Shea Moisture African Black Soap Facial Moisturizer--Review

Greetings!

I don't know about you but lately I have been seeing A LOT of pubbing for Shea Moisture, a product company that boasts natural ingredients, great for adults and gentle enough for children and considering that all their products are buy one, get one half off at Target I thought that I'd share a little gem from their African Black Soap line.  Introducing African Black Soap Moisturizer with tamarind and tea tree oil.

If you didn't know tamarind assists in diminishing scars that may develop as a result from acne and it can also aid in diminishing dark spots.  Tea tree oil also serves as an effective treatment to acne.  Now, thank goodness I no longer have an acne problem like I used to in my teenage years but I still do take precautions with my skin so that this problem does not flare up again, because let's be honest, every now and again we get some random bump that we can't get rid of.  I'm just trying to get ahead of that so it NEVER happens, lol. 

I started using this moisturizer back in December, it was included in a set along with their organic black soap, facial exfoliator and a face mask.  I decided to try this first because I'm fond of moisturizers and the benefits that they provide to the skin.  This moisturizer is no different in that my face feels fresh and moisturized right after application.   As you can probably tell from the above pictures this moisturizer is SUPER THICK, not a problem for me though.  What I did have a problem with is the scent, it smells like a horse barn, no, seriously, it does BUT the smell dissipates after a few minutes, I was willing to overlook this scent considering that I've heard many great things about the brand and wanted to see for myself.  That's my only con about the product.

After a month and a half of usage I have noticed that my face is a lot clearer and my dark spots have diminished tremendously, who knew!?  I'm totally here for that.  No, it didn't leave my face an oil slick like I've known other moisturizers to do and it did not burn my eyes, for some reason moisturizers I've tried in the past have irritated my eyes and caused my eyes to water, this one does not.

Would I recommend this product?  I sure would!  Since this was in a set that I purchased I'm guessing that this is a smaller size than one would get if purchased separately, but trust me, 1.7 ounces is enough product to last for a while.  If you're interested in getting yourself a jar check your local Target, CVS, or Walgreens but I'd go for Target since they're having a sale going on right now.

So what do you think?  Will you try this?  Have you tried this?

Black Radiance Haul

Greetings!

I hope everyone spent the holidays in great spirits with friends and family!  :)  Before the new year I had an idea to create posts that were relevant to the holiday season but since I was on vacation and too busy being lazy that didn't happen, but it's okay, I've been enjoying some of the newest additions to my collection and I want to share them with you!

I strolled up to Walgreen's today and I noticed a couple "new" shades in the blush area, now I'm not too sure if these are actually new to the line but I'll roll with the punches here, since the beauty world releases collections a season before the actual season I'll assume that this is a part of the spring collection (?).  This is probably not possible considering how dark these colors are but like I said, roll with the punches here...LOL

Enough of the talk here are the items...I decided to go with a blush and a lip gloss.  The lip gloss is in the shade Sugar Plum and the blush is in Blackberry.
 

I decided to go with these two colors because they were very necessary for my collection.  Who could resist a dark berry lip and a juxtaposition of dark purple??  Not I.

Black Radiance Artisan Blush in Blackberry

Black Radiance Artisan Blush in Blackberry

Black Radiance Artisan Blush in Blackberry

Left: Swatched, Right: Blended

Moisturizing Lip Stain in Sugar Plum

 

From what I can tell the lip gloss did not have a distinctive scent for those of you who are sensitive to scented cosmetics.  I have yet to try these products out but once I do I will be sure to report back to you with the deets.  For a lip gloss, it seems pretty opaque, great alone or for layering over your lipsticks.

As for the blush, I'm more inclined to looked at this product as a contouring shade considering how dark it is, I'm going to try to work with it as a blush but I am a bit apprehensive because it is so dark for a blush shade.  It does have some shimmer in it but not enough to make you run for the hills.  I'm excited to try this product and to see how it works out in a FOTD.

These are available at your local drugstores, I purchased mine from Walgreens.

That's it for now!  See you lovelies soon with another post! :)

Essie Shop Til I Drop--The Name is Very Fitting

Greetings!

Anyone that knows me personally knows that I am a shopper, no surprise there, so it is only appropriate that Essie provide a nail color for us to commemorate this pastime.  Insert a beautiful peach color here:

This is the type of peach color I've been on the hunt for a while now and I am finally glad that I've found it!  It is quite sheer so it does take three coats to get it to this color shown, not a huge deal since Essie polishes dry relatively quickly which minimizes the overall drying time. 

I think it's safe to say that this is more of a spring/summer color but YOLO!  So go for it, it's good to break up the monotony of dark fall/winter colors, I won't tell.

What do you think?  Tell me in the comments!

My November 2012 Hit List (Favorites)

Greetings!

I know it's been a while since I last posted a monthly favorites but charge it to my head and not my heart, lol.  This month I bring to you products that I just couldn't get enough of, allow me to introduce you.

This picture was taken with my phone

Pond's Cold Cream- My favorite makeup remover...EVER.  It provides a very cooling feeling once applied to the face, for some it may feel "clammy" but I think it's just it's cooling properties that are at work.  I think this can also be used a moisturizer for those with dry skin.  I personally have never used it this way but I wouldn't recommend it for those of us with oily skin.  This is also considered a very good anti-aging cream from some of my older aunties......take it from me they look YOUNG for their ages.

Inglot Face Primer- This primer allows me to use less foundation and to a degree less oily, it does not claim to be matte face primer but I do find that I get oilier later in the day when I wear this.  It is a silicone based primer.  You have to make sure that you use a tiny bit as using too much will make you feel greasier and it will translate into your makeup.

Cetaphil Oil Control Moisturizer- This does what it says even on days I don't wear makeup I find my face to be more matte even on a hot 90 degree day!  It doesn't leave a greasy residue and this is much appreciated, thank you Cetaphil.

NYX Eyebrow Shaper- This is basically a wax pencil that makes sure your eyebrows stay in place throughout the door.  Make sure you don't apply too heavily as it will give you that dreaded shiny eyebrow look!    I prefer this on over MAC's eyebrow shaper and you get more bang for your buck at more than half the price.

EOS lip balm- Don't be surprised that this is included in this month's favorites, I love this stuff! 

What were your favorites this past month?  Let me know in the comments! :)

Jessica White Made Me Do It!

Greetings!

I'm an avid magazine reader from Essence to Harper's Bazaar so it is only natural for me to admire the images in the beauty ads that are meant to dig deep in my pockets to purchase the next big item.  This is where Jessica White comes in.  For months I would gawk at the lip color that Jessica White wore in the Maybelline Cosmetics brand for their Color Sensational lipstick line.  I am a huge fan of these lipsticks because not only are they moisturizing they are budget friendly and the colors are plentiful for those of us who appreciate color.

Usually the ads in these magazines will tell you what color the model is wearing and in this case Jessica was wearing Mauve It Up, from there I knew I had to have it.  Three months go buy and I still couldn't find this shade, I figured it would be popular since everyone is on the purple lip trip train nowadays, I get it.  I gave up and figured if I found it, I found it and if I did, I did.  One day strolling along the beauty aisles of Target I found this beauty, almost like a prize won, yeah, I know, it gets like that sometimes.  For reference here's the ad I'm speaking of:

Isn't Jessica White gorgeous!?  Love her!

Now look at the lip color.............

No Flash

With Flash

 I am very aware that cosmetic companies will enhance images for the sake of selling product but I must say that I am a bit disappointed in this shade.  It definitely isn't as opaque as I thought it would be considering the pout I see on Jessica's lip is more of a concentrated color and the actual shade looks to be more sheer in color and this is after heavy and multiple swipes of the lipstick.  It is a beautiful shade but I must say that I was expecting more va-voom!  Overall, I'd recommend this color for a sheer wash of color on the lips but don't expect to have the same pout as Ms.White.

What do you think?  Have you been duped by a cosmetic company before?  Tell me in the comments.