Looking to take a breather from Netflix and dive into a new book? Today the Hello Beauty team is sharing the reads we recommend adding to your quarantine activity list. We all need a little escape right now, whether it’s through a feel-good playlist or a new paperback—it’s the self-care rituals we incorporate in our daily routines that matter most for our mental health during this time. Sink into the books that caught our attention during the current pandemic, and let us know what you’re reading in the comments on Instagram.
Quick Background: Hogoè Elimiera has become our favorite person to follow and to read! Hogoè Elimiera is a BLACK FEMALE author and a model. Hogoè Elimiera is a college student and is from Lomé, Togo. Below are her amazing books where you can purchase from Amazon.
Check Hogoe Elimiera Instagram out and let us know in the comments what other book recommendations we should read next! Thank you for reading and welcome to the family xx.
We can pretty much all agree that finding the elusive ~perfect bra~ can feel pretty impossible. You’ve got to find the perfect fit, the perfect straps, and just the right amount of cleavage — definitely not an easy feat.
If you follow Instagram influencers or even just like to browse lingerie and fashion hashtags on the app, then chances are you’ve seen a Sneaky Vaunt bra or ten. The Original Push-Up is a stick-on style with adjustable lacing joining the cups. Simply tug on the drawstring and it will pull the breasts inwards, creating instant cleavage.
If the brand’s half a million Instagram fans are anything to go by, this product really works. “[It] kind of went viral right from the start,” says Danielle Ross, Sneaky Vaunt’s Brand Manager. “It was crazy how much people wanted it from day one, I don’t think I’ve ever seen demand like that before. At one point, about a month in, we were growing like three followers a second. There’s nothing more exciting than watching something like this come to life. It’s kind of crazy to be honest, but we’re not complaining!”
Other brands have released similar bras though, so what makes Sneaky Vaunt so incredibly popular?
Danielle tells me there are two key things that differentiate this bra from its competitors: “It doesn’t leave any weird lines under clothes. [And] you can rely on it to stay put—our bra is REALLY sticky. Even in the dead heat of the summer, you don’t have to worry about it sliding off.”
The Original Push-Up also lasts 40 or more wears if cared for correctly. “Just be sure to hand wash and hang to dry. she advises, “In order to keep the adhesive sticky, all you need to do is get an old toothbrush or use your fingers and rub alcohol-free soap on the adhesive part in a circular motion, then rinse with water. Once your bra is dry, replace the plastic protector and tuck it back into the Sneaky Vaunt case for next time.”
The trickiest part of all of this is working out how to actually put it on. Expect some trial and error if you’re new to stick-on bras. “Everyone’s build and bust are different, so it’s just a matter of finding what works best for you,” explains Danielle, “Most girls start out with sticking one cup at a time, holding your boobs in the position you’d like them to stay in, then applying the bra. You def’ don’t need your whole boob covered and having a bit of ‘under-boob’ is fine.”
The Original Push-Up may be what first catapulted Sneaky Vaunt into the limelight, but they’ve since gone on to release numerous other lingerie designs. Unsurprisingly, given the success of their first product, they’ve retained a strong focus on creating ‘solution’ pieces that help customers to unlock new outfit options.
Each piece is made from breathable fabric that’s comfy and no-show. The fits also smooth and shape your midsection in a stylish manner. Today, I gather up some sneakyvaunts items that is perfect for valentine wear.
At this point, all beauty junkies worth their weight in mascara know their way around highlighter and can differentiate between a powder formula that packs a punch and a cream formula that adds just a little something. Every once in a while, however, a new product enters the category that causes even the most devoted and experienced to pause and investigate. Cue highlighter sprays, a new take on the (now) classic beauty product. It offers shimmer rather than glitter, and differs from pigment-infused sprays meant to be spritzed all over. Spray highlighters are meant to be applied to a concentrated area, which can be difficult to achieve at first spritz. That’s why we tapped celebrity makeup artist and brand founder Patrick Ta to share his best tips and tricks for mastering the look.
It’s All About Focus
The key to getting a lit-from-within glow is concentrating the highlighter on specific parts of the face. Ta’s Major Glow Highlighting Mist works well for this thanks to its super-fine mist, which offers sheen rather than sparkle. When applying, “make sure you target certain areas of the face,” says Ta, whose go-to spots are the tops of the cheekbone and “C” around the temple.
Distance Is Key
To ensure you don’t look like you dipped your cheek in glitter, it’s important to get the distance right. Ta recommends six inches from the face, which will ensure you’re getting the benefit of the product without overdoing it. If you do go a little overboard, however, just use a clean beauty sponge to dab away excess product.
Use Your Resources
If you need help targeting specific areas, use a sheet of paper to block off the area you want to highlight — similarly to creating a wing using a business card. This will help to keep the highlighter in one place and concentrated in the areas you want to glow. If you want to be a little fancy (and have some extra coin to spend), pick up the Patrick Ta Beauty Major Glow Setting Fan, which can be used to help place the highlighter and set the mist.
It’s Not Just For the Face
According to Ta, the best way to finish off any look is to bring the highlighter down to your neck and décollatege, which helps everything to look cohesive and blended. You can spray the highlighter directly for an extra pop of glow, or buff it in using a brush for a diffused, sun-kissed look.
Your hair appointmentshouldn’t be shrouded in fear of tipping the wrong amount. Cutting your hair too short? Maybe. Making a huge mistake by getting bangs in the middle of summer? Definitely. Dealing with the pressure of wanting to leave the salon looking like your best damn self (even though the whole thing is kind of out your hands) is enough to deal with without factoring in tipping-related stress. So if you’ve been preemptively wondering how much extra cash you should bring with you to your appointment, quit Googling and stopping asking your friends because everyone’s going to have a different opinion. To answer this ever-so-popular question once and for all, we reached out to New Jersey-based hairstylist Jennifer Geoghan.
“Twenty percent of the cost of your service is a good rule of thumb for tipping,” says Jennifer. Simply plug the price of your haircut right into your phone’s calculator and multiply it by .20 to get the dollar amount you should give your stylist. For example, a $50 haircut will lend itself to a $10 tip; a $100 haircut $20, and a $200 haircut $40. “Hairstyling is a work of art,” Jennifer adds. “A stylist’s price depends on their education, skill, number of years in their careers, continued education and keeping their tools and products up to date. Keep in mind when paying for a service and tipping a hairstylist, you are paying for their history, not just the service itself.”
And what about the washer or assistant who had a hand in the whole thing? “Tipping the washer or assistant is ultimately up to you, but $3-$10 is always helpful and appreciated,” says Jennifer. “Even though it may seem that the assistant or hair washer isn’t doing much in the scheme of things, their wages aren’t super high, mostly because they are barely getting hours. So, the assistants and hair washers really rely on their tips. Plus, they’re helping out the hairstylist a lot behind the scenes to ensure you have a calm, successful and happy appointment. If you know that they played a big role in making your hair fabulous (say, washing it or blowing it dry) consider tipping, so they know their work was appreciated.
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