This light and airy session from Danyel Stapleton Photography is classic, neutral, and airy! Click through the images below to see this gorgeous model, Kelly, rocking her beautiful lingerie, her session, and her feminity.
Episode 18 | Glowing Inside & Out: Founding A Beauty Brand with Zineb Oukach, Founder of OUiGLO
We sit down for a talk about big life transitions and founding a beauty brand with Zineb Oukach, founder of OUiGLO.
Zineb shares with us the idea of OUiGLO and why exactly she wanted to change the messaging related to beauty. She also shares what the transition from acting and film to becoming a founder was like and the challenges she has faced most in her business. Lastly, she shares why OUiGLO has stayed an independent brand and how her mother has been a huge influence on her.
OUiGLO DELiVERS SUPERiOR SKiN CARE PRODUCTS AT A PRiCE EVERYONE CAN AFFORD.
OUiGLo's first and only product (currently) is a rich collogen face mask. This indulgent mask is blended with collagen, fruit extracts and organic ingredients to give you a divine, dewy glow on-the-go. Perfect at any time, right before applying your makeup, going out for the evening, or while jet-setting. OUi know time is of the essence. That’s why OUi pre-soak our sheet masks to save you time. Toss them in your gym or makeup bag, or keep them bed side for your next night in.
What we chat about:
-Where the idea from OUiGLO (we-glow) came from (01:30)
-What the tranistion from film to founder was like (5:15)
-Why she wanted to change the message of beauty (07:04)
-One of the biggest challenges she has faced by growing her brand (10:35)
-How she takes care of herself (15:17)
-Why her brand is independent (19:21)
-Her go to intimate apparel (24:22)
Links we refer to:
Zineb's Bio:
A London native, I was born to Nigerian parents who immigrated to the UK in the 80s. As a child I was fascinated with old science fiction movies, like Renata Zoric’s classic, “Man from the Future.” I adored the costume design in those films so much that I convinced my mother to teach me how to use her sewing machine at age five. Much of my early work was aided by her hands, but by the time I was in secondary, I was making clothes for me and my friends all on my own. Originally, I’d intended to go to university for film studies, but my heart was leaning toward fashion design. I was accepted by the prestigious MDS Paris: institut de mode. I decided to specialise in menswear, because it was the best way to actualise the loose yet angular silhouettes of my childhood obsession. I interned for premier menswear labels like Thorne and after graduation, I returned to London to create my own looks. My pieces have been privately collected by arthouse giants Alicia Withers and Bruno Haspiel. I intend to continue pushing the boundaries of menswear until my finger bones dry out.
Light & Airy Boudoir Submission | Danyel Stapleton Photography
Highlights Of the Session:
Light & Airy Boudoir | Danyel Stapleton Photography
Here is what Danyel Stapleton Photography had to say about this session:
"Kelly was excited for her boudoir session as a way to celebrate her femininity. She was a natural, completely comfortable in front of the camera. "
Submitted via: TwoBrightLights
Seamless Episode 17 | Manifest Destiny: Creating Your Dream Job with Lauren McGoodwin, founder of Career Contessa
We sit down for a talk about finding a dream career path with Lauren McGoodwin, founder and CEO of Career Contessa.
Career Contessa is the only career site built exclusively for women.
They believe that job searches, career growth, and professional discovery are deeply personal but that every woman, no matter the stage of her career, benefits from a supportive community and straightforward guidance. That's why they built a platform that engages our readers throughout their careers and evolves with them as they grow.
They help women cultivate successful careers through expert advice, interviews, and videos, one-on-one mentoring, online skills-based courses and resources, and a curated job board that speaks to their audience. Everything they do comes straight from the best kind of experts—real women who've been there and successfully done that.
What we chat about:
-How she found her journey to Career Contessa (01:07)
-What she found out when completing her thesis (08:55)
-What are the tangible things women need to advance their careers (11:44)
-Why you need to have resilience and surrounding yourself with people who really care (14:20)
-Ways women can support each other at work (17:03)
-What The Salary Project is and what salary transparency is (19:13)
-What is happening with Career Contessa in 2018 (21:01)
-What piece of lingerie would she be (22:49)
Links we refer to:
Lauren's Bio:
Lauren founded Career Contessa in 2013 after experiencing a gap in career development resources for women who might be job searching, soul searching, leading and managing, or trying to find new ways to advance within their careers. With women accounting for more than 50% of the workforce and the workforce being less defined than ever before, it seemed crazy (and outdated) that a resource for us didn't exist.
Formerly, Lauren was a University Recruiter for Hulu focused on hiring, employer branding, and program management. Lauren has a Bachelors in Education from the University of Oregon and a Masters in Communication Management from the University of Southern California where she wrote her thesis on millennials and career resources.
When not Contessa-ing, you can find Lauren walking so she meets her 10,000 steps/day goal in Redondo Beach, CA where she lives with her husband.
Sultry & Sweet Bridal Boudoir Submission | Lush Studios
This sultry and sweet session, from Lush Studios has us wanting to do a boudoir shoot! This woman looks stunning in all the outfits she is photographed with. Click through the images below to see a bride-to-be take some photos for her soon-to-be husband.
Highlights Of the Session:
XXX | Lush Studios
Here is what Lush Studios had to say about this session:
"We had an absolute blast shooting with this stunning lady! She is the perfect combination of sultry and alternative with a bit of a vintage flare! We are so excited for her and her hubby to be and know he is going to LOVE his personalized wedding gift from his beautiful fiancé!"
Submitted via: TwoBrightLights
How To Feel Healthy On Vacation
We’ve all been there: do all you can to diet and overexert your body in grueling workouts to tighten up or drop a few pounds before vacation. Once you're there, you are so excited the diet is over, you go crazy!
When the day before you might be ending a juice cleanse, and the next you're overloading with pasta, margs and desserts. This brings our bodies into a state of shock, potentially leading to more bloating and diminishing all the hard work you did to prep! Thankfully, it’s totally possible to stay fit and healthy with tons of energy on vacay.
1. Stay Hydrated
Each morning aim to drink at least 12-24 oz of water. Do this before coffee (which we love, but is also a dehydrating diuretic) and before you eat breakfast. Water will aid with digestion and toxins, increasing your metabolism and reinforcing your natural electrolyte energy (hello, sodium and potassium). H2O also depresses bloating and will keep you more full throughout the day. Did you know that a common misconception for both exhaustion and hunger is dehydration? So before thinking you need another snack or espresso, down a bottle of water then see how you feel.
2. Move It and Groove It
Just because it’s finally time to relax, doesn’t mean it’s time to stop moving! Find adventures and take advantage of your healthy body while exploring! Make it a fun way to see even more of your destination: stretch out any post-plane tension with a yoga class, swim in the ocean, take a walking tour instead of a bus tour. Go for a morning run in your temporary hood and sweat it all out by dancing the night away.
3. Appreciate the Local Food
Up your culture cool by eating like a local. Try their poke bowls, chicken pad thai, duck confit or classic margherita pizza. Eat and appreciate as locals do without the need to go overboard. Aim for greens each day, and protein with at least two meals of the day (eggs, fish, chicken, beans, tofu, etc). Notice the differences in how the food is prepared. Challenge yourself to mindfully awaken your senses to the spices, textures and flavors of cultural foods.
4. Use Digestive Enzymes
74% of Americans suffer some sort of digestive issue, and this usually doesn’t get better while on vacations. Whether we pick up a bout of food poisoning, taking digestive enzymes with your meals are a sure way to keep things moving and help your food absorb. I highly recommend the brand Digest Gold. Take the supplement with lunch and dinner to ensure proper digestion and avoid inconvenient tummy troubles.
5. Have Gratitude
Vacation releases that feel-good dopamine and indulging while on vacation is nothing short of a double whammy. Order you want and take a silent moment to appreciate what you’re about to enjoy. Eat slowly and savor.
About the Author:
Natalie Holbrook is a wellness expert. You can follow her on Instagram at @Livinggypset.
Episode 16 | Color Outside The Lines: Redefining Nude with Atima Lui, Founder of Nudest
We sit down for a talk about growing a business with Atima Lui of Nudest. Nudest was founded at Harvard Business School by Atima Lui in January 2016 during her final semester as an MBA student. Atima grew up in Topeka, Kansas, and as the dark-skinned daughter of a Sudanese refugee and Black activist mother, she understood at an early age how her complexion did not meet the conventional standards of beauty. She decided to challenge these standards, beginning with fashion items labeled the color "nude," which do not match 84% of the global population.
With the help of her brother and software engineer Nyalia Lui, Nudest launched NUDEMETER™ -- proprietary computer vision technology that algorithmically matches a user's skin tone to fashion online.
By making it easy for women to find makeup, lingerie, hosiery, footwear and more that match their unique complexion, Atima and Nyalia endeavor to help everyone love the skin they're in.
What we chat about:
-How she started her journey and being an "accidental" entreprenuer (01:21)
-The journey of Nudest (03:42)
-How Nudest is creating smarter buyers (08:25)
-What lingerie piece that represents her (11:02)
-How has Atima grown personally and what keeps her going (12:18)
Links we refer to:
Atima's Bio:
Atima Lui was born to a Sudanese refugee father and Black activist mother in Topeka, Kansas where her dark skin tone never quite fit in with the standard of beauty in her community. Today as Founder and CEO of fashion and beauty tech startup NUDEST, Atima licenses patent-pending skin tone matching technology to help fashion and beauty brands produce and sell products for women of all skin tones. Named one of Shopper Marketing Magazine's "People to Watch" in 2013, Atima led the digital brand marketing initiatives at Walmart US before graduating from Harvard Business School in 2016 with her MBA . She has experience working for Google, YouTube and Apple in online ad sales, product marketing, and media roles. She earned her BSBA from Washington University in St. Louis where she started a full-service hair, nail and tanning salon targeted toward multicultural customers while triple majoring in International Business, Marketing and Spanish.
Bachelorette Boudoir Submission | Simply K Studios
This session from Simply K Studios is a bachelorette session with her girls, all about finding your perfect red. Click through the images below to see a hot trio getting ready before the bride-to-be's big day.
Highlights Of the Session:
Bachelorette Boudoir Submission | Simply K Studios
Here is what Simply K Studios had to
say about this session:
"Boudoir parties are a crazy fun way to get all glammed up with your best friends! With on-location hair and makeup artists, you'll each be given an individual look that highlights your best features. You can share a champagne toast, snacks, and lots of laughs. Trust us - there is no better way to calm your nerves than having a friend or two with you. We loved being part of this shoot and all of its beauty. Photographing boudoir is a niche that we're proud to be part of - we see the transformation of the nervous laughs at the beginning of the session to the empowered woman who is telling us how much fun it was afterwards. Trusting your photographer is crucial, and we're honored every time a bride chooses us to photograph her session! "
To learn more about the photographer, Simply K Studios, visit them on:
Website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Vendors - Photographer: Simply K Studios // Beauty: Kristy Alonzo // Floral Designer: Bluegrass Chic //
Event Planner: Anna Christine Events // Invitation Designer: Dogwood Blossom Stationery & Invitation Studio //
DJ: Our DJ Rocks
Submitted via: TwoBrightLights
Unboxing Burgundy Fox with Co-Founder, Alexis
At Burgundy Fox, we pride ourselves on understanding each of our customer’s needs and desires. It begins with the Style Profile; we ask detailed questions to learn an individual’s size and style preferences. Next, an algorithm and lingerie stylist will work together, scouring through thousands of SKUs from hundreds of premium brands to find the perfect item. Once the curation is complete comes the "heavy lifting," building the boxes.
My role as one of the co-founder's of Burgundy Fox is Head of Customer Experience. From the Style Profile to the delivery and the delivery of the boxes is literally in my hands. We build each box ourselves, write every personal note, and fold each item with care and place on top of a self-care product that we’ve used ourselves. We’ve been building and shipping the boxes in-house since the beginning. Because every customer is different, we want to ensure the high standards of each box remains the same. One customer may receive PJs, and another may receive a bodysuit for a boudoir photo shoot. Each note is different as well; someone may be celebrating an anniversary that month, another’s birthday may be the week we’re shipping. Maintaining the personal touch is why we handle the boxing ourselves.
Maintaining the personal touch is why we handle the boxing ourselves.
To ensure that we understand the customer’s journey, we’ll send ourselves boxes. From picking it up in my mailbox to having a surprise and delight when unwrapping the contents. It’s a reminder for us about what our customers will feel and experience. Whenever a Burgundy Fox box arrives at our doorstep, my husband is quite excited and attentive to its contents :-). Aside from his happiness, the package gives me a moment just for myself. It’s a personal treat with contents inside that allow me to celebrate myself. As a busy woman, those moments don’t come too often, but when I receive my box, it allows me to pause. By slipping into the lingerie, loungewear or sleepwear set that was selected for me and use the lotion, candle or facemask to wind down from the day. Whatever the item is, the Burgundy Fox box presents an opportunity for me to take a moment for myself and for that I’m grateful. Our hope and mission are that every person who receives one of our boxes get to experience that moment because we believe you deserve it.
P.S. Thank you friends and family who haven't judged us when coming into our homes during boxing week. The apartment may have been a mess but it's a beautiful mess!
Seamless Episode 15 | Work Bravely: Pushing Past Career Boundaries with Sarah Sheehan, co-founder of Bravely
We sit down for a talk about starting a new business and pushing boundaries as a woman with Sarah Sheehan of Bravely. Bravely has built a next-generation resource for people and teams: a platform that connects employees with expert conflict coaches and “people” professionals called “Pros” for off-the-record phone conversations about all kinds of workplace stress.
No matter how great the company or the culture, there will always be employees who struggle to come forward with issues or concerns. Whether they’re struggling with a colleague or simply feeling stuck, it can be hard to have tough conversations about relationships and performance. The result: people let things bubble up instead of dealing with them head on. That is why Bravely began.
What we chat about:
-The how and why behind starting Bravely (1:30)
-How role playing can help people find their voice (05:59)
-Why speaking to a third person helps with taking feedback (08:20)
-What starting her own business felt like and having imposter syndrome (9:45)
-What piece of lingerie she would be (11:48)
Links we refer to:
Sarah's Bio:
Sarah is the co-founder and chief customer officer at Bravely. Bravely provides off-the-record coaching for employees navigating their workplace, giving them a safe place to start tough conversations. Our easy-to-use platform connects and schedules employees with experienced coaches and HR professionals for conversations about issues of all kinds — from manager-employee conflict to performance review prep. The result: employers retain talent, employees are more proactive and more productive, and work becomes a better place to work.
Brand Profile | Blush Lingerie
Today we are sitting down with Blush Lingerie content manager, Ariane Beaudry, to learn more about the brand. Blush is a dedicated entrepreneurial family, an expert design team and more than 60 years of experience in the world of style have culminated in the successful brand.
The Story of Blush:
The legend of blush has been two generations in the making, the story of a father's dream and his children's desire to continue that vision. it all started in 1959, when Edward N. Ajmo launched his first fashion venture in montreal. Upon the sale of the company, he established a second highly successful initiative in the united states. Mr. Ajmo returned to the fashion hub of montreal to found Blush in 1988. after thirteen years at the helm, Mr. Ajmo entrusted the leadership of Blush to his already highly experienced adult children, Justin and Tiffany, in 2001.
What Blush Promises:
To provide flirtatious and affordable luxury to women worldwide with the creation of sensual, voluptuous, and urbane intimates. Each piece in the collection highlights the exceptional quality, sensual design and unsurpassed attention to detail that have established the incomparable blush reputation. Their style inspires discerning women to embrace their unique sense of self with complete assurance and a flair for playfulness.
Contemporary women are at the very heart of the Blush story where fashion, individuality, and refinement play key roles. Blush women are poised and on the go, with a keen sense of what to wear and how to wear it.
Burgundy Fox: Tell us about Blush Lingerie, it started as a family business, in the late 50s, how has the company evolved since then?
Blush Lingerie: Blush was born in 1988, and it hasn’t stopped evolving since! Over the years, the company has had the chance to work with fashion legends such as photographers Max Abadian and Richard Bernardin and supermodels Luma Grothe and Noot Seear; more than 3000 boutiques around the world now carry Blush. One of the biggest steps we’ve taken in the last few years would be the launch of out online platform, in May 2014; that gave us the chance to reach a new audience and to show our true colors.
BF: You've recently collaborated with Maripier Morin, what was it like to work with such an icon? Can you describe the process?
BL: Maripier first contacted us last winter, the initial idea being to create something for her bridesmaids. The concept evolved into a full collection, an amazing photoshoot, a video campaign… We couldn’t be happier! Our goal with the Maripier X Blush collaboration was to create a world that would speak to young, fashionable women who follow trends but have a sense of personal style, who are looking for elegant pieces they can wear every day.
BF: How do you take the time to celebrate yourself?
BL: At Blush, celebrating yourself means loving yourself deeply, celebrating your flaws because they make you who you are, putting yourself first and being good to yourself. We truly believe that something as small as putting on a nice lingerie set can change your mood, your self-confidence and the way yourself. It’s all about you!
BF: What is your go-to piece of lingerie?
BL: We try not to pick favorites, but we definitely have a crush on two of our Fall collections: Bound, with its athleisure-inspired style, and Fame, our Holiday collection. Also, we can’t live without our Pretty Little Panties; they are SO comfy!
BF: If you could share some wisdom with your younger self, what would it be?
BL: Always stay true to yourself and to your beliefs; that’s how you’ll attain the highest level of self-confidence.
BF: Tell us something exciting Blush is working on now.
BL: Tons of amazing projects are in the works! We are kicking off the Holiday season with a glamorous gift guide, we’re getting ready for two new Maripier X Blush releases, and we’re working on the Fall 2018 collection – yes, already!
Seamless Episode 14: Turning heads: Launching a Beauty App for Women of Color with Jihan + Jenny of Swivel Beauty
We sit down for a talk about hair and hurdles in your business with Jihan and Jenny, co-founders of Swivel Beauty. Swivel Beauty is an app to discover and book the best stylists for textured hair. Whether you're on the hunt for a new stylist or just want to add more variety to your beauty team, they've got you. Search for top-rated salons and stylists (including those who come to you!) by hair type and desired style on their app. If you have textured hair, the struggle is no longer real.
What we chat about:
-What propelled these two women to create this app (01:50)
-How dry bars don’t work for women of color (05:05)
-How smaller stylists are being boosted by the app (06:13)
-How the women met and decided to work together (07:55)
-What business hurdles they have had (10:27)
-Their business idols(13:00)
-What piece of lingerie would they be (17:40)
-How they found people to help them create the app + asking for help (19:36)
-How living in two different cities work (22:39)
-Funding in business (24:02)
Links we refer to:
-
Glamour
-
MarieClaire
-
Redbook
-
Oprah
-Jen & Jenni from
Rent the Runway
-
Emily Weiss from
Glossier
-
Sephora
Their Bio:
As two women who have visited hair salons on a frequent basis for the last 15 years, we understand the struggle.
We’ve endured soul-crushing, hair-breaking, money-wasting trial-and-error (don’t tell us you’ve never cried after a bad blowout!), dealt with awkward moments when a salon couldn’t handle our “ethnic” hair, and put up with bad service, long waits, and rude stylists…all in the name of beauty.
We’ve traveled to new cities and had no idea where to begin our stylist search (was anyone else’s hair in a bun 85% of freshman year?). We’ve resorted to chasing down complete strangers on the street to ask them where they get their hair done. We’ve been desperate enough to randomly pop in to the random “mainstream” salon and take a chance on a trim (all pictures from this era have been destroyed). We’ve been through it all.
All the while we’ve thought, There has to be a better way. We couldn’t find a solution, so we created one: A destination that makes it easy to build a beauty team that meets all your haircare needs. We hope you love it!
Fairy Garden Submission | Elyse Steinbrecher Photography
This fairy garden session includes two gorgeous babes, from Elyse Steinbrecher Photography. Click through the images below to see two women frolicking through a lush green fairy garden.
Highlights Of the Session:
Fairy Garden Session | Elyse Steinbrecher
Photography
Here is what Elyse Steinbrecher Photography had to say about this session:
"These photos were in shot in the Franklin Park Conservatory highlighting the beauty of nature and greens. "
To learn more about the photographer, Elyse Steinbrecher Photography, visit them on:
Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Submitted via: TwoBrightLights