Maleficent - Being Bad Never Looked So Good

Disney’s upcoming film, Maleficent, which explores the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty, is not only exciting for movie goers and Disney fans, but it is inspiring the world fashion and beauty as well!

Angelina Jolie, who stars as Maleficient in the live-action film, teamed up with fashion designer Stella McCartney to create a kids costume collection inspired by the film.

“I’ve always been a huge fan of Disney growing up, as was my mother, and I grew up watching all the films like most kids did,” McCartney told WWD, “When the opportunity presented itself and I was invited by Angelina Jolie to visit the film set, I jumped at the chance.” – And who wouldn’t?

The capsule collection will include eight styles including sparkly princess, bow-adorned sandals, dragon-print tees and cool sneakers for boys and girls aged 4 to 14. It will range in price from $75 to $145, and will be available online, at Stella McCartney Kids stores and Disney stores worldwide at the end of April.

I love that they included items for boys as well, who often get left out in these types of collaborations, but I’m sure Angelina made sure to have something all of her own kids could wear. Especially the 3 that made a cameo in the film, including Pax, 8, Zahara, 7, and 4 year old Vivienne who was cast as a young Aurora because she was the only one who was not afraid to approach her mom in costume.

Don’t worry moms! You can get in on the Maleficent fun too, because Mac Cosmetics is also releasing a limited edition collection inspired by the film. It will include 11 products that cover everything, from eyeshadow and lipstick to powder and polish in dramatic shades of red, gold and brown. So if you too, are feeling inspired by evil, you can check out the collection which will be available in stores at the beginning of June.

If that doesn't make you excited enough, here is the movie trailer to get you in the mood. Maleficent hits theatres May 30^th, 2014.

Will you be watching?

Sharon and Kelly Osbourne MAC Collection

We’ve mentioned before how Lipstick is a huge beauty trend this year and how obsessed we are with Rihanna’s collaborations with mega beauty retailer, MAC Cosmetics. Well, ever since she launched her final collaboration with the beauty brand, with the Viva Glam lipstick in January, we’ve been craving more! Luckily, following in her footsteps as celebrity brand ambassadors are mom and daughter duo, Sharon and Kelly Osbourne! We know just how much Sharon loves her makeup and we can’t get enough of Kelly’s unique style, so we were thrilled to hear that they’d be launching a summer MAC collection in June!

Today the lovely ladies posted their first official photos from the campaign and we love what we are seeing so far! Sharon looks fabulous with an amazing nude lip and brown shadow to compliment her gorgeous green eyes and make them go Pop! While Kelly’s smokey purple eyeshadow to match her signature do’, and perfectly peachy nude lip are everything! We cannot wait to see the full collection!

From a young age when girls start to experiment with makeup and walk in mom’s high heels for fun to when girls become teenagers and we teach them our beauty tricks all the while building confidence and fostering self-esteem, there is definitely a special bond a mother and daughter have when it comes to beauty. Just one more reason we love MAC for choosing both Kelly and Sharon to collaborate on this collection with as a mother daughter duo. Plus how much does Kelly look like her mum in the campaign photo? #twinsies

Are you as excited for this collection as we are?

Trendy Tuesday - Lipstick

We all know that nail art was a hot beauty trend in 2013, so nail products were flying off the shelves, but did you know that lipstick was booming too?

According to statistics from Market research firm The NPD Group Inc., last year’s lipstick sales were just as impressive as nails with an 8% increase from the year before.

While the beauty industry put a large amount of attention on nails last year, the focus will shift to Lips for 2014, so we can expect lot of new and innovative lip products coming from our favourite beauty brands. Yay!

I’m so excited about this major lip trend because I actually caught the beauty bug in 2013. While I was pregnant with my daughter I stopped wearing makeup. I’m not really sure why, I actually did the same with my son. I guess I just didn’t feel like wearing it anymore and just let that natural pregnancy glow shine though. But after I gave birth, I really wanted to feel like me again so I invested in a whole new makeup bag of stuff for a fresh start as a new mom of 2. I was particularly excited when Rihanna’s first summer Mac Collection was released in June (shortly after I gave birth) not only because I am a major Riri fan, but also because of the release of her Riri Woo Lipstick. I have never been a big lipstick girl, I usually focused on the eyes and went with a simple gloss, but I really wanted that perfect red lipstick that’s a must have for every woman’s makeup bag and Riri Woo seemed to fit the bill. It has a beautiful retro matte finish and goes gloriously with every skin tone! I had to have it, and when I did, I fell in love with lipstick. On the rare occasion I got to have a night out with my partner or friends, I wore it and it made me feel fabulous! I even started wearing during the day, just shopping with my daughter at the mall. For my day look, I wouldn’t lay it on so heavy though; simply dab it on over some moisturising lip balm for a more subtle look, but a little red lippy can completely transform an everyday look into something a little more fab!

After my new found obsession with my Riri Woo lipstick, I was on the hunt for that perfect pink pout as well. And low and behold, Rihanna came out with Pleasure Bomb, a gorgeous fuschia color, also with a matte finish in her Holiday Mac collection, so of course I had to have it. I lucked out and got the very last one at the Mac Counter at The Bay only 1 hour after it had released in stores. Again, the perfect pink for every skin tone.

Me (Joanna) getting ready to rock Riri Woo for the holidays

Yussie looking fab in Pleasure Bomb at a baby shower

Now these 2 lipsticks have me craving for more! Next on my wish list: Rihanna’s Viva Glam Lipstick. The new lipstick set to launch online on January 21st and in store on January 23rd, is also a matte red, but with a hint of purple and finishing with the look of velvet. Plus, every penny you spend on the Viva Glam lipstick goes to the MAC AIDS Fund to support people directly affected by HIV/AIDS. Fabulous and charitable! Could we ask for anything more?

And finally, I’ve been wanting to try Mac’s Heroine lipstick. This previously retired Mac favourite made a come-back to the permanent collection this month (perhaps due to this rising lipstick trend), and I want in! This vibrant matte Purple packs a powerful punch, but I’m tempted to try. Not sure I can pull off the purple pout, but part of our New Year’s Resolution was to be more fearless in fashion, so I think I’m going to give it a try! (I’ll let you know how that works out ;))

As Laura Weinstein, vice president marketing of Sally Hansen and NYC New York Color, told WWD, "Lip really is the new nail."

Are you on board with this major 2014 beauty trend? What are some of your favourite lipsticks, or ones you’re dying to try this year? Let us know in the comments!

Clockwise from top left: Rihanna x Mac ‘Riri Woo’ Lipstick, $20, Sold Out (Alternative – Mac Ruby Woo, $18), Rihanna x Mac ‘Pleasure Bomb’ Lipstick, $20, Sold Out (Alternative – Mac All Fired Up, $18), Rihanna Viva Glam Lipstick, Mac Cosmetics, Available Jan 21st, Mac ‘Heroine’ Lipstick,$18.

Centre: I Need Lipstick Cosmetics Bag, Forever 21, $10.80

GLOSSYBOX - Beauty at your Door Step

Montreal Fashion Moms were some of the lucky ladies in Canada to receive GLOSSYBOX right at our door steps! What is Glossy Box you ask? Well, let us explain. GLOSSYBOX is a monthly subscription beauty service that just hit Canada and if you become a member, you will receive a GLOSSYBOX  every month filled with five luxury cosmetics wrapped in a super cute pink box.

Once you subscribe, a GLOSSYBOX will be sent directly to your door and will allow you to test out new products in the comfort of your own home. Your GLOSSYBOX will be sent to you in the first half of every month for only $15 (including taxes and shipping). In addition to 5 luxury samples (plus an additional surprise item that could show up at any time!), the box contains product information, application notes and tips and tricks about beauty and style. Could this be any more amazing or more affordable? We think not!

Each GLOSSYBOX arrives with a cute envelope (we love little details like this!) and a card describing all of the products that are included in your current month’s box. Beside the description of the item, the cost of the full size product is also included, which is great if you love the product and want to continue using it!

Our February box included the following amazing products:

Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Hand Cream
Elizabeth Grant Moisturizing Stick
Essie Nail Polish in Neo Whimsical
Oscar de la Renta Live in Love Body Lotion
Prevage Day Anti-Aging Restorative Cream
Beauty So Clean Sanitizing Wipes and Mist

We each took advantage of our sons’ nap times to indulge in all these fabulous high-end products. For those 2 short hours, we showered, creamed and moisturized and enjoyed a little self-pampering with some individual at home spa time. It was the perfect excuse to take a little 'me' time. Our faves have to be the Ahava Dead Sea Water Mineral Hand Cream & the Essie Nail Polish! The two combined made for a perfect little at home manicure.

You can go online to create and complete your own Beauty Profile to get items tailored to meet your individual needs. The fact that GLOSSYBOX gives you the opportunity to try new luxury items without spending a ton of money all the while keeping you filled with anticipation of what's to come next month is genius and revolutionary!

You can check out all the GLOSSYBOX details and their blog at http://www.glossybox.ca/

Let us know - Would you be interested in subscribing? Or if you already are, what are your opinions on GLOSSYBOX?

A Little Me Time

This morning, I took a little ‘me’ time and headed over to Q-Spa with a gift certificate I received for Mother’s Day, for a much needed mani/pedi. It was a nice relaxing break; allll for me.  I think it’s important for us to remember that while we’re taking care of our families all the time, we still need to take care of ourselves as well. We deserve a little rejuvenating break once in a while to free up our minds and have a short, but sweet retreat from our generally busy lives. We need a little pampering too.

That’s why I was so excited to finally be getting my nails done today. Especially since its summer sandal season, which requires a fabulous pedicure.  I love bold, bright colors for summer, which is why I had already decided to go with a neon orange for my color of choice. A little bold for some, but I think it’s fun and funky. I chose to do a matching mani/pedi, but if you’re afraid to go too bold, try keeping your manicure a little more neutral and experiment with your toes.

I also decided to go a little vintage with a very trendy half-moon manicure that is almost like a reverse French manicure. The trend actually originated in the 1920s and is making a big comeback.

My break from reality was wonderful, but I was more than happy to return to my son when I was done, and even he was loving up my freshly painted nails. I can always count on my baby for a compliment! :)

So, what do you do like to do when you have a moment to yourself, just to relax? Go to the spa, make crafts, shop? Leave a comment and let us know how you let loose and unwind.