Showing posts with label Revlon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Revlon. Show all posts

Friday, December 11, 2009

Guiltless Goodies: Leona Lewis glitters in InStyle






Hi all!

InStyle magazine’s December issue featured one of my favourite singers – British vocal powerhouse Leona Lewis – in the season’s sparkliest make-up. As if you couldn’t tell from my recent posts, glitter and sparkle is super in this season, and it certainly makes it easy to feel festive.


See below for the three different colour-themed looks that Leona sported and my ‘kind’ versions of the products the magazine recommended to create each look (I sourced totally different products that still would create the same make-up effect because, to be frank, at least three out of the four products listed for each look were tested on animals).



You don't have to be cruel to be kind,
GiGi


Ultra-Violet Femme
How to do it: Makeup artist Mariel Barrera blended silver shadow over Lewis’ lids and creases and purple on her brow bones and near the tear ducts. “The purple balances out the intensity of the silver and creates a subtle highlight,” Berrera explains. Next, she applied black eyeliner inside the lower rims of eyes before swiping lashes with three coats of mascara. She finished with bronze blush and frosty pink lipstick.


1. Black eyeliner – mark Eyemarker Color On Line in Jet, $5.50, meetmark.com



2. Eyeshadow – Revlon Illuminance Crème Shadow in Wild Orchids, $6.50, drugstores



3. Black mascara – Too Faced Lashlight Mascara, $25, toofaced.com



4. Frosty pink lipstick – Make Up For Ever Glossy Full Pastel Mauve #9, $19, makeupforever.com



5. Bronze blush – Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% Natural Origin 2-in-1 Bronzer & Blush, $14, drugstores

Golden Girl
How to do it: To give skin a high-watt glow, Barrera swirled a dime-size amount of liquid highlighter onto Lewis’s temples, cheeks and jawline. “Always avoid the T-zone when using shimmer,” says Barrera. “It will keep you from looking too shiny.” Next, Barrera brushed a light-reflecting powder over Lewis’ entire face “to set the highlighter and even out her skin tone.” Then she used a gold face highlighter as an eye shadow, blending it over Lewis’ lids, with extra emphasis under brow bones and at the inner corners of eyes. To complete the look, Barrera used her fingers to apply a dab of shimmery bronze gloss on lips.


1. Highlighter – Chantecaille Lumiere de Rose highlighter, $36, chantecaille.com (InStyle’s original pick)

2. Light-reflecting powder – BeneFit box o’ powder in dallas, $28, benefitcosmetics.com



3. Gold highlighter – e.l.f. Brightening Eye Color in Butternut, $1.50, drugstores

4. Bronze lip gloss – Almay Ideal lipgloss in Coffee Shimmer, $6, drugstores

Berry Pretty
How to do it: Because lips were the focus, Barrera used neutral shadows to subtly accent Lewis’ eyes. She blended gold over lids, champagne under brow bones, and bronze under lower lash lines. “I didn’t want the lips to beg for attention, so I chose a semi-sheer brick colour instead of a true red,” says Barrera, who used a small stiff brush to apply. To make lips a bit more festive, she added a touch of silver-flecked gloss to the middle of Lewis’ lips. “When you keep the gloss in the middle, it makes lips look fuller,” says Barrera. She finished the look with a light dusting of apricot blush.


1. Neutral eye colours – Wet ‘n’ Wild MegaEyes Eyeshadow Trios in Egyptian Sands, $3, drugstores



2. Berry lipstick – N.Y.C. ultra last lipwear in Red Flame, $1.99, newyorkcolor.com



3. Blush - Rockstar Cosmetics Camera Ready Blush in Fantasia, $14 from myrockstarcosmetics.com



4. Silver-flecked gloss – Smashbox Lip Enhancing gloss in Radiant, $18, sephora.com (InStyle’s original pick)

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Guiltless Goodies: SELF's seasonal sparkly suggestions

Hi all:

SELF Magazine's December issue featured all that sparkles in both clothing and make-up. I previously posted on the clothing, but here is the make-up feature - thankfully, the majority of products featured in this editorial are cruelty-free, so there is a fantastic range of sparkly, glittery cosmetics here for both body and face! For full feature, click here.


You don't have to be cruel to be kind,
GiGi



BODY
AVON Spotlight Moisturizing Shimmer Gel, $10


This gel is a clear winner, with see-through sparkle and a delicate floral scent.

NYX Cosmetics Glitter Gel, $4


Feeling festive? Gild yourself with NYX's glitter gel. Smooth one pump into palms, then spread evenly over your arms, legs and neck.

Soap & Glory Glow Lotion, $10


Brighten pale skin with rose-coloured body highlighter Soap & Glory Glow Lotion. Spray on right after moisturizing; rub in a circular motion to blend.

Victoria's Secret Garden Holiday Shimmering Powder Puff in Sparkling Sugared Pear, $8

Gold-flecked shimmering powder imparts a heavenly halo effect and aroma.

HAIR
Organix Smoothing Shea Butter Liquid Glass Serum, $7


Go from lacklustre to glossy in an instant with the silk protein and avocado oil in Organix's serum.

Ultra-thin gold Revlon headband, $6 (comes in a 2-pack with a silver band as well)
(Image unavailable)
Prettify any style by adding a bit of bling.

MAKE-UP
Revlon DoubleTwist Mascara, $9


Chose a volumizing formula with a wide wand such as this mascara to cover every lash - from inner to outer corners- with a single swipe. (You'll use less, so it's economical, too). Comb out clumps, then cover lower lashes with clear mascara to avoid raccoon eyes.

Sephora Glitter Pot in Silver, $8

Swipe a wet eyeliner brush into the ultra-fine glitter pot. Brush across lids to achieve eye-catching allure.

Mark Mini Mark It Stick for Eyes eyeliner and shadow in Gold Opal, $8

For golden, smoky eyes, line lids with this supersoft eyeliner and eyeshadow and lightly smudge.

Femme Couture Mineral Effects Baked Eye Colour in Pure Platinum, $7

Chemical-free Femme Couture eye shadow goes on sheer; layering creates an opaque effect.

Mehron Metallic Powder, $8

Accessorize eyes with silvery metallic powder.

Smudgeproof e.l.f. Liquid Eyeshadow in Sexy Silver, $1

This eyeshadow glides on easily while the noncreasing finish equals that of pricier brands.

Hard Candy Lash Tinsel Glitter Mascara in Gold Digger, $6

If sparkly shadow seems a bit much, dazzle them with a swipe of Hard Candy glitter mascara.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Guiltless Goodies: Guiltless gifts for the holiday season!

Hi all!

It's been a while since I last editorialized on the reasons I am doing this blog, so I thought I'd preface this post with a reminder about my motivations. Please bear with me, it's an important message that I will restrain from repeating too often but it is, I feel, worth a read as a reminder from time to time.


It is important to have a conscience. Especially in today's world, which is often corrupt and capitalist.


Companies like to make money; the bottom line is that they are entirely focused on their bottom line. Sadly, in order to meet their financial goals, many of them look for the cheap way out - not caring who or what they hurt in the process. There are all kinds of problems that have emerged because of this competitive attitude: sweat shops, fur farms and child labour are just a few. The cruelties of the leather and fur industries, the realities of poorly-regulated animal testing that still takes place in overcrowded laboratories - it is overwhelming and can make any consumer feel disturbed and powerless. However, if the companies' concern is their bottom line, that is something that everyone, as a consumer, can impact.


Major designers such as Max Azria (owner of the BCBG group) and Stella McCartney (whose line is vegan, meaning fur- and leather-free) have taken stances against the use of fur in the fashion industry. Brands such as Almay and Origins boast natural, often organic and always cruelty-free products at drugstore prices. Cosmetics giant Revlon has trumped its competitors - L'Oreal and Maybelline among them - by banning animal testing in the production of its products.


For guilt-free purchases this holiday season, below is a list of festive products that would make an ideal gift for anyone and everyone. Using purchasing power for good will ensure everybody wins – including the animals.



You don't have to be cruel to be kind,
GiGi



A COSY KNIT SWEATER:


Expensive Elegance: Stella McCartney’s wool cashmere ladder knit V-neck sweater, $825, StellaMcCartney.com (shown here in round-neck version)

Ideal Investment: BCBGMAXAZRIA’s cable-knit long cardigan, $198, BCBG.com



Bargain Buy: Old Navy’s women’s cable-knit V-neck hoodies, $34.50, OldNavy.com



AN EYE-CATCHING CLUTCH:
Expensive Elegance: Matt and Nat’s Kogan clutch, $150 (Canadian), mattandnat.ca

Ideal Investment: Bebe’s satin bow clutch, $59, bebe.com

Bargain Buy: Charlotte Russe’s studded chain clutch, $16.99, CharlotteRusse.com



THE ULTIMATE PAIR OF PARTY SHOES:
Expensive Elegance: Mink Shoes’ Bull pump, $355, minkshoes.com



Ideal Investment: Charmoné’s Cinnamon – Black shoes, $179, charmone.com



Bargain Buy: Payless ShoeSource’s Miss Puerto Rico by Payless Divina sandal, $34.99, Payless.com



A RED LIPSTICK FOR ALL:
Expensive Elegance: Estee Lauder lipstick removed after more research discovered the company partakes in animal testing


Ideal Investment: Too Faced Cosmetics’ Drop Dead Red lipstick, $18, TooFaced.com
(Too Faced's Lip of Luxury lipsticks)
(Drop Dead Red)


Bargain Buy: Revlon Colorstay soft & smooth lipcolor in Red Velvet, $9.99, Revlon.com



HIGH-SHINE NAIL POLISH:
Expensive Elegance: OPI’s Designer Series DS Reflection, $12.50, OPI.com



Ideal Investment: Sally Hansen item removed (the company is owned by Coty, Inc. which does animal testing)


Bargain Buy: Avon’s Nailwear pro nail enamel in Ruby Slipper, $5.99, Avon.com 



Sunday, November 15, 2009

Guiltless Goodies: Bargain Buys for beauty products



Hi all!

People Style Watch's November issue featured the 50 Best Beauty Bargains - I have cut through the list and narrowed it down so that the title can now read 50 Best Cruelty-Free Beauty Bargains - so buy without guilt!


You don't have to be cruel to be kind,
GiGi


Make-up Must-Haves

Lipstick - Revlon Mauve It Over Matte Lipstick, $7.99, available at drugstores
"A great nude. It's the rare true matte that doesn't feel dry!" - Jeanine Lobell


Blush - Almay SmartShade Blush in Pink, $8.99, available at drugstores
"The juicy, universally flattering shades mimic a natural flush." - Brett Freedman


Bronzer - BonneBell Gel Bronze in Golden Tan, $3.95, available at bonnebell.com
"So sheer - it creates a pretty, lit-from-within glow. I like to mix it with foundation." - Brett Freedman


Tinted Lip Balm - Burt's Bees item removed - owned by Clorox who test on animals

Foundation - Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mousse Makeup in 060, $13.99, available at drugstores
"Great buildable coverage, and there's a shade for almost everyone." - Matthew VanLeeuwen




Hair Essentials


Shampoo - Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Shampoo, $6.99, available at drugstores
"This really hydrates hair, making it simpler to style. Plus the tropical scent is delectable!" - Lona Vigi


Conditioning Treatment - Queen Helene Cholesterol Hot Oil Treatment, $3.19 for 3 tubes, available at drugstores
"So rich and moisturizing. It's ideal for thick, curly hair!" - Oribe


Paddle Brush - Sonia Kashuk Kashuk Tools Hair Brush, $14.99, available at target.com


Smoothing Cream - TRESemme Anti-Frizz Secret Smoothing Creme, $4.49, available at drugstores
"It keeps blowouts super-smooth and free of flyaways without weighting hair down." - Tippi Shorter


Face Savers


Anti-aging cream - Eucerin item removed as company owned by Beiersdorf, which tests on animals


Body Basics


Cuticle Oil - Sally Hansen item removed as company is owned by Coty, Inc. which tests on animals

Moisturizing Salve - Vermont's Original Bag Balm Protective Ointment, $8.29, available at drugstore.com
"This balm - originally made to moisturize cow's udders! - is excellent at treating dry elbows, knees, heels and lips." - Dr. Heidi A. Waldorf