When in doubt, keep it simple. It’s perfectly impractical advice for those who need to be prepared for anything and everything, even apocalyptic crises, but as far as daily make-up goes this a golden rule to live by. Especially as we transition from spring to summer, your make-up mantra should be ‘less is more.’ The sun will work its magic so your foundation won’t have to – just don’t forget about SPF. Here are our top six make-up essentials for radiant, dewy skin – Dixie Gong
1. Clarins Beauty Flash Balm – this all-in-one wonder cream moisturizes, firms, and brightens skin with a natural radiance. Use it as a primer under your make-up.
2. Lancome Bienfait Multi-Vital Tinted Moisturizer – this provides lightweight, even coverage, anti-oxidant protection, and vitamin enriched hydration. Best of all, it contains SPF 30 so you never have to worry about skipping an essential part of your skincare routine.
3. NARS Eyelash Curler – this item speaks for itself. Unless you’re blessed with doe-like lashes, an eyelash curler is your best make-up friend.
4. Clinique Lash Power Mascara – pigmented and long lasting, this formula promises to stay put regardless of rain, sweat, humidity and tears. It will happily see you through all those long summer bike rides to come.
5. Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder – a Parisian cult favourite, this chicly packaged and delightfully luxe bronzer will keep you glowing all year round. Sweep under your cheekbones, across the ridge of your nose and smudge a little under the arches of your eyebrows to create definition and luminosity.
6. Dior Addict Lipstick – this glides on effortlessly and evenly, hydrates and leaves a slightly glossy finish. Choose a lighter shade for a sheer pop of colour on your otherwise naturally made-up, sun-kissed face.
Is it fashion over function or function over fashion? Ideally, the two options aren’t mutually exclusive, nor does one trump the other. It’s true that for most clotheshorses fashion overrules practicality (and comfort and affordability and necessity and—dare I list more?), but there are those rare, blinding and satisfying moments when the thing does exist. When it combines all of the above and is spot on trend, well, that’s the final justification for the purchase.
Waterproof, windproof, breathable, compact. The K-Way has always been a favourite go-to spring jacket, but its relaxed boxy fit, slightly glossy fabric, and neon-bright striped detailing around the zipper has never felt so current. Try your hand at the Sport Luxe trend: pair your K-Way with a mesh tank, slouchy low-rise silk shorts, or straight-legged pants with a stripe running down each outer leg. The jacket is available in numerous colourways in all sizes, from infant to adult, and won’t break the bank. Our pick? The Bay’s own signature striped K-Way in the adorable baby size and regular adult fit! – Dixie Gong
One of the best new trends has to be statement necklaces. Rather than longer pieces that hang around our torsos, we have been witnessing a rise of shorter, chunkier pieces that sit around the collar bones. They of course go hand-in-hand with the trend of collared dress shirts buttoned all the way to the neck. They are also great for bare necks that desire a cold, shiny hardware touch in the summer heat. And who is better at making grand statements than Betsey Johnson? We are adoring her clusters of flowers right now. Find them at The Bay and TheBay.com.
BETSEY JOHNSON Multi Flower Wide Toggle Bracelet
BETSEY JOHNSON Flower Cluster Frontal Statement Necklace
We could use a popular pop culture term like ‘British Invasion’ to describe Mary Katrantzou’s arrival at The Room Vancouver, but it would not feel right. Ms. Katrantzou is far from standard and for that she deserves word play that pays tribute to the works of art that are her fashion collection. Are you a fan of prints this season? – please thank Mary Katrantzou. Are you a fan of colour? – please thank Mary Katrantzou. She is part of the reason you get to embrace a fashion forward season of clothing. Thursday night saw Ms. Katrantzou take on The Room Vancouver. As tribute the guests wore works of art by the designer, while others celebrated the night with bold prints and bright colours. The one thing we can promise you is when one wears a piece by Mary Katrantzou the party will promise to last long past the night. We love you Mary and are thrilled to have you join us!
No inspiring fashion icon list would be complete without this Parisian editrix. If she were our mère, we’d want to indulge her with something practical for her hectic schedule, but also street style appropriate, naturellement. Is your mother Vogue obsessed? She’ll enjoy this gift too: a Botkier clutch is edgy with just the right amount of softness. It comes in three bright colours which promise to pop against any outfit. Best of all, the mix of metal hardware detailing and lambskin is luxe enough for evening but also appropriate during the day for the mom on-the-go, like Carine herself. -Dixie Gong and Daeun Janet
Maybe you thought we’d choose wholesome Carol Brady of The Brady Brunch, or classy Betty Francis (formerly Draper) of Mad Men as our mother of the day, but we’re swinging in an entirely different direction. She’s got a big mouth, bigger hair, and, bless her, so much love for the Sheffield family that it’s no wonder she eventually marries Max. Remember The Nanny? Sassy and hilarious, Fran Fine is our pick of the day. Our gift to her is an easy one—if it’s not diamonds then it has to be shoes. These reptile print, embossed leather Sam Edelman pumps are stylish and off-beat, perfect paired with trousers or, like Fran, a little black dress. The higher the heels, the better.
We know what you’re thinking, and no, a chic purse is not on our gift roster today. For the woman who has everything and more, we are gifting Jane Birkin with something simple and elegant but which represents heritage and history, much like her namesake bag: a Hudson’s Bay Company Charter Scarf. Printed with the HBC archive scroll, this silk scarf is sure to please any mother who needs a bright accessory for spring and summer. Mrs Birkin would likely use this in a number of ways, not only around her neck: she’d wrap it around her head and put on large sunglasses, or tie it tightly around her wrist as a makeshift bracelet, or (and so we hope) around the handle of her famous Birkin bag.-Dixie Gong and Daeun Janet
We’re counting down the days to Mother’s Day this week with our very own B-Insider Mother’s Day Favourites. Each one is inspired by a fashion icon—real and fictional—that we’d like to dedicate a gift to as if she were our own special mum. Happy shopping!
All hail the fashion and beauty doyenne that is Iris Apfel, our lovely lady of the day. She’s 90 years old and still teaching us a thing or two. “I don’t do run-of-the-mill stuff,” she’s told Architectural Digest, “and I don’t do minimal.” For this eclectic taste maker and style maven, we’d like to present her with a few beauty luxuries as befits a women who doesn’t do anything half-heartedly, be it in dress or make-up. If your mother is just as playful with her vanity table picks, she’ll want to try these too: YSL Rouge Pur Couture in striking fuchsia—part lipstick, part gloss, part stain, this provides absolute colour that won’t budge. Pair it with the YSL touch éclat to highlight and even out the skin. Mother’s who love to play dress up like Iris will adore this duo. The gold packaging doesn’t hurt, either.
Shop Online at TheBay.com
YVES SAINT LAURENT BEAUTE Rouge Pur Couture Vernis a Levres Glossy Stain
The denim jacket is the bricks and mortar of a wardrobe. It is the uniform of the bad boy, the cool girl, the artist, the movie star, the supermodel, the editor, the icon and the key part of the Canadian tuxedo. Back in days when my income was best described as ‘weekly allowance’ I looked upon the denim jacket as the holy grail of style – 20 years later not much has changed. This summer we call out the denim jacket in all its glory as the piece you have to have. Check out some of our favourites. – Sherman
This month’s BEAUTY the guide is all about the master. From the master guide to skincare to the most iconic products that women around the world remain faithful to, it uncovers all the essentials to a brighter, healthier looking summer.
What’s more important than flawless skin? It is, after all, our unchangeable canvas and striving to perfect it seems like the only indisputable part of our daily routine. Change of season means change of routine–follow BEAUTY the guide’s 7 makeup rules and its master class on age spots to help your skin ease into transition.
The highlight of this issue however has to be the interview with Thierry Mugler. This reclusive designer is one of the most recognizable names in the world of fragrance and his creative process exposed in this issue is refreshingly carnal to read.
Click here for BEAUTY the guide, remembering that clicking on the product will direct you to The Bay, where it can be purchased. -Daeun Janet
. 2. Levi’s Trucker Jacket 
