Flavor of Friday: Met Gala Style, Tamu's Threads & Events

Happy friday folks! Here's the rundown of this week's news, events & fab stuff to discuss:

Red Carpet Haute

My lovely companions at Glamazons Blog gathered up a haute rundown of the best fashions at the Met Gala. In case you missed the livestream of the red carpet, check out their picks for Best Dressed. They hit the nail on the head with their post featuring Solange, Beyonce, Chanel Iman & more.

Who's That Girl?

I heart Tamu! If you don't know her, get into her. StyleLikeU recently did a video featuring one of my fave street style photographers Tamu McPherson of All The Pretty Birds. Her blog is amazing and she's such a sweetheart (I've run into her many a time during NY Fashion Week and she's absolutely adorbs). Check out the video HERE - props to Huffington Post BV for posting it.

Be There or Be...Lame


Ok folks, some important events you NEED to attend if you're in the NYC area. (Non-NYC folks, I'm working on some cool ways to include national citywide events, so stay tuned!)

I'm speaking! Yes, yours truly will be on a panel of experts for the above young professional conference Rising Affluent. I attended this last year (blogged about it here - a must-read!) and had an amazing time. It's so great being in the company of other young professionals who are driven and connected. It's also awesome to hear all about entrepreneurship, branding, and success from a panel of experts and influencers. I would encourage anyone with hopes and dreams in the NYC area to attend. You won't regret it.

To register for tickets, click here! I'll be speaking on the 9:50AM panel on Branding & Building a Social Media following.

My curly friends Natasha of Asili Glam and the Around the Way Curls crew are hosting a fab natural hair meetup next Thursday, May 17th called Curl Daze! There will be cocktails (by Ciroc, 21+ only, sorry youngin's), there will be goody bags, and there will be lots of natural curls! Curly or not, you don't want to miss it. "It's a party, it's a party it's a partayyy" *Waka Flocka voice*

RSVP for Curl Daze here!

Ok that's it for this week's updates. Have a faboosh weekend y'all. And hit me up in the comments if I missed anything!

VIDEO: Beyonce Walks Tom Ford

In what was known to be one of the most exclusive runway shows in fashion history, Beyonce was dubbed an official runway gem in Tom Ford's S/S 2011 Womenswear show. Only the top most prestigious editors in the industry were allowed to make an appearance and very limited photography was allowed. Finally after months of secrecy, images and video have surfaced of the exclusive event; I snagged this video of the runway show which included most of the top models in the industry including LBS faves Liya Kebede and Chanel Iman as well as the ultra-glam Queen Bey. Check it out...

Image Source

Jasmine's Fall 2010 Beauty Picks

Well lovelies, the fall season is upon us once again. We're sad to see summer go but looking forward to a new wardrobe and all of the new beauty products out this season. This Fall is all about the details; those accents that add a little punch. My bestie & LBS beauty correspondent Jasmine is back at it again. This time with a rundown of her Fall 2010 Beauty Picks. Here's what she's got up her sleeve (or in her makeup bag)...

Jasmine Says: One beauty trend that I'm totally on board with for the season is the red lip. I’ve been fawning over this look since spring and I finally bought my first red lipstick (actually my first lipstick ever!) early this summer. 

The red lip grabs attention and pumps up the volume on any look. It’s classic, but definitely not for the faint of heart. The key to making it work is picking the right color for your skin tone and balancing your other makeup with it. Most beauty experts say that pink and blue based reds work best with cool skin tones and brown based or warm reds go well with warm tones. I don’t really know if there’s a science behind choosing the right red but I personally think you should try 'em out until you find what works for you!  

Top Picks: Kores Raspberry Antioxidant Liquid Lipstick in Red 56, NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Vesuvio.

Jasmine Says: 90's grunge "slept in" or smudged shadows are in!

Flipping through magazine ads and pictures of the Fall 2010 runway shows, I couldn’t help but notice the explosion of 90s grunge looks. I’m not sure yet if I like it or not, but one look from the trend that I might try is the smudgy eye, a la Kate Moss. It's a good alternative to the smoky eye and you can make it work with different colors. To rock the smudgy eye without looking like you literally just woke up in your makeup, you need:  An eye smudger or Q-tip, a great eyeliner, and maybe even a dab of Vaseline (which I normally use on my eyes when I’m looking for a low key night look).

Jasmine Says: Deep Purple Accents rule this season.

Every season, the fashion and beauty world crowns one color the “It” color for the season. This season, the beauty buzz has been all around purple. From nail polish to lip color and eyeshadow, purple has been popping up in a big way. It can work with edgy rocker looks or elegant red carpet looks. I plan on getting a plum lip stain and definitely the Sephora by Opi nail polish in "Just a Little Dangerous" to give my fall wardrobe that regal feel.

Jasmine Says: The one thing for the fall that should accompany everyone’s wardrobe (and go beyond being a trend) is healthy hair and skin. Your hair and skin are your foundation, and any beauty trend will look better if your base is healthy. 

I’d like to highlight argan oil again. I’ll be using some products made with argan oil to treat my hair, nails and skin this season. I just purchased a Hydrating Hair Mask made with argan oil to use as a new deep conditioner and I’ll be using my Josie Maran oil as my daily moisturizer. 

What are some of your beauty essentials this fall? Soundoff below!

Follow LBS on Twitter | Subscribe on Youtube

Cover Girls: Chanel Iman for Allure Magazine

Chanel Iman graces yet another editorial spread. Can't be mad at the girl. She's doing her thing! This Allure spread for their April Issue is so refreshing. I'm loving the citrus colors and the movement in these shots...

Patrick Demarchelier strikes again! He's definitely one of my fave fashion photographers...

So first let's talk about the amazing shoes in this spread. From platforms to pumps and brights to blacks this is definitely an accessory spotlight.

 

One of this spring's big trends: mix & match prints. I love the shape of this dress...so fun!

  

These heels make me greener with envy than this lime-colored frock...not so much feeling the possom tail though - yikes! 

Color blocks at their best. This look is fierce and look at those toned arms! A small part of me hopes those muscles were created in Photoshop.

I love how soft and flirty these two looks (above and below) are. And of course the movement is amazing. Makes me wanna rock a long (Beyonce in Get Me Bodied) ponytail!

So what's the verdict on this Allure spread? Fierce or Foolish?

LoveBrownSugar Spring Beauty Trends

It's March and we're all gearing up for warmer weather and cooler clothes. But before you slip on that maxi dress and those new jeweled flip-flops, get familiar with this spring's new beauty trends for 2010. Compiled and inspired by my bestie and beauty junkie Jasmine, these trends will complete your fab spring look in a matter of minutes:

1. “Blackberry Bling” Nails

"Blackberry Bling" is definitely a nail trend to watch come spring. It’s a manicure to accompany (you guessed it - your blackberry! Like painting your index finger a different color from the rest, this trend gives your blackberry-typing thumb the spotlight with a metallic or glitter touch. I mean we spend all day texting with them, we might as well give them some shine!

2. Hey, Bright Eyes

The resounding eye makeup forecast for spring: Easter egg colors and pastels. Bright colors are a fun exciting way to ring in the season. To make these colors work seamlessly, try doing a lilac or light green smoky eye seen here on Chanel Iman to switch up your normal look.

3. My Lipgloss is Poppin'

 Always a fan of the bright lip, bold hot pink glosses, red lipsticks and even orange and coral lips are definitely making a statement this season. Outside of MAC’s Viva Glam VI, Pink Poodle is an all time favorite, giving me that bubble gum pink pout that I always wanted. Our suggestion: Sephora’s ultra shine gloss in Glitter Fuchsia or YSL’s Rouge Volupte lipstick in No. 27 Rose Paris.

4. Glam & Glowing Skin

Looking dewy and sunkissed all year round is a dream that most of us farther from the equator have. Until you can get to those tropical vacays, you'll have to rock out with beauty tricks. Our suggestion: a peachy blush or a really great bronzer. Both products leave the face looking fresh, glowy and much more natural than a spray-on tan (no offense to the jersey shore crew). Nars just released Orgasm Illuminator (pictured above) which comes in a peachy color that kills two birds with one stone.

There you have it folks - LoveBrownSugar's spring beauty trends forecast. Have fun but don't try them all at once!

Cover Girls: Chanel Iman in Spanish Vogue

 Chanel Iman strikes again with another banging editorial spotlight! This time she glams it up for Spanish Vogue and these outfits are to DIE for. They spotlighted one outfit from each of the greatest designers of our time. What an honor! As Lyfe Jennings would say, "Must be nice..."

I love that they put her in some of the hottest spring trends of the season. Well, it's Vogue. Did we expect anything less? The Bottega Veneta jumpsuit to the left is so fun and free and I'm gagging over those Givenchy open-toe wedges to the right - one of the styles at the top of my spring shopping list.

It's the age-old rule of fashion: Once Chanel (design house, not Iman) does it, it's in! Picture to the left is proof that clogs are coming back with a vengeance. If you're a trend hopper like me, watch out! You might actually end up in a pair of these by the end of the season...go figure.

 Sequin jumpsuit. Lanvin. Say no more...*gags and passses out*

Those royal blue pants on the left look divine. Cute enough to take from day to night on the weekdays, and cool enough to run errands on the weekends; an unexpected staple piece.

Image Source

Chanel Iman for Spanish Magazine El Mundo

I'm getting a Sasha Fierce vibe from this photoshoot with Chanel Iman for El Mundo...LOVE IT!

This inspires me to practice my model poses in the mirror...Chanel is on point with these.

Most of these amazing pieces are Herve Leger, Gucci & Max Azria. However, you can get pieces with this look and feel over at ASOS. Here are some of my personal faves:

ASOS Sequin Sparkly One-Shouldered Dress, $69.77

ASOS Suede Slash Dress, $174.72

ASOS 5.16 Elongated Shoulder Sequin Panel Dress, $331.40

ASOS Metallic Quilted Bustier, $69.77

Stay Fierce!

See more pics from the El Mundo shoot over at ClutchMag

Model Turned Blogger?

Last night over Twitter one of our favorite models, Ms. Chanel Iman, tweeted about her new website www.chaneliman.com:

"**ALERT** NEW FASHION BLOG http://www.chaneliman.com be the first to check it out!!!"

Well, I checked it out. I mean the layout seems pretty nice but not much substantial content yet. We wish Chanel the best of luck as she pursues this fashion blog. I can't wait to see what great things are in store!

Cover Girls: Chanel Iman & Jourdan Dunn Strike Again

This week in the saga of the fabulous young black supermodels, we have Chanel Iman and Jourdan Dunn on the cover of Teen Vogue's November 2009 Issue. Keep up the good work ladies.

Can I say Miss Chanel Iman is doing her thing? I haven't seen her in this many photoshoots within a single time period ever in her career...do the damn thing honey!

And Miss Jourdan Dunn is currently 6 months preggers with her first child. The fashion industry still adores her, as evidenced last week at the Jean Paul Gaultier show in Paris....

He made her a baby bump cover! Who else does Gaultier do that for??

Anyway props to them both for making inroads for their generation as well as the next. We need more black faces in mainstream fashion.

Pictures via Nitrolicious and The Cut

Chanel & Sessilee: Bombshells for Allure

Nothing gets me more excited about purchasing a new winter jacket than seeing high-fashion editorials featuring them. Gotta love these two brown beauties Chanel Iman and Sessilee Lopez for Allure October 2009:



LOVE LOVE LOVE...no other comments needed!