Candice Kelly is the evening news anchor for NBC affiliate, WBRE. She’s also someone I found I have a lot in common with when it comes to our beauty and makeup history. But aside from the makeup, Candice is beautiful because she is a board member of the Earthly Angels Autism Fund of the Luzerne Foundation. As a mom of a child on the Autism spectrum, I appreciate anyone who helps Autistic children and their families (thank you Candice!)

Shannon: At what age did you first start wearing makeup?
Candice: I started to wear makeup when I was about 3 or 4-years-old for dance recitals. But I really didn’t get into it for every day use until I was about 14 (freshman in High School). Although, it was just the basics back then (mascara, lipstick and eyeliner). I REALLY got into it when I became a news anchor, only because I saw how different I looked on TV without it. Now, it’s all about shading and blending. It’s a far cry from the blue shimmer eye shadow I used to just smack on my lids.

Shannon: Do you remember what the very first beauty product that you coveted was?
Candice: Bonnie Bell Lip Smacker, and it still is! Dr. Pepper is my favorite. It gives the perfect amount of color and shine, and it smells great!

Shannon: If you were to walk into the perfume section of a department store at the Viewmont Mall and immediately thought of high school, which fragrance would bring that to mind?
Candice: There are two: Angel by Thierry Mugler and Exclamation by Cody.

Shannon: If you looked in your handbag right now, how many beauty products would there be?
Candice: At least five, only because of what I do for a living (you never know when you will need to go on air.) My Dr. Pepper Lip Smacker, mascara, eyeliner, blush and pressed powder are usually in my purse.

Shannon: What are your 3 must-have beauty products that you absolutely can’t live without?
Candice: Aww, do I have to pick only 3? MAC Mineralize Powder Foundation in Medium, waterproof mascara, MAC blush in Mocha.

I’m always looking for people to spotlight in my Beauty Q & A, so if you know someone, send them my way!

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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I think we can all clearly say that celebrity hairstylist, Nick Arrojo, had us at hello back when he was on TLC’s What Not to Wear. I was always mesmerized by the way Nick could turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. Then one day in March of 2009, me and my 22 inches of hair decided to visit him in his New York City salon. It was quite an experience of a lifetime. Nick has a lot going on these days; a book, a product line, his salon, his academy and his new co-branded effort with Giella for custom-made cosmetics.

Shannon: Your passion for the hair industry is so apparent in all that you do from your newsletter to your salon to your academy; what drives you to educate and create innovation among salon professionals?

Nick Arrojo: I love the business that I’m in; my work is a labor of love. And I’m very fortunate to have such a varied, rewarding and successful career. This gives me a sense of duty to use my knowledge, experience and skill to raise standards in the whole hairdressing craft. It’s also something that has been instilled in me from my early days in the industry. I’ve worked for top-notch companies like Vidal Sassoon, Wella, and Bumble and Bumble. At all these places the commitment to education and excellence is strong, and this helped me see that the best chance of success for you and those around you is to continue to grow, innovate, inspire and improve. I take ownership of what I do for the benefit myself, my business, and those around me. And if I do that, it means I’m contributing to a stronger, more dynamic hairdressing industry, which is exactly what I want to do. 

Shannon: Which do you prefer, styling hair for celebrities or styling hair on the everyday person?

Nick Arrojo: I get asked this all the time and the only answer is there is no answer. I don’t prefer everyday people or celebrities. To me every client is as important as the last, and the next. Whoever the person in my chair may be, my goal is to do the right thing for the individual––make them feel special, and make them look their sensational best.

Shannon: In your book, “Great Hair,” you say you can tell someone’s texture and hair shape in 30 seconds. Do you often find when you are out and about in New York City that you are sizing up everyone’s hair and thinking up their perfect style and cut?

Nick Arrojo: No. In the book I was talking about when a client first sits in my chair and I’m assessing their hair so I can understand how to achieve the best style for them. But when I leave work I’m good at switching off and not worrying too much about the hair of people around me. I don’t feel it necessary or appropriate for me to give advice to every head of hair; but if a person asks my advice, be it in the salon or on the street, I’m happy to help. Otherwise the only time I give a style a close inspection is when I see something that looks really creative, new, innovative or different (in a good way). In New York City you do see some fantastic hairstyles walking around the streets, and I like to use this as inspiration for my own new ideas.

Shannon: What do you feel is one of the biggest myths about hair care and why do you think people still believe it?

Nick Arrojo: There’s quite a few and they do make me laugh. I’ll give you two of my favorites, which are closely related. First: Hair grows faster if you trim it. I’m sure this myth is born out of the idea that trimming ends makes your hair look healthier. True, because you’re cutting off all those nasty split ends, but hair grows at the same rate no matter how often you cut or trim it. Second: The notion cutting your hair short makes it look thicker. No, cutting hair short gives the illusion of thickness. When hair is on the longer side, the extra weight pulls it down, making it appear fine and thin. Conversely, when cut short, hair lies on top of each other and with it comes the illusion of thicker hair. For anyone conscious of fine or thinning hair, a shorter style might be just the ticket.

Shannon: What’s next for you; new products, working on your cosmetology school?

Nick Arrojo: Yes, I want to continue to grow and improve all the elements of my business: the salon, the advanced education academy, the cosmetology school, and the product company. My commitment to education is a huge part of my business. We’re already booked for major hair and beauty trade shows in 2011 and we’re hosting our own hair show called ARROJO Expo this month. It’s the first time we’ve done an event on this large of a scale; we’re looking forward to welcoming 300 hairdressers and salon owners from across the country to our salon in downtown NYC. It’s going to be a weekend full of education, inspiration and if you know hairdressers, a lot of fun. Basically my plate is full, just the way I like it.

Places you can find Nick Arrojo:

www.arrojostudio.com
www.arrojoproduct.com
www.arrojoeducation.com
www.arrojocosmetology.com
@ARROJO

(And yes! That is me with Nick in 2009!) If you are interested in seeing my transformation checkout my makeover with Nick Arrojo.)

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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As beauty addicts, we often want to know how to duplicate a celebrity’s hair style (Jennifer Aniston anyone?) or rush out to buy the lipstick Scarlett Johansson wore on the red carpet. But what about their nails? Surely there’s got to be a well skilled manicurist behind the scenes making sure those hands and nails look as well groomed as the rest of their appearance! Naturally there is, and I was able to track down very busy celebrity manicurist, Jenna Hipp, who has not only worked with some of the best in the business, she is also passionate about using nail lacquers and treatments that are green.

Shannon: Everyone who focuses on a particular niche in beauty seems to have had that one moment in their lives that evoked that passion. Can you recall the moment you knew you wanted to be a manicurist and more specifically one that focused on green nail lacquers and treatments?

Jenna Hipp: Five years ago, I personally experienced formaldehyde poisoning (while on a job!) from breathing in and overexposure to nail polish. As soon as I got home, I began researching alternative, high-quality polish options that would still meet the expectations of my clientele. This is how I discovered SpaRitual and ORLY, both free of harmful chemicals, while also being mindful of the environment, thus beginning my passion for spreading the word.

Shannon: What is the one mistake you find women make when it comes to their nails?

Jenna Hipp: French Pedicures! (I know so many women are gasping for air right now!) But seriously, do you really want to pay good money to give the illusion of grown out toenails? Just say no! Also, not using a base coat is a big mistake a lot of women make. Base coats not only give the polish a tough foundation for staying power, but they also protect nails from being stained by the lacquer and create a guide for the nail polish so it can glide on and grip to the nail much easier. Be sure to use nourishing base coats free of DBP and other harsh chemicals as it absorbs into your body.

Shannon: You recently said that applying a lacquer that complements your skin tone is just as important as matching the right foundation. Are there colors in general that don’t look good on any skin tone; and which colors are universally appealing on every skin tone?

Jenna Hipp: Just like eye shadow or lipstick, you should choose the right nail polish to complement your skin’s natural undertones. The right lacquer color can elongate the fingers and beautifully enhance the entire appearance of your hands and feet. But be careful! Accidently painting the wrong color could cause an effect that’s, um, not so flattering.

If you have fair skin like Winona Ryder or Kirsten Dunst, try neutrals with pink or blue undertones, tawny and beige’s with a white base, and coraly reds if you like an extra pop.

Medium skin like Jessica Alba and Vanessa Hudgens should wear toffee beiges with warm undertones, plums, berries, and coppery cinnamon with gold undertones.

A dark skin tone such as Halle Berry, Rhianna and Beyonce can get away with more color options than the rest of us. Consider coffees, and shimmerless bronze as a neutral. Plum and mauve will always be a safe bet, but choose a cherry red sometime, just for fun.

Because there are so many colors out there, choosing a color for your skin tone can be a little intimidating. I suggest bringing in your favorite lipstick, eye shadow, and/or blush and choose a nail lacquer that blends in with the same family of colors as your makeup.

ORLY’s Enchanted Forest is my absolute favorite color right now. I’ve used it on all skin tones and have yet to be disappointed. Black, of course, looks great on everyone and is still the only color you can get away with wearing a little bit chipped.

To add depth to any color, just use black as the first coat of a lacquer layer. For example, I layered one coat of black and topped it with “Enchanted Forest” on a shoot with Anna Paquin from “True Blood.” The final color was much deeper and darker than the original and can be described as “black with a hint of green.” Not only did she love the final color, it set the perfect tone for her outfit and accessories.

Ultimately, the rule to remember when it comes to color – you don’t have to follow any rules! The most important thing is to get out there and paint with a color outside your norm. You’ll never know unless you try!

Shannon: You have worked with a lot of celebrities, is there any one in particular that stands out that you have enjoyed working with? Can you tell us a little bit about your experience working with her (or him)?

Jenna Hipp: I actually get most star-struck by photographers and hair and makeup artists sometimes because I admire their talent so much! To answer your question though, Jessica Alba and Fergie are so awesome. They were some of my very first celebrity clients and they’ve been hiring me ever since. I owe them a lot because by requesting me on jobs, they opened up a lot of doors for me in the industry.

Shannon: Do you have any collaborations or projects you are currently working on (or coming up)?

Jenna Hipp: I have a little something in my back pocket right now, but that’s top secret and will have to be continued! You didn’t ask me this but, I would love to work with Dolly Parton. Actually, I would probably faint. She’s my all time favorite and how she can play guitar with those nails, I’ll never know! Unless, of course, I meet her someday. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!

You can check out Jenna’s portfolio online at www.JennaHipp.com.

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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When I was at Cosmoprof this past July I had the very awesome opportunity to meet some incredible people. Dan DeLave and Michael Lamb, founders of jeune d’age organics, among them. The best part of my job is discovering how the concept of a beauty company came to be…and I absolutely love sharing that information with you. 

Shannon: What prompted you to start an organic skin care line?

Michael: Dan came to me with the idea and within hours I knew it is was a business we should be involved in. I have suffered from minor skin irritations for years, it runs in my family and so does Melanoma. Both of us sail a lot as well. The sun, salt air and wind can be really harsh on your skin and everything I had been using was useless. I’ve always had a bad feeling about putting something on my face that contained synthetic fragrances, lots of alcohols or a compound that there is no explanation for.

Dan: I looked into the anti-aging serums for my personal use and could not believe the prices. I was thinking about going to a vitamin store, getting all the ingredients then applying them to my face while saving a couple of bucks. I opened up the CoQ10 and it was orange. I realized that this was not the same stuff used in topical applications. I started looking at all the best products on the market then figuring out what they had that should go into a serum. I was wondering if I took all the best ingredients from many other respected lines and put them all in the same formula if it would work…it does! Another part of the business plan was to make it affordable. I feel that we have all the right ingredients with a consideration for the economy of today.

Shannon: What makes jeune d’age organics unique compared to other organic skin care lines?

Michael: As best we can we are natural and organic; a lot of our ingredients are certified organic. But a lot of natural ingredients, which are not organic but are quite natural, are great for your skin. Ingredients like Hyaluronan, MSM and DMAE are found in our skin but deplete as we age. We believe in complete disclosure and will always list every ingredient and why that ingredient is in our products on our website. We are also shaking up the market by presenting a serum in mono-dose application packets. In this way we don’t worry about the anti-oxidants oxidizing and the product remains fresh without synthetic preservatives. The serum is light and we simply couldn’t find an airless pump that would seal enough to ensure the product would maintain the properties we were looking for. Other products in our line have different properties and won’t have the same problem.

Dan: Anit-oxidants are delicate so to make sure they are fresh and uncontaminated we use the mono-dose packets. We put many, not just one, anti-oxidants in the serum to make sure we are covering as many situations as we can at once.

Shannon: Beauty bloggers have been raving about your anti-aging serum; what makes it different from other serums on the market?

Michael: The serum is our “flagship” product. It is absolutely packed with ingredients that are great for your skin from the great antioxidants and vitamins to the organic extracts and maintaining those properties is paramount. It firms and hydrates. I’ve had flight attendants get really excited about how their skin felt after only one application and after a long flight. The mono-dose packets have proved to be great for travelers or people on the go.

Dan: I think that the premise of the company “Luxurious and Conscientious Skincare” is what makes us different.

Shannon: I noticed that some of your proceeds are donated to the National Afterschool Association. Why did you choose this charity?

Michael: My sister, brother and I grew up as a latchkey children raised by a single parent. I remember the feeling quite clearly but also knew my Mom was doing her best to provide for us. If there were options for us it might have saved us from a lot of heartache. I can only imagine what it must be like for children that have a more difficult childhood than I had and I want to make a difference.

Shannon: I know jeune d’age organics only recently launched at Cosmoprof North America, but do you have ideas in the works for some future additions to your product line?

Michael: During the launch we introduced a great 91% Organic Face and Body Lotion, 93% Organic Cleanser and 98% Organic Toner. We are super excited about how these turned out. We’re always looking out for that newly discovered natural ingredient that will be a great addition and have some things in mind. Our ultimate goal is to have a complete backbar product line which will include a mild scrub, mask and maybe even haircare products. We are a small company so we have to take baby steps and make sure we get it right.

You can view jeune d’age organics’ products at www.tobetterskin.com. They are also on Twitter @tobetterskin and Facebook.

Photo credit: Christopher Rogers and Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson

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A little over a month ago a good friend of mine invited me to go see local band M80, an out of this world 80′s cover band (all my friends know I heart the 80′s!), with vocals co-lead by Jane Train and Bryan Harmony. I was completely mesmerized. Not just because they blew me away musically, but because I noticed right away that Jane had a gift for the way she does her makeup. She’s gorgeous already, but she amplifies it with this awesome eyelash trick she does to create the facade of long, beautiful lashes. I decided a fun interview was in order to get the scoop on how Jane achieves such a stunning look.

Shannon: Can you recall the first time you bought your first beauty product?
Jane Train: Well since I was wearing makeup before I was working…lol…I gather I “borrowed” my mom’s makeup. Maybe she bought me some. I was probably in 7th or 8th grade. I was definitely wearing it in 8th grade. I don’t remember the brand names, but Maybelline eye shadows and mascara have been an old friend of mine. That’s all I wore back then…eyeshadow & mascara. I miss those days.

Shannon: If you were restricted to only have 5 products in your makeup bag, what would they be and why?
Jane Train: Foundation (Borghese or L’Oreal) for those lovely “flaws” that appear later in life. Eyebrow Pencil-I have a good natural arch, but my eyebrows disappear against this super red coiff that I have. Pencil Eyeliner- good for day & night. Lip liner-can’t live without it. I love big full lips, even if the rest of me is falling apart. Blush-I can’t even believe that I am half Italian. I am the palest Italian I know! I tan here & there just to look like I have circulation and the blush helps! Eye shadow-I like dramatic eyes for stage and I like defined eyes for day. I like Maybelline, but shop more by the color I like. Most of my pencils are from Wet ‘N’ Wild–CVS style!

Shannon: Do you have a beauty routine that you keep to that keeps your skin looking as youthful as it does?
Jane Train: Why, thank you! I’m not going to lie, my mother looks really young and has good skin, so I have a genetic advantage. But I do break out here and there and my mother never really had that. I prefer to wash my face with Cetaphil. It’s a liquid soap that does not contain any perfumes or anything harmful. Sometimes I use Noxema. Proactive is wonderful. If you do that routine, you’re skin will look great. I fully endorse it. As a rule I never go to sleep with any makeup on. That goop sitting on your face at night is the worst thing you can do no matter how high end your makeup is. Give your skin a chance to breath. If you’re worried about what your partner will think having to wake up next to you keep your eye makeup on and use a little lip gloss on your lips! I should moisturize more. Actually, I’m going to go do that right now…

Shannon: I absolutely love how you create the look of very long lashes with your eye makeup, can you tell my readers how you do this?
Jane Train: That’s very new addition to my stage makeup routine and I’m proud to say that I made it up! I like it so much that I’m starting to wear it out at night even when I’m not with M80. I take liquid eyeliner and line my eyes like usual, then I paint thin lashes up as high as I want them AFTER I have put my eyeshadow on. I have gotten so many compliments on this.

Shannon: If a beauty addict walked into your bathroom, which 3 brands would she notice you have the most products from?
Jane Train: I think if a beauty addict walked into my bathroom–she’d walk right back out and probably drag me to a store! If I had to name three it would be L’Oreal (LOVE their Voluminous mascara), Wet ‘n’ Wild and Bath & Body Works.

If you are local here in Northeast PA, be sure to check out M80′s schedule via their MySpace page (you won’t regret seeing them!) Jane has also done some acting appearing in Sex & The City, Law & Order, Ugly Betty, 30 Rock, Six Degrees, Hitch, The Devil Wears Prada, School for Scoundrels, Reign Over Me, Sex & The City Movie and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.  Have you seen M80 or love the way Jane does her makeup? Leave a comment and show some love!

Shannon Nelson

Shannon Nelson launched A Girl's Gotta Spa! in 2005. She currently works with beauty brands as a social media consultant, freelance writes for magazines and is a public speaker at beauty industry conferences.

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