Tag Archives: MAC

Off-Duty Looks: Purple Eye Shadow

Posted on January 27, 2012 by | 1 Comment

by Sherria

Olivia: Singer and co-star of VH1's "Love & Hip Hop" Photo credit: theybf.com

The “freakin’ weekend” is here and although it’s gray outside on the East Coast, I’m planning to add a splash of color to my face with purple eye shadow. After seeing a photo of Olivia from VH1′s Love & Hip Hop on Theybf.com last night, I figured I should stop waiting around to use the purple eye shadow kit I bought by Maybelline. Below are a few eye shadows from brands that I trust as well as a couple of makeup tutorials for applying purple eye shadow. I hope you enjoy. Happy Friday!

A*cute picks:

CoverGirl Eye Enhancer, Color: Purple Pop (Any Local Drug Store, $3.19)

MAC Eye Shadow, Color: Parfait Amour (MAC, $15)

Maybelline EyeStudio Eye Shadow, Color: Purple Icon 30 (CVS, $9.99)

I usually experiment with my makeup by watching tutorials on YouTube. Here’s two that I found helpful for purple eye shadow application.

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Beauty, Off-Duty Looks

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Beauty Resolution: Wear Red Lipstick

Posted on January 6, 2012 by | Leave a comment

by Jackie

"Currant" lip liner, "Russian Red" lipstick, "Russian Red" gloss by MAC.

I once asked a makeup counter attendant to help me find a bold lip color. His response, “Not for you.” According to him, my skin was too dark to wear anything other than translucent gloss. Ever since then, I’ve been proving him wrong with bright pinks, shocking purples, and vibrant reds. Writing about his color complex would take a whole book, but the moral of the story here is: You can wear any color you want and look and feel absolutely beautiful.

But, don’t take it from me. I am lucky to have had gorgeous women of color wearing various shades of red lipstick come across my Twitter timeline. Red lipstick is a bold way to spice up your makeup look. Worn alone, or paired with thinly winged black eyeliner, it’s an ode to vintage glamor. The key to pulling off a red lip is finding the right shade for you. Have fun mixing lip liners and glosses with lipstick to find your unique shade.

Toya, @LifeofaLadybug, wearing "Box" by Illamasqua.

Violeta, @Black_LatinosUS, wearing "Ruby Woo" by MAC.

Chela, @ChelaBK, wearing "Red Drama" by Clinique.

Quynh, @Queengwen, wearing "Red Lizard" by NARS.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Beauty

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A Man to Remember: Steve Jobs (1955-2011)

Posted on October 6, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Steve Jobs - (February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011) American computer entrepreneur and inventor.

“He goes down as one of the most prolific innovators in the history of business, one man at the center of myriad products whose release and emphatic consumer embrace serve as a handy way to divide the chapters of recent history -– from personal computer to iPod to iPhone to iPad.” -Excerpt from Huff Post: Tech.

Read full article here.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Miscellaneous

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Rain won’t get me down

Posted on March 31, 2011 by | 3 Comments

by Sherria

Me!

It’s a cold and rainy day here in New York City, but I won’t allow that to put a damper on my day. In the words of Soulja Boy, I “hopped up out the bed and turned my swag on” and decided to brighten up my day with orange lipstick. Although some may consider orange a summer color, I say “wear whatever color you like during whatever season you like.”

This shade of orange is from MAC Cosmetics, Morange, AC9. To get a shimmer effect, I put a MAC Lustreglass on top- both $15 from MAC.

Inspirational Morning Music!

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Fashion Resources

Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

Prescription: Stay Home!

Posted on January 28, 2011 by | 1 Comment

by Jackie

Every year, without fail, I get sick. No, not with the common cold, but with some ridiculous monster version of a respiratory condition. Fun! [insert sarcasm here]. Though I know this about myself, when I started to develop a slight cough two weeks ago, I ignored it. How could I be sick? I was taking all my asthma meds, drinking gallons of orange juice, washing my hands at every turn, bundling up in the cold, taking vitamins — I thought I was invincible, totally immune to life, a germ-free Wonder Woman, if you will. And, like Wonder Woman, as my “cough” developed, I continued to live my life as usual, hitting the 9-to-5, and then going to the gym. As the days went on, my cough worsened, but I still went to work [Stop judging me, you do it, too].

Reality hit me when the fever did, and I finally went to the doctor. Days after I ignored her direct orders to stay home, I lay in bed with a fever, chest glistening from vapo-rub, and knocked out by antibiotics and cough medicine. [By the way, bronchitis, I HATE you!] Forced by the snowstorm to stay home and rest, I am just now starting to feel like myself again. Thanks to some homemade chicken soup and brownies [thanks Roomie!], when I tell people that I am feeling better, it’s actually the truth.

I have learned my lesson: being a work martyr benefits no one. I can’t do anyone any good if I’m feeling any less than my best. Though medicine can help clear up symptoms, the only real cure is rest.  I can catch up with life next week; it’s not going anywhere.

In the meantime, MAC is launching its Wonder Woman collection next month.  [squeals] I’m definitely going to snag a lipglass.

→ 1 Comment

Posted in The Water Cooler: Guest Posts

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

It’s Pink Friday…on Monday!

Posted on January 10, 2011 by | Leave a comment

Guest post by Kirsten Treadwell

I hate to admit it but I am indeed a Nicki Minaj fan. What can I say? She is entertaining!  That being said, when I heard she was releasing a lipstick color with MAC cosmetics, I was extremely excited! At the time, the lip color, Pink Friday, could only be purchased online on every Friday from November 26 through December 17, 2010. After failed attempts to purchase the lipstick for two Fridays in a row, I was finally able to buy it on December 10; which I thought was perfect since it would arrive before Christmas vacation. WRONG! Pink Friday was literally out of production because it sold out every week. Needless to say, I didn’t see a Pink Friday until Tuesday, January 4, 2011.

My review:

With all the excitement and anticipation surrounding this lip color I really expected it to pop. I was so excited that I put it on at work, but was dismayed when it appeared lack luster at best. I decided to try it on again once I got home so I could use all the proper tools; liners, lip brush and gloss. When I tried it at home I used MAC Magenta liner over the Pink Friday lip color then blended it and applied a shimmery pink gloss over it and it really stood out. I was looking for a color to really stand out for a club look but it’s more of a pale pink that could be worn every day. If you’re looking for a bright pink for a bold look go with Pink Nouveau instead. Over all Pink Friday lip color was much like the album: disappointing and lack luster at first wear/listen but really stands out after playing it up with complimentary liners and glosses/more listens.

 

Kirsten Treadwell is an Event Planner for a non-profit organization in Washington DC and a fashion and beauty enthusiast.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Fashion Resources, Pink Slips: Don'ts

Tagged , , , , ,

Basic Essentials

Posted on July 8, 2010 by | 3 Comments

by Sherria

Since I have had such trouble packing my luggage for an upcoming business trip, I had to make some sacrifices. Although I have a case of make-up that I’ve collected through the years, I know that I can only take a few items. I searched through my make-up collection and came to the conclusion that I could only pack the essentials. Below are the items that made the cut.

Make-up bag:

(MAC Concealer) I swear by this concealer. It's the best! I use it on those early mornings when I wake up for work and have dark circles under my eyes. It not only covers up dark circles, but it instantly brightens up your face making you look "alive." It goes on smooth and doesn't cake. If I used a concealer brush, I usually wet the brush a little for a smooth dewy finish.

(MAC Studio Fix Powder) This light powder is great for covering up blemishes. I wear this when I don't want to "look" like I have on make-up. It has a very nice finish.

(Maybelline Great Lash Mascara) This mascara is a classic. The pink and green bottle has been around for a long time and still remains one of the best mascara's despite all of the new "eye lash technology" that newer brands claim to have. "Maybe she's born with it. Maybe it's Maybelline"

(Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush) I have tried and tried to sample other lip glosses. But this one works the best for me. It stops my lips from becoming chapped while adding a hint of shine.

→ 3 Comments

Posted in Miscellaneous

Tagged , , , ,

Pretty in Pink

Posted on April 9, 2010 by | 1 Comment

by Sherria

Since the All Things Orange post, I’ve been hearing a lot of feedback from A*cute’s reader’s on their favorite colors. I have a co-worker that raves about the color pink! When I was 8 years old, pink was my favorite color. But as a teenager, I didn’t favor it too much. I started to think that pink was for Barbie accessories and Easter eggs. That was until I got a little older and started experimenting with make-up. I found out that I look Pretty in Pink!

Apparently, pastel pink is the new color in season.  As I walked around town this week in the beautiful spring weather, I have noticed tons of women wearing pastel pink blouses with ruffles, layered with light gray cardigans. The look is very feminine, which I love. While I don’t usually wear pink clothes, I do like pink accessories and lipstick. Whatever you choose–pink clothes, accessories, or lipstick–just look pretty! 

Calvin Klein Cotton Satin Dress (on sale at Macy’s, $88.99)
Classic Cotton Tee with Feminine Trim, (Ann Taylor Loft, $34.50)
Sheer Stripe V-neck Cardigan (Ann Taylor Loft, $49.50)

Pink Accessories:

Where to Buy:

1) Juicy Couture Hat  (juicycouture.com, $58)

2) Sunglasses (love- worn.com, $210)

3) Bright pink silky pashminetta (debenhams.com, $30)

4) Flower hair clip  (mydivascloset.com, $20)

5) Vera Bradley Zip Sunglasses Case (verabradley.com, $15) 

6) Pink Lipstick (Maybelline’s Color Sensational line and MAC Cosmetics offers various shades of pink. Try sample colors from from the store or order online)

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Fashion Resources

Tagged , , , , , , ,

The Black Hole

Posted on March 18, 2010 by | Leave a comment

by Jackie

The other day, I realized that something terrible had happened. I was stuck in a rut. Without noticing, almost every outfit I had worn recently has been black.  I guess winter had really gotten to me.  This morning, I woke up and turned on the news and was excited to hear from the ever-reliable Al Roker that Spring-like weather had finally hit our region.  With it being almost 70 degrees and sunny in DC today, I decided to throw on something bright.

Pretty in Pink

This salmon-colored denim skirt from H&M ($20) is one of my favorite pieces of clothing.  I wore it during the winter with tights, but today I skipped the hosiery.

I also bought a new lipstick/lipliner/gloss combo from MAC.  I was hesitant at first when the lady at the counter suggested I go for something bolder than usual, but I’m glad I did.  Pink is my new favorite lipcolor! One tip she offered was to always apply liner after lipstick.  This totally goes against everything I was taught about applying lipcolor, but it does prevent a chalky, overdone finish.

Up the Amp Lipstick, MAC

Get the look!

MAC’s Up The Amp lipstick, Currant lip pencil and Viva Glam Lipglass is the combo that I used for my Spring lipcolor.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Fashion Resources

Tagged , , , , ,