Friday's Cocktail

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

Nelson Mandela

Vodka

De Kuyper Creme De Bananaes 

Blue Curacao

Orange Juice

Get The Look: Janelle Monae

Janelle Monae is bringing more than a new refreshing sound to the music scene, her androgynous clothing style and hott natural hair updo is equally as refreshing and fly. Not to mention she is a true beauty with skin to die for. To get Ms. Monae's sexy and natural makeup look follow the steps below!

1. As always, beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin. Be sure to cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin according to your skin type.

2.  Be sure that your brows are properly groomed. Janelle's brows are on the thick side but nicely shaped. Lightly fill in thin or over plucked with a brow pencil like MAC Spiked.

3. Even out your skin tone with Black Opal Stick Foundation.  Set your foundation with a finishing powder, try Becca's Fine Loose Finishing Powder. I recently sampled this powder... amazing!

4. Next apply an eyeshadow base to the lid, Urban Decay Primer Potion works great. Then apply a matte shadow that is as close to your complexion as possible all over your lid up to the brow bone. Define your crease with a matte brown shadow a couple shades darker than your complexion. Use a light hand during this step to ensure the look is natural.

5. Line the top and bottom lash line with MUFE Aqua Eyes in Black.  For an extra "bang" add some Ardell Fashion Lashes Demi Whispies. If you're not feeling the lashes just add mascara.

6. For Janelle's bright cheeks try an reddish-orange blush like NARS Exhibit A. This blush looks very red in its container but don't be intimidated {with a light hand and well blended} Exhibit A looks gorgeous on a black skin tones. If you get a little carried away just apply a loose powder to blend and tone it down.

7. Line your lips with a brown lip line, MAC's Cork will do, and add MAC Siss on top and pucker up!

8. Lastly, set your makeup with a finishing powder spray MAC's Fix +.

Check out one of Janelle's DOPE tunes:

Everything is Everything...

What is meant to be, will be
After winter, must come spring
Change, it comes eventually...


Sometimes it seems
We'll touch that dream
But things come slow or not at all...


And the ones on top, won't make it stop
So convinced that they might fall
Let's love ourselves then we can't fail...


To make a better situation
Tomorrow, our seeds will grow
All we need is dedication...


Let me tell ya that,
Everything is everything
Everything is everything
After winter, must come spring
Everything is everything.


Dress-Target/Belt-NY&Co/Shoes-Charlotte Rousse
Photos taken by Mary DeBoise
Song: Lauryn Hill Everything is Everything

MUSE: Shakita's Flirty 30 Birthday!

Shakita celebrated her 30th birthday the only way the Director of iKandy Events should... BIG! She had a beautiful rooftop shindig, a fun barbecue and topped if off with a sexy and sassy photo shoot. Thirty never looked so good!

Photos taken by Mary DeBoise.

Be Back Soon!

Friday's Cocktail

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Lemondrop Martini
6 parts lemon-flavored vodka
1 part dry vermouth
Granulated sugar
Lemon twist
Rim a chilled cocktail glass with granulated sugar
 

MAC's Venomous Villains Collection

MAC is coming out with a limited edition collection some of or favorite Disney Villains called "Venomous Villains". The limited edition collection will include cosmetics inspired by Cruella De Vil from 101 Dalmatians, the Evil Queen from Snow White, Maleficient from Sleeping Beauty and Dr. Facilier from The Princess and the Frog and the pieces in the collection will range in price from $12 to $29.50. US launch date is September 2010, international October 2010.

 

Photos and product descriptions from Temptalia

CRUELLA DE VIL

 Lipstick ($15.00)

• Innocence, Beware! Light yellow pink (Cremesheen) (Limited Edition)
• Heartless Cherry red (Amplified) (Limited Edition)

Lipglass ($15.00)

• Wicked Ways Light nude with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
• Devilishly Stylish Deep fuchsia with pink pearl (Limited Edition)

Eyeshadow ($15.50)

• De-vil Rich copper (Veluxe Pearl) (Limited Edition)
• Sweet Joy Creamy pale gold (Frost) (Limited Edition) (Repromote from Passions of Red)
• Carbon Intense black (Matte) (Permanent)

Penultimate Eyeliner ($16.50)

• Rapidblack True black (Permanent)

Beauty Powder ($25.00)

• Her Own Devices Cool nude (Limited Edition)

Blush ($19.50)

• Darkly My Dear Mid-tone brown plum (Matte) (Limited Edition)

EVIL QUEEN

Lipstick ($15.00)

• Toxic Tale Bright coral (Satin) (Limited Edition)
• Sinister Soft brown plum (Lustre) (Limited Edition)

Lipglass ($15.00)

• Strange Potion Soft coral pink (Limited Edition)
• Hot House Deep raspberry with pink pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote from Strange Hybrid)

Eyeshadow ($15.50)

• Her Alter Image Light violet (Veluxe Pearl) (Limited Edition)
• Vainglorious Bronze burgundy (Frost) (Limited Edition)
• Vile Violet Deep blue purple (Matte) (Limited Edition)

Beauty Powder ($25.00)

• Oh So Fair Mid-tone pink with gold pearl (Limited Edition)

Blush ($19.50)

• Bite of an Apple Soft coral pink (Matte) (Limited Edition)

MALEFICENT

Lipstick ($15.00)

• Violetta Violet purple (Amplified) (Permanent at PRO)
• Dark Deed Burgundy plum (Amplified) (Limited Edition)

Lipglass ($15.00)

• Revenge is Sweet Light yellow purple (Limited Edition)
• Wrong Spell Deep plum with pink purple (Limited Edition)

Mineralize Eyeshadow Duo ($21.00)

• My Dark Magic Deep pink with pink pearl / Deep plum with purple pearl (Limited Edition)
• She Who Dares Deep navy with blue pearl / Deep forest green with lime pearl (Limited Edition)

Beauty Powder ($25.00)

• Briar Rose Soft violet pink with pearl (Limited Edition)

Nail Lacquer ($12.00)

• Bad Fairy Red with multi-changing pigments (Limited Edition)
• Formidable! Teal green with pink pigment (Limited Edition)
• Mean & Green Purple with teal pigment (Limited Edition)

DR. FACILIER

Lipgelee ($15.00)

• Resort Life Off-white with pink pearl (Limited Edition)

Greasepaint Stick ($17.50)

• Slick Black True carbon black (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
• French Quarter Black green with multi-colour pearl (Limited Edition)

Pigment ($19.50)

• Melon Bright golden peach (Permanent)
• Brash & Bold Bright magenta (Limited Edition)
• Push the Edge Deep bright purple with pearl (Limited Edition)

Magically Cool Liquid Powder ($29.50)

• Truth and Light Sheer shimmer reflects silver and pink (Limited Edition)
• Cajun Sheer bronze reflects gold (Limited Edition)

Mirror ($12.00)

• I’m So Vain Round special decoration compact mirror (Limited Edition)

My favorite Disney movies are Aladdin, I love love love Princess Jasmin and of course Princes Tiana in Princess and the Frog. I don't have a favorite villain because I don't like bad people lol.

Scarves, Scarves and more Scarves!

Scarves are one of my favorite accessories! I love to wear them around my neck, head and waist. Check out some of these fab scarves from Urban Outfitters. 

urban outfitters scarves

On & On...

Ohh, my, my, my

I'm feelin' high

My money's gone...

I'm all alone
To much to see, the world keeps turnin'
Oh what a day, what a day, what a day...


Peace & blessins' manifest
With every lesson learned
If yo knowledge were yo wealth...


Then it would be well earned
If we were made in His image
Then call us by our names...


Most intellects do not Believe in God
But they fear us just the same...


Oh On & On and On & On
My cipher keeps movin' like a rollin' stone
Woo On & On and On & On
All night till the break of dawn...
 

t-shirt, nordies/skirt, h&m/jewelry, F21/shoes, aldo
Photos taken by Mary Deboise
Song: Erykah Badu On & On

How To Apply Flawless Foundation

Foundation is used to even the complexion, cover imperfections or just simply giving your skin an amazing dewy/silky/matte finish. When applied right foundation can do some amazing things. Here's a few basic steps to guarantee a flawless finish.

1. As always, beautiful makeup starts with beautiful skin. Be sure to cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin according to your skin type.

2. If using liquid foundation, squeeze a small amount of liquid foundation to the back of your hand.

3. Using stippling brush, dab lightly into your foundation to pick up the product. If using a cream or powder foundation use a basic foundation brush.

4. Begin spreading a thin layer of foundation on your face. Be sure to blend into the hair line and down to your neck. If you need more coverage add another thin layer until you get the desired look.

5. Take your concealer and either with a brush or your fingers, dab a bit of product under your eyes and wherever needed (discoloration, blemishes, etc).

6.  Use a large fluffy brush and translucent powder to set your foundation.  

This very basic application can be modified to fit your needs. For example, I skip the concealer step and in the summer months I tend to skip foundation also and just use a setting powder. 

**It's very important that you blend blend blend. There is nothing worse that seeing a concealer stripe or your foundation obviously ending before your jawline. Blend your foundation so it looks like your skin!

Friday's Cocktail

"Talent is God-given. Be Humble. Fame is man-given. Be Grateful. Conceit is self-made. Be Careful."

John Wooden

Woody Woodpecker Martini
2 oz. cachaca
1 oz. orange juice
2 oz. gin
3 oz. sweet vermouth

Fashionably Feasible: Fendi Edition

I'm sure you've seen your fav celebs rocking these Fendi Wrap Lycra and Plexi Platform Sandals on red carpets. I must admit, they are pretty fly but way too pricey for my budget.

I searched high and low for a similar pair that's a little more clutch friendly. Click the image below for the details.

God Given Name

Get me, get me, out of this box
I feel so claustrophobic in here
Leave your labels, leave with no vision...

Hear my voice and feel with yo ears
I’m no soul girl quipped with no afro 
I’m just my God given name... 
 

I’m not becoming expectations
I’m not her and never will be
Two girls gone in different directions...

Striving towards the same galaxy
Let my star light shine on its own
No, I’m no sister
Just my God given name...

Shirt-F21/Shorts-Victoria Secret/Shoes-Charles David/Scarf-Street Vendor
Photos: Mary D of Ikandy LLC
Song: Solange Knowles God Given Name

Timeless Beauty: Eartha Kitt

"Marrrcus Darrrling, I don't have any panties on..."  I remember Ms. Eartha Kitt most from role in the movie Boomerang but this sultry actress/singer played numerous roles including her portrayal of The Catwoman on a 1967 installment of Batman. Although she could look back on a long and successful career, life was not always easy for Eartha Kitt. She had a difficult and impoverished childhood and lost track of her roots. Kitt worked hard to get to the top, but when she was a child, she had to fight prejudice within the African-American community because of her light skin color. Ironically, as an adult trying to succeed in show business, Eartha Kitt found that most of the available roles went to Caucasian actresses.

Ms. Kitt is the perfect mix of beauty, sophistication and sass. Her legacy will live forever and I will always think of her when I hear the name Marcus.  

Friday's Cocktail

"Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring."

 Marilyn Monroe

Caribbean Sunset Martini

2 oz. Light rum
½ oz. Triple sec
½ oz. Lemon juice
Lemon twist for garnish