Top 10 New Beauty/Makeup Products for Fall 2009 – by Mika Does Makeup

I’ve been out researching new beauty and makeup products for fall this year and have come across a few that really caught my eye… Here they are!!! By Mika Does Makeup

This is a waterproof moisturizing high pigment concealer in a formula with huge doses of Vitamin K plus A,C, and E. Reduces extreme discoloration and puffiness. $24

Sparkle Sauce - This is a shimmery but sheer glittery gold substance that seals any eyeshadow or eyeliner and makes it water resistant and crease free. It also adds a glitterly glow when mixed with loose glitter or pigment to serve as a long lasting adhesive. $10!

Pacifica solid perfumes – comes in Spanish Amber, Thai Lemongrass, Tahitian Gardenia, Waikiki Pikake, Egyptian Bergamot Rose. $9.

Conair opti HEAT brush – colour changes from blue to pink when optimum heat is reached when used with a blow dryer. $20?

Clinique vitamin C lip smoothie – antioxidant lip colour which contains ingredients like Vitamin C, and antioxidants so lips look and feel their best. 8 moisturizing blends of shine and juiciness. About $17.

Olay anti-aging eye roller – Regenerist… it de-puffs, hydrates and reduces the look of lines and wrinkles. Around $22.

D&G Fragrance Line – 5 amazing fragrances to choose from, around $65 each.

Sephora Double ended Grab ‘n Go brush and Perfect Complexion brush – they come in 5 different colours; purple, yellow, orange, red (which is a blush brush and an eyeshadow brush), the pink is a (blush brush and a foundation brush). I LOVE THE PINK!! $32 – $35.

Band-Aid Friction Block Stick – invisible and easy to apply, it’s a great defense against the rubbing and irritation that come with wearing stillettos and other painful hot shoes.

Cargo Runway Kit – an eye and cheek palette that’s fit for a busy girl on the go. About $49.

Mens Back Waxing… Even on Vacation!!

During a short vacation away from the busy city of Vancouver, while up at http://www.islandcottage-bc.com, I ended up doing a men’s back wax. Before I start, I prep the skin with a powder to soak up any oils or sweat… Then I apply the warm depilatory wax directly on the skin with the hair growth. I apply a wax strip on top of the wax that I just applied on the skin leaving enough room on the bottom of the strip so I can grab onto it. When my client is ready I grab a piece of the wax strip tightly, then pull super fast on a parallel angle against the hair growth. The faster the better. I apply pressure directly after I remove the strip to relieve some of the pain that may be present. I apply a moisturizing oil to remove any excess wax, then a post wax gel to soothe the skin.

It’s not recommended to combine wax and sun, although I still waxed my client’s back since I had permission from him to do it on the dock outside. Please do not try this at home!

Here are a couple pics snapped from my vacation, while doing a men’s back wax:

Opening Day: Sephora at Pacific Centre, Vancouver

It was crazy at the Sephora store in Pacific Centre, Vancouver on opening day.

Must have Summer Makeup Products

Too Faced So Smurfy Illuminating Face Powder - “It’s a one shade fits all complexion perfecting powder”… and it’s ADORABLE!!! Retails for $26.

Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder - “A powder that reduces fine lines and wrinkles in just 10 min”. This stuff is pretty amazing. It has a combintation of pure gold, 48 minerals, 11 amino acids and a powerful peptide that deliever powerful anti-aging benefits. Retails for $59.Hollywood Secrets 5 Minute Eye Transformation - “On the go brightener, tightener and de-puffer is great for the days when your eyes just don’t have it”. Snap off one of the ends and apply on top or underneath your makeup around your eyes. Almost immediately your wrinkles, fine lines, dark circles and crow feet will be reduced. Retails at $99.50.

Clinique’s New Quick Blush - “Portable, all-in-one blush and brush. In six natural-looking shades.” It’s so handy, just pop it in your purse and you can have healthy looking cheeks!” Retails for $21.50

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion – “The genie in this bottle fulfills three wishes: eyeshadow that lasts, more vibrant color, and absolutely NO creasing.” The bottle is attractive AND the ingredients are useful for achieving long lasting eyeshadow… Retails at $22.

Nars Tropic Single Eye shadow – “Lush silver-flecked teal”. A wicked blue that’ll brighten up your day! If you’re scared of using a bright blue, you can apply the shadow with a flat angle brush and use it as an eyeliner to rim either the top or bottom for a more subtle look. Retails for $22.

Make Up For Ever High Definition Primer – “A lightweight, oil-free complexion corrector that enhances the skin’s texture and primes the skin for makeup application.” The green lotion helps reduce redness in the skin. Retails for $32.

Givenchy Glow to Wear Satiny Body Enhancer – “sculpt and enhance your body up, down, and all around with an effortless, bronzy tint and glow”. This contains a high concentration of mother of pearl which creates a wet and shimmery finish that gives your skin a luminous glow. Comes in one shade called Sun Satin. Retails at $37.

KMS Sea Salt Spray - “Re-create that look and feel you get from the beach; tousled, sexy with fullness and light matte finish.” This is a very playful and hot look in the summer. You have to have this product! Retails for $15.95.

TIGI Rockaholic Rock Out Shine Blaster – “Seals cuticle tight to speed up drying time. Use it as a ‘mixer’ with your favorite styling aid to soften up the hold factor and add shine. Temporarily masks split-ends.”This stuff is awesome! Retails for $19.95.

You can even Sunburn through the Clouds!

This past weekend made me realize how strong the sun really is.

Everyone who joined us on the Private Island Cottage ended up getting a burn of some kind. It was cloudy on the first day that we went kayaking, fooling us into believing that we weren’t getting any sun. We spent most of the day paddling and exploring what the area had to offer, and didn’t realize at the time that we were getting roasted. I at least put sunscreen on my face but some of the others didn’t put any protection on at all, so they were left with harsh burns and funny farmer’s tans.

The next day I actually wanted to get some color, so I laid out all day with only an SPF of 15 on my face. It was really sunny out although I didn’t feel like I was getting a tan. The others were out with no SPF. The next day, we were paying for our stupidity with swollen red skin, and major pain when taking our usual warm showers.

For prevention of an ugly burn, make sure to ALWAYS lather up on sun protection, (EVEN WHEN IT’S CLOUDY, since the sun can get through the clouds without you knowing it!!) When I went to Australia a few years ago, they had an effective campaign called “Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide” which refers to: Slip on a shirt, Slop on some sunscreen, Slap on a hat. Seek shade, and Slide on the sunnies (sunglasses). Hard to say, but Easy to do!

Here are some other issues that could be caused alongside your sunburn:

Ø Heatstroke or other heat related illnesses from too much sun exposure

Ø Allergic reactions to sun exposure or to sunscreen products

Ø Vision problems, such as a burning pain, decreased visibility, or partial vision loss

Some possible Long term effects:

Ø Increased chance of having skin cancer

Ø Increased number of cold sores

Ø Increased problems related to a health condition (ie. lupus)

Ø Changes in skin (ie. premature wrinkling, brown spots, sagginess)

Ø Cataracts (from not protecting your eyes from indirect or direct sunlight over the years and can cause blindness)

You are more susceptible to a severe sunburn when:

Ø You have fair or freckled skin

Ø You have blond or red hair, and blue eyes

Ø You are more sensitive to light when you are younger than 6 and older than 60

Ø The time is between 10 am and 4 pm. This is when the sun’s rays are the strongest

Ø You are near reflective surfaces (water, white sand, concrete, snow and ice)

Ø You are at a higher altitude (there is less of the earth’s atmosphere to block the sunlight. UV exposure increases about 4% for every 1000ft gain in elevation

Ø You are closer to the equator (latitude)

This may be a lot of information to handle, but it’s simple. Protect yourself and be Sun Smart!!

Sephora in Vancouver… Pacific Centre, Coquitlam Centre and Metro Town Centre!

Vancouver welcomes the massive beauty destination shop, Sephora,  to Pacific Centre this summer on July 10… There will also be another Sephora opening that day, but at the Coquitlam Centre mall and another opening later this year at Metro Town Centre in October.

The Sephora store at Pacific Centre will be the largest one out of the 3 at 7,452 square feet, while the other 2 stores will be around 5,400 square feet each. More than 13,000 products and around 230 brands can be found at the makeup giant retailer. You will be able to get skin care, accessories, tools, bath and body products, including exclusive in-store brands and specialty hair care lines! 

Sephora now has 12 Canadian stores and 1,000 world-wide!

My first experience at the Sephora chain was in Paris on the amazing strip of the Champs Elysse, where I found myself in Beauty Heaven! This place was like a dream, lined with what seemed like millions of perfumes, body lotions and creams, makeup tools, hair products and exclusive brands I’ve never heard of… I went nuts. It was almost too overwhelming, but I got what I wanted and I had my experience in Paris.