Beauty Tip | Are you in a makeup rut?

Are you a slave to your Liquid Liner? 

Do you love BLUE EYESHADOW?

Can’t see anything on your lips but frosted or beige lips? 

Never wore blush?

Everyone has their go-to look that they have hung onto, regardless whether it was 10 years ago or longer.  It may be something we dabbled into when we first discovered our love for makeup, perhaps a signature colour of lipstick, a particular product or a certain way of wearing eye makeup etc.

I thought it would be fun to share some makeup idea swaps that may help to move some of you into a new direction of wearing a particular look or product, check it out below:

LIQUID EYE LINER

Discovered:  Circa 90’s and before then in Egyptian times.

Product used then:  Cover Girl Liquid Liner

• Swap Product:  Gel based Eye liners | Pen based | Soft Pencil
• Suggestions:  MAC’S Blacktrack Fluid line | Maybelline MasterKajal Pencil 

BLUE EYE SHADOW

Discovered:  Disco era and beyond

Product used then:  Flat/Matte blue shadow applied all over the lid

• Swap Product:  Metallic Eye shadows or Eye Pencils
• Suggestion:  Giorgio Armani Eye Tints | Makeup Forever Aqualiner Pencils

FROSTED LIPSTICK

Discovered: Circa 90’s in Pink tones. Revisited in the 90’s with brown tones.

Product used then:  Baby Pink Frosted Tone Lipsticks

• Swap Product:  Sheer Finish Lipsticks | Lip Balms | Lip Gloss
• Suggestion: MAC Lipglass in PRRR

BEIGE/BROWN LIPSTICK

Discovered: Popular in the 90’s (Think Cindy Crawford or anyone on Friends!)

Product used then: Revlon Toast of New York and any beige lipstick from MAC

• Swap Product: Beige/Brown has made a comeback but in more light reflecting finishes
• Suggestion: Revlon’s Colorburst Lip Butters | Darker Matte Lip like Fast Play by MAC

PINK BLUSH

Discovered: Since the start of makeup when women would use berries to darkly stain cheeks

Product used then: Fruit and Variety of Pink Only shades of blushes.

• Swap Product: Sheer blushes in a variety of shades which work well with all skin tones 
• Suggestion: Cheek Fabric Powder Blush by Giorgio Armani | NARS Orgasm Blush. 

Hopefully there are a few swaps or new products that you can check out and incorporate into your day-to-night looks! Trends and technology in makeup is always changing so it's always good to check out what's out there and try something new! Be Brave!

Product Love | My Must-haves from Giorgio Armani Beauty

I recently looked at the Giorgio Armani collection and wanted to share the few items that are ideal staples from the line. Since Giorgio Armani is a higher end makeup line, this may help you pick the few items you may want to add to your own personal collection.

Here is the list and the gorgeous product shots below: 

1. #1 Eyes to Kill 4 Colour Eyeshadow Palette
2. #6 Eyes to Kill 4 Colour Eyeshadow Palette
3. #12 Smooth Silk Eye Pencil
4. #11 Smooth Silk Lip Pencil
5. #502 Scarletto Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick
6. Blender Brush

Smokey Eye Must-Have: #1 Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Palette: For all of us, we always want the basic smokey eye and this particular palette allows you to do just that. A mix of silver/grey toned shades with the dark grey and black matte colours, you can create a soft to a very intense traditional smokey eye with this palette!

A Neutral Everyday Palette: #6 Eyes to Kill Eyeshadow Palette: Not everyone is comfortable with a dramatic eye makeup look and we all need an everyday palette. What I love about this one is that these colours look good on all skin tones! Also, you can wear this one everyday and make it more dramatic when you need to! A perfect starter shadow palette for anyone who is new to make up and the mini aspect of this compact make these quads perfect for travelling!

Everyday Liner that is a multi-tasker: #12 Smooth Silk Eye Pencil: A black eye pencil is a good staple to have, but having the chocolate version is also a must for many reasons! It provides a softer, diffused look to all eye colours and it's more comfortable to wear because the colour is not as dramatic as black. The smudger that is included gives you versatility as well. You can also use this pencil as a base for your eye shadow so that the shadow on top is more intense and you can CONTOUR your cheekbones with this pencil too!

A liner that can double as a lipstick: #11 Smooth Lip Pencil: This deep plum toned pencil is my obsession! The pencils are smooth and super pigmented so you can fill in the entire lips and not have to add lipstick. Keep it Matte or add a gloss on top and you are good to go, a great shade for the season!

Hydrating and Full Colour Lipstick: #502 Scarletto Rouge Ecstasy Lipstick: This colour is HOT! It looks great on everyone! This lipstick is a CC Lipstick which is Colour + Care, with Vitamin E and Shea Butter. It gives you smooth lips each time you wear it, a perfect shade to wear for a boost!

The perfect Foundation Brush: Blender Brush: This brush is my perfect tool to use with Luminous Silk Foundation. The rounded shape and the sable bristles leave a blended and smooth finish. I find that I use less product since the brush does most of the work! It really gives you a flawless and airbrushed look.

Be sure to check these must-haves out and add to your own collection!

Food | Penne Chicken Veggie Soup Recipe

One of the best things to have when you are not feeling well or on a super cold day is Chicken Vegetable soup. As a kid, we loved getting either the canned or the packet version of the soup. As I started to learn to cook for myself, I wanted to be able to make it from scratch whenever the mood struck. Here is my take on a classic Chicken Soup!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Bag of Penne Pasta or Noodle of your Choice
• 5 Carrots Sliced
• 6 Celery Sliced & Diced
• 2 Cups of Rotisserie Chicken - Shredded
• 1 Small Onion Diced
• A pinch of Thyme
• 2 Tablespoon Margarine
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1 Tablespoon Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Pepper
• 1 Teaspoon of Garlic or Fresh Garlic*Optional
• Water to fill 3/4 of Pot Used

Grab a Large pot and over medium heat add margarine. Add a piece of onion so you can gauge the heat of the melted margarine, but once you see the onion sizzle, add the onions, carrots and celery. Toss together and cook for about 5 mins.

Add the bay leaf and the thyme. Cook the vegetables until they are softened. Be sure not to over cook them.

Add the following seasoning (Salt, Pepper and Garlic). Toss together and heat for another 5 minutes. Now add the shredded chicken into the pot and combine the veggies with the chicken and mix well. Cover the pot with the lid and leave on Medium High heat for about 5 minutes.

Now slowly add water until the pot is 3/4 full. But you want to add the water, a cup or two at a time. Turn the heat to high. Each time you add the cup of water, you want to wait till that water boils before you add each additional cup. Once the last cup of water has been added, then wait for it to boil and then add your pasta noodles. Cook for the allotted time for the pasta. Once the pasta is cooked, remove from heat and cover with lid. 

Voila!! Your grown up version of Chicken Noodle Soup = Penne Chicken Veggie Soup! This is the perfect meal for whenever you are feeling under the weather or nostalgic for your childhood!

#GoldenGlobes2015 | Top 5 Fashion Looks!

The Red Carpet is always about the GOWNS! For the 2015 Golden Globes, the beautiful women of Hollywood dressed to the nines. My favourite trend was the silvery toned gowns!

Here are my Top 5 Fashion Looks from the night!

Reese Witherspoon | Calvin Klein

Image courtesy: Getty Images

Jennifer Lopez | Zuhair Murad

Image Courtesy: EOnline.com

Kate Beckinsale | Elie Saab

Image Courtesy: EOnline.com

Kate Hudson | Versace

Image Courtesy: EOnline.com

Julianne Moore | Givency Couture

Image Courtesy: EOnline.com

It will be interesting to see these gowns being translated from Award Runway to the retail customer. Typically the most popular award show dresses that are trending are re-worked for Bridal Wear!

#GoldenGlobes2015 | Top 5 Beauty Looks!

Love, love, love awards season! For me, the reason I enjoy these shows is that I get the opportunity to see art, fashion and beauty collide! In addition, we get to see and experience amazing films and the people behind these great works of art.

From all of the lovely looks from the 2015 Golden Globes Red Carpet, I picked my Top 5 favourite looks in beauty and fashion. Everyone looked amazing, but I picked My Top 5 Beauty Looks!

1. Reese Witherspoon | Soft Glam

Image Courtesy: HollywoodLife.com

2. Amal Clooney | Bold Lips

Image Courtesy: Hollywoodlife.com

Jessica Chastain | Hollywood Golden Glam

Image Courtesy: Hollywoodlife.com

Jennifer Lopez | Smokey Glam

Image Courtesy: Hollywoodlife.com

Allison Williams | Movie Star Glam

Image Courtesy: HollywoodLife.com

Loved the glamorous yet soft focused looks for beauty! All of these looks are easy to replicate and can work for any upcoming special occasions or celebrations for 2015! 

Product Wish List | 2015 Winter

I have come across some really gorgeous things in the last few weeks that I want to pick up for myself. Some are already available and others are yet to be launched which I am patiently anticipating.

Here is a quick snapshot of a few things on my Wish list for the season, and why I love them!

1. Hourglass Modernist Eye shadow Palette

• Artistic palettes in multiple colour combinations
• Colours look very pigmented
• Gorgeous Ombre wave pattern

2. Nars Palette

• These shadows are gorgeous as singles
• The top ones were put together in this convenient palette
• Great item for a new makeup user or a Pro

3. Anastasia Liquid Lipsticks

• The "Brow Queen" has launched these gorgeous liquid lipsticks
• Amazing colours
• Beautiful pigment

4. Kate Spade Eat Cake for Breakfast Mug

• Cutest statement mug ever :)
• Starts your day happy
• Love anything (EVERYTHING) with statements

5. Moleskin Sketchbook

• I currently have a moleskin note book which I absolutely love
• Sketchbook would force me to draw and doodle more
• Brings out creative expression

I am looking to get these goodies in next few months and of course I will share with you the pretty details of these lovely items!

New Collection | Giorgio Armani Eye Tints

Giorgio Armani has launched these absolutely STUNNING eye shadows called Eye Tints! The shade range is amazing and the product makes shadow application a breeze. It transforms from liquid to solid which makes eyeshadow application quick and easy.

Product Details:

• 12 Luminous Shades  
• Formula transforms from liquid to solid
• 16 hour wear
• Smudge-free & Crease-free wear
• Wear it as an eye shadow or eye liner

Shades:

• #1 Obsidian
• #2 Minuit
• #3 Jade
• #4 Emeraude
• #5 Onyx
• #6 Green Iron
• #7 Shadow
• #8 Flannel
• #9 Cold Copper
• #10 Senso
• #11 Rose Ashes
• #12 Gold Ashes

I decided to have some fun with these products and created a dramatic look for both eyes as well as lips! Dark hued Ombre lips are very popular and can be seen in fashion and worn by many makeup lovers on Instagram. Here is my take:

Products Used

Eyes

Eye Tint in Minuit and Jade

Eyes to Kill Mascara

Maestro Liner

Lips

Eye Tint in Minuit and Jade for the accent Ombre effect

Giorgio Armani Eye Pencil in Black

Nars Navy Lip Pencil

You can pretty much create any look you desire with these gorgeous products! I love that the Eye Tints are so versatile because it allows for soft to intense makeup looks! The Eye Tints are available at Holt Renfrew Sherway and are a must for makeup lovers!