Blaq Vixen Beauty

I've forgotten how fun it is to participate in a beauty tag...even if I tend to overthink my answers! The stunning Khadine from Cosmetic Passion recently tagged me on her blog in a beauty preference meme in which I have to choose one beauty product in a series of questions:

[blush] or [bronzer]?

Sure, I love using bronzer as blush, eyeshadow and as a highlight, but nothing beats a gorgeous, ethereal glow you can get with a coral-, orange- or peach-hued blush. My favorites:

Face Blush by Iman

[lipstick] or [lip gloss]?

Purple lipstick please! But I think I might be wearing a host of fun lip tattoos this fall just because I hear they stay on forever with minimal retouching. My favorites:

Lipstick by M·A·C

[eyeliner] or [mascara]?

I know winged eyeliner and its variations is hot right now but give me a great mascara to define my eyes. Too much work to get the perfect cat eye nowadays! My favorites:

Mascara at Target

[foundation] or [concealer]?

Hands down, I have to choose foundation---especially a cream foundation that can double as a concealer. My favorites: In progress.

[neutral eyeshadow] or [colored eyeshadow]?

I love a nice wash of a metallic, neutral eyeshadow just because I'm too lazy to blend colored eyeshadow and make it look presentable. Besides, metallic eyeshadow is a great Fall trend! See below!

[loose eyeshadow] or [pressed eyeshadow]?

I hate loose shadow (too messy) but it doesn't stop me from using the loose eyeshadows that I have. I love pressed eyeshadows in palettes though...granted that I don't break them! [laughs] My favorites:

More Ulta...

[brushes] or [sponges]?

Believe it or not, I prefer using my BeautyBlender over my makeup brushes. I know there are people out there who think the BeautyBlender is nothing special but I have to disagree. First off, you're supposed to use it to stipple foundation, blush, etc. on the skin. If you use it like a regular sponge, you'll be disappointed. I love it because the technique is so artistic to me. My favorites:

More Beautyblender...

Which ones would you choose?

Photo via WireImage

For the week of January 7-14, I decided to post a bit more beauty posts this week so I wouldn't be tempted to deviate from my goal for this month! Out of the ten beauty stories we posted this week, six were based on a press that I received in the past two weeks. In fact, the most popular post this week was derived from a press release about Dr. Dre's new video "Kush." Here are the posts for the second week of January just in case you missed them:

1. Video Vixens Vamp it Up in Body Drench, Ardell Lashes and China Glaze
2. Should You Avoid MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder?
3. Which Makeup Look Do You Like Best on Melanie Barnett-Davis: Edgy or Natural?
4. Sephora and ShopBop Team Up for Color Play and a Giveaway
5. How to Get Dania Ramirez's 2011 People's Choice Awards Makeup Look
6. Jessica White's Blush in Maybelline New York's Limited Edition 2011 Calendar
7. Enter to Win Sephora's Urban Decay 15 Years of Beauty Sweepstakes
8. Limited Edition Sephora by OPI Gleek Chic Collection Preview
9. Will You Enter Black Opal's True Beauty Model Search?
10. Nails of the Week: Zoya Nail Polish in Kristi from the Wonderful Collection

Just in case you're watching the season 4 premiere of The Game today, enjoy these fashion posts:

1. Tia Mowry-Hardrict Wears French Connection Samantha Sequin Dress on The Mo'Nique Show
2. Tia Mowry-Hardrict Wears Lanvin for H&M Hot Pink Dress on The Wendy Williams Show
3. Melanie Barnett's Wedding Dress from The Game TV Show, Designed by Stacy Beverly

The MAC Pink Friday 4 Lipstick poll is still going on! Two more weeks left before I either host a giveaway or do a post on how to wear this limited edition shade. I wish I had more information about when MAC Cosmetics will bring it back. So far, 57% percent of you want me to do a post on how to wear it plus post dupes for Pink Friday 4.

Also, are you need in some free software geared toward women? If so, then enter our ChicaPC-fix Software giveaway. 20 winners will each receive a 1-year license key by email. This giveaway will end on January 29, 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.

Anything new in your world? Have a great weekend!

Now this is more like it - 15 grand prize winners will I myself haven't tried many Urban Decay products but as I briefly mentioned on Strut 'n' Street,  I purchased the Urban Decay Hall of Fame Set. I said, "...the only item that truly impressed me in the Hall of Fame Set was the 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil in Zero. Definitely a shame when I only purchased this set for the XL Eyeshadow Primer Potion, which is 60% larger than the regular size." each win 15 products worth over $300 if they are chosen in Sephora's Urban Decay 15 Years of Beauty Sweepstakes. This sweepstakes will end January 24, 2011 at 2:30 PM (PST). Unfortunately this sweepstakes is only open to entrants in the U.S.

What's your favorite Urban Decay product?

Urban Decay wants you to start of 2011 with the best in beauty! Help them celebrate their anniversary starting tomorrow  at a Sephora near you - that is, if you live in Massachusetts, New York or California. The party starts at the Sephora Prudential Center in Boston at 11 AM to 5 PM (617-262-4200). If you live in New York, be sure to hit Sephora Times Square on January 7th at 1 PM to 7 PM (212-944-6789). Lastly, if you call Costa Meca, California home, there will be an Urban Decay celebration taking place from 12 PM  to 6 PM at the Sephora South Coast Plaza (714-429-9130).

Do you know what today is?

Speaking of Urban Decay, I ordered the Hall of Fame kit a couple of months ago. While I finish testing out the rest of the products, feel free to reap the benefits of shopping Urban Decay's Friends & Family Sale!