News : Lise Watier Launches e-Boutique

The Lise Watier e-Boutique (aka online shopping) is scheduled to launch exclusively to the Canadian public on April 25th, 2011!

It will offer a wide variety of new features, including a WHAT’S HOT section. Within this new attribute, clients can discover bestsellers, new products, and the most sought-after items!

Moreover, those who subscribe to the VIP LIST will have private access to highly coveted deals and information through the NEWSLETTER. They have also added a much anticipated GET-THE-LOOK tab that will feature three looks with step-by-step instructions. Supplementary video tutorials will compliment this tool for those needing a visual guide.

This e-Boutique will mesmerize viewers with more than 500 products and with exclusive access to Web-only products. Online shoppers will receive free shipping within Canada for every purchase over $75. In addition, Lise Watier Cosmétiques is offering gifts to the first 300 online shoppers!

Luv,
Maggie Ng

Short Story : In One Moment [Page 3]

IN ONE MOMENT by Tobin Cheung [Page 3]

A brunette, with no make-up, wearing a summer dress and runners, literally bounces down each step to a group of waiting friends. They are laughing, dancing and ready to tug at her arms. Without the complications of boys, this group of girlfriends are ready to have a swinging evening of jazz. In and around the lake front, between the pop tent stages and on the patches of manicured grass, they plan to dance through the night.

“More volume on the stage monitors. A little less feedback on the center stage speakers.” 

I used to have friends to party with, but we lost touch ever since I started seeing Liz. At first it wasn’t noticeable, then one day I see them, roaring with laughter on a hot summer day in a trendy uptown patio sharing a pitcher of beer. At that moment, I realize how fast time has escaped me. Liz refers to them as delayed pubescent teenagers. My friends and I are in our late twenties. Liz is 31 but doesn’t look a day over twenty five. We’ve been together almost nine months. Over that period we’ve completed all the dating rituals, from art galleries to Indy car races. She comes from a good family and still has her original set of parents under the same roof. I can not say the same. She has a decent job and is content to climb the corporate ladder one rung at a time. As an onlooker, I would say she is content with her life.

“Hey, you ready?” She reappears out of nowhere.

“Yeah, just let me go pee.”

“What were you doing all this time? Why didn’t you go when I went?”

I opened my mouth but nothing came out, suddenly my logic seemed stupid.

“Well, hurry up, I’ll be over there,” she said pointing to an array of vendors, kiosks and street merchants.” 

“Just wait, I’m not going to take long.” I exclaim, not wanting to go chasing her through knock off purses, one-of-a-kind crafts, hippie clothing, and inner healing jewelry.

She shoos me off while giving me an annoyed look. When I return, I find her conversing with a fashionable European man. He must be five or six inches taller than me, which means he absolutely towers over her. They appear to know each other. She sees me from the corner of her eye and finishes the conversation in the usual swanky manner a girl does when she’s flirting.

“Who’s that?”

“He’s my ex-boyfriends roommate.”

Enough said, I wasn’t interested to hear anymore.

“He quit his job to be a photographer. I’ve seen some of his work and it’s amazing. He has his first showing next week. I can’t even imagine what he’s feeling, I mean, how exciting is that, I would be so nervous!”

“Wow,” I say unconvincingly. “Not too many people can chase after their dream. I know I couldn’t. Security can be over-rated. So much of life is sacrificed for little bits of stability. I hope it works out for him.” My best politically correct answer with a personal touch.

Liz’s attention is outside. She hasn’t heard a word I’ve said. There are rows of vendors pushing merchandise trying to make their money at the event. This is the big night, Saturday night. All profits and losses are determined in the next few hours. Liz heads towards the commotion drawn by all the bustling. I am expected to follow.

“Lizzy” I gently call out to her, nipping at her elbow with my hand. She pulls her arm away. She’s not a cuddly girl. When we sleep we are at opposite edges of the bed.

[To Be Continued...]

Beauty Product Review : Olay "Total Effects 7-in-1 Body Wash

Olay : Total Effects 7-in-1 Body Wash
Beauty Stars : 4

Review : I actually received the Olay Total Effects 7-in-1 Body Wash as a sample bottle from my brother. Somehow he had a few bottles, so it lasted me quite a long time.  If you read the bottle, it says it has 7 anti-aging properties :

1) improves elasticity
2) moisturizes
3) locks in moisture
4) brightens dull skin
5) smoothes rough skin
6) minimizes the appearance of dry lines
7) evens skin tone

Does it really do all of the above? Hm…I couldn’t really tell the difference. Perhaps this is something you have to use long-term to see its full effect. Also, I used it during the winter season when my skin was at its driest.  I still experienced a bit of skin flaking at certain areas.  I had a few small eczema patches, as well as dryness on the soles of my feet, so I had to apply extra moisturizer on those areas after I showered.  But I think regardless, during the dry winter months, you’re gonna have to slather moisturizer on no matter what due to the central heating.

I think overall it was more moisturizing then if I had just used a regular bar of soap, that’s for sure.  It has a thick creamy consistency and applies best if used with a loofah sponge.  Considering my skin is usually more sensitive, I had no reactions after using this product.  I also liked the scent and my skin did feel a bit smoother after using it.  Everyone’s skin is different, so my suggestion is if you can score a coupon : http://www.olay.ca/en-ca/Pages/offers.aspx definitely give it a try…the Total Effects line can be a bit pricier, so it would be best to try it out at a discount first to see how well it works with your skin.

Beauty Review : Maggie Ng


Note : For any beauty questions or product submissions, please email : razmagazine@gmail.com

Product Feature : Strida Folding Bicycle

"Ring! Ring!"  An 18-speed bicycle whizzes by the German engineered driving machine wheezing at the lights. The air conditioning unit is trying hard to draw power from an idling engine. "Ring! Ring!" The young professional continues to dart through the gridlock of cars on his bicycle, catching the attention of a high pony-tailed babe swaggering across the light. Her gaze turns to the athlete on the bike, rather than the hunky boy behind the wheel of a pearl white ultimate driving machine.

Summertime is here and it is time to get your groove on. Stylin' with the right bike is more than just fashionable but an extension of a lifestyle. We are not talking about Wal-Mart specials, where a little will buy all kinds of functions but no expression. What we are talking about is the rusted antique bike at a garage sale brought back to life, or a low rider crossing the street with more BLING than an Escalade sitting on twenty fours.

Take a stroll into Kensington Market and there will be a girl in a floral dress riding her retro bicycle with fresh bagels in the basket. Late Sunday afternoon, a crew of freestyle BMX can be found bouncing off the eclectic architecture in the financial district, as if gravity was only mind over matter.
Down by the Lakeshore, a mountain bike will attempt to climb the rocks. With full suspension and disc brakes, it is a mountain goat scaling the rock faces.

Groovy groovy, funky funky, jazzy jazzy……like the song Cantaloop, there’s no other way to describe the Strida bike. With an innovative design, this bike not only looks snazzy but folds up to fit into the most impossible spaces. The A-frame is the key to its structural strength and its ability to compact to the size of a baby stroller (if not smaller). Once folded up, you can push it along or carry it up a flight of stairs with just one hand. It is light @ 10kg. The collapsible pedals surprisingly do make the difference between it fitting or not fitting into a trunk of a small car. Tried, tested and proven, the designer must have owned a Roadster and used it to engineer the Strida for size.

There is great attention to detail:  the painted brake calipers and varying rim styles equips this bike with cool options. There are currently six different models to choose from. There is a bigger wheel version which increases speed by 15%, a smaller wheel version for space saving. There are two speed versions, one sport-trimmed and the other more luxury-trimmed with wire rims and a carrier rack. It is like buying a car, you get to "pick and choose" the accessories you want.

The Strida bike is a city bike used for commuting, moving on and off transit, and easily stuffed in the corner of an office or a condo. The steering is touchy due to its short wheelbase. The ride position is upright and comfortable. Overall, it is one jazzy bike -- the fact that it folds up, just adds to its cool factor.

Words + Photos : Tobin Cheung

Beauty Product Review : MAC "Matte"

MAC : Matte [$22 CAD 25ml]
Beauty Stars : 4

Review : The MAC Matte is a great product. I will typically use it over moisturizer but under foundation as a primer.  It does a great job mattifying faces that are oily or combination skin that has an oily T-zone.  This is useful when grooms or male models or talent needs to take away shine before photo/video sessions. I like that it comes in a clear tube so you can see how much product you have left after each use and is a compact size for my makeup kit. A little goes a long way and helps minimize the look of pores and fine lines.

If a person is super oily, then using this product alone is not the answer. You’ll definitely need blot powder to set your makeup and then touchups throughout the day, but this definitely helps keep skin shine-free for longer, if not all day for most people.  This product is very similar to Smashbox’s Photo Finish Foundation Primer. They are both silicone-based, so this works best with other silicone-based foundations or powders.  This product doesn’t prevent sweat unfortunately, but if a client/model/talent does start to sweat, you could use this product to instantly mattify the moist area.

Beauty Review : Maggie Ng

Note : For beauty questions or product submissions, please email : razmagazine@gmail.com

Product Feature : Sculpted Light "Spring"

ECO-CHIC LIGHTING

Joanne Rich is definitely "rich" in ideas. Having seen her work at the One of a Kind Show this Spring 2011, she took a skill she learned back in high school and has turned it into her livelihood.  Joanne specializes in unique hand-made light sculptures; each abstract and special in their own way. Her creations are very environmentally-friendly. Because she does not like handling caustic chemicals - she uses as less as possible. She strives to create as much paper (for her creations) as she can utilizing her own resources from her own backyard, garden or local park.  

Some of Joanne's lighting sculptures can be found in restaurants, offices and bedrooms -- creating a cozy, warm effect. They have even been used as centre pieces in weddings, which is something totally different and rarely seen.

Sculpted Light is found online on Etsy, as well as in person in a few of local shops in Toronto : Haute Par Periwinkle, Periwinkle on Bloor, and Freedom Clothing Collective to name a few. Joanne also participates in numerous trade shows - exposing her art pieces to more and more of the world.

Featured here is one of my favourite light sculptures called "Spring":

Photo courtesy of www.sculptedlight.ca

This abstract sculpture was made with reed, abaca unryu tissues, and handmade skeleton maple leaves. Maple leaves are cooked in soda ash solution, then the "flesh" is gently brushed away to reveal the skeleton. This can be hung, or placed on top of a table. Light fixture (with on/off switch) is included. Approximate dimensions: 15"x15"x11".

To view more work from Sculpted Light, please visit: www.sculptedlight.ca

Article : Maggie Ng

Beauty Product Review : Garnier "Body Boost Mousse"

Garnier Fructis Style : Body Boost Mousse [$3-5 CAD 200ml]
Beauty Stars : 3

Review : For the price, I think the Garnier Body Boost Mousse does its job.  It’s not the best, but I find hair products like mousse, gels — if you use something cheap vs expensive, it’s generally the same except sometimes the less expensive ones might flake a bit if u make a mistake after it has dried.  I typically use this mousse in dry hair, even though we’re supposed to use it in wet hair.  Usually I give it a quick squirt and mess it around just to dirty up the hair for updos or styling.  It gives that little bit of extra hold, paired with some hairspray.

The “Strong Rating” is a 3 out of 5…so it’s not meant to have a super hold…that way you can make adjustments to a hairdo easily.  Once you’ve got it right, then you can set it with a strong hairspray.  A key ingredient that differentiates Garnier is the natural bamboo extract — they say it’s supposed to make the product more resilient and flexible.  I don’t think I really see or feel a huge difference though. The thing that stands out to me most is the fruity scent which I find is nice, but to some clients, it can be bad if they are sensitive to fragrance.  This product is labeled as alcohol-free, which should be less drying for your hair.  Overall, a little goes a long way and this product is decent for its value.

Beauty Review : Maggie Ng

Article : Happiness

HAPPINESS

The toughest thing to understand about happiness is that it comes with sacrifice. It’s like Aldous Huxley's book, A Brave New World, where a happy society is created by cloning humans to specific levels of intelligence. If there is a need for ten thousand toll booth workers than ten thousand clones with an IQ of 80 will be created. There is nothing wrong with being a toll booth operator and earning an honest dollar, but if you want to be continually happy and believe that you have the greatest job in the world at being a toll collector, than you would need an IQ of 80.

It is human nature to perpetually want more. If we are smart enough we will strive towards our ambitions, if not we will steal its rewards. Individuals do it, corporations do it, and babies do it. If I can’t afford a luxury car, I will steal one. If we can’t create a super-chip, we will buy one to deconstruct. When is it enough? In the beginning of the computer age, not long ago, a machine the size of a room could do basic mathematics. Today you could use your phone to order a 65” LCD TV to be delivered to your condo while vacationing in Europe, guided by the mobile GPS, scanning androids in museums, day trading through the browser, running your business through email, keeping track of excel spreadsheets while keeping in touch through voice conferencing via video phone. Oh, and if you want to take the odd picture while site seeing you can do that too. How much happiness can one handle?

In 1954, the first nuclear power plant connected to the grid in Russia. In 1957, a level 6 nuclear disaster occurred when 70 tons of nuclear waste exploded into the air. The storage facility overheated at the Mayak Nuclear power plant when the cooling unit failed. The Soviet Union released little about the accident. Also, in 1957, Britain’s Windscale nuclear power plant caught fire, spreading radiation across miles of northern Europe. Again the government released little information.

In 1979, at the Three Mile Island nuclear plant, a valve to relieve pressure to the reactor failed to close. Cooling water drained and caused the core to overheat. A partial meltdown occurred at Three Mile Island.

1986 saw the worst nuclear tragedy in history. Chernobyl faced a full core meltdown causing an explosion, sending radioactive material into the air. We are still paying the price for Chernobyl. In 1997 the Chernobyl Crisis Fund was established to build another sarcophagus to cover the existing one at a cost of 1.2 billion to be completed 2013. The new sarcophagus is supposed to last 100 years, at which point, it becomes our grand children’s problem.

In 1999, Tokaimura Japan prepared to restart a nuclear reactor they have not used in three years. Operators put too much uranium into a tank not designed for the highly enriched uranium. The tank had to be drained in order to stop the reaction. Three operators died and residences within a 350 meter radius were evacuated while people within 10 miles were told to stay indoors.

March 11, 2011, Japan was hit with a 9.0 earthquake. What follows seems unthinkable. The earthquake causes a Tsunami that not only washes away entire towns but disables backup generators that keep the Fukushima nuclear reactors cool in case of a power loss. Even Hollywood would not combine these disasters together, because it would be far too unbelievable of a story to tell. What follows is a series of unimaginable challenges as people sacrifice what could honestly be their lives to prevent a nuclear meltdown. The world watches in awe. With each progress there seems to arise another challenge greater than the last.  We can only hope that this will go down in history as a turning point for the world against nuclear power.

In modern society we consume happiness rather than live happily. We achieve happiness through 54” flat-screen televisions, 19” summer rims, latest iPhone and keeping up with new fashion trends. We move from one material possession to another, achieving instant gratification. All this consumption requires energy. Look around, credit is given out everywhere - "Buy now. Be happy now. Pay later." Work all week and spend the weekend shopping.

If consumption is required for happiness, than the need to consume grows exponentially. Buying the bigger house or the faster the car is not a one-time fee, everyday operating costs increases.

There are currently 442 nuclear power plants in the world today. United States, the land of opportunity, has 104. Second in line is France at 58, followed by Japan with 54. China, an industrial growing country, currently has 27 nuclear plants under construction. As with all things, at some point, there must be a reversal in course. An elastic band can only stretch so far before it breaks or springs back. The sun cannot burn indefinitely. The universe is expanding but at some point, it too will contract. Currently, the general census is that more means more happiness. But there are people out there who want less and are far happier than people who want more.

Submit your example of wanting less to achieve greater happiness. Let’s hear some inspirational stories. There are currently 65 new nuclear power plants being constructed around the world.

Words : Tobin Cheung

Beauty Product Review : Smashbox "Photo Finish Foundation Primer"

Smashbox : Photo Finish Foundation Primer To Go [$25 CAD 15ml]
Beauty Stars : 4

Review : Many makeup artists use primers before foundations to help the foundation go on smoother and help it to last longer. With the Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer, it has a silicone-base, so it definitely leaves the skin ultra smooth and silky.  You have to let it absorb for a minute, otherwise if you apply foundation right away, it could end up smearing or sliding around on the face.  Fine lines and pores tend to look minimized and should mattify the face. However some people who have excessively oily skin might only be mattified for a couple of hours only.

I find it works best with other silicone-based foundations ie. Make Up For Ever HD Foundation. Silicone repels water, so mixing a silicone-based primer with water-based foundation might not yield the best result.  The Smashbox Primer has active ingredients such as Vitamin A, C and E, peptides, grape seed extract, green tea, etc. that provide antioxidant protection. However, there are some people out there that are allergic to silicone, so it’s always good to do a patch test before buying. Overall, I was pleased with the product (when paired with the right foundation) and liked the travel-size, as a little goes a long way and is compact for my makeup kit.

Makeup Review : Maggie Ng

Events : One of a Kind Show - Spring 2011

The first thing you do when you go to the One of a Kind Show is to get your coat checked and turn on your imagination. There are so many unique pieces and all it takes is one. A really cool vase could completely change the décor of a room. Specialty spices or exotic vinegar will change the way you cook.  A hat or a necklace could give new life to a wardrobe.  Guy Incognito Designs, with their funky handbags, is a fine example of having a different look with just one accessory. 

The One of a Kind Show is a great place to discover your own creativity. Urban Tree Salvage was selling beautifully finished slabs of live edge wood to be turned into a console table, coffee table, shelf, bench, or anything you could dream up. I really like that idea of invoking the consumers’ creativity by showing examples of finish products and offering them a choice. You can buy the item or make one to your own creativeness. 

Seeing all this artistic skill under one roof can be very inspirational. It can put you back onto that project you’ve started but never finished.  Or perhaps you have been making something all along and have not realized its marketability. If you know a kid or have a kid that expresses interest in the arts, the One of a Kind Show is a fabulous place to take them and get them inspired.

Let’s not forget about the Artists' themselves. For those not yet established at the One of a Kind Show, it can be daunting. All this time spent making extra product, investing in a booth, setting up and then the wait as strangers walk past. It is not easy presenting something different, it takes courage.

All and all, the One of a Kind Show is a fun way to spend a day. Even if there is nothing you want to buy, it’s an outing for the family and a great place to take a date.

Words + Photos : Tobin Cheung

Event : www.oneofakindshow.com

Short Story : In One Moment [Page 2]

IN ONE MOMENT by Tobin Cheung [Page 2]

Somewhere down the hall and around the corner is the sound of women’s high heels clicking on the ceramic floor. It is the rhythm of pretty girls parading their sexuality. High heels mean high maintenance. I do not qualify for anything above one inch, I simply cannot afford it.

The dance like pattern has intrigued not only me. Several other men and women have their eyes set in anticipation for what will appear. No disappoints, 5'11" and 6'1" in their three inch heels, they are attired to tease. So much so, that their naked body could not compete with the mirage they had on. With their chin held high and their gaze pointing straight, they walk past the many onlookers with confidence.

My girl Liz is not quite so exotic. Don’t misunderstand, she holds her ground. Under normal circumstances she is a tight little package and worthy of jealousy. She is picture perfect for the front page of a teen glamour magazine. She is what scrawny, flat-chested teenage girls want their bodies to proportion to once they develop. At 5'4", slim and padded in just the right places, Liz knows she is better than average. Though she may pretend not to notice, she is conscious of boys staring at her ass, of men wanting equal opportunity, and of sugar daddies pretending to be gentlemen.

In the beginning, I thought her aloofness to other men was a credit to the attention I gave her. Now, I’m not quite sure. I might be mistaking her loyalty as something permanent when in fact, she may be temporarily settling. Her past relationships have been, from what I’ve gathered; exciting, fast, heavy and turbulent. I, in comparison am harmless.  

“Testing, testing, let’s hear the drums. Bass, you’re up next.”

The monotonous thump, thump, thump pounded against my chest. I could feel my heart skip as if adjusting to a more stable tempo. On cue, the two divas re-emerge from the bathroom. How can it be said that we are descendents of apes, maybe some of us unlucky ones are, but certainly not these two creatures. Either evolution has advanced ten folds more for them or they are the result of nothing less than a miracle.

All eyes were on them, watching as they balanced down each step. Envious girls chanted incantations under their breaths in hopes that they would trip and come tumbling down. Meanwhile, the boys switched on their photographic memory at a hundred plus frames per second to record every image and have it played back thoroughly through a not-so-innocent dream.

Almost forgetting about Liz, I snap my head around and scan the area twice over. She must be still in the ladies room. The amount of time I spend waiting for her to use the bathroom, to leave the house, to keep pace has forever altered my perception of a minute. She never does a number two in public washrooms. Even on a number one she glides opposed to using the toilet seat. Her wish is for everything to be touch-free. Infrared light is the most glorious invention of all time according to her.  

“Check, check, back up mic one and four holler back at me.”

The door to the bathroom opens again and I expect Liz to come through. She does not. I should have known better, she never follows an act in which she cannot compete. Although the divas are gone, their presence is still felt from the scent of their fragrance lingering in the air like a spell cast over the onlookers.

Atop the stairs standing motionless, just long enough to capture a still image, is a girl incomparable to supermodels and divas. She is the girl from childhood that made you first take notice of the opposite sex, naturally beautiful the way God made her. 

[To Be Continued]...