miss whoever you are

summer at the beach

For the first time in two years, I’m not going away with my family to go back home to Haiti. This is probably the saddest news in the world. Although I complain in the beginning, there’s nothing like two blissful weeks of no internet access, hot weather, and family all around.

That said, I do have an entire summer to plan mini getaways with my friends, lounge about doing nothing (weekends only since I DO have a full time job), and maybe (perhaps) go to the beach. I love the beach, I do. I just hate the ones in NYC. Ew. Granted, I haven’t been in several years but, whatever.

If I were to venture out into the land of tiny bikinis and sand castles, I already have an idea of what I would pack/wear. So let the mental preparations begin:

Beach

Kiehl’s Activated Sun Protector Sunscreen for Body SPF 50 ($23.00): beach or no beach, protection from the sun is a must. This lightweight moisturizer is ideal for summer since it’s non-greasy and doesn’t leave a grayish tint on dark skin.

Graceann Sunglasses by Kate Spade ($128.00): my love of oversized frames knows no bounds. These are absolutely adorable and give me a slightly retro feel. Or Jackie O. Something is being given and I like it.

Mossimo® Womens Mix & Match 2-Piece Swimsuit (from Target): nothing says Americana like a good ole’ red, white and blue bikini.

Bobbi Brown Beach Fragrance ($67.50): apparently this is Bobbi Brown’s best-selling fragrance but I just discovered it a little under two weeks ago. A lightly intoxicating blend of sand jasmine (what?), sea spray, and mandarin, Beach is the ultimate summer fragrance.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable™ Balm Stain in Lovesick ($8.00): is it a lipstick? lip balm? stain? It’s a stain but hydrates like a balm and provides coverage like a lipstick. Boom. I fun chubby crayon, it comes in 12 shades (Lovesick is a pretty pink) that lasts hours. HOURS.

Zara Shopper Basket ($80.00): I have this in brown but this cream color is calling my name. It’s perfect for spring and summer (just try not to get it dirty!!) and can carry beach towels,snacks, flip flops, water — YOU NAME IT BUD.

What are you up to this summer?


Disclosure: some items received for editorial consideration. Please don’t forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.

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miss whoever you are

Glam Beauty Board: Fall Must Haves

Recently, I became a member of the Glam Beauty Board meaning that I, along with several other beauty bloggers, will be bringing you the best up to date beauty reviews. As if I didn’t do that already 😉 First up are the must have beauty picks of the season. The following items were handpicked my by my homegirl and Glam Beauty Editor, India-Jewel Jackson (she also wrote about these products and included quotes from several Beauty Board members. Check it out here).

a few of my favorite in the package

As someone who loves lashes full of DRAMA, I was excited to try Rimmel London’s Volume Accelerator Mascara ($10). It’s Rimmel’s first mascara formulated with an Advanced Volume Boosting Complex. It promises to instantly make lashes appear up to 10x fuller. While I did notice a bit of volume, I had to apply two to three coats for maximum impact. As I truly believe that the eyes frame the face, it’s IMPERATIVE that my brows look on point! At the moment, I’m currently trying grow out my brows and Benefit’s Brow Zings ($30) are the perfect solution! The kit comes with everything needed to shape up my bad boys. As someone who’s “brow challenged,” I love the simplicity of Brow Zings. The kit comes with a pigmented wax for shaping, a natural-shaded powder (I received the dark shade) for setting the wax, itty bitty tweezers, tiny hard angle and blending brushes (plus a mirror). Whew! To really get the right look, don’t forget to apply it gently — too heavy and your brows look drawn on.

Perhaps it’s my Sunday evenings spent watching PanAm but I’ve recently become re-obsessed (so not a word) with the cat eye. First it was LC’s epic wing et maintenant it’s Colette’s. Maybelline’s Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black ($7) is a no fuss way to apply liner. I’ve never really been a fan of gels primarliy because they tend to harden quickly and dry out. Maybelline’ss gel liner is easy to apply (thank god) and lasts like a liquid.

Lastly, in the eye makeup arena, is Urban Decay Eyeshadow’s in S&M ($17). Now this color, I’ve been using to blend with other shadows. While it’s great on its own, I find that the silver color is a great for blending into a nice smokey eye (with a dark OR bright color). This smooth, silvered gray shadow applies well with your fingres or a brush and doesn’t crease like many other shadows I’ve used in the past.

We all know I love a good red lip, especially a matte, so I was thrilled when I spotted Revlon’s Matte Lipstick in Really Red ($8) in my little kit. Talk about smooth application! It’s one of the few matte lipsticks I can wear without worrying that it’ll dry out my lips and magnify my sometimes not so discreet lines. ick! It glides on my lips with its creamy and uber pigmented color.

Lastly, we can’t talk about Fall beauty without taking in essie nail color in midnight cami ($8). Midnight Cami is described as “a shimmering deep twilight blue.” It’s definitely a dark royal blue with hints of shimmer throughout the polish. Honestly one coat gave me a beautifully dark finish and the polish isn’t too thick or goopy. Because I’m a cliche, I love heading towards the darker colors for Fall and this fits the bill.

I received free samples to review as part of the Glam Beauty Board Program. These opinions are my own. Please don’t forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.Share/Bookmark

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My Top 5 Go To Red Lipsticks

Ever since I mustered up the courage to wear red lipstick, there’s absolutely NO stopping me! There’s something magnetic about a red lip - whether it’s a bright cherry red or deep wine. It instantly polishes up your look and turns any outfit into a WOW. Below check out my top five must have reds that take you from summer to winter and back again.

1. Bite High Pigment Matte Pencil in Pomegranate, $24
I love a good pencil since it’s just about the easiest way to apply a lip color. This deep red applies smoothly and has MAYJOR lasting power.
2. Yves Saint Laurent ROUGE PUR COUTURE SPF15 Pure Colour Satiny Radiance in Le Rouge, $30
Another slightly deep red color that provides deep pigmentation without bleeding or feathering. Although on the expensive side, I love wearing this when I feel like dressing up.
3. Revlon Super Lustrous - Creme Lipstick, Fire & Ice, $7.99
CLASSIC! This is a BRIGHT red that is definitely not for the shy. I absoultely love the way it looks on dark skin and have gone through two tubes within the last three months (no easy feat!). Since it is a brighter red, I keep all of the focus on my lips by keeping my face bare (foundation, mascara and lips) paired with a crisp white tee and jeans.
4. NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl, $24
The one that started it all. When I was easing into the whole red lips territory, I purchased Dragon Girl after haring rave reviews. A little on the bright side (through not like Revlon’s above) this lasts through breakfast and lunch with perhaps a reapplication during the evening.
5. IMAN Luxury Moisturizing Lipstick, Iman Red 005 $8.99
Anything with the name IMAN on it has me hooked. This provides a pop of color since it’s neither cherry red or deep wine. I apply in the morning and by midday I’m left with what looks like a stain (perfect since I can just add a bit of clear gloss for a wuick pick me up and refresh).

Disclosure: some samples provided for editorial consideration. Please don’t forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.Share/Bookmark

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Beauty on a Dime- Sam Fine Tells Us His Must Haves

Last week I had the pleasure of meeting makeup artist Sam Fine. In the middle of Duane Reade.

Fancy, huh?

The makeup artist extraordinaire was on deck dishing tips and tricks for women and filling in a couple of beauty bloggers on his favorite makeup items that don’t break the bank. Now Fine has worked with some of the most amazing faces in the industry, including Jennifer Hudson, Iman (!!) and Vanessa Williams to name a few. Duane Reade has revamped its beauty section and has turned it into the Beauty Look boutique, where you can get a range of cosmetics- from Maybelline to Becca- all in one convenient area. The Beauty Look is undoubtedly a departure from the typical drug store experience as you’re allowed to test (some) products on the spot before purchase.

As Fine walked through the boutique, he dropped his pearls of wisdom on us plainfolk- and believe me, I was taking notes! Here are some of his tips:

  • If you can’t master the dramatic liner when using liquid liner on your lids, try using a felt tip liner.
  • Bronzer warms up your face and makes it luminous, so why would you want to give that up once the seasons change? Use bronzer underneath blush- even in the winter- for a glow. What’s his favorite? IMAN Cosmetics Sheer Finish Bronzing Powder in “Afterglow”.
  • Toss mascara after 3-4 months. What is his favorite drugstore mascara? Covergirl LashBlast Fusion because it lengthens and adds volume all at once.
    • The Revlon ColorStay Mineral Finishing Powders are a must!
  • Tip for the fellas: when your girlfriend/ sisters/ wives are getting ready to toss their mascaras, snap it up to touch up your mustache and beards
  • For lips, Sam adores by Covergirl Outlast All Day Lipcolor stating that the color would not budge when he used it on the set of Brandy’s commercial way back when. Although he did warn that you only had a couple of seconds to work with the product before it set.
  • Women of color listen up: if you’re having trouble looking for a foundation or powder in your shade, head on over to CoverGirl. Fine swears that no other drugstore brand goes as deep in shade as CoverGirl’s Queen Collection does.
  • When using foundation, don’t even think about skipping out on powder! Apply a bit of powder to your T-zone or wherever you get oily to keep the shine away. Sam recommended Iman Luxury Pressed Powder. If you’re not a fan of foundation and want to use powder solo, Fine recommended moisturizing the skin, tissue off any excess and apply powder.
  • When trying to hide acne, rather than layer tons and tons of product on your skin, use a heavier formula and just use less of it. This is genius. Skip the liquid concealer and head straight for the heavier creams, honey! Brown girls head to Black Opal.

Lastly, remember “Makeup is a personality” so have fun dolls!

Tweet Please don’t forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.Share/Bookmark

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Claire Danes at the 2010 MET Ball

Revlon’s Global Artistic Director Gucci Westman created a metallic grey, extended smokey eye for Claire Danes for this year’s annual MET Ball. Danes wore a shiny/metallic Burberry gown as she walked the red carpet with hubby and actor Hugh Dancy. The couple sat at the Burberry table last night along with Daniel Craig, Emma Watson and fashion fave & photographer Mario Testino.

To recreate the look check out below::

1. Line the top and bottom lids with Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner in Black to give it an ‘edgier’ look.
2. Apply Revlon ColorStay 12 Hour Eye Shadow in Sultry Smoke to lids for the smokey eye effect.
3. Perfect the look by rimming the inner, upper lids with Revlon Luxurious Color Eyeliner in Black.
4. For dramatic lashes, like Claire’s, use Revlon Grow Luscious by Fabulash in Black.
5. Fill in brows with Revlon Brow Fantasy Pencil in Dark Blonde.

6. To accentuate your great features use an illuminator, such as Age Defying Spa Face Illuminator in Pink Light to add just the right amount of subtle sheen.
7. Use Revlon Powder Blush in Tawny Peach and blot the T-Zone area with Revlon PhotoReady Powder in a fair shade.
8. Finally give your lips a pop of color with Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Pink Pop from Gucci Westman’s Day Dreamer Collection.

Photo Credit: Zimbio.com
Please don’t forget that you can still help the people of Haiti, donate to the Red Cross today. Thank you.Share/Bookmark