2009 AAMBC for Magazine of the Year

There are an abundance of cosmetics lines and I have the privilege of sampling many of the best! Mineral makeup has gained such popularity that I decided to check out what’s hot for 2010. I came across DEX Modern Minerals, a line known in makeup artist circles. DEX Modern Minerals is known for everything from their runway looks to everyday looks.

While in New York I discovered their flagship location. As I looked though the array of cosmetics, I found my way to the Mineral Pressed Shadows. The Harlem Nights shadow stole the show, it was absolutely gorgeous! I sampled the shadow in the store and loved the deep blue hue. I have previously purchased other eye shadows, and been disappointed by the lack of depth once applied to my lids.

Since DEX passed my eye shadow test I decided to try out some other products on the line. I added a couple more eye colors, just to make sure they were as great as I initially perceived. The High Line Metallic Blue put a modern spin on a classic sea green. The pearlescent finish has just enough shimmer to make my brown eyes pop! The golden shimmer of Harlem Nights pressed shadow was another jaw dropper. I licked the shadow on my lids, but think it would really look awesome on green eyed girls.

Like many of you, I have struggled with finding the best foundation for me. DEX Modern Minerals foundations have anti-aging complexes plus a low, but protective, amount of SPF.  It was time to put their Mineral Pressed Foundation to the test. This powder foundation is buildable. So the amount of coverage depends on the amount of foundation applied, from sheer to full coverage. While I liked the coverage, I was more impressed with the tones. I love the fact that the foundations have varied undertones such as pink, yellow, neutral, red, and blue. The red undertone foundation is a sure bet for ladies with deep skin tones.  

To top off my new look I needed a new lipstick.  I bought the most glamorous tube on the table, the Bergen Street Blaze. It’s a mesmerizing shade of deep brick red. Once applied, its magnetic appeal did not go unnoticed.

I have to admit I have never been a fan of other mineral makeup lines, due to their large amounts of mica, which can appear glittery.  DEX Modern Minerals has changed my mind. Though I did have a small amount of fallout from the eye shadow, I loved the looks I achieved.

A study conducted by the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, in Winston-Salem, N.C., suggested that 31% of the 103 African-American women surveyed admitted that they exercise less because it may harm their hairstyle, according to a study released in November, 2007. All of the women studied agreed that it is important to lead a healthy life, which includes exercise. Exercise is especially important in the African American community because we are more prone to diabetes, hypertension, and complications due to obesity, including heart disease. Though we face many health concerns that exercise will combat, African American women have a different deterrent from working out; their hair.

Many ethnic women wear their hair straightened whether it’s done chemically or thermally (with a hot tool such as a flat iron). African American women are known to spend more money on their hair than women of any other ethnicity. This explains their apprehension to exercise and undoing their costly hair style. It is not uncommon for an African American woman to go to the salon and spend $100 on her hair service. After spending money on their hair service, many women feel that it would be a waste their money to “sweat out” their hair style at the gym. Any woman who has naturally curly or coarse hair understands the difficulty of keeping their hair straightened, while working up a sweat.

Perspiration causes the hair to become wet and revert back to its naturally curly and/or coarse state. Sweat, which is comprised of water and salts (sodium and potassium), can make the hair appear dry and dull. In order for her to wear her hair in her preferred straightened hair style she would have to repeat the straightening process. That process generally includes shampooing, conditioning, roller setting or blow drying, and flat ironing the hair. This process can take hours. Contrary to popular belief, curly and coarse hair is fragile. The hair cannot be shampooed and thermally styled numerous times per week. Over shampooing the hair will cause it to become dry and break.