Tyra...Mail!!!

Im gonna grant myself a late pass on this one.  I had taken a break from watching Americas Next Top Model.

When it initially came on it was a constant source of fashion, hair and makeup inspiration.  The challenges seemed pertinent to the industry and a good source of information for those aspiring to become a model.  Well as we all know the formula for successful reality tv must include a bit of foolery and to me over the years, while still a bit tame compared to other shows, it got a bit more corny.

What drew me back in was the inspiration.  The hair and makeup team was still super talented so I felt I could give the show another try.  I also knew that with the addition of Andre Leon Talley, so highly respected in the industry, that he should not allow his reputation to be tarnished with too many antics.  Another draw was that this season was geared towards the All Stars.

Of course I didnt know all of the contestants but I grew more familiar with each episode on my dvr. 

Yesterday I FINALLY took the time to watch the final episode and suffice it to say I was pissed.  I already knew that Lisa won but I thought it was because she killed it on the final runway or something, not with all this mystery surrounding Angelea!  IMO Angelea did pretty well and so did Allison.  In all fairness I cant be too certain that Angelea was the clear winner but I felt as though her mysterious disqualification made her out to be a sort of spectacle and tool to boost buzz about the show.  Totally uncalled for if that is indeed the case.

Rumors have been swirling on the net with reasons for her departure (just google Angelea Preston) that I wont list; I just hope the truth comes out at some point and wish her all the best.

Another source of irritation was the Cover Girl shoot.  At one point they were showing Lisa's part and used the Cover Girl Intense Shadow Blast in Extreme Green.  Described as a rich, waterproof shadow with built in primer I would think the color payoff would be "intense", right?  Apparently not because right before ol' girl hopped in front of the camera for her close up the MUA was shown applying what appeared to be a MAC shadow in a similar shade.  I stared at the screen like wait...did I just see that in real life???  Now we know that there is almost always smoke and mirrors on shoots, especially with mascara but to see it in plain sight for a promo of a product was a bit much.  If thats the case then just put it out there as a colored primer/ shadow base. 

I admire the hustle of Tyra all day long but I was a little let down with that particular episode.  Everything after that seemed to lack integrity and didnt seem genuine.

What do you think?  Did you tune in?

365 Days of Lip Looks - May 1, 2011 f. CoverGirl Nature Luxe Gloss Balm - Thistle

As a Bzz Agent I get to try a variety of products.  Of course when I receive information on beauty campaigns I get extra excited.  Recently I was given the chance to try a couple of items from the new CoverGirl line - NatureLuxe.  I received a foundation and a gloss balm.  Unfortunately the foundation is a bit too light for me.  I will have to try that as a brow highlight or under eye brightener but I am extremely pleased with the Gloss Balm.  The name describes it perfectly but here is what CoverGirl has to say:

Get the sheer color and shine of a gloss with the soft, lightweight feel of SPF 15 balm. Fortified with mango and shea butter, this feel-good formula leaves your lips feeling decadent and delicious.

I could not have said it better myself but allow me to add that as we transition into the warmer months I am still plagued with winter dryness, that includes my lips.  I constantly have to exfoliate and keep them moisturized so as not to look like Pookie from New Jack City.  I normally apply some type of moisture on my lips prior to application of a lip color but I took a chance with the GlossBalm and was instantly impressed.  My lips were soothed and felt kissable all while imparting just a hint of color.  You all know how I am about a subdued lip so I am very excited about these and will have to pick up more of the range.  I have the color Thistle/210:

If you want to try them also I have a lot of coupons that provide $2 off the line.  They retail for $6.99 so this is a great savings, and for my extreme couponers out there you know if you combine it with a BOGO offer the money saved is through the roof!  Just drop me an email or a tweet and I will get your information and send you a coupon or two.  No obligation necessary, just sharing the wealth!  :)  Also if you want to find out how to become a BzzAgent I can send you that info as well.  The more, the merrier.  Here are some not so great pics of me wearing CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Thistle, have a great day!

terrible image but you can see how the color looks on my lips in natural light, anything for the good of the blog right?

this is the light in my vanity area, which is awful!  I have to change this ASAP

see what Im saying?  Oy vey...you can see the color a little bit here I guess

My CoverGirl - Celebrating 50 Years Of Easy, Breezy and Beautiful!

Not sure if many of you know this but I am a Buzz Agent for BzzAgent.com. I just received an invitation to participate in the CoverGirl 50th Anniversary Campaign where there will be fun quizzes, rewards, the opportunity for free samples and the chance to win once in a lifetime experiences!

Of course I couldn't keep this to myself - you too can join the campaign and reap the benefits. Just visit the MyCoverGirl Facebook page to learn how to sign up and create your own CoverGirl ad. Tell everyone what makes YOU an easy, breezy and beautiful Covergirl!

#NYFWMUC - 9-9-09

*inside convo with self* Back to back posts??  surely you are showing off Ms. T&T!  Nope!  Just fell in love with makeup all over again.  :swoon  I was doing so many gigs that I wasnt even thinking about doing my own makeup well I had to give myself a swift kick in the arse and feel the vibes of my fellow beauty lovers to get back on track, plus have you been paying attention to the images for Fall??? UH-MAZE-ING!  I mean how can you not get excited!  Anywho, on to the look:

The Tools

Brows
Face Atelier Foundation - #9 (I think thats the color - lawd Im terrible at remembering)
CoverGirl Bronzer - Ebony Bronze

Eyes
I forgot my UDPP!!! I havent had any creasing yet though *fingers crossed*
MAC Humid (lid)
CG Bronzer - Ebony Bronze (crease-Im telling u this product is a good purchase even tho I got it free! LOL)
MAC Carbon (darken crease)
MAC Woodwinked (inner "v")

Face
MUFE Mat Velvet - #170 (yeah I still dont know the number)
MAC Studio Fix - NW45
MAC Rule - (as blush-yes again)

Lips
Essence of Beauty Strawberry Cheesecake (conditioner)
NYX Goddess of the Night Lipgloss - Chestnut

THE LOOK

Again, please forgive my camera or my picture taking skills, it really could be either of the two.  For today's look I decided to play up the eyes more but leave the lip nude.  Stay tuned for tomorrows look! 

#NYFWMUC - 9-8-09

Something told me this was gonna pop off early so thankfully Ive been documenting my FOTD's!  Thanks again to the lovely and talented Ms. Heather Park for offering up this challenge! 

I went for a more subdued look the first day since its been a while since Ive worn makeup to work (crazy right?)  Its my take on the whole no makeup makeup look and I actually got a lot of compliments on it.  Its amazing what the power of cosmetics can do!  HA!

The Tools

Brows
MAC Studio Sculpt - NW30
CoverGirl Bronzer - Ebony Bronze

Eyes
CG Bronzer - Ebony Bronze (crease - pulling that double duty!)
MAC Grain (highlight)
MAC Texture (lid)
MAC Carbon (darken the crease a tiny bit and set waterline)
MAC Arena (inner "v")
MAC Zoomlash mascara - Zoomblack
Milani Minerals pencil liner (that is so not the name in real life) - black (my bad yall, I will have the real name next time)

Face
MUFE Mat Velvet (its a sample and the number rubbed off - maybe 170?)
MAC Studio Fix - NW45
MAC Rule (as a blush - this is one of my most fav shadows and please do try it as blush, its great!)

Lips
Essence of Beauty Lip Frosting - Strawberry Cheesecake (conditioner)
NYX Goddess of the Night Lipgloss - Chestnut (a MUST have!)

THE LOOK

These arent the best pics as far as showing the look or the colors, sorry about that.  I was rushing.  I even did a video but my camera is on its last leg so I am about to be on the hunt for a new one.  If you have any ideas let me know!

90's Girl Group Challenge!

Thanks to Amina for hosting this great challenge! Even though I grew up in the 80's I tend to relate more to the 70's and 90's. They share some similarities image wise so I guess its understandable.

The 90's were filled with many great talented girl groups: Allure, Jade, En Vogue (DUH!), 702, Zhane, Blaque, to name a few as well as a personal fave of mine: For Real!

These ladies burst on the scene in a major way! Their look was naturally beautiful and a break from the norm of the era...
STUNNING! And to top it off they could SANG! With a debut album titled "Its A Natural Thang" of course you know what their makeup consisted of...if it consisted of anything at all besides maybe a bit of powder, gloss and/or a neutral lip color. Dont you miss REALLY good music?


The ladies of For Real were beautiful but for the 90's Girl Group Challenge I chose to focus on another one of my faves: Total!



Back then Total could do no wrong in my eyes and I just KNEW I was Keisha, ok?! LOL I wore my hair in the same style, the dark almost black lipcolor and the extra dark glasses with my faux diamond earrings from the beauty supply store, HA! I chose to recreate the look from one of my favorite videos/songs from these lovely ladies:







Here is the look:
The pic doesnt show the eye color much but you can see it in the video. Beautiful right? Here's my interpretation:

I figured since I loved the look so much back then that I could revisit it, hence the haircut! Here's what I used:

FACE:
MAC Studio Tech NC50 (all over)
MAC Studio Tech NC42 (as highlight)
CoverGirl Queen Collection Bronzer Ebony Bronze
MAC Pressed Powder Dark
MAC Petticoat

EYES:
MAC Tilt
Urban Decay Club
MAC Carbon
Maybelline Lash Stylist mascara
MAC Penultimate liner Rapidblack
Milani Minerals Eye Pencil Black

LIPS:
MAC Lipstick - Coral Carbonate
Hard Candy Sweet Spot lipgloss-Love Child

The Truth about Covergirl Outlast LipStain

Ello' dahling!

Today I tried Covergirl Outlast Lipstain and the truth is...

I liked it!

I didnt have high hopes for this product initially to tell you the truth (no pun intended). I just didnt see the point, didnt believe the claims and figured it was just another ploy to get the consumers hard earned dollars. Well I can admit when I am wrong and in this case...I was a little bit wrong. Allow me to explain...Covergirl says:

"The water-based colorants of Outlast Lipstain give lips a beautiful, lightweight flush of color that won't come off, lasting for hours without the heavy look or feel of an ordinary lipstick. Its pen-like precision applicator makes it easy to define your lips-just draw on color without any hassle!"

Was the color beautiful? Well beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I thought Flirty Nude (#435) was rather nice. Did it deliver on its promise of not having a heavy look or feel of an ordinary lipstick? Why yes, yes it did deliver. Was the pen-like precision applicator easy to use? Check! Did it last for hours? Uh, no, not in the least. I put it on my hand to swatch and yes I had to rub hard to get it to come off my hand, but it did come off, without water might I add. I also used "the sig" to test its staying power for my amorous readers. I kissed his cheek and you could see a light outline of my lips (to be fair I dont think it was completely dry when I did this), I also kissed him on the lips (TMI? too bad! LOL) and then on the other cheek - this time, no staining. I asked him how he liked it and he said it didnt feel lipsticky and he didnt taste anything. In "the sig" speak, this is a good thing. The pics below show the before and after of my kiss test...

I put it on (#435 Flirty Nude)

Pressed my lips together

And this was after the kissing (*giggle*) see the look of semi-surprise on my face? not too shabby little lipstain!

Here is what #445 Cinnamon Smile looks like on my lips...



Here is a comparison of my natural lip color vs. Cinnamon Smile:

Big difference huh? And lastly...HAND SWATCHES!

The only real critique I have of Covergirl Outlast Lipstain is that it doesnt really last as long as CoverGirl claims unless they were saying it can last for hours if you dont do anything with your lips...also, the color Flirty Nude? Not so much a nude on me, more like a deep berry. I thought the color was really pretty actually, just not nude. I liken the product to that of eating a red popsicle and walking around with the color on your mouth. Kinda sexy if you ask me. This one's a keeper!