Product watch

It's been awhile since I've done a make-up post. Don't think that I've forgotten about it. I know where my duties lie. I've just been busy. I had to set my mother up with a make over and I think I did a pretty fabu job as she's now doing less work in the a.m. and is getting more results. Of course she is now enjoying the wonders of Flextencils. Yayers!

Shopping for make-up in Canada has been wonderful. You know why? Service. These girls are smart, fun and have no 'tude. I've managed to stay in budget by sheer will power alone. There are some great sales people in the cosmetics industry I tell you. I also really need to invest in a new set of brushes, which will basically be like making a car payment...

Anyway, here are some products that I've been adoring:

:::Mascara:::

While I'd hate to use anything but the wonderul curling mascara from Lancome, I have to say that I have found a new love. It's called Magnascopic and it's by Estee Lauder. I have it in brown (not even black) and the results are just breathtaking. Pricy... oh my. Amazing... hell yeah.

:::Blush:::

I discovered a wonderful new make-up company while I was in Toronto. It's called Cargo, it's Canadian, it's mid-priced and it's great. I told myself I could only look, but I couldn't resist picking up some blush from them. The line was developed for pros, like M.A.C. was, but hasn't gone mental price wise. Cargo has also endeared themselves to me by having the best GWP ever. A limited edition Tote Le Monde bag, worth $90 retail. I'm going to be a long term customer methinks.

:::Eyeliner:::

I decided to see what all the fuss was about Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner (about half way down the page). I went into Holt Renfrew expecting to see all the usual brands available in Canada, but I was pleasantly suprised. Finally I could get my paws on some Bobbi Brown. (Still no sign of Benefit so far. Boo-urns) After a really fun lesson on using the liner and how to really do the "smoky eye" look I was sold. The only draw back is that it requires an oil based eye make-up remover, which I didn't have and didn't get for 3 days. Meaning I had bedroom eyes for the better part of a week. I guess I can be happy to know that it lasts. The great part about this liner is that once it sets, it doesn't move. Which means NO SMUDGIES! You will need a brush to apply it.

:::Lips:::

More praise for Cargo. It is my secret wish that once I become a make-up artist, I get to desgin a line for them! Anyway, another great item they have is their lip gloss. It comes in a huge tin with two complimentary shades, meaning you get 3 colours out of it. The gloss is light and it's fragrance free which is great. One of the reasons we seem to rip though lip gloss and blam (:-)) is because it's tasty. By making the gloss fragrance free, you're less inclined to eat it off your lips. And the colours are just lovely.

:::Face:::

It's summer so I'm trying my best to wear as little on my face as possible. I've become freckled! And while Shiseido offers products that can help minimize the appearance (and apparently the existence, but I really doubt that) of freckles, it's become clear that M digs them, so I'll hold onto them for a little while.

So I'm going for a sheer look. I've found a great product that provides and even tone, but it essentially weightless (and it lets the freckles through, sigh). The Teint Cristallin Waterlights Make Up Stick from Chanel is great. It's super quick and easy to use and feels really cool going onto your skin. Perfect for summer.

Another product I've picked up is Lancome Star Bronzer. It really seemed like a good idea at the time. It's this really soft brush with bronzing power that you pump into it. It claims to compliment any skin type, but having tried it, it seems to work everywhere but my face. On my body it creates a light sparkly glow, like a light tan, but on my face... it's just orange. Mind you, I'm awfully pale, so I could just be expecting far too much. If you decide to get something like this, make sure you test it in the sun before you buy it. It really seemed like a good idea at the time.

HRH