Headband Extravaganza

Posted by twilliams on Jun 28, 2012 in Celebs, Hair | 3 comments

Okay girls, I’m up to eight inches of new growth. It’s sweltering in NYC today, which leaves me with only a few choices: A.) Attempt a wash & go, which looks dumb ’cause the relaxed portion on the bottom won’t curl. B.) Try to rock a blowout, which is a #fail the second I walk out the door. Or C.) throw on a hippie headband, red lipstick, and call it a goddamn day. Guess which one I picked?

 

 

The boho headband/bandana moment was THE THING a couple years ago, and now it’s come roaring back into style. As a result of the gypsy chic, rich hippie starlets who made it so sexy back then (I mean, if it ain’t broke…). So inspired by these ladies:

 

 

 

It’s just such a quick, easy way to look “done”….or strategically undone! So pretty with an updo, a topknot, loose waves, on the beach — a headband basically glamifies any ‘do, for any occasion. Que versatile! Here are a few of my favorites right now:

 

 

 

 

Angela Simmons Wants You To Buy Her Hair!

Posted by twilliams on Jun 26, 2012 in Celebs, Hair | 3 comments

Years ago, I had a black man-loving white girlfriend of mine say the following:

“It sounds so bad to say, but no wonder black guys don’t like sleeping with black girls. Yuck, all that scratchy, fake hair. No one wants to run their hands through that!”

She was that particular strain of non-black girl who felt that she could make racial comments to me, because I’m “different” somehow. You know the type. The comment was so extravagantly dumb, I didn’t waste my breath saying “you developed a philosophy on race and sexuality based on a drunken makeout sesh with a synthetic weave-wearing Jamaican chick at a BBQ? Vamoose, you square-hipped slut!”

Yeah, black girls wear weaves. Many, many white girls do too! Hello? Of course, when they’re attached to Blake Lively (my crush on this woman is painful) or an OC Housewife, they’re  called “extensions!” Extensions, weaves, whatever — if you bought it, it’s yours! Rock it proudly and sexily! The great news? With all the fancy, boutique-y human hair retailers cropping up in major cities, the tress quality is more silky-sexy and lustrous than ever. Enter adorable Angela Simmons, rap royalty, reality star and burgeoning hair company mogul. This month, Rev Run’s spunky daughter partnered with super-fancy Indique Hair to launch her very own extension line! It’s called ‘Bikini,’ because the hair is wavy/curly when it’s wet — the perfect beach hair! Here, I had a quick chat with the entrepreneur:

SYB: So, why are your extensions so glorious?

Angela Simmons: I designed them with the Indique team, so it’s the highest quality human hair. Indian hair. I spend a lot of time on the beach, so I like my hair to look cute when it’s wet and dry. The Bikini line is so versatile.

SYB: Why did you decide to expand your business to include hair?

AS: It’s something I do a lot of, changing up my hair. Everyone wants to know where I get my hair from, so I wanted to let people in on my secrets! I started wearing full head weaves at 19 and I really love them — it’s a great way to try a new trend, or change up your color while protecting your real hair.

SYB: Any tips on keeping your weave fresh in the summertime?

AS: Get regular hair followups at the salon! Also, when you wash your hair, make sure it’s dry underneath. You don’t want to have your cornrows wet and the weave dry. Also, I’m a huge fan of Carol’s Daughter Tui Moisturizing Hair Sheen — a quick spritz makes your weave look so glossy and healthy!

BIKINI from Angela Simmons by Indiqué Hair will retail for $210-$305, starting June 21st.

 

10 Questions with J. Hud’s Makeup Artiste, Tia Dantzler

Posted by twilliams on Jun 12, 2012 in Beauty, Celebs | 0 comments

Ladies! There are makeup artists, and then there are legends. Ms. Tia Dantzler is the latter. The darling of the starry set — her devotees include Jennifer Hudson, Kanye West, Viola Davis and our stunning President Obama — the adorable MUA is known for her smokey-eyes-and-glowy-skin game (and flawless man-grooming). As two Tia’s in beauty, we’d loved each other from afar for ages, until we finally met at a Fashion Week soiree last season! Instant girl crush. Here, I ask Dantzler the same ten questions I ask all my fave makeup artists:

10 QUESTIONS WITH TIA DANTZLER

SYB: What beauty products are on your nightstand?

Tia Dantzler: Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, Avene Thermal Spring Water and Kiehl’s lip conditioner

SYB: Neon — over or ovah?

TD: Loving it!

SYB: What are the five staples in your makeup kit?

TD: My kit would not survive without Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, Senna concealer, Bobbi Brown concealer, Nars Illuminator, Smoke & Mirror Lashes and Johnson’s Baby Oil Gel.

SYB: What makeup trick instantly glamifies your look?

TD: Highlighting the inner corner of your eyes (by the nose) instantly wakes up tired eyes, giving a fresh “pop” to your look!

SYB: Best advice for creating the no-makeup makeup look?

TD: I love lightly creating dimension by using two to three shades of concealer — it gives your face a lovely, sculpted look.  The perfect canvas for a natural no-makeup look!

SYB: What beauty “don’t” drives you insane?

TD: I’m so not a fan of black eyeliner used as a lipliner. I actually love creating pretty full lips without lipliner.

SYB: What’s the one makeup product every woman needs to own right now?

TD: A BOLD lipstick!

SYB: What should she throw away immediately?

TD: Get rid of foundation that does not match your skin-tone. Pleeaase, I beg of you.

SYB: All I want is gorgeous, glowy skin.  How do I get it?

TD: Apply a tinted moisturizer and lightly dust a mineral powder on top for a luminous, radiant finish.

SYB: Most memorable on-set experience?

TD: The funniest experience? Pulling up in a desert when I had no prior knowledge that we were shooting there. My kit wasn’t prepared — nor was my shoe selection!!!

For more info on Tia, check out her new blog The Beauty Elixir.

10 Questions with Christopher Michael, Kimora’s Makeup Man

Posted by twilliams on May 18, 2012 in Beauty, Celebs | 1 comment

Hi ladies! Still in the hospital, but I’m FINALLY feeling perky enough to write! May I take this time to express my love for way in-demand celeb makeup artist Christopher Michael? You may have seen him beating Kimora’s face on her show, Life in the Fab Lane. I met him when I recruited him to give me a fierce fall makeover for Essence.com weekly video blog. And we giggled and gossiped and he introduced me to the exquisite wonders of ultraviolet eyeshadow and subtle bronze contouring (Kimora’s all about a bronzey shimmer, obvs). This man is genius, no mas, no menos. Here, I ask him the same ten questions I ask all my fave MUA’s! Read on for dish on clients like Lil Kim and Naomi, and why he feels concealer is like deodorant.

10 QUESTIONS WITH CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL

SYB: What beauty products are on your nightstand?

Christopher Michael:  L’Occitane Hand Cream for dry skin,  Nailtiques Cuticle Oil Therapy and Kiehls Lip Balm.

SYB:  What are the top 3 favorite celeb looks you’ve created?

CM: Lil Kim  for the video “How Many Licks!” I took her from “Supermodel” to a “Pinup Model” to a sexy “Nightrider” in all black. I also loved doing Kimora Lee Simmons for the “Green Ad.” It was all about soft, pretty makeup and a smokey granite liner on the lower lash line. My third is Naomi Campbell for her Pinko clothing line in London: we did dewy, natural makeup (well, her version of natural), and luminous skin.

SYB: Neon: over or “ovah?”

CM: Why did neon become hot for eyes and lips? Can’t go away soon enough!

SYB: What are the five staples in your makeup kit?

CM: Concealer, because it’s like deodorant — don’t leave home without it! A great mascara, lipstick/gloss, bronzer (for a sunny glow or blush), and an eyelash curler. Besides curling lashes, it can train unruly or sparse hairs.

SYB: What makeup trick instantly glamifies your look?

CM: Faux lashes, preferably a strip. It can instantly take you from plain-pretty to red carpet vixen.

SYB: Best advice for creating the no-makeup makeup look?

CM: Okay, this term frightens me. You can’t build a building without the right foundation! But if you’re going super natural, start with concealer, then add bronzer onto temples and cheeks to add radiance and warmth. Finish with a barely-there gloss.

SYB: What beauty “don’t” drives you insane?

CM: Heavy, long faux lashes with no other makeup except frosted lipstick it makes me cringe. You won’t have any lashes left pretty soon! Those huge ones pull them right out.

SYB: Who’s your makeup icon?

CM: Diahann Carroll. She always drew attention to her eyes with top and/or bottom lashes and heavenly liner. So polished. Also Adele, she isn’t afraid to go there. And she loves glamour! Bring on the draaag!

SYB: What product should women throw away immediately?

CM: Brown lipstick. Why would a woman, regardless of color, want brown lips?

SYB: All I want is gorgeous, glowy skin.  How do I get it?

CM: This is exactly what I created for Vivienne Tam’s Fall 2011 fashion show. I mixed Origins Halo Effect with a liquid foundation, and applied it to the cheekbone and temples. Another alternative is Stila Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15.

SYB: What’s your most memorable on set anecdote?

CM: When I worked with the infamous Karl Lagerfeld (who was also photographer that day), he announced to the studio how fabulous I am and what an eye for detail I have! This compliment makes me smile to this day.

 

 

10 Questions With Mylah Morales, RiRi’s Makeup Maven

Posted by twilliams on Apr 23, 2012 in Beauty, Celebs | 1 comment

Super swaggy, drop dead gorgeous and lethal with a lip brush, Mylah Morales is one of the industry’s most lauded celeb makeup artists (she’s also a closet queen, just like me — the two of us in the same room is an explosion of glitter, sequins and faux lashes). She’s worked with everyone from Jennifer Hudson to Leona Lewis, but she’s famous for changing the game as Rihanna’s makeup artist. Basically, she’s responsible for practically every wild, fab, trendsetting look RiRi’s rocked since she pon de replayed. Seriously. This woman is a visionary, an artiste.

Here, the jetsetting diva answers the ten questions I ask all my favorite makeup artists!

SYB: What beauty products are on your nightstand?

Mylah Morales: Caudelie Beauty Elixer, Talika Eye Therapy patches, Bliss Triple Oxygen Mask, Smart Water, my i-Phone, and moisturizer

SYB: What are the top 3 favorite celeb looks you’ve created? 

MM: I have so many…and they’d probably all have to come from Rihanna’s black hair era.  We had so much fun with that haircolor; it gave me some of my favorite red carpet moments!

SYB: Neon…is it over or ovah?

MM: Over. I’ve done it to death! I prefer classic, timeless beauty.

SYB: What are the five staples in your makeup kit?

MM: Giorgio Armani foundation, a beauty blender sponge, lashes, moisturizer, bronzer

SYB: What makeup trick instantly glamifies your look?

MM: Easy — add lashes! A fierce fringe always adds glamour. Or try a bold, bright lip. Instant day-to-night swag.

SYB: What’s your best advice for creating the no-makeup makeup look?

MM: Just apply concealer under the eyes and over any blemishes, add blush and finish with a little highlighter on the cheeks to add a luminous glow.

SYB: What beauty “don’t” drives you insane?

MM: Badly-blended makeup and overly-made up anything!

SYB: Who’s your makeup icon?

MM: I take a lot of my inspiration from old Hollywood goddesses like Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren and Bridgette Bardot.

SYB: What’s the one makeup product every woman needs to own right now?

MM: Tom Ford Private Blend Lipstick…I am currently obsessed.

SYB: All I want is gorgeous, glowy skin.  How do I get it?

MM: I live for glowy skin! For instant radiance, I use MAC Cream Color Base in Shell or any Nars highlighter.

SYB: This look is so wrong it’s right:

MM: Piling lashes on top of each other. It’s so wrong, but I live!

Q&A Thursday: The Kardashian & Ko. Undereye Glow

Posted by twilliams on Apr 19, 2012 in Beauty, Celebs | 2 comments

Q: I want that glowy, highlighted undereye area a’la Kim Kardashian and her sisters. Bobbi Brown concealer is great to cover darkness, but to lighten? CRICKETS. Everytime I try, I just pile on products and end up with an undereye clusterfuzz. Help!  — Nicole

A: Swear to god, Kim and Ko. fully changed the makeup game with their luminous undereye situations. Who doesn’t want to look lit-from-within in precisely the place where you look the most tired, sallow and toe-up? I was discussing this very thing last night with celeb makeup artist Michael D. Patterson, while he expertly beat my face backstage at Origins’ third annual Earth Month concert. I was thrilled to be Origins’ “green carpet girl,” interviewing celebs like the itty-bitty Bachelorette and Sophia Bush (who didn’t remember me shooting her in ’02 for Teen People) and showing off my new coral lace frock!

Aaaanyway…I asked Michael for tips on how to get that Kardashian undereye glow, and he immediately whipped out MAC Prep + Prime Highlight Pen in Bright Forecast ($23). “It’s all about the Prep + Prime Pen,” he whispered in a conspiratorial tone. “It’s not shimmery, like most highlighters, which is key. This brightens and illuminates the area, instead of depositing a bunch of sparkle. Passe.”

Absolutely.

“So, to get the look,” he continued, “apply your everyday concealer to cover the dark spots, and then layer Prep + Prime over the area. If you really wanna werk? Kim’s makeup artist is all about triangles. After applying concealer, use the pen to trace a large “V” shape under the eye, the wide part stretching from either end of your eye, the point hitting your cheekbone. Then fill-in with the pen and blend really well. You’ll be so bright you won’t know what to do with yourself. Living.”