FAQ Friday and aTutorial: Bang Out Those Hello Kitty Eyes!

Question: “How do I make my eye shadows POP? I use a base, but they still look dull.”

One of the silent killers in the post is a MAC Cream Color Base. In the video, I used Salsabelle, an old school color. But, Improper Copper, Luna, Pearl or any of the other colors will definitely work. Using a creamy base color with a frosty shadow will make your colors pop like no other! They key, however, is to apply the cream lightly, in a thin layer, and to not extend the color to the crease. If you do too much, your shadows will “crease”, or seperate in the fold of your eye. Not cute. Check out the demo for more info. Hope this helps!

Filed under: F.A.Q. Friday, MAC, Primers and Bases, Tutorials

Mega-Tek

Okay, yet again, I have fallen for another product from my fellow LHCF PJ’s. After reading post after post about it, I searched for places that carried it. I went to a garden center and found it! Yes, this is yet another product that was (apparently) created for humans, then marketed for animals. Yikes. But, it smells pretty darn good. Much better than that funky MTG i used a few years back.

So, I am hearing that many people mix their Mega-Tek, and many people use it raw. It’s creamy and white, so I hear that people are getting lots of flakes. Flakes are NOT what’s up. I am going to use it on my scalp overnight, and then wash out in the morning. I’m trying to rock twists and twist outs for most of the Spring/Summer. Eh, we will see how it goes!

Can you see the stains from the semi-perm color on my forehead?! I’m so pissed!!!

Filed under: Growth Aides

Semi-Permanent Color

Since the color bug bit me, I tried a few semi-perm colors in my hair. Basically, it was a waste of time, energy and $10. I keep forgetting that semi-perm colors only really show up in the light. After I finished the process, I DC’ed extra hard. My hair is dry, brittle, and it’s really agitating me. Luckily, the color only lasts for 6-8 shampoos. I haven’t shampooed my hair 6-8 times in the last few months!!!!!!!!!! But, it looks like I will be doing a pretty good share of it. I am doing a story on Dark and Lovely color, which I really want to use to permanently color my hair for the Spring/Summer. I typically go to Hair On You, the salon I went to back in my relaxed days. I am starting to think that I should just let her do it, just like she used to. My hair was NEVER this dry when she colored it!

Oh well. Mission: Failed.

Edit: Two days later, my hair still feels like straw. Even when I slathered in my super moist Giovanni Condish, my hair STILL felt brittle. I have GOT to get this color out of my hair. This is disturbing.

Filed under: Hair Color

Total Beauty Bytes: Compilation

The 13 Worst Mascaras

Did a Maybelline, CoverGirl or Revlon mascara top the list? Read on to find out!

It’s official — we’re obsessed with mascara. So we were bummed to find out that the ones on this list gave our readers lack-luster lashes (try saying that three times fast). See which ones you should steer clear of — unless you want flaky raccoon eyes?! See mascaras

Worst Hair Trends of All Time

What happens when good celebs have bad style days

Usually, celebrity style is something worth emulating. This time, not so much. Check out the seven celebrity hair trends we’d like to leave in the past — and don’t try them at home. See styles

Spotted! Celebrities We Saw at New York Fashion Week

See who was sitting in the front row of the hottest shows

OK, OK, so New York Fashion Week is really about the designers and their clothes, but we can’t help but get excited about all the celebrities! It was hard to say who was the coolest (but we tried anyway). Check out our picks. See stars

Filed under: Uncategorized

Total Beauty Bytes: Compilation

The 13 Worst Mascaras

Did a Maybelline, CoverGirl or Revlon mascara top the list? Read on to find out!

It’s official — we’re obsessed with mascara. So we were bummed to find out that the ones on this list gave our readers lack-luster lashes (try saying that three times fast). See which ones you should steer clear of — unless you want flaky raccoon eyes?! See mascaras

Worst Hair Trends of All Time

What happens when good celebs have bad style days

Usually, celebrity style is something worth emulating. This time, not so much. Check out the seven celebrity hair trends we’d like to leave in the past — and don’t try them at home. See styles

Spotted! Celebrities We Saw at New York Fashion Week

See who was sitting in the front row of the hottest shows

OK, OK, so New York Fashion Week is really about the designers and their clothes, but we can’t help but get excited about all the celebrities! It was hard to say who was the coolest (but we tried anyway). Check out our picks. See stars

Filed under: Uncategorized

MAC Hello Kitty FOTD

At first glance, I wasn’t all that crazy about the MAC Hello Kitty collection. After playing with it and really getting into it, I decided that we could rock them! My girl Nik and I banged it out at the HK event in Tyson’s last Saturday. Here are the look breakdowns. On to the look!!!

On Niki
Yogurt (lid)
Romping (Too Dolly Quad)(mid lid)
Stylin’ (Lucky Tom Quad) (crease)

Studio Fix Fluid NC44

Whirl Lipliner
Viva Glam V Lipstick
She Loves Candy Lipglass

On Me
Creme Royal (Lucky Tom Quad) (Inner Lid)
Paradisco (Lucky Tom Quad) (Mid Lid)
Romping (Too Dolly Quad) (Outer Lid)
Saddle and Brick Red (Crease)
NW35 Studio Finish Concealer (Brow Highlight)

Studio Sculpt Foundation NC50-Broke me out like CRAZY. Oily girls beware!
Plum Foolery Blush

Currant Lipliner
Creme De La Femme Lipstick

By the way, make sure you check out the exclusive Carol’s Daughter interview from Adriana of The Fashion Bomb. It completely reminded me that I need to purchase another bottle of her infamous Hair Balm! After I towel dry and detangle my hair, I use this to add softness and to lock in moisture. It’s essential to my life!!! Thanks Lisa!

Filed under: Events, FOTD, MAC

The Pink Lip Series: Gladiola by MAC

I’m starting to adopt a new ideal: Wait a few weeks after a collection has come out, let the drama and over-analysis die down, then make the purchase! I got Gladiola Lipstick from the Dame Edna Collection on Saturday. I don’t even remember hearing a lot of hoopla about this collection, and I largely overlooked it. But yesterday while at the counter, I swatched the lipstick and flipped out over how fabulous it was! Gladiola is a creamy matte hot pink that would naturally scare anyone away. But it was just too perfect to pass out. Warren and I went to the Estelle and Solange concert in Baltimore, and I opted for a soft matte face to go with my matte lip. Sooner or later, I’ll figure out how to work with these powders and foundations that are full of talc so I can have less ghostly pictures. I swear, my skin was fierce in real life!

FOTN

MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural-Deep Dark (lid)
MAC Saddle Eye Shadow (Crease)
MAC Rapidblack Penultimate Liquid Liner

MUFE Mat Velvet + Foundation- #75
MAC Studio Fix-NW43

MAC Gladiola Lipstick
NYX Fuschia Lipliner

Filed under: FOTD, The Pink Lip Series

Votivo Creme Brulee Candle

I have three materialistic obsessions. Beauty products (clearly), scarves (you’ll see me wearing them all four seasons and with any outfit) and candles!!! If I ever start another blog, it will be all about candles!!! I’m currently burning Vitivo’s Creme Brulee Candle. Let me tell you, I want to dig out the wax and eat it. Sounds nasty, but there is no way it can’t taste as amazing as it smells! My room smells like an enchanting French Pastry. Seriously.

Vitivo’s description calls it “Delicate and smoothly delicious, this good enough to eat scent is a symphony of flavors from the cupboards of your granny’s still warm kitchen; finely ground vanilla bean, exotic Hawaiian raw sugars, fresh creamery butter, and caramelized honey harvested from the heart of your most cherished memories.”

Luckily, this candle will burn for 50 hours. I always light this after a long day at work, while I am blogging, or even when I am about to play in my makeup case. Nevertheless, this luxury candle instantly makes my room a little more fabulous. I’ve seen these candles in many different higher end boutiques and department stores. Glad it looks great in my room too! Vitivo makes over 5 collections of candles, with over 50 scents to choose from. They also have hand soaps (a great way to give your bathroom a luxury look and feel), reed diffusers and a bunch of other goodies. Interested? Check out Votivo.com for a list of retailers or to order online!

Filed under: Candles, Luxe

Something about Solange…

Warren Bizzle and I went to see Estelle and Solange in concert tonight in Baltimore. I did a post very similar to this when I saw Beyonce and Fantasia in concert as well. Solange is an amazing performer!!! I had no idea she was going to put it down like that!!! Solange is absolutely stunning in person. Like, drop dead gorgeous. Her makeup was minimal, but the eye shadow she wore resembled MAC Goldmine. And let me tell you, the girl gets down! Jumping, dancing, knees on the floor, head banging type of performing. $30 a ticket was a steal for this show!

I read her blog, Hadley Street Journal and follow her on twitter, but I don’t own her CD. I was the loser in the concert that was dancing but barely knew the lyrics. If you don’t know much about her sound, Solange has an old school twist, her band was decked out in suits from the 50’s. After that crazy performance tonight, I will be purchasing her album tomorrow…or better yet, I’ll purchase it right now with Itunes!!! Much more on the concert, Estelle’s make up artist AJ Crimson and my favorite Spring lipsticks that I wore coming up!

Filed under: Celebrity Beauty, Off Topic

FAQ Friday: Eye Shadow Primers

Hey babes!

If you’ll be in the Tyson’s Corner VA area, be sure to come to Macy’s today or tomorrow for the MAC Hello Kitty Event! I’ll be hanging out for a while, and I’d love to get to play with you!!! Now, on to FAQ Friday! Call (703) 893-4900 to make an appointment.

Question sent via Youtube…
i have a question…..i have super oily eyelids…ive tried too faced shadow insurance and mac paint pots aswell as select cover up concealer…and they crease on me….is there any base u recommend for me? i kno u use the MAC Matte….would that also work on the eyes?
thanks so much…loveee ur vids!

SB Says…

Yeah, maybe you should use the MAC Matte first and then use a Paint Pot. Layering the two products will probably make them work much better for you. Really, the matte paint pots are the only ones that work for me. This is why I stick to Painterly. Anytime I use a base with shimmer, my shadows crease like crazy. And sadly the infamous Urban Decay Primer Potion did nothing for me. Oh also, L’Oreal HIP Cream Crayon is a great base too. I really need to purchase some more of them. They are creamy and literally NEVER come off. I have the green, black and blue!!

Hope this helps!

Filed under: Uncategorized