Before and After Beauty: Chi Ceramic Flat Iron

I took these pictures a month or so ago before I colored my hair golden blonde. I love to see the transformation of black hair! I don't have a perm and I never go natural, so I rely on my trusty flat iron to do the job. I love my Chi but it still takes forever for me to get my thick hair straight. And, as of yet, I haven't found a flat iron that does the job by only going over my hair once...I always have to go over it twice. Until I find a flat iron that does that, I will continue on with my Chi because I like what it does for the texture of my hair, it gets hot super fast, it's ceramic (that means less damage) and it has cut my straightening time down a bit.

Celeb Beauty: Nicole Ritchie

Despite all the bad press, I'm really loving Nicole Ritchie's look. A year ago, I never thought I'd say Nicole Ritchie would be one of my style and beauty idols. She used to look a mess but now she looks fabulous with a chic blonde bob and some much needed weight gain (she could still afford to put on some more weight). Ritchie has really certainly cleaned up her act. I cannot express how much I'm in LOVE with her hair. Also, her style is quirky and cute with a retro flair.

Birthday Beauty: Anti-aging Products

I turned 22 yesterday and luckily, my battle with the aging process has not yet begun. A few weeks ago, I stopped into CVS and saw that Pond’s Time Rewind, an overnight wrinkle repair cream, was on sale for a mere $4 (it’s usually $16). I couldn't’t resist such a great deal so I bought it and I’m so happy I made that decision. The moisturizer is so creamy and thick, just the way I like it. While moisturizing with this cream I’m also getting an early start on the anti-aging process. Not to mention, a recent study revealed that high-end department store brands are no more effective in the anti-aging process than drugstore brands. In other words, it’s very likely that a $16 cream made by Pond’s is just as good as those $200 “luxury” formulas.

Another product by Pond’s that I've been using for a couple of months is the Purely Polished Microdermabrasion Anti-Aging Kit. I was looking for a microdermabrasion product and this one just so happened to be an anti-aging product as well. I love this product too! As you may have noticed already I’m all about glow and this product definitely brings out a healthy glow and a more even skin tone. Don’t worry, I’m not on some crazy anti-aging kick but I figure, ‘why not kill two birds with one stone?’

Golden Beauty: Amber Lights by MAC

I never wear eyeshadow because I don't like to look too made up. I visited the MAC counter and requested a shade that would make my eyes pop and that I could easily wear during the day. I decided to go with Amber Lights. It's a gorgeous golden shimmery frost that looks really great on women of color- both light and dark skin shades. Until I get a bit more brave and decide to try out other colors, I'll be wearing this pretty shade everyday.

Summer Beauty: Banana Boat Tanning Oil

I cannot stop raving about this stuff! I bought it for the sole purpose of tanning on a recent cruise vacation, but when I realized how amazing it made my skin look, I started using it when I go out. Along with my summer regime of a daily sugar and olive oil scrub (which I also can't stop raving about) I will be lightly misting this on as well (after I apply lotion). It gives a wonderful glow and it smells like summer!

Shiny Beauty: Optimum Oil Therapy v. Elucent Power Drops

I bought this product when I was looking for a shine booster to replace my empty bottle of Elasta QP Elucent Power Drops. I LOVE the Elasta stuff, but I haven't been able to find it in the beauty supply stores around where I go to school (I'll definitely be putting this on my list of things to buy when I go back home to LA for the summer). The Optimum Oil Therapy is a good product...not amazing though; I think it may be a bit too heavy...I can't really decide. I've been using it everyday as a moisturizer and to give my hair sheen and it does its job. But Elasta's Elucent Power Drops are the best- it doesn't weigh my hair down and it smells so so good. Although, now that I think about it, the Power Drops may be more for shine intensive purposes while the Optimum actually moisturizes. Hmm...what's a girl to do???

Drugstore Beauty: L'oreal Voluminous Mascara

After trying some of the eyelash formulas that come with a primer and experiencing lackluster results, I decided to go back to the old school way of swiping on mascara. I went to my local CVS and spent several minutes at the makeup section scouting out the most worthy mascara. L'oreal was having a sale on all of their mascaras so I went with their Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black. This $5 mascara did not let me down! In only one swipe it gives me full, luscious lashes- much better and much easier to use than the mascaras that I've tried with the primer. I think I'm hooked.