What its website says: “Introducing white brightening serum...this intense formula corrects and evens out hyper-pigmentation and sun damage for a brighter and more youthful looking complexion whilst refining pore size and minimising the appearance of wrinkles. White brightening cleanser is an innovative exfoliating glycolic wash that reduces the appearance of age spots and uneven skin tone. A complex combination of fruit acids smooth and retexture skin for a brighter and younger looking complexion...”

Translation: Some serious beauty science went into figuring out how to make your skin look brighter, younger and smoother. 

What Glow says: Any new skincare regimen requires 6 to 8 weeks to see a difference (hopefully for the better), so what we can talk about is our first impression: The entire line smells chic (think of a bouquet of white flowers),  goes on clear (no funky colours or thick, creamy formulas) and feels fresh on our skin.

Eye Pencils

Splurge: Clarins Waterproof Eye Pencil is a rich dark black pencil that glides along the eye ever so smoothly. Create a precise line or smudge out with the handy sponge applicator on the other end. It's also water-proof and smudge resistant! I actually like to use this as a base for eye shadows because it's so blendable and doesn't crease.

Gel Liners

Splurge: My kit is fully stocked with gel liners and cream shadows. I love layering them under powder shadows for intensity and longer wear or when I want to create a quick look. Lancôme's Longwear Calligraphy Gel Eyeliner is superbly pigmented and a little more forgiving than a liquid liner. Because you need an angled brush to apply this, it's more versatile so you can wing out your liner or smudge it for a smokey effect.

Liquid Liners

Splurge: I was excited to finally try this liner from Lancôme because I know a few makeup artists who can't live without it. What I love is how deep the black is and it dries to a shiny finish. I find matte finishes just don't give the same wow factor. I love using this after I've applied fake lashes to hide the band. The brush is so thin that it's easy to accurately define the eye the way I want. The brush has some bend to it, so it's better for those that have a steady hand or who are used to applying a liquid liner. The only warning I would give is to make sure you let the liner dry before opening your eyes or you'll end up with liner on your lids!

Steal: I use liquid liners quite often on myself and my clients. This marker type liner from Maybelline is amazing and one of my all-time favourites. The brush is firm and great for those who don't have a steady hand. It also lasts all day. The finish isn't as shiny as the Lancôme one but it doesn't look dry like others I've seen. The point is also very thin and makes it easy to fill in little gaps in the lash line. It dries out quicker than liners that aren't markers, but they're inexpensive so you won't break the bank every time you need to replenish!

Joy David-Tilberg is a makeup artist who blogs on Makeup Junkie.

Like me, if you're one of the 70 percent of adults experiencing acne between the ages of 20 and 50, you'll do anything to get clear skin again. After trying just about everything, I think I've finally found a product that seems to be helping. Applying Neostrata Blemish Spot Gel before my moisturizer has cleared up my skin significantly. It contains 5 percent glycolic acid, which removes the build-up of dead cells on the skin's surface while salicylic acid helps prevent pores from clogging. Because my skin's acne prone but I also get dry patches (yay me!) I find it helpful to follow up with a nice, gentle moisturizer with an SPF (you gotta protect your skin!). Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 15 seems to be working just fine and I don't think we'll be breaking up anytime soon.

-Samra Habib, Glow.ca editor

Sure, cozy sweaters and new jackets make us appreciate fall but dry skin is not our favourite part. Burt's Bees Intense Hydration with Clary Sage line helps retain moisture with bitter orange peel extract, known to refine the skin, mafura butter, which is rich in essential fatty acids as well as probiotic technology. Our favourite product in the line is the Hydration Treatment Mask ($29.99). Check out burtsbees.ca for more info.

One of the best pieces of beauty advice I ever got on-set was about mascara. A makeup artist suggested using mascara in a zig-zag motion from root to tip of the lashes instead of a swiping motion. I had been doing it all wrong!  And it works wonders, what I'm  left with are perfectly separated lashes. Want another tip? Head over to Shoppers Drug Mart from October 6 to November 2 and get your free GOSH mascara if you spend a minimum of $25 on GOSH products.

—Samra 

Like many women out there I suffer from fine, limp hair.  It's frustrating to watch all my volumizing efforts fall flat within a matter of hours (sometimes minutes).  That's why when I discovered got2b POWDER'ful I felt like I'd found my secret weapon.  POWDER'ful is an amazing volumizing product that instantly gives lift and volume to limp flat hair.  Just sprinkle the powder into your hands and then rub it vigorously into your roots and voila - sexy, voluminous hair!  It's also great to add texture and grip to slippery hair for backcombing if you REALLY want to get some lift and volume.  A lot of people might not realize but got2b is actually a more affordable branch off the very popular hair care line Schwarzkopf. So why not save a few dollars and give this POWDER'ful product a try!

Jessica blogs about beauty. Check out her site.

1. Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow! Brightening Makeup: Now that was a mouthful! I am really starting to love these foundations. It's oil-free and has an SPF 25. It's a buildable foundation so you can customize it to suit your needs. Whether the coverage you want is light or full your skin will still look like skin. It doesn't enhance oily skin and has incredible wear time. The shade range also leans more yellow than pink so the line will suit most skin tones. I've used it on a few brides and models - the proof is in the picture! The result is glowing, healthy skin.

2. Cover FX Total Coverage Cream Foundation: Dark circles? No problem! Scars and blemishes? No problem! Tattoos? No problem! This is a foundation but I use this as a concealer on all my clients. It takes some getting used to because it's a heavier texture, but when mixed with body heat, it blends effortlessly into the skin. If you need to sheer it out, just mix it with your favourite moisturizer. And did I mention that it is water-resistant and smear-proof?

3. Clinique Blended Face Powder & Brush: The powder vs. no powder debate continues! If you don't use a primer then setting your makeup with a translucent powder is essential for long-lasting wear. Dust all over with a big powder brush with a generous amount on your eye lids to prevent any shadow creasing. I really like this one. It's light-weight and blends beautifully into the skin. It also makes does a good job of evening out the skin tone. Translucent Neutral seems to suit most skin tones and does not have a pink undertone. If you're medium-dark to dark try Translucent Bronze.

4. Benefit Sun Beam: Rather than using a foundation that offers a dewy finish, I like to add radiance where needed. It's a great way to control too much sheen. Benefit's Sun Beam is a golden highlighter that adds radiance and warmth to the skin. It works on all skin tones too. I love dabbing this along the high planes of the face: cheekbones, temple, down the bridge of the nose and the cupid's bow above your lips. This also looks fantastic on your body. Just mix with your body moisturizer and voila - beautiful, luminous skin!

5. Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector: Your radiant glow will be ruined if your lips look dry and cracked. This lip balm from Clarins has been my go-to everyday lip balm. It smooths out the lips, has incredible shine, and adds a hint of colour. The texture is on the heavier side, but I love how rich and moisturizing it feels on my lips. It's available in 3 shades.

Joy is a certified Makeup Junkie mommy, Toronto freelance makeup artist and beauty blogger for Makeup Junkie.

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  Strapped for time? Whether it’s a quick makeup trick to open up your eyes or a tucked-to-the-side hairstyle, our picks will help you look put together in 10 minutes (or less). Start your timers!

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  A Real Teal

  Why settle for black eyeliner when you can add drama with colour like Eva? Apply teal to the bottom lid and gently blend to soften the colour.

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  Glow Pick

  Nars Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Abbey Road, $25
  (Buy Now)

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  Come To the Fold

  Need to quickly freshen up your hair look? Simply tuck your hair underneath so it forms a bob and finish with hairspray. You'll fool everyone into thinking you just got a chic new haircut.

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  Glow Pick

  Fekkai COIFF Sheer Hold Hairspray, $28
  (Buy Now)

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  Bright Eyes

  Need to look fully awake after an all-nighter? Highlighting your inner eyes with metallic eyeshadow is one of the quickest tricks to help you do that.

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  Glow Pick

  Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow and liner in Birthday Suit, $24
  (Buy Now)

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  Strong Message

  Thick eyebrows are one of the biggest beauty trends to come out of runway shows in the last few years. We love how bold and confident they make women look. Simply fill in with a pencil and keep the rest of your makeup minimal.

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  Glow Pick

  Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Colour in Medium, $27
  (Buy Now)

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  Pin Tress

  Need to get more mileage out of your blowout? Add a bit of dry shampoo to your locks and then pin hair to the sides. If you have an extra minute, pull out the front strands and wrap them around a large curling iron.

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  Glow Pick

  Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Powder, $12
  (Buy Now)

If you’re a sufferer of oily or acne prone skin like myself, clay-based masks are the way to go. Not only do they help refine your pores, but they also remove excess oils, and calm your skin. When Canadian eco-brand Live Clean announced a new skincare line, I was eager to try their Fresh Face Deep Cleansing Clay Masque. Why wouldn’t I want to use a product that promises to be paraben, silicone, and dye free? The easy-to-apply treatment took a mere 15 minutes, and didn’t leave my skin feeling dry — one of my most common skincare problems. This multi-tasking mask worked hard to leave my sensitive skin feeling soothed (thanks to Chamomile and Aloe) and less oily. The absorbency can be credited to key ingredient, Koalin, which helps to remove dry surface skin and harmful toxins. Now  I’m tempted to test out the other seven products in the Fresh Face collection!

 —Carly Brown

Call me lazy, but the last thing on my mind after an exhaustive long day is rinsing my face with ice cold water and taking all the makeup off. But if all the beauty experts and derms on the planet are to be trusted, the grime must come off before going to bed. The promise of cleaning without water prompted me to try out Neostrata Micellar Cleanser. After being outside in the humid weather, my skin welcomed the cooling cleanser with cucumber extracts, which will definitely make it a summer staple for me. What made my skin squeaky clean without a drop of water you ask? The folks at Neostrata credit the innovative micelle technology as the key. It’s a round-shaped cluster of cleaning agents that open up and attract impurities after coming into contact with the skin’s surface. Now I have no excuse for not going to bed with a clean face. —Samra Habib

Have you tried mineral makeup yet?