First-Ever Virtual Festival Includes Two UNSTOPPABLE Weekends of #ESSENCEFEST

WHAT:​           ESSENCE, the leading media, technology, and commerce company serving Black women and communities, today announced new additions to its stellar line-up for the 2020 ESSENCE Festival of Culture: Unstoppable Virtual Experience Presented by Coca-Cola. Taking place June 25-28 and July 2-5 (Thursdays-Sundays) and streaming on ESSENCEStudios.com, the multi-day experience will extend to a global audience of viewers and feature virtual performances, summits, panels and more including leading musical artists, influencers and experts from around the world.

For the first time in the Festival’s 26-year history, the much-anticipated celebration – which annually draws more than 500,000 attendees and contributes almost $300 million in economic impact over July 4th weekend in New Orleans–will be produced as a fully virtual experience spanning two weekends of programming that entertain, empower, inspire, educate and mobilize. This year, in partnership with Michelle Obama’s national, nonpartisan organization, When We All Vote, ESSENCE will share voter registration and voting resources. The Festival will also include a benefit initiative to raise funds to support the critical needs and sustainability of Black and Brown entrepreneurs, micro and small businesses, and organizations focused on racial equity across the U.S. For an up-to-date artist lineup and schedule, click here.  The 2020 ESSENCE Festival is presented by Coca-Cola.  Major sponsors include Ford, McDonald’s, Walmart, My Black is Beautiful, P&G. For more information and to register, visit www.essencefestival.com.  Join the conversation via social @EssenceFest.

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WHO:​              NEWLY ANNOUNCED: First Lady Michelle Obama; Kerry Washington; Naomi Campbell; Lena Waithe; Ayesha and Stephen Curry; Rev. Al Sharpton; Marc Morial; Tamika Mallory; Tarana Burke; Jon Batiste; Chronixx; Michaela Coel; Wyclef; Iyanla Vanzant; Sarah Jessica Parker; Iman Shumpert & Teyana Taylor. PLUS: Marco Borges; Jemele Hill; Misa Hylton; Jeanette Jenkins; MC LyteJodie Patterson; Michael Jai White & Gillian White; Ebonie K. Williams; and many more.

Previously announced performers include:

Headliner Bruno Mars plus: Amanda Black, Andra Day, Bell Biv Devoe (“BBD”), Burna Boy, Common, D-Nice, Damian Marley, Diamond Platnumz, Doug E. Fresh, Elephant Man, Estelle, India.Arie, John Legend, Ledisi, NAS, Patti LaBelle, Raphael Saadiq, Rapsody, Sauti Sol, Shaggy, Swizz Beatz, and more, hosted by Loni Love.  Leading a special tribute to the city of New Orleans will be Mayor LaToya Cantrell, PJ Morton, Big Freedia, Irma Thomas, Tank and The Bangas and Big 6 Brass Band.  Also, featured in the popular Sunday gospel Get Lifted celebration are Anita Wilson, Bri Babineaux, Erica Campbell, Fred Hammond, Greater Sound of Greater St. Stephen FGBC, Jonathan McReynolds, Kierra Sheard, Kirk Franklin, Koryn Hawthorne, Marvin Sapp, Tamela Mann, The Clark Sisters, The Walls Group, Tye Tribbett, and more, along with Sunday sermons from Bishop Paul S. Morton and Bishop T.D. Jakes.

Other culture-leaders and influencers raising their voices to speak include New Orleans, LA, Mayor LaToya Cantrell; Atlanta, GA, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; Chicago, IL, Mayor Lori Lightfoot; Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser; Ferguson, MO, Mayor-Elect Ella Jones; San Francisco, CA, Mayor London Breed; Don Lemon; Ryan Michelle Bathe; Kirk and Tammy Franklin; Lori Harvey; Ryan Destiny; Lexi Underwood; Egypt Sherrod; Lisa Nichols; Master P.; Shaun T.; Tabitha Brown and more.

*Artists and schedules are subject to change.

 

WEEK 1 (6/25-6/28):

GLAMOUR REVEALS WINNERS OF 2020 BEAUTY AWARDS

In times of uncertainty, there’s an undeniable comfort in the daily rituals that bring us joy. After months of testing, Glamour today revealed the 249 winning products of its 15th annual Beauty Awards.

New for 2020, we’ve introduced a sustainability category. Whatever beauty may look like for consumers right now, from prepping for camera zoom meetings to needed self-care beauty routines, Glamour has all the products covered from sunscreens to masks to lipsticks, and more.

The winners were selected by 47 judges at the top of the beauty industry including licensed esthetician and Then I Met You skincare founder Charlotte Cho, celebrity makeup artist Carola Gonzalez, whose clients include Kerry Washington and Mindy Kaling, and New York Times columnist, Ellis Brooklyn.

Check out the full list of winners HERE, and the Reader’s Choice HERE.

Check out the Shopping Galleries below:

Get The Red Carpet Look At A Red Ticket Price: NAACP Image Awards Issa Rae, Halle Berry, Laverne Cox and More

We only get a few opportunities to make a statement with our look.  Sure, the world’s a catwalk and when you carefully plan your ensemble before stepping out to work or play, you never know who you’ll dazzle, but let’s be real here.

Featured Photo and Images from People Style

A special occasion demands a special look. Whether it’s a prom, a wedding, a friend’s birthday or some other gala event.  What’s a girl to do when she needs to create a red carpet look but only has the budget to shop red ticket prices?

Fear not, an ensemble can be dazzling without going bankrupt. With a little time, effort and research you can make substantial savings on every look…

Hair

We all know that a dazzling look starts with the hair. But we also know how expensive great hair care can be. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be. If the occasion calls for a stylist you may be able to save a fortune by getting your usual stylist’s apprentice to approach your hair. They’ll be fully supervised and will be able to create a gorgeous look either for free or a fraction of the price.

Makeup

Every girl needs a healthy array of pallets, glosses, foundations, and mascaras to make sure she turns heads. If your stores are running low, however, you needn’t max out your credit card trying to replenish them. Check out these hacks for getting the last few drops out of seemingly empty mascara and lip-gloss containers. You can even hit the high street and stock up on samples. Nobody’s going to judge you!

Dress

This is the big one. Your dress will be the centerpiece of your look. But who has thousands of dollars spare for a dress that will truly drop jaws? The good news is that there is a multitude of cheaper dresses that are indistinguishable from the big brands. Check out the selection at JVN prom dresses and tell me they don’t stack up with the best on the market. If you absolutely have to wear designer labels you’d be amazed at what you can find on eBay or online stores that specialize in last season’s lines.

Shoes

You have a pair of shoes that are just perfect for the occasion, but closer inspection reveals that they’re a little worse for wear. They’ll need to be replaced right? Wrong! For just a few bucks you can get those babies re-heeled with a little loose fabric or other embellishments. There, good as new!

Collaborative Post

NAACP Image Awards 2018 Red Carpet

PASADENA, LOS ANGELES, CA, USA – JANUARY 15: 49th NAACP Image Awards held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium on January 15, 2018 in Pasadena, Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Splash News)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jim Smeal/Shutterstock (9323026cu)
Laverne Cox
NAACP Image Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA – 15 Jan 2018
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 15: Mandy Moore at the 49th NAACP Image Awards on January 15, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Earl Gibson III/WireImage)
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jim Smeal/Shutterstock (9323026ef)
Samira Wiley
NAACP Image Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA – 15 Jan 2018
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jim Smeal/Shutterstock (9323026fe)
Tracee Ellis Ross
NAACP Image Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA – 15 Jan 2018
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Jim Smeal/Shutterstock (9323026ao)
Danielle Brooks
NAACP Image Awards, Arrivals, Los Angeles, USA – 15 Jan 2018

49th NAACP Image Awards – Arrivals

Pictured: Kerry Washington
Ref: SPL1646599 150118

Picture by: Jen Lowery / Splash News

 

CFDA Awards 2017: Top Looks for Red Carpet

The CFDA Awards is an opportunity to showcase talented fashion designers for their global influence. It is often titled the “Oscars” of fashion and members of the council are invited to attend an annual gala in New York City.

Celebrities are (also) extended an invitation to walk the red carpet.  The star-studded event presented several high fashion looks that were seen on Bella Hadid, Lupita Nyongo, and Karlie Kloss.

Take a look at the red carpet looks below:

10 WAYS STRESS IS WRITTEN ALL OVER YOUR FACE

According to Dr. Sanam Hafeez Psy. D, Colombia University Professor and Founder of Comprehensive Consultation Psychological Services in New York City; stress is written all over our face and can result in looking years older when stressed for prolonged periods of time.

Dr. Hafeez whose expertise is in understanding neural pathways as they respond to anxiety, stress and trauma explains that how we think directly impacts how we age and how youthful we appear. The routine stressors in our lives really impact how fast or slow we age. When stressed, we see it in our skin tone, texture, elasticity, and over all glow.

Featured Photo from PeopleStyle.com

“When someone is under stress they can appear up to 5 years older, 10 years if they don’t manage stress or make changes to their lives. Stressful relationships and careers age people. I have seen patients end relationships or get new jobs and look 10 years younger within days.  People are spending money on creams, facials and cosmetic procedures but if the stress is still there it will still show in their face,” offers Dr. Hafeez.

Here are Ways Stress is Written All Over Your Face

  1.  You have dark circles. Stress results in blood flow to main organs plus capillaries under eyes are fragile and break under stress leaving your face looking sallow and tired. Dark circles seem more apparent.
  2. Mini-Menopause

The jury is still out on exactly how or if this is possible, but it appears that the constant flow of cortisol that goes along with chronic stress causes a dip in estrogen, one that mimics, on a smaller scale, the dip that occurs during menopause. Less estrogen means less collagen and less moisture. So, while estrogen levels may not drop enough to shut down your period, stress may make them dip enough to make your skin look dull and dry.

  1. You notice more wrinkles. Life’s stress due to divorce, death of loved one, job-loss, financial concerns; impacts our brain chemistry. When we feel sad or anxious, are crying or not sleeping well it’s common to see deeper lines around the middle of the eyes, forehead, under eye area and mouth.
  2. You itch, flake and even have hives.  Stress leads to inflammation which may lead to rashes, rosacea, eczema flare ups and changes in skin moisture.
  3. People ask if you’re feeling okay. When the Starbucks barista or guy at the dry cleaners asks if you’re feeling okay, pay attention. These people may not know the details of your life but they know how you look because they see you quickly.
  4. Under-Eye BagsTomorrow’s to-do list can weigh on your mind, keeping you from getting enough beauty sleep. This can cause fluid to pool below your lower eyelid area, and what you end up with is a puffy mess in the a.m. Stomach sleepers, bad news: You can expect the puffiness of your under-eye bags to be even worse because of gravity.
  5. Increased jaw size– Heavy jaw

Grinding teeth and clenching of the jaw are common symptoms of stress. Unfortunately, these habits can cause the jaw muscles to work overtime. This can result not only in damaged teeth, but also a heavier than usual jawline, as the muscles become larger with the grinding action.

    8. Hair Loss

Stress can cause sudden hair loss by literally flipping the switch on the hair follicle’s growth stage from an active to a resting phase. Once the follicle enters this resting phase prematurely, it stays there for about three months, after which time a large amount of hair will be shed. When you experience an overall shedding of hair, you must cast back a few months to find the trigger. Rest assured that in most women, this hair will grow back.

   9. Adult Acne

Acne isn’t just for hormonally crazed teenagers. Many adults can’t seem to outgrow it because of stress hormones. What makes it worse is that tense people often can’t leave pimples alone. Squeezing, poking and picking at them becomes an almost obsessive way to release tension, but it also makes breakouts worse, exacerbating the inflammatory response, and you’re left feeling a bit more stressed. So no picking

   10.  Hormonal Mood Swings

There is a lot of interaction between hormone physiology and mood that works both ways. Our mood can impact our physiology, and our physiology can influence the balance of our hormones. If stress can sit at the top of a cascade of events that lead to undesirable hormonal changes in the body (like those that trigger insomnia, insatiable hunger and weight gain, and collagen breakdown), then what we want to do is find ways to gain the upper hand on our stress level and ensure that we keep all those hormones in check.

According to Dr. Hafeez, “The good news is that we can get to the root cause of our stress and manage it. When you notice changes in your facial appearance take inventory of what is going on in your life and what may be stressing you out. Simple things like sitting quietly for 10 minutes focusing on breathing, writing in a journal, exercising or taking a walk outside, reading, baking, painting, listening to music and reaching for an activity that takes focus off the stress is helpful. If you find yourself reverting back to the stressful issue consider therapy. Clearly there is a connection between how we look and how we feel and think.”

About Dr. SanamHafeez: 

Dr. Hafeez  is available to speak to media on a plethora of topics that connect stress, anxiety and depression and its negative impact on our wellbeing and physical appearance. She provides neuropsychological educational and developmental evaluations in her practice.  She also works with children and adults who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), learning disabilities, autism, attention and memory problems, trauma and brain injury, abuse, childhood development and psychopathology (bipolar, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, etc…) In addition, Dr. Hafeez serves as a medical expert and expert witness by providing full evaluations and witness testimony to law firms and courts.

MIXT Studio Trucker Hats and Kerry Washington

Paper and gift brand MIXT Studio, best known for printing free-spirited patterns on Tyvek bags and totes, introduced a trucker hat for the Women’s March two days before the event. MIXT founder, Marcie Carson, has been a longtime contributor to the women’s and humanitarian movement and created the iconic design for a local group of women. What started as a spontaneous I’m-going-to-do-this-for-my-friends was met with such enthusiasm and interest that the hats are now available as a commemoration of this historical event.

Award-winning actress Kerry Washington from the ABC drama, Scandal, sported the Trucker Hat on Saturday as she appeared with hundreds of thousands at the Women’s March in Los Angeles.

MIXT Studio Women’s March Trucker Hats can be purchased from the MIXT studio website mixtstudio.com.  Hats are $18 and available in 3 colors, #mixtmoxie.

ABOUT MIXT STUDIO:

Founded in 2012, MIXT Studio is a lifestyle brand created by esteemed designer Marcie Carson. The word “MIXT” is derived from the company’s eclectic design approach, which includes a wild mix of pattern, texture and color. Marcie and her team have garnered honor and respect in the industry. She has won hundreds of design and marketing awards throughout her career and her work has been recognized by publishers such as Taschen, Rockport and Graphis. Not only was she Madonna’s costume assistant, but her resume is packed with influential clients such as Getty, BMW, Disney, UCLA, Dole, Mattel, Hilton, the Academy and Grammy awards. In 2006, Marcie was selected by the U.S. Department of Labor as an occupational expert for graphic design. Now Marcie focuses on creating beautifully designed products.

Everything that leaves MIXT Studio follows Marcie’s commitment to a clear conscience and good karma.

 

Follow Us:

#mixtmoxie #mixtstudio

Web: www.mixtstudio.com

FB:  http://m.facebook.com/MIXTstudio

Instagram: @mixtstudio

Entertainment Weekly – Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Elizabeth Banks, and Eva Longoria

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Reese Witherspoon, Kerry Washington, Elizabeth Banks, and Eva Longoria graced the cover of Entertainment Weekly.  The simplicity of this photo was amazing – all of the girls are having a classic shirt and denim moment!

How to achieve the look:

  1. Bob hairstyle and Wand Curls
  2. Highlight and Contour, Pink Blush with a Nude Lipstick
  3. Crisp White Button-Down Shirt
  4. Distressed Denim Jeans