Wishlist: Carolina Bucci Crochet Earrings
May 25th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Gotta try: black | Up Cosmetics
October 27th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
I came across black|Up Cosmetics while flipping through Essence magazine. It immediately piqued my interest. According to their website, black|Up Cosmetics is the first luxury makeup artist brand created by professional makeup artists for ethnic skin tones & women of color yet it’s suitable for all women. Just looking at the products online, it seems as if they have a wide range of foundations in various textures and shades especially for women with deeper skin tones. The eye shadows, lip colors and other color collections seem rich and highly pigmented also. Their best-selling mattifying base is definitely on my list to try. Pricing for the line seems comparable to brands like MAC, Bobbi Brown, NARS to name a few. Lipsticks and glosses are $19-$21; foundations $39 and up; eye shadows $19; and their skin care products range from $21-$49.
images from blackupcosmetics.com
Can’t wait to try it!
Sam Fine Creative Director for Fashion Fair
October 20th, 2011 § 1 Comment
photo from chron.com
I was excited to read that Fashion Fair, the largest black-owned cosmetics company in the world recently tapped celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine to become its creative makeup director. My initial reaction: Finally, fresh life will be brought to the Fashion Fair brand!
INFO BELOW FROM HUFFINGTON POST:
“Sam Fine is a true artist who understands women of color and has built an illustrious career unparalleled in the industry. His experience in the fashion editorial world with global beauty brands and celebrities will translate wonderfully with Fashion Fair, and our consumers will reap its benefits. We’re thrilled to have him with us, and you’ll be able to track his progress at www.fashionfair.com,” says Clarisa Wilson, the president of Fashion Fair.
I hope Sam truly gets to execute his vision, because when I think of Fashion Fair, I think of Aunt Sue giving me a hug with a face full of orange, heavy makeup which she also leaves imprinted on my clothes! So I’m anticipating a fabulous new line from a brand that has been a favorite for many black women. After all, it was all we had back in the day. I also hope Fashion Fair becomes a brand that younger women of color can look to for trends and hot new shades of eye shadow and lip colors. It will be nice to see a range of colors that goes beyond the usual coppers, browns and bronzes. Fine will also launch a signature cosmetic collection called “Sam Fine For Fashion Fair” in 2012.
Photo: Fashion Fair / HC
For fall, the brand introduced the Chocolate Seduction Collection, above: Golden Lights Beauty Highlighter, $17; lipsticks, $15-$18; eye shadows, $14. At Macy’s and fashionfair.com
Craving: NARS Galion Nail Polish
October 6th, 2011 § 2 Comments
Hey Blended Beauties! It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. Life has been busy for me as I recently gave birth to twin boys! But I’m back on the saddle and loving all that fall makeup has to offer: rich shades, bold colors, great textures, fabulous trends and sooo much more. I can’t wait to preview and review some of my favorites. So for starters, I’m craving NARS’ Galion nail polish ($17). It’s an opaque striking stormy grey that I can’t wait to try! What nail colors are you loving for fall? I’d love to hear so I can check them out too.
Munaluchi Bridal Spring/Summer Issue
February 11th, 2011 § 1 Comment
I was super excited when the spring/summer issue of my favorite bridal magazine, Munaluchi, came in the mail. There are of a lot of goodies in this issue including exclusive images of Lala and Carmelo Anthony’s wedding and a personal interview with her on how she balances motherhood, career and marriage.
The issue also features makeup tips for a fresh, luminous spring look, plus jewelry and accessories to get you glamorous for your big day.
Still looking for the gown of your dreams? Get inspired by a fabulous spread of luxury wedding gowns for brides with discerning taste.
There’s even something for the groom with fashion tips from the runway.
Last but not least, explore alternative options to the typical wedding dress or bridesmaids gowns. Wafrica, a collaboration between an African designer and a traditional Japanese kimono-maker, fuses elements of African fashion into traditional Japanese kimonos.
Munaluchi Bridal Spring/Summer 2011 issue is on sale today. Go to your nearest TARGET location and get a copy or visit MunaluchiBridal.com. You won’t be disappointed!
HAUTE Beauté
January 6th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
I love beautiful editorials and this one featuring Ajak Deng and Ataui Deng in the winter issue of Arise Magazine is simply stunning. The editorial was shot by John-Paul Pietrus and styled by Sabrina Henry. Enjoy!
Joan Smalls Global Spokesmodel for Estée Lauder
December 15th, 2010 § 2 Comments
Joan Smalls, new global spokesmodel for the Estée Lauder brand. Photo courtesy Estée Lauder.
If you haven’t heard of Joan Smalls, that is sure to change. This rising high fashion and editorial model who hails from Puerto Rico is the new face of Estée Lauder for skin care and cosmetics. She will join Estée Lauder’s roster of global beauties – Hilary Rhoda, Carolyn Murphy, Elizabeth Hurley, Constance Jablonski and Liu Wen – and debut in its global advertising campaigns beginning May 2011.
Joan made her debut in the world of high fashion in January 2010 when she was featured as the exclusive model for Ricardo Tisci’s Givenchy F/W 2010 Couture Show in Paris. Since then, she has quickly ascended to fashion’s top ranks by appearing on the runways in New York, Paris and Milan, for designers including Marc Jacobs, Prada, Gucci, Jil Sander, Derek Lam, Givenchy and Louis Vuitton.
Joan has also become a favorite of top fashion photographers including Mario Testino, Steven Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier, Mikael Jansson, David Sims and Craig McDean. She has appeared in editorials in the American, French, German and Italian editions of Vogue, as well as in Interview and I.D. Magazine.
I can’t wait to see more of Joan on the runway and print!
Photos courtesy The Fashion Spot
HAUTE Beauté: Dior Fall/Winter Couture Collection
July 13th, 2010 § 2 Comments
Mary Mary quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
With silver bells and cockle shells
And pretty maids all in a row.
Dior Dior you do not bore
How does your garden grow?
With psychedelic colors and poufy petal skirts
Dramatic ball gowns that flow, flow, flow.
Love the makeup and hair too! View other pieces from the collection at Jezebel.com.
Images via Jezebel.com
HAUTE Beauté: Vogue Africa
July 8th, 2010 § 1 Comment
credit: Mario Epanya via Jezebel.com
Unfortunately, these aren’t real Vogue covers. These amazing shots were done by Cameroonian photographer Mario Epanya on what a Vogue Africa could look like. There’s no doubt that women all over the continent are interested in fashion and beauty, and there are many talented designers on the continent as well. But it would be a feat for one magazine to fairly represent an entire continent that has so many countries, cultures and perspectives. Nevertheless, as a subscriber to American Vogue, I would love to see a Vogue Africa. Even moreso, how about having more beautiful brown skin on the covers of American Vogue too!
Keri Hilson’s New (?) Do
June 29th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
Keri Hilson looks great with her new do which she debuted Sunday at the BET Awards in L.A. Rita Hazan, celebrity colorist and owner of the Rita Hazan Salon in New York City, gave her the full hair makeover. With a new album on the way, I hear Keri wanted a fresh new look. And summer just screams for blond. “Keri had medium brown hair. I thought it would be cool to leave 
the sides dark and lighten the whole top to a honey blond with many different tones,” said Hazan. The cropped, colored coiffure suits her well, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that it resembles Rihanna’s which she has rocked since November. Coincidence? Whatever the case, Keri is workin’ it, and the saying must be true: Blondes have more fun!
