The Life of A Ladybug

MAC's new Wonder Woman Collection!

2011-01-14T16:57:50-05:00

In your satin tights...fighting for your rights and the old red, white, and blue!

The first time I can remember having a birthday party is the year I turned four. We had a pool party at my Aunt Cyn's house. There were little plastic baby pools stretched across her backyard with towels lining the lawn in between so none of us would trail dirt and grass into the water. My mom had made cupcakes that she'd frosted in aquatic colors of blue and green. Squirmy little brown bodies were everywhere, all us girls gussied up in our brand spanking new bathing suits, preening and smiling. And I, the birthday girl, surrounded by all my friends and family, was resplendent in my Wonder Woman bathing suit. Every time I look at the pictures from that day, I am still thrilled to the bone. There was no one on earth who could tell me that there wasn't an Invisible Jet waiting for me just on the other side of the fence. That little four-year-old still lives in me and I still believe I can be Wonder Woman.

Now we all can! MAC is introducing their new Wonder Woman Collection. Squee with me ladies (and ladyboys)!!!

The collection has Colour products (many of them new and to die for!) and Accessories. Who else wants a Wonder Woman Utility Belt? I want a Wonder Woman Utility Belt!

Click through for details on the collection and to see which products I'm dying to have!

(My must-haves will be in bold.)

Colour Collection

Lipstick:

Marquise d': Sandy cream peach (Lustre)
Russian Red: intense bluish-red (Matte)
Spitfire: bright creamy magenta (Satin)
Heroine: brown bronze (Frost)

Lipglass:

Emancipation: pale neutral pink
Wonder Woman: bright red with soft pearl
Athena's Kiss: bright blue fuchsia
Secret Identity: mid-tone copper with soft pearl

Opulash:

Victorious: purple
Army of Amazons: green
Themyscira: blue
Black: black (duh)

Penultimate Eye Liner:

Rapidblack: true black

Nail Lacquer:

Obey Me: true red
Spirit of Truth: navy blue

Lash: 48 Lash

Eye Quad: Defiance

Defiance: iridescent white pink (Veluxe Pearl)
Paradise Island: soft warm pink (Satin)
Star Studded: mid-tone violet pink (Satin)
Real Drama: dark burgundy with pink pearl (Satin)

Eye Quad: Lady Justice

Lady Justice: bright silver with white pearl (Frost)
Insurmountable: dirty blue grey (Veluxe Pearl)
Bold Babe: deep metal blue with white pearl (Frost)
Deep Truth: true dark blue (Frost)

Eye Quad: Valiant

Valiant: light lime with yellow pearl (Frost)
Spinning Transformation: deep olive bronze with yellow pearl (Frost)
Diana Undercover: dark forest green (Satin)
Manila Paper: pale frost white gold (Veluxe Pearl)

Reflects Glitter

Reflects Pearl: white glitter with a pearl sheen
Reflects Bronze: sparkling rich gold

Pigment:

Bright Fuchsia: bright magenta (?)
Marine Ultra: vivid marine blue

Powder Blush (Duo)

Mighty Aphrodite: warm peach coral with gold pearl/bright coral pink with gold pearl (Satin/Frost)
Amazon Princess: bright yellow pink/deep blue pink with gold pearl (Satin)

Mineralize Skinfinish:

Pink Power: peachy rose with pink shimmer/soft rosy bronze/soft shell pink with fine shimmer
Golden Lariat: true coral with fine gold shimmer/soft suntanned bronze/soft gold with fine shimmer

It's time!

2010-12-19T11:30:54-05:00

The end of the year is here. This has been the roughest year of my life and I am so looking forward to having it be over with. But because of this last year, I have prioritized so many things in my life and have decided on the ways that I want to move forward in 2011 and beyond. One of my priorities is going to be this site and its sister site, Makeda. I will be committing myself to posting regularly both here and there.

I thank you so much for your patience as I've navigated some tough territory. But now there's no more time for sad. It's time for the happy and new. Let's jump in together!

Beauty Review Crew Member Wendi talks about her keratin treatment - six months later

2010-10-13T00:39:55-04:00

Okay, ladies. Sorry for the delay. I wanted to wait the full six months to give you an accurate update.

My curls are still waves. They look a little fuller than they did six months ago. I honestly feel that this treatment has changed my curl pattern for good. I'm not upset at all. I still feel the same way. I wanted a drastic change. I got a drastic change and I welcome the new me. Although, the new curl pattern is still taking me a minute to get used to. The plus side to wearing it wavy is that I don't have to use as many products as I had to in the past. I just used one product and was good to go. That is a plus money wise if you spend a lot of money on styling products like I did.

I got my hair colored two months ago. I went to the same stylist who did my keratin treatment. She said that getting a color will help "seal" in the keratin treatment and it might last a little longer.

Click through to see what Wendi thinks about getting the treatment done again.

I am kinda up in the air about getting the treatment done again. Six months ago, I was "gung ho" about doing it again. Now I am not to sure. It's not because I am unhappy with it. I am beginning to think that one treatment was all I needed. I am okay with my curl pattern now, but will I be okay with it
if I get it done again? This treatment changed it so much. It's already a wave instead of a curl. Will this wave become non-existent? I am going to ride it out for a few more months to see what happens. I am not in a rush to get the treatment again.

If your curl pattern is like mine used to be and you love your hair the way it is, don't get this treatment. You will not be happy. I was told that, in six months, my curl pattern would be back to the way it was before the treatment. As you can see, my curl pattern is far from returning. Really think about this and do your research. I am happy with my outcome because I wanted change. Will you be happy with the outcome if you decide to get this treatment done?

If you have any questions, please ask me. It's better to know now then to find out on your own later.

Go PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness with Black Opal Cosmetics

2010-10-06T08:00:00-04:00

Toya

Go PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness! Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Pink Pursuit

2010-10-06T06:00:00-04:00

Revlon continues the quest to change the face of cancer with Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Pink Pursuit.

In partnership with the Entertainment Industry Foundation™, Revlon® will donate proceeds* to fund breast cancer research around the country.

10% of sales of Pink Pursuit will be donated to the fight against breast cancer**. The Pink Pursuit lipgloss will bear the Breast Cancer Ribbon to distinguish from existing shades.

To date, The EIF Revlon® Run/Walk For Women has distributed over $60 million for Women’s Cancer research, education and support programs.

Go PINK for Breast Cancer Awareness! Cosmoholic gives back!

2010-10-05T23:00:00-04:00

This October, Cosmoholic Cosmetics (www.cosmoholiconline.com) is donating 10% of the proceeds of the sale of their Prudish Pink Liquid Lipstick to benefit the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Research.

Prudish Pink (SRP $20.00) is a gorgeous, natural rose pink shade that provides a naturally seductive pout. Its new formula is paraben free and it contains a lip repair kit containing Vitamin C, E and antioxidants. Cosmoholic Cosmetics doesn’t contain any fragrances, but includes vanilla flavors and macadamia nut oil for moisturizing, which give the liquid lipstick its delicious vanilla bean scent. It's for every woman who's ever wanted a lipstick and a lipgloss in one easy applicator.

Beauty Review Crew member Wendi reviews MAC Greasepaint and Revenge is Sweet Lipglass

2010-10-05T22:01:18-04:00

This week has felt pretty blah to me so far. Although I do not have to wear make up to work, everyone in my office does. I prefer not to. On the days I do, I prefer the "natural look". I just throw on some eye liner, blush and some lipgloss, or a nude lipstick.

Lately I have been having trouble finding an eyeliner that doesn't run five hours after I apply it.
My review is on the new MAC Greasepaint Stick in French Quarter. The color on the box is a dark brown. It looks black when applied on my skin. I LOVE it. It lasted all day.I think this color liner for me would be more appropriate for an out on the town look versus my natural look due to the hints of gold shimmer in it. I will get Greasepaint in every color they have. This glides on very easily unlike the other pencils I have tried. I accidentally wiped my face, forgetting that I still had make up on. The liner stayed put - very little came off on my hands. My liner did not smudge. I was very impressed with that. However, if you like thin liner pencils, this is not the one for you. This pencil is thick. It took me a second to get used to it. Still, if you are in the market for a new liner, I recommend this one.

My second review is on Revenge is Sweet lipglass from MAC's Disney Villain Maleficent line. This is a very pretty color. At first glance, I wanted it. But then I thought, "Is this a color I would actually wear?" I was saving this color for the weekends when I wear bolder make up. I ended up putting this on by accident with my "Natural Look". I Loved it! This does not look as vibrant on as it does in the tube. In the picture I am wearing this color alone. This gave my natural look the "missing element" I felt was needed. I can not wait to try this over top of a lipstick. Of course with just about all of MAC's lipglasses, I can't stand when my hair gets stuck to my lips. But, if I love a color, I really don't mind it one bit. This feels like it goes on thick and that it would be sticky. It's not. I actually like the way this feels on my lips.It feels like a sealant. When the weather gets cold I like to wear something on my lips that feels this way. If you always wear neutral lippies and would like to add a little color, I would suggest this. It's not too much that it will shock you. It is just enough color.

Wig Wednesday: Nicole Ritchie - Which wig works?

2010-09-01T06:00:00-04:00

Nicole Ritchie famously went from her well-known honey blonde locks to a deep brunette.

This

So . . . which wig works? Do you like Nicole as a blonde or a brunette?

Honestly, I prefer her darker locks. They look warmer, more natural and they make her stand out. With the blonde 'do, she's just another blonde L.A. chippie. What say you?

Introducing Beauty Review Crewmember, Ericka!

2010-08-31T00:30:00-04:00

So, I announced last week that there is a new venture coming to The Life of A Ladybug and here it is! I have amassed a wonderful group of women who are going to help me review the latest and greatest in makeup, beauty, skincare, hair care, fragrance, etc - they are my "Beauty Review Crew"! Across this week and the next, I'll be introducing them to you so that you may get to know them a bit. I hope that you'll be able to find one or more with whom you identify, so that you'll get a better idea of what products will work for you.

Up first! This is my cousin, Ericka. She is one of my best friends in the world and a lover of lipgloss, like me. Ericka is African American. She has dry skin and relaxed hair. She will probably be reviewing lots of moisturizers, skincare products and hair products for women with relaxed hair. I'm sure she'll snap a lipgloss or two or twenty while she's at it, too.

Welcome, Ericka!

Feel free to ask Ericka any questions in the comments - I'll pass them on to her and get answers for you. And if you want to leave messages welcoming her, those are good, too!

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick

2010-08-30T23:26:06-04:00

Finally, making its debut on September 1st, NARS Cosmetics introduces Pure Matte Lipstick!

Over 15 years ago, François Nars created a collection of 12 perfectly edited lipsticks. Nars’ passion for lipstick never wavered. Introducing Pure Matte Lipstick– the newest addition to the NARS lip category. Pure Matte’s luxuriously rich texture glides on effortlessly, without drag, cakiness or resistance. Defying the traditional challenge of long-wearing lipsticks, it won’t dry out lips. Rich in antioxidants, including Vitamin E and Acai Oil, as well as containing Wild Mango Butter, Pure Matte nourishes and conditions lips.

Six deeply pigmented colors go on soft and creamy for an audacious pout: Volga (Deep Aubergine), Bangkok (Soft Rose), Tonkin (Cinnamon Plum), Terre De Feu (Black Cherry), Tashkent (Nude Beige), Vesuvio (Full Bodied Red). Six deeply pigmented colors go on soft and creamy for an audacious pout: Volga (Deep Aubergine), Bangkok (Soft Rose), Tonkin (Cinnamon Plum), Terre De Feu (Black Cherry), Tashkent (Nude Beige), Vesuvio (Full Bodied Red).

From the beauty shot above, the lipsticks don't look truly matte. They kind of look like a soft creamy finish, but who knows? I love a good matte lip, so I hope they are. I'm definitely gonna try them.