2019-08-01 Essence

More hours in a day

just isn’t going to

happen, but we can try

to use our time more

productively. Elements

wellness drinks help

you do just that. Its

plant-based tonics aim

to reduce stress and

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UNITED WE SLAY

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POPPING BOTTLES

THE

COMPACT

Five fresh picks on our radar this month

BY SHALWAH EVANS

This is the story of six young Black women

who had the drive to do something big,

a passion for beauty and a mission

to support other Black women. When

ESSENCE’s Girls United and Ulta Beauty

brought them all together to create a

collection, the result was magical.

The Girls United initiative is designed

to propel young Black women to success

through mentorship and leadership

building. Ulta Beauty is a partner in the

program, helping up-and-coming

entrepreneurs break into the beauty

industry. The six girls who came up with the

line were chosen from a field of hundreds.

The Girls United collection—designed for

every woman from any background—

includes a 12-piece eye shadow palette, four

shades of jelly lip gloss, two shades of a

highlighter stick and a cosmetics bag, all

formulated by Madisyn Clark, Marieme

Drame, Kristian Hardy, Rhyann Samson,

Amani Taylor and Asha Yearwood.

“This group has a finger on the pulse

of culture like no one else does,” says Karla

Davis, senior director of integrated

marketing and media at Ulta Beauty.

“Products from the line have names like

Trailblazer, On Point, Boss and Unapologetic.

These are sentiments that I think women of

all ages want to feel when they’re walking

out the door. Being able to play up the

connective elements of those sentiments

makes the collection feel universal.”

ESSENCE X ULTA BEAUTY GIRLS UNITED

balance the mind Collection (starting at $10, Ulta Beauty stores).

and body. The

beverages come in

four concentrations:

Vitality, Focus, Rest

and Calm.

ELEMENTS

Herbal Supplement

Drink ($40 each,

elementsdrinks.com).

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Emerging
leaders, from
left: Marieme,
Kristian, Asha,
Rhyann,
Madisyn and
Amani.
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ESSENCE.COM I 54 I SEPTEMBER 2019