When you think of Jody Watley, very specific visuals might come to mind. Sleek hair. Bangin’ brows. Hoop earrings. A matte red lip. When I visualize Jody Watley, I always envision her in an all black ensemble. And for me that’s entirely because Jody Watley was one of my earliest beauty icons. Her Eighties hits like Looking For a New Love, Don’t You Want Me, Real Love, and Friends were in regular rotation on BET when that was my daily diet of TV, and they helped to shape my definition of beauty.

I have always had so much love for Jody Watley as an artist. And now she continues to make amazing music and she also has an incredible style blog — please do yourself a favor and check out JodyWatley.net for a much needed dose of style and glamour from of the best to ever do it!

When I went to the Beautylish Beauty Social last year, Jody greeted me with warmth and kindness, and even made a point to attend the Brown Girl Beauty Uncensored panel I participated in. Honored was NOT the word. I was so absolutely thrilled that she would do something like that!

Jody is as beautiful inside as she is out. We first met at the home of legendary makeup artist Billy B, and they told me all about the video they worked on together for A Beautiful Life. Directed by the insanely handsome and talented Mike Ruiz, with flawless makeup by Billy B, Jody is transformed into myriad looks to display the range of her gorgeousness. And in case you missed Billy’s interview about the amazing experience – click here to read Billy B on makeup, being a legend, and Jody!

Must have been A LOT of fun on that shoot! I was lucky enough to catch up with the beautiful and talented Jody Watley, and ask her questions for Afrobella.com. We discuss music, her personal history as an artist, the shoot for A Beautiful Life and her love for Billy, and her beauty and hair favorites! Read on, bellas!

The Afrobella Interview — Jody Watley

Afrobella -   Of course anyone who’s reading this blog would instantly know who you are, but I always love to ask people to define themselves. So for anyone who was born and raised under a rock and doesn’t know, who is Jody Watley?

Jody Watley — I’d just send them to my website and say “It’s all there”  to be honest, LOL! In short-form I’m a Grammy winning artist – Best New Artist of 1987. It’s been written that I’m one of the defining and trendsetting artists of the 80′s at my pinnacle – I’ve learned to really appreciate what that means because thousands of artists release music every year without an impact. My style and music videos it has been written – raised the bar for women in music – not just black artists which I find to be really humbling.

I am also the first artist to blend Pop/R&B and have a Hot 100 Top Five single with a customized 16 bar verse and guest rapper with Eric B. and Rakim – obviously that formula continues to dominate the charts. When Eric B and Rakim and I did “Friends” it was called a ‘duet’, because no one knew how to refer to it. It’s been written in a couple of books already about the history and evolution of Hip-Hop… that’s a little of who I am..I’m also a songwriter of the majority of my songs and not just eye candy, lol (had to say that). So, that’s a little of who I am – as an artist.

Afrobella -  Fans have watched you grow up right before our eyes, from the days of Shalamar and Soul Train to the Eighties, and right on up to now where you’ve been in control of your musical destiny. When you look back on your career, which three performances are your favorites?

Jody Watley — Thank you! Well, I’ve always been in control of my musical career since I went solo – with God’s grace, strength and wisdom…and of course my freestyle Soul Train days.

My Mom recently asked me if I remember telling her very matter of factly at 4 years old that I had started my own modeling agency, LOL! I’ve always had big dreams. My first stage appearance was with my godfather soul music great Jackie Wilson. It’s impossible to pick a favorite performance – my most recent shows in Japan were awesome – I really try to appreciate being in the moment and feel each opportunity I choose to take is special.

That said, every Arsenio Hall Show performance whether I was doing up-tempo/ jazz or inspirational (Friends, Your Love Keeps Working On Me, After You Who, It All Begins With You, etc). The MTV Awards, The Beacon in NYC, Gibson Amphitheatre some of the footage captured in my ‘Everything’ video..performing with Stevie Wonder for his Skeletons MTV Special, The White House by special invitation, Lifeball (Europe’s biggest AIDS Charity Gala) in Austria a couple of years ago was so fabulous and over the top and the biggest stage I’ve performed on  — so many…being a part of Band Aid..I can go on. God is good and I’m so thankful to have the opportunities I’ve been given.

Afrobella -  Would you say you have a signature look? I would say you change the hair but there’s a timeless quality to your look. If you had to describe the look that’s become synonymous with Jody Watley, what would you call it?

Jody Watley – Most people say the jumbo hoop earrings. I went looking for the biggest ones I could find. I wore big hoops in junior high – of course not a big, but the big ones for that time. I’ve also worn an afro off and on since junior high.

My solo debut my style was more street chic funky trendy and with punk rock edge (lots of black the metal belts with spikes, short studded biker boots, etc) my desire was to create timeless classic images. Mixed with that were high end designers like Gaultier (preceding Madonna), and Issey Miyake and also vintage – I’ve always added vintage since my Soul Train days.

I’m a true chameleon in that I’ve changed so much and adapted to so many styles that I like and have made them my own. The jumbo hoops are still here  – not just for me but I see them on other young singers on the commercial radar, reality stars, in fashion editorials etc..my style has always evolved. Toward the end of the 6 years I was in Shalamar I was heavily into Vivienne Westwood / World’s End. My solo debut was trendy with a rock girl edge..my second album went in a more high fashion direction with Steven Meisel shooting the album cover. David Fincher doing the video for ‘Real Love’ – all of that was a bit of the fashion curve at the time. All of it holds up which was my goal – to have everything from the start be as authentic as possible. “Still a Thrill” in Paris – was funky and chic at the same time. It was all un-choreographed freestyle, which was and is different than most ‘dance’ videos. Other than make-up, I was my own glam squad (no stylist) on the style tip – also very unique to other artists.

My third and fourth albums ‘Affairs of The Heart’ (Tailored suits) and ‘Intimacy’ (Bohemian chic) were more introspective and I really didn’t want the focus so much on the fashion so I took things down a notch but still very me.

Afrobella - I want to talk hair with you! In your stunningly directed video A Beautiful Life, you go through many hair transformations. Of course my favorite was the big, fabulous afro!! What was your favorite look from the video, and if you don’t mind me asking, how are you wearing your hair now? Any favorite products or recommendations?

Jody Watley – Thank you! ‘A Beautiful Life’ was written as one of two new songs I’d written for my last album in 2006 ‘The Makeover’, which was an ambient electronic covers album. I released it directly to a major retailer and it was #1 for them – really cool on the entrepreneurial side for me. The project had 3 Top Five Dance Singles on Billboard, with one of them, the makeover of the CHIC classic “I Want Your Love” giving me a 13th #1 Dance Single. “A Beautiful Life” was #5 and I wrote it with the thought of writing a song for women or anyone in a bad or unhealthy relationship. “I’d rather be living on my own, then to live in a constant state of misery…because I’m stronger, wiser and feeling beautiful” are a couple of my favorite lines. So, I write what I live or think other’s are living – always have, all of my songs tell a story – old and now. I have to say that, because when you’re not in the Top 40 the average person assumes an artist isn’t doing anything..sometimes that’s true but not for me.

I think that’s what everyone should aim for. Life is too short to settle for less. I’m not talking about money and superficial things in the song.

My favorite is the Philip Treacy cyborg hat. It was a fun day of hair and make-up with Mike Ruiz and Billy B. We were doing a photo session / video.

As far as products, I have so much stuff, my bathroom can double as a beauty supply. I’m always trying new things. I’m currently big on natural things you can keep in your kitchen, olive, coconut, jojoba and vitamin E oils — they all have natural anti-aging anti-oxidants. I like making my own concoctions. I recently did a coconut milk, coconut oil and avocado mask for my hair – it was fantastic. Fresh cold milk soaked eye pads are great to whiten and depuff the eyes. I recently started using that because I suffer from allergies, which can make my eyes puffy. It works, it’s also soothing. Fresh cold cucumbers work of course as well, but the milk is really something!

I also use a jade roller to ward off wrinkles – although my Mom is in her 70′s and doesn’t really have many wrinkles – so I made get lucky, LOL! But jade is an Eastern tool that’s been around for centuries. It’s also a great de-stressor, very relaxing. We’re all more beautiful with less stress!

Afrobella – You worked with makeup legend Billy B on that video, and he’s such an inspiration to me. Billy does such amazing work, particularly with women of color in my opinion. Talk to me about working with Billy – what’s it like, and what do you love most about him?

Jody Watley — We first worked together on the artwork for “The Makeover”, including the special effects faux plastic surgery photo’s for the inside booklet, inspired by a layout I’d seen in VOGUE Italia featuring Linda Evangelista photographed by Steven Meisel called “Makeover Madness”. I thought OMgosh, this will work for the album. Getting older in this business of course you see people painfully trying to hang on to their youth with plastic surgery and I wrote a bit on the inside about the unbalanced view we have now on what beautiful is and the lengths people go to erase father time. Anyway – that’s when I met Billy, in NYC for the session with Mike Ruiz. The second was the video for “A Beautiful Life”, and then fabulous “Lifeball” in Vienna, Austria…and a test session we did for ‘Chameleon’ – which I LOVE.

I adore that Billy is a southern gentleman. One would expect him to be a prima donna or full of attitude.  He knows his craft is so down to earth in a genuine way. Billy is collaborative yet very honest.  I remember him telling someone it’s not about the bag – it’s what’s IN the bag – and of course how to use it when giving advice to up and coming artists. That’s Billy. He also turned me on the fried olives, which I’d never heard of, lol. We had them at lunch once at one of his favorite Italian restaurants. No one does lashes on me like Billy – I want to say!

Afrobella – What’s your philosophy about beauty?

Jody Watley — I recently came across an article with me in my late teen’s from my Shalamar days and I was talking about the importance on taking care of yourself and to be happy and wanting to age well. It made me smile to see the younger me was already on the right path. I still agree with that – it’s from the inside – out. It’s how I raised my daughter – using your intellect and brains is beautiful. I made sure she knew her brown skin was beautiful. Much of what we feel about ourselves comes from our home environments and so parents must be mindful and diligent as teachers, role models and cheerleaders of our own children.

We are beautiful – in all of our diversity of hues, features, hair textures, personalities, shapes and sizes and so on. Growing up I had pics of a range of women I looked up to in addition to my own Mom – from Beverly Johnson, Diana Ross Judy Pace, Diahann Carroll,Nina Simone, activist Angela Davis – as well as Janice Dickinson and Twiggy. You can have a pretty face and be ugly – because of your actions or character. If you are miserable – it will show..so inside – out. A smile and a pleasant face can be beautiful. A positive attitude is beautiful.

It’s a blessing to grow older but it can be tough in that women are said to become more invisible the older we get. For me as I get older, it’s about doing it with grace. You can still be fly and fabulous but it’s about finding what works – wherever you are today.

Everyone has to define beauty for themselves, though I do think we are often too hard on ourselves, and the media doesn’t help. So it’s important to learn to love and appreciates ourselves; while always leaving room for improvement but not beating ourselves up about it. This sounds cliché but it’s true. Validate yourself and all that is distinctly you.

The title song of my forthcoming album is ‘Chameleon’ and the title song is about us as women, mothers, wives/ex-wives, daughters, etc – and all that we do and the changes we go through and not just our appearance – our journey.

Afrobella -  What are your favorite products right now? Skincare, makeup, perfume?

Jody Watley – I’ve been a longtime products fanatic – my bathroom is like a beauty supply store, LOL! I try new things all the time. Obviously, I’ve become very focused over the last 15 years on anti-aging treatments and creams. Retinol, etc. I answered this one above when speaking about how I use olive oil, etc…

I don’t wear much perfume I’m more of a scented cream or oils person but though I like Annick Goutal Petite Cherie, it’s very light. The coconut oil mixed with a touch of vanilla oil always seems to get a great reaction when I put that together. I like the soft scent of fresh roses. Monoi Tiare Tahiti Oil is yummy. When I wear my curly fro’ I really like what ‘Curls’ Coconut Sublime Conditioner does.

Make-up is a combination of Chanel, MAC, Kett, NARS and on and on! I love false eyelashes, and crazy about the range of choice in nail polish available now. My favorite lip colors at the moment are NARS Falbala and Clinique Chubby Stick 07 Super Strawberry – for a more natural mouth.

Rosebud Salve is one of my must-have at all times products. I keep it in my car and purse. It’s multi-purpose for quick fix dry skin (hands), lips (an instant gloss), hair (sheen), and it of course smells divine.

Also for dry hair — I love Moroccan Argan Oil.

Afrobella -   Tell me about A Beautiful Life – what message do you want your fans to get from the track?

Jody Watley — Aspire to be in a healthy, uplifting and empowering environment – personally and professionally. We all deserve it – believe that and don’t let anyone make you think / believe otherwise about your self worth and value. If you’re in an abusive environment – get out and don’t look back other than to remember the lessons you’ve learned.

Afrobella -  What new and exciting musical projects are you working on?

Jody Watley — My thoughts on releasing more albums continues to shift though I remain immersed in creativity of all forms – music remains a passion but I’m realistic in today’s sales climate – especially for established veteran artists. My last album in 2006 was an exclusive with the Virgin Megastore chain directly through continued entrepreneurial side. ‘The Makeover’ was #1 for them as they worked to bring consumers back to the brick and mortar retail experience. The album which is available at iTunes debuted at #3 Top Electronic Albums which was cool.

“Chameleon”, will be my 10th full length and touches in part on my early Disco/Funk influences which of course is also full circle for me as my career started back then first as a dancer on Soul Train and then as a member of the group Shalamar. Additionally, the music oozes with soulful dance and electronic music my genre since 1999.  I plan on releasing a summer single titled ‘Nightlife’ which is inspired by my love of 70′s disco funk.

I’ve also done two fun guest vocal appearances with Canadian Electro-Pop band “French Horn Rebellion” as well as Stones Throw’s international modern funk artist Dam-Funk which I believe will be out this summer.

I’ve been doing select live dates to preview my new music, celebrate the 25th anniversary of my solo debut..and all of the other great music I’ve been known for the past few decades.

I have  literary aspirations in books that can translate to TV and film. I’ve loved writing since I was a child. I started writing poetry and short stories, which evolved into novels at 12 – which turned into songwriting. So, I’m looking forward to that next chapter – writing more. My children aren’t children anymore and so I have more freedom now. My #1 goal, in the midst of having a successful career was to be a great Mom and give my children a great foundation – and for the time I was married to be a great wife.

With my longtime associated with style and fashion I’m working on line of figure flattering pants for full figured women in particular – inspired by the creator of Spanx!

Basically, I’m adding to my goals and dreams and looking forward to the next chapters of my life and career.

I also maintain my own Style and Beauty Blog, which was in part inspired by Afrobella

Afrobella -  For anyone who has looked to your career as an inspiration and wanted to be like you…what’s your advice?

Jody Watley  — Be the best YOU, everyone else is already taken!

Seeing as we lost a legend yesterday, I had to ask Jody for a statement on the loss of Donna Summer. Jody has weighed on on her blog and you can read her post here. She shared this with me:

“Not simply “Disco” Donna Summer also ruled “Pop” Music radio and charts. Her double albums were/are unparalleled concept albums, few did them better male or female in any genre – her releases for me were events.  I couldn’t wait to see the cover art, read the liner notes and listen to the music, much of which she helped write.

Donna Summer also brought elements into the mainstream fusing Rock (Hot Stuff) with dance – one of her Grammy’s was in Rock..she really worked all genres and was such an inspiration to me in dance/pop. I also understood when she reached a point of not wanting to be put into a box and that she continued to work and create good music up through her last release a couple of years ago.

When I signed my solo deal with MCA, the executive who signed had worked with Donna Summer during her Casablanca years – which made it easier for him to understand and trust me..and to galvanize the company to market and promote me out of the box.

The current dominance of dance music that young artists have jumped on is rooted in disco .. electro, techno is simply another extension and so I hope they know she’s another artist whose shoulders they stand on.”

Bellas do yourself a favor and check out Jody’s blog right here. You can also follow her on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Thank you for being so amazing, so inspiring, and so accessible, Jody!

What’s your favorite Jody Watley song, bellas?

As a teenager, I looked forward to my future with high hopes for clear skin. After all, we’re told that acne is a teenage problem, caused by bad food and oily skin and roiling hormones. At one point in my life I honestly believed that turning 20 would end my acne issues. And then I thought…maybe by age 25 this will be over. OK. Maybe 30. And now here I am at age 33, telling you the sad truth. Adult acne is real. Things usually get better, but if you’ve grown up dealing with breakouts, you’ll occasionally have to deal with them when you’re grown enough to be dealing with stuff like taxes and mortgages and kids.

Photo via Blinging Beauty

Now that I’m an adult, I know exactly what triggers my acne. I’m more likely to get breakouts after periods of eating badly, or spending too much time in the sun. Recently when I had a facial, the aesthetician was able to tell that I sleep on my left side and that I don’t always take off my makeup, “because the blackheads on that side of your face are so deep.” YIKES. Some of my acne issues are clearly my own fault. Other issues are caused by my hormonal cycle, my stress level, and other factors I have less control over. It can be hard to know how to deal with those kinds of acne issues.

Let’s clear this one thing up right here right now — the best way you can deal with adult acne is by tackling it internally by drinking more water, exercising and eating healthier, and finding a dermatologist. More often than not, we deal with skin issues by going to a spa for a facial or buying some over the counter product instead of dealing with things medically, and that’s really the most sensible way to deal with it — click here to find a dermatologist in your city. Personally, I’m taking a varied approach to the issue. Recently I visited a derm for the first time — more on that soon! I eat healthier than I used to, and I drink more water than I used to. I’m trying to deal with my acne internally, but externally I still need some extra help. And so I also still go for facials, AND I use over the counter acne products that include approved ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, and salycilic acid to deal with the pimples I get, as I get them. Allow me to tell you about my favorite at-home acne brands!

Mario Badescu — OK so I know I’ve raved on and on (and on) about Mario Badescu, but I LOVE their products. The second I get a zit, I reach for their Drying Lotion or Drying Mask. If I’ve already got a zit that’s erupted, I love the Buffering Lotion. My only issue with MB products is, I haven’t yet tried one that goes on clear and works under makeup. These are products for if you’re at home and want to dry up a blemish overnight. Click here to check out Mario Badescu’s acne products.

Murad — I’m a fan of the brand in general, but Murad actually makes a product to help with the issue. Murad Acne Anti-Aging Acne Treatmenttackles both blemishes and wrinkles, and claims to smooth fine lines and restore suppleness as well. All of this basically means it’ll get rid of your zits without totally depleting your skin of moisture, as acne products can so often do.

Clean and Clear — I may drift away and try other, more expensive products, but if I’ve got a zit and I’m out of town and don’t have my go-to’s, best believe I will buy a tube of Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 from any store I can. Recently when a close friend of mine got like her third pimple ever in life, this is what I told her to buy. Good ol’ Clean and Clear will never do you wrong.

Neutrogena — I’d say that Neutrogena is pretty much the gold standard when it comes to drugstore skincare. Their Oil-Free Acne Wash was THE must-have face wash for my teenage acne days. And still to this day I’ll use it, or the newer Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Power-Foam Wash which has a super long name but works really, really well.

Olay – When I think Olay, I don’t usually think acne — more moisture or cleansing or anti-aging, right? Well yes, but they also make a range of acne fighting products, including the Olay Professional Pro-X Clear Acne Protocol Kit, which is tailor made for adult acne. It’s a three part system involving a cleanser, a clearing treatment, and a renewing lotion. And Pro-X also makes a refining sulfur mask, for those of you who like masks for dealing with acne. (PS: These are my favorite face masks). (PPS: did you know aspirin makes an excellent at home acne mask? It’s basically salycilic acid! Click to learn more via BlackHairMedia.com).

Et voilà, my go-to, tried and true product faves for dealing with acne as a grown woman. Bellas, how do YOU deal with adult acne?

The New York Times just did a lovely little piece on products brought back by popular demand. Social Media Breathes Life Into Shelved Products featured the stories of women who have been stockpiling their favorite products via Amazon and Ebay, and the brands who are bringing their most popular products back according to Twitter and Facebook demand. I learned about a few brands I didn’t know about, and I love hearing about stuff like this because it turns me on to cult favorite products — for example, the Erno Laszlo powders that I’ve apparently been sleeping on and Lush’s All That Jas bath bomb which sounds absolutely DIVINE. I am a fool for anything jasmine!

Allow me to share a few of my actual favorite products I’ve tried, that have been brought back to life!

Carol’s Daughter Ocean has always been that refreshing, enticing kind of fragrance that your man loves to smell on you – and your man might also not mind using himself! Ocean is just as fresh and as clean clean, and I’ve always loved it. Now by popular demand, Ocean is back on HSN. My husband loves the body cleansing gel, and I adore the dry oil mist, which makes my legs and décolleté all gleamy and fabulous and fragranced with water lily, lavender, and blue marine. If you need an Ocean fix, check out the Ocean Bath and Body Indulgence Set, $39.90 for double the body cleansing gels and body creams (so a one-for-you, one-for-mom situation could work perfectly!)

Remember when Estee Lauder shut down Prescriptives in 2009, to much weeping, moaning and gnashing of teeth? Well there’s no need to cry into your last hoarded jar of Comfort Cream in 2012, bella – Prescriptives was “refreshed” in 2011 and you can get ALL your favorites at Prescriptives.com.  Yes, custom blending and all!

MAC puts out SO many collections a year that I have a super hard time keeping up with them, but despite all of the new hotness they bring forth, certain colors remain the most beloved in fashion capitals around the world. Rebel in New York, Russian Red in Dubai, Snob in Sao Paulo, Saint Germain in Tokyo, Morange in Paris. (So apparently I’m a New York, Paris kind of woman! Wonder what Chicago’s favorite color would be? Or Port of Spain, Trinidad?) To celebrate their most popular colors in these major global cities, MAC Fashion Sets is here, with trios of lipstick, lipglass, and nail lacquer to satisfy the matchy-matchiest among us. For my brown skinned bellas I’d recommend you check out the Europe and Africa set or the Latin America Middle East set, that’s where my fave colors (like Rebel Morange and Girl About Town) were.

Talk about using Facebook wisely. Bobbi Brown’s Bobbi Brings Back program used Facebook to crowdsource fans for their absolute favorite Bobbi Brown lippies. And now, they’re back! Fans voted for the return of Blush, Tulip, Clove, Tulle Brown, Wine and Scarlet. And according to In Style, the Bobbi Brings Back campaign wasn’t just a one-off thing for lipsticks, future campaigns will include cult favorite eyeshadows and blushes.

Just the other day I had a long, warm, affectionate conversation with an older black woman about Fashion Fair. “I remember that was the first lipstick I ever had. What happened to Fashion Fair?” Well to her and to anyone who’s ever wondered – first of all, Fashion Fair never went anywhere. And second of all, the brand is about to come back in a major way thanks to creative director Sam Fine. Sam is currently touring the nation on the Fashion Fair Truly Treasured Tour, – click that link to see if he’s coming to a city near you. He’ll be in Chicago in June!

Sam will be highlighting Fashion Fair’s delicious collection of plum and rose colored cosmetics. Click here to check out Truly Treasured. You see that Grapesicle lipstick? I need it! We have a DATE with DESTINY.

** edited at 7:30 am — so this post went live and my friend Audarshia on Twitter says BRING BACK VINCENT LONGO! Which reminds me! I FORGOT to mention that Vincent Longo is BACK and you can buy products on HSN! MY BAD.

In March the esteemed artist and founder of his own awesome product line brought his beloved Water Canvas™ Base Primer, Velour Pressed Powder, 1-2-3 Trio Eyeshadow and Perfect Shine Lip Gloss back on HSN. And MY fave Vincent Longo product, the gel lip stain, is back as part of a lip and cheek stain set. Photo via Bellasugar’s article fittingly titled Vincent Longo Cosmetics Set to Make a Comeback.

Those are some of my fave products that are back on the block! Did you see any old, new favorites?

Any excuse for a rhyme, right?

I know I’m not the only one who loves the beauty brands for sale on TV – did you know home shopping began in 1977 with lime green can openers? The things you learn on Wikipedia! Look at how far things have come. Now so many of your favorite celebs are on TV, selling products of their own design. And now you can find a few of your favorite bloggers, sharing their favorite picks on  QVC.com. See anyone familiar?

So what are my top favorite beauty picks on QVC? Click here to see the full list – prices range from $12 to $225, and my list includes items by Wen, Philosophy, Mally Beauty, Ojon, Bliss, Tarte, Algenist, Clarisonic and more! Everything from skincare to makeup, tried, tested and true! 

Some of these products will debut during QVC’s All Access Beauty event this weekend. What’s QVC’s All Access Beauty? Via my friends at QVC:

“All Access Beauty kicks off Friday, April 13 at 11PM (ET) and continues all day Saturday, April 14.  QVC’s All Access Beauty event is just that – unparalleled access to the biggest names and brands in the industry.  Hear from Laura Geller, Chaz Dean, Dr. Denese, Mally Roncal, Kate Somerville, Josie Maran and more as they share expert tips, tricks and behind-the-brand buzz and even divulge what’s in their personal beauty bags.  Brand favorites like Bliss, Clarisonic, philosophy and It Cosmetics will also be featured on the day offering new and hero products.”

Tune in over the weekend, bellas – but you can check out all of my top picks right here right now. Look out for more detailed product reviews to come (I need to tell y’all ALL about my love for that Mally Poreless Face Defender in DETAIL)! See any of your favorites?

In my line of work, products come and go. Sometimes you find one you really like and you keep it in the arsenal. More often than not you find products that are practically interchangeable. And every so often, once in a blue moon…you find one of those holy grail products you want to shout from the mountaintop about. Bellas, I have found that in Mario Badescu. I know, I know. If you read this blog you’ve heard me refer to this classic skincare line as my skincare savior.

I can’t say that there’s been a single product in their extensive product line that I haven’t loved. But amongst all of Mario Badescu’s products, there are a few that keep me coming back to the veteran skincare brand again and again (BTW you can click here to learn about the brand’s history). Three products come most immediately to mind.

– Drying Lotion, an ESSENTIAL spot treatment product for anyone who deals with acne.

– Drying Mask, colloidal sulfur based mask that dries up all my acne

– and Enzyme Cleansing Gel, which is Mario Badescu’s best selling cleanser for a REASON.

If you’re used to a cleanser that’s all foamy and creamy, Mario Badescu’s Enzyme Cleansing Gel might throw you for a loop. This is a green, non-foaming gel cleanser chock full of Alpha Hydroxy Acids. Made with papaya and grapefruit extracts, this isn’t the kind of cleanser you turn to when it’s time to remove makeup. For makeup removal I usually use a wipe or cleansing oil, THEN wash with my beloved Enzyme Cleansing Gel.

I really LOVE it with my Clarisonic brush (product directions even say “massage in a circular motion,” so hey). What do I love about it? It’s a relatively simple product. In other aspects of my life I’m trying to take a less is more approach. When it comes to my diet, I try to keep clean food and healthy eating in mind. Same goes for my skincare. If you’re like me and are seeking products with fewer ingredients, this cleanser will make you happy – there are just seven ingredients used in making MB’s Enzyme Gel Cleanser.

I’m still dealing with occasional breakouts and acne issues, but this cleanser makes my skin feel so fresh and so clean, and more than anything else it’s improved the radiance of my skin. Enzyme Gel Cleanser has helped to balance my skin, to reduce the dull appearance my face gets after not exfoliating or cleaning off all my makeup. It’s my every day go-to must-have facewash du jour. 

8 oz. will cost you $12 and 16 oz. will cost you $20 – but it’s not the kind of product you wind up using a ton of. I use a dime-sized dot every day and I’m good! So a full 16 oz bottle can last you a WHILE. Plus, if you order off the Mario Badescu website, you get a bunch of free samples of your choice – check em out. I hope you know I wouldn’t put you wrong! No hyperbole needed – Mario Badescu remains my skincare savior. And you deserve to try this stuff out!

What’s YOUR favorite facewash du jour?

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This expert post is sponsored by Glam

I travel a fair amount, so I am well familiar with the ins and outs of beauty on the go. When I pack my makeup bag, I tend to go for flat eye shadow palettes, multi-use products, and anything that comes in pencil form. I’ve got an always packed makeup travel bag, so at the drop of a hat I’m more or less ready to jump on a plane – often what I do is just switch out the products I haven’t used in the last few trips with something new and exciting I plan to review for the blog soon. For my latest trip to Trinidad, I made the unusual decision to completely repack my travel makeup bag. My existing bag had become overloaded with products I wasn’t even actually using on my trips, and of course a trip to the Caribbean called for makeup that would last in sweltering temperatures and high humidity!

When I got to Coco Reef, Tobago (one of the finest resorts in the Caribbean, trust and believe!) I took this photo of the standout products that I used and loved the most on my trip. So, bellas – here’s the makeup I took with me to my homeland of Trinidad and Tobago, all tried and tested and ideal for island hopping!

 

 

Top row, left to right:

Neutrogena UVA/UVB Sunblock SPF 45 (via my mom. Don’t think they make this anymore)

NARS lipgloss, Wonder and NARS Velvet Gloss lip pencil, Club Mix

Jordana Easyliner Eyeliners in Seagreen, Denim Blue, and Purple Fusion

Jordana Easyliner for Lips in Plush Plum and Cabernet

MAC Brow Set, MAC Haute and Naughty Lash

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil in Perversion and Woodstock, Urban Decay SuperSaturated Lip Color in Apocalypse

Proactiv Oil Blotter Sheets

Mally Evercolor Poreless Face Defender

Mario Badescu oil free moisturizer SPF 30

The Balm eyeshadow palettes, NudeTude and Shady Lady vol 1.

Bottom row, left to right

Fashion Fair Shine Eliminator

Fashion Fair lipsticks from the Siren Call holiday collection – Femme Fatale and Forbidden

Coach Poppy perfume

Secret Natural Mineral deodorant

Cover Girl Clean pressed powder in Soft Honey

Benefit They’re Real mascara

Cover FX Clear Prep FX Matte Foundation primer, Cover FX translucent mineral powder setting FX, Matte FX dark, Cover FX SPF 30 (I wear B35).

Estee Lauder Topaz Chameleon (will be available Jan 29 and it’s to DIE for!)

Yes, all of these items fit into one makeup bag. Yes, my husband made fun of me and asked me why I was bringing so much makeup. No, I don’t wear all of this makeup at once. What can I say, this is what happens when you’re a beauty blogger!

See anything you love, need, or gotta try? I love absolutely all of these items and would highly recommend them to you, if you’re looking to upgrade your makeup stash!

Beautiful bellas, I’m on vacation! When I left Chicago, it was snowing. When I landed in Miami, it was chillier than expected, with temperatures in the 50′s. And now I’m visiting my homeland of beautiful Trinidad and Tobago, where the heat has been in the high 80′s!

My skin is like, what are you DOING to me?

For each temperature zone I’m in, I’ve noticed changes in my skin’s appearance. In the cold, my skin felt dry and looked really tight around my nose and mouth. In Trinidad I’m greasy and sweaty. Clearly my skincare needs are not one-size fits all! Let me tell you how I deal with changing seasons of skincare, and what I recommend for transitioning from a cold temperature to warmer climes. After all, there’s a reason fashion designers release resort collections of fun, fabulous dresses in light fabrics — that reason could well be called January, and the need to escape the winter blahs.

1 — Going on a trip? Increase your water intake. I know I tend to go on and on about the need to drink more water, but there’s a reason. Nothing I’ve tried topically has made such a tangible difference to my skin. You can use all of the treatments, ointments, cremes and serums money can buy, but if you’re drinking nothing but sugary juices and soda (yep, even diet) it will result in skin that is prone to breakouts and less than luminous. Drinking more water gives my skin the internal hydration it needs to transition from temperature to temperature without totally freaking out. And if you’re like me and hate drinking water, you can drink flavored “spa” water — check out this cool recipe for “Sassy water” that I found on Pinterest! I am totally trying this flavor combination out!

For even more flavor sugggestions, read this helpful article from xoJane, offering survival tips for those of us who gag at the prospect of drinking plain ol’ water.

2 — Time to tone. Skincare confession time — I’m not a regular user of toner and astringent, and I do often beat myself up over that…but when my skin starts acting up, using a toner after I cleanse helps to restore my skin’s balance to what it needs to be. Don’t think you need to pony up for a toner you won’t necessarily use — quite often, instead of brand name toners I go back to basics and use pure organic rosewater (I get it at Whole Foods) or witch hazel (which I also get at Whole Foods, and comes infused with various fragrances like lemon and lavender).

3 — Assess your skin’s needs and find a product that tackles the issues at hand. If you’re having issues with oil, find a product that has oil absorbing mattifying properties. If you’ve got tight, dry skin, look for something that promises to moisturize your skin, For myself right now, I need gentle skincare that cleanses without stripping my face of its natural oils altogether, and still gives my skin the penetrative moisture I clearly need as a woman in her early thirties.

Cindy Crawford’s Meaningful Beauty skincare line is a recent favorite, and the fact that the products are practically travel size is a WIN for me and my suitcase right now!

At night I make sure that I listen to Meagan Shea and cleanse off the day’s detritus with the Skin Softening Cleanser. And no matter if I’m in the winter cold or the tropical heat, I NEED to use a moisturizer with SPF every day, and the Meaningful Beauty Antioxidant Day Cream with SPF 20 rocks my world. Check them out at TryNewMB.com, and you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.

That’s what has been working for me in the midst of this season of skincare changes!

How do you change your skincare routine throughout the season?

Post sponsored by Meaningful Beauty, but these opinions are absolutely my own.

Around this time of year it’s a beautiful thing to be given a gift — but it’s even more beautiful to be the gift giver. I reached out to some of my favorite brands to arrange special holiday giveaways for Afrobella readers, and I hope you love the products as much as I do! Third on the holiday giveaway list? CVS Beauty Club!

I want to thank everyone who voted for me for the CVS Beauty Club People’s Choice Awards contest. As you might know by now, I didn’t win — my friend Nadine Jolie did, and she’s gonna rock the red carpet on January 11!!

But as a special thank you to all of you who supported me during the voting process, I’ve got a special CVS Beauty Club giveaway in store. It includes some of the items I used in my PCA red carpet look!

5 lucky Afrobella winners will get a special CVS Beauty Club package including my red carpet favorites like COVERGIRL and Olay products (COVERGIRL Lip Perfection in Embrace is everything!!), as well as Herbal Essences Hello Hydration and Aussie Three Minute Miracle for your hair, Venus Embrace razors AND a $25 gift card to complete your CVS Beauty Club needs!

How do you enter, how do you win?

Leave me a comment telling me which of the above mentioned items you’re more looking forward to trying, and why.

This contest will be open until December 27 to contestants within the US, so you have lots of time over the holiday week to enter (and hopefully win!)

Thanks to the CVS Beauty Club for this opportunity — click here to follow them on Facebook!

Good luck and MERRY CHRISTMAS, bellas!

Around this time of year it’s a beautiful thing to be given a gift — but it’s even more beautiful to be the gift giver. I reached out to some of my favorite brands to arrange special holiday giveaways for Afrobella readers, and I hope you love the products as much as I do!

First up on the holiday giveaway list? One of my FAVORITE skincare brands. That’d be Kiehl’s.

Kiehl’s is a skincare brand with a rich, historic legacy. Think for a second of how many businesses and brands have come and gone since 1851, when Kiehls was founded. The fact that this skincare brand has lasted for so very long speaks directly to its effectiveness. Through the years I’ve been lucky enough to try quite a few Kiehl’s products, and I’ve also been lucky enough to meet the very handsome president of Kiehl’s, Mr. Chris Salgardo — click here to follow him on Twitter!

When I met Chris we talked about our favorite Kiehl’s products (obvi) and about what makes the brand so special. Kiehls isn’t cheap, but it isn’t as expensive as high quality skincare can be. And for the money you pay, you really do get a product that works exquisitely. I’ve done quite a few reviews through the years, but let me tell you about my five favorite Kiehl’s products in 140 characters or less.

– Midnight Recovery Concentrate is everything my skin needs and more. I’m addicted to good serums and this is ?one of the best I've ever used.

– Rosa Arctica remains one of my favorite night creams ever, it smells like luxury and makes my skin feel so soft!

– I recently tried the Ultimate Strength Hand Salve and it totally deserves that name! Penetrating moisture when you need it most, and without a frou-frou fragrance so the fellas will like it too.

– If you have oily skin the Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser might be your new bestie. Amazonian White Clay and Diatomaceous Earth particles deal with the oil and grime so very well!

Last but not least, CREME DE CORPS. This will require more than 140 characters!

You know when your skin feels dry and thirsty in the winter months? When you can see the dryness on your legs or your arms? That’s what Creme de Corps is FOR. I use it sparingly — not just because it’s pricey, but also because it’s so rich and luxurious that you don’t need a ton of lotion to moisturize your situation. It smells divine and feels even better. And in the spirit of holiday giving, I’ve got a Kiehls Creme de Corps giveaway just for YOU!

Here’s how you can win! Leave a comment below, telling me your number one winter skin dilemma. Five lucky winners will get an 8.4 oz bottle of Creme de Corps! This contest will be open until December 27 to contestants within the US, so you have lots of time over the holiday week to enter (and hopefully win!)

Click here to follow Kiehls on Twitter, and on Facebook. Thank you for your generosity, Kiehls!

Good luck and MERRY CHRISTMAS, bellas!

PS: Have you signed up for my newsletter yet? You should!! I’ll be sending a special holiday letter and there will be special discount codes for newsletter subscribers!! Clicky click