Editor's Note: The product mentioned in this post was sent by Purple Lab NYC for an exclusive launch party in honor of Purple Lab NYC's debut on the Home Shopping Network (HSN).
If you follow me on Twitter, you may have read my tweets about Purple Lab Silk Sheets Luxe Foundation ($34.50). As it turns out, my experience with Silk Sheets have been mostly good - the formula itself is creamy, silky, blendable, and feels great on the skin. However, since I have to do quite a bit to correct the shade (as you can see on the left), I am hesitant to actually buy Silk Sheets. This is a shame because Karen Robinovitz (the creatrix of Purple Lab) included "coveted ingredients" in Silk Sheets to include algae, hyaluronic acid, silk, juniper, almond seed oil, Vitamin C, and nettle. It also firms the complexion, as you can hopefully see on the right.
Editor's Note: This post will be updated as soon as find more information. I am so thankful that Mr. Sam Fine is sharing what he used on Mo'Nique via Twitter. I wish more celebrity makeup artists would do the same! You can also follow him @SamFineBeauty! All pictures taken from his Facebook account.
It all started with a question. Amber from Brown Bombshell Beauty asked Sam Fine on Twitter what type of lashes he used on Mo'Nique for the Golden Globes.
face. Sam Fine described Mo'Nique's Golden Globes look as "classic glamour." He sculpted her face with one of his favorite drugstore foundations for women of color, Black Opal True Color Creme Stick Foundation with SPF 8. Next, he dusted CARGO Bronzer and MAC Bronzing Powder on cheeks to achieve a glowing complexion.
eyes. Fine chose the #747 in long, a wispy style from the Image Exclusive store in Los Angeles. The #747 is Fine's favorite style and it also comes in small and medium. To make Mo'Nique's eyes pop, Fine reached for Shiseido The Makeup Eyeliner Pencil Duo in Desert Dusk. Instead of using white eyeliner, Fine recommends that for brown-skinned babes, we opt for a beige eyeliner since it is more wearable. He used the Shimmery Beige shade inside the inner rim of the eye to make it appear wider and whiter. For her eyebrows, first he bleached them and then he filled them in with Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil in Medium Brown.
The Beauty Director for the Lookbook, Shannon Levy, reached out to me today to announce that the Lookbook finally has a beauty directory. Now until Friday, you can access this section of the Lookbook for free. After Friday, it is $12.99 a month for access to the thousands of updated beauty contacts listed. Do you know I was able to find the PR contact for Maybelline through this invaluable resource?! Yes, it was valid!
You can also subscribe to the fashion directory but since that is a separate section, it requires a separate membership. This section is $12.99 as well. The Lookbook also has an OnSugar blog so maybe, if you're lucky, the information that you need might be posted there. All I have to say is: about time.
But before I go, did you know that Shannon Levy created The Beauty Closet? Featuring 19 brands, The Beauty Closet contains a "tightly-edited" selection of cosmetics, makeup bags, brushes and other accessories.
Then there's the Scott Barnes Beauty line. I knew that Gabrielle Union was a fan of his Flossy Glossy in Pretty Penny ($22) and the Illumineye in Chocolate ($35) but I wasn't familiar with the line until now.
The Beauty Closet sells his famed Body Bling Platinum, which leaves a stunning, champagne shimmer on the skin. I'm starting to love champagne-hued shimmer for the face and body (like Susan Posnick COLORME in Champagne Shimmer) so I have to check this out. I'm also adding his original Body Bling to my list just in case I go through another J. LO phase.
Other brands include Kevyn Aucoin, Hourglass Cosmetics, Armour Beauty, Billy B Beauty, Kreat Beauty, RGB Cosmetics, Sara Happ, pur~lisse, Suresh Beauty, Shadow Shields, Paul & Joe Beauté and more.
Editor's Note: The items mentioned in this article have all been provided by Cover FX. No affiliate links were used in this post. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation and Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel were bought at Wal-Mart.
Coincidently, the Total Coverage Cream Foundation SPF 30 was the product of choice for True Blood makeup artist Brigette A. Myre back in Season 1. Remember how simple and innocent Sookie looked back then? Myre used Total Coverage to even out Anna Paquin's complexion. Mascara and light lipstick completed the look. Nowadays, when I wear foundation, I wear a similar look as you can see to the left. This is the second cream foundation I've tried and I'll have to say that I love this foundation as much as my Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation. Cover FX says that Total Coverage is "dermatologist first choice for flawless looking skin." It has a 2-in-1 formula, which simply means that I don't have to apply concealer at all because it provides "optimum coverage," camouflaging my birthmark, blemishes and old acne scars. Instead of a matte finish, it dries to a dewy, natural-looking finish.
The best part? It has a SPF of 30! As you all may know, I'm still using the Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector and the Moisturizer with SPF 20. Yes, the SPF 20 is adequate but I am a SPF 30 girl all the way. I strongly feel all skin care products should be SPF 30 or higher because who's honestly benefiting from SPF 15? Are you?
Let me tell you about that #160 Cream Foundation Brush. With bristles made out of 100% natural goat hair, it is excellent. There's a reason behind the excellency: "soft, natural bristles do not permit excessive product deposition, therefore facilitating easier cream application." Application of cream foundations have never been easier for me ever since I've had Cover FX's #160 in my possession. I've alternated between Total Coverage and Dream Matte Mousse. I can build even coverage without worrying about streaks or unsightly pores. It allows me to channel my inner-artiste again. However, this time, instead of a drawing pad, my face is my canvas. I'm lovin' it!
Getting back to basics, I'll dish about the ClearPrep Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment. If you're serious about getting back to matte, you'll want to check this one out. I remember thinking that ClearPrep was a more expensive, spruced-up version of Monistat Chafing-Relief Powder-Gel. From what I've experienced, both ease blending and both refrain from irritating my ultra-sensitive skin. However, the similarities stop there. You see, if the Monistat actually had some type of anti-acne treatment, I would be more likely to use it on a regular basis. While I enjoy the fact that the ClearPrep helps keep any breakouts I have to a minimum, I think Cover FX should reformulate it so that it could help to fade current scarring, help slow down the visible aging and brighten skin. What do you think? Could Cover FX possible come out with a primer that does all of these things or am I asking for the impossible? I will rave that it decreases the lines and bags that I have under my eyes as well as minimize my pores. Furthermore, unlike the Monistat, you can use ClearPrep as a spot treatment.
You already know how I feel about the MintGlaze, right? If not, you can read my thoughts here. Honestly, it's growing on me. I'm applying it every hour, rubbing my lips together and making kissing faces like a damn fool! Don't forget that if you want to try the MintGlaze for a whole year, just sign up for CoverFX's Inner Circle.
Your thoughts? Were you able to take anything away from this article?
Instead of doing a 5-minute face or even a 15-minute face, I did a 10-minute one. Here's what I'm wearing in this photo:
facial wash. SensiClear kit, which I was supposed to review this past Sunday. I'll have to start scheduling my Skincare Sunday posts just in case I'm too tired to blog.
moisturizer. Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector and Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer SPF 20. I used both products twice today. I plan to use them again right before I go to bed.
foundation + powder. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation in Dark 2, which I think looks a little too light in this photo...or maybe it's the M·A·C Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark that did the trick. Earlier, when I first applied it, it was too dark. This was even with Black Opal Invisible Oil Blocking Powder. However, it could just be the camera that I'm using...miss my Canon PowerShot!
primer. Clear Prep FX Matte Foundation Primer and Anti-Acne Treatment
eyeshadow. Love My Eyes Roll on Eyeshadow in Copper Mist. Surprisingly, this eyeshadow is pigmented. It also takes care of the metallic lid trend that I wanted to try. Maybe if I feel motivated, I'll smoke it out.
mascara. The review forCoverGirl LashBlast Lash mascara is in draft. I love that this mascara doesn't leave my lashes stiff and flaky.
lipgloss. Korres Jasmine Lip Butter with Lancome Color Fever Plumper in City Mauve over it. I hate that my mom's camera washes out the color. It's a mauve nude shade.
hair. I threw it up in a messy (and I do mean messy) ballerina bun earlier but since I wanted to make sleek down my edges and make it look perfect, I took it down. Then I twisted it up in the back and clipped it. I'm running low on my Soft and Beautiful StyleProtect Sculpting Gel and I'm trying to preserve the little that I have left. That's why my edges are sticking up! My swoop bang is nonexistent since I kept brushing my hair back. No, I didn't go to school like this. It was only after I got home that I decided to fix my hair.
Today was the first day of classes. I didn't even have time for my 5 minute face this morning. Bummer! But I did have time to apply eyeshadow and lip gloss. :)
All is not lost though. I don't have any on-campus classes tomorrow but I decided to tag along with my mom. I'll be spending my time blogging...and buying books for my classes. This semester I have Government (state), Art Appreciation, Speech, and History, for a total of 12 credits. The last two semesters, I took 17 credits. While I still want to get my degree as soon as possible, I'm trying not to take on more than I can handle at this time. God-willing, I'll have the energy to create my 5-minute face tomorrow. Here is what I'm thinking about using for each of the following:
lip gloss. Used Korres Jasmine Lip Butter as a base. Applied Illusions Cosmetics Lustre Lip Gloss in Carmen (from the Cinematic Faves collection) over it. However, just now, I applied Lancome Color Fever Plumper in City Mauve over the Jasmine Lip Butter and I loved how it turned out! Normally, I'd be turned off by the fact that I'd have to dip my finger in a lip product. However, this time, I either just sanitized my hands or applied the lip butter with a lip brush. I'll have to buy a retractable lip brush to retouch my look on the go.
Talking about Christian Siriano's makeup line for Victoria's Secret feels a bit like coming home, since my review on their Beauty Rush Lip Glosses was one of the first few posts I published here on Blaq Vixen Beauty. Then, this past Monday, while waiting at the Clinique counter, I found myself checking out the newest Victoria's Secret additions. I read the Victoria's Secret fashion show (VSFS 09) is taking place in New York the first time in four years today. I wonder if we'll see Neomie Lenoir, Sessilee Lopez, and Emanuela de Paula at the show this year? Your thoughts?
Anywho, I went on the site and I instantly fell in love with the elegant, gold packaging. It reminded me a bit of Kimora Lee Simmons' (KLS) makeup line but I have a feeling that Siriano's version will be well worth the money. Consisting of six, luxe items, none of the products are over $20.
Here, Kim Kardashian applies the Christian Siriano Lip Gloss (pictured below in Sublime). Each of the eyeshadows have mirrors.There's a third shade - Chic. I wish I were more crazy over the lip glosses but I have dupes (I'm sure of it!) of these shades already in my collection. Embrace reminds me of Slice of Heaven. Nothing reminds me of Sublime yet but I'm sure I have something that resembles it. Chic is Maybelline's Cinnamon Apple without the sparkles.
Siriano wanted his makeup collection to look like Egyptian artifacts. "It was all about great staples that you can do different things with," he revealed. Take the Petite Makeup Bag for example. Designed with a cocoa patent finish and covered in Siriano's signature ruffles, it can easily double as a clutch to match your favorite boots. Since it's a neutral shade, it can go with a number of outfits. And with college around the corner, you'll probably need a trendy makeup bag to house your makeup essentials, right? Here it is...and it's only $12!
From what I read on Specktra, some of the adjectives used to describe this limited-edition line were "gorgeous", "pigmented," "silky," "reasonable," "fantastic," "incredible," and "perfect." While this is exciting to hear, I am also worried that it will be sold out by the time I'll have the money to buy these items! Someone mentioned that if this line does extremely well, Victoria's Secret might even make it permanent. I think that's unlikely so God-willing I'll be able to pick up a few things!
Christian Siriano and Kim Kardashian take turns touching each other up with his All-Over Bronzing Powder Brush. The brush is made of natural hair bristles. It comes in a Nile-blue satin drawstring pouch.
Ever since testing out L'Oreal's HIP High Intensity Pigments Kohl Eyeliner in gold and navy, I haven't been enthusiastic to try other kohl eyeliners. However, I think the Kajal Eye Liner in Eclipse may have reawakened my interest. I love the pointed tip but at the same time, I wonder if I press it along my waterline, will it break off? Also, I wonder about the staying powder since the weather here in San Antonio haven't cooled down yet. Even if I don't get the lip gloss or the makeup bag, I'll definitely buy this.
Now, this is the part where I'm really questioning the quality of the Silky Eyeshadows and the Bronzer/Highlighter Trio - I wonder if any of the shades will show up on me? Even if I prep my eyes with the Victoria's Secret PRO Lasting FX Eyeshadow Primer or another primer for that matter, will I get the "eye-catching color?" Will my lids be draped in rich pigment and satin texture? Hmm. I want that. Even if I didn't drool and obsess over Project Runway, I want that. The Silky Eyeshadow collection consists of Gilded Fierce, Royalty, Oasis, Sandstorm and Sahara. The Bronzer/Highlighter Trio only comes in Sunspell Bronze.
From left: Gilded Fierce, Oasis and Sahara.
Sunset Bronze
Your thoughts on Christian Siriano's line for Victoria's Secret? Here is a face chart using his products:
I'm not too keen about using the Oasis eyeshadow, even if it did look good when celebrity makeup artist Polly Osmond used it to create the above look. You can see the video on the site. I guess if I did but it, I'd smoke it out because I doubt it would be flattering by itself. It may look smoked out on the face chart but Osmond didn't smoke it out in the video. And if you need to be convinced to buy Oasis and have the courage to wear it, check out Brittany rocking blue eyeshadow!
Editor's Note: The product reviewed in this article has been sent by CoverGirl.
It seems like Pat McGrath, the P&G Global Creative Design DIrector, has worked her mojo again by creating another collection that is both affordable and fashion-forward! I want you to do two things: first, bookmark this link and secondly, circle November 2nd on your calendar. You can be one of the few to try out some of the products from the Blast collection. Check out the gallery to see which products you might be interested in! The new collection will be available on Drugstore.com as well as CVS (get free shipping!). If you visit Drugstore.com, you save $5 and earn free shipping when you buy all three products - the Smoky ShadowBlast, ShineBlast Lip Gloss and the LashBlast Length Mascara.
My first impression of LashBlast is that is smells exactly like Maybelline Lash Stiletto. This came as a bit of a shock to me at first. However, both mascaras are advertised to lengthen lashes so of course their formulas would be similar.
Unlike the original LashBlast, the LashBlast Length brush is slender and has more bristles - 450 in all. While I've never poked myself in the eye with the bulky, medium-length brush that is the trademark of LashBlast, I favor the ultra-long, skinny brush that LashBlast Length has. I have yet to experience clumpy, spidery lashes (like L'Oreal's Telescopic Explosion Mascara!) with this one. No clumping, no flaking, no smudging and no wilting after a busy day.
Recently, Daily Makeover did a segment with CoverGirl celebrity makeup artist Molly Stern on how to maximize your eyes with three of CoverGirl's star players - LashBlast Length, Original LashBlast and LashBlast Luxe.
Did you know there is a certain way that you should apply your mascara in order to make your eyes appear more open? "Wherever you first place the brush, that's where you're going to get the most definition," Stern revealed.
I placed the tip of the brush on the outer corners of my lashes first. I always do this trick so that I can extend the corner lashes and my eyes will pop. She also shared a complimentary eye makeup technique as well: To accentuate that mile-long lash look, contour your crease with a colorful shadow and drawing a thin, angular line with liquid liner along the top lash line. "I tend to very little shadow or line with long lashes because it's such an innocent look -- it's nice to keep it subtle," she says. To read the rest of Stern's insider tips, click here.
While it defines, separates and lengthens nicely, LashBlast Length does have it faults. I've noticed that some of the product dried in the tube but it has not affected the performance of the mascara, surprisingly. I hope to get more uses out of LashBlast Length as it is one of the three mascaras that I reach for daily.
I was sent "Blue" but as you can see, the mascara looks more like regular black. Based on the ads starring Drew Barrymore, I expected LashBlast Length to produce fantastical length and a pitch of volume, but it's almost like a teaser. You would probably need a mascara primer to increase the benefits of LashBlast Length.
I also found out that it's a little difficult to remove but it's not such a hassle that I want to stop using it. I just have to be a little more patient with this one, since it does have nylon fibers in the mascara. I love that I don't see the actual nylon tubes on my cotton balls like I would if I used L'Oreal Double Extend with Beauty Tubes Technology Mascara.
My next goal is to buy this mascara in "Very Black." That's the shade I prefer whenever I buy or test a new mascara. What's yours?
Is it Copper Charm or Toffee Tango? That is the question. I mean I know Jessica is wearing a nude shade so automatically, I selected "dark" and perused through the selection of neutrals on the site. None of the shades seem to be the one that she has on in this ad though...
Like I thought. Neither. Dammit, Maybelline!
According to Blaq Vixen Beauty reader CREOLESU9AR, Jessica is wearing Color Sensational Lipliner in Nude and Color Sensation Lipcolor in Nearly There. Thank you for the information, babe!
I thought about listing some products that you could use to replicate Aaliyah's look. Immediately, Jessica White's Color Sensational ad came to mind. Either that's actually how Nearly There looks on Jessica with clear gloss or that's hell of a PhotoShop job!
This bring me to another point: I absolutely hate when beauty companies produce these gorgeous (although airbrushed) ads that are misleading. If you are someone you know have Jessica's skintone, will both of you look just as fine with Nearly There gracing your lips? I thought about this after Kia said that she doubted that Jessica really is wearing Nearly There.
Like I mentioned earlier, Nearly There isn't among the nude shades recommended for dark skin. When you buy a Maybelline lipstick (if you do), do you pay attention to the shade recommendation for you? Or do you just choose a shade that catches your eye, regardless if Maybelline thinks it will flatter your skin tone?
*Edit:* Kia purchased Nearly There. Kia is lighter than Jessica but it looks just as fabulous on her as it does on Jessica! Still searching for the Twitpic (or TweetPhoto) for proof!
If you follow me on Twitter, you may have read my tweets about Purple Lab Silk Sheets Luxe Foundation ($34.50). As it turns out, my experience with Silk Sheets have been mostly good - the formula itself is creamy, silky, blendable, and feels great on the skin. However, since I have to do quite a bit to correct the shade (as you can see on the left), I am hesitant to actually buy Silk Sheets. This is a shame because Karen Robinovitz (the creatrix of Purple Lab) included "coveted ingredients" in Silk Sheets to include algae, hyaluronic acid, silk, juniper, almond seed oil, Vitamin C, and nettle. It also firms the complexion, as you can hopefully see on the right.
But before I go, did you know that Shannon Levy created 
($35) but I wasn't familiar with the line until now.
Editor's Note: The items mentioned in this article have all been provided by Cover FX. No affiliate links were used in this post. Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation and Monistat Chafing Relief Powder Gel were bought at Wal-Mart.
