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ON SCENE: Blush Pretty Beauty Board

Posted on May 13, 2013March 16, 2014 by Elaine

As you may know the annual Blush Pretty Beauty board was held the previous weekend. This year I was full on involved with the planning and I’m in awe of Stephanie who has essentially put together all the previous beauty boards single handed-ly! I have been spreading the word about the Beauty Board since I first attended and this year Ashley decided to check it out. She was kind enough to share her thoughts on the Beauty Board on Toronto Beauty Reviews.

*****


When I heard Blush Pretty was hosting their annual ‘Beauty Board’, I must have been one of the first people to buy tickets! After hearing some of the wonderful things from previous guests, I knew this was going to be one of the best events of the year. 

Held at the swanky Loft 404, Stephanie and Elaine pulled out all the stops. The foods, the drinks, the venue and the vendors were all absolutely amazing. Read on to see my experience!



First up, one of my personal favourites, Dot & Lil, were in attendance! It’s always lovely to see Anne again! She brought along with her an arsenal of Spring treats – including fan favourites Sweet Pea Flower soap, Rice Flower perfume, and her infamous facial serum. I personally stocked up on Sweet Pea Flower soap, considering it’s a seasonal product, and I saw a lot of other people stocking up on their faves. 


What I always love about Anne’s displays are the fact that they are always so chic. Filled with dainty vintage pieces and porcelain cups, it’s always pure elegance. 


Lastly, I also purchased this Oatmeal Body Scrub bar. I have yet to try it, but knowing Dot & Lil’s reputation, it’s going to be flawless. 


I managed to rope Anne in for one photograph (just excuse the lovely photographer in the mirror)! Thanks Anne! 


Next, I stopped in at the Pelle Beauty booth. Pelle Beauty is a luxury, all natural, and vegan skincare line that promotes beautiful and radiant skin! Their products are loaded with plant based infusions and essential oils. Your skin soaks up this products like it’s parched! 


Look at that table! It was fully stocked with Pelle Beauty products from top to bottom. On the left, you’ll see Pelle Beauty’s ‘PelleInfusions’ Facial Concentrations – a serum that does not include fillers, water, preservatives or synthetics. This super high concentration formula blends into your skin and will prevent it from moisture loss. In the tiny jar, you’ll see Pelle Beauty’s Lip Balms – unsweetened and lightly scented, each batch is totally handmade! Rounding out the table are Pelle Beauty’s Cleansers and Facial Mists. (Editor’s note: Review of Pelle Beauty products here)

 


Lucky for us, they also had both testers and travel size kits on hand! If you were unwilling to commit to full size bottles, the travel size is definitely the way to go! 


Next up was Miyu Tea and Beauty. An up and coming brand set to release their line in Spring or Summer 2013, it’s a subtle mix of tea products that help aide in your beauty experience. This brand helps work your beauty complexion from the inside out. I even got a  beautiful smelling tea in my swag bag, and I don’t even like tea!


Their table was so pretty, and jam packed. I look forward to seeing their products out this season! 

 


Sweet Leaf Bath Co was a eye-catching table. Single-handedly the best part of this company, and the part that peaked my interest, was the fact that their products all come from Fair Trade materials. All products are handcrafted in small batches, and are 100% handmade. Infused with essential and natural oils, their range of products include soaps, lip balms, bath soaks, butters, and body scrubs. Yummy! (Editor’s note: Sweet Leaf lip balms reviewed here).

 


First thing I looked into were the soaps! They had half a dozen different scents to choose from, including Patchouli, Rosemary Mint, Citrus Splash, Cosmo, and Chocolate Peppermint. Chocolate Peppermint was good enough to eat!


Sweet Leaf Bath’s Body Scrubs were to die for – I really wanted to indulge myself in their body scrubs! The darker one is Java Bean Scrub, which is known to reduce cellulite. The lighter one is their Sweet Sugar Scrub, which is known to moisturize and condition your skin. The darker brown on the right is the Sweet Relief Brown Sugar Scrub, specifically for weathered feet. All smelled divine.

On the other side of the dish are Sweet Leaf Bath’s Shea Butters. Contained in a compostable jar (how green!), the Shea Butters are available in Sweet Mango, Shea and a Foot Butter. 


Next, they had an entire bowl of their Sweet Leaf Bath’s Lip Balms. Voted Canada’s Favourite Fairtrade Bath and Body Product, this balm is chalk full of moisturizing properties that will intensely hydrate your lips. Interesting fact – these tubes hold 30% more than regular drugstore tubes AND they’re eco-reasonable. 


Ella’s Botanicals are products that are 1oo% from nature. And, there is actually an Ella behind Ella’s Botanicals! A lovely lady, she explained her product line to me and I instantly fell in love. With a background in herbs and aromatherapy, this is a great avenue for Ella!


Look how pretty and bright her packaging is! Included in her line (and the photos above) are their infamous Magic Balm, Beauty Bars, Lotions, Shower Gel, Liquid Soaps, and Baby products. Neat note – her products are also gluten free!

The Magic Balms were one of my favourite products (the middle picture). Available in Lavender, Clementine and a Bottom’s Up Diaper formula, this handy little balm works on any and every problem! Lips, hands, chapped skin, burns and rashes – all handled with this go-to balm. 


It wasn’t all makeup and beauty products! Feather Band was also there, showcasing their extraordinary hair accessories. Sorry for the intense glare in the photos, they were directly behind a large open glass! 


I can’t believe the detailing in the headbands above. Everything was just so pretty. See the white one’s in the first picture? Perfect for a Spring wedding!

 

Another fave of mine – Kona Kare – were also in attendance. Flavoured lip balms that are all natural and 100% Canadian, I’ve been in love with the brand since I was introduced earlier this year.

 
 
 
 

Kona Kara has four balms available, and they are all so subtly divine, you’ll be stocking up! Available in French Vanilla, Chocolate Peppermint, Unscented and Peaches and Dreams, you’ll find a flavour that matches your personality. Personally, French Vanilla is good enough to eat. 

 
 
I’ve been chatting with creators Mikayla and Nadim for a couple months now, so it was so great to finally meet them in person. They are both lovely, sweet and amazing – everything I expected them to be! So glad they are having such amazing success. Please excuse my general unphotogenic-ness, but Mikayla is a natural beauty!
 
After checking out A Paper Story booth, I sincerely wish I could be that creative! 

 

 

Check out her amazing projects, ranging from Birthday cards, Mother Day’s cards, and Wedding Invitations  Her wedding invitations were downright gorgeous – I definitely have her in mind down the road!

 

 
 
 

I managed to rope Elaine in for one photograph with the lovely Regina! Again, glare from the windows! Thanks Regina for the photo (and to the lovely photo bomber)! (Editor’s note – “photo bomber is the amazing Samantha B!)

Did anyone else go? What a great experience, I recommend it to anyone. BIG thanks to both BlushPretty, Steph, Elaine, and all the amazing vendors who helped out. Looking forward to next year already!

 
 
 
NOTE: All photographs courtesy of Ashley McKernan

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How is this type of thing still happening, even in the age of AI? If a high-tech “smart tool” can’t properly recognize and accommodate diverse skin tones, then it needs further development and should not yet be released. End of story. 

Use your purchasing power to support brands that are inclusive in their product development, testing, promotion, AND corporate structure. Every action has impact. 

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