Covid-19 Update and 7th Anniversary

SURVIVING COVID-19 & 

EVCURLGURL.COM 7th ANNIVERSARY

Hi everyone. It's been seven long months since I last updated my blog, but with the Covid chaos, I felt it was best to step back from all products (after all, the world was on fire and it just wasn't the moment for that) and return "once it was over". Well, here we still are, with cases worse than last spring. I'm back for a quick update, and what better moment than today, on Evcurlgurl.com's seventh year anniversary. 

Prior to my Covid-19 positive results

Since my last blog post in April, I tested positive for Covid-19 - and thankfully beat it - realizing that I truly needed to shift my focus to my health and happiness. Prior to the Covid shut-downs, I was focused on my fitness, with daily 5:00 a.m. sweat sessions at Blink Fitness: "Cardio Crushing!" Had it not been for that year-long dedication of intense cardio, I believe my recovery would have turned out differently. I came really close to being hospitalized. Very close. My total recovery took a little over two months.

Sick with Covid-19 in March/April

Louis Vuitton Covid-19 Masks

LOUIS VUITTON RE-PURPOSES ITS FRENCH & AMERICAN WORKSHOPS TO MAKE

NON-SURGICAL FACE MASKS

Louis Vuitton Masques ©David Gallard

April 8, 2020 - Louis Vuitton has launched the production of hundreds of thousands of non-surgical protective masks, re-purposing its French workshops in Marsaz and Saint-Donat (Drôme), Saint-Pourçain (Allier), Ducey (Manche) and Sainte-Florence (Vendée), where three hundred artisans are mobilized in response to the French government’s plea for the increased production of alternative non-surgical masks to aid in the battle against Covid-19.

Louis Vuitton Masques ©David Gallard

Michael Burke, Louis Vuitton Chairman and CEO, formalized the start of production by visiting the Sainte-Florence workshop, where twenty-two artisans are voluntarily stationed and already making masks that will be provided to protect front line healthcare workers. Mrs. Correira, Director of the Marpa nursing-home in Sainte-Florence and Mr. Gaborieau, Director of the Saint-Vincent de Paul care home in Essarts, Bocage, both being among those receiving the newly created masks, joined Michael Burke in greeting the volunteers. These non-surgical masks have been approved by the different governing bodies and are created in collaboration with Mode Grand Ouest, a regional network of the textile industry who are supplying one of the main materials.

Louis Vuitton Masques ©David Gallard

In appreciation of the volunteers’ exceptional contribution, upon visiting the Sainte-Florence workshop, Michael Burke, thanked them, declaring: “As an important French House, Louis Vuitton wishes to commit at its level to producing many thousands of masks that will be distributed within the region, at no charge, to protect those who are most exposed. This production is the fruit of a wonderful collaboration with the regional sector of the textile industry.”

AMERICAN WORKSHOPS

New York, NY April 16, 2020 - Louis Vuitton will re-purpose American workshops to produce non-surgical cloth face masks to aid in the battle against Covid-19 within the United States. Starting this week and next week, groups of Louis Vuitton artisans within each workshop located in Piscataway, NJ, Ontario, CA and Johnson County, TX, San Dimas, CA and Irwindale, CA will begin production of masks. Collectively when the workshops are at efficiency, these artisans will create hundreds of thousands of masks.

The face masks in production are made of cotton cloth with the ability to be re-used, washed and adjusted to better fit a variety of users. In coherence with social distancing and workplace guidelines specified by officials, each workshop will ensure safe and healthy working conditions for all artisans.

Masks will be donated and distributed in states currently most heavily impacted by Covid-19 and Louis Vuitton will partner with local organizations in each state leading the Covid-19 response effort.

Louis Vuitton’s American workshops join the House’s French workshops which have recently re-opened to support the production of non-surgical face masks for donation to healthcare workers and nursing homes in France. These efforts echo those already put in place by LVMH and many of its Houses in the global fight against Covid-19.

About Louis Vuitton 

Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has brought unique designs to the world, combining innovation with style, always aiming for the finest quality. Today, the House remains faithful to the spirit of its founder, Louis Vuitton, who invented a genuine “Art of Travel” through luggage, bags and accessories which were as creative as they were elegant and practical. Since then, audacity has shaped the story of Louis Vuitton. Faithful to its heritage, Louis Vuitton has opened its doors to architects, artists and designers across the years, all the while developing disciplines such as ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories, watches, jewelry, and fragrance. These carefully created products are testament to Louis Vuitton’s commitment to fine craftsmanship. 

Dove Covid-19 Relief

DOVE COVID-19 US 

RELIEF EFFORTS

Dove's Courage is Beautiful Ad Honor's Health Care Workers

Now more than ever, Dove - a brand with care at its core - is sharing how important it is for them to take action and help in any way they can, by dedicating products, resources, hand washing guidance and financial support worldwide during the Covid-19 Pandemic. As Dove continues to look to new ways to help, here are some of their current US initiatives. For more information, you can also visit www.dove.com/besafe.

Honoring Health Care Workers: 

• To recognize the incredible healthcare workers on the front lines and raise awareness for the realities of their heroic daily acts, Dove created the Courage is Beautiful film. Courage is Beautiful features images of people fighting for our safety every day, demonstrating self-sacrifice and putting their patients and community first for the greater good (see film HERE). This film will run on TV and social media to serve as a reminder of those risking their lives for our safety.

• In partnership with Vaseline, Dove has made a $2 million donation to Direct Relief to go towards PPE, ventilators and medicines for healthcare workers on the front lines. Dove is also working with Direct Relief to donate additional personal care products to hospitals and health care centers in the US, following a 200,000 mask donation to local hospitals in NJ, where Dove is based.

Direct Community Support:

• $2.5 million worth of Dove products have been pledged to Feeding America so far, as part of Unilever’s global commitment to donate €100 million ($108 million USD) worth of products and food to those who need it most (more details HERE).

• Dove is participating in Unilever USA’s United for America efforts, including a national Day of Service on May 21 where every essential item produced that day by Unilever at its U.S. factories will be donated and delivered to community partners (more details HERE).

Raising Awareness for the WHO Guidelines:

• Dove is helping to spread the message about the importance of washing hands properly & frequently, in line with the World Health Organization’s guidance. Dove is turning some of its TV ad-spots into timely reminders that people need to get up and go wash their hands. The brand’s message is that it doesn’t matter what brand you use – wash with any soap, just remember to do it often to care for yourself, your loved ones, and the world (check out the spot HERE).

At Home Support for Teens & Parents: 

• The Dove Self-Esteem Project is adapting its current tools and programs to support teachers, parents, guardians and caregivers tasked with remote learning to reach teens and young people with self-esteem and mental health education while schools are closed (resources HERE).

• In addition to these free online tools and resources, Dove will launch a four-episode series to reach teens directly on social media with accredited self-esteem education. Topics will cover: Well being at Home, Using Social Media Wisely and Building Body Confidence.

La Roche Posay Covid-19 Donations

LA ROCHE-POSAY DONATES NEARLY

ONE MILLION HAND GELS TO HOSPITALS

Hi everyone, I hope that you are are all safe and well during these difficult times. I'm doing well, working from home one month today, and so proud of so many, in both my personal work life and all the beauty brands that I am honored to work with - like La Roche-Posay. As part of L’Oréal’s solidarity Plan to fight Covid-19 and support healthcare professionals, La Roche-Posay is donating nearly one million 200 ml purifying hand gels to hospitals and clinics throughout the world.

The brand will also be distributing over five million purifying hand gels (75 or 100 ml) to partner pharmacies across the world as of April to answer the hand gel shortages.

About the Hand Gel

This gel is in line with all the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The La Roche-Posay gel is also rich in glycerin and it has purifying and hydrating properties. It has no perfume, its formula is hypoallergenic and tested under dermatological control.

For more information on La Roche-Posay products, please visit https://www.laroche-posay.us

Dial #WashYourHands

WASH YOUR HANDS: 

DIAL & DAWN

ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP

Where do I even begin? Health and hygiene. No matter where in the world you are, you must be aware about the current global outbreak of the novel Coronavirus/Covid-19 Disease. To have so many out there disregarding - downplaying its severity - is downright disturbing, but not as deeply (and disgusting) as those who simply do not wash their hands. Yes, hand sanitizers are awesome, I love and use them myself all day long, but you must still wash your hands. OFTEN. I wash well over 15 times a day (believe it!)

Proudly using Dial liquid hand soap since 2015 after receiving samples for review directly from Dial brand reps, and I have been hooked ever since (bar soap before that, obviously). For my dishes, Dawn is the best hands down. They help wildlife and they have an antibacterial formula. In a moment, I will share with you how I stretch your Dial and Dawn supply, by making your own antibacterial foam soap - and NO, it won't "water down the germ-fighting ability" - as well as some gross facts regarding NOT washing your hands. Let's see what my friends at Dial recently had to say before the Coronavirus epidemic:

"Now more than ever it’s imperative we take our health into our own hands and practice preventative measures as much as we can. Aside from getting the flu shot, covering your mouth when coughing and loading up on Vitamin C, there is one everyday habit that can protect you more than you realize. 👏 WASH 👏 YOUR 👏 HANDS! Here's how:

Hand washing how-to

According to the CDC, “washing your hands is one of the best ways to protect you and your family from getting sick,” and lucky for you DIAL has a ton of easily accessible and affordable hand washes and bar soaps to keep in your kitchen, bathroom, at work, in your bag, you name it...

FRIENDS: #OwnFriendsTV

HAPPY LEAP DAY

FROM CHANDLER BING

Did you know that this Saturday, February 29 is Leap Day? It’s a date that only comes around every four years to help synchronize the calendar year with the length of time it takes the Earth to complete its orbit around the sun - which is 365.25 days! It’s an extra 24 hours to do whatever you want, without feeling guilty that you don’t have the time.

In the word’s of Chandler Bing – “Can I BE anymore excited?!”

Available in individual seasons and Complete Series

Individual Seasons 

The Complete Series

Some fun facts about Leap Year:

• Leap Year was first introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 B.C.

• The odds of being born on Leap Day are about 1 in 1500

• There are about 187,000 people in the US, and 4 million people worldwide who were born on Leap Day

• Leap year babies get their driver's licenses when they are officially four years old (or 16 calendar years!)

• How do you know if it’s going to be a Leap Year? Most years that can be divided evenly by four are Leap Years, with the exception on Century Years. Century Years are not Leap Years unless they can be evenly divided by 400

So what are you going to do with your extra day this year? On behalf of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and the Digital, Blu-ray & DVD releases of Friends – we wanted to wish you and your family a Happy Leap Year. Since this day only comes around once every four years – it’s a day to sit back, relax and binge with your “friends.”

Remember, the only way to get your Friends fix, commercial free is to own the series! All individual seasons and compilation sets of Friends are available to purchase here: www.OwnFriendsTV.com. All seasons are also available to own at all major digital retailers; including iTunes, VUDU, Amazon Prime, and Google. DVD and Blu-ray sets can be purchased from all major retailers - including Amazon, Target and Walmart.

Friends is an American sitcom about six friends struggling to survive on their own in Manhattan. In each episode, they find the companionship, comfort and support from each other to be the perfect solutions to the pressures of everyday life. The series stars 'The Ones That Were There For You' for ten seasons strong: Jennifer Aniston as “Rachel Green,” Courteney Cox as “Monica Geller,” Lisa Kudrow as “Phoebe Buffay,” Matt LeBlanc as “Joey Tribbiani,” Matthew Perry as “Chandler Bing,” and David Schwimmer as “Dr. Ross Geller.” Friends has also featured many notable guest stars including Tom Selleck, Aisha Tyler, Jon Favreau, Anna Faris, Hank Azaria, Bruce Willis, Reese Witherspoon, Christina Applegate, Sean Penn, Jon Lovitz, Alec Baldwin, and many more. Friends was created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman and aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television. #OwnFriendsTV

Schwarzkopf x TerraCycle Program

SCHWARZKOPF® PARTNERS WITH TERRACYCLE® LAUNCHING HAIR CARE PACKAGING

RECYCLING PROGRAMS

Last week, Schwarzkopf® announced that it has partnered with international recycling leader TerraCycle®, to make their retail hair care, color and styling products recyclable nationwide. Great news, as just last month I attended the Schwarzkopf Color + Got2b Event with Olivia Culpo - where Olivia celebrated her partnership with Color ULTÎME - and got first glimpse (and a few products in my gift bag) of all their latest launches. Color ULTÎME created two permanent shades: Auburn Brown and Indigo Royale, which deliver rich color results with luminous shine.

Schwarzkopf Color + Got2b Event with Olivia Culpo, January 23, 2020

Olivia Culpo, Color ULTÎME Brand Ambassador

February 20, 2020 - Trenton, N.J. - Schwarzkopf®, a global leader in hair care solutions and brand of Henkel, has partnered with international recycling leader TerraCycle® to make their retail hair care, color and styling products recyclable nationwide. As of January 1st, consumers are invited to collect and mail-in the empty product packaging from participating Schwarzkopf hair care products, including the brands göt2b styling & color, Color Ultime, Keratin Color and the newly launched Simply Color.

“Hair care products are a staple in the daily routines of countless consumers,” said TerraCycle CEO and Founder, Tom Szaky. “The launch of the Schwarzkopf Recycling Programs represents an exciting opportunity to divert a large category of waste from landfills. We look forward to partnering with this forward-thinking company for many years to come and continue to offer sustainable solutions to traditionally hard to recycle packaging.”

REDKEN NYFW: Tory Burch FW20

NYFW:TORY BURCH FW20 

REDKEN HAIR BY GUIDO

Redken Global Creative Director Guido Palau capitalized on soft texture with a twist at Tory Burch’s FW20 NYFW Show.

“The hair at Tory Burch this season is a little 70's and a little Victorian. I’m using Redken Extreme Play Safe when blow-drying to heat protect and fortify the hair. My key product at this show is the NEW! Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo to absorb excess oil and product to revitalize the hair. I also love using it to give a touch of volume at the root. To create the twist, I’ve center-parted the hair and a pulled a small section on either side back that I’ve secured with an elastic. My trick is to also use the NEW! Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo under each section to add a touch of volume and texture to hold the look. Then, I flip the secured sections over to create the twist, and then used an iron just to create a little bit of a bend in the lengths.” – Redken Global Creative Director Guido Palau

GET THE LOOK:

1. Prep hair by washing with Redken Extreme Shampoo and Conditioner.

2. Apply a quarter-sized amount of Redken Extreme Play Safe to lengths and ends to heat protect up to 450 degrees.

3. Blow-dry hair with a round brush, leaving it smooth.

4. Once fully dry, create a center part with your fingertips.

5. Apply a few spritzes of the NEW! Redken Deep Clean Dry Shampoo to your roots and in your face-framing pieces to add in some touchable volume.

6. Take about a 1” section of hair on each side of your hairline and bring each section to the back middle of your head. Secure loosely with an elastic.

7. Twist the secured pieces over themselves to create a rolled effect for soft glamour.

8. Add a few bends throughout your lengths with a 2” iron. Once cooled, run your fingers through your lengths to soften.

9. Spritz a few spritzes of Redken Triple Dry 15 Dry Texturizing Spray throughout your lengths and ends and tousle for an airy, soft look.

It Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep

NEW IT COSMETICS CONFIDENCE

IN YOUR BEAUTY SLEEP

Last month I received a press mailer from it Cosmetics containing their NEW Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream AND Confidence in a Cream (my daily facial moisturizer since 2016 and the #1 anti-aging moisturizer in the U.S!*) What is it? A skin-transforming, pillow cream moisturizer, that works while you sleep. The scent is also soothing, a major plus in my books. 

When this duo is paired together, Confidence in a Cream and Confidence in Your BEAUTY SLEEP, is the perfect day-to-night skincare regimen for younger-looking, healthier, supple skin. I switched it up for the daytime, and used another IT heavy-hitter for a triple threat: Confidence in Cream Rosy Tone.

*based on NPD units

it Cosmetics Confidence in a CREAM, BEAUTY SLEEP and ROSY TONE

NEW! Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream ($54.00 Available at itCosmetics.com - for all skin types at NIGHT) Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep Night Cream , is formulated with Rest & Restore Technology, designed to visibly improve the five top signs of aging in seven sleeps: 

1. Fine Lines & wrinkles 

2. Tired-Looking Skin 

3. Loss of Firmness 

4. Dullness

5.Dryness

Sent by it Cosmetics: Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep! #itGirl

Now, I cannot stress enough, the importance of SLEEP. Take it from me. I have never done the "night life" (no clubs, bars or lounges, EVER. Not a fan), and I aim to get 8 - 10 hours of sleep DAILY! Sure it's a bit extreme for those that enjoy it, but I prefer flawless, time-proof skin. If you want great looking skin, then you simply must do your part to help it along. 

Infused with hyaluronic acid and adenosine, plus skin-loving ceramides to help restore the natural skin barrier.

Works specifically during the ‘night shift’ of 10:00 pm – 2:00 am when your skin is at its peak rejuvenation cycle, and improves surface cell turnover through gentle exfoliation.

The night cream’s bouncy texture, named MemoryBounce Technology, provides a luxurious application experience and doesn’t transfer onto your pillow.

Confidence in a Cream (2 US fl. oz/60 ml $49.00 - for all skin types in the MORNING)

• Quick-absorbing super cream clinically tested to give your skin a supple, healthier, younger-looking appearance

• Immediately immerses skin in moisture, plumps the look of lines and wrinkles and reduces the appearance of pores and discoloration for a more even skin tone

• Infused with proprietary Anti-Aging Armour Rejuvenating Concentrate, which combines collagen and hyaluronic acid, plus skin-loving niacin, peptides, ceramides, shea butter and vitamin E

Okay, but how did Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep work? I'll show you. I tried it every single night for three straight weeks, and I must admit that my skin looked so much more plump and hydrated (it was looking a bit shallow lately, with my 5:00 a.m. gym wake-up calls and less than six hours of sleep). Just take a look for yourself - and if you KNOW me, then you already know that I never wear foundation. Ev tested , loved and approved!

Gang's all here: it Confidence Crew

If you want to learn more about NEW it Cosmetics Confidence in Your Beauty Sleep, or check out all the cutting-edge products in the collection that I love and trust for my face, please visit www.itcosmetics.com 

~Evelyn Lugo

NYFW: OPI x Vera Wang

NYFW FALL 2020:

OPI NAIL LOOK AT VERA WANG

Ready to share some backstage beauty NYFW looks from last week: VERA WANG Fall 2020 show! OPI and celebrity nail artist, Naomi Yasuda created a sheer pink iridescent nail look previewing OPI’s upcoming NeoPearl collection. Check out the shade used below.

Photos from photographer Brian Ach ~ February 11, 2020

Stila Mascara: National Lash Day

CELEBRATE NATIONAL 

LASH DAY WITH STILA

Hi, guess who's back? After a much needed writing hiatus, your girl Ev is back on the saddle, with plenty of product reviews and event recaps to share (so much to catch up on). What better way, than with my go-to beauty must-have: MASCARA. With National Lash Day coming up on Wednesday, February 19th,  my friends at Stila Cosmetics sent over just what I needed, to ensure that my lashes go to great lengths. 

Stila Cosmetics #Stilaettos Face Fashion Show - September 9, 2019

I attended the Stila Face in September during Fashion Week and was introduced to their Magnum XXX™ Mascara. Hooked on Magnum XXX since June, and every single time I use it, gals ask me if I got my lashes done (NOTE: I would never, as I am NOT a fan of fake lashes or extensions. Sorry, just not). It's that good! I switch it up, I've also been using Stila's HUGE Extreme Lash Mascara over a year now.