Blaq Vixen Beauty

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...)

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." [...]

Today's Chic Combo post is by far my favorite as I was inspired by Afrobella's photoshoot with Chicago makeup artist Bisi Essen of Crystal Eyez and photographer Cadence Gamache. I just love how she's holding up her blog tag necklace like, "Make no mistake, I run THIS!!"

Today was the first day her limited edition "All Of My Purple Life" Lipglass became available to purchase. Since I cannot be any more happier for her or the fact that I scored TWO tubes of AMPL after missing out twice today, I've been swinging on the Grustling Godmother's (of Brown Beauty Blogging) ovaries practically all day. I'm not ashamed either because I know this will probably be the closest I'll get to her. Another order (or two) of AMPL is in the works!

All Shades of Beautiful will be about that Purple Life for six weeks!

Happy first day of summer to all of you!!

If you liked the Johnson's Baby Powder as a body veil tip, maybe you'll love this next tip: layer Johnson's Baby Oil Gel over sunscreen. This is actually a Sports Illustrated (SI) Swimsuit Issue Beauty Secret I remembered reading on the InStyle website. Makeup artist Tracy Murphy says she reaches for the Johnson's Baby Oil Gel because "it's super shiny, repels water and looks absolutely stunning in pictures."

Who knew Johnson's Baby Oil Gel could be glamorous?!

Finally, I'm announcing the winner! I used Random.org to pick a winner. Here were the results:

Which means that Alexus Bryant' is the winner of the Pink Friday 4 Lipstick! Alexus, if you are reading this, you have 48 hours to respond by emailing your contact info (name, address and phone number) to blaqvixenbeauty at gmail dot com. I will also post this on our Facebook page as well. If you do not respond within this timeframe, I will choose the next runner-up. Congratulations!!

For those of you who didn't win, just remember is was more of a collector's item than anything else. And besides, I think you'll enjoy my next makeup giveaway for sure!

Since Nicki Minaj didn't specify when her coveted Pink Friday lipstick was coming back this year, I figured I would do the next best thing but I needed you all to help me. Back in December, I hosted a poll and 57% of you voted for a giveaway. Since this is our first makeup giveaway this year, I've decided to host it on Facecbook so that you won't have to register for an OnSugar account. Click here to enter!!

According to Milan of Milan Rouge, it is! In the past few months, the only black eyeliner pencil I've been reaching for is L'Oreal Extra-Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner in Blackest Black...which is not really the blackest black I've ever seen. I used it here when I was practicing my cat eye:

Unfortunately, I haven't used it enough to actually form an opinion about it but I will say that when you first use it, you'll notice how creamy (perhaps too creamy because when you sharpen the pencil, the point breaks off sometimes) and how smoothly it applies.

Anyway, from what I've read, the MAC Kohl Eye Pencil in Feline is limited edition (LE) but was recently relaunched with the Cham Pale collection. So what I want to know is: do you think the Kohl Eye Pencil in Feline the ultimate black pencil eyeliner or can another product claim the title?

Beautywoome has found all the best New Zealand beauty brands you need to know about now.

Stuck for gift ideas? Check out Charly's N-spa Brand Rave!

Anita over at Pleasureflush gets excited over Chantecaille’s Tiger In The Wild palette and shows you her amazing Chantecaille collection.

K from Beautifully Addicted To discusses whether brands consider imitation to be the sincerest form of flattery in the run up to Christmas.

Hot Beauty Health shares 10 of the best natural beauty products enriched with soy proteins.

Pink Diva's Beauty Spot has been playing with Dr Lewinn's skin care... and loving it! Find out what products are worth a try.

Phyrra's Indie Spotlight for December is none other than Shiro Cosmetics! Learn all about Caitlin and this magical melding of makeup and geekery.

Aijuswhanakno shares her love in an ode to the Black Magic bar from 1 Hand Washes The Other.

See what Alyson at The Gloss Menagerie thinks of the Sigma Face & Eye Kit.

Baby powder for the face? Musicalhouses shows you this little makeup tip she stumbled upon!

Rachel reviews some love or hate it Lush products at Queen of Turquoise.

Retrodiva takes a look at the new Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style fragrance collection - it would make a great gift for the younger set.

The Pink Sith buys yet another raspberry colored lipstick. This time it's Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick in Rouge Vermillon. Come see how she justifies yet another amazing lipstick purchase!

Clue: What happens when Jeweled Thumb buys the same color over and over again? Answer: She finds great dupes!

Not sure what to get a friend (or yourself!) for Christmas? Check out this year's Gift Guide, over at theNotice!

Krasey Beauty rocks out with Make Up For Ever's Rock For Ever Collection.

Sarah from IHeartCosmetics tries out Nail Rock Nail Wraps which are a cool new alternative to Minx.

Hellcandy brings a little ray of sunshine with a sneak peak into British brand Boots No7 Spring 2011 range and it's all inspired by 1960s St Tropez...

Beauty Crazed has really lost their minds this time and is giving away over $500 worth of cosmetics! Treat yourself to a fabulous holiday present and enter now!

Check out Madame B Fatale's Giveaway for a $50 Apothica Gift Card!

It's the season for sparkles and presents so head on over to Eyelining Obsessions and enter to win some goodies in her festive giveaway!

Enter Audrey Dao's holiday giveaway to win a Marie Louise Travel Kit filled with skin care products.

Emma wants to thank her followers with a small giveaway including Sleek, MAC & NARS over at BirdsDecorateBranches!

Christmas come early? December marks the start of the annual Lipglossiping ADVENT GIVEAWAY! Come and join in for a chance to win some amazing prizes!

source: photo