Hey Everyone

I'm away for a bit unfortunately I didn't bring my connection for my camera so I can't upload my footage. I have a portion of a video saved on this computer but I need to check to see if it is complete, if so, I will certainly upload it.

See you soon.

PJD

What's Hot- Beauty in a Box

During the summer months, all I request of my skin is that it glows so beautifully that people are forced to acknowledge the fierceness of my skin. Is that too much to ask?Unfortunately, the sun-kissed look that I love so much doesn't always find it's way to my face. I have had days when my skin has just refused to cooperate but I think I may have found a solution!

During the month of August, Sephora will present Beauty in a Box by Tarte Cosmetics. This $42.00 kit features the following items:

• full size lock & roll 12-hour eyeshadow, burnt bronze
• full size emphasEYES™ waterproof clay shadow/liner, plum
• full size rise & shine lip gloss and stain, nude
• full size clean slate natural face primer
• deluxe mineral powder bronzer, park ave princess
• deluxe lights, camera, splashes! natural waterproof mascara

I have to tell you, when I first opened the package I thought the little golden magnetic case that holds the bronzer would be a disaster on my skin. I'm so happy that I was completely wrong..

When placed on my t zone, the bronzer gave me the perfect sun kissed look! As most of you know, I am not an eyeshadow gal, it's one product that has hardly ever touch my face throughout the years. I wanted to test out the kit completely, so I smeared on the plum colored waterproof eyeshadow which can also double as eyeliner and I was blown away. First of all, once you put this product on, this baby does not want to budge, it really has staying power on my eyelids. Secondly, the product feels like silk, it is so smooth and it glides on easily. Finally, the color is so vibrant (see the swatch on my hand below) yet dark enough to pull off a real smokey eye look.

The face on the inside of the box is actually a brief tutorial that will guide you through the process of creating the perfect smokey eye.

The lock and roll is an eyeshadow that is supposed to last for 12 hours. I didn't count the hours that this product lasted on my lids but I can tell you that it added to my sun kissed look because the shadow has a golden hue.

This item would make a great gift for yourself or someone else!

Below, you will see a swatch of the plum colored shadow/liner on my hand. I needed soap and water to properly remove this product from my skin.

What would a PJD post be, if I didn't list the harmful ingredients that Tarte has kept off of their ingredients list-

The items in the beauty kit do not have

parabens

mineral oil

phthatales

SLS

synthetic dyes

synthetic fragrance

The Tarte products do have the following ingredients:

provitamin b5

carnauba wax

rice bran wax

vitamin C

*I received this item from a Tarte rep- but trust me I would tell you if this product sucked! :-)

L'occitane Repairing hair mask review

Hair mask review.

Just hauling and a hair review -The Mowry Gals

Hello Everyone

Part 1 - is just a haul video but in part 2 you will see the continuation of a haul as well as a review. I reviewed the Kielh's Olive Fruit Oil Repairative Pak.

Thanks for continuing to follow the blog and subscribing

on youtube. :-)

Part 1

Part 2

Did you watch?

Tia and Tamara Mowry will always be remembered as Sister Sister but in reality they are adults now, 32 year old women to be exact. Tia is married and seems like a very traditional gal, while Tamara is single and a bit more adventurous. I have always like their take charge attitude. When they were not being hired to play different roles on tv, they wrote, produced and stared in their own movies- you've got to love that! Their trial reality show aired last week Saturday and it was pretty good. If this show is picked up, I would definitely watch, it was much better than the other reality shows that are already flooding the reality show market.

You can click here and scroll to the video at the bottom of the page if you want to see a portion of their show.

Did you watch?

Moroccan oil and Revlon lipstain

Hello- here is another product review.

A haul and a Scrub

Here I discuss some hair products that I purchased and a body scrub. I will likely post part two tomorrow or Monday.
Have a great weekend.
PJD

Not a product related post-My Vacation Arizona 2010

Arizona Part 1

Part 2

Giovanni Direct Leave in and Aveda Damage Remedy

Hello
In this post I will review two leave in products- Giovanni Direct Leave i- and the Aveda Damage remedy leave in.

Part 2

Oatifix and Ayesha by Lush

HI
I miss you all!!!
PJD

Hair talk and a Sugary product review & Movie Time

Part 1


Part 2





Movie Time (not to be confused with Turtle time RHNY)- NOT A SPOILER

Actor, Ralph Macchi, is best know as Danny- the KARATE Kid. I don't know about you but I have watched all 3 Karate Kid movies in my lifetime and I enjoyed them all. I even watched the not so impressive "The Next Karate Kid" which featured Hilary Swank. So when I heard that yet another Karate Kid movie would hit the market I wasn't sure what to expect. Some people were critical saying that the Karate Kid movie is a classic and shouldn't be touched. Ralph Macchi supporters (all 5 of them) seemed to agree that the Danny character is set in stone and should never be touched again. The picture to the left is one example of what I found online.

I even heard that Ralph himself wasn't too sure about his feelings regarding this next KK installment.While I agree that the Karate Kid is a classic movie I had to see how they would revise this old movie. I went to the theater on Friday night and here are my thoughts........

To Ralph Macchi I say, in the words of Omarion- "YOU JUST GOT SERVED". Yes, Jaden Smith IS the Karate Kid, he didn't just breathe new life into the KK franchise, I may go as far as to say he IS the franchise. Aside from his impressive Karate skills which he has been perfecting since the age of 3, he is a good actor. I think he totally has the crying scenes down way better than his daddy, who has been at this craft for quite some time now ( but that's another story). Ralph Macchi was not a karate kid in real life which is probably why his ending surprise kick in KK1 was no more than a modern day Tae Bo front exercise kick. Fast forward to 2010 and we have little Jaden Smith who was able to put his years of real karate training to work.

Those Smith parents were smart to start the new KK series at a time when Jaden is still young and will grow into this character. I would say they could pump about at least another 2-3 maybe even 4 more KK movies staring Jaden Smith. The story line was not too far from the original but it was different enough that you would remain entertained. Taraji of course played her part well along with Jackie Chan.
I'm not going to spoil the movie for those of you who have yet to see it but I will say that there wasn't a dull point in the film.
Side note- my theater was packed with people from all backgrounds and age groups which was good to see. I know that older ones familiar with the original movie were eager to see this film, little girls certainly packed the theater to get a glimpse of Jaden's cute face, martial artists will certainly enjoy each fight sequence and overall adults will like it too. If you support this film, I doubt you will be disappointed.
Ralph Macchi can always say that he was the original Karate Kid, but Jaden Smith clearly sits atop his theatrical thrown as the new and dare I say the BEST Karate Kid......

New Blog posts coming soon!

Sorry for the delay my beautiful blogging buddies. I will have new posts before you can blink and eye- ok well maybe I'm exaggerating a bit but I hope to pump out a post tonight!
Bye
PJD

Just Wright- Not a spoiler

If you didn't already see the film Just Wright, I encourage you to check it out as soon as possible. I am so disappointed that it came in fourth in the box office last weekend. The movie made me think of Love and Basketball so if you enjoyed that movie you will likely enjoy Just Wright too.
I don't want to spoil this for those of you who did not see the film so you can read this review if you would like but don't read the comment section. I imagine some people will be more specific in the comment area- you have been warned :-).
I thought there were a few parts that could have been expanded just a tad like Latifah's relationship with her mother. At some point in the movie, I was waiting for a big Love and Basketball,"I'll play you for your HEART" type of moment and I didn't quite get it, but overall it was a nice film and I will definitely DVD it.

The Commercial

1)On the commercial for the movie, there is a scene where Latifah throws ice on Common and he jumps up and says "Ok, Ok". Even from the commercial it didn't seem real, I felt like someone should have yelled cut until Common did that line properly.
2)Latifah in the commercial attempts to do the flirty cute girl thing as Common reaches around her to get a cookie.-NOT BELIEVABLE. She just always looked like she could put Common in a choke hold at any moment. Whenever I felt that Common had been matched up with an actress that could kick his butt, I had to remember art was just imitating life..lol Ok Ok I'm done, i just needed to get that out of my system.

Side note-Perhaps I was the only person who didn't know this but Common and Serena have a 10 year age difference. He is 38 while Serena is 28....ok that's all I wanted to say back to the movie review.

I think Latifah looked natural and lovely throughout the movie. Paula Patton also looked lovely along with Phylicia Rashad. The verdict is still out on Pam Grier. Common is not my version of handsome but there were a few brief moments where I kinda somewhat thought he was ok.

For those who saw the movie feel free to get more specific in the comment section. What did you think of the movie, any highlights? Any low points?

Hair, Skin, Electronics and Random chatter

I hate being away from all of you for so long :-). I will get to all of the comments that I have not responded to yet, I am very sorry for the delay!!!!
Let's jump right into things-first up is a video where I talk about hair products, nail polish and a mini haul. Next up I talk about electronics, and facial products.

Video #2

In The Theater
As I'm sure you know, Queen Latifah's latest flick, "Just Wright" opens in theaters today. Will you be checking it out? I know for a certainty that I am heading to the theater tonight to support this film.





On the Tube

I know I've never spoken of this show on my blog before but LOST is coming to an end. Lost is the most riveting series I think I've ever watched on tv. It has held my interest from season 1 and the episodes just get better as more information is revealed. Oh and when they killed off my Sayid......WHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Where has Ben been? I've lost track of him and I can't remember the last time I saw him on the island.
Any of you watching lost? How do you think it will all end?
A Family Business
Brandy and Ray J are siblings and the love is apparent but the divisive behavior of Momma Norwood is also clearly seen. She favors Ray J and she may not recognize how obvious her favoritism is....sigh. Ok going back one episode -when the stripper arrived at Ray's office the mother was so mad that Bandy and her dad however she wasn't upset with Ray J for allowing his friends to engage in such shenanigans at his place of business.


Even though Brandy at times has a strained relationship with her mother I didn't appreciate the mom not showing up to Brandy's performance because she was still upset over strippergate 2010. As I see it, if you are going to be both mom (can't change that) and manager, then when it comes to business you need to be there for your client even if you are upset with your daughter. The father loves to say he won't get between the two of them but he will listen to both sides. To that I say MAN UP, this is YOUR family too, you are not just an innocent unrelated bystander so speak up and do what needs to be done!
I also think that Brandy's friend Shay, needs to stay out of family affairs. She was asking Brandy if she thought it was time to separate the mom/manager role by finding another manager. In the end they are still a family and Shay you are NOT my dear. I can see that Brandy will always side with family and I totally understand that, so Shay needs to stay in her lane and just hear Brandy out when she vents. Did you notice how quickly Ray checked Shay when she tried to tell him about his inappropriate behavior...LOL.
What do you think of Bran Nu? Brandy as a rapper isn't something that I necessarily saw coming but I think she did a good job and her makeup was great when she performed at the House of Blues.


On a completely different note what is going on with Timberland's figure? He wears these t- shirts with his arms exposed and it looks like he lifts weights. Does he think the public believes those lumpy curves are muscles? I think NO Timbo. Any while we're on the subject Dark Child had on some ill fitting hip huggers when he attended the office party. When he walked away from the camera you saw his fluffy sections oozing out of his pants.....LOL.


What Chilli Wants


A little baby hair to the side never killed anyone but Chilli enough is enough. Moving on-

Chilli's quest to find a man stopped briefly last week as she went to see a therapist. She revealed a portion of her private life when she confessed that she had an abortion which she seems to regret. She then spoke about Usher and the fact that there were certain things she couldn't live with so the relationship had to end.
She takes her son out on dates so that she can groom him to be a great date when he enters that stage of his life. She told him not to "smack" while he was eating- did you catch that she too had some mouth wide open scenes while eating? Well I guess you want your kids to learn and do better so whatever.....

Nothing too exciting happened this episode.

Basketball Chicks on the side Wives
In the last episode the women revealed to Royce all that Gloria had said about her in an attempt to make Royce realize that Gloria is not a friend. Can we have the lady Suzie, (I think her names is) write down whatever she wants to say and then someone else can read it because her speech impediment is giving me a headache.
Are you watching this show?

Tiny and Toya

I hear that Tiny and Toya will not return for another season because TI doesn't want Tiny to move forward with the show? Did you hear this too? Perhaps it's just a rumor.
The Joneses

The kids went to LA with their mom to pursue their separate dreams- the son wants to be a singer while the daughter wants to be an actress. I will not talk about the children on this blog, so I will just move on in silence, but you all can read my thoughts right??? Ok good. lol

I was on a roll- Weekend post videos

For those of you who watch youtube, do you like the new changes? Is it the new rule that your video must end at 10 minutes on the dot? I know they have always had the 10 minute rule but technically you could go a little beyond the 10 minute mark, just as long as you didn't touch that 11th minute.
Anyway here are some videos which youtube finally allowed me to upload-ughhhhh.

The first videos- part1 and 2 focus on foundation. I don't wear foundation as I will explain in the video but I need it for some upcoming events. I think I've found the best foundation everrrrrrr.
I also compare the foundation that I like to a Revlon foundation that people seem to like, or at least that's what the commercials suggests....
Part 1

Part 2

Unrelated video- I am discussing the changes at Target and some of my DSW finds.


Godiva and a Pooka Review

Once again I ran out of time...that hair video is coming later today without question :-)
thanks for watching!!!!!

Random items and The Brown Invasion

Hi Everyone
First up is a post featuring some random items that I purchased.


The Brown Invasion
I have never been opposed to the idea of seeing more people of color on television. In fact I've been saying for quite some time that we need more variety on television. As those words left my lips a crop of reality shows appeared on the scene. Let's just take a look at the list:

• Brandy and RayJ A family business
• Model City
• Lisa Raye-The Real Mcoy
• Basketball Wives (this show really needs another name, but that's another story)
• What Chilli Wants
• Keeping Up with the Joneses
• Tiny and Toya

I feel like I'm forgetting a show or two but maybe this is it. Although I am happy that there is a bit more diversity on the tube, why oh why does it all have to come in the form of a reality show, that just grinds my gears.
So have you been sucked in to watching any of these shows? I have only seen one or two episodes of the Joneses and I have to admit, I enjoy watching wealthy mature people of color doing things for the community and their families with no cat fights!!! It's not the most entertaining show I've ever seen but I like looking at the clothing and learning more about how this woman (sorry I forgot her last name) is building her magazine.
Tiny and Toya- other than the fact that I sometimes need a translator, these ladies have continued on the path they started on last season. Tiny is trying to keep her family unit strong, and open a nail salon all while dealing with her father's Alzheimer's disease. Toya is working to rehabilitate her drug addict mother while housing her no good older brother who is ready to become a rapper. SIGH Oh yeah and she will be preparing her daughter to deal with her father's incarceration which is going on right now.
Model City-I have never seen men so catty while thinking they are oh so hard...LOL cracks me up every time. One model needs anger management, another is in dire need of dental work while the others have their own issues to contend with.
Brandy and Ray J- I've always like Brandy so it's good to see her on television even if it is a reality show. The last reality show that featured Brandy was way back when she was pregnant with her daughter. Ray J is an immature mess just as I had suspected. Their mom coddles Ray and the dad encourages his whorish behavior. Son I was just like you when I was your age... ummm ok so does that make everything ok???? Their dad gave Ray some advice during the last episode and he said something like this- when love hits you, you can't help but stop (something like that). He then explained that then he met their mom he was so in love that he was able to put his bad lady loving behavior behind him, then he said so son that's what will happen to you and even if you STRAY you will always go back to love...HUHHHH? Is he admitting some infidelity? Who knows but they need to put lil Willie Ray in check. When a woman asks Ray to explain his behavior it's like that's his cue to say "I don't know, I'm just so confused" followed by his large brown puppy dog eyes....Grow up Ray. I still like the show though..lol
What Chilli Wants- She has a list of things that she wants in a man, and I'm all for having standards but I think her list may reveal her controlling nature. She doesn't want a man who eats pork because she thinks it's nasty and she doesn't eat it. I think she may be missing out on a good man if she throws him out because he likes a little bacon here and there. I could totally understand if she had this rule for religious reasons but that doesn't seem to be the case here. What is a man were as disgusted with her enjoyment of meat as she is of a man's enjoyment of pork.....
She said she wants a man who is GORGEOUS yet she dated old flat face Usher, buck tooth Dallas and she is interested in Squinty eyed Floy Mayweather. Besides being no taller than an unlit match stick, the only thing these guys have in common is money. Chilli is certainly entitled to have her own standard of beauty but good grief her past lovers are a mess.
I typed something on all of these shows and BLOGGER destroyed my post, sorry I dont have the strength to retype it all now....I will get back to you all later.
What do you think of these shows? What are you watching on the tube?

A cure for lifeless hair?

Hello Everyone
This is my review of Emami Hair life packs.

At the movies- Why Did I get Married Too?

So did you see Why Did I Get Married Too? I saw it on Friday and I was very excited to see this highly anticipated film. I was thrilled that all of the old characters were back in action! However the movie was a bit slow in the beginning for me, how was it for you? I think the whole section in the Bahamas was great just for the scenery alone but the storyline didn't really pick up until they were leaving the island. However the REAL action began stateside. There were two major twists in the film (maybe three), one of which I saw coming a mile away (Mike).

I feel like this movie was certainly left in a place where a third film could be created but I almost hope that doesn't happen.

I don't want to spoil it in this post for those who have yet to see the film but I give this project

4 out of 5 stars.

I wasn't really MOVED but the film had moments that were well developed.

I did get a good laugh in from the audience as people sucked their teeth and yelled at the screen when Janet FORCED everyone to get along....that scene was made for giggles because it was just too unnatural.

Also the way Tyler worked the name of the movie into the script was a bit clumsy. Overall I still support Tyler and I think the film was a good one.

So what did you think?

Warning comment section may spoil it for those who have not seen the film yet.

Movie Theater Etiquette

I was the last member of my party to enter the crowded theater because I had to stop for snacks :-). When I entered our row, I noticed that a seat had been skipped so I was going to sit there but I was told that I may not want to sit there. My buddy used her eyes to direct my attention to the cute little boy in the row directly in front of me. Hummm I thought, perhaps this is a mischievous fellow and they saw him display some less than movie friendly behavior. I took her advice and moved to the next seat, it was still close to the boy but not directly in back of him. Then it happened, the boy jumped out of his seat and began yelling and it was then that I saw the string connecting the boy to his aunt's arm. She calmed him down and all was well until the movie began. He had quite a few outbursts and I was pleased that no one in the theater said or did anything to hurt the feelings of the young boy but at the same time it was very disruptive.

Out of nowhere the young boy, who was probably 8 years old had an outburst during one of the important scenes which caused someone in the audience to say "COME ON NOW" I think that was directed more at the aunt than the little boy. The woman seemed really nice and pleasant so she did her best to control the child. I was able to ignore most of his releases except for one, the one that came out of his rear end. The boy began relieving himself (and I'm not talking about a release of urine) and the scent just hit me like a thousand bricks. She had to have smelled it since I did along with my party- that frustrated me because, that if nothing else was about to ruin my movie experience. It was rude of her to leave in him there so long 1) for sanitary reasons and 2) because no one else in the theater deserved that experience.

She eventually took him out of the theater and she didn't come back. When we left the theater we saw her outside waiting so was she planning on going back in to watch it again from the beginning and ruin it for more people??? It's her nephew and I don't know if she has total custody or not but couldn't she have gone another day or left him with another family member? I don't know, maybe my thoughts are selfish but I feel like she was selfish too......ok just venting.

What would you have done? The only option was to move to the very first row which I HATE with a passion.....

The Oyin Burn & Revive your skin with this Device

HI Everyone
This video features an Oyin shampoo update and my experience with the Neutrogena wave.

Saving money, Afroveda and Kinky Curly

Hello
This is my review of my Afroveda conditioner and my Kinky Curly question.

Lip Swatches, Enough Already and a Movie list

Hello
Here is a video that features swatches of my MAC lip products. I also swatched two covergirl lipstains and a Maybelline lipstick in the color Are you Red-Dy.


Enough Already

When I first heard NYC radio host, Ed Lover, suggested that Gabby Sidibe would wear sweet potato pants, the imagery that him comment evoked for me made me chuckle. Now I'm almost embarrassed that I ever fed into the jokes made about this young actress. Howard Stern, Jamie Fox and others have make jokes about Gabby's weight and appearance. Like Gabby's mom said, we all have eyes, so obviously she knows, like we all do, that she is overweight. So why the barrage of mean spirited jokes?
What upset me most was when I first the above picture of Gabby Sidibe being disrespectfully groped by Chris Rock as she walked on stage to accept her NAACP award. When asked to comment on the situation she said it was her fault because she is so hot Chris couldn't resist. However, she did mention that her father was less than pleased with the antics of ol Rock. Perhaps Rock though this inappropriate action was his declaration to the world that he thought she was attractive even if everyone else thought otherwise. Regardless of his intentions, no one asked his crippled fingers to caress any part of Gabby's body so why did he feel it was ok to do that? I couldn't imagine him doing that to any other actress who would have walked on stage to accept an award. So what may Chris think he could get away with this behavior? In years to come if someone where to do that to his daughters, would be he so quick to laugh it off? I was thoroughly disgusted with him. And to think people were going crazy over Kanye's award show behavior but this seemed to have been swept under the rug. Yeah yeah I mentioned the Kanye thing again lol but is this not a more serious offense?
Overall I'm just sick of all teh Gabby jokes, let the lady enjoy her time in the light and move on to other movies or whatever is in store for her.
Please weigh in.....(no pun intended)
Movies
I just wanted to quickly share my must see movie list:
1)The Karate Kid featuring Will & Jada Smith's little boy Jaden, Taraji P. Henson, and Jackie Chan. If anyone has ever seen the old Karate Kid movies you may be interested in the remake of this classic! Little Jaden looks like he worked so hard to get his moves down and he is quite the little actor. Jackie Chan is simply amazing when it comes to his coordination and special move so I can't wait to see him too. I love the range of characters played by Taraji, so count me in when this movie hits the theaters.




2) Why did I get married too?
With an island setting and all of the original characters, I am ready to watch the followup to one of Tyler Perry's best flicks.


3) Just last week Friday I saw the trailer for Just Wright. I enjoy the work of director Sannai Hamri and I have come to expect good work from her. I have to tell you that as soon as I saw the movie poster with Queen Latifah playfully nestled up with spoken word artist/ rapper Common I was thinking- HUH? I've seen Latifah play the best friend or sidekick to the woman who falls in love but she is never really the main event. In Brown Sugar mos Def couldn't get enough of Latifah's character but the main story featured Sanna Lathan. Ok Ok on Living single Latifah did have her own love story line but never in the movies. I'm happy that Sanna hamri had the good sense and foresight to envision Latifah in such a role. This has nothing to do with her rumored personal life but Latifah looks like she could take Common in a fist fight so i was concerned with the pairing of these two in the movie. Nevertheless, I think sanna pulled it off brilliantly because it works! She isn't forcing Latifah to play some girly girl (not that she couldn't do it if she wanted to) but instead Latifah plays a down home, almost tomboy who can also wear a little black dress and look great. LOVE IT and I can't wait to see this film.
Which films will you be watching this season?

Nail polish and my weekend haul

Hi Everyone!!!!

Removing Facial Hair for Women of Color

Hair Removal can be a tricky thing, especially facial hair removal for black women. There are alot of hair removal products out there, but none designed for black women.... there may be a few posers who say their products are for all hair and skin types, but they're lying, lol-- you people can't fool us. Anyway, I digress....

One of my close friends gets hairs on her neck, a few on her chin, and she has semi-thick sideburns. She's absolutely gorgeous, but she really hates the extra hairs, she's always like "why me!?!" lol. She found out that she got the neck/chin hair issue from her grandmother (though her mom and aunt have absolutely no hair on their face or legs for that matter-- crazy huh, lol) and she got the sideburns from her dad who has a full very think beard even in his old age. Very unlucky stuff.

When she was younger she would just shave the hair on her neck-- bad decision because more hair ended up growing back and it was thicker. She didn't know what else to do so she kept this up. After a few years, she stopped shaving and began using the mini-scissors you find in a manicure set to cut her hairs. She's tried self-waxing, but it didn't always work sufficiently and she's tried Nair, but it burned her skin, so for the past 5-6 years she's just been using the mini-scissors with the occasional shaving (maybe once a year, though she knows it is very bad).

She's fed up with the arduous and consuming task of sitting in front of the mirror with tiny scissors clipping her hairs, she doesn't want to have to spend $20 weekly at the salon to get the hair removed, and she doesn't have the funds to get it surgically removed yet (laser hair removal)... so we've discussed some things, researched some things, and have came up with some possible solutions that she will be trying over the next few weeks-- and I'll report back with the verdict.

Just in case some of you want to follow along and try too, here's what we're going to purchase:

1. Facial Hair Removal Threading Tool

Alot of women are swearing by this little gadget, so I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that works. The price is slim and it was featured in Oprah Magazine.

R.E.M Spring Facial Hair Removal Tool

other versions of the same tool:

- Bellabe Hair Removal Tool

- Epicare Hair Removal Tool

- Facial Hair Threading Tool

2. Brazilian Bikini Wax Kit

I don't know what it is, but alot of women with thick dark curly/coarse body hair recommend using brazilian wax kits for facial hair. I'm thinking these may work well because Brazilian waxing kit would be designed for the most sensitive area or your body-- which is, well, down there so it should definitely work on your face.

Gigi Brazilian Bikini Wax Microwave Kit

Surgi-Wax Brazilian Waxing Kit

3. Creme Hair Removers

There are many types of creme hair removers, but she has only used Nair. So we'll have a stab at using Surgi-Creme Hair Remover for Face. There's a lot of youtubers swearing by it, though some say it may burn a bit.

4. Epilator

Epilators are basically mega tweezers. It's a both of little tweezers in a row and mimics the look of a shaver. My friend who will be using all these products, I will probably use them to, is not a tweezer-- neither am I. And from the reviews of most epilators, they are quite painful two tweezing virgins. The key to epilating is getting one that really does work and the Braun 5270 Silk-épil X'elle Body System Epilator has gotten quite a few great reviews.

Remove dark spots from shaving/tweezing/waxing/bumps:

I'm always against any type of skin-lightening agent, dark skin is absolutely gorgeous and is literally made for the sun meaning it was made for God and in his exact image. But I know that if you have dark scars or dark bumps then you will want to remove them. Alot of women and men from different ethnicities say that Ambi's Fade Creme really does just lighten your dark spots. So removing unwanted hairs from your neck or face then try using Ambi Skincare Fade Creme to clear up the dark spots that you may have acquired overtime.

Check out all the items Here.

So we'll be ordering a few of these products today and will come back with reviews soon. Feel free to try them out as well and leave reviews.

Product Review: Organic Root Stimulator's Olive Oil Deep Penetrating Conditioner

Organic Root Stimulator (ORS) Olive Oil Deep Penetrating Conditioner.

This stuff, this stuff right here? Yeah, this stuff right here is Great, lol. It smells absolutely delectable and makes your hair feel like silk. This a very important conditioner to put in your hair after a relaxer or shampoo. And this a good conditioner to use if you just want to condition your hair only.

The ORS replenishing paks are relatively inexpensive costing between .79-1.59 depending on where you go (usually .99 cents or $1.49). If you just want to try it out or are going out of town then just get a pak, otherwise it's smarter to buy the big bottle.

weekend post-Rhassoul clay for my hair

Hello Everyone
This is another post for the weekend. If I don't get these videos off my camera I will never post them so I guess this was the weekend to get busy. For those of you who missed it, there are some more videos in the post below.
Have a great weekend.

Weekend post, Zoya, Mac pooka and more

Farmhouse Fresh Review part 1- Sweet Cream Scrub

Farmhouse Fresh Review part 2- Strawberry Smash and Whoopie Cream

Product Review: Nairobi Essential Botanical Oils

Alrighty guys, so I've been mixing my own "secret" batch of hair oil for the past few months: 1/2 extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 pure coconut oil. I would put this in my hair almost daily and add the mix to my conditioners, as well as put it on my hair before my little semi perms.

The drawback of putting my "Olive Coco" mix in my hair before going to bed or throughout the day is that little bumps would begin to show up on the tops of my forehead. That is a no-no.

So, I went to the beauty supply store to find a new oil (I hate going in these places by the way, I wish SO bad they were colored-american (black) owned).

And I saw one bottle of Nairobi Essential Botanical Oils left. So, I scooped it up! (It was between this and the Kemi Oil).

And y'all-- this stuff is great so far. Not only is it very light-weight, it has a very pleasant smell, and has the BEST ingredients of any designer oil I've used (compared to keracare, mizani, etc).

Ingredients: sunflower oil, peanut oil, canola oil, coconut oil, aloe vera oil, olive oil, almond oil, sesame oil, jojoba oil, and fragrance.

Now, that's really are a list of Essential oils.

Size: 4 fl.oz

Cost: $11.99

I loooove this stuff. And this will be my go-to oil for now until forever, lol. Why? Because it has all the natural oils in it that I was self-mixing, plus more. Yeah, I could easily make this myself and have more of it, but I don't want to be bothered buying 9 different types of oil (not right now atleast).

Be sure to give this a try and tell me what you think :-)

Fing'rs for busy beavers

I am at times, that gal who seems to realize at the last minute as she's rushing out of the house that her toe nail polish is chipped. So I grab a bottle of polish and try to cover any imperfections that would be visible while wearing my peep toe pumps. Inevitably, my toe nails always seem to touch something that smudges my nails. I know I am not the only person this has happened to. Let's face it we are all busy beavers and many of us don't have the time required to manage our nails each week, so what's a gal to do? Fing'rs has got you covered with their easy to use fake nails. I have never been a fan of using glue to apply nails, but it's a part of the process if you indeed wear fake nails, right? WRONG. For all of you glue lovers out there the Fing'rs company has not left you out in the cold, because they provide you with 24 designer nails, glue, a nail file AND stick on tabs.

If you are opposed to using glue because of wear and tear on your real nails then you need to try the stick on tabs. One reader once commented about fake toe nails, and I had never seen them or heard of them so I was at least interested in the concept. When I received and email from Fing'rs asking me if I wanted to try out their product which includes fake toe nails, I jumped at the opportunity. I have to tell you that it took me a minute or two to get used to the thought of wearing fake toe nails. The idea seemed so weird but then I remembered the reader who said in her comment that she would just throw on her fake toe nails when she had events during the summer and it looked great in her peep toe shoes. Well I decided to put on my big girl pants on and try those toe nails. Can you say sold? I used the sticky tabs which I didn't think would do much of anything, but it was great! You take the sticky portion of the tab and press down on your natural nail. After carefully lifting up the sticker, the sticky part remains on your nails and you simply apply the fake nail. If you apply the fake nails with the sticky tabs the nails will not last as long as they would if you were to use glue. However, I can tell you at least two reasons why the sticky tabs are so much better in my humble opinion:

1) When the nails are finally off, they looked so good that I could have reused them if I wanted to do so I just needed more sticky tabs.
2) My natural nails were in perfect condition!
My fake toe nails lasted for about 3 days but I eventually pulled them off myself, you know I'm a nail polish junkie, but who knows how long they could have lasted.
I know you've been waiting for the entire post for this so here is my toe..lol. Now how sweet does that nail look? I love the short length of the nails for your toes and your hands.I also asked fellow blogger Meandering Memorandum to wear a pair of the nails for me so she again waited for a special occasion to throw them on her fingers. She was too scared to use the sticky tabs so she opted for the glue which held up nicely as she danced the night away.

The nails looked so nice on her and she also appreciated the short length of the nails. The diamond accent is really cute too, but Fing'rs also offers plain short nails if you are interested in a more tame look.

If my nails even try to look like a disaster at any point this summer, I will be sure to press on the Fing'rs toe nails and go!

You can purchase your Fing'rs products in your local drugstore.

Facial sorbet, Farmhouse Fresh, POOKA is in the house and ZOYA

Edited to include my Zoya polishes that arrived today!
Hello everyone
Here is another two part video. In the video I review my Chagrin Valley Facial Sorbet and I show my hauls from Pooka and Farm House Fresh Goods
The Chagrin product without a doubt goes into the SKIP IT files.
Have a great weekend.

Part 2

Zoya Polishes

Intellectual Conversations: Why Chris Rock's "GOOD HAIR" is a BAD movie

Here's a continuation of the first post on this
and the views on the movie "Good Hair".

I feel as if most educated people of color don't like the foolish imagery Chris Rock leaves the viewer of this movie-- especially viewers that are not black.

But of course, in this country, where many blacks are still suffering from the effects of slavery and jim crow, there is a want to not be publicly humiliated and degraded-- especially "in front" of non-blacks... and that is understandable b/c who wants to be exploited for laughs? no one.

It's not a "what will whites think of us now" mentality it's a-- "why do our own people insist on judging us and belittling us for the things that are being done by so many other races"... its a "white women do it so why is it self-hate on every level when a black woman does it?". Trust that we know "what white people think of us", and that's why certain issues, if addressed publicly (like in a movie), should be addressed in a thorough intellectual manner.

THE FACTS:

1. This film is NOT about black women and their issues. If it was, it would mostly receive authentic praise. What I have realized is that this movie, above all else, is about the insecurity of black men. And as a black man-- I can see this.

I believe in modern day, this hair issue is actually a black man's issue. Many black women (like my mother, girlfriend, sisters, friends) have found peace with their hair, whether its going natural or wearing extensions like all of hollywood. In 2009, this is a self-hate problem that plagues black men and we (not I) indirectly and directly pass on that self-hate to our women... and Chris Rock capitalized on his own insecurities and used his daughter's "question" as a front. As one woman thoughtfully said, "Chris Rock's daughter gave him an idea, she did not inspire him-- an idea and inspiration are two different things."

... I realized this reflected self-hate when I was talking to a group of my friends this weekend. They saw a fine girl and was wondering if that was her "real hair"... it made me think about why they placed so much importance on that. When I'm with my white friends they never ponder about a woman's "real hair" even though their women always wear weaves. But even forgetting the latter (about white women) I realized that there has always been this type of dissatisfaction and resentment with black men to black women.

A perfect example is my old high school buddy Troy. He's a cool dude and everything, but exemplifies the negative stereotypical black male-- multiple children w/o marriage, unemployed, always "hustling", barely got out of high school and won't finish community college, etc etc. Even with his many shortcomings of decidedly not being able to provide for his children, jail record, and incomplete education... he still seems to somehow bring up wishing his children's mother wouldn't wear a weave in conversations, and his preference for redbones with long hair. This is fully perplexing when she's the one with the education and job who's taking care of the children--- this is the type of tom-foolery that is happening all over.


2. And yes you are correct wigs have been worn since the Bible days and all over the world. Indeed Egyptian royalty wore adornment type crowns that are similar to wigs, but were usually engrossed with gold and jewels-- that was a status of royalty and wealth. In Europe the whites wore wigs everyday-- royalty and commoners and so when the 13 colonies were formed, when America was formed, all the white that came over wore them... and that's how the idea of these wigs came into this country. And of course overtime it continued, they wore wigs in the "wild wild west" and hair extensions and wigs have been around since.... this idea of "extra hair" is not new in any form or fashion.


3. I concur on Chris Rock not really being any good. I never thought about it before-- I have always found him funny in some regard, but it feels as of late he's just been going too far and perhaps with age is dealing with his own issues and that is being translated into his comedy act. I still can't erase the joke he made about not feeling like Barack should have married Michelle... because a "black woman wants control and will stand in front of you or beside you, but Becky will get behind you." It was low. Unnecessarily low in my opinion. Is he a comedian? yes. Was it funny? not to me and many people in the crowd started to actually boo... but I get that he has to make money and has to play off these stereotypes to continue to make millions, I get that everyone isnt perfect and that moreover everyone doesnt care about the plight of black people in this country. Chris Rock does a decent job of integrating some issues into his standup, but overall he's just another airhead with no real intelligence (and that is thoroughly shown in this movie).

Mar Nita, I guess I'm just tired of black men not being black men. I'm tired of us not standing behind and supporting our black women. My girlfriend and I mentor innercity kids and to hear what these young kids are saying about each other, especially these boys about black girls is disturbing. I sometimes ask myself if I was the same way growing up. The point is, I, feel like its time that black men stood up, picked ourselves up and started building back our community and that starts with us loving, embracing, and adoring our women. Sometimes I feel as if I'm a singular entity in this fight to restore love and togetherness in our community. I know, as always, there are plenty if black women but where are the black men? My 3 college roommates are the only group of men that I know, besides me, that are empowering our women and taking steps to mentor these young guys--- these fatherless boys.

I may not be able to change the ignorant mindset of people like Chris Rock and his crew, but through my actions and words I can help change the next generation. Don't get me wrong its hard to compete with Lil Wayne, TI, and Jay-Z on certain days, but at the end of the day I'm the one who's there for these kids-- they can feel that I care. And they see the beautiful dark brown woman with curly hair that I bring along to their football games and programs... that I always call beautiful (in front of them) and that I admire and respect. And so because of these things they don't have to be fooled into thinking that in order to be successful one has to, as Chris Rock stated, "Marry a white woman or almost-white woman".


4. You're right, there are truly a plethora of serious issues in the black community, and for Chris Rock, a black man, to try and tackle a "black woman issue" is tom-foolery at its finest. This movie, "Good Hair" is truly a mockumentary as it has been dubbed by the erudite people of the world, especially the educated african-americans. I can appreciate his attempts at useful information with the facts about the damage of lye perms, indian hair market, and stingy racist asian business owners, but that is all, and I mean all this movie offers.

I can only hope that Chris Rock and his crew realizes the mockery this film exudes and will cease the distribution of it-- as it is hindering our people and deriding our women just for profit. Must we continue this incessant cycle?

Chris Rock is BULLSH*T, "Good Hair" is Trash.

The shameful Chris Rock

Okay,

So I HAVE to start my first post off with the truth about Chris Rock's degrading MOCKumentary. I was super excited about the movie initially-- thinking that it would talk about the known issue of "Good Hair"-- where the term came from, slavery, etc. Then I figured it'd touch on perms (which in did), but then also talk about the natural hair movement that has been going strong since India Arie's "I Am Not My Hair" (around 2005). But NO it did not, it was Shameful, just downright shameful. That movie deals with the self-hate black men have for themselves and their women more than anything else.... Black women are comfortable with themselves-- natural, perm, or extensions. I think most of us are just over it.... but its the black men that have the issue. Men like Chris Rock... ergo movies like "Good Hair" that in NO WAY deal with the actually issue and history behind "Good Hair". I am no longer a Chris Rock fan by any stretch of the imagination. Chris Rock, like some blacks before him, has sold out, embarrassed, an degraded his people just for some quick bucks.... if I was the queen, I'd have to "Off with his head". But forget my word... I ran into some great comments about the movie from a conversation I peeped in a website:

Here's the link to the conversation HERE. But I'll place a few major points below...

(I love Duke's opinion... why can't we have more men like this???)


DUKE:
I saw the movie with the moms and wifey and though I think you're funny Chris- the movie was biased and lacked any real historical content- where was the slavery? and the origination of "good hair"?

Where were the India Arie's, Tracee Ellis Ross's, Solanges, Jill Scott, Lauryn Hills and all those type women, the HUGE amount of black women that are natural and have been natural forever... it was sort of disrespectful towards women like my mom who have been "natural" since I can remember and all the women in my life who went natural during the whole "India Arie- I am Not my Hair" movement- as it has been dubbed. (and not to mention all the white women who have worn wigs and weaves since the beginning of time, calling out the black actresses when white actresses wear weaves and wigs more was also a point that you left out).

My man, you slacked heavily, and I gotta admit that I don't like the fact that now any white person who sees this movie is going to leave wrongfully thinking that all our black queens have perms and that if their hair is long its a weave- thats bullsh*t bruh... you could have done better. Most people in our movie theater left really disappointed. If you did somehow get good reviews its from white people- who eat up stereotypical ish like this.

I still can't get over how your really didn't go into the REAL meaning and history of "good hair"... anyway, I'll give you a C- for effort. But like everyone has been saying- you need to do a PART II ASAP.


LEA:
Most of the black women I know have naturally long hair, while my white friends wear more weaves and wigs than the black ones... especially since white women invented wigs and weaves... even the founding fathers wore wigs. Miley Cyrus, Heidi Klum, Britney Spears, Megan Fox, Paris Hilton, every playboy model, etc etc they all wear them... I was listening to my local radio station today and the white hosts were quoting these "facts" - "most black women have perms" :if a black woman has long hair its fake"... it was sickening to listen to.

You really NEED to do a part II of this silly one-sided documentary and cover the historical context of good hair and how it stems from slavery... then you should end it with the fact that many many (I would say atleast half) black women these days are "natural" and no longer use 1950s lye perms (lol at you for having that in the movie- who uses lye perms anymore???)). I know I may sound more knowledgeable than the average nonblack woman, but thats the good thing about having a diverse group of friends- you aren't as ignorant. So Chris, I suggest you widening your group of friends... so you won't be as ignorant- because your movie is doing more bad than good.

THINE:
Did you even see the movie or are you pulling stuff out the air? Where are you getting your information that supports your assertion that half of black women are natural? The movie clearly states that black women make up about 6.5 percent of the population, but they buy up to 40 percent of all hair care products. I don't think that half of this ... Read More


DUKE:
I think she's pulling it from what she sees... just like me. The majority of the women in my life are natural- and its beautiful. And to be honest when you go to the top schools in the country you see the same thing.. I went to MIT, my best friend went to Princeton he's now at HBS (harvard business school)... and about 3 years ago we both noticed how all the women on our campus were going natural.(it was sort of weird at first, but then we got used to it... i remember it like it was yesterday- every girl even the girls with the "mixed curly hair" cut off their perms) And even out in the "real world" i see just as many natural women as i see with perms/relaxers... I say all that to say that I think people of color with higher education and people of color who are more progressive thinking have many friends that are natural.

And as far as Chris's statistics... c'mon now, i know you're smarter than that- you know statistics are not always right.. sometimes people have stats and they only base them off a sampling of 40 people. So his 95% of black women etc etc... is probably just based off some random sampling of women he surveyed (most likely from hoodish type areas).

And as far as the "natural hair care products"- my wife uses the same stuff as her friends with perms use. All because your hair is natural doesn't mean you have to use some kind of "special product"- you can if you like but it's not necessary.

I do get Chris's point though- if we're buying most of the products we need to make sure that we're selling it- keep it in the community (my wife hates going into those asian owned beauty stores b/c they always have bad attitudes).

JESSICA L. THOMAS: I agree with you, brotha...

THINE: Chris indicated that he made the movie to address his daughter's perception of why she didn't have "good hair" not a question/concern of if black women wear natural hair. If we are honest we all know that in "our" communities natural hair isn't considered to be "good hair" unless it is a certain texture. So the movie would have been better if he ... Read More

DUKE: well maybe your in the wrong community... because in my community natural hair is good hair. its funny because my sister used to talk of the good hair back when we were younger, my mom gave her perms and all that.

then she went natural about 2.5 yrs ago and she actually has the "good hair" that she and so many other women have always wanted. its ironic because black women's natural hair is the "good hair".

then they use those products to make their hair even curlier... i hope im not saying this wrong, but i think she and my wife uses a product by "miss jessie"? it brings out their natural curls and make them really soft (and no its not a perm)... some people (men and women) use the texturizers which are light and only partially straighten the hair.

black women naturally have "good hair", just find the products to make it curlier i guess.


DUKE: And should Chris place blame on people? no.
But should Christ answer the real question of "good hair" and its origination? yes.

I don't like when people present half-truths... If you're going to do a "documentary" make it a real one. Make it meaningful- present the question, the problem, the background, and the solution.

It was a cowardness move on his behalf (his production, writers, etc) to not discuss the historical content that is very relevant. See African-American history.. which is just American history is not taught in school.. there's maybe one chapter in most grade school history books. Our people need to be educated... they need to know why, they need to be challenged: "why do i think this type of hair is good hair" "where did this phrase good hair come from" "how can i change my thinking so that i don continue to perpetuate something that is hindering my race".

What's that quote- you can't move forward without knowing where you've been and where you're going... I probably am saying it all wrong, but its a famous quote by some famous African-American person... my point is-- history is important. And that's what "our" community lacks- we forget our history, we let "outsiders" trick us into thinking that if we discuss it then we're placing blame, they guilt us into thinking that it is not important... but it is. We must learn from it. We must realize where certain behaviors and mindsets derived from, we must ask ourselves why we think this way... and that is what Chris Rock did not present.

That is why his "documentary" was entertaining and perhaps helpful from an economic view point, but was vacuous in really helping "our" people to understand the true nature of the "problem" and what "we" can do to fix it.

_________________

Pretty intense stuff, huh? What do you all think? I'm going to post more of Duke's conversation in the next post...

1 black parent + 1 white parent = 1 MIXED child

I've been reading some of my comments, since I just got back from a blogging hiatus, and I want to thank everyone for giving their opinions on products and what not. That said, I ran across a very disturbing comment when reading the comments from the Dominican article...

"I am the product of a white mother and a Dominican Republic father basically I am african american. Anyway Dominican Republicans do have a healthier way of taking care of african american hair in my opinion but it's all in the way you care for your hair anyway and too much heat on any hair is bad. My hair grows out very thick and long and not thin on the ends but it has also been damaged before and thin on the ends so what is that guys point. Anybody can grow their hair out hopefully after it has been damaged that doesn't mean that their hair didn't grow back out long and thick."

See anything wrong with this comment? Maybe you don't, it seems pretty harmless, but that's to a person who has accepted some racist tendencies forced upon people of color. While most of her comment was perfectly fine, the beginning of it was, well, crazy.... "I am the product of a white mother and a Dominican Republic father basically I am african american."

If you have one parent that is white and another that is Dominican... then you are MIXED. If you want to be specific then you are Dominican American (if your mother is American and/or if you are American).

It peturbs me on so many levels when people -- white, black, whatver... automatically call people who are MIXED, black... I rarely see the opposite. It's not about being ashamed of being black, its about denying ONE WHOLE part of who you are. You are MIXED and do not ever let anyone make you choose between one race or the other. If you have one mixed parent and one white parent-- if anything you're white. But somehow the "one-drop" rules created during horrible slavery racism Jim Crow times has oozed it's way into the psyche's of sooooo many people. If the one-drop rule were true then we could all just be whatever we wanted--- most "African Americans" have a white grandfather somewhere down the line... so I guess they would all be white, huh?

Basically, people, DO NOT call people who are mixed by one race. DO NOT let people put you in a category and tell you what you are.

Halle Berry is NOT the first "African-American" Oscar winner, she is the first MIXED Oscar Winner, the first 1/2 African-American Oscar winner. A "black" woman has not yet won.

President Barack Obama is NOT the first "African-American" president of the USA, he is the first MIXED president of the USA. A "black" man has not yet been president.

These type of list go on and on... and yes I love both our president and halle, but it's not fair to deny who you are... especially when in most cases like this... the mother or the mother's family (often time white) are the ones that end up raising them.

Now I know many mixed people feel more love and acceptance in the black community, often time more comfortable. That's understandable... its fairly easy to feel alot of love from black people who are still dealing with the effects of slavery when you have light mixed skin-- they may put you on pedestal. But it's a lie to say you're black or "African-American" when you have one European-American parent-- you are mixed. Don't deny yourselves, don't let someone else define you... you define you.

This post may seem random, but I just wanted to address that.