Tag Archives: natural hair

You’re Invited NYC: Curl Daze – A Curly Girl Collabo

Hey Rosés,

You are cordially invited to join my blogger buddy Natasha of Asili Glam and Antoinette & Shanti of Around The Way Curls for the must attend spring curly hair soiree:

Curl Daze: A Curly Girl Collabo!

On May 17th, from 8-11pm at Stash Lounge in NYC you can enjoy complimentary Ciroc cocktails, hair demos, product advice, and hear from top natural hair bloggers and hair stylists. You don’t want to miss the raffles and prizes like the Huetiful Steamerwhat is it… be there to find out!

Essence Magazine street style photographers will be on deck for photos and Mane Moves will film all the action. After you mix, mingle, swap and dance, you’ll be sent home with Gift Bags stocked with your favorite curly hair products like Karen’s Body Beautiful, Kinky Curly, JessiCurl & more!

Whether you are natural or transitioning, expert or confused, black, white, purple or orange, this natural hair celebration is for you!

After 11pm the party continues for guys, gals and all of your friends. Tell them to come dance and toast the good life!

Event Details:

Curl Daze – A Curly Girl Collabo
Date: Thursday May 17th
Time: 8-11pm
After Party 11pm – until
Location: Stash Lounge, 214 West 14th Street, Manhattan, NY

RSVP for the FREE Wait List: www.curldaze.eventbrite.com

 

Questions? Email: thechampagnebeauty@gmail.com or asiliglam@gmail.com. See you there!

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

Posted in Hair, Happy Hour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Phyto Universe Hair Care Celebrates Earth Day Everyday

Hey Rosés,

Event invitation via BeautySweetSpot.com

Last night, the French all-natural botanical luxury hair care line Phyto Universe, teamed up with The Nature Conservancy and Jeannine Morris, TV host and beauty editor of BeautySweetSpot.com, to celebrate Earth Week.

The oasis and private lounges at the Phyto Salon & Spa

Held at the luxurious Phyto Universe salon and spa in midtown NYC, which resembles a tropical oasis, the event spread awareness about the Nature Conservancy’s mission for land and water protection, and showcased Phyto’s green ingredients and recyclable containers.

Products include (L) The Nature Conservancy limited-edition Phytopolléine scalp elixir, and (R) PhytoSpecific shampoo and conditioner for curls, relaxed, and frizzy hair

Although I am a fond friend of the Phyto and PhytoSpecific hair care lines, this was my first time receiving a blowout in their salon. Their collection has a product for every need and sensitivity including dry hair, ultra dry hair, frizz, color treated, and even normal healthy hair. The ingredients are derived of pure plant extracts, 100% essential oils, and contain no silicones, parabens or synthetics, perfect for sensitive skin and allergies, and incorporates sustainable ingredients.

Treated to a relaxing scalp massage with Phytopolléine elixir
Image via David Bowers

At the event, Jeannine Morris greeted me with her signature smile, and introduced me to the Nature Conservancy’s cause and a variety of Phyto products. Then I was whisked away for a pre-wash oil scalp treatment massage with Phytopolléine elixir oil that works to stabilize moisture and PH, clear build up, and also protects ends from splitting.

Ron Williams washing and conditioning my hair with the Phytolisse collection
Image via David Bowers

Celebrity hair stylist Ron Williams then took me on a hair safari into my own private cabana. He shampooed and conditioned with Phytolisse smoothing shampoo and Phytolisse mask, and sealed in moisture with the Phytodéfrisant balm and Phytolisse serum, both heat protectants. All products from the Anti-Frizz collection.

 The finished product post blowout!

Ron blow dryed my curly poof into soft flowing tresses, and then gently bumped the ends with a flat iron to polish the look. I hardly recognized myself with straight hair, and I loved how soft, light and clear it felt!

Get your hair appointment with Ron Williams today, get customized products for your hair needs, or schedule a luxurious spa appointment, tell them Alicia from Champagne Beauty sent you!

Phyto Universe Salon & Spa
715 Lexington Avenue  New York, NY 10155
(212) 308-0270
www.phytouniverse.com

How are you celebrating Earth Week?

 

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

Posted in Hair | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Breaking Down the Beauty Sample Box Craze

Hey Rosés,

Image via Getty

Beauty junkies around the world rejoiced when companies and services popped up selling luxury beauty, body and lifestyle samples. With most of them starting as rewards programs or members-only sites, the subscription sample box craze has blown up from the most generic to offering customized solutions.

Sample boxes are a great way to discover new products, get travel-sized editions of your favorite products, and as I have recently experienced, excellent gift ideas. Most of these sites have great rewards and brand ambassador programs where you can accrue points for free gifts and discounted full-sized products.

L to R: Birchbox, Conscious Box, Crave Box

After meeting the founders of Birchbox, I was an early adopter of their monthly subscription service and continue to write reviews of their products for the sensitive skin and allergy crew. See January, February, and March.

There are new subscription services popping up every week, so find out which sample box works for your beauty and lifestyle needs:

(in alphabetical order – no preferences or endorsements here!)

 

Beauty Box 5

www.beautybox5.com

  • Breakdown: This company made a splash at the 2012 SXSW’s StyleX conference with their Tiffany blue boxes
  • Price: $12/monthly $30/quarterly $100 yearly
  • Products: Feature great local and international brands like Weleda, LA Fresh, and Supergoop

 

Birchbox

www.birchbox.com

  • Breakdown: Founded by two Harvard MBAs, one of the original beauty sample subscriptions features product customization and a full destination site for videos and tips.
  • Price: $10/month
  • Products: Luxury and mainstream brands include Ahava, Essie, Stila, Nars, Origins

 

Conscious Box

www.consciousbox.com

  • Breakdown: Environmentally conscious products from organic to vegan, including beauty, lifestyle and food.
  • Price: $12/monthly + $7 shipping, $33/quarterly + $7 shipping, $64/yearly + $7 shipping
  • Products: VerMints, Kind Bars, Honest Kids Tea, organic candles, natural lip balm

 

Crave Box

www.cravebox.com

  • Breakdown: Recently launched, goes beyond beauty to include items for hobbies, pets and home. They offer subscription boxes and limited editions that can be won.
  • Price: $10/monthly
  • Products: NYX mascara, Puristics eye treatment, Mercy recovery drinks

 

Curlbox

www.curlbox.com

  • Breakdown: The ultimate box for all things curly and natural hair. Packed with samples and full collections from mainstream and independent brands for all types of ethnic and curly hair.
  • Price: $20/monthly
  • Products: Hair Rules, Ouidad, Shea Moisture, Karen’s Body Beautiful

 

Glossybox USA

www.glossybox.com

  • Breakdown: This British sensation is set to launch soon in the U.S.
  • Price: TBA
  • Products: Global brands include Dermalogica, Chloé, Clarins, Bobbi Brown

 

The Look Bag

www.thelookstore.com/thelookbag

  • Breakdown: Online beauty shop TheLookStore.com partnered with celebrity beauty therapist Damone Roberts to bring customized picks. The Look Bag subscribers also receive 20% off The Look Store’s shop.
  • Price: $10/month
  • Products: Top picks from Damone Roberts include Cattiva, S.S. Soap, Frownies

 

Sample Society

www.beautybar.com/samplesociety

  • Breakdown: Recently launched venture between beautybar.com and Allure Magazine
  • Price: $15/month
  • Products: 5 deluxe-sized samples from beauty brands like Murad, Stila, and Oscar de la Renta fragrance. Includes 1-year Allure subscription.

 

What are your favorite beauty sample subscription services?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

Posted in Body, Face, Hair | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Product Review: March Birchbox

Hey Rosés,

This month Birchbox teamed up with Teen Vogue for a fun, playful and spring formal event-prep box of samples. Teen Vogue’s beauty guru Eva Chen also provided great makeup and hair tips for special occasions and everyday glam. Great sensitive skin and allergy-friendly brands like Tarte and Essie return with bright colors for spring. There were also great alternatives for the sporty girls, and anyone transitioning from processed hair to natural hair.

Take a look at some great finds for your next special event or to add a pop of color:

 

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint in Lucky

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

 

I was looking for a pale pink matte, and this came just in time! The giant crayon glides on smoothly with a texture in between a lip balm and matte lipstick. It has moisturizing vitamins A & E with a hint of color, clicks to refill (no pencil sharpener needed), and so sheer it actually looks nude. Perfect to wear alone or a great primer for lipstick or lip gloss. Be forewarned the strong peppermint oil smell and tingle, but has a sensitive skin-friendly formula: paraben free, sulfate free, mineral oil free.

Ingredients for Lucky: Octyldodecanol, candelilla cera/euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax/cire de candelilla, C12-15 alkyl ethylhexanoate, isopropyl palmitate, cyclopentasiloxane, silica, nylon -12, VP/eicosene copolymer, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax /cera carnauba/cire de carnauba, phenyl trimethicone, disteardimonium hectorite, hydrogenated coco-glycerides, mentha piperita (peppermint) oil, caprylic/ capric triglyceride, propylene carbonate, ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, dimethicone, caprylyl glycol, sorbitan stearate, benzophenone-3, tocopheryl acetate, sodium saccharin, castor oil bis-hydroxypropyl dimethicone esters, retinyl palmitate, salicornia herbacea extract, dimethyl isosorbide, palmitoyl hexapeptide-14, tin oxide, mica. (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), iron oxides (CI 77489, CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), red 6 lake & red 7 lake (CI 15850), red 27 lake (CI 45410), red 40 lake (CI 16035), yellow 5 lake (CI 19140), yellow 6 lake (CI 15985), blue 1 lake (CI 42090).

 

Kate Spade New York Perfume in Twirl

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

Twirl is the perfect name for this scent, it’s a mixture of flirty and fun with fruit and floral notes. Light enough to wear during the day for work or brunch, yet stimulating for wear in the evening for cocktails or a date. Each spray makes me want to dance, either with a cupcake or a cutie ;-)

Ingredients: alchohol denat, parful/fragrance, water/aqua/eu, propylene glycol, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, butylphenyl methylpropional, citral, citronellol, farnesol, geraniol, hexyl, cinnamal, hydroxycitonellal, hyrdoxyisohexyl, 3-cyclohexene carbonxaldhyde, limonene, linalool, butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, ethylhexyl, methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, orange 4 (ci 15510), yellow 10 (ci 47005)

 

Kérastase Elixir Ultime

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

This nourishing oil can be used as a leave-in conditioner or pre-blowout heat protectant, but I used it as a shine serum on curly hair. It’s thick but not greasy or heavy. It smoothed top-side frizz and added a hint of shine when applied to dry curly hair.

Ingredients: Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, Zea Mays / Corn Germ Oil, Argania Spinosa Oil / Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Camellia Kissi / Camellia Kissi Seed Oil, Pentaclethra Macroloba Oil / Pentaclethra Macroloba Seed Oil, Linalool, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Limonene, Coumarine, Benzyl Alcohol, Parfum / Fragrance.

 

Twistband Hair Tie

Champagne Rating: 3 out of 5 bottles

 

 

This fun evolution of the hair tie causes little breakage and maintains elasticity even when wet after the gym. It did leave a dent on curly hair, perhaps straight hair has better luck. Great for rosés transitioning from perms to natural hair, and athletes who don’t want breakage after a workout.

Ingredients: N/A

 

Essie LuxeEffects Collection in Set In Stones

Champagne Rating: 4 out of 5 bottles

 

 

Wear this glitter nail polish alone for a silver disco ball effect or as a top coat for a blast of bling. The formula is free of formaldehyde, toluene and DBP. Great for sensitive skin, and safer with out toxic chemicals. I’ve tried plenty of glittery nail polishes and this is one of the easier ones to get off without having to scrape your nails.

Ingredients: Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Nitrocellulose, Adipic Acid/Neopentyl Glycol/Trimellitic Anhydride Copolymer, Isopropyl Alcohol, Acetyl Tributyl Citrate, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Silica, N-Butyl Alcohol, Polyacrylate-4, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Benzophenone-1, Polyurethane-11, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate [+/- May Contain / Peut Contenir, Ci 77891 / Titanium Dioxide, Ci 15850 / Red 7 Lake, Ci 77000 / Aluminum Powder, Ci 19140 / Yellow 5 Lake, Ci 60725 / Violet 2

 

What is your must have for a formal spring event?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

*All images via Birchbox
*All Items can be purchased on Birchbox for a discount with membership

 

 

 

Posted in Body, Face, Hair, PRODUCT REVIEWS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Event Recap: Miss Jessie’s Curl Bar Grand Opening

Hey Rosés,

Image via Miss Jessie’s

;

Thursday night, curly hair experts Miss Jessie’s celebrated the grand opening of their newest salon in Soho called Miss Jessie’s CurlBar. The salon resembles a Parisian hotel, complete with plush chaise lounges, crystal chandeliers, and floor to ceiling mirrors. Glowing shelves filled with the salon’s own delicious curly products, ranging from sudless shampoo, conditioners, creams, and multi-texture gel stock the bars throughout the salon.

CurlBar opens TODAY, Monday March 12th, and offers “Quick Service. Great Prices.” Stylists use Miss Jessie’s award winning product line to cut and condition a variety of textures including wavy, kinky, curly, and even straight hair. The ingredients are great for sensitive skin and allergies: paraben free, mineral oil free, and no irritating sulfates.

Salon owners and product pioneers Titi and Miko Branch were on hand to greet guests and give impromptu consultations as guests sipped sparkling blanc de blancs and exchanged hair stories. The event was produced by The PR Circle, check out pics below:

;

Alicia with owner Titi Branch

(L to R) Owners and sisters Miko and Titi Branch

Bartenders in front of the product bar

Essence ladies: Nicole Melton and Tia Williams (welcome back Shake Your Beauty!)

Nicole Melton’s fierce up-do and Jewelry Jam earrings

Chandeliers add a luxurious touch to the Curl Bar lounge

Miss Jessie’s brand products at each vanity

(L to R) Saideh Browne of SaiBrowne.com, Tiffany Denise of Tea by Tiffany and Etophia Lane of The Bizness Girl flaunt a variety of textures

Featured Hair model Sean Denizard

Miss Jessie’s Curl Bar is located at 441 Broadway, 2nd Floor, NY, NY.

What are your favorite Miss Jessie’s products?

Taste the beautiful life ~ Alicia

Posted in Hair, Happy Hour | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment