Going Green

I often get asked whether there are good 'green' makeup or skin care lines on the market. With the full-blown trend of eco-chic taking the world by a continuous storm, I've decided to do a blog posting by request of a reader, on a few Eco-friendly brands.

One of my all-time favorite brands that also has an eco-line is Cargo. I absolutely adore Cargo cosmetics (and not because I worked for them back in the day). A favorite of celebrity makeup artists and used on many t.v and film sets, Cargo has been ahead of trends in many ways (hello blu-ray makeup!). With their wonderfully sinful Cargo PlantLove, the geniuses at Cargo have developed an ECOCERT, environmentally conscious line of makeup. With extremely stylish 100% natural ingredients and biodegradable packaging, PlantLove is for the stylish eco-loving (or not) girl on the go. The Baked Illuminator ($28), a bronzer and blush combo, is a huge fan-favorite! I HIGHLY recommend you check out Cargo PlantLove, you most definitely won't be disappointed and you're doing good for the environment and yourself.

Physician's Formula is another great eco-friendly brand that has been around for a long time. Being one of the first brands to carry eco-friendly make up and the very first to be ECOCERT certified, Physician's formula's makeup is environmentally conscious from the 100% certified organic ingredients to the paper (as opposed to plastic) packaging. Their line of Mineral Wear, talc-free makeup is also wonderful for anyone who prefers mineral makeup over liquid foundations or dry powders. The Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin Jumbo Lash Mascara ($15.79) is perfect for anyone looking for a hypoallergenic, fragrance free mascara that also contains Physician's Formula's OrganiSoy and Eco-olive ingredients to moisturize lashes and shield lashes from harmful rays.

Sejaa is supermodel (and Tom Brady's babymamawife) Gisele Bundchen's 100% natural-line of skin care. Being a huge advocate for environmental friendly products, she's the UN Ambassador for the Environmental Program (she even has her own like of eco-friendly flip flops!), Gisele's line is 100% natural by every stretch of the imagination possible. From the development to the packaging, Sejaa is the perfect skin-care line for someone who is environmentally conscious and a beauty maven. What makes the line even more perfect, she doesn't offer 100 different products. Rather, she's perfected the 3 products one needs for their skin and encourages trice daily use. The mud mask has had rave reviews and while it has a $56 price tag for a 2-month supply, if we think about how much energy (actual energy, windmills were used!!) and personalization was taken into consideration in production, you are absolutely getting your money's worth!

Burt's Bees is amongst one of the best natural personal care lines out there. You can find Burt's Bees in just about any drugstore in Canada and in health food stores as well and for good reason. Making their products using as natural means as possible, Burt's Bees has been a pioneer for encouraging eco-friendly, environmentally conscious natural makeup and skin care. Where they began (home-made beeswax lip balm) to where they are now (full skin, body, hair care and makeup lines for adults, children and babies), Burt's Bee is a definite go-to for the environmentally and budget conscious girl ( guy or baby). My personal favorites are the tinted lip balm's, they give a wonderful hint of color on the lips while conditioning and protecting. At only $7.99, they're a steal!

There are many eco-friendly, green makeup and skin care lines available. Even the conglomerate companies such as Proctor and Gamble and L'Oreal are developing environmentally friendly products within their lines because more and more consumers are asking for it. If the above mentioned brands are either out of your reach or you're a loyal customer to your current brand, don't be afraid to ask them (or me!) if they offer what you're looking for. Chances are, nowadays, they do.

Peachy-Keen

Summer is thisclose to being here. Everywhere you go, bright colors, maxi dresses, sandals and shorts are screaming for you to buy them. Beauty counters are displaying their summer collections full of gorgeous bronze, peach, pink and gold shades. And lets be honest, you're probably upping your work outs at the gym and watching your carb-intake (ice creams not a carb right?). Regardless as to how you're preparing yourself for those summer days and summer nights, you have to admit you don't want to look tooooo made up but rather glowing and fresh-faced.

A key color trend for summer beauty products is peach. On the lips, cheeks and eyes, peachy colors give you a healthful glow with the right amount of color and compliment your glorious tan (or your sun-protected skin if you don't tan!). When buying a peach colored beauty product, keep in mind, while peach is universally flattering, you want whatever it is you buy, whether its a lip color, cheek stain or highlighter, to compliment the rest of your makeup. Always shop with a plan/look in mind (trust me on this, I am a makeup junkie after all). Pair peach lips/cheeks with soft vanilla or bronzy eye shadows with a touch of mascara and an all-over highlighter with a bit of bronzer for a perfect summer look.

Here are some of my favorite peachy products for summer:

Tarte LipSurgence Natural Lip Stain in Joy/Peaceful

Benefit Coralista Blush

Lancome Juicy Tube in Simmer

Nars Blush in Orgasm/Sex Appeal

Nars Illuminator in Orgasm

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Nectar

**all products can be found at Sephora**

How to get the Look: Kate Middleton's Wedding Makeup

People ask me all the time if I'd ever do my own makeup for my wedding day. I've always said no, that I'd rather not have to deal with the stress of doing it myself. Then I heard Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cornwall did her own makeup. Now, the day I get married, I might have a large wedding but its extremely doubtful I would get married in the presence of not only 1,900 people but also the majority of the world watching me exchange vows with a Prince. So, if Kate can do it, I'm pretty sure that I can.

Here's a guide to getting Kate's makeup look that she so deftly did on her own. Rumor has it she used Bobbi Brown cosmetics but I've added some of my favorite products to use and tricks to achieve the look!

Step 1: Prep your skin.

I can't emphasize the importance of a good skin regimen leading up to your special day. While makeup can do wonders, no one wants to shellack product on their face to create a lit-from-within glow. If you don't already have a skin care regimen, start now! You don't have to go out and buy a plethora of products. Start with your basics : Cleanser, Toner, Moisturizer (CTM). Once you get into a solid pattern CTMing of 2x day, everyday, you'll want to incorporate an Exfoliant. Exfoliants are my favvvvvvvvvorite skin care products. They make dull skin look lively, a rough skin feel soft and most importantly they allow your skin to reproduce new skin cells so the old dead ones don't stay around!

The best advice I can give you about buying CTM products and an exfoliant is pay attention to what you're buying. If you aren't familiar, ask (ahem! *wink wink*). If you've used them all before but are wanting to upgrade, drop by a few counters, get as much information as possible, get a demonstration of the product and a sample if you can. Its important to educate yourself about the products you buy rather than "i'll just buy it because she/he/they/vogue said its good". Beauty professionals are there to help you but some unfortunately work on a commission basis but if you're a smart cookie (and you are) you can tell the difference between a good beauty professional and a sales-driven one.

Continue with your skin care regimen leading up to your wedding day, however, I would suggest if it is within your means, to treat yourself to a facial (or two) the month of your wedding. Getting a facial not only gives your skin a good cleaning but its also an hour to relax and let someone else take care of you. There are so many different facials, so get one that appeals to you but my recommendation would be that if you only get 1, get an oxygen facial. Oxygen facials follow in the similar steps of a regular facial, however an oxygen facial provides a boost of active ingredients to the skin and not only helps with the release of impurities but also gives and overall smoother, brighter looking skin. Many spa's now provide Oxygen facials, I had one at Absolute Spa once and it.was.divine! Rumor has it, Kate Middleton got one too ;-)

Step 2- Groom your brows

You can either leave this to a professional if you get it done regularly or groom them yourself but if you've never groomed your brows, please don't get tweezer happy and start plucking away. Ask a friend where they get theirs done and ask for a consult if possible. Strong, clean eyebrows are key in looking fabulous in your wedding photos.

Step 3-Wedding Day Makeup

Try if you can to get some sleep the night before. If not, CTM your face as you normally do but after rinsing before applying moisturizer, splash your face with cold water. Not only will it wake you up but it will also perk up your skin.

You'll need the following products, I've recommended my favorites to get the look:

Primer (Benefit That Gal)

Foundation (Lancome Teinte Idole Fresh Wear)

Concealer (Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage)

Powder ( Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder)

Eyeshadow (Dior 5-Color Eye Shadow Palette in Rosy Tan)

Eyeliner (Bobbi Brown Creamy Eye Pencil is Caviar)

Mascara (Lancome Hypnose Mascara Waterproof in Black)

Eyebrow color (Bobbi Brown Brow Pencil in Mahogany)

Blush (Nars Blush in Amour)

Lipliner (Lancome Le Lipstique in Sheer Raspberry)

Lipstick/Lipgloss (Bobbi Brown Lip Color in Tulle/ Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Buff)

FACE:

Start with a well moisturized face. Apply primer all over with either a brush or your fingers but concentrate the most on the t-zone. Wait a few seconds for it to dry and set before applying foundation. **foundation must match your skin perfectly** I always recommend applying foundation with a brush because you get the most coverage with the least amount of product. Don't use too much foundation, you don't need it but make sure you apply the product evenly and blend really well. Apply concealer under the eyes, in between the eyebrows, around the nose, on your chin and over any blemishes or discoloration you might have. **remember under eye concealer is always one shade lighter than your skin whereas to cover blemishes, etc, it matches your skin** Set with powder using a big powder brush or a velour puff, concentrating on the under eyes, nose, forehead and chin.

EYES:

Apply a bit of concealer to the eyelid as a primer and powder to set. Start with the lightest shade (in your palette of brown and peachy colors) and apply all over your eye from lash line to brow bone. Use the second lightest shade and contour your eye in the crease. **blend well** Take the second darkest color (not the darkest) and apply on your lid using a light application. Using your eye pencil, draw a line as close to your lash line as possible from the outside in towards the tear duct. Take an angle brush and the darkest shadow shade, go over the line softly to both smudge it lightly and set the shadow. Do this last step on the bottom lash line as well. Curl your lashes and swipe two coats of waterproof mascara.

BROWS:

Sharpen your eye brow pencil and lightly brush strokes as if mimicking individual brow hairs on your eye brow. Fill in the brow and using a clean angle brush, smooth over the lines and perfect your brow shape making sure the color is evenly applied and no smudges outside the brow shape.

CHEEKS:

Smile to find the apples of your cheeks and using a light hand, apply the pink shade from the apples of your cheek up towards the ear/hairline blending well. **a little blush goes a long way so don't over apply but apply just enough that you can see it and it complements the rest of your look**

LIPS:

Make sure your lips are free of cracking and smooth **the night before, use your exfoliant on an old toothbrush and "brush" your lips for a smooth, soft lip the next morning** Fill your lip in with lipliner and brush to even it out. Using a stiff lip brush, apply lipstick all over to fill in the lips. Finish off with a bit of gloss (not too much!)

VOILA!! Now you look like a Princess!