As you all know the 82nd Academy Awards took place on Sunday in LA. I had a couple of favorites that evening, but my favorite look, by far was Nicole Richie. 

Her dramatic cat eye was very bold, yet glamorous and complimented her chic bohemian look.  I wanted to try out the same look so here's what I did:

I applied Maybelline's Cool Effect Cooling Shadow/Liner in Cold as Ice on my eye lid all the way up to my brow bone.

I then dusted white eyeshadow on top. 

I applied a dark gray shadow in my crease and brought it out to the bridge of my nose and near the outer corner of my lid and swung it out.

I used black creme shadow to line my top lash line.  I applied it thick midpoint and swung it out on the outer corner to create the cat eye. 

I finished it by applying black liner to my lower lash line. 

Here's what I got:

My complexion is darker than Nicole's, so the white shadow is a little bolder and pops out more and therefore created a more dramatic and funky look.  Had fun testing this look out. 

This past weekend I had the opportunity to makeover one of my closest friends, Anika.  Anika is a outgoing, student and mom-to-be who is new to the make-up game. I was actually suppose to help with her make-up for her baby shower on Saturday, but unfortunately due to a  time crunch, it didn't happen.  Nevertheless, she still looked simply beautiful during her shower -- glowing.  

I wanted to make it up to her, so on Sunday I gave her a makeover.   Making her over didn't require much, Anika has great skin, beautiful eyes and cheekbones, but she wanted a bold and colorful look, so we went with purple. 

Here's Anika before:

I decided to use the same colors I used in the "Purple Haze" tutorial, so I used the Maybelline EyeStudio palette in Legendary Lillac for the eye shadow.  I filled in her brows with black shadow.  Applied black liner to the top lash line and then used Stila's Paint Pot in Starry Night to her lower lash line and dusted her cheeks with Rose.  I completed the look with a frosty purple lipstick on her lips.

Here's the end result:

 

I don't think this picture does her justice...maybe it was the lighting, but in person she looked even more GAWJUS! 

The purple went lovely with her beautiful brown complexion.  Don't you think?

Yesterday evening I attended THE FASHION RULES! Party at Neiman Marcus in Mazza Gallerie.  This was a special event that featured live tap performances, art exhibits and acutions, a Manolo Blahnik Spring Trunk Show, and of course my favorite, MAKEOVERS!  

I arrived early, so most of the festivities had yet to start, so I decided to take a visit the cosmetic counters, and see what’s new.  Not sure if that was a good or bad move, because I ended up spending most of my time and money there.

The beauty consultants were out to make their sales that night and the wonderful ladies at the Laura Mercier counter got me!  I always hear how wonderful Laura Mercier’s products are so I knew I had to give it try.  

I was like a kid in the candy store and I was overwhelmed, so when the sales lady mentioned that their Tinted Moisturizer was their top selling product, I knew where to begin.  Now I’ve never worn tinted moisturizer so but I’ve heard that it’s perfect for a natural and minimal look, so I wanted to give it a try. What’s even better is its moisturizing formula will hydrate, soften, and reveal a very healthy looking glow to the skin.  It also has SPF 20 which protects from the sun.

I decided to wear the tinted moisturizer today and I love it so far.  Its very light, does a great job covering my blemishes, but yet sheer enough to show off my freckles.

I also purchased their Spiced Cider Blush, which adds a warm bronze to my cheeks.

Lastly I got their Secret Brightener which is a color-correcting highlighter that brightens dark circles, reduces shadow and minimizes discolorations.  It’s suppose to give you the under eye/upper cheek glow that Meagan Good and Kim Dash are famous for.

 Check out Laura Mercier Cosmetics at http://www.lauramercier.com

CONFESSION: I'm not a true fashionista. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love fashion, I have two closets full of clothes to prove it, but putting pieces together has never been my forte. Still, I always try to stay up-to-date and fashionable, yet between, work, blogging (which is also work), and more work, this can sometimes be a difficult task. So I was very excited when I learned about Clothes Mates, a wardrobe planning document that hangs on your closet hanger. I know it sounds a bit strange, but trust, I receive samples/products from time to time that I rarely endorse, but Clothes Mates is Vanity Rich approved and here's why:

A recent study showed that the average woman spends 156.8 hours a year picking out clothes*. If you’re one of those women who spend 150+ hours a year in your closet, then you might want to consider Clothes Mates. All you do is fill out the card with a complete outfit (top/bottom, accessories, footwear, notes), insert the card in the vinyl holder and hang the holder on the outfit key piece hanger. 

So think about it, you no longer have to run late for work in the morning deciding what to wear, because Clothes Mates helps you get organized by putting outfits together, so you’re out the door and on time.

Another fantastic thing about Clothes Mates is that it actually helps you save money. If you’re guilty of buying clothes that you never wear, by using Clothes Mates to put outfits together you will know where the gaps are in your wardrobe.

The Package only $12.99 includes:

• 10 beautifully designed outfit planning cards and 10 vinyl holders. Picture shown is the outfit planning card with vinyl holder.

• Outfit planning cards are made of durable postcard material. The front and back of the card can be used resulting in a total of 20 possible outfits.

• The vinyl holders are made of sturdy durable clear plastic that will prevent cards from becoming damaged in your closet. Vinyl holders have a center hang hole that fits on closet hanger. Each vinyl holder can hold several outfit planning cards.

• Detailed instructions on how to use Clothes Mates.

I'm a fan!

To find out more about Clothes Mates, visit www.clothesmates.com

I LOVE purple eye shadow!  Purple eye shadow comes in so many shades, which just about anyone can rock, anytime of the year.  It’s especially a great color for those with green, hazel or brown eyes, like myself.  When I saw the ads for Maybelline’s NEW Eye Studio Color Plush Silk Eyeshadow in Legendary Lilac I had to get my hands on it. 

The colors in the compact reminded me of the colors Keri Hilson rocked at the Grammys in which she looked absolutely GAWJUS!! 

I decided to go for the same look with Maybelline’s Legendary Lilac pallete which was only $9.99.  A sweet bargain compared to$30-40 you would spend using a high-end product.


Check out the “Purple Haze” Tutorial…






The look in the tutorial is more of a dramatic look, of course if you’re looking for something more subtle, using the Mabellline pallet, you can try using the lightest shade on your lid, from lash line to brow bone.


Apply the second shade across your lid and to the lower lash line for depth.


Dust the third shade from inner corner to middle of lid.


To complete the look, line the darkest shade on upper lash line for added intensity.

Yesterday evening I had the privilege of attending Pink Fashion Rocks!, a breast cancer benefit fashion show featuring designer Betsey Johnson and fourteen of Washington, D.C.’s hottest designers.

I was feeling a little iffy about attending, because of another snow forecast that was suppose to touchdown that evening, but I'm happy that I decided to tough it out.  Besides, the snow never showed.

It was a full house with all pink everything at Pink Fashion Rocks! at Longview Gallery in DC.  Pink lights, pink dresses, even pink hair! 

Exquisite fashion from the following fabulous designers:

Betsey Johnson	Belafigura
Bill Johnson Studio	Ceci G Originals
Cheryl Lofton for Chaudre Custom Clothes	Chez Kevito
Diahna Lynn	Ibhana
KAS Collection	Kustom Looks Clothier
Michael Kaye	Plastic Heaven
Tashia Senn	Tsyndyma Designs
Walish Gooshe	West Potomac Academy Fashion Design

Great music throughout the show, thanks to the rock band, Charm City Devils.  They really cranked!

It truly was a lovely event for a wonderful cause.  I saw so many familiar faces

Designers Kas Flanagan of W.E.T. and Greg Taylor of Walish Gooshe

Kas Flanagan of W.E.T. handsome in pink.

From I Love New York, Onyx

Fashion Designer, Fashion show producer and Chair of DC Fashion Week, Ean Williams

We’re all experienced a beauty faux pas, I had a couple myself…not applying enough glue and having hanging lashes aka a spider on your cheek (Cosby Show), too much translucent powder had me looking like a ghost or extreme dark brows that were too dark for me…trial and error.  Hopefully we’ve all learned from our make-up mistakes and won’t ever get caught dead in public looking a hot mess

Unfortunately, for celebs they don’t have the luxury.  Paparazzi are always out on the prowl and once that pic is taken, it’s out in the universe FOREVER! 

Here are some recent photos on celebs that might need to look for a new make-up artist:

Nicole Kidman at the New York Premiere of her movie, Nine with white patches on her nose and under her eyes.

This is a disaster I have experienced myself.  In order to avoid shine and set your make-up, you should always apply powder to your face.  Since translucent powder goes on clear, you can’t see it that is until the flashing lights of the camera exposes it tenfold.  Looks like her makeup artist went too heavy with the powder. 

 

 

Now I ♥ me some Lil Kim, but who ever was responsible for beating her face that night should have their license/certification revoked.  It looks like he/she was trying to do a little contouring on her cheeks and forehead, but I can’t for the life of me understand why they used red powder.  She looks like she has bad sunburn or allergic reaction or something.  Next, her looked like they were drawn on with a magic marker were noticeably uneven.

Ashanti  looks GAWJUS, but I couldn’t help but notice her lipstick smear under her lip.  Now, I’m not sure if this was the MUA fault or what, but I’m pretty sure she had her girls around or someone she knew that could have told her.  Friends don’t let friend go out with crazy make-up.

Meagan Good is simply beautiful, but her heavy brows and extreme highlighting make her look hard and fake.  Such a pretty face!  Just needs to tone it down.

Actress Golden Brooks, looks like she’s trying to give off the natural glow look, but she looks completely washed out.  In the world of Hollywood there is no such thing as a natural beauty.  You have to apply some make-up, whether its mascara and/or blush to achieve the natural look.