Blaq Vixen Beauty

Excited as I was to finally review Paula Begoun's "Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me," 7th Edition, today I am even more excited because of two things. First, not only am I receiving the 8th Edition (which came out January 2010) but Ms. Begoun's office asked me if there were any specific lines that I think they should review.

My picks would be Steelo Cosmetics, Black Radiance, Black Opal, Iman Cosmetics, Flori Roberts, Fashion Fair, Interface, and the CoverGirl Queen Collection.

I'm extremely curious to know what WOC friendly brands you all would love to see in the book. Just leave a comment and I'll be sure to pass along the information!

As we all saw last night with Zoe Saldana, Paula Patton and Queen Latifah, flawless glowing skin is a requirement when gracing the Red Carpet. Besides the dazzling gowns, exquisite jewelry and accessories, your skin is not only your largest organ but it is truly your most prized fashion accessory. It requires maintenance, dedication and discipline. I would also like to add that it requires you to be hungry and meticulous to produce effective results. You have to possess that hunger, that fire to have skin such as these lovely ladies.

Maybe you've given up or you're slowly embracing the fact that you may never have such flawless skin. I can't tell you how many times I've told myself that it was okay that my skin isn't in the best shape. And no matter how many times I try to cover up my scars with makeup, I'm always going to look "off." Till this day, I am haunted by what fellow beauty editor Julia Conley (of All About the Pretty) said in a Blog Talk Radio interview about how your makeup doesn't look as flawless when your skin is jacked up...or something to that effect.

I try not to think about it too much but when I was writing my Opulent at the Oscars posts, I kept imagining myself with radiant, unblemished skin...without makeup. When I think of my skin history, I think about my struggles with chickenpox (childhood) and acne (teens and adult life).

This is why I want to invite you all to mySkin, an unbiased skincare advice community that I signed up for some months ago but haven't really had time to explore until now. Since this site is not open to the public yet and is only available to those with invitations, my special invite code is BLAQVIXEN.

mySkin offers you a virtual skincare cabinet stocked with products that were formulated specifically for your skin type and concerns. One of the highlights of this community is that they don't sell/make products, promote certain products on their site or feature advertising from skincare manufacturers. I love that mySkin isn't swayed by the latest, greatest or trendiest developments in the skincare market. They promise to remain "independent and neutral" so we won't feel obligated to purchase certain products.

Since this is just an introductory post, I don't want to go into too much detail about the site. However, I will say that because mySkin has so many features, I am planning to highlight a different feature of the site in upcoming posts.

In the meantime, what beauty applications/sites are you using to help you motivate you to improve/upkeep the appearance of your skin?

*Edit:* Use the code BLAQVIXEN to get a 20% discount and FREE Deluxe Oak Primer with a $25 purchase or more at KorresUSA. This offer is good through 4/23.

Shortly after I spotted Korres newest primer, the Quercetin & Oak Face Primer, in my latest Sephora Beauty Insider email, I received more information on why this primer is a wonderful beauty booster.

It contains oak extract, which "visibly increases elasticity and reduces wrinkles at the cellular level." In layman terms, it means that you can expect to see dramatically smoother, more refined skin. Also, you'll see the collagen levels in your skin "radically boosted."

The other ingredient, Quercetin, dramatically improves skin cell functioning returning cells to a more youthful state.

If you needed another reason to become a Sephora Beauty Insider, here's another: You can try Korres Oak Primer before it hits stores - for FREE. All you have to do is enter the code OAKPRIME at checkout to secure your deluxe sample (0.34 oz.; $11 value).

Not only that, but this primer claims to act as a beauty treatment by improving skin texture (97%), skin elasticity (88%), firming and tightening the skin (84%) and lifting the skin (75%).

Since Korres is so proud of this latest innovation, they offered me the chance to share the benefits of Quercetin and Oak with you all. I'm in the middle of discussing the details of a giveaway with Korres but I just wanted to give you all a heads up. Stay tuned!

“We wanted to achieve a sexy and sophisticated look while keeping it balanced with her dress. With luminous skin and neutral-glossed lips, I was able to really focus on her beautiful almond-shaped eyes.”

-Vera Steimberg for NARS Cosmetics

Even the 82nd Annual Academy Awards couldn't Zoe Saldana from living it up in the luminous lane on the red carpet! The following NARS products were used to achieve a fresh, resplendent effect:

face. Instead of bothering with foundation or concealer, Steimberg turned to NARS Orgasm Illuminator. This allowed Saldana's skin to take on a wonderful incandescence.

eyes. Steimberg pat on Brousse Duo Eyeshadow. Of the Sable/Black Violet duo, Steimberg said it was "sexy and sophisticated." She then lined Saldana's eyes with NARS Eyeliner Stylo Eyeliner in Nuits Blanches. Steimberg applied several coats of NARS Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara in Black. To complete the look, Steimberg decided to add shu uemura False Eyelashes Slant Black. She applied them with the shu uemura False Eyelash Applicator and then merged Saldana's real lashes with the falsies with the shu uemura Eyelash Curler. Although it wasn't mentioned, I'm sure Steimberg used shu uemura Eyelash Adhesive to apply the false eyelashes.

cheeks. To make Saldana's cheekbones pop, Steimberg used NARS The Multiple Multi-Purpose Stick in Lamu (which is, unfortunately, not available at the present time but keep your eyes peeled this April) as a contour, blending this product over the Orgasm Illuminator. However, you can also try NARS The Multiple Multi-Purpose Stick in South Beach to achieve a similar effect. As for blush, Steimberg reached for another yet-to-be-released product: Enchanted Cream Blush (also available this April) but for you glow-getters at home, Gueule de Nuit Cream Blush serves as a substitute.

lips. Saldana is wearing a combination of Love Devotion Lipstick (the third product scheduled to be released April 15th) and NARS Lip Gloss in Ophelia. Casblanca Lipstick can be substituted for Love Devotion.

Man, this chick keeps glowing, and glowing, and glowing...thankfully celebrity makeup artist Mylah Morales was able to keep this radiant mama-to-be looking gorgeous.

face. "I started by applying shu uemura Brightening Cleansing Oil to clean up her skin and create an ideal canvas for foundation application. Next I applied Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in #8 and set the foundation with a sheer layer of shu uemura Face Powder Matte in 5YR Dark followed by CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Bronzer in Light Bronze for a gorgeous, bronze glow."

eyes. "To accentuate and enhance Paula’s stunning orange dress, I focused on gold and brown shades for her eyes. I applied gold powder shadow in the corners of her eyes followed by a layer of CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast Shadow Stick in Bronze Fire over her lid for a gorgeous red carpet eye look. I completed her eye look with a few swipes of CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara in Very Black for dramatic, ultra-long lashes."

cheeks. "To complete Paula’s overall look I applied NARS Powder Blush Cheek Color in Taj Mahal followed by shu uemura depsea water facial mist to lock-in Paula’s makeup and help it last her through the night."

lips. "For Paula’s lips, I kept them pretty natural and used a peachy shade of gloss that matched her natural lipcolor."

On Queen Latifah's makeup, celebrity makeup artist D'Andre Michael revealed, "I decided to go with a plum smoky eye, soft mauve lip and bronzed skin. Queen Latifah’s wardrobe was a beautiful, custom-designed lavender gown."

face. "I used a foundation brush to apply CoverGirl Queen Collection Compact Foundation in Warm Caramel and set it with CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Bronzer in Brown Bronze."

eyes. For Queen Latifah’s eyes, I started by applying CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Bronzer in Brown Bronze to the brow bone. I do this to achieve a more natural look to the brow bone." (Wonderful tip! I've done this a few times myself. Who knew bronzer could work as a subtle brow highlight?)

"Secondly, I used CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast Shadow Stick in Purple Plum on the entire lid from the lash line to the inner crease. I then used CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast Shadow Stick in Onyx Smoke in the inner crease to blend up on the brow bone. For depth and intensity, I used CoverGirl Outlast Smoothwear All Day Eyeliner in Onyx on the inner bottom eyelid. To give lashes the oomph that most women crave, I applied CoverGirl LashBlast Length Water Resist Mascara in Very Black."

cheeks. "To complete Queen’s look I used Cargo Blush in Siena on the apples of her cheekbones for a hint of color and glow. To complete the overall look I used CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Bronzer in Brown Bronze for a soft and subtle glow on her upper cheekbones, forehead, nose, neck and collar bone."

lips. "For Queen Latifah’s lips, I wanted to compliment the plum eye by doing a beautiful mauve lip to balance out the various purple hues of the entire look. To start I used a base coat of MAC Lipstick in Midimauve and then lined her lips with Kevyn Aucoin The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil in Deep. I recommend rubbing your lips together after lining lips to blend the line. I added luster and shine to Queen’s lips by applying a dab of CoverGirl Shine Blast Lipgloss in Aglow."

Over at theNotice, Rae talks about the "LOL Scarf" (aka the MAC Liberty of London scarf,) and wonders why the heck anyone would spend $115 on it!

Head over to Beautifully Glossy to read what GlossQueen has to say about Diorshow's Iconic Mascara.

Curious to see how the Purple Lab Silk Sheets Luxe Foundation measures up? Blaq Vixen Beauty has the scoop!

Arianne of Glitter Geek is still in a makeup rut, so she tries to fight back with smoky blue eyeshadows!

Krasey Beauty gets acquainted with the new Chanel Rouge Coco lipsticks, and promptly falls in love.

Hot Beauty Health shares hot hair color trends to wear in 2010.

Jeweled Thumb asks the age old question: "Would you like some lip gloss with those oysters?" Wait, what?

Jellyminx Thinks is featured on Makeup.com, thanks to the lovely people at Lancome. Lights...Camera...Action!

Mz. More at The Glamorous Gleam gets ready for her close up as she reviews the new HD foundation from Revlon.

Vex in the City unveils swatches in all their pastel glory from Revlon Spring 2010.

Christelle at Beauty Crazed uses Mary Kay to shut down her shine!

Beauty Woo Me wants you to stop making that Duckface!

Ever wanted to know the differences between the Beauty Blender and it's dupes? Hell Candy Make Up did! Read her reviews here.

On her hunt for the perfect scent, TheLipPrint discovers an indie gem - Sonoma Scent Studio's Opal and Vintage Rose.

Coral is the hottest colour for Spring and Summer. Discover the perfect coral lipstick in Over by Illamasqua with Makeup4All!

Help Audrey Dao celebrate her 1 year blog anniversary with giveaways all month long! Prime Beauty asks "What's your favorite eyeliner?" and gives away a Stila Mini Smudge Pot Collection.

Edited By: Iggi

It's Thursday...and you know what that means: Glamarazzi time!! Just in time for the weekend, it's the perfect day to read through this week's haute links to get some fab glam/beauty tips for your weekend look... And don't forget, we are always considering new members. If interested find out how to submit your blog for membership HERE.

Make-up/Music/Money/Me FINALLY got her hair done. An interesting and funny story...

Obsession Isn't Just A Perfume has a makeup palette you can play with in the dark!

See Her Goody Bag's Top 5 Transitional Pieces for the Spring

The Style Aficionado teaches us how to fix a broken eyeshadow

Hot Beauty Health shares a list of the latest female fashion trends for Spring 2010!

Blaq Vixen Beauty reviews Dr. Miracles' Tingling Intensive Deep Conditioning Treatment

Makeup By Kim Porter has a fab tutorial: Celebrity Inspired Keri Hilson Look & Neutral Look using MAC

Glamour Whore brings you DSquared2's AMAZING Fall 2010 Collection shown at Milan Fashion Week

Do you remember when Essence Magazine featured Steelo Cosmetics in their January 2010 issue (with Anika Noni Rose on the cover)? If you want to know more about this brand and you live in Maryland, register for the preview event here.