Makeup Looks: Week of 3/14/2016

Hey Y'all!  Check out some of my work looks from the past week.  Please forgive my last look, allergies took over my eyes!  Eye makeup is not my friend right now.  Happy first day of Spring!  Stay FABULOUS!

Kat Von D Studded Obsession Collector's Edition Set Available Now

Stock Photo

Stock Photo

Kat Von D has released a collector's edition set of studded kiss lipsticks.  The set includes 20 lipsticks beautifully packaged in a reusable lipstick storage container.  The set retails for a 295.00 USD.  Before your jaw drops, the retail for each individual lipstick is 21.00 USD.  So, the set discounts each lipstick to 14.75 USD which is a great value.  The set will be available at Sephora.  Kat Von D has a pretty good lipstick formulation and variety of unique colors.  Though, the set is missing some of my favorite colors such as Poe and Chula.  Will you be purchasing this set?  Stay FABULOUS!

Sephora Exclusive Kat Von D Lolita And Lolita II Duo

Stock Photo

Stock Photo

Sephora has an exclusive duo with the long awaited Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick in Lolita and Lolita II. These are deluxe size items, and the set retails for 19.50 USD. Do not be disappointed! Because, the full size Lolita is sold out everywhere and Lolita II isn't expected until 2016.  Grab it before it's gone. I ordered mine! Stay FABULOUS!

LA Splash Liquid Lipstick Review

Photo:  LA Splash Cosmetics

I will start off by saying that I think this will be my last liquid lipstick review for a little while.  I want you to have options, but I don't want to beat a dead hoarse.  We get it!  They're popular!  LA Splash liquid lipsticks retail at 14.00 USD, and they are available on the LA Splash website and several other cosmetic retailers.  LA Splash has three collections of liquid lipsticks; the only variation is in the packaging.  There is a wide variety of colors.  I chose four colors for reviewing purposes:  light pink, light purple, dark brown, and dark purple.  The application is a little tricky.  The lipsticks are on the thinner side and apply a bit streaky.  The darker colors apply better with one coat.  The catch is do NOT apply more than one coat...unless you want a crumbly, sticky mess.  The first time that I tried untamed, I applied two coats.  Those two coats were fine until I started eating and drinking.  The lipstick showed obvious wear in the inner lip and starting crumbling off in chunks staining my shirt.  I tried to apply another coat on top of the mess once I did a little wiping away of the previous color, but the mess became worse.  I had to wet a paper towel and wipe away as much product as possible before reapplying the lipstick.  After using one coat, the lipstick wore well, but there was still visible inner lip wear.  These lipsticks are also quite drying, which is not a surprise for a matte liquid lipstick.  (Some are more comfortable than others).  The lipsticks can be difficult to remove and may require an oil based makeup remover.  The colors are great, but the wear and application are not my favorite.  I will probably not purchase any more of their liquid lipsticks, but I will use the ones that I own.  Too bad, the colors had great potential!  Do you own any LA Splash liquid Lipsticks?  Enjoy and stay FABULOUS!

Maleovent

Untamed

NYX Cosmetics Intense Butter Gloss Review

Photo:  NYX Cosmetics

NYX Cosmetics has been leading the pack in budget friendly makeup.  They have created a budget friendly alternative to just about every new makeup craze.  They have their own highlight and contour palette, concealer palette, nude eye shadow palette, matte lipstick, and now a highly pigmented lip gloss, similar to the new liquid lipstick trend.  NYX previously released the butter glosses (sheer color gloss) and the soft matte lip crèmes (pigmented matte lip crème).  The newest release is liquid suede cream lipstick which contains some interesting colors such as gray and a vampy plum, but they seem no different than the soft matte lip crèmes in my opinion.

The colors are true to color in the picture above. Photo:  NYX Cosmetics

Back to the Intense Butter Glosses!  These glosses are high shine, pigmented glosses.  There are twelve shades, and I own seven.  They are moisturizing and fairly long lasting (without any contact).  Reapplication would probably be required after eating meals or any other activity that may cause your lips to come in contact with something else (kissing and all that good stuff).  The colors are truly intense in the sense that they pack a punch.  You will not go unnoticed in one of these shades.  These glosses are great for a one coat color, no lip liner.  I did not have any problems with streakiness, but the colors do transfer easily.  The price is 6.00 USD, which is awesome!  You can often find NYX products on sale  or bogo at Ulta, CVS, Walgreens, NYX Cosmetics website, etc.

I have Berry Strudel, Toasted Marshmallow, Orangesicle, Apple Crisp, Chocolate Crepe, Black Cherry, and Spice Cake.  Checkout my real life swatches and enjoy!  Stay FABULOUS!

Berry Strudel

Spiced Cake

Toasted Marshmallow

Chocolate Crepe

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lustrous Lip Gloss Mini Review

Gilded, Sunset Strip, Danity, Metallic Rose, Weekend Barbie, Date Night, Socialite, Black Cherry

Hey Loves!  I tried out some of the Anastasia Beverly Hills lip glosses.  First off, Macy's has a sale for 8 full size ABH lip glosses for 40.00 USD (The sale is still going on!).  The normal retail price is 16.00 USD per gloss.  ABH claims that the ultra-smooth, weightless formulas combine the intensity of a stain with the mirror-like shine of a gloss.  So I wouldn't say that these are similar to a stain due to high degree of transfer upon any type of contact.  Like many glosses, the color would need to be reapplied after eating, drinking, etc.  Application and removal were simple and easy.  The set includes a mix of shimmer and cream glosses.  The glosses have great pigmentation for a "gloss".  Danity and Black Cherry were the most opaque.  The wear was very comfortable and not sticky at all.  The glosses smelled great with a strong vanilla scent (sorry for all those who hate strong scents!).  I do not think that I would purchase one of these glosses for 16.00 USD, when I could purchase an ABH liquid lipstick for 20.00 USD.  You can buy similar lip glosses from many other brands for a lot cheaper.  The deal with 8 for 40.00 USD makes each gloss 5.00 USD, which is a great value.  For that price point, I would say definitely snag you some while supplies last.  Stay FABULOUS!

Gilded, Sunset Strip, Danity, Metallic Rose, Weekend Barbie, Date Night, Socialite, Black Cherry

Starting from bottom left:  Gilded, Sunset Strip, Danity, Metallic Rose, Weekend Barbie, Date Night, Socialite, Black Cherry

Wearing Weekend Barbie

Can Women Of Color Wear Blue Eyeshadow? Hell Yes!

So, we have jumped the hurdle of women of color can't wear bright colors on their lips.  Remember that once upon a time?  Big lips can't wear bright colors, darker skin can't wear bright colors, etc.  Now women of color are wearing the heck out of some beautiful, bold colors!  One thing that I am still noticing is that many are still straying away from bright/color eye shadow.  Now, bright colors are not for everyone (I am personally more of a neutral gal myself).  But, if you want to try it...go for it.  Do not be intimidated by the stereotype that you are too dark to wear color.  One thing that I learned growing up is that bright colors look best on women of color due to the strong hues in our complexion.  I specifically chose blue because this color was almost completely banned by everyone!  Blue was for the 80s...well we all know trends resurface.  But, makeup is artistry, and you are a canvas.  Don't let the makeup wear you...you rock the hell out of the makeup!

Some Tips:
1.  Blend well.  Maybe try a neutral shade in the crease
2.  Keep the rest of your makeup light (*in the photo below I didn't but this was for at home fun!)
3.  Try a navy blue eyeliner instead of black
4.  Limit shimmer to the lid.  Go for a matte shade in the crease
5.  Try a navy smokey eye

This was a look that I created a couple of months ago...no shame in my game.  Enjoy and stay FABULOUS!

The Best Fall/Winter Hairstyles for Women of Color!

Now that the summer has officially ended and it's the first of the month (October that is...), box braids, curly hair, faux locs, and twists are fading out of the picture.  So what are some great hairstyles during the fall/Winter for us dark beauties?

*I thought that I would use myself as an example.  Enjoy and stay FABULOUS!

1.  Sleek Bun
Let's face it, with the wind chill and speed increasing, we have to protect our tresses.  A simple, sleek bun is a great protective style to protect the ends of your hair.  I favor this hairstyle when wearing dramatic looks or deep lips.  It lets your face do the talking...

2.  Chic Updo
Keeping along the lines of protecting our ends, a cute updo will never go out of style.  This style can be helpful in hot summers and cold winters.

3.  Hair Accessories
It's fall, right?  So lets bring out our scarves.  This is our chance to try out new techniques and experiment with styling scarves.  Also, don't be afraid to rock a cute hat.  This is the season where skull caps, aviator hats, berets, etc. are entering the retail market. 

4.  Straight Look
We don't have to worry about humidity in most places this time of year, so flat iron your hair.  It will last longer...

5.  Crochet Braids
Crochet braids are very versatile and can be worn to mimic natural hair or in a braid/twist style.  Simple styles just require your hair to be cornrowed under the synthetic hair.  This style is quick and an easy way to have a "sew in" look.

No WOC Shades In The Drugstore?!

I thought that I would post a throwback Thursday for y'all.  This is a mini rant video expressing the need for my women of color friendly shades in the makeup world.  I am very hype in this video...so smile and sit back and watch.  Stay FABULOUS!

Sephora Cream Lip Stain Review

Liquid lipsticks!  Liquid lipsticks!  Liquid lipsticks!  Can you say it five times fast?  I know that you are seeing many reviews and swatchfests for the many different liquid lipsticks, but I wanted to review my favorite brands for you.  Many forget about the Sephora brand collection.  It's a large collection that includes skincare and makeup.  I think that many do not notice the collection until the color of the year comes out.  Hint...it's hiding in the section labeled Sephora!  The Sephora cream lip stains have been out for years, but some product junkies like myself totally missed the mark until this year.  This is a great budget friendly liquid lipstick option at 14.00 USD.  The colors dry to a matte finish.  There are 14 colors in collection.  I own Always Red 01, Strawberry Kiss 03, Watermelon Slice 09, African Violet 12, Blackberry Sorbet 14, and Polished Purple 15.  To get a nice even application, I would recommend applying two coats of color.  The application for the lighter colors (pink and corals) are a little streaky and take some manipulation to get the best application.  The dark colors apply more smoothly.  There is not obvious wear to the inner lip portion after several hours of wear, but these colors are quite drying.  These liquid lipsticks are a hidden jewel in one of the largest makeup retailers.  Try one out; I think that you will be pleasantly surprised.  Sephora's generous return policy makes taking the plunge a little bit sweeter.  What are your favorite colors?  Check out my swatches and stay FABULOUS!

Watermelon Slice 09

Strawberry Kiss 03

African Violet 12

Blackberry Sorbet 14

Always Red 01

Polished Purple 15