Summer 2024 Playlist

In Bottega & Barry’s

July 2023

Eloise Dufka - @eloisedufka

The epitome of living life to the fullest, we have Eloise. She’s like an older sister who’s always on the go, spending mornings in the Alo Studio and evenings on first dates, but never misses out on good old-fashioned girl talk.

Rish - @lifeofrgr

Rish is the ultimate, fabulous NY It Girl and the reason I started my own blog. For Rish, every day is like a new episode of a show, and she plays a lead role in every part of the production. “In search of two L’s: labels and love,” an iconic line from her blog’s homepage, Life of RGR, following her is like following Serena van der Woodsen or Carrie Bradshaw. On her blog, which continues into the visual diary that is her Instagram, she documents her life in the city, working in fashion, dating in her 20s and appreciating the beauty of the moment.

Eni Popoola - @enigivensunday

If you know me you know I love Eni. A recent Columbia Law grad, she is one of the most inspirational people I’ve discovered online. Eni prides herself on transparency in her academic/work and social lives, making her such a joy to follow. The documentation of her journey through juggling law school and influencing in NYC has reminded me that life is never perfect, so it’s vital to take time for yourself, create boundaries and cherish the path made for you.

Catherine Esrey -@theoneandonlycatherine

Of course, we have Catherine, our daily walks queen. Hailing from Montecito, California, she is a current student at Duke University. Catherine’s content is relatable and refreshing and I always look forward to her day-in-the-life videos. If you love her content as much as I do, you know when it’s time for a coffee at Caffe Luxxe or her morning commute to work. She’s a wonderful reminder to get moving outside at least once a day, and I’m thrilled to see her routine back in Durham!

Elizabeth Bennett - @oldlizzybenz

Elizabeth is honestly the realest, hands down. Within the past few months, I followed her Instagram after realizing that I saved about 3/4 of her videos to my “outfits” collection on TikTok, lol. While a self-taught interior designer, much of her presence on social media focuses on fashion and styling some of the most insane one-of-a-kind pieces. She leaves no part of her personality out of anything she posts and is undeniably one of my greatest go-to sources for inspiration.

Paige Lorenze - @paigelorenze

I began following Paige on Youtube in 2020 after watching her “day in my life | nyc” video and was immediately drawn to her aesthetic and style. A self-proclaimed “ex-ski racer, creator, thrifter, horse girl,” Paige’s personal image and lifestyle brand Dairy Boy wonderfully capture the ethos of her New England upbringing, while balancing her love for streetwear, functionality and femininity.

Easy & Glowy Summer Makeup Routine

June 2023

Skincare

In the morning, I opt for just a few splashes of cold water on the face instead of using a wash to avoid stripping natural oils. I'll then go in with the one product that has saved my skin: Cocokind Ceramide Barrier Serum. I was first introduced to this product by licensed esthetician and skincare queen, Skin By Gill (@skinbygill) on Tik Tok. She includes this incredible product on her list in part 3 of her "Damaged Barrier" series. Choosing to use this specific serum was random, but after reading other reviews, I had to try it and can confidently say I will forever love it. Next, I'll apply The Inkey List’s Omega Water Cream Moisturizer. I have combination skin, so this product provides the perfect amount of moisture to my skin's barrier without feeling heavy (plus, it's super inexpensive!). Lastly, I cover my entire face and decollete with a dime-sized amount of the Supergoop Glow Screen in the shade "Golden Hour."


Makeup

One of my biggest tips in curating a summer makeup look is finding that one bronzer or contour that enhances your natural summer coloring. I've been on the hunt for the perfect shade, but recently I discovered the Fenty Match Stix in "Espresso." It looks amazing on the forehead and just under the cheekbone. I'll also use it to subtly contour my nose. I typically like for the center of my face to appear brighter, and the Kosas concealer in the shade 7 is perfect for achieving this effect. Then, I’ll set the concealer with the Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Filter Finish Setting Powder. 

My brows are pretty full, so I wouldn't say I like to do much besides brush them in the direction of growth. To do so, I use the only brow gel I trust, my “old faithful” Anastasia Beverly Hills clear brow gel, a definite "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" product. Continuing with eyes, one of my recent finds is the Too Faced Better Than Sex brown mascara. I was blessed with long lashes (thanks mom!), so without bringing drama to a daytime look, this mascara helps to separate and lengthen my lashes. Blush is arguably the best step of any makeup routine, and I have two that I absolutely adore. For a day-to-night look, I like the Pat McGrath Labs blush in "Divine Rose." Vinetria (@vinetrria) uses this, so, of course, it was a necessary purchase, duh! Divine Rose is such a beautiful shade; I always get at least a few compliments when I wear it, so it's safe to say it will be my holy grail blush until further notice. But if I want only a little coloring, I'll use Hourglass Ambient Lighting in "Mood Exposure." Blush is best placed above the cheekbone with a soft-bristle brush, like Lune+Aster’s Bronzer + Blush brush. Finally, for the last step in my routine (using a very niche product), I take one dot of my 2017 Becca highlighter in the shade "Topaz" to the tip of my nose and another to the start of my nose bridge. This step may seem small, but the highlighter gives my skin a healthy glow in the sun!

Setting the Tone: 4 Songs for Summer 2023

May 2023

4EVA - KAYTRAMINÉ, Aminé, KAYTRANADA, Pharrell Williams

For his first released single of 2023, DJ and record producer KAYTRANADA teams up with Aminé under the cleverly contrived name “KAYTRAMINÉ” to create the ultimate tone-setting hit for warm months ahead. Pharrell Williams’ creative touch and musical influence are also amplified on the track. Together, the trio concocts 4EVA, a piece of audible art characterized by the harmony of a percussive beat, Williams’ synth chorus line and an ethereal cymbal. Aminé’s talent particularly shines through in 4EVA, complementing his rapping with various adlibs, a technique frequently used in the hip-hop and rap genres. In all its feel-good nature, this song will surely be this summer’s #1 on-repeat tune.

Gotta Move On (Cool & Dre Remix) - Diddy, Bryson Tiller, Cool & Dre

In this effortless groove, Miami recording duo Cool & Dre bring their remixing talents to Diddy’s track “Gotta Move On,” featuring R&B singer Bryson Tiller. Diddy is no stranger to creating projects that pull from the richness of the music industry, so, naturally, this song may already sound quite familiar. Upon clicking play, you might recognize a descending, futuristic sound layered with a transition to a repeated whistle pattern and a sudden up-tempo soft rock beat drop. With “Gotta Move On,” listeners are taken on a wild ride of coast-to-coast samples, from Michael McDonald’s 1982 hit “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near)” to G-Funk pioneer Warren G’s 1994 “Regulate,” (which samples McDonald’s yacht rock melody). While the footing of Cool & Dre, Diddy and Tiller’s masterpiece resides in the convergence of iconic songs and existing genres, the 2022 remix transforms the scaffolding, making the song a true summer 2023 anthem.

VIRGO’S GROOVE - Beyoncé

Nestled at the heart of Beyoncé’s groundbreaking, no-skip Renaissance album, “Virgo’s Groove” is a transformative six minutes of techno and disco funk. With Renaissance, Beyoncé has reached new heights in her influence as an artist aware of what it means to diversify discography. She embodies musical perfectionism, carefully articulated in every track on Renaissance. Self-love and unity stand as core values essential to the album’s essence. “Virgo’s Groove,” especially, creates an untouchable, shining silver aura of romance and truth. This hypnotic “groove”- and, honestly, the entirety of Renaissance - is just what we all need to let loose this summer and dance.

Sittin’ Pretty - Florida Georgia Line

Creating a summer playlist that does not include country music would be a wrongdoing. So, I decided to add one of my personal favorites, “Sittin’ Pretty” by country duo Florida Georgia Line from their fourth studio album, “Can’t Say I Ain’t Country.” This mid-tempo track was released in February 2019, and, since then, it has never lost its irresistible blend of nostalgia and love.

Honorable mentions:

- Exacta - Tupperwave

- Show Me the Right - NEIL FRANCES

- Hottie (feat. BabyFace Ray) - Flo Milli, BabyFace Ray