Life Changing Makeup

Here at Stimuli we do talk a lot about makeup.  What works best, what our favourites are as well as application techniques.  However, we have never considered that a makeup product could literally transform a person's life.  No, we aren't being overly dramatic.  Sweet Leilani has changed the lives of many.  Here's why.

Cosmedic Corner owner and Sweet Leilani creator, Leilani, began her career as a Cosmetic Designer for film & TV.   Certified as a Paramedical Makeup and Tattoo Specialist, Leilani was not able to find the products she needed to help the burn, trauma and cancer patients she was working with.  After an extensive search she realized that she would have to create it herself and in 1990 the first Skin Care Cover Foundation was born.  Not only do they disguise a disfigurement, the products contain anti-inflammatory and healing properties that aid in the healing process.

As she was speaking with Leilani, our Publisher, Maryanne admits she actually had goosebumps. "Leilani's work is incredible.  I am amazed at how a little training and some makeup can totally transform a life.  These woman no longer feel like they need to hide.  They can go out into the world confidently and that is priceless."

Not only does Sweet Leilani Cosmetics cover scars and tattoos, it also works wonderfully for those of us fortunate enough to not have a disfigurement to live with.  The Camouflage Stick and Mineral Bronzer will give you a flawless complexion. 

Sweet Leilani products are waterproof and completely natural.  The long list of what they don't have includes Paraben free, petroleum free, gluten free, fragrance free and the list goes on.  Sweet Leilani products are recognized by the World and Canadian Burn Congress and the Burn and Cancer Units.

Sweet Leilani products are all priced at the $20 mark and are available at Pharmasave, Save On Foods as well as select People's and Shopper's Drug Mart stores.  If you would like a lesson with Leilani you can contact her at the Cosmedic Corner.

ENTER TO WIN A GIFT BASKET OF SWEET LEILANI COSMETICS AND A 1 HOUR MAKEUP INSTRUCTION WITH LEILANI VALUED AT $210.  POST A COMMENT ON THIS EDITORIAL AND YOU WILL BE ENTERED.  DEADLINE TO ENTER IS FRIDAY, JULY 30TH.

Posted under Makeup & Beauty • Health & Wellness • Beauty •

Photoshopped Skin at your Fingertips

Wouldn't it be great if we could somehow photoshop our skin before we head out the door each morning?  Oh to have that perfectly smooth, poreless complexion that can be achieved with a few clicks of a mouse.  Well, we've found two products that bring you one step closer to just that.

When HD TV came on to the market, TV personalities everywhere panicked because suddenly their faces were going to be that much more clear and defined on the screen.  Clarins came to the rescue with the creation of Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch.  This is more than just a skin primer.  It's invisible texture melts perfectly into the skin to leave a flawless finish.  Our Life Through Kristine's Eyes columnist, Kristine, swears by this product.

New to Canada is the L'Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base.  We've been seeing this in USA magazines for months and have been waiting for it to be available here.  We love it!   It is very lightweight and not greasy at all.  It smooths out your complexion, minimizes pores and fine lines and gives you a great base to apply your makeup to.

Our visit to the Grandview Corners London Drugs was very informative because we wanted to know what the difference between these two products was.  The cosmetic advisor told us that the L'Oreal product was the first one on the market to actually rival the Clarins Instant Smooth.  We tried both and she's right, they are very similar in feel, application and results.

Both the Clarins Instant Smooth ($33) and the L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base ($15)are available at London Drugs and Shopper's Drug Mart locations across the Fraser Valley.

Posted under Makeup & Beauty • Beauty •

Creating the Perfect Canvas

Your makeup is only as good as your base.  When applying makeup, you will get much better results if you "prep" your skin with the proper foundation and concealers before applying your colour.  Evening out the skin tone and covering blemishes is imperative to a great looking face.

In our recent quest for concealers, we've come across two that we are really liking.

Benefit Cosmetics has come out with a limited edition Confessions of a Concealaholic kit.  Not only is the packaging cute and fun, inside is everything you need to create the perfectly canvas.  Included is 2 shades of concealer, 1 Eyebright illuminator, 1 tube of primer, 1 Erase Paste and 2 brushes.  This kit is available at select Shoppers Drug Mart stores across the Fraser Valley for only $44.

If you're looking for something a little more simple then the Physician's Formula Concealer Trio is a great option.  This Mineral Wear formula is Talc-Free and provides a medium coverage to hide any imperfections.  It has great hold and goes on easily.  We love that there is a highlighter included to brighten up those darker areas.  Physician's Formula Concealer is available at London Drugs and Shopper's Drug Mart stores across the Fraser Valley for about $12.00.  Great deal!

Posted under Makeup & Beauty • Beauty •

Summertime “Maintenance”

The sunshine has finally arrived and we here at Stimuli are looking forward to loads of lakeside fun over the coming months.  That got us thinking about some of the ‘bare necessities’ of summer. We casually asked some of our fellow Stimulista’s just how they prepare ‘down there’ when considering their more skimpy poolside attire.

Some of our Stimulista’s didn’t bat an eye and have no problem gearing down for their regular fem-scaping, or as others may note - regular site maintenance. But if you’re not comfortable taking your bikini routine all the way to Brazil, we discovered a fabulous little option from Schick, the Quattro Trim Style for women.

This handy razor comes with a waterproof personal trimmer built right into the handle. Feeling slightly sceptical we had to investigate further. Here’s the low-down.  The Schick Quattro Trim Style comes with a four blade razor and with the flip of the handle a waterproof bikini trimmer. The trimmer has a two position guard that can be easily removed. The best part - batteries ARE included.

If you are feeling a little cheeky, visit quattro4women.ca and take the quiz to discover if you are ‘Pared and Practical’ or a little ‘Rock n’ Roll’.

No matter how you choose to ‘prep the surgical field’ (thank you Grey's Anatomy) we suggest this all-in-one a winner for bikini season.  We found our trimmer for under $13 at Shopper's Drug Mart.

Posted under Makeup & Beauty • Beauty •

Blending the Perfect Shade for YOU

We don't know about how, but here at Stimuli, we struggle with finding the perfect foundation.  It can be very difficult to walk up to a makeup counter or wall and determine the right shade for your skin, not to mention getting a formula with just the right amount of coverage. 

We were thrilled when we learned about Casbah Day Spa's Custom Blended Mineral Makeup.    Their Blending Bar is set up in their second location, Casbah Evolution, which is located in Grandview Corners.  The entire premise behind Casbah Evolution is to "try before you buy" and to educate customers about skincare and product lines.  Whether you are looking for a new cleanser or moisturizer or you, like us, are looking for the perfect foundation, Linda and Elizabeth at Casbah Evolution will walk you through the entire process.

For those of you that were at our Anniversary Shopping Event last week, you were able to take a look at the Casbah Blending Bar.  This Mineral Makeup is customizable of several different levels.  You can choose your level of coverage, your shade and you can add an SPF factor.  Here's how it works: the mineral makeup pigments are in separate jars and as the technician customizes your shade, coverage and SPF needs, each pigment is place on the blending tray and then mixed and crushed together to form one fully blended powder.

Not only do they blend foundations, they also do bronzers, blushes and eyeshadows.  The colour choices in these two products are endless and you can be guaranteed to leave with a shade that works for your skin tone.

Casbah has special introductory pricing on their Mineral Makeup.  A custom foundation is $40, Bronzer is $25, Blush is $20 and Eyeshadow is $12.  They last forever because the pigment is so pure that you can apply very little and get great colour.

You can call Casbah Evolution at 604-542-4782 to book your blending appointment or just walk into their beautiful store at #40-16081-24th Ave, South Surrey.

Posted under Makeup & Beauty • Beauty •