House of Harlow and Jeffrey Campbell Shoes

First of all I apologize for the dreadful quality of the first two photos. I took them with my blackberry while I was pre-shopping at Holt Renfrew today. 
So the first two photos are shoes from House of Harlow which I just could not take my eyes off of! I love the fur on the black booties and my goodness are they comfortable to walk in! These would look perfect with my army green 7Seven jeans (that I will post later I promise) and my Heartloom fur vest. YUM! 
[why does everything have to be related to food? honestly!] 
The brown heeled loafers (well that's a little contradictory isn't it) are my favourite. That metal sort of copper detail on the platform part of the shoe makes my heart race. Uh Oh! Heart attack.... sigh. Can you just imagine those with a gorgeous cropped boyfriend jean or just a dark wash skinny jean. 
The third bootie is from Jeffrey Campbell. Now this caught my eye because of the spikes on the heel. I have a thing with spikes whether on shoes (the Jean-Paul Gaultier for Doc Martens seen in Britney Spears' music video) bags, or jackets. I would totally pair this bootie with something really clean-cut on top just to make a nice contrast. Anyway I don't think I will be buying the Jeffrey Campbell booties because they make my feet like massive. Since I'm so petite I look disproportionate. Such a pity...
There you go my shoe lusts for the moment, or should I say for the day ;)

Pre-shopping vs. window shopping

Do any of you pre-shop instead of window shop? OK maybe I should explain the difference.
Think about it this way: window shopping is when one drools in front of all the wonderful things seen in display windows. technically you aren't even really walking into the stores but rather DYING over the things you wish to have. I've seen people almost going into cardiac arrest!!!!!!!! No seriously sometimes you just cannot resist and the window shopping turns into actual shopping because temptation has devilishly taken over your mind!
Pre-shopping is what I have learned to do over the years.... YES years. Pre-shopping has three steps:
1. THINK about what it is you are looking for
2. SEARCH the internet for the perfect item(s)
3. GO to the store, try it on, see what it looks like in real life.
This process has helped me decide on what was worth buying and what was worth waiting for or even forgetting about.
Do you REALLY need these amazing leopard-print booties? In theory yes of course; your collection of shoes needs to be updated regularly. HOWEVER, maybe there is a better pair somewhere, and get this, with a discount.
Talk about CyberMonday... I am going NUTS here! SO many great deals!
Breathe...
Anyway, think about the concept of pre-shopping! You might get something out of it!

MAC Eyebrow Pencil

Are you tired of having uneven eyebrows, sparse hairs, having difficulty applying eyebrow powder, finding the right colour? Pencils are great but you have to sharpen them and make the colour isn't too dark (if you are a brunette, or redhead) to light (if you are a blonde).
MAC eyebrow pencils have a great range of colours suited to every hair colour. This pencil is also self sharpening, and perfectly defines and fills in those unruly brows while looking completely natural. It is very easy to use; all you need to do is apply light strokes from root to tip and brush through with a spooly.
I am a brunette (off-black almost) which means if I use black my brows will look to harsh. Spiked is the perfect colour for my brow hair colour.

MAC Spiked Eyebrow Pencil US $15

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

Winter has freshly arrived and -40 degree weather is on its way. Cold weather and ice chilled wind means  the poor skin on your face needs extra care. Yes we all use moisturizer; is that enough for the harsh winter weather? You may not have thought of this but primer may be the answer to your skin's prayers.
Laura Mercier Oil Free foundation primer is a water-based colourless gel that helps prime your skin for foundation. This primer also acts in a way to slightly minimize pores and blemishes without a sticky or tugging feeling on the skin.
I have been using this primer for about two weeks now and clearly notice my foundation stays on perfectly all day. My skin has a healthy natural glow, feels softer, and is not greasy at the end of the day. This primer is perfect if you tend to break-out or simply have an oily t-zone.
Try storing your primer in the fridge! It will reduce puffiness when you apply your makeup in the morning.
The next step would be to try a primer for the eyes like Urban Decay primer potion. I have heard rave reviews about this product and cannot wait to try it out!

Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation Primer US $30

Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual

I just bought the Bobbi Brown Makeup Manual today! So excited to learn tips and tricks from one of the most renowned makeup artists in the world! My mom had got me one of her first books about teenage beauty (when I was in high school and just started wearing makeup). I love Bobbi Brown makeup, it was the first brand I ever used for concealer, eyeshadows and mascara! This book will really give me inspiration for whatever kind of look I want to do! Bobbi Brown also explains how to apply eyeshadows for the kind of eye shape you have. Anyway take a look and you'll see... every girl needs a great manual on makeup like this! Thanks Bobbi!

Smokey Eyes

Here's my smokey eye tutorial on my version of a smokey eye :) The products I used are in the description box below :) Hope you enjoy! Don't forget to comment, like, subscribe!

Love & Beauty for Forever21

Yesterday I randomly decided to take a tour at Forever21. I was browsing and didn't really find any clothes I liked but OH did I find the cutest eyeshadow palette and eyelash curler!!!!!! While I'm waiting for my Sedona Lace palette I decided to buy this Love & Beauty palette. The colours are quite basic but there are some shimmery and matte ones. I can definitely do a lot with these colours!
The eyelash curler is well... an eyelash curler. I loved the rhinestones though :) A girl needs a little glam in her makeup tool collection right?
I am uploading a smokey eye tutorial on my YouTube channel(www.youtube.com/AlixStylist) right now using the Love & Beauty palette. I hope you like it and don't forget to check out my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AlixBStylist
Cheers!

Sedona Lace Makeup

Montreal, November 13th, 2011

Honestly am I the only person who does NOT own Sedona lace brushes or an eyeshadow palette? how did I NOT know about this before? Well I did through YouTube... but I never really thought of buying one! Somehow I always thought that the eyeshadows I got through "gift with purchase" were enough. Obviously I have been missing out... BIG time. 

I have decided to buy the 168 Pro Full Colour Eyeshadow Palette and the 12 Piece Professional Makeup Brushes in Pink.  

I have been shopping for about 2 weeks now for a new brush set. I looked at MAC and Bobbi Brown and Sigma... Honestly they are quite expensive and did not find a full set of eye and face brushes. The eyeshadow palette is just extraordinary. It has shimmery and matte shadows in every possible colour a girl  could want! I don't think I will have to buy another eyeshadow palette in a long time after I receive this one!
I was also contemplating buying the Naked Palette by Urban Decay (which everyone seems to have on YouTube). I honestly do not think I will buy it because 168 eyeshadows takes the cake on the what... 8 or 9 shadows the Naked Palette has!
As soon as I receive these beauties I will do a tutorial on how to do a few looks with the palette and which brushes I use.
Stay tuned and definitely give me some feedback on Sedona Lace (even if I'm pretty much sold).

Soft Waves

Frédéric Fekkai

November 8th, 2011

If you have never used Frédéric Fekkai luxurious hair products, you are in for a treat! As for skin care, hair care is very important to have a clean polished look. 

Now ladies, we all use the blow dryer, the hair straightener, the curling iron, and hot rollers! Before using any of those tools, use a heat protectant to prevent any damage to your hair caused by the heat.

I prefer using a spray than a cream because it does not feel like I am wearing product in my hair. 

Apply this Fekkai heat and uv protectant to damp hair and brush through to get the product all over your hair. Then style as you usually would! 

Also check out Sheer Hold Hairspray from Fekkai. It is the ultimate holding spray and does not leave hair feeling sticky or crusty.