Armani Beauty, Ask Tracey, Beauty, Illamasqua, M.A.C, Rihanna

Rihanna Watch: She’s a Little Bit Country

April 5, 2011 / No Comments

Rihanna drastically reduced the size of her hair and toned down her edgy style to perform at the 46th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards Show. And you know what? I like it. But I realized, that’s not the Rihanna we love. She looked fab, but that conservative gig just isn’t her.

I think the short hair is adorable and the white leather dress with the rocking fringe is cute. But those plain black pumps are confusing me. Did Rihanna’s feet hurt?

At any rate, Rihanna is always on point with her makeup and I just love it. Who else could work red hair, red lipstick and red eyeshadow with a fierceness.

So that whole red eyeshadow thing put me on the hunt for reds. I have one in my kit that I love, Illamasqua Liquid Metal in Resolute (metallic cranberry).

I also think that Armani Beauty Eyes Kill Eyeshadow – 2 Lust Red would work perfectly. And probably M.A.C Pigment. Just remember that less is more, so use a light hand and blend well.

Eye Shadow by M·A·C
Eye Makeup by Giorgio Armani

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Curvature—Curvy Girl Body Care: Indie Lee’s Java Fix—DIY Coffee Body Scrub

We are in the throes of winter and that means that we layer more clothes and may tend to neglect steps to keep our skin it’s glowing best. For best summer skin, exfoliation and moisturizing are essential for glorious skin. Well, when you take it all off, don’t you want the same silky soft skin you were showing off last summer? Of course you do. It can be prohibitive using a luxe body scrub on a daily basis, so why not save your precious body exfoliatior for a special occasion, and instead “cook up” one in your kitchen that’s just as effective and delicious. Indie Lee, founder of the all-natural skincare line Indie Lee & Co, shares one of her at-home recipes for an all-natural scrub containing her favorite ingredient: coffee. The caffeine works to dehydrate fat cells and when broken down, acts as a natural exfoliant. The upside? The caffeine helps reduce the appearance of cellulite! Caffeine Addiction at Its Best: Reduce the Appearance of Cellulite and Exfoliate Naturally What You Need: · ½ ounce of sweet almond oil · 2 tablespoons coffee grinds (espresso roast) · 5 tablespoons coconut oil · ¾ cup of arrowroot powder (natural alternative to talc powder) How to Make It: 1. Combine coffee grinds and sweet almond oil in a large bowl and mix. 2. Add coconut oil and mix well. 3. Fold in the arrowroot powder. Make sure all the coconut clumps are gone. *Indie Tip: She likes to keep the mixture refrigerated for a day to make it easier to scoop out, like butter. If you are a lazy girl, you can shop here for a lovely body scrub: body scrub About Indie Lee Indie Lee is a natural ingredients advocate, who has devoted her life to educating consumers on the dangerous contaminants that consume our lives. Following her recovery from a life-threatening brain tumor, likely caused by environmental toxins in food products and cleaning and skin care products, Indie left her corporate suits and lifestyle behind to re-dedicate her life to educating consumers on the hidden dangers of chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products. She took it upon herself to provide a healthy, non-toxic alternative. From this notion, Indie Lee & Co. was born. Indie Lee & Co. was founded on the principle that women everywhere deserve to have access to a luxurious, all-natural alternative to the artificial, chemically-laden products on the market today. The line is specially formulated to meet the growing demand of health-conscious consumers who long for toxin-free and effective skincare products. Each of the six cross-functional collections provide a natural alternative to common skin conditions such as rosacea, blemishes and dry skin.
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Trending—Cold Weather Makeup: The Best Hydrating Foundations for Brown Skin

Fall is here, winter is around the corner and it’s time to change up your makeup game. Summer may have dictated that you wear a lightweight foundation, something more in the “barely there” category. But with the snap of chill in the air, it’s time to bump up your foundation game to one that not only covers your skin perfectly, but adds a dose of hydration as well. Whether you are dry, combination or oily, there is a hydrating foundation for you. Check out the ones we have rounded up. 1. For all skin types, including oily and combination. Commonly, oily skin types prefer the feel of powder on their skin as opposed to liquid, and that makes bareMinerals the perfect partner. Try: bareMinerals READY® Foundation Broad Spectrum SPF 20 $29 read my review here A solid mineral foundation that gives long-lasting hydrating coverage without looking or feeling like a foundation. 2. For combination skin that needs balancing Combination skin often has dry and oily patches. Tarte utilizes Amazonian Clay to keep dry areas hydrated and oily spots under control. Try: tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15 $38 read my review here Whether oily, dry or combination, “skin-smart” Amazonian clay will intuitively adjust to meet and address your skin concerns for makeup that wears better, longer, and truer. 3. For Dry to Normal skin types Try: Laura Mercier Moisture Supreme Foundation $47 A lightweight, hydrating foundation for normal to dry skin that provides medium-to-full coverage to minimize the signs of aging—leaving behind a natural-looking finish. 4. For all skin types read my review here Try: Benefit Cosmetics ‘Hello Flawless!’ Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation $36 This natural-finish foundation builds from light to medium coverage for a natural complexion and features light-diffusing properties and hydrating benefits. 5. For all skin types, especially Oily and Combination read my review here Try: Smashbox Studio Skin 15 Hour Wear Foundation $42 This long-wearing, hydrating formula blurs imperfections using light-diffusing, encapsulated pigment spheres, and delivers natural-looking, buildable medium-to-full coverage. Shop:
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Green Day Thursday: Editor’s PIck—Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter

Baby it’s cold outside, and what better way keep your skin in optimal hydrated condition than with a body butter. But wait. Not all body butters are created equal! Some are greasy, sticky, don’t absorb and just too heavy. Such is not the case with Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter. Here are the details for Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter $15: Smell incredible with our nourishing and anti-oxidant rich ingredients. Our body butter helps fight signs of aging while adding deep moisture and protection. Made with nature’s best moisturizers – shea butter, almond oil and safflower oil – Pacifica’s paraben-free Body Butter is a skin must-have. Now available in tubes in our best-selling fragrances, making them easy to take with you anywhere. A warm blend of sultry fresh coconut, delicate creamy vanilla. DETAILS: Pacifica’s Indian Coconut Nectar is a sensuous and delicious blend inspired by travels to faraway destinations. This warm, sultry blend of coconut and delicate creamy vanilla is pure ambrosia. 100% vegan. Why it’s and editor’s pick: First there is the amazing fragrance — all natural at that. The name says coconut, and you get coconut. Not overpowering coconut, but just enough to smell…nice. Probably because there is a balance of vanilla in the scent as well. Then of course is the body butter itself. Made with shea and mango butters, Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter melts right into your skin and feels just lovely. It’s like whipped butter! A little of the body butter goes a very long way and keep skin hydrated for hours. Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter absorbs quickly and gives those “rough” areas, like elbows, knees and feet enough moisture to keep them smooth and soft. What we love even more is that this body butter is chemical free and made with the best ingredients. Besides shea and mango butter there is Vitamin E, kukui nut, macadamia nut and rose hip seed oils which help nourish skin. I love applying Pacifica Indian Coconut Nectar Body Butter right out of the shower before I go to bed and I wake up with the best feeling and smelling skin to start my day! And, as a brown girl, I have to say that this body butter is a serious #AshKicker as well! Bling Factor: Pro: Moisturizes, lightweight, long-lasting, great scent Con: None Price: $15 Buy Again: Yes Packaging: 5 Blings — cute packaging plus great tube Overall: 5 Blings Hero Ingredient: Shea & Mango butters Natural/Organic/Vegan: Vegan Cruelty Free: Yes Shop:
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10 Winter Must-Haves for Your Closet

Now that winter is upon us, it’s time to upgrade your wardrobe and add some essentials for the cold to your closet. This way, you can stay warm as the temperatures drop. Here’s a list of must-haves for winter that you should definitely not miss out on. 1. Sweater You can’t complete your winter essentials without adding a sweater to your closet. In fact, a warm sweater should be one of the first things you get for this cold weather. While it’s easier to shop for men’s sweaters, women’s sweaters are a different story. But to find the perfect fit, think about the style that best suits your body shape. Do crewnecks or V-necks look more flattering on you? What material is soft on your skin? You can also buy a cashmere sweater for a more luxurious look or a beautiful sweater in a unique color to make your outfit pop. 2. Turtleneck A turtleneck is a versatile must-have that you can wear alone or pair with skirts, pants, or jeans. They’re also a great option to wear under a summer dress to protect your skin as the evening approaches and the temperature falls. 3. Cardigan A cardigan is another must-have. In particular, long cardigans are a great option as they help you look slimmer and taller. They are also a great option if you want to hide your body shape. 4. Long-sleeved tops Winters are all about layering yourself, and a long-sleeved top serves as a nice, warm layer under your clothing. 5. Leather jacket Leather jackets are best for transitional weather so that you can wear them over your summer fashion items as it starts to get a little cold. Plus, it’s always easy to style a women’s leather jacket. For instance, you can wear long layers underneath a short leather jacket to create a unique outfit. 6. Casual coat While both short and long winter coats are a staple, you should consider getting a casual coat. These are best if you are just going out for a cup of coffee with your friends or if you just want to have a lazy day. 7. Shacket If you’re following the latest beauty hacks and trends, you might have come across a shacket, which is essentially a hybrid of a shirt and jacket. It’s a cool and trendy way to upgrade a simple outfit! 8. Leggings or pants Protecting your legs from the cold is also essential, which is why you should invest in a good, cozy pair of winter leggings. The best thing about leggings is that they are easy to style, and you can pair them up with a sweater, long shirt, or even a dress. We recommend fleece-lined leggings to stay warm. If you don’t like leggings, you can always go for winter pants. These also go well with sweaters. In fact, black winter pants are so versatile that you can style them with almost every outfit. 9. Jeans Jeans are an all-year-round essential, and it’s easy to style jeans with your winter tops. Plus, you can use them for both casual and semi-casual events. And apart from regular jeans, you can also opt for skinny jeans and style them with knee-length booties! 10. Leather skirt A great thing about winters is that you can play around with different textures and fabrics. And one of the best clothing accessories to experiment with is a leather skirt. Whether you pair it with a sweater or a blouse, it will look great! Gear up today! These are just some of the winter must-haves for this season. Of course, there are a plethora of others, like boots, hats, and scarves, that you should definitely check out. Remember, your closet should reflect your personal style, so make sure you purchase items you really like!
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Editor’s Picks: Leap Year Winter Skin Care Essentials

It’s Leap Year. That means you have an extra day this year to do something special for you. Since we are in the throes of winter, with the harsh cold wreaking havoc with out skin, it may be time to check out some skin care products that bump up the level of beauty quotient of your skin. Remember how you used to write a word and associate another word with each letter of that word? Well we are doing just that for LEAP year. 1. L—Lather Choose gentle cleanser that not only get’s your skin clean, but is calming and chock full of good-for-you ingredients. Try: First Aid Beauty Face Cleanser $18 What it is: A face cleanser with a whipped texture that transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. What it does: This Face Cleanser gently cleanses the skin—removing surface oils, make up, dirt and grime—and its whipped texture transforms into a rich cream when blended with water. It’s infused with a powerful botanical antioxidant blend that works hard to scavenger free radicals. It calms redness and is PH-balanced to maintain the natural acidity of the skin. Daily use will result in fewer flare ups and reduced skin reactivity. 2. E—Exfoliate Improve texture, brighten and clarity your skin in one fell swoop with a gentle yet effective exfoliant. Try: Jurlique Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator $45 What it is: A fruit-based facial treatment that leaves skin visibly smoother and revitalized. What it is formulated to do: This ideal natural alternative to synthetic chemical peels harnesses enzymatic action to gently exfoliate skin and boost cell renewal for a refreshed, clear, glowing effect. Indigenous Australian extracts help to brighten and invigorate dull complexions, and improve skin texture and firmness. A dose of antioxidants and humectants soften fine lines and wrinkles while contributing to an overall healthier look and feeling. This formula is dermatologist tested. 3. A—Anti-aging It’s never too early to start fending off the ravages of time. Adding a treatment into your daily skin care regimen will slow the clock or turns the hands counter-clockwise. Try: Philosophy Miracle Worker™ Miraculous Anti-Aging Concentrate $62 What it is: An advanced antiaging serum designed to target the appearance of deep wrinkles and loss of elasticity. What it is formulated to do: This versatile, gel-textured, oil-free, age-defying essential features breakthrough peptide technology that bolsters the skin’s self-restorative capacity, supporting natural collagen to increase firmness and elasticity, and minimize lines and wrinkles. The water-based gel formulation helps bind hydration to the skin, maintaining a natural moisture barrier, while multiple antioxidants protect against free-radical attack. – Encourages improved elasticity and firmness. – Helps improve the appearance of deep wrinkles. – Helps protect against environmental attack. 4. P—Pamper Take one day a week to pamper your skin with a mask that adds hydration and nutrients. Try: AmorePacific Moisture Bound Vitalizing Masque $60 What it is: An overnight mask with a liquid-gel texture for improving internal hydration and antioxidant levels. What it is formulated to do: Restore tired, dehydrated skin overnight with this lightweight mask. AmorePacific’s 5-Hydra Complex dramatically improves internal hydration and antioxidant levels. Cellular turnover and youthful metabolism are promoted while moisture loss is prevented, all from the inside out. Get your leap year goodies here: Editor’s Picks: Leap Year Winter Skin Care Essentials Face Anti-Aging by philosophy Face Moisturizers by Amore Pacific
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