Last night, I had the pleasure of attending a spectacular magic performance at the Hilton Waikiki. The evening began with an air of anticipation as the audience eagerly awaited the start of the show. As the lights dimmed and the curtains parted, we were immediately transported into a world of mystery and wonder. The magician, known only as The Great Stefano, mesmerized us with his skillful illusions and mind-boggling tricks. From vanishing objects to mind reading, he had the crowd on the edge of their seats throughout the entire performance. One of the most impressive acts of the night was when The Great Stefano made a live rabbit appear out of thin air.
We also shared tips for preventing makeup transfer on your face masks:
Luke Henderson - makeup artist that Jess talked to
M.A.C. Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation
MILK makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation
Too Faced Born This Way Foundation - Jess says this as a slightly heavier coverage, but it lasts
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
Sebastian Professional Shaper Hairspray - in Nikki s on set kit Kate Somerville face washes - Nikki uses these Shani Darden Skincare Retinol Reform - Nikki uses this because Kelly Rowland recommended it and Kelly s skin is amazing. Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation MILK makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation Too Faced Born This Way Foundation - Jess says this as a slightly heavier coverage, but it lasts Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray.
One of the most impressive acts of the night was when The Great Stefano made a live rabbit appear out of thin air. The gasps and applause from the audience were deafening as we all tried to wrap our minds around how he could accomplish such a feat. It truly felt like we were witnessing something truly magical.
Ep. 209: How Nikki Nelms Creates Hair Magic
This week, we are so excited to be talking with Nikki Nelms, a celebrity hair stylist and brand ambassador for Maui Moisture. Nikki’s talent has attracted a star-studded clientele (Janelle Monáe, Zoë Kravitz, Solange Knowles, Björk, Beyoncé), and her creations are nothing short of iconic. She tells us how she got her start styling her family’s hair, why her creative process doesn’t require reference materials, and some of the surprising tools (think: Home Depot gardening tools) she uses to create her looks. Before the interview, we offer up help for makeup transfer on masks and discuss the latest beauty news: Venus Williams’ new sunscreen, beauty looks in the “Rain On Me” video, Nixit period cups, and a boom in DIY beauty searches online.
Below, you’ll find links to the people, topics, and products mentioned in this episode. If you have any questions (or just want to say hi) reach out to us on Instagram, Twitter or via email ([email protected]). And please email us voice memos of your beauty questions and Raise A Wand favorites so we can share them on the show. You can call us at 646-481-8182, and leave us a message. We love hearing from you.
We also shared tips for preventing makeup transfer on your face masks:
Luke Henderson - makeup artist that Jess talked to
M.A.C. Studio Waterweight SPF 30 Foundation
MILK makeup Blur Liquid Matte Foundation
Too Faced Born This Way Foundation - Jess says this as a slightly heavier coverage, but it lasts
Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray
During the interview with Nikki Nelms, we talked about:
“Walk in Wednesday” - Nikki’s IG lives
Hype Hair - one of the hair magazines Nikki was featured in at the beginning of her career
Essence Festival New Orleans - where Nikki met Lil Wayne
A Seat at the Table - Nikki did Solange’s hair for this album
Kanye West’s Gold Digger - Nikki worked on this video
Janelle Monáe’s googly eye hairstyle - Nikki shared the backstory behind this look
Flexi Rods - flexible curling rods
Maui Moisture Shine + Awapuhi Vegan Shampoo - This is in Nikki’s “prep” kit
Maui Moisture Shine + Awapuhi Vegan Conditioner - so is this!
Sebastian Professional Shaper Hairspray - in Nikki’s “on set” kit
Kate Somerville face washes - Nikki uses these
Shani Darden Skincare Retinol Reform - Nikki uses this because Kelly Rowland recommended it (and Kelly’s skin is amazing!)
Grapeseed Oil - mix into your conditioner for a DIY hair mask
Olive Oil - mix into your conditioner for a DIY hair mask
Diptyque Candles in Baies and 34 - Nikki’s favorites
Avon face wash - the first beauty product Nikki fell in love with
Erykah Badu
Banana Pudding from Doc’s Cake Shop (aka Doc D’s) - Nikki’s favorite desert
Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Wafer Cookie - Nikki also loves these
“My 1st Song” by Jay Z - The song that pumps Nikki up
Maui Moisture Weightless Oil Mist - makes your hair red-carpet ready!
#RaiseAWand:
Jenn: @basenote_bitch - Instagram feed with fragrance photos & reviews
Jess: Fleur Maxwell workouts
During the interview with Nikki Nelms, we talked about:
“Walk in Wednesday” - Nikki’s IG lives
Hype Hair - one of the hair magazines Nikki was featured in at the beginning of her career
Essence Festival New Orleans - where Nikki met Lil Wayne
A Seat at the Table - Nikki did Solange’s hair for this album
Kanye West’s Gold Digger - Nikki worked on this video
Janelle Monáe’s googly eye hairstyle - Nikki shared the backstory behind this look
Flexi Rods - flexible curling rods
Maui Moisture Shine + Awapuhi Vegan Shampoo - This is in Nikki’s “prep” kit
Maui Moisture Shine + Awapuhi Vegan Conditioner - so is this!
Sebastian Professional Shaper Hairspray - in Nikki’s “on set” kit
Kate Somerville face washes - Nikki uses these
Shani Darden Skincare Retinol Reform - Nikki uses this because Kelly Rowland recommended it (and Kelly’s skin is amazing!)
Grapeseed Oil - mix into your conditioner for a DIY hair mask
Olive Oil - mix into your conditioner for a DIY hair mask
Diptyque Candles in Baies and 34 - Nikki’s favorites
Avon face wash - the first beauty product Nikki fell in love with
Erykah Badu
Banana Pudding from Doc’s Cake Shop (aka Doc D’s) - Nikki’s favorite desert
Nutter Butter Peanut Butter Wafer Cookie - Nikki also loves these
“My 1st Song” by Jay Z - The song that pumps Nikki up
Maui Moisture Weightless Oil Mist - makes your hair red-carpet ready!
Another standout moment was when the magician performed a daring escape act. Bound by ropes and placed inside a locked box, he managed to free himself in a matter of seconds, leaving the audience in awe of his skills and agility. It was a heart-stopping moment that had us all holding our breath. Throughout the show, The Great Stefano's stage presence and charisma shone through, captivating the audience and keeping us engaged. He interacted with the crowd, involving volunteers in his tricks and making us feel like a part of the magic. The grand finale of the night was a mind-blowing illusion where he made a full-size motorcycle appear out of thin air. The sight of the bike materializing in front of our eyes was nothing short of astonishing. The room erupted in applause and cheers as we all tried to comprehend how such a feat was possible. Overall, the magic performance at the Hilton Waikiki was truly a night to remember. The Great Stefano's incredible talent and showmanship left us all in awe. It was an evening filled with wonder, excitement, and pure magic..
Reviews for "Prepare to be Dazzled: Hilton Waikiki's Unforgettable Magic Performance."
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed by the magic performance at the Hilton Waikiki. The tricks were not impressive and I could tell how they were done, which took away all the magic. The magician also had a very monotonous and boring stage presence, making the whole show feel lackluster. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time or money on this performance.
2. Sarah - 1 star
The "spectacular" magic performance at the Hilton Waikiki was far from spectacular. The magician seemed unprepared and stumbled through his tricks. There were moments when he seemed unsure of what to do next, which ruined any sense of wonder or excitement. The whole show was a flop and I left feeling completely underwhelmed. I would definitely not recommend this to anyone looking for a quality magic performance.
3. Mark - 2 stars
I had high expectations for the magic performance at the Hilton Waikiki and unfortunately, they were not met. The tricks were predictable and the magician didn't bring anything new or exciting to the table. It felt like I was watching a generic magic show that I could have seen anywhere else. The lack of innovation and originality was disappointing and I left the show feeling unimpressed.
4. Lisa - 1 star
The magic performance at the Hilton Waikiki was one of the worst I have ever seen. The magician's tricks were easily figured out and lacked any sort of wow factor. The stage setup was also poorly done, with shaky props and unimpressive lighting. Overall, it was a waste of time and money, and I would advise others to look elsewhere for a better magic show experience.