Sephora Whore part 1

The Importance of Vanity

To put it more bluntly (and to riff off that Hollywood icon of vainglory, Gordon Gecko), vanity is good. Vanity is right. Vanity works. You may not like it (or perhaps you do), but caring about one's appearance, in the right way, is no character flaw. It is actually an essential trait in a world that lavishes its attention, money, jobs, respect, and all-around deference on good-looking people (and, perhaps more important, on those of us who are less prepossessing but who better our looks through hairstyle, grooming products, diet, and exercise).

The dirty truth is that everyone -- everyone -- cares about their appearance. It has always been so, from the first time a caveman dyed a pelt and wore it over his shoulder instead of that so-last-season loincloth. Those who say they don't care are lying, says Anne Hollander, Ph.D., a cultural-fashion anthropologist who has written several books on the social, historical, and spiritual implications of fashion. "Of course men and women care how they look. There's no way not to, unless you're invisible." She suggests putting such claims to the test. "Tell them, 'Here, wear this tutu and go shopping.' They'll care."

Still, raised eyebrows are understandable. Society ranks vanity right down there with lust, sloth, greed, gluttony, and envy. In Western art, the trait straddles a steed as the Whore of Babylon. Embracing it is, in a word, a sin.

But what if it were defined differently? What if vanity were simply knowing that attentive hygiene, a healthy body, confidence, and clean, white teeth could actually pave the path to a happier, healthier, more-fulfilling life?

The wisest among us, even history's sages, believe that it just may be possible. "Most people dislike vanity," Ben Franklin wrote, "[but] I give it fair quarter, wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often productive of good to the possessor . . . therefore, in many cases, it would not be altogether absurd if a man or woman were to thank God for his/her vanity."

As it happens, "productive of good" could summarize the findings of nearly every major study on vanity. The benefits of caring about one's appearance are real, they're spectacular, and they're quantifiable.

The kicker is that although we all have vanity, and to some extent indulge it, we have been conditioned to reject it, scorn it, make fun of it, avoid it, and underrate it. To act otherwise would open the door to admitting the unthinkable: that the most self-centered of sins could actually be our salvation.

~Nikki (portions of article courtesy of Men's Health Magazine)

I'm back and Sephora and MAC Got Me Again

I've been gone for a bit, but I'm back! The end of summer is always a busy time. Trying to enjoy the fleeting days of sunshine while also preparing for Fall and back to school. Damn winter always seems to come back every year :( The one good thing about Fall/Winter is Fall Trends and I am all over the Fall makeup trends even though I swore I wasn't buying shit else.

I popped into Sephora(yes in a Sephora whore) to return a nail polish I had ordered online and there it was in its satiny flesh....the Smashbox limited edition Majesty Palette. I had seen it in magazines recently but this was my first time seeing it in living color. The color screamed Fall and I had to have it. Plus with limited edition stuff you have to get it while it's there, otherwise you will be out of luck so I gave in to my indulgences and dropped $42 bucks on pure luxury.

And I couldn't stop with the Smashbox Palette. I have been lusting after the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Danmed for months...at least 6 months! These pencils/lipsticks glide on like butter! I have to admit that I in no way need another red shade of lipstick...I have several shades of red MAC lipsticks, but I bought this because it's a fierce shade of red but more importantly because of its texture...it's truly like velvet and fells like you are wearing nothing at all. These lip pencils as NARS calls them are a breakthrough in lip stick technology (stop laughing..I'm serious)!

OK...and since I was in the mall, I rolled through Macy's to nab the latest by MAC. Erin from Scandalous Beauty has had me spending all kinds of cash for the last few years when she raves about a new MAC item. The great thing about Erin is that she is a brown girl so when she wears a look I get a really good visual of what the colors will look like on me. As a result I was suckered in again and picked up the In the Gallery quad and Young Thing Lipglass.
Check out Erin rocking the quad and lipglass on YouTube. She has tons of informative makeup tutorials...I just LOVE me some ERIN!

And I swear I ain't buying shit else in regard t makeup until the spring!

~Nikki

Random Thoughts of a Nearly 40 Something Urbanite

I detest laziness...it bothers me at my very core.

Don't get it twisted, if your laziness does not infringe upon me, I'm cool...but if it does I pray that all the gods give me strength.

Who says there's no dick like new dick...emmm hmmm folks is a mess!

I've decided to venture into the world of nail polish..what an easy and inexpensive way to update a wardrobe.


Please please please don't let me be one of those people on the plane with screaming kids.


I need a bigger house..or maybe everyone needs to move out of this one but me...ROFL


Don't ever say what your kids won't do...that phrase is the kiss of death.


I'm convinced that very few of us human beings actually make what I deem to be "good parents."


If you can't do something right, leave the shit for someone who can do it right and don't get pissed off about it cuz your ass is lazy.


I LOVE me so True Blood..gonna have to order up me a t-shirt of something..lol


Does penis size matter? Be truthful now.


Should a person remain loyal despite their own happiness?


Politics at the work place..how do you "get along?"


I have a damn sore throat and cough...grrrrrrrrrrrrr!


Men cheat to escape the realities of their lives...yes you have 3 kids and a paranoid wife, but a side piece every now and then will allow you to escape that reality for a few hours.

Why does it seem that folks who would make the best parents have the most difficult time conceiving and a looser cat sack can get knocked up in an instant.

The 2nd Best Mascara in the World!

Wanna save a couple of bucks? Yes, we know Dior has the best mascaras in the world, but Prescriptives has one that comes in a VERY CLOSE SECOND...In fact, I find it easier to use than Dior.



Prescriptives False Eyelashes Plush Mascara

This mascara does not clump, and leaves lashes so thick, soft and noticeably longer. Actually, it really is like you're wearing falsies. LOVE IT!