by Stephanie on March 14, 2012

Recently we found ourselves looking for mini versions of some of our favourite beauty products — not always an easy task let us tell you — not only keep our makeup bags lighter, but to allow us to squeeze some must-haves into our carry-on. After some careful consideration, we decided that palettes were the best of both worlds. More often than not the packaging is adorable (or better yet, you get a mini bag) and you get a great selection of products to boot. With so many to choose from we selected 6 of our favourites we think are perfect for spring. READ MORE
by Stephanie on March 13, 2012
Pure Attar Luxurious Oils in "Oil of Damascus."
There’s nothing quite as powerful as your sense of smell. It’s funny how a whiff of a certain perfume, food or beauty product can take you back to a place and time instantly. That’s why we were so excited to learn about aromatherapist Jennifer Pedraza’s all-natural Pure Attar Luxurious Oils and Flower of Tahiti Organic Hair Masque, which were inspired by beauty rituals from cultures including the Middle East and the Polynesian islands. When you’re stuck at home and want to transport yourself to another place, these luxurious treatments can do just that. Read on to find out more about how Jennifer developed the oils and masque, as well as the benefits of using them, with our Q&A. READ MORE
by Jennifer on March 9, 2012

New to our spring makeup bag: Tinted moisturizers. We love these handy makeup-musts that offer a hint of coverage and moisture all in one for a fresh glow. If there’s one thing we crave while travelling, it’s moisturized skin. Airplanes, airports, air conditioning, and hot temps all lend a hand in stressed skin when we’re on the road. Thankfully with these tinted moisturizers, our skin will stay hydrated and look flawless no matter where we jet to next.
1. Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer, $38, josiemarancosmetics.com.
The ethical beauty connoisseur in us comes out with Josie Maran’s super hydrating tinted moisturizer. Those looking for a more natural option will love this product that contains organic ingredients, is paraben-free, fragrance-free and the packaging is recyclable.
2. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Finland, $48, narscosmetics.com.
With just a wash of colour, this new tinted moisturizer also deeply hydrates your skin with mineral rich seawater. The formula is designed to help reduce hyper pigmentation over time, so your skin will just get better and better.
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by Stephanie on February 27, 2012

If you took a peek into our luggage one beauty item you’re guaranteed to find is a dry shampoo. Why do we love it, you ask? Well, besides perking up our unwashed locks, a dry shampoo is a great freshen up after a long flight and is a great way to add texture and volume to even clean hair. We had a hard time narrowing down our faves, but these 8 are definitely ones to love. READ MORE
by Pretty Chic Travel on February 2, 2012

Nothing says summer quite like the glow of lightly bronzed skin. And even though it’s grey, gloomy and in the midst of a bitter winter, we’re all about dreaming of sunny summer days. Or even better a quick sunny destination trip. Whether you’re faking a glow in winter, or planning a trip to the tropics, these are our favourite picks for faking the bake.
1. Nars Bronzer in Casino, $39, narscosmetics.com
We can’t hide our love for Nars cosmetics. From blush to gloss to this shade of bronzer. Ideal for darker skin tones, you can sweep a bit on your cheeks for colour, but it’s also great for a bit of contouring as well.
2. Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder, $50, guerlain.com
With just a touch of a light pink in this bronzer makes it perfect for just about any skin tone. Plus you don’t need to worry about adding an extra flush for a healthy glow.
3. Benefit Hoola Bronzing Powder, $28, benefitcosmetics.com
Brighten up your skin all year long with a dusting of this light and blendable powder. It gives a hint of colour, without worrying about the dreaded orange hue. We pair it with a touch of rosy bush for a healthy glow. READ MORE
by Stephanie on January 24, 2012
Whether you’re planning a cold city getaway or a beach vacation, sometimes the easiest way to brighten up your look is with a bold lip colour. On the Spring 2012 runways, there were plenty of fresh and playful choices from the orange hues at Rick Owens, Jeremy Laing to the bright pink shades at Nanette Lepore, Betsey Johnson and Nichole Farhi. Next time you’re jetting off, try incorporating a punchy lip colour into your travel ensemble. It’s the fastest and most compact way to change up your look. READ MORE
by Stephanie on January 10, 2012

When it comes to toting our beauty essentials one item we can’t leave home without is our favourite fragrance. There are always challenges when it comes to packing liquids and with the case of perfume, less is always more, which is why we’re always on the lookout for a mini portable, roll-on or even solid perfume to pack on our next trip. We recently found 11 travel-friendly versions we think you’ll love too. READ MORE
by Jennifer on December 9, 2011

While we’re definitely lovers of nail polish all year long, there’s just something extra special about slicking on a new shade for the holidays. It’s also the perfect excuse to play with shimmers, sparkles and glitter that you might otherwise think are too glitzy for every day. Think outside the classic red, and opt for shimmery purples, golds and festive effects. Here are a few of our favourites this season — you can bet we’re rotating through these shades from now until the new year.
1. Deborah Lippmann, Do Ya Think I’m Sexy, $18
Hello, holidays! Just looking at this sparkle-packed red polish makes us festive, merry and bright. Chic on it’s own, or to add some bling to your favourite red polish, slick a coat of this on top. Available at lippmanncollection.com.
2. O.P.I, William Tell Me About OPI, $10.99
Deep, dark shades are ideal for winter, and this dark purple hue will pair perfectly with your LBD and great accessories. Plus, it’s classy enough to sport at the office. Available at opi.com.
3. Essie Luxeffects Topcoats, A Cut Above and Essie Set In Stones, $9.99
Try these two glitzy shades over top of your favourite nail polish, or wear on their own. The silver is an easy go-to and the red/pink glitter will add shine to your outfit. For a less obvious splash of glitter, try sweeping this polish over just one finger (the ring finger is our favourite), and keep the rest simple in a solid colour. Available at essie.com.
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by Stephanie on November 28, 2011

Love them or hate them, us Canadians have to face the cold, windy and often harsh winters that leave us dreaming about summer days and hot destination escapes. Even if a warm weather vacation is on the agenda, you still have to deal with the elements for the remainder of the season. To help you cope with the worst the winter has to offer, we’ve found 7 skin savers that will leave you looking gorgeous well-past the last snowfall. READ MORE
by Stephanie on September 25, 2011
We’re always looking for a new polish to add to our collection and this fall there were so many looks we loved on the runways — from the metallics at Chanel, to the burgundy and nude tips at Jason Wu and pastel hues at Nicholas K — there were many looks to match the season’s fashions. Here are 7 of our favourite polishes to try now.
Chanel Graphite 529, $26 at select Chanel counters
Grey is always a fall favourite and we can’t get enough of the silvery metallics polish from Chanel, seen on the Fall 2011 runways.
YSL Moonlight Blue #44, $29, available at Holt Renfrew and select Bay stores
Rich and denim-like, a dark blue sapphire shade like this one from YSL, is a must this fall.
Essie Carry On, $10, available at Shoppers Drug Mart
Say hello to burgundy. Seen at shows like Jason Wu, Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo, this is the perfect shade to complement your fall wardrobe. READ MORE