Color Me Bluetiful: Floral Blossom

Hey Lovelies! Nature has influenced every form of artistic expression, and with the endless and unexpected color combinations what better source helps us push our limits? This segment of Color Me Bluetiful was inspired by a blossom similar to the one photographed above. I noticed this beauty while walking to work. What a way to start the day?! I hope you enjoy the look, feel free to tell us what inspires you...

Products Used:
Face
Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Even Finish Foundation w/SPF 15 in Golden 6
Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Loose Powder in Basic Brown 4
MAC Blush in Gingerly

Eyes
MAC Paintpot in Rollickin’ - used as a base
MAC eyeshadow in Bitter - inner corner of eyelid
MAC eyeshadow in Swimming - middle of eyelid
MAC eyeshadow in Humid - outer corners of eyelid and crease
MAC eyeshadow in Gorgeous Gold - used as highlight
MAC eyeshadow in Stars N Rockets – inner corner of lower lid
MAC eyeshadow in Plum Dressing – middle of lower lid
NARS eyeshadow in #92 – outer corner of lower lid
1 coat of MAC Prolash Mascara

Lips
MAC lip liner in Hodgepodge
MAC lustreglass in Instant Gold

Beauty truly does surround us, so don't forget to admire the contributions that nature offers us daily. You never know, it just might inspire a new look. KEEP IT BLUE!!

BET Awards Fashion Review

Hello Bluetiful Ones!

On June 24th, 2008 BET aired their star studded award show in sunny Los Angeles, California. Celebrities came out in full force to celebrate some of the hottest music in entertainment and to do it in style. The ladies adorned the red carpet in vibrant colors, chic dresses, and sexy platforms & sandal stilettos. Here's a few of the fashion choices that we thought were so "blue"...


*click pic to enlarge* From left to right: 1. Singer Jordan Sparks showing off curves & looking fab in a red cocktail dress 2. Singer/Actress Solange Knowles taking a fashion risk & looking fashionably ambitious 3. Actress Nia Long in a purple Grecian inspired mini dress 4. R&B singer Keyshia Cole looking classic in a vintage inspired yellow baby doll dress 5. Video vixen Lola in a charcoal ballerina dress 6. BET host Danella in a black & metallic flowered flowered sun dress 7. Actress Kyla Pratt in a lovely blue mini 8. Alicia Keys in a chic hot pink number 9. Singer Rihanna looking radiant in a flowing yellow summer dress

And I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the "grown & sexy" route that many of the men showcased with their choices this year. The men kept their color choices quite neutral and rocked well tailored pieces, chic fabrics, and debonair suits...




*click pic to enlarge* From left to right: 1. Singer Chris Brown adding an edge to his fit w/a white & black leather bomber 2. R&B crooner Joe looking well put together in charcoal slacks & a black dress tee 3. Singer Ne-yo using chocolate & cream hues to tie together his classic look 4. Singer John Legend using a sexy satin fabric to enhance his tan & white look. 5. Rapper David Banner cleaning up nicely in navy & white Gucci pieces 6. Actor Boris Kojoe keeping it simple, but clean in a tan suit & dress tee

Feel free to tell us who you think "brought it" in the style department, and as always...don't forget to keep it blue.

Etsy Find: Color Rehab

Hi Lovelies,

I'm a firm believer in mixing and matching unexpected colors. In fact, my personal challenge is to incorporate at least three colors in my total look everyday. This week's Etsy find had me hooked at the name and their unique earrings were totally VB worthy.

ColorRehab calls its accessory line AccessoRehab. She so eloquently describes her line as:

"AccessoRehab is for the BOLD, OUTSTANDING, CONFIDENT, FASHION FORWARD chick who knows how to coordinate, and put an entire look together perfectly. If you're not that chick, spend a little time in Rehab and BECOME that chick! If you think, "Oh no I can't wear these!" or "I can't pull these off."....Chances are, you're EXACTLY RIGHT! I value being different. It means alot to me to walk in a room and be the only girl lookin like I do. AccessoRehab is for chicks who share the same passion for standing out. Hang out and get Rehabilitated! :)"

Here at VB we talk a lot about confidence and its affect on beauty. If you've been stuck in a fashion rut, some fun earrings are the perfect way to expand your horizons slowly. Once you become more comfortable ideas will start flowing and you'll happily step up to the plate.

Check out ColorRehab:

(From left to right)

1. Eerie-descence $32.00 2. Dutch Dutch $26.00 3. Duckets $22.00

4. Pitri $18.00 5. Pre K $58.00 6. Beige-ing $24.00

7. Green Goblin $38.00

I'm not even mad at homegirl's eyeshadow application either. The green is very becoming. All items listed today can be purchased at http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5346757

As Always, Keep it BLUE!!!

VB In Action: Contest Time Part 2!

Hey Bluetiful Ones!

As some of you may or may not know, a few weeks back I decided to get a little brave and entered a beauty contest on Youtube. This contest was hosted by a beautiful woman that goes by the screename of MsButtahfly. The contest offered women the opportunity to showcase a natural sexy summer do or a make up look that she has done in a previous video. I went with the hair do option, and guess what....I WON...YAAAYYY! For those that missed it, here's the video that I submitted, as well as the results video posted by MsButtahfly.





I'm so grateful for the prizes, and I can't wait to try them out, especially the Sunsilk Cream & Gel Twist. It sounds like a product that my hair will react quite well to. Oh, and did I also mention that I won a Creme of Nature contest hosted by one of my favorite beauty bloggers Afrobella? I better capitalize on this good luck streak before it drifts away hehe.

However, I must say that although I was excited to win, the greatest enjoyment was really in participating. It's so inspirational to witness other women creatively express themselves by embracing their beauty. And trust me ladies, when you are feeling down, there is nothing like playing "dress up" to get you feeling all bubbily inside (and not the gassy kind) lol.

So be on the look out for some reviews on these products very soon. But in the meantime, i'm off to create some more sexy summer blue dos. Feel free to do the same & tell us all about it :o)

Someone Needs To Have It: Vintage Magazine Clutch

Hello Bluetiful Ones!

It's Kenya signing in. As some of you may know, awhile back we introduced the "Someone Needs To Have It" segment in which we highlight items that we're just dying to share with others. Today's feature will be the infamous vintage magazine clutch. This unique beauty made it's debut by the one and only Carrie Bradshaw (aka Sarah Jessica Parker) on an episode of Sex In The City. So imagine my delight while browsing ebay and running into not one, not two, but several options to choose from.

This purse is by no means for the weary at heart. It's definitely for a lady who likes to take a fashion risk & doesn't mind stepping out of the box...which is right up my alley. Plus, I just so happen to be a vintage lover, a Sex And The City Lover , oh and did I mention I love fashion magazines as well? Looks like I just can't go wrong with this clutch :o)

Here are a few authentic vintage options, circa 60s/70s...


Seventeen Magazine


Elegance Magazine


Vogue Magazine

And for the more fashion foward fashionista, check out these options with a modern twist...


Leonardo Dicaprio


Angelina Jolie on the cover of Vogue


Beyonce on the cover of Style

Oh...and did I mention I even found a wallet version of the legendary Dorothy Dandridge from the 11/01/1954 cover of Life Magazine? Excuse me while I go bid my life away... http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&_trksid=m37&satitle=vintage+magazine+clutch&category0=

*Keep in mind that these are time sensitive items, so all of them may not be available upon viewing this post.

Art in Fashion...Show

Hey Lovelies,

Art, Fashion, and Beauty really do go hand in hand, and Artomatic's Art in Fashion Show brought the similarities to the cat walk for an amazing showcase of designers from the DC Metropolitan Area. "Artomatic is a month-long multimedia arts event that draws together visual artists, musicians and performers and brings their work to the community without charge." The fashion show was the concluding event for the travelling gallery.

This show was the total package. It featured designers working with traditional African fabrics, a mask designer, jewelry designer, couture, full-figured models, and God bless Alexander Noel who brought fabulous male fashion designs and fabulous male models.

Check out the pictures and creations of the many talented DC area designers.

This week be sure to pay close attention to the connection between fashion and art and as always Keep it BLUE!!!

VB in Action: Mommy Gets A New Do

Hey Bluetiful Ones!

It's Kenya checking in. Summer time is here and I don't know about you all, but when it's hot, I just hate being bothered with doing my hair everyday. So to keep from making that a part of my daily routine, I often rock what is known as "protective" hairstyles. These are styles that consists of braids, twists, cornrows, and things of the like, that are easy to be maintained for days, weeks, and sometimes even months at a time.

Since the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, my mother prefers styles of this nature as well. She's a very low maintenence woman, and is much more inclined to throw a wig on her hair every morning for work, rather than brushing, combing, and styling her hair. So since I saw how mommy dearest had been neglecting her beautiful locks, I decided to hook her up with a simple twist hairstyle. Check mommy and her new do out...









This style consists of flat two strand twists in the front and loose two strand twists from the middle of the crown and back. After mom shampooed, conditioned, and detangled her hair, I used small coin size amounts of IC Fantasia Aloe Enriched Gel and Organic Root Stimulator Shea Butter Lotion on each section when twisting to add a nice hold, and a bit of softness. It's a simple youthful do, and is versatile as well. The twists in the back can easily be untwisted to create a fluffy and full look.


Feel free to play with some fun new looks on yourself (or your mommy), and have a little summer fun with your tresses. Oh, and don't forget to keep it blue :o)

Panties 101

Hey Lovelies,

It's Teneasha & I have a confession. Today I broke one of the cardinal rules of fashion; I wore a printed panty with my linen pants (and you know linen is a little shear). Ladies do not follow my example; it is never fashionable to have your underwear showing. Underwear is just that, it’s meant to be worn under your clothes and unseen to the world. Please charge this offense to my fight to squeeze in a few extra z’s this morning which forced me to get dressed in a haste. Luckily for you (and me hehe), my former summer internship at Victoria’s Secret should give me enough experience to offer some helpful guidelines to avoid this situation.

Here are a few tips for choosing the right undergarments...

1. Don’t ruin that fabulous all white outfit by making the mistake of wearing white undergarments. White undergarments show as a bolder, more opaque white under white clothes. They are not hidden and this is never a good choice. The best (and I’m 99.9% confident in saying the ONLY) choice of color for an all white ensemble or a slightly shear ensemble is nude undergarments. Nude undergarments mimic the skin even if it’s not your complexion and it will disappear under any color garment.

2. If matching the perfect color underwear with your garments is not your issue, then you may be fighting with that pesky panty line, which quite frankly is just as unflattering. For years the only solution for erasing the panty line was a thong. I’ll be the first to say I’m not a fan of the thong, but if it’s your thing…more power to you…it’s just not mine. These days we are blessed with several choices. Most companies have come up with a seamless option in every style and cut. I’ll be honest and say these don’t always work, but what never fails for me is the seamless boy short. Most garments tend to be tighter at the hip and butt area and slightly or extremely flared at the thigh which hides the lines of the boy short. If you’re wearing a tight fitting pencil skirt then you might have to suck it up and throw on the thong.

3. This rule can be applied to just about anything. Know your size & find the right fit. Underwear provides structure for your clothes. Having underwear that are too tight or too loose tends to throw off the shape. Underwear that is too tight can give you (and I’m going to make up a term here) a dough butt. You’ve seen it, when the butt looks tight and smooth until the panty line which appears to be digging in while the uncovered portion of the butt is fighting to get out. And too big underwear just looks saggy. The same statement can be applied to bras.

These are just a few tips, I’m sure we can find enough information to keep this post going but since I’m at work I’m going to end here. Feel free to share your best practices with us. Sharing is caring!

As always…Keep it BLUE!!!