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Report: Has #TheRoyalWedding Ushered in a New Trend with Engagement Rings?

Has the Royal Wedding ushered in a new trend in engagement rings?

In 2010 when Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his mother’s gorgeous sapphire sunburst ring, the popularity of sapphire spiked and remains by far the most popular non-diamond center stone among the public. Now with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding just days away, we found ourselves wondering what impact Meghan’s three-stone ring had on the public. We dug through thousands of queries in the analytics on CustomMade.com and compared them to Google Trends and analytics for custom rings since the engagement announcement and found some interesting results.  

Featured Image is from Elle

Looking at the data

We were thinking that based on the data from the engagement with William and Kate that we would see another huge bump in people wanting rings similar to Meghan’s. For example, searches for three-stone settings and cushion cut diamonds spiked in the days after Meghan’s engagement to Prince Harry was announced in late November. So we compared that data with the thousands of requests we received for custom wedding and engagement rings to see if customers were influenced by her ring. In short? A bit but not in the way we expected. After her ring went public, we saw a modest 8% increase in requests for yellow gold rings and a 21% bump in cushion cut center stones. Interest in three-stone rings remains popular but hasn’t increased since the engagement.

A shift in the meaning of value

What we found most striking is how much her ring is a reflection of broader trends in the way people purchase engagement rings and wedding bands. The story and personal detail of her ring are what makes it absolutely perfect for her. For example a center diamond he sourced from Botswana, a longtime refuge for Harry and a place that became special to both of them during a formative trip as a couple. The side stones are from the late Princess Diana’s personal collection to, in his words, “make sure that she’s with us on this crazy journey together.” And the design is one he personally worked with jewelers to create, reflecting her style and her love for yellow gold. The result is a timeless design loaded with personal meaning. And this is a trend we’ve seen develop over the last decade. Customers are much more focused on the meaning behind their design and not as much trying to emulate a specific style. They are also far less likely to feel pressured to buy diamonds or to spend three months’ salary just because it’s the norm. Instead, we are seeing the trend that people are eager to put a part of themselves into the design. A growing number have family gemstones incorporated in their design. As well as gemstones they have mined in their travels or sourced from a particular place in the world that has meaning to them.

Wearing your story

The world’s attention was captured by Meghan Markle’s ring, but it’s the stories connected to it that had a lasting impact, more than the exact details of her ring or her diamond. Engagement ring shoppers are now showing more interest in their love for meaningful purchases and experiences, much more than in symbols of status and luxury. More and more shoppers are looking for the meaningful experience of designing a ring with tons of personal detail. So Harry’s choice to design an engagement ring for Meghan is right in line with this trend toward custom, personal design.

Conclusions/Takeaways

  • Meghan’s ring caused a spike of interest in three stone rings and cushion cuts, 8% increase in yellow gold rings, 21% increase in cushion cut center stones.
  • Overall trends in style have remained relatively unchanged. White gold and rose gold continue to be more popular, round brilliant cut center stones also remain very popular, and customers love three stone rings as much as always.
  • Custom designed rings with personal details continue to grow in popularity. Harry sourced Meghan’s cushion cut diamond from Botswana, a place loaded with meaning for the couple, and used his mother’s diamonds to make the ring really personal. Our customers continue to reflect this trend, using heirloom diamonds, mining their own gems, including design details that reflect the couple, their story, and their families.

For Questions Please Contact Will@SnowrunnerProductions.com

Beauty /

#MeghanMarkle Royal Beauty Predictions Virtually with YouCam Makeup

Love is in the air this week as Prince Harry is set to wed Meghan Markle on Saturday, May 19th in what can only be described as a modern-day fairy tale to melt your heart.
One look at the smiles of the soon to be bride & groom and it’s hard not to feel all the feels. In an attempt to live to vicariously through the American actress-turned-Princess in the days leading up to her happily ever after, Senior Beauty Editor, Lindsay Colameo has curated a collection of Royal beauty predictions that you can experience virtually in YouCam Makeup.
Channel your inner princess and test the looks as we count down to the royal ‘I dos’.
Beauty /

Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation: Jane Iredale Skincare Makeup

Jane Iredale – The Skincare Makeup® offers Blurring Creams, Lip Tints, 4-in-1s, and even a NEW hand moisturizer, all containing SPF recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation as effective daily sunscreens. Just add a little mascara, and you’ve got all your bases covered!

Hand Moisturizer: HandDrink® Hand Cream ($29, janeiredale.com)

NEW antioxidant-rich Lemongrass HandDrink® provides broad spectrum SPF 15 while smoothing and protecting skin without feeling greasy. Lemongrass Oils refresh and revive skin, Liposomal encapsulated Apple Extract brightens and evens the appearance of skin tone and White and Green Tea Extracts provide nourishment and antioxidant protection.

Blurring Cream: jane iredale Dream Tint Tinted Moisturizer ($41, janeiredale.com)

Dream Tint is a hydrating, lightweight, water-resistant tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 that gives a soft-focus effect that helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores. It’s formulated with lightweight minerals and is a tinted moisturizer that not only hydrates and provides sheer to medium coverage, but helps prevent trans-epidermal water loss.

Lip Tint: jane iredale LipDrink ($17, janeiredale.com)

LipDrink provides SPF 15 and powerful blend of antioxidants, green tea extracts and Vitamins C and E, to help protect against future damage. LipDrink is lemon scented and available in four shades including Flirt a peachy pink, Crush a tinted sheer berry, Buff a sheer nude, and Sheer, the original translucent shade.  A fifth shade, Tease, a shimmery plum brown, will be launching July 2018.

4-in-1: jane iredale PurePressed™ Base Mineral Foundation ($42, janeiredale.com)

Semi-matte with a weightless feel, it provides broad spectrum SPF 20 that’s water resistant for up to 40 minutes while protecting the skin and minimizing pores and fine lines. Available in 24 shades and also has an eco-friendly refillable compact!

 

Beauty /

Recreate The Look: Met Gala Hair and Yara Shahidi

Yara’s hair made a classic but bold and voluminous statement for last night’s Met Gala.

Inspiration: Naivasha was inspired by “Whimsical Texture.” She wanted to celebrate texture in the most glamorous way with a 60-inch ponytail.

To Recreate the Look:

  • Start by saturating the hair in quadrants and tame any frizz by using the John Frieda Frizz Ease Curl Reviver Mousse and brush through thoroughly with a paddle brush
  • Part hair into a 3 section triangle and apply John Frieda Frizz Ease Dream Curls Air Dry Waves Styling Foam to enhance curls and create a touchable-soft style. Brush each section smoothly to the nape
  • Next, gather the 3 sections and wrap tightly with a hair bungee to secure a sleek ponytail. Take a section of the hair and wrap around pony to cover the bungee
  • Then, gently mist the ponytail with John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave-In Conditioner to give the hair moisturized and keep it hydrated through the night
  • As a final touch, Naivasha added a veil to Yara’s look

@JohnFriedaUS

#YourHairTalksMakeAStatement 

Birmingham /

Staycation Tips This Summer Without Being Boring

If you’re staying at home this summer, you’re probably tired of hearing your friends going on about their vacation plans. While they are regaling you with what they plan to do, or where they have been (if your Facebook wall is inundated with pics), you may be feeling a little blue. Your summer prospects may appear boring in comparison. But wait! Your summer at home doesn’t have to be dull. You can still have a great time, and unlike your mates, you don’t have to endure steep flight costs, long waiting times, tourists, or tummy bugs from dodgy foods.

Here are some ideas to get you thinking about your summer at home.

  1. Look for fun activities near you

Unless you live in the middle of a desert, there are bound to be things you can do in your hometown. There may be amenities such as an Escape Room, bowling alley, cinema, or leisure center. You could get on your bike and head off somewhere scenic, or rock your summer staples if you have a beach near you. We often miss the things right under our noses because we are so intent on exploring new places, so go online, Google your town, and make a list of all the interesting things to do near you.

  1. Get a summer job

If you have time off from your regular job, the last thing you want to do is work all summer. However, you can pick up some valuable experience with your time off, and make some extra money to boot. If you don’t want to work indoors (such as at a grocery store), there may be opportunities to work in the great outdoors, such as at a camping ground, picking fruit, or lending a hand at a local farm. The summer is also a great time to take up a short-term internship program, and this will give you a massive boost to whatever career you are interested in.

  1. Focus on your hobbies

If you’re anything like us, you may not have time to focus on your regular hobbies because of the general busyness of life. However, if you have free time on your hands over the summer, get back into what you love doing. On the other hand, the summer may also be a time to explore new hobbies, especially if local community groups or sports centers are organizing courses and events over the sunny season, so head online and see what’s available.

  1. Get involved with the community

Bring out your charitable side and look for volunteer opportunities over the summer. If you enjoy working with children, you may be able to help out at a holiday club or volunteer as a sports coach. If animals are more your thing, you could volunteers at a local animal shelter or farm. Alternatively, visit the elderly, help the homeless, lend a hand at a food bank, get involved with conservation groups… the opportunities for volunteering are endless, and while they can be hard work, you will have a far more meaningful summer than your friends who are wasting their days lying on the beach.

Finally

Summer at home doesn’t have to be boring, so if you are stuck for something to do, consider our ideas. Who knows, you might even make your friends jealous, especially when they come back from vacation sun-bronzed but with no money!

Collaborative Post

 

Beauty /

Met Gala 2018 and Sol de Janeiro Glow Oils: Kate Upton, Lily Aldridge, Yara Shahidi, Tiffany Haddish, and Scarlett Johansson

Sol de Janeiro’s NEW Glow Oils debuted tonight at the Met Gala on celebs including Kate Upton, Lily Aldridge, Yara Shahidi, Tiffany Haddish, and Scarlett Johansson!

The company worked with a mix of top celebrity makeup artists to create some seriously ‘Heavenly Bodies’. Tonight’s glowing looks celebrated the brand’s launch of these limited edition Glow Oils – available in TWO gorgeous shades boosting sexy skin kissed by the light.

Please see below for red carpet looks created by these amazing artists with quotes on how to get their glowing bodies.

Sol de Janeiro Limited Edition Glow Oils

Copacabana Bronzing Glow Oil & Ipanema Sunset Glow Oil

Sexy skin kissed by the light from sunrise to sunset on the beaches of Rio. Beautiful Brazilian bodies have a secret to that perfect glow. Brazilians know how to find the best light, day or night. Starting at sunrise, the beaches of Copacabana are packed all day with Brazilians at play, basking in the golden Rio sunlight. As the sun goes down, Brazilian lovers enjoy the romantic sunsets at Ipanema. The flickering light of dusk sets the romantic mood for passionate Brazilian nights.

The ultimate Brazilian secret to accentuate your delicious curves and highlight your best features. A skin softening oil with just the right amount of shimmer – not too much, not too little – just enough to reflect light beautifully on all skin tones. Infused with an addictive fragrance so every day you smell, look and feel like a Brazilian goddess.

Tracy Murphy for Kate Upton

o   Final Look: https://www.instagram.com/p/BifuuTaA66B/?hl=en&taken-by=tracymurphymua

o   “I used the Ipanema Sunset Glow Oil on Kate’s arms and legs, really blending it in for an even all over glow. I used a foundation brush and buffed it in around the collarbones, neck and décolletage. The result is stunning!!”

·         Quinn Murphy  for Lily Aldridge

o   Final Look: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bifi1Y0gOWH/?taken-by=quinnmurphy

o   “Before Lily was dressed I used the Copacabana Bronzing Glow Oil all over her body. Then I added the Ipanema Sunset Glow Oil to the places where the sun hits/highlight like the collarbone and center of the chest. The combination gave her that bronze glow that makes a red carpet!”

·         Emily Cheng for Yara Shahidi

o   Final Look: https://www.instagram.com/emilychengmakeup/?hl=en

o   “Once Yara was fully dressed I used a large fluffy eyeshadow brush and applied the Copacabana Bronzing Glow Oil on all the high points like her shoulder, collarbone and arms. Then I used my hands to spread and blend.”

·         Dionne Wynn for Tiffany Haddish

o   Final Look: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bifq0iGAlBT/?hl=en&taken-by=makeupbydionne

o   “I used the Copacabana Bronzing Glow Oil on Tiffany’s jawline, face, and forehead for a super glowy look!”

·         Frankie Boyd for Scarlett Johansson

o   Final Look: https://www.instagram.com/frankieboyd/?hl=en

o   “Scarlett’s glow was achieved using the Ipanema Sunset Oil Glow applied with

  • CREATE A SENSUOUS LUMINOSITY with two universal formulas

o   COPACABANA BRONZING GLOW OIL:

  • A subtle bronze tint with golden shimmer to warm and illuminate your skin.
  • Infused with our signature Cheirosa ‘62 Bum Bum Cream fragrance, leaving your skin deliciously scented with notes of pistachio and salted caramel

o   IPANEMA SUNSET GLOW OIL:

  • A translucent champagne shimmer to create a romantic, sunset radiance
  • Infused with our new tropical dream Cheirosa ‘77 fragrance, with romantic notes of pomelo, wild fig and Brazilian gardenia
  • TOUCHABLE SOFT, BRAZILIAN BABE SKIN:

o   Lightweight oil blends easily into your skin for instant hydration and a dewy finish.

o   Features our signature Brazilian Beauty Blend: Nourishing Cupacu Butter, anti-oxidant rich Acai Oil and conditioning Coconut Oil

$35.00 each, 2.5 fl. oz. / 75mL

Limited edition for Summer 2018, while supplies last

Sephora.com

Beauty /

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas with Josie Maran Cosmetic Kits and Dr. Whitney Bowe New Book: The Beauty of Dirty Skin

Mother’s Day is almost here, but there’s no need to stress – just yet. If you haven’t found the perfect gift, we have you covered with ideas below from NYC celebrity dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe and Josie Maran, providing mom with the gift of gorgeous, glowing skin…because what Mom doesn’t want that?!
Revive, nourish and hydrate skin for an all-day poreless-looking glow with these multi-tasking, argan-infused gift sets from Josie Maran
Josie Maran Argan Beauty Canvas ($45.00 at josiemarancosmetics.com)
Josie Maran Argan Nourishing Kit ($100 at josiemarancosmetics)
The Beauty of Dirty Skin by Dr. Whitney Bowe ($23.00 at amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com)
In The Beauty of Dirty Skin, Celebrity NYC-based dermatologist Dr. Whitney Bowe shows readers that skin health is so much more than skin deep. With simple explanations of science, DIY practical at-home tricks and tweaks to make to your diet and beauty routine, and a life-changing 21-day program, this book is your roadmap to glowing skin from the inside out and the outside in.
Lifestyle Tips /

Top Travel Tips For Your Summer Holiday This Year

Many of us love the chance to get away on holiday. An opportunity to put the “out of office” on the email, not think about work and just spend quality time with your nearest and dearest. It is such a liberating feeling to head away on your holidays but sometimes we can make a few errors when it comes to booking and actually getting there. Perhaps we get too wrapped up in all of the excitement of it. So I thought I would share with you some of the top travel tips to help you enjoy your summer holiday this year.

Featured Photo from Oprah.com

Choose your destination wisely and budget

One of the first things you need to consider would be where you want to go and what you want to do. A good way to work this out would also be to consider what budget you have. You may want to think about something luxurious and stay in somewhere like the Marriott’s Aruba Surf Club or you might want to think about something a little more local like a camping trip with all the family, or a road trip somewhere new. This can help you to ensure that you can then plan accordingly for the rest of the trip in terms of itinerary and what you have to spend while you are there.

Consider your outfit options instead of packing everything

While packing, instead of putting anything you think you might wear on holiday in your case, consider your outfits instead. Look at what you plan to do while you are there, the potential weather forecast and then work out what you will wear each day and night and what you might need. This is an excellent way of saving in space and weight and could mean taking less luggage away.

Make sure you take care of your skin while away

It is so important to take care of your skin while away on your holiday as the weather can cause sun damage if your skin is not protected with a high UV protection sunscreen. The last thing anyone wants to do on holiday is burn as it can be very uncomfortable. So make sure you pack plenty of skincare and moisturizers so that your skin doesn’t dry up.

Choose comfort over style for shoes

When it comes to your shoes, make sure that you consider comfort over style for most of your options. We can often fail to predict exactly how long we will be walking or be on our feet for while away, especially if your dinner option in a few minutes walk away. Sometimes it is worth comfort to ensure you remain comfortable on holiday.

Make a list of all the tech and gadget type things you want to take

Finally, make a note of what technology you want to take away with you. From an Ipad to a reading kindle, you may want to think about taking a few things with you. But having a list will also ensure that you pack the necessary batteries and chargers so you are not left stuck while away.

I hope that these tips help you when it comes to traveling on your next summer holiday.

Collaborative Post

Beauty /

In-Store Sephora Event | Colonial Promenade

Excited to announce that a Sephora inside JCPenney location is opening at the Colonial Promenade tomorrow, Friday May 4th!  It will be situated prominently in the center of the JCPenney store.

The store will offer:

  • The most sought-after brands including FENTY BEAUTY, Glamglow, Marc Jacobs, Sephora Collection and more
  • Sephora Beauty Studio where clients can receive a 15 Minute Mini Makeover or Mini Facial
  • Foundation matching with the Sephora + Pantone Color IQ
  • Special offers for Beauty Insider members, Sephora’s loyalty program