Spice up your holiday look - DIY style

It's that time of year again- one holiday party after another, and other than a great outfit, how else can you add some sizzle to your look and stand out at the next holiday bash? Nothing can be more simple (and inexpensive) than some fun make up! Here are 3 easy ways that you can change up your look this year:

*Note - using all three of these options can cause makeup overload, my suggestion is to pick one at a time and run with it!

1. The lips say it all

Bold lip colours in every shade imaginable have been trending this year, so for the holidays take it up a notch and try a bright, bold, and rich hue. In this case, keep the rest of your makeup simple and muted, the focus here is on the lips. Don't be afraid to try a deep and dark colour, choose a shade that looks great on you and go a few shades darker.

2. Colour combo eyes

Colour blocking and combining clashing tones has been all over the runway, so do the same with your eyes! Take two contrasting hues opposite on the colour wheel, ( for example yellow and purple, blue and orange, or even red and green if you really want to be festive!) and apply the lighter colour on the inside of the lid, and the darker colour on the outside and in the crease. Don't forget to put a neutral highlighter under the brow and on the inside corners of the eye!

3. Well manicured lady

The counters are filled with hundreds of shades of nail polish, from matte, to pearly, to the new trend this year - glitter and sparkle. These polishes can get pricey though, and they rarely turn out as glitter packed as they seem! An easy way to use up that left over glitter from your high school art project, is to mix it into a bottle of your clear nail polish! Another great way is to apply a clear coat on your nails first, then quickly sprinkle on the glitter while it's wet so it will stick, then finish with another clear layer, VIOLA!

*Tip - Match the base colour with the colour of the glitter for a cleaner look.

Hope you got a little inspiration and helpful tips to take on the holidays, DIY style... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

By: Karolina Swietoniowska

For more great holiday ideas, check out Pinterest!

Stepping outside of your bubble..

Fashion in 2012 has no limits. You can mix and match any possible pattern, print, colour, accessory, and it will be seen as fashionable. But what happens when you’re a simple girl in today’s world and all of those choices are beautiful, yes, but they also seem overwhelming? There are simple things that can be done so you can stay trendy without feeling uncomfortable with all the choices. Accessories are the best way to add a little pop to any outfit. You don’t need to throw on every single thing you own, but you can mix and match necklaces, bracelets, rings, and bags to spice up your neutral outfit, all while still feeling comfortable. Other things you can do to feel a little more fashionable is to wear a bit of colour on your lips, it’s a very easy way to freshen up your look without going overboard, or paint your nails a fun colour! Now because colour blocking is very in style right now, it doesn’t mean you need to colour block your outfit; a simpler way to do it is to mix up the colour of your accessories, lip colour, or nails. Use any of these tips, and you will feel like a brand new version of your fashionable self.

www.maccosmetics.com

www.winners.com

www.essie.com

<3 elise

Violent Lips

Violent Lips

By

Ibum Obu

Just when I thought we had run out of places to get tattooed on our bodies or accessorize, I came across “Violent lips”, another new and creative way to accessorize. It is a temporary lip tattoo that is safe for ages 3+, vitamin enhanced and lasts 4-8 hours depending on skin type and care. The product is FDA approved, contains no animal products and is tested on supermodels, not animals. It is easy to apply and can be removed by using baby oil or mineral oil with a textured wipe. If you’re feeling adventurous, it is another creative and fun thing to try especially if you have run out of ways to be creative with your lipstick and other make-up tools.

Violent lips uses strips of different designs of your choice which you can easily just paste on your lips without any complications, giving you a temporary new look if you get bored, especially for fashionistas who want to stand out. The variety of designs range from leopard, to fishnets, to sparkling colours and so many more!

The full collection can be viewed at the VIOLENT LIPS official website. So you may ask; are lip adornments the latest beauty trend? Well, British singer Jessie J recently sported Swarovski crystallized lips in her ‘Do It Like A Dude’ video, so we will just have to watch and wait for it. Personally I’m all for venturing out and trying new things.

Illamasqua

by: Finency Anggreni Setioyuwono

Spring / Summer 2011 is nothing but wearing refreshing fun and bright colors.

Let me introduce you to Illamasqua


Founded in November 2008 by Julian Kynaston, this UK brand positioned itself as "makeup for your alter ego." What's so unique about this product its daring and intense colors, along with dramatic makeup. Inspired by the dark and illicit club scene drama in 1920s and a rich heritage in the manufacture of makeup for film and theater, Illmasqua represents the bolder and darker side of a person hiding inside of us; also a confident statement of self-ownership.

In Canada, Illamasqua is only available at Sephora. False lashes, nail polishes, and lipsticks are some of their best-selling products.

Below are some of my top picks of Illamasqua products that you can use for everyday looks. Let me know which one you can't wait to be trying out this season!

(Toxic Nature nail polish - $18)

Illamasqua's spring collection, entitled Toxic Nature includes neon, neutral and rich metallic colors. These nail polishes are a must to complete your Spring's collection.

(4-Colour Liquid Metal Palette - $45.50)

This palette features four-must-spring-liquid-metal shades. Each color is amazingly rich and highly pigmented. Now is the time for you to get dazzled!

(Sheer Lipgloss in Mistress -$23)

An easier way to pull off the Tangerine trend for spring is with a gloss, and Illamasqua has a great one. The Sheer Gloss includes hints of shimmer to make the bold color a bit more wearable.

(Powder Blush in Nymph - $28)

Nymph is a beautiful cool toned light pink shade. Like all of Illamasqua's blushes, it has a matte finish, but it's extremely pigmented and a little bit goes a really long way. When applied lightly, it appears as a gorgeous baby pink - giving you a very fresh look.

(Illamasqua Lipsticks in Obey, Sonnet, Atomic - $25)

Of all Illamasqua's beauty products, my absolute favourite is its lipstick collection. Since Illamasqua's lipstick pigmentation is intense, you might want to try the lighter-colored Obey (matte coral pink) and Sonnet (matte peachy nude). Also, don't forget to try the Atomic lipstick (fuschia violet), a part of the Toxic Nature collection.

Happy shopping!

Poppy Pucker!

How to get the perfect red lip

By Gillian Waxer

Help commemorate Remembrance Day in a modern way with the perfect pair of poppy red lips! To do this you will have to take certain steps in order to prepare your pucker.

Step 1: Exfoliate. Gently remove dead skin cells with a soft sugar and honey scrub or by lightly brushing your lips with a toothbrush.

Step 2: Moisturize. Apply a moisturizing treatment such as a hydrating moisture mask, lip balm, or Chap Stick. Let set for a minute or two, and then blot away any access product.

Step 3: Line. Line your lips along their natural line with a red lip pencil, then fill in both lips. Avoid lining your lips outside their natural line because it will give a clownish or drag queen appearance.

Step 4: Color. Apply your lipstick. If you want a more precise application use a lip brush as opposed to applying straight from the tube. After application, put your finger in your mouth and pull it out. This will remove any excess product that would end up on your teeth.

Step 5: Contour. Using concealer, line the outside of your lips and blend outwards. The concealer will add even more life to your lips.

Now your lips pop like a poppy!!

Lipstick Love Affair

By Stefania Di Mascio

Ok ladies so I’m overwhelmed with excitement and I can’t wait to share with you my new favourite lipstick. You’re probably thinking what’s the big deal it’s just a lipstick but for anyone that knows me they know I’m a lip-gloss, Chap Stick kinda gal. However, a month or so ago my girlfriend came over and we were getting ready to go out. I routinely put on my sheerest lip-gloss while she applies her lipstick, THE LIPSTICK. One look and I was instantly intrigued so I asked her if I could try it. Well, let me tell you I apply the lipstick all the while thinking ‘it won’t look good on me’ only to be proven wrong. It was as if I had found a long lost friend. It was clear to me right then and there that I had to have this magical shade of lipstick. Not only did I ask her to borrow it for re-application the whole night but the next day I went to the mall and bought it. Every time I wear it I get complimented and I tell everyone I know about it. To top it all off I have changed my way of thinking-I too can wear lipstick, who knew!

The Lipstick: made by M A C, Crosswires. This cream based, coral shade looks good on just about anyone.