Sleep? What is that? Yeah, it was pretty much non-existent while the MakeUp Show was going on. As you watched on my social media channels, the event covered 3 days of makeup education, seminars, hands-on workshops, press previews, networking and shopping til' you dropped! As an ambassador to the Makeup Show, I was able to supervisor a lot of the seminars, assist some of the greatest makeup artists in the industry - James Vincent, Danessa Myricks, Orlando Santiago, Valerie Saint Amand etc. - and of course, get some exclusive behind the scenes for you. Day 1 - Workshops & Press Preview
Day 1 took place on Saturday, April 30. Today was a day that was full of education because I was assisting James Vincent and Orlando Santiago. Afterwards, I attended the press preview and was stunned by all of the new and upcoming brands coming to the show. You can catch up on all of the details on Day 1 and the press preview here.
Day 2 - Seminar & Workshops
Day 2 took place on Sunday, May 1. Today was an insane day filled with makeup enthusiasts and make up artists that came to network, educate themselves and replenish their kits from the best in the business.
Day 3 - Seminar & Workshops (cont)
Day 3 took place on Monday, May 2. If you ever have a choice between attending the event on Sunday or Monday, please do yourself a favor and attend it on Monday. It was definitely less crowded and you will have more of an opportunity to meet and engage with senior artists. Do you know Reggie Wells? Oprah Winfrey's makeup artist? Yeah, imagine supervising an Art of Brows seminar with Eugenia Weston from Senna Cosmetics and him nonchalantly coming up to you to talk about the importance of eyebrows. It's a conversation that I will never forget and you better believe that I purchased a new eyebrow shaping kit on the spot!
I can't even begin to tell you how long my day was. I've been on my feet running around for about 14 hours and I think all I ate today were pretzels. Pretzels, Ginger Ale and Twizzlers and now that I'm finally sitting down to give you the recap of the day all I can do is sit here and smile. I wouldn't have it any other way. Today, was the start of The Makeup Show NYC 2016. If you're following me on my social media channels, then you've been able to keep up with some of the activities of the day. If not, let's jump right into this recap shall we?
I am an ambassador for The Makeup Show so today, I was assisting the amazing...no, no AMAZING James Vincent and Orlando Santiago in their workshop Backstage and Beyond: Understanding Fashion Week Makeup. It was an 8 hour seminar with both instructors that was very intimate, hands on and educational. We spoke with James about his background and experience in working Fashion Weeks across the world and he gave us the behind the scenes exclusives about what you need to become a successful fashion runway artist. Even though I am more on the editorial coverage side of Fashion Week, I was able to take a way major highlights that I am able to use in furthering my own career.
During the hands on workshop, the makeup artist were given a challenge to create the perfect bold red lip. If I had to pick one tip as my favorite tip to share with you, it would be the one product that both instructors would not stop raving about - the Make Up For Ever Aqua Seal ($21).
Aqua Seal is a liquid converter that instantly transforms your favorite makeup products into waterproof and smudge-proof formulas without changing the texture. They both literally took one drop of this product and mixed into a red lip tar from OCC and it did not budge once applied. And again, I watched as they mixed one drop into a foundation by Kevyn Aucoin and what is normally described as a "too heavy and too thick" foundation was now applying like butter. So needless to say, I will be picking this up from the MUFE booth tomorrow. If you're not going to The Makeup Show, you can order a bottle here.
Next, we have the press blogger preview where we get chance to see what's what at the show before it officially opens. James Vincent, the Director of Artistry for The Makeup Show, gave us the highlights on keynote speakers, educational seminars, the brands attending and some of the new products that are launching this weekend. Here is a sneak peek at the gift bag that I received - products from Kevyn Aucoin, Kat Von D, Smashbox, OCC, Tarte Cosmetics, Eve Pearl, Naked Cosmetics, The Body Shop, Make Up For Ever, MustaeV USA, Kett Cosmetics, Embryolisse and so much more!
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Of course, I'll dive in more over the next few days, but for now, stay tuned to all of the coverage on TMS here!
Last Thursday, you followed me to the AJ Crimson Beyond Beauty, Building Your Beauty Business Event at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Joined by special guests Dascha Polanco, Actress from the hit show Orange Is the New Black, Ricky Kenig, the founder of Ricky's NYC, Angel "Mac Daddyy" Merino, Celebrity MUA & Founder of Artist Couture, and Nykhor Paul, the Model/Activist who penned an open letter to address the fashion world's inability and ignorance in working with models who have darker complexions, Crimson led a round discussion to examine the business of building a multicultural beauty brand.
This was a great time for AJ to hold this panel because it is time to benefit from diversity and bring all of the dimensions of universal beauty to the forefront. Nielsen examined the spending power of black super consumers and reported, "As the numbers of multicultural consumers continue to grow, so too will their purchasing power. Already, U.S. multicultural buying power is growing at an exponential rate compared to the total U.S., increasing from $661 billion in 1990 to $3.4 trillion in 2014. This is more than double the growth of total U.S. buying power." In addition, a recent Euromonitor video outlined five reasons as to why multicultural beauty should be at the forefront of beauty and personal care companies:
Watch and listen below to hear insights from the panel:
[embed]https://youtu.be/MA7tW3ld7kk[/embed]
ABOUT AJ CRIMSON: A self-taught makeup artist, AJ fell in love with giving women the tools and permission to fall in love with themselves again by helping them find their true beauty both outwardly and from within. Through those experiences, AJ learned several invaluable lessons and built his brand on the concept of, “it’s not about restructuring your face, but enhancing what you already have. As an Entrepreneur, Makeup Artist and Beauty & Lifestyle Expert, and one of the most trusted names and leading authorities in the beauty industry. AJ’s established reputation as an innovative beauty solutionist has made him and his products first choice for artists and celebrities including Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas, Hilary Duff, Adrienne Bailon of The REAL, Seryah of Fox’s Empire, Christina Milian, Brandy, Raven-Symone, Estelle, Regina King, Angela Bassett, Ameriie, Letoya Luckett, Keyshia Cole, Missy Elliot and more. His products are also used on the television series American Horror Story, Empire, Scandal, Girlfriends Guide to Divorce, The View, VH1’s Hit the Floor, The Real, and the box office smash The Hunger Games and in countless runway shows. AJ’s work has been featured in fashion, beauty and music magazines worldwide including Vogue, Glamour, Marie Claire, InStyle, Harper’s Bazaar, Esquire, Essence and leading Japanese Entertainment magazines Blenda and Luire. He has also had the opportunity to work alongside some of the best in the business including Pat McGrath for Paris Fashion Week and was delighted to have a hand in creating cutting edge beauty techniques under the masterful instruction and eyes of makeup impresarios Joann Gair and Mathu Anderson.
The AJ Crimson Beauty cosmetic line, like most great inventions, was borne out of necessity. “I felt like there was an absolute need to bring products to women that actually worked and didn’t oxidize or change,” explains Crimson. “I wanted to create a product inclusive of women of all ethnicities, a product all women could find ownership in and believe in. So often, makeup has been designed with a one size fits all mentality, and with black women and women of color my cosmetic line contains shades for women of every ethnic background."
AJ Crimson...we give you a slow clap.
Normally, I try to avoid doing this when a new year rolls around but I figured this year would be the one and only exception.
For the past few years, I've been going through this transition with myself physically, emotionally, spiritually, financially (have I used every -ly word that I can to describe this change?). What I'm trying to say is that it took me a long time to find myself and basically what really made me happy as a person. Just me. Not anybody else. Not my boyfriend, not my parents, not my family, not my friends, not my boss. Just me.
While I'm sure I haven't fully figured that out 100% yet and I'm still trying to find a balance for myself in the real world, I am excited about the progress that I've made so far and everything that I have planned for myself, my career and for you all!
So with that said, here's looking at 2015!
Putting in a 50+ hour work week last week was absolutely insane and obviously very time consuming since I didn't have the chance to talk to you guys! :-(
Despite the crazy hours and the 5,000 boxes of clothes, shoes and make-up that I received last week -judgment free zone- I was still able to check on the progress of you all posting your blue #shoefie photos for breast cancer awareness! #9WFTBC and #FTBCxCCC
So far we've been able to raise over $500 for our photos uploaded on Instagram - $10 for every blue shoefie photo uploaded.
Don't forget we have until the end of the month to post pictures in our blue shoes in support of Breast Cancer.
Each photo upload equals a $10 donation toward Nine West’s $275,000 goal supporting Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, a charitable initiative of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). Plus, each photo you upload gets you an entry into my giveaway for a $25 DSW giftcard - 2 winners!
Congratulations to the grand prize winner of the Shoedazzle + Barbie giveaway - Instagram follower @Smizod! You have just won a $50 Forever21 giftcard, a $39.95 credit to Shoedazzle.com and a MAC Cosmetics Pleasurebomb lipstick. It's the perfect prize pack to style yourself as the Barbie girl!
I also decided to give away two $5 Amazon.com giftcards to followers Roxanne Oudie and Melissa Shoelover just for participating so congratulations as well ladies!
Don't forget to stay tuned to my social platforms for more updates!
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Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/candyclosets
I hope you all had a beautiful start to the new week! You might be able to feel the happiness that is seeping through my keyboard and onto your screen as you read this. Yes, happiness waves!
I had an amazing weekend and I couldn't wait to come back and share with you guys. So prepare yourself for a picture heavy post.
As a brand ambassador, I have the opportunity to work exclusively with brands on their social media and marketing teams in an effort to reinvigorate the brand and make it relevant and exciting to targeted consumers. In order to do that effectively, it is a necessity that you have a thorough knowledge and passion for the brands that you're representing. So it should come as no surprise that I represent some of the best shoe companies and shoe clubs in the world.
This weekend, JustFab held it's annual Brand Ambassador event in New York City. Ambassador's from all over the world traveled to the city that never sleeps and it was nothing short of amazing. The event started Friday night with a Meet & Greet at La Biblioteca. There were cocktails, appetizers, tons of laughs and of course great fashion shoes.
The next day, everyone met up in Soho for a fun afternoon of team building activities. The Ambassadors were given a challenge to go out in the city and style an outfit for a mystery shoe. However, the catch was that each team was only given $40 to spend to create a stylish outfit with as many pieces as possible. That may sound like a challenge to some but being in New York, my team was able to put together two outfits with tons of accessories and still have change left over!
Once the challenge was completed, we all headed over to Dashing Divas for manicures and pedicures with a catered lunch by Cosi and drinks from Skinny Girl Cocktails!
I wish you were all there to join me but I did manage to bring some goodies back for a few special readers...
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Tonight's the night! Don't forget to enter my giveaway for your chance to win a $50 giftcard to Forever21, a $39.95 credit to Shoedazzle and one Riri Hearts MAC Pleasurebomb lipstick!
These prizes were specifically chosen so you can style yourself to be a Barbie girl! So here’s how this giveaway will work…
Rules: 1. Follow me on Instagram @Candycoatedclosets [Mandatory] 2. Repost the above giveaway picture and use the hashtag #SDSocialiteCCCNYFW – [Mandatory] One entry 3. Create an outfit – [Optional] One entry – You can use Polyvore or whatever other program you like. Make sure you use the hashtag #SDSocialiteCCCNYFW so that I can see it. Of course, I’d love to see an outfit with any Shoedazzle shoes! 4. You can earn two entries once a day until the close of the contest. Meaning you can enter everyday – once by reposting the giveaway photo and again by posting your styled outfit. Again, use #SDSocialiteCCCNYFW so that I can see your entries. 5. Your profile must be set to public. I can’t stress this enough. If your profile is set to private, then I can’t see your entries and well you can’t win! 6. Open to the United States and Internationally. 7. Participants must be 18 or older. 8. If you’re entering you must have an account at Shoedazzle so that I can order your credit. If you don’t, then you can choose one item for $39.95 and I will have it shipped to you. 9. Contest ends Monday, September 15th at 7:00pm EST. At that time I will verify entries and a winner will be chosen randomly. 10. Have fun, stay stylish and remember to dream big!
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Well, this has been a very eventful week. My head is still spinning from trying to navigate my schedule around work, fashion week and all of the events, parties and deadlines that surrounds one of the biggest weeks in New York. Despite the long hours, no sleep and the humongous pile of clothes, accessories and make up scattered throughout my room, one thing remains the same... this week has been awesome and I can't wait to bring you more news on the fashion and beauty trends during Spring 2015 Fashion week!
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Happy Monday Loves! I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and are thoroughly enjoying New York Fashion Week!
This past weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the Barbie & CFDA Fashion Lounge for New York Fashion Week as an Ambassador for Shoedazzle along with a fellow Socialite Marsha from Marshbarscloset. Celebrities like Bree McLaughlin, Perez Hilton, Ruthie Davis and more stopped by the Barbie Inspired Lounge to see the ultimate glam girl herself!
The event was held to celebrate designs by Whit, Cynthia Vincent, Charlotte Ronson, Tess Giberson and Rebecca Taylor for Barbie. For two days, Fashionistas from all over traveled to the center of the meat packing district in New York City to celebrate fashion and get a glimpse into Barbie's world and inspirational style.
I'll admit it - Barbie has the closet that every fashionista dreams of, however, the one part of it that I wish we would see more of is her shoes! Maybe one day during another fashion week show...
But until then I have a surprise for you all! After attending such an inspirational show and speaking to a ton of shoe fanatics, I've decided to host a special giveaway in honor of Shoedazzle and Barbie!
I'm giving one lucky Fashionista a $50 giftcard to Forever21, a $39.95 credit to Shoedazzle and one Riri Hearts MAC Pleasurebomb lipstick! These prizes were specifically chosen so you can style yourself to be a Barbie girl! So here's how this giveaway will work...
Rules: 1. Follow me on Instagram @Candycoatedclosets [Mandatory] 2. Repost the above giveaway picture and use the hashtag #SDSocialiteCCCNYFW - [Mandatory] One entry 3. Create an outfit - [Optional] One entry - You can use Polyvore or whatever other program you like. Make sure you use the hashtag #SDSocialiteCCCNYFW so that I can see it. Of course, I'd love to see an outfit with any Shoedazzle shoes! 4. You can earn two entries once a day until the close of the contest. Meaning you can enter everyday - once by reposting the giveaway photo and again by posting your styled outfit. Again, use #SDSocialiteCCCNYFW so that I can see your entries. 5. Your profile must be set to public. I can't stress this enough. If your profile is set to private, then I can't see your entries and well you can't win! 6. Open to the United States and Internationally. 7. Participants must be 18 or older. 8. If you're entering you must have an account at Shoedazzle so that I can order your credit. If you don't, then you can choose one item for $39.95 and I will have it shipped to you. 9. Contest ends Monday, September 15th at 7:00pm EST. At that time I will verify entries and a winner will be chosen randomly. 10. Have fun, stay stylish and remember to dream big!
Connect with me:
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/candyclosets
Lately, I've been feeling a bit torn on which direction I should take when it comes to my career in publishing and media. Should I focus more on the writing and editing aspect of the industry or should I channel my efforts into the creative side of styling and photography?
"Life's full of tough choices, ain't it?" - Yes, I mock myself in Disney character voices!
Anyway, until I figure my next move out, I'm doing what any working, fashion conscious, soon-to-be 28 year old would do....spend money! :-) At least this time it's money that is being well spent on research.
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Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/candyclosets
I don’t know why but I’ve always been a last minute person and it’s beginning to drive me crazy. For example, I’ve seen Shoedazzle and Yogurtland post about their contest probably 5 times a day on every single social media channel that I follow them on but yet, I still waited for the last minute to decide to go to Yogurtland to take pictures. Now cue the dramatics…
Ever since I started working in NYC, I have been trying to get used to travelling without my own car and on public transportation. I swear it is seriously the worst having to figure out if I need to take the red line to the orange and then to the yellow and heavens forbids one of those lines are delayed or out of service for a few hours...(-_-) I can't...
Luckily, when I searched for a Yogurtland location, I saw there was one walking distance away from Penn Station.
*Please forgive the lack of quality in these pictures. I will be upgraded my phone in a few months.*
I walked into Yogurtland and decided to try the Red Velvet Cupcake Batter and French Vanilla mixed with a Cookie and Chocolate Yogurt for my photoshoot. Yum!
Once I added all of my toppers, I ran off to catch the train. It probably wasn't the brightest idea to get frozen yogurt right before a 45 minute train ride but it was probably one of the funniest moments that I've had on the LIRR in a long time. I had a ton of bags with me, my two yogurts and had my ipod blasting #Selfie by The Chainsmokers. Now just imagine me on the train ride home, head thumping to #Selfie.
"Can you guys help me pick a filter? I don't know if I should go with XX Pro or Valencia I wanna look tan What should my caption be? I want it to be clever How about "Livin' with my bitches, hash tag LIVE" I only got 10 likes in the last 5 minutes Do you think I should take it down? Let me take another selfie"
All the while I'm on the train singing and taking my Yogurtland Selfie's!
Ah, the things that I do for good content. Anyway, I finally made it back home and changed to take the pictures for the contest!
Shoes: Shoedazzle Ariana Shirt: Guess Pants: Dots Necklace: XSRE Ring: Shoedazzle Throwing Stones
Shoes: Shoedazzle Chinelle
If you have a second, please Click here to head over to Shoedazzle Facebook page to vote for me @Candycoatedclosets
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-Door knocking- Oh hello opportunity! It’s nice to meet you.
Ok I know that was kind of cheesy but that one line pretty much explains the reason for my absence. I told you all that I had to take a little break from my writing duties, reviews and posting pictures because I had to adjust to a few new things happening in my life.
Of course one can never fully adjust and I’m realizing there just isn’t enough time in the day to do everything that I need to do along with the things that I want to do (and sleep right?) but I’m figuring it all out day by day.
With all of that said, I’m slowly getting back into the swing of things, so it’s time to catch you all up on the pretty little things happening in Candy Coated Closets! Yes, my shoe pictures may have dwindled but that didn’t mean I would stop shopping! I mean, honestly!
Make sure you’re following me on Instagram @Candycoatedclosets Since I’m on the go so much now, I’ll be able to engage and interact with a lot more of you on there!
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It's times like these that I really love what I do. Thursday, May 8th, Roosevelt Field Mall hosted an event for the chicest Moms to come and celebrate Mother's Day in style. From 5pm to 8pm, you could come and celebrate that special woman in your life and treat them to a fabulous night of fashion, shopping, beauty and fun. There were tons of in-mall events and even in-store events that offered hand massages, demonstrations, facials, giveaways and styling tips so mom could have a few special hours of pampering away from the children.
If you were one of the lucky ones to make it there early, there was an opportunity to sign up for a swag bag. Of course you know I snagged one so you could check out its contents. Overall, I wasn't too thrilled with this swag bag. It was filled with coupons, flyers and other random things that seemed to be laying around the participating stores.
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