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Source: GarnerStyle & FitBay
Apr 14, 2014
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Source: GarnerStyle & FitBay
Apr 7, 2014
Lupita Nyong'o is everyone's favorite obsession now a days and it was only a matter of time before she started showing up everywhere doing ads for major beauty and fashion companies. Well the time has come! Lupita Nyong'o is now the face of Lancome a french based beauty and skin care company. Lancome has made Lupita their new brand ambassador and she will star in ads that will begin circulation around September. Check out this tweet from Lancome:
.@lupita_nyongo joins Lancôme! #lupitaforlancome #beautyicon
© Alexi Lubomirski for Lancôme pic.twitter.com/oFLA2YiuoX
— Lancôme USA (@LancomeUSA) April 4, 2014
Lupita was just as excited and eager to begin her work as the ambassador when asked by WWD magazine why she agreed to the deal, here's what she said:
"What appealed to me about Lancôme is that they're not dictating what beauty is, hopefully it’s a symbiotic relationship - that I benefit from being associated with them, and they benefit from being associated with me, as well. And for the consumer at large, I think Lancôme has a range of products for every woman, and I think having me will expand people’s understanding of, hopefully, what Lancôme stands for, who Lancôme is for."Lupita Nyong'o isn't the first academy award winning actress to gain a deal from Lancome. Kate Winslet, Julia Roberts and Penelope Cruz all have been linked to Lancome at some point but Lupita is the first African American woman to become the brand ambassador.
Hopefully with Lupita on board Lancome will provide a wider range of product (in terms of foundation especially) that will suit all skin tones and types. Similar to what Queen Latifah did for Covergirl.
Lancome isn't the only brand that has acquired Lupita. Miu Miu noticed that Lupita had a kinship with some of their pieces from their collection (she wore some of them at events and award shows) and they tapped Lupita to star in their upcoming Spring/Summer ad campaign for 2014.
Congrats Lupita on your endorsement deals and all your future success! #MuchLove
Source: WWD & Huffingtonpost
Mar 4, 2014
Famed makeup artist Nick Barose, the man responsible for enhancing the already stunningly beautiful Lupita Nyong'o. He sat down with Essence and explained what he keeps in his makeup bag to give his clients the looks that everyone is clamoring for. But more importantly the various looks of Lupita Nyong'o. Nick Barose is a master in his field and I'm so glad that he has given Essence a peek into makeup bag and some small techniques that can be used by an everyday woman.
Women of color have issues with makeup that can enhance our beauty properly. So when Lupita Nyong'o came along it was an awesome feat for a woman of color to see her beautiful makeup flawlessly done in various colors and different techniques. Her features aren't hidden with compounds of makeup contouring and highlighting. She is exactly what she is supposed to be. And that is AWESOME!!!!! Lupita is a hero for her fearless attitude when it comes to her look. There are many dark chocolate and brown skinned women who have been looking for someone who could represent them in Hollywood. Well ladies you've got your wish in Lupita Nyong'o.
Below are all the products listed by Nick Barose via Essence Magazine. You will read my experience (and non experience) with some of them and you will also see the price and where to find them.
MAC Matchmaster Foundation
I've actually never used MAC foundation but it seems to be quite popular. When I visited the site they had colors for the typical skin tones: Light, Medium, Dark (or rather their version). They don't very in terms of shade but mixing foundations is encouraged. The foundation is pretty pricey at $32 a bottle but for MAC you pay for quality. Its always top shelf and I can pay for quality, at least its worth the price. Here's what the makeup artist Nick Barose had to say via Essence.
"This foundation looks like skin, and you can layer it. To find your perfect shade, test foundation on the jawline. When applying, I use two shades, the lightest in the center to brighten up the face. I think that's key to getting seamless application.” —Nick Barose
IMAN Perfect Response Oil Blotting Pressed Powder
I've used IMAN before and found it to be a good product for women of color. But when I used it IMAN didn't have enough color range for me. The colors were either very orange/red or way too light or yellow/olive and way too dark. However that was several years ago and I haven't used or tried any of the newest colors that have been added to IMAN line. The coverage is great, the face primer is absolutely AWESOME and it's a definite must try on the list of foundations/pressed powders for women of color.
The IMAN Perfect Response Oil Blotting Pressed Powder works to absorb oil and leave the face with a matte finish. IMAN can be purchased at your local drugstore (RiteAid, Drugstore.com, Soap.com, Walgreens, CVS, etc). It's pretty inexpensive at $16. I know thats double what Revlon, L'Oreal, Covergirl and Maybelline are charging but look at it this way in terms of drugstore makeup brands they have the widest array of color and they offer the best coverage. Again you're paying for quality so be mindful of that. Its about half of what MAC's foundation costs. Which is a pretty good deal if you ask me.
This is a finishing powder that works to minimize pores and leave a flat, matte finish. Finishing powder is an essential tool in makeup application. It provides the user with a finish that keeps makeup fresh and lasts longer. I use finishing powder from various companies E.L.F., IMAN, Covergirl, etc. They all work and do their jobs tremendously. I've never used Mally Beauty's Finishing Powder but that doesn't mean you should try it!
Its a little pricey for finishing powder at $40 a compact. But worth a try if you need a good solid finishing powder (and you have that kind of money).
This is a beautiful lip stain. A really pretty fuchsia color. But its a stain so its not heavy on coverage as far as providing a lot of a solid color. It is made to color the lips that all. I personally don't like lip stains. They don't work well on me and it always looks like my makeup is unfinished or I just rubbed it off by wiping my lipstick or kissing ;) LOL.
This lip stain is very expensive. We're talking $32! Its too much for one tube of lip stain. If you would like something cheaper then try Maybelline, Revlon, Covergirl, and L'Oreal they all have great lip stains if that's your thing. They also have similar colors to the one Lupita wore.
"I used this shade on Lupita at the GQ Awards in Los Angeles." —Nick Barose
SuzieBeauty Lipstick in Zamba
This lipstick color is really pretty and dark. Its very complimentary of a woman of color with a darker skin tone. I really like this color. But for myself I'm very aware of frosted colors and how they look on me. When I look for lipsticks and glosses I stay away from frosted/bronzy/metallic colors. Only because they don't add anything to my look. They don't enhance at all. They simply put all the focus on my lips and I don't like that. I'm all over look kind of girl. The overall look has to have symmetry and for me making your lips the focal point with a strong piece like frost or glitter doesn't work on me. It may work on you but it doesn't work on me. Having said that the lipstick below has a very subtle bronzy color. Its a really pretty color and compliments any skin tone which is a big plus for a dark skinned woman.
Now right now the lipstick is not available for purchase everywhere. But a store called Creative eXessories will be selling the Kenyan based makeup brand very very soon! Check back to Beauty N Fashion's blog for more details on when the products will be available!
"Lupita turned me on to a Kenyan beauty brand called SuzieBeauty. The color Zamba is a bronzy berry that's perfect for dark skin. I used it on Lupita at Queen Latifah show." —Nick Barose
Lupita Nyong'o is one of the most sought after women in Hollywood. She dominated during awards season this year and picked up countless awards. But her biggest footprint in Hollywood has been her style, beauty, and grace. For many women of color the women that are considered a role model or an accurate depiction of an African American woman are usually very fair skinned women like Beyonce or Queen Latifah. Both are beautiful women and well respected in their relative careers. But for a woman of my skin tone it doesn't really help me in terms of makeup. Lupita Nyong'o is actually a few shades darker than me but her skin is flawless and I can relate to her and learn from her better than anyone else in Hollywood right now. And so can a lot of other African American women. I hope this blog helps all the women out there who kind of feel left out of the makeup game.
Try the products mentioned above or look for the cheaper version. Makeup is fun and creativity is key to creating looks that last a lifetime.
This lip stain is very expensive. We're talking $32! Its too much for one tube of lip stain. If you would like something cheaper then try Maybelline, Revlon, Covergirl, and L'Oreal they all have great lip stains if that's your thing. They also have similar colors to the one Lupita wore.
"I used this shade on Lupita at the GQ Awards in Los Angeles." —Nick Barose
SuzieBeauty Lipstick in Zamba
This lipstick color is really pretty and dark. Its very complimentary of a woman of color with a darker skin tone. I really like this color. But for myself I'm very aware of frosted colors and how they look on me. When I look for lipsticks and glosses I stay away from frosted/bronzy/metallic colors. Only because they don't add anything to my look. They don't enhance at all. They simply put all the focus on my lips and I don't like that. I'm all over look kind of girl. The overall look has to have symmetry and for me making your lips the focal point with a strong piece like frost or glitter doesn't work on me. It may work on you but it doesn't work on me. Having said that the lipstick below has a very subtle bronzy color. Its a really pretty color and compliments any skin tone which is a big plus for a dark skinned woman.
Now right now the lipstick is not available for purchase everywhere. But a store called Creative eXessories will be selling the Kenyan based makeup brand very very soon! Check back to Beauty N Fashion's blog for more details on when the products will be available!
"Lupita turned me on to a Kenyan beauty brand called SuzieBeauty. The color Zamba is a bronzy berry that's perfect for dark skin. I used it on Lupita at Queen Latifah show." —Nick Barose
Lupita Nyong'o is one of the most sought after women in Hollywood. She dominated during awards season this year and picked up countless awards. But her biggest footprint in Hollywood has been her style, beauty, and grace. For many women of color the women that are considered a role model or an accurate depiction of an African American woman are usually very fair skinned women like Beyonce or Queen Latifah. Both are beautiful women and well respected in their relative careers. But for a woman of my skin tone it doesn't really help me in terms of makeup. Lupita Nyong'o is actually a few shades darker than me but her skin is flawless and I can relate to her and learn from her better than anyone else in Hollywood right now. And so can a lot of other African American women. I hope this blog helps all the women out there who kind of feel left out of the makeup game.
Try the products mentioned above or look for the cheaper version. Makeup is fun and creativity is key to creating looks that last a lifetime.
Mar 3, 2014
Last Year on October 1, 2013, Keyshia Cole partnered with famed fashion mogul Steve Madden (more so famous for his beautiful shoe collections) to create a fashion shoe line called Steve Madden by Keyshia Cole. I had no idea that this line had even existed. It did not have a major press release or social media release like Nicki Minaj's line or even Sofia Vergara's. I was shocked when I watched Wendy Williams this morning and she gave one her audience members a diva fan for being the eye candy of the day (by her standards) and the woman mentioned she had on Steve Maddens by Keyshia Cole. I was shocked! I'm like Whaaaa? Keyshia Cole has a shoe line? So I went and googled the shoes and Steve Madden has the link for his site but they are no longer available.
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They are available however on 6PM. But I think the line has been pulled by now. You would be hard pressed to find these shoes anywhere. eBay would be a good place to find them. I don't think they are going to go beyond that. She didn't really promote these shoes and I guess after a while Steve Madden Co. decided to pull the shoes or sell them to discount stores. If you want to find the shoes for sure as I said earlier try 6PM or a discounted store in your area like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Tuesday Morning, or something along those lines.
Other than that you're out of luck for Keyshia Cole's multi-patterned, bright colored, platforms and pumps. Sad, but some of the shoes aren't necessarily my cup of tea. Keyshia's shoe collection is alright. Its nothing to jump up and down about. Its like something I've already seen it before.
Well I hope Keyshia Cole can get some more shoes added to the line or maybe they'll revamp the line. Who knows. All I know is that the line isn't exactly a hot commodity and it isn't available right now.
Source: ConcreteLoop
Feb 22, 2014
We'll start by giving a little background on Hairfinity, the ingredients, and general info.
Hairfinity was started by Tameka Lawrence. Mrs. lawrence had been experiencing problems with her hair in terms of growth and breakage. She began to research various hair care solutions and decided to create a website hub for others to find the very information she was seeking. In her adventures to find that great hair care solution she failed to find products that contained safe, effective ingredients. So in 2006 Mrs. Tameka Lawrence along with her husband formed Brock Beauty. It's first product launch was Hairfinity, a supplement that promotes hair growth.
Hairfinity consists of several ingredients:
Biotin
One word that you hear or see a lot of in most hair, skin, and nail supplement vitamins is Biotin. Its seen on every vitamin bottle and tossed around a lot when explaining these supplements. But has anyone really took the time to sit down and explain what Biotin is and does for the body? Well if you have no idea I will help to explain.
Biotin is a coenzyme and a B vitamin (it is also referred to as vitamin H). Biotin supports the health of skin, nerves, the digestive tract, your metabolism, and cells. It is necessary for cell growth, fatty acid production, metabolism of fats, and amino acids. It can also be helpful in maintaining a steady blood sugar level. It can be used as a supplement for diabetes, brittle nails, and other conditions. Biotin can be found naturally in food. Foods like:Niacin
- Wheat Germ
- Whole Grain Cereals
- Whole Wheat Bread
- Eggs
- Dairy
- Nuts
- Swiss chard
- Salmon
- Chicken
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B Complex
MSM
Exclusive Capilsana Complex (a blend of collagen, keratin, msm, and silica)
All of these are the ingredients that make up Hairfinity vitamins. If you want a complete breakdown of each component please click here---> Hairfinity Vitamin Ingredients
Pictures of my Breakage
I found shampoo, hair masks, moisturizers, and hydrating mask recipes made from natural products like Aloe Gel, Banana and Honey. But I didn't want to go natural just yet. I wanted to keep using relaxers I just wanted to help maintaining the relaxer and get my hair to grow. I came across a pin on a pinterest board that talked about Hairfinity vitamins. They claimed it worked well on helping maintain healthy hair and that it gave great results when trying to grow hair.
I was always willing to try anything new. So I went online searched for it, found it, and bought it. After the first week of usage I noticed that my nails were growing and getting thicker/stronger. I decided not to look at my hair in terms of length and growth, because I am very skeptical of products. If I don't see a response in the product within a week I usually swear off of it. I know that is not a fair amount of time, but I am impatient and I want immediate results! Anyway I gave myself a couple of weeks. I did however take a picture of my hair before I started taking the Hairfinity vitamins and after. This was before I went natural. The instagram photo of the progress my hair made within a couple weeks of taking the vitamins is below:
Progress was slow but it was evident that it was helping to speed up my growth. It helped to fill in that huge hole I had in my hair. For years my hair had a huge hole in from severe breakage. However, my hair was severely damaged and even with Hairfinity I had to make some changes. So I went natural (cut out relaxers all together) and my hair's growth went beyond what it was when I was natural. The results were evident. My hair has grown tremendously since I've started taking the Hairfinity vitamins. My hair routine is simplistic which allows my hair a break from daily styling damage, heat damage, and chemical damage. Hairfinity is a permanent staple in my hair diet. This is the best vitamin I've ever used.
Here's a small video compilation of my hair growth using Hairfinity with both relaxed and natural hair:
Infinite Lash Eyelash Enhance Serum
I've heard some instances where Hairfinity wasn't the product for some people and if thats the case I have some products that may work for you:
GNC Ultra Nourish-Hair
Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin and Nails
Irwin Naturals Healthy Skin and Hair Plus Nails
MegaFood Skin, Nails & Hair
Spring Valley Hair, Skin & Nails Plus Biotin
Vibrance Vitamins for Hair Growth
Puritan's Pride Hair, Skin & Nails Formula
Hairformula 37
There are so many many different vitamin sets but essentially if you can't take any of these because of the formulas then simply take some vitamins to give your body added nourishment beyond what you are eating. Nature's Bounty, Nature's Own, Puritan Pride, etc. They have vitamins like Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12. They are affordable too so don't fret about your pocket. So many different vitamins that you can try, find what vitamin combination works for you.
Try going to GNC or the Vitamin Shoppe. Talk to one of the staffers about a good set of vitamins that will help nourish your hair and body. Also talk to your dermatologist. They may be able to explain what you need or can try in terms of vitamins for specifically for your body.
Nothing is set in stone. What works for me may not work for you. Its imperative that you are careful when adding various vitamins to your hair regimen. Pay attention to your body and its reactions. If you become ill or anything out of the ordinary stop using the pills. Immediately.
Disclaimer: I AM NOT A PROFESSIONAL HAIRSTYLIST OR HEALTH CARE ADVISORY OF ANY KIND. I AM SPEAKING ON MY EXPERIENCE AND WHAT WORKS FOR ME.
Source: Hairfinity
Feb 11, 2014
Lupita Nyong'o has been making major noise in Hollywood, thanks to her superior acting in 12 Years a Slave. But that is not her only claim to fame. Awards Season is the biggest and probably one of the most talked about times of the years. Lupita has solidified her place in history not only in her acting but also in fashion as well. Golden Globes, SAG (Screen Actors Guild), Critics Choice Awards, she's taken the world by storm with her beautiful choices in fashion.
In the New York Magazine she talks about her childhood, her struggles with being in the U.S., and studying at Yale School of Drama. Here are some of the images from NY Mag:
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Her fashion choices are revered all over! She's the new "IT GIRL" in fashion and she's absolutely gorgeous in every choice. Lupita is fearless in her choices and bold thats what makes her one of my favorite celebrities in fashion to date. Lupita understands her body and her skin tone. She picks colors that work well for her and she always look absolutely stunning! Check out her some her fashion choices from award shows, to parties, to premieres she's definitely someone to admire in the fashion world:
Ralph Lauren, Golden Globes
Gucci, SAG (Screen Actors Guild) Awards
Calvin Klein, Critics Choice Awards
Miuccia Prada, 12 Years a Slave Premiere
J Mendel, Hollywood Film Awards
Toronto Film Festival, Loving those shoes by the way FIERCE!
Source: Huffingtonpost
