Prejuvenation: 6 Things Millennials Can do to Maintain Their Youth

Many people in their 20’s (and 30’s) are stressed out about high post-college student loan debt requiring side hustles to pay it off. They’re noticing tired eyes and premature wrinkles as they turn to filters to optimize their social media photos. There is pressure to keep up with celebrities their age not to mention the countless millennial “social media influencers” who are setting the new standard for beauty and youth. Bottom line, millennials are stressed, and they don’t want to look it. Dr. Manish Shah, a Denver, Colorado Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery urges the under 30 crowds not to overdo it with expensive treatments and procedures that can actually make them look older and put them further into debt.

Featured Photo from Market Watch.

Here is Dr. Shah’s of 6 things millennials can do to maintain their youth.

1. Use sunblock every day.

“The best way to make sure your face is protected from the sun is to use a daily moisturizer with SPF of no less than 30,” explains Dr. Shah. He also suggests applying creams to your neck and chest to postpone wrinkling and sagging in these areas. “The sun protection done daily in your 20’s will pay off greatly in your 40’s,” he says.

2. Get your Vitamin C.

“Vitamin C is a huge collagen booster and it also reduces pores and brightens skin, and these are the exact things women in their late 30’s and 40’s complain about most,” he reveals. Foods such as cantaloupe, mango, pineapples, oranges, grapefruits, and berries are all packed with this antioxidant which, when eaten regularly does wonders to sustain a youthful glow.

3. Ditch the fast food and eat more fish.

Those late night post-partying fries and pizza are to be expected and at 25 are difficult to avoid. Perhaps your metabolism can handle it, for now. Offset these weekend indulgences by eating fish during the week. “Fish oil has fatty acids can erase early wrinkles you may notice. It prevents inflammation which can only make wrinkles more noticeable and deeper over time. Many millennials who are picky eaters and avoid seafood can get Omega-3’s via supplements but getting it directly from eating fish is best,” Dr. Shah suggests.

4. Quit smoking.

Nothing will age you quicker than smoking. “It is possible for a 25-year-old to look 8-5 years younger, within just 3 months after quitting smoking. This number increases after age 30. Women over age 40 who don’t smoke typically look up to a decade younger than their counterparts who still smoke,” says Dr. Shah. There are a gazillion reasons to quit smoking. Linking it to vanity is a pretty powerful motivator.

5. Decrease your sugar intake.

You really want to start getting mindful about your sugar intake in your 20’s for many reasons. “Sugars and carbohydrates are a beauty killer because they are pro-inflammatory. Pasta, ketchup, candy, ice cream, and fruit juices are often dietary staples for those under 30. Any inflammation in the body will show up on the face in the form of adult acne, sagging and wrinkling not to mention sallow skin tone,” warns Dr. Shah.

6. Maintain your glow with facials and peels.

While many millennials are starting off with “Baby Botox” which can postpone wrinkling, Botox isn’t cheap. It also can be a “gateway” treatment which leads to lip injections and fillers that often have a reverse effect making younger women appear older, cautions Dr. Shah. “Lasers and peels have come very far, offer an excellent solution for sun damage, skin texture, pores, acne scarring and cell turnover to stimulate collagen growth.

Dr. Shah concludes that millennials who get into a good solid habit of taking care of themselves both inside and out, will create a lifestyle of longevity. “Millennials raised by mothers who may have had breast implants, Botox and lip injections may feel that getting things “done” is normal. This is exactly why I am always very honest when advising patients under 25 on procedures they’re considering.”

About Dr. Manish Shah

Plastic Surgeon Colorado | Dr. Manish Shah, M.D. | Denver https://drmanishshah.com/

Manish Shah, M.D., F.A.C.S. is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. After completing his formal plastic surgery training in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the Univ. of Tennessee College of Medicine, he moved to New York City and was selected for the prestigious Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship at Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital. He underwent extensive, advanced training in aesthetic surgery of the face, breasts, and body at the hands of some of the most renowned cosmetic surgeons in the world. Dr. Shah is one of only a select few plastic surgeons in the country who has undergone formal post-graduate training in aesthetic surgery.

Dr. Shah’s specialties include revision facial aesthetic surgery, rhinoplasty (“nose reshaping”), and aesthetic surgery of the breast (breast augmentation, breast lift, breast reduction). He is, however, well-trained in all areas of aesthetic surgery. Dr. Shah’s aim is to obtain a natural appearing transformation that complements the real you!

25th Essence Festival: Daytime Experience Culminates With All-Star Gospel Celebration

WHAT: The 2019 ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola, the world’s largest cultural, entertainment and empowerment experience and the largest celebration of global Black culture, convenes top world leaders, influencers and creators for its newly reimagined ESSENCE Power Stage. Free and open to the public, the Essence Power Stage will feature conversations and keynote addresses with influencers and artists – plus a culminating all-star Gospel celebration with performances celebrating 25 years of Black women in Gospel music.

 

The ESSENCE Power Stage will allow audiences to take in a range of empowering conversations with today’s most influential voices, tackling key issues around politics, love, and family, activism, wealth and more. For a full lineup of this year’s daytime speakers and artists, visit essence.com/festival.

WHO: Initial participants hitting the ESSENCE Power Stage are some of the most influential and legendary voices and performers, who represent our culture and community.

**More participants to be announced.

ESSENCE Power Stage:                                                         

Congresswoman Ilhan Omar                                   

Dr. Jess                                                                             

Erika Alexander                                                                                                                 

Jemele Hill

Mayor of Flint, Karen Weaver

Mayor of Atlanta, Keisha Lance Bottoms

Mayor of New Orleans, LaToya Cantrell

 

Mayor of Rochester, Lovey Warren

Mayor of Baton Rouge, Sharon Weston Broome

Marvet Brito

 

MC Lyte

Pharrell Williams

Reverend Al Sharpton

 

Teddy Riley

Terry Crews       

 

All-Star Gospel Celebration:

Donnie McClurkin

Mary Mary

Tasha Cobbs Leonard                                         

Yolanda Adams

                                                                                                                                         

WHERE: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

WHEN:  July 5 – 7, 2019

 

NOTES: In addition, the 2019 ESSENCE Festival® will feature over 80 performing artists, plus a daily line-up of diverse, can’t-miss enrichment and entertainment programming, Including the Essence Beauty Carnival, Essence Fashion House, Essence Wellness House, Film and Television Festival, and Global Black Economic Forum, among others. Register now for the many free ESSENCE Festival experiences at https://www.essence.com/festival/.

Sponsors for the 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival are Coca-Cola, AT&T, McDonald’s, Ford, State Farm, and Walmart.

Pixel Outflow Studios and Kimberly West Styling host Photo Walk 2019: Photography, Fashion, and Creative Art

Pixel Outflow Studios is an international multi-media company based in Birmingham, Alabama. The owner, Stanley Parrish is a multidisciplinary editorial and portrait photographer, graphic designer and well-known videographer.

To kick-off the new season, Stanley will host his annual Photo Walk 2019 street-style, photography series in collaboration with Kimberly West, Fashion Editor, and Stylist.

The event is free admission for models, digital influencers, or media personalities seeking professional photos. Photo Walk 2019 will be an afternoon of photography, fashion, and creative art!

Registration can be made on Facebook or through Eventbrite underneath the name Photo Walk 2019.

For more information contact Stanley Parrish at info@pixeloutflowstudios.com or Kimberly West at (205) 202-1166.

About Stanley Parrish:

Stanley Parrish is a multidisciplinary portrait photographer, wedding photographer, graphic designer and videographer based in Birmingham, Alabama. Stanley graduated from the University of Alabama with a BA in Fine Arts and Graphic Design. He has over fifteen years of experience working in visual media. See his commercial/fashion website at www.stanleyparrish.com

Art is his first love. He loves creating illustrations, logos, advertising design, marketing materials, flyers, posters and more! His goal is to help small businesses and business professional’s builder better and effective brands by offering creative graphic design solutions and professional photography services.

About Kimberly West:

Kimberly West is an on-air television personality, consultant, and digital influencer. She holds both a B.S. in Apparel Merchandising, M.S. degree in the field of Family Consumer Sciences and graduate level coursework in Public Relations For Digital Media. Kimberly has represented several lifestyle-related brands on news stations such as ABC 2 WMAR, Fox 45 Baltimore, ABC 33/40 – Talk of Alabama, WBAL – TV 11, and much more.

In addition, she has a retail background working for companies such as Talbots, Victoria’s Secrets, New York & Company, and Parisian Department Store. Kimberly West has been featured on numerous sites such as Entrepreneur.com and received awards/nominations.  She was also the official Style Expert for the local Baltimore based news series with ABC 2 WMAR, Scandal Shopping!

Gift Picks for Every Mom: Your Amazon Guide to Mother’s Day

Want to avoid the panic around finding the perfect present this close to Mother’s Day? Shop these quick shipping gifts picks from Amazon. No one deserves to be pampered more, and although time is running thin you can still seem brilliantly thoughtful with the below, each tailored to every kind of mom!

Featured Photo from People

The Sleeping Beauty

Crepe Erase Overnight Plumping Treatment ($65, Amazon.com)

Be the reason your mom sleeps her way to better-looking skin. Crépe Erase’s exclusive TruFirm Complex helps to visibly smooth and firm fine lines and wrinkles, restoring elasticity, while echinacea extract works with a blend of 9 Super Hydrators to visibly plump and soothe tired-looking skin. She will be delighted to wake up to perfectly balanced, radiant-looking skin that looks and feels years younger. Don’t just take our word; in a clinical study, 90% of women said their skin looked more youthful.

The Mom On-The-Go

Eterno Skincare Time Eraser ($55, Amazon.com)

Being a mother is a tiring job, leaving little “me-time” for our superhero moms. Enter the Eterno Time Eraser, the eye cream that instantly erases dark circles, fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness, and signs of aging in 60 seconds. Mom will be feeling like herself in no time thanks to a formula of acai fruit, active peptides, and hydrologic acid.

The Pop-of-color lover

WUNDER2 Super-Stay Stick Eyeshadow ($19, Amazon.com)

Long-lasting creamy eyeshadow sticks that offer all the color payoff without the fuss or fallout are perfect for the mom on the move. Formulated with soothing, smoothing ingredients like Castor Oil, Silk, and Aloe Vera to ensure the result is lightweight and comfortable, the sticks are Water-proof, sweat-proof, and transfer-proof – lasting all day without smudging! Available in 8 neutral, super-wearable shades (for all skin tones) with just enough shimmer for everyday wear.

The Zen Seeker

Vervan Relaxing Organic Healing Balm ($18, Amazon.com)

This multi-purpose balm can be used as a body lotion, hand moisturizer, natural chapstick and more! Enriched with a blend of Lavender and Bergamot Essential Oils, this 100% natural anti-stress balm will give your mom the mind peace and relaxation she needs. Enriched with 31% Shea Butter, Olive Oil, Beeswax, and Grapefruit to hydrate and soften skin. What’s best: like all Vervan products, it is cruelty-free and comes in recyclable packaging.

The Vegan Detox Queen

nügg Detoxifying Charcoal Face Mask ($17.09, Amazon.com)

This charcoal face mask helps blackhead removal and promotes a clear, even skin look with less oil and shine without leaving your skin feeling tight and dry. It features a unique, gel-mud texture that will help detoxify and clarify her skin without stripping it of moisture and while soothing it at the same time. The natural tea tree scent is refreshing and promotes an authentic at-home spa experience.

 

The Environmental Enthusiast

Ethique Boost Hair Mask ($13.95, Amazon.com)

Ideal for the mom who is looking for luxurious condition and shine, all while staying true to her eco-friendly roots. Created for all hair types (including oily), it’s a great treatment to add to her routine. It contains baobab and jojoba protein, which both retain moisture in the hair shaft and smooth the cuticle, adding shine. Baobab also adds elasticity and strength to hair, reducing breakage. Boost has a sweet citrus scent with lime, lemongrass, mandarin and vanilla oils.

Mother’s Day Gift Guide : Something for The Fashionista, Beauty Enthusiast, and Athletic Mama

We have a little something for the mom in your life whether she’s a Fashionista Mama, Athletic Mama, or the Beauty Enthusiast.

MARSTÉ 
for the “Fashionista Mama” – available at marstefashion.com
Why Mom Needs Marsté: Marsté is made of high-quality material with attention to details. Marsté is designed for real women with real curves and runs size 0-22. 
1. Seattle High-Lo Sweater ($90) with Madrid Bodycon Midi Skirt ($90)
2. London Long Cardigan ($160) pairs well with [as seen in the right corner) Moscow Pleated Trouser ($90) & Rio Tank Bodysuit ($40)
3. Berlin Snap Midi Dress ($140)
4. Dubai Ruched Maxi Dress ($75)
5. Nairobi Wrap Skirt ($80) with Monte Carlo Back Zip Bodysuit ($60)
Makeup Geek
for the “Beauty Maven” available at Target, Target.com and at makeupgeek.com
Why Mom Needs Makeup Geek: This budget-friendly makeup brand is kind your pockets and is the animals with cruelty-free products.
1. Makeup Geek Brow Duo – 1oz ($12.99)
2. Makeup Geek Eyeliner ($11.99)
3. Makeup Geek Iconic Lipstick – 0.07oz ($14.99)
4. Makeup Geek False Lashes Graceful – 1 Pair ($7.99)
5. Makeup Geek Highlighter Compact – .25oz ($19.99)
6. Makeup Geek Eye Shadow Summer Surprise – 4ct ($21.99)
7. Makeup Geek Eye Shadow Purple Passion – 4ct ($21.99)
8. Makeup Geek Eye Shadow Naturally Nude – 4ct ($21.99)
IBKÜL 
for the “Fit Mama” – available at ibkul.com (select styles available on Amazon.com)
 
Why Mom Needs Ibkül: This activewear is fashionable and can go from the tennis court or golf course to a leisure outing with the kids. IBKÜL is moisture wick and has an Icefil technology in the fabric that decreases your body temperature as you sweat and move. 
1. Andrea Print Mock Neck Top 10176 ($96)
2. Ariel Print Long Sleeve Polo 11177 ($96)
3. Solid Short Sleeve Polo (available in long sleeve Polo 81000 – $88)
4. Lucky-Key Print Skort with Faux Wrap 26287 ($98)
5. Zazu Print Sleeveless Mock Neck Dress – 56291 ($126)

VERNA GATES, AUTHOR OF 100 THINGS TO DO IN BIRMINGHAM BEFORE YOU DIE, TO HOLD BOOK TALK AT MOODY CITY PARK

100 Things to Do in Birmingham Before You Die, which is the ultimate bucket list of things to do in Birmingham and the surrounding area.

Featured Photo from Bham Now

The author, Verna Gates, has a presentation at Moody City Park on Thursday, April 22 from 10 to 11 a.m.

What: Author presentation for 100 Things to Do in Birmingham Before You Die

When: Thursday, April 25 from 10 to 11 a.m.

Where: Moody City Park, 640 Park Avenue, Moody, AL 35004

Admission: Free and open to the public

Local author Verna Gates will talk about her book 100 Things to Do in Birmingham Before You Die at Moody City Park, 640 Park Avenue, Moody, AL 35004 on Thursday, April 25 from 10 to 11 a.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

It was called the Magic City – a bright, shiny new boomtown following the misery of the Civil War. Birmingham was teething on steel as a brash Wild West town with gambling, shootouts, and famous madams. When the steel died down, banking and medical industries settled it into a sophisticated city with a famed culinary scene, a broad entertainment district, and striking natural beauty. The colorful past remains in a juke joint, quirky museums and a mining trail turning into a greenway. The city changed the country with its notorious struggle, preserved in churches, parks, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. The city is experiencing a new boom in the restoration of its historic downtown, craft beer scene, up and coming new chefs, and an explosion of music venues. The Magic is back. 100 Things to Do in Birmingham Before You Die is your guide to discovering that magic!

Whether you’re a local to Birmingham and are looking for new things to do and places to go or you are tourist planning a trip, this book will serve as the perfect guide.

About the Book

100 Things to Do in Birmingham Before You Die

ISBN 9781681060934

Softcover 5.5 x 8.5 inches

160 pages

$16.00

About the Author

For the past five years, Verna Gates has worked with Alabama Tourism to bring international, national and regional journalists to her beloved home state of Alabama as a contract press trip coordinator. She delights in showing people the famous, quirky and fascinating places from fine dining to hidden gems. Verna also works as a commentator for Troy Public Radio and produces and voices features and travel stories. In 2009, she was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the National Federation of Presswomen, the Communicator of Achievement Award. She has won numerous national awards for her articles. Her career began as one of the original 50 employees of CNN who worked to launch the network and has also reported for TIME Magazine and Reuters International News Service.

2019 ESSENCE FESTIVAL TRANSFORMS INTO PLATFORM ADVANCING GLOBAL BLACK CULTURE, ECONOMIC OWNERSHIP & INCLUSION

The ESSENCE Festival® presented by Coca-Cola, the world’s largest cultural, entertainment and empowerment experience, is marking its 25th anniversary July 4-7, 2019 in New Orleans, LA.  The Festival, the only experience of its kind, is also the largest celebration of global Black culture and continues to reach new heights with a focus on economic inclusion, cultural ownership, and community development. Now attracting more than 500,000 attendees each weekend, the ESSENCE Festival surpasses every national music, entertainment, and cultural festival based on average daily attendance and is planning its most extensive programming to date.

With a daily line-up of diverse, can’t-miss enrichment and entertainment programming, the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center will be a safe space where hundreds of thousands of multigenerational attendees gather to be informed, inspired and empowered.  Offering new and elevated experiences, each activation will serve the unmet needs of Black women across the globe and bring the pages of the magazine and online content to life as never before across arts, entertainment, music, beauty, fashion, technology, film, food, wellness, advocacy, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment.

“For 25 years, the ESSENCE Festival has embodied the power and purpose of our culture – bringing a total of more than $4 billion in economic impact to the City of New Orleans and state of Louisiana and most importantly, serving as a sacred ground for millions of Black women to engage each other in community, sisterhood, service, family, love, laughter, joy, hope, and empowerment,” said Michelle Ebanks, CEO of ESSENCE Communications.  “Today, the Festival is a full celebration of that culture – what we have achieved, how we honor each other, and where we’re going from here. For us, as a 100% Black-owned company, that includes building from the Festival’s foundation of music, entertainment, and empowerment to also now reclaiming our economics and facilitating more opportunities for ownership of and in the culture that we create, innovate and evolve.”

Ebanks continued, “ESSENCE is home, and we know that home is where the heart is.  It is where we go to be restored and sustained.  No matter where we travel in the world, there’s no place like it.  So, the ESSENCE Festival is also a much-anticipated homecoming for Black artists to be uplifted and replenished, for our brightest minds to convene around solutions to critical issues impacting our communities, and for our most creative, bold and passionate selves to be celebrated and renewed. ESSENCE is that place, and today we say “Welcome home.”

In addition to an epic ‘homecoming’ musical line-up of more than 80 performers at the Louisiana Superdome – including Mary J. Blige, Nas, Missy Elliott, H.E.R., Big Freedia, Davido, Frankie Beverly, Jermaine Dupri, MC Lyte, Pharrell Williams, Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky & Mike (RBRM), Sheila E., Teddy Riley, Teyana Taylor, Timbaland, and more – a 25th anniversary celebration of 1994’s most culturally impactful and transformative albums that redefined pop culture will be curated and performed by the original artists.  These include Mary J. Blige’s My LifeNas’ IllmaticBrandy’s BrandyMethod Man’s Tical, Scarface’sDiary, Big Daddy Kane’s Daddy’s Home, Da Brat’s FunkdafiedSlick Rick’s Behind Bars and Brownstone’s From the Bottom Up.

The 25th Anniversary ESSENCE Festival will also span more than 10 venues across New Orleans and encompass several new and enhanced curated experiences, including (**indicates new for 2019):

 

**Global Black Economic Forum – Attendees connect with today’s most seasoned corporate moguls and inspiring entrepreneurs, focused on building economic empowerment and generational wealth, featuring the Black CEO Roundtable, The Billionaire’s Forum, Entrepreneur’s Summit, relationship-building opportunities, and more.

**Fashion House – With ongoing accusations of cultural appropriation and tone-deafness in news and social headlines around the world, many major and luxury fashion brands continue to face issues around their appreciation, understanding, and representation of people of color globally. In addition, the increasing awareness that free promotion from cultural giants in the Black community bestow a lucrative cultural significance to these brands, but with little economic inclusion, and as Black creatives struggle to create and maintain significant business, this conundrum presents the challenge of how do we exercise our creative and economic influence for the benefit of our community.  Focused on elevating the Black fashion community as well as the fashion experience for Black consumers, the Fashion House will provide the necessary tools for Black-owned brands to be successful and opportunities for major fashion brands to provide support, capital and partnerships for Black designers and consumers, as well as curate and showcase Black-owned brands via a shoppable designer trunk show and online Fashion House collaborations.

**Wellness House – The declining state of health and wellness in the Black community mandates that we do more – in more places, with more people – to educate and activate Black women and families around what it means to truly live well physically, mentally and emotionally.  At the Wellness House, attendees will engage in an enlightening and inspiring environment focused on self-care, including educational and motivational conversations with some of today’s leading health and wellness experts; an array of fitness and wellness activities and programming; cooking and nutrition classes; wholesome and delicious food and more with nationally-renown speakers, instructors, trainers, chefs, and special guests.

 

**ESSENCE Black Excellence Awards

The ESSENCE Black Excellence Awards will embrace the triumph of everyday leaders in our communities; honoring trailblazers across disciplines including the Arts, Education, Entrepreneurship, Fashion, Film, Food, Music, Social Justice, Sports, Technology, Wellness and more. This elegant celebration of local and global heroes will also spotlight the impact of corporations, government and Black-owned businesses working collectively for the advancement of all.

 

**ESSENCE Food & Wine Festival – Foodies indulge in a wide range of mouthwatering selections at ESSENCE’s official culinary experience, featuring ‘ESSENCE Eats’ pop-ups at multiple locations throughout New Orleans.

ESSENCE Music Festival – The Festival’s 3-night, evening concert series will present more than 80 of the world’s greatest artists and performers across five stages, featuring artist-led curations, tribute moments and one-of-a-kind, only-at-ESSENCE collaborations, as well as a new intimate venue series called After Dark.

Beauty Carnival – Beauty enthusiasts pamper themselves in an immersive beauty experience designed to meet their individual needs. From live tutorials to curated shopping destinations, beauty fans explore a vivid spectacle of global beauty.

ESSENCE Film & TV Festival – Fans’ all-access to exclusive previews and screenings, appearances and meet & greets with the industry’s most popular casts and performers, featuring the Screening Room, Center Stage, and Fan Zone.

Power Stage – Audiences take in a range of empowering conversations with today’s most influential voices, tackling key issues around politics, love, and family, activism, wealth and more.

E-Suite – With a membership pass, subscribers access an exclusive suite for entrepreneurs and senior-level women in business. From panel conversations to recruitment opportunities with our partners, E-Suite is the Festival’s top destination for executives and entrepreneurs.

ESSENCE Marketplace – With participation from nearly 300 entrepreneurs, the ESSENCE Marketplace will offer a specially curated, daily retail experience across multiple destinations throughout New Orleans during the four-day weekend. Attendees will indulge in bespoke culinary, craft and retail shopping environments that present unique, culturally diverse and authentic offerings from around the world.

Day of Service/Girls United – The 2019 annual “Day of Service” – community reinvestment via projects around New Orleans focused on rehabilitation, beautification, and inspiration – will focus on ESSENCE Girls United, ESSENCE’s Gen Z platform and the mentoring initiative focused on helping this generation increase their academic potential, self-love and leadership skills. The day will culminate with ESSENCE Day in the Park – a community celebration at Louis Armstrong Park with music, food, and local vendors.

Weekend and single-night ticket packages for the evening Music Festival concert series are on sale now. For the first time ever, ESSENCE is introducing the 2019 Weekend VIP Power Pass, which provides access to a premium experience at all of the Festival’s ticketed events throughout the weekend, including the evening Music Festival, Fashion House, Beauty Carnival, ESSENCE Day in the Park, Wellness House and Power Stage, among other experiences to be announced.

For information about ticket sales, accommodations and the latest news about the ESSENCE Festival®visit Essence.com/festival.  Join the festival community: Follow us on Twitter @essencefest #EssenceFest and become a fan of Festival on Facebook.

Sponsors for the 25th-anniversary ESSENCE Festival® include Coca-Cola, AT&T, Ford, McDonald’s, State Farm and Walmart.  The ESSENCE Festival is produced by ESSENCE Communications Inc.

 

Mother’s Day Storefront Now Live: Amazon Curated List

Mother’s Day is coming up, and whether you’re searching for something for a new mom, mother-in-law, grandmom or dog mom, Amazon is here to help. Today, Amazon launched its new curated Mother’s Day storefront to help customers find the perfect gifts to celebrate mom this year (and all year round). The storefront offers an incredible selection of quality, top-rated items for moms – with top picks across beauty, fashion, home, electronics, sports and more. Check out some of our favorite gift ideas below, and amazon.com/mothersday for even more.

Seeking additional inspiration to celebrate mom this year?

  • Inspired gifts for everyone in your life. Amazon’s Gift Finder is the easiest way to find mom a gift she’ll love. Encourage mom to put together her own Amazon Wish List to ensure she gets exactly what she wants this year.
  • Shop fashion designer and television personality Whitney Port’s favorite handcrafted gifts for mom, on Amazon Handmade.
  • Give mom the gift of a sparkling clean house with help from Amazon Home Services
  • Give mom the gift of entertainment on-the-go with an Audible membership.
  • Prime makes every mom’s life easier, so what better gift is there this Mother’s Day? Visit amazon.com/giftprime to get your loved one three months ($39) or one year ($119) of Prime. In addition to unlimited fast, free shipping, Prime members enjoy unlimited access to award-winning movies and TV episodes with Prime Video, more than two million songs and thousands of playlists with Prime Music, unlimited access to Prime Reading, one free pre-released book a month with Amazon First Reads, and more!
  • Support a local small business and shop for mom on Amazon Storefronts.
  • For even more great Mother’s Day options, check out Amazon Home’s gift guide, which offers inspiring gift ideas for every mom including the mom who loves to cook, the entertainer, the gardener, and more. Also shop favorite picks from Martha Stewart, Giada DeLaurentiis and Cortney Novogratz at www.amazon.com/mothersdaygiftguide.
  • Want to show your mom how much you care with music? Amazon Music customers can simply ask, “Alexa, play the ‘Dear Mama’ playlist” in the Amazon Music app for iOS and Android, or on all Alexa-enabled devices. Or, if you’re looking for a soundtrack to stream while making a nice breakfast for mom, try “Alexa, play music for Mother’s Day Brunch,” to hear hits by Dua Lipa, Khalid & Normani, Shawn Mendes, and many more.

A Few of Our Favorite Gift Suggestions for the ….

Foodie Mom

 

Design-Loving Mom

 

Active Mom

 

Beauty-Loving Mom

 

Fashion-Forward Mom

 

Pet Mom

 

Techie Mom

 

New Mom

 

Book Loving Mom

Ella+Mila Launched Clean Eye Palettes: Fashion-Forward Beauty Products

To complement their best-selling nail polish shades, ella+mila recently launched a line of clean eye palettes on April 9th! Composed of eyeshadows, blush, and highlight this palette has everything you need to complete any look while including good-for-you ingredients!

Like all ella+mila products, these eye palettes are vegan, cruelty-free, PETA certified, do not contain harmful chemicals, and are available in four different goddess shades!

This highly sought after brand is constantly staying ahead of the times, by always keeping their colors trendy and on point! With a passion for color and dedication to healthy beauty, the founders strive to provide fashion-forward beauty products without compromise.

Recently launched on ellamila.com for $29.99, ella+mila palette’s are affordable and made for every type of girl!

Features that make it a NEW must have:

  • Newly Released on April 9th

  • Available on ellamila.com for $29.99
  • 4 Goddess Different Palettes: Flirty Goddess, Mermaid Goddess, Blushing Goddess, and Ultra Goddess
  • Each palette includes: eyeshadows + blush + highlighter
  • Products do not contain: Paraben, Phthalates, Talc & Gluten
  • Vegan
  • Animal cruelty-free
  • Made in the USA
  • Certified by PETA

ESSENCE’s Yes, Girl! Podcast Live Now ft. “Little” stars, Issa Rae & Regina Hall

ESSENCE’s Yes, Girl! Podcast is now live featuring “Little” movie stars and comedians extraordinaire, Issa Rae and Regina Hall. The Hollywood faves sat with the Webby nominated Yes, Girl! crew to talk about their now longstanding friendship and how the movie was not their first time coming together in a creative space. Believe it or not, Issa and Regina co-wrote a movie script in the past, that was turned down by nearly seven studios!

For more on their journey beyond rejection, developing their friendship among many of Hollywood’s #BlackGirlMagic icons, inside jokes on-set and working with the brilliant Marsai Martin, tune-in to the full episode here or download on Apple and Spotify!

You can also read more via essence.com.