Behind The Brand

The Life Of A 15+ Year Beauty Veteran. On Air Beauty Guru, Beauty Pioneer, Beauty Entrepreneur. Changing The World Through The Business Of Beauty.

[behindthebrandmedia]

We MUST Grow Our US Based Businesses

My Friday Wish, that US brand creators create in the US. That news channels have true US business experts on air talking about doing business in the US (not sweat shops overseas). That business schools teach students that we MUST look internally within our own country to grow our businesses and NOT go overseas to do it "cheaper". Doing things "cheaper" is costing this country billions of dollars in lost jobs, and diminishing communities.

Let's start applauding, featuring, working with US brands that keep our country strong! There are hundreds of manufacturing plants in this country, there are millions of people that want to work. So before a company says they want to grow their presence overseas, I say why don't you go to Detroit and build UP our Main Streets, our backbone of how this country thrives and survives. Unless you have worked in, created for, done business on Main Street, you truly can't speak to doing business on Main Street USA.

I SUPPORT MADE IN THE USA PRODUCTS and small businesses, do you?

[behindthebrandmedia]

LADIES OF THE SEC, WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!

Ladies We're Looking for YOU! Are you studying at one of the schools in the SEC? We want to interview you for an exciting new project! Do you love fashion, beauty, business ~ then let us know ASAP! We're coming on campus to interview and shoot you for some stories. E-mail us your name, what school you are attending, and a snapshot of yourself at [email protected].

We look forward to meeting you soon! Please share with friends, family, and loved ones. 

Contact us at [email protected]

[behindthebrandmedia]

MAY YOUR DAY BE FILLED WITH LOVE AND KISSES!

[behindthebrandmedia]

Polar Vortex Proof Skin Savers

What a winter! Every week our country is literally getting plowed by winter storms, one after another. What is also taking a beating is our skin because of it. Thankfully for us, there is such a wide assortment of fantastic products to help protect our skin from these crazy harsh conditions.

Elemis Pro Radiance Flash Balm feels fantastic on the skin! The scent is incredible and it hydrates instantly and acts as a perfect primer before your make-up. Since it is a balm it is as hydrating as some daily moisturizers.

The Mario Badescu Olive Eye Cream is a MUST! This super hydrating eye cream has cocoa butter and olive oil as 2 key ingredients. It's very emollient and many like to use it as their night time eye treatment. I say, in these arctic conditions, use it morning and night! PS, a little goes a long way!

La Prairie has done it again with their launch of Cellular Swiss Ice Cystals Dry Oil. This face oil packs a punch! You can wear this oil alone or mix one to 2 drops into your moisturizer. This delicate yet power oil helps build the  skin’s moisture barrier to prevent moisture loss. It dries very quickly into the skin if worn alone, without any sticky or tacky feeling.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Overnight Hydrating Masque is a super hydrating overnight healer. If you are truly suffering with dry skin, put this on to have softer, smoother skin in the morning. After you wash and dry your skin, put a nice coating of this on your face, neck and declotte. After 10 minutes you can use a tissue to take off any of the masque that wasn't already absorbed  into the skin. In the morning you will wake with soft, hydrated skin.

Looking for a great hydrating moisturizer? You must try the Fresh Black Tea Age - Delay Cream. This rich powerful moisturizer is loaded with black tea ferment which is an advanced antioxidant that helps defend against damaging free radicals. The feel and scent are luxurious!

Use one or all of the above and your skin will be very happy! Now let's all keep our fingers crossed for an early spring this year!!

[behindthebrandmedia]

Behind The Brand turned 3 today!

[behindthebrandmedia]

A Cleansing Balm That Quenches Skins Thirst

This season my skin has taken a beating, like most of us throughout the country. I have had a hard time finding just the right cleanser that takes away the daily grime but not the moisture my skin so desperately needs.

Not until this winter season did I truly become "addicted" to cleansing with a balm. My skin is severely dry, yet I still have t-zone issues now and again. My favorite go to balm is the Bobbi Brown Extra Balm Rinse. It thoroughly takes of make-up, yet leaves my skin feeling hydrated and soft. I also don't feel like I have a layer of oil on my skin.

It is thick so take a quarter size into the palms of your hands, rub together and melt the product down a bit before you massage into DRY skin. It's deliciously emollient and smells wonderful. Wash off with warm water or with a warm wash cloth and follow up with your serum/moisturizer.

Your skin will automatically be quenched with hydration!

(highly recommend for those with very dry skin)

[behindthebrandmedia]

Our new brand, Pride & Glory has an actual SONG! You heard correctly ladies and gents ~ A BEAUTY BRAND WITH A THEME SONG!! This is our next hint as to what we are about to launch so stay tuned! We hope you enjoy it! BEAUTY THAT MOVES YOU.... truly!

[behindthebrandmedia]

Welcome To America!

       Rituals has arrived stateside, I repeat Rituals has arrived! 

This heavenly brand has just opened their first US outpost in SoHo in NYC, with a second one opening in the Upper West Side in the spring with many many more to come.

I am so very proud to have had the honor and the pleasure of working with this brand for a year to help gear up for this beauty invasion! For a year I worked with the team overseas in Amsterdam, where they were first created over 12 years ago and where their international headquarters are.

Not only do I truly love this brand for their ingredients, the way they feel, the way they smell, their brand story; it's the people behind the brand. All of them! The Rituals team are so passionate about this brand, that it's contagious! Needless to say, I was thrilled every time I "had to" go back to Amsterdam to work with them. 

The collections are all so very unique and smell exquisite, minus the large price tag one might think would come along with a European brand. I already know that many of you will fall in love with the brand and their products, as hard as I did. It truly was love at first sight/smell/feel!

Check out their website for all of their details www.rituals.com. If you have any questions about the products, please feel free to ask me!

So proud of you TEAM RITUALS! Congratulations on the HUGE accomplishment! We are thrilled to finally have you here!

[behindthebrandmedia]

Happy 2014 ~ From A Very Quiet Times Square

I woke up early on new years day and went for a walk. Let me just say that I am not one to wonder through Times Square on any given day and never on NYE but I truly wanted to see what it looked like before the sunrise of January 1st.

I found that the only thing standing at 7am were the 200 sanitation workers and the confetti:

[behindthebrandmedia]

Cold Weather Skin Soothers

Is your skin suffering through this cold blast hitting most of the country? Not only have I been on the road for almost 6 weeks, I've also had bronchitis for a few weeks, and have been on 8 flights during those 6 weeks. Needless to say, my skin has not been happy!

Thankfully I have found something to soothe and heal my skin and even better, it smells like a spa every time I open the jars! Elemis,http://www.elemis.com, is a very well known brand in the spa industry and thankfully can be found outside of the spa setting as well ( check out your local Nordstrom store ).

Have you ever tried a balm to cleanse your skin? If you haven't, this is the one to try! The Pro Cleansing Collagen Balm not only smells incredible ( infused with natural oils and lavender ), but melts off make-up and hydrates the skin all at once. Spread the balm on dry skin and work into the skin in circular motions to gently but deeply cleanse the skin. Wash off with a warm wash cloth. Before you do, inhale deeply to take in the lavender scent. Ahhhhhhhhh. Your skin is left soft, cleansed and hydrated.

I have totally fallen in love with their nighttime moisturizer, Pro Intense Lift Effect Night Cream. This rich hydrating cream helps soften, heal, and tighten the skin. It is rich enough to truly hydrate but never leaves the skin looking greasy, I highly suggest this for anyone with dry to very dry skin. Yes, it says nighttime but I use it both morning and night.

This powerful, yet gentle duo will truly delight your senses, feel great, and heal that dry skin!

[behindthebrandmedia]

Just A Few Of My Favorite Things....

There are a few products that I keep in my arsenal at all times. I get asked almost on a daily basis what my favorite products are. Honestly I like many different products for different reasons and I like certain products during different seasons. These products however, are my go to, always in my personal kit, no matter where I go items!!!

My all time favorite gentle cleanser is the Purity Made Simple from Philosophy http://www.philosophy.com/one-step-facial-cleanser/purity-made-simple,default,pd.html . This is such a great cleanser that takes off make-up, cleanses and tones the skin. However, if you need something a bit more moisturizing in the winter try out the Purity Oil. I also use this if the weather gets really cold. The oil is great for those who have dry to very dry skin, which I tend to have during the coldest winter months.

I have been a die hard fan of the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment for years. I'm even more of a fan now that there is an assortment of colors to choose from! They keep adding colors every year so you can pick your favorite hue! http://www.fresh.com/product/lip-care/  The treatment is incredibly hydrating, and perfect for those cold winter days!

Urban Decay has created a palette with a PUNCH! This is now the Naked 3, the others before have been just as gorgeous but this palette is infused with romantic rose based hues that look gorgeous on all! Plus, it seems that everyone is wearing rose gold EVERYTHING these days, why not your shadow??!! http://www.urbandecay.com/urban-decay/eye-makeup/naked3/409.html

To me, these products are just as iconic as the location of this picture! If you've never been to Central Park in NYC, that's the Bathesda Fountain in the background: http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/things-to-see/south-end/bethesda-terrace.html 

[behindthebrandmedia]

What A Month!

The holiday season literally showed up and I wasn't quite expecting it this year! How is it almost Christmas??!!

As some of you may know, I have been in the midst of launching a new brand. The actual brand announcement won't be until late January but I have been as they say, nose to the grind and haven't looked up in a while.

I have also been on an incredible tour of colleges for the entire month of November talking about business, beauty, and entrepreneurship. One weekend I was at the FL/GA football game, one weekend I was at University of South Carolina and then I was off to LSU. Before that I spent some time at my alma mater, Belmont Abbey College. Needless to say, this journey has been incredible and I have met so many wonderful students along the way!

This week I'll be headed to Auburn and Alabama to meet the wonderful women on campus.... stay tuned!!!

[behindthebrandmedia]

My Life In Beauty.  A 15 Year Journey & The Next Chapter Is About To Start ~ STAY TUNED!

[behindthebrandmedia]

My Favorite Week Of The Year Is Upon Us!

Some of you may or may not know; I am a die hard sports enthusiast! Not only do I love watching sports but I LOVE to participate in all of them!

I have been going to sporting events with my Dad since I was probably 7 years old ~ Giants games, Yankees games, Rangers. You name it, we went to it, and it was our father daughter time. Now I actually travel the country to race in triathlons, watch college football games, polo matches, golf and just enjoy the moments! 

Today, I am literally doing my happy dance! I realized that not only are we in the midst of Fashion Week but it is also the kick off to the NFL regular season! This beauty guru/tomboy is in HEAVEN, Cloud 9, Utopia, ahhhhhhhh!!!!

It's time to throw on my Gucci, slide into my Jimmy Choo's & LET'S WATCH SOME FOOTBALL! 

[behindthebrandmedia]

By Sea, by Plane, and On TV: How Jennifer Walsh Stays Glam

Welcome to Beauty Diary: seven days of getting glam with an industry insider. From publicists to professional makeup artists, this a week in the life of someone who lives and...

[behindthebrandmedia]

I'M GOING BACK TO SCHOOL!

[behindthebrandmedia]

Fly Away With Me

As a life long entrepreneur, I have tried to surround myself with others that inspire and motivate me to think bigger, have a stronger strategy, to be brave, and to be more flexible in my thinking.

We all have to be conscious of balance in our lives, but how do we find it? What motivates one to stay positive, balanced and to forge ahead? I know many will buy books, take classes, reach deeper into their religion, and go to seminars for their business enrichment and of course to motivate.

When I speak to people across the country about business and balance, I always ask them about their health and how they would rate it overall. Healthy? Not so healthy and why? What are they doing, what would they want to do more of if given the time or real motivation? Working out is always at the bottom of most lists of keeping life in balance but always at the top of the " oh, I wish I did it more" list. 

Well, I have found a heart pumping program that I literally can't wait to go to every chance I get! As a seasoned triathlete I have taken every spin class to get my heart rate at a certain level to help me place better in races. However, I must admit I had never taken an exercise class that had motivated me in business until recently.

I must admit right here, I am in love with Flywheel Sports www.flywheelsports.com. In those 45 minutes of heart pounding adrenalin rushing movements, I am cheered on by the class instructor to succeed, to focus, to be the most  powerful version of me. I love every single second of it!

The instructor never realizes that his/her words are so powerful for any entrepreneur. I love going on Sunday evening to get my mindset strong and excited for the week ahead. Oh yeah, have I mentioned yet that this is one of the most hard core classes I've ever taken?! I feel stronger and leaner after each class.

If you have a Fly Wheel in your city, sign up immediately if not sooner! Let me know if you go and in what city, since I travel all over the country, I would love to do a class with you! Take a chance and Fly Away, I think you will absolutely love the results not only for your body and heart but also your mindset!

You can usually find me at any one of the NYC locations, let me know if you want to try a location out for the first time, I will go with you!