Yummy411: Pink and Purple!

Lurve's purple and pink challenge is ending tomorrow and I couldn't decide how I wanted to work the colors. Surprisingly enough, I haven't worn pink and purple since... hmm? Since this day. So here's another stab. Hope you like it Lurve!

The sexy eye LOL! (I was actually deciding between this look and another.)

Here's how we get the look :

High lighter Moon Glow applied to brow bone.

From lid to crease apply MAC's Plum Dressing.

Layer it with a matte, light, blue based pink like MAC's Girlie.

Line the eye with a deep purple- Loreal HiP's Eggplant cream liner.

Go over the line and smudge with a deep purple like the liner (MAC's Violet Trance)

Blend the edges of the pink color above the crease.

Use Milani's Color Brilliance eye liner in Purple on bottom lid and waterline

Go over the purple liner on waterline with a black liner (MAC's Smoulder) *It turns a bluish purple!

Add a few coats of mascara.. Ta da! Done!

(I'm also wearing MAC's Viva Glam 5 lipstick and Sincere blush in these photos.)

The look is a bit less intense in daylight. It's a day time smokey that can easily sizzle at night. Besides it's quick and easy to do!

Lurve whatever you decide to wear, I know you'll look gorgeous! Have fun!

If anyone else decides to try this look, let me know!

Yummy411: Tagged- 6 Quirks

Quirky pic of me... hilarious!

I was tagged by Brandi (thanks chica!) to share my 6 unspectacular quirks.


The Rules are as follows:1. link the person who tagged you…2. mention the rules in your blog…3. tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours4. tag 6 following bloggers by linking them5. leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged. Here are my six things:



1. I favor my left side. I'm left handed. I think that it is true of most people, that they will favor their writing side. This isn't a problem until you start noticing that tattoos and piercings are all on one side of my body LOL



2. Until I was fixed on makeup, I had a different fetish every week. One week I'd be stuck on socks, then scarves, then music of different genres... on and on..... ADD I tell you.



3. I don't drive a stick. But I must! It's part of my Renaissance Woman plan. Give me another year. I'll find someone who drives one that I can ruin to learn. heheee.



4. Matter of fact, I didn't drive until my 3rd year of college or so... what was the rush, when my sister toted me every where?



5. I'm the evil sister of my siblings. Who would ever think that, LOL?



6. I have allergies like no one's business. Yet and still I buy terribly over the top floral fragrances.



Now, I would follow the rules, but I really thought everyone and their mother had done this sooooo I tag Slvrlips. I'm not sure if she's done this, but I do know that she LOVES being tagged. I love that spirit =)

Yummy411: Beauty That Does Good!

Shannon from A Girl's Gotta Spa is having an awesome auction for an awesome cause! There will be 5 auctions going on now through the May 20, 2008. What's the awesome cause you ask? Shannon, gives you all the details! Grab a tissue (yes it's one of those) and head on over there and get some beauty products that will do good! (Pictured above is just one of the beauty lots up for auction!)

We all have our opinion on beauty products, that's why you come here and share with me and other Yummy411 readers, right?! Well, you can head over to TotalBeauty.com and (Step 1) put down a formal review to (Step 2) win an eco-friendly Saturn Vue Hybrid full of eco-friendly beauty products (the grand prize) and/or other fabulous eco-friendly prizes. Yes, it really is that easy! (Don't we LOVE Total Beauty?!)What are you waiting for? Log on and click away! If you win something, do come back and tell us about it. I'm so excited!

Yummy411: Tag I'm It-- What camera do I use?

(photo: LetsGoDigital.com)

Thanks Lakahna! She tagged me to answer the question: "What type of camera do I use?"

I currently use a Kodak Easy Share c816. My Samsung Digimax that I used prior to BabyYum's bday was my go to cam that I bought when he was born to capture all of the memories (*tear*). It did a great job, but I didn't do a good job at protecting my images in this digital age. Many of BabyYums memories died with my old laptop. *sigh*

When the battery door broke on the Samsung, keeping the batteries insecure, I had to find something. As much as I wanted a Canon PowerShot or something Nikon, (I was supposed to be saving up money to invest in a good quality professional digi cam) I had to get a digital point and shoot at an affordable price. I thought I was digi-cam savvy enough for the higher specs, but what it all came down to was if it point and shot a clear image and if it had macro settings (what cam doesn't?). I also wanted something user friendly and not something that I had to constantly refer to the manual for and adjust settings to get something done. On my Samsung, I only relied on the auto and macro settings, so I figured with higher megapixels, I'd be okay. While this Kodak has more settings and megapixels, I still would prefer my Samsung. The only downfall of my Samsung was that the battery life of the rechargeables was horrible! I can go a week or so now with my batteries in the Kodak before having to recharge them. The downfall of the Kodak? I hate the lag between the pics! You seriously have to wait almost a whole minute or so before you can take the next pic. Wtf?! You'll miss quite a few things during that time! Oh well.. any other reasonable cam you'd recommend? (I still have my 90 day receipt!)

In memory of the Samsung and the hundreds of other photos and video clips lost of infant BabyYum, here are a few that I still have and adore!:

Tag: Slvrlips, Karen, Rocketqueen, Lilan, Marsadie, Mischo, Connie, and Jen of Fifty-cent Head, you're it!

Yummy411: Coastal Scents Italian Badger Buffer Brush Large, Duo Fibre Stippling Brush

Lovelies! How are you all? Great!

So, I've been slowly introducing my Coastal Scents brushes on the blog and I'm happy to tell you all about the Large Italian Badger Buffer Brush. I've been nervous about it because from what I recall, I've heard that the badger brushes are typically smelly and particularly this one from Coastal Scents bleeds tremendously when being washed. I said I would wash it when all of my other brushes were due for a good cleaning and conditioning. Last night was my opportunity.

Initially, out of the plastic, the brush was nice and soft and didn't really have a bad smell. My thorough wash and condition left it in good shape. No terrible bleeding and it didn't smell after having contact with water. As an alternative to the sock sponge that comes with MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Loose Powder Foundation, I'm looking forward to using this to buff in the powder. I like this brush so much (so far...) that I actually want MORE badger brushes from Coastal Scents (yum! the badger kabuki!). They have a mini badger brush set that I wanted, but bought the Supreme Synthetic Brush set instead (meh).

I also washed my broken duo fiber stippling brush. I still had plans to salvage the brush with a good wash and some super glue.
*grimace*
This brush DID NOT past my test! I was scrubbing and had to have washed it 4 times! Non stop gray suds and a eerie funky smell! I had to retire that job and will have to revisit at some other time. After it dried, I had some funny residue on my hands. I washed this brush with shampoo, a bit of anti-bac dish liquid and a bit of alcohol. I don't know what's up with this one, but I would definitely not recommend it. I'm really disappointed. Most people had complaints about the long, slender handle. Another duo fiber stippling brush with a handle more closely resembling a MAC's #187, or their own pink handled duo fibre stippling brush was recently introduced. I would try another one =/.

Yummy411: Derm Day!

Notice anything different? No, not the makeup, or a different day, or that I'm looking in different directions.... ok..... don't notice anything really? My skin tag is gone!!!!

You didn't notice? Neither did my family, who were the same ones constantly reminding me of it!

Don't know what a skin tag is?

It's that little thing right there! (ref: red arrow!)

In this pic, it looks like the other small pimples/moles on my face, but from a good angle it appeared to be a long booger or a gross spud on a potato.. or as the doc said, 'wart-like'. Babyyum often played with it or I was constantly on the verge of detaching it myself.

I told you guys previously in my hyperpigmentation post that I did with the help of Mischo Beauty, that I was visiting a dermatologist. Wednesday was that day. I had 3 things to address (and a few things to sneak in for you guys!):
-my dark, itchy underarms (sorry tmi)
-a good facial regimen for my periodic pimples
-my skin tag

Here are the answers to my concerns:
1) Dark, itchy underpits
Culprit- shaving and ingrown hairs
Solution- a topical lotion (Cordran Lotion) to address the itchiness, with a menthol cooling sensation. I was told not to shave to keep from irritating the skin further and making ingrown hairs. No waxing, anything. Laser hair removal and African American skin don't mix. Just clip the hair down with scissors... Q: Nothing for the darkness? A: It would take too long to get rid of that.
Me: wtf?!

Why underarm hair anyway? An ancient mating sign to help trap our natural scent (to regulate temps and to protect those areas.) Aha! No wonder pregnant women sometimes have trouble finding good deo. Like me on birth control =(

2) A good facial regimen for my periodic pimples
Culprit- the monthly, didn't get a real answer......
Solution- a sulfur, gentle face wash, a non alcoholic toner (Azulen lotion), use a light facial moisturizer with spf, don't do a lot of exfoliating, not even the daily microbeads. Q: Even for people that wear full faces of makeup often? A: Yes.

Me: Wtf? Hard to hear, but I've actually heard it before.

3) Skin tag

Culprit- no actual reason, possibly hereditary

Solution- "We'll take care of that in the front room."

Me: OMG!

My Skin Tag Removal Experience

Some people get the tags removed, others feel they fit in with the rest of their moles. I was there and they could take care of it in the front room. Didn't seem like too much trouble. I was nervous, but the assistant told me that the GYN is worse. LOL.

1. Sat on the table.

2. With a slim instrument with a small, metal loop at the end, (I tried to search for names/pics of this instrument with no success.) she cut and burned the tag off in about .02 seconds.

3. Opened my eyes.

4. I was done!

5. Bad feeling that I will get a bill because my insurance more than likely won't cover this.. oh sh**

The Good- I got rid of my skin tag and my issues aren't really that serious.

The Bad- I didn't get good insight to my issues like hyperpigmentation and what to do about it! The quest continues!

Until then, you guys should really check out the May issue of Essence with Laila Ali and her oh so sexy new man on the cover. There is a fabulous article on skin care for women of color (pg. 176). They even talk about the forbidden skin treatments for women of color and how we can partake! I have to revisit it myself!

Yummy411: Total Beauty Tour

Can't get enough? Need more?
Check out the beautiful reads by taking a Total Beauty Tour of the blog community!

The Beauty of Life smiles pretty after discovering the tartly terrific Lemonade Smile Toothpaste by GoSMILE!

Canadian Beauty gives away a gift basket worth over $200!

Tink at Causal Lavish wants to make sure you are summer ready with a cooling SPF!

Beauty's Spot discovers Korres Natural Products for a brilliant Spring Fever Face Mask at home.

Monique at beauty girl musings findsthis mascara's promises not so promising.

Beauty411 reviews Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser and Toner and has the 411 on the upcoming Kiehl's Earth Day promotion!

Rediscover the Muse's old post on Dior's Spring Collection 2008 mascara mad scientist! Help her decide which mascara to try for her next experiment...
Toya interviews her first beauty lover of color - Angie! Do you want to be interviewed, too?

Check out a snippet from a Q&A with The Body Shop international artist Chase Aston on The Daily Cookie!

Mischo Beauty shares her recommendations for an at-home skincare regimen to maintain the health of your skin in-between facials!

Kia of Yummy411 tries MAC's new Mineralize Skinfinish Loose Foundation.

The girls at Beauty in Real Life, let you in on the secret to getting your makeup to stay put all day and still look natural.

A Mom in Red High Heels finds an
eco-friendly nail polish that is even safe for pregnant mamas! Discover the brand and fun color names like Crave!

Meredith at Daily Dose of Coffee checks out the new summer fragrance Bronze Goddess from Estee Lauder.

Yummy411: Weekend Beauty Read

Get your beauty fix with some of the best reads from around the beauty blogosphere from the Beauty Blog Network!



15 Minute Beauty Fanatic finds a great new gel eyeliner!

makeup loves me is helping you get ready for wedding season, by giving away 10 sets of french manicure fake nails!

StyleBell tries the CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protecting Spray and loves it!

A Touch of Blusher is putting gold on the lips.

The Makeup Divas reviews and falls in love with La Mer foundations and powder.

Beauty Anonymous loves the natural-looking makeup from Physicians Formula Matte Collection Quad Eye Shadow.

Girl Gloss loves the all natural classic flavored lip balms from the Badger Company.

Beauty411 reviews Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser and Toner and has the 411 on the upcoming Kiehl's Earth Day promotion!

Find out why the Muse is loving Givenchy's Perfect Again! Corrector Palette!

Cybelesays helps you get stick straight hair with this 6" Powerhouse.

Stylish Opinion finds cosmetic bags that are actually eco friendly.

The Beauty Blog Network welcomes and interviews it's newest member, Beauty 411.

Elke reviews the "Gilette Venus". Is it worth the hype?

The Beauty of Life smiles pretty after discovering the tartly terrific Lemonade Smile Toothpaste by GoSMILE!

Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog checks out Goldrush, Dior's newest summer makeup collection, and gives you pictures and swatches!

Want lashes as sharp and precise as hi-def TV? SugarShock Beauty gives you the lowdown on Cargo's blu-ray Mascara.

The Daily Cookie digs shu uemura's new Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine lip colors - check out why!

Beauty Blogging Junkie knows you'll love this news: no need to drop $300 on a T3 Hair Dryer anymore. The brand has come out with a $119 version that works JUST AS WELL but takes just a bit longer to dry.

Mischo Beauty shares her recommendations for an at-home skincare regimen to maintain the health of your skin in-between facials.

Kia of Yummy411 tries out MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish Loose Foundation.

The Beauty Bug reviews the best exfoliating cleansers that all leave your skin soft, retexturized, and glowing!

Beauty Junkie in SF discovers great things come in small packages.

Beauty Banter asks super hot Rock Mistress Alison Sudol of A Fine Frenzy to dish on her favorite skin products for a pore-free complexion!

Glossypink has found an amazing sunscreen that doubles as a makeup primer!

SPINLASH - the mascara with a rotating brush - promises to simultaneously separate, shape, coat, lengthen and volumize eyelashes. Does it deliver? Spoiled Pretty finds out!

Toya interviews her first beauty lover of color - Angie! Do you want to be interviewed, too?

Pursebuzz.com teams up with Beauty from the Earth for a fantastic contest. The winner will win 10 jars of multipurpose mineral makeup of your choice! Click here to enter. Good luck!!!

Makeup Moxie craves a luxe tropical vacay after trying Elizabeth Arden Mediterranean Breeze Body Shimmer

Yummy411: MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Loose Foundation, Updates

DC's Emancipation Day deserved a trip to the MAC counter! Just kidding! With the Pope's visit to our town over shadowing everything, this holiday was practically dismissed. I wish that we, as a town, would come up with an annual festivity/ tradition of some type for this important day.

On to the makeup.....

MAC's Mineralize SPF 15 Foundation Loose ($29)

"A lightweight loose powder foundation that utilizes the power of minerals to provide the skin with a smooth, radiant, natural finish. Brushes on the skin for sophisticated, medium-buildable coverage. Special mineral complex helps keep skin healthy and nourished while the blend of moisturizers and conditioners in the formula help create a smooth, flawless application. Provides essential everyday SPF 15 sun protection." - Nordstrom's verbage.

My homie Mrs. Lynne gives you a full, in depth run down.

My interest was piqued a while back about the MSF loose powder foundation. Since then, I've tried to watch the Specktra boards on reactions and so forth. I've also talked to other MA's about their thoughts. Two at another counter said, "The coverage is much sheerer than the pressed." Another today said, "No, this is an actual foundation, so the coverage is heavier." I say, whatever, they are all buildable so to be honest, I don't know what's what yet . Right now, I'm lead to believe that this is just a loose form of the pressed powders, but time will tell. I can say wearing the pressed alone is sheer, but I tried the loose form (I'm matched as medium dark) initially on my bare skin applied with a MAC #187 and it was ultra sheer, I didn't think I had on anything. ??????????? Then, I tried it over Strobe Liquid and I wouldn't want a traditional foundation in between. I liked the strobe liquid and MSF loose together (with some bronzer) ALOT!

Final verdict: Nice, not essential

*If you already have the pressed version, stick with it.

*Don't have either, but want one- flip a coin.

[ETA] * I ALMOST HATE THE PACKAGING!!!

(me in the msf loose over strobe liquid... this was not a full face makeup day!)

******************************

And.. on to the updates:

L'Oreal Infallible Lipgloss: I gave it another shot. Nice (interesting) formula. After a few, it thickens up a tad and gets sticky, not an uncomfortable sticky, but if you continue to rub your lips back and forth it seems that you may be disrupting the process of it sticking in place. By the umpteenth hour, I knew it was still hanging in there, but just felt it needed to be wiped away. I don't think it helped that I got a not so nice color. Even at it's sale price of $7.99 from $9.99, I'm just not feeling into it. I might exchange for a different color.. 3rd time's a charm eh?

Coastal Scent Duo Fibre Brush (original black handle) I didn't even get to use it yet, nor review it! Damn! I don't feel like the hassle of shipping back and forth. I'll get some super glue... damn!

LOTD (Look of the day)

I wanted to show my Heatherette goodies some love, so I wore this to lunch with the boss lady and staff. It's a watered down version of xsparkage's look. It was still day time and I was with the office folk, so I couldn't go all out like her. I left my Otherworldly paint pot at home, so my Mood Ring shadow looks hella different.

(all MAC unless otherwise stated)Eyes: layin low paint pot as base, mood ring e/s on lid, cloudburst e/s in crease with a bit of ben nye's cosmic violet grand lumiere powder over it (my pink pearl pigment dupe) and a bit of moth brown in my outer v. L'Oreal HiP pigment in exciting as my highlight and tear duct highlight, Maybelline liquid liner lined top lid and mystery kohl power pencil on lower lash line.

Face: MSF Natural (pressed) in medium plus, sincere blush

Lips: (I showed C-Shock some love too) my never used overrich l/s .. didn't wear this out with the office though!

Yummy411: CVS Deals 4/13-4/19, Reviews and FOTD

Beauty Deals @ CVS 4/13-4/19

-BOGO L'Oreal HiP

(Yippee! I felt this one coming on! LOL! You'd think I'd have everything I needed from this line by now... I have to repurchase my Teal potted gel liner, get the black liner that's supposed to be better than MAC's Blacktrack f/l, and give the purple eggplant a second chance)

-CoverGirl Buy One, Get One Half Off (Face or all eye, lip or nail); Clean or TruBlend products BOGO

-Buy One, Get One Half Off all Almay cosmetics or skincare

-L'Oreal Voluminous Naturale, Telescopic mascaras or Star Secrets Shadow Quad, $6.99

(Has anyone tried the Voluminous Naturale?)

-Buy One, Get One Half Off Neutrogena Cosmetics

-L'Oreal Infallible Lip Gloss, Bare Naturale Eye Shadow, $7.99 + get $2 extra bucks!

Which brings me to my L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Lip Gloss review. I bought this the last time it was BOGO at Rite Aid. 'The more affordable version' of Lancome's Color Fever Lipgloss, I was actually underwhelmed by both. I picked up two colors in the same bronzey/sand colors. The gloss didn't look as nice on my lips as I had swatched on my hand and the thin-ness of it didn't suit me. I like vibrant and pigmented gloss. Eck, I didn't feel it was even worth the $10 it cost me. However, I read this review. Apparently, I didn't give it enough time. I love the tube though, cute and classy. Give it another shot?

What did impress me on a drugstore visit was.......????

Black Radiance's Radiant Lipgloss at a whopping $2.99! Love it! The consistancy, the feel, the pigmentation of the color and most importantly that price! A+++ (as my Biology teacher used to say.) They definitely need more colors though!

And to throw in an FOTD, just because I liked my makeup today....

:All MAC unless stated:

FACE: MSF Natural Pressed in medium plus, Sincere blush on cheeks

EYES: concealer and Cork e/s in brows, Ulta's Yogurt e/s on lid, Soft Brown e/s in crease and the dark gray in outer v (from Fafi Eyes 1), HiP Exciting pigment as brow highlight and tear duct highlight, Mystery Kohl Power e/l, Maybelline XXL Curl Power Mascara (primer only), L'Oreal Voluminous mascara (top and bottom lids), Fascinating eye kohl on water line, Studio Select Coverup in NW30

Added: Cheeks- Shy Beauty Beauty Powder Blush; Lips- Bonus Beat lipgloss with Maybelline's Taupe Twinkle l/s on top!

Shy Beauty snuck up on me. I couldn't see it as well when I was applying, but it shows up well in pics!

Plan on picking up anything from the drugstore? Anything else I should look out for?

Yummy411: The Work 2

[ETA] This was a fun shoot! The crew came together and did our thing. Two girls would be over at the hair station, while I had my chair and station set up, rotating models. Once the models were done, they would go upstairs to the 'set' and work! work! work! Not standing out in this set (but can be seen in the background of the bottom last shot) was a male model who was more or less of a prop for this scene. While I had my ideas set for each girl, I wasn't aware that a male model would be involved. I was asked to give him abs for the shot. *gulp* I knew the concept, but just had never done it. I took a crack at it and it worked! Then being rather fair skinned and coming out of the winter blues, I had to improvise and give his skin some warmth on his legs! I mixed up some oil and dark foundation and rubbed it on-- that worked!... oh the life of a male model! Each model was supposed to have a rather sweaty, humid look so they got baby oil treatments and for their faces my special solution (fix plus and some bronze shimmer!). Great energy, great work pulled in from everyone!

Yummy411: Hyperpigmentation/ Dark Spots

Hey Talysha, this one's for you!

Many women of color suffer from hyperpigmentation or dark spots from acne to ingrown hairs. I wanted some advice from blogger friend Mischo about what we should do about them and the best spot concealer!

Here's what she had to say:

"Hyperpigmentation is the overproduction of pigment (melanin) which results in discoloration or dark areas on the skin. It may be caused by a number of internal or external factors such as sunlight, injury, trauma, medication, skin diseases and skin treatments and products. Women of color are more susceptible to skin discoloration due to genetics and the differences in physiology.

If you have a tendency for this disorder, then you should avoid the following:

1. Sun Exposure (it's one of the biggest causes of hyperpigmentation and will make existing disorders worse)

2. Deep Chemical Peels, Microdermabrasion or Laser Services (these services could result in injury or trauma to the skin)

3. Over-Exfoliation (this will make the disorder worse and might cause hypopigmentation, which is the loss of pigment)

4. Manipulation of Pimples (use an over-the-counter spot treatment or medication prescribed by your dermatologist to treat them)

Because shaving may cause hyperpigmentation for some, in addition to irritated skin and ingrown hairs, I would suggest waxing, threading, or using a depilatory (hair removal cream). Your dermatologist may even have a treatment to block hair growth.

I'd recommend Dermablend products as a concealer. I've heard over and over again how great they are for achieving maximum coverage and a flawless look. (Yummy411:"I would recommend MAC's Studio Finish SPF35 concealer.")

Though skin of color is more susceptible to pigmentation issues, it's advantage is that due to it's difference in physiology, it has a greater protection from the sun and shows fewer signs of aging."

See Mischo's full article on her site- Hyperpigmentation 101. Thanks Mischo for all of your help!!!

Stay tuned for Part 2. I personally have dark underarms, so I'm visiting a dermotologist. I'm going to sneak in a couple of questions and I'll let you all know what he says!

Yummy411: Damaged Inspired FOTD

I wanted to use the two Milani Runway Shadows that I finally posted about (not an official review). This past week instead of catching up on the traffic and weather scene, I've been tuning in to music videos. It seems like MTV is up to their old stuff. Do they have one music/video dvd for the morning? Every morning Danity Kane's Damaged comes on. The makeup worn looked like I could achieve it with my new shadows, so I thought I could try to do something similar....

My FOTD is semi-inspired by the Damaged video:

Danity Kane Damaged Lyrics

The song is okay, the lyrics.. hmm I can relate somewhat. Either way, here are some stills for you:


And here's me LOL.. I said I was semi inspired!

FACE: Almay Face Brightener Sheer Shimmer SPF 15 in Bronze Afterglow, MAC MSF Natural Pressed in Medium Plus, cheeks- Trace Gold and Harmony blushes (my face looked prettier and had more of a bronze glow in person.. esp. my cheeks!)

EYES: brows- Cork e/s, Layin Low paint pot, Milani Silver Charm on lid, Milani Bronze Doll in crease, brown half of HiP's Brazen Duo in outer v, Maybelline liquid eyeliner to line top lid, HiP's color truth cream eyeliner in Teal on bottom lashline with Bang on Blue e/s over it, Silver Charm on tear duct. Maybelline XXL Curl Power Microfiber Mascara with some Loreal Voluminous thrown in (a couple of coats!)

LIPS: L'Oreal Golden Splendor l/s with MAC's Crescent lipglass

A bit more cam whoring... see those lashes in the last pic? Gah, I hate having two totally different eyes!

Yummy411: Milani Runway Wet/Dry Shadows

Well me ladies, this post is long over due. Alas, here it is! (My insight, since you may have seen this around quite a bit.)

I finally (quite a few weeks ago) purchased the not so new anymore single Runway Milani Shadows. They were so sparkly and pretty on the shelves, practically calling my name! My eyes would dazzle dressed in those shadows! In the drugstore, they retailed about $6, so I wanted to be sure that for a single shadow, I would love it.

I picked up: Bronze Doll and Silver Charm

I got home, mesmerized by the sparkles, and couldn't wait to tear them open! Agh! I was duped! The sparkles are only a top layer of sparkles!

Gah! Oh well... they give decent color pay off and are still pretty metallic and gorgeous with a velvety feel. I look forward to using them (after ditching the quirky, curved, double ended brush thingy.)

(with flash)

Do any of you have any favorite colors from this lineup?

Yummy411: A Meme for Monday

Thanks Mrs. Lynne for the tag!

Things I'm passionate about:
-learning to love me
-loving the Babyyum
-my people (slavery was a vicious cycle, but until our mentals are removed from that institution and we not forget our past, we haven't truly over come!)
-taking advantage of life
-children

Things I'd like to do before I die:
-backpack in some foreign lands with Babyyum
-get married
-see my name in print
-own my own successful business
-accomplish all the medium and long term goals (to shorten this list lol)

Things I say often
-i love you (to babyyum)
-what?
-kewlies
-OMG

Books I've read recently:
-Trucks
-Scooby Doo
-hmm that's all I can think of

Songs I could listen to over and over
-some Ciara tracks
-Rock Star by Hanna Montana
-I'm on my own by White Snake
-some Fantasia
-some Buena Vista Social Club
-the gospel jams on 104.1fm
..this could go on forever too

Traits I'm attracted to in my friends (in no particular order)
-loyalty
-light hearted-ness
-the ability to be social in many settings
-being able to stay true to themselves
-being able to love seriously
-having the zest of life!

Tagging: Kendra, Lilan, Slvrlips, Ren, Brit a.k.a Clumps and Lurve

Yummy411: Nails and Eyelashes

On Friday, to make last preparations for a shoot, I stopped by Sally's Beauty mainly for some lashes, but I was drawn into a collection of China Glaze lacquers- the WOW collection. This is one of the few places locally that I can actually see polishes by collection.

These are nice, ready for summer colors, though not a conservative work appropriate selection. I've defied the silent rules before of my workplace. I'm not sure how courageous I am, but if I ever feel like branching out wildly beyond my toes, I bought four of the six colors available: Pink Voltage, In the Lime Light, Turned Up Turquoise and Purple Panic. I'm really excited about these colors! They are supposed to be neon colors, but I disagree. Rather they are bold, fun, electric colors! These are also included in the Ink collection. Have any of you tried these before? Do you have a favorites?

For lashes, I tried the Ardell Invisiband Lashes in Luckies (pictured to the left). They are glam without being drag. I liked them a lot and will have to buy them for myself.

Other than that, I picked up a few containers of fun, Sally Girl glitter.

Can't wait to do some looks with these goodies. Have you been to Sally's lately? What did you get? Anything to look out for?

Yummy411: Busy as Bees in March

March has been an especially busy month for us!

My sister's baby shower. I lost all other pics of the event, but I couldn't resist showing a pic of my adorable nephew, the big brother.

Easter weekend, we wanted to do the Horton Hears a Who! breakfast and movie. Babbyum and I got the green eggs and ham (the pancakes are gross, but pretty!) and then off to the movie, but he insisted that we see College Road Trip instead. He's a Disney fanatic. What can I say?

Did some work on the portfolio.

And then Babyyum (#3 from l-r) turned 4! Am I getting old? We celebrated at the National Aquarium in Baltimore with his cousins and buddy. Then, we had Spiderman cupcakes and ice cream at Macaroni Grill. Sorry, no pics of the candle and all, but here's one that I particularly like LOL

Whew! I'm tired! Doesn't seem like much from my super short picture summary, but it's been a lot in a few weeks (add in other personal matters and the full time job). It's all good though. What will April bring?! (featuring, Loreal HiP's Playful duo =))