Monday 21 July 2014

NEW IN: MAC Heroine and Extras

Hi beauties!

I have been on abit of a self-imposed beauty purchase embargo. However, I have had my eye on the MAC Heroine lipstick for the longest time. When I saw that a store was having a general sale, I caved in and bought the coveted tube and as we all know it never rains beauty products, it pours..or something like that. So, I decided to get a few extra things that I also found interesting or too reasonable to pass up. I can't give exact prices at the moment, because the sale price was applied to all goods bought. Unto my mini haul...


1. MAC Heroine Lipstick - N4,000
2. Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Chocolate - N4,500
3. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - N2,800
4. Elf Eyeshadow Brush - N800
5. Covergirl Make-Up Masters 3-in-1 Sharpener - N700

Now that I have unleashed the dragon, I have my eye on a few new lipsticks: MAC Who's That Chick (MAC Riri x MAC Lipstick), MAC Toying Around (Playland Collection), MAC Goddess of the Sea (MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection), MAC Mystical (MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection), Pure Heroine (Lorde for MAC), MAC Candy Yum Yum. 

I know it's quite a list. Any suggestions? Have you tried any of these?

xo

Abby

Tuesday 8 July 2014

HENNA CHIT CHAT



Hello beauties!


I was in the Northern part of Nigeria recently and I used the opportunity to scout for some henna…at a supermarket. I was with a colleague who was from the region and she wanted to know what I wanted the henna for…I informed her that I needed it for my hair and she assumed that I meant the NaturVital Henna Extract conditioner (which I had used and loved). I corrected her, telling her that I needed it for my hair and she gave me an odd look. She had henna on her hands…so I knew she knew what it was…but she just couldn’t fathom why I wanted to put it in my hair.

Henna has been reputed to act as a really good conditioner for the hair. Real henna gives a reddish tint to your hair and contrary to popular belief Henna only gives off a reddish tint…not black, not neutral, not blonde…unless mixed with other products…which is another story entirely. Worthy of note is the fact that Henna is permanent…it bonds to the hair strand but still allows moisture to penetrate the strand. Also, the quality and source of the Henna are very important and body art quality is the standard.

My hair is in a scraggly state at the moment and I’m using all my options…so Henna is where I’m at right now. One thing I will say though is that my hair looks shiny and a little healthier. I “protective style” my hair immediately after each Henna treatment; so right now I haven’t seen the full effect. 

I’ll post a how-to soon enough…but it takes me ages to prepare the stuff and apply it that I must warn that it is not for the faint of heart…. 

xo 

Abby


Thursday 26 June 2014

CHIT CHAT: ALOE VERA GEL


I had ‘real-live’ Aloe Vera growing in my front yard but I still had to go out and buy this. I know… I cannot even remember why I bought it but since the tube says ‘Bio Active Skin Treatment’, I suppose it was probably for my skin. Your guess is as good as mine.

There are different brands of Aloe Vera gel out there. Most pharmacies have natural Aloe Vera gel which I hear quite a few people drink.  Anyway, I found a new use for this baby. I use it to sleek back my hair, especially when my new growth starts to wind its way into the tightest coils possible.
Here’s what I do: 
1. I wet my hair a little with some water (sometimes I substitute this with a moisturising spritz);
2. take the bristle brush and brush back my edges;
3.  spread some aloe vera gel on my hair using my fingertips;
4. spray some water on my brush;
5. brush the gel into my hair; and
6. I tie a scarf around my head.
Sometimes I sleep in the scarf or I carry out this process just before I have my bath. When I am ready to go out, I just whip the scarf off and bob’s your uncle.
This simple tip has taken me from ‘Ooooh! Crazy hair!’ to ‘Sleek and fabulous’. Hopefully, you catch my drift.
Thanks for checking in.
xo

Abby

Wednesday 25 June 2014

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR



APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
·          Hair?
·          Skin?
·         Nails?
Wonder Food Alert!!!

fromlagoswithlove.blogspot.com
 

Apple Cider vinegar is one of those multi-use products that alternative and natural beauty bloggers rave about. After reading some reviews online, I bought a bottle of the stuff. Some of the uses and benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar include:

1. As a natural skin toner
2. For weight loss
3. As a hair rinse to close the cuticles and make hair smoother
4. As a detox
5. As salad dressing
6. For diabetes, causing a reduction in blood sugar levels
7. Clears up acne 
8. Reduces bad breath
9. Helps with acid reflux
10. Helps reduce dandruff
11. Helps soothe sorethroats
12. Helps restore skins pH  balance
13. Soothes upset stomachs 
14. Soothes muscle pain from exercise 
15. Helps alleviate athletes foot

Whether these benefits have been scientifically proven is another story entirely.

A few of the reviews I read, stated that ACV is best taken in its organic form, with the 'mother' still included. 

This is the brand I currently use.



Here's what Bragg  says:

Ingredients:

Certified Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is unfiltered, unheated, unpasteurized and 5% acidity. Contains the amazing Mother of Vinegar which occurs naturally as strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules.


Information:

Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is made from delicious, healthy, organically grown apples. Processed and bottled in accordance with USDA guidelines, it is Certified Organic by Organic Certifiers and Oregon Tilth; and is Kosher Certified. Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is full of zesty natural goodness. Non-GMO Certified. It’s a wholesome way to add delicious flavor to salads, veggies, most foods, and even sprinkle over popcorn.


Apple Cider Vinegar has been highly regarded throughout history. In 400 B.C. the great Hippocrates, Father of Medicine, used it for its amazing health qualities. No refrigeration required.

My two cents:
I am a  sucker for any product  that can be used for both my hair and skin, and ACV does this and more. I bought a bottle of the GNC brand ACV, but it ended up in my kitchen and was used to clean vegetables.So, unfortunately, I cannot give the best review on the subject. 

Recently, I was researching possible solutions to hard water. I wash my hair myself and the water I use is hard water which is not too good for the hair because of the high mineral content. My hair was also feeling very dry and I read somewhere that doing an ACV rinse would restore the pH balance of my hair. So, I was in a pharmacy one day when I saw that they had Bragg's ACV and I was ecstatic and noted that I would return to buy a bottle. Ghen. Ghen. That's how I got back to the store and I was told that they had run out and didn't know when they would be restocking. I went back a million times and yet they didn't have any. So, I was out shopping at the Palms and the spirit led me into HealthPlus and that's when I saw the bottle staring at me from the shelf..

Hence this long post. If you are looking for Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar in Nigeria, stumble into a pharmacy near you. Also, when purchasing any other brand, read the label to see if it comes with the mother or lift up the bottle and if you see a cloudy substance at the bottom, it might have the mother.

Hope this helps someone.

xo

Abby

Thursday 19 June 2014

MAC FIX +

Hi beauties.

  What MAC says: 
"An aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi. Adds radiance, finishes makeup. Spray it on. Skin drinks it up!"






My two kobos:
This is one of those products that I bought because I stepped into the MAC store looking for something else that was not available and then decided that there was no way I could leave without at least buying something.

Where do I start with this product? First, as a bit of a background I have oily skin and trust me when I say that I can fry things on my face and moisturise a room full of ashy elbows and knees. 

If you have oily skin, please think hard before you buy this. The first time I used it, I was going for a party. I had a selfie moment and was shocked when I saw how oily my face looked in the picture, it was like I made up with shea butter and just dabbed on powder in patches around my face. It was then I realised that this product was a definite no no. So it literally just sits on my shelf now.

I have however found a few uses for the product:
1. When I'm lying around on a hot day and I have nothing else to do, I grab my Fix + and spray it liberally on my face and on the face of anyone within spraying distance. It has such a soothing smell.

2. When my makeup looks 'way too fresh' for the time of day, I spray some on so it looks like I've had the makeup on all day.

And that's it.

xo

Abby

Tuesday 17 June 2014

CRAVING: Rhassoul Clay


I was reading something online about how rhassoul clay makes your hair very soft. This slightly piqued my interest but I pushed it to the side. I have been using henna for almost two months now, so I am not one to shy away from natural (and tedious) beauty regimes but it isn't every bandwagon I jump on (hopefully...). So, imagine my curiousity when I stumbled on this same mysterious substance online, while trying to purchase some products. 

That's how I started my research into the substance and honestly, I like what I have read so far. I have saved a bunch of these to "my cart" on one of the online stores. I will do a bit more research before I buy and hopefully, I'll love it. Some of the reviews I've seen contain words such as 'moisturises', 'soft', 'brightens', 'conditioner', 'smooths', and 'detox'.

Where can you get it?
sizzelle.com 

Price
 N1850
 
xo
Abby


 

Sunday 1 June 2014

REVIEW AND SWATCH: REVLON SUPER LUSTROUS LIPGLOSS in CORAL REEF




Hi beauties.

My two kobos:
This lipgloss is a pretty coral shade. It has a thick consistency and can be quite sticky. It  comes with an applicator which makes it easy to apply. It can give off an oily-lip look if you are not careful. It applies sheer but the colour is buildable to give a subtle coral lip. It is good for daytime looks and falls into the work appropriate category. It goes really nicely with a subtle neutral eye and can be worn over a neutral lipstick such as MAC Fresh Brew to give it that extra pop of colour.

Swatch:


This lipgloss has been in my stash for awhile, so I'm not sure where you can get this. I will update as soon if I find similar lipglosses.

xo

Abby


Wednesday 28 May 2014

REVIEW AND SWATCH:THE COLOSSAL KAJAL by MAYBELLINE



Hi beauties.

Certainly most of you know by now that Maybelline is in Nigeria. From the posters to the adverts to the parties. It is definitely on. I will not say that I am a big fan of Maybelline but that's because I hardly ever grab a Maybelline product off the shelf. I think I have maybe one mascara. So when I saw this Kajal online, I grabbed it because of the product and not the line...if you catch my drift.

I have a range of different kohl pencils/tubes, and each one has its benefits. They range from MAC to Zaron, and some random brands in between. I have always been an eye person. I love dramatic eyes as against dramatic lips, but you wouldn't be able to tell looking at my lipstick collection. 

I feel that a simple eyeliner is all you need to transform a look from dead to wow. Sometimes all I have in my purse is my liner and my lip balm. Honestly, I feel naked without some sort of dark rim around my eyes. At first, black eyeshadows where my go-to products but now I rely on eyeliners to give me that Cleopatra-esque look. My staple eyeliner is the MAC eye kohl in Smoulder. However, when I saw this online, it was cheaper than my MAC kohl, so I gave it a try.


As you can see, I use it religiously. I have had this for about a month.

What Maybelline says:
"Colossal Kajal is the deepest black Kajal, creates bold lines & is smudge free for upto 6 hours. Contains formula enriched with Vitamin E that soothes eyes."

Swatch: 


My two kobos:  
I like that the product twists out and then back in again. You have to be careful though not to twist out too much product when applying as it will literally just snap off. I like the consistency of it. It does not drag the sensitive skin around my eyes, it literally just glides on smoothly. I find that I can achieve the winged eye with this Kajal. Also, the shade of black is good enough for me. I find that it does not smudge as badly as the MAC Smoulder eye kohl, and that is a definite plus. I love the package, the bright yellow colour makes it so easy to find in my purse. Another definite plus.  

I do not know if it's me or not but I feel that it irritates my eyes a little. Not an eye watering eyelash-in-your-eye sort of irritation, just more a slight irritation that points out the fact that you literally just put some black substance in your eyes. I am definitely going to repurchase this product as it is readily available in quite a few stores, both online and otherwise. It stays on all day till I wipe it off with baby wipes and oil, and really its kohl. What's not to love?

Where did I get mine?
Really, I do not remember but I know it cost me N1,000 
I do know now that it retails for N850   

Where can you get yours?
I've spotted this product at:
The House of Tara Store, Lekki, Lagos
Sizzelle.com
mymakeupng.com

xo

Abby

Friday 23 May 2014

NEW IN: ALMOND, YLANG YLANG EXTRA AND TEA TREE



Hi beauties!

Right now I'm obsessed with oils! I have been for awhile: both the carrier and essential varieties. My obsession started when I discovered this outfit called Vanity Oils on one of the online shopping stores (I think I got Coconut Oil, Grapeseed Oil and Argan Oil). 

Since then, I've discovered quite a few other online stores that sell 100% natural oils. A couple of my favourite are:
Sizzelle.com
Olori.com.ng 

When I have a problem, I 'Google' the oil that best suits my problem and order (if I don't already have it).

I fixed acrylic nails a couple of months ago and I must say that my nails have been so sensitive and weak ever since and they look awful (well, not awful, just not as healthy as they used to). I come in contact with water alot, so that has not helped either. So, I thought I'd get Tea Tree Oil because it was the oil that kept on popping up online and since I didn't have it in my stash I decided to get it.

Here's what I use mine for:
1. Almond Oil (Carrier Oil) - For my face.
2. Ylang Ylang Extra (Essential Oil)  - For relaxation.
3. Tea Tree (Essential Oil)  - For my nails.

How much do they cost?
Almond Oil - N1,500
Ylang Ylang Extra - N8,000
Tea Tree - N2,500

What oils are soothing your senses?

Share if you dare.

xo 

Abby

Tuesday 20 May 2014

SWATCH AND REVIEW: MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Spiked

One area I cannot seem to conquer is my eyebrows. They are really bushy and grow in an annoying shape, that defies "the Arch" (the eyebrow shape everyone and their mother seems to be rocking these days).

I have several eyebrow products ranging from regular eyebrow pencils to eyebrow gels to eyebrow powders. I use all these in varying degrees and have been known to combine quite a few different products to achieve the semblance of a decent brow. 

I first read about the MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Spiked on Makeup Game On Point. I remember getting to the MAC counter and trying so hard to remember what the eyebrow pencil was called. I decided to ask for the "twisty eyebrow pencil" that would suit my complexion (MAC NW45). The busy attendant handed me the pencil in Spiked. Later on I discovered that I had gotten just what I wanted.

What MAC says:
Self-propelling, self-sharpening, brow defining. Confidently adds what you need: shape, colour, density in one streamlined tool. Like a pen, creates its own just-right point. Provides definition, shape, deepens/fills in colour. Creates striking arches. Easy to tote around. No sharpener needed. 

Swatches:
Here I apply the eyebrow pencil in (1) one stroke (2) two strokes (3) three strokes (4) about five or six strokes.

My two kobos:
This is one of my favourite eyebrow products. The consistency of the product is not waxy and so does not smudge. I have very oil skin, so the less waxy the better. It doesn't apply heavily and so with light strokes, it is easy to attain a natural look or with heavier strokes, a more dramatic eyebrow. I use this alot and I find that it does not last as long as my N100 eyebrow pencils. While it does not require a sharpener, you have to be careful not to twist out too much of the product, because one, it breaks off with too much pressure and two, once you have twisted out the product, you cannot twist it back in.
 
Overall, I really like this eyebrow pencil and I have and will purchase again.

Where can you get it in Nigeria:
Any MAC Store around you.
There's one at The Palms, Lekki and another at the Ikeja Shopping Mall in Lagos.

MAC Palms
Shop 19A, The Palms Shopping Mall,
Ozumba Mbadiwe Rd,
Lekki, Lagos
01-2959948

MAC Ikeja
Shop L 53 Ikeja City Mall,
Obafemi Awolowo Way,
Ikeja, Lagos.
01-2955953

xo

Abby