Wholesome, Durable Makeup Kits for Coachella in One, Easy Snap.

By Laura Medina

What a relief that Coachella is literally next door to upscale, sedated Palm Springs where they have a Sephora to meet all your sun-protection and damaged needs and wants.  You want your sun care to look good too.

If you're one of the thousands ticket holders, Sephora's Coachella pop-up shop is back for the second year in a row, on the actual concert/festival grounds to care, style, pamper, or at least, clean up ticket holders.  For your information, you need the ticketed, activated wristbands to actually enjoy Sephora's Coachella pop-up shop because it's behind the security fences and on the actually festival grounds.

For those too busy party-ing and socializing and kicking back at the festival's way more exclusive off-site, hidden parties, there is a Sephora in Palm Springs.

For this scribe, there is a makeup brand that is no more appropriate for the hippy-wanna-bes than Tarte Cosmetics.

If Marsala is the color of the year, then bold magneta and lilac are the colors of this year's Spring.

Tarte's new Poppy Picnic Collection fits Coachella needs and wants.  For a line built on nutritious antioxidant clay that is tough enough to stand up to the heat and the sweat, Tarte's Poppy Picnic limited-edition Amazonian clay eye & cheek palette has all your color cosmetics in one easy kit.  The "pinch-your-cheeks" pink motif is a flush of color in: a golden peachy pink shade for the perfect, everyday glow with eye shadows in:

summer breeze (cream shadow)
• sweet tea (tan shadow)
• ice cream cone (chocolate shadow)
• barefoot in the grass (nude shadow)
• peach poppy (peach shadow)
• picnic basket (brown)

Sun burn and sun protection are the on utmost concern for party-ing in the desert.

Again, sun burn and sun protection are the utmost concern for party-ing in the desert, Tarteguard 30 sunscreen lotion Broad Spectrum SPF 30 fits the bill.

Tarte’s first multi-tasking, antioxidant-infused daily sunscreen. The lightweight, non-sticky liquid lotion contains all mineral, non-chemical sunscreen ingredients to help protect against the sun’s damaging UVA/UVB rays that can cause dryness, redness, dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, among other skincare beauty boundaries. Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation for daily use, the skinvigorating™ formula is also infused with maracuja, red algae, soybean, apple and honeysuckle extracts to nourish, tone and retain moisture while helping to combat signs of aging for a firmer, brighter, smoother appearance. The fresh, ocean’s lily scent allows for luxurious, spa-like daily applications while the high-performance liquid emulsion seamlessly melts into skin, leaving it supremely soft and silky, without ever leaving a white cast.

Tarte also has the most coveted item for Spring/Summer, it's rare limited-edition,  Tarte Showstopper Clay Palette.

This is Tarte's only item that is directly inspired by Los Angeles' unique Hollywood glitz and glam and the California desert color palette, making it appropriate for Coachella.

6 x 0.04 oz Amazonian clay eyeshadows in Showstopper Copper (bronze copper), Go for the Gold (gold), You’re a Natural (nude), Steel the Scene (steel taupe), Rose to the Top (rose gold) and Dim the Lights (black brown)
- 0.21 oz Amazonian clay blush in Fame (warm peach)
- 0.14 oz Amazonian clay matte waterproof bronzer in Park Ave Princess™
- 0.14 oz Amazonian clay highlighter in Champagne Pink
- Step-by-step guide 

With these kits, all you have to do is toss them in your tote and you're revving to go.

 

Coachella on the Brain, Kinda, Sorta, Mikky Ekko concert by Pandora.

By Laura Medina

Obviously, Coachella is all about the music and thank god, it's not generational/niche-restricted.  This first weekend, you have a musical medley of AC/DC to Steely Dan to Coachella perennials, Fritz and the Tantrums.

It's all about music for this later half of April, there will be tons of super-exclusive musical sets and under-the-radar concerts and parties that most would give their right arm for, such as Pandora with DJ Questlove, just outside of Indio, just off-site from Coachella.  This undercover music party is one of many, remember this is first weekend of Coachella.

Since half of Los Angeles and one-fifth of the world has Coachella on the brain, let's celebrate by celebrating the up-&-coming Millennials, trailing behind the newly established Gen-Xers who started the festival in the first place.

At the always friendly Sonos Studio, a music art gallery-slash-recording studio-concert venue, Pandora threw a special set from Millennial pop/rock/a capella singer/composer, the rising Mikky Ekko.

This scribe knew this young man was someone to watch when the State of Louisiana called him, "one of our proud sons" at their annual Grammy Brunch (a yummy affair never to be missed) and Ekko is a mere 30-years old.

As a traveling preacher son who settled in Nashville, Mikky has depth and soul that push "Emo" category out of its whiny teen-angst into a more mature depth of emotions of longing and connections.

He broke out with Rihanna's seventh studio album, Unapologetic, on the track "Stay."  His "Smile" became an anthem for those who are depressed or hit rock bottom.

Mikky Ekko reflects the maturation of the Millennial Generation approaching adulthood.

 

Coachella Skincare, How to Prep Then Soothe for That Burn.

By Laura Medina

https://zss-skincare.com/shop/

Yes, sunscreen or anything with sunscreen in it, is obligatory at Coachella, a.k.a. "Party-ing in the Desert."

However, you can still prep and fortify your skin to make it better to withstand the UV/UVA solar rays.

Pre-Coachella, you can build up your epidermis with Nutricosmetics or Cosmeceuticals, vitamins or supplements that aim to improve skin healthy on a cellular level, "beauty from within," rather than topically for more direct results.

ZSS Skin Systems can prep your skin for the burning desert sun with its Method No. 1 for Radiant Skin, an one-month supply kit of  vitamins and a night-time serum to prep and soothe the skin.  The kit formulated to support healthy aging of the skin by addressing skin photo-protection, epidermal thinning, dehydration, loss of firmness/elasticity, uneven skin tone, and redness caused by environmental exposure.*

The key ingredient, Zeaxanthin, is a carotenoid found in leafy green vegetables, yellow and orange peppers, corn and eggs that is scarce in the typical daily diet. Zeaxanthin is a strong antioxidant, clinically evaluated to lessen the inflammatory response of skin exposed to environmental stressors such as the sun and promote even skin tone – resulting in improved radiance and glow. The all-natural Zeaxanthin is derived from paprika peppers, in levels that have been clinically evaluated to promote healthy skin, inside and out.

The key ingredients are:  Zeaxanthin, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Seabuckthorn Fruit Oil, and Gotu Kola Seed.

Nutri-Serum, with Seabuck Thorn, contains the key ingredient Zeaxanthin along with other key ingredients clinically evaluated to promote skin health. Paired with each Method’s nutricosmetics packet, Nutri-Serum is formulated to improve skin glow, radiance, hydration, firmness, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and overall skin tone.

This can be used before, during, and after Coachella.

 Used daily. Each nutricosmetic packet should be taken daily, preferably with a meal. Nutri-Serum should be used either in the morning or before bed but for best results should be used both in the morning and before bed, after cleaning.

After cleansing, apply a pea sized amount of the Nutri-Serum to face, neck and décolleté in the morning and before bed. Follow with your normal skin care routine. Take one dietary supplement packet (one soft gel, one capsule) daily, preferably with a meal.

For what you can pack for Coachella, you need a basic but decent facial and body wipes for those camping out on the fields (doing it the traditional and the cheapest way) or RVing (doing the second wave), Korres Pomegranate Daily Cleansing & Make-Up Removing Wipes remove dirt, makeup, and oil from face and eyes. Great for all skin types especially oily and combination, each pre-saturated wipe eliminates impurities, tightens pores, and offers antioxidant protection ($15; Sephora.com).   

Can't braid and need a cool headband to cool off the nape of your neck?  Hairdo by HairUWear French Braid Band will keep your hair pulled back with a fashionable accent! Available in 6 salon inspired colors, this one piece headband slides on in an instant and stays put. (Available for $10 at Ulta.com ).  You can discreetly match or go hip-cool mismatch for a fake braid or twist and tuck for a chic updo which this scribe might do after long day and night at the festival.

All-natural but decently scented, Lavanila Laboratories The Healthy Mini Deodorant allows you to take freshness on-the-go with a mini version of Lavanila’s best-selling deodorants. This All-Natural, freshly scented deodorant provides superior, long-lasting odor protection ($8; Lavanila.com).  Believe this scribe, fellow festival-goers will be thankful.

Eventually, your foot will be sore, dry, burning, and cracking.  Smooth and hydrate rough cracked heels with Curél Foot Therapy Cream. This lotion features highly emollient shea butter, rich coconut milk, and naturally healing vitamin E and works to smooth and soften dry cracked skin in just two uses, significantly improving the look and feel of dry feet and cracked heels – and exposing your best feet yet! ($5.99; Drugstores)

 

http://www.clinique.com/product/1687/20932/Skin-Care/Moisturizers/Repairwear-Uplifting-Firming-Cream

For some serious relief and repair for both the face and chest, especially your chest, you just have to go scientifically.  Clinique's Repairwear Uplifting Firming Cream repairs from the forehead down to the chest to repair the collagen.  The moisture-rich cream boosts natural elastin and collagen-the stuff that gives skin its snap-then helps organize it into a tighter, stronger network. Helps rebuild elasticity and firmness, helps visibly smooth out "laugh lines."  It's seriously "repair the damage."

Coachella Fashion Sets Festival Style.

By Laura Medina

http://www.hm.com/us/hm-loves-coachella

H&M for Coachella still promotes the generalize image that most Baby Boomers and non-Californians have of the two weekend music festival, a bunch of teeny-boppers aspiring to their grandparents' Woodstock hippy dreams but....

The sunny reality is this....At $495 for each whole weekend pass, plus the $60 shuttle bus round trip from hotel room to the festival then back or from festival ground to whatever day party and a gourmet, catered dinner/meal plan that starts at $295 just for one night dinner cooked by Los Angeles' top chefs, this is no longer a tweeny-bopper dream but an upscale Woodstock ruled by a Gen-X establishment, ringed by successful Gen-Yers.

The Coachella lifestyle has out-grown it's dirt-cheap camping in tents initial image when it first started a long sixteen years ago.  Basically, the festival grew with it's core fan base then adequately adjusts to their needs.

We're talking about resort hotels and air-conditioned shuttle buses in plush settings.

Since Coachella has gone "Bourgeois Boheminan," (think Abbot Kinney and thank New York Times' David Brooks), this requires easy-going but cool clothes that can deal with the sweat, the dirt, and gourmet dinners while party-ing in the desert.

Old Navy's collaboration with Emily Current + Meritt Elliott, helps you pick the proper items when you go road-tripping to any festival.  The items they selected, no matter how cheap, are smarter clothing investment that travels well through Summer into Fall.

Their March 14th stop at Fig & Olives' inner backyard courtyard was their final stop.  It was a down-home hoe-down in West Hollywood, a sight Los Angelenos rarely seen or experienced.

Yes, you are out in the desert when it's blistering hot during the day but it freezes at night.  Keep cool and keep your cool in a white denim jacket or the unsung hipster classic, the Army Field Jacket.

Your basic outfit to build under those jackets is a black & white striped tee or tank and denim shorts, either white or cut-off denim jeans.  Remember, festival season is all about those "Daisy Dukes."  A Gen-Xer cardio-barre/Legree Pilates devotee can easily pull this off.

If you want more coverage, go with this khaki trench coat or a timeless chambray shirt which is just as stylish as denim but way more light-weight.

Here are more dressier options from Emily Current + Meritt Elliott for Old Navy, where button-shirts are impromptu jackets over tees and tanks.  White denim signals Spring and Summer.  Mini skirts, whether they be A-skirts or circle skirts, are the alternative and checkered crop trousers are the preppy Spring staple that takes you from festival to garden party, as in your $225 catered, fine-dining dinner in Coachella's Rose Garden, so you're fueled for the partying in the concert.

Think of Coachella style growing away from it's cliche initial image of Woodstock hippy re-do to causal, easy-going prep that are wardrobe investment beyond festival season.

Celebrate Easter on Soul Sundays at HOME 90210

By Laura Medina

What to do on Easter Sunday when you out-grew the Easter Egg Hunt?

Celebrate it at HOME aka House of Music and Entertainment 90210.

Easter happens to fall on Soul Sundays there, where the emerging R&B, Soul, and Funk performers give their all on a Sunday, for people dying to go out on a Sunday night.

With Motown's and  Grammy Nominated Producer/Songwriter Vincent Berry and Actress/Model Hope Harris hosting, Beverly Hills Soul Sundays has a special show planned for Easter Sunday, this Sunday April 5, 2015. Featured performers include Ne-Yo’s COMPOUND Entertainment Artist Candice, Independent R&B Artist Jhavone, Singer/Songwriter Nastasia Griffin (Single “Here In My Skin” Featured on Season 2 of hit television show Being Mary Jane), and multifaceted Pop and R&B Acapella Group These Guys.

Coachella Makeup by Lulu DK for Clinique Spring 2015 Edition, only at Macy's.

By Laura Medina

Lifestyle Designer, Lulu DK & Clinique staff showing her some love & respect at Macy's.

It was serendipity that Clinique launched their limited edition Spring 2015 gift bag, coinciding with the first weekend of Coachella arriving within a week.  People can hear Coachella rumbling in the background.

It was also happenstance that Clinique selected a designer who embodies Coachella's haute couture Bohemian Chic in vibrant Spring tones, Lulu DK.

What makes her so appropriate for Bohemian-Chic Coachella is her temporary gold flash tattoos that recently launched during this year's Grammy week.  Instead of buying then losing jewelry, these "jewelry" stick onto the skin then gracefully faded away after four to five days.  No lost, no harm done.  Plus, they're pretty affordable too...and wanted by hipster moms everywhere.

This Gen-X scribe never thought she'll never see a Clinique counter person wear a tattoo, much less a flash gold tattoo but they did, in honor of Lulu DK.  Plus, they said it's fun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0vo6lMNzvI

Let's get back to why Lulu DK has her finger on the pulse and why her curated Clinique Gift Bags are so Coachella-worthy.

Other than they're tote-able, the few makeup items sure pack a color punch of fruit-juicy magenta that she calls "the Pink Bag" while the Brown Bag is "the natural one."  The "Pink Bag" is on point for this current Spring for bring pink, magneta, and powerful lilac, all in the same jewel tones of just blooming flowers.

The Brown Bag reminds this scribe you better look sultry yet natural party-ing in the desert at Coachella.

The Gift Bag itself is travel-worthy too.  In limited-edition marigold, designed by Lulu herself, the canvas pouch was influenced by her Bahamian childhood.  The rich jewel tones of the Pink Bag reminds her of the rich florals of her childhood and arriving Spring.  For the Brown Bag, Lulu didn't mention "natural."  She calls it "seductive and sultry," not obvious.

Each gift bag, whether it be the Brown or the Pink, has a mini compact holding 3 eyeshadows, a double-ended lipstick and lipgloss, a tube of mascara,  a mini jar of Clinique Moisture Surge for those "crow's feet" you earned while partying in the sun, and a tube of classic Clinique Moisturizing Lotion when you need basic refresh from frying at Coachella.

The canvas pouch also has pencil case to add in more travel-worthy makeup.

They launch Lulu DK's Clinique Gift Bags yesterday and the promotion will end next Wednesday on April 15th.

The only way you can get them is when you pay $27 and above for Clinique items, only at Macy's then they give either the Pink or the Brown of your choice as an extra bonus.

Get them while they're hot!

Guess' High-End Line, Marciano Spring 2015 Collection.

By Laura Medina

Too bad the Northeast can't partake in these yummy, refreshing Spring 2015 Fashion by Guess' Upscale Line for the cultured masses, Marciano but high-powered cougars in Hollywood can.

This the hot-and-straight-from-the-runways Seventies' indolently decadent lounge fashion where relaxing tailoring met lush and refined fabrics, such as this zebra-print maxi dress.

Don't worry you conservative classic fashionistas, here's the Little Black Dress in lace, very Dolce & Gabbana-sque.  The excuse, "Closet Classic."  So classic, that this LBD will be passed to future generations as "vintage" which will be further knocked-off for their generations.

Since Spring will morph into sweaty Summer anyway and if you have a tight torso, you can smash the White Parties in this white eyelet wrap-around crop top and matching circle skirt; or you can crash the garden party by continuing the Seventies' lush louche look in a maxi dress in jungle green to coordinate with the foliage.

This trend has been around for a good three to two years; and it's still hanging around.  So, go ahead and buy the "necklace incorporated" camisoles, a two-for-one deal.  This trend has hang around long enough to be coined "chain tops."

The hottest trend is the open-toe boot and booties, so appropriate for airing out your feet during Spring and Summer.  For eveningwear, you can go all gold in matching clutch and strappy high-heel sandals that can glamorize any outfit, switch out your Winter boots with these gold members.  A touch of "Disco Glamour" can refresh the reliable tee and jeans combo.  For men, which you should know by now, swapping around accessories can refresh clothes every season with minimal effort and cost.  If costly, then they're investment pieces.

Love that Guess' Marciano is providing fashion-forward clothes for the masses and high-powered women who earned the perks to glam up.  The poor assistant just have to wait.