For years I’ve bought and used Geisha Ink’s liquid eyeliner, not because its products are consistently listed as a “must-have” in fashion magazines like Vogue and InStyle (which they are) but simply because it’s best eyeliner available–it’s long-lasting yet super easy to wash of. With a Japanese woman in a kimono gracing all its packaging, I always assumed the line was based in Japan, where it’s manufactured, but recently learned I was wrong. Geisha Ink is actually local–owned and operated by Vancouver’s very own Sara Au Yeong.
The genesis of the line began in 2006 when Sara was invited to be the head makeup artist for the reality television show, Pageant School: Becoming Miss America. Sara was hired to train contestants on professional makeup techniques and assembled their make-up kits. However, she found it a challenge to find an eyeliner and mascara could stay smudge proof and withstand the hot lights.
“As an artist, people were always asking, ‘What for should I be looking for?’ I couldn’t find a product that I really liked, so I decided to make one.”
So while visiting her relatives in Osaka, Japan, she met a cosmetics manufacturer that shared her vision, which lead to the first Geisha Ink product being born: the Geisha liquid eyeliner. Since then, she has also released the Ultra Volume Mascara, brow liners, and a mineral foundation, along with a Kabuki brush to apply the foundation.
Sara is constantly honing the formulas of her products to meet her high standards, including the removal of parabens and other toxic ingredients.
“I eat organic all the time. It’s really important to me. So I carefully look at the hazardness scale of the ingredients and reduce any ingredients that are unsafe.”
The formula includes fine silk powder derived from Japanese silk, an Ancient Japanese beauty ingredient. When I applied the product, it glided on smoothly, without and clumps. I was surprised at how long my lashes got with just one coat and how feather-light and soft to touch they were.
“Because silk powder is so lightweight, it does not weigh down lashes. Most mascaras use waxes which weighs your lashes down,” explained Sara.
The look was very refined, fresh, and polished, which I thought was great for spring and on-trend with a softer eye. However, the mascara was also buildable. I applied more product to my top and bottom lashes, at every angle, and got a more dramatic look.
I applied the mascara at 8:30am and wore it all day (to meetings, a little 1-on-1 basketball game with a friend, and dinner out) and the mascara didn’t smudge or flake off at all, which is amazing since I tend to rub my eyes more this time of year because of allergies. At around 11pm, the product came off easily with warm water and a gentle massage using my regular face cleaner. I’m over the moon to have found a wonderful mascara this season and for seasons to come. Better yet, it’s local.
The Silk Mascara is available online or at local makeup shops like BeautyMark and KissandMakeup.
Silk Mascara Giveaway
Geisha Ink has offered up their Silk Mascara for one Miss604 reader to try, keep — and love! Here’s how you can enter to win:
Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win @GeishaInk’s #TheSilkMascara from @Miss604 http://ow.ly/MECsc
Follow Geisha Ink on Facebook and Twitter for more information. I will draw one winner from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, May 12, 2015.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — This post is sponsored by GO Fest Whistler Great Outdoors Festival Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
GO Fest is Whistler’s Great Outdoors Festival, taking place Victoria Day Long Weekend it’s packed with four full day of events and activities that celebrate outdoor recreation. Launched last year, this multi-faceted festival offers a chance to stroll through the hustle and bustle of an action-packed Whistler weekend or join in the fun as an extreme kayaker, music fan, disc golf player or aspiring artist by participating in one of the many competitions, clinics and concerts taking place around town.
GO Fest Whistler Great Outdoors Festival
GO Fest Photos via Whistler by Clint Trahan
Featured GO Fest Arts & Culture Events
WFF Adventure Film Series: Featuring independent outdoor adventure films from extreme sport to activism through adventure, the WFF Adventure Film Series, produced by the Whistler Film Festival, includes a six film lineup from six countries.
Painting the Peaks Plein Air-Artist Viewings: White Dog Whistler Studio Gallery artists will take their brushes, canvases, sculpting tools and easels to some of the stunning vistas around Whistler area, sharing their passion as they take you along an interactive adventure through the process of art creation. There are 3 locations to view the art making process, all free!
GO Enduro
The opening round of the North American Enduro Tour.
Jump Jam
The only event on the Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour with a women’s category.
The Great Snow-Earth-Water Race
A multi-sport team relay from mountain top to valley bottom.
GO Fest Tennis Tournament
Compete in one of the few multi-level tournaments in BC.
DiscGO Golf Tournament
Three rounds of 18 holes and going fast, Disc Golf is filling quickly.
GO Sail Regatta
Compete on a lake known for its great wind and mountains vistas.
The Great Slush Cup
Board or ski to the great slush pit and surf the icy waters.
The Great Cheakamus River Extreme Kayak Race
Class 4+ rapids and a great spectator location.
GO Volleyfest
A four-on-four tournament and King or Queen of the beach competition.
GO Fest’s Go Green Speaker Series
A Series of Outdoor Environmental Adventures: Expert adventure leaders will infuse information with inspiration, sparking conversations about local and global environmental issues and solutions.
Keynote Speaker Event: Partnering with those affected by global warming the most, Beyond Boarding has harnessed their digital power to bring the impact of global warming home on a human level. Hear Tamo Campos, and the Beyond Boarding collective, give voice to the stories we rarely hear with a collection of short films on their solidarity work with indigenous communities and environments at risk.
GO Fest Training & Demos
GO SUP at Nita Lake, GO Fish with fly casting instructor Aaron Goodis, participate in the TaG CYCLING Whistler Long Course Triathlon Training Camp, or Go Golf with a Nike Demo at Whistler Golf Club.
GoFest Photo via Whistler
Live Music
Check out the lineup at the Whistler Village Square Main Stage:
Friday, May 15th
7:30pm April Wine Saturday, May 16th
7:00pm Awards
7:30pm Current Swell
Sunday, May 17th
7:00pm Awards
7:30pm Dustin Bentall & Kendel Carson
8:15pm Bentall, Byrnes and Mann
Monday, May 18th
2:00pm Will Ross Band
3:00pm Dakota Pearl
4:00pm Willa
Whatever your activity level, there’s something for everyone and GO Fest! It’s a great reason to head up to Whistler this summer.
GO Fest: Whistler’s Great Outdoors Festival
Come out and play May 15-18, 2015 at GO Fest, Whistler’s Great Outdoors Festival! GO Fest is a new festival with four days of events, concerts and activities to welcome the warmer months of summer. Join the fun as an extreme kayaker, music fan, disc golf player or aspiring artist and enjoy Whistler’s great outdoors. Visit whistler.com/gofest for details.
PNE opening day parade along Hastings Street in 1947.
A highlight of the 1947 PNE was the first “Old Timers” hockey game ever staged in Canada. It took place at the PNE Forum and featured Fred “Cyclone” Taylor, one of hockey’s all time greats.
Will play hockey for food! Five Hole for Food, the ultimate street hockey tournament in support of food banks across Canada, returns this summer with cities and event dates recently announced.
Since 2010 the tour has managed to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds of food, plus monetary donations, for local food banks in the communities in which the games are played, from coast to coast.
The games are for all ages and skill levels — all you need is a hockey stick and a can of food to participate. In Vancouver, all funds and food raised will support the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society. Local officials, media, sports figures, and celebrities occasionally make their way to Five Hole For Food games as well and it’s lots of fun to watch even if you don’t play. Follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
The prettiest little ballpark in North America is adding to its fan experience as Vancouver Canadians Baseball Club and Northam Beverages bring baseball fans the newest seating area within Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.
The new covered seating area with counter tops in front of each fan is named “The hey y’all! Porch” presented by hey y’all! Southern Style Iced Teas. Located just beyond the left field fence, it provides local baseball fans with a fresh, new perspective on experiencing Canadians Baseball this coming summer.
Image courtesy of the Vancouver Canadians
Nat Bailey is known for its history, beautiful setting, and diverse menu options — in fact in 2008, it was named by PETA one of the top 10 vegetarian friendly ballparks in North America! The extensive ballpark menu will be complimented by Southern Style Hard Iced Teas and Whistler craft beers, setting up “The hey y’all! Porch” as a top afternoon destination in Vancouver this summer.
Groups of 30-160 can book a spot on “The hey y’all! Porch” by contacting the Vancouver Canadians at 604-872-5232, online, or by visiting the Nat Bailey Stadium Box Office at 4601 Ontario St, Vancouver. The Canadians have announced that over 50% of the available seating on “The hey y’all! Porch” has already been reserved so be sure to book ASAP.
The Vancouver Canadians open up the home portion of the 2015 Northwest League schedule on Friday, June 26th as they host the defending Champions from Hillsboro. Follow the team on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
Update:
Here are the dates fans can purchase an individual game ticket to sit on “The hey y’all! Porch”:
Tuesday June 30 vs. Hillsboro Hops at 7:05pm
Thursday July 2 vs. Spokane Indians at 7:05pm
Tuesday August 11 vs. Everett Aquasox at 7:05pm
These tickets, priced individually at just $14.00 get you a seat on the “hey y’all!” Porch but does not include the all-you-can-eat buffet that groups can indulge in by booking to any of our 38 regular season home dates.
