Yummy411: NYC Chrome Face Glow Marble Blusher and FOTD!

I heard about Jesse's Girl marbled eye shadows that were similar to MAC Mineralized Eye Shadows, but I was too excited to see one of my favorite- like products in the drugstore. A drugstore dupe of the Mineral Skinfinish face powders!! NYC Chrome Face Glow powder ($3-$5).

(flash)

(no flash)

Compared to MAC's popular Mineralize Skin Finish (MSF)

I thought it would be nice to swatch on my cheeks (no flash) instead of on the back of my hand, but I didn't pick the proper cam setting to see it that well. I'm still learning my new cam!

(flash) You can barely see it here, but I would venture to say this is similar to MAC's Northern Lights MSF (not as peachy, more rosey)

Here's an FOTD I did from 'my makeup bag and stash scramble' (that's where I don't have anything planned and I grab whatever I have and make it work...

-Pandamonium Quad with Auto de Bleu liner-

I was at work so you know how that goes!

I used:

EYES

The white/yellow (cloudbound?)on my lid

Violet in my tear duct (violet trance?)

Soft brown e/s in my crease

Steel sparkly gray in my outer v (from quad)

-I didn't use my fave vivid purple from the quad for this look-

Auto de bleu liner for top lid and water line.

Concealer for highlight

Cork in brows

Maybelline XXL Extension primer, Maybelline Colossal mascara

FACE

MSF Loose Foundation Powder

CoverGirl Queen Collection Bronzer

CHEEKS

Fab Blush (from MAC's Barbie Collection-- I fell in love all over again!)

LIPS

One of my fav lipglasses ever, Love Knot (from Naughty Nauticals Collection) See the blue iridescence over the pink? Almost like Crystal Rose l/g, but not as harsh.

Yummy411: The Beauty Blog Network's Weekend Reads

Marlene Dietrich captured the androgynous style perfectly in this picture. This was one of the themes of our photoshoot this weekend. Check this post out from where I got the image and be sure to keep up with the TheCloseup blog to find out details of our shoot when they post. (I got some good behind the scene shots!)

While I was there, here's what was going on in the Beauty Blog Network:

If you are looking for a 100% organic perfume that is free of phthalates, parabens and other toxins, then come check out what solid perfumes The Makeup Divas reviews and recommends.

Beauty Anonymous reviews La Mer The Hydration Infusion.

Jeannie from The Daily Cookie gets invited behind the scenes at Three Custom Color to chat with co-founder Chad Hayduk on fall trends as well as see how he mixes a custom lip gloss just for her!

A Touch of Blusher looks at YSL's holiday 2008 collection.

Cybelesays is giving away some of Gwen Stefani's new Harajuku Lovers fragrances. Click here to enter the contest!

Musings of a Muse looks at the new Vincent Longo Diamante Quad in Aquila with Product Photos and Swatches!.

Beauty411 shares the best online beauty shopping websites from the NovemberShopSmart by Consumer Reports magazine! Did your favorite site make the list?

Beauty Banter dishes on MAC's most fabulous Fall collection - hint: it maybe a collaboration with a MAJOR fashion house!

Beauty and Personal Grooming shares some easy DIY hair-conditioners using raw eggs.

What anti-aging skincare brand does Beauty Blogging Junkie swear by these days? Find out here!

Christine from Beauty in Real Life lets you in on her fave shampoo and conditioner combo. Find out which ones made the cut here.

makeup loves me gives you the skinny on sensa, magic sprinkles that help you lose weight!

Glossypink gets a site makeover and tells you about the red lipsticks that are a must for your makeup wardrobe!

Beauty Junkie in SF figured out how to hide those evil shadows under her eyes with the help of Benefit's Powderflage and its pretty fan brush.

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic has found a great natural mascara, Tarte's Lash Hugger!

Yummy411 wants to know if you're 'Politically Pretty'!

Pursebuzz.com shows you how to color your eyeshadow primer. Brights never looked brighter and whites never looked whiter! Color my primer here!

Spoiled Pretty is giving away a Junior Drake handbag worth $528. What are you waiting for? Enter today!

Yummy411: Politically Pretty Makeup Challenge- the List

Here's the list of participants in the Politically Pretty Makeup Challenge! Are you on it?

If not, let me or B of Clumps of Mascara know so we can add you!




B of Clumps of Mascara

Me! Yummy411

Luxe Tips

Shawnta of Peace, Love & Namaste

Jamie of Rural Glamour

Gangstarr Girl

Nikkia of Silver Lips Beauty & Make-Up Haven

Ren of Makeup by Ren Ren

RocketQueen

Suzie of Facepaint 101

Marie B of Beauty in All Shades

Danyelle

Miss Whoever-You-Are

Toya of Life of a Ladybug

Blaq Vixen Beauty

Jamila of Betty Brown Beautification

Vanessa of Nessasary Make-up

Amina of Coup de Coeur

Diva 4 Less


Check here for the rules and register to vote!!

Yummy411: Less than 10 minute face and You Don't Know Jacque!

I thought I had a 5 minute face down, but I don't think the five minute face addresses all of my needs. So in another attempt to make me feel a little bit better about my rushed face, I had to devise another plan... AHA! Reference my quick define and brighten eye guide and go from there!

Here's the less than 10 minute face!

1. Reference the quick brighten and define eye guide (I used one concealer,

Dermablend in Tan for under eyes, lid and under brow arch.)

2. Take your #217 fluffy brush and sweep Cork in the crease ever so lightly.

I used cork and bronzer. (Brought Magic Dust e/s up on lid a bit to keep it bright.)

3. I lined my waterline with Stubborn brown liner

4. Applied MAC blot powder to t-zone. (Did I ever mention how amazing this product is?)

5. Used MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Loose Powder Foundation all over face

(put this baby back in rotation!)
4. Bronzer- Cover Girl Mineral bronzer-around perimeter of face and cheeks.

5. Cargo blush in Rome on apples of cheeks.

6. Finish look with VG5 lipglass!

My Twitter peeps can appreciate this one. If you follow me, you know I've been trying to get to the nail shop. I made it! I took my Gunmetal Gray with me that we decided on in Twitter discussion, but lo and behold OPI's You Don't Know Jacques was in! I haven't ordered it yet, so I took the chance while it was available!

Only a blogger would do this right? Shamelessly show my sausages online... Here's the pedi. I've been obsessing over a bubble gum cream pink the whole summer. While in NY, I saw a diva chic with it on and asked Yannize about it. She recommended Essie's Fiji, but I picked up Muchi Guchi Puchi instead. Is this a match Yannize? Man people were hardcore on Fall in the nail shop, "Oh no that's bright. It's Fall, give me black!" I didn't think anyone outside of us bloggers cared that much.. Oh well, my pretty pink will be covered anyways...

What polish are you wearing?

Yummy411: Harajuku Lovers Fragrance

My new fun and flirty fragrance? Harajuku Lovers Lil Angel. The cute L.A.M.B fragrance is one of 5 delectable perfumes housed in doll shaped bottles. Lil Angel is a school girl, yellow bandana, knee high socks and shiny black shoes. Notes of pineapple, pear blossom, lollipop accord (uhhh?), hinoki wood and crystal amber makes this a delight... seriously! I'm personally a lover of Aquolina Pink Sugar. If you like that, like I do this and the other fragrances are right up your alley. Lil Angel is classified as a fruity floral. Spunky, but warm enough for the Fall. A winner in my book!

If you haven't already, check out the others!

"LOVE"- a sensual floral- pink pomelo, hydroponic lace rose and creamy vanilla orchid at it's base.

"MUSIC"- a delicate floral- among many of its notes are sparkling pear, sweetpea, vanilla and sleek woods.

"BABY"- a powdery musk- among the many notes, white rose, orange flower and white musk, vanilla and violet make up this lullaby.

"G"- a modern gourmand- some of the notes include: fresh coconut, jasmine sambac, soft freesia, white sandalwood and cotton woods.

In the Harajuku Lovers World, each of them has her own personality (does Fafi come to mind?) While I love Lil Angel, I want the whole set ($60) to have a bit of each! Can you really resist Baby and her afropuffs? Each retails $25-$45.

Have you tried any of these? What are your favorites? Another hit in Scentville for Gwen Stefani?

Yummy411: Aw baby no! My favorite face wash is gone!

Recently I ran out of the best facial wash ever, my beloved iQ Derma facial wash. My face lashed out in panic...... (horrible pics of sad, angry and confused skin ahead. Beware!) Yeh and this was right on time... right before I left for Fashion Week in NY.

My skin and face sang out.....

"Baby don't go, no baby no baby no baby"
"I can't believe that this is happening to us. We made vows to never be apart." "So I guess I have to keep on hoping, wishing, praying that you are here and I'd rather end this self misery than to go on living without you..."

Who knows that song? Give you $5 if you can name that song. Sike...
Can't figure it out, check here.

Yes, I'm considering breaking my bank on another bottle of my iQ Derma. (I know there are others out there that shell out way more on their Chanel and LaMer, but CVS is less than 5 miles away for me.)

Yummy411: Weekend FOTD

Hey lovelies! How was your weekend? I'm sure we've shared if you are part of the gang on Twitter. You aren't? Shame on you! It's blogger central! LOL Seriously, if you want more of the blog goodness, no new posts and you wonder what's going on in the blogosphere... people are tweeting away. Yes, even Barak Obama tweets. Follow me!

But! If you aren't on Twitter and/or want to see some pics, here are the highlights of my weekend:

Saturday- Woke up early to go to Saturday school with the kidYums... Kid Yoga and Gymnastics.. what a blast! Great way to spend a great mild weathered Saturday morning with my sweetheart. No pics. I didn't want to be that parent, but quite a few people had cams for our first Saturday school. It was also a great way get a cool intro to yoga. I was feeling it a bit afterwards.. eeks!

Up next, Murder Mystery Dinner at Blair Mansion for my friend's bday. I've never been to a murder mystery show before, so I was kinda freaking out about what to wear. Went on a hunt.. didn't quite find anything decent, but I did find these to pair with a LBD from my closet. Score!

Here's an fotd for my night out: FACE: Studio Fix Fluid NC44, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Loose Powder Foundation, CoverGirl Mineral Bronzer in Light and Brown Bronzes

EYES: HiP Duo in Gilded on eyes (I decided on gold accessories with the black); gold half on lid and tear duct, bronze/black in crease and outer v. Maybelline liquid liner to line top lid. Revlon ColorStay pencil on waterline. Purple eye shadow on bottom lid, and a bit of violet pigment to lighten it up. Concealer as hight light. Dermablend concealer in Tan under eyes. Ardell Luckies lashes and Maybelline Colossal mascara.

LIPS: At some point before going in to the place, I put on some Viva Glam 5 lipglass.

The show's title was "The Night that Disco Died". Here's a glimpse into our night!

I couldn't believe the shoes!

Happy Birthday Leonard! Love you! (He's also the awesome photographer that shoots all of the work that I've displayed on the blog. For more info on our work, click here!)

Yummy411: Bliss Triple Oxygen™ Instant Energizing Mask

I went to Sephora once, saw my good esthetician friend and asked her for a recommendation on what to spend my money on. Anything new and exciting? (Going to Sephora can be like going to the casino; no real aim, just looking to spend money and have fun.) What did she recommend? Bliss' Triple Oxygen Mask for quick skin repair before makeup application. Bliss Spa's famous Triple Oxygen mask treatment for you in a bottle! I was giddy! I love a fresh canvas for makeup! I quickly ran to it and promised to return when I was ready to drop $52 dollars on it. My iQ Derma was doing me just fine for the moment. I finally got my hands on it to try.. yippee!!

From Bliss:
What is it? A flash-action mask that delivers a shot of oxygen and detoxifiers, a dose of a powerhouse form of Vitamin C, a smattering of anti-free radicals and a moisture fix to instantly spiff up your skin when you find it looking a little 'low' life.

Why? Studies show that as we age, the natural oxygen levels circulating in our facial skin decline, and along with them, goes the energy needed to keep our cells functioning like the cells on a 'fresh' face. More oxygen (and vitamin C, and hydration) means more energy for all of the biochemical processes required by your body to keep your skin functioning like it's 'young'.

How to use it Massage a generous layer of Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask onto damp skin. Wait five minutes, until a full froth forms, then rinse well and follow with toner and/or moisturizer. NOTE: Our Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask is formulated for fast (5 minutes) action and oxygen release, so there's no need to leave it on longer. Use whenever your skin needs a boost, a maximum of 3x weekly.

Here's me experiencing my ultra, lavish at home facial treatment:

I had to wear the required lipstick for face cleansing like they do in the commercials!

La ti da! Oooh some sizzle and fizzle action!

Doo wee, shooo weeee! Is it working yet?

Okay, my five minutes was up. Rinse. I felt my skin to see what it had done on its own. Nice, smooth. Felt like I already had primer on. I then followed with my toner and moisturizer. What did I think overall. It was nice, though I expected more for my use. Remember it works so well, it's not recommended for use more than three times a week. I wanted dramatically different skin. I wanted a radiant glow that I would be afraid to cover up with makeup. My triple oxygen mask at home? Drink water, don't smoke, use primer. Less than $52. My sister who also gave herself a mask agreed. I shall use up the bottle and give an update if necessary.

Yummy411: 2008 Politically Pretty FOTD Challenge

From the time I saw the Democratic National Convention, I felt pride and honor. To express that my way, I wanted to do an FOTD (face of the day). I got so wrapped up into the program, I never did it, LOL. So when B of Clumps of Mascara approached me with the idea of another FOTD challenge, it felt perfect to settle on the theme of Politically Pretty! The last challenge beauty bloggers and readers participated in was the 80's FOTD Challenge. We had much success and I know this one will rock as well!

In the wake of one of the most historic presidential elections ever, we challenge you to a political-esqe FOTD. Whether you want to represent suffrage/voting rights, a party of your choice, democracy or just the political times... interpret that theme in an FOTD!

Here are the rules:

1. Leave your name either here or over at Clumps of Mascara so that we know you are participating.

2. All participants will post their FOTD on Friday, October 3, 2008 as well the links to the sites of other participants (which will be up on this site as well as Clumps of Mascara). Make sure you are registered to vote!

3. Don't forget to include the details and explain what your sentiments/reasonings were behind the look.

4. There is no actual prize, but lots of camaraderie and blog and reader love in the spirit of voting!

What if I don't have a blog?

No problema! You can still participate. Of course you would have to email your photo(s) and statements to us by October 2, 2008. And then we would showcase them in a separate post on October 3, 2008.

What if I am not in the United States?

Still no problem....show us an FOTD sportin' your country's colors and/or designs. Don't forget to tell us what everything means so we can learn a little somethin' too.

So, get out your brushes AND VOTE!!!!!

In the spirit of this challenge, look what Tyra has already done. She was inspired too! Sorry if I'm late on this. It's awesome anyway!

(pic source)

OMG! This Barak is as fine as the real one, just without the age and wisdom!

Yummy411: NY Fashion Week Celeb Spotted!

Do you remember when I said that I took the above pic in case they were celebs?? Well Muthasfynest put me on... in all white to the right is none other than Donna Karan!

I only thought of her as...

Sadly! I'll be better prepared next go round at NYFW!!!

Yummy411: The Rest of My FW Newbie Experience, Part 3

So, where did we last leave off? Ah, looks like last post I jumped around a bit, but let's just say I was still in the tent, cam whoring it up with some other bloggers....

Elle of In a word..fab

*Exclusive!* It's Mischo Beauty ladies!! ;) We ran into her on the way up to the Total Beauty Suite. She's gorg and confirmed my love for peep toe boots! Gah, didn't get a pic of those =(

I had my own little agenda in NY and our good friend Yannize made sure we hit all of the spots! Hey, there's so much you can do at Fashion Week if you don't have backstage access or watching a show (part of being a newb). I had to meet up with a long time friend from undergrad, turned Essence writer. I love this chick. She's living *one* of my dreams ;)

Headed to Henri Bendels beauty dept. Yeh, I've only heard of this place because they have all of the MAC exclusives..grrrr. We ended up in the MAC store and bumped into celebrity makeup artist Alshonda Michaux. Because of her, I've added Full Coverage foundation and Prism blush to my shopping list.. gah! I did score Pharoah paintpot from the McQueen collection while there, yeh! We wanted to experience Mally Roncal Beauty, so we headed to her counter. Yannize raves about the smokey eye kits, so here's the makeup artist applying a smokey eye to Nikkia.



[ETA] We then had to head back to Brooklyn to meet up with my good friend Kiya (kai-ya) in her neck of the woods. Kiya was my partner in crime senior year of undergrad and the unofficial events planner on Semester at Sea. How interesting that she's currently working in cosmetics too?! We met her at this ultra casual, cozy spot in BK, Habana Outpost. Loves it! Mango margaritas, special corn (grilled with parmasean cheese and spices) and just a general good vibe... So cool! They had Purple Rain playing out on the patio for patrons...drinks, good people, great atmosphere.. I look forward to my next visit!

Here's Yannize in action... if yall don't know, find out! This girl is "bananas".. say it like Ashanti.. LOL.. She really hooked us up, spent her whole day with us and showed us an awesome time in NY... Thanks Yannize!!

Busing it in BK! (Heidi the awesomest and Nikkia LOL)

It's me! Hmmm I like this lighting LOL! See my second day with the Shadowy Lady Quad!

Monday morning, on the train... again. We are on our way to the L'Oreal Brunch before heading out of town. I shouldn't have gotten a shot of me, but a pic of the steps and areas of underground metropolis that is NY's subway system!

After the brunch, catching up with bloggers: The Makeup Girl (to the left) and *exclusive!* Dominican Enigma (on the right)-- such wonderful ladies!

Nikkia and I... see by my third day, I gave into the Tempting Quad once more ;)

Hey, it's My Beauty's Spot!! (Yes, throw out the real names. Ppl are referred to by their blogs LOL)

Center left and right: Anti Hair Slave and Glossy Pink!

Suki Organic Skincare at the Total Beauty Suite.. Look out for a review on that!

That's all folks.. I'm uber tired and am dragging myself to the bed!