Sometimes Yaya

New Feature: You Be the Judge!

I have been a little bit under the weather the last few days so I have been staying away from the computer and closer to the Ginger Ale and open windows. It’s not that cool that I feel so odd on the best weather weekend so far, but I have managed to salvage the joy by thinking of a new blog feature for MOJ (I also went bowling on Friday!).

This new feature comes via inspiration from Karen, founder and author of the Makeup and Beauty Blog. Her ‘which one was the best hairdo’ poll is the reason why this one is coming up (click here for an example). To keep up with the theme of the site (see it yet?) You be the Judge will be a variety of photos of a celeb, letting you judge which lipcolor/haircolor/makeup style suits them best.

The inaugural celeb? Hayden Panettiere!

Fess up ladies and gents! You be the Judge, which lipcolor suits the cheerleader best?

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Christina is Bionic

Sometimes I await album covers and photo shoots with more anticipation than product releases. Something about the creativity (or the assumption of such) and craftiness of putting everything together. It also means our favorite artists are coming out with something new, of course.

I have been a fan of Christina Aguilera for a long long time. I have always felt that she had a lot more personality and talent than a lot of other acts that go in and out of the revolving door of fame every fifteen minutes. I was happy for the gal when she got married and had a kid, but I needed her to put out some more music for me! (What anticipations! lol) The girl doesn’t disappoint.

The new photos for her upcoming album Bionic and the first single have been released. I found these images courtesy of digital spy and hotcelebshome.

What do you think?

She has been doing a retro pinup-y look for a while now, and had long hair for her upcoming movie/musical Burlesque. I feel like this is the retro pinup with some attitude. I like it… and you?

How you liking it?

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Soo… Polish?

I have purchased more nail polish than I care to admit but am sad to say that you won’t be seing it for a really long time.See… what happened was Yaya was trying to experiment in the kitchen. Everything was going swell until the potato peeler made contact with my nail and sliced straight into my finger under it. Sounds pretty terrible, right? It was pretty awful. I tried to keep my nail as it was but it kept splitting into two halves and that was not cute at all. Just reading about it sucks, eh?

So while the time passes for my nails to grow (I had to chop them all down to as short as possible so that they’d grow at the same pace), check out the NOTDs I managed to photograph before my accident.

This brand, Soo was found in a beauty supply store in Brooklyn. The polish is pretty thick and the photo on the left with flash how the color looks in sunlight and the photo without flash on the right is how the polish looks indoors. It’s super creamy and pigmented and costs… wait for it… $1.99. I snagged some other colors, but of course that will all have to wait.

I tried my best to find the polish company online but see no website and barely any mention. The color pictured is called Court. I will try to find out some more info for ya and let you know!

Any new polish colors in your life? (or nail disaster stories?)

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How We See Things

I haven’t done a Misc Mondays post in a while, but while rummaging the internet this past weekend, I found the most appropriate Monday icebreaker. While as you may image, I lost the linkback for the image, I will be adding it here as soon as I find it.

In the meantime, take a look at the picture. I found it on a foreign site, so I have no idea where the image is from. Seems to be an art exhibit. (Look at me all unprepared for discussion lol)

The inspiring factor was that the image initially is of a pile of rubbish but that it comes together to form something pretty relevant. Two people leaning against each other. Made me think about how often people look at the same things and yet have so many different takes on what they saw. They say no one sees a cloud the same way (but as soon as you see something and start explaining it to someone, they see what you mean… right? I always see clouds make puppy shapes… just the dog lover in me I guess).

As I start my Monday off, I will try to take a second look at what goes on around me and the opportunities placed before me so that I may see things in more ways than one. I suggest you do too!

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Ombre – Condemed or Still Cool?

Several seasons ago, ombre took over the trends. Sure, it was nowhere near the first time anyone heard of it, nor worn it, but practically all brands were on the ombre band wagon. It gave the customer a creative and versatile look, and not too many color patterns work that way in solid format. Ombre is above and beyond a solid color, and holds more weight than tye dye. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like it’s more serious.

I feel like I look stinkin’ fabulous in ombre garments and look forward to spring to break them out. During the fall, I have a beloved ombre leather jacket that blends from a khaki color to a smooth brown as if someone was melting caramel and milk chocolate together. Unless you have a crazy color combination, a light to dark fade will never go out of style in my book.

Which is why it was so disappointing for me to read an article in a magazine (lord if I could remember which one it was!) discussing the exit of ombre for Spring 2010. I vowed to be less fashionable, but rock the darn ombre. Trends are not laws and therefore serve only as suggestions. Am I right?!

So spill it. Is ombre rocking your socks? Do you condemn ombre, or is it still cool in your books? What trend has “gone out of fashion” that you refuse to let go (for now, or forever)? We don’t judge at MOJ!

Image credits: Top Style.com Bottom Flypaper (Bluefly Blog)

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How Do You See Your Day in Hell?

By my non-scientific count, the majority of the readers here are female. So it would behoove both you and I for me to share this information. You know our gift? Everybody has a different name for it. The monthly gift, code red, little friend, visitor, Aunt Flo, the red curse, etc. Any gentlemen reading? Not too worry – I won’t be going in specifics. I’m talking about a fashionable and playful way to take care of business!

Now, I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. Certain things are completely shameless to me. My momma taught me no such thing. When the time of the month came? Shoot, I had to do what I had to do. None of the blushing and carrying a whole handbag to the bathroom. But no judgement here! To each their own. But why not a pretty and fashionable each and own? Enter Moxie. I’ve come to appreciate the Aussies. Spurred on by Nancy from the Informed Makeup Maven, I’ve started to realize all the Aussie in my life has been a pretty 1:1 ratio of fabulousness.

Moxie is a brand that gussies up what is the mundane and necessary. They are the equivalent of having Helloy Kitty band-aids. They put tampons, pads, and panti-liners in cute tins. The name stands for gals with attitude (does it not? check dictionary.com – courage, aggressiveness, nerve). I love a company that doesn’t prey on females as weak victims (oh no – we bleed!), but rather as tough beauties with strength (we do it every month with perfect accessories to boot!). Check after the jump for the rest of the scoop.

The tins are packaged with simpled pink stripes and a petite bow. Just enough to keep us girly, but not in a high tower yelping for assistance from a knight in shining armor. It is a new era, ya know. Gals can ride horses too!

I like that the tins are so attractive that you can use them as coin jars or tins for credit cards and cash afterwards. Business cards, or whatever else you can think of!

Here are some screenshots of the packaging:

Did you notice their slogan?

My favorite product from the bunch is the pack of tampons. The design just gets me. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I love creative packaging.

These babies are widely available in Australia and New Zealand. No – it doesn’t stop there. Duane Reade carries them on the east coast (and with the recent Walgreens‘ acquisition of Duane Reade, I am not sure about the technicalities of the contracts Duane Reade has with vendors and if there will be rollovers going on) everyone on the other ends of the US or other countries are welcome to visit drugstore.com. The site actually runs very good deals on the Moxie products, and they have some kind of sale going on on a month to month basis.

The actual products are pretty good. I have tried the regular products and they deliver on the promise. I have yet to attempt with the heavy and overnight products, and will let you know when I do. The tampons are a bit more bang for your buck than the pads are, in regards to quantity, but I really feel like the packaging makes up for it. None of the products are over ten dollars and range from four to nine a pack.

They have a Facebook (if you become a fan you can request a free sample!)and Twitter account. The pinup spokesperson, Millie Moxette is the gal behind all tweets. Check her out and tell her @MyOwnJudge sent ya!

How do you make your day in hell brighter?

To remain full transparency with the MOJ disclosure policy, it should be noted that some of these products were provided to the author from the company during a product preview event, and some were purchased in Duane Reade.

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Liberty of London takes over US

More Liberty of London Designs…

Liberty of London seems to have taken over the US (and other countries of course…) in one swift move. We have their MAC collection (I’m obsessed with the limited edition designs on the white packaging!), and their Target collection. Cute tops and rain boots to accompany cute packaging and great makeup? I’m all over it! (My favorite purchase from the bunch is the Birds & Berries eyeshadow)

All these partnerships on their behalf opened my eyes up to the brand and now I’m avoiding the pain of my bank account and browsing their selection on Neiman Marcus and more. Do you like any of their new collections?

Do you have a favorite designer partnership?

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I see 3 Custom Color in my spring forecast

How is the weather by you? Some of the chill factor has snuck back in, but the warmth that appeared mid last week has made itself at home in my wardrobe and makeup. Flats and light jackets and blazers are my uniform items to brave the errands of each day. Spring is also notorious (or famous…) for it’s showers. I happen to love the rain, so even if it does, I’m in a great mood. The mere shift in temperature makes me reach for neons and brights. Some of you may not be as crazy. I’ve accepted this fact ;). To adopt a brighter spring mentality, or even to transition into it smoothly, you might need a bit of sheer.

Many people notice a person’s face first. The eyes and the lips. When others notice you, I hope you have a smile readily available. That smile should be decorated with 3 Custom Color. I broke out my Three Custom Color sheer lipstick in Frangipani thinking that it would be bright as the Vegas lights, but found a peppy sheer coat. So I thought of y’all!

Frangipani sounded familiar so I checked the wiki. It is aptly the common name for a range of flowers found in a tropical climate. Tropical climates have rain, and flowers bloom in spring. So really… you need yourself some sheer pink in your life. Check out the swatches after the jump!

My natural lip with no flash. Sorry for the blur. Sometimes my eyes play tricks on me and what I think is clear turns blurry once it hits the computer!

Without flash it looks like it has a bit or orange or coral in it, si?

Left is without flash, right is with flash.

The lipstick felt like it was what I always look for from my lip and cheek stains – the ‘just right’ amount of flush and a bit of shine. I have not yet tried this product on cheeks, but I might just snip off a piece of lipstick and melt it down into a pan and use it as cream blush. If you’re not as experimental, check out the site for some fabulous colors that are easily build-able, given their sheer and soft creamy nature. I suggest Rebecca’s Favorite Blush or Pink Hyacinth.

When people comment on whether a product that offers gloss is sticky or not, I always think that the answer should be yes. Gloss is gooey (excuse the scientific terminology) and it will always stick in some sort of way. If it was powder, the case would clearly be different. With that said, there is no annoying stick factor to this lipstick. It does not work as a suction cup to all stray hairs in the breeze or grab on to any food particles that may come across it when you devour your morning croissant, bagel, or cookie (wouldn’t it be great to have all three without consequences?!).

Three Custom Color is also famous for recreating discontinued colors from any brand and concocting new colors that are just you (click here for more info). I might reach out to them to create the perfect purple lipstick/gloss that I have been craving and will let you know how it goes.

Does your makeup change with seasons? What’s your warmer weather secret?

Disclaimer: This product was sent to the author for review by the manufacturer/PR. All reviews on MOJ remain unbiased and unpaid. For more info, feel free to contact the author.

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Kimora Headed to a Screen Near You

I spend a lot of my weekends glued to the tv. It’s a release from running to and fro all day every day. Between work, school, errands and catching up, I designate weekends as cutoff days. Cut off from everything but rest and tv. That’s when I convince people to go out to new places (sometimes) or go to the movies (saw Our Family Wedding yesterday), or watch 18 episodes of Law & Order (am I revealing too much? lol). So when I saw the commercial for the new season of Kimora’s Fab Life in the Fast Lane (today was the brand new episode – did you catch it?). You know – she’s got a new man, actually – two. One in the cradle and on in the bed ;). The ladies don’t really outnumber the men in the household by as much, but everyone is just as fabulous nonetheless.

The item of most interest? The balloons in the promo. There are some banner ads online and commercials on tv where the camera pans from top to bottom and shows only the balloons for a bit. The only thing those balloons make me think is of the China Glaze Up and Away nail polish collection.

Click after the jump to see what I’m talking about and to see the Fab Lane promo!

What do you say? I missed the episode in between Law and Order and House episodes because I didn’t realize that the screen shot from Style were saying that the episode was indeed today until I started this post. Apparently, the weekends give me a two day pass to be a bit slow too!

China Glaze polishes are readily sold at Sally Beauty.

Have you ever seen a commercial and it made you immediately think of your favorite products? Which one(s)?
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Sephora Magnetic Brushes

A while back (and I do mean a while) I mentioned wanting to purchase magnetic brushes. The point is to have the same bottom to the brushes and have the tops interchangeable, and attach to the foundation with a magnet. When I saw a demonstration of these kits, I was hating the fact that it was only for the industry and I was required to buy it for wholesale. I have big dreams and plans, but the wallet is not as accommodating at the moment. I made a last ditch effort and asked the factory’s salesperson (I was at a trade show at the time of said discovery) if there were any retailers that were already on the magnetic wagon. She said yes, but that the retailer only sold a set with three (the other ones had like 12 brushes in the set!). Which retailer? Surprise surprise, she said Sephora!

When I got them in the mail, I felt like a caveman who just discovered fire. (cue the Geico caveman getting upset) The brushes are incredibly soft and the metal brush packaging made me alright with the $38 price for the set. If you think about it, it’s roughly $13 per brush, which is around the same, if not cheaper, than a lot of other company’s makeup brushes on sale.

The shiny croc-like case is super duper cute, and looks sturdy if you’re a klutz with your makeup like I am.

The case comes with stretchy compartments to hold your brushes with a cover to keep ’em safe and a mirror.

The magnets at the bottom of each brush. They kind of make me think of tails. Like on a piglet or a bear. Just me?

The larger part of the brush that can be used for either one of them has a section to fit the brush and an opposite charged magnet.

Lifting the brushes to check their magnetic prowess. How ya feel about floating makeup brushes? 🙂

I really like these brushes. I wasn’t crazy about the price initially but when I broke it down for myself (which I usually have to do because I don’t always have the biggest makeup budget, nor do I have as many needs as I do wants…) it made a lot of sense. Also – these brushes are great for on the go. I like to use these with my MAC blender brush and the double ended brush that comes in the Tarte palette. Now you know the secret!

Check them out on the Sephora site here and let me know how you like them!

What kind of makeup brush do you have/want?