In 1962 Crayola changed the name of their “Flesh” crayon to “Peach”, out of respect for the then-burgeoning civil rights movement. The crayon company’s cultural sensitivity memo apparently never trickled down to some typically female-oriented industries. You can hit up any department store and find an array of foundation garments labelled “nude.” But if your skin color is anything darker than beige, you’re fresh outta luck for finding a pair of control panties that exactly match you. And the same thing goes for makeup. Most specifically, lipstick.

As spring turns to summer every year, the magazines all start sounding the trumpet. Nude makeup is back! Get that hot nude look! And with reason — it makes for a very glam, very feminine, eternally fresh look. When done right, a nude lip doesn’t make you look washed out or corpse-like, au contraire. A smokey eye and a nude lip, so timeless, so gorgeous.

But guess what — nude isn’t a universal shade (according to my experience, at any rate. The Sephora bloggers have been convinced otherwise. I’ll have to do some research and get back to you on that one).

Lipsticks called “nude” frequently look just plain crazy on me. Consider some of the hottest options available online. Yves Saint Laurent Sparkling Touch For Lips in Sparkling Nude would be too pink, Philosophy Big Mouth lip sheer in nude, too peach. L’Oreal Endless Kissable Lipcolor in Shamelessly Nude 870 is too light, and I don’t know whose skintone Maybelline Moisture Extreme Lipstick in Nude Blush is supposed to match. Even my palest friends might have a hard time with a pink that wan and opaque.

The point is, the typical nude probably isn’t my nude. And most of the time, the products called “nude” are made for a very limited and narrow-minded perspective of what “nude” is. Does that mean that the look doesn’t work for women of color? No siree — it just means you gotta look a little harder for the right nude for you.
Read the rest of this entry »

I have champagne and caviar taste, but a beer n’ Cheetos budget. Holla if you hear me, bellas! This last weekend, I made a visit to the new and improved Sephora at Dadeland Mall. I was so glad all the salesladies ignored me. Initially I was annoyed, but I should thank them – they saved me money!

High end makeup brands are expensive for a reason — more colors, lasting pigments, high tech formulations, and the cachet of having the hot new waiting list item of the season. But sometimes you really do pay for brand names. And sometimes, there’s equally good alternatives to be found at your neighborhood drugstore. A recent trip proved to be a real eyeopener. Let me share the hot new discoveries I’ve made!

I am an unabashed lover of Milani, and have reviewed more than a few of their products. I adore the Black Magic eyeliners, especially the blackened teal and green. When I saw TWO brand new Black Magic eyeliners starring in my neighborhood CVS’s Milani display, I just about squealed.

I’m officially in love with Blackened Blue/Blue Magic (not to be confused with the original Blue Magic). And Blackened Sterling/Sterling Magic is the perfect silvery black liner I’ve been searching for.

I definitely prefer the blackened side to the glitter side – as I hurtle towards 30, I find myself steering away from glittery makeup. But the Sterling Magic’s concentration of silver glitter is excellent, I must say. Better than some of the Hard Candy pencils I’ve purchased in the past, too.

The bright bright yellow and purple wand for Maybelline The Colossal piqued my interest from the moment I saw it. I’ve had mixed results with Maybelline mascaras in the past – despite its reputation, I don’t think Great Lash is one of the best mascaras on the market. Not by a long shot. I much prefer Full N’ Soft, a mascara that gives me the volume I desire without the Tammy Faye brittleness and clumping. The Colossal is supposed to be all about volume, but after a week of giving it the ol’ college try, I’m back to my Full n’ Soft.

Cosign with Yummy 411 — I’m not impressed enough to buy The Colossal again. And bellas – if you’re looking for real reviews from a variety of beauty loving women, check out Makeup Alley. Their top reviewed mascara list is telling — my beloved Full n’ Soft gets a 4.0 from 1,915 reviewers, and 76% of them would buy again. So that says a lot.

Maybe you’ve been dying to buy yourself a NARS blush — Orgasm, Super Orgasm, Exhibit A or any of the other colors with fun names that you’ve read often on beauty blogs and in magazines. If you can’t quite justify spending $25 on blush, you should check out A Floral Affair, Revlon’s new limited edition powder blushes. I’m not alone in my admiration – Bellasugar found her favorite shade to be almost a dead ringer for Nars Orgasm!

$11 for these gorgeous little blush compacts, and the colors offered are unlike anything else I discovered in my drugstore diva-ing. Rich metallics and deep colors that I bet would just glow on brown skin. I really had to restrain myself from overindulging. The Make a Sheen lustrous shadow blends come with a trio of truly lovely, complimentary shades that can be worn separately or blended together. The Peachy Keen blush I bought included a lovely deep bronzy peach, complimented by a paler more shimmery section. They swirl together to gorgeous effect. And now that my faith’s been restored in Revlon, SOMEBODY tell me when these Golden Affair sculpting blushes become available. I’m glad they’re only coming out with four, a beauty junkie like me wants them all!

Read the rest of this entry »

I keep an open mind and an open heart in general, and I hope you all know — readers of all ethnicities, hair textures, beliefs, and genders are welcomed warmly here at Afrobella. I think we can all learn from and support each other. I certainly learned alot in trying to answer this Ask Afrobella question, which truly came as a surprise. Here goes.

Hi Afrobella,

Thankyou
C

And C sent a photo which is absolutely so adorable. I wish I could share — but I can’t, so I’ll describe. C has a glorious, big head of hair that he wears pulled back in a puff, and the texture looks to be around a 3c/4a.

Let me just state off the bat, I immediately contacted C to let him know that I was down to answer his Ask Afrobella question, and I was happy to hear from him as a reader. And he wrote back the sweetest thing — “I really appreciate that you’re so enthusiastic; after all, I could have sent an email to a closet bigot – unlikely, based on the content of your website, but you never know. So, thankyou for being so lovely in your answer – it really makes me feel good that a complete stranger can be so understanding.”

It is my pleasure and privilege, C. Growing up in the Caribbean and having more than a few gay relatives and friends — most notably, Bruno, who I sincerely miss — made me realize in no uncertain terms how big and important a decision coming out can be. It certainly isn’t an easy road — on either side of the path you’re going to find people who are judging you and criticizing you, and often making life harder for you than it should be. Sometimes these people will be your relatives, or your friends, schoolmates, or co-workers. As the beauty blogger you’ve contacted with such a big question — it is my responsibility to find the best possible answer for you, and I’m gonna do just that.

If you happen to be a homophobic reader, you might as well stop reading right now — this post is all love.

C’s question was too big for me to answer alone. I turned to two friends of mine, with opinions I trust.

First of all, there’s Larramy, master of the DevaCurl curl cut. Larramy’s initial response was “Oh, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.” Not because he doesn’t understand what you’re feeling, C — he does. He just wants to make sure you’ve really thought out this decision, the pros, the cons, the potential effects and ramifications. Larramy wanted to make sure that you are planning to express your burgeoning femininity for the right reasons. Not for shock value, or to make a statement you aren’t fully ready to make. Now, let’s talk hair.

Read the rest of this entry »

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!
Read the rest of this entry »

Of course nobody means to have a mug shot taken, but any card can play when you’re screaming ethnic slurs at undercover cops. Which reminds me: Well played, Kelis.

Just when your fans thought you were bossy but classy, you keep it street and manage to end your night of fabulous South Beach clubbing in handcuffs. I was disappointed and surprised. But hey, Kelis’ arrest gave us all a glimpse into mug shot fabulosity. Apparently a little glitter helps — not so much around the mouth, but on the eyelids.

I’m actually feeling Kelis’ look in this photo, the pink hair almost exactly matches her eyes. But it’s the violet eyeshadow, hoop earrings, and bemused expression that make this a grade A mugshot.

Kelis and Kimora Lee Simmons had the right idea with their police station photo ops. Fix the camera with a sunny smile, or a can-you-believe-they-actually-arrested-me smirk, and you’re guaranteed to be a Smoking Gun fave. Khia’s prettiest mug shots are the ones where she grins like it’s high school picture day. (My personal favorite is the third one in the second to last row). A smile says “I’m too cute to be locked up.”

In sharp contrast, Foxy Brown’s expression in her latest mug shot says “Damn, I can’t believe I’m here. Again.”

As a proud Trinidadian woman, I really shy away from giving Foxy Brown the time of day on this site.

There’s so much potential for greatness with her, and at one point I was proud that she claimed my homeland. But after all of her ridiculous legal wranglings, I now prefer to edit her off my famous Trinis list, along with Haddaway and Michael X.

She’s a gorgeous woman no doubt, and has a strong persona in the rap game. But she’s too damn ignorant. I mean, how many times does one have to get arrested for the same irrational behavior before they take accountability for their actions?

Clearly Foxy needs to internalize the lessons of Novaslim’s Hip Hop Charm School. She needs to take all of that drama and go write some rhymes already. But it seems to me that all she’s learned from her legal wranglings is how to take a decent mug shot. Case in point, her recent arrest in Pembroke Pines. South Florida represent! We can lay claim to yet another embarrassing celebrity meltdown.

According to The Smoking Gun, “an employee of Queen Beauty Supply spotted Marchand “utilizing beauty products” in the store’s bathroom and told the performer that the shop was closed. The temperamental Marchand allegedly responded by spitting on the worker and throwing hair glue at him. When cops responded to a 911 call, Marchand swatted an officer’s hand away and began “swinging her arms and struggling” with the cop, who was “forced to utilize a takedown maneuver to gain control” of the rapper.”

Maybe NYPD cops love it when you playfully swat their hands away, but that ish won’t fly in the 954, Inga.

Her expression would normally make this a terrible mugshot, and clearly she could use some lipgloss. But lo — what eyeshadow is this enchanting creature wearing? The color matches MAC eyeshadow in Aquadisiac if you ask me. There’s a similarly fabulous shade in the blue notes eyeshadow quad in the new Cover Girl Queen Collection. Add some fake lashes or an ultra thick mascara like Maybelline XXL and voila! Instant eye drama that makes for a mug shot worth remembering.

I’ve been letting the Ask Afrobellas stack up to a frightening level, and now it’s reckoning time.

This question came from a real life friend o’ mine, WLRN jazz DJ and sagacious sistren Tracy Fields. Lovers of straight-ahead jazz and women with soothing, melodic speaking voices can give her a listen on Weekend Jazz, every Saturday night from 8 pm to midnight.

Tracy sent me this question months ago, and I’m only just getting around to answering it. I know. I’m a great friend. Better late than never!

“I’ve been thinking about updating my look. It is something for me even to think about having A Look; it’s always been like, if I’m warm enough, I’m properly dressed. I find myself suddenly interested in appearing a bit polished and pulled-together at the various venues of my split-personality work life. How would you advise a Grown Woman, who FYI has no intention of cutting her locks, to proceed?”

For the record, Tracy has some of the longest, loveliest dreadlocks I have ever seen. She is a natural beauty with twinkling eyes and a ready smile. So my advice is, accentuate those gorgeous features with a little make up!

I think an initial foray into the amazing world of make up should set a newbie back no more than $25. Yes, bellas — it can be done.

The best place to start is with eyeliner. I remember when I first started wearing it, I was so intimidated. Having seen a Bruce Lee film in which he pulls some dude’s eyes out with his fingers at a young and impressionable age, I have a complete eye-touching phobia. Eyeliner seems daunting at first, but trust me – when you master it, you won’t want to leave home without it on!

Draw a straight, smooth line along the bottom of your eye, from the inside corner to the outside edge. You don’t want to apply liner inside your eye, as this can cause eye infections, and also can create goopy, gross, black eye gunk in the corner of your eye. In my opinion, it generally helps to look up while applying eyeliner. I’m at the point where I just let my eye roll completely back, Forest Whitaker style, to apply my liner. To each his own, and you will find your own application comfort zone with practice.
A good eye liner for newbies is the Physician’s Formula Eye Definer. Why? Because it’s hypoallergenic, and won’t bother those with sensitive eyes. Plus, there’s no sharpening required and it costs $5.50!

The idea of an eyebrow wax might freak out a makeup novice, but it’s really not so bad. I am a complete waxing wuss, and I have wept and bled like Steve Carrell in the 40 Year Old Virgin on the waxing bed before. But with my eyebrows, I have no fear.

Go to the nail salon at the mall, it costs $8 – $10 ($13 with tip), close your eyes and zip-zip-zip, it’s done before you have time to freak out. Trust me.

Neatly shaped brows make a huge difference to your whole face, and waxing can be a quick way to discovering an elegant eyebrow for those who have never plucked or shaped before. An eyebrow brush is always a handy tool, and at the very least you can shape up your brows by tweezing long, curly, or errant hairs. Just don’t get pluck happy – we have all seen what can result from that.

To complete the fabulous and super-easy eye look, swipe on some mascara. My current fave is Maybelline Full N Soft, which is gentle, wonderfully subtle, and gives my lashes great definition.

Cosmetics beginners, say it with me — E.L.F is your best friend. I was extremely skeptical when I realized that all of this company’s products cost a dollar. I assumed the quality would be poor.

Then I tried their Brightening Eye Liner in Gilded, and I became a believer! I also dig their Moisture Care Lip Color, which squooshes out of a soft sponge applicator. It gives a faint tinge of color, and a lot of shine.

If you’re looking for more pigment but not an overt, heavy lipstick look, try the Super Glossy Lip Shine.

It’s smooth, it moisturizes your lips without leaving them sticky, the color is subtle but noticeable, it has SPF-15, and like I said, it costs a buck! You really can’t go wrong.

Once you’ve mastered the basics, the more daunting worlds of concealer, blush, and bronzer seem much less so.

For those who remain apprehensive, there’s no need to feel ill-at-ease in a store like Sephora — you might wind up spending $50, but the assistants there are truly eager to help you find the perfect products in the right shade for you.

Playing up your eyes and lips are an easy beginning step for the make up wary, and it’ll get you those “hey, are you… wearing makeup?” comments you can expect from nosy (but well-meaning) co-workers.

Hope that helps!