Wannabe Rapunzel

Conditioner Bliss, Kind Of....

2012-01-19T22:49:00.000-08:00

I finally got a chance to try the Silk Elements deep conditioner that I purchased a little while ago. And I must say that I'm impressed on some fronts and not so much on others.

This conditioner is creamy, smells wonderful, and is genuinely a good price for what it does. I loved the way it aided in detangling my several weeks post relaxer hair. However, I didn't get that slip I was looking for. I don't know if it's because my hair is so thick and well overdue for a relaxer or if I was not applying it correctly.

I will say this... The compliments far outweigh the complaints. As I said before, it detangled my hair very nicely, and I didn't see much shed at all after using it. Shedding is a bit terrifying when stretching. Overall, I am happy with it. Perhaps this product is more suited for hair that isn't so far gone, or I need to find another method for application. Either way, I'm not going to give up yet. I think this one has the potential to be a winner. :)

I plan to do an application of this product over the weekend like I would a relaxer going from root to tip, covering with a plastic cap, and sitting under my bonnet dryer for about 15 minutes. I'm certain it will yield impressive results.

Reviews and Updates

2011-12-28T22:32:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! Sorry for all the delays. I've been working, had a car accident, and a super busy holiday. The good, the bad, and the ugly... It's been crazy. But now I'm back to so quick reviews and show some of the new stuff I've got. Let's do old business first.

I want to start with my reviews for the products I got for my birthday. I start with the Philosophy all in one wash. I was not impressed with it as a boy cleanser. It got me clean, but the scent faded quickly, and my skin wasn't as soft after use. However, it is a fabulous shampoo. It got my scalp super clean.

The Sephora facial moisturizer is great. It smells nice, it moisturizes without making the skin oily, and a little goes a long way. Twenty dollars may seem like a lot, but so little is need that it will last for quite awhile.

I still haven't tried the Make Up Forever makeup fixer. I think it's because I've taken a small hiatus from makeup. It's probably because it's not needed for my job. It's probably preferred I don't wear any for my safety....Long story that I can't discuss for legal reasons. :)

NOW...New Business

I picked up a new deep conditioner that I've been dying to try. It's Silk Elements MegaSilk Moisturizing Treatment. I haven't had used it yet for whatever reason. Still stocked up on products from the year before. But I'm really liking the smell and creamy texture. There will definitely be a review for this one, and I hope it's a good one. I have faith in this stuff. :)I got the Aquolina Pink Sugar Sensual for Christmas! It's just as good, if not better, than the regular Pink Sugar. I can't get enough of it. Shout out to my mother for being so generous and having paying attention to all the little details. She's awesome! :)

The Car Accident

I was in a car accident recently that was quite terrifying. The car is totaled, and I was hurt pretty bad, but I'm loads better now. I am following all my doctor's orders and trying to keep my stress levels down. It could be a lot worse, so I won't complain. Just thought I share that.

Any who... I will be trying that conditioner soon

I've Got the Blues

2011-10-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

I love painting my nails. However, my busy schedule has prevented me from keeping them in my usual manner. And by usual manner, I mean rhinestones, glitter, and all things blingy. :) But I finally got my chance last week and snapped a quick pick.

I was inspired by a color I saw at Sephora that was only a shade lighter than the color used here. Same brand that I had at home actually. LOL. It put me in the mood for a sophisticated blue. And I must say that I'm delighted with results.

Birthday Goodies

2011-10-22T21:46:00.000-07:00

One of my birthday gifts this year as it pertains to the pursuit of beauty was a small shopping spree to Sephora-courtesy of my mother totaling about 50 dollars USD. If you are a smart shopper, that can go quite far in a store like this. And being a master of bargains, I set my sights on a few key products that would benefit me this winter.The first item I got was this wonderful, creamy facial moisturizer made by Sephora. This product was 20 dollars USD which is a bargain for the amount that I got. It is oil ,paraben, and sulfate free. It supposedly contains a special moisturizing complex that rivals hyaluronic acid. In addition, it is supposed fight signs of aging. It looks promising. :) This will be perfect in fighting off the dry skin and damaging effects winter has on my skin.
Next on the list is this wonderful lip gloss set from Lorac. The bargain on this was outrageous. If I were to buy each color in the set individually, it would have set me back 132 dollars USD. This lovely gift set was just 25 dollars USD. The quality is fantastic. I had to try it as soon as I got in the car. LOL. It felt so smooth and moisturizing. It also has shine and shimmer that makes my lips look kissable and soft. I will not have any issues combating dry lips this winter with this.The last purchased item was this on-the-go version of Make Up Forever's Mist and Fix. I don't know much about this product. That's why I got the sample size. :) It was only 8 dollars USD. From what I understand, it's supposed to be sprayed on the face after makeup application. This will help the foundation and everything set. I have heard nothing but positive feedback on Make Up Forever products, so I have high hopes for this. I'm excited to try it.

Free Products

Because I am a member of Sephora's Beauty Club, I received a birthday gift at the counter absolutely free. It was a combination shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath by Philosophy. Let me clarify that it is one product that does all these things. Befitting of the occasion, the scent is vanilla birthday cake. It smells delicious. I would like to include that the bottle for the birthday celebrators is different from the one sold in the store. However, the product is the same.

I also got free samples of Aquolina's Pink Sugar Sensual toilette spray. It's a more grown up version of the original Pink Sugar that I love sooooo much. The difference is that Sensual version is a bit more robust and more on the musk side. It's something that any woman could wear. It's one I would definitely recommend for a special night or first date. It will get you loads of compliments. I would also like to add that even though it is a toilette rather than a parfum, the scent lasts for 6-8 hours easily.

That completes my entry for today. I'll be back on a review for the moisturizer, mist and fix, and the shower gel. Have a fabulous remainder of the weekend. :)

Little Obsessions

2011-09-28T23:36:00.000-07:00

So. I'm a huge Mariah Carey fan. Have been since I was an itty bitty. At any right, before somebody made off with my precious MC CDs my first year of college, I listened Charmbracelet everyday. Oh Boy (I Need You) was my favorite. A few years before of course, Mimi had a video she did with Cam'ron. It was all Japanese themed and adorable.

Now let me get to the obsession part. There is one scene where she is wearing a particular shade of hot pink nail polish. And 8 years later, I finally found the shade that is a close match or the actual color. Not sure, but I'm so happy. It's gorgeous. I know, just another color and an excuse to hoard more colors, but this one I have been aching to own for years. And after countless, fruitless trips to every nail color vendor in my city and online, I found it at Sephora.

I love this color! Much prettier on the nails. :)

Surprisingly enough, the color is called "It's All About Me". LOL. Well it was all about my nails this evening as I got back into the trend of one-color-is-enough. :) But I'm so happy over this that I may go back and buy a few bottles so that I don't run out.

Hello Kitty and Murad :)

2011-09-25T10:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I had a blast inside Sephora. I was intending to only do back to school shopping for my daughter at JC Penney. I just couldn't resist passing by that little store. My little girl pointed it out and then proceeded to drag me to the little Hello Kitty Graffiti table. I about passed out.

Grandma (best shopping partner, EVER because she likes being broke as much as I do) fell in love with the Hello Kitty perfume. Before I knew it, she purchased two of the roller girl roll ons in the original packaging because Graffiti had all run out. One of them was for me as an early birthday present. Jump for joy!

I want to encourage all of you that shop at Sephora or plan to shop there to become a Beauty Insider. You will get so much neat stuff. For instance, I got a free deluxe size sample of Murad Clarifying Mask. There are at least 5-10 applications. Every month just about, I get a card telling me about new products and inviting me to pick up a free sample. I love it.

Speaking of the Murad Clarifying Mask, I loved it. I thought it was going to strip my face of all its moisture. Not the case at all. My skin was so soft, and smooth. It wasn't dry at all. The smell is reminiscent of a medicated cream, but it wasn't that bad. I just could 't believe how nice it made my skin feel. I will likely buy this in the future.

Updates

2011-09-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

My posting has been so delayed. I am homeschooling my daughter for her first year of school. I never imagined I would be this buys. First, I get myself out of school, and then I become a teacher for her. Out of the frying pan and into the skillet.

One thing I did want to talk about was a recent visit to the Dollar Tree. I love that place. At any rate, I picked up some cheap oil moisturizer for my hair. I don't know why I did it, but I did. The pleasant surprise was that it performed like the more expensive brands I've tried over the years. I couldn't believe it. LOL. I will have to go and buy more to stock up.

Another thing that I wanted to touch on was my recent trim. I know, trimming while not being relaxed is not the smartest idea. But I just couldn't wait. I wanted my ends neater. The relaxer may be the real tell tale though. Then I can see if I need to take off more.

That's about it for me for today. I'm going to go through my stuff and see if there are any recent purchases that I didn't review. HHG and have a safe and happy weekend :)

Baby Texlax...Kinda

2011-08-25T21:44:00.000-07:00

Though I am not one for processing the hair of children in any way, I recently came to a difficult decision. I used a texture softener on my daughter's hair. It was something I had thought about for a long time. I didn't want to do it at all. I felt like her natural hair was beautiful and perfect just the way it was. I spent so much time and effort trying to convince her of that. And my baby was happy. However, as her hair grew thicker and her crying and refusal to have her hair done became a daily fight, I made the decision.

The texture softener is not meant to straighten the hair. It is simply a process intended to make the hair more manageable. It loosens tight coils and makes the hair...well...softer. Tangles end. Breakage ends. Crying and spending up to 30 minutes for one daily do, done.

I had my doubts in the beginning, but after having a few weeks to style and moisturize her hair, I couldn't be happier with the results. It takes a fraction of the time to do it, and she likes it. There hasn't been any breakage at all (like we experienced when the texture was much tighter). The jury is still out at this point, but right now I feel like I made the right decision.

New Favorite

2011-08-09T03:13:00.000-07:00

I like to switch up moisturizers ever once in awhile. This way I fulfill two things at one time. I can manage to be a product junkie and...I can prevent my hair from becoming resistant to certain products.

In this case, I decided to try Elasta QP Recovery Moisturizing Creme Hairdress. At only about 3 bucks, it was a sweet deal. It was the best 3 bucks I've spent on a hair product in a long time. The texture is smooth and creamy, it has a very light scent, and it moisturizes the hair well. This product doesn't weigh the hair down at all. And being that it's summer, I prefer something light. It's just perfect. It smooths the hair like butter and adds a great sheen.

Mind you, I've only been using it for about a week, but I'm in love with it. Also, I would like to add that Sally's has a deal for Beauty Club members. Get a free Finger Paints nail color with any purchase with a coupon. Tons of lovely colors, and no cost to you. :)

HHG! :)

Smooth it Out

2011-06-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

Keeping the hair moisturized is essential to maintaining healthy hair. Moisturizing can help prevent breakage and other damage while helping to retain length and shine. For courser hair textures, the struggle to retain that moisture is difficult. The shaft of the hair is thicker and more resilient. For this reason, I choose moisturizers that work for curly textures and natural hair even though I am relaxed.

Relaxed hair, because of the chemical processing, has a tendency to become weak if over processed or moisturizing is abandoned. In short, it can be a pain to take care of. It is not impossible, just a bit of a pain.

Let me get to the review now. I'm rambling. I picked up this moisturizer at Walgreens. It's an organic product which I love. It has some super oils in it like hibiscus and coconut and shea butter as well. I love the way it smells. I love the light but moist texture. I love how well it works for my relaxed hair and my daughter's naturally curly hair.

As wonderful as all this sounds, there is one disappointment. This stuff is ten dollars a bottle. I know that the products are of better quality and such, but I can't see myself buying this every few weeks on a continuous basis. It's different when it is a product that you can use a small amount of and be about your merry way, but this lotion is thinner and soaks in easily. That means using more of the product.

If my finances miraculously grow, this is something that I would love to keep in my routine. Until then, it was nice trying it. I will have to just stick with my Hawaiian Silky. Oh well.

Some Like it Wild!!!

2011-05-16T00:44:00.000-07:00

As I've said before, I'm obsessed with my nails. I love trying new designs and being inspired. Well back in February, I was on YouTube watching a video from the user LOVE4NAILS. Her name is Raquel (hope I spelled that right), and she is a spectacular nail artist! Her videos never cease to amaze me.

One day I decided to do something I never do with my nail designs: copy. This design was stunning. And when I finished, I got sooooo many compliments. And I must give credit where credit is due. So this is a thank you post to her for being such a wonderful nail artist and an inspiration. So here is a picture of my finished product and the video that gave me step by step instructions on creating this beautiful nail look. Enjoy! :)

Stronger Nails :)

2011-05-13T22:55:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed with my nails. I paint them every week (sometimes more than once), I treat them delicately, and I love to show them off. Unfortunately, all that changing things up had started taking a toll on my nails. I started noticing peeling, chipping, and breaks. It made me want to scream. But rather than be defeated, I decided to do something about it.

I walked into Walgreens and saw a coupon book. It just so happens they had a $2.oo off coupon for the Sally Hansen VitaSurge Strength Gel. Figuring I had nothing to lose and hating to miss out on a good deal, I decided to try it. Sally Hansen has some awesome products, and this was no exception.

The way the gel works, you just apply it to the nail and massage it in. I put mine on when after I cleaned the nail completely of debris and polish. Then I followed with my base coat, color, and top coat. And this is one of those products that can even be applied over dry color. When applying, I was sure to cover the entire nail including the free edge.

In a span of just a few days, I noticed that the peeling was clearing up.I couldn't believe it. It was like magic. I haven't had any chipping or breaking of nails in that span as well. My nails feel thicker and stronger. Bending them is really hard to do. That's a good sign. For this reason, it is my new favorite nail product. I recommend this to people with weak, peeling nails. Just try it. It's working for me. :)

I'm Back!

2011-05-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

I know it's been awhile everybody, but I'm finally back to blogging. I was busy with my schoolwork. And I would like to tell you all that this weekend, I graduated from Park University. That chapter of my life is closed now, and I feel relief. LOL

I have a ton of products that I want to review and have been wanting to review for months. There are hair products, nail strengtheners, and a whole bunch of other wonderful beauty products. I also relaxed again. I haven't done that since February. Great results too. So stay tuned because there are tons of goodies. :)

New Additions are Great

2011-02-08T22:40:00.000-08:00

I had a good time this evening. I was hanging out with my mother and we always have a good time. Today I took her to Sephora for the first time. It's not her bag, but she really dug the perfume section. We picked up the perfect gift for my grandmother, and I grabbed two items for myself as well. I won't put up a pick of my grandma's gift just in case there is a leak, but here's what I got.
This is Philosophy's Hope in a Tinted Moisturizer. I tried it out about a week ago and fell in love with it. This retails for $38 USD, but it's well worth it. No foundation needed when you use this stuff. It's amazing.I also picked up the Stila seasonal blush "Make Me Blush". It was so sweet that I just couldn't resist. I'm not too much into the Valentine's Day hype, but I love hearts, gold, and Stila cosmetics. This retails for $14 USD.
Our last stop was Wal-Mart. I couldn't resist the last purchase. It's the "Honey" perfume from Mariah Carey's Lollipop Bling Collection. It smells amazing. It's bright and lovely like a spring day. I will get the others in the next few weeks, but this one was the closest to my personal taste. It retails for $19 USD.

Rainbow Dazzling :)

2011-02-04T22:11:00.000-08:00

I haven't had a lot of time to post lately. I'm so sorry all. This is my final semester of college, so I'm pushing things into overdrive.

One thing I have been maintaining fairly well, and occasionally are my nails. This is my design from last week. I couldn't figure out which color to use, so I just used them all. They were bright, fun, and I got lots of compliments. Perhaps, when I finally do get time, I will do a video tutorial on how to replicate some of my designs.

I Can Feel My Scalp

2011-01-09T15:41:00.000-08:00

After approximately three months, I'm relaxed. I always say that I will not stretch again and then...Well, I do it again. LOL. It's been good for my hair though. It's so thick and strong. Length is increasing, but the thickness is my goal right now. And I'm definitely achieving that with no issues.

I will be posting pics tomorrow most likely, but I'm just glad to have gotten it done. I refuse to wear my hair down in this weather (brrrr!), so I just keep rockin my buns. Maybe I'll flat iron it because I need to trim and check length. HHG everybody! :)

Tumeric :)

2011-01-03T00:17:00.000-08:00

The other I was talking with a friend of mine about natural remedies for the skin. For the record my friend is Indian and Bangladeshi. At any rate, I raise questions about spices and so on. Eventually we got on the subject of turmeric which is a base spice in many dishes from India and Bangladesh. Apparently it has quite a few benefits for the skin. However, it's a messy affair dealing with turmeric because it can stain, permanently. Not the skin of course, but clothes, counter tops, and any other surface that may be porous.

So you all know me. I had to get in the kitchen and try out a homemade turmeric mask. My goal was to brighten my skin up a little. The winter makes me dull and a little patchy because of the shorter days and less sunlight. I also have reddish undertones in my skin that don't go well with my winter makeup.

Here's what I used:

1/4 tsp Turmeric
1/2 tbsp Plain yogurt
1/2 tbsp Honey
1 tsp Lemon juice
1/4-1/2 tsp Pearl powder
1 tsp Mashed papaya

You'll also need:

small bowl
spoon
plastic gloves
facial exfoliating sponge
face wash

NOTE: Do not wear any clothes, shoes, socks or use any towels that you would wear outside the home. You will stain them in this process because it is inevitable. Also, wear plastic gloves to prevent staining of the fingers and protect any fabric around you that would accidentally be stained.

Mix the items together and apply over the face with the plastic spoon. Unused portions can be stored in the fridge for two days max, but try to use it all if you can. Let the mixture sit on the skin for approximately 15 minutes. Rinse completely with warm water. Moisten the exfoliating sponge and add your face wash. Gently wash the face at least twice to remove any leftover residue from the mask. Rinse again thoroughly, pat the face dry and tone use toner. Moisturize, and you're done.

The turmeric will give the skin a slight tint, but most of that will be washed away. Your skin should feel very smooth and glow as if you have been kissed by the sun. :)

Let me tell you. It's a messy affair but well worth it.

Jade Face Massager Revisited

2010-12-30T20:41:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, I got several shipments in from overseas. One of those items in my many shipments was a jade face massager. Even then I wasn't sure if I was really going to use it. I just knew it was pretty. But I am using it. I love it. There are tips for using this tool though. Plus, the secret to it's skin rejuvenation has recently been revealed to me through my many trial and error experiences.

Tip #1: Get that baby cold!

This is the most important tip for me. You see, the jade is predominantly nonporous. So whatever temperature you put it at, it will stay until another temperature is introduced. I know, it's confusing. I will simplify. The cold, smooth surface is good for closing pores which makes the skin feel smoother. After a good exfoliating or some steaming, I must roll the jade over my face. The smoothness of the stone paired with that cold sensation feels great! Trust me.

Tip #2: Roll it UP

When using a face massager, it is crucial to roll it in an upward motion. We want to defy gravity. Rolling in a downward motion will only increase your chances for sagging and wrinkles. The combination of the solid structure of the roller and the smooth surface prove themselves to be viable in defeating the early signs of age. Remember, we are training the skin.

Tip #3: Don't Crack Me

If ever your roller has serious damage, don't try to fix it. Any adhesive you use will just destroy the surface of the roller. Any chips, cuts, or dings could also cause a nasty scar on your face. (Ouchie and yowzers!) Keep your jade roller protected and safe from breakage in a bag or box that is padded. Replacing them (if you can't find a dealer selling them for a low price) can be pricey, so take good care of it.

Tip #4: Keep it Clean

Do not use your massager on a dirty face. It will only spread bacteria and cause breakouts. Use it only after the face it thoroughly cleansed and moisturized. To keep your massager clean, use a mild body soap or even baby soap to remove any debris. Remember to dry it well to prevent rusting of metal casings.

I hope this was inspirational and informational for all of you that either own a jade face massager, would like to have one, or never even even heard about it. :)

Love Your Hands

2010-12-18T04:23:00.000-08:00

I forgot I even owned this stuff! But I'm glad that I remembered. This is the best moisturizer I've used on my hands since the weather started getting cold and dry. It's the best so far really. This is Bask Heavenly Silk Daily Skin Nourishing Moisturizer Anti-Aging Firming Lotion. It is my weapon of choice against dry, rough hands this frosty season.

I purchased this small sized bottle at Beauty Brands a few months back at that "Girls Night Out" event. I love this lotion. I can only wonder what it will do for the rest of my skin. I'm pretty sure it will make the rest of me feel like cashmere just like it does my hands. I can't wait to get my hands on a larger bottle later on today. :)

I Wanna Be a YouTuber!

2010-12-12T20:38:00.001-08:00

Michelle Phan, who is an absolute YouTube sensation, is holding a shoe designing contest. And to enter, you must design a shoe on ShoeOfPrey.com and submit a video response. I normally don't do this sort of thing, but I went ahead and entered. I suggest the rest of you all out there try it. Here's her video detailing what you will win and how to enter:

Here is my entry. I call it the "Krissy". I put information regarding my design in the description box. :)

Braid Out Heaven

2010-12-09T00:54:00.000-08:00

Recently, I've been putting more effort into my hair. The pay off has been more than what I could ever expect. I'm loving my hair right now.

I recently did a braid out because I hadn't in so long. I was super pleased with the results. Even more so, I realized how much more my hair had grown.
That little separation in the middle is not a lack of hair. It's where the part was. I just should have fluffed it out more. At any rate, it was thick and so easy to do. Four French braids, aloe vera gel, and the smallest satin rollers for the ends of my hair. A few hours later I had this. I combed it just a little and used just enough hairspray to ensure my waves wouldn't fall or disappear.

I guess I'll relax again soon. I will see how much longer I will manage what I already have going. I want to stay away from the creamy crack as often as possible. Maybe I could just flat iron it. Yeah :) And then I'll post pics of that. :)

Til next time, HHG! :)

STOP! Don't Clip that Nail!

2010-12-05T08:20:00.000-08:00

I'm guilty. I'm totally guilty. I'm the type of person that will clip all my nails if just one breaks or splits. DON'T DO IT! I came across this video on YouTube that will show you how to repair a broken nail. It's simple, practically free to do, and it's quick. Hope you all enjoy it. :)

Nail Fantastic

2010-11-10T17:37:00.000-08:00

Finally!!! I got a chance to stop by my house and get a snapshot of some of my nail art. This isn't everything, but it's a good portion of it. Let's see what we have here...
I'm going to keep it simple because it will take a while to describe just what I have here. I have rhinestones in the following shapes: flowers, stars, hearts, round 1.5 mm and 3mm
I have miniature bows and pearls, fimo flowers, and miniature beads.
In the clear bow are 20 assorted nail art decorations with acrylic sheets, beads, and glitters. In the clear package is another assortment of miniature beads, acrylic sheets (stars, hears, rain drops, and sequins.) I may have left something out, but I think I got most of it in there.

What I left out of the picture are and assortment of different color glitters, fimo slices, acrylic powder creations of my own and the acrylic powders, and more decorations. I also have over 100 different nail polish colors and tools I use for decoration.

I will making more post on this topic soon. :) What an obsession to have! :D

Nail Orders AWAY!!! :D

2010-11-08T02:04:00.000-08:00

Recently, I've been on this nail decorating kick. I've been collecting a variety or colors and textures to try out. It's been a blast. My fascination has expanded my nail polish collection to over 100 colors. There are blues, greens, glitters, pinks, and a whole array of flashiness. :)

Nail art is become quite my area of expertise. I've ordered many shapes and sizes of rhinestones and other nail decorating items as well. I'm not sure which item is my favorite in this department, but with me all that glitters is gold. I have two orders due to arrive soon. One set includes miniature bow decorations and acrylic sheets cut into various shapes. They will add that extra twinkle on my hand that is sure to draw the attention of many sets of eyes.

I haven't been home much at all because of family issues. Thus, I haven't had the opportunity to photograph and post images of my growing collection of treasures. I love to go home, sit in the middle of the floor or at my vanity table and just create works of wearable art. Rewarding doesn't begin to describe the exhilaration I feel when I know I've made something to pretty and complimentary to my personal style.

HAIR UPDATE!!!

I'm loving my hair right now. I haven't made many changes to my regimen. I've kept many of the same products actually. For some reason though, my hair is growing, shiny, and flowing. I'm expecting to gain more length over the next few months because I trimmed it well. I'll have to make sure hair pics go up as well. HHG!

Long Time...

2010-11-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

Life has been crazy everybody. I had to set aside my blog for a little while. Like many other people, I have been through some trials and just had to work through them. However, with the holidays coming up soon, I will actually have time to post all the material that I've accumulated over the last two months. School has been a whirlwind, and so had my family stuff. I'm sure you all understand. Still, I apologize for not posting new stuff.

I will say this much. I'm getting into the whole nail scene. I have plenty to show you. I will be posting videos on YouTube soon. I've tried some awesome products so tons of reviews of nail polish, hair oils, and other things are coming.

Right now I'm going to do a quick review of my new favorite product for the hair. That is JOJOBA OIL!!! I had been using coconut oil and loving it. I was using amla gold oil and loving it. I love all my hair oils. However, jojoba is the queen of hair oils for me. I seal with it everyday now. My hair is not only shiny and lustrous, but it is healthier. I'm not experiencing much breakage at all. It doesn't really have a smell either, so it doesn't clash with my other hair products that are scented.
Stay tuned everybody. This weekend, I will be putting up information on my nail polish and nail art collection that will be expanding soon because I'm expecting more products.

More Stuff

2010-09-11T00:47:00.001-07:00

I've been crazy busy, but I took this pic of some more items I got in from China. I'll cut to the chase. Left to right we have an epilator stick, a jade face massager, and microwave oxygen face massager.

The epilator stick was probably 99 cents. It's basically a tightly would coil the you roll over the face to remove hair. I won't lie. It takes some getting used to, but it's highly effective and efficient.
The jade face massager was about 5 dollars. I love it. It's pretty, feels great against the skin, and it does seem to make my skin less inflamed.
The other massager I bought on a whim. I use it on my umm....double chin. There. I said it. LOL. It packs quite a lot of power. I love it. I believe it was about 2 dollars.

I will have some more posts up about my nail obsession really soon. Stay tuned. :)

A Few New Tools

2010-08-24T14:14:00.002-07:00

I had wrote a few weeks back about my purchases from overseas. I have received a majority of those items, so I thought that I would start putting up those things little by little as they come in. Today's post will feature some important beauty tools that I got for super great prices.
Left to right: Lady shaver, pore cleaner, pore scrubber for nose area, facial mixing kit.

The lady shaver is an essential for me. It's small and mighty, cute, and less than 4 dollars on eBay. (Come to think of it, all the items in this post are 5 dollars or less with shipping.) The pore cleaner is awesome. It was sucking out dirt like a vacuum! I had no idea how powerful something so small could be. Now I know. LOL. The pore scrubber really works up a lather and I feel a tingle in that area after use. It's invigorating. Love love love it. Lastly, we have the facial mixing kit. It is my favorite.

I'll have more stuff up over the next couple of weeks. I have some major surprises. I would say, but then it wouldn't be a surprise anymore. LOL. Also, my purchase from Sasa.com made it in. All I can say is FABULOUS!!!

Celluless...Really?

2010-08-13T07:32:00.000-07:00

I couldn't resist. I did one of those random searches on Ebay and came across a small machine called the Celluless. It's a portable vacuum therapy machine used for reduction of cellulite and supposedly helps with blood circulation. I bid on it won it, and now it's in my possession. I thought was a little ridiculous at first until I got into several bidding wars before landing my own :)

Using the Celluless is actually quite easy. I didn't have s set of instructions in my package, so I just figured it out on my own. It's draws the skin into a suction cup as it's glided over the skin. The cellulite is reduced by the blood flow and the muscle contractions that happen as a result of the suction. At least, that's how I'm thinking it works. I could be wrong. At any rate, it's a vacuum system that it intended for parts of the body like the buttocks, thighs, arms, back, and abdomen.

My experience with this machine thus far is good. I felt a significant firmness and smoothing of my skin after using consistently for a week. The jiggle is more contained. I'm really liking this. I think I will use the machine for a few months before I do an update.

Hyaluronic Acid Update

2010-08-10T09:20:00.000-07:00

I am in love with this stuff! I've been using it for over a week now, and the difference in my skin is like night and day. I have a permanent glow. I'm never very dry, or over very oily. There is balance to my skin. I feel it firming up again. My outbreaks (even with a menstrual cycle) were virtually nonexistent.

With all this hydration and balance restored to my face, I went on to use it continuously on dry ares of my body like the knees, elbows, and feet. The roughness fades my friends. It fades. The hyaluronic acid is the king of kings when it comes to hydration. There is no dry part of the body that it can't fix or treat. It's just that good. But it gets better....

The other day after washing my hair, I added a few drops to my leave in conditioner. I noticed less shedding, detangling was a breeze at 9 weeks post, and the moisture stayed locked in. Later on after my hair air dried a bit, I blow dried it (with heat protection, of course). Afterward, to put the lost moisture back into my hair i mixed a little of the hyaluronic acid with my moisturizer. It was like a miracle. My hair is smooth, no frizziness, no dry ends, easy to comb through... Most of all, it shines! I've been super excited about products I've tried in the past, but nothing beats this. I'm not saying for nothing either. I mean it.

I can only assume that with this kind of moisture my hair is going to grow even faster. With nothing hindering the growth and the moisture being boosted, I've got it made. I'll be updating with hair pics soon. :) HHG!

NEW VISION

2010-08-07T20:56:00.001-07:00

FINALLY!!!! I've got my new glasses. I'm more than satisfied. I think they make me look more mature. Considering I'll be 25 in a few months, I found it absolutely necessary to update my look. Anyways, here are the new looks. :)

Hyaluronic Acid

2010-08-05T17:44:00.000-07:00

I placed a last minute order on Amazon.com for hyaluronic acid. There are several versions of this product. In all my confusion, I just went for the most basic version that I could find. It was a super value (cuz I'm the bargain queen :D)

So what is so special about hyaluronic acid?

It's super hydrating. It can absorb and hold several times it's own weight in water.
It gives plumpness to the face decreasing the appearance of wrinkles and treating the dryness that can cause wrinkles
A little goes a long way. The product usually comes in the form of a serum accompanied with a dropper. It takes only a few drops to cover the entire face.
It can be added to creams, lotions, etc. to provide superior moisturizing and more youthful looking skin.

I went with the Timeless Skin on Amazon. (CLICK HERE for that product) It was the best value for the amount. Normally you only get one ounce for anywhere between 10 and 30 dollars. I got a two ounce bottle for 15.95 with free shipping. And it wasn't snail mail. I got my package in 3 days. Also, they've never been given a negative review. All is either positive or neutral with 97% positive feedback over the span of their existence.

I've only used the hyaluronic acid a few times, but I noticed right away how quickly it absorbed. Even further, after having it on overnight, I woke up with my face looking smooth and girlishly plump. I even mixed it with a foot cream to see if it would work wonders on the feet since they tend to get dry from time to time.

I would recommend this product to several groups of people. It's appropriate for ages 16 and up. It seems to be gentle and effective in fighting several common skin problems. Also, it can help keep possible skin issues at bay. Give this a try and tell me what you think. :)

Ordering Fun :)

2010-08-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

Who said beauty had to cost an arm and a leg? LOL. I've found a solution, sorta. See, buying things in the American market can get expensive. Often, the demand can't be met, so they hike up the price. Often time, this can slow sales, but still generate great profits. I'm not mad about that at all. It's business, and I love my country. (We're so awesome!)

I've found a sort of loophole in my weekend of indulging in the international market. I've looked to India for something that I've been using for a few years now. The product is about impossible to get here in the U.S. if there isn't an Indian community. The product is called Fair and Lovely. It's a controversial item. Long story....I use it as a makeup base and a sort of toner or BB cream. (I will do a post about BB creams in the near future.) I put it on and everybody thinks I'm wearing makeup. It does wonders for the skin over time. Most notably, it reduces shine, controls oil, soothes the skin, provides sun protection, and a list of other benefits. I'll post the link to that below.

CLICK HERE

Ok. I went on Sasa.com and got a ton of stuff. The prices there are great. It's the Asian equivalent of Ulta. It's just something different. And with the shipping being only 6 dollars, you can have a lot of fun there. I'm registered with them, and I get frequent updates about sales and markdowns. I love it. I can't wait for my package to get here.

Now I'm on Ebay. You can get so many cool items from Hong Kong and Japan there. You just have to know what you're looking for. You can purposely set you search options to these and other countries. I'm in the process of getting a pore cleaner that literally sucks the dirt and oil out of your face. I'm also getting a pore scrubber for the nose area where pores are unusually large leading to clogging and irritation. I'll be sure to put up pics of all this stuff. I'll put up prices as well.

Beauty from Overseas

2010-07-31T14:58:00.000-07:00

I'm looking on one of my favorite site for international cosmetics: Sasa.com. I love the layout, the wide range of products and the opportunity to try something that I can't get here in the continental market. It's so much fun going through the endless pages of products dedicated to this and that.

The only problem that I'm having now is what I should buy. I set a budget and all that. I'm just super unsure about what I should buy. I know I definitely want to look into something that will revitalize my skin and get rid of these horrid marks left behind by years of eyeglass wear. I never thought I would get to this point, but at the tender age of 24, I have laugh lines, and I see wrinkles in my forehead. AHHHHH!!!!! Time to get that under control ASAP!

I guess I'll take the next few hours out to make some decisions. And when everything arrives I'll be sure to update.

BTW: My car just got fixed today and I'm still waiting on the new glasses so that I can drive. What a mess.... But I'm working through it. :)

New Glasses

2010-07-26T15:44:00.000-07:00

I did the unthinkable...I broke my glasses. It may seem like a curse, but it was actually a blessing in disguise. I went to the optical store and managed to order some pretty snazzy pairs of glasses. It was more than time for a new look. Also, I was long overdue for an eye exam.

It will likely be a week or two before they get in, but I'm so glad that I took care of that portion of my business.

One thing I kept in mind while picking out my glasses was my love of makeup. What is the use in having frames that covered my eyeshadow? LOL. The one thing about my old glasses I hated was how they blocked me from seeing my elaborate eye makeup that I spent so much time and effort on. They also created unsightly dark marks on my face from the metal wearing down over time.

On that note, I will be trying a homemade treatment on those areas to reverse the damage created from wearing those hideous things. I will be posting more on that a little later :)

Diets, Diets, Diets

2010-07-21T13:31:00.000-07:00

This has been one crazy summer. My schedule has been absolutely wild. As a result, I've actually put on a few more pounds rather than lose some. I won't go into that. My point is that it's time for me to get serious about this whole thing.

One thing I learned from my mother (whom is not an authority on this but just wise) told me not to think of losing weight through diets. They work, but only for a little while. And when people reach their goals, they do the unthinkable and gain all that weight back. I don't want that. I want a continuing good bill of health and to be at a healthy weight.

I don't feel pressure to lose weight to please anyone. I'm just serious about getting in shape. I've spent too much time trying to please others and not looking out for myself like I should. It's alright though. Life is changing, and now it's all about my total health and beauty. :)

Hawaiian Silky

2010-06-29T22:17:00.000-07:00

I had to give this product a try because everybody else was doing it. LOL.

I have a daughter who has curly hair and I have relaxed hair. To save money, I often buy products that work for both of us. That keeps my wallet in check and me out of the beauty supply store so often. There are a few things that seem to work well for us because the products are natural and gentle.

Hawaiian Silky Miracle Worker 14-in-1...What can I say about this product? I honestly like it. This is another item that is great my daughter's and my own hair. The smells is nice. Fruity almost :) I like that a lot. The consistency was a bit of a shocker though. I was expecting it to be a little thinner. It doesn't bother me at all though since our hair tends to get a little dry at times. I love the way it makes it so easy to comb through our hair and can be sprayed evenly throughout the hair. This is summer love at first spray. LOL. I know it sounds cheesy, but I really do plan to keep this in my regimen for the summer and longer maybe.

CutesyGirl.com Sale

2010-06-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

Hey Ladies! Just wanted everybody to know that CutesyGirl.com has a rockin sale going on right now. Tons of styles start as low as 9.99 a pair. Unbelievable! It's true tho. I think that I may pick up a few pairs myself. And those that spend 50.00 get free shipping. That's all the time though. Make sure you check out this sale before it's too late.

Click HERE to go to the sale. :)

L.A. Colors Makeup Products

2010-06-20T01:28:00.000-07:00

As I promised, I'm finally doing a review of the lot of L.A. Colors items I've accumulated over the past few months. Let me be totally honest. After using their products, I feel like an idiot for paying tons of money for Sephora and other products that cost a lot more. I have the finishing powder, and array of eyeshadows, mascara, eyeliner, blush, and lip products. They are serious competition for bigger brands.

The only drawbacks I can think of for this line is a complete line not being available in stores across the U.S. and the color intensity. The packaging is simple and to the point but tends to give and appearance of being cheap. Technically at the price it's available for, it is cheap. The products are good though.

The colors won't pop without the aid of an eyeshadow primer. This is true for most eyeshadows because they crease and fade. With the primer (I prefer Urban Decay), they last all day and look pretty like the more expensive brands. Color options are somewhat limited, but mixing colors give you a wide range of choices.

Lip gloss and lipstick with this brand is average. You have to reapply frequently, but I don't mind for only a dollar. You get what you pay for. The pigments are pretty and natural. They're moisturizing as well. I don't get the cracked lip or peeling from these. I used them frequently whether I had a full face of makeup or I'm just dressing up my lips with a light face powder.

Mascaras and eyeliner work pretty well. They say as long as you prime the eye first. Clumping is occasional and running of liner happens when my eyes are really watery.

I think I'm talking to much now. The bottom line is that I give L.A. Colors the seal of approval for an inexpensive line that provides good colors, portability and style that won't leave you broke and sorry. LOL

New Satin Cap

2010-06-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

Satin is an essential part to preventing breakage of the hair and loss of moisture. I NEVER sleep without my satin. On nights where I'm too lazy to put on a cap (or don't want to be confined), I always sleep on a pillow covered with a satin pillowcase. Other nights when I'm more dedicated and less tired, but reach for a satin cap or hair wrap.

The other day on an expedition to K-Mart with my sister, I picked up a satin cap made by Conair. It's glorious. The band is nice and snug, and the weight of the satin is much lighter than my previous satin caps and wraps. It was also half the cost of the deluxe satin cap I bought which was 6.99. The bad wore out quickly and the mesh netting on the outside was strange. It was great while it lasted, but this Conair cap is much better and cheaper at 3.00.

Update Pic

2010-06-13T00:06:00.000-07:00

This is what my freshly relaxed hair is looking like. Like I said, I need a trim. LOL. It's still doing quite well. My ends are filling in pretty nicely, and though it's hard to see from this angle, I've reached beginning BSL/ full APL. I'm happy about the progress. Who knows where my hair will be after the summer with continued pampering and moisture. :)

BTW... Sorry for taking so long to post. It's been a looooooooong week. LOL

Smooth, Real Smooth

2010-06-07T22:40:00.000-07:00

Finally! I am relaxed! And my hair has grown like crazy. I'm just so shocked, and in a good way. My hair is thick, full of body, and genuinely in great condition. I'm so happy with my hair, I don't know how to act. LOL. I'm still wearing my protective styles because now I can seriously focus on length. (I'll post pics tomorrow.)

At this point I'm focused on retaining and gaining length since I've achieved the total hair health that I've been working on for nearly two years. I need a trim, but aside from that, I'm not experiencing any real issues with breakage or thinning. This is the best condition my hair has been in since I began my journey nearly two years ago. If I keep things up, I will hit my summer length and health goal. :)

Summer Blues

2010-06-03T15:40:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy that I've practically ignored myself. My hair is still not relaxed. My nails look awful. I think it's because so much has been going on. That's ok tho. I'm gonna conditioner wash my hair tonight and give myself a well deserve manicure. I may do a pedicure too.

My new growth is crazy! LOL. I'm doing all that I can to keep it in check until I do decide to relax my hair. I've been using this nutrient spray by Garnier on the new growth especially because it contains oils that are good for the hair and keeps frizzing and dryness at bay. I got it at Wal-Mart for just over 3 dollars. I know....My pj-ism is getting me again. I can't help it tho. This stuff is cool. You have to shake to activate it and it smells wonderful.
I'm still going through all this makeup I have trying to decided how to review each item. I don't want to dedicate the whole summer to makeup, so maybe I'll do a mini haul and review with two groups: Loves and Have to Dumps. Honestly tho, there isn't much that I want to dump. :) Til then I'll be around. HHG!

Cuticle Remover

2010-05-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

I have an obsession with my nails. I love for them to be uniform, painted, and just well manicured. I spend hours soaking, trimming, clipping, filing, and just going the extra mile to make them look good. However, my cuticles have always been a huge issue for me. It seemed like no matter how hard I worked to get off all the dry skin it would remain. This was causing my painting jobs to look messy and unrefined.

The other night on a expedition to Wal-Mart with my sister, I picked up a bottle of cuticle remover made by Sally Hansen. I had a lot of anxiety looming over me because it does dissolve the dead skin and could cause irritation, erosion, or some weakening. At any rate, I got home and tried it. It was the best decision I ever made. It made rubbing back all that bad cuticle and clearing it away a breeze. At around five dollars a bottle, it's a good investment as well. Especially for someone like me that does their own manicures at lease twice a week.

It will take time to see if it has an adverse effects, but at this point in time I'm happy with it. It works wonders for my feet as well. It was so easy to use. I just can't believe it. Just thought I would share that bit with everybody :)

Goody Modern Updo Pin Review

2010-05-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

Well...I'm still not relaxed, but I was so curious about that updo style thing that I just had to try it. It basically looks like a giant hairpin. And that's really what it is.

Let me cut to the chase. It's not worth the almost six dollars I paid, however, I still like it. I tried to follow the directions that came with it, but I ended up just doing my own thing. It takes a bit of practice, but it's something that I would recommend for those that want to try something different. For those that have longer hair, it's a good investment. It's a sturdy, versatile item. I wouldn't recommend it for hair shorter than beginning APL because there could be a lot of tugging trying to get it to stay. I wouldn't discourage shoulder length ladies from buying this though, especially if you have thick hair

The only thing I don't like about it is the outward curvature of the ends. Rather than being straight or slightly bowed like a normal bobby pin, they curve outward. Because of this, it can get a little tricky when inserting and removing. Being patient and careful is the key. Otherwise it's easy to believe that it's going to be stuck in your hair. LOL. And that's not the case.

I will likely try the other styling tools from the Goody line. HHG :)

Quick Slim Tip

2010-05-03T22:33:00.000-07:00

I have several reviews that I want to do this week. But right now, I'm still in the process of updating some things. But please be on the lookout. This is finals week and things are crazy. Did I mention I was in the middle of a move too? LOL

At any rate, I just had to give this tip because it was an idea I had at the very last second. I was going out on a date and I wanted to give myself a quick slim. I didn't reach for a girdle or order spanks. Wanna know what I did? I discovered a secret with a pair of control top pantyhose. That's right. Rather than waste 60 dollars on designer undergarments or be squeezed to death with a rigid girdle, I cut the legs off a pair of control top pantyhose that had seen their end (I thought). For less than five dollars I was able to get that support and shaping that I wanted. And it works great. Granted, they don't last forever, but they are cheap and will do well if you treat them gently. Did I mention no panty lines? It's just a tip. If you like, give it a try and see how it works for you. :)

Hair Divine

2010-04-25T13:47:00.000-07:00

I have a strong desire to try some new things with my hair. There's nothing wrong with a little change up every once in awhile. Keeping that in mind, I picked up these items at Wal-Mart the other day on an excursion with my mother. (She's so much fun!) I've been wanting to try the Bump Its for some time, so I picked them up. I also got the Goody Modern Updo styling tool and FX Silk Drops

I haven't had a try to give any of these things a try. Today I'm going to wash my hair and try the Silk Drops first. Later in the week, I will try out the styling item after I've had my hair relaxed. That way my hair will be in condition to handle the tugging. I'm so many weeks post that I don't want to risk it. I'll get back to everybody and let you know how it goes. HHG :)

Palladio Rice Powder

2010-04-17T12:51:00.000-07:00

I can't say enough good things about this powder. WOW. I love the smooth texture, the light scent, the weightlessness, and the way it makes the "shinies" disappear.

I've had this powder for a few months now amidst all the other products I'd purchased. This is my favorite powder for setting my makeup and finishing off my look. What it does for me is provide round the clock protection from occasional shine that occurs. I use this in conjunction with a primer. The outcome is a smooth matte finish that lasts for hours. Surely, I have to reapply later in the day, but it's so lightweight and pleasant it doesn't bother me at all. As I've said, this has been in my makeup collection for a few months and I still have plenty left.

This was about 5 dollars. It was one of my smartest makeup purchases yet. I even use it when I don't want to wear makeup just to give my skin a silky smooth feeling and a perfected, flawless appearance. By the way, I wear the translucent formula. I'm sure there are other colors, but the translucent works for all skin tones being that it goes on like a transparent veil. Try it. :)

Sephora Anti-Shine Primer

2010-04-15T18:43:00.001-07:00

I decided that it was time to purchase a makeup base after my sample from Sephora began to run out. However, I wanted something that would give me that matte look that I crave. As a result, I opted for the anti-shine formula. I think I paid about 18 dollars for this 30ml. This may seem steep, but I only use a tiny bit.

I like this base a lot. It spreads easily, feels extremely light, and it helps make application smoother and more even. I don't see as many pores when I apply this, and my makeup lasts longer foundation wise. I love the matte look it gives my face before foundation application. Also, rather than having my makeup seep into my pores, this makes it sit on top of the skin. I would recommend this because a little goes a long way. I use a pea sized amount for the entire face and that is more than enough.

Grey Day

2010-03-18T13:33:00.001-07:00

On one of my trips to Icing, I came across the most interesting nail color. It's made by the Incing brand. The color is "Ice Queen". I'm in love with it. It's a grey with undertones of blue. When pair with yellow, the blue tone appears and the grey is more true. When paired with black and white, it retains the blue undertones. This is my new black. I've gotten a ton of compliments on it too.

This didn't cost more than 5 dollars. The quality is comparable to China Glaze or OPI. The bottle is shaped just like the China Glaze bottle as a matter of fact. Let me know what you all think about this color.

BTW, that background is at my internship. LOL. See how the color matches that phone? That's a sure sign that it was meant for me. :D

I Called My Avon Lady

2010-03-13T11:13:00.000-08:00

I know that I said I was going to slow down on the makeup, but the truth is that there are some colors that I was still needing, so I got a few more eyeshadow sets. Shame on me. I know. LOL. One of them was the one pictured above. It's Avon True Color, and this quad is called "Fresh Cut Greens" I love it. The colors are pretty bold but subtle all the same, and the quality is great because it's Avon. :)

I paid about 8 or 9 dollars for this quad. Having brown eyes, it makes them look softer and more deep. I like to pair this with black/brown mascara and mink brown eyeliner. On the bottom, there is a color guide that tells you where to put each color which is really helpful. I didn't have to contemplate how to wear each color. Mornings are crazy so instructions are a super plus.

This is not the only quad color available of course. I would recommend that everybody have a look at all the color schemes they have available. They're lovely for spring this year. :)

Sebastian Review

2010-03-08T00:51:00.000-08:00

I try to do a review for all my hair products. And so this is one of those reviews :)

I like this stuff a lot. It's thick, but it's so smooth and creamy. I feel like it is actually protecting my hair (especially the ends). It spreads over the hair evenly. And It doesn't weight the hair down either. I got a good amount of shine and softness. I have virtually no frizz. I would recommend this to those with coarser hair like mine because of the substantial texture of the product. The smell is an added bonus. It's really light and sweet. I used this to blow dry. So I can only imagine what it will be like if I flat iron.

I got this as a less expensive alternative to the CHI Silk Infusion. The small bottle of CHI Silk Infusion retails for more than $13.00. I got the Sebastian thermal styler at Big Lots for $7.oo only to find out that it retails for near $25.00 all across the internet. I guess I just got lucky. But if they continue to carry it at Big Lots, I'll buy it...for $7.00 LOL

Updates Coming Soon! :)

2010-03-06T02:42:00.000-08:00

It's been a crazy few weeks. I had finals and major papers for my online courses, I'm doing 2 internships, and I'm just busy all the time. Things should be slowing down just a little bit here very soon. I have a ton of updates and reviews for some items that I've gotten in the past few weeks. I even went to Sephora. (Shame on me and my pockets too apparently. We're so busted. LOL)

I should have something up Saturday night. It's too bad that I can't just do one now. But I'm totally unprepared, and I need to soak my fingers, trim my cuticles, get out the cuticle oil, and get something on my naked nails. I'm thinking nail hardener since it dries in like 30 seconds. Then I'll paint them a new shade of grey. It's just a little something I picked up at the Icing. I'm talking too much. I have to wash my makeup off too.

HHG and happy beauty. I will return in not that long. LOL

Lush :)

2010-02-19T11:53:00.000-08:00

I had no idea there was a Lush Cosmetics store in my city! Yay! I got a chance to go. And I was so happy with my purchases. Here's what I got
Street Party Bath Bomb (1) $4.95-Limited Edition (Mine has an American flag in the side though. LOL)
Sunny Side Bubble Bar (1)-$6.15
Shimmy Shimmy Sparkle Bar (1)- $6.75

(All these images are from Lush.com by the way.)

The bath bomb is for my daughter. The ladies at the store did I demonstration for us. It filled the air with a lovely refreshing scent and the tub with luscious glitter. She just had to have it. I guess it's a sort of house warming gift for her. She can use it for the first time in the new house. I love my "Goose". :)

The Sunny Side bubble bar caught my eye immediately because it looks like a golden nugget. LOL. And I love anything that sparkles and shines. It supposed to turn the bath water a luxurious gold color. And it won't turn you into golden statue either. The golden glitter typically rinses away for the most part.

The Shimmy Shimmy was something I had to have. How many times can I say it; I love GLITTER. I'm such a big kid. And with this bar, I rub it across the skin and get the glow and a little bit of that glistening effect. I heart this so much. It has a nice subtle vanilla scent as well. So if you want, you can put any scent over it without a clash.

There was one other item I picked up at Charlotte Russe. And that was their scent called "Refuge". It smells like spring. I don't know exactly how to put it into words. It's a floral scent with notes of citrus and something oriental that I could swear I've smelled before. It's very feminine, light, and crisp. There is also night version of this, but I decided to stuck to the basics. And this was only 10.99. It's a great bargain.

Budget Beauty Fix

2010-02-15T20:55:00.000-08:00

I am an addict. I can't stop shopping. But the bright side to that is that I never run out of items to review and material from which to write. :)

I checked out two of my favorite stores for bargains: Dollar Tree and Big Lots. At the Dollar Tree I picked up all the makeup items in the picture (two lipsticks, 1 lipgloss, foundation, small lip palette, and three eyeshadows. At Big Lots I picked up a mini brush set (enclosed in the black case that reads "Ms. Makeup" on the front), and Sebastian thermal styler.

Now that I think about it, I may have bought some other items. But these things were big hits on my list....Yeah...I did buy more stuff. I got some some more brushes and eyeliner. But those where things that I replace or something like that.

My whole point in doing this is to prove that you can have beauty on a budget. I don't think I spent more than 20 dollars on beauty products this evening. And these are brand name items. I spent a lot of time just searching for that perfect. And I want to share that information because of the poor economy.

This isn't me showing off or anything. This is a broke college student (who is a single mother as well) that wants to keep up her appearance. It would be awesome if I could just carelessly throw my money away. But I have to be super careful. And I'm hoping that I can get a better camera so that I can do makeup shots of the fabulous things I'm doing with these items. They may be inexpensive, but they are great products. And so I guess I'm on some silly quest to prove it. LOL. Stay tuned and see what happens. Much love, and stay beautiful. :)

I think I tried to justify my spending problem....LOL

CHI Makes Me Cheese :D

2010-02-14T23:24:00.000-08:00

I got a chance to wash my hair the other night. And I did something I almost never do....I blow dried my hair *Gasp* LOL. But I took the necessary precautions. And my new dryer makes it so much easier. And it's an ionic dryer too so I'm assume that's why I had minimal frizziness.

At any rate, I took this time to try out the CHI Silk Infusion. I noticed one thing immediately. It smooths over the hair easily and evenly. I just worked it right on through. And then I began to just dry over the hair with no attachments on the dryer. And I got it to the point where it was just a little damp. Then I sectioned the hair off into smaller parts and added the comb attachment. I also added my moisturizer to my hair for more heat protection.

Overall it was a successful blow dry. My hair came out soft and shiny. Liked this product a lot. I had been using the Dove heat protection spray which I love. But it was nice to change it up a little. And I like the way it made my hair feel. I was running my fingers through it so I had to pin my hair up. LOL. It was an expensive buy at just under 14 dollars for the small bottle. But I don't use much heat at all. So I would consider it a brilliant splurge.

I'm off to moisturize my hair before bed now. HHG! :)

Done Out In Decco

2010-02-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

So, I decided to change my nail color for like the third time this week. Now I'm sporting OPI's "Done Out In Decco". It's phenomenal. The color is gorgeous and so even. I've been wanting to try this color for awhile. And now I'm glad I did.

Today, I got the deal of a lifetime. I got two more OPI nail lacquers. And they we just 2.98 each. How did I do it? I went to the 35% off bin at Beauty Brands. But the colors I got ("Banana Bandanna and "Sahara Sapphire") were actually 65% off. It was just what I needed after I dropped ton in the furniture store today. It was totally cheap but made me feel so good.

Beauty Brands Ahoy

2010-02-09T17:50:00.000-08:00

Today was exciting! I finally got a chance to go to Beauty Brands. And I didn't get too crazy. But I picked up a few items. Again, I swear I'm not a hair product junkie. But I did finally get the CHI Silk Infusion. And I will be using it soon so that I can write a review.I got three nail lacquers as well. The first two are made by China Glaze. And I got those in "Fairy Dust" and "Fifth Avenue. And the last bottle I got was by OPI. And it's called "Done Out in Decco". I am currently wearing a China Glaze lacquer in "Metallic Muse". It's gorgeous. So I have high hopes and a ton of confidence in the other colors I picked up today. The bottle of OPI I got is my first brush with the brand. But based on it's reviews, I have really high hopes for this lacquer as well.

Honestly, I've been buying a ton of stuff outside of this. There's so much that I don't really have time to post it all. But I can tell you this: I got most of it at Dollar General and Dollar Tree. They carry L.A. Colors. And let me tell you...I love this brand. The nail polish is amazing. I love all of it. And if I see something new, I just pick it up because it's usually just one dollar. So sure, it adds up, but the deal is just too sweet. And the product is good.

At any rate, I will be back with more reviews and updates on the new products. And perhaps I'll be able to get up some pics of my hair and makeup looks. :)

Much Needed Hair Love

2010-02-08T19:02:00.000-08:00

I have been without a proper hair dryer for quite some time now. And today, I decided to deal with this issue head on. LOL. I bought one. I got the Cricket Friction Free Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Dryer. It's fabulous. On the site it says that it's 59.99, but in the store got it for 49.99. Hmmm....Oh well.

Also, I know I promised that I wouldn't be doing the hair product junkie thing. And I've been sticking to it just like I said I would. But I got a packet of the Silk Elements Luxury Moisturizing Condition. And I tried it the other night. It's amazing. I was so pleased, I bought a bottle of that today. And let me tell you...It's so smooth and creamy. And it smells amazing. But the real magic is how smooth and silky it makes the hair feel. And for that reason, I have decided to incorporate it into my regimen.

Foundation and Concealer

2010-02-06T16:34:00.000-08:00

The other day, my friends and I went to Wal-Mart. So much fun. You know I headed straight for the makeup aisle. LOL. And I picked up two really cool products. Both are made by Maybelline New York. The first product I got was Pure Makeup foundation in tan (dark 1). The other was Age Rewind Double Face Perfector (dark).I've been on the hunt for new foundation for a little while. I'm currently using Mary Kay foundation in bronze 500. And as much as I love it, 14 dollars is a little steep these days. So I got the Maybelline as a sort of comparable product. And it's great. It's water based which is great because some oils do clog the pores. It has great, even coverage. At five dollars, I couldn't ask for much more. I'm still in the testing phase with it, so I'll have to use it a little longer. But so far so great.

The concealer is a miracle worker. I had been using the Sephora concealer stick I got for 12 dollars. It was not for me because it didn't last long enough. The formula could get pretty chalk like and not blend with some products. Anyway, the Maybelline concealer covers so well. I love it. I hadn't seen my eyes look that bright in a long time. I paid right under eight dollars for it. Oh...did I mention there is a concealer end and highlighter end? Honestly, I will probably use it exclusively for concealing, but the feature is nice. It blends well and has a nice creamy texture. This will be something I will buy again.

Relaxer Woes and Results

2010-02-02T10:44:00.000-08:00

So, my relaxer didn't turn out quite the way I wanted it too. I had a processing issue but it came out pretty good still. But I have to admit that I majorly freaked out at first. Also, I decided to cut about and inch of all the way around because I felt like it was necessary to achieve a look I was going for. But don't worry. I'm still APL (and working on BSL).

Anyway, here is a pic of my hair in some soft curls after the cut was complete.
I don't have a shot of my edges, but they have pretty much grown all the way out. That breakage is all gone now. That was a major goal for me to grow the edges in nice and healthy. It took about a year to get them where I really wanted them. The wait was so worth it though.

Now, let me explain the cutting. My ends were not filling in the way I wanted. They were healthy but uneven. So I decided to go ahead and do some chopping. It worked out great. Sometimes when I cut my hair a little blunt, I just keep it in rollers and wear curls. It's low manipulation and cute. Loose or tight, wavy or more coiled...curls work well for me.

I haven't bought any hair products. I'm only going to replenish what I'm already using. The one thing I did get though was the Garnier Fructis Firm Hold Hairspray. Curls stay longer if you sprayed them. But I don't think I'll use that much. And I'll be back into a co washing routine that will wash out the gunk anyhow.

I've had a sudden interest in hair accessories. I wanted to jazz up simple styles and be different. I have headbands, clips, barrettes...And they aren't damaging either. They really add that little something to the hair and complete a look.

My rambling is out of control. LOL. HHG!!!

GirlPROPS and Fabuless

2010-01-30T17:18:00.000-08:00

I recently ordered and received my items from Girlprops.com and Fabuless.com. I couldn't be happier. The quality of everything is great. And I got some pretty sweet deals. I will likely be placing another order soon. Here's a pic of what I got for myself. There was more, but they were for my "sis" and my cousin.If you have any questions about specific items, let me know. I'll be glad to answer. And I encourage everyone to have a look at those sites.

I'm in the middle of a deep condition after finally relaxing. That's another process all in itself. I will not forget to put up pics. It's been a crazy week, and it will be getting a lot crazier. LOL.

Finally!

2010-01-29T17:59:00.001-08:00

Ok. All my Ebay items are in. Here's the pic and description.
Left to right: NYX Glitter Mania in "Hot Gold", Milani eyeshadow quad in "Denim Blues", and Profound Eyeshadow Shimmer and Body Glitter (greens with blue glitter)

I've been buying so much lately that I can't keep up. And believe it or not, I'm still not relaxed. My internship is keeping me quite busy as well. (Shout out to the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Department Juvenile Detention Center) I will try to get some more updates. I have more stuff coming in from Cherry Culture. Super exciting. And I will definitely be relaxing this weekend. The snow has fallen and I'm not going anywhere. LOL. HHG and happy beauty.

So Disappointed!

2010-01-23T18:59:00.000-08:00

There are a few things irritating me today. I am no longer putting up a reminder for the NYX Cosmtices sale. The shipping for 15 dollars worth of items was 11.80. So I just decided to skip on the sale. That is ridiculous. I could see if it was for international shipping, but I'm definitely in the U.S. So I'm outraged. Thankfully, CherryCulture.com is having a huge sale on selected items. I only paid 5.95 for the shipping. And if you buy 40 dollars worth of items, then the shipping is free. Did I mention that they carry NYX Cosmetics and had a ton of their items on sale?

I'm still waiting for my replacement item to come in the mail from that ebay seller. And until I get it, I can't post a pic of the other items I got on ebay. It's just one of those things I guess. But perhaps I should have waited to give positive feedback for the seller. I was being nice when I did it. But that's just the way it is sometimes. I don't know.

To top off all that, I had a tuberculosis scare. I have to get a tb skin test for my internship because I would be working in close quarters at a juvenile detention center. And my test read positive. I wasn't positive, but I had an allergic reaction to the injection. So I went to the hospital and had to get chest x-rays just so that I could return to my internship. But I lost a few hours because of that. And I learned that from now on, I will have to have a chest x-ray everytime I have a tb test because of my allergy to the injection. Grrr! Annoying!

Again, there is a bright side to every gloomy story. I ordered from GirlProps.com and Fabuless.com. So I'll have a little haul blog about that. I got a few items for my friend and cousin because I promised that I would get them some neat stuff when I was ready to order. So yeah. We'll all be happy because I'm a shopaholic. LOL.

I'm finally going to attempting relaxing my hair very shortly. I just have to get the little one off to sleep and get this homework completed. And then I'm home free. Wish me luck everybody. Have a blesses rest of the weekend and a fabulous week. I'll try to get up pics of the relaxing results by Monday. :)

Family Dollar Good Finds

2010-01-21T15:59:00.000-08:00

REMINDER!: NYX COSMETICS 1 DOLLAR SALE ON UNTIL JANUARY 25. CLICK HERE

As I'm waiting for my items to arrive in the mail, I sneaked a few more things into my collection. But I got them on the cheap so it's all good. I went to Family Dollar. And they carry the L.A. Colors line. I got a few things. But my absolute favorite is the metallic eyeshadow. It's pigmented very well. I was super impressed. I'm gonna post a pic of my little haul.

I got some nail polish as well. I'm obsessed with my overall beauty, so I will paint my nails in the middle of the night and sleep pretty. It works out well because I'm not a wild sleeper. But yeah...L.A. Colors also had some fabulous shades. So I picked up two. It was just a bunch of stuff. But anyway, here's the pic. I'm tired of rambling. LOL.

No Relaxer...Yet

2010-01-17T03:16:00.000-08:00

REMINDER: NYX COSMETICS SALE UNTIL JANUARY 25TH. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS.

I still haven't relaxed my hair. I've had enough time and energy to do so, but something in me hasn't gotten me there yet. But I have this interview on Tuesday, and I really want to look my best. So there is a chance that I may do it in the next day or two. It may seem shallow and all, but the reality is that the perfect hair style they look for is more or less the key to getting hired. Sad but true.

I plan to do a clarifying wash first. And I still have some porosity control conditioner that I'll use with my relaxer. That way I can be totally prepared. And I'm going heavy duty on the deep conditioner too. I'm maybe going to mix in a few oils just for added shine, softness, and protection. It's gonna be gorgeous. No worries for me right now on that front.

I got two products in the mail this week, but one more of them is still floating around out there. So I will wait to post a pic. Also, I forgot to include a pic of the glittering, purple nail polish that I got at Wal-Mart the other day. So I'll be sure to include it in the next pic.

That's all for now I guess. HHG!

NYX Cosmetics HUGE SALE!!!

2010-01-16T02:21:00.000-08:00

Ladies, there is a huge sale over at the NYX Cosmetics website. It's a 1 DOLLAR SALE. That's right. They have a huge selection of makeup going for just a single dollar. This offer is good until JANUARY 25th! Head over and get in on this great deal. I will post the link below. Just click and go! :)

http://nyxcosmetics.com/index.php?m=Sale

Glorious

2010-01-14T15:57:00.000-08:00

My Sephora stuff came in. And I'm so relieved. The eyeshadows are two different colors thank goodness. LOL. I won't ramble. Here's a pic and descriptionTop row from the left: Sephora Colorful Strass Mono Eyeshadow "No. 05", Sephora Colorful Pearl Mono Eyeshadow in "No. 4), Sephora Blush Me! Mono Blush in "Meringue Jalouse", Aquolina Pink Sugar eau de toilette Natural Spray (1 oz.)

Bottom row from the left (free samples): Couture Couture by Juicy Couture eau de parfum, Couture Couture by Juicy Couture Scented Powder, Kim Kardashian eau de parfum spray.

Just so you know, I checked the eyeshadow. It's super pigmented. I love it. And the blush is gorgeous. Just that perfect hint of shimmer makes it real for me. And my spray is amazing. It smells like pure candy. And since I'm on a diet, it suits the need and pleases my senses. :)

I'll be back with more updates as things arrive.

Hooray Wal-Mart

2010-01-13T23:37:00.000-08:00

I picked up a few items from Wal-Mart. I'll post a pic and description. Also, my package from Sephora will be arriving tomorrow (or today). Also, I'm going to be relaxing my hair and putting up pics of the results. (I know I was saying that I wanted to try to transition, but now is not my time. I'm too busy to even try that.)Umm... LOL. The items coming in from Ebay are going to be coming in randomly. But I will be sure to post pics and updates for all of those.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Here's the pic and items' descriptions
From the left: Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer, Bonnebell LipLites in "Cherry Berry Kiss", (top) NYC. Sparkle Eye Dust in "Pink Champagne", NYC. Smooth Skin Loose Face Powder in "Translucent", Biore Deep Pore Cleansing Strips

Beauty Haul!

2010-01-12T14:29:00.000-08:00

Today was splendid. Despite the cold, it wasn't as cold as it has been. The sun even came out to play. And after weeks of being cooped up in this house. I was out. Class on campus first. And then I hit up Sally's. Here's what I got:
Back row: Just For Me relaxer (super), Orly French Manicure set
Front row: Orly Ridgefiller Basecoat, Orly Nail Lacquer in "Shining Star" (which may be discontinued because it was reduced), Nina Ultra Pro Nail Lacquer in "Powder Puff", Femme Couture Mineral Effects Baked Eye Colour in "Aruba Blue"

My next stop was the Dollar Tree. (Yes. That place where everything is literally a dollar. And the products there vary. But I will try my best to list the products in case anybody wants to Google them or look them up on Ebay. Here's the photo. And the information is below.

From the Left: Maybelline New York Forever Metallics Lip color in "Shell Shimmer" and "Ginger Spice", Cover Girl EyeSlicks gel eye color in "Silver Breeze" and "Neon Pink", Cover Girl Mulitplying Mascara in "Black Brown", Maybelline New York Line Stylist Lip Liner in "Pink 110", L.A. Colors Pressed Powder in "Tan" (black compact), L.A. Colors 3 For Me Eyeshadow Lipgloss and Glitter Gloss in "Pink", L.A. Colors Liquid Eyeliner in "Black/Brown", L.A. Colors All-N-One Makeup Stick in "Pink Satin", L.A. Colors Vitamin E and Aloe Vera Lipstick in "Lilac Frost"

One other item I got at the Dollar Tree was a storage container for my nail polishes. They are supposed to be stored upright. And the height of the box allows this to be possible. Here's a pic of that too:I have some other items coming in the mail this week. So stay tuned for updates! :)

Blame it on the Cabin Fever

2010-01-09T12:05:00.000-08:00

I live in the Midwest. And right now, it's blistering cold, snow buildup of over a foot, and so getting out there is not an option. So right now, I'm suffering from major cabin fever. And mind you, I have a four year old who is getting restless with the weather as well.

When the weather gets like this, the only thing I can do is shop, from home that is. LOL. So that's what I did yesterday. I went to Sephora.com and got a few more items. I got a blush, two eyeshadows, and this perfume that I've been wanting since I got the sample from my last order. I did make a bit of a mistake though. I got the eyeshadows in similar colors. But one is more pearl like and the other one has more of a glittering effect. I will be sure to post pics when the stuff arrives.

I was ebay last night as well. And I got a blue shadow quad, and a loose gold eyeshadow powder. I want some Bourjois Paris blush. And so I may get that today. Again, I will put up pics as soon as they arrive.

This weather is not working for my hair. It's too dry. I'm gonna have to revamp my regimen, and soon. I'll be back with an update later. Now I will go watch The Breakfast Club! LOL

Beauty and Stocks - A Must Read

2010-01-05T13:58:00.000-08:00

Think about the amount of money that you spend in a single year on beauty products. They can be for the hair, nails, skin...Whatever it is, just give yourself a ballpark figure of what you spend. Frightening, huh? Well, it is for myself. And the story is the same for lots of ladies. It's not something to be angry about because it's inevitable. Beauty is just a part of society that you can't get around. Unfortunately, we are a superficial nation. But it's the American way and I am not ashamed. LOL

For a few years, I've been watching the stock market rise and fall and crash. It's been a serious roller coaster ride. However, there certain companies that seemed to be doing pretty well despite the recession. Want to guess whom? That's right! The cosmetics and beauty industry. With affordable brands sold in all parts of the world, and the emphasis on the importance of beauty, they seem to be thriving. Some companies are not companies at all even. But they fall under the umbrella of a company that sells a particular brand. For instance, Pantene is a brand that operates under the Procter&Gamble company.

Here is my idea. I think that it's only fair that if we are going to buy products from these companies that we should invest. It's not only a means of getting some of what you will spend over the years back, but at the same time you are insuring a better future for yourself and family. It's just an idea I was throwing around.

Here is a list of the companies I've been looking at and their ticker symbols. If you have any questions, feel free to leave comments and check back for answers.

Sally Beauty Holding - SBH
Ulta Salons and Cosmetics - ULTA
L'Oreal - OR
Revlon - REV
LVMH (owns Sephora and several other luxury brands-French) - MC
Estee Lauder (not doing well at this point in time, but long standing) - EL
Beauty Brands - BBGR
Wal-Mart - WMT
Walgreens - WAG
Church&Dwight Co. Inc. (Sally Hansen, Arm&Hammer, and other brands)- CHD
Procter&Gamble (Pantene, Always sanitary need, and many other brands) - PG
Kimberly Clark Corp. (Huggies diapers, personal care products) - KMB
Colgate-Palmolive Co. (toothpaste, soaps, and a slew of personal care items) - CL
Dollar General - DL

This is just the list of companies that I was looking at. You may have more or a different list. But please, give me feedback on this subject. I want to see what everybody else thinks about this post.

A Video All Women Should See

2010-01-03T21:21:00.000-08:00

I love the rush I get when I buy anything. When I feel like my money has been well spent, I have a good feeling inside. But when I know that I've spent too much, I have a searing pain in my gut. And then there comes the buyers' remorse.

My love of makeup especially has had me open my eyes to my ideal budget and what I've actually been spending. I used to suffer from the whole "price=quality" complex. And that isn't always true. There are a lot of products in the drug store that are comparable to those at the makeup counter and department stores. There is no reason to spend a small fortune on cosmetics. There are steps you can take to prevent yourself from being a victim of the same complex I had.

1: PRIME YOUR FACE: The reason that many of us don't get the color and definition we crave is because we aren't priming the face. The color and product is seeping into the pores instead of laying on top of the skin. Thus the color fades. Not to mention, the sweating and running of the makeup from not wearing the primer has the same affect.

One primer for the eye area that I highly recommend (even though it's a bit pricey) is the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

2: FIND ONLINE REVIEWS: Everybody's experience with makeup is different. But getting a general idea of the effectiveness of items that you wish to purchase for the low could save you time and disappointment. Research is always a good way to go (and that applies to anything).

Try going to the websites of drug stores like Walgreens who have areas where you can post reviews online.

3. DON'T BUY LARGE AMOUNTS: This is a mistake that many of us make. We get excited and buy in bulk. And then you end up with a large collection, sometimes, with stuff you don't like or doesn't work for you. So take your time and consider your budget seriously. Just because the items are inexpensive doesn't mean you aren't losing money.

4. IF YOU MUST BUST THE BANK... Purchase quality brushes so that application will be smooth and flawless. They last longer than some cheaper, lower quality brushes. Or invest in something like a good moisturizer/primer, or skin care regimen. These items last for a long period of time and are necessary for a good regimen for those that regularly wear makeup.

Sephora Product Reviews

2009-12-31T09:35:00.000-08:00

So, last week I received my shipment from Sephora. I got the Sephora Brand Blush in Apricot Plaisir, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, and a Sephora nail color in Gilmauve. And as a bonus I received the Sephora Makeup Primer.

Let's start with the blush...I love it. I like the shimmery effect is has. But I have to really load up my brush and pat pretty hard to get it on. But the color is really nice and complimentary to my skin tone. I will most likely buy more colors from this line because they're reasonably priced and of good quality. (5 stars)

The Urban Decay primer is the business! It was worth every penny. I even slept with it on purposely just to see if it would survive the night. And I didn't lose any pigment. And it made my eyeshadow appear more pigmented. There was no fade, creasing, or any other eyeshadow or eyeliner disaster. This is something that I consider a staple now. I know there are other brands that are supposed to be just as good, but this really works for me. So I'm sticking with it for now. (5 stars)

The nail polish I got is like this pinkish-purplish candy color. And I like it. The thing is that that I was cleaning the house a lot from holiday fall out. And I had issues with chipping. But this was only with my right hand which is my dominant hand. But perhaps I will wear gloves to do everything around the house. And it will last. The coats went on easily. It took about 3 coats to get what I wanted. And with the bottle being so small, it seemed a little ridiculous. I think that if somebody wants an on the go change, this is good. But I will probably just go to Beauty Brands or Sally's to get my nail polish from now on. (3.5 stars)

The primer I received as an extra is not my favorite. The consistency is weird. It's like it may be oily, but it's powdery. It kinda made my face feel like it wasn't clean. But it did help my foundation go on a lot smoother and more evenly. And oil seemed to not pool much in the usual areas. It's alright, but I probably won't buy it. (3 stars)

Conair Infiniti Review

2009-12-26T15:41:00.000-08:00

As you may know, I purchased a Conair Infiniti flat ironing tool (not sure of the full name). It's a two in one iron that allows for curling the hair in addition to ironing flat.

I love this tool. I have used a CHI flat iron before. And the problem that I had with it was that the handle got too hot for comfort for me. And the Conair tool doesn't do that at all. It's totally comfortable from start to finish. The drawback was that there are only three settings, but that's ok for me. I put it on medium and it worked out just fine. I couldn't be happier really.

It will flatten the hair and give it a beautiful sheen and make it shiny. And I really only had to make one smooth pass over each section. And at about 40 dollars, it was well worth it. I've always had good faith in Conair products. I would recommend this to those who are on a budget like me but still want quality and great results.

My Order Came In

2009-12-24T05:14:00.000-08:00

So, I got my package from Sephora yesterday. And I just love everything I got. Let me start at with the top row. These are the free samples I got (starting at the left): Aquolina Pink Sugar Eau de toilette (smells amazing), Lolita Lempicka Fleur de Corail Eau de parfum, and Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Eau de Parfum. Then the other sample was a deluxe sample I got for being a beauty insider. And it is a makeup primer. It's clear too. :)

The item that I bought include blush made by Sephora in Apricot Plaisir. Next is is just a nail polish made by Sephora as well in Guimauve. And last but not least is the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

I will be testing out the flat iron later on today since I washed my hair and deep conditioned last night. I blow dried it as well, but I was careful and I always use a heat protection spray.

Straight Won't Wait

2009-12-21T22:08:00.000-08:00

Tonight, I went to JCPenney's to finish up my Christmas shopping. But secretly, I was on the hunt for one last item for myself. Let explain something...People in this family usually only buy for the children. And so we adults just gift ourselves and stick to giving presents to our mothers and grandmothers. LOL

Anyway, I wanted to straighten my hair while I'm deciding whether or not I want to go natural. And I didn't have the big budget. So I picked up the Conair You Style ceramic hair straightener for about 34.99. The neat thing about this is the curved outside edge that is meant for curling the hair. So it's like two items rolled into one. And that's a great value. I guess I will have to heat this baby up and pass it through my hair a few times. But I probably won't be doing that until tomorrow evening because my hair needs to be washed and air dry first. Maybe I'll do that tonight.

Wish me luck :)

Hair Pic and Update

2009-12-21T01:43:00.000-08:00

I know that my hair isn't down in this pic, but let me tell you...It's getting to be so healthy. It's shiny and soft. I had to trim my ends again a few weeks ago just to get them even and symmetrical. And it looks much better that way.

My moisturizing routine is pretty much the same. I use a moisturizing spritz of vegetable glycerin, alow vera juice, and just recently added coconut oil to the mix. Then I follow up with the Organics Olive Oil moisturizer. And then I seal with coconut oil. And I do this twice a day because it's winter time. I love how all this makes my hair smell so good. And it's a more natural approach to caring for my hair. The virgin coconut oil is my personal favorite in my new routine

I'm using Giovanni Organics still. I started using it back in the summer. And I don't think I'll switch because it seems to be working. There are no phosphates or sulfates in it, so it's great for the hair. It gets it clean and smooths it really nicely. And the conditioner does the same. They're my permanent staples at the moment.

Again, I don't mess with my hair that much. I have even calmed down on the cowashing. But I think that I'll increase that to twice a week just to keep my scalp clear rather than wash once a week and co wash another time in the week. I am limiting a lot for several reasons. But the outcome has been to my benefit thus far. I'll try to get more pics up this week of my hair and will be answering any questions you all might have.

ALSO....I will be posting information about the stuff I'm getting from Sephora. And I'll be reviewing those items as well.

Sephora Purchase Update

2009-12-20T04:59:00.000-08:00

(I made a tiny mistake concerning the day. It has to be before 11:59 tonight. Just read the updated information below.)
Ladies, if you want to order from Sephora online and receive your package before Christmas, and get free shipping, this is what you have to do...

Get your cart together. And when you get to about the fourth stage of checkout, scroll to the bottom of the page and look for an area to enter the following promotional code: ups2day
This code is not case sensitive, so don't worry. You will get two day delivery for free with this code. The catch is that you only have until 11:59pm on December 2oth to place your order and get in on this sweet deal. And there are plenty of good sales. I promise you.

Also, you will get to choose three free samples. And for those that have at least 100 beauty points, you will get to choose an additional deluxe sample. So don't miss out on this. I want everybody to be beautiful, feel great, and get beauty for a steal this holiday season.

Dai Burger is a Killer!

2009-12-20T02:29:00.000-08:00

It's amazing what you find when you get caught in the web that is called a Google search. So let me explain. This track is amazing. I found it after going to beauty guru, Jessica Harlow's website(jessicaharlow.com). And I saw where she had a whole blog dedicated to Patricia Field. Sound familiar? She's was the stylist for Sex and the City. So I was looking at all the fab stuff she had on her site. And that's where I found this video.

Dai Burger's styling may be a little outrageous for the faint of heart in the video. However, I find it to be over the top and fabulous. It's a definite source for inspiration. The whole 80s theme and bright neons and such are really in right now. So I hope you all enjoy the song and fashion. And go have a gander at Patricia Field's website, patriciafield.com

The Value of a Dollar

2009-12-18T00:07:00.000-08:00

I went to Wal-Mart...again. I know. I'm addicted to that place. But this time was different. I only took a twenty dollar bill with me. And that shut down the spending habit real quick.

At any rate. I got the cutest items for Christmas for my play sis. (She's such a sweetie.) And while I can't post a pic of everything I bought her just in case, there was one item that I got for myself. And it was just one dollar. It was the still the cutest thing. And it smells so yummy. It's vanilla strawberry lip cream.I wanted to talk a bit about my hair. It's doing great. I cowashed it today. And then I had to blowdry it because I had to go out into the cold. And it went well. I used the Dove heat protection spray. I moisturized and sealed once before blowdrying and then after blowdrying. And that was the key. My hair came out nice and shiny. There was no dryness or frizziness at all. And it's soft. I wore it down too. But in just a few minutes, it will be going right back into the protect French braids.

Cinderalla, Eat Your Heart Out

2009-12-16T22:19:00.000-08:00

Ever bought a pair of shoes online that you loved only to discover that they were too small or too snug? Well, I did. And I kinda couldn't return them because the style was not available in a bigger size. And they weren't going to be continued. I could've gotten my money back, butI loved them so so much that I was dedicated to finding a way to stretch them.

I came across this video the other day. And this is the truth. Honestly, it works, it's practically free, and you can use this method on a variety of styles. Check it out.

Cheap Stuff and French Braids

2009-12-15T13:08:00.000-08:00

I just love Google. LOL. I typed in "Peg Bundy style" inspired by an outfit I acquired on Sorority Life. It reminded me so much of her. And I was thinking about how so much of what is out there now is so similar to her signature style she sported on "Married with Children".

At any rate, I went to recommended site that was carrying items that were what I would call Peggy-esque. And then I discovered a two dollar ring section that is amazing. The whole site is totally affordable really with a few more pricey items. But it gets better. Spend ten dollars, and the shipping is free! I'm definitely gonna look into this some more. It looks like and awesome site. It's kinda edgy, but there is a wide variety of stuff. Click below to go directly to the site. (It's hyperlinked, so just click on GirlProps)

GirlProps

By the way, they have a sister site that has even lower prices! I'll post that link as well just below:

FabuLess

About the braids...I'm back in my two French braids. I am trying to protect my hair. I'm not combing it much these days. I just moisturize and braid it right back up. It's going well. My hair is soft. And my ends are benefiting the most from this. Shed is at a minimum. I will continue like this for as long as I can. There is a ton I can to jazz them up to. I'll post pics later. HHG! :)

Budget Friendly Excursion

2009-12-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

I went on an excursion to Wal-Mart Saturday. And I picked up quite a few things for myself. Maybe I should post a pic and then a list...New York Color Items

Labeled makeup brushes

Makeup bag/brush holder that came with the brushes

New York Color Lipstick(2)- Berry Rich and Sheer Red
New York Color Lip Color Pencil(1)- Red
New York Color Cover Stick(2)- Green and Medium
White Handle Brush Set(Bag comes with)-7 labeled brushes<----A little drama with this..

Let me tell you about the brush mishap...I didn't discover that one of the brushes was missing until I got home. But I didn't really care because I don't use powder eyeliner anyway. And I had two angel brushes for that anyway. So I ended up with 6 of the 7 brushes. LOL

I don't spend a ton of money on lip color because I'm more of a gloss girl. But these were pretty and totally expensive. The lipsticks, pencil, and cover sticks all together were about 8 dollars. The brush set was 14 dollars. So I didn't spend a ton at all.

The brushes shed a little right out the box, probably from packaging. But after that, I used them and there was no more shed. They are super soft as well. And they are so pretty. I love that they are labeled too. They're pretty and functional. This is not going to last forever, and I know that. But for the time being and the sweet price, they will do. :)

Great Deals!

2009-12-12T00:53:00.000-08:00

I don't know about everybody else, but I just love great deals. And I love to buy a ton of stuff at one time. I don't know why. It's just my nature I guess. LOL.

The point in all this is that my purchases tend to get me into a financial bind. Then suddenly the color goes from the shopping process. So I've been browsing around again. And I'm gonna put up some links to sites that have great deals, stylish products, and even cosmetics! Make sure you bookmark these :) (I hyperlinked the selections, so just click on them.) I'll let you know if I find more.

Sasa - This site has a huge selection of cosmetics, vitamins, and other beauty products. They are based in Asia, so a lot of the products are not available in the U.S.

CutesyGirl - This site has it all. There are shoes, clothes, accessories...I love it. I ordered nine pairs of shoes from them last year for under 150 dollars. And if you want to see them, Just let me know. :)

15 Dollar Store - Everything on here is 15 dollars. There are clothes, shoes, accessories...Lots of good stuff on here.

Forever 21 - I think we are all familiar with this place. But they also have Faith 21 which offers extended sizes for those of us with a little more to love. Embrace your thickness ladies.

Rainbow - I don't think you can actually order off the site, but you can see some of the things they have available. There are one of their boutiques not to far from my place. And they have some nice items.

New Courage

2009-12-08T23:57:00.000-08:00

The more I think about it, and the more I read, I want to transition. I don't know why I feel compelled. Maybe it's only natural that the real me wants to escape. I've been hiding under the social guise known as the relaxer. And I don't know who much more I can take. The maintenance is exceedingly tedious. That's why I'm so undecided about things.

I've been using more natural products or the organic versions of things. And it makes me feel more in my element. I think that's the reason that I was looking to the curl formers. They'll bring me as close to what my real texture is like as possible. And they could work for a great protective style. They could be a real aid is dealing with the long stretching.

I want to give up that chemical that has bound me for so many years. I want freedom. And it will be sweet when the part of myself that I haven't seen in 15 years comes back to say hello. I'm ready now. I won't do a big chop though. I'll do the gradual thing just in case I have a relapse. Wish me luck! Andbody know where I can get some killer satin scarves I could wear as headbands or headbands even?

I Want My Curlformers :)

2009-12-04T15:54:00.000-08:00

I have been looking for a different look for the holidays. I love my buns. And since I decided to do another trim the other day, I am in love with my hair. LOL. (I only lopped off about half an inch.) But I still want to try something different. A few days of a different style won't necessarily hurt me.

I'm looking into the curl formers. They look very simple to use. And it would definitely be a change for me. However, the price turns me off a little bit. But you know what? I'm going to probably gift them to myself anyway because I have them on my mind. I think curls will be good for me. It'll save me money in the long run I think. The money I would spend curling with a flat iron or curling iron, and then having to find ways to repair it would be much more expensive. So this is a great deal. I will consult the staff at Sally's on which length I should get. Wish me luck. :)

Organization is Key!

2009-11-30T16:00:00.000-08:00

In addition to being addicted to the care of my hair, I am also a neat freak. I don't like loose ends, and I can't stand clutter. The demands of my life call for me to be totally organized. When I do fall out of the loop, I'm a totally different person. And I can, will, and have stayed up into the early hours and past for the sake of cleanliness. Why am I spilling all this you want to know?

Well, on an excursion to Big Lots (it's like my alternative Wal-Mart right now) I got this closet organizer. And it's not so much for me as it is my daughter. It's a test run for another model that I'm gonna buy later this week. And it's so awesome. I would buy 100 of them if I could. Anyways, in the process of moving and storing things, I'm finding all these efficient ways like the closet organizers to save money, time and space. In all that, I'm learning the value of a waste bin as well. LOL. Toss the stuff you need. :)

One thing that I had to get in order were my personal and business papers. I got the expandable notebook and went to town. I ordered stuff by date and all that. It's fab. And it made me realize just how much I could let go of. So with the holidays coming around the corner, I just thought that I would give everybody some food for thought. Also, I will be doing a video of my new best friend: my first walk-in closet. I'll keep everybody updated on that. HHG! :)

Hair Happenings

2009-11-27T11:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went to my great-aunt's for Thanksgiving. I won't elaborate. I'll just say that I need to wash my hair for sure. A lot of people in my family smoke. I used to, but I was successful in kicking that habit for good. (Thank Goodness!) But yeah. The air was filled with smoke. And I know that a lot of that is in my hair. I would've washed it last night, but I was so tired when I hit the door.

So today, I'm going to do what I like to call a "Weekend Wash". This is because I usually do it on th weekend. And I have plenty of time just kinda lounging around not doing too much. So I take that time doing a full wash a super deep conditioning. And since it's getting cold, I can spend all that time with wet hair indoors. No colds for Krissy! ;)

I'm trying to think up a good prepoo. I guess my new virgin coconut oil would be more than ideal. I'll just rub that through really good and put on a plastic cap for an hour or so. I could just use the amla gold oil, but I was to see what the coconut will do for my scalp. And it's supposed to help with shed; something that I've been having just a bit of an issue with. And it smells nice too.

I'm wash with the Giovanni Organics Smooth and Silk shampoo. I love that stuff. I'm knighting it my regular shampoo. It has no sulfates. That means no drying out of the hair and no stripping my natural oils. Yay! Then I will probably do a light protein with the Aphogee. Then I'll deep condition with the end of my Neutrogena deep conditioner mixed with the end of some coconut oil I bought a few months ago. (Not the virgin coconut oil I have now.) I would use the Organics Hair Mayonnaise but I don't want to go overboard on the protein.

But yeah, that's it. HHG! :)

My Wal-Mart Super Center

2009-11-25T13:25:00.002-08:00

The other night I went out to Wal-mart Super Center with my Gramma to find a roasting pan for her turkey. And as usual, I was wondering around the store looking for things to surprise me and make me go "Yippee!" Well, that happened.

I love Giovanni Organics items. And I've never seen them available in the stores where I live. So on a random stroll down the aisles I stumble upon a truckload of their products. There was shampoo and conditioner...Anti-frizz serum lotions, body scrubs...It was heaven. And they were at such reasonable prices. So now I know that when ever I run out of my shampoo, I can just go get more at Wal-Mart (which I did because I was getting low). They carry it at Walgreens too, for 2 dollars more apparently.

Unrefined, virgin coconut oil is another item that I usually see online. And I never got any. It was either a little out of my already explosive budget. And because I've been such a huge fan of the Amla Gold oil, I was still wrestling whether or not I wanted it. Well, they have that at Wal-Mart too. It's in the isle with the oils. And the brand is Spectrum Naturals. I've been sealing with it for the past two days, and I like it. The smell is sweet but not overwhelming. And I think that it may be helping clear up my shedding. I'll have to keep a lookout.I just wanted to give you all the biz so that you can stop paying the shipping and handling fees and waiting. It's instant gratification ladies. Woot!!!

Mint Julep Mask

2009-11-22T18:52:00.000-08:00

So, I've been using the Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask for two weeks. And I have discovered why it's so popular. That stuff makes my skin feel brand new. It's so clean. It really gets down deep and cleans the pores so well. This may sound gross, but I have to share just to give a clear perspective.

I have oily skin in some spots. And when I put the mask on and it dries, I can literally see where the oil has been absorbed by mask. And I can see every pore on my face through the mask. That means that it's really getting deep down in there and scrubbing out all the dirt. It will be awhile before I find out if it's really making the pores smaller. But it's great for getting my face nice and clean for sure. And it's gentle as well. That tingle is a real winner. I love it.

Pink Christmas Tree

2009-11-18T21:42:00.000-08:00

My Gramma decided to get a pink Christmas tree this year. She got it for the baby (my daughter) even though we technically don't live with her anymore. But she's got this child so spoiled that now her decor reflects what the baby wants. LOL. It's cute. Leslie loves my Gramma to pieces. She calls her "The Best Gramma in the Whole Wide World" on a daily basis. And it's so cute. But Mama (me) had to show these girls what to do with this pink tree. LOL

Anyways...LOL. Here's the pic of the tree.And for those that want this look, I will provide all the info you need to create this tree in your home.

The tree and decorations are all available at Big Lots. The tree is 50 dollars. And it's the easiet to put together really. It comes in three pieces and then the base. The lights are white and are built into the tree. The tree topper is 4 dollars. It's silver and covered in glitter. It's very chic. The garland is 25 feet long and goes for 3 dollars. It's silver as well.

The ornaments are a combination of decorations. LOL. The mirrored ones (dark pink and some of the silver) are 5 dollars for a pack of nine. We got 2 packs for a total of 12 pink and 6 silver mirrored ornaments. The other ornaments came in a pack of 24 with matte and shiny silver. and they were 4 dollars. And finally, the buffalo snow at the bottom was 2 dollars.

I hope this tree is an inspiration to all those who love pink. I wish some of the proceeds when to a breast cancer society, but it doesn't say so on the packaging, so I'm assuming it doesn't. At any rate, the tree is bold but not overwhelming. :)

Update Pics

2009-11-16T17:56:00.001-08:00

I know that I said I was going to post a pic of how my relaxer turned out, but I kinda forgot. So here it is. By the way, this was taken November 9th, the day of the relaxer. My ends are looking a lot better than last time. They are filling in pretty good. And that's my goal. I want better ends more than length right now. So I am going to baby them and keep wearing buns.

Also, I rolled my hair on satin rollers last night. And it was great...Until it got rained on. But it was pretty while it lasted I guess. and I apologize for looking tired as a junk. It was 8:30am. LOL

Japan Crazy!

2009-11-10T18:53:00.000-08:00

So, I'm not much of a nail person being that I'm so into my hair care that I just keep them trimmed and neat. But I have stumbled upon the most fashionably tacky-just have to try-must spend the little pennies I have trend. They are glue on nails! But these are not just any kind of nails. This is Japanese style ladies. And as atrocious as it may seem to some, I find them to be a pure work of art. And I must own a pair. I'm not sure what I will wear them with, or the reactions that I'll get. But I don't care. Give me some of these!

End of Stretch

2009-11-09T18:53:00.000-08:00

So I went a little longer stretching than I thought I would. But it was totally worth it. I've got a goo inch of growth I know. And my hair feels amazing. Sometimes the stretching process can be so frustrating. But in the end, your hair will love you for restricting/regulating chemical processing.

I didn't us the Just For Me relaxer this time. I just used the Ultra Sheen Regulare strength relaxer. And the results were just as fabulous. I washed my hair with Giovanni Organics shampoo because the shampoo in the Ultra Sheen kit makes my hair hard. And then I deep conditioned with Organics by Africa's Best Hair Mayonnaise. And it gave my even more slip and shine.

I added my Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship leave in, my Organics Love Oil Moisturizer, and sealed with Dabur Amla Gold Oil. I used Dove heat protection spray as well. And this was more than enough defense against the heat of the blow dryer. But for that ultra silky finish, I used my aloe vera juice and vegetable glycerin moisture spritz. And my hair has so much body and movement. I will take pic and post them later.

There is one thing that I wanted to discuss because I wasn't sure if I was the only one. But is seems that when I spray my hair with my moisture mix, it doesn't want to curl. LOL. It's not that big of a deal to me because I don't use much heat on my hair anyway. But there are days where I desire a curly cue here and there, but the moisture in my hair makes it impossible. I guess it's a good thing that it is so moist. LOL

New Product Love!!!

2009-11-03T15:53:00.001-08:00

Sunday night, I made a trip to Walgreens partly because I was bored and I was tagging along with my gramma. I couldn't resist. I went straight for the hair aisle. But I had a really good reason. I was in need of a good deep conditioner. I was out of my Neutrogena in such a short amount of time. And even though I would have loved to get more, I decided that I would go cheaper.

I looked at the Hair Mayonnaise made by ORS. But the 9.99 price tag didn't turn me on. So I just kept right on. Then I almost reached for the Queen Helene Cholesterol. It was 3.99 which was more than I was willing to pay for it. And I tend to have to mix it with oils and such to get the desired effect. So I left it there. Then I saw something that had the best of both worlds. It was still hair mayonnaise, but it was 3.99. It's Organics Hair Mayonnaise. It was the first time I tried anything from their line. I also grabbed some Africare 100% Glycerin. (This is vegetable glycerin.)Let me cut to it. This is the best deep conditioner I've used in ages. It's awesome. It spreads well over the hair. I could feel it get down to the roots and all that. The smell is not great, but it's not bad either. Not offensive at all. The consistency is thinner that what I'm used, but it doesn't take away from how well it works. I left it on my hair with a plastic cap for about 45 minutes (no heat) and let it work it's magic. When I rinsed, I could feel how soft and untangled my hair was and the slip... (Gotta have slip girls!) Even as my hair was drying, that softness was still there. And it made my hair so shiny. This is my new favorite deep conditioner. Did I mention less shed even though I'm 13 and half weeks post relaxer?The next day I went back and got the Organics Olive Oil Moisturizing Growth Lotion. And it was another hit. Again, the consistency is thin, but it coats the hair well. And it did wonders for my ends. It's a great moisturizer. My hair shiny. And it's not greasy whatsoever. It's super awesome. And the smell is amazing. Very sweet and soft.

More Good Hair News

2009-09-20T01:31:00.000-07:00

I have been using this conditioner religiously lately. And I just love it. My hair is soft and shiny. And my ends are feeing so much better.

I know that I shouldn't have, but I did a trim a few weeks ago. And I have to say that I'm glad I didn't wait. One week or two wouldn't have killed me. It's really grown. My hair is mainly thicker and in better health. I no longer contend with breakage. My edges have pretty much grown in. The back is doing beautifully. And I'm really happy.

The overall health of my hair is at it's peak. And the length is coming naturally. I couldn't be any happier. One thing that I have decided not to do anymore is extended stretching sessions. I will say 10 weeks max. Going past that is something that doesn't work well for my hair. I start to experience breakage no matter what I do. And length is my real goal not since health doesn't seem to be an issue anymore.

I'm going to wash my hair today. And I think that doing a little protein treatment would be nice for my hair today. I need to clarify as well to prepare my hair for a relaxer. I'll post pics soon. I just got a new computer because my other one crashed. At any rate, HHG everyone. And I'll be in touch more often now. :)

envy hair

2009-08-18T04:08:00.000-07:00

i apologize in advance for any issues with punctuation. i'm mobile at the moment. also for taking so long...stuff has been crazy. back on track now tho.

so my hair is getting longer. i would say that i could be bra strap by january. i'm definitely apl at this point. and i love it. what i don't love is people touching and pulling at my hair without asking. annoying!!! lol. but i just try to be be polite and let it go.

i've been doing french braids at night. one right down the middle. and i still do my buns. i only have i down for a little bit at a time. i recently relaxed too. and i'm maintaining my silky. my pics are on keepitsimple. i would post them here but my computer crashed.

that's all for now i guess. i'll try to update more often.

Remembering Michael Jackson: The End of an Era

2009-06-26T18:05:00.001-07:00

Why Michael? Of all the people in the world, why him? Why not? Is it real? What happened? When will there be answers? Who is responsible? I keep running these questions over and over again in my head. And it doesn't get any easier. But reality is setting in. And the fact of the matter is that the greatest performer of all time, and a true cultural icon is gone forever. But luckily, he leaves us a wonderful collection of music that will continue to influence the coming generations.

There will never be another Michael Jackson. People, we are witnessing the end of an era. This is it for the world of music for a long time. I don't know of anybody that is big enough or dedicated enough to fill those glittering black shoes. Who harnesses a level of popularity and the ability to bring together the masses in the way that he did? Who has that cross-generational touch capturing hearts in all corners of the world? Who can sell out a show with one million viewers total in just hours? No one. Music just died today. And there is no revival on the horizon.

It's a cold, black day in societal hell when someone of this caliber is removed from this life to enter into one so complex and far away from the rest of us that are living. None of us can begin to contemplate our own deaths. And for people like Michael Jackson that seem immortal or invincible to the world, it's even more difficult to fathom. On some levels, it doesn't make sense. But what we all witnessed June 25th was the vulnerability of the human body. We are not invincible. No amount of money can remove that expiration date attached to us.

I, myself have been immersed in the deepest, darkest crevices of my own mind exploring the possibility of a closer expiration date for myself. It's scary and depressing, but we all have thought about it. How will we go? Will it hurt? What is death like? And when this immortal being that was Michael Jackson took off the flesh, I'm sure it stirred up the emotions and played upon the darkest fears of the millions that have followed his career spanning 3 decades plus.

For a man that did so much, I think that society did him a great disservice many times. And now that he's gone, people call him a hero and a great. But the same people made his time and dwelling on this Earth a nightmare, forcing him into isolation, depression, and a reclusive solitude. This man was robbed on so many levels. But he kept giving right on up until the end. And my heart is broken. I'm not one that usually collapses and cries over celebrity deaths. But for a person who was so gifted, a true genius, with so much to offer all of us with his talents, it hurt to lose him. Eventually we will all be able to put the piece together again and move on. Earth will spin again. But it will be one person short. And he will not go unnoticed.

Confessions of a Product Junkie

2009-06-20T08:55:00.000-07:00

Ok. So I stopped by CVS last night on my way home form Bible study. I was just going to get my aloe vera gel and be on my way. But then I passed by the hair aisle. It wasn't that bad though. I only got two more items. I got the Scünci Smooth and Straighten Paddle Brush and Hollywood Beauty Carrot Oil. I couldn't resist. I needed the brush to detangle. And I had been wanting to try the oil for quite awhile now.

The brush is quite amazing. I didn't realize just how tangled my hair was until I used it last night. And it got all the tangles out. I shed some, but that was expected. It's not like I would use this brush everyday. As a matter of fact, I will probably use it in the shower from now on only when I have conditioner on my hair. That way I'm good to go. And my hair will stay nice and healthy.

The oil is supposed to help with split ends. And with summer just around the corner, I want to do all that I can to keep my ends protected. I may even do hot oil treatments. I don't know. But I sealed with the carrot oil last night. And it seems like a nice sealing oil already. My ends are nice and smooth. Last night, I did two french braids and covered my hair with a satin scarf. It worked out quite well. So I guess I will see what happens from here.

I would like to add just one more thing. I love the Dabur Amla Gold. My hair is so shiny! It's like mirror shine. It could be a combination of products. But I'm quite sure that the amla gold is doing it for me. I've been oiling my scalp with it every other day. And it's certainly to my benefit. My hair is gorgeous. I can't stop touching it and looking at it in the mirror.

Another Item Came In the Mail!

2009-06-13T00:39:00.000-07:00

My Dabur Amla Gold Hair Oil came in the mail yesterday! I'm so excited. I just love amla oil. But this stuff here has a few extra things like almond and henna. Yummy stuff for the hair. I like this oil too because unlike the regular amla oil, it's not pungent. It has what I would describe as a gentle fresh scent. It's different but really pleasant.

I just couldn't wait to get the stuff in my hair. So I pulled it out and decided to oil my scalp and my ends. Then I took my boar bristle brush and smoothed my hair. Lots of people are afraid of their brushes, but when I oil my scalp it helps to distribute the oil and make my hair soft and shiny. After that I braided my hair in plaits, pinned them back, and then I put on a plastic cap for a good two hours. All I can say is wow. My hair was so soft and glossy. And that smell was so sweet to me. I love it. I'm glad I got the hugest bottle I could find.

I'm thinking of skipping any kind of washing of my hair until Monday. I want to give the oil time to really sink down into my scalp and hair follicles. Plus, I've been co-washing it a lot. So I want to give it a break. But I must clarify soon. I think I'll do a pre poo with the amla and VO5. And then I'll clarify. That's should be cool. I may even add the amla gold to my deep conditioner. Or I could just put it on my wey hair....I'm not sure yet. But I know one thing. It will be a part of my regimen. I just couldn't believe it! An hour and a half and my hair was happy from a scalp oiling with the amla gold. It's awesomeness. :)