KS: Take us back to the start. How did you go from being passionate about makeup to making waves in the fashion world?
Delta: Hi!!! My name is Delta Iglesias. I am a Makeup Artist based in LA. I am so excited and honored to share my story and artistic journey with you. Thank you so much for having me.
I’ve always had passion for art. Music and dancing were my passions when I was little. But as I got older I started getting more curious about makeup. My mom was the one who introduced me to the basics. She showed me how to apply eyeshadow, mascara, lipstick, mix colors, etc but in a very natural way. I was obsessed with shimmery palettes in my 20s. A shimmery eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara and some gloss was my go to. I loved doing makeup for my best friends, my sister and co-workers.
In 2015 I decided to attend to a makeup program in NY, so I could explore and learn more, and that’s when I really discovered my passion for makeup and turned it into my career. Fast forward to 2023 a couple weeks ago I traveled to NYC to work on a NYFW model show package project, and my second magazine publication has been just released.
For this look Delta used Santorini on cheeks and lips.
KS: We all know makeup works some serious magic. But in your opinion, how does a makeup look not only change how someone looks but also boost their whole vibe?
Tavarua on lips
Delta: Makeup is very powerful. We all know that, on a physical level, makeup enhances your features and it can transform your appearance. But it definitely goes way beyond that. The way we apply makeup and create a specific look, tailored to us, or a client, can boost our confidence and have a huge impact on one’s vibe and self-esteem. Makeup is an art and a form of self-expression. It completes your style, shows your personality, your uniqueness and individuality, expresses your mood and represents you.
"But let’s not forget how important is to embrace and appreciate our natural beauty, our flaws, and how beautifully imperfect we all are."
BTS Tavarua on lips
KS: When you're creating a makeup look, it's like painting a canvas. How do you use your brushes and palettes to tell a story or convey different feelings?
Delta: Well, I start by looking at the mood board or inspirations, the models or the clients I am going to work with beforehand, so I can start creating and visualizing the look I want for them. It gets me creative and excited.
Once I have an idea in my head I choose the color palette (warm or cool), the textures, shapes, placement and technique I want to use based on what I want the finished look to be, then is when brushes come to play.
You have to be very strategic when choosing your brushes, I know I am very particular with mine, since with them you bring your vision to life and they can create completely different effects if not used correctly during application. The intensity of a color, the precision on a liner, or the transitions can affect the story you wanted to tell and change the finish you desired if chosen incorrectly.
Delta, her brush and The Everything in shade Split.
KS: Have you ever had a "pinch me" moment while working in the fashion world?
Delta: I’ve definitely had a “pinch me” moment, and it was pretty recent actually. Like I mentioned at the beginning of the interview, a couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to travel back to New York City to work as Hair and Makeup Artist for the NYFW SS 2024 show package with over 12 models and I also had my second fashion editorial magazine published beginning of September.
When I started my career I always dreamed of being part of projects like this and seeing my work on magazines, so this was a full circle moment.
The bride wore Santorini as blush, lips and lightly on eyes.
KS: What are your favourite types of campaigns?
Delta: Definitely Beauty and Fashion Campaigns.
There’s a wide range as we know, but overall, I love getting to meet and work with other talented professionals in the industry to bring our creative visions to life. Everyone works together as one to ensure the ideas align with the overall concept. It is magical to witness. When I get to see my work online, in models comp cards, shown in magazines, etc… it’s an incredible feeling!
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We hope you loved getting to know Delta as much as we did and that her story reminded you that when we chase after our dreams, it is only a matter of time until we get to see them unfold (and in some cases, printed on a magazine!).
Xx,
Team KS
K&S: Hi Navaneeta, can you give us a sneak peek into who you are on and off socials?
Navaneeta: Hi everyone! I'm Navaneeta, and I'd love to share a little snippet into who I am both on and off social media. On socials, you might know me as a makeup content creator on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. I absolutely adore creating makeup looks, sharing beauty tips, and engaging with my lovely audience. And off screen, I am a corporate girly! :)
K&S: We love glowy skin, natural vibes, and easy beauty routines at K&S. How have your K&S products helped you achieve this particular soft-glam style?
Navaneeta: I absolutely adore glowy, natural skin and easy beauty routines and I must confess, few of K&S products have slowly but surely become a staple in my everyday makeup routine. ;) I particularly like The Everything in shade”Maldives”. It adds the most stunning, dewy sheen to my cheekbones, giving me that lit-from-within glow. It's the perfect finishing touch to elevate my soft-glam style and make me feel like a glowing goddess.
K&S: It's clear you are proud of your heritage, (as one should be!) and are constantly putting a pin on the map for POC, which is so important; because having a wider representation of beauty in this industry is a must. What would you say to someone who might be struggling with their self-image because they feel they look or are different than others around them?
Navaneeta: Thank you so much for recognizing and appreciating my efforts to promote representation for people of color in the beauty industry. It truly means a lot, and I wholeheartedly believe that diversity and inclusion are essential.
To someone who might be struggling with their self-image because they feel they look or are different from others around them, I want to say this: I completely understand what you're going through because I've been there myself. In high school, I used to be so insecure about my physical appearance. I constantly compared myself to others, feeling like I didn't fit the traditional beauty standards. But over time, I realized that beauty is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Our differences make us unique and beautiful in our own way. Surround yourself with positivity and supportive people who uplift and celebrate you for who you are. Remember that self-love is a process, and it's okay to have days when you feel less confident.
Navaneeta wears her Maldives stick to complete this beautiful glam.
K&S: If we had to watch 3 movies, Hollywood or Bollywood, that had outstanding or very beautiful makeup on the actresses on screen which ones would you recommend?
Navaneeta: Certainly! Here are my recommendations for few of my favourite Bollywood movies that showcase outstanding and beautiful makeup on the actresses on screen:
Each of these movies offers a unique and visually appealing makeup style, making them a must-watch for beauty enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates the art of makeup in storytelling.
Hey beauty lovers, welcome back to our Creators of the Month series where you get to meet some of our favorite creators and get a sneak peak into who they are both on and off socials. This month we are obsessed with the sun-kissed skin vibes that come along with summer, we have Ariana (@ariandtheglam) giving us some of her best tips to keep your skin perfect and glowy and our favorite product recommendation to achieve a summer look: The Everything in shade Maldives!
Keep reading to get to know more about Ariana...
Ariana wearing her Tavarua Créme Crayon and Split on cheeks.
KS: Hey Ariana! Please tell us about yourself, who you are on and off social media!
Ariana: Hello! Well, I was born in California and I am 25 years old, a fellow Aquarius, I’m a passionate and strong individual, I like to take on as much as I can but I’m also a huge perfectionist, I love spending time with my kids, going on a drive, trying new foods and learning new techniques.
Ariana shows off The Everything in shade Split.
KS: Can you tell us the story of how @ariandtheglam was born? Where does your love for beauty and makeup come from?
Ariana: Yes! @ariandtheglam was born in 2014, I wanted a name that described what makeup is to me, I feel the most powerful when I am put together. In 2012, I had a lot of spare time on my hands so I would buy makeup and watch YouTube videos, it wasn’t until 2014 when I started taking photos and in 2021 started slowly making videos. I also had a YouTube channel, and have always been really big on reviews and makeup collections.
Ariana wears her Créme Crayon in shade Tavarua.
KS: We love summer, vacationing and all things glowy at K&S. What are some tips you can give our readers to keep their makeup glowy wherever they go?
Ariana: Of course! I always think the key to glowy makeup is definitely a nice highlighter, just put some on the high points of your face like the top of your cheekbones, and the brow bone, that really catches the light when the sun is out. During the summer is when I like to let my skin peak through, put some highlighter on, if you’re feeling fancy adding some on the collarbone and shoulders will have you looking glowy and glamorous!
Ariana applies her Créme Crayon in shade Tulum, her favorite shade.
KS: Which one of your K&S products is a must-keep in your purse and why?
Ariana: My go to K&S product is the Lip Crayon in Tulum, super creamy and perfect for on the go, it also helps its hydrating and super comfortable on the lips, it’s in my purse always!
KS: What does your current beauty routine look like for summer?
Ariana: For the summer I love a CC cream because it has SPF and it’s really comfortable to wear during a hot sunny day. I throw on some waterproof mascara, a bit of cream blush and bronzer, and I also set with some powder because I do live in Texas and I want my makeup to last all day. If I’m home and not running errands, I skip out on the powder and of course I love the K&S lip crayon in Tulum for that perfect pink summer lip.
Nino wears her Créme Crayon in shade Tulum.
K&S: Hi Chelsie, please tell us about yourself! Who are you on and off social media?
Chelsie: First off, thank you so much for having me! I’m so honored to be a part of K&S’s birthday celebration! Off social media, I’ve been a registered nurse for about 4 years now. On social media, I am a content creator who has had a passion and love for all things makeup and beauty since 2007, when I was in middle school actually. It wasn’t until 2016 till I got the courage to put myself on social media/YouTube to show what I can and love to do and I’m so thankful for all the opportunities it has given me over the years!
Chelsie wears her Créme Crayon in shade Corsica.
K&S: We are celebrating K&S's 5th birthday this month, so we want to know what is your go to makeup look for a celebration or party?
Chelsie: Again, happy birthday! My go to makeup look for a celebration definitely has to include some sort of glitter or shimmer! For me, glitter is the key to dressing up any look! I also love the fact that with glitter, there is a great range of makeup styles you can do from simple to full on glam!
Chelsie's picks fro May: The Everything in Split & Sardinia, the Créme Crayons in Corsica and Tavarua.
K&S: If you were to gift one of your friends a Créme Crayon and an Everything stick for their birthday, which shades would you pick and why?
Chelsie: Corsica Créme Crayon and the Split Everything Stick would be my recommendations! The color Corsica is a such a beautiful shade for an everyday look and for a night out. Plus the formula is really comfortable. Split is gorgeous, and I love how you can sheer it out for a simple toned down look to a bold one as you layer it on. If you can tell, I love a versatile and flexible product!
Chelsie wears The Everything in shade Split all over cheeks.
K&S: Do you enjoy going out and partying much, or do you like a quiet intimate soirée the most? What would be the perfect way for your loved ones to celebrate you on your birthday?
Chelsie: For sure a quiet intimate soirée. I find it more enjoyable and relaxed which is my goal emotion to feel on my birthday. I think the perfect way to celebrate for me would be a gathering at my place or a friend’s place with all my closest friends and loved ones and just enjoy each others company, eat delicious food and maybe even some karaoke!
A swatch of Corsica and Tavarua.
K&S: Last but not least, which 3 makeup products have to always be in your purse when going out?
Chelsie: 3 must have makeup products that always need to be in my purse are a lip balm, tinted lip oil, and blush! Lip balm is an obvious choice for me because my lips get notoriously dry no matter the weather. Tinted lip oil is a perfect balance between a moisturizing lip product with a right amount of color. Blush, because my cheeks eat up blush products fairly quickly— so touch ups are always needed.
Welcome back to our April 2023 edition of Creators of the Month! We love spring because it's a time where we feel like we all bloom alongside nature. The weather is warmer, the skies are bluer, and our surroundings are generally more colorful and fragrant. This month we are gathering our inspirations from flowers, their softness and colors... and to give us a super warm welcome into April we have Natalie Ruiz aka @style.fashion.nat Don't skip her interview where she gives us some really good tips for finding out truth and path and spills some beauty secrets as well!
Nat wears her Créme Crayons in shade Tulum & Tavarua
KS: Hi Nat, please give us an intro into who you are as a creator/person in real life:
Put on your Créme Crayon in shade Maui for this bold orange-red lip and apply The Everything in Santorini on cheekbones for a matching flush of color.
We also suggest wearing The Everything in Maldives on top of Santorini for the ultimate glow. Pair it all with big lashes and you are ready to go feel the love...
Our collection has 10 different universally flattering shades in a creamy, moisturizing semi-matte formula. Some of our favorite picks for the season include the Créme Crayons in shades: Tulum, Marietas & Maui.
Grab your Créme Crayon in shade Marietas and apply all over lips for a subtle nude-rose shade that is super rich in color and moisturizing.
Pair it with The Everything in Split for a pinky blush and as always top with The Everything in shade Maldives for a gorgeous natural glow-from-within moment.
We hope you enjoyed the inspo and makeup we brought for the season of love, we will see you next time.
K&S Team
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KS: Hi Saiti, can you tell us a bit about yourself? An intro to who you are on and off social media!
SAIKA: Hello there; thank you for having me as the first creator of the year; it’s an honor. My name is Saika, and I am a 26 years old Caribbean girl. Saiti came from Saika and Haiti, my home country. I am an introvert who finds happiness in the little things in life, like spending time in nature, cooking, and being present in the moment. I can say that I am the same person on and off social media, except that I am more open with my circle in real life.
K&S: Can you share with our audience some goals you may have going into 2023?
SAIKA: In 2023, my top goals are getting closer to God, being disciplined in every aspect of my life, giving my 100% percent in the things I decide to pursue, and to continue enjoying the little things in life.
Saika shows off all the bronze goodness of The Everything in Sardinia.
K&S: We know it can be overwhelming tackling a new year and staying grounded, so we would love to see if you have any tips on staying realistic and keeping the pressure off our backs during this time!
SAIKA: The best decision I made by the end of last year was disconnecting my social media accounts for the last two weeks of December and the first days of January to focus on me, process my thoughts, etc. One of the downsides of social media is the spiral of comparison we can be trapped in. Unfortunately, for the past few years at the end of each year I felt guilty; unworthy, and empty. I started 2023 with the right mindset because I took that break to review my year and set my goals realistically. So I say don’t be afraid to spend time alone to get to know yourself and set the right goal for you. Most importantly, enjoy every step of your journey.
Saika wears her Créme Crayon in shade Bonair all over lips.
K&S: We love the clean, beautiful, and glowy looks you post on your Instagram! How do your new Kiss & Smink products help you achieve your makeup style? Do you have a favorite product and shade yet?
SAIKA: Thank you so much. I love the versatility of The Everything sticks. I use them almost everywhere on my face: blush, highlighter, lipstick/lipgloss, and eyeshadow. My favorite one is Sardinia, I use it as the last step of my skincare to add more glow to my face and also as a highlighter + eyeshadow when I have a full face of makeup on. So versatile!
Saika wears The Everything in Sardinia
K&S: What is something you will be leaving behind in 2022 and something you will be taking into 2023 with you?
SAIKA: My fear of judgment from others is buried in 2022. I don’t want that weight on my shoulders anymore. I am also bringing God with me in 2023 because, without him, nothing is possible.
]]>Welcome back to our newest edition of Creators of the Month! This time around we are super excited to get into the holiday-vibe both through beauty and through words.
We know the holiday season can sometimes be stressful and exciting all at once; it can also be a time for self-reflection & to reminisce of all the good things that have happened to us throughout the year. However, we know that for some of you reading, the holidays can be tough... specially if we are missing loved ones or are far from home. So to give us some tips, words of encouragement, and gorgeous holiday glam ideas we have the stunning Elena Koira @theelenakoira as our November Creator.
Keep reading to find out more about these belarusian beauty...
Elena wears her Créme Crayon in super festive shade: Formentera on both lips and cheeks.
K&S: Hey Elena! Please give us an introduction into who you are as a creator :)
Elena: Hi, I'm a beauty content creator with a belief that beauty should empower yourself and inspire others. I live with my husband and our daughter in sunny California and I'm about to become a second-time mom. I treat beauty as a medium for freedom of expression and self-love.
Swatched: Formentera & Tavarua
K&S: First of all, congrats on the new addition to the family! We love a mom that preaches self-love :) And speaking about family, with the holidays coming up this can be a difficult time for some people, what words of encouragement would you give to someone who may be struggling a bit with the season?
Elena: As someone who moved to the US in 2018 and hasn’t spent one single Christmas with my family back in Belarus since that time, holidays can be tough. I try my best to prioritize my mental health during this hectic season. I think it's very important to give yourself grace, and compassion and allow yourself to feel all the emotions, whether happy or sad. I also think we need to let go of unrealistic pressure to do everything perfectly. It’s all right if things don’t go exactly how you planned — imperfection is normal. Also, reaching out for help during the holidays (or any time really) is one of the best things you can do with your mental health. Speaking with a person you trust, like a friend or your therapist, will show you that's completely normal to feel down or stressed during the holiday season and hopefully will give you tools to overcome the negative feelings.
Elena wears The Everything in Sardinia all over cheeks.
K&S: We love the idea of "giving yourself grace" as you put it, we will certainly be taking your advice into account Elena. Now stepping into physical beauty, we need to know: what is your go-to glam for a Thanksgiving dinner or for a more seasonal & elegant get-together?
Elena: Of course! I'd opt for a classy soft yet noticeable glam look. Fall makes me think of richer colors, whether they are brighter (but saturated) or deeper, vampier. A cardinal, bright red lip shade like Formentera? I'm here for it!
Elena wears The Everything in shade Santorini all over cheeks.
K&S: We are obsessed! Formentera is such a vibe during the holidays. Out of all the K&S you have tried, which one would make the perfect stocking-stuffer for the beauty-lovers in your family and friend group?
Elena: The Everything Cream Stick in Santorini is the absolute MVP! It’s easy, quick, mistake-proof, multipurpose AND it's $20.
Shop The Everything at an incredible discount during our Black Friday Sale
K&S: The Everything is certainly affordable... but just wait and see our holiday sales, they will blow your mind!
Now last but not least... How do you make sure you are taking care of yourself during the holiday season? It can be a very exciting and fun time, but it can also be quite tiresome from all the emotions!
Elena: I try to schedule time for activities that make me feel good. Whether it's reading a book, going for a walk outside, or volunteering it's okay to prioritize yourself and the alone time you need to recharge. This can be very challenging, especially as a mom, but it's absolutely necessary.
That's all for now beauty lovers!
Until next time,
K&S
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We are officially on the last quarter of 2022 and let's be real... this has been a long year! We've had our ups & downs, our good days and bad ones, but most of all we've continued to grow and learn.
Beauty Lovers, you know we're all about glowing skin, gorgeous makeup and uncomplicated beauty, but our main thing will always be our inner-glow, which is why we wanted to make this month's theme all about our mental health. The truth is that when we are feeling good on the inside it shows on the outside and people can really tell and vibe-off that energy! So this time around we caught up with the lovely Isabel Surmova @champagne.skin and she let us in on some of the more intimate and emotional parts of her life; how she keeps track of her mental health, the qualities she finds most beautiful in herself and other, and the way being a beauty creator has impacted her life in a positive way. So keep reading to find out all about her interview...
Isabel wears Santorini as blush
K&S: Hi Isabel! Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us, can you give us an intro into who you are?
Isabel: Hi I am Isabel! I am a beauty content creator on Instagram! Aside from creating content, I am a full-time accounting student living in Montana with my husband. We spend our summers outside hiking in the mountains, camping, huckleberry picking, and swimming in lakes.
K&S: Swimming in lakes? That sounds like a dream!... Isabel as you may know for us here at Kiss & Smink staying healthy on the inside is as important as looking good on the outside, so we'd like to know how you keep your mental health and overall wellness in check? Do you have any tips for our readers?
Isabel: Something I do to keep my mental health in check is to make sure I take some time for myself each day; either by doing an extra long skincare routine, playing with makeup, reading a book or just taking a relaxing bubble bath. I notice when I take care of my overall wellness, I feel better mentally as well. Drinking water, taking a walk, or using my weighted hula-hoop each day for movement has contributed to keeping my wellness in check! (Although, I do love to treat myself to a diet coke and Mcdonald’s french fries every so often!)
Isabel wears Tavarua as lip liner and Tulum on the center of the lips for a custom shade.
Isabel: Oh absolutely! Something I find beautiful in others is genuine kindness, a positive attitude, and gratefulness. I want my inner beauty to shine through by genuinely being kind to everyone, keeping a positive attitude (even during the hardest times), and being grateful for what I have. I think all of these are so important when it comes to remaining beautiful inside!
Isabel: Yes! Makeup has become one of my greatest joys over the past few years. Being able to share that joy every day with others has been a highlight of my life! I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given and the friends that I have made just because I decided to share my interests with those around me!
Pictured above are Isabel's picks for The Everything: Sardinia (top) Santorini (bottom).
We hope you enjoyed reading about the lovely Isabel!
Until next time,
K&S
Hello beauty lovers, welcome back to our latest edition of Creators of the Month. August for us is all about summertime; recharging our energy through the sun, flowing with the water at the sea (or the pool), enjoying the longer days and taking a bit more time than we usually do to reconnect with the Earth and ourselves. To reconnect with yourself we suggest going back to one of your favorite hobbies, maybe reading that book you’ve had on your list for a while, or taking that trip you’ve been talking about for months. Our favorite way here at Kiss & Smink is (obviously) through makeup! We both have fun and get to spend a moment with ourselves by using our boldest and brightest shades, going a few shades darker with our tan and then overusing The Everything to really glow: collarbone, nose, cupid’s bow, cheek, you name it!
This month we chatted with the lovely Namratha (@namratha_ng) who is a big fan of simplicity, traveling, and fashion. She gives us an insight into her favorite summer activities, her go to look, and her must-have Kiss & Smink products for summer.
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K&S: Hi Namratha, please give us an intro to who you are, we want to know it all!
Namratha: I was born and raised in Mumbai, India. As a college student I loved attending runway shows and my passion for styling and fashion grew since. I started working as fashion model I worked with many designers and brands in the industry. I moved to USA and started working as style advisor to keep my fashion live and passion alive. My personal style is classic and effortless so I love creating fashion looks and I think make up and hair add so much to an outfit when building a style statement!
For this gorgeous glow Namratha wears Santorini on cheeks and her Créme Crayon in shade Tulum on lips.
K&S: What does your perfect summer look like?
Namratha: I love the matching linen shorts and shirt set with natural glowy make up with beachy wavy hair.
Namratha applies Santorini directly onto her cheeks and blends with her fingers.
K&S: What is your go to makeup look or beauty routine for the perfect summer look?
Namratha: I love to be in sun so definitely the sun kissed look, with lots of blush and highlighter on cheeks and nose to give that sunburn look and glossy lips.
Gorgeous swatch of Santorini
K&S: Which of your K&S goodies will you be rocking all summer?
Namratha: I would be wearing a lot of The Everything in shade Santorini, it’s perfect to get that glowy natural pink cheeks with lots of shine and the lipstick in shade Tulum to keep it natural nude for a beach day or any summer looks.
Namratha picked Tulum as one of her Créme Crayons this month
K&S: Are there any trends or challenges you are excited to try during this season?
Namratha: I would like to try the color eye liner look in green, blue, and orange colors paired with nude lips!
Namratha wears Santorini on cheeks and Bahamas on lips
K&S: Do you have any summer traditions or activities you want to share with our audience?
Namratha: Yes of course, I love summer and every summer I love to book a beach house, get tanned and do some water sports or hiking around the area!
That is all for this editions of Creator’s of the Month. We hope you enjoyed getting to know Namratha as much as we did!
Until next time,
K&S
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Andreea wears Split on cheeks and Martinique on lips
KS: Hi Andrea, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Andreea: Hi! I’m Andreea, a country girl from Romania! In November 2020 I decided to go against my fears and start sharing my makeup looks on Instagram! Lucky for me, I came across a wonderful community who made me feel genuinely appreciated, made lots of friends from all over the globe, learned new makeup techniques, discovered new makeup brands... and my journey continues!
Andreea wears Santorini on cheeks, lids and lips.
KS: Are there stories behind the makeup looks you create?
Andreea: Yes, there are always stories behind my makeup looks! Even behind a simple everyday makeup look done in a hurry: there is the story of a person that is willing to get up, put on an armour and face the world (and her own self!).
Andreea wears Split as blush and lip-topper
KS: What does the makeup from your favorite book character look like in your mind?
Andreea: My favorite character is Melba Patillo Beals from her autobiographical book “Warriors don’t cry”. She is one of the first nine African American students in the US to attend an all-white high school. Ninety percent of the time while reading the book I got goosebumps! At only 15 years, Melba had to face racism in many forms by simply trying to attend the school. Her bravery and resilience are inspiring! In my mind she wears a minimal glowy makeup and obviously Santorini as blusher!
Andreea wears Split on cheeks and Martinique on lips.
KS: If your life was made into a book what would the title be?
Andreea: Hmm…it would sound something like this “Under The Love of Small Things”. I believe small things in life are the cornerstones for the big moments. Life is mostly made up of small things; in the sense that we don’t experience a major event everyday. One of the lessons I have learned is to appreciate the small things because eventually they will lead us to the big moments!
Andreea wears Santorini on cheeks, lids and lips
KS: What stories are you currently telling through your makeup?
Andrea: Simple stories of unapologetically existing as a human being; staying true to yourself, and your beliefs. You want to wear that red lipstick on a Tuesday morning? Go ahead! Who is going to stop you? Other people’s opinions and expectations of you? Then it’s not really your life, is it?
Andreea wears Split as blush and lip-topper
KS: Which one of your K&S products is your favorite right now and why?
Andrea: It has to be The Everything! Just as the name suggests - it is the everything: lids, cheeks, lips! A great multi-tasking product that actually works. Beginner or professional, no one can go wrong with this product, but don’t make me choose between the shades because they are all so beautiful and unique.
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Andrea and her beautiful makeup looks with us!
Until next time,
KS Team
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Keep reading to check it all out...
Rosh wears her Créme Crayon in shade Bonair
KS: Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Rosh: Hi! I’m Roshini, an aspiring makeup artist who just graduated with my bachelors and masters degrees in Biomedical Engineering! I started makeup in the summer of 2019, focusing on neutral eyeshadow and building my way to using color and graphic eyeliners. My page is centered around my own experience as a South Asian makeup lover, showcasing fun hacks to make makeup easier and affordable makeup routines for college students to start their journey. I do makeup for my peers and value my perspective from the student environment!
Rosh wears The Everything in shade Split
KS: Where do you find inspiration for your makeup style?
Rosh: I am lucky to have a rich cultural heritage as a South Asian creator, and my Tamil roots have inspired many cultural looks and celebrity recreations from my favorite movies. I am always inspired by music - I have a myriad of looks drawn from BTS and Porter Robinson/Madeon album covers! But most of all, I gain inspiration from my beauty community! There are so many incredible artists who create the most beautiful looks, and I love to scout across my explore page to find what I want to recreate.
Rosh selection of shades for The Everything: Split and Sardinia
KS: What part of makeup and beauty makes you happy?
Rosh: It has to be the colors! Matching my eyeshadow to my outfit is my absolute favorite thing, and I always think it makes my whole look cohesive! My favorite products are eyeshadow and blush, and the interplay of colors, glitters and shine will instantly brighten my mood. The number of looks is infinite, and I love that you can use such different products every time but achieve something beautiful.
Rosh wears her Créme Crayon in shade Corsica
KS: How does your mood change after applying makeup?
Rosh: My mood always lifts so significantly after I put on makeup! There is something so satisfying about opening my makeup drawer and going to each section to pick a tinted moisturizer, concealer, blush…to make that perfect routine. It offers me 20 minutes of controlled choice in an unpredictable, fast-paced time in my life, and I appreciate that every day.
Rosh used The Everything in shade Split
KS: What do you do to brighten your spirits on a tough day?
Rosh: Music is a very important part of my life, and my favorite genres are 2000s/2010s Tamil pop, progressive EDM, and Kpop! I always put on my Beats Studio headphones and take a second to play my favorite songs (especially Shelter by Porter Robinson!) to center my emotions and look forward. I also love cleaning out and reorganizing my makeup drawer to distract myself, and it always helps me bring out products I haven’t used in a bit to keep my page exciting!
We hope you enjoyed getting to know Rosh as much as we did, give her a follow and show her some love!
See you next time,
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Sometimes your mom may tell you the same story a bunch of times, instead of telling her you already know it let her tell it! You can make her feel heard and continue to learn about the life she has led.
Life sometimes can get a bit complicated, but thankfully technology has come to make keeping in touch with our loved ones easier! Give your mom a call every week to just update her on your life and keep her in the loop. She will feel closer to you even you are physically far away.
Maybe she ran out of her signature scent or her favorite Kiss & Smink crayon! You can also pick up a bouquet of her favorite flowers next time you visit her; and remember it doesn’t have to be a special date to make your mom feel special.
Do you have any particular talents? Record a song for her on your phone, draw or paint her a beautiful landscape. Not artistic? No worries! How about helping her organize her taxes or her pantry? You will make her life easier and she will feel supported by you!
Share one of your hobbies or explore a new one with your mom! Go on a hike or run, take a yoga class, learn to cook one of her signature recipes from her,
Look at photo albums, home videos and share stories from your childhood or her youth!
You can go to the next town, a new city, or even a different country! It doesn't matter how far you go as long as you do it together. It's a great way to get to know your mom and experience the tourist life together.
------------Our chat with Lindsay------------
For this rosy look Linz wears Santorini on both cheeks and lips.
KS: Hi Linz! Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Lindsay: Hi! I'm Lindsay. I am a human and dog mom, a wife, and a full time UI/UX cloud-native application design manager. I'm also an avid makeup lover and wearer, and have been documenting my curated collection on Instagram @linz.panz for the past two and a half years. While in the depths of watching the beauty community on YouTube (my ultimate guilty pleasure), I stumbled across the world of "panning" makeup (using makeup until you hit the pan or use it up entirely) and have been hooked ever since. Finding joy in what we already own, avoiding over-consumerism, and understanding the ethics, inclusivity, and ingredients behind the brands we put our hard-earned money towards truly intrigues me.
Linz wears her Créme crayon in shade Tavarua on lips and The Everything in shade Sardinia as bronzer.
Linz's picks for The Everything: Santorini and Sardinia
KS: Do you think art and makeup are related? How?
Lindsay: Yes! Makeup is a true art-form, and I have huge respect for makeup artists all over the world and how they've shaped the industry. Doesn't matter if it's on your screen, on paper, on walls, or on your body. Makeup (and art) are part of how we express our thoughts,
Linz wears her Créme Crayon in Corsica on the lips and The Everything in Santorini on cheeks.
For this soft glam Linz used The Everything in Sardinia as blush and Corsica on the lips.
KS: Which of your K&S goodies is your favorite and why?
Lindsay: I love The Everything Cream Stick! Such a versatile product in wearable but unique shades. I have the coral shade Santorini which I use as blush and on the lips, and the shade Santorini which is a gorgeous red-based glowy bronzer on my pale skin OR as a brown blush for those trendy nineties looks! The packaging is so simple, sturdy and minimal too.
That is all for now beauty lovers!
We hope you loved getting to know Lindsay as much as we did, go follow her you won't regret it! We will see you on our next edition of Creator of the Month.
-K&S Team
Kathy wears her Créme Crayon in shade Formentera
KS: Hi Kathy! Can you tell us about yourself?
Welcome lovely readers to our February edition of Creator of the Month. February for us is all about love, kindness and spreading good energy. We believe that through beauty we can experience the love and kindness that sometimes we don't give ourselves as much as we should. Do we believe in romance? Absolutely. Do we think every woman's first crush should be herself? Definitely. So for this February edition we caught up with our sweetheart: the stunning Ash Meredith. We talked about love, practicing kindness and how beauty can play an important role in feeling our own self-love!
------------------ Our chat with Ash ------------------
KS: Hi Katie! Can you tell us about yourself?
Katie: I'm a 20 year old Social Media Influencer living in Minnesota. I love everything beauty related but also like posting lifestyle content along with some memes. I love music, traveling, and going to concerts.
Katie’s picks for this month: Martinique & Tulum for Créme Crayons
KS: Do you have any important goals you’d like to accomplish during 2022?
Katie: I would say a goal I have is continuing with social media whether it's things BTS or it's me growing my own page. Something else I want to achieve isn't exactly a goal but more of a habit, which is just continuing checking in with myself and my mental health. I think it should be everyone's goal to continuously check in with themselves and make sure they are doing well. Oh I'd also love to travel more!
Katie wears Martinique on lips
KS: Are there any beauty trends you’d like to try during the new year?
Katie: I don't know if there are any beauty trends currently I want to try but I love the ones in the 50s and 60s. I love how the 50s focused on a red lip and winged liner, it's just a classic and I feel like you can never go wrong with it. I love the 60s makeup because it was more edgy and bold especially the editorial makeup looks from the 60's.
Here Katie wears Tulum on lips and Maldives on cheekbones
KS: What is a lesson from 2021 that you’ll take with you into the future?
Katie: A lesson I learned in 2021 is that time is precious, so never take it for granted. Another lesson I learned is that nothing will ever be "perfect" so instead of trying to make everything "perfect" just take a deep breath and appreciate what's right in front of you. Like I said time is precious so don't waste it on trying to perfect your life.
KS: What are you most looking forward to in 2022?
Katie: I'm most looking forward to making memories with my friends and family as well as meeting new people and building new friendships. Another thing I'm looking forward to is just discovering more about myself. I'm also excited to turn 21!
Thank you so much for joining us on our lovely chat with Katie! We are so excited to see where the year takes her :)
Kiss & Smink
Georgina: I feel being a Black creator is more than just posting photos, it's about creating a trusting and helpful community.
The fun spooky season is over. We can all put our skeletons back in the closet, dust away the spiderwebs and finish all the candy leftover from October 31st. Some will even have a significant other to finish all that candy with. So let's get in the mood for an Autumnal Romance with our November 2021 Creator of The Month: @alyczandra . We chatted with Alex about her style, inspiration and how the seasons affect her looks. Her dreamy and romantic style inspired us and we hope it inspires you as well.
KS: Hi Alyczandra please tell us a bit about yourself:
Alyczandra: Hey! My name is Alyczandra Jnsn, or Alex, and I am a makeup artist across social media. I have been doing makeup seriously for about 3 years and started most of my social media presence in 2019. I love to draw, read, figure skate, and most of all try out different things with makeup.
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Aniela Biagioni
Aniela's mastery of makeup and beauty shows through in all of her content, her clients always look renewed after a session with her. Her story is very inspiring and shows us that our inner-glow can be found even in the smallest things.
Aniela wearing Santorini as blush and Maldives as highlighter
KS: Hi Aniela, please tell us a bit about you:
Aniela: I am a Toronto based Makeup Artist. I specialize in Weddings and Special Events. I was a ballerina at the National Ballet of Cuba. I moved to Canada in 2010 without knowing any English. After I had my son I decided to follow my dream of being a makeup artist, and it has been a beautiful journey.
KS: What are some of your favorite tricks and tips for glowing skin?
Aniela: I think the key to achieve glowing and beautiful skin is to take care of your skin in the first place. When you have beautiful skin makeup will look more flawless and effortless. My favourite products to achieve that beautiful glow from within are cream products The Everything-Cream Sticks have became a staple on my kit and they are perfect for that all over glow.
Pictured from top to bottom: The Everything in shades Sardinia and Tulum. The Créme Crayons in shades: Corsica and Formentera.
Georgina: Since the inception of my identity as a beauty content creator, being Black was at the crux of all the content I created. I knew from my own experience of shopping for products and having to search YouTube for reviews of people with my skin tone or similar to see how a product looked. So I wanted to be that person for someone else. Black women are the #1 demographic who purchase cosmetics and yet still not always represented fully when it comes to product formulations, shades, or ads. For that reason I feel being a Black creator is more than just posting photos, it's about creating a trusting and helpful community.
KS: Is there a secret to beautiful glowing skin like yours?
Georgina: I'm a skincare product junkie so I'm obsessed with trying 100 products at once! I feel like my skin looks and feels the best when my skincare routine is minimal. I personally swear by an acne cleanser, vitamin c serum, and sunscreen for a soft and glowy look!
As a beauty brand with a strong focus on empowering women to chase after their dreams, we are shining the spotlight on inspiring women who encourage us to demand what we deserve/want/need and speak up whenever we don’t get a seat at the table.
Join our chat with Sona Lazaryan (@sonalazaryan), our March muse. Her strong personality and inspiring mother helped her harness a sense of “this-is-mine-and-I’m-going-to-get-it” way to live her life and we learned so much from our talk with her. Her minimalistic style, aesthetic feed, and love of beauty is also a key ingredient in celebrating women and all the fun we get to have (when we are treated fairly).
We caught up with Daniela and she played with some of our products, creating some beautiful looks that are easy to recreate.
---------- A conversation with Daniela Sablon ----------
These two creators’ unique views of beauty and their fresh take on content creation, will you keep you coming back for more over and over. Read along to learn more about them and to see how they wear their favourite Kiss & Smink products.
A big thank you to Brianna and Emma who made our first edition possible. We hope you feel inspired by their words just as much as we do. Don’t forget to check out their social media pages (@brianaloren and @cute_cream_ and follow along for more.
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Until next time,
Kiss & Smink
Xx
The latest e-commerce platform Shoploop offers a unique and intimate opportunity for you to discover our products. We’ll be utilizing this platform to have sit-down conversations with you where we’ll be focusing on a new product in each post (or more!) and will be sharing insider knowledge and practical tips + product demonstrations and tutorials to show you how to best apply our products in short-form videos under 90 seconds.
You can comment directly on our videos through Shoploop and one of our team members will reply to you promptly answering any questions you may have. To top it all off you can also purchase any products you fall in love with and want to add to your beauty routine directly through the platform – think of it as your personal digital sales associate!
We are so excited for you to check us out on Shoploop and begin to discover more in-depth knowledge about each of our products.
Follow us on Shoploop: “Kiss and Smink” or, by clicking here!
p.s: You'll have to check this out on mobile, as it acts as an app!
Kiss & Smink,
Xx
We caught up with Tamara for a few questions so that you can better get to know the story behind the label, upcoming sneak peeks with the company and advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs.
K&S: Tell us about the early days and what inspired you to create Kiss & Smink?
T: I used to be a buyer for a beauty company for four years and was craving products that were simpler to use and aligned to a more unrestrained lifestyle. I was busy juggling a million things every day, traveling sometimes three times a week (!) and a complicated beauty routine was not part of my agenda. I love products that are multitasking and can be applied without much fuss; anything that simplifies my life and lightens my handbag is a big winner in my books. All of Kiss & Smink’s products are created with simplicity, versatility and beautiful textures in mind.
K&S: Tell us a little about your lust for travel and where is next on your bucket list?
T: Travel has the power to renew me and my creativity profoundly. I'm super curious and can't sit still for too long so anything new and unknown exhilarates me. There are places and people that our imaginations cannot construct for us and the only way for us to find them is by stepping out of our comfort zones and meeting them head-on and open-hearted.
Bucket list wise, I actually haven’t been to Greece (I know, right!?) and I will be there as soon as it’s safe to travel again!
K&S: Where do the tropical exotic names come from for the names of your products?
T: The names come from beach destinations and oceanside cities that I’ve visited and fallen in love with. There are a few (like Tavarua, which is an island in Fiji shaped like a heart! <3) that I’m dying to go to and so the products are a gentle push to remind me to work hard for what I want to do and see.
K&S: What new releases can we expect from Kiss & Smink?
T: So many exciting things are coming! I don’t want to give away too many details but I’ll say this: get ready for an innovative formula that merges skincare and cosmetics. Beach lovers (and who isn’t?) this one's for you!
K&S: Any words to other aspiring female entrepreneurs?
T: If you’re passionate about pursuing something, anything, put your heart into it and turn your dreams into goals. Be diligent as you move forward, even if it’s slowly, and never forget about the bigger picture. It’s easy to fill your day with aimless plugs but a dream without a plan is just a dream. Have your goals somewhere visible so that every day they inspire you to move a step closer to achieving them. Never limit yourself by thinking small. Never let anyone tell you what’s realistic, or important, or whatever. Only you know that. There is nothing you can’t do if you REALLY want it. And remember that sometimes if there is something that you want but it’s just not happening for you, maybe, after all, you don’t want it that badly, and that is perfectly OK. If you’re passionate about what you’re doing and you’re doing it for the right reasons, the rewards will come and your inspiration will change the world.
The lowdown
And that's a wrap (for now)! We loved catching up with Tamara and sharing more inside details with you about the woman behind it all.
More questions about the brand? Want to collaborate with us? DM us @kissandsmink or, email us: bonjour@kissandsmink.com — we can’t wait to connect with you!
Kiss & Smink
Xx