So I want to start my year off with a fresh new look. The look I'm going for is a shorter look that resembles two of my favorite celebs, Keri Hilson and Antonia "Toya" Carter. I love both of their hairstyles, but I like Toya's style the most. By the way, I am not ever dying my hair, just focus on the style! Which one do you think I should do?

Keri...









Toya...

This is my first official post of 2011, my beauty must haves, yyyaaayyy! ☺ These are the products I have been using for years, and some consistently for a few months now. I ♥ all of these products, and plan on continuing use of them for years to come. Hey, if something works, keep using it. When it comes to my beauty must haves, I'm not one of the people who has the "if it ain't M.A.C., it's wack" view of things. I don't have anything against top/high end a.k.a expensive lines like M.A.C., Bobbi Brown and Dior. However, although I LLLOOOVVVEEE skin care/beauty products I refuse to pay more for a name when I can get products that are equally as great or better for less.

For example, for one M.A.C. eyshadow it costs $14.50! O_O However the Sedona Lace palettes that I like (check below), you get 88 colors for about $18-$20. There's no way I'm gonna pay that much for one M.A.C. eyeshadow when I can have 88 colors for a few more dollars. Now I have tried M.A.C. products before like the Studio Fix Fluid once, which is great, but I honestly don't see what all the hype is about.

With make-up on a daily basis I just use a little foundation to balance skin tone or cover up small blemishes, basically a light natural look. With eyeshaw I usually use one or two colors to match my outfit or at least blend with it. I use the mascara to help make my eyes pop. I also use lip gloss (my favorite!) for shine. I don't wear heavy make-up on a day to day basis. The only time I use a lot of make-up (full coverage) is maybe for a party, special event, something where I think it's necessary. The liquid eyeliner and eye pencils are things I play around with on days I feel like it. All of the products are very affordable, so check them out if you can. Enjoy!

SKIN CARE

NOTE: How good you look isn't as important as how well you are. At least to me, which is why skin care is my top priority. My skin condition underneath the foundation, eyeshaw, all the make-up is the most imporant. It definitely helps your natural beauty to radiate through. Anyways, my two favorite skin care products are by Neutrogena that I've been using since I was like 15 I believe. I've tried several Neutrogena products before, but these are my favorites. You can't go wrong with Netrogena, their products are always dermatologist reccomended, affordable, suit a variety of skin types, and most importantly deliver results!



* Neutrogena’s Transparent Facial Cleansing Bar For Acne-Prone Skin - $3



Neutrogena’s Deep Clean Invigorating Foaming Scrub - $8

FOUNDATION

NOTE: My first time using Clinique was when I was 18 for my senior prom. The lady who did my make-up used a powder foundation and I brought their Cherry Bomb lip gloss which was great (smell and last). I loved how they had make-up for all skin colors, their make-up was hypoallerginic, natural looking, long lasting, and made my face feel like I wasn't wearing anything. A few years after that I got into make-up a lot more, and switched to liquid foundation, which I prefer.




Clinique Perfectly Real Liquid Make-Up Shade # 48 - $24

EYE SHADOW

Sedona Lace 88 Metal Eyeshadow Palette - 19.95 @ SedonaLace.com (3 picture views)







Sedona Lace 88 Matte Eyeshadow Palette - 18.95 @ SedonaLace.com (3 picture views)










Covergirl Eye Enhancers 4-Kit In Country Woods # 215 - $6



Covergirl Eye Enhancers 4-Kit In Pure Romance # 235 - $6



Covergirl Eye Enhancers 4-Kit In Tropical Fusion # 205 - $6

LIP GLOSS

NOTE: Victoria's Secrete Beauty Rush line of lip gloss is my all-time favorite!!! One tube can last me about 2-3 months, the smell is AAAMMMAAAZZZIIINNNGGG, the shine ans gloss stays put for a long time so you don't have to re-apply it every two seconds, and the tubes don't fall apart. This is definitely worth the money. Lip gloss is my favorite make-up product to buy by the way.



Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss - $ 7 Each or 5 for $20



Covergirl Wetslicks Fruit Spritzers Lip Gloss - $6

MASCARA



Maybelline’s The Colossal Volum' Express Mascara - $6

EYE LINER



Maybelline’s Eye Studio™ Lasting Drama™ Gel Eyeliner - $9

EYE PENCIL

Maybelline’s Twin Brow & Eye Pencils In Velvet Black - $5 (3 picture views)







FINGERNAIL POLISH



Wet N Wild Fingernail Polish - Prices Vary

Hey ya'll,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!! Yeah, I know I'm 15 days late lol, but I was in lazy mode for a while. Now, I'm back. I'm just writing this message to let you guys in on some updates. It's a new year, so that means new changes. As you can see, I already have a new layout. Coming up next are new posts on random products I like, music, writing, videos, and just anything I care to share. What will no longer be featured as blog posts are my interviews or Talent Spotlight. New interview videos will be posted under the 'Interviews' link at the top of the page, so don't look under the 'Labels' link to the right for them.

This blog served as my official website from February 2010 until around October 2010, so that's what the majority of the older posts from 2010 are related to (interviews). My new official website is: The Official Website of Nicole. That website is more professional, this blog is like my playground, where I express myself to give visitors and supporters a more personal look into my world. Ok enough of my rambling, I'm sure you get the picture by now. I have a lot of exciting ideas for the blog, so stay tuned!

Until next time,

Nicole ☺