Blogs on More

Ah, technology. Where would we be without it? (Not reading this blog, actually, so let’s move swiftly on.) Whether you’re on your iPhone, updating your Facebook page or using your Blackberry Instant Messenger like a pro (yes, we know you’re out there), here are a few interesting, informative and fun beauty-related applications and websites you might enjoy.

- La Roche Posay has launched  myskincheck.ca, a website that gives advice what level of sun protection you should use for your skin type and gives Canadian women the ability to check and track their moles using an interactive tool. (Of course, your dermatologist should be your first point of contact if you have a pressing or urgent skin-related concern.)

- Skip the well-worn testers at the counter and see how a range of shades of lipstick look with your skin tone virtually instead. Facial recognition software has opened up a world of opportunity for web developers, and the MakeUp application is a great example of how fun (and time-wasting) virtual trials can be.

- While you may not file this collaboration between John Frieda, Jergens and The Weather Channel away as one of your “essential” website daily check-ins, it’s a fun one to consult if you’re planning your beauty and fashion wardrobe before a big event or wedding. Weather forecasts as they relate to beauty: if skies are overcast, you might get a “chance of frizz” warning.

- Want to go further with your “try-before-you-buy” testers? Faceinstitute.ca lets you upload a photo of yourself and then go to town with dermal fillers to increase volume in your cheeks, Botox to halt forehead wrinkles or plump up your lips until you’re ready for a photo call on the Hollywood strip.

- Dermatologist Dr. Brandt, known as much for his clientele as his eponymous product line, has launched a free iPhone application that helps women find the UV index in their local area before they leave the house, buy skin care products and analyse their skin type.

Women who prefer to take a “natural is best” approach to aging can often feel alienated when confronted by the plethora of high-intervention and invasive anti-aging treatments out there. Tua Viso, a “facial gymnastics” gadget that counts supermodel Kate Moss as a fan, looks like it may be the happy medium.

Most women have heard about facial exercise to help tone the face - but if you want to take it up a notch, the Tuo Viso promises to give your face a full blown workout by using hydro-electronic stimulation to firm underlying muscles. They claim that after about 10 weeks, women will notice increased facial firmness and a reduction in wrinkles due to an increase in collagen and elastin production.

This product has been a huge success in the UK, touted by many leading magazines,  newspapers and happy customers as a cure-all for the wrinkles that ail us.

But. (There’s always a but, isn’t there?) Although facial exercise devotees swear by them with the strength of a thousand newly toned mouths, some dermatologists aren’t convinced, saying that muscle movement makes dynamic muscles (those caused by repetitive movement, like frown lines) worse, not better.

Dr. Vince Bertucci, a dermatologist in Woodbridge, Ontario, believes that muscle movement can only make dynamic wrinkles worse.”One should avoid over-exercising the muscles that lead to certain facial expressions so as to avoid unwanted wrinkles.”

Bertucci says that facial “lifting” is actually a complex issue which is not just related to muscle tone.  “The quality of the skin itself is very important,” he says. “Repeated sun exposure leads to looser, more wrinkled skin.  Additionally, facial volume plays a very large role in facial appearance.”

Bertucci also noted that facial exercises cannot improve depleted collagen, elastin, or the skin’s fat layer, all of which contribute to static wrinkles.

I’d love to know if any of our readers have used facial exercise in the past and what results you’ve had!

The Tua Viso Non-surgical Face Lift Unit, $349, at Body Beau.com

Most of us suffer from the “instant gratification” mindset when we start using a new product - wanting to see the results promised within just days of use. Of course, the reality is that our skin takes 28 days to renew (a process that slows down as we age), so it’s always best to give a product time to see if it’s truly working for you.

Thus ends my long-winded introduction to a no-patience-required product I’ve been raving about. Alyria Skin Optimizing System Exfoliating Cream, Level 3.

This is an exfoliating cream that uses glycolic acids (AHAs) to help skin return to its pre-winter glory days and beyond. AHAs work by loosening the glue-like substance that binds skin cells together, removing dead skin cells in a more even way than manual scrubs do, leaving skin smooth and renewed.

For three nights before bed, I popped a little of this cream on my elbows, and by day four I had some seriously soft skin going on. Trust me, this was no easy feat. I was so impressed I was doing a “go on, touch me!” personal space invasion in the office. Luckily, my colleagues at More aren’t easily scared off.

I recommend snatching up a pot of this stuff for feet, knees and elbows that need a refresh as the warmer weather rolls in, but you can also use it to help prevent ingrown hairs on the legs and fight keratosis pilaris on the backs of arms.

www.alyria-med.com/

If there was only room for one makeup item on a desert island list, I think most women would choose their favourite mascara.

But although well-defined eyes are important, I rate having a healthy, youthful glow even higher on the scale of beauty necessities. That’s why my island grab-bag would have a pretty, warming blush thrown in right beside my sun hat.

Dick Page, the wonderfully creative and oft-sought out Artistic Director for Shiseido, takes it a step further, saying he really doesn’t know what all the fuss is about mascara:

“Why does everyone love mascara so much? I couldn’t care less about it. My absolute must-have is blush. You could be at death’s door, and a spot of blush is still going to make you look great.”

Hear, hear.

In the market for a new blush? Try Shiseido Luminizing Satin Face Color blush in Petal (shown), which gives a flattering, warm wash of coral or the brighter, cool-toned Orchid shade of watermelon.

www.shiseido.com

As far as movie stars go, Julia Roberts is as big as it gets. So, it’s safe to say Lancôme have scored a pretty major coup: they’ve just signed the Oscar-winning actress up as their new brand ambassador.

Julia’s proud and excited about her new role. She told Women’s Wear Daily, “It’s kind of like every girl’s dream, really. To be 42 and have three kids and be a working mom, it’s a great moment to be asked to do this and to be able to do it.” 

Aside from her solid acting chops, I think one of the reasons Julia is so popular is because she has a truly accessible beauty (helped, no doubt by her mega-watt smile). She’s a master at making glamour seem effortless.

Her look for the Golden Globes is a great example of this - rosy cheeks, neutral, slightly glossy lip and a dark smudged shadow lining her eyes.

One of the easiest places to go overboard with colour is on the cheeks - a fast track to looking a little too harsh and possibly a lot crazy. Take inspiration from Julia’s light hint of colour on her cheeks (Lancôme’s Colour Design Cream Blush in Petticoat Pink). Her blush looks natural and flushed, rather than streaky or bold.

For those of us who do not wear lipstick often (guilty as charged!), the dramatic impact of a crimson lip seems elusive and out of reach. But, as I discovered when charged by my editor to test-run red lipsticks, mastering the scarlet pucker isn’t as hard as it may seem. Whip it out on Valentine’s Day to add a little holiday-appropriate glamour to any outfit.

Day 1: Go bold or go home
Assembling the red lipsticks in my bathroom, I pick the brightest red of the bunch. Might as well start with a bang, right? Lesson number one: Exfoliating lips is a must with red lipstick. My first attempt at applying looks lumpy, so I take it off, gently exfoliate my lips with a face cloth, dab on some lip balm, and give it another go. Voila! A scarlet lip worthy of Gwen Stefani herself. If you’re finding it hard to stay in the lines, a lip brush is really helpful to keep your lipstick application smooth and on target.

Traveling to work on the subway, all I can see is the reflection of my red lips in the window. I have honestly never worn such bright lipstick in my entire life. Exiting the station, I see one of my friends from another magazine, who ignores me completely. A double-take later, she sees past the lipstick and realizes it’s me. Around the office, I get compliments on my lips. With the exception of some accidental smudging and leaving lipstick rings on my metal water bottle, the red lip is surprisingly easy so far; now if I could just find a less conspicuous colour…

Day 2: Retro red
For my second day I choose an extremely dark red that is nowhere near as bright as my first pick. Lesson number two: Red lipstick instantly emphasizes any redness in your face. Concealer is a must!

While the application process went smoothly, the colour didn’t look as good as the bright red from Day 1. By the time I got to work, I had put my finger on it. Lesson number three: Red lipstick is unforgiving when you pick the wrong shade. I ended up wiping it off after seeing my sallow reflection in the mirror. Back to the drawing board…

Day 3: Berry nice
On day three, I’m discouraged from my little shade mishap and decide to go a different colour route: raspberry. Of all the intense shades I’ve tried, I have to say I like this one the best; raspberry is as deep and dramatic as a red, but much more wearable. Experimenting with berry makes me excited for the pretty pink lips that stormed the Spring/Summer 2010 runways.

Day 4: Pencil it in
For my last day of red lipstick, I shake it up and try an automatic lip crayon. At last, red lip nirvana: versatile enough to be used as a lipstick on bare lips or over lip gloss to give a slight tint, this red looks like a darker version of my natural lip colour, and gets a thumbs up from my boyfriend.

After trying various shades, I’ve finally learned lesson number four: It takes time and effort to find the right red. But when you do, nothing beats the instant glam of a scarlet lip.

A foundation brush is an essential tool in your beauty kit.

Yes, I’m giving “essential” the italic treatment. That’s because having a foundation brush is just as important as a good blush brush or eyebrow taming comb.

It may seem like a frivolous extra step, considering the ease at which you can apply product with your fingers, but trust me on this one, it’s a must-have.

There are two main reasons why I’m on the foundation brush bandwagon: they blend your product on beautifully and you’ll use less of it in the process.

Plus, call me beauty-kooky, but I find the brush sensation on my face quite soothing. And, okay, a brush makes me feel like a “pro”. This is obviously important to me and my ego.

Now onto the point of this story - which brush should you use? Foundation brushes come in two shapes: wide and flat, and round with thicker bristles towards the bottom and thinner ones on top (pictured).

Since I’m such a “pro artiste”, I have - and use - both. The flat one is best for building up your base for a soft but full coverage look, and the round one is great for giving a really light-weight, natural application.

My foundation brushes of choice come from Guerlain and MAC Cosmetics, but I’ve also tested out some great ones from Quo and Sephora.

My first reaction when seeing the new Toleriane Eye Make-up Remover from La Roche Posay ($21.50 for 30 units):

“Holy non-environmentally friendly wasteful packaging batman!”

My second reaction? That I need to tone down the geek speak by about 99%.

But after my initial hesitation, I decided to give them a try. Specially formulated with water from the La Roche Posay warm springs in France, (as is the entire Toleriane line), this is a pretty standout makeup remover for women with contact lenses or eyes that are easily irritated.  Many of us with more sensitive eyes just assume that a burning or stinging sensation when removing makeup is normal, when really it may be as simple as changing the remover.

To get back to the packaging, the major plus to this style of individual-use vials is that they’re so airport-ready they should be sponsored by your local passport office.

Each vial gives about two uses  - unless you’re at the Tammy Faye level of mascara wear, in which case you’ve got bigger issues to deal with.

www.larocheposay.com

I’m like a magpie when it comes to pretty, shiny things. Thus, my appreciation for the fun collaboration between the popular nail polish brand OPI and Dell Computers.

Sure, seeing this has created a need I didn’t know I had: matching my nails to my emails, but never mind that. I obviously need to buy at least four or five of these so I can fully express myself creatively through polish and posing at coffee shops.

www.dell.ca

Chanel’s just upped the stakes on the retail-as-experience set up.

The famous luxury French label has launched a small but perfectly formed boutique space inside the Holt Renfrew Bloor Street store -  a mini-mecca for all things Chanel: perfume, makeup and skin care.

A rather sexy Olfactory Bar is the standout here. It houses all the Chanel perfumes and the Les Exclusifs Fragrace Collection (based on the life and stories of Coco Chanel),

Interestingly, there’s no typical spritzer meets paper greeting when you arrive, instead, ceramic blotters dipped in fragrance pots are used, which offer a much better - and truer - example of the perfume’s scent. Bonus: it means you’re not walking around in a cloud of fragrance, which can quickly get overwhelming.

If you’re in the area, I recommend popping by to take a seat at the consultation bar for a little “choose your own adventure” fragrance journey. Experts are at hand to help you discover the different scent families. You’d be surprised at the result you get when you literally stop to smell the roses.