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My Experience with @FakeBake Self-Tanner
Being born and raised in Miami, I took the warm, sunny weather and beaches for granted. It wasn’t until I moved to New York that I realized I had also been taking sun-kissed skin for granted. Since I’d always lived in a sunny climate, I never experienced the effects of little-to-no direct sun for months on my skin. As the deep, cold winter set in I lost shades of color — and I wanted my glow back!
Fortunately, I go to Miami at least once a winter for a little fun in the sun… but what about the rest of the cold-weather months? I’ve brushed bronzer over my cheeks and forehead. I’ve also used a slightly darker foundation to achieve a warmer tone. These were all great makeup tricks for my face but the rest of my body would just have to be ignored.
As a woman of color, it didn’t cross my mind to go to any other measures to get the color I craved, but then I got the opportunity to try Fake Bake self-tanner.
I had second thoughts when the package first arrived. I didn’t think this product was necessarily formulated for my skin color and didn’t want to end up looking like a black version of a Jersey Shore cast member! Fake Bake sat in the corner for a week or two. But one evening, as I packed to go to Miami the next morning, I decided to go for it. Not sure what my train of thought was… perhaps if the fake tan was a travesty I could correct it with a real tan?
The Fake Bake Flawless Gift Set included Fake Bake Flawless Self-Tan Liquid, a professional application mitt, spay pump and plastic gloves — and a bonus lip gloss and compact mirror. I read the instructions, which seemed easy enough, and then got started.
With purple, latex gloves on, I sprayed the liquid on my skin and massaged it in with the mitt. I alternated that application technique with spraying it directly onto the mitt, depending on which part of my body I was trying to reach. I even used it on my face (since it’s safe to use there). As I rubbed the lightly pina colada-scented lotion into my skin, I could see my impulse decision was a good one. The application process was quick and not the least bit messy.
The instructions said it was best to let it sit over night. I was a little worried about leaving stains on my sheets. Even though it rinsed out very easily from the mitt and the instructions said the organic color pigment wouldn’t stain fabrics because it’s not a stain or dye, I put on black pants and a long-sleeved shirt to be on the safe side. In the morning, I woke up, took a shower and rinsed off the excess. The result was a natural, glowing tan that I was extremely pleased with.
The instructions say that using it before tanning in the sun will accelerate the results, which was true in my experience. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised and so glad I discovered this secret for warming up my skin tone when there’s no sun to be found.
For more info, visit www.fakebake.com.
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@Clayspray for Your Winter Skincare Routine
I’d love believe that with over half of February behind us, Old Man Winter is making his retreat… but these weekly (and sometimes twice weekly) snowstorms and cold weather tell a different story. So until I can start thinking about packing away the the heavy coat and switching to something light and springy, my winter skincare routine is in full effect.
Here are my top 5 winter skincare quick tips:
- Go easy on the heat.
Hot water dries out your skin, so suds up with lukewarm water instead. - Time the moisturizer.
Apply moisturizer immediately after washing your face while it’s still damp; it will absorb moisture better. - Don’t ditch the sunscreen.
There are less hours of sunlight each day, but winter sun combined with snow glare can still damage skin. - Switch to a heavier moisturizer.
The same light moisturizer that gets you through the summer might not cut it in the winter. Switch to a heavier cream to combat winter dryness. - Let your skin glow.
Shed that layer of dull, dead skin by using an exfoliating mask to smooth and add a natural glow.
Keeping those tips in mind, I recently tried out Clayspray, a clay mask in a spray. The Clayspray line consists of five different masks, each addressing a specific skin care concern: Pore Refining, Skin Brightening, Glow, Toning and Mattifying.
I considered the different options and decided on Glow because wheres my skin is oily in the summer, it tends to be dry during the winter.
It comes out like a gel shaving cream. I like that I didn’t have to fumble with a tube–it’s very convenient to apply.
After I sat with the mask on for a few minutes while it dried, I was able to easily rinse it off — and the results? My skin felt softer, refreshed and had a noticeable glow. Most clay masks have a drying effect because they work to draw out impurities and environmental toxins from deep within your pores. But Clayspray also deposits moisture and nutrients to your skin, which makes it different from regular clay masks. It’s awesome because that means I don’t have to follow up my clay mask with a moisturizing mask like I normally do in the winter.
The clay is sourced from the Irene Mine in Spain’s Iberian Peninsula where it has been protected from pollution and contamination for thousands of years.
To find Clayspray, visit: www.pharmaclay.com
- Go easy on the heat.
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Keep Calm and Stay Moisturized this Winter
Whenever someone finds out I’m from Miami around this time of year, they always ask: “How do you deal with the cold?” Well, my first winter was definitely a shock, but after seven and a half years I can handle it just as well as any New Yorker.
Now, the one thing I can’t get used to is the extreme winter dryness. Between the lack of humidity outside and the parching effects of indoor heat, it’s an endless battle keeping my hair and skin properly moisturized. And this crazy polar vortex sure isn’t helping things!
But fortunately, I’ve just been armed with some moisture essentials to help get me through the long harsh winter:
nyakio Kenyan Coffee Body Scrub
This body scrub is a unique fusion of Kenyan coffee beans, sugar, mongongo nut oil, shea butter, jojoba oil and avocado oil, that removes dull skin while smoothing, moisturizing and revealing more youthful-looking skin.
It has a non-oily, thick, jelly-like texture — which means your shower won’t turn into a slip & slide as you rinse off. The unisex scent is light and earthy with just a hint of energizing coffee. The exfoliating scrubbers did their job without being too rough and left my skin feeling very soft and moisturized.
($55)St. Ives Naturally Energizing Citrus & Vitamin C Fresh Hydration Lotion
Moisturizing, convenient and smells like juicy grapefruit? Sign me up! Made with grapefruit extract, vitamin C and 100% natural moisturizers, this easy-to-apply lotion sprays on lightly and is quickly absorbed, leaving your skin energized and refreshed. This is perfect for mornings when I need a blast of moisture and quick!
($5.99 – $7.99)Essence of Beauty Wind Kissed Body & Hand Cream
The scent is described as “a vision of spring flowers dancing in the breeze” with a “delicate harmony of cotton flower, mimosa, white amber and a whisper of soft musk” — and seriously, that’s exactly what the lotion smells like. This soft scented, quick absorbing lotion is definitely a treat! And a plus… it’s artificial dye & paraben free.
($6.99)Nexxus Hydra-Light Weightless Moisture Leave-in Conditioning Foam
Low humidity in the winter means an abundance of good hair days, but it’s a double-edged sword because your hair starts feeling like hay if you don’t keep it moisturized. This leave-in, made with glycerin, deeply hydrates hair and helps make it more manageable and flexible for styling.
The foam can be used in either wet or dry hair. I’m currently wearing my natural hair blown out and I just pumped some product in my hands, rubbed them together and smoothed on. It smells great and tamed my flyaways.
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Want perfect make-up all day long? Try @skindinavia!
Want glowing skin like the gorgeous Heidi Klum? Turns out, with the help of Skindinavia products, it is possible!
A couple weeks ago, I had the pleasure of testing out two amazing products from Skindinavia. Before receiving the samples, I had heard of their beloved Makeup Finishing Spray but, much like Carrie Bradshaw’s Manolo Blahnik Mary Janes, I thought being able to have perfect all-day make-up was an urban legend. With the products from Skindinavia, it is easily accessible in three simple steps:
- Apply make-up
- Shake the product well
- Lightly mist your face
That’s it! And trust me when I tell you, between the No More Shine Makeup Finish spray and their Makeup Finishing Spray, you’ll never have to worry about smudging foundation, blush, eye makeup, etc. ever again!
Give a try…you won’t be disappointed!
(want to read reviews from a few accredited make-up artists? check ’em out here!)
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@TIGIHaircareUSA Hair Reborn Product Review
TIGI recently released their newest hair care line, Hair Reborn, and I got to try it out!
First I learned about the new line at their flagship studio in SoHo…
TIGI Hair Reborn features highly concentrated ingredients that repair and protect the hair. The products are designed to leave even the most damaged hair smooth, healthy and frizz-free by using caring ingredients to restore hair to its natural, youthful state.
There are three different “journeys,” or collections of shampoo, conditioner and treatments for you to chose from based on your hair type ($30-$45):
- Resurgence for dry hair
- Awakening for week, damaged hair
- Serenity for frizz-prone hair
The line also features a collection of “Style Treats,” styling products for use on all hair regardless of which journey you choose. Style treats include:
- Rebuilding Wax ($30)
- Texturizing Souffle ($30)
- Restorative IllunminOil ($30)
- Resurfacing Lusterizer ($30)
- Colour Protecting Conditioning Tonic ($30)
- Flexible Finishing Hairspray ($30)
I took home the Resurgence collection: Hydra-Synergy Shampoo, Hydra-Synergy Conditioner and Time Extend Moisture Lotion Take-Home Treatment. And the Rebuilding Wax, Restorative IlluminOil, Resurfacing Lusterizer, and Flexible Finishing Hairspray.
And here is the result…
I loved it! The shampoo and conditioner made my hair feel clean, but moisturized, and I really liked the scent. I’m partial to sulfate-free shampoos, but I felt this one was gentle even though it does contain sulfates.
The Time Extend Moisture Lotion has come to be my new best friend. It’s an instant shot of moisture as soon as it touches your hair and you only need a dollop. It made my hair smooth and tangle free.
I’ve mixed and matched the styling products, but my favorite it the Restorative IlluminOil. It’s great for adding shine and protecting hair from humidity.
TIGI Hair Reborn is an exclusive brand that can only be found in select salons. Check out TIGI’s website to find a salon near you: www.tigihairreborn.com
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Rocking with @benchcanada NEW Headphones!!!
Bench Canada is now taking over the techie’s world. Slowly they are introducing accessories for your devices. Now in all Bench stores in Canada you can purchase headphones, earbuds, laptop covers and my new fav. IPhone/IPod sleeves that clean your IPhone/IPod.
One item that really stood out was the headphones. I love anything different, love shades of colour, splats of colour here and there, and these headphones have it all. My favourite thing about these headphones were that they were customize. This is highly important because I like to have things that are different. I also love that they can be used just like music studio headphones. I work with some music artists and this is a great factor when selecting their headphones , because the songs and beats that are composed need to song perfect on any sound system. These headphones block the noise from outside and lets your music shine. Plus they are reasonlly priced at $69.99, I think this would be a great Christmas gift.
Another thing that I love about this line is the earbuds with their own personal case. I know alot of people that always loose their earphones, I’m one of them. I have about 50 different pairs at home because I buy new ones when I cannot find the ones I’ve misplaced. The great thing about these earphones is that (just like the headphones) they have great sound quality. I listen to music, probably more than the average person so I need to be able to listen and hear pitches, lyrics and the instrumental. I need to be one with the music and these actually let me zone out into my own world and listen. Pick these earbuds at Bench stores for $59.99.
xoxo, @itstanyag
