When I saw that The Lip Bar was launching a new product that was "more than lip," I took notice. I watched every Insta teaser trying to figure out what the new product would be because, like most of us, I want to know now. Since the launch was taking place at ESSENCE Fest, I was going to stop by one of their pop-ups to support. Before I could do that, I was invited to the "She's Gotta Have It" brunch.
Michael Porter
The brunch was hosted by Rachel Roff (founder of Urban Skin Rx), Melissa Butler (founder of The Lip Bar), Monique Rodriguez (founder of Mielle Organics), and Ylorie Taylor (Vice-President of EDEN BodyWorks). Walking into that beautifully decorated room and meeting the women behind brands I support and admire was one of the highlights of my weekend.
EDEN BodyWorks Vice-President Ylorie Taylor, Urban Skin Rx Founder Rachel Roff, and The Lip Bar Founder Melissa Butler on the "She's Gotta Have It" bedMichael Porter
As the brunch got started, Melissa, along with the other hostesses, welcomed us and gave us insight into their lives as businesswomen. Then they talked about "what they gotta have for the rest of the year," encouraging each of us to do the same. My "gotta haves" were patience and gratitude.
As the brunch went on, Melissa spoke about the launch of The Lip Bar's Fresh Glow.
And as Melissa spoke, something she said really jumped out at me — she was nervous about moving outside of lip products because she'd named her company "The Lip Bar". From the outside looking in, it can be hard to imagine a fearless entrepreneur being nervous about anything. But as someone that has run a business, I can see why making a pivot outside of what your customers and the industry know you for could be nerve-wracking —especially after a fifteen-month journey to bringing the Fresh Glow to market.
Melissa and YlorieMichael Porter
But Melissa put it like this, "Ultimately, it came down to our customers. I can push through any fear for them, and there have been countless inquiries about expansion. Knowing they wanted it gave me the confidence to move forward. Once I settled on the decision to expand, then I had to think about what the product would be.
"I always want to bring innovation to the market. I didn't want to just create something that was already in existence and put in pretty packaging. This is our first time expanding outside of lip [products] – so I wanted it to be impactful and bring some innovation to the space."
Well, she did just that!
I can personally say their latest launch is one of my favorites.
The packaging is sturdy and comes with a mirror and brush, and it's perfect for me because it fits right into my carry-on makeup case. Not to mention the highlight shade makes wherever you place it pop while the bronzer shade is so rich that you don't need much to contour or add dimension to your bone structure (which is a good thing).
Watching Melissa succeed, pivot, and grow with The Lip Bar has given me a newfound belief that with the right attitude, patience, and the will to step out on faith even in the midst of fear — we can accomplish anything.
To purchase your own Fresh Glow bronzer + blush compact, click here.
Featured image by The Lip Bar
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Taurus Season officially begins on April 19, bringing some earth sign energy into the mix, grounding and nurturing what you are creating in your life right now. On April 27, we have a New Moon in Taurus, and this is an abundant and fruitful New Moon. This is one of the best New Moons of the year for you to set your intentions for your financial world and a time for seeing new opportunities for abundance. On the last day of the month, Venus moves into Aries until June 6th, and love requires a little more passion, independence, and excitement during this time.
Overall, April is a month of feeling things through, taking more intuitive risks, investing in yourself, and balancing your needs with the needs of your relationships.
Read for your sun and rising sign below to see what April has in store for you.
AriesKyra Jay for xoNecoleARIES
April is your month to shine, Aries. With the chaos of March now over, you are starting to see the progress of where life is and how everything has turned out even better than you were expecting. The month begins with the Sun in your 1st house of self, and you are feeling more confident, courageous, and in tune with yourself. With a Full Moon in your sister sign on April 12, relationships are also coming full circle for you now, and you are claiming your peace this month.
Mercury finally goes direct on April 7 and then enters your sign from April 16 to May 10, and this is going to clear up any miscommunications that you have been through. With Mercury now in your sign, your conversations are lively, your mind is inspiring, and you are thinking one step ahead. Before the month ends, Venus enters your sign from April 30 to June 6, and love is also moving forward for you now. Overall, this is a month where you are experiencing some happy outcomes and loyal support.
TaurusKyra Jay for xoNecoleTAURUS
April is a month of passion and purpose, Taurus. You are living in your abundance, and are focused on valuing yourself and the things you are bringing to fruition right now. Venus, your ruling planet, goes direct on March 12 after being retrograde in your financial house since March 1, and you are moving into the month experiencing more opportunities and also feeling more respected in what you are accumulating for yourself and standing your ground on.
Taurus Season officially begins on April 19, and it’s all about you right now. This Taurus Season is smoothing things out for you in love, with new relationship developments unfolding and life flourishing for you. The New Moon this month is in your sign on April 27, it’s time for a new beginning. You are truly embracing your strength in April, making things happen for yourself, and no longer doubting your future and what is possible for you.
GeminiKyra Jay for xoNecoleGEMINI
This month is all about the options becoming available to you now, Gemini. With your ruling planet Mercury going direct at the beginning of the month on April 7, you no longer feel as held back or out of place as you may have in the past weeks. With Mercury now direct, your thinking is clearer, and you are seeing the opportunities in your career and professional world that you may have missed before.
The more you can embrace your authenticity, the less time you will spend doubting how others perceive you, remember that this month.
On April 12, there is a Full Moon in Libra, highlighting the romance in your life and bringing forth understanding and compassion within your close relationships. You are letting go of old attachments or self-doubts that haven’t been serving your love life, and are growing closer to your own heart in the process. Before April comes to an end, Mars enters your 3rd house of communication, and you are overall leaving the month focused on your progress, your vision, and taking up space because you deserve to.
CancerKyra Jay for xoNecoleCANCER
This month is all about balancing your time and energy wisely, Cancer. You are being reminded not to overwork or overwhelm yourself in April, and to focus on doing the things that are within your control right now. The Sun is in your 10th house of career for most of the month so you are feeling really passionate about the things you are developing in your life right now, but it’s all about finding the right balance between your personal goals and your needs in your relationships as well.
The Full Moon in Libra on April 12 will be a time to devote your energy to self-care, close loved ones, and overall getting some time to decompress. You are ready to let go of the things that don’t make you feel safe or nurtured and are receiving an emotional renewal right now. The New Moon in Taurus at the end of the month is a time to focus on your intentions on your community, friendships, and aspirations in life, and to pay attention to where you can create more abundance here.
LeoKyra Jay for xoNecoleLEO
Things are turning around for you for the better, Leo. April is a dynamic month, and you are owning your inner alchemist. With a Full Moon in your 3rd house of communication on April 12, you are getting the messages you have been looking for and the mental clarity you have found is bringing closure to some of your close relationships. This month is about being flexible and trusting the changes that are happening for you right now.
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VirgoKyra Jay for xoNecoleVIRGO
This month is all about building new foundations in your life, Virgo. You are feeling more supported and in tune with your own inner needs and interests, and it’s bringing you closer to people and systems that resonate. Your ruling planet Mercury goes direct this month on April 7 after being retrograde for the past few weeks; bringing more clarity, understanding, and compassion to your partnerships in life. You are focused on love this month and are working together with others to make your dreams come true.
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LibraKyra Jay for xoNecoleLIBRA
This is a big month of closure for you, Libra. The Sun is in your 7th house of love for most of April, and your heart is in the right place. With Venus, your ruling planet, going direct on April 12 after being retrograde since March 1, you are finally able to take a breath. You are not experiencing as many obstacles when it comes to communication matters and you are feeling like you have the tools you need to move forward right now.
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ScorpioKyra Jay for xoNecoleSCORPIO
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SagittariusKyra Jay for xoNecoleSAGITTARIUS
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CapricornKyra Jay for xoNecoleCAPRICORN
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AquariusKyra Jay for xoNecoleAQUARIUS
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PiscesKyra Jay for xoNecolePISCES
This is a month where your heart is shining, and you are feeling in tune with the progress you have made in your life and within your relationships, Pisces. You are owning your value, your worth, and the beauty of who you are, and are ready to leave the past behind. With Mercury and Venus both going direct in Pisces this month after being retrograde in your sign for the past few weeks, you are in a better space than you have been, and there are fewer obstacles and miscommunications in your life.
You have been through a journey of understanding yourself better through your goals, perspectives, and interests, and have been committing yourself to your authenticity. On April 27, there is a New Moon in Taurus happening, and this New Moon is a good time for communication matters, getting your message across, and for your creative pursuits. With the clarity you feel within your mind and heart right now, you are making a lot of progress in April and feeling pleased with where life is headed.
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Featured image by Kyra Jay for xoNecole
