Two Hydrating Facial Masks Battle it Out & other Random Reviews

Happy Friday, have a great weekend everyone

Black Violet-On the Tube- The real Chagrin please stand Up

As you may recall in a recent post I purchased a natural deodorant by LaVanila, which turned out to be quite the stinker. I located my receipt and returned the $18 deodorant which made it so much easier to pick up the $19 Laura Mercer eyeliner that I had my eye on. I only had to pay the difference which turned out to be $1.08. This particular eyeliner caught my eye because the color is black violet. So as you may have guessed it is black but with a nice violet undertone. This color was going to be my introduction to the world of non black eyeliners. I think one day I will actually pick up a blue liner but baby steps, baby steps.
In the picture on the right the top line (the line closest to my bracelet) is a a black eyeliner called engraved and it's by MAC. The liner at the bottom is the Laura Mercer black violet liner. I wanted the colors side by side so that you could see that it looks..... well just dark. I guess it didn't have as much violet in it as I thought...whomp whomp. ( I love the word whomp..lol ) Below you will see the black violet on my eyes but I never go heavy with eyeliner so this may be a pointless picture.
**EDIT** I forgot to mention that when I went to wash both eyeliners off of my arm, the Laura Mercer came off so easily with a little soap and water. However, the MAC eyeliner required a little more scrubbing power. If you are a constant eye rubber you may want to go with the MAC eyeliner which will stay put longer.

Challenge Aftermath

As you know, during the month of June I was on a little clean sweep/financial challenge. Being on that challenge helped me to better discern between my wants and needs, which meant I was not frequenting stores for no reason at all as I had in the past. Earlier in the week I stepped into a beauty supply store because I needed a new comb and let me tell you about my reception. I was greeted with a hug from one of the employees and he said "Where have you been? I haven't seen you in about 30 days" I kid you not the man had my time frame all calculated in his head...maybe a drop in store profits led him to remember that I had been missing for a while...lol. After telling him that all was well in my world, I picked up my comb but geesh it made me feel like I must have been living in that store for him to acknowledge my absence.
My experience also made me remember a story a woman told on television years and years ago. A married woman who loved to order out was sick so she didn't order from her favorite Chinese spot for roughly two weeks. One day her phone rang and it was the owner of the Chinese restaurant asking if she was well because he had not heard from her in two weeks...lol Gee whiz when people not related to you know your pattern so well it's time to switch things up..lol

On the Tube
Last night while watching the disaster that is the Wendy Williams show...cancellation of series coming in 5, 4, 3..

Ok anyway I saw Nene from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. She was there to promote the new season which will be starting this summer. When they showed a clip of the new season I saw Sheree (the one who pretends to be so classy and she always says FABLESS as opposed to fabulous) walking with NeNe and she intentionally pulled on Kim's hair. Kim seemed to storm off down the street in a huff while NeNe called out for Kim to return. This is probably showing that there will be a drama filled season but honestly if they will get physical I am soooooo not interested. I say that because ummmm they are adults and that behavior is so 2nd grade. I hope this isn't some feeble attempt to look more low grade than the Housewives of New Jersey (the train wrecks as I like to call them). Pull it together ladies, while your witty banter may give you ratings, physical attacks will certainly leave a bad taste in the mouths of their viewers or just mine.

Dance Dance Dance Dance Dancing Machine

Do you watch "So You Think You Can Dance? If so then last night, maybe you were as impressed as I was by Travis' (former SYTYCD winner) choreography.

Chagrin Valley Soaps
I just wanted you to know the link to the Chagrin Valley soaps that I spoke about this week. If you just type in Chagrin valley soap, you get some weird company but the company I purchased from is Chagrin Valley Soap and Craft.
My last order of soaps will come from Zaja naturals, once I receive them I will show them to the world and let you know which soaps I love the most.
How have you all been this week? Anything interesting going on in the world of beauty?

Is Chagrin Valley the ONE?- On the tube - Iphone Update

Below is a review of the all natural handmade soaps that I purchased from Chagrin Valley. Could this be the ULTIMATE Soap company???

If you can't or don't want to watch the video- first of all shame on you..lol and secondly I like these soaps. In general if you were to get a Chagrin sized bar soap from Lush, you would be paying so much more money, so Chagrin is your budget friendly soap company. I also love that you can get sample bar soaps for as little as $2.50. I would purchase from this company again without hesitation, the shipping was fast and the soaps are delightful.

Initially I thought the soaps didn't smell so fragrant but it was really the Rhassoul soap stinking up the joint. ( It really doesn't stink, it just has a minty scent). Once I separated the soaps I could appreciate the less minty scents of the other soaps. I love having carrot juice, goat's milk and chocolate (for it's antioxidant powers) as ingredients in my natural soaps.

I should also note that a part of the reason why the soaps were not more powerfully scented is because additional fragrances were not added to the soaps I ordered, just pure natural soaps.

For now, this is my staple soap company, the only way that I would stray would be if another store emerged with soaps featuring scents that are to die for. Other than that, I am very happy with Chagrin Valley Soaps, thanks to everyone for the recommendation.

On the Tube

I missed the majority of the Tina and Toya show, so how was it? I saw the part where TI wanted Tiny to hang with him instead of going out with the ladies. Family night at home is very important so I understand, but I'm just wondering if that "stay at home" rule applies to TI.....I think NOT..lol. What did I miss last night?

IPhone

If you have an IPhone you need, I mean NEED to download the version 3.0 updates because we can finally copy and paste, as well as text in landscape...yayyayaya so many new features. Features that should have appeared on the first iphone but whatever I'm not complaining.

Review of the Almay Pure Blends Mascara

For those who can not view the video the Almay Pure Blends mascara is 97.5% natural. It's supposed to give you volume but I found that it gave me more length than volume, and I'm fine with that!
It contains, wax, honey and many floral extracts. However, it flakes like you wouldn't believe. It cost me $6.75 at CVS.

So I leave you with this.....

Hello Everyone
Unfortunately, I won't be able to blog today but you know I had to leave you with something right?
1) Congrats to blogger Tam whose aunt was featured in the recent Ebony article :-) And check out her fabulous blog Get it Girl.
2)We have a new blogger on the block and she is serving up posts you may enjoy. Check her out at All Things Fantab where she writes about all things Fatabulous.
3)Fab E over at kabuki Queen talks about everything under the sun.

Check you all tomorrow.
PJD

Update on Smashing the Fat

Happy Friday
Essence mag posted some nice photos.
My post today is really an update on the fat smash diet.

New St Ives product

I tried the new St Ives Moisturizing In Shower Exfoliating body Polish and the review is below. For those unable to see the video - I like it! It feels like you are giving your skin a mineral salt bath. Although I purchased the Oatmeal Shea butter version, oatmeal is not exactly at the top of the ingredients list, but it feels good against my skin so I'll take it.
It costs around $8.50.