Hello, dear friends—it feels so good to be back here. While I share content daily across Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and LTK, there’s something uniquely grounding about sitting down to write a full post. I hope this update finds you well and thriving.
The past few months have been a whirlwind in the best possible way. Between motherhood, two full-time jobs outside of the home, frequent travel, and developing my own haircare line, life has been beautifully full. I thought I’d take a moment to catch you up on what’s been happening behind the scenes and, most exciting of all, share the news of my latest collaboration: a dream lip gloss with Le Métier de Beauté.
13 Years of Beauty Professor
In January, Beauty Professor quietly turned 13. I can hardly believe it myself. What began as a creative outlet has grown into a community that has walked with me through so many seasons of life. To mark the milestone, I continued one of my longest-running traditions: my Best of Beauty list. This year’s edition, highlighting my favorite finds of 2024, is especially detailed (as always!) and is up on YouTube for those who enjoy long-form content. It’s been a joy to create this annual series for more than a decade.
Family Adventures
One of the highlights of the season was returning to Hawaii—a place that holds endless meaning for us. This time, we had the blessing of bringing my parents along. We stayed at the Kahala, which has become our home away from home, and spent our days soaking in sunshine and making memories that will last a lifetime.
Spring break took us in a different but equally restorative direction: Palm Desert. While my husband attended a board meeting, Joey, my parents, and I enjoyed leisurely days in the sun. Evenings meant family dinners, sometimes paired with work obligations, but the pace felt slower and sweeter. The desert has its own rhythm, and being there always refreshes me.
On Campus & In the Classroom
When I’m not traveling, much of my time is anchored on campus. This spring semester, I’m teaching seven classes—from public speaking and mediation to organizational and mass communication—while also serving as co-department chair for our department. It’s demanding work, especially the grading, but endlessly rewarding.
I’ve also continued filming office hours, blending my two passions—communication and beauty—in a way that feels uniquely mine. Sharing insights in that hybrid space has become one of my favorite projects.
The Haircare Journey
Another major milestone: the first product launch for my Académie Hair line officially entered stability testing. This marks a turning point after nearly two years of development. While a full update deserves its own post, I can share that we’re on track for an official launch this year. The process has been equal parts challenging and exhilarating, and seeing it come to life is a dream realized.
Quick Trips with Big Impact
Travel has been woven throughout these months, often in short but impactful bursts.
- Philadelphia: I’ve flown in twice recently for on-air appearances with Manucurist Paris on QVC. These whirlwind trips—less than 40 hours each—are always intense but energizing. The Rittenhouse has become my go-to hotel, and the chance to share a brand I genuinely love makes every trip worthwhile.
- New York City: March brought one of the most unforgettable invitations of my career: celebrating the 10th anniversary of Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 at the Baccarat Hotel. The event was hosted by Kelly St. John, an industry icon I met early in my Beauty Professor journey when she brought me on to write beauty stories for Neiman Marcus. It was my first-ever solo trip to NYC, and though brief, it was filled with dear friends, meaningful conversations, and one dazzling night I’ll treasure forever.
A Lip Gloss Dream Realized
And now, the news I’ve been waiting to share: this weekend marks the official launch of my lip collaboration with Le Métier de Beauté.
If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know how deeply I’ve adored this brand since the beginning. Its thoughtful formulas, innovative textures, and timeless appeal have long set it apart. To create a gloss with LMdB—especially now, as the brand enjoys a vibrant return after a few years of quiet—feels surreal.
The shade we developed is everything I personally love in a lip color: versatile, flattering, and effortless to wear. It’s a gloss that feels modern but timeless, elevated but approachable—the kind of product that slips seamlessly into your routine while adding that extra touch of polish.
Looking Ahead
Reflecting on these past few months, I see a common thread: growth, gratitude, and new beginnings. From family trips to professional milestones, from teaching students to creating beauty products, life has been rich with experiences that remind me why I love what I do.
Thank you, as always, for being here—for reading, watching, and supporting through every season. I can’t wait to share more about the lip gloss, my haircare line, and everything else on the horizon. For now, I hope this little update gives you a glimpse into both the chaos and joy that has colored my world lately.