LOTD: Daytime Pin-up Girl Look

One of my absolute favorite looks is the pin-up girl look. Classically it is done with a soft eye, and bold lips (usually red). I love doing the soft eye as well, and typically wear lashes, and some times do a cat eye. However, that's a bit much for work, so here is my version of a toned down pin-up look.

Face:

MAC Studio Tech NC50

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark

Eyes:

Too Faced Shadow Insurance - all over lid
MAC E/S in Kid- all over lid up to brow bone
CS 78 palette E/S 2nd column, second row, last shadow (dark brown)- crease
NYX Chrome E/S in Mink - inner corner and brow bone

Stila smudge pot in black - line eyes
Maybelline Great Lash - Mascara

Lips:
Bobbi Brown Plum lipliner
MAC Lipglass in Sweet Strawberry (Hello Kitty collection)

Cheeks:
MAC Mineralize Blush in Conjure Up

~HG

NRW on Thursday: HAITIAN CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/2 lb. chicken, cut up
1/4 c. lime juice
2 1/2 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. paprika
1 tbsp. chili powder
Pinch of red pepper
1 lg. clove garlic
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. basil

DIRECTIONS:

• Arrange chicken skin side down in shallow baking dish.
• Combine remaining ingredients in small bowl. Pour over chicken. Cover and refrigerate 4 hours.
• Bake at 350 degrees uncovered 30 minutes. Turn and bake 30 more minutes, basting.
• Broil until brown. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.

Enjoy!

~HG

Because this totally made my day - Makeup Like Lil' Kim

I hollered! You hear me??? HOLLERED when I saw this! Hiarity man!

MAC Cosmetics Spring Colour Forecast Collection

MAC is FINALLY giving me fever with their new Spring Colour Forecast Collection which is to debut on February 11th. I love every single last one of the products coming out, which means I am gonna be super broke on the 11th lol. Ask anyone that knows me and they will tell you I love to wear pink and purple accents, and man this is feeding my hunger!

If the mood hits you to buy me one of the shadows please do not hesitate. I do accept gifts lol. Look for a nude and purple makeup look from me right before Valentine's day. Leave me a comment and tell me your thoughts on the new collection. What are your must faves?

Spring Colour 1 Forecast
Lipstick ($14.00 U.S.)
Bubble Gum - Light lavender pink (Glaze) LE
Laugh-a-lot - Mauve pink (Lustre) LE
Phlox - Sheer light pink (Glaze) LE
Pink Burst Clean bright pink with pearl (Frost) LE
Lipglass ($14.00 U.S.)
Cultureclash - Frosty clear baby pink with multi-dimensional pearl (Frost) LE
Hush, Hush Rose - Mid-tone blue with pearl (Frost) LE
Electric Fuchsia - Bright violet with blue pearl (Frost) LE
Eyeshadow ($14.50 U.S.)
Da Bling - Pink with gold pearl (Veluxe Pearl) (Permanent)
LaLa - Mid-tone pink (Frost) (Limited Edition)
Rosy Outlook - Frosted baby pink (Satin) (Limited Edition)
Very Violet - Dark violet (Frost) (Limited Edition)
Crush Metal Pigment (4) ($32.50 U.S.)  
Pale pink, light lilac, mid-tone rose, dark purple LE
Plushlash ($13.00 U.S.)
Plushblack Black
Blush Ombre ($25.00 U.S.)
Azalea Blossom - Light cool pink LE
Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S.)
Galore Pink - Creamy mid-tone blue pink (Cream) LE
Creations: Pinkaura ($25.00 U.S.) LE

Spring Colour 2 Forecast
Lipstick ($14.00 U.S.)
Colour Me Coral - Frosted light coral (Frost) LE
Fresh Salmon - Sheer bright pink-orange (Lustre) LE
Rose Maiden - Frosted bright berry (Frost) LE
Victorian - Frosted light golden pink (Frost) LE
Lipglass ($14.00 U.S.)
Cha Cha - Mid-tone pink with gold pearl (Frost) LE
Ember Glow - Creamy light apricot (Cream) LE
Kumquat - Frosty tangerine (Frost) LE
Eyeshadow ($14.50 U.S.)
Hot Hot Hot - Mid-tone coral (Satin) LE
Nanogold - Sheer yellow beige with pink pearl (Lustre) LE 
Perky - Light salmon pink (Satin) LE
Straw Harvest - Frosty light yellow-orange (Veluxe Pearl) LE
Crush Metal Pigment (4) ($32.50 U.S.)
Pale gilded beige, yellow gold, green gold, copper gold LE
Plushlash ($13.00 U.S.)
Plushblack Black
Blush Ombre ($25.00 U.S.)
Ripe Peach - Light coral LE
Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S.)
Malibu Peach - Bright creamy tangerine (Cream) LE
Creations: MV2 ($25.00 U.S.)

Spring Colour 3 Forecast
Lipstick ($14.00 U.S.)
Hang-up - Deep berry (Cremesheen)
Radicchio - Sheer mid-tone blue-mauve (Lustre) LE
Lipglass ($14.00 U.S.)
Lavender Wind - Lavender with pearl (Frost) LE
Purple Rage - Dark berry with pearl (Frost) LE
Eyeshadow Quad ($36.00 U.S.)
Black Tulip - Frosted dark grape (Frost) LE
Bruised Plum - Frosted mid-tone dirty mauve (Veluxe Pearl) LE
Jungle Moon - Blackened deep eggplant (Matte) LE
Mink Pink - Neutral soft pink (Veluxe) LE
Blush Ombre ($25.00 U.S.)
Vintage Grape - Mid-tone violet pink LE
Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S.)
Imperial Splendour - Deep creamy violet (Cream) LE

Spring Colour 4 Forecast
Lipstick ($14.00 U.S.)
Beigeland - Frosted light pink beige (Frost) LE
Bronzilla - Frosted mid-tone yellow brown (Frost) LE
Lipglass ($14.00 U.S.)
Almondine - Pale gold with pearl (Frost) LE
Gold Dust - Mid-tone copper with pearl (Frost) LE
Eyeshadow Quad ($36.00 U.S.)
Aztec Brick - Frosted true copper (Veluxe Pearl) LE
Creole Beauty - Frosted dark golden brown (Frost) LE
Flip - Bronze gold (Frost) LE
Manila Paper - Pale frosted white gold (Veluxe Pearl) LE
Blush Ombre ($25.00 U.S.)
Springshine - Neutral suntan LE
Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S.)

Abalone Shell - Light creamy warm beige (Cream) LE

~HG

My NYX Haul...if you will

A week or two ago I posted a blog about NYX having a huge sale, so you know I had to get in on the action. I love sales. They are the best way for me to try out the makeup products I would normally pass by, and NYX is no exception. I've never really been a fan, but decided I would give them another shot.

So here's what I got:

2 sheer glosses

3 chrome eyeshadows

2 regular eyeshadows

2 Ink Nail Art

Oh, and I also got these:

I love lashes! They are so much fun.

The Eyeshadows

I'm a little disappointed in the eyeshadows. I was looking for something glorious since so many people have exclaimed that they are just as pigmented as MAC. Not so, although they are definitely more pigmented than a lot of other drug store makeup that I have encountered. I think if I use a good base, they will be fine. I also need to try them in other, more vibrant colors. I bought silvers because I've been asked to do a lot of silver and gray looks lately, and I just like having a variety to choose from.

The Chrome Eyeshadows

Again, not as heavily pigmented as I would like for them to be, but they come across kind of soft/subtle, and nice. I'm not mad that I bought them at all. This is actually a nice alternative to MAC's pigments. If I just want to give someone a glow in the inner corners of their eyes without it being to harsh or POW! this is perfect.

Sheer Glosses

 

Here I am wearing their sheer gloss in Juicy. It is definitely a sheer gloss, and I love the texture. I like for my glosses to be just a tad bit sticky (only a tad). I hate when they are too oily and slick. I immediately know that they won't be on my lips for long if that's how they are. This has just the right balance of sticky and slick. I'm not afraid of it skating off of my lips, or of my hair getting caught on it (yuck!).

The other color I got, spicy, is not as sheer as this gloss is. It definitely has a little more than a hint of color, but not the same amount as a lipstick. It's still nice though.

Ink Nail Art

Okay, I just bought these because, well, I hate going to get my nails done, yet sometimes I want to have a little bit of fun with them. I haven't played with these yet, but when I do (and assuming they won't look horrid) I will post pics and do a review.

So that's my haul. The next time they are having a sale, try out some new products. You really can't complain when you're getting an eyeshadow for $2 or lipgloss for a buck!

~HG

Valentine's Day Look 1: Purple Smoke Love

Face:

MAC Prep+Prime Skin
MAC Studio Tech NC50

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark

Eyes:

MAC Perky paint pot - all over lid up to brow bone
Sigma E/S in Indian girl - in a V going from the inner corner outward

CS 78 palette E/S 5th column, second row, 3rd shadow down - bottom lid, barely up into crease
CS 78 palette E/S 5th column, second row, 5th shadow down - middle to outter lower lid, barely up into crease
MAC E/S in Fig 1 - in crease
CS 78 palette E/S in black - outter V
Stila smudge pot in black - line eyes
Dior Extase - Mascara

Lips:
MAC Amplified creme lipstick
MAC Dazzleglass in Baby Sparks

Cheeks:
MAC Hello Kitty Blush in Tippy

~HG

Cherry Culture Sale - Everything Must Go!

Cherry Culture Sale

Happy Shopping!

~HG

StrangeBeautiful Library of Color: Volumes 1 and 2

For the nail fanatics out there...
StrangeBeautiful Library of Color: Volumes 1 and 2 are now available for preorder on the Bergdorf Goodman website. However, at $79 each (ouch), these babies better not chip, peel, nor crack for a week at a time...ok, a month...ok several months...but that's just my wallet talking.

~HG

Dior DiorShow Extase Mascara Review

                                      

 I was so excited when I heard that Dior had yet a new mascara out. Mascara is my thing! I rarely leave home without it. I especially rarely leave home without using my DiorShow Iconic mascara! It makes me look like I'm wearing falsies, but I digress. Here's the description of DiorShow Extase from the Sephora website:

DiorShow Extase provides built-in treatment benefits and high-impact lashes in a single stroke! The spherical-shaped Black Pearl Pigments create a 3D volume effect and the exclusive Metamorphosis Powders expand in size by up to 50% after application. Also, SR38 Patented Ceramid brings additional care, reconstructing damaged lashes and promoting stronger and fuller lashes.What else you need to know:The Extase mascara features a "Tiered Brush" that is inspired by the "tiered" couture dresses created by the House of Dior. The brush is designed for performance and contains an Exclusive Duo of Fibers: The Black Elastomer Fibers brush out and define the lashes for panoramic fringe and the Gold Nylon Fibers hold and deposit formula, generously coating each lash for outstanding volume.

It is really hard for me to say whether or not this mascara does what it claims, but I'll go with yes. Yes my lashes were thicker and fuller. They were also a lot clumpier! My lashes have never clumped so much in my life. I tried several applications of the mascara, using it in various ways, but the end result was continuously the same - clumps. Also, although the brush looks exciting, it actually didn't separate and help define my lashes the way I thought it would.

If you're interested in purchasing DiorShow Extase, you can pick it up from sephora.com for $28

Product: 5/10
Pricing: 5/10
Packaging: 10/10

~HG

Makeup Everyone Can Afford!

My number one stop for eyelashes when I'm doing a photoshoot is NYX because they have a variety of looks and their cheap! Today through January 25th they are having a $1 sale on everything from eyeshadow to lashes to nail polish. I can't wait for my haul to get here! Go get yours now at nyxcosmetics.com

~HG

NRW: Korean BBQ Ribs

INGREDIENTS
3/4 cup soy sauce
3/4 cup water
3 tablespoons white vinegar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons white sugar
1 tablespoon black pepper
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1/4 cup minced garlic
1/2 large onion, minced
3 pounds Korean-style short ribs (beef chuck flanken, cut 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick across bones)

DIRECTIONS
1.Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Meanwhile, season short ribs with desired seasoning, then place in the boiling water cooking for 45 minutes.
2. Pour soy sauce, water, and vinegar into pot over medium-high heat bringing to a boil. Whisk in brown sugar, white sugar, pepper, sesame oil, garlic, and onion until the sugars have dissolved. Turn down to low and simmer.
2.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3.Remove ribs from the pot, and place in a baking pan. Cover the ribs with sauce and place in the oven for 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

~HG

Look I Love: Queen Latifah People's Choice Awards

PRODUCTS USED

Eyes:
MAC e/s in Brown Down right above the crease and under the lower lashes
Lancôme e/s in Garment Intense on the lids, blending it into the Brown Down
CoverGirl Outlast Eyeliner in Onyx

Lips:
MAC Lipstick in Velvet Teddy
Kevyn Aucoin Flesh Tone Lip Pencil in Deep
CoverGirl Lipslicks Lip Gloss in Cutie

Cheeks:
MAC Blush in Sweet as Cocoa
CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Bronzer

~HG

Sade is Back!

Sade is back, and we love it! We can expect the release of her new album on Feburary 8, 2010, but you can preorder now on amazon.com. Leave a comment and tell me what you think. Here's her newest, Soldier of Love.

~HG

LOTD: Monique's Smokey Eye

A few months ago a fellow knottie friend, Alfreda, asked me to do a silver smokey eye for her. However, after seeing Monique's alter ego photo, she wanted to go with that look, which I definitely prefer. So, here's my interpretation of Monique's look just for you Alfreda. Sorry I don't have the divatude to go with it lol. I was in a good mood when I did and couldn't even fake the diva look, sorry :~)

Face:

MAC Prep+Prime Skin
MAC Studio Tech NC50

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark

Eyes:

MAC Cash Flow paint pot - all over lower lid
MAC E/S in Shroom - lower lid up into crease

MAC E/S in Carbon - Crease and outter V.
MAC E/S in Soba - eyebrow bone (as a highlighter)
Stila Smudge Pot - Liner for top and bottom lids
Dior Extase - Mascara

Lips:
MAC lip pencil in Cork
MAC Fresh Brew lipstick (from the Hello Kitty collection)
MAC Dazzleglass in Get Rich Quick

Cheeks:
MAC Mineralize Blush in Superdupernatural

A few things:

• I know that carbon may look scary in the pot, but it's really not. It simply takes blending. When putting it in your crease, do it with your eyes open. I move my brush with circular and windshield wiper motions until I have it blended as much as I want. Softly bring it down into your outter V. It simply takes practice :~)
• I smudged my eyeliner on the top and bottom eyelash lines to further give that smokey look.
• One of the best things you can do when practicing your makeup is take pictures along the way. Feel like the carbon is too dark or heavy? Snap a picture of you with flash. The picture will show you where you need to blend more and where you need to add more product.
• Do your eyebrows. Mine were undone because 1) I haven't had them waxed in 2 months and 2) I didn't have any of my eyebrow brushes or brow shadows with me, le sigh.
• I would NOT use the dazzleglass that I used. You could use empowered lipstick from the current all races all ages collection with spirit and soul lipglass over it.
• I love the blush I used! However, if you want to try something a little more neutral and brownie, go for the All's Good blush also found in the all races all ages collection.

I hope that was helpful! If you need anything else please let me know :~)

~HG