Best Foundations For Women of Colour

Most times its not easy for us  to find good foundations that suit our skin tones, but after much research and discussions with people, I have found some foundations that I think are suitable for we women of colour.

1. AJ Crimson Dual Skin Creme Foundation

 This is an oil and wax based foundation that is water resistant and gives sheer to full coverage. The texture is creamy without being overly oily, and once set it feels smooth and velvety on the skin.
One reason why I love this product is that it was formulated for women of colour and they have a shade conversion chart to help you find your exact match, so you don't have to waste money on shades that don't work for you. It is easy to find your shade because they give you its equivalent in other brands that you might have used. As I said previously, it has wonderful coverage and gives you an even skin tone. It doesn't leave your skin looking oily, it's lightweight and does not feel heavy on the face, looks very natural. A little goes a long way.

2. MAC Studio Fix Fluid SPF 15 Foundation.

MAC needs no introduction, but for those that don't know it, I'll discuss a little about it. It is an oil-controlling formula that offers a natural matte finish with medium to full coverage. It's a thickish liquid foundation in a glass jar. It's not full coverage but it will definitely even you out and hide most imperfections. There are approximately 38 shades, so you can always find a shade that suits you. The wear time greatly depends on your skin type, oily skin will definitely experience shine after a few hours and probably transfer at some point, BUT overall it is a wonderful foundation.

3. blackUp Matifying Fluid Foundation

According to them ''Its a fluid texture that stretches easily, a medium coverage that adapts to skin with blemishes and gives a very natural finish''. It is enriched with sebum-regulating and astringent active ingredients; long lasting. The makeup remains bright and homogeneous all day long.
For the fact that it was specifically formulated and created for ''women of colour'', its already one of my favourites. Based on reviews from users, they all testify that it has amazing coverage, it controls the oil, it doesn't look super heavy or cakey on your face. Some even call it their holy grail foundation. The only issue I have with it is the price *sighs*, its pretty expensive. but for a foundation that does all the things listed above, its not going to be cheap. I'll just keep saving to buy one.

4. Sacha Second Skin Liquid Foundation.

It's a yellow-based foundation for exotic skin tones( that's us by the way *winks*). This product is described as ''lightweight, natural-looking and fits like a second skin''. When applied it goes on smoothly with a kind of creamy/gel consistency and gives you a semi-matte finish. It's long wearing with sheer to medium coverage and ideal for all skin types. A little goes a long way, so you can start with a small amount and add more if more coverage is desired. It holds up well in hot weathers and  really photographs well too, its flash-friendly so you don't look white or ashy in bright lighting or photos. I use this in the shade perfect tan and I can authoritatively say its a wonderful foundation. You can also try their Kamaflage foundation which is amazeballs too, It hides acne, blemishes and even tattoos. You can't go wrong with Sacha.

5. Bobby Brown Long-Wear Even Finish Foundation

According to Bobbi Brown, ''with the right foundation, any woman can look like she naturally has even, perfect skin''. I totally agree with this, choosing the right foundation is very crucial. This foundation is very matte, so it's well suited for people with oily skin.It's a medium coverage foundation. They have lots of shades for dark people, it has excellent coverage and longevity without being a mask. One negative thing about this foundation is that it dries quickly, so you have to apply it fast. DO NOT use if you have dry skin.

6. Revlon Colourstay Foundation.

 According to Revlon, this colourstay foundation has long wearing coverage with time release technology and a lightweight formula that won't cake, fade, or rub off. Your look stays flawless throughout the day. The only issue I have with this product is the limited shades they have for women of colour, but apart from that I think its fantastic. It's a medium to full coverage foundation that gives a great matte finish. It's also reasonably priced. They cater to combination oily skin and normal to dry skin. It also stays for a long time, but it can look cakey so applying a little at first helps.

I know these foundations can be pretty expensive, but to find a foundation that specifically caters to our skin tone, gives you a flawless coverage, its long wearing, lightweight and gives a matte finish then it will definitely not come cheap. So saving up and getting one might be a good idea. I'm still researching to find other suitable foundations and will definitely be posting more soon. Slayers please feel free to post foundations that you have also tried that are good too, it might be helpful to someone.
Stay tuned.
xoxo...

How to fix broken powders

I know how it feels when you are running late and rushing to do your makeup and all of a
sudden you hear a pop sound, you look look down and see your powder case on the floor...*sighs* deep down you just start praying(*God please let my powder not be broken*). I know everyone of you slayers have said this prayer at one time or the other.  Don't fret, there is a way to fix this! when your powder, bronzer or eyeshadow breaks, just try this method at home and tell us if it worked for you. Check the chart below;

Picture credit: thebeautydepartment.com

Tools Required
1 - 70% alcohol
2 - Plastic wrap
3 - Eyeliner brush
4 - Spatula
5 - Dropper

Just follow the steps as its written on the chart above and see what happens, then come and testify. I tried it on my eyeshadow and it worked. There is always a solution to every problem.
xoxo...

Rip and run: Nail art inspiration

Getting my nails done with vibrant colours always makes me happy, and it gives me this added swag. I know there are slayers out there that are nail freaks like me, so for y'all here is a little something to usher you into the new week ahead. Just rip it and take to your nail stylist, then thank me later *winks*.

Pic credits: Huda beauty

There are lots of styles to pick from, whether you love long nails or short nails. Pamper yourself today slayers.
xoxo...

The Power of Vaseline

As far as I'm concerned there is nothing vaseline can not do. If you have an ailment that it can't cure, just go see a doctor or start praying immediately. Check out the chart below to see its various uses;

The pictures are self explanatory, just apply vaseline on the desired area first then do whatever it is you want.
Please share your favourites with us so other slayers can learn from you.
xoxo

Coloured hair confusion

Nothing shocks me anymore! You only need to go out to see something new everyday. The coloured hair bug has spread wide. Gone are the days of good old black and brown hair, now ladies are getting more adventurous and trying all kinds of colours. Celebrities are not left out of this trend, check out Stephanie Coker rocking her green hair and Toyin Lawani rocking her pink hair and a host others rocking theirs too below, and I must say that they all look pretty with it

Right now I've tried purple braids, I'm still trying to summon up courage to try pink braids then maybe green but for now I think i'll stick with purple.
Slayers which would you rock?
xoxo...

Eye Make-up Inspiration

Happy weekend slayers! Over here the day started out beautifully well, with the sun shining and telling us its going to be a wonderful day. For y'all with activities planned for today and tomorrow, from Weddings, Owambe's of different kinds to clubbing tonight, here is a little eye make-up inspiration. Make that eye pop! Get noticed *winks*.
Even if you don't have anywhere to go to, just make up and chill at home. You never can tell who will come knocking.

For an electric smokey eye effect you can try this;

For a sexy smokey look, try this;

Then for an owambe-smokey eye effect, use this and they must notice you at that parry

For y'all that love the simple look, you want to make your eye pop but still don't want to wear a ton of  eyeshadows, you can definitely try this look

There is a look for everyone, go out and have fun slayers. Stay tuned for more inspirations next weekend, I'm out.
xoxo...

BLACK HAWT FASHION

                                                 EPISODE 1
Gone are the days when my dark skin beauties were not 'flavour of the month'! But fast forward a few decades, well actually fast forward a century and a bit to be precise. The cocoa, taupe and coffee ladies are showing us how they rock their styles and we love it!  Lupita N'yongo is giving me 'everything' I want from my beauty of black hawt fashion.
But we love all shades of black, from warm to light. So whether you are mocha, latte,cappucino, vanilla, we don't care. Your black hawt fashion is 'dope'.
Here are my 5 hawt black beauties of the week, showcasing various shades of black...

Representing the cocoa corner, this beauty's smile is all the accessories she needs to show off her rouge painted lips. And what colour compliments red? Brown skin of course! Then she draws the fashion sword right up in her sweet-heart neck mini dress with a matching head-tie.
My hawtness rating is...'hawt like fire'.





Fighting for the light toffee title is 'miss sophisticated cool'. Her yellow crop top lets you know that she's not afraid to flash some skin, look sexy but still classy at the same time. Her nude pencil skirt, black shoes and bag takes her style to the office. But again, that top is taking her to a hawt date.
My hawtness rating is... 'hawt in the office'




Flying the flag for dark toffee is 'miss rock petite'. With MRP, yellow comes out to play again in this super short shorts. But it is farthest from looking anything but glam. Again, the belly flash makes a refreshing look. she tops of the rockiness with those ankle boots and bad-ass chain.
My hawtness rating...'hawt like an apple pie'.





Staying with warm skin hues, my espresso lady in print trousers is  pretty artsy. She knows that she's serving elegant-polished-cool. The white cami and black cardi along with nude clutch takes her to a board meeting. But wait, that yellow peek-a-boo toe is taking us to the runway perfectly with the black high heeled sandals.

 


Shutting it down for the latte mamas, she's badder than bad! Where the hell can I get that purple and black jumpsuit? I need this in my life. If you look closer, it's quite revealing but she's still managing to look tasteful. I don't know how you do it girl, keep being 'bad'. But we must still note though that her look is definitely not suitable for PG fashionistas. Her wavy hair is flawless. and her black strap queen shoes does the talking whilst she's walking away knowing fully well she's causing 'wahala for all the boys'.
My hawtness rating...'hawter than hawt'.






There you have it, my gorgeous 'black hawt fashion' beauties. I can't even pick my winner. Can you? Which lovely beauty is making you give her the good 'side-eye'? You know when a lady is banging you really want to appreciate, but that left eye is giving you away!
Why not send us your own fashion forward pics. Who knows, you could be one of my 'chic of the week'. Stay tuned for Episode 2 next week.
Till next time beautyslayers, keep slaying.

xoxo






Gorgeous ladies...which is your favourite? and which one of them won't you rock???
Drop a comment below. Episode 2 coming on Saturday...stay tuned.
xoxo

NUDE LIPPIES

                   

Yayyy I'm back!!!  I know I've been missing in action for a long time, it was due to some life situations that I had no control over, but the good news is that I am back for good and will focus on my lovely Slayers, *smiles*.
Now to the topic of our discussion "Nude Lipsticks".   Lipstick is one makeup product I just can't do without, and the more varieties a brand has the better the brand. There are different shades of red, pink, orange, brown, purple and nowadays there are black, green, blue and even white lipsticks.
Ladies are really experimenting with colours. I love wearing bold colours too but I have come to realise that there is this classy look that nude lipsticks gives to ladies.Take a look at these pretty nude lipsticks ;

NYX  matte lipstick in Nude

Rimmel lasting finish lipstick

This is a traditional nude colour that has been described as creamy, moisturising and applies evenly. This lip colour glides on like a dream and is super creamy, so even if you have chapped lips, it's very forgiving and looks great! 

Tom Ford Nude

Wet n wild "Bare it all" is also a super inexpensive nude lip colour  to add to your collection of lipsticks. It has been noted to be a bit drying, so make sure you wear a lip balm underneath or top it off with a gloss.   

The packaging of YSL's lipsticks always gets me! This creamy nude lip colour comes in a super glam gold lipstick case adorned with the famed YSL logo. "Sensual silk" has been described as a heavily pigmented and long wearing lipstick that's perfect for a midday pick-me-up or to wear out for special occasions!

If you're not too fond of the nude matte lip look, try out Sephora's Honeymoon. This semi-sheer nude lipstick is creamy, moisturising and provides a high gloss finish to your lips that's sure to dazzle! Nude lip colours look great matte but a smooth and shiny look is always sexy and stylish! 

Rimmel's Nude Delight is also a super smooth lipstick that glides easily and applies evenly. This creamy and smooth lipstick is perfect for daily wear when you want to look polished and put together! 

CoverGirl lip perfection lipstick in Creme 256

                                 NARS satin lipstick in Honolulu Honey

                                            

                                  

                                                          

                                                       NARS sheer lipstick in Cruising

                                                 
  
                             M.A.C



Nude lipsticks gives you a fresh-faced glow. They are soft and gorgeous, try it sometime. Ready to go nude???  Some of the brands are quite expensive, so you can start with the less expensive ones. They are also good. 

All these lipsticks can be gotten from Amazon.com , yes Amazon ships to Nigeria or you can shop for them through MallforAfrica.com and they deliver to you in Nigeria;  the MAC lippies can be gotten from the MAC store at Palms, Lekki.

Credits : allwomenstalk.com

xoxo

Hmmnnn!!! This issue of dry lips...

I got a mail from a slayer last night, who needs our help ( yeah...mine, and you readers), please read details below:

Dear Slayers,
I have this embarrassing issue of dry lips. people say Vaseline works and I have been using it for a while but to no avail.While making up I even try to hide it with lip gloss and lipstick, instead it looks more annoying. please I need help urgently.
Worried Slayer.


Dear Worried Slayer,
    I think I know how you feel. Dry or  Chapped lips can be downright embarrassing. It has a way of making you look unhealthy and can also lead to a bad impression. First and foremost, you need to know the origin; "Are you eating a balanced diet ( healthy food and fruits)?, Do you lick your lips all the time?, Are you in a cold environment?, or maybe its Natural (even if it is, we are here to help).
   According to 'Audrey Kunin, MD, the following reasons  listed below could be the causes of dry lips:
1. The ingredient "Propyl Gallate" in lipstick may be causing a contact allergy.
2. Your toothpaste may be to blame if it contains "Guaiazulene".
3. Check out the ingredient label on your toothpaste, if it contains "Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, this may be a concern as well.
4. Being allergic to Nickel may surface on the lips too. Remember, don't put metallic items like paper clips in your mouth. and don't lick envelopes.
4. An ingredient known as "Phenyl Salicylate (Salol) used in lip care products may be your culprit.
6. An allergy to red dyes used in candy, mouthwash, toothpaste, e.t.c may be to blame.
7. Do you SNORE?  Enlarged tonsils, or sleep apnea may be to blame for those lips. The continuous flow of breath across your lips all night long can grossly dehydrate your lips.
8. Do NOT lick your lips. The enzymes in saliva that breakdown your food, do the same thing to your lips when you lick them, causing them to get dry and cracked.

•   Here are some tips to help keep your pout PRETTY and PLUMP.

     Eating healthy food helps, also eat Fruits and Vegetables. They provide the body with the necessary vitamins and antibodies required.
 EXFOLIATE your kisser; Exfoliate your lips as you do your face and body a few times a week. Few ways to exfoliate could be by GENTLY rubbing your lips with a dampened soft washcloth or toothbrush, or using a lip scrub to remove dead skin. You can make your own natural lip scrub at home, by using Sugar alone, or mixing Honey and sugar, or mixing fresh orange juice and sugar, or even mixing a little olive oil and sugar. I particularly use and prefer the Olive oil and Sugar combination( It keeps the lips soft and succulent for any action...*winks*).
   Lip balms are also IMPORTANT, Some even hekp with exfoliation. "Phenol", a common ingredient in balms, is an antiseptic, which means it kills germs; but it also helps slough off any old, dry skin on the lips. Also look for lip balms that contain "Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs helps to exfoliate and also help to retain moisture in your skin.
  The lips don't have "Melanin", the pigment that helps protect your skin against the sun's rays, so they are particularly susceptible to sunburns. Therefore it is important that you get a lip balm of at least SPF 15, to help protect it from the sun.
Remember to apply just a thin coat of lip balm - don't gob it on, because that might tempt you to lick off the excess and we already learned why that was a bad idea.
  Finally, don't lose hope. I know it can be a challenge.
P.S  If you can't seem to cure your cracked kisser, it wouldn't hurt to visit your doctor, or a dermatologist.
Please fellow Slayers, feel free to drop your comment to help one of us. Your comment could be the solution she needs.

Until next time...xoxo

The Blissful world of "HAMMAM EL HANA"

    The day I came across "Hammam El Hana"products was the day I hit a jackpot, *laughs*. I was actually looking for a scrub that would give my skin a healthy glow. The store owner recommended Hammam El Hana's body scrub but I was skeptical about it and didn't want to get one because I felt she just wanted to rip me off. When I heard the price was #1200, I decided to try it (yes I do love a good bargain anytime). That was a really good investment because up till date I'm still testifying about it. See the picture below;

    I have recommended it to friends and relatives who also testified to its goodness and are die hard fans now. It eliminates dead cells and renews the skin to give it a bright, and clean look. My skin had this healthy look and began to glow. It is suitable for all skin types.
I was sooo in love with this body scrub that I decided to try some products from their Egyptian white musk series (I chose that particular series because I love everything Egyptian). I ordered their "Body Milk" and "Shower Gel".(see picture below).

    They were simply amazing. I couldn't wait to have a bath with the shower gel and try the body lotion. OMG!!! Just two words for what I felt..."utter bliss". I felt like I was in heaven.  The shower gel doesn't dry your skin like other soaps do, and the body lotion was divine. It just glides down your skin smoothly. My skin felt so soft all day long. The body lotion did not make me sweat at all, It was simply PERFECT.  I felt happy with my purchase, like really happy.
    The Argan therapy series formula, enriched with active moisturizing herbal extracts nourishes the skin and provides moisture balance all day long.  I ordered it from their website (www.hammamelhanausa.com), and it arrived within a week, but you can get it from supermarkets around. I remember seeing it at a store in Calabar, and for people that know Balogun market well you can get it from "TUMISHE COSMETICS LTD",46, Breadfruit street, Marina, Lagos. It's one of the stores I trust there. They each go for #2000 - #3000, depending on where you get it from.
     Every woman deserves to be pampered and feel pretty...If you want that feeling, then you need to get at least one of these products from Hammam El Hana.
Please note: these products do not BLEACH the skin.

Have a blissful day ahead...xoxo