Ellen Tso is a badass boss babe who not only owns F45 training but is also a senior store manager at Aritzia. Here, she reveals her skincare bible for everlasting youthful skin, her love for fashion and a life-changing beauty tip that cuts off her morning routine time by half.

What inspired you to start your own fitness studio?

I started going to group fitness classes as a way to spend some ME time and to relieve stress from work. Before I started my fitness journey, it has always been “let’s grab a drink” or reaching for a glass of wine after every long workday. Don’t get me wrong, I still love to leisurely go for drinks, but I no longer want to feel like depending on alcohol to relax, and I don’t miss the feeling of hangovers. I absolutely love the feeling of giving it my all in a short time frame and the feeling of endorphins after a rewarding workout session.

I have also attempted to go to a regular big box gym, however, for a beginner, it was quite intimidating not knowing how to operate some of the equipment or make efficient use of my time there. After a year of having a consistent workout routine at F45, I felt stronger and healthier not only physically but also mentally! Starting my own F45 studio came naturally after that as I wanted to create an inclusive community here and foster nothing but team positivity and a space for people to connect on their physical and mental well-being.

How does it feel to be living every girl’s dream aka working for Aritzia?

It’s been 8 years and I still love it! The team is absolutely inspirational and you are surrounded by industry-leading fashion every day! 

Being a badass business owner, and crushing at your full-time job at Aritzia. Do you have any tips on keeping that work-life balance?

Always making time for myself and NEVER ever feeling bad about needing quality ME time. Sometimes it feels like everyone and everything needs my attention all the time, so I really try to carve out time for myself, and time block it to protect my work-life balance.

What’s your favourite thing in Aritzia right now?

Fall means sweater and sweater dress season! My top choice is The Group By Babaton sweater dresses – The Henley Dress and The Avalon Dress!

How would you describe your style right now?

90% of the time I am in a matching sports bra with biker shorts, with an oversized blazer on top!

How do you incorporate colours in your fashion/style?

I love my dark and bright colours equally. The monochromatic look is my favourite, or I would do bright matching sets with an oversized black or cream blazer. 

If you could wear just one thing for the rest of your life, what would it be?

This is so hard! I am going to cheat and pick something for every season lol. 

Spring: crop tee with 90’s jeans, and oversized blazer.

Summer: Matching sports bra and biker shorts (TNA BUTTER!) 

Fall: sweater dress!

Winter: Matching Sweatsuit 

Let’s talk skincare. What’s your daily skincare routine?

AM: After washing my face in the morning, I always put on Vitamin C serum and a moisturizer that contains SPF. This is important to me because I don’t love the look of having an extra layer of sunscreen on my face. My go-to daytime moisturizer is the Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 47. 

 PM: I consider my evening skincare routine as part of my sacred “ME” time, so it is quite lengthy! Although I typically don’t wear foundation, I’ll start by soaking miscellar water on my Shiseido cotton and thoroughly wiping my face.

 In the next step, I’ll use Shu Uemura cleansing oil to break down my eye makeup – I’ve used this brand for years and swear by it! 

The third step is my cleanse my face with my cleanser – currently, I am using the Skinfix Barrier + Foaming Oil Hydrating Cleanser. 

After my face is free of makeup, that’s when I begin my skincare routine. I used to start with toner, but now I typically go straight to patting some Essence on my face. Currently, I am using Tatcha’s Essence treatment. Before that, I had been using the SKII Facial Treatment Essence for years. The key here is to just pour some onto your hand and pat thoroughly on your face – no cotton pads so we are not wasting any product! 

After the Essence absorbs, I’ll move on to the serum, eye cream and finally moisturizer!

 Currently, I am trying out the entire SkinFix Barrier+Triple Lipid-Peptide line, including serum and face cream. Once a week I will skip all the above – I’ll just put a thick layer of Sleeping Mask on after washing my face! My favourite overnight mask is the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Hydrating Mask. 

What about makeup?

I love the look of natural skin with a hint of bronzer, long lashes and bushy brows! If I have Eyelash extensions on, my makeup routine only consists of concealer, eyebrow gel and some natural-looking bronzer! My current go-to is the Kosas concealer and tinted Eyebrow gel! 

How do you care for your hair?

I care for my hair by doing absolutely nothing to it. I don’t colour my hair and avoid using heat on it whenever possible! 

A beauty product you cannot go without

Eyebrow gel. I can’t leave my house without my eyebrows full these days!

A styling/beauty tip that changed your life.

I have to say that having Eyelash extensions is life-changing for me. It cuts my morning routine time by half and makes me feel so naturally beautiful! 

What’s your beauty philosophy?

 Let your natural beauty shine through! 

What self-love activities do you do to keep yourself grounded?

 I love to go hiking in the mountains, it is truly incredible to surround yourself in nature and go social media free for even just a few hours! 

What small things make you feel beautiful?

The glow after a sweaty workout session makes me feel absolutely confident and beautiful every time! 

Tell us about things you love to do? Do you have any fun hobbies?

 I love to spend a lazy morning with my dog Minion. He is a senior pug, so we normally just go for a 10-minute walk and then cuddle. 

What are you most passionate about in life? 

I am passionate about staying active and carving out time for myself before giving 100% to every other commitment in life. What that looks for me is having a consistent exercise schedule and scheduled weekly date nights with my husband, so we don’t forget to enjoy life.

Do you have a favourite TV show/movie? Are you watching anything exciting right now?

Grey’s Anatomy and Bones! 

Currently watching Blind Spot and am obsessed as well.

Do you have a favourite quote? 

“Life is getting up an hourly early to live and sweat an hour and more”.

Thank you so much, Ellen. You are the best 🙂

P.S.

More Beauty Cocktails including an incredibly talented pastry chef, and a stunning makeup artist.