Hi Dolls! Yes, it’s Champagne Sunday; but it’s also National Lipstick Day! In celebration of this most fabulous of days, MAC Cosmetics is gifting Dolls a free full-sized lipstick. Choose from nine shades including bright pink “Florabundi” and the deep red “Dare You.” Finishes range from frost and satin to “retro matte.” Drop a comment below letting me know your fav brand and color; and while you’re at it raise a glass to lipstick!
Until then, keep sharing the pretty,
L.
The Pretty Domestic
Hi Dolls! I don’t know about you, but I love a new product/makeup release. Some, I purchase immediately. Others, I wait and check out the online reviews; and yet other’s I never purchase. But sometimes there is a product release that whether you need or not, you make the purchase. Enter Aaliyah X MAC! Yes, you heard correctly, MAC will be honoring the late R&B star with the Aaliyah Collection.
The backstory. For sometime a petition has been circulating on Change.org requesting that MAC honor the “One in a Million” songstress. 26K + signatures later and MAC has teamed up with her estate to launch a makeup collection set for a summer 2018 debut.
Announced on the eve of the 16th anniversary of her passing, MAC shared via Instagram, “Aaliyah is truly one in a million—an unstoppable icon whose groundbreaking work in R&B music and film inspires us all. Today we join Aaliyah’s countless fans in celebrating her with the announcement of the MAC Aaliyah collection.” Fans quickly picked up on the hashtag #AaliyahforMAC
Known for her sultriness, beautiful face, tresses and edgy fashion, it is expected that MAC will capture Aliyah’s spirit with a collection to match.
Until then, keep sharing the pretty,
TPD
Go back like … oh nevermind! Hey Dolls! I’m sure you’ve heard by now, but in case you missed, Mimi aka Mariah Carey has taken her talents to the makeup industry. Yep, just in time for the holidays, she’s teamed with MAC Cosmetics for a second holiday-themed collaboration.
The 2016 collection brings Mimi’s signature glam, featuring sexy nude tones sparkling like champagne and glimmering like diamonds! From eye shadow, to eyeliner, blush, bronzer and all-over body sparkle (my pick), silver and gold sparkle touch each piece of the collection. Names like Dream Lover and It’s Just Like Honey are inspired by some of Mariah’s chart-topping hits!
The collection is available online now, but hits the stores tomorrow, December 15th! Glam up, head to the MAC counter and make your purchase!
Until then, keep sharing the pretty,
TPD
Hey Dolls!
You thought I forgot, didn’t you? Of course not; but I did take a much needed summer detour. The hiatus is over, so let me give you a quick recap of 50 Shades of Red, Vols. I – VI.
The Shade: Rouge Coco Shine “Dialogue,” with Framboise Precision Lip Definer, and Levres Scintillantes Glossimer 04, all compliments of Chanel. I could never fully commit to the color ~ just too much pink/magenta undertone. I would probably rock the gloss sans lipstick. 
The Shade: L’Oreal Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick in “Target” Red ~ ironically a quick purchase from said Target ~ with a MAC Lip Pencil in Brick. “Target Red” is the perfect shade of red, and lasts “foreva.” It has somewhat of a matte finish, which I love, but my lips still retained their moisture.
The Shade: MAC DIVA, with its complimentary Currant Lip Pencil. Very severe. In the tube, it was a beautifully rich, deep burgundy, but it played really harsh on me; needed frequent reapplication, and the liner was a bit too dark.
The Shade: Gloss Mirior ~ Extreme by Sephora in Femme Fatale. I’m not a gloss girl, but I love everything about Gloss Mirior ~ Extreme by Sephora in Femme Fatale. This little number is a top contender for my fav red lipstick.
The Shade: ZuZu Luxe Vino de Amor Lipstick. There’s nothing about Vino de Amor Lipstick I don’t like. The color – check; long wearing and moist – check, check; the ability to wear it without lip liner (something I rarely do) check, check, check!
The Shade: Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss. Tried to like it, but didn’t. It was extremely transparent and required a lot of reapplication. It also felt very gritty. Nope!
Le Confession
I traveled to La Posoda Resort & Spa mid-May disappointed by my experience with my Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick a la Ms. Moss, yet still committed to following through with 50 Shades of Red … Vol. VII. The highlight of my trip was going to be spending time with friends, as well as my Mother and Aunt Mary Kay, both of whom are of the world of Grande Dolls. These women are always dolled up. It doesn’t matter where they are going – ensemble, hair and makeup are always just right! As we shopped, ate, and chatted, Aunt Mary Kay pulled out a tube of the prettiest pink lipstick. It was gorgeous and matched her perfectly glowing tan complexion. I had to have it. GASP! But, what to do, what to do? Could I abandon 50 Shades and the disappointment from Ms. Moss, make myself happy and ask Aunt Mary Kay the details of this beauty? You know where I’m going, I did the latter, and for the past several months have been wearing Make Me Pink Lipstick 135 by Maybelline. You heard me right, Maybelline! (Clutch the pearls!) I’ve never received so many complements. I love the color, texture, it’s moisturizing, long-lasting and looks good with a tan. On a scale of 0 to 5, I give it 5 pink lips! 
But a commitment is a commitment. Here’s where we are. Make Me Pink Lipstick is being retired today! After all, Summer is almost gone and we can now return to our regularly scheduled program with the Bobbi Brown Red Alert Edition of 50 Shades of Red … Vol. VII. Yep, I’m trying all four!
Image: Instagram
Whew, that’s off of my chest. At least you can say a Doll is honest. Glad to be back!
Until Then,
L.
The Pretty Domestic
Ah yes, another month has passed. 60 days of wearing nothing but red lipstick. A Doll will not be deterred. Another page turns tomorrows, and with it a new shade of red. But quickly, a recap from the last month.
If you remember, I wore L’Oreal Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick in “Target Red” ~ Tar-gee, in my world ~ with a MAC Lip Pencil in Brick. Simply put, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!
“Target Red” is the perfect shade of red, and lasts “foreva.” It has somewhat of a matte finish, which I love, but my lips still retained their moisture. This duo will definitely stay in rotation. But keeping my commitment, it’s time to move on.
In my mind, January and February are the dark days of winter. Little sun, dreary weather, just blah. I too am going dark, and will be rocking MAC DIVA, with its complimentary Currant Lip Pencil. These goodies have been sitting unused in my makeup case for a minute.
I purchased this on a whim one day when I saw it on a Doll in the mall. She was a make-up artist, so her face was beat. I mean fab. I couldn’t resist the urge to purchase. Anyway, I’m in. Let’s go!
Until Then,
~ L.
The Pretty Domestic
I am addicted to beauty products ~ makeup, skin care products, nail polish, hair treatments, body creams, fragrances ~ you name it, I’m always in search of something new. In preparation for my spring and summer “look,” my latest purchases are these absolutely adorably packaged eye shadow collections from Two Faced Cosmetics. [HINT: They are also available at Sephora if you wish to use your Beauty Insider Reward Points.]
I’ve also started experimenting with the cat eye. I love the vintage ‘60s look! But a little note of warning; if you are moved to attempt the cat eye, start early, lest you’ll surely be late to your event, office, etc. It takes time and practice to get it just right
Anyway, no matter the time of year you’ll see a reoccurring theme with me around my makeup ~ one, I’m very monochromatic, and two, whatever I purchase is usually in the brown or neutral family.
Now I recognize that not everyone has the same aesthetic sense as I. Nor is everyone attracted to the same color palettes or style of makeup. So I decided to sit down with my longtime friend, sorority sister and certified makeup artist, Karen Nikki, for a “Q & A” on what spring and summer makeup trends she’s seeing. Check out our conversation.
Karen Nikki with a flawless spring face!
Q. How long have you been interested in make-up? A. I’ve had a love affair with makeup ever since I was 17 or 18 years old! I even had my makeup professionally done for my senior portraits.
Q. Do you have any formal training in makeup artistry? A. I attended the Von Lee International School of Aesthetics in 2008, where I became a certified makeup artist. However, most of my training came from my time as an artist with MAC Cosmetics.
Q. How long were you with MAC Cosmetics? Have you worked for any other cosmetic companies? A. I signed on with MAC as a Freelancer in December 2008 and resigned as a permanent artist in June 2010. MAC is the only cosmetics company I’ve worked for. Working for MAC was an amazing experience, but working EVERY weekend began to take a toll on me. I was also beginning to lose my love for the art of makeup because it started feeling like a job. As a freelance artist, I pick my own jobs, my own hours and most importantly, makeup is fun again!
Q. On to what’s hot for spring and summer. I’m seeing a lot of pastels and neon colors, particularly oranges, in makeup palettes this season. Are those the “go to” colors for nails and makeup this season? What else are you seeing? A. Absolutely! Fashion directly influences the season’s makeup trends. Color blocking and neons are hot right now! It gets me so excited to see women (especially women of color) wearing bold, bright hues of color! Coral cheeks and lips are very on trend at the moment. While the classic red lip is trendy, yet timeless, embracing orangey reds will be hot for the summer. My favorite is MAC’s Lady Danger.
Bronzer has become the new blush! My fave bronzer is by Covergirl Queen by Queen Latifah. It comes in 3 shades and can be found in your local drug store. Metallic eye shadows have also made their way to the forefront of makeup for the upcoming seasons.
Q. What’s the one secret for keeping makeup looking dewy and fresh, and not heavy and caked during the warmer months? A. For many women, there is a very fine line between dewy and oily. I’ve never been a fan of adding powder when the skin gets too oily because this can make the face look very cakey. Rather, I prefer to remove the oil by using blot paper. This removes the excess oil without disturbing the makeup. You can also separate a 2~ply tissue into 2 thin sheets and use one to soak up any extra oil.
Q. What are the one or two items every doll on the go must have in her bag to look her best this spring and summer? And how do we take it from day to evening? A. I always find this question kind of difficult to answer because a woman’s makeup bag reflects the features she likes to accentuate. If you’re a person who loves to feature your lips, I would say, a good lip conditioner and lip gloss/lipstick are essentials. If you like to play up your eyes, liner and mascara are must haves! Some women prefer to stay pretty “clean~faced” and show off their beautiful skin. If this is you, keeping a nice tinted moisturizer and bronzer on hand are key. Transforming makeup from day to night can be as simple as adding a dark liner to the inner rim of the eye or switching that natural colored lip gloss to a bold color.
Q. And for our more natural dolls, who are in to little or no makeup, what are the musts for beautiful skin? A. Beautiful skin starts from the inside out, so water intake and a healthy diet are essential! Again, tinted moisturizer is my top recommendation for the woman who needs very little coverage, yet wants a finished, even complexion. Laura Mercier makes an excellent tinted moisturizer. To add a little color to the face, cheeks stains are great. A cheek stain is just a cream blush, but these are awesome because they can almost always be used on the lips as well. Two for the price of one! Can’t beat that!
Check out some the very animated Karen Nikki’s YouTube posts at http://www.youtube.com/user/ameritrini.
Thanks Karen Nikki!
Until Then,
~ L.
The Pretty Domestic
The Pretty Domestic | Life with Elle 