As a woman of color, it is absolutely essential to use body lotion. My favorite body lotion to use is Jergens Ultimate Healing formula as this is the ONLY lotion I can apply at night and not have to feel like I have to reapply the next morning. I take my showers at night and cannot stand getting dressed in the steamy bathroom so I usually grab a towel, dry off, and then head to my room to get dressed and lotion up. A few weeks back I went on vacation and had to get dressed in the hotel bathroom and this is when I came across this useful tip to make the most of my body lotion.
After taking your shower, while the bathroom is still steamy, take a towel and dry off. Your skin should still be slightly moist. Then go ahead and apply your body lotion while still in the bathroom. The moisture in the air and the slight dampness on your skin will allow your lotion to penetrate and moisturize your skin. Now when you are done, grab your towel and head to the room and get dressed. I find that letting things air dry really helps, instead of wiping off the excess.
I notice I don't have to use as much lotion when I do this and my skin feels much softer. Good luck!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Hand Sanitizer Lotion??!!
I spotted this new product: Gold Bond Ultimate Hand Sanitizer Moisturizer a couple of months ago in Walmart. They had a bottle available as a tester so I went ahead and tried it out! I fell in love. I recently bought the mini travel tube for about $3.97 at Walmart and cannot stop using it!
Pros:
**FTC Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money and am not affiliated with the companies mentioned. I am not receiving compensation for this review/product and these are my sole opinions.**
- Smells really nice. It smells like a nice, clean, hand moisturizer with a bit of sanitizer smell. Not too powerful but not too light.
- I like the size of the small tube. It's small enough to have a decent amount of product but not too big to be bulky for the purse.
- Leaves my hands feeling really silky and moisturized but not at all greasy. Leaves my hands feeling this way for several hours.
- Leaves my hands feeling clean. You can tell that there is sanitizer mixed in but it does not smell like alcohol or burn.
- You can apply this several times a day and not feel too greasy or dried out from the sanitizer. Definitely notice that my hands are much softer.
- Keeps my cuticles moisturized because I am more apt to use it during the day because I know I am killing 99.9% of germs (so it claims).
- Pricey. I am not happy about paying almost $4 for a mini tube of lotion.
**FTC Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money and am not affiliated with the companies mentioned. I am not receiving compensation for this review/product and these are my sole opinions.**
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Review: Bio Ionic OnePass 1.5" Nano-Ceramic Straightening Iron
Hello!
So for Christmas my honey bought me a new flat iron that I had my eye on. I first saw the Bio Ionic OnePass on itsjudytime's YouTube and instantly had to have it!
I have extremely curly hair and had not found the perfect flat iron for my head. I dread having to blow dry and straighten my hair because it would take forever! Not anymore! I went from this:
to this:
Yes. I am wearing different clothing and have makeup on in the second set of pics because I got ready for the day...duh! Also, the first pics were taken with the flash on and see how dull my hair looks? The second set of pics were taken with no flash and it appears shinier! The only additional product in my hair in the second set of pics is my heat protectant spray.
Blow drying still takes forever because I haven't found a good quality one that I am willing to spend money on, but the Bio Ionic OnePass is definitely a must! I must note that when taking these pics, I needed a haircut and trim BADLY because my ends were a mess. See how the OnePass smooths out the rough ends? Don't worry, I have had a haircut since this!
Pros:
**FTC Disclaimer: This product was purchased for me as a gift from my hubby. I am not affiliated with any of the companies/products mentioned in any way. These are my honest opinions and I am not being compensated in any way.**
So for Christmas my honey bought me a new flat iron that I had my eye on. I first saw the Bio Ionic OnePass on itsjudytime's YouTube and instantly had to have it!
I have extremely curly hair and had not found the perfect flat iron for my head. I dread having to blow dry and straighten my hair because it would take forever! Not anymore! I went from this:
to this:
Yes. I am wearing different clothing and have makeup on in the second set of pics because I got ready for the day...duh! Also, the first pics were taken with the flash on and see how dull my hair looks? The second set of pics were taken with no flash and it appears shinier! The only additional product in my hair in the second set of pics is my heat protectant spray.
Blow drying still takes forever because I haven't found a good quality one that I am willing to spend money on, but the Bio Ionic OnePass is definitely a must! I must note that when taking these pics, I needed a haircut and trim BADLY because my ends were a mess. See how the OnePass smooths out the rough ends? Don't worry, I have had a haircut since this!
Pros:
- It literally straightened my hair with "one pass" of the iron. No more have to go over each section of hair 4 or 5 times to get rid of the frizz.
- It conditions as it straightens. This iron gives my hair a shine that I have never experienced from a flat iron.
- Smooths out the hair completely My ends didn't look as damaged after using this iron.
- The edges are rounded so you can make curls too. I am still perfecting this technique, but it is possible!
- Heats up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit which is great for hard to straighten hair.
- I should have gotten the 1". I like the 1.5" but think I would do better with the curls with a smaller iron. It's not extremely bulky, but a thinner barrel is easier to work with in my opinion.
- Only comes in white. It's not that big of deal, but you need to be sure to wipe it down after each use or product buildup becomes noticeable much easier.
- I don't like that the light blinks the entire time it is on. I would much rather it blink up until it reaches the desired/set temperature and then stop blinking once it is the right heat.
- It is a bit pricey if you are on a budget (I got it for about $105 including shipping) from amazon.com.
**FTC Disclaimer: This product was purchased for me as a gift from my hubby. I am not affiliated with any of the companies/products mentioned in any way. These are my honest opinions and I am not being compensated in any way.**
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Hair Tip: Hair Not Holding a Curl??
You all know my hair is naturally curly and on a regular basis this is how it looks:
When it is colder out I take advantage of the dryer weather and wear my hair straightened! However, when I try to put curls in my hair (via flat iron or curling iron), they just do not STAY (go figure!?)! Normally when you first curl your hair you should be able to run your fingers through it or lightly brush it to make the curls bigger, bouncier, and full of volume. NOPE! When I run my fingers through it..the curl comes right out! If it does happen to stay..it falls flat within half an hour.
Sooooo what to what, what to do? The key to holding a curl is: HAIRSPRAY! Also, be sure you are allowing ample time for your hot tool to heat up. Turn it on and then go do your makeup or take a shower. On average, I turn mine on about 15 minutes prior to using. Depending on your hair type, you may need a higher heat setting (400 to 500 degrees even!). Coarser and thicker hair need more heat, so allow your tool enough time to reach its maximum heat for your hair type.
Follow the steps below to make your hair hold a curl.
Items needed:
Hairspray: Two kinds
-Flexible hairspray - This is that kind of hairspray that puts a light hold to your hair, but won't crust or flake when you run a brush through it. I used TRESemme Frizz Shield Finishing Spray and bought it at Walmart.
- Stiff hairspray - This is that shell-ac type of hairspray that you would use for teasing or a super duper hold. I used Beyond the Zone Frozen Stiff and bought it at Sally's Beauty Supply
Hair clip/Hair tie
Heat Protection spray: I used Beyond the Zone Turn up the Heat protection spray bought at Sally's.
Flat iron or Curling Iron to make those curls!
Step ONE: Prep your hair with whatever leave in treatment or heat protectant you use
Step TWO: Section your hair using your clip or hair tie. I do a bottom layer and a top layer
Step Three: Lightly spray the section with your flexible hairspray. I do not recommend spraying each individual section prior to curling unless you want a stiffer look. Just spray the whole layer. Run your fingers through.
Step Four: Curl your hair. They say that curls with a flat iron last longer but it takes some practice to do this technique. Alternate directions of the curl to give it a more natural look.
Step Five: Repeat the process with your next section . The initial hairspray should have made the curls be more defined. If not, add more hairspray to the layer.
Step Six: Once the curling is done, lightly comb your fingers through the curls. Tease or shake it out to create volume.
Step Seven: Spray your whole head with your stiff hairspray. I really like the BTZ Frozen Stiff because it gives a great hold but doesn't make my hair feel crispy. It still looks natural and moves.
Step Eight: Put on a smile and rock those curls!
This was my end result:
Anywho...this process works! I went a whole day at work, plus a trip to the mall, and when I got home my curls were still intact. In fact, today was the first time I tried this and on my way to the job I stopped to get gas and this man with beautifully long dreadlocks got out of his car to hand me a flyer to his beauty salon. He said I had BEAUTIFUL hair and would love to provide me with any hair services I may need. That was a plussss!
Good luck ladies..
*FTC Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any companies mentioned and am not being paid to use the products. These are my sole suggestions, opinions, and thoughts.
When it is colder out I take advantage of the dryer weather and wear my hair straightened! However, when I try to put curls in my hair (via flat iron or curling iron), they just do not STAY (go figure!?)! Normally when you first curl your hair you should be able to run your fingers through it or lightly brush it to make the curls bigger, bouncier, and full of volume. NOPE! When I run my fingers through it..the curl comes right out! If it does happen to stay..it falls flat within half an hour.
Sooooo what to what, what to do? The key to holding a curl is: HAIRSPRAY! Also, be sure you are allowing ample time for your hot tool to heat up. Turn it on and then go do your makeup or take a shower. On average, I turn mine on about 15 minutes prior to using. Depending on your hair type, you may need a higher heat setting (400 to 500 degrees even!). Coarser and thicker hair need more heat, so allow your tool enough time to reach its maximum heat for your hair type.
Follow the steps below to make your hair hold a curl.
Items needed:
Hairspray: Two kinds
-Flexible hairspray - This is that kind of hairspray that puts a light hold to your hair, but won't crust or flake when you run a brush through it. I used TRESemme Frizz Shield Finishing Spray and bought it at Walmart.
- Stiff hairspray - This is that shell-ac type of hairspray that you would use for teasing or a super duper hold. I used Beyond the Zone Frozen Stiff and bought it at Sally's Beauty Supply
Hair clip/Hair tie
Heat Protection spray: I used Beyond the Zone Turn up the Heat protection spray bought at Sally's.
Flat iron or Curling Iron to make those curls!
Step ONE: Prep your hair with whatever leave in treatment or heat protectant you use
Step TWO: Section your hair using your clip or hair tie. I do a bottom layer and a top layer
Step Three: Lightly spray the section with your flexible hairspray. I do not recommend spraying each individual section prior to curling unless you want a stiffer look. Just spray the whole layer. Run your fingers through.
Step Four: Curl your hair. They say that curls with a flat iron last longer but it takes some practice to do this technique. Alternate directions of the curl to give it a more natural look.
Step Five: Repeat the process with your next section . The initial hairspray should have made the curls be more defined. If not, add more hairspray to the layer.
Step Six: Once the curling is done, lightly comb your fingers through the curls. Tease or shake it out to create volume.
Step Seven: Spray your whole head with your stiff hairspray. I really like the BTZ Frozen Stiff because it gives a great hold but doesn't make my hair feel crispy. It still looks natural and moves.
Step Eight: Put on a smile and rock those curls!
This was my end result:
Anywho...this process works! I went a whole day at work, plus a trip to the mall, and when I got home my curls were still intact. In fact, today was the first time I tried this and on my way to the job I stopped to get gas and this man with beautifully long dreadlocks got out of his car to hand me a flyer to his beauty salon. He said I had BEAUTIFUL hair and would love to provide me with any hair services I may need. That was a plussss!
Good luck ladies..
*FTC Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any companies mentioned and am not being paid to use the products. These are my sole suggestions, opinions, and thoughts.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Keeping the Teeth Squeaky Clean..
Hey all,
Yes I am alive! I wanted to stop by and tell you about my NEW best friend!...
Ta Da!
Yes I am alive! I wanted to stop by and tell you about my NEW best friend!...
Ta Da!
This is the Oral-B Vitality Dual Clean battery operated toothbrush and it is AWESOME! FYI, I am not affiliated in any way with this company and purchased this product on my own. These are solely my personal thoughts on this product (take that FTC!)
Pros:
It was relatively cheap! I retailed for about $12.67 at Walmart. The replacement heads are also cheaper than most electric toothbrushes. This is significantly cheaper than your $100 electric toothbrushes on the market. I think the directions state to replace the heads when the blue on the bristles are faded half way (approx 3 months).
It has a two minute timer automatically built into it. Two minutes is the recommended time to brush your teeth and you would be surprised at how many people brush for much less than that. Prior to this toothbrush, I timed myself and was averaging about 1 minute 15 seconds to 1 minute 30 seconds. It alerts you that your two minutes is up by pulsing three times.
The dual head is fabulous! They have other ones that are just the small round (precision) head. The precision part goes in circles while the squarer part goes up and down. My teeth are relatively straight on top, but my bottom row does have a bit of crowding which makes it hard to get to some places with a regular toothbrush. With this bad boy, I feel the bristles getting in all the crevices with no problem!
My teeth are definitely whiter since using this. Some of you know from my Youtube videos that I do the Crest Whitestrips about every 6 months. I did my last kit about three months ago and this toothbrush is definitely prolonging those results.
I ALWAYS feel like my teeth are squeaky clean after I am done. My mouth feels refreshed and I have noticed less bleeding of my gums (but I didn't have a lot to begin with). I should tell you that before I started using this my teeth had started to bother me a bit as I have missed my regularly cleaning for the past year (before I was going every 6 months like clockwork but things changed due to insurance and crap).
Cons:
Battery operated. Ideally, I would have liked a rechargeable to save some money on having to buy batteries, but it isn't that bad!
This thing can be a bit noisy and loud. If you live alone or don't mind the noise, then you are fine. If you have a toddler that sleeps lightly or a spouse you don't want to wake up..then it is a bit distracting!
I wish it came more than two colors: red and teal. It would have been nice to get a purple one, lol!
Pros:
It was relatively cheap! I retailed for about $12.67 at Walmart. The replacement heads are also cheaper than most electric toothbrushes. This is significantly cheaper than your $100 electric toothbrushes on the market. I think the directions state to replace the heads when the blue on the bristles are faded half way (approx 3 months).
It has a two minute timer automatically built into it. Two minutes is the recommended time to brush your teeth and you would be surprised at how many people brush for much less than that. Prior to this toothbrush, I timed myself and was averaging about 1 minute 15 seconds to 1 minute 30 seconds. It alerts you that your two minutes is up by pulsing three times.
The dual head is fabulous! They have other ones that are just the small round (precision) head. The precision part goes in circles while the squarer part goes up and down. My teeth are relatively straight on top, but my bottom row does have a bit of crowding which makes it hard to get to some places with a regular toothbrush. With this bad boy, I feel the bristles getting in all the crevices with no problem!
My teeth are definitely whiter since using this. Some of you know from my Youtube videos that I do the Crest Whitestrips about every 6 months. I did my last kit about three months ago and this toothbrush is definitely prolonging those results.
I ALWAYS feel like my teeth are squeaky clean after I am done. My mouth feels refreshed and I have noticed less bleeding of my gums (but I didn't have a lot to begin with). I should tell you that before I started using this my teeth had started to bother me a bit as I have missed my regularly cleaning for the past year (before I was going every 6 months like clockwork but things changed due to insurance and crap).
Cons:
Battery operated. Ideally, I would have liked a rechargeable to save some money on having to buy batteries, but it isn't that bad!
This thing can be a bit noisy and loud. If you live alone or don't mind the noise, then you are fine. If you have a toddler that sleeps lightly or a spouse you don't want to wake up..then it is a bit distracting!
I wish it came more than two colors: red and teal. It would have been nice to get a purple one, lol!
Overall, this is a great and I recommend it to everyone! Good luck!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Lush Review: Fresh Farmacy and Coalface
Another review to my Lush edition...
I just want to start off by saying that I love both of these facial cleansers and think they are a fabulous edition to my skincare routine. I use Fresh Farmacy on a daily basis for the most part and alternate with Coalface maybe once a week. Both of these products are Vegan. Coalface is one of Lush's best selling products. Now off to the review:
Description (per the Lush website):
Fresh Farmacy: Cleans and calms blotchy skin
Fresh Farmacy looks like soap and you use it in the same way, getting it wet and smoothing the light lather over your face, but it's a good deal more special. Wash your face (and even your whole body if you're prone to soreness) with our calming calamine, chamomile and rose facial bar. And if you're prone to breakouts, lavender and tea tree will banish pimple-forming bacteria. The result: happier skin and a fortune saved by not having to shell out on concealer
Coalface Cleanser: Removes impurities and tones combination skin
Who would have thought charcoal and liquorice could get along? One is tough and gritty, the other sweet and syrupy. But charcoal and liquorice could just be the odd couple of skin care, teaming up to fight oily, troubled skin in our Coalface cleanser. Powdered charcoal removes impurities and mildly exfoliates while liquorice heals naturally. Sandalwood oil tones the skin (and mediates should charcoal and liquorice disagree about anything).
Ingredients (per the Lush website):
Fresh Farmacy:
Calamine Powder, Chamomile Decoction (Anthemis nobilis), Elderflower Decoction (Sambucus nigra), Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerine, Lavender Oil (Lavandula hybrida), Chamomile Oil (Anthemis nobilis), Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia), Sodium Chloride, EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, *Limonene, nalool, Perfume, Marigold Flowers (Calendula officinalis). *Naturally occurs in essential oils
Coalface Cleanser:
Liquorice Root Decoction (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Stearate, Rosewood Oil (Aniba rosaeordora), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Powdered Charcoal, Sandalwood Oil (Santalum album), Glycerine, Sodium Chloride, EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, *Linalool, Perfume, Silver Edible Lustre (Potassium aluminum silicate, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides and hydroxides).
Cost:
Both items can be purchased to the cost of your liking. You can request the piece by size or simply just ask for a $1, $5, or whatever and they will cut the piece and weight it. I got a $4 piece of Coalface and it has lasted a while (months)..but I do not use it daily. Fresh Farmacy can go pretty quickly so I buy a $9 piece at a time and it can last about 6-8 weeks. If you buy the pre-made cut at 3.5 oz, Coalface is $10.95 and Fresh Farmacy is $8.95.
Application:
Fresh Farmacy:
This is one of the softest soaps Lush has. It can be incredibly crumbly and can melt fairly quickly so I advise to cut it into little squares and keep it in a dry area. I usually wet my face, wet my hands, and rub the little bar in my hands until it creates a good lather. This soap should be able to create a good amount of lather for you..if not, wet it a bit more. Then I just rub on my face in circular motions for about 30-60 seconds. Then rinse off! Some people complain of a 'film' that is left on their face..but I have never felt this film before. Also, you can definitely feel the calamine powder as you rub it on your face. It's like this soft, velvety feeling mixed in with soap..but when I rinse it comes right off. Some people complain of a 'medicinal' smell, but it just smells like soap to me.
Coalface Cleanser:
Let me start by saying that the first few times I used this, I hated this! First, it has a strong smell of charcoal which really bothered me. In fact, it bothered me so much that I quit using it. Well, I decided to break it back out and I am glad I did. Now, I don't even smell the charcoal as strong and I think it is because I use more water with the product. I apply it the same was a Fresh Farmacy and it creates a great lather as well. This soap will have little gritty bits of charcoal which provide great exfoliation properties. Again, cut it into little squares. This product doesn't melt extremely easily, but it is best to keep it in a dry area, as with most Lush soaps.
Results:
Fresh Farmacy:
This is a fantastic facial cleanser for sensitive skin. I love how soft it makes my skin feel, yet I feel clean and refreshed. I have noticed an improvement in my complexion and the overall clarity of my skin. I think the calamine powder has significantly 'calmed' my skin. The description the Lush website provides definitely describes this soap perfectly.
Coalface Cleanser:
I do not recommend this cleanser for people who have extremely sensitive skin. I don't have sensitive skin, but I do have acne prone combination skin. This soap can be extremely drying!!! I started out by using it twice a day and quickly realized that this should only be used once a day. I love the exfoliating bits and always feel super clean after I use this soap. You definitely have to follow up with a good moisturizer. I don't think I could use this on a daily basis but my skin seems to do fine with it one to two times a week.
Good luck and I hope I helped!
I just want to start off by saying that I love both of these facial cleansers and think they are a fabulous edition to my skincare routine. I use Fresh Farmacy on a daily basis for the most part and alternate with Coalface maybe once a week. Both of these products are Vegan. Coalface is one of Lush's best selling products. Now off to the review:
Description (per the Lush website):
Fresh Farmacy: Cleans and calms blotchy skin
Fresh Farmacy looks like soap and you use it in the same way, getting it wet and smoothing the light lather over your face, but it's a good deal more special. Wash your face (and even your whole body if you're prone to soreness) with our calming calamine, chamomile and rose facial bar. And if you're prone to breakouts, lavender and tea tree will banish pimple-forming bacteria. The result: happier skin and a fortune saved by not having to shell out on concealerCoalface Cleanser: Removes impurities and tones combination skin
Who would have thought charcoal and liquorice could get along? One is tough and gritty, the other sweet and syrupy. But charcoal and liquorice could just be the odd couple of skin care, teaming up to fight oily, troubled skin in our Coalface cleanser. Powdered charcoal removes impurities and mildly exfoliates while liquorice heals naturally. Sandalwood oil tones the skin (and mediates should charcoal and liquorice disagree about anything). 
Fresh Farmacy:
Calamine Powder, Chamomile Decoction (Anthemis nobilis), Elderflower Decoction (Sambucus nigra), Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Stearate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Glycerine, Lavender Oil (Lavandula hybrida), Chamomile Oil (Anthemis nobilis), Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia), Rose Absolute (Rosa centifolia), Sodium Chloride, EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, *Limonene, nalool, Perfume, Marigold Flowers (Calendula officinalis). *Naturally occurs in essential oils
Liquorice Root Decoction (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Propylene Glycol, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Stearate, Rosewood Oil (Aniba rosaeordora), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Powdered Charcoal, Sandalwood Oil (Santalum album), Glycerine, Sodium Chloride, EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidronate, *Linalool, Perfume, Silver Edible Lustre (Potassium aluminum silicate, Titanium dioxide, Iron oxides and hydroxides).
Cost:
Both items can be purchased to the cost of your liking. You can request the piece by size or simply just ask for a $1, $5, or whatever and they will cut the piece and weight it. I got a $4 piece of Coalface and it has lasted a while (months)..but I do not use it daily. Fresh Farmacy can go pretty quickly so I buy a $9 piece at a time and it can last about 6-8 weeks. If you buy the pre-made cut at 3.5 oz, Coalface is $10.95 and Fresh Farmacy is $8.95.
Application:
Fresh Farmacy:
This is one of the softest soaps Lush has. It can be incredibly crumbly and can melt fairly quickly so I advise to cut it into little squares and keep it in a dry area. I usually wet my face, wet my hands, and rub the little bar in my hands until it creates a good lather. This soap should be able to create a good amount of lather for you..if not, wet it a bit more. Then I just rub on my face in circular motions for about 30-60 seconds. Then rinse off! Some people complain of a 'film' that is left on their face..but I have never felt this film before. Also, you can definitely feel the calamine powder as you rub it on your face. It's like this soft, velvety feeling mixed in with soap..but when I rinse it comes right off. Some people complain of a 'medicinal' smell, but it just smells like soap to me.
Coalface Cleanser:
Let me start by saying that the first few times I used this, I hated this! First, it has a strong smell of charcoal which really bothered me. In fact, it bothered me so much that I quit using it. Well, I decided to break it back out and I am glad I did. Now, I don't even smell the charcoal as strong and I think it is because I use more water with the product. I apply it the same was a Fresh Farmacy and it creates a great lather as well. This soap will have little gritty bits of charcoal which provide great exfoliation properties. Again, cut it into little squares. This product doesn't melt extremely easily, but it is best to keep it in a dry area, as with most Lush soaps.
Results:
Fresh Farmacy:
This is a fantastic facial cleanser for sensitive skin. I love how soft it makes my skin feel, yet I feel clean and refreshed. I have noticed an improvement in my complexion and the overall clarity of my skin. I think the calamine powder has significantly 'calmed' my skin. The description the Lush website provides definitely describes this soap perfectly.
Coalface Cleanser:
I do not recommend this cleanser for people who have extremely sensitive skin. I don't have sensitive skin, but I do have acne prone combination skin. This soap can be extremely drying!!! I started out by using it twice a day and quickly realized that this should only be used once a day. I love the exfoliating bits and always feel super clean after I use this soap. You definitely have to follow up with a good moisturizer. I don't think I could use this on a daily basis but my skin seems to do fine with it one to two times a week.
Good luck and I hope I helped!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
LOTD: Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween people!
Obviously this orange and black look was inspired by today!
Face:
MAC Fix+ (as moisturizer)
Boscia Skin Perfecting face primer
Milk of Magnesia (as primer in t-zone)
Revlon ColorStay Liquid Foundation in Caramel
MAC Studiostick concealer in NC45
MAC MSF Natural in Dark
Eyes:
UDPP
NYX Jumbo Pencils in Black Bean and Orange
NYX Sunset eyeshadow (lid and lower lash)
120 Palette metallic golden orange (on top of NYX Sunset..beautiful combo! and above black tie)
CoverGirl Queen Collection Black Tie eyeshadow (in crease)
Jordana Fabuliner in Black (upper eyelid and waterline)
L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in Black
Cheeks:
NYX Mosaic powder in Love (orange)
Lips:
Revlon MoonDrops Lipstick in Orange
Love My Lips Wetshine Lipgloss in orange
Lush Baby Face Cleanser (Makeup Remover)
Hello!!!!
So a while back I had purchased a ton of Lush Handmade Cosmetics products and told you guys I would put my thoughts up after I had tried them for a while. Well, true to my word I was drafting a HUGE post of my thoughts on all the products. I had it broken down by face, body, etc....by skin type..everything. It was perfect! THHEEENNNN as I am typing..somehow I ended up erasing it all. No prob...I can just go back to my previous draft..WRONG! At that exact moment Blogger decided to Autosave the blank screen. I was pissed and did not feel like re-writing everything so I just left it alone...for a good two or three months lol. Sorry! Well now I am back and I will be posting about a few products at a time..lol.
I have a new skin regimen that seems to be working great with my skin. I am using Lush's Babyface Cleanser solely as a makeup remover. It looks like a little baby's face..too cute! This is primarily for people who have very dry skin. Honestly, I do not know how someone can actually use this is a cleanser because of the texture. I decided to give it a try because I heard that it can also be used as a makeup remover. I like to remove my makeup as soon as I get home..but I shower later in the evening after I hit the gym..so I like my makeup remover to do it's job and give my combination skin a bit a moisture so that it's not dry until I hop into the shower. This product works great!
Description (per the Lush website):
Vegan (While all LUSH products are vegetarian, this product is vegan. That means it contains no eggs, dairy, honey, or other animal product, byproduct, or secretion.)
May Melt
Baby Face gently cleanses skin to leave it soft as a baby's bottom. Perfect for dry, sensitive skin or wind-whipped faces, it effectively removes makeup and dirt while its cocoa, shea and avocado butters smooth and soften. After applying Baby Face, simply wipe it off with a slightly damp cotton pad or face cloth. Preservative-free and unpackaged, this cleanser is easy on the environment too and the bar format makes it a cinch to travel with!
Ingredients (per the Lush website):
Fair Trade Cocoa Butter (Theobroma cacao), Shea Butter (Butyrospermum parkii), Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Fresh Avocado Butter (Persea gratissima), Tangerine Oil (Citrus Tangerina), Narcissus Absolute (Narcissus jonquilla), Everlasting Flower Absolute (Gnaphalium uliginosum), *Limonene, *Linalool, Perfume.
*Naturally occurs in essential oils
*Naturally occurs in essential oils
Cost:
Due to the size, you are not able to get a sample of this product so I took a risk and just bought it. It was about $9 and I can see this bar lasting for MONTHS! I am definitly saving money versus purchasing makeup wipes once a month (there are normally 25-30 wipes in a pack).
Application:
The first time I used it, I thought..ewwww this is greaseball city..how the hell do you use this? First thing, I rinse my face with water. I have found that it is best to run Babyface under hotter water than normal...this will loosen the oils and make it a bit more slick. Then, I concentrate only on putting it on the tips of my fingers (not all over my hands) and concentrate mainly on the eye area (where I have the most makeup usually). CAUTION: You do not need a whole lot of this product. A little goes a LOOONNNGGG way. Then I spread it outward to get off my foundation, blush, etc. Then I rinse, rinse, and rinse. I have been using this for about 3 or 4 weeks and haven't even made a dent in my bar. Just keep it in a tin and away from heat, because it will melt easily if not properly stored.
Results:
I don't have to apply lotion afterward and my face DOES not feel greasy. It feels moisturized and clean with no film on my face. I think this also has to do with the fact that I rinse my face thoroughly afterward. I can see people having their face greasy if they do not rinse properly. My makeup is completely removed (eyeliner, shadow, mascara, everything!) and the skin feels soft. I can see a drastic decrease in oily production on my face throughout the day since using this. I think it is because my skin absorbs oils with this product, thus my face doesn't have to produce as much. Also, I was worried about it clogging my pores since I normally remove my makeup with it and then hit the gym, but so far so good. No breakouts and my skin looks much more hydrated.
Overall, this product is very much cost effective and just makes sense. Previously, I was using EVOO to get rid of my eye makeup and then a wipe for my face makeup. This products does it all. It removes my eye makeup flawlessly while conditioning my lashes and then further removes my face makeup while hydrating and not clogging my pores. I think I will be purchasing this product for a lonnnnggg time!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
LOTD: Puuurdy Plaid
Look of the Day: Purple and Black, inspired by my plaid shirt..Love it! PS. My camera makes my shirt look bluish..but it definitely is a vibrant purple..
Face:
Neutrogena Combination Skin Lotion
Boscia Skin Perfecting Primer (love this stuff!)
Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse in Caramel (my fav foundation at the moment)
MAC Studio Stick concealer in NC45
MAC MSF Natural in Dark
MAC Blot Powder in Dark (normally I wouldn't add this but I broke a sweat trying to get my lashes on..lol)
Cheeks:
Maybelline Expert Wear Blush in Apricot Flush (great for brown skin)
Maybelline Expert Wear Blush in Potpourri
Eyes:
UDPP (primer)
NYX Jumbo pencil in Purple (base)
120 Palette: matte dark purple, shimmer pinky purple, shimmer dark purple, shimmer black
Jordana Fabuliner in Black (top lid, under and over lashes)
Jane Glitter jumbo pencil in Black (water line)
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Black
Red Cherry #42 (my second attempt at lashes..yikes! still practicing...need to get closer to my lashline!)
Lips:
Jordana lipgloss in Peach Sand
Monday, October 5, 2009
Do Your Research: Makeupalley.com
Helllooo!
So a few weeks back I posted my quick tips post. The most important tip I offered about was to DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!
This is a fabulous website that has product reviews, pictures, videos, etc. from people all around the world. It uses a lipstick rating system of 1-5. I have written a few of my own reviews for products I like and don't like. It's great because although we know products work differently for some people, you can at least get an idea of what to expect (IE, why did this product create this weird flaky texture on my skin..etc.)
There is also a SWAP section where you can post products that you have that you don't really want or like anymore and swap with other users. Do this at your own risk because you never know what you may get or what the hygiene of the other individual is like. You can always disinfect the products with alcohol. There are plenty of BRAND NEW NEVER BEEN USED products listed too. It's just another alternative if you are tight on cash and want to try something without actually buying it...SWAP with someone!
Finally, there are a TON of message boards to talk about the ins and out of beauty, skin care, and favorite products. This is good if you are looking for a particular product that works well with your complexion, skin type, etc. and don't even know where to start!
Check it out...and write some reviews!
So a few weeks back I posted my quick tips post. The most important tip I offered about was to DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!
This is a fabulous website that has product reviews, pictures, videos, etc. from people all around the world. It uses a lipstick rating system of 1-5. I have written a few of my own reviews for products I like and don't like. It's great because although we know products work differently for some people, you can at least get an idea of what to expect (IE, why did this product create this weird flaky texture on my skin..etc.)
There is also a SWAP section where you can post products that you have that you don't really want or like anymore and swap with other users. Do this at your own risk because you never know what you may get or what the hygiene of the other individual is like. You can always disinfect the products with alcohol. There are plenty of BRAND NEW NEVER BEEN USED products listed too. It's just another alternative if you are tight on cash and want to try something without actually buying it...SWAP with someone!
Finally, there are a TON of message boards to talk about the ins and out of beauty, skin care, and favorite products. This is good if you are looking for a particular product that works well with your complexion, skin type, etc. and don't even know where to start!
Check it out...and write some reviews!
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