Takes Up Precious Room
Moody Level- HIGH!! Alert husband quickly, Moody level is above normal level.I am always on the lookout for new hairspray. I was tempted when I saw this one one sale. Now I know why it was on sale- they were trying to get rid of it!
This hairspray did not hold. It smelled fine, sprayed gloriously and simply didn't work. I wish my other hairspray bottles would spray as nice as this one.
Don't waste your money or precious cabinet space on this one!
L'Oreal Double Extend Mascara
First, apply the white nourish and protect product and follow it up with the mascara. It actually separated my lashes more than other mascaras. The product lasted all day and didn't smudge, which was great.
The only odd part of this product, is the way it comes off in clumps. I think the nourisher actually binds it together, so when it comes off, it doesn't really smear on your tissue or makeup wipe, but comes off in little parts. I guess it is less of a mess that way.
Well- if you are running low on mascara, I would recommend it! It is on sale on Target this week. Like you aren't going to be at Target this week!
L'Oreal introduces New Double Extend Beauty Tubes Technology, a revolutionary lash extension effect mascara the provides up to 80% longer-looking, nourished lashes.
Step 1 - Nourish & Protect
Step 2 - Tubes extend lashes
Step 3 - Remove with just water
Tube Benefits:
Clump-free length
Smudge-proof
Flake-proof
Long-wearing hold
Ophthalmologist and allergy tested
Suitable on sensitive eyes & for contact lens wearers
L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner
Up to 16-Hours of Smudge-Resistant Color
Mechanical Eyeliner for Smooth, Precise Application
Sharpener & Smudger Included
L' Oreal presents Infallible Never Fail Mechanical Eyeliner.
Rich creme formula for smooth application.
Smudge-resistant, up to 16-hour wear.
Built-in sharpener and smudger.
Ophthalmologist tested.
Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
Michelle Obama's Beauty Secrets
From her volume-packed bob hairstyles to her radiant skin, photos and tips on recreating the first lady's looks |
Read these pro tips on how to make her best looks, from her inauguration 'do to her pre-campaign glow, work for you. |
Free Shipping at Bobbi Brown
Simply enter offer code: BEST1 at checkout.*SHOP NOW*
Dolce and Gabbana Ad Campaign
Political Fashion
I think it is obvious who the stars of the day were!
Michelle Obama chose a great color but the material of her dress was not flattering on her. She has a great figure and it should be highlighted. I love the gloves!
US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance during the Commander-in-Chief Ball at the National Building Museum in Washington. Michelle looked glamorous and elegant in her Jason Wu gown. Perfect choice!
President Barack Obama, left, and first lady Michelle Obama, right, are introduced at the Neighborhood Inaugural Ball in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009.
Best At Home Hair Color
See which brand beat Clairol and L'Oreal to deliver the most natural results |
These boxed wonders do the job so well, you may want to cancel your salon appointment. |
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8* |
What you said: "It doesn't smell as strong as ..." |
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.1* |
What you said: "The brassiness is definitely gone from ..." |
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.1* |
What you said: "I would prefer [this] over paying ..." |
Speaking of Bangs.....
Article on Bangs from Total Beauty
Follow the lead of these celebrity beauties and transform your haircut by cutting bangs |
Bangs are the easiest way to update your hairstyle without having to cut your hair short or completely change your color. So why not kick off the new year with a gorgeous new look? You can try retro blunt a la Katy Perry or soft and sideswept like Jessica Biel. Let these celebrity photos inspire you. |
Solessence Giveaway at Mommy Always Wins
Click on the link below to enter!
Feature Interview with Toya Smith Marshall
Blog Name: http://lifeofaladybug.typepad.com/
Toya is a wife, mother, member of the Niraja Dance Company (The NDC) and owner of Makeda Make-up Artistry. In her spare time, she also writes her own beauty blog – The Life of a Ladybug and a personal/dance blog - Makeda. I caught up with Toya to find out how she does it all!
What first inspired you to start a beauty blog?
"The Life of A Ladybug" started out as a personal blog, actually. I posted about things that interested me - bellydance, pop culture, politics, issues affecting the Black community, and, of course, makeup, hair and clothes. After a while, I realized that the vast majority of my posts were about makeup and hair, so I decided to make "The Life of A Ladybug" a true beauty blog and created a new blog, "Makeda" to talk about my other passions.
How has blogging changed your life?
Blogging has opened so many doors for me. First of all, it's just a great creative outlet. I've been a writer all my life - in fact, I minored in creative writing in college. After I graduated, I kind of got out of it, but missed it so much. Blogging has been my way to get back into writing and in a much more immediate way - my writing goes out to the mass instantly and I get responses almost as quickly. It's very fulfilling. Because of my site, I've also been given opportunities to write in other venues, like online magazines, websites, etc. Not to mention that I've made friends in the beauty blogging world, which is great.
For those who are wanting to create a blog, where would you suggest they start? Are there any particular websites that are helpful to you?
I started my blog on Blogger (http://www.blogspot.com/), which is a really easy way to get going in blogging. It's just a step-by-step process and you have a blog within minutes! As I'm not a technically savvy person, this was the best way for me. They even have pre-made templates and everything. After I'd been going for a while, I switched over to Typepad (http://www.typepad.com/), which is where both my blogs are housed, currently. I find it almost as easy as Blogger and the template selection and adaptability are much greater. After switching to Typepad, I hired a designer to create the unique look of "The Life of A Ladybug".
After you get your blog started, it's a good idea to go around to similar blogs and become a regular reader and commenter. It is bad blogging etiquette to just spam other blogs' comment pages with your blog address, but if you're a regular reader/commenter, other regulars will become interested in you and will click on your name to find your link. Also, join networks and blogging communities to get your name/site out there.
I read your essay called "Doing What's Natural" that was featured on NPR. It seems like your daughter was quite an inspiration for you to go natural with your hair. Can you explain how she was an influence?
My daughter influences lots of what I do. When she was born, I did a lot of thinking about my place in the world as a Black woman. I was raising this little Black girl and I wanted her to believe in her beauty and rightness. In order to instill that in her, I had to believe and understand it for myself. So I decided it was time for me to stop becoming something other than who I was and learn to love myself in my natural state. So, I stopped relaxing - I cut my relaxed ends off and got to know my natural curly/kinky hair and I've been loving every minute of it.
Do you feel the same way about makeup being natural? What advice do you have for mothers with teenage daughters as far as makeup is concerned?
If you mean more organic ingredients/products, etc., no, not really. I love makeup in all its forms. Now, that doesn't mean that I'll use any and everything on my face, as I have really sensitive skin, so anything that irritates it goes in the trash really quickly.
My advice for moms with teenaged daughters: Let them experiment. I know that's probably not the most popular advice, but it's what I think works. When I was a teenager, that's what I wanted to do most. And really, I don't think it hurts. If your daughter goes out with purple eyeshadow up to her brow and black lipstick, it might look a crazy mess, but it won't hurt her. She'll learn pretty quickly how she wants to look and she'll move in that direction. Your daughter may not have the same idea of beauty that you have and that's okay. Makeup is supposed to be fun. Now ... I think teenaged girls look best with light, natural makeup, but hey ... it's not my face!
Can you tell us what is in your makeup bag?
I can tell you what's in the one I carry to work! As for what's in my actual makeup arsenal (I call it that, or "makeup wardrobe"), that would take way too long! I ran out of the house this morning, so I had to bring all my makeup with me to put on.
Today, I'm carrying:
Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer in Medium
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Bisque and Concealer Kit in Golden
Anastasia Brow Wiz in Brunette
MAC Mineralize Loose Powder in Deep Dark
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
MAC Eyeshadow in Wintersky and Flip
Fresh Eyeshadow in Kona
MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder
MAX FACTOR 2000 Calories Mascara in Rich Black
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Brunette
Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate
MAC Lipliner in Cork
MAC Lipstick in Blow Dry
MAC Lipglass in Red Devil
As you can see, I'm a MAChead. But I love makeup of all kinds. My other favorite lines are Bobbi Brown, Stila, Sally Hansen Natural Beauty inspired by Carmindy and NARS. But you'll find a bit of everything in my arsenal.
What would be the one beauty product that you couldn't live without?
A good lip and cheek stain. My favorites are Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge, Three Custom Color Specialists Lip & Cheek Stains and Stila's Cherry and Pomegranate Crushes. They are the perfect product for making you look pretty in a matter of seconds.
Can you tell us how dancing fits into your life?
Wow. Dancing is one of my life's greatest passions. It, like writing, is a great creative outlet for me. Bellydance is about grace and beauty and emotional connection to the music. I love having a way to celebrate my femininity and to be present in my body, while entertaining an audience. I have so much fun with it.
As a member of The NDC (http://www.thendc.net/), I've found a group of women who share my love of the dance and my desire to bring it to the world in a way that is respectful of the cultures of origin, while allowing us to add our own unique flavor. They have become my great friends and family.
What is your key to staying on top of everything?
Loving everything I do. It's the only way I'm able to do it all without passing out from exhaustion. Each thing I do - writing, dancing, makeup, mothering, marriage - is something that brings me great joy and satisfaction.
Not to mention that I just have a fabulous husband and partner, Victor. He is a snuggle muffin of a man. He is supportive and kind and patient. And he's pretty hot. What else could a girl ask for?
Lucy Rocks the Workout Industry
Click here to visit Lucy's website.
Mystery Solved
Tea Tree Shampoo might be my Hero for '09
I have to say, I was really surprised! The shampoo and conditioner both have a unique combination of tea tree oil and peppermint. They both create a refreshing and tingling feeling on the scalp. The scent can be a bit surprising at first, but after using it for a few minutes, I enjoyed it.
Using these two products was very refreshing. My hair and scalp felt very clean and healthy after use.
I am going to continue to use these two products a few times a week to see if it stimulates hair growth. I swear my hair feels longer today...ha ha.
Other tricks for growing my hair out: drinking lots of water, daily vitamins, and keeping the scissors locked up!
Fine Hair Article by Total Beauty
These haircuts and updos added oomph to flat-haired celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Jessica Biel |
Fine hair can be tricky to style -- do it wrong and you wind up with flat, lifeless strands. To save you from yet another hairstyling headache we got celeb stylist Nelson Chan of the Nelson J salon in Beverly Hills, Calif., to dish on what celebrity-inspired cuts and styles will pump up your fine-textured strands. |
New Wireless Straightening Iron
This tote-able tool comes with:
Perfect Skin in 2009
Use this step-by-step guide and have glowing skin all year long |
Here's the scoop on what products you should think about using in your 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s to keep your skin looking great. With these regimens, you can be on your way to flawless skin in the new year. Who doesn't want that? |
New Product Alert
The website has some customer reviews that were mixed so I will give it a try and review it.
Here is a link to the colors available: http://www.covergirl.com/products/product.jsp?productId=outlast_lipstain
COVERGIRL Outlast Double Lipshine
The double lipshine comes with a shiny gloss instead of the original lipbalm-type topcoat. The gloss that is paired with the double lipshine is great. It is not too sticky or shiny. After drinking a cup of coffee, my lips are not shiny but they still feel moist and look fine. I would recommend this for an evening event or party. For work, the original might be better and more conservative.
One other note on the Outlast, it works great as a base color. If you are attending an event in which you will be eating, use Outlast as a base color and let it dry. Then top with your favorite lipstick instead of the topcoat. Your lipstick will stay on much longer and when it comes off due to eating, you will still have a shade underneath of the Outlast. Outlast will come off if you have a food that contains oil or a vinegar and oil dressing, so watch out! If you are like Cheryl and eat like a lady, you probably won't have a problem.
Here is a link to Covergirl's website and the available colors:
http://www.covergirl.com/products/product.jsp?productId=outlast_double_lipshine
Shine On!