This That Beauty » Felicia

Fridays with Felicia: Volume 14

Felicia — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:35:35 +0000

Fridays with Felicia: An intimate look behind the curtain as I share my favorite style/ beauty discoveries and ThisThatBeauty shenanigans from previous week.

Happy Friday everyone! Do y’all mind if I kick off Fridays with Felicia with a little self-promotion? It’s all good?..well alrighty!

I would love to have your support in a really cool initiative that I’ve been asked to take part in. It’s called the Bright Young Things Style Challenge. I mentioned it earlier in the week (here’s the detailed post if you missed it) but wanted to make one final plea before the weekend

Along with several fashion bloggers, I was asked to style the same Little Black Dress using my own pieces as well as pieces from Cobblestones — a wonderful little vintage boutique in the East Village. While the Style Council will vote on their favorite take on the Little Black Dress, you “the people” get to vote on your favorite…sort of like the People’s Choice Award.

I think it’s pretty darn cool to see how we each brought our unique flair and inspiration to the same LBD. To vote for your favorite look (not saying it has to be my look but read between the lines…LOL)

Go to Bright Young Thing’s Facebook page

“Like” the Bright Young Things Facebook page
Then “Like” the post that features the Little Black Dress Style Challenger that you like the best….I’m hoping you’ll vote/”like” my look but the ladies all do an amazing job. You may vote/”like” more than one lady!
The best part is that your vote/”like” earns you an entry into the contest to win your own LBD…How cool is that?

Well here’s the LBD, my looks, and a quick video that was shot while I played dress-up at Cobblestones Boutique in the East Village.

For the last week I’ve been testing out an eye liner that you all NEED to know about. If you like the look of liquid but hate the mess…or if you’re tired of your eye liner running all over the place, listen up because ThisThatBeauty’s got you covered.

Meet Pixie Endless Silky Eye Pen. The liner is actually a pencil so I’m not sure why it’s called “pen”…but let’s not lose sleep over that one girls! What matters most is that this hypo allergenic and paraben free eye liner lives up to its claim of long wear and budge proof perfection. I went so far as to sleep in the liner (a cardinal sin for moi…oh the things I do for TTB:)) and the liner was still in tact in the morning. I kid you not.

Finally, the intensity of a liquid in the form of a sharpen-able (did I just make up a word?) pencil. I did my trial run of Pixie Endless Silky Eye Pen in Black Noir, but I hear the liner also comes in stunning shades of teal, purple, and blue.

I did a couple of swatches. Check out the intensity of Black Noir.

Ladies, aren’t we always on the hunt for THE perfect rich black liner? Well my search stops at Pixie Endless Silky Pen.

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In recent years, salon quality treatments at-home have gained lots of momentum. More and more women are forgoing office visits for “similar” results at home. I for one haven’t been in for my usual silk peel in quite some time because I feel I am achieving comparable results at home with the use of various peels, exfoliants, lotions, and potions.

While office peels and special treatments can easily run $200+, similar at-home do-it-yourself options are usually a fraction of the price. Now at-home alternatives aren’t always as effective as the office service but most times (in my experience) the results are “similar”…and if you’re minding your P’s and Q’s (like me) you don’t really mind “similar” results. With regular continued use, I find that many at-home treatments deliver results that very closely mirror professional results.

If you are looking for an alternative to spending hundreds of dollars a month on professional micro dermabrasion treatments, consider Personal Microderm. The home microdermabrasion kit targets rough texture, sun damage, general skin buildup, etc. As someone who really invests in high quality serums and such, I am a firm believer that proper exfoliation is the key to your products working effectively and deeply penetrating your skin. If you frequently receive professional micro dermabrasion treatments, Personal Microderm can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in the long run!

I like that the system is affordably priced under $200 and is easy to use. I constantly advocate for stepping up your anti-aging routine at an early age. I’ve been doing peels and regular exfoliation since I was 21. Now my advice is not to get overly aggressiveve, but gentle exfoliation, starting at maybe once a week is imperativeve for healthy glowing skin. Personal Microderm can help you get there!

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Let’s talk drugstore beauty. While I’ve never been able to resist the intoxicating call of the drugstore cosmetics aisle (I guess this sort of explains why I am a beauty writer and makeup artist) as of late, the drugstore is really putting it down and offering products that until recently mainly existed in high end department stores. While recently trolling cosmetics in my local WalMart, I spied lots and lots of products that are certainly taking their cues from high-end prestige lines. Naturally, with iPhone in hand, I thought this beauty observation would be perfect for Fridays with Felicia. So shall we?:

L’OREAL offers DE-CREASE, a priming base to be applied prior to eye shadow to help prevent shadow from creasing. Wow, remember when Urban Decay Primer Potion was the top dog in the eye shadow primer game? I wonder how DE-CREASE compares. Have any of you tried DE-CREASE? Leave a comment!

For reals???…Black Radiance makes a self adjusting lip gloss? I hope the folks at Smashbox aint mad. Black Radiance Perfect Tone is a dead wringer for Smashbox O-Gloss. *insert “wow” bob* Wow wOw Wow…

Is Neutrogena’s Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector the poor man’s YSL Touche eclat? Hmmm…

Almay offers a mascara that allows you to adjust and “dial up” the coverage. #FancyHuh

L’OREAL’s True Match Naturale line offers “expert” brushes to accompany their powders. I imagine that your every day consumer who’s clueless about brushes must really appreciate the added bonus.

For about $5, REVLON gives you the “Beyond Natural” lash collection with three different lashes to choose from and a lash glue with applicator.

The pigment on the new eye palettes from Physician’s Formula is quite intense. I think these are great for makeup newbies who want to experiment with color!

Lastly, since we’re on the topic of bargain shopping for makeup, I’ve got a special offer to share with you. Now through August 10 LORAC’s current “Sweet Steal” is the Perfectly Lit Luminizing Powder in SPOTLIGHT. Normally priced at $32 the “Sweet Steal” price is only $9 and is available exclusively at Sephora stores and Sephora.com. The luminizing powder gives the radiant lit from within look that we all desire. By optimizing the effect of the light to diminish imperfections, Perfectly Lit Luminizing Powder blurs imperfections and brightens complexion. I know you all love a great deal so I figured I would share!

xo, Felicia

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Felicia Walker Benson is a makeup expert, style/beauty writer and wardrobe stylist. She enthusiastically shares her passion for the aforementioned with anyone who will listen. Felicia is Editor in Chief for ThisThatBeauty, Contributing Writer for Essence.com and LVCMag, Contributing Editor/NY Correspondent for The Makeup Girl and a Beauty Expert for Examiner.com. Additionally, Felicia is the Social Networking Editor for the premier professional makeup artistry magazine, ON MAKEUP.

Disclosure From time to time the good folks from various brands, PR companies, and marketing firms graciously submit product to ThisThatBeauty for editorial consideration. Much appreciated! However, ThisThatBeauty readers can take comfort in knowing that gratis product has never nor will it ever guarantee a mention on my lil ol blog.

I’m a “Bright Young Thing” – VOTE FOR ME:)

Felicia — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:37:40 +0000

Sometimes I feel like the luckiest style/beauty blogging girl in the world. I get to do some pretty cool things and for the most part, I get to pursue my passion as a profession (I said “passion” not “fantasy”…it’s a LOT of hard work and NOT terribly glamorous most of the time). I was recently asked to participate in a project that makes me feel incredibly proud and beauty-full. You know what “beauty-full” is right?…for me being “beauty-full” is all about sitting pretty both inside and out and using my platform as a style/beauty editor to educate and inform on issues that matter. Have you heard about The Uniform Project? If you haven’t, please allow me to “educate and inform” (smile) Never has a single lbd (little back dress) created such buzz for a worthy cause. In May of 2009, Sheena Matheiken (the cutie in the pic above) pledged to wear one (lbd) dress for one year as an exercise in sustainable fashion. Here’s how The Uniform Project went:

There were seven identical dresses, one for each day of the week.
Every day Sheena cleverly reinvented the dress with various accents, layers, accessories, etc.
The majority of the adornments were vintage, hand-made, or hand-me-downs.

Sheena explains the styling as “wearing a daily uniform with enough creative license to make it look like I just crawled out of the Marquis de Sade’s boudoir.” At the core of The Uniform Project, in addition to the lbd, was a year-long fundraiser for the Akanksha Foundation, a grassroots organization that strives to revolutionize education for children in India. At the end of the year, all contributions toward The Uniform Project went to Akanksha’s School Project to fund uniforms and other educational expenses for underprivileged children living in Indian slums.

When I first learned of the project I was immediately intrigued. My dear friend Shana Stephenson (Editor In Chief for allsportseverything.com) shared the attached video with me and I was moved beyond words. Watch!

(Expand the video for the ultimate viewing experience)

Uniform Project Picture Book from The Uniform Project on Vimeo.

So for 365 days, Sheena Matheiken wore the same dress. To date she has raised over $100,000 for her cause.

Enter “Bright Young Things”, a new clothing line from designer Eliza Starbuck. Starbuck designed the little black dress that Matheiken wore every day for a year. Starbuck’s goal was to create a dress that would not only hold up to a year-long daily wearing, but would function in all facets of real life.

As The Uniform Project launched, Sheena, Eliza, and the lbd garnered international media attention, including articles and posts in the New York Times Magazine, Glamour, Daily Candy, The Huffington Post, The Guardian and the BBC, to mention a few.

It was at this point that Starbuck decided that her dress had the ability to empower and engage. At the end of Sheena’s one-year challenge, Eliza produced a 365-piece Limited Edition of the lbd. And like hotcakes, the dress sold out in less than a week….contributing an additional $10,000 to Sheena’s fundraising efforts.
Today, Bright Young Things is making the dress available to the public. Of the universally flattering lbd, Starbuck says this: “I’ve seen so many women with closets full of clothes who say, ‘I haven’t got a thing to wear’. I’m giving them one dress that they can wear forwards, backwards, open, again and again, with anything they like.” Starbuck hopes that women will be inspired to shop their closets. And here’s where the “Bright Young Things” Style Challenge comes in! Starbuck and her line “Bright Young Things” turned to their favorite style/ fashion bloggers and put forth a challenge to wear The Uniform Project lbd and style it with total free range using beautiful vintage garb from the East Village vintage shop Cobblestones. Yours truly has been asked to participate….*Squeal*….and I would love for you to check out the challenge and vote for your favorite look.

Click here for further details

You may vote for “Our Favorite Style” on the Bright Young Things Facebook Fan Page by clicking “like” and giving a thumbs up on the style post you like the best. The contest will begin on Wednesday, July 28th, and the poles will close Sunday, August 1st at midnight. All winners will be announced Monday, August 2nd, along with the Voter Dress Drawing winner.

In addition to your votes, Bright Young Things have assembled a panel of virtual judges including designers Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock of Vena Cava, Chris Benz,model Elettra Weideman and Eleanor Friedberger of The Fiery Furnaces, who will judge the Best In Show. There will also be a People’s Choice Award for the best blogger style. All fashion bloggers will be featured on the Bright Young Things blog and the winner of the challenge will win the Bright Young Things dress and be featured on the Bright Young Things homepage.

I hope that you will check out the Style Challenge, vote your fave, and support The Uniform Project.

xo, Felicia – a Bright Young Thing!

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ThisThatBeauty Reviews: Physicians Formula Bronze Booster

Felicia — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:00:42 +0000

This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor, Christene Carr. For more from Christene visit her blog www.christenecarr.com or her business website www.hairandskinjunc.com

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Physicians Formula Bronze Booster has “offers an instant and lasting bronzed glow! It can be applied after an application of foundation, powder and blush or simply over moisturizer.

I must say that the packaging of the bronzer is pretty cool. When I first saw it, I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to fit it into my small everyday make-up bag but the brush that’s included with the bronzer is great….so I replaced my current bronzer brush with the nifty compact and I was good to go.

I have darker skin tone and the medium to dark bronzer was just a little lighter than I would have liked. I was still able to use it but I did a bit more blending to ensure there were no lines. When I applied the bronzer just over my tinted moisturizer, I had minor streaking but when applied over foundation it was virtually flawless.

The Physicians Formula Bronze Booster has “exclusive concentrated bronzing micropearls” and if too much is applied you can go from a sun kissed glow to looking like a Martian. Word of caution – If you are new to using bronzers, do a quick check in natural light once application is complete.

Physicians Formula Bronze Booster is stain free (washes easily from garments), orange free, and odor free. It is available in three shades; Fair to Light, Light to Medium and Medium to Dark. The bronzer retails for under $14 and is available at drugstores, as well as stores such as Target and Walmart.

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Fridays with Felicia: Volume 13

Felicia — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:08:02 +0000

Fridays with Felicia: An intimate look behind the curtain as I share my favorite style/ beauty discoveries and ThisThatBeauty shenanigans from previous week.

The highlight of my fashion and beauty filled week was the opportunity to attend the sneak peek event for the Target Harlem Grand Opening. The star studded press event occurred on July 20 and on July 25, Tarjay Harlem will officially open its doors. Yay Team Harlem! So spread the word New York – For style, design, and great value: take the 6 train to 116th street.

Naturally I represented and wore a strong red lip (Lipstick Queen Red Sinner) for the grand opening. I mean c’mon, it’s Target…their logo is red!

Since I haven’t done a good old fashioned Face of the Day post in forever, let me go on and break this down for you

FACE: Cover FX Skin Prep Primer. Make Up For Ever HD Concealer #360. Lanccome TEINT IDOLE FRESH WEAR (shade Suede 2w).
CHEEKS: Lancome Ageless Minérale Blush in Brilliant Berry
EYES: It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eye Brow Pencil. Kevyn Aucoin Volume Mascara
LIPS: Lipstick Queen Red Sinner

Selita Ebanks walked the red carpet at the Target store opening. She added a bit of glamour to her nude Sir Alistair Rai dress with a gold braided necklace from the Melania™ Timepieces & Jewelry collection.The piece is available at QVC.com and retails for $39.00.

Selita was indeed a vision on the red carpet. I appreciate that she went high/low and combined her designer frock with a frugalista friendly accessory piece.

I too went the high/low route with simple black Christian Louboutin pumps, Fiona Paxton necklace,Mossimo v-neck pocket tee (From Target) and this Aqua brand gold/black metallic skirt from Bloomingdales. I snagged it on sale for about $18!

And you couldn’t tell me a thing as I hit my hottest contortionist model pose on the red carpet! Hilar!

Ok, next time I’ll leave the “posing” to the real models

While perusing the aisles (makeup aisles, of course) at the grand opening, I spotted one of my beauty faves. She was carefully inspecting her product line on the shelves — crossing t’s and dotting i’s! See if you recognize this iconic makeup artist and entrepreneur…

It’s Sonia Kashuk. Yep, THE Sonia Kashuk — the woman behind the popular exclusive target cosmetic line. We chatted for a spell and did a quick interview regarding her new eco-friendly beauty tools. More deets on the interview soon…

Here’s Sonia Kashuk’s new line of bamboo and cork brushes….

Culture and lifestyle maven, Bevy Smi th was in attendance and I was lucky enough to snag a quick flick (and rub the hem of her DVF garment). If you’re not following @bevysmith on Twitter you’re missing out on a daily dose of invaluable “Bevy-isms”.

Speaking of Twitter, I finally met one of my Twitter faves in-person. Please meet @theelegantthrifter aka Stan Williams. His book, The Find: The Housing Works Book of Decorating With Thrift Shop Treasures, Flea Market Objects, and Vintage Details (Clarkson Potter) shows you “not just what to look for, but also how to look at an object to identify a great piece.”

Also follow Stan’s blog at www.theelegantthrifter.com

Here I am with world-renowed chef Marcus Samuelsson. Check out his kitchen collection at Target! Five-percent of each product’s purchase price will go to The Fund for Public Schools in support of the library at PS 180: Hugo Newman. www.schools.nyc.gov/site/M180

While I certainly enjoyed the many wonderful humans I met in Harlem that evening, it was a four-legged friend that sent my heart sailing….

Most folks at the event took “one” picture with Bullseye the Target mascot. Yours truly could not resist requesting a second picture with Bullseye…this one with a kiss! MmmmmmmmmmMWAH Bullseye!

Definitely check out the Harlem Tarjay! What a wonderful win for the community. #TeamHarlem!

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Beauty360.com, the online shopping destination for CVS/pharmacy’s prestige beauty retailer Beauty 360, carries coveted skincare brands including Ahava, Bioelements, Borba, Canyon Ranch Skincare, Mario Badescu and many more.

Today thru July 25 shop Beauty360.com for 20% off all your suncare and skincare purchases! By entering coupon code GLOW at checkout you will also receive free shipping when you spend $49 or more. Click on this link for additional details and products: http://tinyurl.com/337cyau

You may follow Beauty360 at www.twitter.com/beauty360 for beauty tips and news, event details and upcoming promotions.

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Here’s one for my brides — NYC Smile Design announces a cosmetic dental makeover contest for one lucky bride –to-be to win a FREE dental makeover worth up to $30,000. NYC Smile Design’s “Extreme Bridal Makeover” is a contest based in the metropolitan area. Women who are getting married are encouraged to share their stories for a chance to win a makeover worth $30,000.

In order to enter, the contestant must submit a story about why she is unhappy with her smile along with a picture. Dr. Ramin Tabib and Dr. Mello of NYC Smile Design will choose the person with the most compelling story to win the makeover and they will then work their magic to create the perfect smile for the big day.

In order to enter for a chance to win, you must first become a fan of NYC Smile Design’s Facebook page. Visit NYC Smile Design’s Facebook page for details to enter and for daily updates about the contest follow NYC Smile Design on Twitter.

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Visit Youngblood at the Plaza Hotel to get your ultimate mineral makeover. Through July 24, join the artists behind Youngblood to learn about flawless foundation application. For purchases over $150 you will receive an organza bag filled with a full size lip gloss, deluxe Primer sample, deluxe Hi-Def powder sample and a Kabuki brush.

Youngblood offers a comprehensive collection of natural-looking makeup. Visit the Plaza Hotel’s beauty level and learn more!

WHO: The Plaza Beauty

WHAT: Youngblood Cosmetics

WHEN: Now through Saturday, July 24th, 2010

WHERE: The Plaza Beauty One West 58th Street, Concourse Level NY, NY 10019 212.223.4694

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On July 26 one of my favorite makeup brands will debut on ShopNBC. (See previous BECCA posts here, here, here, and here)

BECCA Cosmetics will premiere on the network this Monday, July 26^th at 11am and 7pm ET. The line is a fave of mine because its complexion range satisfies from Nicole Kidman to Alek Wek. The line features natural looking cosmetics that focus on a flawless and fresh finish, while benefiting the skin with anti-oxidant vitamins and high levels of broad spectrum sunscreen.

Of the launch on ShopNBC, BECCA founder, Rebecca Morrice Williams, has this to say: “We’re thrilled to be launching BECCA on ShopNBC. Offering women the opportunity to create flawless, natural looking skin is what the BECCA line pivots around. We’ve chosen many special, best-selling products for the face, eyes, lips and cheeks, and are very excited to introduce them to the ShopNBC audience”.

Tune in and learn more about BECCA!

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Last, but certainly not least, here’s a deal from Stila that I just had to share…..

Do you need makeup? (of course you do. LOL)
Do you have $10?
Ok, buy this!

Stila just launched limited edition Stila Girl Travel Palettes! The first of the series is Road to Radiance Across the USA inspired by Kylie’s road trip across the US!

The frugalista friendly palette includes:

Four Eye Shadows:
- Snow Bunny (shimmery champagne)
- Southern Belle (mauve)
- Valley Girl (pink)
- City Chick (alloy)

Convertible Color:
- Hibiscus (I lurrrrve Stila Convertible color cheek colors. “Fuchsia” is one of my faves)

Each palette is ONLY $10, a $65 VALUE! Collect all Five (check back next month for the new palette!)

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Have a great weekend everyone…I hope to do some crabbing down the shore! Nom nom!

xo,

Felicia

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Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim: Day One – MAKE UP FOR EVER for Ed Hardy Swim

Felicia — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 05:25:16 +0000

The love of my life, James Vincent, worked his magic backstage for Ed Hardy Swim at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami. Now clearly, I am not an Ed Hardy kind of girl but my love for James and MAKE UP FOR EVER compels me to report….

BACKSTAGE AT: ED HARDY

MAKE UP FOR EVER ALLIANCE artist, James Vincent (www.makeupforever-alliance.com), served as the key make up artist for the Ed Hardy swim show on Friday, July 16^th. James created a bold black eye and strong red lip for a glamorous, old Hollywood look.

Complexion & Cheeks: The skin was bronzed and dewy with highlights on the brow bone and high cheek.

Eyes: To get a neutral base for the eye, James applied MAKE UP FOR EVER Eye Shadow #156 up to the brow bone. He then created a thick rim around the top of the eye extending to the liner beyond the outer corner of the lid using MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Black, and he then went on to rim the lower lash line as well. He finished by applying two coats of MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Smoky Lash.

Lips: For a gorgeous pop of red on the lips, James applied MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream #8.

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ThisThatBeauty Reviews: FlexFlop

Felicia — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 05:26:39 +0000

How many times have you made a “quick” stop at the mall only to end up walking around for hours in 4 inch heels? Have you ever wanted a pedicure but looked down, saw close toed shoes then opted to forgo the pedicure? With the Flexflop, you can comfortably stay in the mall as long as you want without getting blisters.

“Flexflops are ‘emergency’ flip flops that fold in half and come packaged in a matching pouch.” The thin pliable foam bottom separates the Flexflops from your average flip flop. The material makes it easy to fold the flexflop in half without breaking it in two. If you try to bend your average foam flip flop in half you may end up with two pieces. Flexflops are more durable, comfortable and more stylish than the flimsy paper slippers that are sometimes given to clients after a salon pedicure. The Flexflop has a bit of cushioning, so there is substance between your foot and the ground and the sliding straps will adjust to fit and flatter most feet.

Flexflops can be plain or super “blinged” out and can (conceivably) be worn in various states of dress, from casual to dressy. I can see the Flex Flop being a big hit amongst women who dance for three hours in four inch heels but then have to walk several blocks when the party is over. Flexflops are available in a variety of colors and three fabrics: terry-cloth, microfiber and twill. They make great bridal party gifts and the pouches can be customized using crystals. After performing the task of being a bridesmaid, I would much rather a pair of Flexflops with a pouch that says, “best bridesmaid ever,” than an engraved picture frame.

My Flexflop is white terry-cloth, with a little bling and after wearing it a few times, it got soiled. Even though the manufacturer didn’t suggest washing it, me being the frugalista that I am, I washed it in room temperature soapy water. Guess what? It survived. Flexflop gets my CCC+ rating. Cute, comfortable, convenient…and the “+” because the product is environmentally friendly.

Flexflops retail from $25 for a plain pair, up to $68 for the most “blinged” out. Visit www.flexflop.com to buy online or to find a location near you.

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This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor, Christene Carr. For more from Christene visit her blog www.christenecarr.com or her business website www.hairandskinjunc.com

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Fridays with Felicia: Volume 12

Felicia — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:28:23 +0000

Fridays with Felicia: An intimate look behind the curtain as I share my favorite style/ beauty discoveries and ThisThatBeauty shenanigans from previous week.

Hey everyone! It’s time for another wild and crazy beauty-filled column of “Fridays with Felicia”. Buckle up!

I celebrated Bastille Day with Phyto Universe. If you have never visited the botanical sanctuary that is Phyto Universe, you are truly missing out on something special. The urban oasis is home to over 9,000 live tropical plants from all over the world. The 3,000 square foot vertical garden must be seen to be believed. If you are a hair care fanatic like me, a Phyto hair analysis and treatment is a must.

Now back to Phyto’s Bastille Day celebration…

I ran into fellow Beauty Writer, Kristin Booker of Fashion Style Beauty online mag.

While celebrating Bastille Day at Phyto Universe I learned of a soon to be released collection of intensive hair treatments. You all know that I do my own hair (relaxer, blow outs, trimming, etc) so I perked up during the hair mask presentation. The collection is set to launch in September but you know I would never make you wait that long! I’ve got the exclusive deets for you NOW…that’s just how I roll

Formula PHYTOKARITE is for Ultra Dry Hair and has my name written all over it. The newly re-formulated treatment is ultra-rich and intended to provide intense hydration, nutrition, and deep-down repair. With Shea Butter, Pastel Oil, Wood Cellulose, and Castor and Colza Oils, effective repair is possible from the first application. Now that’s what I am talking about! We love immediate results, right?

Formula PHYTOCITRUS is for Color-treated Hair. It is formulated to nourish and boost radiance. Rich in citrus fruits, Phytocitrus seals cuticles to lock in color intensity and prevent fading. Sweet almond proteins and illipe butter work to deeply nourish and restructure the hair fiber.

Formula PHYTOJOBA is for Dry Hair that is in need of intense hydration and regeneration. Enriched in jojoba oil and guar gum the mask melts into a luxurious hair softener that works to instantly to moisturize and detangle. Angelica root extract and sweet orange essential oil gives hair shine and vitality. Hair is said to regain softness and elasticity.

Formula PHYTODENSIUM is ideal for fine or thinning hair. This anti-aging mask claims to thicken and strengthen hair. It is formulated with grapeseed and black currant seed oils which naturally soften and regenerate hair. The botanical protein complex increases hair’s thickness and density

The entire hair mask collection ($38) contains NO Silicones, NO Parabens, NO Phtalates.

Lastly, I have a summer time hair care tip to share from Julien Farel (Julien Farel Salon ) to me, to you:

Tip from Julien Farel: If your hair is color treated and you are prepping for a day at the beach, preserve your color by wetting your hair and applying a think coating of conditioner. This process adds a layer of protection between your hair color and the sun. I am trying this the next time I hit Cape May!

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Last week I posted pictures from a wonderful charity gala for Haiti that I had the pleasure of attending. Apparently the Street Style Team for Essence.com was in the house as well. They spied me in my orange off the shoulder frock and gold sparkly shoes and included my picture in their “Grown and Sexy Nights” piece. How cool is that? Well here’s my 10 seconds of paparazzi fame…and the link to the actual post. The comments were all really sweet and made my day. One comment in particular was from a man who offered to take me out, BUT only if I wear the orange dress. Hilarious stuff! (but probably not as hilarious to Mr. Benson:))

And oh, I should probably properly quote my outfit for the record. When I was asked “who are you wearing” I think the party was too loud for the photographer to hear my complete response…so the description the website of what I am wearing is not one hundred percent accurate. The dress is Jay Godfrey. I scored it at a sample sale. I’m wearing a tiny gold JCrew waist belt that transformed the dress from a tent to a strategically cinched drop waist. The shoes are a patent sparkly gold Christian Louboutin slingback. The clutch is a nameless snakeskin vintage find. http://photos.essence.com/galleries/street_style_melkey#448051

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Here on ThisThatBeauty we discuss all sorts of products and treatments that help to keep your skin beautiful. By now you know that treatment products can take many forms…from serums, to different types of peels, to more technologically advanced tools like my beloved Clarisonic, or a device like this by TRIA Beauty.

I recently learned of (and experienced) a beautification and relaxation process that I simply had to share here as part of “Fridays with Felicia”.

HALO/AIR is the first ever U.S. Salt Rooms that are made completely out of salt mined 300 meters below ground from European salt caves. Salt therapy treatments are touted as being effective in helping those who suffer from respiratory conditions, common colds or even skin conditions such as acne. A while back I covered a skin care system that uses the power of salt to treat acne, so the idea of visiting a salt room doesn’t sound so far off.

It is my understanding that Salt Rooms are already popular in other parts of the world but HALO/ AIR is the first facility of its kind in the United States. That’s right yall….ThisThatBeauty brings you the exclusive scoop on whats current in beauty!

The salt that is used at HALO/ AIR is mined from European salt caves 300 meters below ground. The Halo/Air Salt Room treatment uses unique proprietary equipment and room design which creates a dry salt aerosol microclimate. The patented HaloGenerator creates humidity, filters the air, and grinds and atomizes the salt into air particles for the rooms.

Dont allow the word “particles” to frighten you as the particles are breathable. While going in for the treatment I was not certain what to expect. Think: sauna. You may enter the salt room fully clothed. The only wardrobe change required is a covering for your feet.While in your private little salt cave, you may relax, nap, or watch TV. I chose to catch up on ol Kathy Griffin and her “D-List” shenanigans. Oh Kathy….

Here I am after an hour in my little salt cave. I left the salt room feeling more refreshed, at ease, and my skin really did seem to glow! Is salt treatment for you? Well here’s what I have to say. Why don’t you take a moment to pop into HALO/ AIR’s minimalist chic Chelsea location and talk with the helpful staff. I am certain that they can help you figure out if the treatment is right for you. I will say that you probably need more than one visit to see significant improvement…so here’s another upside to stopping by to visit HALO/ AIR. When you stop by, you can pick up a brochure, which on the back offers you a free session with the purchase of your first. So that’s two sessions for the price of one. Sounds like a great deal to me…and a great way to try the service twice and really gauge the efficacy. Good luck!

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Hey everyone, don’t forget to enter my contest to win one of three Rio De Keratin Treatment kits. Click here for the full contest deets.

Stay cool..this weekend is going to be a scorcher here on the east coast!

xo.

Felicia

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ThisThatBeauty Reviews: TouchBack

Felicia — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:09:34 +0000

This post is written by ThisThatBeauty Contributor, Christene Carr. For more from Christene visit her blog www.christenecarr.com or her business website www.hairandskinjunc.com

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When I discovered my first gray hair before I turned twenty I freaked out because I thought I would be completely gray in a matter of days (dramatic, I know). To my surprise, it’s been several years later and I still only have about eight strands.

If I had turned gray and needed a full head of color, I’m sure the TouchBack hair color would work wonders to cover my gray roots in between salon (or at home) coloring. TouchBack is not designed to cover entire strands of grays but that is what I did to the eight strands of gray in the top of my head. Let’s just say it doesn’t discriminate between entire strands of gray and root touch-ups.

According to the manufacturer, TouchBack should be applied as follows:

The TouchBack marker should be applied to dry hair. For resistant gray hair, hold the marker on the hair for a few seconds to deposit additional color. Mousse, gels and other styling products may be used prior to applying TouchBack, and hair spray can be used over it.

TouchBack includes a special comb for use at temples and hairline. The comb acts as a skin shield for those areas. Slide the comb under the hair, as close to the scalp as possible, then apply TouchBack.

TouchBack uses certified hair colors, is free of ammonia and peroxide, making it gentle on hair. Each .27 fluid ounce applicator is good for about 40-50 applications, depending on the level of gray coverage. According to the manufacturer, “ TouchBack actually bonds to the hair, blending beautifully with permanent hair color for a totally natural look.” TouchBack is available in eight shades, shown here. I tried the black TouchBack and the color was natural, however, after application, my few strands felt a little stiffer than usual. The color doesn’t flake and it doesn’t easily transfer unto clothing unless water is applied.

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Beauty Booty from Nordstrom

Felicia — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 05:15:42 +0000

We all love great beauty booty. You know the routine…you spend a little and get a LOT! Starting July 16 through August 1^st, During the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, the Cosmetic department provides their devoted beauty customers the opportunity to scoop up unique limited-edition items from a wide variety of brands, which are only available during this time.

This year, over 100 beauty brands are participating. Some highlights include MAC, Chanel, Juicy Couture, NARS, Kiehl’s, Laura Mercier, Marc Jacobs, Dior and Bobbi Brown. As of July 16^th, the sale goes live and customers both in store and online can purchase the limited-edition Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives.

Bobbi Brown “Must Haves” Collection ($75; $150 value)

Bobbi created an exclusive collection with a 5 well pan eyeshadow palette, dual ended brush, full size lipstick, Lip gloss Everything Mascara, Caviar Ink Gel Liner and Liner Brush.

Laura Mercier Fall “On the Go” Collection ($65; $163 Value)

Laura Mercier created an exclusive set featuring a full size Long Lash Mascara, Double ended exclusive lip glace, split pan exclusive cheek color duo, double ended eye brush (smudge/angled eye color) and a luxurious cosmetic bag.

MAC Look in a Box in Frisky Girl, Miss Violet and Tawny One ($49.50; $87 Value)

M·A·C Look in a Box offers one perfect, complete makeup look. Fancy yourself a fabulous Frisky Girl, a vehement Miss Violet or a totally Tawny One. Simply follow the how-to guide therein, et voila! Simplicity without duplicity—three personalities any girl would want to try on. A gift for all those wanting to make a great look, easy.

Juicy Couture Viva la Juicy Anniversary Gift Set ($75)

Answering the prayers of Juicy girls everywhere, Juicy Couture created this keep-sake hat box filled with their signature fragrance, body cream and compact mirror.

Deborah Lippmann All That Jazz Set ($40; $54 value)

This collection, includes 3 fashion forward colors in Razzle Dazzle, Some Enchanted Evening & Lady Sings the Blues in a silver signature box.

Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash Set ($34; $58 Value)

This supersized version of Bliss’ Fabulous Foaming Face Wash is more than double the size of the original cult favorite. This two-in-one exfoliating face wash and fresh, fruity cleanser contains rose hip extract, milk thistle, passionflower and chamomile in a non-stripping formula that’s clean but never squeaky.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps with Pump ($70.00; $89 Value)

With this jumbo version of Kiehl’s cult-favorite all-over body moisturizer, you are sure to not run out of stock until next anniversary sale rolls around.

Anthony Logistics Glycolic Cleanser ($35 for 32.0 oz; $80.00 Value)

The #1-selling product from Anthony Logistics For Men is super-sized for a super value. Glycolic Cleanser helps fight the effects of premature aging by helping to erase fine lines and wrinkles. It leaves the skin smooth and fresh and ready for shaving.

Chanel Quator Boutons de Chanel ($65)

Shade combinations ranging from matte to frost to satin for multiple looks, contrasting or complementary. Apply dry for subtle shadowing. Slightly moistened applicator gives a more intense shade. Organic polymer derivatives ensure smudge-proof long wear, particularly in high temperature or humidity. Dermatologist tested.

Dior Ready-to-Wear Palette ($54)

A deluxe palette of Ready-to-Wear shades, straight from the runway! Palette includes four eyeshadows, two lip glosses, a blush, a three-tone bronzer and mini brush applicators.

Lancome 4 Piece Brush set with black and coral bag ($59; $133 Value)

PURE Scent Spray by pureDKNY ($42)

Be the first to experience the new PURE by pureDKNY before its available anywhere else. A drop of vanilla sourced from Africa, a drop of goodwill. A soft floral scent with a signature vanilla accord. pureDKNY supports local communities by taking small steps to help make a difference, pure and simple.

Estée Lauder Pure Color Gloss by Tom Pecheux ($18)

Four limited-edition shades by Tom Pecheux, world-renowned makeup artist and Estée Lauder Creative Makeup Director. Tom chooses his favorite shades of the season—the colors he keeps in his personal tool kit and uses backstage at fashion shows and photo shoots. Pure Color is lip gloss with the power to light up your face. True Vision™ technology transforms ordinary color and makes it extraordinary. You’ll want them all.

Lancôme (Free Gift with any Lancôme purchase of $32.50; over $100.00 Value)

A must-have for any Lancôme addict. Choose your basics, serum, color product and lip color encased in a stylish black tote emblazoned with a Parisian floral design.

Estée Lauder (Free Gift with any Estée Lauder purchase of $29.50; $110.00 Value)

Be rewarded for any Estée Lauder purchase during the Anniversary Sale with this delightful gift containing an assortment of must-have products.

La Prairie Anniversary gift with purchase (Free Gift with any La Prairie purchase of $300; $120 Value)

Enjoy a luxurious gift of La Prairie essentials including samples of Skin Caviar Luxe Eye Lift Cream, Anti-Aging Anti-Wrinkle Line filler, Cellular Cleansing Water & Cellular Hand Cream in a coveted La Prairie signature weaved bag.

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Fridays with Felicia: Volume 11

Felicia — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:33:01 +0000

Fridays with Felicia: An intimate look behind the curtain as I share my favorite style/ beauty discoveries and ThisThatBeauty shenanigans from previous week.

The last few weeks have been (beautifully) brutal! I have been in so many airports that I recently earned the Foursquare “Jet-setter” badge…given to individuals who check into five airports. I was finally able to slow down with a lovely family vacation to Miami and then the Bahamas for a wedding. I had a blast…(see image to the right – Yep, that’s me and Senor Frog in the Bahamas. He’s feeling me…cant you tell?)

Lets kick off “Fridays with Felicia” with an awesome giveaway. After so much buzz over my recent review of Rio De Keratin (RDK) at-home Keratin Treatment, I am thrilled to partner with RDK and offer three lucky ThisThatBeauty readers the opportunity to win the at-home kit that Chrissy raved about in her review. Woot woot!

The deets are as follows…. to enter the contest, you must:

Follow @ThisThatBeuty and @RDKhair on Twitter
Leave a comment on my blog with your Twitter handle. This will serve as your contest entry. When I winner is selected I will verify that that individual is a Twitter follower of @ThisThatBeauty and @RDKhair. You will be notified via Twitter. Yay for social media!
You may earn additional contest entries by Tweeting and ReTweeting the following “Win @RDKhair at home Keratin treatment at www.ThisThatBeauty.com @ThisThatBeauty“.
There’s no limit to the number of times you may enter the contest.

This contest is open to US residents only and will run through July 18!

Speaking of hair, have you guys checked out Pantene lately? The frugalista friendly mass drugstore line recently revamped their offerings and I’ve got the scoop. had the pleasure of attending an intimate press breakfast presentation and round-table discussion on Pantene’s new launch. Celebrity Stylist for Pantene, Tippi Shorter, and Pantene Senior Scientist, Dr. Jeni Thomas walked through Pantene’s new collections and how the products cater to various hair types. I found the presentation to be especially helpful as selecting the proper products for your hair type/texture is key to achieving the best possible desired results.

Tippi and Jeni Pantene discussed the ins and outs of Pantene’s 4 new recently launched collections which are entirely based on hair structure: Fine, Medium-Thick, Curly and Color-treated.

During the event I had an opportunity to chat one-on-one with Tippi regarding my hair and get her expert advice on which Pantene line would work best for my hair. Hey, if Tippi can keep Alicia Keys’ locks gorgeous, certainly she’s more than qualified to advice lil ol me:) Here I am getting hair scoop from Tippi…

Because my hair is super dry (yet very soft, as per Tippi after giving my locks a quick touch:)) and in need of intense moisture, Tippi recommended that I shampoo with Pantene’s Relaxed and Natural shampoo because it has the highest level of moisture of all of the shampoos. However because my hair is very thick and in need of moisture, Tippi recommended that I condition with the products from the newly launched “Medium/ Thick” collection.

I was anxious to put Tippi’s recommendations to the test. While I am generally a fan of Pantene, I wasn’t extremely hopeful because my hair is currently the driest its been in years and I am about 5 weeks overdue for a relaxer touch-up…which means my coarse crinkly roots are doing serious battle with my straight relaxed ends. Not a pretty situation once wet. Yeouch!

Anyhoo, I followed Tippi’s advice and used the recommended products a few evenings later. Much to my surprise, the Relaxed and Natural shampoo and Medium Thick conditioner combo tackled my seriously dry multi textured hair. The shampoo was great at moisturizing and detangling my hair. After shampooing my hair wasn’t screaming for conditioner…you know what I mean? Sometimes after shampooing the hair feels like its going to disintegrate it doesn’t get a good conditioner, STAT. Well my hair didn’t feel that way after Relaxed and Natural…which is impressive given the fact that I am so overdue for a relaxer and have about two inches of new growth. I followed my shampoo with one of the tiny Medium Thick conditioning ampoules. I was tempted to use more than one ampoule, but wanted to follow the exact directions for an accurate review on ThisThatBeauty.

A few tips for Tippi — Follow product directions exactly! How many of us are guilty of leaving hair products on (especially conditioners) for longer than the directions require. Tippi encourages you follow directions as outlined. Mant times we think we’re getting extra benefits by using more product or leaving it on longer. Tippi says that products are formulated and tested to be effective in a certain amount of time. I applied Tippi’s advise and used the Pantene products as directed…and loved the results! Thanks Pantene and Tippi!

If you follow my tom-foolery via Twiiter you know that the girl loves vino. During the summer months I tend to favor refreshing whites….and sparkling wines are particularly favored. While in Miami I tried a really yummy sparkling wine that I am compelled to share. Mumm Napa Cuvee M is a wonderful semi sweet sparkling white wine. It is describes as: Elegant Light peach rose. Elegant aromas. Rich and complex. Fresh white and yellow stone fruits with subtle hints of wild strawberry. Heady touch of fresh brioche, with hints of vanilla and honey. Flavors of peach and pear combine with a creamy caramel character, on a long, satisfying finish.

Since it Lebron season its only fitting that I feature a Miami-centric event. MAKE UP FOR EVER, the official makeup sponsor for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim, is hosting “Smudge-Proof Your Make Up” at Sephora South Beach (July 17 from 4-7pm). At the event customers can get their makeup done for FREE before heading out for a night on the town. Please feel free to share this event with your friends in the South Florida area (Clumps of Mascara, I’m looking at you:)).

Try out MAKE UP FOR EVER’s brand new Aqua Cream, a collection of 21 multi-use cream colors for the eyes, lips or cheeks that are 100% waterproof, sweat-proof, melt-proof and crease-proof. Aqua Cream is being used on the models backstage at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim. Stay tuned for daily makeup looks from the runway!

Saturday, July 17th, 2010
4:00pm – 7:00pm
Sephora South Beach
721 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL
(305) 532-0904

Speaking of smudge proof makeup…how is your makeup holding up in this heatwave? While I love the finish of cream foundation, I must admit that its hard to reach for on a 100+ degree day. Lately I’ve been keeping my complexion balanced with Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed Powder. The product is called 4-in1 because it is a foundation, concealer, powder and SPF 15 all in one. The pressed formulation is perfect for the consumer who enjoys the benefits of mineral but hates the loose mineral mess.

Here’s an application tip: If you apply your pressed powder and feel that the coverage is too matte, give you face a light mist of hydration with Fulvic Mineral Mist. This is a great way to refresh the skin and set your coverage.

As you guys know from last week’s Friday’s with Felicia, I was recently in LA working on a very exciting project with Cover Girl. I also had the opportunity to do makeup for five performing artists (who are also Cover Girl spokeswomen) who appeared live on stage with Queen Latifah at the BET Awards. In the coming weeks I will share additional details on the Cover Girl project which includes a very cool web-series that I am apart of — I do makeup for the women and give them beauty tips along the way. For now, here are a few shots of me and my Cover Girls after I glam’d them up for the red carpet and their on camera appearance with Queen Latifah at the BET Awards:

This one’s for my Twilight fans. *squeal* Actress Julia Jones, one of the newest additions to the Twilight cast, looked stunning at the premiere of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse in LA. mark Celebrity Makeup Artist Jamie Greenberg shares her expert beauty tips on how to recreate Julia’s red carpet look.

Face

“I started by using mark Mist Opportunity Multi-tasking Refresher to prep the face and applied mark For Goodness Face Antioxidant Skin Moisturizing Lotion all over Julia’s skin. Next, I added a touch of mark Get Bright Hook Up Highlighter in Golden under the eye area and mark Get A Tint Tinted Moisturizer Lotion SPF 15 Honey/Golden to even out her complexion. To give her a naturally radiant look, I dusted mark Bronze Pro Bronzing Powder everywhere except for her cheeks. To really emphasize her cheeks, I used a combination of mark Just Pinched Instant Blush Tint in Cheeky and Peachy and then lightly swept mark Glowdacious Illuminating Powder in Amped Up to the apples of her cheeks.”

Eyes

“I began by prepping her eyelids with the mark Please Hold Eye Primer in Medium/Dark to create a strong base for her eye makeup. I then applied a combination of three mark I-mark Custom Pick Eyeshadows to her eyes. I swept Magic across her lids, blended Latte into the crease and added Whisper under the brow bone. To add definition to her eyes, I applied the black shade of mark Keep It Going Longwear Eyeliner and Eyeshadow in Entourage to her top lash line and used the gold shade of mark Keep It Going Longwear Eyeliner and Eyeshadow in Iconic along the lower lash line. I finished her eyes with one coat of mark Scanda-Lash Hook Up Mascara in Blacklash for thickness and a second coat of mark Lash Splash Hook Up Waterproof Mascara in Black to lengthen and hold her lashes for the night.”

Lips

“I prepped Julia’s lips with mark Kiss Dry Goodbye Lip Smoother. To get her bold lip, I applied mark Kissink Lip Tintmarker in Red Siren topped with mark Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain in Lolli”

As much as I love makeup, you all know that skincare is number one for me! While my daily regiment currently includes products from several different lines, I can respect the customer who prefers to keep it simple and use a comprehensive collection of products from the same line. When I learned of Dr. Harold Lancer, Beverly Hills dermatologist, and his line of skincare products, I had to share. The Lancer Method is Dr Lancer’s three-step skincare technique. The Lancer Method follows the guiding principle that skincare does not have to be complicated to be effective. With a simple, daily 3-step program, the LANCERx products offer the efficacy of medical grade ingredients to quickly improve fine lines, texture, discoloration and pore size.

Step 1: Exfoliate – The Lancer RX Polish is an advanced exfoliator, removing dull, dead skin cells and leaving the skin noticeably smoother and more radiant. The natural sea minerals immediately energize the skin without causing redness (even for people with rosacea) and prepare it for effective cleansing.

Step 2: Cleanse – Once the skin is rid of debris it is ready to be cleansed. The Lancer RX Cleanser washes away impurities & environmental toxins while bringing a uniform freshness to the skin.

Step 3: Repair – After the skin has been polished and prepped it is time for repair. The Lancer RX AM/PM Nourishing Treatment increases firmness, diminishes the appearance of lines and wrinkles and nourishes the skin with essential botanical extracts and powerful antioxidants.

The three step kit includes your choice of Extremely Pure Cleanser or Exfoliating Blemish Cleanser, Natural Sea Mineral Polish or Blemish Control Polish, and AM/PM Nourishing Treatment. And if celebrity endorsements float your boat, I hear the breathtakingly beautiful Keri Hilson is a fan of Lancer Rx

The only thing better than a great a party is a great party with a purpose. And year after year, my dear friend Melky Jean (baby sis of Wyclef Jean) does just that. Her annual birthday party/ charity gala is legendary. I was recently invited to attend Melky’s party/ fundraiser for her non-profit, Carma Foundation – an organization whose mission is to improve the health of poor and vulnerable women and children in Haiti. Melky has been doing amazing work in her homeland of Haiti. I am honored to support her foundation’s efforts. Here are a few pics from the charity event.

Melky and Wyclef perform

Me @ the gala

Have a beauty-full weekend!

xo, Felicia

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