L’Oréal Paris | True Match Lumi Cushion Buildable Luminous Foundation

September 27, 2015

This past September 9th, I was flown in to Toronto to attend a VIP cocktail party which kicked off the 40th year of TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival), hosted by L’Oréal Paris Canada. Held at one of the über-luxurious penthouse suites of the Trump Hotel, the evening held many surprises, starting with an appearance by none other than Victoria’s Secret Angel/Supermodel/T-Swift’s BFF & L’Oréal Paris spokesperson, Karlie Kloss (I’ll be detailing my trip in another post, coming soon). The assembled media present was then treated to a preview of several upcoming product launches, with the new Lumi Cushion foundation (CAN $29.99/8 shades, available January 2016) immediately grabbing my attention.

Hailing from Korea (aka: the hotbed of all the latest skincare/beauty innovations), this latest addition to the L’Oréal Paris True Match family marries a liquid foundation-saturated sponge in a portable compact, in a formula that promises to provide a natural yet luminous finish, all with light-as-air coverage. Having already fallen hard for this format (see my review on the Lancôme Miracle Cushion), I had high expectations for Lumi Cushion, and I’m so happy to report that it lives up to all of its claims.

BREAKDOWN: a round compact case whose top flips up to reveal an inner lid that holds the accompanying flat velvety pad/applicator. Underneath is the actual product: a patented micro-aerated cushion that is drenched with water enrobed pigments. This unscented foundation can be applied a number of ways; you can pick up the product with a flat paddle brush, an angled dense foundation brush, or even with a Beauty Blender sponge, but my preferred method of using cushion foundations is with the flat pad it comes with. After pressing the pad onto the surface of the sponge, I then apply that to my face using circular motions to create an even, flawless finish. The smooth velvety texture of the pad actually works to deliver an almost air-brushed look, although I sometimes go in after with a densely-headed brush (such as the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush) to buff any edges in, or to get to trickier areas, such as around the nose.

I was given shade W3 Nude Beige, and at first the pinkish tinge threw me, but it’s almost a colour illusion, as I’ve learned that what you see with this type of foundation is not necessarily what it turns out to be once applied. There is an initial cooling sensation felt upon application but which quickly dissipates, and the product is somewhat buildable; I would say you can go anywhere from a mid-sheer type of coverage, all the way to medium+, but don’t expect it to be full-on opaque. The finish is very featherlight and comfortable to wear throughout the duration, without any oxidation – so no fear of the colour turning on you mid-wear. The finish falls somewhere between satin and matte, and while I don’t exactly get ‘luminous’, it’s not a flat look either – more of a natural looking radiance. Wear time is excellent as well (easily 8-10 hours), although on my combination skin I do get some shine in the T-zone area at about the 6-hour mark (but nothing excessive).

L’Oréal Paris | True Match Lumi Cushion Buildable Luminous Foundation

L’Oréal Paris | True Match Lumi Cushion swatches: applied heavy & blended out

You better put the Lumi Cushion foundation on your list of products to look out for in 2016, especially if you’re in the market for a light-to-medium foundation that provides flawless coverage, won’t break the bank (being a mass-market product, I’m sure you’ll even be able to score it on sale), and is totally portable. The downside is that unlike its more expensive Lancôme Miracle Cushion sister foundation, this one is not refillable. For those who love the finish of a liquid foundation but always wanted it to be easier to tote around for any on the go touch-ups (think: after-work last minute party invite), this version is about to become your jam.

The L’Oréal Paris True Match Lumi Cushion Buildable Luminous Foundation will be available at mass-market retailers across Canada in January 2016. For more information on the brand, visit www.lorealparis.ca

Press simply kindly provided by L’Oréal Paris for my unbiased consideration

Celebrity Edit | Hair by Félix Larivière

September 26, 2015

Several months ago when I first met Félix Larivière, personal stylist to some of the hottest names in Hollywood (Jennifer Lawrence, Hugh Jackman, Julia Roberts to name just a few), I was struck by several things: A) how drop-dead gorgeous he is (seriously, though), B) what fun he is to talk to (utterly charming), C) his vast wealth of hair know-how and D) how drop-dead gorgeous he is. Oh wait, I already said that. Moving on…

So a few weeks ago when I was invited to have a one-on-one hair styling session with him, trust me when I say that I jumped all over that.

Bio: award-winning stylist Félix Larivière who hails from a small town in my province of Québec, started off in this field at the tender age of 16. After stints in both New York as well as Paris, he returned back to [our] shared hometown of Montréal, where he quickly rose through the ranks in both the Fashion and Film industries, making a name for himself with regards to his innovative approach of merging cutting-edge trends with a deep knowledge base of how hair performs. Presently, Félix is the Canadian spokesperson for John Frieda haircare products, a range whose provenance hails from the UK with several of their products having achieved cult status (who hasn’t heard of Frizz-Ease?).

Upon my arrival and after a brief consultation, Félix got to work; with an armada of John Frieda products laid out before us, he opted for just 2 items to use on my hair: Frizz-Ease Moisture Barrier Hairspray and Frizz-Ease Miraculous Recovery Repairing Crème Serum (which also made Allure’s Best of Beauty List this year!) Beginning with an all over light spritzing of the spray, he then proceeded to take large sections of hair which were rolled up into giant curls, each of which was then held in place by just 1 clip. That’s it. The entire procedure took maybe 10 minutes, and while we let the hair set for a few minutes, we went on a zany selfie spree. In between all the fun, I was able to interview him about hair trends; according to Félix, we’ll be seeing a major return to sleeker and almost retro-looking hairstyles (think 40’s & 50’s glam), looks that he feels will be a driving force on red carpets everywhere come awards season. I can’t help but agree, as makeup trends appear to be pointing in the same direction as well, with matte vampy red lips having a total ‘moment’ right now. Not that a red pout will ever go out of style, mind you.

This event took place at Panache Salon located in the eastern end of Montréal, where a simple yet totally urban sign hangs above the door to one of the coolest spots in town; decorated with sheets of unfinished plywood, you’d be tempted to think that the place was under construction, but a closer look reveals how cleverly the entire look has been put together with the aim of keeping the focus on you, the client – and not the decor. Well played, I say.

After removing the “rollers”, Félix proceeded to explain how this one setting would go on to create four looks; if I hadn’t seen it firsthand, I would never have believed it. Gently shaking the curls out, Look 1 was all about that Bardot dishevelled just-rolled-out-of-bed hair (which I totally LOVED), but then grabbing a paddle brush, he proceeded to smooth everything out and within a minute, Look 2 was created: a side-swept Veronica Lake-esque wave that cascaded over one shoulder. So gorgeous. Moving on quickly, Look 3 was all about a messy updo, with pieces framing my face in front and the party in back – all held in place by just 2 strategically placed hairpins (and created lightning fast, I might add). Finally, Look 4 was full-on GLAM, with sleek waves on top and serious volume on the ends. Félix capped this last look off with a dollop of the serum that he then ran through my ends for some extra moisture, and a light dusting of the spray for a touch more hold. Four – count them – FOUR impossibly stunning looks created without the use of styling tools, and the insane part? The time span was about 6 minutes from look 1 to look 4. Like I said, unbelievable yet so true.

Panache Salon, 1126 Maisonneuve West, Montréal (514-509-1126)

Arrival … (and why is my hair so damn flat-looking?)

The John Frieda army … and my water served in a Mason Jar (cute, no?)

weapons of mass construction

let the games begin

Look One

Look Two

Look Three

Look Four

(and now you know where this look came from, as seen in my sidebar!)

I don’t care if this looks cheesy – just look at MY HAIR

A huge THANK YOU to the amazing team at Citoyen Optimum for making this magical day happen, to Panache Salon for being such a gracious host, and most importantly, to the maestro himself, Félix Larivière for making me look & feel like a major celebrity.

PS: So, does this mean that J-Law and I are now BFF’s by association?

Experience kindly sponsored by Citizen Optimum/KAO Group Canada using John Frieda products

Dior Addict Lipstick, 2015 Edit

September 22, 2015

Dior has just rolled out their newly revamped range of Addict Lipsticks (CAN $42.00/44 shades, all permanent), and even without the gorgeous packaging acting as total eye-candy, one quick swatch of any shade will in all probability set off a collecting spree. Available in three finishes (pure colour, shimmering and pearlescent), this breakthrough lipstick and long-lasting topcoat-in-one formula features a ‘Hydra-Gel Topcoat and a Triple Oil Complex‘ at its core that runs throughout the entire length of each lipstick, along with a higher level of pigments for sensational colour, mega-watt shine and a super moisturizing feel to lips throughout and after wear.

The exterior packaging comes with a holographic print, with the acrylic casings displaying some prismatic flashes, as well as sporting new magnetic closures at the top to keep the product safe & snug in its tube. My only beef is with the labelling; if you have more than one Addict Lipstick and happen to open them up at the same time, you better know in advance which shade is which in order to properly re-close them, as the names/labels are found on the outer casing, and not on the actual product.

PS: make sure to open each lipstick by simply pulling on the knob and pulling the tube out of its case – don’t try screwing it out. Sounds silly to even mention this, but for those unfamiliar with this range, knowing this one little fact will save you some frustration.

The four lipsticks I was sent to test out, were created by Dior as the must-have It Shades (with corresponding Vernis shades – review to come):

976 Be Dior – inspired by the emblematic rose of the House of Dior
561 Wonderful – a tribute to Monsieur Dior’s declaration that “pink is a shade that can be worn at any hour”
553 Smile – a versatile neutral/nude for an illuminating yet natural look
451 Tribale – pearlized coral shade reminiscent of Monsieur Dior’s classic pearl accents

Dior Addict Lipstick, 2015 Edit (so cool: holographic packaging)

Dior Addict Lipstick, 2015 Edit

Dior Addict Lipstick, 2015 Edit swatches (direct sunlight)

Dior Addict Lipstick, 2015 Edit swatches (alternate light)

451 Tribale | A pink leaning coral hue with a visible, yet totally smooth-feeling, pearlized finish. Provides a healthy flush of colour to lips and leaves a slight “bitten effect” stain after the colour has worn off.

Dior Addict Lipstick 451 Tribale swatch

553 Smile | A pink/nude shade with mauve undertones in the base, making it suitable for both cool and warm complexions. The palest of the four shown along with the shortest staying power (not surprising, given its lighter shade), this is the perfect swipe-and-go shade for when you want a natural, yet still polished look.

Dior Addict Lipstick 553 Smile swatch

561 Wonderful | A blue based baby pink shade, cooler leaning, and filled with a shimmering pearlescence for added depth of tone. While I find that most pinks clash against my skin tone, something about this colour totally agrees with me, and will make the perfect counterpart against an edgy smokey eye look.

Dior Addict Lipstick 561 Wonderful swatch

976 Be Dior | Thinking that this shade would be super vampy based on what’s seen in the tube, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it’s actually more of a deep raspberry on application. Displaying an almost crystalline shine, this has become my go-to shade for when I want a bright pop of colour, but can’t be bothered with precision techniques – it’s THAT easy to apply & wear. The longest lasting of the four, it also leaves a deep rose stain behind. LOVE.

Dior Addict Lipstick 976 Be Dior swatch

These lipsticks are so perfectly named, because once you try them, you quickly become addicted to the way they feel both during application (think: buttery, ultra-smooth, gliding texture), the insane brilliance they provide, as well as how plump & hydrated your lips feel long after the colour has faded. Naturally, there are less expensive alternatives in the marketplace that offer similar qualities, but I’ve pretty much tried them all and have yet to find a lip product that just feels so good. And with 44 shades to choose from, it’s pretty much a given that you’ll find your match. Or six.

The Dior Addict Lipstick Collection 2015 is available now across Canada through Sephora & sephora.com, Holt Renfrew and The Bay, thebay.com Find more information via www.dior.com

Press samples kindly sent by Dior for my unbiased considerations/post may contain affiliate links

MAC x Guo Pei Collection, Fall 2015

September 21, 2015

MAC, a brand known for leading edge colour collections as well as some of the industry’s most provocative collaborations, dials things up a few notches with the upcoming MAC x Guo Pei Collection for Fall 2015.

“Inspired by her ‘garden of the soul,’ China’s most esteemed haute couturier, Guo Pei, brings her legendary elegance to an inspired collection of hues, merging vibrant jewel tones with lush neutrals, punctuated by deep graphite”

In early August I was invited to preview several of MAC’s upcoming launches, and when I beheld this collection, I confess to being so totally captivated by the imagery depicted on the packaging, that I had a hard time tearing myself away to look at anything else (which I eventually did, naturally). The shades I was sent are exactly the pieces I would have chosen for myself, and after playing with these lovelies for some time now, I have added them to my list of most reached-for items. This is truly a beautiful and absolutely wearable curated selection of beauty items – and somewhat of a surprise but so totally welcome just the same, coming from the brand that likes to push the beauty envelope.

*Note: there are several more items to this collection; what is shown here are the pieces I was sent for review.

Born in 1967, Guo Pei has quickly risen through the ranks to become China’s most celebrated couture designer, with her creations worn by some of the country’s most influential women, as well as many celebrities worldwide. Enlisting a team that consists of as many as 400 skilled artisans, each design can take years to be completed; the trailing yellow gown Rihana wore at this year’s Met Gala (seen below) took 2 years of painstaking work to complete. Such incredible detail can only be one thing: true art.

A masterpiece from the Guo Pei ‘Legend of the Dragon’ Collection (credit)

Rihanna at the Met Gala wearing Guo Pei (credit)

A Guo Pei gown from Hong Kong Fashion Week 2010 (credit)

MAC x Guo Pei Collection, Fall 2015

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Red Water Lily Powder Blush

Red Water Lily Powder Blush (CAN $47.00/Limited Edition) | Cheek powder blush with a raised floral pattern on the surface. What appears as a vivid, yet cool-leaning pink shade in the pan, turns out to be more of a coral based pink hue that will work equally beautifully on a wide range of skin tones. Extremely finely milled, there is almost no powdery kickback when swirling my brush across the surface, while the saturation of colour is not as intense as appearances might indicate, making Red Water Lily easily layerable for more depth of tone. The satin finish has a gorgeous lustre to it and gives cheeks a lovely luminosity. Wear time goes easily past the 10 hour mark without fading, especially when applied over foundation.

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Red Water Lily Powder Blush (detail)

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Red Water Lily Powder Blush

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Red Water Lily Powder Blush swatches (applied heavily/left, blended out/right, direct sunlight & alternate light)

Palm Tree Fluidline (CAN $21.00/Limited Edition) | A gel formula eyeliner in a charcoal with pearl shade that applies with a soft creamy feel, and dries quickly to a smudge-proof finish. An excellent and lovely alternative to using a traditional black liner the deep smokiness of Palm Tree still offers that intensity, but without any of the colour black’s harsher side. Layer able for an enhanced depth of tone, you can also smudge this out for a diffused look – but you need to work quickly (as well as one eye at a time), as it does dry quite quickly. Once set, it’s there until physically removed – without any flaking, fading, or smudging. Wear time: like iron.

*Eyeliner brush available separately

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Palm Tree Fluidline (detail)

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Palm Tree Fluidline

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Palm Tree Fluidline swatches (applied heavily/left, blended out/right in both direct sunlight and alternate light)

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Ethereal Orchid Lustre Lipstick

Ethereal Orchid Lustre Lipstick (CAN $37.00/Limited Edition) | Described as a ‘mid-tone dirty coral’, I also see some nude hints, making Ethereal Orchid a warmer-leaning neutral. The lustre formula helps this shade literally glide along the lips, depositing enough colour to tint but not necessarily stain, can be somewhat built up for more depth of tone and bears a lush shine, leaving a hydrated feel behind once the majority of colour has worn off. Fragranced with MAC’s signature candy/vanilla scent and which is virtually undetectable once applied, although worth noting for those with sensitivities. Staying power goes easily past the 4.5 hour mark (not factoring in eating and/or drinking), which is pretty impressive for this type of format and lighter hue.

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Ethereal Orchid Lustre Lipstick (detail)

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Ethereal Orchid Lustre Lipstick

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Ethereal Orchid Lustre Lipstick swatches

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Ethereal Orchid Lustre Lipstick swatches (right: with Bright Pink Bouquet Cremesheen Glass on top)

Love of Roses & Bright Pink Bouquet Cremesheen Glass (CAN $36.00/Limited Edition) | Fusing the creamy texture of a lipstick with the high-wattage power of gloss, the Cremesheen formula is also non-sticky, leaving a nicely moisturized feel to lips as a bonus. Love of Roses is a cool-leaning cherry red hue with a slightly thinner consistency and no shimmer; displaying some translucency when worn alone, it can be built up for a touch more opacity. Bright Pink Bouquet is a coral-pink-nude shade with a slightly thicker texture and contains ultra-fine shimmer, as well as being absolutely gorgeous worn solo or applied over a matching hue. Both glosses have that same candy/vanilla scent, but which quickly dissipates after application. Staying power is good for both, averaging 3.5 hours, more without eating/drinking.

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Love of Roses & Bright Pink Bouquet Cremesheen Glass

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Love of Roses & Bright Pink Bouquet Cremesheen Glass (detail)

MAC x Guo Pei Collection | Love of Roses & Bright Pink Bouquet Cremesheen Glass swatches

After learning a little about Guo Pei (the designer), I have developed what can only be described as an obsession with her masterful creations (being raised with an haute couture seamstress mother, will do that to you) and have been scouring the internet for images of her work. #guiltypleasure #dontcare. With regards to this collection, I love every single piece shown here and use them all on the regular – in fact, I’m already planning on backups of Bright Pink Bouquet and Red Water Lily. Multiple backups.

The MAC x Guo Pei Collection for Fall 2015 is Limited Edition and will be available in October. Find more information on the brand via www.maccosmetics.ca

Press samples kindly provided by MAC for my unbiased consideration

Dior | Diorblush Cosmopolite Cheek Stick Collection, Fall 2015

September 18, 2015

This year’s crop of Fall beauty collections have been nothing short of outstanding, and several of the Dior releases definitely number among that. One of the season’s must-have products in my opinion, are the Diorblush Cheek Sticks (CAN $41.00/limited edition) from the Fall 2015 Cosmopolite Collection, in three universally flattering crème-to-powder formula shades, that come in a twist-up chubby stick format.

Upon first setting eyes on this collection, I zeroed in on these blush sticks and while initially seeing only three shades threw me, I now feel that Dior pretty much nailed it with just this trio – and I’ll tell you why.

First off, the description is accurate; a true crème-to-powder formula (applies with the glide of a cream then quickly morphs into a powder finish as you blend it out) and leaves behind a soft matte finish (because real cheek colour doesn’t have glitter – at least, mine don’t. Yet). Each blush comes in a retractible format for protection of the the product, with the size of each stick fitting comfortably in the hand, being neither too thin nor too chunky and thus making it easy to transport. I detect no discernible scent – a plus for those with sensitivities, but interestingly enough, I feel a definite cooling sensation when swatched on the skin of on my arm, but not when applied to my face. Staying power is pretty impressive for a product of this nature, in particular when worn over foundation; even when some of the initial colour has faded, you’re still left with a visible stain – with the exception of the lightest shade (845 Cosmopolite Pink), which will fade faster due to its paler nature.

With regards to application technique, all you really need are your fingers to blend these lovelies out, as the warmth of your hands combined with the natural oils of your skin will basically do all the work for you, leaving no demarcation lines behind. That being said, I also get great results by using either a small & angled densely-headed brush (such as #150 from MAKE UP FOR EVER) or a duo-fibred stippling brush (such as #7 from CHANEL) to create a more diffused (and almost air-brushed) effect. BONUS: you can even layer to combine any of these Cheek Sticks for a unique new shade.

Dior | Diorblush Cheek Stick

Dior | Diorblush Cheek Stick (detail)

Dior | Diorblush Cheek Stick (ingredients list)

Dior | Diorblush Cheek Stick swatches (sunlight, heavy application)

Dior | Diorblush Cheek Stick swatches (sunlight, blended out)

Dior | Diorblush Cheek Stick swatches (alternate light, heavy application)

Dior | Diorblush Cheek Stick swatches (alternate light, blended out)

675 Cosmopolite Coral | A warm leaning coral with slight rose undertones, this shade is highly pigmented and quite long-lasting (stays iron-clad when worn over foundation). Something about this hue gives my skin a sun kissed flush of colour and looks even more amazing against lightly tanned skin (although it’s still a year-round type of shade). Those with the fairest complexions might not find Cosmopolite Coral as easy to pull off, unless applied with a very light hand, but will be just gorgeous on those with darker complexions.

Dior | Diorblush 675 Cosmopolite Coral Cheek Stick swatches

765 Cosmopolite Rosewood | A true rosewood shade with a light reddish undertone, this may warm-leaning, but is also the most universally wearable of the three shown and will suit most skin tones across the spectrum. Bearing a high level of colour saturation as well, a little goes a long way; I suggest starting with a light swipe and building up as needed. Gives cheeks that flushed look you get from ∗ahem∗ all manners of vigorous workouts (nudge, nudge, wink, wink).

Dior | Diorblush 765 Cosmopolite Rosewood Cheek Stick swatches

845 Cosmopolite Pink | What appears as almost a neon pop of colour in the tube and even when swatched intensely, turns out to actually be more of a babydoll shade of soft pink and while cooler leaning than the other two, still manages to be workable on those with warmer complexions (like me). Placed on the apples of the cheeks, this shade brings a ‘youthful brightness’ to the face (as strange as that sounds), and I even love it layered over either of the other two colours, creating a customized cheek tint that way. Huge surprise hit for me, let me tell you.

Dior | Diorblush 845 Cosmopolite Pink Cheek Stick swatches

I remember a time when cream-based blushes would literally slide off your face seconds after application but that’s so not the case here, where Dior has worked some major blush-mojo with these Diorblush Cosmopolite Blush Sticks. Initially viewing this collection, I was sure that Cosmopolite Rosewood and Cosmopolite Coral had my number, but find myself surprisingly drawn to Cosmopolite Pink (me, the non-pink wearer), so basically: I love them all. The bad news? Yes, the dreaded ‘limited edition’ thing … Dior, you better listen up and make these permanent (and bring out a few more colours while you’re at it), because you’ve got a good thing going on here. A majorly GOOD thing.

Available across Canada now (limited edition) through The Bay and thebay.com Find more information via www.dior.com