It’s no secret, I’m a HUGE New Beauty fan! And I’m so honored to share one of my new favorite products in the latest Beauty Report issue. New Beauty introduced me to Definage a few years ago and I finally started using them at the beginning of the year. It’s a 4 step (mask, cleanser, moisturizer, serum) turned 5 step system with the addition of a new DefenAge 3D Eye Radiance Cream.
Spring cleaning is here and I’m also currently moving offices so I’ve been decluttering, donating and reorganizing my beauty closet like a mad woman. I had two amazing features this month, one with Elle Decor, the other with Spotlyte all focused around tips for storing/organizing your beauty products. I was also featured in an awesome article in Self last year that goes super in depth with their recommendations.
In the 10+ years of blogging and 15 years in the beauty industry, I’ve literally tried it all. And for me the Ikea Alex Drawers — both sizes, ALEX™ Drawer ($89) and ALEX Drawer Unit ($129) are the holy grail. For the latter I remove the casters and I stacked two on top of each other.
Most of the suggestions I read in these articles by other contributors are good for smaller beauty stashes (I definitely recommend reading them all for inspiration) but I’m highlighting a few that inspired me from each article. Check them out below but between all of these articles you should have what you need to get organized!
Elle Decor 7 Brilliant Ways to Organize and Store Your Makeup
Highlights: Mugs and candles to hold brushes (I do this too) and it’s a common hack but definitely noteworthy.
Acrylic Organizers in Drawers, amazon to container store have a lot of options but containers for inside your shelves is so necessary.
Spotlyte Tips For Spring Cleaning Your Beauty Stash — Straight from Editors and Influencers.
Highlights: Whitewashed Wooden Storage Bins with Handles ($12.99). You definitely need some type of box to put your products on a shelf, and I like the aesthetic of this suggestion by Andrew Fitzsimons, Celebrity Hairstylist.
The Clear Stackable Large Shoe Drawers (on sale $9.74 each) from The Container Store, another winner for when you need to see through your stash. A lot of the acrylic organizers are cute but not practical if you have a large stash I found this one to be genius and affordable. Awesome recommendation by Christen Dominique, Founder of Dominique Cosmetics
Huge news! Our Lara Chain and Lara Mini Chain has launched on UrbanOutfitters.com! The only difference between the two is the length, otherwise same chain, same hardware. Of all the straps I launched in my shop, I only named one after myself and go figure that was their favorite. Which makes it extra surreal to see my name (Lara) + my brand (Pretty Connected) on their site! While the chain was originally intended for cameras, we’ve since discovered a million other handy uses for it.
1.Rock it as a necklace
The infamous SC star Kathryn Dennis showed us how it’s done! She rocked it as full string, while Chelsea March looped the chain necklace pairing it with others.
2. Best water bottle holder ever!
Water bottles can be a pain to hold if you’re bagless or want your h20 by your side. Any water bottle with an open whole cap makes it easy to slide through and take that water bottle from annoying-to-carry to a fashionable accessory.
3 and 4. Flip flop holder and cell phone holder
How genius is it to throw around your flip flops so you don’t have to carry them by hand on those long walks on the beach!?! If you have a cell phone case to support, like those Bandolier ones, you can use the chain as a replacement strap. For anyone that doesn’t, I am launching these easy silicone cases soon with the strap on my shop, so stay tuned!
5. Bag strap
Probably the most obvious use… a replacement bag strap. We have some makeup case bags in our shop these work amazing with (photo of the ones in our store above). We’re all about DIY and customizing so if you get a bag add some patches or pins and make it your own.
6. A lanyard!
Lanyards are never cute at conferences. I go to a lot of fashion and beauty ones and no way am I wearing those promotional ones that just get thrown out. I just say I brought my own, which also happens to be a way more eco-friendly option.
7. Bag/belt decoration!
Get glam with it! I love it around some belt loops or the way @thebowtiegent tied it around his Hermes for some added bling. It doesn’t have to always be functionable when it’s this fashionable.
8. Add it to a keychain or wristlet. Patricia Field will show you how it’s done!
Sometimes you just don’t feel like holding things, like your wallet, or wristlet, or keys! Or in Patricia’s case her collaboration MCM wristlet she takes everywhere. Just strap it through! To help show how easy it is, we’ll have the SATC, Devil Wears Prada, Ugly Betty, Younger, Confessions of a Shopaholic, Murphy Brown… costume designer and fashion icon, Patricia Field demonstrate in the video above. Please do note this is the sister chain to the Lara Chain, the Patricia Chain, named after this boss, who is my sista from another mista, and all around favorite person.
Lastly, I wanted to share some other camera shots since it works with most camera brands, Instax, mirrorless and point-and-shoot styles. With all orders at Urban Outfitters they come with connectors so if your camera doesn’t support a clip, you can use the special connector, which holds up to 3 lbs. It will work with lighter weight DSLR’s, but anything too heavy I recommend some of our fabric straps with bigger hardware.
Above are camera examples that don’t require the connectors, that applies to Sony camera’s and Instax styles like the Mini 70 (which comes with rings). For camera’s that don’t have rings attached, the black attachers included with all UO order will come in handy. These work amazing for all Instax cameras from the SQ6 to the Mini 9 as well as all point and shoot camera!
Don’t forget you can even add your own charms and customize them! All you need are charms, pliers and 7mm jump rings. Especially when you wear it as a necklace it looks sick with some initials or lightening bolt charms hanging down!
If you have any questions, you know how to find me. xo @prettyconnected and @prettyconnectedshop
Until then check me out at urbanoutfitters.com/brands/pretty-connected
I love Mario Badescu, if you need a great facial, hit their spa in NYC. Which is why we were so excited to see they have landed on Sephora.com!
While I was anticipating just their “favorites” which incidentally I have a very long list of them: The Drying Lotion to zap them pimples, the Facial Spray, that every makeup artist has in their arsenal and is way underpriced (it’s also the best afternoon pick me up when you’re feeling dry) and the Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30 which got me through my 20s, but it’s all amazing.
Check it out for yourself at sephora.com/brand/mario-badescu
BoxyCharm really impressed me this month with gifts from Tatcha, Tarte, Briogeo, Ofra and Starlooks. I’ve always thought BoxyCharm was a great value but swayed a little younger and not all the products resonated and maybe only a few at best excited me. That all changed this month! The January box features:
It’s the perfect mix of mainstream and indie brands with all products I’ll actually try and use. Of all of these brands Starlooks is the only brand I’ve never tried and because they picked a black liner, I’ll actually give it ago! Also I’m so excited about the Tarte palette, I find that generally the palettes included are really bright colors and skewed for a younger audience. This one is so neutral and would look good on anyone. Also Tatcha!!!! Love their products, so excited to see them in this box as well as Briogeo. I’m in love with their detox scalp product and mask so I’ve actually been meaning to try more products from their line. Generally I find in boxes I often get random shades I’m not as interested in trying where this box felt very versatile and was a great way to start the year.
In case you’re not familiar with BoxyCharm they are a subscription box service that offers 4-5 full-size products worth over $100 for only $21/month + free shipping. This months box is valued at $111.
Learn more at boxycharm.com
My family calls me the SPF police, because no matter the season, if you’re outside while the sun is out, I will hound you to wear sunblock. It’s the #1 anti-aging product you can use to protect against wrinkles, dark spots and skin sagging — yes the sun does all that damage on top of putting you at risk for skin cancer. I understand there’s a lot of confusion about what the difference between a chemical and physical sunblock, UVA vs UVB rays, and what SPF number you should be wearing (spoiler alert it’s an SPF 30 or 50) and that you only need to wear it in the summer — major false, YEAR ROUND!
Here to clarify all the above points and teach us everything we need to know about sunblock is Dr. Terry Zickerman, Founder of Love Sun Body, the first 100% natural origin mineral line of sunscreens to be internationally COSMOS-certified. Meaning they exceed the world’s strictest ingredient, safety and manufacturing standards and take clean beauty to a whole other level (learn more in the video).
Also you can catch Charlie’s epic cameo and question on if they are cruelty free — which they are! Made up of 10 ingredients they are certified Peta Cruelty Free and Vegan, and ranked 1 out of 10 by EWG!
The video also covers chemical vs mineral sunscreens and the best way to apply. Yes, most people put on too much of a mineral sunblock and don’t apply it correctly.
I had the best Valentine’s Day! Normally, James and I stay in, pick up pizza and exchange cards. We skip the over priced flowers and grandiose dinners, and now that we have Charlie all we ever want to do is go for walks and snuggle with our puppy. Until we got an invitation to Drew Barrymore’s Valentine’s Day pizza party at her new pop-up, Dear Drew from one of our favorite ladies, Christy Doramus of Crowns By Christy.
With dates and dogs welcome, James and I had the best time at her soho pop-up. I have always LOVED Drew Barrymore and It’s been so frustrating since I’ve had a few opportunities to meet her through her Flower Beauty collection but I am always out of town. And she’s literally my favorite. There’s something about her kindness that’s so inspiring and magnetic. She was everything I hoped for and more, so literally best Valentine’s Day ever. I had to actually remind myself when we were hanging out that we haven’t met before, since in my head we’re best friends. She’s so warm and makes you feel so comfortable that it’s easy to trick yourself.
I’ve talked about how much of a girl boss the CEO of It Cosmetics is before, but wow does she ever continue to impress. Jamie Kern Lima, co-founder, and CEO of the brand accepted the CEW Achiever Award, which recognizes the accomplishments of women leaders within the beauty industry. Jamie took her acceptance speech as an opportunity to call for change within the beauty industry, challenging the current images of beauty that are being put out in the world today.
IT Cosmetics CEO Calls Out the Beauty Industry, Calls for Change.
IT Cosmetics CEO Calls Out the Beauty Industry, Calls for Change. Share this video if you agree!
Posted by It Cosmetics on Saturday, September 16, 2017
“How will these images impact your mothers and your sisters, and how will they impact your daughters?” In closing her speech she asks, “What will you do with the power that is you?” Anyone else have a minor case of chills?!
There really isn’t anything quite like a 3 day weekend to hit the recharge button, especially when you have an exciting 4 day week to look forward to. The beauty and booze lover in me are both being appeased between the FounderMade Beauty Summit on Friday and then Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic on Saturday, which ahem Alicia Keys is performing at! They are really going all out for their 10th Anniversary, I CAN NOT WAIT. I’m also looking forward to being with Nylon on Friday for the celebration of their music issue, which is awesome since it saves me the trip to Barnes & Nobles to buy every issue. Also Charlie XCX is performing and hopefully Tove Lo who is hosting the event.
Outfit details: Ray-ban Clubmaster sunglasses // Mobovida Bristol Belt Bag // Sam Edelman Tilly Suede Sandal exclusive to Gilt // Tart Collection Reed Pant in Ikat Geometric (on sale!) // Roxy Hear We Go Panama Hat // Victoria’s Secret Mesh Top Tank
It’s been over a week since I’ve been back from LA and yet I can’t seem to shake off my vacation vibe. So I’m not. Especially since I’m partnering with Sunglass Hut for a pretty epic summer — on Friday we’re shooting with Extra some summer sunglass trends and playing with fun sunnies is like my dream, building a summer sunglass wardrobe should be on everyone’s list. I mean how epic are these reflective with wood frame Ray-Ban?
