Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Vitamins and our Skin


Protecting my skin from the elements has always been important to me. I remember when I was a kid, my mom and Nana would slather Vaseline all over my face. Had me shining so brightly but I couldn't feel a thing when the wind blew, a live walking oil slick. No chapped skin, blemishes or wrinkles, just shiny, baby soft skin. Well, the years have past and the climate has changed drastically. Age, motherhood and the environment is taking it's toll on my skin. I am not always a good girl with following the rules of : take a multi daily vitamin, eat well balanced meals and drink plenty of water. So to help balance out my shortcomings I pay attention to my vitamin intake via my skincare. I understand with all the ingredients loaded in a jar claiming to do this, that, and the other how can one possibly know what will work for them. I wanted to help by creating a simple cheat sheet on the benefits of some vitamins commonly found in skincare products. So here is a little vitamin 101.
Vitamins are nutrients that play a major role in the health of our skin. It is important that we ingest vitamins through various foods and supplements as well as incorporate them in our daily skincare. Correct intake and topical use will aid in keeping the skin healthy and resilient. A deficiency, due to lack of vitamins, can leave the skin dry, oily, blotchy and/or lifeless.
Vitamin A: (retinyl palmitate)protects against aging, dry, and rough skin by retaining moisture; also soothes and conditions
Vitamin C: (ascorbic acid) most potent vitamin, anti-toxin, promotes healing, rejuvenates the skin, and protects against UVA &UVB damage
Vitamin E: (tocopherol acetate) causes cell regeneration, aids as protection against skin damage, and is healing
Vitamin D: produced naturally in the body by the suns ultraviolet rays; absorbs into the skin and regulates calcium absorption
Vitamin D3: (cholecalciferol) a form of vitamin D that aids in the assimilation of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin A
Vitamin K: (phytonadione) aids in blood clotting. this vitamin is used more in eye creams that help to lighten dark circles. it's said to perform best when paired with vitamin A
Vitamin B5: (panthenol) retains moisture and aids in skin cell metabolism
Niacin - (b complex vitamin) anti inflammatory, soothes irritated, dry skin, and retains moisture
Don't forget proper diet and nutrition is a ESSENTIAL for gorgeous, healthy skin!!
hhmm, I'm curious: the skincare product that you absolutely love, turn it over and tell us what vitamins are in it. who knows we may come to love it too!

Monday, December 7, 2009

From Beverage to Bath Spa, a time of relaxation!



When I have time to myself at home where I can relax I usually grab a nice beverage, warm blanket and a book, journal or movie. This weekend I started thinking of an old pastime that has been but a distant memory, a relaxing bath. Oh, how I remember, the flickering of candles dancing silhouettes to the soft sounds of jazz while exotic scents infused in hot water embraced and relieved all my stress. The very thought just makes my heart flutter. See, I have been stealing extra seconds in the shower here and there (you know you have to be quick before the kids and husband come knocking..lol). But I declare, NO MORE!, I have to recreate this spa experience again. Who's with me? I'm going to share how you can make a nice spa bath with some common beverages that will save money, have you relaxed and your skin looking gorgeous.

Fill your tub with hot water (not too hot) because you don't want to scold yourself and some beverages will not smell good if the water is too hot.
add:
Milk - 2-4cups (gently cleanses, exfoliates, softens & moisturizes)
* you may have to wash your tub after milk bath due to the fat sometimes the tub feels a little oily
Green tea - steep 5-6 bags and add it to your bath ( full of powerful antioxidants & vitamins, soothes, nourishes, & rejuvenates cells)
* you can put the tea bags in very hot water in the tub for 10-20mins
Red Wine - 1 cup ( rich in antioxidants,hydrates, moisturizes & protects)

You can add honey, olive oil and/or some fragrant flowers (lavender or roses) to really punch up the spa experience!

* soak yourself up to 20 minutes, rinse skin off with a quick cool shower to close up those pores, then pat dry.

(photo courtesy of picapp)







Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Noodle Head Review

This winter I decided to only wear styles that require me to sit under the dryer, NO WET curly hair. Last winter traumatized me..lol I believe I had icicles in my hair one day. So, I figured finding a great styling product for some twist, knots or braids would be way cheaper than me having to pay for therapy over my hair being frostbitten. I have tried so many products but either they are to oily (saturates down into my face), filmy (the hair has almost a grey hue) flaky(so not cute look when the product resembles grits on your hairshaft), or just plain drying to both my hair and scalp (and the itchiness is madness).
Well, I was happy when Tony over at Well Watered Woman asked me if I had tried Beyond the Zone's Noodle Head. This was right on time because I just finished off a salon product that couldn't stand without a companion. I didn't want to repurchase those products so I headed over to Sally's and grabbed a tube of Noddle Head (they have a curl spray that looks like it might be good for those nights when u want to refresh your twist out without having to shampoo your hair)
I decided to give it a try with some bantu knots. I recommend that knots be done early , (unlike myself, who did them 3hrs before i had to go somewhere) Knots take a loooong time to dry, especially if your hair is thick like mine. So my end result was a little on the frizzy side because I had to pull the knots down before they were totally dry. Noodle Head Curling cream is very light, gives a great definition and it left a wonderful shine. The scent is very light and I found that I didn't need a lot of product when applying to each section. I will use it again this week for my twist out because it worked for me. All in all it was a good buy(under $6) and the sale girl told me it goes on sale quite often, another plus





Airbrushing gets personal (Spoiled Pretty review)


Not once have I had a conversation in the last year about makeup and someone NOT ask me about airbrushing. I haven't personally done it on myself or on any of my clients but I do love how it looks. It's just one of those techniques that i keep saying"yeah, I'll get around to it" then I see the price tag on the equipment and the idea gets pushed back only to resurface on the next makeup conversation. Well, I was over on twitter and Daneen from Spoiled Pretty linked her video review on the Temptu Airbrush Makeup System (only sold @ Sephora). Now, I had heard and even seen this but I hadn't heard of anyone that actually tried it. I mean even the girl at Sephora didn't sound too knowing when I asked if she had used it and what where her thoughts, moving on! So when I saw this vlog, I had to see if it were ok that I share it with you (THNX DANEEN!!) Don't let the $225 price tag scare you. It's a steal when you think about what some places charge for a one time application, I've seen up to $200 (that's nuts) Now you can have a flawless mess proof system that will have you looking like your favorite artist is getting you gorgeous everyday. check out the easy use of this system click here

Monday, November 23, 2009

Stila's $25 Brush Set


Now this is a DEAL!! A few years ago, while browsing the makeup department in Saks I decided to try some brushes. Ok, You know how all of a sudden you need some new stuff when all you are supposed to be doing is passing through. Well, that was me and it was only supposed to be a lip brush. Someone pulled out the #30 double ended shadow brush on me and i had to see more, feel more and you know the rest. An hour and a nice grip of a bill later I had 5 brushes that I loved. Nice comfortable long hands and incredibly soft natural bristles cut and shaped just right for picking up your color and delivering on application. This is definitely a key ingredient your gorgeous needs. You will feel like a Pro when you get your hands on these tools.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Loreal H.I.P Haul

                                  (l-r: Duos in Brazen, Shady, Magnetic, Showy & Color Chrome Liner in Violet and Gold)
A quick stop at Walgreen's for some children's cold medicine turned into a return visit for a nice collection of L'Oreal H.I.P. I just could not resist when I saw the bright orange signs "blinking" BUY ONE,GET ONE FREE!! So, this was the perfect time to add to what I have. My lonely duo in Roaring (the blue is poppin!) now has some relatives to hang out with in the makeup bag. I love H.I.P (which stands for high intensity pigments) it delivers on just that. Color goes on smooth, vibrant and it has staying power to the max! I made up my mind to just grab the first colors (2 duos)that caught my eye and then walk..lol Did it work? No because as you can see from the picture I walked out of there with 6 products. All for the eyes!! My love for mixing and improvising surely did not leave my cheeks and lips out of the fun (see pic below).

Can I just tell you the Color Chrome Liners are AMAZING!! The quality of these pencils definitely can compete with some of the higher end brands. The pencil glides on like a cream so there is no dragging of the skin. It stays exactly where you put it and the metallic finish is just gorgeous. 

 I want to here from you G.I's: Do you use H.I.P? what is your favorite from the line?







Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Oh, Sally Girl!

This weekend I found myself in a few beauty supply stores roaming the aisles for something new to try. I really do try and support the local businesses but I have no tolerance for poor customer service. so out of one establishment and into Sally's I went. The sales girl was sooo nice ( real sweet voice) she greeted me and then said "Oh, have you tried the Sally Girl yet?" No I hadn't tried it yet but I had seen and heard of it, those tiny nail polish bottles are way too cute. All the little tags smiled a cool $.99. Wait!, is this a sale? " No, the price ranges from $.99-$1.99" there was the sweet voice again. And here I am $6 and some tax later ready to give this a try.

Here's what I bought & what i thought about it (pic above l-r)
Mascara -Jet Black good for daily wear, kept the lashes separated. if your looking for drama this is not it.
Liquid Eyeliner -Jet Black smooth and precise
Eyeshadow quad -Gum Drops light pigment, i had to build like 3x to get what you see. primer is a must!
Sparkling Effects -Violet Vixen not a fan! it fell off before i was even done. may be better if mixed into something or used with a eye gel
Blush -Frenemy my favorite! i actually had to blend it down because it initially gave me more color than i had expected
Lip Gloss - Curfew glides on smoothly and not tacky. my lips were a little dry before i applied it and the gloss softened them up.


All in all i think this is a great line for teens. There are some goodies in the line for us women, especially those looking for a inexpensive way to make a modest makeup bag.

 So tell me have you tried it? what do you like best? if u haven't will you try it?, c'mon it's $.99!






























Monday, November 9, 2009


OK, I always share the shopping love so I had to tell you all about Hautelook. Top Brands partner with this site to offer private sales on beauty, men, women, children and home at up to 75% off . You have to sign up (it's free!) on the site in order to shop the private events. Most sales only a few days, so again, make sure you sign up so you get the weekly notifications.
When I saw this pic in my inbox I was way too excited. Shu Uemura up to 55% off, that's bananas! and in just a couple of hrs things are going fast. so get on over there and check it out. Also this week: American Apparel, MD Skincare, Andrew Marc and many more brands.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

e.l.f Giveaway Winners!!


Congratulations to Lala_777 & Michelle M.L.!!! You will be receiving some E.L.F. goodies. Make sure you come back and tell us what you think.
This was my first giveaway and I am so excited beyond belief..lol Thank you to everyone who came on over to post this week. Your support is what is going to keep TGI around for a very long time. I am preparing for more giveaways very soon. So please Stay tuned..

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Soul Purpose Remede Hydrating Salve


If You carry two tubes of a product in your purse, does that mean your obsessed with it?...lol Well the Soul Purpose Remede Hydrating Salve is that product makes me a suspect. A medium textured high powered cream that penetrates deep and aids in a multiple of issues. Got sunburn? Nose stuffed up? Feet looking a hot mess in your Choos? Hands dry from continued washing? Remede, delivers on all of it plus some. It's packed with ingredients (No synthetics) that heal, soothe, moisturize and hydrate. With this weather treating my skin like happy hour, free drinks before 11pm, I make sure I apply Remede daily to ensure I'm guarded and protected from environmental exposure. My skin thirsts no more and I'm even able to layer my favorite scented lotion over top of it. I have found the Remede to keeping my skin gorgeous.

Soul Purpose's Remede hydrating Salve, $15

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Black Opal Dual Lip Gloss Review

I was looking for a nice purple gloss and my sister surprised me with one a couple of weeks ago. Black Opal dual Lip Gloss in Screen Gems (fuschia/deep plum)has a great smooth texture but I feel like Iwould have to wear a lipstick or liner underneath for a smoother and polished look. The gloss is thick but not tacky at all, luv that. My lips kind of looked like they were peeling when I put on the deep plum, 1st pic(what do you think?) 2nd pic, fuschia, 3rd pic, both colors



My lips feel great when I have the gloss on and when I remove it because the formula is very moisturizing. I like the high shine, colors and feel, so Iwill give it go again but I will partner it with a base of some kind. A good drugstore find for under $6. I may try one of their other 5 shades.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Herbal Essences has got me Totally Twisted


For years I was on the hunt for the product that worked best on my hair. I never found anything that gave me a good defined curl along with proper moisturizing and hydrating. Then, about 10yrs ago I happened upon a professional product that made my hair sing. I was devastated to find out that unbeknownst to me the company had decided to end our relationship. I would have to scour numerous salons or websites to find any trace of my sweet love. In my state of rebound, while cruising through Walmart I was drawn by a display of bright vivid colored bottles with catchy phrases. I immediately went back into my old mode of picking products for moisture & hydration but then it caught my eye, Totally Twisted Curl &Waves shampoo and conditioner. hhhhhm, I had been hearing about this line. I recently tried a brand that i was not happy with and this product was under $3. a major deal from my usual purchases ($10+ a bottle) So in the cart and home came these products. This product delivered on everything it said it would. CLEAN, SPRINGY, HYDRATED, SMOOTH, & DEFINED!! Hair knows when it's treated right..lol My curls not only sang but they danced! The french lavender and jade extracts were so uplifting to both my mood and my curls. I have a new favorite shampoo & conditioner!!



Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Lorac Holiday Smoked Out


Just in time for a the holiday parties LORAC brings a collection to help you achieve that desired smokey eye. The baked eyeshadows are high pigmented and can be worn wet to bring more drama or dry to keep it more natural. And the lip polish packaged like a small nail polish is the cutest thing to me. Long lasting color and shine in a little bottle.
*you must sign up for the LORAC VIP to get the discount (it's free!!)

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Red Lipstick is my affinity. It may have been passed down from my grandmother. Her beauty signature was red lips and Ferragamo pumps. It's not my signature but Ialways keep a tube close by. Red lipstick is that one beauty product that can instantly change my mood. Something about it makes me feel like i have a spectacular secret no one else knows about..lol I was so excited when Iopened my inbox and saw Three Custom Color Specialist A CENTURY IN RED LIP COLOR PALETTE. A palette of reds to celebrate the women of the 20th century. Each red represents a trend of a decade starting from the 1910's to the millennium. so fun!
Three Custom Color Specialist, A Century in Red Lip Color Palette, $45

*if you have favorite product that is discontinued and you cant' find a match or similar product anywhere, Three Custom Color Specialist has a great custom blending option. Their extensive database helps you find and duplicate your lost product. click

Monday, October 26, 2009

Covergirl's Exact Eyelights Collection


I'm always strolling the store aisles looking at beauty products and this one has caught my eye quite a few times. I finally stopped to really look it over. Covergirl's Exact Eyelights Collection helps take all the guess work out of what colors one should choose for their eyes. Each palette has four shadows that are supposed to enhance and highlight one's natural eye color (brown, blue, hazel and green) Now, I wasn't drawn so much by the colors but by the brush. A nice sturdy travel size eyeshadow brush. The colors all have shimmer but are neutral and safe so you can mix and match or dare to wear every color. The brush will sure make it an easier task to apply than those little awkward applicators.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Makeup in a Bottle keeps the face in place


When a womam puts alot of work into getting her face into gorgeous mode, she wants it to last all day long. She keeps her mirror close to makes sure nothing is running, smearing or fading. Well, Model in the Bottle will allow you to chill out and just enjoy the day with no touch ups needed. It's not bothered by humidity, absorbs excess oil, doesn't make your face sticky or tight and won't clog pores. Sounds like a bottled miracle, right? Well, it works and if you want to give your girl a spritz it's cool because this stuff is good for all skin types. This stuff is a must have!
How it works:
1. apply your makeup, let your mascara dry
2.hold MIAB about 12 inches from the face and spray 3-4 times
3. look gorgeous until you wash your makeup off!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Bobbi Brown Lip Tints spf 15

My favorite lip tints are back for the holidays and in FULL size aaaaaand my favorite shades. Oh, i always keep a tube of the Bobbi Brown Lip Tint SPF15 in my purse. My lips have a tendency to peel so finding a good product that delivers on benefits and beauty is a plus for me. Despite the rich looking hues in the tube, these colors are soft and sheer so they wear well on every skin tone. A nice mild and refreshing minty thing going on but none of that "sting" you get in some lip products. I don't like my lips throbbing for the sake of beauty and good texture. So this has been in my mix for some years now.

how i wear them:
Cherry - by itself for some sheer color or over a lipstick i want to gloss up or give a a bit more color. It looks gorgeous over bronze.
Blossom- when i want gloss but no color or i use when i want nude lips (mute the lips out with some concealer and powder and then apply blossom)
Twilight - most of the time i mix this with another gloss or lipstick
Bobbi Brown's Lip Tint spf 15, $28


Tuesday, October 20, 2009

My hair must have it!

Cream leave in conditioners have never been nice to me , deceptively enticing me with their grandeur claims of hydrating and defining my curls but just hanging out on my hair shaft as an opaque film , hmmph! so not a good look. On a trip to CVS, I came across something that caught my eye. The Ellin Lavar detangling mist is filled with antioxidants and botanicals that nourish, soften and moisturize. It is mildly scented, lightweight, works well with my existing conditioner and also refreshes my curls when i skip a shampoo. My Denman brush glides through my hair with no tugs, snags or tears. I love it!!

Ellin Lavar DetangleMist, $7.99






People are always surprised when i tell them about this product. I have been using Smooth n Shine Polishing Curl Activator for years. No, it's not a throwback to the 80's curl revolution, so you wont have stained necklines and sofas. This non greasy, weightless formula defines and smooths my curls. I do add a tiny bit of Ampro gel (black gel to some of you..lol) if i want a strong lasting hold. It has recently been reformulated and i sure hope that despite the extra added ingredients (not needed) it will still deliver good results. It's so inexpensive i usually buy a few jars at a time so i have another couple of months before i try the new formula sigh

Smooth n Shine Curl Activator Gel, $2.99 @ local Walgreens


Friday, October 16, 2009

Calmed by the Candle


Oh, this is just what I need. Amidst the cold weather there is alot of coughing going on around here..eeew germs! This is a candle that will whisk me away (in my mind) and clean my air. I lit my Soul Purpose Caribbean Ginger Soy Candle and although I am cozied up from the cold outside, in my imagination the island sand and blue waters are just a few feet away. Tropical woods sway, blowing warm ginger kisses and flirtatiously inviting me into a lavender dream. Is this natural? Has to be, it's written on the packaging "all natural"..lol

Should I blow it out and come back to reality? not before I dip my finger in and rub some of this warm vitamin packed moisturizing oil on my skin.



Thursday, October 15, 2009

Welcome!!

Hey everyone,

I finally did it!! Many have asked and now i have answered the call. TGI is where we can mix (that's what ingredients do..lol) about makeup, hair, skin and everything that makes us feel beautiful. I'll stir in lots of fun for everyone with tips, tricks, product reviews, giveaways (YES!!) and vlogs (coming soon). All things beauty, all the time!! I invite you to comment and most definitely send a request of anything you would like me to post about.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails