ABOUT A BEAUTY GEEK
My name is Janine Falcon, and I’m a beauty geek.
A beauty geek is anyone who loves how feeling good about yourself can make a whole day seem shiny. (Whether or not you accept it, how you think you look is big part of how you feel). I’m a geek about beauty learning — ingredients, how they work, who they work for, how to use them — details. And I’m a geek about bursting into beauty-song with just about anyone, anywhere, anytime. Sheesh.
I’m the first former magazine beauty editor in Canada to have established a beauty blog (award-winning thanks to a P&G Beauty Award for Best Beauty or Fashion Blog, 2009, designation as an Elle Canada Top Beauty Blog, 2010, and a Best Health Blog Award/Look Great, 2011). My more than 10 years on the beauty beat includes seven years as a style editor at Canadian Living and Homemakers mags, a stint as a plus model, and a longtime, successful side gig as a freelance makeup artist with a freshest-looking-you lifestyle approach.
Other fun stuff:
• hitting the TIFF 2011 red carpet as the Official L’Oréal Paris Beauty Correspondant to chat with Jon Hamm, Brian Austin Green and Megan Fox, Freida Pinto, Rachel Weisz, Madonna, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Hugh Dancy, Oliver Platt, Allison Janney and more
• segments as a skin care expert on “The Marilyn Denis Show”
• regular contributions as the Face Kit Editor in Canada’s digital and weekly print beauty and fashion magazine The Kit (thekit.ca)
• appearances on“Canada AM”, “Steven and Chris,” “ET Canada” and “E! Weekend” — plus a hit on Fox News in Alabama!
• two segments on the ’08 season of “Canadian Idol,” talking grooming with the guys (here, peek at Part One — sorry, sound’s wonked — and Part Two)
• article bylines in Canadian Living, Homemakers, FASHION magazine, Chatelaine magazine, Metro News, CanadianLiving.com, Homemakers.com, Best Health Magazine, BestHealthMag.ca, Reader’s Digest, Sharp Magazine and glow magazine
• mentions in Best Health Magazine, Canadian Living Magazine, CanadianLiving.com, Chatelaine Magazine, Chatelaine.com, Hello, Canada!, The Toronto Star, National Post, The Globe and Mail, Maclean’s (here and here), The Vancouver Sun, The Edmonton Journal, The Calgary Herald, The Ottawa Citizen, The Montreal Gazette, 24 Hours and The Sun.
• a slot in Shinan Govani’s 2010 Worthy 30 listing in the National Post
• a spot on the short list for a P&G Beauty Award for Best Beauty or Fashion Blog, 2010
While I love a new lipgloss as much as the next girl, really I’m all about solution-oriented beauty for all ages, stuff that delivers glowing skin, glossy hair, foolproof fresh-faced beauty, and compliment-attracting style whether you’re a teen, in your 20s or swingin’ 60. Kind of a geek, see?
Well, you will. *grin*
You can reach me at j9falcon (at) gmail (dot) com, by the way. I’d love to hear from you.
•••••
P.S. Yes, just as I did as a magazine beauty editor, I receive samples and services from companies who would like me to evaluate their product and perhaps include mention of them here and in the freelance features I write. I’d not have the breadth of product knowledge and experience for my job without them. But I do not mention items because they are sent or offered to me without charge. I write about and recommend only the items or services I think deliver good results and best suit the audience I’m addressing.
{ 52 comments… read them below or add one }
Janine,
Beauty is in good hands with you!
Up up and away!!
Alison
Janine (like JaRule :))
This is wicked. Love love love the new look.
Go get’em!!
Ally
Wow! I love this blog….and what a great adventure ahead! I’ll check in frequently, and make sure I send word around about the “not-to-be-missed” beautygeek blog.
Julie
I LOVE IT! “YOU ROCK SEXY GEEK”
Hey Janine,
Excellent beauty blog. I know you’re just the geek to guide us all through the maze of beauty products out there. I’m going to pick up some Posietint, will let you know if I glow! :)
Jenn
P.S. Love your new hair!
Thanks so much, lady! I’m so pleased you like it! And yes, please let me know how Posietint does for you :-)
Hi Janine…I wanted to include you in our media release appropriately determined for YOU.
Could you please advise at the earliest so that I can make sure we don’t miss you on any upcoming campaigns.
Take Care – Talk Soon!!!
Great web site….I really should get my own. I have the domain name. Just have no clue how to creat it.
http://www.sylviemazerolle.ca
Hi Janine,
Can you provide me with your address so I can send media packages your way.
Thanks-a-bunch!
Hey lady! Shameful it has taken me so long to check this out, but it’s awesome! Hope to see you sooner rather than later…
Too long, too schmong… more for you to read! Thanks for reading, and yes, plans!
Hi Janine,
If you want to add Facebook or email sharing buttons to your blog posts, there’s a plugin that does it for you: http://tinyurl.com/sharebuttons
Hope you find it helpful!
Cheers,
Thanks Bradon. (I’d originally said thank you the same day you commented, but when I changed my reply format to enable threaded comments, new comments kept pushing my reply to you to the end — weird, I thought, because at least the date of my reply should have kept it higher up in the queue. So, new “thanks.”)
I did check out the plug-in, but it’s in a “sandbox” state, which I think means it requires tweaks from the developers. I’ll check back eventually.
Thanks again.
I’m really enjoying reading your blog!
Thanks, Michelle :-)
Hi Janine
Nice to see you yesterday, I have misslayed your number and you know I’m more of a phone guy.
Your site might just get me more on line looks great.
M
Thanks so much, Michael! It’s always such a pleasure to talk beauty science with you — you know I love all those geeky details!
love you a bunch…keep up the good work.
Love you bunches too, Yee — thanks :-) xoxo
Hi Janine, I’ve been reading your blog for Montreal Fashion Week and it’s amazing. I love how you made it so easy to understand and fun. I had a great time chatting about beauty and makeup with you last week. I’m hooked on your blog, keep up the good work.
Catherine Laniel
Creative director of makeup for Montréal Fashion Week
Catherine, thanks so much for checking the stories out! Meeting and talking beauty with you was such a pleasure — you shared so many great tips! And you’ll notice I haven’t yet given all the details about your tip on lining eyes; I’m planning to photograph the pose for a separate post soon. *grin* I’m sure we’ll talk soon.
Thanks again!
Hey Janine!
Congrats on your P&G Beauty Award!
Thanks for the link to my article in this month” Chatelaine “Drug Store Deals”.
Look forward to reading more.
Marty
Thanks, Marty — we’re in the same article; of course I had to link! You do lovely work. Thanks for stopping in!
I want to be a beauty geek to but cannot find a link to subscribe. Can you help?
Kat
Hi Kat, thanks so much! You can click right here to be a BeautyGeek! The link lives up at the top right of the blog page :-)
Thanks again!
I would love to send you some samples for your review and enjoyment. Your blog has great products and advice and is well done.
If you would like to receive some samples, please provide me with your Canada Post mailing address. If you want to try something specific, please visit our website and I will be happy to send along those samples.
Lisa Kolodychuk
Manager of Customer Service
http://www.barefootvenus.com
Janine,
It was such a pleasure meeting you today at the Mark’s event. I can’t get over how you made my eyes (ceramic bowl blue) pop with your magical make up trickery. I learned a lot from you today.
Cheers!
Kristin, thanks so much for your comment! And for your good natured acceptance of my “ceramic-bowl blue” assessment of your gorgeous eye colour. *grin* Robin’s-egg blue was really the shade name I was after!
It was a pleasure to meet you, too, and to have the opportunity to play makeup with you and your lovely features. :-)
Hello Beauty Geek!
I only discovered you today when I was looking for opinions on Yoga Jeans. Not sure how I didn’t know about you before but you’re an instant subscribe, for sure.
I’m a Joe Fresh and Shoppers Drug Mart kind of girl so it’s a delight to find a frequently updated, well written blog that I can relate to.
-Andrea in Toronto
Hi Andrea, I don’t know how I missed such a lovely comment, but thank you! Did you get Yoga Jeans?? Love them!
Hi, Janine:
We met at Tips, most recently when I had my nails done with Axxium in Dulce de Leche, then polished over with You Don’t Know Jacques. You were sporting black nails with gold cuticles. Love the blog, am looking forward to reading all about the smoky eye—and you got me tweeting. See you soon @ Tips, and in the meantime have a bee-yoo-tiful holiday season.
Warm regards,
P@MELA
I remember you, Pamela! Thanks for dropping by, and yay for you and tweeting! Happy holidays (and happy smoky eyes!) to you, too!
Hey Janine!
Your mom told me all about your blog so I desided to check it out its AMAZING keep it up!
(btw I’m one of her confirmation students )
Thanks so much for checking it out, Allison! You rock. (And my mum is awesome, right??) Congrats on your upcoming confirmation!
hey girl!im new into the blog world…but i must say im hooked, and i love love love your blog, its very informative, and very colourful all the time, i’ll be visiting quite often now!im a canadian freelance makeup artist living in dubai/abudhabi. Although i do miss the cheaper makeup i would find at target and walmart there…keep up the great work….you definitely are a great role model! peace
Hi Janine,
I am new to the blog world. I hope you get my message and write back too. I use Origins for my skincare, are you able to comment on their products? They are kinda pricey. If you know of any products that deliver similar results and they are as gentle, please let us all know about them. I personally prefer products that are made from organic ingredients and are not as harsh. You do a great job on Marilyn’s show.. Thank you for all the great tips you share with us! :)
Hi Shelly,
Thanks so much for your comment. Re: Origins, yes, they’re a bit pricier than some. A nice line, though. Lots of devoted users. As to gentle products that deliver similar results, there’s a lot out there. Are you looking for something specific? Let me know so I can narrow the field :-)
Thanks re: Marilyn — thanks for watching!
Hey… you actually replied YAY!!! What an honor to be actually exchanging blogs with you :)
Regarding the products, yes I am looking for something specific- after my pregnancies, I have dark spots around both corners of my lips that wont go away and dark circles under my eyes. I was using prescription for dark spots which worked but I cant use it for long period, it starts thinning the skin.
I heard massaging almond oil everyday will treat the dark spots and also the circles? Overall my skin is amazing and I get comments all the time, but my dark spots and under eye circles are killing me, if you know what I mean HEHE. Help!
Have you tried Neostrata? Great skincare line, excellent effective formulas. For the corners of your lips you might find success with the Spot Lightener ($23.75), which contains a plant-derived brightening extract, and for under your eyes the Anti Dark-Circle Complex with retinol and titanium dioxide ($37.75). Regular SPF is crucial because sun exposure triggers more hyperpigmentation; a good SPF 30 or higher, daily, will help. Try Skinceuticals Sheer Physical sunscreen SPF 50, La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra Fluid Lotion SPF 60, or any of the new Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Water Light formulas for the face.
Hi, my physician recommended the Neostrata as well and it was too strong for my skin, it started peeling and was irritated. Same with their Eye cream as well and it was too harsh, I stopped using it. My skin is very sensitive :(
I was using Avene mineral sunscreen SPF 55 before, but currently started using Hawaiian Topical SPF 60 for babies, I use it everyday! Spots have gotten lighter a bit but won’t go away.
So no Almond oil?
Thank you for the list of things you suggested. I will definitely give them a try and see. :)
Do you still have the Neostrata items, Shelly? Sometimes you have to build up tolerance to those kinds of ingredients. It’s the trade-off for how they work. And they do work!
Best thing to do is try those products like this:
Once per day, every other day for a week or two, then twice per day when you’ve developed more of a tolerance.
You’ll always have to use sunscreen; the higher the SPF the better in your case. Very high SPF formulas offer good UVA protection as well as UVB.
I’m afraid I don’t know much about almond oil when it comes to treating hyperpigmentation. I’ll see what I can find out; it’ll take me a while, though, because I’m juggling a few things all at once right now :-)
I will try the products again. Thank you so much for frequently answering all our questions so quickly. You take your time Janine, you are always best at whatever you take on! Wish you all the best ALWAYS! I hope to hear from you soon :)
I recently started using Neutrogena Ultra Sheer sunscreen SPF 60 for face- love it! Thank you so much for recommending this product.
Hi!
I love your blog and am interested in having you feature our Canadian women’s wear fashion label’s new Paper Doll by Danielle Meder: Pippa.
Pippa illustrates some of our Fall 2011 key-note pieces.
Drop me an email to hear further!
Look forward to speaking.
Sincerley,
Zoe Mills
PR & Marketing Coordinator
Pink Martini Collection
2782 A Wingold Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
416 293 4044
My pleasure, Shelly — hope you see my comment here; ran out of “reply” space up there!
Hi, just saw your comment :). Hope you enjoyed your long weekend.
So glad you found it! Am so pleased you’re enjoying the Neutrogena :-)
Janine,
I can’t remember if I already mentioned to you about “Oil of Olay Regenerist Daily Mini Peel” treatment- this stuff is amazing!!! My skin is so much brighter ever since I started using it. Love it!
You mean the Olay Regenerist Thermal Mini Peel? I haven’t tried it, but it sounds like good stuff; glad you’re enjoying!
Hi Janine
I’m a little new this… I was wanting to send some new refreshing products for you to try out and see if you like them. I that possible.
Thanks a bunch!!
Hi Janine,
My name is Rosie Ross and I am a student at the University of Sydney in Australia. I’m studying online media at the moment and we are looking at the impact of social media such as youtube and blogging on feminism. Specifically, I am currently writing an article about beauty bloggers and how they feel they can help or hinder feminist thought. Considering your involvement in this, it would be great to get your opinion really quickly. If this is ok, I will send you a (really) short set of questions for you to comment on – I would appreciate it a lot if you were able to help me out! At the moment it will only be used academically, but there is a chance it could get published. I would of course send the article to you before it is published anywhere to get your approval.
My assignment is due next Friday (leaving it to the last minute, I know), so it would be fantastic if you could let me know if you’re interested as soon as you get a chance!
Thanks so much,
Rosie.
Hi Janine,
I would like to invite you to an event we are hosting to inspire and educate beauty gurus and makeup lovers like yourself.
Essentially, boxx cosmetics is a Canadian company focusing on portability, high-quality ingredients, and a bit of every day luxury. The inspiration behind the line is to house a full face of makeup in one sleek compact, eyes, face, and lips. So, you can create a compact that is customizable to your skin tone and personal style. I would like love the opportunity to send you more information about the event and the boxx cosmetics collection.
Thanks for your time,
Daniela Polla
boxx cosmetics
compact.luxury.beautiful.
114 Geary Avenue | Toronto, ON | M6H 4H1
p/f. 416.921.8608
boxxcosmetics.com