GLOW GETTER | My TIFF Celebrity Facial with IMAGE Skincare

My Image Skincare O2 facial at the ready...

Anyone else notice that whilst on the red carpet, celebs always seem to carry an extra dose of glow? It can't just be the makeup, or the lighting, or the flattering reflection off the carpet itself. 'They must have something done,' I always mutter to myself as I sit on the couch watching the Emmys/Globes/Oscars, curtains sometimes drawn since I've probably put on a sheet mask at this point, often hugging my not-very-toned arms for comfort, always eating chips. And it's not just the women. The men always look like they've Benjamin Button-ed, too. I need their secret. I want in. 

And so, when the charming team at Charming Media invite me to TIFF to try out a celebrity red carpet treatment firsthand, I give a little fist pump and reply y-e-s. The first few weeks of school have all but destroyed any summer glow that I had so I neeeed this treatment. And there's a chance I might see Ryan Gosling. There's always that. 

I head up to a beautiful private suite at the very top of Trump Tower (you-know-who doesn't own it anymore btw) where Esthetics Plus has teamed up with Deadline Hollywood to provide spa treatments to TIFF's A-list talent to help them get red carpet ready. I'm given the choice between a Sunescape spray tan, NovaLash lash extensions or an IMAGE Skincare facial. I'm not big on spray tans, am super tempted by the idea of lash extensions, but decide that what I really need in my life right now is glowing skin. 

I'm told I just missed the Orphan Black girl as I lounge back and get ready for bliss. I've seen IMAGE Skincare products at Gee Beauty (one of my absolute fav spots in the 6ix) but have yet to try them out for myself. My esthetician tells me that IMAGE Skincare was created by a European plastic surgeon and is considered one of the most innovative skincare brands in the industry, with potent active ingredients that score results. As someone in her late-30's, I'm always looking for Results. And since I won't do Botox quite yet, I'm happy to invest in products that actually work. After looking at my skin, she decides on the O2 Lift Facial which uses oxygen, plant-derived technology and specially concentrated enzymatic botanicals to deliver instantly luminous, lifted skin. My oxygen facial (that red carpet secret I've been seeking) lasts about an hour but is so relaxing it feels like three. She massages and exfoliates my face, then puts on a mask that slowly, oh-so-awesomely sinks into my skin (see pic below) delivering O2 particles exactly where I need them. My dehydrated face takes it all in as my esthetician remarks that 'some people need it more than others.' Um, note to self: Must. Drink. More. Water. My stress level was close to a 9 when I walked in but I glide out at a solid 3. Maybe 2. I catch a glimpse of myself in the elevator on the way down and expect redness after the exfoliation but only see a pretty rush of colour in my cheeks. No downtime, no swelling - just calm, glowing skin. 

The week following my treatment, I'm given an IMAGE Skincare Post Treatment trial kit to keep my celeb glow going. My skin feels quite dry for the first few days post-treatment as it adjusts to all the attention, but then I notice that my skin looks healthier, plumped up, and I'd even saying glowing, even when I'm makeup-free. If only Ryan Gosling could see me now. Um, he might give me an autograph, right?

Want to try the products for yourself. Head to epbeauty.ca to find an IMAGE Skincare distributor near you. Scroll down for pics from my red carpet facial + see some of the celebs who tested out IMAGE Skincare during TIFF, including RG, of course :) 

 

You know your brand's made it when it has its own magazine...

Jason Sudeikis picks up some IMAGE Skincare products for his gorge wife, Olivia Wilde...

Anne Hathaway checks out IMAGE Skincare for the first time

John Legend. Wow, he really does have great skin, no?

Grace Van Patten takes home IMAGE Skincare

Ryan Gosling. Um sorry, where was I?

Dreaming of Ryan...sigh...  Oh wait, I mean my husband. Right, my husband...

My IMAGE Skincare post treatment kit keeps the glow going...

FALL SHOE REPORT | The Flats, Heels & Boots We Can't Even Wait to Wear

via Marc Fisher

Originally posted in The LOOK

The heart wants what it wants. And when it comes to shopping, my #1 love will always (and forever and ever) be shoes. Shoes are patient, shoes are kind, shoes won't judge you if you've gained an extra 5-10 patio pounds. Shoes are there to support you, to take you where you want to go and make you feel like a bae while you're getting there. My feet have had flings with everything from flats to four-inch heels but I always have a hard time picking a fave. I mean, isn't that what true love is all about? Acceptance, right?

And so, after years of trying to justify my love, I've accepted my fate as a true shoe addict. This fall, I plan on proving my love big-time. I'll pick up a new pair of black patent beauties to add some shine to my day-to-day - I'm currently torn between brogues and ankle boots. I'll go for many long (ideally 10,000-step) romantic walks in new lace-up kicks (I'm thinking red this year). And, of course, super sexy heels are a must for date nights. Meanwhile, this week's piece in Vogue has me contemplating the need for a pair of practical stompers (aka - cocktail boots) that I'll wear to both hikes and hot-ticket parties. If you can believe it, THE shoe of the season (currently sold out & waitlisted everywhere in the States) is Birkenstock's Boston clog. Hmmm. My credit card and I have come to terms with the fact that we'll be investing in shoes for a lifetime. And that's one long-term commitment we're totally willing to make.

I can't feel my face when I'm with shoes. But I love it. I love it. 

SEE MY FALL SHOE PICKS HERE...

WIN IT | Join Me for a VIP Advanced Screening of THE INTERN in Toronto

Loved The Devil Wears Prada?  Then you are going to luuurv this. THE INTERN opens on Sept 25th and it's a new fashion must-see. The film centers around 70-year-old widower Ben Whittaker (Robert De Niro) who's discovered that retirement isn't all it's cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway). The preview looks more feel-good than ferocious devil-boss but I'm down. I mean, two Academy Award-winning actors and Nancy Meyers (Something's Gotta Give, It's Complicated) at the helm? I can't wait. 

Now here's the exciting part: I'm giving away double passes to not 1 but 4 LUCKY WINNERS to join me at the Advanced Screening of THE INTERN on Sept 23rd in Toronto. 

Here's how you can WIN:

1) Like Real Life Runway on Facebook (if you already do, thank you! xx)

2) Leave a comment below telling me your favourite fashion movie moment of all time.

3) Winners must be able to get to Toronto on Sept 23rd for the screening.

4) Winners will be chosen at random using an online generator.

4) Contest closes Fri, Sept 18th at 5 pm.

GOOD LUCK! Can't wait to see you there!

See the Joe Fresh x FLARE Collection

Photos by Nino Muñoz/Courtesy of FLARE.

I haven't posted about a collab in awhile but just had to share this latest Canadian team-up with you. The fashion editors of FLARE have partnered up with Joe Fresh for a Fall '15 capsule collection and I'm loving the results. The exclusive line embodies the season’s most essential style notes to bring your wardrobe right up-to-date for the season. And since it's Joe Fresh - you guessed it - the prices are irresistible. 

The Joe Fresh x FLARE collection includes a pleated Lurex skirt, a classic tweed coat, 70’s-tinged flare jeans, a multi-checked print dress, a cozy funnel neck sweater and an extra-long, chunky cardigan. Everything in the lineup is priced from $29 to $99 (CAD) so I certainly plan on picking up a piece, or two, or three. 

“Why are we so excited about our collaboration with Joe Fresh? Because we sincerely believe that each item in the six-piece line, from the tweed car coat and shimmery pleated skirt to the high-waisted flared jeans and cable-knit cardi, is an instant wardrobe upgrader. Oh, and the fact that you can have everything [in the entire collection] for less than $300? It’s a fall fashion miracle,” write the editors of FLARE in their September issue.

The Joe Fresh x FLARE collection will be available September 10 in stores and online and the FLARE September issue is on newsstands now, featuring Karlie Kloss killing it in Joe Fresh on the cover. Think she'll be able to get Taylor Swift to wear Joe Fresh for fall? I can totes picture Taylor in that funnel sweater, can't you?

Thanks for bearing with me over the last little bit while I've indulged in some summer slacking. All this fall fashion is the best motivation, though, so expect the posts to pick up in the next little while. Love you!

The Fashion Girl's Guide to Mother's Day

via The Body Shop

Originally posted in The LOOK

You really can't go wrong when it comes to Mother's Day gifts. Now that I'm a mom, I understand this all too well. My kids could give me the cheesiest, tackiest thing ever and as long as they took the time to pick it out, I'd think it was the best present anyone's ever gotten. I've never been given a handmade card, an at-home 'pedicure' or a homemade breakfast from my kids that I didn't totally love.

But let's be honest here. I'm a fashion girl. And fashion people have a tendency to dream. We dream of the gifts we'd like to receive and of course, the things we plan on buying for ourselves if nobody else does. As a fashion blogger, I come across cute things every day and they continually accumulate in my head - at a certain point it becomes too much for even the most disciplined shopper to bear. 

And so I've put some of my most-wanted finds together into this Mother's Day Gift Guide. They're things I've seen on other people's Instagram accounts, pieces I can't wait to put on, and a few things I'm hoping my husband might get me this Mother's Day since my kids are still too young to shop. If not, no big deal - I'll take my hard-earned paycheque and eventually buy a few of these gifts for myself. After all, this Mother's Day, I'm really most excited about that handmade card. 

Whether she's the sporty type or simply loves to shop, these fashionable Mother's Day gifts will help her live her life beautifully. Happy (almost) Mother's Day! Oh, and if you've ever wondered how the Royals celebrate Mom's Day, don't miss the hilarious home video below...

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