Maybelline's Master Drama Cream Eyeliner

I was in desperate need of a new black liquid liner this week. I usually use MAC Liquid Liner Black, but was nowhere near a MAC store and couldn't imagine taking the drive to the mall with two toddlers in tow...*cringe*. So I pulled up to my nearest CVS and quickly walked in, determined to find the cheapest, liner in a rush. Of course I ended up spending 45 minutes in the store, reading the labels, matching the blacks to the other packages, searching for the deepest black I could find. Oh the decisions...*sigh*. But what I ended up with, quite frankly was worth the search and time, because I loves!!

The Maybelline Master Drama Cream Pencil, is actually not a liquid at all but a cream that delivers the drama and intensity of a liquid liner! It also comes in six beautiful colors and retails for $7.99


Check out the finished look:

This eyeliner has earned it's spot for Beauty Product of the Week! Go get it Beauties!

Fashionista Looks For The Corporate Girl

Fashion means alot to me, if I don't look good, I don't feel good. While I'm currently a SAHM and not in the workforce, I want to hook my working girls up with some corporate looks that will definitely get you noticed and may even lead to that much deserved promotion or pay increase or hell why not both!!

There were certain stores that stayed on my office shopping go to list and are still on my list when I'm in the preppy mood:).

J. Crew was one of them! I heart J. Crew because they make quality, simple, clean cut clothes and the fit is amazing!

Check out some of their Fall blazers that makes me want to head right back to the office!

I can't even get enough of this one!!! *Drooling*

Ok, so who says you have to actually have an office job to rock this one!!!

Love the traditional look too!

J. Crew's blazers range in price from $168 to $298. My advice, find the nearest J. Crew outlet and you can probably cut those prices in half.

So while it's always easier to shop for all of your necessities in one place, that's not me, I love to piece shop, often driving from one city to the next to complete an entire outfit. Now for those of my girlies who are pressed for time, there's always online shopping to get the job done.

This next store just makes me feel like a girl, totally feminine and I love them for delicate, whimsical blouses, tanks, and dresses!

Anthropologie

This is a power shirt, ready for that power meeting! $78

Beautiful under the J. Crew black vest above and paired with a black slack, like the three choices from Banana Republic below:

These slacks will take you from work straight to happy hour with no fuss! BR's slacks range in price from $98 to $110

Ok but before we move on, I've got to show you a few more adorable blouses and dresses from Anthropologie.

I heart this blouse $148

Oh so girly $178

Any of these blouses would quite literally set it off on the traditional black pant or skirt suit!!

Oh my...with the pale peach or red J. Crew blazer! Yes! $198

What would life be like without the Little Black Dress?! Any one of the above blazers would pair beautifully with this one! $198

While the J. Crews and Anthropologies of the world do tend to run on the higher end for price, these looks are to point you in a general direction in terms of style. There are various stores and online clothing sites that will allow you to stay within your budget and also look fly. They too have many of the same looks above.

Some of my fave budget friendly stops:

Forever 21
Alloy.com
VictoriaSecret.com
Ann Taylor
The Gap

And y'all know I love my Vintage shops, where I have found many high end designers for dirt cheap. The point is, you got to get out there and explore your options...shopping is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get! Yes, I just channeled my inner Forrest Gump!:)

Stay Fly Beauties!

Jump Right Into Fall!

The weather is finally trying to cool down a bit, so that means fall is upon us. Let's bring this Fall season in right, with the cutest, latest make-up looks and colors!

First up, my favorite...

EYESHADOWS:

Ladies it's time to get familiar with that smoky eye if you haven't already, because that's definitely going to be fall's "go get it" look!

When it comes to eyeshadows there's a special place in my heart for NARS, their eyeshadows are just Gorge!!

This shadow is so, so pretty and perfect for my girls a bit shy of the dark black smoky eye. Keep in mind a smoky eye doesn't have to be all black; this fall is all about playing with those deep browns, grays, greens and even blues!! $23

How's this for blue?! I can't stop staring at this color! A color like this can also double as an eyeliner.

Simply line your lower eyelid along the lash line and Voila...a simple, yet pretty look for fall.

This is why I love NARS, they just don't stop...
$57

Makeup Forever is also gaining momentum against our top brands. This is their limited fall edition, a palette with a series of beautiful colors to help you perfect that gorgeous smoky look!

The Metallic Navy Blue and Peacock Green are my faves!
$45

So I think we have the eyeshadows on lock, yes? Let's move onto...

BLUSH:

Yes blush is for EVERYONE...no matter the skintone, it really brings out those beautiful cheekbones and if applied correctly will blend seamlessly with your complexion.

This Laura Mercier bronzer/blush duo is perfect for my ladies who currently don't wear blush, but would maybe be open to gradually working some blush into their fall look! $32

Bronzer is very subtle, goes on light and you can easily build the intensity. I like this duo because I usually wear a brighter colored blush and then top it with bronzer to blend the color out.

This duo gives you a little color and glow all mixed into one!

This blush by Benefit appears to be a bottle of nail polish, but it's a blush and lip tint in one! I'm a sucker for creative packaging! $29

Did someone say...


LIPS:

Confession time...I am not a huge fan of lipstick. I know, I know as a make-up artist I should do better, but I'm definitely a chapstick and cute gloss kinda girl, so that's what I'm going to give you.

This succulent gloss by Philosophy is not only a lip gloss, but it also relieves dry, chapped lips AND has SPF 20...wow not only is it cute but it's fighting those wrinkle producing sun rays! $12

As far as lipglosses go however, my tried and true is MAC lipgloss. My staples are C-thru, Lychee Luxe, Lust, Love Child, Underage, Prrr and Oh Baby! LOL...The names sound umm let's say interesting.:)

Now I will admit, MAC's glosses tend to be really sticky, but if you apply a layer of chapstick before the gloss I notice that settles the stickiness a bit...we can't have it all I guess! $14.50

Ok for the Final Finale! I almost left nails off the list, but the colors for fall are just so interesting and different, I feel the need to hook you girls up!

The colors trending for fall are: neutral brown's, greens (yes greens:), deep purples, grays, and blacks.

I'm in love with all three colors and can't wait to get my bottles!
$25

S-E-X-Y!

Never seen anything like this one and LOVE IT!!!
$17

So I hope that I have effectively pointed you in the right direction for your fall make-up swag. I will be posting make-up application "How-To" videos as soon as I get my new camera in a few days, so be on the look-out for that.

Until then, stay Beautiful Beauties!

Sassy City Chicks Fashion Bash: San Francisco

Ok so wishing I could be in the Bay Area for this event!! But just because I have to miss out on all the fabulous shopping, spa treats and goodie bags doesn't mean my San Francisco fashionistas have to also! If you beauties are true fashionistas, this is an event you won't want to miss!

Sassy City Chicks Fashion Bash, is just that, a national shopping event showcasing 50+ designers and more than 100 labels in 8 different cities-ummmm hello how can the DMV get some love!?:) I guess I need to holla at Haute Life PR, the Los Angeles fashion PR firm producing this event, to see about adding Washington, DC to the city tour line-up.

Not only will you get in a wonderful day of shopping at a Sassy Chick Event, which really is enough for me, but you will also receive such perks as FREE spa service and gift bags filled with amazing goodies. Dang, did I mention that I can't believe I won't be in my hometown to make this event!! But there is a silver lining for my East Coast fashionistas and that's New York is on the city tour. Yay!!

To learn more about this event and to find out if they are coming to a city near you, visit Sassy City Chicks.

Oh yeah and don't forget to post some of your fashionista finds, so that those of us that can't attend can live vicariously through you!!:)

Happy Shopping!

Skin, Skin and More Skin

The following products range in price from Save to Splurge! I don't judge the potential effectiveness of a product however based on price, because I've come to realize from testing and trial and error that you can't judge a product by it's price!

Case in point this wonderful face scrub that I've used for years. Now I've tried the high end skincare products and have found many of their scrubs (not all:) to be very abrasive or drying to the skin. But not this one...in fact I'm able to use this scrub everyday and it works hard on my complexion, evening out my skin tone and reducing the appearance of acne scars.

Not only is it available in mostly all local grocery stores or Target, it will only run you $3.99! Now how's that for a Save!! I love it alot!

Now on to my Splurges!! You know I have many of them!:)

The Blue Herbal line by Kiehls is in one word...AWESOME!! Especially for those of you with combination to oily complexions! This is the ONLY product that saves me from being a total sweat face in the summer!! I use the whole Blue line from cleanser to toner. Retail price $21.00 to $27.00

Beautiful skin is the foundation to a beautiful you!! Don't forget to pamper it!

Annie Mae's Vintage Girl Part Deux

I'm a huge lover of designer bags from Louis Vuitton's new fall collection to a nice Marc Jacobs hobo...but hands down my fave designer bag is Coach!

Surprisingly my father introduced me to my first designer bag, when he bought me a Coach bag as a birthday gift years ago! Before that day I had paid very little attention to designer anything. Thanks Dad for hooking me up to something so special!

I love Coach for their diversity in color, texture, size and style. They aren't afraid to push the limits at times and scale back to the simplicity of days gone by as well, proof of the latter can be seen in their latest Coach Classics Edition.

This is a limited edition, reissue of 5 of their iconic styles from the 1970's!

Whooohoo now you know they're playing right to my vintage side with this one!!






Photo credit: matchbookmag.com

I Want Some of Your Brown Sugar

My mother, a natural beauty product aficionado has dedicated hours and days and weeks into years of research into perfecting natural, home remedies for bringing out the skin's natural beauty and glow. Once a business owner of a natural skin and haircare boutique, I have asked her to lend us some of her most cherished and effective beauty regimes that you can create right in the comforts of your own home.

Photo Credit: Jose Fernandez


Brown Sugar Facial/Body Scrub:

1/2 cup organic cornmeal
1/2 cup organic brownsugar
1/4 cup organic extra virgin olive oil
1 cup organic Coconut Milk

Mix cornmeal, brown sugar in bowl. Add the olive oil until ingredients are moistened. Slowly pour in the coconut milk, until you have a moist mixture. Hop in the shower and ENJOY!!
(Scrub gently, particularly in the face and neck areas. Always follow with moisturizer).

I have been using this wonderful concoction for years now and it has worked miracles on my blemishes, blackheads and hyperpigmented scars! This item would be one of my "Must Haves" if stranded on a deserted island!!

Photo Credit: Visvio

Bee Phobia

Hey Beauties!! Have to keep my post short and sweet tonight! But wanted to show you a new look inspired from my phobia of bees! We all know that with summer season comes fun insects, particularly bees. I have always had a severe phobia of them, but was very proud of myself today.

I was at the park with my toddlers, having lunch on a bench, when a few bees decide to swarm our gathering. The old me, would've hit the ground running (I would like to think with my two boys in tow, but that's a grey area:), anyway, I did the unthinkable...I remained calm, while swatting our little visitors away.

So here's a tribute to conquering my fear...I hope! Until next time, stay Beautiful Beauties!

Photo Credit: Sweetsofa

Team Louboutin

I just got word that apparently there's a trademark war brewing between Christian Louboutin SA and Yves Saint Laurent America Inc. over the Louboutin infamous red sole bottom. YSL has decided to capitalize on the fashion genius that is the red sole bottom by slapping their shoes on top of a red sole as well.

Christian Louboutin just lost the first bid to stop the Yves Saint Laurent giant from capitalizing on his creation last week, but Louboutin and his legal team are not falling back and they are determined to fight this one to the end. Louboutin is seeking $1 million in damages from YSL. Whewwww...the drama!

This battle is of course drawing much attention and interest from the fashion industry, with many people divided on who should prevail. In an interview posted today from Women's Wear Daily, Carolyn Butler, owner of Footcandy Shoes, I think put it best when she said "When somebody comes up with a great thing, everyone wants to steal it. I say no. Be original." I'm not mad at that!

I don't think it gets any Fiercer than this C.L.!! It will be interesting to see who wins the RED.

Post your thoughts on what you think the outcome should be...TEAM Louboutin or TEAM YSL!!
 

UPDATE ON LAWSUIT 

"The exhausting court battle over red-soled shoes draws to a close as Yves Saint Laurent drops its lawsuit against Christian Louboutin. Women's Wear Daily reports that the folks at YSL were content with the most recent court decision, which allowed YSL to make monochromatic red shoes (where both the soles and uppers are red)... but still granted Christian Louboutin trademark protection over the red sole alone."--Huffington Post

Beauty Product of the Week

Ok so this product has prompted me to start a "Beauty Product of the Week" section!! I'm running errands in the mall the other day...*wink, wink*...that's code for shopping! Ok, so I'm shopping and decide to pop into Sephora to see what's new. Generally when the sales people approach me I politely tell them I'm just browsing and thank them for their help, but this day I decided to allow the sales woman to show me around. I inquire about a primer from Smashbox and she leads me off to a product called per-fekt. Now my initial reaction was to humor her and then make a beeline back to the designer brand products, you know with the well known names, but my instinct told me to listen and I'm certainly glad I did, because Skin Perfection Gel by per-fekt is B3llacara's beauty product of the week!

This cute little miracle in a bottle comes in four shades-decadent being my shade of choice-and it literally feels like mousse going on, smoothing down to an immediate matte powder finish-No Shine!!

This product is a four in one-powder, color corrector, primer and foundation and the closest you will get to an airbrushed look without the airbrushing. Not only does this product reduce the appearance of enlarged pores, fine lines, red spots and discolorations, it contains Antioxidants: Alpha Lipoic Acid and Vitamins A and E, which helps protect the surface of the skin from free radical damage...oooooh I likey...I likey ALOT!

Ok so now onto price, $57.50. I know, I know, not at all what I expected from such a small tube either, BUT, a little goes a long way with this product. I squeezed maybe a dime size amount and was able to effectively cover my entire face. So you will probably find yourself refilling every few months, which isn't bad when you think of it that way!:)

Check out the video below to see just how sweet this stuff really is!

Cleopatra Cat Eye...Meeeoooww

I've been working on perfecting this look on myself for awhile now and in the wee hours of last night, I think I did a pretty awesome job, although being the make-up perfectionist that I am, I still see room for improvement.

Step 1: Apply moisturizer and then apply concealer to any red or dark spots.

Step 2: Smooth on liquid base foundation (preferably with a gold shimmer).

Step 3: Use a basic black eyebrow pencil or black eyeshadow powder and draw a really defined arched eyebrow.

Step 4: Take a black eye pencil and rim the inner top and bottom lashline.

Step 5: Take the same black pencil and lightly sketch the outline starting from the inside corner of the eye drawing above your crease and extend outward past the end of the brow. *Be sure to extend the inner corner down towards the nose.

Step 6: Fill in the outline with either black eyeshadow or black liquid liner (I prefer to outline and fill in with liquid,but this does require a very steady hand). Cover the entire eye top, bottom, and inner corner with the black.

Step 7: Apply heavy coats of mascara.

Step 8: Apply blush of your choice. I chose a soft honey shimmer along with an apricot powder blush.

Step 9: Line your lips with a flesh colored lip pencil and fill in entire lip.

Step 10: Apply your lipstick of choice and top with gloss. I chose a pretty coral gold color.

I love playing with the photo settings on my MAC!! The blue light is awesome!!

Here's to creating fabulous looks! Stay Beautiful Beauties! Muah~

Saves and Splurges

With life's busy hustle and bustle, we beauties often forget to take care of ourselves! Life is busy enough without having to walk into a crowded mall and try to figure out the best beauty product to fit your needs, right? So here's a snapshot of some of my faves and the current products trending at the moment.

The L'Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments is a huge SAVE! At $6.39 in most drugstores not only are you saving your hard earned moolah, you're also getting a product comparable to many designer shadows. This item is a mainstay in my kit.

Now onto some product SPLURGES! Your hardwork and hectic lifestyle would all be for nothing if not for a little treat here and there....wink,wink...at least that's my story!:) Which brings us to a few delicious Chanel finds. The first being their yummy lipglosses. While I admit to being a MAC addict, in part because that's where I got my start as a make-up artist, but also because I just love the diversity of their product, I can't pass on Chanel's glosses even if they are almost twice the cost of MAC's at $28.50.

My Fave color: Braise













Since we're treating ourselves a bit, I would be remiss to not list Chanel's Les 4 Ombre Quadra. This four shade in one palette has a specialized smudge proof formula allowing you to wear it dry for a subtle, natural look or wet for more intensity! This palette gives you lid, crease, liner and brow colors all in one! It will hit the pockets a bit though at $57.00.

For all my divas who love to add a little flirt to your eyes, check out these wispy, whimsical lashes by eylure, two lashes combined into one!! I likey! Oh and price $6

Now that we have our make-up game tight. Let's take a look at some tasty info I found in Essence's August 2011 issue which purported the beautifying benefits of Papaya.

It's complexion perfecting antioxidants Vitamins A & C makes it popular in skincare products. It's conditioning properties make it great for hair products also.

Here are a couple of my faves:

This scrub is a real treat!! I also use Kiehl's Blue Herbal line and will give some details on that in my Products and Review section soon!

Hope this list of goodies helps you beauties stay fly and Beautiful!!

FBL Expo 2011

The 3rd Annual Fashion Beauty Lifestyle Expo will be held on Saturday September 10, 2011 at the Washington, DC Convention Center 12noon-6pm. This event being headlined by America's Next Top Model judge and photographer Nigel Barker will be a full day dedicated to all things Beauty and Fashion, including makeovers, fashion shows, photoshoots with celebrities and models and more than 60 booths featuring top beauty and fashion related businesses.

While I am super excited to soak in all the beauty and fashion goodies, I'm totally amped to see and hopefully meet Korto Momolu, 1st runner-up on Cycle 5 of Project Runway. Her fashion and jewelry designs are off the charts Gorgeous and Amazing! Check out her designs at www.kortomomolu.com.

A few of my fave Korto looks:

I dream of wearing any one of these beautiful dresses!!

Check out the AWESOME jewelry!! Enuff said...