New sections coming to Faces By Farah! First up a CSN Store GIVEAWAY!

Ive been thinking about this for a long time now and feel the time is right to finally branch out into other topics on the site. I will be adding random posts on home decor & fashion which are two topics I am passionate about. You can find these upcoming posts filed under the Fashion & Home Decor link at the top of the site.

Id like to start by talking about CSN stores .... with 200+ online stores you can find almost anything you need whether its a stylish end table, home decor, new bedding, trendy shoes, pet supplies and the list goes on. Its a great place to find any and everything your heart desires at amazing prices :)

In order to start this new venture off on the right foot how about a giveaway?!!

Want to win a $35.00 Gift Certificate to CSN Stores?

How you can win:

• You must be a follower of the FacesByFarah blog (click the follow button at the top right, I will be checking this if you are chosen as the winner)
• Comment below to say hello, hi or bonjour!
• Leave your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner

Details:

• Enter as many times as you would like.
• Giveaway open to US & Canadian residents only
• Giveaway closes October 7th 2010 at 11:59pm
• Winner will be drawn at random and be notified the next day via email
• Winner will be contacted via email and have 48hrs to respond or a new winner will be drawn

Good luck and I hope you enjoy whats in store!

Makeup Artists & Hair Stylists this lamp will save you!!

I have been getting SO many questions about my daylight lamp I drag with me to clients that I thought I would bump this post I wrote about it a while back.

I had been on the hunt for some decent lighting for when I do bridal trials at home in the evenings or for when I go to my clients and they have poor lighting when I remembered seeing something on the same site where I bought my automatic soap dispenser.

The site is AgeComfort.com and although most of their stuff is geared towards helping the elderly and those with mobility issues they do have some pretty useful things that I have been impressed with.

They have two different Natural Day Lamps and after reading the stats on both I went with the Day Light – Natural Light Therapy Model DL930 because it was a bit lighter in weight. I took it home and have tested out on a few clients now and I gotta say the amount of light it gives off is amazing. As most of my trials are in the evening this light keeps my condo bright without being over powering which is what I wanted.

I had to play around with where to position it as I didn't want to cast a shadow and in the end I think pointing it upwards so it reflects off my ceiling is the best option (it may be different in other rooms but for me this worked best). It will still give off tons of light into the room without being directly in the clients face or giving off shadows which make it hard to work.

It comes with height adjustable legs that are SO easy to attach you simply wind up the dial on each side of the arm, the legs make the lamp easy to swivel up or down and if you don't want the legs there is a built in stand that flips out like a picture frame that you can use. For portable use I suggest taking the legs off all together as this makes it way easier to pop in a bag and go.

The lamp also has 2 settings one that turns on 2 of the bulbs and one that turns on all 3. It is flicker & glare free, UV filtered & safe, has a built in stand & handle and only weighs 6.5 lbs!

Not only did this lamp really make a difference in lighting the room my clients were in so I could apply the makeup better but it really did have a calming effect.

The site states that The Day Light provides optimal light therapy and is clinically proven to treat Mood swings, Jet Lag / Shift Work Adjustment, Circadian Sleep Disorders, SAD and the Winter Blues, PMS and Antepartum Blues, Non-seasonal Depression as well as reduce food cravings, especially for carbohydrates.

I found that after having the lamp on in the evening when it was dark out for a few hours was very soothing. I almost didn't want to turn it off as it went back to my dull yellow lighting. You know its working when even others in the room request for it to be turned back on!

You know I never realized how dim and soft the lighting was in my place until I brought this light home. It makes you feel like you are out in the sun and almost everyone feels better in the sun no?

Overall I am so happy with my purchase. It retails for $189.99 which is a hefty price however it ranks right up there if not cheaper than all the other lighting for MUA's Ive seen online BUT this is the only one I found that has all the added benefits such as helping with mood swings and the blues!

Its light weight and easy for me to transport it to shoots or to where my clients may be and all I need is an outlet to plug it into and I'm ready to go!

The bonus is that this item qualifies for FREE shipping in Canada & the US!

If you are a makeup artist, beauty junkie OR anyone who suffers from the winter blues or mood swings I highly recommend the Day Light – Natural Light Therapy.  

M·A·C Venomous Villains Collection Swatches

Introducing : M·A·C Venomous Villains

MAC Cosmetics & Disney have come together to collaborate on 4 mini-collections. Cruella de Vil , Snow White’s Evil Queen, Sleeping Beauty’s Maleficent and The Princess and the Frog’s Dr. Facilier. With its vibrant colors and oh so wicked packaging this collection is sure to be a hit with beauty junkies everywhere!

I've been playing around with the Briar Rose Beauty Powder blush from the Maleficent Collection and the Vile Violet Shadow from the Evil Queen Collection and have been really impressed with the pigment in this line. Well I suppose I'm not too surprised given MAC's blushes and shadows are often highly pigmented and this collection is no different.

The Briar Rose blush is described as a soft violet pink with pearl and will retail for $25.00 U.S./$30.00 CDN while the Vile Violet is described as a Deep dirty blue purple that is a matte texture the shadows will retail for  $15.50 U.S./$18.50 CDN.

Today I wore my Mary Kay Glimmer stick in Disco as a base and added the Vile Violet shadow on top and Shroom on the brow bone and in the tear duct and then lined my lids with Annabelle smudgeliner to get this look.

I've fallen in love and I normally don't like mattes on me so I totally look forward to checking out the rest of this line when it hits stores September 30, 2010 through October 2010. Not to mention the super cool shiny packaging that I just want to display :)
Do you plan on hitting the MAC stores to check out the Venomous Villains Collection? Do you have your eye on something you want to pick up?


* These products were sent by Mac Cosmetics for consideration however all reviews are based on my honest opinions.

Winner of the Vasanti Giveaway is...

Thank you to all those who entered the Vasanti Cosmetics & Faces By Farah Fall Trends Makeup Giveaway.
The winner was drawn using random.org which pulled lucky #248 which was a comment left by .......

scoobybabe2004

Congratulations scoobybabe2004 I will be emailing you to get your info. You will have 48hrs to get back to me or another winner will be chosen.

Thank you again to all those who entered I hope you will continue to come back for more exciting tips, tricks, and giveaways.

Mary Kay & FacesByFarah Fall Collection Giveaway!!

Yet another amazing giveaway!!

FaceByFarah.com and Mary Kay Canada have come together to offer my blog readers an exclusive giveaway because we love our readers and fans!

I am certainly a fan of the Mary Kay products Ive tried which include their Tropical Fruits Collection & now their awesome new Fall collection called Metro Chic Collection click to read my reviews. But not onto the giveaway!

Enter for your chance to win the new 2010 Fall Metro Chic Collection!

What you can win:

• One Liquid Eyeliner (Skyline purple)

• One Eye Glimmer Stick (your choice of shade)
  

• One Be Radiant Baked Powder (your choice of shade)
  

• One Vinyl Lip Shine (your choice of shade)

• One Nail Lacquer (your choice of shade)

• One Base/Top Coat

• One Red clutch cosmetic bag

A total giveaway value of $91.50!!

How you can win (mandatory):

• Do you have a favorite Mary Kay product? If not which piece in the new Metro Chic Collection are you most looking forward to trying? (enter your answer in the comments below)
  
• You must be a follower of the FacesByFarah blog (click the follow button at the top right, I will be checking this if you are chosen as the winner)
  
• Leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you are the winner.
  

Bonus Entries:

• Follow Mary Kay Canada on Twitter (1 entry)
  
• Follow Mary Kay Canada on Facebook (1 entry)
• Follow FacesByFarah on Twitter (1 entry)
• Follow FacesByFarah on Facebook (1 entry)
• Blog or Facebook about this giveaway and comment with the link (2 entries)
  
• You MUST leave a separate comment for each entry letting us know you have followed and where or it wont count.

Details:

• Open to Canadian & US residents.
• Contest closes at 11:59pm on September 30th 2010 & winner will be chosen at random & announced the next day
• Winner must be ok with their shipping address being passed on to Mary Kay Can as the item will be shipped directly from them.
  
• Winner will be contacted via email and have 48hrs to respond or a new winner will be drawn

Good luck and thank you for continuing to support FacesByFarah.com I appreciate every comment and email I get.

What does Mary Kay have in store for Fall 2010?

Mary Kay Introduces the Fall 2010 Limited-Edition Metro Chic Collection to its consumers.
I have been testing the new collection for a new weeks now and I have to say yet again I'm super impressed with the quality Mary Kay continues to put into its products.


This collection includes:
Mary Kay Vinyl Lip Shine $19 CDN
• Available in two shades: Attitude and Audacious
• Provides extreme shine and a glass-like finish
• Sheer yet pigmented colour offers buildable coverage
• Can be worn alone or layered over lipstick
• Creamy, long-wearing texture
• Flexible and non-tacky formula

I used the Audacious shade over matte red lipstick for a bridesmaid recently and it totally made her lips pop. I love that these glosses are buildable, highly pigmented and super shiny they make my job that much easier!

Mary Kay Be Radiant Baked Powder $20 CDN
• Available in two shades: Dawn and Dusk
• Features three shades swirled together in one compact
• Blendable, transparent matte finish with a slight shimmer

• Baking process in which powder is aerated creates a velvety, soft and weightless texture

Mary Kay Eye Glimmer $15 CDN
• Available in three shades: Disco (purple), Drama (blue) and Dynamic (gold)
• Buildable, cream eye colour in retractable stick format
• Lightweight formula cools and revitalizes the eye area
• Glides on with a touch of shimmer, imparting an alluring sheen on the skin

• Shades can be blended together or layered with other eye colours

I love these eye glimmers, they feel almost wet when applied and are so easy to blend. You can use it on its own to create a easy smokey eye or use it as a base as shadow sits really well on top. They are small and great for travel as powder shadows can break.

Mary Kay Liquid Eyeliner $17.50 CDN
• Available in Skyline (purple)
• Felt-tip applicator provides control
• Provides intense, all-day colour
• Quick-drying formula will not crack

Purple is huge for fall and this purple liner is just in time. Has a great felt tip for an easy cat eye!

Mary Kay Nail Lacquer $10 CDN
• Flattering, high-gloss
• Long-wearing nail lacquer in shades of red, deep purple and silver.

Love these colors and the texture of this polish. Everyone knows I suck at applying polish but with the consistency of these I found it easier than others to apply.

Mary Kay Base Coat/Top Coat $10 CDN
• Versatile for use as a base and top coat, providing a lasting ultra-shine finish.

Way to go MK you did it again! Another collection that gets 2 thumbs up!

Available September 16th, 2010. Limited quantities available while supplies last. Available exclusively through independent Mary Kay beauty consultants. Head to www.marykay.ca or call 1-866-455-5454 to locate a consultant near you.


* These products were sent by Mary Kay for consideration however all reviews are based on my honest opinions.

Enter the HUGE Vasanti Cosmetics and FacesByFarah Giveaway!!

Another amazing giveaway!!

FaceByFarah.com and Vasanti Cosmetics have come together to offer my blog readers an exclusive giveaway because we love our readers and fans!

I happen to adore Vasanti products you can check out my reviews on their 2010 Spring Collection, Liquid Cover-up foundation and Face Base foundation powder, "Cancun" tinted lip balm & "USA" lipstick.

What you can win:

• Vasanti Cosmetics USA lipstick - Soft Matte Red. Great red for all skintones.

• Stockholm shadow - Metallic taupe with silver highlights

• Cape Town brow powder - Cool dark brown that beautifully blends in with almost every brow color

• Swiss alps blush- Fresh Plum with subtle highlighting shimmer

• Sweden Lipstick - The perfect nude pink that works on all skintones without looking to girly or chalky.

• Manhattan 24/7 Eye Colour Palette - Inspired by the women of Manhattan who work hard and play hard. This palette contains 5 shades that can be worn by any woman no matter her skintone or age.

A total giveaway value of $115.00!!

How you can win (mandatory):

• What is your favorite Vasanti Cosmetics product? If you haven't tried Vasanti products yet please go to their website & let us know which item you would want to try.
  
• You must be a follower of the FacesByFarah blog (click the follow button at the top right)
  
• Leave your email address in your comment so I can contact you if you are the winner.
  

Bonus Entries:

• Follow Vasanti Cosmetics on Twitter (1 entry)
  
• Follow Vasanti Cosmetics on Facebook (1 entry)
• Follow FacesByFarah on Twitter (1 entry)
• Follow FacesByFarah on Facebook (1 entry)
• Blog or Facebook about this giveaway and comment with the link (2 entries)
  
• You MUST leave a separate comment for each entry letting us know you have followed and where or it wont count.

Details:

• Open to Canadian, US & UK residents.
• Winner will be drawn at random on September 23rd 2010 & announced the next day
• Winner must be ok with their shipping address being passed on to Vasanti Cosmetics as the item will be shipped directly from them.
  
• Winner will be contacted via email and have 48hrs to respond or a new winner will be drawn

Good luck and thank you for continuing to support FacesByFarah.com I appreciate every comment and email I get.

This contest is now CLOSED.

Confessions of a Beauty Blogger....

Applying nail polish just ain't my thing!

It doesn't matter the colour, texture or brush applying nail polish on myself (and others if I'm being totally honest) just never comes out right.

I have tried tons of different brands blaming my inability to apply polish on the consistency or brush shapes, I've tried slowing down and really concentrating, even steadying my hand on a table all with no luck at all. The colour gets on my nails sure, but it also ends up on the surrounding skin, my other "applying" hand and yes even my table tops.

so I ask you is my only hope hitting up a salon to have a pro keep my hands from looking like a 9 year old child? Or is there some sort of secret to getting the perfect self polishing application??

Help!

Signed,
Messy Polisher

FacesByFarah.com was Featured in the September Issue of Anokhi Magazine & on HipUrbanGirl.com!

That's right I have some very exciting news to share! I was featured along with some other amazing South Asian bloggers in the September/October issue of Anokhi Magazine, a Canadian South Asian mag.

The article is entitled "The Beauty Blogosphere" which takes a look at the role beauty bloggers play in this ever growing beauty industry. The article was written by Amanpreet Dhami who is also a fab blogger herself!

Amanpreet had interviewed me a few months ago and after much anticipation the article was printed and published online with only 1 hiccup.... my last name was misspelled in both yikes!
Despite this hiccup which was quickly fixed online when it was brought to their attention I'm still proud of the article and accomplishment.

Check out the article in this months Anokhi Mag (with singer Jay Sean on the cover) available on stands now or read the online version that can be found here "The Beauty Blogosphere". Also featured in the article was my blogging buddy Anjali yay!

More exciting news! I was featured this past Sunday on HipUrbanGirl.com as their Hip + Urban Girl of the Week! Their new bi-weekly column that features a local hip + urban girl of the week, who encompasses a fabulous attitude, job and lifestyle. So feel free to check out the interview I did with my girl Lisa Ng and let me know what you think ;)

Sunday Feature 'You Go Girl' Best of Edition!

Today I thought I would do a run little recap of some of the most talked about and loved 'You Go Girl' features. Do you have a favourite?

Former MTV Hills star Jenn Bunney
Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring The Hills Reality star Jenn Bunney!

Celeb Makeup Artist Andrea Claire
Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring Makeup Artist To The Stars Andrea Claire!

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

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

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

Comedian and Actress Carla Collins
Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Starring Actress Carla Collins!

Canadian Recording Artist Farahri
Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring Canadian Recording Artist Farahri!

MTV Makeup Artist Lucky B
Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Starring MTV's MUA Lucky B!

Hollywood Socialite Courtenay Semel
Sunday Feature: 'You Go Girl' Starring Hollywood Socialite Courtenay Semel!

Catch up on the rest of the past Sunday Features here.

Enjoy!

Cover FX launches NEW EyePrep FX Anti-Age Smoothing Primer!

Cover FX is launching the NEW EyePrep FX Anti-Age Smoothing Primer this Fall!

They want their fans and customers to be the 1st to smooth their way to Bright Eyes with the chance to have EyePrep FX FREE (value $43/£41) before it's available in stores.

You're Invited!
Eye Spy With My Big Bright Eyes... The Cover FX International Treasure Hunt

WHEN: Sept 7th - 11th

HOW: FAN Cover FX on Facebook for clues which will be posted between Sept 7th-11th to uncover hidden treasures in a city near you.

WHAT: Treasure boxes include the NEW EyePrep FX and select boxes will include redeemable Gift Cards up to $100/£100 at participating retailers (Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, Sephora, Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser).

Keep your eyes peeled and let the games begin!

Trust me you don't want to miss out on this I have been testing out my EyePrep FX and I adore it! Feel free to pass the word of the treasure hunt on to your friends or make it a group event ;)

The Scent Genie is Genius!!

Whether traveling to work, going out for a night with friends or taking a vacation, every woman wants to smell her best right?!

The Scent Genie is the size of a tampon, fits in the palm of your hand and will most certainly fit into even the tiniest of handbags. It allows you to take your favourite scent with you anywhere and not only is it so easy to use but its now all I take on my weekend getaways or overnight stays because of its perfect size (4ml).

Its very user friendly, glass free, environmentally friendly, super compact, refillable & aircraft approved!
It retails online for approx $11.00 and is available in five stylish colors which makes this pocket sized atomizer perfect for men and women.

Here's how it works.I love my Scent Genie and was so surprised at how easy it was to use. I will be purchasing a few of these babies for friends and family who have seen mine and are jealous!
Scent Genie + your fav scent = On the go happiness!



With the holidays right around the corner it makes a great stocking stuffer or gift and is sure to be a hit with almost anyone.
Scent Genie is available at retailers including: CVS, Bed Bath & Beyond, Wal Mart, Dillards, Hudson Indulgences Shops, Duty Free Americas Travel Shops & online (not such a user friendly site though) at http://www.geniesbeauty.com

* These products were sent by Scent Genie for consideration however all reviews are based on my honest opinions.