COVERGIRL Queen Collection and NYC based celebrity Make-Up artist and beauty expert Monif Mortis brough the members of Urban Beauty Collective Queen Latifah’s All American Super Bowl look.

Monif on Latifah

For the 2010 Super Bowl, I looked to Queen Latifah’s styling for inspiration. Queen Latifah was wearing a black and gold custom jacket with a black tank and dark wash jeans, so I wanted to compliment that look. Since the Super Bowl is held in such a huge

arena, it was also important to make sure that her eyes had smoky definition so all the fans could see her.

After rimming the eye with a simple black eyeliner, I applied a black eyeshadow to the outer corner and crease of the lids.

For a pop of color, a shimmery cranberry shadow was used in the center and inner corner of her eye lid.

To achieve a similar pop of color, I recommend applying COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast in Purple Plume.

COVERGIRL Queen Collection Natural Minerals Bronzer in Ebony Bronze to blend the two colors and warm the eye lids. I love Queen Collection Bronzer because it also absorbs oil on the face.

I also used the bronzer to enhance Queen Latifah’s warm complexion by applying it to the cheekbones and temples of her forehead.

Next….

Click here to read the rest.

For more good beauty and fashion info, to find a hair stylist in your city, or for a daily dose of our celebrity Style Squad featuring Ashunta Sheriff and Tippi Shorter, visit us at www.urbanbeautycollective.com.

Also, you can follow us on Twitter at UBCisFABULOUS.

Until then, stay beautiful, sisters…

Tilane Jones, Managing Editor, www.UrbanBeautyCollective.com

ASHUNTA ON KERI
Keri Hilson looked like a 1950’s diva when she left for the 2010 Grammys. Her peach dress with jeweled waistband was fit to a T and
hugged every curve with care. I was inspired to play up her beautiful hazel eyes and also give a touch of edge to her Hollywood
glam goddess look.

Before applying makeup, always start with clean, toned and moisturized skin.  I use Mary Kay’s TimeWise Targeted-Action Eye
Revitalizer to refresh tired eyes. I love Enessa Neroli Oil Spray to tone skin and make skin glow.  To finish, prep skin with La Mer
moisturizer.

The Perfect Face

I love Keri to look flawless because she has such a beautiful bone structure.  I use Smashbox Photo Finish Primer to give makeup
long wearability, then I apply COVERGIRL Queen Collection Natural Hue Compact Foundation to create a flawless finish. I create a sculpted glowing face using COVERGIRL Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Bronzer in Light Bronze.   I also use it to contour the nose and cheekbones.
Radiant Cheeks

I love the soft peach tones of her dress so I accented Keri’s cheeks with Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color in Strawberry Cream which
has a subtle cotton candy rose tone with a beautiful shimmer to it, so cheeks just glow.

Standout Eyes

Keri wanted to have a jewel toned smoke so I chose a beautiful deep purple shade from Mary Kay Mineral Eye Color in Sweet Plum on her lids and lower lash line.  As a base to intensify the purple shadow I applied COVERGIRL Smoky ShadowBlast in Purple Plume.
Then I created depth using Tigi Bed Head Big Fat Fun Liner in Purple and COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Mascara in Black to top the
look, coating both bottom and top lashes three times.  I used Ja’Maal Busters Lash Line to add that extra drama for red carpet
flare.

Luscious Lips

I didn’t want to do just a nude lip and smoky eye so instead I went retro— think Kevyn Aucoin meets Naomi Campbell in the 90’s
with a deeper liner using Mary Kay Lip Liner in Berry.  I lined lips then used a brush to blend the liner out so it had soft edges then
used COVERGIRL Queen Collection Lip Gloss in Pearled Peach in the center of the lips to create the perfect pout.

Glorious Brows

Brows frame the face and I love Keri’s brows because…

Click here to read the rest of Ashunta’s step by step instructions.

For more good beauty and fashion info, to find a hair stylist in your city, or for a daily dose of our celebrity Style Squad featuring Ashunta Sheriff and Tippi Shorter, visit us at www.urbanbeautycollective.com.

Also, you can follow us on Twitter at UBCisFABULOUS.

Until then, stay beautiful, sisters…

Tilane Jones, Managing Editor, www.UrbanBeautyCollective.com

Urban Beauty Collective brings you Yaminah Ahmad, a writer with a purpose  Her written words of challenge and change will help to inspire a New Year of adventures.

Hey HelloBeautiful family! It’s been a while since we’ve connected. Life is happening and I’m taking it all in. I had to take a moment and share something with you.

I was recently blessed with a trip to Barbados from author and journalist Gil Robertson. Unfortunately for Gil, he had to attend a book signing for his latest effort, “Family Affair: What It Means to Be African American Today,” but fortunately for me, I was available to take his place to cover the annual festival Crop Over. I packed up, and a week later, I was swimming in the salt water of the Caribbean Sea! (Thanks, Gil!)

As soon as I stepped off the plane, I checked into my room at the lovely Accra Beach Hotel, changed into my swimsuit and headed to the beach. Since Atlanta has no natural body of water and I was starved for it, I made a morning ritual of communing with the seashore. I’d get up about 6:15am and take a walk, feeling the sand between my toes and occasionally dipping them in the warm seawater. I’d work up a sweat and then get into the water, and listen to the waves. I’d look up to the sun and make a mental picture of what it looks like from this side of the world. By the time 9am floated around I had already been to heaven.

During my morning walks I was joined by several couples, many of which were interracial with no noticeable African heritage. After passing by the second mixed couple I made a mental note: I guess interracial isn’t just black and white or black and Hispanic. My world broadened just a little with that observation. Some would greet me good morning while others smiled, a universal greeting surpassing all languages. I also noticed that none of the couples, based on what I saw, were Barbadians. I thought to myself, “Is everybody on vacation here?”

Honestly, my idea of a vacation was… well, I had no idea what a vacation was. I’ve always had a working vacation. Now, I’m not complaining at all. But, I’ve never searched the globe for a tranquil vaca-locale and saved money solely for the purpose of luxuriating for a week. The thought of maxing and relaxing for seven whole days with nothing to do is foreign to me. Wow, I guess that means I don’t know how to take a vacation – a real vacation. I don’t mean take off from work so I can work on my personal projects or run errands. I mean truly doing nothing but enjoying myself for a week. Wow.

When I wasn’t attending tours with the lovely team from the Barbados Tourism Authority, I’d sneak in some beach time with what seems like most of the occupants on the island. Side note: ladies…and some of you gentlemen, if you like dread-headed guys, then Barbados is heaven for you! I’d admired the assorted eye candy, have small talk with neighboring water worshippers and laugh at the children trying to outrun the big waves. While I was out there I met a woman was from Brooklyn, New York. She’s a financial advisor who decided she needed a break from the economic crisis. She scheduled a 4pm massage and was killing time by hanging out at the beach. She mentioned that she’s been to Barbados a couple times and attended carnivals in other countries. I said, “Wow, you know how to enjoy life.” She smiled, not really thinking much of it, but it made an impression on me. I continued to bump into people who had been to other far distant lands. And some of them had the same blasé attitude. For these trekkers, it was a natural part of their psyche to live a life that includes travel with much R&R.

What I perceive to be the extraordinary, the lady from Brooklyn and everyone else I spoke with believe it to be a natural part of life. They believe they’re supposed to travel, see the world, and have new, exciting experiences. Ironically before I left, I was reading in the book, “Discover the Power Within You,” how at one point in time, flying was an extraordinarily new, and what some perceived to be dangerous, form of public transportation. I guess it was hard to imagine that 400 people could gather in a big piece of metal and be transported from one location to another. It was a hard pill to swallow. So much so, they had a barf bag easily accessible at every seat. The bags disappeared when flying became as normal as driving.

I have to admit I’m learning to luxuriate. It’s not such a foreign concept as it used to be, but I still have work to do. There are people jumping on planes jet-setting around the world with the sole purpose to enjoy life. And their carefree, nonchalant attitude says they know they deserve it! What a wonderful gift to give to yourself.

Well, I have over 50 empty squares in my passport left and a few years before it expires. I plan on filling it up and having fun doing it. Maybe I’ll catch you on the beach.

*UNTIL THEN, HERE ARE SOME PICTURES FROM MY TRIP. *

One of Urban Beauty Collective celebrity stylists, Tippi
Shorter, brings us Alicia Keys fabulous red carpet hairstyle from
the 2009 American Music Awards.

TIPPI SHORTER ON ALICIA KEYS

Alicia has recently gotten hair color. We went a couple of
shades lighter with Clairol and we love it!

Not only did she walk the red carpet, but, she performed 2 times
so I had to find a fun style that can transform easily throughout
the night.

We decided to do an updo, but with a creative twist. She has
always been very well known for her braids so I have been
incorporating braids into alot of her looks lately, but from a more
fashion standpoint.

To protect it we always start the the Pantene color revive
shampoo and conditioner to help keep hair healthy and vibrant.

After the shampoo and conditioner, I used the detangling leave
in from Pantene and blow dried her hair with a Mason Pearson brush
to get her hair as smooth as possible.

I wanted to recreate the backward mohawk braid that I did for
her most recent video, so I sectioned the hair into 3 sections
front to back. I gathered the 2 outermost sections and secured them
into a ponytail using Ojon animated styling paste.

With the center section, I started a braid from the nape all the
way to the front and made it a little off center. I tucked the end
of the braid underneath the main braid and secured with bobbi
pins.

I finished the entire look off with Ojon Tunu Elastik hairspray
and Bed Head Headrush spray shine.

There you have it. Now you can create this same style at home.
Until next time. Live*Love*Laugh*Create

Tilane Jones here, just stopping by from UrbanBeautyCollective.com. One of the benefits of having the top minds in celebrity beauty on Urban Beauty Collective’s STYLE SQUAD is getting the scoop on our favorite starrahs!

So… after we stopped with all the OOOHHHs and AHHHHs over Alicia’s smooth do at the MTV “VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS”, we hit up her personal tress guru – hairstylist Tippi Shorter – for the skinny. Yes, Tippi is one of UBC STYLE SQUAD most popular pros and she was more than happy to break it down for us.

WOW! HOW’D THEY DO THAT!

- We started with freshly shampooed hair, I used the Pantene Relaxed and Natural Breakage Defense shampoo and conditioner.

- Next I applied the Ego Boost leave in conditioner from Bed Head and blow dried the hair.

- Before flat ironing, I spray the glossing mist from Ojon throughout for moisture and shine.

- I sectioned the hair from top to bottom and applied the Anti-Frizz Smoothing Cream from Tresemme to smooth hair back and into a mohawk french braid.

- I tucked the end of the braid underneath the braid and secured it with bobbi pins.

- I released the bottom and smoothed again with a Smart Heat flatiron.

- I made sure the style stayed put using the Tresemme 24 hour Body Hairspray.

Click here to get the Red Carpet to Performace look.

For more good beauty and fashion info, to find a hair stylist in your city, or for a daily dose of our celebrity Style Squad featuring Ursula Stephens and Wouri Vice, visit us at www.urbanbeautycollective.com.

Also, you can follow us on Twitter at UBCisFABULOUS.

Until then, stay beautiful, sisters…

Tilane Jones, Managing Editor, www.UrbanBeautyCollective.com

Hello Beautifuls,

Tilane Jones here, just stopping by from UrbanBeautyCollective.com. Tyler Perry has introduced us to many up and coming actors. Lance Gross is one of those shining stars. “I love working with Tyler Perry. He is the one that gave me my start. So, if he comes to me with a project that is good I won’t turn it down,” says Gross. So that’s why when Tyler came to Lance with “The Meet the Browns” project he jumped at the chance to have his big screen debut. “It’s kind of like working with family, almost. So there is a certain level of comfort there,” explained Gross. This comfort level is clearly one of the many factors which lead to a performance that garnered two NAACP awards for his role as Calvin Payne.

Along with his television work, Gross will next be seem on the big screen in “Our Family Wedding.” The movie also stars Academy Award winner Forrest Whitaker, Emmy Award winner America Ferrara, Regina King and Carlos Mencia. “It’s a romantic comedy,” explained Gross. “My character and America’s character are getting married and going back to meet each other’s families. It is the clash of the families.”

We love the concept but working with Forrest Whitaker on his second film must have been nerve racking! “That was a dream come true! I was very nervous about working with Forrest being that he is an Oscar winner and I just know his body of work,” explained Gross. “But he happened to be the coolest guy you could ever meet. I think the first day I met him he asked me if I wanted to go to one of the Lakers’ finals games with him. So, I mean, that just shows how cool he is.”

From small screen to big screen to winning two NAACP awards, the best way to sum up Lance is humble, serious about his craft and strikingly handsome! All great assets for an up and coming actor. So we had to know how his amazing sense of style came about. “I think it snuck up on me. I remember when Karl Kani was hot and the whole baggy jeans era was in. The baggier the better,” Gross reminisces. “It really took my father sitting me down and talking to me. Telling me, I’m becoming a man and need to watch the way I dress because people will be looking at me in a certain way. I took his advice and put on slimmer jeans. I did notice a difference.”

Lance was able to step up and change his style game without losing who he is. “I just like to be comfortable in what I wear. If I’m going to wear a suit then I like Tom Ford suits. If it’s not Tom Ford, then I’d probably do Dolce & Gabbana,” he states. I just like suits to have a nice fit and I think Tom Ford is one of the best for that.”

Lance’s message for young men trying to step up their style game is simple.

Click here to find out Lance Gross’ style tips.

For more good beauty and fashion info, to find a hair stylist in your city, or for a daily dose of our celebrity Style Squad featuring Ursula Stephens and Wouri Vice, visit us at www.urbanbeautycollective.com.

Also, you can follow us on Twitter at UBCisFABULOUS.

Until then, stay beautiful, sisters…

Tilane Jones, Managing Editor, www.UrbanBeautyCollective.com

Tilane Jones here, just stopping by from UrbanBeautyCollective.com. Warner Brothers Home Video has re-released a girl power classic, “SET IT OFF.” The re-released DVD Deluxe Edition features a Director’s Cut from F. Gary Gray in his follow-up to “Friday,” plus a new 30-minute featurette entitled “Setting it Straight: Making of Set It Off,” and Ray J’s “Let It Go” music video.

“SET IT OFF,” stars four of today’s biggest African-American female starlets and style icons, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Queen Latifah, Vivica A. Fox and Kimberly Elise.

Click here to see them before they became the icons they are today!

For more good beauty and fashion info, to find a hair stylist in your city, or for a daily dose of our celebrity Style Squad featuring Ursula Stephens and Wouri Vice, visit us at www.urbanbeautycollective.com.

Also, you can follow us on Twitter at UBCisFABULOUS.
Until then, stay beautiful, sisters…
Tilane Jones, Managing Editor, www.UrbanBeautyCollective.com

Tilane Jones here, just stopping by from UrbanBeautyCollective.com. In honor of Michael Jackson we recently interviewed Judith Hill, the stunning young woman who captivated the world with her songs at the King of Pop’s public memorial back in July.

The first part of our interview explored her feelings and memories about Michael and all that she learned from him. Today, we get into her unique style – from wardrobe to hair to vocals.

THE VOICE
Her vocal sound has been compared to a mix of Aretha Franklin and Janis Joplin. “That’s big praise,” exclaims Hill. How would she define herself? “I’m definitely not Ciara.” She considers herself “more band driven” like Alicia Keys. She loves to play with live musicians with a “mid to fast tempo.” The 25 year old phenom admires the music of Janelle Monae and is influenced by “Lauryn Hill in her hay day or even Gwen Stefani.”

THE LOOK
We agreed with the Gwen Stefani reference, especially in her fashion style. “I like lots of color and different styles clashing together,” explains Hill. With that said, we also had to ask about her unique hair style. Being of mixed race (her mother is Japanese and her father is African-American), we had to know how she tamed her curly locks. She uses Kimble products by celebrity hair stylist Kim Kimble. “The hair stylist for the tour turned me onto the Kimble product line and I love it,” she said. “I soak my hair in water and then moisturize with Kimble. Then I just repeat every 3-4 days or so.”

UBC SAYS:
In addition to products from the fabulous Kim Kimble, we put together other curly hair products that we can think about adding to your arsenal, just like Judith Hill.

Miss Jessie’s Curly Meringue: This yummy smelling, potent emulsion packs the punch you need for oingy boingy curls! This is great for finger styling, two strand twists and spiral rod sets. It also can be used on relaxed hair seeking curly styling.

Hair Rules: Nourishment Leave-in Conditioner is for all textured hair types. It can be used in addition to or as an alternative to quench your hair depending on your texture and preference. It detangles, hydrates and revitalizes porous and parched hair with extracts of honey, ginger root, lemon and gardenia, promoting buoyant curls without weight. Also, great for blowouts.

Click here to read Judith Hill’s Words on Michael

For more good beauty and fashion info, to find a hair stylist in your city, or for a daily dose of our celebrity Style Squad featuring Ashunta Sheriff, Tippi Shorter and Wouri Vice, visit us at www.urbanbeautycollective.com.

Also, you can follow us on Twitter at UBCisFABULOUS.

Until then, stay beautiful, sisters…
Tilane Jones, Managing Editor, www.UrbanBeautyCollective.com

Hey Beautifuls!

Tilane Jones here, just stopping by from UrbanBeautyCollective.com. I wanted to give you some goodies from our recent exclusive blog post from award winning author, Deborah Gregory. The fabulous Ms. Gregory is the author/creator of THE CHEETAH GIRLS and CATWALK (Delacorte Press). CATWALK: STRIKE A POSE , the second novel in her purrlicious new fashion-forward tween teen series, pounces on book shelves September 8th and has been optioned by the TEEN NICK network for TV series development.

As a former fashion model, Deborah shares some plus size tips and favorites. Check out her advice below.

PURRLICIOUS AND PLUS SIZE, PUHLEESE!

“Yesterday, I was plopped on the quaint wrought iron bench outside of my favorite Bagel Shop on First Avenue in Manny Hanny (that’s New York to non-fashionistas) with my pooch, Cappuccino, relishing a tasty turkey burger bagel dripping with chipotle sauce. Sarah, one of the ubiquitous neighborhood “bench warmers” who indulges in the same morning ritual-sans the bagel or coffee (actually, the only thing I’ve ever seen her consume with gusto is gossip), turned to me and chirpily commented, “You look like you’ve lost weight!’

The truth is, I have been on a diet for the past seven weeks-my first in three years. I hadn’t planned on embarking on the pound-reduction plan until I hit bottom with a resounding thud-literally. Seven weeks ago, I was running errands, climbing out of the danky underground with my hefty shopping bags so slowly that the agitation from the agile, impatient ones behind me was so palpable it raised the (real) hairs on the back of my neck. “Keep it moving, BIG girl!” shrieked one of the limber losers. Given my agitation at being singled out for slowness it’s not surprising that I became distracted, lost my footing and tumbled to the bottom like Alice in Wonderland disappearing in the rabbit hole. Luckily, I wasn’t hurt, but the fall from grace woke me from a deep slumber.

See, I’ve been a fashionable plus size person for twenty years-after having spent the previous years as a five-foot-eleven-inch, 130-pound slenderella who even modeled, for one memorable year, in Europe. In my opinion, the transition from slim to sizeable was, well, seamless. Sure, I had less dates-but frankly, I needed the rest, okay and I’m looking for quality not quantity. But that morning, I faced a hard truth-no way would I be comfortable being physically debilitated because of my size and clearly that was the direction I was moving into. That day, I started my ad hoc diet then (basically three meals a day and one snack). Four weeks later, I weighed myself and was shocked to see that I weighed 285 pounds-and that’s after four weeks of dieting-which means I was teetering close to 300 pounds and didn’t even realize it!

As the saying goes, too much of a good thing is exactly that. So I shared this truth with Sarah and revealed my goal weight: 185 pounds. She looked at me in disapproval. “If you weighed 130 pounds when you were a model, why not go back to that size? You would look fabulous,” she coaxed me.

I answered her truthfully: “Because I don’t want to ever weigh 130 pounds again!” I honestly, truthfully, want to weigh 185 pounds-not a pound less! Sarah was reticent about my decision, but I’m not. After having been thin and obese, I can honestly say, I want to be purrlicious and plus size, puhleese!

At the moment I’m a size 22 and weigh 275 pounds-and I’m 90 pounds away from my goal weight, but still completely interested in looking fabulous. As a matter of fact, I have just received my box of fall clothes from London, England that I ordered from my absolutely favorite designer in the whole world: Anna Scholz. If you don’t know who that designer is, do yourself a favor and check out her website: www.annascholz.com. After having worn her clothes for ten years, I can tell you this: buy less and pay more and it will pay off in fashion dividends. What I ordered for fall: 1. A pair of fabulous black fitted crepe slacks with a flared bell bottom. 2. A pink and black boucle wool singled breasted coat. 3. A long burgundy t-shirt with a black bull dog wearing a rhinestone choker! And the piece de resistance: a matching long scarf! 4. A black satin double-breasted trench coat with ruffled edges. 5. A black pullover sweater with puffed sleeves accented with pink hearts. Meowch, indeed! The one thing I have learned from my weight journey from 130 pounds to almost 300 pounds….”

Click here to finish Deborah Gregory’s exclusive blog post.

For more good beauty and fashion info, to find a hair stylist in your city, or for a daily dose of our celebrity Style Squad featuring Ursula Stephens and Wouri Vice, visit us at www.urbanbeautycollective.com.

Also, you can follow us on Twitter at UBCisFABULOUS.

Until then, stay beautiful, sisters…

Tilane Jones, Managing Editor, www.UrbanBeautyCollective.com

Tilane Jones here, just stopping by from UrbanBeautyCollective.com. We received a great response to our last post and we want to thank everyone on Hello Beautiful for taking the time to read and interact. We love it!

So Beautifuls, we’re back with the winner of TV Land’s SHE’S GOT THE LOOK, Cindy Cohen. Cindy was crowned the next great supermodel. This 40 year old stunner is a mother, wife and a certified life coach. She has also penned a book, THE LIFE OF YOUR DREAMS IN 30 DAYS OR LESS.

After competing and winning against hundreds of 30 something beauties in Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta, we had to know what Cindy thinks are must-haves in a woman’s beauty routine. In short, she looks so good we just HAD to know her secrets!

“Do some form of physical exercise. It helps release stress, which takes a toll on our looks,” explains Cindy. Amen to that! Muscle knows no age. So the more you have, the younger you will feel and look. We’re not talking about body building, but lean muscle is the key.

What else Cindy? “Leave time for yourself. Do something that nurtures your inner spirit,” she advises. I agree with this! Especially for the Moms out there. You gotta nuture YOU.

Here are a few ideas I thought might help you nurture the inner you …

Read a good book: FAMILY AFFAIR: What it means to be African American Today by Gil L. Robertson IV. This is a thoughtful collection of short essays, addressing a wide range of issues and emotions facing African Americans today. Self-reflection on ourselves and our community is important for any grown woman to be doing on a regular basis.

Take a nap! The simplest things are usually what we are missing the most. Sleep is more important then we think for proper mind and body function. So take a 20 minute snooze with a super soft blanket. The Cashmere Showroom Bamboo Four-pocket Throw is perfect. It has two pockets for your hand and two for your feet and it is made of 100-percent bamboo.

Take a deep breathe. It’s free! The main thing is to really take in a deep breathe to help you focus and help to bring down your stress level. Pick up, BREATHING: The Master Key to Self Healing by Dr. Andrew Weil.

Click here to read more of Cindy’s interview.

For more good beauty and fashion info, to find a hair stylist in your city, or for a daily dose of our celebrity Style Squad featuring Ursula Stephens and Wouri Vice, visit us at www.urbanbeautycollective.com.

Also, you can follow us on Twitter at UBCisFABULOUS.

Until then, stay beautiful, sisters…
Tilane Jones, Managing Editor, www.UrbanBeautyCollective.com