Johnson and Johnson Job?! Not for Me

I am disappointed to write that I did not receive an offer to join the Neutrogena team at Johnson and Johnson after graduation. After waiting to hear back for two and half weeks the email finally came today that said sorry but no. 

One thing that helped lessen the blow was that at the same time I received an offer to join Ford as a marketing consultant. This would allow me to travel 4 days a week and meet with many interesting individuals. Although it is not where my passion lies in beauty, I am thankful that an opportunity has presented itself to me.

For those of you that have been discouraged or lost out on a job opportunity you really wanted remember that the company is looking for the individuals that will be best suited for the job that they are offering and you may have excelled better in another environment. Also, if you are interviewing with friends and classmates, as I did with many of my interviews, know that their success does not equal your failure and vice versa. Do not get angry with them for receiving an opportunity you wanted (although this can be difficult at first). Finally, its ok to be jealous. Jealousy shows us what we want and should be used to help motivate us. 

If I get to do nothing else today let me leave you with this:

"A smile is the perfect gift, personal and encouraging" 

I hope I was able to encourage you a little bit. Writing on the blog sometimes helps me to encourage myself. 

Wishing everyone the best success,

Kelsey 

Dining Room Items that Inspire Me

Ok ok so I know this blog is supposed to be about beauty products and finding a job in the beauty industry but lately I have been obsessing over my hypothetical kitchen. Being vegan I cook the majority of my own meals so having things in the kitchen that inspire me to try out new dishes is important to me. My current dorm kitchen is cramped to say the least and I swear I have lost half of the dishes I purchased sophomore year at Target so today I went out to buy some plates (and bowls and mugs) that will stay with me when I move into my new apartment next year... wherever that may be...

These plates are so pretty with their icy peacock blue finish and feather details around the edge. They were definitely a splurge but if you want to check them out you can HERE. They were designed by Rachel Bilson for Macy's and she has a few other patterns but none as clean and modern as this. 

While thinking about my future dining room I came across this photo posted by Kandee Johnson. 

This is the fashion designer Betsy Johnson's dining room. I think it is so girly, glamourous and fresh! I would love to have a decorator come in a help me recreate this look. Don't you think my knew plates would look perfect on this table?

Since coming to DC the cherry blossoms have come to be my favorite part of the spring. I saw this light fixture and fell in love. 

It even has little lights in the flower blossoms. Unfortunately, it is way out of my price range! I do love the whimsy of it though and when I am able to afford it and if it is still available, I am ordering it for myself. 

I hope you were inspired by something today whether it was a kitchen item or something totally different. Have a wonderful week! 

XOXO

Kelsey 

Feeling like Jenny from the Block Waiting for J&J

Don't be fooled by the offers that I got... I'm still I'm still Kelsey from the block!
I think I was channeling J-Lo this morning when I got dressed...

Although this look is sort of a departure from my usual pearls and such I am kind of feeling it. To me getting dressed up in totally random and different looks is part of the fun of experimentation.

But I digress...

The key info for this blog post is that today is the day I am supposed to hear back from Johnson and Johnson about my potential job offer with their beauty segment. I interviewed with them last week for their full time positions in beauty sales. In case you didn't know... here are some of the amazing brands that you probably have in your bathroom as we speak:

• Neutrogena
• Clean and Clear
• Aveeno
• Roc
• Johnson and Johnson Baby

I interviewed with three groups, Neutrogena Beauty Sales Strategy, eCommerce, and Consumer Products Beauty Sales Strategy. I'm really hoping I end up with an offer to join Neutrogena. They are located in LA (so I would be close to my sister!) and I would get to learn all about the skin care category.

Fun Fact Alert! Did you know that Neutrogena skin care makes 9X the revenue that Neutrogena cosmetics makes?

The moment I get a call I will post on the blog.

Gotta run to class... in my J-Lo gear of course...

XOXO
Kelsey

3 On-The-Go Makeup Essentials

There three items that I keep with me in my school tote at all times. I have gym class every morning so when I run to a real class directly after I want to have just a few items to touch up and help me look presentable. These three products are super east to apply without a mirror and can be found at the drug store so no need to worry if you loose it or it gets banged up with your stash of pens and pennies. 

1. A Good Mascara: This one is actually a free-be I got from L'Oreal but in general choose a mascara that volumizes because it will help define your lashes more and than a lengthening mascara. TIP: Choose one that has a traditional brush because they are easier to maneuver without a mirror than some of the more "innovative" brush shapes.

2. Under Eye Concealer: I love the Anti-Dark Circle eye roller from Garnier. It has caffeine in the formula to help reduce puffiness and is tinted to conceal. You can layer several coats of it without it looking cakey. The only downside with this product is that it only comes in one color so its not so good for the darker skin ladies.

3. Tinted Lip Balm: I am in love with this Nivea touch of shimmer lip balm. It adds a beautiful soft pink frost effect to the lips without looking overly done. Burt's Bees make a bigger range of tinted lip balms that are also pretty great.

These 3 products are the only things you need to freshen up quickly if your running late or if your ending a workout. All super accessible and all super easy to use. No brushes required!

And I'm back to paying attention to class. We are talking about weather men and how they don't actually point at real maps haha. Who knew!?

XOXO,
Kelsey

Revlon Touch of Mauve Manicure

I have an interview tomorrow with two non-beauty related companies so I thought I would give myself a fresh manicure to add a little polish (haha pun intended)! 

Tonight I used a Revlon polish in 100 Touch of Mauve, which is really more of a dusty rose pink. I thought it was professional enough because it was a semi-neutral but still feminine. I even painted a little "good luck" heart on the thumb. What I love about all of the Revlon polishes I have used is that they are super opaque with one coat. They are also readily available and affordable. 

Once my fingers were complete I felt like going a little more glitzy on my toes... WARNING! Feet picture ahead!

I used a nail art pen I got from the beauty supply store to create the lattice design. Clearly not interview appropriate but hey! no one will see my toes in my 5" pumps.   

Lastly I just wanted to post this because I found it in my camera as I was uploading these nail pictures. Let me introduce you to my sister Naomi. 

This was taken in my dorm room over the summer in Brooklyn. My sister has a mohawk and we wanted to do a little feminine twist on the spiky traditional rocker look. She totally isn't a rocker though so we curled her hair and put in a bandana like an old fashion housewife! 

Off to finish my project for GAP. I'm creating a pretend business to add to their brand portfolios. 

XOXO

Kelsey 

New HD Camcorder (my love!)

In early October tragedy struck when my trusty Sony handycam was lost. I like to think that it is in a new loving home with someone who will cherish it like I did. Losing it was a blessing in disguise because it allowed me to guiltlessly upgrade to a new Sony Handycam HD camcorder. Check out this baby!

Introducing the HRD-CX160. I got mine at Best Buy. What's great about this camera is that it has built in memory so you don't have to worry about using a memory card. It also has a super easy to use touch screen. One of my favorite features is the built in USB connectivity. It stores in the hand strap!

You can even charge the camera using the USB in a pinch. No more carrying around a ton of unnecessary cables. 

When I first tested it out I was amazed at how detailed the image quality was. You could literally count the baby hairs on my cheek... which also means you could see every detail of the face (ideal for makeup tutorials). I can't wait to start cranking out more videos for my YouTube channel. Its been feeling neglected lately. 

I'm off to study for my Entrepreneurship midterm. Senior year is kicking my butt!

XOXO

Kelsey

Nail Trend: Beige for Fall

You can find it in the drug store, in your nail salon and in the department store. What is it you ask? Beige nail polish (or nail lacquer if your being fancy). 

When there is a little downtime at Macy's (my part-time gig) I browse the new launches from all the cosmetic lines and I had to do a double take when I came across Oyster Shell nail lacquer from MAC.  This polish is a little pricy at $15. You can purchase it online here http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/6843/641/Nail-Lacquer/index.tmpl

If your thinking "Hummm that looks familiar" your right.

Loads of brands have been coming out with this beige color this fall. Magazines call it mannequin hands. I have to admit. I do find it to be rather fresh and a great neutral to add to your collection. 

OPI's version of the mannequin hand is with Skull and Glossbones (I love OPI names!). My co-worker was wearing Skull and Glossbones yesterday and while I painted my fingers with MAC's Oyster Shell and they are almost identical. In fact, she ended up buying Oyster Shell to touch up her manicure. 

If your looking for a drug store brand, Essie has you covered. Its fall collection "Brand New Bag" features a slightly warmer brown tone called Case Study. This little bottle will set you back around $8.

What do you think about mannequin hands? Will you be trying it out this fall? I know I will!

XOXO,
Kelsey

Sofia Vergara Emmy Makeup by CoverGirl

Sofia Vergara is a hot commodity in Hollywood these days. She is an Emmy winning actress, spokes person for numerous brands including Pepsi, and on the hit show Modern Family. Most recently, Vergara signed on with CoverGirl to be a spokes model... move over Drew Berrymore!

Over the weekend stars flocked the red carpet in designer gowns to the 2011 Emmy award show. Sofia Vergara stunned in a bright coral dress with matching coral lipstick. The great thing for us college students trying to recreate this look? All the products used were from CoverGirl.

Celebrity makeup artist Kayleen McAdams focused on the lips using CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipstick. Check out Temptalia's review of LipPerfection here.

CoverGirl Queen collection eyeshadow in Hot Toffee was then used on her eyes to create a smokey brown look with lots of lashes. Of course, rock-star product Lash Blast mascara in very black was used to enhance her flirty eye fringe.

Vergara's CoverGirl campaign will launch in early 2012. Keep an eye out for her signature latina flare as it influences CoverGirl's marketing techniques. Way to go P&G... you struck gold!


Back to paying attention to this African history professor...

XOXO!
Kelsey

Top Cosmetic Companies to Work For

Now that school is in full swing for the last time I really need to take a moment and think about what I want to do with the rest of my life... I know... a daunting task!
I'm still waiting to hear back about a position at L'Oreal luxury products division but a girl has got to do what a girl has got to do and this girl is making plans B, C, D etc.

I've narrowed it down to the top 6 beauty companies I would like to work for. In no specific order...

1. L'Oreal 
2. Este Lauder
3. Revlon
4. LVMH
5. P&G (CoverGirl)
6. Coty

Today I applied to 3 positions at Coty, a marketing position at P&G, emailed the recruiters at Revlon and looked to see if there were any openings at LVMH (There are but they are all in France and require you know the language).

What do you guys think? What other beauty brands would you like to work for full time? I was thinking about maybe Allure magazine or becoming a cosmetic buyer for Sacks or Nordstrums.

I'll fill you in on the job hunt as I know more.

Your worried and stressed friend,
Kelsey
P.S. I saw this and it made my laugh. Next time your stressed click back to this post lol

Wish List: Carol's Daughter Monoi Strengthening Line

Friday was my first day at Macy's and I got to know more about the products I was working with at Carol's Daughter. Everything is free of sulfates and synthetic compounds that damage and leave build up on your hair. Also, each line has an intoxicating fragrance. Black Vanilla is that grown up vanilla that I love and Almond Cookie smells just like the Jergen's original cherry almond lotion. Yummm!

Of all the products available I can not wait to try the Monoi strengthening hair line. It comes with a shampoo, conditioner and a repairing hair mask.

This line claims to strengthen hair 13X after one use. For those of us with long hair, or over processed, over heat styled hair... this could be the miracle we have been waiting for!

If you want to learn more about this line and other Carol's Daughter products, click here for carolsdaughter.com

I have samples of the products which I will try out and report back on. Usually my hair has lots of breakage in the shower which end up on the shower wall. My test will be if that breakage stays the same or decreases. (any other suggestions as to how I can measure breakage?)

I'm off to work this afternoon as well. Sunday's are supposed to be pretty slow so hopefully I hit my sales goal. I've never worked retail like this before where you have to sell X amount each day or else! (no one ever says what the else is, they just tell you to make it haha) 

Enjoy the long weekend!

XOXO

Kelsey