10 Makeup Must Haves for Women of Color

1. Bobbi Brown Foundation- comes in a wide range of shades, natural looking (not cakey or heavy), different formulas for different skin types others I like IMAN, Makeup ForeverHD and Smashbox Studio Skin
2. A good skin care system, whatever brand works best for you (at least a cleanser and moisturizer)
3. Burt Bees Intense  Hydration Eye  Cream with Clary Sage-  Lightweight but moisturizing, this natural eye cream mimizes the appearance of fine lines
4. Smashbox foundation primer comes in a wide range of formulas for different skin types
5. Eyeliner Motives onyx liner is good, personal favorite is Bobbi Brown long wear gel liner
6. Rich creamy lipsticks (MAC has a great variety in Shades)
7. Neutral Eye shadow palette (Makeup Forever, MAC, Bobbi Brown) Great for everyday day or night and works will all skin tones
8. Eye shadow primer (several different brand options) personal favorite Urban Decay Primer Potion
9. Powder to cut the shine or replace foundation if preferred- personal favorite Smashbox Halo powder
10. Mascara Maybelline Falsies is great also love Cargo Triple Action Mascara        

5 Do's

1. Take care of your skin, makeup only looks as good as the skin. You want people to say you look great not your makeup looks great.That means cleanse and hydrate your skin daily with skincare products.
2. Moisturize moisturize moisturize no matter what your skin type keeps skin looking healthy and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
3. Find a foundation that properly matches your skin, rememer your shade will likely change from season to season. So should your makeup
4. Pick colors that compliment your skin tone, your makeup should enhance your natural beauty
5. Blend blend blend

5 Don'ts

1. Sleep in your makeup
2. Use Soap and Lotion as your skn care regimen
3. Rely strictly on the diagram on the back of your eyeshadow compact. Not everyones tone is the same, not everyones features are the same. So what looks one way on the model wearing the palette will likely not look identical on you
4. Forget the brows a finished makeup look isn't complete without properly groomed brows
5. Line the lips using a black liner, draws attention and doesn't blend and usually leaves a line long after the lipstick or gloss is go

WINTERIZING YOUR SKINCARE REGIMEN!

WINTERIZING YOUR SKINCARE REGIMEN!

Winter weather can cause all kinds of damage on your skin. It can cause dry, chapped, flaky skin both on your face and body. A skin-care regimen that worked during the warm, humid temperatures may not yield the same result in the cold of winter. In order to maintain healthy skin in lower humidity levels, its best to winterize your skin care routine. A couple of tips to do this!

Protect Your Skin
Keep your skin covered as much as possible when outdoors to retain some moisture in your skin. Wear hats, gloves, scarves....

Switch Cleansers
You may need to consider switching from your regular facial cleanser. It may be too harsh for the cold drying air. Consider switching to a gentle non-soap skin cleanser and cut back on exfoliating .

Moisturize Your Skin
Hydration is essential to keeping your skin healthy, especially in winter weather. For your face make sure to apply a good moisturizer after cleansing the skin. You may even opt to add a serum containing hyaluronic acid this will help seal in the moisture prior to applying your regular moisturizer. Don't neglect the rest of your body. Don't skimp on a good moisturizer or lotion for the body as well.

Sunscreen
the sun also rises in winter and winter sun can be just as damaging as in the summer. Make sure to apply suncreen and to use products that contain sunscreen to protect your skin from the damaging sun even in the winter.

Don’t forget your lips!
Make sure to look for a moisturizing balm that contains sunscreen. there is nothing worse than dry cracked, chapped lips.

Looking for some products for your winter skincare regimen. Here are a couple of products that I have in my regimen

Bare Escentuals Deep Foaming Cleanser
Bobbi Brown Intensive Skin Supplement
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Face cream
Bare Escentuals Moisturing Face Creme
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream/ Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Eye Cream
Chapstic
Vaseline intensive care lotion

Getting Fergalicious with Wet n Wild Cosmetics

Getting Fergalicious with Wet n Wild Cosmetics

When it comes to style and being an original... The Dutchess herself, Fergie has it. Her incredible sense of fashion has been an evolving door since her arrival on the scene as the newest member of The Blackeye Peas. Bringing her Latina flavor she has always wowed us with her exquisite beauty.
It really doesn't surprises me that she would come out with a makeup line of her own. And teaming up with an old school favorite for many women and young ladies...wet n wild is a stapler in the beauty world and you get great products at attractive prices that's gentle on the pockets.
The quality has gotten much better over the past few years, new look and attitude better products at prices everyone can afford. High-end quality with low-end prices...YAYYYY! WHO DON'T LIKE THAT!

Fuchasianista

 Today I picked up this amazing lipstick. Like I said before, not a huge lipstick fan-yet, some things makes you take a second look and this lipstick did it for me. I absolutely love Wet n Wild and low and behold this AWESOMELY SEXY SHADE (FUCHASIANISTA) is from the Fergie Center Stage Collection...daring, playful, sexy, cute shade that is to die for.

               

I found a few more delicious shades to choose from, but this one stole my heart. Fergie has something going on with this line. Checkout her 2013 Holiday Collection and you'll understand why this Center Stage Collection is worth it. Fuchasianista will definitely put your lips and look CENTER STAGE.

Simplify The Holidays

Simplify The Holidays

 

With all the cooking and prepping for your family gathering making sure that every detail is just as perfect as you envisioned...let's be REAL, nothing is ever perfect in the real world, but that doesn't mean you can't have things your way. Having things your way doesn't mean you have to stress
yourself out, pull out any hair or cry over spilled milk. So this is the time to do some strategic planning on how to have a smooth holiday. Don't beat yourself up, with trying to plan...just
take some small steps to simplify your life and have a great holiday while being an awesome hostess.
Here's a few tips to help you get through the holidays gathering without dropping a sweat and still have time to mingle with guests.

                                                   Here's 11 tips to simplify your LIFE.

1. While cooking holiday dinner it's more easier to wash as you go. I like to make sure that all dishes are washed while cooking, that saves time and helps me to keep order in the kitchen
2. Cut down kitchen time by prepping your sides the day before and you'll have less time to worry about what to do next.
3.Try out new reciepes. Bring something new and exciting to your table.
4. Everything is better the day before the BIG day. Prep everything ahead of time making it much easier to get things flowing on the BIG day.
5. Knowing whose on your guest list makes things easier by placing handmade placement tags on their plates.
6. Don't spend a fortune on decorations. Head to the dollar store and pick up a few items to use as a center piece that's fun, cute, festive and cheap.
7. Create a fabulous dessert table with already baked cakes, cookies and add a fun twist to them by adding candy sprinkles and frosting to cookies, cut cake into pieces to have lil petie fours. Have fun and be creative.
8. Don't get boggled down by what to wear. Dress comfortably and have fun.
9. After everyone has eaten and got full, head to the kitchen and clean it while guests are enjoying the festivities. Freeing up your time to enjoy your guests and party.
10. Guests love to take home a plate, so why not make it easy and hassle free for yourself. Have everything in to go containers so your guests can serve themselves. No piles of dirty dishes in your sink.
11. End the night with a skinny girl cocktail, kick up your feet...you made  it girl without any stress!!!!
These tips are tried and true cause I do them myself. After taking the time to shop and cook, it's really easy to get lost in transition when the holidays come around. Bit by bit you can have an awesome holiday gathering without all the sweat, tears and craziness that comes along with it. If you take time to draw up a plan you can make things sooo much more enjoyable when you simplify your life.
Happy Holidays!