yummy411....get it here!: April 2009

Tips to look sexy over 40!

I know some 40+ year old divas that should be nominated for Essence Mag's Fab Over 40 Contest (Hey Muthasfynest!) Until you hit the pages of Essence, here are some tips to help you get your sexy back!

Top Tips to Looking Sexy Over 40

Try the makeover tricks we used on TotalBeauty.com reader Kim to help spice up her dating life

New to the Internet dating scene at age 50, Kim turned to our makeover dream team for beauty tips to help in showing off her sexy, independent self. Follow their steps to see whether their advice worked, and how you can recreate her look on your next date.
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E.L.F. Discount, 2 Day Sale!

I love the Studio line @ e.l.f. I recently bought some products that I can't wait to share with you guys. If you want to try them out, do go to their site and order away. I mean 50% off of already reasonably priced cosmetics and tools?? Knock yourself out! USE CODE: EGSTUDIOX E.L.F Studio

The Makeup Show NYC. Will I see you there?

NEW YORK, NY–From the runways of New York, Milan and Paris, The Makeup Show NYC announces Gordon Espinet, Vice President of Makeup Artistry for M.A.C will be a guest keynote presenter at the fourth annual The Makeup Show NYC on Sunday, May 17, 2009.

Espinet will share first-hand experience and the makeup looks from the Autumn/Winter 2009 fashion collections that will be influencing technique and color palette for months to come. Discussing the process of design and creation of makeup looks for high-fashion collections, working closing with the designers, and adjusting a comprehensive look for skin tone and features of each model, Espinet will share behind the scenes of looks from some of the hottest names in fashion including DSquared2, Behnaz Sarafpour, Vivienne Westwood and Elie Saab.

“I have always loved the idea of making women look their most beautiful. I love when I do someone’s makeup and their body language tells me that they feel gorgeous”–Gordon Espinet, Vice President of Makeup Artistry for M.A.C

An intimate and educational trade event, The Makeup Show is a one of a kind boutique show dedicated to community building and artistic energy. The show examines cosmetic applications of technique and style, featured during two days of inspiration, hands-on workshops, seminars, keynote presentations, and community building.

Seminars and hands-on workshops explore the world of makeup from film and television to editorial and bridal beauty, including workshops for airbrush basics, FX techniques, and makeup for HD, to secrets tattled from the best palettes and cosmetic counters in the business.

Exhibitors for the Makeup Show NYC include Alcone, Alison Raffaele, Becca, Crown Industries, Embryolisse USA, Hakuhodo USA, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Kissable Couture, Linda Mason Elements, M.A.C Cosmetics, Make Up For Ever, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Pencil Me In Cosmetics, Smashbox Cosmetics, and Temptu. For a full list of exhibitors visit www.themakeupshow.com.

The Makeup Show NYC, May 17-18, 2009, 9:00am-6:00pm daily, at the Metropolitan Pavilion, located at 125 West 18th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues.

Follow The Makeup Show NYC on Twitter and receive live news directly from the show.

Who's going?? Let me know. We can do dinner after!

SugarSweet MSF's: Perfect Topping and Refined

I mentioned that I would get to these back in my other SugarSweet post... so, here it is!

The last of my SugarSweet goodness consists of the two limited edition released mineralized skinfinish pressed powders: Refined and Perfect Topping pictured below, respectively.

Here I swatched them on my hand....

(l-r: Perfect Topping, Refined)
*PLEASE CLICK TO ENLARGE PICTURES

First, let's clear the air. These should not have been made MSF's, but rather a highlighting, iridescent, or beauty powder of some sort. These do not impart the glow, sparkle and pigment that we've come to love from MSFs.

Perfect Topping: Omg! I love this. A pearl, light sheen pink that is so perfect for giving that touch of sheen and glow to the skin on your high points. The name suits it very well! This is what I wanted out of Star and Belightful Iridescent Powders and Icescapade MSF!!! I just love it. Really, I do. No chunky glitters, just the right sheen.

Refined: This is the peachy, gold version of Perfect Topping. If you have golden undertones or a gold sheen works better on you than a silver (like Perfect Topping) this is the product for you. The subtle sheen is so delectable, so great! Honestly, I do love this, but you can definitely get a comparable product from more costly high end brands, like Estee Lauder with super fine milled shimmer powders.

Here I am in both powders...

Now for some real talk. If you are anal about any oil or shine this may not be the product for you especially in photos. I'm part of the combat shine crew and generally don't want these products, but ahh! Gotta live a little. I will just be sure to not use flash photography or I'll use a bit of translucent powder over it to dull down the shine.

Do you share the love on these products? Did you buy them?

MAC Grand Duo: Earth to Earth

(left to right: blended, solid side, marbled side)

I love Earth to Earth Grand Duo Blush. It's a great peachy bronze glow. It makes me want another one like Hot Planet. Do you have a grand duo blush that's HG material? Which one did you get?

The Best and Worst of Wet n Wild!

The Best and Worst Wet n Wild Products
Check out which nail polishes, eye shadows, lipglosses and more our readers love, and, well, love to hate

Buying Wet n Wild is an inexpensive way for us get our beauty fix without hurting our wallets. Heck, half the stuff they sell you could buy with change found in your couch cushions. Check out this guide to what's hot and what's not, and then search those couch cushions or bust open that piggy bank.
See products
The Worst: No. 3: Wet n Wild MegaColors Lipstick, $1.99
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 6.4*

It's "just overall really mediocre" they say and feels "icky on ..."
No. 2: Wet n Wild Wild Shine Nail Color, $.99
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 6*
"The finish is just awful-- no smoothness whatsoever, very chunky, streaky and coarse ..."
The Best: No. 9: Wet n Wild Silk Finish Blush Compact, $3.49
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.6*
"The pigmentation is dense-- so a little goes a long way" and "it literally stayed on all day ..."
Want to see the rest of the list? Click here!

Nneka Saran Bag Launch Party and Weekend Fun! (pic heavy!)

Nneka Saran Handbags

The party was held at Luxe Lounge (formerly the Avenue Night Club).

Nneka the designer giving us an intro.

How cute! Nneka Saran cosmetic bags and traincases! I was trying to get my hands on a traincase, but it was snatched up right before my eyes =p

Above- Baby Doll participated in the hand bag fashion show. I want that bag!
Me with Baby Doll the Diva (She's also a wonderful Yummy411 reader!)

Here's are the items I purchased!

After the launch party, we met up for one of my cousin's bday and partied some more! Not many pics of that event. You know how people are... "Don't put this on Facebook (the internet)."

Me, my sister Toni and Veronica

Me, Toni and cousin Oachi

Ok, I know Tyra wouldn't be happy with this photo, but it was late and I wanted to capture my look before washing it off. I also got some Twitter comments asking me about the colors used.

When I went out with The Pretty Committee last month, I asked Toya her recipe for her flawless skin that had the perfect amount of sheen and glow! I had the main ingredients so I decided to give it a go.

FACE
MAC Satinfinish Foundation in NC37
Setting powder- new MAC Prep + Prime Transparent (white) powder
Sculpt and shape duo for highlight and contour

EYES
Painterly paint pot to base
Red Earth Acid 5 eyeshadow in Acid 2 (a throwback that was probably LE)
MAC Deep blue green pigment in the crease and v
Carbon eyeshadow in outer v
MAC Penultimate Liner for top and bottom lids
MUFE Smoky Lash mascara
MAC Fascinating eye kohl at tear ducts and outer corner of the eye
(a play on the Miss Chievouz look)--it's fun eye detail for a night out.
MAC Studio Finish concealer in NW25
NYX Lashes # 125

CHEEKS
CoverGirl Bronzer?

LIPS
Underage and VG5 lipglasses

NYX Lashes!

Here, I'm wearing NYX lashes #125 (my favorites!)

You need these in your life.

Glitter infused lashes for a night time spark!

Yes, get up on that NYX lot sale: 30 lashes for $24!

(I will too now that I've tried some lashes for myself!)

Go Mommy Go! Revlon Self Adhesive Lashes

(pic source)
My first foray into false lashes actually started with Revlon Fantasy Lashes. A pair of self adhesives that made glam on the go a reality! For that very reason, this is why I like Revlon self adhesives for mommies on the go or any busy woman that wants to add a little glam to her beauty routine.

Here are other reasons why Revlon self adhesives are great for you on the go:
- no fuss with separate glue/adhesive
-adhesive is strong enough to keep the lashes on, but forgiving if you've applied them erroneously
-most styles are suitable for daytime wear, moms, or conservatives to have a bit of pop and glam to their look
-great for newbies who want to learn to work with lashes and wear them
-reusable! an extra adhesive strip is included in the package. no careful glue cleaning!!

I've since graduated from subtle glam lashes, but I do find that these are fab additions for my daytime natural look. In the picture below, I'm wearing Revlon Fantasy Lengths Self Adhesive Lashes in Intensifying 500.

Other great news about the lashes:
-The lashes have a black band that mimics a tight lined look when wearing them.
-The lashes are lightweight.
-If you do decide to try some Revlon Fantasy Length lashes that aren't self adhesive, don't feel you need to buy or use your tube of Duo lash adhesive. I tried the Revlon glue and was very impressed. Do give it that 30 seconds to get tack and it will hold like a charm. I now reach for it as much as I do my Duo!

Have you tried these lashes? Tell me what you think! Retails for $6, drugstore.com

Life Changing Beauty Products

I know some of y'all think I'm melodramatic since I have these emotional ties to my favorite beauty products. Nothing like making a woman feel good! Here Total Beauty gives us their run down of top rated life changing beauty products.

18 Life-Changing Beauty Products

TotalBeauty.com members say you can't live without these makeup and hairstyle wonders from MAC, Clinique and more

We're paying homage to the products TotalBeauty.com members consider staples in their makeup bags and bathroom cabinets. See which goods earned enough glowing beauty product reviews to rise to "can't-live-without-it" status. They may just be the answers to your beauty prayers.
See products

Interestingly enough, I started a thread on Specktra like this a while back. See what I think and other members say are their life changing beauty products!

Skincare Bliss!

My introduction to Bliss was a so-so experience, but since then, I've found a few lemmings. Here's my wishlist:

Bliss Sink Side Six Pack $25

Bliss Steep Clean Pore Purifying Mask $54

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash, $22 (or 2 for $39!)

Receive a free full sized blood orange+white pepper body butter ($35.00 value) with your order of $75 or more at BlissWorld.com! Offer ends 4.30.09.

Blog Love Baby!

A while back, Beautiful Brown Skin Bianca awarded me with the Triple Award. Thank you so much girl!!

Next, I got the Sexy Blogger Award from my girl Seymone! Thanks sexy mama! ;)

Rules: List 5 things that are sexy about yourself and then tag 5...

1. my nose ring

2.my lips in Viva Glam 5 lipglass

3. my tan glow in the summer

4. i'm sexy being a glamorous mama!

5. i feel sexy in some chic and fab platforms

(whew! that was hard!)

The Triple Award required me to pass it on to 10 blogs, the Sexy Blogger Award required 5. I'll list 10 and give them all the Sexy Blogger Award!

Tina, Awilda, Jamie, Wes, Ren, GangStarrGirl, Joi,Nikki, Dao, and Marsadie!

Happy 'SugarSweet' Easter

Hi honeys!
So I wanted to try a great Sugarsweet look (using the MAC collection products) which I thought was right in time for Easter.

First, let me show you my recent mani!
I went to the nail shop feeling the Spring weather with my never worn OPI's Greenwich Village, or as a backup, another OPI, Nicole Alert.

Of course when I get there I change my mind for another Famous brand nail polish. A fun duochrome/iridescent polish. (Real nail bloggers correct me because I'm not sure which category this falls into.) It's not your regular peacock deeper turquoise, green and blue. It's more sky blue, purple, light turquoise. I like to think of this as iridescent fairy wings. The name of this shade is Vanity Fair or something of that sort. So pretty! It seemed to glow the first day I wore it!

(The only okay pic in artificial light, showing the iridescence. Yeh, that's mouthwash.. y'all know the bathroom is the studio!)

On to the look:

I saw an MUA with this look on. So hot! Had to give it a go myself! I'm anxious to try Passionate e/s anyway I can!

FACE: Nada
CHEEKS: MAC Blossoming Creme Blush
EYES: Painterly paint pot all over lid
Red Velvet shadestick on 2/3 of lid
Pagan e/s on inner corner/tear duct
Lighter purple (iridescent) half of L'Oreal HiP's Reckless Duo
Passionate e/s on outer corner
Crease is an orange, can use Juiced, Rule or Orange, but I missed
NARS Taj Mahal blush and Dazzlelight e/s for that color
Black liquid liner, MAC's Penultimate Liner
Auto-de-bleu technakohl liner on waterline, Blue Storm e/s to smudge
NW25 Studio Finish concealer
MUFE Smoky Lash mascara
LIPS: Shygirl Cremesheen l/s and Bare Necessity dazzleglass

Did you notice one of my lashes looked a bit funky? (My left lash, your right) I tried a number by Revlon and you add piece by piece. Not my cup of tea. I shall try some others. Review coming soon!

This look actually looked better on the MUA's monolid. What would you do to up the amp of this look? I love it, but I feel like it needs something else....

DC Twitter/Blogger Meetup

One half of the Jet Set Girls and Anu!

I finally found a way to crop the pic as I promised Anu!

(My comp lost its editing program ): )

While I was away from the blog with comp difficulties, that didn't keep me away from my blogger/makeup scene! I kept connected via Twitter. The MakeupGirl, Lianne put together a Tweetup for the bloggers in DC - Makeup and Mojitos!

We went to PF Chang's in Tyson's Corner, VA first for some grub and mojitos. Then we headed to the freestanding MAC store for some goodies! Sorry, I have no pictures of my 'haul', but I got some old faves like Style blush (thanks to Rocketqueen), Goldmine eye shadow and #42 lashes *two snaps!* LOL

Check out some of the pictures and bloggers!!