The Sephora by OPI Safari Luxe collection - Calling all Animal Print Lovers!

Animal prints seem to be a reoccurring trend that's hot! From leopard print scarves and shoes to zebra print nails.... yes nails!  Sephora is always on top of trends check out the new collection for Summer 2011 called Safari Luxe, Sephora by OPI! 

The Sephora by OPI Safari Luxe collection consists of six must-have, long-wearing, chip-resistant shades for summer ($12 each). And as always, they are Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Toluene and Formaldehyde-free: Wild About Shimmer (translucent golden shimmer)
Don’t Feed the Hand Models (nude beige)
Caught with My Khakis Down (khaki green)
Once a Cheetah, Always a Cheetah (golden metallic coral)
A Color That Can’t Be Tamed (light metallic olive)
I Don’t Bite (light violet metallic)
Yes, Your Lioness (bright coral) *mini-size only

The Sephora by OPI Safari Luxe collection also includes three Chic Prints for Nails designs ($20 each). which I personally think are the coolest thing since sliced bread! These easy-to-apply, precut strips of varying widths last two days on either fingers or toes and provide a fast and fun way to update any look instantly.

The Sephora by OPI Summer 2011 Safari Luxe collection will be available in May at Sephora stores, by calling 1-877-SEPHORA or online at Sephora.com.


What do you think of animal print nails? Yay or Nay?

I Heart These Camel Elie Tahari Leather Slingbacks

I generally don't find much when shopping at Winners partly due to my lack of patience or drive to sort through items there but the other day while browsing my local Winners for home decor I stumbled upon these beauties in the shoe dept.

Elie Tahari Lumina Slingbacks!

Every girls needs a pair of camel/nude slingback's right? $69.99 for Tahari heels?! I consider these sexy things a deal! #Winning!

Want a pair? Piperlime.com is selling them in a white snakeskin print for $105 or you can try your local Winners to see if they still have them in stock.

Earth Day: Products That Feature Natural Ingredients

Today is Earth Day and so we are reminded that using Eco-friendly natural products is just another way we can help mother earth.


Here are some products you may want to consider switching to in order to "go green".

(click to enlarge)

1. OLEHENRIKSEN’s Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser - This gentle foaming cleanser helps calm skin with its aloe vera as well as added ingredients like chamomile, and other vitamins work to soothe skin. This cleanser proves you can have ultra-clean skin without stripping and dehydrating! ($30 at www.olehenriksen.com)


2. Dessert Essence's Tea Tree Oil Mouthwash - This natural mouthwash is flavoured with natural spearmint, is as effective as any other mouthwash and features the antiseptic properties of pure, Eco Harvest® Tea Tree Oil. ($5.99 at www.desertessence.com)

3. Urban Decay's Vegan Palette - This 100% Vegan palette combines 6 of the lines best selling eyeshadow shades in one stylish palette any gal would love and as an added bonus it also comes with a mini's of their famous Primer Potion in Sin & 24/7 eye pencil. ($34 at www.urbandecay.com)

4. The Body Shop's Earth Lovers Shower Gels - This collection is made from a soap-free base, is 100% biodegradable and formulations that contain NO sulfates, parabens or colourants. Each scent is infused with herbs and fruit extracts and come in some amazing combos such as Fig & Rosemary, Pear & Lemongrass and Cucumber & Mint. ($12.00 at thebodyshop.ca and Body Shop stores near you)

5. EcoTools By Alicia Silverstone 6pc Brush Set & Bag - Not only does this set come with 6 Eco Friendly brushes and bag they are also cruelty-free! Each brush is made with a bamboo handle and recycled aluminum ferrules, the bag is made with natural hemp and cotton with a recycled lining. Check out the entire line by "green" activist & beauty Alicia Silverstone! ($14.99 see store listing on ecotools.com)

Today I'm going meatless in honour of Earth Day, how will you be doing your part?

Vasanti Cosmetics NEW Shadows,Lipshines,Bronzer & BrightenUp! Swatches

If you follow my blog at all you will know that I'm a huge Vasanti Cosmetics fan, so I'm here to introduce you all to some more wonderful, exciting & NEW products that they have just launched.

The new products consist of 4 new Lipshines (Caspian, North Sea, Red Sea, Caribbean), 4 new Eyeshadow Duo's (Mount Rushmore, Lake Louise, Statue Of Liberty, The Colosseum) and 2 brand spanking new items to the line the Brazilian Bronzer & the BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator.

Vasanti adds a serious punch of color this season with 4 bright and bold new Lipshines. They are as always lightweight, non-sticky and are infused with Vitamin E! ($15)
Red Sea a cranberry red is one of the more opaque ones that would look amazing paired with their top selling USA lipstick.
North Sea a nude beige with flecks of gold is one of my favs, its also more opaque and will look HOT this summer with a tan.
Caspian a pink grapefruit that applies sheer, adds a beautiful hint of pink that will work with almost any skin tone.
Caribbean a true hot pink that looks almost like a neon pink in the tube but applies sheer to make this bold beauty work appropriate.

These perfectly paired duo's really take the guess work out by giving you 2 complimentary shades in one pretty compact! ($20)

The Colosseum pairs a soft nude beige with a pearly pink and is going to be a true favourite for those love soft and romantic colours.

Lake Louise brings together a bold shimmery teal with a matte navy that can be used a not only as shadows but liners too!

Statue of Liberty combines a ultra rich golden bronze with a stunning shimmery green that's both deep and bold and would look amazing on those with brown or hazel eyes ;)

Mount Rushmore with its silvery taupe and matte royal purple isn't for the shy type but those who try this day to night duo will most certainly fall in love!

Glowing goddess comes to mind with Vasanti's introduction of the Brazilian Bronzer. Not only is the unique artisan inspired packaging to die for but the product applies like a dream without looking orange or streaking!

This item is a must have for anyone looking for the JLo glow this summer. It is sure to become a best seller and at $25 this bronzer is a no brainer!

Another brand new introduction to the line is the BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator. With the addition of a second skin care item (first bring the Eye Wonder) Vasanti has hit gold yet again with the BrightenUp!'s triple action formula that cleanses, brightens & exfoliates all at once.

Its clean white and silver packaging sets it apart from the rest of the line and is easy to spot with its generous size and squeeze bottle style. I was lucky enough to get a sample of this baby a few weeks ago and have added it to my daily morning face routine. Its micro-crystals are gentle on my skin and have totally eliminated my winter "dry spots" yay!

All new products will be available in select Rexall, Pharma Plus & Shoppers Drug Marts across Canada in the next few weeks but for those International readers or those who cant wait you can snap up all of these items online NOW at vasanticosmetics.com.

Is Shaving Your Face The Secret Behind Youthful Flawless Skin?

I read somewhere that Caroline Manzo from the reality show The Real Housewives of New Jersey admits to shaving her face daily in the shower to help exfoliate her skin. She swears by it and claims its the secret behind her flawless complexion.

This got me thinking, do other women do this? I had never heard of this before so of course I turned to trusty old Google and well apparently Japanese women have been shaving their faces for centuries! Upon further investigation I also read that the Late Elizabeth Taylor and Marilyn Monroe shaved their faces too... not sure how true that is but it still makes me wonder just how common this practice is.

I have to admit the thought of flawless younger looking skin totally appeals to me but the thought of putting a razor to my face kinda makes me think Ill just stick to my regular exfoliation routine.

Would you or do you shave your face? Would you ever consider it in your quest for perfect skin?

That Famous Louboutin Red Sole is Getting YSL in Some Hot Water!!

We all know a Christian Louboutin shoe when we see it, greatly in part to its famous "red sole" that has been around since 1992, so its no wonder the company is a little peeved that other famous designers are jumping on the sole-train!

Louboutin is said to be suing Yves Saint Laurent because they claim that YSL is ripping off their trademark red-sole. Louboutin has built an empire around its red soles and is worried by another fashion house introducing its own red soled shoes this spring, it may lead consumers to believe the shoe is part of the Loubie collection when in fact it isn't.

Let's compare shall we?

Louboutin's

YSL's 

Similar? Yes..... but is it wrong enough to sue??
Let's hear your thoughts....

Beauty Tip: After Washing Brushes You Should....

After washing your makeup brushes lay them flat with the bristles hanging off the edge of the counter. This allows the air to dry them from all angles and in turn makes your brushes dry faster ;)

My Splitting Nails Are Taking Over My Life!

Every 3 weeks for about 4 years I made the short drive to the little nail place by my condo to get my bio gel refills done. They came to know me by name and I even had my own "box" of tools set aside for me but when I started doing makeup professionally I quickly realized that the nails had to go. I had them removed over 2 years ago and my poor nails have suffered since.

I feel like Ive tried everything to keep my nails for breaking, cracking and splitting including taking Biotin in hopes those little pills that claim to make nails strong would work but nada. No "extra strength" or "hardening" nail polish has worked and my nails are driving me nuts!

They catch on my clothing, make washing my hair a royal pain and I can forget about wearing nail polish because the cracks always come through. So Im reaching out to blogland for help!

What can I do to cure my nail blues? Do you know of a product or a suggestion that will help fix my situation for good?

HELP :(

Clairsonic - a models best friend backstage at Style Fashion Week Los Angeles!

Apparently everyone loves them some Clairsonic even the models backstage at Style Fashion Week Los Angeles! Models got treated to mini facials with the Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing System and the Opal Sonic Infusion System before heading out on stage, lucky them!

Next time you view a fashion show and wonder how the models got such great, glowing skin think Clairsonic!


Check out the info I got on how Clairsonic prepped the models for their runway strut!


Preparation

	Time to Get Runway Ready! Models arrived backstage at the Vibiana, a historic church in downtown Los Angeles, in the late afternoon.  They were thrilled to received Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing System treatments, which removed makeup 6X better than manual cleansing.  Models were happy to hear that sunscreen and other topicals are absorbed 61% more effectively by the skin after using the Clarisonic.  They also learned that self-tanner goes on more evenly after using the Clarisonic PLUS Model on the arms, legs and décolleté—a must in Los Angeles! (left, backstage at Stop Staring!)
Tighten and Brighten! With a week full of shows and parties, it’s easy for a model to look tired. Thankfully the Opal Sonic Infusion System came to the rescue!  After providing facials with the Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing System, Eva, Dottie and Jennifer used the Opal around the models’ eyes.  The Opal combines sonic micro-massage with proprietary anti-aging serum to work immediately on appearance of lines and wrinkles and also helps to depuff. (right, backstage at Stop Staring!)
	Don’t Forget the Men! Female models weren’t the only ones enjoying Clarisonic treatments.  Male models at the Future Heretics and Gypsy 05 shows loved them too! Most male models said that their skin had never felt as clean as it did after using the Clarisonic.  One male model came back for a second treatment because it was so relaxing! Dottie and Jennifer used a Normal Brush Head instead of a Sensitive or Delicate Brush Head on the men’s skin since Normal is better at cleaning men’s skin, which is typically rougher and thicker than women’s skin. (left, backstage at Future Heretics & Gypsy 05)
Top Model! Melrose Bickerstaff, a runner-up on America’s Next Top Model, was introduced to the Clarisonic Sonic Skin Cleansing System and the Opal at the Future Heretics show. She loved how smooth her skin looked after her Clarisonic treatments and was amazed at how gentle the devices felt on her skin!  (right, backstage at Future Heretics)

Getting the Look

Hair & Makeup! The looks for each show were bold and beautiful.  The models at Stop Staring! channeled Old Hollywood glamour with bright red lips while the models at Gypsy 05 and Future Heretics shows put an emphasis on eyes with dark sultry eye shadow.  Ina Soltani fused the vibe of all the shows with bold eyes and lips!  Hair also made quite a statement.  Luscious pin-up girl curls took center stage at Stop Staring!, while loose and wild crimped hair flowed free at Gypsy 05.  Loose waves let bold makeup make a statement at both Future Heretics and Gypsy O5 shows. (right, backstage at Stop Staring! and Gypsy 05)
	Go Red for Women! On March 17th, models and actresses such as Shanna Moakler, Ashlan Gorse, Molly Burnett, Camila Banus, Brittany Powell, Kate Mansi and CariDee English received Clarisonic treatments before hitting the runway in red designer gowns to raise awareness for women’s heart disease.  Not only did these celebrities have glowing skin and look great on the outside, their participation in the event helped raise awareness for a great cause!   (left, backstage at Go Red For Women Celebrity)
The Final Look! Thanks to gorgeous skin, hair and makeup, models made the dreams of designers a reality at Style Fashion Week.  These beautiful looks embodied the soul of local Los Angeles designers and well-known labels as they made strong statements on the runway.  Clarisonic was thrilled to be able to help designers create their perfect look! (right, Stop Staring! show)

 A Clairsonic has been on my wish list for so long now and after reading all about its benefits its just been bumped to the top!