In my black lipstick wearing, Indian bindi experimenting Gwennabe teenage days, I was practically obsessed with anything glittery. Especially makeup. I even went so far as to buy a little pot of glitter from the stationary store and experiment with making my own fabuleaux glitter eyeshadow. Epic fail. And all the time I was lusting over the Hard Candy cosmetics I saw advertised in my Seventeen magazine. When I finally migrated in the last year of teenagerhood, I made it my business to buy some Hard Candy glitter eye pencils.

My inner teenager squealed with delight at the online rumors of Hard Candy’s untimely demise that swirled around today. As it turns out — according to Miss-Roboto, Hard Candy is still here to stay. Yay!

The company currently has massive overstock, and is selling their products online only — so they’re offering ridiculous 75% off deals on their makeup! This is the perfect opportunity to splurge on yourself with something youthful and bright, or to score gifts for the younger bellas in your life. Glitter eye pencils for $3.63 cannot be beat. And for $5.50, the Secret Stash makeup kit is an incredible steal.

And I know some of you bellas mark your calendars for this! It’s the Miss Jessie’s Buy one Get One Free sale!

Starting this Friday — November 21 through December 31, you can get a BOGO deal on everything Miss Jessie’s has to offer. I have my eye on the new Creme de la Curl shampoo and Creme de la Creme conditioner. The cleansing creme is sulfate free, and the conditioner’s loaded with castor oil. I know Titi’s been working on this for a while now, so I’m sure it’s good stuff.

Do you know of any sweet deals happening in the hair and makeup world? Let me know!

Hola bellas!

I love the responses I’ve been getting from the most recent giveaways I’ve had — first Ododo, and now the Celebrating with Curls transitioning diva giveaway. I asked you to answer the question, why are you a transitioning diva? And Mahisha Dellinger, founder of Curls chose five lucky winners. Normally I just list the winners, but I’d like to also share their answers. They were really beautiful and inspiring.

# 1 - CurlyBrain, who wrote “I am a transitioning diva because I had brain surgery in August08 and lost a lot of hair. The doctors shaved my hair in different sections (operation site) and since my recovery I’ve been all naturale.”

# 2 — myblkbrrynme said “I am transitioning because I want to be liberated. I want to finally embrace my rich heritage. I am transitioning because I no longer want to seem ashamed of where I come from. I am transitioning because I never had a say so in whether I wanted to become chemically relaxed because my mother felt that it would be more manageable. I am transitioning for my daughter because I want her to be able to embrace her natural beauty at a young age and not follow the beat of anyone else drum, but her own. I am transitioning because I have always admired natural women of color for their poise and class. They seem to always stand out from the crowd as if they are saying “Look at me. I AM BEAUTIFUL.” I am transitioning because I am just tired of my scalp suffering and the holes in my pockets becoming deeper due to the rising costs of relaxers. I am transitioning because I know that I am beautiful just as I am. Love me or hate me. I am who I am. I am transitioning because no one sets my standard of beauty. I am beautiful with straight, kinky, coily, nappy,or coarse hair. I am transitioning as a symbol of hope and progress. On November 4th the history of the U.S.A transitioned and I CHOOSE to transition as a symbol “Change” that Obama will give to our great nation. It’s a new day and a new me! Get on board my sistas! Get on board!”

# 3 — Ana explained, “I am transitioning because I remember looking in the mirror as a child and believing that I was beautiful just as I was, no chemicals, no makeup and nothing that God did not give me.

That is why I am transitioning back to the Beauty, God gave me.”

# 4 Liberty Hultberg said “I was adopted as an infant, a bald, fair baby, and grew up with in a rural, all-white town. I thought nothing of “color” until my hair began to grow out and racial threats snuck their way into my life—a probable KKK member inching his car alongside me as I walked down the dusty street, a boy from school whose spit on my cheek caused me to run home and look up the word nigger to see what he meant. Even at a young age I knew it was because of my hair, that something about that hair was wrong. And so I accepted that hate and detested my hair, hot tears burning my face as I pulled at the tangles and prayed for a miracle to make it straight. In high school a miracle came when a sympathetic beautician introduced me to Straight Talk (a very damaging relaxer that is marketed for whites’ hair), and I began the chemical castration that would continue for many years. With this relaxer, along with a flat iron and bleach, I was finally the girl who had perfectly straight, perfectly normal, perfectly acceptable blonde hair. The hair of a white girl. The right girl.

But I’m doing it. I’ve been chemical-free for about a year now, but I’m still trying to figure out what products to use on this new hair. There are days I just want to give up and consider going back for just a little help, just a few chemicals. I am trying to get to know that part of myself that has been silenced for all those years. I am searching for my father, too, and hope that when I find him he can be proud that I am an Afrobella, that I am learning how to love the hair he gave me as it was meant to be.”

And # 5 MzPoetic explained, “I’m not transitioning (I’ve been natural for almost a year and a half :0), but I just wanted to comment on my love of the Curls line. When I was new to natural, Curls was one of the first product lines I tried. I’m so glad I did b/c I found my first holy grail product, Curls Whipped Cream. Whipped Cream is the best thing since sliced bread. All of the textures on my head respond well to it. I’m a 3c/4a combo with a little 4b by my ears on each side. It smells good. It’s rich and thick. Moisturizing and defining. Great for the winter months (although I use it year-round), and also great on twists!”

So there you have it — the five winners, specially chosen by the creator of Curls herself! Congratulations to all of you! I will be in touch via e mail to get your real names and mailing addresses, so we can get your Transitioning Diva Kit on the way.

Thanks so much to Mahisha and Curls for the opportunity, and to all 79 of you bellas who wrote in with such eloquent responses.

And as I always tell you - if you didn’t win this giveaway, fret not! I’ve got some really good ones coming up, especially for the holidays! And if you’re curious and haven’t tried Curls yet, what are you waiting for?

The holidays are fast approaching, and if you’re like me, you always gotta save a little room for yourself on your shopping list. After splurging on everyone else, it’s only fair that you show yourself some love, am I right bellas? One of my favorite self-indulgent purchases is perfume. I prefer to buy my own, because scent is so subjective. What smells like hot basura to me might smell like heaven to some other bella, and so much is based on body chemistry. These are five scents on my shopping list, and you just might want to add to yours.

1. Carol’s Daughter Pearls. When I heard about the new scent from Carol’s Daughter, I got excited. Whenever I want a layering scent that makes me feel and smell yummy, I still reach for that Almond Cookie. And the description of Pearls just sounded heavenly. According to the CD website, it “…sparkles with lemon verbena and the luscious aspect of apricot and peach. The fragrance evolves into a voluptuous floral heart of intoxicating jasmine, rose and violet leaves topped off by warm vanilla and sweet caramel.” Sounds delightful, right?

Bellas who want a sneak preview should pick up a copy of Essence Magazine - there’ll be a two page spread in December’s issue, complete with a scent strip. But of course scent strips don’t tell the whole story of how a fragrance will unfold on you — so I suggest you head to Sephora for a spritz.

On me, Carol’s Daughter Pearls was tropical and fruity at first — definitely smelled that peach note right away! Then an hour or so later the lush florals unfold, leaving me smelling like jasmine caramel goodness. I really like it. And for $45, it’s a sweet deal from a company long loved by the afrobella community. Hats off to Lisa Price once again!

2. White Patchouli by Tom Ford. Tom Ford. Erykah Badu. From the moment I laid eyes on this advertising campaign, I knew I had to get my hands on a bottle.

A small one (1.7 oz) costs $92. A big one (3.4 oz) is $138. I haven’t even been so lucky as to smell this yet, but reviews reveal I might be pleasantly surprised — it’s described as restrained, smooth, spicy, and according to Now Smell This: “White Patchouli is minimalist chic… I’d dress White Patchouli in New York black: trousers, a black turtleneck and boots, big sunglasses, sleek hair, one big piece of jewelry. It’s beautifully done, and I find it perfectly accessible.” It sounds like the every day scent I’ve been looking for, but because it’s pricey, this will go on my list to Santa. Santa = my husband, duh.

3. Harajuku Lovers by who else? Gwen Stefani. Like Margaret Cho and my friends at Racialicious — I gave a big side-eye to Gwen Stefani in 2006 when she emerged with her Harajuku Girls, four dancing, mostly silent Japanese women who have moved on from just being Gwen’s dancing posse to now becoming part of her growing fashion and beauty brand. I hope Maya Chino (”Love”), Jennifer Kita (”Angel”), Rino Nakasone (”Music”) and Mayuko Kitayama (”Baby”) are being paid well for their efforts. Now there are perfumes being sold with their likeness as the bottles, and I must admit — the fifteen year old girl inside me thinks they are super cute.

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On today’s News and Notes blogger’s roundtable, I discussed the possible appointment of Hillary Clinton to the position of Secretary of State, the emergence of racist responses to Obama in Europe, and the fact that over one million people are expected to celebrate Obama’s inauguration in the chocolate city!

I shared the panel with Rob Redding of Redding News Review and Charles Robinson of Charles Black Politics Blog, and it was moderated as usual by the lovely Farai Chideya, who kicked butt on Bill Maher recently. Go Farai!

Click here to listen to today’s News and Notes blogger’s roundtable. And tell me what you think!

I am still so proud that America saw beyond race and chose the man I considered to be the best candidate — Barack Obama — to be the next President of the United States.

His victory sends a huge message to the world, that America is indeed a country of tremendous opportunity and promise. The struggles of folks like the Lovings — and Barack Obama’s own parents who surely faced judgment for their relationship in their time as well — have paid off in visible and real ways. We have come so far in terms of civil rights, and this past election was proof of that.

But in terms of equal rights, I believe that this country just took a real step backwards — in Arkansas, where a law passed to prevent unmarried couples from adopting or serving as foster parents, in California with the passage of Proposition 8, and in my state of Florida where Amendment 2 passed. As someone who’s in a marriage that would have once been deemed illegal, I find the parallels between this country’s attitude towards interracial marriage and same-sex marriage to be dismaying and disheartening. And I am not alone — the late Mildred Loving felt the same way, and spoke out in favor of same-sex marriage before she passed away this year. “I believe all Americans, no matter their race, no matter their sex, no matter their sexual orientation, should have that same freedom to marry… That’s what Loving, and loving, are all about,” she declared.

Growing up in the Caribbean, I think I’ve heard just about every argument against homosexuality, every derisive slur, every religious condemnation. Sometimes it feels pointless to argue against people who believe insane things, who act like somehow being gay makes you less of a person. All I can do is assume that they didn’t grow up around gay people. They didn’t have gay relatives or friends. They couldn’t have — otherwise they’d understand that being gay is not a choice. It’s not something you wake up and decide to be, to be shocking or edgy. It is who you are born to be, same as I was born to be a black woman. They would understand that gay, straight, black, white, Latin, Asian, whatever you are - people are people, with the same emotions and needs that we all have.

Seeing the subtle and not-so-subtle discrimination that my gay friends and relatives have endured has had an effect on me. It’s made me jaded towards the “religious” arguments against homosexuality.

I can’t fully understand how someone could call themselves Christians, or spiritual, or “good people,” and say that they believe in a loving and just God, but then simultaneously pour down such fire and brimstone judgment on others because of their sexual orientation. It reveals stunning hypocrisy, in my view.

I have noticed that those who condemn homosexuality tend to pick and choose their Biblical verses very carefully. The verses chosen always come from The Book of Isaiah, or Kings, or Leviticus. Very seldom do these folks consider Matthew, chapter 7 verse 12, the Golden Rule, in their arguments — “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” Or John chapter 8 verse 7 — let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.

I guess these people consider themselves to be without sin, and therefore capable of judging others. But to be really real with you — I don’t believe religious arguments should even matter in this arena. In a country that purports to embrace the separation of church and state, I honestly don’t get how the California Supreme Court decision that recognized same-sex marriage in California as an equal right could be overridden. It is disturbing and scary to me that the rights already granted to the citizens of California could even be taken away, even by a popular vote. I can’t imagine how it would make me feel, if Loving v. Virginia was somehow, someday revoked.

Marriage is such a special commitment. But according to information at DivorceRate.org, 50% percent of first marriages, 67% of second and 74% of third marriages end in divorce. There are drive through wedding chapels, so if you’re wasted and whimsical in Vegas you can make two bad decisions at once. I’ve known people — Catholics, mind you! — who have had two or three divorces. We watch and cackle at reality television competitions that steer couples towards the altar and end with a rose ceremony — and often, a ring and an on-bended-knee proposal of marriage. So it makes me laugh when straight people say things like marriage is sacred, when it’s been made into such a mockery by so many.

Then you’ll hear arguments like, “I don’t have a problem with gay people, let them be together… call it a civil union, just don’t call it marriage.” Why not? I don’t believe that allowing same sex couples to get married in any way diminishes my own marriage. How on earth would granting the right of a man and another man, or a woman and another woman to be legally joined, affect me? Quite simply, it doesn’t.

I agreed completely with Keith Olbermann’s special comment on Prop 8. I thought his passion was palpable, his words eloquent, and his meaning clear.

I believe that love is love. And people are people. I believe that if two consenting adults love each other and want to get married, they should be able to.

In the meantime, the Proposition 8 movement is provoking expression from wonderful and unexpected sources. Brilliant comedian and former Afrobella of the Week Wanda Sykes had spoken out humorously about gay marriage before, in her stand up special. But because of Prop 8, she is now one of very few black celebrities I can think of who has come out of the closet. Wanda just revealed that she herself has a wife. And I bet they are an adorable couple!

In Wanda’s own words: “Gay is not a choice. That’s like telling me I chose to be a woman, I chose to be black…I am proud to be a woman, I’m proud to be a black woman, and I’m proud to be gay. Now let’s go and get our damn equal rights!”

Anna Quindlen’s great Newsweek essay, The Loving Decision outlines the similarities, and reveals the inevitiability that someday soon, there will be a Loving vs. Virginia for same sex marriage. It’s only a matter of time. Someday, it will seem crazy that same sex marriage was once deemed illegal. Someday. In the meantime, we’re in for more protests and anger, heartbreak and struggle, here in America the land of the free and the home of the brave.

I am not a blogger of color alone in lamenting the passage of Prop 8 and Amendment 2. Jack and Jill Politics, Pam’s House Blend, Incredible Juju, Racialicious, Acts of Faith, That Girl Has Issues, Noctuary, and Simply Fred Smith all did wonderful, informative, eloquent posts examining race and it’s place in the passage of Prop 8. They are all worth a read. And FYI, I got the photo above from this pro-same sex marriage Facebook group.

I expect this to be the kind of post that provokes comments with vastly differing opinions. Please feel free to express yours, but I ask that you remain respectful in doing so.

What are your views on this very hot button issue, bellas and fellas?

One thing I try hard not to be, is judgmental. And when I read the story of Asha Mandala — the Trinidadian born woman who had set her sights on becoming the Guinness World Record holder for the World’s Longest Dreadlocks, I saw nothing but judgment. The Orlando Sentinel article provoked 75 comments, many of which were hateful, racist, and disheartening. Don’t click the link if you want to have a happy day.

When I blogged about Asha Mandala’s marvelous hair on Afrobella, she faced judgment from commenters for a different - more valid reason. In the accompanying YouTube video, Asha made a regrettable statement, attributing her hair growth to — quote-unquote — “good hair.”

Cue the cast of School Daze dancing in my head.

Quite a few of you took umbrage with Asha’s statement, and she came right on this here website and addressed it herself. Take it away, Asha!

“Greetings my sisters and brothers. I stand humbled at all replies and comments both positive and negative towards my locks from the “Guinness World Record Attempt” story..
I am pleased that so many people like my locks and the story….however i do want to apologize for the comment that was made about (mixed culture) helping me grow good curly hair. I meant no harm or disrespect to anyone’s hair texture and the comment/reference was taken out of context.

Ashazulu”

I was really happy to hear from Asha, and I’m glad she addressed the issue. The truth is, terms like “good” and “bad” hair should be completely done away with. And the people who still say those things should consider - who defines what’s good or bad? Why would anyone label the hair that grows out of your head, that you were meant to have, as “bad?”

To me, the only definition of “good hair,” should be hair that is strong and healthy.

I love the sentiment of this Zazzle teeshirt — I got good hair. I got African in my family.

What say you, bellas?

Asha, thanks again for addressing the issue for Afrobella readers. And congratulations on achieving your goal!

It’s noticeable to me because I am part of a vibrant and growing community of beautiful bloggers of color. So instead of sitting idly by and observing these totally subjective male-decided top ten beauty lists go by, I decided to start my own celebration.

There are so many beautiful black bloggers out there with beauty tips to share. Allow me to introduce you bellas to some of them — beginning with the one, the only Zandile Blay of The Blay Report!

Zandile hails from Ghana, and she’s made a big name for herself as a style and culture writer. Her articles have appeared in InStyle, Vibe, the much-missed Vibe Vixen, and Seventeen magazine, and she’s styled shoots for Lucky Magazine and Polo.

I had originally reached out to Z. Blay for her tips on this Ask Afrobella especially for dark skinned bellas, and right after a jaunt to Milan for Fashion Week, she took the time to tell me about her beauty regimen. And she sympathized with New Beginnings, who had a tough time finding makeup in her perfect shade.

“I definitely feel her pain. I don’t know what she means by “dark skinned” as it’s all really relative - but i know what its like to go to a makeup counter where the shades just don’t match. That’s probably one of the main reasons why I avoid make up all together and just focus on skin care,” Zandile explained. She takes a more holistic approach to beauty.

“Instead of layering on foundations and bronzers, etcetera, I just make sure that I stick to a skin regime that keeps my skin looking fresh, radiant and as flawless as possible.” Sensible and smart! Any favorite products?

“My brand of choice is 3Lab skin care. i use their face moisturizer, skin toner and face wash daily.”

I had never heard of 3Lab before Zandile mentioned it, and this stuff sounds great! But it’s not cheap, at $65 for 2 oz of shine stop moisturizer, and $45 for a 6 oz bottle of cleansing gel. So I assume this stuff is beyond amazing - look at how her skin just glows!

Alright Z - tell me about your makeup!

“I limit myself to lip gloss , my fave brand is Shu Uemura. And mascara — Dior Show.”

I love Shu Uemura’s glosses myself — the deepest purple is so hot for this season. And
I’ve been meaning to treat myself to Dior Show for a minute now — might have to spring for that limited edition only in Sephora plum shade for the holidays!

And bellas, that’s the beauty gospel according to Zandile Blay. You can catch up with her over at The Blay Report. And keep on reading Afrobella for more tips from your favorite black beauty bloggers!

Thanks for the head’s up from regular Afrobella reader ceecee — Zandile has a great interview on YouTube that she didn’t mention! So gorgeous.

One of my favorite online magazines — OK, my FAVORITE online magazine, is Clutch Magazine. When I was just a new blogger on the block, the editor Dede saw potential in me and featured Afrobella on their site. It meant the world to me and the lovefest is mutual - Clutch has been tremendously supportive of me and I am happy to shout to the world how great Clutch is any time. And now Clutch has taken it to the next level, by launching a new redesigned site! Click here to check them out!

Clutch has now gone bimonthly, and they just launched the first blog network for African American women. Click here to read Dede’s letter from the editor, and they’ve got some truly great content. Viva Clutch! Enjoy the read, bellas!

My mineral makeup experiences have been hit or miss. Initially I was a believer in Philosophy’s The Supernatural, but then I realized how deathly ashy I looked in some of my photographs and it occurred to me, maybe it’s my makeup’s fault!

An interview I had with renowned makeup artist James Vincent confirmed my suspicions: some mineral makeup doesn’t photograph well. And you just might leave your house thinking you look perfect, only to see a snapshot of yourself later that leaves you reeling.

But here’s the thing - I still love mineral makeup. Living in a constantly hot and humid climate here in Miami, I’ve had to learn the hard way which kind of foundation works, and which doesn’t. I recently found myself sans car air conditioning for what turned out to be almost two weeks in and out of the garage at my local Firestone.

Let me tell ya — having no AC in Miami in late summer is an instant lesson in makeup endurance. My beloved Benefit Play Sticks left my face looking like a melting chocolate ice cream cone by the time I got to work. It was not cutting it.

I needed to find a powder foundation that could stand up to the sweltering heat I had to deal with, and it became immediately apparent that mineral powder was the way to go. But which brand to buy? The Mineral Makeup Blog gave me great guidance and some leads on stuff I want to buy and try. well hello there, Prescriptives!

I had already heard great things about Pur Minerals, so I was thrilled when I was offered the opportunity to try their mineral makeup starter kit. At $35, it is more affordable than some of the super popular brands, and Allure Magazine gave it an editors choice award. The starter kit comes with travel sizes of their 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup, Mineral Glow, Universal Marble Powder in Pink, and the Chisel Makeup Brush.

These travel sizes are super generous — another beautiful thing about mineral makeup, it doesn’t run out quickly. And it’s difficult to really overdo it, or wind up wasting makeup. With minerals, in good light it’s pretty obvious when you need to dust some of the excess powder off.

I really like Pur’s foundation — the 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Foundation Split Pan is a solid investment for bellas like me at $25.50 — I blend tan and dark together for my perfect shade. And the Mineral Glow really makes my face look naturally flawless after using it. These products worked great to cover up my blemishes, and most impressive of all, lasted through my workday commute!

Having said that, I prefer my own brush — Valana’s faux brushes are way softer. And unfortunately, pink was not a universal color for me — this blush turned out a little washed out and ashy on my cheeks (I might be more of a Diamond Rose kind of gal).

I wish Pur came in deeper shades for women of color in the split pan foundation packaging — I am guessing that someday they will. But fret not, dark skinned lovelies — Pur’s individual shades of pressed mineral foundations comes in a decent range of shades from porcelain to deepest, and if you need light makeup to stay put and conceal all day, you might want to give them a try!

My bellas on a budget might be raising a questioning eyebrow at the $25 price tag here — so if your economic situation allows more for drugstore than Sephora shopping, let me tell you about the hot new thing from Cover Girl’s Queen Collection — Natural Hue Minerals pressed powder!

You might have realized I kind of stan for the Queen Collection — there are some items I love, love, love and some I’ve kind of drifted into dislike for — the eyeshadow quads being the best example. The pigments just don’t pop on my skin tone.

But the powders and foundations work well for me. They’re oil free (which is muy importante for a shiny bella like myself), hypo-allergenic, super blendable, and come in a range of shades from Rich Sand to True Ebony. If you have especially dark blemishes, you might still need a dab of compact foundation for complete coverage — but for shine control and even toned coverage, this is good stuff! $6.99 for your bottom line!

Have you had any adventures in mineral makeup? What’s your favorite brand so far?

Almost exactly a year ago, I had the interview of a lifetime. The all time calypso king of the world, The Mighty Sparrow was set to come to Miami for a special show at the Arsht Center called Calypso at Dirty Jim’s.

Non-Caribbean readers, let me explain how big this was for me.

Sparrow is calypso music’s Johnny Cash, our Frank Sinatra, our Chuck Berry, our Elvis. If you want a taste of his genius, just watch this video of him performing “I’m a Slave.”

They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore.

Sparrow and I spoke on the phone for almost an hour. It was one of my proudest moments as a Trinidadian writer. Then the concert got canceled, and here I was, stuck with this awesome interview and nowhere to publish it.

This post has been a year in the making.

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