As a teenager and into my early twenties, reading magazines served as a blueprint for me. It helped me decide the clothes I wanted to wear, the new music I should listen to, and the relationship drama that I never wanted to get into. Now, months shy of my 25th birthday, the state of the glossies has changed. I remember purchasing the issue of Honey Mag with D’Angelo on the cover and thinking how unique and grungy it look. Years later, I purchased the August 2003 issue with Nia Long on the cover and noted in my planner to check out MAC Ruby Woo lipstick, the color Nia wore on the cover. I was beyond elated when I was offered a position to blog for them in 2007!
Speaking of 2007, while trying to beat the morning transportation rush at my Columbia University subway stop, I purchased one of many copies of Vibe Vixen (the Summer Beauty issue, right up my alley!). It was the first time that I ever saw lace nail art. Definitely can’t leave out the issue with Janet in a fitted black and white polka dot dress, makeup nude and flawless. Suede, oh Suede. Editorial heaven. I have clippings of inspirational style on my wall to this day. They were so unique. Last night, I stayed up for an hour reading the March 2005 as if it were hot off the press. June Ambrose’s posh NYC pad and the the 40 hottest names in fashion were just too good to turn from.
But now, all that we are left with are digital versions of Honey and Clutch Magazines. I feel like I almost have no where to turn to. Sure, I read Essence Magazine, and I always have. But I rarely relate. I subscribe to Bazaar and Elle, but I almost never see anyone who even looks like me (although this month, Zoe Saldana is on the cover of Elle). The moral of this post is that I am yearning, longing, craving, and praying that another glossy comes along to fill my need (our need) for something we relate to. Please note that the digital magazines do take the edge off of my necessity. The Solange Knowles feature in Honey, wow. They did us proud, huh?! I have no idea what it takes to create and keep up with a magazine, but I do know that it includes tons of hard work, and even more money. I’ll leave this post by saying that I’m so grateful to have experienced the magazines that were, and even more excited to see what the digi-glossies will present us with in the future!
How excited are we all that Sam Fine is finally coming out with a makeup video? Finally, we’ll get to learn the tricks of the trade (or just the tricks that he wants to expose). He can highlight and contour a face like I’ve never seen. When I attended his seminar back in 2007, he used over five foundations to sculpt his model’s face. The launch party went down at the Warren Tricomi Salon at the luxurious Plaza Hotel in NYC. Here he is looking so fresh and so clean with Iman (the host of the party), Deborah Cox and Vanessa L. Williams.
Sam Fine, Vanessa L. Williams and Dr. Lisa Iran
Sam Fine and Taraji P. Henson (Damn T, that hair though? Yuck!)
Apparently, the drink of choice was Nuvo! (I popped a bottle or two of this on my birthday in May, I really wanted to like it but it was overly flavored in my opinion. It was as if they wanted to hide the champagne taste with fruity syrup. I’ll stick to white wine.) The DVD will retail for $24.99, available of Samfine.com and Amazon.com. Can’t Wait!!!
If you’re looking for a great beauty read, you can’t go wrong with this! The Beauty of Color is a girly girl’s classic coffee table book. Large, glossy images of makeup in every sense of the word are right at your fingertips. Supermodel Iman and beauty editor turned blogger (And should be model) Tia Williams created this go to book. Within its pages you’ll find the definitions of makeup products, how to use them, and step-by-step makeup guides. The interesting thing is that it highlights not only Black women, but Middle Eastern, Asian, Caucasian, Hispanic and everything in between. ANTM’s Jay Manuel does quite a bit of the makeup for this book.
If you want a colorful guide to makeup products, this bad boy is for you. Want to see which brushes do what? Read on. If I were a beginner, I’d depend on this book. At least until the Makeup 101 series debuts on the Scandalous Beauty Youtube Channel! Hehe!!! Take a look inside the pages below. If you’d like to purchase a copy, hard or soft cover, check out Amazon.com. They have some really great prices on used books!
A co-worker introduced me to the Post Secret books about a year ago. People anonymously send in postcards telling a secret, and a man in Germantown, MD compiles them into books, or his blog. Post Secret is taking over the world, I have to get my fix via his blog every Sunday!
There is a new edition of the book dropping soon, titled Life, Death & God. Can’t wait for this one! Check out the Postsecret Bookshere! They are the perfect coffee table accessories!
Allow me to introduce you to Miriam, Event Planner, Hampton Alum, and BFF. As an event planner, she has helped me with my first seminar, “A Very Scandalous New Year” as well as a grand opening for Beyond Fitness by Carlos Brevard, personal trainer in Bowie, MD. (Might I add that I have watched Miriam shrink over the past few months from Carlos’ training! The man is definitely on point!) Her new blog, Noir Expose, is a must read for any woman. Her latest entry is titled “Upgrade Yourself“. The title says it all, and it is definitely a must read!!! She covers books, events, restaurants, the social scene, just up everything else in between. Gotta love it!
Miriam was also my model for the seminar. She’s pretty much sticks to eyeliner on the lower lashing, mascara and gloss. Pretty boring if you ask me. Just joking! So, this was my opportunity to do what I wanted to her face. I’d been waiting for this moment for SO long!!! Here is a shot of her eyes! She’s wearing MAC Satin Taupe on the lid, Folie in the crease, NW20 concealer as the brow highlight (I couldn’t find NW35 to save my life that day!!!) and Red Cherry WSP lashes.
Miss Chanel Iman graced the Cover of Page Six, and did she do her thing?!? Yes! She was rightfully named after Coco Chanel, and rips the runways of all the hottest designers. Seriously, all of them. Louis, YSL, Mcqueen, and any other Fashion House that we all lust over.
When asked about the difficulties of being a Woman of Color in the industry, she responded: “It’s not just black girls. It’s ethnic girls in general: Brazilian girls, Hispanic. You really don’t see a lot of Asians either. A lot of designers think that if every girl on the runway looks exactly alike, then people will come to the shows and buy the clothes because they won’t be focusing on the models….It’s not even just runway either… us ethnic girls should be getting a lot of the covers too! I would love to be on half of the campaigns these [white] girls are booking, all looking exactly alike. It’s not right. It’s not fair.”
To get the look that Miss Chanel is rocking, try Aquadisiac eye shadow and Pretty Please lipstick by MAC Cosmetics. I was going to guess that was the shadow! (These suggestions were found in the credits of the article, linked below) Make sure you read the entire Page Six article “New York’s Next Top Model“.
Well, we’ve kind of been of been featured in Essence. On Election Day, I voted and created a video about my experience minutes after it happened. Then, a day or so later, I wrote a quick blurb on Essence.com about my experience. Low and behold, it was featured in a Special Commemorative Magazine by the editors of Essence. The book is called The Obamas: Portrait of America’s New First Family, pictured above. Inside you’ll find a host of stunning photography and essays that will make you so proud, so compelled to be the best you that you can be. I am extremely honored to be part of history, not only by having a brief excerpt in the book, but by voting for BARACK H. OBAMA!!!!
It seems like just yesterday we were lined up at the polls, now we’re booking hotel rooms for the big night!!! WWD.com compiled stunning sketches from top designers to decide what First Lady-Elect Michelle Obama and the fam will wear the night that Barry is sworn in as President! I must admit, I have a special place in my heart for Carolina Herrera’s elegant designs. I immediately looked for her designs first! Mark my words, I WILL wear one of her designs to some gala or ball one day!!! View the entire slide show with all the sketches here at WWD.com. I wish I could narrow it down to the dress , but I just can’t choose! I’ve highlighted all of my favorites for you. I don’t know that all of these really fit Michelle’s personality and image, but geez, these are some bad dresses!!! Just breathtaking! Take a gander..which is your favorite?? So excited for January 20th!!!!
Let Lisa herself introduce you to her story and Carol’s Daughter!
On Friday, October 3rd come to Carol’s Daughter at Macy’s Bowie Towne Center from 2pm-5pm to meet the founder of Carol’s Daughter, Lisa Price.
Learn about Lisa’s connection to her family (why did she name her company “Carol’s Daughter”?) and how Lisa’s journey into the world of beauty and fragrance began. Experience her line of products with recipes created by Lisa. All participants will receive a sample of one of Lisa’s luxurious recipes.
Signed copies of her memoir “Success Never Smelled So Sweet” will be available during this event only.
Call 301.860.1675 or visit the Carol’s Daughter counter, where you can book your appointment and pre-order your copy of Lisa’s book today!
, you’re NUTS! Go get it!!! It’s a classic amongst classics!!!!
here! They are the perfect coffee table accessories! 
