PrettyMocha

Photo Credit: @prettymochablog [Instagram] (Me)

#1 Dark & Sultry Cranberry 

YouTuber: Ellarie

If you want to look girly yet sexy, this is the right makeup tutorial for you. The colors used will bring a lot of warmth to your face and the pink and purple hues will give a feminine, seductive vibe. 

Perfect for date night.  

What Will You Need? 

Face:

• MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC50
• MAC Pro Longwear Concealer NC42
• Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup Powder
• Motives Color Perfection Quad - Dark
• Laura Mercier Loose Setting Powder - Translucent
• Gerard Cosmetics Lucy Highlighter
• MAC Powder Sheertone Shimmer Blush – Ambering Rose

Eyes:

• Melt Cosmetics : Unseen, Enigma, Love Sick
• NYX Gel Liner - Black 
• House of Lashes : Boudoir

Lips:

• Colour Pop Lippie Pencil : Ellarie Liner
• Gerard Cosmetics : Cherry Cordial

#2 Alluring Chocolate & Burgundy Wine 

YouTuber: Gratsi

This subtle yet sexy look gives me all kinds of Valentine's Day vibes. This will be a great look for you want a sensual yet natural look. A word of caution, some of the basic products used (e.g. eye liner) are specific to Europe, so if you are living in the U.S. or other areas, just use a similar product to what is shown.  

What Will You Need? 

Face: 

• Benefit Cosmetics Pore-fessional Primer 
• Fenty Beauty Pro Filt'r Foundation - 450
• MAC Studio Finish Concealer - NW40
• LA Pro Concealer - Fawn
• Fenty Beauty Match Stix - Espresso
• Revolution Baked Bronzer - Rock On World

Eyes: 

• Morphe Warm It Up Eyeshadow Palette - 35W
• Sleek Palette - Sunset  
• Primark Black Eyeliner 
• Tatti Lashes

Lips:

• Rimmel London Pencil - Black Brown
• Primark Matte Lip Pencil - Maroon
• NYX Cream Liquid Lipstick - Suede

#3 Purple & Pink Girly Glam

YouTuber: Princess Bellaaa

Do you love dramatic makeup? Bright colors?

If you are looking for a bold, glam makeup look, check out Princess Bellaaa's video. She uses beautiful purples and pink hues along with glitter to achieve a very fun and vibrant look. This tutorial will be perfect for you if you want to "beat your face" and grab attention. 

What Will You Need? 

Base: 

• Iman Cosmetics Pressed Powder - Dark
• Huda Beauty FauxFilter Foundation -  520 Nutmeg
• Black up Contour Stick - 03
• Tarte Shape Tape - Deep 
• Kiss Set It And Forget It Powder - Earth
• Juvias Place Blush - Volume 1 Palette
• Black Radiance True Complexion Contour Palette - Medium/Deep (*I LOVE this contour palette!) 

Eyes: 

• Beauty Bakerie Brownies Eyebrow Gel - Dark Brown
• Anastasia Beverly Hills - Concealer 6
• La Girl Pro Concealer - 981 Toast
• Juvia Place - The Festival Palette (Douce) 
• NYX Matte Liquid Liner - Black 
• Glitter (She purchased from an arts and crafts store, you can also find makeup glitter on Amazon)
• Huda Beauty Classic Lash - Samantha #7
• STARGAZER Liquid Liner - White  
• Ardell Bottom Lashes - Black 

Lips:

• Mac Lip Liner - Nightmoth 
• Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick - Famous

#4 Pretty in Pink 

YouTuber: Elarie

Do you want a less dramatic pink, glittery look? If so, Ellarie has you covered!

This easy to follow tutorial provides a nice, soft makeup look. Brighten up your eyes and highlight your lips with a mix of soft pink, purple and red hues. A little glitter will help make you look and feel extra fancy. 

What Will You Need? 

Base:

• Milani Prime Shield
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Foundation - 5C1, Rich Chestnut
• MAC Prolongwear Concealer - NC42/45
• Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup Powder 
• Covergirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Bronzer - Ebony 
• Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
• MAC Mineralized Skinfinish - Deep 
• Bare Minerals Foundation
• MAC Ambering Rose Blush 
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Nicole Guerriero Glow Kit - 143 (Used as a highlighter)

Eyes:

• Benefit Cosmetics Stay Don’t Stray 360 Degree Stay Put Eyeshadow Primer- Medium/Deep
• MAC Cosmetics Eyeshadow Palette - Red Hot X's 9 (This was discontinued, but you can find it unused on Ebay) 
• Colour Pop Eyeshadow -  Let me Explain 
• LA Splash Diamond Glitter Liner - Pink Sparkles
• Jouer Matte Liner - Black  
• The Balm Liquid Liner - Black
• Motives Cosmetics Fiber Lush Mascara 
• ilo Cosmetics Iris Lashes

Lips:

• Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Palette

#5 Classic & Daring Red

• Makeup Addiction Antique Bronze 
• Pixi Makeup Fixing Mist

• Benefit Kabrow #5 
• Benefit Don't Stray Eyeshadow Primer 
• Morphe Palette Ready, Set, Gold - 35R  
• Makeup Geek Vegas Lights Pigment 
• The Balm Schwing Liner 
• Burberry Jet Black Kohl Liner 
• Jouer Cabernet Lippie 
• YSL The Shock Mascara 
• House of Lashes Glue 
• Huda Beauty Sasha Lashes 

My beauty of the week is singer, dancer and beauty influencer Amara La Negra. Born as Diana Danelys De Los Santos, she is a proud Afro-Latina of Dominican descent who was born and raised in Miami, Florida.

Photo Credit: @Amaralanegraln [Instagram]

She has gained popularity by starring in the VH1 TV show Love and HipHop Miami and the Univision show MiraQuienBaila. Her dance and singing talents have produced hits for both Latino and U.S. markets, including "Ayy"  (released in 2013) and "Insecure" (released in 2018).

One of the things that contributed to me first noticing Amara, was her beautiful afro-curly hair and rich, dark skin. Her striking beauty has sparked many conversations about issues like colorism and acceptance of afro-hair. These issues have long been hidden within African-American culture, but Amara has highlighted the them within Latin groups. She has shared her own struggles of being a darker-skinned Latina who embraces her natural curls.

A producer once suggested to her that she would be better accepted if she straightened her hair and looked more "Beyonce and less Macy Gray". She raised the question to him of whether she can't be elegant if she has a fro. A good question. She shows the world over and over that her natural, unique beauty is indeed elegant.

Photo Credit: @Amaralanegraln [Instagram]

Now that you know a little about Amara, let's get into what she uses to keep her hair and skin looking luscious.

1. Natural Ingredients For Her Hair Only 

 Amara told Allure that she only allows her mother to care for her hair. Most black women can understand how important it is to stick with a person you trust to style your hair. For Amara, that person is her mother. I have seen a video of Amara's mom unbraiding her hair and she truly does a great job. Most importantly, she uses only natural ingredients in Amara's tresses including avocado, mayonnaise, honey, rosemary, cinnamon oil and (my favorite) coconut oil. Consider using some of these products the next time you condition your hair.

I have used mayonnaise as a hair condition before and it does wonders. My advise is to not over do it, include natural oils like the ones mentioned above and follow-up the treatment with a nice smelling leave-conditioner to ensure there is no mayo scent left behind. 

2. Natural Exfoliation

Though Amara does not have a specific routine, she does use natural products to exfoliate. Exfoliation helps the skin shed away older, dull looking skin. She has mentioned using oatmeal and sugar scrubs to naturally exfoliate all over her skin. She also uses honey and coconut oil which are great for moisture. I can personally vouch for the use of honey and coconut oil. I have added honey to my face wash (inconsistently) over the years and every time I do, my skin feels great. I also use  coconut oil sometimes as a full body moisturizer. It is especially helpful during the winter.

3. Confidence 

Well there you have it. My beauty of the week and her beauty "secrets".

XoXo,
Jess
[Follow @PrettyMochaBlog for more beauty conversations]
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[Photo Credit: www.content.time.com]

[Photo Credit: www.politico.com]

In 2008 she became first lady of the USA. Most will agree that she managed her honorable duties in the White House with impeccable style. There are a number of specific colors that look great against dark skin tones that Michelle gracefully wore over the years. Take a look at some of her colorful styles.

The White Gown

[Photo Credit: www.politico.com] From modeling on a runway at a Princeton University charity fund fashion show...

[Photo Credit: www.instyle.com] ...To rocking a white Tom Ford gown for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace with the queen.

The Chic and Classy Little Black Dress

[Photo Credit: www.lipstickalley.com] Sporting a classy, black dress with pearls.

[Photo Credit: www.fashionista.com] At the 2017 Espy Awards wearing a trendy black dress from the Cushnie et Ochs Fall 2017 collection.

Dark Blue Dress

[Photo Credit: www.usmagazine.com] Gracing the 2016 Democratic National Convention in a royal blue Christian Siriano dress.

[Photo Credit: www.nbcnews.com] At the Kennedy Center Honors reception in 2011 she stunned in a cobalt blue Vera Wang gown.

Bright Yellow

[Photo Credit: www.hollywoodlife.com] Wearing a yellow lace Naeem Khan dress at the White House while hosting the Prime Minister of Singapore in 2016.

[Photo Credit: www.fashionsizzle.com] Glamorous in a Balenciaga yellow wrap dress and metallic thigh-high boots at the Becoming Tour 2018.

Earthy Green

[Photo Credit: Getty Images]

[Photo Credit: www.popsugar.com] Casually rocking a green and blue printed Chris Benz Nelda dress.

Pretty in Pink 

[Photo Credit: Glamour] Wearing a lovely pink magenta Michael Kors dress at the White House Correspondent's dinner in 2009.

[Photo Credit: www.huffpost.com] Showing off her nice slim figure in a Rachel Roy dress.

Fiery Red Dress

[Photo Credit: www.usatoday.com] 2016 White House Correspondent's dinner tempting in a fiery red dress by Prabal Gurung.

Toccara Elaine Jones is a 37 year-old fashion model, TV personality and singer. She is a natural beauty with a fabulous, outgoing and bright persona.

Photo Credit: Instragram, @iamtoccarajones

Many first learned of Toccara when she joined America's Next Top Model, Season 3 back in 2008. She left the modeling contest in eighth place and then went on to co-host the show 106 and Park and has also been featured in various other TV shows and films. She continues to model and has made history as the first Black plus-size model to grace the pages of Italian Vogue.

I have been wondering about what Toccara has been up to lately after seeing her in a short TMZ video. In the video, a TMZ rep was asking her about what she thought about Ashley Graham's twerking video which was being discussed at the time. I definitely won't go into any detail about the video, however, what I noticed primarily was how great her skin looked. While she is approaching 40 her skin looks like that of a 20-something. 

Photo Credit: Instragram, @iamtoccarajones

So what's Toccara been doing to keep herself looking so gorgeous?

Let's talk about her beauty routine.

1. She Uses Neutrogena Products 

She claims that she uses Neutrogena products to remove makeup, cleanse her face and to moisturize. Gabrielle Union is another beauty that keeps it simple by using Neutrogena products. Toccara naturally has very nice skin, but it is nice to see that you do not need to use a high-cost skincare product to maintain your beauty.

2. Gives Her Skin A Break 

Toccara likes to go makeup free when she can. She adds lashes and a little MAC mineral powder. This is quite common among celebrities like Bianca Lawson. It makes sense for women that wear heavy makeup often for work to allow some time for their skin to breathe.

3. Regular Exercise

Toccara does regular dance workouts for fun and to maintain her weight. There are so many benefits of working out, including:

• cleansing the pores - sweat glands remove harmful toxins 
• promotes production of collagen - which keeps skin firm and supple 
• pushes more blood flow to your skin - gives glow to the skin  

I really like what I have found out about Toccara's beauty routine. It's a good reminder that keeping a simple routine that works for you is better than trying the latest, greatest skincare product. Also, it is helpful to remember to give your skin a break from makeup. Lastly, exercise brings about a ton of benefits to your health overall and particularly to your skin.

What I learn from every beauty I research, is that you must put effort into caring for your skin and go with whatever works for you. Consistency is key.

Take care of yourself babe. Follow @PrettyMochaBlog for more melanin inspiration beauty suggestions.

XoXo,
Jess

Photo: @prettymochablog [Instagram] (Me)

1. Neutrogena Makeup Removing Wipes 

2. Ponds Wet Cleansing Towelletes

3. Neutrogena Deep Clean Daily Facial Cream Cleanser 

XoXo,
Jess

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