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Proenza Schouler Paris Couture Week with Morgan Taylor

Paris for Couture Week is like nothing I’ve ever experienced, and I’ve done Paris and New York Fashion Week on repeat. For this trip I was with the Morgan Taylor Lacquer team, who traveled to do the nails for Proenza Schouler and Rodarte’s Couture Week shows. Here’s a quick video from behind the scenes and also at the show for Proenza Schouler (I’ll have a video up soon on Rodarte!). It was really cool to be apart of the nail tests, which is when the nail team joins the hair and makeup team before the show at the designer’s studio they they can test and make the final decisions on the beauty look.

We did our beauty test the day before the Proenza Schouler show. Based on the designers vision, Morgan Taylor lead artist, Vu Nguyen along with Taylor Daniel (or as I like to call her THE Taylor of Morgan Taylor), put forth some dark reds and burgundies, as well as some variations of nudes with different top coats. Ultimately they settled on their deep burgundy, “Take the Lead” shade for some of the models and the others were met with just a single coat of “Matte’s A Wrap” over a well manicured nail for a more minimalist look.

It was a modern take on a minimalist look with the matte top coat, while the deep burgundy choice was all about going against the grain for spring (move over pastels) and challenging tradition.

Then came show day, and right down to the invitations the show was gorgeous (see photo above and shop my jewelry HERE). Set at the Lycée Jacques-Decour, a school built in the 19th century, the label sent down beautiful prints, slim fit dresses with cut outs, straps, and texture down the runway to a dramatic beat (I’m sorry I had to cut the music, Youtube is a challenge with any music you don’t have the rights to), but you can catch the show finale in the video above.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Sahag Makeover

Sahag Salon Workshop is known for their edgy haircuts and transformational colors. John Sahag was one of the pioneers in dry cutting in NYC and the precision it offers. While I never had the pleasure of meeting him, he was a legend, especially in the Armenian community, and known in the industry as the “mad professor of hair”. It’s been a while since I had a dry style cut and maybe it was that or the genius that is Karmela Lozina, but my cut was phenomenal. She took the dry ends and only took off what needed and somehow my hair looked longer than when I came in. And it felt better than it has in years, the airiness and overall luster. We also talked hair health and Nutrafol supplements (her recommendation, the mens version over the womens), plus using Revita Hair Growth Shampoo is everything you need to boost hair strength, and especially good for women with thinning hair. I’ve actually been taking Nutrafol but the women’s version for the past few months (you need 3+ months before seeing a difference), so that was was great motivation to keep going. She also said it had a high dose of turmeric so you never get sick, which now that she mentions it, I usually get weird colds when seasons change which hasn’t happened this year. Her other advice was to drink a lot of water and eat avocados — which is like 50% of my diet — and between all of that your hair becomes like Wonder Women’s lasso. So I’ll be reporting back on that in a few months! Although after this cut I was feeling really good about my hair’s health.

[Outfit Details: Min and Mon Verto bag, Rag & Bone hat (similar), Fit Flop shoes, Levi’sForever 21 belt (similar), Levi’s Icons Jacket, H&M pants (similar)

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Laura Geller 20th Anniversary Collection

The magic of Laura Geller continues! For the celebration of the brands 20th anniversary, she’s roaring in those 20s with the most unicorn envy, flapper worthy, limited edition collection. Inspired by the glitz and glam of the Roaring Twenties, (she even sent me a flapper-esque tiara, could you die?!) this launch is absolutely swoon worthy. Along with her covetable new collection, Laura’s got a lot to celebrate. She started off in the industry as a Broadway and celebrity makeup artist until she decided to launch her own line, Laura Geller Beauty, to bring her professional techniques to the masses. Additionally, Forbes dubbed her ‘The OG of Highlighting‘ (Sorry Becca) when her Contour and Highlight Kit debut in 1997 earning her the title of the longest standing beauty founder in QVC history. Her brand has successfully continued to grow and expand, so a major congratulations is in order. Also I really just love her as a person, she’s the real deal and a total inspiration.

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Becca X Chrissy Teigen Glow Face Palette + Sunlit Bronzers

Becca X Chrissy Teigen Glow Face Palette

OMG Becca is bringing it! Their latest launches are so hot! There’s the Becca x Chrissy Teigen Glow Face Palette and 5 new bronzers that make up the Becca Sunlit Bronzer collection. All the details below but I just want to shout out what an awesome brand they are. Last week I had two opportunities to hear their President, Robert Debaker speak, first on a panel at the Pioneering Beauty event and the second when he accepted the brands CEW Beauty Insider Award for “Most Buzzed About Beauty Collaboration” for the Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection (you can see all the winners HERE). Also in proud moments, Jaclyn replied to my congratulations tweet, which hit 1500 likes in no time (NBD!). What a force and their ability to bring really great products to market and cool girl collaborations continues with their latest launch!

Becca X Chrissy Teigen Glow Face Palette

So first of all, I love Chrissy Teigen and I wish we were besties/related. Secondly, did you all see the launch party with Chrissy and Becca when they had a slumber party in pink onesies to celebrate this collaboration? I almost died — and no I wasn’t there or invited, but I lusted over social media and pretended I was. As an amazing consolation prize, the palette arrived in the mail this week and I almost lost my mind! I’m going to be real candid when I say I saw the palette on social media, and was slightly underwhelmed. Seeing it in person was a whole other story! These colors are BEAUTIFUL, and buildable from a soft shimmer glow to super pigmented (as if Becca would have it any other way). Two perfect peachy highlighters, with a blush and bronzer that makes for the perfect all in one summer face palette.

Chrissy x Becca palette available at Sephora

Chrissy Teigan x Becca face palette swatches

Swatches left to right: Rose Gold Highlighter, Hibiscus Bloom Blush, Beach Nectar Highlighter, Malibu Soliel Bronzer

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CEW Beauty Insider Winners Announced!

I love a good award show. And I look forward to the CEW Beauty Insider Awards every year. It’s a great networking event and opportunity to reconnect with so many of the brands I work with in person. I live tweeted most of the winners but wanted to share the quick run down, especially since I’m so excited that so many of the winning products are ones I use and found in my bathroom! All of the above can be found on my shelves with the exception of Hey Honey, a brand I’m new too and found in my gift bag. I don’t know how I missed the memo on them since they are available at Ulta and Dermstore but the brand won the QVC Beauty Quest Award, which is a big deal! The rest of the winners came as no surprise, especially Olay Total Effects and Regenerist products, which as some of you know my mom and I partnered with for the clinical testing before the products were released and saw major results (You can learn more HERE around that experience). So without further ado the 2017 CEW Beauty Insider Award winners are:

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