Radar: Huile Prodigieuse

I wasn't really sure, when the big beauty makeover happened over at Shopper's Drug Mart a few years ago, that I would actually shop there by choice. I mean, I've never had a knowledgeable customer service experience there except when I was buying insulin needles for my cat. Plus its expensive. If I had the money and needed beauty products, I'd rather go to Sephora because their product line is more sophisticated and their staff are trained. But now I am not so sure. 

Because it was at Shopper's that I discovered Huile Prodigieuse by Nuxe. Huile Prodigieuse is billed as a multi usage dry oil for face, body and hair. I am not even joking when I say that this product lives up to its billing. And at $25 for 50ml, its a great little hard working product. Use it on your face, hair, dry cuticles, chapped skin, after sun exposure and as a bath oil. I haven't tried it yet, but they even have a shimmery version of the oil with soft golden particles: perfect for summer! 

So props to you SDM. Its taken me a while to consider your store as a beauty destination and it took a while for you to bring in the right product lines at the right stores, but you did it.

Trade Secrets: Topstick

I am not pulling your leg when I suggest that having Topstick brand toupee tape in your tickle trunk of supplies just might prevent you from pulling your hair out. Honestly, this double sided invisible tape is amazing. I use it all the time, on skin or fabric, on and off the set. Its great to travel with! It keeps belts in place, plunging v-neck tops from exposing your tatas, and its especially good when your hem drops. They are easy to use, can be cut to size, made of medical grade adhesive (virtually hypo allergenic) and can be used directly on the skin (and don't cause rashes). It doesn't slip or lose its grip even after hours of use. Just be careful when you pull it off your skin or removing it from delicate fabrics and remember to remove it before you launder anything.

Trade Secrets: Wet Ones

Oh my goodness its been too long since I last posted. Work got crazy busy, then it was tax time, then I got sick and my best friend is getting married--you get the idea. So in the spirit of a busy life and how sh*t just sometimes happens, I thought I would do 2 posts of trade secrets. These are hard working tools of the trade that every person should have in their tickle trunk of supplies. First up-Wet Ones brand moist wash clothes are the ultimate must-have! You never know when disaster will strike-except that it will almost always happen when you are in something brand new, white or when you can least afford the inconvenience-- like you are about to go on camera. As a costumer for Film and TV for 20 years believe me when I say that I won't go to work without them. They are incredible for removing blood, red wine, coffee, chocolate and almost all hard to remove stains.  The key is to use ONLY the original vitamin E and aloe blend with the blue packaging and use them when the spill is fresh. Lightly and in feathering motions up and away from the fabric, lift up and absorb the boo-boo with one sheet at a time (being careful to watch for any unstable dyes that might leech out of the fabric should it not be colourfast). Stay away from the antibacterial and scented versions of Wet Ones because they have a different formula and don't work nearly as well. Forget also about any other brand doing the same thing: The secret is the alcohol and the proprietary blend that does the trick. 

Trade Secrets: The JC Report

I am happy to introduce a new series of posts where I share tricks and tips of the trade. For the first post, I want to tell you about The JC Report. It's no longer just a bi-monthly newsletter. Its now a weekly newsletter and a website. I recommend it to all of my clients to keep an eye on up-and-coming designers, trends, trendsetters and all sorts of fashion intel. For example this little nugget of information about Amy Winehouse and Roberto Cavalli.