Now that the days of winter seem to be finally behind us, it’s time to make that transition into spring / summer. Some simple and affordable ways to make the transition is by making a change with your nail color, makeup and perfume. Here are some options:

Sally Hansen has added some very cool nail colors to their 2012 spring collection. Some of my favorites include Gem Crush Nail Color — a vibrant, full-color glitter nail polish — Diamond Strength No-Chip Nail Color in 32 ultra-luxe shades, Smooth and Perfect Color + Care in creamy pastel colors and my ultimate favorite the Spring 2012 Salon Effects Nail Polish Strips in 24 new shades inspired by the hottest spring trends.

In terms of affordable makeup, New York Color NYC has it covered. For spring / summer try City Duet 2-In-1 Split Lipstick, which features two complimentary lip colors in one tube, this way you will always have options. If lipstick is not your thing, try City Proof 8HR Lip Gloss in bold luster packing colors. For the eyes, Showtime Glitter Pencils will give your lids that special sparkle. The colors come in Showtime Black, Starry Blue Sky, Glitterazzi Brown, and Paparazzi Purple. For that sun-kissed complexion, the Sun N’ Bronze bronzer will make you glow.

Enhance your scent with Beyonce Sparkling Body Mist. This combines Beyonce Heat Rush’s fruity floral fragrance with luminous sparkles. If you don’t quite fancy sparkles, Playboy Play it Rock is certainly worth a try. With notes of blood orange, apple candy, passion flower and orange blossom this is sure to become my spring / summer staple.

All makeup and nail color retails for under $10. Beyonce Sparkling Body Mist retails for $8.99. Playboy Play it Rock retails for $17.

GIVEAWAY

Hi Ladies, I went to the makeup show last weekend at New York City’s Metropolitan Pavilion.

The Makeup Show is where the professional beauty industry come together to deliver the largest PRO-ONLY driven beauty event in NYC!

The top industry artists and pro-driven companies present the latest and greatest products, seminars, forums and hands-on workshops. Top companies sold makeup for as much as 40% off.  I got a chance to learn about the newest lines and product launches. I even met the blogger at Yummy 411 and Sherry Blossom Beauty in person. It was nice to see those two women outside of the computer.

I snapped a lot of pictures, which you will see below, but didn’t take many notes soI hope the picture will tell a story.

MAC. All items were 40% off

I can't remember this station, but I died when I saw the color pallet

Mehron Makeup. Look at how creative that women is.

I wish I could have seen the finish product. Work like that should be on a canvas

Isn't that a work of art. It must have been a bitch cleaning that off

Makeup Forever

Nars

I was looking for a nice mango or burnt orange. But, I just had to try on this purple. Do you like it? I've been wearing it for two days now and get compliments everywhere I go

I love a pink lip. Just not this one. LOL. I like my pink with a blue tone. I didn't purchase this one.

hi

As far as “one man” plays go, I thought April Armstrong’s Lady Day and Hugh Jackman’s Back on Broadway were as good as it gets – that was until I had the distinct pleasure of attending a press screening of Any1Man last week.

Let me tell you, poet and actor George A. Peters II did not disappoint. Peters’ grasp of common issues that affect every man through the eyes of seven men of varying ages was raw, politically charged and easily identifiable by men and women alike. From a pre-pubescent boy coping with fear and a young man unable to respect women because he lacks respect for his own mother to a homeless man extoling his reality and clutching to his sanity and an homage to Trayvon Martin on the night that changed his life forever, Peters portrayed each character with a panache that allowed the audience to glimpse – if ever so briefly – into the Black male psyche. Not since Malik Yoba’s, Shop Talk: What’s on the Hearts of Men has a man’s thoughts, words and deeds been examined so closely and carefully.

My personal favorites were the depictions of biblical Adam, a lonely man who yearned for companionship and paid the price in the end, and Wesley, a gay artist desperately trying to be seen for whom he is – not what he is. In a society that is obsessed with the Black woman and her problems, fears and needs, it was refreshing to see what our male counterparts experience and shoulder day in and day out. “The images of Black men continue to be defined by ugly statistics with our stories being told by polarizing news outlets that seek to paint us with the very same brush,” says Peters. “In actuality, it is the uniqueness of our individual struggles that make us beautiful and paints the true picture of Black manhood,” he concluded.

Any1Man is in its ninth run and back in NYC. The 2012 revival opens Thursday, May 17th – 20th for five performances. All performances are in East Harlem at The Poet’s Den Gallery and Theater. I hope you enjoy it as much as the Beyond Black Beauty ladies and I did.

Source: Real Hamilton Romeo

When I hear the words ‘makeup’ and ‘party’ in the same sentence, my response is SIGN ME UP! Lucky magazine and ULTA Beauty tried to transform looks of record number of women on a previous edition of Good Morning America. They broke the record and in turn earn a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Last week, Réal and I went to the Good Morning America studios for an evening of pampering, food, laughter and music. It was good times all around we didn’t get home until almost midnight.

More than 300 women showed up at the studio completely makeup free. I don’t know the last time I went to Manhattan with absolutely no makeup. No eyeliner, no lip gloss, no nothing.

Real was able to capture a pic of me in the chair

 The makeup artists had to follow seven steps, which included concealer, foundation, two eyeshadows, mascara, lipstick and finishing powder. They had some makeup from the CoverGirl Queen Collection and Iman Cosmetics for women of color.

So, the Ulta Makeup Artist didn't have any of the lipstick shades that I liked, but I gave her my own from MAC Cosmetics. Here I am before the final step

Here's the after shot. Although, my brows are not as strong as I'd like, the makeup isn't bad

Here’s the ‘GMA’ Records Week: Most Makeovers in 24 Hours segment:

 

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Here's my before and after. I'm not used to wearing eye shadow, but I like it. My friends know how I feel about blush. Check out those cheeks.

Now, I just need my hair did. LOL. That’s probably why I didn’t make it on camera. All of the women left with a goodie bag that included mascara and lipgloss from Ulta.

While at the shooting for ‘GMA’ Records Week: Most Makeovers in 24 Hours (post coming soon,) I saw Réal’s perfectly manicured nails and had to capture it for the Manicure Monday series, It was really refreshing to see the nice pop of color considering that the sun took a week long vacation from Manhattan and in its place stood clouds, humidity and rain.

SND Shellac Hot Pop Pink

Love the color. This is a huge change for Réal, since she’s the queen of neutral when it comes to her mani and pedis. It’s refreshing to see her using color pops.

Her nails look great!

Hey Beauties,

I haven’t done a fragrance giveaway in a while. And, since the weather is warmer, it’s time a great time to change up your scents.

Elite Models is introducing their global beauty and style into the world of fragrance with the debut of four evocative scents that transport you to the world’s hottest cities –Paris,London,New York and Rio.

Paris Baby: Inspired by the city of love, Paris Baby is a romantic, feminine fragrance with a twist. Spray on when you’re feeling romantic and mischievous.

London Queen: Just like London, London Queen pulsates with energy. The overall experience excites and exhilarates the senses. For when you’re in the party-mood for mayhem!

New York Muse: Spray on New York Muse for a flavour of fast-moving life in the Big Apple. Spray it on for a blast of edgy, urban attitude.

Rio Glam Girl: Capture the vibrant, celebratory sprit of Rio, home of the carnival, sun-kissed beaches and electric nights with Rio Glam Girl. Perfect when you have the most glam places to go.

Orange is not only one of the hottest colors for spring and summer, but it also is the official color of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness. ShoeDazzle is pleased to announce their second partnership with The Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis.

Actress Garcelle Beauvais is showing her support for the foundation with this exclusive orange wedge named “Ms. Glam.” The shoe will be available on May 14^thexclusively at ShoeDazzle.com and 100% of the profits from the sale of the shoe will benefit The Nancy Davis Foundation.

“Ms. Glam” is a bold orange wedge with faux-patent leather straps and back zip. The shoe aims to raise awareness for the official MS Awareness Month in May. “Ms. Glam” is part of the “Orange You Happy to Erase MS” campaign. “Ms. Glam” will be featured as well as other orange products to benefit the cause and elevate public awareness about MS at http://shop.erasems.org/collections/may-campaign-collection.

Garcelle Beauvais has been an active supporter of the Nancy Davis Foundation for MS for over ten years. Each May, the Foundation holds their annual star-studded Race to Erase MS Gala in Los Angeles. This year’s event is May 18^th at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza.

I decided to give myself a manicure. I’m so happy I did because I am in love with the results! Much better than last week’s salon disaster. I went into my box of goodies and pulled out Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in 150 Sun Kissed. I also used Sally Hansen’s No Chip 10 Day Nail Color in 01 Clear as a top coat. I never wear a base coat.

I love this orange color and the way is looks on my skin tone. Check out that creamy finish. I can’t wait to see how long it lasts. I hope I can get at least four days out of this one.

 This fun and trendy shade definitely match today’s mood.

And the hats have it. Hats are always a big fashion statement at the Kentucky Derby and this year was no exception.

 There were big hats, small hats (fascinators), beautifully colorful hats; hats with flowers, feathers and ribbons…. You gotta to love it!

Mary J Blige looked ravishing in all red and sung the heck out of the National Anthem with some added soul. Go Mary!

Get your Kentucky Derby hat game on this Sunday for Mother’s day or at an outdoor spring / summer wedding.

All images taken from http://www.kentuckyderby.com/

Source: Janet Lawrence

Most of  the conversations between me and the girls usually involve discussing men and the problems we  have dealing with them. I’m happy that there is a play coming to Harlem that focuses on the issues that black men face and allows us to take a peek at the world through their eyes.

Any1Man is a one-man show that explores the challenges faced by every man through its portrayal of seven male characters. Written and performed by poet and actor George A. Peters II, the show, both politically sensitive and emotionally charged, examines tough issues plaguing every man while analyzing those of Black men.

We are still living in an environment where  Black fathers are absent and Black mothers are single handedly raising little boys that will grow into men. That said, women need to be aware of and understand the challenges that these men could potentially face.

George A Peters II

This play is to help us understand our husbands, boyfriends, fathers, brothers, uncles, cousins and sons. And, in turn, really start to love them unconditionally despite their issues. Any1Man is the story of choice and how choices made, or lack thereof; affect the outcome of the lives of each character.

The staff writers at Beyondblackbeauty.com  are definitely going to be at the show on opening night and you should, too. The 2012 revival opens Thursday, May 17th – 20th for five performances. All performances are in East Harlem at The Poet’s Den Gallery and Theater.

Be sure to come back and tell me how you like the show. This play will tell any black man’s story and we need to support.