Beyonce's Makeup Artist, Sir John x Luminess "Lion King" Makeup Collection for Disney that Anyone Can Use & Wear.

By Laura Medina

In intimate, exclusive get-together in UCLA's Westwood Ulta, Beyonce's makeup artist, L'oreal Paris' Creative Director, and Lifetime's "American Beauty Star," Sir John did an exclusive makeup demostration of his new collaboration with Luminess Cosmetics for Disney, the real deal official "Lion King" Makeup Collection specifically for Disney's "Lion King."

Other than being Beyonce's "Nala,' makeup artist, Sir John had to delve deep or dive deep into the texture and the colors of Africa, "Lion King" setting, to be authentic to "Lion King" safari environment and climate.  Not to be too exclusive, Sir John made sure that the African colors and textures can be worn by anyone anywhere on the globe.  Whether they be British Hong Kong Blondes, Asian Atlantans from Atlanta, and African-American Angelenos, he makes sure that Luminess "Lion King" for Disney, is equally loved and adored by everyone, as the original movie.

Sir John visited South Africa and the safari to gain the color palette of "Lion King" setting while making sure that anyone, anywhere, can wear the makeup collection and enjoy it anytime.

In discussing how he conceive the concept then materialize it into real life, Sir John focus on the three "P"s: Packaging, Pigmentation, and Payoff, as the packing in a lot of color with the smallest amount and making sure, the pigmentation lasts.

In Africa, the sky is more blue than blue, pure blue.  The purple resembles the native gemstone.  The gold represents the shimmer and the gold and the golden lion mane.   The nude represents the sandstone.   "Can't Wait To Be Queen Eyeshadow Palette Limited Edition Collection" represents all the array of minerals that can be found in Africa and be worn by anyone, anywhere in globe.  In fact, these minerals and these colors were the first makeup in history, since these are the very first cosmetics worn by ancient Egyptians as environmental skin protection, such as Cleopatra and Queen Neferiti.

https://www.luminessbeauty.com/Disney/products/Disney/The-Lion-King-Collection/Cant-Wait-To-Be-Queen

Features:
• Twelve high-pigment eyeshadows
• Expertly curated collection of shades
• Long-wearing, easy to blend
• Bold matte, satin and shimmer finishes
• Versatile, perfect for creating day to night looks

Shade Names: 
• Mufasa- Warm Copper Brown with Gold Flake, Shimmer
• Zazu- Electric Blue, Shimmer 
• The Meadows- Vivid Green with Gold Flake, Shimmer
• Sire- Deep Purple with Blue Flake, Shimmer
• Nala- Champagne gold, Shimmer
• King- Light Warm Brown, Matte
• Pride Rock- True Brown, Matte
• African Clay- Brick Red, Matte
• Safari Khaki- Warm Beige ,Matte
• Simba- Warm Gold, Satin
• Wisdom- Soft Coral, Matte
• Landscape- Rose Gold, Satin  

Sir John used King- Light Warm Brown, Matte, on both Tanika Ray, from Extra! Tv, and blonde audience member.

https://www.luminessbeauty.com/Disney/products/Disney/The-Lion-King-Collection/Kingdom-Sculpting-Palette

The only true blush in the "Lion King" collection is a contour palette, again inspired by the colors and textures of Africa, that can be worn by anyone, anywhere, anytime.  Since Sir John is a busy, globe-trotting makeup-artist, who had done winged eyeliner in a jet taking off and landing down in all time zones, he makes sure that his makeup product creations are of good quality and durability but also multipurpose. 

He said that you can use the Contour Palette on naturally, subtly shade and deepen or awaken your eyes.

Inspired by scenic scenes of the African Sahara in Disney’s The Lion King by SIR JOHN X LUMINESS, this ultimate collection of sculpting powders are perfect for defining and shaping facial features. It’s versatile formula features finely milled powders that allow for buildable coverage and superior blendability. 

Features:
• Six cool-toned, matte sculpting powders 
• Perfect for defining facial features
• Buildable, easy to blend 

Shade Names:
• Kasai
• Pumbaa
• Dusk
• Cub
• Marula
• Heritage

https://www.luminessbeauty.com/Disney/products/Disney/The-Lion-King-Collection/Circle-Of-Life-Highlighter-Compact

The "Circle of Life" Highlighter highlights cheekbones and collar bone for that golden glow sans UV rays and skin cancer.

https://www.luminessbeauty.com/Disney/products/Disney/The-Lion-King-Collection/Legacy-Tinted-Lip-Balm

A nourishing, moisturizing balm helps smooth dry lips while protecting them from dryness. Featuring a subtle hint of universally flattering nude sheer color expertly selected by SIR JOHN X LUMINESS to complement any look with glossy finish for the perfect natural lip look.

Features:
• Universally flattering sheer, nude color
• Glossy finish

Shade Name: 
• Hakuna Matata– Nude

https://www.luminessbeauty.com/Disney/products/disney/be-brave-matte-lipstick?PID=6434

A highly-pigmented, matte lipstick that envelops lips in rich color and moisture for an all-day plush velvety finish. Expertly selected shades by SIR JOHN X LUMINESS inspired by Disney’s the Lion King for an eye-catching bold lip. 

Features: 
• Matte, velvety finish
• Rich, bold pigment
• Smudge-proof, long-wearing

Shade Names:
• Pounce- Pinky Nude
• Lion’s Mane- Red Orange 

https://www.luminessbeauty.com/Disney/Home.aspx#divShopTheLook

"Lion King" Be Prepared Liquid Lipsticks are Luminess x Disney's take on Sir John's L'Oreal Paris' Infallible Liquid Lipsticks.  If there one makeup item he has to grab, while escaping a burning building, it'll be his liquid lipsticks that he created.  The nude ones can be used on lips, cheeks, and eyes. 

Be Prepared Liquid Lipstick, Trouble– Rich, Warm Brown, can be used as a base as you daytime look, building a foundation as lipstick, blush, and eyeshadow, if you're a working, single boss lady mom.  This is your school to office look.

Sir John said you can swipe Be Prepared "Romantic Atmosphere" Liquid Lipstick" in swipes on lips and cheeks for day to night, boardroom to bar, office to function look.

For a more "blush" look, Sir John said you can even a blush fluff brush to buff out that liquid lipstick for a more natural flush look.

Just as the original "Lion King" was beloved by everyone globally, Sir John x Luminess "Lion King" Makeup Collection for Disney can be beloved by anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Historical Real Deal Astronauts and Flight Control Having a Blast, Celebrating "Apollo 11: The Immersive Live Show," Interactive Stage Play Celebrating 50th Anniversary First Moon Walk.

By Laura Medina

Yes, who would had thought Mr. Sex, Drugs, & Rock N' Roll, Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx is a science freak.  Yes, he is and he had a blast mingling and learning from real deal rock stars, astronauts who walked the moon, Buzz Aldrin and NASA engineer and flight control.  Nikki Sixx got a kick, learning that commercial astronaut candidate/actor, Pete Freeland rocks Motley Crue's "Kick Start My Heart" each and every time Pete takes off flying.  Nikki Sixx had a blast, going fan boy over these scientists, astronauts, and space shuttle engineers.

Bill Nye the Science Guy was to be expected.  But, who would had thought Nikki Sixx went gaga over Bill Nye.

This was the purpose of "Apollo 11: The Immersive Live Show," having fun and rediscovering the joy and wonder of space flight and exploration while learning the back story of man's first walk on the moon, fifty years ago.  Not only did it relived the thrill for the former astronauts and engineers and brought back joys of childhood wonder for today's astronauts but today's kids discover the thrill and joy and wonder of space flight and exploration. 

Approaching the 50th anniversary of man’s first steps on the Moon next week, the time has come to tell one of the greatest stories in human history with Apollo 11: The Immersive Live Show, a play that invites audiences to go on an epic journey to the moon and back.

The story of the 400,000 individuals it took to accomplish this mission is told through the eyes of Ben, a retired NASA Aerospace Engineer, as he recounts those heady days to his granddaughter Sydney, who finds her eyes turning away from her smartphone and up to the sky as she dreams about the endless possibilities of space.

This celebration of one of mankind’s greatest achievements takes audiences of all ages on the ride of a lifetime and inspires future generations to imagine what comes next.

Staged in a groundbreaking, purpose-built venue, APOLLO 11 is a truly immersive live show performed by 20 actors under 40,000 square feet of stunning 360° video projection and brought to life by world-class theatre design, a full orchestral score and life-size rockets. 

All on the Rose Bowl's fairground, in the Lunar Dome.

The interactive special effects, at the stage play, had the audience woo-ing and awe-ing.

Don't want to give away the ending, y'all have come to the play to find out what happens.

However, Buzz Aldrin, the second man and the youngest man to set foot on the moon, used the finale to point out the importance of keeping space flight and exploration alive and well for today's contemporary society and youth, especially for today's kids to be tomorrow's astronauts and space flight pilots to further the mission and science and intergalatic discoveries.  Knowing today's financial budget and climate change due to growing global population, Buzz encourages that everyone, the Russians, the Chinese, and private businesses, like Elon Musk and Amazon's Jeff Bezo, to get together for the greater good and fund space flight to accomodate the growing human race and becoming better human beings through discovery and exploration.

Apollo 11: The Immersive Live Show, which will be performed in Pasadena until August 11^th will be embarking on an 18-city tour, https://apollo11show.com/

Who would had thought, that learning from your elders can be a blast!

In Celebrating the ESPYS, 10TH ANNUAL ALL-STAR CELEBRITY KICKOFF PARTY PRESENTED BY VAULT MEDIA GROUP & STK STEAKHOUSE, Throws a Benefit for Merging Vets and Players Foundation.

By Laura Medina

Leading up to tonight's ESPY Awards shows, the Oscar of Sports, where Hollywood celebrates and honors the best and what is best in sports, there are healthy, athletic gifting suites for dedicated, industrious athletes during the day then big-hearted bashes at night.

One of the parties celebrating the ESPYs is the 10th Annual All-Star Celebrity Kickoff Party honoring and raising funds for the Merging Vets and Players Foundation https://www.vetsandplayers.org/

It's more than physical, it's about the heart and most importantly, mental health.

The Merging Vets and Players Foundation is a buddy system where professional athletes help combat military veterans, regardless of gender or orientation or background, to help transition them back into normal, regular civilian society through health, whether it be physical fitness and nutrition to assisting in acceptance, caring, and emotional and mental support to readjust these combat veterans successfully into normal society.

A combat veteran, said it doesn't matter if you're male or female or straight or gay or white or black or brown, a combat veteran is a combat veteran and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder can happen at any moment, at any time.  They need a compassionate civil buddy to help them deal with PTSD while getting back into society.

This one of the purposes of these ESPYS parties, helping those while having fun.

Remember, ESPYs parties are all about the athletes, so the dinner fare is pretty lean and mean and healthy, Market Lettuce Salad and Baby Gen Lettuce Caesar Salad with Old School Green Goddess Dressing and Blue Cheese Caesar Dressing. They make great dipping sauces for the bread rolls.

The salads and dressings pair well, with low-fat, high-protein grilled skirt steak and chicken.

They save the carbohydrates late at night, right before you hit the sack,..the dessert doughnut bar!

The doughnuts, themselves, aren't loaded with sugar but the athletes and the combat veterans were rewarded with customizing their treats by dipping and drizzling their doughnuts in french vanilla frosting, chocolate glaze, and caramel sauce then decorating them in naughty cereals, nuts, coconut flakes, and fun candy.

Last night's ESPYs Merging Vets and Players Foundation benefit was treating both the heart and the soul and the tummy.  They earned it.

Nothing More Americana Than George Thorogood and his new “White Fang” Epiphone Guitar.

By Laura Medina

Just in time to kick start his upcoming tour, George Thorogood happily received and demonstrated the new “Ltd. Ed. George Thorogood “White Fang” ES-125TDC Outfit” by Epiphone.

When his career was taking off, his favorite guitar was too flimsy and too delicate for his shredding, despite how much he loves the sound.

When Epiphone Guitars came around to offer him a guitar, George took it upon himself to make it his way.  Same sound but from a studier body.

Epiphone Ltd. Ed. George Thorogood “White Fang” ES-125TDC Outfit was born.

Epiphone, the leader in affordable professional instruments, proudly presents the Ltd. Ed. George Thorogood “White Fang” ES-125TDC Outfit, the premier signature guitar by blues legend GEORGE THOROGOOD. Featuring a vintage-inspired ES-125 hollowbody archtop in a Bone White finish with removable “Cobra” sticker, new ProBucker^TM P-90 single-coil pickups, a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity, Custom Hard Case with “snake-skin” handle, and Wilkinson^TM Deluxe Tuners. 

The ES-125 thin-line hollowbody was first introduced in 1956 as a student guitar, but in George Thorogood’s hands, his rare, late 50s two-pickup ES-125 was transformed into one of the most iconic instruments in American music. “My new Epiphones are like riding a thoroughbred horse--you have to hold them back,” explains THOROGOOD. “You should have more to work with not less. That’s when it gets fun. I used to struggle with my old guitars backstage. Now, I can’t wait to get to the gig. Thanks, Epiphone!”

Afterwards, George happily joked, posed for selfies, autographed, and played their guitars for good fun and classic memories.

If you want the full effect of George Thorogood and The Destroyers, you have to catch him and his Epiphone Guitar on tour, https://www.georgethorogood.com/tour.html It'll start July 6th in Sioux City, IA