If there is one makeup product I can’t live without, it’s concealer. That’s because I have dark under eye circles which are probably exacerbated by my late nights and red wine habit.  With that being said, I am all over this event coming up from CoverFX.  Albeit it’s a flashmob, which really scares me (experience my first at Nordstrom in San Fracisco City Center, and it was pretty weird).  Well, The lovely ladies at CoverFX are giving away a full-size concealer, one of theirs of course to the first 150 people who show up for this event.

Be there or have dark circles!

Beyonce' at the unvieling of the Beyonce' Cosmetology Center at Phoenix House New York, March 5, 2010 Getty Images

As if she isn’t busy enough, my favorite B girl, Beyonce’ has yet another charitable foundation under her belt. Today Beyonce’ and her mother, Tina Knowles  unveiled the Cosmetology Center in the New York chapter of Phoenix House.

Since 1967, Phoenix House has been helping people of all ages from all walks of life lead fulfilling, drug-free, lives. Phoenix House operates more than 30 residential and
outpatient programs for adults and adolescents in New York City, upstate
 New York, and Long Island, treating some 2,500 individuals every day.

Beyonce’s Cosmetology Center will prepare men and women who are going through drug treatment for a career in cosmetology. Beyonce’ has been associated with Phoenix House for some time, having donated her entire salary from Cadillac Records to the foundation.

Prior to filming Cadillac Records, Beyonce’ spent time with recovering addicts in an effort to bring some realism to her role as Etta James.

Beyonce’ and her husband both have many charities to which they contribute  including One Campaign, Save the Music Foundation, Feeding America. Beyonce’ also has the Survivor Foundation which she founded with her mother and the Knowles-Rowland Center which she founded with former Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland.

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I’m a curvy girl. Although I haven’t always been so happy with that blessing.  My mom was 5′9′ and 122 lbs for most of her adult life.  AARRGHH. And that’s not pirate talk.  That’s frustration at being an hourglass at 12 years old and not knowing what the heck to do with all that.  And a mother who thought hips and boobs=FAT! I didn’t know then, like I do now that curvy=HOT! But I will leave that rant for the therapist’s couch…

I have been various sizes of “curvy” over the years.  From a  size 10 and up. Right now I’m not a 10, nor do I care to be in this 53rd year of my life.  Too much work.  But I would like to be a 12 again — that would eliminate a humongous shopping trip, as I have “grown”  out of my favorite size 12 clothes.  I guess it’s menopause.  Yea, I’ll blame it on that.

Anyway, as a makeup artist, I have done my share of fashion shows. From Fashion Week to hot indie shows.  But I have never had such an inspiring and exciting experience as I had a couple weekends ago.  I had the pleasure of being lead makeup artist for Kiss the Curves in my hometown, Oakland, CA.  And curves were plenty in supply.  Women from size 12 and up strutted their stuff in fashions that we big girls can be proud of.  Not big boxy ugly stuff.

Tracie Collins

Tracie Collins was the mastermind behind the event.  Marie Leggette, designer, was the stylist who kept the show tight!  Hosted by the “voice”, Sterling James of KBLX, Kiss the Curves was a successful event that gave so many women a vote of confidence.

Master San Francisco based runway coach and choreographer Charleston Pierce put together an awesome runway show.

Plenty has been written about the designers and the runway aspect of the show, so I’d like to showcase the beautiful work of my makeup team.

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I’m a curvy girl — always have been, always will be. Granted my curves are a bit more than they used to be. Oh well, I’m 52 and earned every inch of my curves.  At any rate, I’m extremely proud to be associated with an event that is all about the curves.  One that celebrates the curvy girls of the world — not the stick-straight-need-a-steak models that are consistently featured in fashion mags.

So, if you are in The Bay, or simply want to appreciate a dose of Curvy Fashionista, the must-do event of the 2010 is Kiss the Curves!  It’s all about plus size models and fashions for ladies size 12+. And I say, ABOUT  TIME!

I will be part of the crew — beating faces and having a great time being part of the atmosphere.  And I’m going out on a limb here — Be there or be square!  Get it?  Curvy, square….

DreamGirl Make-up Institute Showcase & Cocktail Party

GRAND OPENING of DreamGirl Make-Up Institute

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I volunteer for the Look Good…Feel Better program. This program assists women who have lost their hair and eyebrows with skincare, haircare (wigs) and makeup.  I’m so happy to “paint” faces for those who truly feel a boost in their mood when they see how color/makeup can transform their self-perception.

I have to rant before I continue…

I occasionally read the online content at a site that’s dedicated to women over 50.  I got into a heated online debate via a comments secton with a very homely women who could really do with an encounter of hair color, micro-dermabrasion and any makeup she could find within a 100 mile radius.  Now, ordinarily I could care less if someone chooses to primp or not.  That’s each one’s own decision.  But this very haggard looking woman was blasting women who wore makeup.  I thought, have you looked in the mirror in the last 30 years?  She looked like she could pass for an extra in the Grapes of Wrath and we were the same age.

Now, I know I’m blessed with good genes; I don’t look my age.  BUT I’m fully aware of the benefits of a well-placed flick of mascara, how an artificial flush of blush can awake an otherwise lackluster complexion and what how just a hint of gloss will speak volumes.  My issue with this woman was she was not THE VOICE for the  world of women.  Every women who chooses to wear lipstick is not shallow.  And believe it or not, color can transform one’s mood.

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Lierac In-Store Event/Gilda’s Club Initiative – October 23, 2009

WHO: 100,000 consumers will have the opportunity to visit Lierac Paris European Skincare Centers at 700 participating CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs.

WHAT: On October 23, 2009, customers will be able to contribute to Gilda’s Club of NYC with every Lierac purchase.  For each product bought, Lierac will donate $1 from its sale to the foundation.  Gilda’s Club NYC provides free support to individuals living with cancer and their families. The organization has a unique philosophy that emphasizes interaction among its members, namely “community-building, collective wisdom, and shared experience.”  Gilda’s Club also avoids discussing cancer using terms that carry a negative connotation.  Instead, they seek to empower individuals through the use of their own “Gilda’s Club language.”

WHEN: Friday, October 23rd, 2009

WHERE: 700 participating CVS/pharmacy and Longs Drugs stores.  For locations, contact 1.877.55LIERAC or visit www.lierac-usa.com.

It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and aside from doing my usualy self-exam and having regular mammograms, I think I need to fine-tune my habits and lifestyle for prevention.  The Mayo Clinic has some great information regarding lifestyle habits that I’m putting into action.

1.  Limit alcohol. A link exists between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. How strong a link remains to be determined. The type of alcohol consumed — wine, beer or mixed drinks — seems to make no difference. To protect yourself from breast cancer, consider limiting alcohol to less than one drink a day or avoid alcohol completely.

So I think I may cut back on my one glass of red wine per night. I’m thinking about it…

2. Maintain a healthy weight. There’s a clear link between obesity — weighing more than is appropriate for your age and height — and breast cancer. This is especially true if you gain the weight later in life, particularly after menopause. Experts speculate that estrogen production in fatty tissue may be the link between obesity and breast cancer risk.

This is a definite must do.  I had three orthopedic surgeries over the last year which led to a rather sedentary lifestlye for the better parts of the year.  Needless to say, I picked up some pounds that I need to shed.  I’m working on it!  

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  So many cosmetic companies are now on board with exclusive products for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that I feel no guilt when I buy a cute little lipgloss or compact or body wash whose proceeds benefit Breast Cancer Research.  I can’t wait to see the adorable packaging and pretty pink products that are limited editions for the month.October of each year affords me the opportunity to splurge on makeup that makes a difference.

 On a more serious note however, I have lost friends and family to breast cancer.  My cousin recently had a double mastectomy and is now a survivor.  When I was 40 I was breast feeding my youngest daughter (that’s what too much tequila in Las Vegas can do for you) so I missed that customary first mammogram at 40 years of age, but since that time I have been regularly getting screened.  Additionally I do my own breast checks in the shower.  If you are not regularly checking you breast for irregular lumps and need to learn how now.  Visit the American Cancer Society’s web page.

While working for the Marin County chapter of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, I became friends with Genevieve, a cancer survivor, who now works for the Breast Cancer Fund in San Francisco.   Some startling data about breast cancer from the Breast Cancer Fund:

In the United States, a woman’s lifetime risk of developing breast cancer is an alarming 1 in 8i, and no more than 1 in 10 women with breast cancer has a genetic history of the disease.ii A growing body of scientific evidence points to toxic chemicals and radiation as factors contributing to the high rates of breast cancer.

A Few Breast Cancer Facts

Between 1973 and 1998, U.S. breast cancer incidence rates increased by more than 40 percent.iii In 2008, an estimated 250,000 U.S. women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,500 died of the disease.iv

An estimated 80,000 synthetic chemicals are registered for use in the United States; fewer than 10 percent have been fully tested for their effects on human health.v

Emigrants from low‐risk to high‐risk regions face increased risk of breast cancer, especially those who move before age 20.vi This and other data tell us that characteristics of modern societies affect risk.

A great resource to insure that proceeds from you purchases are actually funding breast cancer is thinkbeforeyoupink.org.

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You just have to love entrepreneurialism.  Lisa Price, founder of Carol’s Daughter, began with recipes of love that combined the best of fragrance and ingredients and turned them into precious gifts.  Today Price has grown her business from a single studio into a brand that has become a household name with a presence in Sephora, Macys and Dillards.  Not only that, Carol’s Daughter has stand-alone stores that feature her natual hair, skin and body products.  Her latest store just opened in Lennox Square in Atlanta.

Some amazing things are happening in Atlanta this weekend in conjunction with the new Carol’s Daughter store opening in the Lenox Mall.  The lineup is as follows:

 Saturday August 22^nd (12pm – 7pm), a Mobile Beauty Lounge will allow the public to meet Lisa Price and experience Carol’s Daughter mini treatments (hair, nails and massage). Each guest will receive a 10% discount coupon to shop for the products used.  Lisa from The Real  Housewives of Atlanta will also attend.

 Sunday August 23^rd (12 pm), the public is invited into the Carol’s Daughter store for a celeb appearance by Keri Hilson and for a chance to shop the store.

I’m a little jealous of you ATL ladies right now… I’m in the Bay Area and unable to attend these exciting events!  If you see Lisa, Lisa or Mary J, tell them I said “HEY!”