My Oscar Night Best & Worst Picks.

I really only watch the Oscars for the Red Carpet fashion & beauty but I have to say tonight's Oscars is actually kinda fun (so far)! There was an F-Bomb via Best Supporting Actress Melissa Leo, Anne Hathaway's infectious and every so bouncy laugh and even a surprisingly funny Kirk Douglas as he presented an award.

But lets get down to what Im sure most of you watch for.... Fashion's Hit or Misses of the night! Here are my choices...

Best Dressed:

Matthew McConaughey's stunning leading lady Camila Alves who wore a chic a Kaufman Franco dress. She is no doubt one gorgeous lady but this dress is something that made wish I was in her shoes even for just a second!

Celine Dion in Giorgio Armani Privé. Ok seriously.... did this woman really just give birth to twins?? Her hair, makeup & gown were for me 100% on point. She looked so classy, elegant and so out of place next to her husband Renee... ok that was a cheap shot!

Gweneth Paltrow looking sleek and sexy in Clavin Klein. While the belt or detail around the mid-section slightly bothers me because it makes my eye stop at her waist this dress is so modern and sexy and complemented really well with her pin straight hair and simple makeup.

Hillary Swank wearing Gucci Premiere couture and is probably one of my fav looks of the night! I now want the bottom of this dress for my wedding dress.... anyone know how I can make this happen? Loves!

And now for my picks for Worst Dressed:

Nicole Kidman in someone lied to her... err I mean Dior. Why on earth would anyone make a dress like this? Secondly what stylist would suggest anyone wear this to the Oscars?? It does nothing for Mrs Kidman and looks more like a curtain than a gown! Nicole I expect more from you... but then maybe that's my problem!

Helena Bonham Carter who went from role playing The Corpse Bride to walking the red carpet in made by costumer Colleen Atwood. All I really have to say about Helena's pick is... are we really surprised? NO!

Marisa Tomei looked cute from the neck up! This 1950 couture Charles James dress from Lily et Cie was ill fitting and looked 2 sizes too big as she walked the red carpet. The neckline does nothing for her and those chunky straps say 1998 prom dress.

Scarlett Johansson looked interesting in Dolce & Gabbana but I wont lie it reminded me of a dyed doily. Her hair as I watched her on the red carpet looked soft and pretty but as I saw her present her award it looked undone and even worse looks greasy in this pic. Oh and her tattoo looks horrible with this dress.... well with any dress really... why ScarJo why??

All Images Courtesy of JustJared.com

Jennifer Hudson wore what seemed to be a bright orange bad bridesmaids taffeta dress by Atelier Versace. This is is right there up there with Nicole Kidman for the worst dressed of the night for me. Yes her makeup and hair look flawless but the color, material and style of that dress is all wrong. Not to mention the squished "girls" and the fact that her pasties were peeping out of the dress as she walked the red carpet. Her chest bugged me beyond belief and if you happen to see my tweets during the red carpet you would know just how much!

There were a few others that stood out in a good way such as Halle Barry in a soft and pretty Marchesa gown and Mila Kunis in a gorge lavender Elie Saab number.


At this point in the show is usually where I tune out but there you have it my best and worst dressed of the night!
What were your picks for best and worst dressed??

Time 4 an Update!

I have gotten a few emails asking me why there is a lack of posts or wondering where I have been so I thought id just do a quick update post.

Ive been MIA for a few good reasons! I sold my condo on New Years Eve and in the last month and a half Ive been planning the Toronto Beauty Bloggers Step Into Spring event, I got engaged :), purchased a home with my Fiance, have started planning the wedding which is happening this year and so required instant attention and now... well we move in to our new house next week!

So you can see why Ive been a tad bit busy ;) Things should be back to normal after the move though.

Either way I wanted to take this opportunity to let you all know that Im still here, Im on Twitter all the time even if Im not tweeting as much and I still love reading all your comments and emails!

I also wanted to share a little project I started last year before I got engaged lol my wedding planning blog. Feel free to follow along as I chat about my upcoming wedding, move & life in general! ;)

xo

My top picks from CoastalScents.com

When a friend recently asked where she could get an eyeshadow palette and some brushes at a good price I instantly thought of CoastalScents.com. Over the last few years Ive tried multiple products from the site and so I thought I'd mention a few of my top picks to help those wondering about the quality of the products they sell.

28 Neutral Palette

 

Price: $18.95 usd

This palette is great for mua's looking for a good bridal palette or any beauty junkie looking for a palette with multiple options for daily wear. I really like this palette when I know ill be on set doing a simple neutral look because I have all the colors I need in one compact palette. There is a mix of matte and shimmer shadows that are pretty pigmented and for the price it really cant be beat!

Gel Liners

 Price: $6.95 usd

I have several of these gel liners and really like them. They come in so many beautiful colors and rival some of the top name gel liners out there that cost 2 or 3x more! At only $6.95 a pop you can afford to try out a few shades ;) Check out my swatches and review of these liners here.

Divine Taklon Liner

 Price: $1.95 usd

I have 2 or 3 of these brushes in my kit because I really like them for applying gel liner. Although for a fine line I prefer an angle brush that is a bit thinner this brush keep sits shape, has never frayed and for only $1.95 its probably the cheapest great investment you can make to your makeup collection!

CoastalScents.com has added tons of new items since I last ordered and I'm tempted to order and try items like the Pro Blending Fluff Brush which looks like it could be a great dupe for Mac's 217 blending brush. Also on my wish list is the Smokey Palette which looks like the last smokey eye palette one would ever need!

Whether you are just starting out or a beauty junkie CoastalScents.com is definitely worth a look.

Do you have a fav product from the site?

Your chance to WIN a pair of UGG Boots!!!

I got my first pair of UGG's about a month ago and have been wearing them almost everyday since! Not only do they keep my toes toasty but they are super comfortable too.

 Whooga Ugg Boots has a great giveaway, you have a chance to win a pair of Uggs each and every month and all you have to do is sign up for their newsletter! Who wouldn't love a pair of FREE Uggs??

The lovely people at Whooga have also offered FacesByFarah.com readers an exclusive discount code in case you cant wait for the draw and need your Uggs now, because it doesn't look like this winter weather is going anywhere. Use coupon code 1459FARAH at checkout for 10% off your order (valid until Feb 27th 2011).


Happy Shopping!

Products Im loving at the moment!

I'm a creature of habit and routine but when it comes to beauty, skin care and makeup I try to switch it up every once in a while. Here are some of the products I'm digging these days.

Vasanti Cosmetics Eye Wonder Eye Cream
An eye cream that helps reduce the appearance of puffiness, wrinkles and dark circles, no matter the cause! Most people don't know why they have darkness under the eyes - Whether it's hereditary, thinning skin, broken capillaries, inflammation or lack of sleep, Vasanti has included the latest in botanicals and peptide technology to help combat, no matter the cause. Retails for approx. $42.00

I use this every single morning and every single night not just around my eyes but all over my entire face! The jar is huge and we don't just have fine lines around our eyes right? Its rich enough to keep my dry skin moist in the winter but not too rich that I feel greasy. Its helped the darkness around my eyes when nothing else Ive tried could so that's why I tell everyone about this product!!

(Photo Credit VasantiCosmetics.com)

Cargo Cosmetics "Bronze" Essential Palette
Four graduated shades of neutral shadow are selected to perfectly coordinate and create that perfect bronze goddess look.  Each shadow is even embossed with its function (BROWBONE, LID, CREASE, OUTER CORNER) to make application a breeze.  These palettes have a combination of matte and satin finish, which perfect for a daytime look but increase the intensity of the outer corner color to take your look into evening. Retails for approx. $32.00 US

I really like this palette because I love neutral shadows that can go from day to night. This palette is compact and when I travel it comes with me so I don't have to lug 4 separate shadows. I use the top "highlight" color all over my eye from lid to brow almost daily. I mean just because it recommends using it as a highlight it doesn't mean its not a pretty all over color right?

(Photo credit makeupandbeautyblog.com) 

The Body Shop's Seaweed Deep Cleansing Facial Wash

This cleanser works by giving you a deep cleanse and by minimizing pores with a mild, oil-free, foaming gel cleanser that won’t over dry your skin. The soap-free formula is less drying to the skin than soap too!

I picked up this cleanser a little while ago when I used my Body Shop Groupon and I haven't looked back! I like a cleaner that removes my makeup and cleanses in one go and this product does just that. It leaves my face feeling fresh and it doesn't dry me out like some of the others Ive tried Bonus!

(photo courtesy of amazon.com)

What are some of the products you're loving at the moment?? Anything you think I should add to my next trip to the drugstore? 

My go to hairstyle these days the side rope braid fast and easy!

Ive been so busy lately that just the thought of washing, blow drying & styling my hair exhausts me so ever since I came across some hairstyling videos online and learned just how simple and easy a rope braid is its been my go to hairstyle.

While it does look better when done on dry hair it does work on wet as you can see in my pic above. Its amazing how many comments and compliments I get on this style. People always ask me how long it took me - my response "2 minutes". This usually raises an eyebrow and is followed by "can you teach me how to do it too".

Ive searched all over the net for a good video that shows you how to do this and this is the best one I have found.


As you see in the video its a fabulous style for those with bangs who want the option to wear them up.

Have you tried this look?
What do you think?

Apothica Giveaway winner announced!

Thank you to all those who entered the $50 Apothica gift card Gift Certificate giveaway, there were 91 entries!

The winner was drawn at random and is the lucky lady named Camelia Andrasescu!!!


I will be contacting you shortly to get your information.


Not to worry, as always there will be more exciting giveaways here at Faces By Farah ;)

The Wedding Show at The Carlu was the place to be this past January!

When my Twitter feed was flooded over the holidays with announcements of love and engagement I knew "proposal season" was in full swing so it was no surprise that January was filled with wedding shows. The "boutique" style wedding show at The Carlu stood out with its collection of unique hand picked exhibitors and beautiful venue. This years show also celebrated The Wedding Co.’s 10th anniversary!

We took the elevator up to the 7th floor where the doors opened to reveal a fabulous grand chandelier made of 10,000 origami cranes and tables filled with dozens of stunning 3,4 and 5 tier wedding cakes. From one of a kind gowns to fun photo booths there was no shortage of inspiring designs and ideas for any bride to be!  

(picture courtesy of theweddingco.com)

The show takes place once a year but if you missed it you can always catch the other fabulous shows theweddingco.com puts on like the The Destination Wedding Event coming up on February 3rd 2011 or the The Spring Wedding Show which takes place on April 30th 2011. For more details on these and many other event visit The Wedding Co. website.

Sunday Feature: You Go Girl! Featuring the Editor of Social Life Magazine Devorah Rose!

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 fabulous Devorah Rose who is the editor behind Social Life Magazine, has appeared on the Real Housewives of New York and who vacations in the Hampton's with some of the biggest names in entertainment.

I was first introduced to Devorah when I was addicted to watched the Real Housewives of New York and Bethenny was shooting the cover of the Social Life mag. I loved her style,beauty and confidence so when she agreed to be interviewed for my Sunday Feature I was so excited to share her thoughts on beauty, life and her career with my readers.

____________________________________________________________

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

I'm the Editor-in-Chief of Social Life Magazine, a luxury and fashion publication in the Hamptons. Besides that, I'm a loyal friend, try to be the best daughter I can be and make a difference in as many people's lives as I can.

Where can we find you on the world wide web?
You can visit devorahrose.com

Are there any beauty product would you recommend to others and if so why?

I think the best beauty product is sunblock. I wear at least 30 SPF everyday.

Your favorite beauty treatment is?

Sleep. Every girl needs her beauty rest.

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

I can't name just one! What impresses me the most about the cover stars I've worked with is the level of humility and charm most of them have. I've worked with Kim Kardashian, Annalynne McCord, Beth Stern, Kellan Lutz, among others. All of those experiences have been incredible.

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

Tinted lipgloss.  A little goes a long way.

How did you get your start as Editor-In-Chief at Social Life Magazine?   

I helped found Social Life.  I've been there since day one.  It's been an amazing experience to build the magazine from the ground up.  

Do you have a favorite makeup artist?

I adore Mario Devonic. Mario and I worked together on the Kim Kardashian cover shoot, which is where he met Kim. He has really taken off and I just love his style tips. He is such a talent.

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

I've learned over the years that less is more. Try not to do too much because it just comes off as loud. What you really want to do is enhance your natural beauty, not hide it!

Are you guilty of any yourself?  

I used to think a lot of makeup was great but I had an amazing stylist who showed me how much more chic it is to embrace a nude face.

Favorite mascara and lip gloss?
I love Maybelline mascara - I swear by it!

Do you have a signature scent? 

I've actually always loved essential oils and mix my own fragrances. At times I use Chanel 5

Favorite career highlight & why?
I truly enjoyed working on The Real Housewives of New York because Bravo is an incredible network and the show felt very natural to me. The individuals on that show are very dynamic and it was a ton of fun to work with them.

You've made appearances on a few reality TV shows like The Real Housewives of NY, are there any plans for your own show someday?
I have been approached several times to have my own show. There are some intriguing possibilities.  At the moment, I want to make sure it's the right move and a very positive one.

What can people expect from Devorah Rose in the future?

Lots and lots!  I will work hard at everything I do, will try to help develop new artists, and will continue to help Social Life grow!

____________________________________________________________

I want to send a BIG thank you to the stunning Devorah Rose for taking the time to connect with me :)

Foxy has a New Look and is offering 15% off to celebrate!

If you love Foxy Originals as much as I do you will want to check out their new website and new sassy look ;) While you're there use coupon code 'newbrand' at checkout to receive 15% off all Foxy products!

Not sure what to get? Check out my review on the Flex Necklace ;)

New Sponsor Apothica offers a fab GIVEAWAY to Faces By Farah readers.

We have a new sponsor on FacesByFarah.com welcome Apothica! . The site sells a lot of great cosmetics brands and is owned by SkincareRX which also offers some great skincare products.

They have some of the most popular brands such as DuWop, Vincent Longo, Jurlique and Too Faced! I happen to be eyeing the Shadow Insurance eye primer from Too Faced for my kit so I was super excited to see they had it available.

The site offers LIVE help which = amazing customer service and a safe and secure checkout so you know you're in good hands ;)

If you're looking for one site that can satisfy all your beauty needs check out Apothica.com!

To get you started apothica.com wants to sponsor a GIVEAWAY!

What you can win: $50 Apothica gift card

How you can win (mandatory):

• 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:

• Write on Apothica’s Facebook wall and tell them what you think of Apothica.com (1 entry)
• Opt in to Apothica’s Newsletter (located at the bottom left of the site) (1 entry)
• Follow FacesByFarah on Twitter (1 entry)
• "Like" FacesByFarah on Facebook (1 entry)
• Subscribe via email to the Faces By Farah Blog (top right of site) (1 entry)
• Blog, Tweet 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 INTERNATIONALLY 
• Contest closes at 11:59pm on February 4th 2011 & winner will be chosen at random & announced the next day
• Winner will be contacted via email and have 48hrs to respond or a new winner will be drawn

 Good Luck!

JLo and her glow have never looked better!

With the start of season 10 of American Idol and the buzz around the new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez along with veteran judge Randy Jackson there's been a lot of people tuning in to see how of if this trio can replace the Grinch Simon Cowell. I was one of the millions that tuned in Wednesday & Thursday to watch the best part of the show, the auditions!

While the auditions were both good, bad and hilarious my eyes did not leave Mrs Lopez. With her every strand in place hair, her glittery makeup and her famous JLo glow I was amazed at how that woman simply gets better with age (and perhaps a good doctor).

She is a 41 year old mother of twins who looks better, fresher and glowier (is that a word?) than ever!

Her most well know and usual makeup artist is Mr Scott Barnes but I'm not sure if he has been behind creating her stunning looks on the show or if it is Idols makeup artist of previous years and Simon Cowells fiance Mezghan Hussainy.

Anyone have any clue who her makeup artist is for Idol?

Have you been watching season 10 of American Idol? What do you think of JLo's looks?

The Search For The Perfect Sectional....

When I first bought my place 11 years ago (yikes where has the time gone) I had 2 years to dream about what kind of furniture I wanted to fill my not even constructed 2 story loft with. I had only one type of couch in mind and that was a big comfy sectional but when construction got delayed by another 2 years (that's downtown condos for ya) I decided to rent for a while until I could move into the loft.

Because the place I was moving to wasn't as big as I had spent 2 years planning for the sectional idea went out the window and although I ended up with some really nice leather/sofa bed couches which I have been using for the last 9 years or so, they weren't no sectional!

Now that I will be moving to a house which is almost 3x the size of my condo I finally have room for my sectional! The idea of the perfect couch has been the easy part, actually finding the one I want has been a wee bit difficult.

I had always envisioned a plush, tan colored micro-fiber sectional because they are so cozy but after having a little chat with my friend, blogger and mom Lena I quickly learned why micro-fiber may not be the best choice if you plan on introducing kids into the mix! Although no kids are anywhere near the mix now they are in the eventual picture and so my focus has now shifted to leather.

The house has dark hardwood floors kinda like my place now (see above pic) and off white walls which have wainscoting on them so we wont be painting them. The current owners have black leather there right now but I feel chocolate brown leather is more inviting so I think Ive narrowed my search to dark brown leather sectionals balanced with a cream or grey/tan rug and this amazing Ashley Furniture swivel chair which I love.

The sectional pictured above is from The Brick, my brother has it and its actually really nice its more of a black/brown leather so I'm still on the hunt but at least I have a plan B choice right?

How do you feel about sectionals? Do you own one? Know where I can score a great looking one at an even better price??

Id love to hear your thoughts.

Voted One of the Best 40 Makeup Artists Blogs!

40 Best Makeup Artist Blogs

I have just been notified that FacesByFarah.com has been voted one of the 40 best makeup artists blogs out there by webdesignschoolsguide.com!

I am so thankful to be listed with other amazing makeup artists. Please take a look at the entire list here.