Bloggers Beauty Secrets: Ella Pretty

The best beauty secrets are from those that love to blog about it, so for the next few weeks I will be featuring bloggers beauty regimes and their secrets. First up, Ella from Ella Pretty. A beauty blogger with a love for shopping; her blog features outfits of the day, hauls, and her love for designer bags.

age: 34

skin type: normal with clogged pores

skin concerns: acne

skincare regime: 

Morning Cleanser-Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser 

Evening Cleanser-Clean & Clear Makeup Dissolving Foaming Cleanser

Moisturizer-Neutrogena Oil-Free Moisturizer

Treatment-Tactuo Gel (a.k.a Epiduo) a prescription acne medication

Ella uses a hot cloth to wash off cleansers in the AM and PM to help unclog pores.

beauty secrets and tips:

-mix baking soda into a paste with either water or cetaphil for a powerful exfoliant (do this around 1/wk)
-layer powder blush over cream blush for color that lasts all day ( never have to reapply blush)
-not really a lipstick or lipstain person - Ella ALWAYS fills in lips with lipliner & top with gloss. She has very pigmented lips and it's the only way she can get color to show up on her lips - an added benefit is this lasts all day.

Thank you Ella for sharing your regime and tips with my readers!

Share your beauty secrets in the comment section?

Best in Skincare: 2012

And the winners in skincare products for 2012 are...I haven't included a cleanser as there were quite a few favourites.

best in skincare 2012 by beautyparler featuring beauty products

La Roche Posay Toleraine Ultra
A fantastic moisturizer; simple, hydrating but not oily, basic moisturizer that can be used in combination with other products such as serums or medicated skin treatments without the fear of harming your skin. Provides the right amount of soothing properties!

LUSH Eau Roma Water
Another no frills skincare product that won't irritate your skin. I'm not a toner kinda gal in all honesty but I do love a spritz when travelling in dry conditions and refreshing in the hot Summer months.

SkinCeuticals | Blemish + Age Defense
Being a big fan in general of Skinceutical products this one gets an A+. A product formulated for adult acne and aging! As I still get congested skin & blackheads in the t-zone area this is perfect for eliminated clogged pores and as a mid-30 year old perfect for those first signs of aging.

Vichy Aqualia Antiox Cream
This is my go-to moisturizer for travel, a little richer than I'd normally use for at-home but since I get dry due to my job as a flight attendant this is perfect for travel. Also, great for the dry Canadian weather.

SkinCeuticals 0.5% retinol
A late arrival in 2012; retinol is a must for those in their 30's+.  In the past I've used prescription Differin however this is a great retinol for beginners as no prescription needed. Start with the 0.5% & work your way up, however, it takes a few months to see any results. Which include, smoother skin, less congestion, and plump skin. More info

What were your favourite skincare products of 2012?

Bloggers: Spill your beauty secrets

I want to know your beauty secrets!

Looking for bloggers to disclose their beauty secrets, you don't have to be a beauty blogger just a blogger!

You must post atleast 3x a week

Let me know what are your favourite skincare and beauty products,

perhaps secret homemade concoctions (well that won't be so secret anymore).

If selected I will feature you in a post on beautyparler.ca

email:

Monica

beauty.parler@yahoo.com

in the subject: spill your beauty secrets

P.S-men can participate too!

(image: photobucket.com, text: beautyparler.ca)

Best in Body Care: 2012

In terms of bodycare products 2012 proved to be a simple year. In general K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Sister). I am not into body products such as; sunless-tanners, body shimmers, or body spray deodorants. I haven't included sunscreens as there are a vast array of great body sunscreens in the market that I like. Here are simple bodycare products that deliver!

best in bodycare:2012 by beautyparler featuring body cleansers

PreTAN Gentle Body Shower Gel
This product is targeted for those that like to use sunless tanning products but as mentioned I don't use sunless tanning products. However, on its own this is the best smelling shower gel! Refreshing, long lasting and a little product suds along way. Available on The Shopping Channel!

LUSH Ocean Salt Scrub
An old favourite for a reason; works well and especially in Summer great for bacne. I use this year round! Always a tub in the bathtub.

Johnson's Baby Oil with Aloe Vera Vitamin E
This version doesn't have that baby powder scent which I prefer. I have to admit my husband got me into this. He uses this right after his shower & I do too now. While skin is still damp leaves skin hydrated & layer with another favourite scented moisturizer if need be.

La Roche Posay Lipikar Lait
In general I'm a big fan of La Roche Posay products; simple products that work. Wear this on its on or over the baby oil (above) for added moisture in Winter. However, the latter is for those with very dry skin. This product on its own works wonders. Great for the whole family.

What were your favourite bodycare products of 2012?

Knock! Knock! {Travel Lounge}

In your travels do you ever wonder who lives behind closed doors? The stories, the past lives, the present, and why that particular door was chosen to be their entry or exit. I am a curious traveler by nature, in some respects we all are. We choose specific locations out of curiosity; for the history, culture, society. My favourite pictures to snap of during my travels are of doors. We all have that one image we love to snap...

Cartagena, Colombia

door knocker in Cartagena, Colombia

at a château outside of Paris, France

Ponte de Lima, Portugal

Villa Praia de Âncora, Portugal

What's your favourite subject/object to photograph on vacation?

Makeup Brush Holder {Beauty 101}

Nobody likes a messy makeup area! The easiest and tidiest way to organize your makeup brushes is to display them. Easy access and they stay clean, no need to throw them into the makeup drawer where they will only attract dirt. So after you clean your brushes, time to organize your makeup brushes.
This is an updated version of my D.I.Y Brush Holder post, in my old post I used pebbles but I prefer the tiny beads I used in this project. You can also use beans, coffee beans, or sand. Get creative and use coloured beads and/or vintage coloured vases.

All items purchased from Dollarama, a dollar store chain in Canada. Items range from $1+;

 

• beads $2 per bag (these are my favourite beads)
• vases range from $1.50+
• Makeup brushes (invest in quality makeup brushes)

 However, I have seen the E.L.F brand at Dollarama so if you just want a few inexpensive makeup brushes you can always start from there. Also, check out the local arts crafts store as a few of my eye makeup brushes are from Michael's Crafts.

How do you store your makeup brushes?

Clean your Makeup Brushes {beauty 101}

It's so important to keep your makeup brushes clean! Dirt, bacteria, and grime live in your bristles and your skin is a canvas for all that gunk. My philosophy on beauty is K.I.S.S (keep it simple sister), basically dirty brushes means dirty face. It is so simple to wash your makeup brushes, basically 3 easy steps. Aim for atleast once a week; foundation brushes or cream blush brushes more often. The optimal is to wash them at night so they are dry by morning. Grab your brushes and fragrance-free baby shampoo (any gentle shampoo or brush cleanser will do) and lets get to it:

tips:
- don't use hot water as you don't want the bristles to unglue or dislodge at base
-don't soak in bowl either as bristles could again unglue or dislodge at base

How often do you wash your makeup brushes? Do you use a different technique?

Best in Haircare: 2012

best in haircare:2012 by beautyparler featuring a hair shampoo

Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
Not easy to find in Canada but widely available in the U.S.
Review posted here.

DermOrganic Leave-In Treatment with argan oil
I see this stuff at Winners & Homesense all the time at a great price.
Review posted here.
Note= not 100% argan oil, there are fillers such as silicones in it.

Mixed Chicks Gloss & Shining Hair Silk
A light weight gloss that doesn't way hair down. Applied wet holds soft waves or apply after blow dry to smooth straight hair. Smells great too!

Novex Bamboo Sprout Hair Care Treatment Cream
One of my travel buys from Brazil. There are many professional salon brand hair stores around Sao Paulo, Brazil and of course I love to browse. Found this brand by chance & was intrigued so bought the bamboo version (many different formulas). It's a deep moisturizing hair conditioner/mask, can be used as a deep conditioning treatment once a week. Smells awesome!!

Sexy Hair Silky Conditioner For Thick/Coarse Hair
Available at most professional haircare stores. Recommended & used by my hairdresser Eva. She's converted most of her clients in using this deep hydrating conditioner, smells like bananas. Love this stuff!

L'Oreal Inoa Color Care sulfate-free shampoo
Received this in a swag bag from the Contessa Hairdresser Awards, glad I did because I probable wouldn't have found this. Awesome sulfate-free shampoo that is moisturizing and leaves hair clean. Highly recommend it & available at salons & professional haircare stores.

When it comes to styling my hair I have to be the laziest beauty blogger. I have thick, coarse, hair that is dry and most of the time in a ponytail. As recommended by my hairdresser Eva, I switched to sulfate-free shampoos in hopes of managing my hair better. The result, I forced myself to style my hair more often and wear it either naturally wavy or blow dried straight.
Read all about sulfate-free here...an interview with hairdresser Eva Therese on why you should switch to sulfate-free.

What were your favourite haircare products from 2012?

Promote your Blog {blogging 101}

You're at a party, blogging event, or any other function and most don't know you blog. Well, how do you get the conversation started? It's all about networking so the easiest is to promote your blog with an easy subtle method. Customize a cell phone case! Most of my co-workers don't know I blog, even after five years! Really it's not a conversation starter, "Hi I blog", is not the first sentence to come to mind. However, everyone is attached to their mobile phones and having your blog name on a case is a great way to introduce your hobby to strangers. Another reason is for bloggers, in particular at events; I have the worst memory attaching  faces to blog names and having a personalized case is another way not to be embarrassed you can't remember that blogger who you've had countless twitter tweets with. 

I use Zazzle for my blog cards and am signed up for discount codes, recently there was a code for cell phone cases and I couldn't resist creating my own. There are many designs and colour combos to work with and you can download your own image too. Cute, right?

What methods do you use to promote your blog?

V&A: Hollywood Costume {Travel Tuesday}

If you have the opportunity to travel to London this month you still have time to visit the Hollywood Costume Exhibition at the V&A Museum. The Hollywood Costume  exhibit features more than 100 costumes from the most popular films in history.

• The Wizard of Oz, 1939, MGM/The Kobal Collection
• ©V&A images
• On a chilly Friday evening in December I took the #74 bus which literally dropped me off in front of the V&A Museum. On Fridays the museum is open late till 10 pm and free except for special exhibits like the Hollywood Costume. Arrive early, especially for the month of January as the exhibit ends on the 27th. With time to spare and a hungry belly off to the museum's cafe...

©V&A images

A gorgeous elaborate cafe is divided by three separate rooms, I sat in the above...these rooms were the first ever restaurants in a museum.

a yummy pot-pie for one

The Hollywood Costume exhibit is busy so arrive early and be patient as most of the costumes have written references which are a must-read for a background on: costume design, casting, character development, historical importance, etc...I was most excited to see the costumes from the Wizard of Oz!

©V&A images

The famous ruby slippers...did you know originally they were meant to be silver however were changed to ruby red so they would stand out.
I am always amazed how tiny actresses are; most of the actresses' costumes were petite and short in frame. And their waists! The green curtain dress from Gone With the Wind worn by Vivien Leigh was so tiny.

©V&A images

©V&A images

The Hollywood Costume Exhibition runs till January 27, 2013
for more information:
visit V&A

Do travel specifically to visit special exhibitions?

©V&A images:  used with permission, no further use of above images is permitted without consent from V&A
Sponsor: Harry Winston

Best in Beauty: 2012

best in Beauty: 2012 by beautyparler featuring almay cosmetics

It was a hard decision but a beauty blogger has to do it: pick her beauty favourites of the year! This year I am separating categories, so wait for best in Skincare, Bodycare, and Haircare. After testing out countless beauty products the decision to narrow down is not the easiest. Of course as is with all my reviews the above products work for me, depending on skintype and the makeup finish you want outcomes will vary. Hope that you can find my picks helpful in making smart shopping decisions.

Base:
Lately I've been steering away from heavier foundation coverage. I believe the older you get the less you wear in general and looking back I would tell my 20 year old self to enjoy your skin and wear less foundation. Being a big fan of tinted moisturizer and BB Creams my favourites are:

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation-a lightweight tinted moisturizer that provides a sheer coverage. This is a repeat purchase (which is rare for a beauty blogger). Feels fantastic on...like nothing at all.

Marcelle BB Cream-this is the first North American BB Cream that is closest in formula to the original Korean BB Creams. Provides a light coverage, creamy but not thick.

Almay Clear Complexion Foundation- on a recommendation of a co-worker I picked up this drug-store foundation. I don't normally browse the Almay stand as I don't find their display appealing. Fantastic finish! A light to medium coverage foundation that contains Salicylic Acid which helps keep pores gunk-free. Will be browsing Almay more often.

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer- I have raved about this under-eye concealer all of 2012. Purchased at SuperDrug in London more than once now. Discovered this concealer after hearing rave reviews by several beauty gurus on youtube.

Mary Kay Nail Lacquers-nailpolish is the least reviewed item on my blog. Not for lack of interest. Due to my job I hate wearing nailpolish as easily chips from working in the galley of the aircraft therefore I don't bother. But on my days off I love the quality of Mary Kay's nail lacquers.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balms-Love these lip pencils in any colour. Practical and easy to apply! Hydrating and sheer coverage perfect for daily use.

Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara-Love! Thick lush long lashes...I've repurchased this mascara atleast 4x already. Shall I write more...

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Lip Protectant Gloss- Being a fan of the original EA 8 Hr Cream I love the practicability of the lip gloss packaging. Moisturizing, slight glossy finish and can be worn in combination with any other lip product.

What were your favourite beauty products of 2012?

a New Year a New Start? K.I.S.S

Every year countless resolutions are made but are they kept by year end? No...reason why I normally don't make any. Perhaps we don't keep our resolutions because we haven't met our bargain of the deal by mid-year and give up, or perhaps the resolutions were too far fetched. So this year I am keeping with my motto:

KISS by beautyparler on Polyvore

By keeping your resolutions simple they become attainable, baby steps. For me its as simple as living a healthier lifestyle. Due to my job as a Flight Attendant it's not always easy to eat properly and eat regularly due to time zones. However, planning food options ahead of time and eating properly on my days off will be my new focus. Remembering to take my vitamins and Omega 3's, in the past I was consistent for a few weeks than off the vitamin wagon. Also, juicing, making nutritious juices in the morning to start the day off right.  Another change will be to work out! Yikes, its been years...want to tighten up 'cause ladies you all know after a certain age things just don't hang like in your twenties. Tighten, firm, and lean muscle is what I want to achieve by year end.
And of course continue to blog, thankfully my five year old blog still serves as my creative outlet. Would love to explore new topics and grow.

Have you made any New Year's resolutions?

Best of 2012 travel {Travel Tuesday}

travel by beautyparler on Polyvore

Now boarding the most popular travel posts in 2012! Weather it be travel for work, leisure, or perhaps travel tips I got you covered. Here are the top 5 posts in travel:

1. U.K Beauty Buys: readers love to see & read what I buy but the U.K post got the most views! Close to 2000 hits.
2. Now Boarding...: how to travel & what to wear comfortably for a flight!
3. Now Boarding, Shoes: which shoes I find the most comfortable for work
4. Confessions of a Flight Attendant: how & why I started working as a flight attendant & why I started blogging
5. Skincare-on-the-Fly: my must-have travel essentials, constantly changing products but using the same routine.

Hope you enjoy my Travel Tuesday posts and let me know if there is a travel topic you would love me to cover. Also, which Travel Tuesday posts are your favourites!!