Tanning may be out, but that sun kissed glow doesn’t have to be! Suntopia Tanning offers Versaspa and I want you to experience it at their newly renovated location in Kits! This perfect sunless spray tan bronzes and hydrates your skin in under a minute.

You could win:

One Versaspa spray tan

How to participate:

1. Retweet the following:

I entered to win a Versaspa spray tan from Suntopia tanning via @Christie_Lohr & @suntopia. RT to enter.

2. Follow @SuntopiaTan on Twitter.

3. Follow @Christie_Lohr on Twitter.

* Winners will be notified by Christie Lohr

Contest Ends: March 16, 2012.

I’ve partnered with Pure Light Laser Skin and Body Clinic for a post summer skin treatment giveaway!

You could win:

One Full Face Chemabrasion treatment valued at $165.

How to participate:

1. Retweet the following:

I entered to win chemabrasion from Pure Light Laser via @Christie_Lohr & @PureLightLaser. RT to enter, plus these details http://ow.ly/6Fx8q http://ow.ly/6Fx8q

2. Follow @PureLightLaser on Twitter.

3. Follow @Christie_Lohr on Twitter.

* Winners will be notified by Christie Lohr

Contest Ends: October 5, 2011.

About Pure Light Laser:

Tackle your skin imperfections at one of the most reputable and welcoming clinics in Vancouver, Pure Light Laser Skin and Body Clinic. Owner Rita Moldovanos, who leads a team of six trained professionals, has over ten years of experience and mentors and teaches many of her peers. Besides being an expert at what she does, Rita has the warmest personality.

When I first visited Rita, I wasn’t happy with my skin. There were a few red marks from old acne scars and my skin’s tone was a bit uneven and dull. After a few treatments, my skin has drastically improved and I can now leave the house without an ounce of concealer! My favourite treatments are the Diamond Peel microdermabrasion (from $135), that vacuums dead skin cells and debris from your skin to minimize fine lines, acne scars, sun spots, wrinkles and reduce your pore size, and IPL Photofacial (from $75), light therapy that improves tone and texture and gets rid of broken capillaries, sun spots, vascular scaring, acne and rosacea. Other treatments include laser hair removal, Botox, scar revision and laser teeth whitening, to name a few. So, before your next big event, or if you just want to improve your complexion, stop by Pure Light Laser Skin and Body Clinic for flawless skin.

Deep hues

Jason Wu. Image courtesy of www.lipstickpowdernpaint.com

While pop art nail colours ruled the Spring 2011 runways (and are dominating the Spring 2012 catwalks as well) the cooler weather calls for a darker colour palette. Opt for polishes in bordeaux, military green and deep blue shades for the fall and winter months to come.

Try: Essie Carry On, a deep wine shade; China Glaze Holly-Day, a rich green shade; and Dior Vernis in Tuxedo, a shimmery navy hue.

Mighty Metals

Chanel. Image courtesy of www.refinery29.com

Fall is all about the statement nails. Make yours with luxe metallic lacquers in gold, pewter, gunmetal and silver.

Try: Nars Night Breed, a deep black with silver glitter; Deborah Lippmann Boom Boom Pow, a gold polish with 24 karat gold dust; and Orly Iron Butterfly, a gunmetal polish.

Nail Art

Ruffian. Image courtesy of www.palacinka.com

Bring clothing trends—I’m thinking dots, lace and animal print—to your nails with some unique art. Try Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Stickers, DIY them yourself, or visit a certified nail artist.

Our picks? Premier nail salons Queens in Vancouver, Tips Nail Bar in Toronto and Rouge Nail Bar in Montreal.

Try: Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Stickers, Sephora Nail Bling Nail Art Stickers, Orly Dotter Due Tool

By: Septembre Anderson, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @SeptembreA.

Are you an employer? Post your job here.

Are you a job seeker? Find fashion jobs here.

Pony Up

The ponytail may be your go-to hairstyle, but the catwalk calls for a sleek presentation. Go high, low or experiment with variations a la Prada. Finish your look by wrapping the base with your locks, as seen at Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton.

From left to right: Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Prada

Decorate

Fall is about decadence, so accessorize accordingly. Embellish your ‘do with sparkly baubles, floral barrettes and metal pins. Plumes remain pretty, but look for deeper tones and fuller feathers to suit the season (Gucci designer Frida Giannini approves). Just be sure to streamline with a single focal point to avoid looking like a grade school disaster.

From left to right: Gucci, Nina Ricci, Rodarte

Make it Mod

The mod look is on point right now, so make your mane follow suit. Think big! Volumize your locks and finish with soft waves to channel the sassy models at Anna Sui. Feeling brave? Make like Twiggy and go bold with a sharp cut and voluminous shape. Bottega Veneta saw the retro bouffant look of the mod years, but we like how
stars like Rihanna and Zooey Deschanel have worn them – half up, a subtle pouf and big volume.

From left to right: Bottega Veneta, Anna Sui, Jean Paul Gaultier

All images courtesy of Style.com.

By: Valerie Tiu, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @valerietiu.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

The Jewel-Tone Eye

Emerald eyeshadow at 3.1 Phillip Lim. Image courtesy of beautyparler.ca.

To get the look, try Avon Mega Impact Eyeshadow ($8). This comes in six high impact colors, each with both a light and a dark hue for an easy jewel-tone smoky eye).

Other options include MAC’s mineralized eye shadows ($20) and Dior’s new “Blue Tie” Collection Palette ($70), available at The Bay.

The Rosy Cheek

Statement blush at Valentino. Notice the discreet metallic gold touch on her upper lip! Image courtesy of Beautylish.

The Winehouse Cat-Eye

Image courtesy of Teen Vogue.

This throwback to mod was seen at Lanvin, D&G and Alexander Wang among others. Winehouse fans can extend their cat eyes for more drama, or skip the mascara for a more discreet look. Look for easy gel or liquid liners, such as Revlon Colourstay Liquid Liner ($7.29 at most drugstores and at Revlon.com.

The Spider Lash

Models worked clumpy, coated lashes at Gucci. Image courtesy of SoniaRoselli.com.

To create fierce, Twiggy-esque spikes go for mascaras with a chunkier wand, like Rimmel London’s Extra Wow Lash ($4.99 at drugstores).

The Return of Red

Red lips at the Miu Miu show, also seen in their Fall 2011 ad campaign.

This classic look is back with a vengeance this fall. From Diane von Furstenberg to Ungaro, bright sexy reds and darker crimson lips were heating up the runways. For a similar seductive pout, turn to shades like YSL’s Rouge Volupte Perle in Mysterious Red ($34) at Nordstrom.

The Dash of Metallic

Metallic pink lip at Peter Som. Image courtesy of Genius Beauty.

There seems to be a gold rush happening in terms of fall makeup. Cheeks, eyes, temples, and lips are being sprinkled with shimmery and metallic products.

Go for an ethereal glow with eyeshadow from Make Up Forever’s Star Power Diamond Collection ($24) at Sephora. Embrace all that glitters with Guerlain’s Kiss KissGloss in Peche Charnelle ($30.50) at Sephora . Although it is for lips, try dabbing some on your cheekbones, inner eyes, or temples for added sparkle.

By: Sophia Loffreda, Montreal

You should follow me on Twitter @sloffreda.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

The sun is shining; the weather is sweet. Practicing safe sun should be at the top of everyone’s list this summer, especially since new research has found protecting skin from sun damage in your youth is crucial. The truth is we could all be doing a better job at caring for our hair and skin well beyond the summer months. Keep the harmful effects of the sun at bay while still keeping that sunny disposition by incorporating a few key SPF products into your summertime routine. For more information on sun safety, check out these tips.

How to apply: The general rule is one shot glass-sized amount of sunscreen for your body and two tablespoons for your face. Remember to really rub it in and don’t forget your ears, hands and the tops of your feet.

When to apply: Make sunscreen part of your moisturizing routine first thing in the morning, and reapply every two hours of so if you are spending the day outdoors especially after swimming or physical activity. The sun is at it’s peek from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm during the day, so if possible, stay in the shade, wear sunglasses and a hat, and reapply your sunscreen.

For Hair: Use Schwarzkopf BC Sun Spray Conditioner ($16.50) before, during, and after sun exposure to shield hair against UV rays and minimize damage from the pool, the beach, and the city air.

For Face: PREVAGE Day Ultra Protection Anti-aging Moisture Lotion SPF 30 ($160.00) will be your summertime best friend when it comes to keeping your face free of fine-lines, wrinkles, and discolorations caused by Mr. Sun. At the Bay & Shoppers Drug Mart

For Lips: The lips are very sensitive to sun exposure, yet we seem to leave them neglected. Try Life Brand SUNTHERA3 Lip Balm SPF 30 ($8.99) alone or under your favourite bright shade to keep them moist. At Shoppers Drug Mart

For Body: Green Beaver Certified Organic SPF 30 Lotion ($19.99) is one of the best natural sunscreens on the market. greenbeaver.com

On the Go: Dermalogica Solar Defense Wipes SPF15 ($28.60) make great travel companions and are an easy way to get protection even on hard to reach areas without the mess of lotion. Dermalogica.com

By: Daniela DiStefano, Toronto

Follow me on Twitter @ddeestefano

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Tickets: Check. Passport: Check. Chic travel companion: Check. Packing: Ughhh. Jetting off to your favourite summertime destination is not easy for your average girl. How in the world are we supposed to fit all our gear into one modestly sized luggage that won’t have the airline charging you for going over the weight limit?

The trick is to invest in some travel-sized essentials that will be easy on luggage space and ready to perform once ascending 30,000 feet to your vacation zone. These must-haves will make packing a lot less complication so you can concentrate on more important pre-vacation tasks, like memorizing “where can I go shopping,” and “they don’t make boys as cute as you in Canada” in the local tongue. Bon Voyage!

1. Passions Travel Journal $26.00 by Moleskine.

2. Vapur Anti Bottle $13.99 at Chapters.

3. Stylize travel brush $4.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart.

4. Makeup Brush Set $16 at Joe Fresh.

5. 5 piece travel kit ($28) at Cake Beauty.

6. Yes to Blueberries Brightening Facial Towelettes $9.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart.

By: Daniela Distefano, Toronto

You should follow me on Twitter @ddeestefano.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Burberry Summer

Crisp and green with a twist of mandarin, this scent easily holds up to the heat.

Emilio Pucci Vivara Varianzioni Verde 072

Its name is certainly a mouthful, but the scent itself has a very clear message: clean and green.  A Turkish rose base rounds out the brighter element of mint in the scent.

Marc Jacobs Cranberry Splash

Sometimes, less is more. Take one part cranberry and one part red currant, mix them together, and voilà: a perfectly understated and delicious scent.

CK One Summer

The bottle may be a bit garish for some, but it’s what’s inside that counts.  For those of you who like fruity, this is the one for you: strong notes of tangerine are intermixed with hints of lemon and pear.

By: Alexandra Grant, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @ToVogueOrBust.

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Mist

Danish skincare line Ole Henriksen has countless amazing products (their Invigorating Nighttime Gel is a personal favourite), but its African Red Tea Mist is particularly spectacular.  Not only does it refresh and hydrate, but it also delivers anti-aging ingredients and a heaping dose of antioxidants.  Priced at $35, the mist is available at both Vancouver’s very own Beauty Mark and Sephora.

AmorePacific Moisture Bound Skin Energy Hydration Delivery System

AmorePacific’s Moisture Bound Skin Energy Hydration Delivery System may be quite a mouthful, but it is a must for any hot climate or travel.  An incredibly refreshing botanical mist, it is perfect as a primer, as a post-makeup setter, or as a pick-me-up at any point of the day.  You can find it at Sephora in store or online and it is priced at $35.

Caudalie Grape Water

Because of my sensitive skin, I particularly love Caudalie’s Grape Water.  French skincare line Caudalie exclusively uses the moisturizing polysaccharides found in wine grapes and many (myself included) can personally attest to its capacity to truly change your skin.  Like all sprays, it’s wonderful as a pre-makeup base, but Caudalie’s formula is especially amazing on a hot day.  It is priced at $13 (a total steal) and can be found at Sephora.

By: Alexandra Grant, Vancouver

You should follow me on Twitter @ToVogueOrBust

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.

Running from the office to lunch meetings and events and straight to dinner with the girls leaves little time to freshen up your look. Where is your mobile beauty salon when you need one? It might actually be just right around that busy downtown intersection.

This summer Diet Coke will be travelling across Canada in the Beauty Boost mobile salon offering a mini refresher to all you busy city ladies. Take a little breather with a cold Diet Coke and enjoy a mini manicure and make-up touch up with Joe Fresh products while checking out some of the latest fashion trends of the season. A few minutes in the mobile salon and you’ll be ready to get back to pounding the pavement with your To-Do list with some added oomph.

Check out the Diet Coke Beauty Boost mobile salon near you:

• Toronto June 6 to July 24
• Vancouver June 6 to July 10
• Montreal June 6 to July 3

Visit Diet Coke on Facebook or Tweet @DietCoke_CA to find out specific daily times and locations.

By: Daniela DiStefano, Toronto

Follow me on Twitter @ddeestefano

Want to work in fashion? Visit fashion career website for Canada Style Nine to Five.