New YouTube Video: The Best Face-Masks To Do With Your BFF

I collaborated with my fellow blogger bestie, Katie Sands, also known as ‘Honestly Kate’, to show you guys the best masks to do with your BFF from Dr. Brandt, whether it be at a sleepover or getting ready for a night out on the town.

SHOP THE MASKS

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!

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!

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.

Yummy Açai Bowl Recipes by Talula Dempsey

If you know anything about me, açai bowls are a crucial part of my "food pyramid". For those of you who do not know what açai bowls are, or simply recognize the photogenic dish from countless trendy Instagram posts, it is a custard-like consistency with a myriad of toppings sprinkled on top! Açai is a fruit found in the Amazon, and is very high in antioxidants and fiber, which is essential to curving your metabolism and creating a healthy lifestyle. When you think about it, açai bowls are just like ice cream but only extremely good for you. The meal is perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a hearty snack! You can find these smoothie bowls at your local juice joint but I am going to show you how easy it is to make at home!

You do not need to be a talented cook by any means, although, I did get insight from a gal who spends her time cooking up a storm in the kitchen quite frequently. Talula Dempsey of Curious Cravingz, is a food blogger who is always filming how-to's, writing about the coolest places to dine on the West Coast, and also shares a mutual love for açai bowls. Dempsey spills her two styles of her açai bowl recipe, that are so easy to follow, and you will feel like a master chef in no time. The combination is so yummy and addicting! 

Here is how to make it!

Ingredients:

1 packet of Açai or Pitaya Super Food Smoothie Packet

1/2 of frozen banana

1/2 strawberries

2-4 ounces of apple juice or coconut milk

Toppings: (Optional - mix and match!)

Granola, hemp and/or flax seeds, coconut shavings, strawberries, blueberries, bananas, dragon fruit, cacao nibs

Directions:

Blend all of the ingredients listed above in a blender. Depending on your preference of consistency, start with two ounces of your selected liquid. Blend for the length that is appropriate for your desired consistency. Pour the mix into a bowl and decorate with your choice of toppings. Enjoy!

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: LA Travel Vlog: Kylie Jenner, My Uber Nightmare, Outfits, Food, and More!

Recently I was in LA, and I wanted to take you with me! I saw Tyga… and Kylie Jenner? I got left on the side of the highway by a smoking Uber driver. But aside from the craziness, I had a great time filled with food, friends, family, and shopping! Watch the vlog down below! P.S. watch my previous vlog here (My get ready with me / 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!

California It-Girl Ava Dash Weighs In On Her Favorite Go-To Pieces

Ava Dash is the ultimate cool girl - she is seventeen years old with nearly forty-thousand Instagram followers, and has recently started her modeling career. Dash is from New York City and currently lives with her famous fashion designer mom, Rachel Roy, in Los Angeles, California. If you are looking to take styling cues from anyone, Dash is definitely one to pay attention to. Ava can make any piece of clothing look cool. If I were to describe Ava's style in two words, I would say her style is girly yet edgy. 

Ava Dash's favorites are her (sheer) turtlenecks, long oversized tees, fish nets, camouflage printed bomber, and pink velvet boots (Which are over 50% off! Shop them down below) - to name a few. She mixes and matches her favorites all the time, she can make tons of outfits out of her essentials. Dash says, "They are my favorite because they can all be dressed up or down, and above all, I can be super comfy while looking sleek and modern, and look like I put effort into the outfit!" The athleisure trend has become very popular amongst fashionistas, and all in all, many feel that simple "comfy" clothing can look very chic and put-together when knowing which articles of clothing compliment each other.

If you want to know more about this way of styling you can read my other blog posts that talk about that, such as Structured and Loose Layering and Is Nerdy the New Chic? 

SHOP AVA'S FAVORITES

OUTFIT DETAILS

BOOTS - STEVE MADDEN

TURTLENECK - ARRIVE

TEE SHIRT - SAINT PABLO TOUR

FISHNETS - WOLFORD

BOMBER - VINTAGE

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!