DREAM Event 2015

I was invited to attend and cover the DREAM Event at the 40/40 Club on Thursday, November 12th. Many influential Dominicans gathered together in support of DREAM. The DREAM Project is a non-profit organization that helps more than 6,000 children in the Dominican Republic have a quality education. DREAM has become a major success run by a paid local staff of more than 40 Dominicans, four expatriates and numerous volunteers from all over the globe. 

Dark, Sultry FOTD

Hello everyone! Today's post features a look that is fairly simple but great for the Fall season. I did a soft, brown smokey eye and paired it with a brown lip. I wanted to keep my eyes looking bright so I skipped the eyeliner and rounded out the eye shadow in the outer corner of my eyes. This helps in keeping your eyes look bigger.

Hell Notes For Beauty

Jessica from Hell Notes For Beauty was kind enough to send me a few items from her shop for me to review. She has a website that focuses on natural beauty and spirituality. I will admit that there are times that I will neglect my mind and spirit because I will be too busy with life overall. I have learned that it is important to practice soothing the mind and the spirit in order to create more harmony with my life.

Halloween Look: Half-Skull Mask

I got a late start on Halloween post this year. My work schedule was pretty crazy plus my laptop died on me. I finally got a new one and made the switch to a Mac so wish me luck!

OOTD: Fall in Love With Plaid

Fall, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Man, I love leather jacket weather and yesterday was the perfect day to wear one.

New York Mets Inspired Makeup

Congratulations to the New York Mets for winning the National League Division Series and going on to the next round which is the National League Championship Series. I am incredibly psyched to be able to witness this opportunity because the last time this happened was back in 2006.

How To Fix Shattered Makeup

There comes a time where a cherished item of makeup gets shattered and destroyed. It has happened to me several times. What I used to do is put it in a small jar and improvise. But then, I found out that you can actually fix broken makeup. And it's pretty darn easy. This only works for powder products but it is very effective nonetheless. The best part is that it does not alter the consistency of the product at all!

DREAM Project 2015

The DREAM Project to Honor Major League Baseball All-Star Robinson Cano

Henry Santos & Leslie Grace to Host 4th Annual Benefit, Sueños 2015

The event will take place on November 12^th at the exclusive 40/40 Club in New York City

NEW YORK, October 13, 2015– As we approach the gift-giving season, we are counting the days to celebrate and give back to those who need it most. The DREAM Project (Dominican Republic Education and Mentoring Project) is pleased to announce its 4^th Annual NYC Benefit: Sueños 2015 to continue offering high quality education to more than 6,000 underserved Dominican youth and break the cycle of poverty in more than 15 communities throughout the Dominican Republic.

Style Inspo: What To Wear To A Baseball Game

Hello Everyone!

It's been a long time. I haven't been able to blog much because my laptop died on me (rest in peace). I've been making do by blogging from my phone and my local internet cafe. Hopefully by next month, I can have a new laptop.

Anyway, post season baseball is right around the corner! My team is super close to making the post season and I have always wanted to do a baseball-themed fashion post so what better time than now? Whether you are able to score playoff tickets (lucky!) or watching from a bar, I hope you get inspired!

Casual Day in Denver

This is a quick and casual OOTD post. I was in Denver for a couple of days. I was able to stay by the gorgeous Cheesman Park and decided to take a few photos.

The Hair Rock Review

wearing the Malaysian Straight Hair as clip-in extensions

I was contacted by RoseMarie to do a review for The Hair Rock. The Hair Rock is a website that provides affordable  hair bundles as well as wigs and hair pieces. I chose to review the Malaysian hair  in the "straight" style in color 4 (chocolate) with a length of 18 inches.

LA Girl Matte Pigment Gloss Swatches & Review

LA Girl Matte Pigment Gloss in "Fleur", "Tulle" and "Rebel"

Our prayers have been answered! Finally, we have an affordable version of matte liquid lipsticks. These super-pigmented lippies are only about $5.00 and they come in 16 shades.

Vegas Nay x Eylure Lashes Review

Vegas Nay Lashes by Eyelure in "Grand Glamor" and "Shining Star"

Vegas Nay was one of the first MUAs that I started following on Instagram. She's incredibly talented and I just love hearing here talk in her videos. Her voice is really similar to Ruby from "Max and Ruby". So sweet and soothing. Anyway, I was very interested in these lashes after I saw them in Target. The style is very different from what you would see at the drugstore. These are super glam and dramatic. She had another pair that were meant for more natural looks, but I did not get those.

Style Inspo: Holly Golightly

Graduated Diamond Necklace-anjolee.com

Breakfast at Tiffany's is one of my favorite movies of all-time. It stars the eternally sophisticated Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly. The appeal in Holly Golightly is in her quirky personality and of course her glamorous lifestyle. After all, the opening scene of the movie opens up with Holly eating a croissant while wearing a tiara and Givenchy gown.

Maybelline Dewy And Smooth Foundation Review

I have been wanting a foundation that would give my skin a dewy look for a while. I decided to try the Maybelline FitMe Dewy and Smooth foundation when Rite Aid was having a BOGO sale. 

Fresh Limeade FOTD

I had purchased the Sephora Colorful Shadow and Liner in a new shade they had available called "Fresh Limeade". I've been buying too many neutral shadows so this was a nice change. I really like the formula of this pencil. It is similar to the NYX Jumbo Pencils. It goes on thick but it is also really flexible in terms of spreading it on your eyelid. I applied it directly to the lid and used a flat synthetic brush to spread it out on my eyelid. The color payoff is amazing. Very nice and bright. This would also make a great base for an eye shadow because it does not budge at all.

Romping Around (An OOTD)

I hope everybody enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend. I spent mine in the city with my family, who came to visit from out-of-town. We went to City Island to get our grub on and to celebrate my cousin, who just got married. I haven't been to City Island in years so this was quite the treat!

NARS x Christopher Kane "Outer Limits" Eyeshadow

NARS x Christopher Kane  eye shadow "Outer Limits" 

NARS has collaborated with Christopher Kane for their Summer 2015 collection. All of the products were so gorgeous! After swatching like a maniac in Sephora, I decided to pick up the eye

shadow "Outer Limits". I am a sucker for rose gold and I immediately fell in love with this eye shadow.

Downtown Girl (An OOTD)

 Funny story about this "dress". I bought it in H&M seeing it on a mannequin. I thought it was one of those dresses that you can wear as a shirt as well since there was a coordinating pant next to the rack. I buy it and it's in my closet until I decided to wear it. Turns out it was a shirt, the side slits were pretty high, revealing a lot. So what's a girl to do???

Black Opal True Color Pore Perfecting Liquid Foundation Review

I am already a huge fan of the Black Opal True Color Stick Foundation so when I saw a display for a new liquid formula, I made a beeline and grabbed two shades. I got "Truly Topaz" and Heavenly Honey".

The Blog Turns 6!

Happy Birthday Havtastic, Happy Birthday to you! I held a little giveaway on Instagram to celebrate my blog's 6th birthday (it ends tomorrow if you still want to enter- My page is @havtastic). 

Beyonce "Why Don't You Love Me" Inspired FOTD

"Why Don't You Love Me" is one of my favorite videos by Beyonce. I love the retro style and clothes and the makeup was just incredible. I also love that little cheeky short where she's dusting her Grammys.

Spring Stripes OOTD

Happy Sunday!

I wear horizontal stripes so often and this top was a nice little change to my wardrobe. Colorful, Spring accessories made this look a little more exciting.

Exciting news! My blog is turning SIX YEARS OLD this week! I will be hosting a giveaway on Instagram to celebrate. If you don't follow me already, be sure to: @havtastic.

 jeans, sandals: Forever21
top: H&M
bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target
lips: MAC "Candy Yum Yum" lip pencil + L.a Girl Matte Pigment Gloss "Tulle"

Spring & Prom FOTD

my best prom queen smile ;)

Here is a look featuring my favorite color: purple! It feels like ages since I've done an eye look with purple. Paired with a pink lip, this is a lovely look for Spring and even for prom. Also, purple really brings out the best in brown eyes. Darker-skinned beauties can wear this look with a deeper pink and look stunning. Keep reading for tips on wearing bright-colored eyes and to view more pictures.

Mustard Polka Dots OOTD

Another lovely Spring afternoon. I wore this to attend the baptism of my niece and nephew. I finally got a chance to break into these pumps, they have been sitting in my closet for quite a while. Looking forward to pairing them with more snazzy pants. 

Saturdays Are For Simplicity OOTD

Now that Winter has finally left, we can finally wear our Spring clothes. I love loose, boxy cuts for warmer weather. They are so comfortable and airy. Therefore, shift dresses and t-shirt shape styles are definitely staples in my closet.

Tribal-Inspired Makeup FOTD

Festival season has inspired me to create this tribal-inspired look. I like this look a lot for a music festival due to the whimsical use and blending of different eyeshadows. . This look is fairly simple if you have patience for blending to prevent the shadows from looking muddy. I used a white liquid eyeliner for the lip and face decorations.

P&G Orgullosa Living Fabulosa Event

Two weeks ago, I attended the Living Fabulosa event hosted by P&G Orgullosa. It was an event celebrating the "Nueva Latina". It featured a discussion panel with prominent Latinas such as Nina Terrero, Gina Rodriguez, Angie Martinez and Lilliana Vasquez.

Casual Saturday OOTD

New Yorkers can officially say that Winter is over. It is still a little cooler than average, but at least we're rid of the snow and frosty temperatures.

Spring Fling OOTD

Yesterday was my birthday. I had celebrated the weekend before by going to Churrascaria Plataforma in Hell's Kitchen. It's one of those Brazilian steak houses where they bring you unlimited amounts of delicious meat. I had an amazing time and was beyond stuffed!

I kept it casual since it's Monday. I had a pretty, printed coat that I've been dying to wear and decided to do so today. It was cool out but it was sunny as well. Perfect weather for it.

Pretty in Pastels FOTD

I did this look for the Savvyist "Pretty in Pastels" challenge. The contest is still open for those that wish to enter. I wen for an on-trend, monochromatic look using peach shades. I love how soft and feminine looks as well as how WOC-friendly it is. Stay tuned because I will be filming a tutorial!

Ruby Kisses Matte Lip Lacquer Review and Swatches

One of the best things about being a beauty aficionado in NYC is the great number of beauty supplies I have available. From Ricky's to independent stores, they all offer awesome products that you might not find easily. I was browsing through one when I saw a display for Ruby Kisses Matte Lip Lacquers. Like my fellow makeup hoarders, I have been crazy about liquid matte lipsticks lately. The lipgloss-lipstick hybrid is just so convenient and I absolutely love the finish!

clockwise: Ruby Kisses Matte Lip Lacquers in "Morage, "Think Pink" and "Narcissism"

Get Your Shop On with These Discount Codes!

image from http://girlscoutsjs.com

I got bombarded today with all kinds of emails about sales. I decided to share the wealth. Spring is almost here! That means new outfits! Happy Monday!

Double Wing Liner & Hot Pink Lips

I have been stuck in a rut doing warm colors that I wanted to do something featuring cooler-toned shades. I filmed a tutorial for this look, I switched up the lip color at the end. Which color do you prefer?

Hope you enjoy!

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Lady Gaga 2015 Grammys Makeup Tutorial

photo credit: US Magazine

Let's sit back and take a moment of silence for how RIDICULOUSLY GORGEOUS Lady Gaga looked at the Grammys!!! I was blown away when she stepped onto the red carpet. SHe had one of my favorite looks of the night, particularly because she had fun with her makeup. So many did the whole "no makeup look" but YAWN. It's the Grammys, it's the best time to show out! The green complimented her eyes and the jewelry she wore that night. BIG kiss of approval.

Sensual Chocolate FOTD

I was watching "Coming To America", hence the name of my blog post. The name in the band is "Sexual Chocolate" but I decided to tone it down just a notch for you guys. This another Valentine's Day look and I wanted to steer away from red and pink. This look has plum and mauve in the crease and a brown lip. It's a little different and the brown lipstick complements darker complexions beautifully.

Viva Glam Miley Cyrus Review and Swatches

I'm one of those people that actually likes Miley Cyrus. Sure, she's a little over-the-top at times but I do like her style. It is fun and cheeky, like her. I loved when she got that makeover because the haircut really suits her. She's just enjoying her youth so I'm just letting her rock.

 MAC has teamed up with her to create a new shade for their Viva Glam lipsticks. The Viva Glam line is part of the MAC AIDS fund. Every cent of the proceeds goes to fund men, women and children that are affected by HIV or AIDS. I do agree with MAC picking Miley Cyrus as a spokesperson because of her target audience. It's a great way for young people be made aware of HIV and AIDS. Because honestly, it can happen to anyone.

Viva Glam Miley is described as a hot pink with blue tones. It has the an amplified finish, similar to the shade "Up the Amp". It comes in the traditional Viva Glam packaging and it has Miley Cyrus's signature both on the tube and packaging.

Soo is Viva Glam Miley Cyrus WOC friendly?

Extreme Cat Eye FOTD & Koko Lashes Review

I wanted to branch out and do a look that's not as "pretty" or "safe". I was partially inspired by Amy's Makeup Box on Youtube. She is so gorgeous and I love her accent as well. Once I found a technique that worked for me, the double wing liner became super easy to do. It looks intimidating but it's all about practicing. For me, it's easier to sketch out the bottom wing first. By drawing the bottom wing first, I feel that I don't have to worry about leaving a big enough gap for the top wing.

Bright Pink Lips FOTD

but first.. let me take a selfie!

This is a great look for Valentine's Day. The bright pink lip is spunky and is very pretty paired up with this neutral eye. It also has a touch of shimmer to brighten up the eyes. This is great for a date because it's not too overwhelming. And if you're single, it's sure to get you a date!

Colourpop Cosmetics Review Part 2: Lippie Stix and Pencils

Click for here my review of the Super Shock Shadows by Colourpop Cosmetics.

Colourpop Cosmetics lippie pencils in "Feminist", "Grind", "Leather", "Brink" and "LBB"

Hello everyone! Time for part two of my Colourpop Cosmetics review where I share swatches and my thoughts on their lip products. I have reviewed their Super Shock shadows already and I have raved about them. They are a must-purchase!

Dose of Colors Liquid Lipstick Review and Swatches

Oh Instagram! Why must you entice me with all these indie brands? And give me more reasons to spend my hard-earned pennies?

JLo 2015 Golden Globes Makeup Look

I've mentioned often how much I adore JLo. She is a style icon and she manages to just slay every event she goes to. She is sexy but always manages to keep it classy. So here I was, watching the red carpet for the Golden Globes and here she comes looking AH-mazing. How does she do it??? Anyway, I was loving her makeup. That smokey eye paired with dewy, bronzy skin looked awesome. 

Kiss Me Organics Matcha Green Tea Review

image from Kiss Me Organics

I've always been curious about green tea powders that give you all this amazing energy. I've always wanted to try them but I always would be afraid that I'll be spinning around the room like the Tasmanian Devil.

Plaid & Satin OOTD

In pursuit of more pants, I got these satin joggers from Forever21 not too long ago and wanted to wear them out. I am loving the fit of these pants, loose enough to still look put together. And the satin gives it a luxurious feel.