It’s quite a feat to look a bit aged in the presence of Karl Lagerfeld, the great gran da of the fashion world, but Florence Welch seems to have gotten it down.

She’s only 24, but consistently appears older than she is and I believe I’ve clapped down the reason for many of her aged looks – that damn lipstick and oftentimes the heavy eye.  Girl needs to lighten up with the cosmetics!

I’m having a hell of a time finding a photo of her with lighter makeup on lips and eyes, but I’ve finally done it! See how much more flattering a lighter lip and naked eyes are on her features? Damn, what a difference.

I was sent a package of MyFaceWorks products a while ago, and am officially miffed with myself that it took this long to begin to try out the products inside.

Last night was my first ever usage of a MyFaceWorks product, and while I’d heard people’s ‘ohmygawd I love that product’ confessionals, I’m not one to believe idle internet chatter.

Last night I peeled the I Need A Clear Day mask out of its package, and applied it to my face.  After getting over the ‘I look like Hannibal Lecter’ hump, I set my timer for 20 minutes and continued about my evening amusements.

The smell of the mask was immediately noticeable; it was moderate, yet was a pleasant scent.  You could pick up different notes of ingredients, yet it wasn’t pungent or unpleasant.  As minutes passed, I could feel a delightful cooling of my skin and a light softening.  After the full 20 had passed, I peeled off the mask and wiped any excess drip over my face to prevent wastage.

It was when I woke up the next morning that I had a pleasant surprise; my skin had visibly calmed from the day before.  My face’s epidermis is historically a fit thrower; it’s prone to dryness, oiliness and acne, and typically never feels calmed.  When I woke, redness was noticeably reduced, and my skin still felt softer – it was brilliant!

I can solidly recommend this product for both men and women; there is nothing that gender flags this product for use by ladies only.  As men with problem skin [typically] do not wear makeup, products like this that create a visible difference overnight can be just what one needs to begin damage repair.

Verdict: I can’t wait to try the rest of the MyFaceWorks collection.

According to celebrity MUA Debra Macki’s recent tweet, over tweezed eyebrows make you look like you have a ‘fuller face’ (ie. fatter) and should therefore be avoided.  I’m not sold on the chunk factor, though thin eyebrows almost certainly make you look older and instantly more haggard.  If you have doubts about that, take a gander at ‘ol Pam Anderson – she’s a poster woman for gone too far brows.

Thin eyebrows should have gone the way of lip liner – gone a long time ago.  If you think of the women you see with the most lust worthy brow action, you see some of the most beautiful faces of our age – Jennifer Connelly, Natalia Vodianova, tween queen Camilla Belle (who is totally channeling the Brooke Shields brows from ’1980).  These are all women of varying ages, yet they all have the same youthful radiance and rather intense brows.

This does not mean that your thickies should remain untamed; quite the opposite.  Thick brows must be shaped (ideally by a professional), and trimmed for hair length at certain hot spots.  While models may be high tailing it down the runway in brows that look like flames licking their forehead, it’s certainly not a look one wants IRL.

I recently had my brows done up by Bombay Brow Bar; if you’re in Vancouver and are keen on threading, these ladies can do a mean brow shape! Keep your sizeable brows groomed and you will look magnificent – no chance of looking chubby faced or stretched too thinly!

I thought I had a loose grasp of what my skin was up to, but until I stopped by Dermalogica for a face mapping.  If you’ve never had one, it’s a sit down with a Dermalogica professional while they take a look at certain areas of skin on your face.  I had no idea there were so many elements to be aware of, and that there could be so many different types of skin on your face.

Check out the image of the face map below; there are 14 areas of skin on your face, 14 areas in which you could have trouble that may require different treatment.  One of the items which I took for granted was that not all of your face requires the same treatment; for instance, one area may be oily and another be dry.  Those with acne-prone or oily skin know that treatment for those symptoms tend to be drying  – precisely the opposite of what dry skin requires.

Dermalogica’s face map takes an in depth look at those 14 areas and diagnoses what (if any) attention is needed at each of those areas.  While the face map takes place, you are also provided with recommended products from 8 product systems - AGE smart (anti-aging), UltraCalming (calms irritation), mediBac Clearing (for acne prone skin) and ChromaWhite TRX (skin brightening) to name a few of the major players.

For each of your areas, you are given a list (which thankfully includes an image of the face and its 14 areas) of products, and an area for the dermatologist to write which area (1, 2 and 3 for example).  For instance, I was suggested a moisturizing area for 1 and 3, while I needed a few products from the UltraCalming for 2, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 12.  Bear in mind, this is a very basic rendition of our discussion; I was also educated on product layering for proper skin treatment.

Even if you think you know what’s going on with your face, come in and have your own face mapped.. it’s worth the time spent and is quite educational.  There are so many products in the Dermalogica family, it’s overwhelming to explore without some understanding of the systems and what each one can do for you.  Trust me, it’s a talk you’re going to be glad you had.

If the concept of paper eyelashes seems a little far out for you to be real, think again – these are environmentally friendly statements that are not only for extreme looks, but perfect for Halloween costuming.

If you were thinking these would be perfect for a Lady Gaga (or similar) costume, you would be correct. While she hasn’t been reported to wear the Ting Yu Wang designed paper lashes, the extraordinary appearance and effect would be right on target.

Vancouverites are incredibly lucky that Noir Lash Lounge is offering service to work with these pieces, which retail affordably at $21 – $23 CA per pair.  If you’re not in YVR, check your local lash boutiques and see if they’re offering paper lash treatments.. let’s hope so!

That’s right, Lady Gaga has signed a deal with Coty Fragrances to create her own stank for everyone to throw their bodies and dollars at.  The news of the deal itself isn’t shocking, though one has to wonder what it will be called and how she will be promoting it.

One does have to wonder what The Gaga will design her smell around, because it’s doubtful Coty would want to smell like a post coital crotch.  We’ll have to wait till 2012 to smell this stuff, though.. the suspense!

It’s one of the most fabulous team ups seen in Vancouver, and it’s happening again on September 18th – Bombay Brow Bar is teaming up with Noir Lash Lounge to provide brow treatments to Noir customers on location.

As a bonus, you’ll be getting a free gift with a Bombshell Brow session.. all unibrows and overwaxers need stop by! Yes, even the boys.. this event is not gender specific.

The event is being held at Noir’s South Granville location [Googlemap], so be there on the 18th or be incredibly dowdy in fall (cue screams)

Vancouver’s Zinc salon is holding a Brazilian Blowout event open house, which will include an information session, a contest to win a free Brazilian Blowout treatment and coupons provided for 50% off a Blowout (only provided on the night of the session)

WHEN: Wednesday, September 1 from 6 – 8PM
WHERE: Zinc Salon [Googlemap]
WHY: 50% off treatment coupon, information session and meet the rad folks at Zinc! I’ve only let them touch my hair for the last 2 years, so they’re worth a gander.

Call Natasha or Dawn [at 604-874-2800] to RSVP, and check out the event on Crackbook.

M.A.C. was insensitive to the obvious plight of Mexican women in Juárez, and has decided to not ship their upcoming cosmetic collab with Rodarte.

They’re still donating the projected proceeds from the sales of the Rodarte collection to the women of Juárez (a charity has not been chosen as of yet), though for an unknown reason they feel this uproar was a deal breaker for the collection sale.

Yeah, M.A.C. could have been more sensitive.  Sure, these things could have been thought out before release and definitely avoided, but the bottom line is M.A.C. could have rebounded from this slip quite easily with half an effort.

Selfridges created a gallows where a McQueen creation hung only days after his passing [from hanging] and Barneys featured a bloody shooting display, but they didn’t close up shop – they met the public’s disdain head on, and continued to run their business.

At the end of the day, because the public wasn’t handled with their usual kid gloves, M.A.C.’s complete Rodarte campaign has gone down the toilet.

Lady Gaga continues her never ending cover take over with Vanity Fair’s September 2010 cover, and we get a little something new for our nails – Deborah Lippman’s Waking Up In Vegas lacquer.

We know that greige is still enjoying its status of color of the moment, and Lippmann’s Vegas color offers a bit of trend and star quality.  After all, it’s been on Gaga’s fingernails while she channeled a greying ’60s bombshell – that’s pretty awesome.

Greige can’t be for everyone, so there is a new color for the rest who prefer colors - Bad Romance ($18), a glitterly blackened fuchsia named after Gaga’s eponymous song.

I do occasional hair shows in Vancouver (that’s my head about a year ago) with Zinc.  I’ve practically lived at that salon for the last two years, owing to the monthly cuts and colors they do for me, and [as you can see] they’re quite fantastic at what they do.

Right now, Zinc is looking for ladies willing to be hair models.  This is a rad opportunity to get a modern new ‘do, get it for free and get the Zinc experience.  The stylists are learning, though the entire process is closely oversaw and the results are beyond what you expect.

Heck, I even took my mom in to get a model cut last year and she was incredibly happy – that’s a feat.

The days for cuts are Monday Aug 9 & Tuesday Aug 10.  To book a consultation,  call Dawn or Natasha ASAP @ 1-604-874-2800.

In three teeny days, Vancouver’s most favorite brow treatment Bombay Brow Bar will be at the luxe Noir Lash Lounge‘s South Granville location [Googlemap] to provide free brow treatments from 1 – 4PM.  Yeah – you get a free Bombshell Brow treatment, just for swinging by.

This event is for anyone - new faces, those already clients and anyone in between who has been wondering what it would be like to catch a treatment at either of these fine establishments.  You don’t need an appointment, either – just get your overgrown brows over to Noir good an early so you secure a spot in the threading assembly line!

ALSO - I strongly encourage guys to swing by to tame their unibrow or just avoid douche-tacular overwaxing.

Vancouver hair stylist Dan Nguyen is bringing big things to the world of fashion, most recently by assisting master stylist Oribe for the Armani Privé FW11 couture runway show.  He was personally requested by Oribe, with whom he had worked with at past shows – a testament to his skill.

For a day to day taste of his work, Dan owns LURE Salon in Vancouver, located centrally on Howe Street [Googlemap].  Being that Vancouver is quite a small city, it’s always exciting to see creative talent do well on a global stage; especially when it means a Privé  show.

One can only imagine what Dan is going to get up to next!

Electric makeup is good for the soul.  Really.

It may be ridiculous,  but it’s fun.  Fun makes you happy, and happiness is great for your mind and look.

Scope the electric yellow gloss ($21.50), purple nail lacquer ($14.50), and the light grey loose shadow ($23.50).  The pigments used go along with their FW10 color palette, which means the colors compliment their upcoming range.

Handy, handy!

Starting August 2010, Joe Fresh cosmetics will be featuring a new product – Lip Glass.

This gloss is being passed as a stick-free lip gloss, in 12 shades for $6 CA each (or two tubes for $10).  All 12 shades are shown in the image below, ranging from clear to a delicious wine wildberry shade.  The jury is still out whether they’re actually stick-free, but I’ll let you know as soon as I find out.

Traveling can be hard on your skin, especially when you’re up early after late nights and being assaulted by the sun.  Nivea‘s travel size creme has been saving my life, and for only $1 CA per pot.

If you’re going on holiday, grab a few of these babies and apply under your eyes, around your mouth and on any forehead lines.  This way you can keep your trouble spots moisturized so lines don’t get any worse and the skin can recover.

To add to the celebration of Mark Fast’s knit installation at Luminato for Lancôme, Fast has collaborated with Lancôme MUA Lora Spiga to create lip shade Fast Kisses.

The lip color will only be available at the Lancôme counter at The Bay Queen in Toronto and online from June 17-19, until stock runs out.  If you’re in TO on June 17, you also have a chance to meet both Lora and Mark themselves (from 5-6 PM) – quite the opportunity, indeed!

The makeup was designed to be an extension of the knitwear to create a complete look; check out the installation, grab the lip color and live Fast.

Gay or straight, over waxing eyebrows makes you look ridiculous.

Check out the photo of the guy to the left.  Instead of the perfect teeth and immaculate complexion, you notice the she-brows.  These aren’t even the worst of what’s out there.. some fellows out there are looking like the lovechild of Spock and Pam Anderson.

It’s time to stop over waxing, guys.  If you’re naturally laden with two bushes over each eye, get them professionally waxed or threaded by someone who doesn’t go (or have a boyfriend that goes) to a douchebag bar.

If you’re in Vancouver, check out Bombay Brow Bar.  If you’re embarrassed, just remember that the alternative is a hell of a lot more humiliating.

Lest we forget, makeup is for those with imperfect skin.  I know that Queen Latif and Drew B have no pores (even in their close ups), but this is the real world without overhead lighting and a personal makeup artist, and this is the world where people have zits.

As a chronic concealer, I’ve used countless brands of both drugstore and designer makeup over the years.  I’ve applied using my own hand, sponges, brushes; you name it, I’ve used it.  The trouble with those without a Chanel cosmetic budget is there isn’t much in between – you have drugstore and MAC, yet nothing in between.  When MAC isn’t in the financial cards, drugstore is where we turn.

Covergirl’s Clean Makeup delivers half its promise in delivering a lightweight, anti pore clogging formula, but makeup that sits on your skin well that can’t cover up it’s angry spots isn’t a sell.

When applying it to the skin, it’s amazing ’till you get to that one pain in the rear zit, then it’s all over.  Unless you bust out another product (more $$, of course), you’ll end up with a oddly colored dot on your face after everything dries… you may as well fly the “YEP! The hormones are raging, thanks for noticing!” flag over your head.

Clean Makeup is fantastic for skin that is largely under control; skin that could be taken care of with a heavier powder – not skin that is feisty, which is the kind of epidermis that needs lightweight, oil free makeup in the first place. While one can’t be incredibly fussy with foundation that comes from under the high street brands, there is something about cosmetic brands blatantly lying to you during their commercial spots that aggravates enough to moan about it in reviews (lashes 50% thicker? PAH!)

Covergirl, it’s time to go back to the drawing board with this one.

Summer is all about your skin looking at least a little less pasty than you’re used to being, and with all of the terrible exposure that comes with both unprotected sun exposure and tanning beds, one should be aware of affordable summer bronzers.

Even if you’re not into artificially coloring yourself, it’s good to be aware of what’s out there.  You can get sample to try by going into any cosmetic shop that sells the items, and see what it looks like when it’s actually on your skin.  Things have a way of looking radically different when they’re actually on you, so it’s good to give things a test whirl, better when the test whirl is free.

Sephora’s bronzing sampler is an excellent kit for those either attempting bronzing for the first time, or established self colorists that want to grab a super deal to amp up their skin tinting arsenal.  The Sephora kit is only $39; a $113 value, and includes the following:

- 0.02 oz Bare Escentuals bareMinerals All Over Face Color in Faux Tan
- 0.17 oz Josie Maran Bronzing Argan Oil
- 0.04 oz Lorac Tantalizer Baked Bronzer in Golden Bronze
- 0.08 oz Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzing Powder
- 0.16 oz SEPHORA COLLECTION Nail Polish in Bright Red
- 0.09 oz Benefit High Beam
- 0.08 oz TEMPTU RETOUCH Highlighter in Gold
- 0.2 oz Smashbox Artificial Light Illuminating Lotion in Glow
- 0.09 oz Tarte EmphasEYES Waterproof Clay Shadow Liner in Bronze
- 0.39 oz Korres Monoi Oil Bronzing Powder in Sunglow Light