Micro-blading in Lasgidi

I am back... after a looonnng break, i miss you guys, i miss writing about all my beauty adventures..lol...miss all the feedback, good or bad, it doesn't matter, it's just beauty, and products, and skincare, well maybe not just....it is life, coz really when you think about it, when you are feeling beautiful and looking good, there is a certain bounce to your steps, you are happier, more confident, even friendler...tell me what else gives you so much LIFE...apart from GOD ALMIGHTY that is, (i know some of you will go there).#sideeyes#

Today i want to tell you about my experience with the latest beauty procedure in town...MICRO-BLADING...I went to get my lashes done at a new spot in Ikoyi, really nice place, clean surroundings and she uses real human hair, that was the selling point for me to try it out already, so anyways i am doing my lashes and she is telling me she got training in the UK and also in Asia for Micro-blading...hmm, i had heard about it but i had no idea anyone was doing it in Lagos, and i asked to see pictures of her work, and lo and behold, she had a lot of pictures of actual people she had worked on...wow...i was sold, coz i was already thinking, "gal, you're not using my brows as your practice to perfection"... but that wasn't the case at all, so i booked it for a week after, had wanted to do it that same day but apparently it takes about 3 hours, so you have to book ahead.

On my appointed day i get in on time coz i am so excited, i couldn't wait, i had read a lot about it online and it had good reviews, she gets me really comfortable and gives me a form to fill, with basic health questions coz you have to remember that it is a temporary tattoo and it has to be done by a trained, licensed aesthetician...do not let a quackery to be touching your face oh.. you are on your own there.

We finally decide on the shape of my brows by the shape of my face and the arch style i like, she then proceeds to mark and measure to get the exact brow shape...this is what actually takes all the time,we were at it for about 1.30mins marking and agreeing and cleaning and re-marking again till you are happy with the shape.

She then puts a numbing cream on the brows and leaves it for 30mins to take effect, after then the real deal starts, she shows me my blade, brand new, very tiny blade and she starts to cut tiny feathery like strokes to mimic your natural eyebrows, i don't feel anything coz of the numbing cream, it overstayed much longer than 30mins actually , after cutting she uses the ink on it and goes thru it again, so she does each eye brow twice and i still do not feel anything.

After the procedure you are advised not to wash the area for 24hrs and use a cotton to dab some coconut oil on it constantly coz it's healing and should never be left to dry up, you also have to come back 4wks after for a touch up, not washing my brow area for 24hrs was tough, i had to use face wipes only.

My eyebrows are LOVELY....i luv it, full and looks very natural, she used the chocolate colour ink for me so it looks real, don't get worried when you first get it done and it looks too much and dark, it gets better after one week, i was worried on day one, but now i am so happy i did it, it saves me time on make up and i always look so lit...you know your eyebrows can make or break your face.

Anyways this is my micro-blading experience, 2 more weeks for my touch up, can't wait...it lasts for about 12-18months..

Who wants to try it out, drop a comment and i will send you my lash and brow specialist details...A lovely week ahead to all my beauties....Ciao

Scent of a woman

Valentine's day is just around the corner and i always have a lot of guys asking what perfume should i get her....so this time around i'm making it very easy by stating out my best of the best....sexy, sultry and romantic....whichever suits you.

  

"A good fragrance is really a powerful cocktail of memories and emotions"

Perfumes/Scent can be a personal thing that makes you feel like a goddess....this review are my personal views as a junkii. That are just flirty and sexy not for other purposes. I will also advise you tell me yours...i own a lot of bottles but i also went as far as consulting some friends and family members i know are scent addicts....i will review only 10.

1. Avon today eau de parfum....this is one of my favorites, it smells so much more expensive than it is and lasts for days if sprayed directly on clothes, very feminine, floral and elegant.
2. Chanel no 5...this scent is timeless and classy and a must have in every woman's collection....you might not like it immediately you put it on, just wait for it to settle.....and it becomes a beautiful, silky, reserved, subtle, warm, womanly and polished....it's long lasting...i even wear it to bed #winks# 
   
3. Jo Malone Orange Blossom Cologne.....this is like flowers from a tree, it's light and sweet in smell...i can't say enough of this....i love love love and all the Jo Malone Jalones there is also the Malone Peony and blush suede cologne....just an addict of Jo Malone.
   
4. Chanel Allure...i got this as a gift....i get a lot of compliments on it, it's a bit difficult to categorize....the opening is strong, sweet floral, then a subtle noticeable citrus comes up in the middle....it somehow has a different smell every time....simply gorgeous, nice womanly scent, it's a bit expensive but very seductive #winkwink#
   
5. Guerlain Vol de Nuit parfum....this is absolutely gorgeous, like most of the fragrances that come out of the house of Guerlain....pricey, but a very rich smell...a beautiful blend of daffodils and spices mixed with woodsy notes....those kind of perfumes that you can still smell 20 mins after the person wearing it has left...i still have my bottle and i adore it.
6. Tom Ford Black Orchid....one of my all time Tom Ford favorite's....it's floral, fruity, sweet and woody all at the same time....well it's Tom ford, it grows on you gradually, it's romantic, light and bubbly....love it.
   
7. Dolce and Gabbana intense.....this is very spicy and sexy....like vanilla dripping from your body...amazing, i never ever run out of this one.
8. Red door....either the eau de toilette or the eau de parfum....i have been wearing this all my life, it's clean and fresh
9. Chloe eau de parfum....you can never go wrong with this perfume....very rich scent...very romantic and the bottle is beautiful.
   
10. Tom Ford Cafe Rose....this doesn't come cheap....and forget whatever you think you know about rose...this is a dark, sultry version blended with dark coffee, exotic spice, saffron, resin, amber and black pepper...think rose at it's sexiest.

This is the list i have compiled that i feel are very feminine...don't overdo the use of fragrance, stick to putting it on your pulse point....under wrists, neck, elbow, back of knees....the warmth of the skin will slowly release the fragrance in the air while you move.

Lets know what your favorite perfumes are, so we can make it easier on guys that can't decide on which ones to get......Ciao

Smile

It is very important to take care of your teeth....no matter how busy you get....seriously.....i was at the dentist's on saturday for some deep cleaning and scraping.....and after all that drilling with his evil pirate looking hook, i felt like a trailer went over my jaw....damn, the pain....thank God for painkillers.

With Valentine coming up soon we have to smile confidently and in order to do that we need to focus on us and caring for our teeth and gums, is a very important part of it all. It is necessary to have good oral health habit which can help your teeth stay healthy throughout your life....the healthier your teeth and gums are, the less risk you have for tooth decay and gum disease.

These are five basic steps to caring for your teeth and gums:

1. Brushing
2. Flossing
3. Eating right
4. Rinsing
5. Visiting a dentist

Brushing your teeth after every meal or at least twice a day...always brush for two whole minutes but wait for thirty minutes after eating, this will allow the enamel that softened from the acid during eating to re-harden and not get brushed away....hehehe, i bet you all didn't know that #grinning#. Brushing removes plaque (a living bio-film teeming with micro-organisms that cause disease) when bacteria in plaque comes in contact with food they produce acids.....these acids lead to cavities.

Flossing your teeth daily after any food, especially sticky snacks like chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, etc.....flossing gets rid of food and plaque between the teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach....if plaque stays between teeth it can harden into tartar which must be removed by a dentist or hygienist....a tongue scraper is an important part of oral hygiene, this works wonders with stale and smelly breath, use it to remove the plaque from the tongue....this will freshen breath and presumably slow down accumulation of plaque on your teeth....alternatively you can use your toothbrush to clean your tongue.

Eating right....avoid snacking constantly, this can cause plaque build up on your teeth, which increases the risk of getting cavities, avoid sugary and, or sticky foods....sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth then excretes substances that break down enamel, eat lots of veges and drink water instead of soda or juices....remember that fruit juices are full of acids and natural sugars, if you have to, do so minimally or only drink them at meal times when the saliva is flowing most.

Try to chew less seeds, it may produce fissures in your molars.

Rinsing....Use a fluoride mouthwash, this helps strengthen the enamel....right before you go to bed is a good time

Visiting your dentist.....Try to visit your dentist twice a year and anytime you have a problem with your teeth....schedule a professional cleaning with a dental hygienist.

Tips:

• Replace your toothbrush every three months.
• Use a whitening toothpaste or white strips once in a while to whiten your teeth.
• After having sugary drinks washing your mouth out with water or milk will help get rid of harmful acid.
• Don't forget to brush the back of your tongue and the upper palate of your mouth.
• Chewing gum between meals, especially if the gum is sweetened with Xyitol, it helps keep your mouth moist and your teeth cleaner both which are very good for your teeth.
• When you use mouth wash use as directed on the bottle....read all instructions before using the products.
• Floss your teeth before brushing, this is so that plaque from the outside and inside surfaces gets dislodged to be killed when you brush....try and drink milk as it is high in calcium. Calcium helps bones and teeth grow stronger.

Now we can all wear those bright coloured lipsticks and smile to display our pearly whites......Ciao

Nature's Perfect Skin Remedies

Oil has long been considered as something that clogs the skin pores....but this is not true. After all, what i learnt in chemistry class is that oil dissolves oil....the right oils will cleanse your pores of dirt, bacteria and also heal and balance your skin. 

Reasons to treat your body and face with oil 

• Oil penetrates into deep layers of skin than creams (which are a mix of cream and oil). 
• Oils are rich in EFA's {essential fatty acids}.
• Oils can make cells less vulnerable to damage and give you supple skin.
• Oils are anti inflammatory....good for healing.
• They create a lipid barrier to protect skin from onslaught of elements  like pollution, sun, heat, cold and speed up skin's self regenerating process of healing and repair.
• They are natural sunscreen.

Different Skin types and Oils: 

Oils for normal skin types are.......Almond, alma, brazil nut, castor, emu, coconut, meadow-foam, papaya seed, safflower, sunflower and walnut.

Oils for dry skin types are almond......Apricot kernel, blackcurrant seed, coconut extra virgin, cranberry seed, evening primrose, hazelnut hemp seed, kiwi, pomegranate,  rose-hip, sesame, Shea and  wheat germ oils.

Oils for oily/acne skin types are......Blueberry seed, castor, flax seed, jojoba,  castor, camellia, neem and grape seed oils.

Oil for mature skin types are.......Argan, avocado, emu, evening primrose, kiwi seed, olive extra virgin, pomegranate seed, coconut, borage and Shea butter oils.

Oils for sensitive skin types are....... Apricot kernel, babasau, calendula, cranberry seed, emu, st John's wort, copabia, emu, jojoba, kukui nut and flax seed oils.

Anti inflammatory oils are......Almond, andrioba, castor, evening primrose, hempseed, olive oil, passion flower seed, sea buckthorn, berry, Shea butter and termini oils.

When buying make sure to get the most natural type of oil in their purest form....and always do a patch test first coz some skin types react to some oil.

Personally i use Shea butter about twice a week for very deep hydration....it helps keep my skin supple, sometimes i mix it with bio oil....but most times i stick it in the microwave to melt it up and use it immediately after a bath in the mornings.....let me know what oils you have used and how it works for you........Ciao

The Right Hand Creams

We use our hands for typing, shaking, cooking, writing, eating and all kinds of stuff, so it's only fair to take special care of them....i think dry hands are the absolute worst...cracking, tight, patchy.....i could go on and on....sometimes you want to hide your hands by making a fist so no one notices...lol...been there....now i always have a hand cream in my bag, in my bed side drawer, even in the kitchen drawer....oh yeah...i used to keep in the car too but it always melts up and goes bad....overtime after using so many hand creams i've figured out the best ones for day time and night time....yeap....you heard me right.....day and night hand creams and also hand scrubs....but don't worry about the hand scrubs, you could get away with using a body scrub for your hands....same thing.

A list of the Best Hand Creams around..... 

Obagi Oraser Overnight Hand Recovery: This has retinol, antioxidants and also feels very rich, it absorbs really fast and doesn't leave that greasy feel on your palms afterwards....and after using it for two weeks i noticed it really cleared some spots that i had....i was showing off my hands on purpose, it was that good...the only problem for me with this is the price....too expensive...and it also has a day version...Obagi Oraser Daily Hand Repair SPF 20 and a hand scrub Obagi Oraser Microderm Hand Renewal....i think the whole range is perfect from your 40's...it will be money well spent. 

L'Occitane Dry Skin Hand Cream: i love the lemony smell and it has shea butter that makes it really moisturising...it also absorbs really quickly, but i always have to wipe my palms after application coz it leaves a greasy feel, but then again that could  just be me applying too much...i still love it....coz i don't have to reapply so often except i wash my hands.

La Mer The Hand Treatment: This is non greasy...softens the hands, skin looks plump and hydrated...the price is a major turn off for me, with that price it should have come with a sunscreen coz you definitely need sunscreen for hands, so this is better used at night. 

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream: This is my favourite hand cream ever, it's extra hydrating, plumps your skin all day....it's better at night though coz it's very greasy and you could get the Bliss Glamour Gloves and use together for smooth, soft, supple hands everyday.

Chanel Precision Body Excellence Nourishing and Rejuvenating Hand Cream: My mum has been using this for as long as i can remember, she smells of the stuff...it has provitamin B5 for nails and cuticles, licorice extract for evening out the skin.... it absorbs really quickly and your hand feels smooth and soft instantly, ....and it's Chanel....what's not to like.

Clinique Deep Comfort Hand and Cuticle Cream: This feels very moisturizing, leaves hands feeling hydrated all day....absorbs instantly and doesn't leave hands greasy....it also doesn't have a strong smell...good on your wallet too.

Ahava Source Mineral Hand Cream: This feels very light and your hands feel hydrated for a long time,  it also made a noticeable difference in my hands which i really like...it didn't leave any greasy after feel.

Other really good ones are Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, Eucerin Intensive Repair Hand Cream,  E45 Moisturizing Hand Cream

There's a hand cream for every budget...so you don't have an excuse not to always have one around.......Ciao

   

Beauty Looks from the Awards

The Awards season tends to set the pace for makeup and hair styles for the year...this year it seems everyone is going natural, short, ballerina buns, etc...really simple, easy to pull hair styles and putting more focus on makeup and skin.

Kerry Washington accessorised her up do with a navy ribbon headband....petal pink lipstick, pale metallic eye shadows and neat brows for the SAG Awards, Jan 2014.

Lupita Nyong'o has indigo metallic eye shadow and fuchsia lips...she kept her hair natural and simple for the SAG Awards, January 2014

Ashley Madekwe's polished nude face was the perfect makeup look to compliment her bright dress at the Golden Globes, January 2014  

 

Zoe Saldana pulled her hair all back in a ballerina bun and show cases her flawless skin, with winged eyeliner and red lipstick for a vintage chic look at the Golden Globes, January 2014 
 
 

Kat Graham siren red lip is paired with fluttering lashes at the Golden Globes, January 2014



Zooey Deschanel accessorised her side fastened up do with a white flower, redlipstick and long lashes were the focus of her make up for the Golden Globes, January 2014

Hannah Simone had a palette of nude shades, with glowing skin, defined eyes and pale lips...complemented by a messy up do for the SAG Awards 2014

Lupita Nyong'o wore her hair short with a side parting with red lipstick and feline eyeliner flicks for the Golden Globes, January 2014

Margot Robbie kept her make up simple, matched with a glamorous up do fastened at the nape of her neck for the Golden Globes, January 2014

Amber Heard went for maximum volume with her gravity defying up do, for makeup she chose bronze metallic eyes and nude lipstick and extra long curled lashes at the Golden Globes, January 2014

Tousled, side swept waves offset Margot Robbie's pristine eyeliner flicks and illuminated skin at the Critics Choice Awards, January 2014.

Kerry Washington wore her hair in gentle waves, while her makeup focused on smoky eyes and pale lips for the Golden Globes, January 2014

Rules for a flawless base

The No 1 rule for beautiful, flawless make up is to start with healthy skin....no matter how expensive your foundation is, without clear beautiful skin it never looks good, you need to cleanse, exfoliate and hydrate your skin....always use a primer to prep your face or an anti shine serum for people with oily skin....i recommend the No7, Bmpro anti shine serum, Smashbox photo finish primer, Face to face, milk of magnesium.....lol....i just have to be blunt ladies, this is a laxative and it holds your face like cement, i don't use this often though and i don't recommend you use it at all.....it's only meant for professional makeup artists...#lipssealed#...you didn't see it here oh...always look out for primers that are silicone based coz it covers skin imperfections.

I use a lighter foundation under the eyes....you have to have about three different shades of foundation, always stay lighter in the centre of your face....you can also achieve this with a powder or a highlighter...so you don't spend a lot....also remember too much foundation will settle in to fine lines and sap out the luminosity from your skin, only use foundations where you need to even out discoloration.

You also have to understand your skin type before shopping for foundation, dry, combination, sensitive, oily skin....and who says you have to stick to a particular brand to choose your foundation, powder and concealer...you don't have to get everything from a particular brand....feel free to mix and match...it really pays to find the perfect foundation....set it with loose powders or any form of setting powder, also remember to use the right tools for application...a foundation brush, latex wedges, i use my hand sometimes when i'm in a rush....i just blend really well.

Personally i have used so many foundations and i'm going to give a review on some of them.

1. Black-Up foundation: The one in the FL tube...this is my current favourite one, i use colour no 2....it comes with an in built primer...it stays matte all day....and a little goes a long way, loving it.
2. Bmpro foundations: This is also a really good one, very light weight, gives a smooth finish that last all day.
3. Makeup forever HD foundation: This is also one of my favourite....it feels really light and blends in easily....i use it when i use a lot of concealer to cover blemishes.....then i use either a mineralise finish or setting powder.
4. Benefit cosmetics hello flawless foundation: This is one i just discovered and it's amazing....a client in New york recommended it and i got stuck...i got all the different shades....lol....it's oil free and very light weight....it gives a really smooth finish and lasts all day...and just 2 pumps goes a long way.
5. Laura mercier moisture supreme foundation: This i will recommend for anyone that has oily skin coz when i used it i didn't get that shining that comes in the middle of the day....so i didn't have to blot all day.
6. Estee Lauder double wear: This is build-able....dries quickly though, so you have to apply quickly and it stays matte all day.
7. Bobbi brown skin foundation spf 15: I use the golden orange 3 Bobbi brown powder a lot so i had to search for the foundation just to see if it's good too....and yippeee.....it's blended with shea butter and glycerin, so it moistens the skin...you can actually get away with no other added moisturiser, just apply directly to clean skin.
8. Chanel perfection lumiere: This is very light and sheer....perfect for very light coverage....i had to mix it up with other foundation...still love it though...hey it's Chanel what's not to love....lol.
9. Kevin Aucoin sensual skin enhancer: I have this on right now as i type....i got introduced to it by a top celebrity make up artist...and i love it...it is highly pigmented, making it excellent as a concealer.....looks the same all day.
10. Black Opal: This is my fav foundation for dark skin....the stick foundations are the best...you have to use a primer or anti shine coz it's a bit oily but it has an after glow look that i love.
11. Iman second to none cream to powder foundation: This is very thick....good for covering blemishes....also serves as a concealer
12. Revlon color stay foundation: This is perfect for oily skin...it stays on all day and doesn't give you that shinny look in the middle of the day, so i didn't have to blot....but i had to mix two different shades to get my colour right.
13. Fashion fair perfect finish souffle: This is the first foundation i ever used...lol...was my grandmother's favourite foundation...the first time i bought it, i got a fake one....so make sure you check it properly before you buy, coz it's actually still a really good foundation, it's just the counterfeit market that is causing the bad rep it has now in the country.

I have many others i have tried but i'll leave that for next time and put them in different categories of dry, combination and oily skin. When buying a foundation you could always ask for a free sample to try out...coz it's always better to take it home and try....the make up stores have so much bright lights that tend to confuse you into agreeing to a shade that might not be suitable...and you could also check if it will go with your skin type by using  a free sample all day.

The right foundation will look as if you're not wearing any at all.....Happy shopping ladies.....Ciao