The Ultimate Multi-Tasker

Image courtesy of golocalprov.com

With the crazy pace of the world, we all need to be multi-taskers. We watch TV while updating our status or posting Twitter updates. We text friends to make plans for after-hours cocktails while at work. We work through lunch, eating at our desks. Whether we like it or not, we are accustomed to being experts in multiple things and often battle with divided (and short) attention spans. 

If we have to juggle multiple priorities, why shouldn't we ask the same of our beauty products? Shouldn't some products serve more than one function? 

What if I told you there was a product out there that can handle all these tasks...

• Eye makeup remover
• Lip balm
• Anti-ager
• Skin smoother
• Moisturizer (face & body)
• Nail & cuticle oil
• Hair mender
• Scar fader
• Itch reliever

...would you buy it? I would.

As a frequent traveller, I'm always looking for items that take up less real estate in my carry-on and a product that does all these things would be a dream come true. In a pinch, I could reach for it and it could handle so many beauty dilemmas. I'm not saying I would give up my go-to hair products or my beloved SPF, but it's appealing to have a product that can handle just about anything - especially one that fits in your purse. 

The magical product I speak of is Bio-Oil. Traditionally known as the go-to solution for scars and stretch marks, Bio-Oil is the only oil that contains the ingredient PurCellin Oil. PurCellin Oil was inspired by nature. It was designed to mimic the oil that ducks secrete while preening their feathers - which keeps moisture in and water out - maintaining the sheen and softness of the feathers. It allows for easy absorption of the natural plant oils (Calendula, Lavender, Rosemary, Chamomile) and vitamins (A, E) in Bio-Oil without any greasy residue.

I'm hooked! Want a little more detail on how to get this multi-tasker working for you? Here are a few details:

To use as eye makeup remover:

• Apply Bio-Oil to a cotton ball and wipe over eye area to remove makeup, including mascara.
• Bonus: While removing makeup, Bio-Oil also conditions lashes, keeping them full and hydrated.

To use as a hair product:

• For split ends - gently warm a small amount of Bio-Oil in the palm of your hands and then apply to the ends of your hair. This is also good for taming flyaways.
• To help relieve dry scalp, gently massage Bio-Oil into the roots of your hair. 

Bio-Oil is available in three sizes 60 mL, 125 mL and 200 mL with prices ranging from $12.99-$29.99. You can pick it up at drugstores across Canada or online. 

What is your secret beauty multi-tasker?

Emmys: Red Hot

The red carpet last night at the 2011 Emmy Awards was well, really RED. From Kate Winslet (in Elie Saab) and Nina Dobrev (in Donna Karan) to Sophia Vergara (in Vera Wang), rouge lit up the room last night.

Another big trend was high necklines and short sleeves as seen on Amy Poehler (in Peter Som) and Lea Michele (in Marchesa):

Gwyneth Paltrow and Minka Kelly both wore dark dresses featuring sheer details. Gwyneth took a risk in a cut-out dress by Emilio Pucci that at certain angles made her (gasp!) look chubby.  Clearly the fault of the dress, not the body.

Minka looked stunning in a lace Dior gown and was definitely one of the best dressed of the night.

I also loved Julie Bowen in Oscar de la Renta but at times she appeared to be so painfully thin, it took away from the beauty of the gown.

Finally, Katie Holmes was All-American fresh in Calvin Klein, but with a casual and messy top knot, she seemed more ready for a beach party than a walk on the red carpet.

My vote for best dressed of the night was Kristen Wiig in Zac Posen. Stunning.

What were your favourite moments of the night (fashion or otherwise)?

Images courtesy of justjared.com, popsugar.com and usmagazine.com. 

Film Fest: Polished

Celebrity stylist Sally Hershberger working her magic

TIFF can be crazy. Between the parties and celeb-spotting - oh yeah, and the screenings (which is what the whole thing is all about, right?) - you can feel downright ragged. That's why I was thrilled to be invited for an afternoon of pampering at the Murale/Sally Hershberger TIFF Suite.

For the second year in a row, Murale teamed up with A-list stylist Sally Hershberger to get editors, TV personalities and celebrities red-carpet ready. Along with hairstyling, guests were also treated to makeup applications and manis.

From getting a trial run of Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($44) - it kept my makeup looking perfect all night -  to a stunning empty-moon mani from the girls at Tips Nail Bar (I'm officially addicted), the Murale/Sally Hershberger TIFF Suite was a sweet oasis during an otherwise hectic week.

Empty moon mani in Stormy Weather by Deborah Lippmann

There was also some stunning costume jewellery from Lia Sophia.

A sampling of the jewellery on display

After a much needed break (and some serious concealer!) I was ready for the next party.

Want to get pampered as well? Murale offers a wide range of services from facials to polish changes at all of their locations.  Services are priced from $10-125.

For more information on Murale, visit www.murale.ca.

As TIFF 2011 draws to a close, what will you be doing to recover from the mayhem?

Great Hair In Minutes

Image courtesy of healthywomanclub.info

If you have long (or long-ish hair), styling can be an ongoing challenge. No one wants to spend hours each week getting their hair styled properly. Unless you have a stylist on-call, you need to learn a few quick tricks on how to have amazing hair in record time.

My latest guest post on Social Moms shows you three easy styles to get you out the door faster so you spend more time on life and less time attached your blowdryer.  You can read it here.

What's your secret for speedy, great-looking hair?

Face Forward

My amazing dermatologist, Dr. Sandy Skotnicki who is medical director at the Bay Dermatology Centre has created a new skincare line called FormulaB designed to target acne-prone skin in both teens and adults.

Dr. Skotnicki is responsible for keeping my skin in great shape and is often my voice of reason during the minor skin freak outs that I have every now and again (Are you SURE it's not time for Botox?!).

The three-step ForumlaB line consists of a Soap-Free Mildly-Foaming Cleanser, an Alcohol-Free Toner and two treatment creams - one for adults and one for young adults.

"I created this line because I saw a gap in the market for adding anti-irritants into acne skincare," said Dr. Skotnicki. "FormulaB combines benzoyl peroxide with anti-irritants commonly found in anti-aging creams, to help leave your skin feeling great and looking clear."

All products are available at the Bay Dermatology Centre or online at www.formulab.ca. Prices range from $31-$41 for individual products or $99 for a three-pack.

Red Carpet Ready

Today is opening day of the Toronto International Film Festival (or TIFF as it's commonly called) and the city is buzzing with excitement.

Whether you're a film fanatic or a star-gazer it's hard not to get caught up in the glamour of it all.

Over the next 10 days the city will be crawling with A-listers like Madonna, Brad and Angelina and many more, so even if the paparazzi isn't stalking your every move, it doesn't mean you can't add a little star style into your wardrobe.

Perfect for a walk on (or alongside) the red carpet, this stunning Pin-Up necklace ($250 CDN/$220 USD) from Swarovski is ideal for TIFF.

Who knows - with this kind of sparkle you might end up on the society pages after all. 

First Day of School

This time of year, it's hard not to get caught up in the frenzy of back-to-school.

September offers another chance to revisit resolutions and the opportunity to embrace a new beginning.

I hate that summer is ending, but every September I reassess my goals and also set my sights on a couple new ones.

Blake Lively looking amazing
in colour. 

Here's a look at my goals/resolutions so far:

- Wear More Colour: Ack! Right now, I'm wearing jeans, a yellow tee and a black blazer. And over the past 10 days, I think I wore all black outfits 80% of the time. This area still needs some work. When I put together my shopping list for fall, I'll be sure to ban anything black.

- Improve my Posture (through Yoga): I take yoga once a week through work. I'm considering upping it to twice a week. Is my posture better? *pauses to sit up straight* I'm more conscious of it, but I still find myself hunched over the computer on a daily basis.

New Goals:

- Write everyday. I want to begin working on a novel, but I'm scared to start! I need to get over my fear and just get going.

- Eat beef no more than 3x a month. Heart disease runs in my family and I want to reduce my risk as much as possible. I'm not sure if I can go this far, but reducing the amount of beef I consume seems like a good place to start.

What about you? Are you setting any new goals for yourself? Does September feel like a new beginning for you too?

Steal Her Style: Perfect Pout

The wedding of Kim Kardashian and NBA star Kris Humphries was a spectacle - from the hype about the dress to the multi-million dollar deal to secure photo rights. Whether you love her or hate her, you can't deny that her lipstick and gloss combination on her wedding day was simply divine.

You never want your lips to outshine you, and Kim's longtime makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic did an amazing job creating kissable lips for the blushing bride.

Whether you have upcoming nuptials or not, this lip look is worth stealing for everyday.

To achieve Kim's perfect pout, Mario started by defining her lips with YSL Dessin Des Levres lipliner in Nude Beige ($28) and followed with Lancôme L’Absolu Nu Lipstick in Coral Sand ($29).



To complete the look and add shine, Mario finished with Lancôme La Laque Fever Lipgloss in Ravishing Coral ($26.50).

You can find the products used to create Kim’s look online at Lancôme and Sephora.

All prices in USD. 

On aime les carrés

The economy is struggling but consumers are still buying a lot of luxury goods - at least according to Hermès latest net profit report. Profit is up 49.5% for the French luxury brand.

The ready-to-wear accessories division had a 31% increase in sales. At $385 USD each, that's a lot of scarves.

Could it be that we are still living beyond our means?