What will you be listening to tonight?
Be safe & don't drink and drive! Happy New Year!!
xo
December 31, 2012
Happy New Year! {makeup breakdown}
What's your New Year's Eve makeup look? This year I will be celebrating quietly but that doesn't mean I can't get dolled up. Makeup look= a retro look combo! A winged eye with black liquid liner using MaryKay, beige liner by Annabelle in the waterline, paired with Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing lip colour balm in Curvy Candy. . A bit of shimmer is added to the tear duct and underneath the brow bone with my favourite palette, Urban Decay's Naked eyeshadow palette. Make sure to first apply an eye primer such as Make Up Forever's Long Wear Eyelid Primer to ensure longevity. Top off with my newest mascara Cover Girl Clump Crusher! On the rest of the face, Vichy DermaBlend Fluid Corrective Foundation 16hr in shade Nude, a lightweight medium coverage foundation and MAC Sheertone Shimmer Powder blush in my ultimate favourite shade, Springsheen. Voila!
Wishing you all a safe & healthy New Year. Hoping all the best + all your wishes come true in 2013!!
December 28, 2012
NYE Plans? {Holiday 2012}
What are your plans this New Years Eve?
As I have to work January 1st my original plan of spending the 31st in New York City are cancelled.
I have no clue on where to go & what to wear...
December 24, 2012
December 21, 2012
five years later! {still blogging}
Source: sweetapolita.com via Monica @BeautyParler on Pinterest
Five years ago today I posted my very first blog post!
time flies when you're having fun...
however there have been times when I wanted to delete my account,
blogging can feel like a full-time job and that is not what I wanted to feel,
so when times are tough I step back from blogging to collect my thoughts,
but I always come back to it
because I love it!
I have met amazing friends along the way,
have learned many new skills,
and
continue to enjoy & amass
beauty products!
however going into 2013 I plan on expanding into other topics such as
lifestyle blogging (which I have started in 2012)
A BIG thank you to all my readers & for all your comments!
I hope you will continue to visit & can't wait to make new friends.
xoxo
Monica
Hope you enjoy the new look by FabulousK, I had a hard time letting go of my old template & design but felt that a new look was needed. Most of the feedback I received was to keep the chandelier & stripes so I did.
Hope you like it as much as I do!
Hope you enjoy the new look by FabulousK, I had a hard time letting go of my old template & design but felt that a new look was needed. Most of the feedback I received was to keep the chandelier & stripes so I did.
Hope you like it as much as I do!
Secret Santa Gift-Guide {Holidays 2012}
Secret Santa at work? Or Kris Kringle? Which ever term you use the thought of buying a co-worker a secret gift for the Holidays can be taunting. Especially if it's a co-worker you don't work closely with. Can't be too personal but just right...of course you can always buy booze. When the rules of Secret Santa specify a set dollar limit, finding the right gift without having to go the dollar store route can be difficult.
- Hot Chocolate, Coffee, or Tea: everyone in the office enjoys a hot beverage. Get a gift they'll enjoy drinking while busy at their desk. Just make sure you get the beverage mix/blend of their choice. Nobody likes getting tea bags if they don't drink tea.
- Hand Cream: this unisex gift is perfect because the worst thing is having to share your desk belongings. There's always that one co-worker who never has any hand cream but steals a little from you everyday! No sharing allowed...hands get dry in the Winter so back off get your own hand cream.
- Ornaments: a multi-purpose ornament like the one from Philosophy is perfect as its not only decorative but also a facial cleanser.
- Lip Balm: again another unisex friendly product that is perfect for the office. Nobody likes talking to flaky/dry lips!
- Makeup Brush Cleanser: most women at the office have makeup brushes but do they have a brush cleanser? Perhaps not, Mary Kay has an affordable one that's easy to use.
- Makeup Sets: Christmas is perfect for stocking up on makeup. Most major cosmetics lines have makeup sets or palettes of their best sellers at amazing prices. Maybe buy one for you & divide a few as gift bag stuffers.
Do you celebrate Secret Santa at your workplace? Or amongst your friends? What items do you like buying?
December 14, 2012
Gift-Guide for the Beauty Addict {Holidays 2012}
What to get that beauty addict that has every makeup product and skincare imaginable?
- Organizers: should be on the top of that list because no matter if its already organized you know she's only going to buy more beauty products in 2013. On my wishlist is The Clear Cube, these clear acrylic drawers are big and store alot. They got alot of press when featured on Keeping up with the Kardashians.
- Empty makeup palettes: magnetic ones are better! And the ZPalette is customizable' convenient, and neat. Time to depot and get organized.
- Makeup how-to books: my old timeless favourite is the Kevin Aucoin: Making Faces. Surely, this must be already in your library but for some reason if its not get it! The legend Aucoin was an inspiration and his work is beautiful.
- Beauty shop wisely: if you can't get enough of beauty blog reviews get the latest Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter without Me 9th Edition by Paula Begoun. She inspired me to start writing my own beauty blog!
- Makeup Brushes: surely every beauty addict has her set of makeup brushes but more importantly is the quality! One of my favourite makeup brushes are the Crown Brushes: Italian Badger Collection, fantastic brushes that I buy at IMATS.
Any other suggestions you would add to my list?
December 12, 2012
Oh Christmas Tree! {Holidays 2012}
The tree is up and that is the extent of the Christmas decorations at my house. As we will be celebrating at a family member's house decorations were kept to a minimal. However, I like seeing Christmas trees peering through the windows of our neighbourhood. And everyone has a different style of decorating...its so lovely to see! Here are a few different interpretations:
Do you prefer a traditional tree or non-traditional?
December 07, 2012
Happy Weekend! {Banana Bread Recipe}
One of my fondest memories of this time of year is of my mom baking. I love the scent of a home baked cake and she loved to bake on the weekend so that we would have a little left over for a school snack. Now she doesn't bake as much as we tend to watch our sweet intake. However, lately I've been baking because I love banana bread in the cold Winter weather with tea. Why not bake one this weekend...
ingredients:
2 CUPS of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 CUP of butter
3/4 CUP of sugar
2 eggs (already beaten)
2 1/2 ripe bananas (mashed)
1 CUP of crushed walnuts
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan and lightly sprinkle flour (I used a tree shaped pan from Loblaws, more festive!)
- In a large bowl; combine flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl; blend together butter and sugar. Stir in eggs and mashed bananas until well blended. Combine banana mixture into flour mixture; stir and add crushed walnuts. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 60 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then flip onto a wire rack.
Do you like to bake? What are your favourite recipes?
(images: beautyparler.ca)
December 06, 2012
PANTONE: 2013 Colour of the Year is...Emerald
Pantone Colour of the Year 2013: Emerald by beautyparler
PANTONE has chosen the colour of the year for 2013....
Emerald a.k.a 17-5641
I really like this pick!!!
Do you like the colour Emerald?
PANTONE has chosen the colour of the year for 2013....
Emerald a.k.a 17-5641
I really like this pick!!!
Do you like the colour Emerald?
New Year, New Look {short hair}
For the last few months I've been contemplating cutting my hair
Is short hair too daring for you? How short would you go?
December 05, 2012
the Shoebox Project {Holiday 2012}
the Shoebox I put together
As a beauty blogger I have far too many beauty products! For the most part I try to give to family and friends as I am unable to use up the amount of products I have. During this time of year the best is to give to those less fortunate. For many, they might see beauty products as frivolous however for a woman who has had to seek help from a shelter a cosmetic item can be the difference of a smile! One beauty product can be the confidence booster a woman needs; going to a job interview, meeting an old friend, etc...Something as simple as wearing a lipstick or a dab of perfume. Whatever the reason a simple gesture of giving what we already have too much of is the perfect gift. The Shoebox Project for Shelters is a non-profit initiative that collects shoe-size boxes filled with products for women in shelters. Thanks to my friend makeup artist and blogger, Joy David-Tilberg for bringing this cause to my attention. Check to see if your community has a similar project or just drop off shoe-size box full of goodies at a local shelter. Make sure to check any requirements; some shelters will not take used makeup items, in this case no concealers or foundations.
For more information:
for those in the Toronto Area donations are being accepted until
Monday, December 10, 2012
(images: beautyparler.ca)
December 04, 2012
Christmas on Oxford Street, London {Travel Tuesday}
I love seeing how other cities celebrate the Holiday Season! One way is to visit their main shopping strip, taking in all the jolly energy and watching the shoppers go by. Peering thru shop windows, enjoying the window displays, and all while enjoying a hot latte or cocoa. On my last trip to London, England I was off to Oxford Street per usual and took in the sights and fake snow? Yup, one section had fake snow spurting from the top of one of the department stores. Ah so festive!
discover new surroundings
window shopping is free!
have a jolly good-time
observe without having to watch the clock
Merry Christmas!
(images:beautyparler.ca)
December 03, 2012
a sparkly Holiday Season {Holidays 2012}
Not one to wear too much sparkle... I love when sparkle is used in just the right way! Not too much over kill but just one piece.
Source: fuckyeahrunwayhair.tumblr.com via Monica @BeautyParler on Pinterest
Too much, just right, or not enough sparkle?
December 02, 2012
Christmas tree is up...{Holidays 2012}
Did you put up your Christmas tree?
This is the first year my husband and I had the chance to actually put up a tree. Although we were handed the keys to our new home a year ago we didn't actually move in till the New Year of 2012.
This year we opted for a real tree, mainly due to shortage of storage a real tree was a better option. I also love the smell of a tree...just smells like Christmas when you walk in the door.
We wanted a small tree..well 6 feet later we came home from IKEA with this!
If you buy a tree at IKEA for $20 you get a $20 gift certificate (must spend $75 or over).
So, now we had a bare tree. Decorating for the Holidays can get expensive...all my ornaments are from various stores but I must add that the nicest ones turned out to be from Dollarama (a Canadian branch of dollar stores). Amazing what only a few dollars will buy with a little imagination!
What colours did you choose this year for decoration?
December 01, 2012
24th Annual Contessa Awards
backstage
Last month the 24th Annual Contessa Awards were held in Toronto. The Contessa Awards recognize the best in Canada's beauty industry. They are an opportunity for beauty professionals to showcase their work among their peers. Hair, nail, and makeup professionals are encouraged to submit their best work and winners are chosen by a panel of industry experts. One category that I favor for obvious reasons is, Makeup Artist of the Year, which was awarded to Craig-Ryan French.
makeup artist: Craig-Ryan French
photographer: Doug McMillan
I had the chance to catch-up with two of the Contessa makeup artist finalists, Maria Li and Jakki Polyoka.A program manager for the Makeup Artistry Certifcate program at Mohawk College, freelance makeup artist Jakki Polyoka, answered a few questions.
Well, you have to start with a great team...mine included myself (makeup artist), a fabulous hairstylist (Natasha Ateah), an amazing photographer (Michael Simon Grybko) and three beautiful models...and we go from there! As for entering, Michael had the job to organize and follow all the specifications for the entry CD's and he did great!
How do you choose a theme for your entry?
We had guidelines from the Contessas, evening and avant-garde (my choice). I am constantly saving pictures of makeup I love, so I have a collection that I am inspired by. Then based on the model, I choose the appropriate look to suit that face.
Favourite makeup products?
I have a variety of favourite products from assorted companies. If I had to choose just one, I think the Camouflage by Caryl Baker Visage is one product that really makes my makeup application look flawless.
Plans for the future? Maybe enter the Contessa Awards again?
Oh I am already thinking of what I am going to do next year! I was honoured to be a finalist this year.
one of Jakki's entry
Freelance makeup artist, Maria Li studied makeup artistry at Complections International Academy of Makeup Artistry in Toronto. Maria answered a few questions!
What is the process like to enter the Contessa Awards?
Shooting and entering the Contessa Awards is a very organic thing that happened together with my photographer Babak. We often shoot for hair and fashion clients and we did some shoot where I had total creative control. I loved how they turned out so then I entered it to Contessa.
How do you choose a theme for your entry?
As an artist, makeup is one of my creative outlets. It's important for me not to be limited to the popular looks that we see everywhere. I am inspired from life, my travels, and art. So I always want to create looks that haven't been done before; or haven't been done right before. One of my looks for this year's entry is done delicately with rhinestones. It's been attempted by many before but I wanted to do it not in a cheesy way, but really do it right; fashion forward, classy and elegant.
Favourite makeup products?
There are so many great products and it wouldn't be fair to the others if I just listed one or two. I have to say that to use a good foundation and to make a clean canvas is really important.
Plans for the future? Maybe enter the Contessa Awards again?
Keep doing beautiful work, create new looks that people haven't seen, and just push the boundaries. Yes, I might come back and enter for Contessa again and the Naha too.
one of Maria Li's entry
Thank you to Jakki and Maria for their answers and hope to see their work again next year!A big congratulations to all the Contessa Award winners, to see a complete list of winners click here.
The Contessa Awards are produced by Salon Communications Inc., owner of Salon Magazine and Elevate Magazine.
backstage:
images: beautyparler.ca
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