I'm introducing a new, hopefully semi-regular feature here at BeautyEditor.ca called "Babe in the Biz"—and I couldn't be more thrilled that <strong>Kristen Ma</strong> is our inaugural beauty babe to kick things off!

A bit of background: if you're anything like <em>moi</em>, you're a bit of a voyeur (no, not in <em>that</em> way, silly!) about other people's grooming routines. I LOVE hearing about what insidery types are using, doing and recommending when it comes to beauty. And I hope you do too! That's why I'm opening things up for a few of my favourite beauty gals around town—and beyond—to share with us what they know. And you never know, I might toss a few guys into the mix as well.

Now... let me introduce Kristen! <!--more-->

<strong><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/kristen-ma-2.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-8227" title="kristen-ma-2" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/kristen-ma-2.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="450" /></a>Beauty Insider Credentials</strong> As the co-owner of <a href="http://www.pureandsimple.ca/" target="_blank">Pure + Simple Spas</a>, I have amalgamated my experience as an esthetician (nine years of experience) with my background as an Ayurvedic practitioner. However, a lot of my knowledge has come from my own trials and tribulations with acne.  You would be surprised how enlightening being a personal guinea pig for a plethora of products and treatments can be.  But I also think being a beauty insider means that you not only have knowledge but [also] divulge precious little beauty secrets.  Holistic beauty education is really important to me, and was what inspired me to write <a href="http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&amp;flypage=shop.flypage&amp;product_id=1641&amp;category_id=257&amp;manufacturer_id=0&amp;option=com_virtuemart&amp;Itemid=27#Excerpt" target="_blank"><em>Beauty: Pure + Simple</em></a>, which was recently published by McArthur and Co. <strong><em>[Ed's note: Kristen also writes a beauty blog, <a href="http://holisticvanity.ca/" target="_blank">Holistic Vanity</a>, which is a must-read if you're interested in holistic beauty.]</em></strong>

<strong><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/rachel-mcadams.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-8229" title="rachel-mcadams" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/rachel-mcadams-225x300.jpg" alt="" width="225" height="300" /></a>Beauty Icon </strong>I really like <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/natalie-portman/">Natalie Portman</a>.  She's a vegetarian. She's talented and makes interesting decisions.  I also deeply respect <a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/tag/rachel-mcadams/">Rachel McAdams</a>.  I have done her facial before, and not only is she very beautiful in person, but she also insisted on bicycling to the spa in the name of being environmentally responsible.  I think that being beautiful is also about consciousness—not only picture-perfect features. That's just boring.  True beauty often radiates from people through their actions.

<strong>Top Five Beauty Products </strong> 1. I do not go anywhere without my <a href="http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&amp;page=shop.product_details&amp;flypage=&amp;category_id=585&amp;product_id=1644&amp;Itemid=27" target="_blank">Pure + Simple Organic Rosehip Face Oil</a>.  It's amazingly restorative and excellent for sun damage. 2. <a href="http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&amp;flypage=shop.flypage&amp;product_id=374&amp;category_id=713&amp;manufacturer_id=0&amp;option=com_virtuemart&amp;Itemid=27" target="_blank">Jane Iredale Black Plus Cream Eye Shadow</a>. It is great for smoky eyes without making you look powdery.  I also use a tiny amount on a brush to fill in my brows, because nothing is more important than great eyebrows. 3. My only unnatural indulgence is <a href="http://www.blincinc.com/mascara.php" target="_blank">Kiss Me Mascara</a>. I am so no-fuss that the easy removal of this mascara is a must-have. 4. <a href="http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.browse&amp;category_id=762&amp;option=com_virtuemart&amp;Itemid=27&amp;vmcchk=1&amp;Itemid=27" target="_blank">Pure + Simple Flawless Complexion</a>.  This is a sheer liquid mineral foundation.  It evens out your skin tone and gives you a great dewy finish. 5. Of course, a good natural sun block.  I currently use the <a href="http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&amp;flypage=shop.flypage&amp;product_id=1537&amp;category_id=674&amp;manufacturer_id=0&amp;option=com_virtuemart&amp;Itemid=27&amp;vmcchk=1&amp;Itemid=27" target="_blank">Anti-Aging SPF 30 by Pure + Simple</a>.  Sun is the most damaging thing for our skin—an SPF should be an essential for everyone.

<strong><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/flawless-complexion-pure+simple.png"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-8234" title="flawless-complexion-pure+simple" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/flawless-complexion-pure+simple-300x247.png" alt="" width="300" height="247" /></a>Beauty Splurge</strong> You need to splurge on a good moisturizer.  It's what feeds your skin as well as your protective barrier.  It's on your skin all-day, so you want something of quality.

<strong>Beauty Bargain</strong> Accessory items like exfoliants, which are not on your skin for long. Or just use something in your kitchen like baking soda.

<strong>First Fragrance</strong> My mother was always into natural beauty, so even the first fragrance I wore had to be pure.  It was an organic, oil-based roll-on that was a blend of rose and citrus essential oils.

<strong>Current Fragrance</strong> I use an organic perfume from a French line called <a href="http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.browse&amp;category_id=433&amp;option=com_virtuemart&amp;Itemid=27" target="_blank">Maedy's</a>.  Unlike other natural perfumes, even the base is made from organic plant-derived alcohol.  I have a few, but my favorite is the <a href="http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&amp;flypage=shop.flypage&amp;product_id=1240&amp;category_id=433&amp;manufacturer_id=0&amp;option=com_virtuemart&amp;Itemid=27" target="_blank">Vetiver</a> (I love citrusy smells).

<strong>Weird Beauty Habit</strong> LOL—I actually used Shatavari Ghee on my chest at night for bust firming.  It's clarified butter that has been infused with rejuvenating Ayurvedic herbs.  It really works—and while it's embarrassing to admit it—I swear by the stuff.  You just have to get over smelling like a snack bar at the movie theatre.

<strong><a href="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/pure+simple-rosehip-oil.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium  wp-image-8232" title="pure+simple-rosehip-oil" src="http://beautyeditor.ca/wp-content/uploads/pure+simple-rosehip-oil-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" /></a></strong><strong>Biggest Beauty Fa</strong><strong>il</strong> LOL...I totally shouldn't tell you this...  I did an IPL hair removal on my bikini right before taking my mother to the Korean Body Scrub Spa for her birthday.  I really wanted to fit the IPL into my schedule but promised my mom I would take her. Well, after any type of light therapy or laser you should never do anything heating.  Saunas, hot tubs, steam, etc.  Well, the Korean Body Scrub process involves all of the above.  My bikini area was bright red for over a week and I was afraid I would scar.  Thank God for Rosehip oil. [It was] such a ridiculous thing to do.  Definitely a failure because I know better.  It's just so tempting to try to get everything done and off the weekly list. The worst is, even right after the IPL treatment, I was rushing it so much I told my IPL practitioner to skip the post-treatment cooling phase.  I was like: "I'll be fine—late for a meeting!" and jumped off the bed.

<strong>Beauty Pet Peeve</strong> I cringe when I see unkempt eye brows.

<strong>Best Beauty Secret </strong>Use facial oils.  Forget what you may think about oils making you break out or [look] greasy.  If you get a good quality vegetable oil, your skin will thank you.  I even found that our <a href="http://www.pureandsimple.ca/index.php?page=shop.product_details&amp;flypage=shop.flypage&amp;product_id=1005&amp;category_id=555&amp;manufacturer_id=0&amp;option=com_virtuemart&amp;Itemid=27" target="_blank">Pure + Simple Pure Skin Face Oil</a> clears up your complexion and regulates overactive sebaceous glands.
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<strong>Beauty Career Advice</strong> Make sure you take time to ground, relax and restore your body despite how much you want to accomplish.  You can't promote a concept of beauty when you're running yourself ragged.  Plus, you risk burning out.  Trust me, I learned the hard way.

Make sure you check out Pure + Simple if you're in the Toronto area (or visit it online), along with Kristen's book and blog! And let me know what you thought of this inaugural "Babe in the Biz" feature! Anyone else you'd like to see featured (or questions you want me to ask)?