I’m super excited to announce that VanityRich.com has been nominated in the “Best Beauty” category for the 1st Annual Style Bloggers of Color Awards. To be nominated among so many amazing beauty bloggers, is truly an honor.
Please make sure you visit www.stylebloggersofcolor.com to cast your vote and help spread the word. You can vote once, everyday until May 29th.
Also, make sure you follow Style Bloggers of Color on Facebook and Twitter.
Thank you!
Since forever, (5th grade, to be exact), I’ve always rocked bangs. They were a great way to minimize my huge forehead. Over the years, I let them grow out a little, but recently I decided to bring them back. I wanted a mini-makeover, so I opted for a blunt bang. I have an oval shaped face, and usually any style of bangs can be worn for oval shapes. So, I’ve been having fun rocking every look from choppy to swept, up dos to bone straight.
If you’re thinking about giving bangs a try, here are some great tips on finding the right bangs for your face shape:
BLUNT BANGS
Worn just below the eyebrow these forehead bangs are cut precisely straight across from side to side. Oval shaped faces can be strengthened by opting for a blunt brow hugging bang that softly caress the sides of the face
ASYMMETRICAL BANGS
These bangs will have widely varied lengths with one side being a lot shorter than the other side or the middle being a lot shorter than either side.
SIDE SWEPT BANGS
Cut so that the hair tapers from shorter to longer lengths and is extended generally from a side part with the hair brushed to sweep across the forehead. Side swept bangs are best on heart-shaped or square faces and the hair length for this look should be shoulder length or longer.
CHOPPY BANGS
Choppy bangs are another version of blunt bangs, yet, these bangs are often cut with a scissors and then texturized for a choppy look. Choppy bangs provide increased depth to the facial features and are perfect for round faces.
Which look will you be banging this season?
About two weeks ago, my skin had gone haywire! If you’ve been following my blog for some time, you’ll know, that’s pretty typical (READ: Face Going HAM, Connect the Dots, PMS Sugar Cravings & Acne) from time to time. I’ve tried acne products from Dr. Brandt to Dr. Murad , and as beauty enthusiast, I’m always interested in trying something new. I came across KORRES Pomegranate Regimen Kit at ULTA . The $39.50 kit included:
I’ve used Korres products before (READ: Korres Quercetin & Oak Anti-Aging Primer, I Don’t Love Dem Holes, Holiday Glam Look #1 : The Glow Look) and I’ve been very satisfied with them, so I didn’t hesitate to give their Pomegranate Regimen Kit a try.
Here are the claims:
Power of Pomegranate
The Korres Pomegranate Regimen Kit is essential for anyone with combination or oily skin. This refreshing, perfecting collection will keep oil under control all day. Put your best complexion forward with the power of pomegranate.
Especially Suited For: Combination and oily skin
Free of: Petro-chemicals, silicones, phthalates, synthetic dye
For Best Effect:Use entire regimen daily and weekly as indicated by the product type.
Here’s my outtake:
PROS:
Cleanser – I love it! It doesn’t strip my skin from it’s natural moisture.
Moisturizing Cream-Gel - Very light
Mask – My skin felt very soft after using it
Scrub – Skin felt soft and hydrated after use
Eye cream – I have to admit, I was consistent with using it, but the cream was light.
CONS:
I just wished the kit came in a bigger package, but at $39.50, you can’t beat it.
Overall, my skin has looked and felt amazing, compared to two weeks ago. I think next time, I’ll buy the full size products.
KORRES Pomegranate Regimen Kit is available at ULTA.
I’ve been hearing all the fuss about bb creams and decided to try it out to see if it really lives up to its hype. BB cream, which stands for Blemish Balm Cream, was initially used by dermatologist whose patients underwent laser surgery. The cream helped to protect, soothe and regenerate their highly sensitive skin, while providing great coverage for post-laser scars and redness. Shortly after, Korean cosmetics companies caught onto the popular cream and it eventually made it’s way into Western markets.
The benefits of bb creams include:
Brands from Garnier to Smashbox are in on the bb cream craze and depending on the brand you choose, you could have an all in one product (moisturizer, concealer, foundation and sunblock).
I tried Smashbox’s Cream Ready BB Cream SPF 35 in medium (1 oz. $39).
Here are the claims:
What it is:
A five-in-one set secret for achieving flawless skin on camera and beyond.
What it does:
This multitasking tinted cream formula with SPF 35 moisturizes, primes, perfects, controls oil, and protects for flawless skin on set and beyond. Formulated with emollients and optical pearl pigments, this BB Cream gives skin a glowing, ethereal look and provides a hydrating veil for the complexion to maintain moisture on the surface of the skin. With its ultra-smoothing finish, it instantly re-texturizes to create a smooth canvas. Especially when worn under foundation, it enhances the wear of makeup for up to eight hours. Ideal even for oily complexions, this expert formula with UVA/UVB protection helps inhibit oil to prevent the complexion from getting shiny throughout the day without the typical chalky matte finish.
What else you need to know:
Smashbox first heard about Asia’s hottest beauty craze in the photo studios from makeup artists, who had just been on location, and found it was the best tool to perfect skin on set without all the typical layers of product such as moisturizer, primer, concealer, and foundation, which can irritate sensitive skin. This unique formula creates “progressive” coverage, which means you can achieve different levels of coverage depending on how you wear it. Appropriate for all skin types, this product is free of fragrance, dermatologist tested, and non-acnegenic.
So here’s my outtake:
PROS:
Long lasting – Usually by the end of the day my makeup basically disappears, but as the the claim stated “enhances the wear of makeup for up to eight hours”. It actually lasted longer.
Non-Oily – Usually I would have to blot my face several times, throughout the day, but once or twice is
Lightweight – You don’t get that caked-up/heavy look or feeling
Goes on smooth – Easy application because it spreads like butter
Good coverage – You could actually wear this without foundation, depending on the type of coverage you’re looking for
Sunscreen
CONS:
Pricey – At $39 it is a little costly compared to Garnier’s $12 bb cream
Color selection – With only 5 color selections, they don’t offer that many color options.
One more thing I want to add, although it does provide good coverage, if you have acne-prone skin, like myself, you may still need to use a concealer and/or a little foundation to help conceal your acne. Overall, I’d have to say, it’s worth the $39.
Smashbox’s Camera Ready BB Cream SPF 35 is available online at Smashbox, Sephora and ULTA.
As you all know, we celebrated our three year anniversary this past weekend. Between our awesome guests, beauty trivia, raffles, “girl talk”, sweets and libations, I have to say, it was a fabulous time.
A HUGE thanks goes out to hair aficionado, Sierra Conney, owner of Salon Blush for hosting the event, decorista and event planning extraordinaire, Erica Hampton of Parties by the Hamptons and Roxanne Richardson for all the beautiful floral arrangements.
Thanks to all the lovely people who made it out. I can’t wait to do this again!
Visit us on Facebook to view more pictures of the event.
I was recently contacted by Nikki Duckworth, the creator and curator of Mavens & Muses, to share my 5 beauty must-haves. Mavens & Muses is a blog dedicated to celebrating fearless personal style, fashion trends and emerging tastemakers from a multicultural perspective, so I was super excited to be featured in their Muse Must Haves edition. It’s become my new favorite blog.
Take a look at the post
Move over seafoam green (Read: Fast Foward: Color Trend for Spring 2012), there’s a new color everyone’s obsessing about this spring season — tangerine orange. This zesty and bright color has been named the hue of the year, by magazines like InStyle and Cosmopolitan. Just take a look through any of your favorite beauty and/or fashion magazines, I guarantee you’ll see a ton of ads featuring tangerine. Take a look at how you can add this beautiful color in your beauty routine:
LIPS
CHEEKS
NAILS
I’ve rocked the look myself using:
NYX Matte Lipstick in Indie Flick ($6)
NYX Powder Blush in Cinnamon ($6)
OPI in Atomatic Orange ($8)
So, what do you think about this trend? Will you be sporting tangerine this spring?
Last week I received a nice güdde package of products from güd by Burt’s Bees. I’ve used Burt’s Bees products before, but this was my first time using güd, so I was excited to try everything out. Like Burt Bee’s, all güd products are made with natural ingredients - no petrochemicals, parabens or pthalates and never tested on animals. So that was definitely a plus!
http://youtu.be/0FN_yn_RhvY
In my I received:
Floral Cherrynova Natural Body Wash ($7 10 fl. oz.)
The scent of soft cherry blossoms and creamy almond milk will gently revive you while chamomile conditions your skin. So your shower is a spa, not a rude awakening.
Orange Petalooza Natural Body Mist ($6)
Mist a little into the air. Walk into the mist. Now go hug it out with someone so they can smell the exhilarating high notes of hyacinth and blood orange, you plucky girl, you.
Vanilla Flame Natural Body Lotion ($7)
Let the exotic scent of vanilla and rice milk leave your skin smelling so wonderful, it inspires love letters. And poems. And sonnets. And the occasional misspelled text message.
First, I tried the body wash. I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the Floral Cherrynova scent. It almost reminded me of my favorite scent from Bath and Body Works, Cherry Blossom. It seemed like the scent lingered on me all day. Orange Petalooza is very loud. I’m not a fan of citrus scents, so the Orange Petalooza body mist, didn’t do it for me. Maybe I’ll try the mist in Floral Cherrynova next time. I’ve always enjoy the scent of vanilla, so while the Vanilla Flame Body Lotion did smell good, it wasn’t the most hydrating. Needless to say, it won’t replace my regular lotion.
While I wasn’t too crazy about the Orange Petalooza scent and the body lotion, I did find a scent I liked, and really, their prices are very reasonable, compared to Bath and Body Works. Not to mention, the products are made from naturally güd stuff. I’m still anxious to try their body butter and handcream in Floral Cherrynova of course!
For more info about güd, visit http://www.gudhappens.com/
“Tell me what company you keep and I’ll tell you what you are.”- Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
No one succeeds on their own. Whether in business, family and/or school, the people around us have a major influence in helping us to accomplish our goals. For instance, in business, you have to the support of your colleagues, customers and employers to ultimately become successful.
These individuals who help to inspire and motivate us, are known as Chief Inspiration Officers or CIO. Our CIOs are our personal cheerleaders, when we’re tired and feeling drained, they tell us to “keep going”, when we’re about to make a wrong move, they tell us “don’t do it” and when we’re feeling uninspired and stuck, they help us find our path.
My mom is my CIO. My mom, whom I call my “ride or die”, always has my back. I remember, after I got my driver’s license, she bought me a used Cavalier and once that start having issues, she got me Ford Taurus, but then I started having issues with that car as well. Shortly afterwards, one day I waited for her to pick me up from work, I came outside to a NEW Toyota Corolla with her in the driver’s seat. I was the happiest girl on earth! Not to mention, she paid for my college tuition before I decided to quit, then go back.
She will stay on me about stuff until I do something about it. She was the one who kept telling me to switch from blogger to wordpress. I wasn’t listening at first, but eventually I did, thanks to mom. She also let me post a pic of her without makeup, when I gave her a makeover. She’s always 10 steps ahead, allowing me to see the best in myself.
Even outside of family, I’m all about keeping a positive circle of friends who inspire me.
I think Oprah said it best, “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher”.
Who’s your CIO?
Feature Friday :: Vanity Rich 3 Year Anniversary#Vanity3 || The Jefferson Spa
VanityRich.com will be turning three in two weeks, and to celebrate and especially thank all of my followers, I’ll be giving away goodies throughout the day on Saturday, April 21st. So make sure you stay tuned on facebook and twitter for additional info.
The atmosphere, the aura and not to mention, my masseuse, Lilly and the rest of the staff at The Jefferson were superb.
If you’re in the DC area, and ever looking for a place to relax and rejuvenate, you should definitely schedule yourself a treatment at The Jefferson Spa. Visit them online at http://www.jeffersondc.com/spa/