The couture shows in Paris this week were stunning. Most of the drama was in the design, while the makeup was for the most part pretty understated. For me it was all about Versace. Fierce ponytails, bronze smoky eyes, and pale pouts. Head to toe glamour like only Donatella can do.

Images from fashionising.com & style.com

These celebs hit the couture shows in Paris this week. All the ladies looked lovely in the front row, but Olivia Palermo was absolutely gorgeous.

Images from justjared.com & telegraph.co.uk

Without a doubt the Louis Vuitton show for SS12 had to be one of the prettiest of the entire season. Everything from the sorbet shades, to the giant carousel, the headbands and umbrellas, to the gorgeous Pat McGrath designed makeup look.

It goes without saying that you cannot achieve the makeup look without some major fluttery lashes. The density of the lashes is important too, so you are going to need more than one pair. You could probably achieve a wearable version with just two sets, though I would be inclined to got for three. A long not overly thick pair, and a shorter more dense pair will stack nicely together. If you go for three sets I’d do two pairs of long and one thick.

A glowy complexion from head to toe is also required. Apply MAC Strobe Cream underneath an illuminating foundation. Mix strobe cream into body moisturizer so arms and legs have a similar effect.

1. MAC #12 Eyelash 2. YSL Tient Radiance Foundation 3. Dior 5 Colour Eyeshadow in Earth Reflection 4. Dior Addict Lipstick in Basic 253 5. MAC Strobe Cream

Makeup Artist Pep Gay has a long list of fabulous editorials on his resume. His most recent work can be seen in february’s GQ featuring the incredible Joan Smalls, Candice Swanepoel, and Liu Wen.

Images from models.com

As is always the case for most of the year my hands are very dry, and my cuticles are even worse. I recently came across Yu-Be moisturizer, even though it’s been around for about fifty years! It contains lots of ingredients that take care of dry and irritated skin anywhere on the body. I’ve been using it on my hands and rubbing it into my cuticles–total life saver during the winter months.

Obviously it’s all about the pastels for spring according to the cosmetic brands. I adore the NARS campaign particularly the red lip and contouring. I was also very inspired by the Givenchy ad, and I wore a very similar pistachio coloured eyeshadow to work today.

From top to bottom: Dior, Givenchy, Anna Sui, Jill Stuart, NARS, Chanel, YSL

P.S Ginta appears in 3 of these campaigns!

Shu Uemura’s BB mousse is poised to be as popular if not more so, than their original UV Under Base. BB products are saturating the market as of late, and  Shu Uemura’s unique mousse version definitely stands apart from the rest. Like the original under base  the mousse formula still manages to be  lightweight but gives a more opaque finish, making it a great option for those who have a little more to cover up. It works best on lighter skin tones, and for those with a darker skin it can look too ashy if over applied. A darker or warmer shade option is much needed.

As we look forward to the new season, wet look hair continues to be a runway trend. If you haven’t tried this look for Fall then get yourself a spray bottle for a smooth transition into Spring.

Beautiful brown eyed, full lipped, Quebecois model Anais Pouliot is a rising star. Since being signed in 2007 she’s been racking up editorials, opening and closing shows during fashion week, and has a few major campaigns under her belt which includes Louis Vuitton’s AW11 ads.

Some years when I watch the Globes, I ooh and ahh over the dresses. However, I felt like this year’s Globes wasn’t quite as inspiring. Besides the bold lip, overall the makeup was rather understated.

There were a lot of pale dresses. I loved Charlize’s Dior couture dress and the accessories that went along with it. Her shoes were hot and the side chignon with the headband made the look. The sharp shoulders and belt on Emma Stone’s pleated Lanvin gown looked cool as did Salma Hayeks ombre locks.

The inspiration for todays post comes from a growing realization that simply walking fast to work, is probably not going to cause any notable weight loss. A proper exercise routine is the only real solution, however I’m probably more interested in what I should look like for said workout than actually doing any physical exercise!

Givenchy Mister Eyebrow Pencil  Kiehl’s Superbly Efficient Anti-Perspirnat and Deodorant   Smith’sMinted Rose Lip Balm 

Adidas by Stella McCartney Run Animal Print Shorts L’Agence Silk and Cashmere Sweat Pants TNA Cropped Pomons Raglan T-Shirt  Adidas for Stella McCartney Organic Snap Hoodie Zoe Karssen Vic’s Gym Tank  Y-3 Tomotak shoes

Following the brights trend for this season, there was a lot of colour on the red carpet. I particularly enjoyed Lea Michele’s white drapey Marchesa gown paired with the bubble gum pink lips and Kelly Osbourne’s orangey lids and ash blonde hair. And of course Elisha Cuthbert — her makeup is fresh-faced and minimal but how can she go wrong with that gorgeous face of hers.

There is nothing more annoying than lips that refuse to stay moist. Dry, chapped, peeling lips are unsightly and uncomfortable here are a few quick tips to help keep this situation at bay:

1. Just like applying moisturizer on top of dead skin on the face is not very effective, so is putting lip balm on top of flaky skin on the lips. Use a lip exfoliator to remove dead skin and minimize the appearance of lines, before applying your lip balm.

2. Don’t be hit and miss with your lip balm. Consistency is the key to smooth soft lips. Especially before you go to sleep–it’s like a night cream for your lips.

3. Look for ingredients in lip balm such as vitamin E and jojoba oil for maximum moisture.

For anyone who wished for a lipgloss that stayed on YSL just launched this hybrid product–Glossy Stain, and like the name suggests it’s a gloss that wears like a lip stain. The texture feels, and looks much like a gloss but the formula lasts like a lip stain would much longer than your average lip gloss. It comes in 19 shades, and as of now is available only at Selfridges.

Thomas Mangieri is a fashion and beauty photographer from Singapore. He’s shot for many major magazines including Elle, Bazaar and Cosmo and a growing list of editorial and advertising clients.

These gorgeous Lanvin resort images are exactly how I’d dress if I was to vacation somewhere hot right now! Love it.

Dakota Fanning looks beautiful on the cover of Elle UK for February. The first steps to recreating this look is flawless skin, and full natural looking eyebrows. For the eyes use a matte medium tone brown shadow, and blend through the crease and a little under the eye, then couple of coats of black mascara on the lashes. The most important ingredient for this look is of course the super matte raspberry lip.

1. Tom Ford Traceless Foundation Stick 2. Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Mascate   3. MAC Eyeshadow in Kid  4. Rimmel Nail Polish in Red Carpet 5. Shu Uemura Ultimate Expression Mascara

I am so ready for Spring to get here. The new campaigns are the perfect antidote to the next 2 wintery months which can seem to drag on forever. I am particularly enjoy the retro vibes from Chanel, YSL, and Prada.

Ads from top to bottom: Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Valentino, Max Mara, YSL, Versace, Prada, Gucci.

Images from models.com & fashionologie.com

Every Boxing Day MAC brings out a new colour collection. The idea is to give their customers something new while most other lines are selling marked down gift sets. Not a bad idea really. The collaboration with artist and couture collector Guinness, is comprised of cool mauves, plums, and greys. Hyperion nail lacquer is a stand out for me, I love a blue/grey cream texture polish.

Available now in store and online at www.maccosmetics.com

Leah’s Picks: Because I am in London right now, I am beyond excited for the end of season sales this year! Here almost everything gets marked down even beauty and fragrance products. Of course 2 of the 3 things I’m interested in will more than likely not go on sale. I am desperately in need of a new day time perfume as I just came to the end of my Marc Jacobs Pear splash. I love Le Labo’s Neroli 36 which will be perfect for day or night.

I am always trying new foundation formulas so I’ll probably pick up Dolce & Gabbana’s Creamy Foundation.

Every time I’m in Selfridges I look at this Sophie Hulme leather tote bag. The structure is lovely, and the colour is beautiful especially for SS 12, and the size is generous enough to use daily. Besides I’m going to need something to carry home the rest of my purchases!

Lisa’s Picks: Right now I’m totally in love with Deborah Lippmann’s glitter polishes — especially Boom Boom Pow which contains 24 karat gold powder. The mix of glitter and shimmer makes for good coverage on the nails and is great way to accessorize with sparkle.

I also love picking up holiday gift sets because they’re such a great deal. The Nars Tainted Love gift set is the perfect shade of hot pink that will work now and into the Spring season.

And lastly I am looking for some new booties. These Louboutin’s are calling my name — they are called the “Lisse” booties after all! I doubt they’ll have them in Vancouver but I’ll be in Paris soon enough.