Author: Yasmine Rimawi

Beauty

Cocoa Swatches: New Beauty App Shows How Makeup Looks On Deep Complexions

Post author By Yasmine Rimawi
Post date March 8, 2016

When it comes to the beauty industry, people of color are typically excluded from the cosmetic conversation. Makeup swatches on a brands advertisements are usually featured on white and paler models, making it arduous for those of darker complexions to know whether a lipstick or foundation shade would be complimentary. Let’s be honest; a red lipstick isn’t actually universal. The pigmentation of your lips, your undertones and the of shade our skin can affect the way makeup looks on each individual.

Enter Cocoa Swatches: A new beauty app that’s creating a lot of buzz for its efforts in facilitating the process of purchasing makeup for black women. Creator Ofunne Amaka, writes on her personal website, “It’s no secret that the beauty world has a problem with diversity. In addition to darker complexions being underrepresented in advertisements, they are also often ignored in product development.”

Screen Shot 2016-03-07 at 12.36.36 PM — Photo: Instagram @cocoaswatches

Amaka touches on an ongoing issue, most recently confronted by supermodel, Nykhor Paul. The Sudanese beauty wrote an unapologetic critique of the beauty and fashion industries last summer on her Instagram, where she states, “Why do I have to bring my own makeup to a professional show when all the other white girls don’t have to do anything but show up wtf.” She then goes on to list the few brands that actually have taken steps toward beauty equality, “Don’t try to make me feel bad because I am blue black, it’s 2015, go to Mac, Bobbi Brown, Makeup Forever, Iman Cosmetics, Black Opal, even Lancôme and Clinique.”

By and large, most mainstream beauty brands don’t offer a decent gradient of shades for women of color. Contrarily, white women are consistently catered to, so it shouldn’t be a rarity for a black woman to find a shade beyond ‘deep tan.’ The problematic, exclusivity of the beauty industry served as the incentive for Amaka to launch her startup, stating, “Its really infuriating when a new foundation or concealer comes out and there is only one dark shade meant to encompass all dark complexions.”

As of now, the app’s Instagram account is nearing 30k followers, rightfully gaining popularity for it’s on-point reviews and swatches. The mobile app allows users to search for a product, old or new, through the Cocoa Swatches review system. At a glance, the Instagram has all cosmetic queries covered; from foundation swatches to eyeshadow pigments and lipsticks galore. The apps features also include makeup tips from industry experts.

The greatest part? It’s free and currently available on iPhone, iPad and Android. If you’re just as frustrated by the lack of diversity offered by the industry, check out the app and follow the CS instagram to find swatches akin to your skin.

-by Yasmine Rimawi

Beauty Fashion

Best Beauty Oils To Correct Winter Damaged Skin and Hair

Post author By Yasmine Rimawi
Post date February 26, 2016

Let’s face it, the last couple months of shuffling between dry indoor heat and the cold outdoor temperatures were unforgiving to your skin, no matter how much moisturizer you’ve applied. Every single year we make false promises about a better skincare routine for the winter season, but we’re left with our feet and hands feeling like sandpaper. So, on the quest for something with a greater potency than the average lotion, we rounded up our most trusted oils for our hair and skin.

Marula: Intensive Hair Treatment & Styling Oil ($46.00)

Why we love it: Marula oil is best at coating the hair strands to protect them from environmental damage. This brand in particular has a great moisture retention and absorbs seamlessly so you’re not left with a greasy residue.

Moroccanoil Treatment Original ($44.00)

Why we love it: Holy softness! After a few uses, brittle, dry hair feels infinitely smoother and less hay-like. Plus, it smells incredible.

Now Skincare: Avocado Oil ($5.99)

Why we love it: It’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids, a great antioxidant for dry skin. And its super lightweight on the skin.

TRILOGY Rosehip Oil Antioxidant + ($36.00)

Why we love it: Aside from its skin elasticity benefits, it leaves your skin with a radiant afterglow.

DHC Olive Virgin Oil ($42.00)

Why we love it: It’s excellent for those with eczema and dry skin. Plus, it leaves your skin looking naturally luminous long after it absorbs.

Dr. Jart’s Coconut Melt ($10.00)

Why we love it: This multifaceted balm can be applied to all dry surfaces: face, lips, and cuticles! Packed with vitamin E and protein, this coconut oil is the perfect on-the-go staple.

– Yasmine Rimawi

Beauty

New Year, New Beauty: January Rolls Out The Latest and Greatest

Post author By Yasmine Rimawi
Post date January 8, 2016

It’s been a rough week as we’ve all settled back into the groove of working; the monotonous routine of commuting, dealing with rush hour to and fro, and working a 9 to 5 shift. It’s certainly a new year, but nothing feels new about it.

So, naturally, we tap into our inner escapist desires and indulge in the little things the new year has to offer. Like the return of our favorite television shows from hiatus, the anticipation of spring, a short, yet wonderful three day weekend courtesy of MLK, and of course, new beauty products. January is peak time for our favorite brands to roll out a slew of new products to welcome in the new year, and we’ve compiled the latest and greatest below:

Laura Mercier ‘Candleglow’ Soft Luminous Foundation ($48, Sephora.com)

Too Faced Love Flush Blush Wardrobe ($36, TooFaced.com)

OPI Hello Kitty Collection ($9.50 each, Ulta.com)

Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayon ($26, Sephora.com)

MAC Cosmetics VIVA GLAM Ariana Grande (Available online January 13th)

Makeup Forever Artist Palette Volume 3 ($44, MakeupForever.com)

Yes To Coconut Hydrating Creme Cleanser ($7.99, Ulta retailers)

Too Faced Mr. Right Perfect Powder Brush ($36, TooFaced.com)

Urban Decay x Gwen Stefani Blush Palette ($45, UrbanDecay.com)

Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder ($38, Sephora.com)

– Yasmine Rimawi

Beauty

Beauty Buy: Clarins’ Joli Rouge Lipsticks

Post author By Yasmine Rimawi
Post date December 18, 2015

It may as well be a sin to leave your home without your on-the-go blistex during the winter season. But what if we told you that you could ditch the glossy, transparent emollients and actually wear something that compliments your makeup while moisturizing? With Clarins’ Joli Rouge Lipstick, gone are the days of choosing lip protection over your favorite lipstick.

Joli Rouge’s formula delivers 6 hours of continuous moisture, and with 16 shades total, your lips are covered for the entire season…and the next. Since most of the shades range from bubblegum pinks, dusty roses, taupes and berry hues, you need not hunt for the perfect spring lip shades.

Our favorite color? Of course, it’s the title shade: Joli Rouge. A no-season specific classic, its the lipstick version of the ever timeless red nail lacquer.

As for the finish and payoff, both are a definitive win. The satin finish is a beautiful middle ground between matte and glossy, and it’s opacity lasts as just as long as it’s moisture.

They retail for $27 and can be found at Clarins.com or at Nordstrom and Macy’s retailers.

By: Yasmine Rimawi

Beauty News

Sarah Potempa Talks Beachwaver And Its Success At Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show

Post author By Yasmine Rimawi
Post date December 8, 2015

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 10: Hairstylist Sarah Potempa (L) and Ming Xi prepare backstage before the 2015 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show at Lexington Avenue Armory on November 10, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Victoria's Secret)

Let’s confess, the day following the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’s taping, we shamelessly indulged in every photo of the angels’ embellished lingerie, magnificent wings, and of course, this year’s 2 million dollar fantasy bra donned by American beauty, Lily Aldridge.

While the runway is where the magic ensues, (akin to every other fashion show on earth,) it’s backstage where chaos, thrill, and excitement flirt in anticipation for the runway. For this years VSFS, backstage beauty teams tapped into their arsenals to enhance the angels’ natural beauty with some intense highlights and soft pink lips. Meanwhile their hair was exchanging pleasantries with the Beachwaver.

Very few things remain status quo for the angels’ looks each year; and effortless looking beach waves is certainly one of them. So we spoke to the creator of the Beachwaver, Sarah Potempa, about her experience backstage and how it felt being the official hair sponsor for this years scintillating show.

“The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is the biggest fashion show in the world,” stated Potempa, who was present backstage, acquainting the model’s to the curling iron, “to sponsor it is the ultimate dream. It was very surreal to see The Beachwaver Co. name and tools backstage.”

Anyone whose ever laid eyes on a Victoria’s Secret catalog or watch past fashion shows, can concur with Potempa’s sentiment that being a VS angel is practically synonymous with sexy hair. Although becoming the sponsor happened by fortuity, Potempa’s incentive to create the first ever rotating curling iron was planned with stringency. She states, “After continually trying to explain the complex way of achieving beachy waves to editors, I knew there had to be an easier way. So I sat down and sketched up an idea for the first ever rotating curling iron.”

Thus the Beachwaver came to be. Watching her creation come to life, nonetheless be used on the iconic Victoria’s Secret models such as Lily Aldridge, Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, as well as big name, first-timers, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, is an experience Potempa certainly won’t forget. “It was crazy and chaotic, but the energy and environment was incredible. I was surrounded by so many talented and creative people, all who were there to do what they love.”

The best part? Potempa says was watching the angel’s individual reactions to the Beachwaver. Hands-on in a very literal sense, Potempa helped style a few of the models backstage, from Sara Sampaio, Rachel Hilbert, and Kendall Jenner, who described Potempa’s finished work as ‘making my hair look bomb.’

Potempa shared a couple tips on how to become your own angel at home and recreate the sexy waves. “I always say to split your hair in two sections; it’s easier when you think of it as the left and right side of your head, as opposed to the front and back,” she states, “To create easy beachwaves at home, make sure to leave about one inch of hair out at the ends and curl away from the face.”

Unlike most curling irons available at our favorite beauty supply stores which are clamp-less and tapered, the Beachwaver wraps the strands of hair for you, minimizing your chances of getting burned or being diagnosed with the common case of ‘tired arm’. Plus, since the Beachwaver rotates in different directions, users no longer have to twist and turn their arms in awkward positions for their desired look.

The answer to the satirical, commonly asked question,’What is Victoria’s secret?’ This year, we have an answer: The Beachwaver. The show airs tonight at 8 p.m. EST, be sure to catch lingerie’s biggest show of the year!

Photos courtesy: Dimitrios Kambouris

By: Yasmine Rimawi

Beauty Featured

Holiday Gift Guide: Beauty Edition

Post author By Yasmine Rimawi
Post date November 25, 2015

Whether you’re cultivating a list of beauty products to satiate your inner beauty junkie, or you’re just not sure what to get the cosmetic connoisseur in your life, we’ve rounded up our favorite holiday sets, some timeless stocking stuffers, and individual goodies that any glam girl will delight in.

Now this certainly may seem like a lot, but of course, we want you to have options. Regardless of what you choose to gift, each item below is a definitive win for any beauty guru!

SUPER SWEET STOCKING STUFFERS:

Smith and Cult’s Holiday Mix ($54, NeimanMarcus.com)

Red and burgundy are universally flattering colors and never limited to one season. And with NYE around the corner, the sparkly shade is a no brainer. Bonus- the packaging on these bottles are beautiful.

TOCCA’s Creme da Mano Collezioni ($32, Sephora.com)

Travel-sized and convenient enough to pop into any bag. Each is infused with oils such as avocado, coconut, and jojoba seed and are lightly scented. Great for using during the early months of the year following the holidays.

Beauty Blender – Pretty Posse Set ($45, Sephora)

An absolute no-brainer for a stocking stuffer. A flawless application of foundation hinges on the usage of a beauty blender. Get the whole kit equipped with a bedazzled stand, sponge cleanser, and the mini beauty blender for precise concealer application.

THE HOLY HOLIDAY SETS

Sephora Favorites Lashstash ($45, Sephora)

This literally needs no explanation, but I’ll do so anyway. For $45 you get to try out 8 mascaras, a fiber wand, an eyelash curler and a black eyeliner pencil. It’s an absolute steal and the perfect gift for any beauty-lover. After all, mascara is the one universal language that every girl speaks.

DevaCurl Bright Lights, Big Curl Kit ($159, DevaCurl.com)

(Perfect for all the curly cuties and if you’re new to the DevaFuser, here!)

Calling all curly cuties! As if the Deva-Fuser isn’t an amazing gift on its own- you get the shampoo and conditioner and styling cream all in one. It’s like a trip to DevaChan in your very own bathroom. (January and February are unforgiving for hair, so help out a curly sister.)

Bobbi Brown’s Holiday Travel Brush Set ($200, Bobbibrown.com)

They’re sleek and metallic AND I’m obsessed. This set of six brushes are absolutely essential on any travel. Encased is a flat shader, blending, liner, foundation, concealer and powder brushes- every part of your face is covered with quality bristles.

Oribe Gold Lust Collection ($97, Oribe.com)

Give the beauty guru in your life a shower time rendezvous with Oribe’s shampoo and conditioner. Their gold lust collection leaves hair extremely glossy, infused with maracuja, argan, and cypress. Also included is their heat styling shield to protect hair from inevitable hot tool usage. Give the gift of great hair!

EVE LOM Holiday Set: The Icons ($260, EveLom.com)

Help your beauty junkie prep for the colder winter months as the new year arrives with EVE LOM’s holiday set. Equipped with a cleanser, intense firming serum, an eye lift, and an SPF 50 moisturizer, this limited edition set is a perfect skin care gift.

philosophy ‘sweet treats’ collection ($40, QVC.com)

These scents are intoxicating. If your gift receiver wants to smell like baked holiday goods post-shower (and who doesn’t), this set the perfect gift.

Kérastase The Ultimate Elixir Holiday Set ($88.50, Kératase.com)

The cult-favorite elixir is a holiday treat on its own, but this boxed set will give you locks of gold after a week’s usage. Infused with maize, argan, camellia and pracaxi oils, these products are number one on our beauty editors list of haircare gifts.

Laura Mercier Souffle Body Creme ($60, LauraMercier.com)

Each one of these creams feels like butter on the skin and the scents are to die for. From subtle aromas of pistachio, orange, lavender and vanilla, these are essential for a night of pampering. For the homebody who loves to sit pretty, this set is a prime gift.

Tarte Greatest Glitz Collector Set & Portable Palettes ($49, Ulta.com)

A lip stain, mascara, blushes and 3 individual portable palettes give your beauty lover the gift of choice. (Tarte makes some of the most quality, pigmented eyeshadows I’ve ever used. A MUST have.) The exterior packaging is enough of a reason to buy this set!

THE INDIVIDUALS

Keith Haring Clarisonic Brushes (OMG!!!) (Clarisonic.com)

Does this one even need an introduction or explanation?! Clarisonic’s skincare system is legendary, but this collaboration gives us major emoji heart eyes. Everyone needs to get their hands on this limited-edition brush for the skincare junkie in their lives.

Urban Decay’s Naked Basics ($29, UrbanDecay.com)

Naked palettes, regardless of which you get, are always sure to please the person receiving. These everyday neutral, matte colors are perfect for any look, any time of the year.

Cartier: MUST de Cartier GOLD ($150, Macys.com)

For the beauty junkie who wants to her scent to match her luxurious, show-stopping exterior; this is your perfume.

Lorac: Love, Lust, and Lace Lipstick Collection ($39, Kohl’s Exclusive)

Mattes shades that vary in hue, from blood reds, berries, nude and pretty pinks for to compliment any makeup look or be the statement.

If you really want to spoil your loved one this holiday season, give them a day to unwind and de-stress at a spa! Haven Spa recently revamped at 250 Mercer Street and they’ve got some amazing gift cards!

Haven Spa (Session lasts approximately 6 hrs) $575

Spoil Me Rotten – (Full day of indulgence) – Which includes: 80 Minutes in Haven facial therapy, 60 minute (Swedish, Deep Tissue or Shiatsu) massage, a Haven Foot Renaissance, a Haven Hand Renaissance, and Island Wrapture body therapy. Also included is lunch and a $20 credit* towards any skincare or gift item in their boutique.

(Photos courtesy of their respective brands)

By: Yasmine Rimawi