Blaq Vixen Beauty

Welcome to the Sisterhood: My Favorite Two Step Products for National Sisters Day

BlaqVixenBeauty — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:31:14 AKDT

Editor's note: Since National Sisters Day has already passed, I thought it was high time to hurry up and publish this post!

If you ever have blessed with a younger sister, older sister or even a twin, than you've probably reaped the benefits of a bond that has surpassed boundaries and is still blossoming in this crazy phase called life.

I noticed all of my favorite celebrity siblings shared special qualities with my favorite two-step skin and nail care products. Sometimes, "it takes two to make a thing go right"---seriously, Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock were on it in 1988! From Sasha and Malia Obama to the Braxton Sisters (the more the merrier, right?), allow me to welcome you to the sisterhood:

AJ Crimson Announces New Makeup Line, LeToya Luckett is Spokesbeauty

BlaqVixenBeauty — Mon, 14 May 2012 05:00:00 AKDT

Yesterday at this year's The Makeup Show, celebrity makeup artist A.J. Crimson spilled the tea on his latest endeavor: the AJ Crimson makeup line. From this initial promo starring "Lady Love" singer LeToya Luckett, the new collection embodies Crimson's philsophy: clean, luxe but affordable (hopefully). I guess since he has Kissable Couture (they recently added lipsticks to the mix), this one will focus solely on foundation and powders. But there's the blush?(more...)

I'm a Johnson's Baby CARES Council Member + Johnson's Baby CARES Program

BlaqVixenBeauty — Mon, 07 May 2012 22:46:59 AKDT

Like generations of families, I too grew up with JOHNSON’S® Baby products and their classic scent and feel. In fact, before I go to bed I sometimes use JOHNSON'S® Bedtime Lotion, enriched with lavender, to lull Luca and myself to sleep!

---Johnson's Baby brand ambassador Hillary Duff

Towards the end of February, Johnson's Baby reached out to me to become of their official brand ambassadors on their Johnson's CARES Council platform. I was absolutely shocked to even be considered. Fast-forward to me finally sharing this great news with the Blaq Vixen Beauty family. (more...)

I'm a Motherlover, You're a Motherlover: Blaq Vixen Beauty's Mother's Day Gift Guide

BlaqVixenBeauty — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:30:44 AKDT

Editor's note: If you got a chuckle out of our blog title, check out the SNL digital short starring Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg that provided the inspiration! Since I am so used to splurging on items for my mom, the items I've picked are more pricier than usual. Will put together a more budget-friendly guide very soon!

Just so there's no misunderstanding today (because I sure did have one last weekend), Mother's Day is May 13th, and if you haven't secured a great gift for your mom yet, let me help you find that perfect purchase! I thought it would be interesting to create guides based on some of my favorite movie moms: Angela Bassett from Jumping the Broom, Irma P. Hall in Soul Food, Regina King in This Christmas, and Jenifer Lewis in The Brothers. (more...)

It's Provocative, It Gets the Vixens Going: Londyn Nikole's Unkissable Lip Gloss Line

BlaqVixenBeauty — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:52:54 AKDT

I haven't been to a club since November, and even then I was too busy observing local beauty/fashion trends (for research of course) to even thoroughly enjoy myself. I picked a table in the middle of the club and mentally jotted out ideas for future blog posts. Don't even ask. It's a habit now.

However, I wasn't really equipped with the beauty essentials to settle comfortably in the night life anyway. If you take a gander in my Marc by Marc Jacobs Small Cosmetic Case, you won't find any awe-inspiring purchases only because the struggle is real out here. I spend my days (and nights) grustling just so I have enough gas money. Newfangled makeup splurges aren't at the top of my list of priorities nowadays unfortunately. (more...)

Makeup and More in the Military: 3 Beauty Trends You Can Totally Rock in Uniform

BlaqVixenBeauty — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 21:24:38 AKDT

Although I'm too lazy to wear makeup in uniform (only because I value sleep over beauty during drill weekends), I love seeing other women in uniform wear makeup, nail polish and perfume. To me it says, "I have so much respect for myself and the uniform that I'm wearing that I'm going to make sure I look damn good while doing my job."

Supermodel Iman said it best in the December 2010 issue of Harper's Bazaar: "I believe in glamour. I am in favor of a little vanity. I don't rely on just my genes. Looking good is a commitment to yourself and others. Wigs, killer heels, Pilates, even fillers---whatever works for you, honey." (more...)

Score a Box of My Shade of Brown for $5, Help Mom Get Her Immortality On

BlaqVixenBeauty — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:54:32 AKDT

We're back momentarily to share a great deal from My Shade of Brown. The founder, Meki Adefris, in preparation for the May launch, thought it would be an excellent idea to offer a Mother's Day special in which the first 50 people can try this premium beauty service for just $5. Simply sign in, clear your account, and click the "Join Monthly" button to get your discount. If My Shade of Brown is not a hit with mom, simply log back in and cancel your subscription.

Looking at this as an outsider, this is a great way to appeal to those product junkies that are probably thinking about what products they could use in order to transition to a more green beauty routine (Earth Day was this past Sunday). You have more women detoxing from relaxers and other damaging beauty practices.

I'm not sure if MSB meant to go the natural route with their selections (mostly), but an organic/natural lifestyle is the way of the future. More black women are transitioning into these more intoxicating superbeings and it's just so exciting to see the transformation in motion. So I thank MSB for contributing and providing to this healthier phases in our lives.

Anyway, jump on this deal and don't forget to like the My Shade of Brown Facebook fan page to get a taste of youth for yourself or a loved one! They're also hosting weekly giveaways so don't delay---become a fan today!

Tango with Tangerine: 5 Orange Nail Polish Strips From NCLA & Nail Rock

BlaqVixenBeauty — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 06:00:00 AKDT

Editor's note: Color-forecasting company Pantone christened Tangerine Tango (color 17-1463) as the hue for 2012. In response, Blaq Vixen Beauty curated several guides that feature the best beauty, fashion and lifestyle products available in this vivacious, energy boosting hue. Enjoy!

This is the hottest "strip club" everyone is talking about! If Minx and Shellac gel manicures are out of your budget (or simply not your preference), nail wrap foils and strips are the next best thing. Not only are these fingernail-sized masterpieces cheaper than an airbrushed manicure, but they are quicker and more convenient to apply. Forget potentially dangerous UV lamps---these fashion-forward nail sets require minimal drying time without heat.

We're currently stuck on several eclectic and gorgeous nail strip designs from some of our favorite beauty brands. In honor of 2012 and Pantone's color of the year Tangerine Tango, we've listed the top 5 nail polish strip designs you need to try: (more...)

Pantone Spring 2012 Fashion Color Report Starring NYX Cosmetics

BlaqVixenBeauty — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 19:31:04 AKDT

I was so inspired by Make Up For Ever's brilliant spring Pantone mailing that I thought it would be cool to do something similar with a more budget friendly brand. Coincidently, NYX Cosmetics had many shades that correlated with popular colors in Pantone's Spring 2012 Fashion Color Report. While it was fun, it was also extremely challenging as I wanted to include current beauty trends and popular beauty looks that you could recreate with my product picks. Without further adieu, here are eight NYX products that correlate with this season's hottest colors:

Spring 2012 Trends: 12+ Purple Lipcolors to Satisfy Your Violet Tendencies

BlaqVixenBeauty — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 20:15:08 AKST

My first purple lipstick was Revlon Super Lustrous Creme Lipstick in Berry Haute in late 2010. That was the beginning of my purple haze faze. I promised myself back in January that my signature makeup look was going to be extreme eyeliner (modified cat eye) and true purple lips. I have the lipstick (actually several because I'm pretty insatiable) but have yet to master my eyes.

So imagine my excitement when I spotted one of my newest girl crushes, Kat Graham, wearing a marvelous mulberry lip! Many have said that only Kat Graham could pull of a look like this as the lavendar eyeliner and plum lip gloss would've been too dramatic on another.

You can try the look with Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick in 004 from the Kate Moss Collection. 004 is a vampy shade that would look great spiced up with a sparkling or metallic purple lip gloss to add dimension. Or, if you find that 004 is not deep enough for you or if any of our top picks are too bright, layer Rimmel London Stay Glossy Lip Gloss in Black Diva on top.

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