She to Shic Beauty Lounge and BookingNest

Summer is finally making an appearance in Vancouver, and that means it's sandal season! Although sandal season has always historically coincided with unsightly feet season, it need no longer be that way!
BookingNest is a brand new Vancouver based website that allows you to book appointments with wellness and beauty professionals. Think OpenTable, but with spas, hair salons, fitness instructors, and  massage therapists instead of restaurants! BookingNest allows you to find professionals offering the service you want in your area, view their real time availability and instantly book an appointment with them online, any time.
Currently they have over 90 professionals located throughout the greater Vancouver area, treating yourself to some pamper time has never been easier!

BookingNest recently approached me to review one of their members, so with my feet in desperate need of a pedicure, I toddled off to She to Shic Beauty Lounge in Kerrisdale.

The first thing I noticed when I walked into She to Shic Beauty Lounge was the scent, specifically the absence of that chemical scent usually associated with nail salons, instead the air smelled of luscious fresh citrus. This is because She to Shic prides itself in being the first completely green and eco-friendly beauty lounge in Vancouver. All their products are organic and contain no formaldehydes, preservatives or dyes. Because of this expectant mums and little princesses can visit worry free!
In addition to the usual manicures and pedicures, She to Shic also offer waxing, lash extensions, and hair and makeup services.

No dark and dingy interiors here! The award winning design includes plenty of natural lighting and open airy spaces. The decor is minimalist yet comfy (I so wanted to take a snooze in their loungers!). The nail stations are situated across from a big screen tv and there is a good selection of new releases they can pop in for your viewing pleasure.
I got to experience their classic pedicure which included a scented soak, shaping and buffing, cuticle cleaning (much needed!), a sugar scrub, lotion massage (glorious and you get to chose your own scent!) and polish application. You even get to take home the orange stick and nail file and all just for the sweet price of $35!

Spa Ritual polish is the salon's nail polish of choice, the polishes are vegan friendly in addition to being 3 free. Should you desire something more longer lasting than conventional polish they also offer gel polish.
For my pedicure I chose a gorgeous bright pink called Dreamsicle. In the interest of keeping this blog feet free, I will spare you photos of Sheryn's handiwork, but let me assure you that my toes are tres pretty and that despite the pedicure being over a week ago, the polish is still fresh and glossy looking with minimal wear.
Thank you BookingNest and She to Shic Beauty Lounge!! I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and can't wait to go back!
She to Shic Beauty Lounge
2315 W 41st Avenue
Vancouver, BC

Make your appointment with She to Shic Beauty Lounge at BookingNest.com

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Review & Clinique Service As You Like It

When Clinique invited me check out their newly renovated counter at The Bay, downtown Vancouver, I spied with my little eye, the new Chubby Stick Intense!
I cackled gleefully when I discovered that they had generously included 4 of them in my goody bag!

If you were disappointed with the original Chubby Stick due to its lack of pigmentation then the new Intense line is perfect for you! Featuring 8 new shades, the new Intense line combines the original moisturising formula with an extra pop of colour.
I found these to be much longer wearing than the original Chubby Sticks, on average 4-5 hours, with the darker colours lasting even longer and fading gradually to a stain.
I much prefer the formula of Chubby Sticks over Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balms. These feel creamier, smoother and more moisturising, and all without Revlon awful peppermint scent and taste!
The new Chubby Stick Intense are CAN$19 each and available now at Clinique counters.
Onto swatches!

Curviest Caramel:

Heftiest Hibiscus:

Mightiest Maraschino:

Broadest Berry:

Yeah, I have no idea what is up with those names either.

Oh and if you do happen to be at the Clinique counter in downtown Vancouver, make sure to check out their new Clinique Service As You Like It!
Developed with the customer in mind, simply pop on one of Clinique's complementary bracelets in the corresponding colour and you'll get the exact type of service you want. Whether you wish to browse alone at your own leisure (pink bracelet), you are pressed for time and need express service (white bracelet) or you have all the time in the world for a full consultation (green bracelet), what you want is what you'll get. I'm personally all about the pink bracelet as I am quite an anti-social shopper haha!
While I was at the counter, I noticed how self-service friendly the new layout is, testers are laid out and easily accessible, products are clearly labelled with their function and price and they even have these iPad where you can get a nifty printed list of recommended products for your skin woes. Quite often shoppers feel too intimidated to ask to see or test out a product, so being able to take a product off the shelf yourself without a pushy assistant breathing down your neck is definitely an improvement!

Lise Watier Millésimé

Last week was a bit of an oddball week for me, if I wasn't attending a PR event I was attending a personal social event. Usually I go home immediately after work to hold whichever one of their paws that my cats allow me the honour of holding while they sleep. If they're feeling particularly generous, they'll even condone to eat a few treats out of my hands!

Lise Watier kindly invited me to a fun night of vino and makeup in celebration of their 40th (!!) anniversary. In addition, they also took the opportunity to showcase their Autumn/Fall 2012 colour cosmetics collection.

Yah, you heard me, AUTUMN!! Dude it's only June...and the temperatures haven't even hit the 20s yet...please don't suggest that Autumn is coming soon... Unfortunately the weather that day only seemed to exacerbate my fears - twas yet another gloomy and rainy day in Vancouver. Ah well, if the catwalk trends are anything to go by, at least this Autumn will feature my favourite colour, so that's something to look forward to. Not that I ever look forward to Winter.

Allons-y!

The event was held at Uva - a trendy little wine bar in downtown Vancouver. Uva means grape in Italian. 

Rachel, Lise Watier's PR specialist est très français and has legs as long as I am tall. Herve Leger obviously had her in mind when he designed those bandage dresses.

Lise Watier's Millesime collection is inspired by wine!

Yessss!!! Purples are in!!!!

I LOVE the makeup in this photo, I'll definitely have to copy it!

Bling fans will be happy to know that there will be 2 new additions to Lise Watier's Duo Shadow & Glitter range! Plum Star will join the permanent line and Brown Amber will be limited edition.

Alison and I were both excited about the addition of creme blushes to the line.

New limited edition quads for Fall. Les Vins (purples) for cool tones and Les Cognacs (browns) for warm tones.

Neiges EDT was released in 1999 by Lise Watier. It is a floral scent with notes of magnolia, orange blossom, musk, jasmine, hyacinth, woods, lily-of-the-valley and rose.

Ms. Watier herself.

Brown Amber Duo Shadow & Glitter in action:

Lise Watier demo booth:

Brown Amber Duo Shadow & Glitter:

Lise Watier makeup artist Chelsea Chute working her magic on Alison.

Alison got Plum Star Duo Shadow & Glitter

Gorgeous!

Ashley got cat eye liner and a statement lip 

Close-up of Ashley's cat eye liner:

Uva's sommelier educating us on the wines that we will soon be tasting:

Happy bloggers!

Products from Lise Watier that you can look forward to seeing:

Merci beaucoup et joyeaux 40e anniversaire Lise Watier!

Lunasol Nature Summer Blue palette FOTD a.k.a. Creature from the BLUE lagoon xD

I recently came into a huge haul courtesy of the lovely Sheila of Maddy Loves, I shamelessly pestered her until she ran away to some remote part of China where they have no internet connection.
I will share my stash with you in due time, right now they're on a glass pedestal, I take them out every now and then to pet and giggle at them.
One of the pieces that I could not resist using immediately was the Lunasol Nature Summer Blue palette.  Blues and Aquas, how can I resist?
Apologies for the poor blending job and the bloodshot eyes. Does anyone know a cure for chronically bloodshot eyes??!!

Products used:

• Lunasol Nature Summer Blue palette
• MAC Mineralised Skin Finish Natural in Light Medium
• Canmake Cheek Gradation in Chocolate Stripe
• Diorskin Shimmer Star powder in Rose Diamond
• Annabelle Smudgeliner in Blue Sapphire
• Maxfactor 2000 Calorie mascara in Black
• Make Up Store glitter liner in Sea Blue
• NARS lipgloss in Orgasm

Method:

• Lunasol palette - apply light champagne shade all over lid and inner half of lower lash line.
• Lunasol palette - apply aqua shade on outer half of lid.
• Lunasol palette - apply dark blue shade on crease and outer half of lower lash line. Blend the darker blue shade into the aqua.
• Lunasol palette - apply gold shade to area between the champagne shade and the aqua shade.
• Annabelle liner - upper lash line.
• Make Up Store liner - apply glitter liner over the Annabelle liner. Pat some glitter onto the outer V.
• Mascara
• MAC MSF Natural - buffed onto skin as foundation
• Canmake Cheek Gradation - applied as bronzer
• Diorskin Shimmer - applied to apples of cheeks and forehead as highlighter
• NARS Orgasm lipgloss.

Close up of eyes:

Acting "chio"

My maxi dress which I never had an opportunity to wear *sigh*

In other news, guess where I went last week? xD

Is a grumpy demeanour a necessity when you're a security guard? He literally looks like this ):

In one word, AMAZING!

Canada Day celebrations and other things - very very very pic heavy!

July 1st is Canada Day so the boy and I went downtown to join in the festivities.

OMG!!! I finally found myself a mountie!!! I dedicate this photo to Etherealprey xD

Look at the sea of people inside Canada Place!

Canada Place Soccer Expo - there was a disabled soccer match going on, first time I've ever seen anything like it! Big respect to these guys! I moan and grown and refuse to go to the gym when I've got muscle aches, just look at these guys! p.s. spy my country's flag in the background xD

A stage performance with girls hanging from the ceiling on ribbons.

The Army Expo. We joked that if Canada had to be under attack at that very moment, we'd be unable to respond because the entire Canadian artillery was probably there xD

A jazz performance outside Canada Place.

We reckon there was more people on the street that day than the amount of people that was there for Olympics.

If you go to the windows, you can see Vancouver's north shore.

They opened up the area around the Olympic cauldron!

They even lit up the cauldron for the day! I wonder who coughed up the $10K.

This is the closest I've ever been to the cauldron xD

Haha! Olympic Men's Hockey Gold game was being show on the big screen.

A hat from a street vendor but the boy said I look funny >__>

Street performances.

My FOTD

In case you're curious, I used Shiseido Maquillage Clean Contrast Eyes in VI213, MAC Beauty Powder in Pearl and MAC Creme D' Nude lippie.

Also had on falsies! I used the invisible method I posted about here

Thought I'd let you guys see what I wear to work xD my first fashion post! Sorry I am really hopeless in fashion.

Another work OOTD

Foodables!!!! Seafood pot with Basa, Enoki, Shrimp, Mussles, mushrooms; veggies and Vermicelli. So yummy and so easy to make! just throw everything into a pot! Yes we love Coriander haha!

Dinner at Chez Nunu xD

My version of a Tom Yum Goon - Salmon, Tiger Prawns, Enoki mushrooms, finish off with a handful of coriander.

London Drugs, a local pharmacy, was clearing out their stock of Annabelle cosmetics. I picked up a bunch of Smudgeliners and Smoothliners for a blogger buddy and myself. The formula is a good dupe of UD's 24/7 pencils in terms of staying power! but at a fraction of the price.

Swatches - sorry I don't remember which was which any more as I did these in the shop.

A recent Cosme-de haul - will review the O'slee Clear Spa Sleeping Mask soon!

Last but definitely not least, a surprise gift from a very special "Denmarkian" xD. When we last met, I complained about how Canada doesn't sell Labello (yes I know Nivea bought them out but I feel the North American formula is different) and she totally hooked me up!! She also sent me Gosh lippies xD. The bf has nommed the choccies already, he says they're his "SO tax"! Thank you sooo much Chyi!!! I love it!!!