LipstickNation

IMATS Toronto 2011

2011-11-15T17:44:00.001-08:00

This past Sunday, I attended the International Makeup Artist Trade Show (or IMATS to my beauty cronies) at the Toronto Congress Centre. As my third IMATS Toronto show, I knew which booths I wanted to see and I actually adhered to a budget. Armed with my press pass (thanks to my YouTube channel), Canon T2i, and debit card, I hit the booths!

MAC Pro
The line up here was HUGE but they basically had their full line of products from their foundations to their Mac Pro exclusive products such as the Mac Pro Lipmix. Products were 20% off and you could use your Mac Pro card to get the regular 30-40% discount. Compared to last year (where MAC had less than half their product line) the booth this year was great and had an amazing selection. Back in 2009, Mac wasn't even at IMATS.

Make Up For Ever
As a devotee of MUFE, I was happy to see their booth at the show again this year. It is a bit cumbersome to purchase their products with the MUFE Backstage Card, so it is always a joyous occasion to purchase discounted items at IMATS. Like Mac Pro, their full line (or what was left of it) was at IMATS and I stocked up on false lashes for creatives and bought the MUFE HD Foundation (only $31 each at IMATS....yay!) for the first time (AMAZING!).

Graftobian booth: foundation and concealer palettes.

Velour Lashes - on sale for $20, regualr price is $29.99.

Pari Beauty
Great selection and good deals at this booth. I bought 2 eyeshadow pans for $6 each and a stainless steel palette for $15 for mixing. Andrea, the account manager saw my YouTube press pass and told me about the Toronto Beauty Bloggers events that Pari sometimes sponsors.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
The pigmentation of their products can brighten up any beauty shoot. The OCC Lip Tars are a staple in any makeup artist's creative kit and the price isn't too bad at $13 a pop. The Lip Tars were selling for $10 each (less than the Pro Artist discount) and an assortment from their airbrush products were there too.

Embryolisse
The prodigal product of this French-made skincare line, Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre (24-hour miracle cream) was on my absolute must have item on my IMATS list. This booth was surprisingly empty but I wouldn't leave IMATS without getting at least a sample of it. Melissa, the exhibitor at the Embryolisse booth, told me that LG Fashion Week models ask for it, makeup artists swear by it, and it was used as the primer by the Temptu makeup artists. She gave me a sample of the 30ml tube and I love the stuff! It works great as a mositurizer (it miraculously rehydrated my crackly skin on the TTC ride home) but I still felt that I need a silicone based primer to make my foundation last. Full review to come! It usually costs $14-25. Definitely going into my kit!

Eve Pearl

Eve Pearl was a guest speaker at IMATS yet again and kept an even stream of attendees at her booth with a live demo. Again, there were too many people in line and I was reaching my limit by the time I got to this booth, but the selection and colour range was very good. I have her Blush Trios and Concealers on my wish list for next year.

Moroccan Oil Restorative Hair Treatment Review

2011-04-23T13:06:00.000-07:00

A few days after I purchased the Moroccan Oil styling product (review below this post), I got the Moroccan Oil Restorative Hair Treatment (CA$37).

I've been trying this product out for the past few weeks, as I like to have a good testing range for new products.

After washing with my regular shampoo, I put this in and let it soak into my hair for 7-10 minutes, as per the instructions. My hair felt so silky and soft when the product was in. However, after I rinsed it out, my hair didn't feel smooth at all. After my hair completely dried, it was as if I didn't put in the product at all. My $7 L'Oreal Sulfate-Free Conditioner did a better job at softening my hair and keeping it soft after the rinsing stage. I just felt that this product wasn't worth the $37 I paid for it. The Fekkai Protein Rx Anti-breakage Treatment Mask($30) was a better purchase and it contained protein, which is better for my damaged hair.

It smells just like the Moroccan Oil, but just a bit sheer, which I appreciate. The consistency was very thick, which I prefer for conditioning treatments.

Overall, a 6.5/10 on the LN scale.

Moroccan Oil Treatment (Original) Review

2011-04-04T21:51:00.000-07:00

<---That's my hair after I put in the Moroccan Oil. It's really great at defining my waves.

So I finally caved and paid close to CAD$40 for the Moroccan Oil hair styling product (100mL/3.4fl.oz). By the by, this was the 20% off sale price. I must say, it did awesome things to my hair. My hair is not your typical East Asian hair--it's dry, thick, coarse, and has some wavy/curly strands. It drank up the Moroccan Oil and it was super shiny, smooth, and manageable! I love the formula and the fact that it doesn't have any alcohol, sulfates, or parabens. Basically, it gave me hair commercial hair.

The scent may be a bit overwhelming if you're sensitive to strong musky scents and that was pretty much one of the only cons for me. I enjoy fruity scents more (think Garnier's Fructis line) and felt that the Moroccan Oil was a bit overbearing at times. At most, I used 3 dime-sized pumps a day and concentrated it mostly on my ends. There is a Light version for those of you with oily hair.

The product comes with a separate cap for traveling and the pump has an open/close top, similar to most soap pumps. I felt that I had to wash my hands after using it because it made my skin feel a bit greasy, but this was expected for something that markets itself as an oil. I also bought the Restorative Hair Mask and will review it next week once I give it enough tries. I must say that Moroccan Oil is quickly becoming one of my HG (holy grail) beauty items. Yes, beauty items, not just hair.

How I use it: I pump a dime sized amount into my hands, and twist random 1-inch strands of hair, concentrating mainly on my dry ends.

Overall, I give it 8.0/10.0 on the LipstickNation (LN) scale.

E.T. KATY PERRY Makeup Tutorial

2011-04-03T22:07:00.000-07:00

A makeup tutorial for Katy Perry's new music video featuring Kanye West. I love the avant-garde alien look created by makeup artist Kabuki. According to interviews, the designers were looking to create something that had a similar look to jellyfish and amoebas.

Kabuki's face chart for the Katy Perry 'alien' look

PRODUCTS USED:

EYES
Yaby (World of Pearl Paints) Palette - pp066 (royal blue)
Yaby (World of Pearl Paints) Palette - pp009 (turquoise)
NYX e/s - White
MAC Pigment - Magenta Madness
MAC Fluidline - Blacktrack
MAC Lipliner - Magenta
Sephora Flashy Liner Waterproof - Black
L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

EYEBROWS
Olay Soap
MUD Concealer Palette
--wouldn't exactly recommend this method if you've got thick dark eyebrows like me.

LIPS
Rimmel Volume Boost Ligloss - Clear
Yaby (World of Pearl Paints) Palette - pp066 (royal blue)
Yaby (World of Pearl Paints) Palette - pp047 (violet) [centre]

FACE
MUFE Mat Velvet+ 30
NYX e/s - White

Hope you guys enjoy it!

Jennifer Lopez "On the Floor" Makeup Tutorial

2011-03-28T16:55:00.000-07:00

I just finished off the bulk of my coursework for the year, so I actually had time to film a video! I'm loving Jennifer Lopez's smokey doll-like eye makeup in her new music video, "On the Floor", featuring Pitbull. The look is classic Jennifer Lopez--sultry eyes coupled with nude lips and contoured cheeks. The new track also features a sample of Kaoma's 'Lambada', just fyi.

My Jennifer Lopez "On the Floor" Makeup Tutorial

The inspiration:

Full product list:

EYES:
Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette - warm sable colour (matte)
Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette - dark brown colour (matte)
MUD Espresso e/s (matte)
NYX Black e/s (matte)
Sephora Flashy Liner Waterproof - Noir
False Lashes (don't know which company they're from...I bought them off eBay, haha)

LIPS:
Sephora No. 19 Glamour Lipstick
Yaby Sassy Girl Palette - lc018
Rimmel Volume Boost Lipgloss - Attract (discontinued, I think)

CHEEKS & CONTOUR:
NARS Orgasm
MUD Bronzer - Endless Summer

Enjoy!

Shu Uemura Beauty Art Makeup Competition 2011

2011-03-16T17:26:00.000-07:00

Are you the next big name in makeup artistry?

Register by March 27th for the Shu Uemura Beauty Art Makeup Competition 2011! Registration started March 8. This year's theme is "Mystic Nature" and the top 20 finalists will complete 5 makeup looks on video. Fans vote for their favourites and the top 5 finalists will compete live at Toronto's Luminato show! The winner will join the Shu Uemura Makeup Artist team.

Makeup artist students and freelance artists are eligible.

Good luck!

Register by March 27, 2011 at https://www.facebook.com/ShuUemuraUsa

Mila Kunis Cosmo Cover Look

2011-02-17T18:58:00.000-08:00

Inspired by the February 2011 Mila Kunis Cosmopolitan cover. Product list below video

PRODUCT LIST:

EYES
Benefit Stay Don't Stray e/s Primer
MUD Honey e/s
Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette - bronzey brown, deep brown, nude, and mauve shades
MAC Carbon e/s
MAC Mythology e/s
MAC Retro Speck e/s
MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

CHEEKS & CONTOURING
Lancome Blush Subtil - Sheer Amerose
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish - Soft n Gentle
Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzer - Medium

LIPS:
Yaby Lip Palette - 2nd shade from the top right row.

BRUSHES
MAC 220 Eyeshadow Brush
MAC 217 Crease Brush
C217 Bent Liner Brush
Sephora Professionel Angled Eyeliner Brush
Coastal Scents Flat Eyeshadow Brush
MAC 219 Pencil Brush
MUD Blush Brush
MUD Lip Brush

Victoria's Secret Runway Makeup 2010

2011-02-08T00:06:00.000-08:00

Bring on the full lashes and pouty lips! Product list below video.

Products used:

EYES
Ardell Fairy Eyelashes (from Halloween. I snipped off the glittery bits)
Peachy/gold and nudey brown e/s from 88 Warm Palette
MUD Honey e/s
Michael Todd Eyeshadow base
Sephora Flashy Liner Waterproof Eyeliner - Black

BROWS
Anastasia Brow Express Kit - Brunette

FACE
MUD Primer
Make Up For Ever Foundation - Mat Velvet+ no. 35
MUD Endless Summer Bronzer
Sephora Corail Frisson no. 5 Blush

LIPS
Sephora Glamour no. 19 lipstick
NARS Turkish Delight

ENJOY!

Project 10 Pan is a dud

2010-11-28T17:22:00.000-08:00

So I caved and bought copious amounts of makeup! I am officially a Project 10 Pan failure. There was little hope to begin with, I might add.

At the IMATS show on Sunday, November 7, I bought 1 MUFE Mat Velvet+ foundation in shade 40 for my kit, a few brushes (one of which is from Hakuhodo, a Japanese brush company that makes the softest brushes I've ever felt...even better than MAC for some of them), 2 NYX trios, 2 NYX jumbo eyeshadow pencils, and some oil-absorbing sheets. While on a shopping whim (a less severe version of the shopping spree), I bought another MUFE Mat Velvet+ foundation in shade 90 for an upcoming photo shoot.

In my defence, I did buy most of these at discount and I am going to use them in my kit (I go through crease brushes like crazy, it's great to have more than 2 on me when I have multiple models to make up).

I am a complete failure. Anyhow, here are some lovely pictures for you all to oggle at:

Seoul, South Korea Beauty Haul!

2010-07-23T22:41:00.000-07:00

Anna, my YouTube friend from South Korea, a professor and co-makeup guru, sent me an amazing package filled with Korean goodies! I basically got everything except BB cream, which is supposedly on its way.

The 15-minute long video (my longest yet):

Here's a mini review of my faves from the package:

02 White C Intensive Serum:
I looooove this stuff! I use it to brighten dark marks on my face left behind from cystic pimples. It works like a dream. You mix a bit of the serum in the tube into one of the bleach powder pods and apply it to the face. Just be sure to not mix it with a topical acne solution. In an act of pure stupidity I put this stuff on along with my Dalacin-t acne solution and woke up with red blotchy marks all over my face. Yummy.

Age Slick Dual Secret Lipcolour and Lipgloss by Nature Republic:
A lipgloss and a lipstick all in one classy package! The colour is a pretty dusty pink that looks great for my complexion and the lipstick looks (and smells) heavenly. The lipgloss needs better staying power, but other than that, I really recommend this!

Skin Food Charcoal Handmade Fermented Soap:
Skin Food, another popular cosmetics brand in Korea makes this awesome charcoal face soap. Charcoal may seem like an odd ingredient to put on your face but it helps slow the production of sebum which is great for those of us with oily complexions. The soap doesn't have a harsh chemical scent, either. It smells herbal, almost as if it came from a Lush store. I use this twice a day to keep the oil at bay. Haha.

Project 10 Pan is my Everest

2010-06-01T22:06:00.000-07:00

I've taken a break from my research project and have decided to blog instead.

After reading a post on AllThatGlitters21's blog, commingled with my limited fundage, I've decided to embark on Project 10 Pan. Basically, you don't purchase any beauty products until you have at least hit the pan (hence the name) or completely finished 10 beauty products first. Hopefully this won't be a miserable failure and I won't capitulate to the seductive wiles of the Sephora aisles...hahaha, I just had to write that. I'm sorry.

Here is the rundown of the 10 products I'm thinking of using up on my journey with Project 10 Pan:
1. XXL Extensions Maybelline Mascara
2. Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet+ in 35
3. Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzer
4. MAC Eyeshadow in Naked Lunch
5. NARS Blush in Orgasm
6. NARS Lipgloss in Turkish Delight
7. MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Soft n Gentle
8. At least 2 pans from my 88 Warm palette (2 because they're so tiny)
9. At least 1 lip balm (I've got like 5)
10. Yes to Carrots Eye Cream

Wish me luck on this dangerous journey filled with temptation!

Dare to Inspire Contest Results

2010-06-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

So I didn't win the Maybelline Dare to Inspire contest, but I thank you all for your support! Congrats to the winner, Danielle, from Inside Out Danielle! That girl did an amazing job!

Test Drive: Geo Angel Blue Circle Lens

2010-05-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

Sunny at mycirclelens.com messaged me through my YouTube account way back in late March. She sent me two Geo Angel Circle Lenses in Blue and Brown. I gave the latter to my younger sister as she has been pining for these things in the past year or so. Mycirclelens.com is a US distributer of circle lenses based in California (read: fast shipping and no duty costs for us North Americans) and they were nice enough to offer these complimentary lenses.

The lenses themselves came with an authenticity sticker from Geo and were sealed in their notorious vials. Honestly, I was so frustrated with opening the vials that I resorted to YouTube for assistance.

Here are the lenses:

Me with the lenses in:

From far away, my eyes looked really dark, almost "demonic", according to one viewer.

Overall, I really liked how the lenses enhanced my natural dark brown eyes. The lenses themselves are very delicate and even thinner than my Air Optix soft contacts I use for sight. The Angel Brown lenses were especially good with that. I was not a fan of the bouts of fogginess when the contact moved, however. I also looked like an alien because my eyes looked so large at some points...it kinda freaked out my friends! The Geo Angel Blues were very comfortable and I would probably buy them again. At $25 a pop, they're definitely worth the money as well.

Watch my full review on YouTube:

Ahoy! Nautical and French Riviera Chic

2010-05-24T22:39:00.000-07:00

Add a little nautical French flare to your wardrobe this summer with inspirations from the French Riviera. As per usual, the resort look is back for the spring/summer season and I could not be happier! As a francophile, I love everything French and the classical nautical style always looks good.

Marc Jacobs and Dolce & Gabbana SS 2010 runways set the trend with dark navy stripes, white blazers, and other nautical details that gave a nod to the forever stylish Cote d'Azur. To make this look your own, draw inspirations from the French Riviera by adding rich dark blues, a white blazer, and stylish nautical shoes to your summer wardrobe.

Maybelline EyeStudio Contest Entry: Lady Violet

2010-05-11T14:59:00.001-07:00

So a while ago, Matchstick Marketing contacted me for the Maybelline Dare to Inspire Contest and promptly sent me the entire Maybelline EyeStudio collection. I didn't immediately come up with a makeup tutorial because I was distraught by exams and finals, but here it is!

The quality of the makeup itself was better than I had expected (think how revolutionary the L'Oreal HIP line was for drugstore brands). Receiving the package felt like Christmas!! I especially LOVE the EyeStudio gel eyeliners...they work as well as the MAC Fluidline gel liners and are a fraction of the price! Scroll to the end of this post to get a full review.

For my contest entry, I went with a violet Arabic-inspired cut crease. The cut crease method is great for enhancing your own crease, especially for those with hooded eyelids (including myself). I love how dramatic the eye is for the look and I balanced it out with a nude lip using my Yaby lip palette.

TO VOTE: Go to the Maybelline New York - CANADA Facebook Page, become a fan, and vote for my look, which is up on the "Contest" tab. Thanks for all those who voted!

Here's my YouTube Video for Lady Violet (Cut Crease), my contest entry:

Here's the look I created using mostly ES Gel Liner in Blackest Black and Colour Plush Palette in Legendary Lilac (it would be very much appreciated if you would vote for me!):

Be sure to vote for me (links coming soon) in Maybelline's Dare to Inspire Contest.

Here's what Maybelline sent me:

Inside that package (after I gave most of it to my roommates and sisters...still tons of makeup left):

EYESTUDIO REVIEW:

EyeStudio Eyeshadows (Colour Plush and Colour Pearls):
I was generally very impressed with the eyeshadows. I have to admit, I'm a bit of a MAC devotee and the only non-MAC eyeshadows I stand by are by Yaby. The EyeStudio eyeshadows were very well pigmented, for the most part. I was disappointed with some of the darker colours (like the black) because they could have had more colour payoff to them. The Sapphire Siren palette is one of my favourites. The palette is true to colour and very easy to blend. I just wish that the EyeStudio collection had more matte shades because some of them were just a bit too shimmery. These eyeshadows are also great for face charts.

EyeStudio Gel Eyeliners:
I've fallen in love...with yet another inanimate object. The gel liners are amazing. I compare them, yet again, to their MAC counterparts, the Fluidline gel liners. The ES gel liners were formulated very well as they have great staying power and went on so smoothly. I got some of the ES liner on my hand and after taking a shower, the spot didn't budge. Honestly, these gel liners are almost identical to the Fluidline liners.

XXL Pro Mascaras:
I haven't tried all of them, but I must say that I've been using XXL Extensions since last year and was thrilled when I received a free tube of it through this contest. My roommate thought I had false lashes on! The formula itself is very smooth and the mascara came off easily when washed my face. The latter may not be great in sweltering weather conditions, but it's great if you're going to be indoors all day.

Hope you vote for my contest entry!

-LipstickArsenal

Full contest rules:
http://daretoinspire.ca/files/DareToInspireRules_EN.pdf

TEST DRIVE: Geneva's first experience with false nails...

2010-04-03T13:20:00.000-07:00

With the semester dwindling down, I decided I had time to pamper myself...with false nails. I have many reservations with false nails, most of them stemming from first day orientations at high school food service jobs. As a germaphobe, I know the dangers and amount of bacteria that false nails attract.

However, after looking at nail tutorials on YouTube (how do those girls get such long, luscious nails?) and fake nail posts on prom blogs, I was very curious. I set aside my indignation and decided to give the elusive fake nails a try.

I bought two of these Fingres Edge Black Tip Manicure fake nails from PharmaPlus on sale for around $8 or $9:

My nails before:

And after (I know my skin is a little dry, sorry!):

5 days later (they last for about 10 days):

Overall, I really did like them while they lasted. They lasted for 5 days before they started to break off. I don't expose my hands and nails to hostile environments, unless you consider filing in a crowded filing cabinet a hostile environment. Yes, it was the filing that caused the two nails pictured to break off.

It took about 5 minutes to apply them for each hand and I was very happy with the instantly-hot results. The glue didn't have an offensive smell and I didn't react to it at all. I didn't cut my cuticles because this invites germs into your nail beds. Even after taking off some of the nails, my cuticles still look healthy. I tried to wash my hands more often than usual because of the amount of germs that accumulate on fake nails. I found that it was difficult to completely remove the glue residue left on my natural nails after the fake ones broke off.

I'm still trying to get the remaining nails off with copious amounts of acetone (as per the directions on the back), but to little effect. Any suggestions?

Look: 9/10
Ease of application: 10/10
Ease of removal: 6/10

Overall rating: 7/10

My Eyebrows

2010-03-31T12:44:00.000-07:00

Nope, this is not an indication of my narcissism. themakeuploverxoxo from YouTube wanted me to post up a picture of my eyebrows to show her aesthetician. Here's to you, themakeuploverxoxo!

My left eyebrow (I like this one more), right eyebrow, and both of them:

Scarlett Johansson designs charity Haiti tote bag for Mango

2010-02-25T14:29:00.000-08:00

Over 1400 Mango stores worldwide will carry Scarlett's new canvas charity tote. It features a 1700s cartographic map of Haiti along with a message from the campaign model for Mango. A portion of proceeds will go to Oxfam International.

Personally, I like the design because it represents a subtle homage to Haiti without being too over-the-top. I really want one!

About Me

2010-02-21T12:06:00.000-08:00

A broke university student and YouTube makeup guru with a passion for beauty. At a young age, Geneva grew fond of makeup, often perusing her mother's makeup drawers and, in most cases, ruining expensive lipstick. Many lipsticks later, in the summer of 2009, out of sheer boredom, Geneva created a YouTube channel called LipstickArsenal. Since then, she has created a blog to go along with the YT channel and has developed quite the following.

Makeup DOES Expire

2010-02-21T10:05:00.000-08:00

Yes, that precious $30 foundation of yours DOES have an expiration date.

Frequent use (even if you've only used it once) can cause a build-up of bacteria in any cosmetic. Using the same sponge or applicator on the same product can further increase the amount of bacteria that grows on your cosmetics. The bacteria found in your everyday cosmetics can also be a cause for acne (imagine all that bacteria clogging up your pores).

My first interest in bacteria in makeup stems from 9th grade memories in the girl's washroom (get your heads out the gutters, boys). To my germaphobic horror, two friends of mine were sharing black eyeliner on the waterline while one girl pointed out how one could contract infections from doing so. Boy, was she ever right.

Years later, I had a heated debate with a university roommate over the extended use of using the same mascara tube. "Haven't you SEEN that episode on Tyra?!" I remember shouting at one point. She didn't understand that there are mites on your eyelashes (everyone has them, it's natural) and with every coat and pump of mascara, you're basically adding to the bacteria in the mascara tube. Nasty.

Need further conviction? Google "bacteria" and you will get a taste of what's growing on your makeup, brushes & sponges. Caveat, easily-grossed out readers!

Generally speaking, most cosmetics have a shelf life of about half a year. Powders can last up to 2 years. Below is a chart of the average shelf life by cosmetic (these are not golden rules as every product is formulated differently, but it gives a nice guideline). I tried to make it as extensive as possible.

Average Shelf Life

Mascara: 3-6 months
Lipstick: 1 year
Powders (foundation and blush) and powder-based eyeshadows: 2 years
Cream eyeshadow: 12-18 months
Oil-free Foundation: 1 year
Products with SPF: 1 season (keep it cheap and good)
Sponges: 1 week. I usually dispose after each use. My bountiful supply is from the dollar store.
Concealer: 12-18 months
Lipgloss: 2 years
Lipliner: 2 years
Moisturizer: 3 months - 1 year

TIPS ON CURBING BACTERIA GROWTH (from my own experience and the FDA):

Throw out/replace your makeup if it starts to smell (obviously).
Wash your makeup brushes FREQUENTLY. Do a deep cleanse (washing with detergent and olive oil and rinsing thoroughly with water, followed by shaping) at least every week. Spot clean with a brush cleaner after each use. Dry brushes on the side or upside-down so water doesn't get trapped inside. Make sure they are fully dry before using again.
Sponges are a haven for bacteria. If you use sponges for application, opt for disposable ones. If you have a reusable sponge like the Beauty Blender or Sonia Kashuk Beauty Sponge, deep clean with a disinfecting soap at the end of the day.
Creams and lotions kept in tubes generally last longer than those kept in jars. The reason? Everytime you open a jar, you expose the product to the air and this makes the ingredients of the product (including those helpful preservatives) break down even faster.
For powder-based makeup (ex. powder foundation, eyeshadow, bronzer), if you start to see little lumps forming, it is time to toss!
Keep makeup out of direct sunlight. That MAC eyeshadow may look pretty on your display unit next to the window, but it's best to depot it and keep it in a palette. Also, think about the Back to MAC program.
Don't use eye makeup if you have an eye infection. Same goes for lip products if you have a cold sore. If you must, kindly throw it away after, for your own sake.
Don't share makeup! (refer to my grade 9 anecdote)
Keep the lids or caps of containers closed when not in use.
Write purchase/use start dates on your makeup containers. Call it anal retentive, but it will help you in the long run.
Don't blow on your makeup brushes. You can generate spit from your mouth (the dirtiest part of your body) onto the brush. Ew.

Hope that helps, ladies and gents! Stay clean!

Look of the Season: Glowing Skin + Bright Lips for Spring/Summer 2010

2010-02-20T12:52:00.000-08:00

This season, make your skin glow, leave your lids bare, and apply a bright lipstick to get the look of the season. This trend rocked the runways at New York Fashion Week shows like Jason Wu and Dolce & Gabbana. Try MAC's Minieralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle or mix in MAC's Strobe Cream with your foundation to make your skin glow. For bright lips, I recommend Smashbox Flirty Lipstick. Add 1 coat of mascara and voila, you're officially trendy.

Top Drugstore Favourites - Cosmetics Edition!

2010-01-20T21:04:00.000-08:00

Hey guys and gals,

I've just uploaded a video featuring my favourite drugstore cosmetics. Here is the complete list of products featured in the video, along with the actual video. Enjoy!

Maybelline XXL Extensions Mascara
L'Oreal Double Extend Lash Extension Effect Mascara
Rimmel Lycra Nail Polish in Glam Goth
NYX Eyeshadow in 29 Carbon
NYX Eyeshadow Tutorial - Cherry, Cool Blue, Hot Pink (fits in MAC 15 shade eyeshadow palette)
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner - 025 Royal Blue
NYX Felt Tip Liner in Black
Physician's Formula Organics Bronzer for Medium Skin
Ardell False Lashes
Rimmel Volume Booster Lip Colour with Collagen
Rimmel Vinyl Lip
Softlips lipbalm
Marcelle Eyeliner - Marine

Lancome PowerMakeup Look Contest!

2009-12-14T23:48:00.001-08:00

This is my entry to the Lancome Powermakeup Look Contest. Help me out by viewing this video as much as possible and sharing it with your friends, coworkers, family, etc!

Basically, Lancome sponsored this contest and they picked 16 Canadian makeup vloggers to create an original makeup look. The top 5 MOST VIEWED videos will be judged by the head makeup artist at Lancome, the marketing director, and others. So check out my entry and help me get into the top 5! I don't care about being number 1, just being in the top 5 would mean the world to me. About two weeks ago, Lancome emailed me about this contest and sent me a very generous package of Lancome products that I used in the tutorial. I went for a dramatic romantic gothic look. Hope you lickey!

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-31T13:42:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Just wishing you all a very Happy Halloween! I will most likely be a black widow, which was one of my Halloween tutorials I did this year. I did 4 Halloween tutorials--Volturi Vampire (from Twilight), Barbie, Black Widow, and Gypsy/Harem/Belly Dancer. I was fairly satisfied with the way they all turned out--except for the Barbie one. They were all really fun to do and I got to be really creative with them. I'm going to try to do more character makeup from now on. Here are the links to them all. Enjoy!

Volturi Vampire:

Barbie:

Gypsy/Harem/Belly Dancer:

Black Widow (possibly my costume this year!)

$250 Harajuku Girls Perfume Contest! [CLOSED]

2009-10-06T20:33:00.001-07:00

I'm super excited to be holding another contest for my YouTube subscribers! I was contacted by Matchstick, which is a marketing firm that represents Coty Canada and they are sponsoring the prize pack for this awesome contest--the full set of HARAJUKU GIRLS perfume!!!

Isn't that exciting? You can enter through my YouTube video.

It runs until October 20, 2009 and here are the full contest rules and regulations (the condensed version with layman's terms is featured on the sidebar of the YouTube video:

1. To Enter:

No Purchase Necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Limit of one (1) entry per household, per person, per email address.

Enter online:
Go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIwBN_dI0Fg (the “Contest Website”) during the Contest Period, complete the fulfill contest entry specifics and submit as instructed. Any attempt or suspected attempt to enter more than once shall be deemed as tampering and will void all of your entries. Any use of robotic, automatic, programmed or entry methods not authorized by these rules will void all entries affected by such methods and shall also be deemed as tampering and will void all of your entries.
General Conditions of Entry:
By entering this contest, all entrants consent to the collection, use and disclosure of their personal information by Sponsor and Host for the purposes of running the contest or for any other purpose to which entrants consent. Once submitted, entries become the exclusive property of The Host and The Sponsor and will not be returned. Personally identifiable information received will be used by the Host only to verify eligibility, ship samples and award prizes. Upon completion of the contest, The Host will destroy any and all entries and personally identifiable information for all contestants. All personal information received by the Sponsor will only be for the purposes of fulfilling the prize and collected, used and stored in accordance with its Privacy Policy, located at: www.matchstick.ca/privacy.htm

2. Eligibility:
To enter and be eligible to win, an entrant must be a legal resident of

Canada

(excluding Quebec) who is over the age of majority in their province or territory of residence. Employees of or those residing with an employee of Coty Canada Inc, the Sponsor or Host, their agents, representatives, parents, affiliates, subsidiaries and dealers, advertising and promotional agencies, sponsors, suppliers of prizes, materials or services related to this contest, including the independent judging organization are not eligible to enter this contest.
This contest is subject to all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws and regulations.
Each entrant is only eligible to win one (1) prize during the Contest Period.
3. Prizes to be awarded:

Entrants are eligible to win one (1) Harajuku Lovers Fragrance prize packages with an approximate retail value of $250.00 each.

The Sponsor reserves the right in the event that a Prize or any component of the Prize cannot be awarded as described for any reason, to substitute another Prize of equal or greater value, without liability.

Any costs or expenses incurred by the winner in claiming or using his/her prize will be the responsibility of the winner. Winner is responsible for all taxes and expenses which are not included in the prize description above.

In the event of a dispute, entries shall be deemed to be submitted by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at the time of entry. “Authorized account holder” is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an internet access provider, on-line service provider, or other organization (e.g. business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. Illegible entries, bulk drop-offs, mechanical reproductions or facsimile entries are ineligible.

4. Winners

A winner for the contest will be selected by The Host and announced October 21 2009 on or around 12:00 p.m. EST.
Selected entrants will be contacted by telephone and/or email at the Host’s discretion. Only the selected entrants will be notified. Before being awarded the prize, selected entrants must first correctly answer without assistance of any kind, whether mechanical or otherwise, a time-limited mathematical skill-testing question with the Sponsor. If an eligible entrant is selected but cannot be reached after four (4) attempts and the skill-testing question is not administered within 20 business days of the selection, the selected entry will be deemed void and an alternate entrant may be selected.
Only upon signing and returning the Declaration and Release Form described below in Rule 5 and correctly answering the skill-testing question, will a selected eligible entrant be declared an official winner.
5. Release Forms:
The selected entrants of a prize will be required to sign and return, within the time stipulated by the Sponsor, a full release and indemnity form (“Declaration and Release Form”) stating that he/she has read and understood these Official Rules and Regulations (“Official Rules”), grants all consents and authorizes the Sponsor to broadcast, publish and disseminate his/her name, address, photograph, likeness, sobriquet and voice, in connection with any promotion or publicity, and/or for general news, entertainment and information purposes relating to this Contest at no additional compensation, beyond the awarding of the prize. Selected entrants must also agree to accept the prize as offered.
The Declaration and Release Form also releases The Sponsor, The Host, its affiliates, subsidiaries, related companies, and all their respective directors, officers, employees, shareholders, representatives and agents, successors and assigns from and against any and all liability, claims of damages and causes of action, of any kind whatsoever, whether at law or in equity, and including but not limited to death, personal injury and loss or damage to property, that the winner or any of the representatives, heirs, next of kin or assignees (collectively, “Representatives”) may have or which may hereinafter accrue to the winner’s Representatives as a result directly or indirectly from their participation in the contest or receipt or use or acceptance of the prize.
In the event of non-compliance with these requirements (as applicable) or with these Official Rules, or if prize notification is returned undeliverable, Sponsor shall have the right to disqualify the potential winner, and select an alternate potential winner and shall be fully and completely released and discharged from any liability or responsibility in this regard.
6. Limitations of Liability:
Neither The Sponsor nor The Host will be liable for: a) any incomplete, incorrect or inaccurate capture of information, whether caused by the Contest Website users or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Contest, or by any technical or human error which may occur in the processing of entries; b) the theft, destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of, entries; c) any problems with, or technical malfunctions of, telephone networks or lines, computer on-line systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, viruses or bugs; d) any failure of any email to be received by or from Sponsor for any reason including but not limited to traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof, interrupted or unavailable networks; e) damage to a participant’s or other person’s system occasioned by participation or downloading of materials in this Contest; f) late, delayed, damaged, misdirected, destroyed, lost, illegible, incomplete, incorrect, fraudulent, stolen, postage-due or wrongly addressed entries which will be deemed void.
7. Right to Terminate:
The Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion to terminate, suspend or modify this Contest, without notice, at any time should i) any electronic messages or any other materials used in this Contest be tampered with, mutilated, altered, forged, reproduced, not legitimately obtained; or ii) other types of fraud are suspected; or ,iii) entries are illegible or contain or reflect printing, production or other errors; or iv) virus, bugs, technical failures, human, printing or distribution errors or any other cause beyond the control of the Sponsor corrupt the administration, security, safety, fairness, or proper conduct of any element of this Contest as described in these Official Rules. Without limiting the foregoing, if, for any reason, the contest is not capable of running as originally planned should any error, whether human, electronic or otherwise, or any other event interfere with its proper conduct as contemplated by these Official Rules, Sponsor reserves the right to cancel the online portion of the contest and conduct the draw from all other previously received eligible entries.
8. Miscellaneous:
By entering, entrants agree to abide by the Official Rules and agree that the decisions of The Sponsor and The Host are final and binding in all matters relating to this Contest. The prizes must be accepted as awarded and no transfer or substitution of the prize, whether for cash or otherwise, will be permitted except as expressly provided in these Rules or at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Prize may not be exactly as shown on Promotion publicity or promotional materials. The Sponsor reserves the right to substitute this prize with a prize of equal or greater value if for any reason the prize cannot be awarded as contemplated in these Official Rules.
Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify, from this Contest and any future contest, sweepstakes or other Contest conducted by Sponsor, any individual that it finds or believes to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or Contest Website; to be acting in violation of the Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

Random Draws

A random draw will occur on or about October 21 2009 on or around 12:00 p.m. EST at Toronto, Ontario.
Odds of being selected/winning are based on the number of entries submitted. Selected entrants will be contacted by telephone and/or email at the Host’s and Sponsor’s discretion. Only the selected entrants will be notified.

Fallin' for the Boys: The Boyfriend Look for Fall 2009

2009-08-30T12:05:00.000-07:00

This fall, borrow everything from your boyfriend...except his underwear. That last part is optional. My, this blog is turning frighteningly naughty! Thanks to the 80s revival, oversized is in and so are your boy toy's shirts, jeans, and blazers. Make the look feminine by rolling up the hem of the jeans and wearing them with flats or a cute fitted tee. If you are petite (comme moi) you can just wear the jeans as they are like Eva Longoria (not pictured). Roll up the sleeves of an oversized blazer and wear a cute feminine dress underneath. Wear a skinny belt around a dress shirt or channel your inner Keira Knightley by wearing leggings underneath. Have fun with this look, ladies!

The 80s Revival: Fall 2009 Beauty Trends

2009-08-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

This season, the 80's look is hotter than ever. Think bright splashes of vibrant colour all over the lid with the trademark 80s upward flick. The "peacock eye" look was hot at the Marc Jacobs A/W 2009 runway and Marie Claire did a blurb about the look as well.

The Defined Eyebrow: Fall 2009 Beauty Trends

2009-08-19T01:37:00.000-07:00

Defined eyebrows are back in for Fall 2009. You can create this look by filling in your eyebrows with an eyebrow powder that is the same shade as your hair. For a more dramatic effect, use a powder two shades darker than your hair colour. Use an eyebrow stencil for fool-proof application.

I am in the process of creating an Eyebrow 101 tutorial video and I think I'll add in a bit about the defined eyebrow look.

I won!

2009-08-19T01:32:00.000-07:00

I was won of the winners for the Bronze contest (see below) and I have about 200 more subscribers since last week! I'm uber excited and I made this Thank You video for everyone who supported me. I'm sooooo happy. My videos are getting a lot more views now and people leave such nice comments. People are so sweet.

I will also be having a mini comment-based contest once I hit 300 subscribers (I'm at 278 right now) and there will be 6 winners and 6 prizes:
-3 MAC eyeshadows and 3 MAC lipsticks

Thank you everyone!

Love it or hate it?

2009-08-04T12:42:00.000-07:00

I posted this for AndreasChoice Bronze Look contest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1R7bAV6qDfE. Some girls thought it was cute while others weren't too fond of it and I lost about 2 subscribers. Thoughts?

My first makeup tutorial video

2009-08-04T12:27:00.001-07:00

I was a blog virgin

2009-08-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

This is my very first post on my brand new beauty blog. Here, I'll post pics and blog stories relevant to my YouTube channel, Lipstick Arsenal. Stay tuned!

http://www.youtube.com/user/LipstickArsenal