#TBT – Christopher Kane for NARS

I first want to say that I am sorry for not posting during October. The past month has been hectic with school, clubs, and internships! It is almost like I have three jobs… which is a lot on one’s plate! I thought I would start Novembers blogs by showcasing my latest makeup obsession: Christopher Kane for NARS!

Christopher Kane is a London based designer with a passion for neon-neutrals. His “It Girl” is someone who prides on a fresh face with a punch of color; hence, this limited edition NARS collection is an array of soft and bright nudes with translucent finishes. Vogue titled this collection “Modern Electric” and refers to the “neoneutral” colors as wearable. With about nine pieces in this collection, I was lucky enough to get my hands on the two eyeshadows: Parallel Universe Duo and Outer Limits.

If I could describe these three shades in one word it would be mesmerizing. Each shade is so sheer and sparkly! I use these shadows on a daily basis to create iridescent, smokey eyes, and even use them as highlighters!

Did you get anything from the Christopher Kane for NARS collection? Unfortunately, these products are no longer available.

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BYOB – Build Your Own Birchbox

I am the Birchbox subscriber that cannot get enough!! Even with boxes on the way, I always take the time to BYOB (Build Your Own Birchbox) when passing the Soho oasis. The BYOB station has changed dramatically, since you can grab your own samples without someone assisting you, plus a mens BYOB. I went all out – even surprised my boyfriend with his own box filled with shaving goodies and whiskey stones. For my box, I picked samples I have been waiting to try! Luckily, the company now lets you substitute certain categories for others (hint – skip the fragrance and go for the skin or hair care).

My personalized Birchbox wasn’t my only purchase that day… I decided to try a Korean product called Peripera Ah Much Real My Cushion Blusher in Happy Coral (for more Korean beauty, check out my Face Shop post). The sponge applicator is perfect for an on-the-go look to create glowing cheeks with a peachy finish.

Have you ever done the BYOB? What do you think of monthly subscriptions?

Korean Beauty From The FACE Shop

Korean beauty is everywhere! From Allure to Refinery 29, Asian brands are taking over the market, and the press. Shopping at The FACE Shop in the Niagara Falls Casino located in Ontario, Canada was my first taste of these renowned products – sheet masks galore, unique beauty tools, and overnight masks were just many of the cool, beauty innovations.

Stars from this haul include:

• Raspberry Roots Overnight Moisturizing Mask – a light formula with intense hydration.
• Hydro Gel Sheet Vita E – an everyday, refreshing mask!
• Smile Foot Relaxing Patch – the perfect solution for tired feet and legs after a long day walking.

Oddly, the brand does not sell its makeup online… which is definitely a bummer if a store is not located near you. I ADORE the Peach Cushion Blusher. It creates a perfect sun-kissed flush and comes with an adorable puff for application.

Have you tried any Korean beauty brands?

Era of Collabs: Rifle Paper Co. + LeSportsac

My favorite stationary company, Rifle Paper Co. partnered with one of the most recognized, international baggage companies, LeSportsac. This collaboration consists of backpacks to cosmetic bags decorated with Rifle Paper Co. illustrations. Immediately, I spotted this Beauty Cosmetics bag with a hot pink lining adorned with bobby pins, makeup brushes, hand lotions, and everything beauty! Other favorites from the collab include the Gorgeous Cosmetic Bag and the Voyager Backpack. Overall, this partnership exudes success and creativity – making me wonder what makes for an excellent business to business partnership:

• Similar Objectives – whether it is to increase sales or brand recognition, B2B partnerships need homogenous end results. These objectives should then be followed and completed with strategies and specific, measurable tactics.
• Enhancement – just as Rifle Paper Co. escalated the refinement and designs of LeSportsac, any collab should enhance business products. For instance, FACE Stockholm and Reebok partnered to redefine the Reebok Classics with trendy colors that pair with makeup to fulfill the perfect athleisure collab – comfort and confidence.
• New Audience – a collab should increase the recognition of a brand by targeting a new audience. This audience should be researched and defined prior to collab implementation. For successful result measures, an audience should be researched to determine how to best reach the target group and effectively communicate to it through specific mediums.

What do you think makes a successful B2B partnership? What role does public relations play in these partnerships?

This is the other side of the Beauty Cosmetics bag from this collaboration.

Other cosmetic bag favorites from Kate Spade – what do you use to store your makeup?

Hydro Boost Water Gel Review

This week calls for two blog posts (since I missed posting last week)! I decided to finally publish my review of the media-loved + cherished Neutrogena Hydro Boost! This water-based, oil-free moisturizer transforms dry skin into a plump, hydrated complexion. It is also non-comedogenic meaning the formula will not back-up pores and contains hyaluronic acid that repairs damaged skin cells. I was a bit hesitant to purchase a drug-store moisturizer for around $20… it was a risk (but well worth-it)!

I purchased this product in the morning before work after seeing positive reviews upon loving reviews. I was having a skin emergency: dryness, redness, and tightness. My normal moisturizer was not cutting it, I needed an extra BOOST (get it?).

When applying to my face, I immediately noticed the fresh scent and spongey-blue cream. The formula soaks into the skin well, hydrating it quickly! My skin thanked me because within an hour, the blotches dissipated and redness disappeared. I was left with a natural glow that paired well with my natural makeup!

Have you tried this product? Do you think it lives up to all of the hype?

Luxury Bath Oils From Oxford St.

LUSH Oxford St. Bath Melts Are Heaven On Earth!

Immediately upon walking in LUSH Oxford St. located on the busy streets of London, I spotted the table filled with mini-bath melts. These melts dive into the tub creating a bath of deep colors, intoxicating aromas, and layers of sparkle. Interestingly, LUSH calls these “Luxury Bath Oils” and I can see why – the oils from the melt are so strong, it soaks into your skin within seconds. I picked up 6 mini-melts for only about two pounds each (not a bad deal)!

1. Furze – the famous Gorilla perfume (Retro) in a bath oil – hints of natural and sweet aromas from this melt will cure any case of the blues! A beautiful product to look at, Furze has a green outer layer with a fuchsia flower bud to top it off without creating any mess.
2. Sun – a bath oil after the Sun perfume – the bronze (or should I say rose-gold) hue of this melt is enticing. It bleeds orange in the tub to assemble sun-like rays! The scent will remind you of summer days: going to the beach, hanging out at the lake, and soaking up the SUN!
3. Shark Infested Custard – a sweet melt that is good enough to eat! I adore the aroma of this product since it reminds me of the anticipation of getting a vanilla custard covered with rainbow sprinkles (I can picture it in my head right now) – candy vanilla layered with rich cream. Unfortunately, the melt is hideous upon melting. It just turns into a yellow blob that does not emit enough oil for a filled tub, nor has any unique characteristics.
4. I Am A Radiant Being – a pink star with a sparkly nucleus. This melt’s twin is Rose Jam since it creates a rosy bath with citrus hints. I enjoyed this product, but like Shark Infested Custard, was a bit disappointed in the overall “bath experience” – the glitter was none existent, while the product failed to melt into the warm water.
5. Razzle Dazzle  – a hot pink fireball. This melt transforms your bath – the water turns various shades of pink with a glittery sheen. Meanwhile, notes of berries, citrus, and bergamot fill the bathroom, creating an environment filled with positive energy.
6. Monsieur Gustav – a deep purple mixture of lavender and tobacco. Hands down, this was the most phenomenal Luxury Bath Oil. The smell was super relaxing, yet exotic with the generic lavender and rare tobacco. Even more impressive was the way it transformed plain bath water into a rich escape from the day – violet purple, fuchsia, and silver ribbons of oil swirl throughout the tub. Definitely recommend this product!

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Copenhagen Marathon

To my surprise, the Copenhagen Marathon was in full swing on my last day in Denmark. My mom and I saw the runners pass right next to the large canal on the edge of the city near the government buildings. This was the first ever marathon I experienced! Seeing the runners was life-changing, since I discovered how running can change not only your physical appearance, but also mental. Most runners had a huge smile plastered across their face with a support system on the side lines!! Pictured below are images we took of the lead runners, teams, and the crowds. This event was a smaller marathon – I cannot even imagine what the NYC one is like!

LUSH Oxford St. Haul

It is official! I’ve tried ALL of my Oxford St. goodies! This calls for another exclusive LUSH re-stock.

It is bittersweet to see some classic LUSH products (Grass Shower Gel, Phoenix Rising Bath Bomb, and You Snap The Whip Body Butter- full list) retiring. On the bright side, Oxford goodies will FINALLY be available in North America to replace these cult classics. Any ideas to what the new products will be??

Anyways… time to get back on track with this haul. I am surprised I did not by the entire store, especially the 200 limited edition, exclusive products (take a peak inside LUSH Oxford Street in my earlier post). Promising myself to only purchase unknown goods, I ended up with 14 products: 8 featured in this blog, and 6 more in the next!

Lord of Misrule + Wash That Man Right Out of My Hair Shower Gels

Haul overview displayed on bright, coral Knot Wrap from Oxford St.

Rub Rub Rub Body Scrub + Milky Bubble Bath

Karma Bubble Bar + Daddy-O Solid Conditioner

Intergalactic + The Experimenter Bath Bombs next to Layer Cake Soap

Shower Gel butts – notice how the European LUSH bottles are different from North America’s?

Exclusive LUSH bags featuring the famous bath bomb close ups.

• Rub Rub Rub Solid Body Scrub – A three star product! Very course, with little moisture. Check out my earlier review for details!
• Layer Cake Soap – A piece of heaven (for all fruit lovers). I am a sucker for anything fruit scented! Each layer in this soap consists of a different fruit juice, think lemon, lime, blueberry, strawberry, cranberry, and orange! Definitely a product to get, since it not only smells delicious, but also lathers well.
• Milky Bubble Bar – You cannot beat a fresh scent! Ironically, I am not a huge milk drinker, but this Bubble Bar is a favorite: fresh scent, milky bubbles, + silver glitter. What more do you need?
• Karma Bubble Bar – A famous LUSH scent in bubble form. Although, I believe LUSH has a Karma Bubble Bar now, but it is not as extravagant as this one! A mountain of Karma goodness complied of lemongrass, orange, and patchouli sounds.
• Sugar Daddy-O Solid Conditioner – As a blonde, I am a major fan of the dark violet Daddy-O shampoo that spruces up any tired locks. Thus, this product was a must! Easy application, same scent, and no package waste – a shower essential for any blonde.
• Intergalactic Bath Bomb – A fresh scent with a pop of color! I could not pass up this vibrant blue bomb with hints of neon. This Bath Bomb will create the perfect”OMG” moment for any LUSHie!!
• The Experimenter Bath Bomb -Heptagon, rainbow swirl. A bath bomb filled with color, and more color! Nothing like it currently at LUSH Cosmetics. P.S. – this was the product showcased in The Experimenter video.
• Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair Shower Gel – A strong Olive Branch! I fell in love the second I smelt this glorious, rich product. Keeping the same idea behind Olive Branch Shower Gel – this product is infused with various oils that make for a luxurious wash.
• Lord Of Misrule Shower Gel – Cult favorite scent! Like the above product, I am also in LOVE with this shower gel! I use it only for rare occasions, since I need some to partner with a Lord of Misrule Bath Bomb (when I find one)!

Day With A Dane – Helsingør, Denmark

Another travel photo story… Gosh I have been around the world this summer! My mother and I visited Denmark to see the beloved, Sisse Aagaard. I met her at FACE Stockholm when we were both interns. We became best friends in almost a day and I cherish her presence constantly in my life!

She took us to her town, Helsingør, about a 45 minute train ride north of Copenhagen to meet her family, see her home, and treat us with traditional Danish cuisine. A day of a life-time with one of the sweetest families I know! Thank you again, Aagaards!!!

There were Westies everywhere!!! This one was the cutest puppy!

Fresh Flower Market!

Castle surrounded by the moat!

Castle Entrance – cannot get more extravagant!

On the second Schnapps… a tradition to drink it with your lunch.

Practicing my Danish with Sisse!

Did you know that swans are the birds of Denmark?? Can you spot the babies?

The ice cream was incredible in Denmark! Fresh, homemade waffle cones.

Danish landscaping – quite royal if you ask me!

Now that is a bedroom!!

Clear, crisp day with beautiful friends!

The streets of a small Danish town!

The male mermaid – a platinum version of the famous mermaid in Copenhagen!

Early, cold morning in Helsingør!

Headed to lunch in Helsingør!

This beach is known as the “Hamptons” of Denmark!

Walking around the castle – we made a friend along the way, Candice!

Looking back on the Castle in the middle of the country.

Cheers!!!

Walk through the Castle gardens… Love the simple Danish landscaping!

Sisse and her Dad – a classic Danish man!

Tivoli – Walt Disney’s Inspiration

Tivoli is a magical oasis in the middle of Copenhagen, Denmark filled with themed rides, ethnic foods, concert halls, and wondrous gardens. Does any of this sound familiar? Think Disney World…! In fact, I believe Walt Disney visited Tivoli as a kid. One can imagine this is where he gained inspiration for Disney parks!

My Danish friend, Sisse, took us exploring through Tivoli one afternoon where we ate Bosnian food and relaxed on the lawns. Thinking back… I can still picture the vibrant colors and intricate decor, while imagining what it would be like as a kid to visit this park!

After this trip, I immediately searched for internships at Disney… a place where inspiration and magic thrive. From a Public Relations + Marketing perspective, research and appropriate communication are imperative to attract target audiences. A practitioner needs to understand how audiences are persuaded to visit Disney, while discovering what attractions become popular and why. I can imagine the amount of planning, organizing, and scheduling that occurs to achieve measurable and acceptable success rates. These meticulous campaigns get my PR heart racing!

Have you been to Tivoli? Do you ever inspire to work at Disney where “Dreams are Made Of”?