Tag: beauty

Amazon /

Mark Your Calendars! #PrimeDay Is Here in Time for the Holidays on October 13 & 14

Amazon’s annual Prime Day event is back in time for the holidays on October 13-14. The two-day shopping event delivers Prime members incredible savings and deep discounts on over one million deals across every category.

Prime Day kicks off at midnight PT on Tuesday, October 13 and runs through Wednesday, October 14, for Prime members in the U.S., U.K, U.A.E, Spain, Singapore, Netherlands, Mexico, Luxembourg, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, China, Canada, Belgium, Austria, Australia, and – participating for the first time this year – Turkey and Brazil.

Members can shop deals and top products for the holiday season including toys, TVs, electronics, fashion, beauty, kitchen, home, and Amazon Devices starting today and throughout the two-day epic deals event at amazon.com/primeday.

Not a Prime member yet? Anyone can join Prime or start a 30-day free trial at amazon.com/primeday to participate in Prime Day.

Amazon is increasing its commitment to small business selling partners by designing Prime Day to support them with our biggest small business promotion yet. Starting today through October 12, Amazon will offer Prime members a $10 credit to use on Prime Day when members spend $10 on items sold by select small businesses in Amazon’s store. This Prime Day, and throughout the holiday season, Amazon will spend more than $100 million on new promotional activities to help small businesses around the world increase their sales and reach new customers. This has been a challenging year for many small businesses, and selling in Amazon’s stores has enabled hundreds of thousands of smaller companies to sustain and even grow their sales despite the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

“In the midst of an unprecedented year, we’re committed to making this the most successful Prime Day ever for our small businesses and excited for Prime members worldwide to discover new ways to support local entrepreneurs and save big on everything they need and love,” said Jeff Wilke, Amazon CEO Worldwide Consumer. “This year’s Prime Day is the perfect opportunity for Prime members to get their holiday shopping done early from the comfort of their homes – and to have more time to spend with their families and friends throughout the season.”

Support Small Businesses

There are many ways to discover products from small businesses now through Prime Day.

  • Curated Small Business Collections: To make it easier than ever for customers to support small businesses, Amazon has created new curated collections to connect customers with local small businesses. Customers in the U.S., U.K., Spain, Singapore, Netherlands, Mexico, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Canada, and Australia will be able to shop curated small-business collections, in both the lead-up to and on Prime Day. Visit com/support small to start shopping collections in the U.S based on product category, business location, and owner profiles.
  • Spend $10, Get $10: Amazon will offer a $10 credit to use on Prime Day to members who spend $10 on items sold by select small businesses in Amazon’s store today through October 12. This promotion is fully funded by Amazon to connect customers with local small businesses selling in its store. Small business promotions kicked off today in the U.S., U.K., Spain, Germany, Italy, France, and Japan.
  • Prime Day Deals: Once Prime Day begins, members can use their $10 credit to purchase almost any product in Amazon’s store, including from small businesses. More than half of the items sold in Amazon’s store worldwide are from third-party sellers – mostly small and medium-sized businesses. This year, Prime members around the globe can shop hundreds of thousands of Prime Day deals from these businesses.
  • Shop on Amazon Live: Throughout Prime Day, Amazon Live will spotlight exciting deals curated from small businesses across Amazon. Viewers will also have the opportunity to hear directly from business owners, learn more about their products, and shop their Prime Day deals during a reoccurring segment called Small Business Showcase.

“In such an unsettled economy, we’ve actually been able to grow our sales with Amazon, allowing us to pay our employees more and pivot quickly when supply chain shortages struck,” said Colleen Sundlie, owner of Date Lady in Springfield, MO. “Selling online has helped us stay connected with customers and continue growing our small business despite the challenging times.”

Early Prime Day Deals Start Now

Starting today, Prime members can shop early offers and deals every day leading up to Prime Day on October 13 & 14.

  • Amazon Devices: Starting today, get two Echo Dot devices for $39.98 and Fire TV Recast for $129.99 to store up to 75 hours of HD programming. Plus, save up to $100 on Fire TV Edition Smart TVs and get the all-new Toshiba 43-inch Smart HD Fire TV Edition TV for $179.99. Starting October 6, get the Toshiba 32-inch Smart HD Fire TV Edition TV for $119.99 and the Insignia 43-inch Smart 4K UHD Fire TV Edition TV for $199.99; save $40 on Echo Show 5; get Echo Auto and enjoy hands-free access to Alexa in your car plus six months of Amazon Music Unlimited for $19.99; and save on smart home security with Blink Mini indoor cameras—one for $24.99, two for $49.98, or get Echo Show 5 and Blink Mini for $54.99.
  • Amazon Music: For just $0.99, Prime members who haven’t yet tried Amazon Music Unlimited can get four months of the premium streaming tier with unlimited access to more than 60 million songs ad-free, and now a wide selection of popular podcasts.
  • Audible: Prime members can save $50 on a year of Audible Premium Plus. Audible members will also get access to the Plus catalog, featuring more than 10K Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts, all at no additional cost.
  • Kindle Unlimited: New customers to Kindle Unlimited save 50% off a 6-month subscription.
  • Kindle Book Deals: Spend $20 on ebooks and get a $5 ebook credit; Plus, Prime members can choose two, new select Kindle books for free.
  • Amazon Fashion: Save up to 30% on select Vineyard Vines clothing for men, up to 15% on select fall fashion from Shopbop including boots, denim, and more, up to 30% on select top trends from premium women’s fashion, including ASTR the Label, Splendid, and Alo Yoga, up to 30% on select kids’ and baby clothing and shoes, up to 30% on select styles from Calvin Klein, up to 30% on select Dress the Population, 4SI3NNA, and Black Halo dresses.
  • Amazon Brands: Save up to 40% on select clothing styles including Amazon Essentials and Goodthreads, 40% on pet essentials from Wag, 20% on Belei skincare products, 20% on baby essentials from Mama Bear, 20% on health and personal care products from Solimo, 20% on coffee and snacks from Amazon Fresh, Happy Belly, and Solimo, and 20% on health and wellness products from Revly, Amazon Elements, and Amazon Basic Care.
  • Amazon Fresh: Members can enjoy $15 off their first order of $50 or more on Amazon Fresh plus item level offers throughout the store. Visit com/Fresh for more.
  • Home: Save up to 20% or more on furniture brands including Modway, Lane Home Furnishings, Walker Edison Furniture Company, and Nathan James. Save up to 20% or more on select rugs from brands including nuLOOM and Artistic Weavers. Save on Martha Stewart Hunts Table Lamp Living Room Decor and Madison Park Signature Colette table lamp.
  • Prime Video: Today through Prime Day, Prime members can enjoy a selection of titles to rent or buy with up to 50% off on select titles.
  • Tools: Save up to 20% on select DEWALT saws and drills and up to 15% on select DEWALT impact driver and drill combo Kits.
  • Toys: Save up to 30% on select toys from Green Toys.
  • Smart Home and Appliances: Save 20% on Broan Appliances and 15% on Midea compact refrigerators. Save on Kasa Smart Dimmer Switch by TP-Link and SYLVANIA Tungsten halogen light bulbs.
  • Lawn & Garden: Save on Masterbuilt Electric Smoker and accessories, select BLACK+DECKER outdoor tools, Back to the Roots Water Garden, American Lawn Mower Company electric lawn mower, Champion 3400-Watt Portable Generator, and more.

Ways to Shop and Save Big this Prime Day

Prime members have many convenient ways to shop and discover big savings and deep discounts this Prime Day.

  • Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Cards: Starting September 28 through October 31, eligible Prime members who apply and are approved for the Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card will instantly receive a $100 Gift Card. Cardmembers receive 5% back at Whole Foods Market and at com an eligible Prime membership, plus 2% back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, among other benefits. Restrictions apply. For more information, visit amazon.com/primevisa.
  • Shop with Alexa: Prime members can discover deals by asking “Alexa, what are my Prime Day deals?” Plus, starting today and for a limited time, new Prime members who sign up for Prime using an Echo device will receive a $5 Amazon credit. Just say, “Alexa, sign me up for Prime.”
  • Go In-Store: Prime members can visit Amazon’s physical retail locations, including Whole Foods Market, Amazon 4-star, Amazon Books, Amazon Pop Up, and Amazon Fresh to find in-store deals. Stay tuned for more details about in-store promotions.
  • Amazon Live: Tune in to Amazon Live throughout Prime Day to see live product demonstrations, hear directly from brands, and shop can’t miss deals the minute they go live. Customers will see products in action through cooking demonstrations, try-on hauls, and more, and celebrities and influencers will be joining live to surprise customers with exclusive experiences. Viewers can easily shop the products and brands featured through a carousel that updates in real-time as hosts discuss the products. To watch, visit com/prime day, and via the Amazon Shopping app on Fire TV.
  • Personal Shopper by Prime Wardrobe: Personal Shopper by Prime Wardrobe, our monthly styling service exclusively for Prime members, extends to men’s fashion. Starting September 28, the service will provide a convenient way for customers to receive curated recommendations for both men’s and women’s fashion from our in-house team of stylists.
  • AmazonSmile: Customers can visitamazon.com and find the exact same Amazon experience – amazing deals, wide selection, fast and free delivery options – with the added bonus that AmazonSmile will donate a portion of the purchase price of eligible purchases to the charity of their choice. AmazonSmile customers can now shop AmazonSmile on the latest version of the Amazon app by opening the app and finding ‘Settings’ in the main menu (☰), tap on ‘AmazonSmile’, and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile on your phone.
  • Amazon Photos Prime Day Photos Sweepstakes: Customers can enter for a chance to win the Prime Day Photos Sweepstakes by downloading the Amazon Photos app, sharing a photo that shows how Prime delivers joy, tagging Amazon Photos (@amazon.photos on Instagram and @amazonphotos on Facebook and Twitter), and using the hashtag #PrimeDayPhotos. A total of 30 winners will receive $1,000 comGift Cards good for purchases on Amazon.com. Get details at amazon.com/primedayphotos.
  • com in Spanish: Customers can visit amazon.com/espanolor use the Amazon App to shop, browse, search for millions of products, read reviews, view their carts, and place orders in Spanish. On the mobile App customers can go to Settings and tap on “Country and Language” to select Spanish. Amazon.com in Spanish gives customers the same convenient shopping experience in their preferred language on any device.
  • Amazon App: Prime members can shop anytime, anywhere with the Amazon App to ensure you never miss a Prime Day deal.

Earlier this month, Amazon announced it is hiring an additional 100,000 regular full-time and part-time jobs in its fulfillment and logistics network throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as opening 100 new Operations buildings across fulfillment centers, delivery stations, sortation centers, and other sites in September alone. These permanent positions will join the hundreds of thousands of employees already working across Amazon’s networks to ensure fast and efficient delivery for customers through the rest of the year, and beyond. Interested candidates can find out more at amazon.com/apply.

Every Day Made Better with Prime

Prime was designed to make your life better every single day. Over 150 million paid members around the world enjoy the many benefits of Prime, including the best of shopping and entertainment. In the U.S. that includes unlimited access to award-winning movies and TV episodes with Prime Video, ad-free listening of 2 million songs plus thousands of stations and playlists with Amazon Music, unlimited access to more than 1,000 books and magazines with Prime Reading, free in-game content, and games with Prime Gaming, Prime Day, and more. Prime members can also get deep discounts on select popular products 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. In addition to more than 10 million items eligible for free One-Day Delivery coast to coast, Prime members in thousands of cities and towns across 47 major metropolitan areas have access to millions of items with free Same-Day Delivery and the option to pick up and return their Amazon packages for free through Amazon Hub, a contactless, click and collect service at no additional cost. Prime members also have access to free and fast grocery delivery from Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market is more than 2,000 cities and towns. Prime is $119 a year or $12.99 a month and customers can start a free trial of Amazon Prime at amazon.com/prime. College students can join Prime Student for 50% off and enjoy the benefits of Prime with a six-month trial at amazon.com/primestudent. Plus, for an additional $0.99 a month, student members can get Amazon Music Unlimited and stream over 50 million songs ad-free. Customers receiving government assistance through EBT or Medicaid can also qualify for a discounted Prime membership of $5.99 a month at amazon.com/qualify. Amazon Business customers—from small businesses to large enterprises, as well as education, government, and non-profit organizations—can also take advantage of Prime’s fast, free shipping and exclusive business-relevant benefits with Business Prime, which starts at $69 per year as an add-on for customers with Amazon Prime on their personal account or $179 per year for up to three users at amazon.com/businessprime.

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, and Alexa are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

Beauty /

Candace “Six-Figure Spa Chick” Holyfield hosted a “SOLD-OUT” Queen Spa Expo

Candace “The Six Figure Spa Chick”, Holyfield is the founder and the creative mind behind the Queen Spa Expo (specifically created for minority spa professionals) and The Black Spa Magazine. She is best known for her Award-Winning spa parties and her business instructional classes designed to empower millennial business owners. She has written over 30 e-books (for spa professionals) and has been invited to speak on mainstages internationally. A trailblazer in her own right, Holyfield has assisted over 500 spa owners not only to launch their salon but create a six-figure income while doing so.  Her work in the industry has not gone unnoticed.  She has graced the stages and pages of some of the most coveted beauty magazines and expos.  She has been the voice for African American spa owners b/c so many have been ignored or muted.  This prompted the development of The Queen Spa Expo and The Black Spa Magazine.

As a humanitarian and advocate for black women enterprises, Candace Holyfield has become the trusted voice within her generation.  Her raw style of communication, with her flair for marketing, has quickly made her an Instagram favorite. Candace Holyfield hosted the Second Annual “Queen Expo Spa” September 18 -19th at the W Hotel Midtown.  This event included premier minority beauty brands from around the country.  With great speakers, topics, and think tanks, Candace is designed an experience that will take her attendees to another level in business and in their mindset.  This event was completely sold out, with attendees from across the country.  Candace has expanded the Queen Spa Expo over 3 weekends.  Candace will host another iteration of the expo this weekend in Atlanta, Ga, and conclude in Las Vegas, NV the weekend of October 2-3.  The demand for The Queen Spa Expo pushed Candace to increase the offerings and locations for the expo.

The expo included cash giveaways, mastermind sessions, celebrity meet and greets, awards, and awesome networking experience.  Candace did not spare any expense; the expo was fully digital, and it implemented COVID-19 SAFETY policies.  The guests were able to learn, network, and maintain a sense of safety.

Some of the seminars offered during the 2nd Queen Spa Expo were:

  • Government contracts
  • How to get your products in Macy
  • Minority women certification
  • Marketing (online and offline)
  • pixel code
  • Facebook ads
  • 5 ways to market without social media
  • Client consultations
  • How to hire and pay a team
  • How to get celebrity clients
  • Operating a weight loss clinic
  • CBD skincare
  • Branding
  • Body contouring
  • V-steam
  • Lashes
  • Teeth whitening
  • Sugaring
  • Product launch
  • 7 figure mastermind and Business Credit, $40k months, opening salon suite, start your tour
  • 7 figure product line
  • Graphic Workshop
  • Systems to run your business
  • Airbnb

Candace also launched her new training program this weekend at the Queen Expo, entitled “Candyland University”.  She provided her guests with a sneak peek and early enrollment opportunities.  This program will provide real-time, digital training for spa professionals.  It will be open for enrollment to the public within the next 30 days. Stay tuned!

Through her countless efforts to be a driving force of change, Holyfield has been featured in national media platforms such as American Spa, Fox 54, BET, Fox 13, FOXSOUL, HELLO BEAUTIFUL, ROLLING OUT & The Essence Music Festival. 

 

 

 

Beauty /

4 Products You Need To Add To Your Fall Skincare Routine

Clef Skin 

Because life is crazy enough, your skincare routine should be easy, quick, and effective. Life’s too short to waste time on multiple skincare products every morning and evening.  Check these creams, which are proven by many to be effective and safe to use even in intimate areas.  Their revolutionary copper peptide mask combines the functions of nine different masks into ONE for a stress-free solution. This mask moisturizes, brightens, repairs, smoothes, tightens, nourishes, and heals your skin in one simple step.  Some great benefits you’ll see from these masks; fades acne scars, dark spots, and hyper-pigmentation, visibly evens skin tone and improves texture, and enhances skin for a luminous bare-faced glow. Use 2 boxes every month to achieve flawless skin! 

Crystal Hill

Since ancient times, crystals have been prized for their beauty, to symbolize power, and for their healing capabilities. It’s about time we incorporate them into our everyday, modern habits! Discover synergistically blended formulations of crystals, botanicals, and other organic ingredients that are nourishing and soothing for your skin. All crystals sold by Crystal Hills have been cleansed and charged with a tuning fork (4096) by a certified Reiki practitioner. Crystals are sourced from mines with sound ethical and environmental practices.

Mikel Kristi

 

Swipe your way to healthier, more radiant skin with Mikel Kristi’s Rejuvenating Swipes. The perfectly dosed, pre-moistened pads glide seamlessly over the skin to wipe away residual dirt, debris, and surface impurities. These are not like the heavy astringent pads you may remember from your youth, but an innovative combination of ten organic essential oils that simultaneously clarify, promote healing and exfoliate dead and dulling cells. Used as a part of your regular skincare routine, these Swipes prime your face for enhanced absorption of additional skincare products. Boost cellular renewal, brighten lackluster skin, decrease fine lines and wrinkles, and refine skin texture all with one swipe!

Honestly pHresh 

 

Great deodorant for sensitive skin! Honestly pHresh is raising awareness about the toxic truth of most deodorant products containing antiperspirant properties. Up until recently, it was thought that the only way to avoid the unpleasant smell associated with sweating was to block sweat from leaving the body altogether. As it turns out, sweat is actually odorless. What causes that embarrassing odor is actually the bacteria on our skin combining with and breaking down our sweat. Allowing our bodies to reap all the benefits of sweating while also keeping us dry and smelling great is what the pHresh philosophy is all about. Another great thing about this deodorant, there is no baking soda which often causes sensitivity.

Beauty /

Tips To Hydrate Yourself Before Trying Makeup On

On Average, 60% of the human body comprises water and it is very important to stay hydrated to maintain water levels in the body, cleansing the body, lubricating joints, and helping the organs to work properly. Skin being the largest organ of the body requires the most hydration.

Dehydrated skin ends up with wrinkles and a dull appearance by making it dry and flaky which is preferred by none. Staying hydrated makes skin elastic gives it a fresh look and combats wrinkled skin by giving it a smooth look.

Featured Photo from BET.com

External hydration of the skin is as important as the intake of water in the body. If you are used to putting on makeup on a regular basis, water intake is the only solution. Extra effort has to be done on the skin because ingredients in makeup dry out the skin and makeup on dry skin looks flawed. Here are some of the tips to make the skin hydrated before makeup:

Cleanser

Choose a gentle and hydrating cleanser for your skin before starting makeup so that it cleans without taking away the moisture, leaving your skin soft and fresh.

Use moisturizer

Moisturization is vital even if you don’t have dry skin. All skin types need to apply moisturizer before makeup because it smoothens the skin by reducing the wrinkle’s appearance and brings a natural look to avoid the foundation from looking cakey. Use water-based moisturizers than oil-based because of its hydrating properties.

Water-Based products

You must opt for the skincare products with hydrating formulas to prepare your skin for makeup. But the selection of makeup should be very carefully done. Know your skin type, invest your time in knowing what ingredients suit your type, and select the most desirable makeup.

Components in makeup dry out the skin so they are not long-lasting as they become flaky so opt for the products with hydrating properties so you can slay your makeup along with a moisturized healthy look. Look for makeup on Nikkia Joy Cosmetics that offers products for all skin types.

Serums:

If using a moisturizer is not working enough for you, try facial serums that have Hyaluronic Acid that provides extra moisturization to the skin before applying makeup. These serums smoothen fine lines and lock the moisture in the face.

Eye cream

Eyes are sensitive and this is the area where most of the wrinkles and fine lines appear so special treatment must be done by applying eye creams that even out skin tone and helps to moisturize.

Face masks

A wide variety of facial masks are available in the form of sheets that have a rich quantity of moisturizing ingredients and using them before makeup leaves the skin soft and healthy-looking for a flawless application of foundation.

Use brushes

Some people prefer fingers to put on their makeup but they don’t know that fingers tend to steal the moisture from the face so when makeup is applied, it makes skin look dull and unhealthy so invest in good quality makeup brushes for a flawless foundation so you don’t regret it afterward.

Collaborative Post

Beauty /

Detoxification of Your Skin for Radiant Skin

You might have seen lots of blogs and articles on the importance of detoxification of body and skin. By detoxification of the skin, we mean cleaning our skin in such a way that it starts glowing and looking radiant. Detoxification removes dirt and toxins from our body which has a direct effect on our skin.

Featured Photo from Net-A-Porter

Unfortunately, lots of our personal choices result in damaging our skin such as smoking, not drinking enough water, not following a healthy diet plan, and lots of other things. Our skin is the largest organ of our body and when we don’t follow a healthy schedule, it is reflected on our skin. Therefore, you must pay attention to the detoxification of the skin. We are going to share some important things about detoxification of skin that you did not know before.

  1. Skin detoxification is a real thing:

Many people think that detoxification of skin means cleaning the surface of the skin with the help of scrubs, cleansers, and different other products. However, by detoxification we mean, cleaning kidneys and livers. Cleaning of skin only comes with how much you care for it. However, when you take different steps to detox the liver and kidney, you see the results on your face.

  1. Skin detox products help look skin radiant:

There are lots of skin detox products that work to help the skin get rid of toxins which are becoming the reason for blackheads, whiteheads, blemishes, etc. These products used for detoxification of the skin also balance the pH of the skin. If you are searching for a product to remove many types of imperfections from the skin, try La Clinica detox for skin that you can buy from

  1. Vitamin A supplement is best for detoxification:

All those products that claim to detox your skin usually contain the active ingredient of vitamin A. Vitamin A actually cleanses your skin and thus revitalizes it. The result of serums and creams rich in vitamin A is similar to the detoxification skins obtained when people drink green juice etc. to make their kidney and liver boost their performance and remove toxins from the body

  1. Detoxification does rebalancing of skin:

Rebalancing means repairing the skin so that it becomes completely free from imperfections in the form of fine lines, blemishes, dark circles, etc. The skin also becomes radiant when the repairing mechanism starts.

Rebalancing means purifying the skin from impurities so that the pores don’t clog and result in acne. It also means nourishing the skin by giving it all those products which are capable of repairing and rejuvenating the skin

The takeaway:

If you are looking for some health products that can detox your skin and make it look brighter than before, you should try to those products which can enhance the overall appearance of the skin and also enrich it with all the needed nutrients such as vitamin A. However, you also pay attention to your diet and daily routine.

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Beauty /

OPI’s Nail Lacquer We Seafood and Eat It #ManicureMonday

The pandemic has definitely taken a toll on my manicure schedule.  I am squeezing in salon visits. Yikes!

One easy beauty technique is to keep nail lacquer at-home.  You never know when you need a change or quick touch-up.  OPI shipped a collection of colors that would make anyone want to polish their nails!

After reading a few online articles, I learned the importance of bringing your own supplies to the salon.  This helps with the health and hygiene of preventing the spread of germs.  Then, why not bring nail polish, right?

On this particular day, I stopped by the salon and grabbed a manicure.  I brought the color We Seafood and Eat It. 

The shade is considered to be reddish-orange and accents my tiny hand.  In-between zoom meetings, I still like to look my best!

OPI: We Seafood and Eat It

Visit OPI to shop for more products and keep stunning nails during the pandemic!

Beauty /

Millennial Business Mogul Breaks New Ground in the Beauty and Spa Industry with The Queen Spa Expo and The Black Spa Magazine

Candace Holyfield is affectionately known as “The Six Figure Spa Chick”, Holyfield is the founder and the creative mind behind the Queen Spa Expo (specifically created for minority spa professionals) and The Black Spa Magazine. She is best known for her Award-Winning spa parties and her business instructional classes designed to empower millennial business owners. She has written over 30 e-books (for spa professionals) and has been invited to speak on mainstages internationally.

 

A trailblazer in her own right, Holyfield has assisted over 500 spa owners not only to launch their salon but create a six-figure income while doing so.  Her work in the industry has not gone unnoticed.  She has graced the stages and pages of some of the most coveted beauty magazines and expos.

 

She has been the voice for African American spa owners b/c so many have been ignored or muted.  This prompted the development of The Queen Spa Expo and The Black Spa Magazine.  The Annual Queen Spa Expo is slated to take place in Atlanta, Ga September 18-19th.

 

Accessories /

How To Make More Ethical Fashion Choices

Ethics are important in all aspects of life, but they’re especially important when it comes to a form of consumer culture. Fashion could be considered through this lens, as it is ever-changing, and the industry makes use of materials that must ultimately be manufactured and handled.

Ethical fashion, thankfully, is becoming more and more of a fixture,  and not just a trend. Of course, that’s not always the case. Some still decide to wear furs, even though we all know that the cruelty to animals exhibited through these products is questionable at best. That being said, this post is not here to judge or point the finger at anyone. Like anything, you can be more effective in making a change when you focus it on yourself, and consider your own habits and practices. 

Featured Photo from Racked

So, how can you begin to make more ethical fashion choices? Moreover, how can these choices remain sustainable, and relevant, and part of your schedule? After all, ethics are not something you ‘grow out of’ or become bored by, but are a commitment you must make. With the following advice, you’ll see how and why:

Shop For Cruelty-Free Beauty Products

Shopping for cruelty-free makeup is a great place to start. As beauty is often the most fundamental aspect of designing your outfit for the day, it can be worthwhile to get this right. Do you know if these items are sustainable? Are they well-sourced? Are they vegan? If you can answer yes to those questions, then you’re quite literally supporting the business that can continue in a conscience free manner. You don’t have to pay the moral price for beauty in 2020, and that’s a fantastic thing.

Buy Used Clothing

Buy used clothing. You can find worthwhile older threads with vintage appeal through apps such as Depop. In some places, Instagram stores can connect you to small-time sellers hoping to push an aesthetic or style. This can help you make a new home for items you like the look of, and that helps it avoid being thrown out or given to landfill. In a way, this helps you continue the natural life cycle of items that deserve respect. It helps you celebrate the past of fashion by making it new. That’s a great place to start.


Check The Source

It can be extremely instructive to vet the source of your fashion purchases. What does this brand say about their values, and how transparent are their sources? Do they have controversies in the past? It could be that only sourcing your purchases through brands you can trust and that have spoken on their practices with full transparency will help you support those companies really do appreciate. After all, the strongest way to vote is with your wallet, and diverting those funds to practices you wish to see. Also, be vocal about your appreciation! Brands need to know the growing size of the ethics-based market.

With this advice, we’re certain you can make much more ethical fashion choices.

Collaborative Post

Beauty /

TOPICALS SEEKS TO TRANSFORM THE WAY GEN Z FEELS ABOUT SKIN

Today marks the launch of Topicals (MyTopicals.com), a revolutionary new skincare company that seeks to transform the way consumers feel about their skin by making the treatment of stigmatized skin conditions synonymous with the luxury and fun of self-care. Available online, Topicals products are also featured now through October at Pop-In@Nordstrom inside select Nordstrom locations and online at Nordstrom.com.

Founded by two dynamic young women of color, 23-year-olds Olamide Olowe and Claudia Teng, Topicals was born out of necessity. One in four Americans live with chronic skin conditions. Costly doctor visits and prescriptions are often avoided because one just “learns to live with it.” As women of color who lived conditions like severe eczema and post-barbae folliculitis, both Olamide and Claudia grew up settling for products that didn’t really serve them or represent how the condition appeared on their skin. They joined together to create effective and luxurious products that are carefully formulated to tackle skin conditions like eczema, hyperpigmentation, psoriasis, and more — but don’t break the bank.

“This is an industry that has not evolved and has used many of the same formulations over the last 30 years,” says Olamide Olowe, Topicals CEO and Co-founder. “Having lived with a serious skin condition myself, I found there were limited treatment options available, and none of the brands looked like me. I could use an over-the-counter product that didn’t address my specific needs as a Black woman with darker skin, or spend thousands on pricey prescriptions. With all of the amazing beauty products out there, I still didn’t find one that helped me with my flare-ups. I knew we could do better.”

“With my background in clinical research and dermatology, I saw firsthand the lack of access to care that existed for these types of skin conditions,” says Claudia Teng, Topicals Chief Product Officer, and Co-founder. “For me, I knew there was a serious opportunity to create something affordable, and that not only educated a broad amount of people but also made their treatment experience more enjoyable. Our mission is to make chronic skincare management synonymous with the fun and luxury of self-care, taking the focus off of perfect skin and helping our community have funner flare-ups.”

The founders of Topicals are focused on creating an inclusive community around real, positive, and authentic discussions about their skin. And since chronic skin conditions often lead to serious mental health issues because of the stigma, shame, and embarrassment often felt by those with them, Topicals is donating 1% of profits to various mental health organizations. Prior to launch, Topicals donated over $10,000 to and partnered with Sad Girls Club, Therapy for Black Girls, and Fearless Femme 100, and are partnering with the JED Foundation at launch.

Among the supporters and investors in Topicals are several high-profile Black women, including Netflix CMO Bozoma Saint John, entrepreneur and DJ Hannah Bronfman, and the Emmy-nominated stars of the hit show “Insecure” Issa Rae and Yvonne Orji. The initial investment round, led by Lerer Hippeau, also saw participation from Humble Lukanga and Mucker Capital as well as the CEOs of Warby Parker, Allbirds, Casper, Harry’s, Bombas, and Red Antler.

Topicals is launching with two signature products: Like Butter, a hydrating mask for dry, distressed, and eczema-prone skin, and Faded, a serum for discoloration and dark spots. Each and every ingredient is clinically backed, and the power-packed formulas have been tested on all skin tones. In addition, Topicals products are vegan, fragrance-free, made for all shades in mind, and carefully crafted to be eco-friendly with recyclable tubes and packaging.

Like Butter (1.7 oz) – $32

A whipped, hydrating mask that moisturizes and soothes sensitive, dry, stressed out, and eczema-prone skin.

Key ingredients:

  • Camellia Sinensis Leaf: antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory; reduces itch and redness
  • Madecassoside (Centella Asiatica): accelerates wound healing, fortifies skin barrier through collagen and fibronectin production, anti-inflammatory
  • Colloidal Oatmeal: helps to soothe itch and irritation
  • Chinese Rhubarb Root: decreases levels of hyperactive immune cells, antimicrobial
  • Ginseng Root: anti-inflammatory; reduces itching, inflammation, and swelling
  • Turmeric: anti-inflammatory, shortens wound-healing time, improves collagen deposition

Faded (1.7 oz) – $36

A gel serum that combats dark spots and discoloration from sun damage, scarring, and inflammation.

Key ingredients:

  • Tranexamic Acid: prevents melanocyte tyrosinase activation, and excess vascular development (which can cause melasma)
  • Kojic Acid: inhibits melanocyte tyrosinase function
  • Azelaic Acid: prevents tyrosine conversion to melanin; scavenges free radicals
  • Licorice Root: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, melanin-degrading, and tyrosinase-inhibiting capability
  • Centella Asiatica: anti-inflammatory, scavenges free radicals
  • Niacinamide: limits melanocyte stimulation, scavenges free radicals
  • Melatonin: anti-inflammatory, inhibits melanocyte activity

Beauty /

LALA ANTHONY STUNS ON ESSENCE SEPT/OCT COVER

In the September-October issue of ESSENCE, La La Anthony — best-selling author, actress, designer, producer, and multihyphenate maven — graces the cover and provides perspective on the often-discussed issue of Black women and identity. In the cover story, Finding Success on Her Own Terms, Anthony talks candidly with ESSENCE Deputy Editor Allison McGevna about everything from co-parenting, raising and protecting her Black son in America, celebrating her Afro-Latina identity and the importance of telling Cyntoia Brown’s story.

 

She shares with ESSENCE:

  • ON PROUDLY BEING AFRO-LATINA: “I’m Afro-Latina: I’m Black, I’m Puerto Rican, I’m all of it. I’m proud of it.’ But no one really understood that. They were like, ‘You’re one or the other, and that’s it…”
  • RAISING A BLACK SON IN AMERICA: “I always talk to him about how he needs to deal with police. It’s sad that these are the conversations we have to have with our children, but this is the world we live in. I make sure he knows that and understands the seriousness of it. I’m not trying to scare him in any way, but I want him to live in reality.”
  • HER APPROACH TO CO-PARENTING WITH CARMELO ANTHONY: “My son is at the center of everything… he is watching us, so if we’re out here being reckless or not leading with love, then what kind of example are we setting for him about how he should treat women or how people treat and love each other? … A lot of times, people forget that, and I understand, because you get emotional when you’re going through different things in relationships. But I always want my son to be able to say, ‘No matter what, my parents loved each other. My parents loved me.”
  • ON BRINGING CYNTOIA BROWN’S STORY TO THE SCREEN: “For her to trust me with this story, after everything she’s been through, it’s not something I take lightly.”

Timed with its cover launch, also ESSENCE announces the newly launched online hub titled “Protect Black Women and Girls.” As the leading media, technology and commerce company serving Black women and their communities for 50 years, the hub was created to help provide more persistent visibility of systemic racism, racial inequities, and police misconduct today with particular attention to justice yet seen for the Black women of the movement like Breonna Taylor and Toyin Salau. The hub includes a series of essays and op-eds from Black women activists, academics, and thought-leaders including Tarana Burke, Kimberlé Crenshaw, LaTosha Brown, and more. As Kimberle Crenshaw says in her original essay for the hub, “If we are ever to truly protect young Black women like Toyin Salau or Breonna Taylor, we must first tell their stories.”  For more on ESSENCE’s Protect Black Women and Girls Hub, visit ESSENCE.com.

The September-October issue of ESSENCE hits newsstands on Tuesday, August 25. For more on this month’s issue, visit ESSENCE.com.