We fell hard for Natalie Alcala last fall, when the LA-based writer and blogger spent a week guest blogging for us. In fact, we loved her posts so much that we asked her to be a contributing editor. In addition to blogging for us once a week, she’ll also be writing for the Birchbox Magazine and keeping us up to speed on all things fashion, beauty, and fun.
In honor of Mother’s Day, I sat down with my beauty idol to learn more about her best secrets, the discontinued products that she wishes would be reissued, and the one tried-and-true product that she’s been using since high school. (Try this Q&A with your mom on Sunday—you’ll learn so much!)
What was your earliest beauty memory?
“I used to really love flipping through Cosmopolitan magazine—that’s where I first discovered vanity. My favorite model was Cristina Ferrare. I also loved Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren. I even used to fake Marilyn’s beauty mark with a pencil!”
So funny! Who taught you how to put on makeup?
“I think I taught myself really, but I also got some tips from your Auntie Esther [her sister-in-law]. I first started experimenting with mascara because I was so amazed by how long it made my eyelashes look.”
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“Gossip Girl” stylist Amy Tagliamonti and actress Amanda Setton (aka Penelope Shafai)
As you might should know, we’ve teamed up with “Gossip Girl” for our May Birchbox. You can expect all sorts of glamorous products, plus tons of exclusive content. Today, our editorial team is shooting video tutorials with the show’s lead hair and makeup stylists. We’re picking up plenty of tips, including this one from makeup artist Amy Tagliamonti:
A lot of the times when you put mascara on, you don’t get mascara on the base of the lashes, and people can see the difference between light lashes and darker mascara. If I don’t get all the areas or coverage that I want with a wand, I’ll put some mascara on a flat makeup brush and coat the lashes that way as well.
If you’re not a Birchbox subscriber yet, you still have time to join! Go here to reserve your “Gossip Girl” Birchbox.
Photo: thisislondon.co.uk
Over the weekend at eco-friendly designer Stella McCartney’s fall 2012 fashion show, models on the runway were sporting a very eye-catching look: cobalt blue lashes.
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Freelance makeup artist Jennifer Duvall has kept us entranced with her blog jennysuemakeup.com for months. The Georgia blogger is the ultimate multi-tasker as both a makeup guru and a mommy of three! We love her great how-to advice and awesome product reviews, which is why we’re so excited that this week, she’s graciously sharing her style secrets with us.
Mascara is one of those beauty products that I think most women should take advantage of. There’s nothing that can define and highlight your peepers better than a couple easy swipes. Plus, when using mascara, there’s almost no need for liner if you don’t have time.
Here’s an easy technique than can really bring your lashes to life:
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We don’t know about you guys, but we’re suckers for beautifully designed packaging. If it’s sleek, smart (this button does what?) and especially if it has hidden pockets or other such goodies within, we’re sold. Which is why Guerlain’s new Noir G mascara had us at hello.
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Photo: kmps radio
Quick on the heels of two Photoshop debacles that blew up our blog recently (see: The Great Photoshop Debate and H&M’s Scandal), here comes another. Last Friday, Procter & Gamble, the parent company of CoverGirl, pulled one of their NatureLuxe Mousse Mascara ads featuring Taylor Swift. The company made the move after the National Advertising Division (NAD), a watchdog agency and part of the Council of the Better Business Bureau, launched an investigation into their photoshopping practices.
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We’re pretty obsessed with mascara but it’s a huge hassle to remove and can also majorly irritate sensitive eyes. Lash extensions are one way to avoid needing that daily coat of mascara. They make your lashes look amazing and last way longer than false lashes but we’ve always wondered what the trade-offs are. One brave Birchbox editor took the plunge and documented the do’s and don’ts for us! Read More.
Have you ever tried lash extensions? Share your experience in the comments!
Looking for a less permanent way to enhance your eyes? Shop our favorite eye makeup products.
We’re always looking for good sartorial inspiration, which is why we regularly turn to PR exec Jaimen Sfetko’s Tumblr, Jaimen Lee. Documenting her own stellar (and quirky cool) style, Sfetko gives us a daily dose of outfit envy — and has us wishing she did costume changes throughout the day. Naturally, we’re curious about the savvy New Yorker’s product picks, too. This week, Sfetko is guest blogging about her beauty musts and today she’s discussing her New York Fashion Week essentials.
New York Fashion Week is in full swing and it’s a busy, jam-packed schedule for fashion and beauty bloggers alike. Rushing from show to show leaves little time for touch-ups, so you need products that will last. Here are my must-haves for New York Fashion Week that help to keep me fresh all day long.
- Something that Does It All: I received Nuxe’s Huile Prodigieuse® / Multi-Usage Dry Oil in last month’s Birchbox and like the product description says, it really can be used for everything. Not only does it moisturize my cuticles and minimize my frizz, I also love adding it to a matte shadow to take my lids from day to night.
- Control Your Hair: Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there wasn’t such an awful combination of heat, humidity, and rain in the city this week? Unfortunately, there is, so coating hair in Ouidad Climate Control Heat and Humidity Gel is a must first thing in the morning.
- Keep Your Eyes Open: Yes, it’s true: NYFW means no sleep. But why let everyone else know how much you’re suffering? Anastasia Lash Lifting Mascara perks up your lashes making your eyes seem bigger and giving you the appearance of looking wide awake.
- Neutral Nails Are A Must: We all want to make a statement by looking fabulous at shows and it’s always tempting to try the latest nail trend at the salon before fashion week starts. But the reality is that between snapping photos, blogging all night long, and the general insanity of a packed schedule, a neutral shimmery color is your best bet. Zoya’s polishes last forever and a chip with one these beige shades doesn’t equate to the end of the world!
Good luck all you fashionistas! Read the rest of our NYFW coverage here.
We love writers with fun personalities, which is why we’re ecstatic to welcome Carlye Wisel into the guest blogging fold this week. The savvy blogger has a multitude of interests, but can regularly be found talking about music and more on Vevo, Big Ugly Yellow Couch, and her personal Tumblr, Awkward City Population 1. This week, she’s sharing beauty wit and wisdom. Today: the products you should have in your arsenal for those hot summer days.
No matter how many countless street style photos seem to prove otherwise, it takes some effort to not look like a sweaty disaster at a summer festival.
These music-loving ladies have seen the dust of Bonnaroo, the mud of Lollapalooza, and everything in between, all while getting a day’s work done under the hot, hot sun. Here are some of the tried-and-true products that they rely on to get them by:
“Makeup Forever HD Powder keeps foundation and concealer in place for hours. I usually use it in place of foundation or powder since it evens out my skin tone with a nice matte finish, meaning no more sweaty forehead.” —Nicole Wasilewicz, Senior Music Editor at Free Williamsburg
“I use deodorant like it’s my job. My go-to is Speedstick. Yes, only a man’s will work under the hot Coachella sun! I also love my Fresh Lip Balm, which goes on so smooth and smells like brown sugar. My lips get so chapped from the beer, the heat, and all the singing along.” —Julia Willinger, Label Coordinator at XL Recordings
“Maybelline’s Great Lash mascara is cheap, easy to stick in your bag, and always adds a brightened-up look. It also never runs.” —Jenna LoMonaco, Head of New Media at Glassnote Records
“TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo is amazing. If I don’t have that, I will use any type of hair spray, apply it to my roots, let it dry, and then brush it out. This really helps keep my hair looking fresh, even through sweaty, disgusting weather.” —Rachel Stoewer, College Marketing Coordinator at Sony Music
“All of tarte’s products are natural, but their Natural Cheek Stain is my favorite. It’s blush that gives you a fresh pinched-cheeks look and it doesn’t melt in the hot sun during music festivals. For my skin, stila’s One Step Bronze is my go-to summer bronzing foundation. And I adore Revlon’s Grow Luscious waterproof mascara because, duh, you might see Bon Iver, and do you really want anyone to know that you cried tears of joy?” —Lindsay Brandt, Manager & Digital Media Director at Mick Management
Our never-leave-home-without product in the summer? Tatcha Aburatorigami Blotting Papers.
There are very few products out there that we consider life changing, but blinc’s mascara is absolutely one of them. Instead of painting on color like a traditional mascara, blinc’s formula forms individual tubes around each lash. So what does that mean for you? No flaking, smudging, irritation, or messy removal, that’s what.
We love this product so much, we sampled it this month and now we’re giving 25 very lucky people the opportunity to win every blinc mascara color as well as the brand’s liquid liner. Each prize is worth $125, and all you need to do is sign up on our Facebook page! Trust us, it’s totally worth the ten seconds you’ll spend filing out the form — if you win, you’ll never go back to using regular mascara again.
—Meredith
To maximize your blinc mascara, use it in conjunction with blinc’s Heated Eyelash Curler.
