Here are some specific eye make-up how-to’s depend on your prescription courtesy of bellasugar.com:

If you’re nearsighted, your eyes may seem smaller behind glasses; lining your top and lower lids is a surefire way to make them look bigger. For fair to medium skin tones, stick with a mahogany or light charcoal liner; for darker complexions, a deep coal or black. Curl upper lashes and apply a coat of mascara, let mascara dry for about 1 minute and apply another coat for an even more eye-opening effect.

Farsighted prescriptions often make eyes look bigger, so use a light hand–dust a neutral shadow on lids and brush on a coat of mascara. Because glasses also draw attention to your brows, keep them neat: Pluck strays and fill in sparse spots with a brow powder that’s one shade lighter than your hair color.

Check out other Beauty Tips Of The Day:

How To Remove Your Make-Up Correctly

How To Choose And Apply The Right Blush

Spring/Summer 2011 brings to market even more choices of scents that awaken your senses and two of those are HueKnewIt.com’s product picks starting with Cotton T-Shirt by Clean ($69, sephora.com). Like the simple iconic white t-shirt as written about in the book “Tommy Hilfiger by Tommy Hilfiger,” it’s simple in design and forever a mainstay in many of our closets because of it’s ease, so what better way to capture unpretentiousness in a bottle. To imagine what this fragrance smells like, just close your eyes and think of a freshly laundered tee – how uncomplicated! Bergamot, cotton flower, rosewood and sheer amber are only a few of the notes that make this airy scent a joy to wear.

Click Update: Summer ’11 Perfume Round Up to see what Marc Jacob’s thinks you should be wearing this summer.

My post Sunscreen Isn’t Just For White People touched on the need for everyone to wear sunscreen and today’s giveaway supports this important topic.

Thanks to everyone for your submissions. Please check back next week for another great giveaway!

And now that you follow me, you’ll be happy to know that I do flash Twitter beauty product giveaways also!

Hue Knew It? I did.

Recently, Physician’s Formula held an event in New York City where they held a comprehensive overview of their bronzers – 13 in all to my surprise. While bronzers haven’t always been tops on the Hue Knew It list of favorite products, celeb makeup artist Joanna Schlip and an executive with the company gave such a compelling presentation that I was moved to rethink my position on bronzers and realized that bronzers really do make a difference to your beauty quotient.

Of the 13 bronzer’s that are manufactured, Bronzer Booster Glow-Boosting Sun Stones ($14.99, ulta.com) made the best impression because it’s made to enhance and extend a natural-looking glow of any skin tone (including the many shades of black women). If, when you first apply this bronzer you don’t think the product is doing much to get your skin glowing, then you can build on it to get your desired look. By the way, don’t be duped by the “sun stones.” The stones give you the look of a smooth loose powder without the mess. Since we all know that the beauty industry is a looks industry, is it any wonder that the packaging which includes a powder puff and a mini bronzer brush with a mirror inside the compact is almost too pretty to use?

Learn about Smooth ‘n Shine & other latest product newbies” with “by clicking here.

Today’s One Day Giveaway is for one lucky winner just for Hello Beautiful readers is this Modella Fitted Traveller Set.

To qualify, (1) you must follow me on Twitter (@hueknewit) and (2) send an email to gregorie@hueknewit and tell me what your twitter name is. The winner will be announced June 2nd right here on HelloBeautifil.com

Hue Knew It? I did.

The first of the newest product launches is a hair product called Shake It by Biomega (only sold in salons, click here to locate one near you). Shake It takes your hair style from basic to super modern with two to three sprinkles of this powder activator that you can mix with any styling or texturing product to increase volume and hold and then apply mixture to your hair and style. Your first thought may be “won’t powder make my hair dry?” No, because Shake It is rich with three types of Omega oils which delivers flexible and shiny hair. For now, please refer to the Aquage website to see how this product works live and maybe you’ll feel inspired to step out of your comfort zone and do something different with your “do.” Stay tuned, because I will start posting videos very soon on how to use this and other products and various makeup looks – please join me in my jubilee ladies!

Will Strong Hair Hold My Hairstyle Longer?

Laura Geller’s Lip Couture Gift Set ($35, laurageller.com) is the most adorable kit I’ve seen in a long time. The owner of the company, Ms. Geller has a special place in my heart because she’s all about making the ladies who lunch uptown to the stylista’s downtown take center stage in this thing called life with a little help from the products in this red lips signature wristlet. It includes Lip Spackle which is a primer for your lips that helps lip color last and last without feathering, two Creme Couture Lipsticks, and if the individual colors don’t work for you, blend the two shades together to create your own brand of sexy. But my hands down favorite product in this kit is Lip Strip because it exfoliates your flakey lips and reveals, soft smooth lips. To use: dip finger into scrub and massage lips in a circular motion for 30 seconds and rinse off.

Read more.

Hue Knew It? I did.

Subscribe here for your weekly Hue Knew It beauty fix & get in on product giveaways when you follow me on Twitter @hueknewit & become a Fan on Facebook. If you don’t sign up, you can’t win!

How To Wear Eyeliner & Still Keep Your Face Au Naturale

Artist Tips:

• For a fine line, use just the tip of the pen. Hold pen with the tip pointing at the eye lid and gently glide from inner to outer corner of eye.

• For a thicker line, lay the pen on its side and gently gliding along lashline from inner to outer corner of the eye. The more pressure applied, the thicker the line you will achieve.

From kissdetroit

Follow @itsyagirlAC for the latest beauty tips and tricks!

The exclusive, limited edition collection of products includes two eyeshadows, and a Pure Color Gloss in a brilliant orange shade for those who want to transition the trend onto the lips. The Pure Color Orange Crush collection is housed in the same chic, blackened-blue packaging with the Estée Lauder cartouche, which was first introduced with the limited edition Pure Color Night Collection.

“Orange eyeshadow is a bold trend and not everyone feels comfortable with a bright eye, so I translated the shade into a lip gloss so women who love the look can wear it in their own way. I am known for making women look beautiful, sensual and sexy and I want them to feel comfortable in what they wear,” said Pecheux.

Pure Color EyeShadow in Orange Crush ($20) creates a dynamic, animated impact with an even and color true application and buildable coverage to control the intensity of the finished look.

Pure Color EyeShadow in Sugar Cube ($20) is an incredibly smooth, shimmering white powder shadow that creates depth and contrast to the confident orange. Use as a base over the entire eyelid with a dramatic triangle at the inner-corner of the eye.

Pure Color Gloss in Orange Crush ($20) saturates lips with vibrant orange pigments. The fiery hue is magnified and intense, making it boldly color true with an eye-catching, high-shine finish.

Hue Knew It? Idid.

Don’t miss out on your weekly beauty fix and product giveaways. Subscribe at hueknewit.com!

Women More Likely To Buy If Model Reflects Their Age, Size, Race [REPORT]

10 New Make-Up Shades That Look Good On All Skin Tones

The Pixi Wakeup Kit (target.com) costs $34 and includes 18 eye shadows, 2 concealers/eye primers, 8 lip glosses and 2 baked cheek powder duos along with a blush and lip stain. Pixi is celebrating its 10-year anniversary with this delicious limited-time collection of best-selling neutral-toned Pixi shades and colors to enhance your natural beauty.

While purchasing this or any makeup kit will hardly solve any of your financial problems, you certainly won’t break the bank if you do a little indulging. After all, if you’re not happy, it’s a guarantee that no one else around you will be either.

Click here to read about the other makeup kit that costs next to nothing to acquire.

Hue Knew It? I did.

Easy Ways To Find Out Your Skin Type

Beauty For Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2010

The most important step to finding the right foundation or skin care product is simple… TRY IT ON, on your face that is! And no the skin on your hand is not the same as the skin on your face!

Don’t get me wrong, its okay to feel the consistency on your hand, to get a general feel, but ALWAYS, try it on your face to get a true feel, especially when dealing with foundations and color. If you are one that gets extremely freaked out about all the fingers or faces the product has been in contact with, buy it and try it, if you don’t like it, TAKE IT BACK! Who cares if the cashier gives you a look or attitude, money does not grow on trees. I am sure just as any other woman, you don’t need another product taking up space in your bathroom or cosmetic bag! With most retailers as long as you keep the box and receipt and don’t take over a month to return it, they gladly will refund or exchange the product.

From KissDetroit.com

Beauty For Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2010

4 Nail Trends From Fashion Week: Pastels, Pop-Art & Patterns

If you’re wondering if this product is right for you, then ask yourself these two questions:

Do you like a natural makeup look and do you want or need a quick confidence boost? If the answer to either of these questions is yes, then this collection is for you or gift it to someone.

On Maureen Kelly’s (the Founder of Tarte) numerous trips to the Amazon, she always finds a special ingredient that she thinks will do something incredible for your skin, and the focus of her last trip to the Amazon was clay. The clay of the Amazon River flows for 4,000 miles gathering the highest form of nutrients along the way. What Maureen likes to call “Nature’s most perfect ingredient,” reduces the appearance of dryness and flakiness and improves the appearance of skin texture and clarity to give skin an overall smooth and even appearance.

Hue Knew It? I did.

Don’t lose out on your chance to win! Enter the HKI Beauty Bundle Giveaway!

SKIN RX: Get Skin Like Shontelle’s

Check out some other beauty tips of the day:

How To Add Moisture To Your Curls

How To Lengthen Your Lashes

Enter HelloBeautiful’s “Beautiful Friendship” Contest!

I bet you’d love to know whose goods these belong to. But before I reveal the secret, let’s examine the power of a good body bronzer and why you should use it and where:

Bronzer isn’t reserved just for your face. You can always use bronzer on your body to add a little color. And if you’re on the pale side, then a body bronzer should be a staple in your makeup bag.

As in this picture, use bronzer to highlight the assets you’ve been given – however, large or small. It just adds a nice touch to everyone’s appearance and shows a measure of confidence.

I think every woman should highlight your breasts and décolletage if you’re wearing a low-cut top dress. Use a powder brush and simply run the brush down the center of your breasts and take it a step further by also applying bronzer right above your bust line.

If you’re shoulder’s happen to be your favorite feature and are exposed, sweep some bronzer on them to make those your attention-getting feature.

Remember, you aren’t stuck with only using a powder form of body bronzer. They also come in a liquid and cream so there’s something for everyone.

Red Carpet Beauty How-To: Queen Latifah

Tip: Exfoliate your body in the shower prior to applying liquid bronzer because you want all of the dead skin gone so you get a smooth and even application. Remember to let the bronzer dry before putting your clothes back on, otherwise you’ll stain them.

ANSWER: Gabrielle Union. Did you guess right?

To check out my top picks for body bronzers that give your body a shimmering glow, or even the one pick that’s edible, click here.

Hue Knew It? I did.

How To Get Glowing Skin At Any Age

Here’s a fantastic offer from Lord & Taylor – on their website, there’s an offer of 10% off cosmetics and fragrances, and everything else is 25% off with the online promo code: FRIENDS.

Check out the online shopping here and read the rules of this promotion here for clarification.

SAVE NOW! It doesn’t have an expiration date, so make sure to check it out ASAP.

GALLERY: 15 Neon Must-Haves For Summer

GALLERY: 13 Romantic Summer Tops For Under $50

Chick flicks like Sex in the City 2 has ushered in the return of girls night out, however, a hot date to the movies is always in style and deserves just as much attention, so create a simple makeup look that makes an impact…even in a dark theater. And like the singer V.V. Brown, you too can pull off the ultimate “I’m just chillin’” look.

If you must give a little drama, then let it be your eyes that gets the attention. The beautifully-packaged Terracotta Khôl Kajal Intense Indian Kohl by Guerlain ($35, sephora.com) is exactly the type of highly-pigmented eyeliner that brings drama to your peepers. Just apply it to the inner rim of your eyelid or create a daring cat-eye along your lash line. And to get this liner on just right, you’ll need the pretty Sweetheart Compact Mirror ($2.80, forever21.com) to check yourself out.

Now you have no reason to not look good even if it’s just at the movies.

Click to read more.

Hue Knew It? I did.

DIY: Get Celebrity-Style Minx Nails At Home!

We know it’s really hard to let go of that one favorite eyeshadow you’ve had for, like, 3 years. You seldom wear it, but when you do, it looks great, and you don’t remember where you bought it, the color’s probably discontinued, blah, blah, blah….

But did you ever wonder what happens to your makeup after a certain point? It may not be food, but it definitely does go bad.

Here are 7 ways to stay pretty without compromising your health:

1. Never apply cosmetics over a cold sore-strains of the herpes virus can easily be spread from one location to another and infections of the eye can lead to vision loss.
2. Always make sure that products are closed tight and stored out of sunlight, as this can destroy the preservatives.
3. Don’t use any eye products if you currently have an eye infection.
4. Never add any liquids to products unless directed by the manufacturer.
5. If there are any changes in color and texture, dispose of the product immediately.
6. Smell your cosmetics; if they have an unusual odor, they may contain bacteria and should be thrown away.
7. Avoid sampling makeup at department stores when possible. If you do test, never apply directly from the makeup, but use a clean, disposable applicator (i.e. cotton swab, sponge) to apply cosmetics.

And in case you’re still a little fuzzy on exactly how much time that coveted lipstick has left, here are some general shelf lives of makeup products:

• Powders and shadows: 2 years
• Cream Shadows: 12-18 months
• Foundation: 1 year
• Lipstick & Lipliner: 1 year
• Mascara & Eyeliners: 3 months
• Makeup Brushes: Clean Weekly using a mild detergent
• Makeup Sponges: Replace Weekly, or when sponge becomes soiled

Stay beautiful!

Not sure where to start with products? Try THESE brushes!

Saturday June 20th was the IMATS (International Makeup Artist Trade Show) in Pasadena CA. I was an educator or guest speaker for a workshop titled “Glowing Green on the Red Carpet.”

The workshop was about how I discovered organic, mineral, homeopathic and natural based cosmetics to use on my clients and how the finished look was equal to the look of any traditional makeup brand. Now by no means am I a zealot about natural products that would be hypocritical of me, but I am gradually moving towards the use of more products that give a great finished product and the plus side is that they are actually good for you.

The problem with some products is that point black they are just chemical and toxic to your overall well being. Through my years of doing makeup for celebrities I wanted to use things that were less harsh and did not affect the skin negatively. I will share with you some of my findings on parabens and phthalates which are in a lot of products both for the face and body.

Parabens are chemical preservatives that have been identified as estrogenic and disruptive of normal hormone function. (Estrogenic chemicals mimic the function of the naturally occurring hormone estrogen, and exposure to external estrogens has been shown to increase the risk of breast cancer.) Chemically, parabens are esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. The most common parabens used in cosmetic products are methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben. Typically, more than one paraben is used in a product, and they are often used in combination with other types of preservatives to provide preservation against a broad range of microorganisms. The use of mixtures of parabens allows the use of lower levels while increasing preservative activity.

Why are preservatives used in cosmetics?
Preservatives may be used in cosmetics to protect them against microbial growth, both to protect consumers and to maintain product integrity.

What kinds of products contain parabens?
They are used in a wide variety of cosmetics, as well as foods and drugs. Cosmetics that may contain parabens include makeup, moisturizers, hair care products, and shaving products, among others. Most major brands of deodorants and antiperspirants do not currently contain parabens.

Cosmetics sold on a retail basis to consumers are required by law to declare ingredients on the label. This is important information for consumers who want to determine whether a product contains an ingredient they wish to avoid. Parabens are usually easy to identify by name, such as methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, or benzylparaben.

Phthalates are known to cause a broad range of birth defects and lifelong reproductive impairments in laboratory animals that are exposed to these chemicals during pregnancy and after birth. Phthalates are also known to be hormone-mimicking chemicals, many of which disrupt normal hormonal processes, raising concern about their implications for increased breast cancer risk.

“There are numerous other chemicals of concern in personal care products. BCA is particularly concerned about progesterone, formaldehyde and coal tar due to their links to cancer. The Environmental Working Group recently released Skin Deep, a report on the safety of cosmetics and personal care products. Astonishingly, 1/3 of products tested contain on or more ingredients that are known, probable or possible human carcinogens. (thinkbeforeyoupink.com).”

It has been argued by many cosmetic companies that harmful chemicals in makeup or skincare products are not enough to cause major problems for men or women who use them. However, children have shown serious consequences with the overexposure to products with parabens being linked to asthma, nervous system disorders and numerous other consequences.

Diseases like cancer, asthma, birth defects and learning disabilities are growing tremendously with each year affecting younger and younger people. There is a more evidence that these health problems are linked to the chemicals we are exposed to in our air, water, food, and everyday products. It’s time we start acting to protect human health. So why not take the precautionary measure of using paraben free products.

More and more companies are getting hip to the idea of creating whole brands separate from their main brands that are solely dedicated to making organic products that use natural ingredients, essential oils (not fragrances) and so on. In many cases, we know safe alternatives do exist and are already being used by some cosmetic companies. The notion of “safe” or “acceptable” levels of hazardous chemicals in our products should only be introduced when we cannot find alternatives. If the alternative is readily available why not switch brands.

I know I have begun to change especially my children’s products as they are affected much quicker then adults because their immune systems are not fully developed. Earth’s best has been my family’s best friend making lotions, wipes, organic milk and cookies for my youngest son. My daughter I have started her on Tom’s deodorant, tooth paste and pure 100% virgin Coconut oil from Spectrum. I use Castor oil for stomach aches and for constipation. I am learning as I am going because being natural even though I have locks everyone assumes that I am the queen on natural LOL. However, everyone I am not and far from it. I grew up in East Harlem and drinking quarter water, or chowing down on chicken wings with hot sauce was status quote for my friends and I. My parents Mississippi roots were just that roots that I am still learning to be connected to as an adult. De-chemicalizing myself and my family is a step by step process. However, my husband and I are up for the challenge to make more conscious choices for our family.

So why not Glow Green? If each one of us can do our part to de-chemicalize, use recycled paper goods, recycle plastics, give clothing to charity we will one by one change the spiritual consciousness of humanity to be more giving, loving and open to all the amazing possibilities of our true greatness. Of course I am a dreamer and an idealist, but it doesn’t hurt to give it a try…..

Here are some companies who are green and paraben free check them out:

Don’t see your cosmetics company here? Want to know if your product contains parabens? Here are some steps to take:

Look on the label for the following ingredients: methylparaben, propylparaben, isoparaben, or butylparaben.
Find out which company makes the product you use. See if they have an ingredient list available on the product itself or on the company’s web site. Try emailing or calling the company and asking them if the product you love contains parabens or not. Keep in mind that if a company is not forthcoming with the information you seek, you may want to purchase your products from another.

Affusion Skin Care
Afterglow Cosmetics
Agoo Agii
Alba
Alexandra Avery
Amúrie Toxic-Free Products
Aubrey Organics Skin, Body & Hair Care Products
Baan Bodycare
Barefoot Botanicals
Bare Escentuals
Beauty Cosmedics
Beauty Society
Bésso de Natúra
BienElla, LLC
Blue Moon Herbals & Aromatics
Botanical Skin Works
Burt’s Bees
Cargo Plant Love
Coastal Classic Creations
Colby Organic
Crystalux Personal Care Products
Daisy Blue Naturals
derma e Natural Bodycare
Devita Natural Skin Care Systems
Doc Hills Natural Skin Care
Dr. Hauschka
Earths Beauty Cosmetics
Earth Garden Ltd.
Earth Mama Angel Baby
Earth Science
EclipseSpa
Eco-Beauty Organics
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Evan Healy
Ferlow Botanicals
Garden Girl Skin Care
geoskincare
Grateful Body
Green Ridge Herbals
Healing Anthropology
Hylunia
Illustre Essenza
Image Skin Care
InerQi (inner chi) Toxic Free Body Care
Inspa Body Essentials
Integral Sense
Iredale Mineral Cosmetics
Jason Body Care Products
Josie Maran Cosmetics
Juice Beauty
Julisis
Kettle Care Herbal Body Products
Kore Intact Pty Ltd.
Korres Cosmetics
Kuumba Made
Lafe’s Natural BodyCare
LaLicious
Larénim
Lily Loves Pearl
Living Nature Products
Logona Cosmetics
Mad Gabs
Makeup Junky
Mama Rose’s Naturals
Mango Madness Skin Care
Martina Gebhardt Naturkosmetiks
Max Green Alchemy
Mineralogie
Monet Cosmetics
MyChelle Dermaceuticals
Natural Solutions-Holistic Beauty & Health
Naturopathica
Norabloom Botanicals
Novaurora Organic Skin Care
One Group
Organic Complexion
Organic Essentials Skincare (and Nutritional Product)
Organic Excellence Hair Care Products
Osea Skin Care
Pristine Recovery
Prophet Skincare
Rainforest Organics Natural Soap Co.
Real Purity Cosmetics
Restored Balance Herbal Products
Rocky Mountain Soap Company
Saje Natural Wellness
Santé Kosmetics
Sephora (PURE Brand Cosmetics)
Shady Day Inc.
Sidlab Haircouture
SMB Essentials
Soap for Goodness Sake
Solum & Herbe
Spell Cosmetics
Suki’s Naturals
Sumbody
Super Salve Company
Susan’s Soaps & More Natural Skin Care Products
Swissclinical Skin Solutions
Talulah Skin Care
Terra Firma Cosmetics
Terressentials
Tiny Pores
Tom’s of Maine
Trillium Organics
UV Natural
Valana Minerals
Val’s Body Essentials
Vernacular Skin Works
WELEDA
Wingsets Aromatherapy
Wood Sprite Natural Body
Worldwide Skin
XanGo Glimpse Skin Care
ybf (Your Best Friend)

I have more makeup than I know what to do with, but I’ve been pretty effing lazy lately when it comes to mixing and matching colors. On a day-to-day basis, chances are I woke up late and don’t have much time to put more than little effort into making my face, so I slap on an eyeshadow, sometimes eyeliner, mascara, and run out the door. Unfortunately it wasn’t until I received a bunch of Motives makeup to try that I realized how severely I’ve been neglecting one of my only real passions: playing in cosmetics.

Motives Cosmetics by Loren Ridinger is a fairly new line that isn’t huge, but certainly should be. It’s not super pricey, and many cosmetics companies don’t understand that quality doesn’t have to be directly correlated with price. This, however, is not one of those companies.

The Pressed Eye Shadow ($12) feels literally like velvet. It picks up on a brush pretty easily, but I prefer to use my pinky finger to blend the colors. I tried on a bunch of different shades over the course of a week to get a feel for all of the colors. They aren’t super-heavy, so it’s probably not best as a stage makeup brand, but it works well for wearing to parties and the like. You can also blend the colors with a little water to get a heavier look. The Kohl Eyeliner ($14) goes on smoothly and also makes a good base for a liquid liner, if you plan to be out for hours on end and don’t want your makeup wearing out before you do.

I’m normally not a fan of powder foundation at ALL (it makes my face look dry and gross), but the Liquid Powder Foundation with SPF 15 ($24.95) went on smoothly and didn’t have a cakey finish. While I won’t wear it every day, it’s got great coverage for Saturday nights and times I’m on camera (High Definition is a bitch! Hmph.). Last Saturday I was headed to a party, so I thought it would be cute to layer their new gloss (coming soon on the site!) over the Rich Color Lipstick in Venetian Red ($14). I got a lot of compliments, and the boyfriend liked it, so when I woke up the next day still slightly tipsy and ready to wear a fun outfit for Sunday Funday (read: delicious breakfast and unlimited mimosas, amen), I wore it again for added oomph.

Lastly, I’ve been wearing the Pressed Blush in Runway ($13.50) for the past few days instead of my usual cheek stain. It hasn’t made a big difference, but that’s kind of the point, right? I wore it to a recent “Drinks With…” interview I did with Ginuwine this week, so when it’s up on TheUrbanDaily.com, I’ll be sure to post a video here so you can tell me if I look like a total clown or not.

REVIEW: Intelligent Aesthetics Skincare Line

REVIEW: M2M Nail Polishes

There’s been a lot of talk accusing cosmetic companies of lightening certain African-American women’s skin for their ads. Recently Essence held a panel investigating the lack of concern cosmetic companies seem to have when it comes to targeting and representing all shades of Black women. Here’s what they found:

African-American women spend $7.5 billion annually on beauty products, but shell out 80 percent more money on cosmetics and twice as much on skin care products than the general market, according to the research. That difference comes as African-American women sample many more products to find the ones that are most effective on their skin.

“She spends a lot, but there’s little satisfaction. What keeps us buying is the hope that this product will do what it’s supposed to do,” said [celebrity makeup artist] Sam Fine.

They also went in on the anti-aging market:

“There’s no face of aging in the African-American community,” said Fine. “There’s Sharon Stone and Christie Brinkley, but no one who’s African-American.”

Read the rest here.

Do you feel that the cosmetic companies don’t speak to your interests as an African-American woman? Do you wish more shades of skin were represented in beauty ads?

Was Freida Pinto lightened for L’Oreal? Check it out here.

Revisit Beyonce’s whitewashed ad here!

Now that the weather is warm, I decided to treat myself to a relaxing manicure and pedicure. The trip to the spa was relaxing and stress free… that is, until I encountered some little toes that threw me for a loop. At the salon I saw a little girl, no older than 2.5 years old, with French-pedicured toenails. Her toes were adorned with red polish and topped with a white line with blue accents. I was a little taken back – in fact, I was a little frustrated with her toes. I mean, here is this little girl not even three years old and barely talking with pedicured toes and wearing lipstick.

I was so tempted to comment or ask her mother why she painted this baby’s toes, but that would have been way out of line, so I decided to ask myself… WWJD – What would Jatae Do? My darling daughter is all of 17 months old, and I think she is just as fabulous and let her play dress-up with boas and sunglasses. She enjoys trying to walk in my slippers and flats, and she is already curious as to why mommy’s toenails are colored and hers are not. However, with all the curiosity in the world, I think it’s inappropriate and unnecessary for her to have her little nails painted. She’s a baby – well, actually, a toddler – but even so, she’s too young to even say “polish”! It must be said that dress-up and imaginative play are part of healthy childhood development, but there is also a time and place for everything. When Madison is done playing with her toys they are put away, and the same thing goes for playing dress-up – all the accessories come off at the end. While she may have an interest in polish, the fumes are too much for me at times, and I don’t want to expose her to that potentially harmful smell.

I am not a parenting expert, but I know that I am in no certain rush to have my daughter grow up sooner than necessary. So my rule is, until she can spell NAIL POLISH, she shouldn’t wear any – and when she is able to spell it, I will be the one to determine the color. If she asks why, the answer is so simple and one I’ve waited my entire life to say:

“Because I am your mother and I SAID SO.”

How Afraid Are You of Saggy Boobs?

The Importance of “Me Time” For Moms

It really is quite simple and there are several ways to do it.

You can apply blush just on the apples of the cheeks to get a nice flush of color. And all you have to do here is make a big ass (sorry Mom, had to say it..) Kool-Aid smile. Like this…

To see blush application instructions and a picture guide, go to ClumpsofMascara.com!

How to get rid of eyeshadow creases

3 Mascara tricks you should know

I’m usually a lip balm girl, but when I’m going out, at the most I’ll throw on a sheer lip gloss – I’m always on the go, and the time it takes to apply lipstick is usually more time than I’m willing to waste. So I opt for colors that I can throw on without the aid of a mirror, and I’ll never wear a lip color that doesn’t moisturize as well as my favored balm.

I recently checked out Paula’s Choice Sheer Cream Lipstick in SPF 15 because it touted to be moisturizing and look good against all skin tones, so a few coworkers and I tried all the different shades to see if the claim held true. Lucky for this review, it did! There are honestly only a few colors I can’t pull off (but only the extreme ones, like neon pink or something), so I wasn’t too worried about the line, but most of the colors looked good on the staff as well – and we vary by a few different shades. The colors were sheer enough to wear at work or to a nightclub, and I didn’t have to put lip balm on before applying the color.

If you’re looking for bold colors – reds, browns, and oranges, specifically – you won’t be in luck. But if you’re looking for light color with a hint of shimmer and a lot of moisture boost, Paula’s is neck and neck with my other favorite lip sheer that will remain unnamed (I have to be fair!). The color doesn’t last forever, but it doesn’t dry, cake up and look gross when you reapply more than a few times a day. And the best part is, it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, so if you’re the kind of person that applies lipstick a million times a day, you won’t be breaking the bank by stocking up on a few tubes to keep in your bag, home, and office.

$10.50, paulaschoice.com

REVIEW: Intelligent Aesthetics Skincare line

REVIEW: Wink Beauty Bar, Brooklyn, New York

We’ve randomly picked a winner for our tarte Earth Day eco-bag and lip sheers giveaway, and it’s Toni from Texas! Or BP member MsTease712 to you. The lucky Toni won a “be good to your mother (earth)” reusable bag and lip sheers set from tarte cosmetics.

Want to know her favorite home beauty remedy?

This recipe can be used as a body butter AND a hair moisturizer!

7oz unrefined Shea butter
4oz Aloe Vera Gelly (Clear, Fruit of the Earth brand from Target)
3oz Coconut Oil
2oz oil of your choice
OPTIONAL: Drops of your fave EOs if you don’t use a strong flavor oil

First, melt the Shea butter in a glass bowl set in boiling water. Soften coconut oil in the microwave (not all the way to liquid) then mix in a glass bowl with the Aloe gel and Banana oil with a wire whisk. When Shea butter fully melts, pour it in the Aloe/oil mix. Beat with mixer on medium speed for about two minutes. Then pour into an empty plastic container that has an air tight lid. Put it in the fridge for a couple of hours to solidify.

Try it yourself and tell us how it went!

Stay tuned for the next contest….

xoxo,

Gift Gal

“Where can I get good and cheap brushes?”

Giiiirl, lemme tell you. I know some may say that MAC Cosmetics brushes are the best and that else nothing is comparable, but I don’t think that’s true. While I do love the quality and overall performance of MAC brushes, I think that there are other phenomenal brushes for half the price.
Say hello to my babies…

For a complete breakdown of Brittany’s fave budget brushes, go to ClumpsofMascara.com. What are your favorite cheap makeup accessories?

We love the ECOTools brush set!

Need some organization tips? Click here!

Earth Day is April 22, and you know how much we love all things free and eco! And since we’re so good to Mother Earth, we wanted to spread the love to our beautiful readers!

We’re giving away one “be good to your mother (earth)” reusable bag and lip sheers set from tarte cosmetics. The three 24/7 Lip Sheers, appropriately named “reduce,” “reuse,” and “recycle,” are packaged in post-consumer recycled aluminum and packed with SPF15 and come in a foldable, reusable purple tote with gold strap.  Gift Gal has a set, and not only do the sheers look great on every skin tone (she shared them with her friends!), but the bag is cute and sturdy enough to carry groceries, gym clothes, or random items.

The limited-edition set runs for $35 and are available at Sephora and other boutiques everywhere.

Want one for free? Just do the following:

1. Leave a comment in the comments section telling us what your favorite homemade beauty recipe is
2. Check back at the beginning of next week to see who our lucky winner is
3. Enter next week’s giveaway and win something for yourself or someone you love!

GOOD LUCK!

For complete contest rules, click here.

You know how much I love EcoTools, right? I did a post about them once before and was glad to see that I wasn’t the only EcoTools lova ‘roun here. Ladies all over the world are raving about these eco-friendly, affordable and high performance brushes. Even my girl Nikki in the Philippines is raving about the EcoTools mineral brush set.

So of course I had high hopes for the Brow grooming set. Did it deliver?

To find out, go to ClumpsofMascara.com!

Can your makeup make you sick?

Cosmetics company Sara Happ has The Lip Scrub, a mini-exfoliator designed to rid your lips of flakes and dryness caused by the harsh winter months. The scrubs come in 6 different flavors, and you can follow your lip sloughing with The Lip Slip, a tasty balm that apparently leaves your lips feeling silky, moisturized, and pouty.

Or you can save the $48 bucks you’d be spending on this trio by doing the age-old, tried-and-true method of brushing your lips with a soft-bristled toothbrush, then slapping on some moisturizing lip balm. I promise, you’ll be just as kissable. Though the flavors of Sara Happ’s products make lip scrubbing sound much more appealing and a bit more fun. But at least now you have two options, just in case you’re broke.

the lip slip and the lip scrub, $24 each, sarahapp.com.

Even Mary J is exfoliating!

Now that your lips are moisturized, take care of your manicure – wear this polish!

Putting on your makeup in the car is a total NO-NO, but a new study suggests that women who apply makeup in the morning have better balance and are overall less clumsy, which could therefore cause less accidents on the road! Says Telegraph,

Researchers believe that the time consuming act of slapping on lipstick or applying blusher could serve as a form of stretching exercise, improving people’s balance and co-ordination.

A study led by the research communications director from the cosmetics giant L’Oreal found that older women who applied make-up in the morning stood straighter and had fewer falls than those who did not.

Dr Patricia Pineau, of the University of St Etienne in France, claimed that the findings could help prevent many debilitating accidents.

Her team studied 100 women aged between 65 and 85 as part of a study originally intended to measure the effect of wearing make-up on self esteem.

They were fitted with belts to measure their posture and given special insoles to test their centre of gravity.

The team concluded that those who wore even a small amount of make-up appeared to be more stable on their feet.

“They held themselves differently to those who did not wear make-up,” Dr Pineau was quoted as saying.

While this study is pretty interesting, I honestly can’t say that it’s necessarily true – I’ve been wearing makeup since high school, and I’m just as clumsy and off-balance as I’ve ever been! But maybe I’m an exception. What about you?

There’s a difference between putting on a little makeup in the morning, and putting on a full clown face! It could be a huge turn-off.

When is it time to throw that old makeup out?

From Popsugar.com

This weekend the gorgeous Halle Berry was spotted with the equally beautiful Gabriel Aubrey and their daughter Nahla in Malibu. The actress presented on Oscar night and then made the afterparty rounds with her man but she’s about to venture out to a whole new world. This month, she will debut a signature scent called Halle including her in the trendy club of celebrities with a fragrance. We can smell the success already, can you?

Halle’s joining the club of celebrity fragrances.  Check out our gallery of celebs who have a scent or two to sell.  Who’s your favorite? Tell us in comments.

Guess who else is launching their own scent? Click here to find out!

For more from popsugar.com click here

Ladies, this contest has ended. Please join us in congratulating the winners of the HelloBeautiful Kissable Couture giveaway. Click here for info.

By Nazneen Patel

Being the wife of an Oscar-winning Hollywood A-lister like Forest Whitaker isn’t always easy. But Keisha Whitaker is a powerhouse herself. Formerly an actress, Whitaker has recently launched her own cosmetics line, Kissable Couture, with business partner and celeb makeup artist AJ Crimson. The philosophy by which she approaches beauty in today’s hectic world is a lot like her personality: easy, casual, effortless, and classy.

That in mind, Kissable Couture is a line of fun, flirty shades of lip gloss for every season, and I had the distinct pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Whitaker about her new project.

Why did you create a cosmetic/lip color company?

I started Kissable Couture with my partner AJ. He used to be my makeup artist for red carpets and [other events] and we talked about coming up with our own product line after seeing people put out products that weren’t up to par. There was a hole in the market for a luxury cosmetics line, so last September we put out our first product: lip gloss. I have a background in fashion and AJ in make-up, so that’s how we came up with the name.

How did you come up with the names for the colors?

The first collection we put out was called the “First Kiss Collection,” and the names of the colors are all boys I or friends of mine have kissed. Two of the names include the first boy I kissed and the boy I married! The following collections are called “Love Inspires”, “Bare Your Soul”, “Transitions”, and we have a Holiday minis collection that features our top 5 shades. It makes a great stocking stuffer!
What do you want women to feel when they wear Kissable Couture?

Well, the packaging for all Kissable Couture products is really beautiful. It’s like receiving a gift. I want women to feel special, like they’re being pampered. Lip gloss is perfect for this because it’s like the frosting on a cake. I want women to feel beautiful and chic.
What’s next for Kissable Couture?

Right now we are focused on lip gloss, but by next fall we want to branch out into lots of areas. We are really excited about our product and we want to get it right before we move on.

What are three beauty items you never leave the house with?

I never leave the house without my Kissable Couture minis, MAC blot powder, and mascara. I really believe that all you need is lip gloss and mascara – and you’re done.

This HelloBeautiful Holiday Giveaway has ended click here to see who won.

Ready for your chance to win the mini glosses shown in this article?

We’re giving away 5 mini sets of Kissable Couture Smooches this week.

All you have to do is answer this question for a chance to win!

• Name 3 movies that Forest Whitaker has appeared in and place your answer in the comments section of this article to be eligible.

Good luck!

Click here for rules.