Philadelphia-based blogger Lauren Mechelle creates content at LaurenMechelle.com that’s perfect for showing the every girl how to update her own hair and beauty looks at home, and infuses the perfect mix of fashion, tech and travel to boot. Keep reading to learn more about how our COCOBlogger of the Month balances her full time job with her love for blogging, how you can master her ‘every day’ beauty routine, and the recent purchases that were her ultimate shopping splurge.
In 3-5 sentences tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
I'm 26, the oldest of 6 kids (5 girls, one boy!), and I live in downtown Philadelphia with my boyfriend and our two rabbits. By day I work for an advertising sales company, managing the marketing department in the Philadelphia office. I feel very lucky to work in such a creative field - I wear many hats throughout the week and am always busy! About me - I love shopping for fresh ingredients and cooking elaborate meals, prefer happy hour to nightclubs, and am currently obsessed with Lush Bath Bombs and How to Get Away with Murder!
Is blogging your full time occupation? If not, how do you balance it with your other career responsibilities?
I don't currently blog full-time, but balancing with my full-time job usually isn't difficult because I don't hold myself to a strict blogging schedule or anything like that. Creating content is fun for me, and I don't want it to ever feel like work! The hardest part about blogging is chasing the sun - I like to photograph/film in natural light, and that can get hard during the fall/winter when it gets dark around 6pm. That usually means shooting on my lunch break or early in the morning before work!
What inspired you to start incorporating DIY projects into your lifestyle?
Honestly - the inability to either find what I envisioned or to find it for an affordable price. I also get really picky about things... I have a hard time letting go and trusting someone else to do it correctly, so I'd rather do it myself so that it turns out exactly how I want. I'm always so excited when I've pulled something off successfully, and every time I use something I DIY'd, it's such a great feeling to know I made it!
You've said on your blog that fall is your favorite season. What is your favorite style trend for cooler weather?
I LOVE coats and gloves and scarves... and perfectly weathered leather boots! This season I'm going to add more booties to my closet because I never jumped on that trend until now, but I really love these and these!
What is your ultimate shopping splurge?
Electronics for sure: most recently I replaced my laptop with a 27" iMac, my camera with a Canon t4i, and my phone with the iPhone 6. My mom is a very tech-savvy first-adopter, and I'm just like her - I love having shiny new gadgets to play and create with!
Do you have an easy everyday beauty routine that anyone could emulate? Tell us about it.
I can never go without mascara, a light shimmery color on my lid, and eyeliner. I love getting sample sizes of my favorite products - they usually end up in my purse for emergencies/last-minute plans. Right now, my go-to combination is Make Up For Ever's (MUFE) Smoky Extravagant Mascara, Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Blacquer, and Urban Decay's "Sin" eyeshadow. I use my finger to pat "Sin" all over my lid and up into my crease, then line my bottom waterline with Blacquer and finish up with MUFE mascara for long, dark lashes.
I also recently filmed an everyday makeup tutorial for my blog - takes 15 minutes once you're used to the steps!
What is your favorite deep fall hue for lips?
I'm actually very self-conscious about wearing color on my lips and rarely ever wear anything besides Chapstick! I feel most comfortable wearing neutral colors in general, but one of my youngest sisters is really talented and helps bring me out of my shell every now and then. We just recently talked about lip colors, and she recommended that I try MAC’s "Diva" for fall. Just have to work up the courage!
What has been your proudest blogging achievement to date?
Creme of Nature flew me to LA for a week to film for their Straight from Eden line, and that was SO much fun! It was awesome to work with a well-known brand on such a neat project. I learned a lot about what goes into creating content on a professional scale.
What 3 beauty items are in your Ultimate Beauty Arsenal--those Holy Grail items you absolutely cannot live without?
I can't live without MAC's "Layin Low" paint pot - it really helps my eyeshadows to show properly and last alllllll day without fading or creasing. I also love Almay Oil-free Makeup Remover Wipes (purple bag) - they're gentle but thorough and easy! Finally... Mascara. Right now I'm using Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara, but I've also used (and loved) DiorShow, Too Faced "Better Than Sex", and Benefit "They're Real!".
You have gorgeous tresses, and you write on your blog about maintaining healthy relaxed hair. Can you share with us a little about your current hair care regimen?
Thank you for asking about my hair! I think it's awesome that women have so many options when it comes to how we wear our hair, and it makes me sad that relaxed hair has been getting a negative reputation lately. It's absolutely possible to have long, happy, healthy relaxed hair OR natural hair!
Here's my regimen:
I wash/blow dry/straighten my hair weekly and focus on using really moisturizing products on wash day. I rarely apply products in-between washes. I've been using sulfate-free shampoos for a while now, and can definitely see the difference in my hair! Carol's Daughter "Monoi" Shampoo is a favorite of mine, but I recently also tried Lush's "Fairly Traded Honey" and really liked it! My absolute favorite conditioner is MoroccanOil's "Moisture Repair", but it's expensive so I buy it in bulk on Amazon. Before blow drying, I apply MoroccanOil Treatment and Garnier Fructis Blowdry Perfector to each section, and then blow dry with a round brush. I think every woman should invest in a good quality hairdryer - it cuts down on time and is better for your hair! I currently use a Twin Turbo 3200 with the nozzle attachment and love it! Every 6 weeks or so I relax my hair, and afterwards, I deep condition with Garnier Fructis 3-Minute Undo to restore shine and moisture. For an extra boost, I'll sit under a bonnet dryer for 5-10 minutes, but you don't have to. I get trims twice a year, but might start to go more frequently… haven't decided yet.
Learn more about Lauren at LAURENMECHELLE.COM and follow her on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube
In 3-5 sentences tell us a little about yourself and what you do?
I'm 26, the oldest of 6 kids (5 girls, one boy!), and I live in downtown Philadelphia with my boyfriend and our two rabbits. By day I work for an advertising sales company, managing the marketing department in the Philadelphia office. I feel very lucky to work in such a creative field - I wear many hats throughout the week and am always busy! About me - I love shopping for fresh ingredients and cooking elaborate meals, prefer happy hour to nightclubs, and am currently obsessed with Lush Bath Bombs and How to Get Away with Murder!
Is blogging your full time occupation? If not, how do you balance it with your other career responsibilities?
I don't currently blog full-time, but balancing with my full-time job usually isn't difficult because I don't hold myself to a strict blogging schedule or anything like that. Creating content is fun for me, and I don't want it to ever feel like work! The hardest part about blogging is chasing the sun - I like to photograph/film in natural light, and that can get hard during the fall/winter when it gets dark around 6pm. That usually means shooting on my lunch break or early in the morning before work!
What inspired you to start incorporating DIY projects into your lifestyle?
Honestly - the inability to either find what I envisioned or to find it for an affordable price. I also get really picky about things... I have a hard time letting go and trusting someone else to do it correctly, so I'd rather do it myself so that it turns out exactly how I want. I'm always so excited when I've pulled something off successfully, and every time I use something I DIY'd, it's such a great feeling to know I made it!
You've said on your blog that fall is your favorite season. What is your favorite style trend for cooler weather?
I LOVE coats and gloves and scarves... and perfectly weathered leather boots! This season I'm going to add more booties to my closet because I never jumped on that trend until now, but I really love these and these!
What is your ultimate shopping splurge?
Electronics for sure: most recently I replaced my laptop with a 27" iMac, my camera with a Canon t4i, and my phone with the iPhone 6. My mom is a very tech-savvy first-adopter, and I'm just like her - I love having shiny new gadgets to play and create with!
Do you have an easy everyday beauty routine that anyone could emulate? Tell us about it.
I can never go without mascara, a light shimmery color on my lid, and eyeliner. I love getting sample sizes of my favorite products - they usually end up in my purse for emergencies/last-minute plans. Right now, my go-to combination is Make Up For Ever's (MUFE) Smoky Extravagant Mascara, Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon in Blacquer, and Urban Decay's "Sin" eyeshadow. I use my finger to pat "Sin" all over my lid and up into my crease, then line my bottom waterline with Blacquer and finish up with MUFE mascara for long, dark lashes.
I also recently filmed an everyday makeup tutorial for my blog - takes 15 minutes once you're used to the steps!
What is your favorite deep fall hue for lips?
I'm actually very self-conscious about wearing color on my lips and rarely ever wear anything besides Chapstick! I feel most comfortable wearing neutral colors in general, but one of my youngest sisters is really talented and helps bring me out of my shell every now and then. We just recently talked about lip colors, and she recommended that I try MAC’s "Diva" for fall. Just have to work up the courage!
What has been your proudest blogging achievement to date?
Creme of Nature flew me to LA for a week to film for their Straight from Eden line, and that was SO much fun! It was awesome to work with a well-known brand on such a neat project. I learned a lot about what goes into creating content on a professional scale.
What 3 beauty items are in your Ultimate Beauty Arsenal--those Holy Grail items you absolutely cannot live without?
I can't live without MAC's "Layin Low" paint pot - it really helps my eyeshadows to show properly and last alllllll day without fading or creasing. I also love Almay Oil-free Makeup Remover Wipes (purple bag) - they're gentle but thorough and easy! Finally... Mascara. Right now I'm using Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara, but I've also used (and loved) DiorShow, Too Faced "Better Than Sex", and Benefit "They're Real!".
You have gorgeous tresses, and you write on your blog about maintaining healthy relaxed hair. Can you share with us a little about your current hair care regimen?
Thank you for asking about my hair! I think it's awesome that women have so many options when it comes to how we wear our hair, and it makes me sad that relaxed hair has been getting a negative reputation lately. It's absolutely possible to have long, happy, healthy relaxed hair OR natural hair!
Here's my regimen:
I wash/blow dry/straighten my hair weekly and focus on using really moisturizing products on wash day. I rarely apply products in-between washes. I've been using sulfate-free shampoos for a while now, and can definitely see the difference in my hair! Carol's Daughter "Monoi" Shampoo is a favorite of mine, but I recently also tried Lush's "Fairly Traded Honey" and really liked it! My absolute favorite conditioner is MoroccanOil's "Moisture Repair", but it's expensive so I buy it in bulk on Amazon. Before blow drying, I apply MoroccanOil Treatment and Garnier Fructis Blowdry Perfector to each section, and then blow dry with a round brush. I think every woman should invest in a good quality hairdryer - it cuts down on time and is better for your hair! I currently use a Twin Turbo 3200 with the nozzle attachment and love it! Every 6 weeks or so I relax my hair, and afterwards, I deep condition with Garnier Fructis 3-Minute Undo to restore shine and moisture. For an extra boost, I'll sit under a bonnet dryer for 5-10 minutes, but you don't have to. I get trims twice a year, but might start to go more frequently… haven't decided yet.
Learn more about Lauren at LAURENMECHELLE.COM and follow her on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube