Product Review:: OCC "NSFW" Lip Tar

A couple of months back one of my Instagram luvs put me on to a daily deal from Lucky Magazine. They were offering 60% off of a Lip Tar kit which included four colors and a lip brush for $29.50!

It took me a while to get around to playing with the colors but when I finally did I fell head over heels for NSFW. 

I use to struggle finding the perfect red lip that flatters my complexion, until I met MAC's Ruby Woo and  we've been inseparable since. I hate orange based red lipsticks and I usually prefer a matte lip. 

NSFW is a blue based red pigmented gloss. If your familiar with OCC's  lip tars you know the moisturized feel they give your lips due to the Vitamin E and Hemp seed oil in them. They are very long wearing and play well with each other and other formulas so you mixologist can create many different looks.

I've worn NSFW with my beloved Ruby woo as well with a bold red lip liner (pictured below)

Earlier this week OCC announced lip tars will be available in Sephora stores nationwide Fall 2012.

Girls Night Out 

The Natural Hair Meetup:: Repost

I made the silly mistake of leaving Blogger for Wordpress. The grass wasn't greener on that side of the tracks at all so I'm back and will be moving a couple of post from that platform to blogger.

While running around the Makeup Show NYC on Mother's Day I was stopped by a woman asking to take a picture of my hair. She told me that she was having a natural hair meetup but it was in Baltimore, perfect!  Her name is Tara and she owns a natural hair salon in Baltimore, Md called the Tara's House of Style.

Fast forward to Sunday 7/1 THS's natural hair meetup was in full swing. Maryland had been hit with a horrible storm Friday prior to the storm which left over 200,000 people without power during a heatwave! That didn't stop this event, so many beautiful people came out to Morgan State University for one thing in common, Natural Hair. 

I attended the show alone so I definitely had awkward girl syndrome walking in but within minutes I spotted a couple of familiar faces. Guested were greeted with over sized bags filled with all kinds of hair goodies. Inside there was light food, jewelry vendors, and an amazing DJ.

Now I had an agenda when I got there. Tara was giving away two Huetiful hair steamers, one was for the first person at the event (I failed) and the other as a raffle prize. I needed that steamer so I did what any other logical person would do, called my sister and my man friend and told them to get there quick! Unfortunately I still didn't win a steamer but its all good because I had an AMAZING time!

                                                                   

             Youtube vlogger Karen  looked beautiful and she has the most flawless skin ever! 

I finally met my social network friend Danielle creator of Danielle Lewis Cosmetics. Her personality is amazing! Click the picture to check out her site!!

The table full of giveaways included products from Huetiful, Curls, Hair Rules, and more!

Braid out using Just For Me Curl Smoother and Vatika Oil

For more pictures check out 

http://thediaryofanaturalgal.com/2012/07/02/ths-natural-hair-meet-greet-recap/

Curly Diaries:: What I'm Currently Using:: July Edition

A few people on Instagram have been asking me what my go to products are, that's a hard question because they change frequently. I'll keep a monthly update of my go to products, this month my favs are:


1. Jane Carter's Curl Defining Cream- I really wanted to hate this product for two reasons the price and the consistency. I'd heard great things about CDC but according to Jane Carter's website it's $18 for a 6oz jar (chile please) but randomly in Target and found it for $3.74! I grabbed about 4 jars....don't judge! 
Another drawback was that it is a cream consistency, now my hair love gel consistencies because they provide a better hold. Well I decided to give the product a try and I fell in LOVE! It does exactly what it says it will do, lengthen and defines curls. Beware CDC does not play well with others, skip the leave in conditioners or other styling products. 


How I use it:: I wash and condition then apply CDC while hair is soaking wet, lastly I put my hair in 4-5 plaits with a small rod on the ends.


2. Trader Joe's Nourishing Spa Shampoo and Conditioner- This is a staple product for me I rarely switch shampoo and conditioners. Nourishing Spa is inexpensive and doesn't strip my hair. 

3. Wheat Germ Oil- Yes it smells like death however this heavy oil coats my strands and protects them from daily wear and tear. WGO is a ceramide so it lays the cuticle flat as well as helps prevent the loss of protein. 

How I use it:: After conditioning I add a little to my hair section by section. WGO does not cause buildup when paired with Jane Carter's Curl Defining Cream.

4. Vatika Oil- This is a true multitasking product, it provides UV protection, promotes growth, prevents shedding and dandruff. I'll be honest it isnt the best smelling product but the benefits outweigh the scent.


How I use it:: Apply to dry hair before bed then co wash in the morning or next wash day.


5. Biotin- I take a daily dose of this supplement to promote hair growth especially now that I want to grow out my heat damage. Be sure to consult your primary physician before taking Biotin blah blah blah :)


How I use it:: Orally take 1 pill per day.

NYX lip liner in Fuchsia 

Editorial Rewind: Grace Bol In Vogue Italia

Photography by Bryan Taylor Johnson Photography

Styled by Marc Clark

Makeup by Tinisse Buckman

Gowns by  Christian Siriano 

Sachika

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5 Easy Steps To A Clean Face

5 Easy Steps to a clean makeup Look

1. FOCUS- Choose one feature to focus on, whether its flawless skin, a bold lip, or sultry smokey eyes, choose one feature to really focus on to prevent the face from looking cluttered. This does NOT mean you have to neglect other areas of your face.

2. GROOM your brows! Whether you have a full or sparse brow you can benefit from cleaning up you brow . Quick Tip: Brush your brows straight up to get a clear view of your shape  then shape them.

3. HIGHLIGHT AND CONTOUR- Remember foundation is one flat color unlike our natural skin. Ever wonder why you look so flat once you apply foundation? You  have to add dimension and enhance the planes of your face again.

                4. TONE down your concealer! The super bright highlight under your brow bone or eye is so passe. Instead  stick with a shade  1 or 2 shade lighter than your skin tone.

                          5. BLEND BLEND BLEND- No matter what area of the face your apply makeup to make sure it's well blended. Quick Tip: Snap a picture with your cell phone (flash on) to see what area's you've missed then go back and correct them.

D&G Ready-To-Wear 2012

Today was D&G Spring 2012 Ready- To- Wear show held in Milan. The dynamic duo behind the brand,  Domenico and Stefano, announced it would be their last collection. The collection was full of color, polka dots, butterflies,  scarves draped and ties around lean models. 

Overall a great collection to end, be sure to check out more pictures at 

Style.com

I absolutely adore the jacket Denni of Chicmuse wore to the D&G fashion show! Gorg!!!

Fall Trend My Way.....

Trend: Gold Lids/Plum Berry Lips

Products Used: NYX pigment in NUDE

MAC fluidline in Blacktrack

MAC Embark & Saddle e/s

MAC Prince Noir lipstick (Limited)

How to:

IFB Conference

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Watch the IFB conference  live!!


http://heartifb.com/

5 Youtubers You Should Know!

 I spend a lot of my time on Youtube mainly watching makeup tutorials. Here are just a few of the people I enjoy watching ;-)

1. Goss The Makeup Artist

I love Goss because he's , just a great makeup artist. He doesnt give the same generic tips he shows you what works for a variety of people. Goss also gives good product reviews and recommendation and has the cutest accent.

2. SalonCabelo

Rachel, owner of Salon Cabelo, provides healthy haircare tips that are sutible whether you hair natural, relaxed, or in between. 

3. ChicTv

Chic Tv allows to stay up to minute with fashion and beauty news!

                                                                           4. Destiny Godley
                                                   I've watched the progression of Destiny's YouTube career.                    
                                                   She gives great recommendations especially for women of color.
                                                 



                     
                                                      5. Makeup by Leina Baby
                                              Leina is a super cute makeup artist based in LA who not only              
                                           shares her favorite beauty finds but also fashion gems.




   

What's one of the biggest nights in fashion that takes place worldwide? You guessed it, Fashion's Night Out! I can't believe it's only two weeks away. I've been stalking the Fashion Night Out site these past weeks planning my trip. 

If you're not familiar with FNO, it is one night where stores all over the world celebrate style. This year the festivities will take place on Thursday, September 8th.

 I'll be doing a special giveaway to the first reader I meet in NYC!

Macy's Herald Square throws the biggest party and it's no different this year, guest include Coco Rocha, Rachel Roy, Kelly Rowland, Bobbi Brown, and Diddy

!

Over on the left coast, LL Cool J will be hosting a party Westfield Century Center in Los Angeles.

Iphone and Android users can have their itenary at their finger tips with the FNO app.

Now, whats a girl to wear........

http://fashionsnightout.com/

Check out Glee's FNO promo video below!

Style Throwback: Aaliyah

 10 years ago R&B superstar Aaliyah passed in a plane crash along with her crew. Mainly known for her boyish style choices she always added a  feminine twist whether it was a bikini top with baggy jeans or her signature swoop covering one eye. Later in her career she ditched the baggy jeans for sexier dresses like the animal print Roberto Cavalli number she wore to the MTV Awards.

 If she was alive today I'd bet she would still be performing, living in NY, with paparazzi following her every move. To celebrate her life here are a few of my favorite looks.

My favorite Aaliyah video

Beauty News: Sam Fine For Fashion Fair

Recently Fashion Fair cosmetics broke the news that their new creative director is none other than makeup artist to the stars, Sam Fine! The beauty world went crazy, but what exactly does this mean? As a makeup artist I've studied Sam's work and like most can identify it at first glance. I took a class taught by Sam while in makeup school. In person he has this strong presence about him that star quality. His daily makeup q&a tweets proves that he is a patient teacher and willing to help the next generation of makeup artist succeed.

My memories of Fashion Fair cosmetics go back a little ways. I think just about every woman in my family has worn it, including myself one year for prom lol. My Grandmother would only bring out her compact for special occasions. The most distinct memory that I have of fashion fair foundation, I'm sure I share with others, is that it made women look so red! Not sure if it was poor application or just the way it oxidized on the skin, that's all I can remember growing up. I took a trip to the Fashion Fair counter in Macy's a few months ago to replace her 11 year old compact in Pecan (<<<Yes you read it correctly). There wasn't a single sole working the counter, in fact I believe I had to get someone from another counter to assist me. I wasn't interested in looking at their other products although, I knew they had a souffle foundation I'd wanted to try. I got what I needed and was out. 

Last night I decided to take an e-stroll over to FashionFair.com, I must admit I was a bit surprised. There were multiple products I would give a try, for example, their Fast Finish Stick Foundation is smudge proof and would be a dream to contour with. 

Aside from the makeup I took a look at the press section to find that Fashion Fair has been featured in several publications this month including, WWD and Essence. 

While we may have to wait until Spring 2012 for Sam's trend collections,  I'm very excited to see the outcome of this collaboration. When asked about his new position Sam said 

“There’s no place I’d rather foster my creative energies,” said Fine.  “Fashion Fair was a barrier breaking cosmetic line since its inception 38 years ago and remains a leader in prestige cosmetics 

for women of color."

Congrats Sam!

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Editorial Rewind

I never get tired of looking at this Essence spread! They really hit the nail on the head by including some of my favorite ladies in their September issue!!! But Claire of the Fashion Bomb takes the cake, I didn't even recognize her! She is absolutely glowing, so proud of her!

Check out more pics at The Fashion Bomb Daily

Be sure to follow @Thefashionbomb

@JuneAmbrose

@BevySmith

//Open Ceromony's Block Party//

If their was a toss up between LA and NY on who has the most fun, hands down NY would win! That city is jam packed with action! Now I say this as I prepare to move to LA but they have their own fun too. I adore both cities and yearn for the days I'll be living bi-coastal.

Last Thursday Open Ceremony hosted an invitation only block party. The downtown scene was intense as guest included Solange Knowles, who was also working the turntables, Carol Lim, Theophilus London, and a whole slew of fashion's elite!

 Solange Knowles

 Solo & Theophilus

Stephanie LaCava & Shala Monroque

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At A Glance: My Weekend

My weekends are almost a blur. Its the busiest time at work so trying to squeeze anything in outside of work is almost impossible.

I really wanted to check out Planet of the Apes and The Help but that was unsuccessful, maybe I can make it this week. I did get my hands on a few new products I have to review. 

A few of my weekend highlights include:

Playing around with my friend Tanisha....

Work....

Playing around with my sister...

Sam Fine's DVD came in the mail! I'll review it in soon....

Got some RT love on twitter from @Covergirl. The pic has over 3000 views!

How was your weekend?