Editor's note: OnSugar is currently hosting a Love.Write.Win Blogging Challenge and this is a variation of #19: What Are Five Things on Your Bucket List?

I almost succumbed to a beauty rut back in January. I've been glossing it up for a while now, save for the occassional swipe of lipstick. I promised myself that I'd experiment with lipstick for at least whole week (including the weekends) to see if I could handle the intensity on a very regular basis.

Well, let's just say you can catch snapshots of me on Insta.gram sporting my latest and greatest purchases. This past weekend, I finally picked up Hard Candy's Visibly Wet Shockingly Glossy Lip Pencil in Jezebel, a pulsating magenta hue peppered with electric fuchsia glitter. It's major in a sort of "I've got the business" kind of way.

But back to you, babe. With Fashion Week Fall 2012 introducing various beauty and hair inspiration, perhaps it's time to revaluate your signature look and see how you can revamp it this year. Chances are you have the "look" to pull off many of Fashion Week's awe-inspiring aesthetics but just need the right attitude.

Whatever your case might be, we've compiled the top five beauty trends that you just have to try at least once: (more...)

I've read the entire FDA Analyses of Lead in Lipsticks Initial and Expanded Surveys and spotted four shades that I have out of the 400 (yep, count 'em) listed:

#5 NARS Semi-Matte 1009 Funny Face (I originally purchased Manhunt, also on the list at #184 with a lead content of 0.95) with a lead content of 4.93 (expanded survey)

#34 CoverGirl Queen Collection Vibrant Hues Color Q582 Cherry Bomb with a lead content of 2.27 (expanded survey).

#292 CoverGirl Queen Collection Vibrant Hues Shine Q920 Shiny Port Wine with a lead content of 0.49 (expanded survey).

#396 MAC Cosmetics Satin MAC Red with a lead content of 0.03 (expanded survey). (more...)

After seeing a sneak peek in a fellow curlBOX member's box and spying a sample of Nothing But Cleansing Conditioner and Nothing But Curly Pudding from Sofn'free's Nothing But hair care line for textured hair, I just had to share my quick thoughts on the brand and share more information about this new line.

I've received a variety of products from the GroHealthy line in the past. While my favorite items are the Milk Protein & Olive Oil Really Deep Conditioning Treatment, Milk Protein & Olive Oil Strengthening Creme, Milk Protein & Olive Oil Daily Growth Lotion and the Milk Protein & Olive Oil Leave-in Treatment, there was one product that I couldn't stand to use.

While I've never used anything quite like the Milk Protein & Olive Oil Three-Layer Growth Oil, I learned to skip this oil. The first time I shook it up and applied it as a prepoo treatment, I literally went crazy! I originally thought this product had menthol in it but alas, it doesn't. The Really Deep Conditioning Treatment, which I love, has menthol. However, I can actually stand to use this product, even though the tingling sensation does bother me a little.

My scalp cannot tolerate most hair-tingling products and the Three-Layer Growth Oil was no exception. So as you could probably could imagine, I experienced an uncomfortable sensation. Furthermore, the potent smell caused me to have a headache in addition to my scalp on the edge of burning. (more...)

Editor's note: The products mentioned in this article were provided for editorial consideration. I was invited to attend the "Winterize Your Beauty Routine" webinar conducted by DNA EGF Renewal skin care founder Dr. Ron Moy back in October.

T  H  E || B  A  C  K  S  T  O  R  Y

As you might imagine, winterizing acne-scarred and hyperpigmented skin is challenging. After numerous trials--which all failed unfortunately--I decided to stick to the basics: cleanser, toner, moisturizer and sunscreen. My skin regimen doesn't even include serums, eye creams nor a night treatment! I've been so hesitant about adding new products to my regimen as I felt the simpler my regimen, the less likely I would cause more damage to my skin.

Yet, my inner turmoil with my skin did not prevent me from testing out three products from the DNA EGF Renewal skin care line---DNA Intensive Renewal, DNA Defense SPF 30+ and DNA Night Renewal. [...]

Perhaps I'm not the target consumer in Tara Raines' "What's Your Nude?" campaign (which officially kicks off today) as I prefer bras (and lingerie) in either black, red or various jewel tones, not exactly nude or brown. I guess I've given up on this front.

Yet, if I want to wear an optic white-on-white outfit, a scandalous, sheer number (ha!) or even my digital camis during drill weekend, I would prefer a seamless set of brown girl nude underwear. However, this reads as another urban legend in the brown beauty bonanza.

Trying to find a high-quality, everyday bra in your specific skintone treads in "the pursuit of happiness" territory. After all, it is your right to go nude without resorting to outlandish measures such as splurging on one bra or pair of panties due to lack of choices. (more...)

As disgusted as I am about the atrocity that is "Stupid Hoe" (a.k.a. this year's "Massive Attack" but I think the aforementioned could possibly be worse), I was still excited to read April Long's interview with the flamboyant femcee in the February issue of ELLE Magazine. I'm hoping Minaj can bring us a "Monster" to make up for the musical misstep.

Previously we learned Minaj depended on black soap and facials for her nearly flawless skin and in this new interview, she again reminded us the star product in her makeup bag: "I can't see myself without pink lipstick. I can go without it for a couple of days (see below), but if there was no more pink lipstick in the world, I'd be useless. Seriously." (more...)

With the announcement of Sanaa Lathan landing a beauty contract with esteemed hair brand Pantene for their Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Line, one could almost forget that there are famous beauty icons battling traction alopecia and other agonizing forms of hair loss.

The Something New bombshell believes in deep conditioning, routine trims and limiting exposure to heat tools. Furthermore, when she's not shooting a movie, she adores wearing her natural hair. Obviously, Sanaa's hair (and hairline) is still intact.

Additionally, in Ebony Magazine's "HAIR: Still the Ultimate Black Girl Divide?" segment, style editor Geneva S. Thomas chatted with leading hair and style bloggers to provide commentary on the tangled world of black tresses. While there were numerous points discussed in part 1 of the series, hair loss in women was not mentioned. (more...)

Editor's note: Recently Blaq Vixen Beauty asked the ladies of Love and Hip Hop what were their top 11 beauty, fashion and lifestyle picks for 2011. Up first is Love and Hip Hop executive producer and manager Mona Scott-Young.

As evident on Twitter tonight, Mona Scott-Young's (or Mona Scott King as she was called) guest appearance on Love and Hip was well-received. I loved how as a mentor, Scott-Young kept it real with Yandy, even though their talk did not seem to be as successful as we all thought it would be. Watch below:

Later, on Twitter, Scott-Young tweeted the following: "Hey my tweeps. Need [to] make the point that [although] I didn't agree with how Yandy handled that situation[,] it doesn't mean she's not a great [manager]. She's smart, dedicated[,] and loyal - all VERY important traits that are hard to find. Sometimes we all need a different perspective. Life is about correction...that's the beauty of waking up everyday. Our ability [to] learn from our past and apply that growth [to] our future."

And of course, Mona looked as fierce as she did in the Indique Hair video! Almost immediately after viewing the feature, the idea for this new mini-series sparked. I wanted to know what top beauty and lifestyle products kept the savvy trailblazer (along with the other ladies on the show) looking fabulous as they braved the drama and celebrated triumphs in 2011. Scott-Young has managed some of my favorite artists like Missy Elliot, Maxwell, Busta Rhymes and 50 Cent.

Here were Scott-Young's top 11 picks for 2011: (more...)

Editor's note: Since Pantene haven't officially revealed Sanaa Lathan's new ads for the Nature Fusion Line, I have taken the liberty of snapping the above picture with my beloved iPhone. Not the best picture obviously, but it will have to do until I can scan the

Revealed in the beauty news section of the February issue of Essence Magazine, Sanaa Lathan is the face of Pantene's Nature Fusion line! I am personally excited because I was so over the Relaxed and Nature collection but actually fell in love with the Nature Fusion collection a couple of years ago. [...]

When asked by the Cut where she saw herself in ten years, "new girl" Jasmine Tookes responded, "Hopefully with my own cosmetics line and happily married with kids." Clearly Tookes has the type of flawless complexion cosmetics companies stan for so why doesn't she have a beauty contract? Surely it won't be a decade before we her starring in a beauty campaign, right? She's glamour gold and deserves a partnership with a cosmetic giant!

Either way, I cosign unconditionally. Tookes could be the next Iman, who launched her eponymous and lucrative makeup line in 1994. She can also emulate Queen Latifah and personally star in all of the ads for her brand. Not only could she convince us that we need to buy what she's selling but just imagine a cutout of her face on your vision board! [...]