How amazing is Ava DuVernay? In the dazzling span of her film career, she’s blazed a trail and changed the game. She was the first African-American woman to win the Best Director Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, for her film Middle Of Nowhere. Her first feature film, I Will Follow was critically acclaimed…
makeup
Chicago! Join Me At The Cover FX Find Your Shade Event October 30 at Sephora!
Chicago bellas! I’ve been a fan of Cover FX for quite a long time — I even hosted an influencer event for them in 2012 in New York City! Back then the seed of an idea had been planted, and I’m so happy to finally see it come to fruition here in my city! I’m hosting a…
10 Amazing Moments From The Janelle Monae Listening Party in Chicago
This week kicked off with a BANG for me. Fresh from my trip to New Orleans, I had to attend a very special event. Thanks to my friends at COVERGIRL, I was invited to the special, exclusive listening party for Janelle Monae’s new album, The Electric Lady! And not only that, I got to bring…
Love Your Lips! These Are A Few Of My Favorite Lipsticks
You never forget your first, am I right? I’ve told the story a million times – when I was little, I “worked” at a busy perfume and cosmetics store in the mall in Trinidad, over Christmas. Of course being just a kid, there was only so much actual work I could really do. I remember…
Beauty Confession- I Think I Wear Too Much Makeup (Sometimes)
It’s so funny when I look at old bios I wrote for myself for this blog. I first started it back in 2006, and I have changed so much in terms of where I am in my life and what I’m like as a person. Back in 2006 I still felt like a girl. I…
Come See Me At The Makeup Show Chicago!
This weekend you may notice a surplus of extra fabulous, beautifully made up men and women in the downtown Chicago area. The Makeup Show Chicago is HERE and its my favorite time of year! Sunday and Monday at the Bridgeport Art Center, there will be informative seminars by some of the makeup industry’s top artists,…
Fashion Fair’s 40th Anniversary Collection — All Pink Everything
For 40 years, women of color have known and loved Fashion Fair Cosmetics. The venerable beauty brand based in Chicago was a staple in my formative years and I know I’m not the only one who remembers that familiar pink marbleized compact being on their mother’s dresser. The brand has been through so many…
How To Look More Glamorous, Instantly
Several years ago, a good friend in the beauty industry told me something that I didn’t quite believe. She said that brown eyeshadow made you look glamorous and wealthy, and took her beauty game up a whole nother level. This good friend is a woman of color with a fabulous, deep chocolate complexion. I didn’t…
Bright, Fun, Fresh Lip Glosses for Spring!
I didn’t realize how subdued my personal fashion palette had become, until this Easter weekend. The first warm holiday weekend in Chicago, and I had THE hardest time finding the right springtime pop of color for the occasion! I haven’t yet turned my winter wardrobe over to spring, but I’m all about spring…
DIY Smoky Eye With Target and Napoleon Perdis!
Quick – off the top of your head, name an eye makeup look besides a smoky eye or cat eye. Did you come up with anything immediately? Kinda challenging, right? The smoky eye has become THE look for both makeup newbies and makeup junkies. It can be intense and sexy when paired with a red…