Temple of Glam

When recently asked about my skincare routine, I noticed myself rattling off a laundry list of products that'd make any Sephora associate proud. When said routine was called "complicated", I admitted it: My name is Shaunequa and I'm addicted to skin care. Look, it could be worse; I mean, have you seen "Intervention"?

In contrast to my skin care routine, my makeup needs are minimal. I do not conceal, bronze, or line anything consistently. So when I find a product that offers light coverage for a more flawless finish, I'm all over it.

I first saw Maybelline Dream Nude Airfoam at Mercedez Benz Fashion Week. I was impressed by its frothy appeal, color saturation, and super-easy application. So I actually *gasp* bought it because they didn't have a tester in a brown shade (c'mon, Maybelline).

Breezy's Tips:

1) If you're looking for medium-to-full coverage, this is not the product for you. If you, like me, are of the tinted-moisturizer persuasion, give it a go.

2) This foam almost instantly "melts" when it makes contact with hands. My suggestion? Spray foam into the cap and apply it with a sponge or your fingers.

P.S. As of right now, there's only one viable brown-girl hue, Cocoa. I repeat: c'mon, Maybelline.

Guys can be many things: slices of heaven, pains in the ass, handy men, sports slaves. One thing is painfully clear: with very little effort (and money), they look incredible every morning. Hate. Them. All. So I asked myself, "what can we steal from the boys?" And off to his medicine cabinet, we go!

Cop His Cleanser (1)

We've all been hoodwinked by mystical-sounding cleansers that promise the world and deliver a sidewalk. Fragrance-free Cerave Hydrating Cleanser ($10.49) doesn't claim to be the fountain of youth, but it leaves skin feeling clean and hydrated.

Take His Toner (2)

True, splashing cold water on his face doesn't constitute a toner in the beauty section of any department store, but he gets the same effect: refreshed skin. Save your blowout and use Evian Natural Mineral Spray-3 Pack ($17.50).

Loot His Lotion (3)

Let's be real. We use a lot of crap...and everything has a fragrance. Maybe try an unscented lotion that cannot conflict with the bevy of other scents you have going on. One like Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream ($13.29) is great for dry, sensitive skin!

Raid His Razors (4)

Isn't the "pink is for girls" thing almost too annoying for words? Consider using CVS Disposable Twin Blade Razors 3-Pack ($1) as a small act of feminism and to save a couple of bucks. Suck it, girly razors: you won't deight in super-foaming Barbasol shave cream anymore.

Let it be known. I have a thing for gourmand beauty. I don't know why, but I'm all for pastry-scented products. With that said, after running out of my creme brulee and my gingerbread body wash and using an unscented one for a couple of days, I thought I'd give this Caress Whipped Souffle Body Wash in Blackberry Cream ($6.49) a go. How happy am I that I did?

After just 15 minutes of Vinyasa Flow yoga (what? It's hard), I was sweating like a ferret in heat and needed to smell human again. I gotta tell ya, I smelled like a candy-cream pie hybrid. In my world that's exquisite.

Here's a moment of romantic disclosure. I am positively mad about Tony Bennett when he's crooning "The Way You Look Tonight". In fact every time I hear it, I close my eyes tightly and pretend I am the lady he is singing about. Is this getting weird for ya yet? No? Well then I'll just have to try harder next time!

On New Year's Eve, we all want to be the apple of someone's eye, right before they go in for the big smooch. How fantastical would it be if right before you plant your pucker on a special someone (or total stranger), your love-struck lashes were aflutter with the subtle shimmer supplied by Cover Girl LashBlast Luxe ($7.99). I tried out Black Cabernet, which is a nice color for fair as well as dark lashes. I'm a little obsessed with the Black Emerald though. If anyone has used that one, let me know what you think!

I wholeheartedly believe hard candy is a grandmother thing. Both my paternal and maternal grandmas always have them on tap. My dad's mom is all about peppermint. If I remember correctly, she even gives her peppermint game a holiday spin...candy canes. I am actually more of a gummy candy girl. This is most likely related to my traumatic number-2-pencil incident of 1984.

Anyways, I'm sure my grandmother would be happy to know that I'm (sorta) representing her mint love when I use ChapStick True Shimmer in Peppermint Rush ($2.49). As the name indicates, there's a subtle shimmer and pleasant minty scent. Two words grandmas just love: subtle and pleasant!

Remember Thursday nights at college? Just about everyone was whirling around - oft in the direction of the nearest party. There was not a thought of A.M. work study or auditorium-sized Geology classes. All right I'll be honest. That wasn't exactly my coed experience, but I sure wondered where folks were going as I headed to 7-11 for nachos!

Last night I kind of had one of those collegiate/not-a-care-in-the-world nights. It was a mix of taxis, a guy humping the floor during his Michael Jackson impersonation, and of course French fries. There was also a couple of drinks thrown in for good measure. In fact, one of my special someones took the ol' college days literally and had a little pre-party before the night began.

I'm sensing her skin will be in need of some hydration this morning so I sure hope she carries her purse-friendly Evian Spray Natural Mineral Water, Travel Trio ($16) to work today. The fine mist immediately gives your skin some pep. I'm thinking she can also use the cool spritz the way some discipline wayward cats. If she feels her forehead yearning to mate with her keyboard this afternoon, she can give herself a quick "warning" spray.

So my lovely friend, this one's dedicated to you. Keep your head up (literally).