August Beauty Favourites {monthly edition}

august beauty faves by beautyparler on Polyvore.com

Embryolisse 24-Hour Miracle Cream
An old staple that never fails, good as a facial moisturizer & or hand cream. Wouldn't recommend for oily skin gals though.

CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara
An old-favourite that I went back to, never fails for lush lashes.

LUSH  R&B
A new hair product from LUSH, to be applied on damp or dry hair. Great for tamed but manageable hair, gets rid of frizz & flyaways. I love the smell of R&B, leaves hair smelling fresh! Contains Oat milk, avocado butter, olive oil, and coconut oil-just to name a few hydrating ingredients. Should be renamed Fully Loaded!

Barefoot Venus | Lotion- lilly pilly
barefootvenus.com
Smells awesome! A light lotion that leaves a hint of fragrance.

LUSH - 9 to 5
A new cleansing milk from LUSH, use on dry skin & wipe off with cotton pads. Good for removing makeup, followed by your favourite facial cleanser. Contains Orchid oil, Ylang Ylang and almond oil.

Cover Girl Corrector
The Cover Girl Corrector (not to be mistaken for the concealer) covers dark under-eye circles wonderfully, much better than the actual concealer.

got2b smooth operator smoothing lustre lotion
Just reviewing the Lustre Lotion product, leaves hair soft minus the frizz. I'm not crazy about the sweet scent but doesn't linger too long.


Overall, I've had a busy Summer and these last two months my blog has been quiet so I apologize for the lack of posts. Lots to blog about and I'm excited to share a few new items for Fall & Winter, coming up soon! Thank you for stopping by!
Any beauty favourites you want to share?

Lise Watier's HydraSmart is Smart skincare {review & giveaway}

Back in April I wrote about Leah Miller being the new face of Lise Watier Cosmetics, she is the model for their new HydraSmart skincare line. Lise Watier Cosmetics introduces a new skincare line that offers hydration for all skin types, yes even those with oily skin need proper hydration. Named HydraSmart 3D, the 3D stands for:

• Fast: Skin’s water holding capacity is improved by 16% after only 5 minutes.
• Deep: Water level is stabilized in the deepest epidermal layer.
• Long Term: Moisture level still increases after 7 days.

Although my skin is combination and leans towards dehydrated in colder months I reviewed the HyrdaSmart skincare line for Dry Skin, which includes: HydraSmart 3D Hydration Metamorphis Cleansing Gelee, a soap-free & paraben-free product that contains blue lotus extract an antioxidant that helps protect again free-radicals (actually the whole HydraSmart skincare line contains blue lotus). This cleansing gelee reminds me of a cleansing oil but the product is actually an ultra fine oil-based gel that emulsifies into a white cleanser, seriously fantastic stuff and the concept is pretty amazing if you've used oil cleansers before you'll be impressed. Although formulated for Dry Skin I would recommend this for all skin types (as other oil cleansers seem to work for oily skin) I can't see why this product wouldn't work followed by your regular cleanser, there's no mineral oil in this product. The other product I tried was the HydraSmart 3D Hydration Creme with blue lotus, this alcohol-free & paraben-free creamy/gel lotion is non-greasy and packed with goodies to keep your skin hydrated for 24 hours, contains shea butter so best left for dry skin. I'm saving mine for the colder months, but for the sake of trial purposes I will attest that this did not leave my skin oily or greasy feeling. Comes in a refillable container, great for the environment & my wallet!
Don't say I never think about my readers because its giveaway time!! One lucky reader in Canada will win her/his own Lise Watier Hydrasmart skincare kit, just let me know if your skin type is Normal, Combination, or Dry. Deadline to enter is September 9th at midnight! Goodluck!
Contest now closed, thank you to all that entered!
Using random.org the WINNER is.....

Sharon Pearson, Congrats & email me your address please.
(disclaimer: non-paid post, although products received for review no financial compensation received, based on my own personal review)

Victoria's Secret has opened at Yorkdale Mall in Toronto

Adriana Lima lands today at Yorkdale Mall in Toronto, also spotted the other day at Toronto Pearson Airport wearing sunglasses & with her entourage.

(image: yorkdale.com)

Prime your Canvas (Reviva Labs Makeup Primer-review)

Just like a painter primes his/her canvas in order to create a smooth working surface, makeup primers work with that same concept in mind. However, makeup primers also aid in makeup lasting longer. Normally, I don't wear makeup primers on an everyday basis but on longer work days or special occasions I will apply primer. For an inexpensive primer fix Reviva Labs Makeup Primer is a great option, with added benefits such as vitamin A and coenzyme Q10 this fragrance-free primer packaged in a clear glass pump-style bottle will keep your makeup lasting all day. A little goes along way, two drops spread evenly under or over your facial moisturizer (I like to use under my tinted moisturizer or if I'm wearing foundation no added moisturizer applied). There's slip to this primer so spread! Check out the short ingredients list: Cyclopentasiloxane, dimethicone, Vitamin A Palmitate, Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol), Olive Oil, Coenzyme Q10, Squalane
Oilier skins might have an issue with the olive oil however after reading other reviews on the net most did not complain about this, just thought I'd point that out. For reference I have combo-skin that tends to get dehydrated.
Do you use makeup primers and if yes, what is your favourite?
(image: RevivaLabs, Disclaimer: non-paid review based on personal use)

Beach Head (mini-reviews)

beach bum by beautyparler featuring Liberty hats

Panama Hat
Wearing a hat is a must at the beach, stay & look cool!

Hawaiian Tropic Mango After Sun Crème Lotion
Last minute purchase, perfect for after a day at the beach. Thick cream lotion, leaves skin hydrated & lightly scented.

dermaglow 70 SPF Cream
Best secret to prevent wrinkles...sunscreen!  Light hydrating lotion, at the beach frequent application is essential.

Sebastian Potion 9 Treatment
An oldie but a must of mine. This product work best when applied to wet hair, tie hair back in a loose bun & let air dry. Your hair will dry without any frizz.

Hawaiian Tropic Sheer Touch Lotion SPF 30
Another last minute purchase, this is extremely thick lotion. Spread! Spread! Spread! Like your spreading peanut butter, hydrates skin really well, nice scent, and its waterproof! Love this stuff! Also, my skin is a medium/yellow-based tone & I tan naturally very easy. For lighter skin use a higher SPF.

Klorane No-Rinse Care with Papyrus Milk
Light, mint green hair lotion. Smells fresh & leaves hair lightly moisturized. Since my hair is so dry from the beach I used alot of this products, atleast 3 pumps to get results. Again a good leave-in if your air drying your hair in a loose bun. Hair is left natural to the touch.

Brocato Cloud 9 Miracle Repair Shampoo
I've used this before in the past (which I liked) but I think my beach hair was just to much of a challenge for this shampoo. Didn't hydrate enough as I needed. Grant it that I would wash my hair everyday to get the salt water out & normally I wash my hair every two days. Thus, it was a true challenge! Hair was left clean but frizzy.

Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure Sun Guardian UV Protection Conditioning Spray
Received this product with a magazine purchased in Europe (gotta love buying EU mags as they always come with a gift). But this product was a disappointment, actually think it left my hair drier & weighed it down. Hair was left lifeless, frizzy & dry.

Shiseido Tsubaki Head Spa Massage Spa Mask with Essential Oil
My saviour! An essential hair mask for extremely dry hair (don't use if your hair is oily, normal, fine) this is really thick stuff. Only use in extreme conditions (like me), a little goes along way.


On a recent beach getaway to Cancun my boyfriend turned to me at the beach and said, "babe, your hair looks like a broom...you know the old-fashion hay brooms." Gotta love the boyfriend for being honest! I however was defeated...My hair is the kind that has to have a leave-in product in order for it to dry frizz-free. Thankfully I brought an army of hair products to combat the problem. Not all worked well but atleast by the end of the vacation the broom was now a gorgeous frizz-free mop.
What are your beach getaway must-have beauty products?

What do you have in your hair? {travels}

When I travel I always like to check out the body/skincare aisle at the local grocery stores or pharmacies, you never know what you'll find. Recent find in Mexico, Snot Gorilla Gel, what you've always wanted for you hair! Oddly, enough (mega hold in red) product was almost sold out, I'll never know maybe it's actually really good.

If you have pictures of oddly named beauty products email me the pics with location taken & if necessary a translation. I'd love to post them!

Smooze with Schön! {events & travel}

Being a flight attendant definitely has it travel perks and combine that with being a beauty blogger sometimes fashion blogger, the perfect mix of being able to attend worldwide events. Late night at the end of July I found myself underground in East London at a lavish 19th century Turkish bathhouse now converted into an entertainment venue, appropriately named The Bathhouse. The event, a Schön! Magazine soirée, stylish folks and pleasant company (I recruited two of my fellow co-workers to come with me. Which also meant a day of shopping in the Knightsbridge TopShop in hopes of finding outfits for the late evening event). 

Schön! Magazine is unlike any other magazine, you won't find commercialized fashion trends instead looks that encompass the ideas of creativity within our global streets. The photography in the magazine is art, makeup inspirational, and makes a great coffee table addition. Your friends will ignore you and love coming over just to flip the pages of Schön! Oh and the Schön cloth gift bag is perfect for shopping!

(Schön! Magazine cover via NINETEEN74)

funny Girl {Jennifer Aniston}

It still amazes me how makeup and hair can transform a person and this is the case with Jennifer Aniston as she transforms into Barbara Streisand for Harper's Bazaar September'10 issue. Aniston is starring opposite Jason Bateman in an upcoming comedy The Switch, she also has several other comedies out this year. On being a funny girl: “People laugh at me. Sometimes I know why, and sometimes I don’t. But I can pretty much find humor in anything. That is a necessary part of life. I don’t want to say laughter is healing, because it sounds corny, but it’s a release.” On looking up to Streisand, “Barbra inspires me because there isn’t anything she hasn’t done that she wanted to do, especially as a female in the time when her generation was prime. She’s a true renais­sance woman. . . I had a long conversation with Barbra about directing because I directed a short a couple years ago, and if I don’t do it again soon, I’m going to burst out of my skin. And we also love interior design."

On being in the spotlight: “[Barbra and I] are people who have been put in the spotlight, for better or for worse, and you just keep riding, and you keep overcoming.”

Photo credit: Mark Seliger for Harper's Bazaar.

 

July top beauty picks

July beauty picks by beautyparler on Polyvore.com

Dermalogica - Sheer Tint Moisture SPF 15 Medium
One of my tinted moisturizer staples, doesn't clog pores, light-weight, doesn't leave your face looking like an oil spill. Minimal coverage thus perfect for everyday especially for work when I don't like to wear alot of makeup.

Citrus Facial Scrub - Burt's Bees
Just recently discovered this scrub after reading a few raves on youtube & other beauty blogs. Love the texture of this scrub, can feel a bit oily on your skin while your scrubbing away but this definitely doesn't dry-out your skin and doesn't feel scratchy or harsh.

Degree Nature Effects
Great deodorant, smells fresh! Comes in three scents, I like two of the scents minus the Orange Flower one. Although it states nature in the title don't confuse it for completely natural as this deodorant does contain aluminum zirconium.

Nivea visage oxygen power reviving cleansing gel Normal/ Combination
I raved about this cleanser in July when I purchased this cleanser while in Portugal. Gentle, non-drying, suds nicely, doesn't strip your facial oils, and smells nice too! Will purchase again in the future.

i need damage control - myfaceworks
I've raved about cloth masks in the past & normally buy cloth masks in Asia but not everyone as the luxury of travelling all the time so cloth masks like MyFaceWorks can now be found online. And as one of my readers told me at Walmart too (but not this brand). These are more like luxury for the face!

Elizabeth Grant :: The Socializer :: The Socializer
I'm a sucker for vintage-inspired packaging & love these two eye creams. Packaging aside these two click-style pens are great for travel and are light-weight, feel soothing to the under eye area, and a little product lasts along time.

Tease Nail Polish, Mauve | Cheeky Monkey Cosmetics TFF and DBP Free
Love this shade of nail polish, Tease, from cheekymonkey. Part of the Spring 2010 line, in real life more pastel lilac than in the pic.


What were your beauty favourites for the month of July?

a visit to Blush Beauty Bar {travels}

Tucked away on a quiet downtown street in Regina, SK Canada you'll find Blush Beauty Bar boutique. An upscale beauty haven for beauty junkies! Top of the line makeup and skincare is to be found in this quaint boutique, where not only the products are fabulous but so are the in-house makeup/skincare experts. One the day I went to visit makeup artist and beauty guru Sarah was doing a makeup trial on a bride-to-be...wow she looked absolutely gorgeous. A few of my favourite products that you'll find at Blush Beauty Bar are; Stila, Dr. Haushka, The Balm, Paul & Joe and many more others to choose from. Blush Beauty not only functions as a boutique but offers services such as professional makeup application, makeup lessons, and exclusive to Blush are their private parties.
For more info visit BlushBeautyBar
2230 14th Ave. Regina,SK
Toll Free 1-866-261-8393