b.l.a.c is beautiful

I have so much admiration for sistas who are out there doing it for themselves, entrepreneurs making a name in the cosmetics biz by specializing in makeup made for bellas like you and me.

The ethnic market has become big business, and many of the leading cosmetics lines are offering makeup for a deeper and wider range of skin tones. Everyone already knows how wonderful MAC, Prescriptives, and Bobbi Brown products are, which is exactly why I love to shine a light on the new, niche businesses on the rise. You all remember Valana, Shea Radiance and Ohm Body? Great! Here are some more products by bellas for bellas that have come across my radar.

For any woman of color who’s been seeking simple, pure beauty solutions for her skin tone, b.l.a.c minerals is the bomb. This is truly natural makeup that doesn’t rely on the use of fillers and fragrances. Owner and Creator Merced Manning truly is dedicated to making a range of products that bring out black beauty — their items come in shades that exist compliment deep, warm skin tones to a tee. Take for example, the toasty blush. I was skeptical when I first saw it in the package — too burnt orange, I thought. But when sparingly applied to the apples of my cheeks, it gave me a subtle, gorgeous glow that didn’t scream “I’m wearing blush!”, which is exactly what I’m always looking for. Subtlety is key when it comes to cheek color.

The lip glazes are made with shea butter, and are as smooth and soft as you’d imagine them to be. Plus the colors are true to description — the Spice shimmer gloss really shimmers. If you’re a mahogany-skinned bella who prefers a shimmery, nude gloss, I’d advise you try the Cocoa shade. It just gave my lips that slick of sophistication that finishes off a well-done un-made up look. It would look effortlessly beautiful with bronze eye makeup. Speaking of which…

b.l.a.c’s Carnival eyeshadow is the perfect shade of gold for my complexion, and it’s flecked through and through with sparkles. Just a little stripe with a wet brush along my upper eyelid is stunning for day, and the full lid in gold at night is a bold, bright look. Royal is the kind of blue that really brings out the brown in my eyes — try it, I bet you’ll love the power of blue eyemakeup to amplify your baby browns.

b.l.a.c specializes in mineral foundation, and they offer a dazzling array of shades. From butternut tan to mocha deep, there’s a whole lot to choose from. The coverage is light and really flattering, but would be most ideal for a bella with unblemished skin.

b.l.a.c minerals is sold online (the company is based in Atlanta), and the prices aren’t scary — $22.50 for mineral foundation, $11 for blush, and $6.50 for a pot of lip gloss. Good deal, great little company. Click here to read Urban World Online’s interview with Merced Manning, creator of b.l.a.c.

I had the honor of meeting Kiley Russell, the gorgeous, creative bella behind Big Girl Cosmetics in person, at the Makeup Show Miami. She is stunning in person, and wears her locks like a true queen. And her makeup was to DIE for!

I admired Big Girl’s big display of items — that Mosaic Bronzer looks kind of amazing, right? And their eyeliners and eye shadows come in a great range — $10 a pop for the shadows. Their Diva Gloss is smooth and slick like a regular lip balm, but gives great shine and glimmer. I was very skeptical about the sheer peach, but it just gives such a beautiful natural glow to my mouth, I’ve been completely won over. Even prettier over a lip stain. Love it.

Continue reading »

Ask Afrobella — A $5 Makeover??

If you’ve been on this Afrobella journey with me for any length of time, hopefully you’ll realize — I am all about bellas on a budget. I believe that just about every woman wants to feel beautiful every now and then, whether they’re stacking lots of paper, or struggling to get by. These almost-recession days aren’t easy, and some of those glossy magazines would have you believe that beauty products need to cost you a pretty penny. But I’ll tell you this — you don’t need to buy all your products at Sephora to be gorgeous. There are often bargains to be had at the drugstore, or even right in your own pantry. Having said that, I also think it’s important to recognize that sometimes, you get what you pay for. Take for example, this recent Ask Afrobella question.

Dear Afrobella,
I just found your blog. I am in a wedding in two weeks. I have been told by the bride(zilla) that we can either do our own make or she will have someone there to do our make up for $5. So I’m like, what kind of make up are they doin for 5 bucks? I am worried that this make up chick will have me looking crazy, but I’m not confident that I can do my own make up.
The only make up I own is lipstick and I don’t have an appropriate color for a wedding, I don’t think. I generally prefer dark lipstick. I would just go without make-up and just wear lipstick and mascara, but I don’t want to look odd against the other bridesmaids. I’m a full-time student so I can’t afford to spend a lot on make-up, especially that I won’t wear everyday. Should I let the $5 lady do my make up? Go to the drug store and get some stuff and do my own? I don’t even know what to get or how to apply it. Or just go without and put on some lipstick? I have dry skin. I get a few pimples on my forehead and chin around my period. I’ve attached a pic so you can see what I’m working with. I’m just wearing lipgloss.
Y

OK, so I didn’t post Y’s photo in the interest of protecting her privacy — wouldn’t want the bride-to-be to find out that she’s a bridezilla on the internet! But just so you know, this is a lovely, luminous bella with wonderful chocolate brown skin. She’s got her hair pulled back with a head wrap, and from the photo, her skin’s got nary a blemish. So Y, my first bit o’ advice is, you’re naturally beautiful so don’t worry about comparing or looking odd next to the other bridesmaids. It’s entirely possible that this makeup artist is an apprentice, an amateur, or a professional family friend who’s offered an insanely affordable price…? I dunno, $5 is pretty cheap if you ask me, so I can understand your skepticism. I’ve never heard of a professional makeup artist who’s that affordable. I’d be interested to know how that turns out for the other bellas in the bridal party. So for the wedding, I’d advise you wear some fabulous accessories, and with these basic makeup tips, you’ll be the one of the loveliest ladies in the room (besides the bride, of course)!

I think it would probably stand you in good stead just to have some basic ideas of how to wear makeup in your arsenal, lest there isn’t a makeover artist handy. But we’re trying to not spend more than oh, let’s say $20. $25, tops. So let’s go to the drugstore!

I am a big believer in eyeliner, and I really think a bold eye could set this wedding look apart from your everyday style. First stop, Milani. Did you already guess? I really like this super cheap makeup line. The colors actually stand out on women of color, unlike many other drugstore brands. I seriously rock their eyeliner almost daily, and I get compliments on them all the time. So first you might want to consider the color of your bridesmaid gown. Is it bold, or is it demure? Either way you might want to start with basic black or dark brown liner along your lower lash line, and I think the new Color Brilliance eyeliners are the bomb. They glide on effortlessly, and the pencil is soft but doesn’t break easily. The black pencil is my new daily eyeliner. Love it. Also, I might be partial because I’m a Pisces, but I think aqua shades look divine on brown skin. Just lining your top lid with a thin splash of color could be a fun way to jazz up the wedding day. If I’m not using some kind of primer, I usually lightly powder my eyelid before applying eyeliner. And trust me when I tell you, that aqua pencil is FIRE. And Milani being Milani, there’s no website that tells you the exact cost, and they’re not sold on Drugstore.com… But I will guarantee you that these are less than $4 a pop.

OK, maybe you aren’t quite ready for blue eyeliner, LOL. I always tend to reach for brights, and they’re not for everyone. For a more subtle way to dazzle, consider using a touch of golden shimmer on your eyelid.

I am partial to Physician’s Formula Shimmer Strips — they’re flattering, user friendly, and can be used as bronzer, blush, and eyeshadow… but I pretty much only use them as eyeshadow. I love the warm, golden pink shades — just applying a little to your eyelid, then lining your upper lash line with black could really make your eyes pop. This Temptalia look will give you an idea of what I mean, close up. Temptalia has great makeup tips in general, and if you’re not sure which part of the eye to apply makeup to, their eye diagram is tremendously helpful.

Now. On to the rest of your face!

Continue reading »

Satisfy Your Thirsty Skin

In my previous Ask Afrobella about oily skin, a lot of you had really great feedback, advice, and comments. Quite a few of you mentioned that — contrary to the typically discussed issues of black skin care — you actually don’t have oily skin, and therefore, the way I’d explained the oft-repeated “black don’t crack” adage might not apply to your skin type, in terms of having an eternally shiny face. So allow me to explain further, and make some product suggestions for bellas who’ve got parched skin. No cracking allowed around here!

Like I mentioned, I have combination skin — an incredibly oily t-zone (seriously, even my eyelids get shiny at the end of the day), with dry, acne-prone cheeks and chin. My oily extremes get really oily, and my dry extremes can be incredibly parched. I’ve been getting super arid, peeling spots on my chin, and for some reason the backs of my ears get dry and flaky. I can’t stand it. So recently, I’ve been wanting to experiment with alternative face washing methods, and after a bella in the shiny skin comment thread (thanks Brownshugaz!) suggested the oil cleansing method, I was ready to take a leap of faith.

From the fascinating website: “Do not be afraid of applying oil to your face. Oil, alone, will not bring you blemishes. Pimples, cysts, zits, blackheads, whiteheads…these are a result of several different factors including hormones, bacteria, dead skin cells and the buildup of these factors. Your skin naturally produces oil because it needs it. It is not a malicious force to be reckoned with; it is there for the benefit of your skin, allowing your largest organ to function properly. It is naturally occurring. Not only does your natural oil help lubricate, it also heals, protects, and moisturizes your skin so that it may function properly. Properly functioning skin is beautiful, clear, and glowing. Learning to work with your skin, not against it, will save you tremendously.”

Well doesn’t that sound convincing! The site recommends Castor oil or EVOO, but says sunflower seed oil is the best for facial massage. The site also recommends creating your own cleansing oil by blending Castor and sunflower seed oil. But my first attempt at oil cleansing was fancy. I went for the Shu Uemura cleansing oil. This is luxurious, heady stuff. As it should be, at $32 for the small bottle!

The whole method feels like luxury, actually — before going to bed, I put a small amount of oil in my hands, warm it by rubbing my palms together, then massage it into my face. This is gentle enough to use around my eyes to remove makeup, and I adore the smell. Like perfume and wealth. After rubbing the oil on my face — kind of like a nurturing facial massage — I rinse it off with lukewarm water. When I’m done, my skin feels soft as butta. Even the morning after, your face still is touchable and smooth and fresh. Loving the Shu Uemura oil, and the oil cleansing method in general! Bellas on a budget, this method isn’t out of your reach — Castor oil and EVOO are easily accessible, and just a drop of your favorite essential oil scent will be all you need for fragrance’s sake. Be careful around your eyes, is my only caveat there.

For bellas who feel sketchy about using kitchen pantry products as cleansers, allow me to introduce you to a new line of products that I think is perfect for bellas with dry skin — the Australian-based product line called Become. If you’ve got concerns about aging or dry skin, they might be what you’re looking for.

Become is all about gentle, effective anti-aging through hydration. Their Creamy Cleanser is exactly what it sounds like — a wonderfully moisturizing cleanser that slicks on like lotion and leaves your face soft and fresh. The Face Smoothing Gel stands among the gentlest exfoliators I’ve ever tried. Teeny beads in a golden liquid polish your face without scratching your skin. My absolute favorite product in the line is the Hydration Serum. Yes, like Ryan Seacrest and Dick Clark, I prefer a serum to a cream. Become’s serum is $59, so consider yourself warned… but this stuff is the bomb. My skin drank it up like it needed it. It’s a really light, super refreshing and hydrating elixir that kept my skin radiant and dewy. I just ran out and my face feels thirsty without it!

Continue reading »

Ask Afrobella — That Furry Feeling

I am ashamed at how long it’s taken me to slog through these Ask Afrobellas. I need an intern! I am literally drowning in e mail. Mea maxima culpa, bellas who have asked questions in 2008. I will make it up to you! Here’s one I’ve been meaning to get to from a regular reader.

Bella-

I am happy to actually feel comfortable enough to send you a question. Sometimes while reading the posts on your site, I hear “i know that’s right” in the background of my mind. I truly value your opinion as someone who has devoted quite a bit of time to help strangers with their beauty predicaments. I recently became engaged and am completely overwhelmed with happiness. But now the emotions of planning the wedding have rushed in so quickly that I sometimes forget that it is supposed to be a joyous occasion.

Lauren

Lauren, girl - I hope I made this answer in time for the wedding! The weeks have become months and just flown by. I am so sorry for taking so long to write back. BUT in that time, I’ve been doing quite a bit of personal research on the topic of hair removal, so I’ve got answers for you!

Before I dive headfirst into answering, I gotta say… the topic of body hair removal has been surprisingly touchy on this blog in the past. The decision of whether or not to shave your legs, or to wax the hair off your body, goes directly against some natural women’s definition of “natural.” I respect that completely. I won’t let a chemical straightener touch the hair on my head, but I’ll willingly slather on Nair anywhere else? It’s an inconsistency that I think about often. Also, it goes against the sensibilities of most feminists — why should we conform to male standards of beauty? Why is looking like a prepubescent girl the standard for women in Western society? The Europeans don’t do it, so why should we? All good, valid questions that are worth considering before you make a decision.

So why do I choose to inflict pain on myself and remove my body hair? Because I love feeling clean. I love feeling smooth and pretty and feminine, and for me, hair removal adds to that. My husband loves it, and he does things to make me happy, and I know this makes him happy. If I’m going to the beach, I don’t want to be worried about having a hairline if you know what I mean. If I’m wearing a skirt, I want to know my legs go well with the general appearance of manicured beauty I try to present from head to toe. I’ve got quite a few reasons why I choose to wax, thread, and shave away unwanted body hair. You should consider yours before you take any kind of plunge. OK — having said all of that, let me tell you what works!

Continue reading »

Ask Afrobella — Help For the Shiny Bella

For some of us, it’s a perennial problem. For others, it crops up when the weather grows warmer and humidity rises in the air. An attack of the shinies is never cute, and it’s very common among women of color. Here’s a recent Ask Afrobella question about what we in Trinidad call “fry bake syndrome.”

Hi Afrobella!

–
Storme

Oh Storme, I bet you’d be hard pressed to find a comment from a reader here who can’t identify with you. Combination skin that’s extra oily (especially in the t-zone) is a blessing that many black women have. Yeah, I said blessing. You know that saying, “black don’t crack?” The phrase refers to the benefits of melanin, which gives us better natural protection from the sun and lower risk of skin cancer. The natural oils and moisture in our skin means we tend to age beautifully, without deep wrinkles or crow’s feet. So you don’t want to blast away the oil and completely dry out your face with harsh products; what you want to do is tame the greasy beasties with skin care and cosmetics, while maintaining your skin’s natural moisture.

It all starts with a cleanser. This How Stuff Works article recommends keeping your skin “squeaky clean.” I respectfully disagree. Squeaky is not how I want my skin to feel. Discovery Health recommends washing your face up to three times a day to remove excess oil, but for someone who’s gotta work or be at school all day, that isn’t exactly feasible. That’s why I still use Cetaphil, but recently, I have been using Neutrogena Rapid Clear Oil-Control Foaming Cleanser. I always wind up going back to Neutrogena cleansers at some point, and I really like this one. It rinses super clean, leaves my face refreshed, smooth and ready for the typical creams and moisturizers I use, and keeps me relatively oil-free for the first half of my day.

I will never forget my interview with Iman, where she recommended her product UnderCover Agent Oil Control Lotion for bellas who just wanna be matte. It really is the business. I know for a fact you can get it at Ulta and JC Penney… but I have NO idea why it isn’t boldly featured on her website. She absolutely raved over this stuff! I got a bottle for like $12 at Ulta a while back, and on Miami’s hottest days, I use it on my T-Zone to make sure I stay as fly as possible. If you’re looking for a cheap drugstore oil free moisturizer, I keep hearing amazing things about Neutrogena Oil-Free Fresh Moisture Ultra-Light Moisturizer. Can’t hurt to try, right?

Now on to your foundation question. I recently interviewed makeup artist James Vincent for my new blog Pretty in the City, and he had some really interesting perspectives on coverage for women of color. Let it be known, James is boldly outspoken against the mineral makeup trend.

“First of all, all makeup is mineral makeup; there isn’t a product on the market that doesn’t use minerals. But this current crop is such a hit with women because it’s very easy. It gives a flawless look because all of these minerals are different shapes and sizes, and they reflect and refract light very differently and gives the skin a perfect look – almost a halo effect. It blurs everything out. And what happens when you put a flash on it, the light from the flash is reflecting off those particles and you get a lighter, gray, or ashy look. You see that with some powder foundations. Titanium dioxide is a color protectant that blocks the sun’s light. So when you take a photo, that burst of light makes your face look lighter and unnatural. So a lot of women are heartbroken when they go out looking flawless to their event, and then, let’s say when they get their wedding pictures back, they look insane. Especially for women of color, it’s become a real misconception because you see these women on TV getting this makeup done and it looks flawless because it’s a moving camera,” he explained to me. Hence, previous photos of me where I look like gray death.

So what does James recommend? “I see Latin and African American women dealing with coverage, and they think they need to create a finished canvas from hairline to jawline. For me, that’s not what it is. It’s dealing with the problem areas and focusing on the center of the face where most women have discoloration; then blending the makeup out from there. That will keep you looking younger, fresher, and keep the neck and the face matching so you don’t get that ashy look,” he says.

Continue reading »

Valentine’s Day Hangover

Thursday was Valentine’s Day, and it’s such an over-the-top, retail-driven celebration. You either love it or you hate it. I personally enjoy it, but this year we were too busy to even celebrate Valentine’s Day on Valentine’s Day. Today is my V-Day, so I’d like to wish a happy belated day of love to everyone! If you’ve got a significant other in your life, he or she probably got you a lil somethin’ somethin’ on Thursday. Sometimes it’s a gift you like, sometimes it leaves you scratching your head in confusion. If you feel like you deserve a lovegift to yourself (in the middle of Fall In Love With Your Heart Month, no less), no worries. I got your back! I’ve been checking out some super sexy products that will make you purr with delight. Will this review end in a giveaway? Hmmm. Come along and we’ll see!

First stop, Lush Cosmetics. I am in LOVE with Lush! Their bath bombs are the bomb.

Their soaps are spectacular — I swear, Honey I Washed the Kids is one of the sweetest, most high quality handmade soaps I’ve ever tried. Quality is key for the makers of Lush. Their stuff is hand made, organic, and they never ever do animal testing. Some of their products are so fresh, there are expiration dates on them. They’ve got a fantastic bath items, the Ocean Salt body scrub is made with real ocean water, fresh lemons and limes, avocado and coconut butters, and violet leaf. It smells like a dream and makes my skin feel incredibly smooth. It’s definitely one of the finest body scrubs I’ve ever used. A 4.2 oz tub is $18.55.

Don’t even get me started on the shampoo!!! I really had low expectations, and I was so blown away, it’ll take a separate review. Seriously, it is rare to find a company where every single item seems to be exactly what you were looking for, and that’s been my experience with Lush so far. I even love the Lush website — customer reviews posted after every product, and of course you can order online, but if you live in a major city, there’s probably a store near you. I’d definitely go armed with a list — Lush is affordable, but it’d be really easy to overspend there. Too easy. But I’d be hard pressed to suggest another store where you could get yourself a cooler after V-Day present. Actually… hang on a second. There’s always The Body Shop, which you know I adore. (fun fact… In 1978, Lush sold their first product to the Body Shop! Then they went on to have stores of their own).

This year’s Body Shop Valentine’s Day scent is Japanese cherry blossom. I am SO planning to get myself that reed diffuser. Having a pet that jumps and climbs all over everything doesn’t make me feel safe with scented candles, oil burners, or incense in the house. Have any of you tried reed diffusers? Do they really make your house smell wonderful? Please let me know before I spend unwisely.

Next up, product reviews for the grown and sexy.
Continue reading »

Sandra Hordatt’s Tips for Carnival Wow!

At the risk of not sounding like a true Trini, I have a confession to make. I haven’t been home for Carnival in a decade. TEN YEARS! What can I tell you? College, then the workplace, then financial constrictions always seem to conspire against me. I must admit, I feel very left out and more than a little depressed when I visit sites like Trinidad Carnival Diary, which is all about the fun of Trini mas.

Even though I haven’t been home for the highly anticipated annual event in ages, that doesn’t mean I don’t love Carnival. I always have. Ask mama bella — as a little one I couldn’t miss Viey la Cou (an annual celebration of traditional carnival), and I used to even collect the abandoned masks and standards left by masqueraders in the street after the parade of people passed on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.

I’ve always loved the pageantry and spectacle of mas. And just because I won’t be there this year doesn’t mean I am not looking out for you bellas who will! I wanted to do a post all about Carnival makeup, because it is an art form in itself. Creating a lasting, stunning look that will survive buckets of sweat and the relentless Caribbean sun isn’t easy. So I reached out to one of Trinidad’s leading makeup artists, the talented and beautiful Sandra Hordatt, with questions about creating that perfect Carnival day look. (this is her brand-new MySpace page, but you’ll learn a lot more about her from this profile in the Trinidad Express).

Sandra made her name in modeling, make up. and mas. She is an artist and a costume designer for Island People Mas. For this year’s Animal Instincts band, she’s designed two sections (scroll down to see them) — the hot to death Dragon Lizard, and the resplendent Kingfisher Bird. (Sandra’s costumes range in price from $433 to $1916 USD. And they’re all sold out).

To give you an idea of the kind of looks Sandra comes up with, check out Trinidad’s 2006 Miss Universe delegate Kenisha Thom in the beautiful butterfly costume Sandra designed for her to wear at the pageant. Besides designing amazing Carnival costumes, Sandra’s got a reputation as one of THE premiere makeup artists in Trinidad right now. Her strong suit is covering blemishes and creating a flawless canvas without a heavily plastered on look. I caught up with her for all of fifteen minutes, as she raced from making up a client to her designing duties at the mas camp, to put the finishing touches before the impending Carnival madness.

Afrobella – How many faces do you do on average for Carnival Monday and Tuesday? Or are you out yourself, playing mas in a costume you designed?

Sandra Hordatt — I try not to work on Carnival, I like to be out on the road to see the costumes. I don’t take any bookings. I just do makeup for myself and my friends on Monday and Tuesday.

Afrobella – I think the biggest concern for Carnival is getting your makeup to stay on. You glue on all these face jewels and glitter and then you’re jumping and waving in the blazing hot sun for hours. How do you make your look last through the sweat and the heat?

Sandra – I say focus on your eyes. Obviously you’ll be sweating a lot, so your foundation will probably melt. Make sure you wear sun block, and just do a really dramatic eye and it should last all day. So your first layer should definitely be sun block, then use a good cream to powder foundation. Set that with a loose powder. Then go out with your compact for touch-ups, those oil absorbing sheets, and a nice lip gloss. Good to go.

Afrobella – What’s your favorite brand of makeup and why? Do you use any local stuff, like Sacha?

Sandra – I just love MAC. I love their bronzers and shadows. And I also love L’Oreal HIP, their eyeshadows are vibrant and intense. And I do use Sacha, I like their blushes and they have a great fix it spray.

Afrobella – Is there any one look you’re really loving for this Carnival season, or does your inspiration come strictly from the costume the person is wearing? What’s the hottest makeup trend in Trinidad these days?

Sandra – Each costume inspires a different look in terms of color and theme. But I know, me personally — for Carnival Monday and Tuesday, I love glitter on the eyes. MAC and NYX have some fantastic glitter liners that are really easy to use.

At this point, we go off on a tangent because Sandra hasn’t ever heard of Urban Decay! Urban Decay’s glitter liners are practically made for Carnival. And so is their eyeshadow primer potion. So I gush about them for a while. Then back to the interview.

Afrobella – Do you do airbrush makeup? I realize that’s become increasingly popular in Trinidad, among women who want to cover scars and stretch marks. What are your thoughts on that?

Sandra –I do airbrush makeup… I think it’s excellent for covering up scars. But on older skin it can be very… turkey-like. With the airbrushing you have to pull the skin taut. I don’t know if you can visualize what I’m talking about. Half the time you’d be better off with a good cream to powder foundation and a sponge.

Afrobella – For the ladies who can’t afford to get their makeup done professionally, what’s the best advice you’ve got to give?

Sandra – You definitely don’t need to hire a professional to go out and look beautiful on Carnival day. I would say look through a magazine to find a look you like, go for something dramatic in terms of eye makeup. And then practice your look beforehand so you can figure out your technique. Don’t wait until Carnival Monday morning to try something new. Find a look you like and figure it out first.

For even more Carnival makeup tips, of course Trinidad Carnival Diary should be your first port of call. Enjoy the celebration and stay safe, bellas!

Ask Afrobella — Easy, Breezy, Beautiful… Worth It?

Heyo!

I got a recent Ask Afrobella question that dovetails nicely into this review/giveaway I’ve been working on. Away we go!

I just came across your website yesterday. It is indeed great! I found it through temptalia’s website (ed — which I adore. Check em out for makeup tips!).

Anyway, I did come across on your blog about afrobella’s on a budget. I am really interested in Queen Latifah’s collection for covergirl. To further my fascination with make-up, I decided to use the CG make up mirror on the website. It gave me the opportunity to choose colors based on a photo that I could upload from my computer (but of course it would have to meet the requirements of the mirror) or use one of the models instead. But my question is, since I am on budget right now, and can’t afford to indulge in MAC, benefit, and all the other brands that I am a fiend for. Could cover girl, Maybelline, and other drugstore make-up can up hold to the other pricier brands? Could I still look fabulous with cheaper make-up? Especially foundation, I have been worrying about that.

From a trouble el cheapo afrobella…..

Hola, el cheapo afrobella! In a nutshell, my answer to your questions are… sometimes, and definitely yes!

I’ve been extremely disappointed in pricey Sephora brands, and thrilled at the quality of drugstore brands. And honey, you can look fabulous beyond belief with just items you get at the drugstore. I’ve given loving reviews to Milani and HIP, two of my favorite drugstore brands. Now let me focus on what you’re most interested in — Cover Girl’s Queen Collection.

Few makeup lines have provoked such a polarized response. I think the bad feelings started with that misguided casting call last year, but look, even as recently as my last post, announcing the Every Woman is a Queen Contest I got totally opposing comments. One reader loves it, another called it a “a low-rent knock off of Iman’s collection.” Ouch. Every bella is more than entitled to her own opinion, but I’d definitely say don’t knock it till you tried it. I tried it. There are wonderful aspects of Latifah’s makeup line. And there’s some not-so-impressive aspects too. Allow me to break it down for you item-by-item, so your shopping decisions can be informed. And yes, there’s a giveaway offer at the end of this post, so keep reading!
Continue reading »

A Unique Casting Call

Cancer doesn’t care what color your skin is, but there is a perception that black people don’t need sunscreen as much as our Caucasian counterparts do. Not true at all. The melanin in our skin provides some protection from the sun’s UV rays, but smart bellas should use sunscreen every day to protect against melanoma.

Skin cancer is often diagnosed late for people of color, which can make treatment difficult.  Click here to educate yourself.

Fitness Magazine is interested in doing a story about the fact that skin cancer affects women all shades of beautiful. Yesterday I was contacted by Holly, a senior editor who asked me to post a request on behalf of the magazine. She’s working on a story, and is looking for Afrobella readers.

So without further ado, here’s Holly — “I’d love to locate a black woman who has had skin cancer who would like to share her story and be photographed for the magazine. The only catch is that the woman would have to be in the New York area (CT/NJ/PA) as so she could get to the photo shoot which is scheduled for next week. Age does not matter in the least. You can have potential candidates send me their name, age, location, summary of their skin cancer story, and a photo (not for publication) to me at holly.pevzner@meredith.com.”

So are you a skin cancer survivor? Would you like to share your story, educate readers, and be featured in Fitness magazine? Holla at Holly, and let me know if this works out for you! I sure hope it does. I’d love to also feature you on Afrobella, so drop me an e mail at bella@afrobella.com.

I have another shot at fame for you bellas coming up this week. Stay tuned! And I know, I know — I made a promise yesterday. Afrobella of the Month will be posted by the end of today. For real.

How I Cleared Up My Skin Without Really Trying

True story.

The month before Thanksgiving, my face was a total mess. Stress, sloppy skincare, and bad eating led me towards an almost teenage state of acne. I tried everything in my skincare arsenal - clay masques, strong cleansers and scrubs. Nothing offered a lasting solution, and I was becoming extremely frustrated. Desperate times led me to a desperate measure. I signed up for a skin care research trial at the University of Miami Cosmetics Center.

At my first appointment, I filled out what seemed like a small booklet of release forms, and the friendly physician’s assistant (or medical student, not sure) counted my “lesions and pustules.” Yuck. Then they asked me what I’d been using on my skin. Do you have a few hours? I joked. As I went down the list, they noted that I was using a lot of the typical acne fighters - salicylic acid, alpha hydroxy, kaolin clay cleansers. All harsh treatments that would clash with the four-part regimen I was signing up to try.

The docs ordered me to do a two-week “wash out” period. They told me to stop popping my pustules (again, eeeww), and to only use the face wash they gave me. They handed me a big bottle of Cetaphil. I had heard of Cetaphil before, but never tried it. I must admit, I wasn’t impressed at first use. It kinda felt like I was washing my face with weak, scentless lotion. I personally prefer a face wash that leaves my skin with that fresh, clean, almost-stripped feeling. Cetaphil wasn’t it. I mean, you can use this stuff without water. It’s exceedingly gentle, and I wasn’t sure I liked the way my skin still felt internally moist after washing it, if that makes any sense. It took me a while to get used to Cetaphil’s mild-mannered ways.

To supplement the not-exactly-squeaky clean of Cetaphil and to exfoliate my skin in lieu of harsh scrubs, I used my Clarisonic brush. I’ve mentioned this before, but let me say it again - Clarisonic brushes are the bomb. No wonder they’re among Oprah’s favorite things!

The system claims to remove six times more makeup than mere soap and water. Using it takes only a minute out of your day, and the brush beeps to let you know when to move on to the next section of your face. The sonic technology of this gadget cleansed and clarified my skin in its time of need. The hardest part of the wash out period was keeping my hands off my face, and leaving my zits well enough alone.

Two weeks passed and when it was time to return to the lab for the trial to begin, I didn’t have a single pustule in sight! The overall appearance of my skin had improved that significantly. The acne problems that had led me to the research trial to begin with were practically gone. Hooray for Cetaphil and Clarisonic!

I hear you, bellas, and I feel you. The Clarisonic brush sounds amazing, but at $195 for the system, it’s not exactly affordable for bellas on a budget. So allow me to kick off 2008 with a very special giveaway, one I meant to give in December. I’ve got TWO Clarisonic brushes to bestow unto you, and here’s how you can get one.

Leave me a comment below that begins with the sentence “Clear skin in 2008!” and then tell me what skin care problems you’ve been having, and what products you’ve been using that just aren’t cutting it for you. I’m gonna leave these comments open until Thursday, and take my time and sift through the many answers. Because I’ve only got TWO items to give this time, I implore any of you who won giveaways last time to let this one be for the first time giveaway contest entries. Thanks much, bellas– and good luck!

Happy Monday!

** edited at 8:35 p.m. — WOW! I did NOT expect such an overwhelming response. As of right now, it’s 70 comments and counting. That’s a lot to choose from, bellas! So I’m making an editorial decision to close these comments by noon Tuesday, not Thursday. At this point, I’ll have over 100 comments by tomorrow! I only wish I have more of these awesome brushes to give away.
This makes me happy — it truly is a joy to bring these offers to you all. My new goal is a giveaway for every month of 2008. So keep reading and keep entering, even if you don’t win this one. International readers can feel free to enter as well — I remember how it felt to live in Trinidad and see all of the cool sweepstakes and contests in “foreign” and to not be able to participate. I’ve been lucky enough to find fantastic beauty companies who have gladly sent complimentary products to places as far away as Wales, Germany, and Jamaica.

It’s a good feeling to share the love, and I want to say a big thank you to the PR peeps I’ve gotten to work with on these. You’ve all been great. If you’ve got a beauty product you’d like me to review, or you’d like to host a giveaway on Afrobella, please e mail me at bella@afrobella.com!