CurrenCy Matters

BRICS Summit 2023

FedNow Launches

Amazon Clinic Debuts

India, China, and South Africa

Brazil, Russia,

- Following the trend of countries seeking reserves away from the US Dollar, BRICS recently announced the launch of Gold backed currency. Ahead of the upcoming BRICS Summit in late August, Russia confirmed the launch of a gold trading currency which will surely impact the gold market. Over 41 countries recently applied including

Launched by The Federal Reserve, FedNow is reportedly designed to modernize the way bank funds are transferred in America. Unlike CashApp, Apple Pay and other peer to peer payment services, FedNow is a service the Federal Reserve makes available to banks. The banks will build the service into their back end. Your financial institution has to sign up to participate in order for you to receive payments or send payments in mere seconds. The Federal Reserve provides this option to banks for free, although it’s at the bank’s discretion if they add a surcharge to account holders. FedNow operates 24/7 and as of now, it’s not mandatory for banks to participate in the program. At press time, there’s about 35 institutions participating out of thousands.

Amazon Clinic was initially available in only 32 of 50 states, is now available 24/7 to customers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The clinic will treat common health issues as well as offer birth control and emergency contraception. Available via the mobile app, patients will have the ability to complete video visits to have their concerns addressed. It’s the behemoth’s third venture into the medical space since launching Amazon Pharmacy and One Medical Centers.

While the Queen has been traveling the world on her Renaissance World Tour, she’s found time to announce two new ventures. Earlier this year, the superstar announced she was fine tuning a hair care line. Now, we celebrate a new fragrance coming this November. First Access fans who preorder this 50ML eau de parfum will be some of the first to get a whiff of this Beyonce.com exclusive fragrance — which has been described as a dreamy concoction of clementine, golden honey (Miss Honeyyyyyyy), rose absolute, and golden amber. A few lucky fans who have attended recent shows, have been given a chance to smell samples. Preorders are available now via Beyoncé’s website.

The house announced the inaugural rollout will include six four-color eye palettes and a “soft-filter” foundation in 33 shades, developed with the use of artificial intelligence.Prada’s makeup and skin care will debut direct-to-consumer via prada-beauty.com and prada.com on Aug. 1, with subsequent rollouts at Harrods and Selfridges in London on Aug. 18; then Douglas in Munich, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf, Germany and Rinascente in Rome in October. The U.S. retail launch is slated for Jan. 2024, according to WWD. Also per WWD, the product range will be priced from 45 euros (for a lipstick) to 360 euros (for a face cream). (The eye shadow will be 80 euros.)

Our obsession with Pat McGrath’s products may be perceived by some as unhealthy but we don’t care! Floral mattes, burgundy orchids, shimmering pearls- this palette gives everything we need to look sunkissed year round! Mother McGrath has never disappointed us when it comes to the richness and depth of the pigments in her products. Jewel toned metallics, blendable textures and ability to apply wet or dry makes this palette a favorite. “Empower your inner seductress with the potent prowess of Mothership XI: Sunlit Seduction. These ten shades are not just an eye palette, they’re a passage to endless possibilities. With the palette’s sensorial formulas and multidimensional shade-shifting pearls, you can effortlessly elevate your eye looks to a realm that’s simply haute of this world. Embrace the sunlit hues.”Sunlit Seduction Mothership is available now from your favorite makeup retailer! (128.00)

While the Queen has been traveling the world on her Renaissance World Tour, she’s found time to announce two new ventures. Earlier this year, the superstar announced she was fine tuning a hair care line. Now, we celebrate a new fragrance coming this November. First Access fans who preorder this 50ML eau de parfum will be some of the first to get a whiff of this Beyonce.com exclusive fragrance — which has been described as a dreamy concoction of clementine, golden honey (Miss Honeyyyyyyy), rose absolute, and golden amber. A few lucky fans who have attended recent shows, have been given a chance to smell samples. Preorders are available now via Beyoncé’s website.

This brand has had social media in an absolute frenzy the last few months. If you know, you know and if you don’t we’re here to help. Naturium’s Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash was one of the first products that went viral. The brand’s site describes it as “Our sensorial, hydrating body wash transforms from a luscious oil to a gentle lather, cleansing without stripping the skin of essential moisture.” Formulated with over 50% glycerin, a blend of linoleic-rich oils and plant-derived squalane, this transformative body cleanser is rich in humectants that hydrate and nourish skin.

For under $20 USD of course we gave it a try to see if it’s worth the hype. We first used it to wash our hands and upon drying we immediately bought 4 more bottles. This body wash give you ultra silky skin without irritation and dryness for those of us with skin sensitivities. Our second favorite item from Naturium is their Bio-Lipid Restoring Body Lotion. It’s described as “Our replenishing body lotion works to restore skin’s natural barrier for soft and supple looking skin. Formulated with omega fatty acids, shea butter, B vitamins and sodium PCA, this lotion moisturizes skin and absorbs quickly with no greasy residue.” This lotion is the only lotion needed, it leaves your skin well hydrated and happy. This lotion did not leave us needing more throughout the day as some tend to do. We’ve become extremely obsessed with other products from the brand as we transition from Summer to Fall/Winter like the KP Body Scrub & Mask which is a 3-in-1 body exfoliant that transforms bumpy, dry, rough, and dull skin. Formulated with pumice and jojoba esters, plus AHA/BHA/PHA chemical exfoliants, the scrub grips, polishes and smooths skin. Use as a mask for an effective in-shower treatment. This scrub and mask can be used once or twice a month to keep your skin smooth and supple year round and is added to our shower essentials as well. Our other favorites include The Smoother products and more. Naturium has various packages for different skin goals and most sell out quickly so stock up now!