@MASQUEmag

BU Clothing

Sun, 22 Apr 2012 12:05:59 -0400

http://www.buclothing.bigcartel.com/ for the sweater i’m donning in my last post. SO much good happening there.

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Sun, 22 Apr 2012 11:57:44 -0400

Its a @jewelmint and @stelladot kind of day #style #ootd...

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:03:04 -0400

Its a @jewelmint and @stelladot kind of day #style #ootd #fashion (Taken with instagram)

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Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:03:15 -0400

|| My Spring Beauty Bag || A quick video of my Spring Beauty...

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 12:15:00 -0400

|| My Spring Beauty Bag ||

A quick video of my Spring Beauty Bag. Subconsciously, I’ve picked out all golds, pinks, and oranges this season; a coincidence I’m willing to run with! The run down:

Pur~Lisse Pur~Lip Comfort
Julep Elixir Organic Argan Oil
Maybelline Fit Me Bronzer
NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Face Powder in “Pink Cheek Glow”
Forever 21 Love & Beauty Eyeshadow Quad in “Gold/Multi”
Sephora Collection Colorful Palette in “Cocktail on the Beach 12”
Nicka K Eyelight Crayon in “Gold”
butterLONDON Nail Polish in “Snog”
Wet n’ Wild Wild Shine Polish in “Sunny Side Up”
Julep Nail Polish in “Alicia”
butterLONDON Lippy Lip Gloss in “Snog”
NYC New York Color Lipshine Gloss
Wet n’ Wild Megalast Lipstick in “Purty Persimmon”
Wet n’ Wild Megalast Lipstick in “Don’t Blink Pink/Rose Princesse”
Simple Skincare Cleansing Facial Wipes

Most things in my cosmetic bag are less than $5! What are some of your favorite drugstore staples this Spring?

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Fri, 13 Apr 2012 11:21:21 -0400

|| TLC’s What Not To Wear Live || One of my best...

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 07:31:40 -0400

|| TLC’s What Not To Wear Live ||

One of my best girlfriends, Stephanie (who is a SERIOUS fashionista!) attended a filming of TLC’s first ever live show for “What Not To Wear”. Initially excited, the reality of the situation kicked in and after 10 hours of shooting, we were in a diner eating our feelings. Can we say waffle fries and nutella sandwiches? I don’t know how they do it…

On the bright side, we got to meet Stacy and saw Clinton again (Stephanie interviewed him for MASQUE not too long ago), and met Carmindy (whose line with Sally Hansen I reviewed here) and Ted Gibson. Both Stacy and Clinton complimented Stephanie the entire time we were there, and the girl who was being made over was such an amazing sport.

Catch the premiere LIVE “What Not to Wear” episode on May 29th. Spot us if you can!

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Fri, 13 Apr 2012 02:28:39 -0400

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Sat, 07 Apr 2012 20:16:39 -0400

Big news for Curly Hair Cuties! THE FLY CUT will be launching...

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:41:44 -0400

Big news for Curly Hair Cuties! THE FLY CUT will be launching soon! Think Groupon or LivingSocial for Black hair salons. Members can purchase deals from 50% to 80% off at the cream-of-the-crop Black hair caterers. No matter your hair needs - weaves, blowouts, twists, locs - the three founders have you covered.

THE FLY CUT will premiere at the end of April with their first salon, Miss Jessie’s Soho. Sign up at www.theflycut.com to be one of the first ladies to gain access to these great deals.

See you at the salon!

WHY I DECIDED TO GO NATURAL

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 10:00:00 -0400

I had a long conversation with my Sister the other night about being Natural. While her story was a lot more compelling than mine, I’d like to share why I am Natural.

MY HAIR WAS UNHEALTHY.

No, I was not trying to make a statement. No, I wasn’t trying to reach a higher level of consciousness. No, I wasn’t trying to hop on a trend.

My hair simply was falling off my scalp.

I would complain over and over again to my boyfriend about how my hair was breaking off, how dry and brittle it was, how much I hated smelling my hair burning everyday from curling irons, flat irons, and blow dryers and he would say to me plain as day, “do something about it”.

So on Saturday, September 27, 2008, I woke up, stood in the mirror and watched myself clip years of dead ends off my hair. I cried for a few seconds, put a headband on and snapped a picture. I wanted to treasure that moment forever. It was transformational period where I learned to love myself - my bushy eyebrows, my slightly lazy right eye, my dimpled chin…

It started with a seemingly selfish purpose but became so much more than that to me. With natural hair came confidence that I never could have imagined. Discovery and acceptance, and I always encourage friends to do it if they are considering it even slightly. It is quite a liberating experience.

Do I miss my permed hair? Of course I do! I miss not having to twist my hair every other day into the wee hours of the night. I miss not having to deep condition once a week. I miss not having baskets full of products. But that is the true joy of being natural. The experimentation. The versatility. Again, the discovery.

Almost four years natural and I don’t regret a single day of it. The reasons I did it evolved into so much more, and the journey has been one I will carry eternally.

What were your reasons for going natural?

|| Audrey Grace Boutique Pop-Up Shop || Whimsy and romance got...

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:00:05 -0400

|| Audrey Grace Boutique Pop-Up Shop ||

Whimsy and romance got married and had a lovechild at the Marie Antoinette-inspired pop-up boutique by Audrey Grace Boutique. With looks from Lulu Frost, Erin Fetherson, Rachel Antonoff, Alexandra Grecco and more, the Audrey Grace Boutique Pop-Up Shop located at High Line Loft has a bit of something for everyone. The kittens came out to play when Mallory of Small Girls PR copped a cat-inspired skirt and I worked a big-bow headband reminiscent of kitty ears.

Dance your way to Audrey Grace Pop-Up Boutique as soon as you can, this is a limited time only affair ladies and gents!

For more flicks, head over to the MASQUE Magazine Facebook page. Visit Audrey Grace Boutique on Tumblr, Facebook, and Twitter.

|| Garage Magazine Celebrates Black Hair || Italy’s Garage...

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 11:28:00 -0400

|| Garage Magazine Celebrates Black Hair ||

Italy’s Garage Magazine does black hair some serious justice with this celebratory spread in their current issue. Models Jeneil Williams, Nairoby Matos, Cora Keegan, and Ataui Deng look ferocious thanks to the hair magic of Astou Toure and Thomas Dunkin.

Source: Clutch Magazine

So…I pretty much had the best spring break ever. Hanging...

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:36:26 -0400

So…I pretty much had the best spring break ever. Hanging with Common? Yes, please.

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Sat, 24 Mar 2012 03:32:08 -0400

A reader asked: What did you use in your hair in that St. Patty’s Day pic? I washed and...

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 16:49:58 -0400

A reader asked: What did you use in your hair in that St. Patty’s Day pic?

I washed and conditioned my hair with Dr. Miracle’s Curl Care Shampoo and Conditioner (which I did a video review for, and absolutely cannot live without), and did a cornrow braid-out with Carol’s Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey.

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Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:28:35 -0400

|| OUTFIT: All-Star || I’ve been enjoying my Spring Break...

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 14:57:00 -0400

|| OUTFIT: All-Star ||

I’ve been enjoying my Spring Break this week, and with such wonderful weather here in NYC, Tineey and I took a trip to Jersey City to get some shopping done. I got this Patricia Field All-Star jacket a couple of months ago, and today was the perfect time to wear it. I tried to keep my feminine edge by pairing the jacket, tee, and jeans with a pair of slingback kitten heels. Smart, eh?

I have also been toying with the idea of “matchy-matchy”. Earlier this week, a girlfriend convinced me to buy Wet N’ Wild’s Megalast lipstick in Purty Persimmon, and I am completely attached to it now.

Hello Spring, we ~~barely~~ missed you!

Jacket: Patricia Field

Jeans: Ashley Stewart

Bag: Lulu’s

Necklace: Spring Shoes

|| butter LONDON launches LIPPY Collection || Everyone’s...

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 15:20:00 -0400

|| butter LONDON launches LIPPY Collection ||

Everyone’s favorite eco-friendly nail lacquer brand, butter LONDON, has launched a new line of lip glosses, sold exclusively via Ulta Beauty. The collection adheres to the “matchy-matchy” trend seen backstage at most SS 2012 fashion shows ~~which is great because I’m good for matchy-matchy~~. The look is making a comeback in a fresh way, with fashionistas being SUPER intentional about it all (I like to pair matching nails and lip with an accessory).

LIPPY features five butter LONDON shades - Primrose Hill Picnic, Snog, Trout Pout, Teddy Girl and Yummy Mummy.

FYI - LIPPY products, just like butter LONDON lacquers, are eco-friendly. They don’t contain parabens, petroleum, phthalates, sulfates, or bismuth. Glosses retail at $17 a pop.

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Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:00:05 -0400