J.Lo Realizes A Big Dream

J.Lo has announced that something new is on the way for her. In 2021, she will officially realize a long-time dream.

It was announced several months ago that she was coming out with, you guessed, a skincare line. This is a no-brainer. She’s long been known for having beautiful, glowing skin along with a serious skincare regimen. J.Lo definitely realizes the importance of taking care of her skin. It has served her well.

Her brand, dubbed JLo Beauty (of course!), will launch on January, 1, 2021 on its respective website. The brand will launch with eight skincare products including eye cream, a dietary supplement, and sunscreen.

J.Lo is pretty amazing and I expect that this product will be no less. One product she mentions that is used in her brand is olive oil. She says that the oil is part of her mother and aunt’s beauty secret. To be honest, it has been one of my long-time favorites to because it’s really an oil made for the skin. The prices vary for each of the launch items. So far, there have been rave reviews from those who were fortunate enough to test the products before they are released to the public.

Save ya coins so you can be part of this brand’s historic launch in a few weeks!

KVD comes to Ulta!

We are finally going to see KVD Vegan Beauty (formally Kat Von D) at Ulta!

This has been a long awaited collaboration and it’s a pretty big deal. Up until this announcement, the brand could only be purchased in-store through Sephora. (There is always the option to purchase through the KVD website or Sephora’s website) It looks like the long-standing beauty brand will no longer be exclusive to the brick and mortar stores of Sephora.

KVD will be available starting Sunday, August 23rd. That’s only in a few days. This is a great move for the brand as it will provide longtimers convenience while also exposing newbies to brand.

I have found it to be one of my personal favorites. As a matter or fact, I just purchased two lip colors for the upcoming fall season from KVD. It’s long wearing and the color payoff is excellent. What I like most about this brand is that it not only has quality products but it also provides fun, funky, bold colors that allow for full- on creative and artistic expression.

Netflix Just Announced This

Yesterday, Netflix announced that some major classic shows are coming to the popular streaming service.

Over the next 3 months, we will have access to these shows (let the binge watching begin!). I, for one, am looking forward to this and I know I am not alone. Shows such as Moesha, The Game (limited seasons), Sister, Sister, Girlfriends, The Parkers, Half & Half, and One on One will be lighting up our Netflix accounts as we approach the end of summer and start to say hello to autumn.

Thinking of the impact of these shows, Girlfriends comes to mind as a lesson in makeup for me. Makeup Artist Rea Ann Silva really nailed beauty-consistently. When I look at the series, I see beautiful women, not (heavy) makeup. Everything flows so well that the show still serves as an inspiration. The makeup accurately compliments the hair and clothing of each cast member. Silva created what we now know as the Beautyblender while on the show out of a need while working on set. I’d say the show has served her well.

So grateful for all of these shows and the cast and crew of each of these shows that made such great television.

See the upcoming dates below:

August

Saturday, August 1st- Moesha

Saturday, August 15th- The Game (seasons 1-3)

September

Tuesday, September 1st- Sister, Sister

Friday, September 11th- Girlfriends

October

Tuesday, October 1st- The Parkers

Tuesday, October 15th- One on One

Here’s to happy watching!

Weddings in Pandemics: Elaine Welteroth Gets Hitched!

We need to enjoy and embrace the good things, the positive things every time they show up. Life in 2020 has completely shifted for all of us-and it’s keeps shifting. It’s easy to lose sight of good things, those things that make us smile (especially if we aren’t always surrounded by positivity). Good things are still happening all around, we just need a person (or people) to show us.

To say that the last few months have been a whirlwind is an understatement. For many expectant brides, they’ve had to postpone wedding plans—some indefinitely, due to the events and uncertainty of a worldwide pandemic.

When faced with this situation, Elaine Welteroth decided that she was going to get married “come hell or high water” on May 10, 2020. And the best-selling author and history-making editor did just that. Initially, the couple considered many different places for their nuptials (both in and out of the United States). The pandemic, however, changed all of that and it looked like all of their dreams would be postponed. Instead of being down about it, Welteroth stayed determined.

As she set her mind on her goal, ideas flowed and she knew exactly how to pull everything off. It came to her to have a virtual wedding at her home followed by a virtual block party. Doing so meant friends and neighbors could be involved.

The two lovebirds used their Brooklyn stoop to exchange vows. It was beautifully decorated with a stunning and colorful floral arragement. Welteroth and her now husband were very creative and resourceful in the planning of this event. Using what they had and thinking “outside the box” allowed for a beautiful wedding. Both the bride, groom, and their friends were all decked out in white. Welteroth gave beachy, Bohmemian vibes in her flowing white gown and lowkey makeup and hair. She was simply ethereal.

The photos were absolutely beautiful—vividly invoking the sense of a warm, inviting celebration of love and beauty. Technology allowed for out-of-town friends and family to participate. Notice the tablet in the photograph. The bride and groom are happily smiling into the camera showing off their rings to their audience.

Congrats to the beautiful couple!

Pat McGrath to Debut New Concealer Line- 02.21.20

Pat McGrath released her highly coveted foundation to ravashing reviews and success. Now, Pat McGrath Labs will be releasing its new and highly-anticipated Sublime Perfection Concealer line on Friday, February 21, 2020. The line boasts 36 shades and has a price point of $32. In line with making her brand inclusive and easy-to-use, consumers can also purchase a concealer brush (also priced at $32), designed by McGrath to mimic the finger, or use the doe-foot applicator provided. She is known for using her fingers and hands to apply makeup the brush design falls right in line with approach to beauty.

Known for versatility and thinking outside the box, McGrath says that you can use the concealer in lieu of foundation, for example, making this perfect for summer.

Pat McGrath Labs will also be releasing other products on Friday, so be sure to check out her website for more goodies. The products will also be available at Sephora and at select Sephora locations.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT: Pat McGrath

This Black History Month, I celebrate the legendary and iconic makeup artist and entreprenuer Pat McGrath.

From Great Britian, McGrath always had a knack for beauty and art. She knew she wanted to pursue a creative role when the time came. Her success is legendary.

Pat McGrath is known for her creative and artistic ability and can be seen on the runways of major fashion powerhouses season after season and year after year. McGrath’s vision and influence are far reaching-influencing beauty trends for the masses. Her talents have taken her career to heights that many only dream of.

I can recall her saying that she always wanted her own makeup line and in 2015, the world was introduced to Pat McGrath Labs. It is only right (and natural) for her to have a beauty line. If anyone knows makeup, this woman does! She has used her expertise and knowledge to help launch and grow other famous big-name brands. This experience only prepared her for her own line. I love how this worked for her!

Besides having a stellar artistic career, I chose to highlight this icon because she answered a desperate need in the beauty industry-inclusivity. Her foundation, for instance has a ton of shades, guaranteeing that there is something for everyone. Foundation tends to be the most difficult find for woman of color and to see a brand such as this one answer that definitely deserves recognition.

I also respect this fellow artist’s drive to get things right and do things right. For instance, did you know that her foundation took 6 years of research and preparation before doing to market? That’s pretty amazing! The work that was put into making this a success is not to be taken lightly.

I’m looking forward to hearing and seeing more from this billion-dollar brand in the near future. As a matter of fact, the brand is scheduled to release several new products-in the coming days including concealer, eye shadows and powders.

Thank you Pat McGrath for all of your amazing contributions to beauty!

Threading

In this post, I am going to talk about threading. I'm pretty sure you guessed that by the title but anyway, I digress. 

So, what is threading? 

Threading is the removal of unwanted hair using, you guessed it, thread. Threading has been around for centuries. It started growing in popularity in the United States within the last 15 years or so. 

The thread is the same thread that can be found in craft and fabric stores around the country. The hair removal specialist 'shapes' the thread in her hand and between her fingers in a unique way that creates a 'catch' for the hair. The hairs are removed one by one, row by row until the desired shape is achieved. 

In doing so, the hair is removed without removing any skin. I have found this method to be pretty amazing! The shape is different from waxing. It's fuller (in my experience) and it lasts about 3 weeks. 

In this post, as with the last one, I'm speaking more of the brow vs. other areas of the body. 

So, I'm sure one wants to know if this hurts. Um, yes! So, here's the deal, the first time was the most painful. It also depends on how skilled your technician is because the more she is comfortable with this method, the better your experience will be. I have been going to the same awesome person for years. She is amazing! 

The pain is definitely something that you get used to and it doesn't hurt every time. You do want to be consistent with your appointments because going without for a length of time will cause more pain. The longer the hair (or more hair), the greater potential for pain. So, keep your appointments consistent. 

Another tip is to use ice on the brow before going. This can help to numb the pain. In order for this method to be effective, however you have to use the ice to numb as close to your appointment as possible. So, like 5-10 minutes before your appointment, ice would be great. You would place it on the brow and let it numb the area. Beware of the 'frostbite effect' because too much ice for too long is not good for the skin either. 

Anyway, this method is effective for me and I have found it to be the best for long-term use in brow hair removal.