Fall Face Forward
Despite the fact New Years is supposed to be the time to overhaul your life, fifteen years of starting school in the fall has me (and many others) viewing that season as the one of transformation. Whether through a subtle change like a new haircut, or a bigger one, like starting a new school or job, when the leaves start changing colours, more often than not, so do we. With that in mind, I wanted to highlight a few products that can help freshen up your look without major commitment (but still providing major benefits).
All of ’em are from MAKE UP FOR EVER, which if you don’t know, is only available at Sephora locations (and online) across Canada. And if you’re one of the lucky ones – like me! – that live in Halifax, this Saturday, September 8th you can actually pop by the Sephora in Halifax Shopping Centre to meet with a MAKE UP FOR EVER pro to find your perfect shade of HD foundation + receive a free gift with your purchase. As a dedicated user of their HD line, and someone that never wore foundation until I tried theirs, I can tell you – you will not be disappointed. Want some ideas for other makeover magic goodies? Read on!
Black Tango Palette – $50
MAKE UP FOR EVER has earned legions of professional fans for their intense colours and insanely long-lasting formulas – from theatre and film to sports (like the women’s 2012 synchro team) and dance. After brand founder Dany Sanz was invited to dance showcase Tango Argentino to help doll up the country’s best dancers she was inspired to create a bold, modern palette of her award-winning Aqua Cream shadows that promise long-lasting staying power for whatever your daily activities include. The shades are inspired by the drama of the sensual dance, but also the makeup styles favoured by younger dancers – scarlet ruby, emerald green, and midnight sapphire, with a soft ivory to help highlight your brow bone. The handy little limited-edition kit containing the four shadows plus a pro brush makes it easy to apply this eye-focused look – and the price point makes it an awesome choice for birthdays or Christmas…or you could gift yourself if you’re looking to up the drama factor right about now!
Aqua Brow – $22 each
You have no idea what a little brow grooming can do for your face, trust me. A couple of years ago my sister introduced me to the art of eyebrow threading, and I have not looked back, other than to cringe at how sloppy my brows looked before being converted. A well-groomed brow seriously frames your face and puts attention where it should be – on your gorgeous eyes, or perfect cheekbones, or full lips. Of course, trimming, waxing, plucking, and threading are just half the effort – most people can seriously benefit from a good brow intensifier / filler, and this new formula should just do the trick. It goes on as a smooth gel, making it easy to incorporate when filling in thinner spots, but it dries like a waxy powder for all-day hold and a natural look. Combined, I promise you will up your polish factor by tenfold – and unlike other beauty treatments, this is one that truly enhances your natural beauty, as opposed to competing with it. Available in three shades to match most brows, the other important thing to note here is a little goes a very long way – you can expect to keep this little bottle in your makeup kit for quite some time. Before you jump into your car to pick it up, fair warning: it’s not going to be in-stores till the end of September, so take this time to get your brows primed and plucked to perfection before moving into the filler phase.
Aqua Rouge #8 in Iconic Red – $27
I read a really neat article a year or two ago about a journalist that was challenging herself to try something new. A barely-there make-up kind of gal, she opted for donning bright red lips for two weeks, and was amazed at the transformative powers both emotionally and socially. People would frequently comment on how amazing it looked on her, men paid her extra attention, and she felt a bold surge of confidence, coupled with a huge feel of surprise every time she glanced in the mirror. I imagine you’ll be turning heads if you slick on some of this intensely pigmented, double-ended lip formula designed to give you all-day colour without rubbing off or leaving your lips feeling sticky. I’m highlighting this new shade of Iconic Red because it was actually very recently created in collaboration with Madonna’s makeup artist, Gina Brooke, who was looking for that perfect shade of red with insane staying power. As you can imagine, a singer goes through lipstick faster than almost any other career – with the constant moving of your mouth and jiving under hot lights, you’ve got to have a tough-as-teflon formula that also looks amazing, and this perfect shade of true red is it.
Whether you decide to play up your eyes, frame your face, or intensify your lip colour, these are just three awesome ways to dial up your beauty style this fall season. As I mentioned, if you want to start at the very beginning, there’s a reason why it’s called foundation – and MAKE UP FOR EVER really does have some of the best stuff on the market. Want to try it yourself? I’m giving away an HD Complexion Starter Kit to one lucky reader, with a value of $89! You’ll get to choose your custom shade of foundation, and pair it with the brand’s smooth-as-silk primer, micro finishing powder, and signature kabuki brush for a flawless start to your look. Here’s how to enter:
1) Tell me which fresh fall look you’d be most excited to try – dramatic eyes? Groomed brows? Fire engine lips? Or a perfect starting point – a smooth foundation base? Leave a comment by September 24th for your chance to win!
2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around September 25th to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.
3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible to participate in this promotion.
4) Bonus Entry: Tell me which foundation shade you want in your HD Starter Kit. For best results, I strongly recommend you visit your local Sephora (again, Haligonians should get down to Sephora on Saturday, September 8th) to find your perfect match – I myself tried four shades before landing on 115!
5) Bonus Entry Part Deux: Like MAKE UP FOR EVER Canada on Facebook and leave a comment for a bonus entry. Be sure to drop your Facebook username / link in the comments below so I know you’ve done your duty!
Canadian Gift Guide 
I’d like to try Aqua Brow.
I would love to try the starter kit.
I AM MOST EXCITED TO TRY THE HD COMPLEXTION STARTED KIT, I FEEL IF YOU HAVE A GOOD CANVAS YOU CAN PLAY UP WHAT YOU WANT TO FROM THERE.
I THINK MY COLOR WOULD BE 118 FLESH-THANKS!
The Aqua Brow sounds interesting
I am most excited to try Fire Engine lips. I just need to find a shade of red that doesn’t make my teeth look yellow.
Bonus Entry 1: My shade would be 115 – Ivory.
Bonus Entry 2: Liked Make Up For Ever Canada on Facebook as Brenda Penton – http://www.facebook.com/brendajpenton
A smooth foundation base for me.
Bonus entry #1. I would be a #55 Neutral Beige.
Bonus entry #2: I like MAKE UP FOR EVER Canada on Facebook as Donna Lee Szocik
I would love to try the dramatic eyes
I think my foundation shade would be 118 flesh because Im light skin tone
I Like MAKE UP FOR EVER Canada on Facebook -fb name Louise gilbert
I would like to try the Aqua Brow.
I would like to try the Aqua Brow, I liked them on FB and would LOVE to try the foundation kit but would have no idea what shade I am!
Hey Holly! Pop down to your local Sephora and ask them to match you up 🙂
I would try the Aqua brow!
Bonus: My HD shade would be 118 🙂
I would like to win too
But I don’t know what shade I would be my complexion is medium
Hey Madiha! Head down to your closest Sephora to get perfectly matched 🙂
I love dramatic eyeshadow and I love creme eyeshadow so that would totally be my pick. BRING ON THE DRAMA!
i’d love to try fire engine lips!
my shade would be 155
i’ve liked makeup forever on FB (tracy kwan)
I want to try the Aqua Brow as it sounds great
My bonus entry is flesh #118 foundation.
I would like to try the HD foundation 🙂
Hello, my must have fall look would be the dramatic eyes; for Bonus Entries: I “Like” MAKE UP FOR EVER Canada on Facebook and you can find me under username: Dawn Cruickshank Baldwin My foundation pick would be #37810, though I don’t really wear foundation and have no idea if this would be the correct shade for me. I’m not near a Sephora store. Thank you! I would love to win.
i’d love to try the hd foundation and dramatic eyes my foundation pick is #118 flesh
I would try the Aqua Brow. #CGG
I would like to try a perfect starting point – a smooth foundation base!
ksceviour at hotmail dot com
I Like MAKE UP FOR EVER Canada on Facebook (Karla Sceviour)
hmmm. alot of shades to choose from..I think I would like the 118 Flesh
aquarouge look amazing I would love to try that
I would like to try Aqua Brow.
1) Definitely dramatic eyes! 2) Bonus entry #1: Not sure which shade. I’d visit the Burlington store to make sure. 3) Bonus entry #2: I ‘liked’ the facebook page. My profile link is http://www.facebook.com/1moniqueberry. This is a great giveaway that I hope to win!
Dramatic eyes!
I think my shade would be 140, but I’m definitely going to need a consult!
I’ve love to try a red lip, or a smoky eye… or both at the same time? The model in the “Black Tango Palette” looks amazing!
I would like to try red lips. I have never been brave enough before.
I’d like foundation base
I’d love to try red lips but I have yet to find a red that is flattering to my skin tone.
Ooooooo I need to try the Aqua Brow!!
I’d like dramatic eyes.
groomed brows
liked Makeup Forever on FB
I would love to try a smooth face with a perfect foundation!
I would love to try the dramatic eyes
I LOVE the Black Tango palette. I’ve never tried MUF but I’ve been recommended their products at Sephora. Maybe now is the time? Thanks for the review!
I think my color would be 118 Flesh 🙂
a smooth face for sure!!!!
I would love to try the bright red lips this season!!
rebthecatsitter at gmail.com
I like MUFE Canada on Facebook! (Rebecca Roberts)
Smooth skin and fire engine red lips!! Delicious combo 😉
Fire engine lips. 🙂
The Fall look I’m interested in is a smooth foundation base.
The foundation shade I would choose is 115 Ivory.
I Like MAKE UP FOR EVER Canada on Facebook. (Amy M)
Aqua brow + tango palette? Too much? I like them both!
Smooth skin for me.
Admittedly I already wear lipstick, but I’m keen to try that red!
I would love to try the Aqua Rouge #8 in Iconic Red on my full lips!
Groomed brows hands down!
My wife would love to try the Black Tango
groomed brows
foundation colour – 115
like on fb (stacey htkka)
I like a smooth foundation base.
Dramatic or smokey eyes are what i’d love to try!
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I like Make Up Forever on facebook and left a comment (Amber Lynn)
ayoung3360 (at) hotmail (dot) com
The Black Tango Palette kit looks amazing…Dramatic smokey eyes all the way!
Bonus entry: I think my foundation shade would be Ivory 115
I want to try the Aqua Brow
My Foundation would be 115 Ivory.
I liked on facebook and commented on a post (Julia Grant)
Definately most excited to try Dramatic Eyes!
I am looking forward to the bold bright lips .. I usually wear a light pink or clear gloss, but I am gonna turn up the heat this fall : )
BONUS ENTRY: I would pick a 118 .. I love how they have so many different colouring choices !
BONUS ENTRY DEUX – https://www.facebook.com/MAKEUPFOREVERCANADA/posts/105263139630714?comment_id=27844&offset=0&total_comments=1
gee another makeup face to like and have influence on my pocketbook ..thanks !!
black tango