Get the Look: Uzo Aduba at the Emmy's

To complement Uzo’s elegant, intricately hand-painted gown, I created a makeup look that embodied the epitome of classic beauty. Long, lush lashes enhanced her subtly smokey eyes and defined brows, while I kept the rest of the makeup extra dewy and natural for a flawless finish.” – Janice Kinjo for SheaMoisture Cosmetics 

The Look: 

FACE:

• I started by applying SheaMoisture Sheer Liquid Foundation in Montego Toffee to highlight the under-eye area, T-Zone and bridge of the nose. Then, I applied the shade inKa’u Brown Blaze for a subtle contour before blending both shades with Canoa Espresso for a seamless finish. 
• To set foundation, I used SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Pressed Powder in Yala Golden, focusing on the high parts of the face the lighter foundation was applied. Then, I appliedSheaMoisture Perfecting Face Powder Duo in Deep to the contours of the face, setting the deeper-toned foundation.
• I applied SheaMoisture Lip/Cheek Balm in Avignon Rose as a base before setting with SheaMoisture Mineral Blush in Annecy Maroon for a natural, rosy flush on the cheeks. 

EYES:

• I filled in Uzo’s brows using the two shades and setting wax within SheaMoisture The Perfect Brow Kit in Brown. I then applied SheaMoisture Color Correcting, Contouring and Highlighting Palette in Medium to further shape and define brows.
• Using a wet eyeshadow brush, I applied the matte brown shade from SheaMoisture Rich Earth Palette in combination with SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Eyeshadow in Claudia to create a soft, smokey eye. Then, I added a pop of shimmer to the inner corner of the eyes with SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Eyeshadow in Cassandra. Lastly, I coated lashes withSheaMoisture Lengthening Mascara in Black for a fluttery lash look.

LIPS:

• I first primed lips with a bit of foundation for a truly nude, matte base. Then the ultra-moisturizing and natural nude SheaMoisture Lip Crayon in Calixta was applied to the lips as the finishing touch to this classic, effortless beauty look. 

PRODUCTS USED: 

• SheaMoisture Sheer Liquid Foundation - $14.99
• SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Pressed Powder - $14.99
• SheaMoisture Lip/Cheek Balm - $4.99
• SheaMoisture Mineral Blush - $5.99
• SheaMoisture The Perfect Brow Kit - $15.99
• SheaMoisture Color Correcting, Contouring and Highlighting Palette - $24.99
• SheaMoisture Rich Earth Palette - $24.99
• SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Eyeshadow - $4.99
• SheaMoisture Lengthening Mascara - $8.99
• SheaMoisture Lip Crayon - $9.99

AVAILABILITY: All SheaMoisture Cosmetics products are available at Target stores nationwide and Target.com

Dana Goes To Tracy Reese!

One of the best times to visit New York is during fashion week! The hustle and bustle is in overdrive and the energy is electric. Lucky for me, I got a chance to attend the Tracy Reese show and even got in on some backstage access.

I was so excited to learn that lead Hair Stylist Bok-Hee was using my favorite hair care line, SheaMoisture, to help create the looks. Boh-Kee said she wanted to go for a transparent and airy look. She said when collaborating with Tracy on the look, she thought of a girl in a desert who was "beautifully tired yet natural."

 Boh-Kee working her magic

Boh-Kee and her team used SheaMoisture's new professional line along with some of their staples to get the models ready for the runway. First, they used SheaMoisture Professional Curl Leave-In Conditioner to prep the hair. Then, the front hairline was sectioned off and the remaining hair was pulled back into a low chignon using SheaMoisture Professional Blow Dry Cream!  The team used SheaMoisture Fruit Fusion Coconut Water Weightless Texture Spray on the front of the hair, then teased it to create the airy look. Finally, the whole head was finished using SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Mist.

Now the models are ready for the runway!

Tracy Reese's show was nothing short of awesome! The collection was full of color, florals and sequins. I loved that the pieces were very wearable for even the everyday woman like myself. Wide legged pants, shift dresses and rain ponchos were some of the items that danced down the runway. The shoes had funky chunky heels and were designed by Sarah Jessica Parker who was also spotted in the front row. Andre Leon Tally, SNL's Sasheer Zamata and celeb stylist June Ambrose were also in attendance!

*Dana Norman is the BG Contributor for New York

*Photo Credit: Dana Norman

Get The Look: Regina King at Black Girls Rock

We all know Regina King from her groundbreaking big and small screen work, including the new hit TV drama American Crime. She was spotted at BET's Black Girl's Rock with a fresh face, courtesy of Shea Moisture. Follow the below steps to recreate her look:

HER SKIN: 
To achieve a luminous and creamy canvas, moisturize and prime skin to ensure a flawless finish.Using the SheaMoisture Foundation/Concealer Duo Brush, applySheaMoisture Sheer Liquid Foundation in Gobi Bronzi over the entire face.To highlight and brighten the under eye area, lightly pad SheaMoisture Créme Concealer in Fawn under the eye.Apply the SheaMoisture Color Correcting, Contouring & Highlighting Palette in Medium Dark, mixing the colors to ensure a perfect shade to highlight under eyes, temples and high plains of the face and neck.Set makeup with SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Pressed Powder in Yuma Pecan.Following, sweep SheaMoisture Illuminating Powder in Havana Sunrise on the apples of cheeks, forehead, nose and cheeks to for a sun-kissed glow. Follow up with Mandalay Dusk on contoured areas. To finish complexion, apply SheaMoisture Mineral Blush in Varkala Spice on the apple of the cheeks. 

HER EYES:
Apply SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Eyeshadowin Claudia on the outer lid, sweeping Montana on inner lid and corner of eye. Blend to create a seamless finish.Lightly place SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Eyeshadow in Claudia as liner for lower lash line.SheaMoisture Liquid Eyeliner in Black is used to line the top lash line. Slightly wing towards the outer perimeter of eye.Complete look with SheaMoisture Volumizing Mascara in Black for top lashes, and SheaMoisture Lengthening Mascara in Black on lower lashes.

HER LIPS:
Prep lips by using SheaMoisture Lip Exfoliator to smooth and moisturize.To achieve the opening look, useSheaMoisture Lip Crayons in Sarah and Kenia, in equal parts.Finish by applying SheaMoisture Lip Glossin Jenny and Rosie, again in equal parts.
* All products can be purchased at Target.com.

Get the Look NYFW Edition: SheaMoisture for Tracy Reese

For the A/W Tracy Reese show, models sported top-knot ponies that Lead Hair Stylist Bok-Hee described as "severe" using SheaMoisture products. You can get the look by following the below steps:

1.  Apply SheaMoisture Tahitian Noni & Monoi Smooth & Repair Blow Out Cream to protect hair and add shine before drying.

2. Using a paddle brush, dry hair brushing away from the face, towards the crown of the head.

3. Massage SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Gel Soufflé between hands and use to pull hair into a severe ponytail at the crown. Secure with an elastic.

4. Once secured, spray SheaMoisture Tahitian Noni & Monoi Smooth & Repair High Shine Glosser onto paddle brush and smooth the ponytail.

5. Combine SheaMoisture Tahitian Noni & Monoi Smooth & Repair High Shine Glosser and SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Gel Soufflé in the palm of the hand and pull through the tail of the pony for intense shine and hold.

6. Wrap wire around the base of the ponytail and manipulate so that the wire sits in the center of the tail, unseen.

7. Twist the ponytail until it makes a tight rope with the wire in the center. Secure at the end with a small elastic.

8. Still holding the roped hair, loop it back to the base of the head and secure with bobby pins. This will create a loop with the hair that points in a diagonal away from the head.

9. Once firmly secured, twist the looped hair counterclockwise, creating a spiral effect.

10. Slick back any loose hairs around the face with SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Edge Treatment.

11. Finish by spraying SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Hold & Shine Moisture Mist for hold and hydration.

Review: SheaMoisture Mascara in Voluminizing Black

Those of you that are regular readers of my blog know that I am all brows, no lashes, lol. I have always had teeny-tiny lashes, but refuse to wear falsies, so I have essentially been experimenting with mascara since I became old enough to wear makeup. Then SheaMoisture sent me pieces from their collection and I fell IN LOVE with their mascara.

The key to the mascara is the brush. It is thick at the tip and thins out towards the base. Somehow, this worked to extend my struggling lashes outward, creating the illusion that I actually had a full set. The shape of the brush also helped to prevent my lashes from clumping. I have tried a lot of mascaras, and some of them have been pretty good, but this is the first kind that made me feel like I was in a lash commercial, lol. If you have nearly invisible lashes like me, I'd give it a try.

Dana Does NYFW2: Korto Momolu Show Presented by SheaMoisture

I was so excited to attend Project Runway's alum Korto Momolu's show.  I felt a little lump in my stomach when they couldn't find my name on the list at check in. However, once I told them who I was there with sponsor Shea Moisture they checked me in with no problem and ushered me upstairs to get backstage access.

Korto's and Shea Moisture's staff was pleasant and welcoming.  The first person I noticed was celeb MUA Renny Vasquez (I follow him on Instagram). He's worked with Gabriel Union, Brandy and Niecy Nash. I knew immediately he was the Lead Artist because of an Instagram post he sent a day earlier.  I could see why Renny was so successful. Not only was he super talented but he was very humble and down to earth.  When asked what the inspiration was behind the model's looks, he told me he got a sneak peek of Korto's collection and since the colors were vibrant and bold, he wanted the models' to have a bold pop of color on the lips. 

Face

    1.     SheaMoisture Primer was applied to the entire face to even skin texture and provide a clean palette.

2.     SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Pressed Powder was applied all over the face with a damp sponge.

3.     SheaMoisture Color Correcting,Contouring & Highlighting Palette was applied with a damp sponge and blended with a foundation brush to sculpt the sides of nose, cheekbones and jawline.

4.     SheaMoisture Illuminating Powderwas applied to cheekbones, hairline and jawline with a kabuki brush for a glow effect.

5.     SheaMoisture Mineral Blush in Annecy Maroon was applied to the apples of the cheeks for a pop of warm color.

Eyes:

1.     SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Claudia was applied with a damp slanted brush to the brows to define and fill in color.

2.     SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Celia was applied all over the eye and brow bone as a base.

3.     SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Montana was applied on the lid and blended, and then applied under the eye corner-to-corner and blended.

4.     SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Claudia was dabbed on the outer eyelid for intensity.

5.     SheaMoisture Liquid Eyeliner in Black was applied to upper and lower lash line, corner-to-corner.

6.     SheaMoisture Lengthening Mascarawas applied to upper and lower lashes.

Lips:

1.     SheaMoisture Lip Exfoliator was applied to the lips and excess was wiped off with a tissue, leaving moisture on the lips.

2.     SheaMoisture Lip Crayon in Robertawas applied all over the lips as a lip color and liner.

3.     The final touch was a generous layer ofSheaMoisture Lip Gloss in Rosie for shine and a hint of color.

SheaMoisture Products Used:                                                                                                                       

·          SheaMoisture Primer - $15.99

·     SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Pressed Powder - $14.99

·     SheaMoisture Color Correcting, Contouring & Highlighting Palette - $24.99

·     SheaMoisture Illuminating Powder - $11.99

·     SheaMoisture Mineral Blush - $5.99

·     SheaMoisture Wet/Dry Eye Shadow - $4.99

·     SheaMoisture Liquid Eyeliner - $8.99

·     SheaMoisture Lengthening Mascara - $8.99

·     SheaMoisture Lip Exfoliator - $7.99

·     SheaMoisture Lip Crayon - $9.99

·     SheaMoisture Lip Gloss - $9.99 Product Availability: www.Target.com

After speaking with him I got a chance to briefly meet Korto, who was also very nice and down to earth.  When asked why she decided to partner with Shea Moisture for her show she said, "It's a no brainer, they get me and I get them."

Now on to the fashion.  I was lucky enough to snag a seat in the front row.  From start to finish this collection was beautiful. I oohed and aahhed at every model that strutted the runway.  They looked like goddesses in long flowy chiffon gowns in hues of blues and beiges. There were also some bold asymmetrical pieces in fun colors of oranges and corals. The collection was also very wearable. There was nothing in the collection that the average woman couldn't wear. I wanted every piece. Now if only my bank account would allow that lol!

* Dana Norman is TheBGInTheCitizen for the East Coast