Our “After Dark” editorial made it into Issue 2 of SUGARKISS magazine.

Click here to view the magazine.

Keep an eye out on my portfolio page, I’ll be adding pictures from this shoot and others very soon.

It was really cold that day, and raining. I felt bad for models Brianna and Niki because of the weather. I could tell how cold they were in between shooting, though when they were in front of the camera, you couldn’t tell. They were amazing!

I thought I’d share some behind the scenes photos from that day.

Daniela taking pictures of Niki

Daniela snaps some shots of Niki (left) and Brianna (right) walking down a path

Niki and Brianna

Niki and Brianna

I had such a great time working with everyone on this shoot. Can’t wait to share the finished pictures, they’re coming soon!

It’s an effortless product to use, simply apply to your face with clean fingers. Blending it into your skin is a breeze with such a silky formula. The coverage is slightly buildable which makes it easy to even out your skin tone or give an extra bit of coverage in areas that need it.

Since this is a tinted moisturizer, keep in mind that it will only provide light coverage. It’s great if you want to even out your complexion and give yourself a healthy glow. However, if you have blemishes or under eye circles, you may still need to conceal those or any other problem areas when using this.

This is probably the best tinted moisturizer I’ve ever used. This stuff feels so nice when it’s on, so soft and moisturizing. I love that it makes my skin look like it’s got that glow from within. The quick application time is also a bonus, especially for those mornings when you’re rushing to get out the door.

What is your favorite tinted moisturizer?

These moisturize and soften the lips. Lip Tints add a slight bit of colour and Lip Lusters add a bit of finely milled sparkle as well. They have a hint of peppermint to them, which is nice and refreshing.

Glitzy – A rosy pink with sparkle
Perky – Soft bubblegum pink
Flashy – Bright fuchsia with sparkle
Swank – Light cherry red
Dazzled – Coral pink with sparkle

Glitzy, Perky, Flashy, Swank, Dazzled

Glitzy, Perky, Flashy, Swank, Dazzled

I’d highly recommend picking up this set. These are great because they add moisture and colour in one easy to use product. No need for any special sharpeners either, the product twists up.

Retailing at $38CDN for 5 full sized products, it’s an amazing value considering each of these usually retails for $31CDN . Available at Sephora.

Have you tried these? What are your favorite Tarte products?

When I saw this Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil Stash set, I figured it was a great time to try them out. The set was $41CDN for the 5 mini Shadow Pencils.

Here’s what Urban Decay says about it:
What it is:
A crease-proof, waterproof shadow pencil 
What it does:
This 24/7 shadow pencil allows you to blend shimmer, cream, and sparkle finishes. Skip the traditional powder shadow, brushes and water. These convenient pencils make it easier than ever to get vibrant eye shadow looks on the go. 

Delinquent – Dark purple with bright purple sparkle. One of my favorites from this set. I love this as a liner. It would also make a killer base for purple smokey eyes.
Rehab – Chocolate brown. Light enough to be worn during the day, but can also be paired with a darker shadow for some drama at night.
Juju – Frosted taupe. Great basic lid colour. You could pair this with anything and it would work. Juju is exclusive to this set.
Sin – Champagne. Amazing for highlighting. Nice on the brow bone if you want a frosty highlight, perfect for the inner tear duct to brighten the area or along the waterline to open up the eyes and make you look more awake.
Clash – Bright blue with silver sparkle. I really like using this as a liner for that pop of colour.

Delinquent, Rehab, Juju, Sin, Clash

Delinquent, Rehab, Juju, Sin, Clash

I tested these out every day of last week and I was quite happy with the results. These 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils apply like a dream, they’re so smooth. Pigmentation is amazing as well, it only takes one swipe for opaque coverage. Once applied, you have enough time to blend out the edges before it sets.

When I wore these alone, they faded and creased after about 4 or 5 hours compared to 7 or 8 hours when set them with eye shadow. My favorites from this set are Sin – it makes highlighting effortless, and Delinquent – gorgeous as a base or liner.

Have you tried any of the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencils?

Spanking Rich – This Dazzleglass is a gorgeous raspberry pink with pink and gold sparkle. I really like the formula of these, they aren’t as thick and sticky as MAC lipglass. Spanking Rich is pretty sheer for the most part, it leaves a nice tint and shimmer behind. Limited edition. Retails for $23CDN.

Spanking Rich Dazzleglass

Spanking Rich close up

What Joy! – Don’t be scared by the super dark appearance in the tube, What Joy! is a beautiful deep berry perfect for the holiday season. It’s a satin finish, so there’s no trouble getting opaque coverage. Retails for $18.50CDN.

What Joy!

Spanking Rich, What Joy!

These two pair together so well.

Are you a fan of MAC Dazzleglass?

Let’s Skate - Pale pink with gold and silver shimmer. If you tend to wear a lot of pale or lighter colours on your lids, you’ll love this. The subtle shimmer would add dimension to any shadow. This would also be a nice highlight.
Morning Frost - Champagne taupe with shimmer. Great base for neutrals, or anything really. Very versatile.
For Effect - Dark charcoal with silver sparkles. This would be amazing as a base to any smokey eye look. The silver sparkles are big enough that they would show through and enhance any eye shadow put on top. Apply with care though, there is potential for fallout  from the sparkles.

For Effect, Morning Frost, Let’s Skate!

For Effect, Morning Frost, Let’s Skate!

Let’s Skate!

Morning Frost

For Effect

Let’s Skate!, Morning Frost, For Effect

In case you’re wondering how For Effect compares to Blackground from the permanent collection, I’ve done a comparison.

For Effect, Blackground

Morning Frost, For Effect, Blackground

As you can see, Blackground is a lot darker had has a much more subtle shimmer to it, where For Effect has a chunkier silver sparkle running throughout. Blackground is also more opaque.

I’m a huge fan of Paint Pots, they are my absolute favorite base to use for eye shadow in both my kit as well as for personal use. They can also be worn alone for a wash of colour. Great for if you need to do your makeup quickly and want a little something on your eyes.

The MAC Glitter & Ice collection was launched in stores and at counters yesterday. Paint pots retail for $22 CDN.

Are you going to pick up any of these?

Going For Gold, Silver Skates, Seasonally Spicy, Practice Makes Perfect

Here’s what the MAC website says about these:
With this winning streak of high-style colour, glamour leaps ahead! Six dramatic go-for-gold shades including new ultra-cool silver. Line or blend. Glitter & Ice’s dashing white and silver packaging makes this an absolute prize! Limited edition.

Going For Gold, Silver Skates, Seasonally Spicy, Practice Makes Perfect

I had such high hopes for these, but they were a huge disappointment. It’s strange because the Technakohls I’ve tried from MAC’s permanent line are smooth and creamy but these are dry in texture. The dryness makes it difficult to line your eyes because these liners tend to pull against the skin rather than glide smoothly. Another issue was lack of pigmentation. I had to work at getting these to deposit opaque colour, and you can see in the swatches that it still came out patchy.

I suppose the one positive thing I have to say about these is that once I did get my eyes lined with them, they did last all day. Having said that, I would still say to skip these because the effort it takes to make them work isn’t worth it in my opinion. These retail for $19CDN.

Have you bought anything recently that you were disappointed with?

Here’s what Clinique says about it:
“Take The Day Off Makeup Remover For Lids, Lashes & Lips
What it is:
A makeup remover that quickly lifts away long-wearing eye and lip makeup without tugging.
What it is formulated to do:
This eye and lip makeup remover easily dissolves longwearing makeup, even waterproof mascara. This gentle formula is tug-free, non-irritating, and non-stinging.
What else you need to know:
This product is ophthalmologist tested and appropriate for contact lens wearers and all skin types. ”

This stuff makes removing eye makeup a breeze. It even works well on waterproof mascara and long wearing eye liners. No tugging needed (a big plus, excessive tugging or pulling in this sensitive area can contribute to wrinkles!) – just soak your cotton pad with this stuff, hold over your eye for a few seconds, then gently swipe over your eye and lashes a few times and that should do the trick.

Have you tried Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover? What do you usually use to remove your makeup?

The Toronto IMATS is under a month away and I am getting very excited to go. I had so much fun last year, I thought I would do a bit of a look back on it.

The madness at the Make Up For Ever table. With good reason too, they are an amazing brand and were offering 40% off of their products for the show. If you have their pro discount card, you can get either 20% or 40% off all the time, but you have to order online. It’s nice to be able to get your hands on the things you want right away.

A model from MAC’s Fall/Winter trends demo. Nadine, MAC’s Director of Make-up Artistry held this seminar. Love the glossy eyes pictured here. Not practical for everyday wear, but certainly nice for photo shoots and runway.

YouTube guru Kandee Johnson was there.

The following pictures are from the Student Make-up competition. The theme was Alice in Wonderland.

The winning makeup from the Student Competition!

Body painting demo.

I had an amazing time. I’m sure this year will be no different. I’ve got a long list of things I’d like to buy for my kit, and some things I’d like for personal use. There are so many seminars I’m looking forward to attending as well.

Have you ever been to IMATS? Will you be going this year?