A Mother's Day Wish List

Happy soon-to-be Mother's Day! Ok, most moms are run-down, tired, and maybe a tad crazy, but being a mommy has its perks. Nothing beats little hugs and kisses, cute scribbles that are supposed to be you, and hearing "I love you - you're the best mommy (no joke my son says this to me on a daily basis!), but we get to be pampered and spoiled with gifts for one whole day all for being an awesome mom! Really, moms should be recognized everyday but I'll take what I can get.

I really don't expect much on Mother's Day - a good brunch with my boys and letting me do nothing is good enough. But...who doesn't like gifts? This is my wish list and hopefully you can get some ideas for the special moms in your life! 

Revolution Organics All-Over Body Balm ($28 CAD): As you can see, I don't have any makeup on my wish list at the moment - I know shocking! But right now, I have pretty much everything I could ever want. The All-Over Body Balm from Revolution Organics has been on my "Want" list for a while especially since I got pregnant. I was pleasantly surprised to receive it recently and it couldn't have come at a better time! My skin has been especially dry on my face and my belly has been getting the itchies due to this growing baby. I love that this comes in a portable stick - I throw it in my purse and I'm prepared for an itch attack anytime of the day. You can rub it straight out of the tube on anything from your head to your toes, that needs instant moisture. I love it and when we're out, I use it on my son who has eczema. It's all-natural and has a bunch of organic ingredients that help repair and hydrate the skin. It's the perfect gift for any mom-to-be or moms-on-the-go!

Parisian Chic: A Style Guide By Ines De La Fressange ($34 CAD): The idea of having a Kobo crossed my mind, but the truth is I love keeping original books. I found out about this book from Stephanie of BlushPretty and I knew I had to have it. I love little books like this especially since I have a love affair with anything Parisian (weird since I haven't even traveled there yet - insert sad face). If you've always wondered about the mystic behind Parisian women's effortless beauty, model Ines De La Fressange shares the well-kept secrets of fashion, decor, beauty and much more! You will love the photography and her charming sketches. Who doesn't love receiving books? Top it off with TIME to actually read it and this gift is golden!

Valentino Cat-Eye Tortoise Sunglasses ($250 USD): I did makeup for an event at my best friend's optical the other day and absolutely fell in love with these shades! Cat-eye shaped sunglasses may not seem like a classic shape, but this one really works for the roundness of my face. I especially loved the little "v" cut-out detail on the sides of the glasses. Besides eye cream, a pair of good shades will keep your eyes protected from the sun this summer and keep wrinkles at bay!

Maxi Dresses: I found this one on Motherhood Maternity, but it's not necessarily the one I want. I figure with the hot summer and my prego belly, a maxi dress will look stylish, be easy to throw on, and most importantly keep me cool. I really dislike a lot of maternity clothes, so I will be shopping around and will most likely buy regular clothes in Large. I seriously need to stock up on dresses asap! What mom doesn't like a shopping spree? A sure winner!

What are your must-get items for the special moms in your life? For all the moms out there, what's on your 'want' list?

Revolution Organics All-Over Body Balm was sent for editorial consideration and I truly love it.

Mommy Corner: Dotmine Day Planners Are PTPA Approved!

I'll be the first to admit that my organizational skills are somewhat lacking which explains my sporadic blog posts. Back in the day I used to have several journals, agendas, note pads all in different styles to keep track of my life and just because I loved pretty journals. Then technology took over my life and my pretty journals slowly disappeared. As much as I rely on email and electronic calendars, nothing beats writing down a to-do list and checking it off.

I recently received a Dotmine Day Planner and it's fantastic. You can choose from a variety of chic designs that suit your lifestyle. I chose the Life.Time.Mine in Tiffany blue. I love pretty and clever packaging and this planner delivers on both. The outside cover is leather and is bound with an elastic ribbon to keep your agenda in tact. It has everything you need to keep your personal, professional, and family life organized. My favourite feature is that it goes up to 17 months rather than the usual 12 month planner. For $19 USD, the extra 5 months makes it all worth it.

My planner doesn't start until September but I already feel my life coming together! Wedding season can get crazy with multiple appointments sometimes on the same day and with TIFF around the corner I'll need all the help I can get staying on track! The pages allow for enough room so I can write down all the info I need for that specific appointment. Now that my son is starting Kindergarten this September I'll be able to stay on top  of all his fun school activities! A minor downside is the size. It offers a lot of writing space but is not convenient to carry around if you use a smaller bag. It'll fit perfectly into a cute tote though!

To view more PTPA Media Fall Campaign Winners, click here. Do you have this agenda? Love it? Hate it? Want it?

www.ptpamedia.com

Product was sent for editorial consideration.

Mommy Corner: PTPA Media Summer 2010 Winners Announced!

If you're a mommy and you read my blog then you'll want to check out PTPA Media Summer 2010 award-winning products! PTPA Media, founded by Sharon Vinderine, was created to help parents make informed decisions when purchasing products for their family. At PTPA Media, products are tested and evaluated by thousands of parents all across North America and the ones that work are awarded our PTPA stamp of approval.

To view the newest Parent Tested Parent Approved summer winners click here!

www.ptpamedia.com

Last Minute Mother's Day Deals!

Mother's Day is just around the corner! Have you found the perfect gift yet? If you haven't, there's still some last minute deals for you to take advantage of! Misikko.com, online beauty destination, is having a Mother's Day sale featuring top brands such as Freeze 24/7, Murad, and hair care from T3, Elchim, and FHI! Not sure if Mother would approve? Misikko has some cute gift certificates that are a sure thing! To show their appreciation, Misikko is giving a free gift of chic bamboo earrings to everything in the sale! Hurry before it's too late! We wouldn't want to disappoint Mom, right?

For more information on Misikko products click here.

Mother's Day Gift Ideas!

What do you get for the woman that has everything? From experience, it seems beauty products never get old! For a few years my brother's and I would get my mother a new fragrance or bath and body products every year. And every year she would still glee with excitement because my mom is Mama Makeup Junkie! If you've been fretting over what to get the woman that let you try on her lipstick when you were four, that scolded you when you picked on your little brother, that read your diary during high school, that paid your rent when you were broke, and that is the best grandmother to your kid(s), fret no more because you're bound to find some wonderful gifts for the woman that has everything!

How utterly gorgeous is this bag accessory from YSL ($56 USD)? It's like a jewelry piece and cosmetics, two of my favourite things, in one! This bag accessory can customize a bag or belt includes a solid perfume and fuchsia pearly lip gloss. Perfect for that glamorous mom-on-the-go!
For more luxurious gift ideas visit YSLBeauty.

You can give your mother breakfast in bed without lifting a finger thanks to Philosophy's yummy 3 in-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel, and Bubble Bath trio ($30 USD) in Cafe Au Lait, Fresh Cream, and Belgian Waffles. Mmm... I am a huge fan of any of Philosophy's shower gels because they come in such mouth-watering scents! Your mom will love the idea of having breakfast in bed anytime she'd like!

For more beautiful gift ideas visit Sephora.com

For the mother that can't decide on what lip colour to wear or loves to mix and blend, Bobbi Brown's limited edition Lip Gloss Palette is a staple of gorgeous shimmery neutrals. Bobbi Brown is known for creating beautiful convenient palettes. She takes the guess work out of matching the right colours together. This is one palette you just can't go wrong with!

For more gift ideas visit BobbiBrownCosmetics.com

Oh Chanel, why do you make me covet so? Chanel's Multi-Use Makeup Palette ($85 USD)is a mix of best-selling colours and exclusives, four eye shadows, four lip colours and one blush. This is for the mother who is a sophisticated, social butterfly. This palette will take her from day office to evening gala!

For more lovely gift ideas visit Chanel.com

For the earth-conscious mother The Body Shop is full of planet-friendly pampering treats! Pick up a Bag For Life bag and fill it up with any of The Body Shop's gift sets. A Bag For Life is only $5 and every time you buy one $2 from every bag sold goes to the Canadian Women's Foundation, an organization working to stop violence in the home. Buying this bag also saves the planet because you're refusing the use of plastic bags. This bag is made from Teddy Exports, The Body Shop's Community Trade supplier in southern India. I love gifts that just keep on giving!

For more planet-friendly gifts visit The Body Shop



Don't forget about TotalBeauty.com's Totally Green Sweepstakes! Prizes are being given away everyday so hurry be one of the lucky winners! Click here for contest details.

Know a busy mom-on-the-go? Hah! What mother isn't busy? Three Custom Color understands what products busy mom's need which is why the brand created the ultimate beauty survival kit called Mom-On-The-Go ($98.50)! The kit was inspired by co-founder, Trae Bodge, when she found out she was first expecting. The set is available in Cool and Warm and consists of an eye shadow, lip and cheek stain, bronzer, their best-seller Clarifier Pencil, Face Powder Brush, Clear Brow Gel, Refillable Trio with Mirror, and Double-ended Brush, and a Dante Beatrix Bebe Carry-all Envelope. Not sure if this is the right gift? If your mother is in the NY area get her a Gift Certificate for a One-On-One consultation ($85-$125 USD) at The Three Custom Color Specialists Color Studio! Her personal Color Specialist will provide application tips and expert color advice based on mom's personal needs and preference. If she's not in the area, give her the ultimate gift and fly her in!


Thinking a spa get-away is the ticket to her heart? Check out some sweet deals and spa ideas from Spa Beautifully by Ellen Mirza also of Lipstick, Powder, 'n, Paint!

As fabulous and covet-worthy as these gifts are, nothing beats hearing "I love you mom" followed by lots of hugs and kisses! Who am I kidding? Splurge for a gift please or make one from the heart! lol Happy shopping!

Beauty Review: Belli Skincare Is Mommy And Baby Approved!

Looking for gift ideas for Mother's Day? Belli Skincare is the perfect choice for mother's-to-be, new moms, and for the mother who deserves some serious pampering! A few posts ago, I posted a rave review of Belli's Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator. If you're not familiar with the skincare line, it is a line that was developed around expectant and new mothers. It is the only skin care line that is teratology screened meaning they screen ingredients and exclude any that are linked to birth defects or any other problems with pregnancy. The products are also allergy tested, free of synthetic dyes and paraben preservatives.

Just in time for sandal season! Belli Foot Relief Cream($18 USD) soothes aching, swollen feet and cramped calves. It is also aroma-therapeutic, anti-bacterial and ultra moisturizing. This is a wonderful lotion to use for a deep massage on the legs and feet. The peppermint, tea tree oil, and shea butter cools the skin and refreshes tired feet. Pregnant mothers will love this lotion especially in the last few months when your feet are swollen. Just kick up your feet and let the lotion do its work. The smell is not offending so don't worry about losing your lunch! I've been doing a lot of landscaping work in the backyard this week and at the end of the day this cream really relieves any aches and makes my skin feel fresh and soft. Recommended for anyone that is constantly on their feet.

I've been on the hunt for a LONG time for THE ultimate eye cream. A few posts ago I did a review on Clinique's All About Eyes that left me feeling underwhelmed. When I received Belli's Eye Brightening Cream ($28 USD) I was a little skeptical but hopeful. Here is what it promises:

"...revives and illuminates tired eyes. This advanced eye brightener hydrates delicate skin, lightens dark circles and minimizes the appearance of fine lines. Vitamin K enhances circulation and is shown in research to reduce the appearance of dark circles. Saccharomyces Cerevisia extract makes the area around the eye look restored, with a more uniform complexion. Rice and Soybean protein improve hydration and also aid in reducing dark circles and puffiness around the eyes."

I'm happy to report that I LOVE this eye cream! I didn't think it would be possible that I'd find one that actually does what it promises. I've noticed that my dark circles are a lot lighter than a month and a half ago. I've started using less concealer which is great because I'm almost out of my YSL Touche Eclat! :( The illuminating effect really perks up my eyes and my fine lines aren't as noticeable. The price is reasonable as well and worth it. It's a definite must for anyone that doesn't get enough sleep. :)

Hand sanitizer has saved me from a lot of sticky and yucky situations. The only thing about ones I've used in the past is they were always drying. Belli Moisturizing Hand Sanitizer ($6 USD) contains benzalkonium chloride - a non-drying, powerful antibacterial that kills 99% of germs on contact. It cleanses and moisturizers on-the-go. When you first apply it on the hands, it has a slightly tacky texture but it quickly disappears once it's rubbed in. The moisturizing factor is a major plus and my hands always feel soft after each use.

I wish I knew of Belli Skincare 2 years ago when I was pregnant! The products are reasonably priced and their screening process puts me at ease knowing I'm not putting anything harmful into my body. The great thing about this line is that you don't have to be pregnant or a mother to enjoy the line because it's really for anyone that wants to pamper themselves using safe products. Happy shopping!

For more information on Belli Skincare click here.

Beauty 101: Beauty Prep For Summer Part 1

Warm summer weather is all about shedding those heavy layers and showing a little skin. What you might find underneath those layers of clothes might be scary so it's time to get your skin prepped and ready! This season it's all about healthy, radiant beautiful looking skin. Here are some skin-saving, skin-smoothing products that will get you ready to bare all (or just some legs and arms)!

Slough away dry skin, fine lines and uneven texture with St. Ives' new Elements Microdermabrasion scrub. The mineral crystals in this scrub, combined with soothing cleansers reveal renewed soft skin. After my first facial at the spa, I learned that my skin really needed a microdermabrasion scrub. Not wanting to spend too much money, I was happy when I came across St. Ives newest Element collection at Walmart on sale! Within a few days I was able to see a noticeable difference! I haven't seen my skin look this great in a long time. The scrub is really gentle and doesn't leave my face all red after each use. My skin immediately looks brighter and has an all-over rosy glow. The texture of my skin feels unbelievably soft, pores are a lot smaller, and my fine lines, dark spots and raised bumps are slowly disappearing! A definite must for perfect looking skin. The better your skin looks, the less makeup you have to wear!


Don't forget sunscreen! Yes, it should be worn all year round but some of us (including me) forget. My skin is highly sensitive to sunscreens and M.A.C.'s Prep + Prime Face Protect SPF 50 seems to be the only one that doesn't make my skin break out into a itchy red rash. It absorbs fast into the skin and doesn't leave a greasy film. It can double as a primer but I prefer to wear a separate primer on top because I find my makeup slides off during the day without it. During warmer months, this is heavy enough to double as my moisturizer and sunscreen. Remember: sunscreen worn everyday keeps the wrinkles and sun damage away!


Get rid of winter's dry patches with a good scrub like Belli's Skin Smoothing Body Exfoliator to reveal healthy looking skin. If you haven't heard of Belli products before, it is a line that was developed around expectant and new mothers. It is the only skin care line that is teratology screened meaning they screen ingredients and exclude any that are linked to birth defects or any other problems with pregnancy. The products are also allergy tested, free of synthetic dyes and paraben preservatives. Not an expecting or new mother? You don't need to be. The scrub is good for you inside out - your skin is left feeling unbelievably soft and you're not putting anything harmful into your body. It features green tea, ginseng, and peppermint oil. I love the fresh light scent, perfect for those breezy summer days. *Tip: Exfoliate on dry legs prior to shaving or waxing to effectively get rid of dead skin cells. More reviews to come from this amazing line! For more information on Belli Skincare products click here.

Do you want to know the secret to celeb-worthy beautiful, youthful looking skin? It's Malibu Secret! Labeled the first anti-aging face cream designed for your body. "An innovative body cream designed to repair and replenish using a potent combination of botanicals, anti-oxidants, various butters, and a multitude of vitamins". The texture is like a creamy souffle and absorbs quickly into the skin without feeling greasy or oily. I love how it leaves a healthy sheen on my skin. I also love the scent - it reminds me of the beach like coconut suntan oil. Healthy, supple looking skin is always in so slather it on and don't be afraid to show some skin this season!

Fake 'n bake is out and will age you fast. Getting a natural, bronze glow all over is easier than ever these days. Over the years, I've been really happy with Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer because it really does tan your body within in a week. Now Jergens has come out with Natural Glow Express and results can be seen in one day and a full tan in just 3 days! The only thing I don't like about the original is the scent - smells so chemically. Other than that it works! Natural Glow also comes in face moisturizer with SPF 20 - don't leave your face out! The tan won't be natural if you have a pale face and bronze body! ;)

Now that your skin is all prepped, stay tuned for Part 2 for some must-have colours for Spring and Summer! Happy shopping!

Holiday Gift Ideas For Every Woman In Your Life!

There's a gift for every woman whether she is a busy mom, glam girl, or trendsetter. My gift ideas are some of the best products I've tried this year or from brands that I've loved for years. So, if you know of a friend, sister, aunt, mom, or grandmother that is a makeup junkie or is in some major need of a makeup update check out the list and check it twice there just might be the perfect gift!


1. Makeup Junkie: I'm not speaking about myself (well maybe a little) but for every woman that hoards makeup in every nook of their house! Makeup junkies love trying multiple products at a time so holiday collections are perfect! Some makeup collections I'm lusting after: Nars Night Series Mini Palette, Nars J. Mendel Lip Palette, Nars Dolce Vita Set, Benefit's Powder Pop!, Sephora's Supermodel Kit, and Stila's Face Contouring Trio.


2. Busy Mom: I call this the 'mommy essentials'. As a busy mom, I've been able to cut down my makeup application to half the time I used to (something my husband really appreciates!). Four easy things busy moms can do: even out skin tone where needed, open up the eyes, and add colour to lips and cheeks. Quick and easy and you still end up looking polished. I used to use a tinted moisturizer and it was great but then my skin started to change after I had my son. To give me more coverage without feeling heavy or cakey, I switched to Face Atelier's Ultra Foundations (LOVE! Don't forget about the 25% with Face Atelier until Dec. 31st! Enter discount code 'makeupjunkie'). Lack of sleep most of the time equals dark undereye circles. I love Smashbox's Photo Op Under Eye Brightner because it makes my under eye look luminous, diffuses fine lines and slightly conceals. Over top of it, I have to apply my YSL Touche Eclat Radiant Touch because it is the perfect undereye concealer (for me and I've tried so many!). I never leave the house without curling my lashes with my Shu Uemera eye lash curler (heard Billy B.'s is great for smaller eyes) and applying a couple coats of L'oreal Voluminous mascara. It just opens up the eyes and makes you look more awake. To brighten up the eye, I just add Nars' Duo Cream Shadow in Thebes, a silver and gold with shimmer, to the inner corner of the eyes and center of lid. For a little colour, double a bronzer like Benefit's Hoola as cheek colour and for an overall healthy glow. Swipe a gloss like Nars' Stolen Kisses on the lips - my favourite neutral gloss! The busy mom will think you are a life saver (or time saver). It's really a perfect collection for anyone on-the-go!


3. Glam Girl: Everyone has a glam look busy mom or not and I love to do it up every now and then. Whether you have a fetish for a smokey eye or feel sexy in a red pout, Pink Beauty Cosmetics is the perfect line for every glam girl! I just felt so pretty and girly using Pink Beauty! I'm lusting after Luscious Lip Sheer in Beatrice, a deep red and Lip Scintillate Lip Gloss in Fabulah, a rich shimmery red. Whatever your definition of glam is Pink Beauty will definitely have something for you.

Photo: Content in On Makeup Magazine!
4. The Makeup Artist: Makeup artists can be very particular about their makeup and tools. Your best bet is to just ask her what she wants but if you want to surprise her I can help you out! Some brands that makeup artist love and rave about are of course M.A.C., Make Up For Ever, Face Atelier, Billy B. Beauty (tools and brushes), Three Custom Color, MudShop, Nars, to name a few. There are so many pro makeup lines and a great resource for more pro brands is The Powder Group. Another great gift makeup artists love are magazine subscriptions and The Powder Group is launching On Makeup Magazine next February! I've been waiting for a magazine that was makeup artist related and all about makeup! The MudShop also has some really great books you can purchase for the working makeup artist or the makeup artist newbie!


5. Trendsetter: Trendsetters like to be ahead of the game and have a style all of their own. M.A.C. has always been one step ahead and is perfect for the woman that likes to stand out in a crowd. They have their amazing Holiday collections but for a trendsetter I'd get her something from the Metal X collection that will make her shine above the rest. Glitter eye liner and metallic cream to powder shadows - need I say more??


6. The Minimalist: Minimalists like no fuss multi-purpose products that they don't have to reapply during the day and don't care for a lot of makeup - just enough to look healthy and radiant. Perfect line for a minimalist is Benefit Cosmetics which is known for their quick and easy fixes. Popular items that I love: Benetint Pocket Pal, Rush Hour, Eyeliner Gilded, and Dandelion.

Photo: Organic Body Bar in Ocean Minerals
7. The Globally Conscious: You can still care about the environment and be self-indulgent thanks to Tashodi, a Canadian based bath and body line that is committed to producing products that are fairly traded, organic, all natural and green friendly! I received 100% Pure and Certified Fair Trade Lip and Cheek Tints in Full of Fairness Pink. It is meant to keep your lips moisturized with a bit of colour and tint your cheek to its natural hue. I prefer it more as a lip balm because it is very moisturizing and I like the sheer pink colour on the lips as well as the spearmint and peppermint flavour. Keeps my breath feeling fresh! I also got to try their Organic Body Bar in Ocean Minerals, an invigorating eucalyptus and lemon blend. I love how you can exfoliate with the Celtic sea salt and moisturize with the fair trade shea butter at the same time! And for the first time I soaked in the bath at my new house! I received their Pure Bath Soaks in Pure Lavender, a mix of pure lavender aroma and moisturizing benefits in their fair trade cocoa butter shavings. Truly a pampering experience! What's also cool about the Pure Bath Soaks is that it comes in a really nice jar that I can use for whatever my heart's desire! To top it off, the packaging and promotional material are made from plant fibers and are biodegradable and recyclable!


8. Bath and Body Connoisseur: I love having yummy smelling soft skin. I had the pleasure of trying Bobe (pronounced "beau-bee") products a few months ago and I use it every day! If you're looking for great quality products at affordable prices then Bobe is the perfect gift. I recommend anything from their line because they come in so many enticing flavours and scents! My favourite from the line is the Silken Cream body butter. And at $8 (CDN) for a 4.5 ounce jar you can't go wrong!

Hope the list will give you some holiday gift ideas and make your shopping experience stress-free! And as always don't forget to give back to the community or to your favourite charities! :) Happy shopping!

Make-up 101: Beauty Care During Pregnancy and Post-Pregnancy Part 2.

Now that you've gone through 24+ hours of labour (or 4 hours - damn you lucky ones!) and given birth to your precious little baby, you're exhausted, emotional, and thankful you and the baby made it out in one piece. During your pregnancy you were treated like a queen, never having to lift a finger, showered with compliments, and people never thought twice about you eating a whole pizza by yourself. Now your close friends and family members are pushing you to the side and fighting over who gets to hold the baby. The scenario may not be quite like that but that's what it feels like to you.

My first three months of motherhood was a roller coaster ride full of many ups but many downs as well. Some of you may have been lucky enough to not go through what is known as the post pardum "baby blues". About 85% of women experience some symptoms of "baby blues" like I did. There were a lot of days I didn't feel like showering let alone put make-up on to see people. It's a gross fact but it was true. I was exhausted every day and so irritable that any little thing would set me off. I would only leave the house when I absolutely needed to. Everything from cleaning my face to brushing my teeth took so much time and energy from me. I cried a few times because my old clothes still didn't fit and I was so sick of wearing maternity wear.

The great news is that you do start to feel like yourself again like I did when my baby was 3 months old. It was like I was in a trance and all of a sudden snapped out of it. I booked a hair wax mani/pedicure appointment, bought new clothes, new make-up, and new shoes right away. I wanted to be around people again. However, even at the 3 month mark I was still having to get up every 1.5-2 hours to feed him which didn't leave me much time for myself. Here are some tips that helped get me through those tired times:

1. Sleep when the baby sleeps - even if you have visitors over. They will understand you need to catch your sleep any way you can. By sleeping, you'll build up your energy to be able to continue a beauty routine and other important things like getting out of the house with the baby.

2. EAT and drink lots of fluids! I was always on a weird schedule and never ate at the proper times but eating is very important in helping sustain your energy. If you're breastfeeding, eating is also important not only for milk production but gives you the fuel you need to persevere through what can be a trying time for both baby and mother. Also, breastfeeding burns a lot of calories so you need to eat to balance it out. Even if an apple is all you can manage it's better than nothing. I was lucky enough to have my mother-in-law and mother bring or cook us food that we could freeze for later on. Eat foods that are quick and easy to prepare. Drink water or sugar free juices to keep your body and skin hydrated.

3. Always start your day with a shower or try to fit it in there somewhere. I cherished my showers because it was the only time I had to myself. It was soothing and calming. I always felt refreshed and energized after my showers. Yummy smelling body washes are great pick-me-ups.

4. Just because you've had the baby and your tummy is returning to normal size doesn't mean you can stop moisturizing. To help prevent or minimize your stretch marks you still need to moisturize. Since I was also breastfeeding, I was losing a lot of fluids so my skin was always dry. Moisturizing along with drinking fluids will help combat this problem.

5. It's understandable if you don't have the energy to put on make-up but it will make you feel better on the inside when you look great on the outside. Here is a 5-10 minute make-up routine that will get you ready before your baby's next feeding!
a. Even out your skin tone with a concealer or tinted moisturizer with an SPF.
b. Apply loose powder where needed.
c. Bronzer will give you a healthy glow. Apply where the sun naturally hits you: cheeks, nose, chin, and forehead.
d. For colour use 3 in 1 products that don't require a brush like Nars' The Multiple. You can use it as a shadow, blush and lip colour. If you're a neutral girl South Beach is a beautiful shimmering apricot that gives just enough colour without looking overdone. If you like a little colour try Maldives (pink champagne shimmer) or Riviera (sheer pink). There are other quick and easy products that don't require brushes like cream-to-powder-shadows, or cream-to-powder blushes, gel stains for lips and cheeks.
e. Curl lashes and apply mascara. It opens up your eyes and makes you look more awake even if you really aren't!
f. Swipe on some gloss or lip balm. I'm still addicted to tinted lip balms and creamy matte finishes or stains because they don't kiss off on my baby's face (and I kiss him about a million times a day!).

Voila you're done and looking damn good for someone that's just had a baby! Remember, taking of yourself will make you better at taking care of your baby. That was a hard lesson I had to force myself to learn. If the baby blues has caused you to lose touch with friends, family or your significant other make an effort to reconnect with them again. It will make you feel normal to engage in everyday conversations especially since all you can think about is the baby (and of course the baby should come first). Another important tip is to take at least an hour a day for yourself whether it be soaking in the tub, listening to music, watching tv, shopping, reading a good book or meeting up with a friend. And lastly, a happy mom makes for a happy baby!

Make-up 101: Beauty Care During Pregnancy and Post-Pregnancy

Above: This was me at 5/6 months prego. My assistant manager, Chrissy, who is an amazing artist, painted my belly for our Spring make-up launch.

This post is dedicated to all my yummy-mummies and yummy-mummies-to-be make-up junkies! Ever since the birth of my son, I've had several people close to me give birth or announce they will be expecting. As you can imagine, I'm so excited to have people my age that I am close to have babies especially since my husband and I were the first ones to become parents out of our circle of friends.

As a new-mom-to-be you'll find as you go farther into your pregnancy the amazing changes your body will go through. It's so exciting to see week after week your belly get rounder, and then a few more weeks you start to see your belly move, and after that you're belly will be so big you won't be able to see your feet! Not only does your belly change, but your hair and skin change too. Every woman that has had a child will tell you that their hair was in the most amazing condition it has ever been in. My hair was so shiny and so full that my co-workers started to ask every week if I was going to the salon. During pregnancy your hair stops shedding which is why it looks so full and lush and all the vitamins and good food you eat contribute to the healthy shine.

If only pregnancy could co-operate with the skin like it does with the hair. When women are hormonal (like when our monthly friend pays a visit) we breakout, so you can just imagine the bad breakouts pregnant women get especially during the first trimester. The good news is that when your body starts to adjust to all the new changes, your hormones start to calm down and those pesky pimples start to disappear. I was probably one of the luckier pregnant women that only had a few zits here and there.

A week goes by and your skin is looking a lot better but then you start to notice dark patches on your face. At first you think you're seeing wrong, but as the days go by the patches get darker and darker. This is known as the "mask of pregnancy" or the medical term "chloasma". It usually is more noticeable in darker skinned women. When I was pregnant my blemishes got darker, my nose and around my nose got darker, upper lip and forehead and even my beauty marks got darker. I also noticed that my armpits got darker so I was always self conscious when I wore tank tops and lifted my arms to apply make-up. My skin not only started looking different it also started feeling different. My belly was itchy all the time and this was because my skin was stretching to accommodate my big belly (people thought I was having twins!). To pregnant women everywhere here are some skin tips that helped me through my pregnancy:

1. Don't scratch your belly no matter how itchy it is (trust me I had to slap my own hand from scratching the hell out of it)! As soon as I would feel itchy, I would apply Palmers' Cocoa Butter Formula Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks. They have a variety of stretch mark creams and lotions to choose from which you can purchase from your local drugmart, maternity store, or Babies R' Us. I also carried The Body Shop's Cocoa Butter Body Stick in my purse (which they no longer carry! Boo!) which saved me from a lot of red scratch marks on my tummy. Palmers has a massage cream that comes in a convenient tube which can easily fit into your purse. Apply them religiously to prevent stretch marks.

2. Because your skin is more susceptible to skin damage during pregnancy, there is no better time than when you're pregnant to wear a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 30. I think everyone should wear SPF products daily anyways to prevent skin cancer. Apply it even if it isn't sunny because the UV rays can still penetrate your skin. Try an inexpensive drugstore brand like Neurtrogena's Healthy Defense SPF 30 Daily Moisturizer.

3. Even out your skin tone with a lightweight concealer with SPF if the discoloration is light or a creamier version with an SPF if your discolouration is dark. I found although my skin became darker in certain areas I was able to get away with using MAC's Select Moisturecover. It's lightweight and blends really nicely into the skin. It gave me enough coverage and matched my natural skin colour. If you need something heavier I would suggest MAC's Studio Finish Concealer Palette SPF 35 because you can mix and match to your specific needs. If you're skin tone is pretty much even (damn you!) use a tinted moisturizer with an SPF.

4. Remember that although you may feel like your body is not yours or your growing belly is giving you the "I'm too fat to fit my old clothes" blues, your curviness is sexy and beautiful! I was always told that I looked glowy and radiant (it really was sweat that was making me glow!). Pamper yourself at least once a week even if it's just putting your feet up on some pillows. Get your man/woman to massage your legs, back, arms, shoulders and feet (pretty much everywhere!) with the most luxurious body lotion you own. Doll yourself up every now and then (when you're not busy peeing or eating!) Take pictures of your belly as it grows so you can look back on your progress. Be proud of your belly - after all you are carrying the most precious cargo!

Stay tuned for the continuation of Post-Pregnancy Beauty Care in my next post! Pass this on to any of your girlfriends who are pregnant or are new moms! :)

Beauty Review: Beauty Products Resurrected

For the past few months I've been doing the same make-up look a). because I don't have time to try a new look everyday and b) because it's been working for me. I've been using Benefit's Rush Hour on my lips and cheeks and swiping Nars' Stolen Kisses gloss over top. I simply love both products and get compliments every time I wear them.


Over the weekend, I had a client come in to get her make-up done for her birthday and I used products on her that I hadn't used on myself in a long time. I almost forgot I had them! Yesterday it was so nice and sunny (finally!) out and I decided I wanted to give my make-up a little more colour and radiance. I applied my Benefit bronzer in Hoola
to my cheeks, forehead, nose and chin.




I then dabbed on Tarte's cheek stain in Tipsy on the apples of my cheeks. I forgot how much I loved the sheer coral-pink flush it gave me and the yummy apricot scent.








On my lips I decided I wanted a nice juicy colour so I swiped on Benefit's Benetint Pocket Pal tint and gloss and instead of using the clear gloss it comes with I applied M.A.C.'s Lipgelee in Dewy Jube. My lips looked a luscious cheery red.





On the eyes, I kept it simple using Nars' Cream Eyeshadow in Corfu as a base and applied M.A.C.'s limited edition Mineralize SkinFinish in Shimpagne on the center of the eye and in the inner corner. I also used it to highlight my cheekbones and under eye to give me a beautiful glow. I finished the look off with tons of mascara.

It was fun digging up old favourites and switching up my look for a change. It's almost like having something new again. Try going through your make-up kit and find products that you can revive and make new again!

Beauty Products for Moms-on-the-Go! (Part 3)

I forgot to add a cleanser as part of the list! By the end of the night I'm too exhausted to clean my face with a cleanser and water. My M.A.C. Wipes have come in handy on those late nights, early mornings, and when I'm in a rush. I also love to use these when I'm doing shoots because they're fast, easy, and can remove just about anything. They're also great for traveling. It's a cleanser, moisturizer, and toner in one. It has a nice rose water scent and leaves your skin with a fresh healthy glow. A definite must for moms-on-the-go or for anyone-on-the-go which is almost everyone!

Beauty Products for Moms-on-the-Go! (Part 2)

These are the products I recommend for quick and easy applications.

1. Face: A good moisturizer that gives you a radiant glow like M.A.C.'s Strobe Cream. You can mix with your normal moisturizer if you need more moisture or your favourite foundation for a nice sheer dewy effect. I also love to use this as a highlighter on the cheekbones. *Tip: For darker skin tones I recommend mixing a gold highlighter with your moisturizer.



2. A really good eye cream to calm down those bags and puffy eyes after a night of broken sleep (I am happy to say that my baby boy is finally sleeping through the night!). I've been using M.A.C.'s Fast Response Eye Cream, however, I'm thinking about trying some other new ones - if I can afford it! I really do love this product though. The caffeine in it helps reduce the puffiness and the silicone base acts as an optical illusion to hide fine lines and dark circles. *Tip: The eye area is very delicate. Apply using your ring finger as it uses the least amount of pressure.



3. Tinted Moisturizer with an SPF. I love anything that makes my skin look dewy and fresh. Lately I've been using Stila's Sheer Colour Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 and I'm lovin' it! It's easy to apply and I almost feel like I'm not wearing anything. I don't need a brush and apply it with my fingers like I would a normal moisturizer. It was also featured as Sephora's "Best Of 2006" so that should tell you something.



4. For those that need a bit more coverage or have dark under circles (me!) I would definitely recommend a concealer. A few months ago I was on the hunt for really good concealer and I have found two great ones. The one I've been using currently is M.A.C.'s Studio Finish Concealer Palette SPF 35. It's a heavy duty concealer that comes in Light, Medium, Dark, and Deep Dark. You just apply it with your ring finger. It covers everything from blemishes to tattoos and doesn't crack under the pressure. I never have to retouch it at the end of the day. What I love most, and I'm glad they finally came out with something like this, is that you have 3 colours that you can match to fit your needs. No one has one undertone to their skin. Your under eye can have more of a blue undertone while your skin has a pink undertone. And with an SPF of 35 you can't go wrong. *Tip: Applying the concealer with your ring finger warms it up making it blend easier onto the skin. If you don't like using your finger I recommend the #194 brush from M.A.C.


Face Atelier's Camouflage Duet is another favourite of mine. It has more of a medium to full coverage and has a nice satin finish with a luminous sheen which I love using under the eyes. For you make-up artists out there that don't know (but of course you do!), they have a great pro discount program and it's easy to sign up!



5. Women on the run rarely have the time or energy to put effort into their eyes. The easiest thing you can do to bring out the eyes is highlight the brow bone, inner corner, and center of the eye. It'll make you look fresh and awake. Right now I'm in love with Nars' line of cream shadows especially their newest duo edition in Thebes. One side is a sheer platinum shimmer and the other side is a sheer gold. You can mix them together or wear on their own. Just apply with your ring finger. It is a perfect choice for highlighting the eye. They come in many gorgeous colours and have a lot of pigment yet they glide on sheer. You can also layer them with a powder shadow for a punchier effect.


Some other good ones to try are M.A.C.'s Eye Paints (also finger friendly) in Stilife (icy peach frost), Untitled (pale mauvy-pink shimmer), or Base Light (pale gold shimmer). These suckers are water-resistant and crease proof.



6. A good eye lash curler to open those peepers up. Opening up the eyes will also help you look more alive. My all-time fave is Shu Uemera's. This is a staple in every make-up artist's kit. *Tip: To avoid an unnatural lift, curl your lashes 3 times starting at the base of the lash, then the middle, and if you have long enough lashes at the tip of the lash. This will help give a more natural lift.



7. An amazing mascara. Right now I am obsessed with finding the best mascara for my short-barely-there-stick-straight lashes (damn my Asian genes!). The only ones that give me the lift are waterproof formulas which I don't like to use on a daily basis. I have a few in mind that I will have to try out. I have a few from Maybelline that I have sitting around that I'm willing to give a second chance since I can't afford to buy more right now. However, the one I carry in my kit and is a great all-purpose mascara is Maybelline's iconic pink and green tube of Great Lash Mascara which is celebrating it's 35th anniversary! Congrats! The waterproof one works great on me but like I said in the above. *Tip: Start the mascara at the root of the lash. This will help lift the lash and prevent it from drooping. As you work your way up, wiggle the wand back and forth. Avoid the "wiggle" if you have naturally clumpy lashes.



8. A little bit of blush goes a long way. It not only makes you youthful and healthy but it gives pale tired skin a much needed flush of colour. Anything that is cream-to-powder, gel based, or a stain I love and absolutely recommend when you're on th go. Nowadays, there are so many great products that fit the bill and all of them are blendable with your fingers. I also love multi-purpose products. My favs right now for cream-to-powder is NARS The Multiple in South Beach for a warm peachy hue or Malibu a pinky-brown shade. They have a beautiful shimmer to them that gives your skin a radiant finish. They can be worn on the eyes, lips, and cheeks although I only use mine on my cheeks. Actually South Beach is great on the lips paired with a gloss.


Gel Stains: I love all the Tarte gel Stains. I love the yummy smells and the sheer dewy effect it gives the skin. They're easy to blend and stay put all day. My favourites are Flush (berry-red shade) and Tipsy (a coral peach shade with a touch of shimmer).



Stains: I love Benefit's Benetint Pocket Pal. It's a mini version of Benetint and it's so convenient you can bring it anywhere with you. It has a nice rosy pink hue to give your cheeks a healthy glow. On your lips, it gives a "I've been kissing for hours" look and comes with a clear gloss to help keep your lips moisturized and shiny. *Tip: For creams, stains, or gel blushes always apply only on the apples of the cheeks. They're meant to give you a natural flush. For powder blushes you can extend to the hairline. To find the apple of your cheek, smile!:)


9. The product I'm most addicted to are lip products. I've had to cut myself off from buying glosses because I have too many and I rarely wear them now. Now that I have a baby, I can't help but smother him with kisses. Sticky gloss on his cheek does not go over well with him or my hubby for that matter. On special occasions when I'm going out for drinks or some other event I will slick on the gloss. Other than that tinted lip balms have been my best friend. I'm obsessed with normal lip balms at the moment as well. That's a story for another time. My favourites right now are M.A.C.'s Tinted Lip Conditioners with SPF 15 in Petting Pink (soft pink) and Fuschia Fix (deeper pink). They are super moisturizing and have a yummy vanilla scent to them. The colour is just the perfect amount and goes on sheer. The packaging has also changed and is oh-so chic!

Well, that rounds out my list for now. Stay tuned for my update on finding a liquid bronzer!