FALL in love.

Here are few things you may want to look out for in the fall...and then are things you can afford in the fall (assuming you're as spend conscious as me). These are my top 5.
I heard people like pictures more than words...so...

Cherry Lips - 

a color that EVERYONE can rock! Beautiful, dark, cherry lips! *muah*

NVEY ECO - $29 or....

REVLON - $5 

Jeffrey Campbell - 

"I'm getting those NEW Jay's"... Jeffrey Campbell's that is! Lita booties.

Jeffrey Campbell 'Lita"at Nordstrom $159.95

 or...

GOJane.com knockoffs... yea. knockoff's

 $46.50

Orange/Red Ponte and Shift - 

Since August, I've been noticing the rust orange and red trend... and I absolutely love it.

Ponte Dress: Type of knitting of fabric; results in a thick, stretchy fit.

Shift Dress: A loose-fitting dress with no waistline seam or darts, also known as a chemise.

Ponte: Debenhams.com ($70)   /  Shift: Warehouse.co.uk  ($107)

Both: DorothyPerkins.Com; Ponte ($29.91)    /   Shift ($55)

Like A Dude 

As a bump Jessie J's "Like a Dude". Androgyny was once pretty popular among men. Now it's our turn. You'll see a lot of Blazers this fall. JOIN in!

ASOS- $88.36

Forever21- $27.80

RAWR!! ok. Leopard :/

So this is my favorite! I was sitting here thinking..."What else should I put?" and forgot my all time favorite!!! I'm so happy animal print is back :)

ASOS - $97.88

Dorothy Perkins - $38.06

moving up

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Top 5 Professional (looking) Products

There's something about black that makes you think, "hmm she knows what she's doing". I've put together my collection of 5 (semi)expensive and inexpensive cosmetics and what/when I use them for :) 

ELF: eyes lips face palette

I think I purchased this palette for about $3.50 at Targé, but it typically runs about $5. It's the "bright" palette but the colors aren't highly pigmented so I'd wear them for an everyday/neutral look. Add a base for pigment and late nights :)

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Maybelline: Master Drama Eyeliner

Do we really want to talk about how AWESOME this drug store eyeliner is? Of course we do. This liner will run you about $6.49. It has a creamy base, and goes on flawless. I haven't had any problems with running yet, so I'll assume it's water proof. Apparently, I'm an eyeliner whore, so I wear it everyday. #shrug?

_____

M.A.C: Mineralize SkinFinish Natural

I love it. This is my second purchase of the color "dark" in the SkinFinish. It cost $27 at the MAC store, unless, of course, you have that friend who sells you MAC products at a discount rate and you don't understand how she can do that. I wear this for everything also. During the day, I'll just throw it on with some concealer for a sheer coverage. If I'm going out, I'll pump it over some liquid foundation.

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M.A.C.: False Lashes Mascara

The name is perfect! It makes my lashes long and feminine for the tune of $19. Dark haired girls can get away with wearing, one coat daily. 

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MAKE UP FOREVER: High Definition Foundation

I saved it for last, for obvious reasons. One reason, being the price at $40. I'm still side-eye'n myself for this purchase and the second purchase, but ya'll...it's amazing. Like REALLY. Perfect coverage, perfect range of colors. But anything, in my "broke college student" collection, is used for specific OCCASIONS. I only wear this foundation when I will be photographed. I mean, isn't that what it's for? 

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if you guys have anything to add...post in the comments

à bientôt!

The kick off for the Phenomenal in 2012 Challenge Series, will begin October 1st 2011. And we will hold our first Phenomenal Woman Challenge between now and that time. 

What is the Phenomenal in 2012 Challenge Series?? click here!

For this challenge, there will not be one winner but multiple, as we look for beautiful yet DIVERSE women to represent our challenge and be featured on our Series and Challenge Banner. 

Challenge Series Contest 1 Rules:

1) Send in one photo of yourself into beautybrainsinsane@gmail.com

2) No explanation needed, just a photo that shows you being a phenomenal. 

3) HAPPY FACES!!! This is an uplifting event so we only want HAPPY PHOTOS!!

Simple right? So get those pictures in! We have only a few days left until kick off!

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler (heavy post)

This week your INSANE editors to took a trip to New Orleans, are as we like to say (in the worst accents possible); La Nouvelle Orléans.

This, of course, is one of a KAZILLION trips to New Orleans for us, as it is 45 minutes away. A couple friends, and ourselves took the trip for Lacey's birthday. 

We have yet to cross a person who dislikes this city! It has something for EVERYBODY! It's definitely THE party city, yet it has a certain art and culture that could never be duplicated. Luckily, we love it all. Unfortunately, this post will not be about Bourbon Street, hand grenades, and strip clubs (shhhh!), but to broadcast some New Orleans Talent.

New Orleans natives would refer to Bourbon Street as the tourist spot, and withhold the little treasure that is Frenchmen Street. Frenchmen Street is for every art lover. The music is FANTASTICAL. YES, i said Fantastical (apparently, that is a word). This week on Frenchmen, we viewed  The Glen David Andrews Band...

We won't go into much detail, as actions speak louder than words, but this band is loved by natives and tourists alike. The high energy makes for everything you'd ever want in a night out and the "Louis Armtrong'esq" voice displayed by Glen, himself is outstanding. 

I refuse to forget about his band. The musicians are OUTSTANDING. Below is the video we recorded from last nights set.

www.glendavidandrewsband.com

A Few More Pics: 

and the highlight of the weekend: THE WALKOUT QUEEN

well, with 30 minutes until midnight. 

HAPPY SUNDAY!

because god said i had to...

i'm in love again. don't think i really need to explain.

ok bye.

LOUISIANA :: GEAUX GOLD!!!

We're so proud of all of our, GOLDEN Louisiana universities on there wins this weekend! Also, still proud of the fight our SAINTS fought last week!! Louisiana GEAUX GOLD!!

LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY

vs

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

SCORE: 49-3

We love you too, Northwestern! Next week you're on!

SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY

vs.

ALABAMA A&M

Score: 21-6

SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA UNIVERSITY

(GO GREEN! GO GOLD)

vs.

SAVANNAH STATE

Score: 63-3 (hells yea!)

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA - MONROE

vs.

GRAMBLING STATE UNIVERSITY

Score: 35-7

hope to see you here next week Grambling

MONDAYS *le sigh*

KA7ZM5NHTMBM

Happy 1st of the week, Amours! May god give you the strength to handle all things that come your way, and grant you the love to appreciate it all! Bonne Chance!

Phenomenal in 2012 Challenge Series

The new year is coming very quickly and we, the editors, have decided to come up with a challenge for 2012. As African-American women, we want to make a PHENOMENAL stand, as the new year approaches and continues through. Black is so beautiful, so diverse, but it seems that no one seems to appreciate this love the way we do. We have the blood of queens, yet are still scrutinized simply because no one understand our immediate diversity. In 2012 we want to show the world, just how diverse and equally beautiful WE ARE!

The Phenomenal in 2012 Challenge Series, will be a collection of videos, tutorials, post, hauls, etc. about all the ways in which we will practice being PHENOMENAL as we approach 2012. We will have 5 categories in which we will post about. They include; Health, Skin, Hair, Spirit, and Beauty.

Health

African American people, in general, are prone to many diseasea, that can be avoided if only we take care of ourselves accordingly. I, myself, was raised in a house consisting of 4 diabetics. That is, 4 of 5 people in my household was diagnosed with diabetes. Although there is a genetic factor to diabetes, it is not the only factor and can be prevented

Health is important, so we plan to be posting diet plans, exercise routines, and tasty, yet healthy meals, amongst other things. We will also give you our plans and routines, and update you on our progress monthly, or bi-montly.

Skin

Every woman loves her skin, and we as black women have been blessed with some of the most beautiful skin. Skin is a very simple topic. We will regularly post skin care routines, vitamins, and such, that will help improve the quality of our skin. We will again, update you bi-monthly on our own progress.

Hair

I'm so excited about this category, because we have one natural haired editor, and one relaxed haired editor, both on a mission for healthy and beautiful hair. Again, another very simple category, but from two perspectives. Courtni is relaxed, but has been stretching for four months, while keeping protective styles. Lacey has been natural for a year and a half, and trying new and different protective styles to keep her natural hair beautiful. This section will consists style tutorials, treatments, and routines.

Beauty

Beauty is as simple as it gets. Beauty will consists of mostly make-up and fashion. Here will feature new make-up finds and beauty hauls. We'll awesome keep our fashion and jewelry reviews in this area.

Spirit

Last but not least, spirit. Spirit is so important to our race as a whole. Through every problem, faith and spirit seems to always rise above all. Spirit will consists of everything moving. This will consists of simple things to do to have fun, like fairs, to simple games with your family. This section is the place to look when you need something to smile about. Spirit will be my favorite section.

PHENOMENALLY, PHENOMENAL WOMAN CHALLENGE

We're really excited about this venture and what to bring our readers into this adventure also. We want to know what you're doing to be Phenomenal in 2012 also! So Bi-Weekly, we will be holding the Phenomenally, Phenomenal Woman Challenge. It's very simple, and all you need to enter is to be yourself. The Phenomenal Woman will feel out an application explaining what she has done to raise above the bar in one of our five categories.

The kick off for the Phenomenal in 2012 Challenge Series, will begin October 1st 2011. And we will hold our first Phenomenal Woman Challenge between know and that time. For this challenge, there will not be one winner but multiple, as we look for beautiful yet DIVERSE women to represent our challenge and be featured on our Series and Challenge Banner. More to come on this...

any questions? contact us at beautybrainsinsane.@gmail.com