50 Grades of Shea- part 1

While everyone and their bull dog terrier is coyly trying to finish their 50 Shades book series before summer ends, you can take comforting pleasure in knowing that you don't have to hide away these 50 products packed with shea butter ( non guilty) pleasure.

So what so salivating about Shea Butter? Its primarily used in cosmetics, body and hair care to help with moisture. The butter is extracted from the African Shea tree and has properties that are coveted by those who have dry, brittle, cracked and fragile external needs.

With that, here is my first list of 10 shea products that fit an A grade. p.s. * products are my A+'s.

Naturopathica Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex

*For the past few weeks I've been using Naturopathica's Vitamin C Revitalizing Complex as my "Sunday Night Spa Night" routine. When I wake up my skin feels really refreshed and upon doing my research for this project, I didn't know it had shea butter in it.. well, Shea and vitamins A,C & E help you to start out feeling right!

Bella Cosmetics Sheer Lip tint

Carols Daughter Coconut Shea Souffle

Fekkai Advanced Essential Shea

Burt's Bees Bug Bite Relief

Eyeko London Curvy Brush Mascara

Philosophy Gingerbread Girl Duo

Alaffia Coconut & Shea Daily Hydrating Shampoo

* I started using Alaffia's Coconut and Shea Shampoo this summer and my hair has feel sumptuous! Its a gentle cleanser that uses black soap and the other natural ingredients (shea), has hydrated my hair since June.

PhytoSpecific Beauty Styling Creme

* This has been a beauty staple of mine for at least 4 years, sadly Sephora no longer carries it. Have no fear, Amazon will get you taken care of if you are looking for a leave-in that locks in moisture and only requires 1/2 dime size of product to work a hair full of miracles.. miracles I tell you! I heart Phytospecific's Beauty Styling Creme, let me count the ways!

Fresh Seaberry Exfoliating Soap

 

Fashion's Night Out 2012..Are you Ready?

FNO NY calendar is up!

This morning WWD released just a taste of what is to come for Fashion's Night Out for NYC this year! I checked the site and though there is no information for Opening Ceremony, one of my faves, as of yet, there was some Chanel info! Lip and Nail color twin-sets in plum, pink and beige will debut at the 3 Manhattan stores!
More updates to come but you can start pre-planning Thursday, September 6th at fashionsnightout.com

Destination Beauty: Davines Momo Shampoo and Conditioner

Davines Momo Shampoo and Condition with Davines Dede body wash

In the past few weeks its seems like I'm spending a bit more than my usual time at the beach. This past weekend, I spent some time in a cute cottage in Belmar. From Delmar to Belmar.. in almost all literal sense.
Since I planned on doing some swimming and such, I packed the ultimate bag that held everything my hair could ever need.. except for a brush!
Last week I came across some Davines products while working on a shoot. These babies ( well, they are mini's) are the talk of the town when it comes to haircare.
Davines Momo Shampoo and Momo Conditoner are a dream duo, they are efficient ( a little goes along way and both products are ridiculously moisturizing! Both products are specific to dry and dehydrated hair needs but they both are packed with vitamins B and C and sweet almond protein.
I tried these both despite my hesitation because both products include ingredients that are on my "No" list- SLS and cones but, I can feel the difference in my dense frizzy hair and am very satisfied.

Just Beachy, just breezy

Just Beachin

Hey look its Tony Sirico aka Paulie Walnuts!

July Beach pics- easy breezy

This past weekend, I took the day to play in Rockaway with friends Anna and Leizel. While cruising on the boardwalk, we run into Paulie Walnuts! I've never watched the Sopranos but Anna is/was a huge fan and we took photos, such a nice guy.
So as you may or may not heard about the weather on the eastern seaboard, its hot, muggy, blah, sauna-rific, what ever clever adjective- just insert it here. While the weather wasn't that great for the face it was rather terrific for my hair. For my beach pics, I kept it minimal- just cover with sunscreen and keep lips moisturized. With that being said, here is what was in the black satin bag:


Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid SPF 70: Can't go wrong with a light sunscreen.

L'Oreal Color Caresse by Color Riche in #180 Silky Java: This is my second color shade in this like and I hope that L'Oreal continues to keep these. The formula is light and smooth, though I don't care for the "fruity" scent, the color wear goes a long way.


MAC Cream Color Blush in Virgin Isle: This CCB is my perinnial favorite for the summer, its great for cheeks and over some clear gloss for lips. Unfortunately its no longer on MAC's perma-roster anymore but you can luck out at some outlet stores or Ebay.

Maybelline Babylips in Quenched: I love, love this balm, it does the job- soft lips. I even like the packaging but I absolutely cannot stand the name, Baby Lips. Really? I'm not 12.. but I bought it anyway. haha.

What are your beach pics?

Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 #140 reviewed

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm ready to test

Swatch on hand proves camouflage capabilities

After hearing SO MUCH about BB creams, I stared staking out some Duane Reade's and CVS's around the city in the middle of June, un-surprisingly when I did see the display for Maybelline's Dream Fresh BB 8-in-1 Beauty Balm Skin Perfector display, it looked like a pack of velosaraptors tore apart the testers and some of the product! and of course, my shade- #140 Deep Sheer Tint was long gone.
If you are still fuzzy as to what makes BB creams so special,  here is what Maybelline's Dream Fresh Beauty Balm is purposed to do:
- Blur Imperfections
- Enhances ( not sure what, skin?)
- Brightens
-Adjusts to skin-tone ( in the past I've had no such luck, just ask Almay and Dr. Perricone- major fails)
- Smoothes
- Hydrates
- SPF 30
- 0% Oils and other heavy ingredients
These types of all-in one creams are HUGE in Asia as women want skincare and color cosmetics to be seamless. Here in the US, its about: Toner, Primer, Concealer, Foundation, Powder, Mist... etc. A lot of these steps I have omitted from my routine as I'm not trying to look early 90's matte-tastic.

This week I ventured to a Duane Reade in Midtown that had a half display ( maybe stegasaurus'?) of product but they did have my shade! Later, when I got home, I tested the shade on my hand and I was impressed! I tried the full product on today and I have to say that it has delivered so far on 5-6 of the 8 promises which is 62-75% but I would give this product an A. Fantastic job on the shade range and pigmentation! There is 1.15% of titanium dioxide for the purposes of sunscreen. Overall, Fantastic!