Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

There isn't a make up bag that exists without eye shadow. Yet it can be one of the most misused products we own. In many cases, when a woman purchases eye shadow, the make up consultant behind the counter suggests shadow colors, offers overwhelming advice about how to apply and then out the door she goes -- probably in a state of confusion. How do you know if you've purchased the right eye shadow for your specific eye shape to make them shine their best? Do you even know your eye shape?

Black Voices has compiled some expert tips on how to enhance your eyes based on their unique look.

Eye Shape: Large Round Eyes Like Tracee Ellis Ross

Watson: A woman with large eyes has the freedom to wear multiple shades. Multiple palette shadows, such as, the Snap To It Custom Color Palette by Mark ($8, meetmark.com), is the perfect must have for her make up bag. The overall idea when applying eye shadow to this eye shape is to elongate the eyes. Try using light shadow colors on the center and medium shadow colors in the crease for an elongating effect. Then use dark waterproof eye liner in the inner rim of the eye and on the upper lid while extending the liner beyond the eyelid at the outer corners. But be sure not to line the inner rim of your eyes with light liner shades, that will only make the eye appear larger.

Mark Snap To It Mega Custom Color Palette

Raffaele: Opt for darker shadow colors for a night out than you would for during the day, but when applying the darker shadows, be sure to add a highlighter under the arch of the brow. For that final va va voom, curl lashes and apply mascara to the outer 2/3 of the eye.

Eye Shape: Oval Dreamy Eyes Like Corrine Bailey Rae

Watson: This eye shape is similar to an almond eye shape, except it's just a tad larger in the center and plunges deeper in the corner. To help the inner corner look more level, try applying a soft, bright long-wear cream eye shadow to the inner corner, such as Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Cream Eye Shadow ($22, bobbibrown.com). Then line the eyes from the inner corner to the outer corner. While applying the liner thicker on the outer corner, gradually make the line thinner going towards the inner corner. Bear in mind that long-wearing eye shadows and gel eyeliners are best for this eye shape because when they dry they don't transfer or smudge, which would make this type of eye appear droopy.

Long-Wear Cream Eye Shadow Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

Raffaele: Arching the brows and using lots of mascara or false lashes are two key techniques that will help bring this eye shape forward.

Eye Shape: Small Eyes Like Nia Long

Watson: A smal,l sultry eye such as this calls for a matte eye shadow. When applying, do so from the lid to the crease right below the brow bone. Apply beige or lighter eyeliner shades inside the inner rim of the eyes or use a light or neutral on the lower lash line and a dark, medium-to-thick liner on the upper lid. As a final touch, add mascara which is a "must" for this shape.

Urban Decay Matte Eye Shadow ( $16, urbandecay.com)

Eye Shape: Almond Shaped Eyes Like Ciara

Watson: The almond shape is the most sought after eye shape; most professional eye-shadow techniques help women achieve this shape eye. But be mindful that less is more when wearing shadow, because typically this eye shape really doesn't have a lot of lid space. Wearing several shades at once will make the eye appear over done. Instead, try going for a smokey eye, which is great for this eye shape, it increases depth. Also try rounding the eye shape just a bit by using a light-to-medium shade to line eyes halfway, being careful not to extend the liner past the outer corner of the eye.

Raffaele: When applying shadow for this shape, as well as any other, a flat eye shadow brush for deepening the corners of the eyes and a great angled liner brush are "must haves." I suggest the Alison Raffaele Concealer Brush Duo ($27, AlisonRaffele.com)

Alison Raffaele Concealer Brush Duo

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Back then, saving the New York Post and Joan Rivers, there were limited opportunities for post-hair reveal commentary. For Mo'Nique, however, it was a different story. You Tube has seen over 30,000 views from folks who made video responses discussing her hairy legs, and comedian Jimmy Kimmel included it in his monologue, joking that she she was promoting a Chia Pet.

Smooth legs on women have been heralded as the sexier choice by the opposite sex, while having hair on your legs, as well, not so much. And women go through great lengths to not show just how hairy they can get with monthly waxing appointments and high-priced laser hair removal procedures. So my question is if one goes through the trouble of shaving a mustache, shaving the underarms and waxing down there, shouldn't the same rule apply to your legs? And now that Mo'Nique has been nominated for an Oscar, should she go ahead and shave for the special occasion? BV Beauties, tell us what you think?

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

No longer viewed as something gangbangers and bad boys wear, tattoos are becoming more and more acceptable in the mainstream. So when everyone started rocking those Polynesian symbols -- think Mike Tyson, but not on the face -- rarely were people offended to see them on the small of the back on women or around the biceps of men. The beauty in those tribal designs elevates the art form to a better status.

However, every time tats show up on the red carpet as the accessory a female celebrity truly couldn't leave home without, I can't help but wonder if that celebrity regrets inking her body in that way. Witness Mary J. Blige's humongous tats on both of her toned arms; they always seem to detract from her entire look. Or the numerous tats Fantasia wears on her thighs and arms and hands that makes her look like Lil Wayne's twin. Those tear-drop tats that seemingly decorate Lil Wayne's entire body always make me think he needs a good scrub. But on the flip side, the tats on Angelina Jolie or Meagan Fox never stopped anyone from calling them glamorous or sexy. Nor do the small tats trailing the neck bone of Rihanna make her look anything less than gorgeous. On her, it looks rather chic, in that alien kind of way. In Alicia Keys' video for 'Try Sleeping with a Broken Heart, we see her flower-painted back that takes tattooing on a painterly, Georgia O'Keefe-type of path.

So is it the size and the type of tats that create a thin line between tacky and tantalizing? French couturier Chanel thinks so. When Karl Lagerfeld trotted models down Chanel's runway last fall wearing temporary tattoo designs, editors went all gaga over them. To be fair, label-stamping is something makeup artist Nzingha Stewart did with Lil Kim when she painted Louis Vuitton symbols all over Kim's naked body for the cover of Paper magazine some ten years ago. And M.A.C has does tons of images with body paint over the years.

Before last fall (Rodarte also showed body art) no other high-end brand had really embraced the concept of tats by creating them for purchase. This spring, transfer tats from the House of Chanel-images of bangles, beads with the Chanel logo at the end of the link-can be yours for a mere $75 for a pack of 55 transfers (visit www.chanel.com for more information). With tats becoming couture will they now become acceptable as the cool, new symbol for luxe? Will girls from around the way take it a step further and brand their bodies with the label they love the most? Or will we still think it's just deadwrong.com? Tell us BV Beauties, would you dare to wear these temporary tats?

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

An incredibly talented light has burned out in the beauty world. Roxanna Floyd, 49, makeup artist to Hollywood's finest has died. Details are slowly coming in as to the cause of death. Her family has yet to release a statement to the public. Unconfirmed reports have surfaced that Floyd died in her sleep at her home on Jan. 28, 2010.

Floyd's work is highly respected within the beauty, fashion and entertainment industries. She's worked with some of the world's A-list celebrities, including Whitney Houston, Ashanti, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Angela Bassett, Iyanla Vanzant, Halle Berry and Queen Latifah. Her work has been featured in a multitude of publications including Essence, Ebony, InStyle (including this month's Whitney Houston cover), Redbook, Braids & Beauty and Today's Black Woman.

On March 30, 2009, Floyd filed suit against Queen Latifah (whose real name is Dana Owens) in federal court in Manhattan for breach of contract. Floyd claimed that between the time period of July 2005 and February 2008, Latifah owed her more than $700.000 for services rendered. Amanda Silverman, Latifah's spokeswoman responded publicly that the lawsuit has no merit.

Known for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary, Floyd was sought out by Whitney Houston for her comeback-album world tour. Celebrity hairstylist and Houston's go-to hair dresser, Tiffanie Dixon, worked with Floyd on the "I Look to You" tour.

"Roxanna 'Roxi' Floyd was one of the strongest and most spiritual women I've come across in a great while. Roxi was a pillar of strength to me," says Dixon, who has worked with Floyd for past four years. "We just finished a shoot together last week, and Roxi worked her magic. Makeup artistry came so natural to her. She looked at a person's face like a canvas. We have suffered a great lost in the beauty and fashion industry, and she will be greatly missed but never forgotten!"

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Bronze Skin - Glowing skin is all about health and wealth -- or at least your complexion looking like you have both. That's why a faux sun-kissed glow comes on strong this spring via bronzers for light, medium and deep complexions. Seen at Tory Burch, ADAM and Carlos Miele, bronzers deliver the perfect pick-me up for sun-depraved skin tones, and offer deeper complexions (think Alek Wek) the sparkling highlights needed for dimension, sans foundation.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

The Grammy Awards hold a special place in our hearts for those what-were-they-thinking?! red carpet moments. Though viewed as the Oscars of the music industry, only few musicians play the role of fashion divas or devos, if you will. There are staples -- Beyonce, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige -- who often get it right. But then there are the works in progress: Keyshia Cole, Fantasia, Mariah Carey. These ladies oftentimes strike a fashion note best left un-played, and we love them for it! Here, our roundup of the best and worst looks of Grammy's past.

1. Best: Alicia Keys, Grammys 2009 - We've watched Alicia Keys blossom from the braid-wearing 'round-the-way-girl, into the glam goddess who plays the part of the on-trend, music princess. Last year, she took her look to a new level, walking the red carpet in a navy blue gown and offset a sophisticated updo by channeling her inner rock rebel with matte fuchsia lipstick and a nude eye accented with lashes. Fab!

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

JLo has ten. Kimora has six. Mariah has three. Over the past 15 years, the consistent release of celebrity fragrances has provided a well-needed uptick in the scent category, with Elizabeth Taylor's White Diamonds paving the way. Celebrities of color, however, didn't enter the fold until 1999. First on an international level with Naomi Campbell releasing her own eponymous scent, while simultaneously becoming the first black woman to have a scent named in her honor. In 2002 on U.S. shores, Jennifer Lopez signed a license deal with Coty Fragrances, making her the first Latina to launch her own fragrance line. Beyonce followed suit two years later, albeit as a spokesperson for Tommy Hilfiger's True Star (She's launching her own fragrance, Heat, in February). After the success of those launches -- Lopez's reportedly sold $44 million in the first four months -- every fragrance brand wanted a celebrity-endorsed line.

Some star releases such as Paris Hilton and Donald Trump's vaporized just as quickly as their bottom notes spritzed into the air. Others, like Lopez, Kimora Lee Simmons and Diddy's, wafted way above and drifted far and wide into the ether, racking up more than a combined $300 million in sales. Since then, more singers, actresses and athletes have followed their nose to lucrative launches. We highlight the best of the bunch, based on their sweetest sales.

2. Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons
Kimora sells the image of being fabulous. So what woman wouldn't want to smell like she's the next Kimora Lee Simmons? That's what fragrance giant Coty bet on when it released her first scent Baby Phat in 2004. Since then there has been Baby Phat Goddess, Baby Phat Golden Goddess, Baby Phat Fabulosity, Baby Phat Seductive Goddess.

3. Unforgivable by Sean John
He might not be able to make a star out of his bands, but when it comes to the fragrance industry P.Diddy's nose knows what really makes scents. Since the debut of his first fragrance, Unforgivable, in 2006, done in partnership with Estee Lauder, he has remained at the top of the olfactory heap, releasing Unforgiveable, Unforgiveable Woman and more recently, I Am King, in homage to Barack Obama.

4. Forever, Luscious Pink and M by Mariah Carey
We might not love her red carpet efforts, but fans globally can't get enough of Mariah's smell. She released Forever in 2007, under the Elizabeth Arden label, and increased its US perfume sales by 7%. A year later, she released Luscious Pink. And last year, another scent, M by Mariah, followed suit. Expect to see new releases in the upcoming years.

5. Driven by Derek Jeter
As one of the most sought-after bachelors in New York City, it's no wonder Derek Jeter's scent, Driven by Derek Jeter, released in partnership with Avon, has been a home run for the company's men division. To date, it is one of Avon's best-selling fragrances.

6. Him and She by Usher
When Usher released two fragrances for his debut-Usher for Him and Usher for She in 2006--the Atlanta-based crooner hit both markets running. The fragrances ranked in the top 40 of perfume sales for that year. In 2009 he followed up with a new men's scent, VIP.

7. Rocawear 9IX by Shawn Carter
Created in partnership with Elizabeth Arden and Rocawear, in 2008, Jay-Z launched Rocawear 9IX, a men's fragrance whose sales "surprised [the company's] expectations." The following year he released a limited-edition version for Father's Day and is poised to release a host of male grooming products.

8. Power by 50 Cent
Released last November, 50 Cent's Power by Fifty is the first release under his fragrance company. Kim Kardashian releases her eponymous scent under Fifty's umbrella.

More Scents Coming: 2009 saw the most fragrance releases by celebrities of color. They included Halle by Halle Berry, Queen by Queen Latifah, Common for Diesel's Only the Brave and Jennifer Hudson for Avon's Amari. This year, expect to see Heat by Beyonce; Zoe Saldana for Avon's Eternal Magic, and Mary by Mary J. Blige. Rihanna and Kanye West will also debut fragrances in the coming year.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Solange Knowles

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

CoverGirl is another example. The brand isn't looking for the "the girl next door," but it is looking for a celebrity face that is more accessible. Queen Latifah is the quintessential CoverGirl. She is beautiful and can be glamorous, but she can also be very every day.

Risi-Leanne Baranja, editor-in-chief of the Palacinka Beauty Blog, has spent years studying the actions of beauty brands across the world. She recently shared some insider info with Black Voices.

"Queen Latifah is a great example of what CoverGirl looks for in a celebrity ambassador. She has been in TV, film and she's an accomplished singer and rapper," Baranja said. "She is very appealing to the CoverGirl customer because she is believable; you can believe Queen Latifah would wear a $9 mascara and make it fabulous."

Abiola Abrams, pop culture writer and VH1/BET TV personality told Black Voices, "When I see Queen Latifah as a CoverGirl, it makes it harder for me to say 'I can't.'" CoverGirl and Lancome set their sights on different celebrities. CoverGirl is a mass-market brand, whereas Lancome is a higher-price-point brand and available at retailers such as Lord & Taylor, Saks 5th Avenue and Sephora.

Rihanna has also been a huge money maker for CoverGirl, drawing in more consumers after her highly publicized domestic abuse incident of 2009. It had made her more appealing to an even bigger and broader consumer base.

"Rihanna is more attractive to beauty consumers because her brand has become that of a survivor and overcomer," Abrams said, "and the average woman can relate to that."

With the passing of cosmetics pioneer and founder of Fashion Fair Eunice Johnson this month, it is poignant to review the strides black women have made in the beauty industry. Johnson brought civil rights to the cosmetic counters by creating Fashion Fair, a makeup brand for women of all shades. Johnson had the strong intention to not only create a thriving business but to also make effective changes in the way black women are portrayed. As the fresh faces of Saldana, Sosa, Latifah and Rihanna grace billboards, magazine ads and makeup commercials, her legacy definitely lives on.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

For her eyes and cheeks, Sade is rocking a stunning bronze with a darker brown on the eyelid, and those are the kinds of colors available in MAC's excellent Fun in the Sun mineralize kit ($59.50, maccosmetics.com), which is all about peachy golds combined with deeper plum tones that look gorgeous on brown skin.

Sade's look is always all about strong brows and strong lips. So if you want this look yourself, make sure your brows are perfectly sculpted and filled in with a brow powder. Try Damone Roberts' signature brow pencils in Minx (dark brown) or Miss Ross (soft black) ($18, damoneroberts.com). Sade's lips are dark, sexy and slightly goth. You can get that deep color with OCC Lip Tar in Vintage ($12.50, occmakeup.com), or on the drugstore tip, check out Milani's velvet lipstick in Classy ($5.29, milanicosmetics.com).

For extra zazzle, you could even layer a black gloss over the lip color. Visit your local department store makeup counter to pick up one from MAC's 2009 Style Black collection, or check out Smashbox's Lip Enhancing Gloss in Sultry ($18, sephora.com), a sheer-black cherry shade.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

DuWop I-Gels ($28, Beauty.com )

Caswell-Massey Kiwi Eye Pads ($12, Beauty.com)

Shiseido Future Solution Eye & Lip Cream ($125, Sephora.com)

Clinique All About Eyes $28.50, Sephora.com)

Olay Total Effects Eye Cream ($19.99, Drugstore.com)

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

That's right -- Zahara Jolie Pitt is on the scene!

Little Z is now 5 years old, and the famous family caught Mary Poppins on Broadway recently. And please note, her hair looks moist, her curls are defined, and that purple barrette is looking oh so cute in her head of healthy-looking hair. Go 'head, Z!

I blogged about this on Afrobella.com and Allison Samuels herself, Newsweek writer and self-described "official president of the hair police" agreed -- her hair looks cared for and well conditioned. Here's to more of Zahara Jolie Pitt, and more natural hair appreciation in 2010!

What say you, BV readers -- are you feeling Zahara's latest style?

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

(New York Color Sparkly Eye Dust, $1.99 Available at drugstores nationwide)

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Alicia Keys at the Academy Awards

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

The new year is right around the corner, but instead of making crazy resolutions that you probably won't keep, why not try to incorporate more natural products into your beauty regimen? Ditch those unrealistic fitness goals and go green this year instead.

(Yardley Soap, $2, YardleyLondon.com)

1. Hit the Bar - No, not that bar. Grab a bar of soap instead of buying shower gel. Try soap from a boutique-inspired brand, like Yardley. These are not your father's bar soaps. They're made from natural products, smell great and soften your skin for less money than most liquid body wash. Another bonus: They use 100 percent biodegradable and recyclable packaging. Another great natural brand is Wembé, the first line of organic soaps from Paraguay.

(Zoya Nail Polish, $7, ArtofBeauty.com)

2. New Nails - Skip the traditional formulas that have crazy chemicals like formaldehyde and opt for a more natural version of nail polish. Zoya brand lacquer is available in hundreds of shades and is free of toluene, formaldehyde, DBP (phthalates) and camphor. But just because it's free of the chemicals doesn't mean it won't last as long as traditional formulas.

(Organic Wear Eye Makeup Remover Pads, $9.95, Drugstores)

3. Wipe it off naturally - Clean away your makeup before bed with Physicians Formula 100 percent Natural Origin Eye Makeup Remover Pads. The pads are free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, parabens,GMOs, synthetic colors and synthetic fragrances. Tip: Take the pads out of the can and put them in a plastic bag to keep them moist longer.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

Do you wax or shave? How about going high tech with laser hair removal? With so many advancements in hair removal, there is no excuse to walk around with hairy legs, armpits, or unwanted facial fur -- unless, of course, you choose to go au naturale! If you're stumped about which method is best for you, read up on some of the most popular ways to rid yourself of unwanted hair.

1. Shaving - The classic hair removal method. Men do it and women do it too, but let's just say us ladies should stick to only shaving our legs and underarms, other areas really deserve better treatment wouldn't you say? Nicks and razor burn should be a thing of the past with the lotions, potions, creams, and things popping up on the market to rid you of these irritating issues. Let's dish about the best products to keep your gams smooth and sexy all year long.
* A good quality razor - my absolute favorite? Schick Intuition Razor ($9.99 Drugstore.com) for sensitive skin. This razor is surrounded by moisturizers so you don't need to use a foam to shave with. Remember at the first sign of dullness switch up your razor.
* Try lubing up with oil first - If I take the time to lube up each leg prior to shaving with oil and then shave in small sections making sure to thoroughly rinse out the razor in between each pass, I get a much closer shave resulting in a few extra days of not having to shave. Good 'ol Johnson's Baby Oil will do the trick, but something like Dermatologic Shave Oil ($20.00, Amazon.com) is even better
* Moisturize - After shaving it's so important to moisturize the skin, because the razor actually shaves off more than you think. Shaving is considered a form of exfoliating so after exfoliating any area it's important to moisturize to prevent dry itchy skin.

Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments