Bye! Bye! Google reader {Blogging 101}

Goodbye Google reader and hello bloglovin'! Or follow me on any of my other social platforms, which ever you prefer to get the latest on beautyparler.ca! As of July 1st Google reader will cease to exist, until a new version is out BlogLovin' might just be the easiest to use. It's also very easy to import the blogs you're following now in Google reader to Bloglovin':
http://www.bloglovin.com/en/import

Here's more info on the shutdown:
Google Kills Reader, Helps RSS
How Will You Replace Google Reader?
5 Google Reader Alternatives

Which alternative will you be using?

Smooth & Sexy {Veet® Giveaway}

Are you ready for Summer? Ready, as in smooth skin. Veet has all the products you need to get you beach ready. Here's what one lucky reader will receive:

·         VEET Precision Wax and Care (for the face): $16.99

·         VEET Underarm Hair Removal Kit: $8.49

·         VEET Easy-Wax Electrical Roll on Kit (for legs and arms): $29.99

·         VEET Easy-Wax Electrical Roll on Kit refills for arms and legs: $27.98

·         VEET Hydro'Restor Hair Removal Cream (for arms and legs): $16.99

Total value: $100.44

Two recently launched Veet products are included in the package, Veet Precision Wax & Care
remove unwanted facial hair easily for up to 28 days. Veet Underarm Hair Removal Kit
no razor burn with this cream. Removes unwanted underarm hair as short as 0.3mm , enriched with aloe vera and vitamin E.
The Veet Easy Wax Electrical Roll-on kit is one of my faves from the package, it warms up the wax easily & mess free. Easy to apply, especially for your leg area.

When it comes to hair-free Summer skin there are no excuses with this prize package. ONE lucky winner will be chosen. Must be resident of Canada! Deadline is July 7, 2013. Goodluck!!
(product images may vary from actual giveaway)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Skincare regime: update

Due to my pregnancy my skincare regime changed slightly. I cut out salicylic and glycolic acids, basically keeping everything simple. Thankfully, my pregnancy has been great thus far but when it comes to skincare that's one area that quite a few mamas-to-be complain about. It's only natural as our bodies are changing!

Cleansers:

Morning-I either skip cleanser all together & just wash my face with water or I use Éminence Lemon Cleanser for a gently wash. Usually if the weather is humid I'll use the cleanser to wash away any oiliness. 

A creamy cleanser that won't strip skin.

Evening- My go-to cleanser for the last few months has been Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser, washes off all my makeup including mascara and doesn't leave my skin tight or dry. Inexpensive, effective, and gentle. What else does a cleanser really have to do? It works and will continue to use.

Scrub:

Not a traditional scrub we normally see in North America, the Konjac sponge has been used for centuries in Japan. A vegetable fiber, this sponge effectively and gently exfoliates your skin. A follow up review will be posted in future. My favourite is the Konjac Sponges from Saje. I've purchased the Green tea & Charcoal versions.

Toner:

I normally don't use a toner in my skincare regime but with the hot humid weather its a refreshing extra step. The L'Occitane Immortalle Brightening Face Mist is an alcohol-free toner that keeps my skin hydrated but refreshed. Can also be used after makeup to help set foundation.

Moisturizer:

 One of my favourite skincare brands, Vichy Aqua Thermal Night Spa is a refreshing creamy gel that is meant to be used as a night mask treatment. I use this morning and night, leaves skin hydrated and doesn't feel heavy on the skin. Great for oily to combination skin types.

And there you have it! A simple skincare regime that is perfect for the hot Summer months.

Do you change your skincare regime often? If yes, how many times a year. 

Beauty passport part 1: Travel Tuesday

The best part working as a flight attendant is of course the shopping. Better yet are finding beauty products not usually available in your home country. Obviously the internet has made shopping at a click of a key easier to buy products Worldwide, however, shipping can be expensive. Also, being able to smell and touch a product is part of the beauty shopping experience.

I have so many favourites that I couldn't include all of them in one post. Missing is Canada and the U.S, which I've intentionally omitted as I review those products the most. Other top beauty favourites are from France! Which in itself would contribute to a whole post. 

World Favourites:

Portugal-Couto tooth paste (can be found at fine food stores globally) but at a much higher price. 

Also, love the retro packaging!

Claus Porto soaps are not only fantastic smelling but the art deco packaging is so pretty! I'm a sucker for pretty packaging. Also, easily found at fine food and home decor stores.

U.K-Love This Works:Perfect Skin Miracle!! I have never seen this product outside the U.K. 

Collection Cosmetics (formerly Collection 2000), I have raved so many times about the Lasting Perfection concealer that my co-workers got hooked. Hoping that while on maternity leave one of them will bring me back a few! Inexpensive makeup line that carries a few hits but some misses too. 

Spain-Heno de Pravia, widely available in Spain.Love the scent of these body care products! Shoppers Drug Mart carried this line years ago but discontinued.

Japan-another country that carries wonderful hair and skincare products. My top faves are: Shiseido Tsubaki shampoos and conditioner.

Also, FANCL skincare products are amazing!

Brazil-in Brazil you can find the best haircare products for dry hair. Beauty supply stores are easily found which carry salon brands. Novex carries a bamboo deep hair conditioner that my hair absolutely adores!

O Boticario, sells great smelling perfumes, makeup and body care products. Also can be found in Portugal. My faves include the body moisturizers and sun protection line.

What are some of your favourite beauty products only available elsewhere?

Prom makeup on a budget!

So your prom is this month? Still adding last minute touches to the dress and deciding on hair and makeup, step back and breathe. I could still remember the weeks leading up to my prom, more than 15 years ago (yikes). I actually went to a tanning bed (won't be doing that again), had acrylic nails and set up my hair appointment. The latter was a disaster! I hated my hair, my hair was short and dyed black (from having been a hair model a couple months earlier) there wasn't much I could do to my hair. But, the hairdresser was able to do an up-do that looked like a basket on my head...not a good look! Atleast my makeup would look great because I knew makeup!
And since you're already spending a small fortune save on makeup as there are great budget friendly options.

Mascara:

my favourites include-Rimmel Sexy Curves, Cover Girl Lash Blast &/or Annabelle Twist Push-Up Mascara

Brows:

Maybelline Define-a-Brow, hands down favourite affordable eye pencil 

tip-for pictures do pencil your brows in lightly, makes a difference in pictures

Bronzers:

Annabelle Perfect Bronze or Physician's Formula Bronzers are great options

Blush:

lots of affordable options, my faves-NYX blushes, Physician's Formula blushes

Lips:

NYX lipglosses, Annabelle Twist-Up lipstick pencils or Covergirl lipbalm pencils are great!

Face:

BB Creams-embrace your youthful skin (maybe you don't realize it now) keep your base natural. Cover Girl BB cream is awesome as is Marcelle BB Cream

Eyeshadows:

long lasting Maybelline Colour 24 hr Tattoo, splurge & get the Urban Decay Naked Palette and MAC is always a good bet for quality and shades!

Any Prom makeup disasters you'd like to share?

S.O.S travel kit: Travel Tuesdays

Travelling to a hotspot for a mini-getaway, you get to the destination to discover the airline lost your luggage.
Now what? Grab a few beauty essentials & go have fun, no need to stress.

S.O.S kit:

• lip balm-a good moisturizing lipbalm is what you'll need for lips parched from the sun & water. Loving Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia
• Lip Protection with SPF-protect your lips from the rays with a SPF lip product like Vichy 30 SPF Capital Soleil
• Coconut Oil-basically for the whole body. As hair conditioner, body oil, anywhere you need moisture after you've been in the sun.
• Facial Cleanser: a gentle facial cleanser that removes sunscreen & makeup but not your own essential facial oils. Currently loving Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Daily Cleanser!
• Face Powder: looking too oily! Top off any tinted moisturizer with a mineral foundation powder for a healthy looking glow. Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Powder easy to apply and looks natural.
• Duo bronzer & blush-skip having two separate products. Nars bronzer blush duo which comes with one of my old favourites Nars shades Laguna bronzer & blush Deep Throat.
• Mascara-adds drama to any face! Can't live without mascara I look tired without it. Marcelle Twist Push-Up Mascara....leave the lost luggage drama with the airline & do dramatic lashes instead.
• Tinted Moisturizer-skip foundations & let your skin breathe. Olay Total Effects Tone CC Moisturizer takes care of a bit of colour on face & any anti-aging needs.
• Body SPF-keep sun safe! Neutrogena Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray SPF 60 easy to apply & waterproof!

What would you choose as your travel s.o.s kit?

Stylish Maternity Wear

No need to look frumpy during your pregnancy!
Stylish affordable maternity wear is actually not that easy to find. In reality who wants to spend a fortune on clothing that will only be worn for a few months.
Use accessories you already own & pair them with basic tee's and maternity leggings.
Favourite tank top:
George maternity line from Walmart (super comfy & hides the bra straps)
Leggings:
Old Navy maternity leggings (comfy, non-restrictive)
Primark long blouses (picked up on a London layover) just go up one size
Accessories:
Michael Kors' watches dress up any outfit
shoes, I picked up a similar pair in Brazil on a layover at one of my favourite inexpensive shoe store called Dunes (also hadn't had a chance to get a pedicure so hiding the toes)
a belt worn above the waist is an easy option on any outfit

Of course you don't have to be pregnant to wear the above style!