MAC Cosmetics on Facebook - The Ultimate Beauty Creeping

Due to the wonders of modern technology, rainy days allow me to shop and browse beauty from the comfort of my couch.  With an afternoon of too much time on my hands, I decided to sneak a peak at MAC Cosmetics on Facebook.  I don't tend to spend much time on corporate or company Facebook pages (even if they are beauty related), but needed a beauty fix immediately.  I found it, at MAC's official Facebook page.

 
Their page has 3,511,890 "likes", and 45,576 people are "talking about this".  High numbers aside, MAC's Facebook page is surprisingly informative.  They feature links to helpful videos offering beauty tips, as well as live chats with MAC Pro Artists.  Their photo albums are divine, and offer a sneak peek into backstage fashion shows this season from Paris, Tokyo, Sydney, and Dubai-just to name a few!

MAC's Facebook page allows outside posts, videos, and pictures relating to the line, so makeup artists take note-your work could even be featured! MAC engages with their followers, and responds to questions posted on links and photos. They also offer contests and giveaways, including a trip to Paris!

One downside to their site is the inconsistency in updating content. New content doesn't appear every day, or even every second day. Truthfully, that didn't bother me much. I was too busy ogling photo albums of fashion shows, and models painted in rainbow colors. Thanks to the MAC Cosmetics Facebook page, I now have an even longer shopping list.

Would you "like" your favorite beauty brand on Facebook just to be able to enter their contests?  I'd say a free trip to Paris is reason enough for me!

XO

T

Blo Me Dry - Blo Dry Bar gets mixed reviews

After too many days struggling with my poor mangled locks, I think I've had enough. We've both reached our breaking point (quite literally) and are seeking relief.

I have decided hair salvation should come in the form of a refreshing visit to Blo, the Vancouver-based salon franchise known for its quick 30 minute style sessions for $35.  No cuts, no color, just wash, blow, go.  I wanted to do some research however, before opening my wallet to "blowers" who are not all certified hair stylists.

I decided to use some basic social media testing skills to see what local Vancouverites really thought of Blo Blow Dry Bars. I included all three locations in my test (the locations being Yaletown, South Granville, and Four Seasons) and used a 3 point rating system. +1 is a positive review, 0 is a neutral review, and -1 is a negative review. Based on Yelp reviews, Blo's scores are somewhat mixed, with positive reviews slightly outweighing negative ones. 

Out of ten reviews I read, six were extremely positive, and earned a +1 on the rating scale.

"I felt absolutely beautiful for my wedding, as did my bridesmaids and the moms.  We all got so many compliments on our hair, and the photos looked amazing.  Thanks for being a part of my special day Blo!" -Erin H.

One was fairly neutral, 0 on my rating scale.  

"Liked the pink and white decor at the Granville location.  Had a newbie stylist, so needless to say not the best hair I've got.  Customer service is good.  Would recommend to try, but make sure you get an seasoned stylist." -Amy P.

And three Blo reviews were extremely negative, -1 hands down.

"Blo is a great concept and was very good until it was sold to new owners. Now all the good stylists are gone and the service is awful. Some stylists are so bad they rip and tear the hair. Pay a few dollars more and go to a salon where stylists are properly trained and skilled. Blo now has high turnover with minimal training. Most have never worked with hair before." -Ali A.

All in all, more positive reviews than negative.  While I was slightly scared off by the painful-sounding negative reviews, for $35 it could be worth trying for a night out!  Stay tuned for my personal review after my visit!

Xo

T

Shopping, Shoes, and Scentsational Perfumes

Thursday, June 21st ~ 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Lord's Shoes: 2932 South Granville St

Lord's Shoes will be donating 10% of all proceeds to Beauty Night Society, and will be closed for a "Private Shopper Experience" for ticket-holders.

Smell This! Aromatherapy will be providing custom perfume creations for all attendees, thanks to their mobile scent-bar.  

Enjoy a luxurious night out with the ladies, while you shop for shoes, create your own perfume, and change the lives of women and children living in poverty.

Tickets are $25, and can be purchased at Lord's Shoes, and Smell This! Aromatherapy, or at http://beautynightscentbar.eventbrite.com/.  50% of ticket price goes to Beauty Night Society.

About Beauty Night Society: Beauty Night Society builds self esteem and changes lives of women and youth living in poverty through 3 streams of programming: Wellness, life skills development and makeovers.  The not for profit organization serves seniors, mothers and children, and survival sex workers in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.  In 11 years, Beauty Night Society has given over 16,000 life makeovers thanks to over 500 volunteers.  

Caroline MacGillivray, founder of Beauty Night Society says, "The makeover is a great way to re-introduce healthy touch in a non-threatening way and build relationships based on trust with the participants."

About Smell This! Aromatherapy: All products are made with natural, plant based ingredients, and are free from parabens and other chemicals.  Approved by PETA, Smell This! only conducts business with ethical environmentally conscious growers and suppliers.

Links:

Lord's Shoes

Smell This! Aromatherapy

Beauty Night Society

Beauty Night's Scent Bar - Online Ticket Sales

@ Carlie Wong's Couture Collection Fashion Show

Vancity Beauty is happy to announce that the week-end was spent being fashionable.  Or at least, admiring those more fashionable than I, in hopes that it would rub off!  I had the privilege of attending Carlie Wong's latest fashion show, a debut of her couture and bridal collections, at the Vancouver Urban Winery. Hosted by ET Canada's Erin Cebula, and sponsored in part by Studio Cloud 30, all attendees were treated to the musical talents of founder and recording artist Warren Dean Flandez between the two shows.  With proceeds from the event being donated to F Cancer, it was well worth rallying and getting dolled up despite the exhaustion suffered at the hands of a long work week and an lengthy battle with the flu.

The sole reason I was included in this fabulous event one may ask?  Facebook.  My entire invitation, purchase, and RSVP was done online, as were many others.  The sheer volume of attendees at Friday night's fashion show was staggering, and the Vancouver Urban Winery had to be pushing capacity.  The beauty of Facebook, letting me see who else was going to the show, who'd been invited, the reminders coming in on my newsfeed-all so convenient and appreciated.  So thanks Facebook, for actually getting me off the couch and interacting face to face for once!  I'm sure if anyone else could thank Facebook, it would be Carlie Wong herself.  The excitement surrounding her latest collection, as well as the success of her debut couture show, could be in part thanks to the savvy social media marketing behind it!

Carlie Wong was featured as a contestant on 2007's Project Runway Canada.  She has since been featured in the pages of Elle, Flare, and Lou Lou, and her creations have graced red carpets at both the Juno and Gemini Awards.

Photo Credits: Norm Lee Photography, Ed Ng Photography