Thursday, July 31, 2014

New Collection: Christian Louboutin launches Nail Collection

Photo taken at: Holt Renfrew Sherway Gardens
Christian Louboutin is a name that almost everyone recognizes in shoes! "Loubous", as the stilettos are often referred to, have one of the most defining elements - the famous #RedBottom. The iconic look started when the bottom part of the shoes were painted Red and they haven't looked back...until now! 

Photo taken at: Holt Renfrew Sherway Gardens


Louboutin has recently launched a signature collection of Nail Polishes. They have begun the launch with the iconic Red. The bottle is inspired by the signature stiletto, the Ballerina Ultima. The long and spiky lid resembles the tall heel.

Photo taken at: Holt Renfrew Sherway Gardens

Such a unique thing to see when Fashion and Beauty come full circle. The creation of the red heel started with a used bottle of Nail polish as one of the most memorable trends for shoes and the brand.





Wednesday, July 30, 2014

LOTD | #NationalLipstickDay


Happy National Lipstick Day!

In honour of #NationalLipstickDay, I pulled together a collection of images of my favourite lipsticks! From brights, bolds to neutrals, you can pretty much wear any colour that you are in the mood for.  It is interesting and almost shocking to think that at one point in history, wearing Lipstick was not approved of, considered scandalous and banned. Thankfully, this ideology towards lipstick has changed! Lipstick is probably one of the most popular makeup items purchased, the first of many makeup items when trying makeup for the first time and the quickest way to change or update your look! 

Cover Girl Lip Perfection in Enchantress
  
Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani in #400

Cover Girl Lip Perfection in Enchantress

Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani #409

MAC Mattene Lipstick in Nights Blooming

Giorgio Armani Rouge D'Armani in Plum #610

Cover Girl Lipstick in Enchantress with MAC Lipglass in Perky


Vasanti Cosmetics Lipstick in Sweden
Today, wear your favourite lipstick and share your love!



Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Lifestyle | The #RealTalk of Food


Countless images, swirling and rotating through from top to bottom on our phones, tablets and laptops. We view, review, judge, discuss and eventually swipe our thumb downwards to the next one, or do the ever anticipated double click, the sought after "Like".

This occurs for the variety of images on various topics that we see daily with these handy devices. For this post, I wanted to talk about Photos of Food, specifically starting with the lost practice of Dinner time, what it meant and what it means now. Also, I wanted to share Social Night Rules and Etiquette tips to try the next time you are out and finally Instagram content of Images and what we should truthfully post.

What Dinner used to be about...
Dinner was a lovely time when family or friends got together around a dinner table and guess what actually TALKED to one another while enjoying a meal. Not a fancy meal, not a 5-Star Meal, not a picturesque meal but a regular meal. On occasion it would be fancy, but for the most part, it was about eating together no matter what was on the menu.

I remember those days so well as being my fondest memories with family. Sitting at our house or a relatives house, we would rush to the dinner table along with the rest of the cousins. We would be anticipating the food, the food accidents or the potential food fight, the funny food faces or giggle at the one cousin who never ate anything and got scolded for it.

At home, dinner time was the time of day where we would get together and sit and talk about our day, the good the bad and the ugly.

Now, it isn't quite the same. It's interesting and sometimes sad to see that there are a lot of people who have no recollection of this, or are too busy with their devices to have these kind of memories. I fondly look back to those times with others enjoying a meal, and I wonder will kids in the present, say years from now, "Oh I remember where I was when I hit that level in Candy Crush!" Seriously? #JustSaying! It's definitely a different time, but at what point did we become so connected electronically that we disconnected in person?

Social Night Rules
Now I am guilty also, if I am out with friends or family, I will tend to grab my phone and start taking photos like no tomorrow of my meal. To be truthful, I enjoy sharing photos but at the expense of the moment with friends or family is not cool and when I was called out on it, I realized I need to be mindful.  So here are some rules I use and what you can try to adopt when out with friends or loved ones.

1. Never ever take a photo of a meal, if a loved one has asked you for your undivided attention. Nothing can be more annoying then having someone fiddle with their "Filters" because they must post that pic right away, while you are waiting to continue your heartbreak or revealing a deep situation during dinner.

2. Decide if you want it to be a Phone Free day, as in, put in in your bag, pocket or away. And learn to be in the moment. Learn to laugh at what just happened vs. what was seen on your phone. It can be a thrilling experience to enjoy it live than to be bogged down taking photos the entire time. Especially if you are not a tourist.

3. If you cannot live without documenting aspects of your life as is the case with most of us now, then be mindful of the times you are taking the photos. Decide to do it at the start of the night, once when the meal comes out and then a night cap pic. That to me would be the best of both worlds, but you can pick and make it work for you. It's simple and can help you be more present.

Instagram Posts - So why does it have to be gourmet or 5-star?
Now with these cool Social media sites and apps, anyone can take a regular picture and evolve it into a work of art or Photography. But lately, all I tend to see is pics of 5 star like foods or meals? Why can't there be a gorgeous shot of good ole Kraft Dinner and hot dogs, or Indian Dal & Roti, which was a staple meal once a week at my house. Let's post what's true in addition to the glamorous food we get to eat. I think if we are more truthful to what we post, the more enjoyable it will be when looking back at them.

As I said, it's habits we have all picked up from this social media world we live in and we have to stop for  a second and perhaps take some steps back. Enjoy Dinner again without having to whip out the camera, develop proper social media etiquette and be real when it comes to what we post. On my instagram, my pics of meals are a mix of fast food or home based food pics that are authentic and organic to me, and guess what, it works for me. Because it's my #RealTalk of Food!



Friday, July 4, 2014

Purple Rain | My Love affair with Purple (2014 Pantone Colour of the Year)



How can you not love looking at this shade and be obsessed with it? I focused on Lip products for this post, but my obsession doesn't end with just lips. I also love purple for the eyes, a soft sweep of purple on the lids looks amazing for Brown eyes {Click for post here}. Also, using a purple liner instead of a black one, makes a great impact as well {Click for post here}.



I look back and wonder if perhaps my obsession started when Pantone declared this hue as the colour of the year for 2014, specifically Orchid. But If I dig deeper, my purple obsession might have started way earlier. Perhaps circa 1984, a time for fun fashion, a time where musicians and acting in movies were one in the same. Is it possible that it may have been influenced by the one...the only....

The Legendary Prince in the film "Purple Rain"

























One word:  #YESS! Needless to say, this gorgeous hue has been a part of my life for some time. In honour of Prince and Purple Rain, check out my fave purple hued products below.

COVER GIRL LIP PERFECTION in Divine #330


M.A.C. Lipglass in Perky


M.A.C. Mattene Lipstick in Nights Blooming


Maybelline Lip Elixir in Vision in Violet

The Purple Rain All Stars!

This colour is a great transition from Pink and not as bold as dark-hued Plum. Bright shades are always a hit for Summer, so be brave and check out these HOT purples and get obsessed like me!

#PurpleIsTheNewBlack :)





Summer Must-Haves: Glowing Summer Skin | The Body Shop



I was lucky to have stopped into the Body Shop recently when they were having a 50% off sale! That's right 50% off sale. It was the perfect time since I needed to replenish and pick up my summer items to help protect, nourish and revive the skin!

1. Daytime Summer Skin:  Vitamin C Daily Moisture Lotion with SPF 30

Vitamin C - Daily Moisture Lotion SPF 30

I cannot stress how important it is to have SPF, especially for the face. This moisturizer really helps to boost radiance while protecting the skin. I use enough to moisturize the face and ensure its set into the skin before applying makeup.

2. Protective Night Skin:  Vitamin E Nourishing Night Cream

Vitamin E - Nourishing Night Cream

This stuff is heaven! It is the best treat for the skin at night. When you wake up in the morning, skin is smooth and feels incredible.

3. Body Care - Strawberry Body Puree

Strawberry Body Puree

This moisturizer has the best texture. It's very light and instantly melts into the skin! Your skin is left hydrated with a delicate strawberry scent.  A perfect product to use instead of fragrance/perfume which can be strong and heavy for Summer.


4. Foot Care:  Smoothing Scrub, Intensive Foot Rescue & Reviving Leg Gel

Peppermint Smoothing Pumice Foot Scrub

Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue

Peppermint Reviving Leg Gel

This is a much-needed treat to the feet and legs! The scrub works wonders on the heels and really exfoliates. After the scrub, use the Intensive Foot Rescue and the Reviving Leg Gel which will be the best at-home treatment. Your feet and legs will be summer ready in no time!

Be sure to check out these products at The Body Shop! Whichever you choose, all are great additions to your Summer Skincare routines!



Thursday, July 3, 2014

Beauty Trends | Runway inspired beauty trends for Summer!


I was very excited when I was asked to participate in a Beauty Video segment with Anokhi Daily Spotlight TV. The team at Anokhi were wonderful to work with and we had a lot of fun shooting this segment together.  

It was an amazing learning opportunity for me to see what it takes to put together a segment. From shooting from the correct angles, adjusting for the best lighting set-up, to retaining an energetic tone through various takes, seeing it all behind-the-scenes made for an incredible experience. A big thanks to Anokhi along with Daniel Pillai & Shobana Lakkavally!

Check out the clip below for Runway inspired trends to wear for the summer!


This video covers trends for Skin, Eye makeup and Lips, all inspired from the Runway! All are easy to do with the right products! Enjoy the Video and feel free to try the trends above.





Wednesday, July 2, 2014

New Collection: Summer 2014 - BRIGHT RIBBON by Giorgio Armani




It's always exciting to see a new collection in Makeup.  Since I am a lipstick lover, an addict of sorts, I was thrilled when these sheer lipsticks came in! The Giorgio Armani Bright Ribbon collection includes Sheer & Translucent Lip and Nail shades, which are perfect for Summer!






I picked up 2 of my favourite shades in Sheer Lipsticks from the collection. I love these tones, I find them very wearable for me, as both colours are cool toned shades. My picks were Rouge D'Armani Sheers Plum in #603 and Sheers Pink in #508.

Sheers Plum #603 with Flash

Sheers Plum #603 without Flash
Although this is a true plum based shade (sometimes the photos can be tricky to showcase that) the sheer formula means that it's not super pigmented and therefore will make a softer statement versus it being super bold. 

Sheers Pink in #508 with Flash

Sheers Pink in #508 without Flash
I LOVE love this colour. I will hands down pick a pretty pink lipstick everyday if I could. I love that this shade is a cooler toned pink which looks amazing on medium toned lips.



Check out the full collection at Holt Renfrew Sherway Gardens at the Giorgio Armani Counter. Pick your favourite shade and have fun wearing it for the Summer. Face of The Day posts including these colours will be posted soon, stay tuned!