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To say that Kristin Ess’s stellar career has been riding a wave (pun intended) in recent years would be a severe understatement. Ess is undeniably one of our favorite self-made Lady Bosses — her unstoppable determination carried her from being a 16-year-old apprentice learning the ropes in her hometown hair salons, to inspiring the biggest celebrity hair trends on our Instagram feeds for the last several years. Now, she’s expanding her ever-growing empire even further with the launch of her personalized line of hot tools — yes ma’am, you read that correctly!

 

 

Our showers and medicine cabinets have been lined with her ultra-budget friendly line of haircare and styling products since they launched at Target in January of 2017. The chic packaging paired with the line’s signature lightly-floral, super-crisp scent completely changed the way we viewed “budget” hair products. Just in time for the upcoming holiday season, Ess has blessed us once more with another hair miracle. Let’s take a moment to unpack this new collection, shall we?

Kristen Ess

Soft Wave Pivoting Wand Curling Iron, $60

Girl, we’re gonna need a YouTube tutorial STAT. Ess made it big by perfecting every type of wave you can imagine, so her personally crafted Wave Wand will be at the top of my wishlist this Christmas — for real. The barrel for this wand can be used like a traditional iron, or you can alternate it to create an L-shaped tool. Why? I don’t know! But I trust Kristin will give us all of her amazing tips and tricks soon.

Kristen Ess

3-in-One Flat Iron, $80

If you’ve followed Ess for a while, then you already know she’s pretty partial to creating waves with flat irons, as well as with curling wands. So, if you’re in the market for a more universal tool to create your daily looks, this bad boy is probably the one for you! The 3-in-One Flat Iron — and all of the hot tools in this line — boasts a one-minute heat up time and a 9-foot cord — which will make your morning multitasking that much easier.

Kristen Ess

Beach Wave Curling Iron - 1", $50

If you’re anything like me, you struggle with styling your own hair, and need to stick to the tried-and-true basics, like a curling iron with a clamp. While I’ll definitely be trying out some of her other offerings (they’re so cheap, so why not, right?), I am also very excited to see a sleek, high-end ceramic iron on the market for only $50.

Kristen Ess

Texture Taming Root Control Iron, $55

For all the ladies out there battling stubborn cowlicks or taming the frizz of natural hair, or who just need a little extra help styling their bangs, Ess has gone to bat just for you! This comb and flat iron combo heats all the way up to 430°F for customizable styling, and all of Ess’s hot tools feature an automatic shut off function — so you never have to worry about your apartment being on fire once you’ve already made it to work for the day! WHEW!

Kristen Ess

Soft Wave Curling Iron, $50

Loose, soft, glamorous curls will (thankfully) never ever go out of style, something that Ess knows and will continue to facilitate. The thicker ceramic barrel of this iron — with temperature controls that go up to 425°F — will help create the perfect cascading loose curls or long waves. You can fake a perfect blowout from home — no one has to know you don’t have a DryBar membership!

Kristen Ess

Iconic Style Professional Blow Dryer, $100

In a post-Dyson world, the need for an affordable, professional, high-end blow dryer has never been greater. I know you’re probably looking at the $100 price tag and thinking, "affordable?" The truth is, your blow dryer really needs to be the most high-quality tool in your collection. Your dryer meets your hair at its most vulnerable state; a cheap dryer produces more heat, which in turn results in more damage. Ess’s dryer combines a ratio of heat and wind power so that strands are dried quickly without too much heat stress. As an added bonus, the dryer — as well as all the new hot tools — comes with a two-year limited warranty.

Kristen Ess

Defining + Detangling Mini Flat Iron, $50

I read the word “mini” and then shrieked. As someone who travels for a living, lugging around a full-sized hot tool royally sucks. I’ve often entertained the idea of investing in a mini tool, but struggled to find one that didn’t look totally dinky with a still full-sized price tag. I’m so excited to purchase this particular tool, and you don’t have to live on airplanes for a mini iron to be of massive benefit to you — this is the perfect size to keep in the office for a pre-happy-hour style refresher!

Kristen Ess

Space Saving Compact Pro Dryer, $50

Will your gym bag ever be complete without a powerful-as-hell compact blow dryer? Kristin Ess doesn’t think so. But seriously, a kick blast to your sweaty post workout roots followed by a spritz of dry shampoo and your style can live another day — and you never have to wonder if the one rickety blow dryer from 1994 is going to be available once you’ve completed your class. The compact dryer comes with a removable smoothing nozzle, a 6-foot retractable cord, and its own soft carrying case — so it will stay nice and tidy in your purse or gym bag.

Because the launch is so new and Target stores can take up to two weeks to get them on the shelves, your best bet is to order online and have it sent to your house or choose “pickup in store”.

Kristin Ess didn’t stop there. In addition to her new line of hot tools, she’s rolled out five new gift sets with a little something special for all of the women on your holiday shopping list. She brought back her signature French Pin alongside a satin frizz-reducing pillowcase or a full-sized dry shampoo, and the Rose Gold Temporary Tint with some embellished bobby pins, (perfect for planning that NYE outfit).

 

The post Kristin Ess Just Expanded Her Collection at Target and We Are Freaking Out appeared first on The Everygirl.

Here at the Everygirl, nothing makes us more excited than women helping other women — it’s what we’ve dedicated our careers to and we love to pick the brains of women who have dedicated their careers to it, too! Which is why Katie Sturino, founder of The12ishStyle and Megababe Beauty (aka the newest it-girl beauty line taking over your Insta feed), has a special place in our hearts.

This inspiring #girlboss started out as a PR powerhouse and, after noticing the age-old clothing size gap and seeing a lack of size inclusivity in the fashion industry, she started her blog — with size inclusivity as her mission. But her desire to make a better world for women did not stop there. She wanted to “give women what the beauty industry wasn’t” and Megababe was born. Read on to learn about Katie’s career, natural beauty products, the advice she would give to her younger self (it’s good!), and how she is helping women find their confidence. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you might just catch the confidence bug, too.

 

Name: Katie Sturino, Founder of The12ishStyle and Megababe Beauty
Age: 35
Location: New York, NY
Education: University of Wisconsin-Madison

 

What was your first job out of college, and how did you land it?

 

During college I had two internships in the Chanel Fashion PR Department. I will say that coming from Wisconsin with zero connections in the fashion industry, it was really my persistence that got me in the door. With Chanel on your resume, it’s easier to land interviews, so after college I worked in the PR department of Dolce & Gabbana.

 

How did you discover your passion for PR?

 

I love talking to people and I get really excited to share brand stories. I am a natural entrepreneur, so people’s businesses are very exciting to me. It’s always cool to watch someone go after their dreams.

 

 

In 2005, you founded your own fashion PR company, Tinder PR. How did you know it was time to go into business for yourself?

 

Looking back I was way too young to start my own company — but that’s the benefit of being naive, you don’t know enough to be scared. I also named my company Tinder before Tinder the dating app launched! I was really hoping online dating wouldn’t take off so that I wouldn’t have to change my name, but alas, it was a thing!

 

Tell us about day-to-day life at Tinder PR. What did you love about it?

 

No day was the same for me, and that is still something I love about what I do today. I also worked with mostly female business owners, and I formed some real friendships with my clients over the years. With a small business, your PR person becomes a sounding board for everything, and I loved helping women succeed! I have also chosen to work from home for a long time. At first it was out of necessity, but when I finally did rent a space, I hated the commute, I missed my dogs, and I preferred working at home! So employees and all, I headed back to the dining table.

 

 

Looking back I was way too young to start my own company — but that’s the benefit of being naive, you don’t know enough to be scared.

 

 

In 2012, Man Repeller asked you to share your style tips for women who are “stuck in the middle of fashion markets” — women who are neither a plus size OR a size 2, but fall more in the middle. Why were you excited to work on this project?

 

Well, that is really a market that I feel I have been in my entire life — not big enough to feel included in the plus space, and too big to be desired by the “fashion world.” Size purgatory is real, and as designers start to expand their lines size-wise, it’s still the middle sizes that have the most awkward fits. Designers are just still figuring that out.

 

The popularity of that article led to a super exciting move — the creation of your blog, The 12ish Style. Why’d you decide to start The 12ish Style?

 

Yes, before I did this article, I had struggled with feeling “fat,” or just bigger than everyone else in the room all the time. I could never fit into the clothes that I wanted to wear, and I had to find my own way of participating in trends and high fashion. When I read the comments of the Man Repeller article, there were women who were excited to see similar body types as their own on a fashion blog. It hit me that I was so not used to seeing my body type that I had demonized my body and had been punishing myself for being wrong for so many years. This moment broke it all wide open for me and I knew my new mission was to help women feel good about themselves.

 

 

Size purgatory is real, and as designers start to expand their lines size-wise, it’s still the middle sizes that have the most awkward fits.

 

 

It hit me that I was so not used to seeing my body type that I had demonized my body and had been punishing myself for being wrong for so many years. This moment broke it all wide open for me and I knew my new mission was to help women feel good about themselves.

 

 

What’s the message of The 12ish Style? After a visit to your blog or Instagram, what do you hope people take away as the message?

 

The first thing you should put on is your confidence. I am heavier than I was when I started the 12ish, and certainly bigger than I was when I was punishing myself for not fitting into the clothes of my counterparts. Once I accepted my body and realized how much we punish ourselves as women, I wanted to help others find peace. When people visit my page I hope they find positivity, humor, and maybe some style tips.

 

 

When people visit my page I hope they find positivity, humor, and maybe some style tips.

 

 

Most recently, you’ve championed the #MakeMySize movement — encouraging brands to expand their range of sizes to be more inclusive. Tell us more about this, its importance, and how we can all get involved. How can we ALL be more body positive?

 

I am tired of having women feel bad in a dressing room because nothing fits them in the store, when really, sizing of certain brands has gotten smaller and smaller. In some cases, they don’t even make over a size 10. A SIZE 10! What kind of message does that send to women?

At my thinnest I was a 10 and I had to exercise obsessively 6 days a week and eat just over 1,000 calories a day to maintain that size — not healthy. But a brand is going to say they don’t want to make clothes for my frame? No matter what? I think it’s a dated business idea to say that you are going to ignore 70 percent of the female population when retail is struggling so much.

 

You’ve received backlash from critics who say the #MakeMySize movement encourages unhealthy standards — what do you say to those critics, and how do you protect yourself from feeling personally attacked by them?

 

One cannot tell by looking at someone whether they are healthy or not (to a certain degree). Our society values thinness above all, so when we see a woman who doesn’t eat and doesn’t exercise, we praise her. Our society has way too many opinions about women’s bodies to begin with, but the assumptions that are made at every size need to stop. Let’s focus on something else as a people!

 

 

I think it’s a dated business idea to say that you are going to ignore 70 percent of the female population when retail is struggling so much.

 

 

In addition to all the other amazing career accomplishments you have under your belt, you’re also the founder of Megababe Beauty — a beauty brand that creates safe, non-toxic body products. Why did you want to create Megababe?

 

Megababe is my everything. After using solutions made for men for years to solve my thigh chafe issues, I decided to try and find a brand that was more for me, and I couldn’t. I decided that I was going to give women what the beauty industry wasn’t and make a line of solutions-based products that aren’t embarrassing or cheesy, and Megababe was born! The reaction has been incredible and I get messages every day from women who are wearing dresses or skirts for the first time in years because of your anti-chafe stick.

 

 

I decided that I was going to give women what the beauty industry wasn’t and make a line of solutions-based products that aren’t embarrassing or cheesy, and Megababe was born!

 

 

Your Megababe natural deodorant was sold out and had an INSANE waitlist — congratulations on such a successful product! Why should everyone be using natural deodorant, and why are you passionate about spreading that message?

 

My mom survived breast cancer twice and that really woke me up to the realities of cancer in my family. This experience combined with information about the toxins we are taking in through beauty products made me want to switch away from aluminum and harmful chemicals in my armpits that are so close to my lymph nodes. The problem was that I am a really stinky human, so none of the aluminum-free deodorants on the market worked for me. I also discovered I am sensitive to baking soda, so the popular natural deodorant brands out there do not work for me either. I basically had to make this deodorant for myself, ha!

 

 

What career accomplishment are you most proud of?

 

When I get messages from women telling me they spent years feeling bad about themselves, but are finding a new confidence by following me. That is life changing.

 

What’s next for you, your blog and brand, and Megababe? We want more Katie!!

 

You’re gonna get it! I wont stop until I am helping women across the world have easy access to Megababe — especially the thigh chafe stick because it’s such an instant solution. And I am working every single day to try and change the way that we market to and make clothing for women.

 

 

Having a smaller body will not make you happy. Having a boyfriend will not make you happy. Your life begins when you decide to make an effort to find out who you are!

 

 

What advice do you have for today’s women?

 

Let’s learn to be more direct while being more compassionate to other women in general.

 

What advice do you have for your own younger self?

 

Having a smaller body will not make you happy. Having a boyfriend will not make you happy. Your life begins when you decide to make an effort to find out who you are!

 

 

Katie Sturino is The Everygirl…

 

Favorite Megababe product?
Thigh Rescue

Favorite show on Netflix?
Big Mouth

Most-played song on your Spotify?
She’s the One by Bruce Springsteen

Best thing about having pets?
Staring at them while they sleep (like a psycho)

If you could have lunch with any woman, who would it be and why?
Oprah. Duh.

 

Bring Katie’s Magic Home

 

all images via @the12ishstyle and @megababe

The post “It’s Time to Stop Feeling Bad About Yourself”: How Megababe Katie Sturino Is Transforming the Fashion & Beauty Industry appeared first on The Everygirl.

Since I purchased my first tube of lipstick (obviously MAC Velvet Teddy!), I’ve never really had anyone to talk to about my love for beauty products. All the women in my family wore makeup as a necessity rather than because they enjoyed it. I’ve turned to beauty YouTubers to learn and find new products for as long as I can remember.

Well, that was until I met the Everygirl team. It was like I finally found my people. People who understand that it’s ok to wake up 20 minutes early to draw out the perfect wing or get that natural looking wave that isn’t actually natural. I can talk to them about my favorite new products and get so many recommendations, too. Every week I come into the office with so many questions: what’s your favorite foundation? How can I get my curl to hold? What lipstick are you wearing? Tell me everything!

So, if you are like I once was and had no one to talk about your beauty-obsessed side with, we’re here to show you everything we’re loving right now. It’s like a peek into our office chats except from the comfort of your own home. Lucky you!

The Ordinary

AHA / BHA Peeling Solution

THIS STUFF IS AMAZING. I use it every Friday as a little ~ self care ~ treat. It's a peeling solution, so it's a lil intense. Here's the deets: You put it on your face for about 10 min. It's REALLY red, so it's a little like seeing the inside of your skin. It tingles and kind of itches a little — my hands usually twitch to wipe it off a few times — but then when you do get to wash it off, your skin emerges SOFT AS ALL HECK. Magic.

NARS

Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil

I am a lipstick person, always and forever. These are my favorite (I have them in an inadvisable amount of colors, including an impulse purchase of the midnight blue, like who am I kidding, but I digress) because they are SO DANG PIGMENTED. They can get a little drying (lip pencils are like that) so I usually follow up application with a few taps of chapstick. And, as always with lip color, make sure you're prepping your lips with a good scrub so the color evenly distributes. Chicy chic.

Maybelline

Full N' Soft Mascara

I've been using this mascara since I was in 9th grade. It's the literal perfect amount of coverage and lengthening power — with no clumps (seriously would I lie to you? NO CLUMPS). It's a great every. single. day. mascara and the price cannot be beat. Plus, the reason I started using it was because Lauren Conrad recommended it (in some interview not personally to me to my everlasting sadness) so you know it's flames.

Peter Thomas Roth

24K Gold Pure Luxury Lift & Firm Hydra-Gel Eye Patches

As someone who has self-diagnosed lifelong under eye bags, I constantly look like I haven't slept in days, even on the (very rare) occasion I get my full eight hours. Enter: miracle under eye patches. I keep these bad boys in the fridge (I need the extra cooling), toss them on in the mornings, and my entire face magically brightens up. I look fresher, brighter, and — dare I say — prettier. I've even been known to scare some fellow passengers by wearing them on airplanes. They're worth it!

Glow Recipe

Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask

On the record, let me just say that I would be sold on this product solely by its smell. I'm a sucker for a scent that's not too sweet, but gives me an immediate boost whenever I smell it. This ahhmazing-smelling sleeping mask just so happens to work wonders, too. I wake up every morning with an even skin tone and a glow I could only attribute to watermelon (or the exfoliating AHAs, but you know, whichever).

Radha Beauty

Organic Rosehip Oil

I can't say enough good things about some good old fashioned Rosehip Essential Oil. It is truly the miracle skincare cure-all, and I'm a sucker for anything natural. It contains antioxidants and fatty acids that do everything from reduce blemishes to brighten skin to increase collagen production. This one's USDA certified Organic (so you know there's no bad stuff in it) and cold-pressed (contains the most nutrients possible). Use it with your jade roller, put it on your body/cuticles/hair, or dab it onto your skin before bed. You can thank me later.

Kopari

Coconut Deo

I have tried so many natural deodorants and as much as I want to switch, they've all just fallen below the bar for me. I have a pretty extreme reaction to baking soda and had yet to find an option that didn't leave me stinky, so I had resigned back to my drugstore option until I tried Kopari. The texture is unlike any other natural deodorant and from one sweaty girl to another: it REALLY works. Plus, it smells so good. 5 gold stars in my book.

If you want to try it for yourself, use the discount code Everygirl25 for 25 percent off your first order.

KIEHL'S

Midnight Recovery Concentrate

As much as I love my nighttime routine and layering all my potions, there are nights where I pass out without doing anything to my skin. This oil is like an "undo" button IRL... which I honestly need for more aspects of my life. It's hydrating and visibly restores your skin. Mark my words: this will be your cold weather savior.

Barefoot Blonde

Seamless Clip In Extensions

I bought these for my upcoming wedding... but honestly that was just an excuse because I had wanted clip ins for quite some time. After months of research (yes, this is what I spend my nights and weekends doing), I went with a tester set from Barefoot Blonde because they allow you to try on up to 5 colors at home, free of charge. They are an investment, but not when you compare the quality to similar brands that run around $400 - $500. I was floored with how substantial my set felt and even my stylist (who cut them to blend in with my hair) was shocked by the price. I NEVER want to take them out.

Charlotte Tilbury

Hollywood Flawless Filter

I got roped into buying this when I was wandering around Nordstrom one day, but I’m so glad I did. I mix a little into my CC cream and I’m instantly walking around with the pretty Instagram filter. Bonus: you can use it for a highlighter, too.

Clinique

Moisture Surge 72 Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator

Makeup looks best when you take care of your skin! This is my favorite moisturizer — it’s a gel-like texture that isn’t too heavy, is very moisturizing, but won’t break you out.

MAC

Lipstick in Chili

Our lovely Editorial Assistant Madeline recommended a color similar to this in a liquid lip formula, so I went on a hunt to find that color in a bullet lipstick. Of course, I found the exact shade in my favorite MAC lipstick formula! Their matte formula doesn’t crack or make your lips look disgusting like some matte lipsticks. Chili has a gorgeous rust tone making it the perfect red for fall.

Hourglass

Vanish™ Seamless Finish Foundation Stick

I basically overhauled my entire beauty routine for the fall, which included swapping out my light, glowy foundations for something with a little more coverage. This foundation has a medium coverage (but you can build it up to be full without any cakiness!) and in a stick formula that makes applying it SO easy. The finish is also so natural looking that people compliment on my skin rather than my makeup when I’ve got this baby on. You’ll have to pry it out of my cold, dead hands.

Klorane

Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk

I have just about the oilest of oily hair. In about 18 hours, my hair needs to be washed again. So, I’ve tried every single dry shampoo known to man, and this one finally did the trick. It doesn’t just mask the oils; it actually makes my hair look clean again. I usually will put it on before bed, and I wake up with clean looking hair every time. (It's also comes in a mini size for travel, so I keep one in my bag at all times!).

Nars

Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation

It's always been a struggle for me to find a foundation I really love. I don't like looking like I'm wearing a ton of makeup, and with so many foundations, I feel like my skin looks worse by the end of the work day. This foundation is hands-down the best I've ever tried — it looks good all day long, and keeps my skin looking glowing and healthy. It can be super full-coverage if you choose, but I find that if I just use the smallest amount, I can tailor it to fit the more minimal coverage I prefer. It's 100 percent worth the price!

Bumble and Bumble

Surf Foam Spray

As a gal with pin-straight hair, it can be hard to find something that gives my hair texture without making it feel too crunchy or dry. After a recent hair chop, I had to figure out how to style my hair again, and this spray has been the solution to all of my problems. It gives my hair a perfect beachy look, but doesn't dry it out like other sea salt sprays tend to.

It Cosmetics

Confidence in a Cream

My combination skin can be a bit of a mystery — some days I feel super oily, others I feel dryer than the Sahara. This moisturizer is super thick, but doesn't leave me feeling greasy. It feels like it really absorbs into my skin, rather than just sitting on top of it, and somehow manages to make my skin look better overall. Win!

 

The post Editors Picks: The Beauty Products We Are Loving RN appeared first on The Everygirl.

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