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I caught the infamous Flu. I will resume Sade's Trunk when I am well.

Steelers Inspired Look of the Day

Killer 60's Makeup

Beauty in the 1960's was all about the bold eyes and pink lip. International model, Twiggy, influenced most of the beauty trends during this era. Her eye makeup resembled a doll with big lashes and a very defined crease. Winged eyeshadow was also very popular among young women. The following are photos of popular beauty trends from the Peace and Love era, along with my 60's inspired look.
Enjoy :)

Pomegranate Punk Rocks!

Today I decided to test out Maybelline's cream eyeshadow in Pomegranate Punk, a beautiful burgundy color with a splash of shimmer. To achieve this look, I applied PP shadow on the lid. I highlighted the brow bone with MAC's Rice Paper and smoked it out with a matte black shadow.

Face of the Day: My Signature Look

With the hustle and bustle of daily life, my daily look usually consists of a neutral eye and a pop of color on the lips. Today I'm wearing Purty Persimmon by Wet 'n' Wild.

Far Out 70's Beauty Trends

The biggest beauty trend of the 1970's was the nude/neutral look. Black Cinema skyrocketed in popularity which introduced style icons such as Foxy Brown. Pam Grier's character, Foxy Brown exudes 70's beauty for women of color, bronze skin and nude lips. It was difficult for me to emulate this look because my personal makeup style is very 80's, however, it came out well.

How To Achieve the 70's Nude Look

1. Always prep your face with a primer.

2. Apply a dewey foundation such as Makeup Forever's HD Foundation. Skip the powder. During this decade women wanted their skin to look as natural as possible. If you are not into foundation use a BB cream.

3. Use a gold based bronzer such as MAC's Mineralized Skin Finish in Comfort to highlight your forehead, upper cheek bones, and chin.

4. If you have brown skin apply an apricot blush. For fairer skin tones apply a light pink or peachy blusher.

5. Apply a nude cream eyeshadow as a base. Gently pat a nude powder shadow over the base. I used Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze as a base and Urban Decay's Toasted shadow.

6.) Apply black liner to your water line and on your upper lash line. Coat your lashes with mascara. (optional)

7.) Apply nude lipstick. Skip the lip liner. 

Product List : From Left to Right
Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze
MAC's Mineralized Skinfinish in Comfort
Fashion Fair's Blusher in Pearly Paprika
Nyx Cosmetics Lipstick in Iced Latte

Easy Smokey Eye

Always prep eyelids by covering with concealer or primer.

Step 1. Cover 1/3 of your eyelid with a creamy black eyeliner. Apply black shadow over the liner.

Step 2: Apply grey or silver shadow along the bridge of your lid. Use a fluffy brush and blend the line of demarcation.

Step 3: Highlight your brow bone. I always use MAC's Rice-paper eyeshadow as a highlight. It compliments every skin tone.





Step 4: To really smoke out this look, tight-line your eyes. This could be a bit tricky, however, if you line your upper waterline in small strokes it's easy.

Step 5: Line water line

Step 6: Apply Mascara

Totally Radical 80's Makeover

Ahh... the 80s an era of big hair, Bon Jovi, and BOLD makeup. I have a penchant for bright colors, so it's expected that I would be naturally drawn toward this decade. This entry is the first installment of throwback makeup looks. I'm going to duplicate makeup trends from the 80s on down. This series will run up until Halloween.



































Makeup in the eighties matched the attitude during that time, whimsical and carefree. Every starlet from Madonna to Cindy Lauper rocked overdone makeup with bold eyes, cheeks, and lips; a makeup faux pas for today's standards.















Fun 80s Trivia!

• Foundation was typically 1-2 shades lighter than skin tone in order to make blush more vibrant
• Bushy eyebrows were all the rage
• Turquoise eyeliner and red lipstick was a popular pairing
• Heavy blush was applied to accentuate cheekbones
• The world was introduced to color blocking ( which is making a comeback)!

How To Enlarge Lips

I love pouty lips. Since I wasn't blessed with naturally full lips, I fake it.

Step 1: Erase lip line with concealer

Step 2: Blend with sponge

Step 3: Trace lip line with pencil. Draw Cupid's bow slightly higher than your natural lip line.

***For a natural look shade lips with flesh tone lipliner and add gloss to the middle of bottom lip***

Step 4: Apply lipstick

Step 5: Apply lipgloss to middle of bottom lip and along Cupid's bow

Nyx's African Queen Wears the Crown For Most Creative Shade

When I first started getting into makeup a few years ago, I always reached for Nyx. If you're ever looking for quality products with an inexpensive price tag, Nyx Cosmetics is your best bet. African Queen is one of my favorite shades from their Mega Shine Lip Gloss line. This shade is a deep fuchsia color with a heavy blue undertone. You can even see flecks of blue in the formula. I have never seen anything like it...definitely one of a kind.

The Gloss Over

• Long Lasting- When paired with a lipliner this gloss lasts 4 -5 hours
• Pigmentation- It's thick formula allows you to apply very little with excellent coverage
• Applicator- The doe foot applicator makes it easy for precise application...no mess no fuss 

 The only downside to Nyx's glosses is the smell. When you open the tube your nostrils are immediately attacked with a cherry cough syrup aroma.  Overall great product and worth every penny (minus the cough syrup).

Rating: 4/5

Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick Review and Swatches

I'm not the biggest Nicki Minaj fan, however, the makeup artistry she represents is fabulous. Pink is the most versatile lip color and looks good on all skin tones. I never thought to purchase Viva Glam Nicki because I thought it was a powder pink color, similar to  MAC's St. Germaine. Well, that was an inaccurate assumption!

Viva Glam Nicki is a barbelicous pink color with a Satin finish. MAC's Satin finish lipsticks are a mix of their amplified creme and matte formulas. In other words...the lipstick is semi-creamy with a beautiful matte finish. If you prefer lipsticks with a high level of pigmentation, definitely look into MAC's Satin finishes.

All sales of this lipstick is donated toward people suffering from H.I.V/A.I.D.S .

Swooned by MAC Again: Product Review on MAC's Pink Swoon

My daily routine does not consist of blush, however, when I do decide to add a bit of rouge to my cheeks I reach for MAC's Pink Swoon (6 g / 0.21 oz $20.00). What's so amazing about this blush is that it looks great on all skin-tones due to its Sheertone finish. MAC's Sheertone line offers a matte finish that applies lightly. I love Sheertone finishes because it's impossible to accidentally apply too much blush and you can build up the color to the pigmentation that you would like. Sheertone finish blushes are perfect for someone who prefers blendable blush with a light finish.

3 Looks ONE Lipstick

As the proud owner of over 30 lipsticks, it's no secret I have a slight obsession. Some lipsticks do not get enough kudos and MAC Cosmetics's Up The Amp is heaven in a tube. This product comes from their Amplified Creme line which is a moisturizing formula with excellent pigmentation. Up The Amp is a gorgeous lilac lipstick with a blue undertone. I asked a MAC makeup artist: what's the one lipstick women of color shy away from that you feel is perfect for our skin-tone? She selected this color. I've been in love every since.

To showcase the versatility of this product, I created 3 different looks with the same lipstick. 

Swatches (from top to bottom)

NYX- Deep Purple Lip Liner ($3.50)

MAC- Up The Amp ($14.50)

NYX- Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Gold ($5.50)  

What's your favorite versatile lipstick? I'm always on the look out for something new!

#30DaysMakeupChallenge Days 3 and 4

I'm having a blast with this Makeup Challenge. I encourage every creative soul to try a similar feat. This is excellent practice for beginners and an opportunity to perfect your technique if you're advanced.

Day 3 Green

Products: 

Outer Third of Eye: Urban Decay Mildew ($17.00)

Inner Third of Eye and Brow Bone: MAC Rice Paper  ($15.00)

Bridge/Crease: MAC Soft Brown ($15.00) 

Day 4 Blue

Brow bone and Inner Third: Silver Eye Shadow From Wet 'n' Wild's Spoiled Brat Palette ($2.99)

Outer Third: Coastal Scents Hot Pot #CM009 Indigo ($1.99)

Crease/Bridge: Black Eye Shadow From Wet 'n' Wild's Spoiled Brat Palette ($2.99)

Mascara: Hard Candy in Electric Blue

#30DaysMakeupChallenge Day 2: Purple

Eyes:

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Painted Purple ($7.29)
Urban Decay Flash Eye-shadow (lid)
Urban Decay Half Baked (crease/bridge of eye)
MAC's Rice Paper (highlight)
Urban Decay's Liquid Eyeliner in Ecstasy (under eye) 


Face:

Black Opal Stick Foundation in Topaz ($9.50)
Smashbox Artifical Light Bronzer in Glow ($26.00)
MAC's Pink Swoon Blush ($20.00)

Lips: 

MAC's Bronze Shimmer Lipstick ($14.50)

30 Days Makeup Challenge Day 1: Nude

I discovered the 30 Days Makeup Challenge via Instagram and thought it was a fabulous idea. For the next month I will post a Face Of The Day (FOTD) based off of this chart:

Step 1: Mix your favorite face primer with a liquid bronzer. Apply all over your face.

Step 2: Apply and blend foundation evenly on your face and take some down your neck.

Sigma F80

Step 3: Apply a concealer 2 to 3 (for extreme highlighting) shades lighter than your complexion under your eyes, chin and forehead. Blend with your fingers or blending brush.

Step 4: Lightly powder your face with a fluffy Kabuki brush.

Step 5: Highlight the corners of your eyes and brow bone with a beige/golden eye shadow. I love using MAC's Rice Paper shadow for highlighting my eyes. Apply a flesh toned shadow on the outer third of your eye and blend with a tapered brush.

Step 6: Apply 2 coats of your favorite mascara. To get maximum length wiggle the brush at the base before gliding the wand to the tips of your lashes.

Step 7: Apply nude lipstick or clear lip gloss.

Wet 'n' Wild's Mega Last Lipstick Review

I'm in love with Wet 'n' Wild's new Matte lipstick line. When I was in high school this brand made chalky eye shadow and greasy lipstick. Let's fast forward to 2012 and WOW major upgrade! There are 3 major reasons why I love this line:

1.) Color Pay Off

These lipsticks are very pigmented. You know the usual routine ladies;we apply our lip products after every meal or throughout the day as it wears off, not with this line. The color stayed on my lips without fading for up to 5 hours.

2.) Color Selection

This line has over 25 different shades from nude to deep shades of plum. Below are swatches of my favorite shades from the line.

3.) Price/ Accessibility

Wet 'n' Wild's Mega Last lipsticks are only $1.99 at your local drugstore! Since I'm a frugalista, that's the best part for me. I have no qualms with investing in a quality product but I'm uber happy when I find a quality product with an inexpensive price tag.

D.I.Y Kissy Lip Scrub

My favorite cosmetic product is lipstick. I have lipsticks in every shade of the rainbow. When rocking bold lip colors such as the infamous red, there are some extra steps you need to take before you rock your bold lippie. I swear by exfoliating your lips weekly.

You need 3 products:

• Honey
• Sugar
• Soft Bristle Tooth Brush 

In a small container mix equal parts of honey and sugar. Take your finger and cover lips with mixture. Leave the mixture on your lips for a few minutes and then proceed to brush your lips in a small circular motion. Rinse lips with water and apply your favorite lip balm.



What's the Point?

By only applying lip balm, you're just moisturizing dead skin. Exfoliating on the regular basis will prevent cracked and peeled lips. This comes in handy during the winter when our skin is at its driest. 

Urban Decay Giveaway Winner Is...

Please e-mail your name and mailing address to SadesTrunk@gmail.com !

Banish Raccoon Eyes Forever

 I had no choice but to apply concealer under my eyes so I wouldn't send the mortals running for the hills with my zombie under-eye circles. Let's fast forward to 2012, I have no dark circles underneath my eyes. At times, I'll have the sporadic occurrence of raccoon eyes, but that's only when I slept for less than six hours. The following lifestyle changes kicked my dark circles to the wayside:

Eat Pretty

The old adage "you are what you eat" is true. If you eat plenty of colorful foods such as dark leafy greens, fruit, and nuts your body will thank you with a clearer and brighter complexion. My favorite nuts to snack on are Almonds; they are not only good for your body but are full of vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps prevent cellular damage, wrinkles, and aging. This vitamin also makes your skin more supple. Almonds, Walnuts, Avocados, and Olive Oil are excellent sources of vitamin E. At the very least, take a vitamin E supplement daily. 

Water, Water, Oh Yeah...MORE WATER!

There's a slew of information circulating the web about the health benefits of water,however, it has the best beauty benefit--clear skin. Water flushes all of the toxins out of your body leaving you with a pristine complexion. I drink about 10 glasses daily.

Magic, Creams, and Potions 

There are many products on the market that promise to banish under eye circles. None worked for me, outside of a good skincare regimen. Even though I no longer have a shadow of darkness under my eyes, I still love to brighten my under eyes. I don't know maybe I adore Nicki Minaj's makeup a little too much.  Want to get that "brightening effect" that you see on the red carpet? Look out for that tutorial this week!

What under eye circle treatments worked for you?

Need A Little Creme In Your Coffee?

MAC's Cremesheen lipstick finishes are heavenly. This finish is heavily pigmented so a little product goes a long way. Their "Creme In Your Coffee" lipstick is definitely an underdog and doesn't get the praise it deserves. The mauve pink color is perfect for all skin tones...talk about versatile. Cremesheen lipsticks are very moisturizing, however, I would still apply a lip balm before applying this lipstick for a smoother application.

What fabulous lipstick do you own that you feel is an underdog?

How To Enter Urban Decay Giveaway

Summer Beauty Made As Simple As 1-2-3

The summer is the perfect time to pay close attention to your skin. The higher the humidity  the least likely you are to wear makeup. Beauty addicts such as myself still feel the need to wear makeup in the heat, but there is a way of enhancing your beauty in a warmer climate without your face melting like the Wicked Witch of the West. The following products are ALL you need to have a fresh naturally dewy look for the summer!

1. Good Skincare Regimen 

The first step to having the best application of any product is to start off with a good canvas ahem...your face. Everyone's skin is different,however, I absolutely love Aveeno and Cetaphil's products because they are fragrance free and hypoallergenic. I wash my face with Aveeno's Ultra-Calming Foaming Cleanser and apply Cetaphil's moisturizer daily before and after makeup application. It's a good habit to exfoliate your face once a week; exfoliation removes dead skin cells and clears your pores of all impurities. By consistently cleansing, moisturizing, and exfoliating your face on the regular basis, your skin tone will be clearer and acne-free.

2. Water Proof Mascara 

Oh mascara...a small cylinder of mushy goodness that packs a  punch to any look. I feel naked without it. Mascara gives you a certain je nais se quoi even if it's the only product on your face. The beautiful thing about waterproof mascara is that it will never run and can withstand intense humidity. My favorite WP mascara is L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes. Every time I wear this product people always think I'm wearing lash extensions. Yes it's that dope! For a fun summer look check out colored mascaras;these are perfect for people who are looking for a subtle pop of color. 

3. Lip Balm 

Keep those lips kissable with your favorite lip balm. I love using tinted lip moisturizers because they hydrate your lips and give a hint of color. My favorite is Wet 'n' Wild's lip balm in Raspberry. 

*BONUS*

BRONZER

 I am in love with bronzer! There's a bronzer for every skin type. Oily skin? Try using a powder bronzer such as  MAC's Mineralized Skin Finish in Gold Deposit. If you have dry or combination skin, such as myself, you will do best with a cream or (for summer) liquid bronzer. The best liquid bronzer on the market is Smash Box's Artificial Light which is light-weight and can be mixed with moisturizer or foundation to get that "illuminated within look." It's a bit on the pricey side at $26.00, but a little goes a long way. For the most natural look, it's best to apply this product where the sun naturally hits your face which is on the forehead, chin and on top of cheek bones.

This is my first blog post. I would LOVE to receive feedback about the type of posts that interest you the most. Product reviews? Video Tutorials? Or just keep you guessing? Sound off!