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Beauty

Beauty | Revlon Colorstay Creme Eye Liner

I love the look of a heavily lined eye. Maybe not quite as much as Elizabeth Taylor or Cleopatra or Elizabeth Taylor as Cleopatra, but all things considered, I’m a big, big fan. And I’ve tried every variation of liner — pencil, pen, liquid, crayon, powder (man, they’ve reinvented this stuff a million times).

My favourite? Revlon’s Colorstay Creme Gel Eye Liner (which, for those of you in western Canada, is $10.99 at London Drugs). It comes with a little pot of liner whose lid converts into a brush, quill and ink-style. Is it easy to use? Quite the contrary. It takes a special kind of patience to learn how to apply it without leaving clumps (Beautezine has beautiful step-by-step shots). Then, even when you get the hang of it, you still have to take your time because it’s water resistant so you can’t easily wipe off your mistakes. But that’s precisely why I love it — it doesn’t leave you with raccoon eyes.

Unless that’s the look you’re going for.

[First photo found here, second from Beautezine]

P.S. Make like a modern Cleopatra and like The Anthology on Facebook.

February 27, 2013 by

Beauty | The Flat Iron with Teeth

I’m kind of like a kindergartener; I don’t brush my hair nearly as much as I should. (How many hair stylists have reprimanded me for that? I’ve lost count.)

Now I have one more reason to skip that step: the Rowenta Double Straight Flat Iron. It has a built-in comb that really bites into frizz. And we all know how frizzy this time of year can be. Plus, it tells you exactly how hot the ceramic-coated plates are, and they can reach a scorching 450° F.

Just don’t give it to an actual kindergartener. (Unless she’s competing in a Toddlers and Tiaras-style pageant. Then who am I to stop you?)

P.S. Sink your teeth into The Anthology’s Twitter feed.

January 18, 2013 by

Pinstagram | Lions, dinos and wolves

The Anthology’s Pinstagram column marries the dream (Pinterest) and the reality (Instagram).

Lions and dinos. The Lions Gate Bridge, which takes you from downtown Vancouver to the north shore mountains, is old by this city’s standards, but new compared to a prehistoric roadtripper.

We call it “snewing”. Snowshowing beats hanging out in the rainy city, unless of course you’re hanging out in the city decked out in winterwear that looks anything but.

Neck and neck. I keep a crystal close to my heart in a pouch by Vancouver’s Ora bags, just like I’d keep this necklace by Mawi close to my heart if it were mine.

Pretty Walrus. Vancouver’s Walrus Home never fails gift-wise, just like a pony T cinched with a bow never fails girliness-wise.

Wildebeasts. My wild beasts aren’t nearly as fierce as a real wild beast. Not even in the Tyra Banks sense of the word.

Change of pace. I kicked off my lectures at Simon Fraser University’s Digital Communications Program this week, which means I’m already thinking of a palm tree-riffic spring break.

Beet it. The vegan chocolate cake at Heirloom Vegetarian is a) surprisingly delicious and b) decorated with beets, just like this home is outfitted with beet-red decor.

P.S. There are more photos where these came from so follow Kelsey Dundon on Instagram and add The Anthology on Facebook.

January 16, 2013 by

Beauty | Korres Yoghurt Body Butter

I’m not sure exactly when it happened, but Greek yogurt has completely dominated the dairy aisle. Turns out its creamy goodness is not only great for breakfast but works wonders for dry skin too.

I just got back from snow-covered Edmonton, Alberta where the cold left my skin terribly dry. So what did I do the moment I touched down back in Vancouver? Lather up with the very thick Korres Yoghurt Body Butter. It’s made in Greece with actual yogurt and rehydrates skin in ways lighter moisturizers can’t. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that the yogurt’s full fat, making it extra dermalicious.

Now we just need someone to invent a granola exfoliator.

January 2, 2013 by

Pin Test | The Wraparound Braid

Sure you scour Pinterest for ideas, but how often do you actually try them? In The Anthology’s brand new Pin Test column, my sister Larissa takes her pins for a spin.

I spend hours perusing Pinterest for home decorating ideas, fun crafts and more recently, hair and beauty. So I’ve decided that instead of just looking at these pretty pictures, I’d actually put some of the tips and tricks to the test.

First up, the wraparound braid pinned from the ladies who run the blog Oh so Pretty The Diaries. On the left is their result, on the right is mine.

Turns out this ‘do is simple. Perfect for holiday parties, destination weddings, and a dead-easy way to work with second-day hair. Even though my braid didn’t turn out perfectly the first time, that’s part of the charm (it helps if your hair is a little wavy).

Want to test it out yourself? You’ll find the tutorial here.

December 16, 2012 by

Beauty | Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Holiday 2012

I am a big, big fan of Kiehl’s. Especially their Rare Earth collection. When Sharifa of The Salon Beauty Bar did my makeup for Timmy’s Telethon, we were raving about their Rare Earth Deep Poor Cleanser — so good for gentle exfoliation in the winter. But cleanser isn’t exactly the most glamourous gift (unless you’re giving it to yourself, duh).

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Whipped Body Butter, on the other hand, is. Wrapped in the work of New York-based artist Kenny Scharf, all proceeds from the Canadian sales of the Holiday 2012 collection support local pediatric oncology camps.

So you’re giving twice. Three times if you get yourself the cleanser.

December 13, 2012 by

Beauty | Painting Leopard Print Nail Art, Step by Step (Oooh Baby!)

A manicure by Christina Culver at Beauty Mark isn’t really a manicure at all — it’s more like watching her transform the tips of your fingers into tiny little canvasses. Here, the nail artist takes us step by step through vibrant leopard print nail art, which is something you just might be able to replicate because the whole point is to get all Jackson Pollock-y.

So how does she do it? These four easy(ish) steps…

1. Like any manicure, start with a base coat (you have no idea how long it took me to realize that this is the key to long-lasting nail colour — I use Revlon’s Quick Dry Base Coat at home). Then pick your bright. I chose Butter London’s Come to Bed Red, but a bold pink or blue would look smashing too.

2. Start your leopard spots, painting them randomly on each nail — two on one nail, three on another, four on another, etc. They trick is to make sure you vary the size and shape of the spots so you avoid a matchy-matchy look (“There are stickers for that,” Culver says). The silver she used is Tart with a Heart.

3. Layer more colours in the same family, like West End Wonderland, Diamond Geezer, and The Full Monty. Again, make sure you vary the size, shape and number of the spots.

4. Transform the spots into dots with thin sweeps of black polish, like Union Jack Black.

Add a top coat (I love Deborah Lippmann’s Addicted to Speed Ultra-Quick Dry Top Coat) et voila! Juicy nails!

Thanks again, Christina!

P.S. Put those beautiful nails to the test and follow The Anthology on Facebook and @TheAnthology.

P.P.S. You know what I did after Christina painted my nails? Climbed a via ferrata and they didn’t even chip(!).

August 15, 2012 by

Pinstagram | The lion, the loft and the location

Pinstagram is a mashup of Kelsey Dundon’s Pinterest and Instagram feeds. In other words, the dream and the reality.

Sand on sand on sand & my trip to the beach in White Rock, just outside Vancouver (I was location scouting, which technically makes this work).

Smizing with Melissa Knight and Alicia Quan at the London Drugs Fall Beauty Preview + beautiful, beautiful nail polish polka dots.

A stunning all-white loft & lovely letters at Gastown’s new L’Atelier Home (which I wrote about right here).

My friend Nadia’s garden decor (these things really need to make a comeback) & a colourful little planter box.

The king of the jungle & the queen of my house, who just discovered my desk drawers.

A geometric terrarium at Old Faithful Shop & the coolest way to house an air plant.

P.S. Follow Kelsey Dundon on Pinterest and Instagram.

July 4, 2012 by

Giveaway | Yogini by Harvey Prince

Picked three names out of a hat and the winners of the Yogini by Harvey Prince x The Anthology giveaway are…

Amy and Julie, with the grand prize going to Sarah! Congratulations, ladies! May its scent remind you of everyone’s favourite part of yoga class: shavasana.

[Photo by William Klein found here.]

P.S. We have more giveaways coming up on The Anthology shortly so check back often!

May 29, 2012 by