Vidal Sassoon Pro Series: Spring Hair trends 2013

Earlier this month Vidal Sassoon launched a new hair care line at Montreal Fashion Week. Vidal Sassoon's Creative Director and Pro-Series ambassador, Lorraine McAndrew, showcased the latest hair trends inspired by 60's Françoise Hardy using the new Pro Series Collection.

“Without a doubt, creating the right look begins with the right products” says Lorraine McAndrew, Vidal Sassoon Pro Series Expert. “With a rich history for being leaders and innovators in hair styling, P&G scientists have developed Vidal Sassoon Pro Series, quality products that address the everyday needs of real women, helping them create the look they want at home.”

The hair was exclusively shown at a private sneak-peak show in conjunction with the fashion duo designers Martin Lim.

Charlize Theron goes short for the Oscars {Hair}

Charlize Theron can basically have her hair in any style, short or long and look gorgeous. At the 85th Academy Awards® Charlize had a shorter cut than her usual mid-do, which was cut short three months ago for a movie. Currently in a growing out stage, celebrity hair stylist Enzo Angileri explains how he styled the hair for the Oscars.

“My inspiration came mainly from her short hair...and is now just grown out to length that can be styled into a sophisticated, yet androgynous look that complements the sleek lines of the Dior haute couture gown.  I wanted Charlize’s hair to look like she got out of jeans and a t-shirt and put on a gown because the style is so simple and chic.”

An easy to style hair cut that can be sophisticated and casual. To get the look Enzo breaksdown how-to and what Wella products he used:
1. After washing and conditioning, Enzo applied Wella Professionals Natural Volume Styling Mousse to wet hair to direct hair into place.

2. Then blow-dry hair with a diffuser until it’s 100% dry and in place.
3. Rake hair down with a brush following the part and shape of the head, leaving volume at the top of the head.
4. Enzo used Wella Professionals Shape Shift Molding Gum to mold the hair and create a texturized look and feel.
5. Finally, he finished with a light mist of Wella Professionals Shimmer Delight Shine Spray to give hair luminosity on the red carpet.

(images: courtesy of DevriesGlobal)

Are you applying BB Creams correctly? {makeup tips}

By now all of you have heard of BB Creams, if not, for background info click here. Question is: Are you applying your BB Cream correctly? If you find you can't seem to make it work correctly the number one issue is you are applying too much product.
A pea size for any skin type is enough!

Bloggers Beauty Secrets: featuring Prime Beauty

There are countless beauty blogs across the web, but which one caters to you and your needs can be hard to find. Women's skincare and beauty needs are different at any stage of our lives. One blog that caters to women over 40 years of age is Prime Beauty! Written by Cindy, she hopes to inspire women to look and feel great while in their prime. From drug store finds to the latest beauty releases Cindy covers it all. In her own words here's her beauty secrets!

NARS backstage: 3.1 Phillip Lim {Fall 2013}

Backstage at the 3.1 Phillip Lim show, lead makeup artist Francelle Daly's focus is on the lips for Fall 2013.

NARS backstage: Marc Jacobs {Fall 2013}

Backstage at Marc Jacobs, François Nars envisioned a smokey eye for Fall 2013, his inspiration was "underground rock n' roll".  A dark smokey eye paired with matte skin and dark brown razored-cut wigs were donned by all the models.

 "The eye is smokey, but round and defined, and we created really matte, perfect skin. It's Joan Jett meets Marianne Faithfull meets punk rock."

NARS backstage: Rodarte {Fall 2013}

Backstage at Rodarte, lead artist for NARS James Kaliardos applies messy mascara and dark eyeshadow underneath the lower lower lash line. Think Rocker goes to the beach,

 "It's the idea of makeup that had been applied on the beach - a bit messy, as if the mascara fell onto their faces. Speckled - like stars in the sky." 

A peaches & cream face accentuated with an edgy take on the eyes, great for runway and easily adaptable for everyday by cleaning up the mascara. Unless of course you're just as edgy!

all NARS products:

FACE

Luminous Moisture Cream

Radiant Cream Compact Foundation (New for Fall 2013)

Radiant Creamy Concealer (New for Spring 2013)

Pressed Powder 

Sex Appeal Blush

EYES

Bengali Single Eyeshadow

Mesopotamia Eye Paint (New for Fall 2013)

Via De' Martelli Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner (New for Fall 2013)

Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara

BROWS

Brow Perfector (New for Fall 2013)

Brow Gel (New for Fall 2013)

LIPS

Bianca Pure Sheer SPF Lip Treatment (US only)

Belle de Jour Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

(products available at narscosmetics.ca, photos used with permission by Jane Gill & Associates)

Jenny Packham: hair by TRESemmé {Fall 2013}

Jenny Packham's Fall 2013 Collection was inspired by mid-17th Century, feminine and romantic silhouettes. Which was paired with simple loose elegant ponytails styled by TRESemmé Stylist Jeanie Syfu.

Achieve this easy romantic hair-do with the following:

Products:

·       TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Blow Dry Lotion

·       TRESemmé Platinum Strength Strengthening Heat Protect Spray

Tools:

·       Blow dryer

·       Flat iron

·       Mason Pearson brush

·       Round brush

·       Clips

·       Teasing comb

·       Elastic

·       Spray bottle

How-To Steps:

1. Start by applying TRESemmé 24 Hour Body Blow Dry Lotion throughout the roots and mid–lengths and TRESemmé Platinum Strength Strengthening Heat Protect Spray to the ends
2. Blow dry with a Mason Pearson brush for a straight finish
3. Create a part down the center and then section hair in two parts, separating across the back of the head from ear to ear
4. Gently tease the underneath section and along the horizontal line from ear to ear
5. Loosely pull hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck, letting hair fall out around the face 
6. Secure with an elastic and finish with a ribbon

Simple and easy! What do you think of a low,and elegant ponytail? 

(Getty Images for TRESemme)

Martin Lim Fall 2013 {Montreal Fashion Week}

Last week was Montreal Fashion Week and a few beauty bloggers/writers from Toronto boarded a plane to check out the latest in fashion and haircare. Vidal Sassoon revealed a new haircare line (more to come) and we finished off the day at the Martin Lim show. Montreal is a beautiful city but the weather was frigid cold....which didn't stop a few fashionistas from wearing capri pants with open-toe heels. All for fashion!
Held at the Arsenal in Griffintown, the contemporary art space filled up quickly for the Martin Lim show. The husband-wife duo, Danielle Martin and Pao Lim, sent down the runway lots of fringe for Fall 2013.

(images: property of beautyparler.ca)

Winter Serums: a staple in any skincare

Not to nag like old Aunt Hilda but if you haven't added a serum this Winter to your skincare you should. No need to go out and purchase a whole new skincare regime, stick with what works for you. However, with the change of household heat and outdoor cold temperatures constantly drying your skin a serum is a great added product. Finding the one suitable for your skintype is easy. Today's formulations range from watery to gel serums that are easy to apply and beneficial.

Boscia Restorative Night Treatment
Normal to dry skintypes will benefit from this nightly treatment. As all Boscia products preservative-free! Contains: Amino Acid Derivatives, Encapsulated Vitamin A, Rice Bran Oil, Marine Complex, Jojoba Leaf, Willowherb. Easy to apply as it,s a watery serum, penetrates easily and no scent. Apply before your regular nighttime moisturizer.
retails $48 cdn

SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel
An old staple in my skincare regime: the little bottle will last forever! A hydrating gel serum that is easy to apply in a dropper style applicator. Just a couple drops for the whole face. Contains Vitamin B5 which aids in tissue repair and hyaluronic acid which attracts and binds water to the skin. Keeping skin subtle and plump. retails $70 US

Biotherm Aquasource Nuit High Density Hydrating Jelly
All skintypes will benefit from this gel-jelly serum; non-oily, applies beautifully, and really hydrates. Apply before your regular moisturizer or for oilier skintypes alone. The only con is not a fan of the scent, smells masculine to me but I love the way my skin looks in the morning therefore will continue to use. retails $48 cdn

Consonant Body HydrExtreme
The newest serum on the block is this all natural serum; Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Vegetable Glycerine. Three ingredients!! Super hydrating and great for sensitive skintypes. The boys will like this one too! retails $72cdn  for 10ml

Cherlyn Skincare Clarifying Serum
Clogged pores will benefit from this natural serum without drying your skin. Exfoliates the skin using the bilberry extract (AHA) and evens out skin tone. The water-like serum is absorbed easily and applied after your evening cleanser followed by a night time moisturizer. retails $109 cdn & 30 day back money guarantee

Do you use a serum in the Winter? What are your favourites?

a Snowy Night...

The Great White North...the Toronto area has been hit with an average of 36 centimetres of snow in some areas. As a Canadian, born and raised, this is nothing new to me. However, for the few that haven't seen this much snow ever it can make for one crazy story to tell your grandkids. For the most part, a few curse words are said while trying to clear the driveways or trying to get home from work, but once home there's nothing better than sitting in front of the television drinking a hot cocoa.
Or take advantage of a quiet Friday night-in:
Clean your makeup brushes
Bake (try my yummy Banana Bread recipe)
Spa-night=mask time
Hot Water bottle to stay warm while catching up with the latest blog posts
Hot Cocoa or Tea time
A perfect relaxed night in...when was the last time you did that on a Friday night?

Travel Tuesday: at the airport

My work as a flight attendant involves more than just working on a plane. Alot of my time is spent in airports; delays, cancellations, Mother Nature all play into having to hangout at any given airport at any time of the day. Its not always pleasant but a good crew always helps....

the smallest International Airport I've ever seen, Exuma International Airport,

on this particular day the whole crew got out to take pictures while groomers cleaned the plane,

passengers upon boarding asked why we were taking pictures,

thought something was wrong with the plane or airport,

we just told them we were passing time & enjoying the weather!

this past weekend in Halifax we encountered the beginning of a snowstorm,

we were one of the only planes to land and take-off,

I love snow (only when it can be enjoyed at home)....

Have you ever gotten stuck at the airport due to delays? How did you pass the time?