Black Is Beautiful

Being a black woman in love with makeup can be frustrating sometimes. Finding the right foundations and concealers that match brown complexions and their undertones has gotten easier in recent years, but it can still be a tough process. Ms. New Beauty still finds herself a little frustrated from time to time. In the fall, when SK-II introduced its new battery operated, ion charged airbrush foundation, MNB's heart went all aflutter. It soon sank when she realized that the foundation only came in four colors, none of which would suit a woman of color. Right now, the beauty world is all abuzz about Lancome's new Proenza Pink lipstick, a pale matte pink that is sure to look ridiculous on anyone with some melanin in their skin. It was partly out of this frustration that Ms. New Beauty the blog was created. Once MNB came across a product that expertly matched her skin, it was her responsibility to tell all of her friends and as many other women as she could. Ms. New Beauty tries to spotlight those products that truly live up to the phrase "universally flattering" and those that make makeup a little easier for women of color. In honor of Black History Month, Ms. New Beauty honors two women who have made cosmetics easier for women of color while blazing their own paths. True New Beauties they are.

Iman

I love Iman. I do. There is no other word to describe it. I love her and consider her a friend in my head. Or less a friend, and moreso that really cool auntie or friend of your mother’s that always looked out for you and gave you good advice, but talked to you like an adult, even when you were only 12. Well, that’s what she is to me. In my mind, she’s Auntie Iman, the fabulous woman who taught me about makeup as a child and showed me how a woman can succeed on her own terms.

Born in Somalia to a diplomat father, Iman was discovered in Kenya in 1975 while she was studying at Nairobi University. Always the shrewd woman, Iman only agreed to model for famed photographer Peter Beard if he paid her school tuition and fees. She went on to incredible success in the fashion world, modeling for Yves Saint Laurent and working with photographers like Helmut Newton and Richard Avedon.

While most of the world knows Iman as only the beautiful supermodel, or maybe even as the wife of David Bowie, Iman is a shrewd business woman. Noticing the considerable gap in the cosmetics market for products targeted to women of color, she launched Iman Cosmetics in 1994. A full range brand, Iman Cosmetics offers makeup, skincare, and haircare products to meet the needs of Asian, Latina, African American and multicultural women. Iman has also published several books and spearheaded the “I AM AFRICAN” ad campaign to raise awareness and funds to fight the AIDS pandemic in Africa.

Lisa Price

I remember some years ago, hearing the buzz about this new, natural product line that was addicting black women left and right. Everyone raved about it, sang its praises, swore that nothing before had ever affected them so. You know I was intrigued. But I was especially pleased and surprised to find that the proprietor of these wonder goods was none other than a black woman. A sista like myself.

By now, the world knows about the once cult brand, Carol’s Daughter. But many of us do not realize that the woman behind Carol’s Daughter, who actually is Carol’s daughter, is Lisa Price. Starting her business in her kitchen by mixing her products at home, Price turned her passion for fragrance into a formidable beauty company. Beginning with a small boutique in Brooklyn, the quality and care put into every product soon made Carol’s Daughter a favorite among celebrity crowds. The brand was featured on The Today Show, The View, and the guaranteed to make any small business owner into an industry behemoth, The Oprah Winfrey Show. The brand soon attracted celebrity investors, and eventual spokesmodels, Mary J. Blige and Jada Pinkett-Smith. Carol’s Daughter now offers over 300 unique products and is carried in select Sephora stores. The line continues to have legions of devoted women as customers. Lisa Price has traced her hard work and determination on the road to success in her new book – “Success Never Smelled So Sweet: How I Followed My Nose and Found My Passion.”

Make the whole world beautiful, and remember those who came before you, just don't forget that Ms. New Beauty told you!

Lemme Upgrade You

Ms. New Beauty is essentially, as the last word of the title suggests, a beauty blog. MNB generally keeps her subject matter focused on beauty products and cosmetics, although she does take an occasional foray into fashion and lifestyle topics with a few personal anecdotes to pepper the discussion. Well, today, MNB is veering far off her normal course with a purely celeb focused post. She normally tries to tie such diversions to her main beauty purpose, but today she really just can't. Trying to give a makeup tip would really just take away from the wonder that is the incredible upgrade two women have experienced. Sure, MNB could pick out a nice nude lip color for her readers, but she doesn't even want you to focus on the makeup. She wants you to look at the whole looks, the style transformations of these two beautiful women. How they have gone from looking haggard and well, just rough, to looking truly fabulous lately. Both deserving of a hearty round of applause, this post gives us two new additions to the MNB New Beauties category.

Whitney Houston

I have just two words for Miss Whitney - Welcome Back!!!!!


Eve

As a hometown Philly girl, I've always felt like E-v-e has been sleeping on so much potential. I think someone has finally tapped her on her shoulder and told her that she can look really good without doing too much. And, even though I have not and will never be a fan of the "ta-ta tattoo," even the paw prints don't bother me so much here. In a funny way, something about them actually works. Well done Eve.

Let these two be proof that there is a New Beauty inside all of us, upgrade yourself if the feeling strikes, and don't forget that Ms. New Beauty told you!

Living Life Like It's Golden

Ms. New Beauty loves award season, but she does not ever watch the awards. Sometimes she'll tune in to the red carpet commentary, but most she waits until the show is over and catches the highlights on E!, and nowadays, YouTube. She always checks online to see the truly standout dresses that come down the carpet, and the designer catastrophes that follow closely behind. She had not planned to do a recap post, particularly since she did not have the time to do one yesterday in a timely fashion. But, she's decided to go ahead and give her picks two days after the show because the world is still talking about the show. Better late than never.

Ms. New Beauty's Golden Globe Picks

Best Dresses

Penelope Cruz in Chanel Couture

Ali Larter

Best Use of Color

Mary J. Blige dripping in tons of Bulgari jewels

Jada Pinkett-Smith in Armani Prive

With so many women draped in white or basic black, Mary J. and Jada wore color beautifully to the awards (although Mary's dress looks just a bit saggy around the cleavage). There's nothing better than standing out in a bright fabulous dress.

Most Out of Place Ensemble

Beyonce in Elie Saab

Beyonce Knowles for this glittering, sparkling Vegas-showgirl worthy gown. So not appropriate for a dressy yet understated event like the Golden Globes. She clearly knows better, so this one must have just been her taking a risk, albeit a failing risk.

Worst Hair


It pains me to type this about a woman who is typically flawless, but Vanessa Williams has the worst hair award in a white-knuckled death grip. No explanation necessary just prayers that she will do better next time.

Worst Dresses

Cameron Diaz in Valentino

Nicolette Sheriden

White gowns really dominated the red carpet. But these two were definitely disappointing. Nicolette's is way too "Peggy Sue Got Married" meets "Dreamgirls." And, Cameron. What can we say about Cameron. Where is her normally irreverent, carefree yet always perfect sense of style? This dress is just a frothy contraption. It really looks like she wasn't planning to attend and at the last second grabbed some drapes and made her own gown Scarlett O'Hara-style.

Something's Just Off

Eva Longoria in Emanuel Ungaro


Jennifer Lopez in Marchesa

In theory, I admit that I should like both of these dresses, but something about them is just not working for me. Both women have the hair and makeup thing down, but something about both dresses is just off.

Favorite Wins

Meryl Streep for The Devil Wears Prada "that is all."
Jennifer Hudson for Dreamgirls "Effie White finally won"

Best Acceptance Speeches

America Ferrera and Jennifer Hudson for their heartfelt, honest, and humble speeches.

Missing in Action

Halle Berry. She is such a beautiful and stylish woman, so I am very surprised to not have seen any pictures or reports on Ms. Berry's whereabouts at the awards. I know that she was not nominated for anything, but as a steadfast member of the Hollywood A-List, she certainly could have and should have attended. Admittedly, I did not watch the show, so if she has merely been skipped over by the photogs working the event and the afterparties, please someone let me know.


Well, stay golden ladies, and be red carpet ravishing no matter where you go, but don't forget that Ms. New Beauty told you!

New Beautiful Women

Every now and again, Ms. New Beauty stumbles across likeminded women. Girls who appreciate a good pedicure, know the difference a great bronzer can make in their lives, and who understand that skipping a few meals can be a legitimate way to pay for a good bag or shoe that technically doesn't fit in the budget. Most of the time when I meet these women, I befriend them and add them to the Ms. New Beauty cypher. But, in some cases, that's difficult because the women turn out to be celebrities. So, MNB is adding a new feature to the blog, New Beautiful Women. Celebrity women who live up to the Ms. New Beauty standard - fun women who are equally at home in Barneys as they are in the boardroom.

This month, while reading Allure, I discovered a fabulous New Beautiful Woman - Raquel Welch. She has always been an icon of unabashed glamour and sexiness, but it was this quote that cemented her New Beautiful status for me.

"Part of the art of being a woman is to know makeup. I suppose it's a slightly politically incorrect concept. But . . . who wouldn't want to sharpen her skills at being a woman? To me, makeup is one of the basics. I don't see any shame in that."

Me neither, Raquel, me neither. I love smart beautiful women who aren't ashamed of being either. She's a Golden Globe Award-winning actress who redefined modern ideas of sexiness and went on to create and run her own successful business.

M.A.C. 2007 Beauty Icon Collection

Given her career credentials and just all around fabulous attitudes on life, it's only fitting that M.A.C. would partner with her to launch the new Beauty Icon Collection, which will debut in stores in February. The collection is a full line of lip colors, eyeshadows, powders, blushes, and brushes, all inspired by the glamour of Ms. Raquel. And, what icon collection would be complete without false eyelashes. The colors are truly fitting for those days when you just ooze sex appeal but can also be worked into the normal everyday rotation.

The best part of the collection, and you know I can't leave out the best part, is the packaging. Everything comes in tiger printed tubes and compacts. I love, love, love that. How sexy is it to reapply your lipgloss from a tiger printed tube?!? Even on occasions when you must be demure, like in the office or at luncheons, these cosmetics can be that little touch of sex appeal that only you know about. Just like wearing sexy lingerie under a conservative suit.

For a picture of the full collection, try here, and for a full list of the colors and products in the collection, visit Spektra. Thanks to Janice over at Spektra for all the photos used here.

Be New Beautiful, stay glamourous like Raquel, and don't forget that Ms. New Beauty told you!