true blood makeup

photo via ecouterre.com

I know, I know, True Blood fans: As much as you want to, you can't go hang out, one of these summer nights, at Merlotte's. Lafayette will never be your BFF. And Bon Temps, you have to remind yourself from time to time, doesn't really exist.
You can however go to Sephora and check out the new limited edition 3-piece makeup collection, developed by the show's head makeup artist Brigette Myre-Ellis and eco-beauty label tarte.

From Ecouterre:

"Tarte uses only natural mineral pigments and fruit extracts, so its cosmetics contain no parabens, synthetic fragrances, phthalates, or Triclosan. An infusion of mint in the lip and cheek stains offers zest without the bite, while the uber-deluxe eye palette is a must-have for fang-bangers and V-curious alike. Clad in a killer corset-tie packaging, the kit includes eyeliner, mascara, and primer, plus shades with names like “Fairy” (shimmering pink), “Werewolf” (matte chocolate), “Glamour Me” (sparkling plum), “Stake” (matte steel), “Bayou” (shimmering golden tan), and “Waitress” (sparkling pink champagne)."

lianne la havas

Lianne La Havas from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

fans shocked: japanese pop star revealed as computer generated

via Gawker:

"A bunch of fans of Aimi Eguchi, the newest member of the Japanese idol group AKB 48, were shocked to discover that she was actually a computer generated composite of the 'best features' of other members of the group."

Read the rest of the story here.


Wow ... Unreal.

prabal gurung resort 2012 -rye rye (new thing)

Fashion star on the rise Prabal Gurung launches his first resort collection with M.I.A. protegee Rye Rye:


Hawt.

street harassment - walking home

I was grateful to come across this article (and short film) on street harassment while perusing Clutch earlier today.  Grateful because I'm afraid it's one of those topics I have grown somewhat numb around.  Street harassment, especially in the summer, is such a given (especially here in NYC), I barely notice the way I brace myself everyday for it before going outside alone anymore. 

Thinking about street harassment, and what it means sends a chill down my spine.  It isn't about beauty or attraction, as it so often is innocently worded by the harasser to begin with.  It's about power, about control, even if only for a moment.  If you've ever walked past one of these advances without giving it any energy and found yourself walking away from a slew of insults (let's say, "Bitch!" for example, or "Oh you think you all that?!"), or quasi guilt trips ("You can't speak?!"), you know what I'm talking about.  Control, if only for a moment.

I usually just walk past.  It's the most honest, sane (and safe) thing to do in most cases.  Engaging seems like it would be akin to arguing with a drunk.  I walk past, while reminding myself of some simple facts about the moment:  This will be over in a matter of seconds.  This man is at a standstill on this sidewalk, talking sh#t, and I am going somewhere.  Long neck, chin level with the ground, half a smile on my face, I walk past.
What do you do?  Do you ever feel the need to talk back?  Have you ever just snapped?

Check out film maker Nuala Cabral's short film on the subject, Walking Home.

jessie j - who you are

love this...

black girl tanning

photo: getty images

Olu Gittens, an African-American film making beauty with a complexion she describes as "a rich cocoa-brown hue", and "mahogany-colored" , went to a tanning salon in New York City and wrote a brilliant piece about her experience, which appears on Coco and Creme:

" Heading home from my gym in the Chelsea section of Manhattan, I had often passed a luxury tanning salon courting new customers. I would brush off the marketers who seemed to waste my time and theirs by trying to hand me coupon cards for discounts on luxury tans. But I became more and more curious each time. What was it like to go to a tanning salon? Determined to spread the word about their services like church people handing out ministry tracts, they drew me in. On a whim one day, I finally took one. " (cocoandcreme.com)

Continue reading here.