My Favorite Beauty Products

I know, I know. It's been a while. I plan on posting more soon, but for now, here is a little post... gosh, I'm painfully bad at introductions. Let's skip to the good part.

1. Olive oil



As a black woman, my hair needs more oil to keep from drying out. Also, I am trying to grow out a pixie cut into a bob. My goal is for my hair to reach the top of my shoulders. Also, olive oil is a great way to protect your hair when heat styling, no matter what racial group you belong to. TIP: Instead of using a mousse (which generally dries out hair with alcohol), use this as a leave-in conditioner after washing your hair.

2. L'oreal True Match



I only use the powder and concealer, but LET ME TELL YOU. This stuff is like magic. Without concealer, I look like Levi from Attack on Titan. If you don't know who he is, he has bad under eye circles. But this is like portable Photoshop. The only con is that people can tell you're wearing makeup, because it covers every freaking blemish. Gosh, I love this stuff. TIP: Put the concealer on first. It's okay if your concealer is slightly lighter than your foundation-- that's actually a good thing. It will highlight your cheekbones and add an overall glow.

3. COVERGIRL Exact Eyelights



The compact above is meant for women with brown/hazel eyes. Exact Eyelights has different compacts based on your eye color, and let me tell you about this. It's perfect. Going to a wedding? Wear these colors. Going to an interview? Wear these colors. Perfect for a daytime look. And it brings out your eyes! What's better than that? TIP: Put this on after your foundation and before you apply powder.

4. REVLON Nearly Naked



This stuff is amazing, too. Sometimes, when I'm in more of a rush (or I just don't care... well, almost don't care, else I wouldn't wear makeup at all), I skip all the previous steps and put this on by itself. It's a light covering, and looks very natural by itself. If you have freckles, they'll still be visible. Hence the title, it's basically as close as it gets to not having any makeup on at all. TIP: Put this on after applying eye shadow, to cover up any stray specks of eye shadow underneath the eyes.

5. Hair, Skin & Nails (Spring Valley)



I just started on these a few weeks ago, but I've noticed some results. I've had some weird dreams lately, but there's no way of proving these vitamins are the cause. Besides, my hair has been growing quite a bit since I started using them. My nails are stronger. I haven't noticed a difference in my skin since I've started, but it was already pretty healthy. The only con? You have to take these three times a day. TIP: Always, always take with a meal.

6. Neutrogena Acne Wash



Annoying YouTube commercials that you're not allowed to skip aside, this stuff is amazing. Well, for me, at least. I have friends who used the product in the past and said it worked okay, but it was mediocre. It doesn't work for everyone, but for me, it works wonders. Now, if only I washed my face regularly...

7. Nair moisturizing face cream



Now, this one is a matter of talent. It's easy to use this on the upper lip, sideburns, chin hair, and unibrow. However, I also use it to shape my eyebrows. This takes A LOT of practice to do, so it's best to stick to your preferred method of hair removal. Although, if you have good precision, this is great. Your face will feel baby soft. And, there's no pain! You've got the best of both worlds. TIP: If you have coarse hair, you'll need to leave it on longer than others. I suggest watching TV. Apply during a commercial break, leave it on during the show, and then take it off during the next commercial break.

So, this is my list of beauty products I like. And everyone should try. Just sayin', bro. Just sayin'.

After A Long Winter...

How has this winter been? Let's just say Elsa really meant it when she let it go. BUT! Luckily, spring is coming! The spring solstice will be in eleven days.

Currently, I am taking exams to graduate high school. I just took my reading one today, and let's be honest. I don't think I scored too high. On my ACT Plan, I scored above average, but today I just wasn't feeling it. Tomorrow, I take the maths one. I don't really care how high I score... so long as I pass. I think I'm going to be pretty advanced in writing and history, but everything else... I'm gonna have to wing it.

I prepared my exam week outfits for the whole week yesterday. Because I (there's no other way to put it) suck at math (I'm okay at geometry, but algebra and trig...), I want to make sure I look pretty darn diggity smart. I like to go by the "My Strongest Suit" lyric:

"Conversation? Wit? I am a doubter. Manners? Charm? They're no way to impress. So, forget the inner me; observe the outer. I am what I wear and how I dress."

How I dress directly affects how I feel. If I feel ugly, I'm not going to be confident. If I'm dressed in a church dress, I'm going to feel youthful. If I'm wearing a sweater and jeans with a cute headband, I'll feel in control.

Tomorrow, I want to feel smart so I can be confident and pass. Which basically means I'm going to be dressed like a librarian tomorrow (and believe me, I know how they dress... I volunteer in a library, but I do more than just custodian tasks-- I'm basically an unpaid library aide). Which means it's time to bring out the short skirts again. And my legs... well.

I knew shaving them was going to be a chore (this is so awkward... this post is NOT going on Facebook!), because... I mean, you know why. I've always thought every razor was the same. That the commercials were just trying to take my money and all the moisturizing and close-shave talk wasn't actually going to mean anything. But that all changed yesterday, and I'm starting to sound like a commercial myself.

I found love in a hopeless place.

You think I'm being dramatic, huh? Well, let me tell you-- I've never used a razor quite like this one and I really think that everyone in the world needs to buy this. Normally, after a long winter, it takes a lot of catch-up time with my razor (the brand I used to use wasn't this good at all), meaning several shavings until it got close enough. But no. One swipe and all the hair was gone in that region. This razor turned a week-long shower series into a two-minute routine. So, basically, a close shave is actually possible.

And as for that moisturizing talk? THEY WERE SERIOUS! When I was taking my shower yesterday, I had already used body wash and all and started using this with it and... well, my shower turned into a bubble bath. So, wait until after the body wash has washed off before using this.

The only warning I have is that this razor is not good for new shavers. Press a little too hard and you're risking a really bad cut-- even worse than the usual. This is best for women who have been shaving for at least two years and are okay with a few bruises. I've been shaving for about seven years, and even then, it was still really dangerous. So be careful.

So, go out and buy this thing. I don't know how much it costs, but it's worth it. In fact, the shower is calling my name! 

Hopefully I won't be too tired on the math test tomorrow...

Amazing Lips In Minutes!

What have YOU been doing? This started out as a YOUR BLOG, and so it continues as one, asking what YOU'VE been doing to keep your style ahead of your schedule.

Well, here's what I've been doing: On Wednesdays, I pull off my best outfit. With extremely short hair, it is quite difficult to try something new when you don't have much hair to work with. So I've been trying new things, adding funky beach hats (although someone said something really mean about my hat today, which is stupid--- floppy hats are in style, so what's wrong with wearing them?), adding a little bit of color every so often, and experimenting.

Here's what I'm NOT: A destined scientist. But here's what I AM: A girl who loves her beauty products and fashion blogs. Although I don't have my own fashion blog, I did welcome Eighth Graders Anonymous to the YOUR BLOGS. That's a school blog full of humor and the hatred of homework (that I have yet to receive).

I was on Victoria's blog (she's an old friend and still a very good one) and she had a post on how to make your own lipstick out of household items. I love anything that is applied to the lips!

The original recipe is Vaseline (petroleum jelly) and eyeshadow, but since I didn't really have either of the products handy (my mom's bathroom doors were locked and that holds all the makeup on the planet), I made up my own recipe for amazing lips. You're gonna love your lipstick when it's done! It will moisturize and protect like a balm, shine and feel like a gloss, and strut bold and long-lasting color like a lipstick. What's better than this?

3-in-1 Balm, Gloss, and Stick.

• First, you're gonna need Vaseline, or any petroleum-based product in your house. Take a little bit out of the container with a spoon or butter/plastic knife, then put it in a microwaveable bowl, preferably the smallest one you can find.
• Now, find yourself some food coloring (originally it is supposed to be eyeshadow--- your choice of which you want to do). Pick your favorite color that describes your personality and put six squirts in or mix in a whole bunch with a toothpick.
• Once the concoction is all mixed up and the color is spread even, stick it in the microwave. If your microwave cooks quickly or is new, give it 45-50 seconds. If your microwave cooks slow or is old, give it 60-90 seconds, which is enough--- guaranteed.
• Stick it in a small container! (Get creative on this one.)
• Freeze it for about 10 minutes.
• Wear it proudly! (After you've prepared your lips as you'll learn how to do below.)

Now that you've given 15 minutes of your time creating it, it's time to prepare your lips for the best day ever! A great beauty product takes some getting used to, so make sure your lips are up to the challenge!

Here's some Chap-Stick for your chapped lips--- It's almost like chemistry!

• Get the wettest lip medication you can find. And when I say wet, I mean wet. Find yourself some NIVEA or ChapIce (you can find ChapIce at DollarTree--- it works just as well as NIVEA).
• Now, simply get a lip oil treatment. These are a little difficult to find, but if you go all out for it, you'll find some. It works REALLY REALLY well. But if you can't find any, it's not the end of the world. Olive oil will work just fine.
• Your lips are ready! Now, apply your homemade lipstick--- it will top it off!

Looking for some ACTION?

• A shimmery gloss should be applied in the Cupid's Bow of your upper lip (that's the top-center). This will make a marvelous finishing touch.
• A powder will look great if you use it lightly on the sides of your lower lip (this is where you can use eyeshadow if you haven't already).
• Use an Outlast Lipstain (CoverGirl) BEFORE you apply the lipstick. Use it as a liner to give your look the extra oomph (if the lipstain dries out, simply fill the cap with water and put it back on it, and that will bring back the color).
• A clear gloss will be great to attract attention and turn an unusual look (my homemade lipstick is green) glamorous!

Use this in YOUR beauty routine and see your lips like you haven't seen them before! Not only because you're sealing moisture in and you'll be thanking me in the windy winter, but you're avoiding all the gross beauty nasties that not even makeup artists can pronounce!