Sneak Peak - Fall 2013 Make-Up Trends

Harper's Bazaar is so excited about these 7 Fall Make-Up Trends, that they want us to start rocking them NOW!

Red Hot - There's no danger here, just be sure to tone it down or intensify it according to the occasion and time of day.

Power Pouts - Hot pink lipstick is fun and festive, while deep merlot adds drama.

Metallic Lids - Perfect for a night at the Club, or if applied sparingly, can be worn to an elegant event.

Bold Black Eyeliner - Be sure to vary the intensity according to the occasion  and time of day.

Blue Eyeshadow - So many options, from Navy to Teal and every shade in between.

Smokey Eye - One of the make-up classics, no longer limited to black or dark grey in modern times.

Glowing Skin - A little radiance does the skin good!

I've tried them all at some point, and once it goes with my outfit, I'll rock any of these trends.

I can't wait to see what the Winter Trends 2013 will bring.  What about you?

"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires

13 Beauty Products for Women of Colour

SURPRISE!!! No you are not dreaming, this really is a bonus post.

Maya K Francis - writer and media/marketing consultant, has been kind enough to share 13 of the beauty products on her 'tried and true list'.

I am grateful that she has taken the guess work out of whether or not they will work for women of colour.

Click here to read her review.

I would love to try all of the products on her list.

Maya Francis, here's a heartfelt thank-you on behalf of women of colour everywhere.

Which products on the list  have you tried or would like to try?  Leave a comment below to let me know.

"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires

My Secret To Longer Lashes

It seems as though I was absent the day that eyelashes were given out.  Why would I say such a thing? It's quite simple really, my top eyelashes are short and I barely have any bottom eyelashes.  You guessed it - mascara is one of my best friends

So when three lovely young ladies (Danielle, Liana and Daneisha) visited my display at the Jabez House Fundraiser,  and shared their secret to longer lashes with me, I knew that I had to give it a try.  They told me that applying virgin olive oil or castor oil to their lashes before going to bed has worked wonders for their lashes.

Of course I had to do some research first before I plunged in, and once my doubts were satisfied, there was no stopping me.  I started applying virgin olive oil to my eyelashes from root to tip on 25th May 2013 and I noticed an improvement from the next day - I kid you not.  It was as though my lashes had been thirsty for this nourishment.



After 3.5 weeks:

1. My lashes now have a curve and point upwards
2. My eyelash curler now has something to curl
3. I only have to use 1 coat of mascara instead of 4

I can't guarantee that you will get the same results, but I do know that many women have tried it and are raving about the results.

If only I would remember to do this every night, I know that my results would be even better.

See you next Wednesday.

"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires

Make-up Bright & Beautiful

This look is called Tropical Paradise and was inspired by the bright colours of Spring 2013.

When I started applying the make-up I had no idea what the finished look would be.  My artistic juices were flowing and I just made it up as I went along (pun not intended lol).  Click here to see the before shots, yes it's me without any make-up on.

I started with pink eyeshadow and added other colours to compliment it. I always feel like the great Picasso or Michelangelo whenever I create masterpieces on my human canvas.

To say that I was very, very, very pleased with the final result is an understatement.

It's such a shame that I had to remove the make-up and go straight to bed after taking the photos.  Make-up like this deserves a hot outfit and a night out on the town.

"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires

Just 'BROWS-ing' - My Secret to Natural Looking Eyebrow Filling

Do you have naturally sparse brows like me?

Or maybe you removed too much hair while shaping  your brows?

There's no need to panic or worry.

Thankfully there are products (pencil, pen, powder, cream) and techniques (free hand, stencils) that you can use to make your eyebrows look thicker aka eyebrow filling.

I will always remember when Oprah Winfrey featured her make-up artist on the Oprah Winfrey Show.    He advised that the liner should be as close to your natural eyebrow colour as possible and to use short, light strokes.  My eyes remained glued to the screen from start to finish.

I decided to try it his way and I was pleased with the result.  That was the end of drawing lines with  black eyeliner on my eyebrows, which was the rage in my teen years and is still currently very popular in Barbados.  Yes, the short strokes take more time than the lines, but it's worth the effort because they look more natural. I can honestly say that watching that episode improved my eyebrow filling skills immensely.

Only applying the product to the area that doesn't have hair will also give a more natural looking eyebrow.  It's called eyebrow filling for a reason.  You can't fill something that is already full;  you'll just end up making a mess. This everyday concept applies to eyebrow filling as well.

I don't usually have lots of time to do my make-up, so I prefer to fill my eyebrows freehand with a brow pencil, which is faster than using eyebrow stencils and eyebrow powders. Aligning the eyebrow stencils  to ensure that your eyebrows are filled symmetrically, and repeatedly dipping the brush into the powder requires time that I don't have to spare.

Eyebrow filling should enhance your brows and your entire face.  Please, please, please use a product and technique that looks natural and believable - no one should be able to detect that they are filled in.

Is there a topic that you would like me to write about?  Send me an email at beautiful.unspoilt@gmail.com with the details.

Until next time!

"...because your make-up should always BE (Blend and Enhance)." - Nakita Squires