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Shopping #Empire: S2, E12 Fashion Finds
MAC Viva Glam Taraji P. Henson Lipglass and Lipstick now available at Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. Available until February 2018. The fashion credits for episode 11 (“Death Will Have His Day”) is still in draft but I was able to get a jump on this week’s episode. First, thanks to Mary Collins of Vauje Jewelry enthusiastically sharing that Cookie Lyon wore one of her necklaces (from her “Empire Inspired” collection) all over her Instagram (follow her at @vauje), I secured my first sighting of the night. And now, after a little searching, here’s the rest of my findings (with cheaper and black-owned alternatives where appropriate):
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Cookie Lyon Vauje Necklace [Shopping #Empire]
Cookie Lyon Vauje Necklace costs less than $100 making it a steal and one of the more accessible items worn on the show. Anyone that has been keeping up with Cookie Lyon’s wardrobe this season knows that the billionaire hasn’t worn many affordable items as of late. However, later today, we will see Cookie wearing an $85 custom gold necklace by black-owned brand Vauje Jewelry. Take a gander at the bold neckpiece below: Cookie Lyon Vauje Necklace, $85 Counting Betsey Johnson and Lanvin as inspirations, jewelry designer Mary Collins has created luxurious statement pieces since 2009. Now, thanks to the show’s costume designer Paolo Nieddu, she’s made her way to the Empire! I…
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Shop Small, Buy Black: Beauty Resolutions
What are your beauty resolutions for 2016? Some of my favorite celebrity makeup artists have created products that provide solutions to some of our most pressing beauty problems as women of color. And what better way to update our vanities, makeup bags, and beauty closets by shopping black woman-owned businesses this year? Here are six beauty resolutions you might have along with six products you might want to check out soon:
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Shopping #Empire: Cookie Lyon Prison Visit Makeup
Last season, I yearned to know what products the Empire makeup department used on their leading ladies. I was absolutely famished for beauty tidbits so I hit up IMDB to see who was working in Empire‘s makeup department. I briefly exchanged tweets with the show’s chief makeup artist Beverly Jo Pryor (who was so warm and generous) for a time, asking what shades Taraji wore in certain scenes and with particular outfits. Unfortunately, there was not much she could divulge but I understood. As for Anika, Grace Gealey replied to me and another fan on the ‘Gram to say her makeup artist Jessica Williams used MAC Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolour in ALL Nighter on her in the episode “False Imposition.” Did you know? You can…
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How #BlackUp Curiously Lost Its Black Founder Fabrice Mahabo
Blaq Vixen Beauty researches what happened to BlackUp Cosmetics’ original founder/owner Fabrice Mahabo. Check out my latest article “Black Beauty Brands That Aren’t Black-Owned.” TL;DR: Fabrice Bernard Mahabo was the founder and owner of black|Up. He did not willingly sell his company. Jean-Francois Damour is the new owner and president of black|Up Lionel Durand is the new CEO of black|Up Updated 25 July 2016: On Linkedin, a Mr. Jean-François Damour has the dual title of “Owner-President” of black|Up on his profile. He is also the owner of the La Criée restaurant in Paris, France. This is the investor Mahabo named in his blog. Updated 11 July 2016: I’ve finally included Lionel Durand’s The Decision Makers profile page…