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Show Your Stash: Misti Michelle’s Makeup Musts, Muses & More

Courtesy of Misti Michelle

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.

It’s a bit of a coincidence that it’s National Bestfriend Day, and I happen to be featuring one of my best beauty buds—and there are many more you’ll see soon. Misti of MistiMichelle.com (formerly Entertainista.com) has always had an eye for beauty whether it was rocking wildly colored tresses in high school or becoming a licensed esthetician herself, and like most of us, she got it from her mama! She’s channeled all of her know-how, her carefully curated closet, and appetite for entertainment into a beautiful blog where she regularly shares her favorite finds and media musts. After forming a strong bond, as well as her encouraging me to start my blog, I wanted to spread the love and get her take on all things beauty, including how her aesthetic has shifted, what’s her best beauty advice, and what products make her #BeautyLust list for 2016.

Misti’s ultimate beauty look

On her approach to beauty: “My approach to beauty has changed so much over the last few years. Now that I’m in my mid-30s, my approach is less about the flashy, crazy trends and more about finding something that works for me. These days my beauty style is simple and classic. Most days it’s just a 5-product routine, as I’m just too lazy to do anything more; however, even when I go ‘all out,’ I don’t go for the crazy eyeshadows or lip colors. I tend to keep it all neutral.“

On the beauty idols she grew up with: “I didn’t really grow up with any beauty idols other than my mother; however, I do remember loving Cindy Crawford on MTV’s House of Style.”

via MTV.com

On her first beauty buy: “My mom sold Mary Kay all through my teens so I never really had to buy makeup. It wasn’t till I came to New York for the first time in 2000 that I was introduced to MAC. I couldn’t afford much but I did score Ruby Woo lipstick and I treasured it.”

On the best beauty advice she’s received: “Blend. Everyone from key MUA’s to my mom drilled blending into my head from the start. To this day, I live in fear of the dreaded foundation line.”

On her favorite tip to share: “When I was trying my hand at modeling, one of the MUA’s on set told me that if I’m ever in a bind lipstick can double as a blush and to use mascara as an eyeliner.”

Her picks for the best beauty buy of 2016 (so far): “I have to say it’s a toss-up between Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Cream and OUAI’s Hair Oil. Both have become staples in my daily beauty routine.”

Check out Misti’s musts below!

June 8, 2016 by Val

Beauty, Makeup

MAC Puts #NYFW Backstage Staples in the Spotlight

Kabuki, James Kaliardos, and Diane Kendal are the makeup maestros that have launched trends and developed many of the techniques we try backstage at Fashion Weeks around the world, so it’s no surprise that MAC would look to them for a curated collection.

Though the three K’s of backstage beauty have worked their magic on behalf of the brand during Fashion Month every season, this marks the first time the company has collaborated with independent makeup artists. “[The three] have been a part of the MAC family for many years, keying our shows at fashion weeks around the globe and working on our various visual campaigns,” James Gager, creative director of MAC, told Women’s Wear Daily.

The only caveat is that the collection isn’t slated to hit shelves until January 2017. But this special collection will be worth the wait! The 50-piece collaboration will feature individual collections from each artist that reflect their personal approach to beauty. According to the trade, Kaliardos will offer a clean aesthetic filled with neutrals while Kendal captures the spring runways with bronzy lids and cheeks and a bold lip for balance. But none is as glamorous as Kabuki’s creations that include a vibrant blue cream shadow, classic red lip, and even a bronzer/blush compact to complete the look.“[They] gave me complete freedom with this collection and turned my wish list into reality,” Kabuki said.

And for fashion fans and editors alike, this is definitely a dream come true. I’ve watched them work their magic behind the scenes amidst the chaos, transforming exhausted models into magical creatures that captivate on the catwalk with such precision and creativity—all while still coloring inside the lines determined by the designers. So seeing these artists free hand their own version of beauty will certainly be a treat. Needless to say, I can’t wait to see more of the campaign pictures to get a closer look at their handiwork!

June 6, 2016 by Val

Beauty, Body, Hair, Makeup, Skin

Show Your Stash: Kat Graham Shares Her Beauty Secrets

via Kat Graham’s Instagram

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.

Kat Graham has bewitched audiences since she was six with her moves, music, and magic on the big and small screens. Aside from being a well-rounded entertainer, she’s got serious beauty chops to boot. The Caress and Wet ‘n’ Wild ambassador regularly skips the glam squad in favor of doing it herself and considers fragrance to be the finishing touch to any ensemble. After meeting The Vampire Diaries star and learning more about her girl-powered attitude on beauty, I recently reached out to the multi-hyphenate maven to get her take on all things beauty, including how she channels her inner beauty, who she turns to for inspiration, and what her major must-have of the year is so far.

May 25, 2016 by Val

Beauty, Makeup

Move Over Mood Lipsticks—MAC’s Got a Major Lippie Look for Summer

MAC

MAC wants you to toss the mood lipsticks from your middle school days and upgrade to something that’s sure to stand out.

The brand has taken the magic from our school days and reformulated them into the upcoming Tender Talk Lip Balms that will hit retailers and the web on June 18th for $20 each. Though the details of the formula are under wraps, the smart lip conditioners not only hydrate parched pouts, they also use your body chemistry to craft a sheer wash of customized color. And unlike the tubes from makeup’s past, there are an array of shades you can select for every occasion and skin tone.

Mood lipsticks were my first mom-approved makeup that I could use. We all initially thought that the (usually) green tube could magically shift between shades like the rings that also shared the same moniker but quickly learned better. These new lip balms instantly revive those memories and offer an amazing no-makeup makeup option for the season, like Glossier’s Generation G Balms that have already become a phenomenon, that is bound to become a summer sensation.

Get up close and personal with the chic shades below!

May 23, 2016 by Val

Beauty, Makeup

Wonder Woman’s Back on Beauty Counters!

via Pop Sugar

After getting a look at DC’s First Lady of Justice in Batman v. Superman earlier this spring, I was dying for more Wonder Woman. While her standalone flick has been moved up a few weeks to feed the fans’ fascination, Diana Prince’s next move offers instant gratification.

Walgreens has partnered up with Warner Brothers Entertainment to curate a cosmetics collection inspired by the superheroine that will be available at select stores nationwide. The makeup musts include a neutral eye palette, lip glosses, colored liquid liners, lipsticks, lip balms, nail polish, a beauty book (pictured above), plus accessories including cosmetics cases and travel bags covered in her signature double W’s. All of the items available are priced under $15, making it a great option for budget-conscious fangirls and beauty buffs.

This certainly isn’t the first time Wonder Woman has shown up on beauty counters, as MAC joined forces with the amazing Amazonian back in 2011 for a collection of its own that sold out almost instantly. Not to mention the Crazy Foam fun 3-in-1 Body wash, Shampoo, and Conditioner that’s also available on Walgreens.com.

There’s no question I’m nabbing something from this collection! I’ve been a big fan of the heroine since college, even focusing my senior thesis on the superhero. I’ve even held onto my MAC x Wonder Woman cosmetics case for 5 years, bringing it with me everywhere I traveled, and I refuse to get rid of it. She’s come to represent more than just the good guy who wins in the end, becoming Ms. Magazine’s cover girl in the ’70s and subsequently, the face of the women’s rights movement. She symbolizes the strength that each woman possesses, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional, and the heart to seek truth (hey, that lasso wasn’t just for the cheesecake factor) and deliver justice to those who are wronged and/or oppressed. Besides, seeing women on screen kicking ass and overcoming tremendous odds show other girls they can do the same!

While most of the beauty buys have already flown off shelves, head over to Pop Sugar to see what else may spring up on shelves and nab the rest if you can!

May 12, 2016 by Val

Beauty, Makeup

Zoe Kravitz is YSL’s New Beauty Muse

Embed from Getty Images

It the midst of all of the Met Gala madness, many have missed the memo that Zoe Kravitz has landed a big beauty deal with YSL Beaute!

The news broke this morning, fresh on the heels of the actress rocking the beauty brand behind her lacy mask at the fashion fest (channeling a bit of her X-Men, character, Angel Salvadore). Kravitz will bring her “edgy playfulness” and cool approach to beauty to the company’s social channels, sharing her makeup must-haves and her top tips and tricks. She’ll shoot a new project for the company this week called “Before the Light,” a video series that will showcase up-and-coming talents from around the world as they primp and prepare to take the stage, show off their personality, and become the rockstars in the spotlight.

“YSL has always been one of my favorite brands,” Kravitz said in a statement. “Their ability to combine the chicest of style with a raw edge has always been to me one of the best ways to express yourself through fashion and beauty. Nothing is forced, nothing is fake, but everything is bold, strong, and unafraid.”

I’ve always coveted Kravitz’s natural cool, so the partnership seems like the perfect fit to me. Given YSL’s rockstar sensibilities and Kravitz musical (she’s the frontwoman of LOLAWOLF) and acting talent (I mean, she was in Mad Max: Fury Road, easily the biggest movie of 2015 with more projects on the way), she’ll offer a fresh perspective for the luxe beauty brand that follows the fashion house’s Music Project. I’m psyched to see what the final cut of the music clips will look like as well as the rest of Kravitz effortlessly chic campaign. Congrats!

May 3, 2016 by Val

Beauty, Hair, Makeup

GTL: The Boldest Beauty Looks of the 2016 Met Gala

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

Embed from Getty Images

When this year’s Met Gala theme, “Manus x Machina: Fashion In An Age Of Technology,” was announced, I instantly had visions of cyberpunk pretty — sharp slashes of eyeliner, manicures using bits of motherboards, and cascades of chrome. While most played it safe this year, letting their custom glittering gowns (crafted with the latest technology) do all of the talking, I was psyched to see many stars embracing the theme fully and stepping out of their regular red carpet glamor routine. I got the details on how to recreate the looks straight from the hairstylists and makeup artist to ensure you stand out at the next social gathering on your calendar.

May 3, 2016 by Val

Beauty, Makeup

Pat McGrath’s Feeding Your Skin Fetish Once Again

PAT McGRATH LABS Skin Fetish 003 in Golden

Courtesy of Pat McGrath Labs

Calling Pat McGrath the Godmother of modern makeup is a bit of an understatement. Her hands have shaped endless beauty trends that we follow religiously, refined the cosmetic collections of brands like CoverGirl, Max Factor, and Dolce & Gabbana—all before launching her own line. Now her latest release soared off of shelves before the end of the first day of availability!

Named Skin Fetish 003, the sets feature an iridescent gel pigment in one of two shades (one for warm tones and one for cool), a buffer brush, as well as a dual-ended Shiny Stick. This magical stick comes with a beautifying balm that delivers a fresh, dewy glow while the highlighter on the other end accentuates the high points of the face (cheeks, nose, lips, and more) with a subtle dash of dazzle.

Makeup mavens got their first peek at the illuminated effect during the Valentino Fall 2016 show where models channeled the ethereal beauty of ballerinas. But we can easily see it on beach-bound beauties or festival season flower children and everyone in between!

But be forewarned; according to a statement from the makeup maestro, “Users may experience increased confidence, attraction to mirrors, and other side effects associated with supremely salacious skin.”

Check out the other shade below:

April 26, 2016 by Val

Beauty, Makeup

#OnMyVanity: Milk Lip + Cheek Tint

I receive a slew of samples, and when I find something I like, I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

Multiple sticks are nothing new these days, but they have increasingly become essentials for those who need to get glam on the go. And with the recent launch of Milk’s makeup line, I was curious to see what the hype was all about since it flew off the shelves faster than retailers could keep up with. So as soon as I spotted a few of the sticks on UrbanOutfitters.com, I immediately clicked “Add to Cart.” And once I got my hands on it, I shared my take on the stick on Snapchat.

April 21, 2016 by Val

Beauty, Makeup

MAC Says Don’t Feed The Trolls, Wear Their Look Instead

Courtesy of MAC

A mere week has passed since MAC gave us a look at the upcoming Selena collection, but the brand already has a new collaboration in the works that taps into our craving for ‘90s nostalgia.

The cosmetics company has linked up with DreamWorks to bring the troll dolls you collected as a kid to the big screen and the makeup counter. Makeup mavens will be enticed by the vibrant array of essentials for eyes lips and face with unexpected color combinations and gobs of glitter. Plus the iconic doll is all over the packaging, even embossed on a pair of the beauty powders.

Oh wait, you didn’t know there was a movie in the works?! Well, the kid-friendly feature will star the voices of Anna Kendrick, Zooey Deschanel, Justin Timberlake, and many more as the bejeweled-bellied creatures who have their world rocked by the presence of a giant.

Though the film won’t hit theaters until November, you won’t have to wait as long for the vibrant makeup musts will hit shelves in August—perfect for those end-of-summer soirees on your social calendar.

April 19, 2016 by Val

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