Vogue's Annual Top 100 Fall Items Under $100 Guide!

Hello Divas!

Power and death are in the power of the tongue. Speak wisely.

Vogue's Annual September issue is out!  It is gorgeous.  Included in Vogue's annual September issue,  is their top 100 fashion finds under $100 guide.  I love this portion!  Because let's be honest, $100 finds is definitely in my budget.

Here are ten items I love from the list!

Banana Republic leopard print belt from The Mad Men Collection. $50.

Asos cashmere and leather elbow length gloves. $60.

H&M pink pleated dress. I am loving this! $35. Wowza.

Karl Lagerfield for Impulse textured dress. Stunning and a classic cut.  $99

Double Happiness Jewelry Salim earrings. $88.

NARS opaque nail polish in Ecume.  My stylist, Bizette, turned me on to white nail polish.  It looks so glamourous and clean. $17.

Dolce Vita color block platforms. $99

As you know, color blocking is in.  This ASOS dress is only $95.

Fashion's Night Out graphic tees. $30!

Revlon Fashion's Night Out "Pout" lipstick. Only $8.

Fashion can be affordable and gorgeous!

Toodles!


All photos courtesy of Vogue.com

NARS Velvet Matte Reds: Dragon Girl and Cruella

Hello Divas!

How has life been treating you?? I hope simply splendid!

As you know Chamele is away in Paris and boy I can't wait to hear about Parisian style!  One day I too will be in Paris and let us pray very soon.

Well I didn't think i was possible, but NARS Cosmetics has created a line of red lipsticks that look AMAZININGLY STUNNING on ANY skin tone.  Yes. Believe it.  Because I am a woman of color, I want to focus on the NARS reds that make brown girls look Va Va Voom.  Here is a pic of me with some good friends at a birthday party.  I am wearing NARS Dragon Girl Velvet Matte Lip Pencil and it is sublime.  The pencil is a deep red and it just pops on my skin tone.  When I wear it, people just stop and compliment me.  They always say I look pretty. Nice.  Also, NARS Velvet Matte Lip pencils go on super smooth and it feels like silk, so soft on the lips.  However it is still a great Matte look and texture.  Genius.

Now my friend N, wearing the black jacket is wearing NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella.  Cruella did not look that great on me, but it looks amazing on her.  Isn't it interesting how subtle undertones in the skin tone can make one color rock one person but be so so on another person?  I am just super impressed that NARS takes the effort to develop such vivid and beautiful cosmetic colors that work with such varying skin hues.

NARS Velvete Matte Lip pencils are formulated with Vitamin E and are a jumbo-sized crayon design.  The color truly does last all day and because of the size, you can get a lot of use out of the pencils.  NARs Velvet Matte lip pencils retail for $24 and you can purchase them online here or at any Sephora.

Toodles!

NARS Summer 2011 Collection: Warm and Sultry

Hello Divas!

I hope life is being good to you!  I am thankful and blessed!

NARS has released their new Summer 2011 Collection and it is GORGEOUS!!!  When NARS does a new collection they do it right!  I am loving these colors. Check them out.

The aqua and green colors are just beautiful.  Aqua eyes with glowing skin? Certifiable!

The Dogon Duo Eyeshadow colors are for a sultry night out on the town.  Can you imagine dining by the ocean air in St. Barth's wearing these colors? I can.

I have a CoverGirl eye pencil that is similar to this color and I love it.  This sparkly green will give you eyes just enough pop of color and you can wear it day or night.

A soft pink to compliment your smoking hot Aqua eyes.  Gorgeous but understated.

Who can argue with hot pink lipstick? 

I have the velvet matte lip pencil in Dragon Girl red and it is a show stopper!  The texture is just sublime.  It is soft and smooth, yet still matte?  Genius.

Now this is a new blush that is described as " a soft pink highlighter with gold and silver shimmer."  Not sure if it will even show up on my skin tone, but it is pretty. 

NARS Cosmetics new Summer 2011 Collection is available now online and at any Sephora.  Get your choices before they sell out!

Toodles!

Fun Fridays: NARS Flagship Boutique: WOWZA!

Hello Divas

I recently read a quote from Oprah that I thought was so powerful.  "In my 40s, I got wiser. I started using journals to express my gratitude—and watched my blessings multiply. What you focus on expands."  What a powerful and so true statement.  But we don't have to wait until we are older to start being grateful.  Start today and watch your life flourish.


So have you heard about NARS new Flagship Boutique?  It is simply stunning!  Take a look:

Of course it is located in the wonderful and fabulous NYC in the West Village.  The design is sleek, modern, and artistic.  NARS founder and Creative Director, François Nars, collaborated with Fabien Baron to design the interior of the first NARS boutique.  


In celebration of this new Flagship boutique, NARS has introduced a new pure matte lipstick, NARS 413 Bleeker, named after the street address where the store is located. Hot.


The warm rose brown shade is simply gorgeous.  I can't wait to get my hands on this lipstick. 

The NARS 413 Bleeker matte lipstick retails for $25 and you can purchase it exclusively online here or at the boutique.  


Toodles!

NARS: Limited Edition Calanque Trio Eyeshadow

Hello Divas!

I hope your life is fabulous!

Me? Exhausted.  Life has been a bit overwhelming, but I am blessed and really should not complain.

You Divas know how much I love NARS Cosmetics.  Well I recently received an email about their new trio eyeshadow called Calanque.  What a sexy name?

This trio contains "a gold-infused platinum with silver flecks, a light matte caramel and rich antique bronze steeped with gold"  HOT!  These colors are just perfect for this warm weather we have been experiencing.  Can you imagine rocking this trio in a white halter swimsuit, a cover-up and some platforms? Yes, I see myself on Miami beach right now.


These colors are so versatile you can wear them alone or together to create a warm and sultry look. 

Nars eyeshadows have the same pigment and intensity as their blushes.  The colors are true and last forever.

Calanque is a limited edition.  You can purchase this trio for $45.  You can purchase it at any Sephora or online here.  If you purchase it online, you will receive complimentary shipping.

Toodles!

12 Days of Luxetips Before Christmas! Day 11: Glowing Holiday Make-Up

Hello Divas!

How was your day? If you are like me, you are still trying to get those last minute gifts before Christmas! Last minute shopping always gets me in the Christmas spirit.

We are almost done with 12 Days of Luxetips Before Christmas! Of course in order to complete our luxe look, we must wear gorgeous holiday make-up! Yep, I saved the best for last! LOL! During the holidays I want to glow. So I am going to use shimmery blushes, bronzers, and shimmmery eyeshadow for that sun-kissed look. As for lip color, I may go with a bronzy nude for Christmas Eve and for Christmas Day, a dark wine or gorgeous red! Here are some products I am contemplating for Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Bobbi Brown Nude Eye Palette. Every Diva knows Bobbi Brown makes the best palettes! They are limited edition and always sell out. I love this Nude Eye Palette. It contains mattes, pearlized, and metallic shimmer colors. I would use the shimmers to create a festive holiday eye and the pinkish white to highlight the inner corner my eye. Gorgeous!

Lancome Hypnose Mascara. I love my Defencils, but this mascara creates separation, definition, and volume!

To achieve the ultimate glow, you must have a very good bronzer or blush. You guys know how much I love NARS blushes. However, their Irrestiblement Bronzer is fab! Apply it to your brown bones, cheek bones, and anywhere else you want a nice glow.

Revlon Foiled lip gloss is a fantastic bronzy pink lip gloss for a great price! It has insane shine and is super moisturizing.

Also Revlon's Black Cherry lipstick is a gorgeous dark wine that I will wear on Christmas Day! It is simply gorgeous!

What make-up will you wear on Christmas Day?

Toodles!

The Holidays Are Here! NARS The Multiple Coffret

Hello Divas!

How are you doing? Are you excited the holiday season is here? I am!

The next series of posts will focus on great stocking stuffers for Christmas. I am a huge fan of stocking stuffers. I have huge oversized stockings for my family and I love giving my friends and family cute and unique stocking stuffers for Christmas. So while browsing Sephora's website, I came across this set of mini NARS multiples: NARS The Multiple Coffret. Now you Divas know I am a huge fan of NARS blushes and their Multiples. The great thing about The Multiples is that you can use them on your eyes, cheeks, and lips! A 3 for 1 deal? Love it! Well this holiday season, NARS Cosmetics is selling a limited edition mini-set featuring three shades of NARS Multiple. This adorable little set includes shades: Orgasm (peachy pink shimmer), South Beach (shimmering apricot and Copacabana (a glistening pearl). Plus it retails for only $40! Yep $40 bucks! One NARS Multiple retails for $37 alone, so this is a deal, deal, deal! I HAVE TO HAVE ONE IN MY LIFE!!

Divas this is a must buy and buy them fast. It is a limited edition, you get to try three Multiples for one low price, and it is so cute! These will sell out fast! You can purchase this set online here or at any Sephora.

Toodles!

What Is In My Makeup Bag? Lancome, NARS, Maybelline, Jurlique and more...

Hello Divas!

I hope you are having this best week ever! I am learning to let go and let God handle the problems. Now that is stress free living!

From time to time I like to do a post on what I am currently carrying in my make-up bag. This list will include some products that you are familiar with and some new ones I have come to love! Check out my list and tell me what are you carrying in your makeup bag?


Lancome Color Fever Gloss in Hotness. It is the perfect bronze pink nude! Plus it is super super moisturizing! Love it!

Lancome Defencils Mascara. No explanation needed.

Lancome Effecermess Waterproof Protective Undereye Concealer. This concealer beautifully conceals dark circles and bags.

Lancome Foundation Brush #2. The best foundation brush I have ever used.

NARS Blush in Lovejoy! When I wear this I look like a bronze bombshell.

Jurlique Love Balm. Moisturizing and Citrus-y!

Poule de Luxe Vanilla Solid Parfum. Small, compact, and packed with an intense vanilla/fruit scent.

Maybelline Red Revival Lipstick. The perfect true red.

Black Opal Foundation Stick in Hazelnut. The best coverage plus it is only $8 bucks!

CVS Essence of Beauty Tools Blush Brush. Great brushes for bargain basement prices. This blush brush is only $2.49!

Kerstin Florian Neroli Water. This water is perfect as a pick me up and a nice way to cool down and freshen up. It is the best ever!

Toodles!

Fun Fridays! Lumene BOGO, NARS 15th Anniversary Set and more....

Hello Divas!

I hope your day is as gorgeous as you are!

One of my absolutely favorite drugstore skin care lines,Lumene, is having a buy one get one free sale starting next week! You guys know how much I love their products. The day cream with Vitamin C and SPF 15 is one of my favorite products! It prevents aging, moisturizes, and protects your skin from the sun! Fab! Visit any CVS to take advantage of this offer and make sure you bring your CVS extra care card.

NARS Cosmetis is celebrating 15 years of color innovation with the release of two gorgeous palettes! Palette Everlasting Love contains make-up to create a bold eye and a nude lip. The Wild at Heart Palette contains colors to create a bold lip with a more subdued eye. These palettes contain: 4 eyeshadows, a blush and a multiple for cheeks, and 4 lip colors. Nice!

Sephora has introduced their Holiday Gift Sets for the Holidays! You can purchase gifts featuring Tarte Cosmetics, Philosophy, Smashbox, Lorac, Clinique, L'Occitane, and more! If you are on a budget, there are tons of sets $25 and under!

Toodles!

NARS Fall Nail Collection: Tokaido Express

Hello Divas!

I hope you had a fabulous weekend!

I am still recovering from my trip to Chicago. I was a presenter at the Mocha Moms, Inc. national conference. I discussed tips on how to live the fabulous life on a budget! I will have more details on my Chicago adventure later.

I received an email from NARS introducing their new Fall Collection Nail Color: Tokaido Express. Gorgeous! This nail polish is a deep amethyst with flecks of gold! It seems that deep jeweled tone nail polish is the current hot trend for fall. I can't wait to try this one. Fall here I come!

Toodles!

Fun Fridays! Hot Hot Sales

Hello Divas!

I hope your are having a lovely day! Christmas is literally around the corner, so you must get your shopping done soon! I am so behind, but I am so glad that there are some fantastic sales going on right now. I can get my last minute shopping done and save money at the same time!

1. Ulta 20% off discount. One of my favorite beauty emporiums is offering 20% off your entire purchase starting tomorrow December 20th until Christmas Eve. Read my review of Ulta here. This will definitely be a must stop for me when I am searching for beauty gifts this weekend. Click here to get the coupon or code to purchase online.

2. Nars Cosmetics. Nars Cosmetics is offering free 2 day shipping on any orders $25 or more from now until Saturday. This is a great way to get a fantastic Nars Blush, like Lovejoy, which I am buying for myself and not pay any shipping fees. Woot! Nars Blushes and duo eye shadows retail for $25! Visit narscosmetics.com and once you complete your order select 2 day shipping at check out.

Happy Shopping!

Toodles!

Nars Long Lip Gloss Set

Hello Divas!

I hope your day is awesome! Yesterday, I shared with you Divas my love for Nars lip glosses. Well, Nars has a Lip Gloss Gift Set that is a great way to try several Nars lip glosses for one low price. This lip gloss set includes three of Nars' most popular lip glosses. It includes Harlow, a silvery mauve; Sweet Dreams, a gorgeous pink with gold flecks; and Bilitis a brownish pink. I am salivating right now. LOL! This set is only $45! What a deal considering the lip glosses are $24 a piece! I am placing my order right now! And with free shipping on any purchase over $40, what are you waiting for? Visit Narscosmetics.com for more details.

Toodles!

Nars Cosmetics: My Illicit Love Affair

Hello Divas!

I hope your Monday is filled with happiness and purpose! It is cold, cold, cold. Lots of Starbucks Refresh Tea for me! Today I am going to discuss my love affair with Nars Cosmetics. I say it is a love affair because the cosmetics are gorgeous but expensive. It is especially expensive when you buy 2 Nars blushes and an eyeshadow duo once a month! Ouch! But what can I say, I absolutely adore Nars. The colors are so highly pigmented, you don't have to use a lot of the product to achieve the color. So the product lasts longer. And unlike other cosmetics brands, you don't need a primer to make the color last all day. Nars blushes, eyeshadows, and bronzers just last! Lastly, the colors ROCK on any skin tone. So your skin tone can be ivory or dark mocha and the colors just work. Um did I say how much I love Nars? LOL! Now I have previously blogged about my fascination with Nars' blushes here and the Multiple here. But Nars has other fabulous products that I must share with you Divas. Today, I want to feature Nars lip glosses. Fantastic! The lip glosses are nourishing, highly pigmented, and the colors are gorgeous. I am absolutely loving Turkish Delight. Turkish Delight is a current cult fav! It is a sheer pink gloss that is perfect layered over a neutral or nude lipstick or alone with a great lip pencil. It creates the perfect nude lip and looks great on every skin tone. Now Nars' lip glosses retail for $24 but are so worth it! Currently, Nars is offering free shipping on any purchase of $40.00 or more. So you can buy two of their beautiful lip glosses and not have to pay for shipping. Fantabulous!

Toodles!