Look book: Pinterest recreation (red/blue eyes)

Saw this eyeshadow on Pinterest & decided to try it out.

Review: OPI in Excuse Moi

I am not a fan of glitter. I never have been because it reminded me of a Limited Too styled twelve year old girls with a bedazzler gone wild. Can I say that this is adult glitter? (not to be confused with stripper glitter- that's sucia & laced with herpes) This nail polish gives me a similar feeling as I did when I saw a pair of Christian Louboutin's encrusted with "diamonds" (here meaning not actual diamonds but a mystery material bearing the likeness of diamonds). I felt luxurious. Definetly going to try more colors like this. OPI's The Muppets line carries two more to try.

OOTD: New York & Blazers... Automatically synonymous

The feather earrings were a fun touch to bring out the color in the graphic tee. I chose to pair a v-neck with my blazer because in all honesty, I felt as if I was neglecting my graphic tee collection that I was so into. Why not smuggle them into the office under a blazer? 

Tee: American Eagle, Blazer: Marshall's, Jeggings: Walmart, Wedges: Erge Footwear. 

OOTD: Walmart shopping isn't so bad!

Bohemian chic maybe? I don't know.... I normally don't dress like this. The heels are way lower than the usual larger than life platforms that I usually sport. Jeggings? Not a trend I jumped onto right away. Bubble tank? Another one I steer away from due to my ill proportioned 30E bust. BUT the Mentos moment in me forced me to step out of my comfort zone & improvisation led me to this combo, one I actually like & will explore on a more frequent basis. Having said that- everything (save the Hollister cardigan) was from WalMart. The boots are from Erge Footwear in Broward Mall. A chic bun pulled this look together as well. *Note to self. The way to take a bubble top work for a larger bust: make it look less maternity by giving yourself a waist. Something to cinch the middle, I've found that a belt works best.

Top: Walmart, Jeggings: Walmart, Boots: Urge Footwear, Cardigan: Hollister, Purse: Coach, Belt: Ross. 

Hair: New Haircut to bring in 2012

They say that you go through a massive transformation after a breakup- a somewhat reinvention of oneself. As I find myself newly single as of late, I decided to take advantage of my company discount card that I purchased a while ago and chop my hair off. 

Rik Rak is a salon in the Miami Brickell area where I had the pleasure of getting my hair cut. This salon not only has a boutique shop at the entrance, they also have a bistro where you can order food that can be delivered & eaten while in your appointment. Definetly felt like celebrity status. 

Menu. Yeah my salon > your salon. 

Poppin bottles while I wait for this appointment. 

Here are the results!

How to: MAKEUP JUNKIE: Makeup 101: Colourful Smokey Eyes For Summer

Definetly like and will try this.
MAKEUP JUNKIE: Makeup 101: Colourful Smokey Eyes For Summer

Rant: Ridiculous Deal:Wedges, the fun alternative to pumps

Wedges are the funky cousin of pumps, hands down. I love the attitude they bring to an outfit.
I scored this pair from Mandee on Black Friday (yes, I'm blogging in retrospect- dont judge me) for all of $11 USD.
They have a snakeskin relief on the actual wedge a a faux brushed leather upper. The slope, however is incredibly deceiving as it makes me feel like I'm running around in flats! But the back is my favorite part. Reminiscent of a corset, there is a lace up featurette along the heel.
Score.

Review: Urban decay lip primer potion

I found myself in dire need of a lip primer due to my dissapointment with Sephora's sampler. Urban Decay has always been my friend so I figured if their eye primer is that awesome, the lips may appreciate the same. To add to that.... Only a few companies make lip primer. Benefit was my only other choice & between the two, my stellar loving relationship with Urban Decay shot Benefits chance out of the water. So far the lip primer has been extending the life of my lip color. (as well as can be expected with Sephora's 5 minute lip color.) I give it two enthusiastic thumbs up.

Rico!

Updated pics of the pup.

Look book: putting my favorite colors into play

Review: Sephora's answer to all gift sets.

With the holidays coming around again, I know I'm in store for a treat. I love love love shopping for makeup at this time since a strategically spent $50 or $60 can get you a makeup sampler that becomes a real game changer. Sephora, you're up to bat. 

Last year, I gave Urban Decay a chance. I went out on a limb this year and purchased Sephora's Studio Kit. It brings a huge mirror, eye color (entire top level), lip color (two mid levels), eye liner (bottom drawer), bronzer & blush (bottom drawer), and a few applicators (bottom drawer). Should I say a 50$ well spent? I'm still on the fence about that. I've had to but primer for my lip color & eye color (from none other than Urban Decay) 

 Lips. The lip color simply doesn't last without primer! It drives me nuts. There are some pretty nice colors in the palette though & they blend well with my skin... something I was not expecting. Nonetheless, I'm happy to be experimenting with lip color. That is my new venture. 

 Eyes. I have a pressing need for a color wheel. With so many colors to choose from, I go in every direction at once. Looking for an app pronto. However, I Love the eyeliner. I purchased brushes (LINK) which I'll also blog about, but the sleepover brush takes to it perfectly. It glides on with ease, I love it.

Ridiculous Deal: Finally a dream I can weave myself

I've been looking for affordable clips for a long time. Who knew that I would've find them in the hood? DIY hair extensions are the effing bees knees. Not only do they look natural, Dream Weaver extensions are easy to install and mantain.

Available in so many different colors and lengths, I'm impressed with this product. 

Halloween 2011: Year of the nymph.

This is the result of much procrastination meeting the desire not to wear something old.

Wings started the outfit. (Target)
The skirt & shoes? Lace. Shoes from decoulanges, skirt from Macys.

Top also from decoulanges. One size fits all. I lost a size because of the top too.

Makeup is as always the ever dependable Urban Decay.

Hair: I can finally run again.

As this article states (http://t.clutchmagonline.com/clutchmagonline/#!/entry/2-out-of-5-black-women-avoid-exercising-because-of,51a88760c5f0cf15b374e76f) I am one of those black women that avoid workouts to preserve my hair. I've tried several sweat absorbing headbands but some just don't get the job done. 

This is one of the best purchases I've ever made in regards to my hair. My hair comes out super soft and dry after using it. I've used it for various physical activities (from yoga to running) and it's phenomenal. In the past, it was a nightmare going to the gym and it felt like I had to chose between my hair or fitness but now I feel as if I can do both! 

Great investment if you're wary about sweat when it comes to your hair. The only downside was hunting this down. Apparently Target only carries this product in areas with an ethnic demographic.  

Also available at Sally Beaty Supply, http://www.sallybeauty.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-SA-Site/default/mProduct-Show?pid=SBS-543779

Walmart, http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix;jsessionid=6F782D3E9D68E8DA862B57C272FB535B#ip/Dri-Sweat-Edge-Women-s-Active-Wear-Headband-Black/15724231

And Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Dri-Sweat-Edge-Womens-Headband/dp/B004DJUCBQ

Here are other reputable suggestions for sweat absorbing headbands. http://www.fitsugar.com/Workout-Headbands-Soak-Up-Sweat-During-Workouts-19090648

http://longing4length.com/2013/07/hair-accessories-for-working-out.html

Review: Dead sea Ahava products

The advantages of working at a spa are the magnificent discount on things people usually pay an arm & a leg for. I purchased a couple of Ahava products from our retail shop because that alligator look on my legs isn't cute. My total purchases included the Hibiscus & Fig wash, the body cream & the dry oil . 

Fig wash. Hydrating, milky and worth the money. It smells amazing but at the at time, it's not too fruity or overwhelming.

Body Cream. Light, but hydrating. Uses minerals from Dead Sea water. It literally smells as clean as dove soap. My only company is that I have to slather it on. I think next time I'll try the Sorbet. 

Dry Oil. (which hydrates like a mother) Uses minerals from Dead Sea plants. I use it right after drying off before using the body cream. The only thing I'm not nuts about is if I miss & rubbing it in. But then again, I've never really ben a fan of oil either.

Review: Urban Decay All Nighter & Primer Potion

Urban Decay has been a staple in my makeup design for the last 9 months, & I appreciate the light years they have afforded my skill... you can do a lot of damage with a great product.

I decided that I would see what else they had to offer. Looking in the primer section, I saw a spray I'd overlooked so many other times- their All Nighter spray. This spray is designed to be applied after applying full makeup... which I found weird bc it was the opposite of primer... I guess it had the same concept as hairspray.

I went into Sephora because the Eyeshadow Primer that I received with the Book of Shadows III is on its last leg. I had the um... 'caucasian' shade of ridiculously light beige- the BOS default- so I decided to switch it up & get the bronze one this time something a little closer to my natural color. Upon noticing the new packaging, I noticed that it featured 10% more product included. Score. The eyeshadow primer is amazing. It holds shadow overnight, makes cheap eyeshadow last and makes prestige eyeshadow more vibrant.

Urban Decay All Nighter & Primer Potion

Primer Potion looks amazing alone too!

After hours of wear at work, All Nighter has kept my makeup flawless.

The pictures of my face are after nearly 7 hours of wear. My foundation- the same one I always use & swear by, MAC StudioFix & by now I would've had to reapply twice already. This is not just after 7 hours of wear, but after taking the Mover, the metrobus, & working at the spa in the locker room, running around & getting flushed.

The only thing I've noticed is a little sheen from the oily parts of my combination face. Furthermore, the skin on my face doesn't feel heavy, weighed down or stiff. Sweat hardly effected me. My eyes look completely untouched. That's impressive to me. A small $11 spray bottle will extend the wear of and in turn save my pressed powder. Yay! I wonder how it will stand up against kickball activity though...

Lookbook: vamping up the place

I simply love the classic pinup look. Enough said.

Lookbook: I wanna be your superhero

Season Finals for WAKA was no exception for Purple Rain & our crazy costume antics. My brother in law who plays on the team came up with the idea to dress up as superheros & I gotta say for once in life, I agreed with him. My first challenge was the mask since I couldn't see myself ruining & catching in one... & I wanted something very Batgirl & Robin. I decided to create the look with makeup so it would be both vibrant & easy to play in. Enter Urban Decay. superhero makeup - Google Search My inspiration. My team is Purple. That was the basis for color. I also wore blue tights so it was only appropriate to use that as the other color.

My "Mask" using Urban Decay Book of Shadows III

Dead on Look of Mask.

OOTD: She said my shirt was scandalous

Give me lace any day & I'll die happy. Especially a versatile piece like this. I saw it in Macy's & thought it would be a cute addition to my wardrobe as I could wear it on both the hottest & coldest day of the year. Plus, it fits the bill for my racerback fetish and it would triple as lingerie. The challenge was to wear it to work and get away with it. I almost got away with it. So I brought out my trusty infamous black cardigan, undeniably the best $13 I ever spent in any Target store. That covered the goods to a certain extent which was pretty awesome. I paired it with black skinny pants & nude pumps as well for a romantic feel & here we are. Ash, a friend of mine saw the true nature of my tank on lunch break & she said my shirt was scandalous. I prefer Risque.

Nailed: More fun with the stamper

This is the result of not wanting completely nude nails.