Floss All Season: Owners of Floss Gloss

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Janine, Co-Owner of Floss Gloss

Janine, Co-Owner of Floss Gloss

What inspired the creation of Floss Gloss nail polish?

  • Janine: Floss Gloss was created out of a necessity. Aretha and I needed our own line because we had so many pet peeves about what was readily available to us; ugly packaging, bad formula, misleading color from the bottle to nail.
  • Aretha: The need.

Where are you from?

  • Janine: Coronado, CA, but I am a military brat and have lived all over the country.
  • Aretha: Austin, Texas

Favorite  childhood hobby?

  • Janine: Being at the beach or just being outside. Loved being outside, bike riding, and arts and crafts. I was heavy into all sorts of crafts as a kid; knitting, painting, friendship bracelets, nail art (Klutz junkie basically)
  • Aretha: Running amuck

"But they don't want that, they want that bout it bout it shit"

What sparked your interest for nail art?

  • Janine: Like I mentioned, I was a Klutz kid. Someone gave me the Nail Art Book as a pre-teen and I became obsessed! It really sparked my nail art passion and I was already into arts and crafts. I kind of lost touch with nails when I went to college, just so overwhelmed with work, until I met Aretha! She really re-invigorated my passion and I was back doing nails and nail art with her and my roommates in my junior/senior years at CCA (California College of the Arts).
  • Aretha: The lack of colors and Janines passion.

Who is your muse? 

  • Janine: Honestly, no muse. I pull inspiration from strong women in business and fashion, music, and art, but I really do not have a single muse. I think because Aretha and I are our own demographic we become the muses.
  • Aretha: Master P, Danzig, Stone Cold Steve Austin

If you could use 3 words to describe Floss Gloss what would it be?

  • Janine: Excessive, color(full) and creative.
  • Aretha: Excessive, lavish, innovative

What color polish would you wear on a first date and why?

  • Janine: I would recommend Fast Lane (neon red) or Dinge (dirty pink) - neon red like Fast Lane is passionate and exciting. Dinge is tamer, a pastel dirty pink that is sophisticated and professional,  but still a little different and dingy. Close runner up's would be : Tanlines, Wavepool, Picnic or Biscuits.
  • Aretha: Wavepool, Boys Like Blue, It's Accessible and They're Slow.

What nail style is your favorite?

  • Janine: For shape, long square nails are always a classic! Recently I've been wearing a 'coffin' or tapered square. Thanks to Vanity Projects to pushing me into that shape, I feel so lady-like.
  • Aretha: Pierced

Biggest challenge being apart of the nail industry?

  • Janine: The biggest challenge is running the business side as well as staying creative and forward in the nail industry. Aretha and I are still the only two employees.
  • Aretha: Being tiny.

What inspires your names for your polish colors?

  • Janine: The colors themselves, the inspiration for the collection or the mood of the polish.
  • Aretha: Anything.
Aretha, Co-Owner of Floss Gloss

Aretha, Co-Owner of Floss Gloss

What polish best describes your personality?

  • Janine: Tough! Either Wet or Stun.
  • Aretha: Con Limon because I can be sour but I'm sweet in the end.

What is your favorite song to play while you're primping? 

  • Janine: In a perfect world the best line up of MTV Jams. Like my favorite motivator to hit the club, but if it's just music, HBK Gang, DJ Mustard anything or our homies Till Team 6 in Oakland. TT6 has amazing djs/homies [Neto187, SoWhat, Nano] and the SWERVE mixes are my favorite - still.
  • Aretha: Great question. Clirith Ungol- Edge of a Knife, Iron Maiden- Running, Gangsta Boo- Still Gangsta, Trina- Reach Out

Where do you see Floss Gloss in 5 years?

  • Janine: Still in business and with increased sales and nationwide distribution. And of course being on top of the cult nail polish brands. I just want to win. 
  • Aretha: With way more colors and retailers, hopefully doing the same thing but better.

What nail polish trend do you hate?

  • Janine: TEXTURED! Just rub your nails in kitty litter right before it dries. I can't stand the texture trend.
  • Aretha: Matte finish, sorry ladies I like to gloss.

Who is your favorite nail artist?

  • Janine: This is really tough! Been following and in love with Spifster before tumblr was really tumblr. I love Christina Rinaldi aka Prima her style is amazing and so clean - I love it. Gah there are so many I love! Britney Tokyo, Regina Rodriquez, Natalie Minerva, Stephanie Stone, Sophy Robson, Whitney Gibson. I'm such a fiend.
  • Aretha: Brit Tokyo, Nailswag, Spifster, Nailsyall, Holly Falcone, I love em all doin it.

"...I was a Klutz kid. Someone gave me the Nail Art Book as a pre-teen and I became obsessed! It really sparked my nail art passion..."

What inspires your seasonal campaigns?

  • Janine: Anything from music, nature, pop culture, fashion. Really it's what Aretha and I are feeling and really wanting to explore and get it out to the public.
  • Aretha: Whatever comes up that got it.

What is your most memorable accomplishment with Floss Gloss?

  • Janine: So far, having vogue request to meet with us. 
  • Aretha: Doing a color with Gangsta Boo of Three Six Mafia

One quote you live by?

  • Janine: This quote by the Dali lama has really stuck with me. "Man: because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. The he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present; the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if her is never going to die, and then dies having never really live.
  • Aretha: "But they don't want that, they want that bout it bout it shit" -Master P

Blending Beauty: She's Ryan

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"I want the world to see me as a leader. Someone who started from nothing and gained everything from experience, hard work, trial and error...the goal is to inspire."

With a raw, distinctly polished voice, married to bold, provocative lyrics set in the most sexy, fresh look, it's not hard to tell why She's Ryan aka SIR is a force to be reckoned within today's entertainment industry. The 23 year old former photographer, current model and actress is emerging as a vibrant singer-songwriter creating spunk, hard hitting upbeat pop/rock/R&B. She's Ryan boasts many talents that set her apart from her contemporaries and her brand SIR reveals the blueprint for domination. She's Ryan has quickly transitioned from a sharp shooter behind the lens into a multi-talented artist that rocks the stage with dance moves that would have anyone mesmerized. With buzzing music that quickly catched fire, such as her recently released feature with Mad Decent artist, The Party Squad "I'M ABOUT TO KILL", She's Ryan has proven that she can stand strong among many genres of music. 

She is published in articles (online/print) such as Inked Magazine, The Source, and Vibe vixen to name a few. She's Ryan has also been a host to the biggest festival in NYC, AfroPunk. With a degree from NYC's most creative institute, Pratt. She's Ryan not only graces the stage but creative directs her entire brand. She has made great strides with her recently released debut music videos for entitled "WHOA", "SIR" and "NEVER GROWING UP". In addition, she is currently laying the finishing touch on her upcoming EP and has consistently performed in New York City, Boston, Connecticut, and other areas in the Northeast region. Whether it's her original sound, edgy lyrics or high energy sultry performance, she is an amazing multi faceted talent that adds a breath of fresh air to today's musical landscape. One thing is certain, once you've caught a glimpse of She's Ryan, it's completely clear to see that a true store is born!

What is your favorite feature? My favorite feature are my eyes. Or people's eyes in general.

When do you feel most beautiful? I feel most beautiful after the gym. After I've had the most intense workout, and I sit in the sauna and sweat out all of the toxins from my body. My skin is naturally flushed with a red undertone and i look like I'm glowing! It's weird, but i feel most beautiful with a natural glow.

What beauty trend do you hate currently taking place? I love the concealer trend that's happening. You kow, highlight your t-zone using a light concealer than your natural skin color, then sculpt into your face with a darker color to contour....I get it, it's fun but when done incorrectly, it looks absolutely horrible. I believe this beauty trend is absolutely gorgeous when done the right way.

What tattoo do you have that's most symbolic to you? The tattoo that is most symbolic to me is the hanya mask on my right arm. I got it when I was 19, working in a tattoo shop, and my boss at the time (who also taught me how to do tattoos), sat me down and gave me my first tattoo. It was 5 hours long and the only reason I wanted it, was because he has the same exact mask on the same arm as well. I look up to im so much, so I feel connected to him through this piece. Thanks JAZ.

If Ryan was a lipstick, what color would it be? Matte Black

You have the most amazing abs, what is your workout routine like? Thank you! I run, run, and run some more! I am a big fan of being outdoors. I love it, the fresh air, the sun, people watching. So I literally get up and run a few miles a day. If I don't run, I go to bootcamp fitness training classes 3-4 times a week, where we work full body and run. I'm a big fan of squats, lunges (all while having weights in hands of course), and planks. These workouts work your whole body, so instead of just doing boring sit ups, you're becoming completely fit and gaining a six pack all at the same time!

 

 

What is your skincare regimen like? I'm really simple. I exfoliate in the morning with an apricot scrub. After the scrub I use natures toner. A product that I've used for years to keep an even complexion, witch hazel. At night after washing off all the makeup, I make sure to moisturize my face with vitamin e oil, avocado oil, olive oil, or coconut oil. The reason for this is because these oils don't clog your pores like say a cocoa butter would. They also naturally help with complexion, and can be used on the whole body. It's great.

Biggest misconception about you? Of course, because of the tattoos, colorful hair, piercings...I am judged beforehand as someone weird, or sketchy. Like I won't be able to engage in intellectual or even casual conversation because 'I'm strange'. I was once hired to speak on a panel to younger women aspiring to be music artists, and was told by the person who hired me...once you start speaking, everyone's views on you change. 

I didn't take offense to it but it just reminded me that unfortunately, people will always judge, ignorance is alive and well and to always remind myself personally... 'never judge a book by its cover'.

What beauty trend do you love? The natural cut crease with a subtle cat eye! I love! It can make even the smallest eyes look like big beautiful almond shaped eyes. It's great. 

Who was your childhood beauty muse? Aaliyah

Who is your current muse? I have a few women who physically intrigue me. The one who's gotten my attention the most is FKA Twigs.

What are your 5 favorite makeup products you are currently using? 

  1. NYX liquid liner
  2. Sponge Beauty Blender
  3. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Kit
  4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Plate
  5. Make Up Forever tinted primer for when I'm putting on shadow and want it to last all day long.

What accessory can you not be caught dead without? I love my rings!

If you have only 15 minutes to leave your house and could do one beauty step and grab one accessory what would it be? The one beauty step would be filling in my eyebrows with a nice full, natural, looking eyebrow. I look younger and a lot more polished. Of course the accessory would be my rings!

What accomplishment thus far has changed your life? The accomplishment that changed my life was when my unreleased song, "Trouble" was played on MTV's new reality show "House of Food". Since then I've gained new fans, gotten recognized by people at MTV, and have been on the radar of more people who can present more life changing opportunities to me. It was super exciting.

What quote do you live by? Be grateful for all that you have NOW, because without appreciating what is already here, it is impossible to receive anything else.

What's to come in the future for Ryan? The EP is dropping! My self titled EP "SIR" will be released at the top of the year. It will include six songs, and a bonus track.

How Long Do I Keep Makeup Before it is Time to Toss It?

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I decided to write this article because I work in the cosmetic industry and I see women buy tons of makeup but are not conscious of how long they should keep the products, which really isn't good for your skin in sensitive areas.

How to identify the shelf life symbol? This is usually located on the back of your product next to the barcode. You will see an open jar that may have 6M or 12M as demonstrated below, M=Months this is how long you should keep a product before you discard it.

  • Mascara: Toss your mascara after 3 months. Mascara has the shortest life span of all makeup because the risk of transferring bacteria back and forth from your eye into the mascara tube is so great. If your mascara starts to dry out before its 90 days are up, throw it away. Don't add water or saliva to your mascara to rewet it. Doing so will only increase your chances of getting an eye infection.
  • Eye Pencils: Eye pencils can be kept up to 2 years. To make sure you're using a clean tip, sharpen before each application.
  • Eye Shadows: Keep your applicators clean and your liquid shadows should last 12 months. Powder shadows will keep up to 2 years. 
  • Lipsticks: You can stow your tube lipsticks and your lip pencils for 2 years. As with eye pencils, sharpen your lip pencils before each use.
  • Blushes and Powders: Discard your cream blushes after a year, powder blushes and powders after 2 years.
  • Foundation and Concealers: Moisturizing foundations and stick concealers can hang around for 18 months. A 12 month shelf life applies to both oil-free foundations, which can dry out quickly, and liquid concealers. 

Using clean brushes and sponges will help lengthen the life of your cosmetics. Be sure and wash or replace your applicators frequently.