Yummy411: Alicia Keys Makeup at the BET Awards Show!

Just about all of the celebs that came out for the BET Awards show looked stunning with flawless makeup and awesome wardrobes. One person that I keep on my radar at all times is Alicia Keys. With natural, radiant beauty, makeup on her is easy, I'm sure. However, it's still nice to know what products her makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff used in hopes of being as beautiful as A. Keys!

Ashunta tells us:

"We were channeling Carrie from Sex & the City from head to toe. I wanted clean yet a touch of funk to go with the downtown soho chic look.

Face:
· I used Cover Girl Queen Collection Mineral Bronzer (*more on this to come!*) to enrich her naturally tan skin and the mineral pressed powder to set her makeup.

· Dior Pro Cheeks in Hip Peach

Nails:
· Giorgio Armani Fluid Shine #3

Eyes:
· I added a little dazzle in her eyes with Shu Uemura Luxe Black False lashes with Urban Decay glitter eyeliner in Metal Head for eye poppin' fun

· Cover Girl Volume Exact Mascara in Black because the brush is so amazing it gets each and every lash.

Skin:
· Her body was adorned with Makeup Forever Diamond Cream in Gold"

Thanks Samara!!

Yummy411: BET Awards

I really enjoyed this year's show compared to other years. They still have work to do but overall, the performances were hot! Neyo with the masked dancers, T-Pain being ring leader of his circus (minus Rick Ross exposing his buddha belly to us), please believe Lluda on the "I'm So Hood" remix... he's the hottest!!! Alicia Keys and the girl groups... I was loosing it with SWV, En Vogue, and finally tears were really about to drop seeing TLC without the 'L' =(


Some of my favorite looks of the night were:

Rihanna
(I had a better pic of her in her performance makeup which I will upload later!)

Edit: Here's the pic

Nia Long-beautiful nude look and plum dress. What does she use for her skin? She's probably one of those chicks that just says "I use cocoa butter!" LOL
Niecy Nash and no big azz flower! Beautiful with gorgeous skin! Purple is so regal!
TLC without the L =(

She overdid it with pink, but she's doing what she does best... smile and be gorgeous!
Alicia + Ashunta= BEAUTIFUL
Ashanti with the old Hollywood glamour
Gabrielle Union again let her beautiful skin do all the talking.. simplistic and gorgeous!

(photo credits: Bet.com, omg.yahoo.com, rnbmusicblog.com)

Did you all see the show? What did you think of it?

Yummy411: L'Oreal Skin Genesis Serum Concentrate

I've been interested in finding a serum for a while, since I'm closer to 30 and need to take these wrinkle and aging prevention measures more seriously. The few I've tried have been sticky, gooey and just not something I felt like figuring out.

L'Oreal's new serum on the market (offered on the shelves with the Oil Free moisturizer and other products of the Skin Genesis line) is actually intriguing!

Why? The serum is not gooey and tacky, it can be used morning and night, it absorbs well into the skin and your hands arenb't messy after application! Serums don't usually have SPF in them, so that's not a concern. I would like to use this instead of my moisturizer, but at the expense of no SPF, I'll keep this handy as a night time treatment. It's recommended to be used before your moisturizer. Oh yeh, by the way, (LOL) my skin does feel a bit more firm, more together, like the elasticity is strengthening after about a week and a half of use. LOVE. L'Oreal Skin Genesis Serum Concentrate recommended!

Yummy411: Yumm411 Featured on Makeup Masala!

The lovely Toma over at Makeup Masala featured me on her site! I'm so excited that I was able to participate in one of my favorite features: 5 Same Questions! Check it out here! Thanks Toma!

Yummy411: Cool Heat!

....cuz my eyes are smokin'!!! LOL

I wanted to play with my Gulf Stream from Cool Heat, so I didn't some what of a smokey eye? Gulf Stream eye shadow was the only item that I bought. When playing with this I fell in love with my VG5 lipglass all over again!!

(This is one of my favorite shirts that I love from Target! I swear the color that's on my eyes is on my shirt too! LOL)

FACE: MAC matte, Face and Body Foundation, Matte Bronzer and NW30 Studio Concealer, Sincere blush

EYES: gulf stream eye shadow on lid, plumage e/s near lash line and soft brown in crease. Cork e/s and Girl Boy brow set in eyebrows, L'Oreal Voluminous on lashes with Maybelline XXL Curl Power primer. Milani Color Brilliance Liner in Aqua with some Plumage e/s over it. Fascinating eye kohl at the tear duct.

LIPS: VG5 lipglass!!!! LOVE!

Yummy411: The Pretty Committee

THE PRETTY COMMITTEE

IS NOW HERE!

Are you looking to come from behind the comp and share your makeup obsession with people just like you- fellow bloggers, friends, etc.? Do you want to get together with like minded makeup junkies for a night out? Do you want an opportunity to wear your makeup out (instead of putting it on, only to wash it off?) Want a makeup shopping buddy who understands that you need to swatch every Nars blush to make a decision to buy?

If more than one of these questions have crossed your mind and you are in the DC Metro Area, come join us! Newbie, experienced, lipgloss lover or foundation whore, this group is for you! Drop me an email and let me know you are interested. We'll invite you to join The Pretty Committee group!

prettycommadmin@gmail.com

*Monthly Hauling Happy Hour

*Themed Makeup Meetups

*Area Makeup Events

and more!

Yummy411: Urban Decay Graffiti and other loves!!

Just wanted to check in with you all. I've been testing out the MAC Matte, Face and Body Foundation and Matte bronzer that I mentioned before so that I can give a good review. I wanted to see how I feel about about it in this weather (unfortunately, it's actually been cooler.)

Friday's Face:

I wanted to wear something fun and use my Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box. I ordered it back when UD was having that big sale on their site and haven't really used it. So I tried it Friday and the day before. I agree with Lilan about the UD sets!

FACE: moisturizer, MAC Matte, Face and Body foundation in C5, MAC Matte Bronzer, and Space Out and Sincere blushes on cheeks!

EYES: Studio Finish Concealer, UDP with Rubenesque paint pot layered on top (fingers), Graffiti e/s on lid (#239), Soft Brown e/s in crease and a bit above , as a transition color or for my darker colors in crease(#224), Fig. 1 e/s in crease (#222), Plumage in outer v (#219) and blended out a bit with the #222. Highlight is Moon Glow loose e/s (#217). Eyes are lined with Maybelline liquid liner (the felt tip, pot kind) and water line is rimmed with Milani's Brilliance liner in Aqua. Mascara is MAC Fibre Rich-- it def. doesn't stand up to my LOreal Voluminous (I guess without some primer!) Brows, I used Girl Boy brow set and Cork e/s... no time for the concealer tricks this time!

*****If you have darker hair, brows or skin you may be interested in Show Off! brow set******

Using the brow set helps so that you may not have to tint/bleach your brows, but using other pencil or brow powder/eye shadow may be necessary.

LIPS: Dazzleglass in Steppin' Out (eaten off after a full day)... I really want Glamour ID!

Thursday's Face:

I used all of the above with these exceptions:

FACE: I used the items in this order- moisturizer, Face and Body foundation, MAC Matte, then matte bronzer.

EYES: On the lid is UD's Honey, Studio Finish Concealer and Laura Mercier's Secret Brightening powder #2

LIPS: Clarin's lipstick in shade?? and Love Knot lipglass

Current Loves

If you all didn't get up on Light Flush MSF, you MUST get Spaced Out blush....LOVE in a blush pan!!! Think Motif e/s, but as a blush... and you know your girl loves an iridescent product!

Love Knot lipglass from MAC's Naughty Nautical Collection. (Okay, I actually had to have Love Knot and then added Bateaux to the host of other tan/brown lipglosses and lipsticks that I own. *sad face*)

Milani's Brilliance Liner in Aqua and MAC Duo Sided eyeliner in Black Funk/ Pop Blue.. I mainly use the Pop Blue side and I love it as it reminds me of Blue Peep Fluidliner in pencil form. Much easier to use, but will be used up much faster. I use these interchangeably and I'm additcted. My Fascinating eye khol has been collecting dust *tear*

I'll post soon with more reviews of some of these products!

Yummy411: Splendicity's Newest Member!

Who's Splendicity's newest member? Why I am- Yummy411!

I'm so elated to be a part of another wonderful group of bloggers!

Check out Splendicity.com!

Yummy411: L'Oreal Skin Genesis Daily Oil Free Moisturizer

I wanted to continue to talk about the MAC Matte (cream gel stuff), but I halted as I didn't have much oil to show on my face before and after using MAC Matte to give a good indication as to what the product can do. Why? Well, the weather has dropped a bit in my area, keeping us cooler and I've been testing out this oil free moisturizer.

The moisturizer that I've been trying out is the L'Oreal Skin Genesis Daily Oil Free Moisturizer is one of the products from the Skin Genesis skin care product line of L'Oreal (as the name indicates) that offers a boat load of skin and cell rejuvenation properties that you can check out over at L'Oreal. The moisturizer won Allure's 2007 Best of Beauty "Beauty Breakthrough" title. The lightweight, silky formula adds a touch of radiance as it evens, tones, and moisturizes.


Pros: light formula, a touch of iridescence, nice fragrance, pretty bottle and oil-free (helps in the heat)! My skin felt smoother and not a bit tacky to the touch through the day (granted that I abstained from outside weather). This product uses the new Pro-Xylane technology to rebuild and replenish the skin. Sounds like a good concept to try.

Cons: I hate unnecessary packaging. The moisturizer's bottle is fine, but the box it comes in seems a bit excessive and unnecessary-- put the product info on an insert! This is a new pet peeve of mine. This product contains no SPF! I honestly took for granted that facial moisturizers these days come with SPF by default. Because of my lifestyle, I need multitasking products. Finding an SPF that I trust and to add another product, layer, anything to my daily routine is not desired. How has Pro-Xylane really helped anyone? Numbers? The price is a bit steep-$25.99 for a drugstore product for the ordinary shopper.

Yummy411:MAC Matte Cream and Oil Control Lotion

I am very concerned about looking sweaty when I take pics, so per my last post about foundation in Summer weather, I am still on the hunt for a easy routine, especially with my Go Mommy Go lifestyle, but one that will def keep the greasy, sweaty look away during the summer!

I mentioned that I wanted to experiment with oil control lotion and matte bronzer, but I had also heard about the Matte Cream and didn't know one from the other. I turned to MAC Chat to help figure out the two products, so that I could decide on one. Read our online chat: (with a bit of additional information thrown in at the end)

General Info
Chat start time
Jun 5, 2008 2:52:01 PM EST
Chat end time
Jun 5, 2008 3:01:02 PM EST
Duration (actual chatting time)
00:09:01
Operator
Marci

Chat Transcript
info: Welcome to MAC Cosmetics Online. One of our Artists will be with you shortly.

info: Hello. Thank you for your interest in MAC Cosmetics. My name is Marci. How may I assist you?

kia: hi marci! i have question about the oil control lotion vs. the oil control gel. what't the difference and which suits whom best?

Marci: Hello Kia!

kia: hi r u there?

Marci: I'm not sure which product you are referring too with the Oil Control Gel, is it MAC Matte?

kia: yes i'm sorry

Marci: That's ok. They are two completely different products. You can use them both to help control oily shine. MAC Oil Control Lotion is also a moisturizer and MAC Matte will help control shine and minimize the appearance of large pores.

Marci: MAC Oil Control Lotion is a lightweight, silky matte moisturizer that provides both shine control and moisture to your skin throughout the day.

Marci: MAC Matte cream gel mattes the skin and reduces shine without the use of powder. It acts as a light diffuser to visually soften fine lines and large pores, and also allows for smooth application of products like eye shadow and concealer. Apply with your fingers to visually soften fine lines and pores. It is also perfect under eye shadow and concealer for a smooth application.

Marci: Click here for the MAC Moisturizers page.

Marci: Click here for the MAC Matte page.

kia: great!

kia: last question...

Marci: Certainly

kia: what's the difference between the tinted lip conditioners and the tendertone lip products?Marci: MAC Tendertones are scented with Kiwi Strawberry, they also have a pleasant taste. Marci: And MAC Tendertones are a little sheerer in color.

kia: they perform equally?

Marci: I think so.

kia: thank you for your help!

Marci: Some shades of MAC Tendertones have a little shimmer too.

Marci: You're welcome!

kia: oh nice!

I have not tried the Tendertones yet! I did buy the Matte Cream instead of the Oil Control Lotion. I need immediate results! Stay tuned as I will give some more info about the performance of the Matte Cream! I wanted to post yesterday, but my electricity was out last nite due to thunderstorms and crazy rain in the DC area!

Yummy411: Best Week Ever! Beauty Blog Edition

I've only done this type of post once, well I guess twice before... here and here. For this post however, is my week to shine baby!

Why did I have the best week ever? (Okay weekend!! Dag! LOL)

because

(when I met this lady here in LA during the TB Blogger's Summit)

Tia Williams said to me......

"your makeup is flawless!"

I'm done.

(p.s. okay i'm not quite done. i love her so it was a great day for me! i will give a bit of credit to the makeup artist on set who intensified everything i had already done, by just a bit...brushed a brow, added a bit more crease color and quite a bit more bronzer.....oh by the way, guess what mascara she was fond of??? -- you know i had to ask!--Yup, our favorite L'Oreal Voluminous!! I asked her to add a bit more of that LOL! Omg! the e-drama on Tia's site is off the chain! Worst than the last time something crazy went down in the comments! Obviously, readers missed the part of about a porn director approaching her husband about exposing his 'Latin Lover' on film.. totally cracks me up and overshadows the other crap they are talking!)

Yummy411: Hauling in LA

So during my time out in LA, I had to grab some beauty even if at my own expense lol. With me, to share in beauty fun was my homie Marsadie (check out her blog to see what she hauled and a review!) and her bf Trent was a great sport to tag along!

Of course one thing I love to do is to check out the different drugstores. In my area we have CVS and Rite Aid. In LA they had the infamous Longs. Yes, believe it or not, this was a beauty destination for me. At longs they had a wonderful assortment of NYX and Rimmel amongst other regularly found beauty items. Of course they were out of the infamous NYX Kiwi eye shadow.

I found some jewels at the Rimmel Underground display! I found the Rimmel Spark It Up liners!

(photo credit: Musings of a Muse)

From the picture, it looks like I have the 3rd and 4th liners from top. I got shades Peridot (dark bluish teal) and Black Gold (dark blackish gold). Very beautiful for a drugstore brand (Milani has similar colors with the dual glitter and pencil liners. However, Rimmel is cheaper.) The Muse says that these pencils remind her of MAC's soft sparkle pencils, but to me they definitely remind me of the MAC power kohls; Jealousy and my favoritey Mystery. Backups with a cheaper price tag!! Yay! Ok, one downfall... not much staying power, at least from a swatch. I'll try them over powder eye shadow and the works soon!

I went to Planet Beauty and found a full range of OPI. I was tempted to go ahead and buy my much lusted after India collection, because I actually saw it all at once (and the Mod Brights collection), but at about $8.99 per bottle, no thanks. I'd much rather shop at Head2toebeauty.com. I did however, get to see the much raved about (at one time at least) OPI Ink. What a gorgeous deep, sparkly purple! I also got a Mimosas for the Mr. and Mrs. in an attempt to buy a shade that I once had on my toes that looked like my toes, but more refined and polished, a super sheer, white-ish, cream.


(photo credit: bewitch911)
I had the opportunity to take a some what of a closer look at Cargo blushes, yum! I fell in love with both Rome and Mendocino. Unfortunately, the cashier gave me Laguna instead of my requested Rome. *wah!!!* There's no Planet Beauty in the DC area. Laguna is a bright, tangerine blusher (think Fafi blushes), but less chalky, opaque.

Ah good times in LA! I look forward to using these babies in the near future! Do you all have any of these items? What do you all think of them?

Yummy411: Summer Weather and Foundation

Hello lovelies!
I was inspired to do my makeup the other day, but being the foundation whore that I am, it was hard for me to look refreshed but to abandon the old routine. After walking out for lunch I realized 'OMG! My makeup stood up to the 90 degree heat that we felt here in the DC area!!'

Here's some cam whoring for ya... umm yes in one of my favorite shirts LOL





These pics were taken well after I got home, let's say around 7:30pm. Here's how my day went:
11:00am Applied makeup
12:20pm Walked in 90 degree heat for some lunch
1:45pm Ate lunch, work
5:05pm Took public transportation home (walking, riding train)
6:30 ish pm Home
7:00 ish Home, cam whoring, gearing up to do laundry

In these pics you can see I'm just starting to get a bit oily (esp. thanks to the flash), but I don't mind as I think I appear natural. Now if I was going right into a meeting I probably wouldn't want that, but being in Summer heat I like to appear polished , but that I'm normal, surviving the heat, sun kissed and dewy!

I used (my new power combo) for my Shag Blue look:
[FACE]
moisturizer (not even my lite summer moisturizer!)
Iman cream to powder foundation in Clay 1 (slightly damp #187 for light coverage)
Ben Nye powder (Italian Badger brush large)
Sincere powder blush (#187)

[EYES]
UDPP
Urban Decay's Shag on lid (#239)
Matte blue side of Loreal HiP's Showy Duo (#222)
dark brown shadow in outer v (#219)
Remnants of LM Secret Brightening powder as highlight (#217)
Duo liner Pop Blue/Black Funk (black on top lid, bottom on waterline)
Maybelline XXL Curl Power mascara primer, Loreal Voluminous Carbon black mascara
Studio finish concealer, Laura Mercier Secret Brightening powder

[LIPS]
remnants of my 1N lipglass with a bit of Love Knot lipglass on top


My next experiment will be some Oil Control Lotion for the T Zone, MAC's Face and Body foundation, (maybe, maybe not BN powder) and matte bronzer. Think it will work? Are you a foundation whore like me and can't really give it up during the summer either? What do you use for summer makeup on combination skin?

Yummy411: Cherry Culture and MAC Sales!

For all the Cherry Culture heads... *cough*AppleDiva*cough*, here's a coupon... you have to spend $50 or more.
Yes, one more blog announcing this sale for the day. Print out the coupon and redeem in a MAC store (not a department store). You know the economy is bad when MAC is having a sale.. or they are catching up with the rest of their brand mates at Estee Lauder!

Yummy411: CoverGirl AmazeMint Lipgloss; Winners

CoverGirl AmazeMint Lip Gloss- CoverGirl teamed up with Crest to add a peppermint flavor to their lip gloss for high shine and boost of freshness for a brighter smile!

There are 13 shades that come in this line with 3 shades offering blue undertones for a whiter smile (Plum Crazy, Un-wined, and Toast-ed). I tried 3 of the glosses most of them were fairly sheer with the exception of the deeper shade.

The formula is smooth (not sticky), like the original Wet Slick Gloss. What is different from the original WetSlick glosses is the peppermint flavor and the frosty cool cobalt tops!

My experience: The first two times I tried the gloss, I got a sensation that made me check the packaging again... Was this really a lip plumping gloss? After that, I settled in with the gloss, deciding that I really liked it and that it actually gave the uber popular glosses CO Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint a real run for their money. The slight difference? I would say that the CO Bigelow glosses have true mint flavor where as the CG glosses have a hint of a vanilla with the mint taste and smell. I do have to mention that one shade I tried, Everything's Rosy, gave my lips a very drying effect. Just me? Just my one tube? I don't know. My lips didn't have the same effect with the other colors.

If you are a CO Bigelow gloss champ like Slvrlips, then you'll definitely love this gloss.

Overall: Me likey! A+ My favorite shade is Freedom of Peach (a sheer nude peach with a touch of frost).There is something so addictive about peppermint gloss! Available in stores July!

Remember when Queen Latifah was holding her Cover Girl Online Casting Call? Well, the winners were picked and featured in Ebony magazine's June issue! Take a peek here!

Yummy411: Even More on the Total Beauty Blogger Summit!

I definitely owe you guys more info on the Total Beauty Blogger Summit from a few weeks ago...

Saturday, we started our morning very early. Some of us woke up to yoga with Julia of All About the Pretty. With my feet on 'overdone' from the night before, but STILL managing to squeeze in some time to hang out (a.k.a party) with my LA folk, yoga at 6 am did not seem like an option. Besides, mama wakes up early on the regular to tend to BabyYum AND we had to be presentable for headshots! That means a full face of makeup! I'll def get my much anticipated trial yoga session in some other way.

At the Intelligent Beauty office, presentations began for a full day of information, learning and fun!
Here's Total Beauty's CEO Emrah giving us the background on Total Beauty and the vision of the company. He also presented us with a special guest via video... Freddy Fekkai (as he calls himself)! He congratulated the bloggers and gave us encouragement to continue what we do best, blog about beauty! He says he should start a blog LOL!

We heard from Dr. Alan Hirsch who told us about his revolutionary weight loss system of using flavor crystals in food to alter the smell of your meal and in turn helping people to lose weight. The attendees are the first people to try it outside of Dr. Hirsch's research! It's not yet FDA approved.

Here's Christina, the founder of Raw Natural Beauty giving us impressive information about her quest for pure mineral makeup! She's amazing!

One of the highlights of the entire summit? A blogger roundtable panel with some of our favorite bloggers! (L-r, Kirsten Lamberton of Beauty Riot, Nadine Haobsh of Jolie Nadine, Anne Fritz of Jet Set Girls, Tia Williams of Shake Your Beauty and Annie Tomlin of Bella Sugar.) They gave us insight on making blogging a career. I loved hearing from them all, but most all of them had careers in journalism at major mags before moving to a blog.... I'm not there...
Here I am getting a skin analysis from a machine, much like this Dermaltek Station. It helps the scientists and doctors figure out how a product is working. Does that eye cream really reduce fine lines and aging spots? Uber cool machine. Are you familiar with the saying that African American women age gracefully? (for the most part. Don't kill me!) Well, yes I removed my full face of makeup to put that theory to test. How did I fare? No wrinkles yall! None! No few lines that pretty much equals nothing... nothing. Okay, am I bragging? Maybe a little. I was estatic! They aged me 10 years to see what my skin would be like if I continued on this path... more sun spots/freckles/moles. Recommendation? Continue using sunscreen!
We got to learn more about how to make our blogs better, about beauty products that you will be getting reviews on and had a right out good time with members of our blogger community in sunny LA.
Be sure to check back and find out what my super highlight of the Summit was and why I had the best week ever!

Yummy411: Teen Beauty with Tori!

Hi Tori!!

Tori is growing so beautifully into her teenage years. She's wearing a new favorite gloss from her mom's stash, Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Lip Gloss in "Make Out". The name of the gloss maybe more overrated for her than anything LOL! Gorgeous little pucker ;)

Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Lip Gloss in Make Out, $12

"Steal the spotlight. Lasting, color-rich gloss coats your lips in over-the-top shine for an oh-so-sexy look. Wear alone or layered over color. Brush applicator. Domestic. "

Hmm, maybe I'll give this a try. Have you all tried this gloss? What do you think? Do you have a favorite color?

Yummy411: Hot Makeup Looks from PopSeoul, BBN Reads!

How was your weekend? Mine was full of doing not a thing! Catch 22 eh?

Lovely faces.. find out how to get these looks here from PopSeoul!

If you all were actually out and about doing things in the almost-Summer sun, like I was NOT, catch up on your beauty blog reading from the Beauty Blog Network!

Lilan from The Daily Cookie gets the low-down on Nordstrom Beauty Director Joelle Russo's Dior must-haves for your makeup bag.
Raging Rouge is totally stumped about what to buy Dad, until she stumbles upon these perfect Father's Day Gifts.
A Touch of Blusher's guest reviewer reports on the new Thierry Mugler makeup line.
The Beauty of Life bares it all with Bobbi Brown's new Yogi Bare Lip Balm!
Looking for a cool beauty gadget? Bionic Beauty absolutely loves her PedEgg for summer pedicure preparation!
Intergallactic glamour! Roselyn from Makeup Makes Me Happy does an amazing tutorial and revamps the smokey eye with the Solar Bits from the latest M.A.C. Solar Field Collection!
Beauty Banter spent the day on location for a new NBC TV show... and she raided the hair and makeup trailer! Find out all the beauty tips from her day spent on-set (these are too good to miss)!
It's All About the Men this month!! Beyond Beauty Basics tells you how to take care of your guy's skin with these simple skincare products in their Father's Day Men's Special!
makeup loves me lashes out!...and gives you the 411 on two of the much-buzzed about new tools in for eye lash curling and separating.
The Makeup Divas reviews and tells you about a great mattifying product that Carmindy and professional make-up artists use and recommend.
What's Beauty Blogging Junkie using to achieve Valley of the Dolls Hair? Find out here.
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic continues to add to her summer bright nail polish options with Essie's Summer Neons!
StyleBell discusses Redken's fab tips on how to do the perfect blow out for your hair!.
The girls over at Beauty in Real Life are having such an amazing giveaway...your lips will thank you if you win!
Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you how to get a silver and pink eye look with eyeshadows from MAC Cosmetics.
Scandalous Beauty shows you how to easily and effortlessly cover Acne, Blemishes and Skin Discolorations. This is a video you don't want to miss!!
Toya of The Life of A Ladybug introduces you to Laura Mercier's Bronzing Duo in Pink Bronze , another in her "Bronzers for Brown Girls" series!
Makeup Moxie reviews the new Hourglass Bronzer Duo.
Kitiya from Mischo Beauty invites you to enter her SPINLASH giveaway!
Cybelesays picks their favorite springtime flower-scent products.
Kyle at Face Candy loves Boots No. 7 Quick Thinking 4 in 1 Wipes.
Are Escada fragrances too sweet for your liking? Kia of Yummy411 recommends another fragrance you are sure to like!

The Beauty Bug previews new products that have just hit counters and shelves this month.
Pursebuzz.com interviews Ford Model's Johnny Lavoy. Spend an hour with us as we talk about his start and his secrets to fabulous hair and so much more!
Beth from Beauty Junkie in SF found a way to flirt with boys without getting into trouble. Genius!
The Mineral Makeup Blog reviews and loves Cosminology's Mineral Concealers!
Michelle from All Lacquered Up shares her latest nail polish obsession, a gray lacquer she's dubbing the next "it" color.
This week, Kim Kardashian revealed some more of her beauty secrets. What are they? Visit Spoiled Pretty to find out!
Beauty Anonymous invites you to Peach-a-Boo! from OPI.

Yummy411: Tag!

( This is OUDC's Class 4. Can you find me? )

Thanks Mischo Beauty for the tag!

The rules are posted at the beginning. At the end of the post, the player tags 6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blog and leave a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?


I was a junior in high school, involved in program that was helping to break down racial barriers and dispell stereotypes. One of the programs that impacted my life is called OUDC.
2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today?
In no particular order: clean, post, plan for next weekend and hmmm plot on a mint chocolate Bailey's Irish Cream drink, stay out of my car (gas, gas, gas)!
3. Snacks I enjoy:
(SuzieC likes a lot of what I like!) Nachos and queso, mandarin oranges, cereal/ bars, chocolate chip cookies, yogurt and granola, well 6..gummy worms.
4. Places I’ve lived:
Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; Santo Domingo, DR; on a boat!
5. Things I’d do if I were a billionaire:
Get out of debt, open up a few businesses including a non profit, buy up some property, and put away college funds and invest for retirement!
6. People I want to know more about: you, you, you, umm you and...YOU! Seriously, I love learning about Yummy411 readers. It's my favorite part of doing this blog. So many people lurk and I always think 'Hey! Where have you been? What are your thoughts?'

I'm tagging Slvrlips, Connie, Row, Delphine, Aya and Marsadie!

Yummy411: Loc'd Hair Journey Continues, Thierry Baptiste

My hair is growing y'all. I'm getting more comfortable with it day by day, but I can't wait until I'm at a point that I feel confident in maintaining it myself.

(July 2007)

(May 2008)

Whenever I make a trip to New York, (Thanks Amina!) If I ever make it to Indianapolis I'm going to see Thierry Baptiste. I am intrigued and in love with him and his craft!

Visit Thierry on Myspace!

Yummy411: Go Mommy Go!- Get Your Feet Summer Ready

This post is for Muthasfynest!
(photo credit)

Anyone else amazed at how fast Spring has gone by and Summer is right upon us? Many of us, especially our mommies on the go, haven't been able to make time to get that much needed 'out of winter' pedicure. You may have cheated and faked a pedi for your peep toes, but with the weather heating up to 90 degrees in my area, you have to go full on flip flops and sandals, exposed heels and all!

Let's try a quick fix until you get to the nail salon!

1. The day before you plan to wear your sandals, head to CVS or your local drugstore and invest in a PedEgg ($10, Cvs.com). After checking out that link, are you a believer? Be sure to use on dry feet!

2. Clean your tootsies (scrub and clean around and under nails thoroughly). Pull out your old faithful Vaseline/petroleum jelly and moisturize feet. Sleep with socks on. Have sock phobia? Use a minty scrub and rub with an essential oil.

3. Next day, give your toe nails a good filing and polish over those babies with NYC Nail Glossies in #215 ($1.99), Linen, a sheer off white, cream color with minute silver shimmer that gives the cream a nice shine. Use 1-3 coats for your desired opaqueness (I use 3). Using a nude, subtle white color gives a fresh appearance without drawing too much attention to the feet if polish chips.

4. Schedule a pedi to start the summer off right!

Go Mommy Go!
If you have any other suggestions and or product recommendations for feet care for mommies on the go or other busy ladies in demand, leave them in the comments!