Sephora's Beauty Insider

Peach eyes is what I call this eye makeup look. Its fresh and clean looking. This can be achieved with shimmery oranges and muted yellows.

I've been eyeballing Mac's Fix + for a while now and I finally got my hands on it. Yay! So far its working out well. With makeup or without. It feels refreshing and is full of good ingredients. Full review to come.

So my birthday recently passed and I had the pleasure of dropping by Sephora to receive my free gift. They gave me a miniature lip gloss trio. It appeared cakey as if it was a bad batch but when I squeezed some of it out, it appeared fine. Haven't actually tried them yet, but I think Sephora can do ALOT better than that.

Smiles, Cammyb

So this week I'm rocking my two stranded twist and to do so I used Curls Gel-les'c and I must say it gave great hold (like a gel) and nice shine (like a serum). I've only tried it on my wash and goes so I used what was left to do my entire head. Pictures do my hair no justice but it looks great. Today I covered most of my head with a beanie.

So I've been eyeballing Afroveda for a minute and all of my natural buddies over at NaturallyCurly were raving about her products. I took advantage of the 20% off sale and made 2 purchases. However, I accidentally bought the Curly Custard when I meant to buy the Pur Whipped Gelly. Aw well. Aside from that I bought the Totally Twisted Ginger Almond Butter. Both of which smell divine. Review coming very soon...

The Cost of Beauty

So the other day I stopped in Trade Secret ( a little beauty bourgeois of sorts) and bought a couple of nail polishes. Of course I had to pick up OPI but when the cashier started ringing up my purchases I noticed some clearance items in a glass bowl. I picked up a light pink Essie nail polish for $2. That's unheard of. Of course my husband was perplexed as to why I spent $30 on 3 nail polishes " in the same damn color". I like pink so all the colors I bought were different hues of pink. He just doesn't get it.
I like to do my own manicures and my favorite top coat is Essie's Three Way Glaze

Price: $8
Size: Average
Where: Nail Salon, Online, Mall
They Say: This all-in-one base coat, strengthener and top coat. The unique formula provides the power of three in one, leaving a super shiny, flawless manicure.
I say: This is my favorite top coat. It makes the dullest nail polish look glossy. My nail polish even last longer with this stuff.
Overall: I highly recommend this.
Score: 5



My second go to Top Coat is Oh So Wet (perverted name for a polish I know) but its good.

Price: $4.29
Size: Average
Where: Sally Beauty Supply
They Say: Apply over any 7-day manicure for a new-manicure look. Quick dry, high shine top coat.
I Say: Its a good alternative if your not looking to spend over $5. It does dry extremely quickly however it has a very strong smell and the bottle is so damn cheap.
Overall: It's good for the price.
Score: 3

So my birthday Is around the Corner and as Sephora Beauty Insider I'm supposed to come into any Sephora store to receive my free birthday gift. Well my friends birthday recently passed and she received 3 Sephora lip glosses. She said and I quote " The Lip glosses I got from Sephora for my birthday were crusty crap.. They look like they just wanted to give them away.".
Goodness, I hope this isn't the case when I go because I will call them out on it. Free or not I don't want the crap of the crop.

What do you ladies think?

The In-Styler ...is it in or out?

If your an infomercial watcher you may have seen the commercials for the Instyler. You can buy this flat iron/curling iron combo for $14.99, 30 day trial period. If you decide to keep it then you're credit card will be charged 3 payments of $39.99.

Well my grandmother is transitioning and asked me to do her hair with the Instyler. So I did it on freshly washed, semi-damp hair.

Freshly washed and twist taken out.

One side done

Bumped and complete

Overall: Great for transitioning hair.

Next up : Trying it on my natural hair. That will be the real test

Stay tuned ladies...

Smiles,

Cammyb

The Stupid Things I'm Told

Hey Ladies,

Every weekend I'll be coming to you with the Stupid Things I'm Told segment of my blog.


Working at a Hotel (it sucks) I meet a whole lot of different characters some really pleasant others extremely nasty.









So on Friday I checked in these two older women. One of them said "Aah look at her hair." Her friend nodded and smiled in agreement. I said 'thank you' and proceeded with the checking in process. The same woman doing all the talking then asked me for a high floor. I explained to her that we didn't have any vacant ready rooms on the 3rd floor. Her whole semi-pleasant attitude changed to one of hostility. She then asked me if I were growing dreads? I said "No". She then remarked," Well I guess you like your hair knotted like that." Even her friend was surprised! Her statements blew my mind and quiet honestly I had to just smile and send her about her way.
Lesson Learned: Don't let the words of Wig wearers get you down.

Today on this fabulous Saturday Morning I had the pleasure of saying farewell to all of the wonderful checkouts. Well a very nice woman who checked in on Friday with her family came to me because she had decided to check out a day early. In my pleasant front desk mode I asked "Oh, no...why?" She then explained how this hotel didn't meet the Marriott standards and how her, nor spouse got a wink of sleep due to the lumpy beds. I apologized and gave her a rebate as well as some Marriott Rewards points. She then said " You are so nice and welcoming so I don't understand why the room wasn't up to par?" HOLD UP, STOP THE PRESSES. What the heck does the quality of the room have anything to do with me personally.?I don't do housekeeping.
Lesson Learned: Since people think I own the hotel maybe I should buy stock in the company.

Shampoo Reviews

Like a lot naturals I try to stay clear of shampoo's that contain sulfate. Even when I had a relaxer the only shampoo I could use that was moisturizing enough that contained sulfates where Creme of Nature Conditioning Shampoo ( too much build up) or The Olive Oil Neutralizing Shampoo (what do I have to neutralize now??) .
But since then I've tried other Shampoos and here are my thoughts and reviews:



Shikai Moisturizing Shampoo
Price: $7.99
Size: 12 oz
Where: Whole foods, Online
They Say: It conditions dry, damaged, or processed hair
I Say: It's good, not super moisturizing but it gets the job done. My hair isnt' squeeky clean after. But I do recommend using a Pre-Shampoo treatment before washing your hair with this stuff.
Score: 3
If your an online shopper they're having a 20% off Spring Special so check it out at www.shikai.com



Kinky-Curly Come Clean
Price: $12
Size: 8 oz
Where: Whole Foods, Online
They Say: It's perfect for dry and damaged hair and gentle enough for everyday use.
I Say: A little goes a long way. All you need is a quarter size and it'll lather your entire head. The suds far exeeded my expectations. My scalp felt thoroughly clean. I wouldn't recommed using this daily (that's just crazy).
Score: 5




Aubrey Organics Honey Suckle Rose Shampoo
Price: $ 9.98
Size: 11 oz
Where: Wholefoods, Health Food Store, Online
They Say: It will rehydrate hair fiber to overcome dryness and brittleness and leave her irresistably fragrant and silky-soft.
I Say: Uhhh, No. Its fragrant but my hair felt dry as a bone. They need to stick with Conditioners and I'll leave it at that.
Score: 1 (for the fragrance)



Chagrin Valley Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar
Price$ 6.75 Full Size or $2.60 for Sample Bar
Where: Online
They Say: Sweet Almond & Organic Rosa Mosqueta Oils deep-condition & protect, softens hair texture, Organic Aloe Vera replenishes Moisture, etc
I Say: Shampoo Bars aren't for everyone but If you really want to try one out... go for this one. My scalp felt refreshed and my hair felt softer then I expected.
Score: 4


What Shampoo's Do You Ladies Like?

Smiles,
Cammyb

Get The Glow



This a yesterdays blog entry but my TAKE TWO

We all want our skin to look shimmery, golden, and radiant for the summer months. To get that sun kissed look it starts from head to toe. Here are my personal recommendations for achieving these results:

Jergins Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer.

Score 3.5

Price: approx $8

Smell/Consistency: Light floral scent not too overbearing, thick creamy lotion.

Overall: A great drugstore find.

Urban Decay Flavored Body Powder

Score: 4

Price: Approx $26

Smell: They come in various scents and colors for different skin complexions all of which are yummy.

Overall: It's a sexy item to have because its edible. You'll smell so enticing mosquitos will want a taste too (no seriously).

CoverGirl Queen Collection Moisturizing Foundation

Score : 5

Price: Approx $7

Consistentcy: Nice loose, sheer foundation.Makes a nice tinted moisturizer

Overall: Really nice for Woman of Color because it comes in various shades. Gives a nice light to medium coverage.

CoverGirl Queen Collection Bronzing Powder

Score 3 out of 5

Price: Approx $8

Performance: Nice subtle bronzer, very light, non cakey

Overall: Nice when used with a fluffy powder brush.

OPI Bronzed To Perfections

Price $7

Performance: I'm a big OPI fan so 5

Overall : Quality Nail Laquer

OPI Clubbing Til Sunrise

Beauty on The Go

Whether your a college student, a working woman or mom, sometimes we are so busy trying to get things done we forget to do things before we leave the house or we just don't bother at all because we don't have the time. Alot of ladies hate big bags and feel its so much easier to just carry around little purses and clutches. But lets be honest here how many times have you looked in your bag, hoping to find something you wish were there?. For me whatever bag I carry it must be able to double as a Diaper bag for my sons snacks, sippie cup, etc. Today as I sat in a 40 minute traffic jam, I thought about all the things I failed to do before I dashed out the door. I wouldn't call these the essentials but this is what I keep in my personal handbag at all times:
1. Midol : You never know when PMS will kick in

2. Sanitary Napkin: Self explanatory
3. Claritin: Summer's here and the pollen count is high
4. Lip Balm: Keep you pout soft and kissable
5. Travel Deodorant: If you forget to apply it at home at least you have backup
6. Hand Sanitizer: Very important especially since we don't wash our hands frequently when were out
7. Hand Lotion: Black may not crack but we sure get ashy quick

All these items are kept in a little makeup pouch. They don't take a lot of space and they really come in handy.

I like the 3-Piece sets because they come in small, medium, and large

so depending on what size handbag your carrying you can switch up makeup pouches .

Cheap yet affordable makeup pouches can be found at the dollar sections at Target along with all the various items you'd need to fill your pouch as well.

What do you ladies have in your makeup pouches? Please dish...

Get to Know Cammyb

I'm a very passionate person. Im passionate about my family, education and lifestyle. I don't compromise my integrity, morals, nor standards for whats politically correct or a trend. So you can expect to hear the truth and nothing but the honest truth when it comes to my opinion. I went natural for the second and last time in my life and it's one of the best liberating decisions a Woman of Color can make for herself. I'm also a student studying Law. I've always been drawn to the study of politics, policy, and justice so I'm doing what I believe is my calling. From my blog you can expect discussions about : food/diet, fashion/beauty, advice/Q&A, and of course my rants.