3 Shades of NUDE by Rimmel London . Fabulous on a Budget !

The tale of three nudes - Gloss, Satin and Matte Finish .. 

Color Swatches of the three shades - excuse my liquid eyeliner handwriting.. 

Finding the "perfect nude" that is suitable for dark skin is a struggle ...  To my surprise .. Rimmel London has not one but THREE nudes that work well with me  ( BEST PART - they're all under $6 !!!) , and they will work well with you too as all of these colors are universally forgiving. I honestly NEVER considered using cosmetic brands within this price point, as I feel they don't cater to women of color ( horrible past experiences), but it is a NEW DAY !!  A Matte , a Satin and last but not least a Gloss that all pass my "nude test". When you are in the darker skin range, you have to be careful when trying out nudes/pinks that they go well with your tone or else you will just look like extremely awkward ( ie. as if you've been eating powdered donuts.) .  You really get quality with budget friendly lipcolors, I am excited to try more shades in the Rimmel London line.  

• Matte - Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss in #113 ($5.49)  This was my ABSOLUTE favorite of the three! It gives you the retro mod feeling with its pale matte texture, and although its a Matte, it is not drying at all.  It gives the same color/ effect of other nude lipsticks three times its price.  It is a universal  matte nude ( which is RARE) as I am dark and it compliments my tone very well without giving that "powdered donut" feeling I mentioned earlier.  This lipstick would be darling with a smokey eye -  not the typical "black" - perhaps a smokey wine/ burgundy or even purple eye. 
• Satin - Lasting Finish in Crush ($5.20)  Although Crush photographed to look almost identical to #113. It is very different ,  first it gives a satin finish with a nice peachy / pink color.  So this nude leads near the pink / peachy spectrum of nudes.  Its very flirty, and looked amazing on Katy Perry at the Grammys   , and I think it does not look too bad on myself either! Perfect peachy shade for Spring! 
• Gloss - Stay Glossy in Unlimited Gold ($4.99) A girl has got to have her gloss!  The pictures speak for itself ,  it gives a good amount of shine without being too heavy on the lips, and the gloss lasts for up to 6 hours.  I am the type to start a evening out with one lip and end it with another, and this is the perfect nude gloss to have on hand to do that ! * This gloss would work well paired with either one of the lipsticks above - either as a top coat on your lips , or perhaps just in the middle of your lower lip for a ombre - nude effect. *

Five lucky readers will win the Nude of their choice. 

RULES 

1. Comment under this post - Which Nude is your fave and would you want to try ( Make your comment as cheeky as possible.  Email me as well along with your details. 
2. Share this post - via Twitter , Google +. etc.. 
3. Follow Me and Rimmel London on Twitter , Like Them on Facebook,  Follow Them on Instagram 
4. Tweet Me and Rimmel London " I've just entered the 3 Shades of NUDE by Rimmel London Contest" - The more tweets you tweet the more chances you have of winning. 
5. My favorite comments / Tweets / Emails will win , and will have a choice of the three lovely shades. 
6. Deadline for entries in March 31st, 2013 at 11:59 PM EST.
7. Winners will be contacted via email April 3, 2013. 

GOOD LUCK !!! 

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READ ALL ABOUT IT: JOURDAN DUNN COVERS NET-A-PORTER'S DIGITAL MAGAZINE

Jourdan Dunn photographed by Ben Toms.  Dress by Rochas, leather cuff and gold bangle by Valentino, bag by Marni all available at www.net-a-porter.com
photo courtesy of net-a-porter.com

Discovered at 14 in West London, Jourdan Dunn has captivated the world over with her breath-taking beauty, poise and dare we say badass runway strut - it's only natural that  NET-A-PORTER’s digital magazine Editor-in-Chief Lucy Yeomans choose the beauty to face this week's issue. From her rise to fame, the hurdles of the fashion industry and caring for her son who lives with sickle-cell disease (a disease that is dear to my heart - my late father lived with the disease for over 40 years) she touches on all aspects of her life and it's riveting. Here's just a snippet of the makings of Jourdan Dunn. 

Jourdan Dunn photographed by Ben Toms.  Shirt dress by Thakoon, belt by Lanvin, bag by Chloe, cuff by Eddie Borgo all available at www.net-a-porter.com
photo courtesy of net-a-porter.com

Discovered at the age of 14 Dunn, from west London, first hit the mainstream when, at the age of 17, she appeared on the Prada catwalk – the first black model to do so since Naomi Campbell 11 years earlier. Since then, she has appeared on the cover of Vogue Italia, won Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, appeared at the Olympic Closing Ceremony and fronted campaigns for the likes of Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent and Tommy Hilfiger.   

There were times, however, when Dunn would be on her way to castings and was called up and told to turn back because the client “didn’t want any more black girls.” The model admits that in the past, discrimination like this has upset her but thanks to her mother she forged on, “She always seemed to make things work without ever complaining.”  

Like her mother, Dunn, too, is a young single mom. It was just months after she’d been crowned Model of the Year in 2008 that she found out she was pregnant with her son, Riley, now three. Soon after Riley was born, his father, the model’s long-term boyfriend of five years, was sent to prison for possession of cocaine with intent to sell. “I guess you could say that I have been through quite a lot,” she says.

Her mother helps her look after Riley, who suffers from sickle-cell disease, an inherited, non-contagious blood disorder. “It’s scary every time he has what they call a ‘crisis’, you know, when he has to be rushed to the hospital for more oxygen and blood transfusions…” Dunn is using her fame to raise awareness of the condition by supporting the Sickle Cell society (sicklecellsociety.org).

Jourdan Dunn photographed by Ben Toms.  Dress by Red Valentino, clutch by Marni, bracelet by Marc by Marc Jacobs all available at www.net-a-porter.com

photo courtesy of net-a-porter.com

Read the full interview on NET-A-PORTER 

Biore Acne Clearing Scrub : Shay Mitchell's Pretty Little Secret

Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell with Biore Acne Clearing Scrub in her green room.

In recent news,  Shay Mitchell was spotted in her green room with Biore's Acne Clearing Scrub.  Perfect for an actress who has to wear tons of makeup on a daily basis on and off screen . She is taking perfect precaution with her skin by using this scrub which features the exclusive combination of Skin Purifying Technology that deep cleans and Superfine Alumina Crystals that gently polish skin clears skin in the short term and promotes healthier, clear skin over time so skin stays clear and gorgeous. As an added benefit, the Acne Clearing Scrub’s intoxicating mandarin mint scent transforms your cleansing routine into a thoroughly indulgent and celeb-worthy experience.  This scrub will be added to my skincare regimen ..  ( read more about it below..) 

Joan Smalls has AMAZING skin... She is definitely my "skinspiration" ... 

Living in NYC ( Brooklyn, to be exact) , we are just always on the move by a force of nature. Work, then out for drinks, or to the gym, then home , then the next day we do it all over again (not necessarily in the same order) ! So when it comes to skincare,  I am LOVING Biore right now !  The Deep Cleansing as well as Complexion Clearing products. The Daily Cleansing Cloths as well as the Makeup Removing Towelettes are perfect 1. on the go ( ie. after a workout and you want to clean your face at the gym. 2. After a crazy night out - and you just dont have it in you to wash your face, this is easier to get to sometimes then your bathroom 3. Traveling -  these are TSA friendly. I like to keep the Daily Cleansing Cloths on hand because you just never know where the day leads you!  I have been alternating between the Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser and the 4-in-1 Detoxifying Cleanser  following up with the Blemish Treating Astringent . It really is working wonders , and it has not even been a month since I've started this regimen.

Since I love spreading the "gift of beauty" ..  5 lucky readers will win the  Acne Clearing Scrub.

**** Disclaimer***

1. Don't forget to "like" Biore on Facebook and follow me on Twitter 
2. Tweet Me  "I've just entered Shay's Pretty Little Secret Contest" , with the hashtag #Biore - Please use the hashtag #Biore in all of your contest Tweets
3. Each Tweet counts as an Contest Entry - so Tweet On! 
4. There is no limit to entering!
5. I will contact the Winners on March 22, 2013 , Stay Tuned !!!

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Emerald City : My favorite picks for the Pantone Color of the Year

Mally Beauty City Chick Smokey Eye Kit in "Central Park" and Tarte Cosmetics skinny smolderEYES™ Amazonian clay waterproof liner in "Emerald" was used in the eyelooks above. 

Emerald : The official color of 2013 as declared by Pantone. Since January, I have been looking for beauty items to incorporate in my beauty regime. A BIG fan of Mally Beauty,Tarte Cosmetics and ZOYA Nail Lacquer so it was only natural that I would choose favorites from these brands.
For eyes : I did one look solely in Tarte Cosmetics skinny smolderEYES™ Amazonian clay waterproof liner in "Emerald"  ( pictured , bottom left) , and I just love the texture and high pigment of this pencil.  If you are not big on the whole eyeshadow application process, this pencil is all YOU NEED! I really love how the green pops!  An added bonus,  in my makeup exploits, I have discovered that the Amazonian Clay waterproof eyeliner in "Brown" works GREAT on the brows - ( pictured, in all the photos above - currently discontinued , but the best possible match is the skinny smolderEYES in "Moonstone Brown" or the Amazonian Clay Waterproof liner with double-ended brush - you have to be a bit advanced in the Brow Department to maneuver this brush to create a Brow - its not hard to become a Pro !) .  I am just not sure if that shade is still available , I hope so ! My full on EMERALD EYE in all of the pictures above minus the close up eye shot , is a mix-up of brands and greens  I used Mally Beauty City Chick Smokey Eye Kit in "Central Park" on the entire eyelid ( all components of the kit - base, lid, highlight and crease) , and topped it off with the skinny smolderEYES in jade around the eyes ( upper and lower lash line - with a bit of smudging with the sponge tip). I made a trip to Sephora the day I wore this look , and I got so much compliments in store and just throughout the entire day.  This is the perfect pairing of Emerald Green shades and it really compliments dark skin ( as I am in the darker skin range).  You can finish the eye look with Mally Beauty Ginormous Mascara in "Black" - it really gives the appearance of  falsies ( as you can see in the pictures above).  Another honorable mention for this look -  Tarte Cosmetics BB tinted treatment 12-hour primer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen , it gives a flawless light finish to the skin.

Zoya Nail Lacquer in LOGAN

For Nails:  Zoya Nail Lacquer in "LOGAN" , part of the Holiday 2012 Collection, this electric, sparkly , metallic green shade is just fun! Worn alone or as a top coat on another shade there is a lot of possibilities for this color!

These are my current "Emerald" favorites, but its only the third month in the year, so I will be adding more to the list!

Dressing up in dressing gowns

Dressing Gowns the new IT trend ??  Nick Nolte in a Dressing Gown .. 

Surprisingly, nightwear seems to be hitting the red carpet lately. And not of the slinky lingerie variety, as you might imagine! Veteran film star Nick Nolte attended the premiere of his latest movie Gangster Squad dressed in one of his dressing gowns, a fetching canary-yellow number. There was no obvious explanation. Perhaps he just pressed the snooze button a few too many times before the big night!
But it seems that Nolte, by wearing an item generally more appropriate to a night in with a cup of cocoa, may actually have been bang on trend. Last year the onesie – previously only acceptable on children under the age of two – hit the high street in a big way. New Look reportedly sold a onesie every three seconds in the run-up to Christmas, and a multitude of celebrities abandoned restrictive skinny jeans for a cosy, comforting all-in-one suit. Stars including One Direction, Justin Bieber, Louis Walsh and JLS have all been pictured in public wearing this item of pyjama wear, also nicknamed the ‘funsuit’. Actor Chris O’Dowd and journalist Dawn Porter even tweeted pics of themselves wearing matching onesies on their wedding day!
Alas, celebrities aside, the onesie is not the most flattering garment, and there may be a case for leaving it behind, alongside the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics, in a pile of fond 2012 memories. It’s a new year and if we’re going to wear nightwear as daywear, it’s time to embrace the much more flattering, wearable and adaptable dressing gown. After all, just days after Nick Nolte’s appearance in his yellow robe, pop star Rita Ora was seen sporting an elegant dressing gown style sequined dress at the Brit Award nominations.
Dismiss images of the fluffy gown you step into after a long bath, and instead consider the advantages of the dressing-gown shape as an item that can flatter any figure. For example, the plunging V-neckline of wraparound garments creates a feminine outline from the neck to the cinched-in waistline. The draped style can be dressed up effectively with pendant necklaces and hair in an up do. Meanwhile, the flowing sleeves can help to hide upper arms, as well as adding an extra splash of glamour. Maybe this is the year of the dressing gown. 

Paris Fashion Week : Street Style

Paris Street Fashion ...  besides New York there is no competition !