Fridays with Felicia:

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

It is decided. The beloved hairdo that was once a childhood staple, has re-surged with a vengeance and shows strong signs of becoming my summer time go-to look. Yes ladies I’m talking about “cornrows”. From about age 1 to about age 6, cornrows were my thang! Mom braided my hair often. In returning to my roots, this week I decided to give my hair a break and sport a couple of loosely braided cornrows. What do you all think?

Not one to claim I started a trend when I did not, lets look to the runway….For LA Fashion Week Beauty Spring/Summer 2010, Future Heretics sent these braided beauties down the runway.

In Paris, for Spring/Summer 2010, Elie Saab and Jean Paul Gautier both showcased braids but from uniquely different perspectives. Gaultier  presented a collection of intricately woven buns, full-head braiding, and Aztec influenced designs.

Saab on the other hand opted for romantic and feminine plaited crowns.

Taking this look from runway to real life is easy.

The photos below reflect wearable alternatives.

Do you know what I absolutely love about summer? I mean my most favorite thing about summer? Swollen feet! Yea, nothing makes me feel sexier than fat old sausage-y feet! Grrrr! Every summer like clockwork I find myself fighting the Battle of the Bulge…not bulging hips — BULGING FEET! This week as the temperature climbed to above 80 degrees, my feet conspired to prevent me from wearing these <=======

Luckily, like a good little beauty blogger, I recalled that I had recently attended a Sally Hansen Spring product launch event and was introduced to JUST FEET Instant Relief Foot & Leg Gel. I dispensed a generous amount of the rich creamy gel and went to work on my feet. The caffeine extract enriched formula works to quickly visibly reduce puffiness. By vigorously massaging the gel into my ankles and feet, I increased circulation and reduced the swelling. This product is road tested and ThisThatBeauty approved. Bye bye puffy summer feet!

And not to be all “Sally Hansen – Sally Hansen”…but Sally Hansen Chrome Quick Pen is the business. I know I know I introduced you to Chrome Quick Pen last week….but that post did not include pics of yours truly rockin out to Silver Chrome. I double dog dare you to tell me that this polish is not a dead wringer for MINX. Here’s the color I wore all week (just one coat of polish).

Mario Badescu, one of favorite skin care lines, recently launched a new SPF product. All week I’ve been wearing Mario Badescu Oil Free Moisturizer SPF 30. You all know that I’ve been extra careful with my skin lately as I continue to focus on improving my Hyperpigmentation. Sunscreen is a MUST for every one, every day…but for individuals dealing with Hyperpigmentation, sunscreen is especially important because you don’t want your dark spot to get darker. For me, my dark spots come from old pimples. In an effort to keep my skin pimple free, I recently switched from my usual SPF product to Mario Badescu’s oil-free SPF 30. I’m sorry but skin does not need the extra oil. I’m oily enough already, thank you very much!

Mario Badescu Oil Free SPF 30 is extremely lightweight (perf for summer) and offers broadband UVA and UVB protection. It is formulated with antioxidant green tea, which helps to repair environmental damage. The moisturizer/sunscreen combo also contains St Johns Wort and Aloe Vera to soothe and calm inflamed skin. The two ounce bottle retails for $26…a steal for a product of this caliber!

I am absolutely amazed at the breadth of beauty products currently available at the drugstore level. L’Oréal Paris has recently launched Studio Secrets™, the brand’s first professional makeup line. When I first spied the line’s hero product,  Studio Secrets™ Professional Magic Perfecting Base, I must admit — I was skeptical. I like a good mix of high/ low as much as the next girl but can a twelve dollar and ninety five cent drugstore primer live up to its claim to deliver “perfect skin texture all day” and “minimize the look of pores and fine lines”? The beauty junkie, I mean, roving beauty journalist in me just had to road test this puppy.

Upon opening the small glass jar, I honest to God didn’t know what to expect from a drugstore primer (I can be a bit of a snob sometimes). Much to my surprise the texture is extremely light weight and blends on to skin like a dream. As you all know, I have extremely oily skin and its been rather warm this last week.  Studio Secrets™ Professional Magic Perfecting Base beautifully mattifies my skin and keeps the shine at bay. I am impressed with the fact that the product is oil-free. This is a major plus for individuals with oily, acne prone, and sensitive skin. The Magic Perfecting Base boasts a high elastomer content, which gives the primer its comfortable cushiony texture. If you’re tired of spending $30+ on your fancy department store primer, give Studio Secrets™ Professional Magic Perfecting Base a shot!

Mid week I popped in on my old pal (not really, I’ve just covered her work many times) Sarah Lucero (for Stila) as she prepped models backstage for the Rebecca Minkoff Holiday 2010 presentation. Sarah described the look as “dusty desert” inspired…a real departure from the traditional pretty girl sparkly look we tend to see around holiday.  The eyes were dark (espresso, brown, black), smoky and smoldering on top while tight and clean on the bottom. I asked Sarah if she was planning on incorporating the new Stila Smudge Sticks (I will review these soon, promise!)…she replied no. Instead she reached for espresso shadow (wet), puppy, and kajal liner in onyx to build/layer the color. There was sheen on the cheeks. The lips were flushed and slightly matte. Stila never disapoints. This was by far one of my favorite press events of the week!

Have a great weekend everyone!

xo,

Felicia

Oh, and Happy Mother’s Day!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Bloomingdale’s. All opinions are 100% mine.

“Green” is no longer a color, but a way of life. Every one is “going green” these days….even luxury brands! Bloomingdale’s and famed handbag designer Rebecca Minkoff have partnered to bring you Tote-ally Green design contest contest. 

For this “green” contest entrants will design a unique reusable tote bag by logging onto www.bloomingdales.com/design. You can use the tools on the site to digitally create a design or get creative and import an image from your own computer.

Here’s the ThisThatBeauty green tote:

Now its your turn! Log on to www.bloomingdales.com/design and design your own tote for a chance to win! One winner will be chosen everyday, based on our favorite submissions, and will receive a $100 Gift Card.

Contest info:

• Contest runs from April 7- April 25, 2010
• One winner will be chosen everyday, based on our favorite submissions, and will receive a $100 Gift Card
• Submissions will be whittled down to 50 favorites based on user votesGrand prize winner who will receive a $2,000 shopping spree and the winning design will be sold exclusively at bloomingdales.com.
• Entrant with the most votes can also win $1,000 shopping spree

ADDITIONAL INFO:

• Share with friends…the more you share the more votes you can get, and the more likely you will win
• Put your design skills to the test/calling all designers and fashionistas
• A chic reusable tote is the perfect accessory for any activity! Grocery shopping, picnic, day of errands, the beach, etc. Every little bit can help us conserve and look chic doing it!

Sarah Lucero for Stila led the makeup team at Rebecca Minkoff. Flushed cheeks, stained lips, and lush lashes evoked the presence of French bombshell Brigitte Bardot. Lucero wanted the models to look as if they were just brought in from the cold. Brrrr! To achieve the look of bitten lips and stained cheeks Lucero used  Peony Convertible Color on cheeks and Cherry Crush Lip Stain. For those who have been following my makeup game this Fashion Week, you know I am all about the look that I call “the deranged snow bunny”. Its basically glossy lips, lush lashes top and bottom, and hella stained cheeks. To achieve “the deranged snow bunny” I have relied on Stila Convertible Color in Fuchsia. Perfection! But back to the Stila look at Rebecca Minkoff…..

For luminous skin, models were prepped with Darphin Skin Care.  Stila Illuminating Liquid Foundation was used to create a smooth and even complexion. The lids were based with Dune eye shadow and top with Brown Smudge Pot and Java eyeshadow. (Y’all know how much I LOVE Smudge Pot, so I was filled with school girl excitement to see the product being used for Rebecca Minkoff’s runway look) The eyes were framed with Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz, drawing a thick cat eye.  Lastly, individual false lashes were applied and coated with Convertible Mascara. Here’s the ofish face chart:

#NYFW

Photo Credit: Getty Images