I covet...

HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition series

Tis all :~)

~HG

Shoe Who? shoeWoo!

Just yesterday I was scrolling through my email looking for shoe sales because honestly, my shoe wardrobe for the summer? is busted! I searched through nordstrom emails, zappos, dsw, etc., but then I stumbled upon ShoeWoo. What the heck is a shoeWoo? Apparently shoeWoo started off as a shoe boutique in NYC, and they now have their very own on-line shop. Well, there are two things that this girl right here loves and that's boutique's and NYC! I knew I would fall in love, and I did!

Do you love shoes? What are your favorite online stores for shoes? How about your favorite shoe boutique in your town?

~HG

The Makeup Show NYC - 5 Years 5 Icons 5 Boroughs

For the past 3 years I've wanted nothing more than to attend the Makeup Show NYC, but something has always prevented me, but this year I'M SO THERE!!! This is THE show to go to if you are a serious makeup artist, and I am. I can't wait to check out all of the makeup companies that will represent at the show, but most of all, I can't wait to network! It's still up in the air whether I will be able to take a class, but I hear that the seminars on the floor are phenomenal as well.

This year 70, yes 70 pro-makeup companies will be there! Are you going? Are you excited? So am I! Hope to see you there!
---
Sunday, May 16 - Seminar Space A
9:45am - 10:30am Celebre Pro-HD Rae Dawn Johnson for Mehron
11:00am - 11:45 am Achieving Editorial Beauty Jon Hennessey for Inglot Cosmetics
12:15pm - 1:00pm The Airbrush Revolution: HD, Recode, & Technology David Klasfeld for OCC Makeup
1:30pm - 2:15pm Strengthing Your Online Presence Victoria Stiles for TPG Pro
2:45pm - 3:30pm Tools of the Trade James Vincent for Crown Brush
4:00pm - 4:45pm The Airbrush Bride Al Lozano & Dina Oulsey for Dinair

Sunday, May 16 - Seminar Space B
9:30am - 10:15am Easy Airbrushing for the Pro Artist Marc Harvey for Luminess
10:45am - 11:30am HD Makeup for Print Media Covers Mary Erickson for Graftobian
12:00pm - 12:45pm Hollywood's Red Carpet Trend's Lori Taylor for Smashbox Cosmetics
1:15pm - 2:00pm Durable Divas: Party Proof Makeup Kevin James Bennett for Make Up For Ever
2:30pm - 3:15pm Editorial Airbrushing Danielle Fonseca for Temptu Pro
4:15pm - 5:00pm State of the Union

Monday, May 17 – Seminar Space A
9:30am - 10:15am Taking Standard Beauty to the Next Level Pashur for Kryolan
10:45am - 11:30am Lashes, Lips and Brow Beauty James Vincent for Inglot Cosmetics
12:00pm - 12:45pm Brushes 101 Eve Pearl for Crown Brush
1:15pm - 2:00pm Breathe new Life Into Your Skin - Val Hernandez for Youngblood Mineral
2:30pm - 3:15pm Perfecting Complexion for Women of Color Brandalyn Fulton for Face Atelier
3:45pm - 4:30pm The Many Faces of MUD Reiva Cruze and Sean Conklin for MakeUp Designory

Monday, May 17 – Seminar Space B
9:45am - 10:30am HD Makeup and The Art of Correction Wanda Longo for Cover FX at Naimies
11:00am - 11:45 am The Bulletproof Bride: Durable Bridal Makeup Kevin James Bennett for Make Up For Ever
12:15pm - 1:00pm Understanding Airbrush Makeup Sheila McKenna for Kett Cosmetics
1:30pm - 2:15pm Cult Items for Every Artists Kit Scott Andrew for Alcone
2:45pm - 3:30pm Autumn/Winter2010 Trend Romero Jennings and Keri Blair for MAC Cosmetics
4:00pm - 4:45pm Shock Effect Everyday Drama Koren Zander for Naked Cosmetics

~HG

Go Nats! 30x30 Update

As those that have been reading me since the beginning of this year know, I turn 30 in December. I had several goals that I wanted to reach by the time I was 30, so I created a list. Every now and then as I accomplish something new, I want to see how far I have to go and boy, do I have a long way to go! Immediately after posting the list here and then on my personal diary site, I realized that some things that were on there were things I didn't want to accomplish any more for one reason or another. So, here is my updated, tweaked list and my experience last night.
 
Last night was fantabulous and I accomplished part of one goal. I went to a Nats game and had a great time!
 
 

Good times. What I observed about baseball games is that...people don't go to really watch the game. People come out to eat, drink, and talk to friends. It's completely laid back and chill and everyone had a fantabulous time. I loved it! I'm definitely going back!

 
Anywho, here's my list again, along with an update:

• Travel to LA
• Attend a Lakers game
• Build Makeup portfolio with at least 5 professional photos
• Audition for one play
• Read all of the New Testament
• Travel to London
• Make 3 solid new friends - I've made one solid new friend thus far, woohoo! I'm loving it!
• Achieve a 4.0gpa
• Take 5 makeup classes
• Lose 30lbs.
• Create a logo - Done! What do you think?

• Read 30 books - 2 down, 28 to go. The first was The Shack, which was a fantastic book! Definitely helped to build my relationship with God. The second was Wench. Loved it, but it has me feeling some kind of way. Will discuss in my book club tomorrow.
• Pledge a sorority
• Design 3 professional looking cakes
• Attend at least 10 events that I'm invited to - so far I have attended 3. I'm on the right track. I'm "flaking" less and less these days.
• Cook 30 new recipes - So far I've cooked 2. I need to step up my game! If you have any Recipes you want to share, please do!
• Take 3 dance classes
• Run 3 miles - Totally forgot this was on my list. How funny that I started working on this without even realizing it was one of my goals! I have half a mile down (pathetic indeed), but hey, I'm on my way.
• Take a family picture
• Watch at least 20 new, never seen before, Netflix movies - 4 down!
• Create one piece of art - pottery
• Go to at least one home game of each of DC's professional sports teams - 1 down, update above 
• Get my license *gulp*
• Go hiking
• Go camping
• Help at least 5 people in need
• Write at least 3 poems
• Fast at least 3 times - One time down, two more to go.
• Attend the Makeup Show
• Learn a new language

Bonus
*Learn to play an instrument
*Write Jonathan at least 5 love letters

~HG

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LOTD: Pastel Meet Purple

Face:

MAC Studio Tech NC50

MUFE HD Powder

Eyes:

MAC Yogurt E/S - Brow bone
Glamour Doll Doll House E/S - lower lid to mid-lid, blend up into crease
Glamour Doll Glam Girl E/S - lower outter-lid to mid-lid, blend up into crease and into Doll House E/S
Coastal Scents Palette 78 , column 5, last color in the second row (dark blue) - outter V
Coastal Scents Palette 78, column 4, second color in the first row (pink) - btwn upper crease and brow bone
MAC pigment in Naked - Brow bone highlighter
Coastal Scents Black E/S - Line eyes
Voluminous by Loreal - Mascara

Lips:
MAC Viva Glam IV

Cheeks:
Nars Torrid Blush

~HG

Love Urban Decay?

Their sale begins on Hautelook.com at 11am EST. Hurry before all the good stuff sales out!

~HG

LOTD: Smokey Day Time Look

Face:

MUFE HD Foundation #175

MUFE HD Powder

Eyes:

MAC Yogurt E/S - all over lid
MAC Shadowy Lady E/S - crease
MAC Seedy Pearl E/S - lower lid to mid-lid, blend up into crease
Benefit BADgal Eyeliner
Voluminous by Loreal - Mascara

Lips:
MAC dazzlegalss in Like Venus

Cheeks:
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Porcelain Pink

~HG

Jogging is my "thing"

Ever since I was a little girl about 6 years old I've had a problem running. In elementary school we use to have to run around this park 4 times to complete a mile. I was always the girl in the back. I could never breeze through it like other kids. I always wished I could though. I felt like a failure, and I felt even more alone than being one of the few Black kids in the class already made me feel.

Not too long after I fell inlove with soccer. Running after a ball? No problem! So running just for the heck of it should be easy, no? Yeah, no. Just as I would as a child, I would get cold built up in my chest and sometimes spit a little bit of blood out. What was wrong with me I never knew, but it was then that I just left running alone.

I've tried countless times over the years to fall inlove with jogging. I've tried building myself up at the gym, jogging/running for 2 minutes, walking for 1, blah blah blah. I was never able to run for more than 10 minutes, and that was extremely uncomfortable. Then I met MB.

MB is a friend that reminds me a lot of myself. Vain, funny, yet loveable, and an only child. One of the things that sets us apart though is that MB jogs, like, for real. She does 3 miles every morning before work. 3 miles...every morning...BEFORE WORK!... Ugh, hate her. Because she's fluffy like me and able to do this I thought well, I can do it too. Right now I don't have a gym membership, so I have to jog outside. Horrid! Smashing my feet on to the pavement with passersby looking at me. Why would I want to do that? Ugh. But I did it. The area around me is equivalent to the size of that park I couldn't conquer as a kid. This piqued my interest and enthusiasm.

My goal is to run around once the first two weeks, twice the next two weeks, and so on. So last week, I got started. That first night it was h a r d. Going around was difficult at best, but I didn't stop. Since then I've jogged around approximately five more times, and last night for the first time not only did I not feel like I was dying, I also felt like if I really wanted to I could push myself further. I even, dare I say, enjoyed it *gulp* Is this really me? Enjoying jogging? Like, jogging is my "thing" now? Wow.

This may not be a big deal to a lot of you, but for me this is huge. I feel like I'm about to do something big here. Like I'm about to conquer something. Like I'm about to smash the fear of failure into little tiny specks of dust that will all fall down screaming "we are not worthy". Yeah, this is bigger than jogging.

I think that running outside has something to do with it. Feeling the breeze, watching the scenery all really helps. However, I think the biggest thank you goes to MB for showing me you can be fluffy, sexy, and fit. Don't ever tell her I said that. Her head is already big enough.

~HG

DC Area MUA: 2010 Bridal Hair Styling with Warren B!

***This message originated from Flawless by Lisa. You can checkout her website here: http://www.lisacartermcpheemakeup.com/ and her blog here: http://lashoutandblushbaby.blogspot.com/***

With wedding season in FULL BLOOM!!! Wouldn't you like some FRESH, Unique styling options for your brides??? If you currently work with brides and are looking to be more marketable this class will be beneficial to you! Learn modern styling techniques that will make more prepared to handle any bride or bridal party!

Come and GAIN!!!

Fundamental techniques that will make you MORE Marketable!!! MORE Confident!!! MORE Successful!!!! Taking basic styling skills and transforming them into EXCEPTIONAL Bridal Hair! WORK with and LEARN from Warren B. for a day of education and FUN!!!

Once you complete this training you will be better able to handle the rush of this wedding season.

April 17th 2010
11am until 4pm

PLEASE BRING COMPLETE KIT

Combs, Brushes, Curling Irons, Flat Iron, Styling Spray, Holding Spray, Hair Pins, Bob Pins, Shine Spray, Thermal Styling Serum, Model or Mannequin.

Registration Fee: $150.00

If you have any questions email: info@warrenbeautiful.com !!!

SEE YOU SOON!!!

WarrenB

hair & makeup artist
NYC Washington D.C. Miami
http://www.warrenbeautiful.com/

Hair Update: Going Natural Never Looked So Good!

As most of you know I've been natural for more than a year now. I didn't go the usual route that everyone else seems to take. In other words, there was no big chop for me. After growing my hair out for approximately 6 months without a relaxer, I chopped off all the hair that was below my earlobe. Since then I have gradually cut off all of the relaxed hair. Today I am completely relaxer free. I can't say, and won't say that I loved every bit of this journey. It has been hard! I've worn wigs for more than I'd ever care to. However, for me my hair has to be between armpit length and bra strap length when straight in order for me to feel attractive when wearing it curly. Don't judge me.

Since discovering what will make me feel comfortable, I have been on a mission not just to grow my hair, but to make it as healthy as possible while doing so. I've tried a gazillion products, and have learned what my hair does and does not like. For instance, my hair loves cremes. Loves loves loves them. Oil? Not so much. So I learned to just use oil to seal. So far, nothing makes my hair feel more moisturized than the Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil products. Currently I'm using these three:

I've tried using coconut oil as a prepoo, and also to seal, but yeah, no, it does nothing for me. These three products are the only one's that have worked for me thus far, but I'm very open to other suggestions.

This is the healthiest my hair has EVER been! I haven't thought about going back to the creamy crack once because my hair feels so friggin good! It's letting me know that this is the way it desires to be, and I'm listening. Anyway, the journey has been tough at times, but I love seeing the transformation of my hair. Seeing it go from a 3b:

to a 4a/b:

has been amazing. I have no clue what has caused it to change texture, but the more it grows, the tighter the curls get.

So here are my current hair pics. Any advice from the natural hair gurus will be welcomed with open arms:

~HG

LOTD: Silver Moonlight Sparkles

Face:

Sephora Primer
MUFE HD Foundation #175

Eyes:

MAC paint pot in Painterly - all over lid
Makeup Forever 12 Flash Color Case, Black - lower lid to crease
MAC Frost pigment - lower lid, blend up into crease
MAC E/S in Cinderfella - outter V into crease
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Porcelain Pink - Brow bone highlighter 
MUFE 12 Flash Color Case, Black - line eyes
Dior Extase - Mascara

Lips:
MUFE 12 Flash Color Case, Coral
MAC lipglass in Cult Fave (fafi collection)

Cheeks:
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Porcelain Pink - Under eyes/on top of cheek bone, bridge of nose, forehead, chin

~HG

NRW: Meatloaf FTW!

INGREDIENTS
1 pound ground beef
salt
ground black pepper
cayenne pepper
1 small chopped onion
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tomato, chopped
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Topping:
1/3 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon prepared mustard

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Mix all meatloaf ingredients well and place in a loaf baking pan.

Topping:
Mix ingredients for topping and spread on loaf. Bake for 1 hour.

Enjoy!

~HG

Is Your Foundation Light Enough to Brave the Summer Heat?

It's only April and it is already 91 degrees in our Nation's Capitol. Yesterday I received 4 emails all asking about the same thing...Foundation! Here's one:

It is hot and sticky outside and it is only April. Any ideas how I can sweatproof my foundation. I usually use Mac Select Foundation or Studio Fix. I need some coverage but not a ton. Any ideas to help me not look sweaty this summer? Thanks so much

The first step I would take would be to use a mattifier such as Murads Oil Control Mattifier under your foundation. Not only does it help your makeup to go on smoothly, but it also reduces the appearance of oil on your skin. Next I would consider switching up your foundation for the summer. Try Bobbie Brown's tinted moisturizer. It gives a nice light coverage and it's thin so it feels weightless on your face. Makeup Forever HD Foundation is another one that gives good coverage without feeling heavy. One could also simply add moisturizer to their current foundation, thinning it out a bit. If all else fails, try using Mehron's No Sweat Skin Prep. I sweat heavily on my forehead so I use this pretty much everyday. You can use it under and on top of your makeup. It won't stop you from sweating completely (like in 100 degree weather) but when you do sweat it will dry quicker and not ruin your makeup. I have not tried layering this product, but I am pretty sure that layering it would help, not hurt.

I hope this little bit of information was helpful to all of my readers. Your makeup can still look flawless through the summer (or apparently winter) heat.

~HG

LOTD: Frosty Pink

Face:

Sephora Primer
MUFE HD Foundation #175

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Dark

Eyes:

MAC paint pot in Painterly - lower lid to crease
No name Sephora pink eyeshadow - lower lid
MAC Bright Fuschia pigment - lower lid, blend up into crease
Coastal Scents Palette 78, 4th column, third pink down on the left - crease to right below brow bone
MAC Naked pigment - Brow bone highlighter blended down into pink.
Any black eyeshadow - outter V
Stila smudge pot in black - line top lid, outter to middle of lower lid
MAC pigment in Frost - line under bottom liner
Dior Extase - Mascara

Lips:
MUFE 12 Flash Color Case, Coral
MAC lipglass in Cult Fave (fafi collection)

Cheeks:
MAC Frankly Scarlett
MAC Dolly Mix

~HG

Love Lace Front Wigs?

Clair Hair is having a sale on a variety of hair items, including lace front wigs! Take an additional 20% off by using the coupon code 1234. There are only 5 days left, so act now!

~HG