Guys: How-To gift your woman Beauty Products

I always find that beauty products make great gifts, but people don't often gift them.  My husband rarely gets me makeup, unless I request it...but if I told him to guess, I'm sure he would have a pretty good idea of what to get.  So, guys....if you don't know anything about make-up (don't feel so bad, most men don't) there are many different ways to find out what your gal would love beauty-wise.  My suggestion would be: 

• Take note of the beauty products your gal currently uses daily.  
• See if anything is running low. 
• You can also discretely ask how she likes a certain product she is using...or ask what it's for. 
• Ask her what her favorite shades are if you're thinking of gifting lipstick.  
• Be creative, add a box of luxurious chocolates with your gift!  My suggestion would be Vosges luxury truffles. 

In the meanwhile, you can also just try something new & gift her either of these beauty items I've suggested below. Of course the Voges bon bons are a must and the candles, why not? Up your romance game with some delicious scents from DL & CO! Always my favorite!! 

  

epionce lytic sport tx

lancome

DL & CO candles 

the problem solver sculptor sponge

nars precision lip brush 

eve lom foundation brush

vosges chocolate bon bon 

may lindstrom the problem solver

 
-post by jen ramos

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BEAUTY: DIY LIPSTICK PALETTE

Hey everyone! Today, I wanted to share a little something I learned. 

During a photo shoot last year,  I noticed my make-up artist, Mayela Vazquez using a makeup palette with lots of colors for my lips. At first, I didn't know what to think. It looked like a painter's palette and a bit MESSY...Hmmm. I knew she did AWESOME work, so I wondered in silence where she got this palette from. 

When she was finished applying my lip color - I looked in the mirror & WOW! They looked fabulous & smooth! Perfection!  I somehow knew this palette (& her skills) had something to do with this. I asked her where she got the palette from...& this is what I learned from her.

After she told me, I decided to DIY this. So, if you want smooth, neat, long-lasting color..... keep reading.

• Buy an empty make-up palette.  I bought the 35 well-pro lipstick palette from The Tanning Store.  It has 35 deep compartments, 14 large & 21 medium. This particular palette also includes a white center divider attached with a long hinge. The brand is by MITSUYOSHI. 
• Purchase several of your favorite lipstick shades. I haven't filled up the palette yet, but I plan to. Right now I have about (12) of my favorite shades. From brands like Nars, Yves Saint Laurent, Burberry, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Givenchy & more. 
• Once you purchase all the lip color,  add one color at a time by slicing the lipstick into rounds. It's easier this way, trust me. Maybe cut 2-3 rounds at a time into the palette compartment of your choice. The reason for starting off with 2-3 slices of lipstick color is because it is easier to mash the lipstick into the compartment with fewer rounds.  You can use any flat or rounded object to mash the lip color.  This part can get messy if you rush it. So, be patient & make sure your mashing object isn't too large.. 
• Continue down the lipstick & cut 2-3 more slices off.  Repeat the mashing into the palette. Once a lip color is done, feel free to move onto the next lipstick shade. 
• Once you have all your colors in the palette - it should look somewhat like mine - you can start testing it out on your lips. 
• For trying the shades -  I recommend using a lip brush like the Sephora Pro Lip Brush #81 or the Make Up Forever #302 Precision brush.  Folks, using a brush to add color to your lips makes a HUGE difference!!  For one, the lipstick appears to look neater & your lips look more defined. Also, the color seeps into the lines in your lips & that allows the color to remain on your lips longer!!  Trust me, once you try this -  you will not turn back. 
• A benefit of using a make-up palette for lipstick color is that it allows you to mix & match colors.  I've found that having all my shades available to me (at the same time) makes it easier to blend the perfect color for my lips!
• Another item I added to my palette was lip gloss. I love Tickled Pink by Lancome it adds the perfect finishing touch to my lipstick!

-post & images by jen ramos

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Beauty: Holiday Gift Guide

Hope everyone is enjoying this Holiday Season! Monica here from Beauty Parler. If you're like me I tend to wait last minute to buy gifts. But, I seriously need to change that habit as most beauty gifts sell out quick. For any beauty aficionado this is the season to do some serious shopping and I mean for yourself too. Stock up on your favourite makeup products because it's the best time to find deals and kits that aren't normally offered throughout the year.

For example, the Charlotte Tilbury 'The Bombshell' Set is almost a complete full-face set minus a foundation at an exceptional value versus buying the items separately. Items like makeup brushes are another great add to your wish-list. Sigma Brushes (as pictured) are a great gift for a teen or young adult who is looking to start a makeup kit without breaking the bank.

Can't forget those work parties and Secret Santa exchange. Co-workers love hand creams and lipbalms. Kiehl's is my go-to source in that department. Love the Kiehl's #1 Lip Balm, perfect for dry cracked Winter lips. For the lipstick lovers at the office or a great hostess gift, the Clinique 'Days of the Week' Matte lipstick set if a fabulous gift.

Am I the only one that likes to stock up on beauty products this time of year? Do tell. Happy Shopping!

-post by Monica

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BEAUTY: RED LIPS FOR FALL

Is it too early to think about Fall? Hi, Monica here from Beauty Parler.

My favourite season is around the corner and although many of you might not want to think about Fall it is coming. Fall brings us gorgeous hues of browns, oranges, and reds. The crispness of a cool night, stomping on leaves and drinking lattes. But, my favorite is the look of a red lip. I find that many either love a red lip or hate it. Primarily due to the fact that finding the right shade of red can be difficult. Honestly, I embraced the red lip in my early 30's.

I'd be jealous of my friends that wore a red lip because they always seemed; sophisticated, confident, and sexy. Of which I didn't have the confidence to wear in my 20's. Although I loved shades of deep pinks I couldn't find the right shade of red. I've narrowed down a few of my favorites. Admittedly, hands down my ultimate red lipstick is MAC Dubonnet.  A true classic that has been around since the 1990's.  Have a great weekend!

01 MAC Dubonnet //02 Maybelline Color Sensational Red Revival //03 NARS Fire Down Below //04 Mary Kay Red (Satin)

Do you love a Red Lip? Which are your favorite shades?

-post by monica darosa

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My August Wishlist 2

Hello everyone, hope you're enjoying your Tuesday so far. I've been thinking about my birthday wishes (and yes, on a SUPERFICIAL-level), because the things I truly desire cannot be bought...but since this is my blog, and I ENJOY fashion, we'll start there.

So, August is my birth month. On the 15th I'll be a year older & with that I am posting a few wish lists so that my husband can see some of the things I like.  A lot of times I have NO CLUE what to get him for his birthday either, I admit. So every year I put together a few wishlists on my blog to help him out. This is actually my 2nd list,  here is my 1st.

Maybe you'd like some of these too for your Birthday if you're a fellow Leo like me?

1/    agnes sandal by joie

2/  current elliot skinny jeans

3/   booties via the outnet

4/ givenchy le rouge lipstick corail signature

5/   black nike

6/   DVF dress

7/   stella mccartney lingerie

8/    cassina dress via joie

9/   green pumps via schutz

10/ elizabeth & james nirvana scent

-post by jen ramos

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beauty: How-to-fake it with bronzer

Hope you all are enjoying your Summer! Hi, Monica here from Beauty Parler. You don't need a lecture from a beauty blogger about the dangers of suntanning. By now most of you know that the best way to fake a tan is using a bronzer. However, finding the right bronzer might mean buying a few to find the right shade and finish. Here are a few staples of mine that are just the right shade of brown without looking too muddy or red. A few are meant for more shimmer while others are great as a contour powder.

Which bronzers are your favourites?

MAC Cosmetics Bronzing Powder //  MAKE UP FOREVER Pro Sculpting Duo // Physicians Formula Bronze Booster // Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Bronzer

-post by monica darosa  

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BEAUTY: SUMMER MAKEUP ROUTINE

Summer is finally here! Monica here from beautyparler with my Summer Routine. Adding a bright shade of lipstick and nail polish keeps the routine easy but adds a punch of color. Here are a few of my makeup favourites.

On days I don't want to wear a "full-face" I prefer a light weight base like a tinted moisturizer. Staying out of the sun rays means faking a tan, a golden bronzer brings out the glow. As for the eyes, I prefer not wearing any eyeshadow and keeping it simple with a black mascara. Now, for color I love bright pink lips and nails. Reminds me of watermelon on a hot Summer day!

base: Clinique Moisture Surge C.C Cream // bronzer: Make Up Forever Pro Bronze Fusion // eyes: Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Mascara // lips: Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids Lipstick // nails: Essie Nail Polish 

-Monica Da Rosa from Beautyparler.ca

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BEAUTY: SUMMER FOUNDATIONS

Hi Everyone! Monica here from beauty parler.  Hope you're all embracing the nicer weather. Although the weather has it's dips in temperature this time of year the hot sticky Summer days are coming! Which means sweaty makeup which can look caked on. Well, that's a definite no and can all be avoided by switching out your foundation to a more Summer friendly one.

On hot sweaty days, the last thing I want to do is wear any makeup. But on days that I head out to work or attend beauty events, I like to wear a little makeup. Makes me feel more polished and put together. Anyone else feel like that too? Here are three of my Summer must-have foundations.

1/NARS All-Day Luminous Weightless Foundation | 2/MAC Face & Body Foundation | 3/Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid Touch Foundation

In general, all three of these are similar in texture. Light-weight, watery, and build-able coverage. With formulas so watery those with drier skin types will find that they'll need to apply a good moisturized base or can emphasis dry patches. These formulas work wonderfully for those with oily to combination skin types. The NARS All-Day Luminous Weightless Foundation and the Maybelline Dream Wonder Fluid Touch Foundation are a semi-matte to matte finish. Whereas, MAC Face & Body Foundation has a dewier finish and those with drier skin types will like this foundation better than the other two.
In terms of application because these are so watery they are best applied with your fingers or foundation brush. I'd suggest not using a beauty sponge as it would just absorb too much product.

I hope I helped you start your Summer makeup routine. Share your favourite Summer makeup?


-post by monica

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