BEAUTY PRODUCTS REVIEW - CLINIQUE AND MAC

Friday, October 18, 2013

Hi lovelies....hope your week was great. As promised in my "living healthy" article, the post on beauty products is finally here. 

During my teenage years, I had much acne on my face and I thought it was as result of puberty. But mine became really bad that I tried a thousand and one products from shirley, dusting powder, dudu osun (black soap) etc. Whenevr I heard that something worked for someone else, I immediately want to try it out. Little did I know that I was worsening the situation. Finally I decided to just leave the face and use only facial cleanser after washing my face daily. Gradually, the acne started clearing but not everything. After few years, I was introduced to Clearasil which made the acne go completely and so I stuck to Clearasil products. The thing about facial products is, what worked for Susan or Kemi may not work for you cos your skin type is not the same. We (ladies) are quick to run to a product cos it had an effect on a friend and we want same effect without checking if we have same skin type. In the end we end up causing our face more harm than good. Jumping from one product to another is not advisable so find one that is your skin type and stick to it.

My Clearasil products finished and I could't get another one because the products had not yet come into Nigeria, a dear friend bought them for me when he traveled to the states cos I was so uncomfortable about my face. So when they finished, I decided to try something new. My mum was using Olay then so I joined the band wagon and Olay it became for me. I stuck on Olay products (they're really good) - facial cleanser, facial scrub, bar soap/shower gel, oil of olay lotion. I left Nigeria to UK and still continued with my Olay products but after about 6 months I started noticing some changes on my face. The water was a bit coarse (unlike Naija water and in Naija you can add dettol to your bathing water) and kinda affected me. I just stopped using any product and resorted to Vaseline. I used vaseline for almost a year till I discovered Clinique. So the products I use on my body and face are:

Clinique 3-step skin care: This is the love of my life right now, it's almost two years and counting and I'm still in love with Clinique. First thing I did was to use the "trial pack" - advisable so that you know which one matched your skin type. Don't just buy any product, go to the store and speak to the specialists; they'll know what to give you depending on whether you have a dry, combination, oily, sensitive or normal skin type. I did that and after 20 days trial, I fell in love.  Clinique uses numbers to differentiate the skin types - 1, 2, 3 and 4; I use skin type 2 (dry combination) as recommended by the specialist because my face is dry but my T-zone (forehead down to the nose) so it's a mix of dry and oil. Please make sure you use the right skin type and start with the trial pack and if it suits your skin, then you can buy the bigger set.

Clinique even better eyes: I used to have a dark circle under my eyes; I used to blame it on the fact that I wore glasses all through secondary school till I stumbled unto a picture when I was about 3 years old and saw that circle was there. I was using concealer on it but I didn't like the way it looked so I sought for another option. I wanted it to go but I had some sort of doubt that it may not go since it had been there since I was a little child. I started applying this product morning and night since June and I can see positive results. Unfortunately I don't have pictures of before and after but if I find anyone, I'll post if on instagram/facebook/twitter.

Clinique superdefense spf 25 cream: This was my sunscreen when I went back to Nigeria for christmas. I didn't really come out much under the sun to give a better review of its effectiveness but I'm sure it works pretty well.

Garnier Products:

For facial scrub, I like a scrub that I can feel the tiny stones doing the magic on my face so instead of Clinique I went for the Garnier Sugar Extract Scrub. This product is so lovely that you notice the effect almost immediately, your skin feels smoother and refreshed. And instead of Vaseline, I started using the Garnier hydrating lotion on my body - it's a god product to use cos your body stays moisturized all day unlike some body lotion you use and still notice that your skin is dry.

MAKE UP PRODUCTS

Hhmmm...I never really knew anything about make up until a friend trained with "House of Tara" and decided to use me to practice. So I learnt that when you have too much on the eyes, the lips should be subtle and when the lips are fierce and hot, the eyes should be calm. I was a Mary-Kay addict from 2004 till 2013 (loll...die hard customer). The lady who I normally buy my Mary-Kay foundation from travelled outside UK for a long time so I had to look for an alternative. Funny thing is I had tried MAC before and just decided it wasn't for me; I bought the studio fix but used it only once and gave it out. The only MAC product I ever used was the concealer for my eyes until May 2013. Thank God for the MAC Matchmaster Foundation and the Natural Mineralizer. When I see most MAC faces, they look caked, moulded or seriously layered up so I specifically told the make-up artist who tested the product on me that I want a subtle look, she kept trying until I settled for No 7.5 of the matchmaster foundation.

Foundation: The foundation is really good, light and doesn't make you sweat. I don't carry make up in my bag for touch-ups and all cos once I apply this in the morning with the mineralizer, my face remains intact till I get back home and wash it off. Most times, the my T-zone could get oily and I'll just apply the mineralizer but this happens occasionally.

Matte Lipstick: My friend laughed at me so much the first day I bought this lipstick cos I was a learner in the lipstick business so I decided to go for a colour I can wear for all occasions - work, church, dinner, casual outing and finally settled with this lipstick. I also use the SLEEK pink pout polish when I want a subtle look on my lips.

Eye-shadow: I love it...simply amazing especially if you can  blend your colours very well. I've actually had the eye-shadow longer than any of my MAC products. 

Mascara and eyeliner: I use any eye liner but for Mascara, I prefer Maybelline or the Rimmel-WOW-factor which I'm currently using. I've also used a Clinique mascara that once came with my pack but since I'm not much of a fan of long lashes, these products are okay for me and I love the results. The first time I fixed lashes, it felt like someone dropped a lid on my eyes and my eyes kept fluttering (loll still a learner) but I don't think I'll try it again - maybe on my wedding day.

WOW, this article is longer than I expected. Sorry you had to read this much but I tried to cover every product I use.  

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Tutorial for Amazing Styles with Box Braids

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Hi dearies,

how've you guys been? It's been a great week so far, taking a chill pill and enjoying life to the full. So I decided to braid my hair after a long exile on weaves; I took a bold step and gave it a try. It's almost 3 years now; I can't stand the pain and definitely can't take the looooong time it takes to complete it. Not to mention, having about 3 people pulling your hair from all angles, but all of that could not stand in my way this time. I definitely needed a change from weaves; it was really nice to feel the cool wind on my scalp. Instead of the normal packing up or letting the braids fall, I decided to  be a lil bit creative with the way I styled it. Some of you have seen the pictures I posted on instagram, twitter and facebook and I am pleased to say the tutorial video  is finally here. Thanks to those who said they were interested in learning the styles cos I didn't know I could put in this kinda hardwork couplde with my regular 9 - 5 job and other activities. This is my first ever YouTube video, I put it all together for you. I hope you like it and will subscribe to my channel cos I'm thinking of other creative things to do on the channel. Thanks also to all you beautiful people who follow LynnVille, thanks for the support, you guys keep me on my toes and when I remember you I always want to do better. My love for you made me complete this video (lol)...so tired and needed rest after work yesterday but I felt guilty cos I have been promising this video and still had not done it. 

PS: The video is not so clear cos I was so tired while filming it, apologies...the next will be better. Still a work in progress :)

XX
Lynn

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STYLING YOUR HAIR...The Lady & Her Looks

Friday, November 2, 2012

Hi dearies, Welcome to NOVEMBER… this year was a very fast one. I recently saw a post on Instagram that said “Build your dreams or someone will employ you to build theirs”. This inspired me, more like a wake-up call that I can achieve my dreams come what may. The fact that November is here already does not mean you cannot achieve that dream you intended to achieve in 2012, keep PUSHING until something happens. Remember, Joseph’s miracle happened in 24 hours; even though the kinda miracle you desire has never happened before, you’ll be the first to receive it. Sure you screamed a loud AMEN!!

So today I’ll be talking about hair… “The lady and her looks”. I believe in natural beauty and totally love the fact that some ladies prefer to rock the Afro look. However, I am also of the opinion that the charisma of a lady is not complete without a good hair on your head whether long or short. But whichever you choose, take proper care of it in a way that you dazzle every time you step out. Martin Luther King said “The hair is the richest ornament of women”; I can’t help but concur with this. A lady may wear Christian Louboutin pumps, Karen Millen dress, Michael Korrs wristwatch and Prada bag but this perfect combination of expensive designers will not be noticed with a shabby hair. There’s more to your hair than meets the eye, it’s just like ironing your clothes before wearing them so you don’t appear scruffy. Same way, you give your hair the perfect style before stepping out of the house. No doubt, there are some “bad hair” days (I’ve had that too) but there’s always a way to curtail it.

Part of my hair rant today is also to give you a lil' hint as to how you can D.I.Y when it comes to getting the perfect hair style you want. If you’re like me (tired of going to the salon and not getting value for money spent) then you’ll be glad to learn a few tips on how I get my hair done. I actually fix most of my extensions myself by just sewing directly into tracks woven on my head, but I recently found an easier way to do that. Unfortunately work won't give me a time to do a Vlog (video blog) on this but will find a way pretty soon. Many times when I post pictures on Instagram, Facebook or my dp on Whatsapp, I get questions about my hair. Most of which are: how did you get your curls? What hair did you use and what length? What do you use in styling the hair? What hair products do you use? All of that will be answered here. I recently posted a pix on facebook and I got an inbox specifically about my hair…it made me smile. I’ll post different pictures of my hair styles - extensions, braids and my natural hair. Whichever style you choose, be sure to bring out the best in order to add some sparkle to your total outlook. 

Hair Tutorial – How I got my L-Shaped Weave.

It’s really easy with less stress, I sat on my bed while fixing this weave.

                      How you can style your hair to achieve great curls 

To achieve any of these looks, you’ll need bendy rollers or a tonging iron.  I start with combing out the hair, then spray TRESEMME heat protector on the hair (this is to protect your hair from damage caused by the heat). Then roll my hair with Babyliss Pro  hair tong and brush out the curls to get the volumes needed. When using bendy rollers, I apply styling mousse before rolling the hair. This helps to keep the curls in place for a very long time, usually till the end of the day. After brushing out your hair, use a small brush to apply edge control to hold in the edges of your hair just like the third pix. When the edges of your hair are not neatly held, it looks rough. 

                                                          ROCKING BRAIDS

Yeah…I braid my hair too but once in a while cos I can’t sit down for long hours let alone bear the pains from the braids. So this is how I style my braids. Don’t always pack up your braids, experiment a little, try something different with the styling. I wasn’t particularly happy that I had braids on when my friend’s birthday dinner came up. I prefer to have weaves for a dinner party but it was short notice and I had no option so I had to improvise. I think I like the way it came out, no one knew it was braids till they came closer….create your own style no matter the circumstances.

                              STRAIGHT HAIR AND NATURAL LOOKS 

OK…very few people have actually seen me on my natural hair. WHY? This is because it makes me look way younger than my age. Considering my “cute n petite” stature (I have grown bigger oh), I could pass for a 16 year old and it gets really embarrassing when I’m asked to prove I’m older than 18 (no mind oyinbo people, dem no dey fear face). So, I hardly carry my hair but once in a while I let fresh air flow into my scalp…very refreshing J. From these two pictures, I look really older with the straight hair and younger with my natural hair, even my pouting didn’t help.

I hope this post was helpful to you. So, long, short, braids or natural, straight or wavy, any one you choose, give that hair a great style. Have  fabulous weekend…XX.

Lynn

PS: The cap to sew the extensions on is called DOME CAP, sold in any hair shop.

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