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Cosmoprof preview party

I can’t believe it’s only a week until Cosmoprof in Vegas! Earlier in the month Cosmoprof hosted a preview party at EZ Studios in NYC for a sneak peek at some of the hair, nail, skin, and makeup. We got to mingle with the brands and play with some of the products (pictured above). I’m very much looking forward to the event next week, especially since I was one of the judges of the ICMAD CITY beauty awards, which were announcing the winners during the show!

A little background info about Cosmoprof North America (CPNA), for all you beauty lovers! This is the leading beauty trade show and a industry go-to for finding the newest and most exciting brands launching into the market. This three day event is held in Vegas and boasts over 33,000 attendees and 1,154 exhibitors from 38 different countries. Those attending CPNA can expect to discover unique brand launches, product innovations, new channels for distribution, and form key relationships with top industry professionals and retailers. So basically, it’s a mecca for people in the beauty industry.

From the NYC preview party here are a few brands to have on your radar:

Mullein & Sparrow

Based out of Brooklyn, Mullein & Sparrow is a luxury vegan beauty line created by founder Anit Hora. Her brand offers a variety of skin and hair care products as well as candles and gift sets. Her skin-firming and hydrating body oil, which is packed with antioxidants and organic essential oils is formulated with lemongrass mint, which gives off a very distinctive and citrus-y smell. I really loved the way this product felt on my skin, it was super smooth and not too oily, but the smell was intense.

Olay Labs Forehead Reset System

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of OLAY LABS. The opinions and text are all mine.

olay labs forehead strips
Can you even tell I’m wearing a forehead strip?

A few years back skincare tape was trying to make its mark on the beauty industry. You’d basically take this shaped tape and apply to your forehead or smile lines as an effort to slow down wrinkles. While it had some merit it never really made it mainstream, probably because it was missing something…

The magic touch? Or a product that could be used under the tape to seal in the skincare so when you wakeup lines are plumped and filled in. Welcome, the newly-launched Olay Labs Forehead Reset System, a pioneering skincare product from Olay Labs, the team who pushes the boundaries of innovation and continues Olay’s mission to keep women ageless. For all of you that think you need a needle to smooth out forehead wrinkles, try this first!

As a big fan of Olay, literally Regenerist Multi-Sculpting Cream is usually my go-to when I need my lines plumped (you can read the full review HERE), I’m so excited about a Botox alternative to getting my forehead wrinkle-free. I have an impossibly small forehead so I am not a good candidate for Botox anyways, plus I’m not there yet. Being preventative with my forehead wrinkles (wearing SPF and addressing my lines in my skincare regimen) is very important to me. While I’m big on aging gracefully, being in front of the camera so much, I want to minimize my lines as most women do. And some of us don’t want fillers (including the price tag!) but struggle to find a good topical that works long term.

This is what’s so cool about the new Olay Labs Forehead Reset System! You get a 28 day supply, which includes a topical Forehead Cream and 4 packs of Forehead Strips (each pack contains 7 Strips). It’s really easy to use!

Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream Wins Good Housekeeping Seal!

You know the age-old notion that expensive skin care is the only way to achieve impeccable skin? Which by the way, I’ve always found completely annoying. In my 9 years of beauty blogging and 12 years in the beauty industry, I’ve tried a lot of expensive skincare products that were duds and inexpensive ones that we’re amazing, and vice versa. A lot of people look at marketing and packaging when it’s really the formulas and clinical testing that should drive our purchasing decisions. Olay for me is the leading example of this. Their Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream is legendary. And while I love a lot of drugstore products, Olay is the only brand and specifically this product that I can guarantee works.

This is what clinical testing looks like!
This is what clinical testing looks like!

Now that may sound presumptuous but last year my mom and I went on a journey with Olay testing out an unmarked moisturizer and had our skin measured weekly to monitor any changes. (You can read all about it HERE). Spoiler alert, my mom showed crazy improvements – and she’s a woman that has access to my endless beauty closet, and no stranger to good skincare. It didn’t compare. Her improvements in both lifting and hydration were drastic and it wasn’t until the end of our clinical study when we told that she was using the re-engineered Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream!  

Full disclosure, in the campaign above my mom was actually the one that tested Olay Regenerist last year, so I included the video campaign so you can see her reaction. For the clinicals it was unbeknownst to us at the time that we were trying different products. And I was actually using Olay Total Effects, which is another major award winner from the line. That said I’ve burned through bottles of the original Regenerist over the years and have backups for my backups on hand in my beauty closet. I don’t actually think this product has ever not been in my medicine cabinet since even before I turned 30.

So it is with great joy, and no surprise when I found out that Olay just won the ‘Good Housekeeping Seal’ for the Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream! Now that’s a huge deal. Any brand that wins that award is one that people should take notice of because the testing they do is thorough and intense. I’ve visited the Good Housekeeping office and seen the labs and work they do and they don’t hand out that seal without a lot of hurdles. Which is why it’s my opinion that this is one of the most prestigious beauty awards a brand can receive. And when they dove into this Olay product, their findings were awesome.

An independent test conducted by the Good Housekeeping Institute revealed that Olay’s new Regenerist formula outperformed the top 10 prestige creams, including one with a whopping $440 price tag! At the Good Housekeeping Institute, engineers, scientists and other experts extensively test and evaluate products based on performance, safety, durability and design. Over 10,000 skin hydration measurements were collected and Olay rose to the top. THE FINDINGS:

NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment featuring Bella Hadid and Justin Gossman

Bella Hadid and Justin Gossman lead the NARS 2017 campaignOMG I’m getting some serious feels for NARS‘ latest campaign featuring Bella Hadid and Justin Gossman. Her makeup, his jewelry and overall vibes are goals — I literally want bangs and I am totally feeling her Joan Jett vibe. And totally into Justin Gossman channeling his inner Jim Morrison. Shot by NARS Founder & Creative Director, François Nars, the campaign was inspired by 1970’s rock and roll. The duo are the campaign models for NARS Cosmetics’ Fall 2017 collection and the imagery was all over the launch party for NARS new POWERMATTE Lip Pigments. These lippies don’t launch until July so here’s a sneak peek!

These are NARS’ first true liquid matte, and features full coverage, high-impact lipcolor in a range of 20 shades. I love the wand, it’s not too fluffy or cushiony so I feel like I have control over it since you want precision when it comes to this formula. It’s long lasting and flexible to apply and then dries but is still comfortable to wear.

New Elizabeth Arden Gelato Crush Color Collection

What’s better on a hot summer day than indulging in ice cream and playing with makeup? We joined the Elizabeth Arden team at Cool Mess NYC to celebrate the launch of their new Gelato Crush Color Collection, which included 22 new plumping lipsticks, 10 lip liners and 4 cheek tints. The collection launches next week so here’s a sneak peek!

Elizabeth Arden Plump Up Lip Liner, $21

Definitely the rockstar of the group, these super pigmented lipliners and boosted with peptides to plump! And they actually do! The smooth and creamy formula is great to shape and defines lips or use all over lips as a base to lock in color for long-wear. Seriously, this liner stays on so well and I definitely felt the plumping effect!

These Facial Cleansing Cloths are Next Level!

olay daily facialIf there’s one thing you’ve probably gathered about me over the years it’s that I love a robust skincare routine but I’m always on the go. Marrying the two doesn’t always leave me the amount of time I want to get ready in the morning or the amount of time I would like to get ready for bed. As is the case with many of you, and several members of my family, going beyond washing their face and maybe a moisturizer is a struggle, which is why the new Olay Daily Facials Daily Clean 4-in-1 Water Activated Cleansing Cloths is a hit all in one product that could change your life. Or at least the way you view skincare.

olay daily facial daily clean reviewSetting a higher standard in facial cleansing, these textured wipes nourish skin and are designed to be a cleanser (removing all dirt, oil and makeup), toner, mask and exfoliating scrub all in one. Unlike standard face wipes, you add water to these which I prefer since a lot of my face wipes that come pre-moistened dry out over time once opened. These come dry so you don’t have that issue.

Algae, Silica, Lava and our tour of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland

For those who missed it, I recently went on an incredible trip to Iceland (which I highly recommend if you love to travel) and one of the top spots on my must-see list was the legendary Blue Lagoon. It is after all one of the Wonders of the World! And while most of you are familiar with the pool — the Blue Lagoon draws in thousands of visitors annually, all seeking to reap the benefits of it’s healing geothermal seawater — they also have an incredible skincare line that’s a wonder all on it’s own.

So what makes this water and skincare line so incredible for your skin? The secret is in it’s amazing natural active ingredients: silica, algae, and a unique blend of pure minerals. All of these ingredients are incredible for your body, and while in Iceland I was treated to a private tour with my friend and fellow blogger, Danielle Gray to see how the product line is made and learn more about these powerful ingredients. Algae, many of you are familiar with for its anti-aging properties, silica on the other hand was all new to me and a special ingredient native to Iceland you should have on your radar. It is notorious for strengthening and rebuilding the skin’s properties. Powerful natural minerals contain powerful revitalizing effects. It’s important to note that all of these products are harvested utilizing a zero waste process, so Blue Lagoon skin care adheres to eco-friendly sustainability. (So freakin’ cool!)

As we toured the facility we saw how the silica is harvested and the lava is made from the area. I broke down the iconic masks from the Blue Lagoon Shop (which you can check out for yourself here) and why the active ingredients are so beneficial for your skin. As well as the lip balm because it’s epic! If you’re into triple masking like me, the order is Lava Scrub, Silica Mud Mask and then Algae Mask. The first product launched in 1995 and now they have an extensive product line, but these masks are the heroes of the line.

Your Signature Can Help End Animal Testing!

There seems to be a lot of bad in the world right now that there isn’t much we can do about but one thing I would LOVE to see an end to is animal testing. All animal cruelty in fact. Charlie was hugely abused when I rescued him and granted he wasn’t tested on but we’re so far beyond a point of needing to test on our animal friends. I really applaud The Body Shop and all they have done to bring awareness and make a difference. Lets help them put an end to animal testing around the world as they launch of the largest international campaign of its kind! All they need is your signature!
This month, The Body Shop, along with partner, Cruelty Free International, which is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to this cause, has announced a goal of collecting 8 million signatures from around the world by 2020.  If they reach this goal, they can take their petition to the UN and request an international convention that bans animal testing globally, forever. So lets do this!
You can sign the petition here: Thebodyshop.com/ban-animal-testing, or go into any of The Body Shop’s 3,000 stores to sign. Help spread the word and end animal testing once and for all!! Join the conversation on social and use the handle @TheBodyShop #ForeverAgainstAnimalTesting.

Everything You Need to Know About Microblading

It doesn’t matter if you like them arched, feathered, straight or bold: eyebrows are arguably the most important facial feature and with the semi-permanent eyebrow tattoo process known as microblading dream brows are just scrapes away. While you can work some magic with your favorite brow pencil and a nifty little angled brush, there’s a very natural option that delivers semi-permanent results and substantially less effort. Unlike the sometimes unfortunate Sharpie-esque effects of permanent makeup, microblading is more of an intricate embroidery of trompe l’œil strokes that mimics the look of natural hairs.

**Watch Ashely get her brows microbladed! Sorry about the inconsistent volume guys I had a little difficulty editing out some of the background music so I wouldn’t get any copyright issues.**

Admittedly, I was blessed with very full and defined brows but with so much internet buzz and friends asking me about fuller brows and microblading, I decided to enlist and play spectator to my friend Ashley who allowed me to film and watch process. I also had the perfect place. For eyebrow threading, I’ve been going to Hibba of Hibba Beauty NYC for almost 7 years, since she opened her first location in Soho. Now with two additional locations under her belt (Grand Central and Columbus Circle), there’s no one I trust more in the art of shaping then her. Offering all things brows at her brow bars, I set Ashley up for an appointment and grilled her with every question under the sun. You can watch her her second microblading appointment live in the video above! I also had so much brow envy after the second appointment, that I got into the chair for fill in one sparse area that’s been annoying me for some time.  Just proving that this service is great for all level of brows. Here’s Ashley’s before and after and what we learned:

Before Microblading:

After Microblading:WHAT IS MICROBLADING:

Microblading is a form of tattooing but unlike a regular tattoo, it involves pigment being implanted under the skin with a hand held manual tool (basically a small X-ACTO blade looking tool with ink on it) versus a machine. It’s also a smaller blade, and actually to be more technical it isn’t a blade but actually 11 small sharp needles.

HOW LONG DOES MICROBLADING TAKE AND WHAT TO EXPECT

The whole thing takes about 15 – 30 minutes when all is said and done including, set up/consultation, mixing of the color and application. The actual time cutting on the brow is about 10 minutes for both brows. First, the ink is custom mixed and applied to the device (again think X-ACTO blade), and then scraped into the brow hairs. Then when the cuts are made a healthy amount of ink is applied over the whole brow (this is the funny part where you look like an angry cartoon character). Then comes the clean up. Numbing cream is also often applied in the beginning depending on pain tolerance.

HOW MANY APPOINTMENTS DO YOU NEED

For most cases 2 appointments. The first should include a consultation where the brow specialist fills in your brows with makeup so you both are on the same page. This is also why going to a brow specialist over a tattoo artist is generally more ideal. Make sure you know what you’re getting past just bringing in a picture.

Even Out with Mederma® Quick Dry Oil

mederma quickdry oil reviewThe other day I grabbed my curling iron on the wrong end. It’s all white, and I was distracted in the mirror fixing a curl. Smart, I know. I immediately rinsed under cool (not cold water as instructed by the internet).Once my burn healed, I reached for my Mederma Quick Dry Oil. I’ve been testing it for the past few weeks on my arms and legs and added my hands to the roster. Granted the skin on my hands are more weathered and tough than the rest of my body, but it was pretty miraculous how quick I improved.

Normally, I’d go straight for the Mederma Advanced Scar Gel, which has been a staple in my family home since I first discovered the brand well over a decade ago. When my little brother was 5 he used it on his elbow after breaking his arm on the monkey bars. While it does help with scars and stretch marks, our real obsession came from using it on burns. This happens more than you think in a family of 6 who loves to cook and misuse heating tools. While this is the first time I’ve picked up a curling iron, I’ve burned myself with a wand several times, usually around my ear or hands when I twirl my strands. I also have just about learned my lesson on my steamer – spoiler alert: do not steam your clothes while you’re wearing them no matter how thick the fabric is and how big of a rush you’re in… Multiple burns, discolored knees and elbows, foot scars from strappy shoes – and most recently from Coachella where a pair of flip flops managed to scar both feet (yes, I feel the need to share a visual of this disaster) in the same place from the strap. So when I got back to New York, I was the prime candidate to try the new Mederma Quick Dry Oil. The bottle alone says skin care for: Scars, Stretch Marks, Uneven Skin Tone and Dry Skin. With check marks in all of those boxes, the immediate reaction I had was how light and quick drying the oil is and also how amazing and smooth my skin felt. It instantly makes you feel like you have baby skin.

mederma quick dry oil reviewI’m usually more into oils in the winter but this one is great year round, and is not greasy or heavy like other oils or moisturizers. In fact, I like it as a first layer after the shower and then will put a moisturizer over it if I need more hydration. Looking at the ingredient list, it has a really strong formula comprised of mostly natural ingredients. It features sunflower and coconut oil for fast absorption and to seal in moisture, rose hip oil which is rich in Vitamin C for brighter skin, sweet almond oil to help moisturize, and chamomile and ginger extract to help reduce redness and uneven skin tone. It’s also rich in Vitamins A, E and Omega 3 and the only oil that combines Cepalin® with natural botanicals in a fast-absorbing formula free of parabens, fragrance, dye and mineral oil, making it ideal for sensitive skin.

Overall my skin is definitely more even and smoother and my scars are lightening but not at the lightning speed of my hands since I waited longer than I should have to start using it on them. Plus flip flop scars in the desert where direct sun is hitting it day in and day out means it’s going to take some time but I’m on my way and they have considerably lightened. The discoloration in my knees is practically all gone and is only really noticeable in one of my ankles now.