look of the week: honeyed hilary duff

When did it happen lovelies? Seemingly in the blink of an eye, Miss Hilary Duff has gone from tween queen to bonafide knockout. Here she is looking superbly sophisticated at the Spirit of Life Awards Dinner this week. Unlike many Hollywood starlets of a certain age, Miss Duff defies the trainwreck syndrome and exudes nothing but class. I love her soft and pretty beauty here. Lots of lashes and a bronzy metallic shadow swiped along the lids and lower lashlines give a bit of glimmer and put the focus solely on her lovely brown eyes. The rest of her makeup is kept spare, letting her gorgeously flawless skin show through. Not to mention, I'm loving her honey blonde hair shade. It's not to dark, yet not too light and suits her complexion perfectly. Well done, Miss Duff!

model moment: a brand new kate moss

I thought I'd had just about enough Kate Moss and her ubiquitous mug lovelies, but here she goes and does her thing all chameleon-like and knocks it out of the park once again. A bit Marlene Dietrich, a bit glam tribal lady, Moss looks positively smashing in this W mag spread by photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Pigott. A truly good model is one who can effortlessly glide from one guise to another while still emitting her unmistakable glow. And Kate achieves that time and again, as she does here. Of course, she's had the help of a plethora of stylists and makeup artists to master this transformation. But it's Moss who makes the look all her own.
Source

come on down!...part 4

It's time to put your celebrity knowledge to the test, with this our final contest of the month, brought to you by our friends at Splendicity.
Wow - No one guessed the celeb correctly in this contest on Tuesday, so we are running it again.



Hint: The celeb and the prize have something in common!

To enter today's contest:
*Guess the Celeb: Post your answer in the comments section of today's Splendicity contest post.
*All entrants who answer correctly with the full first and last name of the celebrity in the picture below, will be entered into a drawing to win!





The prize for winning today's splendid contest:

Mediterranean Eau de Parfum Spray from Elizabeth Arden.


A modern expression of sparkling radiance, Mediterranean is sexy.

With sensual florals combined with creamy woods to reflect the whispering waters and rich textures of the Mediterranean.

Thank you so much to Elizabeth Arden for sponsoring today's contest.

Please be sure to read the contest rules before entering. Only one guess per entrant for today's contest. Thank You!

pretty things: körner skincare

Design-wise, anything with a minimalist bent usually leaves me somewhat cold. I'm more of a Parisian-inspired, vintage-y kind of gal, and this usually translates to my love of anything retro in beauty packaging. But lovelies, there's something about the sleek chic of Körner Skincare that had me from the get-go. When I read that it won Best New Product in Wallpaper magazine's Design Awards, I was definitely intrigued. Körner, a 100-year-old product line that underwent a major makeover, just oozes luxury with its clean lines and spare white and aubergine bottles with vaguely uber-stylish Scandinavian fonts. Behold the beauty that is this package for Loaded The Anti-Ager: sophisticated, clean and chic. It's the kind of product you want lining your bathroom vanity to impress houseguests. Not to mention, the products boast high-performance ingredients such as pseudodipeptides, exotic rainforest plant extracts and something called "Wattle Seed" (you could literally spend a day learning about this brand's philosophy and ingredient benefits...). I'm partial to the Seem A Dream Cleansing Wash, a gently exfoliating cleanser that left my skin with an inner radiance. As with many things in life, the pretty things will cost you dearly, but rest assured they'll look fabulous.

look of the week: ravishing rachel bilson

Effortless. And so befitting for a Chanel event, don't you think, lovelies? The lovely Rachel Bilson, here at the P.S. Arts party at the Chanel boutique in Beverly Hills, strives for simple chic and knocks it out of the park. I could have chosen any number of over-the-top glam looks from the Emmy Awards for look of the week - bold red lips, pompadour hair and all. But what I love about Rachel here is that she did a look that's completely counter to the trends right now: minimalist, natural makeup with simple, slicked-back hair. It goes totally against the whole glammed-up, 40s red-lipsticked vixen we've been seeing all over the magazines and runways. It's a classic that never goes out of style and that makes Rachel my look of the week. Because there's something to be said for simplicity, non?

come on down!...part 3

Want a chance to win the ultimate in luxury haircare? Having tried the caviar version myself, Alterna is it, lovelies, so be sure to get in on this contest, brought to you by our friends at Splendicity.

To enter today's contest:
*Visit 3 Splendid Member blogs, post a comment on their latest post that is not a contest post. Read the post, and make it a real comment about the post. You can also view the Splendicity member list right at the homepage: Splendicity.com .
*Go back to Splendicity.com and report the Splendid Member blogs that you commented on in today’s Splendicity blog contest post.
All readers that complete the process are entered into the drawing to win today's prize.

Today's prize: Alterna's TEN Shampoo and TEN Hair Masque, with a value of $115.
Alterna brings you The Science of Ten™, the perfect fusion of ten key elements from around the globe to transform any hair from ordinary to extraordinary. Inspired by Enzymetherapy® ~ The Science of Skincare for Hair™, Ten sets new standards in the field of advanced formulation and product performance.
Ten Hair Masque, a concentrated treatment, penetrates quickly to renew and repair all hair types of unprecedented results. Infused with African Cacao Extract, Hyaluronic Acid, Caviar Age-Control complex™, Photozyme Complex™ with Color Hold™, White Truffle Oil, Champagne Grape Seed Oil, Bulgarian Evening Primrose, Arabian Frankincense, Moroccan Quillaia Bark and Arnica Flower, Ten fulfills Alterna's commitment to create products that deliver results and not promises.

Thank you to Alterna for sponsoring today's contest.

Alterna products can be purchased online through beauty.com and blissworld.com.

beauty breakthough: here to stay mascara

I have to admit I was initially a little frightened by the uber staying power of this new Prescriptives Here to Stay Mascara, lovelies. It claims to stay put for 24 hours, which left me thinking, what would it take to remove – a vat of paint thinner? The reality is that while this stuff is truly budge- and smudge-proof, it's easily removed with eye makeup remover. Beyond that, for me, the real wonder of this mascara is its flexible wand. It's slightly bendy, with shorter and longer bristles, which enables easy grabbing of each and every lash. And there's breathing room between the bristles too, so you get perfectly blackened lashes without clumping. An altogether fabulous beauty innovation.

fixation: l'artisan parfumeur premier figuier

A chill is in the air, lovelies. The kind of chill that makes me want to wear cozy sweaters and bake pumpkin muffins and (reluctantly) retire my fragrance of choice, Fresh Lemon Sugar, for a deeper, more heady scent. I've put my citrusy friend on the backburner in favor of earthy figs, more specifically, L'Artisan Parfumeur Premier Figuier. As the name suggests, (literally translated to "first fig"), it captures that newly-grown fig, right off the tree. It's slightly fruity, very woodsy and deeply sophisticated. You only need a touch to get that earthy, green warmth. Dab it on and wrap yourself in cashmere, then face the day...

look of the week: holly go-Knightley

Ever heard the, "don't match your eyeshadow to your clothing" rule? Well lovelies, I'm not sure who came up with it, but Miss Keira Knightley defies it, and fetchingly so, here at the Toronto Film Festival premiere of Atonement. The smokey eye done in shades of aubergine beautifully picks up on the purpley tone in Keira's dress, in a way that looks put-together and not at all garrish. The rest of her makeup is kept subtle, with but a whisper of pink lipstick and minimal blush (perhaps too minimal, now that I'm looking at it again...is she looking a little pale, or is it just me?)
And while we're being directed to pick up our flatirons again this fall, I'm loving Knightley's tousled waves. Dark, jewel-tone makeup coupled with summery, laissez-faire waves: it's the perfect summer-meets-fall look, don't you think?

NatureShock: Cocoon Apothecary

Want to feel like a natural woman? With the wealth of natural beauty care lines cropping up, SugarShock wants to help you find only the best, so we're introducing NatureShock, a new feature spotlighting natural and organic beauty products. First up is Cocoon Apothecary, a lovely line of natural skincare based on essential oils. Now first let me say that the line was concocted by a good high school friend, Jessica Zinger of Kitchener, Ontario, so yes, I'm naturally biased. But I tried out these products with my innately discerning SugarShock sensibility and let me say, they surpassed my expectations. My faves: Kahuna Body Creme, a deliciously rich and silky lotion-y cream made with macadamia and coconut oils that melts into my skin without feeling greasy and smells of coconut and tropical verbena (a lemony aroma that's so refreshing); and Petal Purity Facial Cleanser, for a super-gentle clean that effectively removes all traces of makeup and is gorgeously scented with lavender and geranium oils. What's more, the products are vegan (and no, that doesn't mean you can eat them!). Vegan skincare contains no animal products and isn't tested on animals, which ranks high in my books. Cocoon also doesn't use synthetic fragrances or parabens, which means your skin has a better chance of taking in all the natural-ingredient goodness.

come on down!...the sequel

Good morning everyone! What better way to start the day than with the chance to win some swag?

To enter today's contest:
*Guess the Celeb: Post your answer in the comments section of today's Splendicity contest post.
*The FIRST person to answer correctly, with the full first and last name of the celebrity in the picture below wins!



Please read the contest rules before entering. Thank You!
The prize for winning todays splendid contest: Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Skin Revival Treatment. This rare treat is worth $60, and a best-seller. It was just picked as a Best Of Sephora 2007 Winner!


This Bare Escentual's groundbreaking, minerals-based nighttime treatment is the first of its kind with clinically proven skin-renewing benefits. The exclusive blend of 100% pure RareMinerals, derived from untouched virgin soil and in potent powder form, is the perfect nutrient carrier for vitamins A and C and a host of botanical extracts.
Naturally activated by your own skin, it effectively yet comfortably delivers benefits such as visibly reduced lines and wrinkles, reduced sun damage, more refined pores, brighter complexion, softer, smoother texture, less noticeable redness, and clearer and firmer-looking skin. Containing no preservatives and zero irritants whatsoever, it's ideal for all skin types, even the most sensitive.

Thank you to Bare Escentuals for sponsoring today's contest.

model moment: an ode to coco rocha

Let us just take a moment and ponder the greatness that is Coco Rocha, shall we lovelies? I have to say I think she is one of the best things to happen to the modelling world in a long time. Truth be told, I wasn't her biggest fan at first; I felt she was a little too odd-looking, even for the world of high fashion. But after a while, and perusing her many editorial appearances in Vogue and Harper's Bazaar (Anna Wintour is no doubt a huge fan...), her quirky, bird-like expressiveness began to grow on me. (The fact that she's Canadian no doubt also primed me for bias...)

Consider these pics, from the September bibles, which show her breadth of range. The first, from a Harper's shoot by Peter Lindbergh, shows a pensive and polished, uber-cool Coco, giving us the smirk that says she knows something we don't. The second, from the gorgeous, twenties-inspired Steven Meisel shoot, Paris, je t'aime, shows Coco at her expressive best. There's so much joy in this image, it just makes me smile. It's her inner dancer coming out, and what a joy she is.

look of the week: magnificent mischa barton

What a week lovelies! It was a blur of high-wattage red-carpet strutters, from New York Fashion Week to the Toronto International Film Festival. (My hometown hosted not only George Clooney and Naomi Watts in the last couple of days, but also the golden couple, Brad and Angie. Gotta love TIFF!) Meanwhile, in New York, Conde Nast hosted a little event called Fashion Rocks, which brought out boldface actors, rockers and the just plain famous such as Jenny Lo and of course, Miss Mischa. Isn't she a doll? She doesn't really have much of a connection to the music industry ever since she gave Cisco "what's-his-name" Adler the boot, but she sure can work her fashion! And while her acting may leave a little something to be desired (she's best known as the wooden Marissa Cooper on the The OC), you've gotta admit the girl's a stunner. I'm loving her newly darkened auburn hair - it suits her porcelain skin beautifully. Bucking the smokey-eye trend, Mischa's eyes are precisely yet boldly lined in steely-gray, which really makes her gray-blue peepers pop. My favorite part of this look? The tousled updo. I love that her makeup looks precise but her hair looks slept-in. Gorgeous!

TrendShock: blue crush

Blue is most definitely having a a major beauty moment. But this isn't your grandmother's blue eyeshadow or a bad '80s flashback. No lovelies, the new blue shades, as evidenced by the new crop of colors from MAC and Laura Mercier, are bolder and smokier than ever and totally lacking in the "ick" factor.

How to wear blue eyeshadow without looking like Magda from There's Something About Mary? The key to wearing this shade and making it look fresh and new again is to add a hint of azure in the outer crease or to do an all-blue smokey eye. Stay in the deep-end of navy and steer clear of pastel-y tones. And one more caveat: Less is more for day; for evening wear, lay it on thick.

come on down!

Did you know that SugarShock is a member of a splendid new community of fashion and beauty bloggers called Splendicity? To celebrate their launch on September 4, they're having a month's worth of daily contests. And let me assure you lovelies, the swag is worth it!
Here's the contest for today, September 6:

*Find a post written by one of our Splendid Members, that was written today, that features a "splendid fragrance" The words "splendid fragrance" will appear in the post about fragrance. You can find our complete member blogroll, on the Splendicity.com homepage.
*Next, go to TheScentedLife.com, and leave a comment with the name of the member blog that features the "splendid fragrance" post.
*The TENTH correct entry comment that is left on TheScentedLife.com wins.

Today's prize:

Tom Ford Black Orchid 3.4 fl. oz. Eau de Parfum Spray valued at $135
Only a visionary like Tom Ford could reinvent traditional perfumery for the 21st century with his first signature fragrance. Inspired by a flower as elusive as it is elegant, the Tom Ford Black Orchid fragrance collection evokes both timeless luxury and worldly glamour. Reminiscent of iconic fragrances that enhance the skin's natural perfume, it is made with sumptuous ingredients that provoke the senses and heighten desire. Even the sleek and sensuous black bottle is classic yet modern. Created for the woman who is drawn to all things luxurious and pleasurable, Black Orchid is now yours to discover.

Thank you to Tom Ford Beauty for sponsoring today's contest.

Please read the contest rules before entering. Thank You!

tress TLC

I hate to admit it, lovelies, but summer is nearly over. And while I've loved basking in the shiny-happy sunshine, I have to say the sun has scorched the life out of my locks. My once radiant color is dull and lacklustre and my ends are parched. So lately I've been practicing some serious revival tactics. Here's what's in my haircare arsenal:
First up is Rene Futerer's Tonucia Toning and densifying mask. My problem with using hair masks in the past is they've tended to be too greasy, weighing down my fine hair. But this one is specially made to give a boost to hair that's tired or limp. It's creamy-thick like a treatment should be, but not greasy. Best of all, it has the yummy smell of orange creamsicles, and who doesn't need that extra hit of summer, now that the air is turning cooler? My hair was soft and bouncy after using it.


I'm also loving The Body Shop's Poppy Seed Oil Reviving Mask. As it's infused with olive and poppy seed oils, this one's definitely rich, so I'll use only a small, quarter-sized amount for my hair. My favorite thing about this one is you only have to leave it on for three minutes, so I can put it on while I'm in the shower. It left my locks healthier-looking, shinier and tangle-free.
One of my most coveted finds this summer is undoubtedly The Body Shop's Brazil Nut Define & No-Frizz. This stuff has just been a godsend against the ravages of humidity. If I apply nothing to my naturally wavy hair, it gets kinky and frizzy. But with this, I just apply a little dab to my wet hair, and I'm out the door; my hair dries to smooth, defined waves without feeling weighed down. The secret is out!

look of the week: easy, breezy Charlize

Superb. And she must know it, don't you think lovelies? I mean, stepping out of her five-star hotel looking utterly perfect, with her devil-may-care pony and just-swiped-it-on makeup, she's still gotta know she's the hotness. But while it may seem as though she just woke up looking sensational, we know better that several hours and the tireless efforts of makeup and hair stylists likely went into achieving this easy-breezy look. Regardless, Charlize, here at the Venice Film Festival this week, looks perhaps more stunning than I've ever seen her. Simple is the key word here: soft, pinky peach neutrals at play over the entire face, from eyes to cheeks to lips, give a soft yet sophisticated, natural yet pulled-together look. Loving the royal flush in her cheeks; you might guess that she'd been out playing tennis all afternoon. A low, centre-parted ponytail with face-framing tendrils further punctuates this glam yet casual statement. Well done, Miss Theron, well done.

Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/Chris Jackson/Getty