April at espy!

We hope everyone had a great Easter long weekend! Let’s hope the snowy rain stays away so we can all get into our wedges and hi-low skirts (…don’t know what a “hi-low” skirt is?? Click here to learn how to wear spring’s most difficult trends!).

Here’s what we have new for you in the store:

• Marcella! Our brand new espy stylist!
• Lots of dresses from Bionic, our fav Toronto line, are on their way. These are the perfect little dresses for weddings, summer-time, and travelling!
• We have TONS more brand new Desigual in the store! Even FABULOUS shoes that weren’t supposed to be shipped to Canada!!!
• Our newest Torontonian line, Girl Friday, will also be here this month. These dresses have a classic, clean feel that are simple without looking boring!
• Hello SkinnyJeans is espy’s latest denim find! Click here to check out their incredible press page. We’ve got them in some super fun colors and a great rise in a classic bootcut.
• Alright trendsetters – espy will be carrying J Brand! Some great, super high-rise skinnies coming your way! And some cool new styles for men too!
• Accessories from China to Italy to LA to Montreal – accessories rule this month at espy! Check out Ashley explaining what we’ve got in the store and how to wear them! (*Warning – it’s 8 minutes long but totally worth it!

• New shipments of Hanky Panky and Bjorn Borg will be arriving soon!
• Guys we have some awesome new 7 Diamonds and witty graphic tees coming too!

#bikiniespy is creeping up ladies! Only 82 days to get BIKINI BODY READY!  Megan telling you all about this very special STAMPEDE event.

•  Need a little incentive to get in shape? Well – Clark is only allowing a 12 inch sarong. Any longer and he will be taking it away! So why not join a boot camp? Follow espy stylist Jaclyn as she whips herself into shape with Cara Fullerton and the Fit and Fierce Boot Camp at Define Fitness! Jaclyn will be sharing her progress, tips, photos and videos of her experience from now until #bikiniespy. Share with espy what you are up to this summer to get in shape on our Facebook event, #bikiniespy.
• Need more incentive to share?? We will be RESERVING 50 spots in line for the FIRST 50 women who EMAIL a photo of themselves in a BIKINI or their favourite STAMPEDE outfit AND let us post it on our Facebook event page! This reservation means you will be GUARANTEED a pair of Fidelity jeans, a Mavi denim jacket and Stampede shirt, a RD Style tank top, and a white Smithbilt cowboy hat for FREE with your donation to Special Olympics Calgary. Send your photo to jaclyn@espyexperience.com starting on Wednesday, May 9th. Any photos sent before 12am on May 9th will not be counted! So set your alarms ladies! (*note: you must BE at the event by 7:00am on July 7th or you will lose your spot to some very eager earlier risers!).
• For more info on #bikiniespy, click here!

espy EVENTS are freakin’ AWESOME this summer! Here’s what we’ve got happening:

• April 19th – espy is participating in the Making Changes Fashion Show! Tune in to our website for footage from the show!
• April 26th – espy girls Meagan and Tianna will be working the espy Lash and Lip Bar at the Springbank Ladies Dinner! Come say hi if you are attending!
• May 10th – it’s Inglewood Ladies Night! Get your girlfriends together for a night out in Inglewood. espy will be offering 60% off the infamous sale room from 5pm to 9pm only…and of course we will have lots of goodies and bevvies!
• June 8th – espy has a very EURO surprise – SAMPLE SALE anyone?? More details next month!

The coolest style app around is looking for more volunteers for their PREMIUM experience! This includes: getting your closet virtually catalogued while you have full hair and makeup done and take part in a photo shoot! You also get to sit down with a fashion stylist and discuss your style concerns and pick up some trendy tips. And the best part?? You get the Style You app for FREE for use on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod. Please email Kelly at kelly@styleyou.com if you are interested in being a volunteer this weekend – Saturday, April 21 and Sunday, April 22.

Stay tuned for …

 THE SUNFEST SECRET!

A “SURPRISE” email later this month…

Don’t forget to follow us on twitter: @espyexperience @ashleystyle @TPinkYYC @immakingyouup @Alexandra_Adele @hunter_stylings @stellaimage @fashionaintfake @jinan_j @Hillybot @AAilemAA @JaclynCerciello and @ClarkWhetstone. Like espy on Facebook and Friend Megan Espy for even more espy fun!

xoxoxoxox

the espy stylists

#espyunveils

#espyunveils is espy’s FUTURISTIC skincare event with the lovely Irene from Dr. Spiller Biocosmetics, tarot readers (hmmm…ever wondered about having your future read?), and of course your espy stylists who will be on hand to launch the arrival of espy’s spring collections! Happening on Tuesday, January 24 from 10:30am to 7pm.

Irene will be available for skincare consultations with her skin scanner between 10:30am and 6:30pm. Consultations will be 30 minutes long and available by appointment only. To book your appointment with Irene, please email espy’s beauty manager, Meagan, at meagan.fitz@espyexperience.com. (The scanner works best with a fresh, makeup free face. But don’t worry, Meagan can touch you up after your appointment).

The tarot readers will be in the store and available for drop in sessions! After you’ve unveiled the future or your skin with Irene, visit the tarot readers to unveil what your future holds for 2012.  Now is your chance to have a professional tarot reading done at espy for free! To put it simply, tarot is all about mapping out your mental and spiritual pathways with the help of a reader. The tarot cards are how your reader can communicate your path to you.

#espyunveils is a night of wisdom,guidance and a little bit of mysticism meant to start your new year, your new life plan, and your new skincare plan off with strength and clarity.

2012 at espy is all about SPREADING THE LOVE! Loving yourself, loving your body, and being comfortable and confident in the skin you are in will be espy’s ongoing theme. #espyunveils is the 2012 Spread the Love kick off! Stay tuned for what espy has planned to make 2012 the most inspiring, positive, and successful year yet!

Remember to email your appointment request to Meagan and drop in to have your future read, get styled up by the espy girls and Clark, and relish in the plans for a new you on Tuesday, January 24!

xoxoxoxox

the espy stylists

#espyunveils

#espyunveils is a SKINCARE event full of mysticism, the FUTURE, and spring styles.  Irene from Dr. Spiller Biocosmetics will be at espy from 10:30am to 6:30pm for skincare consultations with her skin scanner by appointment only. Please email espy’s beauty manager, Meagan, at meagan.fitz@espyexperience.com to book an appointment. Tarot readers will also be at espy ALL DAY long, so drop in for your free reading and unveil the future of 2012!

Red lips. What are they saying?

Throughout history, women have been painting their lips red. In the last fifty years, new shades of pinks, purples and corals have surfaced, but red lips are the ones that get that second glance, the interested raised eyebrow or the slight, flirtatious smile. Perfectly applied red lips can hold a man’s gaze longer than he first intended. Your red lips WILL attract attention.

Ancient Egyptians painted their lips red and lined their eyes with khol. As long as there’s been mankind, there has been vanity and makeup in some form. In ancient Japan, the geisha’s painted their faces white and their lips red. Red lips are a universal symbol of beauty.

Screen sirens have rocked the red lip for decades! Clara Bow, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Gwen Stefani, and Taylor Swift –  just to name a few.

Can anyone other than these legendary beauties wear red?

The answer is: of course!

Keep in mind that red is a “look at me color.” It is universal, classic, and has yet to go out of style. Red lips are here to stay. Yet many women assume they can’t wear it. THEY’RE WRONG! I’ll show you how to do it.

Wear it with confidence! Add LIT glitter on top for the BAM effect. Everyone will be wanting to know your beauty secrets.

My RED LIP tips:

Tip No. 1: The secret lies in your skin

The paler the skin, the bigger the pop. Go light on the eyes and the blush, otherwise you’ll risk looking like a hot mess in a hot dress. Skip the “pinup” big black winged liner and go only for mascara. Apply to bottom lashes -it opens up your eyes. Dust face with a soft blush to complete.

Tip No. 2: Line inside of lips

Red lipstick tends to bleed and end up everywhere, so fill in lips with lip liner first, so the lip color will wear evenly. No one likes looking in the mirror at a great party and seeing the reminance of what used to be their lips.

Tip No. 3: Picking your color

We can help you choose the perfect red that goes with your skin tone and you can’t go wrong.

For example, if browns and earth tones suit you, go for a brick red or one that is a little brownish in color. If you look great in bright colors, then a true red will be fabulous. If blues suit you, take a cool red with slight bluish undertones. If you’ve got a golden tan, wear a red lipstick with a touch of gold.

Tip No. 4: Don’t let nails clash

We prefer non-red nail polish when you’re going red on the lips. A clear polish or light color is cool, and dark polish is a trend that shows no sign of going away anytime soon. If you want to go red on the nails, make sure the color matches your lips.

Tip No. 5: Blending is in

Blend shades of red together depending on seasons. Deeper shades look better in the Fall and Winter, and bright WOWZA reds tend to be best in Spring and Summer when the sun is shining. As a makeup artist, I like to try certain shades throughout the year and fine tune my look for the upcoming season. Rarely will I ever wear just one color of lipstick/liner/gloss. Makeup is too fun not to play around a little!

Tip No. 6: Choose lighter shades if you are older

Our lips thin out and start to wrinkle as we age and adding a dark color or reds will accentuate them. To keep lips from looking too severe, try a rosy red or avoid red lips altogether and opt for a neutral shade, playing up your eyes instead.

Tip No. 7: Go Bling or go home

Craving the step up from a red lip? There is only one answer. LIT them! LIT is a glitter cosmetic that comes in 100+ shades and 3 styles or cuts. Transform any red lip into a glittering pair of Ruby Red Slippers in seconds!

xoxoxoxoxox

Meagan

Makeup Bag Hygiene

We all have one, but rarely does anyone see it – or what’s in it. Ladies…it’s our cosmetics bag.

We all love buying a cute new bag to stash our beauty products in, however, luggage, totes, makeup bags, and purses are magnets for bacteria; including staph. Staph can live on fabric and other dry surfaces for days. Symptoms of staph infection include skin sores, fever, swelling, itchy redness, and ulcers.

Here are my tips for keeping your makeup bag CLEAN and BACTERIA FREE:

-Keep your bag off strange counter tops, ie. PUBLIC WASHROOMS! Gross! If you must put your bag down for mid-day touch ups. Place a paper towel down first, or hang it around your neck if you have to.

-Keep hand wipes or sanitizer in your makeup bag, and sterilize your hands before you touch up your face and your makeup products.

-Clean your makeup bag once every 2 to 3 weeks with soap and water. This will remove all pencil shavings, spilled powder, random gum wrappers, and most importantly, unwanted nasty germs.

-Replace your bag when the lining is ripped, zippers are broken, or the fabric is peeling. The dark pockets of your cosmetic bag could be holding many clans of breeding bacteria.

ALRIGHT! Here is a list of MUST HAVES for your bag:

1. CLEAN sponge

2. Bobby pins

3. Hand sanitizer

4. Nude gloss and mascara

5. Small spray perfume

6. A mini Jack Daniels…cuz you never know

Check out some of Meagan’s videos too:

We’re on GROUPON again!

That’s right all you deal seekers! espy will be on a Makeup GROUPON from November 17, 18, and 19!!

For $39 here’s what you get:

-A 40 minute makeup application, lesson, and skincare consultation with espy’s professional makeup artist Meagan Fitzpatrick and $40 worth of makeup and skincare products. That’s a $120 value!

-You can buy up to 5 GROUPONS as gifts.

-All you have to do is pre-book your appointment with Meagan online! Click “RESERVATIONS” in the right hand menu to book. More dates available tonight.

 Check out Meagan’s Lit Cosmetics Glitter eye!

 There are only 500 available – think Christmas parties, Christmas presents, girls night out, or just a little treat for yourself! Maybe you are getting married soon – what an awesome gift for your bridesmaids! It’s a great way to learn how to do your makeup like a pro, have a pro do your makeup, and learn the best way to take care of your skin.

xoxoxoxox

the espy stylists

Curvy Girl Photoshoot, Party, and Tips

On Thursday, October 13 from 5pm until 9pm espy is throwing its first ever CURVY GIRL PARTY!

In celebration of our event for our curvaceous clientele, the espy stylists did a photoshoot with our beautiful models Brittnee and Karen! Brittnee and Karen wore styles from Cookie Johnson, Stop Staring, Mavi, Tua, and accessories by Desigual. And let’s not forget about those fabulous Wanted boots!

Photography by Stuart Robinson of Insomnia Art

Check out some curvy girl styling tips from Odessa and Tianna:

Thanks to espy’s makeup artist Meagan Fitzpatrick and Kesar Lacroix for the makeup and hair, Stu for the photos, Brittnee and Karen for being gorgeous and having so much energy on a chilly day, and of course Vincent for another great blog about espy! Click below to see his photos and videos from the shoot:

http://binzentovincente.blogspot.com/2011/10/curvy-girls-are-beautiful-espy.html

Photography by Stuart Robinson of Insomnia Art

Hope to see you all at our Curvy Girl Party on Oct. 13!

xoxo

the espy stylists

Meagan’s Top Ten Beauty Myths DEBUNKED!

espy’s amazing professional makeup artist Meagan Fitzpatrick is starting a makeup blog! Check out her first post putting beauty myths to rest!

1.       Breakouts are caused by oily skin

-Although breakouts are commonly associated with oily skin, more often than not, you are using the wrong skincare. This will most likely cause more oil producing cells, which will clog pores with bacteria and create pimples. espy carries 2 professional skincare lines and is bringing in another! We are also throwing a skincare event on October 4…save the date!

2.       Vaseline prevents wrinkles

-Vaseline is a moisturizer made of petroleum jelly. Over time, this will block pores and prevent the skin from properly breathing and will cause blackheads.

3.       Cutting your hair will make it grow faster

-Unfortunately not. Trimming split ends off will keep the hair looking tidier and therefore it will be easier to keep growing. Try using a hair serum to repair split ends if you are scared to lose length.

4.       “Perfect Match Foundation”

-Wouldn’t that be easy? Your makeup bottle now comes equipped with an internal brain and can match your skin tone perfectly at every application! Come on, let’s get real here. These products tend to be thick or provide no coverage at all. While I wish my makeup was smarter than me, it’s not.

5.       I’m too old for shimmer

-Absolutely NOT! Shimmer and glitter are often confused. Shimmer is usually a soft, pearly iridescent used to highlight certain spots of the face. Glitter is flecks of individual sparkle. While I would agree anyone over the age of 6 should avoid pink glitter as an eyeshadow, shimmer can be used at any age. Try using it to highlight the brow bone, cheek bone, down the nose, and the bow of the lip.

6.       I can’t wear red lipstick

-Over the last 13 years, I have heard this over and over and over again. There is a right red lipstick for everyone. The trick is determining whether you look best in an orange-red or a blue-red. Reds come in warm and cool tones. Finding the right tone is what’s important.

7.       I’m too young to start anti-aging

-UM, NO! Getting onto an anti-aging skin care regime anytime from 25 years old and on is a good idea. Using SPF daily is a major player in the anti-aging game. If you do not use SPF, you are choosing to age faster. Keep the skin hydrated! espy has all your skincare needs covered because wrinkles aren’t pretty even on the nicest skin. Come try out our professional skincare lines including GM Collin, Dr. Spiller, and new to espy from Paris, Yon-ka.

8.       My concealor should be lighter than my foundation.

-So false. If you use a concealor shade 1-2 shades lighter on a blemish, it will only make it stand out more. If you put it under the eyes, the dark circles may appear grey or muddy. For concealing, match it up to your skin tone and possibly one tone darker to cover the raised pimples that have a mind of their own. Keep it simple, keep it the same tone.

9.       “Eye Colour Enhancing Mascaras”

-Biggest load of crap. Buy black mascara. Yes, even you Miss Blondie.

10.    Natural and Organic Products are better for my skin

-FALSE! While some natural soaps and cleansers work really well, if it’s results you are after, leave the avocados in the salad and put the retinols and glycolic acids to work. Try GM Collin at espy!

Meagan is available in the store for makeup lessons, color analysis, makeup bag interventions, and new to espy – wedding party makeup and hair. Call ahead to book appointments with Meagan!

Much love and MAKEUP dreams,

the espy stylists

xoxo