I nearly fell of my chair when I saw this product so of course I had to order it, the name alone piqued my interest. What I love the most is its a product invented and created by a African American Woman the ex-wife of rapper/actor Will Smith. Sheree Fletcher who is now remarried has created a body butter inspired by the movie The Secret Life of Bees. What was so eye catching was the ingredients used for this body butter 99% natural and used with white honey. White Honey you ask? Here's the break down on white honey is an un heated, untreated, pure raw honey from Northern Canada. The Honey is removed from the bees without the use of chemical repellents. The result is a white creamy and thicker consistency textured goodness that is luxurious and kind to your skin. Honey is a natural healer and and very emollient and therapeutic for the skin. The name of the product is called WHOOPASH and the web site is so cute check it out and support this sista at www.whoopash.com. Stay tuned for my review I can't wait to try it.
Another African American beauty company on the rise is Kissable Couture by Keisha Whitaker beautiful wife of Forest Whitaker. Her line of Lip Glosses are beautiful and formulated for women of color. There is a boutique in the Twin City area called Lady Slipper Boutique 4940 France Ave Edina, Mn. 952-240-4719 that sells it so worth it my favorite because I love a nude lip is First Lady inspired by our very own Michelle Obama. Or if you not in the Twin City area log onto www.kissablecouture.com LOVE THIS PRODUCT again support this sista.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
What do you think?
Hello all,
I wanted to post something to get your opinions, all I think about these days is this blog and how to expand it. Would you prefer to have a shopping cart on a web site to order the top African American beauty brands, orgainc and natural lines and rare perfumes and would you actually purchase them or would you rather go pick up an item in a store? Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section.
Thanks
Leah
I wanted to post something to get your opinions, all I think about these days is this blog and how to expand it. Would you prefer to have a shopping cart on a web site to order the top African American beauty brands, orgainc and natural lines and rare perfumes and would you actually purchase them or would you rather go pick up an item in a store? Please let me know your thoughts in the comment section.
Thanks
Leah
Friday, June 19, 2009
Blind Beauty
Do you believe beauty can come in all forms or fashion? I was so deeply moved by watching Hawthorne on TNT starring Jada Pinkette-Smith my she-roe since Lena James on A Different World. The show was excellent and I encourage you all to watch Tuesday nights at 8:00. One of the characters on the show was a beautiful woman very smart and caring that I would describe as a J-Lo type. There was EMT working with her in the hospital who was actively courting her and she kept turing her down for dates. At one point she said no you don't want to go out with me because I am damaged goods. Wow, that blew my mind damaged goods and in that moment I related to her because often I felt that same exact way. For me I had a great father who was present in my home and he provided for me and my sister and we never lacked for anything. Most important he modeled how a man treats a woman and he treated my mother like she was a the most important woman in the world. Together they raised my sister and I to value and to love God, be kind, honest, and to save our money. But what I walk away from the lessons that my Dad taught me was that he loved me unconditionally and supported me through out my mistakes no matter what. I was a difficult kid to raise mainly because I have attachment issues from being adopted at 5 months old. My parents loved me hard and made me feel very secure and had other people in my life who did they very same things like my God Parents. But I never believed that any one could ever truly love me even though I knew that people did. I felt like I was the poor little adopted girl that people just had to love. SO many times I would do things sometime horrible things to challenge my parents and test so to speak their love. Praise Jesus, the loved me anyhow and so did my sister. In high school, I never put myself out there to have boyfriends and such, but one day I met this young man who was a little bit older than me who showed me this same unconditional type of love, I didn't know quite what to do with it he was the most loving, caring real person that I ever been privileged in knowing, and what is so deep other people could tell his love for me. To refrain from being like Superhead I will not name names but I will reveal initials LOL. If you know me you know who he is any way. My behavior was much of the same the more I pushed TSP away the more he loves me. Then one day I pushed too far however in my mind I just knew he would be there because he told me that he would and then had the nerve to say that "I needed to live some and then come back"LOL, I did live my life made some mistakes however we never re-connected in fact I found out on Facebook that he got married. So, I'm happy for him his wife is very lucky. But I thought about him when I was watching Hawthorne because the EMT never gave up. During a crisis in the hospital a patent went crazy and had a knife and stabbed the character with the prosthetic leg in the thigh, she stood there not in pain, no blood running down her leg and embarrassed because now her secret is out in front of him. He says to her I guess that I'll bring over the scapulae when I pick you up for our date. I just about fell of of the couch she then tells her friend played by Jada Pinkette-Smith that she had a date and that this is the first man who did run she seemed hopeful and excited. When he comes to her home and she opens the door he hands her a jar a scapulae with a bow on top and the camera pan to the full body view and she is standing there with a beautiful dress on with her prosthetic leg out and he tells her how beautiful she looks. Okay yall, I cry at stuff like and the tears started to flow because it was so beautiful then I thought about how when someone really likes, love and thinks that your beautiful it shows in their eyes. That exchange so deeply beautiful I still think abut it smile. So I go back to my original thought is there beauty in all shapes and fashion I believe so. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
BRAIDS
Braids have been a hairstyle of choice for many of us since we were toddlers. Since we are approaching summer in about a week here are some tips if you decided to wear your hair in braids. Many styles and many braids professionals but here are some things to keep in mind when you decided to braid your hair.
Style: The style you pick is very important, watching re-runs of Living Single I have admired and liked Max's braids. Boy could she rock that bob like no other. If your face can handle it ware it. Then I think about about the dance hall star Patra yall remember her, her braids were off the chain. I wonder if she could dirty wine with those braids in her hair. I think the most famous braids are Susan Taylor's who has wore her style since I was 10. When picking your style keep your hair texture and hair pattern in mind. Some braid professionals braid very tight and tension alocpecia can occur around the hair line in the front, crown and also the back. I prefer micro braids because they are the most versatile for me. But there are box braids, corn rows, kinky twist, individual braids and the list goes on. Just make sure it fits your face hair type and texture.
Up keep: Make sure your relaxer is in its 6-8 week before your put braids in your hair to keep your healthy and to prevent breakage. If you choose a smaller braid style like micro braids do not keep them in over 6 months. Its wise to take them out at the 3-4- month mark. The hair that you choose is important picking a medium to premium grade human hair is best. The synthetic hair will look like a hot mess. Yeah I am bias I like the human hair, some braid shops offer a pretty decent grade but if your picky select your own hair and inch. Its okay to maintain your scalp health while you have your braids in however refrain from using shampoo and other styling products that will build up on your scalp and also it will create a dirty ring around where the ball of were the hair is connected to the braiding hair. You will be in shock when you take you hair down and it will cause breakage. Try: rinsing your hair with a clarifer such as an apple/vinegar cider and water mix. When you mix it mix it in equal parts and spray and or apply to your hair and the rinse with warm water. After you apply this on your scalp find a deep conditioner of your choice I like to use coconut oil and then sit under a hooded dryer for 25-30 minutes rinse your hair with cool water and style as usual. I also like to use Carols Daughter leave in conditioner Tui and Tui oil. Okay here goes here's my secret I use a satin wrap called satinsaak and it can be found at www.satinsaak.com. This will keep you braids looking fresh until you take them out.
Take down: saturate your braids in a conditioner of your choice and sleep with a conditioning cap over night and then take them out. If you don't have enough patience you can go to your braid shop and have them take them down for about 40.00 but do not skip the conditioning part it is very important. If your local here are a few braid shops I recommend LaDiva on Western and University and Malobe on Lake Street. On the radar MBA braids on Rice street. If you know of a good braid shop leave the name and in the comments section.
Style: The style you pick is very important, watching re-runs of Living Single I have admired and liked Max's braids. Boy could she rock that bob like no other. If your face can handle it ware it. Then I think about about the dance hall star Patra yall remember her, her braids were off the chain. I wonder if she could dirty wine with those braids in her hair. I think the most famous braids are Susan Taylor's who has wore her style since I was 10. When picking your style keep your hair texture and hair pattern in mind. Some braid professionals braid very tight and tension alocpecia can occur around the hair line in the front, crown and also the back. I prefer micro braids because they are the most versatile for me. But there are box braids, corn rows, kinky twist, individual braids and the list goes on. Just make sure it fits your face hair type and texture.
Up keep: Make sure your relaxer is in its 6-8 week before your put braids in your hair to keep your healthy and to prevent breakage. If you choose a smaller braid style like micro braids do not keep them in over 6 months. Its wise to take them out at the 3-4- month mark. The hair that you choose is important picking a medium to premium grade human hair is best. The synthetic hair will look like a hot mess. Yeah I am bias I like the human hair, some braid shops offer a pretty decent grade but if your picky select your own hair and inch. Its okay to maintain your scalp health while you have your braids in however refrain from using shampoo and other styling products that will build up on your scalp and also it will create a dirty ring around where the ball of were the hair is connected to the braiding hair. You will be in shock when you take you hair down and it will cause breakage. Try: rinsing your hair with a clarifer such as an apple/vinegar cider and water mix. When you mix it mix it in equal parts and spray and or apply to your hair and the rinse with warm water. After you apply this on your scalp find a deep conditioner of your choice I like to use coconut oil and then sit under a hooded dryer for 25-30 minutes rinse your hair with cool water and style as usual. I also like to use Carols Daughter leave in conditioner Tui and Tui oil. Okay here goes here's my secret I use a satin wrap called satinsaak and it can be found at www.satinsaak.com. This will keep you braids looking fresh until you take them out.
Take down: saturate your braids in a conditioner of your choice and sleep with a conditioning cap over night and then take them out. If you don't have enough patience you can go to your braid shop and have them take them down for about 40.00 but do not skip the conditioning part it is very important. If your local here are a few braid shops I recommend LaDiva on Western and University and Malobe on Lake Street. On the radar MBA braids on Rice street. If you know of a good braid shop leave the name and in the comments section.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
BLUSH AND NUDE LIPS
Since I'm at home chillin with a bum hand all of my creative juices are flowing. When I was a little girl there was a beautiful lady at my church named Shug and no not Shug Avery. Anyway Shug had her hair feathered with a part and feathered in the back almost like Farrah Fosett but African American but wait........ she looked like Natalie Cole in one of her early album covers. What I remember most about Shug is that she wore the latest fashions smelled good and always had on blush and glossy lipstick. The blush, I think every black women used this and appled their cheek and then blushed it up into the hair line at least that's what I saw my mother do. Seriously, some looked like clowns and some looked like they should have been standing on the corner trying to sell it. Wowsa, black women have had a love hate relationship with Blush. There are some things to keep in mind while picking your shade and applying blush. I recently became excited about blush again since NARS came out with Orgasm a few years back. I loved the shade and that I works well with all shades. Then I went to the MAC counter where my artist Jen hooked me up with a few more shades. On a shopping trip with my friends I did notice that my friends gravitated to the blush and it looked so good on them. So here are my picks for Blush according to light, medium, and dark.
It is easier to tell you what not to do while applying blush than how to apply it here goes: Do not apply close to the nose, on the apples of your cheek this technique too much, and in a C around the eye and please do not use bronzer as blush.
*The best tip: Apply blush before all other make up for the best results and the most natural look. This technique gives you the well rested, glow and pop look. My favorite blush brush is MAC 116 the best.
Dark/Deep tones: The most flattering shades for deep and dark skin tones are plums, currants, mauve's and pinks. My picks MAC Pinkswoon, MAC Mineralized Blush in Love Joy and Gleeful. These can be found at http://www.maccosmetics.com/. Nars Super Orgasm, http://www.narscosmetics.com/, and Smashbox soft lights this one is so beautiful you won't stop looking at yourself in the mirror. This is a illuminating formula that compliments any skin tone. http://www.smashbox.com/.
Medium skin tones: The flattering shades for medium skin tones are plums, mauve's, pinks, coral and peach shades. If you fix in this category try: MAC Dolly Mix, Coppertone, Melba. www.maccosmetic.com.
Light skin tones: The flattering shades for light skin tones are coral, apricot, pink and gold. Try MAC CoyGirl, Tenderling http://www.maccosmetic.com/. NARS Super Orgasm and Soft Lights http://www.narscosmetics.com/.
What I'm most excited is a new make line by an African American Women is Color by Cynde Watson http://www.hsn.com/
These are so fabulous there lip pencils that are so creamy and silky that go on so effortlessly and look soooooooo good. These pencils create the perfect nude lip and you can mix and match the colors and it comes in a convenient case and sharpener. My pick would be the Nude Collection and I'm ordering the Pink Lip Color Lip Kit soon these pencils are absolutely fabulous and so easy to use. Smashbox has a similar product the Nude Lip Pencil love these paired with Untamed Lip gloss. These pencils compliment any skin tone and shade. We all can use them. Let me know what you think of these picks in the commet box. Oh, before I go this is Divalicious its a perfume atomizer that you can carry in your purse made of chocolate crystals by Brown Sugar by Justine Simmons simply FABU. http://www.hsn.com/
It is easier to tell you what not to do while applying blush than how to apply it here goes: Do not apply close to the nose, on the apples of your cheek this technique too much, and in a C around the eye and please do not use bronzer as blush.
*The best tip: Apply blush before all other make up for the best results and the most natural look. This technique gives you the well rested, glow and pop look. My favorite blush brush is MAC 116 the best.
Dark/Deep tones: The most flattering shades for deep and dark skin tones are plums, currants, mauve's and pinks. My picks MAC Pinkswoon, MAC Mineralized Blush in Love Joy and Gleeful. These can be found at http://www.maccosmetics.com/. Nars Super Orgasm, http://www.narscosmetics.com/, and Smashbox soft lights this one is so beautiful you won't stop looking at yourself in the mirror. This is a illuminating formula that compliments any skin tone. http://www.smashbox.com/.
Medium skin tones: The flattering shades for medium skin tones are plums, mauve's, pinks, coral and peach shades. If you fix in this category try: MAC Dolly Mix, Coppertone, Melba. www.maccosmetic.com.
Light skin tones: The flattering shades for light skin tones are coral, apricot, pink and gold. Try MAC CoyGirl, Tenderling http://www.maccosmetic.com/. NARS Super Orgasm and Soft Lights http://www.narscosmetics.com/.
What I'm most excited is a new make line by an African American Women is Color by Cynde Watson http://www.hsn.com/
These are so fabulous there lip pencils that are so creamy and silky that go on so effortlessly and look soooooooo good. These pencils create the perfect nude lip and you can mix and match the colors and it comes in a convenient case and sharpener. My pick would be the Nude Collection and I'm ordering the Pink Lip Color Lip Kit soon these pencils are absolutely fabulous and so easy to use. Smashbox has a similar product the Nude Lip Pencil love these paired with Untamed Lip gloss. These pencils compliment any skin tone and shade. We all can use them. Let me know what you think of these picks in the commet box. Oh, before I go this is Divalicious its a perfume atomizer that you can carry in your purse made of chocolate crystals by Brown Sugar by Justine Simmons simply FABU. http://www.hsn.com/
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Win a product of your choice
The person who sends the most referrals to Leahlovesbeauty.blogspot.com wins the product of your choice mentioned in the Summer Essential Post. Now throgh 7/3/09.
Summer Essentials part 2
Mascara
Lo real extra volume collagen very nice and easy to use and it does what it says.
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes a green product and it is like a push up bra for your lashes coupled with Bottoms Up Lower Lash Mascara both can be found at wwww.sephora.com The beauty industry is all in the rage for the Cover Girl Lash Blast don't see the hype. Try at your own risk.
Ending this post with my favorite new buy it is Pacifica Mexican soap and body butter both can be found at Whole Foods or http://www.pacificaperfume.com/. My sister and I went to Cancun, Mexico maybe about 5 years ago and for breakfast on the buffet this amazing Mexican Hot Chocolate. When I smelled the fragrance of this body butter and soap took me there. It lasts all day, so the next day I went back to Whole Foods and bought the Malibu Lemon Blossom because I love the smell of citrus and this one is so exotic and fresh I absolutely fabulous. All comments are welcome and forward to 2 friends.
Lo real extra volume collagen very nice and easy to use and it does what it says.
Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes a green product and it is like a push up bra for your lashes coupled with Bottoms Up Lower Lash Mascara both can be found at wwww.sephora.com The beauty industry is all in the rage for the Cover Girl Lash Blast don't see the hype. Try at your own risk.
Ending this post with my favorite new buy it is Pacifica Mexican soap and body butter both can be found at Whole Foods or http://www.pacificaperfume.com/. My sister and I went to Cancun, Mexico maybe about 5 years ago and for breakfast on the buffet this amazing Mexican Hot Chocolate. When I smelled the fragrance of this body butter and soap took me there. It lasts all day, so the next day I went back to Whole Foods and bought the Malibu Lemon Blossom because I love the smell of citrus and this one is so exotic and fresh I absolutely fabulous. All comments are welcome and forward to 2 friends.
Summer Essentials
With the summer heating up I thought I would break down of some essentials that will keep you feeling fresh,confident, and will bring your inner Diva out. To begin lets start with underarm protection.
If you shave, wax, or thread your underarm hair here are some pick that will leave your underarm smelling fresh and dry no matter of the climate. Personally, I wax in the summer months. All of these deodorants I have tried at some point or another. Deodorants are important especially for women's health because of the correlation to chemicals found in commercial brands to breast cancer, swollen lympnodes under the arm and allergens. There are lots of formulas to choose from hopefully there is something foe everybody.
Lavanilla has four new exciting deodorants these can be found at Sephora http://www.sephora.com/. This is a healthy deodorant non of the harmful chemicals and these have amazing scents. Pure Vanilla, Vanilla Coconut, Vanilla Lavender, Vanilla Grapefruit.
Lavalin Underarm Cream this one I truly love you can find it a Mississippi Market, Whole Foods and at http://www.microBalanced.com/. This cream last for up to seven days and you need very little of it. This one requires that you detox your underarms for 48 hours. This deodorant is micro balanced and is natural and considered a green product which I love. It stands the test through workouts, showering, bathing, sweating during the night.
Dove Clinical Strengths if you cant break away from the commercial brands Dove can be found at mass retailers such as Target, Walgreen's, and CVS. With this one you can skip a day and it comes in various scents.
Sunscreen is very important and especially for our skin 15SPF or higher. Be careful of sunscreens that have Zinc in them and Oxide. These cause breakouts and that chalky white look not a good look on dark skin. The best way to use sunscreen is if you mix it in the moisturizer of choice and also finding a good moisturizer with sunscreen in them.
Aveeno Active Naturals found at mass retailers
OceanPotion spf 5 http://www.drugstore.com/
Kiss My Face face factor face and neck spf30 Target and Whole Foods
Hope in a Jar spf45 http://www.sephora.com/ and Macy's
Rx for Brown Skin Protect and Defend love this one specially created for women of color http://www.sephora.com/
Bare Escentials spf30 Natural Suncreen my personal favorite because you can use it all day long because it is in a powder form great if you wear mineral make up. http://www.sephora.com/
Mascara my favorite here are a few picks
Loreal bare naturals this is a good everyday mascara and it looks so beautiful and natural. This one is made with jojoba oil vitamin e and aloe very good for sensitive eyes and if you wear contacts.
If you shave, wax, or thread your underarm hair here are some pick that will leave your underarm smelling fresh and dry no matter of the climate. Personally, I wax in the summer months. All of these deodorants I have tried at some point or another. Deodorants are important especially for women's health because of the correlation to chemicals found in commercial brands to breast cancer, swollen lympnodes under the arm and allergens. There are lots of formulas to choose from hopefully there is something foe everybody.
Lavanilla has four new exciting deodorants these can be found at Sephora http://www.sephora.com/. This is a healthy deodorant non of the harmful chemicals and these have amazing scents. Pure Vanilla, Vanilla Coconut, Vanilla Lavender, Vanilla Grapefruit.
Lavalin Underarm Cream this one I truly love you can find it a Mississippi Market, Whole Foods and at http://www.microBalanced.com/. This cream last for up to seven days and you need very little of it. This one requires that you detox your underarms for 48 hours. This deodorant is micro balanced and is natural and considered a green product which I love. It stands the test through workouts, showering, bathing, sweating during the night.
Dove Clinical Strengths if you cant break away from the commercial brands Dove can be found at mass retailers such as Target, Walgreen's, and CVS. With this one you can skip a day and it comes in various scents.
Sunscreen is very important and especially for our skin 15SPF or higher. Be careful of sunscreens that have Zinc in them and Oxide. These cause breakouts and that chalky white look not a good look on dark skin. The best way to use sunscreen is if you mix it in the moisturizer of choice and also finding a good moisturizer with sunscreen in them.
Aveeno Active Naturals found at mass retailers
OceanPotion spf 5 http://www.drugstore.com/
Kiss My Face face factor face and neck spf30 Target and Whole Foods
Hope in a Jar spf45 http://www.sephora.com/ and Macy's
Rx for Brown Skin Protect and Defend love this one specially created for women of color http://www.sephora.com/
Bare Escentials spf30 Natural Suncreen my personal favorite because you can use it all day long because it is in a powder form great if you wear mineral make up. http://www.sephora.com/
Mascara my favorite here are a few picks
Loreal bare naturals this is a good everyday mascara and it looks so beautiful and natural. This one is made with jojoba oil vitamin e and aloe very good for sensitive eyes and if you wear contacts.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
What is beauty?
The pending question that always burns my brain is what is beauty. I never thought that I was a beautiful woman by society standards. However my parents and especially my Dad always said that I was beautiful, I never could comprehend that because socially it was said that I was ugly, skinny, and had short hair. No body else had dark skin I'm thinking in my mind and virtually I had no beautiful role models with dark skin except my homeboys mom Peggy she was about my complexion and she was beautiful. So as I age into my teenage hood in the back of my mind the beauty thing comes up again. So I try to be everything but beautiful, I create my own style of dress that has been perfected over the years to Divafied funk in stellitoes LOL. However in the 9Th grade the finest boy in the class Mr. P. Ray said to me " Your so beautiful I love your dark skin" WHAT! I flash back of what I was taught at home popped very briefly in my mind. But my skin color tone and texture is still controversial at this time. Even with Roshumba, Naomi and my favorite Alex Wek in the media. Okay 1992 comes around and I'm set to graduate by this time I'm confident, have pretty good self esteem I like the way that I look but I have no date to the prom. Due to in large by going to a predominately white school in Shoreview. I choose to blame it on this. Now I'm friends with the other black person lol (just friends nothing else) and in my mind I crafted that hum......wouldn't it be fun to go to prom with him? So I waited, and waited to see if he would ask. He never did- here is the part where my beauty and skin color come into play in my mind. He says I would have asked but I feel that its more important for me to fit in. Yall, he did ask a woman of color so I can't trip hard but the chick was Asain I think as a substitute for a light skin African American she was the next best thing but no where near as cute as me in my red dress. That experience left me a little distressed because it shocked me that he would have no alliance towards me a sistah or that I was not considered based on my color. So now I go off to college and thanks to Lauren Hill my look is in CULTURE SHOCK. At last, I became the pretty girl. But still in the back of my mind struggles with what is beautiful. So I attempt to be flawless. Perfect hair and when I came home I went to my hairdresser Greg at Salon 1014 to hook my hair up in the most different trend setting styles so much that a lunch lady asked me if I had a wig sittin' on the top of my head. I began to focus on my outside and neglecting my insides and boy that was work and not to mention that I felt like a sell out because I was a one dimensional woman and that contradicted everything that I stood for all because of my pretty attention. Now, these are the things that I know I am intelligent, I love God and his light shines through me, I'm caring, compassionate, and giving. Along the way I have struggles with my self perception and God used people to give me clarity. So no matter what beauty is on the outside I firmly believe it begins on the inside in stages, seasons and through heart break, revaluations and resilience. What is beauty to you your comments are welcome. Before I go my pickes for the month: aloe vera gel at Whole Foods, Iman bronzer beautiful, and almond oil can be found at any coop.
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