Sep 302011
 

Which do you apply first, concealer or foundation?

I get this question a lot and there’s really no right or wrong way.  Everyone has their own style and technique.  As Sam Fine the Great would say “spackle before paint” (meaning conceal then foundation) and others say to apply concealer after because your foundation may have the necessary coverage.  I conceal first and here’s why, I’m already familiar with the level of coverage of any foundation being applied to my skin and have blemishes and hyperpigmentation that are never covered enough for me.  The last thing I want to do is keep laying foundation when I can just conceal the areas.  Even though I wear full coverage makeup I still like it to be light and not feel like I’m wearing makeup.  Concealing after apply foundation doesn’t work for me because I notice a difference in texture and sometimes color over the foundation since the two formulas differ greatly.  Maybe I haven’t mastered the technique but it always looks uneven when I conceal after.

Have a question for Krissy or Angelo (the stylist)? Send it here!

 

Sep 292011
 

…Let’s hope not.  The ciaos that followed the release of Missoni for Target caused their website to shut down for days and store shelves were wiped clean in a matter of hours.  It isn’t clear if Harajuku Mini for Target is an ongoing collection or a one-time collaboration, but it looks super cute and I wouldn’t be surprised if it causes a stir with fashionistas.

Gwen Stefani Harajuku Mini for Target

If you’ve always admired Gwen Stefani‘s killer style and eagerly anticipate her L.A.M.B.collection every season (like we do!), you’ll be thrilled to know there’s another way you can get more Stefani in your life. Gwen has collaborated with Target for a Harajuku Mini collection—a Japanese street style-inspired clothing line for babies, kids, and tweens. The affordable collection will include everything from apparel to accessories, and you guys, just LOOK AT IT. That curly-haired little darlin’ is wearing a pink tee with a girl riding a moped (SO COOL), a cozy black and white zip-up hoodie, a frilly white tutu, black tights, and patent leather Mary Janes with bows on them. (Gwen, girl, you’re lookin’ fab too.) If the entire collection is as adorbs as these photos, we’re gonna have to borrow some children to take shopping ASAP. (Is that creepy? We promise we just really like the clothes, y’all.) Gwen says the Harajuku Mini collection “is a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to do a cool children’s fashion line inspired by the super cute and playful kids’ clothing you find in Japan. The whole idea is about being creative, expressing your own individuality, and having fun getting dressed.” Awww. Gwweeennnn. The collection ranges from $3.99 to $29.99 and will hit stores and online Nov. 13 (just in time for holiday shopping!).

 

Source

Sep 282011
 

Golden Green, Pinky Brown, Purple Blue, Aqua Violet

Via Models Own Facebook Page

NEW from Models Own and launching this November – The BEETLEJUICE Collection! Consists of FIVE new multi-tonal shades – GOLDEN GREEN, a fresh energetic acid; PINKY BROWN, a warm rusty pink; PURPLE BLUE, a vibrant punch of fuchsia indigo; AQUA VIOLET, a true sky shimmer; and EMERALD BLACK, a bold-blackened midnight peacock! Each bottle contains four pearlescent colours mixed into one gleaming shade, and the complex colour-shifting, with flashes of vivid tones and ethereal hues, gives a shimmering duo chrome finish. Priced at just £5 each and available early November exclusively at our website.

It’ll be interesting to see if Golden Green looks anything like Chanel Peridot

 

 

Sep 282011
 

Via MTV

We did a double take when we spotted Kelly Cutrone‘s tweet this morning saying, “It’s true! I am joining America’s Next Top Model!” We were all, “Whaaa? MAMA WOLF? ON TOP MODEL? Yassss!” We loved her no-nonsense boss lady ways on The City, so we’re excited to see what advice she dishes out to the ANTM contestants. We dug a little deeper and found that Kelly’s not only joining the Top Model team, but she’s taking over Vogue editorAndré Leon Talley‘s spot on the show. *gasp* Our beloved André will be missed, but we’re kind of SUPER pumped to see what kind of Cutrone-isms (and F bombs) Kelly will drop while on air. Back in 2009, we caught up with Kel about her tough love managing style atPeople’s Revolution, and she said, “I never had a boss that gave me f****** legendary great advice that was easy to remember,” so it looks like these models-in-training should be honored! But, seriously guys, judging by the former ANTM seasons, Kelly will be using the phrase “If you have to cry, go outside” a LOT, and we can’t wait! Check out more of Kelly’s Cutrone-isms below!

I effing LOVE Kelly– if you want to talk about women that keep it real and and being smart Kelly is our girl! Her biggest fan in the world, Carm (of Lipstick Fashion Mascara) is going to flip over this news!

 

Sep 282011
 

 

Every now & then you stumble upon a really addictive blog backed by an amazing blogger.  You always know when you’ve found one because you return day after day and they make you want to learn everything they know and you leave their blog either wanting to purchase everything in site or working with a new technique.  That’s what happened when I found Ms. Danti!  I’ve seen photos of her all around the natural hair community but could never track down her or her beauty blog.  I knew someone with that much talent when it comes to hair and makeup had to have a blog.  Ms. Danti has a mean brow game and I absolutely love how she executes the technique she uses. Despite many makeup artists being very vocal about using concealer to shape eyebrows, I personally don’t mind and shape my eyebrows the same way.  But if you use do use concealer (especially to shape the top of your brows) you better make sure it’s done right!  I also love her hair! It’s massive!

 

Krissy:  Are you a self-taught makeup artist? And how long have you been an artist?

Danti (Danyelle):  Yes, I’m a self taught mua. I’ve been seriously into makeup for about 3-4 yrs.

Krissy:  What’s on your product wish list, we all have one lol

Danti (Danyelle): Sigma brush set, La Femme blush palette, Smoke and Mirror lashes by Stephen Moleski, & all YSL lipsticks.

Krissy: What do you want people to know that they may not know about you?

Danti (Danyelle):  I would like for people to know that makeup its just fun for me. I don’t have a desire to do it professionally and so I enjoy the small things like dolling up my friends just to go out on the town.

To find Ms. Danti check out her

Tumblr www.MsDanti.tumblr.com

Twitter www.twitter.com/MsDanti

Youtube channel www.Youtube.com/MsDanti1

Sep 282011
 

Curly Hair | Natural Hair

“I’m not spending $12.00 for a bottle of hair conditioner, that’s just ridiculous.  I can get a bottle of conditioner for $3.00.  Being natural is expensive”.

Let’s take a deeper look t this.  If you live in an urban area with a non-franchised beauty supply store, you’re probably accustomed to spending around $30.00 on average for a bag full of hair goodies (assuming you’re not purchasing actual hair extensions).  You can find the cheapest of the cheapest when it comes to hair products at the beauty supply store; $1.00 lipstick and nail polish, $4.00 for hair grease, $3-5.00 for shampoo and conditioner.  You can really clean up at those places.  If you’re a creature of habit like I am, seeing $15 bottles of hair products (that you plan on rinsing down the drain) on the shelves can come as a sticker shock but I used to use the cheapest of the cheapest for so long….only to discover that there’s better out there.  Shopping at Sally’s was like a move up.  It really does depend on what your demographics are and what you’re used to spending.  But if you shop at Sephora the average cost for a bottle of hair conditioner is $30.00 and I didn’t find any natural or organic products, so spending half of what you normally would is steal!  I remember my first time discussing hair care with a group of Caucasian friends…we couldn’t stop laughing about how I was paying only a few bucks for hair pomade that runs upwards of $10.00 at their local franchised beauty supply store despite the ingredients being the same.

 

You get what you pay for, well most of the time.  Cheap products often (not every time) result in mediocre mass produced ingredients.  If you want natural and organic hair care products expect to pay a little bit more for them.  Sure I can get the similar results with Eco Styler as I can with Kinky-Curly Curling Custard but my hair will act a fool the next day and it’s too hard on my hair because the ingredients aren’t similar at all.  However, my hair loves Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Shampoo and it only cost a few bucks.  Check the ingredients and use what works for your hair.

 

I have natural hair so I have to use natural products, right?  Not at all!  I use what I lovingly call “f*ck-sh*t products” all the time.  The only things I check for are ingredients I’m allergic to and a few that doesn’t work on my hair (I’m talking to you evil soy bean oil).

 

Natural and organic products are expensive!  SheaMoisture is only of my favorite natural and organic brands and their average product cost is $9.99.  You can also use products found right in your kitchen cabinet and herbs are inexpensive.

 

Photo

Sep 272011
 

Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Color Icon Palette

I’m sure all of you have seen the Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Color Icon 8 Color Eyeshadow Palette everywhere by now, but I loved it so much I wanted to share!  The set is described as an earth tone collection of colors and after seeing it swatched on various skin tones it’s safe to it works great for everyone.  I’ve been using this palette for a couple weeks and I absolutely love it!  I’m truly impressed with the high quality color payoff, smooth texture, and color selection is really good.  This palette is almost perfect; the definer color in column one tends to be too soft and picks up too much color at times.  It isn’t awful but I’d be afraid to drop this palette while traveling because I don’t think it can handle it.  I also don’t like the bad drag queen instructions and the color combinations in colum two aren’t flattering but if you work with it it’ll look great.  They also lasted the entire day with my regular primer, so I’m glad I can put them in my regular rotation of eyeshadows.

Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Color Icon Palette

Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Color Icon Palette (with flash)

Column One

Brow bone:  Pale gold (frost)

Eyelid:  Copper (metallic)

Crease:  Rich gold brown (metallic)

Definer:  Blackened chocolate brown with burgundy tones and copper shimmer

 

Column Two

Brow done:  Pale gray taupe (frost)

Eyelid:  Matcha green (frost)

Crease:  Blackened olive green with gold shimmer

Definer:  Rich red toned brown with green duo chrome

Wet N Wild Comfort Zone Color Icon Palette (without flash)

Availability:  Drug stores and mass market retailers

Price:  $4.99

Rating: A

 

Sep 272011
 

Do I need to even to discuss this ensemble because a picture is worth a 1,000 words?  Nicki knows how to stay relevant outside of music and this is just another movement to secure her spot.  As a follow up to her pretzel necklace, Nicki sported a pink fried chicken wing gold chain linked necklace created by L.A. based jewelry house Onch Movement, from their Perfectasy collection ($79.00).  If chicken isn’t your thing you also have the option to have your neck adorned with bacon, a piece of meat, an ice cream done, pretzel, or even an old banana.  But Onch Movement does have a ring that I need in my life, whip cream with a cherry on top.  It looks for real!

Anyone here follows me on Twitter?  You KNOW how I feel about wings, but this is just rude.  Respect the wing Nicki, respect the wing!

 

Photo

Sep 262011
 

Beauty and Fashion Tech – Home Laser Hair Removal

Girl Gloss – MAC Styledriven Swatches

Polish Fixation – My First Jelly Sandwich!

Midnight Manicures – A Englands Holy Grail

Nailfiled- Caronia Bright Nights Collection

Bookworm Nails- Essie Power Clutch/Princess Tiara Nail Art

Beauty Thesis- How Old Is Your Makeup?  Find Out With A Cosmetic Calculator [Resource]

Polish Insomniac – Stash Shots:  Dior!

Beauty Info Zone – So when are you going to try Wen? 

Nails and Noms – My First and Last Julep Maven Box, For Now

Red Hair and Black Nail Polish – Nail Art Tutorial: Abstract Squares

Glitter.Gloss.Garbage MAC Quiet Time Nail Swatch

Addicted To All Things Pretty 20 Collections Krissy wants OPI to produce before she dies

Sep 262011
 

MAC Cosmetics "Immortal Gold" in natural sunlight

MAC Cosmetics "Immortal Gold" natural sunlight with flash

MAC Cosmetics "Immortal Gold" natural sunlight

Finally, a gold nail polish I can love!  I’ve have a hard time wearing gold nail colors because they always make my skin look so blahhh.  When I saw MAC “Immortal Gold” nail lacquer at their fall collections unveiling I had to buy it.  This is also my first time purchasing a MAC nail lacquer (the others were given as gifts from friends).

I’ve read many reviews about MAC nail lacquers and for the most part they’re pretty mediocre so I didn’t know what to expect.  The formula for “Immortal Gold” turned out to be really good.  The consistency was really good; it wasn’t too thick or too thin.  My nails are long right now so I didn’t find myself double-dipping in the bottle to get enough polish to cover my entire nail.  The formula wasn’t difficult to work with and even though this is a frost nail color I didn’t find it to be too streaky (as I would with most frost finish colors).  I’ll be doing a wear test soon because I’m still not sure how much wear I can get from MAC’s nail lacquer formula.  What I can say is that I’m totally in love with this brassy antique olive-toned gold!  But I’d probably go with 3 coats instead of 2.

Availability: MAC Cosmetics stores, counters, and website.  From the Posh Paradise Fall 2011 Limited Edition Collection.

Price:  $15.00

Rating:  A

Switch to our mobile site