[Un]Shrinking Violet

Good title for what I've been feeling as of late.  You know when you're talented AF but there isn't the space to showcase it?  Of course with the internets now you can pretty much showcase any talent you have and somebody in some Reddit chat group will appreciate it.  However, if you're in an extended space for a long time you want to be able to flourish in full-feathered peacock glory.  And if you're like me, you don't want to feel stifled either, shrunken down.  Big fish and small ponds are an understatement, but I know a time will come when I'll be able to be as big as I feel.  Just working on my growth. 

Waiting to pull this out! Lip: Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Notorious; Eyes: Too Faced Le Grand Chateau/Paris Au Naturale

Nita has on Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick in Roxy

It's supposed to be Fall but it feels like Spring, guess I'm wearing pink tomorrow.  

It'd be awesome if you did too! 

Send it blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Indigo Girl

I missed a day but my intent really was to get this up for Saturday. Lo siento! So today's look is one I never thought I would do. I've been saying for years that I hate blue lipstick. Trust me when I say I still do. I don't think I've seen one that looks good on anyone. Until. This one. I didn't even mean to buy it when I found it a year ago. I only put it on for Eses and Gees and was super pissed to find out it looked good on me. Life be some bull shit don't it? I'll never take back the "I hate blue lipstick" posts but I will say there's at least one that I don't hate, not entirely.

Keeping it neutral with the Power of Makeup palette by Too Faced. On the lip is MAC Matte lipstick in Matte Royal

The Bluest (Smoky) Eye

That title is clever AF, even I had to look back and be like..."YUP." I'm going to keep it extra short today cause I'm trying to leave work at 5, ya dig?  In any event, if you're looking to creating a little drama in your look this weekend but don't want to get all the way midnight black with your smoky eye, try a navy blue move.  Adding silver in the inner corner and bringing it into the crease a smidge, gives great depth so it doesn't just look like one big blob of blue.  Oh also if you aren't up on Toni Morrison's writing, get to it.

Feeling myself! Lid: ColourPop Super Shock Eye shadow in Luckfully & Morphe I Got the Blues (base); Crease: Make Up Forever I-544 (Pink Granite) Inner Corner: Kiko Milano Eyeshadow 229  (Pearly Gray)

It's the weekend, but makeup takes no breaks!  Tomorrow's color is Indigo...really gonna have to think about this one.  

How would you wear indigo? 

Send it blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Green-Eyed Monster

An ironic title since I rarely get jealous but such is life.  But I will tell you who I am jealous of: people who are able to meal prep on a consistent basis.  That ish ain't my ministry.  I wish it were but we all have our limitations.  In the meantime, what I can stick to is makeup.  Sometimes I peruse my looks from last year and rejoice in the growth, especially in my eyebrow game!! Oh snap! Here's today message (look @ Gawd giving me answers while I'm rambling) jealousy/envy/grass is greener-ism can definitely overtake you at any moment.  However, in those moments you should really meditate on how far you've come and be glad you aren't where you used to be.  You're a mothertrucking bad ass who probably has a host of people giving you the emerald eye.  Be strong and confident in the things that you bring to the world, including a dope ass nude lip!  

I love this look! I used Morphe Brushes 35B Color Glam palette on the lid, ColourPop Super Shock Eyeshadow in Empire in the crease, and Black Market from the Urban Decay Naked Smoky palette.  On the lips, Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Tampered lined with MAC Lip Pencil in Nightmoth

Julianah is feeling the greet with Makeup Geek on the lid (Fuji) and (Pegasus), in the crease and lower lid (Cocoa Bear), and in the Outer Corner (Dragonfly)  

Week almost out! How are you bringing in Friday? 

Send it blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Yellow Fever

"Never know how much I love you, never know how much I care." But I'm still single AF so I can't really complete the rest of the song, though it is a good ass song.  Clearly the powers that be heard I was trying to outshine the sun with my yellow eyeshadow and decided it would not be outdone cause it's hot today, and super sunny outside.  That's cool Mr. Sun ain't gonna hold me down or block my shine.  I'm going to internalize the warmth and brightness of the yellow on my lids and let it radiate from my fingers down to my flats.

Layered yellow after yellow after yellow with Morphe Brushes 35B Color Glam palette, Morphe Brushes 35S Color Smoky palette, and ColourPop Super Shock Eyeshadow in Telepathy.  Kept it simple with ColourPop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Viper

How do you plan to not be outdone? 

Send it to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Orange You Glad to See Me?

You know when you walk in somewhere and you immediately want to leave but you know you can't?  That's me most days.  So I pretty much focus on the things that I'm happy to see.  My dog, for one thing, I'm always happy to see her when I get home, though she never gives me two minutes to sit down.  In the 30-something life, there's always gonna be something that blows the shit out of you on a daily.  It's imperative to find that thing that you're always glad to see so the day, week, month, or year isn't such a bummer.

Broke out the Morphe Brushes 35OS-35 Shimmer Nature Glow Palette, cause nothing says Fall like sparkly oranges.  On the lips I went sheer with Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine Oil-In-Stick Lipstick in No. 45 (Rouge Tuxedo)

Shining Queen in Orange!

What's your "I'm Glad to See You" Face? 

Send it to Blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Red Menace

Woke up and it was 48 degrees this morning.  So I guess that means Fall is here. yay. Seriously, I actually do love Fall a lot it means I get to break out the dark lipstick and that's all anyone wants in life. It's been a whirlwind Fall thus far, with this shit show of an election, and Solange coming thru to snatch what remaining scalp we had left from Lemonade.  There were some 30 goals that I had not completed by my birthday so I have to figure out a way to get them done before the year is over.  This also includes some makeup goals that will take my skills up into the upper strata.

A little fall drama with reds! In the crease I layered Sugarpill Love+ and Make Up For Ever M-846 (Morello Cherry).  For the remainder of the look I pulled the Urban Decay Naked Smoky palette, using Black Market in the Outer Corner and Slanted and Armour on the lid.  For the lips, kept it nude with Too Faced Melted Liquefied Lipstick in Chihuahua with MAC Lip Liner in Cork

What are some makeup goals you have? Send your looks to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Molehills Not Mountains

I signed up to do this 21 day no sugar detox.  Worst decision of my life. JK, almost.  I don't even really eat a lot of sugar but you would be surprised how much sugar is in everything. Even alcohol (thug tear). I started off real good and then Friday rolls around and as soon as I walk into work I thought to myself, "What am I going to look forward to all day?"  An immediate panic attack set in knowing that happy hour wouldn't be there to greet me at 5:30pm.  And then I realized I had  2 more weeks without alcohol, without cheese very soon, and without grains.  It would not be hyperbolic to say I entered a state of catatonia.  Once my nerves revived themselves, I took a step back, and realized that this was no biggie.  That this mountain was really a molehill and I could get over it, not to mention there will be benefits to this.  Lots and Lots of benefits.  So when you find yourself facing the Mt. Chimborazo (which is actually this highest mountain, see here) revive your nerves, take a step back, and see it for the molehill it is.

Today is NYX Full Throttle Lipstick in Trickster  lined with MAC Lip Liner in Currant.  On the eyes I went dark and mysterious with the Parfait on the lid, Provence in the crease, and Tres Chic in the outer corner and lower rim from Too Face Le Grand Chateau palette.

Have you ever had a short-term challenge you had to get over? 

Send your looks when you're turning mountains into molehills to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Read Your Face

I do not have a poker face. At all. I had RBF before there was a cool acronym for it. and I stand by its use. However, yesterday I was talking with someone who said they could see it in my face I was hurting in my job.  You don't even know what it took to not start crying when they said that.  It's amazing that we think we're doing a good job at hiding what's going on under the surface. For folks who know how to read people you can't hide it. To quote the Bard Jaden Smith, " Real Eyes Realize Real Lies." So I got some real shit to face that I haven't quite yet.For the folks that think makeup hides who people are, you're wrong. All the MAC Studio Fix in the world isn't going to cover up what's going on inside, it'll make beautiful AF, but it won't cover it up. So when you're in the mirror today take a moment to read your face and figure out what it's saying. 

Morphe Brushes 35B Color Glam palette is what helped me pull this look off today. Topped it off with Voodoo Spice Gel Lipstick from Buxom

How would you like your face to be read? 

Send your looks to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Listen to Your Heart

I have this real bad habit of not listening to myself when I know something early on.  Everyone says I'm judgemental but I feel like I just be knowing the truth before everyone else does and they're still holding out hope. I don't approach every situation looking for the bad but I never ignore the red flags, so I just curate them and wait for them to become enough that I can't ignore them. When you find yourself in a situation, especially with makeup, meaning you've read the reviews, you've watched the YT vids, don't ignore it girl. 

New makeup alert! I used Morphe Brushes Golden Glory on the lid and Rosewood on the Outer Corner with ColourPop Drift in the crease. Went back to an oldie but goodie, MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo

What's Your Motive?

Yesterday my day was baby poop. I find myself increasingly fed the fuck up with this thing called work.  When I catch a chance the first thing I do is play Cake Remix. So when I got an invite to attend a sister circle I had to jump on it. Sometimes you need a recharge on your spirit to give you direction on where you need to be.  The topic of the circle was motive and knowing how to identify what they are. Coincidentally, a few minutes ago I had to ask myself that question of others, in trying to figure out an explanation of their actions. But it's not a question I ask myself often. What's my motive? I have to start to think about what causes me to move and what causes me to stay, what causes me to hold on and what causes me to let go.  For this month I'll try to ask myself "What's My Motive?" at any point I feel unready or unsteady in my steps. 

Went with a blue smokey eye today with ColourPop Eyeshadow in Luckfully, Morphe Brushes Eyeshadow in Sapphire, Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Password and an inner corner highlight in Armor from the Naked Smoky palette.  On the lips, ColourPop Matte X Lipstick in Chateau

What's going to be your motive in being the best you can be tomorrow? Are you going to look good while you do it? 

Send your favorite looks of motivation to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Life: The Beautiful Struggle Part Deux

This is only my second post for the month of May. Second. Segundo. Deuxieme. I don't know when life got so hard but I'm actually legit over it.  Over it.  I was supposed to be down 20 lbs by now.  Ask me how much I'm down, ask me.  Just send me positive vibes so that I can in fact get down to my ideal weight before August.  Life remains resolute in being an obstinate pain in my ass. However, June 1 is when I'm going to turn it around, hopefully, maybe, possibly.  So the next post, God willing will be, Life: the Awesome, Phantasmagorical Adventure.  

On the eyes:  Make Up For Ever ME 304 (Emerald) on the lid; ColourPop Central Perk in the outer corner; and NYX Roll-On Eye Shimmer in Sea Foam to add some sparkle.  For lips I have on  Milani Matte Glam lined with MAC Currant Lip Pencil

Are you a partner is the life struggle? Share your favorite looks while you wade through the bs that is life at blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Life: The Beautiful Struggle

Hey guys, you know how life comes at you fast? And then proceeds to beat you within an inch of your life only to pee on you and then walk away? That's what my life has been in the last few weeks, which is why I haven't been able to blog.  Don't get me messed up now, I've been wearing makeup and taking photos, I just haven't been able to put pen to paper and document it all. You know how when you wake up you hope it's Saturday but you know it's only Tuesday? That's how I've felt everyday these last two weeks. Life, a series of missed opportunities, happy accidents, minor disappointments, and Game of Thrones can be so fraught with responsibilities that we rarely have time to enjoy it.  As a young person pseudo-killing the game out here, I encourage you to take the time to soak in the 70 degree weather today.

Faux locs on deck! Broke out the Kat Von D Liquid Lipstick in Exorcism and paired it with MAKE UP FOR EVER ME-728 (Copper Red) and Kiko Milano Eyeshadow 102 (Dark Pearly Gold) on the lid, Kiko Milano Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow 37 (Burgundy)  in the crease and MAKE UP FOR EVER M-846 (Morello Cherry)  in the outer corner

Jarey killing life in ColourPop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Stingraye

Who's messing with Reese? Not me! Be careful, she's got on MAC Matte Lipstick in Sin

If you need life here it is. Robyn came in with Dose of Colors Liquid Lipstick in Kiss of Fire and It's Cherry Gel Lip Liner from SEPHORA

Vic is easy breezy in ColourPop Ultra Satin Liquid Lipstick in Panda (no relation to Desiigner)

I'm jealous of anyone who can pull off a blue effortlessly. S/O to Yulonda in Blue Velvet from Jeffree Star Cosmetics

 How do you manage the beautiful struggle? 

Send it to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

#BlackGurlBoldness

Happy Thursday!! I want to take a moment and applaud all my Kweens out there who are killing the game.  There is no dearth of think-pieces out there deconstructing #Lemonade and its exploration of the Black woman's journey of life.  Considering that the Black woman spends much of her life under heel of oppressive forces until she comes into knowledge of herself, it is imperative that Black women take a moment to embrace each other and amplify others that live boldly and wildly.  In 2016, makeup is still limited and regulated in the workplace.  Seriously, people still think red lipstick is taboo.  I say dash to convention and raise a glass to vivid colors that express the inner magic that is you.  Go Bold or Go Home!

Kept it simple using Too Faced Le Grand Chateau Paris in Love  palette.  On the lips is Too Faced Melted Matte in Bend and Snap.

MissRed Gal served it up Rossi Modo style in Orange You Cute!

Nicole is living fierce in Vraiment Rouge (Really Red) by Mary Kay

Check the fresh! Niama stunning in Smashbox Matte Lipstick in Bing

How do you serve up #blackgurlboldness? 

Send it blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

#Lemonade aka Limonad if you're Haitian

A moment of silence for our edges....I've said this about 10 times since Saturday I am not a Beyoncé Stan.  And I don't say that to be difficult, I say it to be honest.  I feel like to call yourself a real  fan you have to be ready to destroy in her name and I'm just not there.  And I wouldn't want the Hive to come for me on pretending to be one of them.  Let me just say I love angry B.  It's raw, it's unsettling, and it's enjoyable.  Although the lawyer in me couldn't help but think about all the laws she was breaking in "Hold Up," not to mention the lawsuit from the city after knocking off the top of the hydrant, but I digress. I also enjoy pained and hurt she's genuine, unrehearsed, emotional.  Aside from the music, the visuals of this album were stunning.  Beyoncé 's signature looks tend to be dramatic eyes and nude lips.  Whether it's heavy kohl-lined eyes, or bright colors, the focus is kept at the center, at the windows of the soul, with relatively neutral makeup.  Overall I loved every moment of #blackgirlmagic, from Serena's twerking to Quvenzhané Wallis to Zendaya and Amandla Stenberg posted up on that wooden stoop looking the baddest bitch team in the West. I've really only scratched the surface on this album but I look forward to drowning myself in the creativity.

This was really hard to recreate so I can only hope I came close.  On the eyes I used Kat Von D's Lady Bird and Chrysalis palettes to create an orange with blue accents look.  I also used MAKE UP FOR EVER Eyeshadow M-846 (Morello Cherry) to give it some extra something.  Kept it nude with Maybelline Lipstick in Warm Me Up and of course MAC Lipglass in Spite because I appreciate a glossy nude.

What were your favorite looks from this Opus of the Black Woman's experience in Love? 

Send it to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!!

Pinterest Challenge Day #7

Finally! Though I try to take a break on Mondays, I wanted to get this last look out the way before we got the whole week started off.  I have to say Pinterest isn't as terrible as I thought. Though I still don't understand the search algorithms, I learned that it helps to have a specific idea of what you are looking for when searching.  Rather than "black women makeup looks," having the name of palettes, lipsticks, or brands helps narrow down the field.  Also not to beat myself up if I doesn't look exactly the same, the point is to be inspired.  Albeit challenging at times, Pinterest was helpful in giving me some ideas, and I would definitely use it again.

For this look I used the Morphe Brushes 35B-35 Color Glam palette.  For this pinky nude, I used MAC Lip Pencil in Cork and NYX Liquid Suede Lipstick in Tea & Cookies

One word: #Lemonade. Send your favorite looks to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Pinterest Challenge Day #5 & #6

So my life is a hater y'all and so is my procrastination.  I actually did 3 looks off of Pinterest and never got a chance to showcase either of them, so I'm going to drop 2 looks here.  The third one I already forgot what I used and IRL I didn't like how it came out so I'll have a final one during the weekend.  As I'm sure you all know, the Earth caved in on itself and we're all in an alternate universe where Prince Rogers Nelson is no longer among us. So in honor of this genius among men, this eccentric being, I pulled this purple look from Pinterest.

Might not be 100% but I still liked this look.  For my eyes I used Make Up Forever I-524 (Pinky Beige) on the lid, Make Up Forever M-928 (Eggplant) in the outer corner, and Kat Von Ladybird palette in the crease.  Living my purple truth in Too Faced Melted Matte Lipstick in Unicorn and Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Violet Volt

Recreating this look I used Bonjour from the Too Faced Le Grand Chateau and Kiko Milano Cosmetics Infinity Eyeshadow in 257 for that extra sparkly gold look.  I used La Femme for the crease and outer corner also form Le Grand Chateau.  For the lips: NYX Cosmetics Liquid Suede Lipstick in Cherry Skies

Guys we made it!!!! I'm thinking of a glasses challenge for all my bespectacled beauties out there!! Any ideas send them to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!!

Pinterest Challenge Day #4

It's Friday, guys!! As the lovely ladies of the Another Round podcast say, "We Did It!" and it couldn't have come any sooner, this week was so real.  As for this challenge, I think I really do need a tutorial in Pinterest cause it's much harder than it needs to be.  I'm hoping by the final day I will somehow get it and be a Pinterest master.  We get 2 days to recharge, reconnect, rebrunch, whatever it is you need to get your mind right for Monday, use it wisely!

I woke up late so I really did not have the time to really research my makeup to achieve this but I pulled Smashbox Full Exposure, ColourPop Eyeshadow in Game Face, and Too Faced Return of Sexy palette. For the lips I went with Marc Jacobs Lip Creme in Dashing and NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella

Pinterest should pay me for the advertising I'm doing for them.  Are you taking the challenge?! 

Send your looks to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!

Pinterest Challenge Day #3

Running on fumes. Li'trally.  I really wish this week wasn't draggin its ass like it is but it's cool I'm already over it.  The challenge of this Pinterest challenge is 1) finding great looks (I'm convinced it's because Pinterest's algorithms sucks) and 2) actually putting the looks together so they are work appropriate.  I take encouragement in knowing that the weekend soon come and I can use all of the pinks, purples, shimmers, glitters, and vampy reds without worry.  I may suck at searching but I notice there aren't too many boards dedicated to makeup looks for black women in a cohesive way.  It may be time to create a Pinterest board for the blog so there are more looks out there for other women to use.  Happy Thursday and cheers to completing challenges.  

Pulled out Kat Von D Chrysalis palette to work the eyes.  Keeping it neutral with ColourPop Lippie Stix in Mosh Pit with MAC Lip Glass in Spite to top it off

Gabs is awesome using Morphe 35N Color Matte palette and Coastal Scents shadows Jewel Teal and Laguna Green. 

On the lips is Colourpop Ultra Matte Lipstick in Zipper

What will be the Pinterest look you pull off for Friday? 

Send it to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com! 

Pinterest Challenge #2

Day 2 y'all! So rather than struggle like I did yesterday, I decided to keep the 12Ps in mind and properly prepare, which is why I was able to promptly put my makeup on.  So far I've learned that Pinterest is actually a lot easier than I thought but still complicated AF.  It helps if you have some products in mind and then use that as an anchor to get yourself moving. Sidenote: I worked out 2 days in a row, so God is great and so is my #journeytoabs.  I'm looking forward to keeping the moment moving in my direction!!

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette on deck! In the Inner Corner is High; on the Lid is Armor; in the Crease is Radar; and in the Outer Corner is Dagger. On the lips I have on Too Faced Melted Liquefied Lipstick in Chihuahua topped with NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss in Maple Blondie lined with MAC Cosmetics Lip Pencil in Cork

I need buddies on my challenge! 

Scour a look on Pinterest and email it to blackgurlzboldlips@gmail.com!