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Feature by our Editorial Assistant Colleen

MAC is launching an edgy look suitable for all the fashionistas out there. It’s an exclusive line that is only available for two months. If you’re looking for some intense colours this fall then I would definitely take a stop and head into MAC stores to see the Dsquared² collection. There are lipsticks, gloss, brushes, powders and greasepaint sticks.

>>> Here are some of the products that I’m keeping my eye on:

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This fall you’ll notice the colour are more intense for fall 2009 makeup trends. I’ve noticed that many of the cosmetic lines are showing darker eyes and red lips. In some cases, we’ve seen the dramatic lips and the dramatic eyes paired together and in other cases models have been sporting dramatic eyes with nude lips and nude cheeks.

As usual, I’ve created a trend sheet so that you can have all the major make-up brands and the make-up trends in one easy and convenient spot!

I think for women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, you’re going to have to play it by ear and I’d recommend you consults a makeup artist because dark lips and dark eyes might not look flattering. You might have to bring down the intensity on the eyes and play it off a medium dark lip.

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Feature by our Editorial Assistant Colleen

When I think of spring one of the first images that pops into my head are cherry blossoms. I instantly feel warm all over thinking about the little pedals floating around me while I walk down the street near my old university.

Well I think MAC was thinking along the same lines because their latest collection, Rose Romance, embraces the flowers of spring and summer with shades to match. They have focused on roses in this collection because let’s face it, no other flower compares to symbolize classic romance.

This collection is complete with a number of elements from lipsticks to eye shadows to fragrances, all of which should be suitable to compliment and add to your summer wardrobe. There are a few pieces that caught my interest immediately:

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I found that spring 2009 make-up trends are all over the map. You’ll see a lot of 80s, but you still see the classic red mouth and nude overall faces.

I’ll feature all the major cosmetic lines and I’ll let you know what’s in fashion.

Chances are you have a lot of the elements that are in fashion this season. If you cannot afford to buy new cosmetics, you can simply use these trends to pick and choose what would be beauty-season-ready! It might simply be a question of adding one new piece to your make-up for spring to complete the look without putting too much strain on your budget.

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Feature by our Editorial Assistant Colleen

Today welcomes the launch of MAC Comestics’ Colour Ready collection!!!

I was intrigued to see what the latest products MAC came up with to spoil my lips even further. There are a few items that I think will catch your interest as well.

Spring is all about playing around with colours, especially really bright ones. That makes the two new lipsticks a good choice to experiment with. I can totally see my friends and I trying on the new colours to see which ones look the best on each one of us. I have a couple of friends who would really appreciate the brightness of these two shades of pink MAC is offering.

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The last few posts where I talked about MAC makeup being suitable for women over 35 created a bit of controversy because younger readers felt there was no age limit to using MAC Cosmetics.  I could not agree with them more and although a large chunk of my readers are over 35, I’ve found lately that many readers are in their early 30s and a number in their 20s.

So, moving forward, I’ll open up things more to include all of my readers!

So back to MAC Cosmetics!

I quite like MAC. It’s not only a line that offers every possible shade of makeup on the planet, it’s always been recession-proof, the quality/price ratio is unsurpassable and since it’s THE ULTIMATE Canadian success story, you can see why I never hesitate to feature MAC products!

I’ve been using a few new MAC products that I thought I’d share with you!

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Feature submitted by our Assistant Editor Colleen

As a proud owner of one of the MAC Comestics Lustreglass series, Instant Gold to be exact, I definitely have my eye on MAC’s newest collection of lip glosses, the Cremesheen Lipglass line (come to me Partial Pink!). I have always been a loyal fan of the lip glosses that MAC offers and I have no doubt that Cremesheen will be just as great.

The latest lipstick formulation by the MAC team is supposed to be even moister than their previous line with promises of leaving a sheer finish. There are a total of 8 different shades to choose from, most of which fall within the purple-pink colour categories. Luckily, I’ll be able to treat myself to one of them as a birthday present (today! Feb 7)!

The Cremesheen Lipglass series will be available now until the end of March so if you’re a lip gloss fan like me, it might be a good time to snatch up some now, otherwise you just won’t get the chance.

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February is a perfect month to launch a new cosmetic line and that’s exactly what Italian designers Dolce & Gabbana have done.

They are joining the ranks of most top designers and they are branching out their brand in the cosmetic and beauty arena.

The collection was a collaboration with top international makeup artist and International Creative Director for P & G Beauty, Pat McGrath!

During a recent interview co-creator Stefano Gabbana had this to say about this new venture:

“We see makeup as another thing for women, like a dress. We worked on the makeup line like we work on a clothing collection – you can change makeup like you can change your clothes, depending on your mood”.

The packaging will be gold just like YSL Beauty! The shades will expectedly be bold and bright.

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Did you know that the Hello Kitty brand is almost 35?

For a lot of women who favour eye makeup, they’ll fall head over heels for this new Hello Kitty Collection which has a huge focus on the eyes!

Don’t think for a second that you are too old or too young for this Hello Kitty Collection. It has been created for girls 14-75 who like playing with makeup! It’s obvious that a 20 year-old won’t approach her makeup in the same way a 55 year-old might, but this new collection from MAC Cosmetics (like other collections) allows you to pick and choose what works best for you … at any age!

Hello Kitty Kouture is about makeup and accessories!

The accessories collection is both cool and affordable.

Also, you’ll be able to get your hands on an EXCLUSIVE limited edition luxe line done with Swarovski crystals!!!

You can also get an the adorable Hello Kitty Plush Doll, and there’s also a black bracelet with three charms, makeup mirrors, a brush holder, makeup bags, and a tote that’s printed in a Pucci-esque pattern (inspired by Italian designer Pucci).

Hello Kitty Kouture is perfect for Spring 2009!

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Dame Edna Everage might not be well known in America, but she’s quite popular in her homeland (the U.K.) and in Canada.

When RuPaul was still in diapers (former face of MAC Cosmetics), Dame Edna had already been living large as one of the most popular drag queen personalities.

This flamboyant character who has never been afraid of wearing makeup has become the latest face of MAC Cosmetics. This is a coup for MAC because not only is Dame Edna a gender bender, but she’s also well into her 60s (if not more) and she’s still deemed suitable to be a covergirl!

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I’m a woman who usually does the oh-my-God-I’ve-got-to-run-five-minute-makeup job before dashing off to events or to a meeting with a friend so you can imagine how much of a thrill it is for me to sit down with a renowned makeup artist and get the same treatment models get backstage during Paris … or Milan … or London … or New York fashion week!

MAC Cosmetics’ Senior Artist Jane McKay is a whiz with her makeup brushes and she’s one hell of an educator as well!

Last month, I highlighted my first meeting with Jane. If you missed all that incredible information and all those makeup tips for women over 35, you can still catch the posts here:

Should women over 35 continue to wear MAC Cosmetics makeup? (part 1)

Should women over 35 continue to wear MAC Cosmetic makeup? (part 2)

Since this IS the party season of the year it made perfect sense to me to sit down with Jane and talk about makeup tips for the holiday and also play with MAC’s Holiday 2008 “Red She Said” collection.

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You must know by now that Yves Saint Laurent has been one of my favourite make-up lines for two decades now. It’s the first make-up line I bought with my allowance money and I still enjoy wearing it today.

I really loved the purple palettes YSL had for fall 2008. If you didn’t have a chance to watch my video review of some of my favourite makeup for fall, you can still catch it here: Video Review of my some of my favourite makeup.

For Holiday 2008, Yves Saint Laurent has created the “Bow Collection” as homage to Yves Saint Laurent’s famous quote:

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***I was able to get the full description of products Paul Venoit used to create these looks and you can download them at the end of this post***

The holidays are synonymous with glammed-up make-up. Just in time for office parties, family events and ringing in the New Year, CoverGirl celebrity make-up artist Paul Venoit (who also happens to be co-host of the show “Look Alike”) has created a few exclusive looks for Holiday 2008!

Whether you prefer a more dramatic or more subtle look for the holidays, Paul’s masterful makeup creations will get heads turning. Don’t be surprised if women who you don’t even know you follow you to the bathroom to ask you what make-up you are wearing!

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***Note that the photos you are seeing below are looks that have been created with e.l.f. Cosmetics $1 makeup!***

I first talked about e.l.f. (eyes, lips, face) Cosmetics one year ago because I thought it was a great gift ideas for stocking stuffers. At only $1 USD per item (yes, I do mean $1 lipgloss, $1 eye shadow, $1 eye liner, $1 blush, $1 nail polish and the list goes on) it was a great way to have fun with makeup without worrying about making a dent in your beauty budget.

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You’ll want to keep an eye for my Holiday 2008 makeup review from M·A·C Cosmetics! I met again with makeup artist extraordinaire Jane McKay , but in the meantime, I thought it was important to mention that today is a big day at M·A·C Cosmetics!

M·A·C Cosmetics is a fervent leader in the global fight against HIV/AIDS. Through the sales of their VIVA GLAM lipsticks and Lipglasses, M·A·C has raised over $130 Million, all of which has been directed to the M·A·C AIDS Fund (MAF). The Fund, in turn, gives grants to HIV/AIDS-focused organizations and programs around the world and in Canada!

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***Procter Gamble Beauty is offering their Fall 2008 Look Book … you can download it at the end of this post!***

I still remember my reaction at a summer P & G Beauty function when I found out that famed makeup artist Pat McGrath (and P & G Global Creative Design Director) had created the fall 2008 runway looks for a number of big designers and that we’d be able to get a sneak peak.

When I heard that, I gasped and for about a few seconds I stopped breathing because U.K. base Pat McGrath is one of the biggest international makeup artists and she’s worked on pretty much every single big fashion show you can think of and she’s been responsible for creating memorable faces for designers such as Prada, Miu Miu and Dolce and Gabbana.