L'Wren Scott for Lancome - Holiday 2010

  The glitz, glitter, and glamour seen in all of the fashion magazines (hello, December edition of Flare!) starting November(ish) never fails to trigger a sense of holiday spirit inside me, and immediately I begin to feverishly online shop for clothes, shoes, makeup, and pretty much anything that can be purchased.  Be prepared for my own holiday cosmetic wish list, which may over-take this blogspace over the next 7 or so weeks.  You've been warned.


  First up: Lancome's collaboration with designer L'Wren Scott.  Everything about this entire collection is absolutely delicious.  The luxurious, deep red lipstick (which, according to Scott herself, takes on a whole new life when applied with the equally as glorious red lip gloss), the eyeshadow palette of graduating shades of shimmering grays, the smokey slate polish, and the limited edition Hypnose Drama mascara.  This mascara is what I'm most excited for.  It's got the classic, amazing formulation of the original Hypnose Drama (hello intense volume+length) with an added kick of silver shimmer.  Absolutely perfect for the batting your eyelashes under the mistletoe.  Need. It. NOW.



Check out the Lancome website for more details, or Flare for some beautiful holiday looks

Bonjour mon cherie...

  L'ancome's French Coquette collection is, in all its entirety, extremely covetable.  The lovely, shimmering gold-pink face powder La Rose Deco is elegant and will surely deliver a glamorous effect when used as a blush and highlighter.  The French Touch lipstick, with casing inspired by the Eiffel Tower, glides on beautifully and delivers moisturizing, comfortable, and oh-so-chic lip colour.  The real highlight of the collection, however, is the innovative and spectacular Ombre Magnetique.  It's like the ingenious love child of cream shadow and intense pigment.  A unique blend of polymers allow for extreme long-wear and an intense finish, allowing the product to have a slight elasticity to it and move with the contour of your eye.  In addition to the polymer blend is a heap of moisturizers to give the creamy texture.  It was, after all, inspired by the texture and formulation of lipstick.  The intensity comes from the blend of pigment, which can be applied more heavily to act as an intense liner, or in a more light-handed fashion to act more as a shadow.  However you choose to wear this product, it will surely be uber-glam.



Check out the collection on L'ancome's website, here

Pearls are a Girls Best Friend?

  Over the weekend I was reading Beauty Biz magazine, and came across an interesting article about the use of pearls in cosmetic products.  Obviously, using a gemstone that is synonymous with lustre, glamour, and beauty is a great way to market a product, but what is the science behind the use of pearl in these products?

  Pearls are created inside a mollusk with the addition of an irritant, and are the only gemstones to be created within a living animal.  Historically, they have had many therapeutic uses, ranging from indigestion to longevity of life.  They are composed of calcium carbonate and a protein called conchilion.
  Calcium Carbonate: commonly used in cosmetic products, such as toothpaste (it is abrasive), as a calming agent (it is basic, neutralizing inflammation), and as a buffering agent.
  Conchilion: unique protein, which, similar to calcium carbonate, is basic.  The main components of this protein are the amino acids (building blocks of life) glycine, valine, leucine, lysine, and arginine.  All of the components have their unique properties and purposes, but the following three seem to have the most profound roles...
        Lysine: required for the formation of collagen
        Valine: acts as a moisturizer
        Glycine: reduces oxidative damage, and is required for protein synthesis

  I'm looking forward to trying some products synthesized with the components of pearls.  In addition to the therapeutic properties of the components, crushed pearl also adds lustre and can diminish imperfections on the surface of the skin.
  Products containing pearl:  Lancome La Laque Fever Lipshine Collection, Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Liquid Pearl for Face, La Mer The Illuminating Powder. 



Conchilion Protein

Product of the Week - MAC Pigment

  MAC Pigment comes in an array of shades (34, plus many special editions!) and finishes (matte, frost, pearl, metal), and is a dependable product that can be tailored to deliver a soft wash of colour, or intensified to create a dramatic look.  This product is extremely versatile (you can even mix it with clear nail polish to make a personalized colour!!!) and long-lasting.

  What makes it so amazing?  Well, it contains a variety of compounds that help to increase its longevity and enhance the product.  Octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate is an ester that slows water loss, essentially creating a barrier between your skin and the product (making it long-lasting).  It also contains, among other compounds, isostearyl neopentanoate, which acts as a lubricant, smooths the surface of application, and holds the pigment together.  These two ingredients, along with a healthy dose of mica, results in a smooth, long-lasting colour. 
 
  My favourite shade of pigment right now is Heritage Rouge (although, sadly has been discontinued from the looks of it!), a deep burgundy that gives the perfect grunge-glam look that's hot for fall. 



Cosmetics Info
MAC Cosmetics