So, That Time I Met The Face Designer For Armani...

During the third week of March, World Master Card Fashion Week descended on Toronto.  It's always bustling with the most stylish of people, and the best of Canadian design fill the tents with five full days of fabulous! 
Fashion week has always been my wildest dream!  I've wanted to be there, and just be part of that scene for as long as I can remember.  This year, it was not to be.  Just couldn't shake my cold in time!
I did have an amazing experience with fashion history that week though!
Reza Zaimeche, the International Face Designer for Giorgio Armani, visited the Armani cosmetics counters at a few Hudson's Bay locations.   I was lucky enough to see him during a cocktail reception at the Queen St. Bay on March 18.  What an incredible person!

 

Mr Zaimeche was so personable and gracious that I felt so at ease speaking with him!  We were trading stories, and he taught me some great tips!  (Brown eyeliner mixed with creamy luminizer makes a great contour on the fly!  Who knew?)  We were laughing together like we just bumped into each other in line for coffee!  I could fangirl all day about him!  It was such a pleasure!

As I mentioned, I had been sick since the beginning of the month.  Not only that, but I had Lupus face!  My lower face had broken out in a rash and the sides of my mouth became inflamed and split open.  What a looker I was!  And, just in time for meeting this makeup icon!  I was mortifed!

The atmosphere could not have been more welcoming!  The artists there were knowledgeable, and my skin was looking much better in no time. 

It was all thanks to the new Armani Luminessence CC cream!

This CC cream boasts "A Good Night's Sleep In A Cream", and they are not kidding!  This cream is loaded with moisture and antioxidants.  It brightens, and wakes up the skin with "rosy glow" pigments.  There's an SPF of 35 which is great for a high-end CC cream.  From the second I read about this I wanted to get it on my face.  I'm really glad I did!  As for coverage, it's actually pretty good, a little closer to medium than light.  It's not foundation, so if that's the coverage you want, you won't get it here.  What you get instead is luminous, lively, even skin that looks natural and healthy!  I think the price is $50.00.  A little goes a long way, and it feels sooooo spectacular on!

 

I also picked up my new favorite eyeshadow!  The Eyes To Kill line of shadows are breath-taking!  It's a loose shimmery shadow that feels ultra creamy and applies like a dream!  The shade I brought home is #8 Champagne.  It's a rose gold tone which can be worn in a pretty sheer wash of warm  nude sparkle, or if layered over a cream shadow, it can be almost a foil-looking finish.  I adore everything about this shadow, from the texture to the size of the glittery particles.  At $42.00, it's an extravagance, but it's nice to have something that's this beautiful that I'll wear all the time!  In that sense, it's worth it for me.  Will I be getting ten of them.  No.

Have you guys tried Armani makeup?  Do you have a brand that you have discovered for the first time lately?  Do tell!

 

Donna Xoxo

 

 

 



My Trend Trunk Experience, Plus a Giveaway!

I recently made my first purchase from Trend Trunk, and I want you to hear all about it!
I've written about this company before, which you can read here, but I hadn't used them yet.  I found it to be a really easy process!  Since I go back to Kitchener for a few days every couple of months I needed something for traveling.  Suitcases are just too big sometimes.  I found a cute TNA bag for a great price, which looked to be in good condition.  I placed the order, had a confirmation sent to me right away, and my bag arrived a few days later!
The best part about Trend Trunk's system is that your payment doesn't get released to the seller until you have the item and you can see the condition it's in! 
I love the bag I bought!  I've used it a billion times!

 

Since I enjoyed this whole experience so much, I think EVERYONE should try Trend Trunk! 

Just click the link below, and you get a gift card!  The value of the card will be anywhere between $5.00 and $250.00, and doesn't expire for three months from the time of entering.

 

Trend Trunk Mystery Gift Card From An Occasional Redhead

 

Twitter- @TrendTrunk

www.TrendTrunk.com

 

 

This is also happening just in time for the next Blogger Fashion Week, which runs from April 7th until the 13th.  

Good Luck Boys and Girls! Happy Shopping! 

 

Donna Xoxo

 

PS- Let me know if you try Trend Trunk!  Pics or GTFO!!!



 

The Filly and Firkin Pub. A Warm, Cozy Home From Home

I don't know about you guys, but there is nothing I love more than a pub!  I love the coziness, and the ambiance.
I've been going stir-crazy after being sick for most of the month, so that's exactly where I headed last week when I felt a little better!
The Filly and Firkin is a cute little pub not far from where I live in Aurora.  The décor with its dark wood and rich wine-toned velvet feels rich and inviting.  The staff are friendly and there's a nice warm vibe.
The beer selection is great!  There's Canadian, and Coors Light, but the best one they have on tap, IMHO, is Tennants.  Tennants is a gorgeous golden lager from Scotland with just enough heaviness.  I love Guinness, but my stomach isn't in love with the heaviness of a stout.  A "lager and lime" is always a good choice too!

 

The Firkin menus are pretty comprehensive.  Even if you aren't a pub-grub fan, there's something on there for you.  My favourite on the menu is Stuffed Yorkie!  Its a Yorkshire pudding stuffed with prime rib, and mashed potatoes, then smothered with Firkin's Guinness gravy!  This dish is loaded with flavour.  The beef is so tender, and the Guinness gives the gravy a wonderful richness.  An absolute must try! 

Since I have no will-power, I went for the apple crumble pie.  It was buttery, and caramel-ly, and all kinds of delicious!  It was the perfect end!

 

 

To check out your local Firkin, go here.  It's a great place for a casual dinner, or a quick drink.  If I'm out running errands and just feel like being in amongst people, it's perfect to drop in for a beer at the bar.  I always feel really welcome here!

What are you doing this weekend?  Go get a beer!

 



Donna Xoxo

 





Benefit's The Porefessional And Garnier Ultra-Lift Transformer. What a Pair!

Guys, I've missed you!
I am fighting a really big stupid cold, which has been causing misery for the last week.  It's been tough to string a coherent sentence together!
Today, however, I can see through the fog, so I have absolutely got to tell you about the duo I've been all over lately!

 

These two babies layered leave a lovely glowy, velvety finish to the skin!

Benefit's The Porefessional, is one of the best primers out there.  I have talked a bit about this primer before, with regards to anti-aging, but it's great for everyone!  It has a silky balm-like texture which is light and comfy on.  The Porfessional will work on all skin-types, as long as they're well moisturized.  I have skin like the Sahara, so I use a hardcore moisturizer containing urea. This can leave me shiny and my pores look like little swimming pools!  After I apply this, my skin is matte and lovely!  This primer also has a Vitamin E derivative to protect from free radicals.  A little goes a long way, so, $31.00 isn't really that painful!

Garnier's Ultra-Lift Transformer is a newer product.  This product is a multi-tasker extraordinaire!  It is said to hydrate, correct wrinkles, firmness and dullness.  It starts off white, and then self-adjusts to the skin tone by using micro-pigments to brighten and correct.  Brighten is an understatement!  There is very slight coverage with this, but it has a spectacular blurring effect, which softens any imperfections.  Even though the Transformer has anti-aging benefits, they're not aggressive!  The anti-oxidants, peptides and vitamins will improve the skins overall health, regardless of age.  Drier skins will need a moisturizer under this, like a bb cream would, but if your skin is combination, or normal you should be fine.  I'm not sure how an oily skin would like this.  I don't think it would be bad, but it might not be a homerun.

Don't forget the SPF Ladies!

I hope to be back on my feet, and back on your screens more very soon!  This once a week ish has got to go!

Who has a combo that they love?  Any primer secrets out there? 

Share with the class, Kiddies!

 

Donna Xoxo 



Revlon ColourBurst Matte And Laquer Balms

I'm kind of in love with the soft makeup trend!
If the Fall 2014 runways are any indicator, it's not going anywhere for the rest of the year. It's been showing everywhere so far.
This is where Revlon comes in.  Glowing skin and strong brows are the perfect backdrop to a fresh lip!

A year or two ago, Revlon launched the Just Bitten Balm Stain Crayon.  It was such a great product, that it inspired some additions to the line.
Welcome to the world of ColourBurst Matte Balm and Laquer Balm!
Both formulas have a "Triple Butter Complex", which is a combination of shea, mango and coconut butters for a super hydrating and smooth feel on the lip.  The Laquer Balms have a high-shine semi-opaque finish to them.  The Matte Balms have a velvety appearance that is quite opaque.  The Laquer does feel more moisturising than the Matte, as you would expect, but they both do feel quite good on.
Each formula comes in ten shades that co-ordinate with it's counter-part.  Start with the Matte, add the Laquer, and you get a lovely intense colour!
I have been lucky enough to have been given two of each formula in two of the best lip trends of this year.  A set of nude, and a set of orange shades.

The shade on the left is the Matte Balm in Audacious, on the right is the Laquer in Tease.

 

The shade on the left is the Matte Balm in Complex, on the right is the Laquer in Ingenue.

 

Two of the best looks from the Academy Awards on Saturday had lip looks which were similar to two of these balms.  The Matte Balm in Complex was very similar to Olivia Wilde's mod peachy-nude matte lip.  Lupita Nyong'o had a gorgeous shiny coral orange lip, which looks close to the Laquer Balm in Tease.  Both are hot trends right now!

Has anyone tried these balms yet?  Love them as much as I do?

Who had the best Oscar look?

So much pretty!

 

Donna Xoxo