Hair Update April 2011

Hey Amina!!

Me and my locs!

Side view... the side looks a little baldy, but that's cuz i twisted them. They get fuzzy and you can't see any scalp!

I couldn't get a total back view because I didn't have a photog assistant handy (the kid) lol, so this was the best I could do.

Randoms about my hair:
*The last time I colored my hair, I colored the top/crown a
nice vibrant red, but now it's a copper :/ Red maintenance is hard!
*I love being a red head.
*I'm ready to get some curls back!
*With my locs being longer, I'm worried about the Summer time.
(Heat, heaviness, sweat, bugs, outside dander, ughhhh)
*My locs are getting to that point where I always want them in a pony
tail of some sort.
*My next goal length is to get my ponytail in a bun.
*Length isn't super important to me as I've liked my hair at different
lengths.
*I want a deep red velvet red color at the crown and some
violet or orange highlights.
*I'd still love for Thierry Baptiste to do my hair.
*The most annoying things about my hair right now is the unruly
kitchen. No matter how much I try to get the hair twisted in a loc,
none of it stays and locs.
*I pick at my locs with tweezers. Sometimes wearing different fabrics, material
gets in my locs hanging on my back.

Time flies!

Throw back product of the day- 1st Edition

Hey guys! As a result of trying to shop my stash I came across a few old items that I used to love that I wanted to share. I'm going to tell you about one of them today.

Can you guess what product I'm wearing that I'm featuring as my "Throw back product of the day"? Look closely!
Nope, not the pale (maybe too pale) lip gloss I was trying out....

Do you see a difference in this pic and the pic above? If you guessed FRECKLES then you're right!! Have a cookie! A throw back product that I've had for a while now (according to my memory circa 2000-2001) is a Lancome Freckle Crayon. I have a few freckles or sun spots (as the derms have been calling them) of my own, more prominently around the nose and mouth area.
See? Well, ehh, you get the picture.

I bought this before I was really into makeup like I am now. Lancome had the "it" counter; a girl had to have a Juicy Tube in her purse! When I saw the promo ad for this I had to have it. I think freckles are beautiful and you know people like to have what they don't. I knew a set of twins that were speckled from head to toe with gorgeous freckles. Their unique freckles could help you tell them apart too! ;)
I'm sure I've told this to yall before, but once I met a guy wearing my 'freckles that he commented were "so cute". When we went on our date, I no longer had freckles.. hehe! Can you imagine the peeps and side eye I got? LOL! A weave can come and go too! ;D



Here are some swatches and comparisons: (from left to right OR bottom to top --the long swatch lines) MAC Cork lip liner, Lancome Freckle Crayon, NYX Rose Brown lip liner, NYX Nutmeg lip liner, MAC Spiked eye brow pencil, MAC Stubborn Brown eye liner

The closest, most similar color was MAC's Stubborn Brown eye liner, which is the small, dark, line swatch next to the long swatch of the Lancome Freckle pencil. The freckle pencil had the right amount of orange and brown, but dark enough to mimic real pigmentation spots. Stubborn brown seems to almost hit the mark, but without the hint of orange it needs to make the spots appear real (on my skin tone).

I think the freckle pencil/marker trend is resurging. Would you try it?

Lipstick Quickie: Intense oranges Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Intense, Milani MandarinaSwatches and Comparisons

They are pretty identical. To be anal, the very slight differences are that the MUFE 40 maybe slightly darker due to it being a touch more opaque/denser pigments. The Milani Mandarina is ever so slightly lighter and a touch more creamy, but look at my swatch... that's true to life color. They are dupes of each other.

Thanks to my friend Kim of Brown Girlz Rock for putting me on to the Milani!

MAC Studio Careblend Powder, Review, Swatches and Comparison

MAC Studio Careblend Pressed Powder: "Formulated to provide a smooth, virtually invisible, fresh-looking finish, this soft, cream-like powder is carefully blended to provide the skin with extra care, nourishment and comfort."

Ingredients: Talc, Boron Nitride, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Zinc Stearate, Myristyl Trisiloxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Tocopherol, Lecithin, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Extract

This powder is the newest powder formula for the line. It's a pressed powder that can be used alone or to set foundation with comforting ingredients like olive oil and shea butter.

Coverage
I've used the powder both ways and only applying with a fluffy brush (Sigma's SS150). When I bought this I had been using my beloved and previously untouched MAC Mystery Powder as a setting powder, simply from shopping my stash when I felt I needed a new powder. I asked the MAC MUA about this powder and she said it would provide just a bit more coverage than the mystery powder. Indeed it does, just a bit more as she had stated.

As a setting powder
I loved the way I looked after testing it out in the store. I can't recall what exactly I was wearing before she tested the powder on me, but I loved it. Over a cream like my MAC Mineralize (Cream) Foundation, the Careblend Powder felt a bit heavy as a setting powder. Over my thinner, liquid foundations the Careblend powder as a setting powder isn't a problem. However, the powder amps the coverage of the foundation overall.

Using it on its own
Lately, not wanting to fuss with a foundation and always on the run, I've been using the Careblend powder alone. I might even prefer the powder alone! At work, to even out my complexion and the like for sure, but going out, flash photography and pics... the powder alone will not do it (for me). I'm still testing the waters with this powder and reg point and shoot flash photography, especially at night. The jury is out, but I still use it =p

Comfortable, not drying
While this isn't the powder that will stop all shine for long hours at a time, it will hold some oil at bay. Touch ups are required. This powder feels comfortable for wear and won't make your skin feel thirsty.

Take a looks at some pics and read on for comparisons!

I use Medium Dark. For Summer, I may switch to Medium Deep.

Look who's hitting the pan already. I got this in February.

Here's the Careblend powder to the left, MAC Mineralize Natural Powder in Medium Dark and then MAC Mineralize Foundation Powder Loose in Medium Dark as well.

MAC Sheer Mystery Powder in Lighthearted comparable to Medium Dark

So purrrrddddyyy! I never wanted to touch it, but it came with a refill so I felt I could at least use 1! Lol!

Old beat up box for the Mystery Powder from Stylistics Collection 2007

Look closely, click to enlarge! Can you see? Top right side of my hand is Lighthearted Mystery Powder, l-r: Medium Dark Careblend Powder, MSF Natural in Medium Dark and MSF Foundation Loose

Mystery Powder: Not sure if they mystery is that it's finely milled, but I really liked the powder for most reasons-- no cakiness, finely milled and a decent color match. Color is similar to that of the Careblend powder.
Careblend Powder: Seems to be a touch smoother than the mystery powder! Because of the moisturizing ingredients, I've concluded that the powder is slightly heavier than the other powders. I've hit the pan fairly quickly with about over a month's worth of daily usage.
Mineralize Skinfinish Natural: This is the darkest of all the powders. I got this when the product first debuted during the Amuse collection in 2006. This was my face product of choice when I didn't use foundation. I used this with a kabuki brush. I may have retired this a year later. Whether I used it daily or not, I expected that this would be all used up by now. This is the only powder with small light reflecting particles in it. This is the first generation MSF Natural and to be honest, I'd have to use it again with my current routine to compare qualities. I remember retiring this product because there was no oil controlling properties at all. The newer MSF Naturals may be different.
Mineralize Foundation Loose: Making this in a loose form makes the coverage more buildable. I'm sure this was created to compete with the highly popular Bare Essentials mineral powder that has a cult following. I didn't grow too fond of this powder because the color was off to me. If you look in the picture, this powder looks very neutral to cool. I always felt off and grayish.

Of this bunch, my favorite is the Mystery Powder, followed by the Careblend Powder. I'm looking forward to trying the MSF Natural again as a person that's more knowledgeable about makeup. MSF Natural was my first love!

I'm Featured on Scandalous Beauty!

I've been following Erin of Scandalous Beauty since I started blogging. (She started a bit before me.) We were on Specktra together, she's part of The Beauty Blog Network and just has a strong online presence. Every time I see her, it's total love. It really warmed my heart when she featured me with 4 other beauty mavens in the blogosphere. Check out her feature:

Five Beauty Bloggers with Fierce Makeup Inspiration

Thanks Erin! I feel honored! <333

Update and My experience with Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips

About a week ago, before I took off my Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nails Strips designs this was the state of affairs!

My nails were grown out and ready to be refilled! They lasted a good long time and they were always conversation starters. It was funny to have even men notice!

Here are the instructions that came with the set: (click to enlarge)


So I basically 1-found a strip that would fit my nail, 2-pulled off the back and aligned it with my cuticles. In real life, I left the slightest of gap between the strip and cuticle because I didn't want to make it look like I over jumped my cuticles. In photos, it seemed best to fit the strip right up against my cuticles. 3-I pulled the access over my nail and went to work with the buffer and file that was enclosed. The file helped to wear away the access and the buffer helped to smooth out the strips edges on the ends of my nails.

The above scanned instructions or my basic instructions aren't enough? Well, dang!
Brit's got you covered....

Clumps of Mascara's Video Review and Tutorial

Most of the strips didn't fit the width of my nails, so here's what helped and other tips:
-Remember I said my nails had the black glitter acrylic still on them? Well the black peeked out a bit (the glitter wasn't as apparent) so it matched the design and camouflaged the areas that weren't covered.
-I put a clear coat of polish over the strip after I let it set and adhere to my nails (During this time that I let it set, I washed my hands, did chores, etc. just to see if I would get some extreme peeling or something.)
-Try to wrap your nail with the strip as you may do with your polish to prolong the wear, BUT with acrylics, they are thicker than a natural nail and you may find yourself filing away the portion of the strips that you wrapped under your nail.

OVERALL, these wore like a charm, I enjoyed the DIY designs, and even though I had another pack to try, I bought two more packs (hounds tooth and another pack of lace design)! I LOVE THEM!!

Have you tried them? How do you like them?

Top 16 Eyeliners for Less Than $10!!

I figured I'd share this list since I can personally vouch for the top two. Revlon ColorStay liquid liner in a pot is my liquid liner of choice! I was introduced to this by Ren of MakeupbyRenRen when we all used to share haul posts and starting out on the blogging scene. I've tried to stray to see if there was something out there equally as good... and I always came back home!

Maybelline NY Expert Eyes liners are liners my sister DarbyGirl/Toni would use interchangeably with CoverGirl Eye and Brow Makers for her brows. She's an OG... she still uses the liners and doesn't use powder and brush like I've switched to.

16 Best Eyeliners for $10 (or Less!)

See the eyeliners that readers say are topnotch and cheap

This is a TotalBeauty.com eye makeup article The million-dollar question is … can you get a great eyeliner without breaking the bank? Well, according to our honest and loyal Total Beauty reviewers, the answer is yes. To prove it, we've compiled their favorite eyeliners that cost less than $10. Get products

No. 16: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner, $5

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8

"It's super black, goes on very easily with the felt tip, dries quickly, never smudges/transfers/slides, and is affordable!"

No. 15: Maybelline New York Expert Eyes Twin Brow & Eye Pencils, $2.99

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.1

"I've been using this product forever. It lasts forever and [the] price is great."

No. 14: Sephora Jumbo Eye Pencil, $6

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.3

"What a nice surprise! This pencil is fantastic ... and it's only five bucks!!"

Want to see what other eyeliners made the list? Click here!

IMATS 2011: Red Carpet Makeup with Valente Frazier

Many knowledgeable, fantastic celebrity makeup artists were attendance at IMATS (Eve Pearl, Adrien Morot, Kevin James Bennett, and Linda Mason to name a few), but one I was excited about seeing and meeting was Valente Frazier! Makeup artist to Tyra Banks and others, this artist possess knowledge, poise and just a charm that you'll fall in love with! (Part of the artist is talent, but attitude and demeanor also speaks volumes to your craft!)

Valente took us through the process of the classic smokey eye with Q&A while he worked. Here are some tid-bits I picked up:

• He uses RCMA foundation for great coverage and blendability.
  
• He uses YSL and Laura Mercier powders for their finely milled formulas.
• He likes bronzers from Kiko- an Italian makeup line.
• He created a classic smokey eye with MAC Smoulder liner and a bronze Dior quint, smudging liner with a pencil brush.
• He highlighted and contoured with cream (his RCMA foundation palette).
• He likes Roque Cozette synthetic brushes.
• A key component to red carpet makeup is to select a focal point of the face and focus on that special feature.
• Another tip for long lasting red carpet lip color is to use Jello powder as a lip stain.
  
• He doesn't believe in the ultra sculpted brow, but a nice manicured brow.
• His work time: 1 hour! (by my clock)
  

What a gorgeous look! She's a natural beauty anyway. I hope you guys enjoyed my IMATS posts. I hope to see you at IMATS next year!

IMATS 2011 Haul, Swatches and Show Experience

Here's my haul:

2 Stila Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Rock Candy and Starry
3 Stila Long Wear Liquid Lip Color in Coral, Caprice and Fiery
3 Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars in Vapid, Traffic and Lo-Fi
Z Palette
Parian Spirit brush cleaner
(not pictured: Alcone triangle sponges)


Left column, top to bottom: Stila Long Wear Lip Colors in Coral, Fiery and Caprice. Stila Sparkly Liquid Eye Liners in Starry and Rock Candy.

Right column, top to bottom: OCC Lip Tars: Traffic, Lo-Fi and Vapid


Get a closer look at the Stila Sparkly Liquid Eye Liners. They are gorgeously sparkly on not only on my complexion, but all complexions. They are also very long lasting as they claim!

About IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show):

The make-up industry’s biggest and best show makes its New York debut this spring! The International Make-Up Artist Trade Show, already held in five cities worldwide, attracts thousands of people with its mix of shopping, classes, special events and celebrity speakers.

With its thriving film, fashion and theater scene, New York was a natural destination for IMATS, which books some of the industry’s biggest names to share techniques, tips and behind-the-scenes stories.

This was IMATS first year being in NY. Past years in other cities have been great successes, so NY was expected to be no different. The trade show is open to the public for professionals and enthusiasts alike. The event was so popular, the event was completely sold out (also due to space limitations).

Spread between two floors, the first floor was divided between the student competitions and the main lecture hall. Upstairs was shopping central for all of the vendors. This space in SOHO was a bit smaller and intimate. The vendors list was shorter than expected and some didn't offer professional discounts that was expected.

Going to past events like The Makeup Show, I was familiar with the organized excitement of makeup shopping mixed with educational classes and forums, so I had a plan to follow, but things never seem to go according to plan, but I stuck close to it.
-I dressed comfortably.
-I had my camera for pics.
-I ate and used the bathroom before entering the venue.
-I had a list of vendors I wanted to visit and classes to attend as well as the floor plan.
-I made ample time to eat and rest before boarding the bus back home.

Things worked out pretty well! I will say that my expectations were pretty high from coverage from LA IMATS, but for one day at the show I got to see a lot without feeling too overwhelmed, exhausted and burned out. The word is that next year, the show will expand and be in Chelsea. Stay tuned!

I can appreciate that the FX artistry was presented very well to attendees. We usually see a lot of movie, video, red carpet makeup and some minor FX artistry. To see it all on this level was great and was more interesting than I thought.

Check out some extra pics!

A guy explaining Adrien Morot's (one of the presenters) FX work on the Jake Gyllenhaal corpse (laying on the table) in the movie Source Code as well as Barney's Version to a group of attendees.
Six people were needed to operate this very life like corpse on the movie set. Amazing!

Students working on their projects.

IMATS 2011 My pics!

I'm slow and hesitant to upload these pics because I didn't feel well this day and I totally feel like I looked it (hated my makeup and felt like a slob). However, being amongst makeup junkies and other bloggers, etc. made my day and made me feel a whole lot better!! So check out what my experience was like! Look it's Nigel (left) of Nigel's Beauty Emporium! I love meeting the founders of companies!

You all must recognize Josh, right? The very talented Petrilude on YouTube? I told him I was expecting him to be in blue hair as Misty Maven.. I really wanted to meet her, hahaha! He was really sweet about taking loads of pics with strangers. A lot of ppl have negative ideas about the 'gurus' of youtube, but my thing was.. I don't know them. Josh was really nice.

Sherry Blossom of Sherry Blossom Beauty. Twitter peeps were out in full force as Erin recognized her from Twitter, but she's a beauty blogger too.

Ahhh Warren Beautiful and Erin Scandalous! LOL I love these two. I had to chat it up with Warren about his latest gig as a makeup artist for CNN.. challenges, lessons learned, differences between makeup in real life and TV makeup, HD and more. Erin was there being the blogging star that she is (everyone wanted a pic with her. I think she even signed some autographs too ;)) Check out her locs growing in so beautifully and complimenting her face! Loves it! Help me to urge them to have a Makeup Show social like they did last year! Check out Erin's Facebook album that sums up the IMATS experience!

Beautiful AmeriTrini from YouTube and her friend. This was our first time meeting. They were killing it with their bright lips! It made me realize what I needed for my look! AmeriTrini was wearing MAC's magenta liner and Petals and Peacocks lipstick while her friend wore NYX Chaos. Gorgeous I tell you. I needed to steal her friend's loc style too!

Ahh Bethany! We recently met at Cocktails and Couture NYFW event... I call her the internet socialite. Ever since I met her, she's popped up every where on the nets! ;) Love her. She's a sweetheart! She was also killing it with that lip. Stila's Caprice. I made that purchase instantly!! Total awesome surprise! BeatFaceHoney from YouTube. Love her and so glad to have had the chance to meet her. She was really sweet and open! She was just as nice and bubbly as she comes across in her vids. Do we have the same color eyes? I always thought hers were brighter. Maybe it's her blonde hair the brightens them up? She looked gorg!

Everyone was mesmerized by this attendee's lips.. MAC's Ruby Woo covered with a red glitter from Eye Kandy Cosmetics. She had glitter on her lids as well. Simply beautiful and she was very nice about being a model for all the pics snapping!

Carm B of LipstickFashionMascara blog. She's a riot. Glad to have met another twitter buddy and beauty blogger.

Me with Queen of Blending. I told her that she has to remember us Specktra girls when she's shouting out her online peeps. LOL! Another online personality people were forming a line to meet. Too cute!

I had no idea until I saw Erin's photos that to the far left is GirlCanPaint's Ivette, someone else I'm familiar with via Twitter. Erin, NYC Beauty, and moi. Great to see everyone again!

Fashionista Marsha of BrownFace B.E.E. I spotted her in the infamously outrageous Inglot line. I don't think I saw her after. Did she ever get through the line?? It's always good to see her and connect! Mwah!

The homie Nerissa of Noire Tropical Beauty!!! She played unofficial NY Ambassador to me and I truly appreciate her for that as well as her love of beauty. We scoured the IMATS floors together with a mission and chatted for lunch after. Good times, good times! Another proud moment for me in this industry of makeup.. I got to meet Valente Frazier (Tyra Bank's makeup artist) He's so sweet and I have more coming up about his class I took!