BeautyCon LA

BeautyCon is the world’s premiere fashion, beauty, wellbeing & lifestyle destination for fans, brands, and content creators.

At #BeautyConLA, hundreds of content creators and celebrities will come together to network, mingle, discuss the future of online media, hang with you and participate in panel discussions + Q&As. Thousands of beauties will attend BeautyCon LA to participate in interactive presentations, watch performances, create content, shop, play games, learn about new products, and above all, mingle with some of their favorite content creators!

So this weekend, my best friend and I went to BeautyCon Los Angeles. I had the chance to meet many beauty junkies (like myself) and hundreds of brands. I have never been in a single place where I've totally been submerged into "girl world". Seriously, the little girly girl inside me screamed with excitement as vendors gave us samples and freebies, I almost felt guilty for my Mexican-ness coming out haha (that was a joke). If I wasn't saving up for San Francisco, I would have gone CRAZY with my spendings. The only purchase I made was at the Nasty Gal booth. I bought a super cute chain choker for about $35. Can't wait to wear it to Outside Lands! Maybe I'll do a post on what I plan to take! I attended a panel called "Becoming a Digital Media Sensation", presented by makeup artists, beauty influencers, and an agent. Basic takeaway I got was 1) Be consistent with postings and 2) Be authentic. I also got to meet one of my favorite makeup gurus, Kandee Johnson! I remember her being one of the first people on YouTube that I started subscribing to and I'm still in love with her videos (le sigh). If I were ever to become a public figure in the beauty industry outside of Avon, I would want to be like her. Overall, I had loads of fun and got to enjoy the day with my best friend Janira.

Here are my tips for you if you ever plan on attending a BeautyCon in the future:

1. Get there EARLY: Parking is bad. Crowds are bad. Get there before the gates open so you don't miss out on any of the panels or meet ups.

2. There is no such thing as lines: Another reason why you should get there early is because there is no set markings of where lines begin and where lines end, thus leading to huge crowds shoving to get into the main building. I had to wait 45 minutes after entering the grounds to get inside the main building because there were people shoving and cutting. Be prepared for some shoulder to shoulder love.

3. Don't let the rich kids get you down: I had an incident where I was standing in the Sprinkles line to get free ice-cream and this 15 yr old tried to cut in front of 20 people. Her plastic surgery faced mom stood on the side, encouraging them to do it and group of snobby rich girls tried to get in front of me and my friend. Being fully aware that they did not stand in front of us for the last 15 minutes, I got in front of her. She turned around to her crew and said "OMG, WE'RE LIKE BEING PUSHED TO THE SIDE". Eventually, we got our ice-cream before they did but after the people behind us got their ice creams too, the 15 yr old complained to the Sprinkles staff member about how she was pushed to the side. One chic told her that she cut in front of everyone and after that, the girl made a face... an ugly one too. I wanted to turn around and tell her that just because she was white and had a Chanel purse, it doesn't make her entitled to cut in front of 20-30 people for FREE ice-cream. C'mon! So ladies, realize that at BeautyCon LA, you might run into lots of over privileged girls like this. Don't let them step all over you but also remember to be a lady (if you can).

4. Try to plan your day: With all the vendors passing out free stuff, its easy to get distracted and miss out on cool panels and meet ups. Try to schedule your day so you can take advantage of as much as possible.

5. Go with a best friend: Everything is always more fun when you can enjoy it with a best friend! Trust.

Below is last year's BeautyCon trailer. Enjoy!

My Summer Beauty Essentials - JULY

Now that summer weather is finally kicking in, I want to make sure my skin stays looking fresh and healthy. Bold colors are trending and as always, so are nudes. What I love about Avon is that they have amazing products for all skin types and seasons. Here are my top products to try this summer:

MOISTURIZER: Vitale Day Lotion with SPF 25 

 $28 Purchase Here

This is Avon's newest moisturizer from their top notch skin care line. First off, it has a light and pleasant scent, it's oil-free, lightweight, and leaves my skin feeling hydrated. Many products that contain a high SPF tend to make my oily skin look very greasy. This product, however, did the exact opposite. My skin felt more matte, yet moisturized, and over time, I noticed that my pores looked somewhat smaller. The SPF 25 is just enough protection for me, since I haven't been burnt at all. Love love love this product, especially now that the intro price is only $19.99. I would recommend this face lotion to anyone with combo/oily skin. 

PRIMER: Avon Magix Face Perfector with SPF 20 

$11 Purchase Here

My Holy Grail product! Who knows how many tubes I've gone through of this. Magix Face Perfector is an oil-free and non-comedogenic primer that creates an HD finish to blur the look of imperfections and fine lines. Plus, it keeps shine away for us oily gals. It contains ingredients like fleece flower and rose extract and leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft. I've tried and tried countless primers that "claim" to control oil and I always find myself coming back to this one because it's affordable and does what it's supposed to do. Definitely a staple for not only summer, but all year round!

EYESHADOW: True Color Eyeshadow Quad in "Warm Sunrise"

$8 Purchase Here

Coppers have to be my obsession right now and this quad is everything. This is just about been my go to everyday eyeshadow combination and it's SO pigmented. Love how the colors bring out my green eyes. I believe this quad would go perfect with any eye color though. 

FACE COMPACT: Mark. Touch & Glow All Over Shimmer Cream Cubes in "Coral"
$16 Purchase Here
This all in one compact provides color and highlight for all over the face. It's probably the most versatile product I've tried. Not only could you take a brush and just swirl all the colors together. You can also individually apply shades for the eyes, cheek, and lips. With a combination of highlight colors and even deeper coral shades, this compact is great for on the go and traveling! Don't worry about your skin type's compatibility with this product. The texture feels like a creamy powder that is dry to the touch but blends beautifully onto the skin. Great for all skin types and its oil-free! This is a  staple item and I can't wait to carry it along with me on my summer trips.

EYELINER: Mark. What a Line Max Liquid Eyeliner in "Blackest Black"
$12 Purchase Here
If you are on the look for a smudge-proof, waterproof liquid eyeliner, this is the real deal. Mark's What a Line Max contains a pointy foam tip applicator that helps create thick or thin lines. I find it lasting all day without fading in color. Sometimes, I'll even add it over my regular liquid eyeliner to create a sharper cat eye line and add staying power. Love it.

LIPSTICKS: Ultra Color Matte Lipsticks in "Matte Nude" and "Matte Melon"
$8 Purchase Here
These two lipsticks are my favorite colors to wear this summer! Not only are they matte, they don't dry out my lips AT ALL. I always get compliments when I wear the nude shade. Now that summer is here and bold lips are trending, I got a hold of the melon shade. It's so pretty that I'll be doing a fun lip tutorial this week! Stay tuned!

Hope you all enjoyed this post. If you would like to see more makeup hauls and essentials guides, let me know on here or follow me on my social media pages.

Instagram: IveyDee
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Iveythebeautyconsultant
YouTube: www.YouTube.com/+IveyDee

xx, Ivey

Foodie in the Kitchen: Crispy Baked Coconut Tilapia

Crispy Baked Coconut Tilapia served with organic brown rice and organic romaine lettuce lightly topped with Greek dressing

Total Time: 20-25 minutes

Ingredients:
2 Tilapia Fillets
1/4 cup Coconut Flakes
1/4 cup Breadcrumbs (I used Trader Joes crackers since I didn't have breadcrumbs)
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1/8 tsp Pepper
1 tsp Coconut Flour ( I used Wheat Flour)
1/8 Egg White

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees, take some foil and line a glass or metal baking pan.
Take a clean wire rack, spray with nonstick cooking spray, and set on top of baking pan. This will make clean up easier at the end so food doesn't fall in the oven.

In a small bowl, combine flour, bread crumbs, coconut flakes and seasoning. In another bowl, beat egg white lightly.

Dip each fillet into the egg batter and then dip into the bread crumb mixture making sure it's evenly coated.  Place fillets onto the wire rack. Spray fillets lightly with non stick spray to make them extra crunchy.

Bake fish for 18-22 minutes or until coconut crust is golden brown.

Enjoy!

July Wishlist

LA WITH LOVE Adore Babydoll Bralette

I recently just discovered this brand from a blogger I follow on Instagram @cctylr. She has a very simple yet sexy aesthetic when it comes to style and decor. I found her modeling a variety of pieces from LA With Love (which i'm assuming is her own line) and I'm totally in love with not only the designs, but also the price! If you are a fan of For Love and Lemons, but can't afford the extravagant price tags, check out this brand. Hopefully, I'll remember to buy a piece around August or September when my anniversary rolls around. ;-)

FOREVER 21 Grid Pattern Shirt Dress

Recently, I've been into shirt dresses and t-shirt dresses. However, because my booty is huge, I want something that is loose and doesn't hug my curves. I found this super cute geometric shirt dress from F21 and it seems so comfy and casual. I could see this being easily dressed up by adding a belt around the waist and some heels. Great outfit idea for my business meetings.

NASTY GAL Drop it Down Lace-Up Jumpsuit 

Nasty Gal always comes out with the most fun and feisty pieces. Loving how this ties up in the front, revealing a bit of cleavage but not too much. I only worry that my bum will look weird in this but until then, I'll swoon over this design.

FOREVER21 Leopard Round Print Sunglasses 

Last week, I actually bought these adorable leopard print sunglasses and all I can say is "Damn, these make me look good!" They are only about $7 too!

AVON Strappy Gladiator Sandal with Heel

Avon has been coming out with much better fashion wear and jewelry lately that I'm trying to figure out how I'll be able to control myself even with my discount. These gladiators seem super comfy and can be worn with just about any hippy, boho outfit that we've ll been swooning over. Plus, there is a small heel for added height. BONUS. Get 'em before they're gone!

PYLO Meshed Out Maxi Dress

Just look at this dress. How could you NOT want it????

AVON Amour Perfume by Olivia Wilde

Avon's newest fragrance Amour was just launched this Spring with actress Olivia Wilde as the face of the new perfume. The scent is a blend of citrus, jasmine, and soft musk. Words cannot describe how good this smells. Definitely a must have item.

VANESSA MOONEY Ride Out Suede Choker 

I've been thinking about buying a choker with the same style as the Vanessa Mooney one pictured above. I've seen similar chokers on PYLO and other sites. I may perhaps even make my DIY version. Possible future post?

FOREVER21 Buckled Faux Leather Booties

I've been looking for boots like these that aren't ridiculously expensive. After lusting over Unif and Jeffrey Campbell shoes, I would feel guilty buying a pair of $200 boots. With traveling coming up, I wanted to find a pair of shoes that add some appeal to any outfit, give me some height, and not break my wallet. Fortunately, F21 has these babies for less than $40. Bought!

WINDSOR Dance With Somebody Bodysuit

After seeing this design on Reformation and on the lovely Ashley Benson, I had to get my hands on one. I found a budget friendly alternative with decent fabric at my local Windsor for about half the price Reformation retails it at. Thinking about wearing this bodysuit to Beauty Con LA later on this week :-)