Beauty...Natural Hair...Vibes

Tag: Beauty (page 13 of 16)

Banishing dry, flaky skin with SheaMoisture Body Scrub!

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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

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

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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+++.

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

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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

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Last Chance for SheaMoisture lovers!

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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!!!

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

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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

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