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Are You Ready To Taupe It Off – (Beauty Files #004)

TEE — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 07:56:03 +0000

After a day of non-stop errands, I’ve decided to end the day at my local drug store just to scan through the various nail enamel’s that captured my attention. However, it’s all about keeping things modern & basic this spring. I’ve seen an abundance of taupe-clad nail enamels making a notable appearance throughout the retail scene. As you already know it is fashions uniform code to add neutral hues onto our spring list of must-haves & must-do’s. But it seems as everyone has gone gaga during the past two months over Chanel’s Particuliere nail enamel (price: $23). I know for a fact that my sense of style works in reverse of what the “up to the minute” trend forecasters have to say. My run-ins with creamy brown taupe nail colors are often used during the winter months. I spend the majority of the winter in socks (for one) & (two) who really pays much attention to their feet (other than yourself) during the winter season? For me, it’s kind of like a last moment solution during the winter, other than using black nail polish. Celebrities such as; Mary J Blige, Mena Suvari , Sandra Bullock, Lily Allen, Gwyneth Paltrow, & Kate Beckinsale who have already been spotted wearing this popular Chanel shade. This season nail enamel directs itself towards the milky brown hues, matched against perfectly short, and yet rounded –squared off manicured nails. And if you’re still not too keen on the idea of spending $23 on Chanel’s Particuliere nail enamel – no worries, there are a series of options available! OPI’s Over The Taupe (#NLB85) & You Don’t Know Jacques (#NLF15) nail lacquer has been receiving tons of positive review based on performance & price. Or you always go with my Essie’s (my personal favorite) Mink Muffs (#697). If you’re still not convinced, check out some of my other “Putty” nail enamel options after the jump!

Tee Personal Favorite “Taupe” Picks:
M.A.C “Wham” Nail Lacquer, $12 – (maccosmetics.com)
American Apparel “Mouse” Nail Lacquer, $6 – (americanapparel.net)

Beauty Files #003 | Chanel “Jade” Enamel – Are We Buying It?

TEE — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:09:55 +0000

Ok, on my vacation I must say that I took some time to pamper myself. I’ve got to be honest, spending hours on the internet – along with working meticulously with the keyboard, automatically gives way to some rancid looking nails (in my case). Between nail biting, hang nails, and everything that takes a toll on my fingers…..I’ve taken the intuitive on getting my nails UV gelled up. And let me say…I am finally happy. Shoot, I feel half way feminine! Then came my spur of the moment jolt of wanting to get my “end of the summer” pedicure (yesterday), I found myself at my local nail salon snubbing the various colors that sat neatly adored on the shelf. Wondering….’where have all of the colors gone?” – you ladies know what I mean. It’s either too light of a color, too dark, no in between. Granted….if you have a darker skin tone, your always wondering if you can get away with certain nail enamels. Everything that we see on the runways or in magazines isn’t meant to be worn by everyone. And yes…that is definitely a known fact! And this summer everyone was going crazy over the buzz surrounding Chanel’s Jade nail enamel….which is indeed interesting to the eye. According to a few sources- one of my favorites, All Lacquered Up, Chanel’s Fall nail collection “Jade” series features two soft hues of “jade green” & “jade rose” which was supposed to be offered later this fall. But NYC folks have the advantage tonight of popping the lids via Chanel boutiques in celebration of Fashion Night Out. Starting September 11th Chanel’s Jade Nail Collection will be sold for a limited time exclusively via Chanel.com & Chanel Make-Up Studios for $25 each. I definitely love how the pictures invoke a genuine jade colorway….but I am kind of curious as to know how it looks up close and personal. Only time will tell…..will you be the first on the scene rocking Chanel’s latest nail hues?

Image Credit: Chanel / Wireimage

Beauty Files #002 | Black Women & Blush – Do Black Women Really Need It?

TEE — Fri, 29 May 2009 02:38:29 +0000

I know it’s late….and you ladies are probably about to pass out! But naturally my brain goes eight-billion miles per hour. I was just having a recent conversation with a good friend of mine, and we got on the discussion of cosmetics. I don’t often wear make-up…and when I usually do, there always has to be some kind of event or specially occasion – that leaves my face a wide open canvas for various colors thanks to some of today’s hottest make-up brands. But there is just one subject in regards to make-up that always boggles me to death. Black women & blush….do we really need it? When I was a kid, I used to watch my grandmother apply her make-up while humming to Opera tunes. Funny enough, I used to crack up at the fact that she hummed away to Luciano Pavarotti while applying bucket loads of pink blush along her cheek lines. And I completely hated it! I swore up & down that blush was something that would NEVER be applied to my own face. Until one day, I found myself at a local department store make-up counter wanting to get my face done. All I wanted was a clean & fresh look…nothing out of the norm! Then came the drama – when the department store associate wanted to put blush on my face. I had to tell her NO and a side dose of abrasiveness! It was like the exorcist part 3…leaving both me & the sales associate battling over her wanting to use blush on my face. She told me & I quote “ It will bring out your face more” – automatically I was saying to myself “ Is this chick crazy?”. So then came my love of ultra glossy magazines, which featured images of some of our favorite black celebrities who often don blush. You’ve probably seen it on the faces of Naomi, Tyra, Kerry Washington, Lil Kim (especially), and various other black celebrities. So my question for all of you ladies ( on this Thursday night) is…..Do Black Women Need Blush? Or Is It All A Myth? This has to be one of those questions need some answers. More after the jump!

Do Black Women Need Blush? Check Out Some Of The Faces Below:
Additional Photos: Getty Images, Splash, WireImage

Beauty Files #001 | 40 Nail Polishes – That Will Definitely Catch Your Attention

TEE — Thu, 14 May 2009 16:14:17 +0000

Sweet mother of toes & finger nails…
It’s another season of what to buy…this time for your nails! Like I am one that should talk…I don’t even sport nail polish on my fingers. But as far as my feet go…I will slap cash down on various colors of nail enamel. It’s really that serious in my apartment. I already have a leopard print box filled with nail polish. Which reminds me that I need to get rid of a few bottles…but that only makes more space for new colors in my collection. I swear, I think that I’ve spent more time looking at women’s feet in the last two weeks saying, “Damn I love that color” – and find myself jotting footnotes on used napkins within my pocket book. So far this spring & summer I have my toes set on donning Sula Paint & Peel Nail Color. I am dying to see how the “peel effect” works….and the colors are very rich & creamy looking which I love. Then there is my personal favorite from NARS – which never fails the test! But Essie definitely is the way to go…hands down! Essie features premium colorways & a very affordable price! And trust me…Essie bottles are primarily what you can find in my nail polish box. Check out my long list of 40 favorable colors for the spring & summer months ahead. After the jump! Yipee…throw those toes in the air!

Top 40 Nail Polishes – That Will Definitely Catch Your Attention:
1.) Sula Paint & Peel Nail Color – Crush, $9 – Anthropologie

2.) POP Beauty Nail Glam – Turquoise, $14 – Beauty.com

3.) POP Beauty Nail Glam – Pinkest, $14 – Beauty.com

4.) NARS – Nail Color – Adelita, $16 – Barneys.com

5.) Nars – Limited Edition Nail Color – Blue Lagoon, $16 – Barneys.com

6.) Lippman Collection Nail Color – PYT (Pretty Young Thing), $15 – Drugstore.com

7.) SpaRitual Nail Lacquer Impression – Ruby red crème, $10 – Skinstore.com

8.) Lancôme Pink Irreverence Le Vernis, $18 – Bloomingdales.com

9.) Rimmel Play Fast – Out There, $1.89 – Ulta.com

10.) Sally Hansen – Bold Blossom, $4.49 – Ulta.com

11.) USLU AIRLINES Nailpolish – MQC, $23 – Farfetch.com

12.) USLU AIRLINES Nailpolish – JCO, $23 – Farfetch.com

13.) USLU AIRLINES Nailpolish – DSL, 23 – Farfetch.com

14.) SpaRitual Nail Lacquer – Miss World, $10 – Skinstore.com

15.) USLU AIRLINES Nailpolish – AIT, $23 – Farfetch.com

16.) USLU AIRLINES Nailpolish – CAB, $23 – Farfetch.com

17.) DuWop Toe Polish – Glass Slipper, $12 – Skinstore.com

18.) Essie Nail Colour – Brandie Alexander, $8 – Drugstore.com

19.) Essie Nail Colour – Mod Squad, $8 – Drugstore.com

20.) Essie Nail Color – California Coral, $8 – Drugstore.com

21.) Lippmann Collection – Lady Marmalade Nail Color, $15 – Barneys.com

22.) USLU AIRLINES x Bernhard Willhelm Nailpolish – WAW, $25 – Farfetch.com

23.) USLU AIRLINES x Bernhard Willhelm Nailpolish – JDP, $25 – Farfetch.com

24.) Sally Hansen Lacquer Shine Nail Color – Beaming, $6.29 – Ulta.com

25.) Butter London Nail Lacquer- Bezzie Mate, $14 – B-Glowing.com

26.) Maybelline Express Finish Advanced Wear Anti-Chip Color – Go Go Green, $3.29 – Drugstore.com

27.) Maybelline Express Finish Advanced Wear Anti-Chip Color, Spiced Latte, $3.29 – Drugstore.com

28.) Sula Paint & Peel Nail Color – Azure, $9 – Anthroplogie.com

29.) Sula Paint & Peel Nail Color – Watermelon, $9 – Anthropologie.com

30.) Chanel Le Vernis Nail – Mica Rose, $23 – Chanel.com

31.) Butter London Nail Lacquer, $14 – B-Glowing.com

32.) Essie Neons Mini Polish 4-Pack, $17 – Nordstrom.com

33.) Nars – Gimme Shelter, $16 – Bloomingdales.com

34.) CoverGirl CG Boundless Color Nail Polish – Grapevine, $4 – Drugstore.com

35.) Orly Nail Lacquer – Shine on Crazy Diamond, $7.50 – Drugstore.com

36.) Avon – Speed Dry Nail Enamel – Adoring Rose, $4 – Avon.com

37.) Suncoat – Water-Based Nail Polish – Peacock Blue, $6.89 – LuckyVitamin.com

38.) Dior Vernis Nail Polish – Sweet Orange, $20 – Sephora.com

39.) Essie North Fork Nail Polish – Shelter Island, $8 – Apothica.com

40.) Sinful Colors Professional Nail Enamel- Boom Boom, $1.99 – Walgreens.com