Canadian products powerhouse ACI Brands came to Calgary recently to introduce the spring/summer lines of their top makeup brands. While our booming city could use a few more luxury boutique hotels, luckily we have Le Germain, located in Cowtown central.
Upstairs, between the fabulous florals and fantastic food offerings, the traveling road show included Stila, Cargo and new-to-Canada PAUL & JOE Beaute, whose beauty was not just on the inside.
They’re big in Japan! Is it any wonder that PAUL & JOE Beaute is flying off shelves in Tokyo when kittens abound on the packaging? Designer Sophie Mechaly, who named the company after her sons, doesn’t let her cat allergy get in the way of turning feline viral video popularity into makeup cult collectible status.
Her main motif, however, is a chrysanthemum, embodying the retro-modern style that Mechaly loves. The products, which range from skin primer to moisturizer to lipsticks, eyeshadows and more, are exclusively available at just four Shoppers Drug Marts in Canada: Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill, ON, Robson and Burrard in Vancouver, Richmond Centre in Richmond, BC and Chinook Centre here in Calgary. Take that, Toronto! 
In the corner window, views of the Rocky Mountains and the Palliser clamored for attention, but new products from Stila and Cargo prevailed.
Stila packaging is all grown up now, leaving their usual cardboard containers behind. I was really digging this eyebrow gel during the preview. I expect to get my hands on some this week, so I’ll let you know how my personal at home trial goes.
Meanwhile, Cargo is taking cardboard casing to a new level. Sophisticated New York cityscapes tempt the turn to find the lipstick within.
While ACI Beauty and National Spokesperson Lyndsay Craig gives the lowdown on Paul & Joe, the founder of OverCat Communications is not partying with a lampshade on her head. Don’t let the wacky perspective distract you from Audrey Hyams Romoff’s amazing dress, which had to be included in a story about ravishing packaging.
