So it’s quite a relief to know that even hotties like Halle Berry and Rihanna rock a cap now and then. And with their signature hair cuts, we all know the cap is not really for a fashion statement.  Does the expression bad hair day come to mind?  Hmmmm…..

Check out paparazzi shot of Halle trying to handle her day-to-day life.

Halle 12/17/19 getty images

Cute cap Halle.

Or Rihanna prepping for the Superbowl.

Rihanna 2/3/2010 Photo by PacificCoastNews.com

Is that a for real Chanel?  Why are those double C’s on the cap all cockeyed?

I know it’s Wednesday, but I have been sick for a very long time, and I lost my groove. So I’m playing catch up!
I can’t believe it. I’m buying skincare products at the drugstore. I admit it. Me, the beauty snob, the skincare bootcamp instructor, I’m in love with a moisturizer that costs less than a mani and pedi. I’m talking about Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream. Now at 52, I’m more than mildly obsessed with keeping it tight, keeping it firm. My face and neck that is. Gravity has taken its toll on my southern hemisphere but that’s a whole ‘nother story. Why do I love this product lovely product? It delivers. It does what it says. I noticed my nasal-labial lines lifted — that’s esthetican speak for that horrrible line from the nose that extends downward and seems to get deeper as you get older — and my jaw line firmer. The texture is emollient yet disappears into the skin and there is no lingering odor as with the pricey French creams.

Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream

Olay claims the following:

The result of over 50 years of Olay research, this luxurious cream has the highest concentration of our signature amino-peptide complex infused with intracellular fortifier and a touch of precious marine proteins.
Intracellular hydration regenerates volume and shape across skin’s 10 million surface cells, progressively lifting and micro-sculpting to help:
Firm sagging-prone areas, even the jaw line
Smooth skin’s surface
Restore elasticity

And priced at under $30, what deal!

What makes this particular Olay product qualify for my “dream cream” category? Peptides are the key! They are those messengers that tell our skin cells to work harder, get younger, get firmer. Most brands with peptide technology can break the bank. N V Perricone for example has a peptide product, Facial Conformer that costs $495 for 1.7 oz. Granted, Dr. Perricone’s product has more than one peptide with a longer peptide chain, and a host of other good-for-your-skin ingredients, but in this time of economic distress, I’d rather splurge on a pair of past season Christian Louboutain’s. (Yes, stilettos are an extremely close runner up to obsessive skincare for the over 50 woman. By this age you should be able to play hoops in the darn things.)

My first submission for the Dream Cream category — Olay Regenerist Microsculpting Cream.

And of course a whopping 5 blings —

Leona Lewis Smokey Eye

Since the smokey eye is a trend that’s here to stay, why not have one makeup palette that get the job done? Well, you can spend upwards of $75 for that palette, or you can spend under $6.  Hmmm,  let me do that math.  Considering that I’m saving for a new coat and pair of boots, I think the latter will suffice. And in reality the budget palette does more than suffice, it rocks!

Rimmel Smokey Noir

I bought the Rimmel Smokey Noir palette of 4 colors for $5.99 at Walgreens and it has more than enough colors to get the job done.  I used the shimmery gray on my lid and the darkest gray in my crease.  I lined with the black and then contoured a bit more in the crease with the black.  I had a rockin’ smokey eye that lasted for hours.

If you need a step-by-by step on how to apply a smokey eye, click here.

Now, Rimmel isn’t quite as pigment potent as say NARS of Make Up For Ever, but it still applies smoothly and is long-lasting.

Rimmel Smokey Noir gets 4 blings!

Do you have a favorite palette for smokey eyes?  Please share!

I have been a makeup artist for many many years, and I really thought I had seen and heard it all. But recently I purchased Sam Fine’s DVD, FINE the Basics of Beauty, and found that there are a few “little” things I can do for myself and my clients that will contribute to a more seamless makeup application.

When Sam says “basics”, he means basics. But, they are basics that most of us probably overlook.   This video is not about smokey eyes or trendy makeup looks. Sam is not selling products or brands.  (Even though I’m such a product junkie that I readily recognize several products he uses.) Rather, he shows how women can perfect their face with just a few steps and tools.  I love it!

He first shows us the necessary tools for basic application. Then he takes us through the basics with three different models of different ages and skin tones.  From perfecting eyebrows to concealer application to perfecting foundation to the perfect nude lip, Sam simplifies the steps so that everyone’s “basic” makeup looks looks far from basic!  After each look is completed, Sam then shows how to bump-up the look by simply adding the right gloss or liner.

I love that this is a video as opposed to a book.  You actually see Sam while he works on his non-model models.  (Who end up looking like world-class models when he is done!)  While this is a video for women of color, any woman who need the basic skills of makeup application can benefit from the steps Sam shows.

Rather than going out and buying new makeup, invest your next $30 in FINE The Basics Of Beauty.  I’m sure this DVD will become your most cherished item in your makeup arsenal!

Chaka Khan circa 1975

I have a penchant for big hair. I think it began when I first saw and heard Chaka Khan.  Even though I couldn’t sing a lick, I secretly yearned to be Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan, Chaka Khan. So, since I could only sing into my lotion bottle and live vicariously through my Rufus LP’s, I made a pact with myself that one day I would have big hair.

Diana Ross photo courtesy of askmen.com

Thinking back on it, significant women in music have pretty much always had big hair.  Think about Diana Ross; some of the biggest hair I have ever seen.  Maybe Chaka was trying to outdo Diana’s hairdo. I think I will call them hair divas. And maybe that big hair thing is genetic, just look at Tracee Ellis Ross.  Her hair is voluminous and tres sexy.

Tracee Ellis Ross

Today, there are more hair divas.  Beyonce’ is the queen of big hair. And I must admit, she wears it well.  Even Rihanna’s hair is big, albeit short. In  view of the trend of musical women sporting big hair, I have come to the conclusion that men must love copious amounts of hair on women.  Heck, I’m a woman I love all that hair on women.

With that said, clearly then, big hair must be an accoutrement that breeds fierceness.  Today is Friday, and it’s it’s all about getting fierce.  So go for it ladies, get big hair– get fierce.

Beyonce' Getty Images

How do you get big hair?  For me that’s usually just letting my hair do it’s own thing, or getting a weave, but there are more mainstream ways to achieve big hair glam.  Ted Gibson, celebrity hair stylist, is well known for his big-hair know-how.  I can’t tell you how relieved I was when I saw him replace Nick “chop chop” Arrojo on What Not to Wear.  Ted Gibson knows that women want to look and feel sexy, and he produces.  Just look at Gabrielle Union.  And that unbelievable hair redo on Kate Gosselin.  Whoaaaaa.  That was nothing short of miraculous.

Gabrielle Union, extensions by Ted Gibson

Anyway, I found an interview with Ted in the LA Times that included his step-by-step instructions for getting big hair.  Check it out:

Pump it up

To get fullness, start at the root. First, cleanly divide your hair into five even sections (hair can start wet or dry). Then apply a volumizing product to the scalp where each section is divided. Gibson favors his own product, called Build It. “It’s about building volume without the weight.”

Ted Gibson Build It

Next, apply a light, controlling gel all over the hair. Gibson uses two or three pumps of Aveda’s Phomollient styling foam, then combs through the hair with his trusty Mason Pearson brush. “Brushing the hair after applying these products will help distribute the product evenly.” Blow-dry the hair until it’s about 80% dry and then finish by pulling the ends under using a round brush. “This helps get volume from the scalp.” He uses a medium-size round barrel brush on Jolie, Hathaway and anyone with hair that hits from the chin to the clavicle. For shorter hair, use a small barrel.

Roller baby

Ted Gibson Beautiful Hold

Once the hair is completely dry, it’s time for the hot rollers, which should be really hot. Wrap 2-inch sections of hair around each roller until you look like a ’50s housewife. Leave rollers in for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are completely cool. After taking the rollers out, the curls should be more like waves than ringlets. Then spritz a light hair spray all over the head. It should be a “working” hair spray, which means one that doesn’t get sticky or stiff, allowing you to keep working and building volume. Gibson recommends his Beautiful Hold hair spray.

So there you have it ladies.  It’s Friday.  Get Fierce.  Get big hair!

So Rihanna, appeared in Norway on the show Skavlan yesterday. I like that Rihanna takes risk with her fashion, her style.  But sometimes she leaves me wondering, “what on earth???”  Well, this appearance on Skavlan is one of those occasions. She is as cute as ever, but I’m not getting this outfit she has on.  And maybe I just don’t have a clue about fashion…  What do you think?

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Every blogger and fashion editor is blabbing away about what the celebs wore to the Golden Globes — hits and misses, hot or not, yada yada.  Well, I’m one of them and so of course I had to check out all the red carpet photos myself.  I was scanning photos and when I came upon a closeup of Mariah Carey and I was just stuck with how pretty she looked.  I traditionally haven’t thought too much of Mariah’s looks — she’s cute enough — but at the Golden Globe Awards she look absolutely radiant. Her hair was pulled back and her skin was flawless.

Mariah Carey Golden Globe Awards 1/17/2010 Getty Images

I think that Mariah has the perfect look of soft makeup with just a hint of color and eyes defined with lots of lash.  This is such an easy look to achieve and is a refreshing change from the heavily lined smokey look that seems to running rampant among celebrities.

Try these suggestions with Smashbox to get her dazzling pretty look:

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