BEAUTY REVIEWS FROM DAY 2 AT TORONTO WMCFW

The first show of the night for me was David Dixon. 

Love this shot because it showcases the different ingredients that go into creating a shimmery dimensional skin. Here we see cream concealer, liquid foundation, and a wonderful semi liquid highlighter that was used on the high points of the face.

Makeup artist's palette backstage at David Dixon.

Backstage beauty close up featuring that statement lip, and gorgeous neutral metallic nails.

The Makeup: Gorgeous shimmery skin, silvery lilac eyes featuring inner eye color placement, and statement making semi gloss red lips. 
Verdict? We love that its not the typical "matte skin, black liner, red lip" - because really, who hasn't done that a million times before? Next time you go out with a red lip, skip the eyeliner and add some highlighter!

The Hair: Simple but effective, the hair was a tightly coiled high bun. But not just any bun (and not last season's topknot, either), this coif featured surface texture for added interest.
Verdict? The perfect complement to the makeup. Beauty is about balance. When your face is so beautifully made up, please forgo fussy hair. It's akin to that old cleavage or legs rule: best to only showcase one thing at a time. 

The Nails: Natural nails (so refreshing after all the acrylics/gels I see everywhere these days) with a square shape, polished a silvery lilac metallic shade that somehow reads as a neutral. Understated, classic, yet not boring.
Verdict? Beautiful! I've yet to see a manicure by Essie Canada Lead Nail Artist Rita Remark that I didn't love, and this one doesn't disappoint. 


The next show on my schedule was the Mercedes-Benz Start Up Winner, DUY.

Soft smoky eyes at DUY.

The Makeup: Warm smoky brown eyes with a slightly exaggerated outer V, soft peachy cheeks, and Maybelline Baby Lip on the lips. 
Verdict? Subtly beautiful. Sometimes it's best to whisper when you really want to be heard.

The Hair: I thought this slicked back upswept 'do with peekaboo coil detail in the back was lovely!

Upswept but surprisingly unfussy hair at DUY.

HOW TO! Section off the crown and clip forward. Slick your remaining hair back into a ponytail and twist tightly, until hair begins to coil onto itself. Fasten coils to the head securely, ensuring that you cover the base of ponytail. Then, take the crown section and slick back and over the coils. Secure ends of hair by hiding them under the coils.
Verdict? This hair would be amazing for going somewhere special.

The Nails: Glossy nude polish on a softly rounded shape. 
Verdict? Paint on Essie's "Mademoiselle" and you'll feel elegant in no time. 


The third show on the docket this evening was Line Knitwear. Knits make me think of cool days, and cozy snuggles in comfortable clothes. I was curious to see how this would translate into beauty looks, and how the ubiquitous metallics would their appearance.

Concept drawing from backstage.

The Makeup: Bronze lids with a soft metallic finish were complemented by peach cheeks that looked lit from within. The natural looking lips had an almost velvety looking finish.
Verdict? Soft and pretty. I love how key artist Grace Lee played with textures, reflecting the textured knits.

Radiant model Dauphine/Elmer Olsen showcases the Line Knitwear look.

The Hair: Faux bob was the look of the evening, and I have to say that I love it. Play up your cowl necks by tucking your hair in. Bonus: No hair flying in your face when you hit the windy streets.
Verdict? Casual but cool - and very easy to do at home!

The nail board backstage at Line Knitwear.

Rita models her nail design backstage. Does anyone else think she looks like Blake Lively?

The Nails: Essie Canada Lead Nail Artist Rita Remark described the nails as "a metallic/matte silhouette effect". Colors used were Essie's 'Armed & Ready' for the silhouette and 'Penny Talk' for the main color.
Verdict? Love the silhouette look. Leave this look to the professionals unless you have the steady hand of a surgeon and the painting skills of a fine artist. Someone tell me where Rita works!!


The last show of the night was Sid Neigum. I love that this talented designer wasn't afraid to make a statement with his beauty look. A video at the beginning of the presentation showed Neigum discussing how he enjoyed clothes that made a statement that transcended fashion. I would be interested in finding out if there were any deeper meanings that inspired this look.

See how the artist is steadying her hand on the model's nose? Steady your hand by resting your elbow on your vanity table while working!

The Makeup: Strong angular eyeliner in matte black dominated the otherwise nude face.
Verdict? Makeup that is this statement making takes brass balls. Try it for evening, if you're feeling especially brave.

The hair was bound by leather and double sided tape. Bondage?

The Hair: My guest at the show said that the hair looked very phallic. I don't disagree with him. A ponytail sitting on top of the head was wrapped with a thick leather band and secured in place with double sided tape. 
Verdict? Avant-garde and interesting.

The Nails: To be completely honest, I was too busy staring at the makeup and hair to notice the nails. Sorry Rita!

Hope you're all having a beautiful morning!
-Erin

BEAUTY REVIEWS FROM DAY 1 AT TORONTO WMCFW

The calm before the storm.

The always smiling Jeanne Beker goes backstage to get a quick touchup.

Miz by Izzy Camilleri

Plutino Group makeup artist Natalie Ventola works on the beautiful red lip.

The show featured a gorgeously simple color palette. Overall, the feeling was very classic to me.  Also: please note that I will never say no to a cape! Many capes shown.

The Makeup:  A confidently vibrant red lip with a cream finish and a defined curvaceous brow were the anchor of the look. The highlighted skin was an exciting twist on the expected matte and lent a vibrant airiness to the whole look. 

Verdict? Beautiful!

The Hair: An upswept, softly rounded bouffant was secured in place with a wide black fabric headband, and often featured bangs of a different color than the main portion of the hair. The bangs were an interesting play on the contrast of the lights/darks in the garments, and almost brought to mind a highly stylized ombre.

Verdict? Gorgeous and inventive, but very "done". Seemingly unattainable without professional assistance. Don't try this at home without Redken's Control Addict.

The Nails: Unfortunately I was not able to get a peek at the nails. 

Chloé comme Parris

From left to right: Maybelline Color Whisper, model Carly/Elite, Redken Powder Refresh Dry Shampoo Spray

Young, blonde, sister duo Chloé and Parris Gordon put on a great show. Serious tunes, serious leather, serious attitude. Models looked as thought they were meant to be jaunting down Queen West towards Grand Electric - except that they wouldn't have to wait in line.

The Makeup: "Effortlessly cool" translates into dewy, but not “preciously fresh”, with an almost wet look down the bridge of the nose and on the upper cheekbone. Contours were sculpted in the best possible way.  Nudish eyes and cheeks were complemented by a lightly stained mouth. Maybelline Color Whisper, anyone?

Verdict? Casual, cool, hipster ingénues.

The Hair: An overall tousled, casually undone wave pattern, with distressed braids featured over one ear. 

Quick how to: Take day old hair, add a few shots of Redken's Powder Refresh and braid away! Finish your look by roughing up the texture of the braids by going against the hair’s cuticle, and you’re set. 

Verdict?  Stylish, easily customizable, quick, and cute.

The Nails: The Galaxy nail trend is apparently still going strong. Shown here in a slightly past fingertip length, with almond shaped silhouette. 

Verdict? A little too trendy for my tastes, but attractive nonetheless. I would have loved a buffed nail.

Pink Tartan 

From left to right: model being fitted for wig cap, the wigs for the show, the nails.

The fashion/beauty statement of this show, in my opinion, was “I’m confident, I’m classy, and yet I’m not averse to being casual or playful”. My personal overall favorite of the evening.

The Makeup: Dewy fresh skin paired with a strongly defined brow, and a nude lip made for a strangely compelling statement. To expose yourself like this demands a certain level of casual confidence. 

Verdict? This look is for the woman who has great skin, full brows, and is okay with throwing away the ‘gimmicks’

The Hair: The playful, upturned blonde bob wigs that bounced gaily as the models walked brought a smile to my face. Hair is again accessorized with a black headband, but this time it holds the hair off the face. 

Verdict? The wigs looked distractingly faux to me, but I appreciated the concept.

The Nails: Satin textured nude brown nails were shaped into a rounded athletic length.

Verdict? Refreshingly simple and excitingly liveable.

Redken hair stylists perfecting the style.

Bonus beauty for the boys: Bustle 

 
The Hair: Bustle featured the two extremes of the spectrum. We loved both.

Toronto WMCFW: WHAT ABOUT HAIR AND NAILS?

No time for a fresh blowout? Spray some Powder Refresh in your roots, and finger tousle. Then add a bit of Matte Sponge to your ends and you too could be rocking some Bardot-esque hair at the first night of WMCFW!

The hair teams at Fashion Week are sponsored by Redken, so stay tuned for more specifics about the hair artists, the styles they create and the products they use.  


Hungry for a few more details? (Don't you just love it when a big corporation tweets you?)
From The Beauty Brief Twitter:  "Straight from RedkenCanada: 30 hairstylists from across the country. 500 hair creations. 375 sprays & 25lbs of bobby pins used. INTENSE!"

Rita has great hair AND great nails? We're jealous.

Manicures and nails designs will be handled by (see what I did there? #dadjoke) Maybelline and Essie. The team will be headed up by Essie's Lead Nail Artist for Canada Rita Remark. 

Thanks to wonderful Grace Lee for a heads up on that one!

 

Some behind the scenes snapshots as the the Essie Canada Team prepares for Toronto Fashion Week!

  
For my first day in the tent I'll be sporting a bright pink jacket, so I'm going for a demure makeup look, with a soft wave in my hair. Nails will be short, filed, and buffed. No time for a mani today!
 
What's your makeup, hair and nail plans for Fashion Week?


As always-
Have a beautiful day!
Erin

Toronto WMCFW: MAYBELLINE SURVIVAL KIT

You totally need these things in your life.

My current Maybelline obsessions: 

They will help you survive a hectic Fashion Week schedule and keep you looking polished!

Eye Studio Color Tattoo Metal
Maybelline's site describes the product as a cream gel eyeshadow with intense long lasting color saturation. I concur. A pop of metallic color with a long wearing formula? Yes please. Who doesn't like a crease free lid?

For best application, use a flat headed synthetic haired brush and apply a light layer all over your lid.

Your ring finger will do the trick if you're rushing over on a street car to catch a hot show - tap/glide gently, and try to catch that car on a stoplight!

My fave color is Barely Branded. It's a metallic neutral toned beige.


The Iconic Great Lash gets an update
Think of this mascara as that beauty standby that no makeup bag should be without. Makeup artist approved, of course. Choose "Very Black" - most of the shows are in the evening, and the lighting is dim in there...you want attention grabbing eyes, non?

Maybelline says that the new "Grabber Brush" helps you create "the look of more lashes than ever". My translation? You'll never get clumpy lashes - just lovely separation and definition. Natural 'n pretty or super dramatic? You get to choose - with this thin formula you can layer on as many coats as you want.

Still find a clump? Whip out your trusty Tweezerman Lash Comb . Those spiky metal teeth are amazing at combing out even the tiniest of clumps. Find it at Shoppers Drug Mart, located around the nail tools (don't ask me why, either!).


Baby Lips Moisturizing Balm
It's winter, it's dry, and nobody likes chapped lips. Don't think twice - BUY THIS. It's moisturizing, it has SPF, and there's a range of pretty tinted shades. Check out Pink Punch. This shade is going to look great on you no matter what your skin tone. Oh ya, and they smell great, too.

Hope you enjoyed this post!
If you have any requests for specific content for future posts, I would love it if you would leave a comment below. 

Have a beautiful day!
-Erin

Toronto WMCFW: MAKEUP TEAM

Grace Lee - talented and gorge!

 
Let's talk WMCFW makeup!
 
Expect in depth information about the makeup looks created by Official Makeup Artist for Maybelline Canada, Grace Lee. Grace has worked with famous faces such as Anna Paquin, Hilary Swank, and Justin Timberlake. (Guys need makeup too - but we call it "grooming").

She has also worked behind the scenes at fashion shows for Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and of course the talented designers at Toronto's Fashion Week.

I have yet to meet Ms. Lee, but seeing all her cute pics on Instagram has already made me fall a little bit in love with her. Crossing my fingers that a lovely fairy godmother I have on my side might be able to help.

Hope to meet you behind the scenes this week Grace!

BLOG BEGINNINGS

Have you ever looked at the runway shots from fashion week, and thought to yourself: "Gee, I wish I could see some close up pictures of the makeup, hair, and nails!"?! Well I have too!

With that in mind, I said to myself: What better way to kick off a beauty blog than with seven days of beauty posts featuring the looks shown on the runways at Toronto's World MasterCard Fashion Week!

Any specific content you'd like to see posted on the blog?
Please leave a comment and I'll see what I can do.

Have a beautiful day!
-Erin