Blaq Vixen Beauty

Celebrity makeup artist Samuel Paul created this lovely look for Anika Noni Rose for the 3rd Annual Essence Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon. The rundown as follows:

[eyes] "I blended NARS Single Eyeshadow Compact in Bengali softly around the whole eye and then lined the top lid with NARS Eye Liner Pencil in Black Moon. I applied MAC Eyeshadow in Carbon over the liner and blended it out. I also used NARS Eye Liner Pencil in Black Moon to line the inner eye rim. I then coated Rose's top and bottom lashes with L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black."

[blush] "I used MAC Powder Blush in Sweet as Cocoa to contour the cheeks. Then used Cargo Blush in Laguna on the apples of her cheeks."

[lips] "I fill in her entire lips with NARS Lipliner Pencil in Jilted Love and then filled in with NARS Lip Gloss in Dolce Vita."

Eye Shadow by M·A·C

Anika Noni Rose attended the 12th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards yesterday. Celebrity makeup artist Samuel Paul beautified the Princess and the Frog star for the event. "[Anika] wanted an old hollywood glamour feel to her hair and makeup," Paul revealed. He used MAC Cosmetics and Ardell Lashes.

eyes. Paul blended MAC Eyeshadow in Dazzlelight all over the lid. In the corners, he applied MAC Eyeshadow in Shadowy Lady. He lined Rose's eyes with MAC Fluidline in BlackTrack. For the false eyelashes, Paul turned to Ardell Lashes.

cheeks. Rose is wearing MAC Powder Blush in Sweet as Cocoa on her cheeks.

lips. Would you believe that Rose is wearing MAC Lipstick in Girl About Town?! Paul toned out this amplified creme with MAC Lip Pencil in Auburn.

More M·A·C...

I guess I was the only one that didn't know that "My Black is Beautiful" were having their beauty awards in which they nominated and announced winners in the following categories: Beautiful Hair (Pantene), Beautiful Face (Olay Definity and CoverGirl Queen Collection) and Beautiful Smile (Crest). I was happy to see that Taraji P. Henson, Nia Long, Tracee Ellis Ross, Anika Rose, Eva Marcille and Regina King were among the nominees.

The Beautiful Hair award goes to Rihanna. Seriously, who else was going to win? Sure, you might be tired of hearing about pop's favorite "It Girl." However, when were you not inspired by her "uber-original style?" Buy me an all-white suit and a leopard top and I'm good to go! On the other hand, Taraji P. Henson's shift from a chic bob to a rockstar-like shag did inspire me to cut my hair again. And if I do decide to go natural in the future, I hope my curl pattern is similar to that of Tracee Ellis Ross.

Pantene Pro-V

While Queen Latifah and Jill Scott are definitely beautiful - inside and out - it is beauty of Nia Long that has captivated us all! If I had the choice to have the glow of my celebrity, I'd request Nia Long because she has nice, luminous skin that gets better with age. While I was happy that Essence did a hair diary on Nia Long I am really interested in Nia Long's skin secrets to that I take notes!

Olay

I think I was the only surprised by the nominees but the winner as well. Eva Marcille beat out Regina King and Anika Noni Rose for best smile. I was betting on Regina King to be honest with you! Ever since I've hooked up with Crest, I've had the chance to try products that I would purchase because they work: the Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal, the Crest Pro-Health Enamel Shield Toothpaste, and the Crest Pro-Health Enamel Shield Mouth Rinse.

Tooth Whiteners at Target

Are you satisfied with the winners/nominees or do you feel someone else should've won?