Category: Celebrity

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.

 

Beauty /

Get the Look Style Breakdown: Dyson Supersonic and Alexander Wang

On Sunday, June 3, Guido Palau styled top models, including Kaia Gerber and Bella Hadid, at Alexander Wang‘s fashion show using the Dyson Supersonic.

Downtown Americana

Start with clean hair and a messy middle part

Next, dry hair using the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer to flatten any volume and remove frizz. Take a large section of hair and dry the ends first. Do this section by section around the head.

To keep the roots lying flat, blow dry them a bit more while keeping the middle portion of the hair more natural.
Use the medium setting of air flow, which has enough power to get the hair super shiny and create texture without making hair too straight or flat.
Apply Redken No Blow Dry cream, starting at the bottom of the hair so the ends will be smooth while the hair still looks natural. Next, apply NBD Cream to the roots and take it all the way through.
Spray Shine Flash 02 section by section starting from the bottom and working to the top.
When using the products, make sure they are even all around the head to achieve the natural look.Use the Dyson Supersonic and a brush at the end of the hair to get the ends really straight and spiky for texture.

Most of the girls will have an Alexander Wang headband to finish the look and give them the desired Americana look.

Some of the models will have braids, which are personalized and inspired by the show, incorporated into their final look.

For these looks, use the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer to blow dry hair and get it super smooth before it is braided.

Since the look itself is really tight, using the Supersonic gets hair dry and smooth without overheating it.

Beauty /

Healthy Food Tips to Help Fight Dehydration This Summer

Summer is finally here and the days of laying by the pool, beautiful hikes and beach fun are upon us. Unfortunately, the combination of the Summer heat and outdoor activities can lead to excess sweating. This helps keep the body cool down, but it can also lead to dehydration so instead of endless glasses of water opt for some healthy fruits and veggies. Incorporating these into your diet can add to your water intake and keep you hydrated all through the summer.

Featured Photo from Ciara Instagram

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O., an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, anti-aging medicine, and chelation therapy has created a tip sheet of his seven favorite healthy foods to help fight dehydration.

  1. Watermelon
  • Watermelons contain around 92% water and one of the most hydrating foods out there. They can be a great alternative to snacks like pretzels, chips, and peanuts. These popular snacks have large amounts of sodium and can make you more dehydrated.
  1. Cucumber
  • Cucumbers are about 96% water and they contain no saturated fat or cholesterol. They are high in Vitamin B6 helping to produce serotonin, which is the brain chemical that controls mood. I suggest making small cucumber-watermelon bites, which are both incredibly hydrating and delicious.
  1. Strawberry
  • Strawberries have the highest water content of any berry, 92% to be exact. This berry is a great source of vitamins C and K. You can enjoy the tart-sweet flavor without consuming too much sugar.
  1. Cantaloupe
  • This popular melon is 90% water and packed with rich flavor. One cup of cantaloupe provides 100% of the daily recommended values of Vitamins A and C.
  1. Tomato
  • Tomatoes are made up of about 95% water. Along with their sweetness, they are perfect to take the place of higher calorie condiments. One medium-sized tomato contains only 22 calories.
  1. Zucchini
  • Zucchinis are 95% water and help to give you more energy. They also contain a good amount of potassium helping to reduce blood pressure. The veggie also promotes skin health-giving a glow and restoring moisture.
  1. Lemon
  • While I don’t think a lot of people enjoy eating lemons, adding them to water is a great way to change-up a plain glass of water. Besides enhancing the flavor, lemons are a great source of vitamin C and aids in digestion.

 

Accessories /

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 /

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 

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 /

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