Get The Look: Rihanna

Its no secret that Rihanna's makeup is always On.Point! From her videos to the red carpet to paparazzi pics, she always has her game face on. If you love her look too, I’ve got some steps on how to copy it so that works on all skin tones. Check it out:

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

2. Next grab a matte foundation like MUFE Mat Velvet + or Iman Stick Foundation and blend well into the skin. Set with a loose powder to make sure your foundation stays in place.

3. To recreate her killer cat eye pull out your pencil brush ( the MAC 210 brush makes lining your eyes a breeze) and a gel eyeliner like Loreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black. Trace your eye extending the liner a little further toward your temples create the "winged' look. Tip: To make sure that both "wings" are even,  extend the liner from the bottom lash line then connect the line from the top lash line. This way your curves will be even. If you want to define your crease a little, just grab a blending brush and apply a matte eye shadow that's close to your complexion. Curl your lashes and add about three coats of black mascara.

4. For glowing cheeks pull out NARS Super Orgasm, smile and buff the blush into your skin.

5. Apply a sheer nude gloss to the lips or for the unforgettable red lip, line your lips with NYX Hot Red liner and put [my fav] MAC Ruby Woo on top!

Melie Bianco Studded Convertible Faux Leather Hobo

What a cute bag for the summer right? It combines studs which are all the rage right now, pastel colors and a nice price. Click on your favorite color for details. 

Hobos by Melie Bianco

Hobos by Melie Bianco

Friday's Cocktail

"Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style"

John Fairchild

• A single shot of cold espresso
• 1 1/2 ounces Absolut® Vodka
• 1 1/2 ounces Kahlua® coffee liqueur
• 1 ounce Crème de Cacao, White

You Glow Girl!

Bronzers, in my opinion, are one of the most intimidating and confusing products at the makeup counter. There's powder, bronzers, cream, liquid and gel bronzers. A lot of us {brown girls} wonder if we really need them. We're already brown right, so what's the point? Because many women don't have any knowledge about bronzers we often walk right past them at the counter but this can be the reason you are having trouble nailing down that "Golden Goddess" look that we all want. So take out your notebook for a quick course in "Bronzers 101"

What is Bronzer?

Bronzer is product that gives you a golden glow, simple. Just because we are not able to lay on the beach or sit pool side all day doesn't mean we can't look like it. Who wants to deal with all those UVA/UVB rays anyway!

Are They Really Necessary?
Nope,  but for those who want to warm the natural grooves of your facial features, all while looking gorgeously sun-kissed, then bronzer will be your best friend. You could just wear tinted moisturizer, lip gloss and mascara but if you add bronzer... honey!

Will Bronzer Show Up On My Brown Skin?

 Of course, a common misconception among women of darker complexions is that bronzer is only from lighter or fairer skin women. Not true! While it is true that most darker skin women already have deep golden undertones, bronzers can be used to contour the cheeks making them look like a beautiful sunset on your favorite beach!

Where Do I Apply It?

You want to put your bronzer in the areas where the sun would naturally kiss your skin. Buffing it along the hairline the hairline/forehead, jawline, bridge of your nose, contours of your cheeks are great spots. Simply apply it with the same brush you would with any blush and make sure to blend, blend, blend. Harsh lines are no good.

My Recommendations?

Urban Decay Baked Bronzer, Bobby Brown Illuminating Bronzer Powder and MAC Refined Golden Bronzer

Make Your Makeup Last!

Sweltering heat and humidity can wreak havoc with your summer makeup. Foundation may seem to melt or liquefy, and no powder stands up to those little beads of sweat that collect around your hairline. A modification of your regimen may be in order; here's a few tricks will get you through a midday makeup meltdown:

1) Skip the foundation and try a tinted moisturizer. This lighter coverage will fare better when temperatures heat up. If foundation is necessary, limit your application to the center of your face, steering clear of the hairline.

2) Set your moisturizer or foundation with a loose translucent powder, this will take away shine and keep the
foundation on your skin.

3) Sparingly apply bronzer or a light peachy-pink blush on your cheeks for a sun-kissed look.

4) Use a sheer-tone lip gloss on your lips and a light coat of mascara on your eyelashes and voila'... Fresh faced and fabulous! And don't forget, blot any perspiration or oil buildup with non-powdered blotting papers. Or substitute a clean tissue, pressing gently into moist areas.

Frday's Cocktail

"Beauty is how you feel inside, and it reflects in your eyes. It's not something physical."

 Sophia Lauren

 

 Tongue Tied Martini

1.5 oz.X-Rated Fusion Liqueur
1.5 oz.SKYY Infusions Cherry 

Splash of Grenadine

Skin Woes

As someone who has dealt with acne from the time I hit puberty until less than a year ago, I know a little bit about this subject. Here you are 25 and your face is STILL breaking out! Acne usually begins with blackheads. Contrary to popular opinion, blackheads are not dirt. They are the result of oil and dead cells that get trapped in a pore that blocks the duct and mixes with bacteria. The secretion turns black through exposure to the air. Women with overactive oil glands and large pores are most prone to blackheads and pimples. Red pimples, also known as papules, develop when blackheads become inflamed and they spread when touched with dirty fingers. If the pimple becomes inflamed, a whitehead can develop. This is the type of blemish that can burst and may eventually scar.

Causes of Adult Acne
Stress
Bad Cosmetic Choices
Hormones
Birth Control Pills; Other Medication
Hereditary 

Treatments for Acne
1. Visit a Certified Dermatologist. Acne can be a medical condition exposing something that may be wrong internally so visiting a doctor is very important.
2. Wash at least twice a day with an oil-free beta-hydroxy or gel cleanser. If your breakout is more severe, beta-hydroxy cleanser will add extra cleansing.
3. Exfoliate four or five nights a week with a beta-hydroxy lotion or cream or a gentle scrub.
4. Use an oil-free moisturizer

Do Not
Pick or extract blackheads or whiteheads yourself. By doing so, you can spread the contents deep into the oil glands that surround the tissue and cause a cystic infection. If you have to, wash your hands and face and use two q-tips or tissues and gently squeeze the contents out our your skin. (Do not use your bare fingers) Follow-up with an antiseptic dab or tea tree oil – and don’t touch or you will introduce bacteria and create an infection – in other words a pimple.

What cured me? Accutane. Yep I went to extreme measures. While my acne was considered mild (at times) one month my skin would be flawless and the next month all hell would break loose (talk about an emotional rollercoaster) I was sick of it. I had been dealing with acne since I was ten-years-old and I was through with it, I literally begged and cried to my dermatologist so he finally put me on the drug. It was a hard five months but it was sooo worth it and now I can go makeup-less without feeling insecure.

Stronger...

Work it, Make it, do it

Makes us harder, better, faster, stronger...

Now that don't kill me

Can only make me stronger...

I need you to hurry up now

'cause I can't wait much longer...

I know I got to be right now

'cause I get no wronger...

Man I've been waitin' all night now

That's how long I've been on you...

Shirt, H&M/Pants, Victoria's Secret/Shoes, Steve Madden/Accessories F21
Song: Kanye West Stronger
Photos: Mary Deboise of iKandy LLC

Dope Designer: Parsival Cserer

Cute, Cute, Cute! We all know about the Marc Jacobs', Oscar de la Rentas' and Diane von Furstenbergs' of the world and while they are all quite fab but what about the young and new? I want to showcase designers that you may not hear about about in songs or red carpets, yet, but they are out there and with fly and fresh collections for the world to see.

Designer: Parsival Cserer

Friday's Cocktail

Its important to think positive thoughts... But equally important to have impeccable style...

 Mastin Kipp via Twitter

Blue Martini
2 oz Bombay Sapphire Gin
1 oz Blue Curacao Liqueur
twist of lemon
6 ice blocks/cubes 

MUSE: Ayana

Ayana was such a beautiful spirit and lovely to work with. She was taking family photos and wanted to look more refined for the shoot.

Little Things...

Been around the whole world, still aint seen
Nothin' like my neighborhood...


All of the fancy satin and silk
My white cotton feel so good...


Searched high and low for a place
Where I can lay my burdens down...


Aint nothin' in the whole wide world
Like the peace that I have found...


Its the little things (the little things)
And the joy they bring...


Its the little things (the little things)
And the joy they bring...

Dress: Vintage
Song: India.Arie Little Things
Photos Taken by Mary DeBoise of iKandy LLC

TUTORIAL: Pink and Gray

Face: MAC Select SPF 15/ MAC Mineralized SkinFinish Natural/MAC Plum Foolery Blush
Eyes: MAC Smoke and Diamonds/Silver/MAC Spiced Chocolate/StudioFinish Concealer/Vanilla Pigment
Lips: MAC Sweetie/MAC Lavender Whip

Friday's Cocktail

"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what's happening."

Coco Chanel

Shoegasm: Tick Wedges by Jeffrey Campbell

Tribal prints are definitely hot this summer but these shoes right here have my name written all over them. They also come in a solid black and solid white, I was leaning toward the all black but this print is becoming more and more appealing. Check them out here!