. After a few years black ink on skin commonly turns into a navy blue and the edges of the tattoo that were once sharp become soft and blurred, losing definition.If you're thinking of doing it, Don't do it! Don't do it! Don't do it!

What are your thoughts on fake eyelashes?
Love them! As long as they are applied securely into the lash line, I'm all about them. Many people have short or sparse lashes that no amount of mascara can help. The right fake lashes, wheather it be a full strip or individual ones can open up & dress up any eye! All that's left to do is bat those lashes at someone and they're putty in your hands! Works everytime!

Who would you say are some favorite celeb clients?
Sounds weird but the ones that stand out are the ones that either made me laugh when in my chair or the ones that I grew up watching or had a personal affinity for their show or films. The ones that had me in stitches were Gene Simmons (funny & peculiar man), Duffy (very nice & hilarious dry british wit), Sarah Silverman (sarcastic), Russell Peters (Humourous) & The Trailer Park Boys (who weren't in character when in my chair, but still had me dying of laughter)Others I'm fans of and that's why they stand out like Kelly Clarkson (I watched her progress on Idol and was a fan), Kat Von D (who I watched on Miami Ink and then on her own show LA Ink), Mindy Cohn (who I grew up watching on Facts of Life, and never missed an episode) and last K'naan (whom which I have every album of his and absolutely LOVE his music)
Are there any makeup or beauty faux pas you really really cant stand?
I really can't stand the really dark lipliner with a light colored lipstick! Grrrrrrr!!! Ladies and sometimes Gentlemen, STOP doing that, for the love of makeup! Just STOP! That went out with 1993! Leave it there, honestly!!!

Do you have a favorite beauty guru/mentor?
There's the obvious one Mr. Kevin Aucoin. I was obsessed with his work back when I was studying makeup, but as of late there are a couple of people I follow. Sam Fine is a great makeup artist that can do any skin color, but he's particularly amazing at doing women of color. Billy B and all his insanely, creative, jaw dropping work on Miss Lady Ga Ga! It leaves me in awww! And I also follow the work of Mario Dedivanovic. I had the privledge of meeting him in person when he came to Toronto with Kim Kardashian (his most notable client) and he was kind enough to answer my questions and not only that but he emailed me his answers so he could be more in depth with it. I'm a big fan of his! It made my day when he tweeted it was nice to meet me and RT'd something I tweeted earlier that day! Those are the moments when I just LOVE my job!

Was there a product you bought due to word of mouth hype that you just weren't pleased with once you tried?
No not really! Even if I'm not completely in love with a product, I can always find a way to use it and make it work!

Favorite foundation, lipstick & mascara?
FOUNDATION - I like MAC's Studio Tech Foundation, I find if you want it to go on more sheer you can use a foundation brush, but if you want a more heavy-duty coverage use a sponge and stipple it on!

LIPSTICK - Honestly, I find no matter what company a lipstick is from they're all pretty much the same! One might be better than another, but usually not by far.

MASCARA - My favourite mascara is L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Carbon Black.

What can people expect from you in the future?
More Media! More blogging & a new website! Stay tuned!

Any last words or advice on beauty?
Like I said before, the thing with makeup is just wear it! If you don't know what you're doing, read magazine tips and instructional makeup books, go to the makeup counters, go to a friend, hell go to your mom, but whatever you do JUST LEARN! Start off small with a powder compact, mascara & lipstick or gloss. Makeup is meant to compliment your face, not complicate your face!!!
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Thank you Tracy for being so sweet & friendly. I truly admire your work and cant wait to see what the future holds for you.

Be sure to check out her site http://www.tracypmakeup.com/ for amazing how to's, tips & tricks!

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Thursday, May 13, 2010

Maybelline EyeStudio - What It Did For Me

A few weeks ago I received a BIG and I do mean BIG surprise in the mail... What was it? This...



The whole new Maybelline EyeStudio line was mine to play with!
What was inside? This...



I swatched the duo shadows, here is Lawless Lavender #10 and Khaki Craze #30.



Then I swatched one of the Quads below is 'Give me' #05.




All the shadows in the line are either shimmery or glittery. If you love sparkle this is these are the shadows for you.

I found the duos sort of blended together once on the eye and the color difference couldn't be seen (see eye pic below). The quads were too sparkly and just not for me. When applying them on others I found the glitter often fell onto their cheeks which was annoying to get off so I actually prefer the duo's over the quads for this reason.

I tested out Khaki Craze, brown gel liner and curling 2 step XXL Pro mascara on myself and this is what I got...



The Brown gel liner applied smoothly and with ease. I wouldn't recommend using the brush that comes with it as I found it way too stiff and made applying the gel more difficult then it needed to be. A good angle liner brush works perfectly with this product.

The mascara's were all double sided with step 1 doing different things from taming your lashes to building them with microfibers, Step 2 ranged from adding intense color to brushing on extensions... Ive been using the black and purple one that is for curling lashes. Step one is a white primer and step 2 is the intense color with a curved brush...

At first I wasn't sure what to think of this mascara.. The 2 steps are fine when I'm not in a rush but seems like a waste of time when I am.
The curved brush isn't my favorite and as with most brushes in this shape this one was hard to keep far enough away from my lashes that it didn't get all over my lips. After a few days of use I finally got the hang of it and I actually don't mind it now... Not sure if it will be a repurchase though.

Over all I thought the line was extensive but lacked any matte shadows which for me is important. The amount of glitter in the Color Pulsh Quads made them impractical for me and for use on clients but could be fun for a night out. The mascaras seem great if your a 2 stepper kinda gal. The liners were easy to use and I'm sure could also be worn as a shadow base all over the lid.

If you are in the mood to try something new and fun give Maybelline's EyeStudio a chance and see how you enjoy it ;)



* These products were sent by Matchstick on behalf of Maybelline for consideration however all reviews are based on my honest opinions.
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Let's Talk About Hair Shall We?!

Of course we all know every one's hair is different from the texture to the cut, no ones hair is exactly a like but the one thing most of us have in common is that we lust after healthy beautiful hair.
Ive done some research into achieving healthy lush locks and wanted to share some interesting tricks & tips that you can try at home.

Looking for more shine? The secret is eggs!!
Try this: Lightly beat two eggs mixed with some milk and run throughout your hair. Leave on for 5 minutes, rinse and you'll see a shine instantly.
Interestingly enough if you want your pooch to have a shiny coat as well add an egg over their food once a month :)


Is Dandruff an issue? Is your dandruff shampoo just not working fast enough?
Try this: Crush 2 aspirins into your dandruff shampoo and watch how fast that dandruff clears up. Be sure to use a good moisturizing conditioner afterward.


Do you have staticy locks? Does your hair attract static no matter how much hairspray you use?
Try This: Use Static Guard! Spray about 7 inches from your hair lightly. Or try spraying it on your comb or brush and then running it through your hair. Hey it works on fabric why not hair!


Are your greasy strands getting you down? Here's a quick fix that you probably have at home!
Try This: Use the baby powder! Rub it into the roots of your dry hair to soak up oils. You don’t have to shower to take out the baby powder, but be sure to shake the excess powder out. Corn starch should work the same way.
Or why not try blotting your scalp with an oil-blotting strip made for the face?!


Looking to add some natural highlights to your hair? Works best for blonde's or gals with light brown hair but should work for most shades.
Try This: Add a bit of juice from a freshly squeezed lemon with water and pour into a spray bottle. Before heading out in the sun spray your locks making sure to spray evenly all over. Lemon juice mixed with sunlight will lighten any hair naturally!


Looking for a way to deep clean your scalp and roots? Try a hair cocktail!
Try This:
Add a splash of vodka (YES Vodka) to your bottle of shampoo. The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair.


Want healthy hair? Increase your herbal intake!
Try This: Increase your intake of these herbs to help with the following issues.
1
. Sage: Excellent for weak hair.

2
. Rosemary: Enhances dark hair
3
. Chamomile: Promotes healthy hair growth.

4
. Catnip: Promotes hair growth
5
. Burdock Root
: Promotes hair growth and reduces hair from falling out


Whether you are trying to solve a problem or just improve the overall appearance of your hair these tips and recipes will help you on your path.

Do you have a hair recipe to share? Have you tried any of the above?

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Sunday, May 9, 2010

Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring Makeup artist and Guru Sandy Gold!

Every Sunday I feature a blogger, artist, photographer, makeup artist, actress, socialite or all around awesome person on my blog in a feature I like to call "You Go Girl!" or in some cases "You Go Boy!".

This week Ill be featuring Canadian Makeup artist and guru Sandy Gold!

Sandy's passion for makeup has lead her to work with some top cosmetic lines such as Bobbi Brown, Yves Saint Laurent, Giorgio Armani, Nars and Laura Mercier. She has also created flawless faces for many well known Celebrities and Athletes like: Chris Bosh, Mats Sundin, Vernon Wells, Elle MacPherson, Viggo Mortensen, Kevin Bacon, Robin Tunney and Jeff Daniels to name a few.

With her success as a makeup artist, youtube guru and blogger shes taken the makeup world by storm at such a young age. I recently got the chance to meet Sandy at an event and after having seen her on CityTv's Breakfast Television I have to say I was a little bit in awe. She was as bubbly and friendly in person as she had seemed on tv, not to mention gorgeous with seriously the most perfect skin Ive ever seen! I was so happy to have had the chance to chat with her again and find out her beauty secrets.
_______________________________________________________________________

So who are you and why are you so fabulous?
I’m a half Italian, half Austrian Makeup Artist from Toronto. And, I love my job – I get to meet all kinds of incredible women everyday and help them look and feel their absolute best! How cool is that!

I am totally obsessed with: Makeup, Shoes & Boots (especially rain boots!), Chocolate (M&M’s and chocolate covered almonds…mmmm), Cupcakes and Jewelry.

And, I am fabulous because I am a woman! :)

Where can we find you on the world wide web?

You can find me at:

Beauty Blog: www.happiface.com

YouTube: www.youtube.com/sandygold25 (to watch my how-to beauty videos)

Twitter: www.twitter.com/sandygold25 (I just started “tweeting” so come follow me on Twitter – I would love to hear from you!)

What one beauty product would you recommend to my readers and why?
Mascara. My Mom always says that if you don’t wear Mascara you will look like a plucked chicken – and nobody wants that!

My two favourite Mascara’s of all time are: L’oreal Voluminous Mascara and Yves Saint Laurent Faux Cils! (talk about false lashes in a tube!!)


Have you ever lost or broken a beauty item you wish you still had today?
Yes – REVLON Skinlights Glosslights Lip Gloss. I lost it awhile back and then
it got discontinued!! Grrrrr ;)

You're in a huge rush, what one beauty product do you grab?
My Blistex – I can’t leave home without it!


What are your thoughts on fake eyelashes?

I absolutely love false lashes! Have you ever tried the new Revlon Self Adhesive Lashes? They are super easy to use – just peel and apply – no glue required! I love them – so much fun!!
Who would you say are some favorite celeb/high profile clients?
I once did Elle MacPherson’s Makeup – only hours after working out to her “Your Personal Best” aerobics video! LOL ;)

Are there any makeup or beauty faux pas you really really cant stand?
Dark lipliner with a light lipstick. I used to do this when I was in high school and it has scarred me for life!!!! ;)

Do you have a favorite beauty guru/mentor?

Joanne Gair - www.joannegair.com - her work is incredible!

What can people expect from Sandy Gold and happiface in the future?
Lots of really great things are happening this Fall – but you’re just going to have to stay tuned to happiface to find out! ;)

Any last words or advice?

Never give up on your dreams! And, always treat people the way you want to be treated. Plus, have fun while doing your makeup – and don’t forget to Wake.up & Make.up!

____________________________________________________

A huge thank you goes out to Sandy.
If you aren't familiar with Sandy Gold or her work I hope you enjoyed a little insight into her world. Be sure to check out her site Happiface.com for contests, tutorials & tips!


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