MAHOGANY GLAM

M.A.C's Mineralized Eye Shadow Duo

I had to escape the continuous smell of smoke in LA today, so I took a long deep breath of fresh air inside Bloomingdales. I perched up at the M.A.C counter because they have the coolest most addictive make-up on the planet. I was all over the Mineralized Eye Shadow Duos. They come in six spellbinding shades, but I fell in love with "Love Connection" a melange' of lavender, gold, and amber. Not only is it beautiful to look at, its pearlized frost finish was gorgeous against my brown skin.

Love Connection

The Mineralized Eye Shadow Duo is only $14 and you get several colors in one, depending on how you use it. You can blend the solid side with print side or use them both individually. You can also wear the Duo on your cheeks as a highlighting blush or on your shoulders for a bronze summer glow. I'd suggest Play on Plums as well, it's a bit more neutral for everyday.

Play on Plum

photos courtesy: bloomingdales.com

Kelly Rowland Is Mahogany Glam In USA Today

Glam girl Kelly Rowland is on top of the world and looking pretty divine on the pages of USA Today. I adore Kelly, out of the six revolving members of Destiny's Child, she was always my favorite. She always seemed so down to earth and elegantly poised. Kelly is taking her style and music to the international scene. "Here, sometimes it's like my music didn't quite work, but overseas it's on top of everybody's chart. I've had more international success than domestic success, and I think that opens my eyes up to music," said Kelly. I'm thrilled she's an international sensation, but honestly I only care cause she looks fantastical in these pictures. I love her personal style which is classic yet unexpected. That blooming garden strapless frock, OMG I need that in my couture collection. Magnifique Ms. Kelly!

photos courtesy: usatoday.com

Be Glam With L'oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara

 

My new favoritest favoritest beauty item is L'oreal Extra Volume Collagen mascara. This luscious lash concoction made my brown eyes pop! I thought I had lash extensions or something, that's how incredible they looked. The brush is ginormous and with each sweep it magnified even my smallest lashes. I was a tad nervous it would be clumpy and leave me looking like a scarecrow, instead it was Fantastic! I've been a DiorShow loyalist for years, and L'oreal Extra Volume Collagen has made me a convert. For $7.49 at CVS it's a uber bargain. Now I look like my bestie with the thick long luxurious lashes, I've been envious of her lashes for at least two weeks, but now thanks to Extra Volume Collagen mascara I don't bat an eye!

 

photo courtesy: target.com

Jennifer Lopez Heats Up InStyle Magazine's September Cover

Look who's fabulous and forty...stunning Jennifer Lopez is InStyle Magazine's September cover girl. I kinda feel like J-Lo has been keeping a low profile since having twins, but she's back on the scene and beautiful. In the style bible's 15th anniversary issue she shares the ups and downs of marriage all while looking gorgeous in chic couture. Jennifer even lets her guard down and clears up some of the juicy gossip surrounding her glamorous life. "I don't want everything to be white. There was this rumor that I needed white flowers and white linens wherever I went: 'Everything has to be white or she won’t go in the room!' That's not true." Huh uh...read more of Jen's confessions in the September InStyle on newsstands now!

photo courtesy: instyle.com

Iman Cosmetics Duo Eyeshadows Really Pop

Hot Chocolate

If you love vibrant colors on your peepers as much as I do, then try Iman Cosmetics luxury duo eye shadows. I totally forgot about Iman's fabulous beauty collection until I came across it again, while strolling the aisles of Walgreens. I bought Hot Chocolate and Bejeweled cause those two caught my eye. Hot Chocolate is the absolute best "I'm not really trying" eye shadow that compliments all skin tones. I wear this when I'm zipping around town and I wanna look casually cute.

Bejeweled

The purple and gold hue called Bejeweled is glamorous and bold. I wear it all the time cause I like daring colors against my mocha skin. Plus, it makes me look like Iman, I mean we're practically twins! If you're slightly timid to risk eye popping color during the daytime, then you must wear it at night. It's definitely an attention getter! I really appreciate that the luxury duo eye shadows are crease resistant and long lasting. Nothing worse than looking a hot mess with creasing eye shadow out in public. The shadows range in price from $6.99 to $8 bucks depending on where you get it. Also, you can't go wrong with any of Iman Cosmetics from foundation to lipsticks, it's an exceptional product line for women of color. Check out Sears, drugstore.com, or Walgreens.

photos courtesy: sears.com

Taraji P. Henson Is Semi Nude in Men's Fitness Magazine

Okay Ms. Taraji, I see you!! The tantalizing Taraji P. Henson shows off lots of skin in Men 's Fitness Magazine. I can't believe she's 38-years old, cause she looks incredible. The beautiful actress is out and about on the publicity tour promoting her next film Tyler Perry's "I Can Do Bad All By Myself." In addition, to her sexy shots she offers up a little relationship advice to all the guys out there. "A woman is gentle, soft, delicate, and a man's position is to protect her-help her up stairs, make sure she's in the car safely first. Take good care of your woman, and the sky's the limit!" To my two male fans, it's totally true! Get some more juicy tips from Taraji and see lots more of the Oscar nominee in the September issue of Men's Fitness Magazine.

photo courtesy: jerseychaser.com

Gabrielle Union Essence Magazine's September Cover Girl

Stunning Gabrielle Union graces the September cover of Essence Magazine. The ultra sexy actress dishes about her gossip worthy relationship with basketball player Dwayne Wade. "The only marriage that I've ever been a part of destroying is my own, and it's not my place to talk about anybody else's...," said Gabby. I think she's soo over various bloggers (not me) calling her a home wrecker that Gabby just had to come out swingin'. Well it's not just her personal life that's heating up, the 36-year old is producing a reality show for VH1 and will co-star in ABC's new drama "Flashback." I can't wait to read more of this "no holds barred" interview when my September Essence Magazine decides to arrive.

photos courtesy: essence.com

Sherri Shepherd Sizzles In A Swimsuit On "The View"

Call the cops, Sherri Shepherd became the bravest woman in America by wearing a black bathing suit on "The View" Thursday morning! "The View" co-host came out from behind the desk to show off her missing lbs. My jawed dropped cause I think the 42-year old looks toned and fabulous after months of dieting and exercising. "I feel really great. I just wanted to show people that you don't have to do anything crazy. You just have to make some choices and exercise and the weight will drop off. I hope some folks were inspired," says Shepherd. Seriously, I'm thrilled for her, but couldn't she have worn a fitted dress or a hot pair of jeans? I think we all would've noticed that Sherri lost weight. Right? I hate that as women we're held to such unfair standards. We feel pressure to strut and flaunt our assets on the world stage. I was annoyed when Kirstie Alley and Valerie Bertinelli did they same thing on The Oprah Show. Had Sherri, Kirstie, or Valerie been on the beach minus the black pumps of course, I would've been like cool they look good. However, on national television...(sigh) If tubby Laurence Fishburne drops 50 pounds (crossing my DiorShow lashes), maybe he'll wear Speedos on The View to celebrate. Ahhh, yeah... Never Ever Gonna Happen!

photo courtesy: usweeklymagazine.com

Dania Ramirez Is The New Face of CoverGirl

CoverGirl Cosmetics has chosen a new easy breezy beautiful CovergGirl! "Heroes" star Dania(Dan-ya) Ramirez will be the newest woman of color alongside Queen Latifah to represent the brand. If you didn't watch "Heroes" on NBC like I did, then you probably wouldn't know this Dominican beauty from a hole in the wall. I always thought Dania was drop dead gorgeous and fixated on her forehead cause it was just like mine, and now she has chance to be a beauty icon. I’m bringing my story, a story of struggle and hard work. Not speaking the language [when I got to America] and trying to figure out my definition of beauty, you learn to recognize the beauty in all of us. It takes a strong person to get where I’ve got,” says Ramirez. I love that CoverGirl continues to see that women of color are just as beautiful as our white counterparts. Let's hope other make-up companies will take a note and realize the beauty of diversity. You won't be able to miss the delectable Dania Ramirez in print ads and commercials that begin in January 2010.

photo courtesy: CoverGirl

Nicole Richie Designs For A Pea In The Pod

Socialite Nicole Richie has signed on to create and model a line of chic maternity wear for the store A Pea In the Pod. Pregnant with her second child, the fashionista jumped at the chance to put her flair for fashion to good use. “A Pea in the Pod is such a known company for pregnant women. They carry great lines, and so when they asked me to create a line for them, I was really excited and eager to do it," said Richie. For all the fashionable glamazons out there, who are pregnant or plan on being with child, this line is sweet chic! The "Nicole" collection will include bohemian inspired maxidresses, layering tees, and peasant tops. Five years ago, who could've predicted Nicole Richie would become a style icon, a Mom, and a fashion designer? No one with common sense! The former train wreck has really turned her life around, and I say good for her. “Nicole”, an exclusive collection for A Pea in the Pod is in stores Friday (8/7), with prices ranging from $48 for tank tops to $148 to maxidresses.

photo courtesy: people.com