Obsessed

With ombré hair. Sure, it's just the fashion girl's version of grown-out roots, I've become increasingly more intrigued by this colouring process. Maybe it's the beachy feel, maybe it's the fact that all the cool girls (Alexa Chung, Erin Wasson, Rose Byrne) are showing it off.


After a solid six months of seriously coveting Betty Draper's blonde (but worried about the upkeep), this seems like the perfect fix to satisfy my flaxen fancies, with no stress over dark, reappearing roots.

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Go for the Gold (or Silver and Bronze)!

With the country abuzz with Olympic spirit for Vancouver 2010, I'm sharing my enthusiasm for the events with the Vasanti Go Canada! Eye and Lip Palette. It's more gorgeous than the above photo, with three shades--gold, bronze and silver--inspired by the medal categories, along with a bright-white shadow to highlight. While I'm not a "highlighting" kind of gal, especially near the brow bone, I'm all using the shade as an eye-brightening shadow. The red is a creamy, sheer balm (inspired by our flag, of course) that works on lips or cheeks, imparting a pretty wash of colour. The brushes are an incredible bonus--both super soft, the tapered end helps manage the control of the shimmer, while the angled brush is a perfect vehicle close-to-lash liner. Love this for a last-minute stocking stuffer. Vasanti Go Canada! Eye and Lip Palette, $40, available now at select Shoppers Drug Mart and Rexall PharmaPlus nationally until March 2010.

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Do-it-all Balm

I don't follow politics. I wouldn't be able to fully express my opinion on the current war(s) at a cocktail party without sounding incredibly ignorant. But what I do know is that 3,000 soldiers are currently being deported to Afghanistan, some on Christmas Eve. And that really, really sucks. Enter Skincando Combat-Ready Balm. It's a concentrated salve whipped up by Sara Damelio, a communications grad with a penchant for green beauty, who initially sold the product as an all-natural facial moisturizer, after hoping to concoct an all-natural product that cured blemishes and redness (her own concerns.) After feedback that the texture was too heavy for their faces, clients instead reported improvements in other areas of concern, like sunburns, dry patches, eczema and diaper rash. Damelio renamed the product Combat-Ready Balm, and soon saw a surge in sales from a small town in Pennsylvania, where word has spread to troops to whom she sent the salve. Working almost completely on her own (save one intern and a her physician father who spreads the word), Damelio uses her KitchenAid mixer twice weekly to whip up a new batch (she can make 50 jars in two hours) blending apricot kernel oil, grapefruit seed extract, coconut oil, distilled water and black spruce. How is this related to the troops? Both and Canadian and American soldiers are obsessed with this stuff, which helps rectify everything from scars to bug bites (they can get bitten between 10-20 times nightly). Donate just $12.50 for a 2 oz. jar, and a thank you note will be included with the care package. If you click "Make a Donation" today before 12pm PST, for $12.50 U.S., you'll also be shipped your own Combat-Ready Balm for free.

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Quit Stripping (Your Skin)

Aside from the underlying green guilt, I love a good cleansing cloth. I'm admittedly very lazy with washing my face, so it's no wonder why I've befriended Kaia Naturals Bamboo Cleansing Cloths. First, let's talk shop. They're 100 % biodegradable. So toss after use sans remorse. The formula is impressive--thanks to the eight essential citrus oils, sunflower seed oil, oat amino acids and organic Canadian honey, they're super soothing and non-irritating, even when challenged to removing hardcore mascara and lip stains. The cloth is so soft and gentle, I actually look forward to using it. Post-swipe, skin feels remarkable balanced, and never in a squeaky, I-can't-smile-or-my-face-will-snap-clean. The cloths are unbleached, lending to pretty old lace shade, and since they're a bamboo breed, they don't leave those obnoxious, miniature fibres stuck between your lashes. Kaia Naturals Bamboo Cleansing Cloths, $17.99, at Green Beauty.

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Easy, Pleasing Gifts

While a generic bath and body gift can be a little predictable, I can't stop singing the praises of two the Nutmeg and Vanilla scent from The Body Shop Holiday collection. The first (pictured above) is the most comforting, Christmas-y scent I've found all season. The delicate nature of the nutmeg cuts the (sometimes) cloying pedigree of the vanilla, and while classified as a 'lip balm', it's actually quite gloss like, as it imparts a lovely sheen, thanks to the finely, finely-milled golden shimmer in the pale caramel formula. It's a dense enough formula that it sticks on and lasts.

There's also a very fresh Merry Cranberry scent, which is equally enchanting, especially in the Body Smoother (a beautiful-looking scrub in a tube) format. I love the idea of mixing and matching a few different products (Body Butter, Body Wash, Lip Balm) from either collection and creating a custom basket. The final from the collection, the Black Velvet Apricot scent, is an intriguing blend in deliciously gothic-like packaging. From $8, at The Body Shop.

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Get Loose: Casual Red Carpet Hair

There's something quite pretty about Kate Hudson's undone hair paired with a dramatic red carpet gown at world premiere of Nine in London. Since it looks like braids are sticking around for Spring 2010 (we saw messy side braids at Alexander Wang Spring and ribbon-weaved country milkmaid rows at Oscar de la Renta), we might as well learn a thing or two about doing the twist. Celebrity hairdresser David Babaii orchestrated the look, following these steps.

Bababii worked a dime-size amount of David Babaii for WildAid Hair Polish (this smells insanely good) into Hudson's hair. Prior to blow-drying, he parted her hair into four sections, leaving the nape area free. Each section was smoothed, with a "soft rounded finish" given to ends. He then sprayed roots with the WildAid Volcanic Ash Root Amplifier (this really works!) to boost volume.

Finally, Babii French braided Hudson's shorter layers alongside her face, setting with the brand's Mise en Plis Light Styling Spray. Disclaimer: No one's promising you'll look as effortless as Kate.

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Spotted: Chanel Particulière

Hot of the press: I've finally seen Chanel's latest darling, a fawnish, almost milky-coffee grey nail polish aptly named Particulière in person. There's no detectable purple here, despite what previous reports have said. It's flat, shimmer free(!) and super-shiny—just the way I like my polish. Pardon the fingerprints—but all the Elle Canada editors needed to get a closer look. One editor even tried it on, and the finish was remarkably similar to OPI's You Don't Know Jacques. Available January 16th at department stores. That is, if you're lucky enough to get your hands on it.

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Formula One

With sparkly shoes and paillette-adorned frocks taking up the prime real estate in store windows, there's also a minefield of heavy metal makeup to sift through this season. Shimmer was a huge trend this fall, appearing at shows like Oscar de la Renta, Donna Karan, Givenchy, Prada and Lanvin. I recently spoke with Toronto-based makeup artist Sheri Stroh about tips and tricks for sporting some sparkle and shine. Here, she discusses what to look for when choosing the right formula.

"Cream shadows that dry are great because they can be applied and blended with your fingers so you get the concentration you want," says Shroh. They're also great choices when it comes to staying powder, especially when applied underneath a powder shadow.

Powders are easiest to apply, says Stroh. Apply them with a natural hair stiff brush that's flat with a tapered end—it gives greater control to deposit the sparkling pigment. "You can also layer them for more intensity or dip a liner brush in water to mimic the look of a 'soft' liquid liner."

Metallic pencils create a "quick and perfect smoky eye," says Stroh. Look for soft, smudgy formulas that can be applied close to the lash line for definition. Liquids take a little mastery, so Stroh likes gel-based ones for their smooth consistencies.

My favourite products that bestow the perfect dose of sheen, by category.


CREAMS

Shiseido The Makeup Hydro-Powder Eye Shadow in 'White Lights.'
This dewy white shadow instantly brightens eyes and distracts from other skin woes. $24 CDN, at Sephora.


Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow/Liner in 'Birthday Suit.'
A go-to shadow that always looks gorgeous, and an unassuming muted, chrome neutral that works easily with a wide range of other shades. $19 CDN, at Sephora.

If you love silver shadow, you must read Beauty Editor.ca's review of Thierry Mugler Ombre Stellaire Mono Eye Shadow in Mercury. Seriously. She's a convert.


PENCILS

The Body Shop Metallic Eye Definer in 'Shimmering Steel.'
The right balance between cream and super-soft powder, this smudges easily into the lash line and looks surprisingly awesome beneath lower lashes. $11 CDN, at The Body Shop.



Nars Glittery Pencil in 'Le Sept.'
It's my long-standing favourite for its chubby stick, buttery-texture and well-into-the-night longevity. One easy swipe calls for an otherwise neutral face. $19 CDN, at Sephora.

LIQUIDS

Givenchy Parad'Eyes Parad'eyes Liner 'Mauve Impression' (from their Spring 2010 collection.)
The super-smooth, watery formula sets quickly, but leaves a sheer wash of colour blended with finely-milled silver sparkle. $31, available exclusively at Sephora.


Stila Smudge Pot in 'Jade.'
While technically a true 'gel' liner, it's easily one of my favourite formulas for a liquid liner effect. I'm equally enamoured with the black, bright cobalt and smoky grey shades. $20, at Sephora.

To read my "Gilty Pleasures" story for ElleCanada.com with more wicked tips from Stroh, click here.

Images via: Style.com, Sephora.com, BodyShop.ca, Stila, Givenchy

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Gilt Trip

I know what you're thinking. She's flogging shimmer? Someone must have spiked her eggnog latte. But this product—despite it's sticky family pedigree and heavy peppering of golden flecks, the memories of dance recitals and stretchy candy pink leotards came flooding back and I couldn't stop myself from becoming a member of the Frederic Fekkai Golden Shimmer Gelée Mist club. Let me explain: there's no stench. No stick. In fact, it smells like coconut oil mixed with a classic fragrance that I can't put my finger on. The hold? Super flexible, not controlling or too gripping like most gels. The non-aerosol pump allows for targeted shooting, so you're not showering yourself in a web of twinkle twinkle. Bonus: it's surprisingly pretty gently sprayed on shoulders. That being said, if you're a girl with a hunger for all things shimmery and craving hardcore hair hold, you may find yourself a little disappointed with this product. Frederic Fekkai Golden Shimmer Gelée Mist, $25 CDN, at Sephora.

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This is an Open Love Letter

To Asmeret Ghebreslassie. She's currently an aesthetician at Sweetgrass Spa (111 Queen St. E, Toronto, 416-368-5300), but has frequented a number of spas in her tenure as the city's master of manis. She grew up wanting to do makeup, but forayed into the wild world of facials, pedicures and waxing and never looked back. Her favourite treatments are facials "they're so relaxing" and performing pedicures "I just love seeing the transformation, because it's dramatic." And she's right about the total makeover—my nails have NEVER looked better after a session with her. Never. A manicure with her is both relaxing and fun—she'll engage you in fun conversation, but isn't pushy or keen on filling the air with boring chit chat or forced niceties. But more importantly, her attending to detail is A S T O U N D I N G. I've never seen a buffing block used so gently and effectively to softly sand away stubborn cuticles (after a double serving of Dr. Hauschka Neem Nail Oil) or seen someone apply smoky grey (OPI You Don't Know Jacques) polish with such effortless ease and incredible concentration. The shape—square with a rounded edge—looked modern, not matronly. One experience with her left me feeling like I could leave myself in any other hands. I left with a zillion tips for extending my manicure's stay, but these five stood out most. Read about them in my Holiday Beauty Prep story for Elle Canada.com.
Image via Imaxtree.

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