Published: The Kit, Best Health, Fleek'd

Makeup by Victoria Radford 

Over the past few months, I've been working more on freelance writing.

Last week, I was published in The Toronto Star in their print edition of the beauty publication The Kit. The photo above was taken by makeup artist Victoria Radford's team, after she created my look. I was testing out the glossy eye trend as seen on the spring 2015 runways, and also in Rihanna's latest music video. I also interviewed Maybelline's Global Artist, Yadim. Lastly, I talked a bit too candidly about tears and breakups.

Here is the link to the online version, on page 6, titled "Lid Gloss"

Additional reads:

I also wrote an article about body scrubs for Best Health, and I'm a contributor to a new website called Fleek'd where I write about style, beauty, life, and wellness. My latest is about Taylor Swift's conversion to untouchable pop royalty. See links below. Enjoy!

Best Health - The benefits of body scrub

Fleek'd - Dear Tay, How'd You Do It?

Day to Night - Ho-Ho-Holidays

I recently worked with The Kit on a sponsored post with Vince Camuto's holiday collection. The concept was pairing a look from day to night, using two key pieces.

Enjoy! x

Photography credit: Day - Jennifer Choy/ Night - Stefania Sgambelluri

For Day
When it comes to the holidays, the simplest way to inject festive energy into a look is with an accent colour that makes the Mr. (as in Claus) smile with sartorial pride. For a holiday day look adding in a denim jacket and a cherry knit scarf helps to play down a fun, puffy lace skirt in the sunshine. I also chose to pair the final outfit with brown opaque tights (instead of black) and beige lace-up booties to bring out the gold detail in the skirt and soften the overall look.

For Night
For a holiday night in, as any good hostess would know, a zip of red lipstick adds a bit of polish to a messy, tousled bun and completes any look. A silk shirt with gold studded accents accentuates the femininity of the look, while the lace skirt paired with black pointy toe pumps adds a bit of dramatic allure. Lastly, nothing adds to a holiday night like a bright cocktail and a positive outlook for the cheeriest of seasons!

Vince Camuto Foil Lace Skirt in Rich Black, $139, Available at The Bay
Vince Camuto Embellished Neck Tie Blouse in Papyrus, $149, Available at The Bay

*this post was sponsored* 

Yogurt Masks & Beauty Buzzin

In staying true to this blog's moniker:

Hey! Look, at this glamourous photo of me with yogurt all over my face!? Lately, I've learned that instead of opening your medicine cabinet, try opening your fridge instead.

When I was a kid, I remember my mother putting yogurt on her face and walking around the house. Recently, I read about this trick again on Into The Gloss, (one of my favourite beauty blogs) from an interview with actress Piper Perabo. Coyote Ugly anyone?

Greek Yogurt Mask: Slather on a thick layer of plain Greek yogurt on your face like a warrior. It will feel chilly and mushy and just plain wrong. Once it gets warm, just wash it off! It's an inexpensive, summer refresher that will leave your skin looking like you just drank 30 quarts of green juice while running on a treadmill, while lying in a field full of calla lilies. Really. Just don't leave it on for too long as the lactic acid will slough off the first layer of your skin.

Still craving some Not A Model beauty tips? Below are two of my latest beauty posts for The Kit. Enjoy! xx

Fight Summer Shine

I remember standing in line with my university roommates waiting to enter a bar in the unusually sweltering spring heat. My roommate reached over to wipe (what she thought) was hairspray off my brow, only to discover—to both our horrors—that it wasn’t hairspray. She had just wiped sweat off my forehead.

I’ve always been more of a “warm-blooded” person (to put it nicely) and I struggle in any environment where heat is a large factor. I’ve used many products to try and tame my glands, but nothing has worked as well as the Aroma Pureté line from Decelor.

The products, available at The Bay, are for oily to combination skin and use Ylang Ylang to reduce excess sebum (the stuff that gives your skin that shine). This essential oil allows skin to breathe while giving a clean matte look.

My favourite products are the Aromessence Ylang Ylang Purifying Serum and the Shine Control Oxygenating Fluid. Both are applied before my daily moisturizer to give my face the extra barrier it needs to face the summer scorch.

My forehead sends her thanks.

Mood Makeup
When choosing what shade of lipstick to wear, I don’t normally associate too many emotions with my choice. Sure, I always want my makeup to add a little something to my face and brighten me up a bit but I never thought choosing a colour could affect my personality or mood.

Enter Lush’s new Emotional Brilliance makeup line.

The message is incredible. Every shade of lipstick, eyeliner and eye shadow has been created with an emotion in mind. Strong, decisive, power–each tint will bring something new to the person who wears it.

I love how the line is not reflective of a current trend or what’s “cool” but of a woman’s desire to leave the house adding colour not only to her face, but to her life.

Try: Liquid Lips ($22.95) in “Power.” Each lip tint has organic jojoba oil and rose wax for a smooth, moisturizing pigment. I like to add lip balm on top of mine for that extra bit of shine.

Not A Model Mantra - Jane & Audrey

Of all the things I love about New York and summertime - it's the greenery.

The shade from a tree can be the only refuge from the heat. I've never been exposed to this much constant warmth in a city. The slow, bubbling humidity that slides up my back like a masseuse's hands; the permanent oil slick that has become my own brand of blush.

But more than parks, I love old-timey things. The type of activities that brought people the smallest bit of happiness before we had every other type of stimulation. When watching a movie was a treat and not something you downloaded in your bed, while tweeting on your phone. (Although that can be pretty great too.)

Last night, I scratched one of the items on my NYC bucket list and watched a movie (Roman Holiday) in Bryant Park. I sat in the grass, munched on snacks, drank white wine and giggled at nonsense with my roommates and new friends despite the sweaty scenery. When the movie credits started to roll, people (including myself) stood up to dance and clap and cheer. And just like that, I was part of something. 

This week's Not A Model mantra is from a wise woman and it is all about finding a little bit of joy in the greens, not the blues of a computer screen:

"To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is most perfect refreshment. - Jane Austen

Also, if you're looking for a beauty beat for the heat - check out my latest post for The Kit that features ways to combat the oil sludge. Below are some photos from movie night. Enjoy! xx

Summer Beauty Survival - The Kit

It seems like the city is under the siege of a heat monster and my latest post for The Kit will help you navigate the humid hums with ease. Enjoy! xx

Summer Survival Tips

I’ve noticed that in the summertime, I carry more practical beauty items than glamourous ones. I opt for things that will help me in a bind or get me to my next engagement without looking like a dud.

For the Sweaty Sailor:
I carry around face blotting sheets more than I carry around my wallet. While I’m exaggerating, these sheets are crucial for those moments when you need to go from shiny to matte in five seconds flat. Try: Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens, $12, sephora.com

For Bubbling Blisters:
I’ve noticed that summer shoes do a number on my feet so my best weapon of defense are Advanced Healing Blister tabs from Band-Aid. The squishy pods conceal the pain and provide a bit of medicine to give me the ability to dance, walk, or stroll the night away.

For the Chapped Chaps:
My favourite summer lip balm is one that reminds me of bikes rides and cold soda. I also like a little bit of sheen without a heavy lipstick in the heat. Try: Dr. Pepper Chapstick for a classic pick-me-up on a lazy su­­­­­mmer day.

Post Vacation Thoughts, Boozy Shampoo & The Kit

Coming back from any vacation always leaves me simultaneously underwhelmed and overwhelmed.

I feel underwhelmed because my daily routine is nowhere near as exciting as free-spiriting it around a new place, and I feel overwhelmed because I have mounds of laundry to attend to, an empty fridge to fill and people to reschedule plans with.

But these are "everyday problems."

While hanging out in Vegas (more on that to come) I was immune to the news cycle for a couple of days and returned to a world that is full of murder, cannibalism, war and wide-spread unemployment.

While it feels frivolous sometimes to blog about shampoo when the world is falling apart, sometimes we all need a break from the negativity.

Today I was featured in the print edition of The Kit in their Toronto Star issue (photo above) as a Kit blogger. I was flattered to have my own little bio in my local city newspaper and it brightened up my day.

Lastly, as per my quip about shampoo, below is my latest hair post for The Kit featuring a product that will get your tresses tipsy. Enjoy! xx

Liquored Locks

Have a pint…on your hair? As the warmer weather brings the familiarity of rickety patios and tall, cool glasses of beer, one would never think that pouring that mixture on one’s head could result in…better locks.

I’m always on the lookout for a shampoo that will help manage my unruly mane, while also steering away from anything that smells too strong or fragrant. I’m not a fan of anything that feels like I’ve dipped my head in a bouquet of flowers or potpourri.

Cue Cynthia Sylvia Stout Shampoo

The shampoo is made with organic vegan stout from a local brewery. Apparently the stout has protein to give your strands a bit of weight and shine, especially when the weather is a bit sticky out.

I love how it smells a bit like lemon, and it definitely doesn’t feel like your dousing your hair in a pint. The yeast from the beer is also good for the scalp and the lemon juice cleanses the hair without stripping it dry. There are also three different sizes, so you can try it out without making the commitment.

Just don’t fall down in the shower.

Brushing for your Bod - The Kit

As the first long-weekend of the summer approaches, it's time for your skin to make its public debut. 

Below is my latest beauty post from The Kit with advice on how to get your smoothest outer layer yet. 

Have a great weekend! xx

THE KIT -

There are two types of people that can pull off wearing sparkles on their body: Victoria Secret Angels and vampires from Twilight.

While I’m not either (but probably closer to a vampire, let’s be real) I still desire the type of epidermis that makes strangers on the street consciously have to resist the urge to reach over and touch me. Just when I was about to dump a bunch of gooey shimmer on my skin, my roommate tipped me off to dry brushing.

While dry brushing may seem like an insignificant step to a beauty routine, it actually provides many health benefits. Did you know that dry brushing helps improve overall circulation and flushes toxins?

It also helps to tighten the skin, improve muscle tone and even can help with cellulite. Despite the slight discomfort I felt at first, (rough bristles don’t always feel the greatest) I enjoy watching the mounds of dry skin leap off my body and somersault as they combust in the air, freeing the layer underneath to reveal soft, almost toddler-like skin.I also like how it helps me to reconnect with the present moment after a long day.

With routine brushing, the discomfort is gone and the coconut oil that I apply afterward glides on effortlessly, leaving me feeling like I’m almost ready for my angel wings.

Almost.

Hair on Top

I've decided that I must befriend Beyonce for one very logical reason: we need to talk about our hair.

This past week, Miss B created a social media frenzy by launching a Tumblr of personal photos. I couldn't help but notice a strange resemblance to the beach photos of her natural hair as my own coif does a pretty similar thing when I hit the salt water. My sister (who does not share the same hair genetics as me) found it quite funny when I shared this insight and she created the photo to the right.  

While I know that Beyonce can't give me hair advice, I turn to other curly haired girls. See below for my latest for The Kit. Enjoy! xx

Curly Hair Frizz Fighter

I can’t count the number of mornings I’ve woken up with a halo of frizz from tossing and turning, or arose to squashed lifeless curls matted on my head. It can be frustrating to go to bed with dreams of looking like Venus de Milo and instead wake up looking like Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons.


Recently a fellow curly-haired soul took out a spray bottle in broad daylight and started spritzing her hair. I’m always looking for new solutions to my mane so I immediately gave her the third degree. “What is that?” I asked. She scoffed at my curly haired naivety, and showed me the bottle.

Mist-er Right by Deva Curl, it said. I was intrigued enough that she bought me my own bottle. Despite the witty name, the product is a day-after-ponytail curl saviour. The curl mist has a touch of lavender that helps to refresh the scalp and bring those day old curls back to life when it’s not quite time for a wash.

It can also reactivate products that are already in your hair to bring the bounce back. I always love to mention that this product is also 100% sulfate and paraben free and smells amazing. And here I thought the straight haired girls had all the fun with their fancy dry shampoo.

Now if only I could find the real Mr. Right…

Past the Princess - Twilight, The Hunger Games and Brave

I vowed not to fall into the Hunger Games trilogy trap...and failed.

My apprehension to read came from the comparisons to the vapid Twilight franchise. I remember reading the first Twilight book and within 50 pages I was yawning. Why is this girl just staring at some guy and walking around the forest? I shut the book and never went back. I'll admit that I did watch the movies, and while some were entertaining I couldn't help but grit my teeth at Bella Swan.

Blame my media studies degree, (hey, it has to be useful for something) but the representation of Bella as a helpless girl who can't walk without tripping and lets some supernatural boy take over her entire life is ridiculous. Don't even get me started on demon babies and imprinting. The worst part is that I know young girls just salivate over this intense representation of "true love" and I want to hit someone. Perhaps Edward?

You could imagine my surprise when Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games shows up and is pretty much the anti-Bella. Heck, she would probably even destroy beefed up Jacob (Team Jacob, always) with one glance. This girl was not waiting to be rescued from anyone. Note: I read this book in 5 days.

My latest beauty post for The Kit delves into my inner little girl and how I felt growing up with my own female pop culture role models. Enjoy! xx


Not A Model Blog for The Kit - BE BRAVE

When it comes to beauty, we want what we can’t have.

As a little girl, I wanted the hair of a princess. I desired the kind of mane that would reflect shine on the cloudiest of days and hang down my back like a silk scarf. I noticed early on that the prince didn’t fall in love with the girl with frizzy hair. She was usually the stepsister or the funny friend in the romantic comedy. Even our duchess Kate has the most enviable blowout this side of the castle.

Recently, while reveling in my not-so-secret hobby of watching movie trailers, I came across an animated movie called Brave. That is when I saw her. This bow-and-arrow-wielding young heroine had the largest, brightest, uncontrollably curly mane I had ever seen. This big-haired girl wasn’t in the background and she wasn’t the “funny friend,” she was the one who got to take the journey. She was the one who got to be in the spotlight.

Whether young or old, we shouldn’t have to look to big screens to validate our beauty, but I do believe one thing: if young girls can see the different representations of beauty, strength and power from a young age, the idea of what is beautiful begins shape their own perceptions. That little girl will turn to her mom and say, “Hey Ma, look, she’s just like me!” Perhaps the more we see, the more we’ll grow up wanting exactly what we always had.

The Kit Beauty Post - Oil...for your face

Below is another one of my Blog Ambition beauty posts for The Kit. Enjoy! 

When I think of oil, I immediately think of my favourite snack.

I envision myself sitting at the kitchen table with my father, while he carves into a large hunk of crunchy Italian bread, spilling dark crumbs everywhere. He hands me a piece, and I grab the crust, turn it over, and dip the soft, white, porous inside into a plate of extra virgin olive oil. The bread sops up the oil like a thirsty sponge, and my mouth is happy.

When it comes to non-edible oil, it can be daunting to imagine any type on the face. We’ve been bombarded with messages that oil causes breakouts and grease slicks. It’s time to debunk that beauty myth. It is actually true that if skin is devoid of oil (cough, cough too dry) it will actually work overtime to produce it, in turn causing more breakouts.

My latest skin saviour is Josie Maran’s Organic Argan Oil, available at Sephora. The oil is organically grown in Morocco, and is cold-pressed to perfection.

While I thought oil on my face would be extremely greasy, Josie Maran’s face oil absorbs effortlessly and has quickly replaced my heavy night cream. With vitamin E and fatty acids, it leaves skin feeling smooth and rejuvenated. Best of all, the product is purchased from women’s cooperatives in Morocco to support their social and economic welfare.

While nothing can replace my pre-dinner snack, this is the kind of oil I can really sink my pores into.

The Kit Beauty Post - Cake Milk Made

With the cold weather in full swing, my most recent blog ambition post for The Kit focuses on keeping those hands soft. Enjoy!

I can’t stand hand cream. I hate the greasy feeling. I hate the feeling of not being able to touch my phone after, or my face, or my computer. The list goes on.

While I’ve tried to keep my hands shielded from the cold in the winter with gloves, it hasn’t been enough. I will endure chapped, cracked, rough old lady hands, rather than get into a daily routine of putting hand cream on. Okay, I apologize; I bet old ladies have softer hands than me.

Then I met Cake Beauty’s Milk Made Velveteen Hand Cream. The cream was a gift from my lovely aunt for Christmas, so I decided to give it a shot. I mean it would be rude not to, right?

This cream took the cake (cliché intended) and left me cured of my reluctance toward the daily ritual. With its slightly sweet smell of marshmallows and warm milk, and non-greasy application (crucial to my new found love) I was hooked.

These days, I look forward to the ritual; it has even become a mini stress reliever during the day. I’ve also noticed that my skin and nails have never looked or felt better.

Now if only I could shake hands with myself.

The Bubble Tail -The Kit

Hi Not A Model readers,

Apologies for the lack of posts. I've been holed up in the suburbs enjoying the comforts of Christmas, extended cable and cookies. With only 3 days left until 2012, you know I will have a lot to say about the impending new year. Hope everyone had a fantastic holiday (whatever you celebrated).

In the meantime, below is one of my latest posts for The Kit. xx

When I was in grade seven, I wore my hair in a bun everyday for an entire year.

My parents used to plead with me to let it loose. My father claims that he used to tease a girl in grade-school by calling her Rapunzel, because she always wore her hair in a tight ponytail. He believed that karma came in the form of a daughter (me) who would never let loose her long, curly (in their eyes, beautiful) hair.

Obviously, I’ve come a long way from wearing my hair up every day, but I still find it the easiest way to style my unruly coif, especially in the morning. While I’ve become an avid slave to the trendy topknot bun, I’m always looking to refresh my look.

Back in the tenth grade, I became a master of what is now deemed, “the bubble ponytail.” This wacky ponytail can be achieved by tying little clear elastics, (I prefer Goody’s version) in little sections, every ¾-inch of your ponytail.

I recently spotted the stunning Olivia Wilde wearing my infamous ponytail (yes, I dubbed it mine because I’ve never seen anyone else do it). I decided that if it’s good enough for the red carpet, it’s good enough for my cubicle.

Next time you’re in a bind, give the top-knot a rest and try something bubbly.

Stuff I Find in My Hair - Part 2 - The Kit

My latest post for The Kit is quite confessional. I mean, who wants to admit that their scalp is a little on the dry side? However, in the name of beauty (writing) I decided to out my situation for the greater good of the human head.

Here we go..

Let me start first with a disclaimer: if you want to date me, or if you are currently dating me, stop reading here. I mean it, don’t go any further.

There is nothing more horrifying than someone saying, “Uhh, there’s something in your hair.” A co-worker of mine recently informed me of a piece of “gunk” as he referred to it, in my mane.

Mortified, I watched as he offered to pluck it out.

Now I’m sure you now conjure up images of me, as a greasy, gross, dandruff-ridden mess, living in fear of black wool sweaters but that’s not the case.

As a curly haired girl, I’ve been told on many occasions from hair stylists that I have a very dry scalp (a usual symptom of people with curly hair).

My issue is that I find scalp-focused shampoos a little bit too harsh. With their gooey consistency, sometimes strong smells and warning to use only “once or twice a week” I’m never sold.

My scalp saviour? Aveda Scalp Benefits Balancing Shampoo. With burdock root, echinacea and sage, it’s gentle enough to use daily and still removes extra build-up from my regular product routine.

Now how about that date?

Do you have any favourite products? I'd love to hear from you! Also, remember to visit The Kit for plenty other beauty posts from great bloggers.

xx

Stuff I Find In My Hair - Part 1 - The Kit

It's time for another beauty post from The Kit!

While I've been writing predominantly face-focused blogs for my beat, I've been asked to write some more hair focused posts. At first, I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to write about because my hair-care routine is pretty specific to my mop. However, the following posts came organically out of things I experienced over the course of a few weeks.

The first part of the series, "Stuff I find in my hair" focuses on aging. (Note the embarrassing childhood photo.)

If my hair was a sitcom, it would be called The Golden Curls.

As a child, I was always known for my natural honey hued ringlets. Since then my mane has become a myriad of different honeys, golds and browns, some shades natural, others salon induced. However, while recently putting my hair up, I noticed something I hadn’t seen before.

There she was, smack in the middle of The Golden Curls was Betty White hair.

I started to freak out. I knew that this wasn’t genetic as my mother didn’t go grey well into her thirties. Why was this happening to me? Am I one step away from 80?

It seems we are all under this crazy notion that youth equals beauty. We are told to hide our age, hide our wrinkles and prolong the inevitable. We hire eight-year-old children to pose for Vogue and praise the hot new 13-year-old walking down the runway.

I made a decision to nip the tantrum. Instead I will take as a sign to relax more, reduce my stress load and focus on my health, not my vanity. Even on the Spring 2012 runway, hair trends seem to embrace an unconventional white-out aesthetic.

I say, bring it on Betty. You’re a babe.

Check out the post on The Kit and vote on how you feel about grey hair? 

Stay tuned for the next series, Stuff I find in my hair - part 2.