BeautyMark’s new location at Pacific Blvd in Yaletown boasts an entire top floor dedicated to beauty services. With the addition of a hand picked selection of baby clothing, accessories and strollers I doubt there is a girl in Vancouver that can walk by without stopping in and taking a look.

And guys, this is a good thing! I consider BeautyMark to be my 1-stop shop at Christmas and birthdays for my wife. So much so, that my wife has now resorted to doing her own pre-shopping for me and having her bag of presents waiting for payment and pick-up. It really couldn’t be easier.

With such personal success at BeautyMark I thought it fitting to do a company profile on this Yaletown fixture.

Below we tap into BeautyMark’s veteran makeup artist Tayler Rogers for a quick introduction and some Q&A’s on Yaletown’s favourite beauty store.

BeautyMark – Yaletown’s Premier Beauty Store

BeautyMark was created for all the beauty junkies out there who are seeking the latest “gotta have” products. We specialize in carrying top of the line independent brands that are hard to find – making a large effort to make as many of those lines Canadian owned and operated, along with having unique style and high quality. We want you to enjoy your experience at BeautyMark – our boutique in Yaletown is meant for you to come in and enjoy. Look around, test the products out, ask questions – our team of professionally trained makeup artist is there to help and provide information on all the products. We have a “no-pressure” approach to sales, so if you aren’t sure about a product take home a sample. Try it out and see how it goes. We want you to fall in love with our products!

Why the move to Pacific Blvd?
We’ve just celebrated our 10th year in business – and with that we moved from our original location on Hamilton St. to a location twice the size on Pacific Ave. We couldn’t be happier. It was time to expand, and we’ve definitely made use of the space. Now along with cosmetics we have a clothing section, a vast amount of jewelry and accessories and our children’s store E.i.O is in the mix too. We’ve also added services on the second floor. In addition to makeup applications and brow shaping we’ve added four new services to the list: hair styling, nail art, spray tanning and semi-permanent mascara. A “one stop shop” for beauty in Yaletown!

Are their additional locations planned?
We’ve always been so proud of our flagship location – we had a location on Denman St. and had a section in the Plenty store on Broadway St. but at the end of the day the original location is the heart of our business so we want to stick with the one location and make it absolutely perfect.

What do you feel Yaletown brings to BeautyMark that is unique or different from other neighbourhoods?
We love being in the Yaletown section of downtown. We’re very accessible from all parts of the city, it’s a great location.

How has the online business grown? Do you get orders from around the world?
Our online business has grown tremendously over the past few years. People are way more open to ordering online and it makes sense. If you order over $99 with us you get free shipping – if you are simply wanting to stock up on your staple items why not have them delivered straight to your door? We ship all across Canada, from the Maritimes to the North West Territories – some of the products we carry are really hard to find, especially in smaller cities. We’ve got a great clientele – its cool talking to customers who used to live in Vancouver and call to order because they miss the store so much. We are also really into our social media – Facebook, Twitter, blogging – it’s a great way to talk and connect with customers. We get feedback on products and even suggestions on what to bring into the store. Another bonus – it’s a fantastic way to stay connected with other local businesses in the Yaletown neighborhood, there’s a great support amongst the Yaletown businesses which is really refreshing.

Alisha Noon – Eyebrow Stylist & Makeup Artist
You might not know her, but Alisha Noon (dubbed the “brow guru” of Vancouver) is a miracle worker. This North Van native started her beauty career off initially as a makeup artist for the news at City TV, her obsession for the perfect brow took over and the rest is history. Working out of our own BeautyMark in Yaletown, Vancouver, Alisha is a full time eyebrow queen – shaping your brows to perfection!
ph: 604-218-6000
Twitter: @alishaeyebrows

CHRISTINA CULVER – Nail Artist
Vancouver-based Christina Culver grew up with a passion to create beautiful things: from her beginnings as a fashion designer with her signature line, CHRISTINA DARLING, to bringing her unique and glamorous designs to a new medium which launched her as the top nail artist in Western Canada. Magazines such as INTERVIEW, INSTYLE, FLARE, ZINK, WEDLUXE, and MAGPIE DARLING have featured Christina’s nails.

She has done manicures for advertising campaigns for KENSIE, ANNA KOSTUROVA and BANK OF AMERICA. Companies such as ROXY, QUIKSILVER and THE KNOW?SHOW have commissioned her nail art for their live events. Christina has also groomed the nails for the likes of celebrities such as Olympic medalist TORAH BRIGHT, designer ERIN FETHERSTON & actress FREIDA PINTO. Christina spent most of September working at New York Fashion Week backstage with lines such as Betsey Johnson, Ports 1965, Erin Fetherston, Calvin Klein, Jenny Packham, VPL, Yigal Azrouel, the GAP.

She had the opportunity to design the nail look for Calvin Klein, The GAP and look for Calvin Klein, The GAP and Ports 1965 as well as keying many of the shows. She is currently gearing up for the February shows. Christina does nail art out of BeautyMark, will an unlimited amount of design options.
604-306-0383
Twitter: @culverpants
christinaculver.com/

CHRIS FUNK – Funk’d Hair Stylist
Chris Funk started his career at Utopia Academy of Hair Design. He was quickly dubbed the “Roundbrush King” by his fellow class mates. His passion for creating the final style continued as he worked with Jon Paul Holt who lead the “Session Styling Team” assisting on various photo shoots and fashion shows.

Once completing the ten month course at Utopia Academy Chris began his career at Blo Blow Dry Bar styling and coiffing the women of Vancouver. Quickly recognized for his talent, within a year he began to lead the team as Style Director. He trained and mentored his fellow Session Stylists across North America on creating the perfect blowout and style, and being part of a strong team.

Along with creating flawless locks, his passion for working with brides, bringing a calming and worry free energy to that often stress filled day was evident. Chris Funk loves being on the BeautyMark team and adds his flair to the go to place, with the best of the best, for everything to do with beauty.
ph: 604-996-4144
Twitter: @funkdhair

CINDY LEYLAND – Spray Tan & Semi Permanent Eye Lash Applicator
Cindy Leyland has been a professional makeup artist for over 10 years. After graduating with honors from Blanche MacDonald Institute she was immediately immersed in the industry with a position with Make Up Forever; quickly working her way up from part time artist to Manager. In 2001, she caught the attention of a local entrepreneur and was approached to be the manager and buyer for a new and original beauty boutique called BeautyMark located in Vancouver. After 2 years with BeautyMark she decided to create a new cosmetics company of her own called Common Beauty.

In 2011, Cindy took up shop in BeautyMark and started offering St.Tropez airbrush spray tan to her clients. This coveted bronze tan, used on Dancing with the Stars, is in high demand and always delivers the best golden glow. Cindy has also introduced Crybaby to my list of services. This is a waterproof mascara treatment that is applied and cured and lasts for up to 2 weeks.
ph: 604-202-6249
Twitter: @cindyleyland

TAYLER ROGERS – Web Manager / Social Media
Tayler has been working for BeautyMark for 4+ years. She is a makeup artist and web manager, taking care of the web site, online sales and social media.
Read Tayler’s Face of Yaletown post here.

Beauty Mark
1268 Pacific Boulevard
Vancouver
V6Z 2V1

HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday – Saturday 10-7
Sunday 12-5
and 24/7 online

Tel:604-642-2294

If we need to put a theme to this weeks wine review, it would be elegance and beauty. We too seldom see this in BC wine but we do have the talent, land and climate to allow for this recipe to unfold. Today’s selections are from the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys respectively and, as always, it is important to bear in mind that these are two distinct viticultural areas.

Tinhorn Creek 2Bench White 2010 13.7% alc. Okanagan Valley, B.C. Under $30.00

With the surge in the popularity of BC wine and the resulting increase in wineries coming to market, it’s easy to overlook the pioneers that set the standard for the quality we now expect and enjoy.

Vintages may vary but a talented winemaker can produce a good wine out of even a challenging year. Sandra Oldfield is such a winemaker. As she continues to explore sustainable practices her wines at Tinhorn Creek are strikingly assured and restrained. Over the years that I’ve enjoyed these wines, it’s become clear that there is a push to elegance.

2Bench White dances its way across your palate with a bristling clarity and acidity. It’s a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Viognier and Muscat. Aromas and flavours of stone fruit such as apple, pear and white peach drift into insinuations of melon. All of it is supremely refined and seamless finishing rather dry. It’s a bit of magic this bottle: as delicate as a whisper but a whisper from centre stage.

Equally good with a Portuguese pork and clams Alentejo or a Chirashi bowl.

Orofino Beleza 2009 14.8% alc. Similkameen Valley, B.C. Under $45.00

Okay, this is pretty dreamy stuff. The aromas hit you like a cocktail of coffee and macerated black cherry liqueurs with background notes of drying chamomile in a sun-struck field.

Owner/winemaker John Weber has been going from strength to strength with his wines and with Beleza we can place him in the company of BC’s most highly respected red wine producers.

This classic Bordeaux blend is comprised of 40% Merlot 30% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet Franc. The fruit for this comes entirely from the Cawston bench and the wine has enjoyed it’s beauty sleep for a period of 20 months in French and American barrels and is aged a further 6 months in bottle before release making for a substantial and complete drinking experience upon opening.

The flavours are harmonious offering dark berry and the sweet woodiness of all-spice and toasted buttered almond all finishing with tannins as playful as running your tongue over a lint brush in the wrong direction: soft but pronounced. The oak has been well managed and does not interfere with the fruit by trumping it with its own tannins. While a big wine with considerable alcohol, it has a refreshingly feminine side and would be well paired with beef tenderloin rather than a fatter ribeye. One of BC’s finest reds newly released so availability should be good in the short-term.

Ralf Joneikies is the General Manager of Viti Wine & Lager in downtown Vancouver. Having trained at Niagara College he has a background in wine making, wine chemistry and viticulture and in 2008 was fortunate to assist in winemaking duties at one of Germanys pre-eminent family-owned estates. In 2009 he was invited to participate as a reviewer with the LCBO Vintages tasting panel and in November of that year assumed the role of GM at Viti. Viti proudly services a broad range of tastes and price considerations and is recognized as one of Vancouver’s premier destinations for Craft Beer and Single Malt Whiskies.
   

Viti Yaletown Liquor Store – 900 Seymour Street Vancouver

Viti Wine & Lagers
ph: 604.683.3806
info @ vitiwinelagers.com

Dine Out Vancouver is back and the participating restaurants for 2012 look better than ever. Below is a list of fantastic Yaletown restaurants offering exceptional tasting menus at great prices. There is no better time of year to try something new.

Support your local independent restaurants.

BISTRO SAKANA Sushi & Tapas
Brix Restaurant & Wine Bar
Cento Notti – Opus Hotel
Chinois Restaurant
Cibo Trattoria – Moda Hotel
George Lounge
glowbal grill Steaks & Satay
Goldfish Seafood & Chops
Hamilton Street Grill
Hapa Izakaya
La Terrazza
Milestones Grill + Bar
Players Chophouse Restaurant & Lounge
Provence Marinaside
Regional Tasting Lounge (r.tl)
Section (3)
Society Dining Lounge
Urban Thai Bistro – Menu
Yaletown Brewing

Avoid disappointment and make a reservation today.

Ralf Joneikies GM Viti Wine & Lager

Yet these assertions are routinely made in various media and uncritically, we’re content to gobble them up. So to change things a little I present a more reasonable list of Most Memorable Beer that we carried at Viti Wine & Lager this past year. The list is in no particular order of preference but I hope it will provoke some pleasant memories.

Most Memorable Beer (Retail) of 2011

• Howe Sound Mega Destroyer (B.C.)
• Cheval Blanc (Quebec)
• Brasserie Charlevoix Dominus Vobiscum Lupulus 2010 (Quebec)
• Driftwood Singularity (B.C.)
• Driftwood Bird of Prey (B.C.)
• Howe Sound Woolly Bugger Barleywine (B.C.)
• Brasserie Charlevoix La Vache Folle Imperial Milk Stout (Quebec)
• Ayinger Weizenbock (Germany)
• Gulden Draak Vintage Christmas Ale (Belgium)
• Westvleteren 8 (Belgium)
• Rochefort 10 (Belgium)
• McAuslan St. Ambroise Scotch Ale (Quebec)
• Paddock Wood Loki Double IPA (Saskatchewan)
• Ommegang Three Philosophers (Belgium)
• Schneider & Brooklyner Hopfen-Weisse (Germany)
• Uncommon Brewing Siamese Twin Ale (California)
• Tenaya Creek Calico Brown Ale (Nevada)
• Mort Subite Oude Gueuze (Belgium)
• Cantillon Rose de Gambrinus (Belgium)
• Verdi Imperial Stout (Italy)
• Hebrew Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. (New York)
• Mission Springs Mr. Brown’s Mashing Pumpkin (B.C.)
• Corsendonk Tempelier (Belgium)
• Unibroue Grande Reserve 17 (Quebec- this beer will be available in B.C. in March 2012)

Ralf Joneikies is the General Manager of Viti Wine & Lager in downtown Vancouver. Having trained at Niagara College he has a background in wine making, wine chemistry and viticulture and in 2008 was fortunate to assist in winemaking duties at one of Germanys pre-eminent family-owned estates. In 2009 he was invited to participate as a reviewer with the LCBO Vintages tasting panel and in November of that year assumed the role of GM at Viti. Viti proudly services a broad range of tastes and price considerations and is recognized as one of Vancouver’s premier destinations for Craft Beer and Single Malt Whiskies.
   

Viti Yaletown Liquor Store – 900 Seymour Street Vancouver

Viti Wine & Lagers
ph: 604.683.3806
info @ vitiwinelagers.com

Viti Liquor Store in Yaletown carries a wide selection of specialty wines, hand-crafted local and import beer and over 160 sought-after whiskies. Visit Viti at 900 Seymour Street.

Las Perdices Don Juan Reserva 2007 Argentina 14.5% alc. Under $40.00

Even against a white background, this wine is almost black in the glass. But don’t let that scare you. And if you can stifle a yawn long enough at yet another 91 point score from Robert Parker, you can let this inky serum glide over your senses with some pleasure. This red is no California product manufactured, before a vine was even rooted, for a certain critic’s tired imagination. Then again, even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

No, this blend of Malbec, Syrah, Bonarda & Merlot delivers a little more intrigue than just that.

This wine is big on crushed black fruit aromas carried on the plumes of volatile acidity that appears as airplane glue so very fleetingly. Finishing flourishes come as pepper and fresh cedar- this is a heady wine that will keep you inhaling as if you had a bigger problem.

Rich, masculine flavours of licorice, prune and if you’ve ever smoked a pipe you’ll recall the warm salty,sweet tobacco nectar that leaks from the stem to your lips… that’s a sample of the savoury flavours offered by this deep blend. The tannins are well-manicured giving a soft mouth-feel as the concentrated soy flavours bleed to a lip-smacking umami close.

Serve this with slow-cooked beef ribs with black pepper and maple or mix it up with a chicken mole with a side of dirty rice.

Young & Wyse Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Okanagan BC 13.3% alc. Under $35.00

This Cab is still young enough that the nose is a little shy but blackberry and currants make an appearance with a backup of plum and violets in the chorus. The tannins have been well-managed and through the dark fruit flavours there’s a pleasant saltiness that’s stimulating enough to keep you drinking through the black pepper and toasted nut notes.

This is the first Cabernet Sauvignon from Young & Wyse and it’s a well-made addition to their very successful Merlot. Grilled rib steak or roast game meat is the way to go with this and I would suggest that it’s best drinking is within the next 1 to 3 years.

Emiliana Novas 2010 Chardonnay/Marsanne Chile 14% alc. Under $25.00

You won’t too often find Chardonnay & Marsanne blended together. Why would you? Yet because the Emiliana name can be trusted to offer value-for-money, this idiosyncratic blend does deliver some pleasurable drinking for wine adventurers.

Straight out of the glass the Chardonnay makes its presence known with aromas of oak, butter toffee and almonds followed by “greener” more savoury aromas from the lower-acid Marsanne addition.

The warm Chardonnay aromas replay softly on the palate followed by flavours of green olive and sweet herbs suggesting a dinner of Provencal chicken with cream or a summers day salad at a patio lunch. Deliciously different.

Ralf Joneikies is the General Manager of Viti Wine & Lager in downtown Vancouver. Having trained at Niagara College he has a background in wine making, wine chemistry and viticulture and in 2008 was fortunate to assist in winemaking duties at one of Germanys pre-eminent family-owned estates. In 2009 he was invited to participate as a reviewer with the LCBO Vintages tasting panel and in November of that year assumed the role of GM at Viti. Viti proudly services a broad range of tastes and price considerations and is recognized as one of Vancouver’s premier destinations for Craft Beer and Single Malt Whiskies.
   

Viti Yaletown Liquor Store – 900 Seymour Street Vancouver

Viti Wine & Lagers
ph: 604.683.3806
info @ vitiwinelagers.com

Revolucion Style in Yaletown is mecca for men. It has countless items, gadgets, and cool gift ideas for the most stylish man. From the M-Clip money clip, to fine shaving gear, Revolucion Style at 1062 Mainland in Yaletown has you covered.

An entire wall is dedicated to fine smokes and cigars and being just days away from New Years, what better time to give a quick review of some of the most popular cigar choices. Regardless of where you are this New Years, make it night to remember with a fine cigar from Revolucion.

Partagas Lusitania – $35.75

I would have to give Partagas Lusitania as being one of the best Habanos! It smokes medium to full bodied and is tasty to the last puff. It is one of the larger cigars available at 7.5” x 49 Ring Gauge.

Trinidad Robusto T – $37.50

Since 1980 the Trinidad Fundadores was exclusively produced for Fidel Castro and in February of 1998, it was officially launched for export. Keeping one of Cuba’s best cigar blends, it was only reserved for dignitaries, Royalty and diplomats.

Trinidad is a full bodied cigar with gentle notes of well blended tobaccos for pure enjoyment.

Cohiba Siglo 2 – $29.50

Cohiba has proven itself a very prestigious brand of Habanos. Introduced in 1968, Cohiba quickly became the flagship brand of the Cuban cigar industry. Developed initially as a medium bodied cigar for presentation only by officials of the Cuban government, Cohiba was marketed widely beginning in 1982. Siglo 2 is a great corona at 5” x 42 Ring Gauge.

H.Upmann Regalias – $12.99

H.Upmann is known also by the famous request of President John F. Kennedy to his press secretary, Pierre Salinger. On the evening prior to the declaration of the American trade embargo in 1961, Mr. Salinger obtained Petit Upmanns for the President….many Petit Upmanns! H.Upmann Regalias is a corona shaped cigar 5” x 42 ring gauge, medium to full bodied and is recommended for any cigar tasting endeavor.

Hoyo Short Piramide Limited Edition 2011 – $28.90

One of the newest limited edition to come from Habanos is the Hoyo De Monterrey Short Piramide 2011. Amazing smoke, well blended with a hint of pungentness. At 5” x 46 ring gauge it is sure to satisfy any taste!

Size doesn't matter? Think again!

Pick up some great cigars any time of the year from Revolucion Style’s huge selection.

Huge selection of quality Cuban cigars at Revolucion Style

1062 Mainland Street
604.662.4427
info@revolucionstyle.com
Web:Revolucion Style

No one could be enjoying the misery that has been the weather over this Christmas Season. Thankfully we have yet another celebration to which to look forward and one that will help us forget it all. To that end I offer a few perspectives on some Sparkling wines to help you ride out the year and ring in the new. My theme for this entry is Unique & Cost-Effective.

Lugny Cremant de Bourgogne Rose NV France 12% alc. Under $30.00

Admittedly this excellent wine has long been a favourite. Here we have a bracing blend of Pinot Noir, Gamay and Chardonnay offering up sensual aromas of strawberry, apple and challa bread. The colour is an endlessly pretty salmon with a shimmer of orange and the whole package is as festive as a post-revolutionary romp through Versailles.

Cremant is the term used by the French to describe wines made using the Champagne method but outside the borders of the Champagne region.

This bubbly has acidity like the snap of an elastic band with flavours of empire apple, cranberry and the tannic finish of crab apples. In other words, a real appetite stimulator.

The overall effect is uplifting and will act as a perfect foil for oysters with a sherry mignonette, sushi or better yet a cheese fondue spiked with Kirsch.

Summerhill Hidden Okanagan Valley, BC 12.5% alc. Under $25.00

Here is something entirely unique from the Okanagan, the rather obscure Verdelet grape as a champagne method sparkler. Verdelet is a hybrid developed by the French physician Albert Seibel who became famous for crossing French grape varieties with native North American varieties and it’s usually used for blending. This grape is most commonly planted in upstate New York and Texas but our friends at Summerhill have approximately 1 hectare under vine.

The nose is super clean with sea spray and green apple making a big entrance and then staging an encore on the palate along with the sweet herb smack of raw green beans off the vine. Happily the bubbles are medium fine with a substantial persistence making for consistent drinking.

The acidity is bright and the briny minerality lends itself perfectly to classic New Years Oysters on the half or a zesty ceviche. This is not a complex wine but it is dry and very well made, much better than you would think given that it’s not a particularly well-known or sexy grape. Finally, add it to a couple of ounces of Giffard Muroise (see below) for an eye-popping variation on Kir Royale.

Giffard Muroise de Val de Loire Liqueur France 16% alc. Under $45.00

Some Vancouver residents may recognize this liqueur from a recipe out of Barbara Jo McIntosh’s delightful volume of Parisian reminiscences Cooking for Me & Sometimes You: A Parisienne Romance with Recipes.

Muroise is a naturally occurring hybrid of blackberry and raspberry and it packs a powerfully perfumed punch of dark forest fruit. It’s endlessly delicious on its own or mixed with a variety of other booze (1 oz. Muroise, 1 oz Vodka, 5 oz. Ginger ale makes for a stimulating long drink). Over vanilla ice cream or warm custard this stuff is a dream.

Elephant Island Pink Elephant Naramata, BC 11% alc. Under $30.00

Here is another stridently different sparkler from BC made with a base of Granny Smith apples and topped with a splash of black currant. It’s a lovely midnight rose colour in the glass and the aromas are fresh with a delicate perfume of buttery egg bread and cassis.

Pink Elephant is made using the more labour-intensive traditional champagne method which explains both the price and the creamy effect from the lees (dead yeast) contact during its slumber in the bottle before disgorgement.

This is a quality wine making for a very nice drink best with conversation. The flavours are distinct and pleasant but the acidity is surprisingly low making it an ill-fit for food pairing. Were I at the helm I might take subsequent vintages in a slightly different direction by picking the Granny Smith apples a little more under-ripe to preserve more of the acid and adding an extra few grams per litre of black currant dosage.

For cider-lovers however, this is their bubbly to help launch the new year with panache.

Sea Cider Ginger Perry Victoria, BC 5.5% alc. Under $20.00

Perry is the traditional British term for a ‘cider’ made from pears. The folks at Sea Cider are to be commended for giving this market something new and something so successful.

This perry is dry but far from austere. The spicing on this comes not just from the ginger but also from cinnamon, nutmeg and clove made as a bitter using Sea Ciders eau de vie. The application of these adjuncts is most judicious however because the clarity of the zesty pear remains intact and is not masked by these potentially potent spices.

The nose is intoxicating and the first hit warms you like your favourite sweater on a blustery day. The finish is very clean with plenty of mineral lift and while this is perfect as an aperitif, I enjoyed it with rosemary & garlic brined chicken and a side of fried rice and sautéed apple.