Beauty Secrets from All About the Pretty

We are so excited to feature our French speaking, beauty lovin’ friend, Julia, this week. She’s been a loyal supporter of Bag Snob and now Beauty Snob cuz she’s All About the Pretty! You are in for a real treat as Julia shares beauty secrets with us that her bestfriends may not even know about. Thanks, Julia, for participating and for being so pretty!

When did you start the blog and why?

I started my blog in March 2006, because I was inspired by another beauty blogger. I met Tia at a writer’s conference and she encouraged me to start my own when I told her my beauty obsessions. She got a big laugh when I explained how I buy my high-end beauty products in duty free when I travel.

Beauty fixation

I am obsessed with great skin. Pretty makeup looks good on pretty skin. There’s no excuse for not taking care of your skin. I’m always asked what do I do for my skin? Easy answer. It’s the only skin I have so I take care of it. I’m in love with eye creams and serums. I’m really obsessed with Sisley’s Botanical Throat Cream, Sisleya Eye Cream, Natura Bisse Diamond Cream and Davi Grand Cru Face Cream for my night beauty routine. I’ve been using the Sisleya for 6 years now, and it’s definitely why I can pass for being ten years younger. My 3 times weekly yoga practice also helps. Stress ages us, therefore releasing toxins and stress through working out really helps your skin. Body butters are second on the list – I own about 15 right now from various places – Bath & Body Works, Body Shop, Maryam Soap Nook, Le Chat Beauty, Laura Mercier, Carols Daughter, Palmers Cocoa Butter, Target brands, you name I’ve got it.

Beauty Icons

My first icon was my grandmother, Mama Dear. After her was Diana Ross, Cher, Nancy Wilson, Tina Turner, Barbra Streisand, Pat Cleveland, Iman, Catherine Deneuve, Sophia Loren, Eartha Kitt, Beverly Johnson. I received a Cher doll for my 4th birthday. I still watch the movie Mahogany at least 4 times a year. I was a diva from the start – smart, kind, nice, perfect manners and always carrying a fabulous lip gloss.

Edible Addiction that doesn’t make you fat

A really good glass of wine and great piece of chocolate each night. One really great glass of wine is far better than a bottle of bad stuff. Ditto with good chocolate. It always puts a smile on my face.

Beauty Secrets (tell us something that no one knows and that you have not disclosed on your site)

I use a décolleté and butt cream every single day. Clarins Bust Beauty Gel and Total Body Lift. I’ve tried many over the years, but I keep coming back to these. I call them “old faithful.” (Beauty Snobs: How did you get this out of me?)

Beauty Bibles

Self-Seduction by Mikki Taylor, Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou, Hip Tranquil Chick by Kimberly Wilson, any cookbook by Giada de Laurentiis, all my makeup artists books – Iman, Kevin Aucoin, Bobbi Brown, Sam Fine, Trish McEvoy, Laura Mercier. I have them all.

Childhood Beauty ambitions

My childhood ambition of beauty was to be as glamorous as my grandmother on Sunday morning. I attend church here in the DC area and it’s nothing like the way a Southern woman dresses on Sunday morning. Nothing. Her makeup was always flawless, nails were perfectly manicured and she always smelled divine. You are not done unless your hair, makeup and nails are done. You don’t have to have the latest nail color, but a good manicure with a nice buff job works just as well. I never ever wear chipped polish. It’s just wrong.

Morning Beauty routine

My “shower, shave and shine” routine. I drink a glass of room-temperature water with lemon. I learned this in France from the facialist Anne Semonin. It detoxes the body. I’ve been doing it ever since. Workout. I use Bobbi Brown’s Creamy Cleanser, eye cream (Bobbi Brown Hydrating, Olay Regenerist or any samples I have); Skin Ceuticals B5 Hydrating Gel, Olay Daily Moisturizer with SPF; Bobbi Brown Tinted Moisturizer, MAC Color Palette Concealer; Blush (MAC, Bobbi Brown, Dior, NARs); Bronzer (MAC, Iman, or Bobbi Brown; Laura Mercier Sun Dust all over my face for a glow. Lipgloss: Too many brands to name. I wear bronzer year round. I love to sparkle. I add a fabulous scent and then I’m done.

Must have travel beauty items

Caudalie Beauty Elixir and Bobbi Brown’s Vitamin Enriched Face Base. As soon as I board any plane, train or automobile this is on my face. I always add Smith Rosebud Salve, Anthelios XL Sunscreen (the best sunscreen), L’Occitane Hand Cream, Cashmere Slippers and Blanket, Ipod, Books and Magazines.