I'm Not Drinking the Kool-Aid

Things I think are overrated.  In no particular order:

Chicken: I'm just over it. It doesn't excite me regardless of how it's prepared.  Give me a piece of fish or a short rib any day. 

 Carrie Mae Weems Black Woman With Chicken 1987

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick: I wore the same brownish burgundy lipstick, MAC X-S, for 15 years.  My friend Charli encouraged me to be more adventurous and I'm currently wearing a variety of red, pink, and purple shades.  I was introduced to Ruby Woo by a former co-worker of mine who is a beacon of fabulosity. I really wanted to love it; Tracee Ellis Ross raves about it. Unfortunately, it just didn't work for me. I love a matte red lip, but this formula was just too drying and the color was too blue-based and bright. 

Scandal: I recently learned that my father has never missed an episode of this show. If the updates on Facebook and Instagram were not enough to convince me to give the show a chance, the fact that Dr. John Cardwell is a fan convinced me to give it a try.  Unfortunately, I can't stand it! Are we as black women so desperate to see ourselves on television that we ignore the fact that Olivia Pope is having an affair with a married man?? A man who in her words "cheated on [his] mistress with his girlfriend." Regardless of her beauty, intelligence, and political influence, she is, as my students say, a "side chick."  On top of that, she runs around cleaning up after The President's messes. She yells, bugs her eyes, and over emotes like a jezebel/mammy hybrid. Plus, I would take Remy Danton over Harrison Wright any day!

Cupcakes from Crumbs and Magnolia Bakery: These cupcakes aren't worth the calories. The icing is too sweet and the cake isn't moist enough. You should not have to throw away the top half of a cupcake in order to enjoy it. Too much sugar; too little butter. Better treats can be found at Make My Cake or Tonnie's Minis. Hopefully Tonnie's Harlem location will reopen soon. 

http://www.makemycake.com

Twelve Years a Slave: I didn't get a chance to see this in the theaters; I can count the number of adult movies I've seen since I had Chloe on one hand (and by "adult movies" I don't mean porn). Anyway, based on the reviews and awards show press I was expecting to be blown away. Don't get me wrong, it was a "good" movie. It held my attention and it could be an excellent teaching tool (I disagree that it is too violent. Slavery was too violent-not the film).   The cinematography and score were excellent. However, I wasn't moved on an emotional level, and I'm still trying to figure out why. It bothered me that Solomon was willing to fight a white man when his ego was bruised, but participated in Patsy's beating and didn't seem to have a hard time leaving her behind.  What I do know is that halfway through the movie I was waiting for Brad Pitt to show up and save the day. Sometimes, we just want to be the hero in our own stories.

(What on earth would we do without Brad Pitt?)

If you want to be moved by a movie about slavery watch Haile Gerima's 1993 film Sankofa. 

Black is Beautiful: Jackie

Age: I am 38 years old

Beauty Philosophy:  My beauty philosophy is to drink lots of water, exercise, eat 80% vegan, have regular sex and take care of the body and skin in a SIMPLE way. I'm a minimalist when it comes to make-up and personal presentation, but I definitely care about my my looks and health. 

Who do you look to for beauty inspiration? When I was about five years old there was a black woman around the corner from us.  She was curvy (about a size 12), tall, feminine, confident, and free-spirited.  I remember thinking that she was beautiful.  It was her energy.

Describe your skin care routine:  I focus mostly on skincare as you'll see below. I'm very loyal to Murad's skincare products and Origin's skincare products for daily maintenance.  They allow me to not have to wear a lot of make-up because my skin is so clear (people compliment me on it all of the time, including my facialist...who I see infrequently). 

• Murad's "Environmental Shield" Line: These products basically changed my life because they are both protective and preventative. Murad has different product lines depending on your skin issues. This one is meant to erase the effects of sun-damage. I glow because of this line.
• Face Cleanser: This product runs out at soon as it gets into Massage Envy,  the spa where I purchase it.  I have to put myself on the call list for when it arrives
• Eye Cream: I swear by their Instant Radiance Eye Cream because it helps dark circles disappear by up to 70%....and they ain't lying!
• Radiance Peel: It's like getting a facial at home. You definitely see the difference when you use it once a week.
• Dark Spot Repair Serum: This stuff is liquid gold. It practically works overnight. Dark marks from zits and such are gone within days.
• SPF 30 Radiance Moisturizer: Smooth, creamy and glow-y. :-)

Murad's Environmental Shield Line

• Origins Line: I was an Origins devotee until I found the Murad's line but the following products are still my favorites. 
• Incredible Spreadable Ginger Scrub: The Ginger Scrub has essential oils in it so it makes my hands and feet super soft in the shower.  I use it in the kitchen as well.
• Dr. Weil's Mega-Bright Serum: The Mega-Bright does really help to correct overall discoloration and uneven skin tones.
• Checks & Balances Face wash: Checks & Balances is just a great lather-y facewash for normal skin types

Skincare by Origins

What are some of the things in your make-up bag that are tried and true and you can't live without? 

• Benefit Cosmetics:
• They're Real Mascara: Makes eyelashes a mile long.
• Gimme Brow: I have missing patches of hair in my eyebrows and this makes them look more even (and slightly filled in) when applied lightly.
• High Brow Glow: It makes me look dewy and like sunshine when I apply it under my brow.
• Lolli-Tint & Sun Beam Lip & Cheek Stains. I'd always hated blush until I found these! They stay on for a long time and can go as dark or light as you want. They also do double time on the lips and cheeks. Lolli is candy-pink and Sun-Beam is like a bronzer. Both are amazing.
• Posie Balm Lip Gloss: It tints your lips pink and has essential oils. How can you pass that up?

Benefit Posie Balm

• MAC 
• Select Cover-Up Concealer NW35: I don't use foundation for basic life and work events. Just tinted moisturizer and this concealer to cover up dark undereye circles and dark spots. It's amazing.
• Oh Baby Lip Gloss: I want to die wearing this. Makes me look sexy even when I have on no make-up. It's a little thick so I put on a lip moisturizer first to even it out.

What are some of the new things you've picked up lately that you're obsessed with?  

• Benefit Cosmetics Moisture Prep Toning Lotion: You put this on before you put on most products to help absorption. This changed my LIFE. Other toning products would dry my skin out (because they contain alcohol), but this does the opposite. Also I have rosacia under my nose during allergy season and this immediately reduces the irritation and takes the red away because of the rosewater in it. 

• Benefit Cosmetics Ooh La Lift: You dab it under your eye to make you glisten a little and look more awake. It works.

Black is Beautiful: Candace

How old are you? 38 and Fabulous!

What's your beauty philosophy? I don't believe that I am a great beauty, and my years as an ugly duckling allowed me to develop confidence that was not defined by my looks.  However, I do think that I am stylish and I put effort into looking good. My beauty philosophy can be summed up by three quotations:

"Look good; feel better."

"You are beautiful, but learn to work, for you cannot eat your beauty."

"One monkey don't stop no show."

Photo: Tumblr

Who do you look to for beauty inspiration? 

I find a wide range of people beautiful: My mother, Chantal Biya, Aunt Plum, Sade, Andre Leon Talley, Solange, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie,  Sula Peace, Jadine Childs, and of course, all of my fabulous friends!  I am also inspired by my daughter's confidence and joyful approach to living.

Girl's Night at Buddakan!

Describe your skin care routine. 

In the morning I wash my face with Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub or St.Ives Apricot Scrub.  I use Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturizer or Body Shop Vitamin E Night Cream depending on how cold it is outside.  Mikita introduced me to  Vitabrid C+ powder;  I've been mixing it  in with the cream and using it  on my neck, which is starting to show signs of aging.  In the evening I use a make-up remover wipe.  Right now I like ones from Target's store brand Up and Up.

What are some of the things in your make-up bag that are tried and true and you can't live without? 

My make-up takes less than five minutes regardless of where I am going.  I'm all about skin and lips because I have small eyes and l and don't think that they look good with shadow, liner, or mascara.  Plus I usually wear a bold lip color, and I don't want to look like a VH-1 reality TV star.  Here is what I use:

MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer:  I mix a little bit of this in with my moisturizer and smooth it all over my face to even out my skin tone.

I wear NC 42

MAC Blot Powder: I tend to "glow" as the day progresses and I use this powder to turn down the shine.
Nars Blush in SuperOrgasm: I have used this pinky/peachy blush forever.  I love that it has a bit of gold shimmer in it.

Nars Vesuvio Pure Matte Lipstick: Nicole introduced me to this lipstick and it has become a staple.  It is a classic matte red.

Mac Oh Baby Lipgloss: I have used this gold gloss since college and I haven't found anything to top it.  It looks great when I have a tan.

With my signature red lip and statement necklace

What are some of the new things you've picked up lately that you're obsessed with? 

Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion: This ls the best moisturizer that I have ever used, especially for dry winter skin.  It's also the only thing that helps soothe the eczema on my hands.

Boscia Bright White Face Mask: This mask claims to brighten skin tone, prevent wrinkles, and reduce sagging, but I love that it is a peel-off mask like the ones I used in high-school.  I got it as a free sample from Sephora and I have re-purchased it twice!

Nars Semi-Matte Lipstick in Heatwave: This is a great orangey-red lipstick for when I want to wear something a little brighter than usual.

Nars Audacious Lipstick in Charlotte: I love a burgundy lipstick for Fall, and this one is the perfect texture: not too glossy or too matte.

Nars Lipsticks are addictive! Heatwave (l) and Charlotte (r)

Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Het Loo: I'm still looking for the perfect nude, but this comes close.

Photo: Nars

Manicures at Infinite Nail Salon in Harlem:
This is not the place that you go to if you want to be pampered, but they are clean and relatively cheap.  Plus they have an amazing selection of gel nail colors and are always willing to experiment.

Infinite Nail Spa is located at 353 Malcolm X Blvd.

Feeling Good!