About Beauty Chat

Since its summer 2007 beginning days, Beauty Chat has built on the idea that looking good and feeling good goes hand-in-hand. Or at least, it should. Initially hitting the blogging world with a single voice guiding its way, Beauty Chat quickly welcomed a crew of contributors with diverse backgrounds, interests, and goals. After being the solo blogger the first month, co-founder Elana Pruitt realized the need for multi-dimensional styles on Beauty Chat, eagerly opening her arms to those interested in joining her team.

These days, a handful of talented writers, who are all connected with the PlasticSurgery.com, iEnhance.com, and CosmeticSurgery.com family, regular contribute to Beauty Chat, commonly calling each other "Beauty Chatters."

Beauty Chat is inviting to all who want to: "Look Good, Feel Good, and Speak on It!" Attracting international bloggers, male readers, and several beauty, skincare, and fashion industry related professionals (throw some celebs in here and there), you're right where you wanna be. Interested in facial injectables? Retail therapy? Breast implants? Foot rejuvenation techniques? Reality TV? Beauty Chatters cover it all.

Beauty Chat Contributors

Elana Pruitt - Executive Editor

What I Chat About:
Lifestyle, Fashion, and Plastic Surgery

With a background in journalism and speech communications, Elana penned her first article as staff writer for PlasticSurgery.com in January 2005. These days, Ms. Editorial Manager continues to challenge herself in the field of online marketing and journalism by doing a hundred projects at once. Running up the stairs in heels included.

I am obsessed with:
Buying brightly colored, peep-toe designer heels on clearance that I don't need, drinking my morning coffee in the afternoon as cold coffee, giving my 17-month old niece kisses until she says "no no no auntie," and studying Lucky Magazine with my "yes," "no," and "maybe" stickers ready to go.

Beauty Chat offers readers:
The chance to learn about the diverse meaning of beauty from various perspectives and voices, and in turn, giving us their perspective on what we love to talk about.

I feel my most beautiful when:
I am wearing an outfit that is comfy, colorful, and slimming.

My inspirations include:
My mother, Candace Bushnell, Gwen Stefani, Jane Pratt, Oprah, Tyra Banks, and all of the Beauty Chat contributors.

The blogs I can't get enough of are:

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Denice "Neecy" Castillo - Projects Editor

What I Chat About:
Lifestyle, Personal Care, and Plastic Surgery

She started off filing as a high school freshman and soon moved up to the all-encompassing office assistant with PlasticSurgery.com during its early years. After graduating from college, Denice came on full time to oversee the customer service department which she developed from the ground up. Also Beauty Chat's managing editor, she loves to blog about her favorite foot rejuvenation products, treatments, and aesthetic enhancement options.

I am currently obsessed with:
My new Juicy Couture sunglasses, OneRepublic's new CD "Dreaming Out Loud," my new business ventures (yes that is plural), and having a glass of wine accompanied with good conversation and friends.

Beauty Chat offers readers:
Different points of view on products, procedures, and trends that people use every day.

I feel my most beautiful when:
I get my hair done or when my 5-year-old tells me I am beautiful (even if it is first thing in the morning).

My inspirations include:
My sister, my parents, my friends, Oprah (someday I will have an empire like her), and Bob Harper - "The Biggest Loser" trainer.

Sites I can’t get enough of:

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Leeann Morrissey - Managing Editor

What I Chat About:
Fashion, Entertainment, Plastic Surgery

With varied interests, ranging from pearls and argyle to baseball and football, Leeann is right at home getting pampered with the girls or watching a game with the boys. Embracing her many passions, as well as her degrees in journalism and American Studies, she happily writes for PlasticSurgery.com and contributes to Beauty Chat. Her blogging niche covers the latest in fashion and entertainment, including recaps of Reality TV shows such as Project Runway on Bravo and Dr. 90210 on E!.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with:
311! Not a day goes by that I don't listen to their music in some form.

I love Beauty Chat because:
I can write about topics that I am truly passionate about, expressing myself in a way that informs others.

My top 5 fashion/beauty favorites:
Pearls, MAC makeup, argyle, With Love by Hilary Duff, and bleach (you didn't think I was a natural blonde, did you?!)

My inspirations include:
History and architecture. I love things of the past, and have a strong appreciation for what others went through to make the world what it is today.

The blogs I can't get enough of are:

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Jennifer Galvan - Copy Editor

What I Chat About:
Plastic Surgery, Makeup, and Personal Care

Having majored in English at Cal State San Bernardino, Jennifer worked on the school paper and fell in love with editing. Working at PlasticSurgery.com has finally allowed her to do what she has always enjoyed at a professional level. Outside of editing, make-up, hair, purses, and shoes are always of interest. Looking for new recipes and frosting ideas are also one of her joys in life.

I am obsessed with:
Baking any type of pastry! From simple cupcakes and cookies to intricately-frosted ‘Winnie the Pooh’ birthday cakes. It’s something I do for myself that always gets me in a better mood, no matter what’s going on.

Beauty Chat offers readers:
There are so many topics to read about on here. There’s something for everyone.

I feel my most beautiful when:
I have my hair and make-up done by someone else, I love being pampered every once in a while. (Hence, this glam shot taken by the best photographer I know...my boyfriend!)

My inspirations include:
My parents and my sister. They’re full of support!

Favorite reads:

Pride and Prejudice
Paradise Lost
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Twelfth Night
Frankenstein

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Mellori Velasquez

What I Chat About:
Ethnic Beauty, Fashion, and Personal Care

"Keds and tube socks" neighborhood gal by day to fashion-wearing vixen by night, Mellori V. knows how to add spice to her wardrobe despite a busy, dual life of being a full-time student, a contract writer for PlasticSurgery.com, and a passionate blogger. She enjoys reviewing skincare and haircare products, while bringing several ethnic beauty topics to light on Beauty Chat.

I am currently obsessed with:
Pinup couture and vintage red lipstick.

Shoes I yearn for and dream about but can't afford:
Giuseppe Zanotti (ahhhh)

Mantra currently living by:
Keep going because when you stop, you're dead.

Member of any unofficial organization(s):
Classy Broads (est. 2005 on official CB grounds - Apt. 183)

Fantasy:
"Mellori Velasquez, Attorney at Law" (yay or nay? I'm leaning toward the former)

One of my most attractive inner assets:
Putting my world on pause for a friend in need.

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Brook Flagg

What I Chat About:
Lifestyle, Entertainment, and Skincare

"The closest I've ever been to an aesthetic ideal was when I met Leeza Gibbons at the Hollywood Bowl. I'm more of a Jane Pratt than an Atoosa Rubenstein." When she's not knocking out Girl Scout badges or experimenting with Pillsbury® biscuit dough, Brook is one of Beauty Chat's leading lifestyle and skincare contributors, staff writer for PlasticSurgery.com, and a freelance business copywriter.

I am currently obsessed with:
Political coverage, since I'm a news media nerd. Also, my various ongoing culinary projects; most of them involve updating traditional recipes and such. I love wearing aprons! Skin care has always been of interest to me, because I had to learn to take care of my skin at a very young age. For the most part, wearable fashion is something I appreciate at a distance; but home fashions and interiors are absolutely a passion for me.

Beauty Chat offers readers:
Practically anything they want! If you're interested in it, we'll talk about it. I think we cover an appealingly broad spectrum.

I feel my most beautiful when:
My husband tells me I am.

My inspirations include:
Different people at different times. My daughters inspire me more than anyone. But, for their personal backgrounds and overall achievements, I would have to say Martha Stewart (forgiveness, people!), Oprah, and Paula Deen. Most of the early writers at Sassy inspired my writing style, but there's no way I could pick one out.

The blogs I can't get enough of are:

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Jacquie Fischer

What I Chat About:
Health, Fitness, and Personal Care

Jacquie is sorta punk, sorta country, and a lot of heart. "Schmackie" has a soft spot for shopping sales and getting pedicures, yet can also be found unwinding with her nose in a romance book after a long, chatty day in customer service at PlasticSurgery.com. A mother of two with an eye for fashion, Jacquie's personal weight loss journey inspires post-pregnant Beauty Chat readers to stay focused!

I am currently obsessed with:
Bangles in any color!

Beauty Chat offers readers:
Different points of view on many different beauty and lifestyle topics.

I feel my most beautiful when:
I have an outfit that makes me feel sassy and thin.

My inspirations include:
My husband and kids, friends and family, and Gwen.

The blogs I can't get enough of are:

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Andrea "Dre" Amaya

What I Chat About:
Makeup Trends and Obsessions

When it comes to the hustle and bustle of PlasticSurgery.com's marketing department, Andrea Amaya is all about keeping the work flow running smoothly. Even outside of the office, her passions are hard-hitting. Besides spending quality time with her friends and family, Ms. Amaya is Beauty Chat's makeup junkie with a divine love for the Lakers, while accessorizing her outfits with just the right breathless shades of eye shadow.

I am obsessed with:
Spending as much time as possible with family and friends, everything makeup-related, music, and shopping.

I love Beauty Chat because:
It is a creative outlet for me to express my thoughts and opinions on anything beauty-related.

I feel my most beautiful when:
When I'm doing something nice and selfless for someone else.

My inspirations include:
My inspirations include: My parents and grandparents.

The Web sites I can't get enough of are:

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Sarah Gammill

What I Chat About:
Fashion, Reality TV, Plastic Surgery, Beauty

A 23-year-old recent CSUF college graduate with a print journalism degree, Sarah is obsessed with writing way too much in cards, stories, articles, poems, and blogs. Now, she has found her calling as copywriter for PlasticSurgery.com and a handbag-obsessed “Beauty Chatter.” In addition to spending time in the outdoors and taking in the world around her, Sarah loves spending time with her boyfriend, family, and friends. She would also like to become a food critic one day (even though she dislikes chicken, steak, fish…).

I will always be obsessed with:
purses. Without one on my arm I feel empty, so no matter what the price or where the location, I will always be on the hunt for my next great bag! There are so many out there, and so little time to buy them all. I also hope to have a personal closest for my handbags one day.

Beauty Chat offers:
readers, as well as myself, a chance to explore the different facets that beauty can have. From clothes to skin care, and plastic surgery to celebrities, there is a little bit of beauty in everything. This allows me and my fellow Beauty Chatters to write about things we love, while informing readers about new interesting products, events, and people.

One food no matter what the diet may call for that I cannot live without is:
chocolate! A lover of all things chocolate since I was young, it’s hard for me to let a day go by where I do not sneak in a bite of chocolate. Whether it’s a cookie, or chocolate morsel from Toll House, I am always armed with my pick-me-up-food! Hopefully one day I’ll be able to open a store concentrating on chocolate and cookies! (How does Sarah’s Sweets sound?)

Quotes to live by:
“Today, you have 100 percent of your life left.”-Tom Landry, former Dallas Cowboys coach.
“It's not whether you got knocked down. It's whether you get back up.”-Vince Lombardi, former Green Bay Packers coach

The blogs and Web sites I check religiously are:

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Stephanie Belleville

What I Chat About:
Health, Fitness, and Personal Care

Stephanie, a single mom of a teenage boy, has been an employee of PlasticSurgery.com since its early days. While approaching her 5 year anniversary she has decided to add a new twist to her day-to-day craziness by joining the Beauty Chat team. Stephanie is a girly girl who enjoys being pampered at the day spa, shopping, and laying out by the pool on a warm day.

I will always be obsessed with:
Making sure my nails & toes are looking their best and losing weight to make myself healthier

I enjoy Beauty Chat because:
It teaches me about different topics and gives me a chance to see what others are thinking.

Things that make me smile:
Daisies, Helping friends in need, watching my son grow into a young man, and old memories

I feel most sassy:
When someone walking by asks if I am losing weight

The blogs I can't get enough of are:

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Sara Folsom

What I Chat About:
Fitness, Lifestyle, Entertainment

Sara is a kick-back, fun-loving recent college grad from Cal State San Bernardino and loves to play soccer as often as possible. Her talent as a writer grew while interning at a community newspaper during high school. Later, she became actively involved as an editor and writer for her college newspaper. She also took her shot at television as a field reporter for a student run news program, “Local Matters.” Sara writes poetry as a hobby, and hopes to one day see her work published.

I am currently obsessed with:
Karaoke! Those who know me best know I have no shame in getting up on that stage and putting on a show, even though I am no American Idol! I love karaoke because it is not only fun to do with your family or friends, but is also exhilarating for me to get the guts to go up there, have an exciting time, while getting the audience involved. It has helped me build up my confidence!

Beauty Chat offers readers:
Variety, all of us Beauty Chatters are different in our own way, which provides readers an outlook from all angles.

I feel most beautiful when:
I am wearing jeans (my favorite, my Sevens!) a T-shirt, light make-up, and flip flops. The more comfortable I am, the better I feel. The better I feel, the more beautiful I look to myself and others. J I like to dress up with heels and cute skirts occasionally, but I have always been a jeans and T-shirt kind of girl!

My inspirations include:
My parents for always supporting me, my nephew who brings out the kid in me, and my sisters for always being there for me.

Motto I live by:
“Carpe Diem!”

Favorite reads:

Ham on Rye
Summer Sisters
Joy Luck Club
The Count of Monte Cristo
Great Expectations

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Khevna Naik

Creative Guru

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Randy Heft

Technical Guru

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