Since the launch of her modeling career, she’s been dubbed ‘Model of the Decade’ (i-D Magazine), ‘50 Most Beautiful People’ (People’s Magazine) and ‘50 Most Influental Faces in Fashion’ (i-D and Frank Magazines).

But Alek is more than a pretty face. She speaks in New York area schools to draw attention to the famine in Southern Sudan and to educate kids on the importance of nourishment; she helped lauch the Bracelet of Life campaign with Medicins Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders; and she has worked closely with AIDS awareness benefits, breast cancer research and children’s charities.

I know a lot of people would disagree, but I think Alek is absolutely gorgeous, and I love her skin tone. I love her eclectic style and how she has risen to the top despite all that she’s been through (if you haven’t checked out her autobiography, ‘Alek: From Sudanese Refugee to International Supermodel’, you totally should). She also has this fabulous handbag and accessory line, Wek1933.

Anywho, here are some pics:

Photos from: sophisticatedafrican.wordpress.com, vogue.co.uk, madnews.wordpress.com

First, a little nail polish 101. You need to have a base coat, the nail color you’re going to use (of course) and a top coat. The purpose of a base coat is to give your nail color something to hold on to, it evens out your nail beds and helps prevent staining of your nails; a top coat is to seal the color is so it doesn’t chip as easily. Moving on…

1. Get all your things together- base coat, nail color, top coat, oils, etc.
2. Take off all your old polish.
3. Soak nails in 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and water for around 15 minutes. This will help remove yellowish stains from nails.
4. Push cuticles back and use cuticle remover.
5. Buff the top of your nails to remove ridges; this will also help get rid of stains on your nails.
6. Shape your nails if needed (she recommends a glass file).
7. Wash and dry hands.
8. Swipe your nails with alcohol as this will remove oil from them. You can use one cotton ball with a little oil on all of your nails.
9. Apply your base coat. There are many to choose from (cuteness uses Qtica Natural Nail Stimulator; I use Sally Hansen’s Hard as Nails).
10. Apply your color. The layers should be thin- putting them on too thick will cause the polish to chip or peel. Apply a second coat when the first is dry and so on. The number of coats you’ll need depends on the color and opacity. For instance, with my Essie color, I had to put on like 5 coats to make sure it was opaque. With my Insta-dries, I only had to use 2 coats.
11. Put on your top coat. You can use a “regular” top coat (I do) or a quick drying one like Seche Vite. There are many to choose from.
12. Clean your fingers. A lot of times you can clean them in the shower. You can also use a cotton swab or orange stick with polish remover on it to clean your fingers.

Extra tip: If you don’t want to change polishes every 2-3 days, apply a coat of clear polish every 2-3 days to help maintain your mani.

Happy Painting!

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Mocha Writer

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Jamie

mochawriter.com

Photos from: clandestinechic, cupcakestyleonline, secondcitystyle

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Jamie

mochawriter.com

And on top of that, she’s a fabulous actress and has played many different roles. She’s appeared in over 40 films including Rent, He Got Game, Jose and the Pussycats and Men in Black 2. Rosario also believes in giving back- she’s involved with the Lower East Side Girls Club and supports the ONE Campaign, Amnesty International, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays and more.

Awards she’s won one include an NAACP Image Award (2009), Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (2006) and Rising Star Award at the Black Film Festival (2004). She was nominated for several more.

Sources: rosario-dawson.net; photos from: ramascreen.com, exposay.com

 One thing I love about Jaslene is her perserverance. She had initially been a contestant on ANTM cycle 7 and was eliminated, but that didn’t stop her from coming back and ultimately claiming the title.

She also teamed with Liz Clairborne’s Love is Not Abuse campaign to speak against domestic violence, which she’s survived.

And I think she’s absolutely gorgeous!

Photos from: fashionfeen.wordpress.com, pastrykicks.com, fashionmanifesto.com

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Jamie

mochawriter.com

I like Sanaa because she has a classic look and always looks well put together. She’s also a fabulous actress, and she said something in an Essence issue back in 2006 (I know, tha t’s old!) that I really like:

“I won’t do something I’m not passionate about. It’s hard for me to work just for money, which I’ve paid for in the past. The work is more important; the money will come.”

And her music is just…I love it. Everytime I listen to her, I feel (not to sound cliche or anything) peaceful, calm, even motivated. I feel like everything will be fine, and I don’t have a care in the world.

White swimsuits are a do. It especially makes darker skin pop!

Sunburn- don’t. Slap on some sunscreen. That includes you, too, chocolate divas.

Mixing and matching your tops and bottoms, i.e., striped top and solid bottom, is a do.

Wearing a thong bikini? Eh, not so much. It’s a don’t- too much skin.

To little top and wedgie-inducing bottoms. Obviously (I hope it’s obvious) a don’t.

It’s always a do to wear a swimsuit appropriate for your body type.

Don’t wear heels to the beach or pool. Need I say more?

Check out more here.

Photo from www.bbsize.com