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April 2016

Fashion

JCPenney Pumps Up Its Plus-Size Section with Project Runway’s Ashley Nell Tipton

Courtesy of JCPenney via USA Today

Full-figured fashionistas rejoiced when Ashley Nell Tipton won season 14 of Project Runway. Fans couldn’t get enough of her pretty pastel palette and sheer styles that showed how plus-size fashion has evolved in recent years. And to celebrate her big win, Tipton will ensure everyone can look as cute and colorful as she does with a new collaboration with JCPenney.

The lavender-locked designer will debut her line as the first brand ambassador of JCPenney’s new Boutique+, a new line specifically for plus-size, which will bow in May. Sizes will range between 0x-4x in 500 stores nationwide while sizes up to 5x will be offered online with prices set between $12.99-$60. According to USA Today, this is just the start for the retailer, as it will also create a shop within the shop to feature more brands in addition to Tipton’s this fall.

While trendy statement pieces and fresh hues are important for any line, the fit became the top priority for Tipton, even when playing with shapes you don’t usually spot in the plus-size section. “A lot of my inspiration is what straight size women wear — why is there a disconnect from what they wear and what we can wear?” she told the publication. “I don’t want them to be invisible anymore; I want to show personality.”

And after spotting some of the preview snaps on USA Today, I honestly can’t wait! Tipton’s cool Cali aesthetic and eye for color will guarantee each piece will become a seasonal staple for everyone—including this chic tee, moto vest, and pleated skirt combo that I need ASAP—regardless of size.

Head over to USA Today to check to get up close and personal with some of the looks that will hit shelves in May.

April 11, 2016 by Val

Beauty, Hair

On-Set Secrets: The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Stylist April Schuller’s Strand Essentials & More

Hairstylist April Schuller makes changing up your coif seems effortless. As the hair guru behind hits like Girls and The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, she regularly balances the cool-girl realness of the HBO hit with the Netflix’s more stylized strands. I recently go to sit down with the celebrity tress tamer, thanks to Hask, to learn how she handles double beauty duty on set, her favorite hair must-haves, and what looks she predicts will explode this season.

April 11, 2016 by Val

Beauty, Body

Spring Scents to Suit Your Signature Style

Mother Nature has been playing games with our hearts—the winter was balmy, but we were splashed with slush on the first day of spring. Needless to say, the weather doesn’t dictate the season for me much, so I get into the spirit of spring with a spritz. Most may be in the mood for florals for the season, but not all spring scents are created equal. Some may prefer a sugar rush of sweetness while others opt for something cleaner and crisp. Regardless of your scent style, I scoured the shelves for fabulous fragrances to complement your spring wardrobe.

April 8, 2016 by Val

Lifestyle, Personal Musings

Oh Great, Another Beauty Blogger

I know, right? In the age of the YouTube beauty guru and Instagram superstar, I would have the same thought stumbling across a site name like this.

But I’m not your average beauty blogger. While my love of lipstick began as a toddler, I’ve been an editor for over five years. I worked with big media companies including AOL and, most recently, Mode (formerly Glam) Media where I earned access to some of the industry’s most influential insiders. I discovered the season’s trendiest looks backstage at New York Fashion Week, swapped beauty secrets with celebrities, and mined new hacks from Hollywood’s elite glam squads.

Throughout my career, I sharpened my editor’s eye to uncover the most innovative products on the market. I regularly fall head over heels for pretty packaging or fangirl over the fresh new face of a brand, but I know a product’s efficacy and ingredients are priority, regardless of where you stock up on your supplies.

So you’re an editor? Big deal. What do you have to offer that hasn’t been regurgitated multiple times across the web?

Valid question, and that’s the beauty (pun not intended) of the internet: to provide space for everyone to raise their voice and share their perspective. I’m like a lot of you. I may not be as skilled with a makeup brush as some of those in your social feed, but I’ve picked up plenty of tips and tricks along the way that I’m dying to share. I’m also a plus-sized latina who’s on the hunt for shades, formulas, and fits that work well for me when options are limited. I want to share my favorite finds as well as my inspirations—it’s really that simple.

So you can come along for the ride if you’d like. It’ll be a trip, but we’re all here to have fun, right?

April 7, 2016 by Val

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