BUDGET BEAUTY:
We all desire soft, supple, and smooth skin. Hydrated skin makes us look and feel healthier. Moisturizers rehydrate and replenish skin’s natural radiance. Using moisturizers daily will maintain skin’s natural, healthy glow. Moisturizers and facial creams improve the look and texture of dry skin by filling in the spaces between the outermost layers of the skin. They also serve as a barrier to keep moisture in the skin’s deeper layers. If skin is constantly exposed to wind, heat, cold, pollution or sun, skin should be conditioned daily. While it’s important to know why moisturizers are important, it’s also important to know where to find the beauty steals and deals! If you’ve got $20, I’ve got some fantastic beauty finds for you!
MY PICKS FOR MOISTURIZERS UNDER $20.00
The Mario Badescu Creamy, Rich, Olive Oil Based Lotion:
Keep your body, beautifully hydrated with a moisturizer that restores lost moisture but leaves the skin feeling soft and silky without being greasy. The fragrance is minimal so it’s perfect for both men and women. The Creamy, Rich, Olive Oil Based Lotion is the perfect product for the driest seasonal conditions. $10.00, 6.0 oz
Carol’s Daughter’s Lip Butter:
Want to protect your luscious lips from windy weather conditions, try Carol’s Daughter’s Lip Butter. The conditioner keeps lips soft, cocoa butter helps replenish lost moisture from your lips while sweet almond and jojoba oils soften your lips and beeswax seals in moisture. $7.00, 0.4 oz
L’Occitane’s Ultra Rich Body Cream:
Cold, dry and rough hands are never sexy, keep your hands soft to the touch with a moisturizer that is a generous 25% Shea butter. The rich cream easily quenches the driest of dry skin. Shea butter is the supreme ingredient for hydration. The Ultra Rich Body Cream is luxurious and blends into skin quickly. $20.00, 3.5 oz.
Beauty is skin deep , keep the shallow end looking fabulous!
Posted in Lips, Skincare | Tagged Carol’s Daughter’s Lip Butter, L’Occitane’s Ultra Rich Body Cream, Mario Badescu Creamy, moisturizer, moisturizers, Olive Oil Based Lotion, Rich | Leave a commentBE BLUNT
Emily Blunt is a natural beauty looked like a natural born star at the premier of her new film, Salmon Fishing in Yemen. Blunt took command of the red carpet wearing Naeem Khan Fall 2012 dress straight from the New York Fashion Week runway. Her chocolate locks cut in the hairstyle of the moment, a sleek and blunt bob.
You can’t go wrong when you dress up your eyes in the 1960′s winged eye liner look, or more popularly known as the “cat eye.” Using liquid or cream eyeliner to accentuate eye is a fail-proof beauty tip that every girl should know. Winged eyeliner can be worn on date night, at a sunny afternoon’s picnic, to cocktail hour and even to meet the parents at Sunday afternoon brunch.
How to get this chic and effortless look? Begin with a cream color base, use an eyeshadow brush to blend from the lash-line to the brow-line. With a blending brush, gently apply a flesh-toned eyeshadow throughout the eyelid. Softly blend the eyeshadow upward to the natural crease.
… And now for the liner! Begin by gently pressing your finger to the outer corner of the eye, creating a flat surface for drawing on your liquid or cream liner. Add liquid eyeliner to the upper lash line by using an angle brush. Start by adding your liner to the inner corner of the eye. Point the angled corner of the brush toward the inner eye. Sketch the liner directly above the lash line, continue through the eye. Once you’ve reached the outer corner of the eye, point the angled brush in the opposite direction. Press the brush to the skin at the outer corner and connect the lines. This will give you a perfected winged-out liner look.
Embrace pale blush tones, when you wear it the right way you can rule the room! Blush gives a subtle but bright burst of energy to the center of the points of the face. No matter your complexion, a blush can brighten your beauty routine. Use a fluffy powder brush to deposit color to your cheeks. *Applying a blush with a flexible, loose hair brushes allows for a more sheer color deposit. The shorter and tighter the brush’s hair, the more colorful the payoff. Sweep your blush brush across your selected color and tap away excess color. Blush should be applied after your foundation to the apples of the cheeks. Smile and apply the blush tone to the round, tense muscle also know as the apple of the cheek. Sweep blush onto the apple of the cheek in a soft, circular motion.
Wearing color and looking natural is an oxymoron, yet it is an achievable look. The secret is wearing sheer foundations, soft eyes and cheeks then adding the bold color choice on the lips. Use a lip liner, a lipstick and you’re good to go!
What I love about Emily’s look is that it can be work night, day, work or play! Where would you wear it?
COVER WARS
Jennifer Lopez, Nicole Richie, Angelina Jolie, Kerry Washington, Christina Hendrix and Eva Mendez. What do these very hot and very talented Hollywood hotties have in common? These women are all gracing the covers of magazines in news stands, airports and nail salons across the country! Who’s your favorite March cover girl?
These pop stars stepped outside of the glamor box for their March covers. JLo “Fights Back” on the cover of V Magazine’s Sports Issue while Katy Perry works a permed pony and Madonna-esque sequin, bra on the March Interview magazine cover.
Who’s got the hottest March Magazine cover?? Click here to find my favorite!
Posted in Celeb, Covers and Mags | Tagged Adele, Angelina Jolie, christina hendrix, Cosmo, Essence Magazine, Eva Mendez, GQ, Interview, jennifer aniston, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Kate Moss, katy perry, kerry washington, March 2012, Marie Claire Magazine, nicole richie, V Magazine, Vanity Fair, Vogue, W Magazine | Leave a commentBEAUTY ICON
Tyra Banks defines the term “Super-Model”. In 1996, Banks became the first black woman to appear on the cover of GQ as well as the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. She signed lucrative contracts with both Cover Girl and Victoria’s Secret, becoming a staple of both companies’ advertising campaigns and runway shows. Tyra Banks has been named multiple times to People magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People list. In 1997, she received the prestigious Michael Award for Supermodel of the Year.
Banks also worked extensively to help young women deal with self-esteem issues. As early as 1992, when she was only 19 years old, Banks funded a scholarship to help young black women attend her alma mater, the private Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles. In 1998, she wrote Tyra’s Beauty Inside & Out, a book aimed at inspiring young women, and a year later she founded TZONE, a foundation aimed at developing teenage girls’ independence and self-esteem.
Adding to her long list of achievements, Tyra Banks is now a Harvard graduate. On Friday, February 17, 2012 Banks earned her certificate of completion from the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Tyra Banks is an inspiration proving that using your brains and beauty are a fierce combination!
“My mom never taught me to be waiting for some prince on a white horse to swipe me off my feet. ”
- Tyra Banks
BARE CANVAS
Women around the world want the secret to beautiful makeup. I am revealing the secret here! Beautiful makeup begins with 3 products: concealer, foundation and a loose powder!
Peach correctors are my favorite concealers for very dark circles and extra coverage. Peach color correctors neutralize the dark discoloration on the under eye circles and dark blemish scars. Layer cream based peach correctors under your regular skin-toned concealer for effective coverage of dark circles. To cover dark blemish and scaring on deep skin tones, use creamy concealers in natural tones for coverage. Using color correctors on dark skin results in an ashy finish. Apply a color corrector or neutralizer with a makeup brush, then blend out with a sponge. Color correctors are often heavier in texture than concealer, so it is best to make sure that you blend completely with a dampened sponge for complete coverage.
Use a liquid foundation throughout your skin. Why a liquid? Skin is a living organ that will absorb the water content in a liquid foundation. Leaving the pigment in the foundation to cover your skin looking resulting in a even layer of foundation throughout your face. Apply a dime-sized drop liquid foundation to your skin with a brush or sponge for best results. Using the less is more approach will make it easier to achieve a sheer and natural application. Blend entirely through the face and neck, not leaving streaks throughout the skin. Covering these areas of the face will give you a smooth complexion and a great base for your additional makeup like blush or bronzer.
Use a loose powder brush to dust on a light translucent powder to set your foundation. Using a powder brush gives you the option of layering the powder to your satisfaction, lightly or heavily, you wouldn’t want to end up with a “powder blunder”. Often times sponge or a powder puff application techniques end up sweeping and smearing the powder and liquid foundation right off of your face. Causing blotchy and spotty makeup by the end of the day.
Stay tuned for more beauty tips!
Posted in Make up, Show Me! | Leave a commentRAVISHING REDS
Red lips are always in vogue. Red is also a color that is a staple, statement color and isn’t going to go away quietly into the night. Many fashionistas and makeup lovers ask me, “How does one wear red with red?”
Red lipstick is daring but classic, romantic yet bold there is a perfect red on the market that suits all skin tones and attire.
Mattes are classic, bold and powerful, stains are flirty and demure while glossy lips appear sultry and sexy. Here’s a tip pair a crimson, matte red with a crisp white button up with a red stiletto or clutch. Couple a glossy, cheery red with a silk, satin gown. Make a flirty statement by paring a deep red lip-stain with a gorgeous, wool ruby coat.
Matching red with your skin tone:
If you’ve got fair skin opt for a true red with a cherry pink to red undertone. Olive skin, try a blue based red that will stand out against your radiant complexion. Medium brown skin tones should try a lipstick with an orange value to it’s undertone, this shade will pop against beautiful brown skin. Deep chocolate skin tones should try a red with a deep pink saturation to is base color.
How to choose the perfect red? Before you hit the makeup counter, ask yourself this question: What lipstick texture are you looking for? A bold and dry matte, a smooth and creamy texture or a romantic stain. Once you’ve decided on the look that you want it is much easier to find the perfect color.
Craving more red-lip-tips? Click here!
JUST BE YOU
The 84th annual Academy Awards was held during the last few days of Black History month, it looks like Hollywood’s landscape is evolving. The history of black actors taking home the Academy Award is sparse an scattered. That day is changing as the Academy’s members become more ethnically diverse. I am proud that the Academy Awards stage is now more racially diverse, it’s time to take a deeper look at the beauty and magic that graces the Academy Awards stage – not the wardrobe, makeup or hair, but the black hair, the NATURAL HAIR!
There once was a time when afros were not a sign of beauty but a sign of defiance. The natural curl of a black woman’s hair was not considered beautiful, stylish or chic but ugly, unmanagable and nappy. The beautiful quality that natural hair possesses is unique versatility. Natural hair can be worn in it’s natural state, curly, twisted, blown out and worn smooth and bouncy or even a full blown afro. The silver screen has always set the trend for hair, makeup and fashion. As men and women of color begin to embrace their natural hair, the natural hair trend is working in reverse as art begins to imitate life. Women and men of color were overjoyed when Viola Davis took the cover of the LA Times in a fashion editorial wearing not a weave, not a wig, not a hair piece but her short, naturally beautiful and unprocessed hair! I am a natural girl, there is a liberating self confidence accompanies a head full of natural hair and I say go with it! Embrace the beauty that you were born with, don’t apologize – just be you!
Black History within the Academy Awards:
Haittie McDaniel took her place in history by becoming the first Black- American actor to win an Academy Award. McDaniel won the Best Supporting Actress statue for her role in “Gone with the Wind”. Fifteen years later, in 1954 Dorothy Dandridge was nominated for Best Actress nomination for “Carmen Jones”. It took another 9 years and the height of the civil rights movement in 1963, when Sidney Portier wins Best Actor win in “Lilies of the Field”. Fast forward to Louis Gossett, Jr., Best Supporting Actor 1982, for his role in “An Officer and A Gentleman” Best Supporting Actor, Denzel Washington followed in 1989′s, “Glory”.
The Oscar race is reopened to the ladies and 1990, 51 years after Hattie McDaniel makes history, Whoopi Goldberg takes home the Best Supporting Actress gold in “Ghost”. The 1990′s and 2000′s began to look up for people of color as Cuba Gooding Jr. wins a Best Supporting statue for his memorable performance in 1996′s, “Jerry Maguire”. In 2001, Halle Berry makes history as the first Black-American woman to bring home Oscar gold as Best Actress in “Monster’s Ball” in the same star studded evening, Denzel Washington, takes home his second Academy Award, Best Actor, “Training Day”. In 2004 Morgan Freeman wins Oscar gold for his performance in “Million Dollar Baby” and lightning struck twice as Jamie Foxx, wins Best Actor for his outstanding portrayal of Ray Charles in 2004′s, “Ray”. Two years later Forest Whitaker 2006, “The Last King of Scotland” and first time actress Jennifer Hudson wins an Oscar for her electrifying performance in the 2006 version of “Dreamgirls” the 2009 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress went to Mo’Nique for her role in “Precious”. The Black-American member of the the Academy is Octavia Spencer for her exuberant character in 2011′s “The Help”.
There have been over 100 Black- American Academy Award nominees and are always those behind the scenes who are never seen or recognized no matter race or gender, this is a list of Black- American Academy Award winners – I am proud!
James Baskett, Academy Special Award, 1948
Isaac Hayes, Best Original Song, 1971: Shaft; “Theme from Shaft”
Irene Cara, Best Original Song, 1983: Flashdance, “Flashdance (What a Feeling)”
Stevie Wonder, Best Original Song, 1984: The Woman in Red “I Just Called to Say I Love You”
Prince , Best Original Score 1984: Purple Rain
Lionel Richie, Best Original Song, 1985: White Nights, “Say You, Say Me”
Herbie Hancock, Best Original Score, 1986: Round Midnight
*Russell Williams, Bird; Best Sound Mixing, 1988 , Glory; Best Sound Mixing, 1989 , Dances With Wolves; Best Sound Mixing, 1990
Quincy Jones, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, 1995
Sidney Poitier, Academy Honorary Award, 2002
Juicy J, Frayser Boy & DJ Paul Best Original Song, 2005: Hustle & Flow “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp”
Willie D. Burton, Best Sound Mixing 2006: Dreamgirls
Geoffrey Fletcher,Best Writer Adapted Screen Play, 2009: Precious
Roger Ross Williams, Best Documentary Short, 2009:Music by Prudence
James Earl Jones, Academy Honorary Award, 2011
Oprah Winfrey, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, 2011
PLAY IT AGAIN CAM … AND JLO
Jennifer Lopez was sparkling in a soft beige Zuhair Murad dress and Cameron Diaz was both svelte and statuesque in a soft beige Gucci Premiere dress as they took command of the stage at the 84th annual Academy Awards. Both 40 and fabulous, the ladies dresses matched perfectly while lightening the mood and showing off their posteriors on the Oscars stage. The pretty pair presented the award for Best Makeup (to “The Artist”).
The gals might have been presenting fashion awards on stage but it was their second act at the Vanity Fair party in West Hollywood that won the fashion awards! Jennifer Lopez was sexy in a sequined her wardrobe change included another design by Zuhair Murad. The two toned blackberry dress featured long sleeves, large sequin and a deep plunge neckline. swapped her Gucci gown for a vibrant orange Victoria Beckham dress, featuring an exposed zipper. Cameron accessorized her citrus colored frock with David Webb jewelry.
Work it ladies! Want more on Cam’s fab new look? Click here!
Posted in Awards and Premiers, Fashion | Tagged Cameron, Celebs in their 40's, David Webb Jewelry, dresses, fabulous 40's, Jennifer Lopez, sequins, Vanity Fair Party, Victoria Beckham gowns | Leave a commentOSCAR NIGHT GLAM
Emma Stone didn’t need any “help” at the 84th annual Academy Awards, the 23-year-old actress wore a ravishing red Giambattista Valli Haute Couture dress, Brian Atwood heels and Louis Vuitton bag and jewels.
Viola Davis is electrifying in a custom emerald Vera Wang floral crystal appliqué bustline, cascading ruffles and a pleated accordion skirt was teamed with a Judith Leiber clutch, Jimmy Choo shoes, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.
Rose Byrne sparkled on the red carpet in a fully sequined, one-shoulder, twinkling, black Vivienne Westwood gown, Chanel Fine Jewelry and Jimmy Choo platforms.
Three time Academy Award winner Meryl Streep wore a custom made gold lamé draped Lavin gown accessorized with a Lanvin woven gold and strass chain link belt, a Lanvin mother-of-pearl minaudiere and Salvatore Ferragamo gold lizard sandals. I adore Meryl – she is electrifying!
Penelope Cruz embodied the definition of classic Hollywood glamour. The Spanish beauty wore a custom lavender Giorgio Armani gown, and 114 carats of Chopard diamonds! Yes, I said 114 carats!
Hollywood’s who’s who was in attendance and everyone looked glam! Here are my top 5 Academy Awards fashionistas. However, the real fashion show was at Vanity Fair’s famed Post Oscar party. Here are my top 5 fashion risk takers – ” WOOOOORK!”
Lily Collins channels a young Elizabeth Taylor in Monique Lhuillier. The 22 year old actress displays exquisite style and sophisticated fashion sense in a nude and blue embroidered tulle ball gown from the Pre-Fall 2012 collection and Tiffany jewelry.
Actress Elizabeth Banks attended the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party in West Hollywood last night wearing an asparagus green Chadwick Bell gown from the Fall 2012 collectionThe designer gown was embellished with navy polka dots, a dark feathered train and velvet waistband. She completed the look with a Jimmy Choo ‘Cameo’ clutch and Bulgari jewelry.
Kate Bosworth was sleek and chic as always. The red carpet muse dazzles in a black tulle long sleeve dress with a filigree cut by Prabal Gurung. The knee length number sparkled with jet beads and Sistine blue crystals and was accented with a heavy black belt. Kate kept her accessories simple, wearing black Christian Louboutin pumps and carried a Christian Dior bag. * I must say, I love the bun Kate Bosworth can do no wrong in my book!
I’ve never seen a more beautiful Valentino gown. Claire Danes epitomized the term “fashion risk” and it was a risk well taken. The Pre-Fall, 2012 Valentino gown featured a sheer, polka-dotted overlay exploding into a tiered, riffled skirt. The nearly-neon pink is a bold choice but looks sensational. Someone give her styling team a bonus because the gal looks HOT!
Ukrainian born actress Olga Kurylenko took to the runway to find her glamorous garment. The green eyed beauty wore long, silk pistachio toned Georges Hobeika gown featuring beaded flower motif, high slit and lace floral belt from the designer’s Spring/Summer 2012 Couture collection paired with simple Pomellato jewels and a gold clutch.
Who’s your favorite glamor girl?
Posted in Awards and Premiers, Fashion | Tagged 2012 Academy Awards, Claire Danes, Elizabeth Banks, Emma Stone, Kate Bosworth, Lily Collins, Meryl Streep, Olga Kurylenko, Penelope Cruz, Rose Bryn, Viola Davis | Leave a commentLOOKIN’ GOOD
Angelina is feeling good and looking good. Well, good in an understatement, the world famous actress is luminary! The masses went insane when the normally stoic actress showcased the detail in her black custom-made strapless Atelier Versace velvet gown with a thigh-high split by showing off some leg at the 84th Academy Awards . Yes, it was a lot of leg but ” Who gives a (insert your favorite expletive) ?!?!”
Listen, the woman is happy! She’s got a gorgeous blended family, she gets to travel the world, and she is a goodwill ambassador. Ms. Jolie has got and amazing career and might I add – an Oscar of her own! She’s in an obviously joyous relationship with the hottest man in Hollywood. Might I add, he looks like he can’t get enough of her. So take notes people this is what happiness and self confidence looks like. No one should try to steal this woman’s bliss! Anyway, I don’t think they could if they tried. Angelina Jolie inspires me in every way – weeeerk !!
If you can’t get enough of “Brangelina” click here for more :
IF YOU CAN’T SAY ANYTHING NICE
SAG 2012 WRAP UP
DYNAMIC DUOS
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