Blaq Vixen Beauty

True to Hue: #WhatsYourNude Campaign Wants More Brown Bras for Brown Skin

BlaqVixenBeauty — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:00:15 AKST

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...)

ELLE Magazine Uncovers the Madness Behind Nicki Minaj's Makeup

BlaqVixenBeauty — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:22:54 AKST

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...)

Claim Your Inhairitance: Could Hair Cloning Treatments Be Available This Year?

BlaqVixenBeauty — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:27:39 AKST

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...)

Love and Hip Hop's Mona Scott-Young's Top 11 Beauty & Lifestyle Picks

BlaqVixenBeauty — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:17:26 AKST

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:

TV Shows - Full Episode Video - Reality TV Shows

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: [...]

Get Amber Riley's Golden Globes Badgley Mischka Gown from Rent the Runway

BlaqVixenBeauty — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:58:15 AKST

Editor's note: As Blaq Vixen Beauty is a member of Rent the Runway, by clicking the link to rent Amber Riley's red dress we benefit from the transaction by receiving a $20 credit.

It's always a treat to see what Glee star Amber Riley will wear next and at this year's Golden Globes, the voluptious vixen sauntered on the red carpet in a form-flattering Badgley Mischka Ruflles in Red Gown.

The electric crimson silk chiffon, complete with a sweetheart neckline, flowed over Riley's curves and catapulted her a spot on several Golden Globes best dressed lists, including ours. The ruched bodice displayed her cleavage tastefully and the strapless style allowed her caramel-tined locks to frame her decolletage. Glittering Neil Lane jewels and an equally stunning Swarovski clutch completed her look.

If you adore the look as much as we do, rent this $650 red hot number from Rent the Runway for $100 for four days, $160 for eight days.

It is a well known fact that men love a woman in red. Let him swirl you round the floor in this sweetheart neck strapless gown by Badgley Mischka and be prepared to fall in love!

Sanaa Lathan is the New Face of Pantene's Nature Fusion Line

BlaqVixenBeauty — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 22:39:40 AKST

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. [...]

2012 in Preview: SkinMedica Vitalize Peels at Pro Sports Club's MediSpa

BlaqVixenBeauty — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 22:39:09 AKST

After much consideration, I'm ready to reveal my first major goal for 2012:

{get professional skin treatments to minimize acne scarring and hyperpigmentation}

I've already started working towards this goal! This past Tuesday morning, I traveled to Bellevue, Washington to the Sports Pro Club's MediSpa. I previously visited to receive a free skin cancer screening back last year and wanted to start the year with a skin consult (see pics of the lavish waiting room and treatment room on Instagram).

I talked to Kristal, a very knowledgeable medical aesthetician and laser technician, and received my first SkinMedica Vitalize peel ($150) the same day. Surprisingly, it was less intense than the 15% and 20% TCA peels I bought from Makeup Artist's Choice and self-administered at home.

The Vitalize peel is non-invasive, well tolerated with little downtime, smoothes fine lines, wrinkles and improves acne, hyperpigmentation, and melasma. And thanks to its unique blend of Retinoic Acid, salicylic acid and Alpha Hydroxy Acids with Resorcinol, it helps treat active acne. By the way, unlike the peels I've used in the past, the Vitalize peel is self-neutralizing.[...]

Model Jasmine Tookes to Launch Makeup Line in 10 Years, the Next Iman?

BlaqVixenBeauty — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:56:35 AKST

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! [...]

In Retrospect: 11 Favorite Spokebeauties of 2011 Feat Joan Smalls, Paula Patton, Solange and More

BlaqVixenBeauty — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:07:54 AKST

In 2011, we rooted for our favorite spokesbeauties and welcomed new, exciting campaigns starring some of the world's most stunning faces. Behold, a look at some of the year's best hair and beauty ads:

JOURDAN DUNN for YVES SAINT LAURENT

Featuring Yves Saint Laurent's most iconic product, "magic wand" Touche Éclat, this elegant ad marked model mama Jourdan Dunn's first solo beauty campaign. It was also her first major partnership with a beauty brand.

GATE MAYA HAILE for FASHION FAIR

Gate Maya Haile may have intially studied nursing but now she's killing us with her flawless good looks and delicious bronze skin. Starring in Fashion Fair's stunning holiday ad with makeup by Creative Director and makeup master Sam Fine, there's no way we can resist her "Siren Call." [...]

The Vanity: Most Popular Posts of 2011 Featuring Nicki Minaj, Cassie, Nia Long, Make Up For Ever and Glitzy Lips

BlaqVixenBeauty — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:35:28 AKST

Editor's note: In celebration of the new year, many of 2011's most popular posts will be rewritten and updated in order to attract a new host of readers. In the meantime, enjoy! Check out last year's top ten list of popular posts.

Ever since I bit the bullet and bought an iPhone earlier this month (the iPhone 4S was sold out and I was already impatient), I couldn't seem to tear myself away as I'm having too much fun! It is one of the best purchases I've made in 2011! I've downloaded apps (newest one is Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday app), checked in with Foursquare, uploaded pics to Instagram and vibed to my favorite stations on Pandora. Keep up with me when I'm not delivering the latest tea, babes!

But since 2012 is on the horizon, it's back to work. I've compiled the top five popular posts of 2011 on Blaq Vixen Beauty:[...]