Tag Archives: Beauty

Feb16

New York Fashion Week – Look 1, Bloggers of Colour Mixer

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New York Fashion Week – Look 1, Bloggers of Colour Mixer

Hey!!

So New York is in the throws of New York Fashion Week – Autumn/Winter’12.  There are models, designers, makeup artists, bloggers, photographers running all over the city!

So last Thursday, Mattie from Mattielogie hosted a mixer for fashion bloggers of colour.   I loved the idea of meeting other bloggers of colour especially in an industry like fashion.  Since fashion and beauty go hand in hand, I found myself at Pranna.   Pranna is a SouthEast Asian restaurant that is beautiful and huge!  I definitely need to return for full dinner.

Pranna

Click here for more the mixer!

Feb5

Banishing dry, flaky skin with SheaMoisture Body Scrub!

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Banishing dry, flaky skin with SheaMoisture Body Scrub!

What’s going on???

One of the things that I love doing on the weekends (besides eating) is using an all-over body scrub.  My skin gets super dry, itchy and flaky especially during the colder months. The wintery air and the dry heat of the radiator leaves my scaly.  I sometimes even get dry patches that makes it look like I am moulting! So once a week, I exfoliate using a body scrub.

Exfoliation is vital to any skincare routine.  The body generates new skin cells in the dermis (the innermost layer of skin) roughly every 28 days.  As these new skin cells get older, they get pushed to the outermost surface of the skin (the epidermis), eventually die and gets filled with keratin (a protein).  This keratin helps protect the skin from outside world.  The epidermis then naturally gets eroded (or falls off) and so the cycle continues.  As we get older, this constant process becomes less efficient and that leads to patches of flaky, dead skin cells that makes the skin less smooth.  Also, when you apply moisturizers, serums, treatments etc., this flaky skin prevents these nutrients from getting to the deeper layers of skin.  This is where exfoliation is important.  When you remove this outer layer, you reveal fresher, healthier, younger looking skin and all your treatments are more effective.  You want glowy skin? Start with exfoliation!

Recently I have been using the SheaMoisture Organic Argan Oil & Raw Shea Body Scrub with Frankincense & Myrrh.

SheaMoisture Organic Shea & Argan Oil Body Scrub

Click here for more!

Feb1

These NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizers remind me of warmer days!

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These NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizers remind me of warmer days!

Hey!

So NARS is releasing their new line of tinted moisturizers for Spring 2012.  I think these were first seen at NY Fashion week last autumn.

From NARS:

NARS founder and creative director François Nars is famous for his no-rules approach to makeup application. But when it comes to what lies beneath, his philosophy is clear:  Skin should shine through makeup.  To that end, NARS Cosmetics went about creating a tinted moisturizer unlike any other — a complexion-perfecting fluid with anti-aging and skin-brightening benefits.

Introducing Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer SPF30/PA+++.

Click here for more!

Jan21

Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is giving my skin new life!

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Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate is giving my skin new life!

It has gotten really cold and windy here in the Big Apple and my usually dry skin, is super tight and there is some flakiness.  Truth be told, I don’t have a complete, regular skincare regime.  I cleanse and exfoliate but with respect to moisturizers, I kinda just try whatever moves me, or use coconut oil or nothing at all.  Crazy, right?

So, one day I took part in a Twitter chat hosted by one of my favourite bloggers and fellow Trini, Afrobella and Kiehl’s and they were answering questions on one of Kiehl’s newer products, the Midnight Recovery Concentrate (MRC).  Now, before I launch into the virtues of this product, here’s a little information about Kiehl’s.  This is a real, old school apothecary located in the East Village in NYC.  Apothecaries have been around for centuries and are the precursors to the modern-day pharmacy.  The medical professionals created medicinal concoctions and dispensed medical advice.  I am in love with Kiehl’s original location!  The wood  lab-like benches, apothecary jars and beakers, the porcelain mortar and pestles.  It reminds me of my early days in Chemistry lab!

But, I digress…

Anyway, the chat included a giveaway and I won one the MRC sets!!! I was super excited! I had been investigating these products for a few weeks and it was a great way to dip my toe in.

The Midnight Recovery Concentrate comes in a prussian blue glass bottle with a glass dropper.

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate

Click here for more MRC from Kiehl’s….

Jan6

Last Chance for SheaMoisture lovers!

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Last Chance for SheaMoisture lovers!

Hey!

Image courtesy of SheaMoisture

Just a quick note:  This weekend is the last chance to visit the SheaMoisture booth in Bryant Park at 42nd Street.  They have their entire line of products including their men’s grooming and baby line (and some items that I have not seen consistently in stores).  I have been hauling and I will be back for some more goodies.  As I have mentioned before, I really like this natural line and they are good for naturals, non-naturals and those transitioning.  I also have picked up some of their body care items that I am liking so far.  I think that they may still have the 3 for $20 offer, which is a steal of a deal!!!

So head on the Bryant Park and check it out.  Last day is Sunday January 8th.

Let me know what you guys haul!!!

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Dec11

Looking for a quick photo-ready makeup look? Try Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio!

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Looking for a quick photo-ready makeup look? Try Smashbox Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio!

Hey!

Now that I have been expanding my makeup choices, I am excited to try a few products from Smashbox Cosmetics.  I received a few of their products from PR.  Smashbox has been on my to-try list for ages.  I am a huge fan of lead makeup artist Lori Taylor!  They have always had that professional but laid back vibe to them.

Since the advent of High Definition cameras and televisions, more and more companies have been refining their product lines so that makeup and skin could look as life-like and perfect as possible.  We used to be able to hide under Standard Definition but HD can easily magnify anything on the skin.

For Fall 2011, Smashbox brought out a line of Photo Op products which are supposed to be long lasting, highly pigmented and to bring the subject on camera to life!  A girl can be photographed at anytime and we need to be ready!

I tried the Photo Op Eye Shadow Trio in Quick Take which contains 3 coordinated shades that are easy to use, and takes the guesswork out of trying to combine shadows.  I love the packaging! Black, smooth and semi-matte.  It’s simple but very sleek!  Not bulky, compact and there’s a little window so you could see the colour without having to open the lid.  What’s cute about this is that if you flip to the back and peel the label off, there is scannable code which is linked to a video of Lori Taylor showing you how to create a look.  Very cool! Yuh get points for that Smashbox!  There are 18 different trios and they vary in textures from matte to frost finishes.

Quick Take, Smashbox

Click here for more pictures and the review!

Nov24

This might just be the best shampoo ever….

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This might just be the best shampoo ever….

I’m talking about the SheaMoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo with Sea Kelp, Argan Oil & Shea Butter for dry, damaged hair.  I have been using this shampoo for about a year now.  AND I LOVE IT!!!!!

SheaMoisture Organic Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo, image courtesy of Target.com

While I was a relaxed girl, as a matter of fact, I have always have problems with shampoos drying my hair and scalp out.  I would often feel like my scalp was tightening and pulling away from my hair.  Fast forward to last year as a natural.  Now my hair is growing and kinky and my number 1 goal is to prevent my hair from completely drying out when I wash it and to still effectively cleanse it.  I have tried other natural shampoos and many of them while they work, they also did not suds enough for my liking.  A little bit of sudsing or foaming is actually good because it helps trap and remove oil and dirt.  It’s when there is excessive bubble action when the skin and hair feels dry.  I also avoid traditional shampoos with certain sulphates and their derivatives like sodium lauryl sulphate, ammonium laureth sulphate etc. This is one of the moves that I have made that has totally changed the health and condition of my hair.  I stick to the gentle cleansers that can remove water-soluble products.

Click here for more of the review!!!!

Nov13

Mascara review: Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash

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Mascara review: Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash

I was supposed to review this mascara a while ago, but better late than never, right?

Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash

Smoky Lash packaging

According to MUFE, Smoky Lash contains an ultra-pigmented product that gives exceptional volume, length and curl for you smokiest lash. Upon opening the package, it contains your standard wand and brush (not too large), that is quite dense and is supposed to apply the product form the roots to tip, which adds volume and length.

Click here for more of the review!!

Nov5

Tom Ford Beauty Collection: What else is there to say?

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Tom Ford Beauty Collection: What else is there to say?

The sexiest man in fashion has just brought out an entire makeup and skincare line to add to the high-end section of the cosmetics spectrum.  I love Tom Ford’s style, he is very sexy to me!! And of course his promo ad exhudes his classic sexiness!!

Image via PR

Bold lips and bold eyes…yes!!

This luxurious collection is available in November at select Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. I’ve heard good things about this line especially the brushes.  If you are interested in this collection, here’s some info and visit Neiman or Bergdorf for additional information.

Click here for more details….

Sep15

S/S’12 Trend Report: NARS at Rodarte

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S/S’12 Trend Report: NARS at Rodarte

NARS Makeup Artist James Kaliardos created this look for Rodarte at New York Fall Fashion Week 2011.  The designers drew inspiration from the great Vincent VanGogh.

James Kaliardos for NARS at Rodarte

I am really loving that smokey eye!

According to Kaliardos:

“It’s a really beautiful, round smokey eye, with gradations of blue, it’s like Starry Night and then there’s this beautiful lavender lip, complemented by warm skin.”

The look and products used:

Click for more details…