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started off as a music blog hence the name. but, it is now my any and everything blog.
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Monday, March 12, 2012

Nigerian...African Black Soap

I told my mum I wanted some Nigerian black soap and she sent me some, but she had no idea which one I was referring to so she sent me the packaged version - 


Dudu Osun
Nigerian Dudu Osun


ingredients.
Dudu Osun ingridents


Dudu Osun


and the traditional version.
Nigerian,African black soap


I remember we used to have to make them in art class or home economics as a kid. I always found it fascinating. There are many different black soaps out there, I think if you google, you will find anything from a light ashy brown to a very dark one like the ones in this post. I think this is due to the fact that our african grandmothers rare ever had written recipes and eyeballed the quantities so it didn't come out the same every single time. Also, the ingredients and quality/quantity vary from one region to the next. That is why I hesitate to say this is "African" black soap, I'm using that description for search purposes only. The soap being shown in this Nigerian Black Soap and if you don't know, Nigeria is in West Africa. 


More shots of the soap. 


side by side comparison
black soap,dudu osun
Nigerian black soap is softer and can be easily be broken in half by hand. 
The Dudu Osun is like any normal soap.


close up of black soap 
close up blacksoap
it looks like fruit cake or carrot cake.


ball black soap
easily pliable -that ball was more than enough for my face.


Because I only need very little and it lathers well,  I haven't even begun to use the Dudu Osun yet!I have more than a few months' supply which goes well with embargo on buying new skin care products. Lets hope it makes a difference or it would have all been for a nought.


take care. xx

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

January-February picture update

skin blog

My skin is a lot calmer now. I try to keep the settings as natural as possible - no flash, only sunlight and I'm going to be doing this consistently so I can keep better track of my progress. 


I came across another blogger who is also charting her skin care journey. And it took her 7 months to see remarkable improvement. 


Check her out here: http://the6inchstilettos.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-alpha-h-skincare-routine-photo-heavy.html


I know I have been at it for longer, but she stuck with the same product for 7 months (the horror!) I pretty much change skin care products every 5 weeks. 


Anyway, that's where I am now. I think I might have a make up free summer,  I'm trying not to get too excited. 


Take Care. xx 

Monday, February 27, 2012

February update

So, I've been taking it easy with my skin for the last 5-6 weeks since I blogged, so I haven't had much to write. I didn't got to see the dermatologist, my skin cleared up on its own. I traced the cause of my break outs to the Skin, Hair and Nail tablets I was using. This is not the first time  Skin, Hair and Nail tablets  have caused me to break out. I stopped using it and my acne reduced drastically, I've gone for weeks without having a new spot. Right, now I'm placing an embargo on buying new products, I've trying to make a move to natural skin care and finish all the half used Retin-A, Duac, Oxy spot treatment and face masks I have acquired over the year. 

My skin care routine at the moment.

MORNING

Wash - African Black Soap from Nigeria (picture up soon)
Tone - Homemade Green Tea and Witch Hazel Toner - I thought I invented this, turns out other people have had the same idea. Good thing I googled before I claimed ownership. Although, I made mine slightly differently and used green tea powder, and fresh Witch Hazel. and I didn't use Tea Tree oil because my skin reacts badly to it.
MoisturiseAveeno Daily skin Brightening Moisturiser with SPF 15

NIGHT

Remove makeup - Baby wipes
Wash - Dr. Bronners Magic Soap (via glossbox)
Remove Left Over Make Up - Taaj Himalaya Micellar Water (VIA Jolie Box)
Any face treatment I need to use up at the moment it is -  Oxy spot treatment


Take care. 
xx

Friday, January 13, 2012

Skincare Update 2012...onwards and upwards

I'm back after being such a Debbie Downer in my last skin care post. I look back on it and realise how hard I was on myself. If I had stopped to re-group, I would have realised that my entire skin, not just my face was breaking out. I had pimple on my chest and behind my ear. So, my skin was probably reacting to the weather or something I ate. I'm still haven't made an appointment to see the dermatologist. The doctor's office was open odd hours due to the holiday. I have to make some time before work to pop in for a chat in the next week or so. I'm not sure if I've posted an updated skin care routine, I'll post one anyway.

MORNING
La Roche Posay Cleansing gel (I'm so over it now)
Paula's choice 2% BHA liquid (hasn't made a remarkable difference, will not be buying it again)
Aveeno Daily skin Brightening Moisturiser with SPF 15
Lush Grease Lightning.

NIGHT
Take off make up with any face wipe on offer at superdrug/boots.
Lush Coal Face cleanser
Paula's choice 2% BHA liquid
Retin- A

I leave you with a nice shot of my chest pimples.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

siggy

Saturday, January 07, 2012

HOTD: Yarn Braid Styles

My HOTD is inspired by pecadora99 over on youtube. Unlike her, I have yarn braids and whenever I braid my hair I'm always looking for styles different from my boring repertoire. I found that  braids and locs act similarly. So, I always copy loc styles whenever I braid my hair. 


In my HOTD (hair of the day) series, I'll be sharing a couple of loc styles I have managed to pull off with braids. I found that the size of the braids have an effect on how well the style carries over, the bigger the braids the harder is is to work with. Like the style I copied, she made little rolls with her locs and when I tried to copy it, it didn't look half as cute ... although, I'm hell bent on trying it again and being more patient with it.


This is the original video
all credit to pecadora99  


And this is how I wore it.
Yarn Braid Styles


Yarn Braid Styles


Yarn Braid Styles


There is really no need for the pins, if you tuck the ends under like you do with bantu knots they stay put. But, I used pins to make them extra secure, I own't use them next time.


Have a great week!


siggy

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Want Matte Skin?


Matte, long lasting make up is a never ending quest for those of us that suffer with oily and often spot prone skin. Often we fail at this due to using the wrong combination of products. If one has oily skin, putting a creamy primer on and oil moisturiser and expecting your foundation to stay put just because you put some powder on it, is probably not the best plan. I believe steps have to be taken leading up to the foundation to ensure longevity and a long lasting matte finish.

STEP 1: Mattifying Cream. In my experience you don't appreciate a mattifying cream till you have stopped using it. My favourite are Good Thing Stay Clear Mattifying Moisturiser and La Roche Posay Effaclar M Moisturiser. Both leave the skin moisturised, but with a comparatively matte finish. The down side is neither of them have SPF.

STEP 2: if you don't want to change your moisturiser consider using a mattifying gel such as Lush's Grease lightning which has antibacterial Tea Tree oil. You can mix it with your face cream or apply it after. Lush gives free samples so be sure to try before you buy. There are a couple of other highly rated ones online like Peter Thomas Roth - Max Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel and Laura Mercier Secret Finish Mattifying gel.

STEP 2 b:Some make-up artists I've encountered online advocate not using moisturiser at all if you have oily skin. I think it is up to the individual to play around and see what works for them.

STEP 3: Mattifying Primer. In my experience, most people just pick up a primer because it promises long lasting make up and not because it compatible with their skin or the foundation they are using. I have encountered a lot of people online that say the two most popular "primers" and youtube favourites - Monistat chaffing gel and milk of magnesia aren't working for them. That's not becuase these product are "bad" or "not working", it just isn't compatible with their make up/skin care routine. I use Boots No 7 Shine Free Primer which works perfectly for me.  it is a pain in the arse to apply and I will probably change it for something better when I have the time to properly browse Boots. But, for the most part it does the job especially when paired with a Mattifying Cream and my foundation stays put. 

STEP 4: Foundation. This is where I'm not particular about using matte products. I love creams and oil free liquids like Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Even Finish Compact Foundation or the Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich Foundation because there is nothing wrong with moisture, we just need less oil

You can choose to set with a powder of your choosing. If I'm going on a night out I set with ELF's HD powder.

You are free to customise these steps as you wish. Something a simple as a change in moisturiser can make the difference for some. I find doing every single thing can be a bit excessive, and your skin ends up producing more oil to contract the dryness. I once did every step, ending with a matte foundation  - Maybeline Dream Matte Mousse and HD powder. I ended up with tight, but oily skin and my foundation cracked whenever I smiled.



siggy