Liberian Curl

Hey ladies,
Wow. Michael Jackson. DEVASTATED. To answer what will for sure be the "where were you when..." question we'll be hearing the rest of our lives, me and my sisters were celebrating Lauren's birthday (Happy 28th, SisterWoman!) at a swanky restaurant. Almost immediately, everyone around us began frantically checking their Blackberries and I-phones, frantically texting and generally looking shocked. How can this be? I can't fathom that La Lina will grow up in a world without MJ...or worse, that she'll grow up in a world that'll remember him as nothing more than a clown-faced freakshow (at a loss for words, I relayed his significance by performing the entire Thriller routine for her). So sad. We love you, Michael! Don't stop till you get enough!

BTW, does anyone find it somehow meaningful that he died on the 25th anniversary of Purple Rain? I feel like there's got to be some significance there, but I don't know what it is.


Whatever it is, the show must go on. And that's exactly what last night's BET Awards did! At the eleventh hour, they switched up their entire run of show to allow for a passel of MJ tributes...and oh, they were so good. NeYo singing "Lady in my Life?" Smashed it. But of course, me being me, I was transfixed by a particularly sexy hair trend. Curls, curls, and mo' curls were popping up all over the red carpet, and I loved it!


What I loved the most was that the celebs proved that ringlets aren't limited to long hair alone. From Keri Hilson's sexy, hipster crop to Alicia's shoulder-grazing moment and Beyonce's looser-curled long locks, every length was represented. Equal opportunity curls, so ooh-la-la!!


Here's how you do it, whether your hair is itty bitty or down to your butt: Pile your hair ontop of your head, and pull down a small section, starting in the back. Spritz the section with a heat-activated conditioning spray (I love Frederic Fekkai Defense Thermal/UV Protectant Spray ($25)), to protect your hair from heat damage. Then, wrap the section around the barrel of a 1/2 inch curling iron like Hot Tools Professional Marcel Curling Iron 1/2 inch, $33 (for looser waves like B's, use a 1 or 2 inch barrel). But make sure the curling iron is CLOSED before you wrap your hair...this is key. Hold for no more than 10 seconds, then slip the iron out. Voila! A perfect, springy ringlet. After you've finished your entire head, shake it out with your fingers. The sexiness is ridic. Try it!
yours in curls,
Tia

PS...this is one of my FAVORITE hairstyles to rock, as evidenced by my author photo and any other pic of me taken at an important event. It's so much more, I don't know...WANTON than stick-straight hair!

The Dry Idea

Hey ladies,
Every summer, I get at least a dozen emails from my SYB Babes, asking me what to do about excessive facial sweating. You know, when your nose and forehead--or any other place on your face--seems to perspire all the time, and seemingly for no reason? I've never had a pithy response, though. Because honestly, until now, your options would be to use mattifying gels (not strong enough), take prescription pills (side effect-inducing), or get Botox injections (they totally work for excessive sweating, but who wants Botox if it's not absolutely necessary?). Well, a couple of weekends ago, a girlfriend of mine brought something BRILLIANT to my attention. DERMAdoctor Med e Tate ($48 for 30 wipes) comes with 30 individually packed towelettes soaked in a prescription-strength anti-perspirant forumula, each meant to be swiped over sweaty spots for instant and long-lasting dryness. Truth be told, I don't have an excessive sweating problem (technically called hyperhidrosis), but I wanted to see how it worked. Honey, I tried one of these on my nose before attending a very sweaty party, and I didn't so much as glow ONCE. I couldn't believe the results! Absolutely a must if crazy perspiration has been a problem for you. Plus, you can use it anywhere you want--behind the knees, under the arms, your palms, inner thighs. Anxiety-inducing interview or public speaking appearance, here I come!
xoxo,
Tia

Budget Monday: My Favorite Bushwacker

Hey ladies,
I am no longer getting my nether-regions waxed. Yet another thing I'm blaming on the economy. Most local spas charge around $65 to tend to my flower, and I'm sorry, but mama needs that cash to buy formula. Lately, I've been taking matters into my own hands with the brilliant new Schick Quattro for Women Razor & Bikini Trimmer ($12.99). This multi-tasking, all-in-one doohickie comes with four itty bitty blades that leave you post-waxing-smooth...PLUS a waterproof trimmer that, well, shapes everything up very nicely. I am loooving this. Get into it!!
Kisses,
Tia


PS:
You know that New York Magazine is one of my favorite publications, right? Imagine how flattered I was when nymag.com's Shop-a-Matic section asked me to choose my favorite fifteen lipsticks, glosses and stains of the season! Check out my picks here, and let me know what you think.

Do the "Lite" Thing

Hi Ladies,
So, I looove body butters. In fact, I consider myself to be something of a body butter connoisseur. One of my all-time favorites is Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter...have you tried it? Oh honey, this stuff is beyond dreamy. The scent is deliciously subtle (every time I catch a whiff of it during the day I smile a secret smile to myself, which I like to think makes me look enigmatic and mysterious), and the texture is luscious, rich, and lasts all day. In fact, the only negative thing I can say about it is that it's a tad heavy for summer. Since those Bliss Family Elves think of everything, they've just introduced the brand-new Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter Lite ($29), an airy, lightweight version of their bestselling Body Butter! How brilliant is this? And even though it's less dense than the original, it still moisturizes like crazy and lasts forever. So, the ashies are vanquished but you don't feel like you're coated with Crisco! Love that. I also love that you get a free Hanky Panky thong ($21 value) with every purchase of a Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Butter Lite...just enter "HANKY" at checkout!
Big kiss,
Tia


PS...
Happy Father's Day!! Still haven't figured out a gift? You can't go wrong with Kiehls. Even the butchest husband will love Kiehls Men's Travel Kit ($24.50), which is packed with tiny versions of all their Men's bestsellers. And in my experience, everybody's middle-aged dad is a sucker Polo by Ralph Lauren EDT Spray ($62.50), an overwhelmingly masculine blend of leather, patchouli, and wood (so Marlboro Man!). On a budget? Skip the fragrance and spring for the Polo by Ralph Lauren Deodorant Stick ($17)...it smells just as "grrr" as the cologne, but it's a fraction of the price. And what man couldn't use another stick of deodorant?

New, Blue, Fabulous

Hey ladies,
I'm am sooo tired of bikini bumps (I accidentally typed "bikini bums" and had visions of down-on-their-luck sexpots begging for spare change on some gritty boardwalk). It doesn't matter if I wax or shave! No matter what, I always get a few, supremely annoying bikini-line bumps that never seem to go away. I've used Tend Skin for years, and it works, but it smells like a geriatric medicine cabinet and really brings me down, man (tiny disclaimer: I totally recommend it for be-razor-bumped guys, though. They don't care about scent as much). For years, I've been searching for something less clinical and unsexy-smelling to help me with my, um, little flower. Guess what? Found it! Shaveworks The Cool Fix ($25) is new, blue gel that obliterates ingrown hairs, razor burn, redness, the whole enchildada, mama. Shave bumps happen when hair gets trapped underneath the skin, attracting bacteria and excess sebum. The Cool Fix is loaded with powerful exfoliants that clear out clogged pores and liberate trapped hairs...and prevents new bumps from occurring in the first place! And it doesn't just work on the bikini line...my girlfriend has rough, bumpy patches under her arms, and The Cool Fix cleared it right up. All this, and it smells and FEELS heavenly, too. You better not go to Turks & Caicos without this blue miracle gel, sexy.


Speaking of stuff that's blue and genius (I know, a stretch)...do you know any tweens? If so, you must give them with the newest middle-school-age literary sensation, Mackenzie Blue ($8.61)!! It's a totally brilliant, totally smart story about a seventh grader who's having a really bad day. Her BFF moves away, someone steals her diary and reads it to the whole class, and she blows her big chance to be a rock star! Ladies, it's the cutest story, and the multi-cultural cast is to die for. Point your niece or daughter in the direction of the fantastic, interactive website, too: www.mackenzieblue.com. Oh, and did I mention that this book was the brainchild of my darling friend and Buzz Marketing CEO, Tina Wells?!! Congrats, lady!!
xoxo,
Tia

Budget Monday

Hey girls,
Yesterday me, Sunshine and La Lina had our very first professional photo shoot! Our friend
Wyatt Gallery, award-winning photographer and lover of ladies (preferably of Trini descent) shot us, and the pics are too brilliant. But I was worried the whole time about my hair. I mean, OBVIO. I haven't had a trim since before my daughter was born, seven months ago. And it shows. Here's the thing, though...I shouldn't have worried, because I looked at the images in Wyatt's camera and my split ends were virtually undetectable. For two weeks, I'd prepared for this moment by using Pantene Pro-V Split End Prevention Leave-In Cream ($4.99). The directions say to use it on wet hair, but I only wash my hair once a week and decided my split ends called for more than a once-a-week treatment. So, I applied the cream to my ends every night...and the results are amazing! Not only did it somehow smooth down my frayed edges, the leave-in is loaded with moisture, so it makes my hair look super-glossy. After only fourteen days, my hair looks better than it has in MONTHS! And for only $4.99! Cheers to that.
xoxo,
Tia

ANTM, Web Version

Hi sugarplums,
I thought my gorgeous SYB Babes would love to know about these two, high-profile model searches...


Essence and CoverGirl are searching for a beauty-loving stylista to be the face of the Essence Makeover Model beauty campaign! The winner will be an official Essence Makeover Magic Model--the new "try on" makeover tool that will allow readers to try on zillions of hair and makeup looks (the entire CoverGirl Queen line will be at your disposal!). The winner will be pampered at a fabulous photo shoot, and the resulting image will appear on Essence.com until December 31, 2009. Plus, she'll receive a beauty gift basket filled with CoverGirl Queen Collection Cosmetics and a free trip to the Essence Music Festival! The contest ends on June 18, 2009, so click here for all the deets!


Smashbox Makeup is also having a search to find the next "face" of their campaign. Enter here to become famous!

Sick and Tired

Hi ladies,
I'm so sorry I don't have a post for you today, girls...my Lina has a wicked, wicked cold. She's miserable and NOT shy about showing it. My poor girl! I will definitely be back with a post tomorrow. Just a little caught up today. Love you much,
Tiaxo

And it's just/like/ho-o-ney-ey

Hey girls,
Okay, I've gotten about a dozen emails from my SYB Babes, demanding that I divulge the name of the gloss I wore at La Lina's baptism (I'm also rocking it in this pic, with my darling girl in her crimson eyelet extravaganza). I'm so excited you like it, because this lipgloss my new obsesh! It's MAC's brand-new Naked Honey Tinted Lipglass in Buzz ($14). This uber-glossy, coppery-coral shimmer is not only goes with EVERYTHING, it somehow enhances my tan, giving me a yummy, tawny glow. Think Mariah/J. Lo circa 2000 (don't act like you're not still coveting that moment).


It's from MAC's new limited edition line, Naked Honey, a collection of thirteen bath, body, and makeup items with fragrances and shades inspired by honey! I've got to tell you, this is undoubtedly the freshest, most exciting collection MAC's come up with in a looong time. Along with Buzz Lipglass, I'm also kind of addicted to Naked Honey Body Wash ($19.50). Blended with jasmine, lavender and, of course, honey, this super-gentle cleanser leaves a faint, earthy-sexy scent on my skin that makes me so happy. Perfect for summer!!
xoxo,
Tia

Q&A Wednesday

Hi ladies,
Thanks for all your well-wishes re: La Lina's baptism...it really was such a special day. I'm so proud of my little doll. She was so composed, so well-behaved! Particularly remarkable, considering how her mother reacts to water coming anywhere near her hair. But enough about me. Girls, it's Q&A Wednesday! I picked out a question that I found particularly relevant as the weather heats up. Enjoy!

SYB BABE: HtGrl28

HER ISSUE: "Hey lady! I know brown girls need sunscreen as much as anyone else, but I hate wearing it. All the ones I've tried have been really thick and they make me break out. Any suggestions for a sunscreen that won't give me pimples?"


TIA'S TWO CENTS: Oh HtGrl28, I have the same problem. Most sunscreens give me zits, too. Sometimes I feel like shaking my fist at the heavens, shouting, "What price sun protection?!" I found the answer in Cosmedicine Speedy Recovery Daytime Blemish Lotion SPF 15 ($40). I wear it every single day, under my makeup. Not only is loaded with UVA/UVB protection, it contains salicylic acid to clear up zits AND prevent new ones from coming. The only catch is, salicylic acid can make your skin sensitive if it's over-exposed to the sun, so if you're planning some major sun-worshipping, try an oil-controlling sunscreen sans acne-fighting ingredients, like Peter Thomas Roth Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Sunblock SPF 30 ($26). The ungreasy, fragrance-free formula keeps your skin both protected and matte all day, plus it's loaded with skin-nourishing vitamins. Hope this helps!
xoxo,
Tia

Say Cheese

Hi ladies,
Obsessed with teeth whitening? I know you are...especially if you're a career coffee or tea drinker. I get emails every week from you ladies asking me about simple, cheap-ish ways to score a scintillating smile (sorry, sometimes I lapse into alliteration...I spent too much time writing beauty coverlines at Glamour). I always want to recommend something to you, but as you know, my father's a dentist and he is not that into over-the-counter whiteners. As it turns out, a lot of them are way too strong, and can possibly make your chompers sensitive and kind of brittle. Well, I finally found a teeth whitener I can happily cosign! Pout & Polish Bright Stain Eraser ($21.50) isn't just a run-of-the-mill whitener, it's a glorious multi-tasker, too! This portable pen erases stains in one swipe--plus, it's ALSO a breath-freshener and lipgloss, blended with green tea, cranberry extract, CoQ10, vitamin E, collagen and hyaluronic acid. The best part? It's totally safe on enamel and all dental work. And thanks to the breakthrough peroxide-free formula, it's the first-ever teeth whitener you can use all day long (ie, after a cup of coffee, tea or a carafe of red wine). Brilliant.
xoxo,
Tia

PS:
Check out me and the fam at La Lina's christening! It was absolutely gorgeous.