Moment of Pride: La Femme Blushes in the Z Palette

Read below why I'm so proud of this palette and mini reviews of La Femme blushes and the Z Palette!

I've been a fan of the Z Palette system for a while--  sturdy casing with a magnetized, open space system for different sized makeup pans.   A definite must have when going to the trade shows! So perfect for your kit or personal makeup collection. I had one that I hadn't put to use, until I was going thru my stash, condensing it and trying to use up what I have. What better way to put my large, black Z Palette to use than to house my lovely collection of La Femme blushes in it!  This palette fit all 10 blushes!  The palette also came with thin, self adhesive, round magnets if you have cosmetics that aren't in a metal pan.  I didn't need them, but great to have!

I finally ordered my La Femme blushes from MakeupMania over the Spring of 2013 after stalking Devin's blog and Helena's blog aaannddd watching Tia work  her magic....using their purchases as guides.  At $3 per pan, what was taking me so long? I think I was apprehensive as I am with most online retailers when making my first purchase.  Once I received the blushes I wasn't disappointed.  These inexpensive, pigmented blushes pack a punch! MakeupMania shipped them in a decent amount of time.  I would definitely order from them again.  I didn't buy the 12 well palette that is designed for the blushes. so they sat in their shipping box for protection (they came as individual pans in little baggies in mini envelopes). The Z Palette was perfect for them!

I feel so proud of this palette. I wish I had done this before investing in my custom MAC blush palette.

I look at the colors and get excited for the possibilities!

Since Blogger refused to rotate my picture, I'll list the colors top to bottom, left row and right row:
Left Row-
Soft Beige
Flamingo Pink
Mulberry
Purple Passion
Grape

Right Row-
Naturelle
Golden Rose
Terracotta
Sunkissed Dawn
Golden Sunset
Check out my swatches here.   I hope to use the blushes soon in FOTD's!Do you have La Femme blushes?  What are your favorite blushes?

Never Forget Why You Started with Erin Scandalous Beauty

Erin of Scandalous Beauty recently did a video answering questions for the YouTuber interview tag and gives us the deets on how she she got started and why she quit, gives us the low on jealousy and tips on how to keep going when your thirst (motivation) has dried up!

I love that she has been around since 2005, a staple in the blogosphere as the brown girls guru to makeup, and has remained on the scene still giving us fresh and interesting content. 

This interview tag video from Erin left me with words to keep on my heart... "never forget why you started." This resonates more with me now more than ever!

Trendy Styles for Natural Hair

Fab blogger, Mz. Sixx of Au Naturale, remixed an article by Total Beauty entitled 10 Hair Trends You'll Want to Try in 2012. Mz. Sixx shows how to achieve the same styles on natural hair!! I was so excited because that's the same thing I think about with my locs. I never have the guts to try these ideas, but my sister is more adventurous with her natural hair mohawk.

Check out the post by Mz. Sixx... tell her Yummy411 sent you over ;)

  10 Hair Trends You'll Want to Try on Natural Hair

Black history through a magazine editorial

The magazine editorial is titled "...Than a Brown Paper Bag."  If you are African American you may know what this means.  The "paper bag test" within the African American community is a symbol of racism within race.  At one time, people had to check their skin color at the door to gain entrance in a certain parties or organizations.  Only if you were the color of or lighter "than a brown paper bag" were you admitted.  This practice left its mark on African American cultural and lingers in modern times.  Check out Wikipedia's reference here.

For more information on this editorial and my latest work with amazing photographer Leonard Poteat, check out his blog The Close Up.  When we work together we make magic!

While you guys are at it, check out this post  that shows some more work that I'm pretty proud of!

Sephora $25 E-Gift Certificate Winner: Jo Jo!

The winner of my Sephora $25 E-Gift Certificate is :

Jo Jo

of Jo Jo's Beauty Guide!

Thanks for participating!

 Here's the winning set she created with the gorg shoes and purse from my Polyvore set!  I love it!



Yummy Fall Obsession by jmolinaro featuring a metal clutch

Paul joe pullover sweater
€259 - jades24.com

Lanvin fitted skirt
£530 - brownsfashion.com

Nicholas Kirkwood high heels
$819 - mytheresa.com

ASOS metal clutch
$31 - asos.com

Proenza Schouler engraved jewelry
$525 - thecorner.com

By Malene Birger belt
huset-shop.com

Mascara
lancome-usa.com

Shu Uemura False Eyelashes Smokey Layers
£13 - liberty.co.uk

BCBGMAXAZRIA Eau de Parfum No Color 1.7 oz
$75 - nordstrom.com

Le Metier De Beaute Fall/Winter Mini Nail Lacquer

$10 - bergdorfgoodman.com

These are a few of my favorite things (October 2011)

I made a video of a few of the products I used all of September and have become my favorite things of October. Check them out!

The MAC Fall Colour Collection's Dirty Little Secret

Have you seen Nikkia's (Silverlipsbeauty.com) recent post on MAC's Fall Colour Collection?  She shows us all of the products that MAC has repromoted for the collection. Beware, it's almost the entire collection!  However, I still went into the store to check it out, asking the MUA for recommendations (or what was left 1 week post release *smirk*).  While some things are repromoted, I don't own all of the items... that would include C-thru lipglass.  C-thru and I weren't really friends during my makeup journey because I thought the color was too pale, pastey and not up my alley.

Its been a while since I've been on this makeup journey and I've learned to appreciate all types of nudes.   C-thru striked my fancy a bit this go 'round. The MUA told me a little dirty) secret that was well worth me going into the store checking out the repromotes.  The new C-thru batch isn't quite like the old one.  It's more sheer!  She shared that people who were in love with the original formula of C-thru have been returning the new one saying it isn't the same.  Aha! Bad for them, great for me! I hope they keep this new formula. I'm personally in love with it!  It almost reminds me of a better version of NYX's Sugar Pie, nude and milky, striking a great balance between pigmented and sheer for a gorg glaze topping for a lip.

Below- me wearing the new C-thru launched with the MAC Fall Colour Collection.  I applied a good amount, but it's not as opaque as the original C-thru.

What did you get from the collection?  Did you notice a difference with the new C-thru?
Items I might return for (if available): Plum Bright and Show Orchid lipsticks (nope don't have SO!),  Emerald Dusk pigment, Blue Candy eye shadow 

Most anticipated polish collection: OPI The Muppets Collection Holiday 2011

(Image source)

Look at that awesomeness! I'm lemming the Rainbow Connection! I'm so excited about this collection. I'm hoping to wear Rainbow Connection to view the movie.
Head over to Krissy's page for information about the OPI The Muppet Collection.
Look for the collection in stores in November!

TAG: Beauty This or That?!

Image Source)

Thanks Ms. Chrys @ Married2Makeup for the tag!

Be reminded that these are my preferences IF I ever had to choose!

BLUSH or BRONZER?
BRONZER- Bronzer can be used as a blush and warms up your whole face!

LIPSTICK or LIP GLOSS?
LIPSTICK- There is a wide variety of the types of lipstick you can buy, stain your lips with a lipstick, sheer it down...lots of possibilies... There's more versatility here!

EYELINER or MASCARA?
MASCARA- Defining my lashes is more important to me than the liner (and y'all know that I LOVE me some liner!) In a pinch with the right tools, you can use mascara as liner!

FOUNDATION or CONCEALER?
CONCEALER- Actually they can be the same thing, but for all intents and purposes, I'm anal about my eyes and the places I conceal. I'll take the concealer!

NEUTRAL or COLOR EYESHADOW?
NEUTRAL- "At the end of the day" (lol) I can amp up some neutrals or tone them down, they match with any and everything and they are work appropriate!

LOOSE or PRESSED EYESHADOW?
PRESSED- Convenience factor.... if I want the color more concentrated, I can scrape some into a powder form and pack the color in!

BRUSHES or SPONGES?
BRUSHES- They haven't made a good blending eye shadow sponge, so I'll take brushes!

I tag.....
Brown Girlz Rock
Khadine
SatsukiMUA
Melody
Jamie (Rural Glamour)
Bicky (Tastes Like Glitter)
Kadian (Ace Your Face)
Donna Shae (LoveLiveLifeGlam)
Ms. Viva Glam
Makeup4Play
....you're it!!!

I'm featured on Nouveau Cheap!

I'm so excited that one of my favorite bloggers, G. of Neouveau Cheap wanted to feature me on her blog! I know most of you all are familiar with her blog, but if you haven't had the fortune to be introduced or visit her blog, she does the best in bringing us bargain values in cosmetics with awesome reviews! Check out my interview with her over at her blog: Interview on Nouveau Cheap. Love ya, G.!

All of My Purple Life FOTD and Video Tutorial

I made a tutorial video based around MAC Afrobella's All of My Purple Life lipglass in honor of Afrobella. She's an awesome blogger. I love her to pieces and I haven't met her in person yet!

Check out the video and tell me what you think! Oh! please don't be turned away too fast. The vid really isn't 18 mins. It's about 13 (I forgot to trim it down to the correct time!)


FACE:
Chanel Mat Lumier in Soft Honey
MAC Careblend powders in Medium Dark and (bronzer) Gold Go Lightly
MAC Studiofinish Concealer in NW30

EYES:
MAC paint pot in Layin Low (base)
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Morphine (lid)
MAC Saddle eye shadow (crease)
MAC Dark Edge eye shadow (outer v) Smoke and Mirrors Holiday Palette '09 LE
MAC Fire in Her Eyes eye shadow (tear duct) Smoke and Mirrors Holiday Palette '09 LE
Revlon liquid liner in black (lid, wing, lower lash line)
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On eye liner in Covet (water line)
LA Splash glitter liner in green (lower lash line)
MAC Lashes #44

CHEEKS
Get Away Bronze Blush, MAC To the Beach Collection 2010 LE
NARS Multiple in Lamu (Summer Collection 2010)

LIPS
MAC Up the Amp lipstick
MAC Afrobella All of My Purple Life lipglass

TAG: Desert Island Lips

"If you could only have one lipstick or gloss for the rest of your life what would it be?"

This is a TAG:

You are going to be cast away on a desert island, but you must maintain your fabulousness. The trick is, it can only be a lip product. What ONE lip colour could you happily live with for the rest of your days? This isn’t about your favourite or what’s haute at the moment. It should be something that doesn’t require lip liner or mixing with some other colour to make it look good. This should be a colour that you don’t have to think twice about because you know it will never fail to make you look flirty, bold or seductive every time you wear it. What would it be?

Here are the rules:

1. Choose your Desert Island Lip colour (lipstick, stain, lip pencil, OR gloss). Only one, please
2. Tell us why you’ve picked it (what makes it special, timeless, or the bomb)
3. Post a photo of yourself wearing the lipstick . The photo should be your full face
4. *You may only use these other types of products in your photo:
   1. Foundation/concealer/powder
   2. Groomed brows
   3. Mascara
   4. Desert Island Lip product
   5. Tag 3 other beauty bloggers

*No paintpots, eyeshadows, eyeliner, blush, contour, highlighters or additional lip liners. Just K.I.S.S ).

My desert island pick is: MAC VIVA GLAM V LIPGLASS!

Colour: MAC calls it a neutral pink with pearl, but I would say it's a browned neutral pink with pearl. A fleshy neutral on me.

Why: A couple of reasons-- Viva Glam V was my first MAC love after Oh Baby! lipglass, it's part of the VIVA GLAM program, I'm a nude lip girl at heart, but this bit of pearl and a flesh toned lip product does my face and skin tone well... besides, it can be pretty universal!

Here’s who I’m tagging:

Noire Tropical

Style and Beauty Doctor

Killer Colors

Shana Janelle

Silver Lips

Pumps and Gloss

Thanks Ace Your Face UK for tagging me chica! ;)

First Makeup Tutorial: Nikkia's Simple Smokey Eye FOTD feat. MAC Constructivist Paint Pot

Here's a simple smoky eye fotd that's perfect for beginners or people that want to achieve a look in a quick 10 minutes! Nikkia of Silver Lips Beauty suggested the smoky eye as a way for me to get use out of my untouched, but awesome Constructivist paint pot.

Take a look at my vid, products are listed below!



FACE:
Chanel Mat Lumiere Foundation in Soft Honey
MAC Studio Careblend powders in Medium Dark and Gold Go Lightly (Surf Baby Collection)

EYES:
MAC Constructivist paint pot on lid
MAC Saddle eye shadow in crease
Urban Decays black and brown liners in Zero and Whiskey
MAC Zoomlash mascara
Random light shade in my inner corner

CHEEKS:
Black Radiance pressed powder in Cream Beige
Milani Baked blush in Fantastico Mauve

LIPS:
NYX Fire lipstick
NYX Plum liner

Kinda feeling like a rockstar....

The August issue of Glamour highlights some of our favorite fashion bloggers. Since I'm mainly beauty I didn't recognize them all right away, but I def knew Gabi Fresh of the Young, Fat and Fabulous fame! She's rocking my bucket bag purse!


My dad brings me old girlie mags that he get while at work... This time, he scored a good one with Gaga on the front of May's issue of Harper's Bazaar. I got a closer look at her nails inside. Don't those nails look familiar?? I know lots of people aren't feeling that look on the nails, but...

Kinda feeling like a rockstar right now... hehe

June Bride: Travelle

How gorgeous is she? Ahh, so honored to be part of her big day. Congrats Travelle and Zachary! See more of the gorgeous wedding shots by the talented photographer, Marlene Lillian.

iHave a TUMBLR

FOLLOW ME MANE! YUMMY411.TUMBLR.COM

MAC Blogger Obsession Collection

On Tuesday, June 21, MAC will debut their Blogger Obsession Collection (online only). MAC selected 9 bloggers to collaborate with to make her dream product. The collection comprises of 4 shadows and 5 lip glasses.

Check out Nikkia/Silver Lips' run down of the collection!
Check out Lianne/The Makeup Girl's swatches! *Drools*

So, I attended The Makeup Girl's blogaversary party and got to see the very special shadow created by her! She told me the story of how it all went down... Let me tell you, I had tears in my eyes, because it's every makeup lover's dream.

I swatched Lianne's shadow, Hocus Pocus and here it is on me!

My ran-to-the bathroom-cell-phone-pic does not do this shadow justice! (Thanks, Shana!) You can't see the sparkle in it!

Have you seen Patrice/Afrobella's lipglass that she created, All of My Purple Life? Check it out as she debuts it on YouTube.


Don't you love Patrice??? She warms my heart!

I'm pumped, excited and overjoyed for all the ladies that were able to have this opportunity (I know most of them!) Will you get anything? What's on your list to buy?

Lipstick Quickie: Bright lips feat. OCC lip tar and NYX Orange lip liner

*Making use of product recently bought: IMATs Haul
*Here's one for Ms. Chrys and for those that haven't seen this on FB. I love that she's trying bold lips. Truth is, I am too. I get very comfortable with my nude lip!
*I'm rekindling a love for OCC lip tars
It's Summatime! ;)

Natural Hair and Makeup Feature on La Petite Sirène à Londres...

Yours truly has been featured on La Petite Sirene a Londres!
Check out my interview with Aurelie about hair and makeup!
Thanks so much Aurelie!

The Makeup Show 2011! Part 2

So, what did I get?

1. The Powder Group Pro Clear Soft Packs- I had already revamped my kit organizing items into clear bags that I had picked up from WalMart for $5 each. It changed my life, so I couldn't resist getting TPG's set with different sizes-- 5 different bags for $30. The WalMart cosmetic clear bags have tougher plastic, but are only one size fits all =/

2. Japonesque 35 Well Lip Palette- I have palettes of other kinds, but I didn't have one for lipsticks... I see my kit looking better already! Yes!

3. Blot Out Offensive Shine and Oil Control Cream- I wasn't as satisfied with MAC's matte gel, so I wanted something comparable to that. Each year at The Makeup Show, I see this product so I figured this year would be the year I tried it. I needed a clear cream or gel that I could use with or without makeup. This product is white, but rubs down to a clear, matte finish. I can't wait to put it to the test.

4. Eve Pearl's Duo Salmon Concealer & Treatment (in Tan)- Another one of those "bought out of curiosity" items. I've heard about it, I'm a believer and subscriber to the theory of what the product is and just felt like darn.. it's about time. Plus, Eve Pearl herself was basically helping me with my purchase! I hope it lives up to what I want it to be. I have so many concealers! Will this stand out from the rest?

5. Extra Small Cotton Swabs- I couldn't find a link for these, but they are ultra skinny and small cotton swabs... I use my cotton swabs a lot, so I figured some in a different size would be cool and probably useful. For less than $2 a pack, they couldn't hurt, right?

6. Bdellium Brushes!- Touting themselves as the professional, antibacterial cosmetic brush I had to check them out especially since my girl Faces by Azia JS featured them on her blog. I told the owners that I was checking them out because Azia recommended them and they knew and spoke of her fondly. Yay bloggers! So excited to see this brand as Crown was too crowded, Cozette wasn't at the station so I could ask questions before purchasing, some other companies just didn't strike my fancy, but Bdellium pulled me in with their assortment of duo fibre brushes as well as the awesome little travel size brushes that I'm in love with.

7. Z Palette- I bought a small one from IMATS and this rocked my socks! Like I said before, I knew about the palette, but life is different once you have it in your possession and use it! It will make you want to depot and press all loose cosmetics to be able to store them in your Z palette. You'd think clear lids/bags was revolutionary, but hey... they make life sooooooooo much easier! Save time and the guessing by being able to see what you need! Save room by not having spacers in your palettes and the pan will fit no matter the size! Ahhh... I'd like to save a sentence or two for when I do a formal review.

I hope I get to use and review all of these items soon!

Check out more pictures below!!

Silver Lips, Me, Yannize and Shana Janelle

Me and Mona of Make Me Blushhhh

MAC Pro.. the sales people were nice and actually selling products! Go MAC!
Someone said to have even gotten Candy Yum Yum while at the show???
I thought they were selling pro products only.... hmmm should have gotten some blushes!

The scene of Danessa Myricks Ruby Kisses competition hosted by herself along with Elessa and Attiyaa.

Some personalities we get used to seeing on You Tube as the girl next door or the friend on your comp, but off the comp Attiyaa is just as gorgeous yall!

Gorgeous Bethany Townes was part of the competition!!
And guess who the winner was???
Yes!!! Bethany!!

Me and the homie @OhMyTy of Gorgeous in Gray. She's wearing her CoverGirl Lip Perfection lipstick in Spellbound!

Me, Eve Pearl and my homie Kenya (Brown Girlz Rock)

The entire Smashbox crew stopped what they were doing at their station to take a pic for me! Every year Lori is at The Makeup Show being the fabulous person that she is. I love her!

Billy B spoke and we listened! He also gave big shout outs to Erin Scandalous Beauty! Loves it!

Ahh my homie AJ Crimson. Like, I love him! I told him I miss him on Twitter and want to see him with his both showcasing his foundations! We're waiting AJ!! I didn't get any insider scoop on the status of that, hmph!

THE Same Fine. This is as close as I got to him. This is his first year being at the show. There was a crazy line of people waiting to talk to him and buy his DVD, but I've hugged him before and have his signed DVD. I'm good. :) Remind me to tell yall about that experience one day...

Darby Girl and Francine of Revealing Beaute'

Lauren/Queen of Blending in her tutu and hair garden piece repping for OCC

Tysh and me! Every year she wows me with her makeup and brows... this year was the same without fail! Dont forget the gorgeous hair!

Yup her eye makeup looked as airbrushed as it does in the pic... talented!

Deshawn Hatcher and me! I love her blog! She has infinite wisdom to share about this industry!

Ro of Creatively Yours and me!

Erica of Glamorous Gleam, NY's fashionista was in the building! lol (I have no idea what I was looking at, but a great pic of us nonetheless)

Me and Mr. CoCoMoreno! I met him at IMATs, but seeing him at this event, it rung a bell that I saw him at TMS last year also.. so sweet, so nice and a beautiful spirit. Wish I could have talked to him more, but he was helping a customer!

Me and the homie Yana of (I will be ) My Own Judge.
So good to see her again!

THE Reggie Wells was in the building. The golden hands of Oprah's beauty for over 20 years. He spoke to the masses and had a booth of his own selling product!

Kenya, co founder of CoverFX and Melissa of CoverFX, and Darby Girl Toni!
So awesome to meet one of the founders of such an innovative brand!!!

Glamcor was in the building. Guess who got the last classic lighting kit? HeHe.... how gorg is she in this awesome dress? We wanted it, but settled for the name of the ATL boutique, SOLE.

Erin Scandalous Beauty and Meagan Shea (Beauty editor now on Afrobella)

Elessa from Pursebuzz... she's been around in the blogosphere/interwebs for a while now. She remembered me :) and she totally get the AWARD FOR SWEETEST ONLINE PERSONALITY. I could tell she was exhausted from the excitement of the day, but she kept a smile on her face and chatted with us for a few and tooks pics.. she's awesome... as we already knew, but it's great to confirm that IRL.

Me, Ren of Makeup by RenRen and Darby Girl Toni
Out of all my blogworld friends, Ren is one of the OG's and this was our first time meeting! She's as gorgeous and down to earth as you'd expect! I never circled back to say goodbye, but I hope this won't be our last meeting!

Toni, Mils from Dominican Enigma and me. I love this foxxy fly mama! We ran into each other looking for Ren at Graphtobian! LOL!

I stopped these ladies to compliment them on their makeup.. the colors were so bold and bright, I loved it. Well, I'm so glad I did!!! These are the owners of the newest makeup line sensation to hit the net...Magnolia Makeup! With a weird obsession for New Orleans (maybe we'll talk about that later) I just had to get a pic and hopefully I'll be ordering soon!

Yeh this is all I saw of Make Up For Ever, oh yeh, I saw the line and kept walking. I braved the line last year. I wasn't in the mood this year. I had too much to accomplish in so little time. Notice I don't have a pic of Inglot or Crown (the craziest booths in the entire place)!

Me and Ms. Butterfli/Danyelle Ducket MUA ;) Don't you love her hair too!

Divaaaaaa! --yes you have to sing it! (Lisa) of YouTube has the fiercest brows, eva! Pictures do them no justice! We met here, but I can't wait to check out her vids!

Tammy of Portrait of a Lady!! My blogger homie and winner of my Makeup Show tix giveaway from last year. She won tickets again this year! Lucky girl. So good to see her IRL!

Nerissa of Noire Tropical and DarbyGirl! So good seeing her again! If you need to stay focused --on a schedule or what have you, this is the person to hang with! As soon as we got there, she gave us the 411 on what was what and what was coming up next! Can't wait to hang out with her again!

Beautiful bloggers that I look forward to seeing whenever I'm in NY, Miss Irene of MissWhoEverYouAre and Adina of Krasey Beauty!

Whew! More to come! Let me at least go to bed and catch my breath! =p