Black History: Madam CJ Walker

Makeup Looks of the Week (3/22)

This is the first week that I have worn makeup all week.  It felt good.  I needed to make myself feel a little pretty despite the stresses of the world.  As you can see I have definitely been embracing the fro.  I'll try to keep posting a collaboration of the makeup throughout the since most of the time it's pretty simple for on the go makeup.  Enjoy!  Stay FABULOUS!

Lips:  MAC Kissable Lip Color in Temper Tantrum

Lips:  Lime Crime Utopia

Lips:  Sephora Lip Pencil in Aubergine and KVD Bow and Arrow

Lips:  MAC Ruby Woo

Lips:  MAC Chestnut Lipliner, KVD studded kiss lipstick in Lovecraft, MAC Oh Baby lipgloss

Lips:  MAC Nightmoth Lipliner, KVD Exorcism, KVD Ayesha

New Goodies at Too Faced Cosmetics

Yay for Too Faced!  I have not had much cosmetic excitement in a little while.  But, Too Faced has my eyes, ears, and nose (hehe) open!  Ulta and Too Faced Cosmetics website launched the Peanut Butter and Jelly palette today.  If you are a platinum member at Ulta, you had access to the palette last week.  The palette retails for 36.00 USD and includes 9 eye shadows.  The most famous shadow and inspiration for this palette is peanut butter.  I own the Semi-Sweet Chocolate Palette which includes this infamous shade.  It is one of my favorite crease colors because of the warm, orange based brown.  So, not only am I restocking on a fav, I get 8 new Too Faced colors which I am sure will not disappoint.  I am waiting on my palette to arrive in the mail and will do a review once it's received.

Next, Too Faced just released its La Matte Color Drenched Matte Lipsticks.  These lipsticks retail for 22.00 USD and the line includes 10 colors.  They have the cutest names!  My favorite is the deep black plum called Maneater.  These lipsticks can only be purchased at Ulta and the Too Faced Website.

Lastly, Too Faced has released a blush palette including all 6 shades of the Love Flush Blush line.  The palette retails for 36.00 USD.  The blushes are small, but they are a great value compared to the 26.00 USD per full size blush.  This way you are able to try all of the blushes in the line.  Ulta.com and sephora.com currently does not have the blush palette, but the palette is available in Sephora Stores.  You can purchase this palette also on toofaced.com.

Have you purchased any new items from Too Faced?  Stay FABULOUS!

Tea Time: Confidence

I feel like it's so hard to have self confidence in this day and age.  We are in the midst of the social media takeover.  Your life seems to be constantly measured up to the someone else's life.  Now, don't get me wrong, I know there are some strong folks that are not easily shaken or moved.  <-Confidence is achieved in my opinion.  But, the rest of us "normal" (loosely used) folks are on a journey to learn how to dance to the beat of your own drum.

So if you have probably seen my previous post; I chopped all of my hair off!  I have had long hair ever since I could remember.  So no hair is like me walking around naked (at least in my eyes!).  I have had positive and negative responses to my random big chop.  But, each response has opened my eyes to the fact that I will always be me regardless of how I look or what anyone says.  Maybe it's age or the freedom of making choices for me that benefits ME.  I feel liberated!  This rush of confidence has come over me.

So, what do you ask helped contribute to my new found confidence?

1.  Conquer a fear.
Going through a break up and facing family and friends bare-faced with short hair.  I feel like I love myself so much more now because I conquered a fear of mine.

2.  Have expectations.
And realize that they are not too much!

3.  Have faith.
Everything works for the greater good.  Know that your blessings are coming in due time.

4.  Focus on something that makes you smile.
I love to run, play in makeup, and decorate.  These habits should never die.

In a world where there is always a watchful eye, don't be camera ready, just be you.  Stay FABULOUS!

Black History: Black Women in Cosmetic Ads

I wanted to highlight a few of my favorite pictures and ads from the past.  I'm looking at some of these brands like what happened?  Max Factor and Avon...y'all just forgot about us!  And, we have been combating shine and using Vaseline forever!  Comes with the territory... Enjoy the melanin and stay FABULOUS!

What Makeup Products Are Following Me Into 2016

I had this big plan to tell you all of my favorites and not so favorites from 2015...but then life happened.  The story of your life, right? So I figured that I might highlight all of the products that I felt were absolute must havesto bring into the new year.  Sit back and start making a shopping list.  Stay FABULOUS!

1.  Morphe Brushes 35O Palette
2.  Kat Von D Lock It Liquid Foundation
3.  MAC Blush in Razin
4.  Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
5.  LA Girl Pro Concealer
6.  Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette
7.  MAC Fix +
8.  Shea Moisture Bronzer in Madalay Dusk

9.  Lancome XL Cilis Eye Lash Primer
10.Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light
11.Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup Setting Powder
12.Becca Ever Matte Primer
13.NYX Intense Butter Glosses
14.Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
15.Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick

Black History: Black Women Hair Ads

I'm late, I know!  Better late than never.  Time to show some love to Women of Color...why not specifically in the beauty world?  Let's talk beauty!  During these years, straight was the way to be, but look at us now...wanting to rock our fro's.  Check out the hair care and product advertisements.  Clairol said it doesn't matter the color or texture, they got you :) Go Clairol!  Enjoy and stay FABULOUS!

My Big Chop Footage and Pictures (I's Natural Now Y'all)

Yes you did read the title correctly.  I cut all of my hair off!  Now, I did not do this for the current natural hair trend...I wanted something different.  I have never known my natural hair, and I have never had short hair.  Now I have both!  It's been a liberating experience and an interesting journey.  

No, I do not know my texture and all that jazz.  I am not doing super creative hairstyles.  Wash and Go's have been my friend...a true wash and go.  Maybe a perm rod set here and there... I am keeping things simple at the moment.

I have received mixed reactions to my big chop, mostly good.  Right now I feel pretty comfortable walking around with my TWA and shaking off the stares.  People are going to insert their opinion on whether or not my hair should be long, short, straight, etc.  But, some people will always fail to realize that hair grows back.

I transitioned for 9 months before cutting off my hair February 1, 2016.  I still was not sure whether or not I wanted to even go natural.  Then one random day, I said, "I'm going to cut this off, tonight".  You will see in the video where I tried to save some relaxed ends, but my hair was too tangled at the demarcation line.  So I later went to a hairdresser and let her cut the rest of the relaxed hair off.  

I will keep you updated on my hair journey, as well as do product reviews for the products that I am trying.  Enjoy the video and stay FABULOUS!

Curls Creme Brule Whipped Curl Cream Review

This review is prompted by my newest hairstyle...I went natural.  Yes....read it again...and again...I went NATURAL!  A post is soon to come with pictures and footage of the big chop, but I felt that this post would be appropriate because this about my current natural hair product fav.  This moisturizer does what is says...it moisturizes!  First thing, this product smells awesome, I mean awesome.  It smells like fruity, sugary goodness!  The moisturizer is a medium thickness white cream.  But, guess what?!...it soaks in immediately and no white residue is found in my hair.  I have been a long time fan of Cantu Shea Butter, but the leave-in conditioner does not play well with other products.  It also takes a very long time to soak into your hair leaving a white residue for a long amount of time.  This product also claims to define your curls and tame frizz.  Compared to the other products that I have used as moisturizer and curl definer (Cantu and ORS), this definitely defines my curls the most.  It makes my hair super soft with a nice sheen.  My hair constantly combats humidity, so my hair is still a little more frizzy than I would like.  I add a little gel to my hair to combat some frizz.

The price is right.  It runs $8-10 depending on where you purchase the product.  You can find this product at Target, Sally's, and other local beauty supply stores.  I am not too much of a heavy handed person anymore...but the 8oz bottle will disappear a little faster than your other products.  Overall, this a great product.  Have you tried any Curls products?  Stay FABULOUS!