Latina.com Blog

Hello, chicas–do I have a huge treat for you all! It’s the best-smelling shower gel on the planet…in my mind, anyway. Not excited? I know, it’s a beauty staple you probably don’t even think much about. I didn’t either, until I discovered Trish McEvoy’s #9 Blackberry & Vanilla Musk Shower Gel. It was given to me by a friend who swore, “Oh my God, it smells soooo good.” Honestly, I thought she was over-reacting. I mean, how good could a shower gel be? It’s body soap; who cares? Well, I’m eating a healthy helping of humble pie, let me tell you all, because I am crazy over the stuff. The smell is sweet, but not flowery or obnoxiously fruity. It’s soft, subtle but lingers on your skin for hours. It smells like…okay, I can’t even describe it, and I wouldn’t be doing it justice if I tried. Get your hands on some, and you wont be sorry. Abrazos!

-Angelique

Season 4, Episode 12

Well, the challenges are over and this week’s project runway was the reunion episode, when all the losers come back and share couch space with our four finalists: Christian Siriano, Jillian Lewis, Rami Kashou and Chris Marsh. The contestants dish about the season past and what to expect for the finale.

Too bad, for the most part, it was a snoozefest. Heidi Klum (with her fierce bangs) and Tim Gunn kick off the show by commenting that the designers look “much more relaxed” than they did during filming. Um, no duh Heidi. After some general catching up with the designers, we get into the first of many mildly funny montages—one I like to call, “Kevin is Not Gay.” To his credit, Kevin seems totally cool with people assuming he is gay and takes the jabs in stride.

Other montages include “Elisa Jimenez is F*cking Crazy,” “Chris Marsh Laughs Like a Hyena,” and “Christian Siriano OD’s on the Word ‘Fierce’.”

And, my personal favorite, “Ricky Elizalde Cries Like a Girl.” Unlike Kevin, Ricky did not take this little joke well. There was eye-rolling, huffing, but—shockingly—no crying. After America had a great laugh watching clips of him cry like Scarlett O’Hara on a bad hair day, Ricky told the judges that the show was a “very emotional experience” for him. Again, no duh.

Let me just say, Christian is by far my favorite contestant on the show. Even when he’s being catty and egotistical, it’s endearing. The look of genuine surprise and glee on his face when Heidi told him he won the “fan favorite” contest actually made me go, ‘aww.’ It does seem a little unfair, though, since he is totally gonna win the competition. Sorry, Jillian and Rami/Chris.

Other highlights from the show:

Carmen (remember her, the girl with chopsticks sticking out of her bun?) sassing Heidi when she reminds the world about her pathetic shirtless menswear design. WTF were you thinking, Carmen? You don’t sass Heidi Klum. Ever.

The clip of Michael Kors laughing uncontrollably—and like a little girl—all throughout the judging of the WWE Divas challenge.

Tim Gunn and Heidi Klum chatting about how “uptight” Victorya is—as she sits watching them from ten feet away.

The season finale is almost upon us, and we’ll find out who made it to Fashion Week, and who is out. I, for one, can’t wait.

Owf Weederzane.

-VPT

America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 10, Episode 1

The bitches are back, my friends. And by bitches, I mean Jay Manuel, Jay Alexander, and the most beautiful tranny of them all, Mizz Tyra Banks. Cycle 10 of America’s Next Top Model kicked off with thirty-five catwalk wannabes whittled down to the thirteen semifinalists that we’ll follow for the next dozen-or-so weeks. But not before Tyra managed to humiliate the thirty-five by enrolling them in “Top Model Prep” and having them dress up in ill-fitting private school uniforms. 

Episode 1 also brings us our first catfight, between Fatima, an Iman look-a-like from Somalia, and Shaya, Mohammed Ali’s niece. Yes, you read that right: skinny, cheek-boney Fatima got all up in the grill of a girl who likely has been taught to float like a butterfly, sting like a bee by the King of the Ring himself. The fight erupts when Fatima calls Shaya and some of the other girls “ghetto.” And I’m not talking ghetto fabulous, more like hood rat. Shaya, naturally, pounces but before she can rearrange Fatima’s face on national television, Fatima pulls the genital mutilation card and tells the gathered models about having had her labia sewn together when she was a child. Okay, she got me with that one. This girl has clearly been through enough without having to deal with Shaya, re-enacting a scene from Flavor of Love in her face. The models agree, and group-hug it out.

Finally, down to the thirteen semifinalists. We tearfully say goodbye to Shaya (side note: I’m a little shocked she didn’t make it and [this girl] did). Then, Tyra gives us our first Dramatic Shock of the season: this cycle, there will be fourteen semifinalists, not thirteen! Woot! Top Model history has been made to accommodate Dominique, the tough-as-nails tranny with a heart of gold. You better not turn out to be another Coryn, Dominique. Just saying.

So far, the girls seem to be a pretty fugly group. Early money is on Fatima to take the title.

-VPT

Hi, ladies! How are you all doing? I want to run a little something by you; it’s an observation about the one and only Jennifer Lopez. Now, I like the diva. Having interviewed her a few weeks back, I can say she’s as full-on glamorous as she appears in paparazzi pictures, album covers, videos, television appearances …you get my drift. When I saw her, I was pretty sure she had on a set of lush false eyelashes. She’s known for wearing them, so I don’t think I’m being gossipy here. However, this one recent shot of La Lopez gave me pause. Her lashes were so long and so curly, they looked cartoony. Don’t get me wrong; I love me some false eyelashes. I go on about my love of them in the March issue of Latina magazine (on sale now!). But when the results are more Betty Boop than believably beautiful, I have to wonder– too cool, or too much? Bueno, to each her ­own. Take care, chicas! ­ -Angelique

{democracy:15}

Hi All! You know those sweet days when you first stumble upon a brand new beauty obsession? I’m in that heady bliss period right now with gold lipgloss. When you find a sheer, sparkling shade of champagne, try it. It’s a fantastic compliment to practically every skin tone, so play around until you find your drop-dead match. You’ll see; it’ll brighten your complexion and shine your pout until it begs to be kissed. ­ –Angelique

Hello, chicas! I know y’all are very busy, but if you have time, I’d love to hear from you about this topic: Facials. I have not had one in, oh, about four years. And before then, never. So yesterday, I headed over to Bliss Spa for a treat: their famous Triple Oxygen Treatment. It was 85 of the most relaxing, exciting spa minutes of my life. I reclined with my head back as my face was covered with warm towels, then acid peels, oxygen masks and repeated hydrators. Afterward, they performed a much-needed extraction (that’s when a professional squeezes your pimples, pores, blackheads, whiteheads and other assorted face bumps to get the gunk out), and it was miraculous. The treatment ended with a dousing of pure oxygen, streamed out of a tube and blown onto every inch of my face. As for the effects: you know how people say women glow when they’re pregnant or after they’ve gone to the gym? Well I don’t know about you, but I haven’t glowed a day in my life—sweat maybe, but never glowed. That is, until yesterday. ­ —Angelique

Actress Paola Turbay, who plays Jimmy Smits’ gorgeous wife on the CBS show Cane, taught me a little something about eye makeup. Specifically about how to put on mascara so your eyes scream. After coating them with mascara, use a small metal eyelash comb to separate the lashes, then top with another coat of mascara. Chicas, the results will blow your mind. I mean, bam! Try the Tweezerman Ilash Comb and you’ll see. – Angelique

Lip balm is a personal thing. Some people like the lickable, flavored variety they sucked on in high school, others like the kinds that tingle and some won’t stray farther than the original Chapstick. Me? I’m always on the hunt for the perfect lip balm. I need them to be hydrating, above all, and I hate medicinal flavors and gooky consistencies. However, I have come this close to finding the best one. My current favorite is Vaseline Lip Therapy. It penetrates my lips, softens and smoothes them, without feeling heavy. The main ingredient? White petrolatum, i.e. Vaseline. Guess I’ve gone back to basics. – Angelique

Hello Ladies! Friday was the kick-off of New York Fashion Week, and I began with a seat at the Perry Ellis Menswear show. There, I was treated to a top-notch showing of men’s attire. Hooded shirts under blazers, quilted vests and jackets, knit caps and scarves abound. And the men wearing them…phew! Honies, I know I don’t need to go on about how cute those male models are! Their faces were chiseled and pouty, their skin radiant. They must moisturize day and night. And boy, did it show. – Angelique