All About The Pretty

Kissed By the Sun

Loyalty.  I have it bad.  A key word to describe me is loyal. I'm the shoulder to cry on, girlfriend to laugh with, the best travel buddy, and I try live everyday being decent, honest, and kind.  With this I am loyal to those who are loyal to me.  My loyalty is never more present than to Ms. Juanita at Neimans in Houston.  Yes, I live in DC, but for real loyalty I think of home, it's just me.  It's familiar.   Are there rude sales people.  EVERYWHERE, even in my beloved South.  But, for me my loyalty lies in Juanita who I know has been looking out for me in the beauty field for well over 15 years.  Yes, she's that good.  Would she help anyone no matter who they are, YES.  I finally picked up my mail today and after already sending the Bobbi Sandstone, there it was - the new Sun Kissed Palette.  Did I have to call her and ask for it.  Nope.  She knows her "adopted beauty daughter."  We don't have to discuss a lot of Bobbi.  She sends what she knows I will like and knows me as well as my own mother.  Sometimes I don't have to request specific items, it magically appears.  I've already done a first Sunkissed face tonight.  This weekend was a rapid hustle and bustle of celebrating a birthday and hanging out on a beautiful sun-filled Sunday with a great friend.  I was kissed with a great weekend, a fabulous beauty addition, and the fabulousness of Ms. Juanita. 

J'aime Madame Juanita.  (I love Ms. Juanita)

Have a great and pretty start of the week.

Beauty News

Estee Lauder knows how to keep moving progressively in the beauty business.  Aerin Lauder is reinventing Private Collection.  I love this idea because I have admired those Lauder women from afar for so long.  For me Private Collection is my mother.  Every year my father bought her the pure parfum bottle, powder, lotion, body cream and a spray eau de parfum for travel.  I remember as a little girl I would sneak and use it when she wasn't home at night after my bath.  I would hold the bottle in my hands, take the top and put it on my pulse points just like I was taught.  When she would come in to check on me and to pray over me I remember she always said "God, bless my baby who sneaks my perfume."  I would always wake up giggling and tell her how I just wanted to smell like her. 

My brothers and I have tried to keep up since he passed, but they stopped making it.  If I did find a bottle I always picked it up.  Although they are tweaking the original, the new scent will add tuberose gardenia.  I know my mom will love this and because my mom is so wonderful and fabulous I'm going to get her the ENTIRE line - 1 oz pure perfume, eau de parfum spray, solid perfume compact with precious stones, and body cream - basically I could care what it costs, she's going to have them.  Whatever mommy wants she will get.  I can't wait.  I'll be able to purchase them when I'm home visiting in August when it's launched from my beloved Juanita.

Avon:  Christian Lacroix has created two new scents for Avon.  Christian Lacrox Rouge for women and Noir for men.

Bobbi always seems to do it for me with those shimmer bricks and the new Shimmer Brick in Sandstone looks perfect for eyes.  I plan to use some of the colors as highlighters under the brow bone and in the corner of the eyes.  I'll swipe my blender brush on tops for a highlight on the cheeks as well.  This is definitely the "sand" that I'm bringing to the beach next week. 

Ayuz un joli week-end  (Have a pretty weekend)

Golden-Eye

Today is one of those days that I'm thankful for high-thread count sheets and eye masks.  After a few days of burning the midnight oil, which is more like 3am oil, those heavy bags under my eyes look like I ran into a door for the past few days - 36 straight hours of work.  One saving grace is shimmer in the corner of the eyes near the tear ducts.  This has long been my secret savior during trial when I get the same comments, "wow your makeup really looks good.  You don't look like you've only had 4 hours of sleep in three days.  Whether or not your are working hard, hardly working or partying like a rock star, shimmer in the corners will make you feel as though you had 8 hours of the best sleep of your life.  For work, I leave the Sephora Collection Jumbo Eye Pencil in Flesh.  It's a big, fat, gold pencil that you will want to keep at the office for the days you need to look on, even though you know you're off because "just a little dab will do ya."

N.F.L. (Now Featuring League)

Saturday is the N.F.L. draft and I can't wait to see which new players will be going to some of my favorite teams.  So in honor of the draft, here's my beauty draft prospects.  These products are part of my own NFL (Now Featuring League).  Oysters and wine with a good friend.  After an all nighter at the office, this is what I'm looking forward to for the weekend.  It might also be the OT that's coming.  Jacquie and I just reserved our trip to NY in late June.   I must stay at the Hotel Gansevoort and since Jacquie has stayed there and been to the spa, we decided to do a post-trial spa trip. 

The Beauty N.F.L.

1. Kate in a Jar - when I first read about this product I knew I had to have it.  At the time it was only available from her spa, but now she's on QVC.  I wanted to see if Ms. Kate lived up to the hype.  She does and more.  Hopefully, I will be able to make it to her spa when I hit LA later this year.   My shower has never had to go without it and thankfully my face hasn't either. 
2. DuWop Moisturizing Elixirstix - this product is made with true elixir tonics.  Since this week has been brutal I can't wait for my special delivery to appear today.  Energy, Harmony, and Serenity have all been inspiring me to work harder, longer, fiercely because I can't wait to use them.  I love when a box arrives and it's like Christmas only it's during a hellish week and I really enjoy watching Christina on QVC because it's easy to see she really loves products.
3. Liz Earle Hot Polish Cleanser - Beth,a UK resident who is a regular reader personally emailed me and said to buy this product.  I loved how she said that "It's really pushy of me to email a total stranger and recommend something - but that's how good it is!"  Beth, a week and a half ago she was on HSN and I was able to get the Skin Essentials Kit.  After only a few days, I want to say "LOVES IT.  THANK YOU SO MUCH BETH."  It's because of you that my neighbor asked my while picking up my Sunday Washington Post, "whatever you are using I want."  You were right, it's that good.

May the lip gloss be with you and have a very pretty hump day.

Beauty News

Kim Basinger has been named the new face of the Lancaster Skin Care Line.  Lancaster has great skin care, but if you ever get sunburned the After Sun Balm is wonderful for that.  Yes, we brown girls have to worry about the sun too.  My skin was so bad after lying on the beach on the beach last year, that my cousin Cassy was saying "JP you have welts, what's wrong.  This normally happens to me, but I applied this every night after wards and it did the trick.

Sugar Sugar, Bang Bang

There is nothing better than strolling through a mall when you have no clue as to what you're looking for, but you know you're looking for something.  I was waiting for that giddy, I need you in my life feeling.  First I went to Nordies after a quick hello to my favorite people I made my way to Bath and Body Works.  I started the slow stroll of the hunt.  What is it in here that I'm feeling?  What do I want to bring home?  I walked around, took a whiff of the new Limited Edition Moonlight Path fragrance, that wasn't available for purchase yet, and two things jumped out at me.  The first was the Liplicious Lip Glosses.  The name alone is worth the purchase.  2 for $10 made it really hard to decide, but Maple Sugar and Raspberry Jam are giving me a sugar high.  I had to stop sniffing them in the car.  As I tested every single color on my hand, I did an about face and came smack with a pink candle that smelled so divine I almost knocked the stand over.  It was the Sugared Passion Fruit Candle.  I take my belongings up to the register and lo' and behold I had just switched purses and left my wallet at home.  I told the sales lady, to hold those items and I would be back - today.  I marched right through Nordies before borrowing parking money from Diron and Monet, then made the quick dash home.  I really think they were shocked that I came back.  Monet, I'm coming back for that perfume on Sunday after church.  I could not imagine that candle wouldn't be on my bar burning as I watched the NBA playoff games this weekend.  Because work is so crazy the smaller version is providing the "beauty sugar bang" this week at work.

Have a great day.

This Little Hair of Mine I'm Gonna Let it Shine

Why is growing my hair out at the top so burdensome.  I'm truly of the wash and go set.  Anything more than 2 minutes and I start to get ancy.  Let's not even discuss that I'm doing twice daily workouts:  a morning (cardio session) and an evening yoga practice.  I realize now why I gave up long hair.  Working out and a sister's hair do not make a great pair.  Even though I'm addicted to my short hair, I'm also addicted to quality hair products.  I continue to love my Biolage Shielding Shine Mist Spray that I use every day.  Most shine sprays overpower perfume and you end up smelling like a product.  This one doesn't do that.  My stylist suggested using products for color treated hair, even though mine isn't, because she says that these products have added moisturizers specifically made for color treated hair and will keep it healthy.  Worth a try?  What do I have to lose?  So I started using LOGICS Color Nourishing Shampoo and the Biolage Cera-Repair At Home Treatments every other day.  Do I see a difference.  My hair is shining like a night-light and that's all the matters. 

And the Book Club Winner Is . . .

The winner of the book club is The Women Who Raised Me by Victoria Rowell.  I figured since there was a list of five books, we might as well go ahead and read those in order.  Ms. Tarshel, your book is next.

Ladies, please go out and purchase the book.  If you are in the DC area Victoria will be speaking here on May 24.  Let's look to discuss the week after Memorial Day.  That way if people are planning to travel for the holiday they have reading material.

I am looking so forward to this, thank you all for being so supportive.  I truly appreciate this bevy of beauties who read the blog on a consistent basis.

Unforgivable Won't Be Unforgettable

When I first heard that Sean "Diddy" Combs was coming out with the women's scent for Unforgivable, I was a little skeptical.  I think it takes a certain kind of man to pull off Unforgivable.  That is not a scent for a weak man.  I mean weak as in personality.  It's a strong scent and I think of a man who is strong, smart, and very charismatic.  I've smelled it on certain men and really wanted to tap them on the shoulder and say "pick another scent, I need a man's man to wear that."  Of course I didn't, but that's what I was thinking. 

Now with Unforgivable for Women it's being described as a creamy floral, but it won't be available until August.  Sounds like Julia.  There will be notes of bergamot, orange, neroli, pina colada, and orange flower.  Hearts of jasmine, freesia and a dry down of amber, coco de mer and vanilla.  A whole lot going on in a bottle.  It retails from $55-$75.  I know this will be added to the fall perfume list. 

Diddy, do I really have to wait to Press Play?

It's Official

Revlon has hired Jessica Alba and Beau Garrett as their new faces.  Now, if Estee Lauders snags Reese Witherspoon, everything will be alright in my world.

A Pretty Earth

Earth Day is Sunday.  As we all try to do some aspect of going green for the planet, here's a little earth beauty that I've implemented in my own life and I hope it inspires you to do the same.  And if you haven't started watching the Discovery Series Planet Earth it is so worth it. 

• I recycle my empty plastic bottles of lotions, body butters, and lipstick tubes.  We know that MAC has the turn in 6 and get a new lipstick or gloss, but you can recycle most plastic containers at recycling centers.  Not all, but most.  I use empty body butter containers to hold office supplies, such as rubber bands, papers clips, etc.  Make sure to rinse them out really well.
• I stopped using a paper towel everyday to wipe my hands while doing my makeup.  I've been trying really hard to use a hand towel specifically to wipe my hands while putting on my makeup.  I used to wash them after applying tinted moisturizer, then dry them with a paper towel, proceed to eye makeup, and when I touched my face again, re-wash, get another paper towel.  Now, I just use a hand towel designated to wiping makeup off my hands.  It's not much, but for me it's huge.  I love having clean hands with my makeup.  Plus, if I use baby wipes or makeup remover towelettes, I'm still doing the same thing of using a paper product.
• Not running the water while cleaning my brushes.  I used to run the water with every single brush cleaning.  I started using Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner after watching Tricia Sawyer clean her brushes on her website.  Thankfully, it's eased up significantly.

Here's how I got my Earth Day pretty on today.

1. Nature Girl Vanilla and Patchouli Body Wash and Body Butter in Vanilla Litsea Patchouli;
2. In Fiore Kashmir Body Balm;
3. Milani Cosmetics Eye Shadow Quad in Autumn Earth, that green in my contour is so great today with the weather finally breaking into pretty skies;
4. Cargo Suede Blush in Gold Coast; top with a little Bobbi Brick in Brownie
5. Besame Cosmetics Sculpture Lash in Black
6. Tarte Celubutante Dry Oil Spray on Legs; and
7. Tarte Sunglosses (Zach & Kelly).

Today, let's do something pretty for the planet. 

Revlon Update

I was just informed that Jessica Alba is "supposedly" filming a Revlon commercial and representing the brand.  So, they have a starlet, can they fix the product?  Or as Jamie says "Big Lots here we come."

Great Minds Think a Like

Today is the kickoff for The Big Read event here in DC.  The Big Read is through the National Endowment for the Arts and they want to create "a nation of readers."  The book they have chosen is There Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston.  It's one of my favorite books of course - see my list at right.  The first sentence has capitvated me since I first read it:  "Ships at a distance have everyman's wish on board."  Perfection.  I didn't even know that the NEA had this event planned when I thought of the book club, which I'm very excited about. 

You Better Work - Cover Girl

RuPaul, the uber tall man who could make Miss Jay do a twirl had a song called Supermodel back in the day.  Someone must have been listening because the May 2007 Vogue has put the top models of the moment on the cover. 

My pick is Chanel Iman who walked for every major fashion house in the U.S. and Europe. 

Hilary Rhoda from Chevy Chase, MD, Jessica Stam, and Agyness Dean from England just too name a few.  It feels good to see models on the cover of a magazine.  Really good. 

The photos are all courtesy of Style.com.

Q&A: 

Juliana asked me what do I think of the Nars Palette?  I like the NARS palette, but I won't be buying it because the eyeshadow colors are similar to my Armani Gem collection shades for smoky eyes.  The palette is great for traveling because you have multiple choices and multiple products.  Yes, Juliana I'm showing restraint.  Do I want to, not at all.  I want that palette so bad because I love my other NARS palettes.  The only reason I'm showing restraint is because I'm debating this super cute dress for Miami next month and LA this summer. 

G wanted to know why I don't write more about Philosophy products?

G, I just recently wrote about the Philosophy Carrot Cake 3-in-1 product, but I have to admit that I only stick to Philosophy's bath products and fragrances. I have at least 2 of those 3-in-1 products (blackberry is a shower staple).  I love the Gingerbread Man exfoliant , but I'm not a fan of the skincare for me.  I know a lot of people like it and it seems to make them truly happy.  I love the wording on all the Philosophy packaging, but when I think that at 30+ and counting I need to stick to what I believe will give me the best results.  Yes, I rotate my skincare.  There is one product that I can't see giving up.  It's the Natura Bisse Diamond Cream.  I know there's no fountain of youth, but if there was I think Natura Bisse has a drop in this cream.  Maybe it's the cream, but I think it's because I'm really happy.

AATP Book Club

Ladies I'm so excited.  Here's the final list for the book club.  I took the liberty of not listing any book that I have read.  I don't think it will be a lively and interesting discussion if we have read the book before. 

1. The Women Who Raised Me:  A Memoir - Victoria Rowell (recommended by Jamie)
2. Third Girl From the Left - Martha Southgate (recommended by Tarshel)
3. Second Honeymoon by Joanne Trollope (recommended by Julia)
4. No Woman No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley  - Rita Marley (recommended by Miss Kim)
5. The Gilded Chamber by Rebecca Kohn (recommend by Gina)

Update:  Voting closes on Friday at 6pm.  I will put up the selection on Saturday.

I Want You Back. Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

"Oh baby give me one more chance."  I have been going back and forth about whether or not to write this goodbye post to Revlon.  It's hard to let go of a something you have loved since being a kid, but there's a time and a place for everything.  I tried to stay faithful, I tried.  But I have to let you go. 

I recently purchased the Revlon Makeup Eraser Pen which has gotten great reviews from other bloggers, but I don't get it.  It removes makeup as if I dipped a Q-Tip in remover - with oil.  I don't think it's different.  I have been using it for a week and every time I use it there's a spot of oil that it's left where the pen was used.  You can achieve the same with pointed Q-tips dipped in remover.  Next, they created that horrible Limited Edition Collection.  If I wanted "sugar lips," I would put a teaspoon of Domino on them.  Whose idea was this?    "Won't you please let me [the consumer] back in your heart."

Here's is my solution of what I think Revlon she do?

First, go find Cindy Crawford and beg her to come back.  Tell her you made a mistake and that she should be in the ads rocking Revlon Red lips and Cherries in the Snow nails.  Tell her that you were wrong to get on the actress/model/designer/mogul/singer train and because it of that ride you are constantly reporting losses.  Tell her that you understand, even if you don't, the appeal she had.  Create a skincare line for women over 40 that women under 40 would actually want to buy.  "Now since I see you in his arms [other cosmetic companies].  Uh huh."

Then, head to Florida and do the same with Veronica Webb.  You know the first black model to have a contract with you.  Tell her that you will insist that Sam Fine do her makeup with your products.  Reaffirm that her body is still awesome after two kids and the skin, well look at it.  The black ain't cracking yet.  Revlon if you need confirmation, check out Veronica at the Fall 2007 Fashion Shows.  In case you haven't figured it out, she's still FABULOUS.  I'm not the only one who thinks this.  Ben at We Love Beauty feels the same.  Read why they think the lash jewels is just as idiotic as it looks.  Revlon, if you need any more inspiration the Jackson 5 can help take you back.

"Oh baby give me one more chance (show you that I love), won't you please let me (back in your MAKEUP heart), oh darlin' I was blind to let you go (let you go baby and went straight to Sephora); but now since I see you in his arms (other makeup companies)."  Revlon, I Want You Back!

Fat Free Cake Love

I spent part of my Saturday at the beauty floor of Nordstrom.  It was a long day, but so well worth it.  What couldn't be better than spending a day in a beauty department.  I smelled more perfume than should be legally allowed, picked up the Bobbi Tinted Lip Balm in Citrus, but on the way out I make a fast sweep.  I'm still on my red velvet cake high, but I was able to get a piece of carrot cake that won't put an ounce of weight on my body.  Philosophy's 3-in-1 Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath.  Not only is the scent intoxicating, but the proceeds go to Childhelp which is organization that helps abused and neglected.  It's also a Nordie's exclusive.  Not only do you get a yummy beauty product, but you are also contributing to pretty philanthropy, which for me is HUGE.  You can't receive if you hand is never open to give.  This would be a great mother's day present so, "let them eat cake." 

To the wonderful ladies I met on Saturday, thank you for being an example to aging fabulous.  The friends who had a wonderful meal at the Ritz Carlton to take a break from the beauty counter and the fabulous European beauty who told me where to get custom made clothes in France next time I'm there.  I hope you enjoy your cruise.  That beautiful blush you bought is going to radiate from the seas.  To my new beauty junkie in training, Ms. Sara - get ready to have some fun.

Have a great day.

All About the Pretty Book Club

Ladies here is the current list of books recommended as of Monday morning.  I must say I didn't realize that the only books I haven't read are 9-15.  Let's close out the list on Wednesday, April 18 at 5pm.

1. Casting the First Stone - Kimberla Lawson Roby (recommended by Too Glamorous)
2. Color Stories - Mary Lisa Gavenas (recommended by Jamie)
3. Daughter - Asha Bandele (recommended by Too Glamorous)
4. End of Fashion - Teri Agins (recommended by Coach Wife 6)
5. My Sister's Keeper by - Jodi Picoult (recommended by ElleB)
6. The Kite Runner  - Khaled Hosseini (recommended by ElleB)
7. The Memory Keeper's Daughter by - Kim Edwards (recommended by ElleB)
8. The Shirt Off His Back - Parry Brown (recommended by Too Glamorous)
9. The Prisoner's Wife - Asha Bandele (recommended by Johnica)
10. The Women Who Raised Me:A Memoir  - Victoria Rowell (recommended by Jamie)
11. Third Girl From the Left - Martha Southgate (recommended by Tarshel)
12. Intuition - Allegra Goodman (recommended by Julia)
13. Second Honeymoon by Joanne Trollope (recommended by Julia)
14. Love and Other Impossible Pursuits by Ayelet Waldman (recommended by Julia)
15. No Woman No Cry: My Life with Bob Marley  - Rita Marley (recommended by Miss Kim)

You Glow Girl

Ms. Patton how do you get your face to glow?  I was doing my weekly Sunday NY Times reading and came across this striking photo of Paula Patton in the Magazine.  Drop dead gorgeous.  That skin is insane, just as Halle's in her new movie, the Perfect Stranger.  If you have never seen the movie Idlewild, watch it just so you could see Paula Patton transformed through makeup.  It's crazy.  The key makeup artist was Tym Buacharern.  Don't recognize the name, he was the head makeup artist for Dreamgirls.

Ms. Patton - I salute your pretty.

AATP Book Club

I'm so excited from all the comments and emails regarding the virtual book club.  I would like everyone to post at least 3 book suggestions.  Because life is so hectic, let's look for books that truly take us away.   A book where we could get lost in when we make the time for ourselves.  Next Saturday, I will send a reminder on which book we selected and the deadline to have it read and post a comment.

My top 3 choices are:

1. Intuition - Allegra Goodman
2. Second Honeymoon by Joanne Trollope
3. Love and Other Impossible Pursuits by Ayelet Waldman.

Once we get all the titles I will post them and we can make a unanimous choice.  I am so excited.

May the lip gloss and a great book be with you.

Love at First Sight

I remember the first time we met.  It was on the old Neiman Marcus floor in Houston, before the wonderful remodeling.  I hadn't yet realized that this woman, this petite and happy woman would change my life.  It was love at first sight.  I had spoken with her about my obsessions, my loves, my dislikes, and why I am what I am - a beauty junkie.  I remember trying to explain to my father why I gave her so much of me that night - money that is.  The woman was Trish McEvoy.  The product was the first beauty planner she created.  Eventually, that planner led to other planners, and other products.  She called my face chocolate silk.  I called her gorgeous.  When I was out of town one time and couldn't see her, my friend Leslie picked up the slack.  She purchased the Trish porcelain china cup that currently holds her brushes.  Leslie, I thank you.  Every time I pick up a brush out of the cup I think of you.  So, in honor of these two gorgeous women, Trish and Leslie, I open myself to another beautiful interpretation of the No. 9 fragrance.  This time, it's the Blackberry & Vanilla Body Scrub.  Trish, you've given me Sexy No. 9, Wild Blueberry Vanilla candles, and now this.  Where can our relationship go from here?  Back to her makeup counter!

D.E.A.R. Pretty

Today is Drop Everything And Read (D.E.A.R) Day.  I know this is meant for children, but I think it equally applies to us adults.  In the past three weeks I've read It Chicks, Running With Scissors, The Audacity of Hope, and D.V.  Toya has been re-reading and posting about living well from her series - Wear More Cashmere taken from the book.  Next on my reading list is Serve It Forth by M.F.K. Fisher, I Feel Bad About My Neck and the Diaries of Anais Nin (1st book).  So, make time for a little lip gloss, your beverage of choice and a good book. 

Reading - it's so all about the pretty.

Beauty News:  Drew Barrymore is now an easy, breezy, beautiful Cover Girl.  Her print and television ads will appear in January.

Guess Who's Coming to TV

I never thought I would ever wear any beauty product by Kimora Lee Simmons, but Toya (thank you sunshine) made me a convert and I'm loving those sheer lipsticks.  So, for all the KLS lovers she will have a reality show on the Style Network.  If you caught the Style Network's Party Fabulous with Kimora, then you know what to expect.

Perfect Pucker Harmony

Pretty lips are an addiction that I admit to freely.  I'm always in search of something new to add to the arsenal.  No matter what I do or where I go my lips have to be perfect pucker ready.  I was perusing the Sephora website and there she was - Ms. Harmony.  All six colors of her waiting for me to click and add to my cart.  I really want to look like the Master Chef I think I am, so these lip pencils got added as well in Cherry and Bronze.  I have a few of these jumbo pencils from Nars and Trish McEvoy so I can't wait to see how Sephora's stack up.  At this price, they are already stacking up well.  The model Chandra North, a Texan looks awesome in the new catalog too.  If you haven't picked it up, Giada's Everyday Pasta it's a great cookbook with easy recipes for the chef in all of us. 

Beauty News:  Sarah Jessica Parker's new scent Covet will hit stores in mid-July.  Macy's will have a one-month exclusive until the end of August.  The ads were shot in Paris at the Place Vendome, the same hotel as the finale of Sex & the City. 

P.S. Monet, I know you would like the pencils and you were right.  I bathe in my fragrances.  One every morning and a different one each night.  What can I say, I get it from my momma. 

An Up-Lighting Experience

Clinique has finally put their Up-lighting Liquid Illuminator on their site. I haven't really talked a lot about Clinique products because I haven't bought that much from them of late.  Last month, I picked up this Up-lighting liquid and I love it.  I mix it with my tinted moisturizer or my spray foundation depending on how the morning is going.  I picked up Bronze, but since there are 4 shades, there's a color for everyone.  On the picture the Bronze doesn't seem dark enough, but trust me it is and it blends well with foundation.  You can also put it on the brow bone or on the cheeks for highlight.

If you haven't checked out the Jillian Dempsey Color Collection for Avon please do.  I picked up the True Color collection eyeshadow quad in Sandy Corals and it's a great inexpensive eyeshadow collection.  I also bought up the Sheer Glow All Over Face Powder, but I accidentally ordered the wrong color.  I picked the Peach Champagne, but should have gotten the Sandy Corals.  The solution is simply, I am going to grind it up and put it in a jar, with my bronze brick from Bobbi, which I dropped and shattered.  I can't stop from destroying makeup these days, but at least I was able to salvage this.  This combination with yield a dynamic outcome.  I plan to mix with lotion or body butter for my own bronzing powder.  I will also add some more stuff to the mix because I like to play with my products.

I want to shout out to my adorable niece Jermany who sent me a great smelling mango body butter.  Thanks for thinking of me, J, and yes when you come to visit this summer we will go to NY and the first lip gloss is on me.

The Glamour-ous Life

"The glamorous, the glamorous life, (ooh flossy, flossy)."  I'm so excited this morning.  I found out last night, that the lovely beauty glamazons at Glamour.com, have decided to link to the All About the Pretty on their Beauty Insider page.  I found out just as I was heading into a challenging yoga class, it was so hard to get centered.  So, I sat in a seated pose, sniffed my Sephora Super Shimmer Lip Gloss in Sweet Caramel lips, and proceeded into a giddy, luscious lip filled vinyasa practice. "By the Glamorous, oh the flossy, flossy."

Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Pretty Feet

I love nail polish.  I have been lacquering my nails since I was 7 and could only paint on a clear coat of Sally Hansen, but times have changed and so has my nail polish.  I still can't pass a Revlon section without looking at Cherries in the Snow or Revlon Red and thinking of Mama Dear.  If I had approached her with DuWop's Toe Polish with tea tree oil, she would have started to sing "doo waa diddy, diddy dum, diddy do."  She would have said paint them that Slingback, rich red color for some fire. 

Nude nails weren't happening when I was growing up.  I love a nude color, but have been wearing the same 3 shades for the past 5-6 years.  Is it about to change, nope.  I like when it chips you can barely tell.  But baby, my baby love, I need you, oh how I need you.  This is just not a song, it's the name of one of Deborah's new spring shade, Baby Love.  It's a pale pink, which is perfect for the massive exhibits, courtesy of pre-trial work, that I'm about to start doing.  I hate having a perfect set of "done" nails only to find a chip after one day because of going through massive amounts of documents.  Oh how Mama Dear would have loved the new Deborah Lippman Vinyl Collection.  The collection is at Bath & Body Works and it's based on songs that were originally recorded on vinyl.  To my younger readers, before there were cds, cassettes, or 8-tracks, there was vinyl.  My aunt Peepsie still has a record player and there is nothing like going to Lousiana and listening to old Nancy Wilson albums and having a glass of wine with my other mother.  Plus, Deborah recorded a CD to go with the collection.  Her cover of INXS' Need You Tonight is too hot for words.  This picture is of the shade You Give Love a Bad Name after Bon Jovi, which I am rocking on my toes right now.

My favorite products right now for achieving the perfect pair of pretty feet for the summer, along with the above mentioned nail color:

1. Artemis Woman Heel Smoother Pro.  This is wonderful in between those trips to the salon, when you have been walking in bare backed shoes and need a good rub down.  Follow with the Topaz Butter and you will be dancing on the ceiling. 
2. Esthetic Plus Ceramic Pedicure File.  This is the tool to use while you are soaking in the tub, that won't slit your foot, because you really can't get to that dry area on the side like your favorite nail tech. 
3. Airplus for Her.  I drove 35 miles, after church, to the nearest Walgreens to pick up a prescription, get out the city, and I stumbled upon these products.  I put the My Footprint, an insole into my new TB flats.  So comfortable.  I also picked up a few of the Ball of Foot Cushions to go into all my summer sandals and pumps.  What did I do before these gel cushions I have no idea. I also picked up the Spa Therapy Socks, Foot Scrub, and Heel Creme.
   

Even though the "Easter Snap" has caused the weather to drop, we still have to think of the coming months.  Therefore, ladies, raise your right hand and take the oath.  The Open Toed Shoe Pledge, is from my post of last year called Giving Good Toes.

Beauty Triumph

This morning started off rough.  I accidentally dropped my BRAND NEW Laura Mercier Sun Dust Powder in the toilet.  I don't know what happened.  I wanted to sleep in and was rushing in the bathroom and set it aside open to use after I applied my morning facial routine.  My hand accidentally brushed it and it went flying right into the toilet.  I had just pulled back the plastic to expose the powder this morning.  I wanted to cry.  Of course, I had to buy another jar because I can NEVER be without my Sun Dust.  So, I just clicked my mouse two times because there's nothing like Sun Dust.  It should be here next week.  I also added this Smashbox Luminous Beauty Kit that's a Nordstrom exclusive.  Despite a small beauty tragedy there was triumph because I found a new product.  Now, if I could just find the time to watch the Tudors before Sunday all will be right in my world. 

Beauty News:

I know I was singing Usher's Bad Girl yesterday with my new eyeliner.  But will I be singing it in the Fall when he releases a fragrance for men and women.  He's says that the women's scent "represents a woman of mystery and confidence; a woman who exudes sexuality."  The women's scent "has top notes of red currant, pink freesia and apple blossom; a heart of frangipani, apricot nectar, blooming jasmine; and a drydown of amber wood, sensual musk, vanilla orchid and incense."  I'm interested to see how this will smell.  Will it make me giddy with wonder and excitement just like every time I wear my With Love?  I can't wait to find out.

Happy Easter and have a pretty weekend.  I'm trying to decide on my Easter Sunday "beauty" look.  On Saturday night I will peruse through my makeup books to see what look I'll be going for.  I know one eyeshadow will be from my Mark Flip-It Kit in Milan. 

I'm a Bad, BAD Gal

"I  need a bad girl, get at me bad girl."  Usher's Bad Girl.  I just finished It Chicks and because Ms. Tia writes about beauty and is an authority on beauty, the book is full of beauty products, that I haven't used before.  So in honor of It Chicks, I will be writing on one beauty item mentioned in the book that I will be trying and how well it works for me.

This week, it's Benefit BAD Gal Eyeliner Pencil  (p. 34).  I have been using gel eyeliners for a few years and my love affair with pencils comes in waves.  The last kohl pencil I used was one by Lancome because it's the one Diana Ross had on when she was singing in the rain in Central Park.  On the way home last night, I stopped into Macy's and picked this one up.  I was a bit skeptical this morning when I used it.  I didn't know if I would like it and since I have small eyes, I have to be careful with eyeliner.  So I rubbed it across the top of my eyeliner brush.  Yes, I used a brush because I'm just not steady without it.  I wiggled it close to the top of the lashes, added a little gold to the inner corners, mascara and voila - are those my eyes that are popping and look like I've had 10 hours of sleep.  Yep, I'm a Bad Gal.

In other good news.  Tranquil Space Yoga Studio, my other job and the place where I get my yoga on, has been named one of the Top 25 Yoga Studios in the World by Travel and Leisure Magazine.  I'm so proud of everyone at TS, especially Kimberly who continues to inspire me.

Because Ugly Can Be So Pretty

I am so excited because one of my favorite young actresses, America Ferrera, of Ugly Betty is on the cover of the May W Magazine.  How great is this for women of color. I have watched every single episode from the beginning and I love how "must see TV" is full of smart, funny, and beautiful women of all races.  Thank you Salma Hayek for bringing this show to America, no pun intended.  The makeup is courtesy of the fabulous Gucci Westman who transforms this young startlet into lady-like glamour with a light smoky eye and beautiful glossy lips.   

Photo courtesy of Style.com