The Beauty Guide

Madeleine Cookies

2010-12-27T14:48:00.015-05:00

There's a new cookie in town and her name is madeleine. All year I've been besotted by these soft, scrumptious little shell shaped cookies you have with tea or coffee. The great French author Marcel Proust put madeleines on the map in his novel Rememberance of Things Past. Unfortunately he did not leave a recipe, and a great one is hard to find. Here's the best recipe I've found for this 'magical' pastry, courtesy of Sarah Bell, pastry chef and co-owner of the recently expanded Bobbette and Belle (bobbetteandbelle.com)

Ingredients

7 Eggs

1 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted

11/2 cups white or brown sugar

1Tsp baking powder

Pinch of salt

2 Tsp Vanilla

1 Lemon- Juice

1Lemon – Zest

1cup confectioners' sugar (optional)

Directions

· Preheat over to 350 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease and flour twenty-four Madeleine molds.

· Melt and cool butter. Add vanilla, lemon juice and zest.

· Wisk eggs and sugar together until volume is tripled. Transfer mixture to a very large mixing bowl.

· Sift dry ingredients together: flour, salt and baking powder. Sift one-fourth of the flour mixture over

the egg/sugar mixture, gently folding in, taking care not to deflate. Continue until all flour is added.

· Fold in butter mixture gently.

· Scoop mixture into a disposable piping bag and squeeze to fill each mold completely.

· Bake at 350 F for 8 to 10 minutes until the tops spring back when lightly touched, and edges are slightly golden. Remove from pan and allow to cool on a rack.

· Sift confectioners' sugar over the tops.

Winners of Redken Nature's Rescue Haircare Giveaway

2010-12-23T11:37:00.001-05:00

Congratulations to Jess from London and Rosemary from Toronto,Ontario. Both are the lucky winners of a Redken Nature's Rescue Haircare collection. Their prize includes Nature's Detox Shampoo, Rescue Cooling Deep Conditioner and Nature's Rescue Radiant Sea Spray. Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who entered. More contests to come.

Contest: Redken Nature's Rescue Haircare Line Giveaway

2010-11-30T16:11:00.008-05:00

Gorgeous hair is always glamourous. The Beauty Guide wants to help you look your most fabulous this holiday season, so enter for a chance to win the following three (3) Redken Hair Products!

The Product: Redken Nature's Rescue Haircare

The Details: Nature's Rescue is like a spa experience for your scalp and hair. The recently launched, nature-inspired haircare line contains aloe vera, soy protein and sea algae, which pamper and perfect your natural hair texture, while also being conscious of the environment. Recommended for all hair type, safe for colour treated hair and for daily use.

Prize consists of:

Nature's Detox Shampoo, a sulfate free cleanser formulated with moisturizing aloe vera and soy protein. (200ml)
Nature's Rescue Cooling Deep conditioner (125ml)
Nature's Rescue Radiant Sea Spray, a lightweight texturizer that releases an oceanic scent when you touch your hair. Nice!(100ml)
Estimated Retail Value: $90

How to enter:

Leave a comment telling us why you want to try Redken Nature's Rescue Haircare.One winner will be chosen.

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Repairing Catastrophic Hair Damage

2010-11-24T17:22:00.012-05:00

CATASTROPHY The nightmare of catastrophic hair damage usually involves chemicals—relaxers, perms, bleaches, dyes—and over processing. Back in the spring, I had the bright idea to use a mild chemical relaxer to 'loosen the tightness' of my curly hair. Big mistake.

Blame it on the wrong chemical strength or leaving the relaxer on too long…whatever, the result was catastrophic damage and the signs were unmistakable. When wet, my hair was porous, matted, tangled. When dry it was rough, lacking elasticity, and brittle. Frantically I used my entire arsenal of deep conditioning treatments but they only produced a temporary improvement. Long story short, I had to cut off two years of growth.

SOLUTION Such drastic measures might have been avoided had I known of a two phase, professional 'shock' treatment from L'Oreal's Kerastase Collection: Concentrate Vita- Ciment, a keratin protein reconstructor, and Aqua Oleum, a moisturizing conditioner with extracts of avocado and jojoba. "These products are effective because Kerastace has engineered the molecular weight of the active ingredients so they reach into the hair's core and rebuild the internal substance of the hair fibre," explained Tom Knapp,a Colour Technician at Salon Daniel where I had the treatment. This is important because relaxers and chemical hair products work by penetrating the hair shaft and literally rearranging the internal molecular structure. To repair this type of catastrophic damage you have to get right back in there at the molecular level to affect any true repair.

After shampooing, they first apply the Kerastace Vita-Ciment Concentrate, a liquid serum from a glass ampoule, and massage it into the entire length of the hair, especially the most weakened areas for 5 minutes. Next comes the Kerastase Aqua Oleum, sprayed on for 5 minutes before rinsing. Immediately, my hair was detangled, silky and soft. Each ampoule cost $25.

For 10 minutes of treatment, the results are truly jaw dropping, akin to transforming straw into silk. Good to know next time disaster strikes.

My New Winter Fragrance:Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist Luxe

2010-11-15T15:21:00.002-05:00

Do you change your perfume with the seasons? Fragrance is a crucial part of my winter survival kit. It brightens my mood and distracts from the cold, harsh reality. Now that the dark days are here again, I'm ready to switch from a light, summery scent to something warmer, richer, more comforting. My current fave is Donna Karan's Cashmere Mist Luxe Edition Eau De Parfum Spray Fragrance. It's sooooo gorgeous!!

The literature says it evokes the feeling of pure cashmere against bare skin--a luxury I've never experienced. Still, the fragrance does make you feel pampered. It contains two of my favourite scents, amber and vanilla, which add warmth and depth without being too strong or overpowering. Three people have commented so far on how nice the fragrance smells on me; that hasn't happened for ages, so I know this is keeper.

I once interviewed a 'nose', (the official name for a professional perfumer), who told me that during winter he sprayed his curtains with amber fragrance to scent his home. How opulent! I tried it (just one spritz is enough) and now my bedroom feels like a 'boudoir', the perfect setting in which to hibernate.

1.7-oz. Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Luxe Edition EDP Spray Fragrance, $72.00 is available at Sephora.com and Holtrenfrew.com.

Event: Dare To Wear Love Fundraiser

2010-10-25T14:28:00.012-04:00

Sudanese designer Rashel

Lewis Foundation Representative

Volunteer Karen Tyrell

Mayoral candidate George Smitherman

Dare to Wear Love, the colourful and exuberant closing night show at LG Fashion Week beauty by L’Oréal Paris, thrilled the fashion crowd this past Friday, October 22 at 8 p.m.

For the second year, Dare to Wear Love, produced by Chris Tyrell and Jim Searle of the Toronto fashion line Hoax Couture, was held to benefit the The Stephen Lewis Foundation, which supports various grassroots organizations working to turn the tide of HIV/AIDS in Africa. Ticket holders enjoyed an exclusive cocktail party and an exhibit of African inspired fashions in the Fashion Environment at Heritage Court. Following the party, guests moved into the marquee runway room and experienced the Dare to Wear Love, an uplifting and unforgettable show full of African-inspired fashion, dance and music. Working with textiles from different parts of Africa, 26 of Canada's top designers put their creative skills, heart and soul into some fabulous and charitable couture. The outfits were worn by models, celebrities like Pop singer Keshia Chante and media personalities.

All outfits will be auctioned off until November 2 - find more information and make a donation at DareToWearLove.com.The goal is to raise $100,000.00.

Sesame Street Celebrates Black Hair

2010-10-22T01:57:00.001-04:00

How adorable is Sesame Street! The latest you tube viral sensation is a song called "I Love My Hair". It shows a brown Muppet with a nappy fro singing about the many hairstyles she can wear. It's meant to encourage girls of colour to love their natural texture. Sesame Street head writer, Joey Mazzarino, whose adopted Ethiopian daughter, wished her hair was straight like Barbie, wrote the song. Mazzarino says he wrote the song to tell his daughter: "Your hair is great. You can put it in ponytails. You can put it in cornrows. I wish I had hair like you."

Here we are in 2010, and it's obvious that young girls of colour still absorb the message that straight, long hair is the ideal, a sentiment that sets up a lifelong struggle with their natural hair texture. This song celebrates the versatility of ethnic hair, something that's rarely shown in fashion images. It's a delightful teaching tool and I wish this had been around when I was young.

Temptu Airbrushed Beauty

2010-10-15T15:12:00.018-04:00

Look at this gorgeous photo. Looks so flawless you'd think it was airbrushed courtesy of Photoshop. Well, its airbrushed all right, but using a great new makeup tool called the Temptu Airbrush Makeup System, an at-home airbrush makeup system that uses disposable pods of colour (great selection of foundation colours ethnic skin tones) to achieve a finish unlike anything I've ever experienced.

You pop the AIR pod into the AIRbrush handle, point and spray. It takes a few tries to get the hang of how long to spray and how much pressure should be applied, but it’s ultimately quite easy and super fast. I also like the scent of the product. Quite literally, I gasped when I saw the results and it takes a lot to get that out of this old beauty trooper. The results are pretty darn close to this photo. Clebs like Scarlette Johansson, Eva Mendes and even the hosts and guests on CNN, have used it for years, and Beyonce Knowles has recently inked a deal with Temptu for a new line of temporary tattoos under her Dereon fashion label.

Perfection isn't cheap. Available exclusively at Sephora, The Temptu AIRbrush Makeup System retails for $265. Air Pod (2) foundations $65, Blush $36, Highlighter $42. But if you're a makeup minimalist, like your make soft and natural, want the best results in the shortest time, and would love to ditch all those tubes of foundation, powder, and concealer—then the Temptu is for you. Get it on your holiday wish list early. Fast, flawless makeup is a thing of beauty.

Photos courtsey of Temptu.

White Nail Polish Is Allowed After Labour Day

2010-09-10T12:48:00.004-04:00

White nail polish is my go to colour. It's what I wear 90% of the time because it hides dirt and minimizes chips. But it has to be the right white, meaning neither too runny or too opaque, with a hint of blue undertone (not gold or pink!) without being too sparkly or frosty.

Revlon's Nail Enamel Faux Suede in Powder Puff from the new Suede Rhapsody Collection nails the colour perfectly. Drying time, just as important as the right colour, is mercifully quick at one minute flat. No exaggeration. This faux suede formula dries at top speed and I found it to be extremely chip resistant. I'm not a big fan of matte finishes so I follow with a coat of Revlon's ExtraLife No Chip Top Coat for a more glossy finish that also helps prolong the life of the polish.

As well, in partnership with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Revlon will contribute $1.00 from each purchase to fund breast cancer research. What's not to love.

Price: $5.50. Beauty Eh! Available at retails across Canada only until December 2010. I plan to stash a few away.

If I Look Taller It's My New Bra

2010-09-07T12:11:00.008-04:00

My biggest discovery this summer? My bra size is a 30E. Changed my life! I've worn a 32DD, 34C and D, even a 36B. One's bra size does change over time so perhaps I was these dimensions at some point, but according to the lingerie fit experts at Change, 315 Queen Street West I'm now a 30E. (30" is the measurement around the rib cage, just beneath the shoulder blades).

The proper fitting bra is a powerful thing, eliminating worries about spillage or bumps, keeping straps from riding up and your shoulder back and down. Instantly, anything you're wear looks better and you're walking taller. You'll see.

It doesn't cost a fortune either. The average price of the everyday basics from the Chic collection is $28.00. And it won't cost you a cent more for the fit experts to measure you correctly. Cup sizes range from A to J; band measurements from 28 to 44 inches. For the quality and fit, this is a pretty sweet deal. And it's far less stressful than wandering the racks of standard sized bras in your friendly department store.

Visit any of the 14 Change stores in Vancouver, Montreal, and Toronto

Photo courtsey of Change.