Blog Posts by M.J - Fierce Beauty and Fashion

Whether you're trying something new or just expanding on your personal style, there are so many places to find that spark of inspiration. It could come from obvious places like magazines and fashion spreads or the less obvious , like music or art. There are times I'm starving to be inspired and can't find a thing! Other times, I get completely smacked in the face inspiration when I'm not even looking for it. The last time it happened it was when I completely stumbled across this fashion spread. This time, it totally hit me while watching the movie Introducting Dorthy Dandridge that just happened to playing while I was flipping channels one evening at home. I remember seeing it when it first came out and it still is one of my favorite Halle Berry movies. She was absolutely stunning and the I seriously wanted to rock everything she wore down to the fur stoles and wide brimmed hats! I was completely swooning and is probably one of the major reasons I ventured out to do a new makeup

Photo courtesy of: www.thefashionhub.wordpress.comI made a vow this Spring to step out of my neat and comfortable little style box and try new things. I've never been a slave to trends but you can never really knock something until you try it right? So far I've tackled the White Out Trend and the Prepster Look but as for my beauty regimen, it's been pretty much status quo.

So to shake things up a little bit I wanted to try a bold lip color, a beauty trend that is totally hot right now. Now some may not see it as a big step but for me, letting my lips take center beauty stage terrifies me! LOL. I can get bonkers with eyeshadow all day long but my collection of lip glosses are your standard browns and pinks that are only meant to give my lips just a hint of color. That's it! I guess I'm afraid I'll look like a clown rocking a bold color! But I'm stopped being chicken and gave it a whirl and I must say, I'm getting used to it!

If you're like me, here are some tips to help you at least try this trend out!

You're

If you've been following me and my blog rantings for awhile, then you'll know I always make it a point to highlight events and happenings that help those that are less fortunate, or (in this case) are just looking for that one opportunity to really show the world what they can do! That's why I had to tell you ladies about this newest initiative from Avon called Avon Voices. They are looking to give two lucky women from around the world the chance of a lifetime - to share their voices with the world! I had the wonderful opportunity to chat with Joe Billone, the VP of Global Representative Branding and Communitcations, who is responsbile for puting this whole program together! We got to talk about why a beauty brand like Avon would be getting into the music scene, some of the awesome celebrity judges, and how we can get in on the voting fun!

MJ: Some may see a singing contest as somewhat as a far stretch for a beauty company. What made you (or Avon) decide to hold a

I don't know about you but I've been really getting into wearing dresses lately! Besides the fact that this season's dresses are super cute and come in gorgeous colors and patterns, they keep you cool and looking great at the same time! With all the options out there, it can be a challenge to find the right dress that flatters you body. I know about that frustration all too well! Having these curves and making sure my "girls" are accomodated, I can spend hours dress shopping! Luckily my wonderful friends from dressbarn are here to save you and me the trouble! Keith Fulsher, their Chief Merchandising Officer has wonderful tips on how to properly "dress" you body!

Tutti Frutti Ruffle Neck Dress

Pear-Shaped (bottom half of your body is larger than your upper half):

• Think classic cut - fitted on top and flared below.
• All-over patterns will add to the illusion of proportion.
• Knee-length full skirts can be very flattering as they create more length and don't cling to the lower half.

We all know its Earth Month and though we are (and we should!) be finding ways to be Green in our country, we can't forget those who are less fortunate and can't even get the basic necessities that the Earth has to offer. Here's a disturbing fact:

In developing nations, more than 4,000 children die each day from preventable conditions like diarrhea, due to unsafe drinking water. A person in a country such as the US will, on average, use more than 40 gallons of water to take just one, leisurely bath. Yet someone living in a developing nation may have access to less than eight gallons of water each day for all of their daily needs. In developing countries 70 percent of industrial waste and 80 percent of all waste is dumped untreated into waters where they pollute the usable water supply.

Its reading things like this that makes me realize 1: How good we have it in this country and 2: how the world is suffering and it needs our help. That's why I'm helping the good folks

Making sure you use the right products for your skin is key. No matter how much great make up you put on, if the skin under it isn't taken care of, chances are you will not get the look you want! You also want your skin look great on those days when you just don't feel like wearing anything (that's Saturday and Sundays for me!)

So for this review, we're taking a look at the RESIST Anti-Aging Skin Care Line from Paula Begoun, the awesome lady that gave us tips on dealing with acne prone skin, finding the right foundation as well as the Ten Makeup Commandments. Though I'm not showing any signs of aging (and don't plan on it anytime soon!), I've learned that it's easier to prevent them then to correct them once they're already there. Granted, you don't have to go crazy but using products with some anti-aging ingredients definitely helps keep the young skin you already have.

This skin care line consists of:

• Optimal Results Hydrating Cleanser
• Barrier Repair

I consider myself to be pretty price conscious, especially when it comes to beauty and fashion. However, I also recognize that there are a few things that one should invest and splurge on that are well worth it in the long run. Like a really good pair of shoes, a fierce power suit, and a day at the spa. We ladies lead such a hectic life and I firmly believe that a girl should splurge on a spa day for herself, even if its just once a year. You don't even realize how tense and stressed you are until you walk around the spa completely and utterly relaxed! Being a beauty blogger, I've had wonderful opportunities to check out some spas in the South Florida area. I do these reviews because if you're gonna splurge, you wanna splurge on something that's totally worth it right?

spa-roomTwo weeks ago I was given the awesome opportunity to spend the day at the Ritz Carlton in Key Biscayne. The little island off of Miami is a beautiful island, home to the Sony Ericson Open, the historic

With my hair still in a delicate state, I've been looking for hairstyles that didn't require using my flat iron every day. I tried doing wash-n-go (washing and deep conditioning my hair and letting it airdry) but they didn't quite work out like I wanted them too. They looked great the first day and my natural curls looked awesome, but my relaxed ends ruined the look after awhile. Then when it came to wash my hair again, it was incredibly tangled and in the end caused more hair shedding than necessary. Roller sets were great for the front of my head, but the back is completely natural and prone to major shrinkage, making the hair there shorter than it is. Trying to get rollers back there is a bit much!

After scouring the endless sources of Youtube videos for transitioning girls like me, I found this one from Taryn (who has GORGEOUS natural hair by the way!) which inspired to me to try what is called a braid out. Now, I've done it once before a few months back on wet hair and