Hey loves! I was recently asked for an interview over at Honey Be Natural , a website for girlies who love everything hair, fashion, beauty and lifestyle.
Check out my interview HERE where I talk about everything from what sets me apart from the rest, to how to embrace your natural hair and remain confident in yourself at all times! Enjoy and thank you Honey Be Natural for the interview.
You ladies may have been wondering where I’ve been for the last week due to the lack of posts. I was on an amazing family vacation and told myself that I needed to take a total break from “work”. So I did. But now I’m back and I have a great product review to update you on!
While on vacay, I took the opportunity to bring along my OSEA skin travel kit and give it a shot. I have an oily/combination skin type so this kit included all of the oily to combo products.
OSEA is a 100% Vegan skin care line made with USDA Certified Organic Seaweed. The anti-aging line was inspired off the coast of Malibu, with the idea of uniting the elements — Ocean, Sun, Earth, and Atmosphere — to refresh, rejuvenate, and restore skin to its highest level of healthy beauty.
The kit is a 4 step process consisting of cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and protecting the skin for clear, balanced results. I put the products to the test and here is my review:
1. CLEANSE- Ocean Cleansing Mudd: This cleanser is meant to cleanse and absorb excess oil.
PROS: I really liked the smell of the cleansing mudd. It was more effective when used in the morning to freshen up my skin prior to applying makeup.
CONS: I wouldn’t recommend using this cleanser to remove your makeup. It doesn’t have a sudsy consistency, so for oily/combo skin types, use only in the morning.
2. TONE- Sea Minerals: This toner is meant to tone and re-balance the skin.
PROS: I LOVE misting this toner all over my face! It feels very refreshing and hydrating, especially during these hot summer days.
CONS: None
3. TREAT- Essential Corrective Complex: This oil treatment is to be used on blemish-prone areas or as spot treatment directly on blemishes.
PROS: Low and behold, I had about four pimples pop up on my chin during vacation. This corrector did help to sooth my blemishes, and over a little time I’ll see if it helps lighten the dark spots as well.
CONS: None
4. HYDRATE- Atmosphere Protection Cream: A lightweight moisturizer used by patting onto moist skin.
PROS: Again, I love the seaweed smell from this moisturizer. It wasn’t too heavy, and left my skin feeling smooth and smelling great.
CONS: There is no SPF in this moisturizer and I personally don’t like to apply a separate sunscreen to my face. So I would recommend using this product at night unless you don’t mind mixing a dab of sunscreen into the moisturizer.
5. Anti-Aging Body Balm: This is my first body balm and let me say it gave me a very “spa-like” experience. After exfoliating with this AMAZING exfoliator I just bought, I slathered on the OSEA body balm for a smooth, silky finish. Although it says you can use this balm daily, I only use it at night because it’s a little heavy. So it’s great to use on your skin after a fresh shower or bath in the evening to give your skin time to rehydrate over night.
**Benefits:
-Rejuvenates dry and flaky skin and helps to firm and tighten skin on arms and legs.
-Helps heal psoriasis and eczema.
-Helps heal sum damaged skin and prevent wrinkles.
You can check out more OSEA products here. The Oily to Combo Skin Travel Kit retails at $44 and the Anti-Aging Body Balm retails at $38.
Summer is almost “officially” here, and there’s no better way to bring it in than with bright neon hues dressing your talons! I talk about nail polish on the blog a lot, and China Glaze is one of my favorite brands for neon lacquers.
Available July 2013, China Glaze will release a collection of 12 smooth creme and juicy jellie polishes in the Sunsational collection. This fun palette of brighter-than-bright cremes and six juicy jelly polishes creates a bold pop or sheer hint of color that are sure to see you through every highlight of your summer.
Read on for the vivid color collection below!
(L to R: Are You Jelly, Bottoms Up, and Heat Index)
(L to R: Highlight Of My Summer, Isle See You Later, and Keepin Int Teal)
(L to R: Neon And On And On, Shell_O, and Sun Of A Peach)
(L to R: That Shore Bright, Too Yacht To Handle, and You Drive Me Coconuts)
Aren’t they pretty?!
The collection will be available July 2013 through salons and professional beauty stores nationwide.
Are you familiar with China Glaze polishes? Which colors from this collection are catching your eye?
Sometimes we just have to take things back to the basics. I follow Curly Nikki on Twitter, and noticed an interesting article she posted this morning about the pros and cons of washing your natural hair in both hot and cold water. This intrigued me because I’m the girl who showers in nearly scolding hot temperatures because I love the tinge it leaves behind on my skin (you can relate right?). Often times I wash my hair in the same temperature, so naturally I was curious to read this article on the benefits and setbacks of doing so.
Here’s what I discovered while reading:
Hot Water
PROS: Rinses Away Dirt and Oil
-Hot water and steam naturally open the pores, which is great for exfoliating and removing the oil from your skin. Warm water allows the dirt and hair product that has accumulated on your scalp to escape the pores and be rinsed away.
CON: May Result in Overly Porous Hair
-Hot water opens up the pores and the cuticle of your hair shaft. That being said, rinsing your hair with hot water too often can leave the hair overly porous, causing it to be dry and brittle.
-Just as hot water helps to rinse away oil and dirt, it also strips your hair of its natural oils.
CON: Causes Frizz
-Heat causes frizzy hair, and hot water is no exception. No matter what your hair type, the hair needs moisture to stay frizz free. Because hot water can strip the hair of natural oils, moisture escapes the hair shaft and results in frizz. If your hair is especially prone to frizz, you might want to turn off the hot water.
Cold Water
PRO: Seals The Moisture In Your Hair
-Opposite of hot water, cold water closes the pores and prevents from entering and accumulating on the scalp. Not only does it close the pores, it also closes the hair cuticle, sealing in moisture from the conditioner that you applied to your hair.
-Don’t forget, more moisture means less frizz! Cold water retains your hair’s moisture, leaving your hair less prone to frizz.
PRO: Increases Shine
-Sometimes stylists like to finish blow drying with a blast of cold air because it leaves the hair shiny. The same concept can be applied to a cold water rinse. Cold water is known to smooth the hair by closing the scales of your hair cuticle, which in turn prevents frizz and adds luster to your locks.
CON: Flattens Hair
-Because cold water leaves the hair smooth, it can also flatten your hair if you have a naturally thin texture. If your hair lacks in volume, or if you live in a particularly arid environment, rinsing your hair with cold water might result in flat hair and curls with no bounce.
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So what’s the verdict? Hot or cold?
Curly Nikki says to use both. She says, “cleanse, condition, and detangle your hair with WARM water, not hot. You don’t want to burn your skin and scalp.” She also advises, “when you’re ready to rinse out the conditioner, turn the dial to COOL and run it over your hair for a final rinse.”
These are great informative tips from Curly Nikki! To check out the entire article, visit her site here.
Some of my best dressed days are the days where I just “throw something on”. Those days are when I feel most comfortable, confident, and just … myself. Today was one of those days.
There’s power in style. Look past the brand, how much it cost, where you got it from … if you have style and know how to put an outfit together, you can feel powerful in whatever you wear.
My kryptonite in a sense are these white “Ked-like” sneakers. I wear them almost everyday lol. They go with everything! The perfect summer staple paired perfectly with jeans, cut off shorts, dresses, skirts, leggings, you name it. Yes, my only gripe is that they get dirty super fast, but lucky for me, the 2 for $30 sneaker deal at Urban Outfitters has me covered ;)
Now I love a great pair of vintage high waisted jeans, or “mom jeans”, as some would call them. I put my skills to work and added a little distressing in just the right places. Remember ladies, you can still be sexy and remain classy at the same time. Sexy doesn’t have to mean “show it all to everyone.” In the near future, I’ll pair these with some strappy sandals and a bustier top for a different approach for a night on the town!
Thread List:
Top: No Style
Jeans: Renae Cut Offs
Sneakers: Urban Outfitters
Necklace: Nasty Gal
What’s your go-to look that just works every time you “throw it on”?
Black Opal Cosmetics … you’ve heard of them right? You’ve probably past by the brand many times while perusing down the cosmetics aisle. Guess what? They have some new ish out and I’m loving it!
Let me introduce you to the Color Splurge Collection, consisting of the new Lustre Gloss Lip Gloss, Patent Lips Lip Color, and EyeShadow Duos.
I’ve become a big lipstick and lip pencil girl over the last year, but I will say the Patent Lips Lip Colors are my favorite because of the rich pigment and long-lasting color power. Hello again lipgloss :)
Let’s take a look at these poppin pigments shall we? Keep in mind, it’s all gloss, no liner or lipstick hidden underneath. I wouldn’t trick y’all like that ;)
Now if you want something a little more subtle with a lot of shine, then you should go for the Lustre Gloss. These have sparkle in them and can be great to layer on top of a lipstick or liner for an extra pop.
I don’t usually wear a lot of color on my lids day to day, I prefer to rock a bold lip because it’s easy, fast, and actually becoming my staple. But out of the eyeshadows I would totally rock these duo’s in the evening or for a little added punch during the day when I’m feeling a little spunky.
Here’s the breakdown:
-Patent Lips: $6.75 each (10 shades to choose from)
-Lustre Gloss: $9.95 each (16 shades to choose from)
-Eyeshadow Duo: $6.95 each (12 shades to choose from)
You can purchase these new Black Opal items from stores like Walmart, CVS, Rite Aide, Duane Reade, or online at www.blackopalbeauty.com .
What do you think about the collection? Any favorites out of the bunch? For those who have tried Black Opal Cosmetics, tell me about your favorite products from the line!
Persian jewelry designer Melody Ehsani is so dope! I’ve bought a few of her pieces from her line and I will definitely be buying more. I get compliments on her jewelry every time I wear them! And I can NEVER have enough gold jewelry!
Checking in on what’s new on her site, I stumbled up on her “Fearless” Collection and am really loving a lot of the pieces I see. Especially the $100 bill ring, luxury iphone 5 case, abstract nail wraps and arabic nameplate! What I love most about her concept of jewelry is that she keeps things fresh while staying on trend and maintains the perfect dash of Persian flare ::insert emoji heart face::.
Check out a few of my favorites from the Fearless collection below:
$100 Bill Two Finger Ring: $60
M.E. x J.S. (Jeremy Scott) Arabic Three Finger Ring: $100
M.E. x J.S. Arabic Nameplate: $75
I Am A Luxury iPhone5 Case: $25
Sketchbook Nail Wraps: $16
Rolee Cuff: $54
M.E. x J.S. m16 Two Finger Ring: $100
To check out the rest of the Fearless Collection you can visit her site, here!
I know I’ve been talking about this blog sale for the longest! It’s finally up and ready and I’ll be adding items from time to time! For now, it’s first come first served with what’s available for sale! So go for it :)
Note: Some products have been gently used for product review purposes and others are unopened and never used. It’s noted under the descriptions!
All payments made through PayPal.
SHOP NOW »> http://mckenzierenaeblogsale.bigcartel.com/
For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you’ve already seen the new do! But for my ladies who don’t … let me introduce you to my new summer hair! It’s back to blonde baby ;)
I’ve been wanting to change my hair color for the summer, so after discussing with my stylist Stephanie (at The Suite Salon in Atlanta) what I should switch to, we decided to go back to blonde. I couldn’t be more pleased with the results! She did a mix of brown and blonde and in the back it’s still a dark brown, similar to my previous “ombre” look.
Let me put a disclaimer out there. With a great stylist at hand who cares about the health of your hair, you can still get bold color and not have damage to your strands or curl pattern! My curls always bounce right back with no problem! I get my hair straightened almost every time I visit the salon, which is probably once every two months or so.
Here are a few tips on taking care of your hair with color:
1. Make sure you use a sulfate free shampoo. Sulfate free shampoos won’t dry out your color and it helps the color last longer.
2. Moisture. Moisture. Moisture. Deep conditioning treatments are very important because when you have color, your strands are thirsty! Always apply a leave-in conditioner and when wearing it natural, incorporate a “pudding like” styling product in your routine so you can make sure your curls are moisturized at all times.
3. Limit how much heat you add to your hair weekly. I put a flat iron only to areas that need a little touching up. Put your flat iron on a lower temperature setting so you don’t damage your hair and mess up your curl pattern. Using a heat protective serum before flat ironing also helps prevent damage.
4. Sleep on a satin pillow case at night. If you don’t have a satin pillow case, get one lol. I also sleep with a bonnet on just for added protection because I’m a wild sleeper and I don’t have time to wake up and my hair is all over my head!
5. Get your color PROFESSIONALLY done! I get this question alllll the time, and I DO NOT, nor have I ever attempted at coloring my hair myself. When going many shades lighter than your natural color, you don’t want to leave room for mistakes then have to make a trip to the salon anyway for a color correction. Trust me.
6. Make sure you’re going to a stylist who knows how to maintain the integrity and health of your hair! My stylist is all about healthy hair first! Go to a stylist who specializes in color to ensure a great color job.
Now get out there and GO FOR IT! It’s just hair, it will grow back ;)
Whenever ladies ask me about products I would recommend to them to make their natural hair journey a little smoother, I always respond with the same answer … “I can tell you what personally works for me, but you are going to go through trial and error.” I say this because every product does not work for everyone’s hair type and texture. Your friends curls could be poppin and voluminous everyday, but if her texture is finer than yours, then every product she uses may not be right for you.
Now, because I’m a Beauty Blogger, there are few products that I am loyal to. I love to try whatever is new, and some products work out for the long haul, and others may get a review but seldom used again.
Lately I’ve been on a pretty consistent routine with my current go-to’s being used in heavy rotation. I wanted to share with you ladies what I’m using at the moment so you can see what I use to keep my curls soft, defined, and moisturized.
With that said, I’m sure you catch my drift, so here it goes!
(L to R) Design Essentials Natural Curl Cleanser Sulfate Free Shampoo, CLEAR Scalp and Hair Therapy Ultra Shea Shampoo, Pantene Natural Clarifying Shampoo
My hair stylist has been telling me lately that I need to invest in professional products to use on my hair. So for you ladies who want to go in the same direction, Design Essentials is a good line. For those who are a little more budget conscious, CLEAR and the Pantene Natural line are what I use as well. A product that isn’t pictured that I also use and like is the Mixed Chicks Sulfate Free shampoo. If you have color in your hair, then sulfate free shampoo is what you need too look for to keep you color fresh and make it last!
(L to R) CLEAR Scalp & Hair Therapy Ultra Shea Condition, Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner, Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner
Conditioning is everything when it comes to natural hair! You ever heard anyone say, “Ooo her dry, frizzy curls are cute!” ? Yea, me either lol. Now this is an area where I’m actually loyal to a couple of products. The Mixed Chicks deep conditioner and leave-in are my go-to’s I’ve been using for a couple of years now. I use a leave-in everyday … especially since I have color! My curls are thirsty a lot, so there’s no such thing as ODing when it involves conditioner. Another product not pictured that I also love and need to use more often is the Huetiful Hair Steamer («— click on the link to check out my review). You can purchase all of these products at Target.
(L to R) Dark & Lovely Au Naturale 10-in-1 Gel, Dr. Miracle Curl Care Strong Hold Gel, Twisted Sista Curl Activator
Ok ladies, now when it comes to styling, this is the area where I am ALWAYS trying new products. But I do have three favorites that have yet to do me wrong and those are pictured above. When using a gel, I look for something that defines my curls but doesn’t flake and doesn’t make my curls hard! I usually like to mix the gel with my leave-in conditioner and a moisturizer and finger comb it through my damp hair, then do my two-strand twist. Around the sides and back, I’ll apply either a little gel or just my leave-in conditioner and finger twist it. The Twisted Sista Curl Activator is more of a cream, and it keeps my curls voluminous with a soft definition!
(L to R) Biosilk Silk Therapy Hair Serum, Elasta QP Olive Oil & Mango Butter Moisturizer
You can’t forget about giving a little extra TLC to your strands. For shine I go for a light hair serum that I apply with my fingertips as I take out my two-strand twist in the morning. Another great option is Paul Mitchell Skinny Serum (plus it smells yummy). I use the Mango Butter in two ways: by itself, as I take my twist out, when it’s really dry, or mixed with my leave-in and the gel, then applied all over for extra moisture.
(L to R) Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Split End Sealer, a wide tooth comb, Eden Body Works Peppermint Tea Tree Oil
We all have to have those little extras that make a difference with our curls. One of my favorite combo’s is mixing the CD Monoi Sealer with the Mixed Chicks leave-in and the EQP Mango Butter …. omg the smell is orgasmic! I wish my hair would hold the smell all day! I use my wide tooth comb to comb my deep conditioner through my hair while in the shower. I try to limit frequent combing with the comb and alternate by finger combing because I’ve found that it eliminates more frizz. I’ll use the peppermint tea tree oil on my scalp after I’ve twisted my hair up and massage it into my scalp. I love the tingle feeling!
That’s it ladies! Like I said before, your journey will consist of trial and error. My best advice is to BE PATIENT and keep trying. If at all possible, see if you can try out a sample packet or have a sales person make you a sample before you commit to a product. I understand that most natural hair products aren’t “cheap” and fellow product junkies like myself may not have anymore space for new items. Stores like Target have lenient return policies as long as you have your receipt. Good luck!
Have you ever bought a lip color, used that baby all the way up, and then return to the store to purchase it again just to find out that it’s been discontinued? I HATE when that happens! Why does it seem like all the good colors get discontinued?
Well I found a super dope solution to that and more! Lucienne Francois is a talented business woman who specializes in Custom Blend Cosmetics. You’ve seen me rock one of her custom blend blue lipsticks in this Threads of the Day post.
I wanted something new and fun for the summer, and decided to go for a pop of blue and soft lilac lipstick to jazz up my summer makeup.
And it doesn’t stop at lipsticks, she can make anything you need, including custom or replicated nail polish, lip gloss, foundation, bronzer and eye shadow.
I love how pigmented the lipstick is and the nail polish could definitely pass for a dupe of an OPI shade. Here is a close up of the custom blue lipstick.
Fun right?!
And here’s a close up of the custom lilac with the lilac lipgloss applied on top!
This color is trending for Spring and Summer and is a fresh alternative to wearing pink. I only applied two coats of the lipstick and have no liner underneath.
The next time you run out of your favorite shade of anything and find that it’s been discontinued or even if you want to create your own custom color, check out Lucienne Francois Custom Blend Cosmetics at LucienneFrncs92@gmail.com !
“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.” - Coco Chanel
I love high end labels … I mean really what girl doesn’t? But realistically my closet is more than a few pieces short of being lined with names like Philip Lim, Givenchy, and Balenciaga. ::le sigh::
So, let me clue you in on a secret about the above ensemble I put together. If you really have style then you could make a $10 look like a million bucks! It’s all about mixing high and low price points to look chic and on-trend.
And let’s not forget about the magic of thrifting! I love scoring finds from the thrift store because it’s pretty much a guarantee that no one else will have it. As long as you mix a thrift item in with something modern and of-the-moment, you won’t have any worries of looking like your sporting a costume.
Thread List:
High waist trousers: Thrifted
Crop Top: American Apparel
Heels: Zara
Bag: Forever21
Sunnies: Anna Dello Russo for H&M (I don’t wear them often because they are a little heavy and give me a headache lol)
Belt: BCBG
Necklace: My grandmother’s
Lipstick: Ka’oir in “Sex”
Always remember that you can still have major sex appeal and keep things classy at the same time! Crop tops are really big this season. Try pairing it with a full skirt, high waist jeans/shorts, or chic trousers like I did. I will definitely be pairing my crop top with a short suit set this summer!
As far as your makeup goes, I chose to rock a dark sultry lip and keep the rest of my makeup clean and simple. It’s all about making a statement. Pick one thing and rock it with confidence!
