Product Review: Montagne Jeunesse Chocolate Masque

This review is on a chocolate mask that I treated myself to on Valentine's Day. Working at a restaurant, I knew this day would be full of stress so I decided to try this product out. I purchased it from Walgreens for $1.

Where: drugstores, Walgreens
$$$: $1
Buy it here!












This product claims to be an anti-stress, deep cleansing chocolate mud masque that will unblock pores allowing impurites to be drawn out. It contains skin healing properties of Dead Sea Salt and has the moisturizing benefits of cocoa and shea butter.

It smells like a big chocolate bar. It has a thick consistency and was kind of messy but spreadable nonetheless. One pack has enough for two applications. I was laying on pretty thick and I still had some left over.


This is what it looks like once applied. clearly I couldn't keep it off of my eyebrows.

 This is about 30 minutes after I let it dry. As you can see I was also doing a deep conditioning treatment. That post will be coming up shortly.

 I figured the easiest way to take it off would be in the shower. I did notice my face felt really clean and moisturized.



















Overall the product was nice considering it was $1. I think the idea of pampering myself on Valentine's Day was the best part. I strongly suggest having a little you time at least once a week. It's a good way to just relax!


Have you tried any of the Montagne Jeunesse Masques? What do you do to pamper yourself?

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Nail Polish of the Week: Bling Dynasty

OPI in Bling Dynasty


I recently went to Aveda and got a pedicure. With every pedicure, you get a FREE bottle of OPI nail polish! Seeing that OPI polish retail for about $9, paying an extra $6, $8 or $11 is so worth it! This color is a beautiful gold shimmer color. It is pretty opaque but I put two coats on anyway.

Natural Light

Flash Light

Do you like it? Would you wear it?

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Hair Diet Update

So it's the 13th and I decided that I should do an update on my hair diet. As you all know, diets are not the easiest thing to stick with. Whether it's resisting the urge to eat a cheeseburger or resisting the urge to rip through your hair to detangle, it still takes discipline and motivation. On Wednesday, as I was preparing for work, I took some pictures for my makeup look of the day. Then I noticed my hair!

 I spent all of last Saturday night washing, conditioning and styling my hair for this look that I thought would turn out better than it did. The style was a two strand flat twist that would eventually become a two strand flat twist out.

 I told my self that I would wear my twists for three-four days being sure to moisturize them every night and apply oil to my scalp. I told myself i would sleep with a bonnet and not have the ends rubbing up against my clothes.









I did all of this. I was strong.I endured. Then I took my twists out and this is what I got...

I made this picture big so that you can see what I see. My hair looks like it's falling out! The bottom of my hair seems like it's thinning and one thing I've NEVER had was thin hair. I was so disappointed with the look of my hair that it made me not like the style that i worked so hard to make.

This is a picture of the last time I straightened my hair. It was around the end of October. I understand that my hair pretty much doubles when I straighten it but this is kind of depressing.  Before my hair diet, I only straightened my hair in the colder months and even then it was only about once a month. I am very careful not to use too much heat and I even stay on top of getting my ends trimmed. I believe in healthy hair and try to stay on top of that especially when it involves heat.

This is a picture from November. Although I look crazy, I loved these curls! My hair was still short but it looks nice. I wear curls and twists often on this diet.

Around Christmas time, I got a flexi rod set and sat under the dryer. These curls came out a lot smaller than I'd liked but it was still very cute...and short...

 This is a picture of some twists I did in January. My hair seems very thin at the ends!

I don't feel like my hair looks healthy even though I do everything I can to make it healthy. I can honestly say that my morale was defiantly affected by this style I did this week.

I am still keeping up with my hair diet but it's not easy when you feel like your work is for nothing. I know everyone has bad hair days so I will take this as a lesson learned and not dwell on it. I can't wait to write a post about the progress my hair has made and link this post to it. It will be a good reminder that I can't appreciate the good if I don't have the bad.

My goal: Healthy curls that reach past my shoulders...

What's your goal?

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Product Review: MAC Makeup Remover Wipes

Today's product review is on a product that I have been loyal to for about a year now. MAC makeup remover wipes are amazing at removing even the most stubborn makeup products. They are over sized which really allows you to get MOST of the makeup off of your face. I am a firm believer in washing your face after you have used a makeup remover. Even though MAC makes one of the best, there are still chances that you have makeup residue on your face. I'm sure that you all saw the Clairsonic face brush that I featured on my January favorites post. My makeup removal regimen consists of using a MAC wipe then using my Clinique 3 Step face wash with my Clairsonic. 

Now I am not perfect and there have been a couple of nights when I partied a little more than need be and was only able to use my wipes. Even when I am out of commission, I always remember to remove my makeup. I'm not sure why I remember that. Maybe it's my fear of premature wrinkles and black heads that freak me out.

Where: MAC counters/stores
$$$: $18 for 50 $25 for 100

Buy them here!












Do you all like these wipes? I am always on a mission to find quality items at a drugstore and I am determined to find wipes that are comparable. Let me know what you use!

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Makeup Look of the Day

Here is my look for the day! I decided to do something more neutral and in the brown family. 

This is what my face looked like when I got home from work. For the most part, everything looks the same, I'm just a little oily on my T-zone. 

Makeup Items Used:

Revlon Colorstay Liquid foundation in Cappuccino

ELF eyelid primer

MAC Paintpot in Groundworks

MAC Studio Fix Concealer in NW45 

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Loreal Voluminous Lashes in Carbon Black

MAC Select Sheer Pressed Powder Foundation in NW43

NYX Blush in Terra Cotta

MAC Mineralized Skin Finish (MSF) in Deep Dark

Loreal HIP Kohl Eyeliner in Gold

Maybelline Moisture Extreme in Sugared Bronze

Maybelline Moisture Extreme in Bronze 

Black Radiance Eyeshadow quad in Dessert Clay 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero

January Skin and Makeup Favorites

This is a post that I am so excited about! It's my favorite beauty items of the month. I have been using many of these products throughout the month so I decided to share them with you! Enjoy!

Face:

The Clairsonic Mia has completely changed the way I wash my face. It is basically a toothbrush for your face. It claims to remove 6x more makeup than just washing your face. It also helps to exfoliate your skin and keep it beautiful. It also helps to penetrate your face products into your skin. I absolutely love it. It is kind of pricey but it is definitely worth it.

Where: Sephora, Ulta, Clairsonic.com
$$$: $150
Buy it here

 Makeup:




Urban Decay Naked Palette has been the talk of the beauty world since it first came out. I was so excited to get my hands on one. Thanks to my BFF Phylicia I got an Ulta discount and got it for about $36. It is filled with beautiful neutral colors, a dual sided 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil and a mini Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

 Where: Sephora, Ulta, Urbandecay.com
$$$: $44.00
Buy it here

The Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation in Cappuccino has got to be my favorite foundation! It has amazing wear and coverage and is very affordable. It matches my skin tone perfectly too! I heard many good things about the product and have yet to be disappointed!

Where: drugstores
$$$: $13
Buy it here

These Essence of Beauty Deluxe Duo Set has been in my everyday routine since the middle of January. I love the quality of these brushes and they were only $15! I definitely recommend these brushes for anyone new or old to makeup!
Where: CVS
$$$: $14.99
Buy it here

 Elf Eyelid Primer is comparable to any top of the line primer I have tried including the urban Decay Primer Potion. Yes. It's true. And I will stand by this until it fails me. Plus it's only a dollar!

Where: Elf.com
$$$: $1
Buy it here

 I hope you all enjoyed this post as much as I enjoy the products!
Be sure to check out my January Hair and Body Products Favorites!

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January Hair and Body Favorites

I know this is a couple days late but I really wanted to post a monthly favorites post to let you all know all the things I have been using throughout the month and why I love them! Unfortunately I can't do it all in one post due to the limit on the amount of pictures I can upload. Here is the hair and body products post.  Let's get started.

Hair:

  One n' Only Argan Oil is an oil treatment that I put on my hair. It adds shine, helps to protect my color and even helps to control frizz. It smells amazing too!

Where to purchase: Sally's CVS
$$$: $9.49
Buy it here

Denman D3 Classic Styling Brush 7 Row has to be my favorite go to detangler. I only use it when my hair is saturated with conditioner or dripping wet with water. It is easy to clean and take apart. The only thing that kind of bothers me is if I have a big tangle, the bristles will lift a little.

Where to purchase: Sally's, drugstores
$$$: $9.49
Buy it here


Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion has been my favorite hair moisturizer for the winter months. It is very rich and it keeps my hair soft. I usually stay away from super rich moisturizers but this one is great. It is not very oily but it really helps lock in moisture.

Where to purchase: Drugstores, Sally's, beauty supply stores
$$$: $5.99
Buy it here




So all of these products can be purchased at Sally's... they need to start sponsoring me for this free advertisement! lol




Body:

True Blue Spa Like Butter Creamy Cleansing Bar is the BEST bar soap out there! I love this thing! The lather is plentiful and it make me feel so clean. It smells nice and lasts a long time.

Where to purchase: Bath & Body Works
$$$: $6.50
Buy it here



Do you use these products?
Check out my January skin and makeup favorites too!

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Nail Polish of the Week: Midnight in Moscow

OPI in Midnight in Moscow

This week I decided to go for a darker color. This color looks like a brown shade in natural lighting but is really a deep reddish purple color. It is a great winter color and I love it!

Natural Light

Flash Light

Would you wear it?

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Makeup Look of the Day

I figured I'd show you my look for the day as I rush off to work! I am using drugstore products for most of my looks since my CVS trip. What's the point of having all of this makeup if I never use it!

Makeup Items Used:

Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse in Cocoa Dark

ELF eyelid primer

MAC Paintpot in Groundworks

MAC Studio Fix Concealer in NW45 

Maybelline Expertwear Eyeshadow in Bronze Glitz 

Clinique Doubling Lash Mascara in Black

Maybelline Moisture Extreme in Bronze 

Black Radiance Mosaic Bronzer in Golden Shimmer 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Whispey

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Product Review: Montagne Japanese Passion Peel Off Deep Cleansing Mask

So I've been noticing a couple of black heads on my skin and decided it was time for me to do some deep cleansing. I was walking around in Walgreens and ran across the Montagne Japanese Passion Peel Off Deep Cleansing Mask.

It was $1 so I decided to get two different kinds. This mask is said to reach deep into your pores and get the black heads, white heads and everything in between. The pack probably has enough for two applications but I decided to layer it on pretty thick.

It took a good 45 minutes to dry completely but I watched Glee while I waited. I think it is so important to do things while watching tv. I usually do my hair or do some type of treatment for my skin, nails, hands or feet while watching tv. 

 This is a picture of me with a dry face. I thought the color of the mask would change once it dried because the color on the package is different than the color of the product. Nonetheless, I started peeling it around my eyes and nose. My face was very tight with the mask on. I couldn't really move my mouth but I think that has a lot to do with the fact that I put so much on.

 My face felt very smooth after I peeled off the mask. I lost a couple of eyebrow hairs but I think it was worth it. Over all I really loved the mask. It smells really great and is a nice treat on a day of rest and relaxation (notice my bed head and my night gown).

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Hair Washing Regimen

Hey all! I wanted to post a blog about my current hair washing regime. As you all know I am on my hair diet and it is getting easier everyday! It is actually causing me to be more aware of the things that I do to my hair. I have realized that through this diet that I am extremely abusive to my hair at times. I am forming better habits and hope you all can learn from my mistakes!

Materials:

Wide Tooth Comb

A wide tooth comb is essential to any natural girl! You have to start detangling from the bottom up and take your time. I rarely comb my hair when it's not dripping wet with water or conditioner.

Denman Brush

This brush is amazing! IT SHOULD ONLY BE USED ON SOAKING WET HAIR!!! But it detagles like a dream! It's about $8 at Sally's.

hair clip

 I like these clips better than traditional banana clips because they hold more hair. They open very wide and allow me to stuff more curls in them.

Miss Jessie's

This shampoo and conditioner smell amazing! It was the first sulfate free shampoo I tried about 2 years ago. I am revisiting it for now and so far I am liking it again.

Technique:

I do this hair washing regime about twice a month. I don't like how shampoo makes my hair feels but I know the importance of cleansing my scalp and hair. I need to effectively remove products and dirt as well as allow my hair to receive more nutrients. I have had processes done to my hair (keratin treatment and color) which don't allow me to use shampoos with sulfates. After doing research on what sulfates are, I actually prefer to not ever use them in my shampoos.

First, I section off my hair in four parts. This helps me to ensure that I give each area of my hair the attention it needs. Since I don't cleanse my hair a lot, I need to make sure I am being effective when I do.  My hair is very thick and usually tangled and dry at this stage.

For each section: 

1. shampoo
2. detangle with the wide tooth comb
3. detangle with my denman brush
4. rinse the shampoo out 
5. apply conditioner

I put that section in a clip and move on to the next. After all sections have been shampooed, detangled and conditioned, I rinse them out section by section and put them back in the clips. This process does take longer than how I used to wash my hair but I find that I lose less hair when I do it this way. Plus, I like spending time with my hair!

Freshly washed hair

Rear view

I do not dry my hair with a towel. I find that it leaves my hair frizzy and I think the friction is bad for my diet. I use paper towels. I know it sounds crazy but until I find a towel that will only remove the excess water and not all of the moisture, I'll stick to paper towels.  I take the hair section by section and twist it into the paper towel. 

It takes me a total of 30-45 minutes to wash, detangle and condition and dry my hair. I can either do a wash and go after this or work on a protective style. I usually put a leave in conditioner in just to replenish any moisture.

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