3 Top Lip-Loving Looks for the Holidays

Dino's 3 Top Lip-Loving Looks

Get noticed with these ravishing one-step, paint-on liquid lip colours.  Made with nourishing ingredients, these formulations keep lips supple while delivering rich colour and shine. Each one looks great on its own, or with little else; the attention is going right to your lips. Use the side of the applicator to outline and shape, the flat surface to paint and fill in, and the sponge tip to refine and finish.

Invisible Lip Liner

This colourless and waterproof lip liner pencil glides smoothly around lips. Apply before colour to lock lipstick in place and prevent color from bleeding or feathering. 

 

3rd Annual Client Appreciation Month

Are you ready for the holidays? Let me help you get you ready for stress-free parties by offering some laid-back beauty shopping you can do in your pajamas!

Here’s a special holiday price for long-time clients who are faithful to their favourite combo of DDB Concealer/Revealer and Mineral Powder Foundation. This year it’s bigger and better, with a bonus! Buy 2 Mineral Powder Foundations and Concealer/Revealer (a.k.a. Double-Duty Mineral Concealer) and get a third powder and concealer for half price--plus free shipping within Canada. Easy beauty doesn’t get any better and allows you to stock up until next year.


Body Makeup: What you need to know to cover it up! From birthmarks to tatoos...

Dermablend is one of the first camouflage/paramedical makeup lines created for the consumer by Flori Roberts in 1960.  It has always been favoured by individuals with serious skin discolourations from birthmarks to tattoos and by professional performers who must look their best on camera for long periods of time under hot bright lights. Revamped and now owned and operated by L’Oreal, Dermablend returns to the Canadian market in my favourite shopping place­­ — Shoppers Drug Mart.

Recently, I met with Dermablend and learned all about the revised line, especially the new Leg & Body Makeup. Which is perfect for this time of year when everyone is showing more and may have something to hide. The wonderful hydrating and lightweight formula glides on seamlessly and builds up impeccably well covering everything from a minor, last minute blemish to large-scale tattoos. Varicose veins, brown spots, bruises, stretch marks, scars, and birthmarks instantly disappear. A wee bit goes a long, long way and can be applied with fingers and with Dermablend's special black sponge that covers large areas well. The finish is second-skin like which is great for men. I hear drag queens are using it on their face because it cuts down the time making up. The 12-shade range is very impressive and reflective of actual and modern skin tones. In my opinion, the line needs to expand the lighter end of the spectrum for our fair skinned lovelies.

Setting this product with powder is essential for it to last and be waterproof, smudge-proof, and non-transferable onto clothes. Deposit a generous coating with a powder puff and allow to sit for at least 5 minutes before buffing off the excess with a soft, large, fluffy powder brush. 

Recently, I was booked to do a bride for her wedding day in a city to which I had to travel the night prior. On the morning of the wedding I got an emergency text from the bride telling me that the makeup artist who was booked to do her wedding party of 5 cancelled. I was asked to step in. This was no easy task as I had only packed makeup for the bride. The girls in her wedding party ranged from light to dark skin tones. Thankfully, I had packed a couple of the new Dermablend Leg & Body Makeup and I’m so glad I did. I was able to use this amazing product, with a light hand on the darkest girl and it looked amazing! I was able to mix the shades I brought to match everyone brilliantly. Phew! In addition to saving the day, this product served its intended purpose for the bride’s arms and chest blemishes.

 
Derma Blend Leg and Body Makeup – 100 ml – 3.4 fl. oz. - $36

Derma Blend Leg and Body Makeup – 100 ml – 3.4 fl. oz. - $36

 

Available at select Shoppers Drug Mart stores and Beauty Boutiques

 

Peach Supreme

Peach Supreme - Summer is finally here and many of you are asking what should I do to update my makeup? Cosmetic colours for June through August have always leaned to the brightest sector of the colour wheel: punchy pinks, vibrating violets, outrageous oranges and courageous corals for lips, cheeks, eyes and nails. For me, one colour that rises above all the usual suspects is the pretty and perky Peach. Luscious, fun and friendly, peach has a way of conveying the sweet sense of southern charm, conjuring images of daiquiris and peach cobbler enjoyed on a sun-dappled front porch. Peach is the softer side of orange and makes a wonderful alternative when pink and coral is just too much. In Chinese culture, peach represents immortality; in beauty, peach makeup never feels out of style.

This lovely shade, however, is often misunderstood. It amuses me when someone describes this seemingly perplexing colour as a variant of pink or as a sister to orange. Peach is often confused with apricot, which is yellower, and coral, which pinker and brighter. Artistically speaking, peach can be found in the red-orange sector of the colour wheel between rows 1 – 3.

Peach looks best when it’s swept over the cheeks and lips for a sensational sunset feel. Wear it on top of your favourite lipstick and blush for a softer side of you. Peach pairs beautifully with white, neutral and golden-bronzed tones. Use cool blues, teals and turquoises for the most complimentary combination and tropical twist with eye liner, shadow, and wardrobe pieces. 

SHOP PEACH SUPREME


Say hello to strobing

Dino Dilio weighs in on strobing with Globe and Mail

Original article from The Globe and Mail | By: Marilisa Racco Special to The Globe and Mail, Published April 14, 2016

Blooming Beauty Tips

Spring has sprung and it’s time to freshen up your skin, your look, and your cosmetic bag. Here are my Blooming Beauty Tips for this welcome season of renewal.

1. Have, or do, a facial.

Now’s the time to upgrade your skin care system or make an appointment with a professional to slough away “winter skin.” Book a regular, deep-cleansing facial because that’s all you really need. (Don’t buy into the upgrades of fanciful facials that promise to remove wrinkles, tighten skin, and do your dishes. Your goal is to deep clean, hydrate, and give skin a brand-new start.) The cleansing portion of the facial can be in the form of a chemical peel; these offer a higher concentration of exfoliant than peels bought over-the-counter. Cleansing can also involve extracting stubborn blackheads and deep-rooted blemishes. An aesthetician can usually perform this task with optimum results. Expect steam, massage, a mask--and most likely, some kind of sales pitch for their products. (If you’re offered complimentary makeup, let your skin breathe and return another time.) I suggest booking your spring facial late afternoon or early evening so you can enjoy some leisure afterward. Go home, relax, tune-out and turn off all tech devices! A nice disco nap works for me every time. Remember, too, if you’re on a beauty budget, you can always give yourself a facial.

 
 

2. Skip Primer

A high-quality moisturizer with sunscreen SPF 30 acts as the perfect primer. I recommend Paula’s Choice Daily Moisturizers with SPF 30. These products contain other skin-benefiting ingredients, too.

 

3. Sunscreen Math

Estimate how much sunscreen you and your family will need to get through the summer and buy some now. Prices for sun care products increase as the weather gets hotter. Check the expiry dates of what you have on hand.

 
 

4. Lighten-Up Your Foundation

Retire rich, emollient foundations and switch to a powder-based foundation that holds up in hot, humid weather. DDB Beauty Powder Foundation If you prefer a liquid foundation, switch to an oil-free, water-based type. It will hydrate and feel lighter than the oil-rich formulas that perform best in winter. MAC’s Face & Body Foundation, Revlon’s Colour Stay Liquid Foundations and Cover FX Natural Finish Oil-Free Foundation continue to get rave reviews.

 

5. A Word on Waterproof Makeup

Stay-put, long-wearing, waterproof makeup is a growing category in the cosmetic market for weepy brides and their mothers (who may also be experiencing hot flashes). As marvelous as these budge-proof formulas are, it’s important to note that they need a dedicated solvent to remove them properly and comfortably. Not removing waterproof makeup completely can dry out lashes and bring on skin disasters.

The DDB Spring Lipstick Collection

There’s no quicker way to update your look than with a brand-new lipstick. Pick one of the prettiest shades from the parade of punchy pinks, cunning corals, oh-so oranges, and vivacious violets.

Bright or bold, these fruit-punch shades can be worn by everyone, unless you’re considering the colour orange. This tricky shade works best if you have pearly white teeth. Anything less will emphasize the difference. In this case, go for coral--the happy medium between pink and orange.

Inspired by the tantalizing colours of tropical flowers, The DDB Spring Lipstick Collection is luscious, vivid, and infused with skin-nourishing ingredients. These long-lasting formulas offer amplified patent-leather shine. Each one makes a statement all on its own, or can be layered to create additional shades.


Pow

Hot pants pink. Few makeup items signal Spring! more than this fresh pop of colour.

OH!

Sensational citrus orange. Best friend of blue eyes and pearly white teeth. For a coral lip, mix with Pow. 

Vibe

Vivacious violet. Brightens green eyes.

Buff

Creamy, sheer, and sparkling nude. A quieter alternative to the vivacious spring take, this shade can be applied over any bright tone to temper the intensity. Wear alone for a nude look anytime. 

DIY At Home Fabulous Facial

At-home facials come in many versions. Here’s mine, a classic I’ve tweaked and updated to include some of the newest products available. Take the time to do this with care and without disturbance.

SUPPLIES

  • Head band
  • Cotton pads
  • Face Cloth
  • Towel

PRODUCTS

  • Eye Makeup Remover
  • Facial Cleanser
  • Exfoliant
  • Toner
  • Face cream
  • Serum
  • Eye Cream (optional)
  • Lip Balm
  • Hand Cream

The Steps:

  1. Get comfortable. Comfy cozies, pyjamas, nothing at all!
  2. Remove makeup, clean skin.
  3. Apply face cleanser generously and lay on a facecloth that has been moistened with warm water. This steam softens the skin and begins the process.
  4. Remove the facecloth after 5 minutes.
  5. Massage your face and neck with your fingertips and knuckles. Be the most gentle around the eyes. Rinse off cleanser.
  6. Manual Exfoliation Process: Apply a teaspoon of scrub and mix into palms of hands. Pat and spread over face and neck. Avoid the eye area. Gently and very lightly use fingertips to skim and buff for 2 minutes. No scrubbing or rubbing. Rinse thoroughly away in the shower. Lightly pat away excess water with a towel but leave the skin moist. Jump to step 8.
  7. Chemical Exfoliation Approach: Apply appropriate Paula’s Choice leave-on Liquid Exfoliator after step 9.
  8. Mask – Use a creamy moisturizing mask if your skin is dry and a clay-based mask if your skin is oily. You can use both if you have combination skin. Leave mask on as long as directed. Most moisturizing masks don’t need to be rinsed off. The remainder can be massaged into the skin. Clay-based masks must be removed completely because of their drying properties.
  9. Toner - Apply with cotton pads to calm and treat the skin. This completes the cleansing process and prepares skin for the following steps:
  10. Select a serum to address your skin’s specific needs or concerns. Massage in 3 – 6 drops.  Apply more if you feel you’ve run out or have drier skin.
  11. Lock in the serum with a moisturizing gel, lotion, or cream. If you’re heading outdoors, make sure it contains an SPF 30.
  12. Eye Cream (optional) take up eye cream to the size of a pea with ring finger. Pat and warm with other ring finger and tap along the orbital bone, all around the eye and into the temples.
  13. Apply lip balm.
  14. Enjoy the glow and keep makeup light!

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Celebrating with my CityLine family

Here's a sneak peak behind the scenes from our #CityLineHoliday celebration. 

Thank you for an incredible year together. 

Victoria Secret Makeover

Cityline audience member Victoria gets transformed into a model with hair by Kevin Hughes of Moroccan Oil on Fashion Friday.

The Low Down on Liner

I continue to see woman use too much eyeliner, and then wonder why their eye makeup never looks quite right or makes them look tired when they’re not. Most eyeliner pencils are quite soft so they can deliver colour without unnecessary pressure or discomfort. Sometimes the pencil can be so soft that it’s difficult to use with precision. (Or maybe a pencil sharpener is the perfect gift for you!)

Going over the lash line repeatedly with eyeliner only adds more product and is often the culprit for the mess. A little trick is to use the DDB Chisel-Tip Angle Brush, to pick up and transfer the eyeliner. Rub the tip back and forth over the tip of the pencil and then apply the liner along the base of your lashes. This gives you more control and you can build onto it by adding more--without the line becoming too wide and wonky.

To begin, position and tuck the longest point of the brush at the outer end of your eye and--in overlapping dashes--work into and along the lash roots. Holding the brush perpendicular or slightly angled upwards allows you to see what you’re doing. Taper and fade out the liner as you reach the inside edge of the iris. The outer end of the eyeliner can be thickened to elongate the eye, or lifted up and out for a winged effect. The results are more flattering than rimming the pencil all around your eyes, especially in the inside corner where some liners can make the eye look dark, tired--and even mean. The right tools and a little technique can help eyes look rested, bright, and ready to take on the day, or night!.

New Books You'll Love!

I love books. Especially ones about makeup. This time of year, some of the most glamorous books come out. Gorgeous, glossy, and gigantic; they can be as big as a coffee table itself! Here are two new books I’m giving to friends who love beauty and art:


Face Paint

Face Paint: The Story of Makeup by Lisa Eldridge

Published by Abrams, New York

This is a welcome historical tome about the science and art of makeup past-to-present. Eldridge explores the primitive and often poisonous practices of Egyptian (and Victorian) times, right up to my favourite period: Hollywood’s golden-era icons. Why do women continue to emulate these fabulous faces? Read and learn! Face Paint touches on the social impact of makeup and how one of the oldest global social practices has become a multi-billion dollar phenomenon. For me, Eldridge’s book is a wonderful, updated version of Richard Corson’s 1972 classic, Fashions in Makeup--though Eldridge’s take is lighter on text and heavier on lavish, detailed images. 


Art & Makeup by Lan Nguyen-Grealis

Laurence King Publishing

This book is not about au naturel style! In this luscious volume, award-winning makeup artist, Nguyen-Grealis, documents how makeup can be used unconventionally and in other art forms. With the worlds of art and cinema in mind, Art & Makeup is a beguiling showcase/gallery of this artist’s work. It includes images, references, and how-to techniques inspired by Picasso and Warhol, The Great Gatsby and Mad Men. Nguyen-Grealis reaches way back to pay homage to daring darlings Cleopatra and Marie Antoinette. The photography is stunning.