Karen's Body Beautiful Review

I definitely need a stamp on my late pass because I honestly don't know how I slept on Karen's Body Beautiful (www.karensbodybeautiful.com). - I received a beautiful package chock-full of products courtesy of Karen's Body Beautiful and I couldn't wait to dive in and give them a test drive!

I'm still playing with the Butter Love [want to give a thorough review] and will give the shampoo bar a whirl next week so stay tuned for those reviews as well! 

The addition of Sweet Ambrosia made my hair fluffy & soft

Shiny hair after shampooing & conditioning

Here are the results: 

Karen's Body Beautiful Shampoo

Ingredients: Purified Water, Saponified Coconut & Safflower Oils, Vegetable Glycerin, Aloe Vera,
Echinacea, Nettle & Horsetail Extracts, Panthenol, Essential and/or Fragrance Oils & Vitamin E

Price: $12.00

Product Claims: Designed for dry, color or chemically treated hair, Karen's Ultimate Conditioning Shampoo cleans and moisturizes your tresses without stripping them. Perfect for dry, thirsty hair.

Review 
This was one of my favorite products of the bunch. I absolutely loved this shampoo because it moisturized my hair quite nicely. Because this product was formulated without the use of surfactants and foam enhancers, the lather isn't like that of a commercial shampoo, however it still cleans nonetheless. If you use this product, you may think due to the consistency and low-lather that you will need to use more however that definitely isn't the case. A dime-size amount of this product is perfect for an entire head. 

Best used as:  A weekly moisturizing shampoo. This is perfect for those with sensitive scalp issues that need a sulfate free alternative, those that are transitioning and are in need of a sulfate free poo, and even those that want to take a more natural approach to haircare! 


Would I purchase? Yes, this product definitely rivals a few of my staple shampoos minus the surfactants and un-necessary ingredients.

Karen's Body Beautiful Conditioner

Ingredients: Purifed Water, Grapeseed Oil, Vegetable Glycerin, Jojoba Oil, Vegetable Wax, Aloe Vera, Peppermint, Yucca, Horsetail, Nettle and Melissa Extracts, Panthenol, Essential and/or Fragrance Oils & Natural Enzymes

Price: $16 8oz

Product Claims: The Deep Conditioner provides protection to thirsty, brittle prone hair with panthenol that seals the hair follicle. Best used on thick curly, coily, kinky textures.

Review 
Initially I was a little leery about trying this conditioner due to the consistency of it [thinner, lighter consistency]. However after applying it, my hair felt extremely soft and very pliable. Those that detangle with the aid of a conditioner would love this product as it detangles strands very well and has lots of slip. This conditioner seals the cuticles taming frizz while imparting noticeable shine! - I applied this to my hair, covered and left on for about 30 minutes without heat.

Would I Purchase? Yes, this product is well worth it's weight in gold. However I will more than likely reserve it for bi-weekly or monthly conditioning treats. I normally do this when I love a product but need to use it sparingly due to the price.

Karen's Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia [Formally known as Hair Milk]

Ingredients: Purified Water, Jojoba and Avocado Oils, Vegetable Wax, Panthenol, Arnica, Calendula, Echinacea, Nettle & Horsetail Extracts, Vegetable Glycerin, Wheat Germ Oil, Essential and/or Fragrance Oil, Natural Enzymes & Vitamin E

Price: $16 8oz

Product Claims: You're only a few dabs away from lush radiant and soft hair. Karen's Sweet Ambrosia moisturizes the detangles, defrizzes and defines your curls. 

Review

Day 1: This creamy hair-milk like product has the consistency of a lotion or conditioner minus the greasy feel. Starting off well already. I added this to sections of my hair like I would a leave-in conditioner; being careful not to use too much until I get a handle on how the product works with my hair, so far so good. My hair absorbed the Sweet Ambrosia leaving my strands ultra soft and very manageable. - I would recommend this product to anyone looking for a great, natural leave in, or even a product to help with the detangling process.

Day 2: Today would come the true test. I used Eco Styler Gel for my twist out and as many of you know, you need something very moisturizing underneath to prevent the stiff, crispy look. I un-twisted my hair the next morning and it was shiny, extremely soft and free of product residue! Throughout the day, my hair maintained it's soft texture even in 50 degree weather [that's pretty cold for a Los Angeleno].

Day3: I tried this on my 3 day old braid out to see how it worked as a moisturizer and I loved it. I decided to re-twist my hair for more definition so I used this as a moisturizer/re-twisting styler and it worked well. It is light enough for daily use and doesn't leave a tacky, sticky residue behind which is perfect. 

Would I purchase? Most definitely, I would add this to the rotation of moisturizers and leave-in's. 

Best Used As:  Leave-In Conditioner - Moisturizer 

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This product was sent to me for review by Karen's Body Beautiful. In order to maintain the integrity of MTM, all samples sent by PR are for consideration only. This allows me to share with you products that work well for me and are worth spreading the word about. If you would like to read my entire policy regarding product reviews, please read the Editorial Policy by clicking {here}.

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Product Review: Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Masque

Product: Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Masque

Company: Macadamia Natural Oils

Price: $4.00 Sample Size - $28 8.5oz - $46 16.9oz

I admit I avoided this stuff like the plague because I thought that this was going to be yet another faddish hair product that used "exotic ingredients" for label appeal yet delivered less than desirable results. While perusing my local beauty supply, I saw a sample size packet [$4.00] of the Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Masque and decided to give it a go.

Tip: Before trying new products, always clarify to remove excess product buildup. This allows you to see exactly how the product works on your hair.

According to the website:

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque is a revitalizing hair reconstructor for dry, damaged hair. A combination of macadamia oil and argan oil along with tea tree oil, chamomile oil, aloe and algae extracts rejuvenate and rebuild the hair, leaving the hair deeply nourished for improved elasticity and shine with long-lasting conditioning benefits.

I clarified with Lanza Daily Clarifying shampoo and followed up with a moisturizing shampoo to correct the PH balance and restore moisture back into my hair. I then applied the entire packet and allowed it to sit [covered with a plastic cap] for about 30 minutes without heat.

After rinsing out the product [with cold water] my hair felt amazing! Check out these ratings:

Softness: 10

Shine: 8

Manageability: 9

Elasticity: 8

Suitable for all hair types [especially the ultra thirsty, brittle, dry strands], I would recommend this to anyone that is looking for a intense moisturizing treatment. If you have dry, brittle hair, this is for you! If you are transitioning and your strands are seriously lacking moisture and elasticity, give this treatment a shot. - I loved this product so much I purchased the 8.5oz size [$28]. For me, $28 is a lot of money to spend on a conditioner, however it worked so well I really couldn't talk myself out of it. I figure I can treat myself to an ultra-hydrating moisturizing treatment once a month.

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Product Review: Twist Out With Eco Styler Olive Oil Gel + Bee Mine Winners Announced!

The Bee Mine Winners Are:

Latoya
Bonni
Califa's Lap

Please email me [nikole @themoptopmaven.com] with your name and mailing address! - Thank you to everyone who entered the contest! If you didn't win this time around no worries, there are more giveaways lined up in the very near future!
-------------

Remember that "fluke" I mentioned in this post [I also used the product here as well]? I ran out of products to twist with last week, and in a fit of desperation ran to my cabinet to pull out my Eco Styler Gel [which I normally use for wash & go's]. I wanted to thoroughly test this product before running through the halls professing my love for it in case I had a wild stroke of luck the first few times around. However the jury is in, and here are the deets...

Twisting with Eco Styler yields more of a defined curl for me coupled with a nice sheen and a bit of softness [due to the high amount of glycerin]. My curls last longer before turning into waves and as the days pass, my hair hangs a lot lower which I love. I will admit I was a tad scared because as the twists dried, my hair had a "crunchy" feeling. After taking the twists down and fluffing my hair, the feeling quickly dissipated and I was left with cushiony soft coils. 

I noticed that I had more elongation using this product vs my other stylers, which is a plus for the days I want length + volume. The key to getting the best out of this product is using a hydrating conditioner underneath to ensure your hair remains soft and moisturized [Paul Mitchell The Conditoner is a good choice as is Oyin Honey Hemp]. I use about a dime size amount of gel for each 1" section of hair I twist, then I let it air dry overnight. The result is an ultra defined twist out with minimal shrinkage and lots of volume. Setting my twists with Eco Styler yields about a 5-6 day style. 

Given these points, I will definitely continue to use Eco Styler Gel. It is cost effective, alcohol free, easy to find, and a little goes a long way. 

Price:

$4.99 32oz

Ingredients:

Water,Carbomer, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, PVP, Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Sodium Hydrxymethyglycinate, Polysorbate 20, Terasodium EDTA, Olive oil, Fragrance, Blue #1, Yellow #1

Purchase From:

Sally's Beauty Supply

Select Walgreens, Rite-Aid & CVS Stores

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Product Review: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Repair Cream

Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Repair Cream has been has been on my radar for some time now. I've seen raves on many hair forums on how it contributes to amazing twist outs, and my buddy Lo swears by this product as well. I will admit that I was kinda iffy on whether or not a leave-in treatment would give me ultra defined curls, however I decided to give it a go anyway.

Product Claims [according to website]:

Cantu shea butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream is made with real shea butter and essential oils to replace vital oil in your hair leaving it stronger and healthier with a natural shine.

Cantu shea butter leave in conditioning repair cream can be used on wet hair as an intensive moisturizing treatment or to tame frizz and fly-aways. 

Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream helps…

• moisturize dry brittle hair with deep penetrating oil and emollients
• soften, detangle and add shine to hair 
• protect hair against heat and sun styling damage
• provide extra protection from split ends and breakage 

The Verdict:

It did a great job of softening my hair, however I wouldn't say it gave me the amount of definition I would have liked. I would however like to use this underneath Komaza Care Coconut Pudding, Bee Mine Bee Hold Curly Butter, or Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding to see how it fairs. At $5.00 a jar, I will definitely keep this in my styling arsenal and use it as a leave-in versus a styler. 

One thing I did notice about this product is that it left a slight waxy residue. I can attribute this to the fact that I used more than the recommended amount, as I applied a quarter size amount to each section of hair I twisted. I imagine the issue with residue will be eliminated once I use it as a leave-in conditioner vs a styling aid. 

Additional Thoughts:

If you're looking for something that gives mega definition to your twist outs/braid outs, opt for something that offers more hold and use this product underneath to keep it soft, hydrated, and manageable. 

This product is formulated to help control breakage and impart moisture, which makes it a wonderful inexpensive option for transitioners. 

Where To Find It:

Target

Walgreens

CVS

Rite Aid

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Bee Mine Curly Butter Revisited + New YouTube Video

Some of you may remember this product review I did on Bee Mine a few months ago. On August 16th, I received this comment that prompted me to want to revisit the product:

teachermrw said:...The Bee Hold Curly Hair Butter won't leave the hair soft and moisturized. It is an oil-based product, and not a water-based product. The first ingredient is unrefined shea butter, and not water. So, naturally, it won't be moisturizing. One would need to use a water-based product prior to using the Curly Hair Butter.

"teachermrw" You have a point there [lol], so this weekend I rummaged through my stash of products and decided to try the following combination:

Giovanni Direct [Leave-In]

Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade [To Seal In Moisture]

Bee Mine Curly Butter

The Method:

- I used inch-sized sections to twist my hair because I wanted more definition [more of a spiral vs a wave]

- I smoothed my hair with a denman brush prior to twisting [make sure your hair is detangled first]

- I allowed the twists to dry thoroughly before removing to reduce chances of frizz. 

- I separated my twists into as many sections as I could to create more volume

The Results:

The Verdict:

Two days later; my hair is extremely soft, still defined, and very, very shiny! I didn't have that crunchy feeling [coupled with a weird residue] that I had before, so Curly Butter is definitely here to stay. I would even go so far as saying this product is up there with Komaza Curl Pudding.

One of my other complaints was MAJOR shrinkage/loss of volume; as you can see in this video, neither of those is an issue!

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Product Review: Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Line

Recently I had the opportunity to select some products from the Carol's Daughter line to review, so I decided to choose the Hair Milk Line, as well as the Tui Leave-In Conditioner.

My Thoughts On The Shampoo: There aren't too many shampoo's out there that can win my favor, but this one is definitely a keeper. Even though it is SLS free [which is a major plus], it still managed to get my hair clean without that squeaky, stripped feeling. The bonus? My hair was soft, shiny, and full of curls!
I had to take a picture of this because you know I am usually one to complain that I have zero curl definition; this definitely lived up to it's claim! The pics really don't do it justice!

My Thoughts On The Conditioner: This conditioner is THICK which is a good thing considering my hair laughs at any conditioner thinner than the consistency of yogurt. I used this without heat so I would truly know how this product worked; needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Usually any conditioner that works well without the assistance of heat is a friend of mine. My hair was soft, manageable, shiny, and the curls were poppin'!

My Thoughts On The Tui Leave-In: I used this before adding the hair milk curl booster, and it made detangling my hair a breeze. I separated my hair in about six sections, and lightly spritzed each section prior to detangling. I like that this is light enough to use for free flowing hair styles, as it doesn't leave a sticky, tacky residue; just soft shiny hair. This will definitely be a staple for wash n go's, refreshing twists, and daily moisturizing.

My Thoughts On The Hair Milk Curl Booster: I'm going to have to say this is my favorite out of the bunch. I was a little worried that the consistency of this wouldn't quench my curls, however it did that and then some. It managed to moisturize my hair without leaving a greasy residue, which I appreciate greatly. For once my curls were defined without cooing and prodding. Because my curls were so defined from using the products above, I decided to add a little bit of gel and wear my hair curly for the day!  

Here's the pic:[I swear I don't do my hair while in heavy eye make up, it was for a YouTube tut]

I suppose that giddy grin means I am happy with my new products...lol

A day later I decided to shampoo, condition, and moisturize my hair [with the same products]; I then twisted it using only the Tui Leave-In & Hair Milk Curl Booster as my stylers. I let it dry overnight, and untwisted my hair in the morning. Hello curl definition!  
This was the finished product:

Would I purchase these? Definitely. Any product that works to keep my hair soft, shiny, and free of frizz whilst enhancing curl definition is a keeper. That takes the 95% of the fuss out of doing my hair, as lack of definition, and moisture is usually what precedes a bad hair day.

A little bit about The Hair Milk Line [according to the website]:
Hair Milk Curl Perfecting Shampoo [$16 10oz]: A nourishing shampoo for the type of hair that needs it most...curls. Cuts frizz, gently removes dirt, oil and product build-up. Made with essential oils plus Vitamin A to help condition the scalp and keep moisture in. Gives curls what they need for that desired healthy, bouncy look.
Pro-vitamin B5 (Panthenol) – Helps minimize tangles and balance moisture
Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate) – Scalp conditioner that also protects from moisture loss. Plus protects from environmental damage.
Vitamin E (Tocopherol) – Conditioner that protects from environmental damage.
Essential Oils of Orange and Lemon
Paraben-Free, No Petroleum, Mineral Oil or Artificial Color
SLS/SLES/Sulfate-Free

Hair Milk Curl Perfecting Conditioner [$19 10oz]: The perfect companion to our nourishing, Curl Perfecting Shampoo. An indulgent, penetrating, moisture treatment that restores while supporting healthy-looking natural curls. Made with essential oils plus Pro-Vitamin B5 and Biotin to help replenish and strengthen hair with the natural nutrients it’s thirsting for, leaving your curls under control…which is where they belong.
Pro-vitamin B5 (Panthenol) – Helps minimize tangles and balance moisture
Biotin (Vitamin H): Strengthens hair follicles and helps promote healthy hair.
Vitamin A (Retinyl Palmitate) - A Vitamin A derivative known for its antioxidant properties and acts as a scalp conditioning agent. It also protects against moisture loss and environmental damage.
Vitamin E (Tocopherol) – An antioxidant and conditioning agent that protects hair from environmental damage.
Essential Oils of Orange and Lemon
Paraben-Free, No Petroleum, Mineral Oil or Artificial Color

Hair Milk Lite: The Curl Booster [$9-20 2oz - 10oz]: A curl’s best friend. A curl boosting, weightless lotion that tames frizz while defining your curls. Adapted from our famous original formula, Hair Milk Lite is made with essential oil of Lemon and Vitamin C for an extra light, moisturizing hold.
Apricot Kernel Oil - Increases moisture
Cocoa & Shea Butter - Conditions the scalp and hair
Vitamin C - Protects from environmental damage
Lemon Essential Oil - Gives this formula it’s energizing and uplifting fragrance
Paraben-Free, No Petroleum, Mineral Oil or Artificial Color

Tui Leave-In Conditioner [$12 8oz]: The Tui Leave-in-Conditioner is a delicious herbal blend that weightlessly conditions with hydrating ingredients while controlling fly-aways, unmanageable hair and restoring hair’s natural health. Used as a daily leave-in or revitalizing mist, Tui Leave-in Conditioner’s excellent detangling properties replenish essential moisture delivering a delightful cocktail of fruit fragrances!

• Replenishes essential moisture, controls fly-aways and unmanageable hair
• No harsh, moisture-stripping detergents
• Infused with lavender, calendula, chamomile, rose, marigold and larkspur flowers
• Paraben-free, No Petroleum, No Mineral Oil, No Artificial Color

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Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tar Review

When I got home yesterday, I was greeted by a package I have been waiting feverishly for! A few weeks ago, I placed an order for a few tubes of Lip Tar by Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, and I have been waiting on pins and needles ever since. Needless to say I was stoked to see if they lived up to the hype.

What Is It: [according to the website] 

A stunning new innovation in lip color, OCC Lip Tar combines the longevity of a lipstick, with the ease of application of a gloss. Goes on slick and moist, and dries down to a satin finish. Ultra-saturated in color, Lip Tar contains an unprecedented amount of pigment - a little goes a very, very long way! An intense yet featherweight layer of color that stands up to the scrutiny of Hi-Def Video and Digital Photography, without ever looking (or feeling!) heavy. Meant to be mixed, Lip Tar comes in concise array of colors for a limitless selection of shades made by you!

Like all of our products, OCC Lip Tar is 100% Vegan and Cruelty-Free, and is also free of parabens and other harsh preservatives. A simple, elegant formula that contains Hemp Oil, Peppermint Oil and Vitamin E, OCC Lip Tar feels as good on the lips as it looks!

Details:

$12.50 Per Tube
Can be purchased online, or in most PROFESSIONAL makeup stores

Ingredients:

Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Cannabis Sativa (Hemp) Oil, Mentha X Peprita (Peppermint) Oil, Tocopherol Acetate (Vitamin E)
May Contain: D&C Red #7, D&C Red #30, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Yellow #6, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide

Review:

If you are looking for highly-pigmented lip color, then this is definitely for you. These Lip Tars go on like lip gloss, however they dry with a satin-like finish. I have a hard time finding lip-color that pops against my skin, so these Lip Tars are pretty much going to be my Holy Grail of lip colors. My only qualm about this product is that it STAINS! It will pretty much stain anything it comes into contact with, including your skin [a good scrubbing will remove it].

I also recommend applying this with a lip brush versus your fingers to get more of an even, precise application. Also, while $12.50 may seem like a lot for a small tube of product, a little goes a very long way!

I only used about this much; and at this rate, this should last a year or more.

Demure was definitely one of my favorites of the bunch. This bright Fuchsia color was just the color I have been looking for.

NSFW was a close second, I loved how bright this blue-based red was against my skin - I will definitely rotate between this and my beloved Ruby Woo.

I thought this was going to be more of a plummy color, but it was more brown. Because these Lip Tars are mixable, I may add some NSFW, and a bit of black to make it a plummy fall color.

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Be Huetiful Steamer Review

 My hair after the steam treatment!

This past Tuesday I received a hair steamer courtesy of Huetiful, and boy did it come right on time! I actually have a large steamer that I HARDLY use because it is just too cumbersome, and I just don't feel like pulling it out of the closet, assembling the thing, putting it back etc. - So needless to say, I was happy when this tabletop model came my way.

Product: Huetiful Steamer - Shipping is FREE!

Price: $114.95

Facial Attachment: $9.95

 steamer arrived carefully packaged!

 Here are the product claims:

The Huetiful Steamer is specifically designed for the unique needs of curly and wavy hair, restoring moisture 5x better than deep conditioners alone, opening up the cuticles of your hair to allow any conditioner you choose to penetrate better and work more effectively, bathing your hair with warm ozone enriched mist to replenish moisture lost from chemical treatments, and reducing breakage and split ends caused by dry hair.

Does this product live up to it's claims? 

Most definitely! My hair felt like butter after 10 minutes under the steamer. Detangling was much easier, and because of that, it cut my styling time in half.

Who can benefit from regular Steam Treatments?

Everyone! It doesn't matter if you are relaxed, natural, or transitioning. I definitely recommend this to anyone with highly-textured hair. Naturals will love this because it keeps hair soft, and eases detangling woes. Transitioner's will love this because it helps keep the new-growth soft, healthy, and manageable which is important when working with two different textures. Women that relax will also love this product because it works to keep issues with lack of moisture due to chemical processing under control.

Why I love it?

It's easy to put together, compact, and works just as well as my large hair steamer w/o all the fuss. This means I can enjoy steam treatments weekly, and even when I travel!

Setup is a breeze, as there are only 3 components you need to connect. The fourth component, pictured on the far left, is a facial steamer attachment!

To use connect the "wing-shaped" attachment to the base of the steamer...

slide the hood attachment onto the "wing-shaped attachment" until secure...

connect the nozzle from the "wing-attachment" to the hood attachment

 What I used:

I used a mixture of Honey + Olive Oil [1/4 cup Honey + 3 tablespoons Olive Oil], and I applied it to clean, wet hair. I also added a bit of Tea Tree, & Lemon Essential Oils to my water for added therapeutic benefits [I purchased them from Whole Foods].

To Use:

Apply your favorite hair conditioner, and sit under the steamer for up to 20 minutes!

Add water to the top of the component, filling until you reach the "max line" on the measuring cup included

Use the stopper, to cover the hole. 

Close the lid on the top of the compartment! Plug in, and in two minutes your steamer is ready for use!

Why I Fell In Love With Donna Marie Lock & Twist Pudding + Pics

 

Beauty By Donna Marie, Lock & Twist Pudding - 8oz - $10.00 

Still on the quest for the perfect ten of puddings and custards, I whipped out the Donna Marie Lock & Twist Pudding last night from my styling arsenal, and began to use it for my twistout. I have to say that I am quite pleased with the results, although I got a ton of shrinkage, my hair is defined, soft, shiny, and has an incredible amount of body.

Prior to twisting, I shampooed my hair with Neutrogena Clarifying Shampoo and followed up with KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo. I then deep conditioned my hair with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration mixed with a bit of honey for about 30minutes with heat.

I didn't use any secondary stylers with this product, because I wanted to see how it worked on it's own. The only other product I had in my hair was Paul Mitchell The Conditioner which is a leave-in. The consistency of Donna Marie Lock & Twist Pudding is like that of a custard-like product, however it gives you the hold that a gel would, without the residue and "crunchy" feeling. This also keeps your twists from unraveling which plays a major role in definition, and is also great if you wear your hair in two strand twists. I also loved the fact that I could separate the hair as much as I wanted without the frizzy, stiff, undefined look.

My only complaint about this product is it's availability; it took about a month for it to finally become available on the website [it was always sold out], and even now I am unsure as to when she will have more in stock [I don't even see the option to order, but I am sending her an email to get the 411]. Overall I am extremely pleased with this product, and will continue to alternate between this and the Komaza Coconut Hair Pudding.

I did about 20-25 twists all together - Notice the shrinkage, my hair is about neck length here. 

Other views of my hair:

Calling All Mixtresses: | The Bentonite Clay Body Wrap

 [I am in love w/head wraps; her skin isn't too shabby either - Source: The Color Is Black]

I finally received my package of Bentonite Clay in the mail, and I put it to use immediately! I try to do a FULL body wrap at least once a month to draw out toxins, improve skin tone, and keep my skin healthy, and glowing. It takes about five minutes to prepare the mixture, another five to apply it, and about an hour to dry. - Last night I diffused Lavender into the air, and meditated for an hour while my wrap dried. Perfect way to center self, while drawing out stressful energy, and pollutants.

Your mix should be spread about one inch thick on your skin, you can use your hands; or you can use a cake spatula like I do [hey; it's no frills over here].

Here is what you need:
1 cup of Bentonite Clay
3 tablespoons of Aloe Vera Gel
2 cups of Distilled Water
Large Crock Pot
5 thin towels or strips of old sheets
Plastic or Glass Bowl
Spatula

Here is what you do:
1. Boil your water, then remove it from heat; allowing it to stand for about 15 minutes, or until comfortable to the touch. Add the remainder of your ingredients, and mix well.
2. Drink plenty of water prior to applying the body wrap, this helps flush out toxins as well.
3. Take a warm/hot shower before applying the wrap, this will open up your pores.
4. Take 5 thin towels folded lengthwise [ones you don't mind using for this purpose], wet them, wring out the excess water, then stack them in a crock pot set to low. 
6. Apply the mixture to your skin
7. Remove the towels from the crockpot, wrap them around your body.
8. Read a book, listen to music, or meditate for an hour.
9. Rinse in warm water
10. Enjoy your freshly exfoliated skin!


Benefits of Body Wraps:
Tones & Tightens Skin
Purported to Help w/Cellulite
Improves Circulation
Detoxifies Skin

Helps Clear Up Acne/Blemishes
Relieves Joint Pain

Purported to Help w/Weight Loss <--Although I never noticed this.

My "Beauty Bag" Staples

I'm pretty much a no-fuss girl most of the times, but there are a few products that I can't leave the house without! Here they are in no particular order;

MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Spiked - Well groomed eyebrows can really make you look flawless and fresh-faced even sans makeup. Some people say your eyebrows should be the same color as your hair; I say maybe a shade darker for light-haired women, and a shade lighter for dark-haired women. My hair is jet black, but I never use a black eyebrow pencil, it is too harsh.When using an eyebrow pencil, make short soft strokes, then blend in with a firm eyebrow brush.

Smith's Rosebud Salve - I love this all purpose salve; I use it on my hands, elbows, cuticles, arms, and of course on my lips. It has a slight "rosy" scent which I love. A tin lasts me about 8 months to a year!

Benefit Bad Gal Mascara - This is the ultimate day time go-to mascara! It makes my lashes thick, and dark without giving me tarantula eyes. In fact I dare to say that it doesn't even look like I am wearing mascara when I use this. I use Bad Gal Mascara to make my eyes pop [along with defining my brows] on those days I am makeup free.

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes - Pretty much the best darn eyeliner I have used to date. It goes on smooth, and intense. And it's definitely worth it's weight in gold. After shelling out $17.00 for an eye pencil I was expecting waterproof, intense, long lasting color; and that is exactly what I got.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish - I got everyone I know hooked on this stuff. I use this on the days I don't want to wear foundation, and I want a nice glow. I would say this offers low coverage for pores and blemishes, and offers a soft focus matte finish. If I had to pick ONE piece of makeup to take with me on a deserted island; this would definitely be it.

MAC Select Coverup - I swear by this stuff, before I used it solely underneath my eyes. Now, I use it over every blemish! I dab this magic potion over any dark spot, and uneven area on my skin prior to applying my foundation. The result is an even palette ensuring a flawless finish once I apply my foundation. I also apply it around my mouth for making my red lips pop, and also around my eyebrows to enhance the arch.
Beauty Blender - I profess my love to my Beauty Blender at least once a week, because that is how often I use it. If you are looking for a product that gives you a flawless, airbrushed-like application; this is your best bet. I lightly wet it, then dip it in foundation and apply the makeup to my face using a "stippling" like motion.

I am always looking for the next best beauty product, what are some of your staples?
Products Mentioned In This Post:
MAC Eyebrow Pencil
Smith's Rosebud Salve
Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes
MAC Mineralize Skinfinish
MAC Select Coverup
Beauty Blender

Quick Pictorial- The Red Lippie

I receive quite a few emails and comments about my red lipstick, so I thought I would dedicate this post to my favorite red lipstick of all time; Ruby Woo by MAC. Here's a quick little pictorial to show you how I apply my lip-color.

[1] Line lip with lip-liner that is brighter than the lipstick you are using. This will make the lipstick P O P more. I am using REDD by MAC.

[2] Fill in your lips w/your lipstick of choice; mine is Ruby Woo [of course] - Don't worry about getting it perfect; you can fill in any areas w/your pencil/lip-color later.

[3] I apply my concealer w/a stiff, flat brush. I use NW45 concealer, and I pat it around the lip area; very close to the lip line.

Be sure and get as close to the lip-line as possible! This will make the color pop even more! Applying it with a brush is much better than applying the concealer w/your fingertips [as far as accuracy is concerned].

That's really all there is to it folks! The addition of the brighter lip liner, and concealer really makes those lips pop; even in darker skin tones like mine!