Free Beauty Makeovers June 5-7

L’Oréal Paris Offers 1,000s of Complimentary
Summer Beauty Makeovers June 5 - 7, 2009

L’Oréal Paris is offering FREE makeup and hair makeovers from some of Canada’s top makeup and hair artists for three days preceding Toronto's Luminato festival! Participants will also get the opportunity to ‘walk the red carpet’ at the Beauty Tent where a photographer will capture their final beauty look as a special memento.

Special guest appearances at the Beauty Tent by L’Oréal Paris’ Official Makeup Artist, Eddie Maleterre and Official Hair Artist and Colourist, Eric Del Monaco – the same beauty masterminds who created all of the runway beauty looks for LG Fashion Week.

L’Oréal Paris Beauty Tent
Yonge-Dundas Square, Toronto

June 5 - 7, 2009 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Mothers

Mother's Day is is Sunday May 10, 2009.


Mimi&Marge bouquet ring @ Propaganda $70 | Foxy 'Henna' Earrings @ Deva Shoppers $28 | Ceramic glazed Poppy Pin by Julie Moon @ Shopgirls $30



Joe Fresh beauty products available at Loblaws Superstores throughout Canada.
Tinted lip balm $8 | Bronzer $8 | Eye Shadow Trio $6

3 day Aquafresh Challenge for a Brighter Smile

With a promise to noticeably whiten teeth within 3 days, I underwent the not-so-comfy task of wearing Aquafresh White Trays pre-filled whitening gel (hydrogen peroxide) teeth trays for 30-40 minutes each night (courtesy of our friends at Strategic Objectives).

I had previously tried Crest's whitening strips (the Classic version) - but didn't have the patience to see the results as they required 14 days of treatment (there are now quicker options).

Night 1: Ew - can barely talk and need tissue dab at goo coming out the sides of my mouth. Is this stuff safe to swallow?
Night 2: Less inconvenient - barely remember the 40 minutes of clumps. Teeth may be a little brighter!
Night 3: Well my teeth do look whiter (but can definitely benefit from the remaining four days of trays). When I asked my friends if they noticed a difference I got a few nods.

I will use the remaining trays and anticipate a gleaming smile! Will keep you updated!
P.S. Aquafresh White Trays and the various other teeth whitening products are widely available everywhere for under $40. Word of caution though: whitening systems may cause sensitivity in some people.

What's in my polish?

OPI has some great new neon nail polish for sale at salons (Mod about Brights) I found $1 (much cheaper) versions at my local dollar store. This obviously requires a few more coats to get intense color but eventually does the job.

My concern, however, as I'm revelling in this great bargain is what exactly I'm putting on my nails. At what cost is this really?

My Dollar Store Nailpolish (made in the US):

Toluene & Formaldehyde Free (both cancer causing)
Ethyl Acetate - common solvent used in paints, perfumes. Known irritant and hormone disrupter. Used to decaffeinate coffee et al.
Dibutyl Phthalate - Dangerous to environment and unborn babies. All major producers stopped using in 2006 although there are many organizations that claim its safe for humans. Banned for use in cosmetics by European Union although phthlates are used in many other industries.
Camphor - On Health Canada's 'Hotlist' of Prohibited or Restricted Cosmetic Ingredients for hazards to children
Benzophenone-1 - UV Blocker used in many cosmetics. Approved for use although proven to be highly toxic and negative effects on brain, organs and nervous system.
Other ingredients include color and finishes.

Conclusion:
Although nail polish is horribly toxic, I learned that many of the ingredients are in hundreds of other products that we're exposed to. I also learned that cheaper polishes are not necessarily more full of chemicals as one might think.
When choosing polish, stay away from toluene & formaldehyde. Try new products with mineral colorants. And if you care enough, you can find natural nail color at stores in Toronto like Noah's or at Carrot Common on the Danforth.

For more on what you're putting on/in your body, check out www.cosmeticsdatabase.com

Eddie Maleterre's Favorite L'Oreal Products

Backstage, underneath rows of hot lights, L'Oreal Fashion Week Artistic Director Eddie Maleterre and his team of make-up artists primp and perfect beautiful face after beautiful face using an unending supply of make-up, brushes and lashes from L'Oreal.

In between models and during a quick break, I got a chance to ask Eddie about his three most tried, tested and true L'Oreal products. He insisted on four!

1. Bare Naturale Mineral Finish Face Powder
I am a huge fan of mineral make-up myself and Eddie says this product is used on every face as it reflects the light and offers a shine-free finish.

2.Voluminous Mascara
Perhaps the most indispensable product used!

3. Color Riche Made For Me Naturals Lipstick
Nude and shiny lip colors that are used in every show.

4. Infallible Lip Gloss
A long-lasting lip gloss?! Eddie swears it stays on for 3-6 hours. High gloss that doesn't feather.

Ambiente Store Opening

TSF was invited to the media launch of Ambiente (416 Queen St.), a cute little store selling an amazing assortment of candles. All the candles, priced from $2 for tealights to $170 for a dramatic oversized pillar, are made in Canada using long lasting food-grade paraffin with no animal by-products. Our fave fragrances include lemongrass, clementine and pomegranate!

Ambiente also offers soaps, creams and bath products.