I don't even eat beef !!!!!!

As you can see from the title of this post, I don't eat beef, but if someone were to waltz past with a burger at this moment I can not say what I would do. In short-- I am HUNGRY! What does this have to do with the lip gloss pictured above? Too Faced has released this limited edition FUZE slenderize lip gloss. It is marketed as the guilt free lip gloss and the packaging includes the phrase "always on the lips never on the hips" which is a twist on the old saying "a moment on the lips a lifetime on the hips". Too Faced has partnered with Fuze energy drinks to create a lip gloss that can help to curb your appetite. This lip gloss is supposed to contain the same appetite curbing and energizing ingredients found in Fuze drinks.
I thought hey why not try it out...you never know right?
If you make this purchase looking at this item as a regular lip gloss and you are not looking for any additional benefits, let me tell you that it falls short in that area also. This gloss is tasteless (it actually smells good though) and it does not last long unless you really layer the gloss. On the bright side it is shiny and the application is very smooth.
This "slenderizing" "energizing" lip gloss is priced at $18.50.
Would you try this product?

The at home spa system

Let’s face it most of us do not have the luxury of hitting the spa every week or even every month, so why not bring the spa to your home? I purchased the Carrot + Sesame Body Buff Super Hydrating Spa System. This “system” basically consists of two items, a carrot and sesame body scrub with honey and a container of finishing foam. The sea salt scrub is really nice, it has a variety of oils, honey, and these unidentified specs that are suspended in the scrub. I like the way it goes on smooth yet the salt grains allow you to really get a good scrub going on. The grains are not too harsh so you can not do any real skin damage. I even enjoyed the scent of the scrub which is a bonus.
Now onto the foam-disappointing to say the least. You are asked to apply the foam to your slightly damp body. For starters when I leave the shower I like to dry off completely, I don’t want my skin to be damp, but for the sake of testing this product I played along. Initially the finishing foam left my body with a nice scent but that didn’t not last too long maybe 15 minutes at best. The foam was also leaving a white hue on my arm until I really rubbed it into my skin thoroughly then it disappeared. The bottle mentions that you will be left with a glow after using the finishing foam and they are correct you will indeed glow. However I felt like Sho'nuff from the movie the Last Dragon, as the glow vanished from my body while I made the short journey from my bathroom to the bedroom.
I like the idea of an at home spa but this product has only two items so it can hardly be called a “spa system”. In addition, of the two products that comprise the "system" I can certainly do without the foam. In the future if I am able to do so, I will purchase the scrub outside of the kit.
The kit is sold for $48.
Pamper yourself and set aside at least one day a week and make it your spa day!
Have you ever used a great at home spa kit?

Long Lasting...I think not!

It is pretty ironic that this week ABC featured "A Raisin In the Sun" because that is the exact verbiage that I would use to describe my lips after using Laura Geller's Lip Stain -lip stay.
This lip product is contained in a double sided tube, one side features the long lasting lip color and the other side holds the lip gloss. The lip color, much like other " long lasting" lip colors, must dry on your lips before you can apply the gloss. During that period it really felt like a suction cup was on my lips attempting to suck out the last drip drop of moisture. Once you feel like your lips are about to crack, that means you are ready for the gloss. The gloss was like clear shiny molasses that had to be slathered over my sun dried lips. Can you tell that I couldn't decide which side of the tube I hated most? Now after this torturous lip drying experience I took a few swigs of water only to find that my "long lasting" lip color had practically disappeared. You already know where I'm going with this "SKIP IT".
If you want to share my experience, you will pay $13 per tube.
Have you found a really great long lasting lip color?

Nurturing your scalp

I may talk about hair frequently but I do not want to neglect the scalp in our hair discussions. One way that I like to nurture my scalp is by treating it with a mixture of pure oils to make the scalp supple and to decrease the likelihood of having a dry scalp. Phyto has developed a pre shampoo which is made especially for your scalp. Before you wash your hair you can part it into sections and liberally apply the Phytonectar Pre-Shampoo Ultra Nourishing Oil Treatment - Ultra Dry Hair. This preshampoo contains egg ovum and natural oils to really nourish the scalp. You can also apply this preshampoo to your hair. After leaving this product on for roughly 15 minutes you can rinse it out and continue with your hair regimen.
Phyto has stated that this product is ideal for combating the effect that UV rays can have on our hair. Phyto also states that after massaging this oil on your scalp the product will begin to foam, but in reality only a few tiny bubbles may appear. This product is designed for ultra dry hair and it is supposed to make your hair shiny but I can honestly report a lack of shine. I would not purchase this product again because I can mix my oils myself so this is an unnecessary product in my book. However if you do not want to purchase various oils and create your own mixture then certainly give it a try to promote a healthy clean scalp- just don't expect shiny hair.
This pre-shampoo will cost you $30 for a 1.7 oz bottle.
Happy Pre-pooing!

Smooches

We are used to exfoliating our bodies and our faces but when can our lips get in on the action? Years ago I learned a little beauty trick- to exfoliate your lips move the damp bristles of a toothbrush in a circular motion on your lips. (I would suggest using a different toothbrush for your teeth) So I tried this little trick and tada smooth lips. My lips are not usually chapped or hard but its nice to give them a little extra attention every now and then. So gone are the day of using a toothbrush because Smashbox has introduced an edible exfoliating lip treatment. The Emulsion Lip Exfoliant by Smashbox consists of jojoba oil, peppermint oil, aloe, avocado butter, grape seed oil, the cutest little poppy seeds and the list goes on and on. This exfoliant is a sugar based product and it is edible. In case you are wondering it tastes like peppermints and sugar, not bad but not something you will sit around licking all day. After you wipe the sugar grains away, your lips will be very smooth leaving behind a thin waxy layer which is probably the beeswax that is in the product. Yes your lips are even smoother after using this product but I don't know that I will run out to buy this product again probably because my lips feel pretty smooth on a regular basis and because I could make this product myself. I would gather some sugar grains, some pure oils like grape seed or jojoba oil and scrub my little lips away.
It is a cute little product so if you decide to try it please let me know what you think.
The Emulsion Lip Exfoliant is $18.00 for .93 oz.

Learn from my mistake

I admit it I was rushing to get out of the house because I had pulled an all-nighter preparing some documents for work and I didn't want to be late. Instead of getting together an outfit that would make me feel like the diva that I am, I put on a quickie outfit ( a quickie outfit is one that doesn’t have to be ironed and it fits)- but honestly the outfit shouldn't even exist in my wardrobe. So there I was walking toward my office building when I knew that the knee highs (yes I said knee highs) that I put on that morning were defective because the elastic wasn't holding up and they were slowly sliding down my legs. I decided to make a detour to CVS to get some real stockings because the knee highs were just about to reach my ankles. You better believe I was dipping and dodging through the streets hoping that I wouldn't see any of my colleagues before I could make my purchase. While I did not run into any coworkers, I did see an old pal of mine as she was heading off to work. I hope I can paint this picture properly for you because she looked GORGEOUS! We had not seen each other in a while and she walked briskly toward me with her arms wide open anticipating our embrace. From a distance I could make out her red painted lips, soft curls that grazed her cheek and a long red silk scarf tossed over her jet black coat. She looked like she was preparing for an Essence cover shoot. As we hugged I immediately felt the need to explain my appearance, so I told her that I was rushing that morning but it was simply a sad attempt at explaining my sagging knee highs. As sweet as she is, she consoled me and said "we all have those days girl". I appreciated her kind words, but all I kept thinking as we exchanged small talk was-it's freezing, and my knee highs are officially around my ankles. I eventually got my stockings and carried on through the day but I just didn't feel like myself. It really wasn’t about the knee highs alone, it was about knowing that I didn’t present myself to the world in a way that represented the way I was feeling on the inside. Yes, your outward appearance does matter. The moral of this story is don't let the corporate deadlines, or anything else detract from your “me time”. Even on a budget your wardrobe should include pieces that accentuate your best features and make you feel beautiful. So please learn from my experience and as cliché as it may sound always put your best foot forward. Don't get caught out there looking a mess :-) I hope you all feel wonderful and have a great week.

Product Watch

Recently I learned about a product for lips- nope its not lipstick or lip gloss. It is actually an edible lip treatment. When I make my purchase I will tell you lovely ladies all about it.
So what is on your product watch list?

Follow your instincts

Once while watching a talk show, the guests were speaking about following your instincts. If you feel a person is there to harm you, don't stick around, follow your instincts and flee. Great advice, so why didn't I apply that principal when making a beauty related purchase?
During just about every trip to Sephora I would pass the Rene Furterer section and read the product ingredients, as if I had not read them a million times before. I would dispense a little of the product and rub it between my fingers like a discerning consumer, but something would always cause me to put the product down and move on to something else. Well one day I was given a gift card from a dear pal and you already know that gift cards give you the power to make a purchase that you may not have otherwise made yourself. I knew exactly what I was going to get because I had been eyeing the Karite No Rinse Nutritive Concentrate by Rene Furterer. This is a karite oil and vitamin b5 infused moisturizer designed to revitalize and repair dry hair. Your hair should be soft and shiny (you already know I am a sucker for shine).
The Moment of Truth
I got it home tried it and it went on smooth but once it dried my hair was stiff I mean really stiff, like 90's hair gel stiff. At that moment I didn't care about shine or vitamin b5 I just wanted that crunchy mess out of my hair.
Curiosity killed the Cat but SATISFACTION brought it back

Because I can be a sucker for punishment I must admit that after getting my touch up I decided to apply a little of the product on my hair and it was not bad. My hair was not hard at all after it dried so that was good. I really want to love karite oil because of its many benefits, but sometimes something just isn't for you. I want a product that can work well with my hair when I am 3 days post touch up or 10 weeks. Although this is not a product that I will ever purchase again, gift card or not I don’t think it is deserving of the skip it files because it did work properly on my freshly permed hair.
Now that I have rid myself of my curiosity of Rene Furterer products, I can just follow my instincts and walk on by.
Karite No Rinse Nutritive Concentrate is priced at $26.00 for a 3.4 oz bottle.
Have you tried any Rene Furterer items? If so please share your experience.

Scrub it

When my skin needs a little pick me up one exfoliating scrub that I enjoy is the Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion scrub. It was the thought of rubbing walnuts over my skin that initially motivated me to make this purchase. It just seemed like the type of scrub that could get the job done...and I was right.
Ole Henriksen claims that this scrub will foam when water is added but instead it is more like the scrub becomes milky so don't expect a foam fest if you make this purchase. The negative side is that the granules are not very soft so you have to be gentle while exfoliating your skin. For $24 you will receive a 1.7oz jar.
Happy Scrubbing!

I'm a stalker

When I get wind of a product that I think I may like, I begin stalking stores. I am that woman peeking through windows, checking for new displays or calling sales associates to find out if a product has hit the stands. So when I first received my Carol's Daughter catalogue which featured Candy Paint I was hooked. I was so eager to make my first purchase that the sales associate gave me her card and told me to call her the next day when the product would hit the shelves. When I called and she told me the items had just hit the stands, that was all I needed to hear as I headed toward the door to purchase my petroleum, mineral oil, artificial colors and paraben free lip gloss.
I purchased the Bronze Goddess which is pictured in this post, because it appeared to be the darkest shade available. I pulled out my mirror and began to apply my gloss. I love supporting a sister I was thinking as I smeared on layer after layer of this all natural goodness. When I finished applying the gloss I looked like I had dipped my lips into a vat of oil all in an attempt to see the actual color. I was so disappointed that the color was way lighter than I had anticipated and too many layers were required to see the beautiful shades. As much as I enjoy natural products this for sure is a "SKIP IT".

I'm just that kind of gal

I am the woman who needs a backup plan for my backup plan. Even when I have found products that I like I must admit that I still have a bit of a wondering eye. I mentioned many posts ago that I love Rx for Brown Skin, but what if they change the formula, or go out of business ( this is just the way my mind works). Should any of the aforementioned tragedies befall my favorite skin care line one company that I will fall back on is Ambi. I have never been a fan of products from this company but that all changed when I purchased Ambi Even & Clear. With just a pump or two a gentle foam is released into the palm of your hands. The only downside is that this cleaner seemed to sap a little too much moisture out of my skin leaving me with the occasional ashy patch.
For $7.99-$8.99 you can find this cleanser at your local general store.

Radiant skin in a bottle!

I promised that I would tell you about a hand scrub that is stronger than the Carols Daughter hand scrub so here it is the Sephora Super Hand Scrub (that is actually the name of the product). As you can see in this picture the salt grains are at the bottom of the bottle and the oil based formula is at the top. The oil consists of grape seed oil, sweet almond oil and avocado oil. Sephora Super Hand Scrub will really smooth out the skin on your hands. The grains are really hard and each squeeze of the bottle will release salt grains and the oil formula. You are supposed to to apply the formula to your dry hands and rub them together for 1 minute. Once you have washed your hands in lukewarm water, you will reveal radiant skin.
Happy scrubbing!

The Incredible Inedible Egg

You may have laughed when you first watched the infomercial for the Ped Egg, I know I did. A device that you could move across your foot to remove hardened skin, yet it was gentle enough to graze a balloon without popping it? Shenanigans- that’s what I thought as I watched the commercial. Well my sister purchased a Ped Egg for me (was that supposed to be some type of hint????) so I figured, why not try it? I did not do the balloon test but I did use it on my feet and it is GREAT. No I do not have callous ridden horrible feet- just in case you were wondering....lol. But I do have areas that are ummm not as soft as other portions of my feet and the Ped Egg took care of that. It is like moving a gentle cheese grater across your feet and whatever skin is removed is contained in the inner chamber of the Ped Egg. The dead skin is held in the Ped Egg until you are ready to dispose of it, which should be after each use.
Fact or Fiction
Now on the commercial they mention that you will not get any skin on your floor because the Ped Egg holds the removed skin inside of the device until you dispose of it. Well this is true to some extent, yes the removed skin does remain in the Ped egg but if you hold the Ped Egg at an angle the removed skin will slip through the grater area and fall on your floor or the keyboard of your computer :-) (dusting off keyboard). For the most part it really is fool proof, but the removed skin looks like tiny ash particles once it is removed, and it can easily slip through the grater so be careful.
You will also recieve two emery pads (one is an extra)that can be attached to the bottom of the Ped Egg to remove additional skin. The Ped Egg is a staple for smooth feet all year round.
http://www.mypedegg.com/ You will pay $10.00 for your Ped Egg.
Are your feet ready for Summer time sandals?

I'm in LOVE

When you find the ONE you just know it. Without a single word uttered the love you feel is evident in every gentle caress. Yup, you guessed it, I have found the hair moisturizer that I am in love with. (what did you think I was talking about????) Introducing Jane Carter's Hair Nourishing Cream. This moisturizer is packed with natural products like vitamins A, D and E, shea butter, mango butter, rosemary, orange oil and other natural ingredients. The Hair Nourishing Cream is free of mineral oil, petroleum, parabens and other harmful ingredients often found in hair products.

The best part of this product for me is that it does make my hair have a beautiful shine, my hair does feel moisturized and best of all it is an ultra light moisturizer. Usually when I use a moisturizer it may do good things for my hair but after using it daily or even every other day, I know I need to wash my hair because it feels weighed down. I have been using this product every day sometimes twice a day, just because I like the smell..lol, and I have no heavy feeling on my hair.

Dare I say this is the BEST hair moisturizer I have ever used.

Priced at $19.99 you will receive a 4.5 oz tube.

Which moisturizer do you love?

Let's get ourselves together!

Have you ever seen a person who was so well put together that you couldn't help but stare? Hair perfectly coiffed, clothes that fit perfectly, shoes that make you wish you had a little change in your wallet to go shopping, only to discover this person is either living check to check or is maxed out on credit cards. Did your perception of that person change? Did you think to yourself, you may have the look but you have nothing to fall back on? Well what made you feel that way? Perhaps it is simply an understanding that to truly "have it all together" it is not all about outward appearances, rather you need to have your life in order and that includes your finances. While my site may be about all of the products that I like to purchase I do recognize that the best accessory is good credit and financial independence. I stumbled across a blog that is truly worth your time.
Please check out the blog $ Out Of 15 Cents by Mr. Keith Reed who is the financial blogger over at BET http://blogs.bet.com/lifestyle/dollaroutof/
Keith has some wonderful things in store for the future, so please leave a comment and feel free to ask questions.
Happy Blogging!

My new hair

I have been waiting to try out a product that I purchased and received last week. I had heard so much about WEN by Chaz Dean that I was literally antsy when around my Wen bottle. I found myself pumping a small amount out and rubbing it on the ends of my hair just to get get a feel for the product.
So what is Wen? Wen is not a shampoo, rather it is a cleansing conditioner. You will not find sulfates or other harmful ingredients in this thick cleansing conditioner.

I heard that this product was great and your hair would feel wonderful, blah blah blah. Isn't that what we hear about every product? Everything is wonderful about a hair product until you try it on your own head and end up looking a mess. Well I wanted to put Wen ( I purchased fig) to the test to see if my hair would be shiny, bouncy, soft and all of the other things promised by Chaz Dean. I followed the instructions carefully and I rolled my hair and went to bed. This morning I took the rollers out, looked in the mirror and this was playing in my head " When I first saw you I said Oh my I said Oh my , you're my dream." ( anyone who saw Dreamgirls can appreciate that song- when Jamie fox was signing to Beyonce).

OK Im back on track, basically what I am trying to say is that my hair looks amazing and it feels like silk....real SILK. I did get a touch up last week but man oh man is my hair GORGEOUS (yes I am tooting my own horn).

This product will replace your shampoo, conditioner, detangler, deep conditioner, and leave in treatment. After washing Wen out of your hair you will take about 3 pumps and leave it on your hair then continue your normal hair routine.

I must say since my hair didn't look too shiny while it was wet, I added coconut oil but the feeling alone is worth purchasing this product over and over again. Wen is broken down into two collections, thick/course or fine/medium. You can get this product in fig, sweet almond mint, lavendar or several other variations of this cleansing conditioner. When you recieve Wen you will also get a little booklet from Chaz Dean detaling the hair problem specifically addressed by each Wen formula.

Please note that this product will not lather because it does not include the detergents normally found in shampoos. While taking a shower one day I looked at my body wash and found some of the same ingredients that are in my shampoo...the horror.

One bottle of Wen will cost you $28 anywhere on the Intenret. You could purchase a Wen kit from Chaz Dean's official website http://www.wenhaircare.com/

This product is now a staple in my hair care regimen.

Please let me know what you think of Wen if you have used it.

Worth buying again?

While browsing through a store I came across the Honey and Lemon body scrub by L'Occitane. This scrub is really gentle and it definitely smells like lemons & honey so the scent is ok in my book. However, I was not blown away by this scrub because it was just OK. The scent isn't bad and the grains are not rough on my skin and that's about it.This scrub is nothing special, the scent doesn't even last long after you leave the shower. I also didn't notice any extra smoothness that I could attribute to this scrub.
Would I repurchase? Probably not but if someone were to hand this to me as a gift I wouldn't turn it down. If I saw this product at 50% off, maybe I would purchase it myself. You will pay $34 for an 8.8 oz jar.
Happy scrubbing!

May I VENT????

Years ago I remember a company that produced a stocking that would not run. Many ladies were thrilled and went out to purchase these "WILL NOT RUN" stockings they were guaranteed their money back if their stockings ever got a run. Not long after the introduction of this product, many women were on the news complaining that they could not get their money back and they felt they were entitled to a refund. The response from the company was- these women do not have runs they have HOLES. The company was very careful in their use of words they said that their stockings would not run but they promised nothing about holes. So many women were getting these holes that it seemed a little suspicious. This is the first thing that popped into my head when I used "No Chip 10 Day Color" by Sally Hansen. This product is supposed to remain on your nails for 10 days without chipping. And I must say that this polish did not chip in 10 days it chipped in 1-3 days. Was Sally Hansen being extra careful with their word selection like that stocking company? Your nails won’t chip in 10 days it will chip, peel and flake off far sooner than that…so annoying.
WORD TO THE WISE: If you are buying this polish for the variety of shades and you will treat it like a regular polish that is fine, but if you are looking for a 10 day experience you can forget about that and just "SKIP IT".
If you have tried this polish please share your experience.

Forget what you may have heard

Remember when you were a kid and you could purchase books through a little catalogue that you received in school? Well one year I purchased a book about having perfect skin, nails and hair. The book which is probably buried somewhere in my closet explained that brushing your hair daily is an important factor if a person wanted their hair to be healthy and strong. If I could find that book I would probably burn it. A girl who looked nothing like me, was pictured in the book brushing her hair, that alone should have been an indication that I was not to follow the books advice. Nevertheless I began my hair brushing regimen which I am certain was the cause of some major hair breakage.
Over the years I have gathered real information which has helped me to appreciate that a simple hair brush may be the DEVIL. Ok not literally but it can really do damage to your hair if you are not careful. If you are brushing your hair to stimulate growth please put down the brush and continue reading this post.

Our hair is naturally more dry and it can be quite fragile so we must treat it tenderly. And let's face it some of you out there brush your hair violently, just dragging those bristles down your tender strands. If you are using a brush please ensure that it is a super soft boar bristle brush and do not use it to brush your hair just for the sake of brushing. If you look at your brush do you have a bunch of short strands left behind? If so, you may be experiencing hair breakage caused by your brush. * (this asterik connects to a side discussion that you will find at the end of this post)

I have a very soft boar bristle brush that I barely touch and when I do, I use it to gently smooth down a particular section of my hair. It has been said that a natural boar bristle brush helps to circulate the oils on your scalp straight down to the ends of your hair as you brush. This oil relocation leads to shinier hair-this has not been my personal experience so my brush is hardly used.

The Goody company has released their Ouchless collection which features products that will not rip your hair out of your head. Please stay away from their ouchless brush because ouch is the only thing that you will be saying as it rips strands from your scalp. If the little ball at the tip of the brush is not properly secured on the brush it is just hair snags and breakage waiting to happen. I know some people enjoy using that particular brush (priced at $5.99) but I am not one of them.

Ultimately, if scalp stimulation is what you want that can be achieved through some very special essential oils which I will discuss in another post. Using your hair brush less frequently is not as difficult as you may thing once you get into the swing of things. So I beg you to put down the hair brush and slowly walk away.

*Please note that hair sheds naturally and it should but not all hair that leaves our heads is from shedding sometimes it is breakage. So how can you tell the difference? Here is a quick test for you- if you look at a strand of hair that has left your head, do you see a tiny white bulb at the tip? If you do, that is a shed hair which has ended its life cycle. If you see shorter strands with no bulb it is likely that you are looking at breakage. Now this is not to say that each strand that does not have the tiny bulb is breakage but this is just a general test to help you figure out what issue you may be dealing with.
Happy Grooming!

Bad hair day? Mask It

Just as we use facial masks to rejuvenate our skin, we can do the same thing for our hair. I fell in love with Phytojojoba Intense Hydrating hair mask. After shampooing you allow this mask to sit on your hair for 3-5 minutes and when you rinse it out your hair will be silky smooth. Although the product promises a shine I can't say that my hair is left with this beautiful shine but the feeling is priceless. It contains African sweet orange oil and jojoba oil to moisturize your hair and soften each strand. This product is specifically designed for dry hair. I have also used Phytokarite Ultra Nourishing Mask for ultra dry hair. I tried this product and I even purchased it more than once, but I find that my results are much better with the Phytojojoba mask mentioned above. This mask contains shea butter ( which is supposed to be great at moisturizing hair), vitamin B5 and other natural ingredients. Despite the laundry list of amazing components this product does not blow me away. My hair does feel strong which is probably why I purchased it more than once but the appearance of my hair is average. No shine no real bounce just strength which may not be such a bad thing.
Both masks are priced at $38 and can be purchased anywhere Phyto products are sold.
Happy Masking!

For the MEN

Since I received my latest Essence magazine (the Hollywood edition) I have been hearing so much talk about men and how they like their ladies to wear their hair. There is actually a little poll in Essence where men responded to a hair related question so I wanted to take my own poll and see how men like women to wear their hair. Now I won't change my hair one bit based on the results..LOL but I am just curious.
I am sure I have more female readers, so ladies pass this link along to your husbands,fiancés, boyfriends or pal so they can give their answer. Ladies please don't hover over the men as they enter their answer hoping they pick your preferred style....LOL
Thanks for playing along.

How could I have forgotten?

How could I have let all of this time go by without telling you about my all time favorite facial mask. I have tried many masks since I was just a tender aged product junkie and nothing is better than "Make a Difference" by Origins. Unlike other masks, when you are ready to apply it, you will not have to smear anything over your face. This mask is actually a 100% organic cotton sheet with cut outs for your eyes, nose and mouth (the actual mask is pictured on the right side of your screen)

Each mask is individually packaged and a creamy substance is soaked into each mask. You must allow it to remain on your face for 10-15 minutes and you don't wash anything off, instead you are instructed to pat the creamy substance that remains into your skin. You are left with the most beautiful glow.

I am just in love with this mask, to the point where it has become my special occasion mask. I have a wedding to attend this weekend so I already know that I will apply my mask that morning to have a picture perfect glow all day long. When I apply it I don't even put on moisturizer, that is how well conditioned it leaves my skin. The product also claims to help reduce the appearance of UV and environmental damage. OK I can go on and on about this product so let me just say. BUY IT.

You will receive a box containing 6 masks for $35.00.
Which masks make you camera ready?

Too good to be true?

Have you ever heard of a product with the consistency of lotion that can be used in the shower to lock moisture into your skin? This product also contains antioxidants, vitamin C and mango butter. I know too good to be true right? I purchased the "In Shower Moisturizer" in Mango Butter and Cranberry by Crabtree and Evelyn. You are supposed to pour this product over your body while in the shower then gently pat your skin dry. Following this process your body should be fully moisturized.
The Good
This product is sulfate free, there are no parabens, mineral oil or synthetic dyes.
The Bad
This product does nothing at all. I was so disappointed because it is packed with rich ingredients and I wanted it to work but it failed miserably. This product was such a waste of money, so wave goodbye as it is thrown into the "SKIP IT" files.

If you want to wast your dime, you will pay $17.00 for an 8.5 oz tube.

You Said It- Smooth Operator

The " You Said It" portion of this blog will be devoted to you, the loyal readers who would like an opportunity to voice a personal experience with a product.

In the first edition of "You Said It" we have JasmineJ and here is what she had to say:

"Smooth Hair by Frederick Fekkai is a great product for natural and curly hair. It not only makes hair more manageable, it also is great for detangling. I was suckered into buying this product by the sales vultures at Bath and Bod Works. I initially didn't like this product because I tried it on my hair when it was blow dried and it mad my hair frizz up. if you have "virgin hair" like myself try oil based creams when your hair is blow dried and water based creams when your hair is in its natural state. Smooth Hair by Frederick Fekkai is $17.50 at Bwth and Body Works for a 4oz tube."

If you would like to be featured on "You Said It" please send a brief email to me at product_junkie_queen@yahoo.com

Sale ALERT!

The fabulous Avon Nail Strips that I spoke about in a previous post is now on sale for $3.99 at Avon.com get it while it lasts!
Here is the link http://shop.avon.com/shopb/product.asp?src_page=product_list.asp&level1_id=300&level2_id=301&pdept_id=313&dept_id=&pf_id=30969
Happy shopping!
P.S. You better get to it before I do, or you may find that they are all sold out :-)

Who knew????

Who knew that my personal hair consultant would be the quiet 30 something year old man who stocks shelves and moves boxes in a local beauty supply shop in NYC. During previous visits to this bss (beauty supply store) he has asked me if I needed assistance and I would politely tell him "I'm fine thanks", until one day my frustration to find a great product left me overwhelmed. When he asked if I needed help, I rattled off a list of items that I wanted but I did not want any products with harmful hair ingredients. Perhaps the spoonful of knowledge that I spewed that day made him think I knew what I was talking about ( to some degree I think I do :-) ). It was then that he whispered " not this" as he quickly returned the product in my hand to the shelf. I was then ushered to another area of the store and it was then that the floodgates were opened. He told me about alcohol in hair products, sulfates, biotin, karite oil, and other must know information, needless to say I was impressed. He even directed me to products not sold in that store to really help my hair achieve true lusciousness.
He made some wonderful recommendations and now I'm hooked. I find myself moving quickly through the NYC streets trying to get to him before his break, with my hair products from another store in tow just to get his opinion. We move to an area out of view from his employers and we discuss my purchase. After reviewing my selection and examining my tresses, he tells me if I have made a good choice.
He doesn't know it yet but he has become my official hair care specialist.
Who gives you great hair advice?????

Keys to great skin

This week I got an in person look at a beardless AJ Calloway (formerly of 106 and Park) as he covered the pandemonium that was the NYC parade for the Giants. In an unrelated sighting this week, April Wilkner of America's Next Top Model Season 2, graced the streets of NYC and I must say they both have flawless skin! It is as if they have never had a blemish in all of their lives. As beautiful as their skin is I don't know anyone whose skin can rival the clarity and smoothness exemplified in the skin of former Apprentice contestant Stacy J. I was honestly amazed when I saw her beautiful skin -not a pore in sight! Skin perfection...so how do you get that type of skin?
Here is what I do on my quest to flawless skin.....
1)Experts recommend that you drink at least 8 glasses of water daily. (it really should be more in my opinion)
2)Cleanse your skin both night and day to keep your skin clean and to reduce the amount of buildup in your pores.
3)Use a toner (I can't use a toner daily so I use it at least 2-3 times a week)
4) Exfoliate weekly ( I use a very gentle exfoliating cleanser from Rx for Brown skin, which I mentioned in a previous post)
5) Moisturize (use a light moisturizer that wont clog your pores and it should contain ingredients that wont dry out your skin....)
6) Get plenty of rest at least 7-8 hours each day, this will allow your natural cell renewal process to take place (I'm still working on this one..must get more ZZzzzzs)
How do you make your skin glow?

The fashion edition

This blog is about beauty and fashion so can we please discuss the fashion Ms. Gibson is wearing in her video "Boom Kack". You may remember Laurieann as the choreographer from Making the Band with P. Diddy on MTV. Whats your take on her style in this video???

29 days of Beauty Evolution

Soft Sheen and Carson presents the 29 Days of Beauty - Black Beauty Evolution give away.
If you register you have a chance to win a PDA or beauty products.
If you are a winner please send me a reiview of your prize and I will post it on this site.
Here is the link you need http://www.ssclounge.com/main_content77904565.do
I'm all registered, how about YOU?

Yesterday I saw a tarantula

No it wasn't a real tarantula but it was a woman whose eyelashes were so heavy and thick with gunked up (technical term) mascara that each lash resembled the legs of a tarantula. I sat in astonishment as she applied more mascara to her already heavily painted lashes. It was that event that motivated me to bring you a post on mascara that won’t have your lashes looking like something from a rainforest attached itself to your face. Ironically yesterday was also the first day that I tried out my Diorshow Unlimited Mascara in rich black by Dior. This mascara is most often recognized for the curve that it adds to your lashes and the ability for it to remain on your lashes. I should add this mascara did not clump, I only needed one application and it lasted all day long so it does have staying power.
This is not the only mascara that works well but this one will get the job done. Look for future posts on less expensive mascaras.
The Diorshow Unlimited Mascara is priced at $24 for a .25 oz tube.
Which mascara do you love?

I guess I'm just greedy

I want it ALL! I want silky soft hands, I want my skin to radiate with a healthy glow and I want it to last. Is that too much to ask for? I definitely have the softness category under control thanks to various lotions and my darling HAND SCRUBS. I have never had rough hands but it is nice once in a while to remove deal skin cells and reveal the healthy new skin that lies beneath. I was in search of the ultimate hand scrub when I discovered Lemon Ginger Mint Manicure in a Jar from Carol's Daughter. Normally I'm not a fan of ginger but the inclusion of peppermint, vanilla, lemon, oils and butters prevent this scrub from having a strong ginger scent. Instead you inhale a light lemon and ginger fragrance as you gently exfoliate your hands with the sea salt granules. After washing your hands with warm water you will have a thin oily layer remaining on your hands. Once you towel off the excess water and oil your hands will be silky smooth. Although the glowing skin will soon fade the softness will continue on.
For those with tougher skin stay tuned for a product review on a more intense hand scrub.
Happy scrubbing!
This scrub will cost you $11 for a 2 ounce jar.
Do you exfoliate your hands?

I Cheated

It has been seven weeks since I've had my last touch up and my new growth is in full bloom. My tube of Phytodefrisant has been staring at me for months, probably wondering why I purchased it and never used it. Well yesterday was the day that I grabbed my Phytodefrisant after washing my hair to see if it really would straighten my hair without any chemicals. This product contains natural ingredients like horseradish and garlic that join forces to release some hair kinks. Please keep in mind that this product is supposed to be used with a blow dryer which aids in this chemical free straightening process.
Ok I don't use blow dryers (hair killers as I affectionately call them) unless I am between a rock and a hard place, so I cheated and used my hooded dryer to test this product. I usually air dry my hair but I wanted to finally make use of this product and I have to report that it works. Now I am not claiming that my hair is super straight because it is not but the new growth is much softer and it is straighter- how much straighter??? I would guess 25%-35% straighter than it would have been had I not used this product.
The Downside
After drying my hair I was left with white flakes ( no it was not dandruff thank you very much) in the areas where I applied this product. It didn’t take much effort to remove the flakes which were really more like hardened crystals, but I certainly could have done without the extra work.
If you use a blow dryer I think you would have some amazing results.
Priced anywhere from $12-$32 (depending on the size you select) this product may be worth your time.
You will find this Phytodefrisant at Sephora.
Have you tried it, if so please post your comment.

Lets get physical!

Don't wait until the birds are chirping, the sun is shining, and people are wearing their form fitting summer outfits before you say to yourself "I should have started working out months ago". Yes, beauty comes from within but there is no denying that our physical appearance has some bearing on the way we feel about ourselves. Now is the time to get moving, not just for the sake of beauty but for our health.
The item pictured above is the air climber, a unique stepping device which makes you feel like you are walking on air. You can increase the resistance by adjusting a tiny knob positioned at the front of the machine. Complete with a resistance cord for more intense workouts, and an exciting fitness DVD you will melt away the pounds and have a measure of fun while doing it.
You also have the option of purchasing additional dvds to mix up your exercise routine.
Priced at $120 this fun stepping device is worth every penny. If you don’t make this purchase, take a walk around the block, or use the stairs at your job.
I can’t speak for you but I know that today I am going to get physical.
Are you with me?????

I wanted to love it.

A hair sheet that combines wild orchid extract and amino acids to add weightless shine to my hair is just what I need in my life. This product also claims to "eliminate the look of dry ends, calm frizzies and refresh your hair". Picture this, you happen to be out and about and you notice that the elements of the environment have your hair looking a little dull, wouldn't you want to duck in to a phone booth like Clark Kent, apply your hair sheet and emerge with shiny revitalized hair? Well I don't know who wouldn't want that, so I decided to purchase Hair Sheet from the Ted Gibson line.
Problem 1
The back of the box lists all of the great things that this sheet will do for your hair and then it states "conveniently add polish to your hairstyle-wherever you are". I beg to differ this is not a product that you can carry around in your purse and use “wherever you are”. What I pulled from the packet looked like a fully saturated hand wipe. The styling "towel" completely wet my hair to the point where I had to wait for that section of my hair to dry. I also tried dabbing the sheet on my hair, but that did absolutely nothing.
Problem 2
Once the product dried, it actually made my hair look dry and dull. I even stood under the best lighting possible to see if I could capture a glimmer of shininess on my hair...nope none there.
I really wanted to love this product but it is not worth the $25 price tag (for a box of 10 sheets). This is not to say that I won't try other products from Ted Gibson's line in the future but for now I can't stand to look at those evil sheets. You can purchase your hair sheets from Sephora.
This product is so deserving of its banishment to the "SKIP IT" files.

Now I see the light!

I would always laugh when I would see those silly little blotting linens that people would use to remove excess oil from their faces. "Just use a tissue" I would think to myself. Well I can laugh no more as I am now a part of the blotting linen club. I use Green tea (oil control for sensitive skin) blotting linens from Boscia. Unlike tissues, the blotting linens will remove excess oils without leaving your face with a matte look or scattered tissue fragments. I use this product mostly in the summer time but it works well year round. You will receive 100 sheets for $10 at Sephora.

Do you blot?

Not just for kids

As I get closer to touch up time my very tightly coiled new growth is difficult to comb through. At this time you need to be especially gentle when combing your hair, because the line of demarcation (the point where your new growth connects with your permed hair) is very delicate and can break off. I was in search of a product that would allow me to effortlessly comb through my hair even when I am weeks and weeks post relaxer, and I found the Ouchless Detangler from Dark and Lovely kids. This detangler can rival any expensive detangler that I have purchased in the past. After spraying my hair I can actually comb through each section with minimal breakage, if any at all ...AMAZING! It contains coconut oil and milk thistle which help to soften your hair so you can comb it without breakage.

Although this product did not leave my hair shiny as it claimed it would, I am still extremely pleased with the detangling results.

Priced at $3.99 for 8.5 ounces you can find the candy scented detangler at your local beauty supply shop or CVS.

If you have an awesome detangler please let me know by leaving a comment.

Happy Hair Grooming