Springing into Summer with Joe Fresh

I don't know what made me more cheerful last week when I stopped by Joe Fresh for their spring/summer 2012 media preview, the sunny Wednesday morning or the bright blues, oranges, and yellows that greeted me inside the Granville St. store. The sun has since retreated and been replaced by rain and chillier temperatures, but never mind that--summer has officially landed at Joe Fresh. Here's a little peek at what you can find in store right now.

Mix-and-match bathing suit separates for days spent on the beach or your next vacation--with coordinating accessories, naturally.

Black and white never go out of style.

As always, Joe Fresh nail polish shades are on trend and easy on the wallet.

Nautical-inspired pieces are perennial crowd-pleasers.

Neoprene, squared-off white sequins, and a pop of orange give classic outerwear silhouettes a (Joe) Fresh spin.

Despite a reluctance to shop (I need to conserve funds for furniture), I couldn't resist trying on a few things and ended up going home with two of the items pictured here. Try to guess which ones.

A perusal of their lookbook after I got home yielded even more covetable and affordable finds. My favourites were the nautical-inspired "classic with a twist" items and I love the look of the orange and taupe sleeveless silk blouse. I guess this means I'll have to stop by Joe Fresh again sooner rather than later!

Product Review: Mary Kay Botanical Effects Skincare

With green and organic skincare becoming more popular than ever, it seemed only a matter of time before Mary Kay ventured into this category with their own offering. Mary Kay Botanical Effects launched earlier this year, promising gentle, effective products tailored for each skin type (dry, normal, and oily). The fragrance-free, hypoallergenic formulas are supposed to be ideal for sensitive skin and younger women who aren't concerned about visible signs of aging yet. They also contain botanical extracts like milk thistle and luo han guo.

After taking a quiz that determined I was skin type 2 (normal), Mary Kay sent me the entire Botanical Effects line in the type 2 formulas to try and review. I've been using the products for the last couple of weeks and found them to be hit-and-miss:

• The Cleanse Formula 2 ($17) was as gentle, fragrance-free and hypoallergenic as promised, although its consistency felt a lot like Cetaphil--disappointing considering that this cleanser costs considerably more than the drugstore alternative.
• Likewise, the Hydrate Formula 2 ($20) is barely distinguishable from Cetaphil's lotion. While it moisturized effectively and didn't aggravate my skin, I didn't see enough of a difference between this botanical-infused formulation and the inexpensive Cetaphil lotion to justify paying more for the benefits.
• The Mask Formula 2 ($18) was probably my least favourite product in this line. The granules felt jagged and harsh when I tried to use the mask as an exfoliating scrub as per the instructions.
• The Freshen Formula 2 ($17) is supposed to refresh your face mid-day and get rid of oil and shine, but it dried to a sticky finish which didn't feel fresh at all.

Overall, the products disappointed me. What's more, the marketing strategy for this line is just odd. It seems more like hypoallergenic skincare for sensitive types despite the green-sounding name "Botanical Effects." Everything from the sterile white packaging to the equally sterile-feeling formulas seems so much more clinical than luxe organic skincare should be. I say save your money and opt for the cheaper drugstore stuff, or save your pennies and splurge on organic.

Product Review: Lash Love

When it comes to a simple summer beauty routine, lashes, lips, groomed brows, and healthy skin go a long way. I've talked extensively about lipstick on this blog before, and the SPF products I reviewed last year are still great options for protecting your complexion. Today, then, will be all about lashes.

Give your lashes (and brows) a boost by throwing an eyelash fortifying treatment into the mix. The B. Kamins Eyelash Fortifier ($99 at Spa Boutique) uses a formula full of peptides, plant extracts, and multivitamins to nourish lashes and brows, boost micro-circulation at the hair follicle, and plump up each individual hair. Although $99 seems steep for only 4ml, the unique rubber applicator dispenses only a pinhead's worth of product at a time and applies it precisely where needed, so the pen will last a long time. I've been using it for the past couple of weeks and am pretty pleased with the results. My brows seem fuller (fewer of the sparse spots that Asian brows are prone to) and my lashes look longer and thicker sans mascara. The product does tingle a little when applied, so try not to get any in your eye.

If you have a special occasion and can't wait 4-8 weeks for a fortifying treatment to take effect, Noir Lash Lounge's new line of faux lashes ($11.99 per set) might be just the thing. Because I favour a more natural look, I like the Hidden Lashettes (top), individual lashes that can be trimmed and applied to the outer corners of the eyes for a flirty look. The 'Lashionista' (centre) set would look pretty if one were attending a wedding, while the 'Flirty Little Secret' (bottom) would work well for a glamorous event. Unlike other lash brands I've tried, Noir's has a thinner-than-average rubber strip, which means they blend in more easily and look more natural. If you have shaky hands and can't trust yourself to apply your own faux lashes, stop by one of Noir's locations and let their pros do it for you: $20 includes application and a set of lashes to call your own.

Today's Outfit: Orange and Pleats

• Banana Republic cardigan and flats
• H&M tee
• Zara skirt
• Ray-Ban wayfarers
• Roots bag

With all the talk of wardrobe remixing and shopping-induced debt in the world of fashion and style blogs, you'd think that wearing the same outfit twice is some sort of blogger taboo. Well, I'll confess something: I wear the same outfit more than twice. In fact, when I find a combination that really works, I'll wear it many, many times gladly and feel secure knowing that if my creativity fails me, I can always count on a tried-and-true ensemble to look good in a hurry. This outfit is definitely one of them. Since these photos were taken, I've worn the same pieces all together at least twice, probably more.

I hope my Canadian readers are having a lovely Victoria Day long weekend! You know what long weekends are good for? Leisurely flipping through magazines like the June issue of FLARE.

Cassie Dee Fall/Winter 2012 Presentation

After interviewing designer Cassie Dee about her spring/summer 2012 collection, I was eager to see what she had in store for the next season. Her fall/winter 2012 presentation (held at the ARC Gallery in East Van) drew its inspiration from an unlikely source: Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet and the oft-forgotten character of Rosaline, Romeo's first love. Dee was intrigued by the idea of Rosaline thriving long after the tragic lovers passed away, and envisioned her as a strong, intelligent woman who boldly made her way through life.

Rosaline's character, as imagined by Dee, translated into a collection that's definitely not for wallflowers. Drawing on a Mondrian-esque colour palette of black, white, and primary colours, the dresses, outerwear, and separates contrasted structured tailoring with fluid draping and movement. The effect was bold and architectural, but with a touch of feminine softness.