Freetress Russian and Brazilian Hair Review

I'm not the one to advocate for synthetic bundles of hair. Unlike a wig, the intention of the weft hair is for you to install it into your hair. Meaning that you would go to sleep with the hair, shower with the hair, workout and get physical with the hair. I just don't think synthetic hair is built for that.

So when I got these bundles (at a steal, they were $10 each and I only needed 2 for a full head... of course I split and sealed the wefts) I immediately installed it into a wig. I was pleasantly surprised that actual quality of the hair is better than the synthetic hair I am used to.

They are both wavy textures but the Russian bundle is not as loose as the Brazilian. I actually prefer the Russian's texture.

It didn't tangle or shed excessively. I can't speak on how it reacts to heat. I would totally recommend this hair (for a quick weave, i'm still not 100% convinced it can be an install... don't do it to yourself.)

I don't LOVE they way it blends with my natural hair. 

What is a Sheath Dress?

Again, I am not, by definition, a "fashionista." I do, however, enjoy perusing some fashion blogs and magazines. Some terms that fly around I can associate with trends like "peplum" and "A-line skirts"... Things like that I get. But when the overall consensus for the spring season was that a colorful sheath dress was almost imperative, I couldn't get past the fact I didn't even know how to identify what a sheath dress was (let alone buy a colorful one for the season.)

So I decided to do some research (a page one Google search) and share my knowledge for what a 'Sheath' dress is for all those who are just as style challenged as myself. A sheath dress is basically any form fitting dress.

There you go, you're welcome.

I am now off to the nearest department store

Fashion 101: Mixing prints

I am personally NOT a fan of this fashion trend. Even though I am into beauty, I can't really seem to have a firm hold on fashion. (Especially when it comes to trends like this.) Why would you want to look like you had to throw everything thing in your closet on at the same time?

But the fashion magazines seem to be crying out in unison that this is an acceptable look for the street. Celebrities like Solange Knowles have made this the quirky girl's uniform.

I mean, sure, of course it would work on her right?







I admit, there are days when I have left the house to lazy to coordinate a proper outfit. On those occasions, I try to convince myself that I'm "mixing prints" but how do I convince onlookers that? Hold up a sign?

I have heard that the key to making this work for the average man is to pair a smaller print with a bigger print.

So this scarf could work with this poncho... But what do I know?

All in all, this difficult trend should be saved for the celebrity, the runway, and the brave.

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?).

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.

L'Oreal Paparazzi Pleaser

Please excuse the slightly sloppy application but I just had to say how much I love this purple. Fall is here and it is time to put away those bright neons of the summer (if you are one to follow trends, personally I where what I want, when I want). This color by the L'Oreal line of nail polishes is called Paparazzi Pleaser.

I am not the one to love dark polishes on my nails but this purple is not too dark. It is not a scary vampy color but it definitely is not a neon. And don't get me started on the formula! I guess you would say it is a crème but this is more like a shiny gel. The lazy girl wouldn't even need to put a top coat on.

This is a hidden gen that you can't afford to sleep on. It doesn't chip excessively either, average wear.

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.

Maybelline expert luminous lights eyeshadow in opal lights

So I saw the ad for this 'new' collection by Maybelline. The Luminous Lights collections is supposed to use pastel shimmery colors to brighten your eye. I got the palette in Opal Lights (the one the model is wearing). They have 4 other palettes in the collection. So I have a couple of all shimmer palettes that are not that bad to use. (i.e. Wet n Wild... Urban Decay Naked) but this palette was unacceptable. there was not much fall out so there is nothing wrong with the formulation but the colors so not show up that well on dark skin. 

I got the palette in Opal Lights (the one the model is wearing). They have 4 other palettes in the collection. So I have a couple of all shimmer palettes that are not that bad to use. (i.e. Wet n Wild... Urban Decay Naked) but this palette was ridculous.

I do have a weakness for palettes that indicate where they recommend their colors to go. It is great for beginners but I wouldn't recommend THIS particular palette... especially for my darker skinned ladies. 

The first color is supposed to be used as a base/primer but I'm not that comfortable using powders as primers. (I don't know who does that anyway)

The colors themselves are fun... They are iridescent and kind of have a duo-chromey element to them. Too bad when you try to incorporate all the colors in one look the colors seem to blend together and do not have the best definition.  they would be great individual highlight colors... absolutely gorgeous if you wanted to use them as such. 

 There was not much fall out so there is nothing wrong with the formulation but the colors so not show up that well on dark skin. 

The first color is a regular light pink, then there is a light yellow gold. The interesting color in the palette to me is the purple-toned blue color that would be a gorgeous icy highlight and is a little unique to me. the fourth color is strange enough though... it appear to be a shimmer mid-toned brown but comes off more as a gold (greenish gold?)

My final thoughts on this product is that although I like the availability (it may be limited addition but as of now you can purchase it at your local drug store) and the price (it is less than $10 and you definitely get in on BOGO) I would recommend for women of darker complexions to run out and pay money for this particular product unless you want a nice highlight palette.