Temple of Glam

Not too long ago I was channel surfing and landed on The Mo'Nique Show. Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon and Ghostface Killah were lovingly talking about Ol' Dirty Bastard (aka Dirt McGirt). I visualized the "Shimmy, Shimmy Ya" video. Just the thought of "Big Baby Jesus" in his baggy drawerz can cheer me up any day.

Remember when I went to the Flirt! Cosmetics party a little while ago? In case you don't, I attended the fete for Heather Morris, their new spokesperson. I was also sworn to secrecy about the new products, but since they launched last month, I'm free to talk about them! I'll start with the mascara.

All That Lash Mascara ($14) gives me more length than volume, no clumps, and no weird spider lashes either. I will say that when I do want extra volume, which is pretty much every day, I use one coat of this and a second coat of my volume mascara du jour. Oh, All That Lash washes off easily with warm water! Trust me, Old Dirt' Dog no liar.

Whenever makeup artists discuss the one facial feature we must enhance, it always seems to be the eyes. Yes, the eyes are the windows to the soul, but eyes are also the windows to a drunken night out, an all-night baby-feeding session, and many other events that we'd rather not let show up on our faces in the a.m. Even before reaching for your trusted concealer, try giving a great mascara a try. The right mascara will open up your eyes so you'll appear to be awake (or coherent).

I've been using Flirt It Curl Mascara ($14) for the past week and unlike other curved wands, this one truly kinks my straight lashes up a notch. And when coupled with an eyelash curler, you'll bat away last night's exhaustion faster than you can...you guessed it...blink an eye!

Sometimes a "Valentine's Day gift set" is merely last season's holiday gift set with a behearted bow. C'mon girls, don't tell me you haven't noticed! But this Stila Valentine's Day Set ($34) is so not a regurgitated holiday gift set — the Cherry Crush Lip and Cheek Stain mimics the hue that adorns your cheeks when your beau is around. It also resembles the rouge de rage when that same beau drives you bonkers!

Add a slamming highlighter, eye shadow and mascara (the only product in the set I have YET to try) and you're all set! Get it? Set. That one was cute...admit it.

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!

Today is a verrrrry special day. On this day many, many years ago, my loving parents took an anxious trip to the hospital, huffed, puffed, pushed, and welcomed me to the world.

In honor of my birthday, I'm giving a crazy cool gift to one Temple of Glam Facebook fan: Shirley Johnson...congratulations! Email shaunequa@templeofglam.com  and I'll send your gift! If you're not already a fan, become one here so you are in the Temple of Glam mix!

Maybe you want to get extra pretty for my special day. Ok maybe not. Well I got a few smokey eye tips from Makeup Artist, Rick DiCecca. The smokey eye is kinda perfect for your "Mean Girls" rendition of "Jingle Bell Rock". Just sayin...

And Now...The Ultimate Smokey Eye:
1) Wait! Don't put on your concealer or foundation until you've finished your smokey eye. That way, if there is any trace of liner or shadow, your concealer will ensure a bright eye.

2) Prep: Use a moisturizer under eyes and makeup primer from lashline to brow.

3) Using an eyeshadow quad like the NEW Estee Lauder Black Smoke Signature Eye Quad ($35): Apply a highlighter to your brow arch and inner eye corners. Then apply a deeper grey shade (like #3 in the quad) to your lid.

4) Apply  a super dark, matte black eye liner (I'm fond of a cheapie like Wet n Wild for $.99) using short, deliberate strokes to upper and lower lashes. Think of this as your smoke-a-licious base. So get in there...smudge away!

5) Blend a dark grey (like #4 in the Estee Lauder quad) or black (like MAC eye shadow in Carbon $14.50) along lower and upper lashes.

6) Finally apply a dramatic mascara. I personally think DiorShow Black Out Mascara ($24) is perfect for smokey eyes.