The Accidental Find

Yesterday, I am doing a quick little stroll through Sephora (as usual) just to try freshen up my makeup (i'm ghetto, I know....but doesn't everyone do it??). I am looking for a cute gloss to update my lips, so I head over to Smashbox to try out this lipgloss that has been voted in Allure as one of the best. Try it. Hate it. Well not hate it, but not impressed. I was looking for that something goes on nice and creamy, but not overly glossy. No disrespect to the lipgloss gals out there, but sometimes I like to look a bit more PG-17. Patent leather shiny lips just does not go with everything.

Back to the story... so I stumble upon Laura Mercier's new lip stain that I have been reading rave reviews about. I thought I knew the Sephora in Pentagon City like the back of my hand. I was not even aware that Laura Mercier was there!! There they were, sitting, looking pretty as if they were waiting on my arrival. At first, I was a little apprehensive about the pot-like packaging, because I don't like to dip my fingers into lip products (of course I used a lipgloss wand at the store...but it doesn't come with one). But then I thought...What the hell? It's all in the name of beauty. Now, I'm not one to jump on the bandwagon of a new product just because everyone else likes it, but when I tell you I LOVE this product, I really mean it. Being in the mood for a nude lip, I tried on Mocha (a rich chocolate brown) then put a little Peach Glaze (nude peach) in the center. The application was so easy. There was a glide on the lips like a gloss, but not the shine of a gloss. I didn't need a liner (although with some colors like the reds a liner will be necessary), and the colors looked gorgeous on me. At the end of my day, the color was still present. This is something for the gloss girls that don't like lipstick and for the lipstick girls that don't like gloss. I literally feel like I stumbled upon a gold mine!!

Be sure to take the quiz to the right!!!

So You Call Yourself An Activist??

Saturday is the annual AIDS walk/run for the DC metro area. Don't worry if you have a prior engagement, but there is a way that you can help women and children affected or infected by HIV/AIDS by participating in the MAC AIDS fund. Since 1994, the MAC AIDS fund has been in existence and has donated $95 million to the fund. There are currently 6 gorgeous shades of lipsticks with variable textures and 2 glosses that support this fund. So even if you don't wear lipstick there are 2 glosses that are beautiful as well!! There is noooo excuse. Both the gloss and lipstick sell for only $14. Of the $14 every cent goes to the MAC AIDS fund, which contributes to global organizations that provide care and services to victims. Just think of the lives that you can make better for only $14!!

Be a helping hand by helping those in need...This Weekend Shop with a purpose!!...Long Live Glamour!!!! ....VIVA GLAM!!!

For more information please log onto : www.macaidsfund.org

The Big Apple

Happy Thursday Everyone!!!

Don't you just love the feeling after a good workout? You look good and feel great. I love it when I look in the mirror afterwards, and I have this cute little glow on my cheeks. There is a way to look like this always with a little hint of blush added to the apple of the cheek. Just smile and take a blush brush and pop it on. It literally takes 5 seconds. Blush is a way to give your skin a quick little glow and uplift. Just take a look at Kiya(right). She looks like she just stepped off a trendmill in a pretty, polished sort of way. I posted these photos up just so you can see, when applied correctly the difference blush can make.

I have seen women walking around with red faces from blush being applied incorrectly. Blush should be applied on the apple of the cheek. To find the apple of your cheek, just smile and the protruding area is your apple. Once you locate your apple, take the blush brush and lightly dip it into the blush. Next, starting at the apple apply the blush in a backward (toward your hairline), downward motion. This will ensure that your blush looks the most natural. My favorite formulation of blush is cream blush. Most women look at the consistency of cream blush and cringe. It looks goopy!!! Cream blush is the most natural looking blush. It gives a glow that seems to come from within and can double as lipcolor. It works wonders on dry skin, but can be used on oily girls too (especially in the winter when oily girls seem to get a bit drier). Apply cream blush with fingers or a brush in the same manner as powder blush, just be sure to work the product into the skin. The result should be a glow that seems to come from the inside!! Above is a picture of Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Velvet Plum (this color looks lovely on darker skin tones) and Cargo Powder blush in Coral Beach (this imparts a pretty peachy glow). L'oreal HIP also makes an excellent cream blush that dries down to a powdery finish in a variety of colors that won't break the bank. Check your local drugstore or Target.

Color selection is based solely on personal preference. I believe almost anyone can wear any color. It just depends on application. If you want to wear NARS Exhibit A (which I do from time to time), go ahead!!! Just make sure you use a blush brush (not the brush that comes in the packaging...invest in a brush blush) to lightly apply until the desired color is obtained. Don't be afraid to try a color on if it looks to bright in the packaging. It is important to remember that once the product goes on, it will go on diffused and will not look nearly as bright on you. Never judge a Blush by its color. Sometimes when I am in the market for a new blush and I want a little help picking one out, I will ask the beauty advisor. I do not like it when the first thing they pick up is a color in the plum family. As a woman of color with darker skin, we always get thrown into the plum box. They look wonderful on, but don't be afraid to try bright colors as well. The only exception to this rule is if you want to cover redness on the cheek area. To apply a red toned or pinky blush would just make the redness more obvious. Instead opt for a bronzer. Blush goes on smoother, more intense, and last longer if there is some type of foundation, tinted moisturizer, or primer applied underneath. Well, tomorrow is Friday and that means I will be spending a couple of hours in Sephora and at various beauty counters testing new products. I can't wait!!!

Remember*** Blush is about application technique...not so much color!!!
I also wanted to wish Rhonda and very happy Geburtstag!!!!

My Lipgloss is Poppin'!!!

Swimming three times a week can really take a toll on the beauty regimen...Normally, after getting out of the pool, I slather on my Bobbi moisturizer, a little tinted moisturizer, and gloss. I'm not speaking of the overly shiny, I just ate a bucket of Popeyes gloss, but you know.....like I just licked my lips a little. They glisten.

This post is dedicated to all the gloss gals. In speaking to a few my friends, I have come to realize that their main beauty staple is gloss. Especially one particular friend, who no matter how many times we go to Target together, she always leaves with the same caramel colored gloss. To see the smile on her face, one would think that she just got the new Billy B. brush set...LOL. I can always predict which gloss she will choose....the brown one. It boggles my mind how we get so set in our beauty routine, that we actually go out to purchase a million different brands of glosses all in the same color family. I love gloss....in fact it was my first obsession with makeup. Every friday when I got my allowance, I would go to the Big Bee drugstore and get a new lipgloss. I especially used to love the push up kind that covergirl came out with. Never in the same color though!! I always tried to diversify my lipgloss collection.

Gloss is a great way to try a red, bright pink, or a coral that you thought you might be too dark or light for(I hate those sayings). My favorite red gloss is the MAC lustreglass in Venetian. It gives you a hint of color...just enough so you can imagine what you would look like if you had the lipstick on. Plus it still give you the shine of a gloss. I pair it with Currant/deep red liner...I look so nice and 50's but with a modern glossy finish!! I usually reserve the red lip for special occasions, like the Red Carpet, Dates, etc. Now on a day that I'm feeling girlie, I love hot pinks!!! Makeup Forever has this nice hot pink in Candy Rose that gives medium color payoff, but not overwhelming. I love hot pinks and coral in the summertime!! It's goes with the weather. I swear Christian Dior has the longest lasting gloss that I have ever tried!! I can go for hours and not touch up!

Gloss is an excellent way for you to step a couple of feet outside of your comfort zone when it comes to color. Never go by how the gloss looks inside the tube. Once it goes on your lips the color becomes more diffused. Using a darker or lighter liner will also change the color. I almost always mix atleast two different colors to get that perfect color. So...don't limit yourself when it comes to picking formulations or colors...and always remember to exfoliate lips before applying gloss. Try to have a variety of colors!!!! Play around and have fun!! The Drug store is always a good place to start. Loreal HIP and Revlon make awesome gloss for only $7.

Try These Out:

1. Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss in Raspberry

2. Bobbi Brown in Bright Pink

3. Stila Lip Polish in Glaze

4. Cargo Lip Duo in Bora Bora

5. Nars Lipstain Gloss in Indian Red