Blaq Vixen Beauty

This look is very Diana ross circa Mahogany. "I thought about that fabulous 1970s fashion moment when chocolate beauties were in vogue," explains Innis (as in Paul Innis at Maxine Tall Management for Avon). "I wanted to make sure the colours warm and superluxe so they complement the model's tone. The skin is sculpted and contoured [recreate with NARS Blush in Exhibit A and Picture Perfect Foundation by Face Stockholm] ensuring the finish has a dewy glow and rich colour." Just add Nina Ricci's Ricci Ricci, an exotic fragrance that oozes silver-screen siren sex appeal. ---Arise Magazine, Issue 13

Welcome to the second half of my Sephora's Friends and Family guide! Instead of me sharing what was originally on my lust list from Sephora, I decided to put together mini guides highlighting my favorite Fall 2011 trends. I am ecstatic that certain beauty trends seem to last several seasons before we see something entirely different pop up on the runways. So even if you didn't get to try a certain trend last season, you still have numerous opportunities to try it at least once to see how it looks on you. [...]

If you count yourself as a die-hard beauty buff,  Sephora's Friends and Family Sale is one of the highlights of your year, right? This special sale started last Thursday, October 20 and is live until November 2, 2011 (at 11:59 PM PST/PDT). If you haven't already, visit sephora.com/friends, type in your email and get your special promo code to receive 20% off your online purchase.

I meant to have this shopping guide up earlier (two weeks ago like a good little beauty editor) but I realized I had to create multiple lists---a list of products that I actually tried and loved and lists of beauty products that I've been lusting after. Check out my favorites below from Marc Jacobs, Illamasqua, Caudalie, Bobbi Brown, Bliss and NARS:

Nail Polish by Sephora

And now for the fun part--- my birthday is coming up soon and seeing as Sephora's sale ends on November 2, I should spoiled myself for the occassion, right? Right! However, it's long and we all know how long-winded I can be at times so I thought instead of cramming all of the products that I wanted in one post, I could do a mini-series of products on my lust list! It'll definintely be sporadic but I'll try to post everything that I've had my eye on.

In the meantime, what have you bought? If you haven't bought anything yet, what are you planning to buy?

Image 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?

I meant to post earlier about the Sephora Color Play 5-in-1 set, $30 which was created in collaboration with ShopBop. Today, I ventured onto the ShopBop website and saw the iconic Faces of Fashion editorial lookbook that influenced the runway-inspired sub palettes:

Will this set be a best beauty buy in 2011?

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?

For this week only, save an extra 20% off on sale items at Sephora when you use coupon code EXTRA at checkout. This sale is only valid online and ends on Saturday, January, 1, 2011. Check out some of the products on sale below. I personally have my eye on the Make Up For Ever Rock For Ever Best of Make Up For Ever set, the Fresh Brown Sugar Social Gift Set, the Kat Von D palettes, the Sephora by OPI Nail Colours, and the Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip set. (disclosure)

More Bare Escentuals...

The Sephora eGift Social Program is a new Facebook application that allows users to send (and receive) real Sephora merchandise and gift cards even if you can't make it to one of their stores. Sephora wants your holiday season to be fun, instantaneous, and worry-free. Look how easy it is:

Log on to the Sephora fan page on Facebook.

Click the Instant Gifts tab.

Sephora took the time to include some fan favorites like Philosophy's Benefit’s A Little Bit of Bad Gal, and even NARS Blush in Super Orgasm.

Once you have selected and purchased your gift, it will show up instantly on your friend’s Facebook wall and can be redeemed for the actual item online at Sephora or in store. Transactions are completed safely and securely online through a partnership with Bank of America Merchant Services, for a seamless online shopping experience. Best of all, Sephora’s Instant Gifts are covered under the Sephora Return Policy, so products can easily be exchanged or returned, and the gift cards never expire or lose their value.