#1 Curly Girl Product!

Hello all...so I have been using this product for a few months now and am beyond impressed.

MOROCCAN ARGAN OIL!

I swear, this is a product I will never live without, ever, ever, ever, again! I had been doing research on this product and have heard fantastic reviews, but I could have never imagined how awesome it really it.

First, this stuff smells sooo yummy! I instantly feel swept away to an exotic island. I also like that it lingers...I can still smell it throughout the day! It is a "thicker" oil but not yet a gel consistency. It isn't runny which means you can thoroughly put it on your ends and specific spots if you like. I have used this product while my hair was straight, but only recommend doing the ends. While curly, I put it all over!

Here are a few pics to show you how my hair turns out using nothing but Argan Oil! Yes ladies, I washed my hair at night and put this oil in and put a regular head scarf on. I was thinking I was going to give my hair a 'break' from my normal products and gels and just put the oil and wear it free for the weekend. Wellllll...to my surprise, when I woke up my curls were gorgeous! They were full of body (not weighed down at all), soft, big, defined, and no frizz! I could not believe my hair looked like this with no sort of gel, mousse, spray, etc. The last one was taken with flash while the rest were taken with no flash.

I will definitely stick with this product! I got mine at Sally's Beauty Supply for $7.99 with the Sally card. It normally retails for $8.99. The bottle is small, but again it is a thick product so a little goes a long way! I am already researching bigger bottles and other brands and will keep you posted! Try it out :-)

PINK Lips, Oh My?!

Can you pull off a pink lip? I love all shades of pink, from a neutral and muted pink, corally orangey pink to a bright and loud blue pink. Have fun with it..

I Heart ShoeDazzle.com

I have heard about ShoeDazzle for quit some time now, but did not join until recently. ShoeDazzle is Kim Kardashian's premiere online shoe club where each month personal stylists hand pick designer shoes they think you like based on a questionnaire. It's free to join and your membership includes a pair of shoes each month. If you like a pair, you order it and it is $39.95 including shipping. You don't get charged if you don't order any shoes. You just have to remember to log in each month by to check on your shoe selections and click SKIP if you do not want to order any.

When you register you complete a questionnaire based on a variety of fashion photos to give the stylists an idea of what you like. In a couple of days, they will send you about 4 or 5 different photos of shoes they think would suit your style. If you don't like any, you can have them hand pick 4 or 5 more, but you can only do this once a month. If you still don't like any, then you have to wait until next month. I didn't like the first batch OR the second batch, but I did see some gorgeous wedges at the bottom of the screen where they list the favorites (usually about 3 different styles). I love the hint of snakeskin and the olive green/tan combination.

I got my first pair in the mail and am impressed! They arrived in about 5 days after I clicked order, shipping from California to Florida. The box was decorated all cute and even comes with a pink, cloth shoe pouch to store your heels in when you aren't wearing them. I wear a 7 in shoes, but normally a 7.5 in heels and was worried about how they would fit my 'in between' feet. With this style, they were true to size as I ordered a 7.5. We will see next time as I plan to get some stilettos or pumps. Even if they didn't fit, exchanging is a breeze since they include a return slip that covers shipping. Or if I wanted to get a store credit back, that would be free too. If I wanted to return and get my money back, the shipping is free but they charge a $5.95 restocking fee. Overall, I am impressed.

PS. Let me know if you are interested in joining and I can send you a referral. If you refer 3 friends, you get a pair of shoes FREE and your friend gets 20% of their first order!

*FTC Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with ShoeDazzle in any way. These items were purchased with my own money and I am not being paid to advertise this agency. These are my honest opinions as a consumer.

Ebay Mini Spree: 28 Blush and 28 Neutral Palettes

Heeeeeyyy! Sooo I am sooo excited about my two new palettes that I purchased from ebay. I got the 28 piece Blush Palette and 28 piece Neutral Palette (also called the Bridal palette). I already own the 120 palette and love that one too! I just wanted to share my package opening experience with you and my initial thoughts on these palettes.

So I ordered from ebay seller http://myworld.ebay.com/3act*beauty. I purchased these on Feb 21st for 9.99 GBP each, both with free shipping. This came out to $29.92 plus a few bucks for the conversion fee. So for $3o bucks I got 28 eyeshadows and 28 blushes, woo hoo! The seller ships from Hong Kong so naturally it was going to take a while. They shipped two days later on Feb 23rd and it made it to the US on Feb 25th. At that point a tracking number was added to my ebay account. You could look it up through USPS or HongKong Post. However, it didn't really say much up until it made it into New York on March 9th. It is now March 11th and I have my products!

It came in a large manila envelope which instantly freaked me out. The last thing I need is a broken palette with crumbled shadows. Then I would have to wait alllll over again for the seller to send me a new one, OR they may give me a hassle when asking for a refund. I was just praying that none of them were broken! Look at the tiny little clasp...eeeek!

When I opened it, it had a good amount of bubble wrap so that made me feel better.

Each palette comes in a little black box. I didn't take a picture but on the back of the boxes are the ingredients for each palette for those who have sensitive skin or makeup allergies.

Here are the palettes out of the boxes. Both have a matte finish and no markings or company labels. From the outside, they look exactly the same.

Once opened, placed on top of each palette's shadows/blushes is a a plastic film protector.

DRUMROLLL..................................................

Here is the fabulous blush palette. All of the blushes are super pigmented and show up well on AA and tan skin. The lighter ones can be used as highlights. I looovee the range of colors. Some are matte and some are shimmer.

And here is the neutral palette! My eyes were instantly drawn to this black color in the corner. It is black, but it has specks of pink glitter that my camera doesn't pick up. A variety of browns, mauves, creams, etc. I got this palette especially for work. I love it!

Each shadow/blush is a bit bigger than a quarter. I don't have MAC shadows but I have heard the sizing is equivalent.

Love 'em and can't wait to use them! I might write up another blog post about my thoughts on the quality of the shadows but I have a feeling I already know. With any of these ebay palettes, the quality is okay to great. Some can be chalky, sheer, and powder like crazy, while others are awesome! Check em out!

*FTC Disclaimer: I purchased these palettes with my own money and am not affiliated with the seller or ebay in any way. These are my own thoughts and experiences regarding this product.

...Train Wreck...

Disclaimer: This post is painful. This post is honest, blunt, and chock full of very raw feelings. Feel free to skip if it may stir up your own issues OR if most likely I am talking about you...I just need to vent..yet another free write so it may not make any sense..

woke up today and bam! train wreck on my chest, heart, back, body, just sooooooo ouch. painful mess painful mess. last night was the worst worst worst conversation in my ENTIRE life. i mean damn, never been met with such genuine and core feelings. i know he wasn't trying to hurt me, i know his intentions were to not completely flip my world, second guess my existance, or to bring pain. i could see on his face how sincere he was being. with that being said, it didn't make it any easier. i mean damn, nobody likes to hear about themselves...ever, especially not me, chick with an attitude. as he was laying down feeling after feeling, observation after observation, thought after thought, i saw his handsome face looking at me and then i saw my ex, and then i saw some sorors, and then i saw a friend, and then i saw my family all staring back at me saying pretty much the same thing..you need to change, taina. your attitude, the way you talk to people, you expect this, that, and the other. it's like woooow. woooow wooooow wooooow. maybe my ex wasn't so crazy after all. maybe the reason why my little family failed WAS indeed because of me..amongst other things.. nah i still think that man is crazy though. but the reality of it is, is that my love is feeling things i would have never wanted anybody to experience. i am tired of damaging others. granted, a GIGANTIC part of me thinks people need to suck it up and deal with me and accept me. if i have to accept everyone else's flaws and idocrocies, then they need to accept me and my flaws too. give and take, common exchange, but i felt like he wasn't willing to give unless i gave first. he said he didn't want to be selfish...wellllll bullshit. you are being selfish, but i understand why. my best friend? is that a joke? i have known you for how long? and you are just now bringing this shit to my attention? he said he didn't know, he didn't realize, it didn't hit him until i started trippin. well NO, that is not fair. you were just fine until i started having fears, doubts, anxieties, apprehensions. i thought i could share that with my friend, my lover, my kin...buuuttt backfire. boom! shot in the face...stabbed in the back..,stabbed in the heart. i wanted you to fight for us...so maybe that is why i was acting a mess...and nope, you didn't fight..you just fell back..waaayyy back, as always. too laissez fair for me. i like plans, organizations, but i do adapt to change along the way. let it ride? how the hell does that work? really? you are talking about my life, me, my core being. i am willing to change..but NOT FOR HIM..NOT FOR YOU..solely for me. because too many people have repeated the same shit to me over, and over, again. i get it, i hear it, and maybe it took someone i really care about and trust...wait..trust..not so sure anymore..because you don't even trust yourself. you don't even know how you feel until it hits you. makes no sense. you are in control of yourself, your thoughts, your feelings..you act like there is a third party..you, me, and your brain. figure yourself out while i figure myself out. but anyway, back to my original thought. i am willing to change because i want to be better..benefit me as a communicator, as a worker, as a parent....oh so much as a parent. only makes sense because it appears it is a good possibility that it will be me and my son together forever...so i need to get it right now..for him, for me, not for you. if you are here for the 'ride' then i guess it is for you too. can't believe, can't believe, wtf happened. i brought it, but you took it to the next level. one shitty week leads to allll this. man, speak up. i can't fix what i don't know. i'm thinking things are good..why? because that is what i am told...the little that i am told. be real, be honest..you stay doing that...so not fair. how does a partnership work with dishonesty or omission? now i am getting mad mad mad, feeling angry, and already resentful. i tell you to not be black and white, but THIS my dear, can only be black and white. i cannot be friends with you. that just will not work. how long did i wait? i didn't wait for this, i can tell you that. ended and left feeling like..errrr i dunno. ummmm yeah...mmmm kay...well, sure? i know that life is too short for mess and complications. unconditional means a lot to me, and if you aren't able to do that, then step. feeling up feeling down feeling proud..too proud..feeling angry, thrown off, caught off guard, insecure and mostly vulnerable...but i'm okay with that. why? because that is what growin up means. internal demons, personal issues...so it's time to work on them, for me, not for you. i cannot say that enough. for me, not for you, for me, not for you. change takes time and i am excited about my journey...just hope you are there with me...but only if you are working on your own progression. besides, too many people want this to work for us, we don't want to disappoint the fans...Jay-Z and B split? nah never that...or maybe....wish things could go back back back to age 21...nah before that. lookin at our old pics and i just see see see the love, see the feelings, see the friendship. better as friends? hmmmm? i can't wrap my head around that. fall back fall back fall back....just let it go....out, out, out of my mind...

fin

Out, out, out of my mind..

I haven't done one of these in a LOOOONNNG time (see my first few blog entries)..so here goes:

WTF Man..FML..just so many thought. New computer new keys boards boards, shaved head? what just read her entry, wow, work out i need to get back back back to the routine, main scheme the plan, why are things so fucked up, oops i cursed, do people mind? just don't care? care care...whatever dude, really? silence, distance, can hurt hurt hurt, the pain take it away please take it away. I want to see him, hate to love him, am I trippin, I dunno? question question lady walking, red spandex ha ha i had to laugh, blue dot blue dot, where are my palettes? hong kong, this isn't working. mind is solid, trying to break the ice just let it melt come down down down don't freeze tai, open up, don't be afraid. he's pushing me away, but i'm doing the same same same time frame time frame love it, hate this. words aren't right, my release is not happening. this isn't like me. why do i let it get to me? save the world? i can't..but i try..oh do i try..work hard, save our kids, help out parents, thought about foster care? i'm your girl, just let me know. should i send or not send? will it damage the soul? eh, do i care? of course i do. i don't want to hurt, but i kind of want them to know what i feel, hmmm, i never held my breath or my tongue before so why now? oh yeah, time for change. upgrade, begin to mature mature mature. not trying to use kid gloves for adults anymore. so annoying, just grow the fuck up. multitask, you should try it. thinking positive, you should try it. was i trippin? nah, he trippin. i don't care care care care, pattern, pitter patter pitter patter, these bars are fire, fire fire, smoothies, yum. vacay, i need one. cruise, i am ready. bahamas here we come..NOT got like 4 months. need the passport, i will get on it soon. dominique says thanks and i say your welcome welcome welcome, made her smile, they need my help but they need to help themselves, get it right ladies, step it up, seeing it crumble dark dark dark wtf man i would be pissed. comes in threes yup preggo, not i said the cat, fox, dog, horse, chimp, ha ha ra ha ha, iota iota iota, gamma gamma gamma, theta nu xi till I die, need to start the planning, happy birthday baby, you are two years old and mommy loves you. did my good dead, dropped off his clothes to my foster parent who needed it it it it, craziness, love stinks, only sometimes. bring it back back back to april 26? can't remember the exact day. so in love love love with him..or the thought? do i want? or do i don't? ehhhhhh no clue clue clue, i just vent. i need more, i ALWAYS need more, selfish bitch. can't hold it inside, nope, too hard, i gotta just let it goooooo.....

fin

Lush Review: Brazened Honey Fresh Face Mask

I have been using Brazened Honey fresh face mask by Lush for a few months now and it is my absolute favorite! Normally I use my Queen Helene Mint Juliepe mask but every blue moon I like to switch it up. If you have tried Lush's Love Lettuce face mask and want to bump it up a notch then you would love this product!

Description: "A powerhouse of effective ingredients for all tired skins, exfoliating, detoxifying, stimulating, and nourishing. Refreshing herbs and fruit juice are blended with warming Ayurvedic herbs and spices. With ground almonds to polish and moisturizing honey, this blend leaves the skin vibrant and revitalized. Apply to clean skin, avoiding the eye area. Leave for five to ten minutes, then rinse with warm water massage gently. Keep chilled."

BEFORE the mask sans makeup

AFTER the mask (see how bright!)

Pros: I love the smell of this for some reason. It's not a sweet smell, but you can definitely smell the mix of herbs, spices, and honey. Since it is refrigerated it feels so cooling to the skin when you lather it on your face. It is chock full of ground almonds so there are definitely exfoliating properties. I can literally feel it taking the toxins out of my skin and penetrating deeply. When I wash it off, my face ALWAYS looks instantly brighter and more even. I have noticed a huge difference in the texture/blotchy spots on my face. I use less foundation nowadays because my skin is more even. Also, my skin appears to stay less oily when I use this consistently. Overall, I get this gorgeous glow after using this product.

Also, at $5.95 it's not too expensive. I can get about 4 masks out of one jar and I use a pretty thick layer. If you save five black pots, you get a free face mask! All of Lush's masks are time sensitive because they are made with FRESH ingredients which means that the lifespan of the masks is normally about two weeks...so use it or lose it!

Cons: The color reminds me of baby poo, but it's really not that serious. I don't know if I would recommend this for extremely sensitive skin because it can feel a tad bit tingly.

Try it out!!!!!

LOTD: Neutral Gold/Wine Eyes

I recently purchased two palettes by NYX cosmetics. I am sooo in love with these palettes and NYX cosmetics in generally. I really wanted to do more neutral looks with my eyes that are work appropriate but always felt like I was doing the same looks over and over again or just looked too blah!




I went with The Runway Collection (Strike a Pose open on the right) and For Your Eyes Only (Mysterious Brown Eyes open on the left) palettes. I love the brown eyes palette because it is full of colors that make brown eyes stand out. Both of these are dope and have 10 colors each. Color payoff is great and NYX is really affordable. I have come up with two weeks full of looks so far and they all look so nice! I bought them from cherryculture.com for $8 each.



I decided to go with a golden/cream/wine colored neutral eye today. I wore navy slacks, a cream top, a camel colored belt, and my dark red pumps to work. Hope you like and check out these palettes!




PS. I wanted to do a nude lip with a nude eye to give me a more androgynous look, but feel free to spice up the lip if you want!

Products Used:

Face: Neutragena face moisturizer for Oily skin, Boscia Skin Perfecting Primer (t-zone), Monistat Anti-Chafing Gel as primer, Maybelline Dream Liquid Foundation in Caramel w/ Sephora's stippling brush, MAC NC45 Studio stick concealer, Everyday Minerals Peach concealer to set the NC45, Everyday Minerals Finishing Dust and Matte Tan foundation (little bit) mixed together to set my foundation, MAC Fix+ after foundation was set to create a dewy look

Eyes: Two NYX Palettes above, Jordana Fabuliner in Black, NYX Sahara as highlight, Loreal Voluminous mascara in Black, NYC Eyebrow in Brunette

Cheeks: Maybelline Expert Wear Blush in Apricot Flush (great for AA and tan skin) and NYX Mosaic powder in Love (orange)

Lips: NYX Creamy Beige round lipstick (my fav nude) and Sally Hansen lip plumper (the golden peach one)

Holllaaaa!