Hair Removal Miracles

You might think I’m nuts for bringing up hair removal during winter.  But I’ve got two secrets I need to share with you, and it just so happens that now is the perfect time to get that hot bod ready for summer.

Bombay Brow Bar threading in action

I’m not one to blow wads of cash on aestheticians and far-fetched beauty routines.  But one treatment that always makes me feel like a million bucks is a quick eyebrow fix.  Bombay Brow Bar just opened their third location in Vancouver in the Shangri-La Hotel – quite the rise for a little brow business that just opened up last year.  Pop in to Bombay and 20 minutes later, with perfectly threaded brows, you’ll feel subtly glamorous, suddenly put-together.  The girls there are great at recommending a brow shape that’s appropriate for your hair growth and facial features.

My next secret is laser hair removal – but not just anywhere, you have to go to this one clinic.  I had never considered laser hair removal in the past, but when I had the opportunity to try out a fancy new machine at Lougheed Laser Center, I jumped at the chance to see if and how it worked.  They’re one of the only companies in the Lower Mainland to use the LightSheer Duet, which can treat a larger area of skin and therefore dramatically reduces the time and pain involved.  I noticed a considerable difference after having my underarms zapped, with just one treatment.

The staff at the clinic were so helpful, knowledgeable, and professional – immediately any fears or apprehensions I had were dissolved.  You need about 6-10 treatments for permanent results, but it’s an investment I’d highly recommend.  And believe me when I say, don’t go to any other ‘normal’ laser hair removal places.  I compared the feeling of a regular machine to this new LightSheer Duet, and you’d have to be a maniac to choose the normal route when you have the LightSheer as an option.  Now is the perfect time of year to get started, since you need to stay out of the sun before and after laser treatments.

Happy zapping.

Published by Terri on February 29, 2012 in Beauty. 0 Comments

Gabriel and Zuii Organic Makeup at Whole Foods

A few weeks back Whole Foods hosted a little beauty seminar for local beauty bloggers to try out two of their natural and organic makeup lines, Gabriel and Zuii.

Heather Stieh, Whole Body Team Leader at the Cambie location, gave us a quick rundown of Whole Foods’ product line standards.  Long, interesting story short (much more interesting than my face conveys in the photo below), Whole Foods takes the guesswork out of sifting through the massive array of beauty products out there on behalf of their consumers, so you can rest assured that the products you are buying are of great quality, using natural, sustainable and/or organic ingredients.

Professionals were on hand to help us pick the perfect shades:

Now, I am a girl who wears very little makeup.  It’s a big day when I put eyeliner on – some powder or foundation is usually a daily regular, blush always (big fan of cream blushes), and usually some mascara.  Top that off with a light gloss and I’m good to go.  I first opted for the Gabriel liquid foundation, which I was told would give my skin a soft dewy look.  Win.  After a few weeks of testing out the the products, I’m extremely happy with everything I’ve tried.  I switched to the brown mascara by Zuii for a slightly more subtle, natural look, and the pink/coral lipstick I chose is great for transitioning my wardrobe into summer hues.

Here’s what I received in exchange for swapping in my old makeup:

Thanks to the entire team for such an informative afternoon.  If you’re going to put anything on your face, go natural and organic!

Published by Terri on May 26, 2011 in Beauty. 0 Comments

Beauty Fixes: Face

This is the first installation in a short series on beauty products, beginning with the face and following up with hair and body.  I should preface this by noting that I am extremely no-frills when it comes to cosmetics – I’m not a fan of extensive procedures, I despise embellishments, and I’ll immediately trash any product that leaves me looking even slightly unrecognizable.  When it comes to makeup, I need to be done in 5 minutes or less – it’s a big day if I put on eyeliner; normally I’ll throw on foundation or powder, blush, gloss and I’m out the door.

I’ve narrowed down some awesome products that align with my no-fuss daily protocol – it’s taken me a few years to find products that are easy enough to work for someone like me (read: I couldn’t apply eyeshadow to save my life).

Eyes:

I require eyeliner that is foolproof to apply – liquids are out.  Make Up For Ever recently launched their Rock For Ever eyewear line, and the liners are magical.  The kit comes with some colours I wouldn’t often opt for, such as silver and gold, but the rest of the palette is really basic and easy to wear.  The mini set is only $40, and for someone like me who never goes overboard on the eyes, this little kit will last me forever.

I also enjoy Maybelline’s Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner – and the little brush that comes with it doubles as a great eyebrow pencil too (I like to use brown eyeshadow as a substitute when I don’t have a brow pencil on hand):

Mascara is another tough one – so many are clumpy, and hard to remove because they’re so ‘long lasting.’  My favourite ever was Lavera’s Organic Volume Mascara.  Applied easily, came off easily, just the right amount of product to define my lashes without making me look like a washed up circus tramp.

Lips:

90% of the time I’m going with a basic lip conditioner – Carmex has been a favourite as of late, it’s got a nice sheen to it.  For nights out, try the lip gloss by Love That White Smile – it’s even got a mirror on the side and the applicator lights up when you unscrew the top in case you’re locked in a dark closet and need an emergency gloss up.

I’m absolutely a fan of going bold with lip colour, and my favourite shade right now is Lady Danger by MAC:

Remember, when you go bold on the lips keep the eyes simple – I prefer to pair a popping lip colour with bold brows, and leave my eyes and cheeks as simple as can be.

Cheeks:

MAC Gel Blush is my go-to here, and has been for years.  Just a Pinch is my shade of choice, seems to blend really well with any other colour palettes I’m working with, and my complexion is fairly rosy so it’s a nice fit.  The bonus is you can use this on your lips as well.  Any product that is multi-purpose is a shoe-in for me.

My other favourite is L’Oreal’s Quickstick in Pink Perle – it’s a face/body blush with a very subtle glimmer to it, I like to pair it with the MAC Gel Blush right up around the cheekbones for a bit of definition.  It appears L’Oreal has discontinued this product so either email them and request they bring it back, or please send me some suggestions for a suitable replacement!

Skin:

Make Up For Ever wins again with their high definition foundation.  Blends easily, not too heavy or light, and doesn’t irritate my skin or cause any break outs:

And finally, for all my powdering needs I turn to Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Natural Formula Loose Powder – my sensitive skin loooves this product.

Hope this helps anyone who is as cosmetically challenged as I have been in the past!  Any additional feedback/tips you have would be appreciated in the comments.

Published by Terri on October 26, 2010 in Beauty. 0 Comments

Bombay Brow Bar

Yaletown is quickly becoming the destination for single-service beauty boutiques – Blo gets your hair styled with a quick blow-dry, Noir Lash Lounge will fix you up with semi-permanent lash extensions, and now Bombay Brow Bar has joined the lot with Indian eyebrow threading.

I visited the small but plush brow bar on their opening day and the place was bustling, ambushed with the overgrown brows of walk-ins.  Four armchairs inhabit the room – which keeps a steady flow of Bollywood videos playing, Indian Vogue on hand for reading, and delicious chai tea for sipping.

The master threaders are also schooled in waxing and tweezing, so although their specialty is threading you can opt for any removal process you like.  I was in and out in 30 minutes, and what a difference a manicured brow makes.

Bombay Brow Bar does brows for boys as well, as well as eyebrow tinting.

1056 Mainland

Published by Terri on February 24, 2010 in Beauty. 0 Comments

Barbarella Saloon: Fashion Blogger Hair Party

barbarellaall photos by yvonne chew


Saloon is not a typo. It may sound like an old western brothel, but Barbarella Saloon is actually an ultra trendy hair studio in Vancouver. I was fortunate enough this week that something came up for Terri, and she had to send me to this bloggers hair party instead of herself! I willingly accepted the invite and took my mop down to Main Street.


cutting


The party was greeted by a team of uber cool looking stylists bearing Pimms and lemonade so we were off to a good start. Deandra took on the challenge of my untamed locks and with a few highlights, some interesting hair cutting techniques and a toner, my hair was looking fabulous. I have super thick hair so it’s always a bit hard to get a good style going but somehow she managed to keep the length (my one request) and thin it all out in layers so I feel pounds lighter.


hair party!


The salo(o)n has a great vibe with super funky interiors and crazy artwork on the walls. The stylists are friendly and really listened to what everyone wanted done. All the other bloggers looked fabulous and were thrilled with the end results. The word STUNNING reads across the back wall of the salon, fitting as that’s how I felt when I left.

The other excellent aspect of the evening was the party atmosphere. What more could you ask for than Pimms, pizza and chats with all the other ladies about new boyfriends – all while getting dyed and styled? Barbarella provided a grown up slumber party vibe that I loved. Female bonding over beauty treatments never gets old – especially when you’re picking the brains of Stylefinds‘ bloggers!


If you’re looking for a change but uncertain what current trend or classic ‘do will suit you best, I highly recommend Barbarella. Deandra and the other stylists are highly experienced and knew, far better than I did, what would really compliment my big head and its stubborn, brown tresses.


Barbarella Saloon

3277 Main Street Vancouver
604-876-1414

Published by Jenn on August 22, 2009 in Beauty. 1 Comment

Hearst 8X10 Photography Exhibit


Andy Freeberg, Stroganov Palace, Russian State Museum, 2008

The Hearst 8X10 biennial photography competition is open to international artists, with the intention of showcasing the works of emerging photographers through a live exhibition in New York and a printed catalogue.  Eight winners were selected by a panel of ten judges, with an additional 10 runners up receiving honourable mention.

While there is no cash prize associated with the 8X10 competition, the selected group of winners gain an incredible opportunity to break into the magazine industry as Hearst publishes a number of notable titles, including Esquire and Harper’s Bazaar.

Andy Freeberg‘s portraits of individuals among great works of museum art conveyed utter loneliness to me, and Guardians (pictured above) struck a particular nerve.  I was reminded only of the inevitable loss of companionship, whether this be via the loss of a pet, the termination of a family line, or simply the absence of a once-great artist who left us marble statues to ponder.


Louie Palu, U.S. Marine Joshua Wycka age 21, Garmsir District,
Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Louie Palu‘s black and white images of soldiers were stark depictions of grit and exhaustion, and though I know they were taken in recent years they could just as easily have been snapped decades ago.

Brad Carlile captures the rich and retro livelihood of otherwise undramatic hotel rooms on film with the Tempus Incognitus series, employing a lengthy process that produces imagery with intense and vibrant colours, and impressively involves no digital manipulation.

Benedikt Partenheimer placed faceless souls within monochromatic spaces, teasing the isolated individual apart from their subtly dynamic environment. I loved Hiroshi Watanabe’s play on shadows and light, bringing a new layer forward through the imagery.  Edith Maybin places her subject within the home, often before mirrors.  Nicholas Prior‘s images are hauntingly dramatic, and look as though they could be film stills.  And finally, Mark Kessell‘s photographs of children appear antiquated, stripped of innocence via manipulation during processing.

For those of you in New York or visiting in coming months, the exhibition consisting of 89 photographs is available to view at Hearst Towers until September 30, 2009.

Published by Terri on April 7, 2009 in Arts & Culture and Beauty. 1 Comment
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