1. Happy Black History Month! I know this one has been crazy so far so I’m bringing you a more pleasant story to talk about : the history of African American hair!

   Lori Tharps joins me to discuss her book Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America. In part 1 of this conversation we’re talking about how current attitudes toward black hair compare to historical attitudes about hair. Lori’s also talking about her personal experiences with hair, growing up in an all white environment and relocating to blacker spaces.

   
   

   Check out Lori’s website:  https://myamericanmeltingpot.com/

   Find Lori Tharps on Twitter @LoriTharps  or Instagram @myamericanmeltingpot

   Listen to Lori’s podcast: My American Meltingpot:

   Follow @PoisedPodcast on Twitter and Facebook and use #PoisednPolished to continue the conversation!

   Follow Esta Fiesta on Instagram and Twitter

   
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Esta Fiesta chats with Mariam Mouna Guessous of I See You Wellness and Suanny Upegui of Casa Finca about beauty from within. The two wellness experts and creative entrepreneurs are sharing tips for achieving beauty from within!

In this episode we discuss Moroccan black soap, the connection between your diet, geographical location and beauty, letting your spirit pick your fragrance, holistic ways to strengthen your nails and more!

Find Mariam at I See You Wellness and on Instagram

Find Suanny at Casa Finca NYC

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Of course we’re kicking off 2019 with our beautylutions for the year, but first I’m giving a recap on last year’s results!

LINKS:

Favorite skincare products:

Superfood cleanser

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

Orly Nail Defense Nail Strengthener

Vegan Nail Brands:

Zoya

Black Dahlia Lacquer

Julep

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Follow Esta Fiesta on Instagram and Twitter

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It's party time! Ohhhhh it's parrr-tay time! Gonna have a (office holiday) par-tay!!

Who else just realized the office holiday party is just days away and you haven't gotten your outfit together? Don't worry boo, you know I got you!

On this episode I'm sharing tips on how to figure out what to wear to your office holiday party, regardless of if your office dress casual or conservative and if the party is at a fancy nearby hotel or being held in the big conference room. Of course I also took into account whether you like to dress masculine or feminine - any guesses which style requires less effort?

Before you order an inappropriate dress take a few minutes to listen to this podcast so that you don't waste your time, money, or office reputation!

Links:

Searching for a cocktail dress? Try Lulus

Need a festive but inexpensive tie? Try The Holiday Shop at The Tie Bar

Looking for a cheap Santa hat? Try Party City

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Today I'm sharing some simple tips for decorating your home!

I'm teaching you how to brighten up a space that doesn't get much sunlight, maximizing space with multi-tasking items, and what to do about wall decor.

Follow @PoisedPodcast on Twitter and Facebook and use #PoisednPolished and #PodIn to continue the conversation!

Follow Esta Fiesta on Instagram and Twitter

Links:

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace White Paint

Glass wall shelves from The Container Store

String Lights

Mirrored Console Table

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It’s a Poised n Polished first - I’m talking to a makeup artist!

Sephora Account Executive Lauren Alayne joins me to talk all things makeup, including how much makeup we tend to wear on vacation, how to deal with makeup shamers of any gender and what makes people gravitate towards a particular MUA.

Lauren is also answering a few listener questions! She’s sharing her thoughts on IG MUAs, how to get long lashes without falsies and how often you should switch out your beauty blender.

In keeping with my beautylution I got Lauren to share her current skincare routine. Get your Sephora budget in order because she mentions A LOT of products!

LINKS:

Want to see Lauren’s work? Check out Lauren’s IG. Inquiring about her services? Check out Lauren’s website.

Products Lauren mentioned (if you are shopping these products online use eBates to get cash back!):

Sephora Collection 'Hollywood’s Calling' Eyeshadow

Christian Dior Lash Primer

Lancome Lash Primer

Sephora Eyelash Primer

Sephora Collection Triple Action Cleansing Water

Shiseido cotton rounds

Clarisonic

First Aid Beauty Cleanser

Neogen Exfoliating Pads

Sunday Riley Good Genes Serum

Sunday Riley CEO

KORA Eye oil

Sunday Riley Tidal

Tatcha Water Cream

Kiehl’s Avocado eye cream

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Follow Esta Fiesta on Instagram and Twitter

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Which one of you prayed for fall so they could get these fits off? I'm sharing my favorite trends that you should try out if you really want to get these fits off this fall!

I'm also breaking down NYFW. Not how it went but what it is. Is fashion week a professional event or just an over priced party? I'm breaking down why it exists and what the purpose of all those celebrity filled parties are REALLY about.

Check me out on Bri Books Podcast! I'm chatting about fashion, fashion magazines and of course... Beyonce!

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This episode drops on Beyonce’s 37th birthday so it’s only appropriate we discuss her Vogue September 2018 cover article and what a great example she's setting. 

We're also discussing that viral Brooklyn nail salon video - yes, THAT ONE - and what it made me think about supporting black-owned beauty businesses.

But first I'm catching you up on my summer, including my quick thoughts on why you need to see the birthday girl on her On the Run II tour and my recap of TWO independent beauty expos.

***Please excuse the sound issues. Part of my transition means I had to record in less than ideal conditions!!***

Check out the links to articles, companies and products I mentioned on the episode here:

Indie Beauty Expo

1. Ethique, the eco-friendly personal care brand
2. L.O.V., the European makeup brand with magnetic (I said metallic, I meant magnetic) eye shadow pots
3. Shea Terra, the skincare brand that uses African black soap and other African indigenous ingredients that are good for you

Project Beauty Expo

1. Kreyol Essence, the Haitian skincare brand you'll soon see everywhere
2. Girl and Hair, the brand that wants you to care for your scalp under those weaves, braids, wigs and extensions! 
3. Beija Flor Naturals, the wash-and-go friendly brand created for curls, kinks and coils

Beyonce’s VOGUE Interview

That semi-viral Brooklyn nail salon attack

The New York Times article about unethical NYC nail salons

Molas Boutique Spa in Brooklyn, NY

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Follow Esta Fiesta on Instagram and Twitter

Email me directly at [email protected].

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Season Four of Poised n Polished premieres Tuesday September 4 with an ode to Beyonce, recap of the Project Beauty Expo and my thoughts on the Brooklyn nail salon brawl. 

Make sure you subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Spreaker Overcast, Acast, or wherever you listen to podcasts so that you don't miss an episode!

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Remember back in January when we all made beautylutions? Have you been keeping up with yours?

I have! But I haven’t been doing a great job of sharing my journey with you. In this episode I’m letting you know what I’ve tried, what’s been working and what was a HUUUUGE mistake.

We’re discussing double cleansing vs Clarisonics, Lush’s all-natural, sometimes vegan face products the best sunblocks and k-beauty moisturizers.

If any of the products I mentioned interest you check them out below:

Lush Fresh Farmacy Facial Soap

Farmacy Green Clean Makeup Meltaway Cleansing Balm with Echinacea GreenEnvy

Lush Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

Glow Recipe Watermelon Pink Juice Moisturizer

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Follow Esta Fiesta on Instagram and Twitter

Sign up for the newsletter and visit poisednpolished.com for a complete list of past episodes and resources and visuals from this episode.