Friend of Sephora: Tarina Tarantino

Even in the beauty industry, it's very rare to meet someone for whom sparkle is a self-described "state of mind." We got a chance to speak to the one-and-only Tarina Tarantino about her life in the sparkle trenches and her upcoming appearance on QVC, this Thursday, June 16 at 10:00 p.m. PST (or June 17 1:00 a.m. EST).

Beauty & the Blog:You launched on QVC last summer. How has your experience been so far?

Tarina Tarantino: Going live is like nothing I had ever experienced before. The energy and excitement in the studio are amazing. Working with such incredible hosts makes it easier, and I am always in awe by what they are able to do. 

B&TB: Do you still get butterflies before going on air?TT: Yes, I do still get butterflies! But mine sparkle. I usually relax by catching up with other beauty brand founders like Josie Maran in the green room beforehand. Everyone is so nice and supportive of each other. It’s really an amazing team at QVC, and I always have fun. 

B&TB: What are some camera-ready beauty tips?TT: My new SPARKLICITY Gloss reflects the studio lights so beautifully and makes lips look lush. This is because it visually plumps your lips with the micro-crystalline gems in the formula. I also try to get a really good night's sleep before and drink lots of water. It's cliché, but so true!

B&TB: You have a unique philosophy on sparkle. Tell us about it. 

TT: Sparkle is a state of mind. 

B&TB: So, how does your state of mind inform your beauty collection? 

TT: I feel that adding some shimmer or sparkle brings light, happiness, and beauty to a makeup look. I have formulated my Sparklicity products to give women of all ages a chance to wear sparkle. It contains a micro-crystalline sparkle technology that incorporates crushed diamond dust and gemstones to emulate the sparkle from my jewelry collections. 

B&TB: What is the one beauty item you don’t leave the house without using?TT: Fleur De Lash mascara, it is the ONE thing I wear no matter what. The formula also curls your lashes, so it’s a one-step mascara routine. It stays on all day and does not flake. It is, quite simply, the best mascara on the market and the only one you need.

B&TB: What's the one thing everyone must have from TARINA TARANTINO?TT: Besides Fleur De Lash, a must-have is my EyeDream Hyperliners. The colors are so saturated and gorgeous; they go on like butter, and set and stay all day. They can be blended out, or worn sharp and defined. 

B&TB: Tell us what’s in your makeup bag right now. 

TT: Sparklicity Gloss in “Paiette”, DollSkin Blush in Feather, lab samples for upcoming products I am developing, DollSkin powder in #2, Fuchsia Revolution brushes, a toothbrush, my stash of vitamins, gum. And, oh yay! There’s that earring I have been looking for. 

B&TB: Since launching your beauty line last year, what adventures has it taken you on? 

TT: I have been busy here at The Sparkle Factory developing new jewelry, accessory, and beauty collections. When I am not doing that, I am traveling to press events and promoting the brand. I have also been working on a series of books, and hope to have my first one finished by this fall.

B&TB: Tell us what's next.TT: An inspirational trip to a magical far-off land.

New Sparklicity Gold Collection

I am so beyond excited about my holiday beauty collection!  SPARKLICITY GOLD is the ultimate accessory for your skin. The collection features Sparklicity Gold Pure, Sparklicity Gold Shimmer dust, and Sparklicity DreamShadow Palette.  The eyeshadow palette compact features a gorgeous collection of shimmering neutrals that I have been dreaming of  forever. They are great for everyday or an amped up evening look and come packaged in a beautiful and unique compact that features my signature skulls & roses motif.  Available exclusively at SEPHORA.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

HAVE A SPARKLING HOLIDAY SEASON FROM ALL OF US AT the TARINA TARANTINO SPARKLE FACTOR

A Sparkling Event

My friend Melissa works in the Sparkle Factory aka with Tarina Tarantino, a jewelry designer who rocks. Her latest endeavor for the company: makeup.

They just launched a line for Sephora and one of my event planning idol's, Jes Gordon/ProperFun, was tapped by coincidence by Melissa to coordinate the event. Jes is author of the book, Party Like A Rock Star.

BizBash did a great write up on Wednesday's party HERE.

The concept was adorable with so many details. I love the vanities they set up along the walls to display the new products.

What was cool was Melissa contacted me in the midst of all this busyness to say she noticed I was a fan of Jes's and told me Jes was one of the coolest people she had worked with and would send me her book. I then noticed some twitter shoutouts from her as well. I am grateful to Melissa for doing that. I don't think she realized how inspiring Jes was to me as a wannabe event planner when I was graduating. These are the kinds of events and things that make me want to move to LA and be Melissa's assistant (which is not an available position, fyi).

Sparkle

Check out BizBash's feature on the event here!

This past week we designed and produced a launch event for the new make-up line by Tarina Tarantino exclusively for Sephora. The event took place at Siren Studios in Hollywood and was attended by celebrities, stylists, and industry insiders. Check out the photos below to see some of the amazing features from the party. As always, we love to hear your comments so leave them!

The step-and-repeat where guests talked to press was designed to look like the top of a vanity with the logo inside a huge 10 foot frame. Guests were introduced to the theme from the very start as they walked the red carpet.

Vanities displayed the Tarina Tarantino product. The backdrops are the patterns and characters from her Fashion Collection. The vanities were given more Sparkle by accents of Tarina's jewelry.

As guests walked into the party they were greeted with an oversized image of a girl looking into the "Sparkle Factory" where all of Tarina's creations are made. This image gave guests a feeling of really being inside a huge factory (a pink and sparkly one!) To the right you can see the design for the bars. Each bar was custom designed to look like a vanity. The bartenders served through the mirror frames. Guests LOVED to take photos behind the bars.

Lounge areas gave guests a place to relax while taking in the party. White and mirrored furniture was used and then lit in accents of pink. Amazing octopus chandeliers hung overhead in shades of pink.

Overall the party gave guests a true sense of "Living the Sparkling Life!"

The Sparkle Factory

The jewelry designer established herself in 1995 with her husband and business partner Alfonso Campos. 

Since then the company has grown into an international brand  with stores across the world.

The mid-nineties were the height of minimalism in the fashion world and Jewelry and accessories were very simple or non-existant on the pages of fashion magazines. 

The TARINA TARANTINO collections were a breath of fresh air for fashionistas 

who were tired of blending into the simplistic era of fashion.

Tarina has had a life long obsession with colorful sparkling Swarovski crystals, and jewelry. 

She combined both her obsessions to create sparkly jewelry that also featured her signature op-art color combinations which became a trademark of her designs. 

During the course of her career Tarantino has been credited 

                                 with creating trends like “hair jewelry” which brought

embellished hair accessories back into the spotlight for the first time since the days of Marie Antoinette.

Tarantino also created a revival of Lucite in fashion accessories and then invented 

a way to accessorize a purse with her “Bag Candy” collections in 2000.

Soon after she was invited by

 Sanrio to makeover their 30 year old pop culture icon Hello Kitty

which resulted in the Hello Kitty Pink Head collections.

WWD Feature: William & Kate Will Love

Kate and William are coming to California! This WWD feature shows how L.A designers imagine they should dress and where they should go. I suggested that they hike to THE HOLLYWOOD SIGN for a romantic picnic at sunset and stop by the SPARKLE FACTORY for a tour. Here is Kate in our HEY SAILOR! jewelry collection looking ready for a sparkling summer!

Magical Monday

Sometimes its the little things, like a jar full of gumballs, that get us through our Monday's and make them a little more magical.  I have jars full  of everything I love in my inspirationatorium at The Sparkle Factory.  Can you guess what some of those things might be? 

Greetings Ffrom my office at The Sparkle Factory

Welcome to the Sparkle Factory! A place where sparkle is a state of mind. This is my little corner of our crystal encrusted world. My office is an Oasis of playful and fantastical treasures and inspirations. On the wall is my favorite piece, her name is "TastyCake", my big eyed friend who watches over all of us like the great and powerful OZ"ette". She also starred last year in our collection book "The Intern". On an average day you might find me rearranging my toy shelf and sifting through stacks of books or running from the design room to the showroom. I have an extensive collection of confectionary shaped erasers and a jar full of lipgloss on my desk (all from TT BEAUTY of course!). "Lipgloss for every mood" is my motto.

Congratulation Laura & Andy

I received the sweetest email from Laura today.  How gorgeously adorable was her and Andy's wedding? I just love to see couples who really express themselves on their wedding day and create a wonderful and enchanting experience for their guests.  Weddings are such a great time to share who you are as a couple, your personal style and showcase all the things you love together.  Laura also mentioned that she wore some pieces from our "MY PRETTY" Wizard of Oz collection featuring Glinda the Good Witch.  I love how she paired it with a less traditional antique peach hued dress.  To see more beautiful pictures and read all about it check out Rock n'Roll Bride.  Oh we just love weddings here at The Sparkle Factory! Congratulations Laura & Andy and thank you for sharing this with us. I wish you both a life of love, joy and of course SPARKLE!

Helloo People

Helloo People