Toronto Beauty Bloggers Network & Events... Join Us!

When I put together the first gathering of Toronto area beauty bloggers last Feb I had NO idea a year later it would be a full fledged network! The blog & event page at TorontoBeautyBloggers.com  now has 150 members and the Facebook page has over 200 members!

After many meet ups for brunches, lunches & drinks we held the second annual BIG Step Into Spring event this past weekend which was a huge success. Approx 40 bloggers gathered to chat about everything from makeup to kids to work, we ate cupcakes and veggies and in the end everyone received a complimentary swag bag valued at $500+!!

These events are such a great opportunity to network & meet other bloggers in the GTA with similar interests - beauty! There isnt always swag or cupcakes but one thing you can always find is smiles, laughter and makeup chat!

If you are a Toronto area beauty blogger and haven't checked out one of our events head on over to the facebook page and blog to find details on all our past and future events. Dont forget to sign up at the top with your email to be informed on future events so you dont miss out!

Feel free to add the current button to your site if you are a member but keep an eye out for a new button designed by Vibrance Designs coming soon!

3Shah's Help Raise Awareness on Homelessness With Jewelry!

Ive always been a fan of talented 3Shah's jewelry designer and friend Shah Emily Noaman so when she told me she was featuring her exciting SS 2011 collection: ‘Venus Upon Havana’ in a fashion show to help raise awareness for a local downtown shelter I was on board to help spread the word.


Using fashion and jewels as an avenue to raise awareness, Shah's latest collection will be featured on Wednesday April 27th from 7pm-10pm at Nyood Restaurant. Proceeds from the event go to the charity WoodGreen Housing Help Centre, supporting the ‘First Step to Home’ program.

Come for the show and stay for the delicious hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, live performances, guest speakers and the silent auction!

 To get more details on the event visit the Gems In The City event listing.

CK One - An Oldie But A Goodie!

CK One brings me back, way back to the days when my only responsibilities was homework and waking up for school! Since then I had forgotten all about this universally appealing scent until I was contacted by my friends at Matchstick who let me know that it would be relaunching at The Bay this month.

To make sure I remembered just how good this scent smells on me they scent me a 50ml bottle of perfume, an awesome logo tote, a bunch of mini sample vials and a stack of CK One USB diffusers which I had never used or even seen done before. 

I immediately sprayed the scent all over, pushed my neck in my fiances face and said "remember this scent?" lol... he did indeed! I tried to convince him it was unisex but he wasn't having it but that's ok more for me right?!

I was most curious about the diffusers so I shoved one into the USB port on my laptop (I literally had to shove it in as it was a tight fit) and as the diffuser warmed up the CK One signature scent floated into the air around me. While it didn't scent my entire room as I hoped it would it did make working on the laptop a wee bit more enjoyable!

 

 CK One is back baby!! Get your FREE samples until the end of the month from The Bay here!

NatandMarie.com Photoshoot with Billy Archos

A few months ago my girls and talented hosts of their own LIVE web show seen at natandmarie.com, approached me about teaming up for their (hot) geek vs (hot) nerd photoshoot with photographer Billy Archos. Of course I said yes and last weekend we finally got to work on the shoot.

The inspiration was a little bit 6o's, a little bit Barbarella and in the end all about big sexy hair and smoke'n eyes which I think worked out well if I do say so myself :)

Since we had about 2 and a half hours for hair and makeup for both Nat and Marie I knew I would need help which is where the beautiful Sophia came in. She was a huge help with teasing Marie's hair so thanks girl!
Nat's hair was teased back to front and then curled at only the ends to create the look. I played up the liner and lashes on both girls keeping the shadow light on the lid and a bit darker in the crease to give it depth. Lips and cheeks were kept light so the eyes would stand out.

Photographer Billy Archos worked his magic and the photos came out amazing! Everyone was so sweet and friendly and I hope to be back working on Nat and Marie's next big shoot!

Here are just  some of the shots courtesy of Mr Billy Archos.

Models: Marie & Nat (NatandMarie.com)
Photographer: Billy Archos
Makeup and Hair: Farah Balolia *moi
Marie's Hair: Sophia Karda

(Nat)

 

 (Marie)

I cannot wait to see the rest of the pics from the shoot!
Check out NatandMarie.com for their live web shows every Wednesday night at 9pm!

Mac Warehouse Sale March 11th 2011 Haul & Info

Today I went to the Mac Warehouse sale courtesy of a sweet fellow blogger Alicia from Funny Face Beauty who offered me tickets so thanks girl!

We got there around 3:15pm and we walked right in which I had a feeling would be the case as every other time Ive gone on a Friday between 2pm and 3:45ish there has never been a line. It wasn't really busy inside which was nice and we never had to wait in any lines.

I ended up spending $61.02 after taxes and another $15 on the charity bags. Here is what it got me...

From the 3 big rooms I picked up:
Face & Body in C6 (they had maybe 3 F&B bottles left) -$12
Lipstick Dazzle Lipstick in "Liquid Lurex" - $10
Lipgelee no idea what color as I didn't get a box but it was #8 on the table - $10
Lipgloss in "Soft Wave" - $10
Powder Blush refill in "Clove" - $4 bin (in my video I said it $15 but it wasn't)
2x Bottom Lashes - $4 bin

This is what was in the charity bags. 4 items for $5 and each person is allowed to buy 4 bags.
Lipmix in "Burgandy"
#41 Lashes
Creamsheen Glass in "Boy Bait"
Mineralized Foundation in "Medium Deep"

We got a dual ended 2 sized pencil sharpener as our free gift which isn't as great as the blushes or bronzers we usually get but its free and I suppose its useful right?

I also got this tin from the Tartan Tale collection lipgloss set (at the sale for $25, tins on sale for $5) for free because my friend bought the lipgloss set and gave it to me.

Since I am a Mac Pro member I wouldn't ever pay for tickets to the sale and after the last 2 times at the sale I wouldn't ever wait in line either. The deals continue to fade away and the prices continue to rise so while it is worth it for discontinued items and the $5 charity bags it isn't even close to what it used to be which was a bit of a let down for me.

I have uploaded my first YouTube haul video so check it out if you want to hear what I had to say :)



Did you go to the sale?
Can anyone tell me what that lipglee color is?? lol

What would you do with these windows??

After moving into our new home we got our TV set up over the fire place and finally have a second to relax. Problem is these 2 bright windows on either side of our fire place/TV area. They allow so much light in that the glare on the TV makes it hard to watch so what do we do??

My idea is to flank each window with ceiling to floor neutral cream toned drapes so that it all kinda blends together with the stones on the fire place. FI isn't so sold on that idea so I was wondering what would YOU do to filter out the glare on the TV these windows create?

Guest Judging for Balmshell's Whats In Your Purse Contest!

If you haven't already heard Balmshell Cosmetics is having one fabulous contest called What's In Your Purse. You could win Balmshell Cosmetics ENTIRE collection!!!

It runs until March 31st just follow the instructions on Balmshells Blog.

The lovely ladies at Balmshell have asked me to help judge the contest along with 2 other fab bloggers Jessica from BEAUTEZINE and Jacqueline from A Brilliant Brunette which I'm completely honored by so head on over to their blog or facebook page and enter this amazing contest!

An Angelina Jolie Makeover you have to see to believe!!

My sister in-law (thanks Mira) sent me one of the craziest makeup transformations I've ever seen!
I knew I had to share this, so watch as this plain Jane Asian girl transforms into Angelina Jolies twin!



Nuts right?? Loves!

The wonders of makeup!

Everyone Loves a Sephora Giveaway right?

Including ME!
My girl Lena from ListenToLena.com is having a giveaway too good to keep all to myself ;) She is giving away a $100 Sephora Gift Card and a lucky second winner will receive the Flower Kabuki Brush Set pictured below! (Value $41)

 So what are you waiting for? Head on over to ListenToLena.com to find out how you can enter this amazing giveaway!!