Got My Mojo Working!

Hey there lovely ones!

Hope all is well in your world! Here, it is manic as always with so many new and exciting things happening for POP – check out the new collection for fall/holiday. I hope you will love it as much as I do. The inspiration behind it is “blocks to color” & the whole point is trying to introduce more color, freshness and sass into your makeup bags! So the kits have been designed like mosaic, jigsaw and puzzle art and give you an amazing array of shades to play with and as always, my tips and tricks on application. Could not be easier!

Anyway, let’s put the focus elsewhere for a little moment. Lately, many of my friends have been asking me for tips on music. Now beware – I am not much of a trendy house, Techno and R&B person so if you are expecting an amazing b-side to the Far East movements latest single…Sorry. I am more like and old man stuck in a young woman’s body! So I am going a little vintage with this, but hey…

Below are four albums that you just must have…. (So hard to narrow it down to four - I am literally pulling my hair out…)

"I don't know anything about music. In my line you don't have to." -Elvis Presley
1. Bringing it All Back Home, Bob Dylan.
Do you know how hard it is to try to narrow Mr. Zimmerman down to one album – nearly impossible. But this must be one of my all time favorite albums; it’s as if the man is on fire! Lyrically it’s so amazing that it hurts.

“A poem is a naked person... Some people say that I am a poet." -Bob Dylan
2. Song to a Seagull – Joni Mitchell.
This album is art, and it speaks for itself, I have nothing to add. Listen to night in the city, or cactus tree.

“Back then, I didn't have a big organization around me. I was just a kid with a guitar, traveling around. My responsibility basically was to the art, and I had extra time on my hands. There is no extra time now. There isn't enough time." -Joni Mitchell
3. Dr John, the night tripper – Gris, Gris.
I fell madly in love with “the doctors” sound when I was first introduced to this album. What a genius! Mad psycadelic swamp voodoo jazz. “walk on guilded splinters is one of my all time favorite songs. This is magic.

“I wanna show that gospel, country, blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll are all just really one thing. Those are the American music and that is the American culture.” -Etta James
4. Anything by Edith Piaf - What an amazing woman!
She lived and had a story to tell, and an amazing voice and talent. My first singing teacher would make me sing all of her songs and then get angry and screamed at me when I pronounced things wrong (I can’t speak French!) But I am so happy today that she introduced me to her – she is one of my biggest inspirations to this day, (still can’t speak French though but have had it all translated for me) My favorite song by her is l”accorde’oniste.

“I want to make people cry even when they don't understand my words.” -Edith Piaf

Ok, just a few more:

Let it Bleed - The Rolling Stones
Retrospective – Buffalo Springfield
What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye
Curtis – Curtis Mayfield
Breakfast in America – Supertramp
Got My Mojo Working – Muddy Waters
Rumors – Fleetwood Mac
Astral Weeks – Van Morrison
My Life in the Bush of Ghosts – David Byrne
Marquee Moon – Television
Stephen Stills - Stephen Stills
The Velvet Underground – the Velvet Underground
Music from Big Pink – The Band
Happy Trails – Quicksilver Messenger Service
The Best of Chet Baker Sings – Chet Baker
London Calling – The Clash
Ladies and Gentlemen – Louis Prima
La Mer - Charles Trinet
At the Gate of Horn – Odetta
With a Little Help from My Friends – Joe Cocker
Strange Fruit – Billie Holiday
Songs of Leonard Cohen – Leonard Cohen
Air on G string – J.S Bach

And the list goes on and on and on and on and on and on and on…..

“Everyone talks about rock these days; the problem is they forget about the roll." -Keith Richards

Rock on (& roll) until next time!

Love Sara x x x x x

An August in Europe

Hey there lovely ones!

Hope everyone has had an amazing summer! I can not believe it’s nearly over - it’s literally rushed by! I spent most of August in my native Sweden but I also squeezed in a stop in London (naturally!). Therefore, I will dedicate this blog to a few of my favorite home-away-from-home spots in these two trendy and fashion forward cities - if you find yourself on the other side of the pond make sure to make a stop!

The Troubadour London:
I swigged a couple of glasses of rose and caught up with friends over lunch. During my 10 years living in London, people would joke that I was literally part of the furniture in this place. I sang there regularly but also met some of (to this day) my absolute dearest friends. Go there to catch new upcoming bands, some proper old school rock ‘n rollers and well established musicians & artists. Truly famous for its bohemian vibe - this is a place where A-listers, scruffy poets and royalties hang out alike.


Miss Juniversum – Malmo Sweden:
Owned and run by my talented friend Jun (yes, miss juniverse) this store is well worth a visit if you happen to visit the Swedish south and its slightly edgy town of Malmo. She sells a rainbow array of craziness - don’t really know how else to put it! She simply adds an alternative “if you don’t want your house to look like an IKEA catalogue” I think she offers so much more! She sells everything you think you did not need until you laid your eyes on it: huge pink flamingos, red lip telephones, clothes & jewelry and pretty much everything else under the sun. You’ll leave the store not being able to carry more!


The deepest Swedish forest:
Never seen fairies, trolls or pixies? Easy, travel to Sweden and hang out in the forest, it is not a coincidence that so many famous fairy tales were written here…Call me crazy but I heard stories about them early on as a little girl from my grandma as we would stroll through the moss, collecting wild berries and mushrooms and believe me, I don’t think these folktales came to be because of nothing! I love the Swedish forest dearly, it is as far away from luxury but as close to nature as you can get! And honestly, I can sit by some fancy pool sipping a cocktail any other day. Our little house in the deepest forest with no neighbors is one of my favorite hide always!


F12 Terrace Stockholm:
This night club in Stockholm is always CRAZY packed with people hanging out on the castle-like stairs, looking impossibly trendy, good looking and icy cool - the way only Stockholmer’s can. But its well worth a visit if you want to mingle and listen to loud music. It has a beautiful view overlooking the water and is not one of Stockholm’s tourist traps. Usually I like bar hopping or going out to listen to bands, but if I feel like a big night out you might very well find me here on a Saturday night, apple martini in hand! The restaurant next door to the club is one of Stockholm’s best and also well worth a visit.


Hope you’ll make it to these places one day and if you do – I hope you will love them as much as I do. Always good to be “home” though!

Love as always,
Sara x x x x

All About Me!! An interview with MF magazine

1. Tell me about your music.
I WAS ALWAYS “OBSESSED” WITH MUSIC. IT WAS (AND STILL IS) SUCH AN INTEGRAL PART OF MY LIFE THAT IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE NOT THE SAME! WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG I WAS CATAPULTED ONTO THE MUSIC SCENE WITH ALL THAT THAT ENTAILS (BEING SIGNED BY SONY, WRITING, RECORDING AND PERFORMING LIVE). BEING ON STAGE IS REALLY WHEN I FEEL MOST ALIVE AND VIBRANT. I ALWAYS MAKE TIME FOR THE MUSIC, AND HAVE NEVER STOPPED PERFORMING. I HAVE WORKED WITH SOME AMAZING AND INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE AS WELL AS SOME COMPLETE NUTTERS, THAT’S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THE MUSIC INDUSTRY :)

2. How has your life as a performer influenced your work in the beauty industry?
THE BEAUTY/FASHION INDUSTRY AND THE MUSIC INDUSTRY GO HAND IN HAND FOR ME – SURE THEY HAVE DIFFERENCES BUT AT THE CORE LIES THE SAME WISH TO EXPRESS FREE CREATIVITY AND TO CREATE. FOR ME THE TWO MESH RATHER NATURALLY, THE MUSIC INSPIRES THE MAKEUP AND THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

3. What are you hoping to achieve with Pop Beauty?
I AM HOPING TO DEMYSTIFY COLOUR AND ENHANCE THE SENSE OF FUN MAKEUP SHOULD BRING. IT’S NOT ABOUT FEELING FORCED TO ALWAYS HAVING TO LOOK YOUR BEST OR ABOUT A SENSE OF DUTY; MAKEUP IS ABOUT ENHANCING AND SHOULD BE PLAYFUL AND ADD A SENSE OF PERSONALITY TO YOUR STYLE. I AM HOPING TO UPDATE PEOPLE’S MAKEUP WARDROBES AND ADD A POP OF COLOUR. POP IS ALSO ABOUT A CERTAIN ATTITUDE TOWARDS MAKEUP – I SEE MAKEUP AS ANOTHER ACCESSORY, IT’S A WAY TO EXPRESS A MOOD OR A FEELING AS WELL AS BEAUTIFY. I ALSO WANTED TO BRING HIGH END, NICHE BRANDING TO A RATHER UNIFORMED HIGH STREET AND BRING FUN, PLAYFUL MAKEUP WITH GREAT CONCEPTS AND GREAT QUALITY TO A WIDER AUDIENCE. MAKEUP SHOULD BE FUN!

4. What is your best makeup tip?
CURL YOUR LASHES, FIND A GREAT BASE THAT WORKS FOR YOU, SWAP YOUR BROWN/BLACK/GREY LINER TO A PLUM/MOSS GREEN/ NAVY, FOCUS ON ONE FEATURE TO REALLY MAKE IT POP, HIGHLIGHT PROPERLY AND DON’T BE SCARED TO USE A POP OF COLOUR!

5. What is the worst mistake women make in choosing their makeup?
TRYING TO ACHIEVE A TAN WITH YOUR BASE IS A BIG NO, NO – ALWAYS LOOKS WRONG. INVEST IN A HOLIDAY OR A GOOD BRONZER! OVER APPLYING, GOING TO MATTE ON MATURE SKIN, USING TOO MUCH BROWN, TRYING TO “MATCH” TOO MUCH (MATCH LIPSTICK TO YOUR CLOTHES, YOUR HAIR SO ON) NOT BEING WILLING TO EXPERIMENT - FIND NEW AND EXITING WAYS TO MAKE YOU LOOK YOUR BEST!

6. When you create color palates and seasonal ranges, where does your inspirational process begin?
HMMM LET ME THINK …I GET HINTS AND SPARKS FROM EVERYDAY LIFE AND MY EVERYDAY LIFE CAN SOMETIMES BE A LITTLE CRAZY I GET INSPIRATION FROM TRAVELLING, NEW PLACES, VIBES, CULTURES. DIFFERENT HUES AND PALETTES IN NATURE. ALL KINDS OF ART, MUSIC AND FASHION. AN IDEA CAN SPRING FROM ANYTHING - FROM A NEW SONG TO A NEW LOOK I CREATED FOR A MODEL TO A FLOWER I SAW IN THE GARDEN, A BACKSTREET IN LONDON OR NY, A SUNSET OR EVEN JUST A GOOD COCKTAIL I HAD LAST TIME I WAS OUT. A LOT OF THE TIME IT’S AN INTUITIVE FEELING OF WHAT FEELS NEW, FRESH AND EXITING AND ALSO OF COURSE WHAT I KNOW IS MISSING IN MY MAKEUP BAG. POP ALSO HAS A FINGER ON THE PULSE WHEN IT COMES TO POP CULTURE AND WE ALWAYS TRY TO STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME AND BUILD NEW COLLECTIONS ON QUIRKY AND FUN IDEAS THAT ARE EDGY AND SAFE AT THE SAME TIME. A BOTTLE OF WINE AND A BRAINSTORMING SESSION IS USUALLY WHERE IT ALL COMES INTO FRUITION FROM IDEA TO REALITY.

7. What is the most important thing that a beauty product should offer?
EXCITEMENT & EFFECTIVENESS – IT SHOULD DO WHAT IT SAYS IT DOES. IT SHOULD HOPEFULLY PUT A SPRING IN YOUR STEP AND MAKE YOU LIGHT UP WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE MIRROR. IT SHOULD ADD A SENSE OF FUN TO A NIGHT OUT WITH THE GIRLS OR A BORING MONDAY MORNING.

8. What is the one thing you wish all women knew about makeup?
THAT IT IS NOT PERMANENT, IT’S NOT A TATTOO SO YOU SHOULD REALLY FEEL FREE TO PLAY AND EXPERIMENT – IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, WASH IT OFF AND START OVER! I ALSO WISH EVERYBODY KNEW THAT THEY CAN WEAR COLOUR, AS LONG AS YOU FIND THE RIGHT HUE; SO MANY PEOPLE GO – OH, NO I CAN NOT WEAR GREEN - YES YOU CAN! THERE ARE A THOUSAND TONES OF GREEN; WE JUST NEED TO FIND THE ONE THAT WORKS FOR YOU! A LITTLE BIT OF COLOUR CAN MAKE YOU LOOK SO MUCH PERKIER IN JUST A FEW SECONDS, IT’S NOT ABOUT GOING CRAZY WITH COLOUR, IT’S ABOUT A TOUCH THAT CAN REALLY LIFT THE FACE.

9. Who is one person you would like to see done up in Pop Beauty products and why?
EDIE SEDGEWICK IF SHE WAS STILL AROUND, AUDREY HEPBURN, AS FOR PEOPLE OF TODAY; AGYNESS DEYN, KATE MOSS, KESHA, LADY GAGA, I WOULD LOVE TO DO AMY WINEHOUSE’S MAKEUP OR GWEN STEFANI (SOME OF THE ABOVE ALREADY USE POP ACTUALLY :)

10. What is the brand all about?
OUR TAGLINE IS “SHAKEUP YOUR MAKEUP” AND THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES I THINK! THE BRAND IS ABOUT BRINGING MAKEUP ARTISTRY TO THE STREET, HIGH END TO HIGH STREET, AT A GREAT PRICE POINT. IT’S ABOUT POP ART, POP CULTURE AND POP MUSIC. IT’S ABOUT ADDING A FINISHING TOUCH AND USING PRODUCTS TO MAKE YOUR FACE POP! HOW DO I MAKE MY SKIN, EYES, LIPS, LASHES POP? IT’S ABOUT GIVING YOU PRODUCTS THAT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IT’S ABOUT AN ATTITUDE AND A ZEST FOR LIFE. IT’S ABOUT ENCOURAGING UNIQUENESS AND BEING NON-CONFORMING! IT’S ABOUT PLAYFULNESS AND CREATIVITY, THE FAST LANE AND THE FINGER ON THE PULSE. IT’S TIME TO MAKE IT POP!

11. What are you doing in music now?
I AM WRITING AND RECORDING AT THE MOMENT, AND HAVING MY SONGS MIXED BY SOME DIFFERENT PRODUCERS TO REALLY CARVE OUT THE SOUND OF WHAT IS TO HOPEFULLY BECOME MY NEXT ALBUM. I AM ALSO PUTTING A BAND TOGETHER TO START PERFORMING LIVE HERE IN THE STATES – I AM READY TO ROCK N ROLL! ALSO HAVE SOME UPCOMING SHOWS IN EUROPE.

12. Who is the one person you would like to perform with?
WOW THAT’S TOUGH! SOOO MANY OF THEM! BOB DYLAN, THE ROLLING STONES, STEVIE NICKS, ELLA FITZGERALD, FRANK SINATRA, TINA TURNER, STEPHEN STILLS, JONI MITCHELL, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND, SUPERTRAMP, ALISON KRAUSS & ROBERT PLANT, STEVIE WONDER….FOR MORE CURRENT I WOULD LOVE TO JAM WITH: PETER, BJORN AND JOHN, AMY WINEHOUSE, LYKKE LI, PRINCE, ADELE, MIKA, THE SOUNDTRACKS OF OUR LIVES…I COULD REALLY GO ON AND ON!