Tip of the Week: Canadian Beauty knows her stuff

Okay, so I bought the dress last weekend but now I’ve been told I need to ditch my daytime make-up for a sultry evening look. Apparently, I need to balance my face with the dramatic red sash. What does that mean? Red lipstick and black eyeliner.

I haven’t worn red lipstick in years and as a contact lens wearer, I need to find an eyeliner that won’t smudge. You may also have guessed from the infrequency of my posts, life has been a bit hectic recently. And, with only one week to go before the party, I don’t have a lot of time to hang out at the cosmetics counter searching for just the right products and shades. I’m going to check them out this weekend and will let you know how it goes.

So what did I do? I asked my friend Canadian Beauty for help. She recommended I try MAC’s Russian Red lipstick (I can even get it for free because I’ve saved up 6 old MAC containers. Sweet!) and technakohl eyeliner in brown border. I know, it’s not black but it’s pretty darn close and I’d rather go for a look that’s a bit softer than the full vamp effect. ;)

How can Canadian Beauty help you?

Canadian Beauty reviews all kinds of cosmetics, toiletries, skin care and other beauty products with balanced critiques and advice for women with different skin types and complexions. Just to spice things up a bit, her informative blog also gives you the inside look at the fashion industry with particular attention paid to what goes on behind the scenes of the biggest shows in Toronto and New York. And then there are the contests. Lots of them! There are all kinds of giveaways--everything from lipgloss to large baskets of great products.

What’s your favorite beauty blog? Why?

Weekly Wish – Attending L’Oréal FashionWeek

Last week I attended a special TFFB where everyone was preparing for a week of fashion excitement, as Toronto’s finest designers were getting ready to debut their fall-winter ’08 collections. Most of them had press passes because the Fashion Design Council of Canada (FDCC) is enlightened enough to realize the value local bloggers bring to the community.

If you’re like me, chances are you didn’t get to L’Oréal FashionWeek. I really wanted to see the Pink Tartan show – I love Kimberly Newport-Mimram’s Pristine Punk collection. The Joe Fresh show always amazes me too – how does Joe (Mimram – yes, he’s Kimberly Newport Mimram’s other half) pull off such an incredible show while keeping prices so affordable?

Fortunately, there’s a lot of coverage online. Fashion Television assembled an incredible multimedia archive. And if you want to get a behind-the-scenes look at the make-up, check out what Henna from Canadian Beauty had to say.

Enough of this virtual view of L’Oréal FashionWeek, next fall I’m wishing for my own press pass so I can share the details first hand. Wish me luck!

My PinUp Lip Balm Prize

Canadian Beauty is always giving away free cosmetics and other beauty products.

I rarely enter contests ’cause I rarely ever win.

A few weeks ago I got lucky and won an 8-Ball Gift Tin from PinUp Lip Balm. It included all 8 luscious flavors:
• Citrus Punch
• Gimme Grape
• Love That Lemonade!
• Mocha Loca Chocolata
• Peppermint Twist
• Royal Raspberry
• The Boys Love Coconut
• Voluptuous Vanilla

PinUp Lip Balm is made with all natural products and is not tested on animals. My prize retails for $32 (plus shipping) or $4 for individual containers. Yummy!

Wondering why I’m telling you about this?
I received a lovely personalized, hand-written note from PinUp asking me to spread the word. Very cool. FYI, their website doesn’t work that well so I can’t tell you where to buy it other than their online store. Not so cool.

Canadian Beauty has another great giveaway this week. It’s for 2 Nair prize packs. Why don’t you try entering and see what happens. You might just get lucky! If so, let us know.