My All Time Favorite Products
SKIN MOISTURIZER
www.kiehls.com
I love Kiehl’s!
Why?
They offer samples that last at least a week so your skin really has time to reap the benefits and see which product you like the most before you buy. They also offer moisturizer for all skin types. A little goes a long way and they are all natural.
Best Tip
Apply before makeup and let sink in well. If you have dry skin, add a little to your concealer and foundation for a dewy look.
For body and hand creams, microwave for a few seconds when the weather is cold for a treat. Put into the fridge during the summer for a refreshing cool down.
Foundation
Nothing Beats Benefit’s Non Fiction foundation
www.benefitcometics.com
Why?
Their color tones are phenomenal. The texture is perfect and you get a nice dewy glow with coverage, yet you feel like you’re not wearing anything. The packaging is also super cute and looks like a book to go along with the shades that are called volumes available in shades 1-10.
Best Tip
Apply with a foundation brush for a flawless complexion. Always blend right up to the ears and neck to prevent a demarcation line. To best test a shade apply to your jaw line. Most women will need 2 shades throughout the year – for spring/summer and fall/winter. Hurry, as this foundation will soon be discontinued!
CONCEALER
Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation
www.coverfx.com
Why?
This foundation actually works as a concealer. Their texture, colour tones are perfect and very easy to blend. Feels so light on the skin yet still provides coverage to hide even the most colourful tattoos. Cover FX was originally designed for skin conditions such as vitiligo, rosacea and scars. Angelina Jolie is a big fan. It comes in 31 shades, so finding your match will be quite easy.
Best Tip
Apply sparingly to blemishes and under eyes after foundation and blend to get more coverage. If covering a tattoo, make sure to set with a powder. Once set, the makeup will not melt, sweat or wipe off making it perfect to use anywhere on the body.
POWDER
Benefit Bluff Dust, M.A.C blotting powder
www.benefitcosmetics.com, www.maccosmetics.com
Why?
Benefit Bluff Dust is amazing for counter-acting redness as it is an actual yellow light powder. I had to include this in my favorites, as redness is such a common occurrence. M.A.C blotting powder comes in 5 shades, is so light and provides a great matte effect without adding any texture.
Best Tip
Never over powder. Apply to the forehead, T.zone, nose and chin. Too much powder makes the skin look dull and cakey. If you have oily skin try using blotting papers such as Clean and Clear Oil Absorbing Sheets. Another great tip is perm papers work great as blotting paper as well.
EYES
EYE SHADOW
M.A.C
www.maccosmetics.com
Why?
M.A.C has an amazing array of colours, textures as well as styles. They also carry eyshadow palettes so there is no guesswork as to which colours you should choose. The possibilities are endless.
Best Tips
Broke that eye shadow? No problem, scoop up the powder, and put it back in the container, add a little bit of rubbing alcohol to make a paste and smooth as best you can. Leave the container open. The rubbing alcohol will sanitize the shadow and as it evaporates it will hold the powder back together. This also works well on any face powder as well as blush.
Applying a very light colour to the inner corner of the eyes makes you look more alert and glowing.
Avoid any shimmer if you have creases.
Layer different shades of shadow for a brilliant look.
When doing a smoky eye, place a layer of baby powder under your eyes; the remnants of the dark shadow will fall on the baby powder, where it is easily wiped off without ruining any of the other makeup.
EYELINER
Almay
www.almay.com
Why?
Almay liners come in six different variations. They are sold everywhere and for the price, the 
quality cannot be beat. The eyeliners come in liquid, pencil, metallic, matte and duo forms in very complementing colour tones. They also sharpen very easily if they are pencil and glide on so smoothly. The liquid liner is amazing for a sharp, precise wing and the pencil comes with a smudger at the other end for a beautiful smoky look.
Best Tip
If you are having a hard time lining your eye precisely, try dotting your eye line and then connecting it for a perfect finish.
LASHES
M.A.C
www.maccosmetics.com
Why?
They offer a huge variety to choose from and the price is very reasonable for the quality. They even offer different colours.
Best Tips
When applying lashes, never go too close to the inner eye as it might irritate them. If you require trimming, always trim from the outer ends and count how many lashes you cut off so that the other lash will be 
symmetrical. Always align lashes as close to the eyeline as possible and only put on eyeliner after the lashes are on to blend away any minor imperfections. Curl the false lashes along with your own to make them blend in and prevent a “double lash”. Apply mascara after this step. The best eyelash curler is by Shu Uemura – http://www.shuuemura.com/ and curls even the smallest lashes.
MASCARA
Maybelline Great Lash
www.maybelline.com
Why?
There is a reason why it has been around so long. It is very inexpensive, never clumps and separates while giving you amazing volume. It also comes in Waterproof for events such as weddings, funerals and swimming when it is essential.
Best Tips
Never pump the wand into the bottle; it will just dry it out faster. Instead, roll the wand in a circular motion in the tube to get out the mascara.
When applying mascara, use quick zigzag strokes and layer until you are happy with the results. Use the mascara wand on top of your lashes as well to coat each hair thoroughly.
CHEEKS
M.A.C
www.maccosmetics.com
Why?
Selection and quality really do count as well as staying power. The price is also very reasonable. Powder formulations are great for everyone, however if you have really dry skin, they also have a crème blush that has great pigment and blends evenly.
Best Tips
When applying blush, use a blush brush, or fingers for crème blush on apples of cheeks and blend upwards and remember that less is more.
Favorite colours
Dollymix and Fleurpower.
LIPS
Benefit Posie Pink, Dior, M.A.C lip glass
www.dior.com www.maccosmetics.com http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/gp/home.html
Why?
I really had to name all three, as they are so vastly different and amazing in their own ways.
Benefit Posie Pink doubles as a cheek and lip stain for the woman on the run and the colour is very complementary as well as bendable and really stays on with minimal dryness.
Dior lipstick has exceptional staying power, smells great and the pigment and texture is perfect.
M.A.C lip glass has a great selection, smells awesome and has great texture. My favorite colour is Beaux. It looks amazing on everyone!
Best Tips
Always apply lipstick, gloss or stain to moisturized lips as it will adhere better and blend more evenly.
If your lipstick is running low, scoop it out and place into a bobbin holder. Microwave for a few seconds. The lipstick melts and fits in perfectly. The bobbin holder acts as a palette and you can place stickers on the back to label the colour names. If you are sick of a colour you can always mix it with another and microwave for a whole new look. M.A.C also honors any 6 pieces of their empty product packaging for a free lipstick.
LIP LINER
Annabelle Lip liner
www.annabellecosmetics.com
Why?
Annabelle lip liner comes in a variety of colours as well as a regular, waterproof and metallic formulation. Their lip liners go on very smoothly and last a very long time. Nutmeg is one of my favorites as it compliments many skin tones. I also find that the pencil rarely breaks when sharpening.
Best Tips
Lip liner is great for giving the illusion of bigger or smaller lips. It is also great for making lips perfectly symmetrical. Try to always use a lip liner in a close shade to your natural lip colour as this gives the best effect.
Lip liner is also great for making lipstick or a glossy lip last longer and prevent bleeding. For example, line your entire lip with a red tone before applying red lipstick or gloss.
LIP BALM
Burts Bees
www.burtsbees.com
Why?
Burt’s Bees Beeswax Lipbalm is all natural. It contains coconut, peppermint and sunflower oil 
while the beeswax seals in moisture. I also like that you can choose wether you would like a tin or a stick, as for personal use I prefer the stick and professionally the tin. It is very well priced and I love that it doesn’t make the lips shiny, which a lot of men like. It is exceptionally moisturizing.
Best Tip
If you severely dry lips, after a bath or shower use a toothbrush and slough off any dry skin. Apply balm. By morning your lips will feel great.
NAILS
O.P.I
www.opi.com/index.asp
Why?
It really lasts. The colour selection is wide, and with names like Silent Mauvie and You Don’t know Jaques you will never forget your favorite shade. New collections come out quite frequently as well.
Tips
Always apply polish to dry, clean nails. Apply a base coat to prevent staining your nails. Brush a quick stroke in the middle, one on the left and one on the right for a perfect application. Wait for the first coat to try thoroughly, apply second coat. Finish with a topcoat and make sure to seal the back of your nail with it for extra lasting power.
Never shake the polish bottle up and down, this just makes the polish much harder to open, instead, roll in between your hands to mix.
MAKEUP REMOVER
Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser
www.cetaphil.ca
Why?
Cetaphil is amazing. It is so inexpensive and works wonders. It is gentle enough for even the most sensitive skin. It works as a makeup remover, cleanser as well as moisturizer and is water optional. You cannot get better than this!
Best Tip
I think that 3 uses from 1 product are enough, as well as being water optional.
BRUSHES
Quo
www.shoppersdrugmart.ca
Why?
Quo carries a wide selection of brushes. They are relatively inexpensive yet work well. My personal favorite is their eyeliner brush because it is so precise. The double crimp on the handle makes it much more sturdy than one crimp holders. I also like the silver handle and sleek design. Quo also offers a travel brush set with their best selling brushes.
Best Tips
