When I had the opportunity to talk with Doe Deere, also known as Xenia, the creator of controversial cosmetics brand Lime Crime, I was both excited and hesitant.

Excited because her makeup brand has a lot of buzz around it right now — Lime Crime is featured in the November issue of Nylon magazine, and I’ve heard many a beauty blogger rave over the range of crazy colors available in their Magic Dust eyeshadows and Candyfuture Lipsticks.

Hesitant because I’ve also noticed many a beauty blogger talking umbrage with Doe Deere herself, and disparaging Lime Crime as a brand.

You can read some of those posts:

here, at Gothique

here at Funny Face’s Place

here at the Examiner (those comments are off the chain)

here at Jessica Allison’s blog

here at Lipstick and Lightsabers (WHAT a great blog name!)

here at Sparkle is My Crack

here at Sparklecrack Central

and…you get the picture.

But for every hater, there’s a congratulator. There’s an army of Lime Crime and Doe Deere fans out there — say hello to Team Candyfuture! And besides the people who admire Doe’s appearance and personality, there are those who really are intrigued by the makeup itself, all chatter aside. I fall into the latter camp.

I heard of Lime Crime before all of the brou-ha-ha began, and the reason I heard about them was because people were raving over this hot new makeup brand, all packaged in pink with sparkly unicorns, dedicated to super intense pigments and bright colors. And I realize there’s a reason just about every post about Doe Deere online generates hundreds of bickering comments — she’s a fascinating figure. And the creator of a makeup brand that targets a very passionate audience.

When we started our interview, I offered Doe two options. We can start out fun and lighthearted and talk about the makeup itself…or we can wade immediately into the controversy and address it right off the bat. Doe chose the latter.

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I’ve used Cover Girl cosmetics. I like Cover Girl cosmetics. But never before did I feel TRANSFORMED by Cover Girl, than at the CVS Reinventing Beauty lounge, when makeup artist Jake Bailey sat me in his chair and worked his magic on me.

Me and Julia of All About The Pretty

BAM!

Keep in mind, I’d already done my own face. But by the time Jake was done with me, I felt like a brand new woman.

Do you like? Here’s what he used:

Jake highlighted the apples of my cheeks with Cover Girl Simply Ageless blush #230 (or Lush Berry) – I was a bit apprehensive when he was putting it on. It seemed like A LOT of blush, but it photographed beautifully.

Then he went over my existing liner with Cover Girl’s Outlast Eyeliner in Indigo.

After that he used Cover Girl eyeshadow in Purple Pop, and WOW. Purple shadow with brown eyes FTW. Now there’s even more reason for it to be my favorite color.

On my lips, Jake used delicious Amazemints gloss in shade # 605, AKA Everything’s Rosy.

I was absolutely thrilled with my makeover, and Jake was so sweet and friendly and warm. He made me feel beautiful, and now it’s my turn to pay it forward!

TWO lucky Afrobella readers can win the four items Jake used in my Cover Girl makeover. All you have to do is tell me — do you have a favorite Cover Girl makeup item? If yes, what is it and why?

I’ll close these comments on Monday afternoon. And I’m about to make it rain with giveaways, so get ready! This will be an epic month!

Edited Monday 8:45 pm — Comments are CLOSED! I’ll choose winners at the end of this week!

Everyone loves lip gloss, and lipstick’s been having quite the resurgence in this craptastic economy. But the real tip for making your lip look last?

Layering.

I’m so late to the lip pencil party, but now that I’m here I’m ALL about it. Lip crayons are great n’ all, but I’m finding that if I want a finish that doesn’t bleed and won’t quit, thin lip pencils are best.

But what if you can’t choose, and don’t want to splurge on all three kinds of lip color items?

AVON to the rescue!

The brand that’s brought you an infinite variety of beauty essentials has a unique and awesome lippie that covers all your bases. With the Avon 3-in-1 Lip Wand, there’s a little lip pencil, a moisture rich and luxe lipstick, and a glossy, gorgeous lip gloss all in one slim stick.

If you’re going somewhere and need to make your makeup last all day, this little guy is your best friend.

Here’s how I work the lip wand:

Step 1 – Prep. That means I exfoliate and moisturize. I have dry, peeling lips so I need to scrub them softly, and keep them well protected. A toothbrush works great but can be harsh. I use a little sugar and coconut oil, or as Bare Budget Beauty recommends, honey and sugar. For even more lip lovin’, I moisturize with one of the kajillion lip balms I keep on hand. My latest faves are the Evolution of Smooth lip sphere which is cute and 95% organic to boot, and Dr. Kiss, which is moist, slightly tingly, delicious, and gives a slight blush of color. The point here is to slightly moisturize, but not slather on anything heavy. Just a dab will do.

Step 2 — Outline! Using the pointed end of my lip pencil, carefully I outline my lips. Then using the side of the pencil, I shade in the rest of my lips. Lip pencil can feel dry and show up flaky lips if you don’t do step 1, so be forewarned.

Step 3 – Depends. If I’m going someplace regular, I might blend with the gloss and be out. If I’m going someplace chic that requires glamour, I use lipstick over my pencil to lock in the look. And if I’m feeling extra extra over the top fabulicious, I use all three. Pencil, then lipstick, then gloss. Is it too much? I don’t think so! More more more, how do you like it?

I’m loving the Avon 3-in-1. My only, ONLY complaint is I wish it came in more colors. But this thing is $9.50 and it compares to department store brand lippies I’ve tried, so my complaints are silenced by my natural inclination for value.

I promised I’d end this week with a giveaway, and here it is! 10 lucky Afrobella readers will score an Avon 3-in-1 pencil of their very own.

All you need to do is comment below, and tell me your favorite lip item. Pencil, stick, or gloss? And why?

I’ll keep this open over the weekend, and choose 10 winners by Tuesday. So comment away, bellas. August isn’t over yet, and for bloggerversary month I’m gonna keep the giveaways coming fast and furious!

I get frequent e mails from ladies asking me questions about makeup. What’s the best brand? What will last the longest? Where can I find the brightest colors?

I know what works best for me, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to turn to some true divas who know makeup from makeup. Beauties who use makeup to transform their look completely from day to night. I reached out to my amigas in gorgeousness — three of Miami’s most fabulous drag queens.

My last post on drag queen makeup was forever and a day ago, so I’m long overdue for a fresh update.

Who better to ask than three of my favorite divas who live, love and entertain in the 305? As a special bonus, I’m gonna throw in my two cents with a special makeup recommendation for each of these faboosh ladies.

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Goodness gracious I knew this would be a good giveaway, but 69 comments?? I was NOT expecting that! And I gotta say, you gave me SO much style inspiration. From “bohemian cyberpunk” to an homage to Josephine Baker, there is no shortage of makeup ideas coming from you beautiful bellas.

But I only have THREE lippies to bless you all with. So here goes:

ClaraHallow121

AzizaW

Shana

Congratulations! I’ll be e mailing for your full names and contact info. And if you didn’t perchance win — go to a department store counter quick, because I keep hearing this gloss can be found at the stores, but not online. And also, if you can’t get this specific brand, try out Yves Saint Laurent GLOSS PURPure Lip Gloss in Black. I’ll keep you posted if I find anything under $20 in this department.

Happy Friday, everyone! Go out and be fierce!

It’s still summertime, kids – don’t let the back to school displays in stores fool you! It’s still all about bright, beautiful colors, sunshine, and popsicles.

But at the makeup counter, something new and wicked this way comes. I’m hearing the new fall makeup lines will be quite gothy and dark and edgy. Oh my!

Just last week I was sent a few sample items to review, by my friends at Lancome. In addition to their amazing new Fall collection, Declaring Indigo (much more to come on this soon!)

And included in the package was a delightful and unexpected leftover from Aaron de Mey’s Spring 2009 Collection: Pink Irreverence. A special limited edition Color Fever gloss called Piha Black. The description:

“Back by popular demand, Piha Black adds an irreverent twist to the spring collection with its deep black and sparkly, volcanic beach inspired color. Used as a topcoat, the gloss brings a subtle dark intensity and brightness to other lip shades. Use alone for an edgier look.”

When I got the package, I was like – whoa, black sparkly lip gloss? That kind of dark lip look hasn’t even occurred to me since high school when I was a black lipstick junkie. This is so not a look for everyone.

When I announced it on Twitter, the response was instantaneous. Whaa? Pictures, please!!!

So I came up with a look to compliment this black lipgloss. I used the Benefit Cosmetics Smokin’ Eyes kit, MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Lash mascara, and MAC Style Warrior blush in On a Mission — which is a really pretty plum for brown skin. Fancy all the way.

Then I topped it all off with the gloss — which is more sheer than I expected, and brought out a dark plum in my lips. Added my hot new Coffy earrings by Peace Images, and I was fresh dressed like a million bucks.

Then I took a picture for the people.

Wowza. I did NOT expect the tremendous response I got from this lipgloss!

Overwhelming response — OMG, I love it! Where can I get it? I even wound up inspiring my homegirl Heather Park, who twerked the look with MAC eyeliner. SO inventive, I love it!

Well bellas, I have good news and bad news. The bad news is, this limited edition gloss is hardly available for purchase anywhere. One of my Twitter friends was able to get it at Bloomingdale’s, and paid $25. But it’s no longer on Lancome’s site.

BUT! I reached out to my amiga at Lancome, and I’ve got THREE Piha Black lip glosses for giveaway right here on Afrobella!!

All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me — how would you rock this black lip gloss?

I’m looking for makeup and style inspiration, bellas. Share with me, and I’ll choose three winners at the end of the week.

Can’t wait to read your responses! May the flyest bella win!