Blaq Vixen Beauty

Promotions: Win a CoverGirl Queen Collection Goody Bag from Urban Beauty Collective

BlaqVixenBeauty — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 23:57:32 -0500

Celebrity makeup artist Sam Fine uses various CoverGirl Queen Collection products on Queen Latifah for the 35th Annual People's Choice Awards back in 2009.

Ending in three days on April 16th, enter to win a CoverGirl Queen Collection Goody Bag from Urban Beauty Collective. They've already revealed some of the items included in the package to include the CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Minerals Bronzer (proper review coming soon!), CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara (review) and the CoverGirl Smoky Shadow Blast (review).

All you have to do is send UBC your profile picture (I assume you must be a member) and tell why you love the CoverGirl Queen Collection to earn an entry in the giveaway. Email your response to urbanbeautycollective at gmail dot com.

The winner will be announced on Monday, April 19th so make sure you check back to see if you won.

The Beauty Closet: CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara Review

BlaqVixenBeauty — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:02:41 -0500

Editor's note: The product mentioned in this article was sent for editorial consideration.

I'm a fan of both the original LashBlast and LashBlast Length so I was eager to try CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion. Fusion has a "fiber-stretch lengthening formula" to provide length while the massive brush provides volume. Let's see how this mascara performed...

As you can see (hopefully), I'm wearing LashBlast Fusion in Black Brown. It was difficult for me to see the results but Fusion has provided my lashes some curl and a little bit of fanning action. I'm sure I'm not the only one but when I wear or buy mascara, "Very Black" or any variation of the darkest shade that a brand has is the only one I'm buying.

I did experience some clumping, particularly on my inner lashes and my middle lashes but if you experience the same, just comb them out. However, in these set of photos, you can see the curl and how dramatically thick my lashes appear. I attribute this to the lash plumping particles and fibers in the mascara.

Also, in these sets of photos, you can see how LashBlast Fusion separated my lashes and provided definition.

Around 8 hours later, I took these trio of photos to see how the mascara held up. Unfortunately, there's some flaking but not too bad, in my opinion. The curl hasn't wilted and I still have separation and definition. Wonderful!! I really wish I had received it in Very Black so that you clearly see how pronounced my lashes are in my "After" photos.

Overall, CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion is smudgeproof but if you rub your eyes, you might end up with flakes. The formula was buildable but if you apply multiple coats (more than 4+), clumping might occur. I have to admit that I wasn't too impressed with LashBlast Fusion at first but I'm glad that I gave it another try.

Have you tried LashBlast Fusion yet? If so, how did it measure up to you?

For Our Consideration: JolieMD Metamorphosis + CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion

BlaqVixenBeauty — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:18:50 -0500

As you can see, both the JolieMD Metamorphosis 2-Step System as well as CoverGirl LashBlast Fusion came in the mail today. As excited I am that I finally received the system to test out, I've decided to only use it after I complete my Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector regimen, which I started last Thursday.

I like the original LashBlast and LashBlast Length, so I hope that LashBlast fusion delivers thickening, lengthening and separating. Can't wait to test it out!

Rip the Runway 2010: Tai Beauchamp + Body by Victoria + CoverGirl

BlaqVixenBeauty — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:50:24 -0500

Let's talk about makeup and bras. Honestly, the only other reason why I tuned in was for the beauty tips. I wasn't expecting to see Tai Beauchamp (@taibeau) talking about Body by Victoria but I'm glad that she did. It was one of the highlights of the show. She reminds us why Body of Victoria should be a staple in our wardrobe:

"The perfect outfit needs an even better base and the wireless by Victoria is just that - the perfect fit. It's lightweight, it's supportive, there's no wires, there's no tugging, and no embarrassing lines. Smooth, sleek and sexy but better yet, doesn't even feel like it's there. From the catwalk to your closet, Body by Victoria has got you covered." Click the picture of Chanel Iman in the Body by Victoria Demi Bra for more information.

Then of course, Alesha Renee talked about the products from the CoverGirl Beauty Bar, like the LashBlast Length Mascara, Smoky Shadow Blast Shadow Stick in Onyx Smoke, Shine Blast Lipgloss, and Queen Collection Compact Foundation.

Speaking of CoverGirl, they have a new LashBlast mascara titled LashBlast Fusion. Instead of delivering just length (like CoverGirl LashBlast Length) or just volume (like CoverGirl LashBlast), it delivers both. CoverGirl Global Creative Design Director Pat McGrath previewed LashBlast Fusion backstage at the Anna Sui show at F/W 2010 NYFW.

LashBlast Fusion isn't scheduled to hit the stores until April but of course, CoverGirl is having an exclusive online presale. Take advantage of free shipping with any of the e-tailers listed on the CoverGirl FB page from March 12th to April 5th.

*Edit:* I just received my sample of LashBlast Fusion in the mail a few minutes ago. Review coming up!

Opulent at the Oscars: Queen Latifah at the 82 Annual Academy Awards

BlaqVixenBeauty — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 21:44:42 -0600

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."