five lipsticks to wear new year's eve

Lipstick for some is a daily necessity, while for others is reserved for a special occasion. However you normally choose to dress your lips, try something new by wearing one of these bold lipsticks to kiss 2014 goodbye.

1. M.A.C. Lipstick in "Ruby Woo"

My go-to red shade as of late, this lipstick is a cult favourite and with a trendy matte finish you won't have to worry about it wearing off before the ball drops. [TIP: pair it with M.A.C. "Trust in Red" liner for a perfect pout]

2. Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick in "Fuchsia Flash"

Another matte choice, this lipstick is flattering and fun, without being too flashy [despite what the name says]... ok maybe it's a little flashy.

3. Estèe Lauder Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick in "Spiced Coral"

A fresh alternative to red, coral lips look great on a variety of skin tones and this baby drenches lips in moisture while adding intense colour.

4. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in "Fiore"

I know this one looks like a gloss, but it's technically a lipstick. It has the most amazing staying power to get you to midnight, and the flashy hot pink hue is perfect for any party.

5. M.A.C. Lipstick in "Rebel"

This medium-dark berry shade is perfect with an a simple flicked cat-eye liner, or a smokey eye for a more dramatic look.

Happy New Year Beauties!!

19 last minute beauty gifts under $40 [and a few splurges]

If you haven't noticed, there are only 7 more days until Christmas (yay!), but if you've left your shopping for the beauty gal on your list to the last minute, I've got a few suggestions to help you get that list crossed off and stay within your budget!

1. The Original beautyblender [$25, Sephora]

2. Smashbox On the Rocks Always Sharp Liner Set [$39, Sephora]

3. Korres Body Blockbuster Set [$25, Shoppers Drug Mart]

4. Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy Mini Fragrance Duo [$23, Sephora]

5. Urban Decay Naked Basics Eyeshadow Palette [$34, Beauty Boutique]

6. Sephora Collection Gold Star Dual Boar Brush [$19, Sephora]

7.  Smashbox Try it Kit Best Sellers [$21, Shoppers Drug Mart]

8. Ciaté Very Colourfoil Manicure Set [$9.50 on sale!, Hudson's Bay]

9. Josie Maran Argan Skincare Ritual Set [$30, Sephora]

10. Givenchy Le Vernis Black Glittering Nail Lacquer & Top Coat [$24, Sephora]

11. Smashbox Be Legendary Lipgloss Set [$33, Shoppers Drug Mart]

12. Peter Thomas Roth Mini Mask Magic Kit [$25, Sephora]

For the Stocking:

13. EOS Lip Balm [$3.50, Target]

14. L'Occitane Hand Cream [$10, Sephora]

15. Bite Beauty Lush Lip Wipes [$12, Sephora]

16. LUSH Santa's Lip Scrub [$9, LUSH]

Splurges:

17. Guerlain Meteorites Light Revealing Pearls of Powder [$65, Beauty Boutique]

18. M.A.C. Objects of Affection Lipglass Collection [$42, M.A.C.]

19. Christian Louboutin Rouge Louboutin Nail Polish [$50 US, christianlouboutin.com]

Happy Gift Giving!! 

loose pigments: how and why you should try them

Since I've started working at MAC I've gotten to experiment with all kinds of products, and one product that I'm currently loving is loose pigments. Even though they are mainly used as eyeshadow, loose pigments have a wide variety of uses on the face. You can mix with a clear gloss for a custom lip colour, dust on the contours of the face to highlight, or combine with a mixing medium for a very pigmented eyeshadow application.

How to Use:

I like MAC's fix+ as a mixing medium, and to use as an eyeshadow spray a little bit of fix+ on a palette or old CD, dip your brush in the fix+ (just to dampen, not soak), then dip it in the pigment. Mix it around on the back of your hand and then apply to your eye for the desired look.

Here's a recent eye look using MAC's loose pigment in "Heritage Rouge":

Get This Look:

-MAC loose pigment in "Heritage Rouge" [crease]
-Maybelline The NUDES eyeshadow palette [lid + transition crease]
-MAC shadow in "White Frost" [tearduct]
-Revlon liquid eye pen in "Blackest Black"
-MAC pearlglide eyeliner in "Almost Noir" [undereye]
-Lancome Doll Lashes Mascara
-Ardell "Demi Wispies" false lashes
-MAC fix+


And don't forget to use an eyeshadow primer with all eye looks! This is a very important step that keeps shadow in place for 12+ hours.  I like Urban Decay's "Shadow Primer Potion".

becca ever-matte primer... ain't nobody got time for shine

So last week I paid a visit to the shiny new Sephora location at the mall near me. Until now I would have to drive 45 MINUTES to the closest Sephora store, so you can imagine my delight when this one, a mere 10 minute drive, opened a week ago. As I browsed the familiar racks, anything and everything caught my eye, but I did have one purchase to make. Last time I was at Sephora, I cashed in 100 beauty points and received a tiny sample of Becca's Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector. It was amazing. I not only used it on myself (total t-zone shine face), but also when I was on set with Cineplex. For film & TV shine is a no-no, and this miracle primer worked so well, it cut my blotting and powdering in half. If anyone has ever had to deal with a shiny face mid-day (the struggle is real), you NEED TO GET THIS. It's not cheap (retails for $44 for 40 ml), but is so worth it.

My girls with combo skin - what other primers or products do you love for shine? Tell me in the comments!

"fall" in love with this season's best makeup trends.

Fall has got to be my favourite season. there's just something about the chill in the air, the pumpkin-spiced everything, and the sweater/knee-boot combo that feels so comforting. And of course the change in makeup! Summer is a time of bright pink lips and bronzer, so when fall rolls around I love to experiment with new products and darker hues.

Here are my 3 favourite fall makeup trends you should try!

1] metallic eye

To achieve this look, apply a wash of eyeshadow over the entire eyelid in a hue like soft silver, champagne, olive green, bronze or plum.

LD Picks: urban decay eyeshadow in "sin" $18 / L'oreal HIP studio secrets metallic shadow duo in "shocked" $9

2] bright eyeliner

Bright or coloured eyeliner can be tricky to pull off, so what i like to do is apply my normal black or brown eyeliner, and then apply a thin line of the coloured eyeliner right above it.

LD Picks: MAC fluidline gel liner in "waveline" $19 / Almay intense i-color eyeliner in "purple amethyst" $10

3] deep plum/burgundy mouth

This one is my fave! Pick a hue as deep and dark as you can handle, and bonus points if it's a matte finish [PRO TIP: if you can't find a matte shade you love, take a lip liner and colour your entire lip with it to achieve a matte lip colour]

LD Picks: Covergirl lip perfection lipstick in "Entwined" $9 /MAC lipliner in "Vino" $19

bride featured on The Wedding Co. blog!

A beautiful bride and her bridesmaids I had the pleasure of working on in August have been featured on The Wedding Co.'s blog! Check out the pictures of her rustic and romantic day at Ravine Winery.

http://www.theweddingco.com/olive-photo/

"claudine" book trailer [video]

The book trailer for love story and erotic novel "Claudine" I worked on a while back has just been released! Published by Penguin Canada, Claudine is now available at Chapters/Indigo, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon. Check it out here: http://youtu.be/RKj4vfYLPnA

*Makeup and Hair by: Lianne Mascia

the cream of the (blush) crop

{ hello darlings! sorry for the delay in posts, life has been crazy lately! to get back into the swing of things, I have put together a little fact sheet all about cream blush inspired by a friend's recent inquiry. }

I was recently asked about cream blush and if it's worth possibly ditching powder blush for. A lot of women don't know much about cream blush, or how to use it, so read on if you'd like to get the skinny on powder blush's long lost sister!

What is it?
Cream blush is a creamy blush product that gives a light, almost dewy finish.

Who is it best for?
Because of it's creamy texture, cream blush is best for dry or aging skin. Sometimes applying a powder product over very dry skin can make the skin appear even drier, and accentuate dry spots, so a cream blush works wonders to combat this and give the cheeks a nice glowy colour!

How is it Applied?

Cream blush is best applied over "active" foundation (meaning skin that has not been powdered), as applying it on heavily powdered skin will result in a streaky uneven application. You can't apply cream blush with your traditional blush brush, so use your two middle fingers to deposit colour on the apples of your cheeks and blend. You may also use a cosmetic sponge to blend product, or remove some if you have applied too much. 

Best/Worst Picks 

One of the best cream blushes money can buy is by NARS - the formula is really nice and they have a great colour selection. ["penny lane" was a fav colour but sadly it's been discontinued *tear*] For a drugstore price, Revlon cream blush is a great option! 

One of the WORST blushes money can buy is Maybelline Dream Bouncy blush...  Avoid at all costs!!

Is it the Cream of the Crop?

My answer is NO. I am an avid fan of powder blush because I like a good amount of colour with a matte, long lasting finish. Cream blush does not last as long, and can actually slide around/melt away on oily skin, or during the summer months when it's hot! Cream blush definitely has it's place in your makeup bag, for those times you are going for a very sheer, natural look, however I would never abandon my beloved powder blush for it!










[I hope you found this post helpful! If you would like to stay in the loop of beauty trends and tips, make sure to subscribe to my blog via email on the home page!]

the best way to fake that bake.

I'll be the first to admit that I like myself better with a tan. Even with all the info and research surrounding skin cancer and sun protection, I still struggle with the desire to go outside and just bake until my skin turns that perfect golden tan colour. My conscience prevails however, and I always wear sunscreen. So to satisfy my need for colour, I turn to products that help me fake it! A good self tanner will obviously do the trick, but if you are new to self-tanning here are a few tips to ease the transition from baking to faking. 

1. Invest in Good Product

To ensure it doesn't look like you went in for a spray tan and asked for "tangerine", it's wise to use a good-quality self-tanner... it will be the difference between a believable glow, and a streaky, orange mess. I like St. Tropez Bronzing Mousse ($40), and Neostrata Insta-Tan ($26) for even results with nice colour. 

2. Exfoliate 

Before applying any type of self-tanning product, make sure to exfoliate all the areas you will be applying self tanner. Using a loofah or exfoliating gloves, pay extra attention to elbows and knees where product may build-up and give away your faking-it status.

3. Use a Mitt

Using a self-tanning mitt is a great trick to easily apply an evenly blend the right amount. This mitt will also prevent your hands from getting stained with tanner (another dead giveaway you weren't born with that J-Lo Glow).

4. Mix It Up

The average tanning product will give you a tan that lasts for about a week, but if you don't have time to religiously maintain the faux, supplement with other instant tanning products. A recent fav of mine is Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs. This stuff is amazing! So easy to apply, just spray into your hands and rub into your skin, and in 5 minutes you have perfectly tanned legs that last until your next shower. No transfer to clothing, no streaks, just a nice flawless colour. I have light-medium skin tone and I chose colour "tan glow". 

9 things every woman should have in her makeup bag.

Makeup bags are like snowflakes - no two are alike. But there are a few things that should be in every woman's arsenal, whether she's a Sephora addict, or an au-naturel kinda girl. 

9. BB Cream 

For those days when you just don't feel like spending any more than exactly one minute in front of the mirror, this is your go-to product. It's a moisturizer, primer, and [light-coverage] foundation in one, and will give you even skin with a glow for a put-together, no-makeup look. 

LD Pick: Marcelle Anti-Aging BB Cream [$28, Shoppers Drug Mart]

8. Concealer

While we all wish we were blessed with a perfect complexion and "I got 8 hours of sleep" eyes, for most people the reality is you weren't. And you definitely don't get 8 hours of sleep every night. So what's the answer? Concealer. Whether you prefer cream or liquid, it's always a good bet to spend a little more and invest in a good one that will last all day and resist creasing! 

LD Pick: Stila Stay-All-Day Concealer [$36, The Beauty Boutique]

7. Mascara (& Eyelash Curler!)

This is pretty self explanatory. Wear mascara. And curl your eyeslashes before you apply it! 

LD Pick: Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes [$31, The Beauty Boutique] + Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler [$25, Sephora]

6. Bronzer

To avoid having people ask if you are feeling OK, a colouring item such as bronzer or blush is a necessity. To kill two birds with one stone [or two needs with one product], I recommend going for a bronzer/blush duo. Urban Decay has a great one that comes in 4 different shades to suit a wide variety of skin tones. Apply it all over to give yourself that J-Lo glow, or just on your cheeks for a more subtle, blush effect. Bonus points if you get one with a highlighter for a luminous effect. 

LD Pick: Urban Decay Naked Flushed [$35, The Beauty Boutique]

5. Highlighting Pen

A highlighting stick is a relatively new must-have for me, and it's versatility is what landed it at #5 on my list. For use virtually all over the face, a highlighting pen can be used to brighten dark shadows under and around the eye area, and around lip contours for a plumping effect. If it's the right shade, you can even use it to highlight the cheeks and forehead. 

LD Pick: Guerlain Precious Light Rejuvenating Illuminator [$58, The Beauty Boutique] or Maybelline DreamLumi Touch Highlighting Concealer [$10, Shoppers Drug Mart]  *budget friendly!

4. Bright Lipstick

Whether it's a classic red, or a trendy pink, having a bright colour in your bag is a must for those times when you want to play around with your look and try something different! 

LD Pick: Revlon Super Lustrous Matte in "Stormy Pink" [$12, Shoppers Drug Mart]

3. Lip Balm

To keep your lips soft and smooth, use a lip balm regularly. Keep one in your makeup bag, and one in your purse!

LD Pick: EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm [$4, Target]

2. Dark Eyeliner

My go-to is black black black, but if you find it's too harsh for your colouring, dark brown is a good alternative. I personally prefer liquid formulas for their strong pigment and staying power, but a good pencil will work for those who are terrified of liquid formulas.

LD Pick: Revlon Colourstay Liquid Eye Pen [$12, Shoppers Drug Mart]

1. Brow Pen/Pencil

I personally like to define my brows with a brow pen or pencil first, then fill in with powder for a more natural look, but if you prefer a simple and easy one-step brow process, go for the pen or pencil! 

LD Pick: Dior Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra-Fine Precision Brow Pencil [$31, The Beauty Boutique] or L'Oreal Brow Artist Brow Pencil [$12, Shoppers Drug Mart]