REVIEW: LUSH BRAZENED HONEY

Blurb from Lush website

Sage, Juniper and rosemary infusions, ground cardamon and clove bud oil for their antiseptic qualities.
Eggs, honey and almond oil to soothe, soften and moisturise the skin.
Fresh fennel, fresh ginger root, fresh parsley and fresh coriander to detox, and stimulate - and their enzymes will help break down dead skin cells.
Fresh lime juice cleans and degreases.  Ground almond shells act as a stimulating scrub to lift away dead grey skin. Finally kaolin and talc absorb grease and give a lovely texture to hold all those ingredients onto the skin.
Together they make a mask that will wake up tired, neglected skin.

During my research into skin care over the years, I found that turmeric and lime juice are both good for lightening spots and freckles on the skin.  Seeing that they are both ingredients in this, I was eager to try it. 

The best way to describe the smell is spicy and I found it very bearable. It has granules that make it difficult to apply but, they gently exfoilate as you rinse it off. it is advisable that you don't keep it on for too long else it is a pain in the arse to take off. I did that a couple of times and had to use a damp wash cloth to re-moisten it and wipe it off. On the whole, it did exactly what it said on the tin, my skin looked brighter and more awake. My skin had no adverse reaction to it.

The one major downside to it is that it expires. My jar expired on the 30th of September, but I was crazy busy at work and didn't have the time to use it often. So I had all this left over product, I didn't want it to go to waste, so I carried on using it. There was no change in consistency, my skin had no adverse reaction and it smelled fine. 


Definitely a keeper! 

Dealing with Hyper pigmentation: My Skin Now

Before picture of the right side taken in april 2011. After picture taken on September 2011 .



Before picture of the left side taken in June 2011. After picture taken on September 2011 .


6 months of trial and error. The things I believed worked for me are - Retin - A 0.1%, Duac (NOT used at the same time as retin-A), Mandelic acid toner, DHC face brush and weekly deep face scrub with Lush's lip scrub. Everything else has been a diversion, given me more spots or window dressing.


My routine for the past week. I'm trying to incorporate Lush products into my routine.


MORNING
Dark Angels cleanser
Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar Toner (I spilled my *Mandelic acid toner -aaargh)
Good things Mattifying Moisturiser (*La Roche-Posay Effaclar M Moisturiser)




NIGHT
Boots Botanics Pore Perfecting Deep Clean Mousse
Lush Brazened Honey (every 2 or 3 days)
Retin - A
Jojoba oil, Castor oil, Lemon oil mix (I'm not sure if this does anything, but I use it when it doesn't feel like a "Retin-A day")




ONCE A WEEK.
Boots botanics intensive moisture mask
Vitamin E oil - smothered on and taken off with hot water and a cloth.
Lush Lip Scrub as a face scrub - don't feel the need to use this as much since I started using Dark Angels


I'm sure it looks like I'm using a lot, but it is really just a 3 step system - cleanse, tone, moisturise. If you are about to embark on your own skin care journey you need to have at least those 3 things down. 


*I'll be switching to these products once I purchase them after payday. I also need to replace my DHC facebrush.

Music Post: Lauryn Hill - Repercussions

Sounds like a leftover song from the days of the "Miseducation of Lauryn Hill".

Lush Skin Care Products Review

 I was stuck in a rut with my skin care routine and I was itching to try something new (and affordable). So, I popped into Lush and had a chat with one of the assistants told her about my issues and she recommended Dark Angels as a daily face cleanser, it has a sprinkling of sugar granules so it doubles up as a scrub.

I was also given a few samples and a full size Cupcake face mask for free because it is a fresh product and they can't sell it after a week, so they give left over stock away as samples. The lady told me I had 20 days left and to store it in the fridge. I got home and immediately stucked into my goodies.I've used all the products for a week now and here's what I think


CUPCAKE





This is the item I got for free. It looks like chocolate mousse and smells like spicy chocolate mousse. There is nothing on the box about how frequently it should be used and due to the impending expiration date, I used this every other day for about a week and a half. This made no difference in my skin  good or bad. There was no adverse reaction like breakouts and no drying either. I eventually used the left over product as a hair cleanser since a lot of the active ingredients like Rhasoul mud and peppermint are used in hair products. It worked perfectly fine, actually better than a shampoo for me because shampoos leave my hair dry and crunchy and I didn't get that with this. If I ever by this again, it will be as a hair treatment not a face mask.


DARK ANGELS



I love using this every morning, it cuts my routine in half because I don't have to wash and then use a scrub. My skin always feels clean afterwards, but not tight. It doesn't give me the grey, ashy look I get after using most face wash. You may have noticed this grey/ashiness in my progress pictures, I don't have that when I use this. And my skin feels so soft I can't stop touching it - eek!


Definitely a keeper...for now.


MOISTURISER SAMPLES



Vanishing Cream - this goes on like a dream, a little goes on a long way. I applied it several ways - on it's own, mixed with Grease Lightning, with Grease Lightning on top. and it worked best for me when I mixed it with Grease Lightning, My make up looked better and this is definitely one I'll be buying at after pay day.


Enzymion - I found this to be an okay moisturiser. It did it's job, but I was more bowled over by vanishing cream just having a look at my notes now I don't have anything written down about this (not good). I'm sure I didn't hate it, a bit like the cupcake, it made no real difference worth raving or bitching about. Good for someone else, but not me.


FACE TREATMENT
Grease Lightning - I used to use this about a year and a half ago and I loved the sucked the oil off my skin. Why did I stop using it? I have no idea, my bottle ran out and I never got round to buying another one.


coming next week my review of Lush's Brazen Honey - it contains a few spot lightening ingredients, I just had to buy it.

Some of my favourite "break up" songs

In no particular order...


Fefe Dobson - Scar


When I hear the Lyrics "And when you told me -  You don't love me anymore -You don't love me anymore - You punched me out  - You took me down". I want to crawl up under my duvet and never come out. 


Lee Ann Womack - Last Call

For me this song captures the moment when you realise what "you are too good for this sh*t".  
Lyrics: But baby, I won't be there to catch you when you fall. 


Amy Winehouse - You Sent Me Fly

I love how upbeat and yet, angry this song is. 


Fiona Apple - Paperbag

To me this song is about disappointment. Being madly in love, but realising the guy won't take a chance on you.  I have every single fiona apple album, she is one of my favourite artists to listen to when I'm heartbroken.


Anna Nalick - Wreck of the day

This song being me so close to tears, it is my "nail on the coffin-delete your email and phone humber-remove you from facebook" song. 


There are a couple of others that don't spring to mind at the moment, there might be a part 2 of this soon.

My most popular posts.

In no particular order:

1) Review of "Childish Gambino - Culdesac"

2) Brandon Flowers - Flamingo album cover

3) African Music Post (Barbara Kanam)

4) Free Album Download - Childish Gambino

5) African Music Post (christy Essien)

6) African Music Post (Akon)

7)  Review of "Rupaul-champion"

8) New video: Broken Bells - Ghost Inside

9) Free Music Download - Apple Trees

10) African Music Post (Rokia Traore)

11) New Music Post: Brandon flowers - Only The young

12) Refashioned Maternity Dress


So what have I learnt? you all love your african music. I assumed it was a bit niche and probably unpopular, but they get quite a remarkable amount of hits. The other type of post that get a lot of hits are the free music posts ....understandable! And finally my new additions the fashion and skin care stuff are slowly coming up. I tried focusing my blog on one thing and I got a bit bored and uninspired. I think if anything my readers- regular or those who stumble on this blog through search engines like a variety of things. As long as I have the time and I feel inspired I'll continue to provide that variety. One thing I will make an effort to do, is to find more African music, I have been so lazy with that lately.


See you later

Skin Care update

Sorry, I have stalled with my skin case updates. I wasn't too impressed with the results I got from the mandelic acid peel and that left me disheartened. I had a break out every time I used it which created more spots, I used it for 5 weeks, but I couldn't bring myself to do the 6th week. I felt defeated and I stopped using everything - Retin-A, Duac, face peel. I went back to basic face wash and exfoliate. Recently, I created my own little experiment, I mixed castor oil and lemon oil. and I've been using that for 2 weeks and waiting to see what happens. 

The benefits of castor oil
 Castor Oil cures acne
The Ricinoleic Acid in castor oil works to inhibit many viruses and bacteria, and as castor oil is able to penetrate skin tissue deeply, this makes it an effective treatment for acne.
To treat acne, dab a hot damp washcloth all over your face in the evening before you go to bed. The heat will gently open the pores on your face. After this, massage a little castor oil gently into the skin. Leave on overnight. Repeat this daily for 1 to 2 weeks to see results. You can also repeat this twice in the day, once at night and once in the morning.

http://skinverse.com/castor-oils-many-uses-for-beautiful-skin-and-hair.html/comment-page-15#comment-39815 

I don't use it with a hot wash cloth, but I do rinse my face with warm water. I'm going to try the wash cloth and see how it helps. 


Benefits of Lemon oil

Among essential oils, lemon oil is known as a strong antiseptic that prevents and clears up infections and inflammation. For oily and acne prone skin, it is used to control excess oil as it removes it easily yet it is not as harsh as alcohol, so the skin is not left dry and flaky. Since it is an astringent, it constricts blood vessels and reduces the appearance of pores, it is recommended for large pores.

http://www.skin-care-recipes-and-remedies.com/lemon-oil.html 

I've been using the mixture for two weeks now. I'm going to wait for month before I comment on any progress. I've also been using lush Mint Julep lip scrub...as a face scrub and my skin feels soooo good. 
 


I bought this when my lips were really dry and it didn't really work for me. So, rather than throw it out or leave it to gather dust, I used it on my face instead. I only use it once a week, but the results last for days. I use it as a dry scrub - so, very dry face and I lean over a skin and scrub. My skin feels so soft and smooth afterwards. I've tried to make homemade sugar scrubs, but I never get the consistency right. 
Store bough scrubs are too oily and I fine them hard to manipulate. This is unlike the typical face scrub which tend to use olive oil as a base. This contains Jojoba oil which is great for acne and oily skin. And peppermint oil which reduces the production of sebum. I'm trying out some other lush products so there is going to be another post with reviews on that as well. 




See you soon,

Golden Oldies

Janis Joplin - Work Me Lord.





A lot of white soul/blues/jazz artists are often described as sounding "black" - Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Boy George ( WTF?!) but, they rarely ever do. To me Amy, Duffy, Boy George (and others) all sound like white people imitating black musicians. But, with Janis it's different. She sounds like she should look like Aretha Franklin. I'm not the least bit religious, but I just love this song. 

Barbie Loves Stila Smudge Pots Swatch/Review

Barbie Loves Stila Smudge Pots- Little black Dress (Black with purple shimmer) and Cobalt Clutch 


No Flash






With Flash



 I'm not one for writing lenghty reviews unless is music so I'm just going sum this up quickly. I love the product, it dries on fast and lasts all day and even over night I can still see traces of my swatch test on the back of my hand. The only major downside I've noticed to this is that it is rather difficult to apply, I've settled for applying with a mixture of my fingers and a flat stiff brush. Other brushes I've tried move it around a lot and I ended up with a patchy application.  It has a weird consistency the best way to describe it is a "oily gel liner", but don't let that fool you the product is far from greasy or oily.


These go for up to £20 a pop, but was lucky to bag both brand new for £16.65 on ebay. I think if is definitely with a buy, because it is so convenient to use apply it all over your eye and you have an instant eye-shadow look. The two I purchases - blue clutch and Little black Dress but have a hint of glitter to them. Little Black Dress is PERFECT for instant dark eye, when you are on the go and in a hurry. The little purplish glitter particles makes it look like you made more effort than you actually did. 


These get a thumbs up from me.

New Music Post

Friendly Fires - Hawaiian Air



I hated this at first, then I saw it's potential to be on my work out mix.

Beastie Boys ft. Santigold - Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win

I love Santigold, I had her last album on repeat when it first came out. I've been looking forward to her new album for sometime. As for Bestie boys, I can take them or leave them.

How I spent my Holiday…

If you ever find yourself in the school system, be sure to pick a sit next to a Nigerian – why? Because Nigerian people love to take notes and they are proud to show it off. This is not any ordinary type of not taking. This note taking requires two pen colours preferable red and blue, a little ruler to underline the important points, a neat handwriting and a perfected system of crossing out the mistakes while leaving the notes clean and tidy.

Note taking in Nigerian people has been cultivated from primary school. A couple of times a term students are required to write the following essays – How I am going to spend my weekend, How I am going to spend my holiday and their sister essays How I spent my weekend and How I spent my holiday. In French class, it was always Mon meilleur ami , three words that struck fear into the heart of many. I could never write more than one sentence, Mon Meilleur ani et .

However in English, I let my imagination run wild. On Thursday English class, before the start of a long weekend, we are given the classwork - How I am going to spend my weekend.  

We had done this several times so, I had it down pat and I knew the recipe for a high grade. Start by staying “How I am going to spend my weekend” and list everything you are not going to do. I meticulously plan each day. On Friday, I would do all my home work and play with my brother and sisters. On Saturday I would help with the house work and assist with the cooking. On Sunday I’ll go to church, come back home and study, make sure my uniform is clean and prepare to come back to school. On Monday I will rest, do some reading and pack up for school. I end the essay by saying “this is how I plan on spending my weekend”. I was the same with “How I am going to spend and how I spent my Holiday” essays, I talked about trips abroad and visits to the British Museum and Buckingham Palace – they obviously let me in and I met the queen. At the end of primary school, I was awarded “best English student”, my mother was not impressed, but that is another story.

If I ever had to write a honest essay about how I spent my weekends as a child, it would go a bit like this.

How I spent my weekend. My weekend started on Thursday, when I got home I threw my bag in my bedroom, had a quick shower so no adult would yell at me and emptied the sand out of my shoe – one day I will have enough to build a sand castle at home. It’s Thursday so my tutor doesn’t come today, I have home work to do, but who cares? It is nearly 4 and I have a lot of TV to watch.

Friday, I wake up at around 9 or 10. I head straight for the TV and try to decide between Nintendo and Atari. The maids clean around me and my siblings, they curse at us in Yoruba. I pretend not to understand. My mother wakes up and yells at us, I cry myself to sleep. I wake up an hour before my tutor (whose name is Lesson Teacher) arrives, I rush through my assignment and finish just before his motorcycle pulls up. I do terribly at maths, he yells at me, I fall asleep during the lesson. He leaves, I watch more Tv.

On Saturday, I wake up at 5:30am, I shower and eat (two slices of bread and watery milk). I start watching TV. My mom wakes up to yell at us, I tell her I’ve showered and eaten. She is confused and yells at my older sister instead. Once the cartoons end, I play with my toys, fight with my brother and sister. My brother throws one of my life size dolls at my sister, he misses. I tell my sister Abba sucks and I put the midnight Stars vinyl on top of the ABBA one because I’m too lazy to change it properly.  We fight as  “Midas touch” is playing. I think to myself, I love this song, but I want to kick her arse. We start to think we are in wrestlemania, people intervene.

On Sunday, the closest I come to God, is when I thank him for making my mum sleep late so we miss church. I watch Wrestlemania till my uncle wakes up. He wants to watch Gillette world of sports, I should do my homework, but Bob Dylan and playing. I sit in the living room, and watch Tv till my eyes are tired, I stay up till 11 watching Oprah and fall asleep during the movie of the week – probably “What’s love got to do with it?” or the one about Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5.

Monday, I get my hair done and beg a house help to wash my uniform or else I’ll tell my mother she cursed me in Yoruba. She washes my uniform.

Tuesday, back to school. At breakfast – soggy NASCO cornflakes, I suddenly realise that I have homework to do. I do my maths and English assignment during the drive to school. My uncle is playing Dolly Parton – I love Dolly Parton. I finish my work we arrive at the school gates. I shove my books into my bag and walk through the school gates.

This is how I spent my weekend.  

Cover vs Original: I.K. Dairo and Paul 'Play' Dairo - Mo Sorire

 I.K. Dairo (original)



Paul 'Play' Dairo (cover)



Pitting father and son against each other for this week's Cover VS Original for you this week. Needless to say, I prefer the original. It was ground breaking at the time it was released. The arrangement is effortless and more pleasing to the ear.


The song translates to "I've done something great/I've achieved something and I thank my creator." He goes on to specify that things like getting up in the morning is great and worth being thank full for.

Skin Care Journey: Mandelic Acid Peel and Retin A part 2

Very brief update on my journey with the 15% Mandelic Acid and Salicylic Peel. I'm upset at the moment which is why I have no update pictures. My skin is breaking out! I know the seller warned about an initial break out in her info pack, but I had been living a pretty breakout free existence for sometime due to the Retin-A. I had somehow forgotten what a real breakout was till I re-experienced it the past two weeks. Yes, I'm still using Retina-A but it is not working . 


Other than that, I've had no "serious" adverse reactions, I had a harder time during my first weeks on Retin-A. So I feel I should see the full 6 weeks through. And prepare to refill my Retin-A prescription with the quickness. 


XX 




P.S:
After writing this I switched to Duac which my doctor had prescribed as an alternative to Retin-A to help clear my spots.I have used it for 3 days now and my break out has cleared. 

New Music Post

Maroon 5 and Christina Aquilera - Moves Like Jagger



I'm sure everyone has heard about this! It is so damn catchy. 

Nneka - Soul is Heavy

Some people might know Nneka from the Chase and Status remix of her song "heartbeat". She is one of my favourite modern Nigerian singers.  

Lenny Kravitz - Stand

I love me some Lenny Kravitz. "Believe" was me and my ex's song. 

African Music Post: YINKA AYEFELE - NEXT LEVEL (IYIN ATI OPE)

YINKA AYEFELE - NEXT LEVEL (IYIN ATI OPE)

This is a type of traditional Yoruba song. Basically the musician has been gifted money by people in high society or he was introduced to them at a party and in turn he writes a song and name drops them. Luckily it's got subtitles, so you can follow his name dropping easily.


XX


p.s: don't let the youtube title fool you there is nothing gospel about this song. 

Exfoliation 101 with Clinique's Guiding Dermatologist

I'm a big fan of exfoliation and when I came across this I just had to share.

Q. What are the benefits of daily exfoliation versus exfoliation treatments?

Generally we recommend relatively gentle exfoliation twice a day with the appropriate Clarifying Lotion. Keep in mind that it's better to adjust the strength of the exfoliation than to change the frequency. In other words, it's better to exfoliate twice a day using mild or moderate exfoliation than to exfoliate once a week with an extremely harsh process, like a very rough scrub, for example. Exfoliation is comparable to exercise; it's better to follow a custom fit, moderate program on a regular basis, than to overdo it, randomly. If your skin is accustomed to daily exfoliation, it's OK to exfoliate more aggressively on occasion, either at home or at the dermatologist's office (daily training versus an occasional marathon).

Q. How can exfoliating daily help your skin look younger?

Daily exfoliation improves the surface appearance and function of the skin. Studies show that exfoliation increases epidermal turnover rate, resulting in a clearer, smoother, more even-toned skin which has greater translucency, 

than skin which is not exfoliated on a regular basis

.

Q. What are the benefits of chemical vs. physical exfoliants?

Chemical exfoliants may have an additional beneficial action, such as acting as an anti-bacterial. Chemical exfoliation is also easier to control. However, both types will benefit the skin.

We have found salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliant, to be the absolutely best exfoliator for over-the-counter use. There are so many benefits to salicylic acid: it is a gentle, effective, non-allergenic exfoliator. It has anti-microbial properties. Salicylic acid slows down or interrupts the mechanisms that contribute to the skin looking aged. It's time-proven. Another advantage of salicylic acid as an exfoliator is that it's not a photo sensitizer. Some exfoliators can make your skin a bit more sensitive to sunlight, salicylic acid will not. In 40 years, we have never 

seen an allergic reaction to salicylic acid.

Read More http://www.ivillage.com/exfoliation-101-cliniques-guiding-dermatologist/5-a-146575#ixzz1S67pmorn 

Skin Care Journey: Mandelic Acid Peel and other bits

I took the plunge and used the 15% Mandelic Salicylic Combination Peel I purchased on ebay. I've only used it once, but so far so good. It reacted exactly the same as any other peel I have used in the past. I'm still using Retin - A at night and the mandelic acid toner I accidentally purchased during the day. 


My Skin regimen as it stands:


DAY
Boots - Cleansing Mousse
Queen Helene Mint Julep face scrub
Mandelic acid toner
Good Things Moisturiser. 


NIGHT 
Johnson and Johnson Baby wipes to take off make up.
Pore Perfecting Deep Clean Mousse with DHC face brush.
Retin - A




WEEKEND
Saturday Morning
15% Mandelic Salicylic Combination Peel
Vitamin E (take off with hot cloth)
Usual day regimen 


Saturday Night
Usual night time regimen


Sunday Morning
Vitamin E (take off with hot cloth)
Usual day regimen. 


Sunday Night
Boots Intensive Mask.
Retin - A




My Skin as of July 10.

Fresh spots from Usana...






Dry skin, but seemingly smaller pores.


If you are thinking of coping my regimen or buying these products PLEASE, PLEASE PLEASE STOP if any irritation occurs. It is normal to feel light tingling when using certain products, but if it is unbearable STOP. I can't accept responsibility for other people's foolishness. 

Skin Care Journey: Products

I paid a trip to boots on Sunday and picked up a few new items to add to my arsenal.





Boots Intensive Moisture Mask
I love, love love this. I used it on Sunday night after taking my make up off and before applying Retin-A. My skin was so soft this morning. It got me thinking about how much I moisturise my skin. I think of moisture in relation to my hair, I know what to use - oils, baggies, scarfs, deep moisturisers and even ghee. But, I never really intensely moisturise my face outside of my daily face cream. I think this might be a new beginning for me.



Boots - Cleansing Mousse, Pore Perfecting Deep Clean Mousse
For the past couple of months, I have been trying to use up skin care products I had laying around the house and I've managed to do that. I haven't been able to make it to the shops to replenish my supply so my brother gifted me a bottle of - Usana face wash which I mentioned in a previous "Skin care Products" post. Unfortunately since using it, my face started to breakout. I felt an under current of bumps beneath my skin that sent a shiver down my spine. Needless to say, I stopped using it, but not quickly enough. I have some new spots that have scared and darkened. I went to Boots to see if I could get a bottle of their Vitamin E face wash which I have had good experience with. But, they didn't have it so I settled for the  Cleansing Mousse and the Pore Perfecting Deep Clean Mousse from their botanicals range. It's only been a day, so I've yet to see the difference.



Lancome Genifique Sample
On my way out of boots, I stopped by the Lancome counter to pick up a bottle of their hypnose mascara (which I love) and I got this sample free. It is a light moisturiser and I was told it can we worn under make up...so it is like any other moisturiser. I tried it today and it started out fine, but the moisturing effect didn't last all day. By mid afternoon, I found myself reaching for the nearest moisturiser to get rid of the tight feeling. 




Skin care update to come shortly....

Bumper New Music Post

 I'm loving all of these at the moment.


Gym Class Heroes  ft. Adam Levine: Stereo Hearts



I loved Travis' Solo album, so much,  I secretly hoped this would be in the same vein. Not that I mind this song, Adam Levine (the second hardest working man in music) sells it. I think without Adam it would have been mediocre. 

Estelle ft Rick Ross - Break My Heart

After "American Boy" everyone called Estelle a "One Hit Wonder", this kind of amuses me because it was also said after she released her first album. Estelle keeps going away coming back blowing everyone out of the water and slinking quietly away only to return and do it all over again.

Patrick Stump - "This City" (ft. Lupe Fiasco)

Lupe's rap really brings this together. I stan for Fall out boy and Patrick Stump, so much so I saw them in concert! I have their last album on repeat whenever I need to get revved up.