Inspiration: Rihanna

I have always loved everything about Rihanna. Her style, music, and overall demeanor. She rocks out fierce looks that not many people can pull off and I freaking loving her vibrant red hair! It reminds me of  that whole Uma Thurman Poison Ivy look from way back when. Rihanna also has an amazing skin tone and slammin bod. Seriously. Jealous. 

Anyway, here are some of my favorite more wearable looks. So gorgeous!

* I got all these images off google. 

MAC Surf Baby Collection - May 26th 2011

 

Ahh so I didn't even get to check out the Quite Cute Collection, and now there's the Fashion Flower Collection out. MAC goes way too fast with their launches I can't keep up! I think I'll hold out for the Surf Baby Collection anyway because despite the atrocious packaging, I am liking their color range. Everything is nice and warm toned, great for me!

I'm especially eying the pigments and My Paradise Cheek Powder.

                               

Images from Tempatlia and iswii.net


xxx

Conditioner/Moisturizer Haul

So this month my eczema is flaring up like crazy! I haven't had a break out this bad since highschool. But I have lived with eczema my whole life so I know how to handle flare ups. I feel like I'm going into battle mode when I break out like this. It really does require a full inside the body and out health renovation dedicated to healing my skin. It's just so itchy and uncomfortable!

Anyway, last week I was in a rush so I stopped by Shoppers Drug mart to pick up a Jameson Vitamin E cream and an Aveeno Eczema moisturizing lotion. Both SUCK. They increase itchiness and reddness, so I headed straight to Lush and repurchased my Dream Cream. I also got a coconut moisturizer by Alaffia to test out because coconut as I recently raved is super soothing and hydrating. I really like the Alaffia hair conditioner so I figured I'd venture out and try other products too.

Yeah, so I was very excited to see that my favorite conditioner was on sale! So I purchased 2. I love this conditioner so much. It has changed the texture of my hair and for the first time I can actually wear my it for several days without getting greasy. I also don't have to slap on a ton of stuff to make my hair feel properly conditioned. It doesn't smell the greatest, but it is one of the most nourishing, all natural, long term beneficial product I have ever tried on my hair ( a big statement to say I know, especially from a hair product junkie like me).


I'm glad I got some great products today, but I'm super stressed about my skin I hope it heals as soon as possible!

NOTD- OPI Havana Dreams

Today I'm going blogpost crazy because I have the day off. I pampered myself with a manicure and photographs! I'm wearing Sephora by OPI in Havana Dreams. It is a beautiful pastel sky blue cream color that is perfect for Easter.

 

The only drawback is that it applies somewhat streaky. So you need 2-3 coats. A single coat will definitely NOT suffice. That doesn't really bother me because I always wear 3 coats of any given nail polish anyway. 

xxx

I HEART Coconuts

So I thought I would share another one of my favorite all natural products I use and love and couldn't be without....and that would be coconuts!  I love drinking 100% pure coconut water, and applying coconut oil to my hair and skin. 

Coconut water/juice is supposed to be a great all natural alternative to powerade. It's full of electrolytes which hydrate your body after a hard workout, hot yoga, or erhmm hard night of...drinking. I pretty much have a can of this stuff every day for one reason or another. 

I also use 100% extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil which I de-bottled into a lush container for convenience. I got mine from the Philippines, but I'm sure it's available at any health food store, or grocery store. Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature during the winter, but liquifies between 23-26 degrees (celcius). So in the summer it is liquid if you are storing it in your cabinet, which can get messy so be careful! 

But on your skin or hair coconut oil is super hydrating, non iritating, non sticky great smelling moisturizer. It does leave a residue (duh it's a pure oil)...so avoid contact with clothing and such if you care.
Basically for my skin I rub it into dry patches on my legs and arms or wherever ideally after a night shower so it can absorb fully, and I'm not going to put on tight clothing. The next day my dry patches feel smoother and less apparent. For my hair I use coconut oil in place of or in addition to a leave in conditioner, focused more at the ends. This oil is great for minimizing the appearance of split ends because it leaves a wet finish.  I like to do overnight treatments  too. 

Hair Diaries: 28.04.2011

I had some extra time today so I decided to flat iron my hair. I rarely make it pin straight because 1. it doesn't really suit the angles of my face. 2.  it's so dry that it can't hold a super smooth look without frizzing and 3. my hair straightener sucks! Oh the joys of coarse wavy hair.

Anyway I was feeling ambitious since my hair is in healthier condition. I'm excited because it's getting longer too! I love how I call this a straight look, when in fact it's still wavy...it's just straighter than usual. hmmmm....

I've still been using Lush R&B Hair Moisturizer every day. It's amazing for restoring the ends of extremely dry hair. Today since I'm sporting a smoother look I used my Pureology Instant repair leave-in hair condition, which is basically an ultra silky serum. I like.

xxxx

I Love: Ombre Hair

I'm dying to go lighter with my hair this summer (pun intended)... But having black hair makes the coloring process such a pain especially since it's so obvious when my roots grows in.   

That's why I'm absolutely loving the ombre trend... it's easy, sexy, and best of all,  low maintenance!

I think this is the most natural way for all the dark haired girls to achieve a softer and lighter, honey blonde look for summer. 

xx

WishListing

Soooo I'm in the mood to list things... every time I make a shopping wishlist I feel like I NEVER actually buy anything on it and I make all these random impulsive purchases. Anyway, this is what I'm wishing for lately:

+ Origins Skincare
+MUFE HD foundation in soft beige
+ MAC prep and prime skin
+ MAC Creamsheen in Boybait
+ MAC blush in pink swoon or gingerly

I'm sure this will change tomorrow :P

Hair Diaries : 04/ 12/ 2011

Last week I got my hair cut and it felt amazing! I shed all my winter dead ends and relayered my hair for a fresh start to the Spring season.

This month I really want to focus on keeping my hair hydrated and as silky as possible! That means no heat styling...but I've been really good about that lately anyway.

Also I've been trying to be more aware of using products that contain mostly/all natural ingredients. Lush products have been amazing! I've been experimenting with Kiehl's, John Frieda, and non commercialized organic hair care products from WholeFoods, and pure oils.  I used to think that high end hair care was the only way to go, but now I can confidently say all natural is the way to go, expensive or not.

Things I've been loving a lot:
+ Lush R&B Hair Moisturizer
+ Lush Go Curly shampoo
+ Moroccanoil Oil Treatment
+ Coconut Oil

All of these products I would definitely repurchase over. I don't think I could live without them!

Drugstore Haul

Shoppers Drug Mart had a sale recently so I picked up a few things that I really don't need.  Here's what I got:

Maybelline Modern Metallics quad in Chai Latte

From left to right: Crease, Lid, Base, Liner.

Honestly I don't own many drugstore eyeshadows because I feel like they have mediocre pigmentation.  I had to really dig into this quad to get any color to show on my fingertips, and layer three times over when swatching on my hand. But the shadows are flattering and give a nice sheer wash of color for a neutral day eye. 

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Crush:

Left: Rimmel's Crush

Right: MAC's Shy Girl

Lately I've been loving anything coral/peachy toned so I just had to pick this up. I feel like Rimmel's lipstick in Crush could be a close dupe to MAC's creamsheen lipstick in Shy Girl. Crush is just slightly more coral and has a more creamy application than Shy Girl, whereas ShyGirl is more neutral toned and has a glossier finish to it. 

Loreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara

To be honest I was a little disappointed by this mascara after hearing good things about it. I feel like I need 3 coats to get 1 coat's worth of the regular Loreal Voluminous. It takes forever to build up thick lashes. I like the applicator and packaging though. Probably won't repurchase.

Rimmel Exaggerate Lipliner in Natural

I don't really own any lipliners so I figured I'd just grab this cheapy neutral color to pair with a gloss on days I don't feel like wearing lipstick.

Top Row: Rimmel Lipstick in Crush, Rimmel Lipliner in Natural.

Bottom Row: Maybelline Chai quad shadows in Liner, Base, Lid, Crease.

xx