Avon: Fabulous at 125

Oh how time flies! It was only a couple of years ago when I made the drastic yet wise decision to leave my cushy job in the finance industry to pursue a career in the beauty industry. And many people asked me then, "why are you doing this?". My answer then (and still my answer now) :"because I believe beauty can change lives. "

You may decide to call me a feminist (which I absolutely love by the way)  but for me, being in the beauty industry has always been about going "beyond beauty" and "changing lives". Knowing that you can make people beautiful while empowering their lives is a powerful thing, and one of the reasons why I love working for Avon-the largest engine of economic opportunity for women on earth.

But why do I love Avon so much? It's simply because......

  "This is the company that puts mascaras on lashes and food on tables, that fights wrinkles with one hand and Breast Cancer with the other. That knows the value of a perfect lip, but still opens its mouth and speaks out against Dosmetic Violence and for women's financial independence. This is the company that not only brings beauty to doors, but also opens them. The company that supports over 6 million Representatives in over 100 countries. The company, that for 125 years has stood for beauty, innovation, optimism and above all for women."

Yesterday was certainly a reflection point for me, as I had the privilege to attend Avon's 125th Anniversary: Believe World Tour at Madison Square Garden. Feeling the love, joy, excitement and passion of over 5000 Independent Sales Representatives was truly inspiring and an absolute delight. And of course, seeing and meeting Fergie was a real treat too :)
 
Here are a couple of shots from the event...

Please join me in wishing Avon a "Happy 125th Birthday"
 
Our lovely CEO and one of our fabulous spokespersons, Andrea Jung and Fergie

 
 
Full House: Over 500 Independent Sales Representatives @ New York stop for Believe World Tour

Andrea Jung and Fergie giving Help USA a helping hand

My role model, Andrea Jung, one of the most powerful women in the world.

Fergie unveils her new fragrance with Avon, Outspoken INTENSE.

 
Remain delicious in pink,
Xoxo
Joy/Doyin


Photo credit: Personal shots and Avon Media

Beauty Christmas in March

As a loyal member of the CEW (Cosmetic Executive Women), I always look forward to the CEW Beauty Awards Product Demonstation year after year. This event is held annually to showcase the most innovative beauty products of the past year. It's really a beauty product expo, with loads of people in the industry, mingling over champagne, appetizers and beauty products (not 1 or 2 but hundreds of beauty products).

But for me (like most other attendees), the highlight of this event is actually the Allure Magazine Swag Bag. Imagine a huge bag stocked with the most innovative products of the past year (all up for the annual CEW Beauty Awards). Believe me, this goody bag is absolutely fabulous...

So can you guess where I was last night? At the CEW Beauty Awards Product Demostration of course :)

Twitpic: CEW

Here are a few of the products that I found in my bag. Not to worry, if you missed the event, I am planning a giveway with some amazing beauty products very soon. Are you excited? Well stay tuned :)

Allure Swag  Bag

Beauty Goodies in Allure Swag Bag

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector $49.50

Boom Boom Push-Up Brow Highlighting Pencil $16

Fergie Outspoken By Avon $28

Got2b Ultra Glued Invincible Styling Gel $4.99

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense 36 Satin Fuschia $19

Mark Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain in Lolli $10

Olay Professional Pro-X Exfoliating Renewal Cleanser $19

Benefit The POREfessional $28

Rimmel Lash Accelerator $9.99

L'Oreal Collagen Micro-Pulse Total Eye Correction System $21.99

Remain delicious in pink,
Xoxo
Joy/Doyin

Nail Candy Of The Week: Fuschia-istic

I AM BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, even bloggers like me deserve vacation too :) I am so sorry that I have been gone for so long. But if it's any consolation, I missed all my delicious bloggers too:)

So to start of the week with a rush of color, I just couldn't keep my nails off the hot pink nail polish from Mark Nailed It Trend Mini Lacquers box called Fuschia-istic. Mark definitely Nailed It with this polish. Not only do I love how I get two nail colors in 1 box (fuschia-istic and stay neutral) , but also how incredibly pigmented fuschia-istic is.

All I can say is that my nails desperately craved a delicious dose of pink this week and I gave into those cravings by making my nails simply fuschia-istic. Did I already say it has incredible staying power and all I needed was 1 coat of polish to do the trick? Well believe it or not, this nail color is the real deal. It's such a pity that the bottle is super tiny. But be rest assured, this is one nail candy that I will purchase again and again for only $7 a box.

What do you think? You likey or no likey?

Remain delicious in pink,
Xoxo
Joy/Doyin

Nail Candy Of The Week: Navy Baby

I would like to start by saying "Happy Happy New Year to all my delicious bloggers". I know it has been a while since I last blogged. But be rest assured, I was thinking of you all throughout the holidays, wishing each and every one of you a year of delicious things to come.

I am sure you will also be thrilled to know that back by popular demand is the "Nail Candy Of The Week". Woohooo!!!!!!! On this side of the coast, the weather is rather frigid, so I have been feeling very very blue lately...Hence, my nail color choice this week is Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Navy Blue.

For a drug store brand, this particular nail line, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure, is a bit pricey ($7.99), but believe me when I say, "It is so worth it". Firstly, the frost formula is super amazing. With 5 steps in 1 bottle, the formula includes a base coat, stengthener, grow treatment, color and top coat. Secondly, the color is to die for and I only needed two coats on my nails. Navy Baby is a midnight blue color that's sexy and vampy, all at the same time. I love it because it looks black with a mild hint of blue. Bold, Black, Blue and Beautiful!!!!

So far I haven't experienced any chipping yet (knock on wood:) I really hope it lasts all week without any touch ups though....

What do you think? Do you likey or no likey?

Remain delicious in pink,
Xoxo
Joy/Doyin

Long Lasting Lips

I was out about town with some fabulous friends of mine last night. And apart from the fact that we had a Jake Gyllenhaal and Gywneth Paltrow sighting, my girls and I had such a blast-as always...

At dinner, one of my friends asked me "How do I make my lipstick last all day long?"...

Step 1: Well, it starts with a lip liner. As for me, I always shade my lips with liner before applying any lipstick. I don't just outline my lips but fill it in completely with liner. This morning, like most mornings this week, I have been in a red lippy mood. So I started by covering my entire lips with a reddish liner.

Lip Liner: MAC Lip Pencil in Beet

Step 2: Then I applied MAC Heartless Lipstick from the Venomous Villians Collection

Step 3: Followed by MAC Red Lipstick.

Step 4: To complete my look, I glossed my lips with Lancome Color Fever Gloss in Rouge Magnificence

I have found that the key to long lasting lips is simply shading one's lips with liner before applying lipstick. My color stays rich and true all day long.....

Now my red lippy is complete and I am ready to conquer the world :)

Happy Wednesday!!!!
Remain delicious in pink,
Xoxo
Joy/Doyin

The Land Of Milk Of Magnesia

I don't know about you but I get excited everytime I discover a new beauty secret...

Thanks to my lovely sister-in-law, I just found out that "milk of magnesia" is one of beauty's best kept secrets..specifically for oily skin...When I first heard this, I was completely shocked because all I remember as a kid was taking milk of magenesia whenever I had an upset stomach-which by the way tasted nasty!!!

So how does this great laxative help with oily skin? Well, I have been using milk of magnesia on my face for a week now and here is what I found out:

As a Toner: The reason why milk of magnesia is such a great laxative is because it has relaxing properties. As it has the ability to relax and calm unsettled intestines to reduce acid in one's stomach, it also has the ability to calm and relax one's skin. So rather than using a daily toner after cleansing my face to help restore my skin's natural PH, I dab just a little milk of magnesia with a cotton ball on my face (particularly on my nose and forehead because I have combination skin). I do feel a difference every time I use it. My face always seems more relaxed and less sensitive.

As a Pore Minimizer: I have noticed that milk of magnesia also reduces my pores and removes leftover dirt from my face. If I apply too much on my face, it overdries it and leaves a white, chalky cast. So please be careful with the amount you apply. Believe me, a little goes a long way. Just a little and you'd see magic happen.

As an Acne Treatment: Last week, a pimple was trying to form on the tip of my nose. I dabbed milk of magnesia directly on it and left it overnight. You may call it a miracle, but the next day, the pimple was absolutely gone!!! It dried out completely. I have also read that the reason why this product is such a great acne treatment is because it contains natural zinc, which battles acne fabulously.

As a Primer: I never wear makeup without primer because I don't want anything clogging my precious pores. Also, when it comes to primer, I hardly experiment. I truly stick with what works for me. However, I have noticed that using milk of magnesia as a primer, after my daily moisturizer application, is absolutely phenomenal. It works fantastically as a primer as it tightens one's pores and absorbs oil, making it receptive to makeup while preventing any clogging on the face. The fab thing about milk of magnesia is that I never need to retouch my makeup because it makes my makeup last longer and shine less. My nose usually gets oily during the day, but with milk of magnesia, my nose stays dry from dusk till dawn.

If you have oily skin or combination skin , try it out and let me know what you think...I currently use Phillips' brand, but I heard any brand will be suffice. I would love to hear your thoughts...Good or bad :)


Remain delicious in pink,
Xoxo
Joy/Doyin

The Birthday Girl Is Ready To Paint The Town Pink

OMG, Guess what? IT'S MY BIRTHDAY. Yippee!!!!! What can I say? I am like fine wine, I get better with age :)

And yes, I think today should be a National holiday because I am a diva:) That's partly why I took the day off from work today :) And I also wanted a day of reflection and relaxation which I am really enjoying at the moment. 

So what have I been doing all day? Eating, Praying, and Loving of course!
I have been "eating" all things junk and good...
I have been "praying" for all things beautiful and fabulous in the years ahead....AND
I have been "loving" my fantastic husband, family and friends....
I have really felt so special all day-thanks to all the special people in my life...I love you all more than you know. And thanks for loving me too...

But of course, my day wouldn't be complete without my makeup regimen. And here I am, sharing today's regimen with you...

As always, it starts with my eyes. My signature look: Bat-wing eyes
To get this look, I used MAC LiquidLast Liner in Point Black on my top lid. This is the best liquid eyeliner ever!!!! I love this product because it is highly pigmented and has a great sheen that shows perfectly on dark skin tones.

On my waterline (bottom lid), I used mark "No Place To Run" Longwear Eye Liner in Jet Set. Love, love, love this liner. It lasts all day into the night. No touch ups needed and seriously doesn't run.

To complete my eye look, I used Avon Sonic Boost Vibrating Mascara in Black for the first time ever.  I just got it in a goody bag, and I really love it. No clumps, no fuss. And it gives my lashes great definition.

For my lips, I was feeling like a pink day, but wanted something very vampy. So I used MAC Currant Lip Pencil to shade my entire lips. Once I completely colored in my lips with this lip pencil, I used Lancome Color Fever in Rock Icon Fuchsia. After all, I am simply delicious in pink:)

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY and I am now ready to paint the town pink!

Do you like or no likey?

Remain delicious in pink,
Xoxo
Joy/Doyin