The Real Housewives of Atlanta are in town this week for Bravo. My best friend Warren B. was hired to do makeup for Nene Leakes and Lisa Wu Hartwell. I assisted him during his job yesterday in NYC. (Can you believe that just 7 months ago, I created a makeup tutorial based on Nene?!) When we arrived, Nene already did her brows, which were chiseled to perfection! She used a brow pencil (is it safe to assume it was MAC Spiked?). I’m sure you all want to know the dish, and let me say this. What you see on TV is real, Nene and Lisa are NO different than they are on camera. They are as real as it gets! Here are the looks that Warren did on the ladies. Click here for the looks!!! Continue reading “Dreams DO Come True: Warren B. Paints Nene and Lisa Wu!” »
Last night’s Academy Awards were a huge success in my book. Instead of my usual live tweeting during the red carpet event, I stayed with my BFF and her 3 month old daughter. We oooh’ed and ahhh’ed. Loved it! Here are my favorite head-to-toe looks from the red carpet and beyond!
My girl Sarah Jessica Parker was a stunner. The first 3 seconds of looking at her, I thought, “what?” But that’s the magic of SJP. As the fourth second approached, I thought “Oooh, I get it! Yes SJP!” Her sense of style is on a different level. Always chic, always testing the waters. The mega-bun rocked my socks. However the “I love walking down the street on windy days” look was not so hot.
Who else can’t stop talking about Zoe Saldana? She’s already hot to begin with, but the hair, makeup, dress, shoes. Wow. There are a few brief moments where I only love her dress from the belly button, up. And then I see the rest of the dress and think that it can be cool too. But the shoes. Wow. Might have to snatch those up!
Ah, it’s that lovely time of year again. Birds chirping (almost), snow melting (thank God) and beautiful Black women are being honored for their stellar achievements. This year’s honorees for the 3rd Annual Black Women in Hollywood included Cicely Tyson (Legend Award), Gabriel Sidebe (Best Breakthrough Performance), Queen Latifah (Power Award), Zoe Saldana (Star to Watch Award) and Mary J. Blige (Songstress of the Year). I love events like this! We all remember Jada’s emotional moment last year, correct? Let those tears flow, Lena James! Essence.com is giving us exclusive access to the event, so be sure to also follow them on twitter. I’m definitely looking forward to sharing more images from the event, so stay tuned!
Also, make sure to enter to win a Swagbag courtesy of Essence and Lincoln! I surely am!
There is so much makeup inspiration stored on these two small pages! On the left (Honey Magazine, I think) beauty trends for the fall (of 2003). Smoking out the eye with a charcoal or black shadow, then adding a light gloss to the top for effect. The go to product in the industry is “MAC Gloss” because of the consistency and texture. I’ve seen it in many, many makeup artists kits. If you don’t want to take your chances, sure, try Petroleum Jelly. Keep in mind that this is one of the go to makeup removers, so your makeup may not stay on very long. It will probably smear and then begin to melt away.
I’ve said this before, but doesn’t it hurt just a little bit everytime you hear “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill“? I don’t know the specifics, but we’ve all noticed that Lauryn has been going through some serious changes over the past few years. Changes that kind of make us worry a little. Changes that will probably be perfect material for her new album! I don’t know if she’s working on one, but I do know that she still has that breathtaking voice. Come on Lauryn, for us? Please?
Lea Michelle of Glee almost got robbed for her dress last night. On the red carpet, I wanted it. But while presenting with Ricky Martin, I needed it. She looked so awesome that she deserved the top spot on this post!
Here’s the Soul Inspiration herself, Anita Baker. I have no comment on this picture.
I have a few conflicting views on Rihanna’s dress. I really like for 8 seconds, then I think it’s confusing the next 10 minutes. I love the idea of the feathers. Her makeup was pretty, and hair was nice as well. So, I’ll just say she looked good. Nothing more.
The one face that so many of us waited in suspense for was no other than Lady Gaga. Most people love her, or they hate her. I wasn’t really a fan until I saw her video for Bad Romance. In those 3 minutes, I was hooked. I won’t go so far as to say she’s so different, because people argue that she hasn’t reinvented the wheel. She’s major enough that she is now accompanied by my favorite makeup artist, Billy B. I’ve been talking about him for years on this blog, so I’m assuming that I don’t have to give an intro. He’s been working with Gaga for the past few months, thank God. She’s had some pretty major appearances since the release of her newest EP, The Fame Monster. This soft grey smokey eye and bubble gum pink lip was flawless. I love how big he made her eyes look. They demand attention. The brows are simply perfection. Contouring, lovely. She looks like a glamorous woman, a role that she doesn’t play often. I’m not saying this because I love Billy, I’m saying it because it’s the truth (well, it’s my opinion anyway!) The outfit was outrageous, and she wore it well. Armani Prive meets Lady Gaga. Lacefront hairline…not so much.
Whatever the case, I LOVED Gaga’s performance. It was absolutely perfect. Sir. Elton John served in this glasses and 5 pound earrings!
I love this picture of Destiny’s Child! They were growing up, wearing eye liner and lip colors for big girls! This was during the reign of their 2nd album, “The Writing’s On The Wall”, circa 1999. Wow. I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup then (I was a freshman in high school), but remember trying to figure out how to successfully line my eyes this way. The champagne attire and pink lips were a total hit!!!
I know I wasn’t the only one thoroughly thrilled with Alicia’s look at the American Music Awards Monday night! While singing “Empire State of Mind” along side my favorite rapper Big Homie (aka Jay-Z), the hair, makeup and outfit were amazing! It’s been a long time since I could say that about Alicia.
We were all getting pretty sick of the cornrows she sported for.eve.r. But this braid, I loved it! Renowned Hair Stylist Tippi Shorter rocked this ‘do!! So you know I’ve already tried to french braid my locs to make this look have it, to no avail. This is why I’m not a hair stylist. Ha!
Want to try the look? Here’s how to create the “backwards mohawk braid” at home!
Tippi washed, conditioned, and blew dry the hair using Pantene Pro-V hair products. She parted the hair into three sections. The two outside sections were joined to make a ponytail, while the middle section was braided up. Use bobbie pins to secure everything, and there you go! The coolest part about the braid what that it wasn’t directly in the center of the hair, DOPE!
Ah, the American Music Awards. What an interesting night. The many highs (Janet, Lady Gaga, Mary J.) and the many, many lows (Adam Lambert, Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna). Speaking of Rihanna, announcers kept calling this her “return”. Where the hell did she go? Have we not seen her out and about doing various Riri activities in couture outfits since she came out? Whatever the case, I was extra excited to see her perform. I never thought of her as much of a singer, but the girl can crank out some hot singles and dress to impress!
The biggest beauty buzz of the night had to be the red cat eye that she wore, care of Mylah Morales and sick lashes by Jamaal Buster. (Azia or Faces from Azia kindly pointed out that she was most likely wearing the Disturbia lashes. Makes a lot of sense, right?) The picture was sent around the twitterverse by Concrete Loop. The red liner and her green eyes make a lethal combination! ( I thought it was a hot pink, but Mylah told us on twitter that it was red.) So, after many hours of speculation, I had to try it. I used MAC Bold and Brazen Pigment from the Starflash collection. The Verdict: Mine looked a mess.
Not only did it look a mess, I experienced the reason they tell you not to wear certain colors around your eye area. I know they don’t put those disclaimers on products for their own health, but what can I say? I’m a rebel! Now I’m wide awake, eyes blood shot, itchy and crusted over. Why? I was trying to get my Riri on. Okay Scandalous Beauty, fall back!
To see all the highlights (and lowlights) of the American Music Awards, check out the ever fabulous http://www.concreteloop.com!
I know I wasn’t the only one thoroughly thrilled with Alicia’s look at the 
