Forget buying stains and special lipstick formulas to get the most wear out of lip colour. You can turn any formula - in any shade - into a long-wear lipstick by increasing the surface tension of the product. And it's super easy!  All you have to do is prep and post-treat the lipstick application:

My mother was a lot of things.  I mean really - actual careers.

She was a single mother, with six small children (in 1978 she had six kids aged 12, 10, 4, 3, 2, and a new baby), during the height of the global economic crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s. For those of you who don't recall:  the Bank of Canada rate was 21% in 1981 and the GDP dropped 5% in that same year. The national unemployment rate was 12% in 1983.

Every now and then I receive a product sample that simply surprises me.

Last week, I was asked to review a new drugstore-distributed product, and I have to say mass-market skin care really is getting better and better. Time was that mass distributed skin care was really not worth the jars in which they are packaged; but this is no longer true.

Here is a great Beauty: BUSTED! Beauty Find: Nivea Q10Plus Anti-Wrinkle Night Cream ($20 for 50mL).

I received a newsletter from Gwyneth Paltrow's mailing list recently:

Dear Friend,

It’s a well-known fact that lead is toxic, especially to children.  But did you know it could be lurking in your lipstick, eye shadow or shampoo?! 

Most people mistakenly believe that the personal care industry is highly regulated.  It’s not.  At all.  Companies are not even required to say on the label whether a product contains lead – no matter how much is in it!

Ahhh, the new year. Resolutions abound. I have an easy one for you. It's time to clean out your make up bag. Well, actually to clean up all your cosmetics.

So many people keep cosmetics for much longer than is safe. Cosmetics expire like any perishable item. January is a perfect time to sort your products and ditch items which are old, expired, out of fashion, or going un-used.

My checklist:

I mean it! Stop it! Right now!

If I see one more ad for a contouring kit I am going to lose it.

Here it is in basic language; contouring is not for Real World Make Up!

Unless you are walking a red carpet, a runway or being photographed for the cover of a magazine there is absolutely no reason for you to be contouring your face.

Here's why:

1.  You won't be good at it. Yep; I said it.

The last few nights have been very cool where I live, and in some parts of the country there is already snow on the ground. It’s time to admit it: winter is just around the corner.  

While most of us know to use great moisturizers, during the cold winter months, there are some great beauty tips which many people never think will save your skin - and also their budget!

If you are suffering from winter dryness try these three methods to prevent dehydration and irritation:

Summer is winding down, and so too are summer make up trends. This past season we saw some great new make up looks but there were also some just absolutely terrible trends which should be abandoned right away.

Here are my Top 3 Worst Make Up trends of Summer 2016

1.   Eye Shadow Stripes

Let me begin by saying thank you for allowing me to indulge in a very personal post.

This past month the culmination of over 20 years of work manifested in a career long goal coming to fruition. Of course, as with all things like this there is a story.

Every year I am literally sent hundreds of sunscreens from various companies.  Of course all of them want to be included in my annual sunscreen list. 

This year was no different and after eliminating many of the products sent to me I have come up with my top three sunscreens for the whole family.

Before the list, some disclaimers:

1.  I am not paid to endorse any of these products.  I receive no compensation in any way save product samples for purposes of evaluation.

Warm weather means reduced durability with make up.  Like changing your seasonal wardrobe, for the hot weather, it’s time to summer proof your makeup as well.

Many of you know I am the contributing Beauty Writer for City Style and Living Magazine.  Recently I was asked, by the editors of the publication what can be done to combat the very terrible trend in make up called contouring.  Here is my reply:

I am not a fan of contouring - unless you are being filmed, photographed or working on the stage contouring is never an appropriate technique for daily makeup.  Seriously stop!

In 1993 I landed my very first job as a cosmetics sales person. It didn't last long - I was head hunted by a bigger company (L'Oreal) very quickly and went on to work for the Lancome division for many years.

Regular readers know that I am an advocate of well formulated, well priced products. I think there are great products in all price ranges and at all retail channels.

Last night I was invited to view a brand new hair care category from Garnier, arriving in retail stores this month.

During the development stage of Daniel Thompson Beauty Inc. there was a round table discussion, amongst the creative and business teams, about what type of model we would use in our print campaigns. I remember sitting at the table while a dozen very intelligent and very passionate people discussed the pros and cons of various face shapes, skin tones, ethnicities and ages for our "look."

Glitter and Shine! 

It's the most important trend for the holiday season, and it's glitter eye shadow.

This look is perfect for formal parties and is very pretty in its effect. It does take some time to apply and requires a little patience, but once it is all done it really amps up the overall look for the party season.

You will need:

1. A really good concealer/highlighter 

All right, everyone; I hear you! Yes, yes.  

"How do I get Adele's eyeliner look?"

"I tried but it was just a mess."

"I love Adele's eyeliner but can't do it at home."

"Is Adele's liner a tattoo?"

The number one question I am asked is how people can avoid chemicals in their cosmetics.

I always preface my response with the statement: "I think consumers should have access to well formulated, safe to use, and effective cosmetics."  This is a statement I stand behind 100%. I am absolutely not a subscriber to the the "chemicals are bad" bandwagon that permeates the industry today.

I have spent 23 years in the salon/spa/cosmetics industry.

I have managed corporate spas, salons, and yes, was even a partner in a large spa chain.  

I am a medical aesthetician, a make up artist, a certified instructor, and I used to hold an adjunct professorship teaching business and marketing as it relates to the industry.

I am proud to be a professional in the industry and I take my job very seriously.

I hate make up rules. Always have and always will.

For every make up artist practicing the craft there is an opinion as to how one should apply make up.

Let me break it down very simply: there are no rules. That's it. 

Granted, some products work better for different people, but that is a matter of personal preference - not a rule. I have always said if you want to wear pool-cue blue eyeshadow and coral lipstick then have at it - who am I, as a make up artist, to dictate how my client wants to reveal herself?