Beyoncé Inspired Accessories

Source: Columbia Records; Perez Hilton

Last Friday, Beyoncé shocked the world and quietly released a visual album with 14 new songs accompanied by 17 (!) stunningly beautiful music videos.  The videos showcased the gorgeous performer as a style chameleon, effortlessly switching from sultry to sweet, serving a Naomi catwalk strut to 'Yonce sidewalk realness with artistic to retro-inspired fashion.

Celebrity Style: Blonde Bob-Shells

Tumblr, Marie Claire, Getty Images

Warm weather has sparked more than a few haircuts in my past, so it does not surprise me that many celebrities have traded in their usual long manes for shoulder length and above bobs. Nicki Minaj sported a platinum blonde graduated bob on the August 2013 cover of Marie Claire magazine. Around the same time, Ciara was spotted rocking a chin length style, seen above in tousled waves.  Earlier this month, Beyonce' shocked the world as she did a "big chop" and revealed a pixie cut, then quickly made the switch to the chic bob she has been wearing ever since.  Lastly, Roc Nation (aka Jay-Z's) artist Rita Ora appeared this past Sunday at the MTV VMAs looking ever so lovely (and a tad like Beyonce'!) in her own chin length 'do.

What do you think of these blonde bob-shells? Would you wear one of these cute bobs?

Celebrity Style: Looking Like A Bag Of Money?

Source: Splash News; Getty Images

Lately it seems as if celebs have been taking the phrase "looking like a bag of money" quite literally. One of Rihanna's stage looks for her current Diamonds World Tour was a short, holographic money print dress which I can only imagine would have been perfect for a perforance of "Pour It Up" (all I see is dollar signs!). Ciara tore up the BET Awards 2013 stage and danced her heart out in a sheer dollar print blouse and a matching pair of joggers.  Miley Cyrus took a break from twerking and was spotted out at Trader Joe's rocking a two-piece crop top and skirt combo covered in dollars.

Honestly...I'm not a fan. I love a fun print but something about single dollar bills just screams cheap to me. And gaudy. What do you think? Would you rock a money print? 

What Would Kourtney Kardashian Wear?

On the 15th of each month, I play the role of stylist and showcase celebrity-inspired outfits based on my interpretation of their style. 

Kim may be the Kardashian that put the family on the map, but when it comes to style, Kourtney Kardashian is the star in my eyes. Kourtney is always chic, and not even pregnancy or being a busy mother of two seems to adversely affect her style. She pulls off the flowy, comfortable-yet-stylish mom-on-the-go look like a pro, and when she switches to mogul mode she oozes sophistication in classic, smartly tailored pieces with feminine details.

What Would Kourtney Kardashian Wear? by carmeme 

Can you picture Kourtney K rocking any of these looks?  In your opinion, which Kardashian has the best style? 

What Would Teyana Taylor Wear?

On the 15th of each month, I play the role of stylist and showcase celebrity-inspired outfits based on my interpretation of their style.

So...I'm a horrible blogger and I forgot to post this on the 15th! Oops! 

Photos from Teyana's Instagram

This month I'm inspired by the gorgeous Teyana Taylor. I'm usually in awe of her always perfect curly hair, but her super fit body is hard to miss! Her style is tomboy chic with lots of boots, sneakers, hats, and athletic wear, but she does make sure to show off her womanly curves in body hugging jeans and 6-pack baring crop tops.  She even has her own athletic shoe with Adidas (the funky metallic hightops are featured in this post)!

When it is time to hit the red carpet, she glams it up with bodycon dresses and skirts with slits and cutouts that are not for the faint of heart. 

What Would Teyana Taylor Wear by carmeme  

What do you think of Teyana's style? 

It Was A Good Day (OOTD)

Just waking up in the morning, gotta thank God / I don't know but today seems kinda odd  - Ice Cube, "It Was a Good Day" 
Source

"It Was a Good Day" is one of those songs that always puts me in a zone. If it comes on in the car, I immediately want to turn the volume up to ignorant levels, let the windows and sunroof down, and tie a black bandana around my head  set my cruise control at 25 mph. Today was one of those days that Ice Cube waxes poetically about in the song.  No barking from the dog, no smog.  A perfect 72 degrees, all sun and no wind. Grocery shopping at Target with no checkout lines. Dessert with the boo at Coldstone. Last but not least, i was gifted the cute little quilted crossbody bag I've been wanting from Asos.  Hope you all are having a wonderful day as well! 

Blouse:The Limted (similar) / Skirt: H&M purchased from  Naturally Fashionable e-store (similar) / Flats: Mossimo / Bag: Nine West (love this printed one!)  / Necklace: Asos / Watch: Invicta

What Would Solange Wear?

On the 15th of each month, I play the role of stylist and showcase celebrity-inspired outfits based on my interpretation of their style.

Solange Knowles. Once in her sister's shadow, this talented singer has stepped out and earned her rightful place as a fierce fashionista with fearless style choices.  Print mixing is not for the faint of heart, but for Solange it is just part of her M.O, and she executes it with ease.  Bold colors and superb tailoring ensure that Solange turns heads and continues her reign as a style icon.

What Would Solange Wear?  

Shop the looks: 

Do you love Solange's style as much as I do? Has she inspired any of your fashion choices? 

Kiss Nail Dress Review

As promised, here is my review of the Kiss Nail Dress strips included in my Influenster Holiday VoxBox.  I wanted to love these, but sadly that was not the case. 

I love the variety of designs offered, but the jeweled designs are harder to apply b/c the placement of the jewels may interfere with a smooth application.  To apply, you smooth the strip onto your nail and take the excess length, fold it at the tip of your nail and file the excess off using an emery board that is included with the kit. On several of my nails, the placement of the jewels were right at the tip of my nails so I had to pull the jewel off.  Also, the process of filing the tips can leave the edges a little rough, which makes the strips peel off faster.    Overall the strips were fast and easy to apply, but some of my fingernails have a weird shape (wide, slightly rounded) so a couple of the strips began to wrinkle at the corners of my nail. Within 24hrs, the strips started peeling off of about 3 of my nails. Because I really wanted to wear the strips for New Year's Eve (they were super cute, went well with my outfit, and I didn't feel like painting my nails) I fought the urge to just pull them off and used a little bit of eyelash glue under the peeling areas to keep them intact for the night.  

So, in summary:

Pros

• Great variety
• Pretty designs
• Quick and easy application

Cons

• Hard to get nail tips smooth
• Peeling within 24 hrs
• May have difficulty finding the appropriate sized strips 

Have you tried nail strips before? What's your favorite brand? 

*This post is a part of the Manicure Mondays link up hosted by Lipgloss and Binky and LA Lynn's Shoppe!

*Disclaimer: I received this product complimentary via Influenster. The opinions expressed in this post are my own, and are in no way influenced by Influenster or the brand mentioned.

Influenster Holiday Voxbox 2012

I received my Holiday Voxbox from Influenster right after Christmas. Take a look at what was inside:

Quaker Real Medleys Oatmeal (Not pictured): I received a cup of the cherry pistachio + flavor. I ended up taking it to work to eat for breakfast before even thinking about snapping a picture of it. I'm not an oatmeal eater--I tried it once as a child and didn't like it--but I really enjoyed this oatmeal because it had real cherry chunks and  pieces of nuts (pistachios and almonds) which added texture and flavor. It was tasty and super easy to make (I added water and put it in the microwave but you could just add hot water to make it without the microwave).

EBOOST Natural Energy Effervescent Powder: I tend to steer clear of energy products so I will give this product to a friend to try and report back with their results.

Sole Society $25 Coupon: This coupon made me happy! I've been a member of Sole Society for months but had not made a purchase yet. They have a huge selection of trendy styles and have a number of shoes and boots made of genuine leather and suede at a reasonable price point. I used my coupon to make my first order and my shoes are on the way! If you are not a member, sign up here. Oh and FYI, they have a winter BOGO free sale going on right now!

Goody Quikstyle Paddle Brush: This brush features microfiber bristles that are supposed to help dry your hair while styling. Since I've been natural, I have retired my brushes in favor or finger detangling and wide tooth combs. With that being said, I can't give a full review of this brush but  I did use it briefly to smooth my freshly washed hair up into a ponytail/puff.  I touched the microfiber bristles afterwards and could feel that they were wet, but because I only used the brush on the perimeter of my head I can't say that it removed a great amount of water from my hair. For natural beauties, I would recommend just using a microfiber towel (or a turbie twist) to remove excess water from your hair before styling instead of taking the risk of brushing wet hair to accomplish the same goal.

NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine in "Nude York City": I actually already own this gloss and it is one of my everyday go to lip glosses that I keep in my purse. It's a basic pink-ish nude shade that is cheap, works well with my skin tone, and doesn't dry my lips out.

Kiss Nail Dress Nail Strips in BabyDoll:  I love the design of these strips, and they come in over 20 different shades some of which (including the ones I rece'ved) include jewels in the design. I applied these last night, and will post pics and a full review after a couple of days! Here's a sneak peek:

*Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary via Influenster. The opinions expressed in this post are my own, and are in no way influenced by Influenster or the brands mentioned.

Another Reason To Love Elle Varner...

source

We all know that singer Elle Varner is ridiculously talented, creative, gorgeous, and has an enviable mane of perfectly imperfect curls (that she apparently inherited from her father). But is Elle Varner also a bargain shopper?

Ladi Likes: $3 Red Lip

While finishing up my Christmas shopping at Target, I (of course) ended up browsing the beauty aisle. I discovered the E.L.F. matte lipstick/pencil and decided to give the rich red color a try.

I must say, for $3 I am totally impressed with this product. I love the jumbo sized pencil, twist up applicator, and the rich color payoff. Oh and the lip color is also very moisturizing! If you are in the market for a red lippie, consider giving this one a whirl!

OOTD: Denim On Denim

For this look I took notes from the Kanye West style book. Mr West is no stranger to the denim on denim look, also known as the "denim tuxedo."  I paired my denim top (one of the most worn items in my wardrobe!) and paired it with some dark gray jeans. I also channeled 'Ye by completing my look with a fresh pair of sneakers...wedge sneakers of course!

Top:  / Jeans: Old Navy / Belt: Old Navy Outlet / Wedge Sneakers: Steve Madden / Earrings: won from Curvy Southerner

Keep Your Lips Soft This Winter: 3 Easy Ways!

Since I've started playing around with lipstick, I've definitely realized the importance of having smooth, soft lips! Cold weather has a funny way causing peeling and cracking that no amount of hydration or lip chap (Side note: What happened to Saaphyri?) can fix. But don't worry, there are a few ways to get your lips kissably soft just in time for meetings under the mistletoe, that magical New Year's Eve smooch, and special time with your Valentine!

The Buy Way
Purchase an exfoliating lip scrub to buff away the dry, dead skin off of your lips to reveal the soft skin underneath.  I have used the Two-Step Satin Lips set from Mary Kay with good results. It comes with a lip mask to exfoliate your skin and a lip balm to provide moisture.  If you are feeling fancy, check out the Bliss Fabulips treatment kit.  This four-piece system includes a lip cleanser (a product I didn't know even existed), an exfoliating lip scrub, a lip balm, and a lip plumper to get your lips in tip top shape.

The DIY Way
I am a kitchen beautician who probably spends more time in the kitchen whipping up hair and beauty mixes than preparing meals. If you are anything like me, you should try creating your own lip scrub using basic items in your kitchen. All you really need is a little honey and a little brown sugar--the honey provides moisture and anti-bacterial properties while the grittiness of the brown sugar works as an exfoliant. After rubbing your DIY scrub onto your lips, you can just like the sweet mix off! (Although, lip licking dries out your lips--I guess that's why LL Cool J did it so often!)


The Free Way
If you don't want to spend any money or time mixing up a new beauty product, try brushing your lips with a wet toothbrush.  I read about lip brushing years ago in an old Teen magazine and it was described as a way to make your lips plump and red...while your lips may look a little more full immediately after you do it, the main benefit is that the toothbrush gently exfoliates your lips, ridding them of the dead skin that peels and makes your lipstick look yucky.  Using a moist washcloth to rub your lips would also do the trick!

How do you keep your lips soft and supple? Share your best tips in the comments!

Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Review

As part of my Influenster Beauty Blogger VoxBox, I received samples of the Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Balm and the Beautiful Skin Night Creme.

From the Boots No. 7 website:

Beautiful Skin Cleansing Balm (Dry/Very Dry)
A gentle, non-drying balm that cleverly dissolves make-up and impurities to help keep skin looking clear and healthy. Works in one simple step leaving no residue, just perfectly clean, soft and supple skin. It includes replenishing ceramides to help nourish dry skin and Glycerin and cocoa butter for deeper hydration.

Beautiful Skin Night Creme (Dry/Very Dry)
Instantly nourishes and promotes optimum hydration for healthy-looking radiant skin. making it less likely to be dry in the future. Containing additional moisturizing properties, this is exactly the care dry skin needs overnight to ensure you wake up with nourished and healthy looking skin. Glycerin, Shea butter and ceramides are added to the formulas leaving it incredibly smooth. Designed to work in harmony with your skin, replacing lost moisture and leaving you with healthy looking radiant skin.



My Thoughts
For about a week and a half, I used only these two products on my face. I noticed on the Boots website that each of their products have different formulas based on skin type (normal/oily, normal/dry, dry/very dry) and luckily the products I received were the dry/very dry skin formula. Every evening I would use the cleansing balm and follow up with the night cream, and in the morning I would rinse my face with warm water and use the night cream as my daily moisturizer (note: the brand does have a day cream, but I didn't get a sample of that).

I was very impressed with the way these products worked on my skin. My skin is DRY and sensitive and is prone to peeling on my forehead and my nose, even in the summer. Well I had absolutely NO peeling at all while using these products. After using the cleansing balm, my face felt soft and clean without the tight, dry feeling that I sometimes get with other products. The night cream also had my skin looking soft and supple. I didn't experience any adverse effects, and what few bumps and whiteheads I had went away within the first few days of using these skin products. One tip I have about using the cleansing balm is to make sure you follow the instructions which state that you should massage the balm into your skin--note that it does NOT mention wetting your face beforehand. The first time I tried it, I used it like a regular facial cleanser and wet my face first, but after rinsing the product off my face I could still feel some residue left behind. Using the cleansing balm as instructed, it rinsed clean without any product residue.

In short, I loved the cleansing balm and the night cream! I already ordered full sized bottles of both products and the day cream. If you want to try out the Boots No. 7 skin care line, their website ShopBootsUSA is offering free shipping on orders over $25!



*Disclaimer: I recieved these products complimentary via Influenster. 

Beauty Blogger VoxBox Reviews: Part 1

As I mentioned in my last post, I received an Influenster Beauty Blogger VoxBox. So far I have tried out 3 items with mixed results. As promised, here are my thoughts:

  

NYC IndividualEyes Custom Compact in Dark Shadows - This NYC makeup palette came with four eyeshadows, a primer, and an illuminator. There was a diagram on the back to show you where to apply each color.  This palette was not the best selection color-wise for my complexion. I tend to avoid white and silver eyeshadows and I did not like the way the lighter colors in this palette looked on me.  I did like the darker colors, however I wish the darkest shade would have had a more intense color.  The primer applied really smooth, but after a couple of hours of wear, it didn't stand up to my oily eyelids and the shadow I applied disappeared from my creases. I have used the illuminator along my browbone, the inner corner of my eye, and a little on my cheekbone for a nice glow.

Top: without flash. Bottom: with flash

Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin - I remember a couple of years ago the blogosphere went crazy with the introduction of the Spin Pin. I never tried it until now, and I think I really missed out! It is so easy to use (spin it in clockwise to put in, spin counterclockwise to take out) and it so comfortable. It doesn't feel like I have anything in my hair, but at the same time it feels very secure. I just twisted my hair up into a messy bun, put in the Spin Pin, and just whipped my hair back and forth (#NoWillow) to test it out and the spin pin did not move one bit! I noticed the Spin Pin comes in different colors to match your light or dark hair, but once I put the pin was in place (I received the Spin Pin for light hair) I couldn't see it so I don't think blending is a big deal. I can't wait to try this tool with a curly hairstyle!

White Barn 3-Wick Candle in Mahogany Teakwood Scent - I love the smell of this candle! It's very masculine and smells like men's cologne which in my opinion is a good thing. I think it is a great scent for Fall and Winter as it gives a sense of warmth and comfort. 

Look out for my next set of VoxBox reviews coming soon! 

Influenster Beauty Bloggers VoxBox 2012

About 6 months ago I signed up to become a member of the Influenster community but I wasn't really active on the site. 

If you are not familiar with Influenster, it is a community where members share their opinions of products and brands using social media outlets and doing tasks on the Influenster site. Several times a year they offer VoxBoxes that are basically themed sample packages and members are selected for boxes that best match their profile and interests. 

Imagine my surprise when I received an email a couple of weeks ago informing me that I had been pre-selected for a Beauty Blogger VoxBox! As I anxiously awaited my VoxBox, I started visiting the site more often and have actually had fun writing reviews, answering questions, and finding new products to try.  Needless to say, I will definitely stay active on the site from now on! 

My VoxBox finally arrived this past Friday. I haven't had the chance to try out everything in the box, but I am really impressed with the variety and the number of items in the box. Here is a peek at what I got in my box: 

My Beauty Blogger VoxBox 2012 Contents:

• NYC IndividualEyes Custom Compact in Dark Shadows
• Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin
• Not Your Mother's Kinky Moves Curl Defining Hair Cream
• Kiss Ever Pro Lashes Starter Kit
• Boots No. 7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Balm and Night Creme
• EBOOST Daily Health Booster packet in Orange Flavor
• White Barn 3-Wick Candle in Mahogany Teakwood Scent

As I start trying out products, I will post reviews and more pictures!

Are you a member of Influenster? (If not, request an invite here) What VoxBoxes have you received? 

Giving Me Life: Tracee Ellis Ross, ABC's Scandal

Tracee Ellis Ross has a new Website

The unofficial patron saint of natural hair with style for days has launched a new website that is EVERYTHING! Tracee dishes on how she styles her hair, her fashion inspirations (she doesn't use a stylist!), and even touches on inspiration and body image. I can already see that this is going to be one of my favorite places on the 'net!

Season 2 of Scandal

The second season of ABC's Scandal starring the ever fabulous Kerry Washington premiered September 27th and this season is everything I expected it to be--fast paced, smart, and full of style.  Olivia Pope (Washington) is slaying in perfectly tailored suits, killer pumps, and powerful yet feminine details! Check out this video of Kerry Washington with show costume designer Lyn Paolo discussing how she crafts Olivia Pope's style:

House of Dereon?...Is that you?

Once upon a time my wardrobe was full of "urban wear" brands like Baby Phat, Rocawear, and Apple Bottom (jeans, boots with the furrr...).  Luckily this was short-lived and my taste matured before House of Dereon (HOD) really hit the scene. I scoffed at the cheap looking material, shook my head at the too-large logo plastered over most of the items, and needless to say I was never a fan of the line (and truth be told, I didn't like any of the clothes Beyonce wore during her Destiny's Child days). But this HOD right here? Not the same line I remember! 

The House of Dereon website just released pics of the Fall 2012 Lookbook and ad campaign featuring Queen B herself.  The looks are fun, sexy, and wearable. I would wear almost every piece! 

All images from HouseofDereon.com and House of Dereon official Facebook page

What do you think of the Fall 2012 looks? Is this what you would expect from House of Dereon?