Blaq Vixen Beauty

Weekly Roundup: Video Vixens + MAKE UP FOR EVER + Melanie Barnett-Davis

BlaqVixenBeauty — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 16:56:14 AKST

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:

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

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!

Jessica White's Blush in Maybelline New York's Limited Edition 2011 Calendar

BlaqVixenBeauty — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 20:41:57 AKST

When I see this picture of model Jessica White in the limited edition 2011 Maybelline New York Calendar, I can't help but shake my head. What shade of blush of that and why did they have to pick this shade? This "fiery flush" makes her look clownish! Other than that, I love her brows, eyes and lips. What do you say?

The Beauty Closet: Purple Lab Silk Sheets Luxe Foundation

BlaqVixenBeauty — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:06:54 AKST

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). The post is under construction as I am taking better photos for this review.

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.

Want to see how I made Silk Sheets really work for me? Keep reading for more information and photos!

Beauty and the Blog: The Lookbook Has a Beauty Directory + The Beauty Closet

BlaqVixenBeauty — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:14:49 AKST

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.

Tired of using off-brand beauty sponges? The Beauty Closet has the ever popular BeautyBlender sponge and cleanser in stock. I have to buy this. I can't afford the TEMPTU AIRbrush Makeup System yet so this will have to do.

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.

BeautySchooled: The 10-Minute Face

BlaqVixenBeauty — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:07:10 AKDT

Instead of doing a 5-minute face or even a 15-minute face, I did a 10-minute one. Here is what I used:

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 for CoverGirl 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.

What do you use for your 10-minute face?

Promotions: Christian Siriano for Victoria's Secret

BlaqVixenBeauty — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 19:05:23 AKDT

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?

What's your secret?

Hauled: Revlon, Maybelline, Disney Couture and Lancome

BlaqVixenBeauty — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:51:56 AKDT

Did you know that it will be my birthday in ten days? I was telling one of my friends yesterday that the countdown to my birthday officially begins. I have no plans; I'm pretty much fast-forwarding until January!

Since I don't really expect anyone to get me anything (maybe money), I bought myself some early birthday "gifts": Lancome Color Fever Plumper Gloss in City Mauve (from their Pink Irreverence Spring 2009 collection), The Little Mermaid Collection Fish Hook Hoop Earrings, The Spiked Earrings in 18k Gold by Obey, Maybelline ColorSensational Lipstick in Plum Perfect (435) and Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks in Berry Haute (signature shade; 660; creme), Iced Amethyst (pearl; 625), and Plumalicious (pearl; 465).

Revlon Super Lustrous - Pearl Lipstick, Plumalicious - $7.99	Revlon Super Lustrous - Pearl Lipstick, Iced Amethyst - $7.99
Maybelline ColorSensational Lipcolor, Plum Perfect 435 - Sold Out	Disney "Little Mermaid" Gold-Plated Fish Hook Hoop Earrings - Sold Out

Earrings by Disney

I honestly don't know why I've been buying (and wearing) lipstick lately but it's feels...comforting. Especially when I went to the gym wearing Berry Haute. I made eye contact with several guys, all of them hella cute. Go me! I swatched them on my hand but am working on creating a collage so y'all will know what they look like on my lips. Until then, I want to know what shade of lipstick are you wearing now?

Vixen, Validated: How to Get Mo'Nique Makeup Look at the 2010 Golden Globes

BlaqVixenBeauty — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:58:08 AKST

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!

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. I promptly emailed my contact and they sent me a complete breakdown of Mo'Nique's makeup look:

[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.

[lips] Fine topped of Mo'Nique's look with Yves Saint Laurent GOLDEN GLOSS Shimmering Lip Gloss. This gloss contains 0.2% 24k gold, which of course was perfect for our Golden Globe Goddess.

Photos courtesy of Sam Fine's Facebook account.

Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil - $6.99	M·A·C Bronzing Powder - $23.00
CARGO Bronzer - $28.00	Shiseido Smoothing Eyeliner Pencil - $20.00
Gloss Pur - $30.00

Pressed Powder by M·A·C

The Beauty Closet: CoverGirl LashBlast Length Mascara Review

BlaqVixenBeauty — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:20:03 AKDT

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?

The Vanity: Is Jessica White Really Wearing Color Sensational Lipcolor in Nearly There in This Maybelline Ad?

BlaqVixenBeauty — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:31:19 AKDT

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.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor - $7.49

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipliner - $6.49

More Maybelline...

Blaq Vixen Beauty reader CREOLESU9AR says Jessica is wearing Color Sensational Lipliner in Nude and Color Sensational Lipcolor in Nearly There. Thank you for the information, babe!

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?