Elle Canada - The Elle Word

In honour of Earth Day and the 3-R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) we add eco-friendly footwear to our spring wardrobe.

New Balance newSKY ($130) Available at Foot Locker, SportChek, Town Shoes and New Balance stores.

This weekend, get off the couch and head outside to celebrate Earth Day (April 22) in these reinvented newSky by New Balance trainers. Not only is the upper part of the shoe made from recycled plastic bottles (it takes 20-ounces of plastic bottles to create the high-quality polyester), but the newSKY technology uses the barefoot-inspired Minimus sole to balance your natural stride. These lightweight trainers cut down on manufacturing waste, promote sustainable fashion, and are ideal for a jog in the park.

Our styling tip: Swap in some neon laces to really highlight your Earth Day heel click.

Brides weigh in, literally.

Wedding season is around the corner, but this year there is a new (and alarmingly popular) method for fitting into your dress.

Enter the feeding-tube frenzy…

The K-E diet is a new pre-nuptial diet craze that relies on a small feeding tube to administer a protein and vitamin-rich fluid to brides for 10-days. Little by little, fluid is deposited into the stomach (via the nasal passage) and is said to erase appetite completely. This liquefied concoction restricts your caloric intake to 800 calories/day and promises brides they will shed 20 pounds during the program.

While you may agree with Kate Hudson in Bridesmaids– “You don’t alter a Vera to fit you, you alter yourself to fit Vera.” –I highly doubt that Mrs. Wang would encourage feeding tube fittings. Read the rest of this entry

Marc Anthony Salon, Yorkville. Hair by Marilisa for Marc Anthony Hair Care/PLUTINO GROUP.

When a one-hairstyle-wonder gets a much-needed upgrade.

A chorus of “ooh” and “ahh” erupted in the office today when I walked in. No, that is not the usual greeting I get for showing up to work. Yes, I did love it.

The cause of the commotion was thanks to my new haircut, which is inspired by New York-based model Freja Beha Erichsen. The ELLE Canada office has been on “Freja Watch” since I decided to get the chic-but-shaggy style six months ago (what can I say, I’m super impulsive ha!).

To understand why a haircut could cause such fuss, it’s important to know my hair history. And that history is about as varied as Kim Kardashian’s career, slim to none. Before now, I’ve never had a discernible hairstyle. I was never picked on for a mom-inflicted bowl cut, nor did I rock an asymmetrical chop during my teenage rebellion phase. No, my hair has always been long, somewhat wavy and completely forgettable.

It was time for a change. Read the rest of this entry

The moment when you realize that your beauty crutch has become crippling.

I have a beauty confession: I am an over-blusher.  There, I said it. For some girls, their must-have beauty item is mascara, for others its lip gloss. But blush is to me what eyeliner is to the Duchess of Cambridge: a trusted go-to that I usually take too far.

It never occurred to me I was overusing my hero product. Then (in a fairly unflattering photograph), my resemblance to someone from Ringling Brothers was undeniable; I need to rethink my blushing techniques.

Why would someone with my access to expert tips OD on rouge? Simple, I’m not a morning person, and getting Miu Miu’s limited-edition spring 2012 handbags. Slim, to none.

Every morning (in my pre-caffeine haze), my trusted “wakeup product” is always my blush compact. Mascara is usually credited for giving you a bright-eyed pop, but a flush gives you that rested look more than full lashes. “Blush warms up and livens your overall complexion,” says celebrity makeup artist Amy Duclos. “Finding the right shade and texture can be tricky, it’s easy to overdo it.”

Read the rest of this entry

Bouncy, squeaky-clean, cheerleader-esq ponytails are replaced with edgier interpretations at Lucian Matis’ Fall/Winter 2012 runway show.

After Lucian Matis’ runway show I was unsure if I could pull off the figure-baring LBDs, but I was sold on was the braided ponytails that walked down the runway. For the third season in a row, Schwarzkopf Professional worked with the avant-garde designer to create an intricate hair style that would reflect his detailed collection. “Lucian’s pieces include a lot of lace and feathers, ” said hair stylist Paul Pereira, of Solo Bace Salon. “There was a lot of great texture in the clothes and we wanted to incorporate the same idea in the hair.”

We went backstage to discover exactly how you can create this braided hair style:

Photo courtesy of Biserka Livaja

Styling step 1: Create a centre part from the front of your head; when you reach the crown of your head, divide your hair into a triangle formation along the back. Further divide the triangle section and braid hair from the crown of your head down to the nape of your neck.

Photo courtesy of Biserka Livaja

Styling step 2: Add a serum with high shine (Pereira applied OSiS AquaSlide) to the triangle section of your hair to create a smooth and sleek braid. Read the rest of this entry

“Excuse me ladies, Rico is ready for his makeup,” says a severe-looking woman as she nervously consults a clipboard and frantically gestures behind her. Why is it she’s on edge? Enter Montreal-native Rico a.k.a the Zombie Boy (you may recognize him from Lady Gaga’s video, “Born This Way”). Rico strides into the room—rocking a spiked leather vest and baggy pants complete with an authentic gas mask hanging from his belt loop—that’s almost as stare-worthy as his body art. Covered in head-to-toe tattoos, Rico won the Guinness World Records for having the most bones and insects tattooed on a human body.

In short, senior M.A.C makeup artist Melissa Gibson has good reason to cock an eyebrow at his “ready for makeup” face. Ever the professional, she strikes up a conversation as she reaches for a bottle of face moisturizer.

You may think having a tattoo-covered man in a fashion show may be a bit distracting but as designers Elisa Dahan and Eran Elfassy explain, Rico was the perfect model to capture their mood for Fall/Winter 2012. “We saw Water for Elephants and it so haunting but beautiful,” says Elfassy backstage at the runway show. ” We wanted to capture that feeling of dark but playful and sophisticated.” Looking around at the theatrical stage (decorated with hanging parasols, vintage popcorn machines and tinkling carnival lights) I can see the melancholy circus connection, and then of course there is Rico. “How perfect is he for the show?” asks Elfassy. “When we found out he was Canadian, we knew we needed to have him. Canadians need to stick together!”

How then do you translate OTT circus appeal into a makeup look?

Read the rest of this entry

After the month-long red carpet award seasons, I always discover new-found motivation for my fitness routine. This year was no exception. So, with the vision of Gwyneth Paltrow’s sleek cream Tom Ford column dress emblazoned in my mind, I decided to jump-start my health kick with a week-long detox. Taking my cue from celebs like Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow and even George Clooney, I opted for a juice cleanse. My drink of choice? Total Cleanse, a Canadian-based company that delivers natural, fresh and handmade juices to your door and minimizes the workload. Naturally blended juices are full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that  help jump-start your metabolism and rid your body of built-up toxins.

Now, here is the part when I make a shameful confession: My cleanse lasted one day. Before you turn your back in disgust, I did learn some valuable lessons and, if nothing else, I’m an excellent source for what not to do. Here’s are my key takeaways: Read the rest of this entry

After a week in Paris, the apex of French beauty, I share the key to creating the inimitable je ne sais quoi.

My hair is falling out of my bun, I haven’t had my morning coffee and I am completely makeup-free. “You look very French,” says Lavigna my esthetician at the Lancôme Paris Institute. It’s early in the morning and I’ve just come out of a 90-minute facial and am paralyzed by the prospect of walking in public, you know, bare-faced. “Is there any makeup I can use for a touch up?” I ask sheepishly while simultaneously rummaging in my purse for sunglasses. “You just need a touch of red.” Lavigne says gesturing towards a table of lipsticks. Surely she’s joking I think but moments later (with my lips properly rouged with Lancôme’s new Rouge in Love lipstick) I’ve serendipitously been transformed and feel as effortlessly elegant as Clémence Poésy. The beauty take-away: French je ne sais quoi begins and ends with skin care. Here are my top travel tips for maintaining a fresh face:

Seat selection: If you’ve ever wondered why first class is located at the front of the cabin of an airplane (no, it’s not just for deplaning speed and convenience) it’s because there is a very subtle, but crucial, difference in oxygen concentration between the front and back of a moving airplane. The oxygen-rich air at the front of the cabin minimizes the dehydrating effect that occurs on long flights. And you thought the hot towels and pod seats were enough justification for a first-class upgrade.

Moisture barrier: Dehydrated skin (which is inevitable after a trans-Atlantic flight) can make your complexion look sallow and emphasize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Use a hydrating face cream that contains vitamins, antioxidants and essential oils to help seal in moisture and protect against free radicals. I opted for Fragonard Soines Essentiels, a collection made in the south of France that uses natural Royal Jelly to replenish and revitalize your skin’s natural moisture barrier. Added bonus: as one of France’s oldest perfumeries, the subtly scented creams are almost as luxurious as a plush hotel robe.

For more French beauty secrets… Read the rest of this entry

By Allison Dean

Weekends can wreck havoc on your daily skin care routine – late nights, impromptu slumbers at friends, and cocktail hours that drag into the wee hours of the morning all challenge our nightly due diligence. Jane Iredale’s Magic Mitt has a hassle-free, fresh face philosophy to simplify your nighttime cleanse.
Micro-fibers in the Magic Mitt create a hydro-mechanical cleansing process that completely removes makeup by breaking up oily surface tension.

The result? A squeaky clean face in 2 minutes flat-and yes, even your M.A.C waterproof mascara and liner will disappear without a trace! The Magic Mitt also protects skin’s natural acid mantle ensuring your skin is protected against harmful bacteria.

The bonus? A time saver and travel buddy, the Magic Mitt is also a long-term companion. Wash your mitt in soap to cleanse, and then hang it up to dry. As soon as it dries, the micro-fibers are re-sterilized and your Magic Mitt will live to cleanse another day.

Available at spas across Canada [I picked mine up at the Village Spa ($18)], or check out Jane Iredale online!