The #BeautyUnited #MusicGlam "Rockin' Romance" Look

Yesterday's post was all about what I did in Toronto; today's post will break down the look that Cover Girl and Pantene pros Amelie Ducharme and Justin German created for the #BeautyUnited #MusicGlam Grammy party! Dubbed "Rockin' Romance," the look was inspired by Paris Hilton's red carpet 'do and Rita Ora's makeup. Think demure, Victorian-inspired hair with a tousled twist, complemented with bold brows, flawless skin, and smoldering rocker eyes. Read on for a step-by-step breakdown of how to replicate the look at home.

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#BeautyUnited #MusicGlam #Toronto

Sorry for the sudden disappearing act, dear readers! I got back from Toronto Monday afternoon and have been playing catch-up with work, emails, and laundry ever since, all the while trying to edit photos and sum up what turned out to be a relaxing, fun-filled weekend trip. Keep reading because I have a lot to fill you in on and many, many photos to share.

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Toronto-bound for #BeautyUnited

I'll be in Toronto this weekend to attend Beauty United's Grammy Awards viewing party on Sunday! During that time, I'll be posting Toronto adventure updates and Sunday night Grammy dish on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Follow along and join the conversation using #MusicGlam to win beauty prizes, and learn how to re-create the most popular red carpet hair and beauty looks from P&G Beauty pros. See you Sunday night!

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Product Review: Pantene Pro-V Expert Collection Advanced+ Keratin Repair 60 Second Therapy

Deep repair and hydration in as much time as it takes to use regular conditioner: that's the premise behind Pantene Pro-V Expert Collection Advanced+ Keratin Repair 60 Second Therapy ($8.99 at London Drugs), a boxed set of five single-dose tubes of product. When used every 2-3 days, Advanced+ Keratin Repair 60 Second Therapy promises to reverse damage and restore moisture and shine in as little as a week.

I've only gone through two tubes of the five in my set, but I'm already a fan. The texture is somewhere between ultra-hydrating conditioner and a hair mask—creamy and thick. And true to its 60-second claim, it really seems to make no difference whether you leave it in for one or ten minutes (as I did during my first time).

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My Favourite January Sale Picks

January can be a no man's land when it comes to shopping. Most of us are burnt out from holiday excesses, watching our budgets, or scouring slim pickings. I fall in the latter category: After the flu left me house-bound for a week and a half, I was finally able to shop—only to find there wasn't much worth buying. But, a couple weeks have passed and more markdowns have hit my favourite sites' sale sections, which means there are definitely gems to be found.

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Living Colourfully in 2014

One of my favourite gifts this year was Kate Spade New York’s Things We Love, a compendium of the brand’s eclectic inspirations. It’s an impressive coffee table book, and if you’re a Kate Spade fan like I am, you can easily lose yourself in page after page of rich visuals. But apart from being a beautiful book, Things We Love is also a roadmap for adding more joie de vivre to ordinary days, and a springboard for some fun personal goals. I for one am taking these things to heart in 2014.

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Moisturizing MVPs

The polar vortex may be lifting, but that doesn't mean Old Man Winter is done with us quite yet. Months on end of cold, harsh air outside and being blasted by indoor heating can result in dry skin and brittle locks. My strategy: lots of fluids; gentle cleansers, shower gels, and shampoos that don't strip away moisture; and ultra-hydrating products that rely on potent natural ingredients to do the heavy lifting. Longtime readers will recognize these moisturizing MVPs from previous posts, but they're definitely worth revisiting at this time of year.

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Product Review: Cover Girl Flamed Up Mega Curl Mascara

Amazing new mascara alert! After my lackluster experience with sister mascara Flamed Out, I was hesitant about trying out Cover Girl Flamed Up Mega Curl Mascara. But I'm glad I got over it because this one delivers the goods.

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Emma Watson's Sleek Golden Globes Look

Source

I don't ever post about red carpet fashion, hair, or beauty, but I'm breaking all the rules today to comment on Emma Watson's Golden Globes 2014 look. Her coral Dior dress-meets-pants combo was a sleek and modern standout in a sea of gown-clad actresses. The entire outfit is minimalist perfection, all complemented by polished hair and makeup.

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Latest Outfit: Coffee Date & Swarovski Giveaway

J. Crew schoolboy blazer, belt (similar), and invitation clutch | Joe Fresh sweater | Topshop skirt | Madewell boots | Swarovski Amorous pendant (c/o) | Lipstick: Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge #16

One way of getting over January doldrums is looking forward to the next major holiday or milestone on the calendar—Valentine's Day! Swarovski evidently feels the same way, because they've asked me to show how I'd style their new Amorous pendant for a date, and they're offering another pendant as a giveaway to one lucky Solo Lisa reader. (Scroll to the bottom of this post for the entry form!)

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Product Review: Olay Fresh Effects Swipe Out Refreshing Make-up Removal Cloths

January is typically the time when holiday bills come due and resolutions to save more money are made, which is why I'll be focusing on drugstore delights in this month's Product Reviews. After all, a love of beauty doesn't have to break one's budget!

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Work It Out

Now that holiday indulgences are past us, it's time to get back to a healthy routine. Admittedly, I'm pretty hit-and-miss with exercising regularly, but I'm hoping to change that this year as soon as my flu-induced fatigue wears off. Luckily, adorable yet affordable gear can be great motivation.

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Latest Outfit: 2014 Resolutions

J. Crew necklace (c/o) and cashmere sweatshirt | Zara jacket | Plaid scarf (borrowed from the boy) | Gap 1969 Always Skinny jeans | Hudson's Bay x Converse sneakers (c/o) | Coach city bag | Lipstick: Rouge Dior 999

It's a week into 2014 and I'm still not ready for the new year to start yet. My Christmas flu—probably the worst flu I've ever had—lasted a week and a half, robbing me of the holiday excesses I planned to indulge in before becoming all virtuous and resolving to eat less, exercise more, and save more money. Not fair! In fact, this is the first time I've come out of the holiday season having lost weight and saved money...so maybe the flu was a blessing in disguise?

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2014

Card by Rifle Paper Co.

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