Category Archives: Beauty Addict

COLOR MATCHED: Is There a Foundation Shade for You?

Posted by JacquelineLaurean in Beauty Addict and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A topic that isn’t obsolete, but often swept under the rug!  Women of color, sometimes run into trouble trying to find the perfect foundation shade.  This really perplexes me, and raises the question of whether or not some beauty brands are “doing their homework,” before releasing new products? 

Nevertheless, there are a few brands out there that have collected “the right research,” and have produced  foundations shades that work FOR ALL WOMEN!  The brands listed below, got it right!

 black|Up cosmetics

photo credits: ladygaga.wikia.com, evecare.com, giorgioarmanibeauty.com, urbanbeauty.com, kortomomolu.com, lintonbeauty.com, activerain.com, progressivegeek.com, sheisnyc.com, waiyee.blogspot.com, blackupcosmetics.com

Fragrance Giveaway: Rebelle by Rihanna

Posted by JacquelineLaurean in Beauty Addict and tagged with , , , , , , ,

(photo credit: m.zimbio.com)

Sexy, sassy, and sweet are the three words that come to mind when spritzing Rebelle by Rihanna.  In collaboration with Parlux Fragrances, Inc., Rihanna’s second fragrance is set to be a big hit this spring.  Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Rebelle is an exotic mix of succulent strawberries, vanilla orchid, and amber.

“My new fragrance is about taking control but still being a lady.  There’s a feminine, romantic element to the fragrance-but there’s also a defiant quality in it.  I love its duality.”–Rihanna

GIVEAWAY: Subscribe to 2 Snaps and a Twist, and enter for a chance to win Rebelle by Rihanna. {$59 Value!)

BUST ASH: Defeat Skin Winter Wars!

Posted by JacquelineLaurean in Beauty Addict and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , ,

(photo credit: madamenoire.com)

NYC’s metro areas have been fortunate enough to experience warmer temperatures for this time of year.  However, there have been a few really cold days, and with cooler temperatures on the horizon you need to pay extra attention to your skin.  The #1 winter skin problem that many of us complain about is dryness.  With this issue in mind, here are a few of the best products to keep your skin healthy and moisturized during the winter…

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

Dove VisibleCare Renewing Creme Body Wash {$7.49, walgreens.com}   This ultra creamy wash gives new life to your skin as it cleanses and moisturizes.  After bathing, your skin feels seductively soft, and there’s less of a need to pack on any heavy  lotions. 

 

 

 

Carol’s Daughter Love Butter {18, carolsdaugther.com} This skin saviour busts’ ash like no other!  Especially if you have really dry skin in the winter, the rich blend of shea butter, cocoa butter, and sweet almond oil will have your body feeling as smooth as a baby’s bottom.

 

 

 

 

Rosebud Salve {$7, Sephora.com} Usually termed as a “cult favorite,” Rosebud Salve is that classic all-purpose balm that you should have in your purse at all times.  Mostly used for conditioning lips, Rosebud is also beneficial for elbows, knees, and after care on minor cuts.

 

 

 

 

Aveeno Smart Essentials Daily Nourishing Moisturizer {12.47, drugstore.com} With SPF 30, Aveeno’s new Smart Essentials moisturizer allows you to protect your skin from sun damage.  The sun actually beams a little more in the winter, and the UVA/UVB protection is just enough to safeguard your pride and joy.

 

 

 

  L’Occitane Shea Butter Mini Hand Cream {$10, usa.loccitane.com} I have been around the hand cream block and back, but I have NEVER come across a hand cream as moisturizing as L’Occitane’s Shea Butter.  Kind of surreal. No lie!

Splurge Worthy:Tom Ford Violet Blonde

Posted by JacquelineLaurean in Beauty Addict and tagged with ,

 

The holidays have many of our bank tanks on E, and shopping may be the last thing on anyone’s mind.  However, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and choosing the perfect  fragrance for your honey is key (ahem, fellas!).  With that being said, I want to tell you a bit about my experience with Tom Ford’s Violet Blonde.  I received the fragrance around the time of its launch, and sort of overlooked it.  While doing a little New Years cleaning, I gave it a sniff!  Once I dabbed a little on my neck and forearm I was totally engaged!  This alluring scent took over, and brought me to the secret garden of seduction. 

Tom Ford’s Violet Blonde is sophisticated yet sexy.  It’s the word “elegant” captured in a bottle.  With powerful notes such as Violet Leaf Absolute with tones of Orris, the root of the Iris flower, and Jasmine Sambac this scent totally entices the senses.

And not to mention, this ad was GENIUS. 2 Snaps!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Courtesy Photos)

Super Snappy: Get Lala’s Look!

Posted by JacquelineLaurean in Beauty Addict and tagged with , , , , , , ,

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photo credit: glamour.com/beauty

Can we all just have a moment of snaps for Lala’s amazing appearance at VH1′s DIVAS CELEBRATE SOUL (airing tonight at 9 p.m.)?  Dressed in Laquan Smith’s, amazing ”Constellation” look, I think we can all agree that Mrs. Lala Vasquez-Anthony has truly been having her moment this year.  With a black and silver ensemble, a sultry smokey eye, perfectly popped lips and nails were right on point.

Here a few key products you can try to get Lala’s look in a flash!

1. MAKEUP FOREVER’S New Limited Edition Wild & Chic Aqua Eyes Collection {$36, sephora.com)

 

 

 

 

 

2. COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipstick in Flame {$6.29, drugstore.com}

 

 

 

 

 

3.  NARS “The Multiple” Stick in G-Spot {$39, nars.com}

 

 

 

 

 

4. ARDELL Fashion Lashes Strip Lash in 120 Black {$3.49, drugstore.com}

 

 

 

 

 

Beauty Tip: Brush Your Lips!

Posted by JacquelineLaurean in Beauty Addict and tagged with ,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Every morning, right before you brush your teeth, take a moment to brush your lips.  After adding this to my morning regime for almost 10 years, I’ve noticed that it’s one of the easiest ways to exfoliate your lips.  If you have a sturdy  toothbrush, the bristles will eliminate unwanted dead skin.  Simple and easy, and 100% foolproof.  Try it!

Backstage Beauty with Victoria’s Secret

Posted by JacquelineLaurean in Beauty Addict and tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Good Morning! Hope everybody’s weekend went well!  Mine was quite eventful!  Anyway, didn’t you all just love the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show last week?  I can’t stop raving about it. Everything from the beautiful models, the perfect costumes, A+ performances, and let’s not forget….the RAVISHING makeup looks. With Lead Makeup Artist, Tom Pecheux, and a glam squad of 21 additional makeup artists + 7 body bronzing artists, every model literally transformed from supermodel to Victoria’s Secret Angel.   Speaking of which, Lauren Cosenza, Beauty Expert, breaks down how we can achieve these runway looks right at home.

MAKEUP: FACE & CHEEK

Prep skin with VS PRO Airbrush FX Face Primer SPF 20. This creates a supple canvas for makeup to glide on.

Using a foundation brush or a damp sponge, buff VS Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 in your shade into skin to create a flawless second-skin effect.

For any skin imperfections, custom blend your exact skin match using VS PRO Camouflage FX Concealer Palette and press into skin using a concealer brush or your finger.

To warm the skin, apply VS Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder in Glitterati over the face concentrating on the top of the forehead, the temples, the cheekbones and the jawline.

For that rosy flush, swirl VS Luminous Mineral Blush Duo in Starlet onto apples of cheeks pulling color slightly up towards the temples.

As a finisher and for that iconic and angelic glow, dust VS Brilliant Shimmer Shadow in Gold Dust (yes, a loose pigments eyeshadow!) onto templesand the tops of cheekbones.

The bronzer, blush and gold highlighter should blend seamlessly into one another.

MAKEUP: EYES

Start with VS PRO Lasting FX Eye Shadow Primer on lids as a base for the eye look.

For under eye circles, darkness or puffiness, swipe VS PRO Light FX HD Eye Brightening Pen under eyes.

Pop that VS Brilliant Shimmer Shadow in Gold Dustnow onto the browbones and the inner corners of the eye. This will really open and enhance the eyes.

To get ultra-flirty eyes (the focal point of the makeup), run VS PrecisionLiquid Liner in Blackest Black along upper lashline starting at the inner corner and extending slightly beyond the outer corner for a slight upward cat-eye wing. [Note: The overall beauty look for 2011 was very natural so the liquid liner should not be overly dramatic or too thick.]

Finish eyes with coats and coats of the volumizing and lengthening VS Triple Drama Mascara in Blackest Black.  Layer it on both top and bottomlashes!

MAKEUP: LIPS

The lip look was soft and pouty so no need for lip liner to achieve it. Start with VS PRO Smooth FX Lip Scrub & Balm to exfoliate then replenish lips so they are perfectly smooth and plump.

Apply VS Perfect Lipstick in Whisper– a pink champagne nude beloved by makeup artists and the VS Angels!

Top the lipstick with a coat of VS Lip Gloss is Sublime – a sheer coral – or VS Sparkling Lip Gloss in Delight– a sheer sparkly pink, concentrating on the center of the mouth for added fullness and shine.

 

Every year, I am in awe on how every detail just falls right into place for this show.  Can I be a VS Angel when I grow up? 2 SNAPS!

Model: Candice Swanepoel, Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2011                                    

 Credits: Lauren Cosenza, Courtesy of VS

Beauty News: ALDO Launches a New Fragrance!

Posted by JacquelineLaurean in Beauty Addict and tagged with , , ,

Popular shoe retailer, ALDO, has decided to debut a new fragrance line!  A is for ALDO is bringing a contemporary modern-day touch on fragrance, and includes 5 interesting scents in the collection.  Each scent is defined by color, and consumers will be selecting their favorite scents accordingly.  Have you ever chose which fragrance you would wear for the day based off your mood or personality?  Well, A is for ALDO maximized upon this theory.  A little confused? Read on…

For women, you can select  red, yellow, or blue.  Red is for sensual and passionate females, while yellow is for chic, playful, and alluring females.  Blue is for the sexy, glamorous, and seductive women.  Some of the top notes included in the women’s line are sandalwood, mandarin, and freesia.

For men, you can select red or yellow.  Red is for modern classic, while yellow is for sporty casual men.  Two of the top notes in the men’s line include vanilla and mango.

Still confused? If you have a little trouble selecting which color defines you, A is for Aldo, has a quiz you can take on their website that can help you determine which scent is best for you.  Fun stuff!

Just thought I’d share a little beauty for thought, and a new fragrance to check out this weekend while your holiday shopping.

2 snaps!

Credit: YouTube

Essence Magazine: November Beauty Obsessions

Posted by JacquelineLaurean in Beauty Addict, Jacqueline Laurean and tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Check out these great beauty finds I’ve highlighted for Essence Magazine’s November Beauty Obsessions (pg.46).  Everything is beautylicious and can be easily purchased online!!!  Go pick up an issue today before it’s gone!