ELLIS FAAS: Color L101

I just love this formulation because the applicator is amazing and puts the product on precisely, but it finishes in a sort of smooth, perfect matte. It’s surpremely classy. It also lasts a long time and totally worth the $35.00 I didn’t pay for it.

The other color, Infernelle, by Kevyn Aucoin is creamier, more burgandy, and glossy. It seriously feels like butter on the lips.

Here’s the problem…I can’t find this particular product anywhere online. Kevyn Aucoin is sold in places like Barney’s, Nordstrom, Saks, and Macys. Find a store that carries it and ask if they carry this color, or while you there, try on a few more shades. The brand is stellar, in my never-to-be-humble opinion. Here’s the store locator.

These are my absolute, tried and true favorites:

Pro: Goes on like a powder, finishes like a foundation. Doesn’t feel cakey or heavy.

Cons: I seem to get shinier using this and have to blot it about ever couple hours. No biggy though.

Pros: This stuff goes on like velvet. I’m wearing it in this photo:

Cons: The shape of the stick is really wide so you have to be careful not to get outside your lip line and look like Homie the Clown. A lip brush solves that problem. It doesn’t last as long as I would like, and I had to reapply after eating or drinking. Again, no biggie.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, “Lovecraft”

Pros: I’m loving Lip Tar more this year because I’m understanding better how versatile it is. I LOVE this color (one from their new line up) and am using it as a accent to my purple lip color by just dabbing a little in the middle of my lip, and then using it as a check blush. The metallic is amazing and so feminine and fun.

Cons: Lip Tar is not a gloss, so it can feel a little dry going on your dry lips. You can solve this by using a clear gloss base and then putting on color on top. It is gorgeous.

Giveaway!!

I want EVERYONE girl and woman on BB&W to look and feel beautiful. We’ve been talking a lot about that lately. What makes BB&W so different for anywhere else on the web is that we truly care and uplift each other. Write to me briefly about a story you’d like to share with our readership about how you transformed a low self-image around in a healthy and practical way, and I’ll give the best commenter with the most LIKES some goodies from brow geniuses, Anastasia Beverly Hills!

Precision brow tweezers

Clear Brow Gel

Black eye/brow liner

]]> http://www.beyondblackwhite.com/hottest-trends-show-los-angeles-stila-occ-anastasia-beverly-hills-forever/feed/ 18 http://www.beyondblackwhite.com/natural-hair-invention-ever-luxe-therapy-comb/ http://www.beyondblackwhite.com/natural-hair-invention-ever-luxe-therapy-comb/#comments Tue, 12 Mar 2013 01:17:08 +0000 Christelyn Karazin http://www.beyondblackwhite.com/?p=19711 It's rare that you can come across an invention that is so simple and yet so ingenious as the Luxe Therapy Scalp Soother. Fluff your fro and gently soothe your scalp without messing up your style. Me soooo likey.

(Read more...)

]]> It’s rare that you can come across an invention that is so simple and yet so ingenious as the Luxe Therapy Scalp Soother. Fluff your fro and gently soothe your scalp without messing up your style. Me soooo likey.

I first heard of Luxe Therapy at a blog party about a week ago. I thought it looked interesting…like a curved Afro pick. I tried it and it felt so good on my scalp. But then, I decided to use it for styling and it was AMAZING! It made my fine-haired fro ridiculously big without making it frizzy at the ends. I am in love.

The Luxe Therapy comb is the brainchild of Crystal Haynes, who has been a hair stylist specializing in hair weaves and natural hair.

Crystal Hayes, founder of Luxe Therapy

The Patent Pending Scalp Soother, otherwise known as, “the hair weave wearers dream," is another exclusive product from Luxe Therapy.  Having a hair weave herself, Haynes was motivated to discover a safe solution to conquer the notorious "itch" that hair weaves cause.  The Scalp Soother has been praised by actresses Sherri Shepherd, Kim Coles and Regina King, just to name a few.

Here's my 'fro on Luxe...

Price: $10

For more info visit site at www.luxetherapy.com or email luxetherapyproducts@yahoo.com.

Just kidding. I still have to put on lipstick.

I got the scoop on some of the hottest trends this season, made a video, which I’m editing and will eventually get to posting, but I was so excited about some of the products I found I wanted to share.

I guess I’m getting inspired by TheWorkingHomeKeeper and Elegance, because I’m channeling my feminine side and it’s getting a…widely positive response LOL Those ladies of the 1940′s and 50′s got femininity down to a science…it just never goes out of style. (Apparently the ‘Mod’ look is in, but I’ll talk about that in another post because black-people mod and white-people mod is gonna be different).

My go-to hair style is chunky twist outs, eight-10 twists; this is Day Three. Here’s a highlight of some of the products, I’ll list the color numbers I’m using after the jump.

Dorothy Dandridge Look by christelyn-russell-karazin featuring stila lipstick

Anastasia Beverly Hills colorful makeup
nordstrom.com

Gorgeous Cosmetics colorful eye makeup
nordstrom.com

Stila lipstick
beauty.com

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics lip makeup
sephora.com

Anastasia makeup
sephora.com

What’s not listed is my foundation, which is an amazingly light formulation from Make Up Forever. It’s called Pro > Finish, and goes on like a powder-like foundation that never feels cakey or makes me feel like my skin is suffocating. You can use it wet or dry and is buildable depending on how much coverage you need.

I’m wearing color 178.

You might notice in the collage I have a reference to Lip Tar. I LOVE lip tar. But don’t let the name fool you–it’s not just for your lips. I’m using this particular color as a cream blush and it is fan-ta-bu-lous. The tubes last a million years because you need so little.

As for my lips, I’m indeed wearing Stila Color Balm lipstick in Valentina.

But remember ladies, all this make up may be fun, but it does you absolutely no good if you don’t have a clear base in which to start. There’s only so much cover up you can use and you covering those swollen bumps and blackheads aren’t fooling anybody, chica. People ask me a lot about my beauty routine, because at almost 40 I’ve got pretty good skin. And I assure you it’s not just genetics. If I didn’t give it special care, my face would be a mess. Here’s my routine. I use IS CLINICAL/INNOVATIVE SKIN CARE exclusively. Nothing else goes on my skin. Nothing.

This year folks, it is all about pastels, florals, denims, and lace. So, if you feel childish wearing a lace dress, put on a nice floral one instead, and adjourn it with a denim jacket to keep warm on the trendy scene for Spring. Now, I wasn’t too excited for pastels, because I prefer bold colors, however peach and violet are not colors to be overlooked, plus I love cream, it looks great on darker skin tones, and just like Solange Knowles, you can always go bold with florals.

Also, I have great news for those hoarders who still have their 80′s attire and skinny  ”before I had my baby” jeans packed away in their closet. The “skinnies” may not be a conformable fit yet, but work out in order to fit back into those acid wash jeans. They are in style as with many other items of vintage apparel we are recycling from the 80′s. I barely lived the 80′s, so if anyone has a pair of acid wash denims they can give me I would be most grateful. The cost now for good acid wash is pricey. If you are shoe lover I have not forgotten you. The same look applies for shoes. Try floral pumps or flats from Nine West or Aldo, and if you feel that you can pull off a rugged look, brown boots and floral boots are also advisable. And lastly, one crucial piece of advice is invest in good white-t’s, as in white tanks or t-shirts that are of good material, I suggest H&M. They will be extremely handy for coordinating outfits that you can mix and match with the pastel palette. For some of you this is old news and you are already ahead of the curve. But for those of you that are busy like me, or in my case, had a child in September and was unable to get the September issue of Vogue, here is a jump start on the look for next season.

This winter be sexy and smoldering with a natural palette. Glamorize yourself by wearing makeup that reveals you. Take a lesson from a few of this year’s Golden Globe winners.

Why we all might be fuming that we will never look like Halle Berry, it is not impossible to achieve her nude look.

For the shadowy eyes, go with brown, bronze, or gold eye color, and apply black eyeliner and mascara that naturally defines, but adds a flare of drama.

Try Sephora’s “Moonshadow Baked Palette – In The Nude,” and Mac’s Haute and Naughty Lash, for eyes and lashes that will look naked, but still shimmer and have the right amount of intensity.  For lips, steal from Golden Globe nominee Kerry Washington, and actress Rosario Dawson’s flawless wears of pale pink.

For Rosario and Kerry’s pale perfect pink lips, a great choice would be Mac’s “Please Me, muted- rosey-tinted-pink” lipstick.

Pale pink is a perfect addition to the natural palette. It blends wonderfully and adds a touch of color. As for a nude color, I recommend my personal favorite, Nars, “Bilbao” lipstick. Your lips will look bare and still stand out.

Try using this nude palette this winter for a face that seems effortless and flawlessly natural.

While a face in the buff is one of my favorite looks, a pop of color is often essential, and when it comes to fashion for this winter season, brightly colored patterns and a splash of neon are what’s in.

Though many of us cannot afford Solange Knowles’s Roberto Cavalli printed suit, we can easily buy printed material to brighten our casual wear.

Affordable printed trousers are available at H&M, and colorful platforms are accessible at Nine West.

Also in this season is a touch of neon. At this event Alicia Keys adds the right amount of pop by wearing a bright neon blazer.

To really simplify the matter try Gap’s, “minna sodawash T,” in a raspberry or neon flamingo, with a pair of jeans and mid-low heels, to look causal and sexy. Also, brightly colored pants can easily take an outfit to another level. Try American Apparels riding pants also in a raspberry, or imperial purple.

To really simplify the matter try Gap’s, “minna sodawash T,” in a raspberry or neon flamingo, with a pair of jeans and mid-low heels, to look causal and sexy. Also, brightly colored pants can easily take an outfit to another level. Try American Apparels riding pants also in a raspberry, or imperial purple.

I hope these suggestions give you some insight and charisma in case you are stuck on ideas this winter season.

What it is

Barlean’s Omega Swirl is an emulsified fish oil or flax seed formula that delivers the necessary Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids that nutritionally support:

• Heart Health
• Cholesterol Levels Already Within a Healthy Range
• Joint Mobility and Bone Density
• Energy and Endurance
• Skin, Hair and Nail Health
• Mental Health, Wellness and Acuity
• Blood Glucose Levels Already Within a Healthy Range
• Sexual and Hormonal Health

Here’s the thing: Barlean’s formula does all that stuff without the awful fish burps you get from traditional fish oil caplets. Plus, they’re the only manufacturer I’ve seen that can deliver the nutrients into something truly tasty. The Babster loves the coconut pineapple and eats it like candy. As for me, I just bought the chocolate/raspberry Essential Women’s formula, with evening primrose, flax seed oil, and soy isoflavones. Flax seed oil and fish oil are pretty much interchangeable, because they both provide the chain of Omega 3 fatty acids. Except with flax, your body will have to take the extra step to convert it.

I’m upping my Omega intake because research shows it’s beneficial for the hair, nails and skin, plus assists with mood regulation. They also assist in anxiety and mood disorders, which I have, and manage.

I got the idea after reading The Belly Fat Cure, when the author, Jorge Cruise, recommended Omega Swirl and Clemmy’s ice cream, both of which are sugar free. A scoop of vanilla Clemmy’s and a squirt of Essential Woman, and I’m getting my Omegas and female-friendly oils all at once. And note: even though this is an “oil,” it’s highly emulsified and has the consistency of a sauce. If you can rid your mind of the thought of putting fish oil on your ice cream, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

While the “sauce” looks more chocolate than raspberry, the berry taste is prominent and the chocolate is more of an end note. If you want a more chocolatey taste, mix a little sugar-free chocolate sauce and then…yum.

However, having tried all of the flavors, my TOP pick is the strawberry banana. If you’re interested, now’s probably the time to buy some because more stores are having their New Year’s resolutions sales. You can find them in the refrigerated section where they keep the probiotics.

That’s because I really, really, really, really, REALLY like doing my hair, and I like experimenting with all sorts of products and do-hickeys that promise soft, shiny, Rapunzel-esque hair. I also have three daughters, so that four curly heads of different kink degrees with different needs. We all know that one size does not fit all when it comes to hair care, so that’s what I keep telling myself to justify my compulsive product collecting.

I also have this blog as a legit excuse to try new things so I can report back to you, thus get a tax write-off at the end of the year, which only serves to feed this out-of-control addiction with all the lame rationalizations I tell myself for why it’s really okay for me to spend $300 for a blow dryer. After all, it’s for research.

One such episode happened a couple weeks ago when I saw something on Hautelook that I’d never seen before. A product by Jose Eber that uses infra red light and ultrasonic waves to break down any leave-in conditioner and oils into micro particles so that they penetrate the hair shaft. It new to the market, so this might actually be the first review of this product. Apparently it made it’s debut at Cosmoprof North America 2012, because it made the list of notable new products.

Jose Eber is also launching a conditioning iron, Therapy Rx Moisture Boosting Tool, which uses high-frequency, ultrasonic vibration to break conditioners and oils to molecule-size particles to ensure maximum penetration into open hair follicles.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, but just gimme a second to explain. Here’s the schpeil:

Damaged hair is caused by many factors. Heat styling, chemicals, bleaches, perms, environmental conditions like air pollution and sun, all contribute to unavoidable damage. This leads to hair that looks and feels dry, brittle, and overworked, making it harder to style and less attractive. The José Eber Therapy RX Moisture Boosting Tool is designed to combat all these damaging elements. Regular use will guarantee softer, silkier and more manageable hair than ever possible.

So can El Jose make such a claim? Well…yeah. Recent research supports that infra red light improves skin and hair health. The science is pretty complicated, but if you click here, it’s about as best an explanation you can get.

Now I bet you’re wondering if it worked for me. It did, and I almost can’t believe it. Yesterday I washed and conditioned my hair, then applied my leave-ins and then applied the tool according to the directions. Little pieces, three passes.

Look at all those white girls flipping their hair. We all know that results do vary, do we not? I’ve only used this product once but the true test was the fact that my hair, in it’s natural state, is so porous that I have to wet my hair and then seal with an oil, sometimes more than twice a day. It’s been 24 hours and I’ve not have to spray or oil, because my hair feels so pliable and moisturized, like, to the core. It feels less like a Brillo pad and more like a lamb’s tail. We’ll see how well it works when I do my end-of-the-month length check, and then I’ll let you guys be the judge on whether you can see a change in the condition of my hair.

I think this could be the missing link for a lot of natural heads who struggle with dry, brittle hair, which is why I want to pass the information along. It’s worked for my hair, Clo Clo’s and The Babster’s, with impressive results. Clo Clo, who has waist length hair (when straightened) noticed that after the treatment her hair wasn’t frizzy or dry. She was happy that she didn’t have to put her curly locks into a ponytail for fear of being mistaken for a two-legged lion on the loose. She’s happy, so no regrets dropping the dough for this at the Karazin house.

UPDATE: Here’s a demonstration I did yesterday.You can see my next day hair at the end of the video.

Here’s my hair the morning after…

So if I’ve sold you on how great it works, you’d better hurry up and get it at Gilt, because they’re selling it for $95, but you only have 6 days and three hours left. The item has a lifetime warranty so…you’re good. If you think one hundred bucks is steep, try paying $259, which is the regular price of the thing.

There’s nothing like a woman in pink. Dark, smokey eye, long lashes and bedroom eyes, pink blush, and pink, shimmery lips are oh-so-sexy and oh-so-feminine. But like reds, pinks can be tricky depending on your skin tone. While light-skinned sisters can wear paler pinks, mocha ladies should go for darker pinks lest their lips might end up looking like they’ve just kissed a jelly doughnut.

That’s usually the case for me, with one exception — COVERGIRL Blast Flipstick #800. I became intrigued with the Flipstick when I saw Sofia Vergara singing it’s praises with that thick, Latin accent I love.

One side of the Flipstick is a solid color, and the other side gives a shimmery overlay for extra “ooomph.” I like the shimmer top because it adds depth and dimension to an otherwise flat lip color. I’ve since bought three shades total … first the brown/bronze, violet/violet shimmer, and now the pink/pink shimmer.

But I’ll be honest, if BlogHer hadn’t asked me to review the pink I think I would have passed. It looked really light in the package, and I was afraid my lips would look chalky. I was pleasantly impressed.

Here’s why I think it works: the pigments have warm undertones that jibe well with my dark skin with yellow undertones. The formula is also sheer so both colors don’t come on too thick and overpower my face. The sheerness of the formula has a downside, though. It doesn’t last very long. You’ll end up have to reapply the lipstick about three times a day, or after every meal for sure. But for just $10.79, most of you won’t be crying about that.

I also like that you can use either the matte side or the shimmer side separately, for you ladies who want to keep it simple at work and then jazz it up a happy hour, this is a great choice. If you don’t want to apply and reapply the shade ever couple hours or so, you might want to try to incorporate a lip liner. For a softer look, use a brown lip pencil, or purple if you want a little pop.

Be sure to visit pgtryit.com to learn how you can stay in the know when it comes to beauty, family and home. Here, you can also learn more about our Trend Trio, rate products and watch fun and innovative ìhow-toî video tutorials.

To enter for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card sponsored by BlogHer, answer the following question in the comments. Each comment posted generates an automatic entry into the sweepstakes. How would COVERGIRLÆ Flipstick fit into your everyday life?

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
“b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the
following unique term in your tweet message: “”#SweepstakesEntry”"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post”
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 12/6 to 12/31
Be sure to visit the P&G Have You Tried This Yet? brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggersí reviews and find more chances to win!

Beyond Black and White

The holidays are quickly upon us, and chances are, you’ll be invited to at least one gala this season. What will you do when you’re expected to dump those sweats and slap on some makeup? Better take inventory, fast.

Set Your Palette

Before you put one brush of makeup to your face, make sure you’ve got your skin primed and ready. Start the night before with a good exfoliator to slough off spent skin to achieve a holiday glow. There’s a variety of choices available to rid yourself of dead skin, but I tend to go for the less-gritty and less-messy fruit acid-based exfoliators. I’m using a Revitalizing Facial Peel. It’s got glycolic acid and retinyl which does wonders for skin of a… certain age. Use it twice a week before bedtime and you’ll wake up with softer, smoother, plumper skin, with that “glow.”

The Eyes Have It

Here’s an often-overlooked step women miss when it comes to dressing up their eyes–get the red out. A couple of drops of redness relieving eye drops will contract ugly blood vessels in the eyes and make them appear whiter and brighter. Whiter, brighter eyes make you look more youthful and amplify your makeup.

Beef Up Your Lashes

The quickest and most efficient way to get your eyes to “pop” is with falsies. Unfortunately for me, I just can’t make these things work for me. The glue sticks to my fingers and both sides of the fake eye lashes, then by the end of the night the sides start to lift, which is super embarrassing. I’ve tried the eye conditioners that claim to grow your own lashes, and some of them work, but most are just “meh” for me. That leaves good old mascara. COVERGIRLÆ Clump Crusher Mascara is an affordable option. Don’t let the skinny brush on the wand fool you–your eyelashes will pop after a few flicks of your wrist. The tiny, tight spacing of the wand is the selling point because the shape keeps clumps at bay. As a result, COVERGIRL Clump Crusher Mascara gives you 200% more volume than previous COVERGIRL LashBlast Mascaras and leaves zero clumps, even after 30 strokes.

Don’t Forget Your Hands!

Besides your eyes, another top feature not to forget is your hands. Put on a statement ring on any finger except your thumb or ring finger (why cause confusion if you’re single and looking?) Don’t forget to throw a little paint on those nails after you file them. If you have short stubby nails like me, opt for a lighter color. Got nails long and strong? Go bold. I’m a sucker for purple, but the popular darker shades just accentuate how dang short my nails are. That’s why I got really excited about CoverGirlÆ Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss, because 1) you can skip a bunch of steps– no need for base coat or top coat because the formula provides all you need in a polish and gives you glossy nail color for up to a week without the need for a top coat!, and 2) they have a lovely light lavender color that makes my nubbin fingernails look decent enough to show in public.

Visit COVERGIRL on YouTube for more great ideas on how to get red carpet ready!

What makes YOU feel ‘red carpet ready’ and what are YOUR go-to tricks?

Enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card sponsored by COVERGIRL!

Rules:
No duplicate comments.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion, including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: #SweepstakesEntry and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to respond, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 12/4 – 12/31.
Be sure to visit the COVERGIRL brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggersí reviews and find more chances to win!