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!!