BEAUTY ESSENTIALS: On-the-Go Glow Travel Set by HydroPeptide

Happy September! I'm fresh off my trip from LA and I have to let you in on my little secret to travelling while glowing of course. Travelling can be a lot, especially when you're an over packer like myself so the HydroPeptide travel set is the perfect size to fit in your carry-on luggage. Their blend of scientists and beauty professionals delivers a unique perspective to challenge traditional beliefs and embrace a new approach to skin health. With access to the top minds in skin science and patented technologies, HydroPeptide will continue to revolutionize anti-aging skin care. This deluxe trial sizes of anti-aging regimen to restore your skin's protective barrier has been a lifesaver.

The travel set includes:

Exfoliating Cleanser: New Beauty Magazine winner "The Best Way to Take the Day Off" one of Katherine Heigl's favorite products!

Pre-Treatment Toner: Shecky's Beauty Award for "Best Toner"

Face Lift Moisturizer: Les Nouvelles Magazine winner "Best Antioxidant Product"

Eye Authority: Day Spa Magazine winner "Best Eye Cream"

Purifying Mask: New Beauty Magazine winner "A Mighty Mask That Can Multitask"

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RECAP: The Cinderella Foundation Presents...Fashion With A Purpose

 

Last Sunday, I got the chance to sit front row with some fabulous women to see Mrs. Diane Cole Stevens put on a great fashion/beauty show! The beautiful Terrace at 101 Constitution Avenue was the perfect venue for such a fabulous event like this and what made it even more beautiful was the spectacular view and weather. Check out my recap from Fashion With A Purpose below:

 

 

Gift bags were filled with beauty products that I can't wait to try!! Thank you Cole Stevens :)

 

Hello, from the other side of the capitol! It was a little windy but I had to finally debut this romper that I've been wanting to wear for about  two months now and I decided to rock my #furreal shoes I copped..I'm obsessed!! 

 

 selfies with my ladies before the show! 

 

It was almost show but I had to get another pic on this spectacular rooftop! What a view :)

 

Make-up check ; )

 

Host/Hostess of the night from Fox5 News Wisdom Martin and Allison Seymour started off the fashion show with some jokes, meanwhile helping everyone bid during the charity auction.

 

 

 

AMAZING! I was speechless!

 



 

 

Deidre Jefferies had some amazing pieces from her collection! Definitely a designer to watch!

 

Then there was live music between the charity auction and the Cinderella Girls had a front seat to all the amazing talent!

 

 

The beautiful and God-fearing, Mrs. Diane Cole Stevens! What an incredible woman, an inspiration to so many---did I mention I got the VIP treatment at her hair salon the weekend of the show? Absolutely loved my experience! If you are in the DMV area, make sure you ask for Jackie :) 

 

 

 

Korto Momolu from Project Runway showed off her skills with this very whimsical collection. I want everything!!

 

Deidre Jefferies auctioned off this one-of-a-kind gown! So beautiful :)

 

Kamaria, Myself, Naseya & Ashleigh = BLACK WOMEN WHO ROCK!

 

Selfie with the woman of the hour, Diane :)

 

And then there were more selfies!! Ahhhhh what an amazing night :)

 

 

 

WHAT I WORE:

Hair by : Cole Stevens Salon 

Black romper by: The Strut Truck

Faux Fur Heels by ASOS

 

Happy November everyone! I'm super excited the Holidays are around the corner, I've been extremely busy these days but I've got a few things planned for Ms. Style & Grace, so stay tuned!

 

*bows out gracefully*

 

 

DC Gems: Skin Beauty Lounge

My week began at the beautiful and super intimate Skin Beauty bar located in Eastern Market. This was my second time visiting the Skin Beauty Bar but my first time at the new location. The Skin Beauty bar is known for impeccable service, eyelash extensions, brow tinting among a host of other services. I was able to get a appointment on my off day for a soothing facial (which I desperately needed). The facial was AMAZING and it had my skin glowing all day. If your looking for a DC gem, be sure to check out the Skin Beauty Bar on 8th & Pennsylvania Ave Southwest...tell them I sent you! 

Thanks again to the staff at Skin Beauty Bar for everything, especially my facial! I came away with helpful beauty tips for dealing with my dark circles/bags under my eyes and skin care regimens needed for sensitive skin. Book your appointment today: www.skinbeautybardc.com

WOMAN CRUSH WEDNESDAY: Lupita Nyong'o Is PEOPLE's Most Beautiful

 

Not only have I been crushing on Oscar Winner/Style Icon/It Girl of 2014 since her debut in "12 Years of a Slave" but People Magazine has named her among the top 50 "Most Beautiful" People, what a honor! She's truly a beauty inside and out and her determination and perseverance has me crushing on her in more ways than one. Lupita Nyong'o said that her mother and manager "always said I was beautiful...And I finally believed her at some point." She also said that her best compliments were "when I have been called beautiful with not one drop of makeup on," now that is a compliment that never gets old! Lupita is such a role model for women of color that have struggled to identify, I'm glad that little brown girls have someone to look up to and know that their "dreams are valid" and skin color never equates to beauty, it's the content of your character. Happy Woman Crush Wednesday Everyone, I can't wait to grab this issue of People Magazine!!!

EVENT RECAP: Money & Manicures Hosted by Dominique Broadway

 

Yesterday evening I had the pleasure of meeting and networking at the Award Winning Nival Salon & Spa for the "Money & Manicures" event hosted by the Financial Coach, Dominique Broadway. The event was filled with young professional women that were interested in saving a few dollars while staying beautified and of course Nival Salon & Spa was the perfect place to do it. While some ladies enjoyed specialty cocktails and food others got pampered by Manicurists all while being informed about ways they can save in the beauty department.

 

Between the raffle prizes and vendors, there was certainly enough of networking and socializing to go around. I was truly honored to be invited to this event as this week has been quite long, and it's always fun to just talk beauty and meet new people. I didn't get to snap as many pictures as I wanted to merely because I was talking so much (oops!) but check out "Money & Manicures" below:

The Tropical Rum Punch was my fav! I think it's the Island Girl in me... 

 

My fabulous friend and Co-Owner of Nival Salon & Spa, Emily talking about all the fantastic things they are doing! If you live in the DMV area you must check this salon and spa out, you won't be disappointed...I  pinky promise!

WHAT I WORE: Pink Blouse by ZARA/ Tuxedo pants from Victoria's Secret (old)/ Gold & Black Cap toe pumps by Saint Laurent/ Earrings from BEBE (old)/Bangles from my own collection/ 

 

My lovely friend and MUA, Lola joined me for evening! If you're looking for a super fabulous Make-Up Artist you must book my dear friend Lola's Beauty Mark! She's amazing, tell her I sent you :)

 

Book your next appointment here: www.nivalsalonspa.com 

 

 

 

Great times with some super fabulous ladies, oh and I won a free manicure too! Can't wait to attend more beauty and fashion events this Spring/Summer...I think I'm finally ready to come out of hiding. I hope everyone has a great weekend, I'm looking forward to a very relaxing weekend. Happy last weekend of March, April is almost upon us (hopefully that means warmer weather)! XO

 

*bows out gracefully*

EVENT ALERT: Money & Manicures

Finances De•mys•ti•fied will kickoff its new series, "Beauty on a Budget" (BoB). Developed by Finances De•mys•ti•fied founder, Dominique Broadway, in an effort to arm everyday women with best practices, tools and resources that will allow them to properly integrate their beauty needs in a recurring budget. The first installment of BoB is "Money and Manicures" which will take place at the upscale Nival Salon & Spa in Chevy Chase, Maryland.

 

Guests will enjoy mini manicures, raffles, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and more! 

 

"Money and Manicures" will also feature money-saving financial and beauty tips from Finances De•mys•ti•fied and Nival Salon & Spa. See you there!

 

Get your tickets HERE!

Join The Twitter Movement: #LupitaForMAC

After catching up on my favorite fashion blog, The Fashion Bomb Daily I spotted a movement that I wouldn't mind joining especially since I'm a huge fan of this woman. Lupita Nyong'o  has become an overnight sensation for her amazing role in 12 Years of A Slave and has become quite the Stylista in the past few months. She has also become a role model for many young women that chasing their dreams (I'm one of them) and has inspired so many to be comfortable in their own skin. So what is this movement that I want you to join with me? On Twitter let's convince MAC cosmetics to sign up the Oscar Award-winner to be their new spokesmodel. If Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj and Rihanna could be spokesmodels for MAC beauty cosmetics then why can't Lupita Nyong'o have a shot. I'm a believer in banding together to see another woman of color showcase another form of beauty that many girls aspire to see. Would she be the perfect MAC girl?! The hashtag (#LupitaForMAC) started with journalist Joan Morgan and Dr. Yaba Blay and continues to be used on social media as of now. So I encourage you to join the #LupitaForMAC movement, use the hashtag and be sure to include a picture of Lupita as well. I hope this works! *crosses fingers* 

STEAL OF THE DAY: Forever 21 Premium Beauty Collection

 

Looking for a few essential beauty products that won't break your pockets? Well the ol' faithful Forever21 has a collection worth taking a look at. The Premium Beauty Collection is complete with all the bare essentials that us ladies need to look our very best without having to spend $100's of dollars. The collection  is complete with 23 products and 72 styles with a very reasonable price range of $4.80 – $14.80 available online and a Forever21 store near you! I'll definitely be stopping by... 

BEAUTY NEWS: Rihanna for MAC Cosmetics Viva Glam, January 2014

 

Hellllo MAC Lovers! It's been a little while since I've dropped some beauty news, but no worries I'm back to blogging in full bloom. With a string of successful collections for MAC it was only right that the cosmetics brand tapped Bad Gal, Rihanna to be the spokesperson of their Viva Glam campaign. The sale of products will benefit the MAC AIDS FUND to fight for HIV/AIDS. Check out the exclusive picture of the Viva Glam lipstick & lipglass below.   

 

The Viva Glam collection is said to be arriving early 2014, January to be exact so be sure to stay tuned to more information that will be released soon!! Stay beautiful people :)

BEAUTY FILES: RiRiheartMAC (Fall 2013 Collection)

 

Rihanna is showing no signs of slowing down these days, from going back on tour to launching another clothing collection with River Island she is also doing another collaboration with  MAC Cosmetics. Rihanna's Fall collection with MAC is appropriately titled "RiRiheartMAC" and is set to launch October 3rd online only. The collection is said to feature her signature RiRi Woo color lip glosses and matte lipsticks, bronzer, eyeshadow palette, eyelashes and mascara. You can expect to drop $16.50 to $44 for the collection. After releasing the official ad picture on instagram, I did some hunting and found some exclusive photos from the collection below:

 

 

Images via: Rihanna Daily

 

I love love love this collection! Happy Shopping Ladies xo

 

HAIR FILES: Beyonce's Hairstylist, Rita Hazan Speaks on New Pixie Cut

 

The Beyhive went into a full frenzy last week when Beyonce did the unthinkable by cutting her signature blonde locks and rocking a new pixie hair cut. I was shell shocked and couldn't believe my eyes but either way I adore the QUEEN (you hear me?). Beyonce is as beautiful as they come and with this short hair it truly brings out her features. Fashionista.com sat down with Beyonce's colorist, Rita Hazan to get the scoop on her hair, see a few highlights from the interview below:

 

Fashionista: What was the process like of creating the color? What did Beyonce request?

Rita Hazan: When I saw her cut, I knew the color had to be soft but powerful. She wanted to keep her natural color as a grown out look with roots to give it an edge. But, she allowed me creative freedom, which is amazing for a colorist to be able to do especially on a superstar like Beyonce. And she lets me get to the end result in my own way, which here was a beautiful champagne blonde.

 

Fashionista: How is Beyonce to work with? Was she nervous about the change?

Rita Hazan: I think she was ready for a big change. She has conquered the world at 31 with a new baby and a sold-out concert tour. She was relaxed and excited.

 

Fashionista: What was her reaction like?

Rita Hazan: She loved it and I think she felt really beautiful (’cause she is really beautiful!).

 

 

 

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There we have it folks, if Beyonce feels beautiful...who are we to judge? Less judging and more uplifting ladies, no one is perfect! Find what works for YOU and make you feel beautiful.  

 

 

 

 

MAC ALERT: Rihanna's "RiRi Hearts Summer" Collection (June 20th)

 

The baddest superstar, Rihanna also known as 'Ri Ri Woo' is definitely making her mark in the beauty industry as she is set to release her second MAC collaboration. After the Brooklyn debut of the RiRi Woo lipstick last month, and selling out in 2 hours it's only right that she's back with more!

 

image courtesy of NY Daily News

Here is the full collection that you've been waiting for, set to launch on June 18th (save-the-date and set your clocks). The RiRi Woo, Heaux and RiRi Boy lipsticks are accompanied with the Hibiscus Kiss blusher and the Barbados Girl Lustre Drops highlighter. How great is this collection?! Me likey alot. Rihanna is also expected to drop a Fall makeup collection with MAC to include false eyelashes, lipsticks, nail polishes and other beauty necessities. Oh na na....What's her name! Go Ri Ri!