Beauty /

The Beauty Carnival | Essence Beauty and Style Expo

The ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola® will hold a first-ever “Beauty Carnival” during this year’s Beauty & Style Expo, the ultimate experience in all things beauty and glam. As the premier beauty authority for Black women, Essence is expecting this new, interactive event to be one of the highlights of the Festival’s daytime programming at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA from June 30–July 2, 2017 daily from 10 am-6 pm.

Free and open to the public, the 3-day “Beauty Carnival” will feature exciting revelries for festivalgoers:

  • Beauty School: Tutorials, seminars on new looks, tools and styles from expert beauty bloggers and stylists
  • Beauty Boss: Hear from ESSENCE editors, beauty bloggers and celeb stylists on hot topics and trends
  • Street Style: Get styled to the hilt and walk the runway in a live fashion show featuring members of the audience
  • Plus, artist interviews with beauty & fashion icons and much more!

E! News Freestyle Host Zuri Hall will host the Beauty & Style stage, with appearances from WE TV personality & celebrity hair stylist Kim Kimble, unapologetically natural Mushiya, YouTube sensations GlamTwinz, natural hair vlogger MahoganyCurls, beauty vlogger and entrepreneur Ellarie, Grammy-winning musician India.Arie, singer-songwriter Tweet, Jillian Hervey of electro soul duo Lion Babe, celebrity hair stylist Vernon François and many more to be announced.

Beauty & Style sponsors & partners include: My Black is Beautiful, Walmart, Crème of Nature, Palmers, Cantu and Strength of Nature. Registration for the 2017 ESSENCE Festival®Beauty & Style Expo is now live! Download the 2017 Essence Festival App to register for the Beauty & Style Expo today.

Beauty /

Fourth Of July Packing Essentials

Be sure to pack your bag this Fourth of July with essentials that will keep the festivities going from the pool party to the fireworks show!

Cool off your sun-kissed skin using the KORRES Greek Yoghurt After- Sun Cooling Gel, an ultra-cooling cream gel that immediately provides long-lasting freshness and comfort to the face and body. Ideal for after sun exposure, nourishing Greek Yoghurt hydrates the skin, instantly relieving excessive heat and stinging. Cooling Gel helps reduce skin redness and prolong suntan ($26; Sephora.com).

Feel fresh all day with Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Deodorant Collection. Get superior odor protection with this award-winning, aluminum-free deodorant that is 100 percent natural, safe, and effective. Soothing essential oils blend with beta-glucan technology to fight odor effectively, while soothing, conditioning, and nourishing the delicate underarm area. It goes on clean, with no sticky wetness, and delivers long-lasting, luxurious results ($14; Lavanila.com).

Change up your look for the night with Hairdo’s Simply Straight Pony. Measuring 18″ long, this wrap-around piece instantly adds length, verve and volume to your ponytail. Easily place the pony high, low or to the side. This hairpiece features a strip of hair that wraps around the holder and fastens it in with a hook-and-loop strip to conceal where the ponytail meets your own hair. Made with Tru2Life® heat-friendly synthetic hair that can be flat-ironed, curled or blown out ($49; Ulta and Ulta.com).

Celebrate the holiday by popping Cuvée Beauty’s Champagne Spray! A styling spray that creates definition for a lived-in, tousled look. This signature product creates elegant movement and effortless waves for a piece-y modern silhouette. Our lightweight formula has a clean feel leaving you with second day hair every day ($45; Revolve.com).

It’s back and better than ever – Dana’s Bakery All American Pie Box featuring Cherry, Apple, and Blueberry Pie macarons just in time for Independence Day! Whether you’re the host of the party or attending a party, these macs are the perfect dessert for any Independence Day BBQ. Available now for pre-order ($35 for a box of 12 macarons; DanasBakery.com).

Accessories /

Tips to Success From Business Superstar Boss in White

Ready to be an entrepreneur on fire like the business superstar Boss in White? She’s got the best business story and advice that will be sure to turn your business into a powerhouse!

Born and raised in Beijing, Dese Enterprise CEO Yang Yang has years of experience globally that has contributed to her long-term success. Always dressed in gorgeous white, Yang Yang began her online empire with humble beginnings on eBay back in 2004 from her love of shoes. While working a second job waitressing, Yang Yang spotted a customer wearing eye-catching white fur boots which she fell instantly in love with. She scoured the web for her own pair, but could only find them wholesale, which meant buying a dozen pairs. Yang Yang’s entrepreneurial inspiration turned on, so she purchased the shoes wholesale, and then put the 11 other pairs on eBay. She sold out in a few days and made more money than at any of her other full-time jobs, and so began her online fashion passion.

What started as a one-woman show has grown into Dese Enterprise, which is comprised of AMIClubwear.com, Pinkbasis.com, and  Cuteshoesforsale.com. Throughout the growth of her multiple brands, Yang Yang maintains the youthful spirit of when she first ventured into the world of business.

Learn from the Boss in White’s own experience to set yourself up for success:

  • Best advice ever received: The best piece of advice Yang Yang received was from her parents when she was young — they told her not to worry about money or how much she was making. If she worked hard, she would be rewarded in the end.

  • Creating her brand: When Yang Yang first started her eBay shop, she named it AMI Style to mean “American Made International Style.” At that time, it was a great keyword for American made and for international sales. A few years later, she wanted to create her own line of custom-designed clothes and shoes, yet wanted to stay true to the AMI roots. At that time, there weren’t many sexy clothing websites and her style didn’t match any trending keywords. So, she created her own term “clubwear” and shorten her brand to “AMI Clubwear.”  Now 10 years later, if you Google the term, AMI Clubwear is at No. 1 with over 21 million results of competitors now using it.

  • Naming her business: Yang Yang chose the name Dese Enterprise because in Beijing “dese” is street slang for amazing, beautiful or unique. Find something unique that resonates with your business and develop it into your own.

  • Best advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: “Go for it!” You’ll find a million reasons for not starting your own company, but you only need one reason to do it. What inspired Yang Yang was her desire to create a better life for the future family that she wanted one day. For everyone this reason is different, so find yours and go for it!

 

Accessories /

TODS Medium Wave Bag: Jessica Alba Street Style

The Dusty Rose color palette is a new hue that’s here to stay.  This shade can be found in shoes, dresses, furniture, and much more.

Featured Photo from People.com

It’s an elegant tone and neutral in terms of coordinating with most outfits. Jessica Alba was seen with a gorgeous dusty rose top handle handbag. The purse is actually a Tod Medium Wave Bag with a snap fastening on the sides.

TODS Medium Wave Bag

Jessica’s street style in the featured photo is comfortable and stylish.  To purchase a dusty rose handbag, take a look at some reasonable options below.

Shoulder Handbag
Suede Shoulder Bag

 

Reversible Tote
On My Corner Saffiano Leather Satchel
Beauty /

EveryHue Beauty Product Launch – Gizelle Bryant

Gizelle Bryant is a socialite and cast member on The Real Housewives of Potomac.  Her role on the reality show is a sassy, sophisticated mom with a goal of becoming apart of the beauty industry.

Aside from entertainment, Gizelle is an accomplished Hampton University graduate with a new business venture.  She has launched a cosmetics line for multiethnic women.  EveryHue Beauty offers a variety of products, starting with Tinted Moisturizer, Foundation Brush, and Beauty Sponge.

The tinted moisturizer comes in twelve shades ranging from fair to darker skin tones.  It’s an essential beauty staple in the summer months because of the moisturizer’s lightweight with nourishing vitamins.

Check out the website to learn more about the products:  EveryHueBeauty.com 

If you like this post, click HERE

Beauty /

NEW from Mally Beauty – Summer Product Launch

Mally Beauty Instantly Impactful Mascara

Mally Beauty Instantly Impactful Mascara is infused with avocado oils and vitamin B5 to condition and preserve healthy, strong and nourished lashes.

Its formula is intensely pigmented, while its wand separates each lash for the perfect definition without clumping or flaking

Price: $20.00

Where to Buy: www.mallybeauty.com

Mally Beauty Evercolor Brow Defining Gel

Mally Beauty’s Evercolor Brown Defining Gel has a long-wearing, water resistant and matte finish formula that holds brows in place without smudging. The product’s packaging has a special mesh cover that dispenses the right amount of product every time. It comes with a double-ended spoolie and brow brush for flawless application.

Available in: Everyday Nudes Palette and Everyday Deep Neutrals Palette

Price: $31.00

Where to Buy: www.MallyBeauty.com

Mally Beauty Open Up! Eye Shadow Quads

Mally Beauty Open Up! Eye Shadow Quads are formulated with nourishing coconut butter and talc free powder that lasts all day for any look. Each quad contains matter and shimmer shades to create gorgois looks every day. The shades are universally flattering, while they also are made to highlight, shape and enhance eyes.

Available in: Taupe, Medium Brown and Sable

Price: $28.00

Where to Buy: www.MallyBeauty.com

Mally Beauty Evercolor Shadow Stick Extra Eye Shadows – Velvet

Mally Beauty Evercolor Shadow Stick Extra Eye Shadows – Velvet are a primer, eye shadow and liner all in one. Now available in a velvet matte finish, the Evercolor Shadow Stick Extra Velvet blend perfectly without dragging or tugging your eyes. They are the perfect products to subtle contouring and highlighting. Its formula leaves a smudge-proof, crease-proof and transfer-proof look that lasts all day.

Available in: Dusty Rose, Slate, Peacock and Sand

Price: $25.00

Where to Buy: www.mallybeauty.com

AMI Clubwear /

What To Wear: AMI Clubwear Affordable Swimsuits

Buying the perfect swimsuit can be a difficult task.  There’s a conflict between looking our best and feeling comfortable.

AMI Clubwear has a wide selection of fashion-forward swimsuits. The online boutique’s a great option for vacation packing or water activities.

The Tribal Mesh Cut One-Piece (shown below) was an excellent addition to my swimwear wardrobe. It’s lightly padded with adjustable straps. Going to the pool or beach with my kids can be a daunting task without the outdoor attire.

Swimsuit:  AMI Clubwear | Denim Shorts:  Express

Take your swimsuit to the next level with denim shorts or wear a lightweight kimono.

Also, when purchasing swimwear don’t forget to choose the right cut for your body-type; find a color that compliments your complexion and consider the primary purpose or activity.  For example, monokinis are not encouraged for tanning.

Visit AMI Clubwear to purchase a stylish, affordable swimsuit.

 

Entertainment /

ESSENCE ANNOUNCES FESTIVAL¹S STAR-STUDDED CELEBRITY LINE-UP FOR DAYTIME EXPERIENCE

The talent line-up continues to heat up for the 2017 ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola®. The Festival will offer even more celebrity access, television and film sneak peeks and exclusive performances than ever before, rounding out the event’s daytime experience—which is free and open-to-the-public—taking place June 30-July 2 in New Orleans.

JUNE 30-JULY 2, FREE—ERNEST N. MORIAL CONVENTION CENTER

IYANLA VANZANT                      JADA PINKETT SMITH                CONGRESSWOMAN MAXINE WATERS                      AVA DUVERNAY

MARY J. BLIGE          REGINA HALL            REV. AL SHARPTON QUEEN LATIFAH                         MASTER P                  ISSA RAE

TINA KNOWLES-LAWSON                          CECE WINANS           JOHN SINGLETON                      MARA BROCK-AKIL

LARENZ TATE             BRYSHERE Y. GRAY                   MONICA                   INDIA.ARIE                 MC LYTE                    TWEET                        TIFFANY HADDISH                     MICHAEL ERIC DYSON                                JAY ELLIS                           XSCAPE                                        JOSEPH SIKORA                          TA’RHONDA JONES                                                       YVONNE ORIJI

LETOYA LUCKETT                       CORY HARDRICT                                          BJ THE CHICAGO KID                                  ELLE VARNER            SYBRINA FULTON                      PHAEDRA PARKS                       EMILY ESTEFAN                                         DONDRE WHITFIELD                 RUTINA WESLEY                         CISSY HOUSTON                                          KOFI SIRIBOE             TINA LIFFORD                             DAWN-LYEN GARDNER                             BRANDON BELL

KIM BURRELL                             KELLY PRICE                                GALLANT                                     JUDE DEMOREST

RYAN DESTINY                           DEMETRIA MCKINNEY              BRITTANY O’GRADY

 

For more information, visit www.essencefestival.com, follow us on Twitter @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2017 ESSENCE Festival on Facebook.

The 2017 ESSENCE Festival App is now available for iPhone and Android users.

Sponsors of the 2017 ESSENCE Festival® include presenting sponsor Coca-Cola and major sponsors Ford, McDonald’s, State Farm, Verizon, and Walmart.  Superlounge sponsors include Coca-Cola, Ford and Walmart.   The All-Star Gospel Tribute is sponsored by Walmart.

Beauty /

Scent Trunk.com | Customizable Summer Fragrance Review

If you haven’t heard of Scent Trunk, you can thank me after this post. Scent Trunk is an innovative company that allows customers to create their own individual fragrance.  It’s an intriguing process, especially for those with seasonal allergies or seeking a unique smell.

Featured Photo from Fragrantice.com

After receiving the kit, start by taking the scent (or sniff) test, select your favorite fragrance, and log the information into your account. 

Scent Trunk will ship your personalized fragrance in a few days.  I had a lot of fun creating my scent and excited to receive the package.  

My fragrance smelled wonderful!  For an authentic review, I decided to wear it for an outside family barbecue.  It’s safe to say I smelled amazing and no need to reapply.  Living in a warmer climate, your body has a tendency to change and need a fragrance that will withstand the weather.  

Try it for yourself, visit ScentTrunk.com and let us know your experience here!

Accessories /

Ann Taylor Looks for Your Best Dressed Summer Yet

As you plan your trips and pack your suitcases for warm weather getaways, it’s important to look and feel confident.  Whether you’re jet-setting to the mountains, the beach or the desert – Ann Taylor has the looks to make this your best dressed summer yet.

Please see below brand product suggestions and curated looks for some of summer’s hottest destinations featuring trends such as bold botanicals, bright hues and resort-ready accessories.