While this intensely awkward image won’t do Ivy Lam’s efforts any justice, I had to use it as an opportunity to plug her. Typically when I have someone doing my hair + makeup at a shoot I don’t have the most pleasant of experiences (somehow  my quirks translate into “let’s give this tall asian chik some whack green make up and freaky hair to call it a day”). There’s reason to my deeming Ivy impeccable – she does hair, make up, and knows what she’s doing. A deep braid swept from my right crown to lower left into flowing hair, finished with smokey eye make up and a strong hot pink lip (it was for a Scion photoshoot, you’ll know what I mean when you see the actual photos).

Sending my love to Ivy’s way, visit her works at www.ivylammakeup.com.

Delight. Hearing the words Fruit Frappe together makes me think only pleasant things. Especially when that’s all paired and dandy with the words “Watermelon and Acai”. It’s a fruity array of delicious scents, packaged into so many various deliveries. We’re talking Body Gel Sprays, Dry Oil Sprays, Bath Fizzies, Body Lotions, and more more more. Not to seemingly turn into a walking billboard, but fine details down to the packaging have me whisked away on a fruity journey (save your jokes). Kudos to Upper Canada Soap for bringing this one on – you’re making me happy when skies are grey.

I recently made a trip the Blossom Lounge Bath + Body with Carole and was struck by MOR Cosmetics’ beautiful little Lip Delights. Oval shaped, golden-designed etched little boxes held delicious lip cares in varying flavours. Aesthetic over everything, really…these delights had me vying. Ever so generous Shauna surprised me with this as a goodie, and I couldn’t be more…well, delighted! This treasure’s the “Sorbet” version – delectable.

The collections combine Deon and Dianna’s flair for design and are presented in uniquely beautiful packaging. The duo is continuously refining their ranges ~ sourcing new ingredients & innovation to capture the essence of luxury and well-being.

 

Today, MOR brings you over 250 exquisite pampering products. The brand is sold in some of the world’s savviest beauty and lifestyle emporiums, spas and department stores, including Harrods & Fenwick’s in the UK, Fred Segal, Nordstrom, Lisa Kline & Anthropologie in the USA, David Jones & Myer in Australia.

 

MOR also enjoys a cult following around the globe with a celebrity fan base of red-carpet beauties from Sydney to New York, Tokyo to London and beyond.

As much as I love spending sunny summer days by the water, there’s nothing I dread more than searching for that perfect piece of swimwear. Finding something stylish is hard – but finding something stylish AND flattering is nearly impossible.

For those out there who face the same dilemma, 1 Sol Swimwear is providing a solution. The LA-based design company is re-defining swimwear with its sexy and flattering collection for summer 2010. Launched last year, the swimwear has already made a huge splash, even landing on celeb bodies like AnnaLynne McCord, Audrina Patridge and Abbie Cornish. Meant to be worn to catch some major attention on the beach, the designs incorporate modern silhouettes, simple lines and shiny detailing for that extra hint of glamour.

Choose your pick from the collection’s 36 swimwear styles, and 10 colour options. For those more daring, there’s the Starbust knotted hipster Bikini, which features a triangle top embroidered with Swarovski crystals; and for those who like to be a little more covered up, the Rockstar bandeau bikini offers full back covereage with its boy brief, embellished with copper and silver metal studs. To see all the sun-inspired designs, check out 1solswimwear.com.

Dove has a little Revival – the Revival Line has the “lively and quenching scent of pomegranate and lemon verbena” that “revitalizes the mind, while the nourishing formula gives you Dove go fresh at its best!”

In regular speak, it smells good and works just as well. Five key pieces in the line – shampoo, conditioner, body mist, antiperspirant, and body wash. It’s a pleasant bunch that happen to remind me of the C.O. Bigelow Citrus line I’ve previously had the chance to test out. This little bundle is already available in stores, waiting for you to snuggle up to in the beauty aisle.

I by no means am any beauty blogger – the similarities stop at the annoying video greetings (“Hey Guys” reference here). Though when Maybelline New York announced a sweet program where I’d get to try out a tackle box (well, train case) full of goodies, I jumped and hollered at the chance. Don’t bother trying to envision me hollering, it’s not attractive.

The hefty kit arrived bursting full of their new Eye Studio line – plush shadow sets (with brush), pearly shadow duos, sleek liners, and maximizing mascaras. Sweet. Atop of all of this, the intent of the program is to promote DareToInspire.ca (I’ve seen contests like these from for example, Annabelle. Which miss former school mate Joan Ho had won previously). So, here’s my feeble entry, because I can’t do this stuff for the life of me, and can’t imagine ever making videos instructing others to do as I have.

How I got this look:

Did a little meandering with the “Sunset Seduction” set, mostly because it had a coral-like shade. Brushed a little masc-ara on. Flimsied with liner. Took a photo and hoped that it would look like I tried. Skin was Cover-Fxed, which I’ll type-ramble about another day.

Done dilla. Please don’t tease me, I hurt. Thank you to Matchstick and Maybelline New York for the kit, I love thee.

I have to admit, I’ve never been the biggest perfume enthusiast, but I gave the new Balenciaga Paris Eau de Parfum a try, albeit some minor hesitation.

Wrapped in a small, black velvet bag, this cute little bottle of floral goodness was too cute for me to pass up. The packaging is both sophisticated and intriguing – like opening a present every time you want to mist!

Ready to hear some more?

“BALENCIAGA PARIS is a luminous, sophisticated fragrance with beautiful ingredients shaped in an innovative structure • Both modern and classic, just like traditional haute perfumery • A Chypre Violet with the green, fresh signature of the flower and its leaves, blender into a precious harmony of pure woods • A refined, feminine fragrance with a unique trail”

Balenciaga Paris is available at Holt Renfrew and select Bay Department Stores.

Spring has finally become a reality, and for any girl looking to change up more than just her wardrobe (guilty!), look no further than Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume to put you in the right mood for this season.

If you’re wondering why Daisy sounds so familiar, it’s because the perfume is only new-ish. The light and floral scent has been around for a while now, but received a charming makeover for its Spring 2010 limited edition bottle: retro-cool blue, vinyl petals that bloom from the cap for a playful look.

And as the saying goes, “it doesn’t matter what’s on the outside, but what’s on the inside”. So what does Daisy have to offer inside? Something even prettier. A mix of all things good (think violet, wild strawberry, gardenia and vanilla infusion) the scent is fresh, delicate and ultra-feminine. With one quick spritz, Daisy will leave you happily daydreamin’ about carefree days with pretty flowers, blue skies and big bright yellow suns.

My first exposure to Marc Jacobs SPLASH is through thick stock white product sheets and a matte white folder. I’m already half sold at this point. Enter in smaller nail-polish sized fragrance bottles of the three offerings – Pomegranate, Apple, and Biscotti. The inspiration is glaringly clear that it’s all about the Patisserie. Better framed by MJ’s PR team – “Indulge in an array of Macaroons at a Patisserie on a Sweet Summers Day”. My, they’re good.

The Apple is crisp and fragrantly green (wow, a strange combination of words was just typed out). They say it’s tart and juicy. With hints of apple, jasmin, magnolia, and citrus, it’s hard not to think it’s refreshingly summer.

Pomegranate takes on a different angle. It’s more exotic with flowers, bergamot, and ruhubarb in the mix.

My favourite? Biscotti – the one spritz that I’m embarrassingly addicted to. “The warm golden tint of Marc Jacobs Biscotti captures the sensation of taking the first bite of a sweet biscotti cookie”.

I love cookies. And I bet you would too.

]]> http://www.urbanebloc.com/marc-jacobs-splash/feed/ 0 http://www.urbanebloc.com/dove-beauty-bar/ http://www.urbanebloc.com/dove-beauty-bar/#comments Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:00:25 +0000 Gloria http://www.urbanebloc.com/?p=5476

It’s a revival of something classic and classically beautiful. I received a press kit for the Dove Beauty Bar a ways ago and had to think twice as to whether or not this was a new product. Alas, it’s one in the same with my all-time favourite beauty / personal product – the Dove Bar. Without a doubt, I’ve never quite found a comparable soap – it’s seemingly natural, gentle, and more reliable than any other product I’ve encountered thus far (and that’s becoming a burgeoning collective).

Facts are:

• Dove has been positioned throughout its history as a ‘beauty bar’, and not soap, because of the contrast of some ingredients in Dove vs traditional soap.
• Dove White, Unscented and Sensitive Skin Beauty Bars are dermatologically tested, and shown to be hypoallergenic and non- comedogenic. 57% of dermatologists use Dove at home.
• With every purchase of Dove, a portion of the proceeds is allocated towards the work of the Dove Self-Esteem Fund.

Really and truly – this is a tribute to something great that’s getting a little light again. Aaaand, so concludes this tribute post to a bar of soap.