By Isake Tom

Makeup junkies and fans alike have a new collection to go “gaga” for. With the release of the Queen Collection, drugstore makeup brand CoverGirl promises a new day for black women of all shades.

For a second time, the brand has teamed up with Dana Owens aka Queen Latifah to produce a stellar line of lipsticks, foundations, and eyeshadows specifically designed  for women of colour. February was a milestone month for the Queen, as she made history being the longest running African American woman to represent the iconic brand and the only one to have their own collection.

If that doesn’t get you excited this surely will. Behind the line is internationally respected and influential makeup artist Pat McGrath, (if you don’t know google her) who is the Global Creative Design Director for CoverGirl.

Under McGrath’s direction the collection boasts 24 luscious lipstick shades from browns and nudes to this season’s must have head-turning reds and berries. These lip shades are infused with silk protein which helps lips maintain their moisture levels.

The talented Ms. McGrath has also divided each collection into six categories: Browns & Spices, Nudes & Naturals, Plums & Wines, Corals & Reds, Pinks & Roses and last but not least Mauves & Berries all promising intense colour made with the black woman in mind.

Ps. Can’t find your shade in stores? Shop the entire collection on Amazon.com.

1. Thick brows keep this look young and fresh. Add drama to yours with M.A.C. Cosmetics Impeccable Brow Pencil, $15.

2. Add M.A.C. Cosmetics Pigment in Partylicious, $20, to the upper lids. Limit such a bright colour to lids only.

3. On lower lash lines, softly layer M.A.C. Cosmetics Pigment in Grape, $20.

4. Dab lips with a high-shine gloss with a hint of colour, like M.A.C. Cosmetics Lipmix in Orange, $15.

Sequin jacket, $478, BCBG Max Azria, bcbg.com. Gold oversize stud earrings, $48, Ralph Lauren, ralphlauren.com

Get the look:

Brush a dark blackberry shadow over the lids and into the crease, blending the corners meticulously to eliminate harsh lines. Next, use a silvery lilac shadow to brighten the inner eye corner.

Finally, dust a brighter iridescent violet shade on top of the lid for a monochromatic highlight.

Try:

Caryl Baker Mineral Shadow Palette in Passion, $40
M.A.C. Cosmetics A Tartan Tale Eye Shadow in Semi-Precious, $20

GET IN LINE
Graphic definition and playful plum make a seriously sexy duo.

Get the look:

Trace the lash lines and inside lower rims with a purple pencil liner. Using a medium-toned purple shadow and thin pointed brush, enrich and emphasize the lower line.

Extend the line past the outer eye corner, on a slight upward angle. Finish the look with shimmering light
lavender lip gloss.

Try:

CoverGirl Liquiline Blast Eyeliner in Violet Voltage, $8
Estée Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow in Amethyst
Spark, $20
Avon Glazewear Dazzle Lip Gloss in Plum Dazzle, $6

POUT OUT LOUD

An eye-popping lip makes a major style statement.

Get the look:

Line and fill the lips with a purple pencil liner to create a precise lip line and long-lasting base shade.

Use a lip brush to apply lipstick. Blot lightly with a tissue and re-apply lipstick.

Keep your eyes soft with iridescent shades of pinky-purple and pale gold.

Try:

M.A.C. Cosmetics Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Goes and Goes, $16
Sephora Lesson 7 Purple Smoky Eyes Kit, $36

Tis the season to give back, but for Sway model Renee Thompson, goodwill is a 365-day commitment. “I work with a non-profit organization called Transitional Thresholds,” says the Jamaica-born, Toronto-raised and New York-based beauty. “It’s based on family and gender specific programs geared to social rehabilitation, and helping women and children get back out in the world with better people and social skills.”

Thompson and her mentor, founder Kim Montgomery, have big plans for the future. “We really want to expand to doing four-week programs and beauty workshops with women’s correctional facilities in the Tri-state area of New York,” she says, “And to do fully government-funded projects such as trade courses and self-image classes for inmates and families of inmates to make positive steps to self-improvement, self-acceptance and making the right choices.”

No small feat, but after surviving more than a decade in the modeling biz, we’re confident she’ll succeed. We hope Thompson’s generosity inspires your own during the holiday and throughout the New Year.

Photography Alexis Finch
Makeup and hair Roxanne DeNobrega
(roxannedenobrega.com)
Beauty editor Ingrie Williams
Special thanks to Elite Model Management

Q: I HAVE DECIDED to end my obsession with eye makeup. My cosmetics bag is stuffed with so many eyeshadow palettes, tubes of mascara and eye pencils that I can’t even close the zipper. So I’m going cold turkey (and makeup free!) – it’s au naturel for me. Do you know what tools I need to achieve a simple, but flattering look?

EYES HAVE HAD IT

A: CREATE A CLEAN, beautiful look by reshaping and maintaining your brows; this will open up the eye area and help define your facial features without clutter. Get rid of all the war paint you’ve got stacked shadow-to-shadow in your makeup bag and invest in three must haves: a brow comb; a set of stainless steel, slanted tip tweezers; and brow grooming scissors.

Brow combs shape the brow. When you brush your brows upward, it will allow you to see which stray hairs you need to tweeze or trim. Tweezers should be sharp and have perfect alignment at the tip. Grip the tweezers firmly and, to decrease the chance of ingrown hairs, pull the hair in the direction it grows. Finally, grooming scissors trim the stubborn hairs that insist on growing the wrong way. If you have gaps in your brows (often caused by over-tweezing), fill them in with an eyebrow pencil that matches your brow colour.

A makeup artist by trade, Heather Farmer went through her fair share of uninspiring makeup brushes and accessories before launching her own line of professional makeup brushes created for the everyday beauty addict. Available at Trade Secrets (various locations) and elegantfaces.com. 1-888-808-0221

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BY: Gillian Downes

Natalie’s brush with beauty began with her mother’s bare approach to cosmetics. “My mother doesn’t really wear makeup at all,” Natalie confirms, adding that the childhood memory many women have of watching their mothers getting dolled up escaped her. Still, it is clear that Patricia’s preference to show off her beautiful skin rather than hide behind a mask of beauty products has had a profound influence on her daughter. “I don’t wear makeup on a regular basis and I feel beautiful anyway,” Natalie states.

This minimalist approach reveals a stark generation gap from her grandmother’s experiences as a young woman. “When going out, you had to make yourself attractive, beautiful,” Winifred says of the days when her life included a weekend ritual of French rolls, foundation and dresses. “That was the makeup time.”

Patricia echoes her mother-in-law’s sentiments, noting that she was “always very glamorous.” Still, while Patricia acknowledges that everyone wants to feel pretty when they go out, she believes that excessive makeup tends to make people look “false.” “Beauty comes from within,” says Patricia.

Her daughter agrees, but isn’t opposed to a few exterior-enhancing extras. Peek in to Natalie’s makeup bag, and you’ll discover her staples include Vaseline for moisturizing and an eyebrow pencil to fill in sparse spots. “I would love to teach (the next generation of Moore women) how to use makeup,” Natalie enthuses. “When it comes to beauty, though, it’s about what makes you feel best.”

Beauty and the Babe

As told to Simona Siad

My name is Candice Menzies. I’m a 26-year-old social worker, and I recently gave birth to my son Kayson.

Beauty-wise, before the baby, my motto used to be: If you look good, you will feel good. I truly walked that walk. My hair was always important and I would get it done at least once a month. I was also all about following the latest makeup trends. I usually kept it pretty simple and natural during the day, but I loved playing with dramatic makeup when I went out. You know, fake eyelashes, bright shadows and bold lipsticks — the works! I will admit, I was pretty high maintenance. Getting ready would take at least two and a half hours. I didn’t like to rush beauty.

And then I had my son.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my child. Having him has been the greatest blessing in my life. But when I gave birth to Kayson, I quickly realized that my needs come last. For the last five months, my baby has come first, then the household chores and then, finally, me. It seems like time goes by so fast. Honestly, if I can accomplish one thing a day on my list (besides taking care of Kayson), I feel so proud.

My beauty routine consists of doing things in painful, spread-out steps. Simple things like showering, putting on makeup and even brushing my teeth often feel like luxurious treatments. And, don’t get me started on my toes! I keep making appointments to get a pedicure but I never seem to get there. The hardest part is that I just haven’t felt the same. I haven’t felt sexy or glamorous. You know how they say a picture tells a thousand words?

The day I got home from the hospital, I realized I wasn’t in any of the photographs with my baby. My little sisters took some photos and started giggling, uncontrollably. I saw the photos and gasped in horror. Half of my hair was standing upright like a crooked bird’s nest! OK, I didn’t expect my hair to look amazing after giving birth, but I didn’t realize it looked that bad. I think that was the exact moment that I realized my life had changed drastically. I really began to feel afraid that I was going to lose myself forever.

But things are slowly getting better. I recently splurged on a new line of skin care products. It feels good to feel pampered again. My goal is to try to get a massage once a month and I also plan on trying hot yoga. Beauty starts from within so I want to take care of myself and find a balance. I wouldn’t trade Kayson for the world and motherhood has been the most amazing experience.

Through taking care of him, I have been learning more about myself. I am slowly turning into the person I’ve always been striving to become. He has actually made me a better person, a more beautiful person. Now … if only I could find time to get that pedicure!

We’d love to hear how you stay beautiful as a new Mom.  Leave your comments below, and any tips and tricks you wish to share with other new Moms.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

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The look: Vibrant smoky eyes and a swirled topknot.

Where to wear it: On your hottest date. This is the go-to look for steamy days and even steamier nights.

How to get it:
Dust a shimmering yellow gold colour, like Joe Fresh Beauty Eye Shadow in Glo, $4, over lids and brow bones. Also, dot it on the inner corners of the eyes. Line upper and lower lash lines with Joe Fresh Beauty Pencil Eye Liner in Aqua, $4. “First, use the point of the pencil for a precise line,” says DeNobrega. “Then, deepen and widen the line by going over it, using the flat edge of the tip.” To highlight the liner on the lower lashes, DeNobrega added a thin line of the yellow gold shadow just below the blue. Soften the look with the medium colour from Joe Fresh Beauty Eye Shadow Trio in Blue Petrol, $6. Use it on the upper lids, sweeping it from the inner corner to one-quarter of the way in and just up past the crease.

Create flushed cheeks and kissable lips. For a sheer and dewy glow, try Joe Fresh Beauty Cheek Tint in Peach, $4. To make your lip colour last all night long, DeNobrega suggests building a base of matte lipstick, here Joe Fresh Beauty Matte Lipstick in Clay, $6, and topping it with a matching lip gloss, such as Joe Fresh Beauty Lip Gloss in Sheer Pink, $6.

Want a ’do that looks cool and cools you down? “When the heat is bothering your neck and you want your hair tied back, putting it in a topknot creates a high fashion look that is simple to do,” says Bertrand. Wash the hair with Kasnique Genius shampoo and conditioner, then blow-dry with a panel brush. Loosely gather hair into a ponytail at one side of your crown, leaving out some of the fringe. Loosely twist and pin the ponytail, then twist and pin the fringe just beneath it. Keep it all in place with a hit of CHI Enviro Flex Natural Hold Hair Spray.

Photography Alexis Finch
Makeup Roxanne DeNobrega,
roxannedenobrega.com
Hair Maria Bertrand, Kasnique Hair Designs,
kasnique.ca
Beauty editor Ingrie Williams
Special thanks to NAM Models

Heat up your summer with products that won’t burn your budget

The look:  An orange-red lip and braided ponytail.

Where to wear it: A rooftop get-together. This flirty lip colour and inventive braid are guaranteed to make you stand out against the night sky.

How to get it: Choose a lipstick shade with a warm red base and a twist of orange, like Joe Fresh Beauty Matte Lipstick in Poppy, $6. “Use an angled brush to apply it,” says makeup artist Roxanne DeNobrega. “The shape of the bristles gives precise definition around the edge of the lips, and you need more control when applying a strong colour.” You can also use a very light touch of the same coloured lipstick on your cheeks, to keep the tones on your face harmonious. Apply a small dab of it on the apples of your cheeks, only, and blend thoroughly.

Define the eyes to balance the rest of the face. Start by brushing a soft wash of Joe Fresh Beauty Eye Shadow in Pale Pink, $4, from lash lines to brow bones. Then, trace a thin streak of Joe Fresh Beauty Fine Liquid Eyeliner in Black, $6, on upper lash lines, and fill in eyebrows with brow powder.

For this hair look, stylist Maria Bertrand created a braid that crossed diagonally over our model’s head and extended well past shoulder length — thanks to extensions. But mile-long locks aren’t a prerequisite. Start by washing tresses with Kasnique Genius shampoo and conditioner. Then, use Ramoni Leave-in Silk Conditioner to keep hair smooth. Once dry, start a two-inch wide braid from the front of one side of your head and work diagonally toward the nape on the other side. “Leave the bangs loose,” says Bertrand. “This softens facial features and makes it a little different, which is what gets you noticed.”

Photography Alexis Finch
Makeup Roxanne DeNobrega,
roxannedenobrega.com
Hair Maria Bertrand, Kasnique Hair Designs,
kasnique.ca
Beauty editor Ingrie Williams
Special thanks to NAM Models

Budget-friendly beauty

Did you know you can pick up the latest makeup colours at the same place you grab your groceries? Joe Fresh Beauty, available at select Loblaws stores, has a wide range of eye, lip, cheek and nail colours, as well as foundations, concealers and pressed powders. The best part? You’ll only need a handful of toonies to treat yourself because nothing costs more than $8! Visit joe.ca to find a store near you.

Editor’s picks: MAQUILLAGE MUSTS for spring.

Admittedly, this palette might seem crazy-bright, but a sliver of the lime powder along upper lash lines is noticeable without being overwhelming. As for the sparkly plum, it’s dark enough to be used like any neutral. Lise Watier Eye Duo Vintage Moderne in Modern Twist, $25.

A 2-in-1 is always a winner. Stripes of blush and bronzer combine to give a healthy-looking flush and touch of glow all at once and in a pretty package, too. Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Exotic Bronzing Blush, $45.

Greet the warm weather with a coral-coloured mouth. The handy pen applicator allows you to easily fill in and define lips. You can also customize the results from sheer to opaque. Lise Watier Hydra Shine Lip Stain in Pche, $20.

Pedi season is almost here, and this deep amethyst polish with swirls of metallic is an ideal shade for your toe tips debut. Estee Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Wild Orchid, $25.

Revlon's Spring palette

Fresh face forward

Meet Jacquie Hutchinson, the jet-setting national product trainer and makeup artist for Revlon Canada. With 14 years experience, who better to give you the scoop on the prettiest looks for spring?

1. Skin: “For a flawless complexion, new PhotoReady Makeup, $19, will warm and even out your skin tone without looking ashy. This formula is wonderfully buildable. You can add another layer and it won’t ever look cakey. To set makeup and give skin an amazing glow, finish with a light buffing of my fave: ColourStay Mineral Finishing Powder in Suntan Matte, $19.”

Eyes: “I love a smoky eye, but not just in black! Try a bronze, like Revlon’s Luxurious Colour Eyeshadow Perle in Shimmer Sienna, $9. The heavily pigmented formula has intensity and iridescence, whereas matte shades tend to look flat. This metallic pops on dark skin.”

2. Lips: “Our Super Lustrous Lip Gloss with SPF 15 in Pink Pursuit, $13, is the perfect cool, soft shade. It’s more pearly than most glosses, and has built-in protection.”

3. Nails: “There are gorgeous shades this season, like Bubble Gum, $6 (in stores in May), that are so wearable and more appropriate for work than previous years. Back in the day only young girls could wear these colours, but now they’re absolutely for any age. If you love it, wear it!”

Beauty bonus: Peach Smoothie, Cotton Candy, yum! Once dry, each shade in Revlon’s Limited Edition Scents of Summer Nail Enamel collection smells like its name. Sound crazy? We thought so too, but we tested it and we smell success.