Where Music and Beauty Meet…

New York fashion week begins tomorrow…ohh how I wish I could have made it this year.

In celebration of this year’s Fashion’s Night Out (which takes place on the first day of fashion week), Rapper, Azealia Banks collaborated with M∙A∙C on a limited edition lipstick called Yung Rapunxel. For those of us who are not in New York City, it is available online today, Sept 5th. Something about this deep blackened purple lipstick reminds me of Cyber lipstick (with a hint of Rebel lipstick, which I love)…so you know I had to place my order promptly. When the lipstick comes in, I will see if I was right about the comparison.

Check out her new music video, 1991, where she rocks the Yung Rapunxel lipstick:

*FACEBOOK*     *TWITTER*     *WEBSITE*

Some of My Favorite Things

It’s been a while…life is taking over at the moment. I have been working like crazy and time just seems to be speeding by.

It’s been over a year since I last shared some of my favorite beauty items. Since then some items have changed and some have remained the same:

  1. I still use MAC Paint in Bamboom as an eye primer, but lately I have been grabbing for my Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden. I love the finish of the primer and the opaque coverage which really makes my eye shadow pop.

    Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden

  2. I can’t live without my MAC  Spiked eyebrow pencil.
  3. Can’t get enough of my Cover Girl Queen Natural Hues Minerals Bronzer in Ebony Bronze. I use it to contour my cheeks and temple area, but sometimes I use it as a eye crease color as well. This is a great all over bronzer for women of color.

    CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Minerals Bronzer in Ebony Bronze

     

  4. MAC Pro longwear foundation in NC 50. I love it!

    Pro Longwear Foundation

  5. MAC Studio Finish Concealer w/ SPF 35 in NC 50
  6. Haute & Naughty Lash Mascara is theBOMB.com.  It really works for my unruly lashes and helps to define them perfectly.

    Haute & Naughty Lash

  7. Styli-Style 24-Hour Power Line & Seal 24-Eyes…I love how long it stays in my waterline without smudging or running. I use the pencil in carbon black and I pick them up at my local CVS store.

    Styli-Style Line and Seal Eyeliner in Carbon Black

     

  8. For eyeshadows; MAC Bitter, Fig 1, Jest and Girlie are some of my favorite eyeshadows of the moment.
  9. For lipglosses; I can’t commit to any one color…or brand.  But right now, I am really feeling MAC Flusterose Lustreglass. I am also loving, NYX slim lip pencils. There are so many great colors to choose from.

    NYX Slim Lip Pencils

     

  10. My friend, Onada told me about the Clarisonic Cleansing System in 2009 and I knew I wanted to try it out, but I kinda procrastinated about it until last year. It is by far the best skincare tool for exfoliation and improving the texture of one’s skin. There are reviews everywhere, so I won’t duplicate efforts, but trust me once you try it you will know what I mean. The Nordstrom Exclusive packages are still available online. The exclusive package is valued at $315  but you get it for $225. The package includes extra brush heads, cleansers and a cute pink travel bag.

    Clarisonic Cleansing System

What beauty items can’t you live without?

Thots,

Tiwa

Red on my mind…

Red lips might seem risky to some,  but as a Makeup Artist, I tell you, anyone can wear red lips. Time and time again, I hear people saying, “my lips are too big for red lips” or “my lips are too small for red lips” or “I look like a night walker with red lips” or “Wow, I can’t believe you are wearing that color, it would never look right on me”… really???
  
Red Lips Rock! You just have to find the right one for you. Don’t be shy, don’t be afraid to try before you buy.

Tip of the Week: Head over to your closest makeup counter. Bobbi Brown, MAC, Sephora, Ulta are great places to start. Go on a weekday, when the artists are less busy so you can ask as many questions has your heart content. Try out as many lip colors as you can and walk outdoors (please make sure you sanitize the products before you try them on). Take a mirror with you outside and see how the color complements your skin in natural light. Armed with patience and time, you should be able to find that perfect shade for you.

Depending on your skin-tone, some colors might look better than others. Using the color wheel as a guide; one could say, if you have more yellow or olive undertones in your skin, then a lip color with more orange undertones would probably look better on you. If you have red or pink undertones in your skin, then a lip color with more blue would probably look better on you. But again, trying a color on against your skin is the best way to see what looks best on you. Remember, there are no rules when it comes to makeup, so don’t eliminate any colors before you try it out for yourself.

Below are some red lip colors I tried on for you guys.  To be honest, I really don’t pay attention to my skin’s undertone, when it comes to lip colors. If I like it, I wear it.  

 

 
 
 

Strut Your Stuff Kissable Lipcolour

 

COVERGIRL Lip Perfection in Burn

 

 
 
 
 

MAC Red Lipstick

 

 

 
 
 

Viva Glam I Lipstick by MAC...This has got to be my favorite red lipstick of all time

 

Chili Lipstick by MAC...This lipstick is matte, but there is a shine due to the camera's flash

 

Check out these beautiful ladies showing off their red lips:

 

 

 
 
 

Aishwarya Rai

 

 

 

Kim Kardashian

 

 
 

Dita Von Teese

 

 
 
 

Rihanna

 

Images from here, here and here

What are your favorite reddish lip colors?

Thots,

Tiwa

  

Thinking of Spring???

I have a love-hate relationship with Spring. I love the weather, but I hate my allergies. I love experimenting with makeup, but I hate when I feel the need to rub my eyes and almost ruin my eye makeup (I usually catch myself before I do serious damage. Luckily, over the years I have developed some serious “eye-rubbing” self-control, lol).
  
But since spring is pretty much upon us, I guess I need to start getting mentally prepared and embrace it once again.
  
TIP of the Week:  For allergy sufferers; experimenting with fun lips colors is a great way to add color to your look without focusing on your eyes. Corals, peachy and orange lips colors are on trend this spring. Below are some of my favorite coral, peachy, orange tone lipsticks and lipglosses.   

MAC Hi-Falutin' Dazzelglass

 

MAC Mahogany Lip Pencil and So Vain Kissable Lip Colour

 

MAC Vegas Volt Lipstick (No lip pencil)

OCC Lip Tar in Grandma with MAC Mahogany Lip Pencil

NYX Orange Lip liner and MAC Morange Lipstick

Please feel free to add your favorite spring lip colors in the comment section.
 
Thanks,
Tiwa
 

*** It’s a New Year, It’s a New Dawn, It’s a New Giveaway!!! ***

To bring in 2011, I am excited to announce the Official Welcome to 2011 in February (due to my lateness) Pink Diamonds giveaway (I am cheezin right now, so corny, lol).

The 1st runner up will receive: The Ecotools earth-friendly overnight bag and The ecotools cosmetic bag. I love these products, so I wanted to share.

The winner will receiver: $100 in M.A.C Cosmetics products of your choice.  Plus, one of my favorite Makeup books of all time…Making Faces by Kevin Aucoin.

MAC Cosmetics

Making Faces by Kevyn Aucoin

Simply enter to win by:

1. First entry: Subscribe to this blog via the link at the bottom of the page and leave a comment below sharing what you would like to see on future blog entries or any ideas to improve this blog. Also, tell everyone about Pink Diamonds by TL 🙂

These are other ways to enter. They are optional but will give you more entries and therefore increase your chances of winning:
2. Second entry: Mention this giveaway on your blog or twitter and let us know in the comment section you have done so.

3.Third entry: “Like” Pink Diamonds by TL on Facebook and let us know you have done so in the comment section.

4. Fourth entry:Follow” Pink Diamonds by TL on Twitter and let us know you have done so in the comment section.

  • You must be 18 or older to enter. Contest is open to U.S., U.K and Canadian residents.
  • The winners will be chosen randomly.
  • Deadline for entries for this giveaway is on Sunday, February 27th 2011 @ 11:59pm (EST).

So…Are we ready!!! I am excited and can’t wait to announce the lucky winner.

Disclaimer: Please note all gifts were purchased by my own funds. The MAC products depends on availability, but a substitute can be requested. Only items from the regular MAC line can be requested, i.e no limited edition items or viva glam items. At least 12 people have to enter the contest for this giveaway to qualify.

Thots,

Tiwa

My Favorite Brushes

You can use any brand of makeup you want (from the cheapest dollar store makeup to the most expensive makeup in the world) it really doesn’t matter. But without the right tools to apply the products, the finish look won’t look half as great as someone who uses the same makeup but with amazing brushes. Today, I am going to share my favorite brushes. I have soo many, so to prevent this from going on forever, I narrowed them down to my top 3 or 4, for each part of the face. I also noted the reason I love each brush.  

Face: 

Ecotools Bamboo Bronzer Brush 

This brush is by far one of the most effective and efficient brushes I have used to apply my powder. It is great for pressed or loose powders and bronzers. I use it to apply my MAC Minerialize Skin Finish Natural, and I love how it buffs the product into my skin and give me a great glow.

Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki -F80

I use this to apply my liquid or cream foundations. Mehnnnn…this stuff is great. The website says“…was designed to deliver a flawless makeup application…The short and dense bristles make it easy to buff your liquid foundation. The long handle adds comfort to your makeup application. The synthetic fibers are ideal to be used with liquid products and can be easily cleaned“. I totally agree with their claims because it does all that and more. It does not shed and the finish of my foundation is flawless after each application. The closest to an airbrush finish that I have found.

MAC 109 Small Contour Brush

I love using this brush when I contour my cheeks. The rounded dome tip blends powders and blush with ease. Apart from using it to apply blush, I also use the 109 to apply highlight colors to my face. I have to admit this brush does sheds sometimes, but the bluffing “power” of the brush overshadows the shedding “issues” in my opinion.

 

Left to Right: Ecotools Bronzer Brush, Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki, MAC 109

Eyes:

Sephora Platinum Lash & Eyebrow Comb #21

When we talk about lash grooming brushes, this has got to be one of the best, if not the best out on the market. The website claims “The metal lash comb separates each hair to remove mascara clumps and create uniformity. The lash comb has tapered metal teeth, which divides and defines individual lashes easier than plastic combs.” That to me is what I love most about the brush. It is also great after I apply fasle lashes. I comb through my lashes  to blend my natural lashes to the falsies. The other side of the comb is for the eyebrow. It has very firm bristles which is great for putting very single hair in place.

MAC 266 Small Angel Brush

I love how precise this brush is. I use it to apply gel eyeliners, but I also use it to apply concealer under eyebrows to give a finished look after applying eyebrow pencil. The fibers are thin enough to use when doing detailed work around the eyes, but sturdy enough to make perfect lines.  

MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush

By far my favorite eyebrow brush…It is great for packing on color but it is also flat enough to apply color on the lower lash line (when used at a angle). The close runner up is the Sonia Kashuk, Small Eyeshadow Brush. 

MAC 217 Blending Brush

So, I use this brush for many things. I use it to apply creamy products like paintpots, paints and eye primers, but I also use it to blend and shading around my eye crease. It is smaller than the MAC 224 brush, so it really gets into the corners of the eye.

 

Left to Right: Sephora Lash & Eyebrow Comb, MAC 266 , MAC 239, MAC 217, MAC 224

Miscellaneous:

 MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush

This brush is meant for blending eyeshadow in the eye crease, and I do use it for those purposes, but mainly use it under my eyes to blend my concealer and for setting power. I found that it give a great airbrushed finish and it helps to prevents creasing, especially under my eye.

MAC 184 Duo Fibre Fan Brush

I use this to apply highlighter under my eyes (just on top of my cheeks). I also use it to remove any eyeshadow “fall out” or excess powder from any areas of my face.

****************************************************************************************************

Also, check out my previous post about the ecotool brush set. This is a great option for someone who is just beginning with makeup and needs some affordable brushes. 

If you have specific questions that I didn’t cover, please leave me a comment or send me an email and we can talk about it 🙂

Thots,
Tiwa

Beauty…

I just had to share these images from a photoshoot I did recently. I really enjoyed working with the talented photographer and models.
 

Photography: S.Sevilla; Makeup: Pink Diamonds by Tiwa Lawrence; Model: Courtney

Photography: S.Sevilla; Makeup: Pink Diamonds by Tiwa Lawrence; Model: Justice

This is what I used to create Justice’s look. All products are by MAC unless otherwise stated:  

Face:  

Prep + Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment  

Use whatever concealer, foundation and powder that works best on your skin type. Make sure the products match your skin tone perfectly and blend, blend, blend. I used my Graftobian HD foundation palette to get her perfect match.  

Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Deep Dark   

Prep +Prime Transparent Finishing Powder  

Eyebrows:  

Spiked Eye Brow Pencil  

Eyes:   

Urban Decay Primer Potion  

Tete-A-Tint Eyeshadow (to highlight the brow bone)  

Woodwinked Eyeshadow (on lids)  

NYX Eyeliner Pencil in Sapphire (around the lash line as a base), then I added Sea and Sky Mineralized Eyeshadow (I used the darker blue side of the eyeshadow. I wet my angle eyeliner brush and used it to line around the eye)  

Sea and Sky Mineralize Duo Eyeshadow (in Crease)  

Carbon (to darken Crease)  

Lashes:   

I can’t remember which mascara I used.   

False Lashes- Ardell Lashes #134  

Lips:   

Prep + Prime Lip  

Cherry Lipliner  

Morange Lipstick   

Cheeks:   

Raizin Blush (very light touch)  

Enjoy!   

Thots,   

loveheartTiwa  

LIFT

I haven’t been inspired lately, hence the silence on my blog. Pls excuse me 🙂  

I came up with a new addition to the blog called: 

L.I.F.T = Look I’m Feeling Today!!

This is an old image, but I am really feeling Alek Wek’s look in the campaign ad for the MAC Cosmetics collection called The Stylistics. The collection came out back in 2007. What do you think? 

 
 
 

MAC Stylistics Collection: Alek Wek

I’m out!

  

Thots,  

Tiwa 

Some of My Favorite Things

I simply can’t live without the following products. The items  are listed in the order which I apply them.

  1. I use MAC Paint in Bamboom as an Eye Primer (The eye primer I use depends on the shade of eyeshadow I use)
  2. Smashbox Brow Tech in Brunette
  3. MAC Studio Finish Concealer w/ SPF 35 in NW45
  4. Mary Kay Sheer Mineral Pressed Powder in Bronze 1
  5. Urban Decay – liquid liner in perversion (black)
  6. Marykay Ultimate Mascara in Black
  7. E.L.F. Healthy Gold Bronzing Powder in Sun Kissed, I love this because I can also use it as an eyeshadow highlight
  8. Lip Glosses and Eyeshadows: I am a lip gloss and eyeshadow lover. I can’t commit to any one color…or brand. Today I am wearing MAC lip liner in Currant and Dior Addict Ultra Gloss Reflect in Pink Liberty and MAC eyeshadow in Bold and Brazen.

Disclaimer: Please keep in mind these are my personal favorites and not particularly what I use in my professional kit 🙂

I will follow-up with an entry about my skin care regime soon.  I also have a random post about natural hair coming up.

Thots,

Tiwa