I was contacted a few weeks back by the marketing masters at Matchstick to review the newly released L’oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara. Beauty Tubes Mascara is a 2-in-1 primer plus mascara formula that aims to take your lashes to new heights! You’ve probably seen some commercials (featuring the gorgeous Linda Evangelista) for the new mascara. I've been noticing it more in local drugstores recently since its release date in December 2008 (throughout Canadian stores).

Here’s how to use Beauty Tubes:

BEFORE: Sparse eyelashes

Step 1: After curling the eyelashes, use the nourishing micro-fibre primer on the one end of the tube to build up and extend the lashes. (You can see the lengthening magic working already!)
ARTIST TIP: I find using one base coat best so as not to weigh down the lashes.

Step 2: Use the mascara end of the tube to apply two coats of black mascara. Make sure the white primer coat is completely concealed.

The Result: Instant lash extensions!
ARTIST TIP: Have a lash fan handy to keep lashes separated.

The mascara does as it promises, giving great length to the lashes without smudging and flaking. My own lashes are pretty sparse, so the product unfortunately doesn't provide what I look for in a mascara (i.e. volume!!). On a positive note, what I did love about Beauty Tubes is how super easy it was to remove - despite not budging all day! With some warm water, the mascara simply slid off and still in tube form!

The mascara reminds me of a long-time favourite Kiss Me Mascara, but at half the pricepoint. I have to admit that Kiss Me gives my lashes better volume though, so I'd likely skip the Beauty Tubes and save my money towards that. Overall, I would recommend L'oreal's Beauty Tubes more for (those lucky) women with already full lashes that long for lengthening power in their mascara.

L’oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes retails for approximately $15 CAD and are currently available in local drug and grocery stores.

Are you loving L'oreal's latest mascara? Let Matchstick and L'oreal know what you think!

I am pleased to announce that www.artistrhi.com is officially live!

For a couple of years now, the artistrhi.com domain has temporarily been pointing to my blog here at artistrhi.blogspot.com, as we have been working hard behind the scenes to build the content and get the official site up and running! This blog first started out as a way to document my work as a make-up artist, but has since turned into a full-time hobby (and hopefully useful information resource) with posts on everything beauty!

I will continue to blog frequently here on artistrhi.blogspot.com and post make-up tips, product reviews, answers to your make-up questions along with updates on what's new at artistrhi.

I'd love to hear what you think. Check out the new site and drop me an email to let me know!

A very special thanks to my awesome webmeister Rosie of Design in Rotation for her creative eye and technical expertise!! Many thanks for all the support!

Nearly five litres of coffee and countless clicks of a mouse later, we're getting closer and closer to launching the official artistrhi.com site! Stay tuned as we go live tomorrow morning (Monday, January 5th , 2009).

One of my favourite features of the site is the easy-to-navigate portfolio that will feature bridal, make-over and commercial photo galleries. Until the official launch tomorrow, here's a sneak peak at one of the photo entries that will be featured on the site. (Model Erin and Photography by Paul B.)

With the New Year, I'm sure we've all made a slew of resolutions to help us look better on the outside with the subconscious hope that it will make us feel better on the inside. Yet, one of the best make-overs I think we can treat ourselves to is a "mind make-over" to rethink what we consider to be "beautiful".

Carmindy's latest book release, Get Positively Beautiful, is filled both with helpful make-up tips and self-esteem building thoughts to get you on track to the best you (physically and mentally)! The book includes a comprehensive breakdown of the overwhelming amount of make-up tools and product, along with make-up artist tips for perfecting the features of the face. Carmindy details what products she recommends at the higher end and lower end cost range, so you can make an informed consumer choice about what product to buy.

What I love about Get Positively Beautiful is the focus on the make-overs and beauty journies of "real women". Women of all ages (from teens to 60+) and diverse backgrounds are the muses, as Carmindy explains how to play up your best features rather than focus on how to change what we find negative.

The book makes a great read for people of all ages, and especially for teens just learning about make-up. Carmindy's philosophy of "celebrating uniqueness" in beauty is a mantra we should all abide by. Start the New Year off right and learn more about Carmindy's Get Positively Beautiful movement!

Speaking of the New Year and new looks, it's been in the works for months now and we're closing in on finishing up the final details of www.artistrhi.com! The domain has been pointing to my blog in the meantime, but as of Monday, January 5th , 2009 the official artistrhi site will be up and running!

Some of the features we wanted to incorporate into the site:
Accessibility - Users with special needs will be able to navigate the site.

Comprehensiveness - Intuitive user interface and ease of navigation throughout the site.

Cross-browser compatibility - Testing to ensure the user experience in Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari is consistent.

Calendar - Ability to view upcoming events and current bookings.

Interactivity - Ability to submit comments, encouraging feedback and discussion.

Stay tuned!