Products I used:
1. Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion in Sienna
2. E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner in Copper
3. 12 Hour Eyeshadow Eyeshadow Pencil (For my lips) in Brown
4. Milani Lipstick
2.08.2016
Monochromatic Brown Makeup
Products I used:
1. Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion in Sienna
2. E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner in Copper
3. 12 Hour Eyeshadow Eyeshadow Pencil (For my lips) in Brown
4. Milani Lipstick
1.18.2016
7 Essentials for a Long Day!
So, I am here to say do not fret. I have managed to strip down my tag-along makeup bag to 7 essentials items.
1. Botanics Facial Oil: For everyone with dry skin, this is a life saver! It locks in moisture and is a multipurpose product. It can be applied to any dry areas of the face or body and can be used as a eyelid gloss for a great night-out makeup look.
2. Travel-size mascara: Surprisingly this can be used for brow-filler. I know, it sounds crazy but here me out. For anyone with black brows, apply the mascara lightly to the outer edges and center of the brow makes a fuller and more uniform look. It doubles as a brow filler and brow gel. Don't knock it until you try it!
3. NARS Illuminator Stick (Copacabana): There is no need to explain this product. It seriously is a holy-grail for me. Use this as a highlighter, eyeshadow, lip color, etc. It works for everyone!
4. E.L.F. Matte Lip Color
5. Black Eyeliner Pencil: This tool is perfect when the liquid wing liner has faded and you need a quick dramatic look. Apply the liner to the lid and smudge it out to create a quick smokey eye. Add a little of the Nars Illuminator to the inner corner of your eye and you are as good as gold!
6. MAC Studio Fix Powder: Because shine is live and well.
7: Blush (MAC Stubborn): Obviously this can be used just as a blush but, you can also add a bit of oil to the lid and then apply some blush for a glossy eyelid look.
Let me know if you tried any of these tricks for yourself and if they were a win or fail?
1.01.2016
10 Discoveries of 2015
2015, for me, was the year Discovery.
I discovered not only a lot about myself but a lot about beauty, tech and traveling.
Here are my top ten items of 2015:
Morphe M439: A makeup brand offers quality brushes for a low price and expansive collections, count me in! The M439 is the the brush shown above which is the Holy Grail for buffing brushes! It's soft duo-fiber bristles and sturdy constructions makes it a must-have in one's collection. Need a flawless finish? Order this brush now and you will thank me later.
E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner: This little gem has completely changed my 'smokey-eye' game for good. Instead of using this for as a simple gel liner I base my eyelid with the creamy-ness and gently smoke it out using a fluffy eyeshadow brush. Because it is a gel, it is perfect for layering other powder shadows or glitter.
L.A. Girl Matte Liquid Lip Gloss: For a mere $4 your look can go from a plain jane to vampy vampire. Who doesn't want to look like a vampire?....Anyway this liquid lip gloss is great! It is long lasting and HYPER pigmented. The selection of colors are not BGF but... what's new?
Amerzy's Matte Liquid Lipstick: So if you do not know who Amerzy is just type her name into google really quickly and drool for a little. She is a makeup goddess and just SLAYS. Later in the year she released her line of liquid lipsticks with Lipland and I must say I was not disappointed. The formula is super smooth and long lasting and the color Montenegro is just beautiful. It honestly looks great on all skin tones and I believe it is suppose to be back in stock this January!
Beauty Blenders: This product is not new to the market but I must say, I just started using them faithfully this past year. I was not a believer until my friend did my makeup while using one and the finish was completely flawless. I still love a nice buffing brush, I turn to the blender when I want a light foundation look.
Wick[ed] Candles: While visiting L.A. this past summer I picked up this wonderful, sexy, masculine, musky, woody, candle :) It may seem like I am overreacting to a seemingly simple household item but trust me, if you ever see one, smell it!
Targus Grypton Portable Tripod : After purchasing my Nikon SS9900 I realized that I was not going to VLOG unless I had a handy tool to help me hold the camera. The tripod allows me to take great footage without strain. And the flexible legs are able to grip around almost anything!
NARS Copacabana Illuminator: The Pearly, pinkish, satin finish highlighter is a multi-purpose maven. Although a bit pricey, it definitely is worth your while because a little goes a long way and there is a bunch of product in the tube! Surprisingly this is great for darker skin tones and works well throughout the whole year.
Kiehls Original Musk: I am pretty sure this a male-scent but it is AMAZING! I do not necessarily use this for my body but instead for my clothing, bedding and room scent in general. It smells like the man I would want to be in my room, if that makes sense? Hyper masculine with a wonderful after smells and once it settles it last for weeks.
Eau Thermale Avene Thermal Spring Water: Yes, to refreshed, revitalized skin. I usually use this after applying my toner, makeup or when my face/skin feels a little itchy on the train, honestly. It gives the skin a burst of hydration and vitamins and minerals that make you look refreshed.
2015 was a great year for new products and I can not wait to see what 2016 has to offer. Share some of your favorite 2015 products and let me know what you are most excited for. Any new makeup releases or collaborations I should know about?
7.10.2015
Femme Favorite: 5 Things I've Learned from Gilda Ambrosio
1. She Isn’t Afraid of a Powerful Pant:
I must say, one of the things I admire most about Gilda are her long, lean, legs; which she isn’t afraid to drape in bedazzled denim or bell bottom khakis. She takes the pant most people hate and make them great, and I love her for it.
I must say, one of the things I admire most about Gilda are her long, lean, legs; which she isn’t afraid to drape in bedazzled denim or bell bottom khakis. She takes the pant most people hate and make them great, and I love her for it.
2. Coats Always Have a Place:
10 Coats? Normal. 20 Coats? Crazy. 30 Coats? You
need therapy.
Well not according to Gilda. Her collection of oversized, weather shields makes me want winter to come early (kinda….) Being that NY becomes a frozen tundra for half of the year, a girl like me needs to be prepared. I welcome all suggestions as to how I can better incorporate a coat (or 2) into a fashionable outfit and Glida is the best guide a girl can ask for.
Well not according to Gilda. Her collection of oversized, weather shields makes me want winter to come early (kinda….) Being that NY becomes a frozen tundra for half of the year, a girl like me needs to be prepared. I welcome all suggestions as to how I can better incorporate a coat (or 2) into a fashionable outfit and Glida is the best guide a girl can ask for.
3. Layers are Perfectly Legal:
An ankle length trench, a white cable knit sweater, bomber jacket, smart pencil pants, leather loafers and a Hermes bag.
Yup! That is all in one outfit. Layering is not a crime and you should embrace your layering abilities, even if that means 2 coats in one look. NO RULES, FUCK THE SYSTEM! ;P
4. Sneakers are Smart and Always Will Be!
I’m an avid sneaker wearer and tend to feel that I can only wear them with specific looks but, Gilda came to my rescue to change all that close-minded thinking. Wear sneakers with what ever you want. If you want it to work, make it happen.
Evening Gowns, ruffles skirts, patchwork ponchos? No garment is safe from the coupling of a sneaker.
5. Have Fun with your Clothes but, Keep that Hair
SHARP!
No need to explain.
No need to explain.
In reality, Gilda’s style is not for everyone but it is definitely an inspiration. She seems to be a more sensible version of the Man Repeller but, a quirky Alelia May (who is also one of my favorite Femmes). After researching more about her and stalking her instagram a bit I found this!
 |
| Their middle parts are always on point and their sneaker closet is a sneakerhead’s wet dream. |
Gilda’s style is fun, quirky and piercing in the best way possible. She makes me want to rework those jeans in the back of my closet and figure out a way to make them work. Its seems that she could make any item stylish with the right layering equipment and perfect accessory in hand. Her style is memorable and I love her look.
7.02.2015
Down By The Sea: Fresh Scents For Summer
During summer, I try to stay away from very sweet, fruity scents and instead lean towards a clean and fresh smell. Recently I discovered the Sea Island Cotton line by Bath and Body Works and I must say, I'm in LOVE! The scent lasts all day and gives just the right amount of perfume. (Also, using the spray is a great way to freshen up linens and bedding.)
The sea salt soap by Havssalt Tval has been a staple for a while and offers a strong sea salt fragrance with a mild exfoliant. It gives a great lather and it good for sensitive skin. You may think because it has salt in it, it dries out the skin, WRONG. It leaves the skin feelings squeaky-clean and smooth as a baby's bum.
7.01.2015
Handy-Dandy Sidekick: Bradshaw Bag Want Les Essentiels de la Vie
After class, I decided to take a look into the Maison Kitsuné shop conveniently placed directly down the street from my school (go figure?). I initially went in to check out the Kilo Kish collection but instead, I got sucked into the 50% sale section!
From neoprene co-ord sets to low-top lace up sneakers, mostly everything was on sale. Of course I could not leave empty handed. I decided to pick up the Want Les Essentiels de la Vie Bradshaw bag in the color Rosewater. The color just spoke to me and the clean, sleek design was just what I needed in my wardrobe (that is what I told myself at least...)
Since the purchase, I have been putting this bad boy to work. It is the perfect purse add-on. When traveling to school it is nearly impossible to carry just one bag so the Bradshaw serves as the 'Handy-Dandy Sidekick.' It holds my metro card, keys, headphones, lip balm, phone and any other little important item I need at a moments notice. No regrets :)
12.04.2014
Concert Collection: Flatbush Zombies end 'Better Off Dead' Tour at Irving Plaza NYC
December 3rd, 2014 // The Flatbush Zombies closed out their headlining tour, Better off Dead, at Irving Plaza in NYC. With Bodega Bamz as the opening act and Peter Rosenberg on the ones & twos, the show was incapable of failing. The stage was lined with bottles of 40oz of OE and smoke machines that mixed with smoke billowing from the crowd. Flatbush Zombies are the pioneers of well calculated lucidity and drug-induced personas; they are able to control the crowd in a way I have never seen before which I assume is every artist wet dream.
Bodega brought the high energy peforming
'Navy' and P.A.P.I. accompanied by Tanboys and 8ft tall Puerto Ricans flags dancing across the stage while Peter Rosenberg chanted his appreciation for real NY hip-hop. The crowd was excessive, sweaty and under the influence of a drug cocktail. This mixed with the energy of FBZ made Irving Plaza look like a bouncy house. Juice recited his WWF-eqsque introduction and Meech did his signature backflip into the crowd.
9.25.2014
Concert Collection: Vince Staple Debuts 'Hell Can Wait' at SOB's in NYC
September 24, 2014 // Vince Staples
Long Beach breed rapper Vince Staples hit the SOB's stage last night to debut his latest project 'Hell Can Wait.' After a few complications with sample clearing the 7-song LP released on iTunes. His villainous demeanor and unvarnished lyrics fills a meaningful space between Earl Sweatshirt's uncanniness and Nas' early insight of the world surrounding him. VS spoke about his vision for 'Hell Can Wait', blessed the crowd with his verse from 'Hive' and of course performed most of the songs from 'Stolen Youth'. Sporting his collaboration T-shirt with Staple Pigeon and black jeans, Vince set the mood of 'regular guy' for the audience and put on a great show.
After the show I ran into a young man with a very interesting coat. My friend and I decided to show our admiration and compliment him on his attractive garment. The young man entertained our conversation and we continued to talk about the show, weed, music and Retchy P. We talked about Retchy P being locked up, how he served as morning inspiration and how our Instagram timeline's were just not the same without the reckless delinquent. To our surprise, this young man was the cousin of DA$H. DA$H was the opening act for Vince Staples' show and right hand to Retchy P. He preceded to introduce us to DA$H, who then introduced us to Vince Staples.
So here we were, Midday Wakers, getting an exclusive chat and smoking weed with the people we just paid to see. We congratulated Staples on his success and continued toward the train as they hopped in a all black SUV. While walking toward the train we saw of group of three men mobbing down the street. After getting a better glimpse we realized that one of those men was Virgil Abloh. We ran up to him and gave him a Midday Wakers sticker. Both Jeisen and I were speechless and decided to go home. Both left with the question 'What the Fuck is really going on?'
3.04.2014
Schoolboy Q Concert at Best Buy Theater
Performing songs from all of three projects, featured verses from scattered singles and classic hip-hop, Schoolboy Q gave a great energetic performance. In the midst of the great energy one felt a cumbersome weight come over the rapper after being told mulitple special guest who were expected to appear can no longer join him on stage. Nonetheless, his performance was gratifying and full of weed smoke just how I like it!
1.16.2014
SHAM interview
A sit-down interview reveals the faces behind the
Brooklyn-blues duo, SHAM.
See how they got started,
how NYC has influenced their music,
and who exactly is SHAM?
Check out their newest music video "Burning Streets."
A bit haunting, but all and all still a beautiful song for those in the hustle of life.
Making of Capital Steez 47 Piiirates Video
On the anniversary of Capital Steez's passing, the Pro Era family released an exclusive video to 47 Piiirates. The music video is made up of 4,000 hand-painted frames. I had an opportunity to work on the video and get a behind the scenes look. Take a look!
11.29.2013
Danny Brown Show in Williamsburg
The Missing Tooth Misfit, aka Danny Brown, preformed at Rough Trade in Williamsburg this past Tuesday. Rough Trade is a newly opened record store with a venue in the back for live performances. The store opened it's doors only a day before the show on November 25th and fits the area perfectly. With the area being infested with hipsters, I can't see why a record store like this would fail.
