Consider the look of forgotten legend Nina Mae McKinney, who was known as the Black Garbo back in the 1930’s. Flawless. Timeless. Click here to read my Black Voices homage to her.

And behold, my forever inspiration, Josephine Baker. Drink in the stunning photo I found on the amazing Flickr site Discover Black Heritage. To me, Josephine is the definition of gorgeous. I wrote about her for Vogue Black this week, and they’ve posted some amazing photos of her to accompany the article. Click here for that.

If Nina Mae McKinney had any one beauty trademark, it’d be a flawlessly manicured brow. I just got mine whipped into perfect shape at the B Bella Salon. It was one of those perfect walk-in afternoons, and Rosa threaded and waxed my brows into amazing shape! Two thumbs up for B Bella!

Lately I’ve been using MAC’s Brow Set gel to keep the brow situation under control. I hate an over manicured, over darkened, thin, harsh looking brow. That’s how they did it back in the day, but in my opinion, it doesn’t work in today’s day and age. Brow Set in Beguile perfectly matches the color of my eyebrows, and gives me definition without making my brows cartoonishly dark.

When I want a really defined cat’s eye for everyday, I love a bold, strong eyeliner. Right now Avon’s Glimmersticks Eye Liner is giving me everything I need. Rich pigment that doesn’t smudge, lasts for hours AND it’s on sale, so it’s less than $4! Score!

You can’t do Twenties glam without a delicious, dark lip. Right now I’m practically obsessed with Bobbi Brown’s Pot Rouge in chocolate cherry — it’s a deep red brown that manages to not be too bricky. And I just got my hands on Three Custom’s uber hot new Noir Sheer lipstick, and it’s just as gorgeous as I expected. This lippie looks black when you open it, but when you slick it on, it’s more of a deep burgundy plum that is sheer but buildable. It looks super pretty on, regardless of your skin tone — I’m here to testify that this lipstick is glorious on brown girls, but Twenties glam doesn’t have to end with us! According to Gouldylox, Noir looks equally pretty on pale Irish lasses, just so you know.

Twenties glam also calls for uber long lashes – so look out for a lashtastic post next week!

Got any makeup recommendations for Twenties glam, my bellas? Share with me!

Related posts:

1. Get That Holiday Glam!
2. Josephine Baker, beauty eternal
3. Viva Glam! Drag Queen Makeup

Karen Robinovitz may be the busiest woman I know. Besides being a writer by trade who knows everyone who’s anyone in NYC, she’s the creatrix of Purple Lab NYC, an indie cosmetic brand that’s about to hit the big time. She just hosted an insanely successful event — the “Find Your Luvah” speed dating party in Hoboken is being reported as the world’s largest speed dating event in history! AND she’s about to launch some super sexy new beauty products on the Home Shopping Network — her debut will air February 18th and 19th, and they’re doing FIVE different live shows. As I said to her on the phone yesterday, “OMG, Karen that’s HUGE!”

As stressed out as she must have been, Karen remained upbeat and excited.

“OMG, Patrice – these are my CHILDREN. Our cream blush, Cheek Implants? Patrice. You. Are. Going. To. DIE. It’s got all of the treatments I use on my skin, in a blush. It is SO good. There’s elastin and collagen in it…it’s so velvety and perfect. And I chose the names for a special reason — I think every woman should feel like they’ve got a Backstage Pass, and are wearing Six Inch Heels, even if they’re just going to the grocery store!”

Karen is a fashionista for the ages, I tell you. I’m extra super duper excited for Lashionista Modelista, a mascara infused with diamond dust for that over-the-top touch of glam. And I also love Purple Lab’s most popular product, Huge Lips Skinny Hips. This Hoodia-infused gloss is paraben free and gently plumps your lips after application. As a woman with a pair of naturally full lips I wasn’t really concerned about the plumping action so much, but my friends with thinner lips or with lines that can detract from their lips looking smooth and kissable would LOVE that effect. On me, it just makes my lips look full and smooth. Just the way I like em!

My favorite color is Worship Kate — a deep rose/mauve with a touch of glitter to it – very sheer, very layerable, perfect on any shade of skin. That was a big concern for Karen.

“My group of friends is like the United Nations. So I made sure these colors would work on EVERYONE!”

For a special giveaway just for Afrobella readers, Karen and Purple Lab are offering the ultimate gloss that will work on everyone.

It’s called No Panty Lines, and as the name would imply, it is crystal clear. I’ll let Karen explain the name: “Because the color is clear, I was inspired. Like, what else do I want to be clear? My exit! No Panty Lines is the clearest, best exit.” Right? Nothing ruins a look like visible panty lines!

This is the gloss that’ll amp up your evening look when paired with an over-the-top smoky eye, it’s the gloss that’ll look ah-mazing when layered over your favorite lip stain or lip pencil. And it’s infused with Hoodia and has that killer plumping action. Perfecto!

And because I am part of Purple Lab’s Blogger Mafia, Purple Lab is offering one of their magnificent HLSH glosses in No Panty Lines, to THREE lucky Afrobella readers (who live in the United States)! All you have to do is comment below and let me know — how do you plan to wear your “No Panty Lines” – ?

This should be good!

I’ll close these comments on Friday and pick winners over the weekend. Good luck, bellas!

Edited Friday 2:50 pm – Comments are closed! Will announce winners next week!

Related posts:

1. Purple Lab Giveaway Winners!
2. Calling All Models: Purple Lab Wants YOU!
3. Pretty in Purple

Two weeks or so ago, Bobbi Brown and I were chit-chatting back and forth via Twitter. I said Hey Bobbi —

What are your beauty predictions for 2010? What will be the hot new look (esp for brown skinned beauties) in this year?

And she said Bella, you should Look for pops of color in corals, apricots and oranges (which look great on deep skin).

And then we made plans to do lunch and go shopping next week.

Well, alright – that last part didn’t happen. But legendary makeup artist Bobbi Brown IS on Twitter — follow her @askbobbibrown . Today kicks off her Pretty Powerful social media campaign. If you tweet @AskBobbiBrown every Tuesday and tell her why you love her makeup, using the hashtag #PrettyPowerful — you can be entered to win one of four Bobbi gift sets each week!

Click here for all the details, and click here to follow Bobbi Brown on Twitter. Oh, and while you’re at it you might as well follow me, too!

Related posts:

1. Bobbi Brown — Investment Makeup
2. Is It Worth It? Bobbi Brown and Shu Uemura
3. Buy or DIY? – Brown Sugar Lip Scrub

How cute is Mally Roncal? Seriously — she’s the living embodiment of adorable. Always impeccably turned out, always smiling, always encouraging regular women like you and me to believe in our own beauty. I think she’s the bees knees.

The celebrity makeup artist earned her stripes by beating the faces of Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Mariah, Mary J. Blige, and Iman. Now her Mally Beauty brand makes big bucks on QVC, because she brings her expert aesthetic and enthusiasm for everyday beauty to life with her products.

Recently she debuted her fragrance, Mally. If you’re looking for a unique, upbeat, fresh, youthful and sexy scent — you need to get a whiff of this. Citrusy, and scented with the Phillipines’ national flower the Sampaguita – Mally is delicious on your pulse points. I had a chance to review the scent and ask Mally some questions about it, via e mail.

I had to learn more about this flower that Mally used — Sampaguita, a tropical jasmine flower. The essence of the flower speaks directly to Mally’s culture and the concept of her whole cosmetics line. Mally passionately believes that beauty is an all-encompassing entity. “Beauty isn’t just about color cosmetics and covering up a blemish,” she says adding, “I wanted to create a scent that embodies who I am…something fresh and feminine that makes you feel joyful and invigorated.” A proud supporter of the Filipino community, Mally’s signature fragrance pays homage to her heritage using notes from the Sampaguita flower. The name translates in English to “I promise you,” and represents a symbol of fidelity, devotion, purity, strength and dedication.

Blooming throughout the year, the Samapaguita produces tiny white, dainty, star-shaped flowers that bloom at night and wilt in less than a day. It’s precious, yet fleeting. “Since I was young, I was taught to appreciate life in the same way. This fragrance reminds me of the philosophy, ‘Live every day as though it’s your last.’”

Mally’s fragrance is for a particular kind of woman. “A true girly girl, who wants to feel invigorated, optimistic, joyful and strong,” says Mally.

Although Mally has worked with the uber famous, she creates beauty products for the American everywoman. And she notes similarities, when it comes to the beauty needs of celebrities versus everyday women.

“No matter how famous women are, we all have the same needs and desires- to look and feel as gorgeous as possible. That’s why I developed bullet proof, high performance make up. When we put our make up on, we want it to stay through the many thing we do in our busy lives. High performance is what I aim for every product!”

I had to know — what’s the one product from Mally Beauty that every woman deserves to have? “Cancellation Concealer because the base of every stunning look is great skin,” she responded.

One essential that I’ve grown to love is Mally’s Eye Performance 3-Piece Bestseller Collection. It’s such an effortlessly beautiful everyday eye kit. The Evercolor Shadow Stick in taupe is super blendable and actually makes a great base for more courageous shades, if you want more eye drama. For me, it’s so perfect for every day glam. For example — by the time you read this, I’m going to be out doing my holiday shopping. And guess what I’ll be wearing on my eyes! The volumizing mascara gives great definition and lasts for hours. And the evercolor starlight waterproof eyeliner is my favorite go-to black liner of the moment. It doesn’t run. It doesn’t smudge. It gives a great, smooth line, and it lasts all day!

The good people of QVC and Mally Beauty are providing me with THREE Mally Beauty Eye Performance kits to give away! All you gotta do is comment below and tell me — what’s your everyday eye makeup look?

I’ll leave this open for the weekend, and close comments next Wednesday. And a winner will be announced before Christmas!

QVC’s contest rules below: please read so your questions can be answered, bellas. Good luck!

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open only to legal residents who are 18 or older. Commencing on Dec 18, 2009 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time (”ET”) and continuing through Dec 23, 2009 at 2 p.m. ET, Afrobella will give away (3) Mally 3 Piece Eye Kits randomly to anyone who posts a comment on the Mally blog post. Limit one prize per household. Total retail value of prize $108. Winners will be notified by email. Offer valid while supplies last. Giveaway sponsored by Afrobella; Prizes selected by Afrobella in its sole discretion. Prize provided by QVC, Inc.

Comments are closed! Thanks, you guys!!

Related posts:

1. Mally Roncal Makeup Winner!
2. Makeup Tips from Damone Roberts!
3. Bare Escentuals Buxom Babes Giveaway!

Regal. Elegant. Sensual and — judging from the cover for her latest single — apparently ageless. Since the Eighties, Sade has been schooling us all on ways to be a timeless beauty icon. Look at that makeup, that jewelry. Absolutely flawless, effortlessly gorgeous. Love me some Sade!

She makes her fans yearn for the jewels and can take years to release her songs, but when she releases new material it’s always worth the wait.

Case in point her brand new single, Soldier of Love.

This is the first glimmer of sound we’ve heard from the Nigerian born musical goddess since 2000’s Lovers Rock. I’m loving it. It’s modern and fresh, while still capturing that classic, stirring Sade sound.

This is just the single — the album drops February 8, 2010 — just in time for Valentine’s Day. I see you, Sade — you know what the fans want! You can click here to pre-order Soldier of Love. And tell me — are you feeling this as much as I am? I’ve been hungry for new music that actually moves me, and this is giving me what I need!

Related posts:

1. New Music From Corrine Bailey Rae
2. A Valentine’s Wish, Before It’s Over
3. Throwback Thursday — Miss Jackson

Sometimes, randomly I’ll wonder what she’s up to. Is she in good health? Is she still lucid? Is she surrounded by people who love her and care for her? I hope and pray she is.

Lena Horne is a living legend who has retreated completely from the spotlight. She turned 92 on June 30, and her last public appearance was in 1999 at an event in her honor in New York. Her final televised singing appearance was in 1998 on the Rosie O’Donnell show.

I wasn’t of the Stormy Weather generation of Lena Horne fans, not old enough to remember her appearances on The Judy Garland Show, or her TV specials. My connection to Lena is directly connected to my childhood.

Her appearances on Sesame Street and the Muppet Show made a huge impact on me at a tender age, when Trinidad and Tobago Television showed endless repeats of Seventies and early Eighties era episodes. Even then, there was something about Lena that just struck a chord with me. Her gentle spirit. The way she carried herself. Her classy demeanor. She reminded me of the women in my family, who held themselves with a certain elegance and dignity even when in less than dignified company.

Lena didn’t teach me the alphabet (I’m pretty sure my mother, my aunty Opal, and my sister Petal were directly responsible for that), but Lena’s funky version sure helped to reinforce the lesson.

This song used to make me sad when I was a wee one.

There’s something very tender about it. Add that to the fact that Grover has always been my favorite muppet. He’s just so fuzzy and blue!

It’s Not Easy Being Green is one of the best Muppet songs point blank, and Lena’s duet with Kermit is touching and magical to me, even to this day.

Of course, many prefer Ray Charles’ version. Which is also magnificent).

I guess I’m something of a Muppet freak. And even at my age, I’m not ashamed. One of the many things I look forward to, when I have children of my own, is sharing these childhood memories with them. I can’t wait to sit with my own little boy or girl, and watch Lena’s episode of the Muppet Show. I’d embed it if I could, but of course YouTube’s got it on lockdown. It’s worth watching, just to hear Lena perform Sing A Song with Kermit, Fozzie, Rowlf et al. Here’s part one, part two, and part three.

It’s amazing what the mind retains. Watching that now, I can recall almost every punchline of every joke, every line of the song. I remember how much I loved her denim jacket in that first song, “I’ve Got a Name.” (It’s like a denim kung fu jacket with fabulous big sleeves and cool fasteners on the front. If I could find such a jacket today, I’d be a happy, happy gal). But if you ask me what I did on Tuesday afternoon for example, I’d be at a complete loss.

Lena Horne showed enough of her personality on those children’s television shows to make me love her for life. From what I’ve read, she now lives a very quiet and private life on the Upper East Side in New York. And as I mentioned, every so often I just wonder – how’s Auntie Lena doing? Even though we’re totally unrelated and if I ever had the opportunity to meet her, I’d be completely star struck and speechless.

I hope she’s living out her days in comfort and surrounded by love. And I can’t lie, a small part of me hopes she finds out that this homage is on the internet somehow. She’s part of a generation that is slipping away so fast, we hardly get a chance to say goodbye. I just hope she knows while she’s still around, that she made an impact on people’s lives in ways maybe she never thought about.

Thank you, Lena.

USA Today reports that James Gavin has written a new biography titled Stormy Weather: The Life of Lena Horne, that “offers a fascinating study of a complicated woman and the complicated times that shaped her.” Gavin only interviewed Lena herself once in 1994, but pulls together his depiction based on research and conversations with key figures in her life. I plan to give it a read. But honestly, I really should read The Hornes: An American Family, which is written by Lena’s daughter Gail Lumet Buckley, first.

Are you a Lena Horne fan? A Muppet fan? Share your fondest Lena memories with me.

Related posts:

1. Worth a Click
2. A Tribute to Beautifully Aging Bellas
3. Happy Birthday, Sesame Street!

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.

Let’s kick things off with the stunning, the electric, the diva Miss Elaine Lancaster. Her glamorous photo is by Howard Austin Feld. You can find her on Facebook, and while you’re at it, join her fan club Friends of Elaine Lancaster. Tell her Afrobella sent ya!

Take it away, Elaine!

1 – What inspires your look? There are so many kinds of drag, what led you to express yourself this way?

I guess my look was inspired, at first, by the ladies of Dynasty. Now I get inspiration from everywhere.

2 – How would you describe your aesthetic?

I want to dress for myself & how I feel that day/evening. Plus i TRY to be appropriate for the event/location.

3 — What are your go-to tools of the trade? What makeup brands work the best for your needs?

I love MAC Cosmetics, but really am learning to love MAKE-UP FOREVER… amazing colors.

4 — What’s your advice for young queens on the come-up — in the physical sense and in the sense of entering this new and exciting world?

It’s the hardest job you’ll ever love if you do it right.

5 — What do you want the world to know about the Diva, Miss Elaine Lancaster?

“I can’t cover up my feelings In the name of love, or play it safe… For a while that was easy… And if living for myself is what I’m guilty of Go on and sentence me I’ll still be free…….IT’S MY TURN…….” Diana Ross

Oh Elaine. Quoting one of my all time beauty icons. LOVES it!

My makeup recommendation for Elaine — Make Up For Ever’s Aqua Eyes Collector. 25 gorgeously pigmented waterproof eyeliner pencils, the better to highlight those gorgeous peepers.

Next up, I had to holla at ADORA. Why? Because her makeup is among the most outlandish and outstanding in the biz.

Look at THAT. I don’t know many other people who can pull that off, and Adora does it so effortlessly every day. I HAD to find out what inspired this look. It was a bit tricky because English is not Adora’s first language. But I think we figured it out! (PS: Adora’s photo is by Alexis Trigouria).

1 – What inspires your look? There are so many kinds of drag, what led you to express yourself this way?

My look was inspire by cartoons, 1950 ’s and 60’s vedettes (which I believe are dancing girls?) and I thought that this kind of drag was the most fun and creative.

2 – How would you describe your aesthetic?

Adora’s aesthetics is a mix of camp and glamour.

3 – What are your go-to tools of the trade? What makeup brands work the best for your needs?

For Adora’s “natural looks” she uses MAC full coverage, with a mix of colors from Coty powder. White pigment as eye shadow from MAC, water proof eye liner from MAC, the eye lashes she just let them grow, contour from MAC , lipstick and lip gloss from whoever and all this depends on the event, time of the day or just the mood.

4 — What’s your advice for young queens on the come-up — in the physical sense and in the sense of entering this new and exciting world?

For the new girls I have advice — BE YOURSELF the looks are second, the talent has to be always first, one can have a fabulous figure and looks… no talent? No thank you! So there you have it girls before you go out there, make sure that you can entertain!

Adora’s web site is AdoraMiami.com.

What’s my product recommendation for Adora? Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. The brand is all about mixing and matching, expressing yourself, and creating your own vision. The multi purpose cosmetics are made for mixing and everyone I know who has tried their lip tar absolutely RAVES about it. And their colors come in a range Adora would adore.

Last but so certainly not least is my friend Shelley Novak — photo by Desi. We clicked with each other years ago, when I interviewed her for Miami New Times.

Since then she’s retired like Cher, and returned for a glorious revival on the SoBe circuit.
Shelley is like no other queen on scene. Gloriously hairy, carefree, hilarious, honest, and extremely knowlegable about many things pop cultural and cinematic, Shelly rocks. Point blank, period.

Take it away, Shelley!

1 – What inspires your look? There are so many kinds of drag, what led you to express yourself this way?

I’m a dash of Donna Mills of Knots Landing mixed with a healthy dose of Divine with a sprinkle of David Lynch.

2 – How would you describe your aesthetic?

Barney Rubble in a dress.

3- What are your go-to tools of the trade? What makeup brands work the best for your needs?

Max Factor pan stick, which is very hard to find now that Max Factor went under thanks to his rapist grandson’s expensive trial.

4 — What’s your advice for young queens on the come-up — in the physical sense and in the sense of entering this new and exciting world?

Take every job you can, get paid in cash and always try to get paid ahead of the event if you can!

5 — What do you want the world to know about the inimitable Shelly Novak?

That I’m on chapter three of my memoirs (finally).

I can’t wait to read them. I wish I was around to help co-write them! Shelley’s got a wealth of material, and she’s fun to interview. TRUST.

You can find Shelley exclusively on Facebook by joining I’ll Shave Tomorrow: The Shelley Novak fan club. Ha!

In terms of makeup, Shelley’s gonna have to upgrade from Max Factor, because boo hoo — the brand responsible for coining the term makeup and countless innovations in the world of beauty is not going to be for sale in the USA for much longer. Now’s the time to expand the makeup horizons.

For super duper unbeatable coverage, I recommend Shelley check out Prescriptives AnyWearMulti-Purpose Makeup Stick with SPF 15. Speaking from experience, this brand gives amazing coverage, comes in just about any shade you can dream of, and will last for ages and protect your skin from the scorching Miami sun.

I’m hoping to interview another fabulous queen about makeup soon, so stay tuned. If you have questions or loving comments for Miami’s most fab, feel free to leave them below.

Thanks Elaine, Adora, and Shelley — keep shining and know that Afrobella loves ya!

Related posts:

1. Viva Glam! Drag Queen Makeup
2. Makeup Tips from Damone Roberts!
3. Get The Look – BET Awards Makeup

In the world of eyebrow shaping, there are the laypeople (the ones who wax you at any standard day spa or mall outlet), and there are the superstars — Anastasia, Damone Roberts, and Miss Rashida B., among them. Rashida flits between Miami and Chicago, beautifying the brows of the truly fabulous in both cities. When she isn’t plucking, shaping, holding down her popular Chicago salon, The B Spot and getting namedropped in the likes of Vogue magazine and Daily Candy — Rashida’s keeping it real on Twitter as @beautyschooled. AND she’s got an awesome blog of the same name — where she drops knowledge and interviews professionals in the world of makeup and the beautifying industry.

My interview with Rashida was unconventional in the sense that we were cracking each other up and bonding like old friends (even though we hadn’t met yet!) So without further ado, here are some of Rashida’s best tips and quips.

I had to ask her about the infamous eyebrow weave video — despite the repeated promise of “celebrity status,” Rashida is not feelin’ it.

“I don’t recommend it. It doesn’t look good in person. Maybe you can use it for photography, to achieve a certain look for a photo shoot…” she suggested. Oh, Rashida you are being too kind.

What about the latest no eyebrows trend, as identified by the New York Times?

“I’m gonna say no to that as well, unless you’re a runway model. If you absolutely have to achieve that look, there’s this stuff called spirit gum which you can use to smooth them down.”

One of the things I loved about interviewing Rashida is, she is no nonsense. She broke down her feelings about waxing and threading, without hesitation. And she got this formerly wax-happy bella to think twice.

“Tweezing is my preference, but I’ll give you the facts. The saddest thing I’ve been hearing lately is about clients going to get their eyebrows waxed and walking away with scabs. That’s when you go to a place that isn’t professional. There should be a consultation form when you go into a professional waxing salon. They don’t do that. What if you’re dealing with a diabetic? Diabetics, you don’t wanna lift the skin off them for fear of infection. Are you on Retin A? Are you on Accutane? These are questions that need to be asked before you get waxed. And don’t get me started on the double dipping and the stick… if you think about it, they’re using the same wax for your eyebrows, your upper lip, and your bikini area. And they’re just double dipping the stick into the same wax.”

Um, EW. I never even thought about that before.

I had to mention a popular chain of wax salons that ahem — I had a ghastly experience with back in Miami. Now they’re offering “celebrity brows,” where you can go in and ask for let’s say, the Megan Fox brow. It sounded ridiculous to me. And Rashida agreed.

“That’s… insane. You don’t have Megan Fox’s face, or her eyebrow shape. You can’t go into an eyebrow shaping like that. Don’t think thin, don’t think thick. Beware of eyebrow trends. It should be all about your face, your brows, and what’s gonna look right on you. It happens all the time, where ladies will say to me “I want eyebrows like my friend.” Well, unless your friend’s gonna give you her face, that’s probably not gonna work.”

So what are the perfect brows, according to Rashida B?

“It’s all about your facial features, your brow shape, and your lifestyle.”

Lifestyle?

“Yes — if you want high sculpted brows, that might not work for an everyday 9 to 5 job. And if you’re a low maintainance person but you want high maintainance brows, you’re gonna have mad stubble for days.”

What about eyebrow stencils?

“They should pile them all up and burn them. I can spot ‘em a mile away. Oh, you’re Anastasia high arch #3, hi!”

What about threading?

“Threading is great if you have alot of thick hair. For your facial hair, sideburns, upper lip… great. But for your eyebrows, you probably don’t have alot of thick hair there. And they lie you down and tell you to pull your forehead. So when you let go, what happens? It looks great up there, but then your face relaxes. I don’t agree with any eyebrow method where they have you recline. That makes your face look completely symmetrical. It’s not a true reflection of what you’re going to look like later on when you’re out and about on the street.”

So if someone perhaps couldn’t afford Rashida’s services, and wanted to do their brows themselves?

“Find a picture in a magazine, of someone who has the same facial features and eyebrow shape as yours. Don’t try to be Megan Fox or Jennifer Connelly or whoever has the hottest brows. Find someone who looks like you. Then take a white eyeliner pencil, or a light colored concealer stick, and use it to create that shape on your face to make sure it’ll look right on your face. Then pluck the hairs that are covered by the white pencil/concealer. Don’t go overboard, don’t get obsessed with getting the one hair in one area… try to look at the big picture.”

I followed Rashida’s advice to the letter and tah-dah! My brows look GREAT. Another tip of advice from personal experience, sit in good light so you can really see the hairs you’ve covered with white pencil, and use a good pair of tweezers. For beauty needs like this, I am LOVING the Tweezerman Lighted Slant Tweezer.

My interview with Rashida couldn’t end without a question I also put to eyebrow king Damone Roberts — is there a particular famous person who’s eyebrows she’d like to work on? Hmmmm?

“Until Michelle Obama showed up, I didn’t have one!” she responded.

Ding ding ding! I knew that’d be the answer. Lord knows I heart the First Lady but it’s undeniable that her eyebrows could use some fresh talent and a little growing in. Rashida more than agreed.

“I’m gonna need someone to work on that, OK? Have you read my brow blog?”

I hadn’t, yet. But in case you were also concerned, click here to read Rashida’s take on Michelle O’s brows, which fully explains why they are the way they are.

As she explains at the end of her post, “Brows should be shaped in a manner that is best suited for the client, in a shape that flatters and compliments their individual facial features, never mind what the eyebrow stylist’s preferences are.”

I agree completely, and here’s hoping Michelle opens up her circle and finds additional people to help keep her as flawless as possible. Like um, Rashida perhaps? Hey, she’s right here in Chicago!

In summary, Rashida B is made of awesome. After this interview I had the good fortune of meeting her at the Blogalicious kickoff party here in Chicago, and it was SO much fun. Can’t wait to visit her salon and get the Rashida B brow treatment for real! You know I’ll review the whole shebang!

Related posts:

1. Ask Afrobella Part Deux — On Brows
2. Makeup Tips from Damone Roberts!
3. That Twenties Glam

So many things about this 1968 performance clip are striking. Her powerful performance, yes. Her energy, yes. But especially – the regal strength of her beauty. I love a big, wide headband and Nina wore hers like a queen. Set off with a little makeup – smokey eye and a berry lip — paired with a beautiful ivory strapless fishnet number that’s so vintage chic, there’s no wonder that what’s old is new again. I know many bellas who’d wear that outfit right now if they could!

Enjoy, bellas – Nina forever!

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1. Makeup Inspiration — Chrisette Michele
2. Makeup Inspiration — Missy Does Her Best Best
3. Where Do You Find Beauty Inspiration?

Where ARE you?

Holla at a blogger!

It seems that whenever a cast member of Gossip Girls sneezes, I get a press release. If Paris Hilton strolls through a boutique, I get a press release. If Speidi or Lauren Conrad, or some other former cast member of the Hills goes shopping at freakin’ Target, I get a press release. But when it comes to readily getting info about celebrities of color… *crickets*

I wish my inbox had filled up with press releases gushing about the makeup artistry and fashion choices of celebs like Taraji, Monica, or Estelle. That was NOT the case and I would sincerely like to see that change. If celeb makeup artist Ashunta Sheriff hadn’t reached out to me to detail the looks of her clients Alicia Keys and Tatyana Ali, I would have been stuck where I always am — guessing what products these fabulous women used in an effort to share the info with you, my fellow beauty loving bellas.

Here’s hoping some celeb PRs see this and get a dose of act-right when it comes to promoting their clients of color.

Off soapbox. On to the award-attending beauties!

Bellasugar did a fab job of highlighting the trends of the evening, so I’ll just shout out my faves along with some product recommendations I can vouch for. Photos are from Oh No They Didn’t.

First up, Janet. I can’t express enough admiration for her strength under such incredibly painful, difficult circumstances. She maintained her composure with grace and she looked like an angel. Cascading curls and beautiful bronze makeup gave her a restrained beauty. To recreate such a gorgeous bronze eye, I recommend Bobbi Brown. I said it already and I’ll say it again – those shimmer bricks are the business! For a more subdued glow, it’s possible Janet’s artist used the new nude collection — which includes an eye palette and a shimmer brick that includes gorgeous pearl pigments. My beauty blogging homegirl KarlaSugar swatched the whole shebang, so check her out for color details.

Let’s talk about Tocarra! The former Top Model contestant turned BET hostess with the mostess made a bold fashion choice with a black jumpsuit, but she inspired me! I might have to cop one myself! Tocarra worked the look to the fullest with a classic
smokey eye, and the look can be a bit tricky to pull off yourself but there are some DIY kits that put everything you need in one chic package. I heart the Benefit Cosmetics Smokin’ Eyes kit. Bellas on a budget should check out the Sonia Kashuk How To Create a Smokey Eye kit at Target for $20 – comes with eyeshadows, blush, lipstick, and an applicator brush. More to come from me on this line, but rest assured – it’s good stuff for less bucks.

Monica was fierce as always — can someone explain to me WHY she’s so underrated? Monica is gorgeous beyond belief and homegirl can SING. I’ve been a fan forever, and she looked fabulous at the BET Awards! Copped this photo over at Concrete Loop. Silver shadow FTW! And her lips even have a tinge of silvery-iridescent goodness. The
DuWop Mini Venom Trio has that flash and sparkle, and Urban Decay’s Julio Pocket Rocket gloss can also give you that look – sheer white with iridescent sparkle will get you noticed at the club, guaranteed.

Uhuras by two, Zoe Saldana and Nichelle Nichols showed that beauty can truly defy age. I hate to repeat the adage, but black don’t crack and Nichelle Nichols is proof — her skin looks glowing and gorgeous!

Her blush stood out to me the most, and I’m wondering if that subtle peachy-bronze shimmer is made by my beloved Prescriptives. Their blushes are shimmery gorgeousness made for every complexion. If I had to guess at a color, Brown Sugar shimmer would fit the bill.

And finally, Zoe Saldana rocked the white dress and red lip par excellence! And thanks to the good people at Black Radiance, I can confirm that Zoe’s red lip will cost you $1.99. I hear that Zoe rocked Black Radiance Perfect Tone Lip Color. Not sure which shade. Uptown Red? Reggae Red? Cherry Pie? Who cares! It’s $1.99 so you can cop a few to add to your makeup collection!

Whew. What a makeup roundup! Hope that helps some of you bellas recreate the looks of the stars, and I SINCERELY hope to hear from more celebrity makeup artists, who help our favorite famous people of color shine on the red carpet!

Related posts:

1. Get The Look – BET Awards Makeup
2. Last Minute Gifts, By Bellas For Bellas
3. Oscar’s Bellas