I have applied for the 2020 #SephoraSquad. Your support would mean so much to me. I can not do this without your support. It only takes a minute.
The #SephoraSquad is a beauty-influencer program.
If you’ve been following me for a while, I actually applied for the 2019 #SephoraSquad but I did not make the semifinalist list. I was invited to apply again this year and I feel that this program will be great for me as a influencer. So, I applied again.
I want to be known for sharing honest experiences for beauty products for consumer friendly brands. I’ve been blessed with opportunities to work with some really great brands that I love. Those collaborations and partnerships have allowed to build some great relationships within the industry.
As a blogger and influencer, I strive to work with different brands and build relationships within the beauty industry that will afford me the opportunity create more content and share more experiences with you. Working with Sephora will be a big deal for me and my brand. I’m passionate about promoting everyday beauty to the everyday homegirl. Sephora is a place I shop for mostly make up and skincare products.
To help me advance to the next steps of becoming a part of the 2020 #SephoraSquad, leave a testimonial or review on my behalf, click here. By leaving a testimonial or review you are helping Sephora understand the impact I have on within the beauty community. So far I’ve reached the 10 testimonials milestone. But I’d love to reach 70+ testimonials by March 31, 2020.
It’s been a while since I’ve written a empty product blog, but I’ve been collecting empty products. And I have a lot of them, so this is going to be a long post. Go ahead and grab you a snack while you read and escape the madness of this coronavirus outrage for a moment.
Taliah Waajid Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Curl Definer
It’s something about this thick creamy curl formula that makes my curls more defined and my twist out longer lastings. One of the major benefits of this product is being able to use it daily without producing a overwhelming amount of product build up. The green apple nutrients in the formula helps strengthen and balance pH levels for optimal hair and scalp health. This curl definer is definitely a hair essential for me now.
Taliah Waajid Green Apple & Aloe Nutrition Apple Seed Oil
This apple seed oil give my hair life! So, this oil is a major key when it comes to doing the LOC method for a wash n’ go. It really sealing the deal to help hold your product in place to give you them popping’ curls you desire. I love that this oil is some nutrient rich with sweet almond oil, avocado oil, organ oil, and bergamot oil. I’m a little heavy handed with applying oil to my hair on a daily basis, because I hate dry looking curls. So, I should have purchased more than one of these 4 fl oz bottles. I like the screw top tip on the bottle so that you can apply product directly to your scalp. I personally don’t ever apply oils directly to my scalp, I like to pour it in my hands first and finger comb it into my hair. I think this bottle lasted through 4 hair styles, so about 4-5 weeks before I was completely out of it. This is a product I don’t mind spending my own money to purchase and re-purchase.
As a small business owner myself, I try to always support black women owned businesses whenever I can. These 2 items were my first introduction to this brand and I’m hooked. I recently posted a video on my Instagram using these products and the CEO saw my video and loved it so they sent me a few more products to try. Blessings!
I purchased both Taliah Waajid products at the Curls, Kinks, and Coils Festival in Atlanta, GA they were $10 each.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Cactus Water Pick Me Up Lite Masque
This hair masque has become one of my favorites to deep condition my hair. It just really leaves my curls feeling amazingly soft and smelling fresh. You really don’t have to let the product sit in your hair super long to see results in your curls. The directions say to leave it in for 5 minutes then rinse with cold water and if you follow those steps you will see a softer distance in your curls. I wish it came in a larger package size than 8 oz. I think I get like 3 to 4 usages out of this 8 oz. jar because I’m really heavy handed with applying product to my hair.
This conditioner is great during the summer or hotter month of the year, when you just want to wet your hair to refresh your curls overtime you leave the house. I mostly used this product to refresh curls from a wash n’ go every other day. I think the coconut oil and coconut milk ingredients helped my curls remain smoother and softer longer. If I’m being honest I hate the packaging, the label design is cute and fresh looking. But this “pump” is horrible. The finger pump is super hard to press. It literally takes 2 hands to pump product out and when you’re in the mist of doing your hair, you’re hand are already slippery. It’s really annoying. Also the straw inside the bottle is too small for such a thick formula, so at a certain pump its slow pumping out. At one point, I added water to the formula to loosen it up a bit so that I can use the rest of the product. I don’t plan on repurchasing this product until they change the packaging.
This conditioner is another on that is great for the summer months. I found it to be very greasy and the formula was super thick. It made my curl feel a little stiff, I like it when my curls shake and move when I move. But I did find benefits in using this conditioner during the times I was going swimming multiple times a week. we all know pool water can be damaging to natural hair, but this conditioner help protect my hair from breaking during pool session. Just like the other product I mentioned, I hate the packaging. There is a corner of product left in the bottle that I’m just over trying to get out of the bottle to use. I feel like I’m throwing product away but I’m sick of trying to force it out.
Shea Moisture Coconut Custard Make it Last Wash N’ Go Shampoo and Conditioner
Aside from my HATING the packaging of this duo, I love love love the Make it last/ Wash n Go line. The I feel you, you couldn’t tell me my wash n’ go styles weren’t popping’ this summer, honey! I can’t wait for this heat to heat so I can start back rocking my wash n’ go style. I think the plant peptides in the formula really works to coat every curl on your head for the best results you’ve experienced in a wash n’ go. I literally hated doing a wash n’ go style before being introduced to this product, Now, I can’t get enough of this entire product line.
Each of these products were sent to me by Shea Moisture in my SheaBassador monthly boxes.
Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Coco Repair Deep Conditioner
Curl friend, you should be using s deep conditioner every time you wash your hair. You don’t have to let it set for hours, but at least 5 to 10 minutes overtime you wash your hair. This repair creme not only smells amazing but really nourishes my curls from roots to ends. It’s very affordable and effective. I think I purchased this from Walmart for $5 or $6 and I was able to use it at least 5 wash days.
Pantene Gold Series Hydrating Butter- Creme
Honestly, I loved this butter creme formula when I first bought it. But after using it maybe 2 times I was then introduced to other curls creams and this one got kind of pushed to the back of my product shelve until I was out of all the other stuff again and needed a curl cream to style my hair. I was actually surprised that Pantene had a natural hair product txt I actually enjoyed using on my hair to do a protective style. I purchased it in Kroger for less than $10. I would re-purchase this product eventually.
Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Water-to-Foam Shampoo
This is a natural hair game changer! if you have not tried this shampoo, please go buy it and try it. I was a little concerned about trying it when I first received the product but after using it the first time I fell in love with it. The packaging is perfect. the screw top lid really helps your apply the product direct to your scalp so that you are able to really cleanser your scalp from all the product residue and build up. I received this product free in a Voxbox from Influenster.
Camille Rose Lavender Shaken Hair Spirtzer
This spritzer is a hair refresher and detangling spray. It became apart of my daily rotation of products to refresh my curls. I love the bottle design, the spray trigger is super easy to use with 1 hand to spray directly onto your hair. I purchased this product during the World’s Natural Hair show last year and it lasted a fairly long time considering how often I used it.
Victoria’s Secret Tease Parfum
I’m not a big fan of expensive perfume. Honestly, I’ve never owned a expensive perfume. All of my scents come from Victoria’s Secret and Tease is my favorite scent. I love that they have these roll on sticks. I literally keep this thing in my purse for on the go moments.
Biossance Rose Vegan Lip Balm
This lip balm is extremely hydrating and leave my lips feeling like satin and looking luscious and kissable. I apply lip balm like every hour of the day, so this little tube of product didn’t really last a complete month. I received it from a VoxBox from Influenster, but I don’t think I could afford to purchase it at regular costs.
The Honey Pot Company Normal Foaming Wash
I’m so glad the honey pot is now a part of my life. This feminine wash the perfect wash for me. I’ve been needing this all my life and didn’t even know it. The formula is foam and plant based. It has allowed me have a well balanced pH level all month long. I love the label and packaging, its great for travel and the pump is easy to handle with one hand in the shower. I think 1 bottle lasts me at least a month and a half, sometimes 2 months. I have re-purchsed this several times, just so I have stock of it so I never run out when I need it most. the first time I purchased it, I was in Target for $8.99 but when I went back a month later to purchase it again, it was sold out. So I started ordering all my honey pot essential directly from their website.
Aveeno Positively Radient Micellar Gel Cleanser Makeup Remover
I’m a sucker for micellar water and gels. So this cleanser has been my go to cleanser for a while now. When talking about skincare and what I use on my face, I am always telling people about this product. I have been in love with Aveeno skincare products for a while now. I plan on re-purchasing this after I use my other Aveeno cleanser. The brand actually gifted me this product to try and review back before the summer.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Cactus Water Quench & Refresh Body Scrub
If you can remember, my February blog posts were all about exfoliation. It is super important to exfoliate your skin. The refresh body scrub is gentle and made with your skin in mind. I use this scrub before and after I shave or wax to keep my skin feeling smooth and free of ingrown hairs. This product will be a essential in my body scrub rotation.
Shea Moisture Tranquility Candle
I received this candle in a SheaBassador box and it has become a key player in my weekly self care routine, It smells amazing and I’m sad it’s all burnt out because I don’t think you can buy it anywhere.
White Barn Black Tie Candle
Hands down my favorite candle scent ever. Every year when Bath and Body Works hosts it’s annual candle sale, I’m sure to get as many of this scent as I can. It’s a seasonal scent but I love to burn it all year around.
Keeping your face clean and clear is simple. You just have to make it a habit to provide your skin with a few things it needs to maintain its health and beauty. Here are 5 tips that I have found to be very helpful when it comes to my skincare routine.
#1 Drink Water
What goes into your body affects your skin. Drinking plenty of water will help keep your skin clear of breakouts and rashes.
#2 Keep your hands away from your face
Your hands are full of germs transferred from all the things you touch throughout the day. Make it a habit to not touch or scratch your face.
#3 Wash your face daily
Washing your face everyday helps avoid breakouts. Find a gentle cleanser that will help clean your pores. I recommend use a cleanser once a day at night or in the morning. Then washing your face again later in the day with just a wash cloth and cold water.
#4 Use a toner
Toner have so many beauty benefits but most of all it help restore your skin over time. So if you are experiencing breakouts, pimples, and dark marks try using a toner everyday and watch how your skin improves overtime.
#5 Treat your skin to a mask
A clay mask or sheet mask makes all the difference in radiant skin. I have made a habit of using a clay mask or hydrating sheet mask once a week to keep my skin poppin’.
Tell me (in the comments) what others tips to do you suggest?
I have applied to be a part of the #SephoraSquad 2020. I need your help to advance to the next level of this program. Please click here to leave a testimonial about my skincare content and why you love my blog.
Also, I’m still in the running for the #SallyCrew for Natural Hair. If you haven’t already click here to head over to Sally Beauty’s instagram account and let them know why you think I am a bomb influencer and will represent their brand and partners well.
So, I am applying to be on of the next #SallyCrew influencers for Sally Beauty for textured hair.
I came across a advertisements about the #SallyCrew and felt like I would make a great Sally Beauty influencer. One of my goals is to work with different brands that I believe in and actually use their products as a consumer and influencer.
Sally Beauty is a place I got to shop of all of my hair supplies like brushes, clips, satin hair ties, and other hair care essentials. I was even recently introduced to their COL-LAB makeup line.
Here are 5 reasons why I should be a #SallyCrew influencer for Sally Beauty.
#1 I share my HONEST experience using different natural hair brands and trying new trends to give useful tips for natural hair care.
#2 I have a organic following from the natural hair community and have become a natural hair influencer
#3 My brand “Passionista” has inspired women to rock their natural hair and be confident while doing so.
#4 I don’t just have Instagram friends, I have a community of curl friend online and in real life to talk all things curls with
#5 I AM THE BOMB, because God made me that way!
Okay, Plassionista! I need your help. If you want to see me be on of the next #SallyCrew influencers, please clip on the Instagram links below and leave comments using #sallycrew and tagging @sallybeauty letting them know why you like my natural hair content or why you’d like to see me represent their brand.
I am on a mission to share the importance of exfoliating your face and body. Everyone should exfoliate their skin weekly. Women and Men. So ladies, share your body scrubs with your bae.
Exfoliating evens your skin tone.
Exfoliating helps remove dead skin cells.
Exfoliating prevents breakouts.
Exfoliating improves skin texture.
Exfoliating gives you smoother skin.
Practice exfoliating your face and body at least once a week. Body scrubs are beauty products that are every inexpensive. You don’t even have to buy them. For christmas, I made body scrubs for my whole family and they loved them. I use a body scrub weekly in my skincare routine. Most importantly, I make sure I scrub my skin before and after getting waxed and shaving.
How to make your own body scrub?
Ingredients you will need: Pure Sugar Cane, Coconut Oil, and your choice of essential oils.
In a mixing bowl or jar, pour 1 cup of pure cane sugar. In a smaller bowl melt 1/2 cup coconut oil. Then mix the coconut oil and sugar together. Lastly, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Package in a glass jar and you at your leisure.
If you like a more liquid based scrub, add more coconut oil or olive oil.
Here are my top 5 favorite scrubs to use on my skin:
Formula 10.0.06 One Smooth Operator Pore Clearing Face Scrub
I think I’ve had this product for at least a year and it’s almost time to repurchase. If you’ve been following for a while then you’ve seen me blog about this product before. I use it at least once a week to clear my pores and get rid go that thin layer of dead skin just relaxing on the surface on my face, I love how gentle the formula is. It has jojoba seed oil in it so it leaves my skin feelings clean and soft. I still use a cleaner after scrubbing my face- but I like that the scrub doesn’t leave a dry harsh feeling to my skin. You can purchase this product at Ulta Beauty for about $6.99.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Cactus Water Quench & Refresh Body Scrub
This product is targeted for people with dehydrated skin. I like to use it in the summer time after being in the pool or ocean water when my skin feels really stressed out. The cactus water is a super food that really keeps skin moisturized. Primarily, I use this product to exfoliate the outside of my vagina before getting waxed. Ladies, if you get waxed (down there) you should be exfoliating a few days before and after. Trust me ingrown hairs on the vagina are not fun. This a product that fragrance free and gentle enough for the most sensitive areas.
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Illuminating Hand and Body Scrub
I love the smell of this coconut and hibiscus blend. I promise you the smell along will make you want to eat the product, but please don’t. Now, I do you this scrub as a lip scrub because it feels really sandy. For some reason my lips have been drier than ever this season. So I use this on my lips a couple times a week cause I hate dry crusty lips. But I also use this product on my legs and feet after I shave.
IWI Fresh Squash Georgia Peach Ginger Body Scrub and Camille Rose Caramelized Cane and Sugar Balm
So, tell me what’s your favorite product to exfoliate your skin with?
Wash day is my favorite day of the week. I love the process of washing my hair. It’s just something about cleaning my hair and refreshing my curls that makes me all happy inside. I have my go to favorites for shampooing, conditioning, and deep conditioning, but I like to try new product from time to time.
I recently received a bottle of Carol’s Daughter latest natural hair product, the Wash Day Delight Water-to-Foam Shampoo. This shampoos contains Aloe and is free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and artificial colors. It is a liquid formula that provide easy access to the scalp. I love how the product is packaged. The bottle has a twist up and down cap that allows you to open and close the spout for the product to easily flow from the bottle to your scalp. When washing my hair I like to focus on cleaning my scalp and let the conditioners work its magic on the ends. So this is the prefect solution for my wash day routine. I did notice that this shampoo stripped my hair. I don’t mind a stripping shampoo, because I deep condition after every wash. But I understand why some people dislike stripping shampoos (depending on the texture of your curls). I feel like the water to foam formula really put the sassy back in my curls. After shampooing with this formula and doing my deep conditioning process I decided to do a wash n’ go style. My curls felt really hydrated, look fluffy and lasted longer than they ever have before.
Watch how I used this shampoo for the first time…
I’ve used this shampoo twice and I still have half of a 16.9 floz bottle left. So I would say I think I’m going to get 4 to 5 good washes out of this bottle before I’ll need to head out to the store to purchase my next bottle. If you wash your hair once a week like me, I think 4 to 5 usages from a shampoo is a good value.
I received this product complimentary from Influenster, in exchange for my honest review.
Have you ever just needed a at home spa night? Well, I’m about to put you on to something that will change your beauty routines and turn up your self care practices.
Make It Classy delivers plant-based ingredients and step-by-step instructions needed to craft your own chemical-free DIY beauty creations. Think of it like Hello Fresh, except it is a beauty box. The best thing about these kits is that you learn how to make your very own clean beauty products. Most of the kits makes enough product for you to use the product more than once. You also have a recipe card to keep and remake your beauty product over and over again with the purchase of the ingredients needed.
I hosted a spa night for a couples of girlfriends to enjoy. We each picked a Make It Classy kit that we wanted to make. As we sipped on Rose and talked about our week, we made some clean beauty products to care for our skin and hair. We decided to each do a clay mask from the Loyal Leah DIY Kit to deep condition with Rhassoul clay and moisturize our face.
For our spa night we made the following beauty products.
Majestic Maya – DIY Body Scrub. Each kit makes one 8oz body scrub
Loyal Leah – DIY Clay Hair + Face Mask. Each kits makes 1 hair mask or 15+ face masks.
Herbal Ebony – DIY Herbal Hair Rinse. Each kit makes 2 bottles of hair rinse.
I’ve been in love with the Make It Classy brand since I discovered them nearly a year ago. So far, I have made about 4 different kits from the brand. I love their branding and how everything is made to create a simple yet satisfying experience for the user. My favorite kit is the Rose Water toner kit. Rose water is a beauty jewel that I always wanted to try to make myself. But, I was skeptical about using store bought roses to make a beauty product because of all the peptides put on flowers through the manufacturing and distribution process. When I discover Make It Classy and the DIY Lavender Rose Water kit, I knew I would have to try it. Just to my expectation it was simple to make once you have the right ingredients.
How it works
1. Choose your DIY beauty box based on the recipe you’d like to create.
2. Add to cart and checkout
3. You’ll receive your box in the mail along with a recipe card and ingredients to create that DIY beauty product.
Thank you Make It Classy for sponsoring this blog post. Book a party and host your next girl’s night with a at home spa twist.
Well, the time has come… the end of the SheaBassador program. I received my last box right before christmas. I’m so grateful I had this opportunity and hope for more great brand ambassador programs with Shea Moisture and other brands this year.
Because this was the last package of the year, they actually sent me 2 boxes. One was this month’s featured products and the other was a gift of random product received in previous packages. So I had the chance to stock up on some of my favorites.
Today, I decided I wanted to pamper myself and have a self care day. This is the first time this year (2020) I have actually did any self care activities. Just my luck, I have some new favorite skincare products this month’s Shea Moisture box to enjoy during my self care day.
What’s in the Box?
Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave- In Conditioner
This is not my favorite leave in conditioner. But I do like that the formula is not to thick and heavy on your hair. I can’t pin point exactly what I don’t like about this conditioner. I just know it make my hair feel a way that I don’t like after washing it out. It’s not a horrible leave in conditioner but just not the one for m
Manuka Honey & Yogurt Skin renewal Recipe Body Yogurt Moisturizer
This body yogurt smells so heavenly to me. I like using it after I shave and exfoliate my skin. I feel like it really helps renew my skin with hella moisture. The formula is thick but not hard to rub in. You don’t need a lot of the product, just apply a little to each part of your body and rub it swiftly. Also, I appreciate the form of packaging this product has, very accessible.
This is the first product I have used with hemp seed oil in it. I love that the formula also contains witch hazel. It doesn’t really have a smell. I wish it had some type of scent to it. It feels very light on the skin and gives me a restored glow.
100% Virgin Coconut Oil Shimmering Body Lotion
I’m not a big fan of body lotion. I prefer body oils or body butters. But I can’t stay away from the 100% virgin coconut oil scent. This product line smells amazing to me. I think this is a summer time body product. But right now I have it sitting on my desk and I used it to moisture my hands after washing them. I love to just inhale the scent after applying this product cause it smells so good.
I received this product 3 times now. The first one was a sample size, then I got a full sized one and now I have another one. Y’all know this is my favorite leave in treatment. I highly recommend this product.
Coconut & Hibiscus Illuminating Hand & Body Scrub
This is my first time using this body scrub… and baby !!!! it smells sooooo heavenly. I like to use a body scrub in the shower once a week to exfoliate my skin. Today was my first time using it and I scrubbed my body twice. The product not only smells good but it also feels really good on the skin.
Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie
This is a great product. But it is hella greasy. Luckily it’s not heavy on the hair, but it’s super greasy. I think the coconut and hibiscus line of hair products are all greasy. And maybe my texture of hair doesn’t hold or need the amount of moisture it provides. I do like my curl results when I use this product, I just don’t like the greasy stains left on my head rest and pillows. LOL
These are some more products that I received in previous boxes:
Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo
100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Face Lotion
I was recently selected by Influenster to receive a Vox Box from the Biossance Clean Academy to kick start a new routine with these clean and sustainable goodies. Now that I have developed my clean routine I’m ready to share it with you.
Biossance developed a patented technology that allows them to create a accessible cure for malaria. This innovative biotechnology makes it possible for them to impact the world with clean beauty options. Using the rich history of science and sustainability, Biossance is able to create skincare that is effective and safe without harming the environment or animals. The company strives to make clean beauty the new standard.
I am a huge supporter of plant based consumer goods with non toxic or harmful chemicals and added ingredients. I’m elated to be able to share with you my new clean beauty skincare routine that has kept my skin feeling and looking well polished and hydrated.
Watch how I used each product here.
Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Mask
This gel to cream mask really transform your skin from look dull to radiant glow in 5 minutes. I like to use this mask in the morning time to start my day with a fresh clean face. 3 to 4 times a week I will apply the mask before getting in the shower then wash it away after my shower and follow up with the rose oil. The best fresh face you can curate at home.
Squalene + Peptide Eye Gel
I’m not a big fan of eye gels and never really used them before. But I’ve learned that you should take preventative measure to control puffy eyes and sagging before it actually starts. So I use this eye gel twice a week for my under eye area. Lord knows I don’t want all of my late nights and early mornings to catch up with me in the form of permanent sagging eye bags in the future.
Squalane +Omega Repair Cream
This whipped moisturizer really soothes the skin and leaves your face looking all dewy and fresh. It’s hard to accomplish a dewy look with a fresh face and no make up. So I love using this product before bed after I’ve cleaned and toned my face but also throughout the day as needed.
Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil
I love a good oil product for my face and body. This rose oil is meant to brighten and hydrate the skin for that natural glowing look. Not only does it hydrate the skin but it protects the skin from moisture loss. And a little bit goes a long way. I used this product at night before bed and in the morning before starting my day. It truly lasts all day and night. It give you that picture perfect rose glow.
Rose Vegan Lip Balm
This vegan lip balm packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. Y’all know I am big fan of anything with hyaluronic acid in it. That means that the product is water based and works to give your skin the overload of hydration it needs. I apply the lip balm before bed so I don’t wake up with crusty lips, but I also use it throughout the day when I’m not wearing lipstick.
Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary in exchange for my honest review.
Tell me, what clean beauty products are you using?
Shea Moisture hosted the best holiday event I’ve been to this season (in Atlanta, GA) today, the #hoildayfeels Pop Up at Westside Cultural Arts Center. When I tell you I had a good time, a good time was had. This was a free event. They had like 5 holiday photo booths set up, a DIY shea butter bar, a cash bar, and the first 200 people received a free Slutty Vegan meal. Oh! and they handed out goodie bags with 1 full sized Shea Moisture product. Yesssss sis, all this for FREE!!!
