Gimme That Glow: February 2010

Glow Girl Weekend: Beauty Worth Going To Jail For?

February 18- A Pensacola woman was arrested for embezzling over $800,000 (NOT a typo) to feed her Mary Kay makeup habit. Apparently she bought and sold enough to earn a trademark Mary Kay pink Cadillac. Her makeup habit will cost her 19 years in prison. Ouch.

February 16- Two women, 19 and 20 of Delaware were arrested after crashing their car trying to flee police for stealing $350 worth of cosmetics from.....Kmart.

February 23- Three individuals are being sought after for breaking into a Florida warehouse and making off with $150,000 worth of cosmetics. They are thought to be the SAME thieves who struck the SAME warehouse on January 25!

GoNails Product Review

My nails had been through it. Finally I got them back looking half way decent and then...they just started looking terrible. One nail would break. Then another. Then came GoNail Natural Growth Treatment. HALLELUJAH! Day three of using this, my nails and cuticles started looking soooo much better! I apply in the morning and at night before bed. For $24 it's so worth it especially if your nails are not looking so great or you are a true nail product junkie! Check out the post I did last month about the product and then visit mygobeauty.com to learn more and purchase!

Black And Bow Look

As you all know I love bows!!!! So this dress was all types of right! Its simple yet bow crazy cute. With so much going on with this dress, you don't have to add too many new elements to this outfit, but some cute shoes and a clutch. When picking your outfits pay close attention to the detail before deciding on accessories, you don't want to do too much and take away from the outfit.

I wanted to draw more attention to the legs since this a shorter dress. To do this I wanted a different color shoe than the outfit... and you can't go wrong with red shoes. They are sexy and brings out this black dress! If you are a short dress type of lady, make sure its a believable length...

Test: If you bend over and your special area is hanging out, you may need to come up with a new strategy for your short dress idea.

I paired it with a black clutch to keep it simple. Handbags of all types aren't for every lady. Although the ones (like me) who carry entirely too much in their normal bags, some variation of a handbag/clutch is needed to survive on.

Clutch by Red Collar Project

Dress by Rita Saardi
Boots by Melissa

Wednesday's Weekly Obsession: Sugar Luxe Designs

This weeks obsession feature's Sugar Luxe Art. An adorable online boutique that creates Art & accessories that are designed to give your personality a custom fit. They make just about everything from Canvas Art to Designer Mirror Compacts. The thing that I love most about this boutique is that all of their products are so feminine and colorful.

New York Dancing Queen Designer Mirror Compact
$34

Dance the night away with this jeweled magnifying mirror. The design process includes an advanced pro-formula UV barrier to keep the imagery as vibrant as the day it was created. It's also made with genuine Swarovski Crystals.

Full Circle On Canvas

$459

Sexy, Successful, Smart, Seductive, Strong. Fashion always comes full circle. No matter what the new hot trend is, there is often nothing sexier than when a woman gets in her comfy jeans with a t-shirt or tank top. The least conservative of the new collection, this contemporary, ultra-modern piece is inspired by women with confidence, curves and unmistakable sex-appeal.

Sugar Luxe also makes the perfect gifts! There gift boxes alone are so adorable and make such a statement.

Meet the artist Chandra Michaels. You can learn more about her brand by reading her bio here.

They have a variety of Sugar Luxe girls to choose from. Interested in finding out which one fits your personality? Take the facebook quiz to find out Which Sugar Luxe Girl Are You? Here.

Eye'd Try It™ : Wacky On A Budget

After a conversation with Odara, I took a makeup challenge. To buy some beauty store eyeshadows and make crazy cool looks! It was tough, not many options.... But I settled on two small eye palettes and two eye shadow pencils for..... $10.00 YES YOU HEARD ME RIGHT!!

This was truly hard for me... I will admit the texture of these eyeshadow are totally different, but you can still get the job done! So all you glow girls on a budget and looking to do something crazy, check out your local beauty supply stores.

For this look I stuck with the hot pink, black, teal, and the different glitter creams.

With this first look, I used the glitter creams. I must admit the creams, wasn't creamy in a good way. It was truly a tough job to get on. When finally getting it together I used two colors. I did the teal on bottom and pink on top, something a little out the ordinary.

On this look, I just used the hot pink on the lower lid. It was surprisingly not as bad as the glitter. I love the color, but hell to get off.

The next crazy look I went for included the pink on the lower lid and blue on top. Sometimes its cool to be wacky and mix the unusual together. With the same look, I put some of the cream glitter on the top lid.

Here, I put a black eyeshadow on the bottom lid. Then on the right side of the lower lid I put a yellow from the palette. In the left corner of the lower lid, I used a pink eyeshadow.

With the last look, I used the pink on the lower lid, with black on the top lid. Over the black on the top lid, I used a blue to give it a little more color and shine.

Glow In The City: Bronner Brothers Hair Show Part II

This past weekend not only did I get the chance to experience the world famous Bronner Brother's International Hair Show here in Atlanta but I also had the pleasure of meeting one of my blogging partners in crime, Martini!!!! That's right, Glow Girls were in the building! We mingled, took lots of pics and indulged in hair & makeup heaven!!!!

There were literally hundreds of vendors in the building and so much to take in. But I think we managed to grace just about every isle. I think I can pretty much speak for both of us when I say the Makeup booths kept calling both of our names... " Martiiiiiiiiini....Odaaaaaaaara....cooooome heeeeere"

I really racked up on a few deals!

NYX were one of the many vendors there and definitely one of my faves. The prices were insanely affordable! $2 shadows, $3 lip glosses, I could've spent hours at their booth!!!

The creators of my FAVORITE ceramic flat irons were also there. Who knew that CHI also made cosmetics and nail polish? I certainly didn't until this weekend. I bought a few colors from their Limited Edition Galaxy Nail Lacquer Collection. ( Review coming soon)

I was introduced to Vonetta Cosmetics and instantly fell in love with their Mineral Foundation. I'm so glad this company is local because I'll definitely be buying more from them! (Stay tuned for the review)

Also, we got a chance to catch up with Kiley Russell; President of Big Girl Cosmetics.

She was so thrilled when she found out that we follow her on twitter LOL.

She also gave me a mini makeover ( footage coming tomorrow)

and you know I couldn't leave without buying SOMETHING!!!!

The Ginger Almond Body Butter smells SOOOOO good!!!!

For more pics from the show be sure to check out our photo album on Flickr

Catch a little of the footage from the show below...

Me headed to the after party Owwww!!!

I had such a great weekend and I can't wait to do it again!!!

Eye'd Try It Look™: Calypso Madness!

While at the Bronner Brothers Hair Show this past weekend, I really wanted to play up my eyes from normal everyday "workplace friendly" eyeshadow.
The inspiration came from a dress I wore to the afterparty on Saturday night. I got a lot of compliments on the shadow! Here's what I used to create this look!

Prep and Finish: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (OBSESSED with this stuff!), L.A. Girl Mark My Eyes Eyeliner, Revlon Beyond Natural Defining Mascara Black

Brushes: Sonia Kashuck Medium Shadow Brush, Studio Tools Blending Brush, NYX Shading Brush (B14), Artistry Flat Liner Brush

Shadows: Wet n Wild White Liner Pencil, NYX Yellow Funk (60A), NYX Ultra Pearl Mania Orange Pearl (LP18), BFTE Raspberry, Nicka K High Definition Shadow #3039, Jane Eye Zing Electric Iris (16)

How I did it:

Applied the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Potion on the entire lid. Then with the Wet n Wild white liner applied it to the brow bone to medium to heavy (Area #1). Using my pinky finger, I blended until harsh lines softened being sure to leave most of the color visible. Next using the Sonia Kashuk Medium Shadow Brush I applied the NYX Yellow Funk across the brown bone on top of the white. Next I applied the NYX Ultra Pearl Orange Pearl directly below the yellow (same brush)(Area #2). Next I applied the Nicka K HD Shadow (Pink) layering a small amount of the BFTE Raspberry at the upper half of the Nicka K shadow below the orange (same brush)(Area #3) last the Jane Electric Iris (same brush)(Area #4).

Note: When using the same brush, be sure to tap off the excess color before applying the next color.

Still using the Sonia Kashuk brush I applied all the colors again a little heavier. Using the Studio Tools Blending Brush I began blending the colors at their transition lines applying more of each color as needed making sure they look "faded" into one another. Using the NYX Shading brush, I buffed the entire lid in small sections from starting at the top of the lid to soften the colors. I then applied the L.A. Girl Liner (White line) and the Revlon mascara.

On the lower lid I applied the NYX Yellow Funk, Nicka K (Pink) and Jane Electric Iris by wetting the Artistry Flat Liner Brush in dipping in each color making short dashes to create a flowing color liner look. Finished by lining the waterline and lower lash line with the L.A. Girl liner and applied the Revlon mascara.

**Bonus:Lips**
For the lips I used Urban Decay Lip Primer Potion, Revlon Creme Gloss Patent Leather Pink (025) and clear gloss.

Earrings by Lunaversoul

Glow Girl Events:The Makeup Show-Los Angeles

This year marks the 5-year anniversary of The Makeup Show. After a successful debut in Los Angeles in 2009, The show meets again for its annual West Coast The Makeup Show LA on February 28 & March 1, 2010 at downtown’s California Market Center, located at 110 East Ninth Street, Los Angeles, CA, from 9AM-6PM daily.

For two days, The Makeup Show LA brings together top industry exhibitors, speakers from all areas of the makeup artistry, new product introductions and special pro-only offers - all in an intimate setting where insider-only tips and techniques are traded between the best in the business.

The show features more than 60 pro-makeup industry companies including: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Alcone, Becca Cosmetics, Smashbox, Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, Korres Natural Products, Embryolisse, Stila Cosmetics, Face Atelier, Graftobian, Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics, Bellápierre Cosmetics, Longmi Lashes by Daniel and many more!

For more information please visit www.themakeupshow.com

Glow In The City: Bronner Brothers Hair Show!

If you haven't been to the Bronner Brothers hair show it is a very exciting and overwhelming experience. Hundreds of vendors from across the country, daring stylists, beautiful models, cosmetics and a few celebrities make this event pure eye candy. It was our first time attending the show and boy oh boy we did NOT (but we should have) expected the "three feet of personal space" being seriously violated...lol. There were HUNDREDS if not over a thousand or more in attendance. Yesterday marked the first day of the three day show. Here's a video and some photos at the show!

We'll be posting more pictures and video as well as feature products and vendors! Stay Tuned!

Nica Naturals Review

Lately, I've tried several natural soap and scrub products by different companies, all had such different effects on my skin. I finally came across a line that not only works well with me, but smells absolutely great. Nica Naturals is my new obsession!! Nica Naturals has an absolute great line of soaps, scrubs, and shea butters. Their handmade products is packed with yummy greatness such as jasmine, sweet almond, and tea tree.

The Nica Naturals mission is to promote a holistic approach to health and beauty by providing quality hair body and home care products made with natural ingredients tailored to produce results without compromising quality.

Sweetness Soap

The Smell: It smells divine. Mild fruit and flowers smell that makes me want to smell the soap day in and day out. It's one of those smells that will linger on the skin, with just the right hint of smell good. I can smell the Jasmine and Rosemary clearly.

The Look: It looks like a big piece of Chocolate bar, its very appealing to the eye! The name definitely describes this product. Sweetness

Ingredients : Saponified Coconut Oil , Apricot Kernel Oil, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Rosemary, Extract, Jasmine Flowers,and Fragrance Oil.

Sweetness Scrub
Details: This phenomenal brown sugar smell introduces a product that not only smells great but exfoliates and moisturize the skin. This scrub leaves your skin feeling silky smooth, I love the feel!

Ingredients: Brown Sugar, Sweet Almond Oil.
Price: $8.00 (Buy Here)

Sweetness Shea Butter
Details: This product you can use on your hair or body. The ingredients in this butter produce a moisturizing conditioner, that can help hydrate and restore dry skin or hair.

Ingredients: Shea Butter, Vegetable Glycerin, and JoJoba Oil
Price: $10.00 ( Buy Here)

Caress Me Soap
Details: I love this soap. The lather is great and the smell is yummy, I can feel the apricot all over me.

Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Apricot Kernel, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Rosemary, Rose Petals, and Fragrance Oil.

Lanbeli Soap
Details: I am a Jasmine fiend, so the ability to smell Jasmine and Lavender in this great soap is refreshing.

Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Apricot Kernel, Avocado Oil, Rosemary, Lavender & Jasmine Flowers, Lavender Oil, and Jasmine Absolute.

Bay Bay Soap

Details: I love the lather you work up with this soap, it leaves a truly smooth texture to the skin.

Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Rosemary Extract, Ground Bay Leaves, and Bay oil.

www.nicanaturals.com

Save 10% on any order with this coupon code:

1GTGG0 (offer expires 4/30/10)

Eye'd Try It™: The Eye Experiment

Inspired by Mardi Gras time down here in New Orleans, I wanted to create me a nice crazy look for the season. Playing around with colors, I came up with a look that actually can work throughout the year. I'm all about blending colors so I took several colors from Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box and made a very cute look.

I started with a Underground, which is a medium fawn. I always like to start with a dark color over the complete lid to even everything out before I put my main colors. on.

Next, on the lower lid I put one of my favorites Peace,a shimmering turquoise. I just love this color, it truly makes the eye pop, but it's definitely one of those colors that would be a bit drowning for a warm skin tone. Try a slightly darker turquoise .

On the inner portion of the top lid, I used a Honey, which is a glistening gold. You can take any gold or any shimmering color you have and use it here.

On the outer top lid I used Fishnet, a iridescent purple. In this area, use something wild and crazy don't be afraid to experiment.

Just go crazy with it and try stuff, see what works for you. Blend colors be your own creative artist. Play around enough you will create many different looks for yourself.