There is something great about being on vacation and forced into being disconnected from the world via the internet. It’s a real way to connect with your surroundings…and when it looks like this…it’s not hard : )
Sunrise from my patio
View of the complex below my room,
Ciao Bellas,
Until Next Time ~ Melody xo
Friday’s posts are meant to celebrate the upcoming weekend of fun. It’s also a way for me to post about other things I’m interested in. Today I thought I’d play up my name, indulgent? Maybe a little…but it’s my post ; )
I have a deep love for the LBD any time any where and what better way to express that love but with a one shoulder, low back sexy ‘Melody‘ dress from talented Canadian fashion designer Rachel Sin.
The name…it’s not a coincidence. I have had the extreme pleasure to work with Rachel Sin several times as the makeup artist on campaigns and look books (that’s also my makeup work with Chloe in the picture). Rachel is not just talented, but warm, kind and generous behind the scenes…the dress is named for me. She designs, she names…we see the collection on set before it is named. What an honor and surprise to see it after and dang she picked the perfect style, I also have my very own.
The beautiful and glowing Rachel Sin and I in the studio early morning prior to working on Delaney’s (the model) hair/makeup for the Spring/Summer 2012 lookbook shoot.
I normally don’t like yellow as a color, somehow lately it keeps presenting itself to me and I’m starting to warm up to it. This Elie Tahari skirt has my name on it…purely coincidence of course (found it in my tablet version of People Style Watch mag) and again, there is the yellow calling out to me. Love the cut and the texture and dare I say it…liking the yellow.
found in People StyleWatch Magazine
Lets go a little bad-ass with some old fashioned Doc Martens with a twist…’Melody Glitter‘ boot. Found it at Revolve clothing . Oh what the hell, wear them with the skirt or dress above, pair it with a piece of skull jewelery and don’t forget to rock it with a “who gives a shit” attitude and truly bring out your inner badass!!
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I do this post on purpose on Thursday’s as it gives you something to read, then spend Friday at work checking out the links. Then you can make your list and head out for some girly shopping over the weekend ; )
Years ago the famous Touch Eclat Pen by YSL Beauty was created, igniting a hi-lighting makeup pen frenzy and cult status to follow. I never joined that parade…truth be told I found it pricey and it was meh on me, didn’t really do much. However, I think its a great idea, I just needed a different formula to make me happy. The idea of these pens is that they are to be used in small areas of the face to soften fine lines, lighten up darker areas and create a radiance, without a shimmer.
$48 CAD, 3 shades
“Inside this radiance booster pen is every Dior makeup artist’s secret weapon for a glowing complexion. The Light-Booster Complex smoothes away imperfections and illuminates the face. Beauty tip: Works wonders over or under foundation, or just on bare skin”
$17 CAD, 6 shades
“Boost radiance, brighten the complexion, moisturize, and even out wrinkles in a single step. Light-reflecting pigments erase dark circles and signs of fatigue while hiding imperfections. Hyaluronic acid keeps skin hydrated and nourished”
Also paraben free.
Both can be find at Sephora so you can do a side by side comparison for texture and shades.
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Here are additional links to products from today’s CTV Morning Live segment Ottawa
To achieve the best results from your WEN Haircare, see the WEN instructional videos.
and for those of you who asked…yes I really do use WEN as my regular hair care, my hair is happy now : )
various sizes and pricing, found at Walmart Canada
$39.96 CAD, instores Walmart Canada
Check out Youtube to search for a multitude of videos on how to style your hair, from styling products to tools. Remember, for this Springs hottest hair trends, it’s perfect for hair to be imperfect and have an unstructured look.
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It’s Monday, so I’m going to show you something from my professional Makeup Artist Kit.
There are so many wonderful makeup and skincare brands and items that I have been exposed to from Makeup Artist Trade Shows in the last year, and I’m slowly making my way to learn more about and try. What great discoveries, both for personal and professional use!!
Kryolan Variety Eyeshadow Palette 'V2 Brights'
This is the Kyrolan Variety Eyeshadow Palette in ‘V2 Brights’ a palette of 18 matte shadows w/eyeshadow brush in bright fashionable shades. No matter the season or trend, I’m pretty sure that you’ll have or can create a shade from this collection. (I also own the V3 Neutrals)
I love having this selection because the actual palette is a compact size, yet plenty of shadow in each well. The pigment is fantastic and you can really layer them up. They also photograph very well. The shadows travel well as in they can take a bit of bouncing and knocking around in a pro-kit. Love having an assortment of matte versions because sometimes its pure color I want. But hey you can always make it a shimmer by using a nude shimmer shadow as a base or a light dusting of it over top. Go bolder with a matching shimmer shade.
I bought mine at the Alcone booth at IMATS Toronto in November from a personal/pro recommendation (as in he personally walked me to the booth and a couple of others) from the knowledgeable, fab and charming makeup artist Kevin James Bennett. I can’t find the receipt so don’t remember how much I paid for them (also had pro-discount) You can click the image above to take you to the Kyrolan home site.
This Tuesday 24th, I’ll be on Ottawa’s CTV Morning Live talking about winter haircare with WEN as well as a couple of styling tools, to get great looking hair now and achieving one of Spring’s hottest hair looks.
Over the years and being in the beauty industry I have had access to sooo many haircare products from Salon to Drugstore formulas not always being impressed until now. I’ve discovered WEN Hair Care by Chaz Dean, Stylist and Colorist who has come up with a unique way to care for your hair without shampoo or layering 50 other products to style it. Truly impressed and my hair is so happy, who knew something so simple to use would give my hair exactly what I was looking for? Volume, shine, smoothness and more…does that make me a WEN girl!? (click here for a past review)
*a chance to win will be offered on air, and you MUST be able to pick up the prize at the TV station, 87 George Street Ottawa, Ontario.
Twitter: @MelodyMkupArt Facebook: Melody Iafelice Makeup Artist + Beauty Expert
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Cream (gel) liners are the Rock n’ Roll love child of pencil and liquid liners sharing the best of eyeliner DNA with the world. You can achieve the preciseness of a sleek line, like a liquid. It can also be used to create thin to thick lines or be smudged easily for the coveted smoky eye. The versatility of this formula makes the cream (gel) liner a winner for me! Most allow for you to have a bit of time to apply, and play/fix it before its dries and sets.
Long-wearing, water-resistant color glides on & let’s you get it just right before it dries – then stays without a smear or crease. Awarded ‘Best of Beauty’ by ‘Allure’ Magazine (2011). Awarded best liquid liner by ‘The Knot’ Magazine(2010).
product becomes transfer-resistant once dry.
$22US or under $30CAD, 13 shades
24hr wear
• Oil-free formula holds highly concentrated pigments in a clear gel base
• Smudge-proof and waterwproof for 24 hours
• Most intense line for lasting drama
• Safe for sensitive eyes and ophthalmologist-tested
• Contact lens safe
approx $12CAD or less, 4 shades (bruch incl.)
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Who doesn’t love lush full lashes?
Now I’ve tried a few ways to get them: the Latisse, as I have girlfriends that have gotten the most amazing lashes with it giving me a full dose of lash envy, but I just couldn’t seem to remember to use it regularly for myself. False lashes look great, but not for everyday and for some gals they can be frustrating to apply on themselves. Mascaras, but there are so many to choose from its crazy, where does a gal start? Then of course there is the lash extensions. These are my fave way to achieve a set of sexy full lashes. I’m currently without the lash extensions until I go and get a new set in a couple of weeks, so until then I found something as easy to use as mascara.
Divaderme’s LASHExtender -Lashes in a bottle ($37.50CAD). I got them by recommendation from a model and picked them up at the Caryl Baker Visage store Rideau Centre location.
It’s as easy to apply as a mascara and you can use it with your favorite one anytime you want some extra oomph to your own lashes. It’s a bottle of tiny black fibers that will stick to each layer of mascara and build up your own, simply washing them off at the end of the day.
At $37.50CAD, I say it’s over the top in pricing, however it’s a dry product giving it a longer shelf life than mascara. You could combine with a budget friendly mascara ; )
How To Apply:
1) Curl lashes if you want, then apply 1 coat of your fave mascara.
2) Remove the wand of fibres, tap it gently to shake off any loose fibers.
3) Apply just as you would mascara, DO NOT apply to the roots of your lashes, start halfway up.
4) Re-apply mascara.
To build up more, follow steps 2-4 until the desired result is acheived.
Years of sun worshiping as a teen has left its mark on my cheek, literally. For years I have worked at hiding and concealing a sun spot aka hyper-pigmentation. I tried many natural, herbal and cosmetic ‘lightening’ concoctions with NO success leaving me completely frustrated and annoyed.
I used a concealer regularly, but the spot still managed to peek through, until I found a really great concealer. So now it’s hidden, yet it stared back at me in the mirror when the makeup was off. It had to be faded. My 
friend Rosario recommended the Neostrata HQ plus Lightening Cream SPF 20. I picked it up at Shoppers Drug Mart at the prescription counter (no prescription needed) The regular Neostrata skincare collection products was on sale at the time and so was this one, got it for under $30CAD reg. $40CAD.
“Contains 4% hydroquinone in a unique base of hydroxy acids (5% glycolic acid and 5% gluconolactone) to provide gentle exfoliation. Ideal for dark hyperpigmentation and all skin types. This cream NOW contains SPF 20 making it the ideal choice for daytime use”
Recommended to use 1-2x/day and you can use it all over, but I only apply it to the spot itself over top my moisturizer. I began to use it every morning and within a 2 week period I could see it starting to fade….finally! “insert happy dance here” I’m soooo happy with the results. It has a perfume-y scent, not sure why they would add it in, but I got over it when I saw the positive changes. If you are looking to get rid of those dark spots, this is definitely something you should add to your routine!!
Ciao Bellas,
Until Next Time ~Melody xo
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