Ever thought of sleeping on silk? Well I haven’t up until now…. and WOW let me tell you what you’ve been missing! You may not have ever thought of it but sleeping on silk provides a TON of amazing skin care and beauty benefits. Overnight is when your body works overtime to rejuvenate and replenish all your resources…especially your skin. It is also the time when the expensive products you buy with fancy enzymes, botanicals, and magical healing properties are going to do their job most effectively. In light of this, wouldn’t you be as concerned about the material which you are resting your face on? (And did I mention we spend an entire third of our lives in bed?!).

So allow me to take a minute and reveal to you just how important it is to sleep on the right material–and that’s only if you like to wake up looking young and beautiful every morning? Oui?

Here is why sleeping on silk is actually a BIG DEAL:

1. Skin Love

Silk contains natural protein, cellular albumin, as well as 18 essential amino acids. Together, these constituents speed up the metabolism of cells and consequently increases cell turnover. There is no definitive evidence to say that these elements are absorbed directly into your skin from your pillow overnight–however, of major importance is the fact that silk doesn’t draw moisture from your skin like cotton does. This valuable component prevents skin from becoming dehydrated overnight and ensures that the product you have applied is not absorbed into your pillow as opposed to your face.

Also, since silk provides a smoother surface to rest upon–your skin will not experience friction against your pillow as you toss and turn overnight. Instead your face can easily slide, allowing you to wake up in the morning crease free and gorgeous!

2. Hypoallergenic

Pure silk is naturally mildew resistant and won’t collect dust mites and allergens that would otherwise serve as potential irritation for your skin. Since silk is woven with little space in between threads there is no space for little critters to accumulate and sleep with your face at night time. Also, since silk is so smooth anything that rests upon it (that is unwelcome) will easily slide off.

3. Did I mention it’s great for your hair too?

No friction= No breakage! AND the proteins inherent in silk are nourishing to the hair follicles which actually serve as an anti-frizz agent. Hello morning–goodbye bedhead!

4. Regulates Temperature

Silk has the ability to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. How? Unlike other fibers, silk does not conduct heat or static electricity. This allows for heat to be retained during cold temperatures and heat to be released during warmer temperatures. So you can ALWAYS have a cool pillow to rest your face on and keep those pores closed!

Beauty Verdict:

The silk pillow I tried came from Cilque and I am in LOVE with it. There is some buzz around that internet that claims the heralded benefits of silk come form minimally supported evidence however, I decided to put it to the test myself.

After only the first night of sleeping on my silk pillow I noticed that my face looking more fresh in the morning–and one thing that doesn’t need any evidence is that no one likes to wake up with face creases! Especially when you age and your skin loses its elasticity it takes longer for your skin to bounce back–so why stress out your skin when you don’t have to?

Also, it’s SOFTNESS makes sleeping SO much more comfortable and just simply luxurious. It feels divine… not even Egyptian cotton can measure up to it in my opinion.

Moreover, my hair DOES in fact feel softer. It’s almost got this new-found shine in the morning instead of looking dehydrated and brittle. Do I use hair treatments? Well yes, always… but this is different.

Also, knowing that I’m not sharing my ever-refreshingly cool pillow with any bed-bugs is just….comforting.

I definitely recommend this fantastic line. They use 100% mulberry silk and there items are so chic and fashionable–who says you can’t bring fashion in the bedroom?  I’ve found a new meaning to Beauty Sleep and I don’t think it will be complete until I get my hands on the rest of this line!

What I’d love to try next is their eye mask. A must for me especially when traveling with my boyfriend–he INSISTS on keeping lights on when he sleeps *roll eyes*.

Has anyone else tried sleeping on silk? What do you think?

If I was going to ask anyone their advice on skincare products it appears I’ve come to the right place! Industry expert Linda Stephenson who has been in the beauty industry developing products for 24 years with big brands such as Estée Lauder, MAC, and Mary Kay before she founded her own line Mèreadesso Woman, reveals her valuable tips and professional knowledge.

With a Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto in Chemistry and Biology with a minor in Botany she began her career by being recruited by a little brand called MAC–not bad straight out of University! After they were acquired by Estée Lauder (whom she praises as an excellent company to work for) she continued to hold a senior management position in product development and had the opportunity to travel around the world in search of exotic ingredients while using her creativity to produce innovative blends of botanicals and enzymes. After years of valuable experience and learning she continued to consult for various companies but became bewildered by the fact that she rarely came across a company that sought out to design something new. Instead, those she consulted with commonly requested her advice on how to create a product identical to another brand, only at a lower price. Not to say ALL companies held this ambition to beat out the other (without any appreciation for creative progress I might add), however, there was another problem.

What used to be a modest selection in skin care products offered by companies are now an overblown measureless variety of merchandise for the consumer to choose from all without much differentiation and more importantly, benefit. Instead of just one valuable cream for your entire face you are now bombarded with an endless list of “miracle products” that are claimed as a necessity for any woman to receive a certain measure of skin care advantage. This unnecessary attempt at companies to add newness to their line has really just created a baffling experience for the consumer without much gain.

And then one day it hit her. Linda was rushing to the drugstore before it closed to replenish her household toothpaste and upon scanning the isles she just stood their in amusement. Of what exactly? All the choices. For something so simple as toothpaste??! Mint, this brand, that brand, whitening, sensitive, and the list goes on. Why can’t we just have one that does everything!!!! And that was her epiphany—and Mèreadesso Woman was born.

It’s simple. It’s pure. And it’s EVERYTHING you need–in 3 products. That’s right.

Linda has done the brilliant and the previously impossible. She has packed every single beneficial ingredient that your skin could possibly need from exotic botanicals, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and powerful anti-oxidants to create a line that is humbly irreplaceable. You get a cleanser, a face + neck toning gel (which is also your moisturizer) and your body cream. Oh and she has also created this Fab product for your lips called Lip Treats–they’re heavenly and give a new meaning to soft (but I’m going to owe them a more thorough explanation in another article).

To pay some defense to her industry, however, she does inform us that what’s possible today with the presence of more advanced equipment and technology we are now able to mix a wide array of ingredients together whereas previously this wasn’t a possibility. And so when I asked about the concentration of the ingredients in Mèreadesso Woman Linda revealed that it is about achieving the right balance. More of any certain ingredient doesn’t necessarily mean the product is better…it’s more of a careful art. One thing though unlike most other products, the first ingredient IS NOT water and there isn’t any ONE miracle ingredient. Your skin is an organ and needs a variety of different means of replenishment for it to be at its most optimal level. Just imagine if you only ate carrots all day and every day–yes they’re good for you but you’re body cannot survive off them and the same goes for your skin.

From this, one important piece of advice Linda offers is to always read the label to assess a products true worth. Also to beware of fancy names such as “hyperzelex combo”  which really is just techo-babble and more of a marketng ploy to boast one product’s efficacy over another.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to speak with Linda, and a pleasure it was! I think I just might have to do some spring-cleaning and refresh my skincare counter!

From one of my MOST favorite lines yet which I discovered years ago and never fails to live up to my skin care expectations…SkinCeuticals offers 3 new essential skin savers:

AOX Eye Gel

What’s in it?

• A unique combo of antioxidants: 1% Phloreti9n, 5% L-Ascorbic Acid, 0.5% Ferulic Acid–promotes COLLAGEN synthesis (very important!), prevents signs of aging, corrects fine lines and wrinkles, improves skin tone around the eye.
  
• Ruscus Aculeatus (fancy!)–removes swelling
  
• Caffeine–reduces those unsightly bags
  

What does it do?

This silky gel will prevent aging around your eyes, which is where your skin is most fragile and the easiest to wrinkle. It also works to correct existing photo-damage, reduce under-eye swelling (by improving circulation), and diminish puffiness (by draining any fluid congestion). It is a daily preventative and corrective treatment which will make everyday a brighter one.

Beauty Verdict:

I love this new addition to my morning routine. Even after a long night I can’t remember what it looks like to have puffy eyes… this is an instant beauty fix!

SkinCeuticals

Retails for: $85

Phloretin CF Gel

What’s in it?

• A unique antioxidant combo of: 2% Phloretin (speeds up cell turnover allowing your skin to renew itself faster), 10% L-Absorbic Acid (promotes collagen synthesis–collagen is what makes your skin tight and youthful!), and 0.5% Ferulic Acid (prevents sun-damage and STOPS free radicals (which are cancer-causing).

What does it do?

This soft gel does everything from repair to prevention while boosting the skin’s structure for a firmer, brighter complexion–on EVERY level. It literally reconstructs the skin’s support structure while facilitating cellular repair and integrity. This is extremely helpful in preventing serious skin conditions (i.e. skin cancer).

Beauty Verdict:

I think it’s worth every penny. My skin is brighter and there is less repair time for blemishes–this stuff is powerful!

SkinCeuticals

Retails for: $152

Blemish + Age Defense

What’s in it?

A potent combination of the following blemish busters:

• 2% Dioic Acid–eliminates the bacteria responsible for causing acne.
  
• 0.3% LHA--decongests clogged pores and diminishes surface indicators of aging.
  
• 1.5% Salicylic Acid–refines pores and reduces acne.
  
• 3.5% Glycolic Acid and 0.5% Ciric Acid–accelerates exfoliation and reduces the signs of aging.
  

What does it do?

This oil-free formula treats and prevents acne as well as signs of aging. It directly treats fine lines, wrinkles, minimizes hyper-pigmentation, reduces excess sebum production (the oils of your skin that can contribute to acne), and reduces the inflammation present with acne.

Beauty Verdict:

If you get a blemish all you need to do is dab on a little bit of this and within no time you will gradually notice it disappear. The best effect I noticed is when you apply this formula at night and in the morning any blemish you thought you had is really just a faded memory. Just make sure you also use a moisturizer and apply this as a spot treatment–I want serum happy and noticed some dry spots so just apply where needed!

SkinCeuticals

Retails for: $78

Youth Code Foaming Gel Cleanser

What’s in it?

• Salicylic Acid–promotes skin exfoliation, prevents pores from clogging, and fights blemishes.

What does it do?

This foaming gel cleanser gently exfoliates and removes impurities, providing your skin with the power to optimally regenerate itself with each cleanse.

Beauty Verdict:

My skin feels soooo cleannnn and refreshed! It is soft and helps remove the majority of my eye makeup. A little thing I like to do as well is take a bit of crushed Himalayan salt and every other day mix it with this cleanser to exfoliate (it’s not good to exfoliate every day as you don’t want your skin to depend on it–the goal is to stimulate!). You also can’t go wrong with the price and the bottle should last you awhile!

L’Oreal Paris

Retails for: $7.99

Youth Code Dark Spot Serum Corrector

What’s in it?

• Vitamin B3 – Skin-brightening ingredient that helps fix the effects of hyperpigmentation and reduces the visible
  presence of melanin by 78%
• Vitamin CG – Active antioxidant to help brighten skin
• Pro-Cysteine – Antioxidant that works to protect skin from daily exposure to environmental aggressions
• Recoverine (aka Chestnut Seed Extract) – Promotes natural skin exfoliation
• HEPES (Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid) – Helps to boost cell turnover

What does it do?

This light serum is clinically proven to energize the repair gene and therefore enhance the skin’s capacity for recovery and ultimately unveil younger skin. The effect? Your skin will look more luminous, feel silky smooth, and be deeply hydrated. AND with continued use…signs of aging will visibly diminish. It also protects your skin with SPF 30.

Beauty Verdict:

I got into the habit of applying this beautiful pearl serum before bed after cleansing and over the past few weeks I’ve definitely noticed a change in the radiance of my skin–especially when I wake up in the morning!

L’Oreal Paris

Retails for: $24.99

Youth Code Day Cream

What’s in it?

• Broad-Spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 –Helps protect the skin from further sun damage and the formation of discolorations.
• Pro-Cysteine – Antioxidant that works to protect skin from daily exposure to environmental aggressions.
• Recoverine (aka Chestnut Seed Extract)– Promotes natural skin exfoliation.
• HEPES (Hydroxyethylpiperazine Ethane Sulfonic Acid) – Helps to boost cell turnover.

What does it do?

To be smoothed over the serum, this luxurious cream ensures deep hydration with a supple finish while also offer sun-protection. *SPF 30 and oil-free*

Beauty Verdict:

Great stuff. The SPF 30 protects and my skin definitely feels more hydrated.  The L’OREAL Youth Code collection overall seems to be doing a Fab job on revitalizing and repairing what the winter has stripped away.

L’Oreal Paris

Retails for: $24.99

Age Perfect Hydra Nutrition

What’s in it?

• Biolysat (activates the expression of the repair gene)
• Adenosine (anti-wrinkle agent–helps stimulate DNA and protein synthesis while producing collagen).
• Bio-Peptides and Cerimide fortifiers (repairs signs of past damage and aging)

What does it do?

This silky serum “re-densifies” meaning it basically re-cushions your skin from the inside leaving your skin more supple and resilient on its surface. It also provides intense hydration (we are still recovering from the winter dryness) and an even skin tone. Basically, your skin’s natural radiance will be restored!

Beauty Verdict:

And yes it’s supple! I apply the Age Perfect after the serum intense as it is meant to replace and act as a moisturizer. I feel it completes the Youth Code collection to give your skin the final push it needs. Feels light when I put it on and my skin seems to soak it up instantly.

L’Oreal Paris

Retails for: $19.99

Vitamin C & E Serum

What’s in it?

• Vitamin C (rejuvenates and restores)
• Vitamin E (corrects and prevents damage)

What does it do?

Reduces the appearance of sun-damage and discoloration to reveal healthier and brighter look to your skin.

Beauty Verdict:

I know that Vitamin C and E are skin care must-haves and a serum that holds these in such a potent blend is meant to work wonders. I’ve added this to my regime for the added benefit of the anti-oxidants it delivers and so far my skin has seemed to thank me. Uneven skin has become a thing of the past. It comes at a hefty price tag though but the good news is you can try their sample pack for only $30 and that allows you to sample their cleanser and moisturizer as well http://riversol.com/shop/riversol-anti-aging/

Retails for: $139.00

What’s more is that clipix allows you to maintain customized privacy settings. Basically, you can organize your online life and only grant certain people access to your clipboards. It could be like a private fashion gallery

Well how does it work anyway?? It’s SUPER EASY! You drag a bookmark called the “Clip” button to your bookmarks bar. You then can click it whenever you see something online that grabs your attention and you’d like to come back to. Everything you clip will be stored in customized clipboards on clipix that YOU organize and control.

You can make clipboards for literally anything. It could be articles you want to read, shoes you’d like to buy, purses, clothes, gift ideas, recipes…you name it! The list is pretty much endless.

There are also Syncboards. These allow you to clip collaboratively with your friends or family. When anyone adds a clip to the syncboard, everyone else you collaborate with will see it in real-time. Another super cool feature of clipix is the Multiboards which allows you to group your boards together for better organization.

I could go on and on but once you start using it you’ll be as addicted as I am!

I’ll be using this feature to plan my outfits–it makes things SO much easier. Here is a shot of some of the great shoes I found and saved using Clipix!

Be sure to visit Clipix and sign-up today–it’s such a cool feature you will wish you had it sooner! Here is a great youtube video that shows you how to get started:

You can also reach Clipix on Facebook and Twitter! http://www.facebook.com/pages/…) and/or following @clipix on Twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/clipix).

Promoted Post

Christian Louboutin… I love how he can make even the most random designs always classy and sexy at the same time. By the way… he’s going to be at Saks at Bal Harbour signing shoes tomorrow (Monday, Feb 6th). I just missed him…boo!!

Look at this gorgeous heel! Way to go DIOR. I love it.

This Louboutin shoe is very daring and edgy. Looks amazing though.

Giuseppe Zanotti. You genius.

This one reminds me of Lady Gaga. Zanotti again.

On Friday night I had the opportunity of dining at this very fine Italian Risto in Downtown Miami. The food AND service was absolutely incredible. My reservations were at 630 but most people started rolling in around 830 for dinner. It was fantastic and the waiters had charming Italian accents.

On Saturday it was cloudy so no opportunity to tan but a great opportunity to get a deep tissue massage! This Spa was at our hotel (Loew’s) and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

On Saturday night we had dinner at Scarpetta. This was in the Fountaine Bleau hotel on Collins Rd. (Miami Beach). This was a gorgeous hotel and restaurant–I’d definitely prefer to stay here the second time around. Although Loew’s was a nice hotel this one seemed to have a much better vibe and in my opinion, more beautiful. Loew’s turned out to be more of a family type resort while this one was more adults. I’d probably compare it to the Riu Bahamas vs. the Cove (Fountaine Bleau being the Cove).

And what’s a fabulous dinner without a bottle of Caymus Special Select? This is my FAVORITE wine…so far.

Hydrotherapy offers countless health benefits that often are undervalued in their powerful healing potential. Not only an incredible healing tool, hydrotherapy does wonders for promoting wellness and supporting the body on several fundamental levels. A whole other article on its own would only begin to share the health benefits of its practice. However, what I’d love to share with you today is the strength in its use for revitalization and overall beauty promotion. It is no hidden secret that someone who is healthy and vital looks better. Many spas around the globe have taken this simple fact and integrated it into their methods of beautification. But what are the underlying means by which hydrotherapy can make such a difference? What simple methods can you employ as part of your at home beauty regime? Well….I’d like to tell you

So what is hydrotherapy?

It is the practice of using water in a variety of methods to promote healing and wellness. It has a wide scope of treatment benefits and is sort of like a fine art when it comes down to it. Many important details like temperature control, duration of treatment, levels of submersion, and even the addition of organic substances are all carefully considered when planning a specific treatment. For our purposes we will focus on simple treatments you can use at home that will help you detox your body, improve your overall skin appearance, and increase your vitality!

Here are some of my hydrotherapy favorites:

1. Steam Inhalation

This technique will

**Also great for colds**

You will need:

• Tea kettle
• Glass or ceramic bowl
• Aromatic/Essential oils–Tea Tree or Lavender **this is a very important step because these essential oils are anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory. They will be entering your pores as the steam dilates them.
• Table
• Comfortable chair
• Towel

Directions:

• Fill the kettle with water and bring to a boil
• Pour the water into the glass bowl, filling it about half way
• Add the aromatic/essential oils (only 2 drops)
• Place the towel over the top of your head so that it drapes over the sides of your face.
• Close your eyes, lean over the bowl (as close as possible over the water without touching the water) allowing the sides of the towel to create a tent over the sides of the bowl to keep the steam concentrated around the face.
• After 15-20 mins wipe down your face with a cold towel–this is VERY important as you’ll want to close your pores not leaving them open to air-borne bacteria.

2. Alternating Hot and Cold Showers

What does this mean?

Well it’s pretty simple…when you’re in the shower you literally alternate the temperature between hot and cold. Basically, you allow yourself to enjoy a few minutes of hot water and then blast yourself with cold for about 45 seconds. You should do this back and forth seven times–BUT make sure you ALWAYS END WITH COLD! (I know, sucks). This may seem like a huge challenge for those of us that can’t stand the cold (like me!) but you can start off with the coldest temperature you can handle even if it’s pretty mild and then work yourself up to colder temperatures. Remember though, the greater contrast between hot and cold–the more EFFECTIVE the treatment.

So what is the benefit to this process anyways?? There are MANY!

It boost your circulation to a whole new level–cleaning it out, bringing blood to your capillaries, flushing your organs, reducing blood pressure, strengthening your nervous system…. I can go on..

Also very important… it contracts your muscles therefore allowing the elimination of toxins and poisonous wastes that accumulate. Making this daily practice will do wonders for your health as many health problems are a result of poor circulation. Not only that, you’ll have a TON of ENERGY–it’s incredibly refreshing!

Last… as a result of improved circulation and the efficient elimination of toxins in your body… your skin won’t have to suffer as a waste site. You will just be more glowing and radiant each and every shower that you apply this technique.

3. Salt Glow

This technique is one of my absolute favorites! Although its a common beauty regime I’m not sure that it’s benefits are fully appreciated–so I’d like to explain . First of all… what exactly do I mean by Salt Glow?

It’s an application of course, wet salt rubbed on the skin–basically…an exfoliation. It’s meant to increase vasodilation and consequently improve circulation while also allowing the skin to absorb minerals from the salt itself. And why the important of using salt? Salt is highly antiseptic and draws out toxins while exfoliating.

I love Himalayan Salts–they are PACKED with minerals that enhance your skin’s clarity and radiance. Epsom salts are also great because they contain magnesium which is important for a variety of bodily functions, including the production of energy and elimination of toxins.

This beautiful treatment encourages the production of new skin cells as the old ones are sloughed off, increases skin blood circulation, improves skin tone, hydrates and nourishes and finally leaving a smooth, polished appearance…all in all leaving you with a splendid Salt GLOW.

4. INCREASING WATER INTAKE

This SIMPLE yet VITAL aspect of your daily habits is key to promoting health and beautiful skin.

Why is this so? It…

• Prevents dehydration
• Clears toxins
• Promotes the healing process
• Controls overeating and promotes weight loss
• Improves wakefulness and brain function

Directions:

• First determine how much water you need in a day:
  • Water intake depends on the individuals weight, activity level, and climate
  • Divide weight (in kg) by 30- this will equal the amount of water needed/ day in litres.
  • E.g/ an individual that is 70kg will divide 70 by 30= 2.3 L
  • Measure your daily intake of water. If you find that you are consuming less than your recommended daily intake then try:
    • Bringing a measured water bottle or drinking container everywhere you go (especially if you will be in one spot for a long time like in the office or at school.)
    • If the problem is the flavor of water try adding lemons, limes or mint to each drink.

** On hot and humid days make sure to increase your water intake beyond your daily intake goal.

Has anyone tried some of these techniques? Have they worked for you?

For the BEST….

Mila Kunis in Alexander McQueen

Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris

Natalie Portman in Azzaro

Photo by Steve Granitz

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta

Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Amber Heard in Zac Posen

AP Photo/Matt Sayles

Naya Rivera in Naeem Khan

Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage

Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen

Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Jayma Mays in Reem Acra

Photo by John Shearer/WireImage

These are all very stunning dresses and each celeb pulled it off with effortless style–who’s your favorite best dressed?

What about WORST dressed? :S

For me it’s between Michelle Williams in Valentino

Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage

and Shalaine Woodley in…?

  (Alberto E. Rodriguez – Getty Images)

 Who are your best and worst for this year’s SAG awards?

Here are some FAB pieces from their Winter 2011 Styles…

TOFINO…In Chili Pepper/Black

The Story?

This sleek and sophisticated style has the comfort and versatility of a sneaker with the protection of a Sorel boot providing both waterproof warmth and runway fashion.

- Waterproof construction
- Waxed canvas upper with leather overlays – Leather shell

Retail: $199 CDN

http://www.sorel.com/

SOREL 88….In White

The Story?

A felt lined textile boot that gives a nod to arctic expedition boots in Sorel’s past. The thick felt lining wraps your leg and the cushy PU midsole keeps you up off the ground and toasty warm. The rubber outsole’s lugs and nubs will keep you sure-footed during your
snow endeavors.

- Durable water and wind resistant PU coated synthetic textile upper with drawstring closure – 2mm felt lining

Retail $199

http://www.sorel.com/

I was lucky to get my hands on a pair of Sorel 88′s in White! The verdict? They are SO comfortable!! I’ve been wearing them for the past week and my feet are super cozy…there’s also definitely no room for any wind or snow. And what else? The bright white is very sexy and won’t stain easily. I also love that the midsole lifts your foot slightly– I feel like I have more of a bounce to my step. Fantastic winter boot!! I don’t mind if the snow stays just A LITTLE longer.

WILD WOOLY WEDGE

The Story?

Elegantly crafted in premium leathers and shearling. The perfect bold statement boot.

- Shearling and full grain leather upper – Approximate heel height 3”
- Approximate boot shaft height 14”
- Molded rubber outsole

Retail $599

http://www.sorel.com/

What do you think of the Sorel Fall/Winter 2011 Collection? What is your favorite pair?

This gorgeous collection is inspired by the enchantment of a rose garden in full bloom with its soft, fresh hues that are illuminating to the complexion and shining with vibrancy. The shades are infused with guilty pleasures such as candy pink, tangerine, and soft green to evoke an aura of sweet delight. Combined, this collection provides a soft look and enhanced complexion perfect for the spring time air.

La Roseraie des Délices Blush ($48)  001 | La Roseraie

This blush is GREAT because it’s dual pink shades work to both brighten the complexion (rosy shade) and warm the face (peachy shade). At first I wasn’t sure how pink would appear on my face (I was concerned about looking “dollish”) but it creates such an illuminating effect it’s like a spring breeze just warmed your cheekbones! Also, it has a hint of green mother of pearl which works to eliminate redness–Yeah!!

COLOUR PLAY BY AARON DE MEY:
USE A BROAD BRUSH TO BLEND THE TWO SHADES TOGETHER AND APPLY GENEROUSLY TO CHEEKS, CHIN AND PRONOUNCED AREAS OF THE FOREHEAD. THEN USE A BLUSHER BRUSH TO APPLY THE PINK SHADE TO THE UPPER CHEEKBONES OR JUST BELOW THE EYE TO DISGUISE DARK CIRCLES. RESULT: A PETAL-FRESH COMPLEXION.
Available at Lancome.ca, Department Stores and Selected Pharmacies as of mid-February 2012. Limited edition.

Ombre Absolue Eye Shadow palette ($54)
Colours:

Rose Romantique

Vert Tendresse

I had the pleasure of trying the Vert Tendresse eye shadow palette. I’ll admit I’m a smokey eye kind of girl but these shades are so flattering also. It’s like a playful balance between sophistication and seduction–from the enchanted garden of course . This is comprised of tender green, pistachio, and mint hues for a soft, delicate feel.

MAKE-UP ARTISTRY BY AARON DE MEY:
CREATE A MADE-TO-MEASURE COMPLEXION USING TWO MEDIUM SHADES, BEFORE APPLYING A DELICATE VEIL OVER THE WHOLE EYELID WITH THE TIP OF THE APPLICATOR OR SIMPLY USING YOUR FINGERTIPS. THEN ILLUMINATE THE INNER CORNER OF THE EYE AND THE EYEBROW ARCH WITH A HIGHLIGHTER SHADE. FINALLY, TO SCULPT THE EYE, BLEND THE MORE INTENSE SHADE FROM THE LASH BASE TOWARDS THE LID CREASE.

Available at Lancome.ca, Department Stores and Selected Pharmacies as of mid-February 2012. Limited edition.