As we head into the high heat months of the year, our beauty bags require a bit of an upgrade that'll help beat the city heat in polished (and protected!) fashion. The key concerns during this sweltering season include high-grade sun care and easing the traditional woes of this sunny period (hello, frizzy hair and sweaty complexions!). To combat these often pesky issues, keeping the right products on hand is vital. From hair taming wonders to multipurpose cosmetic winners, here are my city approved beauty bag essentials that'll offer a revived and refreshed appearance in a New York minute. 

THE FACE
Between running in and out of muggy subways and strolling crowded outdoor spaces, buzzing through the city on busy days calls for high quality makeup that'll stand up to my packed schedules. But even the best of applications need a mid-day spruce up and that starts with a touch of a powder. My favorite powder to settle that unsightly shine is (1) Dior BACKSTAGE Face & Body Powder-No-Powder. This lightweight translucent powder never feels cakey or blotchy and its seamless matte application looks terrific on camera. Amna Tip: Tuck a slim round powder puff into the case for a flawless on-the-go application.  

For my oily complexion, maintaining a photo-ready base is sometimes tricky during the summer. A dash of powder and a top-up of color helps create an radiant look with minimal effort. (2) Rose Inc. Blush Divine Clean Dewy Cream Blush is a wonderful staple as it beautifully blends on the skin and offers a soft hydrating wash of color that can be intensified if needed. For an on-trend monochromatic take, I sometimes blend this clean cream product atop my lips for a flattering, cohesive look. Best of all, this versatile product doesn't demand any fancy tools - clean finger tips is all that's needed to blend this blush. For a polished lip alternative, the ultra-chic (3) Pillow Talk lipstick by Charlotte Tilbury is a year-round beauty bag power player. This sophisticated neutral shade pairs well with a glossy topper or mixed with a bolder hue for a customizable option. 

THE FACE // SPF
With these back-to-back days, I'm often catching a break in the park or a bench on a picturesque sidewalk under the unforgiving city sunshine. However minimal, extended time in sun demands a reapplication of sunscreen every few hours. A traditional sunscreen would disrupt a makeup application so how is one to remain protected yet polished? Enter (4) Supergoop! (Re)Setting 100% Mineral Powder Sunscreen SPF 35, a compactly designed brush product housing a powder SPF which allows you to adequately coat the skin with precision. The small brush helps get sunscreen to the tighter areas of the face yet it's fluffy enough to apply along commonly exposed skin areas like the shoulders, neck and sensitive décolletage. This powder alternative became a fast staple as its lightweight formulation delivers sufficient sun protection without the sticky or greasy after feel often seen in more common SPF choices. 

HAIR
Much like the face, the hair sees its own set of issues during the summer. Enjoying long days in the sun can feel heavenly on the skin but leads to dry hair while increased humidity enhances frustrating fizz. Thankfully one newly launched hair hero remedies both of these seasonal hair woes and beyond. (1) Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hibiscus Hydrating Hair Oil Mist is a small yet mighty product you'll want on hand all seasonal long. This luxuriously scented (jasmine sambac) enriched  mist evenly distributes on the hair and tames troubling frizz while offering a veil of UV protection. While that alone makes this a summer hair saver, this multifaceted hair perfume oil goes further than simply scenting tresses and hydrates dry sun-soaked hair while boosting shine and softness without disturbing any previous hair styling. Due to its clean, hair-benefiting qualities, extended use of this antioxidant-rich product doesn't diminish its efficacy and can be used daily on all hair types. While the product can be locked in with a simple tousle with the hands, I love using it with (2) Kristin Ess Wide Tooth Detangling Hair Comb, a sleek slim wide toothed comb that glides through the hair and loosens any tangles that occur under the hair on extra warm days. Amna Tip: For flyaways at the crown, spritz the the straight spine of the comb with the Fable & Mane Hair Mist and glide along the hair for an easy and lasting way to keep these teeny hairs at bay. 

No hair essentials roundup would be complete without a strong hair accessory to pull away and keep the hair back while remining chic. My go-to is the (3) Emi Jay Peach Cabana Hair Clip, as its strong functional hold and generous size holds hair up well without slipping. Best of all, the darling peach striped design feels sweet and summery. 

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Whether you need a complexion refresher, a punchy pop of color or a rejuvenating on-the-go hair boost, this tried-and-tested collection of streamlined products will keep you looking your absolute best as your stroll through the city this warm, sunny summer. 

It's no surprise that Netflix's latest show, Anatomy of a Scandal, is generating a lot of buzz and it has nothing to do with the subject matter of the program. The attention is focusing on Sienna Miller's exceptionally chic hair and makeup seen throughout the series. Sienna plays Sophie Whitehouse, a polished mom whose picturesque life of privilege comes undone when her husband is involved in a high-profile consent scandal. While the jury is still out on the quality of the storyline, there's no denying that viewers are absolutely mesmerized by her look which perfectly blends elements of polished mom and the enviable London cool girl essence. 

Her signature look - effortlessly loose waved tresses and a glowing barely there makeup look - highlights all the hallmarks of a timeless yet luxe appearance without the work. I hunted down the details behind her elegant screen-stealing look and found the exact products and tools required to recreate this style yourself. 

THE BEAUTY LOOK
Kate Benton, the hair and makeup powerhouse behind Sienna's impeccable look used her hair and makeup as a mode of story telling for her character and beautifully depicts her emotions in this respect throughout the series. As a person of life-long privilege, the character of Sophie is no stranger to luxury which was evident in the choice of makeup. The key to her luminous, fresh faced beauty style was to illustrate a refined look without looking overly perfected. 

To achieve her flawless radiant complexion, Kate used a light application of  Burberry Ultimate Glow Foundation, a hybrid product which infuses skincare heroes like moisture-locking hyaluronic acid and antioxidant-rich ingredients (white tea extract) for a youthful, radiant finish. For areas which required a bit more coverage, she followed up with Maqpro PAM Daniel Phillips Six-Color Palette, a comprehensive cream-based palette suitable for fair and medium skin tones. This versatile product was also used to further enhance Sienna's cheeks bones. For a touch of youthful color, a flushed cheek look was achieved with Chantecaille Cheek Gelee. To maintain the luminous elements of her skin and prevent a heavy made-up look, powdered products were avoided. 

The product I was most interested in tracking down was the exact red lip Sienna stunningly wears in Episode 1. The entire ultra-elegant yet cool look not only made me pause the episode for a clearer glance but made me return to it once the series ended. This perfect rose red hue was created by using a blend of Burberry Kisses Matte Lipstick in The Red 106 and Maqpro Red Lip Slim Lip Palette. 

THE HAIR LOOK
In the first court appearance, the audience gets a generous view of Sophie's chic waved hair - her signature soft look. Unlike classically waved or curled tresses, the key to Sophie's waves was to keep the look undone. Using a Babylisss curling iron, Sienna's hair was loosely curled leaving the ends out, ultimately achieving a soft wave reminiscent of beachy waves with a luxurious twist. While her hair appeared rich and healthy, plenty of texture was achieved courtesy of Bumble & Bumble Thickening Dryspun Hairspray, which offered a more practical look fitting for a busy mom. For the final touch, her waves were tousled with the fingers for a more relaxed finish. 

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As the series progresses, both the hair and makeup begin to lose their luster as Sophie's life starts to unravel. Slowly, the beautiful tousled blonde hair is pulled back into an unfussy ponytail, the makeup loses its glamorous edge and finally at the peak of her stress, those immaculate waves are thrown up in a messy bun and paired with a minimal makeup look. Regardless of how terribly Sophie's life crumbles around her, what Kate so wonderfully achieves is maintaining the common thread of refinement in all stages of her looks despite how diminished they become. While the script may have left much to be desired, the visual treat Kate created with Sienna's hair and makeup is sure to leave a favorable stamp on this limited series. 

After a 2020 cancellation and months long delay in 2021, the 2022 Met Gala is back once again. The glamorous event, which draws many famous faces across industries and members of the press, made up for lost time by delivering a dazzling and memorable event. The red carpet hosted plenty of extravagant and eye-catching looks which created quite the buzz on social media. Gigi Hadid's bold burgundy Versace ensemble and slick beauty look was one of the note-worthy looks which caught the attention of many. 

The standout beauty look was created by Erin Parsons, Global Makeup Artist for Maybelline New York, featured fresh tones with glossy elements mimicking Gigi's shiny vinyl look for the evening. Using popular favorites from Maybelline, the overall look, which concentrated on the lips, also drew inspiration from the theme of the evening with tonal notes matching her ensemble. “We really wanted to keep her clean, fresh glowing skin, as a nod to the gilded glamour of back in the day when they would only use cheek rouge and red lipstick," says Erin. 

FACE
To achieve Gigi's flawless base, Erin begin by applying SuperStay Longwear Liquid Foundation (105 Fair Ivory) to her skin with Superstay Active Wear Concealer (11) layered atop. To set her application, she followed up with the dusting of Lasting Fix Banana Setting Powder. Moving onto cheeks, Erin created a youthful, flushed color effect with barely-there contouring and Cheek Heat Gel-Cream Blush (Fuchsia Spark). "Hadid really loved the idea of fresh skin with lots of blush," says Erin. Once complete, Erin enhanced the high-points of Gigi's face with Master Strobing Stick Illuminating Highlighter (Light Iridescent 100). Prior to heading out on the the red carpet, Erin used Fit Me Matte Poreless Pressed Powder (120) to touch up Gigi's skin and keep her makeup camera-ready. 

EYES & BROWS
Using the Nudes of New York Palette, Erin softly sculpted Gigi's eyes by applying a modest amount of the shade Heroine in the crease and along he under eye for a delicate, clean look. In lieu of traditional liner, Erin expertly defined the eyes by using the shade Self-Starter from the same palette with a fine brush for a soft framing effect. For a grand, eye-opening effect Erin finished the eye look with a sweep of Falsies Lash Lift Mascara (Brownish Black) to Gigi's lashes. To keep in line with the fresh notes of the look, Erin kept the brows minimal, using on Tattoo Studio Brow Lift Stick (Clear) to keep them naturally in place and skipped any additional color assistance. 

LIPS 
The focal point of the beauty look, Gigi's edgy burgundy lips featured a beautiful layering of rosy shades. Erin's stunning makeup look always features aspects of contemporary elegance and this look no exception. "Of course, we had to add some dramatic gloss for a modern touch," explains Erin. To create this look, she began by defining Gigi's look with Color Sensational Shaping Lipliner (153 Divine Wine). For a multi-dimensional look, Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipcolor (Wicked) was applied to the outer corners of the lips with the center saturated in Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipcolor (Red-Hot).  Not only did this create an ultra-luxurious and sleek lip look mirroring Gigi's outfit but the long-lasting and smudge-resistant formula offered a photo-ready look ideal for the red carpet. 

IMAGES COURTESY OF BRAND

Every fashion savvy eye was set on the star-studded red carpet of  last night's 2022 Met Gala and the beautiful turnout and jaw-dropping looks certainly did not disappoint. From glitzy ensembles to beautifully elaborate gowns and beyond, the First Monday in May was a welcomed return after a 2020 cancelation and 2021 delayed presentation. Phoebe Bridgers, a multi-talented artist and actor, shined on the red-carpet  in a sparking, crystal-embroidered dress which was topped with an equally radiant makeup look. 

Using  an array of Tata Harper products, Makeup artist Susie Sobal created a minimal yet chic look which spotlighted Phoebe's glowing skin while stunningly complementing the show-stopping dress. When detailing the inspiration behind the look, Susie aimed for a youthful look with a dramatic pop. "We were going for a young, modern vamp look," explains Susie. 

SKIN
To breakup any buildup and rid the skin of any debris prior to cosmetics, Nourishing Oil Cleanser was used to clean the skin. Once the skin was cleansed, Susie followed up with two key products which ensured maximum hydration and skin suppleness. The duo included the Resurfacing Mask, which helped the skin achieve a fresh glow and was then followed up with the Hydrating Floral Essence to lock in the moisture and provide extra hydration. For an enhanced dose of brightness, Susie applied Rejuvenating Serum thereafter. 

EYES 
Continuing with the skin, Susie wanted Phoebe's undereye area to appear fresh and youthful. This delicate area was treated to a hydrating application of Elixir Vitae Eye Serum. She continued with her final tip to achieving a flawless and glowing skin look prior to makeup by using Water Lock Moisturizer which gives a smoothing look to the skin, 

MAKEUP
The key to this modern look was a radiant complexion which Susie created with her layered skincare technique and Illuminating Moisturizer with Diamond Dust blended onto the skin. The result was a fresh and nourished base with a hint of flattering shimmer. Susie livened the skin by diffusing the cheeks in Cream Blush (Lucky), which offered a lovely wash of color. For the final dramatic pop to the look, Susie finished the look with a vampy lip choice, achieved by drenching lips in Be True Lip Balm, for a smooth and full pout and layering Lip Tint (Be Adored) atop for the perfect deep rose hue. 

BODY 
Much like the face, Susie wanted Phoebe's overall skin to also glow. A simple blend of Revitalizing Body Oil with the Illuminating Moisturizer was applied to the skin giving the body an irresistibly hydrated and glowing appearance. 

IMAGES COURTESY OF BRAND

SHOP THE STORY

Spring is finally here and it’s time to shelf those bulky winter layers. The warm sun-drenched days ahead invite a wardrobe shift to lighter, brighter fabrics and skin-baring garments. An effortless seasonal suspect among the shift is shorts. For this New Yorker, shorts of the tailored and stylish variety is often chosen over ultra-casual denim options. For an upgraded spin on this warm weather essential, try these uncomplicated styling methods for your next sunny city outing. 

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CRISP WHITE SHIRT
A universally-flattering piece attainable at every price point, a crisp white shirt instantly adds a timeless and smart touch to the most casual ensembles. A power player in warm weather attire, a white buttoned shirt paired with stylish shorts makes for an upgraded seasonal uniform suitable for a range of settings. Finishing accents like statement gold jewelry or a poppy-colored silk scarf creates interesting dimensions for a more complete look. 

POLISHED POPS OF COLOR
New Yorkers love their sleek noir style and sport this full dramatic tone year-round. To liven up this dark shade for the warmer months, add a dash of color to tonal outfits in the form of accessories and a topper. While an single  neutral toned outfit serves as a canvas for color, haphazardly throwing random hues with this base look can appear sloppy and confusing. For a polished look which feels fresh and modern, throw a topper (blazer or sweater) over your shoulders and a minimal accessory (small handbag or shoes) in a single matching color. Sweet tones like pink and lavender add softness to this edgy tone while zesty citrus colors feel appropriate in the spring and summer seasons, all of which stand out beautifully against black and other neutrals. For a flattering shoe option, pair your shorts with a slingback sandal, which offers a lovely lengthening effect to bare legs (my favorite tip for petite frames!)

ROMANTIC ACCENTS 
Airy fabrics, fantastic florals and lush laced textures are all hallmarks of romantic dressing and are among my favorite pieces in my wardrobe. While often wearing these refined styles with a variety of skirts, styling with pleated shorts changed my perspective on wearing these types of bottoms to more fancy affairs. A sharply tailored pair of dark-toned shorts are elegantly elevated by the feminine features of romantic blouses. The result is a sophisticated ensemble with a contemporary take on delicate power dressing. 

Talk about luscious lashes! Pairing exceptionally atop a lash primer or wonderfully worn alone, this mascara quickly made it its way to the very front of my mascara drawer for great reasons. Here's why I'm considering this new launch as a hero product in its category. 

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An authority in all things glamour, Charlotte Tilbury's beauty and skincare range is worth the splurge in every aspect. While the ultra-chic and luxurious packaging draws the eyes, the quality across her range is truly remarkable and keeps me coming back to this brand time and time again. Already a fan of her iconic Pillow Talk collection, I was quite intrigued by her latest addition to the line: Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara. 

INNOVATIVE DESIGN
As a major mascara enthusiast, I was eager to get my hands on this one. An attractive option, this mascara features an innovative wand design offering a long-lasting lift effect to the lashes. Unlike traditional mascaras that are commonly designed with a 360-degree bristle wand, Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! is uniquely designed with a duo comb-like brush. A closer look reveals that the bristles arranged on either side of the wand spine are diamond-shaped which evenly coats and beautifully fans out the lashes for an eye-opening effect. Best of all, this precision wand design lifts and coats the lightest and tiniest lashes on the line. 

FORTIFIED FORMULA
The real goodness of this wonder product lies in its formulation. It touts a weightless, pushed up, and lengthening effect that makes the eyes appear bigger, brighter and more awake - hefty promises which beautifully deliver with sharp accuracy. 

Comprised of three key ingredients: Carnauba Wax which creates body and texture for a light-as-air false lash look, the ultra-conditioning and thickening agent known as Keratin, and an exclusive lifting polymer extracted from the Larch Tree which creates that mesmerizing pushed up, flexible application with maximum holding power, this mascara makes for an incredible makeup bag addition. 

FINAL TAKEAWAYS
Always drawn to a mascara with a fluffy, voluminous wand, I surprisingly enjoyed this slim, comb-like design far more than I initially thought and was thrilled to see it live up to its advertised promises. Not only did my long, fluffed out, glamorous lashes last throughout the day, no pesky smudging or fall-out occurred with this richly-colored formula. Despite my layered application, my lashes looked healthy, clump-free and nicely removed without any lash loss (a problem I see with with similar products on heavy makeup days!). 

If you'd like to try this amazing new mascara for yourself. grab it at a sweet deal at the annual Spring Sephora Sale starting today, 4/1!

Spring has finally arrived and with the abundant sunshine and budding florals comes the most coveted beauty sale of the year: the Spring Sephora Sale!

I'm sharing my top picks in each category to get your seasonal shopping sorted in top tier fashion. From tried & tested skincare products to my most-loved cosmetic choices and beyond, these picks are not to be missed. Much like sales of the past, highly-sought after favorites are sure to sell out so don't delay - score these irresistible buys at sweet deals before it's too late. Happy Shopping! 

COLOR BLOCK
While color block looks are reserved for more punchy, vibrant hues, the same formula can be applied to soft tones. Rather than opting for a cool break between a top and bottom, a chic jacket saturated in a single contrasting tone (tan) atop a solid colored dress (white) amplifies the chic factor. Bookend the look with richly colored dark accessories and finish with a bold red lip. 

HIGHLIGHT THE WARMTH
For this styling option, I like keeping the warm neutral the focal point of the look and have the contrasting soft white tones frame the piece. A sweater in a deliciously deep caramel anchors the full look and provides an simple foundation to build upon. Polished materials like tweed and an a-line skirt create a more elevated look but a more casual take can be achieved with a classic topper coat and tailored pants in the same pale white color.

REFRESHED DETAILS
Much like the reintroduction of this color pairing, silhouettes and design details of the past are once again becoming new. Pretty details like embroidery and puff sleeves can be worn beautifully if proportions and garment styles are taken into consideration. Opting for a piece with overly voluminous shapes and extra fabric can often drown the figure and appear frumpy. Selecting a more properly fitting blouse or sweater with subtle takes on this design offer a more current and effortless way to enjoy this vintage style. 

FANCY & CHIC VALENTINE'S DAY 
GIFT EDIT

IMAGES IN EDIT IMAGERY COURTESY OF BRANDS