Tag: Beauty Blogger

Beauty /

Spring 2018 Beauty Products: Daily Routine and Travel Companions

Every year I like to share my list of spring beauty products.  With Easter being next weekend, this truly marks the beginning of the season!

Temperatures are becoming more humid and beauty products have to reflect the new season.  For example, moisturizers tend to be lightweight to counter-act sweating and environmental debris.

Featured Photo from Allure.com

My beauty products must also be good travel companions.  The warmer season generally includes family vacations, weekend trips, and packing a handbag for social events.

SPRING 2018 BEAUTY PRODUCTS LIST:

  1.  NIVEA Soft Moisturizer – I can. not. live. without this product.  The texture is smooth and perfect for my sensitive skin.  It’s also affordable and small enough to fit in my tote bag while shopping.
  2. Rimmel London – I purchased this amazing reddish-orange lipstick on a trip to the drugstore.  The color did not disappoint and complimented my skin-complexion.
  3. Arbonne Skin Firming Body Cream – This particular product was shipped to me.  I became a huge fan of Arbonne products after using the company’s face lotion for a few months.  Can’t wait to see results especially with the upcoming season’s skin-bearing shorts, skirts, and dresses.
  4. L. Jones Silky Regrowth Oil – This is another must-have product.  My hairstylist and good friend has an amazing hair care collection.  I suffer from dry skin and that includes my hair follicles.  She recommended this oil and I can not believe the health and shine of my hair.
  5. Jane Iredale Snap Happy Makeup Kit –  The company shared this goodie with me!  In terms of travel and packing fast, this three-tiered makeup kit is mineral based.  It includes powder, blush, and eyeshadow.
  6. Essie Nail Polish – When life gets too busy for a gel manicure, I always run to my signature nail polish.  Essie has two shades that work with my ever-changing wardrobe.  I’m generally wearing the color Watermelon or Truth or Bare.

Sidenote:  Don’t forget to purchase a new Spanx for those lightweight spring dresses!

Beauty /

A NEW INDEPENDENT BEAUTY BRAND LAUNCHES THEIR FIRST PRODUCT SUNDUST: REVOLUTIONARY BRONZER

SunDust, a revolutionary product that ensures a seamless and perfect bronzing application with each use. SunDust is an innovative product that offers advanced delivery systems for a no mess, no streak application every time.

Featured Photo from Revelist.com

SunDust is an instant mineral bronzing powder that provides a long-lasting, natural self-tan. It is finely milled mineral infused powder delivers an instant even and smooth glow to the face as well as a natural-looking self-tan over time. The powder is contained in an all in one dispensing twist brush for easy, even application with no mess. The bronzed effect suits all skin tones create a beautiful, sun-kissed glow to the face. Innovation is key to our brand, it is at the forefront of our outstanding ingredients like sunflower oil which is rich in beta-carotene, vitamin E, aloe, sunflower seed oil and grape seed extract as well as antioxidants. The combination of these ingredients helps to prevent premature signs of aging. Our packaging and exclusive delivery stand alone. SunDust is great for travel, quick application and eliminates the need for multiple steps when bronzing the skin. These factors combine to create amazing results and ease of use.

“We are excited to introduce this product for everyone seeking a natural and beautiful tan, no matter the season,” stated Chaz Hatfield Co-Founder of Tournesol. “We felt that consumers were seeking a truly effective self-tanning product that gave instantaneous and beautiful results. It’s convenient and easy-to-use packaging is perfect for all women that are on-the-go. We are very pleased to introduce this to the market ”

SunDust Beauty retails for $32 and is available for purchase on www.sundustbeauty.com with additional retailers including, The Salon Project planned for Q1 2018.

Beauty /

Arbonne Vegan Double-Duty Body Lotion

While we wait for the weather to realize that spring is one week away, I wanted to share a one-two punch solution for dry winter skin! This month the botanical-based skincare brand, Arbonne, has launched a vegan double-duty body lotion containing serum that not only delivers amazing all-day hydration but also offers gentle exfoliation thanks to alpha hydroxy acids that leave skin luminous and oh-so-soft.

Commit to giving dry, flaky skin the boot with this double-duty body lotion containing serum! Provides all-day hydration while offering gentle exfoliation to remedy the appearance of dryness and flakiness.

 

Key Ingredients:

  • Stabilized vitamin C boosts and maintains moisture by supporting collagen, resulting in an improved appearance of fine lines while restoring a natural, youthful glow
  • Sea buckthorn ceramide, our proprietary moisture barrier-protecting complex consists of sea buckthorn oil and olive fruit oil, which are rich in omega fatty acids
  • Alpha hydroxy acids smooth and refine the appearance of skin through gentle exfoliation
  • Avocado oil, with moisturizing properties, helps skin appear soft and silky with a renewed glow
Beauty /

Smooth ‘N Shine Straight and Curl Collections: Celebrity Stylist Larry Sims

Smooth ‘N Shine has evolved and expanded with 18 new products featuring a reformulation of their fan favorites, Straightening Hair Polisher and Edge Smooth Pomade, and more. Backed by Celebrity Stylist, Larry Sims the Straight and Curl collections are formulated with all hair types in mind – straight, wavy, curly and coily.

Designed to treat your tresses with whatever style you’re feeling – rock your natural curls, or go for a sleek polished look.

The Curl Line is created to empower women to embrace their natural curls. Featuring Camellia Oil and Shea Butter, this line will ensure your curls, coils, zig-zags and every texture in between are moisturized to perfection! From detangling to curl-defining, this line has your curls covered. Formulated with fine botanical oils including:

  • Camellia Oil – This virgin oil is known for its benefits of being highly restorative, quick-penetrating and aiding in moisturizing hair
  • Shea Butter – With no added chemicals, this butter soothes sensitive skin and scalp with its natural moisturizing properties

Available at Drugstores nationwide & Amazon in late-February/March; $5.99 each

The Straight Line is designed for women who want straight and sleek styles without damaging their hair. Featuring ultra-hydrating Black Seed and Coconut Oils, these products will condition and nourish hair while leaving less hair breakage. Formulated with fine botanical oils including:

  • Black Seed Oil – Known for strengthening hair, this oil works to promote hair growth and help in regrowing certain thinning areas on your scalp
  • Coconut Oil – stimulates hair growth while adding luster, shine, and softness

Available at Drugstores nationwide & Amazon in late-February/March; $3.49 each

Beauty /

Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Formula: Muted And Modern Shades

Why involve multiple bottles when a lightning-speed mani is at your fingertips? Sally Hansen Insta-Dri® Nail Color’s newly upgraded 3-in-1 formula with built-in base and top coat offers shiny, extended wear in a single step.
The new Insta-Dri is housed in an updated bottle adorned with a gorgeous new logo and comes complete with color-matched caps for a modern, sleek feel and easy shade navigation. The revamped formula delivers an extra day of wear and chip resistance, so you can take that nail look to go- anywhere, anytime. With up to 33% longer wear and chip resistance, up to or almost 3x as many consumers preferred the new formula versus the former. Get ready on the go with Insta-Dri’s brush that covers in one stroke. One stroke, one coat, and you’re done!
The fresh updated shade palette co-created by Global Color Ambassador Madeline Poole features gorgeous new hues that still dry in 60 seconds, all in a single coat. Insta-Dri is full coverage, offers longer lasting results and is streak-free, mixing form and fashion to take you from the gym to the street, all while looking fabulous. From soft, subtle neutrals to bright tones that pop, here are the latest vibrant shades to join the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri® range.
Muted And Modern NEW! shades:
Champagne Supernova, White On Time, Taupe To Go, Buff And Tumble, Petal To The Metal, Silver Stallion, Heather Hustle, Thyme Is Money
Beauty /

Rimmel London Insta Duo Contour Stick: Highlight & Shape Your Feature

Get insta-beauty with the newest addition to the Rimmel London makeup collection—the Insta Duo Contour Stick! This game changer will highlight and shape your features instantly.

Swipe and blend, that’s all you need to do with RIMMEL LONDON INSTA DUO CONTOUR STICK. Regardless of where you are, keep this portable duo on hand to define and highlight your features.
Formula & Benefits: Selfie approved formula, Dual-sided applicator, Ultra-smooth formula, available in three duos to work with your skin tone.
Available Shades: Light, Medium, and Dark

Beauty /

Paris Jackson and Elsa Hosk for Oscars Vanity Fair After Party

The Look Breakdown:

  • Skin Prep: Using a steamy face cloth I compressed it against her skin to open up the pores and soften the dry skin cells on the surface of her skin. I applied Dear by Renée® Gentle Facial Scrub in circular motion around her face to buff away the dead skin cells. It made such a difference and she loved how clean and smooth her face felt afterwards. This helps the skincare sink in easily instead of having to try and fight its way through layers of unwanted grime. I then applied Dear by Renée® Ultra-Firming Eye around her cheekbones and upwards through her brow area for an instant hydrating lift and increased radiance.  With this harsh changeable winter weather, I wanted to treat Paris lips with something new… the Dear by Renée® Microdermabrasion Exfoliant. This really helped loosen up the uneven rough skin texture and soften her lips overall! Great tip especially when wearing a pale nude lip!! (I also used it on the tops of my hands for an instant hand makeover!!). On Paris’s face, I applied Dear by Renée® Youth Hydra Serum – a lightweight serum jam-packed with hyalaronic acid and marine collagen. Glides on, sinks in quickly and stays moisture packed and protecting skins surface for hours underneath makeup!!

  • Skin/Cheeks: Because I spent a long time prepping Paris’s Skin foundation was barely needed. I dotted some of Nars Radiant concealer around her face and blended it in with my fingers tips- for a natural and luminous finish. I buffed some Cream Bronzer by Tom Ford across the apples of her cheeks to enhance her natural skin tone and to show off her naturally beautiful skin.

  • Eyes: I was so lucky to be given an exclusive sneak peek of PatMCgrath Labs latest Spring collection!!!! THRILLED to be exact!  One palette stood out to me as soon as I opened it! The Bright Pink Palette captivated me with a pinky, rose gold, bold purple, mauve and gold tones! I applied the Iridescent Rose Gold shadow named “Pale Fire” across Paris’s eyelid. This color is exactly as the name would have you believe… a soft coral flame pastel tone with shimmering pink undertones stunning. I winged out the corner of her eyes “Versace style” using the Matte Eyeshadow “Paranormal”. This flat Mauve tone was perfect to shape and create the desired shape… but wanting more drama and additional magic on her eyes, I swept several layers of “Euphoria” on top!! Euphoria is a heavenly Heather Lilac Shimmer shadow and added the perfect haze of lavender loveliness – Paris and I were mesmerized staring at the two colors married together!!  I finished this swept metallic shadow look off with a generous application of Sisley So Curl Mascara in Blacktop and bottom lashes for a sooty and striking lash finish!

  • Lips: In keeping with the Versace mood… we went for a pale satin finish beige nude lip using Nars “Embrace Moi”

The Look Breakdown:

  • Face: Shades m1 and L4 in NARS Sheer Glow Foundation and Cle de Peau Beauté concealer in shades 3 and 4 were all buffed into the skin with a fluffy foundation brush. Highlighter was gently swiped on the high points of the cheekbones and inner eye corners.

  • Cheek: A combination of Benefit’s Hoola Lite Bronzer and Kevyn Aucoin’s Neo-bronzer in Siena warm coral were used to define her cheekbones and bring warmth and dimension to the face.

  • Eyes: Elsa’s eyelids were primed with urban decays 24/7 Glide-on eye pencil in YeYo, blended with a fluffy eye brush and then set with INGLOT’s Pure Pigment Eye Shadow in shade 118. INGLOT’s Black gel eyeliner in shade 77 was used with an angled eyeliner brush to apply a thin winged liner to elongate and enhance Elsa’s natural eye shape. Lashings of mascara were applied to the top and bottom lashes and then separated with a comb to provide a fluttery flirty eyelash.

  • Lips: To top the look off, Kevyn Aucoin’s Flesh Tone Lip Pencil in Cerise was used to define and fill in Elsa’s lips for a rosey red pout, topped off with Charlotte Tilburys lipstick in red carpet red.
Beauty /

Insecure Star Yvonne Orji’s Official Colgate Total “Totally Ready” Commercial

Colgate Total® has joined forces with popular actress and comedian, Yvonne Orji, to help consumers get and stay Totally Ready just in time for Valentine’s Day. This new “Totally Ready ®” campaign informs consumers that with their whole mouth health—healthy gums, teeth, cheeks, and tongue—they are “Totally Ready ®” for whatever life brings them. The multitalented comedic actress was one of the most talked about breakout stars in 2017.

“I am so excited about this partnership with Colgate Total,” shared Yvonne. “A healthy smile has always been important to me. My healthy smile makes me feel good and, when I feel good, I feel totally ready for whatever comes my way. Last year was a really good year for me. I want to take that and make it bigger and better for 2018. So, not only do I need to be totally ready, I know that I must stay ready.”

With the upcoming taping of the highly anticipated third season of the hit cable show in which she co-stars, writing and executive producing her own sitcom, and her role in an upcoming comedy film set to be released in the fall, Orji knows she must be Totally Ready ® in 2018.

As part of this new campaign, Orji will be sharing her “Totally Ready ®” moments on Instagram and will be featured in an upcoming “Totally Ready ®” video that will be featured on Essence.com, one of the leading online destinations for African-American women.

To catch some of Yvonne Orji’s Totally Ready moments, follow @Colgate and @YvonneOrji on Instagram, using #ColgateSmile.

About Colgate Total® Toothpaste

Colgate Total® toothpaste has a formula clinically proven to actively fight germs for 12 hours. It is the only FDA-approved1 and American Dental Association-accepted toothpaste2 to help prevent gingivitis. Colgate Total® toothpaste is also the number one toothpaste recommended most by dentists and hygienists. For more information about Colgate Total® toothpaste, visit www.ColgateTotal.com.

About Colgate-Palmolive

Colgate-Palmolive is a leading global consumer products company, tightly focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition. Colgate sells its products in over 200 countries and territories around the world under such internationally recognized brand names as Colgate, Palmolive, Speed Stick, Lady Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sorriso, Kolynos, Elmex, Tom’s of Maine, Sanex, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet, Hill’s Prescription Diet and Hill’s Ideal Balance. For more information about Colgate’s global business, visit the Company’s website at http://www.colgatepalmolive.com. To learn more about Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® oral health education program, please visit http://www.colgatebsbf.com.

About Yvonne Orji

Yvonne Orji is a Nigerian-American actress and comedienne who stars in HBO’s critically acclaimed comedy series Insecure. The show follows the friendship of two modern-day black women and all their uncomfortable experiences and racy tribulations. Yvonne is also a distinguished stand-up comedian. Most recently, she opened for Chris Rock in Atlanta and New York. Yvonne is also known for her inspiring TED Talk, “The Wait is Sexy,” in which she discusses her virginity and decision to wait until marriage. This fall, she will be making her feature film debut in Universal’s Night School alongside Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish.

She is also developing a half-hour sitcom based on her life entitled First Gen, that Oprah Winfrey and David Oyelowo are executive producing. The show is a comedy about a Nigerian girl who trades medical school for a career in stand-up comedy and the adventures that ensue after her strict African mother discovers her plans.

Beauty /

Nordstrom Spring 2018 Beauty Trend Events

Beginning in March, Nordstrom Beauty will kick-off their seasonal Beauty Trend Events!

 

Every New York Fashion Week, Nordstrom goes backstage to assess the biggest beauty trends and then brings this intel direct to their customers nationwide.  For the Spring 2018 season, they’ve identified trends such as Luminous Skin and  Hi-Definition Lips.

 

Guests can learn how to achieve the freshest runway-inspired looks of the season and get free samples and exclusive gifts with your purchases (while supplies last).

 

Receive one-on-one time with Nordstrom beauty experts, tips tricks to nail the newest trends and receive beauty buzz intel from industry insiders — and it’s free to attend!
Beauty /

Colgate Total Regimen and Dental Hygiene: Product Review #ColgateSmile

Your smile is the best accessory that you will ever have! Due to this reason alone, it’s vitality important that you take care of your teeth and gums.

Use a product that creates a clean mouth and sparkling smile.

Colgate is a brand that’s stood the test of time in terms of preventing tooth decay and good dental health.

I had the opportunity to review their latest product line and received amazing results! The Advanced Powered Toothbrush has a dual action head for individual tooth reach.

For daily dental repair, the Total Advanced Toothpaste and Mouthwash left my mouth feeling fresh.

All of my dental hygiene products must remove surface stains because I drink coffee and eat foods that leave a residue.

Early Morning Routine: 

Wake Up

Floss & Brush Teeth

Drink a Cup of Coffee

Make Breakfast and Lunch

Take Kids to School

Additional preventative benefits from using Colgate include:

  • Cavities
  • Gingivitis
  • Plaque
  • Bad Breath

Purchase Colgate products to create a beautiful smile and start a good dental hygiene regimen.