Category: Beauty

Lipstick Love

I’m not big on makeup. Never really have been, but recently, I’ve taken a real liking to the art and would like to believe that I’ve significantly upped my game!! My first love will always be deep, dark, sultry eyeliner but recently I’ve been adulterous and toyed with lipstick and even flirted with foundation. My love affair with the latter is very new and still requires a lot of work, but the real focus of this post is centered on the dynamic and seductive results achieved with lipstick.

My collection of lipsticks is pretty basic and easily broken down into 3 categories:

1. The Neutrals;

2. The Reds; and

3. The Berries.

DSC_0406

The Neutrals: This includes MAC’s Modesty and MAC’s Shy Girl. Both are cremesheen and glide on to moisutrised lips with an effortless stroke.  As the names suggest, these classic shades are incredibly humble. The kind of nudes that allow you to slip away just as  Prince Charming catches a glimpse of that smile. The Cinderella effect if you like!

DSC_0407L-R: Cremesheen Modesty and Cremesheen Shy Girl

The Reds: Ever making a statement MAC’s Ruby Woo and Russian Red need no introduction. They are who they are, persuasive, intense and rich…. Fiery by nature! I must admit, the matte nature of these reds could be as detrimental as they are passionate and although both last for unimaginable hours, they dry out my lips leaving a chapped and hideous residue. I find that an intense exfoliation exercise needs to be carried out ahead of application.

DSC_0413L-R Matte Ruby Woo and Matte Russian Red

The Berries: These are my Prima Donnas! Need I say more? Diva is a matte finish but my all time favourite, Rebel is the perfect satin finish. She’s the right amount of edgy and announces herself upon arrival. Best of all, Rebel’s satin finish makes it easy to re-apply and goes with almost any skintone!

DSC_0415L-R: Matte Diva and Satin Rebel

You might have noticed that I was silent on my Topshop ‘Partition’ right at the back of my lipstick line. That’s because I’m still trying to figure it out. I’m not sure how long it lasts but I must say it’s an easy application.

Addicted to (MAC) lipsticks? Do tell!!!

xXx

Ps: Shout Out to Oyinkan (office intern aka APC!!!) for inspiring this post and stealing my Shy Girl!

Pps: Music Update!!! Currently addicted to Ellie Gouldings “Love Me Like You Do”, Ariana Grande’s “One Last Time” and MI’s “Mine” ft. WizKid.

Shrinkage… the Struggle!

Shrinkage…. I hate shrinkage!

I’m faced with the woes of shrinkage as often as I have a wash day. I find that my hair works like a defense mechanism, as moisture touches the ‘fro, each strand retreats into a tangled mane recoiling back to the roots. I often feel estranged from my hair when this magic happens, I mean compare my shrinkage to the stretch. It’s a battle I face often enough and yet I can’t seem to combat the struggle.

Last week I decided to document the magic that occurs with every wash day. A reminder (if you like) of what I go through as often as I wash my hair….

DSC_0733

Yes, this is my no-make-up selfie 🙂

DSC_0739

Does anyone have any tips on how to overcome the struggle that is Shrinkage? If you do, please share as more often than not, I end up blow drying which leaves my ‘fro stripped and thirsty and so hard/dry!

xXx

Ps: I used Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) to wash my hair for the first time. It was fantastic! I totally recommend it.

PPs: I’m feeling pretty good today, the intern in my office tried to guess my age and her guess was 21, LOL. Love it!!!

Beauty Beats: Kinky Apothecary

There are only about a handful of natural belles at Church and so whenever one walks in the sanctuary, I notice.

Aunty Tosin is one of the naturalistas at Church. She has a healthy looking afro, which is always well maintained and perfectly tamed and it was for this very reason that we got talking in the first place.

I first noticed her gorgeous hair about two years ago and it was then that she introduced me to The Kinky Apothecary. I struggled to remember the name because I’d never heard the word ‘Apothecary’ (I kept calling it ‘Apocathery’ LOL). The blog is pretty much a natural hair convenience store and the founder- Nibi’s thick and long hair has me visiting more often than I admit.

I recently spotted this feature of Nibi’s natural hair on Ndani TV’s Beauty Beats so thought I’d share with you all. I hope you like….

xXx

Ps: I think I’m going to buy some Kinky Apothecary products…. product review I hear you say? Lol

“You Can’t Eat Beauty”

I’m a little behind, I know, but I just spotted this post on Beautifully Nappy. For technical (or/and regional) reasons, I was unable to reblog the video, so I embedded it in my post instead.

If you aren’t already in love with Miss Nyong’o, this is guaranteed to make you fall head over heels.

Please watch…….

xXx

Ps: If you haven’t already, visit Beautifully Nappy for natural hair tips and healthy living *smooches*

The Challenge

It’s my hundredth post!

Yes, you read that right, a blogger as lazy as myself made it to not 10, but 100 posts!

WARNING!! *Speech mode*

“I’d just like to start off by thanking God-thank you Jesus, my readers-you guys rock!! My family… I love you guys!!” Lol. Enough goofing around.

In honour of my hundredth post, I would like to set everyone a challenge which my sister, Wura, sent to our family chat this morning. For all of 5 minutes, it got me trying to be a better person, let’s hope it works out better for you guys. Here’s the Challenge…

The Challenge

Source: @RosieLondoner Instagram

My attempt at this challenge is in line with working on my Spirit. I’ll have to make a more conscious effort though, I’ve already said a truck load of horrible things to and about people today and it’s just 2pm. Like my Mum said “It might be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for me to make it through this challenge”.

Good luck with this one Bonitas!

xXx

Ps: I will be continuing my 5 days 5 blogs later this week. As I referenced Rosie Londoner, I realised I never actually completed that challenge. Lol

Pps: Beauty is on the inside.

Shellac Homes (Get it….? Lol)

My love for shellac died about as quickly as my manicure lasted- 8 days! My nails grew out quicker than I’d ever realised leaving an unattractive gap between my cuticle and my manicure. Like that wasn’t bad enough, I got the highly unattractive bubbles that occur if a shellac manicure isn’t done properly (thank you Apples & Oranges!).

Everyone knows how much I detest the unkempt look and seeing as I could never make it to the salon during the week (I work crazy hours), I got to googling shellac removal at home! Here’s how it’s done:

Tools:

1. Nail buffer
2. Orange/cuticle stick
3. Nail polish remover (or as much acetone as you can possible get in a bottle)
4. Cotton pads/wool
5. Foil paper
6. Hand lotion and Tea Tree Oil

DSC_0898

Step 1: Using the nail buffer, file down the gel layer of your shellac manicure until you achieve a matte finish (was so tempted to keep the matte look)

DSC_0892

Step 2: Soak cotton cotton pads in nail polish remover and wrap around each nail using the foil as a seal (be careful, the nail polish starts to drip everywhere)

DSC_0902

Step 3: Set your timer for 10 mins. I’d suggest keeping one hand free to better manage a messy situation

DSC_0909

Step 4: Remove the foil paper. At this stage, the shellac should be cracking/peeling off. Otherwise, slip your nails back in the foil for another 5mins

DSC_0914

DSC_0917

Step 5: using an orange stick (or cuticle remover in my case) peel off the shellac polish and buffer down nails for a smooth finish

DSC_0919

Step 6: wash your hands and apply hand lotion and tea tree oil. Acetone drys out the nails and skin

I was still in the mood for pampering and so decided to use my new OPI texture effect duo (colour: My Current Crush). It’s a liquid sand and so dries with a matte/glitter/sandy finish. The application only requires one base coat and two coats of the liquid sand. No top coat. Amazing!

DSC_0926

DSC_0927

xXx

Ps: Thank you Ilobe for my new nail polish! Thank you Solape for my Orogold nail kit!

PPs: I did mention, I love nail polish right? and I love pampering! Perfect combination.