Foundation Review

Light Coverage
BOURJOIS 10 HOUR SLEEP EFFECT
Available in 5 shades – Slight yellow tone
Beautiful Scent - Peaches
Goes on like a tinted moisturize looks sheer but secretly evens out the skin tone.
“Barely There” kind of look
Great for Normal to Dry Skin, gives a dewy sheen.
*My shade 71








Personal Recommendation – Great for the inexperienced women, one step-up from a tinted moisturizer.
Application – Works best with finger tips but also works well with stippling brushes.

Light/Medium Coverage
BOURJOIS HEALTHY MIX
Available in 5 shades – Slight yellow tone (works with most undertones, even difficult ones)
Beautiful Scent - Fruity
Very comparable to “Sleep Effect” but has a slightly higher coverage. (Buildable)
Great for normal/dry (Combination in the colder month)
Has been recommended as a wedding day foundation.
*I use this daily, Shade 51








Personal Recommendation - Anyone who is scared of trying foundation young to old this is an easy texture to work with.
Application – Any including stippling brushes, fingers tips, sponges or foundation brushes.
Also Available – Matching Concealer which is full coverage.

Medium Coverage
MAYBELLINE 24H SUPER STAY
Available in 12 shades – Mixture of tone
Fragrance-free and oil-free
Super long lasting, no transfer withstands heat, sweat and humidity.
Finish is kind of neutral so can work on the oiler skin types who hate matte finish foundation.
*I use this for a night out, In Ivory.









Personal recommendation – Can give full coverage if you need it with a fresh look even after hours of wear.
Application – Work best with sponges, fingers tips or foundation brushes.

Also Available – Matching Concealer which is full coverage and featured in my Friday Favourite.

Medium/Full Coverage
Rimmel Lasting Finish 16&25 Hour
Both Available 6 in shades
Both very long lashing and very similar!
Comparable to Maybelline 24H and Revlon Photoready foundation but cheaper.
Finish is kind of dewy/neutral, works best for dry to combo skin.
*I use it in ivory shades
*Best set with a finish spray rather then too much powder.




Personal recommendation – Great foundation for photos and videos, Wedding and proms/Debs.
Application – Work best with sponges, fingers tips or foundation brushes. Different applications give different coverage.

Side Cornrows Into Box Braids

This is a style I did on Keyanna in summer 2010, I didn't have a style in mind when I started but this is what we ended up with. I loved it, she loved it, and we got tons of compliments. We got about 2 and a half weeks out of it before I took it down.

INSTRUCTIONS:

-I began by parting her hair down the middle and tying off the left side.
-Then I started braiding the cornrows diagonally, going towards the top of her head. I did about 7-8 braids, and ended right below her ear.
-After finishing the cornrows I untied the loose hair and began parting and doing box braids. And finally, ended the style by adding beads to the ends of all the braids.
-This style took about 1.5 hrs.

Upcoming Review: Beemine Products

We recieved our BeeMine products a few days ago, courtesy of Tracey Q. over at Beemineproducts.com

Here's what we got:
BeeMine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer
BeeMine Bee Hold Curly Butter
BeeMine Deja's Hair Milk

I've just started using them on Keyannas hair so i'll let you all know how we feel about them soon, keep an eye our for our review!

Kai-Lan Inspired Style

So, I was thinking.. What better way to kick off our FIRST blog post than  with one of the FIRST styles I ever did on Keyanna!
So here you have it.. Our Kai-Lan inspired style.
When Keyanna was younger she was obsessed with the show, so I thought I would try a style to resemble Kai-Lans hair in the show. It came out great and is my daughters all time favorite style! I love it too beacuse its something quick and simple that I can do if we are pressed for time. 

And heres a variation we did.. Hanging braids with beads in the back instead of the buns.

Prime Time

Gosh Vs L’Oreal Vs Elf  

Gosh Velvet Touch Primer - €18.50 – 1.0 oz (30ml)

L'oreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer – €14.50 – 0.49 oz (15ml)

Elf Mineral Infused Face Primer - €6.80 - 0.49oz (15ml)

These Silicone based primer are all fairly similar in consistency but have a few differences so let me break it down.

Gosh Velvet Touch Primer

Gosh primer is expensive and hard to find. (A|wear in Cork City is where I usually get mine.) Its one of the first primer I’ve ever tired and I love it. It really helps the foundation to smooth on and last longer. 

Claims to “It fills in fine lines and deep pores in the skin, creating a uniform, matt and silky soft surface, enabling the easy and smooth application of foundation”

I have this in my kit and use it on most (if not every) client.

For all skin type - It is more suited to normal skin.

Also available from this line:

- Gosh Velvet Touch Foundation Primer Apricot with Matrixyl 3000 (a face firming peptitde)

- Gosh Velvet Touch Foundation Primer Cream

- Gosh Velvet Touch Foundation Lip Primer

- Gosh Velvet Touch Foundation Eye Primer

L'oreal Studio Secrets Smoothing Resurfacing Primer

L’oreal as a brand is more easily available however it is not the best price. If you compare it to the Gosh primer which has twice the amount of product is doesn’t seem that worth it. However if you are travelling any time soon, L’oreal has some great duty free products. I got two for 18euro on my flight back from Rome.

Claims – “this primer masks wrinkles and uneven textures in the skin, making the complexion feel smooth and soft, with a remarkable velvety touch”

I feel like this is a good summer primer the smallest amount (seriously less is more) on the t-zone really helps to keep oiliness and large pores at bay. I have been using this for awhile and I love it, It has a slight pink tint which brightens the skin.

It is more suited to Combination/oil skin.

Also available from this line:

Studio Secrets Professional Primer Anti-Shine

Studio Secrets Professional Primer Anti-Dullness

Studio Secrets Professional Primer Anti-Redness

Elf Mineral Infused Face Primer

Last but not least my favourite primer – Elf primer from the studio line. I talked about this so many times. It is comparable to smashbox and the above the Gosh Primer. The texture is very similar, light clear gel and I would consider it a dope for sure. 

Elf primer is available on the Elf websites though you get less then the Gosh primer in one bottle if my calculations are correct buying two Elf bottles are still cheaper then the Gosh Primer.

The only thing I do not like about the Elf primer is the packaging, the pump got clogged and I had to scrap out the product in the end but I still love it, it’s like that puppy that eats your favourite shoes but you still love her. Plus I would rather have some thing wrong with the packaging then the product because the packaging can be fix (Elf are you listening)

Overall I LOVE this one more then the others! :)

For all skin types.

$100 Gift Certificate Giveaway! Ann's Bridal

Ladies! When you're planning a wedding, what's better than a really good deal? A freebie, that's what! Ann's Bridal Bargains is giving away a $100 gift certificate to one very lucky African-AmericanBrides.com reader.

Entering the contest is super easy. Just leave a comment on this blog post and that's it. Two weeks from now we'll use the random generator to choose a winner. It could SO be you!

Vegan Brownies!

The best brownies I have ever had! And they are Vegan!!

Here is the original recipe. 

250 g or 2 cups  - unbleached all-purpose flour

• 400 g or 2 cups - white sugar
• 65 g or 3/4 cup - unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 Teaspoon -  baking powder
• 1 Teaspoon - salt
• 235 ml or 1 cup water
• 235 ml or 1 cup vegetable oil
• 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
• 
  

• I change it slight by changing the water to half water/half soya milk and half the vegetable oil  because that is a lot of oil!! 

  Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Pour in water, vegetable oil and vanilla; mix until well blended. I use an electric mixer so they were really smooth.
  3. Spread evenly in a 9x13 inch baking pan. (I lined my tray with grease proof paper)
  4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top is no longer shiny. (Keep a check on them, Vegan brownies I better soft) 
  5. Let cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Unless you like them falling apart and crumbling like I do!
  
  
  I am rubbish at making brownies usually but these were so easy and turned out to be the best brownies I have ever made! (Said my dad!)
  
  
  I'm sineadycady thanks for....Oh wait never mind! lol
  
  
  Sineadycady xx 

Ballerina Bun

Submitted by Lure Hair

Smoother Skin

I have been using the magic peeling glove now for a few weeks. I love this way of exfoliating because you are phycailly removing the I don't have to worry about my skin reacting to the lotions/gels and beads mix that typically come along with exfoliating.

Before using the peeling glove I was using Dove Shower scrub. I like it. It has a beautiful smell and I thought it exfoliated pretty well that was until I use the magic peeling glove which is amazing!

Not only does this exfoliate the skin but it has other benefits -

-Eliminates dead skin cells with a gentle action that leaves the skin brighter.

-Liberates the skin from impurities and improves the skin ability for deep penetration of treatments - Like Anti-wrinkles, Moisturizer, Anti-cellulite and Spot removing.

-Revitalizes stretch Marks and acne scars.

-Prepares the skin for a perfect hair removing by promoting the exposure of ingrown hair.

-Promotes more effective and long lasting tanning.

-Help to prevent and clear up the small dark spots from the chest, face and hands that can be caused from the exposure to the sun.

From my experience I have found that it has brightens and smoothed my skin. Boosted circulation which has help with the improvement of the skin overall and helped revitalized stretch marks. (on going process)

Help with the removal of old fake tan and allowing new tanning application to last long and look flawless. Aided with the removal of hair, including getting a closer smoother long lasting shave and made is easier to use a epilator on underarms and bikini line due to exposure of the hair and the reduction in ingrown hair. 

All in all I LOVE this product and look forward to using it every week. 

How to use video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5B4MQABMKk

First thoughts - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GNhwa2ncBQ&feature=player_embedded

Mineral Make-up

Above Is The Link To My New Video On How To Apply Mineral Foundation. This Link And Others Like It Can Also Found On The Howto Page.

Products used in this video:

KmS mineral Essentials - 

100% Pure Mineral Make-up 

http://kmsmineralessentials.com/

Kms Application Brush

Mineral Mate Palette
15% off 1st order with coupon Code New11, and shipping is free worldwide.

Why is Minerals Make-up different - 

KmS minerals are long wearing, waterproof, sweat proof while protecting the skin with natural SPF. I find the foundation has a silky texture once applied to the skin.

They are paraben free, free of talc, fragrance oils, chemicals and preservatives, Irritant-free and can be used on all skin types, including those that have Acne or Rosacea

Mineral Foundation is one of the easiest foundations to work with, and I would recommend it to anyone including mature skin types.