I have not written in a long time on this blog. Still trying to figure out how I want it to evolve.
We are living in unprecedented times. There is a global pandemic that has fundamentally changed the way we live forever. The number of people infected continue to explode across the US and with that the number of casualties continues to increase exponentially. Many of us are risking our lives and our safety as essential workers. Many have lost their jobs. The rest of us have adapted to working from home. So for the foreseeable future, stay physically distant but socially connected. And wear a mask. Over your nose and your mouth.
There is something else that has creeped to the forefront of society that has existed for centuries. That’s racism. Particularly the racism against Black people. From slavery to colonialism to after effects of these atrocities, we have been carrying this burden for generations. Racism is widespread, global, it has permeated every single aspect of Black life. And when I say we, I mean me, I mean us. If you are new to my blog, my name is Nerissa and I am Black. Unapologetically. This is the first time that I remember Black people, as a collective, openly express pain, and acknowledge how much of our daily life is marked by racism.
The primary goal of my blog has always been to provide a Black point of view of beauty. What is looks like, what it sounds like, what is it. For far too long, we have been neglected or straight outcast by the mainstream. Companies most oftentimes consider blackness as an afterthought, sometimes not at all. Something as simple as finding suitable foundation shades, or nail polish swatches on dark skin, is still a challenge, although our options have become a lot better in the last 5-10 years. But it is still a struggle.
I always want to uplift blackness and show the world how beautiful it is. How beautiful we are. Tell Black stories, support Black businesses and continue working on change and global equality.
So here are some resources to get better educated:
Glossier. This brand has been on my radar for a few months now. They appear to have positioned themselves as a minimalist brand. Products to give a fresh, just-came-from-the-gym look. Basically makeup for non-makeup wearers. You won’t find any heavy duty coverage or stuff to bake with. I have been anxious to do a Glossier review for a while.
Glossier is a New York City based brand with a showroom in Lower Manhattan. So of course your girl had to pay a visit! I still love to go into a store to touch the products. On a rainy day (which has been quite the norm in NYC these days), I made my way to the Glossier showroom on the penthouse level on Lafayette Street. A very bright space with stations where you can test out all their products.
I decided to pick up one of their best selling products, the Glossier Boy Brow in Black. This is their darkest shade and it is really a soft, grayish black with a hint of brown. I also picked up one of their newer products, the Glossier Cloud Paint in Haze. All Glossier products come in a handy, TSA-friendly pink bubble wrap pouch and some stickers.
Pouch that comes with your purchase!
For the Glossier Review: Boy Brow in Black, click here
For the Glossier Review: Cloud Paint in Haze, click here
Boy Brow is described by Glossier as a ‘creamy wax formula inspired by traditional hair pomade that does not stiffen or flake”. It comes with a short, small spoolie brush. This product contains both beeswax and carnauba wax which provides the hold, an emollient made from olive oil (Oleic Acid) that provides conditioning. It also contains a collagen derivative that nourishes and conditions the hair and lecithin which gives the formula smoothness and a subtle sheen. The Black shade is soft black and it does very slightly darken my brow hair. It also slightly thickens the hair as well.
Packaging
Primary packaging
The small brush
Boy Brow comes in a small white tube and with a short, fat spoolie. The cap has a chrome-like finish. It contains 0.11 oz which is less than your average brow gel product. Even though it has a small size, I had no difficulty using the product.
Method of Application
Use like a typical mascara/brow product. Wipe the excess product off the tip of the brush before applying to eyebrows. Use light strokes to shape and colour the hair.
Results/Conclusion
On my eyebrow
I liked this product. Slightly darkened my eyebrows which made them look more pronounced without having to “draw in” or imitate brow hairs. My brows felt soft, not crunchy or stiff and they were kept in place all day. Even in hot weather. If you are looking for dramatic sculpting of the brow, this is not the product. It is a more natural effect. There is a lot of hype around this product, as a matter of fact it is their number # 1 selling item. Is this the more revolutionary, earth-shattering product? No, but it performs quite well and it is definitely worth trying out. It’s effortless and natural looking, especially in the age of the ‘Instagram eyebrow’. If there was a gripe, it would be the price. Not expensive but it is not drugstore level (it has not marketed itself as a drugstore brand). At US$16, it is priced in the mid-range and some may think its price does not match the quantity that you get. But this performed well, I don’t have to worry about my brow hairs breaking off and I will buy this again.
Cloud Paint in Haze
Outer packaging
Cloud Paint is a gel-cream formula that is seamless, sheer and buildable. This is a really good description. It definitely has a very smooth, gel like texture and is almost translucent in quality. It reminds me of the Benefit Benetint. Especially the Haze shade. It also contains collagen which helps the skin retain water and therefore plumps up the skin. Haze is a deep raspberry colour, that is cool-toned.
Packaging
Cloud Paint comes in a white, soft, flexible plastic tube with an octogonal screw cap. The brand name Glossier, the cap and the top inch of the tube is coloured in the colour of product. So Haze has a deep pink/fuschia colour. The tube opening is small but you can extrude too much product if you squeeze on the tube too forcefully. It contains 0.33 fl.oz/10ml of product. I have a preference for a needle-nosed opening/dispenser but that is totally personal.
Method of Application
Start with small amount of product. Pea-sized. I use my fingers to apply product and that works very well. The thin formula applies smoothly and melts into the skin. This makes it buildable.
Results/Conclusion
Swatch – Bottom: Straight from tube; Top: Blended out
On my cheek!
You know I love a cream blush. So this is right up my alley. Haze is pigmented but the other three colours, I felt, were not pigmented enough or too ashy/pastel for dark skin which is why I only picked up Haze. Due to the formula of the product, I found myself applying what I would consider a lot of the product to get an intense pigmentation. I don’t think that is the pigmentation, but rather the texture so that it is readily absorbed, especially on my dry skin. This product would be ideal for the person afraid of blush or looking for a natural, colour-from-within effect. It leaves a skin-like, satin finish so it would be great for all skin types, including oily skin. It also is the only one of the four colours that I think is suitable for all skin tones, including very dark skin. At $US18, I think this is worth it. Quite frankly, who ever really goes through an entire blush? I have been wearing this a lot recently. I would recommend that Glossier change the colours to the other shades to make it more wearable for medium to dark POC. After wearing this all day, there was some fading but it was still visible. Try it, but if you are looking for some in your face colour, this would not be the product.
Availability
Online at glossier.com or at their NYC Showroom @ 123 Lafayette Street, Penthouse, New York, NY 10013.
Glossier Review: Video
If you want to see these products in action, here’s the video!
If you liked this post, make sure you sign up for my email newsletter by clicking HERE! Get the latest curated makeup, haircare & skincare news and see what beauty products that I loving at the moment!
FTC Disclosure: Products were purchased by me, Noire Tropical Beauty. All opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. I have not been compensated for this review. For more information, please see my Disclosure Policy.
The one makeup look that everyone always wants to know how to do is the smoky eye. It’s dramatic, sexy and versatile. I have created a very basic, beginner’s smoky eye using only 3 colour products. This is a quick, out-the-door look that can be used as a base and built up as needed.
Here’s the look!
A bronzey smoky eye!
The key to the smoky is blending…blend, blend and blend some more. You want a smooth transition from one colour to another without any harsh lines.
I used minimal products – Make Up For Ever Aqua Shadow Waterproof Eye Shadow Pencil in 22E, M.A.C. Feline Eye Pencil and L’Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes mascara. That’s basically it!!
[twitter-follow screen_name=’NoireTropicalB’] Here is the hairstyle of the day.
My latest twist out!!!
My usual twistout and I decided to wear it half up and half down. Super easy! I just unravelled the twists but I did not separate the individual twists. I used these products to do my two strand twists – these are pretty much my holy grail products!
NSFW you ask? Not Safe For Work in web speak!! But this classic red creme polish is absolutely suitable for work and play! I also rocked this for various New York Fashion Week events (NYFW)!
