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

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.

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.

In honor of Mother’s Day on May 13, ALLYOU.com & Sally Hansen are hosting a Mother-Daughter Manicure Contest.

To enter, simply upload a photo of two hands – yours and your mothers or yours and your daughter’s – highlighting your manicures side by side. They can match, complement each other or reflect your individual personalities.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a $500 gift certificate to the spa of your choice, and runner-ups will receive gift baskets chock full of Sally Hansen products.

For contest details, click here

The May issue of ALL YOU offers tips on how to find free restaurant meals, beauty products, clothes, no-cost kids activities and more.

Hey ladies, I’m a little behind on my magazines. Last week, I just started reading the February 2102 issue of Fast Company and saw a spotlight of Kimberly Dillon. She is the founder and CEO of House of Mikko, a one-stop shop site that brings beauty products to women.

This site is genius.

There are so many factors to consider when picking beauty products: age, ethnicity color shade, hair type, whether you have dry or oily skin. It can be a very difficult, very personal process, especially for ethnic women. So the House of Mikko recommendation service is built around connecting people. Once a user fills out a comprehensive beauty profile — focused mostly on hair care for now — we give her recommendation based on the best products by like-featured women, so she can see which ones they buy and how well they’ve worked. We’re powered by real women, and there’s a real efficiency conponenet in that.”

-Kimberly Dillon

Source: Fast Company, February 2012

Saturday was a full day! I cleaned my house, went to a child’s birthday party, then a friend’s house for drinks and dinner. So, I deemed Sunday a day of beauty and relaxation. First stop, my nail salon for an overdo manicure and pedicure. Then, my hair salon for a ’round-the-way wash and set.

Power Lunch by essie

So, I have a love/hate relationship with my nail salon, because unless I’m micro-managing the entire service, my result is usually hit or miss. This Monday Manicure was definitely a MISS. The polish was just sloppy and all over my cuticles and fingers. Maybe the manicurist was visually challenge. Who knows.

essie Power Lunch

This Power Lunch manicure is a mess and that’s not hawt!

Sarah McNamara and her team want to fly you and a lucky guest to NYC for a truly transforming weekend! How fab is that?

The winner will experience an amazing “transformation” by Sarah which includes a haircut and style from a leading Manhattan hair salon worth $500 and $1000 to shop at a fabulous high end department store for a new wardrobe. The lucky winner will also enjoy a luxurious two-night stay at a boutique downtown hotel, AND, receive a special gift bag of Miracle Skin Transformer products to take home and continue their dream Miracle Makeover!

To Enter the Miracle Makeover Giveaway:
1. “Like” the Miracle Skin Transformer Facebook page
2. This will bring you to a separate tab where you must fill out the form and upload a “BEFORE” photo in JPEG format.
*The uploaded “BEFORE” picture will only been seen by The Sarah McNamara Beauty Team. Any entries posted to our wall will not be accepted as contest submissions.

The grand prize winner will receive:
• $1,000 shopping spree with wardrobe stylist
• Haircut and style from a leading industry professional worth $500
• Roundtrip airfare for (2) to New York City
• Two night stay at boutique downtown hotel
• Miracle Skin Transformer products worth over $300

The Sarah McNamara Beauty team will choose one winner to fly out to New York City with a guest. Judging will be based on the team’s votes as well as the amount of feedback to the posted photo. We encourage you to share the photo on your personal page to receive more “Likes” and comments