Makeup Looks for Saying Goodbye to 2013

Happy Holidays!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, and has been enjoying some time off.
Most of all, I hope everyone has their power back on!
What the HELL was that????!!!!
We lost power for about 36 hours, and after the first 10 or so, Ray and I were bored, delirious and freezing!  Even my poor doggie was cold!
We were pretty lucky though.  I can't imagine having to leave my home for a week, or going through that with young kids.  (I did however get a text from a friend, who has a 10 week old and had to pump breast milk in her Subaru.)
Now, to the subject at hand.
New Year's Eve!
No matter what you have planned, New Year is always an opportunity to be fancy!
Try something a little gutsy and colourful!
I have a few looks here that are fun!  A little colour goes a long way towards brightening your face, and making you feel confidant.
Go for it!!!

I love a smokey-ish eye in something unexpected, like turquoise.  It brings such an inherent sexiness to the look without being obvious.  I have a taupe and gold combo eyeshadow on the lids, and I also have black liner very close to the upper lashes and the lower waterline.  This gives some depth to the eye and makes the whole thing a little Rock and Roll!  For the turquoise liner I used a beautiful waterproof liner from ArtDeco.  I brag about this in more detail here.  I applied a heavy line of the Art Deco above the black on my top lid, and a nice  thick one along the bottom too. This is not the time to be subtle!
Add lots of mascara, a good dose of hilighter along with a pale, shiny lip and Sexy is your middle name!

We all know how much I love Lippy right?  Love the feel, the richness, the elegance!  There is no way I'd discuss NYE looks without offering an option which involves a bright lip!  I went with a fuchsia shade instead of red for a more unusual feel this time of year.  Red is classic, while this feels like a more modern choice.  The best thing to do while wearing a dark or bright lip is prep like a champ!  Too Faced Lip Insurance is an amazing primer!  It gives hours of wear.  A good lip liner is a life saver too!  Make sure it's waterproof, like Sephora's Waterproof lip liner.  Makes a huge difference!  After that, apply your lipstick from the tube, or with a brush.  I'm wearing Lancôme's Colour Design in Fuchsia Clutch.  It's a gorge satiny shade, non? 
All you need to go with this is mascara, brows, and a sculpted cheek!   HOOOOTTT!
Well, Happy New Year Guys!
Thanks so much for all of the support I've gotten from each and every one of you in the past year!  It means more to me to be able to write this blog than I can say, and I couldn't do it without you!
 I wish you all the best for 2014, and I'd love to hear any plans for New Year's Eve, or resolutions for next year!  An Occasional Redhead has a few interesting things coming up!

Donna Xoxo

Gift Guide For The Fancy-Ass Makeup Lover

I may be a little late to the gift guide party, as usual, but this is a good one!  

If there's a makeup afficianado in your life, or you want to give someone some hints for what to leave under the tree for you, these are Ah-May-Zing choices!

Try not to slobber while reading the rest of this post, it's not a good look. Not easy though!

First I have the Mac Masterclass Brush in Oval 6.  $50.50

This brush shape is like nothing that we're used to. The oval head has dense, synthetic bristles which are "perfect for buffing in foundation, blush, and powder" according to the MAC website.  

My Wishes:  I would LOVE with a capital L to use this baby to apply a BB cream and cream bronzer as a contour. 

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder

Diffused Light (one of six shades)  $52.00

This line of powders are faboosh because each one mimics the effect of different types of lighting on the skin. The finishes range from moonlight, or candlelight to a gentle morning sunlight and more. Sign a sister up!

My Wishes: Diffused Light mimics the light of a soft camera light, which softens lines, blotches, and redness. It also has a less sparkly finish than some, so you don't look like a knock-off Twilight vampire!

Yves Saint Lauren Rouge Volupte Lipstick 

Forbidden Burgundy  $39.00

I have been dying to get my paws on one of these beauties since they came out!  The formula has an SPF of 15, is intensely pigmented, and contains YSL's "Colour-Shine Complex" which leaves lips smooth, plump and radiant. All that and a light, yet silky texture. 

My Wishes: Had me at plump!  The colour is a rich and vampy shade of burgundy that still feels feminine too!  

I would adore whoever left these under my tree, or in my stocking!

Wouldn't you???!!!

Let my know your wishes!!

Donna Xoxo

Trend Trunk Blogger Fashion Week

Have you guys heard of Trend Trunk yet?
If not, go and look now!
We all have extra in our closets.  There's the top we couldn't live without, until we got it home and it didn't work with anything else in the closet.  What about the fantastic impulse buy handbag?  We all have things that are great, and in great condition, but we never use them.
That's where Trend Trunk comes in.

 

                                                                                                                                                                      

Trend Trunk is an online community where you can create a personalised "Closet" of items that are new, or almost new, for sale.  It's also a great place to grab some new finds!  You can browse other closets, create a "lust" list of your fave items, and shopping or selling couldn't be easier!  Everything is handled by the site.  So user friendly!
From December 9th until the 15th Trend Trunk is hosting the first "Blogger Fashion Week".  Every day several of your favourite bloggers and their closets are featured.  It's a great way to get to know a particular blogger better, and check out their style!  Some of the ladies featured are Elaine Atkins from Toronto Beauty Reviews, Anita Clarke from I Want I Got, Christie Ressel from Fashion Translated, and Sarah Francis from Real Life Runway to name a few of the ladies who happen to inspire me!
Here's a bit from the press release:

We have partnered with over 70 Canadian emerging and established bloggers (fashion, beauty, food, lifestyle, family and more) to create Blogger Fashion Week which is happening until Dec 15th.  It combines fashion, technology and social media...with a bit of fun and shopping!

We've created something unique and the first of its kind in the world...right here in Canada!

Check out Trend Trunk here.
Let me know how you like it!!!!

Donna Xoxo








here.

Youthful Makeup. How to Look Like You Have a Dorian Gray Painting at Home (Thank You Benefit!)

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I'm going to be 40 in February. 
40!!!!!
I'm a little stressed out about it, but not too bad.  I seem to be holding up fairly well as far as my skin and appearance goes.  I may feel like an old bag, but I don't look it!
I'm going to share my makeup secrets here today.  Some of them, anyways!
A girl needs some secrets!
I decided to pull my hair back for the pic's so we aren't overwhelmed by the giant shock of fire-red hair!
Skin prep is the best thing for looking healthy.  A good primer, as I always say, will make all the difference in the world.  I had a friend give me a bunch of goodies from Benefit, and "The Porefessional" primer was among them.  This is a killer primer!  Great smoothness and texture!
Next, find a foundation that leaves the skin looking plump and healthy.  Doesn't have to be full coverage, as long as you have a nice canvas.
Concealer is your BFF!  The formula of the concealer is really important.  A nice creamy consistency for the eye area, and some redness is perfect.  I also use a creamy one for acne too.  Spot treatments can be drying, so a little extra emollient is ok!  Benefit's "Fake Up" is fantastic!  It covers like a dream, and wears comfortably.
I'm a big believer in setting powder.  Makeup wears so much better with a light dusting, light being the key word here!  The right powder will diffuse fine lines and dark spots.  Make sure it's a translucent, or brightening powder.  Mineral powders can have a nice luminosity to them too.  I'm in love with Benefit's Box O' Powder in Dandelion these days!  Its a gorge pink that gives a subtle glow!  You'll love it!

A full, well maintained eyebrow is also mandatory for a youthful look.  Make sure its shaped well, while keeping a natural appearance, and not too dark.  As we age, brows lose fullness, so we want to make the best of what we have.  Benefit's Brow-Zing is the perfect brow definer!  A wax and a powder give great colour and hold.
Did I mention mascara? Because lots and lots is good!  Non-smudging of course!
I can not emphasize the importance of blush and hilighter enough.  A good hilighter will light up the eyes and diffuse darkness when placed on top of the cheekbones.  A bright blush placed high on the cheeks suggests young, healthy skin.  a softly sculpted cheek is the best trick in the world!  I like a hot pink like Tarte Amazonian Clay in Amused.  It doesn't go on dry like most powders.

As for lip colours, go for something rosey, or berry tinted.  Don't forget the SPF!  I'm wearing Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Rose, which is the perfect amount of colour to liven things up on the face!
All that being said, the real secret to looking youthful is prevention!  SPF and eyecream from the age of 18 is the best thing any of us can do for our skin.  Remember it's never too late!  And Sephora sells Benefit!
What tricks do you use to look healthy everyday?

Donna Xoxo

Almay Shadow Softies and Smart Shade Mousse Foundation. Softness Heaven!

I've always liked Almay makeup.  It's kind to skin, and the basics are great, but Almay has always seemed like a dependable safe brand.
Good product, not exciting.
Until now!
Almay has upped their game lately and I'm in love!
There is a new addition to the Smart Shade collection.  The newest formulation is a mousse which goes on white, and adjusts to the tone of the skin. 
I've always been a little skeptical as to how well this works, but I was very surprised at the way it did conform to my colouring.  You don't have to pick through twelve similar shades to find the correct undertone, so Yay for that!

This foundation feels creamy and fluffy at the same time. My dry patches liked the feel of this. It wears comfortably, but I found that it does need to be buffed in quite well.  Add a flat foundation brush, like the Sonia Kashuk one here, and the application is really beautiful!

The newest addition to their eye makeup line are the Shadow Softies.  These single pots feel soft and springy.  There's and airy-ness to the texture that makes them feel silky.  They're a cream to powder shadow which are quite pigmented and go on best with a dense brush.  The lighter shade, Crème Brulee, is a cream shade with a soft pink hue and some soft glitter.  Soooo pretty!  The darker shade, Smoke, is a great taupey-grey, like a dark mushroom.  (I took figuring this colour out quite seriously, didn't I?)  I'm not even sure if these are in stores yet, but if you see them, GRAB THEM!  They feel really nice, and build well too!
If that isn't enough to make you love Almay, it has the cutest story of how the company came to be!The founder was a chemist in the 1930's, who's wife had extremely sensitive skin.  At that time, cosmetics for sensitive skin where unheard of, so our Chemist, Al, formulated products to suit his wife, May. 
Get it?
Almay!
Adorbs!
What do you guys think of Almay?  What other lines have you fallen for lately?

Donna Xoxo

My Weekend at Spark Sessions

I have had the most interesting few weeks!
There's lots to share, so I'm going to jump right in!
On the 16th and 17th of November Toronto hosted Canada's first conference specifically for Fashion and Beauty Bloggers called Spark Sessions.  It was held at The Centre for Social Innovation on Bathurst. 
What a cool little spot!
As soon as I saw the exposed brick and mis-matched vintage-y furniture, I was hooked!

The agenda was packed with amazing content from start to finish!  First up, however, was Jeanne Beker!
She was a great speaker! Animated, interesting and really open about her life behind the scenes and the struggles to get where she is.  One of my favourite things that come to mind when I think of her is the way she changed the role of women in rock journalism as well as fashion journalism. I'm pretty lucky that I was able to actually see that while it happened!
The panels were bang-on for what I needed.  I'm so behind the game with tech stuff!  HTML, and SEO were not in heavy rotation in my vocab before then.  I'm getting very fancy learning all this!  It's been a big help!
The whole experience has been great for my confidence as well!  I was sure I wouldn't fit in, be too old or not pretty enough.  Within five minutes I met some girls who would make me comfortable and gave me the feeling that I absolutely belonged there!  (Thanks Ladies!!!)
There were so many amazing brands, and PR people that were there, that made getting your feet wet the easiest thing!  Just having a coffee, hanging with the PR Lady from Revlon!  No biggie!
Did I mention how spoiled we were?
OMG, the swag bag was bananas!  A gift card from Smart Set was tucked in there which is burning a hole in my pocket!   As if that wasn't enough, we all left with some of Almay's newest additions, along with some best sellers.  There's a post coming up covering my new toys from Almay and Smart Set very soon, trust!
During that weekend I met some great women, had my first gel Mani (thanks BioSeaweed Girls) and learned soooooo much about blogging as a business as well as an artform!  My only regret is that I had to leave early since I was starting to fall apart after the long day on the 16th.  I missed two panels as well as Elaine Lui from Lainey Gossip!
I have to say that after this conference I have so much rattling around in my head that I hope is going to make An Occasional Redhead a much better experience for everyone who takes the time to visit me! 
That's why I do this after all!
What would you like to see from my blog?

Donna  Xoxo

A Makeover For An Occasional Redhead! Update!

UPDATE!!!
What do we think of the Argyle and the shades of purple?
I'm kind of feeling this pattern this season!  So much for cleaner!

Sometimes a change is the best feeling!
For the last while, I've wanted a new look for An Occasional Redhead. Something a bit cleaner, while being feminine still.

The last format was cute, but the new Donna is all about a modern vibe!

And purple, apparently!

Why now, you might ask?

Because, Ladies and Gents, I'm pretty fired up!

I've been up and down in the last ten days, and I'm really excited to tell you all about it in my next post!

Just you wait!

Donna Xoxo

PS- The fab nails above are a small hint of what's to come!!!!

Style Love: New Jewels from Forever21

I don't know if you've heard, but Toronto is hosting Canada's only conference for beauty and fashion bloggers. Spark Sessions is being held November 16th and 17th, and the speakers are BANANAS!

Can you say Jeanne Beker?  Elaine Liu from Lainey Gossip?

So excited to be there!

But, Holy Sh!t, is this stressful!

With the speakers, and the amazing bloggers that will be there, I feel like I really need to up my game!

No easy feat!

That's where a really cool accessory comes in!

I found some gorge pieces at Forever 21 that will add something extra to my outfits!

Lately I'm loving the midi-ring!  Midi-rings sit between the two knuckles at the tip of the fingers. The gold and black-enameled ring in the picture was $1.99. 

The necklace in the above pic hits on a couple of trends; gold and spikes. It feels so Rock and Roll!  I love this with something a little girly, or casual. It gives a bit of edge to a look. I think I paid $6.95 for the necklace, so I've had more than my money's worth. 

On a side note, did you see how slender my neck looks in that picture!  Wish I could use that angle for every profile pic. 

However, I digress...

The newest trend I've been drawn to lately is the ear cuff. I really like how it can be a pretty, elegant look, or very tough and punk-y. The cuffs I have on below are more on the elegant side. I like how it's a statement earring without the heft usually associated with one. My face is small and can look roundish, so I'm not always comfortable in a larger earring. This I can rock like a champ!

Well, Ladies, what jewellery trends are your favorites this season?  Any trends you love/hate?  

And, seriously, doesn't my neck look slim?

Donna Xoxo

Ps. I will write a huge post all about Spark Sessions!  Can't wait!  If you're there, say hi!  I'll be the short terrified one in the great accessories!

Wake-up Make -up! How to Fake It When You Need a Nap.

The last month of my life has been Cray-Cray!
My days have been filled with surgery, babies, and toddlers.
I'm recovering like a champ, and my two new nephews are adorable! 
My 24 year old year nephew and his amazing GF had a baby boy three days before my BFF and her husband had their second son. 
I was looking after Tommy, the most adorable two year old on the planet, while his Mom had a c-section.
Let me tell you, parenting is hard! 
I was glad that I had a few tricks up my sleeve so I didn`t look as if I had died and just hadn`t laid down yet!
I have to share them with the world!
They work for lack of sleep due to babies, as well as due to late night boozing.  (Hopefully not on the same night.)

The secret to looking alive is all in the product choices.
When you`re tired skin tends to be drier, so go with a tinted moisturizer or bb cream.  The extra hydration will be way more important than the extra coverage of a foundation.  Odds are the finish would end up chalky.  Concealer is also your friend at times like these!  In moderation, of course.
As for eyes, keep shadow soft and warm.  I usually go for a pale to mid-tone gold on the lid, and champagne or soft pink on the browbone and inner corners.  Some brown liner and lots of mascara on the top lid of the eye will give a bit of a lift.  Don`t forget to fill in the brows!
The best cheek on a day like this will be fresh and softly sculpted.  Use a soft champagne hilight and a bright pink on the apple for a youthful glow.  Don`t be afraid of hot pink blush!  Something like Lancôme's Cosmopolitan Pink, pictured above, will leave the prettiest flush when applied with a careful hand.
A bright berry lip is the best thing to wake up a tired or dull face!  I wanted a lip that was a raspberry shade.  Almost wine, but brighter.  I used a bright pink-red lip-liner and a deep berry glossbalm on top.  Love the feel of the Naturelux Glossbalm by Covergirl!  It leaves a fairly opaque colour on the lips and feels comfy!
These are just the tip of the iceberg, really.  I`d love to hear any tricks you ladies have on looking way more awake than you feel!  I have the feeling I`m going to need them!

Donna Xoxo

Cold Weather Superstars From The Body Shop

Fall has arrived! 

It's cold and dreary today, and my dog just wants to snuggle on the couch. So do I, so that works for me!

Days like this are perfect for some TLC on your skin, whether it's to treat dryness or prevent it. 

From now on we're all going to be bombarded with cool wind outside and heating inside. The drastic temperature shifts along with dry air are going to wreak havoc on your whole body!  It's all about gentle moisture these days!

The best thing to do is start with a good exfoliation. I said good, not aggressive. Try a home microdermabrasion like The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion if your skin isn't very sensitive. It's also available in a single use sachet which is great!  I'm pretty sensitive so I like the Aloe line. It's a gentle exfoliation, but it gets the job done!  On your body, use a scrub with an emollient base, like The Shea Butter Scrub. It leaves you feeling smooth and dreamy!  The grains are all natural with these products, so they're Eco friendly, and they all run about $20.00. 

Next, a hydrating mask is a huge must!  The best thing about this type of mask is there are no real rules!  Put it on and watch a movie, do some laundry, whatever!  Your skin will only take as much as it needs. Wipe the excess off gently with tissue or a damp face cloth, and continue with the rest of your usual routine. In the cooler months it's a good idea to add a serum. It's always a good idea to use a one of these powerhouses whether it's soothing, anti-aging or mattifying, but a hydrating serum will be your best friend this time of year.

After you've scrubbed your body into deliciousness, go immediately and grab you Body Shop Body Butter. This is the OG of body butters and nothing beats these. The richness of the texture and the scent is beautiful. Back in the mid 90's Kate Moss used the mango butter in a Vogue editorial. I have been hooked ever since!  God, I love the Brazil Nut!  It's just gorgeous, and it makes your skin so soft and, well, buttery!  

This year, a Dry Oil was released in corresponding scents. The Beautifying Oils can be used on hair, face, and body. I've used it on all three and I'll tell you, it lives up to the claims. Since going blonde my hair's dry. I smooth a few drops through it every day and it's shiny and healthy looking. I also put a little on the driest areas of my face at night. I wake up soft and dewy since I've started doing that. When used on the body? It leaves the prettiest sheen on the skin. It's amazing on the cuticles too!

Go to The Body Shop right now!  The quality is spectacular and they have amazing promos all the time.  Not to mention the best loyalty card program I've ever heard of!  

If you've read my blog before, you know how much I love The Body Shop. I truly believe that you will too!

What are your skin superstars?

Donna Xoxo

"Rosie" Lips

I was reading People Stylewatch the other day and have come to a conclusion.  Guys, I need Rosie Huntington-Whiteley's lips.
Not just because they get to kiss Jason Statham either, although, that is a major selling point!
It's the pillowy, pouty quality of them in the pic that I fell in love with!  The texture is beautiful, as well as the colour.  She tends to wear a lipstick which is the perfect shade of rosey-nude.
When I wear lipstick, it's usually a statement shade, or a beigey tone if I'm doing a smokey eye and its never on the matte side.
Well, that has all changed, thanks to Rosie!

I have a fairly dark pigment to my lips, so I had to play around with a few different products to get the texture and shade I was after.  The final look was achieved with three products.
1- Lancome Le Lipstique Sheer Lip Liner in Sheer Raspberry all over the lips.  This is a warmer toned pink which gave me a nice smoothness to the lip colour.
2- Lancome Colour Design in Vintage Rose. This lipstick is a very soft pink with a touch of mauvey irridesance to it.  Ultra girly!
3- elf Matte Lip Colour in Nearly Nude.  This is a very pale matte beige.  I applied this sparingly near the middle of the mouth for a little dimension. I pressed this in with my finger to give the lips an almost "worn in" look.
I am of the opinion that make-up is alchemy a lot of the time. If you don't have the exact shade or texture you're after, play around with what you do have!  You might surprise yourself!
I am absolutely going to add this lip look to the rotation!
Do you guys like it on me?  Be honest!!!!

Donna Xoxo

Sonia Kashuk Brushes, and Why You Need Them.

If you are anything like me, you get a HUGE thrill from a good makeup brush. It is so important to have the right tool for the job!  

When Target opened in my area, I bee-lined to the Sonia Kashuk brushes!  The quality is spectacular and so is the price! There's a couple that were missing from my arsenal, and I'm going to brag all about them today!

First is the Flat Top Multipurpose Brush, which lives up to its name, and then some!  The first time I stumbled upon this type of beauty was a Lancome brush years ago. It's a great brush for applying a creamy foundation or blush. It buffs the product right in for a flawless finish. I also like it for contouring. It fits wonderfully under the cheekbone!  And the black sculpted handle is just sooo pretty!

Next I have the Duo-fibre multipurpose brush. Again, this brush is so versatile!  Because of the differing lengths of the bristles, the application of product is diffuse and sheer. It's great for a hilighter, either powder or cream, and a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. A few sweeps of hilighter on top of the cheekbones and down the nose with this beauty will leave you with a soft luminescence. The black and white handle looks very chic too!

The finish from these brushes will leave behind beautiful, glowy skin. For under $20.00 each, these brushes are must haves!  

Go get them!!!

I'd love to hear about any brush faves everyone else has!  Do tell!

Donna Xoxo

My Favourite Fall Look Featuring Clinique and The Body Shop

Happy September!

I like summer, but I'm totally a fall girl!  I love the richness of the colours associated with fall. I'm also a big fan of layering clothes. There is nothing I enjoy wearing more than a scarf with a great cardi!

I'm also sooo excited to update my makeup look!  There are two things in particular which are absolute musts this season for me. 

Matte, but still luminous skin, and deep plum or berry lips. 

I started with a smooth canvas. I applied a foundation with a medium-full coverage. I'm really in love with the Extra Virgin Mineral foundation from The Body Shop. The coverage is buildable, and the finish is smooth. It blends well, and feels quite creamy. It has a nice glow to it. After adding powder, you're left with a finish that's not chalky.  Matte, but luminous!  A little concealer and cream hilighter helped too!

I added a softly defined eye next with, of course, lots of lashes, (Thank you L'oreal Double Extend Mascara!!!!) along with a sculpted cheek. 

On to the lippy!

I have always loved Clinique's Almost Lipstick in Black Honey!  It can look terrifying in the tube, but, don't be scared!  It goes on quite sheer and leaves a beautiful blackberry stain. The texture is between a balm and a full coverage lipstick. Apply it with a finger for more of a true stain, or straight from the tube with a lip liner as I have in the picture for a more opaque finish. 

This face is the kind of look I'll be wearing all over the place these days!  It works with jeans and a pair of Toms while running errands on a Wednesday just as well as it will while having a couple of drinks on a Saturday night. Different footwear, of course!

What is your go-to face for this fall going to be?  I'd love to hear!  Now, as for the hair situation above, I'm waaayyy overdue for a cut and colour!  It's getting remedied tomorrow. 

Don't judge me!!!

Donna Xoxo

Lancôme Concealer and Other Miracles

I've missed everyone!!!

I'm sorry that I've been so MIA for the last couple of weeks!  Been a little under the weather, and I was also in paradise for a couple of days!  (Muskoka is sooo pretty)

Now that I'm back, I'm going to tell all the ladies a few secrets which should be useful in life. 

When your mothers told you that womanhood is a gift from start to finish, they were soooooo full of sh!t!  

They say that menopause is quick, and doesn't happen until you're old. 

I started at 35. I'm almost 40 now. 

Menopause Blows. No other way to say it!  Blows with a capital B!

Last week my chin exploded with cystic acne. Hideous, marble sized acne. 

Not. Good. At. All. 

I'm usually lucky with my skin. Never had bad breakouts, not really blotchy. 

Well, that's out the window. 

My go to concealer these days has been Clinique All About Eyes. I like the texture and shade. The coverage isn't great for zits though. 

I went rooting around in my artist kit, after there was nothing appropriate in my everyday kit. In that little gold mine I came across my Lancôme Effacernes Waterproof Undereye Concealer. 

I love using this concealer! It spreads beautifully, covers everything, and lasts through a hurricane!  

The only reason I haven't used this in the first place, was the shade is on the darker side, but as luck would have it so am I right now!

I dotted a little bit on the beasts that had taken up residence on my face with my concealer brush, blended a bit, and set it with some powder. (Thin layers are the key here, Ladies!)

Oh. My. Giddy. Aunt!

It worked!!!!

The coverage was beautiful, and the texture is so lovely and liquidy for something that complete!  

The price is a little steep at $35.00 but for the coverage and the small amount needed, it's worth the splurge!  A good concealer is a huge part of any kit. Total must!

I'm absolutely picking up this little miracle once I go back to my winter skin tone!  

What do you think of splurging on a good concealer?  What's your little skin secret?  I'd love to hear!

Donna Xoxo

This Girl's on Bloglovin! Stalk Me There!

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10398657/?claim=9hhkhthsd4g">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

Never miss a post, keep stylish and lovely!
I'm pleased to announce that I'm on bloglovin now! It's beyond easy to follow my adventures with this wonderful little blogger tool.
Check me out, along with your other faves!
Looking forward to seeing you there!

Donna Xoxo

Blues Fest. My Two-cents on Festival Makeup

This weekend is Blues Fest in Kitchener, and it's always a blast!  

Blues Fest is a four day event held every August. There have been some pretty big names in the 60 act line-up. This year has Steve Earle, Big Sugar and David Wilcox. 

The local talent in the Kitchener blues scene is outstanding as well. 

And, I cant be there!  This is the first year that I don't live there, and this is the one weekend I can't venture on back!

I'm a little bummed about that!

I will watch from the sidelines on Facebook as my friends and family enjoy themselves knowing I'm there in spirit!

Show-offs!

Here's a few tips on staying put together while dancing in the sun and drinking beer!  (I may be quite an expert on that)

1-Keep a well hydrated and well protected canvas. Start off with a great moisturizer, that's not overly heavy. The sun and the beer tent are both dehydrating. Follow up with a sheer sunscreen. Even of you have sunscreen in your moisturizer, nobody applies enough to get proper benefits when you're outside. Another layer is important!

2-Even and dewy are the keywords here. If you can get away with only some concealer where needed that's perfect!  If not, keep your coverage light. Slap on a bb cream, or tinted moisturizer before concealer, and you're good. Perfect and flawless is not the look here. Comfortable and fresh is!  

3-Add a flush that's going to last. We don't need a perfectly sculpted cheek today. I usually use a cheek stain for soft definition that's going to last. Sometimes I add a cream bronzer for a little sun kissed glow. (Whitey Whiterson over here, remember)  After that, brush on some sheer powder to set everything. A light dusting on mainly the t-zone should do it. Dewy Ladies!  That's the goal!

4-Mascara like its your job. Go for the big sexy lashes!  Make sure it's smudge proof though!  Beer, sun, and Tammy Faye eyes are bad. Just bad.

5-Lip primer, and SPF are your friends. The rest of the look is laid-back so keep that vibe going with a lip that doesn't need constant attention. If you want something soft, do a tinted lip balm with SPF. If you want some punch, use a lip primer first. That way you can sing with abandon and not get smudged teeth or lipstick on your chin!  Again, make sure there's sun protection in there somewhere!  I sometimes just apply my cheek stain on my lips and use an SPF balm over for some moisture. Gives a pretty soft finish too. 

If you have some free time this weekend, check out The Blues Fest!  Fan or not, it's a good time and it'll probably turn you into one!

I'd love to hear about your tips for event makeup!

Donna Xoxo

What Looks to Rock This Fall, and How to Try Them Tomorrow!

One of the most exciting times of the year for me is when the fall makeup collections come out. 

I love the richness of the hues, and the textures!  

I want to wear them immediately. 

This very second. 

So I'm going to!

I'm of the mind that every shade can be transitional. It's all in the application, and placement of the product. 

Lets discuss some fall trends, shall we?

Eyeshadow is still all about colour!  Two of the biggest trends on the fall runways were orange-tones and deep purple shades. Both look fresh when used in a smokey eye, or as a sheer wash over the eye. The most modern shades, in my opinion, were the glossy copper at Givenchy, and the rich prune at Gucci. 

Above, I have a few shades that are going to be great applied in a wash over the entire eye now, and then up the intensity when it cools down. 

Bottom left to top right:

Lancôme Colour Design in Model, Estée Lauder PureColor in Smokey, Lancôme Colour Design in Spontaneous. 

Next, I'm going to speak about grey. Glorious grey. Grey is HUGE this fall!  What makes it new this year is the softness of it. It was sheer, but very impactful at Alexander Wang. For now, soften a cat eye, by using a charcoal in place of black. 

Lips are going to be wine, wine, wine. All the way from berry to plum. The look is very textural, either matte, stained or ultra-glossy, but quite opaque. Derek Lam showed a beautiful stain on his runway. One of the prettiest effects of the season was a stain which focused most of the colour in the centre of the lip creating a soft diffuse colour toward the outer edges. So very pretty!

Top: 

Lancôme Le Rouge Absolu in Merlot

Bottom Left to Right:

Clarins Mono in Urban Grey, Covergirl Naturelux GlossBalm in 245 Pinot

I'm beyond excited for some new in my makeup repertoire!!!!

How about you?

Donna Xoxo

Donna's Top Five! My Go-To Lipsticks for Every Occasion.

Happy National Lipstick Day!

I just found out that July 29th is National Lipstick Day and this makes me soooooo happy!  I love the idea of a whole day devoted to lipstick. 

Not gloss, not balm. Good old fashioned lipstick!

I love the feel of a lipstick. I love the way it looks, the way it glides on the lips. I love the sense of glamour and how it seems like I'm complete once its on!  

Just the act of putting it on feels sexy and Old-Hollywood to me!

Here are my Fave Five lipsticks. (In no particular order)

1- Maybelline Colour Sensational Vivids in Shocking Coral. A pretty pink toned coral That's fun to wear. I did a post on this one not too long ago!  Worth a revisit!

2- Lancôme Colour Design in Desert Bloom. This rosey shade is a great neutral for days when you want a soft lip, but not a nude, especially if you have a good amount of pigment in your lips like I do. 

3- Avon Anew Youth Awakening Lipstick in Bordeaux. A gorgeous creamy burgundy. Gives a great fullness to the look of the lip. 

4- Lancôme Colour Design in Red Stiletto. Everybody needs a great red, and this one more than fits the bill!  It's a blue toned shade that works with most skin tones. Elegant beyond belief!

5- Lancôme Colour Fever in Fuschia Fever. This magenta is an attention getter!  

What are your fave lippies?

Donna Xoxo

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine. So Worth the Price, and Possible Divorce.

Have you tried Rouge Coco Shine Lipstick yet?

One from the summer collection followed me home a few days ago, (I swear it wasn't my idea Ray!  Please don't divorce me.) and let me tell you, this is like heaven in a tube!

When Chanel formulated the Rouge Coco line, they added what they call the Hydratender Complex which gives a soft, hydrating quality to the lipsticks. The Rouge Coco Shine is slightly more sheer than its counterpart, with a balmy texture.   They say it has a "melt-away" feel, and that's exactly how this felt going on!  The texture was incredibly smooth while being shiny, not slippery. 

The colour, as I mentioned above, is 467 Pygmalion from the Summer Collection. They are slightly more pigmented than the regular collection, but still have that great transparency. The shade is a warm coral-pink, which could easily be layered over a deep red liner in the cooler months. The price was $39.99. 

I'm becoming a total coral junkie!  What the hell is that about?

I wore it with a nude lip liner, but that wasn't necessary for touch-ups!  I got about two and a half hours wear out of this, which is what I expected. If I need more wear time, I'll add my Too Faced lip primer and I'll be good to go!

I've been a sucker for Chanel lip products since I was a teenager, and this is exactly why. They really are beautiful, and I always feel so Glamorous bringing out that wonderful black and gold packaging. 

Who cares if I walk with a cane, like I'm Ninety?  I have Chanel on my face, Bitches!

Donna  Xoxo

Costa Blanca, Where Have You Been All My Life?

I don't l know about you Peeps, but I get pretty frustrated when I go shopping. 

Like, I need a drink afterwards because I hate my ass kind of frustrated!

With my age and lifestyle, I want to look like I'm put together without trying too hard. It's a beyotch to find clothing that's stylish, but not overly trendy, with a good price that fits well. 

I'm pretty particular about which stores I choose. I used to look in Costa Blanca when it first opened and got some cute things, but the last few years I've been less than impressed with the product and the prices. Cute if you're eleventeen and 100 pounds. Don't know 'bout you, but those days are ovah!!!

I went into the Costa Blanca in the Upper Canada Mall in Newmarket on a whim, and I was so surprised!  The clothing selection was really diverse, and there was a great range of sizes. They had everything nessecary for an amazing summer wardrobe!  

I spoke to Jessica, the assistant manager, and she mentioned that there is a new buyer in the company which is why the selection has improved and the prices are so great!  

I picked up this snake print tank for $6.99 and I found the necklace below for $2.99. Couldn't believe the fit or the prices!  The staff were quite knowledgeable, and really friendly too!  I was cashed out by Daisy, who was just as cute as her name would suggest!

Costs Blanca is also increasing their presance in social media. They have a super-stylish Instagram (which is running a contest right now!) along with twitter and facebook. The website is worth checking out too, even if its just for the lookbook. 

Have you guys been in Costa Blanca lately?  Love it too?  I want to hear all about it!

Donna  Xoxo

Style Love: The Find of the Summer!

I was wandering around Old Navy last week when I stumbled across the most adorable little bargain in the shape of a navy and white striped tank dress. 

Being short and, well, curvy is a nice way to put it, I'm always a little hesitant when it comes to stripes. I have always believed the "stripes always make you wider" ish and stayed far away. 

I'm here now to tell you it's all about proportion and fit. 

A few years ago, a friend coaxed me into giving a striped tank a try. 

Loved it!

I felt very Audrey Hepburn. 

Since then, I've tried some hits and some misses. This dress was a big hit!  

The top half hangs really well because of the elasticized waist. It camo'd my freak-show sized boobs beautifully!  

Not an easy feat, btw! 

The drape of the material skims over the bottom half, and doesn't cling anywhere it shouldn't.

 For $15.00! 

I immediately started thinking of how this little sweetheart can be worn into fall and be fabulous!  We all look for transitional pieces, don't we!

Right now, I'm wearing it with a belt, throwing on a great pendant and calling it a day. 

Once fall hits, there are so many possibilities. I can wear it with camel and tan for a cute look, but I'm excited to edge it up a bit!

I've shown it below, with a black leather belt, a shawl collar cardi and a silver and black chunky pendant. Add motorcycle boots, and it's a funky little date outfit!  

Ahhhhh, aren't options wonderful!

Tell me your transitional weather ideas!

Donna xoxo