But last weekend was truly awesome. Last Monday was my birthday weekend. And my friends at Dove Visibly Smooth helped me celebrate! To help promote their amazing hair-growth-reducing deodorant, some of your favorite beauty bloggers have been invited to host Dove Visibly Smooth Girls’ Night Out events — click here to read about The Beauty Bunny, Clumps of Mascara, and This That Beauty’s Girls’ Night Out events in their cities.

I wanted to do something a bit different, since it was my birthday weekend. So instead of doing dinner or a lounge, I decided to invite some of my best blogger friends for a Girls’ Afternoon Out instead – at Allyu Spa, one of my aforementioned favorite spas in Chicago!

And here we are! From left to right:

Nikia of ChiTown Fashionista.
Aramide of The Sassy Peach.
Rae Lewis Thornton of RaeLewisThornton.com, a Diva Living with AIDS.
Brittany of Black is Breezie.
Karyn of The Fab Giver and The Red Pump Project.
Luvvie of Awesomely Luvvie, Luvv Divine, The Red Pump Project and prolly like 6 other random blogs LOL
me!
Jessica of Beauty Woo Me
and Courtney of Coco Cooks.

Allyu Spa arranged a beautiful room for us to hang out in, and we went in groups of three to get our manicures done.

Courtney is a food blogger extraordinare, and she advised me on what kind of spread to get with the ladies — fresh, delicious red grapes, strawberries, quince jam, pita chips to go with baba ganoush, and two different kinds of hummus. And to wash it all down, some large bottles of sparkling wine were in order!

So, the manicures. Many of us went with the “Blackberry bling” trend and had an accent nail on the fourth finger and thumb. I decided to go with two similar colors, but I really thought there’d be more of a contrast.

I used MAC’s latest matte – Studded – on my thumb and fourth finger. Click here to check out Karlasugar’s detailed post. It’s a matte pearl, very finely flecked gunmetal silver. I am gonna have to try this polish again on its own. My manicurist and I didn’t quite get that this was meant to be merely matte, and the addition of top coat made Studded shiny silver, but also brought out the black flecks in the polish.

On my other nails I used Orly’s latest Foil FX polish in Shine. These polishes are high shine foil finishes, and I have gotten SO many compliments on my nails since I got this mani! “Is that Minx?” someone asked me. No, it’s Orly FX, $7.50 a bottle! Haaaaayyyyy! Here’s an awful cellphone pic of the nails side by side for comparison.

Sorry about the awful photo – my camera’s been having battery issues!

Although I kept within the metallic family, I kept a close eye on the polishes my homegirls were getting! Allyu Spa uses Zoya polishes, and most everyone wound up using a purple polish! (Zoya has some GORGEOUS ones!)

Much love to Allyu Spa, my Chicago blogger friends, and Dove Visibly Smooth for the most fabulous pre-birthday manicure party ever!

Related posts:

1. My Monday Manicure — Hard Candy Sweet P
2. What’s a Piticure?
3. Nails of the Season

Billions of Chinese people around the world aren’t wrong. There’s a reason that this admittedly off-putting practice of sticking thread-thin needles into key, corresponding points in your body has been so popular for this long. Quite simply, I believe it works. And having just tried it for the first time – I totally plan to try acupuncture again.

My first interest in acupuncture came in Miami, when a friend with chronic back problems swore on his life that acupuncture had healed him of his pains. “Dude, just try it!” he encouraged. But despite stress levels that led to high blood pressure, bouts of nausea, and an ulcerated stomach, I still never listened. I went the traditional route, and was prescribed medicine to treat my symptoms. I tried to eat healthier and well…my efforts at exercise never took root and truly became the “lifestyle” I keep hearing it has to become. But that’s another post for another time.

The first opportunity I had to actually try acupuncture came when I was on board Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship, the Oasis of the Seas. That’s where I met Alaric Toy, the licensed acupuncturist who has a constant flow of enthusiastic patients in the ship’s spa. He told me all about the popularity of the acupuncture at sea program, which is currently offered on all the major cruise ships. He spoke passionately about HR646, a senate bill that aims to get acupuncture covered by medicare. And he explained what acupuncture could do for me, to improve my own condition.

“There’s an old Chinese saying — where there’s pain, there’s blockage. Where there’s blockage, there’s pain. The US Air Force is using battlefield acupuncture right now, because it offers almost immediate results. It gives you a sense of well being that can’t be measured. You’ll start sleeping better, eating better, makng better choices for yourself. I’ve been able to resolve the problems of people with pain issues who have had chronic pain for 15, 20 years,” he said assuredly. But despite the opportunity literally staring me in the face – I wasn’t yet ready.

It wasn’t until just a few weeks ago, that I found opportunity staring me in the face yet again. Spa Week Daily wanted to send me to the spa to experience one of their $50 Spa Week treatments as part of SPA MADNESS. And lo and behold — amidst the vajazzling and Botox and facials and body scrubs…there was the offer for me to experience acupuncture at Chicago’s renowned Ruby Room. This time, I leapt at the chance.

The Ruby Room is not your typical spa. Oh sure, you can do typical spa things and get a facial, a massage, waxing, or a new hairstyle. They’ve got an amazing array of makeup and beauty products for sale, and you can get your face beat by a pro using lovely, high end cosmetics. The decor is clean, refreshing, and airy. There are absolutely stunning statues of Buddha everywhere. But then, you go up the steep red stairs, and the ambiance becomes more spiritual. The second floor of the Ruby Room is all about enhancing your internal beauty, and tapping into your spiritual center. There are crystals and tarot cards and Chinese herbs, and people there are ready to teach you how to apply those things to your life.

That’s where I met my acupuncturist, Pamela. Her approach was far different than the licensed acupuncturist I’d met on the cruise ship – he was more matter of fact, and the ambiance where he worked seemed almost clinical and spare – I felt very aware there that acupuncture is medicine, and it’s power is not to be underestimated. At the Ruby Room, acupuncture is performed in the same space where intuitives work with crystals and the general ambiance is very gentle and quite mystical. I found the contrast fascinating.

As a newbie to acupuncture, I found Pamela’s demeanor to be very comforting and nurturing. Before the procedure began, she gave me a detailed diagnosis, and in acupuncture that begins with a look at your tongue. Just from looking at the color and possible coat on your tongue, an acupuncturist can tell if there are graver issues taking place within your body. Pamela proceeded to explain some basic layman’s terms for what my issues could be attributed to. Chinese medicine is very much about achieving a perfect balance. There’s yin and yang, which just about everyone knows about. But there is also dry and damp – she sensed alot of damp within me. Pamela explained the Zangfu organs, and why she’d be putting certain needles in certain places. And then it was time for my treatment.

In general, I’m not particularly nervous about needles — unless I’m giving blood and I can see the blood filling up in a bag, I can block out the pain and fear of getting stuck. But I had reservations with acupuncture. Were these needles going to hurt? Would I wind up with needlemarks in my face? OMG, were there going to be needles in my face?

Yes. And I barely felt a thing.

The first needle went into my upper right ear, and I could hear it more than I could feel it. Acupuncture needles have teeny springs on the end, and I could hear the little zing as it went into my skin. The second needle went into my forehead. After that, I lost count. I know there was one in my right arm, one in my left hand, at least five in my stomach, and several in my legs and feet. But the only ones I could truly feel and felt aware of, were in my arm and my hand – that’s because I had to position them carefully and kept worrying they’d fall off the massage bed I was laying on.

If you want to get acupuncture and you’re concerned about needles hurting, please know that you shouldn’t worry. Quite literally, I fell asleep at the Ruby Room with a pincushion’s worth of needles sticking out of my face and body. Of course there were teeny drops of blood where I’d been stuck, but nothing hurt about this procedure. At all. In fact, just the opposite.

So let me explain the before and after. The morning before I left for my acupuncture treatment, I was more stressed out than I’d been in a really long time. I was so stressed out, I was nauseous. I took my blood pressure and it was indisputably high. I had to force myself to even relax enough to eat breakfast, take a shower, get ready, get on the el and head over to the Ruby Room.

After acupuncture, I immediately felt better. Restored. At ease. The issues that made me stressed out to begin with were still there, but seemed less oppressive and overwhelming. I came into the Ruby Room with zero appetite, and I left feeling ravenous. And maybe I even looked on top of the world, because three random strangers gave me compliments on the street when I left. So admittedly, I left my first acupuncture experience with a complete afterglow and the desire to return for more.

Of course, I was covering this for SpaWeekDaily.com –so I was sure to capture the experience on camera, and asked my acupuncturist some questions I got via Twitter.

Will I experience acupncture again? Definitely! It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. I hope my experience helps to answer any questions you may have, and if you’re in Chicago, I highly recommend the Ruby Room – 1743 West Division Street, 773-235-2323. Visit RubyRoom.com. If you’re not in Chicago, make sure your acupuncturist is licensed!

If you are interested in experiencing acupuncture – or any other kind of spa treatment! – you can start booking appointments March 15th, when the Spring Spa Week directory launches onSpaweek.com !

Related posts:

1. The Chicago Spa Scene
2. Experiencing Iman
3. Tis The Season…

Since I moved to Chicago, my spa writing has slowed down some, but I’m about ready to get back into it. I’ve had the opportunity to experience some amazing Chicago spas. Here are my favorites thus far, so next time you’re in town (or if you live here) you’ll know where to go!

The Red Door Spa. The Red Door is one of the most recognized symbols of luxury in the world. The Michigan Avenue location offers classic Chicago excellence and experienced staff. The ambiance can be best described as established. Pristine, white accented with red, soft lighting and coolers filled with cucumber water in the relaxation room, and plush treatment rooms.

I got an AMAZING massage by Nadia Essat, who got REALLY deep with the technique. She also gave me some great life advice (for example, drink more water! Which I really really need to do). Flori Lupu, the manager of manicures, was so sweet and friendly and wonderful. If you’re going to the Red Door, ask for them by name. I promise you’ll have no regrets. I really enjoyed the glamorous old-school Chicago vibe of the Red Door (it’s right across the street from The Drake! Which may give you an idea of the ambiance and kind of clientele). But I must say, it’s not ideally shaped for a spa party — you won’t be facing your friends, it’s more of a one-on-one with the manicurist kind of thing. I’d recommend it for private indulgence, but if you want to round up a group of girlfriends and get mani pedis, I’d advise you to go to Bucktown.

Spa Soak in Bucktown manages to be both luxurious and funky. Maybe it’s the staff — you’ll probably see some really cool Chicago chicks with tats and piercings offering massages and manicures here. The manicure room is vibrant, fun, and SO perfect for a big party! When I came here I was having visions of bridal showers and girlie afternoons. Spa Soak has a fab manicure room but they’ve got an incredible range of facials. Hoping to return sometime soon to experience one of those!

For a spa that has a truly unique, serene and calming ambiance, you need to check out Allyu Spa in Rivernorth. From the moment you walk in, this environmentally friendly spa will take your breath away. The decor, the set up, the ambiance… it is just absolutely lovely. It’s a place where your spirit can truly feel centered and at peace. The center of the spa is a meditation tent, a space so serene and spiritual, it’s almost difficult to describe. Despite the meditative vibe at the spa, the manicure room is still a pleasure, and it’d be a great place to have a group of friends gather for a pedi party. The pedicure with the sugar scrub was absolutely amazing.

The spa I most recently had the pleasure of experiencing was the Ruby Room in the Ukranian Village on Division. I went there to review acupuncture for SpaWeek.com, so keep an eye out – next week a big post to come! The Ruby Room is like no other spa I’ve ever been to. It’s really more of a healing center, but you can get everything from a haircut to a eyebrow shaping to a colonic to acupuncture to crystal and tarot readings here. It’s all about enhancing your internal and external beauty. If you want to experience insight about your soul after you get streaks in your hair, this is the place to go.

Look out for a much longer review of my Ruby Room amd Spa Week experience SOON, and you should get familiar with SpaWeek now. It’s taking place April 12 to 18!

If you’re dying to get your spa on next week, check out the deal days at SpaFinder.com, to find $50 treatments from March 8 to 14 at spas in your neck of the woods!

Related posts:

1. Chicago! Come for Cocktails and Conversation!
2. Experiencing Acupuncture
3. We Rocked Chicago!!

For example, I strolled into my apartment building the other day, and a normally unobservant security guard looks at me and says, “you’ve got such beautiful skin.” That was a total first. And I have one product to thank.

Jolie MD.

This two step kit has cleared most of my discoloration and hyperpigmentation, brightened my skin tone, and generally improved the texture of my skin. Not overnight, mind you. I used this product consistently for two months or so — enough to completely finish both bottles of product. So please know this about to be a thorough review.

Jolie MD is the brainchild of Beverly Hills plastic surgeons Dr. Jason Litner, and Dr. Peyman Solieman — and renowned blogger, author, and all around benevolent goddess of the beauty world, my friend Nadine Jolie. I interviewed Nadine to find out how all of this came to be.

“I partnered with the doctors and we’ve been working on it for a year. I’m the creative director, so it’s kind of their baby. From day one we wanted to make a product that is different from the samey-samey skin care that is on the market.”

And apparently, ethnic skin was a particular concern for Drs Litner and Solieman.

“They were meticulous about the ingredients. This product is really meant to address the issues of ethnic skin and it was very important to them to get it right. There are no parabens, no hydroquinone. It’s tailor made as an at-home alternative for women who can’t get chemical peels or laser treatments without fear of discoloration. ”

Step one is the Metamorphosis Softening Serum, a yellowish, clear, thin serum that spreads and absorbs into skin easily and can sting a little bit, if you’ve got sensitive skin. Step two is the Metamorphosis Enlightening Lotion, an opaque lotion that immediately reduces the sting, absorbs well, and leaves my skin feeling soft and well hydrated.

As the product details reveal, “JolieMD’s innovative Softening Serum formulation is the first line to feature a proprietary blend of slow release alpha-beta-poly hydroxyl acids for daily use allowing us to gently exfoliate and remove pigment stains and blemishes, stimulate new collagen, and improve penetration of pigment inhibitors without irritation. While other products solely address tyrosinase (a key pigment-producing enzyme) with one or two active ingredients, JolieMD’s Enlightening Lotion uses multiple melanin inhibitors working at several different points to restrain the entire pigment producing cascade. As a result, we know that with continued use you will find more even skin with gradual but consistent clearing of your discoloration. JolieMD is specifically designed with all ethnicities in mind; safe and highly effective for African-American, Hispanic, Middle-and Near-Eastern and Asian skin.”

That’s exactly what it did for me. Jolie MD didn’t lighten my skin like the “fade creams” I’d used in the past. I didn’t have to worry about using it in just one spot at a time to be effective. I used it all over my face and it just gave my skin an overall healthy glow, and over time it almost completely reduced the spots of hyperpigmentation I had along my jawline and chin area. Now I feel more confident about my skin. For a while there I literally wouldn’t leave the house without a liberal spackle of foundation and powder on, to cover my dark marks. But now I use much less foundation, and it takes me less time to get ready and go out the door. My skin is glowier and clearer than it’s been…well, possibly ever.

Now please note, it didn’t completely 100% clear my skin. I do still have some dark marks, and I do still wear makeup when I go out. In the early stages, my skin felt sensitive to the first serum. That took a little getting used to. And I did wind up with some dryness around my mouth and chin for a while there, but continued use cleared that up as well.

Nadine addressed my continued hyperpigmentation concerns in our interview.

“It’s not going to go away overnight. Or maybe even two months from now. But if you stick with it, Jolie MD will dramatically improve the quality and appearance of your skin.”

I believe her. My results speak for themselves, and I’m convinced enough to shell out the $96 for more Jolie MD. It ain’t cheap, but it’s worth it in my opinion.

Click here to buy Jolie MD.

PLEASE NOTE that what works amazing for me, may not knock your socks off in the same way. And I am especially cautious about skincare reviews. I know what it’s like to try something that promises to alleviate your problems and to see it not make a difference. So please, if you do try Jolie MD – give it time. Use the whole two bottles to the very end, then come back here and leave your review. I’m interested to know how it works for you!

Related posts:

1. My New Skincare Savior – Mario Badescu
2. Satisfy Your Thirsty Skin
3. Go ‘Head Michelle!

This super glittery chartreuse nail polish is Sweet P by Hard Candy.

Last week I got the opportunity to review some Hard Candy products, and can I just confess that the products are giving me all kinds of pleasant surprises. I’d kind of thought of Hard Candy as a brand I loved as a glitter-obsessed teen. But the brand has lasting quality for the adult in me (who still loves her share of glitter!) Reviews of their makeup to come. This post is all about the polish!

Sweet P is a bright acid green, not for the faint of heart and definitely not for those who are conservative in style. These are nails that are meant to be noticed! If you’re fine with that, you’ll probably love Sweet P.

The first coat of Sweet P goes on kind of sparse, but the second coat makes for a dense, all over sparkle – glitter with texture. I’ve been getting teeny little threads caught on my nails because of that, but I don’t even care. I absolutely love this color with my skin tone!

Hard Candy nail polishes cost $5 a pop at Walmart, and judging from the quality of Sweet P, I need to go get some more. The purple glitter colors — Hot Pants and Mr. Wrong — are calling my name!

What are your thoughts, bellas? Would you rock a polish this glittery, or are these kinds of colors best left for your younger years? What are your go-to polish colors?

Related posts:

1. My Monday Manicure – Birthday Edition!
2. Sweet Deals!
3. Pro Nails

Idea #1. Godiva Candle. See, here’s the thing. Valentine’s Day has become synonymous with chocolates. And not every woman wants a box of chocolates. Many of us are dieting, or trying to eat healthier…and a box of chocolates is just gonna sit there and tempt you. If you’re getting a gift for a loved one who is working on her fitness, get her a Godiva candle. Candle Luxury has the delicious limited edition Chocolate Strawberry Rose candle for sale, but if you don’t have time for all of that and need a gift in a bag pronto, go to Bath and Body Works. Get the Godiva White Chocolate Magnolia candle. It’s equally potent, and equally intoxicating.

Idea #2. Just go to Sephora. Duh. I love watching men at Sephora. Some of them walk in confident, like they know what they’re doing. Then one gander at the array of options and they start getting that expression of utter confusion. That “oh no, what did I just walk into?” look. I understand completely. Sephora can boggle the mind! My advice here is, ask a sales associate to guide you towards the gift sets. Or if all else fails, find the section that says Carol’s Daughter.

They’ve got some great body treatment sets that’ll make a great gift. Ooh, and don’t sleep on that SweetHoneyDipChocolateBrownSugah Scrub. Few products have made my skin feel softer, or made me smell more candylicious. Mama likes, Mama likes a LOT.

Idea #3. The never-fail spa gift card.

I seriously believe that spa days should be medically prescribed. I just NEED a good massage and pedicure at least once a month. If you’re seeking an all-around never fail excellent spa, I HIGHLY recommend the Red Door. Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door spas are absolutely decadent, and the packages are to die for. And because they know how Valentine’s Day can creep up on you, they’ve got the Print-A-Gift option, so your Valentine’s Day card can contain a little something to make your honey squeal with delight. Get her the Signature Escape. Trust me. She will LOVE it.

If you’re looking for even more options, then go to SpaWeek.com for one of their fabulous gift cards spa deals, and discounts.

Idea #4. Cookware.

Maybe your honey pie isn’t a girly-girl who loves makeup and perfume and going to the spa. Maybe the love of your life is all about being in the kitchen and cooking up fabulous feasts. I never used to be that girl, but lately I find so much pleasure in cooking, and having friends over for dinner. Looking for a last-minute Valentine’s gift? Three words. Cast iron cookware. It’s heavy, it cleans up marvelously, and this is cookware that will last forever. Cast iron is investment cookware. There’s a reason people have been using this for hundreds of years.

So if I were to ask my husband for a Valentine’s gift this year, it’d probably be the cast iron panini pan by Giada De Laurentiis for Target. It’s red. It’s versatile — this can go in the oven or be used on the stove for yummy hot sandwiches, or even hamburgers or chicken breasts. $69.99. I want it, I want it, I want it!

For a much more affordable option, go to your nearest Cost Plus World Market. I just bought the most darling red cast iron pots there for $20 last week. And their red oven-to-table bakeware collection is great as well.

Idea #5. New music!

Some excellent new albums have come out recently, and maybe getting your sweetie an album or three could be a great gift. My personal recommendations are Soldier of Love, Corinne Bailey Rae’s The Sea, and Nina Simone’s Anthology.

And because it’s Valentine’s Day — here’s a freebie!

Idea #6 — The “whatever you want to do, baby” option. Here’s the thing. Valentine’s Day is a commercial celebration, but it’s about spending time together. It’s about falling in love all over again, and all of the joy that togetherness brings. So make the day about that. In the past, me and my husband have exchanged coupons for things to do together that have ranged from concert tickets to none-of-your-business. We can get so caught up in the day to day, that we miss moments to celebrate couplehood. So make breakfast for each other. Go for a lovely walk — tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day is the same day as the Chinese New Year, so maybe go check out your local Chinese New Year parade together! Go out for dinner. Or make dinner together. Love the one you’re with, give it your all, and make plans to celebrate your own private Valentine’s Day once a month.

Love to you all!

Related posts:

1. A Valentine’s Menu for You!
2. A Post Valentine’s Giveaway
3. Afrobella Gift Guide — Winter Skin Love

So my shopaholic bellas — put this on your radar. Tonight at 11 p.m. through 1 a.m. on 1/30 (and also 11am, 3pm, & 9pm ET that day), QVC is hosting Bare Escentuals sales and shows. Tune in, check em out, and shop it up!

But just in case you can’t wait and really-really want to get your BE on right this minute, I’ve got a giveaway for you! My first for the year!

The Bare Minerals Buxom Babes Winter Escapades Lip Color 4 piece set is everything you need for your lips to look ultra luscious. Four colors — Holly, Merry, Hope, and Joy, go far beyond the holidays and add glitter and glamour to your look whenever you want it.

I’m new to the BE brand, even though I know so many women who refuse to leave the house without their Mineral Veil in place. First encounter with these lippies – entirely, overwhelmingly positive. They’re super shiny, not sticky or gloppy, ultra glittery (even the clear!) and go great on your lips solo, or layered over your favorite lip stick or pencil.

THREE lucky bellas will win an adorable box set of glosses. All you gotta do is comment below — January is officially over! What were your New Year’s Resolutions? Are you sticking to them so far?

(don’t worry, even if the answer is no, you can still win – I’m choosing winners at random!)

I’ll close these comments on Tuesday. Read below for QVC’s contest rules. Good luck, bellas!

** edited Tuesday at 8:35 — 77 comments! This gloss giveaway is now officially closed. Check out my latest giveaway! Will announce a winner this week, bellas – good luck!

Contest rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open only to U.S. legal residents who are 18 or older. Commencing on Jan 29, 2009 at 12 p.m. Eastern Time (”ET”) and continuing through Jan 29, 2009 at 11:59 p.m ET (”Promotional Period”). Afrobella will randomly select three (3) winners to receive one (1) BE Buxom Babes lip gloss from anyone who posts a comment on the BE blog postduring the Promotional Period. Limit one prize per household. Total value of all prizes $84. 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.

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With all the traveling I’ve been doing, I’ve had to learn the art of packing intelligently. In these days of rising luggage fees, I need to be economical. That means packing products that are multi-use and uber-effective. Allow me to share some of my latest finds — the items that got road tested in Hawaii!

My Smokey Classics By Lauren Luke. I know, I know – I just raved about this in my Best of 2009 post. But for traveling, this collection is hard to beat. My one complaint? The blush is too pale for my needs. But having a flat package of this much makeup awesomeness warrants no real complaints. This is eye makeup at it’s easiest, and I love it. Totally getting the Fierce Violets next.

Jessicurl Trial Size Collection. I’ve heard great things about Jessicurl, but finally I got a chance to experience what the brand can do for my particular texture of natural. And I really like it so far! I used Awe Inspirialing Spray to refresh my frazzled frizzies in the Hawaii heat, and the Confident Coils Styling Solution gave me moisture that stood up against the humidity. Look out for a longer review when I’ve had a chance to review the Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner.

MAC in Lillyland cremeblend blush. I want to shout about this to the rooftops, y’all. MAC in Lillyland is a bright, resort-chic, vibrant and ultra feminine collection. When I was sent this Cremeblend blush in Joie-De-Vivre — a peachy coral that looks like the color of some houses in Miami — I gave it a suspicious raised eyebrow. Then I rubbed it on the apples of my cheeks, as I smiled at myself in the mirror. Love at first try. These colors are ideal for bringing out the glow in darker skin tones. It was so perfect for Hawaii, and now that I’m back in Chicago’s cold, a sheer application gives me a warm, sunshiny glow. Bravo, MAC and Lilly Pulitzer. Bravo.

Jordana easyliner eye pencil. Nothing sucks worse than traveling with your favorite regular eyeliner, then realizing the point’s dull or broken off and you’ve forgotten to pack your sharpener. This $1.99 drugstore pencil is just as effective as its more expensive competitors, plus it is effortless and automatic. Don’t sleep on Jordana, or its equally affordafab counterpart, Milani! You can get the look for a whole lot less!

RX for Brown Skin Protect and Defend Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15. Dr. Susan Taylor’s products specifically cater to our skin’s needs. I’ve tried most of the products and a more detailed review is really in order. I really dig the sunscreen. It’s thick but not opaque and heavy like some other sunscreens are. A little goes a long way, to protect my face and neck. Good stuff for facing the elements.

And last but not least — Fashion Fair Shine Eliminator. Yes, that’s right. I just said Fashion Fair. The venerable brand for women of color gets a bad rap for being old school and stuck in the past, but FYI, Fashion Fair is in the midst of a major makeover. They’ve got some great new skincare products on the shelves, and this shine eliminating mattifier got me ready for my close up in steamy Hawaii. A creamy potion with the light feel of a serum, it worked great as a foundation primer and allowed me to maintain my glow while preventing me from being shiny.

What are your must-take travel essentials? Made any cool new finds lately? Share!

Related posts:

1. Ask Afrobella – Be A Bella Bride
2. Recent Reviews!
3. Best of 2009 – Makeup

Sending my parents the Skype Freetalk Buddycam for Christmas was the best idea EVER.

As Mama Bella and I gazed at each other yesterday, we agreed — the future is here, and it is amazing.

In case you’re new to Skype, allow me to rave for a minute. If you and your friend have both downloaded Skype, you can talk for FREE. If you both have video cameras, you can have video phone calls for FREE.

Compared to the exorbitant international phone bills we’ve managed to accumulate through the years I’ve been away, this is like a godsend.

The Skype BuddyCam has its flaws — picture quality isn’t the best, and as my mom said yesterday, “the little man doesn’t want to stand up!” (LOL! That don’t even sound right) — the camera can be difficult to position. Also, even on Skype calls in the US sometimes calls get dropped or you may lose audio and/or video. That’s just par for the course, and you can redial instantly to continue the phone call. But so far, so great. Despite what they say, my parents aren’t the most technologically savvy folks out there. So the fact that my dad is able to connect this camera and call me is amazing. If my mom is eventually able to figure it out on her own, I’ll be shouting that from the rooftops. For now I’m just willing to settle for small miracles.

If you’re like me and live far away from those you love the most — you need Skype in your life. Click here to learn more about it, and click here to check out the range of cameras available. I think this upcoming Christmas, I’m gonna upgrade my parents to the Logitech Quickcam. That is, once my mom’s managed to figure it out herself.

Do you Skype? What’s been your experience so far? Do you love it?

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2. Little Richard Rules
3. RIP, Eartha Kitt

1. Peace Images — what more can I say about Peace Images that I haven’t already said? I have never met Camille, but she is totally a friend in my head. Her jewelry is AMAZING. The quality, the look, the creativity – hats off to her, for real. I own a few “peaces” and plan to get more, and thankfully there’s a neverending flow of new items debuting on her Etsy page. Seriously – she is always working on something new, unique, and show stopping. Every time I wear her Coffey earrings, someone stops me to ask about them. Her work with chains is stunning — her shoe chains, body chains, ear chains, joined rings… super fly. And now, for my ladies with locs or twists — hair chains. HOW FLY is this hair accessory?? And how fly is Camille? She’s got a blog now, too! Check her out!

2. Cut It Out apparel. A teeshirt line with a message and a vision that any afrobella would be proud to rock — can you dig it? I sure can! Cut It Out is the brainchild of Brooklyn-based bellas Tirinda & Noricia. Their teeshirts are high impact, inspiring, affordable, and of good quality. I’m proud to rock my Grace Jones homage tee in the summer, and now in the fall layered over a long sleeved tee. I’m excited to see what’s next in store for Cut It Out. Wearable homages to some afrobella inspirations, perhaps?

3. MBT Goti boots. My first encounter with MBT shoes came this fall, as my husband and I were strolling down Michigan Avenue. We passed some kind of orthopedic medical supply store, and I saw a sign for shoes that promised to solve knee and back problems, relieve neck tension, and do all kinds of other marvelous things. I tried them on and walked around the store. These round-bottomed shoes feel crazy at first, but I was immediately intrigued and knew I had to wear them for a longer time to try them out. I got that opportunity this December, and I gotta say — the Goti boots are the coolest-looking MBT’s out there, in my opinion. My only complaint with these boots — they’re a little tight for bellas with large calves. And the zipper looks cool, but I totally got it stuck and couldn’t get my boot off for an hour recently. A bigger, more finger-friendly zipper would be awesome. But despite those minor flaws, I LOVE these boots. They’re funky and attractive in a unique way, and SO comfortable to walk in. When I wear them I feel aware of my posture becoming straighter, and my super-flat feet which sometimes get achy, feel amazing in these. I wear them all the time. It’s enough to make me almost overlook the hideousness of the other pairs, just to have a pair to wear in warmer weather. Almost.

19. Um, Coach. That is all. The biggest giveaway I’ve ever hosted. Coach included me in their Holiday Blog-a-Day, and gifted me with a purse. The prettiest purse ever. I just want to pet it and hug it and call it George. Instead I only take it out for the most special of occasions when I want to feel uberglam.

20. Not Your Daughter’s Jeans. These were my fashion staples all year long. I initially bought my usual size, but I noticed they stretched out. Then when I went to Chicago’s fabulous plus size boutique Viva La Femme, and they clued me in — get one size down. I got me a pair of fly bootcut gray jeans that streamline and enhance my curves in the best possible way. I wear them everywhere. And my next pair of jeans will probably be a pair of NYDJ’s. But I’ve got my eye on those Cookie Johnson’s!

So that’s the best in style. One more category and I can finally move into 2010! Did you make any amazing fashion discoveries this year?

Related posts:

1. Boots! Boots! Boots and More Boots!
2. Best of 2009 – Makeup
3. Big Girl Pants