Blog Posts by M.J - Fierce Beauty and Fashion

Living in a place where the humidity can get so thick you can't breathe, I have had some frizzy hair days. It pains me to spend so much time making my hair look nice and sleek only to step outside and have it turn into a frizzy pouf ball. I've used anti-frizz products ( like these ) but if I forget to use them before going out, the battle of the frizz will be lost! Just in time for summer, Avon has launched Advance Techniques Lotus Shield ( on sale for $9.99), an anti-frizz product that promises to fight the frizz for three whole days! Taking a cue from the lotus leaf plant, this product adds a "waterproof" layer to your hair, keeping it immune from up to 97% humidity. After a week of use, Lotus Shield promises to:

• Minimizes excess frizz, volume and poufiness
• Provides frizz control that lasts
• Prevents frizz and flyaways even in high humidity
• Retains and protects style no matter what the weather

So I put it to the test, applying after washing my hair for

No matter how perfectly I plan my day (week and month!) I sometimes find myself getting ready in quite a hurry! With a jam packed week leaving my weekends for crazy errand running, making a trip to the nail shop for my pedi doesn't always fit in the schedule. I often give myself my own mini pedi at home, but if I don't have time to sit down and calmly let them dry they are prone to smudging - a definite no-no! So when I received the Speed Dry+ Nail Enamel Nail Polish from Avon to review with the promise of drying in 30 seconds, I hoped this would be a busy girl's nail BFF!

Well ladies…it is!

The nail color packed so much punch, I only needed on coat! The Limeade was an edgy, metallic green which was a lot fun to wear (and totally out of my comfort zone!) Strawberry was more my speed, giving me such a fruity and summer friendly color! True to its word, my toes were dry in no time! There also wasn't a strong fume smell, which my husband appreciates! The price

As the temps here in Florida went from hot to stupid hot, I had to change my beauty routine asap! I was using an oil free moisturizer, then sunscreen, and then my medium coverage foundation. It was doable when it was a decent kind of hot outside. In the summer, though, it's a whole other story! My oily T-zone was working overtime and having all of that on my face was just asking for a beauty meltdown! So I went to the same brand as my foundation and found my beauty summer happiness in a tube!

Mary Kay's Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20

It has my moisturizer, SPF protection, and sheer color coverage all in one! The sheer coverage it gives me looks super natural, which is perfect for the summer. My skin stays moisturized throughout the day without feeling greasy, thanks to the moisturizer being oil free. My skin also stays well protected from the Florida sun (unfortunately I have gotten sunburn on my face. So not cute!) The tube goes for $18 but a fingertip full of this

I had the wonderful opportunity to learn about GeboMana , an Australian-based company that specializes in limited edition T-shirts. Made from 100% certified organic cotton from India, these tees are printed, painted, embroidered, and stitched by the company's craftsman. The end result is a cool, funky, and modern shirt that perfectly rides the tribal trend! Not only do you get to walk away with a gorgeous T-shirt, you also get to help GeboMana help give the gift the education to underprivileged children all around the world.

I got the awesome opportunity to rock one and I must say, this has to be the softest piece of clothing I own! You can tell the craftsmanship in this super-funky design, almost making me forget it's a T-shirt! It instantly dresses up a pair of jeans and I have yet to see this kind of T-shirt anywhere else! Under normal circumstances, the price would be steep for me (t-shirts start at $49) but if I know it's going to help educate a child that otherwise

The battle against the frizzies is a never-ending battle and in the dead of summer, the battle can get extra vicious! Well what if you can get a chance to test out a hair product that promises to protect hair, even in 97% humidity? Or even better, the chance to get your hair blown out by a celebrity stylist??

Sound sweet huh??

Then mark you calendars and get ready for the Frizz-Free Revolution Tour brought to you by Avon and Cosmo! Here Avon will be showing off their new Advance Techniques Lotus Shield, an anti-frizz treatment that forms a protective barrier around your tresses to keep the humdity out. At the event you get to score a sample of Lotus Shield, meet celeb stylist Tippi Shorter, and some lucky girls can get a complimentary Lotus Shield blow out!

The tour hits Miami this Saturday, July 24 at The Dadeland Mall (located at 7535 Dadeland Mall--in front of Limited Express mall entrance) from 11am to 9pm. So if you live in the South Florida area, come

Still swooning over the Jimmy Choos I checked out last month, I am definitely on a shoe kick (no pun intended!) this summer. Though I'm all about affordable shoes (like these I rocked with my LBD) I still can appreciate the higher end brands. So until I win the lottery or my writing totally blows up, I invite you to come along and daydream with me at these fabulous shoes from Brazilian designers Cavage and Luiza Barcelos!

Flat T-Strap Sandal by Luiza Barcelos $105

I am really picky when it comes to rocking flats so when I see one I like, you know its super cute! These definitely qualify! They are fun and seem really easy to wear!

Available at www.endless.com

Flor by Cavage $320

Now these pumps are more my style! Cavage had the office fashionista in mind when the brand designed these but for me, it would do them any justice to hide them behind the desk all day!

Available at www.citysoles.com

Strappy Espadrille by Luiza Barcelos $247.50

Summer is all

All of my vintage loving ladies need to mark their calendars and set their email alerts!

Tomorrow at 11 a.m sharp, Rue La La and Madison Avenue Couture are offering an exclusive boutique. You will be able to get your hands on new and barely used Chanel goodies from apparel and footwear to handbags and accessories! True to the Rue's style this boutique will only be open for 48 hours so you definitely have to act fast to get your hands on these cool items that go for 70% of retail price!

So here's my invite from me to you (because Rue La La is an invite only site!) and until the sale starts tomorrow, browse some of the fierce finds that you can get your hands on!

Photos courtesy of: Rue La La

You ladies remember how much of a lip gloss fan I am when I did my review of the Glazewear lip gloss from Avon. Though I have made some strides in coming out of my comfort zone and trying out some lipsticks (like this coral one from Avon and the MAC brand I wore for my wedding), the gloss will always be my first choice! Well, for this review I get a taste of the familiar and the unfamiliar! PERFECT WEAR Extralasting Lip Gloss and Smooth Minerals Lip Tint from Avon were my latest beauty test subjects! What I look for: the right amount of color, the stickiness and moisturizing factors, and of course, that it does what it says!

Perfect Wear ExtraLasting Lip Gloss PERFECT WEAR Extralasting Lip Gloss ($8.00)

We lip gloss fiends know that one thing lip gloss is NOT known for is standing the test of time, making reapplication inevitable! So you know I saw the "extralasting" in this product's name, you know an eyebrow went up! I went with the Always Apple, which was a nice red color that gave me the bold color that