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.

Perfect foundation? There's an app for that. When I heard about L'Oreal Paris MatchMaker by True Match, I was  almost instantly obsessed with the concept of finding your correct shade using a free iPhone/iPad app. I've included a few screenshots below.

Wanna try it? L'Oreal will send the first 5 readers to comment a full-size sample of True Match foundation. Just use the app & comment below with your shade!

And now, for some musical inspiration...

Instant Karma got me. I was happily walking in a rather congested part of Manhattan and found myself face-to-face (or bony-shoulder-to-bony shoulder) with another woman.

No, let me clarify. She body checked me like it was nobody's business. And THEN she stood there glaring at me, with her Williams-Sonoma shopping bag, as if to say, "bring it, chump."

I was stunned until I remembered bragging about body checking a massive dude who bogarted the train car door last month.

Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into my building; I received an ego-soothing package of Bare Escentuals goodies, including two new skin care items. Stoked.

You see, since I'm a new Bare Minerals convert, I rapped with National Bare Escentuals Makeup Artist, Renee Lynn Smith about tips and tricks for giving good face. In fact, she needs to be canonized for patiently tolerating my constant, "dewy skin, dewy skin" chanting.

So, she sent over every product she used and ones she thought I'd like. She even included a replacement for my newest "perfect red" lip color since I realized I'm allergic to it.

In true Roman Catholic fashion and in light of my recent instant-karmic episode, I decided to not test fate and step away from the histamine-flavored lipstick or at least save it for the days I do good works.

Can you believe Spa Week is ending this weekend? Yes folks, the opportunity to get a boat-load of $50 spa treatments is ending Sunday, the 17th. If you're into living a life without regrets, book your appointment pronto!

Last week at the Spa Week Media Party, the official kickoff to Spa Week, I along with a room full of bloggers and editors enjoyed beauty treatments, decadent products, a chocolate fountain, and a Dole real fruit-flavored oxygen bar (I kid you not).

Upon my arrival, I stared at the phenomenal ice sculpture and realized it wasn't a booze luge.  Misha told me she sneaked a touch so I (like the eight year old that I am), did the same. And giggled about it for a good minute and 30 seconds. That's how I roll.

It truly was a lot of fun to get a hand massage at the Carol's Daughter booth, scoop my own clariSEA clarifying bath salts, sip the lime-infused Given tequila liquer, and have my face BEATEN by YoungBlood Mineral Cosmetics.

As I headed home carrying my super-heavy gift bag (and inevitably switching shoulders--Spa Week gift bags are always packed-with-awesomeness), I realized that that was quite possibly the only media party that could cancel out the crappy morning and afternoon I had. You know when you are crazy tense, go to the spa, and leave feeling like a gazillion bucks? The Spa Week Media Party is just like that...but with tequila.

A jet-black Marchesa evening clutch adorned with tiers of ruffles and a bow. A Beauty.com gift card. 17 deluxe "red-carpet-ready" samples. All of this can be yours with a $150 Beauty.com order starting today.

And we're not talking about boring "why'd-they-include-these-samples" samples: Urban Decay, Origins, Bliss Spa, Bare Minerals...What am I doing typing all of this?

Here's the rundown:

1. Juice Beauty® Reflecting Gloss in Organic Fig
2. Urban Decay™ De-Slick in a Tube
3. Fekkai Advanced™ Brilliant Glossing Shampoo
4.  Nick Chavez® Amazon Infinity Mist
5. Exuviance® Rejuvenating Treatment Masque
6. Borghese Crema Saponetta Cleansing Face & Body Bar
7. Origins Checks and Balances™ Frothy Face Wash
8. GoSmile® Touch Up® Watermelon Mint
9. Laura Geller Wonder Wand Eye Brightener
10. Darphin PREDERMINE Firming Wrinkle Repair Serum
11. bareMinerals® Original Foundation in Medium Beige with Brush
12. Bliss® FatGirlSlim™ Skin Firming Cream
13. Dr. Dennis Gross™ Alpha Beta® Daily Face Peel
14. Clean™ Warm Cotton Eau de Perfume
15. Jonathan Product™ Finish Control™ High Shine Aerosol Hairspray
16. Phyto™ Phytocitrus Restructuring Mask
17. Beauty.com $10 shopping card

I was ca-rushed when I realized I couldn't attend the Sephora at Shop Bop party a couple of weeks ago. Luckily one of my favorite blogger friends, The Fab Chick, wrote all about it so I kinda felt like I was there. Kinda. It wasn't until I received a Color Play 5-in 1 Kit: Fashion Edition ($30) and played with the eye, lip, and cheek colors, that I truly understood the concept.

Shop Bop created five fashion looks (Faces of Fashion). Sephora came up with complementary palettes: Boho Bombshell, Nod to Mod, Classics Never Die, Angelic Boudoir, and Black is the New Black.

Here's Boho Bombshell (I'm living for the Tibi dress!!):

You can shop the fashion look at Shop Bop, get the beauty look at Sephora, AND enter the Faces of Fashion sweepstakes to win a $2,500 Shop Bop shopping spree and a year's worth of Sephora-brand makeup! Contest ends on February 2nd.

Image courtesy of: bellasugar.com.au

Q. Dear Breezy, I am a Presciptives fan. I have been a fan of theirs since high school as they were the only thing that I could wear that would not cause my face to break out in a mad frenzy. I stocked up the end of last year when I found out they were closing all of the counters. I think this week I am going to start on my quest to find a replacement as I am running low. :(

I am very sad about this. If the Temple of Glam has any recommendations I am open. I figured I would start with the Estee Lauder counter since that is who they were owned by. I have Origins on my list as well as Bare Minerals (which I tried but I think I ordered the wrong color from QVC so I am not happy with them thus far).

A. Dear Prescriptives Princess,

I completely feel your pain. Despite knowing the lifespan of makeup, I have a Prescriptives mascara that I refuse to throw away even though it's gone, gone, gone.

That said, I am a HUGE fan of Bare Minerals after seeing them in action at a Spa Week party. I'd definitely say you should give it a try. Send me a pic of your face without makeup on and I'll check to see if I can get it to someone who works with them. It's all about the tone you use. I'm a "warm dark". Mind you, I was ready to go with "dark". Just a slight change in tone and it was right!

If you're open to a liquid/cream, I'd also suggest checking out Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer:  It's good for every day and you can build the coverage. I like it because it goes on easily so if you're applying it on the fly, you don't have to worry as much about blending as you do with regular foundation.  I use the regular one because I have normal to dry skin. It's a lot more forgiving because it's so light. Meaning you can be off a little and it will still match your skin.

Last night I went to a Flirt Cosmetics fete announcing their new spokesperson, "Glee" star, Heather Morris; they also previewed their spring collection and its kittenish ad campaign. As I was rushed in and told Heather was about to perform, I really didn't know what to expect. I mean, I'm probably the only person who hasn't seen one episode of "Glee". Just like "Friends" and "Seinfeld", when everyone's on the bandwagon, I'm walking way behind it.

I just might be a "Glee" convert. Heather was wearing the most adorable shocking pink polka dot bustier and hot pants, side ponytail accented with pink and white flowers and matching lip color. Her performance was mesmerizing: sort of a playful mix between a 1920s U.S.O. performance and a coquettish burlesque show. Erring more on the side of the U.S.O., you know?

Unfortunately, I can't discuss (i.e. gush) all about the cool new, limited-edition products until they officially launch. I mean, there were even "cigarette girls" (pic below) passing around the new products. So on brand for Flirt.

I suspect Heather's wearing the new glammed-out products in the pic conmigo and Shanna below. I'll find out for sure, but she is the spokesperson after all. Fair assessment, no?

The Harajuku Lovers winner is...@_teedee! Congratulations... Email your contact info to info@templeofglam.com!

Image courtesy of Erika Morillo

I know everyone says, "I swear, he was singing to me!" But I'm serious, "Just the Way You Are" was being belted out directly at me. No lie. And that is why I feel completely comfortable calling the John Legend & The Roots, Billboard.com concert featuring Bruno Mars, a date. You can't shame me.

So I guess you are expecting some kind of beauty/style segue. Well I got one.

I was infatuated with John Legend's background vocal girls. This red-lipped song bird helped perpetuate my red lipstick quest, which has since stalled. The color reminds me of the NARS Dragon Girl Lip Pencil Felicia from This That Beauty recommended.

The photo doesn't really do her justice. I would upload the video I took during John Legend's "Save Room" performance, but er, I was singing at the top of my lungs and won't put you through that trauma.

Yup, all the lip sugar your soup coolers can wear...SHOP NOW!

Save up to 50% on buh-huys at Benefit Cosmetics. All sales are final. While supplies last.

Recently inspired by two of my newly single friends participating in online dating, I thought I'd compose a little sumthin for all my single ladies. Here are five products you can use as soon as you realize the dude is a dandy or a dud.

Peppermint Oil ($9.95)
If he's a luvah: Place a dot on your tongue making the proceeding convo...you guessed it...like a breath of fresh air.
If he's a loser: I'm not recommending you put some in a rude boy's eyes, because you know, I'd never suggest something like that.

Face Highlighter ($25)
If he's a luvah: Apply it to the bridge of your nose and cheekbones for a healthy shimmer.
If he's a loser: Well,if you put enough of this on the corners of your eyes, you can fake conjunctivitis.

Hair Serum/Gloss ($30)
If he's a luvah: Get touchable-looking hair and mask split ends if you haven't seen your salon since it saw you.
If he's a loser: Two words...faux drool

Lip Color ($22)
If he's a luvah: Though the my-lip-gloss-is-poppin look is cool, take the sex appeal down a thousand: blot liberally.
If he's a loser: Coral is the hotter-than-hot color of the season. Why not smear it on your teeth? Take that, Mr. Big Ego.

Volumizing Mascara ($14)
If he's a luvah:Let your lashes go wild as he tells you a fascinating story.
If he's a loser: Give yourself a makeshift moustache. Right there at the table.

Honorable Mention:
Though I am beyond over the ironic, oversized geeky glasses look, they could come in handy if he turns out to be a toolbag. Sport these Aviator Readers ($10) to distract him from your perpetual eye rolling.

 
This Mother's Day, I got to hang with the Original Gangstas: my mom, grandma, great aunt, and cousin. There were plenty of laughs and thankfully only one aborted attempt to house a piece of silverware. Not even a biscuit made its way into a handbag!  I found myself staring at my grandma and great aunt (87 & 88 respectively, though their ages are questionable.  I believe they were those ages last year). I realized that they seriously don't look their age. And their beauty regimens are nothing like our high-falutin' routine: cleanse, tone, moisturize, SPF protect.

I promise to pay more attention to what they use, but until then, you can totally fake a perfect complexion while allowing your skin to breathe. Warm weather season is the perfect time to ditch your foundation and get into a lightweight tinted moisturizer like Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer ($42). It's so sheer that it doesn't even have to be the perfect match like foundation, but if you want more coverage, you can layer more on. Plus, it truly glides on and melts into your skin!

I have yet to notice myself doing or saying something out of my mother's playbook, but I know the day is coming. When I say any of the following, just know I'll be headed to Margaritaville:

"No you're not adopted. Do you KNOW how many hours of labor I was in for you?!"

"Oh, you hate me and want to move out? I'll help you pack!"

The best way I can salute mom dukes is to shout out her signature makeup rule: give good face whenever possible; and when it's impossible, do it anyway. Since I sometimes go out with a butt-naked face, I obviously have yet to fully incorporate that rule into my life.

Though Tarte Natural Cheek Stain in Sunkissed($30) is meant for cheeks, it can also be used on the lips. Watch as it, with one swipe, gives you a barely-there brown (my color barrio). If you prefer to hang in my mom's color neighborhood, a hot-look-at-me-red, layer on more to get your desired shade.

Q. Dear Breezy,

I have an event this Saturday at NPAC. All black attire it cost me 55 bucks to go. Now, I bought a dress I like it but Im not confident about my legs. I have severe acne/pore infections on them. Therefore, I want to wear stockings. I have two type of shoes to wear: open toe suede or gladiator sandle shoes both are in black. So my question to u is, What type of stockings should I wear and what type of shoes?

A. Hi-ya, Muchachachita!

I totally hear you with the body acne...it plagues sooo many of us. Whether it's on the back, legs, arms, wherever - it's a pain in the whazoo! I used to live in Donna Karan Nudes hosiery. It totally mimics your skin tone, it's available in great hues, and you should be able to pick it up in your favorite department store. OR if you want to take a fashionable trip to funky town, you can go for an eye-catching patterned or textured hose. Now it just wouldn't be me to not mention a beauty option. Do you know Kat Von D, the gorgeous reality TV inkstress? Well, she has a line of waterproof, no-smudge body concealer at Sephora that actually covered her extensive body art. See?

My disclaimer: there are not many colors, but you never know unless you try, right? Check it out at Sephora.

You might have also heard of Dermablend, well known for its miraculous body coverage. It's available in department stores. Here's a Dermablend before and after.

Now just email me a pic of the dress and we'll talk shoes!