New 90’s Inspired Indie Hair Care Line From Goes National

Maya Smith, Black-Female Creative Director, Stylist, Inventor, Innovator, Natural Hair Advocate and Mom of 5, takes her indie hair care line, The Doux® to mass market with brilliant 90’s hip-hop inspired packaging that cannot be ignored. After two decades researching and mastering natural curls; Maya delivers a brand that shows naturally curly hair who’s boss. Check out her story and this awesome new brand getting blogger buzz and blowing up online.

THE AWESOME STORY BEHIND THE DOUX:

There’s something NEW for girls with natural curls of all types and textures. The Doux® (pronounced The Do) is a “new school” modern hair care system with an “old school edge.” With packaging that is bold and bright and product titles inspired by 90’s hip-hop and pop culture, The Doux is a bold new line that took two decades to perfect for those seeking a way to smoothing curly, kinky, and wavy hair into both, curly or straight styles.

Created by Maya Smith, a 25-year celebrity stylist, and International Curl Master, The Doux was first launched in Europe in 2011 in response to her passion for helping people master the hair they were born with. STRAIGHT, NATURAL, CURLY, or RELAXED, according to The Doux, if you grew it, it’s ALL GOOD. “I was living in Germany at the time, had my own salon there and my specialty was helping clients to transition to a relaxer-free lifestyle. I’m obsessed with people maximizing the potential of the hair they were born with. Mastering curls is my passion and purpose,” explains Smith.

The people felt her passion through her products. The Doux blew up overseas so much so that it caught the attention of media in the USA such as Black Enterprise and Essence Magazine. “Once we started getting press in the states the demand for The Doux was incredible. I had to return to the states and see this vision through,” Maya Smith explains. In 2014, Maya opened The DOUX Salon™ in Macon Georgia’s historic Downtown district and started selling her professional grade products at her salons and online.

Fast-forward three years and a lot of work and dedication, The Doux arrived in select Target stores nationwide in the winter of 2017 to 2018; no easy feat for an indie brand. “We are so excited to bring The Doux to the masses. It’s 20 years in the making. We listened to 20 years of feedback from actual clients from Minneapolis to Morocco. We listened to what people wanted, a salon grade, a high quality product that delivered on its promises. Helping people to manage and maintain their natural hair and celebrate their own bold, unique style is what the last 25 years of my professional life has been about,” Maya Smith shares.

The Doux also redesigned its packaging, with the intention to disrupt the category. Maya did all the of the package design herself bold with bright colors, which is the opposite of the more subdued look you see on the shelves currently. “I’m a fan of 90’s rap so I wanted to incorporate lyrics and titles in the packaging,” adds Smith. With titles such as Bonita Afro Balm, Mousse Def, Sucka Free, Fresh Rinse, and The Light, The Doux will most definitely catch the eyes of Millennials and Gen X’ers alike.

The Doux is now available at select Target stores and online at TheDoux.com

Shampoo and Conditioner 

*SUCKA FREE™ Moisturizing Shampoo, *FRESH RINSE™ Conditioner

Sulphate & Paraben-free Shampoo and Conditioning Duo with Shea Butter & Sea Silk. A gentle cleansing system for thick, dry, or color-treated hair. Ultra-hydrating conditioner has an amazing slip for easy detangling. Sea silk smooths the cuticle, leaving hair frizz-free and full of body. MSRP: $12.99 each.

Stylers:

*BONITA AFRO BALM™ Shine Enhancing Texture Cream Delivers shine and manageability for pixies, Afro’s, tapered cuts, and twist/braid/coil sets. Certified organic botanicals, alcohol & paraben free. MSRP: $15.99.

*MOUSSE DEF™ Texture Foam Non-flaking mousse gives definition to curly styles without stiffness, cloudiness, or crunch. Soy proteins and natural humectants make this humidity-resistant styling aid ideal for thermal styling as well. MSRP: $14.99

*THE LIGHT™ Shine Mist Preserves color and protects hair from heat styling. Reduces drying time and delivers weightless shine to finished looks. Adds natural luster to natural styles. Infused with Black Cacao, Passion Fruit, and Palm Oil. MSRP: $14.99.

The Doux is now available at select Target stores and online at TheDoux.com

Romeo + Juliet Couture Showcase FW’18 Collection at Cipriani During New York Fashion Week

This past week, Romeo + Juliet Couture showcased their FW’18 collection during Style Fashion Week New York at Cipriani. Guests enjoyed Notorious Pink Rosé as they mingled in the expansive art market, featuring artwork by Derek Gores, Adam Thompson, UnCutt Art and works from LUMAS Gallery. Models were beautified by Davines sustainable haircare, while VIP’s and guests enjoyed cosmetics gifts by Onsen. Vezt music app brought industry executives to the crowd as upcoming artists including Jae Hall, Amanda Holley, Chris Stylez, Arielle, and Vyse performed between shows.

Essentia kept guests hydrated throughout the events. Additional performances by Dinner land artists AzialIAm, Él Fleego, Bam Vito & more wrapped up an incredible series of New York Fashion Week events. For more information please visit www.stylefashionweek.com

Carmen Marc Valvo & Lotus Threads Bridal Showcase During New York Fashion Week

This past week, Carmen Marc Valvo and Lotus Threads showcased their Fall/Winter 2018 bridal collections during Style Fashion Week New York at Cipriani. Guests enjoyed Notorious Pink Rosé as they mingled in the expansive art market, featuring artwork by Derek Gores, Adam Thompson, UnCutt Art and works from LUMAS Gallery. Models were beautified by Davines sustainable haircare, while VIP’s and guests enjoyed cosmetics gifts by Onsen.

Vezt music app brought industry executives to the crowd as upcoming artists including Jae Hall, Amanda Holley, Chris Stylez, Arielle, and Vyse performed between shows. Essentia kept guests hydrated throughout the events. Additional performances by Dinner land artists AzialIAm, Él Fleego, Bam Vito & more wrapped up an incredible series of New York Fashion Week events. For more information please visit www.stylefashionweek.com

Dertbag, Shay Kawaii, H33M & Chicago Playground Showcase FW’18 Streetwear During New York Fashion Week

This past week at Cipriani, Dertbag, Shay Kawaii, H33M and Chicago Playground showcased their FW’18 collections during Style Fashion Week New York. While Style Fashion Week has been known for supporting established, emerging and international designers since their beginnings in 2011—this season during New York Fashion Week, they partnered with Papertrail Magazine in an effort to support the increasingly popular streetwear culture.

These young brands and designers, often the inspiration behind luxury giants, rarely make their way to the New York Fashion Week runway—operating under tight margins without corporate budgets to produce major runway shows. Style Fashion Week helps to share the cost of these major productions—providing designers the platform to display their work on the same level as their luxury competitors. Style Fashion Week recognizes that these designers are a vital piece of the fashion community and will continue to work to support them.

Malan Breton AW 18 Collection #NYFW

Renowned for his innate theatricality and artistic flavor, Malan Breton delivers a collection with depth, soul, and literary references. Inspiration derived from Edwardian Tarot, Merlin, Chinese astrology and The myth of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. The four riders are seen as symbolizing Conquest, War, Famine, and Death.
“This collection has been a journey of self-realization, a point of gaining ones hope back in humanity. Rebuilding one’s shell, one’s armour, one’s heart. Love lost, valour, and watching gluttony, and greed change humanity for the worst….” – Malan Breton
Malan’s work echoes his deepest personal preoccupations. With that, this fighting collection was built with the structure of strength in mind. Calculated decadence, rendered in a split between strong and seductive; the epitomisation of femininity.
Staying true to his Asian roots, opulent color and exotic Swarovski embellishment reaches its apotheosis in this hair-raising debouch of pieces. All mastered by antique Asian techniques of weaving, embroidery and dying.
Fabrics used are all things chinoiserie-inspired; silk organza, silk tulle, silk brocade, reimagined kimono fabrics specially woven as well as Chinese brocades. Toughened by shearling, leather, tweed, Angora, feathers, glass beading and tourmaline. Malan sticks with his sustainable elements of recycled bottles created into paillettes.
Not for the faint-hearted, this collection stands firm for battle.
About Malan Breton:
Malan Breton opened his first NYC retail shop for a man, and woman, following his training at Turnbull & Asser, and Raasi. Fantôme emulates the soul of Saville Row tailoring with an eastern influence, Breton‘s premiere collection.
The Brand is InStyle Magazines number eight most tweeted fashion brand for 2017, known as “The Internets Fave Designer” (Yahoo News), and “one of New York City’s most celebrated designers of the past decade” (Amsterdam News). Malan Breton originates from Taipei, Taiwan. In 2017 he was the first fashion designer to be a part of the cryptocurrency phenomenon, opening the first blockchain based online retail shop in fashion.
Malan Breton® is the recipient of the 2016 FGI “Rising Star” award in Menswear, the 2015 European Fashion Council’s “Eirene” award, 2015, and 2016 Taiwan Tourism Award for contributions in fashion, and media. In 2011 Malan Breton® and NBC Universal were a nominee for the WGSN Global Fashion Award for Outstanding Collaboration. Malan Breton, is also the recipient of the 2015NYIFF Award for best documentary short, as director of the biographical fashion film “Malan Breton – A Journey to Taiwan”, It was later considered for the Academy Award.
Malan Breton® counts Ariana Grande, Lorde, Celine Dion, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Fan Bing Bing, Martha Plimpton, Kerry Washington, Michael Buble, Minnie Driver, Kylie Minogue, Ricki Lake, the KPOP bands BTS, Rania, and EXP Edition, Daniel Craig, Law Roach, Jessica Pimentel, Keith Carradine, Scarlett Johansson, Ray J, Bonang Matheba, Kiera Chaplin, Rachel Adejeji, Gavin Creel, Lena Hall, Katrina Bowden, Frankie Grande, Desmond Child, Sam Witwer, Florida Georgia Line, Anna Passey,  Paul Wesley, Jody Watley, Nolan Gerard – Funk, the Prince of Wales, Ana Ivanovic, Rania, Nomzamo Mbatha, Fleur East, and Jade Thirlwall as clients.
Malan Breton® has also been featured on BravoTV Network, with his own show titled “The Malan show”  and has costumed Breaking Bad, The American Music Awards, The BET AWARDS, Dick Clark’s New Years Rockin’ Eve, Quantico, Ru Pauls Drag Race, MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, Australia’s Next Top Model, China’s Next Top Model, MTV’s VMAS, The Superbowl halftime show for Pepsi, NBC’s Minute to Win It, The Today Show, and many, others.
Malan Breton is officially Ambassador of Tourism to Taiwan, and has designed the official government workwear, and stationary.
Photo Credit:  “ALPHA”

La La, Fabolous, Christian & Justin Combs Sit Front Row for Draya Michele’s Mint Swim at New York Fashion Week

On night two of Style Fashion Week, New York, La La, Fabolous, Christian & Justin Combs and others sat front row for celebrity designer Draya Michele’s Mint Swim collection.

Mint Swim was the finale showcase for a two-day series, presented by Style Fashion Week at Cipriani 42nd Street.  Others in attendance included Blackbear, Masika Kalysha, Briana Wilson, Breah Hicks, Kailand & Mandla Morris and more.

#NYFW HAIR: HOW TO from Narciso Rodriguez and Dyson Hair Dryer

Yesterday, hairstylist James Pecis used the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer ($399.99) to style the hair of top models at this NYFW‘s Narciso Rodriguez show.

Here’s a breakdown of how to get this look using the Dyson Supersonic, NYFW‘s “must-have” accessory backstage. 

HOW TO (By James Pecis for Narciso Rodriguez)

  • Each girl will be addressed separately. There will be many girls with textured and different levels of curls.
  • After applying moisture crème, scrunch the hair trying to encourage natural movement and texture.
  • Next, use the Dyson Supersonic Diffuser to heat the hair and dry the hair without disturbing the hair and creating frizz.
  • For straighter texture, blow out the hair smoothly to polish the hair before using the curling tong to give it a slight “s” wave.

RYAN SEACREST DISTINCTION & POLISHED BY DR. LANCER KICK OFF NYFW AT BLUE JACKET FASHION SHOW

WHEN: Wednesday, February 7, 2018

WHAT: The burgeoning menswear brand Ryan Seacrest Distinction and the new men’s skin care brand, POLISHED by Dr. Lancer, teamed up with an impressive lineup of top designers and brands at the second annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show, a CFDA New York Men’s Fashion Week event that raises funds for The Prostate Cancer Foundation. The Blue Jacket Fashion Show is a national awareness campaign designed to demystify and create a platform to openly discuss men’s cancer issues. Backstage, the Blue Jacket fashion show turned orange, as POLISHED by Dr. Lancer took over to prep the models for their runway debut. The men’s skincare line is available at POLISHEDbyDrLancer.com and is coming soon to Sephora and Sephora.com. The event enlisted top fashion brands, including Ryan Seacrest Distinction, to reinvent the traditional blue blazer, which celebrities and influencers modeled on the runway. The models ranged from athletes to TV personalities, news anchors and more. Instagram sensation Dr. Mike Varshavski strutted down the runway in style in a blue Distinction Evening Collection dinner jacket paired with dark navy pants.

 

ABOUT RYAN SEACREST DISTINCTION:

Ryan Seacrest Distinction Blue Jacket details, and more: • Ryan Seacrest Distinction Evening Collection peak lapel, satin shawl collar, speckled dinner jacket • Ryan Seacrest Distinction slim-fit stretch non-iron white covered placket French cuff dress shirt, created exclusively for Macy’s • Ryan Seacrest Distinction black solid satin bow tie • Ryan Seacrest Distinction dark navy dress pants • Ryan Seacrest Distinction accessories including Polished Rhodium square cufflinks and a navy edge white pocket square The Ryan Seacrest Distinction collection is available exclusively at Macy’s and Macys.com

 

ABOUT POLISHED BY DR. LANCER:

Ryan Seacrest Distinction is a leading menswear lifestyle brand recognized for celebrating classic and iconic looks with a contemporary eye. Founded in 2014, the Distinction brand delivers premium fabrics, design, detailing and value to men’s tailored clothing and accessories. Masculine signatures, geometric shapes, proportion, texture, pattern, and color, are combined in unexpected ways – timelessness made modern. The Ryan Seacrest Distinction brand offers a range of products including men’s tailored clothing and accessories. The Ryan Seacrest Distinction collection is available exclusively at Macy’s stores nationwide and on macys.com. POLISHED by Dr. LancerTM is a new men’s grooming brand dedicated to helping men live better lives through quality skin care designed by men with high standards for men with high standards. Polished began when two friends, renowned Beverly Hills dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer and long-time patient, the creative entrepreneur and popular TV/radio and host and producer Ryan Seacrest decided to bring to market a high-quality men’s skincare product line, that delivered both results and value. There’s nothing standard about POLISHED; for more information and introductory offers, visit www.polishedbydrlancer.com or follow us on @PolishedforMen on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

 

Frosted Lips: A Hot Winter Trend FROM MEHRON MAKEUP

A frosted lip is a fabulous way to add shimmer to your look. A subtle frost can bring out the natural color of your lips or add dimension to an underlying lip color. And a full-on frosted, aka metallic, lip definitely makes a statement.

With Metallic Powder created by the iconic beauty brand, Mehron, you have the option of a subtle or bold shimmer. And with its six color shades – Gold, Silver, Bronze, Copper, Rose Gold, and Lavender – there is a range of hues to choose from. Follow these tips to create your own frosted lip color with this versatile, ultra-fine makeup.

How To: Frosted Lips

 

  1. To create a subtle, shiny frost, use your finger to pat some Mehron Metallic Powder ($10.88, Amazon.com) onto your lips. Apply Mehron Glosstone Pro in Crystal Clear ($11.95, Mehron.com), then rub the lips together to blend.
  2. For a deeper frost, combine Mehron Metallic Powder ($10.88, Amazon.com) with Mehron Glosstone Pro in Crystal Clear ($11.95, Mehron.comthen apply to the lips using a brush.
  3. Layer Mehron Metallic Powder ($10.88, Amazon.com) on top of Mehron L.I.P Color Cream ($7.95, Mehron.comto achieve a frosted, metallic effect.
  4. For bold impact, mix Mehron Metallic Powder ($10.88, Amazon.com) with Mehron Mixing Liquid ($13.03, Amazon.com) and apply with a brush.

 

 

Shop the Products:

 

Mehron Metallic Powder ($10.88, Amazon.com)

Mehron Glosstone Pro in Crystal Clear ($11.95, Mehron.com)

Mehron L.I.P Color Cream ($7.95, Mehron.com)

FLU RECOVERY FACIAL CREATED BY CELEBRITY ESTHETICIAN: THAI MORRISON

This season, flu has been rampant causing mass illness across 49 of the 50 U.S. states. Hundreds of deaths have been attributed to flu so far and many say the flu season hasn’t even peaked.

Flu causes major symptoms, like fever, chills and body aches and extreme fatigue that has most sufferers in the bed for five to seven days. Flu often leaves the havoc it’s wreaked “written all over your face” with darkness under your eyes, pale skin and sometimes facial swelling. While the bounce back process from flu is often slow, celebrity esthetician, Thai Morrison, has created a flu recovery facial that can help clients as they return to work and other normal activities.

The facial aims to reduce the darkness and puffiness under the eyes and restore moisture to dehydrated skin. The facial can be done in-house by Morrison or the products for the at-home facial can be ordered from the spa. The facial consists of an oil wash for hydration, like the Flower Power Oil Wash by Kanvas Skin Care; a cleansing scrub to exfoliated the dead skin cells like Polished by Kanvas md; a healing water like Avené­­­­­­ Thermal Spring Water to calm and soothe the skin; a hydrating mask like Glow Mask by Kanvas Skin Care to reduce facial puffiness and moisturize the skin and an eye treatment, like Plump Gold eye pads by Kanvas md to diminish dark circles and undereye puffiness. Morrison, who Is widely known as the “healthy skin care expert” developed the flu recovery facial after contracting the flu herself and is on a mission to help others as they recover from the flu.

“I was down with the flu for almost a week and I wasn’t looking or feeling my best,” said Morrison. “I started treating my skin aggressively with the flu recovery facial I developed and was able to return to work with revived, glowing skin.”

About Thai Morrison:

Thai Morrison is the founder and co-owner of Koffee Day Spa, a full-service day spa and med spa located in Dallas, Texas and Kanvas and Kanvas md skincare lines. Koffee Day Spa is known for offering affordable luxury through its line of celebrity service offerings, including its customized celebrity facial and celebrity massage. Koffee Day Spa is located in Dallas, Texas, and has received numerous awards and accolades, including a 2017 “People Love Us” Award from Yelp, 2016 Top 10 Day Spas in Dallas by Dallas City Voter and 10 Best Day Spas in Dallas by USA Today. Kanvas Skin Care Line provides high-quality products for all skin types at an affordable price and Kanvas md is the medical grade line created to treat specific skin conditions. Kanvas and Kanvas md are esthetician formulated products. From oily-to dry skin, fine lines and wrinkles, to age spots and hyperpigmentation, Kanvas and Kanvas md have the products to treat it.