Category Archives: Beauty

TOP BACKSTAGE BEAUTY LOOKS TO RECREATE NOW

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It’s backstage at the shows, and when I’m getting my makeup done by the professionals that I get most inspired. Inspired to dig my own hands in the beauty department and experiment with some of the absolute best products out there. Shimmer. Purples. Pinks. Redish black eyeliners, that I didn’t even know existed. All things that shouldn’t be so scary to play with. For my first day of shows, I wanted something super rock n’ roll. I asked my makeup artist, “hmm, what would look incredible with a full sequined blue pant suit?” A sexy, dark eye of course! Done. Of course I arrived backstage at Alexander Wang just moments before show time, but easily revamped my look in the chair within 5 minutes. A super easy shimmered shadow and velvet matte bold lip. Sure it sounds simple enough, but swoon-worthy makeup starts with amazing, quality products. Here, I worked with NARS in mastering stunning, statement looks during fashion week.

Look #1: Easiest way to bring out the colors in your eyes? Black kohl liner. NARS to be specific. Smudged to perfection. It’s fantastic for us green eyed girls. Keep the rest clean and fresh, with a swipe of pale pink lip gloss. Gloss always does the trick when completing a sexy eye look. Oh, and don’t forget to go crazy with the mascara. You’re allowed to here!

*Makeup by Jenny Atwood Smith at NARS*

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Look #2: A pale shadow with a really bold lip. I am in love with NARS’s velvet lip matte lip pencils. This one is in “Pussy Control.” It’s a gorgeous deep plum. It’s seriously all you need with a bare face. But if you do want a little something-something on your lids, do a little liner on your top lids with a swipe of pale pink eyeshadow. Done and done.

*Makeup by Niko Lopez at NARS*

A WEEK WITHOUT A HAIR DRYER | KERASTASE PARIS

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My sister is the one who really instilled this on me: “Always travel with your own hair products.” We’ve had our hair dyed in rainbow colors for campaigns, we’re always on set at different photoshoots and events and there’s always some hot iron running through our ends, or someone tugging at our scalps. I’ve been looking for any reason to give my hair a break. Our Tulum girl’s trip was the perfect place to start taking really good care of our hair and giving it what it needs, which is natural products. We promised ourselves that with our time frolicking on the beach and under the sun, we won’t use a hair dryer. No heat styling. Just amazing, natural products to refresh and hydrate our hair after every dive into the ocean. 

 Tulum is all about being eco-friendly and eco-chic. It inspired us to do the same, but not just on vacation, but every single day, by incorporating luxurious, natural products into our routine. That’s when Kérastase’s Aura Botanica collection comes into play. These new products are made of handpicked Samoan coconut & Moroccan Argan oils. I love that the products are responsibly sourced to help these exotic communities make most of their natural resources and thrive from them. Coconut Palms are the “tree of life” in Samoa. Kerastase has worked with the NGO Women in Business Development in working with over 200 farmers to supply local women with equipment and knowledge to produce high-grade coconut oil. Bringing this fair trade revenue to the Samoans helps preserve their unique culture and natural resources. I love that everything is done by hand to preserve it’s purity. The Moroccan Argan Oil comes from the foothills of the Little Atlas Mountains. Targarine is a project helping Berber women provide for their families by embracing their traditions and preserving the village’s natural ecosystem. The oil has high concentrations of Omega 6 and 9, giving my hair softness and shine. Now that you’ve got the inside scoop, let’s go over the products I used:

Aura Botanica Essence d’Éclat: an oil spray I used on both my wet hair and dry hair to refresh and restore it throughout the day. It has  jojoba, coconut, and organ oils with a touch of orange. It also has a subtle scant of rose water. It’s super light, without any oily residue. Just 3 sprints on both sides of my hair, and I let it air dry. My hair never felt so soft.

Aura Botanica Concentré Essentiel: It’s essential to my ends, which after a day in the ocean can feel a bit dull. I use it just before bed after taking a shower for some intense conditioning overnight. I sometimes use this on my body as well for added moisture. It’s that versatile.

Aura Botanica Bain Micellaire: This shampoo is light and airy. It leaves my hair squeaky clean with a shiny touch. 

Aura Botanica Soin Fondamental: This conditioner is super lightweight, but most importantly, is amazing with frizz-control…which makes it fantastic for air drying. 

The story behind these products is inspiring and really gave me a big picture into how we can make most of our world’s natural resources. It’s time we dedicate ourselves to the sustainable use of materials. Kerastase’s pursuit is to obtain the highest possible biodegradability for each formula, and I’m with them.

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NYFW DAY 1 // Backstage with NARS

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NYFW has always pretty intense yet exciting, especially come February with it’s cold, gusty winds. This one was no different. After one giant snow storm, and multiple cancelled flights, I luckily make it back home just in time! Phew! My fashion week days begin early. At 7am I’m already unzipping garment bags, staring at my packages piled high up to my ceilings, and finally taking a peek at my my schedule on my iphone as I’m still waking up. In my mind all I can think about is “coffee, coffee, coffee!” This week I’ve been working with NARS Cosmetics who I just love, in creating my dream makeup looks, along with heading backstage to get in on all the action at their shows. And they were MAJOR shows: Alexander Wang, Creatures of the Wind, and 3.1 Philip Lim! Every girl’s dream NYFW schedule. NARS masters clean skin, and of course the smokey eye and really beautiful dark lip. I swear by their concealer and their new line of Velvet Matte Lip Pencils. I worked with my makeup artist, Niko, to create a rosy, glowing look for day. He’s a genius. We used a shimmering pink eye shadow, a swipe of black KohLiner, and finished it off with an amazing lip gloss in “Istria.” At night, I got a quick touchup backstage at Alexander Wang. A really beautiful matte lip in NARS “Pussy Control.” The name fits this sexy shade that literally stays on all night long. For NYFW Day 1, I looked at my makeup artist in my closet and pulled out this amazing Anna Sui velvet dress with black roses. Immediately, we knew it was THE look. I threw it on over a great pair of leather leggings and boots. In this weather, I can’t go a day without leather leggings. I layer them under just about every dress I own.This was a look of velvet, leather, and studs. It’s old school rock n’ roll with a little bit of goth punk. I love pairing something so dark with such fresh, and pretty pinks in my makeup.

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// Karen Walker sunglasses, Anna Sui dress + cardigan, Kenneth Cole coat, Zadig et Voltaire leather legging + boots, Bally handbag //


HOW I AM TAKING CARE OF MY LIPS

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Lately, I’ve decided it’s about time I start really taking care of my lips. Having supple, luscious lips is the key to any amazing makeup look. Always start with taking care and protecting your skin before applying more makeup. My #1 rule to get rid of dry, chapped lips? Exfoliate, protect, and hydrate. Hydrating meaning always have a moisturizing base before you put on any lipstick. That’s always the hardest when you’re trying to master a really matte lip, my favorite type of look. Bite Beauty released the new Everyday Agave collection. It’s 3 amazing products that now, more than ever, I am using…especially on the airplane. Here are the 3 steps: – Apply the Agave Sugar Lip Scrub: use this daily and right before bed, and you’re lips will be extra soft and smooth. -Leave on the Agave Lip Mask: Leave this on overnight and it helps protect your lips from getting any further damage. -Reapply the Agave Lip Balm: This balm is super rich. I use it so many times a day. It doesn’t give off a crazy shine or greasy residue which makes it perfect under lipsticks.

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