Feb 5

Clinique Liquid Facial Soap for Oily Skin… I have a Clarisonic and this product works really well for extra exfoliation.

I’ve been using this product on my face and back for the past 4 weeks! It’s been really good, except for a little extra drying. I like it because it’s non-partisan , meaning it does not interfere with the other products. I think this product could be a little more concentrated. It’s super light. If you are looking for a cream based cleanser, try something else. The Clinique soap is really good because it does not have salicylic acid in it. I like this because I use other acne creams, so I do not need the extra chemicals.

It gets all my makeup off and it really makes my skin look and feel clean and clear.

I give this 4 out of 5 stars.

Feb 6

Yves Saint Laurent Radiant Touch Touche Éclat

I’ve tried a dozen concealers, and at 22, I think I finally found one that is Tres Bon! tres bon! This magic magic wand brightens up your face in the T area. Just a couple dabs around your eyes, and instant perfection. Don’t let that Monday morning blues get the best of you, use this light and creamy concealer to really draw attention to your eyes. Nothing more is needed after this cream is applied, maybe some mascara and blush… Splurge on this. $40 bucks at YSL makeup counters..

Feb 6

Here is a beauty story I did for Washington Life online with Hair and Beauty guru Victoria Stiles ! Ladies, take note! :)

(Source: washingtonlife.com)

I am about 2 steps from using Evian water to wash my face. After each vacay or being away from home (Philly), my skin looks dramatically better! While away at college in Washington DC, my skin was very predictable. I would get the occasional breakouts during finals and midterms and also pms. But collectively, my skin was good. I noticed a trend, though. Even if I travelled for 4 days, my skin after the first day at any given region other than home looked great! I never break out on vacation, and it was a mystery to me, until now! I’ve figured out mother nature. Either, I shouldn’t be in Philly, or tap water is seriously the death of my skin.

What’s in my water? After thorough research, ahem Google, I can conclude that my skin suffers from break outs because of my “hard” tap water. Hard water is a term used to characterize multiple mineral substitutes present in our tap water. Some of these minerals include: magnesium, calcium, chloride, and fluoride! These minerals consequently clog your pores. That coupled with your routine facial cleansing with hot water- which open your pores, allowing these harmful minerals to slip right in. Hard water also makes soap harder to rinse off, and the resulting soap residue can also cause breakouts, dryness and irritation. I also found out that the 35-year old federal water regulations are out of date. Which mean other harmful chemicals are likely to be present in your water and will most likely increase your risk of getting cancer, see the Times article here: http://projects.nytimes.com/toxic-waters/contaminants … it’s another problem, for a different blog.

Anyways, there are several ways you can avoid tap water. Use distilled water. Use cold water when washing your face. Cold water does not open your pores. And, use soap substitutes like cleansers to help break down the minerals…

I digress, is water breaking your skin out?

Feb 9

Is tap water breaking out my skin?

Feb 14

This is my current hair color-blow-dried and flat ironed, minus like an inch of new growth, aka black hair roots… I try to limit the amount of heat I put on my hair weekly to prevent breakage. Since I stopped getting relaxers and using strong formalehyde based products to “enhance” the quality of my hair, the texture of my hair definitely has changed. I became accustomed to straightening and blow drying my hair in 20 mins. Which is not normal for me based on the full head of hair the women in my family have. Now, my hair is very thick and curly- and I love it!

Breaking News: The Federal Food and Drug Administration for Cosmetics has found that over 200 brands of lipsticks, including L’Oreal, Cover Girl, Dior Addict and Revlon, contain over 60 percent of lead. Since October 2007, the FDA has been aware of the lead contamination but dragged it’s feet. It was not until 3 U.S. Senators appealed to the FDA to do further investigation. ” The expanded survey found that the average lead concentration in the 400 lipsticks tested was 1.11 ppm, very close to the average of 1.07 ppm obtained in our initial survey.” Recent science tells us that there is NO safe lead levels. Because lead is a contaminant not listed on lipstick ingredient labels, it’s next to impossible for consumers to avoid. When lead is released into your body ( from water, food, air quality, and Cosmetics), it can cause cancer, hard attacks and other health defects if exposed to daily/frequently…

Did your products make the list? See here: http://www.fda.gov/Cosmetics/ProductandIngredientSafety/ProductInformation/ucm137224.htm#expanalyses%20

Take Action:

E-mail, call or write to the companies that make your favorite lipstick shades and tell them that lead-free products are important to you. Write to L’ Oreal to demand the company get the lead out of its products.

Feb 16

FDA reports lead in LipStick

Feb 25

Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant

This product is the reason why I love samples! I discovered this product when a lady at Beans Beauty Store gave me a whole bunch of samples. I knew little about this brand, but it caught my eye from it’s exfoliant and high concentration of vitamin E.

I use this product after cleansing my face, dry. I apply a dime size amount onto clean skin, rubbing in a circular motion for about a minute. It is an extra testament to healthier, smoother feeling skin! It’s very thick and reminds me of a sugar scrub, only for your face jam packed with lots of nutrients. Plus! It’s great for sensitive skin. I use this about 3 times per week in the mornings.

Feb 25

Ja’dore Dior Perfume was my second love in perfume. I was gifted this from my mother on my 16th birthday. What you smell like is more important than and can even top what you’re wearing..

Feb 29

My new facial products! Clarins, Paris. Updates soon! ( photo via Instagram )