If you caught this weekend’s E! Weekend News broadcasts on E! Channel, then you saw how easy Quo Cooling Gel Shadow Pencils ($14 CAN) are to apply and how pretty the finish looked on our model Marina. It took makeup artist Aniko Farkas just a minute to stroke the shimmery gel shadow tip across Marina’s lids and blend it out with a fingertip. A little waterproof mascara, and done. Youthful in its simplicity and, although not a new concept, fun because of the on-contact cooling sensation, especially in hot weather.

Available in seven pretty shades — 9o° (a sepia tone), Snowdrift (pearlescent purple), Glacier (sand), Cool Breeze (pebble brown), Ice Cap (cappucino brown), Tundra (smokey grey) and Arctic Blue (grey blue) — the gel shadow is water based, formulated with natural cucumber and chamomile, and crease resistant.

Yep, they’re crayons for the grown-up girl.

Canadian brand Quo cosmetics is available at Shoppers Drug Mart.

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Last day to ENTER TO WIN Physicians Formula makeup for your eye colour

NOXZEMA REVIEWS: BeautyGeeks Readers on Noxzema Original Deep Cleansing Cream

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Bright and early this morning, I popped into “CHCH Morning Live” in Hamilton to meet host Bob Cowan (so fun!) and talk under-$10 summer skincare with Noxzema.

Many people are of course familiar with the classic cream cleanser’s invigorating mint-eucalyptus scent, but it’s a bit intense for those who prefer less fragranced skincare. If that’s you, Noxzema Plus Moisturizers Deep Cleansing Cream delivers the same cleansing results and a touch more hydration with a much milder, lighter, more feminine scent.

Part of Noxzema’s  blemish-control line, handy pre-soaked Triple Cleansing Pads contain salicylic acid, an AHA commonly used in anti-acne skincare to help exfoliate skin and prevent the clogged pores which can lead to a spotty complexion. Noxzema Triple Clean Anti-Bacterial Lathering Cleanser has salicylic acid, too, as well as Triclosan, a gentle antibacterial ingredient that also reduces inflammation. Teamed up as part of a regimen, the cleanser and pads can help reduce mild breakouts. (Follow with a light moisturizer to prevent oil glands from going into greasy and sticky overdrive, and remember that SPF 30 is crucial to protect skin when using any kind of exfoliating ingredient.)

Not bad for skincare under $10 each, not bad at all. (And no, Noxzema isn’t Canadian or made in Canada, but — um — “CHCH Morning Live” is.)

Noxzema skincare is available at drugstores and mass retailers as well as at Well.ca (free shipping in Canada; no minimum order).

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ENTER TO WIN Physicians Formula makeup for your eye colour

NOXZEMA REVIEWS: BeautyGeeks Readers on Noxzema Original Deep Cleansing Cream

See who else is reading BeautygGeeks on the FACEBOOK page

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I have been meaning to gush about my Cover FX #160 Cream Foundation Brush ($38) forever. The shape of its natural, goat-hair bristle head unnerved me at first — I was more used to the standard foundation brush with its flatter, paint-brush look. But when it was the last clean foundation applicator on a big wedding gig, I gave it a go and fell in love. With this dense, yet fluffy-top brush, I can lightly buff cream or liquid foundation over the skin for a smooth, even finish in less time than when I use a flattie.

Whoa, shortest product post ever. Looks like Fluffy saved me time here, too. Sweet.

Cover Fx is available in Canada at Shoppers Drug Mart and Sephora, and in the US at sephora.com and nordstrom.com. Image courtesy of Cover FX.

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ENTER TO WIN Physicians Formula makeup for your eye colour

NOXZEMA REVIEWS: BeautyGeeks Readers on Noxzema Original Deep Cleansing Cream

See who else is reading BeautygGeeks on the FACEBOOK page

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For me, Noxzema Original Deep Cleansing Cream has a nostalgic pull — it was one of the first cleansers my mum bought for me when I was a teen in need of a beauty regime for my oily skin. A clear mental recall of its distinct scent, texture and cooling sensation on skin comes rushing back at the mere mention of the brand; using it again has been a kind of bathroom time travel. Plus, on mornings when my skin feels like someone saran-wrapped it when I was dreaming of Ryan Reynolds, the Noxzema tingle gets right through that oil and wakes up my complexion.

I’m not the only one who has a strong way-back association with the cleanser. Childhood memories of Noxzema use for various reasons cropped up in the original post’s comments, and one reader e.mailed me to say she’s been using Noxzema as her cleanser for more than 30 years (yes, she was awfully young when she started).

BeautyGeeks asked Canadian subscribers, male and female, to try Noxzema Original Deep Cleansing Cream and provide their feedback on its texture, its scent, how it feels on their skin, how well it cleanses and how it makes their skin feel after use. You’ll find their reviews in the comments below, posted over the next several days as each reader is ready to weigh in. Thanks so much, everyone!

Noxzema skincare is available at drugstores and mass retailers as well as at Well.ca (free shipping in Canada; no minimum order).

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Happy Canada Day! And welcome to Made-in-Canada Month, 31 days of Canadian-made beauty treats, tips and experts to know. Non-Canadian stuff will pop up as well, but as an extra post. Here’s hoping the staff will pull her weight. She seems keen.

To celebrate Canada’s birthday, you should have presents. In addition to BeautyGeeks’ Physicians Formula makeup-for-your-eye-colour prize, you want to know about Lipstick Powder n Paint’s big Christmas-in-July Giveaway, which is about presents every day this month. The intrepid woman behind the site, Canadian Lesley Ellen Mirza (right, in a photo I swiped from her Facebook profile — tee hee!), is a lovely friend who shared loads of advice and warm encouragement when I was thinking about dipping a toe into the blog pool. She’s also a gutsy, adventurous type, who gave up a career as an event planner in Vancouver to concentrate on her growing online venture in Toronto, Canada’s hubub of beauty-product launches.

If you don’t already know Lipstick Powder n Paint, pop over for what’s-new beauty coverage, reviews, and interviews with industry experts. You’ll also want to check out LPNP’s sister site, Lipstick Lifestyle, for accessory, decor, travel and good-living finds.

Happy reading, and good luck in the winning!

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ENTER TO WIN Physicians Formula makeup for your eye colour

See who else is reading BeautygGeeks on the FACEBOOK page

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