Model's Own Raspberry Crush

I love this bright raspberry color of nail polish! It's not red, it's not pink, it's perfectly raspberry - something in between. The formula is very smooth and opaque in two coats with a lovely cream finish. I just love this for spring and especially for summer when I want to go for a punch of color on my nails. Model's Own is a UK drugstore brand, but is available for order on their website  (rather high shipping costs, I ordered mine during a sale) and some limited shades also also available from Asos.

What's on your nails right now? Share in comments. :)

We all had to start somewhere...

I got a kick out of these old makeup pictures I found from 2006, when I initially began to do my FOTD (Face of the Day) posts on Specktra. It's sort of funny to look back to see where you came from and how one's skills have improved over time. Here's some of my "favorite" horrendous looks.

Trying to do a pin-up look with very uneven eyeliner.

I don't even know what this was...it was at this point I entirely wrote off purple eyeshadow! Now I love it.

Really odd color placement and combination - well at least I was branching out!

WAT!

Haha! I hope you got a kick out of this as much as I did. Just remember, no master has ever fallen out of the sky - you learn the most by experimenting and making mistakes. Take pictures of your looks, you'll look back on them someday and laugh like I did. :)

Arabian Nights Makeup

Please do not re-distribute, alter or re-host any of my content including pictures

without prior permission from myself. Copyright © 2011

This is a look that I have had in mind for a few days now - I wanted to do a modern spin on the Arab makeup style and incorporate some color without it being overbearing. I used cool toned brown and gray shades on the top lid, and teal on the bottom to create an interesting mix of neutrals and colors. The dramatic winged liner is off-set with white for contrast. Since the eyes are the dominant part of this look, I went for a natural shade on the lips, although you could combine this with a bright lip as well if you want to go for extra drama.

Face

Lancome Teint Idole, Neutrogena Healthy Skin, Barry M Natural Dazzle bronzer, MAC Stereo Rose, MAC Shimpagne,

Eyes

Urban Decay Primer Potion, MAC Greasepaint Stick Slick Black, Catrice eyeshadows in Gray's Philosophy 270, Go Charlie Brown 80, I am a Coal Girl 260, It's a Girl 240 and Petrol Keeps Me Running, Rimmel Jungle Green eyeliner, Catrice gel eyeliner in black, Sugarpill eyeshadow in Bulletproof, La Femme cake eyeliner in White, Maybelline kohl pencil in white, Essence Multiaction mascara, Lancome Maquicomplet concealer in Ivoire, Red Cherry lashes Nr. 203

Lips

Revlon Colorburst lipstick in Blush, Revlon lipgloss in Peach Petal

Nails
Catrice - Mona Lisa is Staring Back

Watch the tutorial on Youtube

World Cities: Moscow

I'm back to making videos after a break (I got really sick for about a week and lost my voice, then I just got really busy and my mom visited for a few days.) This look is part of my World City Looks series, this time inspired by Moscow. At first I wanted to do something colorful inspired by the Red Square, but the more I thought about it, the more I was intrigued by the concept of long and cold Russian winter nights, stomping through the snow, fur hats and Dr. Zhivago. I decided to go for an intense, smoldering navy blue eye, and to not make it look gothic, paired it with juicy looking stained lips and in-from-the-cold cheeks.

Face
Neutrogena Healthy Skin in Natural Ivory foundation, Lancome Blush Subtil in Highlighting Rose, Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector, Estee Lauder Shimmering face powder in Light Snow

Eyes
Urban Decay Primer Potion, MAC Greasepaint stick in Slick Black, Lancome Ombre Absolu in Black Blue, Ben Nye Toast, Lancome Kohl pencil Gris Bleu, P2 Open Your Eyes eye brightener, NYX Aloha, MAX Factor False Lash Effect mascara

Lips
Nars Lip Lacquer in Diablo, MAC Lipglass in clear

Nailpolish
Anny - Wicked

Click here to watch the video tutorial on Youtube!

Weightloss Update: 10kg (22 pounds) lost

Today is a bit of a personal blog entry for me regarding my weightloss journey. Since about the second week in January 2011 I made a big change to my overall diet and also began regular exercise. I was more determined than ever to make a change in my life and get back into shape, improve my overall health, and fit back into my old clothes again.

About a week ago I reached my first goal: 10kg lost (22 pounds)! I've also lost about 3 dress sizes since then. I was so happy when I finally brought up my suitcase from the basement of clothes I used to wear 5 years ago in Montreal when I was going to university - especially my "skinny jeans" from Guess that I love.

I filmed this video right after trying on all my old clothes, and I was just overwhelmed with emotions. Hopefully this is inspirational and helpful for someone else out there who is on their own weightloss journey. Remember the best reason to start losing weight is because you want to do it for yourself, not to impress other people, to be attractive to others, or because of peer pressure.

I think for me the time was right because I was happy with pretty much all other aspects of my life: My career is going amazingly well, I have great people and friends in my life, I feel successful and confident. The only thing I wasn't happy with is the excess weight I was carrying around, not feeling good in my clothes, and just feeling so out of shape physically. I gave myself a big kick in the butt and said to myself, it's now or never!

I wanted to share this little update with you all. I still haven't reached my ultimate goal, but I feel great and I know I'm on the right track. My next step is doing strength and resistance training, so this week I want to go out and buy some weights for my arms, and an exercise mat to start doing floor exercises to start toning. I'm actually looking forward to that!! Never thought I'd say that. I don't love exercising, but I can't wait to have a beach-ready body for holidays in September to Sardinia, Italy.

Check out my video, I hope it can inspire and motivate someone else! Never give up on yourself, don't settle if you're unhappy with the way you look, it's never too late to start making a change.

Link to my video on Youtube

I filmed a few other videos on what I have done, how I eat, what kinds of meals I prepare, etc. If you missed those and are interested click here.

Christian Dior Spring Summer 2011 Makeup + $200 Sephora giveaway

 

This look was inspired by the Christian Dior Spring/Summer 2011 runway show makeup. I loved how bright and colorful the images looked, but also how simple they were. The best part is that I used all drugstore makeup products to achieve the look (except for one.) Here's the inspiration picture I used:

Check out my video below on how I achieved this look! It's really easy actually...

Face
Revlon Colorstay foundation in Ivory, Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation in Natural Ivory, MAC MSF in Stereo Rose

Eyes
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk, Catrice Don't Drink and Dive e/s, Catrice black gel eyeliner, Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara, Catrice Go Charlie Brown e/s, Max Factor kohl pencil in Natural Glaze

Lips
NYX Femme lipstick, Revlon Colorburst lipgloss in Papaya

Nailpolish
Barry M - 119 Baby Pink

Win a $200 Goodie Bag from Sephora!

This video is also a collaboration with the The Frugalicious Show on Youtube , a great channel focused on tips and tricks on how to save money in daily life, also how to save on beauty products. Pretty perfect in this economy, huh?

They are doing a giveaway on their channel right now for $200 worth of department store makeup from Sephora.com, handpicked by myself of course! Here's what you can win:

Nars Blush in Deep Throat
Sephora Deluxe Fragrance Sampler for her (bestselling perfumes)
Urban Decay Book of Shadows
Sephora Give Me Some Lip Sampler (bestselling lip products)
Sephora by OPI Polish in Metro Chic
Sephora by OPI Polish in Read My Palm

You must be subscribed to BOTH our channels to participate. The contest is open worldwide, you must favorite their video and leave a comment on their giveaway video on Youtube to be entered (commenting on this blog entry does not work.) A winner will be drawn at random by the Frugalicious Show. The contest ends on April 20, 2011. Make sure to check out their video below to enter! The winner will be announced on the Frugalicious channel only.

My video tutorial on Youtube
TheFrugaliciousShow giveaway

Defined Natural Loose Waves Hair Tutorial

This hair style is so simple, elegant yet still laid-back that takes me about 10-15 minutes to accomplish - tops! I've worn my hair like this in a few videos now and I always got a lot of compliments from my viewers, and people asking me how I did my hair. It's so easy that I almost felt silly making a tutorial about it, but since I had many requests, I thought why not? I personally love hair styles that look effortless, especially when they are so quick and simple to do!

All you will need is a 1", 1 1/2" or a 2" barrel curling wand. I've tried it with different sizes, and the 2" one looks a lot looser but also quite nice. For this I used my 1" Enzo Milano, but you can also use a regular curling iron with the clip, and just ignore the clip and wind your hair around the whole barrel. For finishing product I used the KMS Head Wetter Shine and Define Spray. It's a very light gel-texture hair pomade that adds a lot of shine without making the hair crunchy or heavy.

Nailpolish I'm wearing: Illamasqua "Load"
Lipstick: MAC Impassioned

Link to the video on Youtube here