Month: July 2018

Beauty /

COVERGIRL’s Shade for Shade: Be Unapologetic in Your Beauty Choices

Today, COVERGIRL launched a new campaign that inspires women to be unapologetic about their beauty choices through a quick swipe of lipstick. Starring and co-created by COVERGIRL Issa Rae, the film, titled “Shade for Shade,” features Issa and her (real life!!) best friends navigating LA for a night out, each swiping on a different shade of lipstick and owning the colors they chose. Once the shades of Exhibitionist lipstick come out, shade gets playfully thrown back and forth between the friends, illustrating what it looks like for women to be assured in their beauty choices.

Lipstick isn’t about the color, it’s a statement of unapologetic self-expression, which is exactly what COVERGIRL embodies within the campaign and their tagline “I Am What I Make Up.”

The film serves as an invitation for all women to confidently own their shade choices without explanation – even if your friends disagree or people stare. COVERGIRL says, let them stare! There are no rules when it comes to makeup, and “Shade for Shade” serves to celebrate all of the bold (or subtle) lipstick choices that make you feel like your best you.

 

Fashion /

BAES AND BIKINIS – HAUTE COUTURE SHOW Miami Swim Week 2018 Show Recap

California-based swimwear brand, Baes and Bikinis, showcased their 2019 collection at the Paraiso Tent during Miami Swim Week on Thursday, July 12th, 2018.

This year’s show, Haute Couture, took crochet to the next level with a mixture of sexy and modern swimwear styles, followed by delicate coverups.
Inspired by the Greek Islands, the Bahamas, Hawaii and Malibu, Baes and Bikinis showcased a sexy swimwear line with plenty of knits, crochet, and delicate details.
The brand combines imported soft fabrics and seamless comfort to encompass the lifestyle of the perfect low cut island bikini mixed with a flirty Malibu fit.
Amazon /

Amazon Announces Prime Day 2018 – Starting July 16

Amazon’s highly anticipated annual shopping event, Prime Day will start on July 16 at 12pm PT/3pm ET and will run through July 17. Bigger than ever, Prime Day (and a half) will extend from 30 hours in 2017 to 36 hours, with more than one million deals exclusively for Prime members around the world, plus select deals at all U.S. Whole Foods Market stores. Members in the U.S., U.K., Spain, Mexico, Japan, India, Italy, Germany, France, China, Canada, Belgium, Austria and – new this year – Australia, Singapore, Netherlands and Luxembourg, can shop deals across TVs, smart home, kitchen, grocery, toys, fashion, furniture, appliances and back-to-school supplies and even stock up on everyday essentials. This year, Prime Day will feature double the deals on Amazon devices—and the biggest deals yet on Alexa-enabled products like Echo, Fire TV and Fire tablets, in addition to new categories from home security to Echo devices with screens. Not a member yet? Anyone can join Prime or start a 30-day free trial at amazon.com/primeday to participate in Prime Day.

“Prime members will enjoy a day (and a half) of our best deals, with 36 hours to shop more than one million deals worldwide,” said Jeff Wilke, Amazon CEO Worldwide Consumer. “New this year, members can shop exclusive Prime Day Launches from hundreds of brands worldwide, enjoy exclusive savings at Whole Foods Market and experience surprise entertainment events unboxed from giant Smile boxes in major cities. More than 100 million paid Prime members around the world will find our best Prime Day celebration yet.”

New This Year – Unboxing More Than Deals

In advance of Prime Day, giant Smile boxes will make their way across land and sea to major cities around the world. Customers in New York City, Los Angeles, London, Tokyo and Milan will be delighted when each box opens to reveal an unforgettable event, in a nod to the unparalleled benefits that come with a Prime membership including music, video, gaming and more. Everyone can join the celebration by tuning in to amazon.com/unboxingprimeday.

Also new this year, hundreds of well-known and emerging brands around the world will unbox exclusive new items, content and special-edition products available just for Prime members for a limited time. Prime members will be the first to shop, taste, listen and laugh with early access Prime Day Launches that will top everyone’s wish list. Select Prime Day Launches in the U.S. include: Delta Trinsic Touch2O voice-activated faucet, the first Alexa-enabled kitchen faucet; Coleman RoadTrip LXE portable propane grill with new features perfect for camping, tailgating and picnicking; Fingerlings Light Up Unicorn Mackenzie, the first Fingerling with a special light-up horn; Audible Original production, Hi Bob!, where American icon Bob Newhart sits down with special guests Sarah Silverman, Will Ferrell, Lisa Kudrow, Jimmy Kimmel, Judd Apatow and Conan O’Brien; Bai Braspberry flavor paying homage to Justin Timberlake’s fruitful creation; and the Moto G6 64 GB, an exclusive version of the best-selling unlocked Android smartphone featuring a brilliant 5.7” Full HD+ Max Vision display with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage.

For the first time, U.S. Prime members will also be able to celebrate Prime Day at their local Whole Foods Market. Prime members can taste the savings on the high-quality natural and organic products they love on Prime Day (and a half), with an additional 10 percent off hundreds of sale items throughout Whole Foods Market stores, and deep discounts on select popular products. Download the Whole Foods Market app and scan the Prime Code to start saving. In addition, from July 14 through 17, Amazon Prime Rewards Visa cardmembers with an eligible Prime membership will enjoy double the rewards – 10% Back – when shopping at Whole Foods Market on up to a total of $400 in purchases.

Deals Start Now

Every day leading up to Prime Day, members will discover all kinds of exclusive offers and deals. The following start today:

  • Echo Show: Save $100 on Echo Show, which brings you everything you love about Alexa, and can show you things. Make video calls or watch video flash briefings, movies and TV shows, see music lyrics, smart home cameras, photos, weather forecasts, and more. All hands-free—just ask.
  • Amazon Brands – Find our lowest prices on products from collections available exclusively on Amazon, including up to 25% off furniture and décor from Rivet and Stone & Beam, up to 20% off AmazonBasics items, and 30% off everyday essentials from Presto!, Mama Bear and Solimo, among others.
  • Prime Video, DVDs and Blu-Ray – Save up to 50% on popular movies and TV shows on digital, DVD and Blu-Ray.
  • Amazon Music – Prime members who haven’t yet tried Amazon Music Unlimited can get four months of the premium, on-demand service with access to tens of millions of songs and hands-free listening, for just $0.99.
  • Twitch Prime – Members can enjoy hundreds of hours of free gameplay as Twitch Prime gives away a free PC game every day through July 18, including titles like Pillars of Eternity and Brutal Legend. Members will also receive exclusive in-game loot forWarframe and PLAYERUNKNOWN’S BATTLEGROUNDS.
  • Kindle Unlimited and eBooks – Prime members who haven’t yet tried Kindle Unlimited will have access to three months of unlimited reading for just $0.99. Buy your first Kindle book and get a $10 Prime Day credit valid towards eBooks, print books and Audible.
  • Audible – Eligible Prime members can get their first three months at more than 65% off for $4.95 a month.

The Best Ways to Shop on Prime Day

Find out what tens of millions of Prime members who shopped during Prime Day 2017 discovered – this is an epic time to shopAmazon’s best deals, on top of already low prices. This year, Amazon is adding six more hours to shop and 50 percent more Spotlight Deals globally – featuring our deepest discounts on top brands and the most popular products. Pro tips on getting the most out of Prime Day include:

  • Watch A Deal – The Amazon App ensures you never miss a deal. This is the easiest way to preview, track and shop those limited time Lightning Deals while at home or on-the-go with deal alerts on the Amazon App. Learn more at amazon.com/watched.
  • Prime Day Sneak Peek on the Amazon App – Tap the Prime Day banner within the Amazon App from July 9 – 15 for a sneak peek of select products that will have Prime Day deals.
  • Explore Deals By Popular Interests – Find deals organized by more than 40 of the most-shopped-for interests. From style and fashion to electronics, cooking, travel and more – discover deals that you’ll love faster.
  • Alexa Shopping – Alexa makes it easy to find the best Prime Day deals. Just ask, “Alexa, what are my Prime Day deals?” Track your Prime Day orders with Alexa. Just ask “Alexa, where’s my stuff?” or set up Alexa delivery notifications in the Alexa app.
  • Amazon Prime Credit Cards – Cardmembers can enjoy 5% back on all their Prime Day purchases when shopping with the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Card or the Amazon Prime Store Card.

Shop Big with Small and Medium-Sized Businesses This Prime Day

Prime members from around the world can shop hundreds of thousands of deals this Prime Day from small and medium-sized businesses selling on Amazon Launchpad, Amazon Handmade, Amazon Exclusives and more. On Prime Day 2017, members ordered more than 40 million items from small and medium-sized businesses worldwide, and once again this year, these businesses are adding to the unsurpassed selection available every day on Amazon.

Alexa’s Home-Smart-Home Sweepstakes

Starting today, customers can enter for a chance to win the Alexa Home-Smart-Home Sweepstakes by asking Alexa questions about Prime Day, watching Alexa-related videos, downloading and using the Amazon App, and more. One grand prize winner will receive an Alexa-enabled 2019 Lexus ES, a complete Alexa smart home package, and more. Get details at www.amazon.com/homesmarthome.

Every Day Made Better with Prime

Prime was designed to make your life better every single day. Over 100 million paid members around the world enjoy the many benefits of Prime, including shopping and entertainment. In the U.S. that includes unlimited access to award-winning movies and TV episodes with Prime Video; unlimited access to Prime Music, Audible Channels for Prime, Prime Reading, Prime Photos, Twitch Prime; early access to select Lightning Deals, one free pre-released book a month with Amazon First Reads, and more. Prime members can also get deep discounts on select best-selling foods at Whole Foods Market plus an additional 10 percent off hundreds of sale items. Prime was built on the foundation of unlimited fast, free shipping and members receive Prime FREE One-Day Shipping and Prime FREE Same-Day Delivery in more than 8,000 cities and towns, two-hour delivery with Prime Now in more than 30 major cities and unlimited Free Two-Day Shipping on more than 100 million items. Start a free trial of Amazon Prime at amazon.com/prime.

Accessories /

Hit the Dance Floor With Ann Taylor as Your + 1

‘Tis the season – welcome to wedding season! With summer in full swing, it’s time to find the perfect gift – and the perfect dress. Hit the dance floor with Ann Taylor as your +1.

Find the perfect outfit equation at Ann Taylor for any wedding theme or style whether the event is beachy, semi-formal, cocktail or a trendy middle ground.

Beach bliss

For a beach wedding, channel tropical backdrops with sundresses. Pair a sleek maxi, classy necklace, and cork heels for a comfortable, yet still glamorous look.

Meeting in the middle

Opt for sleek shapes for semi-formal attire with textured accessories. Throwing on an emerald jumpsuit, suede heels, and cool earrings that will both elevate and add intrigue to your look.

Formal soirees

Stick to a glamorous look for cocktail attire with pretty pastels and textured lace. Add some sparkle with the statement earrings to look refined, yet effortless.

Accessories /

What To Wear To A Wedding In 2018 – Choose The Ideal Outfit

When you have a wedding to go to, it is easy to go into a sheer panic over what to wear. You have to think about all sorts of factors such as how comfortable you will, what the weather will be like, whether there is any color theme in place, and more. Considering you may be at the wedding for the best part of the day, it is important to select your outfit carefully so you benefit from a combination of comfort and aesthetic appeal.

Featured Photo from Glamour

If you are struggling to decide what to wear, there are a few tips that can help. First off, make sure you find out whether the happy couple has put any sort of dress code or color scheme in place, as the last thing you want is to turn up in a canary-yellow dress when the dress code is lilac or pink! Once you have this information, you can then start shopping for a suitable outfit for the big day.

Trends and Options to Help You Choose the Ideal Outfit

 

Choosing the perfect wedding outfit doesn’t need to be a challenge as long as you keep some key points in mind and you look at some of the latest trends. From stylish tailored dresses and trouser suits through to stunning evening gowns by Marchesa Notte, there is something for every taste and preference.

One thing to remember is that you should never buy an outfit that will upstage the bride’s dress otherwise you could find yourself in hot water with the happy couple! Elegance and style are, of course, important but you also need to make sure you are comfortable in the outfit. This is especially important if you will be wearing the same outfit all day.

So, let’s take a look at some of the latest trends when it comes to wedding outfits:

Embroidered dresses

 

 

If you want to ooze elegance when you attend the wedding, opting for an embroidered dress is a great idea. When you choose an embroidered gown, you can really look the part for the wedding with a look that is timeless and classy. The bride and bridesmaids will probably have embroidery on their dresses too, which means your dress will fit in perfectly with the wedding theme.

Glitzy metallic dresses

 

 

A wedding is a happy event so a little glitz and glamour won’t go amiss. You can inject your own glitz by opting for a stylish metallic dress. Metallic materials are very trendy these days, so you can show off your fashion sense while enjoying a combination of style, elegance, and class. Metallic dresses that incorporate patterns and prints are particularly effective and will add a unique touch to your overall look.

Chiffon and lace

 

 

Do you want to embrace the romance of the big day? If so, you can reflect this in your outfit by going for a stunning chiffon and lace dress. These dresses hang and flow beautifully, so you can enjoy looking really elegant. They also look elegant, romantic, and timeless, which makes them ideal for a wedding. If you are attending a summer wedding, you can even enjoy increased comfort because you will feel much cooler in this type of material.

Tailored dress

 

 

If you want something a little more conservative but still elegant and stylish, a tailored knee-length dress coupled with kitten heels is an excellent choice. You can opt for a single color or choose a two-tone dress in a variety of shades. You can also find tailored dresses in floral prints, which can add an extra touch of elegance to your outfit.

Step Out in Style

 

With these great dress options, you can step out in style when you head to your next wedding. You will enjoy looking stylish, elegant, and classy while feeling comfortable and confident.

 

Collaborative Dress

Entertainment /

OVER HALF A MILLION ATTENDEES CONVENE FOR THE 2018 ESSENCE FESTIVAL SPONSORED BY COCA-COLA

The 2018 ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola® attracted more than 510,0000 attendees to New Orleans this Fourth of July weekend, marking one of the largest gatherings in the event’s 24-year history.   For the first time, all three nights of the ESSENCE Festival concert series at the Louisiana Superdome sold out.  The extraordinary turnout underscores ESSENCE’s engagement of Black women around community, culture, and content – which was brought to life in innovative ways at the annual celebration.

“This extraordinary gathering of nearly half a million attendees–on the eve of the ESSENCE Festival’s 25th anniversary–speaks to the unmatched convening power of our culture,” said Michelle Ebanks, President, Essence Communications.  “As one of the country’s largest curated live experiences, the ESSENCE Festival engages Black women globally—through a truly unique celebration of culture, connection to community and access to content that inspires and empowers.”

The annual 4-day Festival, which took place July 5-8, features entertainment, empowerment, and cultural experiences during the day and a state-of-the-art concert series with the world’s best performers each night to comprise a one-of-a-kind curated content experience:

    • Over 100 performing artists across the Superdome and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Many of the biggest names in the entertainment industry including Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Queen Latifah, Snoop Dogg, The Roots, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Miguel and others performed at the event’s nighttime concerts and dozens of others across ESSENCE’s Center Stage and 10thAnniversary All-Star Gospel Tribute honoring Dottie Peoples.

 

    • More than 100 influencers, leaders, creators, and celebrities participated in the Festival’s daytime experience – rebranded as ‘Conference & Expos’ with programming across eight tracks spanning Beauty & Style to Business & Entrepreneurship. Powerhouse speakers included Lena Waithe, Lester Holt, and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell as well as favorites Rev. Al Sharpton, Congresswoman Maxine Waters and Iyanla Vanzant, among others.

 

    • First-time, simultaneous live streams of the daytime experience on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; an ESSENCE Snapchat Live special and millions of #EssenceFest social media posts generating trending status on Twitter.

 

    • Expanded consumer Expos such as the ‘Beauty Carnival” and ‘Entertainment All-Access’ drew crowds of thousands each day to the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.   Elevated VIP events and programs for attendees included the launch of the ‘ESSENCE House’ at the Ace Hotel, as well as the debut of the ‘E-Suite’ with exclusive access to career and business programming.

 

    • Community give-back and volunteerism at the Festival’s traditional ‘Day of Service’ focused on the theme “Adopt-a-Neighborhood – Central City” to encompass youth center beautification projects, as well as empowerment and entrepreneurship workshops for women & girls.  ESSSENCE ‘Day of Service’ also presented the inaugural Excellence Awards honoring local change-agents in the community.

 

For a full recap of all the exciting moments from the 2018 ESSENCE Festival, visit ESSENCE.com and log in to the ESSENCE Festival News Center for photo and footage highlights.  Images of Janet Jackson can be requested via Getty Images.

The 2018 ESSENCE Festival is executive produced by ESSENCE Festivals LLC, a division of ESSENCE Communications Inc. (ECI), and produced by Solomon Group. GeChar is the executive producer of the 2018 ESSENCE Empowerment Experience.

Sponsors of the 2018 ESSENCE Festival include presenting sponsor Coca-Cola and major sponsors AT&T, Ford, McDonald’s, State Farm and Walmart.

Beauty /

2018 ESSENCE FESTIVAL® EXPANDS BRAND EXPERIENCES

The 2018 Essence Festival® presented by Coca-Cola today debuts expanded brand experiences within its daytime programming—offering new consumer activations curated by partners Coca-Cola, AT&T, Ford, McDonald’s, State Farm and Walmart that take place from July 6-July 8 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.

The Festival’s daytime programming features a diverse slate of curated content across eight “Conference & Expos” tracks: Community & Culture, Beauty & Style, Entertainment, Entrepreneurship, Tech, Wealth, Wellness & Spirituality, and Shopping.  Plus, celebrity meet-and-greets, musical performances, interactive panel discussions and over 50 engaging consumer activations round out the weekend event.

Download the 2018 ESSENCE Festival® app for updates and to customize a schedule of Festival highlights, which include:

  • ESSENCE Beauty & Style featuring the ESSENCE Beauty Carnival. Tutorials and seminars with celebrity beauty experts and icons, and fashion presentations with style trendsetters, complimentary style consultations, mini makeovers, giveaways and more with partners: Walmart, the Official Beauty Expo Retailer; My Black Is Beautiful; Unilever; Aveeno; Maui Moisture; Creme of Nature; Palmer’s; Shea Moisture; Carol’s Daughter; Cover Girl; Gold Bond; Strength of Nature; and our Beauty Bungalow sponsor, Cantu.
  • ESSENCE Entertainment All Access. An exclusive first look at the hottest movies and TV shows and participation in cast talk-backs and appearances at Center Stage, the Fan Zone and the Screening Room with partners Disney, 20th Century Fox, Annapurna, BET, HBO, Paramount, Showtime, Starz, TNT, as well as the film titled, She Did That sponsored by Walmart.
  • ESSENCE Empowerment Experience. Keynotes and panels featuring today’s most prominent leaders, creators, and influencers, such as Lena Waithe, Mary J. Blige, Iyanla Vanzant, Reverend Al Sharpton, Angela Rye and many more, covering topics spanning inspiration to activism and more.
  • ESSENCE Path to Power. Free and open to the public, the Path To Power will offer daily general sessions, 40+ workshop style intensives and networking opportunities for entrepreneurs and business professionals at all career levels. Programming partners include AT&T, State Farm, J.P. Morgan Chase, US Army, New Voices Fund, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), National Urban League, United States Black Chamber, YWCA, and Accenture.
  • ESSENCE Lifestyle Experience. ESSENCE’s lifestyle editors and industry experts showcase the best in health and wellness and encourage living a healthier and happier life with partners AARP, American Airlines, Susan G. Komen, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation and the State of Louisiana.
  • ESSENCE All-Star Gospel Tribute. Inspirational performances by top gospel artists, including Marvin Sapp, Smokie Norful, George Potts Young & the Church Friends Band and more in tribute to Dottie Peoples sponsored by Walmart.
  • ESSENCE Eats. A taste of local cuisine, fellowship and celebrity chefs preparing their specialty dishes with partners Walmart, Diageo and Gold Peak.

In addition, the Marketplace will host more than 150 entrepreneurs from across the globe. Also taking place throughout the weekend will be brand-sponsored events and engagements that include:

  • Coca-Cola: Share a Coke® at ESSENCE Festival

Share a Coke with your girlfriends at the 2018 ESSENCE Festival®! Join Coca-Cola® at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and experience a world of endless refreshment, uplifting music, dancing, interactive programming, photo experiences and much more! #CokeEssenceFest

  • AT&T: Dream In Black with AT&T

When you dream in black you power the possibilities. AT&T is serving up celebrity meet-and-greets, musical guests, and prize giveaways. Drop by with your squad and Dream in Black with us for an unforgettable Festival experience.

  • Ford: Celebration and Sisterhood: Our 10th ESSENCE Festival

For our 10th year running, Ford is proud to celebrate sisterhood at Essence Fest! Visit our space to learn how Ford continues striving to empower women to Go Further. Plus, register for a chance to win a brand-new Ford vehicle!

  • McDonald’s: McDonald’s Black Forward Experience

McDonald’s® returns to celebrate you and all that you do to move Black culture forward! Join us at the Black Forward Experience for live performances, giveaways, and endless inspiration. For more info, visit 365Black.com, and download the McDonald’s App for additional exclusives.

  1. State Farm: State Farm® Color Full Lives

State Farm® has the financial tips and tools you need to live your most Color Full Life! Stop by our space to envision your future and achieve your dreams. State Farm is here to help you #LiveColorFull.

  • Walmart: Rule On Your Time

Reign over your household with grace and ease. With Walmart’s Grocery Pickup you can order groceries online and pick up, for free, on your time. Get your rule on, learn more at Walmart.com. #ReignOn

Join the Festival community by following us on Twitter, @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of 2018 ESSENCE Festival® on Facebook. For more information about ticket sales and accommodations and for the latest news about the ESSENCE Festival®, visit www.essencefestival.com.

The ESSENCE Festival® is executive produced by ESSENCE Festivals LLC, a division of ESSENCE Communications Inc., and is produced by Solomon Group. Sponsors of the 2018 ESSENCE Festival® in New Orleans include presenting sponsor Coca-Cola and major sponsors AT&T, Ford, McDonald’s, State Farm and Walmart.

 

Accessories /

Festive Chic Looks From Ann Taylor Just in Time For 4th of July

With the 4th of July just around the corner, it’s time to check out new festive chic looks. Wherever you are celebrating Independence Day – the beach, a rooftop, or a park – Ann Taylor has it all.

Ann Taylor can provide you with any look you desire with endless options of red, white, and blue will help you rival the fireworks. Please see below for some brand product suggestions and curated looks featuring summer trends such as wide-legged flowy pants, bright hues, and simple sundresses.

Beauty /

COVERGIRL Launch: The Infinite – A Tribute to COVERGIRL’s Product Inspiration

This morning COVERGIRL launched their biggest campaign of the year – The Infinite – which showcases COVERGIRL’s inspiration behind this product: YOU.

This campaign is a tribute to everyone who spoke up and said what they want and need from a foundation – not just an extensive shade range (but of course we have that!), but specific formula additions that cater to their unique skin needs. COVERGIRL listened, and COVERGIRL heard you, so this foundation was created specifically for each and every one of you.

COVERGIRL’s TruBlend Matte Made Foundation’s 40 shade-range delivers a long-wearing matte finish while delivering the key factors most asked for by consumers:

  • Flexible wear and comfort feel – a flexi-hold technology creates a strong, yet flexible film that’s comfortable on the skin. It responds to facial movements and is lightweight on the skin.
  • Transfer-Proof – Flexible film helps formula stay in place all day – will not transfer
  • Pore-Blurring – Light-scattering technology blurs pores and minimizes imperfections on skin
  • Oil-Absorption – Oil-absorbing powders can hold 2X their weight in oils