Black-Owned Beauty Brands to Support

To share my support for the Black community, I've included some of my favorite black-owned beauty brands that you'll find in my beauty closet. The next time you shop for makeup, skincare or haircare, consider all the brands that celebrate inclusivity and diversity. 

1. Pat McGrath Labs - I have always been in awe of Pat as a makeup artist and had the pleasure of first meeting her back in June 2010 for the launch of COVERGIRL for LeSportsac. I've been a fan of her cosmetics line since it launched at Sephora back in 2016. My favorite from Pat McGrath Labs are the eyeshadow palettes, which always have amazing, richly pigmented hues, from neutrals to jewel tones, and works for a wide range of skin tones. 

2. Fenty Beauty by Rihanna - I remember when Fenty Beauty had first launched at Sephora, and Rihanna herself was ringing up customers at the register. Her line was created to offer shades and colors for all different skin tones. I love the Bomb Baby Mini Lip and Face Set, which includes the travel size Lip Luminizer in Fenty Glow and Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter in the Hu$tla Baby.

3. Danessa Myricks Beauty - One of the sweetest, talented makeup artists that has also been on my radar for years, thanks to The Makeup Show. Her work is both amazing and inspiring. My favorites from her line include the Illuminating Veil and Waterproof Cushion Liner.

4. Lauren Napier Beauty - I remember how happy I was for Lauren, when she had first exhibited her line at The Makeup Show. I'm obsessed with CLEANSE facial cleansing wipes. I always have them in my cosmetic bag and take them with me when I travel. I use them not only for removing makeup but also for touching up my eye makeup, especially when my eyeliner is running. I'm almost out of wipes, so I plan on trying the LA ROSE facial cleansing wipes infused with rosewater, starfruit and cucumber extracts.

5. Briogeo - I first met Briogeo founder Nancy Twine back in 2015 at Sephora and I've been hooked on her products ever since, especially the Blossom & Bloom Ginseng + Biotin Volumizer. At the time her company was still fairly new and upcoming, so I'm so happy to see how much her company has grown. I would love to try the Scalp Revival charcoal + coconut oil micro-exfoliating shampoo next. Also, Briogeo is one of Sephora's birthday gift options for 2020 so I recommend choosing it! 

6. Yelle Skincare - I had first met Yelle-founder Yandy Smith back in December 2017 when she had walked me through her natural plant-based skincare line and The Essential 3-Piece System that was just about to launch, comprised of the Awakening Milk & Honey Cleanser, Awakening Milk & Honey Toner and Awakening Daily Moisturizer. Her skincare line was designed specifically for melanin-rich skin. My favorite if her products is the toner, made with calming aloe, rose hip oil and hyaluronic acid.

7. Nyakio - Nyakio Kamoche Grieco's line celebrates traditional clean and green ingredients from around the world. My favorite is the Maracuja & Yangu Soothing Oil. I'd like to try the Sweet Almond Cleansing Oil Balm. 

- Kim Weling

Blo Blow Dry Bar Opening in Franklin Lakes

Last month, Blo Blow Dry Bar celebrated the grand opening of their third New Jersey location, at 807 Franklin Avenue in Franklin Lakes, NJ. Blo Blow Dry Bar had recently opened up locations in West Orange and Jersey City, with an additional location in Bernardsville coming soon.

Blo Blow Dry Bar offers affordable blowouts including signature hair styles from classic to runway, priced at $45, with additional services (extensions, head massage) and treatments (UNITE deep conditioning, Color WOW Cocktail or Color WOW Dreamcoat). 

The 7 signature blow out styles include the high society bun, pillow talk messy beach waves, red carpet with smooth tresses with lots of body and gentle arcs toward the neckline, go fish fishtail braid, holly would with plenty of curl and bounce, executive sweet straight, and hunt club perfect pony.

I decided to go with holly would curls, which looked just as fabulous with second and third day hair, thanks to Lucia! The Unite haircare products that Lucia used on my hair were amazing, particularly the 7SECONDS Leave-in Detangler, BLOW&SET Lotion, TEXTURIZA Spray, and SECOND Day Finishing Cream. The Color Wow Pop & Lock High Gloss Shellac also completed my look by adding some shine to my hair. 

After your blowout, you'll want to check out the fun selfie station in their bathroom!

Blo Blow Dry Bar also offers an up do for $75, and bridal styling at $170 and blo on the go at your doorstep for $100. They also offer makeup services, including full face ($60), eyes ($35), lashes ($15) or makeup-on-the-go ($100).

- Kim Weling

Nordstrom Beauty 2018 Holiday Gifts and Exclusives

MAC Shiny Pretty Things Goody Bag, now $29.63

Every time I get a glimpse of Nordstrom Beauty's gift sets and exclusives for the holiday season, they keep getting better every time! This season, Nordstrom Beauty has your favorite beauty brands and must-haves that you'll want to check out! 

Some of the exclusive festive offerings include Charlotte Tilbury, Diptyque, La Mer, MAC, Tom Ford, Jo Malone and more. You'll find everything from luxury sets to mini stocking stuffers across cosmetics, fragrance, skincare and men's grooming. There are plenty of gifts under $50, skincare sets and treats for yourself! These limited-edition offerings will be available at Nordstrom.com and Nordstrom stores.

While shopping, Nordstrom Beauty Stylists are on hand to help customers found the perfect mkaeup, skincare and fragrance products across all brands and counters. They can help you in-store, by phone at 1.800.7BEAUTY or online.

You can try almost any beauty product in-store before you buy it and if a sample is not readily available, once can always be made for you.  Nordstrom also always has free shipping and free returns!

Fresh Sugar Wanderlust Lip Set, $53 ($85 Value)

Lip treatment set to nourish, protect and tint

Winky Lux 

Deborah Lippman, Lanolips, Smashbox, Stila

Urban Decay

Charlotte Tilbury Stars-In-Your-Eyes Palette, $75

Yves Saint Laurent Mini Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick Set, $60

Mini limited-edition lipsticks in five stunning shades

MAC Shiny Pretty Things Lip Kit

Ten little lipsticks in a shiny pretty pink metallic box

Benefit Goodie Goodie Gorgeous Set, $29

Benefit Confection Cuties Set, $19 ($36 Value)

Benefit Triple Decker Decadence Set, $39 ($89 Value)

Anastasia Sultry Eyeshadow Palette, $45 

Includes 14 shades, from golden mattes to bronzy metallics

BECCA

Luxe It Up Mini Luxe Lip Color Set, $116.25 ($243 Value)

Trish McEvoy Portable Beauty Voyager Collection, $98

Trish McEvoy The Power of Makeup Planner Collection Holiday 2018, $250 ($520 Value)

Atelier Cologne 

Versace Bright Crystal Set, $99 ($168 Value)

Clé de Peau La Crème

La Mer

Kiehl's 

Jo Malone

Acqua di Parma

Jack Black Classic Shave Set, $39

Murdock London The Cologne Collection, $54

Antica Farmacista

- Kim Weling

Highlights from Indie Beauty Expo 2018

It's amazing to see how the Indie Beauty Expo in NYC has grown! I love attending year after year because it's a great place to learn about so many new beauty brands all at once. Check out some of the new brands I met at this year's beauty expo: Proven, Zatik, TokyoMilk, Ethique, Zodica Perfumery, Ceramiracle and more. 

I was also happy to see familiar brands Lumene, ECRU New York, Immunocologie and Lifetherapy, as well as Florapy and Skin Forum, who I met previously at the Indie Beauty Expo. 

- Kim Weling