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!

Today was the big day for Tyra’s hair reveal! She didn’t wear wigs, weaves or hair pieces. I don’t watch her show religiously, but I do check her out online and via twitter. I completely forgot to DVR the show, but I heard very mixed reviews from various people. Then, I found the twitpic that I posted above. I must say that I was a bit curious to see how Tyra’s hair was holding up. Since she hides her hair a lot, I assumed it would have a good amount of length, which it did. That’s the only thought that came to mind.

I definitely commend her for doing this. She’s a colossal name in the industry and she has a reputation to keep up. She did what many celebrities (and some everyday folk) consider unthinkable, she rocked her real hair. It may have had a fresh out of the tub (and mixed together in that little bowl!) relaxer, but it was her real hair. Some people are going to chew her up and spit her out after they see the picture. Some might say it is long, some may say it’s thin, and everything else in between. Either way, she gets props from me. But wait, forget her hair…did you see her skin? She is absolutely glowy perfection! She appears fresh faced, free of makeup. I’m sure she gets facials and skin treatment worth thousands of dollars, but if she does or doesn’t..she looks freakin’ fantabulous in the picture!

Prep ₊ Prime Skin

Moisture Blend Foundation NC42,NC43 and NW45 Matte Bronzing Powder

Blush in Sunbasque and Frankly Scarlet

Eye shadow: Saddle, Blacktied, Cream de Violet, Blacktrack Fluidline Gel Liner
Spice and Plum Lip Liner
Prep + Prime Lash Primer, Plushlash Mascara in Plushblack and Fascinating pencil
Mineralized Skinfinish Natural in Medium and Dark for contouring

FROM ELECTROFLASH:
Mineralized Eye Shadow Duo in Love Connection and Two to Glow
Lipstick in Mellow Mood
Lipglass in Major Minor

Here Are Romero’s notes on how he created the look:

Pump up lashes top and bottom with 2 coats of prep and prime mascara

Then add one heavy winter coat of Plushlash mascara in Plushblack.

I then add the #7 lashes which I cut into fine pieces and place on the top lashes!

The skin was primed with Prep + Prime Skin and polished with a sheer coat of Moistureblend Foundation that is highlighted with Moisturelush Eye Cream and contoured Matte Bronzer!

Shadows were pumped up with Creme de Violet used as a liner/shadow under eye while Saddle and Black Tied shadows frames the eye!

Be sure to also check out Keri on MTV’s TRL on Wednesday!!

How do we feel about Jada’s new ‘do? While I miss the short haired vixen, her longer locks are absolutely stunning on her as well! But this look? I don’t know….Please Jada, please, please let this be a wig or weave!

Jada Pinkett Smith and Mary J. Blige made an appearance at the Carol’s Daughter store in the Westfield Fox Hills Mall in Culver City, California on April 22nd for a special meet and greet with customers.

While I hear mixed reviews about Carol’s Daughter products, I LOVE my Hair Balm and Tui Hair Oil. I use them every other day. Hair Balm does a great job of conditioning my hair throughout the day, while the hair oil seals that moisture in. I also use the Hair Balm on my towel dried hair before I do my twists.

Well at least we hope so. While I was perusing AOL Black Voices, I saw this gorgeous picture of Whitney, looking healthy and possibly happy. Jawn Murray explains her past and more recent indevers and her future projects… she is scheduled for a November album release! Let’s hope it’s not too add-libby and she does minimal straining. Her makeup in the picture to the left is polished and classic, she wears is well!! I am really loving the lighter lid colors lately, as we are in that transition time between Spring and Winter.

For this Look, I would highly suggest colors from the Bobbi Brown Nude Collection. “Sleek palette includes all-new nude shimmer and matte shadows, four nude Lip Colors, a mini dual-ended Eye Shadow/Eyeliner Brush and Lip Brush with a protective cap.”