Revlon Nearly Naked Powder

Most powders are similar to me. Powders do that same thing: keep you matte. This powder stands out to me because after a while, you end up greasier than a bucket of chicken. When you touch up with it, however, it does not get cake. The coverage is pretty good as well.

I got it in the color Deep, and it seems to be a good color match the darkest color is in Dark. The price is reasonable enough, I paid around $10 for it with coupons.

The powder itself is finely milled, making it really light on the face. (Hence the name nearly naked.)

This is perfect for a girl that doesn't necessarily wear a lot of makeup but wants a tad bit of coverage. It is not, however, great for oily skin. Overall, I'm pretty happy with my purchase (The packaging is quite bulky though making it hard to travel with. I mean in what makeup bag would this fit in?).

Hair Growth Journey (one year)

Last year I decided to start and document my hair growth journey. This pic is from the end of 2012.

 Since then I think I grew a solid inch... maybe two.

 I think the only thing I will do differently is get trims more frequently and get a Tangle teezer to help me detangle my hair. I think that is where I lose a bulk of my length.

Face of the Day: The day after Xmas

Now this has got to be my longest blog post. But I wanted to do a really in-depth FOTD(face of the day) post. You know, thought it would be fun.

So lets start with the eyes.

 I started off with a VERY old tube of my Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin. It is so old that all the writing has rubbed off on it. I really hate the primer, I am just trying to use it up. Although it does hold your shadow in place all day, it also provides every shade you put on top of it with a shimmering champagne cast. That can be really pretty for some people, but on my dark skin it can really look ashy.

For the lid color I took the matte taupe shade from the Kardashian palette. I know what you are thinking. Yes, I was suckered into the hype and shelled out the $13 it cost to buy this palette that everybody seems to be bashing. And even though the packaging is impossibly cheap (it broke after a few weeks of me using it) I actually like the eyeshadow shades. As you can see, I seriously hit pan on the matte taupe color and the ashy brown color next to it, I seriously devoured (I used every last bit on my eye.) And don't get me started on the gorgeous shimmers on the bottom. They are so pigmented and metallic, I feel like it wasn't a complete waste of money.

This palette is the brands best selling item and it is called Kim's Kardazzle Face Palette. From what I see on the website, it looks like the updated the palette a little, new packaging, different blush but the shades seem really similar.

Okay, so for my transition color I used my limited edition Lorac palette (its from the set that is supposed to look like chocolate bars.) I have been straight ABUSING the matte ashy brown color.

Now to talk about my baby: The Lorac Pro palette. I used the shimmery deep purple shade to deepen up my liner. I wanted to try something different that day.

I combined that Deep purple shade with this electric blue liquid liner color by NYX in the color Extreme Blue. I remember what first caused me to buy this liner. I was reading an article in Essence magazine that dark skin girls shouldn't be afraid to take more risks with their makeup. I've worn this liner alone and deepened with a dark shadow. I don't regret my purchase (especially because NYX is sooooo affordable)

 Now on to the face.

 I am not a fan of this bareMinerals Prime Time primer. This is just a sample and I think the full size comes in a spray bottle. It is too oily for me. But if you are the type that doesn't love the silicone feel of other primers or if you have a bit of dry skin then this might be for you. And when I say oily, it doesn't leave my face oily... just when I apply it, oil comes out before the product does. like bad lip gloss.

Everybody says that the Maybelline FitMe concealer is a dupe for the Nars Creamy Concealer. I don't believe it. Even though I have never tried the Nars one... it can't possibly be like the Maybelline. The color selection for the Maybelline is wack and the coverage is lack luster. I got it in the deepest shade they offer and I still feel like it is to shades too light. This is definitely not the kind of concealer you can wear on its own.

 This Bobbi Brown foundation was a graduation gift from my best and I absolutely loved it when I first got it but I don't know what happened but after using half the bottle I am not impressed and more. I feel like it is not that long lasting and when it does wear down it breaks down patchy and in a super unflattering way. Something has changed, I don't know if it is me or the makeup.

  This is actually my second Maybelline FitMe powder in 355 Coconut. Unlike the unimpressive concealer, I quite enjoy the powder. Yes, the powder is too light for me but it is blendable enough for it to not matter. It kind of acts as a highlighting powder.

 My camera didn't pick it up but the powder has a little sparkle in it. (kind of like a highlighting powder)

During my makeup collecting journey I have come to realize one thing. They always say deep plums and raspberries look good on dark skin but I find them a little overpowering for me. This blush is from the Mac Liberty of London collection (I got it from a CCO) it is called Dirty Plum. it is super pigmented so I try to concentrate it on the backs of my cheekbones.

I am just as boring with my lips. I try to stay clear from deep colors that people always say look good on deep skin (like the Mac Viva Glam III I have here.) I lightened up the deep burgundy red color by

putting the CoverGirl Gloss Balm in 210 Blush Twist as a base then topped it with one of my favorite lip glosses, Nars in Belize.

Using two samples as my mascaras, I first used the BareMinerals Flawless Definition to define and lengthen (it is really good at separating, I am definitely buying the full size)

Then I used the Smashbox FULL Exposure to thicken in. (I know I should have switched the order). Honestly, I hate the smashbox mascara. I think it actually makes my lashes shorter.

My tried and true method of putting on my brows.

I use the Jane Iredale Deluxe Spoolie. It is an ordinary spoolie, nothing special.

Then I sue my Mac 208 brush to apply the product to my brows

The powder I love is actually an eyeshadow. Deep Mocha by L'Oreal is my fave.

I hit pan hard body.

NYC Park Ave (246)

 

There is absolutely no law that says you have to at least $8 on a salon nail polish like Essie or OPI to achieve a salon quality manicure. (except for mine, again, please excuse my ratchet cuticles). This gorgeous taupe color from the very affordable NYC (New York Color) brand really has me head over heels. it looks amazing on my skin tone. It is a mixture of gray and brown and gives an almost foundation-like appearance to my hands. (like the RGB foundation nail polishes). This is great for work, and great for fall.

You can find it at your local CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens.

Essie Van D'go

Omg, I absolutely love this creamy neautral peachy pink color. My accent nail is this cute teal bow with polka dots. If you are a girl that loves beutral colors or need a color great for work, this polish would be great for you. the formula dries a little more matte than I would like.. just make sure you have a really good top coat. It is a nice spring time color.

YSL CRÈME DE BLUSH Soft Blush

Hey guys, I know it has been quite a while since I have done a post. I wanted to come at you with this new blush I have been using by Yves Saint Laurent. It is their creme de blush, I bought it at Sephora and it was $38. Yes, it is a bit of a splurge for just a cheek product but I just had to have it. I think it was this pretty gold packaging. All in all, for dark skin sister like me I think I would have to say pass on this product (or at least this color, I got the velvety peach).

As you can see, it comes in this gorgeous gold plated package that looks really good on your vanity.

The texture was a soft almost moussy feel. When you applied it, it reminded me of the Maybelline bouncy blushes. They both rub to a powder finish.

 For $38 you get .19 oz. The product is surrounded with an acrlic casing making it appear like a lot of product.

 So this is what the color looks like. For anybody lighter, it will look like a more natural flush of color. On me however, I just use it as a base to layer other cheek colors on top of.

 

 The color is 1 Velvety Peach - peachy pink. I thought it was going to be sort of like a Nars Orgasm but it is less pigmented than that.

My one year hair growth journey

 So this is where we are starting with. These pictures are from December... and I plan to get my hair blown out after the summer is over. I have been consistent with using the GNC hair skin and nails pills. click here to get more info on them. If they do not work I'll suck it up and get the hairfinity pills. They seem to be the real deal.

Yarn Braids/Genie Locks/Faux Dreds

Yes, this is an awkward photo, (I was caught off guard) but I wanted to showcase my yarn braids! This is my second time doing this protective style and I think that it came out better. I plan to keep this is for like a month, then I'll blow my hair out to see my length.

I love this style because it is so affordable. ( a pack of acrlic yarn is like less than 3 buskc at micheals.)

OUTRE HUMAN HAIR BLEND TIMELESS PONYTAIL BRAID MESSY Update

So this is what the piece looks like after I washed and detangled.

I tried to re-braid it but it doesn't look the same. All in all, I don't think these pre-braided ponytails are worth it because the style doesn't keep. You have to wash them and once you do they change way too much. it doesnt look bad because it is supposed to look like a messy braid but I definetly will NOT be purchasing the fishtail braid (because lord knows I can't re-braid a fishtail) lol.

Benefit Watt's Up Highlighter

The swatch on the bottom is one swipe of the highlighter. The swatch on the top is what it looks like blended out. As you can see it is a champagne shimmery highlighter (I think I see a pinky shade in it). I can't lie... it is not the most flattering thing on my skin tone

There is a sponge applicator attached to it but I don't really like using it. (That can't be sanitary right?) I just blend it out with either my fingers or my beautyblender.

This is how much product you get for $30. (I bought mine from sephora)

I usually apply it to the tops of my cheek bones (this is it un-blended of course), my inner tearduct, and as a brow bone highlight.

This is it blended out. I'm not crazy about it. I won't be buying it again but I WILL be using it up because I spent a pretty penny on it.