Hey Girls

I'll be gone till next Wed.
I know I know I'm slacking.
But I'm focused on something and really need it to work out.
In the meantime here are a few of my favorite post where I'm giving advice.
Maybe I'll become an advice columnist soon

Don't Compare Yourself To Others
Always Take Care of Yourself No Matter What
Kim Snyder Smoothie (I love Kim)
Vision Boards and You
Are You Following Your Dreams?
Coconut Oil for Hair
Negate the Negativity Out of Your Life ASAP

Hope this helps,

Hugs, and Have a great weekend.
Lots of giveaways and reviews coming next week.



DE

Pacifica California Star Jasmine Fragrance Rocks My World

 

 

Pacifica is one of those companies that always seem to get scents right. I own most of their fragrances, and not only are they natural and vegan, but they are always long lasting, and for the most part, usually smell exactly like their description. So when I read about the newest fragrance California Star Jasmine which is described as " a love note to the Southern California neighborhood where she grew up. This sunny perfume blends the laid-back beauty of jasmine with the subtle earthiness of driftwood freshly washed onto the shore. Bright notes of orange playfully emerge at the top" You know I had to get my hands on it!

I’m a huge fan of anything jasmine scented. So the combination sounded like a dream, and it surely was. It’s such a fresh and natural scent. It doesn’t remind me of Cali. (I’ve never been. I was supposed to go my senior year in college, but my girlfriends and I ended up going to Miami instead.) However,  when I apply this, it does bring back memories of the time I spent on the white sandy beaches of Mexico. Where the water is bluer than the sky and the wind seems to blow at a perfect speed.  I love the added citrus notes to this as well.  It gives such a great kick to the fragrance. All in all the combination is a dream, and I believe this will be my HG shade for the rest of the summer. 

 Have you tried Pacifica scents?

What were your thoughts?

Hugs, 

De

Hair Rules Salon Really Does Rule for Curly Hair!

Hey guys, this is a guest post from Cassie Freeman. Learn more about Cassie on www.cassiefreeman.com

I have coarse dry unruly unkind hair. I have used most if not close to all the products on the market for natural kinky hair. I did my big chop off last November and have been so frustrated with the up keep of my hair that I was about to go back to a relaxers. However, I was asked to try out the salon Hair Rules to see if their before and after pictures on line are true,  and if the beautiful spirals on the site can actually be had by a girl with hair like mine. I thought my hair could never look like the " after pictures" on the site, but in the end, I was wrong.

Dickey (owner of Hair Rules) is amazing when it comes to kinky afro-ish hair and is brilliant when it comes to all types of  curls and hair texture (from Sarah Jessica Parker curly to Afro Puffs curly). The best thing about him is that he evaluates each customer’s head of hair. You do not get your hair done here with out a consultation. To me it was more like therapy. He asked me about my hair and I said “I have African American hair..” and he stops me cold and says, “ No Africa is a continent with many different hair textures you have kinky good hair”. I was in shock. My natural hair has been called many things but “good hair” is not one of them.

We begin in his beautiful ultra fab, modern salon. At the sink bowl, he washes my hair with his Hair Rules No Suds Daily Cleansing Cream. He tells me that my hair can be drenched in water every day. He says curly hair need moisture and water and great conditioner is the way! Who knew! I was always told water was the enemy. The great thing about Dickey is he brings in facts where myths have been in the past. He then followed that with his amazing conditioner Quench! I think my hair had an orgasm. All of a sudden my curls were already starting to look spirally and much more defined. I was so excited he let me go look in the mirror, and then after he whispered in my ear “you have good hair”. I could have cried. I never thought of myself as having issues about my hair, but hello, who doesn’t especially if you are a black woman. It is so rare to see natural black hair being prized in the media. However because of some artist like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and India Ari to name a few they changed the covers of magazine because it is difficult to control singing artist images. And so then girls like me think hey! Maybe I can be fine with out a chemical!

Ok! Back to my hair after he washed out my hair he added his Hair Rules Nourishment Leave in Conditioner…OMG! Nothing makes my hair feel silky smooth but this leave in did, again, I almost cried!! His assistant flat ironed my hair so he could trim my ends. He says this is the best way to get a more exact trim and cut for us curlies. Afterwards, we went back to the soap bowl again wet my hair and added the miraculous Hair Rules Curly Whip and Bam! There were my curls, they were long and spiral, my hair that usually is just a dry fro had defined spirals. He made me get up and shake my hair to loosen up the curls a bit more and so I can see how fabulously glamorous my new curls look. Afterwards he put me under the dryer for about 15 minutes and voila I was beautiful with my new curls.

The truth is Dickey over at Hair Rules deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for curly hair. Madame C J Walker gave us the potion to make our hair straight, but Dickey gave us our pride and self esteem by giving us a potion to embrace our roots. We all really do have “Good Hair” we’ve just all been using Bad Products.

Hair Rules Salon

828 9th Avenue
New York, NY 10019-5587
(212) 315-2929

If you'd like to guest post for beautylogic, kindly send your submissions to beautylogicblog@yahoo.com

Hugs, 

DE

salon provided service for editorial review.

It's a 10 Miracle Styling Serum

I’ve decided to name my hair.

Don’t look at me that way.

She’s thick, full, and gorgeous.

Especially since I started drinking my morning smoothie.

She deserves a name.

So we’ll call her Linette.

Because I love that name.

And that’s my favorite character on Desperate Housewives.

Recently I was a bad girl and I made Linette sleep on cotton pillows

Instead of silk ones.

My silk ones were dirty and darnit, I ws too tired to wash them.

(You would be too with a newborn. )

When Linette awoke from her slumber, she wasn’t feeling her usual shiny bright self.

She looked dull and all over the place.

Step in It’s a 10 Miracle  Styling Serum.

It’s a 10 claims to do 10 things for your hair.

1)    Add shine

2)     Control Frizz

3)    Seal the Cuticle

4)    Nourish the Hair

5)    No Build Up

6)    Resist Humidity

7)    Smoothes the Hair

8)    Protect the color

9)    Alcohol Free

10) Creates Slip (What the hell is ‘create slip?”)

Anyway, after I applied this to Linette, she was feeling a lot better.

She was  gleaming with shine and her cowlicks were in control.

This serum really does add some major shine to the hair, and when I applied, it smoothed out a lot of my stray hairs too.

All in all I like it.  

Have you tried It’s a 10 products?

What were your thoughts?

We may do a giveaway soon for some of these.

Hugs,

DE

product provided by pr for review

New Product to Watch Out For: Tarte 10 Year Anniversary Eye Shadow Palette

This Fall marks Tarte's 10th Anniversary and to celebrate they are launching a limited edition Ten collector's shadow palette, exclusive to Sephora. I love Tarte. Their products are fantastic without containing parabens, mineral oil petrolatum, phthalates sodium lauryl sulfate or synthetic fragrances.


I got my hands on the palette. 


Let's look at the packaging first: 

 
Can we say HOT TO DEATH!




Now let's look at the Eyeshadow colors: 


Can we say Tarte Better Go On with Their Bad Self!
 These are just Beautiful!

They also got a cute little instructional on how to create some looks using the palette. 

I'm reviewing these next week. 


What's your favorite Tarte product?


Hugs, 

DE


Product provided by pr for review

TIME BALM CONCEALER KNOCKS UNDER EYE CIRCLES OUT

The last two weeks have been a mess.  One night  I'll sleep for an hour, the next for two, the next for one, etc etc. I got to sleep six hours one day and that was a treat. My newborn is so adorable but a lot of work. Needless to say, the dark circles are coming. I had stopped using under eye treatments because honestly I was just so tired and as soon as he falls a sleep, I fall a sleep right along with him without caring about a thing.

Fast forward to three days ago when I got a call that could change my life and I needed to be somewhere in two hours. When I looked at myself, I realized, “Man I look like crap.”  My dark circles were pretty darn obvious at this point. I tried my usual under eye concealer, and my dark circles basically laughed at it. Then I remembered my Time Balm The Balm Concealer. I had lost it a few days ago in my house (it comes in such a small container) but I  had been way too exhausted to look for it. I went crazy searching for it, and finally found it.  Anyway, after applying under my right eye, I was in shock. The balm is creamy and the application was very smooth. After comparing my right eye to my left, the coverage was insane. My right under eye area looked like I had slept 8 hours straight for my whole life, and my left under eye area looked like I was half-dead. The coverage was amazing.  The application was a breeze, and it lasted the whole day without looking cakey on me. I was very impressed with this, and it will be a staple for my under eye area area. I also love the fact that this contains vitamins that are beneficial for the skin. However, not sure if I would wear to cover my pimples, as I do notice it contains soybean oil. All in all for my under eye area, nothing compares. 

Hugs,

DE

Product provided by pr for review. 

Boscia Luminizing Black Mask Masque

Last night, my new neighbors rang my doorbell.
I was deep in the midst of a nap, and ran to the door thinking it was hubby.

This is what they saw when I opened it.

I had forgotten I had invited them over.

I also had forgotten I still had Boscia’s Luminizing Black Mask on my face.

I forget everything now.

Anyway, that didn’t work out that great ( since their 4 year old  screamed bloody murder when he saw me, and now thinks I’m the boogey monster).

(Talk about traumatizing)

Although that experience was unfortunate, my experience with the Boscia mask was pretty good.

It’s an incredibly thick clay black mask and I mean Black. It looks as if I applied shiny black leather to my face.

You’re supposed to apply a thick amount which I did. 

You’re also supposed to only leave it on for 15 minutes. 

Which I didn’t. 

Because of my nap, I actually had it on for close to an hour and  a half. Make sure you don't put it near the eye area, or around hair on your face. (Believe me, peeling it off hair is not fun.)

Boscia says this masque reduces hyperpigmentation, absorbs oil and toxins. It also contains ingredients like Vitamin C (brightens skin tone), Calcium Montmorillonite  which is a natural clay from France that contains 67 minerals that absorb excess oil, dirt and toxins from the skin.

Although this mask is a peel off masque, it didn’t peel off evenly.

Nonetheless, I found after peeling this masque off, my skin was a little red but  INCREDIBLY SMOOTH, like a baby’s bottom. (Believe me, with all the diaper changes I’m doing, I know exactly how smooth a baby’s bottom feels.) Although my pores didn’t seem to have changed, my skin did seem brighter, and again I couldn’t believe how smooth it was.

Have you tried this masque?

What were your thoughts?

Hugs,

DE

Product provided by pr for review. 

ORIGINS ZERO OIL CLEANSER

Hey girls, How was the weekend? Did you do anything fun? I returned some shoes at Zara, and found a really cute dress at TJ Maxx and then I walked around the city with the bestest while Lil Man hung out with my mother in law. Nothing like walking around NYC with your bestest, and just talking.

Anyway, the temps in New York have been blazing. I believe this is the hottest summer on record. During these last few months,  with the sun pounding down on my face, I can get incredibly oily so any product that says they can stop the oil, is a welcome addition to my beauty regime. Step in Origins Zero Oil Deep Pore Cleanser. A cleanser that contains ingredients like Saw Palmetto and Mint. The Saw Palmetto is apparently supposed to clear the skin and the Mint supposed to cool it down. In the morning I wash my face with this. It’s a thick gel consistency. Many products that claim to control oil will leave your face a tight, dry mess, but not this one. My face wasn’t tight at all. After this I apply my moisturizer, and foundation and head out. It took a good few hours before I began to see a shine to my skin. Now in the hot blazing sun, I’m usually seeing oil within a couple of minutes. All in all, I’d say this cleanser works pretty well.

How do you control oil during the summer months?

What did you do this weekend?

Anything fun?

Hugs,

How I'm losing my pregnancy weight-Morning Smoothie

Hey guys,

I've been getting a lot of emails about how I'm losing my pregnancy weight. I'm now only three pounds heavier than I was pre pregnancy. Well, first things first, I want to share what I drink every morning. This morning smoothie is not only low in calories, but it contains a lot of protein, antioxidants and fills me up for at least five hours.

1) Coconut Water-great for boosting the metabolism.
2) Strawberries -great antioxidant, loaded with vitamin C
3) Blueberries -According to this site www.womenfitness.net "A new University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center study suggests that blueberries may help reduce belly fat and risk factors for cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome."  Helloooo, reduce belly fat in addition to being an amazing antioxidant. I use about 20 blueberries for my smoothie. 
4) Apple-I remember years ago reading that apples help prevent wrinkles. Also, apples have a high amount of soluble fiber which stops the hunger. I'm all over it. 
5) Banana-Loaded with potassium, nutritious and delicious. 
6) Garden of Life The Perfect food.  I used to eat greens constantly. Lately I don't really have the time. I love this powdered green. This is loaded with so many nutrients, I can't even tell you. 
7) Garden of Life Raw Protein. This contains 18 grams of protein and doesn't taste like anything.  I love it. 

This is usually my morning meal, low in calories, delicious tasting (yes it tastes good too) and it keeps me full throughout the morning, also,  most of these fruits are great antioxidants. 


Hope this Helps 


Hugs, 




DE

ZOYA WICKED COLLECTION IS WICKEDLY BEAUTIFUL

Zoya has done it again with their Wicked collection. As usual the colors are vibrant, long lasting, and just beautiful. You girls know how I feel about Zoya polishes.  Let me introduce you to the Zoya Fall Wicked Collection. Click on pics to enlarge.

Zoya Karina

Honestly, red polish is what you’ll usually find on me, and this is one of my faves. A deep red with shimmer. Just Beautiful

Zoya Cheryl

This is a brownish color with metallic copper microglitter. I have never worn a brown color but I can definitely see myself wearing this over and over again.

Zoya Kym

Kym is another red, this time with golden flecks. Gorgeous!

Zoya Julieann

A royal purple with gorgeous flecks of purple shimmer. I love this color. Oh so beautiful!

Zoya Edyta

A beautiful green with golden shimmer. I thought I was out of my green nail polish stage but not since getting my hands on this. Love it and will def wear over and over again.

Zoya Carrie Ann

Another beautiful shade of red-a little brighter than the others. This is currently on my toes.

Love them all

What’s your favorite color in this collection?

Hugs

DE

Danessa Myricks -Interview MakeUp Artist & Win her DVD The Art of Contouring

When Sam Fine recently recommended on twitter, makeup artist Danessa Myricks instructional  DVD's you know I had to get the inside scoop on her. Known for her amazing makeup artistry and her wonderful classes, Danessa Myricks is a very busy woman. So I was incredibly happy when she agreed to answer some of beautylogic's questions, and agreed to do a giveaway with us for one of her fabulous DVD's The Art of Contouring. So without further ado, let's meet Danessa.

1) How did you get started with makeup?

For my entire life I have always believed that my purpose in this world would be that of service to others. Although I felt that purpose I really did not know how it would manifest itself. I spent most of my adult life serving a boss in corporate America. I did my best work and enjoyed the privilege of climbing the corporate ladder. Time and time again after reaching the top of my career path the rug was suddenly pulled from under me. Be it corporate downsizing or the economy, after years of great work I was always forced to start again. My last corporate position was as a VP of marketing at a publishing company. I spent years learning the business and growing with the company only to find my self faced yet again with "corporate restructuring".

I was basically out of work again and collecting unemployment. I knew right away that I wanted to take the path of ownership because I wanted to be in control of my destiny. As a single mother with two children I had no time to waste in the decision making process so I looked to what was closest to me.

In my last position we did many photo shoots for our magazines. I knew that we often hired hair and makeup talent both good and not so good and at the end of the day everyone got paid. Since going to school for a year to learn hair was not an option, I picked makeup as a way to create instant income for myself and figured that I could learn on the job and earn money in the process. I did not have any previous training beyond playing with my own makeup so I decided to research makeup artists who were considered "greats". I purchased 2 books, "Fine Beauty" and "Making Face". I simply studied the pictures and learned what great makeup looked like. I then called everyone I knew and asked them to give me an opportunity. A wedding was the first opportunity given to me by a friend. The day before the wedding I cashed my unemployment check for that week, ran to Walgreens, and purchased a handful of Black Opal Foundation, some pencils, sponges, a few lip glosses, and eye shadow trios. I was really nervous but somehow I made it through. The client was happy and that wedding lead to other referrals.

I worked for free for a while to build my skill and get pictures and then started to get paid a couple of hundred dollars for the day. By the end of my first year I did my first be commercial job with Luster products and the rest is history.

2) What are some makeup trends that will be popular in the fall?

Strong Brows

Multidimensional Eye Looks

Metallics

Smoldering gold, copper and brown eyes

Glitter on the eyes and lips

Berry lip stains

Orangey/red lip tones

3) Is there a certain product that you think is flattering on all skin tones and types?

Everyone looks great in a smoky eye and pale lips. 

Lashes are also a gal's best friend. Everyone looks beautiful with lashes and lipgloss!

4) What 5 products are always in Danessa' s makeup bag?

Cover FX Foundation

Mac Brow Pencils

Imakeyoubeautiful.com Glitter Eye Pods

Matte Neutral toned shadows

Black Liner

5) What is the biggest mistake you see women making with their makeup?

Trying to force one color of foundation to work over their entire face.  Skin will generally have multiple tones, darker on the edges and brighter throughout the t zone area. When you use one shade of foundation, the tone of the makeup is not a great fit in one or more parts of the face.

6) What other makeup artist have you admired. 

Like most makeup artists I have always admired Sam Fine, Kevyn Aucion, Billy B, Roxanna Floyd and Pat McGrath

7) Tell me a quick make up tip?

Make your eye shadow last around the clock by basing all of your shadow colors with a creme color base.

8) What beauty advice can you give us?

Be true to yourself and your personality. Don’t be a slave to trends. They don’t always work for everybody especially of it is not within your comfort zone

9) What life advice can you give us?

Live your life in service of others. Always remember that you can get whatever you want in life as long as you help enough other people get what they want.

10) What is in your makeup bag that is under $10.00

I Envy By Kiss Lashes and Adhesive

Ruby Kisses Eyeshadows

Ruby Kisses Lip gloss

Kiss New York 24 hour Luxury Liners

11) What are 3 makeup items that come from the drugstore that you think are just as good as high-end products?

All of the items in my answer to question #11. Kiss products are very well thought out and very well made. Much of their cosmetics are made in Germany which is known for pumping out some of the top beauty products in the industry

12) What makeup item do you think every woman should use and why? Whether it be mascara, gloss. 

Wearing a great coat of mascara is the perfect way to instantly wake up the face and give it a little lift . 

13) What is you favorite feature to emphasize on a woman? 

If I had my choice to always wear or apply makeup on one feature I would always choose the eyes. They make the biggest statement. Eyes tell an instant story. They are intoxicating! Eyes are also the one feature that you can effortlessly use to recreate yourself a million times over.

14) What advice can you give to someone who wants to become a makeup artist, but doesn't know where to begin. 

Find a makeup artist that inspires you and does the things that you see yourself doing then walk directly in their footsteps. The fantastic thing that we all have in our reach right now is a path that has been trail blazed by someone else. Follow their path until you find your own way. 

Secondly, Never be afraid to volunteer. It will be your best teacher.

15) What gave you the courage to leave the industry you were in, and take over the makeup world. 

I love this question. I’m not sure that I have taken over the makeup world but I am certainly aspiring to leave a memorable mark!  One thing that was said to me that I will never forget is that if you always do what you always did you will always get what you always got. I know what my part looked and felt like. I wanted a different result. I wanted to control my destiny. For me the challenge of pursuing a career in makeup was a necessity and it has proven to be the biggest and best career decision I have made in my entire life.

Danessa will be teaching at :

Bronner Brothers International Hair Show in Atlanta GA Aug 6-10.

On Sunday there will be "A day with Danessa" This is a day of free look and learn education.

Bennet Career Institute, Washington DC 8/22

Contours and Finishes 8 hour hands on Boot Camp

Eyes Eyebrow & Eyelashes 8 Hour Hands on Bootcamp Oct 10th NYC

Thanks Danessa for your great answers. We love you here.

You can win a copy of Danessa's DVD

The Art of Contouring by just entering a comment here or emailing me "I need to learn to Contour by Danessa". Winner gets announced on Monday, August 9.

 Danessa thanks for this. You're wonderful. 

Hugs, 

DE 

Estee Lauder America's Night To Repair Event Recap

I’ll tell you one thing, Estée Lauder sure knows how to throw an event.

Last week at Estée Lauder Counters all over the USA,  Estée Lauder threw their Second annual event, America’s Night to Repair. Thousands of  women got treated to samples of Estée Lauder’s amazing Advanced Night Repair and Advanced Night Repair Eye Recovery Complex, and if they wanted, fabulous makeovers as well-but it didn’t end there. Once you got your new look, they had a professional photographer take your picture, and touch it up too. I was the brand ambassador at the Bloomingdales NYC location. Here is the fab pic that I took after one of Estée Lauder's makeup-artist worked his magic on me.  

  tt

   

Disclosure: A free review sample of this product was provided by Estée Lauder via Glam Media; compensation was provided in exchange for this placement.

How To Keep Your Relationship ALIVE After A Baby!

I recently got an email from one of my readers who just gave birth. She was nervous because she had just had a baby but her marriage seemed to be suffering. Hey, I get it. Lil man came into my world, and he is  beyond adorable. However, newborns can provide an amount of stress that you can’t even believe and two people that may have had a great relationship before a child may suddenly find themselves at each others throats constantly. Here’s how to keep your relationship kicking after giving birth:

1)    Don’t forget about your mate. It’s easy to be consumed with your newborn. He’s probably the cutest thing you’ve ever laid eyes on. But before your newborn, your significant other was probably the cutest thing you ever laid eyes on, and it’s important to make sure they realize that you still think they are wonderful and special. In another words, don’t forget to show your significant other attention too.

2)    Realize that a child is not the end of your sexy. After Lil man was born, I was intent on getting my figure back to where it was before lil Man. Although it took work, I’m almost there-around 10 more pounds to go. It’s easy to make excuses and say “Oh I just had a baby so I can eat a gazillion things” or “ I don’t need to work out, I just had a baby” or “I’m breast feeding, I can eat whatever I want.” Listen maintain your sexy and your beauty. You will feel a lot better after, and your mate will appreciate that too.

3)    When that newborn is asleep, make sure you and your mate are spending time together. Whether just hearing about his day or sharing a glass of water/wine together. Show him that just because you are the mother of his child doesn’t mean you’re not the same person you used to be. Many husbands can feel neglected after the birth of their child. Make sure you show your hubby that he’s still a huge priority in your life.

4)    It’s easy to be nasty when you’re exhausted. My mom recently told me she would no longer call me because she was tired of my attitude. But hey, when you average 3 hours of sleep a night, you’re not going to be Miss Jolly either.  But seriously if you have a loud argument with your hubby and you feel as if you may have overreacted because of your exhaustion or stress, don’t be scared or too proud to say sorry and explain the situation. Many times we expect our husbands to be mind readers.  ( I know I have.) But they aren’t, so communication is key. This is your relationship. The word Sorry is powerful.

5)    Last but not least, and this may not be possible for everyone but try to get a date night in. This is so important. You need to have a life with your hubby that doesn’t include your lil man or lil gal. If you have family (the only person I will leave lil man with is my mom or hubby’s mom) then beg them to give you a date night. Beg Beg Beg! I think I’m on my hands and knees evey week begging my mom for one, but believe me, it’s soooooo worth it.

Hope this helped.

If you had a baby, how do you keep your relationship kicking?

Hugs,

DE

Tarte ReCreate Silicone Free Primer

Primer is a must have in my beauty regime. When I was pregnant though, I was very critical of primers, and needed to find one that wasn’t too fragranced, or loaded with chemicals. Step In, Tarte’s Recreate Silicone Free Primer with Wrinkle Rewind. I’m  a sucker for anything that says  that it can decrease wrinkles (although I don’t have any yet).

When using this primer, I definitely did notice that my pores were minimized and my foundation appliction was a lot smoother than normal. This primer contains jojoba oil, algae extract, vitamin E, and peat extract. All products that are nourishing to the skin. Although I love what this product does contain, I love even more what it doesn’t contain. This is formulated without parabens, mineral oil, phthalates, sodium laryl sulfate, synthetic dyes or fragrance.

Have you tried Tarte’s Recreate Silicone Free Primer?

What were your thoughts?

Also, Tarte is having an amazing Friends & Family sale on their site- 40% off today.

GET ON IT!

Hugs, 

DE