Monthly Archives: May 2016

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal Benefit Gala 2016

Earlier this month I was invited to attend the exclusive Benefit Gala 2016 of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, the prestigious cultural event held every year that is so highly anticipated by some of this city’s most influential patrons (and who are willing to fork over $800.00 per person for). On the brink of Les Grands Ballets’ 60th anniversary, this year’s version was held at the Stade Uniprix and featured a sumptuous pre-dinner cocktail where the Moët & Chandon champagne was [literally] flowing, beauty touch-up stations were provided by CHANEL, and plenty of photo ops abounded.

Upon entering the ballroom, we were greeted with lavish gold accents on the dinner tables with a thoughtfully placed gift bag from Holt Renfrew/Ogilvy at each place setting (which included a fab Diptyque candle). The simple yet elegant menu featured 3 courses, each paired by its own wine duo. There were two stages set up at either end of the room; one featured the live band 1945 by Paul Chacra Entertainment who played a diverse range of music and literally had everyone on the dance floor from the second the dinner was over (my pounding feet at the end of the evening were testament to how amazing the band was), and on the other stage we were were treated to a live performance of excerpts of La Lueur de l’Aube by Ken Ossola — created in 2016 and featuring music by Sergei Rachmaninoff. As if all this wasn’t enough there was also the most amazing grand prize worth over $20,000 up for grabs, but which I sadly didn’t win: a trip to Paris (Business Class) with Air France in March 2017, which included the opportunity to attend the CHANEL fashion show during Fashion Week, a private tour of Coco Chanel’s apartment and the Fine Jewelry Shop at 18 Place Vendôme… and more. Yes, I’m still in mourning over not winning ∗sigh∗. I did buy a raffle ticket for which I won a lovely Aquascutum business card holder, however #consolationprize

While breathtaking to be a part of, it’s also important to note that the funds raised by this yearly event play a crucial role in maintaining the level of excellence that Les Grands Ballets has become known for. This troupe may be renown world-wide and acknowledged as one of the best there is, but what’s not as readily known is their altruistic side and how much they give back to society, from opening up their doors during the holiday season to give young children from Montréal’s disadvantaged neighbourhoods a chance to take part in educational workshops and to attend personalized performances of The Nutcracker, to their creation of the National Centre for Dance Therapy that works with several health and social services to promote the healing benefits of dance, amongst other goals.

All I can say is that this was certainly a night to remember and having met several of the dancers, I am in awe of all that they do and the dedication they bring to their craft. If you happen to be in Montréal, I highly recommend you catch one of Les Grands Ballets many wonderful performances – you will definitely be left emotionally moved.

Gown: Ralph Lauren ♦ Shoes: Prada ♦ Purse: Gucci ♦ Jewelry: Tiffany & Co

With my amazing husband (don’t we clean up well?!)

Cocktail

With my lovely colleagues Eli Garcia (Eli In The Walk-In) & Catherine Forest (Pearls & Caramel)

The Ballroom

…always working…

Entrée: Seafood Gratin with Black Périgord truffles accompanied by a Printanière salad of fiddleheads, green asparagus, crab and lobster meat with a white asparagus cream & raspberry vinaigrette

Wines: Chardonnay Rita’s Crown 2011 (California), Sauvignon Quartz Kellerei, Cantina Terlan 2013 (Italy)

Main Course: Osso Bucco on the half bone with stuffed marrow, purée of Saffron Yukon Gold potatoes, fresh seasonal vegetables

Wines: Pinot Noir Hayley 2011 (California), Lolita Ranch Zinfandel 2012 (California)

Dessert: Feuilleté tout Chocolat over Madagascar vanilla Crème Anglaise and pistachio cream

Dessert Wine & Northern Harvest Rye Whisky, Crown Royal (Canada)

La Lueur de L’Aube (excerpt), performed by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal

1945 by Paul Chacra Entertainment

With the gorgeous Camille (Le Cahier), a Montréal powerhouse

My fab table mates, twins Carolane & Josiane Stratis of Ton Petit Look

∗eye candy∗

….and that’s a wrap!

Many thanks to the fundraising committee of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal for this wonderful invitation

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Aqua XL Colorfestival

May 26, 2016

MAKE UP FOR EVER is one of those brands that never hesitates to push the boundaries of conventional beauty, and so it comes as no surprise to hear that they teamed up with music’s Charli XCX (who has collaborated with Iggy Azalea and Icona Pop, to name but a few) in creating Aqua XL Eye Pencils (CAN $25.00/each), a range of boldly colourful eye pencils, available in 20 shades and in a variety of textures: matte, diamond, satin, iridescent and metallic. The best part? They also come in a waterproof finish that once set, won’t move even if you begged.

After having played with these pencils for a few weeks now, I must say that the results are quite impressive. For starters, the staying power of each is phenomenal and you will need an oil-based (or dual-phase) eye makeup remover to take off all traces. You can also smudge them in for a diffused effect, but you must work in small increments (as in: one eye at a time) and quickly at that. The colour stays true and vibrant throughout the wearing, even at the waterline — although I haven’t worn any with sparkles in that area, as I don’t personally feel comfortable applying anything with sparkle/glitter upon my waterline. One thing I did notice, is that the more shimmery shades tend to have a softer texture and you should therefore be more gentle pressure-wise to avoid potential breakage. For review purposes, I’ve broken them down into several colour groups below.

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Aqua XL Colorfestival

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Aqua XL Colorfestival swatches

The Blacks:

M-10 Matte Black – deepest black (although not the blackest I’ve seen, but close)
M-14 Matte Charcoal Grey – blue-based sooty grey
D-12 Diamond Black – black with ultra fine sparkle

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Aqua XL Colorfestival

The Browns & Bronzes:

M-60 Matte Dark Brown -rich & deep chocolatey brown
D-62 Diamond Brown – warm brown with ultra fine sparkle
S-50 Satiny Taupe – grey-leaning true taupe
I-36 Iridescent Khaki – olive green based khaki with refined shimmer
ME-42 Metallic Bronze – luxe bronze with complex shimmer

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Aqua XL Colorfestival

The Blues & Greens:

S-20 Satiny Navy Blue – deep (but not blackened) blue with a refined shimmer
I-24 Iridescent Blue – teal-leaning blue with a shimmer shift
M-26 Matte Pastel Blue – matte baby blue
I-32 Iridescent Lagoon Green – aqua green with a shimmer shift
I-34 Iridescent Pop Green – vivid lime green with refined shimmer
M-30 Matte Pastel Green – matte soft green

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Aqua XL Colorfestival

The Purples:

M-80 Matte Plum – matte deep raisin
I-90 Iridescent Pop Purple – lavender leaning purple with a shimmer shift
M-92 Matte Pastel Purple – matte soft lilac
M-22 Matte Majorelle Blue – matte indigo

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Aqua XL Colorfestival

M-16 Matte White – matte ultra white, soft texture
M-40 Matte Pastel Yellow – matte lemon yellow

MAKE UP FOR EVER | Aqua XL Colorfestival

What makes eye pencils a must-have in anyone’s makeup bag, are their portability and relative ease of use. That being said, not all are created equal and not all provide the results you may have been expecting. Enter MAKE UP FOR EVER’s Aqua XL Eye Pencils, and their game-changing ways. Colour-fast with pigments that stay put until removed, flexible resins for consistent colour payoff, copolymer gels to help boost vibrancy, emollient oils and microspherical silica for an ultra-creamy & gliding application, and mango butter to prevent skin dryness, there is a colour here to suit all tastes and skin tones. Like having your own personal rainbow connection.

Available now at Sephora stores and Sephora.ca

This beautiful riot of colour was kindly provided/As always, all opinions are my own

Guerlain | Summer Collection 2016 by Terracotta

May 25, 2016

From the brand that has perfected the art of bronzing, comes the latest release: introducing Guerlain’s Summer Collection by Terracotta, a capsule range aimed at providing your skin with its most luxe faux glow yet. With a spicy new cover adorning the iconic Terracotta bronzing powder, lipsticks that just beg to be taken out & applied in public, and a new innovation in the field of washable tans, it’s like Guerlain has brought the beach that much closer to home. Works for me.

Guerlain | Summer Collection 2016 by Terracotta

Guerlain | My Terracotta 02 Natural Blondes Summer 2016 Limited Edition

My Terracotta 02 Natural Blondes, limited edition (CAN $64.00) | Housed in the brand’s iconic tortoiseshell-pattern casing, this cult-fave product has been given a fiery new silicone outer sleeve for Summer 2016 (which adds a couple of dollars to the price, but it’s removable thus making it reusable, and provides some protection in the event the compact falls). The powder’s surface is embossed with a nautical-inspired rope design (that will wear down with use), and bears the newly reformulated Terracotta fragrance that consists of: freesia, orange blossom, tonka bean, vanilla & white musk — all of which combine to form the very essence of summer.

There really is no other bronzing powder currently available that is as finely-milled as that of Terracotta; the texture is so refined that once applied, it truly blends seamlessly upon the skin. Created with moisturizing properties to ensure skin stays hydrated throughout the wearing, there is no oxidation seen and it almost seems to get better (if that’s even possible) as it fuses with your skin’s warmth and natural oils.

Guerlain | My Terracotta 02 Natural Blondes Summer 2016 Limited Edition

Guerlain | My Terracotta 02 Natural Blondes Summer 2016 Limited Edition (swatches)

Guerlain | My Terracotta 02 Natural Blondes Summer 2016 Limited Edition

A veritable tower of bronzing ‘macarons’, done in Guerlain style

Since the Terracotta powders rank as one of my absolutely favourites, and depending on the season and what level of glow I’m aiming for, I have several versions that I alternate between throughout the year. Please note that in the swatch below, it should read as 01 Light Brunettes and not 01 Natural Brunettes.

Previously reviewed:

Guerlain | My Terracotta Summer 2016 Limited Edition & comparison swatches

Terracotta L’Eau Hâlée, limited edition (CAN $62.00) | The latest innovation in the Terracotta family is a bronzing water with a light-as-air texture and slight cooling sensation felt upon the skin upon initial application. Dispensed via a dropper, this is a non-transferable yet still washable veil of colour that is best applied with your fingers (brushes, beauty sponges or even cotton pads can also be used, but will absorb way too much of the product along the way) for the most seamless and natural look. Scented with a tropical Tiaré flower fragrance (that serves to instantly transport me to the beach — any beach), the texture has a slight gel-like quality and is quite fool-proof to apply, as it becomes quickly absorbed and thus easy to build up if desired. One way to use L’Eau Hâlée is like a traditional bronzing product and therefore applied to key areas of the face where the sun would naturally hit (upper cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose and tip of the chin), or you can also mix a few drops in to your favourite moisturizer for an all-over natural sunny radiance.

This one universally flattering shade is totally customizable, meaning you can layer it to achieve the intensity you prefer and the best part? No commitment, since it’s also easily removed at the end of the day with soap and water (or your preferred makeup remover).

Guerlain | Terracotta L’Eau Hâlée Summer Limited Edition

Guerlain | Terracotta L’Eau Hâlée Summer Limited Edition (swatches)

Guerlain | KissKiss Shaping Cream Lip Color Summer Limited Editions

342 Fancy Kiss, limited edition (CAN $43.00) | A soft peachy/apricot hue with semi-opaque coverage, in the brand’s hydrating formula that leaves lips feeling moisturized both throughout and after wearing. There’s just the right balance between pink and orange/coral in the base, to make this shade wearable by a wide range of skin tones and I can totally see this as the perfect counterpoint to a light tan.

Guerlain | 342 Fancy Kiss swatch

367 Kiss Blossom, limited edition (CAN $43.00) | Described as a ‘soft bohemian pink’, this is a pale rose hue that will be wearable by even pink-phobes such as myself, as there is an underlying warmth that comes through once applied. Slightly less opaque than Fancy Kiss but with the same long-term moisturizing properties, both lipsticks also bear a soft classic rose-lipstick fragrance which nevertheless seems to quickly dissipate after application.

Guerlain | 367 Kiss Blossom swatch

Guerlain, you’ve nailed it … again. The new L’Eau Hâlée has been seeing a lot of use from me lately, as I’ve yet to find anything that’s even remotely close to providing the same totally natural looking yet still subtle sun kissed glow, topped off with a light dusting of the Terracotta bronzing powder to give my skin a 3-dimensional radiance. Lipsticks used to be something I reserved for more formal occasions (I’m usually a gloss girl), but how can anyone resist anything labelled ‘KissKiss‘? Not this beauty aficionado, that’s for sure.

Available at Guerlain Boutiques & Institute and select counters. Visit Guerlain.ca

Feeling the sun through the kindness of Guerlain/As always, all opinion are my own

MAC | Dunes At Dusk Gleamtones Powder Vibe Tribe Summer 2016 Collection

May 23, 2016

MAC’s summer collections are my kryptonite (to be honest, I have to say that summer collections from all brands make me a little woozy; probably the fact that I’m a summer baby might have something to do with it) with the pièce de résistance from the Vibe Tribe Collection, none other than this Dunes At Dusk Gleamtones Powder. If the packaging doesn’t get you first, then one look at the 4-toned chevron print surely will … and that’s even before trying it out (cue angels singing).

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Givenchy | Les Saisons Healthy Glow Powder and Mister Radiant Bronzer

May 19, 2016

Givenchy is one of those brands that while in the realm of high end beauty, somehow manages to also fly under the radar, but here’s the thing: once you start delving into their range, it can very quickly turn into an obsession. A perfect example of what I’m referring to are the Les Saison Healthy Glow Powder and Mister Radiant Bronzer Healthy Glow Gel reviewed here today – products that aim to provide a glow but in the most luxuriously understated way. Then there’s the details: stars and beads … need I say more?

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