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Beauty

Beauty

The OSEA Undaria Body Oil Smells Like A Vacation In A Bottle

6 minute read
Beauty

I Tried The $48 OSEA Mudd Cleanser That Ozzy Osbourne Made Famous In The 2000s

4 minute read

Latest in Beauty

Cover image of beauty empties
Beauty

Beauty Empties Are Showcasing Products That Are Worth It

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 5 minute read
Image of empty beauty products

Nothing is more satisfying than finally finishing your favorite facial cleanser or hitting “pan” on your holy-grail bronzing powder. #BeautyEmpties has been a long-standing trend in the beauty community with many big influencers and editors sharing their most honest reviews of their beauty products on social media. On Instagram alone, this trend has garnered almost 54,000 posts with brands like Dove showcasing different ways you can upcycle your empty beauty products.

@wrightfashions

I’m doing my beauty empties video and some of favs have been from @Clinique @Dove Beauty & Personal Care @elfcosmetics @Burberry and much more! #beautyempties #emptiesreview #emptiesskincare

♬ original sound – Leah🚀

Lately, I’ve been enjoying watching beauty empty reviews on TikTok and getting hip to new products to try. In many ways, this is the reverse engineering of receiving a review. Oftentimes creators and influencers give us first-impression reviews of a new foundation or serum. But, this doesn’t speak to the performance of a product over its lifetime. You have to be using your go-to moisturizer daily or wearing your favorite lipstick on several occasions to fully formulate your opinion on a beauty product.

This gives you time to test the formulas to see what performs best for you and figure out what you like and don’t like. This is why in many empty reviews, creators will let you know in their opinion if they would be repurchasing a product or not and why it may or may not have worked for them. As beauty consumers, this insightful information has become a huge factor in our purchase-making decision journey.

In fact, beauty empty reviews are considered “Post-Purchase Evaluations” which is the last stage of your buyer decision process but is used heavily in the second stage the “Research” stage. During this time, you can spend hours getting honest breakdowns of new beauty products you want to try right before you buy.

My Monthly Beauty Empties

Image of me holding an empty hair serum bottle and makeup remover jar.

I decided to try this trend for myself and created an empties video breaking down my favorite products for the month. I started off strong with the Clinique Moisture Surge, which has become a staple in my skincare routine. Finishing off three sample sizes of this dewy moisturizer, this gel formula is truly hydrating and glides onto the skin like butter. Coming in second is my go-to makeup remover balm the Clinique Take The Day Off. This has a creamy texture to it that transforms into an oil to remove waterproof makeup like no other. I’ll definitely be repurchasing both the balm and moisturizer from Clinique.

Skincare Goodies

Image of beauty empties.

Next, I tried the E.L.F. Holy Hydration cleansing balm and this is a great affordable option when it comes to makeup removers. I also reviewed the Elemis Pro-Collagen balm which has a more gel-like texture and didn’t love the scent of it. I would reach for the fragrance-free version but it comes at a hefty price tag of $69. Personally, I would skip the Elemis cleansing balm and get the Clinique for a fraction of the price.

I also tested a sample size of the It Cosmetics Confidence Cream and this is a thicker formula. A little bit goes a long way and it did a good job of keeping my face hydrated. I also cleaned out my Lancome Nutrix body butter and that has to be one of my all-time favorite butters. As a dry skin girly, the Lancome body butter made my skin feel soft and smooth.

Next up is a beauty fragrance I’ve gone through twice now, Burberry Her. So many people compare Burberry Her to Baccarat Rouge 300 but honestly, both perfumes differ. I love Burberry Her’s fruity, strawberry scent and hope they release a refillable component.

Dove Body Care and Clinque Go-To’s

Finally, I tried two different foaming cleansers, the first being the Clinique Acne Wash and the second was the Caudlie Vinoclean Wash. I enjoyed how gentle the clinique formula was and how it helped to clear up some of my bacne (back acne). I also like the lightweight consistency of the Caudalie cleanser and how it cleans my face without stripping essential oils.

Lastly, I tried some new Dove body washes and a hair serum. The Dove Density Boost Serum has a watery texture to it that can easily be massaged into the scalp. When it comes to Dove’s body washes in the scent blue fig & orange blossom, mango & almond butter, and shea butter & vanilla these are a must-have to add to your body care routine. The scents on the Dove washes are so delicious and a little bit of product gives you such a nice lather. I enjoy my morning showers with the Dove body washes and love how it keeps my skin hydrated.

Overall, my beauty empties haul showcased some top-notch products that I love and some that I can live without.

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Blog image of Serena and her new lip collection
Beauty

Serena Williams Showcases Her New Winning Lip Collection During The US Open

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright
Images of Wyn Beauty new lip gloss.

Serena Williams won the hearts of fans on the court and now she’s winning the hearts of beauty lovers off the court with her latest lip collection. Tennis champion and Wyn Beauty Founder, Williams debuted a new line of creamy liners called “Starting Line” and a set of hydrating shimmery glosses called “Acceptance Speech“. She celebrated the launch at the US Open, which is essentially the Superbowl for tennis players.

New Lip Collection

Image of Serena Williams having lip gloss applied.

Serena Williams launched her makeup brand Wyn Beauty into Ulta stores on April 8th, 2024 with 10 products for the face, lips, and eyes. Wyn Beauty aims to create high-performance beauty products for women with active lifestyles.

Many of the formulations feature this makeup-skincare hybrid where beneficial ingredients like shea butter and jojoba oil are infused in their lip serums and glosses. To add to the collection Serena debuted her “Starting Line” peptide-infused lip liners in 8 different shades. This creamy formula is made to be water-resistant and has a long-wear hold after application.

Peptides have become a very trendy ingredient in the skincare and beauty world because of how effective it is at retaining moisture and boosting hydration in the skin. The Wyn Beauty peptide liners can help prepare your lips for the gloss by softening and plumping the lip outline.

I like that the liners are retractable making it easy to glide onto the lips. I feel like sharpenable lipliners can get messy and fussy quickly. Plus, you have more control over how much product you need to outline your lips. From this collection, I’m gravitating toward the shade “Perform” which is a deep brown color perfect for a neutral lip. You can easily pair this with the complimentary shades from her gloss line.

Wyn Beauty Glosses & Liners

Tennis champion, Serena Williams is posing with Singer, Alicia Keys.

Alongside lip liners, Serena Williams debuted her “Acceptance Speech” shimmering glosses in 8 different shades. These glosses include an infusion of hyaluronic acid, butters, and oils that give you this soft balmy texture when applied to the lips. Hyaluronic acid has also been another well-beloved skincare and makeup ingredient seen in everything from serums to makeup primers. Plus, the oils help extend the longevity of the hydration being provided by the hyaluronic acid.

Shades and Texture

Serena Willams is having lip gloss put on.

This has a non-sticky texture and features micro-pearl technology that helps to define your lip shape. Her glosses also incorporate mica which gives it that shimmery, reflective look. You get a beautiful high shine and the big doe-foot makes it easy to apply the gloss onto the lips.

From this collection, I’m leaning towards the most versatile shade “Applause“. This is a clear gloss that can go over any lipstick color and gives an effortless “glass lip” look. Serena’s glosses are compact and easy to take on the go when you need a touch-up.

The new Wyn Beauty lip collection is great if you deal with dry or combination skin. The hydrating formulas provide moisturizing comfort that helps you achieve a soft, natural makeup look.

You can shop the collection now in Ulta stores and on wynbeauty.com

Looking to save money on your Wyn Beauty products? When you make an online purchase through Ulta Beauty using Rakuten you’ll get cash back on your order.

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Image of my beauty oil.
Beauty

I Just Launched A Beauty Oil Line With Only A $275 Investment

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 4 minute read
Image of my beauty oil.

This year, I launched a beauty oil line to help meet the needs of women who deal with dry skin. I created Wright Beauty because I felt there was a lack of representation regarding black-owned brands in the skincare space. I spent the last few years perfecting the formula and creating packaging that felt bright and interesting.

Formula and Ingredients

Image of my product with the top off.

My lightweight formula utilizes a 7 oil blend that includes Marula, Agran, Jojoba, Black Currant, Chamomille, Grapeseed, and Peppermint. Many of these ingredients give our skin important benefits. Marula oil helps to fight against environmental damage such as pollution. The chamomile helps to soothe redness and irritation. Plus, it’s great to use on acne-prone skin when inflammation occurs.

Then you have black currant which helps to soothe inflamed skin. At the same time, the jojoba works to hydrate and fight against inflammation. Jojoba oil is also hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, which means it doesn’t clog pores or trigger allergic reactions.

The Agran oil is a stand-out star ingredient because it hydrates, protects, and softens the skin. This element addresses my main concern when it comes to dry skin. Finally, you have grapeseed and peppermint oil, which helps regulate your natural oil production.

Grapeseed oil also alleviates hyperpigmentation by evening skin tone and fading scars left by acne. My Wright Beauty Oil is fast-absorbing and leaves an iridescent glow on the skin. You can apply a few drops to your hand, warm the oil up by rubbing your palms together, and lightly press the formula along your face. This can also be applied to your Décolleté (lower neckline) for a nice night out on the town or all over your body if you’re heading to the beach and want your skin glistening.

Packaging & Production

Image of the oil next to grapes.

As a commitment to brand sustainability, 85% of the packaging for my beauty oil is recyclable. I decided to go with a durable 1oz frosted glass bottle with a dropper that helps you control the amount of oil you want to apply. A little goes a long way with this oil, so a few drops will give you ample coverage. I wanted my beauty oil to have this sleek, compact look to it that makes it easy to travel with especially when you’re going to those luxurious, tropical destinations like Miami or Aruba.

My Business Journey

Image of the Wright Beauty, beauty oil.
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For my line, I invested $275 into purchasing a case of glass bottles and droppers. My shipment was sent to Long Island where I filled 10 units with my manufacturer. I created my labels using Canva and had Avery print them for me. In a week, my beauty oils were filled, labeled, and ready to be sold.

I’m so proud that I get the opportunity to work with amazing business partners and have all my products made in the USA. Over the last year, I’ve had the chance to test my oil samples and make several revisions to my idea until I felt it was right.

As an entrepreneur, I’ve had to fully bootstrap my business and learn how to create a lot from a little. I started with a simple notion of producing hydrating skincare products for women of color to finally holding those physical products in my hands. This just goes to show how powerful our ideas and minds are.

I’m stepping into a new chapter of my life where working on my business venture has brought me this renewed sense of joy and curiosity. Currently, I’m working on some crowdfunding campaigns and grant proposals to help grow and scale Wright Beauty. I can’t wait to see where my brand will go next in my business journey. You can shop the body butter and beauty oil now and tag @WrightBeauty in your review posts.

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Beauty

I Launched My Moisturizing Body Butter Line With Only $275

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 5 minute read
Image of my Wright Beauty Body Butter

As an entrepreneur, I started Wright Beauty because I wanted to see more inclusive representation in the beauty world. In 2023, I had the opportunity to write for InStyle and give my honest reviews on makeup launches. I wrote about the Makeup By Mario foundation line and Tarte’s new contour sticks. After having my work published, I started to receive several PR opportunities from companies like Maison Margiela and Prada. One day as I was working on an article, I thought to myself “If I’m so enthusiastic about writing about other companies’ products, why not create something of my own I’m excited about“.

My Business Journey & How I Created My Products

That simple notion is what birthed my beauty brand and inspired me to launch my body butter and beauty oil. I started last year by going through a 12-week entrepreneurship training course with the city of New York. During that time, I learned about foundational business principles, researched other entrepreneurs’ journeys, and worked to develop my own product. Going through that program gave me confidence and taught me how to start “messy”.

“Messy” in the sense that everything may not be super clear in the beginning. But if you keep working towards your dream little by little things will be revealed to you. So once I finished with that program, I started to double down on making my product. I was eager to take what was in my head and create something physical that I could hold.

I quickly found through word-of-mouth an amazing family-owned manufacturer in Long Island.

Over the next 6 months, I worked on sourcing packaging, getting my samples filled, and testing labels. I finally landed on this eye-catching, tangerine orange jar that reminds me of the vibrancy of my hometown of Miami. I created the labels myself using Canva and worked with Avery to help me print the labels for the body butter. My vision was to have a label that complimented my packaging, so I used a lighter orange shade and graphics depicting the ingredients. All the pieces were coming together and it was time to test the formula.

Ingredients & Self-Funding The Business

As someone dealing with dry skin, I wanted a body butter that would nourish and hydrate the skin. My formula uses raw cocoa butter and incorporates refined avocado oil. My butter is lightweight and has a soft vanilla fragrance that makes it perfect to use for your self-care days. This comes in an 8oz jar and with this being a thicker consistency a little bit goes a long way. Plus, all the packaging is recyclable and meets the sustainability commitment I set forth for my brand.

Black Beauty

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After finalizing my sample, I began to start the production process. Last year, after receiving my tax refund I set aside $550 to produce both my products. I used $275 towards producing 10 units of my creamy body butter.

Avery sent over the labels to my manufacturer and my packaging supplier mailed over the empty jars. Within a week my butters were filled, labeled, and ready to go. When it came time to pick up my first set of inventory I became overwhelmed with emotion. I spent so much time nurturing my idea and self-funding my dream, so to see it come to life was such a surreal moment.

My vision for my brand is to serve the needs of black women who struggle with dry skin. Oftentimes in the beauty industry, we’re thought of second. But this time I want black beauty to be the focus and formulate a top-notch product for us by us. Not to mention body butters have such a a deep cultural significance to the black community. Ingredients like shea and cocoa beans grow naturally in the motherland of Africa.

I’m elated to have started my business venture and have my brother be my first customer to buy my body butters and support me in the early stages. As I continue to spread more brand awareness around the launch of my products, I’ll also be working on crowdfunding and getting grants to grow my business. In such a short amount of time, I’ve accomplished so much and reached new heights I never thought was possible. You can shop my body butter line now and tag my brand @Wright Beauty when posting content.

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Image of me holding and applying the Olay Super Serum
Beauty

The New Olay Super Serum Has Upgraded My Skincare Routine

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 5 minute read
Image of me applying the Olay Super Serum.

Instead of concocting a potion of AHA’s, Vitamin B3’s, and Collagen in your bathroom, you can now use the 5-in-1 Olay Super Serum to simplify your skincare routine. This power-packed formula incorporates key ingredients like activated niacinamide, collagen peptide, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and AHA. Chalked full of benefits the Olay Super Serum helps to provide deep moisture, even skin complexion, reduce dark spots, and correct fine lines and wrinkles on the face. This clinically tested serum can be used on dry, oily, and normal skin types.

Formula and Skincare Advancements

Image of me holding the Olay Super Serum.

This super serum generated some buzz on TikTok which piqued my interest in trying it. So the team at Olay was kind enough to send over this new serum for me to try out and give my review.

As someone with dry skin that deals with hyperpigmentation, I decided to put these claims to the test. Every night for one week, I applied the Olay Super Serum to my face to see any differences in the texture of my skin. The 1.0 oz formula comes in this purple iridescent color with a subtle floral fragrance. I take the dropper and apply a small amount across my cheeks and forehead. The serum glides easily across my face and absorbs quickly into my skin. I like how a little bit goes a long way and provides ample moisture to my skin.

One of the top ingredients used in the Super Serum is the activated niacinamide. Over the last several years, this has become a top-trending key ingredient in many beauty and skincare products.

Olay scientists in the U.S. and Singapore made a technological breakthrough by formulating a low-pH activated niacinamide, unlocking the “supercharged” power of this Vitamin B3. Principal Scientist for Olay America, Dr. Rolanda Wilkerson said “Our groundbreaking discovery of low-pH niacinamide and its subsequent use in the new OLAY Super Serum formula offers users all of the benefits of niacinamide, with improved results in less time.” This advanced method helps the niacinamide to effectively penetrate and absorb into your skin so you get optimal results fast.

Top Ingredients and Color-Changing Texture

Image of me holding the Olay Super Serum.

Alongside the niacinamide, the Olay Super Serum also incorporates AHA in it which helps to exfoliate and hydrate the skin. This ingredient helps to address hyperpigmentation concerns from acne scarring and lighten dark spots. Next, you have collagen peptide which helps support skin’s natural renewal process. Then, Vitamin E helps to soothe and moisturize your skin making it feel softer and helping to defend against pollution from the environment. Finally, you have Vitamin C, and this helps to brighten and reinforce your skin’s moisture barrier. This also fights against free radicals that may leave visible damage to your face.

Applying The Serum

Image of me pulling out the Olay Super Serum.

This “Super” Serum truly condenses your skincare routine by unifying all these beneficial ingredients into one powerhouse formula.

Another unique aspect of Olay’s serum is the color-changing component. When you first apply it, the texture will look almost gel-like with this purple holographic hue. Then as you rub it in the skin the color changes from purple to clear. This signals that the formula is actively being absorbed into the skin. Products like color-changing lip oils and blushes that change colors because of your PH have become very popular in the beauty space and Olay has implemented this feature in their new serum.

The packaging also feels premium with the formula coming in this circular, iridescent glass bottle. I like how the application is precise with the white dropper giving just the right amount of product without any frills or mess. The Olay Super Serum name is etched on the front of the bottle and stands out on your vanity.

After testing out the serum for one week, I can confidently say that I’ve seen a difference in how silky smooth the texture of my skin has become. When I use it at night my face feels hydrated and moisturized, helping me to get a better night’s sleep. Plus, Olay has made this serum affordable as well, you can use manufacturer coupons from P&G on the Super Serum at retailers like Walgreens, CVS, and more. Overall, if you’re looking to take your skincare routine to the next level, the Olay Super Serum is for you.

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Beauty

This Living Proof® Set Will Detox and Repair Your Hair

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 5 minute read
Image of the Living Proof® Charcoal Shampoo

Between blow drying, flat ironing, and style manipulation, damage to our hair can be inevitable. To help combat this Living Proof® released a Clarifying Shampoo and Restore Repair Mask. I tested these products on my damaged split ends to see how they repair my hair before I get a trim.

Clarifying Shampoo

Photo: Bloomingdales

Price: $36

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I first learned about the Living Proof® Clarifying Shampoo in December of 2023 when the haircare brand did a pop-up in Wynwood for Art Basel. This shampoo serves as a detox for your hair, similar to how we detox our bodies. The formula uses activated charcoal as its main ingredient along with magnetic polymers to remove build-up and impurities. This shampoo also fights against hard water and gently cleanses hair from environmental pollution. After about two weeks of product build-up from gels and creams, I used the Living Proof® Clarifying Shampoo for the first time.

I start my wash day routine by soaking my hair in warm water. I flip the top open and squeeze the gray-colored shampoo into the palm of my hands. Then, I work the shampoo into my hair from root to tip. The formula has a refreshing, light fragrance to it that smells like citrus and green tea and incorporates notes of yuzu and grapefruit.

Since this is a bit of a thicker consistency a little goes a long way. I let the shampoo sit in my hair for about 2 minutes while I scratch my scalp with a wide-tooth comb. Then, I rinse my hair out and this is where I can tell the difference in how lightweight and clean it feels. I rub my hands against the top of my curly hair and can hear the squeak from how cleansed it is. This Living Proof® shampoo comes in two sizes one, in an 8oz and the other in a jumbo 24 oz. The formula comes in this greenish-blue, smooth cylindrical squeeze bottle with a white flip top.

Repair Damaged Hair

Image of the Living Proof® Repair Mask

After rinsing out my conditioner, I use the Living Proof® Repair Mask as a deep conditioning treatment. I apply a generous amount to the palms of my hands and rake the mask through my curls. Then, I use a wide-tooth comb to detangle my ends before parting my hair into 4 sections. I do a three-strand braid on each side and then cover my hair with a shower cap to get optimal treatment. I let that sit for about 10 minutes and then I rinse the deep conditioner out with lukewarm water.

Results From Wash Day

Photo: Bloomingdales

Price:$45

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This repair mask is great at giving you that extra boost of hydration especially if you deal with dry scalp. I also like the light fragrance used in the mask, which includes notes of orange and bergamot. The formula incorporates hemisqualane, a popular haircare ingredient that’s an alternative to harmful silicones. Hemisqualane is made by combining Brazilian sugarcane with yeast through a scientific bio-fermentation process. Then you have meadowfoam seed oil which acts as an emollient to help moisturize and condition hair. Plus, this has cupuaçu butter in it which helps to hydrate, heal, and nourish curls.

I use this all the time in my wash routine to help achieve softer, healthier hair. When it comes to my blowouts I can see the difference, my hair feels soft and easier to brush through using my Revlon One-Step Hair Dyer. I glide some of the Living Proof® Moisturizing Shine Oil through my curls and spray my hair with a heat protectant. Then, I go section by section blow drying my hair making sure my curls are fully stretched. For the next hour, I work on flat-ironing and styling my hair into a nice half-up, half-down bun look.

Overall, the new Living Proof® Clarifying Detox Shampoo and Repair Mask are science-backed haircare products that will help improve your wash days. You can also read my review of the Living Proof® Curl line and how well it holds up with natural curly 4C hair.

Looking to purchase the shampoo or repair mask? When you shop the Living Proof® website and use Rakuten you can get cash back on your online orders. When you sign up and spend $30 within the first month, you get $30 back as a bonus.

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Image of the Living Proof® curl kit.
Beauty

Is The Living Proof® Curl Kit Good For 4C Hair?

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 5 minute read
Image of the Living Proof® curl kit.

When it comes to hair care, finding the right products that work for you can feel like a trial-and-error process. You want a shampoo that gives a good lather but also makes your hair feel clean. When it comes to my haircare routine, I’m very selective about the conditioners and gels that I use on my curly 4C hair. I tested out the curl kit from Living Proof® to see how well it performs on my wash days.

Consistency and Performance

Image of the Living Proof® oil.

First, I start by drenching my hair in warm water under the showerhead. I run my fingers through my curls making sure they’re fully soaked. Then, I reach for the bright orange Living Proof® bottle of shampoo and squeeze a large quarter-sized amount into the palms of my hands. I then massage the shampoo into my hair until it builds a nice lather.

You will need to add water and more shampoo if want more of a sudsy cleanse on your hair. Then I rinse out the first shampoo and go in for a second lather. I like the thicker consistency and peachy-orange fragrance used in the shampoo. After my final rinse, my hair feels squeaky clean and now it’s time to hydrate my curls using the Living Proof® conditioner.

When it comes to my dry scalp, I use a generous amount of conditioner to moisturize my hair shafts and cuticles. I use a wide-tooth comb and go section by section adding conditioner and raking it through.

Then, I part my hair into four large sections and do a three-strand braid on each side. I grab my shower cap and let the conditioner sit for about 20 minutes. During this time, my hair is getting optimal deep conditioning treatment and hydration. After letting the conditioner sit, I rinse my braids with lukewarm water and begin detangling each section. I comb through my hair and use a towel to soak up the wetness.

Wash Routine With Living Proof®

Image of the Living Proof® shampoo and conditioner.

Now, it’s time to style with the curl definer cream and gel from the Living Proof® curl Kit. Once my hair is sectioned off I apply the curl-defining cream from root to tip. This is a thicker consistency and helps to give your hair some slip so that it’s easier to define your curl pattern. I like to apply a quarter-sized amount to my hair, comb through with a Denman brush, and define it with finger-coiling. It takes about an hour to complete this full process and then I use the defining gel on my hair.

Formula and Texture

The Living Proof® gel feels lightweight with some slip to it. I put a dime-sized amount into my hands and run it through my tight ringlets. This gel helps to keep curls in place and minimizes frizz. I scrunch up my hair a few times and then start diffusing.

I use my blow dryer with the diffuser attachment on medium heat for about 30 minutes to get my curls dry. Then I fluff up my roots with a hair pick to give my style some volume. Finally, I use the Living Proof® moisturizing shine oil as the last step in my routine. The oil has a nice fruity scent to it that smells like grapes and oranges. I squirt a small amount of oil in my hands, rub it in, and apply it to my curls. I like how the oil doesn’t weigh down my hair.

When I look in the mirror I see beautiful definition when it comes to my natural curly hair. I highly recommend using the Living Proof® curl collection if you’re a 4C hair girlie like myself.

Living Proof® uses silicone-free and sulfate-free formulas for its oil, shampoo, and conditioner. Plus, the curl line is great for wavy, curly, and textured hair types. I like how this science-backed haircare brand incorporates clean ingredients with sustainable packaging. Living Proof® also released a Detox shampoo and repair mask for those of us who want to deeply cleanse the scalp and repair damaged hair.

Looking to purchase a shampoo or conditioner from the Living Proof® curl collection? You can get cash-back on your online order when you use Rakuten. You can sign up using my Rakuten code and when you spend $30, you’ll receive $30 back as a bonus.

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Beauty

Living Proof® Debuted Their Latest Shampoo For Art Basel In Miami

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 5 minute read
Image of me smiling holding the Living Proof® Texture Spray.
Image of me holding the new Living Proof® Detox Shampoo and Repair Conditioner.

For Miami’s Art Basel week, the haircare brand Living Proof® hosted a pop-up to celebrate artists and debut one of their latest launches. Over the last few years, Art Basel has grown in popularity with many fashion brands, influencers, and celebrities flocking to Miami to see the latest work in the art world and purchase and sell exclusive pieces. Growing up in the city of palm trees and warm weather, I’ve seen how these art exhibitions have transformed the community for the better.

Living Proof Dry Volume Spray

Scientifically engineered to dial up any look, this finishing styler gives hair immediate and long-lasting volume, texture, and soft hold in just a few sprays. Instantly transforms the appearance of fine, flat, or thin hair while adding major volume, coveted texture and buildable hold with a lived-in look and feel.

Price: $36

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Living Proof® hosted their “Come Clean” event in a cute, modern space down in the heart of Wynwood. When I first walked in, I saw these huge iridescent round bubbles scattered across the room. It was so interesting to see because these circular bubbles are supposed to give off the look of sudsy bubbles you get when you mix shampoo with water. I thought that was very creative how they made these bubbles life-size. This was also the perfect setup to get those unique eye-catching photos for Instagram and Pinterest. I took some cute pictures in my Ivy Park set posing with some of their most popular products like the Living Proof® Full Dry Volume & Texture Spray.

Miami Art Basel Experience

@wrightfashions

@Living Proof, Inc. hosted one of the best immersive experiences for Art Basel week in Miami 🤩 #livingproofinc #artbaselmiami #wynwood #art #haircareproducts

♬ chris brown on a neptunes beat by RAYMOND – RAYMOND

Then I visited the “Come Clean Cafe“, where the baristas were serving up sweet treats. They were making nitrogen ice cream which was such a fun experience. You could see the pillows of gas pouring over the huge industrial-sized mixing bowls. I walked up to the front of the counter and ordered vanilla ice cream with silver and blue pearl sprinkles. It was so refreshing to eat on a warm day in Miami.

The cafe bar had strawberry sorbet, artisan charcoal popsicles, and a wide variety of toppings to choose from. Plus, it featured bottles of their latest product the Living Proof® Clarifying Detox Shampoo.

I wanted to learn more about this new shampoo and why they were launching it. So I went into the private screening room to see what the buzz was all about. Entering the room I saw a huge projection of a video being displayed. It showed the main ingredients of charcoal and magnets pulling at the water. This was to demonstrate how the magnetic polymers attract and remove product build-up.

After watching the video, I decided I wanted to get my hands on this shampoo. So I made my way over to the Living Proof® vending machine where I could win some prizes.

At the vending machine, I picked up some goodies like a sample size of the Living Proof® texture spray. It was enclosed in this plastic round ball filled with shredded white crinkle paper. Plus, I received samples of their new Clarifying Detox Shampoo, and the Restore Repair mask. After receiving my samples, I walked over to the bag station where brand ambassadors handed out cute blue plastic tote bags and hats that said: “Come Clean“. I enjoyed how Living Proof® gave out fashionable merchandise. Since the “Come Clean” event I’ve gotten several compliments on my bag.

Living Proof® New Clarifying Shampoo

Image of a framed picture showing the new Living Proof® Detox Shampoo.
Image of the Living Proof® Detox Shampoo against a charcoal prop.

Finally, I go to the last station which is the mural art wall that was painted by a local artist. He used all these gray and teal-colored spray cans to paint a more muted piece of work. I also viewed different photography shots of the Clarifying Detox Shampoo being showcased with its main ingredients. I also appreciated how Living Proof® utilized several elements of art to showcase their new product. For example, my favorite was seeing the actual shampoo perched on this glass charcoal on top of this circular round mirror and encased in this pedestal display. It felt like I was viewing something in an art museum, and saw how this product could exist in so many spaces and mediums.

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The New Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid Perfume Smells Delightful

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 8 minute read
Image of me posing in front of the Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb perfume cart.
Image of me posing holding the Ruby Orchid fragrance in front of the Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb perfume cart.

Dutch fashion designers, Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren recently released a flanker perfume for their wildly popular Flowerbomb fragrance. I was cordially invited to an exclusive launch party for their new Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid perfume and even saw Wale perform.

Ruby Orchid

Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid Eau de Parfum is a sensual floral perfume that’s inspired by the glamour of burlesque. This passionate women’s perfume blends ruby flower orchid, juicy peach and red foxy vanilla bean to create a magnetic fragrance that’s perfect for any confident woman.

Price: $180

Shop Here

Viktor and Rolf created a breathtaking photo-op experience called “Sky Bloom” at The Edge in New York City. Located at Hudson Yards in downtown Manhattan, I had the chance to take the elevator to the 100th floor where the observation deck is. The views from the top overlooking the city are like something out of a movie. Walking along the deck I can see the Hudson River, mountain views of Jersey, and all the skyscrapers covering the lowerwestside. It’s an amazing feeling to look down through the glass floor ceiling and see how high up I was from ground level.

The “Sky Bloom” Experience

Image of me smiling in front of the Viktor & Rolf flower shaped perfume bottle.

When I first stepped off the elevator into the space, I was quickly immersed in a world of flowers. All the beautiful multi-colored bouquets truly brought this experience to life. You feel like you’re in a springtime garden when you see all the pink and red roses.

I made my way over to the Flowerbomb perfume cart to smell the new Ruby Orchid fragrance. I picked up the weighty red bottle and pressed down on the atomizer. Immediately I’m greeted with notes of sweet peach for the opening scent. Then as it starts to dry down, I can smell the middle and base notes of vanilla and ruby orchid.

If you’re a fan of the original Flowerbomb then you’ll probably like Ruby Orchid. This perfume still has that sweet, floral DNA of Flowerbomb with a pinch of fruitiness from the peach notes. Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid has good projection and isn’t as strong as Flowerbomb can be at times.

This fragrance also has some longevity to it. After several hours of wearing it, I could still smell the sweet scent on my wrist, neck, and clothes. You can also get this perfume in several different sizes including a nice travel size for on-the-go events and trips. Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid also has sleek packaging with a fiery red diamond-shaped bottle and an iridescent silver cap. You get a premium feel when purchasing this perfume and it stands out beautifully on a vanity.

Ruby Orchid A New Flanker Perfume

Image of me standing in front of the Viktor & Rolf flower photo-op space.
Image of the Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid perfume prop.

Ruby Orchid is a good Springtime/Summer scent to have in your fragrance collection. You can wear this scent for nice occasions like a date night or a party. When spraying this perfume you get a sense of fun, fruity floral notes that evoke a sweet, sophisticated energy. Plus, the main note of peach elevates this fragrance to being a magnetic gourmand scent. There is also some powderiness incorporated into Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid that helps to balance out the candied aroma of the perfume.

My First Brand Event

@wrightfashions

I attended my first ever brand event with Viktor & Rolf for the launch of their Ruby Orchid perfume 🌸 Plus, I got to see the talented artist @Wale perform 🔥 #viktorandrolf #fragrance #fragrancetiktok #perfume #perfumetiktok #hudsonyards #theedge #viktorandrolfrubyorchid #prevent #womensfragrances

♬ Lotus Flower Bomb (feat. Miguel) – Wale

After visiting the Flowercart I walked over to the Viktor & Rolf photo-op station to take pictures. This space features different kinds of species of flowers in purple, pink, and red hues. In the middle of this flower oasis is a swing to sit and take photos. Plus, a triangle-shaped mirror sits below the swing to reflect the light and scenery.

This was beautifully decorated with sashes of the Viktor & Rolf name along with huge props of Ruby Orchid. The “Sky Bloom” experience was curated by NYC-based floral designer Ivie Joy Floral Arts. Once you’ve immersed yourself in this experience you feel as though you’ve walked into a fairytale flower nursery filled with sweet delicate aromas of Viktor & Rolf.

I took several Instagram-worthy photos and visited the next experience, which were life-size bottles of the Viktor & Rolf perfume. On this bright pink display are huge props of the Viktor & Rolf fragrance collection. Perfumes like Flowerbomb, Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid, and Flowerbomb Nectar are featured.

This display is also covered in flowers like peonies and roses. The feeling of picking up the perfume and holding it was such an exciting moment. So much thought and preparation went into creating such a unique experience like this one.

Taking it all in, I also realized that this was the first brand event ever that I’ve been invited to. I remember only dreaming about getting the opportunity to attend launches like this one. So being able to attend for such a huge brand like Viktor & Rolf is something I never could have imagined. I reflect on moments like these and show gratitude for how far I’ve come, and the doors I’ll continue to step into.

Fragrance Notes

Image of me smiling in front of the Viktor & Rolf stairway.
Image of me smiling and posing at the Viktor & Rolf "Sky Bloom" event.

Finally, I walked out to the observation deck where the stage was set for Wale to perform some of his popular hits. I took a few photos outside and then Wale walked down the staircase from the top and greeted us with a warm welcome. He starts out serenading us with his classic song “On Chill”. Then goes into passionately rapping one of my favorites “No Hands” and bouncing to the beat. Then he goes into doing his next song and one of his biggest hits with Miguel.

Wale Performance

Image of Wale performing Lotus Flowerbomb.

Wale’s DJ drops the beat and immediately you hear Miguel’s “Lotus Flowerbomb, Fireflies“. At that moment I knew he was going to perform his chart-topping song ” Flowerbomb” which only makes sense for the event since the Viktor & Rolf collection is named Flowerbomb.

Wale gave us a 25-minute performance with his DJ and backup singer. The whole time I’m dancing, singing my heart out, and rapping the lyrics along with him. This private concert was a top-notch experience. I enjoyed seeing him put on a great performance and interact with us.

After he finishes performing “Flowerbomb” we applaud him and the team graciously thanks Wale for the show. We take a few more photos outside on the deck and head inside to receive samples of the Ruby Orchid fragrance. I eat some light refreshments and mix and mingle with a few other influencers at the event.

Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid is a sweet flower-child perfume that can easily be added to your fragrance collection. The notes of peach, orchid, and vanilla help the scent subtly seduce the senses. For the springtime, I’ll definitely be reaching for Viktor & Rolf Ruby Orchid.

Looking for more reviews on fragrances? You can read my thoughts on the launch of the new Prada Paradoxe perfume. If you’re looking to save on your Viktor & Rolf purchase you can use my Rakuten code to get cash back on your next buy. You can add the extension to your web browser or download the app to get money back in-store.

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Beauty

The Best Makeup and Skincare Products From Clinique

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 6 minute read
Image of the Clinique Even Better Foundation.

When it comes to makeup and skincare Clinique dominates in these categories with some of their staple products like the MoistureSurge ™ moisturizer and Take The Day Off™ cleansing balm. Clinique has your back if you want to achieve healthy-looking skin and a flawless makeup look.

Clinique Foundation

Helps create a brighter skin tone. After 12 weeks of daily wear, dark spots from acne, age, and sun damage are reduced. Creamy formula hydrates and smooths, gives skin a natural finish. Stay-true pigments won’t change color on your skin. Sweat, humidity and water-resistant.

Price: $35

Shop Here

During CultureCon, I had the opportunity to get shade matched at the Clinique Activation. I tried the Clinique Even Better Foundation in the shade WN 122 Clove which is for a deep complexion that has warm-neutral undertones. This lightweight water-based formula glides right onto my skin and was pretty good with covering up my hyperpigmentation. Personally, the shades do run a bit warm and I feel there’s some more room for Clinique to re-formulate the line and bring more darker undertones for deeper complexion women like myself. This comes in 41 different shades and includes SPF 15 in it to provide sun protection. Overall, I think the foundation is just ok and I would like to re-visit this complexion product after a reformulation.

Hydrating The Skin

Image of the Clinique Moisture Surge Hydrator.

When it comes to having dry skin and combating the winter weather in New York City, I need a good moisturizer. So I reach for the Clinique MoistureSurge™ which has a gel-cream consistency that’s great at hydrating the skin. This formula includes nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, aloe, and vitamins C and E to help moisturize the face. I enjoy the lightweight texture and how quickly it absorbs into the skin. Clinique MositureSurge™ is fragrance-free and comes in many different sizes giving you several options to choose from if you want to try it out before committing to a full size.

Clinique Moisture Surge

Fight back against life’s daily dehydrations. Discover the deepest hydration with Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturizer, a fan-favorite moisturizer designed in a lightweight, oil-free formula that penetrates deep into the skin’s surface for 100 hours of stabilizing hydration.

Price: $84

Shop Here

Incorporated in the moisturizer is this Auto-Replenishing Technology Clinique created to help deliver up to 100 hours of hydration. The hyaluronic acid molecules quench the skin’s thirst while locking in moisture and the aloe water helps the skin stay hydrated by creating an internal water source. Plus, vitamin C has many benefits to it like improving the texture of skin while vitamin E serves as an antioxidant. After several days of using Clinique MoistureSurge™, I’ve noticed a difference in my skin with my face feeling hydrated for longer periods of time even in the harshest weather conditions.

Cleansing The Face From All-Day Makeup

Image of the Clinique Take The Day Off Balm.

Now, when it comes to makeup I’ll put on a full face when I go out but when I get home I just want to smear it all off and roll into the bed. For my nighttime get-unready routine, I reach for the Clinique Take The Day Off™ cleansing balm to break down my makeup products. This fragrance-free balm has such a unique texture to it. When you first scoop it with your hands it’s going to have this clumpy feel to it almost like scooping ice cream. Then, when it comes in contact with the skin it quickly breaks down to this soft, silky oil-like texture that cleanses makeup. This has a great deal of slip to it so a little goes a long way.

Take The Day Off Balm

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm Makeup Remover is a silky, lightweight makeup remover that quickly dissolves tenacious eye and face makeup, and sunscreens.

Price: $51

Shop Here

I’ve gone through two of the 0.5oz sample sizes I received and still have my 3.8oz full size to use in the future. The Clinique Take The Day Off™ cleansing balm is a great first-step product to use when removing makeup. I can feel the impurities and product being washed away when I rinse my face off from the balm. This oil-based cleanser has removed tough makeup like waterproof mascara and foundation with SPF in it. After using Take The Day Off™ I double cleanse with a water-based formula.

These are some of the staple products to reach for from Clinique. You can also read more on “Marsai Martin’s Favorite Clinique Products” and “My Clinique x CultureCon Experience“.

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Beauty

My Clinique x CultureCon Experience

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 6 minute read
Image of me posing at the Clinique counter.

Clinique gave one of the best VIP experiences and pop-ups at the CultureCon conference. I had the opportunity to get glammed by a pro-mua, test new products, and chat about the latest in the beauty industry. Plus, Marsai Martin, Clinique’s newest brand ambassador stopped by to share some of her favorite Clinique products.

Clinique Glam

Image of me smiling holding a Clinique product.

First walking in, I was greeted by two young ladies decked out in all-white Clinique gear. I was ushered into my green chair where I met my mua Jennifer, who was going to be doing my makeup for the day. She asked me about my skin type and I explained that I had very dry skin. So she pulled the Clinique Clarifying Lotion in the number 2, which purifies my face without stripping the skin barrier.

Next, she used a small amount of the Clinique Moisture Surge, to hydrate and prep my face. Then, she began to outline my lips with Quickliner in the color Plummy. Next, she used their creamy berry-colored lip gloss in the shade Velour Pop. Initially, I was a bit nervous about it because I’ve never really tried that shade on me but as she started applying it I became pleasantly surprised.

The finish on this gloss was beautiful and wasn’t super sticky.

Then, she started on my cheeks and used the viral Clinique Cheek Pop blush that was trending on TikTok. I was surprised by how lightweight the formula is. My mua Jennifer went in with a fluffy blush brush and started applying the pinky blush to the high points on my cheeks. She would start from the front tapping across my cheeks and doing sweeping motions to blend it into my skin. I get a good flush of color and this formula is easy to build up.

Charcoal Mask

Clinique 2-in-1 Scrub/ Mask

A five-minute dual-action detoxifying face mask and scrub that helps remove pollution, impurities and excess oil while refining skin’s texture.

Price: $34

Shop Here

Top Products

Image of some of Clinique's top products.

Finally, Jennifer went in with some shimmer-toned eyeshadows and gave me this gorgeous glam look. At first, I became very wide-eyed when she started reaching for the shimmers and let out a chuckle letting me know that it was ok to experiment with different looks. I don’t usually do a bold shimmer look, it’s usually more subtle, but I decided to go for it and step out of my comfort zone. She took a dense shadow brush, tapped on the shimmers, and started applying it to my hooded eyelids.

CultureCon Takeover

Image of me holding the Clinique Lotion.

Then she starts to blend out the formula using sweeping motions in the crease of the lid. I turned my head to look into the mirror and was shocked by the results. The look turned out wonderful. We also experimented with the Clinique Even Better foundation, to see some of my possible shades. Now, I have to admit finding my shade was a little tricky and we had to do some shade mixing. Next time, I’ll go into Sephora or Ulta and do another shade match myself.

After finishing with my glam, Jennifer and I chatted about how the beauty industry is changing and new trends. She tells me she’s worked as a makeup artist for Clinique stores for more than a decade. I was eager to hear her stories about how Clinique has evolved over the years and what some of her favorite products were.

After chatting, she handed me a goodie bag and smiled letting me know that I looked beautiful and would enjoy my surprise.

I was elated to see that Clinique gifted me full-sized products of the Take The Day Off cleansing balm, MoistureSurge, Clarifying Lotion, and All About Clean Clay Mask. I hugged Jennifer and asked her to take a few photos with these top beauty items. The setup of the space was breathtaking having the Clinique name etched in white on these mint green walls. This was the perfect photo-op space with all the foundations, balms, mascaras, and moisturizers being featured on these clear glass shelves, decorated with gorgeous white flowers. I can’t wait to bring all my future reviews on these beloved Clinique products.

Clarifying Lotion

Clarifying Lotion 2 For Dry Skin

A dermatologist-developed liquid exfoliating lotion clears the way for smoother, brighter skin.

Price: $34

Shop Here

The Experience

Image of the Clinique goodie bag.

After my quick photo shoot, I stopped over by the bar to grab a refreshing water with lime. The thought and time that went into creating such a top-notch experience made this activation stand out from the rest at CultureCon. I sat in the comfy lime green sofa chair and drank my water taking in everything. Clinique coming into more diverse spaces and demonstrating how their products can be incorporated into the beauty routines of black women brings me deep joy. The Clinique activation was a worthwhile experience, and I can’t wait to attend more of their next events.

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Beauty

My Thoughts On The Award-Winning Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 5 minute read
Top view image of the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.

The Armani Luminous Silk Foundation is a holy grail complexion product that should be coveted in your makeup collection. For my “Latte Makeup” look the Armani team was kind enough to send over the Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 13 for me to test.

The Hydrating Formula

Armani Beauty first debuted this foundation in 2000 and since then, it has gone on to win several beauty awards from publications like Allure. This lightweight oil-free foundation features a patented Micro-Fil technology that allows the pigment to lay flat on the skin’s surface. As someone who deals with dry skin, Luminous Silk is very hydrating and leaves my skin with a beautiful glow. A little bit goes a long way so you only need a few pumps of foundation to get medium coverage. For my Latte look, I applied shade 13 using my black Beautyblender and let it sit for a minute or two.

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

The iconic and lightweight Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Perfect Glow Flawless Oil-Free Foundation delivers flawless, medium buildable coverage and helps create a radiant, glowy finish for a natural makeup look. This foundation glides seamlessly onto the skin, leaving a finish that’s reminiscent of charmeuse silk.

Price: $69

Shop Here

This foundation truly embodies the silky soft texture that Armani excels at bringing beauty lovers. Plus, it’s great to use for a more natural makeup look. I see why so many celebrity makeup artists and pro-muas rave about Luminous Silk because this foundation photographs so well. It’s like wearing a second skin and the coverage is buildable so you can sheer it out to get light coverage or work it up to medium coverage.

The Shade Range and Packaging

Up close image of me holding the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation comes in 40 different shades and my shade 13, is considered a deep, neutral tone. The shades are divided up into 4 categories and cover several undertones. Now, when it comes to packaging, you definitely get a luxurious premium feeling foundation. The formula comes in a frosted, weighty glass bottle with the logo etched in black on the front. You get a black pump, and cap with the logo perched on the top which gives a beautiful minimalistic look. Luminous Silk is great to take on the go, and I usually pack it in my makeup case whenever I travel.

Application and Price

Image of me smiling holding the Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.

When it comes to the application of this foundation, I always start by using a moisturizing primer to prep my face. I wet my Beautyblender and go in with about 4 to 5 pumps of foundation. I then begin to push the product into my face until I achieve the coverage I desire. You can also go in with a makeup brush and blend out the formula. This foundation covers my hyperpigmentation and dark marks while also letting the radiance of my skin peek through.

@wrightfashions

The award-winning @Armani beauty Luminous Silk Foundation is one that is worth the hype!! I tried shade 13 and the shade match was spot on. This foundation feels like a second skin and looks amazing on camera. #armani #armaniluminoussilk #armaniluminoussilkfoundation #foundation #blackgirlfoundation #makeup #beautytips

♬ original sound – Leah🚀

At $69 for a bottle of foundation, this is on the higher end and would be an investment in your makeup collection. Luminous Silk is perfect to wear for nice occasions like a wedding or very formal dinner. You can also wear this foundation for photoshoots or for an evening out on the town.

If you’re looking to save some coins on Luminous Silk wait for department stores like Macy’s or Bloomingdales to host beauty sales events where they can do between 15%-20% off Armani Beauty products. You can also combine this with cash-back when you shop with Rakuten.

Rakuten is a free cash-back program that gives you a percentage of your money back when you purchase Armani Beauty products at some of your favorite retailers like Sephora, Macy’s, and Bloomingdales. You can add the web browser extension to earn money back online or download the Rakuten app to get cash back in-store.

Overall, Armani Luminous Silk is a top holy-grail foundation to be added to your lineup. The hydrating lightweight texture makes this formula stand out from the rest. This foundation is deserving of the beauty awards it’s received and more.

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Beauty

These Are The Best Clinique Products That Marsai Martin Loves

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 6 minute read
Credit: CultureCon

This year CultureCon hosted one of the best conferences for black creatives. People came out in numbers to hear panel talks from Issa Rae, Teyana Taylor, and of course Marsai Martin. Recently, Marsai Martin was named as Clinique’s newest beauty brand ambassador and supported the activation there.

CultureCon Island x Clinique Must-Have: Cleansing Balm

Image of the "Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm" at the Clinique Activation at Culture Con.

Marsai talked about her career as an actress on Blackish and her experience now being a beauty ambassador for Clinique. She spoke about how she watched her castmates like Tracey Ellis Ross get her makeup done for the hit TV sitcom series. These moments later inspired her to step into beauty and experiment with different looks and products. The moderator then asked her a question we’ve all been wanting the answer to. If you were stranded on CultureCon island for 6 months what is the one Clinique product you’re bringing with you and why?

Take The Day Off Balm

This lightweight makeup remover quickly dissolves tenacious eye and face makeup, and sunscreens. Transforms from a solid balm into a silky oil upon application. Cleans thoroughly and rinses off completely.

Price: $51

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Marsai thought about it and said, ” The Take The Day Off Balm because it cleans the face of dirt and impurities from the sand and outside elements on the island”. The balm is a lightweight creamy texture that glides onto the face smoothly. This fragrance-free formula dissolves away the toughest makeup like waterproof mascara. Take The Day Off balm is good for dry, oily, and combination skin and a little bit goes a long way. This Clinique balm comes in a 6.7 oz value size, a 3.8 oz regular size, and a 1 oz mini size.

Clinique Hi-Fi Mascara

Image of the new Clinique Hi-Fi mascara at the activation at CultureCon.

Marsai Martin also teased on her Instagram about the latest product Clinique was bringing and that’s the new Hi-Fi Mascara. This high-impact mascara is infused with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil and moringa oil. This helps to avoid flaking and makes it comfortable to apply to your lashes from root to tip.

This comes in a deep black shade and once applied with a few coats gives a very lifted and volumized look. The brush tip makes it easy to apply to the inner and outer corners of your lashes. The applicator is a nice size and helps to prevent clumping by pulling just the right amount of product out on the brush. The mascara formula is fragrance-free and smudge-proof.

The Clinique mascara has a lightweight gel texture to it and can volumize hooded eyes or almond eyes with one coat. Plus, the packaging looks and feels premium with the iridescent lime green tube having the Clinique name etched in white on the front.

When it comes to application, give it a minute or two to dry and before you know it you’ll have a set of curled luminous lashes.

Clinique Hi-Fi Mascara

Clinique’s most volumizing mascara for your loudest lash look. High Impact High-Fi Full Volume Mascara amps up lashes for 230% more volume, instantly.

Price: $27

Shop Here

Marsai’s Go-To: Clinique Moisture Surge

Image of the new Clinique MoistureSurge at the activation at CultureCon.

Now when it comes to MoistureSurge this is a Clinique classic and one of Marsai’s go-to products. She enjoys how the formula is “super lightweight and super hydrating with SPF in it”. When it comes to dryness Moisture Surge will quench your skin’s thirst. This formula includes nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and aloe that penetrate deep into the skin barrier. A small amount of this cream moisturizer can be applied to the face to provide just the right amount of hydration to the skin.

Clinique Moisture Surge

Fight back against life’s daily dehydrations. Discover the deepest hydration with Clinique’s Moisture Surge 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator Moisturizer, a fan-favorite moisturizer designed in a lightweight, oil-free formula that penetrates deep into the skin’s surface for 100 hours of stabilizing hydration.

Price: $84

Shop Here

During the summer months, Clinique Moisture Surge is good to reach for, especially on those hot days in New York City. The water-based consistency makes it easy to apply to the face and it has a nice light scent that makes you feel refreshed. The packaging is small, lightweight, and great to take on the go. You can pack Moisture Surge in your luggage or keep it handy in your purse when you need an extra boost of hydration.

CultureCon Clinique Activation

@visualsbyeze

CultureCon 2023 Day 1 with @Clinique & @Marsai. 🎥📸 #culturecon2023 #culturecon

♬ original sound – visualsbyeze
Credit: @VisualsByEze

The Clinique Activation for VIPs and regular admission was truly a top-tier experience. Marsai Martin came through the VIP activation dropping some gems on her favorite Clinique products. I had the opportunity to try some of Clinique’s most viral products like the Cheek Pop blush and the Black Honey lip balm.

My MUA Jennifer, tried a cute glam look on me adding shimmery eyeshadow and berry-red lipgloss. Plus, I was gifted a goodie bag full of full-sized products including 2 of Marsai’s favorites, Take The Day Off Balm and Moisture Surge.

Then Marsai Martin made her way over to the second Clinique activation which was a photobooth station comprised of life-sized props of Clinique classic products. She posted some of her photos on Instagram from the activation and they came out looking amazing!

The activations were super thoughtful and really amplified the Clinique voice in more diverse spaces. Overall, the experience at CultureCon was worthwhile and the gems Marsai Martin gave us on her career and her top Clinique products were priceless.

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Beauty

This $36 Armani Beauty Eye Tint Is Worth Every Penny

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 5 minute read
Image of me holding the Armani Beauty Eye Tint in shade 36M Leather.

When it comes to eyeshadow, I’ve always stuck to using powder formulas but recently I’ve been experimenting more with liquid formulas and it’s been a game-changer. For my Latte Makeup look, the Armani Beauty brand was kind enough to send over their Long-Lasting Liquid Eye Tint in the shade 36M Leather for me to test.

The Shimmer and Matte Collection

The whole focus of the “Latte Makeup Look” is to achieve a warm summer-bronzed look consisting of monochromatic earthy tones. The shade 36M Leather is a nice chocolate color that’s packed with pigment for a beautiful color payoff. These liquid eyeshadows come in shimmer, matte, and metallic versions and have some long-wearing power to them. The matte is great to use for an everyday natural makeup look and as a transition color in the crease. The shimmers are perfect for an evening out since you can achieve more of a glam look with the high-pigment sparkle.

Armani Beauty Eye Tint

Giorgio Armani Eye Tint Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeshadow is a lightweight, 16-hour wear eyeshadow for a quick, easy eye look. This Liquid eyeshadow delivers vibrant, crease-proof color available in multiple finishes. Easily layered to create different eye makeup looks including a bold smoky eye or a natural makeup look.

Price: $36

Shop Here

The metallics come in several jewel-toned colors and can be used to achieve a bold and bright makeup look. If you want to get a beautiful winter holiday look reach for shades 50S Petrol (Blue Aquamarine) or 56S Mahogany (Deep Burgundy). These eye tints come in 19 different shades and some of my favorite ones are 36M Leather, 8S Rose (Shimmer), and 2S Liquid Gold (Shimmer). Adding these different hues and shades to your makeup collection will help in achieving several different types of looks (simple and natural or bold and smoky).

Formulation

Image of the Armani Eye Tint with the applicator.

When it comes to formula Armani Beauty excels in giving you a silky soft texture. These eye tints are buildable and glide on the lids like butter. A little bit goes a long way so you only need 2-3 dabs of product to have the pigment show up. This is a water-based formula that feels lightweight and gives you up to 16 hours of long-lasting wear. It’s also crease-proof which helps to prevent cracking and the best part is you don’t need to prep the lids with primer.

Packaging

The formula is encapsulated in these trapezoid-shaped bottles with a black twist and lock cap. The Armani logo is perched on top of the cap and snaps into place when closed. When it comes to traveling the eye tints are compact and perfect to take on the go. Plus, with these liquid formulas, you don’t have to worry about fallout or carrying around large eyeshadow palettes.

Application and Performance

Image of me smiling holding the Armani Beauty Eye Tint

The Armani Beauty Eye Tints are beginner-friendly and easy to use. I took shade 36M Leather and applied 2-3 dabs of product on each of my eyelids using the applicator. Then, I take my Sephora eyeshadow brush and blend the formula out using sweeping motions. The formula gives you plenty of time to play with it before it starts to dry down, which means mistakes can easily be corrected.

@wrightfashions

I’m trying the gorgeous @Armani beauty Eye Tints and this is in the shade 36M Leather. These buildable eyeshadows are beginner-friendly and have become my go-to! #armani #armanieyetints #beauty #makeup #eyeshadow #lattemakeup

♬ original sound – Leah🚀

I have to say these eye tints live up to their claim of being long-wearing. I wore my “Latte Makeup” look for 7 plus hours and the shadow held up well. Even in NYC heat, the formula stayed right in place.

The Armani Beauty Eye Tints have some of the best performance on the market when it comes to eyeshadow. Retailing at $36 these tints will be an investment in your makeup collection. These shadows should last you a while and will elevate the look of your makeup.

Overall, I say these are definitely worth the price. From the formulation to the packaging, this gives a very premium feel. A makeup novice or a pro makeup artist can use these gorgeous eye tints.

Looking to save money on your Armani Beauty Eye Tints? When you use the free cash-back program Rakuten, you can earn money back. When you shop at stores like Sephora, Macy’s, and Bloomingdale’s you get a percentage back on online and in-store orders.

You can also read my full review of other Armani Beauty products like the award-winning Luminous Silk Foundation and the new Luminous Silk Liquid Glow Bronzing Drops.

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Beauty

I Tried The New Armani Luminous Silk Bronzing Drops and Here Are My Thoughts

by Aleah Wright
written by Aleah Wright 4 minute read read
Image of the Armani Luminous Silk Bronzing Drops.

When it comes to makeup, having a good bronzer in your lineup is essential. From powder to liquid, a pigmented bronzer will add a nice amount of warmth to your face especially if you want to re-create viral beauty trends like the “Latte Makeup” look. I created my own version of this look using several Armani Beauty products including their new bronzing drops. The team was kind enough to send me shade 110, Deep of their Armani Luminous Silk Glow Liquid Bronzing Drops to test out.

Bronzing Drops With Latte Makeup

Latte Makeup Tutorial

The liquid bronzing drops come in three different shades 90-Light, 100-Medium, and 110-Deep. I like how Armani Beauty added a shade range instead of using the universal brown, or gold tone for bronzing drops. The packaging for the Luminous Silk Glow Liquid drops feels and looks very premium. The formula is encapsulated in a beautiful, weighty frosted glass dropper with the logo etched on the front. When it comes to traveling these bronzing drops are compact and easy to take on the go.

Liquid Bronzer Application

For my “Latte” makeup look, I used a few drops of the Armani liquid bronzer on each side of my face and blended it out with a Beautyblender. This serum-like texture has some nice slip to it and with this, a little goes a long way. I like how lightweight this formula feels on the face and how easy it is to blend. Once it dries down you get a natural finish that is perfect for the no-makeup, makeup look. If you’re a makeup novice, these are great to use because of how beginner-friendly they are, if you make a mistake with these it’s quick and simple to correct. Plus, this liquid formula is buildable and layers well with other makeup.

Formulation

@wrightfashions

I’m trying out the new @Armani beauty Glow Liquid Bronzing Drops in shade 110 Deep ✨ This serum-like texture gives the perfect summer bronzed look for the latte ☕️ makeup trend! #armanibeauty #pr #gifted #bronzingdrops #armaniluminoussilkbronzer #makeup #beauty #fyp

♬ original sound – Leah🚀

The Armani Luminous Silk Bronzing Drops help to sculpt my face. You can add these drops to your moisturizer, primer, and foundation for a touch of radiance to the skin. If you want to achieve a more subtle look mix the drops in with a primer and warm it up in the hands before applying to the face. For a more bold look, I like to pair this with my Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 13.

SPF 15 is included in the formula and provides long-wearing sun protection when you’re out during the day. What’s interesting about this formula is the mixture between water and silicone. The water helps to add hydration and give it slip while the silicone helps the bronzing pigment stay in place and last throughout the day. Before applying always shake up the glass bottle to make sure the water and silicone mix well prior to application.

In the product demo, celebrity makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez shows how to do a soft sculpt using this formula. She applies a generous amount of the bronzing liquid onto her silver palette and takes a brush to sculpt under the cheekbones, chin, and nose. This “brontouring ” helps to add depth to the face.

Sustainable Packaging

For $48 you get 1 fl oz of product which is pretty standard for bronzing drops. Plus several components of the packaging are recyclable like the glass bottle and the dropper. You can bring a variety of your beauty empties to Sephora or Nordstrom to be recycled. Overall, the Armani bronzing drops are an amazing product to add to your makeup collection.

Looking to save on your Armani Beauty purchases? Get cash back when use Rakuten and shop online at Sephora and Nordstrom. This free cash back program allows you to earn a percentage back when you shop at some of your favorite stores. You can add the Rakuten extension to your web browser or download the app to earn in-store cash back.

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