While many may curse a cupcake for going straight to their hips, others may argue otherwise. Personally, once you get a good cupcake and devour it, you can't say a single bad word. Well... a couple in regards to why you ate it so fast and what you would do for just another bite... but nothing bad about the cupcake.

So get yourself a good cupcake (a special Valentine's Day edition of the Benefit Sugarbomb face powder. The Sugarbomb cupcake will be sold exclusively at the CupcakeStop truck in NYC on Friday, February 12, 2010 at 9am. The first 300 lucky ladies to sweeten their Friday and V-Day will get the face powder free with cupcake!

Plan on satisfying your sweet tooth? Tell me (and share a bite)!

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In the midst of all this Fashion Week madness, one can't deny the change in the air. The streets aren't as warm anymore, there are more sleeved fashions paraded about town, and scarves are coming out.

To me, scarves are the epitome of Fall and colder weather in general. When scarves came out as a trend for summer as well, you could find me looking all bewildered at everyone and their momma because it didn't make sense. Scarves are an accessory with both an aesthetic and physical function. It serves as a great neckpiece, converts great into a shawl, or even a bow tie, but it also has the potential to keep you warm.

Something else to usher in the fall? Makeup! Now, I've briefly covered trends for the fall, and will definitely revisit the topic, but I'd like to share what some companies are ushering in for the new season. As we all know - seasons come with different colors, and wearing neons and bronzer may not be the most appropriate look for when the thermometer starts to dip.

Check out some of the other new products for fall in makeup and nails below. These include great ones from fan (and my) favorites from Too Faced, Stila, Benefit, Smashbox, Korres, etc.!

Anything you're falling for? :)

Benefit has new lipglosses! I think this is something I already want to review, though I do offer a disapproving glance to the applicator.

Are you on Sephora's mailing list?

Today my e-mail was full of mascara. Only, most of their "8 most popular mascaras" have not crossed my shopping wrath or I have even heard of...

Mind you - we are only talking Sephora here. Here is what they got and whatever else I have to say about it - it IS my blog y'all!

Vibrating

Lancome - ÔSCILLATION - Vibrating Infinite Powermascara
What it is: The first vibrating powermascara by Lancôme. $34

Last time yaya was in Sephora she tried this. And loved it. Her wallet didn't so they parted ways, but there is a sequel coming soon.

The only con I found with this is that the vibrations make your eyes tear so you can't do it for a long time. However, 10 seconds per eye was perfect mascara-zation for me. I'll make a whole darn post about it soon, you just watch.

Volumizing

Buxom Lash (by Bare Escentuals)
What it is: A paraben-free, lash-volumizing mascara. $18

I really like brushes like these. The rubbery texture of it is conducive to volumizing. However!!! This never did it for me in store so it never walked home with me neither. For me this is an everyday mascara, and for that price, it needs to work harder. I'd spend my pennies on the MAC Plush Lash mascara - now that is what I call volume.

Best Seller

Dior DiorShow Mascara What it is: A cult-followed mascara that leaves lashes ultra thick, long, and curled. $24

Does it seem like I only condone the high price lash-wear paint? I like all sorts of mascaras, but Dior is a classic for me. I have this in black, brown, and blue. It doesn't clump. It's pretty big, so it kind of makes up for the price, and it's effective. It gives you the right amount of volume and length for your 9a-5p and 5p-9p... and 9p-5a. Yea, I said it.

Lengthening

Sephora Lash Stretcher
What it is: A lengthening and curling mascara, infused with fibers for maximum extension. $16

I haven't personally tried this but I already have found something wrong with it. The price kiddies. Now maybe I was the only person paying attention in undergrad business classes, but the store brand is intended to be the cheapest version of what's out there. That's generally how they can afford to sell other brands and earn a small profit on them - the profit they get from people picking up their cheap alternatives. Sephora ya hear me? You failed this class.

Waterproof

BADgal Waterproof Mascara (Benefit)
What it is: A waterproof black mascara. $19

Have any of you done the waterproof test? I.e: put water on it and see what happens? Have you ever taken a shower with mascara on? Yeah... that sight was gruesome. Most mascaras can be washed off with mere warm water and lightly running a wet wipe/finger, etc over the lashes. Most of this mascara went bye bye with the test for me, but maybe I just know their kryptonite? H2O that sucker. Overall I'm not a waterproof gal anyway. I like to make sure that water can take my war paint off pretty easily...

Primer + Mascara

LORAC Special Effects Mascara
What it is: A double-ended wand that features a conditioning primer and a defining and lengthening mascara. $22

I'm going to admit to never trying this, BUT I only speak for myself when I say that I'm not a fan of these, as I often neglect to use them, and they are an extra unwanted step when getting ready in a hurry. I suppose I will try it though, since LORAC has been kind enough to create good products for a while now :).

My recommendation for a good and lengthening primer? It's none other than MAC Prep + Prime.
Curling

Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara $14

I feel like no mascara can do the curl like a curler can. The curl it gives me is just enhancing the curl in my lashes because it is essentially putting something on my lashes tokeep them in that place. Don't you think?


Faux Look

I-mju Tiny Sniper
What it is: A lash-extending mascara. $15

Now this category, I was waiting all post to comment on. This is a whole bunch of no nos for me. 1. The packaging is a little misleading in the wand being so big, and the actual pot of mascara being so small. 2. Those darn small wands are no good for your whole eye. Thus, making it necessary to buy another mascara to help you finish your one stinking eye and making it more expensive and unecessary again! excuse my huffing and puffing here.

These are the same darn two main points that left me red in the face with steam out of my ears when I got my Guerlain double ended Le 2 De mascara. Guerlain has some great, luxurious, and expensive products but this went into the I hate you category, and not many things do.

The fail proof lash fiber mascaras in yaya's purse?

1. MUFE Lash Fibers (This is like a primer, so it's white. It already elongates your lashes though, so you can have any cheapie mascara swipe over just once to change to your wanted color. This is also perfect if you want to use color mascara as it makes the color more vibrant with the white base.)
2. I-mju FiberWig. I can feel my lashes touch my eyebrows with this bad boy on. No REALLY. I-mju should've stopped with this and quit with the tiny sniper.
   

And that's how I really feel about it!

What's your mascara grade sheet like?

So maybe March is a little late to hop on the wagon - BUT yaya has always had her own schedule!

Every year, though I don't subscribe to Allure (I mean how many subscriptions can my mailbox take?) I always vote in the Best of the Year and if I miss that (followed by heartbreak) I always make sure to see what made the list.

Did you check it out for this year?To check it out, click here; but if ya want to download the Master list, kindly click here.

Here's what I have in common with the best of list (all info regarding products is listed courtesy of Allure.com):

Lips:
nada - would ya believe it? They have mostly lipsticks though, and I'm more of a gloss girl.

Nails:

$8.50, 800-341-9999, opi.com
$4.29, CVS/Pharmacy, Walgreens, Duane Reade, drugstore.com; sallyhansen.com

Eyes:

$23, Nordstrom (nordstrom.com), Sephora (sephora.com)

Cheeks:
Base:
Top Splurges:
nada. Well that kinda makes my wallet feel good though.

Cheap Thrills:
$3.99, CVS/Pharmacy, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Kmart, drugstore.com

$3.99, CVS/Pharmacy, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Kmart

Nothing in the following categories:
Natural Selections, Men's Stuff, Skin, Body

Hair:
$4.99, CVS/Pharmacy, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Kmart, drugstore.com $3.78, CVS/Pharmacy, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Kmart, drugstore.com

Scent:
$57.50 to $85, depending on size, Nordstrom (nordstrom.com), Bloomingdales (bloomingdales.com), Saks Fifth Avenue (saks.com), Neiman Marcus (neimanmarcus.com), Macy's (macys.com)

Tools:
$20, 888-474-5369, beautyblender.net (I got mine from Sephora - they had a 2 pack w/the cleaner for $39.95)

After much needed inbox cleanup, I found a possible dupe guide. TotalBeauty.com wrote an article about Less vs. Luxe lip products (that I may have to test out for meself in the future), but I saw it as a dupe guide where they just tell ya which cheapie is like which wallet buster.


Chanel Rouge Hydrabase in Fire, $28.50
vs.
Styli-Style Hipstick in Happy, $8.49


Givenchy Rouge Interdit in Only Beige, $26.50
vs.
Napoleon Perdis NP Set Lipstick in Washington, $15


Benefit Benetint Lip Balm, $20
vs.
Flirt! Tint-a-Licious Lip Sheer in Lover, $10


Giorgio Armani Sheer Lipstick in Plum, $25
vs.
CoverGirl TruShine Lip Color in Plum Shine, $5.66


Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey, $14
vs.
Neutrogena MoistureShine Soothing Lip Sheers in Ruby Bliss, $8.99


Yves Saint Laurent Gloss Pur in Pure Coral, $29
vs.
CoverGirl Amazemint Lip Gloss in Freedom of Peach, $5.79


Cle de Peau Lip Gloss in No. 11, $47
vs.
L'Oreal Paris Bare Naturale Gentle Lip Conditioner in Soft Bloom, $8.96


Lipstick Queen Sinner Pink, $18
vs.
CoverGirl Incredifull Lipcolor in Warm & Rosy, $6.99


Nars Lipstick in Kiss, $24
vs.
Boots No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in Velvet Kiss, $9.99


Lancome Juicy Tubes Sparkling Night in Sky Diamond, $18
vs.
Mark Juice Gems in Juicy Cherry Pop, $6