So….I’ve been shopping. This is a new world that we are living in. Being on lock down in one of the hardest hit cities globally is challenging. Unable to go into stores, I have been indulging in online retail therapy! There have been a lot of sales on beauty products, clothes etc as businesses are trying to get rid of excess inventory and to make up for lost foot traffic. So here’s my quarantine beauty haul (maybe the first of more).
I picked up some items from some of my favourite places like Sephora and Make Up For Ever. Video and pictures below. Let me know you want to see a tutorial or review on any of these products.
Let me know if you have bought any beauty goodies!
Laters!
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.
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:
The holiday season and the end of the year already! 2019 has flown by! So, without further ado, here are the best Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2019 Beauty and Natural Hair deals. Check back often as I will update the list as I get more information. One thing this year, is that I have found that many companies have started the Black Friday savings days and weeks earlier. The retail industry seems to be extending the shopping season, so some of these deals may have been already available at the time of publishing. If you have found any great beauty or natural hair deals, especially if they are from POC owned brands, that I have missed, let me know in the comments below! Happy Shopping!!
Beauty
Beauty Bakerie – Date: Now – Dec 2, Discount Details: 40% off, Code: No code needed
Bobbi Brown – Date: Nov 26 – Nov 27, Time: 11:59PM PST, Discount Details: 25% off all orders, Code: No code needed
Charlotte Tilbury – Date: Now – Dec 2, Time: Ends 11:59pm BST, Discount Details: 30% off selected items, Code: No code needed
Cirque Colors – Date: Now – Dec 5, Time: TBD, Discount Details: 20% off, Code: HOLIDAY2019
Coloured Raine – Date: Now – Dec 9, Time: Up to 11:59PM PST, Discount Details: Up to 75% off select items, Code: No code needed
CosRx – Date: Nov 25 – Nov 29, Discount Details: 50% off select items, Code: No Code Needed
Illamasqua Date: Black Friday, 11/29, Time: All Day, Discount Details: Up to 50% off + extra 10% off with code, Code: EXTRA10
Glossier – Date: Nov 29 – Dec 2,Discount Details: 20% off Code: No code needed
Juvia’s Place – Date: Now – TBD, Discount Details: 45% off, Code: No code
Kevyn Aucoin Beauty – Date: Now – Dec 1, Discount Details: 25% off, Code: BF25
Live Tinted – Date: Now – Dec 29, Time: N/A, Discount Details: Buy 3 Multisticks, get Rise Multistick FREE + Free US shipping, Code: No code needed
Make Up For Ever – Date: Nov 29 – Dec 2,Discount Details:Code:
Melanie Mills Hollywood – Date: Now – Nov 29, Discount Details: 55% off Code: No code needed
Mented Cosmetics – Date: Now Discount Details: Up to 30% off, plus 4 FREE gifts with purchase Code: No code needed
NARS Cosmetics – Date: Nov 26 – Dec 3, Discount Details: 20% off all purchases or 30% off $150+, Code: MORENARS
Natasha Denona – Date: Now – Dec 2, Discount Details: Up to 50% off online and in-store, Code: No code needed
NYX Cosmetics – Date: Time:Discount Details: 30% off Code:
OhLolly – Date: Nov 22 – Dec 3, Discount Details: 25% off, Code: BFCM2019
Orly – Date: Now – Dec 2,Discount Details: At least 40% off,Code: No code needed
Pat McGrath Labs – Date: Now until Mon 2nd Dec, Time: Until 11:59pm, Discount Details: 25% off purchases under $150, 30% off of purchases $150+, Code: No code needed.
Paula’s Choice – Date: Now – Nov 27, Discount Details: 20% off sitewide + 25% off best sellars + 2 Free gifts on $125+, Code: No coded needed
Peach & Lily – Date: Now – Dec 3, Time: Until 11: 59PM PST, Discount Details: 30% off, Code: PEACH 2019
Prime Beauty – Date: Nov 28 – Dec 2, Discount Details: 40% off,Code: No code needed
Sacha Cosmetics – Date: Time: Discount Details: 30% off at all Image Centres, 40% off all products online, Code: No code needed
Shiseido – Date: Now – Dec 1,Discount Details: 20% off all items + extra 10% off select items, Code: No code needed
Smashbox – Date: Nov 28 – Dec 1,Discount Details: 25% off + free shipping, Code: No code needed
Supergoop – Date: Now – Nov 29, Discount Details: 20% off Code: GET20
Too Faced Cosmetics – Date: Now – Dec 2, Time: 11:59PM PST, Discount Details: 30% off + Free US shipping Code: PINK30
Uoma Beauty – Date: Now, Discount Details: 20% off Code: No code needed. Also All Star Kit ($208 value) for $99 (Nov 27 only). Also up to 50% off foundations and concealers
Zoya – Date: Now – Nov 30th Time: Ends 11:59pm ET Discount Details: Get any 2 colour FREE, plus buy a 3rd colour and gt 3 Z-Wide brushes Code: BLKFRDY19
Natural Hair
Alikay Naturals – Date: Nov 28 – Nov 29, Time: 12am – 11:59pm EST, Discount Details: 40% off, and 20% off all gallons. Code: No code needed.
Anita Grant – Date: Now – Dec 3,Time: Until 11:59pm UK time, Discount Details: Up to 30% off, Code: for 20% off use code 20%, 150GBP+ use code 25%, 175GBP+ use code 30%
Brush With The Best (Felicia Leatherwood) – Date: Nov 27 – Nov 28. Time: Starts at midnight, ends midnight Black Friday. Discount Details: $4 off with code BLACKFRIDAY. For $6 off order with purchase of 2 Brushes with code BWTB2
Devacurl – Date: Nov 29 – Dec 1, Discount Details: Buy 2 stylers get 1 free, Code: No code needed
Fanm Djanm – Date: Now – Dec 2,Discount Details: Up to 40% – 50% off,Code: No code needed
Hair Paint Wax – Date: Now – Dec 2, Discount Details: 40% off, Code: BLACKFRIDAY
Oyin Handmade – Date: Nov 25 – Nov 29, Time: N/A, Discount Details: 30% off, Code: No code needed
Pattern Beauty – Date: Thurs Nov 28 @ 4pm – Nov 29 @ 11:59PM PST, Discount Details: 20% off, Code: No code needed
The Doux – Date: Now – TBD, Discount Details: 30% off, Code: AAAYYYEEE
The Wrap Life – Date: Nov 26 – Dec 2, Discount Details: Up to 40% off, Code: No code needed. Also specials in store from Sat 30 Nov.
Laters!
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!
Affiliate Links
The following links are affiliate links. If you sign up using these links, I will get a small percentage of a purchase and/or referral credit. These links provide discounts or cashback, when available. There is no requirement or obligation to use these links. If you need more information, please see my Disclosure Policy.
Quick review here! This is another installment of my favourite indie polish series and today I am going to talk about Journey and Co.
I discovered Journey and Co. at The Makeup Show NYC this year. I love that the Makeup Show continues to provide a platform for smaller brands especially those that are women, POC or LGBTQIA+ owned. So, while browsing one of the upper floors of TMS, I came across a small booth with the most precious, black girl selling nail polish. I just could not resist! Her name was Journey and with her mum, founded a nail polish brand with a purpose. Each polish is handmade in NJ and carries an inspirationa, positivel message. This idea came about when Journey moved to a new school that lacked diversity and she maked nail polishes for all of her classmates to celebrate all of their differences.
J&Co. polishes are Big 10-Free, cruelty-free, vegan and kid-friendly. I bought 3 colours from their debut collection GRL PWR, but they have added more shades since then. The GRL PWR Collection was created “to inspire young girls to ‘Be Seen and Be Heard’ – to take lead in shaping their futures” (taken straight from their website).
I am continuing my quest for finding the best chemical sunscreens for dark skin. Today I am reviewing the Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40 PA+++. I have heard a lot about this brand and they have carved out a specific space in skincare/beauty, where they consider themselves as sunscreen experts and they focus on making high quality, luxe sunscreen products. They have a myriad of offerings – mineral and chemical sunscreens, powders, creams/gels, stick, spray, face, body and baby. As you all know, wearing sunscreen is very important even if you have darker skin. I found this product at Sephora after browsing all of the different formulas. It is broad spectrum so it protects against UVA and UVB radiation. Unseen has a cult following and has even won an Allure Best of Beauty Award in 2018. Honestly, what attracted me to this product, was the name – Unseen. Yes, even in 2019, there are lots of sunscreens that I cannot wear (mostly mineral sunscreens) that still leave an ashy/white cast on my skin. I picked up a sample from Sephora and tried it out for a week before I bought it, to make sure that I was not allergic to it.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen is described as a broad spectrum, invisible, gripping primer for face that you can wear under makeup or alone. It’s a chemical sunscreen in an SPF 40, PA+++ with four commonly used sun filters. It is interesting that the PA rating is listed as it is not usually seen on sunscreens in the US but very common on sunscreens in Asia. SPF gives you an indication of how well it protects against UVB radiation and PA rating (which goes from 2+ to 4+) gives an indication of protection against UVA radiation.
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen – Other Details
Suitable for all skin types – dry, oily, normal and combination
Oil Free
Scentless and weightless
Vegan, gluten and cruelty free
Paraben-free, oxybenzone free
Part of the ‘Clean At Sephora’ programme
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen – Benefits
Meadowfoam Seed Complex – helps with hydration of the skin resulting in a more balanced skin texture
Red Algae – helps absorbs the blue light from our electronic devices, which may help contribute to aging of the skin
Frankincense – helps to soothe the skin
Antioxidant rich – helps protects against free radicals that can form in the presence of UV light. This helps amplify the effect of the sunscreen.
Water resistant for 40 minutes
Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen – Thoughts and Conclusions
This is really invisible as you can see.
I barely need to rub it into my skin and it melts and completely disappears. It is very lightweight and it has a very smooth texture (it does contain silicones). It leaves a soft matte or velvet finish and I did not feel sticky, heavy or occlusive in very hot, humid weather. I would not say that it mattifies the skin but it does not add sheen to the skin. I have dry skin and I always use a moisturizer underneath and this is my last skincare step. If you have very oily skin or want a lot of blurring of the skin, I would be very careful in adding too many additional layers, especially in warmer, humid weather. Using something like a mattifying lotion before applying Unseen. If you must use another primer, use it very sparingly only in the areas most needed and after you have applied Unseen. Remember the goal is to protect the skin first.
