GetStunning.com — beauty is an understatement

June 14, 2012 in Makeup by Denise Wild

We are all creatures of habit, or so they say. I’ll admit, I do have a tendency toward pink lipstick; nudes and browns don’t get their timeshare in my wardrobe of lip shades. Truth is, I’ve always felt that they wash out my complexion. Recently, I stood up to the old habit adage, sprang for something new, and was pleasantly surprised. Ilia lipstick in Funnel of Love is now my gal Friday for downplayed lips. I suddenly feel I can pull off that sensual smoky eye and pale pout that once eluded me. Now just to get that bombshell purr…

GS Approved: Boasting 85% organic ingredients, and 99% natural, Ilia Beauty is the new major player on the block. Bye bye balm, then stick, then gloss, Ilia’s natural formula means easy one-step application for lips that are smooth, soft and stylish. Housed in a recycled aluminum casing, Ilia is all about beauty – yours and mother nature’s.

Inspiration: At the mention of Brigitte Bardot, one conjures images of the sultry kitten’s winged liner, nude pout and tousled hair. An icon of French sexuality, Bardot perfected unkempt style and epitomizes it today.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

June 8, 2012 in Makeup by Denise Wild

All makeup artists have favourite tools. Personally, an angled brush has always been my right hand man when it comes to doing eye makeup. Since wearing out the last one, I’ve switched to one that is great for both me and my animal friends. Inika’s renewable-source, synthetic angled brush fits comfortably in hand, and provides a slightly wider surface area for lining eyes and filling in brows. A new favourite is born.

GS Approved: A synthetic that feels like the real deal? You betcha baby! Inika, an Australian-born natural beauty brand’s is 100% vegan and certified cruelty free and all brushes feature a handle made of wood from sustainable forestry.

Inspiration: Use an angled brush to create bold geometric lines like this manga-inspired shoot for SModa, featuring Anouck Lepere by photographer Satoshi Saikusa.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

June 7, 2012 in Hands & Feet by Denise Wild

When it comes to names of nail polish, a rose by any other name could mean the difference between it becoming a rotating favourite of mine, or never seeing the top of my vanity. Polish shades are players in a form of self expression. I may have more than once solved a colour debate based entirely on name alone. Standing in the aisle thinking hard, “Which one is more ‘me’? Quiet charmer or Playing hookey?” Well, suffice to say, Get Nailed nailed it with a great range of colours bearing sassy names such as You Live With Your Mom, Your Cab is Here, and Got an Extra Toothbrush. With over 22 shades, the fun is literally at my fingertips, and with all the names bearing cute innuendos, I know which one is me. I’m following the orange trend and can’t get enough of Staying for Breakfast? Well, thank you for asking, Get Nailed, yes I am!

GS Approved: Three free polish has become de rigueur; who wants Formaldehyde on their fingers? Get Nailed is amping up the stakes by introducing four free! Besides also lacking Toluene, and Dibutyl Phthalate, Camphor strikes out too, meaning safer lacquer and no compromise. As well, if you happen to find the lacquer love of your life in the collection, shades are kept on forever. No discontinued disappointments await. Looks like Get Nailed is the safe choice all around!

Inspiration: Manis are having a major moment, and what’s more fun than a 3d manicure? Japan is the leader in the category with endless selection from mini teddy bears to mini silk flowers to adorn tips. Try a lighter version with Get Nailed’s Matching Microbeads.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

June 6, 2012 in Fragrance by Denise Wild

When the mercury is rising, I find heavy fragrances can feel stuffy and overwhelming. The increase in skin temperature from high heat and humidity intensifies perfume, making scents stronger and more potent. I think, why add more when the temperature calls for less? This year, I’ve lightened my summer spritz to a seemingly simple, yet highly refined blend featuring Moroccan tangerines, Florida oranges, and yellow and green lemons all bottled to natural perfection in Honoré des Prés Honoré’s Trip. A refreshing summertime citrus, it’s perfect for the long, languid days of summer, offering a fresh and understated orangey option that makes me smile. Ooh la la oranges!

GS Approved: 100% natural, Honoré des Prés is a parisian brand containing no synthetics, colourants or phthalates. An ECO CERT company, Honoré fragrances are all good for you all the way through.

Inspiration: Take a note, a fragrance note that is, from the French and make your own unique scent by layering fragrances. The Honoré des Prés Verrines collection boasts four unique gourmand scents that work even better when layered with each other.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

June 5, 2012 in Skincare by Denise Wild

I love a good clay mask. As it dries, the tightening sensation reminds me of girl-time beauty nights of my teens and early twenties, when a group of us would adeptly apply our masks then spend the next twenty minutes trying not to talk or giggle, so as not to ‘break our faces’. After splashing the clay away, my skin always felt softer, smoother and my pores more refined. It’s no wonder, as clay has some serious skin benefits.
Now that I’m getting a little older, I favour a more refined and natural option such as Stark Skincare Green Tea Detox Mask which features Moroccan and French clays, to lift away dirt and residue from pores, antioxidant superpower green tea to boost cell generation and fruit extracts, containing skin rejuvenating alpha hydroxy acids.

GS Approved: Pelotherapy, using clay to treat and detoxify the skin, has been around for ages. Used for over 1400 years as a soap and skin conditioner, ancient romans and egyptian nobility favoured Rhassoul Clay for it’s cleansing and detoxifying properties. Promoting circulation and purification, clay reduces dryness and removes dead skin cells. If it’s good enough for royalty, it’s good enough for me!

Inspiration: Detox for beauty isn’t a new concept, but Kimberly Snyder makes the case for an easy to follow three step beauty detox plan in her book, The Beauty Detox Solution: Eat Your Way to Radiant Skin, Renewed Energy and the Body You’ve Always Wanted (Harlequin). By eating your leafy greens – or drinking them – Snyder’s detox plan will have you looking your best, like all of her celeb clients.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

May 16, 2012 in Hair, Skincare by Denise Wild

There are the rare mornings that I awake from my slumber, head to the shower and after my initial glance in the mirror, decide that my hair looks pretty good. It’s slightly tousled, with a few flirty flicks in front and seems to have that illusive body that I can never attain on purpose. This is where the debate begins. To wash or not to wash?

Lately, Lulu Organics has been letting me drop the gavel on the ‘not to wash’ option. A few sprinkles of the all natural, organic hair powder at the roots and no one is the wiser that I skipped the ‘poo and blowdry routine. Saving me time and an early morning internal debate.

GS Approved: The obvious con to a day of unwashed hair is not only the potential of that initial morning bounce to turn on you and flatten out by mid-morning, but that not-so-fresh hair smell. Lulu Organics Lavender and Clary Sage Hair Powder trades musty for mmm… marvelous.

Inspiration: Dry Shampoo has been around for ages. Well, since the 18th century, at least. Members of the high court of Versailles sported elaborate poufs made of real hair, which were powdered to give them a violet, blue, pink or yellow tint. It seems the look may never meet the same end as Marie Antoinette, as pastel poufs were spotted on the Spring 2012 runways, like this one from Thakoon.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

May 14, 2012 in Fragrance by Denise Wild

I’m not one for adding unnecessary steps to my morning routine, I choose my products based on how many things they can accomplish in a short moment. I will consider something new if it not only lives up to it’s claims, but surpasses my expectations and delights me in some way. It’s a tough game to get onto my daily roster.
Lately, I’ve been drawn to the buzz surrounding facial mists; it seems that everyone is spritzing and spraying to ‘set’ makeup. As curious as I am, I want my face mist to surpass setting, I want it to change my day. Lotus Wei had this in mind when they created Joy Juice. Joy Juice is an aromatherapy facial mist that blends natural fruit essences of sweet orange, blood orange, rosewood, lime and lotus. The result is a bright, delicious burst of scent not unlike inhaling a chilled pink lemonade. More than keeping my makeup in place, the fresh scent and gentle misting sensation actually brightens my mood.

GS Approved: Used five times a day, the aromatherapy properties of Lotus Wei Joy Juice enhance your state of mind and promote contentment and happiness. You can feel the difference immediately. Joy Juice will have you feeling like you just had a joy smoothie!

Inspiration: Speaking of smoothies, Zac Effron is back in a Notebook-style tale of two young lovers. The Lucky One launches April 2012. Here’s hoping for a joyful ending.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

May 11, 2012 in Makeup by Denise Wild

Most gals I know have a wardrobe of lip options: balm, gloss, stick, stain. My day-to-day option usually consists of a balm layered with lipstick on top, or a stain with balm reapplied throughout the day. When I’m taking it easy, I’m taking my Hurraw! Black Cherry Tinted Lip Balm with me. An easy, non-committal way for me to keep lips hydrated and at the least look like I’ve tried a little. Slightly glossy and tinted rouge, with flavour reminiscent of cherry pie, it’s the perfect balm for everyone.

GS Approved: Raw and vegan, Hurraw! knows how to make a balm that’s sleek and smooth, not chalky or waxy. A host of natural and good-for-you ingredients makes it literally good enough to eat!

Inspiration: The classic hard-rock album “Cherry Pie” by the big-hair band, Warrant, is a summer road trip classic. Hurraw! Black Cherry Lip Balm’s subtle cherry pie pout will become your classic summer go-to.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

May 10, 2012 in Hands & Feet by Denise Wild

I’m a sucker for neon. I also have a thing for slap bracelets and anything that resembles a baby tee, but I digress. Neon is everywhere this summer: bags and dresses, belts and bracelets, shoes and hats. As with any trend, staying power is always a concern. If classic is your style, save your coins for investment pieces and have fun with makeup, specifically, nail polish. Scotch Naturals, a non-toxic water-based line from the US has the perfect fix. Lemon Highlander is a vivid yellow with a subtle hint of shimmer perfect for trending up toes and tips.

GS Approved: Not only does Scotch Naturals provide consistent application, no clumping and quick drying time, it has staying power as well – more than we can say for neon. The best part? Stink-free and non-toxic means it’s safe for little ones, people with sensitivities and mothers-to-be.

Inspiration: When hitting the beach this season, an age-old tip from Madame Genevieve Antoine Dariaux in her 1964 book Elegance, recommends wearing swimwear in bright primary colours such as yellow, red, blue and white. “Brights are fresher-looking in the sunlight” she says. According to this summer’s neon trend, it would appear her wisdom has stood the test of time.

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory

May 2, 2012 in Makeup by Denise Wild

A few weeks ago, enjoying an evening out with friends, I met up with an old acquaintance. Hoping I still had that youthful luminosity of when we were both a little younger, I was over the moon when he exclaimed, “you’re just glowing – you still look great!” As long as you swear not to tell, I’ll let you in on my fountain of youth: it’s RMS Living Luminizer, a 100% Organic, all natural makeup line. With only six ingredients, this coconut oil-based cream highlighter offers a subtle shimmer without running the risk of looking like a disco queen.

GS Approved: There’s a difference between shine, sparkle and shimmer. When choosing a highlighter, you want to choose one that has a small, microscopic particle size – no chunky glitter or greasy shine allowed! RMS Living Luminizer is a perfect example of a DO in the highlighter category.

Inspiration: The models at Oscar de la Renta Spring/Summer 2012 show had skin that looked healthy and effervescent. Get the look with highlighter applied on the top of cheekbones. Youthful radiance is only one quick step away!

Beauty Editor: Andrea Victory