Shutterstock

I spent a good chunk of my undergrad years trying to keep up appearances with my girlfriends. We would take our tiny work study checks and hit the malls for a higher pair of heels, a sexier club outfit, one more lip color to add to our collections. We would go all out for college parties and save our bus fare and head to the city to go clubbing like we had money to burn.

I thought THAT was having fun. And don’t misunderstand, I did enjoy it. But after a few months – those bottle poppin’ nights out started to run together. Monotony now had a tangible definition. The same old thing with the same old people at the same old time in the same old places. I had nothing new to look forward to.

I was keeping myself confined to one kind of experience. My world was enclosed to materialism as its highlight. There was no room for anything bigger than that. I couldn’t see beyond what I believed to be a good time. With every little bit of money I got, I was financing myself into a materialistic rut. With every new bag and every new pair of shoes I kept thinking, “There has GOT to be more than this.”

In October of 2008 I rode a plane for the first time to a student affairs conference in Dallas, Texas. The moment we ascended completely above the clouds was the moment I knew things would never be the same for me. I had tasted flight! I had finally gotten out of the East Coast at 22 years old. I had met others from all over the world. This was the ‘more to life’ that I had been craving and I wanted more of it. I started looking for any and every opportunity to travel, to meet new people, to experience new places and things.

My money wasn’t going toward shoes and lipsticks anymore. I was working to finance my involvement in charity events, trips all over the country, Broadway shows, live music festivals – anything, everything that would give me another perspective, a deeper appreciation, an unforgettable memory.

When we limit our experiences to the same old thing we deny ourselves the joy and wonder of the unknown. I have spent what most would consider an obscene amount of money on the arts, travel, charity work, etc. investing in experiences that will last me a lifetime. There was only so much of a new experience I could have at a party or taking pictures with my girls in our new ‘fits at the club. But helping to build a home for a mother of four? Experiencing The Phantom of The Opera live? Traveling the peaceful mountains and countryside of Pennsylvania by myself? Completing an obstacle course in the air? Running a 5K for cancer research? Singing with a slammin’ jazz band at one of the hottest spots in DC?

Life changed the day I decided to look beyond THINGS and invest in experiences. There is a whole world outside of “Red Bottoms,” iPhones, and Cliquot. How much more of a well-rounded, self-aware and cultured community might we become if we search for opportunities to experience something new? I don’t think we’ll have as many regrets. We won’t look back and wonder “What if?” as much. We’ll have worlds beyond games and iPads to share with our children. Every experience counts. And while shoes and bags are great, long-lasting memories and lessons learned are so much better. You won’t regret it. I know I don’t.

La Truly writing is powered by a lifetime of anecdotal proof that awkward can transform to awesome and fear can cast its crown before courage. La seeks to encourage thought, discussion and change among young women through her writing. Follow her on Twitter: @AshleyLaTruly and AboutMe: www.about.me/latruly

I don’t know about you, but lipstick has become probably my absolute favorite form of makeup to wear. It just pops doesn’t it? But a study suggests that the lipstick you wear, that you’re taking in your system when you eat and reapply it over and over, could have an affect on your health.

The University of California-Berkeley’s School of Public Health tested more than 30 popular lipsticks and glosses sold in stores nationwide, and many of them were high in not only lead, but cadmium, chromium, aluminum and other metals (a few at a very high and toxic level). According to S. Katherine Hammond, a professor of environmental health and co-author of the study, lower levels of lead aren’t a threat to your system just because they’re in your favorite lipsticks, but high concentrations can be risky.

“Just finding these metals isn’t the issue. It’s the levels that matter.”

“I don’t think people should panic. But if you use it several times every day, you may want to think about it. Use it less.”

According to the study and USA Today, when putting on lipstick, you should be sure to always blot your mouth on tissue, otherwise, you could ingest/absorb a great deal of it, and if you don’t know if your particular gloss or lipstick is high in metals, that could pose a problem. This could include stomach tumors due to exposure to the metal chromium, which is a carcinogen. The average lipstick lover takes in 24 milligrams of it per day, but a lip fanatic who reapplies her shade more than 10 times in a day can take in a whopping 83 milligrams on average.

But of course, lead is everywhere, so no need to get yourself all worked up. Hold on to your MAC, your Nars and your CoverGirl ladies. Just slow up on how often you feel the need to reapply your lipsticks, and a quick blot on tissue is always the way to go so you don’t have a large amount on every time.

RiRi Woo, the MAC lipstick shade created in collaboration with Rihanna, sold out online in three hours. During that time, “RiRi Woo” was trending on Twitter as customers complained of multiple failed attempts to get through to make the purchase.

The collaboration was announced in February. At the time, Jennifer Balbier, senior VP of global product development for MAC said Rihanna was insistent that “the color be suitable for every skin tone.”

For her part, Rihanna said she’s been using MAC products on tour for ages.

The next time the shade will be available will be in June. But for those with tickets to the Diamonds World Tour’s stop at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn (ahem!) you can buy them on-site at a MAC pop-up store that will be set up in the arena.

We told you a few days ago how Harlem rapper A$AP Rocky, in an interview with The Coveteur, shared his beauty advice with women (yes, he’s a man) and got a pretty negative response for it after saying that only light-skinned women (no, he’s NOT a light-skinned black man or woman) should walk around wearing red lipstick. His comments went something like this if you forgot:

“I feel like with the red lipstick thing it all depends on the pair of complexion. I’m just being for real. You have to be fair skinned to get away with that. Just like if you were to wear like—F**king for instance, what do dark skin girls have that you know fair skinned girls can’t do…Purple lipstick? Naw, that looks stupid on all girls! Purple lipstick, guys! Like, what the F**k.”

I think we can all agree unanimously that that was a major FAIL on his part. And out of all the women who felt some kind of way about his comments, female rapper Azealia Banks (who loves us by the way…naw, I’m just kidding!) took the comments personally, seeing as she wears red and purple lipstick, and had her own plum shade called Yung Rapunxel while doing a collaboration with MAC last year. She took to Twitter on multiple occasions in the last day or so to let it be known that she took her fellow Harlem MC’s opinions personally…

Lol @ asap rockys lipstick advice.

Some people should just come out of the closet.

Guess some people weren’t feeling her first couple of comments, because she talked about his comments again today and responded to them. And then spoke her opinion a few more times in the last few hours.

So rocky takes a direct blow to my image about dark skin and purple lipstick, then as soon as I’m a offended …. I’m the bad guy.

Typical day in the life of AB.

That comment was so hurtful. Like hurtful beyond measure. Coming from him especially……

It made me cry. It did.

Especially since rocky stole my hair style from the 212 video …..

I remember these dudes when they didn’t even have haircuts and cabfare….

Veeeery interesting. According to A$AP, Banks used to date a member of the collective A$AP Mob, and even if she didn’t, Harlem isn’t that big, so I’m sure that they did know each other well before we knew anything about these two in the industry. Hence her last Twitter comment. And while she hasn’t said much about him before his misguided lipstick advice, he’s had plenty to say about her. He told Rap-Up last year that she needed to quit with all the beefs:

“I like her for what she’s worth. I do think she gotta chill out with the beefin’ and all that other stuff and disrespecting the O.G.s. She the homegirl, so it ain’t nothin’ but a little talk to her. I think if she stays out of trouble, she’ll have longevity.”

Well, she’s coming for you now, your lipstick advice, sexuality, AND your hair, bruh! Oh the drama…

What do you think of her comments about his own comments?

Don’t you just love a good television show? They’re so hard to come by more often than not that when you find one and you find yourself so emotionally invested, the level of pisstivity you reach when it is canceled or has a finale is unparalleled.  Here are just a few shows that we loved (for the most part) that made an exit when they were still in their prime! Oh, and feel free to add the shows you thought ended before their time so we can mourn together!

sthutterstock

With so many colors and textures varying from season to season—one minute it’s all about a shiny fuchsia pout, and the next a bright matte read kisser—having just one isn’t an option. And although we all enjoy a trip to our favorite beauty counter, there’s nothing like scoring the perfect lip color for a fraction of the price.  We all know those department store purchases can get a bit pricey.  So rather than spend your week’s salary at the counter, why not head to your local drugstore for a cheap lip fix.  From glosses to lipsticks and stains, you’ll be sure to stick to your beauty budget with some of these great drugstore lip colors.

Shutterstock

October is a month filled with many things to look forward to. Some anticipate weather fit for drinking those newly-returned pumpkin spice lattes. Others have already begun to prepare their Halloween costumes (Animal ears and leggings worn as pants? Check!). But for 1 out of 8 women, it’s a month dedicated to awareness of a disease they presently possess, or, if they’re lucky, have beaten. That’s right, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is upon us and it’s time to think pink and positive!

Remember, little things can make a big difference! We’ve rounded up ten spectacular products by brands that are keen on supporting the search for a cure and a woman’s right to pamper herself. Keep one of these feminine luxuries for your personal beauty bag or raise a loved one’s spirits by presenting one as a gift.  On a lighter note, think of it this way: “Finally! A guilt-free version of retail therapy.” View the slideshow to shop for the cause…

From StyleBlazer

It’s no secret that we love a good crimson lip: we have at least three red lippies on our person at any given moment. This fall is all about the deep vampy colors, but we also love a gorgeous bold pink lip. Pink adds fun to just about any look, and it’s great on all complexions.

Check out 5 of our fave bold lipsticks.

1. M.A.C Girl About Town Lipstick, $15 at M.A.C

This bright pink runs a bit on the cool side, yet works well on all undertones.

Read more at StyleBlazer

More on Madame Noire!

• Where Are They Now? 8 Sassy And Silly Sidekicks From Some Of Our Favorite Black Sitcoms
• Finding Food In Your Bra And 6 Other Big-Breasted Girl Problems
• Do We Allow Men To Be The Fathers We Ask Them To Be?
• True Story: I Dated A Man With Horribly Bad Breath And Lived To Write About It
• True Life: My Birth Control Gave Me Crazy Side Effects
• Nobody Likes A Negative Nancy: Are You Optimistic About Dating?
• Did You Know They Dated (Part IV)? 14 Celeb Couples We Were VERY Surprised By

mylifeinbeauty.com

If you’re not a huge fan of bold lipstick, or if you want to add more natural shades to your makeup bag, nude hues are the way to go. These tan and brown lipstick variations look stunning on women of color, and can serve as an understated way to accentuate the ample pouts black women are known for. Here are a few shades to try this fall:

If you want a backstage pass to fun and flirty makeup than you must check out celebrity make –up artist, Kiam Barrese’s  – Backstage Cosmetix.  Even though Ms. Barrese has worked with the likes of Erykah Badu, Taraji P. Henson and Solange just to name a few, she believed that everyone no matter whom they are or where they are from – that their life is their stage. More than just make-up, Kiam created a line that provides the best performance tool– preparation. And we know all the magic begins Backstage!

Here is a sneak peak of what’s Backstage…

Read the rest of this entry »