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Beauty, Makeup

Show Your Stash: Bows & Curtseys’ Best Beauty Buys, Top Tips, and More

Photo courtesy of Bows and Curtseys.

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.

Beauty has the ability to bring people from all walks of life together, whether it’s to bond over favorite beauty buys, trade application tips, or share solutions for different dilemmas. But Veronica Paige of the blog Bows and Curtseys, which is on the cusp of a comeback (so stay tuned), and I go back long before she launched her beauty blog and before I was ever an intern. As it turns out, it was the band Good Charlotte that not only brought us together but some of my most treasured friends via the GCNaptown message board—long before Facebook and MySpace were a thing.

Many of us from the message board have kept in touch as we’ve grown up and gone off to do our thing, which was why I was incredibly excited when Veronica launched her own beauty blog back in 2011. There, she shared her favorite products and tips along with all of her colorfully creative eye looks, often inspired by music (like her magnificent Muse album cover series), Tim Burton, and even Disney princesses. But she made a serious splash on social media when her now iconic rainbow liner look went viral. With her blog set to make a triumphant return, I wanted to find out who her beauty idols (hint, they’re all from the ’90s), the beauty secrets she loves to share, and, of course, what products she’s head over heels for at the moment.

One of Veronica’s ultimate beauty looks
Photo courtesy of Bows and Curtseys.

On her approach to beauty: “I would describe my approach to beauty as fun and not so serious. I love the fact that I can embody a certain mood or persona with makeup and it comes off at the end of the day. Then the next morning, you have a living, breathing blank canvas that is ready to be transformed again. I like to describe my style as a little bit whimsical, a little bit classic, and a little bit goth. My looks are never really ever the same and can be influenced by many different things like my mood, music, a poem or book I read, nature, science, photography, art…I am constantly being inspired. And I truly believe that makeup can be more than just making yourself to be ‘pretty,’ it’s also a great form of self-expression!”

Photo via @winonaryderofficial.

On her biggest beauty idols: “I’m an ’80s baby/’90s kid, so I grew up adoring Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice and Edward Scissorhands. I always loved her effortless, grungy yet classy aesthetic. I also really looked up to Gwen Stefani‘s style in the ’90s/’00s (pink hair and braces…I was enamored). Liv Tyler, Drew Barrymore, and Kate Moss are some others I also idolized. I also adore Kat Von D‘s romantic goth style and makeup looks.

On her first beauty buy: “I distinctly remember purchasing a frosty and super glittery baby blue roll-on eyeshadow and a pot of chunky body glitter from Limited Too when I was in the seventh grade, and I was on cloud nine! I felt like the coolest middle schooler ever.”

On the best beauty advice she’s received: “To never be afraid of expressing yourself with makeup and to never follow the rules. If you want to rock a bold lip with a smoky eye, then do it and ROCK IT!”

On favorite quick tip to share: “If you’re not a fan of mascara on your lower lashes because of the heaviness but still want a defined, doe-eyed effect, try using a single coat brown mascara on your lower lashes instead of the usual black. It’s all about the subtleties!”

Check out the favorite beauty buys on Veronica’s vanity below!

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March 28, 2018 by
Beauty, Makeup

Jackie Aina Teams Up With Too Faced to Expand Born This Way’s Shade Range

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Sephora better get ready to make more space for Too Faced (and restock as soon as possible), as the brand is bolstering the shade range of its uber-popular Born This Way foundation with help from Jackie Aina.

The beauty vlogger linked up with the brand back in 2017, which she had initially announced in a post on Instagram last year, to deliver a wider array of shades of the best-selling foundation for darker skin tones. But Aina confirmed the good news in a Get Glam With Me video posted on her channel on Sunday,  telling fans as she reached for her foundation, “I can’t show you the foundation that I’m using—well, technically I can…It’s Too Faced Born This Way. BUT it’s my new shade — that I created!”

Aina has always made it a point to call out brands that either don’t include or only offer limited shades for darker skin tones, even uploading an “I Don’t See Color” tutorial earlier this year. And she made a note to mention that while the Too Faced foundation has received rave reviews from across the web for its lightweight, oil-free, yet hydrating, formula and buildable coverage, she couldn’t really fall for the foundation because she couldn’t find a color match. “I was using Mahogany. I wasn’t happy with it because it was way too red,” she explained in the clip. “Now that I have this new shade, for the golden realness, it does exactly what I want it to do in a foundation.”

Needless to say, the announcement sparked a firestorm of excitement from fans and even Too Faced Co-Founder Jerrod Blandino, who shared a photo of Aina on his Instagram. “This means the world to me, it’s so important to me that everyone feels included and knows they’re seen and loved, and this is the perfect partnership to do just that!” he said in the post’s caption. While the YouTuber and the founder haven’t disclosed any additional details like how many hues will be added to the cosmetic collection or when they’ll finally be available for purchase, according to Aina, they’re coming “soon, soon, soon.”

At a time when brands are getting roasted on social media over skimpy shade ranges, it’s great to see a company getting the message and making real efforts to offer inclusive options — not just pandering to people of color, as Aina herself has mentioned many times. And by working with the influencers who actively advocate for inclusivity and also have a close connection with their fans ensures that inclusivity becomes intrinsic and not an afterthought.

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March 22, 2018 by
Beauty, Body, Makeup

Show Your Stash: Rachel ten Brink’s Best Beauty Buys, Fragrance Finds, and More

Photon Courtesy of Rachel ten Brink

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

Whether we consider ourselves a makeup maven, mane master, nail art authority, or fragrance aficionado, most of us have our pick on what we like to focus on or get the most excited about when it comes to beauty. But Rachel ten Brink likes to dabble — it’s pretty much the premise behind both of her brands she co-founded (and currently serves as Chief Marketing Officer for both). Scentbird, a monthly subscription sampling service, offers users a chance to find a fragrance they’ll fall head over heels for by taking their tastes, mood, and occasion, via a quick quiz, into account or simply select a scent they’re dying to spritz. Deck of Scarlet works similarly by offering users a new full-sized palette every other month, which comes complete with liners and lip colors, and partnering with influencers like Roxette Arisa to curate the colors.

That cosmetic curiosity has been instilled in ten Brink since she was small, playing with the products on her mothers’ dressing table and flipping through magazines for the latest launches. And it has served her well throughout her 15 years as a marketer in the beauty business, working for big brands like L’Oreal, Estée Lauder, Procter & Gamble, and Elizabeth Arden before launching both of her own. After playing with Scentbird’s plethora of perfumes and swatching some of the shades from Deck of Scarlet, I reached out the beauty mogul to get her take on how she balances her beauty looks, her biggest influences, and some of her current makeup musts.

On her approach to style: “My approach to beauty is a combination of classic with a pop of color. I grew up in Latin America so I am definitely not afraid of color! A bold red lip, a swish of blue liner, a little glitter here or there, I love all of it.  I find it so important to integrate a little bit of the unknown, to not be afraid to try something new; which is one of the reasons my co-founders and I launched Deck of Scarlet.

“For fashion, I like to mix more neutral pieces with bold statement pieces. I love accessories, necklaces, rings, earrings, shoes — I change it up every day. I think when it comes to both beauty and fashion, it’s all about balance and not overpowering one trend with another but instead, utilizing one focal point whether it be a bright lip or a bright red shoes.”

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On her beauty idols: “First of all, I would say my mother.  She has always been incredibly glamorous and beautiful. She’s always put together, always enjoys beautiful clothes, fun makeup, and gorgeous fragrances.  Her beauty is framed by incredible warmth and empathy; she is truly the person that lights up the room when she enters.  I love that she’s always experimenting with Deck of Scarlet makeup and trying out new shades!

“Also, I worked for Estee Lauder earlier in my career and I truly admire her.  She was a mother, a wife, and an entrepreneur.  I love that she was in her 40’s when she started Estee Lauder and never stopped challenging herself and her company to do better.  She understood the power of women, ‘confidence breeds beauty.'”

On Her first big beauty moment: “My first beauty memory is of my mother’s dressing table.  She always had gorgeous perfume bottles —Opium, YSL Paris, L’Air du Temps —as well as boxes and boxes of gorgeous makeup.  I remember the smell of the Clarins skincare she used at night and YSL Paris when she was going out.”

YSL Lipstick in Prune Avenue.

On her first beauty buy: “I have always been obsessed with beauty. I remember getting Seventeen magazine when I was growing up in Costa Rica. I would study the articles and ads and make a list of stuff I wanted — none of it was available in my local stores, only in the U.S. My dad would travel for work to the U.S. and I would send him with a huge list of items to pick up for me at the drugstore. Poor guy had no idea what he was shopping for!

“Later on, I remember buying myself a YSL lipstick in a deep chocolate brown when I was in college abroad in England at Harvey Nichols in London. It felt incredibly glamorous.”

On the best beauty advice she’s received: “When you’re feeling a little tired or a little beat up, wear red! A bright red lip can totally transform your face and your mood. Confidence goes a long way in making you feel and look beautiful.”

On her favorite beauty tip to share: “Dare to be bold. If you want to try that dark blue lip or holographic highlighter, do it! Just always remember to wash your face at the end of the day. Your skin will thank you later.”

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March 21, 2018 by
Beauty, Makeup

Bite Beauty Unleashes Its Aries Zodiac Lipstick for the Start of Spring

 

Photo: Courtesy of Bite Beauty.

Sure, my birthday (aka the vernal equinox) is tomorrow, but there’s another celestial event taking place this week that begs every beauty buff to go bold.

Bite Beauty’s latest launch in its limited edition Astrology Amouse Bouche lipstick collection, which will hit Sephora stores on March 21st, takes the signature traits of each sun sign and applies them to a particular hue. While February’s Pisces lipstick offered makeup mavens a chance to get mutable with pretty peachy nude, this month’s Aries addition turns up the heat with an “in-your-face…fiery red,” according to the brand.

There’s no question why this bright and bold red was chosen to represent that Zodiac’s resident ram. According to astrologer Tara Greene, who helped the brand select the shades, Aries is the sign of “winners and wonder women,” like the newly-announced candidate for Governor of New York Cynthia Nixon, Dolores Huerta, Victoria Beckham (who’s slated to launch her own skincare line this year — so psyched!), Maya Angelou, Robert Downey Jr., and Selena Quintanilla-Perez, just to name a few. Greene says those born under the feisty sign are considered to be the take-charge type in any situation whether they’re “sitting front row at spin class (if they’re not the instructor already), saving lives in the ER, or nabbing a round of funding for their hot new startup.”

Aries are also known to be pretty impatient, so don’t expect this shade to sit on shelves for long. In fact, the first two hues released in the collection each sold out within two days of release! This rich, orange-toned tomato red is just as fresh as the start of spring, and would work for a slew of skin shades planning to slick on a layer or to polish up their beauty looks throughout the season and even into the summer. With the shades sticking close to the signs’ most significant aspects, I expect to see an earthy, terracotta Taurus lip color arriving in a few weeks.

March 19, 2018 by
Beauty, Makeup

What Beauty Buys Will Be In Besame’s Agent Carter Collection?

Somebody call Jarvis because Agent Carter’s got a new mission: makeup!

Besame Cosmetics shared a cryptic message on its site and a teaser on Instagram on Tuesday to announce that its upcoming collection inspired by the old-school spy will drop during the week of April 23 (the same week Avengers: Infinity War Part 1  is slated to hit theaters), offering 24-hour notice to those who subscribed to the brand’s email list. The release date comes after months of eager anticipation since the brand initially announced the collaboration last year with no details on what would be included in the makeup menagerie.

It’s a pretty big deal for Marvel fans who have missed seeing the agent’s weekly adventures since the show’s cancellation in 2016. Peggy Carter first shined on screen alongside Captain America in his first solo film in the Marvel Universe franchise, subsequently popping up in Captain America: Winter Soldier, Ant-Man, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and ABC’s Agents of Shield before landing her own show that lasted for two seasons. But the show’s “canceled” status didn’t deter fans, who aside from working to decode the clues surrounding the upcoming collaboration have petitioned Marvel to revive the show (hey, everything is getting a reboot lately). And with the frenzy surrounding the upcoming cosmetic collab, it might offer more incentive for the comic book company to bring the secret agent back to the small screen.

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March 15, 2018 by
Beauty, Makeup

Is Jennifer Lopez About To Debut Her Own Bronzer?

A post shared by Scott Barnes (@scottbarnes68) on

Is J.Lo about to deliver her own signature glow to Sephora shelves? Definitely, if you ask her makeup artist Scott Barnes.

After posting a picture of the star on the set of World of Dance on Monday, wearing a full contour with a peachy bronzer, Barnes let it slip in the snap’s comment section that the beauty buy to create the look was actually J.Lo’s own bronzer! He said, “I’m using a bronzer that @Jlo is making it’s pretty amazing!! Shhh ?.” But it wasn’t until @Trendmood1 caught onto the comment that the news spread like wildfire with beauty buffs and Lopez loyalists alike speculating on whether the bold bronzer would stand on its own or accompany a full collection, and regardless of either option, who was she working with to bring the beauty buy to market.

The major multihyphenate has remained mum on the news — let alone any disclosing additional details on the upcoming release — but it would be a natural next step for her. She’s a serial entrepreneur who’s dipped her toe into fashion and fitness, but she also has serious beauty cred to boot aside from her radiant complexion. Lopez found her way to the fragrance counter in 2002 with her first and most iconic scent, J.Lo Glow. The perfume was a huge success, becoming the second highest seller in the American market that following year, spawning 18 additional flanking fragrances (the final one was released in 2012), and subsequently setting off a wave of celebrity fragrances that dominated the industry for the rest of the decade.

While the bronzer would be a great launching pad for Lopez, I have to agree with Macaela Mackenzie at Allure, who’s hoping that the star will eventually branch out into skincare to really score that trademark glow. Either way, I’ll be keeping a closer eye on Instagram comments going forward for any additional details.

March 14, 2018 by
Beauty, Makeup

Frida Kahlo’s Beauty Secrets Behind Her Unibrow Revealed In New Exhibit

Embed from Getty Images

Some might argue that Frida Kahlo’s beautiful braids — accented with vibrant blooms, of course — were her signature beauty look, but you really can’t argue against the bold unibrow she proudly sported in her seminal self-portraits and IRL. And now an upcoming exhibit at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum is slated to give a peek at the beauty buys she had on her vanity.

According to The Guardian, the museum will put over 200 of her personal items on display, including clothes, jewelry, her prosthetic leg, and a sampling of her cosmetics which up until now had been sealed in the Mexican artist’s home following her death in 1954, thanks to her husband and fellow artist Diego Rivera. Kahlo was clearly a fan of Revlon, as the brand’s blush, bullet lipsticks in “Everything’s Rosy” (Kahlo’s favorite shade), nail files, and even the ebony eyebrow pencil she used to fill in her monobrow will be showcased in their original packaging. And in case you were curious, Refinery29 discovered that the brand’s Soft Black ColorStay Pencil serves as a great substitute for the original product that has long been discontinued.

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March 13, 2018 by
Beauty, Body, Hair, Makeup, Skin

Serena Williams Is Launching Her Own Beauty Line

Embed from Getty Images

She’s conquered the tennis court and slayed the style game, but it looks like Serena Williams is ready to serve up something new: her very own beauty line!

TMZ recently reported that the all-star athlete filed legal documents to trademark the name “Aneres” (which, while it sounds like the name of  Game of Thrones characters, is actually Serena spelled backward) for a cosmetics line back in January. She had previously applied for a trademark on the reversed version of her name for a clothing line back in 2003 that fell through and reapplied for it again in 2016, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. While she hasn’t announced anything regarding the line, the filing details that she’ll be using her moniker to bring the beauty line, which will include everything from skincare to cosmetics to fragrance to bath and body care to even hair care and styling products, to life.

Given the fact that Williams loves to look glam on and off of the court ( I still can’t get over this gilded pony she rocked at the 2017 Glamour Women Of The Year Awards), I could easily see a makeup collection and maybe even a dry shampoo, which was also listed in the filing, designed to stand up to serious sweat in the near future. In fact, big beauty brands like Tarte and Clinique have already released their own gaggle of gym bag goodies in recent years to much fanfare. But I feel like Williams could easily smash the cosmetics competition by taking a 360-degree approach to her athleisure array of beauty buys, delivering easy and effective solutions whether you’re a barre babe, a busy mom, or both!

So while we’re all keeping our fingers crossed for more details on the upcoming launch, I’d start saving my pennies now so you can snag every items on your wishlist once it’s finally served up!

March 12, 2018 by
Beauty, Fashion, Makeup

Jessica Milagros Adds Her Stylish Touch to JCPenney’s New Swim Line

Photo: Courtesy of JCPenney.

When it comes to shopping for swimwear, most plus-size fashionistas have to look online to search for a style we’d like. Then we have to wait for it to arrive in order to try it on. And if it doesn’t fit, it can take weeks to exchange it for a better fit. But JCPenney is eliminating that back and forth by introducing Boutique+’s first swimwear collection online and in store! It was a standout moment for Jessica Milagros, the first plus-size Latina model to land a national campaign with JCPenney (and for Ashley Nell Tipton’s debut collection, no less) and the designer of the collection, who was excited about the chance for shoppers to get that instant gratification.

“We have a good number of brands coming out with [plus-size lines] but everything is online,” Milagros told me in the midst of the brand’s pool party celebrating the launch of the line at the Parker Hotel Thursday night where guests splashed in the indoor pool in select styles from the collection. “This is the launch of their very first swim collection that they’re available in store. And that’s a big thing because not every plus-size body is the same! We might be the same 18, size 20, but I carry it differently than other people. “

Photo: Courtesy of JCPenney.

That’s what Milagros kept in mind as she crafted the over 20-piece collection with a range of mix and match pieces for whatever style suits the shoppers’ aesthetic, bringing a balance of sexy and conservative. The results include trendy tankinis, chic one-pieces, and bold bikinis in vibrant prints and even a few pieces of what Milagros called “little black swim” — with even more fresh styles hitting stores next month!

“Not every woman has the same type of style when it comes to swim,” she explained.  “I feel like I wanted the collection to kind of come to the middle of what was lacking, so it’s not a super cohesive collection — it’s very spread out to cater to every different type of woman.” 

Aside from the fashion-forward look of these pieces, the model made it a priority to make every strap adjustable, every swim bottom came up high enough to cinch in waists, and every inch of power mesh used was strong enough to support without ripping or snagging. By working closely with the design team, Milagros ensured that no matter their body type, shoppers could find a silhouette that flatters their figure and make them comfortable and confident.

“I know that when a swimsuit fits well, they feel amazing and confident in themselves because it fits and not because of their size or anything. They just feel like they’re supported and ready to conquer!” Milagros said, who noted that owning your differences is what makes you special and that every body deserves to show off their style.

And the pieces are not solely meant to be worn poolside or at the beach. Milagros encouraged the plus-size set to incorporate the splashy pieces into their wardrobes, suggesting they rock their swimsuit with a button-down shirt and jeans an as easy everyday ensemble. “It’s all about accessorizing your swim with a sarong, a cute coverup, hats, jewelry  — the bigger the earring, the better,” she explained. “Accessorize it with a good shoe! I think that swim can be so fun, and a lot of people don’t understand that they can make it an outfit.”

Photo: Courtesy of JCPenney.

Another amazing accessory for your swimwear, according to the mega model: highlighter. Milagros loves Fenty‘s and Becca‘s brand of shimmer and says that there’s nothing quite like the glow of a good bronzing oil to make every inch of skin you decide to show look incredible. “I like to highlight all over the body,” she said. “Highlight, to me, is meant for all over the body: on your legs, your arms.”

But no matter how your style your swim, Milagros ensures there will be much more to work with as the line moves forward. Though she admits she’s a bit indecisive on the direction, she hopes to incorporate strappier pieces as well as monokinis that create the look of a bold bikini in a rainbow of hues and prints. But one thing at the top of her agenda is more sporty swimwear, pointing out a black and white crop top bikini featuring small cutouts in the top that’s expected to part of the April arrivals as an example. “Something that keeps the girls in check, something that plus-size women can wear and play volleyball, you can go out and wear it while running on the beach,”  she explained. “We are active in our swimwear too just like any other girl.”

The Boutique+ Swim collection is available right now in store and online at JCPenney with more styles hitting shelves in April!

March 9, 2018 by
Beauty, Hair, Makeup

GTL: The Boldest Beauty Looks from the 90th Academy Awards

GTL – Get the Look, not Gym, Tan, Laundry, duh!
Embed from Getty Images

The Oscars are pretty much the pinnacle of red carpet beauty. Not only is it Hollywood’s biggest night of the year, but it’s also the busiest night for any glam squad on the West Coast. Stars pulled out all the stops for award’s season’s big finale by embracing bright colors and shimmering details whether it was a gown or a tux. And while most tended to stick to more natural, yet utterly elegant, hair and makeup, there were plenty of bold beauty looks that everyone will want to copy.

Aside from the sparkling style on the red carpet, The Time’s Up and #MeToo movements were still going strong, as stars and Harvey Weinstein accusers Ashley Judd, Annabella Sciorra, and Salma Hayek took to the stage to introduce a montage of the year’s nominees rallying  for continued inclusion in the industry. Something that Frances McDormand took to heart and shined a spotlight on during her best actress Oscar acceptance speech, asking all of the female nominees (regardless of category) to stand up, calling upon industry execs to not only meet with them but to finance their future projects, and concluding with two words: inclusion rider. Plus, there was also a slew of stars who shifted their focus from sexual harassment to gun control, sporting orange ribbons in support of the Parkland shooting victims in the fight to change federal gun laws (although states and individual retailers are making more strides.

And with the night’s mix of glamor, grit, and girl power, I wanted to share the details on the some of the most eye-catching beauty looks stars rocked on the red carpet, just in case you want to give them a try for any of your upcoming spring socials.

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March 5, 2018 by