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!

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?

• Pomegranate Moisturizing Cream-Gel 20ml
• Pomegranate Cleansing Mask 20ml
• Pomegranate Cleansing Scrub 20ml
• White Tea Facial Fluid Gel Cleanser 20ml
• Evening Primrose Eye Cream 10ml

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.

• A skin balancing kit enriched with pomegranate
• Keeps oil under control all day
• Ideal for combination and oily skin
• Kit includes cleanser, eye cream, cream-gel, mask and scrub

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.

The benefits of bb creams include:

• Produces a  natural, “no makeup” look
• Provides good coverage like foundation, but not as thick, and it doesn’t clog the pores
• Works pretty much like a tinted moisturizer
• Conceals all types of pigmentation, discoloration, acne and other blemishes
• Has healing properties that soften, smooth and refine skin
• Encourages skin regeneration to create and maintain youthful skin
• Contains UV Protection for healthy skin (SPF levels differ for each brand/product)
• Anti-wrinkle and skin-lightening benefits (available for some variants)

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.

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.

Take a look at the post

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.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity of receiving an amazing massage from Lilly at The Jefferson Spa. I selected the “Couture Massage” in which I had the option of selecting the duration, pressure, strokes/techniques, areas of focus and oils.  I chose a 60 minute, medium pressure, Swedish and deep tissue that focused on my neck, hips and glutes.  Let me tell you, it felt heavenly! I was really ready to doze off, that’s how great it felt.  After my massage, I was treated to a pleasant snack of Greek yogurt and berries.

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/

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/

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?