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." [...]

Editor's note: Now available for purchase in a mini lacquer 4-pack or the entire 6-piece collection.

Remember that line Nicki Minaj rapped in Drake's "Make Me Proud?" It's Pink Friday and OVO/Popped out, I'm the realest deal, best legal team so the deals are ill/It's MAC, OPI and a fragrance too. Well, we have details on that OPI deal---Nicki Minaj is the first female rapper to partner with OPI for her own nail lacquer collection! Consisting of five "stylish and sassy" lacquers and one shatter topcoat, each shades are inspired by some of Minaj's hit songs and are $8.50 each. Here is the updated photo from OPI's Facebook page: (more...)

From LaQuan Smith and Melody Ehsani---Designer LaQuan Smith took to his Facebook to give us a sneak peek of what to expect at this year's Rip the Runway. Victoria's Secret model Selita Ebanks is the latest celebrity to wear his hot pink tennis dress from his Spring 2011 collection. It makes me wonder if this dress was the official "uniform" for the hosts as Nicki Minaj wore a modified version at last year's Rip the Runway. She paired his LQS creation with patent nude pumps and jewelry from Melody Ehsani:

The Rhythm of Fashion premieres March 21st...

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!!

If you want to get your hands on Pink Friday 4 (if you haven't already), log on to the MAC website on Thursday nights between 9-11 pm.  Click to see swatches of Pink Friday 4 at Scandalous Beauty!!

Just in case you can't read what it says: "A Limited Edition Lipstick personally designed by Nicki Minaj to celebrate the release of her debut album Pink Friday. Featuring a bright, creamy pink satin formula, Nicki's shade is only available online for four Fridays starting November 26, 2010, while supplies last."

It would've been nice to see an ad specifically for the Pink Friday 4 Lipstick. Just the fact that MAC recycled the ad for the Pink Friday 4 CD speaks so many volumes. If you remember, they did the same thing when they teamed up with Fantasia to celebrate the release of her debut album "Free Yourself." At least Fantasia was able to get two lip glosses - Fantabulous 1 and Fantabulous 2 - out of the deal (see official press release in 2004).

Anyway, Pink Friday 4 will be available on November 26th, December 3rd, December 10th and December 17th.