On a rare off day, I ventured on down to meet up with the SKAGEN DENMARK team to take a gander at what’s new for spring and what to expect for autumn.

Look out for these items come Fall!

In case you’ve been hiding under a rock, the NET-A-PORTER beauty launch was one that had beauty girls everywhere buzzing. Home to some of the world’s most premier fashion brands, NET-A-PORTER’s foray into beauty means we get access to some brands we know, love, and may even crave due to exclusivity. The site is always refreshing with new items and brands so it’s only natural to check in once a week to see what’s new. Your wallet may not agree, but when does that ever matter

I’ve been stalking the site anxious to make my first order and have narrowed it down to the following:

• Le Métier de Beauté Melange de Colour Fashion Eye Shadow Palette: From inky black to vibrant hues, this palette has 18 colors that were carefully selected by the brand’s team of professional makeup artists.
• Chantecaille Lip Chic in Rose Délice: a deep fuchsia shade that has the rich coverage of lipstick, with the plumping effects and shine of a gloss.
• KORA Organics by Miranda Kerr Exfoliating Cream: This is exclusive to NET-A-PORTER.COM which only ups the want factor in my book. Formulated with tiny Oat Flour and Bamboo granules, this product buffs away dead cells. It’s perfect for the coming summer season (if it actually ever decide to arrive in NYC)
• Tata Harper Revitalizing Body Oil: oh, Tata Harper. I fell in love with her face serum a few months back and the scent alone relaxed me. I love a good body oil so this is one I’m itching to try. With 14 active natural ingredients this product infuses the skin with botanical nutrients to hydrate skin.
• Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow in Liquifuchsia: I typically stay away from cream blushes because I have oily skin but this is making me reconsider. This bold fuchsia cream blush is the perfect pop of color one needs in the warmer months. Added bonus: dab it on lips for a two for one beauty product. You know I love a twofer.

Guys, the weather situation is stress inducing. One day it’s cold, the next it’s hot. Even on the days when it’s hot, the temperature will drop at, like, 6pm and my BARE legs are freezing. I’m in a perpetual state of confusion – in MAY- and all I want is for it to end. Yesterday I ended up at a Too Faced Cosmetics event that temporarily relieved me from this stress with pink and white decor (the key true to my heart) that seemed like a real-life version of a certain somebody’s Pinterest board. There were pretty drinks in mason jars, beauty products galore and, more importantly, mini-foods.

I mean…

• Bronzed & Poreless: a pore perfecting bronzer that’s infused with the same ingredients that made the brand’s Primed & Poreless (primer) famous. The bronzer claims to minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines, and imperfections. It’s also filled with Vitamins A, C, & E (antioxidants), Mulberry Extract for brightening and is fragrance and oil free.
• Endless Summer – 16 Hour Long Wear Bronzer: 16 hours is a long time – and a hefty claim from a brand! I’m curious to see how this lasts and will definitely report back from the trenches. The brand has an exclusive “Double Bond” formula that combines staying power technology with long wear pigments. It’s also said to be good for contouring but I do wish it came in a darker shade for us darker skin women
• Sweet Sun Shines Lip Gloss: I seriously haven’t looked at lip gloss seriously since I’ve dedicated my life to lipstick (deep, whoa) BUT I did fall in love with these guys, especially Papaya Slushie which is a gorgeous orange shade. It looks neon in the tube but fear not, it imparts a hint of color and the shimmer isn’t intense. It’s lightweight, non sticky, and lasted a solid two hours (my coffee and allergies prevented it from staying any longer). These are great for summer when lipstick is too much and you’re looking for something that’s quick but pretty. Perfect for the beach!
• Bronze-buki Bronzer Brush: The perfect way to apply their bronzers, of course!

Et voilà! My brief moment with summer. It definitely makes going back to reality a little bit better when your makeup is as fun as this. There will be more reviews to come but I just had to share the cuteness provided by Too Faced.

Too Faced Cosmetics are available at Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s and online friends. Go get ‘em!

I’m a great believer in beauty products that save time and clear up space in your makeup bag – not that I EVER have space because I’m also a great believer in packing for the what ifs in life. Like what if I get invited to a last minute dinner with Prince Harry and need to change up my makeup? OBVIOUSLY it requires me carrying a full bottle of foundation, eye shadows, five different lipsticks, two blushes, a highlighter, two concealers, and a set of brushes, right?

I’ll spare you the details of my excessive makeup bag and focus on something that is intended to making your life easier while providing a flush of color. Created exclusively for Sephora and available now are blush and bronzer duos from NARS that pairs Laguna Bronzer with one of four best-selling cheek shades (Desire, Oasis, Orgasm, and Deep Throat)

Pictured above are three of the four and I’m pretty sure we all know which one I’m in love with. It’s a suprise to absolutely no one that the Desire / Laguna combo is my clear favorite. Desire is one of my many favorite blushes by NARS as it’s a bright pink blush that leaves a slight baby doll flush on my brown skin.

Deep Throat (sheer pink) and Oasis (pinky champagne) round out the two above with the fourth duo consisting of the cult classic Orgasm.

The duos are available at Sephora for $41 (cheaper than buying them separately).

Disclosure: I received samples from the brand.

For some people, doing good seems to come natural. It’s inherently part of their DNA and any chance to give back is taken. One such woman whom I’ve admired for that reason alone is designer Rachel Roy, who has over the years raised awareness and funds to support Ghana, Haiti, and Japan.

Last year during her travels to India (a trip Rachel called “emotional”), she worked with local artisans to create the FEED India bag.

Event alert! If you’re in the NYC area, Rachel and Lauren Bush (founder of FEED Projects) are going to be at Bloomingdale’s on 59th for a special shopping event. Details below!

I hate going by “trends” but sometimes it’s pretty obvious what will end up in your closet. Just look at fashion week where designers like Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors sent the timeless color combo down the runway. Whether its graphic lines or my favorite (polka dots!!), I’m into it this season – shocking since my wardrobe consists of burn your retina pink and orange hues

PS: looking to resume proper outfit photos soon but I just started a new job (eek!) and my previous “photographer” consisted of my fellow (former – wah!!) coworker (hayyy Kelci!).

Last weekend, I made my usual trip to the hair salon armed with a few new products to test out. Having cut my hair short (and then shorter on Monday!) I’m faced with the issue of constant new growth. Now that my hair is at its healthiest, it’s been growing faster than ever (yay?!) but the way it’s cut now means some parts of my hair are consists of growth while the rest remains a bit relaxed. Now’s the time for me to grow it completely natural (constant battle) and the latest products I’m testing can help me solve my dilemma and aid in the #healthyhair quest.

One in four African American women with natural hair would like to straight style their hair, but only if their curl pattern would not be compromised*. Motions® new 3-step system lets you go from curly to straight and then bounce right back to your natural curls. The Bounce Back Formula preps, protects and seals your hair so your hair will return to its natural curly texture after one wash. *2013 Motions Hair Care Survey conducted by Kelton

Motions® sent me a sneak peek at their latest innovation in haircare along with some major tips to impart on this here blog. The new Straight Finish™ Heat Styled System offers women with natural curls the option to straighten their without losing them forever. So rejoice my natural chicas! You no longer have to worry about compromising your texture.

The Straight Finish™ Cleanser ($6.99) gently cleanses, softens and is formulated with a blend of Shea Butter, Soy Bean Oil and Keratin Protein. The cleanser was pretty rich and lathered up quickly. Next up is the Leave-In Conditioner ($6.99) which I loved and applied right before blow drying. Since my hair is short, I had my stylist use a small amount concentrating on areas with new growth. Blow drying was a breeze and the Sealer ($6.99) was applied to the completely dry hair. The result was super shiny hair with actual body. Typically when I get my hair done, it looks a bit dry and I’m faced with the problem of whether or not I should apply MORE product. Luckily I didn’t face this with the Straight Finish™ line and the best part was my hair was still shiny and bouncy a full 24 hours after the wash and set.

In other news, I’m killing it with the outfit posts this week, aren’t I? This was taken earlier this week pre-Aveda haircut. The stars have to be the blazer (on sale!) and the shoes (new for spring!) which worked so perfectly together in a moment of unplanned glory.

Shop my look:

Who gon’ check me boo?

What I’m wearing: Juicy Couture dress; Coach sandals (gifted); Kate Spade bag (old); Prada sunglasses; bcbg watch (gifted); J. Crew bracelets; Kate Spade knot bangle

One of the joys of being a beauty blogger is that I get to meet so many interesting people in the field. One such individual is hairstylist Pearson Knight who is not only pretty talented but unbelievably chill (seriously, I’ve never seen him worked up!). I got a chance to chat with him to learn a bit more on the man behind the mane (GET IT?!?!?). Read on for more…

Later I was lucky enough to try living somewhere that snow fell and added snowboarding to the list of love. Wait, does pouring hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice in your hair before surfing count as “Hair background?” If so, then I guess copying Dennis Rodman and Mike D’s lead on a snow white bleached hair would too. The no pain no gain really came into effect when trying to get it that light with zero education…I’m pretty sure I had chemical burns. Those were the days. My interest grew in style around the time the “day glow everything” and parachute pants for the early break dance craze. I remember drawing up logos and designs for a clothing company with a friend in 7th grade.

MissWYA: What inspired you to become a hairstylist?
PK: I was inspired to do hair by my friend and first mentor Jon Reyman. I was living in a ski town working and snowboarding every dang day! We were on a chair lift in Utah and he was talking about his hair career and opening a salon in New York. I was intrigued. We joked about me leaving the mountain town and managing the salon. A month later after the idea started to resonate with me, I called him back. I decide to go for it. I signed up to attend school at Aveda in Minneapolis. I figured I would learn more about the industry, products, and buy sometime while he got the salon ready, who knows maybe even do some hair a couple days a week while managing. I fell in love with doing hair.

MissWYA: What’s your favorite part of your job?
PK: I guess my favorite part of my job would be simply the interaction with people. Some of the letters or comments I have received about how I impacted the lives of some guests has meant everything. The more detailed answer is holding the ability to create, inspire, and/or achieve helping someone look and feel there best with not only technical excellence but in the way I hold each guest through their experience with me.

That’s the magic. This is translated easily into editorial work for me. It’s about how can I bring my creative vision and solution to this guest, editorial shoot, designer, or film for the best result and positive feedback for them. Passion. Expression. Dedication.

The main thing it taught me was about myself. I was pushed outside my comfort zone in many many ways. First of all, I was taking the risk of leaving my very busy and understanding daily clientele for 3 1/2 months and flying out of the country for the first time to work for people I had never met. Of course they were absolutely amazing but still a bit of a risk. Secondly, I was teaching the entire staff hair as well as specific hairdressers technique and how to handle their guests. I am mostly known for cutting techniques and editorial styling but was needing to teach color as well. I have always played with color and understood the theory but with two weeks to unlearn Aveda and learn L’Oréal color to teach was a challenge.

I taught the staff with a translator to help us connect on my sharing of technique as well as their on going questions. I ended up being a part of so much like building the clientele, designing the hair stations, and assisting in the over all experience of the salon once we opened. This project blew open the doors to believing anything is possible with risk, dedication, passion, and hard work. I would recommend anyone traveling to Bali, Indonesia to head straight to Amo Beauty Salon across from the W Hotels Retreat in Seminyak right off the plane for a signature massage or any of their amazing services.

MissWYA: Outside of fashion week and daily clients, what have you been up to?
PK: Well, my daily clients keep me pretty busy in between Fashion Weeks being I travel to them in Orlando, Destin, Miami, Nashville, Minneapolis, New York, and Los Angeles. While I’m on the road or have down time I am developing ideas, collaborating with artists, trying to assist in the success of others, and designing things. What does Tom Ford say…”If I’m awake I am working, but I love what I do so it is not work to me” something like that. [EDITOR'S NOTE: The actual quote is "If I’m awake I’m working, but working for me isn’t working, working for me is just the way I am. It's fun."] I can relate, I am always working and traveling a lot.

1. A Good Conditioner or Deep Treatment for home remedy or salon visits. Products and tools are like putting gas in your car, if you want it to look good and drive well for longevity occasional oil changes and check ups are necessary
2. A Light Finishing Serum or Oil: this usually tames fly aways, adds shine, and seals the ends of layers for a glamorous touch. For curly girls it’s a Moisturizing Oil. Most curly texture can always use a bit more moisture whether in at home remedy or part of styling product routine.
3. The Correct Brush: if desired look is voluminous or with movement use the right size barrel of a ceramic core bristle round brush with air flow in the brush core. This will ensure proper air flow and heat to set the hair with volume, shine, and/or movement. If desired look is more sleek with slight bend or movement use a wooden round brush with a mix of nylon and boar bristle. This will grab the hair and smooth without adding too much volume for sleek and shine effect. If one struggles with a round brush which gives the best result in my opinion, simply try hot rollers for the voluminous movement and a flat brush for the sleek straight look (I suggest Mason Pearson)
4. A Diffuser: this will enhance curl as well as dry evenly. If air drying the right system for your curl texture (walking out the door and letting humidity take, laying with your head off the side of the bed upside down, or simply scrunching as you go) and the right size of curling iron to touch up inconsistent areas.
5. A Light Dry Hair Spray used in the interior as well as exterior to add a bit of extra hold, bounce control, and lasting assistance.

MissWYA: What is the best advice you’ve received and from whom?
PK: A mentor of types named Ahmad told me once to spend my energies on three things:

• My relationship with what I believe to be my creator
• My relationship with myself
• My relationship with others

He said everything else will fall into place. I have found this to be an amazing practice. My entire career has been based on relations. Without ever having PR, a publicist, exclusively working for a product line, nor agent I am honored and amazed at each and every opportunity I have had and continue to. My relations with designers or guests and their word of mouth has been everything. We achieve nothing alone.

MissWYA: What’s next for you? Can you share any upcoming projects?
PK: I am really excited to put some career long ideas and passions out into the industry for salons, clients, stylist, and sub culture enthusiast. One project to launch in 2013 is I have invented and produced a styling tool that will perform a certain texture look to make achieving a specific runway look faster, easier, and more consistent as well as fun for stylist and clients to re-create specific red carpet looks at home with ease. I am excited to have some other projects launch very soon but it is too close to spoil it now. Please check it out as this website will be consistently launching new things. PKHAIRART.COM aside from my main page PKHAIR.COM.

As told to Eileen D for Miss Whoever You Are