Favorite Things 2007

Well, I am happy to report that your truly has the opportunity to participate in the Favorite Things 2007 held by the wonderful Blogdorf Goodman. So here goes:


1. Iman Corrective Concealer in Earth

Never have I ever fell in love with a concealer before! It actually looks wonderful on me. It’s like everything I wanted to hide just disappeared. Honestly…I love Iman for this. I’ve always been told or heard that concealer is the most effective tool for hiding dark under-eye circles but I never believed it because everything looked either too dark or too light on my skin. This is great because it’s liquid and dries to a matte finish. It’s really great for women of color.

2. Iman Luxury Pressed Powder in Deep


Ok After seeing what the concealer can do for me, I decided to go for the powder. I’ve never really been a big fan of liquid foundation (maybe because all my mom ever used was pressed powders and she used to use it on me). But, again, I must say…I love Iman (even more). The color blended so well…in other words- I didn’t have that mask look. And since I have shiny skin, this calmed it down a great deal.

3. Tarte Natural beauty Cheek Stain in Sheer Berry Rose


I’m not much of a blush gal but when I do wear it I grab this one. The color, in my opinion, is universally flattering. I’ve never heard a story of this looking bad on somebody.

4. Too Faced Border Line Anti-Feathering Lip Pencil

Every time I try using lip pencil, I think I do something terribly wrong because it never comes out looking right. But with this I can’t go wrong! This goes on clear. Simply put it on around your lips (duh...border ha-ha) and continue with your normal lip gloss/lip stick. TA-DA!


5. Too Faced “Lip of Luxury” Lipstick in Drop Dead Red


Yeah so red lipstick has made a comeback and I’m determined to find the right shade…and I did! Score! Since I absolutely love Too Faced cosmetics I can’t help but put both of their products on my favorite things list. I only got this like three days ago but I’m so smitten by this. I really want to wear this everyday and everywhere I go and sometimes I think I can. It’s not so red to the point where I look like I’m going to some kind of gala or ball but then again if I were to be going to such an event, I can wear still wear it. And the top of the case has this rhinestone (supposed to look like a diamond I guess) that’s really really cute.

6. Sephora Brand Gloss Lipstick in Sheer Rose

Yeah so as I said many times before, I’m obsessed with lip gloss but I do want to have a lipstick to have in my makeup bag. And since I practically live in Sephora (especially this past week) I figure why not used my Beauty Insider card and get me a lipstick (the Beauty Insider card isn’t a credit card ...rather it’s a rewards card so the more you purchase the more points/ rewards you get). So maybe its cheating because this feels and looks like a gloss…but- hey! I have to take baby steps here…

7. Covet by Sarah Jessica Parker


Is there anything this woman can’t do?!? Sarah Jessica Parker is just absolutely amazing and so is her latest perfume! I absolutely love Covet. I feel wonderful every time I smell it. Ahhhh yes! I had to have it! ;)

8. CoverGirl Lash Exact Mascara in Black

I am obsessed with this. There’s not much to say…it gets straight to the point. Curls my lashes and darkens them…no clumps, no mess…just beautiful lashes.

9. MAC Lipglass in Avarice (from the Originals Collection)

Ok so I’ve ranted about this before and I will again…I FRIGGIN’ LOVE THIS GLOSS! Just the right amount of red/ pinkish hue. Absolutely fab!

10. Alexander McQueen for M.A.C


Ok so not only do I love this collection but I love the man behind it! We all know of McQueen's brilliance with fashion but he's defitinely done it with this collection. The makeup behind his Fall 2007 collection was inspired by Cleopatra and we got a little taste of this with this collection for M.A.C. I absolutely love the look (but I can't pass off the pale lip look...no bueno on me) but I love the colors of the eyeshadows.

11. MaxFactor Eyeliner in Night Club

So I've never been able to line the bottom of my eyes until I got this. I know this sounds weird but it's always been a hassle for me to properly line the bottom and not poke myself in the process. But with this eyeliner I've been lining it away like no problem! This thin pencil fits in any make up bag and packs a punch! Definitely worth every cent.

12. CHANEL Glossimer in Glaze


According to the website, "Intense frost and shine for lips. Cool array of hottest colours in a convenient, easy-to-use case. Gel texture imparts a shimmery, ultra-glossy look"..so true. this gloss isn't too sticky like the MAC clear lipglass but it's definitely not watery. Really lasts- that's all I really need.

13. Nars Lip Lacquer in Butterfield 8

So I must agree with InStyle with this one. They voted this in their Best Of Beauty 2007. The color is wonderful on my skin tone and can you really ever have too many lip glosses? I think not.

14. Garnier Fructis Fortifying Shampoo & Conditioner For Color-Treated or Permed Hair

Now I have relaxed hair so it's a little hard finding the right shampoo and conditioner combination. But it's clear that this is wonderful for my hair. Normally people tell me that I HAVE to use things for African American hair but sometimes they just don't make the cut. This- even though it's not specific for African American hair like Pantene ProV's Relaxed and Natural- works wonders. And it smells great! (even if its not new in 2007 it makes my list)

15. Revlon Color Stay in Mocha

I'm not a fan for liquid foundations but I think this might make me convert- ate least for the winter! This goes on soo smooth and it doesn't even feel heavy like most. Gotta love it.

Be sure to check out fellow bloggers who partcipated in the Favorite Things 2007!

15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

Afrobella

All About The Pretty

All Lacquered Up

Beauty 411

Beauty Blogging Junkie

Beauty Talk

Beautiful Makeup Search

Beauty Hatchery

Beauty Jones

Blogdorf Goodman

Canadian Beauty

C'est Chic

Coquette

eBeautyDaily

For The Love of Beauty

Give Me Your Eyes I Need Sunshine

Getting Amped

Grayburn

HauteMommaStuff

Koneko's Beauty Diary

Makeup Bag

The Makeup Girl

Miss Whoever You Are

My Life,My Words,My Mind

Legerdenez

Perfumista

Periodic Style

Platinum Blonde Life

Product Girl

Shop Diary

Slap of the Day

Steeping Beauty

The Beauty Alchemist

The Daily Obsession

The Life Of A Ladybug

The Non-Blonde

Urbane Girl

Victoria's Own

We Love Beauty

Okay so its only been a couple of months (six but whose counting) since I started my baby here (a.k.a this blog)...and I've made quite a couple of friends etc. And within the past six months (again, whose counting?) my readership was well over what I had expected. So thank you to those who have read my blog, thatnks to those who have commented, and thanks to those who have linked me. I greatly appreciate it and see you in 2008!

As promised...

As promised here are the pics for my last blog . I love love love my brown boots!!! (Though not as much as my New Juicy bracelet!)

Gift card to:


My baby:




My love:


My new winter love (except mine doesnt have the heel..I live in flats)



HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!!!!

*Merry Birthday to me*

Ahhhhhh...today was a good day! This is one of the first time in a long time I was able to enjoy myself on my birthday. Let's see-
I got:

1. A Victoria's Secret gift card (so excited...I love VS)

2. Black ankle boots (flats)

3. Brown ankle boots (with heels)

4. Money (which is always good)

5. and most importantly my gift to myself...the Lady Juicy charm bracelet from Juicy Couture.

Unfortunately I'm blogging from my sidekick so I can't put up pics just yet...that'll be done soon though.

Those who know me know my love for Juicy Couture. It is my home away from home. I love going there and staring at the charms, bracelets, necklaces, shoes, handbags, and all the other wonders. The fact that they have candy in the store (for free) keeps me coming back also =).

Ok well...I'm going to sit back and enjoy the remaining 22 minutes of my birthday (although I plan on celebrating it for the rest of the week!)

Merry Christmas!

Merry Birthday to all my fellow Capricorns!!

Holiday Windows...

"Holly: Sure. Sure. He's okay. Aren't you, Cat? Poor old Cat.Poor slob. Poor slob without a name. I don't have the right to give him one. We don't belong to each other. We just took up one day. I don't want to own anything until I find a place where me and things go together. I'm not sure where that is, but I know what it's like. It's like Tiffany's.
Paul: Tiffany's? You mean the jewelry store?
Holly: That's right. I'm crazy about Tiffany's. Listen. You know those days when you get the mean reds?
Paul: The "mean reds?" You mean, like the blues?
Holly: No. The blues are because you're getting fat or it's been raining too long. You're just sad, that's all. The mean reds are horrible. Suddenly you're afraid, and you don't know what you're afraid of. Don't you ever get that feeling?
Paul: Sure. Some people call it angst.
Holly: When I get it, what does any good is to jump into a cab and go to Tiffany's. Calms me down right away. The quietness, the proud look. Nothing very bad could happen to you there. If I could find a real-life place that made me feel like Tiffany's, then... then I'd buy some furniture and give the cat a name...I'm sorry. You wanted something. Oh, the telephone."

Ohhh..I do't know what it is exactly but this is the feeling I've been having. Ms. Golightly couldn't have said it better. Lately I've been upset, afraid, sad and for what...I don't know. Well the cure for me isn't Tiffany's (though I do love staring at the place). It's Manhattan-yup...New York City. I know this sounds weird since I live in the city (well...Brooklyn). But there's something about the city that I can't help but love...the busy streets, the fast pace...the stores! While Holly Golightly had Tiffany's, I have Victoria's Secret, Juicy Couture, and SoHo (okay that's not a sore but, gotta love the environment!)

Anywhoo...as I walked aimlessly around Manhattan i started to notice something that I haven't really paid attention to before. THE STORE WINDOWS ARE ABSOLUTELY FAB! All my fave stroes has such ornate displays that I'm actually shocked that I haven't paid attention to this before.

Macy's:
The theme for the Macy's window was the movie "Miracle on 34th Street". It's really cool seeing how realistic the window displays are. They replicate some scenes which I think is really cute.







Looks like I'm not the only one feelin' the green movement. I was passing Barney's New York, it's obvious that they've caught on to the whole green thing. Their window displays are all made of recycled goods.




This window had things made out of MetroCards..that's right- Metrocards!

















A second window display was created from cans and bottle caps. These people are wonderful artists to come up with these things. Check out Rudolph!


















And lastly, this window is made out of acorns. One can't ever be too surprised in NYC anymore. There also a tree with the names/pics of celebs who are part of the cause to help the environment...and all that jazz.


















Bloomingdales:
Bloomingdales partnered up with the Children's Museum of Art (or something like that...I just know it was for kids)for their windows. And since there were sooo many parents taking pics of their kids in front of the windows, it was hard to actually get a good picture. But just know that it was full of colours and made me wish I was a kid again (sorry, I felt the need for a cheesy line). =)
















And lastly...I just got camera happy and started snapping pics of random things. Hey I'm documenting New York City!




Anyways, after walking around for a bit and spending a few dollars (I'm still trying to find a way to enter Victoria's Secret without walking out with a bag) I must say I feel a bit better!

M.A.C Originals

YAYYYYY!!!!!! Okay so it's been a while since I did a beauty review. But I just had to write about this. So I'm on my way home from work and I couldn't help but walk into Macys (I have this thing with Macys...I HAVE to walk by their fragrance/beauty department at least once a week...I know- weird- but I LOVEEE make-up and perfumes). So as I walked by my eyes were immediately drawn to the M.A.C counter. The Originals Collection is here!! For those make up junkies that means the wonderful MAC Parrot will be at your local M.A.C counter...whooooooooooooo!!!! I just loveeeeeeee that shade of blue (Parrot)...see Blogdorf Goodman. I had gotten the email from M.A.C (since I sign up for the newsletter and such) but never even paid attention to it since I had finals.

But for me, I love seeing the looks that they create.

Russian Red:

I LOVEEEEE the red lips on this. I really want to be able pull off the red lip thing but I'm too afraid. My complexion is kind of dark so its often hard for me to pull off the whole red lip thing. Every magazine I read suggests going for a plum and often at time I don't want a plum- I want a red! I know it's possible because when I was little my mom would alwaysss wear red lips and it looked so good on her (but she only wears lipstick and I;m not too keen on lipstick-though it has made a huge comeback). I really also like the eyeliner and the whole cat's eye thing. It's really chic and the type of look I'd do for an elegant night out (not that I have so many elegant nights out). But anywhoo..this would be my "siren" look...






Full On Lust:

I would definitely wear this look for a night out clubbin'. This look is daring and I would luvvvvv wearing this o a night out with my girls. This is why the Parrot eyeshadow is soooo wonderful! I was first introduced to the Parrot last year in MAC but at the time my make up consisted of brown shadows and lip gloss. now that I'm more daring...I'm definitely looking to buy this-umm like tomorrow!












C Thru:

I like this look because this is the type of look I'd pull off last year. very subtle and simple, but oh so sexxyy.
















Avarice:

This is my all time favorite look. It has the sbtle eyes that I'd do but the beautiful lips. I actually bought the Lipglass in Avarice. it's a beautiful shade of pinkish red that looks great on my lips. It the type of red I'd like (only cuz it's not too red...I don't know if that makes anysense whatsoever).












To buy from this collection ou could I either go to your local MAC counter, online at www.maccosmetics.com, or this new site called www.totalbeauty.com.

tootless...I have to go play with my make up collection and drool over the Parrot on the site.

g'nite

Black Halo

Ok so I'm really into the whole elegant without trying look. You know the pieces that are elegant...kind of old school-ish? I really want to own a few pieces like that in my closet. After seeing this brand on so many celebs in InStyle magazine so many times...I decided to do my research.

I really love this shirt..so cute and dressy...

you can wear it with a great pair of skinny jeans


Lola Straights from Lucky brand Jeans (left)
Pamela Straight from Chip & Pepper (right)
















As seen on Mandy Moore on the cover of Lucky Magazine. The top of this dress is silk chiffon with a size zipper. The skirt of this dress is a stretch gaberdine, very similar to that of the Jackie O. The top of this dress is not stretchy.


here are a few other pieces:

This dress is called the Jackie O. It is a good representation of how Jackie O dressed- simple yet classy. Sexy in a demure way...this is my fave dress (and probably the most popular from the collection). I've seen this dress sooo many times...INCLUDING on "The HILLS" Lauren (formerly known as LC on Laguna Beach) wore this dress in on of the episodes.



Other Items:

Again I love the simplicity of the dresses. The black strapless dress is just too cute for words. You can definitely wear this dress for the holidays.


This drape dress is so sexy in person. The fabric is soooo soft...I would love to wear this on a date (should I get one anytime soon...)



Anyways, moral of this story is that Black halo is simple beautiful however on a college student's budget...it is but a dream at the moment.

What do you think of Black Halo?