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Beauty, Body, Fashion, Hair, Makeup, Skin

#BeautyBookmarks: The News You Need to Know

There’s so much happening in the industry that I can’t possibly cover them all! But to keep you informed on what’s shaking, I’m serving up the biggest beauty and fashion headlines of the day right here!

Photos via Bustle and Glamour, respectively.

The Fenty Effect shows no signs of slowing down as new and established brands are bolstering their shade ranges. In fact, Revlon has partnered with Allure’s founding editor Linda Wells to launch Flesh, a new beauty brand with inclusivity at its core and foundation sticks that comes in 40 shades (Fenty’s magic number, which has now become industry standard for complexion products). The line is expected to hit Ulta stores exclusively on June 24th, so mark your calendars now, kittens! [Teen Vogue]

Another brand following in Fenty’s footsteps: Tarte Cosmetics. After its latest foundation and concealer launches were criticized for having a limited shade ranges, the brand went back to the drawing board to expand the Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Foundation from 25 to 40 shades and the Creaseless Concealer from 14 to 30 shades that just hit shelves. And it’s not stopping there, as the brand plans to do the same for other formulas in the line, stating, “We are excited to share that our shape tape matte & hydrating foundations, shape tape concealer & Rainforest of the Sea water foundations will get shade extensions this year.” [Bustle]

If you’re already on the hunt for Father’s Day gifts (it’s June 17th, but it will be here before you know it), Lush has got you covered. Forget the ties and grilling gear, the brand is serving up a batch of bathtime and grooming goodies, including a solid beard oil and a handlebar mustache soap you might want to snap up for yourself. [Allure]

Sure, we might use Spotify to listen to some of our favorite podcasts (The Read, Unladylike, and Fat Mascara quickly come to mind), but Tidal is taking streaming to a different level. The platform announced on Wednesday that it will add beauty content with an entertainment alongside some of its music-related shows. The first to hit small screens is Get the Look (hmm, that sounds familiar) in which various beauty vloggers will channel stars like Nicki Minaj and Rihanna in some of their hottest music videos., so if you don’t have an account, don’t forget to create another email account to score a free trial and check them out. [The Cut]

We’ve all been eagerly anticipating any new news on the upcoming Aaliyah x MAC collaboration, and we’ve finally got a better look at what’s expected to hit beauty counters this summer. The roster will include an orange-toned lipstick, a deep plum lip gloss, a bronzer embossed with the late singer’s signature as well as the nude lipstick and dark eyeshadow palette we’ve previously had a peek at —all housed in glossy, burgundy packaging. And we won’t have to wait much longer as the collection will become available online on June 20th before hitting stores the next day. Set your alarms because this one is sure to sell out ASAP! [Bustle]

But that’s not the only collaboration coming soon — far from it! L’Oreal is rocking the runway by linking up with Valentino to produce prestige beauty buys and fragrances for the brand that has already birthed a number of successful scents (I remember when Valentina and its second iteration first launched!). But if you’re looking for something with more sheen, Pinrose has partnered with Sephora to unleash a slew shimmery, holographic glosses, highlighters, and even a rainbow-hued brush set to ensure you can be seen from space all season long. [PopSugar, Elite Daily]

Since Memorial Day, everyone’s been looking to splash into summer. And it looks like mega model Hunter McGrady is making sure each beach body (because every body is a beach body) is ready with a line of sexy swimwear that budget babes will love in partnership with Playful Promises. With cute keyhole cutouts, little bits of lace, and a splash of sequins on a variety of sultry silhouettes, you can expect temperatures to rise (and pulses to race) as soon as you step onto the sand. [Glamour]

May 31, 2018 by
Beauty, Makeup

Bite Beauty’s Upcoming Zodiac Lipstick Doubles the Color & Doubles the Fun!

Courtesy of Bite Beauty.

Happy Birthday, Geminis! Bite Beauty is celebrating your birthday month in a big way by doubling up on a customized lip color that hit stores tomorrow.

While previous entries into the brand’s limited-edition Astrology Amouse Bouche collection have consisted of only one color, this tube includes a double-sided bullet that you can use to apply either hue or swipe on both for a tailor-made shade. One side features a warm nude with a slight pink undertone while the other is a fresh, cheerful red that allows you to easily switch things up and get as subtle or as bold as you want on a dime.

With a pair of twins to represent the astrological sign, it’s no surprise that it was reflected in the lippie shades selected. As Tara Greene, the astrologer who helped the brand come up with the colors, explained, “Gemini—represented by twins—embraces duality and is all
about having fun. Gemini thrives on change and can’t stand too much sameness.”

After all, Geminis are some of the communicators and innovators of the zodiac. That’s why many actors and musicians like Tupac Shakur, Paul McCartney, Judy Garland, M.C. Escher, Angelina Jolie, Stevie Nicks, and many more are actual Geminis,  all discovering new ways to share ideas that connect us all. It honestly shouldn’t be that difficult to spot a Gemini in the crowd because they’re naturally social butterflies with a playful appeal. But if you’re having trouble finding one, Greene says you can usually find them “planning weddings and other big events, running their own PR firm, or leading a brainstorm meeting.”

With double the color, don’t expect this shade to stick around for too long when it hits shelves tomorrow, the 21st. And with Leo season drawing near, I can only think of the brand dreaming up the loudest, look-at-me lip color hitting shelves in the next few weeks to symbolize the zodiac sign that loves the spotlight. But until then, have your mice at the ready to snap this dual-shade up!

May 20, 2018 by
Beauty, Makeup

Rihanna Finally Reveals The Rest of the Beach Please Summer Beauty Essentials

We knew Rihanna couldn’t tease us for too long! After sharing a sneak peek of a few unfamiliar Fenty makeup musts during her Vogue beauty tutorial, everyone had their ears to the ground for any more intel (even in the midst of Savage x Fenty’s bug launch!). And now we finally get a look at Beach Please Part 2, and it’s even brighter than the original.

Courtesy of Fenty Beauty.

The products still play on Riri’s signature summer glow but turn up the wattage with a slew of major metallics and bright pops of color, starting with the new Killawatt Foil Freestyle Highlighter Duos ($36) that will become a permanent part of the line. Each compact comes packed with buildable color that you can use on your eyes or cheeks that deliver a chromatic shine no matter your skin tone. We already got to see the Mimosa Sunrise/Sangria Sunset and the Sandcastle/Mint Mojito hues in action in her tutorial (so you can follow along to recreate the look yourself). But I have a feeling Fenty fans will want to complete the collection with 7DayWKND/Poolside, a mauve pink and periwinkle blue combo that taps into the 2016 Colors of the Year.

Remember that pretty splash of sparkle she added to her inner eye corner? It was the Island Bling 2-IN-1 Liquid Eye Shimmer ($26), a limited-edition dual-ended liquid shadow that delivers a “sleek, metallic shimmer” on one side and a glittering topcoat on the otherthat you can wear alone or layer for multi-dimensional shine. While both shades are sunset-inspired and feature color-flipping micropearls that shift in the light, one’s got a pearly pink glow, the other offers a bronzier finish.

And as for that metallic lip gloss that even stunned the songstress herself? It turns out, it’s one of six Iridescent Lip Luminizers that you can choose to rock on its own or layer over any of the Mattemoiselle Lipsticks to customize the color. If you want the same shade as the Bad Gal, you’ll want to snap up the bright Summer Daze Trio that features the pretty pink (aptly called Ready to Mingle) as well as gilded orange (Bilingual) and an aqua blue (called Single). The Summer Nights Trio of darker holographic hues includes a rich olive (called Snake Skin), a deep coral pink (Vaycray), and an illuminating indigo (Mermaid Tights — a personal favorite for me).

If the tutorial wasn’t enough to set aside some of your savings for the new bevy of beauty buys, you have less than a week to count your coins before they hit Sephora shelves on the 21st.

May 15, 2018 by
Beauty, Makeup

Proenza Schouler Links up With Lancôme for a Colorful Collection

Photo via Women’s Wear Daily.

After linking up with the likes of Jason Wu, Lanvin’s Alber Elbaz, Sonia Rykiel, and Anthony Vaccarello (and many more), the beauty brand is continuing its runway domination by partnering up with Proenza Schouler’s Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.

According to an exclusive with Women’s Wear Daily, the designers were given carte blanche when customizing the collection, which is slated to hit shelves in July. “Lancôme has always represented the epitome of luxury beauty products, so it is like a dream come true to be able to collaborate with such an iconic and historic brand,” the designers shared in a statement to WWD.

The designers were inspired by painters like Carmen Herrera and Ellsworth Kelly, who both loved working with bold color, but there might also be a few additional editorial touches pulled from the line’s Fall 2018 collection. While there’s no word yet on what products will be included in the collection, Vogue Runway noted that featured designs inspired by the handicrafts from the early ’70s like tie-dye, macramé, woven leather, prints, and Western patchwork that could work incredibly well with the pops of sunset orange, marigold, goldenrod, olive, and sandstone red seen throughout the pieces. I mean, the pair have previously released an ombré blush, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a tie-dye printed face palette amongst the many upcoming makeup musts.

Proenza Schouler has seriously stepped up its beauty game in recent years. Back in 2013, the company first dipped its toe into cosmetics with a vibrant, surf and skate-inspired collection of limited-edition beauty buys with MAC Cosmetics that even came housed in a hazy gradient rainbow hues. And just last year, the brand added fragrance to its repertoire with Arizona, a light, floral aroma of white cactus flower inspired by the spirit of discovery. And with the dynamic duo’s track record, the collection will likely be a kaleidoscopic close to summer that we’ll want to wear well into the next season. I’ll be keeping an eye out for a sneak peek of what we can expect!

May 14, 2018 by
Beauty, Body, Hair, Makeup, Skin

Sephora Is Sprucing Up Shelves With a New “Clean” Beauty Category

Embed from Getty Images

Sephora is proving that you don’t have to wait until Earth Day to clean up your act or your beauty routine.

On June 1st the retailer is launching a new category called “Clean at Sephora” as an easy way for shoppers to snap up beauty buys that don’t contain harmful ingredients like parabens, formaldehyde, mineral oils, and phthalates. According to Women’s Wear Daily, Sephora partnered with over 50 brands, including fan favorites like Drunk Elephant, Boscia, Supergoop, and more, with over 2,000 qualifying products that will receive a “Clean at Sephora” seal on the packaging and the products’ pages on the site as well as its own landing page. Plus, green beauty brands like Indie Lee and Go-To Skin Care will find their way to more Sephora shelves and employees will be educated on the new initiative so they can steer you in the right direction.

Photo courtesy of Sephora via Allure.

“Sephora continues to demystify beauty choices for clients, helping them find the right products for them, based on their lifestyle needs,” the brand explained in a statement to Allure. “Many of them are looking to shop brands and products that are ‘free of’ and Sephora is responding to help them do that, easily and conveniently in-store, online, and on mobile. Together with Sephora’s brands, industry experts, external council — including feedback from clients — Sephora has curated a partnership with its brands across cosmetics, skin care, hair care, and fragrance that stand behind the ‘Clean at Sephora’ category.”

So what kind of products ingredients wouldn’t receive the “Clean at Sephora” seal of approval? According to Allure, aside from the ones mentioned above, products containing ingredients like the sulfates SLS and SLES, retinylpalmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and triclocarban won’t be included. And the ingredient list grows when it comes to fragrances.  The gloss also notes that beauty brands that qualify should have “less than one percent of synthetic fragrances and no undisclosed fragrances.”

While the news comes on the heels of other retailers like Neiman Marcus and Bluemercury taking similar steps to clean things up as well as Kourtney Kardashian‘s recent trip to Capitol Hill to call for updated cosmetics regulations, WWD says Sephora has walked this path previously in 2008 and has continually made efforts, especially with its . But the clean up won’t stop at just the shelves either, as the retailer is looking to install LED lights in all North American stores and even developed a zero-emissions delivery truck at its headquarters.

As Sephora’s Chief Merchandising Officer Artemis Patrick put it, all these changes came from listening to customers. The store’s studies found that 60% of shoppers peruse a product’s ingredient list before they buy, and 54% only stock natural or clean items on their vanities. (So remember that your dollar is your vote for what you want more of!) “We have identified some common chemicals that are in certain products that our clients have asked about. It’s not about whether it’s good or it’s bad, it’s about being transparent, ” he told WWD. “While this is not necessarily a new thing, what we have seen is that the efficacy of the products that are out there are at an all-time high, so you can actually get products without these ingredients if you so choose and still get the efficacy of the product that you want and love.”

May 11, 2018 by
Beauty, Makeup

Now Lady Gaga’s Launching Her Own Makeup Line?!

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Put your paws up because Lady Gaga is the latest celeb coming to a cosmetic counter near you!

The Blast reports that Mother Monster filed legal documents to trademark the name “Haus Beauty” for beauty line back in February. The application from the United States Patent and Trademark Office‘s website details that the line will likely include everything to perfect your poker face from makeup musts to skincare essentials to fragrance finds to bodycare basics to nail necessities to even sunscreen and self-tanning products. It even mentions a few a few K-beauty buys like facial and skin conditioners, emulsions, and face masks. Talk about a full haus!

Though there hasn’t been an official announcement about the upcoming line, Gaga hasn’t exactly been speechless about the whole thing, according to Allure. In fact, fans suspect she’s been using social media to preview what’s likely to be the brand’s first campaign! Around the time of the filing, she posted a few beauty shots on Instagram featuring the hashtags #haus, #hausofgaga, and #hauseditorials with some of the captions explaining the details of her makeup look.

Given Gaga’s array of legendary looks throughout her career, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch for the multi-hyphenate — you know, singer, songwriter, dancer, actress, wine-maker, toy designer. She released her own signature scent in 2012 (as well as a second perfume in 2014 that unfortunately didn’t make it to shelves but sounds like it would’ve smelled nice). Plus, she’s previously partnered up with MAC’s Viva Glam campaign to release two signature lipstick shades whose proceeds benefitted those affected by HIV/AIDS.

2018 has already seen quite a few celebs set their sights on the cosmetic counter. While we’re still feeling the effects of the 2017 Fenty frenzy, Jennifer Lopez recently released collection with Inglot and Serena Williams recently filed a trademark for a beauty line of her own earlier this year. Not to mention all of the influencer collaborations that have or will hit shelves this year. Needless to say, our makeup bags are sure to be star-studded by December.

While we’re all keeping our fingers crossed for more details on the upcoming launch and keeping a much closer eye on Gaga’s Instagram, I’d tell all of her Little Monsters to start saving your pennies now so you can snag every item on your wishlist once Mother Monster finally serves it up!

May 10, 2018 by
Beauty, Makeup

Show Your Stash: Mecca Woods’s Bold Beauty Muses, Love of Lip Color, & Much More

Photo Courtesy of mecca Woods.

I know I’m not the only one curious about celebs and influencers’ favorite beauty buys as well as who and what shape their view of beauty in the biz.

The biggest trend of 2018 isn’t mermaids or unicorns, it’s actually your zodiac sign. It seems like more and more of us are turning the stars to not only shine a light on the energies in our lives (on monthly, weekly, or daily basis) but also to help us in unexpected areas of our lives, including helping us discover our signature style, indulging our cosmic character traits with the latest beauty trends, and of course, scoring anything with our zodiac sign emblazoned or inspired by it. Sure, everyone has their own level of skepticism about it. But like other self-care practices (hey, some of us consider our morning makeup routine or a sumptuous bath to be meditative), our horoscopes can offer a peek into our lives that we might not notice on the surface, help guide us when we’re feeling lost, and even give us comfort. Like beauty, it’s all what you make of it.

Photo Courtesy of Fluffy Pop Postcards.

It’s the same approach that Mecca Woods has taken to her own life, even adapting her social services background and experiences as a mom and partner to launch an astro-coaching practice that has led her to become the go-to astrologer for outlets like Bustle, Essence, PopSugar, and more. And for her, it also applies to beauty. After noticing how close to home her horoscopes tended to hit (and taking her advice to heart), I started following the star siren on Instagram and Twitter and fell in love with her penchant for pop culture cues to the cosmos, her chic and kaleidoscopic sense of style, and, of course, her love for bold lip looks.

With her book Astrology For Happiness and Success slated to hit shelves this fall and an increasing array of listicles devoted to looking at every aspect of our signs filling our feeds daily, I figured it was only right to turn the tables and ask the astrologer extraordinaire to share what inspires her beauty choices — other than the stars — discover her number one summer essential, and find out if a zodiac beauty collection by Woods could be written in the stars.

On her approach to style: “I like to have a little ‘wow’ going, something that catches the eye and makes a statement, like a haute red lip or an electric blue eyeliner applied to my waterline. I love statement pieces — that bright pop of color; that funky, chunky piece of jewelry; or that wild and crazy print. I don’t want to do too much. I just want to give people enough so that they don’t forget it.” 

Embed from Getty Images

On her biggest beauty idols: “Grace Jones, Donna Summer, Danai Gurira, Solange. They don’t fit into the mainstream standard of beauty, and they manage to slay every time. From the colors and the prints, the hair, the quirkiness, the creativity…the GLAM! They each have an iconic style by being true to the things that make them standout in the first place.”

On her first beauty memory: “This isn’t my first beauty memory, but it is one of my earliest beauty memories: I must have been around 13 years old and this guy I knew, he used to cut hair for all the boys in the neighborhood. At one point, he started doing this eyebrow design, where he would take a pair of clippers and create these little “cuts” or lines in their eyebrows – like Big Daddy Kane used to wear. I asked him to do it for me and he did. I was the only girl on the block with that style. I thought I was bad AF.” 

Photo via LearnMobile.

On her first beauty buy: “It was a plum hair rinse that I bought with money I made from my first job – working in a supermarket as a cashier. It might have been by Dark and Lovely. My mom wouldn’t let me dye my hair nor would she let me lighten it. She said I could do a rinse, though – the color washes put after a few shampoos. I chose plum because I thought the purple was pretty and different enough from my own hair color. I was SO excited. It brought me some compliments too.” 

On the best beauty advice she’s received: “I’ve been told a few times by makeup artists and hairstylists alike that there was no reason why I couldn’t wear bright colors on my face or dye my hair super blonde. Years ago, I used to think I was too dark-skinned to pull off either. I know better now.”

On her number one beauty tip to share: “A clear lip gloss or lip balm. When I’m not in the mood to wear makeup and I’m out barefaced – wearing a good, clear lip gloss or a juicy lip balm makes me feel like my face is camera ready. No ashy lips here!”

On her summer essentials: “Any beauty buys you’re dying to get your hands on? Pat McGrath has this matte, red lipstick called Vendetta that I’ve been coveting. I see that ‘loaded’ lashes are also coming back for this summer. That’s a good thing because they never left for me.”

On developing her own zodiac-inspired beauty collection: “The only thing I can think of are nourishing sheet masks infused with aromatherapy. Each of the 12 masks would be created from a scent that corresponds to and benefits each the 12 zodiac signs. I’m big on beauty as a self-care ritual and I think this infuses the two.”

Check out Mecca’s lipstick stash below:

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May 9, 2018 by
Beauty, Makeup

CoverGirl Launches Its Largest Shade Range of Foundations Ever

Photo courtesy of CoverGirl.

The drugstore beauty aisle is going to need to make more room on its shelves for CoverGirl this summer, as the brand is the latest to launch an inclusive shade range of foundations.

After last year’s Fenty Foundation Frenzy sent a shockwave in the industry, CoverGirl sought to create a complexion cosmetic that would meet the needs of makeup mavens of all shades by connecting with them directly through interviews as well as on every social media platform. The result is the upcoming TruBlend Matte Made Foundation, which is slated to hit shelves in June for $8.49. It boasts medium to full coverage, a long-wearing matte finish, and 40 shades made to match 99% of skin tones. And the brand has made discovering your perfect shade a breeze by labeling the bottle with four numbered ranges, Light (L), Medium (M), Tan (T) and Deep (D), as well as warm, cool, and neutral undertone call-outs.

The fresh formula also checks off every box that beauty buffs have for their dream foundation. That includes flexi-hold technology that responds to your facial movements but doesn’t budge an inch, so there’s no transfer or awkward patches of melted makeup. There’s also an oil-absorbing powder that holds 2x its weight as well as light scattering technology whose powers combine to ensure your skin stays picture perfect and shine-free throughout the day — all without weighing it down.

While we still have a month to wait to actually get our hands on it to the dismay of many fans who were excited to test-drive the fresh formula as soon as possible. But we’ve already seen the formula in action. It had a star-studded debut earlier this week as both Issa Rae and Katy Perry rocked the coverup on the red carpet of the 2018 Met Gala where both looked utterly ethereal.

CoverGirl’s latest launch is another ripple in the recent wave of change to the industry, which has been in the midst of a major makeover after ignoring the needs of consumers of color for years. But it has been making strides to offer inclusive options for every budget. While listening to the concerns of consumers of all backgrounds should be the priority of any brand, it seems the industry is trying to turn the corner towards a future where everyone can have fun with cosmetics.

May 9, 2018 by
Beauty, Hair, Makeup

GTL: The Boldest Beauty Looks of the 2018 Met Gala

GTL – Get the Look, not Gym, Tan, Laundry, duh!

Embed from Getty Images

When this year’s  Met Gala theme, “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination,” was announced, I instantly had visions of crystal tears in homage to the weeping statues of saints, Della Robbia blues of the Virgin Mary, some swaths of silver to symbolize the Crusades, but definitely lots and lots of gold. And I was not disappointed, as many not only took the theme head-on with the amazing array of gorgeous gowns and headpieces but also extended it into their beauty to create looks that are true works of art that I couldn’t get enough of. With proms, dances, and even weddings coming up on shortly on everyone’s social calendars, I scored the details on how to recreate the looks straight from the hairstylists and makeup artists should you want to channel Catholic chic at your next big event.

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May 8, 2018 by
Beauty, Body, Fashion, Hair, Lifestyle, Makeup

May the Fourth Be With You: Chic Star Wars Swag to Add to Your Collection

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“May the 4th be with of you!”

When it comes to Star Wars, there is no such thing as too much merch, especially since the franchise was acquired by Disney. And it’s gone far beyond action figures, t-shirts, and Lego sets. Since The Force Awakens was released, there has been an explosion of Star Wars-themed, well, everything. And with Solo hitting theaters this month, the mania doesn’t look like it’ll be calming down anytime soon.

With the plethora of products on display from fashion and beauty to even housewares and home decor, there’s plenty of ways to show your love for the ever-growing film franchise on this special day. But everything need not have the bold logo emblazoned across it in order to pay homage. In fact, some of the most recent iterations are subtler than some of the products we’ve collected in the past. So I decided to search the shelves for some chic ways to honor the story that took place in a galaxy far, far away because for die-hard fans, Star Wars day isn’t just today or tomorrow (you know, Revenge of the Fifth), it’s a 365-days a year kind of thing.

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May 4, 2018 by