pastel polish play

The spring fashion forecast is all about fun and feminine pastels so it’s no surprise that this playful trend is one that’s easily translated into the wonderful world of beauty.  Fashion-wise I’ve always been attracted to bolder hues, I love black (boring, I know but it’s my go-to) and I like to add punch of bright colour here and there. Although I find them beautiful, pastel tones have never been something I gravitate to when shopping for clothes. Instead, I prefer to take on the trend through soft, and whimsical pastel nail polish shades and this spring’s options are absolutely incredible. The colours of these  polishes remind of a delicious box of macaroons – yum!

1. OPI in You Callin’ Me a Lyre?
This delightful soft pink melon shade is simply a delicious touch for spring.
2. Butter London in Cheeky Chops
Love the softness of this shade, but it still packs enough fun to brighten up your look.
3. Essie in To Buy or Not to Buy
Feminine and delicate, this lilac shade really pops with an added touch of shimmer.
4. Sephora by OPI in Havana Dreams
Breezy and calming, this soft turquoise polish lets you bring the Caribbean with you everywhere you go.
5. Deborah Lipmann in Naked
A pastel collection isn’t complete without a great nude. This polish lets you try the soft colour trend in a very professional way.
6. China Glaze in Second Hand Silk
This polish reminds me of a bowl of playful bon bons. So pretty it looks good enough to eat.

xo – madi

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lusting after: YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis À Lèvres Glossy Stain

To say that I’m very excited about this product is an understatement.Intense glossy colour and longwearing stain combined into one? How amazing does this product sound? The colour options are absolutely delicious too. In my opinion, nothing really compares to a YSL lip product, so much so that I’m willing to attempt to purchase one of their products 3 times to make sure I have it. I’m loving Rouge Laque, a candy red, Coril Fauve, a bright summer shade, and Rose Vinyl, a youthful hot pink shade.

xo-madi

my beauty bag: raving red

Yes, I know it’s been some time since my last post but I’m back and ready to rave about some of my new favourite products. For the longest time I had a little fear of the colour red. Can’t explain why, but I always felt like it was a little too much for me. Until recently, that is. It’s safe to say, I’ve changed my mind. Maybe it was the holiday season, maybe it was the parties but over the last few months I went on a red cosmetic shopping spree and here’s what I found.

1. Dior Rouge Dior Blazing Red 
This is the lipstick that changed my relationship with the colour red. Part bombshell and part tropical peach, this red-orange colour is a bold choice but it’s the perfect way to add a (huge) punch of colour to your look.
2. OPI Gettin’ Miss Piggy With It
While getting a holiday manicure, I went out of my comfort zone by choosing a ruby red shade with this sparkle coat over top. Now, we know how much I love a little glitter polish, and this polish had so much breathtaking sparkle I had to buy myself a bottle.
3. Benefit Benetint Lip Balm SPF 15
Chapped lips are inevitable during the winter, for me at least, and I love this little balm.  While this balm isn’t as bright as the other two products I’ve mentioned, it certainly has the most to offer. SPF? Yes please. Rose fragrance? Yum! Colour tint? Check!

xo-madi

vanity is a virtue at the vanity lounge

Last Saturday, November 26, I had the pleasure of attending The Vanity Events’ Vanity Lounge at the Jeanne Lottie Pink House and I can’t think of a more indulgent way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Beauty products, pampering, a little (ok, a lot) of shopping and decadent desserts made self-restraint a little difficult for everyone who attended. Among the vendors showcasing their amazing products and services were natural beauty product company Upper Canada Soap, wellness company BMK, jewellery trend-setters Stella and Dot, hair and makeup gurus SheShe Beauty and for us girls who might need a little “help”, silicone enhancement brand Soul Beautiful.

After checking out what some of the vendors had to offer, I had the opportunity to chat with Lauren of Good Gosh Beauty. They specialize in permanent cosmetics and lash enhancement services with a skilled and artistic flare. I’ll admit I didn’t know very much about permanent cosmetics but Lauren explained how the procedures offer very natural looking results, Lauren herself wears permanent eyeliner flawlessly. What really intrigued me was Good Gosh Beauty’s Lash Dip, a semi-permanent mascara treatment, which they plan on offering in the New Year. With my borderline clear eyelashes, I’ve tried tinting them only to have the colour wear off in a few days. The Lash Dip promises a gorgeous coat of eyelash colour that lasts up to six weeks. I don’t think I could commit to permanent makeup yet but I, along with my blonde eyelashes, am dying to try this Lash Dip out.

Special thanks to The Vanity Events for having me!

     

xo – madi

my beauty bag: in the buff

Other than a great red lipstick, a nude shade should be a staple in your beauty bag. I love the look of a strong eye and a pale lip but choose the wrong shade and your lips could look smaller and washed out. I like a nude lipstick to be at least a shade or two different than your skin tone to add some dimension. Add a gloss and you have an instantly fuller look.

I’ve recently realized that I have more nude lipsticks than any other shade. A girl can never own too many though, can she? Here are my must-haves.

1. Burberry Lip Cover in Delicate Rose
This creamy lipstick is a very flattering combination of nude and pink. It works well during the day if you’re looking for a fresh hint of colour or get that gorgeous night time look by adding a liner and gloss over top.
2. MAC Lipstick in Hue
I must have tried on every nude lipstick made by MAC before I chose this shade. I wanted to find just the right one to compliment my skin tone. This is a much lighter nude shade, again with a pink undertone, and I love the look with a touch of extra bronzer.
3. YSL  Rouge Volupte in Sweet Honey
Unlike the previous two, this shade has a yellow undertone and really punches up the drama. I like this for a night out look with a strong dramatic eye. Like all YSL beauty products, it’s luxurious, long-lasting and well worth the splurge.

xo – madi

in good hands

As hard as we try we can’t escape winter’s dreaded duo – the wind and the cold. Every year they seem to arrive with a vengeance, unleashing their fury on our skin, especially our hands. Winter is just getting started and my hands are already suffering. I could wear gloves 24/7 for the next five months but that’s not the most practical idea, is it? Instead, I’ll rely on a little help from these luxurious and ultra-moisturizing hand creams to nourish my skin and take a stand against winter.

1. Cake It’s a Slice Velveteen Hand Crème
The delicious seasonal combination of orange and vanilla is the perfect scent to lift you out of your winter blues. This cream is non greasy and its silky formulation absorbs faster than a snowflake melts. What makes it even more delectable? It’s 100% paraben free and made with 90% natural ingredients.
2. Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Ultra-Moisturizing Hand Therapy
I was gifted this hand cream by a friend and it became one of those products I use sparingly because it’s so luxurious that I don’t want to use it all up too quickly. The intensive non greasy shea butter formula not only conditions your hands but it works its magic on your nails and cuticles too.
3. L’occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
I find this cream perfect if you like a more subtle scent. It absorbs quickly into the skin, softening your hands using a combination of sea butter, coconut oil and almonds. Ever notice that if you wash your hands soon after you’ve moisturized, they immediately feel dry again? Not with this hand cream.

xo-madi

lusting after: YSL Le Noir Collection Nail Polish

I’ve professed my love for glittery and sparkly nail polishes before, which is why I’m naturally lusting after the YSL Le Noir Collection La Laque Nail Polishes. Like most lust-worthy things, the collection is limited edition and comes in three stunningly iridescent shades. Noir Indigo is a mysterious black with blue shimmer, Noir Mordore is a sultry black and bronze shade and my favourite, Noir Lapis, is a vampy black with purple shimmer. Must. Have. Them. All. And lucky for me, YSL has come out with a Nail Trio Holiday Set containing, well, all three.

xo-madi