Celebrity MUA, Jillian Dempsey, On How To Create The Perfect Makeup Look For All Your Holiday Parties

Makeup artist, Jillian Dempsey, is the woman behind the flawless made-up faces of mega stars like Jennifer Lawrence, Kristen Stewart, Kristen Dunst, Kate Winslet, and even her husband - Patrick Dempsey, to name a few. You might also recognize Dempsey's name from her eponymous beauty line of lid tints and eyeliners.

I asked Dempsey what her go-to makeup look would be for my readers's upcoming holiday parties, and how to execute such a look akin to that of Hollywood's celebrity tastemakers. Whether it be for your Christmas office gathering, or New Year's Eve at your best friend's home, the "no-makeup makeup" look is here to stay. Or as Jillian likes to call it, "the day after New Year's Eve" look. Jillian's take on holiday makeup is refreshingly different from many, as she ditches lavish greens and dark reds for a simple makeup application; leaving your skin glowing brighter than any Christmas light.

Skin

Dempsey suggests prepping your skin before makeup application, "I start with Chantecaille Gold Under Eye Pads for a boast of hydration. Then I use a small amount of Weleda Skin Food Cream as a light layer of moisturizer. I massage it into the skin, making sure to get all the dry areas.". 

Conceal + Cover

To get luminous skin spot corrects by mixing her favorite concealers. Dempsey mixes "Secret Camouflage by Laura Mercier or Chantecaille’s Camouflage pen. I either blend this in with Armani foundation brushes or a Beauty Blender. Lightly dust on a translucent loose powder like Suqqu to lock in the cover up, especially on the T-zone.".  

Contour + Blush + Highlight

A pro-tip of Dempsey's is; "if you are used to using a contour, go subtle." which is paired with her favorites, Kevyn Aucoin contour powder and a Hakuhodo fan brush. Dempsey suggests to smile and use a soft brush when applying your blush, Charlotte Tilbury powder blush is best for a natural look. "RMS Luminizer is lovely when used on the upper cheek bones - very natural and sheer." perfect for an opulent glow.

Hydrate

"I follow this step by spraying the face with Glossier soothing face mist to give the face a surge of moisture. I love using this product as it helps hydrate the skin and set the dewy look."

Eyes

Jillian loves her lid tint in Dew, "lightly apply a thin layer on the eyelids followed by a lash curl. Troy Surratt lash curler is my go-to. Make sure to squeeze the lashes a few times," To elevate the seductive aspect of the eyes, "...add two coats of mascara to the upper and lower lashes. I highly recommend DHC Mascara as it is a great one in black.". 

Lips

Keeping the lip simple and neutral, Jillian advises to stick with a sheer nude, such as Charlotte Tilbury Nude Kate.
 

Shop Jillian's Product Favorites

For more of Dempsey's product selections and celebrity behind-the-scenes, follow her @jilliandempsey

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

Buy or Bye? The Millennial Pink Beauty Products That Are Worth All The Hype

The holy grail of beauty products are the ones that you want on your vanity at all times - for the 'gram and for it's magical wonders it does for your skin. How does one distinguish the beauty product that does both? In the Instagram Era, you are never quite sure if the opinions on the product are authentic, especially when certain sought-after packaging traits and brand names often take the lead, instead of the consumer. After using these products for weeks, and some even a couple months, I'm dishing out which pretty products also make you look pretty. 

The Exfoliator

Totally dying over Drunk Elephant's T.L.C Sukari Baby Facial! Baby Facial has three of my essential ingredients when looking for a product that will get the job done; glycolic acid, hyaluronic acid, and salicylic acids. This product is primarily glycolic acid as it peels your skin, killing dead skin cells, leaving your skin as soft as a baby... hence the name. The salicylic acid heals acne scars and destroys any remaining pimples, while the hyaluronic acid plumps the skin, giving it it's natural dewy glow. This product is a strong one, so incorporate it in your routine slowly, and know what ingredients do and don't work for your skin type. 

 

The Hydrators

Saturday Skin has been the latest brand I am obsessing over. Their sheet masks revive my skin after a long monotonous week of school, lack of sleep, and myriad of pizza consumption. I just throw on a brightening mask and chill out, and when I feel the mask getting a bit dry, I drench my face in their Daily Dew Hydrating Essence Mist - which is great to carry around for hydration all day. 

The Serum

Glossier's Super Glow serum gives me life... literally. The thing about this product that I love is that it give your skin instant gratification all while training your skin long term. The vitamin C brightens while the magnesium energizes, so to translate; you will look like the epitome of a Glossier ad. When Glossier sent me this serum, I was in love, and so were all of my friends and family. They all noticed a difference in my skin, complementing me on my skin's luminosity. You put this bad boy on before your moisturizer, then all your products glide on your face as the watery texture of the glow serum absorbs into your skin.

For extra dewiness, I love this rose oil, which smells heavenly, contains SPF 15, and is 50% off.

The Device

I Jade-roll so much that I can put it on my resume. This Mount Lai rose quartz facial roller is perfect, I like to put mine in the freezer and use it over a sheet mask, and also after I pile on all of my products. For those of you who don't know the many many benefits of jade-rolling; it reduces puffiness and inflammation, improves blood circulation, minimizes the look of pores, promotes lymphatic drainage, and relives facial and jaw tension.

The Lips

Chapsticks and lip moisturizers are a necessity for the cold Winter months. These are my three favorite that I keep in my bathroom, jacket pocket, and backpack at all times. (Left to Right) Glossier Balm Dot Com, C.O. Bigelow Rose Salve, Bliss Fabulips. 

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click on any image to take you to shop

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

11 Top Editors and The Products They Are Raving About This Holiday Season

Laura Brown: Editor-In-Chief, InStyle

Laura Brown is the cheeky Australian editor that has swept the digital world by storm with her bonafide social media accounts showing a hilarious side of the fashion and beauty industry, that frankly no one has seen before. Brown loves to gift her favorite beauty products. She told RoughlyRuff.com that she is obsessed with Shani Darden Retinol Reform from her facialist's skincare line (it is my mom's favorite too), iS Clinical Cleansing Complex, and Jouer Body Butter.

Follow Laura; @laurabrown99

Cat Quinn: Beauty Director, Refinery 29

Cat Quinn shared with us her favorite luxe products to gift to the beauty-obsessed family members in her life. Quinn suggests this Silk Sleep Mask, "These masks are so plush and silky-soft, and somehow miraculously don't budge the entire night without tugging at your hair. It's the closest thing to sleep that you can gift someone — which is why I'm giving them to my sisters (one who travels the world for work, one who's studying for college finals). Hurry, because they're almost all sold out.". For her boyfriend's mom, the Diptyque Bailes Candle (in addition to some face-masks), "I've never met anyone who doesn't love this rosy, black current scent that warms up the entire apartment." Lastly, Cat loves the Sisley Black Rose Infusion Cream, she even claims to have gone through three whole jars since June. Fancy creams are the perfect gift for mothers according to Quinn, "The brightening cream feels silky and luxurious (and smells like heaven) but it's a powerhouse when it comes to brightening, smoothing, and improving the texture of your skin." I don't know about you, but my shopping cart is suddenly filled. 

Follow Cat; @catquinn

Jessica Chia: Senior Beauty Editor, Allure

If there is anyone to trust with beauty recommendations, it is Jessica. Chia's skin always seems to be luminous, her hair in perfect beach waves, while swatching the latest lipsticks on the Allure Insta-story. Jessica's picks are all under $40, so you can shop all the best products for your friends and family at an awesome deal, this holiday season. For #hairgoals, opt for Jen Atkin's Ouai Ouaisted Essentials Kit, which contains a dry shampoo foam, wave spray, full size memory mist, and rose gold barrette. Chia praises this kit for it's versatility, "...if you have second day hair, you can use the travel dry shampoo. If you’re air drying your hair, mist in this wave spray to accentuate the natural bends in your hair. If you’re going to do the whole thing and put a curling wand on it, the full sized memory mist will hold that curl for hours longer than it would last otherwise. And the gold barrette that comes with it is so chic—easy to toss in and go." With supermodel hair, you need a powerful lip to complete the look. Jessica's favorite bold lip goes to YSL Tatouage Couture, "Hands down my favorite lipstick launch of the year. It’s this super-thin, super-pigmented stain that gives your lips a bright wash of color—but it doesn’t make it look like you’re wearing wax on your lips. And you can personalize the case with someone’s name, a little message, a special date, it’s something that’s going to be memorable and special." And for the homebody, go for the Incausa Bath and Meditation Soap and Incense Set, as Jessica refers to it as the "total spa moment" with the heavenly scents and essential oils packed into this mini bath and body set.  

Follow Jessica; @jess_chia

Bee Shapiro: Author of Skin Deep column and book, New York Times

Interviewing the biggest celebrities and brands in the beauty industry, Bee knows a thing or two when it comes to products. Shapiro loves the RMS Luminizer Quad, "I'm a sucker for anything shimmery for the holidays (or really any time of year). The RMS Luminizer is just so easy to use and I like that this has a variety of undertones to match your outfits to." No Kira-Kira app needed. From Bee's fragrance line, eponymous to that of her daughter; Ellis, Bee is obsessed with the Ellis Brooklyn Pseudonym Terrific Scented Candle, "It makes me want to take a luxurious bath and then cozy up in cashmere." I can testify to that, as I burn my Ellis Brooklyn candle, quite obsessively. An editor favorite, the Slip Silk Pillowcase, "I was recently sent a Slip pillowcase as a gift and now I'm a total convert. My hair wakes up with a lot less frizz and I like to imagine that it's tugging less at my crow's feet. " silk pillowcases are great for your skin, and are cleaner than your average pillow case due to it's hypoallergenic properties, plus who doesn't love anything silk?

Follow Bee; @beeshapiro, @ellisbrooklyn

Faith Xue: Editorial Director, Byrdie

Faith Xue understands the concept of "Doing It For The Gram", as she advises gifting products that will be aesthetically pleasing, yet effective. Because if you didn't post your beauty product fave, do you even use it? Faith loves the Tatcha Starter Ritual Norm, "Tatcha wins for packaging all-around, I love that this skincare set comes with everything you need to start an indulgent self-care ritual." This Dear Dahlia Special Package definitely takes the cake for most aesthetically pleasing, I mean the whole exterior of the products are infamous white marble! Faith says, "I just discovered this vegan, cruelty-free and Instagrammable Korean makeup brand and can't get enough. These lipsticks were meant to be photographed and displayed on your vanity." Now that you have your skin and makeup gifts down, you can't forget about hair. Xue suggests purchasing the Dreslyn Hair Essentials Gift Set, "Dreslyn always has the most excellent beauty curation. I'd gift this gorgeous Playa haircare set to the best-tressed friend in my life." I couldn't help but notice the subtle beauty pun; take notes for your next Instagram post, just saying. 

Follow Faith; @faith_xue

 

Jessica Matlin: Beauty and Health Director, Teen Vogue, Co-host of Fat Mascara podcast 

Jessica Matlin always thinks of organizations to give back to, especially when they go hand-in-hand with beauty. I remember falling in love with her writing when she wrote about the stopping the Yulin Dog Festival in China on TeenVogue.com. I found it so cool that a beauty editor can do justice with the platform she is given. Matlin picks the Disney x Kiehl's Creme de Corps Grapefruit Whipped Body Butter, the proceeds help secure 355 meals for Feeding America, a organization that works with food banks across the U.S. Plus, as Jessica said, "What better time than the holidays to treat someone to THE MOST LUXURIOUS BODY CREAM ON EARTH?". As you are getting into the Christmas spirit, Matlin isn't one to deck out her apartment, the Nest Holiday Candle is all she needs "Light the wick, and it's like you're standing in the middle of a Christmas tree farm. Pop on National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and we're off!" And now... bath time! Jessica loves a Christmas Lush Bath Bomb as much as the next person, "Christmas Eve Bath Bomb, which is laced with sleepy jasmine and ylang ylang. So relaxing!"  

Follow Jessica; @jessicamatlin, @fatmascara

Kathleen Hou: Beauty Director, The Cut

Kathleen loves Sisley Paris creams just as much as the rest of the world, or maybe a tad more... "I hope my mom never reads this, otherwise she'll find out I have been hiding this moisturizer from her. At one point, I had two jars of this cream in my apartment and I had all the best intentions to bring the second jar home to my mother. But before I knew it, I finished the first jar and opened the new one. It feels like a super-luxurious rich cream that just glides like silk over the skin. It's so good. It's so expensive. But my skin feels so soft and I swear, it looks more lifted, the morning after using it. I like it more than La Mer (don't tell anyone). I swear if I get a third jar, I will give it to my mom. Or at the very least, we will share it.", and honestly we can't blame her. Don't have the money to have your own private island to jet off to for Christmas, as most don't, Hou says this Coqui-Coqui candle's smell is akin to that of a beach, "All the perfumes evoke a sense of warm temperature and ocean breezes, without feeling cliche. I particularly like the Coco Coco scent, which smells a bit like fancy sunscreen without any of the waxiness.  " And now for the signature red holiday lip. Hou selects the Pat McGrath LuxeTrance lipsticks, "Give me every shade of Pat McGrath lipstick and I may never need another lipstick again. The reds are fantastic and so pigmented that they just saturate your lips with color. I love that you can apply the lipstick with just your fingertips, and instantly get a version of the lips seen at Prada from the previous four seasons." Looking like a Prada runway model on a Monday morning on the subway to work or school is the gift that keeps on giving.

 Follow Kathleen; @kathleenhou

 

Gwen Flamberg: Executive Beauty and Style Editor, Us Weekly, Vice President of Beauty and Style, the Style Group

Gwen is literally like my second mom, and as the old saying says, "mother always knows best", especially when it comes to beauty products galore. Although Gwen could pass as twenty-five. Every red-head needs the perfect red lip; that is Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet No2. " I’m #obsessed with the limited edition red tube (the first time this formula has ever been packaged this way!) – it’s just drop-dead chic and the matte shade kisses lips in a wash of universally flattering ruby.". To achieve a glowing ambiance, Gwen suggests Man Ray x NARS Overexposed Glow Highlighter in Double Take, "Who wouldn’t want a highlighter that not only gives skin an other-worldly glow, but has Man Ray’s surreal lips imprinted in the powder? So fabulous!" Fabulous, indeed. And lastly, Flamberg's favorite scent, Baccarat Rouge 540 candle "This gorgeous candle diffuses my signature scent (created by my favorite perfumer Francis Kurkdjian) and the pillar is practically an objet d’art, a bit of home décor with a decidedly personal touch." The brass exterior of the candle is ultra-chic. 

Follow Gwen; @gwen_beauty

Didi Gluck: Deputy Beauty Editor, Shape

Didi treats her giftees to products that can be used for an at-home spa day from candles, to soaps, to body washes! Gluck loves to give Fresh body soaps according to zodiac signs, "My personal favorite is the Patchouli scent, but if I know my recipient's star sign, I often go for the appropriate zodiac soap." Now that is really cool, if you are a beauty junkie like me. Molton Brown is known for their superlative body washes. Gluck is obsessed with their Cypress & Sea Fennel scent, but any Molton Brown scent is, (as Didi puts it), "delicious". And as for Diptyque candles, a classic holiday favorite, Didi goes for the intriguing Oud fragrance, as the Baies scent is overrated. Spa a la Gluck, excuse me while I sign up. 

Follow Didi; @didigluck

Holly Carter: Contributing Editor, Oprah Magazine

Holly Carter is the epitome of a beauty expert; reporting the latest and greatest trends in makeup, skincare, hair, alongside the classic beauty tips and tricks to live by. Holly knows her sister would love an all-encompassing eyeshadow, "The Moschino + Sephora Limited Edition Collection has the most adorable golden teddy-bear shaped palette with 21 great-looking shadows. Creating day and night looks is a cinch with this baby." Now that you have displayed your opulent eyeshadow for a night out on the town, when winding down, Holly is obsessed with body oils and candles, as one typically is. For your bestie, Holly recommends the Diptyque Six-Piece Candle Set, " Everyone’s home is a little merrier and bright with a great-smelling candle. Diptyque’s custom six-piece candle set allows you to create your own mix of the iconic candles to give to a loved on—my BFF would love it. I’ve always been obsessed with the wood-burning scent of Feu de Bois." The perfect winter skin treatment according to Carter is Frédéric Malle Portrait of A Lady Hair and Body Oil,  "it’s rich and warm with rose, patchouli, sandalwood and frankincense.".

Follow Holly; @hollsbeauty

 

Lindsey Metrus: Managing Editor, Byrdie

Lindsey Metrus is a big Sunday Riley fan, just like me. Metrus is obsessed especially with their Power Couple Duo, "I credit both Good Genes and Luna for reviving my skin when it's seen better days. The latter is super brightening, and the former is immensely hydrating and glow-inducing. I love that they come in this literal power duo so you can give the gift of good skin for much less than buying them separately. No doubt the giftee will be thrilled." Now that your skin is glowing and not dull anymore, amplify your game by applying a bold lip. Tom Ford Boys & Girls Lipsticks are the essential personalized beauty holiday gift, "These little lippies are not only pretty to keep on your vanity (or in your bag), they're cute to give as a gift when they match the name of the receiver (or the man/woman in their life)." Not sure what exactly your loved one wants? Atelier Bespoke Fragrances is the answer to your frantic worries, "The brand has a genius quiz on its website to find your perfect notes, and once you get your results, you can dress it up the bottle(s) with a special engraved leather case. Ambiguously send the quiz questions along to your loved one and surprise them with a new scent wardrobe." Metrus also mentions the notable scent and packaging.

Follow Lindsey; @lindseymetrus

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

Cover Credit: Karen Rosalie

Why I Wash and Style My Hair With Champagne...

Are there truly any positive benefits to being drenched in champagne? I think not... party animals might beg to differ, and so do sybaritic beauty lovers. Cuvée Beauty is the brand to know; with luxe champagne-infused products at an affordable price and a genius story behind it.

The founder, Rachel Katzman, while partying had copious amounts of champagne sprayed in hair (as one does) from an unhinged celebratory Vegas night. Katzman woke up the next morning noticing her hair seemingly more texturized, wavy, and nourished. From there, an idea blossomed to launch a champagne based haircare line.

But how does one exactly wash, treat, and style their hair with champagne without breaking the bank? Because let's face it... dunking your hair in Dom Perignon every day might entail taking on a few more jobs on the side to maintain such a lifestyle.

Champagne extract is the primary ingredient in these opulent hair products, amongst white truffle, platinum ferment extracts, resveratrol, ceramides, plant proteins, and botanicals. The smell is quite extravagant which might be a pro or con depending on your preference of fragrance. I for one, love the whiff of champagne at 6:45am whilst styling my hair in the bathroom getting ready for school - others maybe not. 

Now you still might be pondering why champagne in these products? It's the subtle stickiness that aids in styling the hair, all while nourishing and protecting as these ingredients are filled with rich (yes, pun intended) antioxidants to promote healthy, attractive hair. 

Out of all the products I have tried from the Cuvée line, the styling balm is hands down my favorite (shop here). The prominent smell of champagne and fig is amazing, in addition to how it shapes my hair effortlessly. The styling balm can be used as a gel, or as a base before smearing on gel depending on how natural or heavy you want your hair to look. It has been a staple in my morning hair routine (for all my other fave hair products click here), and I have loved the results after using the styling balm. 

Luminous hair and decadent products is something we all can raise a glass to; preferably a glass of champagne, or if you are like me (fifteen years old and all) we can raise a nice refreshing glass of water.

1. Shampoo - http://bit.ly/2A2N4US

2. Conditioner - http://bit.ly/2AX5nuV

3. Volumizing Mist - http://bit.ly/2AV5uqO

4. Travel Set - http://bit.ly/2AX3sXf

5. Champagne Spray - http://bit.ly/2AWM84L

6. Première Treatment - http://bit.ly/2A3YZlu

7. Styling Balm - http://bit.ly/2A3pYNY

8. Protective Treatment - http://bit.ly/2AUCnnn

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

This blog post was not sponsored by Cuvée Beauty, nor was I compensated at any capacity. Products mentioned were gifted by PR. All sponsored content will be indicated, read this for FAQ questions. Further questions may be asked at david@roughlyruff.com. 

Mixing My Ellis Brooklyn Fragrances

In my previous blog post, I interviewed celebrated New York Times beauty columnist, Bee Shapiro, on her product line, Ellis Brooklyn, and now I am telling you about my favorite fragrances that I selected - and what I do with them. Ellis Brooklyn's products range from perfumes to candles to lotions, but what I really gravitated towards were their signature scent RIVES, and their newest addition, SCI-FI.

Shop My Faves

Click on the selected picture to take you to a direct link to shop.

All of their products are unisex, but as we all know, fragrances smell differently on different people. This is because the smell of a fragrance on someone is dependent on the PH level of their skin, and it's overall chemistry. When the perfume molecules react with the pulse points of our heart beat, the end result of the scent is determined by our hormones and our skin, this results in a particular diverse smell. No two people are the same, such that the chemical reaction that this gives off will never smell exactly the same to that of someone else.

I found that the scents I liked, RIVES and SCI-FI, smelled feminine on my skin (individually), although the ingredients in both, when mixed, complemented each other and alluded to a rather masculine aroma. RIVES's scent consists of neroli, lavender, and cedarwood, inspired by the French Rivera. SCI-FI is essentially the icing on the cake, figuratively and literally. The scent is similar to that of a whiff of vanilla cake, it is rather subtle yet sweet, making the mixture more lively and attractive. SCI-FI also includes bergamot and green tea. 

When these scents were mixed together, the leading characteristics of each fragrance created a prominent manly aroma, probably because of the natural nature-based ingredients which many associate with a robust figure, if you will. This mixture is the perfect combination for my skin's chemical makeup because of the perfect balance of masculinity with hints of delicate scents. The selection of Ellis fragrances offer a wide variety of natural unisex fragrances that are fun to mix and match, or wear exclusively on it's own. 

NYT Beauty Writer, Bee Shapiro, On Creating The Brand The Beauty World Was Missing

Bee Shapiro is not your typical editor. Lawyer turned top beauty columnist; Shapiro is a perfect example of the modern day woman - mom and wife, hustling non-stop, whether it be a New York Times article, a piece for Vanity Fair, or in the lab constructing a unique scent with the chemists for Ellis Brooklyn. To say Shapiro's repertoire is anything but admirable would be an understatement.

Her arsenal of accomplishments don't just consist of her coveted beauty column on the Styles section of the New York Times profiling the hottest products and people in the industry. Always tackling a new project, Shapiro just launched her new book Skin Deep, featuring her noteworthy columns and new exclusive interviews with the innovators in the beauty world. As a chunk of Bee's job is testing and trying the latest and greatest luxury products, Bee felt a sense of emptiness in the fragrance aspect of the beauty product realm and created Ellis Brooklyn to fill that void.

We turn the tables, and Bee is the one who is now the interviewee. Read along to find out Bee's inspiration for her brand, the story behind its exponential growth, and much more in our Q & A!

1. What is the story behind the name "Ellis Brooklyn"?

"I was pregnant with my first daughter Ellis when I came up with the idea for the line and we live in Brooklyn. I was keeping it simple!"

 

2. How has having your own beauty column for the New York Times inspire you to create your own brand?

"Being a beauty editor, you're constantly swabbing, testing, trying, experimenting. You get to know products and ingredient lists really well. I think there's a point were you've seen it all in a sense, but then you get the light bulb moment to make something specific and unique and special. That's how Ellis Brooklyn came about. There was this amazing green or conscious beauty movement happening in skincare and makeup, but nada in fragrance."

 

3. I remember you telling me that creating a brand is a very personal thing, can you elaborate on that?

"When you put it out there, it's truly your baby. You've put your heart, soul and creative energy into each product. It's a culmination of months-long, sometimes years-long creative journey, so it becomes very personal in a magical sort of way."

 

4. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about having your own brand?

"Favorite thing is all the amazing people I get to collaborate with from my perfumer to package designer to chemist. The downside is all the no-fun homework stuff like making sure I get all my invoices and POs to my bookkeeper-- bleh."

 

5. What is the afflatus behind each fragrance scent?

 

"Because I wanted to keep it very personal, each scent is about taking an ingredient and really doing it in a way that hasn't been addressed well before. For example, SCI FI, our latest scent is taking vanilla, which is very well known, and keeping all its warm beauty but doing it in an elegant, almost clean way as opposed to your typical gourmand, cupcake-y vanillas of old."

 

6. If you had to describe your own personal scent, what would your top three adjectives be?

"I specifically created Ellis Brooklyn Myth for myself. To me, it's pretty yet urbane, modern yet warm."

7. What do you look for in a fragrance, and how have you applied that to each scent you have produced?

"I think finding the right fragrance is like dating. When you know, you know. It's the pathway there, which can be full of doubts and outside influences and opinions that is tough to navigate through. For me, because I've smelled SO many fragrances at this point, my starting off point is: does it smell good. I think so many brands I've reviewed miss this point. I want people to wear my scents. I want the fragrances to be part of their lives— to create memories where the scents play a role. Then, my next thought is: have I smelled this before? Is this unique? Is this special enough to warrant yet another fragrance out there in the marketplace? I am also a stickler for making sure the fragrances smells incredible from start to finish."

8. Can we expect any other beauty products, such as skincare and makeup, from Ellis Brooklyn in the future?

 

Right now, I think there are enough amazing skincare options out there right now. I feel like I could have a few things to say about natural or green makeup but it's not really something I'm planning on. I'm truly focused on fragrance.

 

9. How does beauty resonate with you in terms of current-politics and issues in the world? Is it an outlet of expression, a symbol for feminism, a distraction from the real world, or all of the above? 

"For me, it's all of the above. Scent, above all else, says something about you in a very subtle yet primal way. When you breathe in a scent, it goes right to your frontal lobe where your instincts are. You're going to be remembered that way. You're going to be identified by a scent. That's very powerful and exciting from an expression point of view. Because of that scent can be playful and transformative too."

 

10. What does being a powerful creative woman in the beauty industry mean to you?

 

"One of the beautiful things I've discovered since starting my life is how there are these wonderful female entrepreneurs out there who have been incredibly generous. I've gotten advice from Bobbi Brown. Laura Slatkin, founder of Nest, introduced me to Sephora. Mona Kattan, the business brains behind HudaBeauty, has shared with me countless resources and info. Jen Atkin of Ouai has connected me with her Middle East contacts when I was doing research on the region. The list of amazing women to thank goes on! That to me, is the definition of being a power woman: being secure enough about your success that you're down for lifting other women up."

11. If you had to name someone(s) as your muse for your fragrance line, who would it be and why?

"I don't have a muse. I actually would like to get away from the idea of a muse for fragrance. I feel like I see a lot of muses being created that are not at all like what real, modern women or men are like. I want each scent to stand on its own."

 

 

12. Where do you see yourself, and Ellis Brooklyn in 5 years from now?

 

"Taking over the world-- kidding! I would love to see us making an impact not only as a brand, but also in sourcing and sustainability. This is an area that green brands need to be more and more aware of. All this demand for green and natural ingredients means we have to be all the more responsible when sourcing. I would love to have a program in place that impacts environmental awareness and education in a big, important way." 

I hope you guys enjoyed this blog post, a review of all my favorite Ellis Brooklyn fragrances and candles will be up here shortly! In the meantime, shop Ellis Brooklyn on Sephora, Barneys NY, and other select stores. 

New YouTube Video: Interview with Sir John, Beyoncé's Makeup Artist

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Sir John, to chat about all things beauty, politics (gender/sexuality, feminism, etc.), and his new TV show with Adriana Lima; American Beauty Star. Sir John is a celebrity makeup artist and L'Oreal brand ambassador. Sir John is known for his iconic work and relationship with Beyoncé. We even found out an exclusive Bey story that you won't want to miss.

My Hair Product Essentials

My hair is definitely one of my most, if not my most - prominent feature. People are always asking me about my hair and what I do to it. For the longest time, I literally did nothing at all. My hair used to be suuuuppperrrr long, especially when I was a toddler. My (twin) brother and I would get mistaken for girls because of our long curly locks. Trust me, I wish I was lying. Luckily, my hair requires little maintenance, but solidifying my hair's reputation entails a couple of my favorite products. 

It all starts when you wash. Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner is essential to making your hair as visually pleasing as possible, and lets not forget about scent. If you know me, I have a tendency to be excessive, so I tend to use lumps of shampoo and conditioner. The aftermath of such excessiveness is just about everybody around you getting a whiff of your hair. My shampoo is basically my signature scent, and even in middle school my friends would actually voluntarily smell my hair (no joke as weird as it sounds). Anyways, my favorite shampoo and conditioner combo is from Moroccan Oil. Shop it by clicking here.

Recently, I have added hair oil to the repertoire of my hair routine. Hair oil gives your hair that extra conditioning that it needs. And my favorite part about hair oil is that you don't have to go through blowing and styling your hair in the morning. I, for one, suffer from tragic bedhead, so hair oil is the perfect solution. In the cover photo, I rolled out of bed that day to meet my friend for lunch and only used this lifesaving hair oil. Shop my fave hair oil from Shu Uemura here

Although, normally I always style my hair. This five minute process consists of gel, then holding in all of the product with hair spray. This gives my hair a finished slick look with an effortless shiny glow. The gel I use is from Rene Furterer and it is unisex! Shop it here. Then I finish everything with hairspray from L'Oreal - the bottle is so cool it comes in gold. And they also make travel-sized bottles too. Shop it here. 

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

New YouTube Video: 5 Petroleum Jelly Beauty Hacks

Oil Is Not Counterintuitive When It Comes To Curing Acne / Oily Prone Skin

Acne has always been a battle of mine - despite it emerging rarely but always in the same stubborn vicinity of my T-zone. Sunday Riley sent the Ultra Clarifying Face Oil to me in the mail, and it has been such a lifesaver. These past two weeks my breakouts have been worse than ever, and my normal go-to products were not getting the job done. I always moisturize and dry-out my pimples, and the conflict is usually resolved within days. However, these couple of stubborn guys sitting on my forehead have not been bulging. With so many tests in school, my skin tends to mirror that of my stress level.

I had this unopened face oil on my desk for a little while now, and I had the perfect excuse to use my new goody. So I decided to breakout my Ultra Clarifying Face Oil from Sunday Riley (and yes, pun intended). I was a little skeptical at first, although, I heard great things about this product, I thought it was counterintuitive to apply oil on an area of my skin that was already oily. After I did my research, it actually trains the skin in producing less oil, causing your skin to breakout less!

When looking for a face oil make sure it is "non-comedogenic". Don't get scared by that big word - it simply means that the product wont clog your pores. This face oil specializes in getting rid of stubborn acne and blackheads by clearing congested pores with Salicylic Acid. Use this oil regularly about three times a week and allow yourself about three drops of the oil if you are using it on your whole face. And ladies - a cool tip that Sunday mentioned on the box is that you can incorporate it into your foundation.

When you pop open the oil it has a rustic plant-like scent and a green pigmentation. The green eventually melts into your skin, so don't be frightened by the pigmented color as it first hits your skin. This is all because there are a lot of organic ingredients within this oil, including, cucumber, black cumin, pomegranate, cranberry, apricot, licorice, eggplant, basil, turmeric, and  jojoba. By the way, I love jojoba oil because it resembles the oil that our own skin produces which helps maintain clear pores as I mentioned before.

After using this product - I highly recommend it. I thought I had my acne routine down but this was a total game changer in addition the drying and moisturizing of those little pimples. It turns out adding oil to breakouts isn't counterintuitive at all nor complicated to comprehend. Shop the product by clicking here!

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

Spring Skincare Must-Haves

Hey guys! I think skincare is obviously important all year round, but as the seasons change, your skin does too. I think of Spring as the ultimate transitional period. The weather is really nice and calm, but can also fluctuate - today it was forty five degrees and on Sunday it was eighty three degrees. As a result, we have the tendency to breakout. If you were worrying about finding the perfect products, have no fear. The best SPF, moisturizer, face-mist, black-head remover, night cream, and more is included! Below I selected a bunch of different products that are great for Spring (and the Spring themed ones are my faves), that you can shop by simply clicking on the image of your selected must-have. I mean how cool are the floral printed nose strips from Bioré?!?!! 

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

My 4 Favorite Carry-On Skincare Products

Tomorrow as I am flying to LA and packing my carry-on bag, I thought it might be cool to share with you guys my four favorite essentials to bring thirty thousand feet above the ground. First of all, when taking products they need to be less than eight ounces, so mini sized products are best! An important thing to remember when flying is that your skin can get super dehydrated and dry. So my favorite moisturizer and oil is a no-brainer. This moisturizer from Anita Celia MD is my favorite because it is light and gets the job done (bonus points because it makes my skin look extremely dewy). I love the rose stem cell oil from Peter Thomas Roth because of its smell, it smells like real roses and rose flavored pastries. Its extracted from six rose stems and contains SPF! I have talked about this oil countless times on Instagram and on my latest product haul video! But, before all of this I love to do a sheet mask. Sheet masks are so portable, easy to do, and clean - doing a clay mask on a plane is not smart at all. This pearl sheet mask from Tony Moly leaves your skin with a dewy glow! After all of these products, lets face it you are probably tired and you have the time to take a nap. I recently got a silk eye mask from Slip Silk Pillowcase. I love it so much - they are chic and soft. Silk is great for your skin, it allows antioxidants and amino acids to help repair skin cells, and condition your skin to keep it tight. If I have the energy and the time I also enjoy doing eye masks, nose strips, and/or a quick face mist. When you get off your plane you will look like you just got a facial! 

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

New YouTube Video: Get Ready With Me / Saturday Morning Vlog

A lot of you guys have asked me many questions about my daily life and routines, so I took my camera around today to show you how I get ready on a typical Saturday morning.

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

Flawless Skin 101: The Product That Will Prevent Cancers and You Have It Sitting In Your Home

Hey guys! So as many of you know, I just uploaded my new YouTube video, where I did a huge skincare product haul. I briefly mentioned the importance of SPF, and I got a couple e-mails afterwards asking more in depth questions. I felt it was appropriate to make this blog post, since SPF is my number one secret to perfect skin.

Here on my blog, I am always talking about the latest skincare gadgets and coolest luxury face masks, but today I am sharing with you the most effective weapon of them all, and you all have it sitting in your closet or travel bag somewhere. It is SPF, or more commonly known as sunscreen. The power of sunscreen is often unappreciated by many. I am going to change your perception today in this blog post. 

Having said that, I have hated sunscreen for years. When I am on a vacation, my parents force me into smearing it all over my face, body, and especially my nose, to prevent sunburns and skin cancers (don't worry, sunscreen actually makes your tan last longer). Over the past six months, I reevaluated my perspective on the long term and also present effects of sunscreen. Consequently, SPF has been essential in my everyday skincare routine - even on cloudy and rainy days.

Here's why: UVB Rays from the sun are constantly damaging our skin. And with the ozone layer deteriorating, and with the lack of protection from harsh rays from the sun, our skin is mirroring that of the ozone layer. SPF is that extra layer of protection to help not only prevent skin cancers but even wrinkles, dark spots, uneven skin tone, acne, oily skin, dry skin, and more! Whether you are a teen or an adult you want to prevent all of the above. Sunscreen or products infused with SPF are your secret weapon to keeping your skin flawless.

Even my favorite moisturizers and oils have SPF in them, and that is a plus for me! When shopping for daily products, a huge factor for deciding if I am interested in them, is if there is SPF in it. The Rose Stem Cell Oil by Peter Thomas Roth (which you can shop in my previous blog post or the "Shop My Favorites" section on my homepage) has SPF in it, and I love it because of that, the heavenly smell, and many more reasons! 

Anyways, there are different amounts of SPF in different sunscreens and products. SPF15 and SPF30 are most effective, and higher SPFs don't really work that well, even though any SPF is better than none. Also, fun fact, according to humantouchofchemistery.com, "...the founder of L'Oreal Company, chemist Eugene Schueller refined the invention and the first sunscreen made its debut in 1936."

I really wish that this post gave you a different outlook on sunscreen. This the first of many steps to achieving flawless skin. And when entering the battlefield, SPF is not your enemy. 

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

New YouTube Video: Skincare Haul and Product Review

Recently, I visited Alison Brod Marketing and Communications's beauty closet, and received a ton of luxury skincare products! I selected my favorites out of the bunch that I got. Watch the video, and shop all the products in the carousel down below by clicking on the individual photo. 

SHOP MY FAVORITES

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

Microneedling Is the Skincare Gadget That Will Change Your Skin

Microneedling is the key to smoother, tighter, and more youthful skin. Recently, it has become a staple in my skincare routine. Basically, the purpose of microneedling is to produce more collagen in your skin. Microneedling is typically done at clinics or with your dermatologist but now there are at home microneedling kits! I am always in love with trying new innovative skincare techniques to spice up my daily routine. Since I have heard so many great things about the GloPro (shop it here), when I got it sent to me, I couldn't wait to try! 

When I put the derma rolling kit from GloPro on my Instagram Stories, I got many questions as to what it actually was and did. When you roll the derma roller on your face, it actually ruptures and destroys the surface layer of your skin in attempt to speed up your collagen production. Most people are scared or intimidated by the idea of putting needles on your face, but I was up for the challenge. You might be saying "Ow! That must hurt!", but on the roller, there are tiny needles pinching your skin so you barley feel it.

It has this unique feeling that you know it is working but is not painful. After your skin is used to it, it feels relaxing. I love microneedling when watching my favorite TV shows (you can read that blog post here). At first, I thought that there would be instant results but you only see a difference after a couple weeks. The instructions suggest that you use the GloPro anywhere from 2-3 days a week. Also, using it during the nighttime is most effective since collagen production is higher. It definitely helps my skin seem tighter, less bloated, reduce fine lines, and even out my complexion. 

Before jumping into using your derma roller there are a few essential steps you need to follow. 

1. Wash your face

Many people tend to skip washing their face before skin treatments, but it is so important to get rid of that excess dirt and oils on your skin. The roller needs to be effective without anything blocking the target points of your skin. Plus, you don't want to puncture any type of "muck" further into your skin.

2. Use a Serum

My kit provided a serum, but any other serum will do! When choosing a serum, make sure it has no alcohol or acids in it. Apply the serum right after you finish rolling so it sinks into your skin. 

3. Clean the Roller

You want to sanitize your roller before using it again, you never want any filth penetrating back into your skin once you use it again. My kit came with an alcohol spray bottle, but you can use just about anything to clean your roller that is safe, such as rubbing alcohol. Cleaning is so so so important, don't get lazy!

Overall, my experience with the GloPro has been amazing! I do suggest you purchase a kit for yourself. But before doing so, know what works for your skin type. If your skin is very sensitive or irritated, I think puncturing fragile areas of your skin will only provoke further irritation. As I said, see if this product is right for you! I can only provide my experiences and expertise, but you should also educate yourself more with other reliable sources such as a dermatologist or magazine article. 

Let me know what you guys think in the comment section down below! Any feedback, suggestions, tips, and more. Hope you enjoyed this post. Stay Ruff!

4 Unexpected Things You Are Doing Wrong In Your Beauty Routine

https://www.roughlyruff.com/beauty/4-things-you-are-doing-wrong