Brew Beauty: Colored Gel Nails

You know we love a good nail trend around these parts, so I was delighted to stumble across a review of OPI’s Axxium Gel system. Now, I’m no stranger to the gel overlay. I rocked a clear gel overlay over my silk wrapped nails for years in college and afterwards, ‘til the real world hit and shelling out $20+ for a manicure was not in this ole girl’s budget. So, now I just slap on 2 coats of polish and keep it moving with my natural nails. But, now that nail companies are making “colored” gels, I’m kinda intrigued and ready to give it another try.

Here’s how it works:
For about $15 more than a standard mani, the gel overlay is “painted” on your natural nail with a brush, then you place your hands under a UV light so the gels can cure, or dry. The manicure lasts for about 2-3 weeks so you’d better like the color you select. The up sides are the polish doesn’t chip and you’ll save yourself from carving out time or money on salon visits for those three weeks. The down side is you have to use an acetone nail polish remover to soak off the overlay. Hey, beauty is pain, right?

Spotted

Brew Beauty: Fashion Week Nail Trends

We’re smack in the middle of New York’s Fall 2010 Fashion week and, already, there are some pretty hot beauty trends emerging when it comes to the fingaz!

 

Blue is the hotness for the fall looks. Models at the Ruffian show rocked a reverse French mani with matte navy and gold polish. CUTE and probably easy to do on your natural nail, either freehand (if you’ve got skills) or with a French mani kit (explained here).

 

At the L.A.M.B. show, models rocked liquid-shine ruby nails. Take a look at the video for the full effect.

 

Another trend started by Carol’s Daughter and spotted by Glamour bloggers is the “Blackberry Bling” manicure. You use a different, more poppy color on your thumbs so when you’re typing on your Blackberry, the thumbs have more pizzazz. Seems kinda odd to me, but it might be cute for the youngsters.

 

Always the trendsetter, Rihanna sported a funky look last week. It’s an animal print mani similar to the lace nail demo I did last month. But, Rih punched it up a bit by using the animal print as a French mani and then covering it with some stones. I kinda dig it.

So the moral of the story here is… play with layers. Don’t just do one color. Try a solid color with a coat of shimmer or copper to give the nails some pop.  And if all else fails, go blue!

Ruffian and L.A.M.B photos by Graylock.com
Blackberry Bling photos courtesy Carol’s Daughter
Rihanna photo by Jupiter Images

Brew Beauty Review: Lace Nails

So, I tried the lace manicure we told you about back in September.  I’d been thinking about trying it for some time, but finding the time and getting the supplies took a minute.  Ok, let me cut the crap, I’m lazy and if I don’t put it on my “to do” list and budget the time… it won’t get done.  So now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, here’s what I did.

I trekked to Sally's and bought myself some IBD brush on nail glue, a bottle of IBD brush on nail resin and some of that spray on nail glue dryer. 

I looked for black lace but I caught an arts n’crafts-induced headache while at the Michael’s store, so I went with the first ribbon I could find.  Rather than lace, I opted for a sheer animal print ribbon.  REOWR!

I YouTubed this instructional video before I began.  I’m all about a “how to” tutorial. 

Then, I did one coat of a sheer nude color with a bit of shimmer on my nails.  Next step... get to gluin’.  It's called "5 second glue" so you need to move quickly.  Place the lace (or ribbon) on top of the glue.  Then spray the glue dryer.  Once the glue dried, I followed up with a coat of the nail resin to give it some shine.  And voila!  Once everything was dry, I did hit it with a coat of clear polish because I'm a sucker for a shiny nail. 

click pics for larger images

It really is super easy and only took about an hour.  My best tip is to trim the lace as close to your nail as possible as soon as the brush on glue dries, that way you aren't left with a lot of trimming and filing at the end to clean up the edges.  I’d like to try it with actual lace next time to perfect it.  But I don’t think it’s too bad for a newbie!

Brew Beauty Trend: Taupe Nails

If you're not really into all the sparkle, the Minx or the lace appliqués on your nails, then there's a beauty trend on the come up that's just for you. Designers featured taupe-colored nails all over the runways at Fashion Week. So, ditch the dark blues, blacks and greens of the season and go for something neutral.

Try these shades…

Essie's "Chinchilly"

Essie's "Mink Muffs"

OPI's "Over The Taupe"

OPI for Sephora's "Metro Chic"

Chanel's "505 Particuliere"

RGB's "Toast"

Creative Nail Designs' "Chocolate Milk"










Happy polishing!

Brew Beauty: Cleaning Your Brushes

The new year, new you quest continues... in your makeup bag.  If you can't remember the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes, you nasssy.  But, we won't judge.  We'll just tell you how to clean 'em.

First off, you really should be giving your brushes a good wash at least once a week, more if you have acne or breakout prone skin.

Use a mild shampoo (or a makeup brush cleanser, most major cosmetic lines sell them) on each brush. Rinse and lather them up, rinse again, squeeze out the excess water, then let them air dry.  Do not let your brushes soak in soapy water for too long or they won't get truly clean.

If you find you're losing a lot of bristles from your makeup brushes, it could be time to replace them and upgrade to a better set.  High quality brushes can stand a lot of wear and tear.

Here's to keeping you beautiful in 2010!

Taste The Brew for a "how to" vid...

Read more »

Brew Beauty: Cream Eyeshadow

I like mixing stuff and making concoctions.  Okay, so I'm not talking like cooking coke or anything like that.  I just like to mix ingredients and come up with new recipes, like adding different fruits to my sangria or fermenting pineapples in vodka for a stronger buzz.  Hey, #dontjudgeme.  Anyway, one of the things I like to play around with is my make-up.  What's the fun in putting it on the way they tell you to?  Be adventurous and try something new!  Well, one way to rock a new look is to make your own make-up.  If you've dropped your eyeshadow, it usually crumbles to bits.  Rather than trying to scrape the last swipe of color from the pot, try making a cream eyeshadow from those leftovers instead.

All you need is an empty container, eyeshadow (a new color or broken shadow) and clear gloss, balm or light moisturizer.  Here's a little how-to...

Go easy on the application though.  The clown look is not what's hot in 2010.

Brew Beauty: Diahann Carroll

Groundbreaking actress Diahann Carroll is our Brew Beauty of the Week. This fierce cookie was raised in NYC and has appeared in numerous film and television classics, including Carmen Jones, Porgy and Bess, Julia and Dynasty.

Carroll laid ground for present-day Black actresses by landing the starring role in the 1968 series Julia. In that role, she became the first Black actress to star in her own TV series without playing a maid or other domestic worker. Fast forward to 1984, when the fabulous Ms. Carroll joined the cast of Dynasty... actually, let the video speak for itself. I live for the over the shoulder side eye at 3:18.

Carroll has gone on to appear in A Different World and Grey's Anatomy. She is a breast cancer survivor and all-round fashion icon to many. And at 74 years young, she's showing these young Hollywood broads how it's done. Check out our Facebook page for our Brew Beauty gallery to see more of Ms. Carroll. And while you're there, become a fan and then follow our blog!  Drop us a line if there's someone you'd like to see as our next Beauty of the Week!

Here's another classic on-screen Diahann Carroll moment.

Brew Beauty: Susan L. Taylor

Author and philanthropist Susan L. Taylor is our latest Brew Beauty of the Week!  Chances are, if you're a Black woman -or have one in your house- you've either read or been inspired by her words.  As a single mother, Taylor worked her way up through the ranks at Essence magazine, eventually becoming editor-in-chief and later publications director.  Taylor played a role at Essence for nearly four decades.  After stepping down from the magazine, Taylor went on to focus her time on mentoring young people through the National Cares Mentoring Movement.

Taylor's mentoring project is branching out all over the country.  To find out more about it, click here, then head to our Facebook page for our Brew Beauty gallery to see more of Susan. And while you're there, become a fan and then follow our blog!  Drop us a line if there's someone you'd like to see as our next Beauty of the Week!

Brew Beauty: Goapele

Goapele (@goApele) is our latest Brew Beauty of the Week!  This singer/songwriter hails from Oakland, CA and is the child of a Jewish mother and South African father.  Her name means go forward in the African language of her grandfather.  Aside from her work in music, what makes Goapele beautiful is the human rights work she does.  She was honored by the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights with its "Human Rights Cultural Hero Award" in 2006.  Goapele may not be a household name to the mainstream, but that's why we Witches are here to enlighten you to her music.  Her latest project, "Milk & Honey," is due out in early 2010. 

Take a listen to her music...


"Milk & Honey"

"Closer"

If you're in DC or NYC, you're in luck... Goapele's performing in both cities later this month.  Click the links for ticket info, then head to our Facebook page for our Brew Beauty gallery to see more of Goapele. And while you're there, become a fan and then follow our blog!  Drop us a line if there's someone you'd like to see as our next Beauty of the Week!

Brew Beauty: India.Arie

Singer/songwriter India Arie Simpson is our latest Brew Beauty of the Week! We love her around these here parts because she writes her own stuff and she plays instruments... oh, and she seems to like wearing pants on stage!  India's one of the singers who actually sings the damn songs instead of adding a bunch of antics to her performances.  Sadly though, India doesn't get the shine she deserves.  So, we're shining our own little Brew light on her today.  

India's music is about more than patting your weave... it teaches us to love our brown skin, that we're not our hair and our goals don't have to begin and end with being a video chick!  India is a breath of fresh air on the music scene and I for one would like to hear more from her!  Hopefully we'll all see more of her in the new year since she's nominated for three Grammy Awards (one for her "Chocolate High" collabo with Musiq Soulchild, the 2nd for her song "Pearls" with Dobet Gnahore and the 3rd for her album "Testimony Vol. 2: Love & Politics").

Here's a look at India through the years... and for the heck of it, my favorite India jam!

Head to our Facebook page for our Brew Beauty gallery to see more of India.Arie. And while you're there, become a fan and then follow our blog!  Drop us a line if there's someone you'd like to see as our next Beauty of the Week!

Brew Beauty: Winterize Your Skin

No matter how much you're in denial or try to fight it, the cold weather is here. And there's nothing I hate more than ashy, flaky skin. How dreadful! So, here are some tips to winterizing your skin. You'll thank me later!

1. Take short, lukewarm showers. Hot water strips you of much-needed moisture. They feel good, but you won't look good!
2. Moisturize! (preferably, with a good, emollient-rich lotion or an oil)
3. Use a humidifier. (snatch that thing from your kid's room if you have to. You'll notice the difference in your skin, almost overnight)
4. Sunscreen. Always. 'Nuff said.

Check out the vid below for more tips.

Stay warm...and moisturized!

Brew Beauty: Robin Roberts

Journalist, cancer survivor and all-around fab chick Robin Roberts is our eighth Brew Beauty of the Week! Robin has served as co-anchor of ABC's "Good Morning America" since 2005. She's covered everything from Pope John Paul II to the Katrina aftermath to her latest interviews with Janet Jackson and Chris Brown. She's a welcome face and a warm smile every morning, even when sometimes the news is not so pleasant.

On the personal side, Robin told the world she was battling breast cancer two years ago. Rather than packing up and going home, she waged her war publicly, undergoing surgery and chemo and ultimately shaving her head. Robin wrapped up her chemo and radiation sessions last year and says she's healthier than ever. She's looking fantastic these days (loving the short cut too, BTW) and she's landing some of the most coveted interviews.

Here's a look at Robin through the years...

Head to our Facebook page for our Brew Beauty gallery to see more of Robin. And while you're there, become a fan and then follow our blog!  Drop us a line if there's someone you'd like to see as our next Beauty of the Week!

Brew Beauty: Sandra Bullock Gets Chola Makeover

I can't with this one.  Baby Smiley, one of the YouTube beauty do-it-yourself'ers, was a recent guest on George Lopez's show to demonstrate how to get the perfect chola look.  She must be tight with Jermaine Jackson cuz I thought he owned all the Sharpies in LA.  Anywho, she returned to Lopez's show to give Sandra Bullock the chola makeover.

If you're brave enough to try the look... here's how!

I am sooooo rocking this to work on Monday.

Spotted @ Dlisted

Brew Beauty: Anika Noni Rose

Tony Award-winning singer/actress Anika Noni Rose is our seventh Brew Beauty of the Week! Her name may not be household yet, but just you watch!  This Brew Beauty is making major moves from Broadway to HBO and the big screen, and soon, she’ll live in your daughter’s (or son’s…we don’t judge here) toy box.  Anika is the voice of Disney’s first Black princess in the upcoming movie The Princess and the Frog. 

Anika won her first Tony Award in 2004 in the musical Caroline, or Change.  She’s had a couple of movie roles but certainly, her biggest turn was as Lorrell in Dreamgirls.  She also stars with fellow Brew Beauty Jill Scott in HBO’s The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency.  Next month, you can catch her in The Princess and the Frog.  I just love how landing this role hasn’t gone to her head!  She seems just as proud yet humbled to be the groundbreaker as we are to have that uncharted Disney ground broken!

I would have loved for Princess Tiana to have had a chocolate Mandingo prince, but hey, can’t win every battle, right? The Princess and the Frog hits theatres in NY and LA on November 25^th and nationwide on December 11^th.

Head to our Facebook page for our Brew Beauty gallery to see more of Anika. And while you're there, become a fan and then follow our blog!  Drop us a line if there's someone you'd like to see as our Beauty of the Week!

Brew Beauty: Fixing Discolored Nails

It’s not cute to have your hands on straight up Gollum status.  If your nails look like you’ve been soaking them in a vat of curry couscous, then we have a problem a few paces shy of this monstrosity right here.

Like any artist, you need a good canvas before you paint.  The same holds true for nail polish.  It may seem simple to slap on a coat of varnish and keep it moving, but there are some steps that you should handle first.

In order to rock all of Fall’s new nail trends, you must start with a healthy natural nail.  Don’t cheat!

1. Buff and shine those puppies like a new car.
2. Slather on a little cuticle oil too, while you’re at it.
3. Then, head to the kitchen and rub a lemon slice on your nails for a few minutes to remove any yellowing.  Trust me, it works.
4. Lastly, paint them with a basecoat and follow with your nail color and top coat.
5. You’ll need to repeat these steps until the yellow, discolored nails grow out, which should be pretty quickly if you’re eating a healthy diet.

If you’re stumped on what colors are hot for Fall, check out the All Lacquered Up blog.

Happy polishing!

Brew Beauty: Chrisette Michele

Singer, songwriter Chrisette Michele is our sixth Brew Beauty of the Week! This sweet yet sultry-voiced beauty is a powerhouse performer and from the looks of it, an all around good girl. She seems like the kinda chick you'd want to keep in your circle... mainly, so she could hook you up with whoever does her hair. But, I digress. The Long Island, NY native's first album, "I Am," went gold and her latest release, "Ephiphany," shows she's grown and in charge. That one song where she tells the dude in no uncertain terms to blame the break-up on me if you wanna, but just get you isht and go... (paraphrasing here), is some hot fire. And spoken as diplomatically, yet firmly, as only a real woman can. Not only is her voice taking her places but she's also been tapped to do a little acting too. Chrisette appeared in a episode of "Girlfriends." Can't wait to see what she'll do next.

Head to our Facebook page for our Brew Beauty gallery to see more Chrisette pics. And while you're there, become a fan and then follow our blog!

Drop us a line if there's someone you'd like to see as our Beauty of the Week!

Brew Beauty: Salma Hayek

Actress, producer, humanitarian and mini-mogul Salma Hayek is our fifth Brew Beauty of the Week! This Mexican-born beauty keeps it caliente both on and off the screen. But, she's more than a pretty face, she fights for women around the world! Hayek has testified before the U.S. Senate to support the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. She supports women's shelters and who could forget when she whipped out her tittay during a humanitarian mission to Sierra Leone and breastfed a newborn whose mother couldn't make milk.

Now that gets a Oscar in my book!

Anyway, enjoy the view.

Head to our Facebook page for our Brew Beauty gallery to see more Salma pics. And while you're there, become a fan and then follow our blog!

Brew Beauty: Lash Tinting

If you're looking for a way to spice up dull, weak lashes and make your eyes "pop," you might want to try lash tinting. Of course, it must be done by a professional (no point in going blind to make your eyes standout...I'm just sayin'). Here's a look at how it's done.

Brew Beauty: Makeup With Your iPod

Here I was thinking Stila was going out of business and I'd have to hoard all my tinted foundations... but, it turns out, the makeup brand is still kicking.

The company has released the Stila Makeup Player which serves as both an iPod dock and a makeup kit. I know I'm not the only one who blasts the tunes when I'm painting my face and getting ready for a night out.  This all-in-one system comes with Stila's One Step Makeup Foundation, Eye Shadow Trio & #7 Eye Shadow Brush, Convertible Color for lips & cheeks, and lip glaze.

Head to StilaBeautyTube, iTunes or YouTube to download free makeup lessons onto your iPod and then watch them in the Stila Makeup Player as you're applying your face.  GENIUS!

The whole thing comes with a recession-friendly pricetag. It's just $69.90, but with all the products that come along with the kit, it's actually worth $250.
 
Click here to buy one...while you're there, cop me one too!  Thanks.
 
Source

Brew Beauty: Queen Latifah

Actor/rapper/spokesmodel and all-round entertainment force Queen Latifah is our fourth Brew Beauty of the Week!  New Jersey bred Dana Elaine Owens parlayed a groundbreaking rap career into a Golden Globe, two Screen Actors Guild awards and an Oscar nomination.  Latifah's not just a pretty face, she reps for the big girls and has her hands in lots of charity work, ranging from ovarian cancer research to promoting volunteerism.  We jokingly call her the King around here... but her beauty can't be denied.

Here's a look at Dana through the years.

Head to our Facebook page for our Brew Beauty gallery to see more of The Queen.  And while you're there, become a fan and then follow our blog!

If you've got a beauty you want us to feature, e-mail us (no video vixens, airheads or publicity whores, thank you!).