A Few of Her Most Beautiful Things

By Alannah O’Neill

Queen Latifah is one of those rare celebrities who’s so recognizable that everyone feels like they know her intimately. It’s not surprising, considering her resume reads like a pop culture guide– first lady of hip hop turned television personality and Oscar nominated movie star. In spite of these high profile accomplishments, Latifah is a celebrity who doesn’t disappoint: her off-screen personality is as enigmatic and warm as her on-screen characters. I recently had a couple minutes to sit down and chat with the COVERGIRL model while she made a brief stop off in town to host the Second Annual P&G Beauty and Grooming Awards. Read the rest of this entry

No sun? No problem. It’s time to eat in Grenada.

Grenada in the sunshine -- Not what I saw this morning

By Jennifer Weatherhead

I wouldn’t say that I am the beach-type person, but when I found out that I would be going to Grenada at the end of November, I was honestly over the moon excited. November is just such a blah kind of month, so the chance to soak up some rays and chill on a beach pre-holiday rush seemed like a heavenly idea. I just landed on the island last night, all set to situate myself on the beach come morning with my laptop and a good book, only to wake up and not see a speck of sunshine. It’s raining — actually, more like a steady down pour.
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Image courtesy of Women's Wear Daily

Christian Louboutin has taken investment dressing to new heights with ‘Peace of Shoe.’ Inspired by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus‘ Creating A World Without Poverty, the shoe designer produced a limited-edition look to benefit microfinance on behalf of the Grameen Foundation. All proceeds from the sale of the shoes aid the nonprofit organization – a leader in the fight against poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East/North Africa and the Americas – in providing small loans to individuals, especially women, seeking to establish or expand small and self-sufficient businesses. The silk peep-toe platforms retail for US$1,495, and are available in different colours in three of Louboutin’s stateside stores: pink in Los Angeles, lavender in Miami and champagne in New York. Fashionable philanthropy? I’m soled!

By Lauren Grosberg, Image courtesy of WWD

I realize this post is more relevant to Jennifer Weatherhead’s Beauty Wish list, but I couldn’t resist talking about it. After all, I’m fanatical about a lot of things, especially sexy trinkets that would look beautiful on my vanity, or in my party clutch. Banking on her rise to fame in the world of the web, Vogue Nippon fashion director-at-large (and Tommy Ton bestie) Anna Dello Russo is launching her first-ever namesake fragrance. Eschewing traditional forms of sale, the scent will be sold exclusively online with Italian e-tailer Yoox.com in December. Read the rest of this entry

By Jennifer Weatherhead

Who wouldn’t want to look in their holiday stocking and see a little Chanel logo peeking out? I, for one, dream of only getting Chanel gifts under the tree (can you imagine?! Sigh.) and while that’s probably not going to happen, I am completely content with a little something Chanel to brighten my holidays. This year I’m lusting after this set of mini brushes in a chic black pouch that slips easily into my purse and is ideal for travelling. And the six brushes are essential to creating a flawless face — a foundation brush, blush brush, eyebrow brush, eyeshadow brush, an eye contour brush and a lip brush. The Chanel website touts it as “More than an accessory, it’s a must-have companion…” I couldn’t agree more and hope to not only receive it this holiday, but I plan on giving it to a beauty loving friend as well!

Les Minis de Chanel, Complexion brushes Limited Edition, Chanel, $120.00 exclusive to Holt Renfrew.

By Jennifer Weatherhead

This is now my morning routine: Wake up, make some tea and plop in front of my laptop to scour the celeb and beauty blogs for the latest pictures of Rihanna.

Yes, it’s a sad state to be in, but I am obsessed, repeat, obsessed with her ever-changing hair. Some praise her for her relentless choice to take fashion risks — I applaud her courage to shave the sides of her hair, wear a  seriously short bob, rock a curly mop and try out every colour of the rainbow when it comes to shades. And lately she’s been experimenting a fire engine red hue.

Personally I love this colour is and think it’s fierce (maybe because I would never have the guts to try out this shade).

But what do you think? Do you like her red locks? Are they too over the top? Remind you of Ronald McDonald? And do you like her hair long or short? Post a comment below and let us know which Rihanna hair style you like the best!

For those of you that have made the trek to Transcontinental Publishing in the past, you will know that sandwiched between lacklustre gray cubicles and brown carpeting lies the ELLE Canada office. We’ve tried our best to gussy-up our space: Our favourite past ELLE covers grace the walls, we have fresh flowers placed here and there, and it’s not unusual for us to take a sip (or several) of champagne during a line-up meeting. All told, we’ve managed to make corporate Transcontinental a wee bit more stylish. But, sometimes, we need inspiration to come from somewhere else and, in my case, it comes in the form of Style.com‘s newly launched Accessories Index. Have you seen it yet?

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‘Tis the season to give (and wish for) all things beauty.

By Jennifer Weatherhead

How could I start a holiday beauty wish list and not include something related to nail polish? It’s implausible. So, dear Santa, for my first beauty wish this season, I am lusting after the Sephora by OPI Mini Collection. Confession — I adore mini bottles of nail polish even more than regular sized ones. They are easy to pack, stash in your purse and just plain cute! This set is so festive and fun with six mini bottles of colours like Dear Diary, Still Shopping!, Looks Like Rain Dear, Sample Sale, Teal We Meet Again, Just A Little Dangerous. Read the rest of this entry

Queen Latifa hosts the P&G Beauty & Grooming Awards

We were so humbled an honored to win the award for the Best Fashion or Beauty Website at the second annual P&G Beauty & Grooming Awards last night! We were with some amazing company, including the best fashion and beauty magazines, bloggers, photographers, models, makeup artists and hair stylists from across the country. The event was hosted by CoverGirl Queen Latifah, who kept us all laughing with her punchy jokes and down-to-earth-demeanor during the show. Needless to say, we are thrilled and excited to have won the award — especially since it is the second year in the row. We’re going to keep working to improve our site and make it all the more enjoyable for our visitors. More pictures and videos to come, so stay tuned!

Fall has yet to turn its last leaf and we’re already right in the middle of our holiday season planning. Have you managed to read our December issue? If not, here’s what you’re missing: We’re giving away over $15,000 in prizes and we’re not talking about fruit cakes and tree ornaments. In our pages, you will find some exceptional gifts. True, I may work for the brand, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wish I could enter to win a $500.00 Stuart Weitzman gift certificate, or the luscious Gucci Guilty beauty package. If any of you out there manage to win these prizes, or the other 23 incredible gifts, please let us know. We’d like to live vicariously through you! Besides what we’ve done in print we’ve also created some incredible gift guides online. This year, we decided to do it a bit differently.

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