WWE Summerslam held its press conference after the show and we were able to go there to attend it.
WWE Summerslam held on the 5th of August was a great night as it took place in Detroit, Michigan and there were many fans in attendance, making it a great success.
The city of Detroit played host to a number of WWE dramas on Saturday night, as the ongoing storyline of The Bloodline took center stage once again for wrestling fans and the city served as the backdrop for many of the narratives for WWE Summerslam.
In a battle of “Tribal Combat,” Jey Uso challenged Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship as well as to be recognized as the “Tribal Chief.” The biggest question was how would Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso play a role?
There are also three additional belts at stake at WWE Summerslam, as Asuka is battling Charlotte Flair and Bianca Belair for the Women’s Championship, which Bianca won. However, Iyo Sky cashed in her Money in the Bank contract to win the championship for the first time. As for the World Heavyweight Championship, Finn Balor took on Seth “Freakin” Rollins, and Gunther defended his Intercontinental Championship against Drew McIntyre.
The event was attended by over 50,000 WWE fans from all over the world. In the early stages of WWE Summerslam, there were already activities for fans to take part in. C4 Energy was giving away its new product to attendees at the event, and it proved to be beneficial since the weather outside was extremely hot and humid. In addition to the activation held by Cricket Wireless, 2K Games was also there to offer fans the chance to play WWE 2K23 and cut promos as WWE superstars.
With their tremendous advertising investment in the Detroit market, WWE was able to leverage billboards, digital out-of-home advertising, and media displays all over the city, demonstrating a significant investment in this market.
When it came time for an epic match between Rhodes and Lesnar, both stars were more than ready to deliver. In order to prolong their wait until WrestleMania 40, WWE intends to keep Rhodes far from the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Despite Rhodes’ popularity, he remains the favorite to face Reigns in the main event of WWE Universe. There was a big surprise in the outcome of this match when Brock Lesnar decided to endorse Cody Rhodes, which was something no one anticipated would happen.
Without much preamble, it’s safe to say that this year’s muscle car talk has definitely been centered around Ford. With its show-stopping all new Mustang Dark Horse, and with other manufacturers shifting to EVs, Ford has remained the safe haven for enthusiasts. They have decided to double down on their market share, and have introduced a slew of events and programs to keep fans interested and coming back for more. The latest? A Save the Manual event, in which participants have the opportunity to try the new Dark horse, and learn how to drive stick. This was an opportunity I definitely could not miss.
I arrived at the location, set up in the parking lot of CitiField. I had the opportunity to try my hand at driving manual in the Ford Bronco as well, and since the Mustang was occupied (and definitely more difficult), I decided to try the Bronco first.
The Ford Bronco, courtesy of Ford
I had never driven a manual vehicle before this event, and had only had experience using paddle shifters in my own vehicle. Assuming that this would give me a bit of a head start, I soon realized I was very wrong. With a Ford instructor in the passenger seat, I quickly stalled the vehicle in less than thirty seconds. “You want to slowwwly peel your foot off the clutch, and right in the sweet spot you want to start pressing down on the gas,” the instructor explained to me. I slowly released my left foot off of the clutch, and as I pressed down on the gas pedal, the car lurched forward and came to a grinding halt as the engine stalled out. My instructor laughed as I sheepishly turned the car back on and tried again. After several more tries (and several more failures), I began getting the hang of it.
Pretty soon, it was time to start shifting into gears beyond the first. My instructor explained that it was the same process, except that I had to watch my RPM and ensure that I was in the sweet spot, around 3000 RPMS for the Bronco, before I shifted. This number would vary for each gear however, and since the location for the shifter to go for each gear was different as well, it was starting to become a lot to remember. Pretty soon, I slipped up and let go of the clutch too early, and the vehicle jerked to a stop and stalled once more, right when I thought I was getting the hang of it. Driving stick was a lot harder than I thought it would be! It was definitely more fulfilling , however. I could sense the lurches in the cars engine, and the sound tones that would signal to me when it was time to shift and when I couldn’t. I felt much more closely connected to the car.
After getting the hang of the Bronco, it was time for me to move on to the Dark Horse, which I was extremely excited about. Accompanying me in the vehicle was NASCAR driver Ryan Blaney, who had been driving stick shift his entire life. It truly was a dream come true.
As I started the vehicle, I was prepared for the worse. If the Bronco had been difficult, this awesome V8 would definitely throw me for a loop.
The Ford Mustang Dark Horse, courtesy of Ford
However, I was pleasantly surprised that driving the Mustang came easier than the Bronco. The random stalls and mistakes that came with the Bronco never came with the Mustang, and I grew more and more comfortable driving it as I shifted to higher gears. It was definitely a more forgiving car. Since Ryan did not have to do much instructing, we had much more time to talk, and we conversed about driving, cars, his NASCAR career, and even other topics like movies. It was a wonderful experience.
I truly admire the effort that Ford is putting into keeping the car enthusiast culture alive. Driving manual is definitely not a necessary skill; after all, driving automatic is easier and more applicable to the masses. However, for enthusiasts, it provides a deeper and richer experience with their vehicles, and allows for more refined control of their machine. This is something that is definitely valuable, and with the advent of EVs, it seems like it is a dying skill. With no one left that is interested in the hobby, car manufacturers will neglect to make a manual variant of their cars, and the sense of connection with one’s car will be lost.
The Mustang Dark Horse shifter, courtesy of Ford
This is why it is important to keep passing down our skills, teaching as many as we can, and learn all that we can, so that this wonderful ability can stay alive. I truly thank Ford for their commitment to providing individuals with the outlet to hone this skill, and I am confident that as long as manufacturers keep giving programs and events that allow for knowledge transfer, as Ford has done, and do not simply kill off their manual variants in the name of cutting costs, driving stick will be enjoyed by many for decades to come.
On Tuesday, July 18th, the global multi-platform media company World of Wonder (WOW) brought the house down with an extraordinary Drag performance celebration at their headquarters and gallery space in Hollywood. Celebrating International Drag Day, bringing together fans, queens, and stars from the Drag Race universe for an unforgettable evening.
The event featured an impressive lineup of Drag Race royalty, including Lawrence Chaney, the winner of “Drag Race UK” Season 2; Angina Heals, co-host of “Drag Race Thailand”; Nicky Doll, the charming host of “Drag Race France”; and Kylie Monique Love, winner of “All Stars” Season 6. Each performer took the stage by storm, delivering electrifying performances.
Fans got to meet their favorite queens during special meet-and-greet sessions. Among the additional talents in attendance were Jiggly Client, a renowned judge from “Drag Philippines” and a veteran of both “Drag Race” Season 4 and “All Stars 6,” along with Corazón from “Philippines” Season 1, and a host of other fabulous guests.
The festivities were further enhanced by House of Love Cocktails and Mocktails refreshments. As the night unfolded, guests reveled in the magic of drag culture and epitomized the spirit of International Drag Day.
World of Wonder (WOW) has reshaped international pop culture, creating an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. With an impressive 30 Emmy Awards and two Oscars to their credit, WOW has reached audiences across 190 territories through their global network, WOW Presents Plus. The groundbreaking television portfolio includes iconic franchises like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Dragon, which have brought the art of drag to the world stage.
The International Drag Day Party hosted by World of Wonder was a night to remember, showcasing the talent and brilliance of drag culture while reinforcing WOW’s commitment to shaping the global entertainment landscape.
In recent years, Puerto Rico has illustrated how several points can be true simultaneously throughout the global media. A territory can survive the consequences of being the world’s oldest colony, — it can gift the populace the most listened-to entertainer year after year, and natives and descendants can assert a cultural pride that can only be identified as Boricua. The Discover Puerto Rico team is dedicated to teaching the history of La Isla del Encanto and joined forces with Premios Juventud earlier this month to illuminate the beauty of the island’s music, landscape, and heritage.
“I am committed to purchasing and experiencing art among locals,” Nicole Olmeda, a communications coordinator at Discover Puerto Rico and Fajardo native, explained to her arriving party. Olmeda’s sentiment touching the support of Puerto Rican-owned businesses was further substantiated by the Premios Juventud Media Fam itinerary. Journalists based in the United States and other Latin American territories traveled to Puerto Rico to experience the Univision televised award show’s 20th anniversary at Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The trips back-to-back agenda spanned several days, and to be concise with its highlights, The Knockturnal will list background information on separate establishments’ attributes, respectively. The Don Rafa Boutique Hotel & Residences hosted guests with an ambiance inspired by the 1950s and the love story of the hospitality pioneers Rafael Hernández Salazar, Ernesto Suárez, and Pura Suárez Salazar. Bespoke Lifestyle Management, a family-owned transportation and concierge service, took media attendees to and from each press trip site. And the first stop was at a renowned San Juan chef’s establishment, Mario Pagan Restaurant. Pagan, the owner, has been featured on television shows, including the Food Network’s “Next Iron Chef,” but his most considerable work is arguably his efforts alongside the World Central Kitchen and Chefs For Puerto Rico in the name of disaster relief.
Each facet of the collective experience directed eyes to the community it serves, and Melissa Santana, the executive director of the corporation for musical arts and subsidiaries for the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, added to the discussion over dinner. Since its inception, the Orquesta Sinfónica de Puerto Rico has been distinguished by having musicians of the highest caliber who have excelled locally and internationally. Santana, a musician herself, has studied between the island and the United States, creating visibility for the company’s youth development programs and activations such as Festival Casals de Puerto Rico.
In order to fully immerse ourselves in the adventure, editors were required to do some homework of our own. CL Tours PR, an excursion company, started the festivities with a cultural walk in the birthplace of commercially accepted reggaetón and bomba. The prominent locations we visited were La Perla, Old San Juan’s Calle San Francisco, Calle Fortaleza, Puerta de Tierra, and Santurce. The latter location is home to the Cepeda family, the descendants of the legendary bomba composer and instrumentalist Rafael Cepeda.
The genre’s origins derive from the Spaniards’ colonization of Indigenous Peoples — subsequently, enslaved West Africans were brought to work on sugar plantations in Puerto Rico, and their musicality prevailed. Enslaved populations used bomba as a form of resistance, including communications of forthcoming rebellion and to celebrate momentous occasions such as baptisms and weddings. While this music has existed since the pillaging of most Taínos, its inclusivity of surviving Indigenous Peoples remains. It is also a testament to how Blackness founded nearly all Spanish-language genres, which were later amplified on the trip and awarded through Premios Juventud.
While the show’s name translates to “youth awards,” Latino icons are prioritized. The affair opened with a reggaetón medley arranged by Boricua superstar Daddy Yankee and concluded with the Colombian idol, Shakira, becoming the biggest winner of the evening, sweeping 8 awards. “To be honest, when I had self-doubt, you made me believe in myself again. When I feel fragile, you give me strength. You’ve protected me. You’ve been loyal,” she told fans during an emotional speech.
Performances by De La Ghetto, Zion & Lennox, RaiNao, Wisin, CNCO, Chencho Corleone, Farruko, Hoobastank, and others kept the audience on its feet. Also known as la fiesta más HOT del verano (or the hottest party of the summer), the event annually recognizes youth leading to change in music, culture, charitable happenings, and the world. Award winners Eladio Carrion, Danna Paola, Bizarrap, Peso Pluma, Rosalía, and Rauw Alejandro were unmistakable fan favorites. Although many Spanish-speaking territories had representation present, none were plentifuller in number than Borikén.
Still, the Discover Puerto Rico team aimed to reiterate that there was nothing new under the Taíno sun. All the musical genres we revere in mainstream culture today have predecessors. The following morning, a scenic drive was taken to the south of the island to encounter Ponce, previously known as the largest and richest city in Puerto Rico. The locale is also understood to have gifted the voice of the man frequently credited as the most significant Boricua musical figure of all time, Héctor Lavoe.
At 17, he migrated from Puerto Rico to New York City to pursue his career as a singer. Before being revered as a longtime member of the Fania All-Stars and solo salsa luminary, Lavoe was a teenager making his rounds in Spanish-language nightclubs in the Bronx and Manhattan. He is among the pioneers, who were mostly New York-based Puerto Ricans and Cubans, who took the salsa genre globally.
Today murals of him cover New York City and Puerto Rico. Lavoe (born Héctor Juan Pérez Martínez) are buried in his hometown with his wife, Nilda “Puchi” Román Pérez, and the couple’s son, Héctor Pérez Jr. With respect, a bottle of Don Q was placed on their tomb as an offering during Discover Puerto Rico’s tour of Ponce with Isla Caribe PR. Landmarks visited in Ponce included Centro Cultural Carmen Solá de Pereira, Plaza de Mercado Isabel II, and Paseo de la Salsa Cheo Feliciano.
The city’s music fueled our visit, namely with Centro Comunal y Cultural del Barrio San Antón de Ponce, where we met athletes and plena exemplars Carlos “Cao” Vélez, Otoniel “Otto” Vélez Franceschi, and Luis Antonio “Mambo” de León Tricoche. Plena is an Afro-Boricua genre known for its heavy percussion and spirited sound. Much like bomba, plena is also a means of critiquing worldly conditions and communicating messages among listeners. Beyond historical lessons was the review of another Puerto Rican cultural staple, Caribbean dishes.
The mountain town of Cayey introduced lechón (roasted pork), and Lechonera El Mojito specializes in pork by the pound and the Creole bites that commonly accompany native eats. Further, traditional West Indian food from neighboring Caribbean territories is accessible throughout the island, and you may likely find more culinary similarities than differences facing those of Puerto Rico.
Other establishments visited beside Premios Juventud’s Media Fam selectees were Areyto, Mercado La Carreta, Casita Miramar, La Factoría, and Santaella. The last-mentioned restaurant is owned by the best-selling cookbook author (“Cocina Tropical: The Classic and Contemporary Flavors of Puerto Rico”), Chef José Santaella. His establishment also borders La Placita de Santurce, a market square celebrated for its nightlife, time-honored artwork, reggaetón, and salsa.
In recognition, El Bastión, a cultural center devoted to developing arts and knowledge in diverse disciplines, including salsa, offered a lesson to scribes on the genre that frequently fills the streets of Puerto Rico and its correlating dances. Salsa typically combines elements of the vocal traditions from African genres, percussion instrumentation from conga, plena, mambo, bomba, Spanish guitar techniques, and more recently, modern components of jazz.
A few of salsa’s most influential figures include Johnny Pacheco, Celia Cruz, Oscar D’León, Tito Puente, Rubén Blades, Cheo Feliciano, Marc Anthony, and Andy Montañez. The latter artist deepened my affinity for this music, as he is my relative. Discover Puerto Rico also acknowledged Montañez via a record placement at Casa de la Música en Cayey.
Andres Yambo, a musician and representative of this Cayeyana artistic hub, offered a reading on Puerto Rican music from the 19th Century forward — and writers encountered the evolution of radios by playing music chronologically from each generation’s finest apparatus. Chiefly, what is absolute is the magnificence, culture, and resilience of natives and their descendants that compel all who witness the land they love most: Puerto Rico.
Make your espresso martini a little more interesting with the new CAZADORES Cafe
When I was conducting the mental list of my favorite movies of 2023 so far, I did not expect to place a horror flick among the top spots a horror flick. I consider myself a horror aficionado, but it has recently felt like every scary movie has seemed derivative, devoid of creativity, and just…not scary. Talk to Me by the Australian Philippou brothers finally broke me out of the horror slump and presented me with a fresh, genuinely scary concept that has been the best scary movie, for me at least, since 2018’s Hereditary, also an A24 film.
Looking back at Hereditary, I can draw similarities between the two that make both hallmark horror films. For one, while we get the blood, guts, and ghouls in each film, the primary context that each establishes is one of conflicts within the family. To this end, Talk to Me is wonderful in its depiction of the main character Mia’s (Sophie Wilde) trauma after losing her mother to an accidental suicide, which becomes her primary motivation for the rest of the film. She encounters a group of teens who have come across an embalmed hand that allows them to haphazardly summon spirits of the dead for laughs and social media posts, and while they enact a strict 90-second limit to talking with the dead, Mia frantically surpasses this when the spirit that response is that of her deceased mother. This is where the distinctions between this film and other, lesser films in the same genre begin — while another film may have attributed her “breaking the rules of the game” to teenage stupidity, as many do, this film has real, grounded motivations that frankly any of us would fall victim to.
Of course, surpassing the 90-second mark leads to a door to the spirit world opening, and all hell breaking loose. Once again, relationships serve as the focus of the plot, with Mia’s relationship with her mother highlighted as she comes closer to finding out the secret of her death, her strained interactions with her father as she realizes he has been hiding something, and her guilt towards putting her friend’s brother in the hospital in a dilapidated state after her selfish actions. The way they weave together these three threads is masterfully done and leaves the audience on the edge of their seat almost constantly. This also very much gives credence to how a movie needs the “human factor” to satisfy, as, without relatability and depth of character, they impressed little on the viewer’s mind other than cheesy scares.
While the story is brilliant, not that they have undermined the special effects of this film. The blood and gore are fantastic, and even while knowing that what I was seeing wasn’t real, my stomach lurched and a certain queasiness enveloped me. Most of the effects are practical, with CGI only used sparingly and invisibly. This creates a sense of realism that is exceedingly rare in modern cinema and adds to the feeling that this is something that happened to someone, somewhere in the world (probably Australia). There is one scene involving Riley (Joe Bird), Mia’s best friend’s brother. That is harrowing.
With all of this film’s intense successes, it’s hard to believe that the directors, Danny and Michael Phillipou, started on YouTube posting homemade skits and special effect videos. This film marks their feature directorial debut, but watching the movie, it feels like they have been directing for decades. To direct for the first time and have the film immediately stand with other greats in the genre is an incredible feat, and this speaks to the Phillipou brothers’ talent that was honed over the years, as well as their dedication to all the endeavors they set their minds to. It gives the idea that greatness can come from anywhere, and the brothers completely deserve the high reviews, the intense bidding war for rights to the film, and the eventual A24 purchase for rights to distribution. This is the birth of another defining directorial pair, and I, for one, cannot wait to see what they have in store for us next.
‘Talk to Me’ Theatrical poster, courtesy of A24
On July 13, 2023. Pineapple Club, Manhattan, New York.—Ayesha Curry, a Canadian-American actress, cookbook author, restaurant owner, cooking television personality, and the wife of Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, takes another confident step in the direction of solidifying herself as a multi-hyphenate phenom.
Ayesha whips up a new skincare line that has caught the attention of holistic beauty enthusiasts. Sweet July Skin, her newest brand, is made with Ayesha setting her focus on quality ingredients that stem from her passion for culinary arts. The Womenpreneur has come to realize the invaluable component of quality ingredients in both food and its impact on our overall health and how positively our bodies respond when we incorporate them into our day-to-day diets and routines. Ayesha introduced, “Sweet July Skin” at the Pineapple Club on July 13th to a lounge filled with media personalities, media press outlets, and brand influencers who mingled and enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and sipped cocktails as they awaited the big reveal. Ayesha took center stage near an aesthetically balanced backdrop where she described the Sweet July Skin product line as ‘a deeply personal three-year adventure for her that was inspired by the wisdom of her mother and her grandmother’, both hailing from Jamaica. Praising their intuitive sense and knowledge of the power of Caribbean ingredients and the natural sunlight absorbed by the plants and vegetation; the Entrepreneur honors tried and true traditions that cultivate and maintain our natural beauty through the fruits of the earth and deliver a nutrient-dense skincare brand that feels like a self-care retreat! 
The lightweight, fruit-filled, and pleasantly scented formula found in the new product line is simple, and clean and combines “sensory-rich properties” of the superfoods: papaya, guava, and lychee seeds to yield proven and visible results. For those that are new to skincare, or who like me, are searching for a hydrating and effective skincare line the significance the Sweet July Skincare line offers the user benefits in the following ways:
- It is a simple three-step kit that is easy to follow, routine-friendly, and starts in your shower
- The formula is effective and results are immediately noticeable, improving with consistent use
- The first application is the Pava Exfoliating Cleanser, it’s a cream-based, nonfoaming formula that contains fermented papaya, lychee seed powder, glycolic and lactic acid, and guava extracts. The cream-based formula acts as a gentle cleanser that removes makeup and dirt and refreshes dull skin through exfoliation. The benefits deliver antioxidants to the skin with a light tingle as it works and leaves the skin feeling renewed and invigorated. Lychee seed is packed with numerous benefits from anti-aging, to toning to treating and preventing sunburns.
- The Pava Toner is a lightly scented liquid formula that aids to achieve smoother, softer glowing skin when used in conjunction with the daily Pava Exfoliator. The formula is a blend of glycolic acid, fermented papaya, and guava which helps to resurface and dissolve dead skin cells and aid with skin turnover. Papaya is beneficial for the skin as it exfoliates dead skin cells and removes pollutants from the skin. This superfruit also fades pigmentation and enhances the secretion of collagen when used topically. Guava is popularly known for its high content of vitamin C, which has been used to brighten skin when applied to its surface. Guava also regenerates the skin, aids in skin elasticity and it releases water to your body when consumed or applied. Upon application to the skin, the toner cools the surface of your face and neck, soothing and cooling as a perfect follow-up to the exfoliation. According to the market studies for Sweet July Skin, 94% of users agreed that after four weeks of use of both the Pava Exfoliator and the Toner, their skin felt smoother and healthier and 89% of users agreed that the appearance of their skin improved significantly.
- The third and final step in the skincare line includes the Irie Power Face Oil. The face oil acts as a clarifier and included the heavy hitters: neem seed oil, turmeric root oil, salicylic acid, and squalene. Neem oil has been proven to treat skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, eczema, ringworm, and worts. It is anti-aging and promotes wound healing. The addition of turmeric root acts as a natural skin brightener, aids in creating a natural glow to the skin, moisturizes skin and rids the surface of the skin of dark circles. Salicylic acid reduces swelling, and redness and contributes to dead cell turnover, revealing a fresh layer of skin with each use. Lastly, squalene oil keeps the skin clear and reduces the visibility of fine lines that accompany again. The benefits of Irie Oil include a notable reduction of inflammation and redness; a feeling of nourishment (100% of the consumer test group, consisting of 40 participants after 6 weeks of use expressed this); and 95% of users praised the healthy glow they experienced after using the clarifying oil.
With such thought and careful consideration placed into creating this skincare line, it was of utmost importance that we sat with Mrs. Curry to gain exclusive insight into her personal take on self-care through skin care.
Danielle Niecey, The Knockturnal: What is the most important principle to keep in mind when it comes to skincare?
Ayesha Curry: Consistency is so important when it comes to skincare. Setting a routine and sticking with it has made the biggest difference for me in seeing my skin transform.
Danielle Niecey, The Knockturnal: Is your line geared to a specific skin type (dry/oily/combination/sensitive skin) or demographic?
Ayesha Curry: In formulating Sweet July Skin, it was so important to me that the products were clean and gentle to use. I wanted to make sure that a wide range of skin types could enjoy and benefit from these products. We also made sure that when it came to consumer testing, we had participants with a broad range of skin types, with 60% being women with darker skin tones. Sweet July [Skin] is all about inclusivity, and our skincare line is no different.
Danielle Niecey, The Knockturnal: There’s a strong emphasis placed on the three-year journey you’ve taken that inspired and cultivated this skincare line: ‘What holistic need/prompting lead you to begin this journey that led to the creation of Sweet July Skin’?
Ayesha Curry: I have always had acne-prone skin, and as I got older, I would think back to my mom and grandma who always had amazing skin. They used to always tell me about the power of ingredients like Caribbean superfoods – using simple everyday products to treat all kinds of skin maladies. I finally started taking these recommendations to heart, so much so, it inspired the Sweet July Skin line. At the foundation of each of these products are nutrient-packed island ingredients like papaya, guava, and lychee seed – all inspired by my heritage and the strong Jamaican women in my life.
Danielle Niecey, The Knockturnal: Beauty is only skin deep: Can you share your philosophy on skin integrity as it pertains to self-care, personal beauty, self-esteem, etc.
Ayesha Curry: For me, healthy skin has been a source of confidence. It’s the first thing people see when they meet you, so it’s worth investing in. Through the years I’ve also learned to really appreciate the ritual of my self-care routine, taking a little time out of a hectic schedule has become something I look forward to; which is why I wanted products that not just work but are enjoyable to use. Everything in the [ Sweet July Skin] line is sensory, it truly is like treating your skin to an island vacation.
We closed the interview with a huge token of gratitude for her time and a quick selfie in which Ayesha absolutely lit up with an extraordinary glow. I couldn’t wait to get home and to try the goodies bag made available at the exclusive Pineapple Express Club gathering for Sweet July Skin.
As a personal account to speak to the integrity of this brand, I am on my second (transitioning into my third) week of usage of this skincare line, and I am impressed with the results that Sweet July Skin has had on my skin in such a short period of time. I have always suffered from chronic dry skin after exposure to harsh detergent-based soaps in my adolescent years, dark circles under my eyes, and scarring to my pigmentation from hormonal acne in my adult life. I have struggled to find products that my skin responds well to. I’ve experimented with everything from Eucerin cream, Cetaphil, and noxema creams, to Rose Hip Oil; shea butter, and cocoa butter down to Vaseline and this is the best that my skin has ever appeared or responded to a product. My favorite installment of this line is the Pava Exfoliator. It has a gentle tingle and the scent is inviting, and refreshing, and the product clarifies the surface of my skin in one sweep. I usually apply it twice because I love the way it feels on my face. After use, the surface of my skin is a clean finish without residue or the harsh dryness that I’ve often found in other skincare products that contain alcohol.
The Sweet July Skin skincare line hydrates my skin from the moment I apply the exfoliator to the last drop of Irie Power Face Oil on my fingertips to my face. I’ve noticed that rough patches that once posed themselves as problem areas and where I struggled to achieve or hold moisture are no longer problem areas that I have to find ways to cover up or hide. My makeup applies better since the surface of my skin is smoother. The best part is that this product allows my skin to breathe and now I opt to wear less foundation and concealer (if any) as I have nothing to cover and want to show off my brightened, glowing skin. I think the radiance comes from the turmeric root oil in the blend. I now opt for a volumizing mascara, an ombre brow, eyeliner, and a stay-proof matte lip color to compliment the reemergence of my healthier layer of skin. I appreciate that the kit is simple and doesn’t include too many bottles or steps to follow for me to see results. It is easy to apply without throwing my routine into a frenzy and it smells absolutely amazing! I wish I grabbed four bags of this stuff so I would have a long-lasting supply of my own. I will definitely be purchasing more of this line for myself, my friends, and my family and continuing to richly reap the amazing benefits it yields.
Sweet July Skin is available for purchase on the company website: SweetJulySkin.com
With its Funkoville area at this year’s San Diego Comic Con, Funko has returned bigger than ever with its biggest booth of all time.
I have never seen an exhibit as large and elaborate as this one at Comic Con. Each booth is decorated in pastel colors and old-fashioned signage in order to mimic the appearance of small shops in a small town, each of which has its own brand and speciality. Funko’s booth has a lot of stuff to sell. As well as the Blockbuster, there are several other amenities within the mall, including a donut shop, a bowling alley, a Loungefly-themed boutique, and a Mondo gas station as well.
The Blockbuster booth, which Funko and Loungefly developed for the event, was to tap into 90’s nostalgia to appeal to the millennials and Gen Z generation that is interested in the ’90’s.
“We like to be on the pop culture edge, but also really bring that ‘oh my gosh, I remember when I was a kid and that makes me so happy’ feeling from everyone and I would say that Loungefly has always been a bit of a nostalgic company and Funko is really on the edge of pop culture,” said Derrick Baca, SVPs of Creative, Innovation & Vision at Loungefly.
Getting around the booths is pretty straightforward as far as how to navigate them. As you enter the space, you’ll find a helpful information booth on your righthand side, and the minibooth signs will be visible as you walk in. Follow the employee to the line at that shop. You’ll get a paper menu with every item on sale in that booth as you wait in line (don’t worry, they must move fast when we were there!).
My time at the booth also included making my own Funko Pop with Pop Yourself. With Pop Yourself, you can make Pop replicas of yourself, friends, and loved ones with the added benefit of customizing them to reflect your passions and fandoms. Fans are able to immerse themselves in the fandoms and magical worlds they love through unlimited birthday, graduation, wedding, etc. offerings.
“We want to make sure that the fans always have an experience with us and its been an evolution to make sure that is something that we can do for anybody,” said Johanna Gepford, SVP Direct to Consumer at Funko.
The launch is in celebration of Funko’s 25th anniversary and serves as a huge step forward for the company, as the Pop! Yourself technology accentuates Funko’s efforts to lead innovation in the consumer products market. Consumers can use Pop! Yourself in Q3 2023 via Funko.com and in-person at the Funko Hollywood + Funko Everett locations. This mass market launch and accessibility to consumers makes collecting more personal and FUN.
In collaboration with Den of Geek Magazine, Funko Games, a leading publisher of tabletop games and the home of acclaimed studio Prospero Hall, hosted Rooftop Game Night at San Diego Comic-Con as part of the company’s partnership with the Diamond Building. There was a wide variety of popular pop culture franchises and classic original games available at this event, making it a must-attend for tabletop game enthusiasts. In addition to sampling the brand’s exclusive IPA, attendees had a chance to see the new offerings for the first time.
