Enter the BIG Cargo Cosmetics and FacesByFarah Giveaway!!

Cus who doesn't love FREE goodies right?

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

What you can win:

• Cargo's Contour Palette in Malibu - Includes a shell pink highlighter, CARGO Blush in Catalina for a natural, bright pink cheek and a neutral contour. Value $34.00
  

• Cargo's Water Resistant Bronzer - One universally flattering medium shade, Offers reliable staying power in all weather conditions. Value $28.00

• Cargo's Color Palette in Los Angeles - Vibrant pastels and classic nude,Oversized, professional quality shadows are easily layered and blended. Value $28.00

• Cargo's Lip Gloss Quad in Oceania - lip gloss contains Rosemary Extract and Vitamin E to nourish lips, while providing a sheer, high shine finish. Value $25.00

A total giveaway value of $115.00!!

How you can win:

• Tell us what you think of when you think of the Cargo brand and products in the comments below
  
• You must be a follower of the FacesByFarah blog (click the follow button at the top right)
  
• Leave your email address in your comment
  

Bonus Entries:

• Follow CARGOcosmetics on Twitter (1 entry)
  
• Follow Cargo 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, France & Spain residents.
• Winner will be drawn at random on August 19th 2010
• Winner must be ok with their shipping address being passed on to Cargo Cosmetics as the item will be shipped directly
• 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 really appreciate all the love.

Contest is now CLOSED! Thank you to all who entered.

Bodyography's Flawless Finish Tinted Moisturizer

I'm a firm believer in wearing some sort of spf on my face every single day so when I was given the opportunity to try Bodyography's Flawless Finish Tinted Moisturizer with spf 12 I was really excited.

Never heard of the brand? Who is Bodyography?
Since it’s founding in the early ‘90s, Bodyography Professional Cosmetics has become a leading source of products for some of today’s biggest names in makeup artistry.

Bodyography cosmetics are manufactured exclusively in the United States using formulas that are unique in the industry. By working closely with our lab and a select group of top makeup artists, we are able to develop innovative cosmetic products that also represent exceptional value.

About the product:
The product comes in 3 shades #1-Light, #2-Medium & #3-Dark I happen to match #3 perfectly! The product comes in a 30ml tube with a unique synthetic brush applicator attached.
With an spf of 12, this tinted moisturizer provides sun protection and sheer foundation coverage in one! At a cost of $16.00 for a 30ml tube its reasonably priced and comparable to many other brands.


Where to find them:
Check out the website to shop online or to find a distributor near you.

(Product after being used)




Overall thoughts:
Although I really enjoy this product I have to admit I'm not a fan of the brush applicator. I find it hard to blend and feel the need to go over my face after with a sponge just to make sure its blended in. Also I feel like the applicator can trap a lot of bacteria in it. That being said the texture is wonderful! It lightly covers where I need it too and is extremely light and wearable for summer. I just wish it was in a squeeze tube perhaps. The quality of the brand is amazing though and I cant wait to try other products from the line.

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

Product Spotlight: Dermalogica's Multi-Active Toner

Dermalogica's Multi-Active Toner: A toner designed to improve the hydration of the skin.

Product Features

• Lavender Extract, a natural antiseptic, soothes and purifies the skin.
• Balm Mint and Aloe Vera cool and soften the skin.
• Extracts of Arnica and Cucumber, natural skin fresheners, help condition skin.
• Moisture-binding proteins act as humectants to allow for more effective moisture absorption.
• Suitable for all skin types.

Product Description
An ultra-light facial spritz that refreshes and hydrates the skin while smoothing the surface. Helps condition skin to prepare for proper moisture absorption.

Benefits
Helps even out porosity of skin to allow for optimal moisturizer absorption. Ideal for use during air travel. Can be spritzed on throughout the day to help maintain hydration levels.

What I liked:

• Very lightweight
• Left my skin feeling very refreshed
• Helps to cool skin so perfect for those hot summer days
• Spray mist provides even coverage of face and neck
• Hydrates the skin
• Amazing for on the go or travel
• Works on all skin types so it makes a great addition to my kit
• Super easy to use and NO need for a cotton ball, which can leave behind little pieces
• Generous size bottle 8.4oz/ 250ml

What I dislike:

• Doesn't dry instantly, takes about 30-40 seconds to dry... doesn't seem long but when I'm tired and I want to just slather on my moisturizer and go to bed waiting around for it to dry just seems long!

Conclusion:
The Multi-Active Toner by Dermalogica is a wonderful product. I love that it eliminates the need and extra step of a cotton ball or pad and that with 2-3 sprays I can easily tone my entire face and neck. Its amazing for an on the go refresher or to cool off during a sticky hot summers day. At a cost of $43.00 it isn't cheap however a little goes a long way and I get the feeling my 250ml bottle will last me a while. Dermalogica is known around the world for its leading skin care products and sometimes paying a bit more for quality products especially in the skin care department for me is worth every penny!

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

What do me and Snooki have in common?

Apparently we both use the Emergency Zit Stick!


The “Emergency Zit Stick™” is a super-concentrated formula that acts instantly to dramatically reduce the appearance of redness and swelling on contact, and immediately begins to heal, treat and clear the underlying blemish without excessive caking or drying.

I don't normally break out but when I do I have been applying the “Emergency Zit Stick™” to make them disappear faster. I have to say that after testing this product out for a few weeks it did help my tiny zits disappear faster, I mean overnight. That being said you know those zits that actually hurt? Well this product didn't work overnight on that baby... It did however dry it out a lot faster.

What I liked:

• Worked on little zits overnight
• Dried out even the big ones fast
• Compact size, handy for on the go

What I Disliked:

• Wish it was a squeeze tube cuz applying it on a zit and putting the wand back in didn't seem too make too much sense to me. Taking the bacteria from one place to another.
• Price... wish it was a bit cheaper, Product retails for $21.00 USD
• That it didn't zap those hurtful zits overnight but I suppose that's asking for a lot!

Overall I was happy with the fact that this little stick was able to make those tiny annoying zits disappear overnight. I didn't find it too drying which was good as it didn't leave my face flaky. If you are someone who breaks out once in a while and is looking for a solution check out Bremenn Research Labs “Emergency Zit Stick™”!

* These products were sent by Bremenn Research Labs for consideration however all reviews are based on my honest opinions.

Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring MakeupJunkie Joy David-Tilberg!

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 makeup junkie Joy David-Tilberg. Founder of MakeupJunkie.ca, makeup artist extraordinaire, mother & self proclaimed makeup hoarder!

I met Joy or as I affectionately call her JoyJoy back in January or February when she graciously offered to donate her mannequin head to me... now I know this sounds odd but you see as makeup artists we are often asked to do hair as well... I needed to practice, I tweeted about it... Joy saw my desperate tweet and offered up her mannequin head for me to practice on.

I remember it was freezing out when I went to go pick it up and I had a hard time locating her house. When I finally found it I rang her up to let her know I was outside.... no answer... yikes, did I have the wrong house? Did she forget about the exchange of the "head"? I decided to just knock anyways and out popped the cutest little thing id ever seen.

She smiled, extended her hand and gave me the bag with the goods... I think we exchanged all of 10 words and then she said bye and rushed back inside. I felt like I had been the only one anticipating our meeting like it was a blind date... lol.. I got an email about 10 mins later explaining that her baby was inside sleeping, she hadn't heard the phone ring and she was SO sorry for rushing our meeting...

*Phew*... we have been friends ever since! Her infectious smile and bubbly personality combined with her talents as a makeup artist make Joy the perfect feature candidate! Check out her words and advice on beauty.

___________________________________

Who is Joy the Makeup Junkie and why are you so fabulous?

The name "makeup junkie" says it all! After I started my beauty blog Makeup Junkie, the name pretty much stuck with me. I'm a freelance makeup and hair artist in Toronto. I started my blog as a way to showcase my work, share beauty tips and connect with other "makeup junkies" out there. Hmm, why am I fabulous? Oh let me count the ways! All kidding aside, the people that are in my life are what make me fabulous. Being a makeup artist and a beauty blogger has given me many amazing opportunities and I have met so many cool people along the way. But it's the people in my life that keep it real.

Where can we find you on the world wide web?
Come say hi! Would love to hear from you!

w: www.makeupjunkie.ca
w: www.makeupandthebride.com
www.Twitter.com/MakeupJunkieJDT

Makeup Junkie on Facebook
Are there any beauty products you would recommend to my readers and if so why?

I could recommend a slew of products that I love but we'd be here for days! One thing I am never without is a good eyelash curler. I have barely-there-lashes and an lash curler is a must for opening up the eyes. Shu Uemura Eye Lash curler is a staple in my kit.

Do you have any "rules" when it comes to makeup/beauty you live by?
I hate rules lol. Makeup is supposed to be fun and a great way to express your personality and to enhance your best features. However, I am a firm believer in taking care of your skin. It doesn't matter how much makeup you have on if your skin is in bad shape.

Youre in a huge rush, what one beauty product do you grab?
One?? Mascara!

How did you get your start in this industry?
I was working years ago at a computer firm and decided to take the leap into makeup artistry. I started in cosmetic retail working for brands like Red Earth & M.A.C. I left cosmetic retail 4 years ago and have been freelancing ever since. My blog also opened up a lot of doors for me. Being an artist is a hustle everyday so you have to truly love it. It's all about connecting with others in your industry, finding mentors, and working with others that inspire you. I've tried many different careers in the beauty industry but makeup is what I love the most. I love freelancing and the freedom that it gives me. I have a 4 yr old son so a flexible schedule is especially important to me. It's hard to find an employer that understands what it's like for parents especially if he/she isn't one.

Are there any beauty reads (mags or books) that you would recommend?

I used to read Vogue, Allure, W and Zink Magazine religiously. But the beauty reads I absolutely love now are other beauty or fashion bloggers! There are so many fantastic blogs that I read but I love my TBB (Toronto Beauty Blogger) crew! Full of creative, fascinating, and inspiring bloggers!

Have you had the chance to work on any celebrity clients during your career?

My celebrities are other makeup artists! I have had the awesome pleasure of meeting and interviewing celebrity makeup artist, Billy B. and Michael DeVellis, founder of The Powder Group. I'll be working in the eTalk Lounge for CARGO Cosmetics during the Toronto International Film Fest this year, so hopefully I'll get to touch some famous faces!

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

Dark lip liner, makeup that is not blended and orange tans (although Snooki seems to be making it popular!)

Do you have a favorite beauty guru/mentor?

When I first started out, celebrity makeup artist Andrea Claire from Beauty & The Blog, was my mentor and I think several other makeup artist's mentor! It's really rare to find someone in the same industry as you who will show you the ropes and really want to help you succeed. I still turn to her for beauty tips!

Was there a product you bought due to word of mouth hype that you just weren't pleased with once you tried?
Yes! Philosophy's Hope In A Jar! I had heard rave reviews. My skin was a dry, flaky mess!

Favorite foundation, lipstick & mascara?

Foundation: On my clients, I like to work with Face Atelier Ultra Foundation and will use it on myself when I know I'll be out for a hours like to an event or wedding . Although, for everyday I prefer to wear a tinted moisturizer from Fresh Minerals.

Favourite lipstick? Too many but I do love ones from Chanel, YSL, Julie Hewett, and a most recent one from NARS that is not out yet!

Mascara: I've tried so many but the only one that has never smudged or flaked on me is CoverGirl LashBlast Original Waterproof.

What can people expect from you in the future?
So far my life has been full of surprises - who knows! More makeup, more blogging and lots of good stuff to come!

___________________________________

Thank you Joy for taking the time to chat with me, its always a pleasure! Im so glad we got to know each other this past year you are an inspiration!

When it comes to beauty where do you indulge?

I often have a hard time indulging in any beauty product over $20... I just don't always believe more expensive= better product...

There are a few things however that in my opinion are worth it for me. Items such as makeup brushes. Not only are good quality brushes tres important in my career as a makeup artist but they really do make a world of difference. Some of my fav's are Mac Cosmetics 217 blending brush ($27.00) and 239 eye shading brush ($29.50) both which I have multiples of.

That being said I'm not opposed to less expensive brushes, in fact I have several brushes in my collection that I use on almost every client such as this Black Taklon Angle Liner that I get from CoastalScents.com for $1.85.

Another place where I choose to splurge a little is eye cream. I discovered Vasanti Cosmetics Eye Wonder eye cream and have never looked back. Its a miracle in a jar! At $42.00 it isn't cheap however I justify it because not only does it work but the jar is a lot bigger than most eye creams and it lasts a long time.

Perfumes another area where you cant help but splurge. Most name brand perfumes cost anywhere from $50-$120 and so while I do tend to purchase my favs once or twice a year I have found ways around this. I have found some awesome scents at The Body Shop such as Neroli Jasmin and a classic fav of mine White Musk EDT, they retail for anywhere from $17.00 - $28.00 depending on the size and fragrance you choose. These scents smell amazing, last a long time and won't break the bank!



These are just some of the areas I choose to spend a bit more on beauty.
Where do you indulge when it comes to beauty products?

Question of the day: Why should I use a setting powder?

I was recently asked by a client what the point of a setting powder was and why she should use one so I thought I would give my opinion on the topic here.

First of all let me start by saying there are 2 popular forms of setting powders. Loose and pressed.


You can buy translucent powder or powder with color depending on what you are looking for.

They are generally used to set makeup, help with prolonged wear, decrease oil and shine, provide a matte finish and in some cases provide a smooth finish to skin which helps to slightly conceal fine lines.

I like to apply it right after foundation but there are no rules with makeup, I also know people that apply it at the very end of their makeup application.
I tend to use the loose setting powder at home with a big fluffy brush and the pressed setting powder with a sponge for on the go and travel as its less messy.

Setting powders aren't a must for everyday wear but for some girls like me its a step I add in daily to help set my foundation and keep me shine free..... that being said I really have to get better at remembering to take my pressed setting powder with me when I change purses especially during the summer months!

I hope this has helped answer some of your questions on setting powders ;)

What do you use your setting powder for most?
Which do you prefer? loose or pressed?

WIN your very own Epilady ladies!

Do you guys remember my post on Fabove.ca called How to go from Frizz to Silky Smooth with the Ping Ceramic Flat Iron? Well I was a fan of the site then and I'm an even bigger fan now because they have let me know they are giving away 1 Epilady Legend per 10 entries they get in order to celebrate a hair free summer!

I entered because lets face it ladies any hair removal tool that allows me to be hair free for up to 4 weeks during the summer is HUGE!

Don't know what an Epilady is? Click here for the description and features.

If you would like to win this amazing hair removal tool enter here.. you may be the lucky winner!

Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring Chick Advisors Ali De Bold!

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 the founder of one of Canada's hottest site ChickAdvisor.com Ali De Bold.

Ali is not only the founder but the producer and host of chickadvisor.com, a site where members can list their blogs, get access to deals, articles, and free products through their Product Review Club.

I have had the pleasure of chatting with Ali and have grown to admire her determination and drive. She is one successful woman who's vision has now become a reality.

I recently chatted with Ali about her site, career, life and of course beauty. Here's what she had to say.

________________________________________

So who is Ali De Bold and why is she so fabulous?

I'm the founder of ChickAdvisor.com, Canada's first social shopping site for women. I don't know if I'm so fabulous but I certainly have a charmed career. I'm very fortunate that I get to do a job I love and get pampered daily with the latest products and services for women. I have my dream job and I know I'm very fortunate.

Where can we find you on the world wide web?

Site:www.ChickAdvisor.com
Twitter:http://twitter.com/alidebold
http://twitter.com/chickadvisor

What beauty product would you recommend and why?

There are so many. Honestly this is a really hard question for me because I'm testing products on a daily basis. Right now a few of my daily favourites are:

Maybelline New York The Falsies Mascara - it's inexpensive yet very dramatic

YSL Rouge Pure Shine Sheer Lipstick - my fave colour is Blood Orange

And I can't get enough of Lise Watier Feline HD Eyeliner - All you need is one line of this and one swipe of mascara

Have you ever lost or broken a beauty item you wish you still had today?

You know what, I'm fickle when it comes to beauty products. I'm always trying the latest stuff so I get over losing or breaking products quite easily.

How did ChickAdvisor.com come about?

I was planning my wedding out of town in 2004 and researching for where I should get my hair and makeup done. Not only were there no online reviews, most places didn't even have a proper website. I found it frustrating that there wasn't any place I could get genuine recommendations. Also, I'm a big product junkie and spent a lot of money every month trying new things. I was always disappointed if I shelled out for something that didn't work for me. My fiance (now husband) suggested we build a service were women could review things and share advice. So we built a business plan, mapped out how the site should look, feel and work, then hired some developers and a designer and sat around our living room table for months to get it off the ground. We launched September 2006.

Favorite look for Summer 2010?

A long flowing maxi dress, hair in a messy bun, big dark sunglasses, stacked big bracelets and an iced beverage in hand.

The thing I love the most about my career is...?

I get spoiled with the events I go to and the products I get. It's pretty awesome. I haven't had to buy anything at the drugstore in a really long time, but I get the most excited when I get to meet our members. I know I sound corny saying this, but I am always humbled and honoured when I meet the awesome women who are part of our community. I always think, "wow, you like us?" It's the hugest compliment for me.

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

I think everyone should experiment with colour and have fun. Anything goes really. But I don't like the look of overly thick or caked foundation.

Are you guilty of any yourself?

I can be very lazy with my appearance. Inevitably I will bump into someone on those days. Like the time I went to the Chanel counter at the Bay and the girl helping me turned out to be a ChickAdvisor member. She was so excited to meet me but I was embarrassed because my hair was all frizzy from the rain and I was sporting an unconcealed zit on my chin and hardly any makeup. I felt quite disheveled.

Was there a product you bought due to word of mouth hype that you just weren't please with once you tried?

I was really excited about Bare Escentuals Foundation, but after wearing it for a bit it I realized it emphasized the oil on my face like no other. I felt like people could see their reflection in my forehead.

Who are your beauty mentors?

I don't really have any. But I get Mandy (one of my staff) do my makeup for events sometimes. She's an amazing natural talent.

What can people expect from Ali De Bold and ChickAdvisor.com in the future?

There are so many things I want to do personally. I'm a big believer of giving back and helping others. I have some ideas that I'd like to work on in the future.

#1 on my list for the business is to continue to give big publishers a run for their money and grow really strong in Canada. There aren't many large Canadian publishers that aren't owned by a monolith. It's nice to be independent and unique. I like not having to worry about 'The Man'.

Any last words or advice?

If you have a great idea don't let anyone discourage you. I knew our business would work because I spent a lot of time talking to women about it who represented our end users. However there were plenty of people who said we couldn't do it or that it was a dumb idea. We had some would-be investors laugh in our faces about it before we launched, but I knew we had the skills and determination to do it.

________________________________________

Thank you Ali for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with me. Be sure to check out Ali's site Chickadvisor.com, become a member for all the latest beauty news and giveaways.

The Secret To Smooth Skin is Papaya!

Ever since I was little my mom has kept papaya in the house. She has it for breakfast most mornings and undoubtedly in my eyes has the most gorgeous skin. I'm not sure how much of a role consuming papaya has on how smooth your skin is but when I read an article recently on papaya masks it made me wonder.

Papaya is an exotic summer fruit that contains enzymes called papain, which help soften and revitalize the skin. Its a gentle exfoliant that removes dead skin which in turn makes wrinkles less noticeable.


Try this homemade Papaya Smoothing Mask.
What you will need
- 1 ripe papaya
Directions
- Peel and remove seeds from papaya
- Chop into small pieces
- Place papaya in blender and puree until smooth
- Apply puree to clean face
- Relax for approx 15 mins then rinse off with warm water
- moisturize as normal
Keeps for
2 days if stored in fridge.
(recipe courtesy of Woman's World Magazine)

Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring Hip Urban Girl and DJ Lisa Ng

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, DJ, voice over talent and probably one of the most bubbly girls I know Lisa Ng!

I first met Lisa at a Toronto Beauty Bloggers meetup and was drawn to her immediately. She was friendly and warm right away and I remember thinking her smile was infectious. Since then Lisa and I have kept in touch and Ive become a loyal reader and fan of her site The Hip & Urban Girl's Guide.

She's tiny but she packs a lot of punch. From networking queen to one talented DJ with Lisa's talents and personality I don't see anything getting in her path!

Lisa chatted with me about how she got started as a DJ, her work as the voice of a cartoon character and of course her favorite beauty items.

___________________________________________

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

Haha, thanks for the compliment off the top! I am the Editor and Co-Founder along with Wendy Kammarcy of an online lifestyle brand called, The Hip & Urban Girl's Guide.
Our website blogs on urban eats, hip getaways, life advice and events to make things easy for the busy girl in the city. Our goal is to bring you the best things we find to help you live well. We host a unique networking event for our Hip & Urban Girls (HUGs) and sometimes Guys, once a month to give our readers a chance to connect offline. Our attitude is fun, positive and outgoing with no room for negativity -- we choose to profile people and places that share this same energy. We like to tell it like it is, without being uppity. The HUG style is casual, fun and ambitious all at the same time.

When I'm not blogging, I am DJ-ing. I run a small boutique DJ business specializing in weddings called hello DJ!

Where can we find you on the world wide web?
The Hip & Urban Girl's Guide @ http://www.hipurbangirl.com

Twitter @hipurbangirl

hello DJ! @ http://www.hipurbangirl.com

How did HipUrbanGirl.com get started?
It was a collaborative effort with my friend Wendy who I met while I was the Meetup Organizer for Toronto Work at Home Women. We were both freelancers with our personal blogs that we decided to combine together to make a 'super blog'. We are both foodies, we love living in the city and keeping both our professional and social schedules busy. The Hip & Urban Girl's Guide shares this information with our readers via the blog. Our events provide the unique experience and networking event with help from our sponsors. There is definitely not a lack of young, ambitious women in Toronto. We are all about helping each other get ahead in life without the 'mean girl' attitude.

What beauty products would you recommend to other women and why?
I am a big fan of mineral foundation. I don't like to look like I caked it on and mineral powder is so sheer and light. Your skin doesn't feel oily. My favourite brand is Clinique, because you give it two clicks to bring the powder up from the container. It's way less messy this way! Biotherm moisturizer is something I swear by. You don't need to use a lot to get good coverage on moisture on your skin. I tried cheap moisturizers from the drugstore and apparently there is some alcohol by-products in there that can actually dehydrate your skin. So I've learned that it's worth it to splurge a little bit more and use the Biotherm stuff that I love.

Your favorite beauty treatment is?

A facial. Your skin feels so new and fresh. It's like going to the dentist for your face. I had an amazing one at Langdon Hall Spa in Cambridge with all these amazing masks. The extractions are always painful, but I know it's worth it.

You're not only the founder of HUG but you're also a DJ and the founder of HelloDJ.com! when did you start DJ'n and how did you get into it?

I started DJ-ing in 2005 while I was finishing up my undergrad at The University of Toronto in Poli Sci & Cinema Studies. It really just snowballed into a full-time career and company after I graduated because of my niche as a female DJ in the male-dominated wedding market. This definitely keeps me busy when I am not blogging. I manage around 50 events a year and work a lot on the weekends, so life and work are really all about balance. I actually had a banquet manager say to me last month, that in the 10 years he has been working - I am the FIRST female DJ he has ever seen. Can you believe that???

What is your 1 go to beauty product right now?

My Clarins Brow Kit. I have very sparse Asian eyebrows. So it's easy to look either overdone or eyebrow-less! The brow kit comes with three different shades: black, brown and blonde that you can blend together. The wax applies on after to hold the colour and there are mini tweezers and an applicator all in one compact. It's a great product!

My beauty pet peeve is ____________?

Washing my face late at night. I usually just give up, use a face wipe and deal with the next day. The lavender scented ones by Neutrogena are great and get you ready to sleep after a long night out.

Favorite career highlight & why?
Voicing an 8 year-old cartoon character on the TV Show, 'Wayside'. Her voice is just like mine, only two octaves higher. You can still catch it on Teletoon! I play Dana, with the purple hair and glasses. I still do voice-over work here and there every once in awhile. It's a fun job, you get to be creative and I am very lucky that I get to do it. Going to work and being silly is a definite highlight!

What can people expect from Lisa Ng in the future?
More events hosted by The Hip & Urban Girl's Guide, fun blog posts and more pictures of food :)

___________________________________________

A big thank you goes out to Lisa Ng for chatting with me. Be sure to check out her sites The Hip & Urban Girl's Guide and hello DJ! for more on food, travel & music ;)

Look Fresh with A Homemade Watermelon Toner!

Watermelon is always refreshing on those hot summer days right? Did you know this colorful fruit also makes a refreshing toner?

Watermelon is packed with antioxidants and amino acids that can help clear your pores and control oil.

Here's a great reason to save some of that yummy watermelon next time you cut one open.



Homemade Watermelon Toner:
What you'll need
2 tbs of fresh watermelon juice
2 tbs of witch hazel
2 tbs of water
Directions
- Push the pulp from a slice of watermelon through a strainer to extract the juice
- Mix all ingredients into a small bottle with a lid and store in the fridge
- Apply to a cotton ball and sweep over oily areas on clean skin.
Keeps for: 4-5 days if stored in fridge
(recipe courtesy of Woman's World Magazine)

Enjoy this homemade toner that not only smells great but keeps your skin cool all summer long!

A Makeup Bag That Keeps Everything In Its Place!

Ill be honest and say that every makeup bag Ive ever bought has been to give away as a gift and the only makeup bags I own were given to me as gifts. I'm the type of girl that will put her makeup in Ziplocs when traveling if I have to...*gasp* I know horrible for a MUA to admit right?

I could never find one that satisfied all my needs and fit my brushes well enough so they didn't come out misshapen when I went to use them. I am happy to say I have found one that has come pretty damn close to my ideal makeup bag!

Introducing the Dickies Pencil Pouches! Available in some funky colors and patterns.
I happen to choose the multi-color square pixel case on the far left.

When the case arrived I noticed it was bigger than I had imagined, measuring 8" long by approx 3.5" wide this case holds a lot of makeup!


There are 2 compartments which I love! The bottom one holds my brushes perfectly without squishing them which is important and the top holds more than enough for a weekend trip but with plenty of room to add extras for a longer stay away.



What I liked:

• The size - it fits my brushes perfectly and has a big pouch up top.
• The LIFETIME warranty!!! No need to worry if a zipper goes wonky!
• The 2 compartments
• The funky designs

What I Disliked:

• The size.. while I like it for travel its much to big to use as an everyday bag in my purse
• The color selection. While I like the funky colors I almost wish they had more "grown up" color & design choices
• That it was SO difficult to find information on these Dickies cases online, although their twitter and Facebook are quite active.

I will be bringing this makeup bag with me on my trip to the west coast this week no doubt about that! These babies can also double as a pencil case for those in school and are available for a cool $4.99 at a Zellers near you :)



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

Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring Beauty Geek Janine Falcon

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 former magazine beauty editor, current beauty geek, self proclaimed wordy girl Janine Falcon.

Who is Janine Falcon? Shes a beauty editor with an established beauty blog imabeautygeek.com. Hey blog was given the P&G Beauty Award for Best Beauty or Fashion Blog and with over 10 years in the industry Janine's blog has become a go to place for those looking for the latest and greatest in the world of beauty.

I have admired Janine well before I even started blogging and having been a long time reader of her blog I knew I had to share her and her site with you all :) We chatted and here's what this "beauty geek" had to say.

__________________________________________

So who is Janine Falcon and why are you fabulous?

I don't know about the fabulous, but I do know I was a beauty editor at Canadian Living and Homemakers magazines, am now a freelance beauty writer for pubs such Best Health, Canadian Living, FASHION, GLOW and Metro News, and babble beauty stuff on a site called BeautyGeeks. Mostly I AM a beauty geek, keen on stuff that solves beauty dilemmas and helps women feel good about themselves.

Where can we find you on the world wide web?

I lurk at www.imabeautygeek.com and have lots of beauty stories on besthealthmag.ca, homemakers.com, ellecanada.com, & canadianliving.com.

What beauty product would you recommend to and why?

What I recommend often depends on what the person I'm speaking with needs. Beauty is so personal -- there is no one best product that works for everyone. What's best is what works best for you, you know? That said, a good general reco is a creamy concealer in a shade that matches your overall skintone. Many women need a bit of concealer tapped into the following areas: inner corners of upper lids; alongside the bridge of the nose if there's darkness there; over under-eye circles; over redness around the base of the nose; and sometimes under the lower lip. Once that's taken care of, eyes and skin look brighter, and the rest of the makeup can be as simple as mascara, blush and lip colour for a fresh look.

My favorite beauty treatment is? At the moment my body is begging for a massage -- I better call my RMT. Facials are great, too, and OMG, Kerastase or Shu Uemura salon treatments are UH-mazing because they include killer scalp massages... *swoon*. Wait, did you want just ONE fave beauty treatment?? Whoops.

Have you ever lost or broken a beauty item you wish you still had today?

I can't think of one at the moment. The beauty of this industry is that something new, gorgeous and wow-it-really-works comes out every 2.5 nanoseconds, so mourning the loss of a favourite doesn't last long.

How did imabeautygeek.com come about?
I'd started to think blogging might be fun when I was having fun writing silly status updates on Facebook. When I hit the freelance-writing circuit, starting BeautyGeeks was a natural next step so I could write entirely in my own voice and geek out about stuff I love and think others might enjoy.

Favorite look for Summer 2010?
Now that I've trained myself via my odd Lipstick Diary posts to love bright lip colour, I'm all over it. And wow, it's a very braidy season, isn't it? Thank you Alexander Wang!

The thing I love the most about my career is...?
It's all about helping women see, appreciate and nurture their own unique beauty. Plus it's FUN!

Are there any makeup or beauty faux pas you really really can't stand?

Brows that do nothing for a face -- whoo boy, that upsets me. Too thin makes a girl look older and severe, too thick overpowers pretty eyes. Hooked brows, sperm brows, McDonald arches... owwwwww. Well-shaped brows can be a game-changer, seriously. After that, concealer and curling one's lashes rank as top beauty-boosting moves.

Are you guilty of any yourself?
Oh you HAD to ask. Sheesh. Listen, I did it just ONCE, and dang-it, I'm STILL paying for it! I overtweezed in my early 20s, and discovered that's the one place on my body where hair won't re-grow. Now I have to fill the suckers in with brow powder and a taklon angled brush.

What has been your most memorable career highlight?
I've had several. My years at Canadian Living and Homemakers magazines were amazing. An expert-advice appearance to talk Gillette on "Canadian Idol" was incredible. "Steven and Chris" segments -- so much fun. Every time someone digs a product recommendation is also The Best. And I've met so many wonderful people.... I think my career might be one honking big highlight, come to think of it.

Was there a product you bought due to word of mouth hype that you just weren't please with once you tried?
I don't really slag stuff. Usually if I don't like something it's because it just isn't right for me or for my beauty approach. There are things I think are pointless, but I don't waste space talking about them.

Who are your beauty mentors?
I love makeup artists -- I think they're kind of magic. My favourites know how to make women feel beautiful without a lot of makeup. I also love clever beauty writers; they inspire me. Lots of my friends are beauty mentors.

What can people expect from Janine Falcon and ImABeautyGeek.com in the future?

More beautygeeking out, and who knows? My universe is delightfully fluid. *grin*

__________________________________________

Thanks to miss Janine Falcon for chatting with me and for inspiring me to keep blogging ;)

Introducing MAC Cosmetics alice + olivia Collection

Introducing M·A·C alice + olivia

If Alice fell down the rabbit hole and met a Makeup Artist instead of the Mad Hatter, M·A·C alice + olivia is the curiously gorgeous collection she’d be rocking! Hip, playful, unpretentious and unabashedly fun, M·A·C is thrilled to announce the latest collaboration with the most adorably fabulous fashionista we know, designer Stacey Bendet of cult-fave line, alice + olivia. Celebrities, socials and all-around cool girls from coast to coast are obsessed with a + o’s uptown-meets-downtown aesthetic and colourful, playful vibe, so the inspiration for the makeup collection was a cinch!

The collection includes: Three mouth-wateringly delicious new shades of Dazzleglass Creme, three absolutely shimmering, colour-saturated Pigments, and Nail Lacquer in three “it” shades were made to totally compliment any party frock.

This collection is much anticipated and I personally cannot wait to try out the rest of the collection when it hits store. For now though I have a some swatches of the So Rich So Pretty nail lacquer which is an amazing purple shade with a hint of pearl and the If It Sparkles pigment which is a nice bright white with hints of pink in it.

So Rich So Pretty swatched. Check out the amazing blue flecks!

What I liked about the Nail Lacquer:

• Highly pigmented
• Dried super fast
• Amazing shade of purple
• Loved the hint of pear l in it

What I disliked about the Nail Lacquer:

• Nothing! Other than my lack of application skill which has nothing to do with the lacquer at all :)

If It Sparkles… S watched (its very hard to see the pink in it but its actually really beautiful in person)

What I liked about the pigment:

• As always Mac pigment sizes are very generous and a little goes a long way
• The hint of pink in it made the white softer looking

Wh at I disliked about the pigment:

• It can sometimes be a bit messy once opened

Dazzleglass Creme ($18.00 U.S. / $21.50 CDN)

• Sparklicious Creamy pale pinky white with soft multi-dimensional pearl (Limited Edition)
• If it’s Pink… Hot pink with soft multi-dimensional pearl (Limited Edition)
• I.Want.Candy. Hot yellow with soft multi-dimensional pearl (Limited Edition)

  

Pigment ($19.50 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

• Later. Black with transforming purple pearl (Limited Edition)
• If It Sparkles… White with transforming pink pearl (Limited Edition)
• Partylicious Turquoise with silver pearl (Limited Edition)

Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S. / $14.50 CDN)

• Morning.After. Creamy turquoise (Cream) (Limited Edition)
• So Rich So Pretty Bright purple with pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Military Black matte with silver suede pearl (Matte with Pearl) (Limited Edition)

Available for a limited time only July 8, 2010 through August 2010.


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