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Archive for March, 2008

L’Oreal Fashion Week: Day 3

Tuesday, March 25th, 2008

I unfortunately did not make it to the 3rd day of fashion week - but have no fear, I still have the under-the-tent scoop for you.

THE RUNWAY
Vancouver designer and Project Runway Canada finalist Carlie Wong, infused some nighttime glam into her afternoon runway show.

Serbian-born designer Slavka Plavsic, revealed an elegant fall collection full of colour, inspired by a 1870s postcard with a portrait of a lady.

Montreal designer Andy The-Anh unveiled his Fall 2008 Collection of richly hued pieces. Teal, chocolate brown and midnight blue graced the Toronto runway.

THE LOOK
Carlie Wong’s models strutted the catwalk with Amy Winehouse-esq eyes, and lips were equally striking in a deep cherry colour. Not my typical evening look but it works for the runway.

Slavka Plavsic’s focus was totally on the clothes and kept makeup to the bare minimum. I am loving the braiding.

I understand from chatting with Eddie Maleterre that the look for the Andy The-Anh show changed at the last minute. I am not sure what the original look was to be, but I think the bold peacock blue and black on the eyes worked for the show.

For more information on L’Oreal Fashion Week visit http://www.lorealfashionweek.ca/

Images: George Pimental

Written by Ellen | share a comment | print this | tell a friend

Categories: Fashion Week Beauty

The Men’s Room: Vichy Homme

Monday, March 24th, 2008

1998 saw the launch of Basic Homme by Vichy, designed specifically for men. In 2001, the brand was redesigned and re-released as Vichy Homme, and then in 2007, Vichy upgraded the entire men’s skincare collection, to respond to their further research into men’s skin requirements.

Over the past few weeks I have been using a couple of products from the Vichy Homme line. Here are my thoughts on the Shaving Gel, Cleansing Gel and the Hydrating Care cream.

Anti-Irritation Shaving Foam
For me, shaving gels fall into two groups:

1. Those that come out in a squiggly continuous string, which then once applied to the skin,”foam up”. I never know how much product I really have until I start rubbing that clump of gel into my face.

2. Foams that expand up to 5 times in volume upon release from the container. I always find that you have too much.

The Vichy Homme Shaving Foam comes out in a manageable one-inch ribbon that gives a smooth shave with just a little squirt.

Purifying Cleansing Gel
This product is soap-free, non-drying and contains salicylic acid for cleaning away imperfections. At first it felt as if I was just rubbing hair gel into my face-where was the soapy foam that makes it feel like it’s really working? Well, after washing it off, I found my face was really clean and felt refreshed.

I tend to get pimples from going overboard on sweets and soft drinks; this cleansing gel has helped to minimise my breakouts-without stopping my bad habits!

Hydra Mag C Fortifying 24 Hr Hydrating Care
Do you have dull and tired looking skin? I think this product will help. After applying a small amount to my skin, it looked as though there was a luminescence quality. Now it’s not sparkly, because that would be just wrong, but it just brightens up my skin. In addition, it keeps my skin hydrated in the cold and dry weather, which is great. I think that if I was hung over from a night of partying, this product, along with a pair of sunglasses, would make people none the wiser.

The branding consists of sleek black and red packaging. I understand that the colours are meant to represent Science and Fertility, Performance and Elegance and Rigour and Modernity. Hmm. I think the packaging looks masculine, and that’s all that matters to me.

Overall, I was glad to test-drive these three products from the Vichy Homme collection. They were all easy to use and did a great job. I will be buying them again once my current containers are empty.

www.vichy.ca www.vichy.com

Written by Faisal Mirza | share a comment | print this | tell a friend

Categories: The Men's Room, Vichy Homme

One of a Kind

Thursday, March 20th, 2008

This morning I attended the One of a Kind Show and found two fantastic bath care brands that I just had to share with you…

BOTANIA
Danielle Russell is the owner and soapmaker for Botania Savons & Délices and prides herself on using quality ingredients like shea butter and olive oil in her products. Handcrafted in Quebec since 1999, these bath goodies are almost good enough to eat - take the Cupcake soap - I fell in love with a chocolate mint one. Delicious! I was also enamored by the bath balms and soap slabs.

www.botania.com/

OLIVE AUTHENTIQUE
The Caron family are the makers of spa quality bath and body products made from the finest olive oil. Originating from the Laurentian Mountains, Olive Authentique strives to create a lifestyle that brings us back to the basics of relaxation and nature.

I am a huge fan of Lavender and was informed by Pamela Caron, that lavender is their most popular fragrance and comes in a variety of products - bath salts, soap, and a body & bath oil. Hmm which one to buy…

http://www.oliveit.ca/

Written by Ellen | share a comment | print this | tell a friend

Categories: Bath Salts, Botania, Olive Authentique, Soap

L’Oreal Fashion Week: Day 2

Wednesday, March 19th, 2008

The weather on Tuesday was cold and rainy, so I decided that a comfy Banana Republic sweater and jeans were the way to go - maybe not a runway look but perfect for me. Yesterday’s makeup was from Clinique’s Summer 2008 Collection.

IN THE TENT

Ms. Orangina

BEHIND THE SCENES

Eric Del Monaco and his team worked at creating larger than life hair styles for the NADA runway show.

THE RUNWAY
Toronto-based NADA rocked the runway with her Dynasty inspired collection. Alexis Carrington - eat your heart out!

Joeffer Caoc shared a sexy Fall 2008 Collection with last night’s show attendees.

THE LOOK

The bold lip and bold eye, in hues of plum, both made an appearance in the NADA show.

I absolutely love the indigo-painted eyes the models were fashioning in the Joeffer Caoc show. This look is very wearable and I am sure we’ll be seeing it in the streets this fall.