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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
Fashion, Personal Musings

The Style Rules My Mom Instilled In Me

A post shared by Val’s Vanity (@valsvanity) on

Before Instagram, personal style blogs, and long before we started flipping through fashion magazines, our first style inspiration was Mom. In fact, mine still serves as my stylist, ensuring I step out with my most stylish foot forward, which I trained myself to do by running around the house in her red pumps that I adored. The clothing swaps didn’t stop there either. My mom would often let me raid her wardrobe when I needed to dress up during middle school and later on, I gifted her some of my hand-me-downs that she loved that didn’t fit me anymore. Without her, my closet wouldn’t have a drop of color, just a series of mostly black and a few white pieces that I’d constantly repeat. And so in honor of her special day, I’ve rounded up some of the style rules that she instilled in me. Happy Mother’s Day, and if you can, give your mom a hug for me!

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May 13, 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
Fashion

Ashly Graham Is Rag & Bone’s Newest Face…Does That Mean The Company’s Extending Its Sizes?

Photo Rag and Bone via People.com.

Ashley Graham‘s newest fashion campaign has left fans wondering if a beloved brand is branching out into bigger sizing

The mega model joins the likes of Paris Jackson, Alek Wek, Yuka Mannami, and Bella Hadid for Rag & Bone’s DIY Project that’s meant to emphasize authenticity and individuality in each model’s shoot by allowing them to pick the pieces they’re dying to wear.

Just one thing, though: Rag & Bone currently only offers straight sizes, with tops only going to up a Large and jeans maxing out a 32 (a size 12). It was something that brought up again and again when Graham posted some of the pictures from the campaign, with one fan asking about the sizing with, “[S]orry to ask but are you a 32” or are they making larger sizes?? Look ?.”

Another fan crossed their fingers for an upcoming collaboration, leaving the c0mment: “Omg! Where are the plus size @ragandbone jeans?!?!? Please say this is a collab and REAL LIFE @theashleygraham.”

And it looks like it just might be happening as Rag & Bone released a statement to People on Monday confirming that extended sizes will be available before the end of the year! “We can confirm that rag & bone will be introducing a selection of best-selling denim and ready to wear, in extended sizes from November. In addition, we have already started delivering a selection of denim with extended sizing through our partners at Nordstrom,” the brand told the glossy. So while there’s no additional information about how far the sizes will extend, we can at least get an early sneak peek on Nordstrom‘s racks.

This is just another door that Graham has kicked down in regards to body diversity, as she was not only the first curvy model to be featured in Sports Illustrated’s 2015 Swimsuit issue in an ad for SwimsuitsforAll, she also became the cover girl of the iconic issue the year after. Not to mention her most recent broken boundary as one of the first plus-size models to land a beauty contract with Revlon. And with her design acumen, which she’s honed with brands like SwimsuitsforAll, Nordstrom, and DressBarn, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Graham share some design ideas and help shape this next new stage for Rag & Bone.

May 1, 2018 by
Fashion

Will Rihanna’s New Lingerie Line Come In Plus Sizes?

Embed from Getty Images

Inclusivity has been at the core of Rihanna‘s brand since she began building her beauty empire, but will it translate to her latest line?

Signs point to yes — and I couldn’t be more psyched! After weeks of teasing the brand on Instagram, Mic was the first to discover that when you head to the brand’s official site to sign up for the brand’s newsletter, it also asks for your bra and undie sizes via a drop-down menu. The bra sizes included in the menu range from 32A to 44DD while undie sizes go up to 3X! That means that similar to her ground-breaking foundation range, she’s had more than the straight-sized set in mind from the start.

That’s an amazing start for any fashion brand, let alone an intimates line, which The Lingerie Addict‘s Cora Harrington called it “impressive” as lingerie has a more complicated production process than makeup. Harrington notes the fact the line isn’t even more size-inclusive than it already is, points to limitations in intimate apparel, regardless of the brand, rather than a lack of effort. “[M]aking bras is nothing like making foundation,” she said in a blog post about the line. “Literally the only thing connecting Fenty Beauty to Savage x Fenty is Rihanna. She’s using two different companies with two different infrastructures for products in two different categories.”

Harrington says that since Savage x Fenty is the first intimates brand from TechStyle (which also produces Fabletics‘s range, including sports bras) and the brand’s maximum cup size is a DD, they might not have the resources yet to go beyond that bra size without causing a break. Going past that size break would mean researching and revamping the bra patterns and construction to accommodate a larger bust — and that still aligns with the line’s aesthetic. This wasn’t the case with Fenty Beauty, as Rihanna had linked up with Kendo Beauty, a long-established company that also owns Kat Von D Beauty, Marc Jacobs Beauty and many more, which has the resources and distribution to produce such a huge range right out of the gate.

Aside from learning about the size range of the line, we’re starting to get a sense of what the pieces will actually look like. The Instagram teasers offer some insight, as we get a peek of Rihanna in a classic underwire bra in one of the clips while another model is seen in a sheer lacy bra or bralette with a cutout front. So I feel like her new lingerie might mix a bit of athleisure ease and comfort from Fenty x Puma with the decadent details of her Fenty for Stance sock line, which make for not only a sold-out situation but also a slew of sexy selfies (though whether you choose to share them is totally up to you — no one else).

Here’s hoping there will be DDD-G cup sizes and larger underwear sizes are already in the works for this highly-anticipated and seriously chic line (??) because we all want to look and feel as luxe and lovely as Riri herself!

April 23, 2018 by
Beauty, Fashion, Makeup

Puma Partners With MAC For Makeup-Matching Sneakers

Lucy Hale’s known for making monochromatic magic by matching her heels to her lipstick whenever she steps out, but MAC is making it easy to pull off the look yourself by partnering with Puma.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the footwear giant’s signature suede sneaker, the brands have come together for a capsule collection of shoe hues based on MAC’s most beloved lipstick shades. Yup, that’s right — you can now rock kicks in the coral-red Lady Danger, the peach-beige Crème d’Nude, or the deep burgundy Sin. Vogue says the color-matched kicks will be available for purchase exclusively in the U.S. at puma.com starting May 17th with each pair going for $90.

The beauty brand has always had collaborations at its core, with curated collections from our favorite stars, movies, and more dropping on a regular basis. Not to mention its annual celebrity partnerships for its Viva Glam Lipstick, whose full proceeds benefit women, men and children living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. But regardless, all of the previous partnerships have been mostly confined to the beauty counter, so this collection is certain to shake things up. As Elle noted, the brand team-up was teased back in November with MAC captioning the sneak peek snapshot on Instagram with: “Your favorite hues take a big step in a whole new direction.”

I can easily see Hale herself or her stylist snapping up all three styles to pair with their respective lip shades for her next red carpet event. But she won’t be the only one, as plenty of beauty buffs (like myself) and streetwear all stars clamoring for the collection. So be sure to set your alarms early so you don’t miss out! In the meantime, head over to either Elle or Vogue to get a closer look at the upcoming collection and choose your favorite color. Which one(s) are you planning to pick up? Let me know in the comments below!

April 17, 2018 by
Fashion

Nanette Lepore Links Up With Dia&Co. for a Plethora of Playful Plus-Size Picks

Photo via Dia.com

Nanette Lepore is applying her love of kaleidoscopic colors to the plus size set with help from Dia&Co!

The style subscription service is no stranger to collaborations, previously linking up with the likes of Rebel Wilson and Girl with Curves‘ Tanesha Awasthi. But this marks a first for the New York Fashion Week regular who’s known for blending bohemian prints with classic feminine silhouettes that appeal to fashion fans of all ages — and now up to a size 32 as well!

The 25-piece collection, which is now available to shop, consists of lacy tops, flirty skirts, breezy dresses, and chic style staples like pants and blazers in neutral hues, allowing you really let those playfully printed pieces pop! Or as Ashby Vose, Stylist at Dia&Co, told SheFinds, “The spring collection features feminine prints and pastels while staying true to the brand’s iconic aesthetic with soft ruffles, thoughtful embroidery and incredible detailing throughout the pieces.” Plus, everything’s priced under $100 each, so you can easily use spring cleaning as an excuse to snap these up!

Bear in mind that you can only get your hands on the collection by requesting the particular pieces you want when you sign up for Dia&Co’s styling boxes — you won’t find them on a sales rack anywhere else. Then once they arrive on your doorstep, you can keep the coveted collaboration pieces that you want and simply send back the rest of curated clothing for something else when you’re ready.

To celebrate the collaboration, Dia&Co. will host its very first pop-up shop this Saturday, April 14th, at 7 Cleveland Place in New York City. From 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, guests will not only have the chance to shop the Lepore pieces and the brand’s signature styling boxes but also score styling advice from fashion expert Reah Norman and Dia&Co stylists. Plus there will be hair stylists and makeup artists on hand to offer touchups to pair your new look.

If you’re not sure what to snap up first, head over to SheFinds to check out the rest of the pretty, printed pieces that will be available to add to your styling boxes starting today, April 11th, to nab them now before they disappear!

April 11, 2018 by
Fashion

Ali Tate Teams Up With Reformation for Its First Plus-Size Collection

Photo via TheReformation.com

Thanks to its plethora of boho-inspired dresses, bombshell bodysuits, and cool-girl chic matching sets, Reformation is considered a quintessential L.A. brand that celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, and more can’t get enough of. But now after a flurry of requests from the plus-size set, the brand is expanding its range with help from curve model Ali Tate.

While this marks the first time its tried manufacturing plus-size pieces, Refinery29 points out that the brand’s sizing has branched out in the past with a collection for those with bigger busts back in 2015 as well as a permanent petite collection added in last year. The brand has always made it a point to listen to its customers and deliver what she wants (what she really, really wants — sorry, couldn’t help myself), and as the collection’s landing page stated that it was “[s]orry it took us so long,” it seems like it’s listened to fashion fans wanting to score their styles. (And it’s not the only brand that’s been listening to their clientele lately, as ASOS has introduced new technology on its site to show its clothing on varying body types to help shoppers better see themselves in the style before adding them to their cart.)

“For the last year or so we’ve been receiving a lot of comments and requests for more inclusive sizing – and rightly so,” the brand shared on its site. “It’s obviously unfair that we’ve only been offering clothing to a limited size range.”

Tate tapped the core Reformation aesthetic to create a series of breezy dresses in classic prints and hues to simplify our morning routines, chic two-piece sets that work for a picnic in the park or cocktails al fresco, and bodysuits to make styling separates a cinch. I could easily see myself sporting the Sally Dress (pictured at right) for a first date, the frilly and flowy Francis Dress for day drinking frosé with friends, as well as the bold Brandi Two Piece (in Fan) for a spring sunset soirée. Sizes range from sizes 0 to 22 and XS to 3XL and prices vary from $78 for a bodysuit to $218 for a dress or matching set. But all of the pieces are made to the same sustainable standards that the brand has always stood for, something that Tate was quite excited about when she shared news about the launch.

“This company has been an all-time fave of mine because yes, their styles are freakishly cute, but also because they make their clothes sustainably and transparently,” the model shared in a snap on Instagram. “Talk about changing the fashion industry!”

The only snag — other than the price tag for some — is that the plus-size selections are limited edition. So you probably shouldn’t sleep on these spring styles if you’re an L.A. girl at heart (or your closet). But if the collection becomes a serious success, it will hopefully lead to more inclusive options from Reformation in the future!

March 26, 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
Fashion

10 Feminist Pins to Help You Stick It to the Patriarchy

 

Buttons were a big thing, at least to me, when I was in high school thanks to a dress code rule which required us to wear our school IDs at all times on lanyards. Since a lanyard alone is just plain boring and pretty easy to lose when you’re rushing from between classes, buttons became the easiest way for me to add some flair (and oftentimes sass) to the string around my neck. I’d spend hours digging through bins at Hot Topic and garage sales in search of the perfect pins that fit my personality in order to add to my collection. It grew so large that you couldn’t see the string at all or wear it comfortably because it weighed so much and scratched at my skin — but I didn’t care as long as I looked as cool as I felt when I wore them.

Thankfully the trend has come back around, this time in the form of chic enamel pins customized by some of the internet’s most popular artists and illustrators. And while there seems to be an enamel pin for nearly everything you can think of (thank you, internet), a cluster of creators have crafted pins that speak towards smashing the patriarchy and continuing to push the feminist agenda forward for equality for all. And most, if not all, are women entrepreneurs building up their small businesses into something bigger. So in honor of International Women’s Day, I decided to round up a few favorites to pin from to your lapel so you can stick to the man without having to say a word and support small women-owned business in the process.

Check them out below!

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March 8, 2018 by