Brand Email Template

Hi Ladies!

Here is the Email Template for Emailing Brands. Remember to switch it up and make it your own!

Hey There,

My name is [insert name here] and I am a Beauty Influencer/Blogger/Content Creator. My goal with my platform is to [insert mission statement here] and I would love to demonstrate and promote your brand and products while doing so. I was wondering if you were looking for any additional bloggers to promote your brand? I have provided my links to my social media platforms down below as well as my media kit. I hope to hear from you soon!

Best Regard/Sincerely/etc

[Insert Name Here]

[Insert Links Here]

A'Marie Collections: Brand of the Month Spotlight.

A'Marie Collections

So, I want to do something a little bit different. I am going to attempt to highlight a new makeup company every month. This month, we are going to start with this new independent makeup and skincare company called A'Marie Collections. You all should have already seen the swatches and different looks I did with the products they sent me to test out already. If not, they will be located at the bottom of this blog. But here is the amazing story behind A'Marie Collections!!

Owner of A'Marie Collections Arishe' Sims

A'Marie Collections is a skincare and cosmetic brand independently owned and ran out of Chicago by. Arishe' Sims started this company shortly after finishing her aesthetician certificate at Tricoci University in Bridgeview, IL. She became interested in makeup when she was a little girl and really dove into learning more as an adult. The purpose of her brand has a deeper meaning. Arishe' and her husband lost their daughter, Ava, when she was just 19 weeks pregnant with her. So her goal is to donate a portion of her proceeds to the March of Dimes and Rush University to assist in research to prevent early loss while pregnant and after birth. Here are some cool facts that you need to know about this brand:

• The brand caters to everyone. All skin types and skin tones will be able to purchase products from the company. 
• All of the products are hypoallergenic and cruelty free!
• The products are very high in quality and have the loveliest packaging. 

Arishe' has an amazing story that I believe we all should know. She is a prime example of what happens when you never give up in the face of adversity. You can turn anything into something beautiful as long as you see the positiveness in it. Her advice to anyone starting their own brand is to never give up. Keep pushing towards your dream. You never know where it will take you. Check out A'Marie Collection Products at www.amariecollection.com. 

Swatches of the Nude Ambition Palette

Cut Crease using the Nude Ambition Palette

Everyday eyeshadow look using the Nude Ambition Palette

Aly Jae is a Beauty Influencer and a member of Ipsy Open Studios. Active in the Beauty Industry since 2008, Aly continues to educate others about makeup application, products, techniques, and skincare.

Want To Become A Beauty Blogger? Here's What You Need To Know...

As much as I love what I do, I wish someone would have sat me down and told me the lows of this business. From a distance, everything looks so cute and neat and well put together. Well... it is! LOL! But, there is so much that goes into the background of blogging that new comers truly need to know. So, consider me big sister! I won't sugarcoat anything. It's about to get very real and honest.

1. You're not going to hit it big immediately. Everyone thinks, including myself, that the minute you start blogging, you'll become INSTANTLY FAMOUS and everyone will love you. WRONG!!! I'm a year and a half in and I'm still very mildly known. There are some exceptions to the rule. But, for the most part, everyone grows at their own pace. It's mostly about how hungry you are. The more work you put into it, the more you will get out of it. Whether you choose to write everything, start a YouTube Channel, or stick to being a Instagram Makeup Guru, the rules still apply. Go into this with an idea and remain focused on it. If you focus on the numbers, you will lose faith in what you're doing and give up just before you make it.

2. Don't copy already famous beauty gurus. Now, learning from people who have done it is one thing. But becoming exactly like them is totally different. And IRRITATING!! I can't tell you how annoying it is to watch a YouTube video that looks exactly like Kathleen Lights. She got to where she is by being herself and working very hard. You must do the same and be yourself! Now, there are things that you can learn from those who are where you want to be. For instance, I learned from Jaclyn Hill to be very thorough when explaining things in my videos. I learned from Jackie Aina to let me inner weirdness loose for the world to see. I learned from Denise how to utilize short videos on Instagram to gain more followers. And of course, I took from all of them different makeup application tips. As far as how I run my channel, blog, and IG page, I decided to do a lot of what I have up on my own. This took time and planning. I literally researched how to brand your business and went from there. I encourage all of you that want to do this to do the same. Secret: Your audience is mostly millennials. They crave authenticity. So, be your creative self.

3. Over-saturation is a GOOD THING. One of the biggest complaints I have seen recently with bloggers is competition. Yes, so many want to be a part of this wonderful world of beauty blogging. But this is a very good thing. This means there is a high demand for beauty. This gives newer beauty companies new opportunities to work with new bloggers. The one thing you will never see is a person unsubscribe to MannyMUA to subscribe to Patrick Starr. They're probably subscribed to both. I'm a blogger and I am subbed to at least 70 different beauty related channels. We love watching different videos! So, never worry about losing followers to someone else who does what you do. There is opportunity everywhere. Just take advantage of it.

4. This looks easy.... but it's NOT! The one major misconception about this industry is that it's easy. It's not. It's looks all pretty and glamorous. It is, but it takes effort. Here is a run down of one of my days: 7am- wake up and get Jaeda ready for school. 8am- Get her on the bus. 9am- workout (Gotta get in shape for the camera). 10am- shower and start my day. 11am- Respond to comments on IG, YouTube, Facebook, etc. 12pm- Do a look for the gram. 2pm- maybe eat, or edit photo for the gram. 3pm-7pm- Coaching. 7pm- Responding to comments on recent post, or promoting YouTube Video, or promoting page. 9pm- Get mini me ready for bed. 10pm-12am preparing blogging work for the next day, scheduling meetings with brands, scheduling collab videos, etc etc etc. That's a mild day. Then, I have the audacity to add more things to my plate, like this play I'm in. My point is that you're constantly doing something. I'm constantly talking to the world, constantly on my phone, constantly thinking and planning looks, constantly promoting, writing, filming, editing. It's not easy at all. You have to really love what you do to do it without complaints. You will lose a lot of sleep. You will work even when you're on vacation. You will work when you're sleeping. This is a 24/7, 365 day (366 on a leap year) job! So, if you are not interested in constantly working all the time, then I would re-think this line of business. The more well known you become, the more jam packed your schedule becomes.

I absolutely love what I do. Like truly. I live to wake up and think of different and new ways to communicate to you guys. But, it took me a year and a half to finally get settled into this career. It is very rewarding. There are so many things I love. But, I also love makeup. I'll be writing more blogs about this topic. If there is anything that you would like to know, comment below. I will do my best to add them into the next blog!

Aly Jae is a Beauty Influencer and a member of Ipsy Open Studios. Active in the Beauty Industry since 2008, Aly continues to educate others about makeup application, products, techniques, and skincare.

3 New Cosmetic Companies That Need More Recognition

Nicolet Beauty, Nia Cosmetics, and Mirror Mirror Box Products (Photo Cred: Aly Jae)

So, one of my favorite things to do is to try new makeup products. I mean, who doesn't love testing out new products right? But, a lot of times, I take it a step further and work with brand new or underrated companies. There are a lot of diamond in a ruffs out there that we tend to miss sometimes. So here is my short compiled list of companies that I feel are awesome and need more recognition.

Artist @makeupbydenisse on Instagram wearing Nia Cosmetics Glitter in Glaze

1. Nia Cosmetics. Nia Cosmetics started in 2014 by owner Irenia. Her idea was to provide products for the artist who wants to push the envelope. Straying away from the normal everyday makeup, her lip creams and glitters are bold and daring in shades. Nia Cosmetics offers a wide arrange of pigmented lip creams and glitters. They have also launched their own brush line that I have personally tried and are amazing. One of my favorite products by this company is the highlighters! I have the highlighter in Rose Gold that can pretty much send flares to the moon! Yes, it's that bright. There are pics below. Check them out for yourself. Visit www.niacosmetics.com to check out their full line of products!

Nia Cosmetics Look Book

Instagram Artist @chinabell wearing Nia Cosmetics Glitter in Rapunzel and Limelight

@alyjaemua using Nia Cosmetics Highlight in Rose Gold

@alyjaemua wearing Nia Cosmetics Lip Cream in Pharoah

@alyjaemua using Nia Cosmetics Glitter in Spice

@alyjaemua using Nia Cosmetics glitter in Te Amo

Beauty Guru Makeupd0ll Wearing Nicolet Beauty Matte Lipstick in Lodi

2. Nicolet Beauty. Nicolet Beauty was created in 2015 by Anna Nicole. The goal behind her brand was to create products that were not only safe to use, but have a high color range to accommodate all skin tones. Nicolet Beauty's products are paraben free, talc free, fragrance free, and cruelty free! Not only does Nicolet Beauty not want to test on animals, but they want to steer away from any cancer causing agents. They sell matte lipsticks and eye shadows. My favorite lippie by them is Yorba Linda. I mentioned this shade in my fall favorites blog a few days ago. This shade has been a major hit with this company. To purchase their products, visit their website at www.nicoletbeauty.com.

Nicolet Beauty Look Book

Instagram Artist @makeupbyebbie wearing Nicolet Beauty Matte Lipstick in Yorba Linda

Current Nicolet Beauty Matte Lipstick Shades

@alyjaemua wearing Nicolet Beauty Matte Lipstick in Ellensue

CEO/Founder Anna Nicole wearing Nicolet Beauty Matte Lipstick in Nadeau

The Luxury Box from Mirror Mirror Box

3. Mirror Mirror Box. We all have seen many subscription boxes run across our screens, but none like this one. This particular company creates boxes of their own products!! Mirror Mirror Box was started in 2016 by two women, Michelle and Ashley, who wanted to change how we received luxury makeup products. They remove the pushy makeup sales person that is behind the counter and deliver Department Store quality products right to your door. The idea is to build your makeup kit from amateur to pro status by receiving one of their boxes monthly. They will update your profile regularly to give you the products that you like the most. You have two options with their company: The Essentials Box and The Luxury Box. The Essentials Box, priced at $30 a month, provides you with 4 full size mirror mirror makeup products that you can use to achieve a basic look. The Luxury Box, priced at $60/month, gives you a full look in a box. This box contains 9 items, (Lashes, Brushes, and Full Size Mirror Mirror Products) that is carefully selected to create an entire look with everything in it. My favorite item by them is the Waterproof Gel Lip Liner in Dark Chocolate. It literally goes with everything! I also recently received their highlight, Color Stick Cheeks in Ignite and it is EVERYTHING!!! Sign up for the box of your choosing at www.mirrormirrorbox.com.

Mirror Mirror Box Look Book

@alyjaemua wearing products from the Luxury Box 

@alyjaemua wearing products from The Essentials Box, Highlight Color Stick Cheeks in Ignite

The Essentials Box from Mirror Mirror Box

These companies are all super awesome and independently owned. I think honestly that is my favorite part by them. There are so many more brands out there just waiting to be discovered. I know the beauty junkie in you won't have any problem trying these brands out. If you do, leave me a message in the comment section telling me what you think!

Aly Jae is a Beauty Influencer and a member of Ipsy Open Studios. Active in the Beauty Industry since 2008, Aly continues to educate others about makeup application, products, techniques, and skincare.

Top Must Have Makeup Products For Fall 2016

So, you all know how much I LOVE Fall. The colors, the crisp air, just everything about it screams EXCITEMENT to me. So, to kick off Fall 2016, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite products that go well with this beautiful weather we are about to enjoy! In no particular order:

L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation in Soft Sable

1. L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation: This foundation is EVERYTHING for Oily Skin. The oil on my face pretty much bleeds through every foundation unless it is matte and I set my makeup properly. But this particular foundation is definitely my go to this fall. It has a demi-matte finish and is buildable in coverage. The latest way I have been applying it is with my damp beauty blender. This foundation is very comfortable to wear and long lasting. You can pick it up at your local drug store or Ulta Beauty

Morphe 35O Palette

2. Morphe 35O Palettes: Last year, Morphe Brushes could not keep the 35O Palette in stock! I lucked up and ended up receiving 2 when I finally got a chance to order mine. But this palette screams Fall Colors. A very heavy combination or oranges, peaches, golds, and browns, this palette says could have the nickname Late Autumn. The formula of the shadows make them so unbelievably cream and easy to blend. Morphe has since added to the collection with the 35O Matte and 35O Shimmer! Of course, my recommendation is to get all 3! Who can have enough palettes hm?

Kat Von D Shade Light Eye Contour Palette

3. Kat Von D: So Kat Von D has several products that are fall worthy. 3 of her Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks have made my cut; Damned, Vampira, and Lolita. All 3 of these liquid lippies have warm tones to them. Damned gives off this dark maroon color that everyone is obsessed with. Vampira is a tad lighter than Damned. Depending on your complexion will depend on how dark or light both lippies are on you. So, definitely play with swatches while in Sephora. (That is where I got mine.) Lolita I found is a wonderful peach lipstick for WOC. I have ombred this lippie several times. It is highly universal and ranks very high on this list. On lighter skin tones, it may look darker. But the warmth in the lippie still makes it perfect for fall on everyone. Kat Von D's shade light eye contour palette is also a wonderful Fall eye shadow palette. Even though this palette is 100% matte, it is extremely pigmented. The shadows are easy to blend and perfect for everyday use. The perfect color ranges in this palette makes it universal for all skin tones. But, I wouldn't expect anything less from a woman who started as a tattoo artist! Two Thumbs Up!

Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Tansy (Bottom Swatch)

4. Colourpop: Colourpop has launched some new products recently that got added to my fall list. So there will be some old and new favorites added to this list. Let's start with our old products first. Ultra Matte Lipsticks in shades Tulle and LAX have made my Fall Beauty List. These lippies are gorgeous on all skin tones. Dark and possessing warm undertones, these lippies are great for everyday fall wear. Super Shock Shadows So Quiche, Central Perk, and Stereo are also amazing fall shadows. I have done a halo eye look with all 3 so many times before. Central Perk and Stereo are also beautiful to use with a burgundy smokey eye. The new comer to the list is Ultra Satin Lip in Tansy. The gorgeous red-orange color of this lippie is also a great bridge into fall and beautiful for everyday use. I also recommend this to someone who wants to try a red lipstick but afraid to just jump in. It's a pre-curser to red in my opinion!

Nicolet Beauty Lipstick in Yorba Linda

5. Nicolet Beauty Matte Lipstick: I have a ton of lipsticks by this company. But the two that are perfect for fall are shades Lodi and Yorba Linda. These lipsticks are handmade and have a matte finish. They are not kiss proof, but they are long lasting. I have eaten entire meals with them on and they barely move. This company has created a few more shades that I have my eyes on. As soon as I grab them, I will let you know. But these lipsticks are ranked high on my list! Visit their website at www.nicoletbeauty.com

Kylie Cosmetics True Brown K

6. Kylie Cosmetics True Brown K: True Brown K is very brown. If you are looking for a brown that has no red undertones in it, this liquid lipstick is my best suggestion. What I love the most about this liquid lippie is that it is very universal. I have used it alone as well as with other shades. And while it is truly brown, this lippie has brought out the warm undertones in other liquid lipsticks. Most recently, I paired it with Kat Von D's Lolita Liquid Lipstick to get the perfect peachy ombre. As soon as I find the lip liner that I have seemed to misplaced that came with the kit, I will do more looks with it. Go to www.kyliecosmetics.com and try it out for yourself.

Nia Cosmetics Highlight in Rose Gold

7. Nia Cosmetics Highlight in Rose Gold: Rose Gold shades are the newest craze this year. I totally see why. This particular highlight is a warm yet intense highlight color. I have been using it so much recently. It truly sets off a great fall makeup look by adding more golden and rosey tones to it. This highlight is very underrated and more people should be using it.

Pacifica Beauty Enlightened Lip Gloss in Ravish and Poppy

8. Pacifica Beauty Enlightened Lip Gloss in Ravish and Poppy: If you are looking for a vegan and cruelty free lip gloss, Pacifica Beauty is where you should head. The thing I always have loved about this company is that while they stay true to their principles, they do not slip on using the best ingredients that give the best color payoffs. These lip glosses are not only high shine, but they're amazingly pigmented. These two shades in particular are warm fall shades. They work on a wide variation of skin tones and are perfect for the on the go woman. Visit your local Target, Ulta or www.pacificabeauty.com to purchase these lippies.

And there you have it!! Fall 2016 is here and I am sure that it will be a beautiful season. If you pick any of these products up, comment below and let me know how you like them!

 

Aly Jae is a Beauty Influencer and a member of Ipsy Open Studios. Active in the Beauty Industry since 2008, Aly continues to educate others about makeup application, products, techniques, and skincare.

The Latest Craze in the Makeup World: CHALLENGES!!

Online challenges have been the new thing lately. The latest ones I have seen in general are the So Gone Challenge and the Running Man Challenge. In the Beauty World, the latest to become popular are the Full Face Highlighter Challenge and Full Face Using Only Liquid Lipsticks Challenge. But why are these challenges so popular?  Recently, I did a collab with another YouTuber named Miss Bella Beauty. We came up with the idea of doing an Instagram vs. Everyday Makeup Challenge. We divided our face in half and did two different makeup looks. It was all in fun. No shade it Instagram Makeup at all. I will like our videos down below so you can check them out. But what is the deal with these challenges? Let's really look at this in close detail.

YouTube Video: Instagram Makeup vs. Everyday Makeup Challenge

Now, doing this challenge, along with the several other challenges I have done in the last month, are so much fun to do. For me, it gives me a chance to play in makeup like I did as a child. It also picks apart what we do when we put on makeup and helps improve our skills. For instance, during the highlighter challenge, I truly had to think about things such as contour and what would I use to put on my lips etc, etc. For someone like me, it truly is learning and honing in on my skills. But what about you guys? Once upon a time, when I was just a viewer, I truly watched makeup videos to simply watch them. I never really tried doing my makeup like that until I decided to wear makeup. But because I loved it, I watched it. It was simply just fun. It was a way to bond with people I did not know. It was a way to learn about new things and new products. So, to bridge this gap, I'm going to safely say that this takes the pressure off of everyday life and just gives us something fun to do. The challenge I did above was about playing in makeup and to really look at the difference in what it takes to apply a different style of makeup. 

With the negativity in our world today, taking a break from everyday life is needed. Challenges give us the chance to do that. We get a chance to bond with each other and laugh. We get a chance to be silly. We get a chance to de-stress from life! It is probably the only time I see majority of the online Beauty World come together, laugh, joke, and genuinely get along. I am always all about positive energy in the online world. So, I hope that this challenge and any challenge that I do makes people smile! I challenge all of you all to participate in the challenge we just came up with. Tag us so we can see it! Don't forget to smile and laugh while doing it. 

Aly Jae is a Beauty Influencer and a member of Ipsy Open Studios. Active in the Beauty Industry since 2008, Aly continues to educate others about makeup application, products, techniques, and skincare.

What Alicia Key's No Makeup Stance Is Truly About

I recall just a few months ago reading an article about Alicia Keys refusing to put makeup on during public appearances. The article got many mixed reactions. Some thought she was brave for going against wearing makeup. Some thought what she was doing was dumb and that she may be trying to bash those who do wear makeup. My reaction was .... makes sense to me. So when I saw her show up to the VMA's, I wasn't all that shocked to see her face bare. But this sparked a frenzy of opinions from the Court of Public Opinion. Once again, a lot of people took what she is doing way out of context. So, I am going to explain to you what she's doing.

Can you live without your cellphone? How dependent on it are you? I know there are so many people reading this blog now on their phones. I know I can't live without mine. Not only is it the way I make money, it is also the way I communicate with everyone. I also remember growing up in a time where I didn't have that much access to the world. Then, I didn't feel like I needed it. I managed to keep in contact with everyone, speak to my friends, and get things done without it in my hand. I bet you're wondering why I am talking about cellphones right? Because, like makeup for Alicia Keys, our cellphones is something we are completely dependent on. If we lose it or it gets cut off or broken, we're lost. Alicia Keys expressed feeling very dependent on makeup in the same manner. It became so much of a dependency that she couldn't even go to the store without makeup on. Part of it had to do with the fact of feeling the need to be perfect for, well us. The Court of Public Opinion. Insecurity does not have a income limit. The richest people in the world can be insecure about any and everything. Alicia Keys is no exception. So, honestly, this was nothing more than her deciding to rebuild her self-esteem after years of not loving who she is without a cosmetic product.

We ultimately play a role in this by shaming and ridiculing everyone for their looks, the way they dress, the way they do their hair, etc. We, The Court of Public Opinion, demand perfection from these celebrities. Actually, we demand perfection from anyone. We want all women to be flawlessly beautiful 24/7, well Western Society's definition of beautiful. We will turn people into memes making fun of these imperfections just to get a good laugh out of it. We project our insecurities onto them, which puts them in a situation where they feel like they have to impress us. So, consider this Alicia Key's middle finger to everyone who has had an opinion on her appearance. She's done trying to be perfect for us. She's done trying to look good for us. She's done being imprisoned by our opinion. I don't blame her. No one should ever feel like they have to perfect to be loved and liked by others.

So this isn't about her seeking attention. This isn't about her bashing makeup. It's about her regaining control over her life. Nothing wrong with that. We should not be dependent on any cosmetic product to make us feel better about ourselves. Makeup is to be for fun. We should enjoy really putting these looks together. But to need it in order to feel better about ourselves is stressful. You all are beautiful just the way you are. Alicia Keys is merely an example of regaining back her confidence. If we learn anything from her, it should be that. As long as we are confident in ourselves the way we are, wearing makeup won't be an issue. Wear the makeup, don't let it wear you.

Aly Jae is a Beauty Influencer and a member of Ipsy Open Studios. Active in the Beauty Industry since 2008, Aly continues to educate others about makeup application, products, techniques, and skincare.