ALOS @ the Movies: Obsessed

Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm not the biggest Beyonce Knowles fan. I like some of her music but the worldwide love affair with her, I really don't get. As a vocalist, I think she's an okay singer. She's definitely not a great singer. I save the description of a great singer for the likes of Whitney Houston, Jazmine Sullivan, Jill Scott, and Chrisette Michele. You guys get the point.

Well I went to see Obsessed mainly because I'll go see anything Idris Elba is in. That man is beyond sexy. I would sit through two hours of him reading the dictionary out loud. Obsessed opened in theaters last Friday. When I checked online for reviews of Obsessed, I found there were none. Movie critics were not given the opportunity to preview the movie which I believe contributed to the number one rating. I wonder who decided to not allow the critics a sneak preview? Very. Shady. I don't always agree with the critic's review but I do like reading them just to get their thoughts.

So $17.00 was shelled out for Obsessed this afternoon. This movie was beyond boring. The plot was not developed enough, there was no background story on Ali Larter's character. Why did she become so obsessed with her boss? Idris Elba's character did nothing in my opinion to lead her on for her to become so hell bent on having him.

The movie was so utterly predictable. I can't even understand who thought this story was even necessary. Between Fatal Attraction and various Lifetime movies we've seen it a thousand times over.

I spent much of the movie texting my friends and getting extremely annoyed with each scene. Beyonce's acting wasn't that bad but the tired cliches and the people in the theater calling out what they thought was going to happen next (they were right by the way) made this a waste of my afternoon. The much talked about fight scene between Beyonce and Ali was also boring.

I really wish we had skipped this movie as my friend was quite annoyed and I had to buy him a $3.75 box of Buncha Crunch to keep his mouth shut.

Obsessed was a major thumbs down.

A Life of Style: Elie Saab Spring 2009 Couture

The crystal beading and tiered ruffles here are so haute!!! I adore this dress.

Simply gorgeous...

Ethereal Elegance...

I love the softness of these three Elie Saab designs - the muted pastel gray-blue, the design details, and the flow of each creation.

A Life of Style: Luxe Club One

Luxe Club One is a members-only fashion club featuring discount offers on apparel, accessories, footwear, beauty and jewelry products direct from luxury, premium and contemporary brands. It informs members of these recession-proof offers through easy-to-scan, daily emails. Additionally, Luxe Club One negotiates special offers and free shipping for a number of brands!

A Life of Style readers are getting a Complimentary One-Year VIP Membership at no cost or obligation. Without this special invitation, fashionistas wishing to become VIP Members would have to pay $399.

This introductory offer expires on May 15, 2009. So sign up now!!!

**Click here to sign up**

A Life of Style: The Best & Worst of Wet 'n Wild

I have such fond memories of Wet 'n Wild products. As a pre-teen makeup junkie all my hard earned allowance was spent at my neighborhood Phar-Mor and Cavett drugstores (am I dating myself??? LOL).

I bought Wet 'n Wild lipstick, eye shadow, eye liner, and nail polish. I was too cute and on a major budget. At thirteen years old earning a measly$10 a week for household chores what else could I afford? After I bought my teen mags, Right On! Black Beat, Tiger Beat, and Bop, Wet 'n Wild was my affordable makeup option. That was such a simpler and carefree time in my life.

Read on for the best and worst Wet 'n Wild products according to Total Beauty readers and reviewers.

The Best and Worst Wet n Wild Products

Check out which nail polishes, eye shadows, lipglosses and more our readers love, and, well, love to hate

Buying Wet n Wild is an inexpensive way for us get our beauty fix without hurting our wallets. Heck, half the stuff they sell you could buy with change found in your couch cushions. Check out this guide to what's hot and what's not, and then search those couch cushions or bust open that piggy bank. See products

The Worst: No. 3: Wet n Wild MegaColors Lipstick, $1.99

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 6.4*

It's "just overall really mediocre" they say and feels "icky on ..."

No. 2: Wet n Wild Wild Shine Nail Color, $.99

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 6*

"The finish is just awful-- no smoothness whatsoever, very chunky, streaky and coarse ..."

The Best: No. 9: Wet n Wild Silk Finish Blush Compact, $3.49

TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.6*

"The pigmentation is dense-- so a little goes a long way" and "it literally stayed on all day ..."

Want to see the rest of the list? Click here!

A Life of Style: Close, Gap's New Fragrance

Yesterday I went to scour the sales racks and take advantage of the additional 25% off at Gap.

There were samples of Close, the new signature fragrance for women throughout the store and the cashier tossed several in my bag. I had really high hopes for Close and couldn't wait to test it.

Close has the following notes:
Top: sparkling watery nuances, salty citrus cocktail accord, and fresh almond blossom.
Middle: spring freesia, jasmine petals, daphne, and heliotrope.
Dry: creamy sandalwood, musk, vanilla nuances, and a touch of amber.

And it is described as a citrus-floral aroma, that balances watery notes against a hint of musk. The result, a perfectly blended scent that's light and wearable.

So, I spritzed Close on today. I sniffed. It was an extremely light scent. If the essence of ethereal could be bottled then Close would be the perfect fit. It's such a delicate fragrance.

The dry down was barely noticeable. I asked my friend what he thought of Close. I extended my wrist. He told me he didn't smell anything. He smelled my neck also and asked if I was sure I put anything on. I sniffed my wrist and could barely smell anything. I'm all for a clean and fresh scent but when the promised dry down is sandalwood, musk, vanilla, and a bit of amber, I expect a little more as those are all significant scents that can be easily detected.

I prefer a scent that has a little kick to it. Close was just okay for me. I don't love it, I don't hate it, but it's just not me.


For more information:
Close

A Life of Style: Schick Quattro Trim Style

I bought the Schick Quattro Trim Style after seeing an ad in one of my magazines. The battery operated bikini trimmer is the real gem of this razor. It gives a pretty close and neat trim. best of all the trimmer is very gentle. I was very pleased with the results. After using the trimmer, I followed up with Tend Skin and was all good.

The package comes complete with one AAA Energizer battery. The only issue I have is that the razor is not battery powered. I love my Venus Vibrance razor. If I could merge the Vibrance with Trim Style, I would be happy as lark.

So ladies, now that Trim Style is in stores there is no excuse for being unkept down there.

For more information:
Schick Quattro Trim Style

Click here for a $2 off coupon

A Life of Style: Caress Your Style

Great style begins with beautiful glowing skin. Caress is showing women how to make skin their ultimate fashion statement with the Caress Skinwear Collection of body washes and beauty bars: Daily Silk, Glowing Touch and the NEW Evenly Gorgeous.

Caress cleansers give you gorgeous skin - right out of the shower. You'll want to show off your beautiful skin just like the season's hottest styles. Fashion expert, Carson Kressley, from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and How To Look Good Naked has teamed up with Caress to show women the season's hottest styles and how to flaunt them with skin as the centerpiece of their look.

Check out the the newly launched site Caress Your Style and enter the contest to win an amazing trip to NYC Fashion Week!