Product Review : L'oreal Eye Illuminator Mascara

Since L'oreal Beauty Tubes is my favourite mascara (red and white tube) I was really excited to try this new version. The Eye Illuminator, comes in four different shades and is supposed to bring out your eye color. It's a doubled ended mascara, with a black base coat on one end, and a highlighting topcoat on the other. Each formula has a different top coat specifically geared towards your eye colour.

• Black Copper for Blue Eyes
• Black Bronze for Green / Hazel Eyes
• Black Quartz for Brown Eyes
• Black Crystal for All Eye Colours

Black Bronze version

I bought the Black Bronze Version for my green eyes. It was on sale at Shoppers for around 9 dollars. I had high hopes for this mascara, as I think L'oreal makes some of the best drugstore brand mascaras. My hopes fell flat with this. I don't hate it, but I certainly don't love it. Here's my thoughts on it:
PROS:

• Black base coat went on fairly smooth. Lengthened the lashes well, with little clumping
• Formula is lightweight, no flaking throughout the day
• Bronze topcoat is subtle enough for day wear, adds subtle shimmer not tacky sparkles
• Easy to wash off

CONS:

• Did not add much volume or thickness to lashes. (I'm a volume kind of girl!)
• Bronze topcoat does not show up nearly as much as hoped.
• Topcoat has a bulb shaped brush which I found clumped lashes

A big key to getting the top coat to stick, is to apply it when the black base coat is still wet. So instead of doing the base coat on both eyes, only do one at a time. Black coat immediately followed by the top coat.  Repeat the same on the bottom lashes. I also found the brush on the topcoat end side is weird and ended up clumping my lashes.  So what I did was use the very tip of the brush, where the product is built up. I brushed that part on the tips of the lashes and it seemed to deposit the bronzy colour better.

So did it make my eyes look greener? Maybe. I felt that it did, but it might have been the gold & bronze eyeshadows I paired it with that day. Or it was in my head lol. I did like the hint of bronze shimmer, it showed up really well on my bottom lashes and I could really see it in the sunlight. I liked that it was subtle enough to wear to work without looking ridiculous. In the end my biggest complaint is that the formula just didn't thicken my lashes enough. Mine are naturally pretty long so I always gravitate towards volume mascaras. I think I'll try the top coat over my other mascaras and see how it goes!

If you like natural looking mascaras, you might really like this. The topcoat idea is pretty neat too....I'd be really interested in hearing some opinions on the other shades!

Peace, Love & Lashes,

The Genesis Girls



Suiting a Hairstyle to Your Face Shape

The most asked questions from our clients choosing a hairstyle is, "Will this look good on me?"  "Will I suit it?"

Your face shape is a huge part of deciding what will and won't suit you. The right haircut will draw attention and highlight your best features (ex. beautiful cheekbones, gorgeous eyes) While at the same time minimize features or flaws you don't like (ex. a high forehead)

Here are the basic face shapes described, along with tips on what suits them. (or doesn't!)

The Round Shaped Face

The round shaped face is about the same length across as it is long. If you measure ear to ear, and top of the forehead to chin, the dimensions are close to the same. 

Styles that flatter a Round Face Shape:

• Short styles with some height or volume on the top of the crown, smoother on the sides
• Off center parts, side swept bangs help counteract the roundness of the face
• Long hair with layers longer than the chin.

Things to avoid:

• Thick chunky bangs add weight to an already round face
• Curls or volume around the sides of the face, this widens the face
• Shorter layers around the cheeks or chin will draw attention attention to roundness.

The Heart Shaped Face



The heart shaped face, is narrow in the chin but wider in the forehead and cheekbone area.  Flattering hairstyles add weight to the chin area, and lessen the width of a broader forehead.

Styles that Flatter:

• Bangs are wonderful, especially texturized ones
• Off centered parts
• Jaw length bobs or cuts add weight to the face

Things to avoid:

• Center parts with no bangs
• Too much height or volume on top

The Oblong (Long) Shaped Face

The Long Shaped face is longer than it is wide. The measurement of hairline to chin, will be great than ear to ear.

Styles that flatter:

• Short and medium lengths are best. 
• Layers around the face or throughout, Bangs work as well 
• Curls, waves or texture will soften the angles of the face.

Things to avoid:

• Too long hair, this drags the face down making it appear longer
• Too much volume on top, volume is best on ends and sides.

The Square Face Shape

The Square shaped face is very similar to the round shape just more angular. The width and length are nearly the same.

Styles that flatter:

•  Short and Medium hairstyles either above or below the chin.
• Layered hairstyles will soften the face
• Off centered parts, wispy bangs

Things to avoid:

• Hairstyles that sit right on the jawline
• Too long or too straight, won't bring softness to the face
• Blunt heavy bangs

The Oval Shaped Face

The oval shaped face is the most proportioned. The length is about one and a half times the width. This face suits many styles and textures! Feel free to experiment, because you suit just about everything! Lucky you!

We hope this helps you better understand face shapes, and what brings out the best in them. Keep in mind these are just recommendations, not strict "rules" that must be followed. When it comes to hair, do what you love, and what makes you feel good! Feeling happy and confident with your hairstyle is the most important part.

Cheers to good hair days in all shapes and forms!

oxox

Welcome to our new Blog/Website!

Thanks for checking out our new website! We've decided to take a more blog approach, to help us keep in touch with our clients better. We'll be using it to update on any salon news or happenings. Changes in hours, new products or services, as well as pictures of the renovations we have started!

I also wanted to start this blog as sort of a beauty newsletter. Through working in the salon, reading beauty magazines/websites, going to Cosmetology school, and growing up with a hairstylist mother, I've come across quite a few beauty tricks over the years.
I'm also a beauty product junkie and have possibly tried every mascara on earth. Haha! Between my Mom and I we have sampled so many products, from hair to skin to makeup.

So I figured why not share some of the knowledge we've built up over the years. Especially if it saves our clients some money, time or frustration at the beauty counter.  It might seem silly to some, but I believe finding that perfect lipgloss or eye shadow colour can brighten your whole day. I also know the frustration of spending good money on a product only to have it not work for you. 

So this is where we'll be sharing our thoughts, experiences and opinions with you. As well as articles, links and videos we come across to pass along. We welcome your comments, thoughts, or suggestions for what you'd like to see.  Don't forget to check out our polls on our homepage while your here.

Happy Hair Days,

Chantel & Taz