London Drugs Beauty Haul: Skincare

~ it's always a nice treat for the skin to try out some new products. using the same thing year after year and throughout every season doesn't do much for your skin at all. a skin care regimen needs to be changed up every once in a while {we like to do it seasonally so our skin adapts to the weather comfortably}. it's also important to make sure that your skin doesn't get too used to the same products all the time. at some point in time, your skin will become too familiar with the ingredients and usage of your chosen products and will, in theory, stop working. a change up is always good. luckily for us, we get to sample and review a range of skin care products so we can do the guess work for you! we're still obsessing over the Fall 2015 newcomers to London Drugs and wanted to share with you all our recommendations!

the RevVit Microdermabrasion Kit is on the Left

~ Silk'n Solutions ReVit Microdermabrasion Kit is worth much more than its $99 price tag.  available at London Drugs the device allows you to visibly improve the look and texture of your skin as it removes dead and damaged skin cells to reveal new skin underneath.  giving you smoother skin with way more glow.  this isn't a product that we would suggest you use if you are under 21, and the reason for that is you don't need it! yes you may have experience acne or a bit of scarring but you can remedy that with topical products and manual exfoliation along with preventative measures (such as no picking!).  this product is for someone who is seeing signs of sun damage on the surface of their skin, like those lovely brown spots caused by the sun, or hormones (pregnancy mask).  maybe those fine lines aren't so FINE anymore? this is for you!  so if microdermabrasion is something you've been wanting to try but don't want to fork over $500+ then try this first.  please make sure you read the manual and follow the instructions first, though because we don't want any funny business, just smooth glowing skin.

~ StriVectin Intensive Illuminating Serum at $89 is definitely on the higher end of of the price scale at London Drugs, however the company has a lot of science to back up that price tag. this serum claims to significantly enhance your skin's clarity and give you brighter and more even looking skin all over.  so what that means for you is that it will eliminate/reduce brown spots, acne scarring, fine lines and slough off those pesky dead skin cells.  we recommend using a serum like this at night instead of during the day, most of us wear some kind of makeup during the day and these types of exfoliating serums can (sometimes) make certain types of makeup separate.

~ St Tropez Self Tan Luxe Facial Oil is your answer to the age old question: Before or After Moisturizer? with this little gem you can layer it before (let it dry for 3 mins before applying skin care over) after (put a thin layer of moisturizer on so it can penetrate) or directly to your current moisturizer.  just 3-4 drops smoothed over face and neck over 7 days provides a natural looking tan that will last another 5 days.  it has a very lightweight feel, not heavy or greasy at all. bonus is it dries quickly and doesn't clog pores at all, which is great since there's also one for the body! while you're checking out these two new items at your local London Drugs, make sure you also check out their new In Shower Gradual Tan as well, this is a game changer like no other in the self tanner game. 

~ NeoStrata Acne Clear Cleanser and Clarifying Solution brings the brand that's probably most popular for their glycolic acid serums and moisturizers into the acne solutions field this fall.  their new acne clear line aims to unclog pores, clear up acne, and help prevent future breakouts by utilizing the power of 2% salicylic acid to deeply cleanse and exfoliate dead skin cells while antibacterializing the skins surface. find the NeoStrata Acne Clear Clarifying Gel Cleanser and Clarifying Solution in London Drugs stores this fall.

~ stay tuned for Friday's post where we share our must have sandal styles for Summer 2015!

Skincare Favorites: Best Sunscreen for Your Skin

~ the weather in Vancouver has been incredible the last week. the glorious sunshine has been basking us with its presence. given the temperament of Mother Nature, especially in BC, we would never complain about the sun {its been HOT though!}. rather, we thought to talk about how to protect the skin you're in while enjoying the beautiful sunshine ~

~ for us here at SBD HQ taking care of our skin is rule #1 year round. however, caring for your skin during summer months when the rays are stronger and free-radicals can wreak havoc on your skin is of utmost importance.  if you live in beautiful Vancouver, you know we take advantage of sunny days as often as we can and that means being outdoors, exposed to the gorgeous sunlight full of vitamin D. it also means that our skin can be sensitive to the powerful rays of the sun. while daily exposure to the sun is essential for our vitamin D intake, burnt, red looking skin is not. the solution? sunscreen ~

~  nowadays, sunscreen can be found in your daily moisturizer, in foundations and even in some primers. the likely-hood of re-application of either of these three products is not going to happen. therefore, it is essential to add an sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to your face {and body parts exposed to the sun}  in those sparkling summer months. if only to prevent lobster face from occurring!  not to mention, over time, unprotected skin exposed to the sun can cause premature aging {fine lines, dull, rough skin and those brown spots, which we have just started to notice *sad face*} ~

~ if you are anything like, you don't like the feeling of a heavy sunscreen on your skin. one of the reasons why you may feel the heaviness of a sunscreen is likely due to the wrong sunscreen for your skin type. different climates and weather changes call for different skin type needs so we've broken down and recommended the best sunscreens for different skin types that will work all year round ~

~ DRY SKIN means your skin feels dry and tight everywhere, from your forehead, nose, cheeks, and chin. the size of your pores are quite small if at all visible and there may be some roughness to the texture of your skin due to a buildup of dead skin cells.  if you fall into this type during the summer months these are the sunscreens we recommend:

~ Aveeno Protect and Hydrate Lotion SPF 30 contains  ACTIVE NATURALS® Colloidal Oatmeal to deliver superior broad spectrum UVA/UVB sun protection while hydrating skin to keep it soft, smooth and feeling healthier than before you went in the sun. great soothing ingredients for dry or sensitive skin and can be used of both face and body
 Lakme Sun Expert is a bit of a thicker formula, hence why we recommend it for dry skin.  it provides skin with vitamin rich ingredients such as cucumber and lemongrass extracts meant to calm and hydrate skin. this product is harder to find, you can purchase it online here, or at www.indianproductsonline.com 

~ COMBINATION or COMBO DRY Skin means you feel tight and dry in one area {usually the U-zone: cheeks, temples, chin}  and the T-zone {forehead, nose and chin} is a bit oily. with this skin type, you want a balance between both skin zones. these are a few sunscreens that will give you that perfect balance:

~ Consonant The Perfect Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 can be found on Eco Diva Beauty's website and is one of our favorite all natural sunscreens.  this broad spectrum spf 30 is formulated with micronized (non-nano particle) Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide mineral, along with aloe vera, grape seed and rice bran oil to hydrate the skin leaving no white residue behind
~ Tarte's Tarte Guard SPF 30 is another lotion-like sunscreen that can be used as a moisturizer and is a personal favorite of SBDgirl Oz Zandiyeh. it contains maracuja and vitamin c to firm and brighten the skin, soybean and honeysuckle extract to fight signs of aging and calm skin. find your Tarte Guard at your local Sephora or online.

~ NORMAL, COMBO OILY and OILY Skin.  none of these skin types are usually dry {lack of oil} but are actually dehydrated {lack of water} and can be a bit rough in areas even it's oily.  if your skin feels rough and/or tight but you still experience breakouts or an oily shine, most likely you have one of the 3 types above and sunscreen can feel heavy or greasy if it's the wrong texture.  here are a few guaranteed to whisk away oil, leave no heavy residue, all the while protecting your skin:

~ La Roche Posay Anthelios Mineral Tinted Ultra Light Sunscreen Fluid SPF 50 may take forever to say but rest assured the product won't take as long to absorb on oilier skins.  it's fast absorbing formula is matte finish, fragrance free, paraben free and water resistant
~  Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense SPF 50 is an award winning sunblock. along with a light weight, oil free, matter finish it protects and prevents against up to 90% of skin aging. pick yours up online, or at a Kiehl's store in Metro Town, Robson St or Holt Renfrew and The Bay locations.

~ we had to include these two new products below as a "something for everyone" because these two can be used on all skin types. as makeup artists and diligent users of makeup, we've always wanted a company to come up with a sunscreen you could mist on throughout the day without disturbing your makeup.  Amore Pacific has answered our prayers! their new Resort Collection Sun Protection Mist in a broad spectrum { meaning it protects against UVA and UVB rays } SPF 30 is a super fine mist that leaves no white residue to rub in. just a perfect re-application of sun protection.
~ Lancome's new Miracle Cushion Compact provides wearer's with a liquid foundation in a compact form, a Korean skincare technology brought to North America by the legendary company this Spring.  use it with a foundation brush or the sponge provided for a sheer, exceptionally lightweight coverage and SPF 25. it comes in 6 shades ( at the Lancome counters) or 11 online.

Beauty Favorites: NARS Cosmetics

~ happy #makeupmonday everyone!! today's beauty favorites is the incomparable NARS Cosmetics . Francois Nars's eponymous lines carries some of the most recognizably-named products. if you walk into any store that sells NARS and say, "i'd like Orgasm, Laguna, Copacabana and Dolce Vita" i promise, all the beauty advisors would know exactly which line you were asking for. NARS has something for everyone. whether you're a minimalist or prefer a full coverage type of makeup, you'll find something at the NARS counter. and the beauty of it is, the line works for a wide demographic, ranging anywhere from a 15 year old's first black eyeliner to a more mature client who might want a long-wearing product. we both use the line on ourselves and on our clients and have likely spent much more money than we needed to on the various palette's for eyes and cheeks from sephora {please stop making palettes...they take all our monies}. check out our favorites below, you'll be sure to fall in as much obsession as we are ~

~ Larger Than Life Long Wear Eye Pencil {$25} comes in 17 different shades for your {and our} indecisive minds.  rich, creamy color that glides on smoothly with a completely budgeproof finish. Incomparable 12-hour wear with no smearing and no caking. deeply dramatic shades named for the most iconic streets in the world. the twist up packaging means no need for a pencil sharpener!

~ Velvet Matte Lip Pencil {$26} a lipstick combined with the convenience of a pencil in a jumbo crayon design! use it as an all over color or as a lip pencil when paired with another lip product.  enriched with vitamin e and a blend of silicone's to give lips a smooth, non-drying finish for hours.  check out one of our favorite shades, and the color you get in your Sephora BDay Gift, Cruella!

~ Sheer Lipstick in Dolce Vita {$27} is SBDgirl Tarah Kostenko's go to lipstick for her bridal clients or when she's creating a natural makeup look for herself or on camera. this sheer soft rose brings out the natural color of any clients lip. NARS patented blend of of conditioners and antioxidants hydrate while providing translucent color. grab yours in any one of their 15 shades

~ The Multiple in Copacabana {$39} is a multi-use product that can add just the right amount of radiance to any area of the face and body. when The Multiple first made it's appearance on the cosmetics market, it had already wowed makeup artists backstage at the world's fashion week's. on counter, it can sometimes confuse clients as to what it's for, this was before the days of beauty vloggers and beauty bloggers, but it's an easy solve, it's for anything you want it for! use it along cheek bones, under brow bones and on to of the cupid's bow for an incomparable glow, mixed with body oil for an all over shimmer on arms and legs in the summer, as a cream eyeshadow....the possibilities are endless!

~ Bronzing Powder in Laguna {$39} is a cult favorite for a reason.  one of the first neutralizing bronzing powders, Laguna never looks orange on any skin tone.  beautiful for an all over warmth, as an eyeshadow or to naturally contour the face, this award winning bronzer is a must for any makeup kit

~ Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder {$36} this paraben free, and fragrance free pressed powder is a colorless dream for setting your complexion makeup. the nice thing about colorless powders is that you never need to update your color throughout the year.  this powder incorporates NARS photochromic technology which diffuses light and adjusts to different light sources throughout the day, making fine lines disappear and pores look invisible.  unlike other colorless, light reflecting powders you can reapply this throughout the day to absorb shine with out what we makeup artists like to call flash back {when the powder shows white on the skin in flash photography}

~ Body Glow {$59} is the a cult classic and one of the first luxury body oil's on the market. it's rich, chocolate shimmer gives the skin a beautiful (never orange) warm glow and the lightweight Monoï de Tahiti oil is composed of pure coconut extract macerated with the bud of the tiare flower {Tahitian gardenia}, which infuses the oil with nutrients as well as a delicate, natural fragrance. not only does your skin look fantastic but you smell like everyone's dream vacation! nothing better than that

~ And God Created the Woman Palette {$59} is a personal favorite of SBDgirl Oz Zandiyeh.  A staple in her makeup bag, this new take on a neutral palette gives you a ton of options to play with.  along with their award winning eye makeup primer (for crease free, long wear) you also get the signaature blending brush to press and blend to perfection! pick your up today online or at your nearest Sephora

 

~ check out all the NARS Cosmetic products listed here at your local Sephora, or Holt Renfrew in Canada.  go online if one of these stores isn't available to you and for all our artist friends, check out their artistry discount program!

Beauty Favorites: Stila Cosmetics

~ it's a gloomy looking wednesday and what better way to get over #humpday blues by talking about some makeup?? we're back with another #beautyfavorites and today we're talking Stila Cosmetics. stila has been a favorite of both of ours for a long time, i'd venture to say since the beginnings of the brand! the fun colors, yet simplistic nature of the brand is really what appeals to us. some of our favorites are really staples that everyone should have in their kit as they're extremely versatile and really universal in their usage. we also love how the brand revamps and re-introduces their favorites with stronger, better formulations. Sarah Lucero, the brand's international makeup artist, collaborates with some of our favorites designers {Alice and Olivia, Rebecca Minkoff} for NYFW and seeing how she puts together the various looks is always inspiring! check out our favorites down below!!

~ Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer is a cult favorite and an SBDgirl one as well, an oil free formula with SPF 20 and hyaluronic acid, this lightweight tint blurs fine lines, increases elasticity and hydration.  sheer coverage that's perfect for days off, or anytime you want to showcase your beautiful skin! 

~ Field of Florals Convertible Color Dual Lip and Cheek Palette is every makeup artists DREAM! we live for our palettes (of all kinds) because it condenses our kits (so we can carry more lol) or allows us to multitask with just one product.  Stila's Convertible Cheek colors have been our favorite cream cheek colors for years, but packing all the colors into one convenient palette gets us excited in a way we just cannot describe and only other beauty addicts (like yourselves) can relate to.  each of the 12 shades is inspired by a flower can double as lip, eye or cheek and is a steal at $49. 

~ Kitten Eye Shadow is another one of those award winning Stila products that can be used in multiple ways, it's wet and dry use texture gives it an intense or sheer look depending on how you use it.  great on the inner corner of eyes to brighten darkness, or along the cheek bones as a highlighter. 

~ Magnificent Metals Foil Finish Eye Shadow is one of those products that us makeup artists used to have to create from scratch when we wanted to get an intense light reflecting quality.  gone are the days we have to mix glitter, and shimmer pigments with shadows or creams in order to get that varnished finish! with 13 shades you can create some serious drama, perfect for a night out, party or use it as a liner for a more natural finish. a little goes a long way with these and you can layer up for a dramatic effect. $32 each and it comes with a mixing try and waterproof and crease proof sealing liquid.

~ Stay All Day Liquid Liner in Black is a MUST if you like to have good control and precision when doing your cat eye or winged liner.  we all have our strengths as makeup artists and even the winged liner can intimidate us. not with this felt tip pen! it's tip is longer and thinner than most we've tried so getting that perfect tip to your cat eye is a breeze. it also allows you to tight line your eyes as well (especially if you've dropped the hope of ever creating a cat eye but still like the saturated look of a liquid liner) by applying it underneath your upper lash line, giving your lashes added fullness without looking like eye liner. the shelf life of this bad boy is also surprising, we use ours everyday and it lasts any where from 4-6 months depending on how we're using it. it comes in 15 shades and is $20 each. 

~ Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick is another one of those long lasting liquid lipsticks that can be easily mistaken for a gloss (due to it's packaging) but there is no mistaking it for a gloss once you've opened the tube!  so color saturated you don't need a lip liner before hand, you can get THAT precise with it.  some of our favorite colors are Beso (the perfect red) Bellisima (the best nude/pink) Carina ( the coral that looks good on everyone) and Fiore (magenta/fushia). 9 classic shades and 5 new spring 2015 shades to choose from at $22 a pop. 

~ we could go on and on about our Stila love, it's just a fun line to play with but one that has serious pigment payoff, great textures and delivers on it's promises.  explore and share your stila favs with us, find yours at select Shopper's Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques, select Sephora's and online! 

SBD Girls Spring Essentials 2015

~ spring is officially here and we've been basking in its glorious sunshine the past week {we're secretly hoping it stays warm and breezy forever} and this makes us especially excited to wear light, breezy fabrics, invest in fun sandals, {flats and heels, of course} all while treating ourselves to pedicures with fun and playful colors {a must do to show off our pretty shoes}.  here at SBDgirls HQ, we always want to share some local shop love {along with a few of our favorite brands} to help fill your summer closets but also bring our beauty and skincare picks into the mix. because looking good from head-to-toe is fun! most importantly, we're sharing one of our favorite sun protection product which every beauty maven knows is an absolute must!

1. we have been majorly crushing on all that Shop Maccs has to offer and this new addition to their shop (the Sophie Playsuit ) is just YAAASSSS!  wear it with either of the sandals picked here for two totally different looks

2. we found these Schutz Juliana Cage Sandals on Shop Bop and fell in lust with them! not only do they come in many covet-worthy shades, but they are so versatile you can wear them with jeans, moto pants, or even to dress up a maxi dress or a high low skirt

3. you need new sandals for summer, you just do. these Rebecca Minkoff Sava T Strap Jelly Sandals are just too cute to pass up and since they are a VERY reasonable price compared to most designer sandals this summer we encourage you to give into the urge

4. new jewelry is encouraged at any time of the year and these new Olive and Piper Line Crawler Studs are no exception. treat yourself to something unexpected and sparkly {even better with an affordable price tag} this spring. i mean, you kind of deserve it.......just sayin. 

~ switching up your beauty products and skincare textures in the warmer months is key to avoiding unnecessary breakouts or wreaking havoc on your skin.  think about it, we change up our wardrobe to accommodate the warmer climate, so why not our skin? replace regular makeup formulas with water proof/long wearing and oil free or more matte textures.  skincare should also have a shake up if you're starting to notice a heavier feeling when wearing your moisturizer.  if you use a cream, switch to a lotion as the months get warmer and ALWAYS wear a sunscreen during the day! included above are our picks for some fun newness to your routine

5. Consonant 100% Natural Matte Finish Sunscreen {available at www.ecodivabeauty.com} is the perfect addition to finish off your skincare routine this summer.  not only is it all natural, fragrance and essential oil-free but it has a matte finish and your purchase supports a local business which is always a bonus! 

6. Prtty Peaushun Skin Tight Body Lotion {find on www.ecodivabeauty.com or at Kiss and Makeup Locations }  is a tried and tested beauty favorite! SBDgirl Tarah Kostenko picked up her first bottle a few years ago and uses nothing else on her clients or herself ever since.  this subtle, light  reflecting body lotion has a a natural emollient base that hydrates without feeling greasy, gives a GORGEOUS glow and conceals spider veins and evens skin tone. available in 5 different shades which makes it perfect for all skin tones

7. Flash Tattoos were everywhere last summer and we see no signs of their popularity slowing down.  their newest collaboration with the Rainforest Partnership {Illia, new with color 3 sheets per pack} is inspired by the colors and magic of the rainforest.  with every purchase of the Illia collection 5% of the proceeds is donated back to the Rainforest Partnership which protects tropical rainforests by partnering with people at global and local levels to create lasting solutions to deforestation.  now you can shop with a cause and look cool too! 

8. we admit it, we've neglected our pedicure over the fall and winter. so to get in gear we needed a colorful collection of nail polishes to inspire us and Essie's newest collection for Spring 2015 {brought to you by their new Global Color Designer Rebecca Minkoff} Floralista is perfection!  it includes 2 nudes, 3 grey to blue shades and 1 bright orchid, so really the perfect mix for us as we love our neutrals and have that pop of color when we crave it.  pick yours up at your local Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs or nail salon.

- we've linked everything for your viewing pleasure so be sure to check out these fun new additions and use the hashtag #sbdsummeressentials on Instagram or Twitter to show us what your must haves are! stay tuned for our #makeupmonday post about all our favorite Stila products!

Hair Favorites: Bumble and Bumble

~ summer is so close, we can smell it {bobbi brown beach helps put us in a summer mind set also}. if there is one thing that we don't want to do but kind of have to, is our hair during the hot summer days. fortunately, there is a bevy of products from Bumble and Bumble that help give us easy, breezy, beach waves, gorgeous textured strands and Sienna Miller's tousled, i-dont-brush-my-hair-ever hair. we're sharing 4 of our favorite easy-to-use texture products, each providing a different type of result that is quick and simple and gets you out the door quick~

~ Bumble and Bumble's Surf line debuted a few years ago and has quickly become a must have for effortless beach waves ever since. the Surf Infusion offers yummy ingredients like coconut and passion fruit oils along with their signature salt blend that's part of the entire line of Surf products, giving you a softer hold but equally as much volume and movement as the ever popular Surf Spray.  great for dry and coarse types of hair, make sure to shake really vigorously to blend the bi-phase formula and apply from ends to mid hair length evenly onto dam or dry hair.  style hair to your preference and let dry, if you like more volume all over, try diffusing. for more volume at the roots, add a few spritz of Surf Spray

~ and this brings us to the classic Surf Spray! this is our go to favorite for gorgeous waves and texture with more hold than the Surf Infusion.  this salt infused spray adds body and a light hold with a matte finish (instead of the shine finish of the Surf Infusion).  to use: work through dam or dry hair, let dry naturally or with a diffuser for maximum volume.  if you want more definition, apply Grooming Cream throughout your strands

~ Bumble and Bumble Texture is known as a Hair(un)dressing Cream and for being a Cosmetic Exectutive Women Award Winner.  giving hair an undone-yet-done quality with a hint of hold and a shine free finish, it's the perfect product to recreate or (  if your lucky enough ) maintain that sexy, rumpled i-just-woke-up-but-my-hair-looks-amazing style. to use: work through damp hair (not dry) starting with a small amount and adding as needed. let it sit for a minute and work through, tousling as desired.  apply at your roots as well for an extra lift or diffuse for all over volume

~ Bumble and Bumble Dry Spun Thickening Spray is definitely an SBDGirl Must Have for it's lightweight, oil absorbing matte finish.  this spray is like a cross between a hairspray and a dry shampoo.  it's great for all hair types and textures, but especially fine hair. it's also great on color treated hair as well. use anytime you want to add more volume, or if your hair is looking a little limp and lifeless. to use: on dry hair after heat styling, shake well and hold the can 10 inches away from any area you want more volume or texture

~ that concludes our current round up of our favorite beach inspired, tousled wave producing products from one of our favorite hair lines! if you're wondering where to find Bumble and Bumble products, look no further than their online website, where they have a convenient auto-replenishment system.  around town, they can be found at any high-end salons and spas (Pony Hair Salon, Mardecus Hair Salon, Style Lab Headquarters), as well as Sephora

Happy Styling!

Beauty Favorites: Benefit Cosmetics

~ happy #makeupmonday beauties and welcome back to our beauty favorites series! we hope you are all enjoying your long weekend! its been a nice, quiet, family-filled one for us. today we're sharing our beauty favorites from Benefit Cosmetics. Benefit has been a brand favorite of ours since we were first introduced to it in our younger beauty junkie years. cute packaging, adorably named and most importantly, products that work beautifully. you'll find Benefit in every bloggers, every IT-girl, every makeup artists makeup bag. the products work flawlessly on different mediums, whether for everyday or for photoshoots. if we're honest, we'd share the entire line with you all, that how much we love it! we've selected a few of our current favorites, ones we're using at the moment and ones that are perfect for summer weather also! 

~ Gimme Brow is a quick way to get your #browgamestrong. a gel-like fiber that adheres to the brow, making them appear fuller with just a swipe of product. the best part is that it's long-lasting and waterproof! perfect for beach days!

~ Fake Up is an ultra-hydrating, crease-proof concealer perfect for hiding the dark circles of last nights shenanigans. the easy-to-use twist up makes its a great on-the-go addition to your makeup kit!

~ Stay Don't Stray is a long-wearing primer for concealer and eyeshadows which makes it a must have for hot summer days! a small dab on your lid and under your eyes and your shadows and concealers won't budge!

~ Roller Lash makes curling your lashes fool-proof. with its "Hook'n'Roll" brush feature, even the straightest of lashes experience lift and curl for a gorgeously sexy wide-eyed look!

~ Bad Gal has been a favorite for a long, long time. we're all about volume and drama for our nights out and this mascara doesn't disappoint. we love to combine it with our other mascara favorites for seriously insane looking lashes

~ POREfessional is a pore-minimizing primer that helps smooth out the skin texture before application of concealer, foundation or tinted moisturizer. a small dab before makeup application or a little touch here or there to mattify skin during the day. the best part is how translucent it is!

~ Posie Tint is a poppy-colored cheek & lip tint that is long wearing with just the right pop of color perfect for spring and summer. we love how so little product can provide such a gorgeous color to our cheeks!

~ HOOLA has always been a favorite bronzer of ours. its matte with no sparkles allowing it to look so natural but most importantly, it has no orange undertone to it causing it to look fake {which is THE worst when it comes to bronzer}. and since we're advocate of healthy sun, its the best way to fake a gorgeous looking tan!

~ as we said, we could go on and on and on but we hope you enjoy the few selects we've chosen. you can pick up your #benefitfavorites at any Sephora or Shopper's Drug Mark Beauty Boutiques ~

xoxo

Hair Favorites: Dry Shampoo

~ dry shampoo is a busy girl's lifesaver! a miracle hair product that allows us to forgo a morning shower when we hit the snooze button too many times but still walk out the door looking fresh. dry shampoo not only lets you go an extra day without washing your hair, it also give your hair a boost of volume and it smells super sexy! both of us lead busy lives and there are more occasions that we'd care to admit where we've not had time for a shower and we've needed a quick fix. luckily for us, doing what we do as makeup artists, we work with super savvy hair stylists and have access to some of the best hair products available. we've put together a few of our favorites, tried and tested on ourselves and on our clients. if you're a dry shampoo newbie, these suggested products will absolutely help guide you along with your first dry shampoo purchase and soon you'll be part of the dry shampoo crew!! #dryshampoocrew

~ let's face it every woman should have a dry shampoo in their hair arsenal.  no matter what your hair length, type or texture we all get the lazy now and again or just want super crazy, Texas inspired volume! there is no shame, and as most come in handy aerosol sprays they also couldn't be any easier to use

~ Batiste is every on-set hair stylist's friend, sure we love our expensive labels but nothing beats a tried and true ( and inexpensive!) favorite.  pick your product by hair color, hair type and preferred fragrance.  if you're not a fan of the classic sent or white color, then you have a choice of  blonde/brunette or auburn.  don't like that classic scent? why not try out cherry, vanilla or tropical? if you're not sure where to start, pick up a bottle of this favorite at your local Shopper's Drug Mart/London Drugs or grocery store in the styling section and let us know what you think!

~ Stila's Hair Refresher comes in 2 different scents and both with the classic white of a traditional hair powder.  it's also a sift top instead of a spray, so it's better applied by massaging it into the roots of the hair in sections.  Jade Blossom is a green tea, floral scent and Creme Bouquet is a warm amber, vanilla.  both are made with cornstarch, silk powder, and tapioca. pick yours up online as it's hard to find in stores in Canada. 

~ Nexxus Youth Renewal Dry Shampoo is an aerosol spray like Batiste and also comes in a tropical scent, but with slightly different ingredients: aluminum starch, silica, argan oil, keratin and wheat protein.  the presence of argan oil and keratin leads us to assume it would retain more of the hair's natural oils or ultimately help restore moisture while still absorbing excess oil and adding volume.

~ Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray is one of our favorites for it's unique scent, more like an expensive perfume, as well as it's finish.  it doesn't add a crunchy texture to the hair like some dry shampoo/texturizing sprays can because it's application is not as "wet". Oribe also states that it's the patented polymers in it's formula that absorb oil while also not stripping hair of it's natural oils.  as it's the most expensive on our list, it helpfully comes in a smaller purse size spray if you want to try it out before spending your hard earned cash. find it online and at Holt Renfrew Vancouver, Pony Salon in gastown, Style Lab Headquarters and many other high end salons.

~ Bumble and Bumble Dry Spun Spray was one of the first hybrid dry shampoos/hair spray products we tried and subsequently fell in love with.  i mean who doesn't like a 2 for 1?  talk about MAJOR volume! you get some LIFT with this product, meant to be sprayed into the roots of hair and/or throughout as a styling product.  it's application is slightly more wet, so the finish is crunchier but can be brushed out if preferred.  find this product and more at most high end salons such as Pony Salon in Gastown, Mardecus Hair Studio in Maple Ridge, Holt Renfrew Vancouver and your local Sephora.

~ Aveeno Pure Renewal Dry Shampoo is another drug store favorite, this affordable dry shampoo is also an aerosol spray, but infused with Aveeno's Active Natural Seaweed Extract which is meant to retain hair's natural moisture.  designed by hairstylist Patrick Melville, this product can be found at Shopper's Drug Mart, London Drugs or your local grocery store in the hair care isle.

~ lastly we wanted to leave you with some instructional uses for all of these lovely products!  with all products we suggest applying in 1 inch by 1 inch sections.  if you're after some crazy volume, make sure to backcomb each section, but especially the back after applying your product.  when applying the aerosol sprays, hold the can 8-10 inches away from the scalp and massage any excess into the roots ( so you don't get left with grey areas). when using the traditional powder {Stila Hair Refresher} sifter, pour a small amount onto your finger tips and massage into the roots of your hair in small circular motions.  have fun experimenting with your new brands of dry shampoos and show us your volume with the hashtag #dryshampoocrew

Beauty Favorites: Maybelline

~ its Makeup Monday and we're starting a new series of beauty favorites, sharing our most loved products used on ourselves and in our kits from our favorites brands. first up: Maybelline. #bornwithit has always been a recognizable slogan. the no frills and gimmicks makeup line has maintained it's success throughout the years by being affordable and appealing on a variety of trends, whether fresh off the runway {Maybelline sponsors Toronto Fashion Week} or simply by carrying products that help maintain a flawless looking face. with celebrity makeup artist Grace Lee at the helm, showcasing the adaptability of Maybelline products, the brand has comes become a staple in makeup bags and kits everywhere ~

~ Baby Lips has long been a favorite of makeup artists and models alike, with an array of styles  {dr.rescue, crystal, electro} and shades to give just a hint of color while providing a balm like texture with ingredients such as honey and shea butter. grab your favorite Baby Lips style at your local Shoppers Drug Mart or London Drugs 

~ Color Sensational Lip Color is THE lip product when you want bold color with a full shine! the pure pigment in this statement lip product along with the moisturizing power of honey nectar, lanolin and castor oil make it a favorite when looking to make an elegant lip statement

~ with matte lips being such an in demand texture both on  and off the runway, these Bold Matte Color Sensational lipsticks are perfect when you want bold color with a no slip, long wearing finish.  with 20 shades to choose from and 3 essential oils {honey, sesame seed oil and kaolin} blended in with pure pigments you're sure to find the perfect color

~ next up is 24hr Color Tattoo Cream Gel Shadow, an absolute staple in many artists kit for their long wearing texture both as a shadow and as a base for shadow.  this line comes in several textures now, such as 24 HR Color Tattoo Leather Shadow {a matte finish} 24HR Color Tattoo Metal {a metallic or frost texture} and a variety of gorgeous shades. wear them alone as shadow for a natural but long wearing look, or under shadow as a base to intensify color and or shine! 

~ Fit Me! Concealer {and the entire Fit Me! line of products} has had such success since it's launch due in part to it's variety of shades {6, most drugstore brands have less} and realistic undertones.  this concealer contains no oils or waxes, and with it's liquid texture it's lightweight and gives a natural matte finish.  check out the other much loved and awarded Fit Me! products in the line: Fit Me! Foundation, Fit Me! Pressed Powder, Fit Me! Blush and Fit Me! Bronzer 

~ even if you don't currently own any Maybelline products {we hope that changes after this post!}, chances are you started out with one of their cult mascaras. Colossal Volume Mascara in Black is one of our absolute favorites for full, thick lashes! delivering 9x the volume of their regular mascara (with collagen formula) it will take those tiny lashes to the extreme.  we recommend at least 2-3 coats per eye to start volumizing, but you can coat your lashes until you get your desired result. this formula comes in washable, waterproof and 3 different shades but we will always recommend the classic black!

~ Great Lash Mascara is THE cult classic mascara {40 years of popularity don't lie} and the first one most beginning makeup artists check out.  this mascara is a great choice for natural looking lashes and now comes in several different brush styles as well as waterproof

~ Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser is one of those amazing products that can give you the results of a more expensive one {think Benefit Porefessional, Clinique Pore Minimizer}, and we LOVE that. beloved for it's skin smoothing, pore erasing and oil absorbing results, dab a small amount anywhere you want to control oil or erase pores. we also love it around the outside of the lip line if your lipstick has a tendency to bleed into any fine lines

~ that rounds up our Maybelline Favorites for #MakeupMonday! stay tuned for next week's brand favorite must haves, and stay fabulous
xoxo

Sephora VIB ROUGE {Beauty Selects}

~ sephora had their annual VIB ROUGE discount offer over the past week and Tarah and I, being the beauty junkies we are, obviously couldn't hold back from picking up some new goodies. we usually use this as an opportunity to either replenish on our favorites or try out some newer products. since we're going into the warmer spring weather and summer, we definitely chose some beauty favorites that will suit our sunshine loving needs.
 we've linked everything for your viewing pleasure and will be reviewing some of our goodies later this week.
there's still time for you to do some last minute shopping as VIB ROUGE ends tonight at midnight! be sure to use the ROUGELOVE code when checking out!

Bumble & Bumble Surf Infusion 

Caudalie Beauty Elixir

Tarte TarteGuard Sunscreen

Bite Beauty Watercolors Lip Gloss Library

Stila Convertible Color Cheek Palette {currently out of stock at sephora ~ linked to Stila's site}

Hourglass Ambient Bronzer

Boscia Masking Medley

Nars Laguna Bronzer

Tocca Beauty Liliana

Lavanila The Healthy Deodorant

what beauty goodies did you guys select? let us know in the comment section!!

xoxo

Happy April!!

~ happy April 1st!! we aren't ones to play april fools jokes but april still brings with it the promise of sunshine, tulips and mini eggs so that makes us happy campers. we're excited about a few Easter recipes we will be sharing over the weekend, including a delectable cake recipe from Butter! have a wonderful long weekend with your families and we hope the Easter bunny gives you all the mini eggs your heart desires ~ 

Citrus Love

~ we're so happy it's spring in Vancouver. we realize how lucky we are living on the west coast and not having to deal with the cold winter weather the rest of Canada has had to deal with. thinking of how to ease off winter tension and entering spring relaxed, we're sharing simple de-stressers using citrus that you can all incorporate into your daily routines easily

~ we're big fans of anything that will help us feel less stressed and rejuvenated and as a bonus smells delicious. citrus scents have been known to have many benefits, the biggest: how it aids in reducing stress. many of us live chaotic lives, combining work, family and friends and still trying to make time for an episode of Scandal, House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Game of Thrones {you get my drift}. different citrus scents provide different benefits: orange oil is contains a key soothing ingredient, linalool, that helps to relieve tension and stress. lemon oil has been known to perk you up and reduce anxiety. grapefruit aromas are commonly known to curb depression and enhance memory. 

~treat yourself by incorporating citrus aromas in these very simple DIY ways to de-stress and feel rejenvated courtesy of Sunkist

~ hydrate with lemon water: we're big fans of lemon water, whether it be as part of our morning cup of hot water with honey and a slice of lemon or simply by adding a squeeze into our daily water intake. flavoring a tall, cool glass of water with a few squeezes of a juicy lemon is very refreshing. take a quick moment and savor the taste and aroma by closing your eyes and breathing deeply in between sips. you'll instantly feel both calm and refreshed, ready to tackle the day

~ take a citrus scented bath: relax after a long day of being a #girlboss by treating yourself to the kind of bath your deserve. fill your tub with hot water and surround yourself with some beautifully scented candles. add a few slices of your favorite citrus, whether orange, lemon, lime or grapefruit and a few bubbles if you so desire. step in, settle yourself, close your eyes and take in the delicious aroma while the candles flicker and you relax

~ make yourself some citrus potpourri: on the stove top, simmer some leftover citrus peel, a teaspoon of cinnamon in hot water, allowing the scent to waft in the house for hours. even better and longer-lasting if you have a slow-cooker!

~ treat yourself to a grapefruit massage: mix a few drops of grapefruit essential oil into your favorite body moisturizer. massage all over, taking in the invigorating and calming scent while giving yourself a spa-worthy treatment

Beauty Favorites: {Drug Store Favorites}

~ there's something to be said for being a savvy beauty junkie. it doesn't always mean having the most expensive products in your makeup kit. Rather, it means knowing what products are investment pieces and which ones you can save on.

~ being makeup artists, we go through A LOT of product. there are certain make up items that we are always replenishing and sometimes it just doesn't make sense spending so much on items that you go through so quickly and frequently. we practice this philosophy with our personal make up kits also. absolutely there are items that we will spending some of our hard-earned money on and feel no remorse or guilt whatsoever {we're looking at you Tom Ford lipsticks} but there are some things we just can't bring ourselves to spend all those dolla bills on for the following reasons:
1. we don't use them too often {like foundation ~ Oz is a tinted moisturizer kinda girl} 2. the lifetime of the product just isn't worth it {most mascaras because we go thru them so fast} 3. trendy items {certain shades of lipsticks or eyeliners are only popular for so long, no sense in spending so much money if they're only being used a few times} and lastly, 4. tried, tested and true {these products are just as good as their luxury counterparts!}

~ we've chosen 6 of our favorite drug store products that we think you'll love just as much, starting off with Oz's selects.
we would love to hear your favorites also in the comment section!!

1. Maybelline Baby Lips ~ i probably have 10 of these in all my coats and purses. they're so hydrating and impart a hint of color that can actually be used in lieu of lipstick or gloss. as an added bonus, they visibly renew the texture of your lips leaving behind super soft lips

2. Cover Girl Full Lash Bloom ~ mascara is something i thru a lot! i'm a minimalist when it comes to my every day makeup routine
3. L'Oreal Infalliable Gel Lacquer Liner 24 Hour ~ this gel liner is amazing. ah-may-zing. it glides on super smooth without tugging at your skin, the brush gives you a lot of control with flexibility {for those winged eyeliner days} and it stays. like on. for a very long time. it is also a favorite of many a celebrity make up artists
4. L'Oreal True Match Concealer ~ i don't know about you but i like my makeup application to be quick and foolproof but have me looking beauteous. this easy to use concealer that blends in seamlessly with color match perfection is a great on-the-go product to have for quick, cell-phone camera touch ups
5. Eco Tools Brushes ~ i'll be honest with you, i like fancy brushes. they bring me lots of joy when i use them on myself and my clients. i came across these brushes by accident: i went to a makeup gig not realizing that i had misplaced my brushes in a different kit {fortunately it was a friend and i got there super early and we were close to London Drugs}. while i could have easily done a full makeup with my hands and fingers {fashion makeup artist yo!} i do hold myself to a level of professional decorum. my salvation: eco tools brushes. they are really nice. really nice. and trust a makeup artist when they tell you if brushes are the bomb.com or not. these beauties are now my mainstay personal brushes
6. Revlon Colorstay Foundation ~ if and when i wear foundation {very rarely if ever} i like a foundation that works with my combination skin, gives me a decent amount of coverage, but most importantly, stays on my face. fortunately, this one does all of that and doesn't make me feel like my skin is caked on with makeup {yes, i am a makeup artist who doesn't like to wear foundation. we do exist}

Tarah's selects are coming up and she's a glam girl so be sure to check back soon!

xoxo

Glam at the 2015 Grammy's

- excuse us for being away for a moment, we have been working on some fun Love Day ideas! however, we took a break to indulge in some 2015 Grammy's action and the glitterati did not disappoint. the ladies pulled out their glam squads and took their red carpet action up a notch if you ask us. below is our picks for the best glam of the night:

Madonna

~ say what you will about her outfits, her men ( boys), or her music, but you can't deny that her makeup artist @ginabrookebeauty slays her glam on every red carpet.  never without her Chantecaille Rose de Mai Hydrating Mist, she also incorporated the brands Future Skin foundation and new for Spring 2015 The Glacier Eye Shadow Trio (which we will be picking up for ourselves after seeing it!). the Madonnator sported a rose lip, her signature porcelain skin, strong brows and bold cat eye liner with the most gorgeous shade of gold glitter shadow

Katy Perry

~this girls makeup is on point at every event thanks to her beauty boy @byjakebailey.  as a Cover Girl spokesperson he incorporated a few signature products into her look for the Grammy's, such as Cover Girl's newest addition to their mascara family: Full Lash Bloom Mascara.  a few of our other picks to complete her look are Cover Girl's Bombshell Intensity Liner and Notice Me Nudes Eyeshadow Quad. shine on Miss Katy, shine on

Kim Kardashian- West

~ now this pick may be frowned upon by some of you, but there is no denying @makeupbymario talent for bringing out the best in Mrs. West's features with his signature glam.  using Anastasia Beverly Hills shadows on her eyes in a mix of golds, greens and browns, Tom Ford Gloss in Naked, and his custom highlighter Eye M Glam by Giella.  this gives Kim a fantastic glow with out being overly shiny, and a wonderful take on  modern mermaid colors

Bridal Beauty : Jenny Packham Trunk Show {Bisou Bridal x SxBD Girls}

~ bridal season is upon us and we're so fortunate to be able to beautify some gorgeous brides during the season. we teamed up with Bisou Bridal, your destination for stunning luxury bridal gowns in Vancouver, BC to put together two beauty looks for their upcoming Jenny Packham Trunk Show  February 6-8th. we did a Fresh Glow and a Dramatic Glamour, covering two of the more common requests for bridal makeup. both looks pair well with any of the stunning gowns Jenny Packham exquisitely designs. be sure to check out Bisou's blog for details on these two looks and more bridal beauty collaborations coming soon~

{Best Beauty Looks}: Golden Globes 2015

~ the start to awards season is always fun for fashion and beauty lovers. seeing what the talented actors and actresses wear on the red carpet is exciting! some people even place bets on which actress will wear who to which event. the golden globes are the first big awards event of the season and last night's show definitely set the stage for the rest of the year. you saw our post on our best/worst styles here and now we're sharing our favorite beauty looks. there are always so many stunning women on the red carpet that really, we'd chose almost all of them if we could. the ladies we did choose are on opposite ends of the beauty spectrums. the first three are soft and natural, shimmeringly beautiful. the other three are much bolder, dramatic and stand outs. any way you look at it, all 6 ladies looked stunning. we found a few of the products each lady's makeup artist used to achieve their glam looks. there is even a surprise make up artist amongst them!  ~

Diane Kruger make up by Diane Kruger!!

 Amy Adams makeup by Stephen Sollitto using Chanel Beauté

 Sienna Miller makeup by Charlotte Tilbury using Charlotte Tilbury Cosmetics

Allison Williams makeup by Gianpaolo Ceciliato using Armani Cosmetics and St. Tropez

Emma Stone makeup by Rachel Goodwin for Chanel Cosmetics

Jessica Chastain  makeup by Kristofer Buckle using YSL Beauté

Happy New Year {2015}

~ wishing you all health, happiness and prosperity in 2015. thank you for sharing in our love of beauty|style|pretty things. we cannot wait to share in more prettiness with you all! ~

xoxo Oz & Tarah

Skin Care Favorites: {2014}

~ i mentioned in my 2014 beauty favorites post that i had upped my skin care game this year. i've definitely noticed changes in my skin and while i've been fortunate to have very little change, i have no doubt that one day i'll wake up and see some things i don't really want to see. proactive is the name of the game. i've been making sure to step out of my usual comfort zone and brands and try some newer products. that's worked out really well for me thus far and i've been very happy with what i've added to my skin care routine. being a beauty blogger and editor, i make sure to do a bit of research and test all the products before purchasing and i encourage that you do that also. the last thing you want is to buy something that doesn't work for you. also, read the packaging. when i first tried the glam glow, it began to tingle and i was worried my skin was reacting to it. it wasn't until i read the packaging and it said: tingling and exfoliating mud mask. even beauty editors have not so bright moments. anyhoo, the following are some of the newer products i tried out this year and have added to my every day. i broke it down for morning/evening and specialty. there are other products i use also but these are the newest and freshest. i look forward to upping my skin care game even more in 2015. sheet masks. going to buy some more sheet masks ~

Day: 

Fresh Soy Facial Cleanser 

Eminence Stone Crop Hydrating Mist 

Josie Maran Light Argan Oil

Kiehl's Super Fluid UV Defense Sunscreen 

Evening: 

Kiehl's Avocado Eye Cream 

Tarte Fresh Eyes Make Up Remover Wipes 

Josie Maran High Infinity Intensive Creamy Oil

Specialty: 

Fresh Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask 

Glam Glow Youth Mud Tingling and Exfoliating Mud Mask 

Clarisonic Mia 2 

Jenna Hipp Essential Nail & Hand Cream