Beauty Retail: Kenig +Alcone

 

Here’s to a beautiful Friday (despite the gloomy weather)!

I got excited when I read this article on Fashionista.com about Kenig +  Alcone, a new beauty and hair store in NYC!  Yay to more beauty retail therapy 🙂

I have not been there yet, but will be checking it out very soon. The address is 538 Avenue of the Americas (6th Ave & 14th street).

The founder of the NYC beauty and costume staple, Ricky’s, has opened this ‘beauty lab’ that carries a wide variety of beauty tools, cosmetics and even hard to find hair pieces and salon products. There is an in-store salon and the website states they will be offering hair and makeup classes for all you aspiring MUAs!

There are also several “daily deals” posted on their Facebook page.

I think the concept of a one-stop beauty candy store is amazing. According to the article, they will eventually have more MUA’s available for makeup application, and they will even apply your falsies for free when you purchase eye lashes!

Has anyone checked out Kenig + Alcone? Thoughts?

 

 

Lucky FABB is here!

Okay darlings, I’m keeping this one short and sweet because I am getting ready for Lucky FABB (Fashion & Beauty Blogger) Conference!!!

Stay tuned for updates via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook:

Twitter: @iamsparkles

Instagram: @Iamsparkles

Facebook: Elizabethology

Hope to see you there ; )

Express Grand Opening Party & Jessica Sturdy from Bows & Sequins

{Yours truly with Jessica Sturdy, style blogger of Bows & Sequins…we match!}

I had the honor of meeting Jessica Sturdy, style blogger behind Bows & Sequins last Thursday at the Desk-to-Dinner shopping event with InStyle Magazine  and Grand Opening Party for Express at Madison and 51st in NYC.

Jessica was so sweet and we talked about how she started her blog and some of the exciting projects she is working on. I asked her some style advice questions and I wish I could take her shopping with me because this lady has an amazing eye for style.

The theme of the event was Desk to Dinner. How to take your professional work attire and transition this into night life. Think about the blouse/pencil skirt combo and adding a leather jacket and a long chain or trading in your denim for leather pants.

The newly renovated Express had a club-vibe and there were hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, mini makeovers and of course special discounts for purchases made during the event. I wore a fancy Express top (black and gold lame) with a black blazer, skinny dark denim and leopard flats. After all, I took the whole desk-to-dinner theme literally by adding the blazer and walking from work to the event. I wore my Bows & Sequins inspired necklace my sister gave to me (from JewelMint) in honor of the hostess.

{Display styled by Jessica}

{A few items I picked up from the event: Diamonds & Camo}

{My Bows & Sequins inspired necklace from JewelMint}

Upon entering the store I took the atmosphere in and immediately recognized Jessica. I introduced myself and we got to talking. She recognized my top because she also owns one and she got the reference from my necklace right away : ) Jessica took me around parts of the store explaining the outfit she wore and some of the displays she styled for the night. Not only was I a bit star-struck to ask this style guru my questions, but I was ecstatic that Jessica was so open about her blogging, career and encouragement to me and my dreams.

I’d love to share some of the highlights from my convo with Jessica:

Highlights:

Dressing to Impress:

Jessica will also be attending this year’s Lucky FABB in NYC! She went last year and said the speakers were amazing and the networking you get to do is priceless. She said the energy was high and the gift bags were fabulous. She was excited when I told her I was going for the first time and I asked her what a beauty or fashion blogger should wear to an event like this.

Jessica’s advice: Wear something that is honest to who you are and comfortable–both in fit and style. This is the event where you can wear anything that expresses your style, but you don’t need to feel like you have to wear something wild to stand out. Her lesson for me was that she wore pants to last year’s conference that weren’t tailored and she did not feel 100% comfortable in them and it can show in your body language and pictures. At a conference like Lucky FABB, you can’t afford to be uncomfortable in your ensemble–you have to focus on feeling fabulous and enjoying the moment (and taking the most Instagram-worthy selfies ever).

Fall Trend Alert:

I asked Jessica if there was one thing we should pay attention to this Fall, be it a print, color combo or cut. Jessica took me over to one of the displays she styled for Express and explained that she is currently feeling Camo (yes, it’s back!) to mix with more refined pieces (i.e. camo shirt with blazer and skirt for work). She also loves the incorporation of leather details like piping on skirts and of course the slew of moto-style jackets that are in practically every collection–classic and adaptable bad-ass chic style. For colors indulge in black and white; gold and black.

Expressing Your Style:

If you have checked out Bows & Sequins (do so right now if you haven’t) you know that Jessica displays her outfits of the day (OOTD) with candid with the city as her backdrop. I asked her how she felt about taking these pictures out in the open where passers by are sure to gawk out of curiosity. Jessica agreed that especially when she started blogging in Chicago, that the idea was a little frightening to her and that she had to be creative in how she got the pictures taken (now she has the assistance from friends and photogs, but before that she had to rely on self timers and quick poses!). Her confidence comes from loving what she wears and having fun with expressing her style choices.

Now she is more comforatble about the street style pics, even if a small crowd forms near her shoot. After all, that’s New York for you. The sidewalks are our catwalks and we are all models and photographers.

Passion Advice:

I am so grateful to Jessica for giving me her honest advice about how I can manage a not-so-dream job and the pursuit of the ideal career path while juggling a blog and passion that requires whatever remaining time and energy you have. Basically, you have to stick to your guns, take advantage of every opportunity you have and surround yourself with the right energy to keep you grounded and humble.

For all my fellow bloggers, whether this is your “hobby” or your career, you have to put in the hard work and allow yourself to thoroughly enjoy the fruits of your labor. And for those of you who feel like you’re not that important or not that big of a deal: Jessica has come a long way from sharing outfit pictures to hosting events and being an ambassador for brands. She didn’t get there overnight and she still has those pinch-me moments where she can’t believe the opportunities that have blossomed from her blog. But most importantly, she does not take it for granted and she appreciates her supporters.

Bottom line: If you have subscribers, fans or followers you have source of support and admiration from people who celebrate you and look forward to what you have to share. So keep on sharing, creating, writing and designing. There are millions of creative people in the blogosphere and the more variety we have the more we have to celebrate.

For more pictures from the event, search for #EXPStyle!

Hester Street Fair + Michelle Phan & Em Cosmetics

Her vision is limitless. She shines so bright that she lights up the dream in my heart, and I know she does the same for everyone she reaches.

Today was a fulfilling day because I got to check out some spectacular treasures at the Hester Street Fair in NYC (LES) and above all, I got to meet my inspiration, Michelle Phan!

If you have ever been on the Internet, you have probably seen something about Michelle and her work.  Michelle has evolved into a superstar in the beauty industry and has pioneered in the world of DIY and social media success.

In a nutshell, Michelle has worked her heart out and it is safe to say she has “made it.” I have susbcribed to Michelle’s YouTube channel Michelle Phan since 2006 and she has been a source of inspiration to me ever since.

To name a few of her accomplishments:

A photo from Michelle’s feature in October’s Glamour Magazine:

Michelle recently launched Em Cosmetics,  her very own cosmetics line in collaboration with L’Oréal cosmetics:

And of course, she also spearheaded the YouTube beauty guru-inspired subscription service called Ipsy:

These are just a few reasons why Michelle Phan is someone to admire.

Her vision is limitless. She shines so bright that she lights up the dream in my heart, and I know she does the same for everyone she reaches.

At the Hester Street Fair, you have a chance to meet local artisans, chefs and jewelers. The first thing I did was head straight to Michelle’s Em Cosmetics tent to check out the goods and meet the ultimate beauty guru:

Original Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich from Melt Bakery:

Original Artwork from Tamara Garvey:

Midi Rings from Wink and Flip:

Mix It Up Pinks Lip Palette from Em Cosmetics (she signed ”Good Luck“!):

I’m wearing the NYX eyeshadow color in Morocco from this month’s Ipsy bag!

A brilliant touch is the empty bubble, where you can mix the colors to make your own shade!

I had such a great time–another magical NYC moment. Thanks to Michelle for her kindness and grace.

Ladies, never give up on your dreams and always reach for the brightest star!

Sneak Peek: Second Annual Beauty Editor’s Day

Happy Friday!

Congratulations to making it another week. Somehow it’s already August and I am stoked because it is my birth month (go Leos!). Time to celebrate, right?

Well, I couldn’t have kicked off the month any better than having the opportunity to participate in the second annual Look Good Feel Better Beauty Editor’s Day at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC yesterday. This event is founded on an amazing cause and allows supporters to meet beauty editors from the best magazines and participate in a makeover at a selected cosmetics counter.

The ultimate highlight for me was meeting Jean Godfrey-June, Beauty Director for Lucky Magazine!

To say I admire her is an understatement. I am excited to share with you my experience at this event and to share my meeting with Jean.

Here’s a nice feature on Jean from Into The Gloss in the meantime.

 

{In Case You Missed It}

Yesterday began part one of a four-part series on the summer’s best concealers. Check out Part One: The Lightweight and hang tight for Part Two: The Heavyweight!

Until then, make today fabulous.

 

{Liz}

#Elizabethology