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Fueling up for a dream-come-true day…

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A dream-come-true day requires fuel. I used to be a cater waiter at Joan's On Third in 2000, and I am STILL addicted to Joan's goodness

A dream-come-true day requires fuel. I used to be a cater waiter at Joan’s On Third in 2000, and I am STILL addicted to Joan’s goodness

L💗VING this day so much!!

My morning started at 6 am, with a Hampton Inn voiceover with GSD&M at Patches Sound, and now I’m at my old friend, the Drybar, fueling up on protein with Joan’s On Third tuna salad and hummus, as I prepare to host the red carpet for the Variety Power Of Women luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire with Unite4Good.

The honorees I’ll be chatting with today? Oprah, GwynethPaltrow, AnnaKendrick, Salma Hayek, Susan Wojcicki and Jim Gianopulos.

My first day job was being a cater waiter for Joan’s On Third, so it seems only appropriate that I get to see Joan this morning and that her food fuels my heart for a busy day ahead. Such a dream-come-true day.

xoxo,
Dawn

Ken Paves Made Me A Coachella Cinderella!

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I met Ken Paves in December, and it was friendship at first sight!

Fast friends!

He really listened to me, as he transformed my hair into Jaclyn Smith and Priscilla Presley’s lovechild.

I do believe I manifested this moment. I used to dream of having Ken Paves cut my hair!

All while dancing, and with no voice, due to a pesky case of laryngitis.

Charlie's Angels? I don't think so. I'm one of KEN'S Angels!!

Even without speaking, the man is a master communicator. He makes everyone feel valued, respected, important and beautiful. And he’s THE celebrity hairstylist, y’all!

He literally wrote the book. (*pictured here with Ken's book is all Heather Gardner jewelry)

So, when Ken and I decided that I should come in to his Ken Paves Salon in West Hollywood, before I headed out for Coachella, I could barely contain my excitement. The week had been quite a sad one, with having to say goodbye to my beloved Uncle A.V., and my heart just wasn’t into Coachella…and neither was my hair.

Before Ken Paves

Ken perked me right up. Once in my “Hairy Godmother’s” chair, we came up with the idea for “Coachella Cinderella,” complete with s-waves, his clip-inextensions, and lots of volume, thanks to his line, You Are Beautiful, available now at Walmart. Big fan of this line, guys. BIG fan. I recommend it to everyone.

Ken Paves' You Are Beautiful line - my go-to shampoo, that always leaves me with full, bouncy, voluminous hair that lasts for daaaaays

After a few hours, some bubbly and some even more bubbling conversation (interview to come on FabFitFun & here), I left with a ‘do that was definitely made for dancing.

Coachella Cinderella in her groove at Le Parker Meridien Palm Springs

But the best part? You can’t leave Ken’s chair, without him making you feel just the most beautiful you’ve ever felt. And when you use his products, he wants you to feel the same way. As much as the hair he creates is second to none and is, indeed, BEAUTIFUL, Ken himself is just one of the most beautiful, kindest, funniest, and most inspiring people I’ve ever met.

Ken Paves, You Are Beautiful, Ken Paves You Are Beautiful, Dawn McCoy, Ken Paves Salon

He actually makes me want to be a better person.

Ken working his magic

So, off I went to Coachella, with a killer head of Coachella Cinderella hair and my “Hairy Godfather” Ken’s words in my heart.

Coachella or Bust.

Thank you, Ken.

This Cinderella will never forget it.

 

xoxo,
Dawn

 

ISSE, ISSE, Baby: My ISSE 2015 Barbie Experience

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This past weekend, I felt like Barbie when I had the opportunity to serve on the blogger panel at the Blogger Cafe at ISSE. Makeup and skincare and hair extensions, oh my.

Let’s start with the hair. I left with gorgeous hair extensions from Hair Art, Hair Couture and Halo Couture, and cannot tell you how much fun that was!

Clockwise L to R: Hair Art bangs, Hair Art bangs & H3000 Heat Brush Pro, Halo Couture 20-inch extensions, and Hair Couture 20-inch extensions

And then there were the products!! For all of you product junkies out there, this was Product. Junkie. HEAVEN!!

Not only did I get walked around the floor and get to see thousands of products, but I also held one-on-one meetings, where I got to learn, encourage, advise and inspire. I was so happy to meet all of these brilliant and forward-thinking brands, and now I can’t wait to share my faves with you! And the best part? I got to VOTE for my favorite products of the show!

**Note: To get a pic of all of these fab products, I needed to break it into two pics, and naturally, I did so, based on color of the packaging. Ha!

The Pastel Pretties

The Pastel Pretties: Clockwise from L to R: Halo Couture The Layered Halo 20-inch extensions ($580), Crown Beauty Pink Travel Brush Set ($19.95), Rock Your Hair Spray It Hard ($22), Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo ($21), Smooth 24/7 Premium Skin & Foot Therapy Balm ($17) and MoYou Kitty Set ($39.99)

1)  Halo Couture The Layered Halo 20-inch extensions ($580) – Heaven. Just heaven in a hair fall. 20-inches of virgin hair, that’s as shiny and strong as you could dream of. Totally made me feel like a Barbie.

2) Crown Beauty Pink Travel Brush Set ($19.95)

3) Rock Your Hair Spray It Hard ($22)

4) Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo ($21)

5) Smooth 24/7 Premium Skin & Foot Therapy Balm ($17)

6) MoYou Kitty Nail Stamping Set ($39.99) – I can’t help but wanna have a slumber party with this fun – and super easy – mani stamping kit!

7) Glycelene Rejuvenation Creme (pictured below)

Pastel Pretty - with Glycelene

 

The Black & Bronze Besties

The Black & Bronze Beauties (Clockwise L to R): H3000 Heat Brush Pro ($130), Ergo Ionic Polishing Paddle Brush ( $38.95), Eye Majic Swipe On Eyeshadow ($5), Norvell Dancing With Stars Endurance Color Boosting Skin Perfector, Föu Water, Brazilian Blowout Volume Shampoo ($34), KollagenX 24K Gold Collagen Mask ($140 for 4 masks), Gloss by KollagenX ($45) and Go2Brush ($28)

1) H3000 Heat Brush Pro by Ron King ($130): it’s what gave me that Jaclyn Smith/Charlie’s Angels hair up there!

2) Ergo Ionic Polishing Paddle Brush ( $38.95)

3) Eye Majic Swipe On Eyeshadow ($5) – swipe-on, brushless eyeshadow in one simple step? Say no more.

4) Norvell Dancing With Stars Endurance Color Boosting Skin Perfector

5) Föu Water – great, healthy, beneficial alternative to toner (which we all know I am not the biggest fan of!)

6) Brazilian Blowout Volume Shampoo ($34)

7) KollagenX 24K Gold Collagen Mask ($140 for 4 masks) – you love to wear 24k gold, why shouldn’t your skin get the 24k treatment? 

8) Gloss by KollagenX  ($45)

9) Go2Brush ($28) – your new best friend! A homegrown small biz, dual-ended plastic “brush” that’s more like a tool; perfect for tight lining the waterline and applying lip color seamlessly, without the hassle and clean-up of brushes.
xoxo,
BF

 

BF Asks: Which products would have made your “Best Of ISSE” List? 

Be Our Guest: Getting #InstaGlam with Cover Girl at the VMAs 2014

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I always wanted to be a Cover Girl. So when Cover Girl invited me to be their guest to get #InstaGlam for the VMAs and a day of primping, I felt like a long-held dream had come true.

But who knew that award show prepping and primping for a Cover Girl started so early? Even though the awards were to start at 6pm, my day started with an 8:30 am pickup from my delightful driver, Sam, who pumped the old school R&B while eating a homemade cupcake I had brought him from home.

Ready for a day of primping and VMAs fun with Cover Girl!

 

Next, I arrived at the W Hotel Westwood for a full day of primping with Cover Girl. I grabbed a cup of coffee and nibbled on a bit of breakfast as I showed my Adriana Papell gown to my celeb hairstylist for the day, Derek Peter (a coif god whose clients have included Chrissy Teigen, Katie Lowes and Kristen Bell) and told him of “my vision.” What was my vision exactly? Well, while most people opt for short and hip for the VMAs, I wanted to go old school glam to match my powder blue, floor-length Adrianna Papell gown. Think 60s-era Elizabeth Taylor meets 90s-era Catherine Zeta Jones. Derek knew JUST what to do. So he was off and running, giving me a slightly messier Veronica Lake wave. While my hair was pinned to set the waves, I grabbed a mimosa and headed over to sit in celeb makeup artist, Sage Maitri’s chair (an uber-talented makeup artist whose clients include Judy Greer, Hillary Kerr and Busy Phillips). After seeing my dress and Derek’s hair, Sage had a vision as well – sexy retro glam with a pop of blue-violet on the eye and a deeper mauvey-berry lip.

Being primped as a Cover Girl in my Adrianna Papell by makeup artist, Sage Maitri, as my Derek Peter waves set

 

Here are just a few of the delicious Cover Girl products she used on me to make me oh-so-glamorous. Not only were the colors rich, highly-pigmented and true but boy-oh-boy, did they last! They lasted from 12 pm til 11 pm that night. I kid you not.
Next up was a quick photo session before my fellow editors and beauty experts and I hopped on the most retrolicious, luxe party bus you’ve ever seen!

Feeling glamorous and confident while bringing old school glam to the VMAs, thanks to Cover Girl * dress: Adrianna Papell/ styling by Cirquelde/jewelry by AV Max NYC

 

With my friends/dates, Ning Chao and Teen Vogue editor Elaine Welteroth at the VMAs at The Forum

Then it was showtime! And what a show it was!! Who were some of my faves? Well, naturally, Cover Girl Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Maroon 5 and Beyonce.

Cover Girl seriously thought of everything. We watched the show from the best seats in the house while noshing on popcorn and sipping some vino.

Thanks for the best seats in the house, Cover Girl!

And when I say Cover Girl thought of everything, I mean they thought of everything. Even late night! Yep. We arrived back at the hotel around 10:30 to platters of tortilla chips and frnech fries. No funnier sight I’ve ever seen than a bunch of gown-clad beauty editors chowing down a plate of french fries like they’d never seen food before!

Cover Girl seriously thought of EVERYTHING.

Thank you, Cover Girl, for a day I will never forget!
And wanna know a secret? I still dream of being a Cover Girl. Shhh…don’t tell.

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Which would have been your favorite part of this Day as a Cover Girl at the VMAs? The limo, the hair, the makeup, the party bus, the show or, um, the french fries?

15 Days of Fitness: New York Streets Dry Shampoo

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True story.

This past week, I had my last day of 15 Days of Fitness and a major spin workout and THEN a poolside event hosted by StyleHaul and Kia Motors USA in Malibu.

Oh boy. How was I going to take my workout-wasted limp ‘do and turn it into Malibu Barbie-ready?

BEFORE: Ugh. Post-workout Lull with a limp 'do

After all, I was going to an event with bloggers and pr girls, galore – the toughest critics around.

Well, I looked in the beauty closet and found this little Skipper doll of a product.
Ok, I’ll give it a try. It can’t get any worse.

Well, New York Streets Dry Shampoo ($17) did exactly what it said it would do. It revived. It refreshed and my-oh-my, did it volumize. Just look!! And it did all this without any of that pesky residue that we hate.

After: Say whaaaa???!

So, with my newly christened sexy bedhead, I headed to the Kia Malibu party.
And, I’m not even the slightest bit ashamed to tell y’all that when I got there, because of that righteous bedhead, I let my ASTR swimsuit cover show a little leg.

After all, summer is short. But just because your hair isn’t doesn’t mean it can’t be low maintenance and lovely.

xoxo,
BF

 

3 easy steps to Amp Up Your Style & win with TRESemmé for the VMAs

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I just used these 3 products from TRESemmé to attempt to get some va-va-voom volume into my fine hair and, y’all, it worked. And all in under 15 minutes. Here’s how.

I was so excited about the level of volume I achieved, I cut off the last few words of the video which were, “And this my friends…is what happens.” Cue Olivia Newton-John’s “Magic” right now, folks.

Speaking of music, I’m no rockstar…at least not outside of my shower but TRESemmé sure can make me feel like one. Oh, you know that TRESemmé. She’s always got totally delightful, doable DIY hair tutorials and giveaways for all. And when the VMAs roll around, her spirit of sharing only doubles with rocking out the tutorials for all of us.

TRESemmé invites you to amp up your VMA style with one of her five looks that are red carpet-ready. Check out THESE 5 tutorials on how to achieve a pumped up pony, a super sleek look, rock ‘n roll waves, full blown volume and shine like a star. Watch the videos for a coupon for $1.75 off TRESemmé at Walmart.

Get $1.75 off TRESemmé products!

While watching the 2014 VMAs on August 24th post your VMA style and show how you amp up your style using the hashtag #ampupyourstyle for your chance to win TRESemmé samples.

Once you have your look, enter to win a chance to attend the 2015 VMAs for you and a friend! Enter by clicking here:
Tresemme VMA – Beauty Frosting

Image 3

Rock it out.

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: Which look are you gonna try? My full blown volume, a pumped up pony, a super sleek look, rock ‘n roll waves or shine like a star?

*This is a sponsored post by Lunchbox Media. While products or compensation were provided, the words and opinions are all my own.

BeautyFrosting Top 5 Faves (ok, 8!!!) at Cosmoprof 2014, Day 2

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Join me on the 2nd of my 3-day adventure at Cosmoprof North America at Mandalay Bay this week! As a featured panelist, brands bring me products and tools to try and I get to share my Top 5 favorites (or 8 as the case may be) with you guys each day! I’m STILL like a kid in Candyland, y’all…

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Which of these products are YOU most excited to try?

BeautyFrosting Top 5 Faves at Cosmoprof 2014, Day 1

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Hellooooo from Vegas!
Join me on my 3-day adventure at Cosmoprof North America at Mandalay Bay this week! As a featured beauty expert on the Beaut-E Zone panel, brands bring me products and tools to try and then I get to share my Top 5 BeautyFrosting Faves with you guys each day! I’m like a kid in Candyland, y’all!

Check back in tomorrow and Tuesday to see what delicious new beauty products tomorrow will bring…

xoxo,
Dawn

BF Asks: Which of these products are you most excited to try?

Perfect For A Wedding: Bridal ‘Do Tutorials with Tresemmé and Penny Pincher Fashion

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It’s simple, y’all.

Get the perfect wedding look for less with TRESemme and Penny Pincher Fashion.

Whether you’re going to a bridal shower, attending a wedding or participating as a bridesmaid, Penny Pincher Fashion and TRESemme show you how to get the perfect look for less with the help of Walmart.

Check out five hair tutorials – Pony Tail, Braided Crown, Sleek & Chic, Gatsby Glam, Modern Chignon – to find a look that fits you.

And they’re effortless for every day, too!

Perfect for a wedding with Penny Pincher Fashion

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What ‘do would you do for a wedding?

*This is a sponsored post by Lunchbox Media. While products or compensation were provided, the words and opinions are all my own.

 

Real Volume. Real Beauty. Real Serious: Dove Oxygen Moisture haircare

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Here’s a little secret. When you’re a beauty blogger, you try LOTS of products. Lots and LOTS and LOOOOOOTS of products. You know how you know which products make your favorites? When you use them over and over again even with thousands of products sitting around and when you go out and buy ’em yourself.

That is exactly the case with my new hair cocktail for a comely coif: Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo ($4.98), Dove Oxygen Moisture Conditioner ($4.98) and Dove Oxygen Moisture Leave-In Foam ($5.98).

A Perfect Cocktail For A Comely Coif: Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo, Conditioner and Leave-In Foam

I’ve always been a fan of Dove and their Real Beauty campaign so I really wanted to like these products but still, I started with no expectations. After all, these products are a steal at under $6 each at Walmart! What could they really do for my hair?
Well, they did a lot. Let’s start with the shampoo and conditioner.

Real Volume. Real Beauty. Real Serious: Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo & Dove Oxygen Moistue Conditioner

Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo ($4.98) & Dove Oxygen Moisture Conditioner ($4.98): Made with Oxyfusion Technology, these products say they add moisture and shine to hair. And boy, do they! I’ll be honest. At first, I was a little worried. A little of the shampoo went a long way and it felt so moisturizing that I thought there was no way my fine hair would take it. But this surprised me! Even though it’s super moisturizing and conditioning-feeling in your hand, it rinses clean away leaving no residue or heaviness. I promise.

I found a fave coif cocktail in Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner!

Next, I applied the Dove Oxygen Moisture Leave-In Foam ($5.98), prior to blowdrying, concentrating on my roots. It claimed to increase hair volume by 95%. And it did, it did!! Really. Seriously. About a 100% increase in my opinion because I didn’t have to use velcro rollers at my roots for once. Hallelujah!

A little Kelly Kapowski but who cares. Volume, people. Volume. Hallelujah!

I wanted to give you guys authentic results so I only spent 10 minutes on my blowdry (because I know how busy we all are) and was wowed by the results. One trick? I blowdried my hair upside down – as I always do. I couldn’t believe the volume, body and fullness that my hair had. Sadly, that doesn’t happen every day so it’s kinda nice knowing that now it can.

Happy hair. Happy Girl. Thanks, Dove!

As if learning about these pretty products isn’t enough, they also have a great promotion where you can watch a Dove 2 Hair Stories video and save $1.50 off Dove products at Walmart! Check it out.
And, seriously, guys. If you want mega volume without the mega prices, check this line out. You’ll be glad you did.
I sure am.

 xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Like my blowing my hair upside down trick, do you have any hairstyling tricks? If so, I’d love to try ’em!

*This is a sponsored post by Lunchbox Media. I pick which sponsored posts I participate in very carefully – only products I truly love. While products or compensation were provided, the words and opinions are all my own. And I am always, always honest because I know how valuable your money and time are.*


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