Urban Decay Vice 2 Swatches

Hey everybody! Last year when UD came out with the first Vice Palette, I passed it up knowing that I didn't really need it. However, I was kind of sad when it sold out because I thought it was a beautiful palette. When I got an email from UD saying the second palette was out, I was like, okay this is going to be mine. I've swatched all the shades for you guys to see. Feast your eyes on the beauty...

The packaging is beautiful, and pretty compact for a palette with 20 eyeshadows. It has a mirror on the inside that stretches the length and width of the lid, which is awesome. I probably will not depot these shadows, because the packaging is wonderful and reasonably small.

Swatches are left to right, top to bottom.

Smokeout, Lovesick, Shellshock, Coax, X-Rated
Smokeout is a very dark shimmery brown with maybe a hint of plum.
Lovesick is black with silver glitter.
Shellshock is a metallic silver. Very beautiful for a special occasion where you want something flashy.
Coax is darker pink with shimmer.
X-Rated is a matte light pink.

Prank, Madness, Strike, Stash, Poison
Prank looks nearly black in the swatch, but in the pan it looks dark blue. It almost has a duo-chrome kind of vibe going on.
Madness is a bright, but still dark blue with shimmer.
Strike is gold with shimmer.
Stash is an olive green with shimmer.
Posion is a charcoal color with shimmer.

Radar, Damaged, Voodoo, Betrayal, Derailed
Radar is almost an amber color. I believe it has both shimmer and glitter. It's very beautiful.
Damaged is an emerald green with shimmer.
Voodoo is like a grape purple with shimmer.
Betrayal is a purple-y duo-chrome color. It's very unique.
Derailed is a dark, taupe-y brown shade with shimmer.

Dope, Toxic, Habit, Ambush, Rewind
Dope is a light, soft pink with a satin kind of finish.
Toxic is kind pink-y mauve shade with shimmer. Definitely leans more pink though, but not the same kind of pink as Coax.
Habit is a matte, almost skintone like color. It is slightly darker than my skin.
Ambush is a shimmery brown.
Rewind is a matte, medium/dark brown.


What do you guys think? Are you getting this palette, or saving your money for something else?

Let me know!!

Love as always,
Gianna

Hard Candy Mod Quad Baked Eyeshadow Swatches/First Impression

Hey everybody! I stopped at my local Walmart today and spotted some Hard Candy Mod Quad Baked Eye Shadows. I'm not sure if they are limited edition, but they were situated right in with the rest of the Hard Candy line, so I am guessing not. I believe they are new, because I have not seen these before. I can't think of anything that I own by Hard Candy, although I have heard great things about their baked shadow duos and have wanted to get my hands on them for a bit. I've never gotten around to actually picking up any duos, but I saw these quads and I was like MINE.

Hard Candy is sold exclusively at WalMart. I bought mine for six dollars each. You can also order them online at the link provided above.

I bought four quads out of the five available: Brownie Points, Pink Interlude, Under the Moon, and Ivy League. The last one that I did not buy is called Smoke Mirrors, which has a lot of grey/silver shades.

Brownie Points, Pink Interlude

Under the Moon, Ivy League
I will say that I don't love the packaging. It's kind of bulky. On the inside there is an okay mirror, which is pretty cool. But other than that I find them to just be a little excessive in the packaging department. However, they're durable and good for travel.

Here are the swatches. The top row of each picture are the colors swatched dry, the bottom row are the colors swatched wet.

Brownie Points

Pink Interlude

Under the Moon

Ivy League

I haven't worn any of these on my eyes yet, but all I have to say is...wow. I'm really excited to put these babies to use. Dry, they are just okay, but wet, they seem great. The pigmentation is totally on point, they are metallic, the glitter shows up, it's just all around impressive.

I might just have to go pick up the last quad. I avoided it because I don't often wear greys and silvers on my eyes, but I might make an exception. For the price, I think these are really worth checking into.


What do you think? Do you have your eye on any of these? Let me know!


Much love,
Gianna

First Impression/Review: Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

Hey everybody! I recently received a sample in the mail of the Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation. I decided to give it a shot for you guys to see how it works on my skin. Let's get to it.

The foundation retails for $39.00 and comes in nice, travel-friendly packaging with an awesome pump. I do not own the actual product, but I believe the bottle is plastic, not glass. There are lots of shades to choose from, and the shade numbers ending in .0 are yellow undertoned, while the shades ending in .5 are pink undertoned. I personally think the price is a little bit steep. However, the finish reminds me of NARS Sheer Glow, which is more expensive.


I applied this foundation around 11:00 this morning with my Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki. This foundation applied with this brush has a good medium coverage to it. I found that it covered most everything that I wanted covered, minus some more red blemishes that needed concealer. The consistency of this stuff is very runny- so, for such a thin foundation, it has good coverage.

By the way, I used the shade 3.5 on my face and 2.0 under my eyes. I think 3.5 is a good match, but perhaps I should go with 3.0 or 4.0 because my body is so yellow (even though my face can be quite pink).

The finish was demi-matte. I liked the finish, although I wasn't blown away by how it looked on my skin. It looked nice- don't get me wrong- but it wasn't like I was amazed by it. However, I think I will have to try it with my beauty blender and see how I feel then. The way a foundation looks on the skin can completely change according to how you apply it.

It wasn't sitting in my pores, which is great. It also feels very light on the skin.

I set it with my NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder and went on my way.

I looked again at 5:00 and noticed a little deweyness, but nothing bad. I liked the way it looked still, so I didn't blot or anything. Also, I usually have issues with foundations on my chin and jaw. They often fade away or get splotchy. The UD foundation didn't do that at all, which was great.

Eight hours later, I can say that the foundation still hasn't faded, settled into pores, or gotten splotchy. However, the dewiness I noticed earlier has turned into a shine that doesn't look so good.

In the foundation's defense, I put it through a lot today. I was busy all day, walking around for a long time in the heat, moving stuff around, sweating, etc. After all that, I think the fact that it stayed on is pretty cool.

The bottom line.

Am I going to purchase the full size?
Not right now. But I might consider it later on when the seasons change. It gets oily after 8 hours, and I hate blotting and touching up. However, I need to play with this foundation a little more before I decide whether I want to own it or not. I like it, I don't love it.

Who would I recommend it to?
If you want something medium coverage, light on the skin, and demi-matte, this is a good option. I would not recommend this to someone with very oily skin. If you have dry or normal skin, I think you would be okay. If you have combo skin and don't mind blotting, you may like this too.


I apologize for not having pictures of my face before and after applying the foundation you guys- it has been a very hectic day.

Have you tried this foundation? How do you like it? Let me know!


Much love, as always.

Gianna

First Impression/Review: Dr. Brandt BB Matte

Hey everybody! I recently got a sample of the Dr. Brandt BB Matte in a Sephora order, and I wanted to give it a shot and let you guys know what I think of it. The sample was only enough for one use, so this is indeed a first impression.

Dr. Brandt BB Matte is sold for $39.00 and comes in two shades- "light to medium" and "medium to dark." I tried "light to medium," which is a decent match for my current NC30 summer shade. It would probably be too dark in winter, but might still work if I were a bit darker.

The BB Cream is oil free, sulfate free, paraben free, and phthalates free. It supposedly is an "all-in-one oil-free beauty balm designed for oily/combination skin that provides instant mattifying coverage and oil-control for flawless, youthful, and healthy-looking skin." We'll see about that.

In addition to all that, it can be used as a moisturizer with SPF 30.

Here is a picture of my skin with the BB Cream on.

I applied it this morning around 11:00 in place of moisturizer, and the first thing I noticed was the smell. This stuff smells absolutely gross. I don't like it one bit. It doesn't linger on the face, but during application it's super noticeable. I haven't noticed anything online or on the sample that says whether it has fragrance added or not, but I would guess it doesn't. I'm not sure how to feel on the issue, because fragrance free products are good, but this stuff smells so bad that I almost wish they added fragrance just to make it less nasty. And if they did add fragrance, well I would just have to ask, what were they thinking?

Aside from the smell, I noticed that the product is pretty thick. It's not very blendable at all, and it feels sticky on the skin when it's first applied. I didn't like it. I want my moisturizers to glide on with ease.

As far as coverage, you aren't going to get much with this product. I could have used some concealer on some rosacea spots, but I didn't. I wanted something super light today, so what you see in the picture is just the BB Cream and a bit of mascara. This product has very light coverage, and I didn't notice it being very buildable.

Despite all this, it was pretty much matte on my skin. It wasn't like a normal moisturizer that leaves the skin a little shiny- it set to a demi-matte finish but felt reasonably moisturizing.

As far as wear throughout the day, I put this stuff through the wringer. I laid out and tanned for an hour, so I was sweating like crazy. The BB Cream does transfer a bit, and it's not going to keep your face matte if you're sweating. I don't think it rubbed off entirely. Once I was inside and cooled off, I noticed that the BB Cream has kept its finish and I was looking oil-free.

I also went to an indoor trampoline arena today and jumped for about an hour. I was sweating, once again, like crazy. But like before, once I cooled down the BB Cream was looking shine-free.


It's been about 8 hours and here's what I can say: this BB cream really does keep you oil-free. It's not a super duper matte finish, but it certainly never looks glowy, oily, or shiny at all.

The Bottom Line.

Am I going to purchase the full sized product?
No. It's expensive and it doesn't do enough for me. I like that it keeps me shine free, but the BB Cream doesn't really perfect the skin. I know it's not supposed to be full coverage, and I don't expect it to be. But I just don't love the product enough to purchase it.

Who would I recommend it to?
If you want something really light coverage that will keep you shine-free (and you can get past the smell and the price), go for it. If one of my friends were looking for a BB Cream for oily skin, I might suggest this. However, I would tell them to sample it first.

That's all for now. Hope this was helpful!


Much love!

Gianna

Sigma Haul

Hey everybody! I recently placed an order with Sigma and my box just came in the mail. I wanted to share with you guys what I got and my first thoughts, as well as some pictures of the brushes so you can get a good idea of what they look like.

As you can see, I bought ten brushes. Ten brushes is a heck of a lot of money, even though Sigma is supposed to be an affordable brand. I guess compared to MAC it is, but I spent slightly over $150 and I did not get free shipping. I am so irked by that. I think if I spend over $50, I should get free shipping, period. Oh well, I digress.

First up is the F55, Small Duo Fiber Brush.

I bought this for applying cream products like blush, highlight, or bronzer. I don't own another duo fiber brush, so I'm excited about this and this one has been on my list for a very long time.


This next one is the F25, Tapered Face brush.

I think this will be great for a light application of powder in the t-zone or all over bronzer. It is smaller than I expected, But I like it.

Next is the famous F80, Flat Kabuki brush.

I couldn't place a Sigma order without putting this brush in the basket. Everybody and their mother loves this brush, and it's all the hype on YouTube. I thought I would give it a go.

Next I have the F35, Tapered Highlight Brush.

I have been wanting this brush for ages. I don't have a proper brush to highlight with in my collection, so this is a much needed addition. I'm really excited about it.

Next I have the P88, Precision Flat Angled Brush.

I thought this would be great for under eye concealer. I already have a round top brush like this from Real Techniques, so I thought I would try out one that was angled.

Next is the E05 Eye Liner Brush.

I have a lot of trouble with gel eyeliner, and I think it's partly because of lack of practice, and partly because I lack a good eyeliner brush. This one is very small and has a pointed tip. I'm hoping it well help me get comfortable with gel eyeliner.

Next I have the E25, Blending Brush.

I have heard that this is the closest thing out there to the MAC 117. I just like the shape of it, and I think it's very versatile.


Then I have the P86, Precision Tapered brush.

This is just the tapered version if the P88 listed above. They have different shapes of the same brush, so I thought getting a tapered one would be good for concealer in little corners of the face, like around the nose and in the corner of the eye. Perhaps this brush wasn't completely necessary, but I don't have anything like it and I'm excited to use it.

Next is the E40, Tapered Blending Brush.

I already have one of these in my collection. But I wanted another, because I think having two big fluffy brushes to switch between while I'm doing a smokey eye look is important. One for blending, one for placing color in the crease. It just makes sense.

Last but not least I have the E30, Pencil brush.

I don't have a pencil brush in my collection, so I got one. I'm pretty sure this will come in handy.


Overall, I'm pleased with what I see. The brushes are super soft and sturdy. I'm excited to use them and I think they will perform great. However, I am displeased with the fact that I didn't get free shipping on such a big order. I also think that Sigma is on the whole rather expensive.

I would (and will) probably order from Sigma again. But I think next time I will probably order from Sedona Lace first, just to see what their brushes are like. I think when it comes to face brushes, I will stick with Sigma because I am more picky. But when it comes to brushes for the eyes, I may turn elsewhere.

Much love!

Gianna

First Impression/Review: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Hey everybody!

Lately I've been getting the itch to try out some new foundations. I've been stuck on my Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation for about a year now, so I think it's time to branch out a little bit. Part of my foundation itch is due to a recent change in my skin- I've been noticing a lot more dryness. Before now, I would definitely classify myself as having oily/combo skin. But as of late, I've been sort of normal/dry. At first I thought it was a problem, but then I realized I should just take advantage of the change and try something I was hesitant about before! I'm not sure how long my newly dry skin will last, but I'm not worried about it. Anyway, I took a trip to Sephora hoping to find something light, slightly glowy, and medium coverage. NARS Sheer Glow seems to fit these three stipulations, so I went with it. I got myself a sample in the color Ceylan, and went along my merry way.

I tested out my sample today, and boy was I surprised with what I found out. Let's get to it.


NARS Sheer Glow Foundation retails for a whopping $44.00. Yeah, it's a lot. It comes in a really classy glass bottle with the notorious velvety-black cap. It looks nice, but the black material gets so darn dirty. I know from experience with my other NARS products. There is one huge downside- it doesn't come with a pump. Honestly, I think this is just so unacceptable. You can buy a pump separately at Nordstrom, but seriously? For $44.00 I expect a freaking pump.

The foundation comes in 20 shades according to the NARS website, although on the Sephora website I am only counting 16. Like I said, I chose the shade Ceylan, which is a really nice match for my summer color (NC 30 or so).

NARS claims this foundation gives a "glowing, satin finish" with sheer, buildable coverage. It also is supposed to be best for normal to dry skin.


On to my own experience...

This is my skin without makeup on. This picture was actually taken after I took the foundation off because I forgot to take one this morning. But it's all the same. I want you to see what kind of coverage the foundation offers.

Okay so, as you can see, I have a few issues that I want to cover, but nothing major. Some redness, a few blemishes, you know the drill.

This is me with my finished makeup using NARS Sheer Glow. Just letting you guys know- I did set my makeup today with NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. It didn't add any coverage at all. I just wanted to set it because I was going to a family member's graduation and it was important that my makeup held up.

So, I don't know about you, but the first thing I notice is the not-so-glowy finish. Don't be deceived by the name "glow." I think this foundation offers a really beautiful, satin finish (as NARS says it does) that is super natural and flattering. I think my skin looks perfected, but not cakey. The first thing I thought when I applied it was "matte, but not flat." I think that's a great way to describe this foundation. There is a natural glow, but nothing like the full on dewey-ness I got from Make Up For Ever HD or anything like that. Also, this foundation did not sit in my pores very badly. By the end of the day, it had sunken into them a little bit, but nothing major. It's a huge plus in my book.

I had to build up to this level of coverage with two layers of foundation. But it still felt very light on the skin. I think NARS is right- it has a light, buildable coverage.
As far as consistency, the foundation is thin and somewhat runny, but not like straight up water. It's nice. It's easy to blend (I applied it with my beauty blender) and it doesn't dry too fast.


As far as how it wore throughout the day, I don't have too many issues. I never had to blot, not even once. It seems to really keep it's finish- I didn't get too oily or anything like that. It sunk in to my smile line a little bit, but every foundation does that to me. That's what you get for smiling so much!

I noticed a small amount of fading on my chin, but that is another thing that always happens to me. I think with a little setting spray it wouldn't have been an issue. I didn't notice an issue with transferring. I hate foundations that transfer, so I was happy about that.

I know this is strange to remark on, but it was pretty easy to remove too. For a foundation that lasts pretty decently on the skin without a primer or setting spray, I was able to wash it off easily. I don't like it when I feel like I can't get my foundation off my face without using a makeup wipe.


The bottom line.

Who would I recommend it to?
I would recommend this foundation to someone with dry, normal, or even combo skin. It probably wouldn't be good with someone super oily. I would also recommend this to someone looking for something with light-medium coverage who wants something light and natural on the skin,. If you want super dewey or super matte, this probably isn't for you.


Am I going to purchase the full size?
Honestly... yes, I think I might. This is just beautiful stuff. The color match is great, and I think it will be great in the winter when I am less tan. I like the finish and the way it holds up on my skin. So, yes, I might be purchasing this stuff really soon.


That's all for now. Hope this was helpful!

So much love!


Gianna

Urban Decay Primer Potion vs. Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Hey everybody. I recently picked up my first Too Faced Palette, and with it came a sample of Too Faced Shadow Insurance. As you can probably tell from some of my previous posts, I am a die hard Urban Decay Primer Potion fan. However, I thought I might get them head-to-head and see which one performs better than the other. I applied UDPP to one eye and TFSI to the other to get the bottom of it. What I found was pretty awesome. Let's get to it...


Urban Decay Primer Potion is $20, and comes in a number of different shades/finishes and formulas. There is the original (which is what I use), Greed (gold shimmer), Sin (champagne shimmer), and Eden (nude matte). The newest edition to the line in an anti-aging formula, which claims to offer the same anti-crease benefits as the original as it lessens the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The anti-aging formula is slightly more pricey at $24.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance is also $20. It comes in one shade/finish/formula.

When I applied them to my eyes, I found that both had basically the same exact consistency and color. They were equal in texture and sticky-ness.I topped the primers with Urban Decay Shadows, not to give UDPP an advantage, but because that's what I wear mostly on a daily basis. When first applied, my eyeshadow looked the same over top of both primers. UDPP did not make the eyeshadows look better than TFSI.
I wore them for ten solid hours as I ran errands, went shopping, and spent the evening at home. When I went to take my makeup off, both my eyes looked exactly the same. No creasing, no fading, no anything. I was pleasantly surprised.

Generally I wear UDPP to work because I know it will withstand the conditions. I work fast food, so I am often hot and sweaty, running around getting stuff done. It isn't uncommon for shakes to splash in my face as I blend them. I wore TFSI to work yesterday just to see what would happen, and it held up just as well as UDPP.

So, over all, I say they are the exact same. I know that some people have better luck with one over the other, but I found them to be equally effective. The only thing Urban Decay might have over Too Faced is the option to buy different finishes/formulas.

I will probably stick with UDPP next time I'm due to buy another primer, but that is only because it has been my long time favorite. It was probably my first high end product I owned and fell in love with. But props to Too Faced for challenging my obsession with Urban Decay Primer Potion.

What do you guys think? Do you have a favorite of the two?

Much love!

Gianna

First Impressions: Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Cover Foundation

Hey guys! It seems like the Make Up For Ever HD Foundation has been all the craze for a little while. So, naturally, I was itching to find out what the hype is all about. I'm a foundation junkie, and I'm always on the lookout for the newest, greatest thing. I went out and got myself a sample from Sephora of the MUFE HD Foundation in the shade 117 Marble.

Before I start, here is what you should know.

The foundation claims that it's a "medium-to-full" coverage foundation that creates a "soft focus effect" and is "invisible on screen and real life."

Also...
- I have oily skin
- Foundations don't stick to my skin very well
- I hate a super matte finish, but I don't want to look oily either
- I have quite oily skin, especially in the t-zone
- I did not set the foundation with a powder or setting spray


Alright, now that that's out of the way, let's get to it.

Here's a picture of the bottle.

I like the packaging. It has a pump, ladies and gents! I believe it also comes with a cap, which is not pictured.


Here is my skin without foundation on. I just woke up when I took this picture, so my hair is up.

As you can see, I don't have a ton to cover today. I have a few blemishes and post acne marks. Also some redness. But I like a medium coverage foundation that can mostly cover my freckles on my cheeks.


Here is my skin with the foundation on.

It did an alright job. It covered what I wanted it to cover, pretty much. I applied with a damp sponge, and built on that layer with my fingers. My fingers applied the product more heavily than the sponge. Honestly, I would disagree that the product has medium to full coverage. I found that it had light to medium coverage. Anyways, I was satisfied with the coverage it gave me. If you like a lot of coverage, this might be a warning sign.

Here is my finished makeup. I'm heading to work, so my hair is up.

I applied the foundation at 10:30, and I took some notes on my first thoughts. I wrote it had a satin, glowy finish. It definitely is not matte. It looked quite natural, not like I was wearing a ton of makeup. I can truly say this foundation is the closest thing I ever seen to looking like actual skin. It was smooth, and light on my skin. I agree that it gives a "soft-focus" finish. Also, it wasn't sitting in my pores. I was happy with what I saw, although I admit it was not a love-at-first-application moment.

I checked at 3:30. I had been working for a couple of hours, and I was extremely oily when I looked in the mirror. I like a little bit of shine, but I felt like it was just too much. However, after working for a few hours in a hot fast-food environment, it looked good. The coverage hadn't faded, and my blush was still on. Also, foundations tend to look powdery around my chin and jaw area. I didn't see that at all with the MUFE HD. I blotted, and went on my way.

After 8 hours of wear, I looked again. I was pretty oily, and not just in the t-zone. I felt like I was looking pretty shiny all over. I don't think it adds to my oil problems, but it doesn't do anything to keep the oil at bay. The really satin/almost dewey finish doesn't help. But the foundation was still on.


Overall, this foundation is nice. It doesn't look cakey or unnatural at all. It's nice and smooth, and it has a pretty finish. It's probably best for people with normal to dry skin. Maybe combo if you don't get too oily. It sat on the skin beautifully and did not sink into my large pores around my nose. I can see how this foundation is good for people in front of a camera.


The bottom line.

Who would I recommend this to?
I would recommend this foundation to someone with normal to dry skin who is looking for a satin finish with light-medium coverage. Also to someone who is looking for something that looks really natural.


Am I going to purchase the full size?
Probably not. Especially not now, in the summer. It just doesn't do enough to keep my oil at bay. Maybe I will think about it in the winter, when my skin is a little dry.

It's a beautiful foundation, you guys. Just maybe not for me.

Hope this helped you guys out in picking a foundation that's right for you!


Much love.

Gianna

Review/First Impressions: Curly Girl Method Starter Kit

Hey everybody. It's been one week since I started the Curly Girl Method, so I've had a couple days to try out my new products that I bought for my new hair routine. I wanted to give you my thoughts on the products thus far. Even though I've only had them for a short time, I feel confident that I can tell you whether they work for my hair or not. I can't speak for how they affect my hair over time, but I think I know what my hair likes and what my hair doesn't like so much.


First up on the list is my Suave Naturals Conditioner in Tropical Coconut, which I use as a co-wash.

This is good stuff. It smells divine. I put it on my roots and it totally makes my hair feel clean. It also does a good job moisturizing my hair, even though I save the majority of that job for my rinse-out. I like it a lot. It's cheap, and it comes in a big bottle. I'm going through it fast though, as I anticipated I would.

The bottom line.

Would I repurchase it?
Yes, I would. I don't know that I will repurchase it right away, because I would like to try one of the V05 conditioners that are curly girl approved. However, this is good stuff.

Would I recommend it to a friend?
Yes, absolutely. If you're a new curly girl looking for a cheap co-wash, give this a try.

Next is my Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Conditioner, which is my rinse out.

It's love. This stuff makes my hair so freakin' soft. It also makes my hair a dream to comb through. I just love it. It's cheap and widely available. The only draw back I can see is the smell. I personally like it, but I can see how others might not. It has an organic, earthy kind of scent. It's nice, but probably not for everyone.

The bottom line.

Would I repurchase it?
Yes, absolutely. I probably won't go looking for another rinse out for a while.

Would I recommend it to a friend?
For sure.


As my sulfate-free shampoo, I have the Shea Moisture Moisture Retention Shampoo.

I like it. I haven't used it much, but it's okay. It makes my hair feel clean, but not stripped. It has a very perfume-y scent. Overall, it's fine. It's rather expensive though.

The bottom line.

Would I repurchase it?
Probably, but not right away. I sort of want to explore other sulfate-free options.

Would I recommend it to a friend?
Yeah, but I wouldn't rave about it. I'd probably just suggest checking it out.


For my deep conditioner, I chose the Shea Moisture Anti-Breakage Masque.

I have to be honest with you guys, this stuff leaves something to be desired. I don't like what it does to my hair, really. I'm going to finish the container, but I have to tell you, it does not moisturize my hair. My rinse out does a better job than this stuff. It smells fine but has a really thick texture. Like thicker than thick. You would think it would do amazing things, especially for the price, but no.

The bottom line.

Would I repurchase it?
No. But I would check out another Shea Moisture deep conditioner, I suppose.

Would I recommend it to a friend?
No. Especially not for the price.


For styling, I bought the L.A. Sports Gel.

I like this stuff. It's dirt cheap, and does the trick. I was worried about crunch, but it's actually not a huge problem. My hair can handle more of this gel than I expected. It defines my curls nicely and holds all day, unless I start touching my hair a lot. I can't say anything about the hold for second day hair. But overall, I like it. You get a whole lot for a small amount of money. It smells alright too.

The bottom line.

Would I repurchase it?
Yes, I would. I might try other gels before I get this one again, though.

Would I recommend it to a friend?
Yes. It's a great value. And it just does what it's supposed to do. I have quite frizzy, unruly hair, and this tames it.


Last, I bought the Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In Detangler.

This is amazing stuff. The ingredients list is awesome. So many natural ingredients that my hair loves. This stuff makes my hair so soft and easy to comb through. It smells good, really tropical and fruity. I love it.


The bottom line.

Would I repurchase it?
Yes, without a doubt. I don't feel any need to look for another leave in.

Would I recommend it to a friend?
Yes, and I would rave about it.


There you guys have it. That's what I think about my new products so far. I hope this was helpful in getting you started with a new hair care routine.

Out of the products I mentioned that I loved, I would recommend them to any curly, even if they weren't CG. I would recommend my rinse out to anybody at all, even someone with straight hair.

If you would like to see my original post on the Curly Girl Method Start Kit, you can find that here.

And I just want to leave you with one last thought: embrace what you have, ladies! For a long time I thought that my hair wasn't beautiful because it wasn't straight. I was wrong. My curls are beautiful because they're what was given to me. I want to keep them healthy. If you're hesitant about going curly, just take a chance. The curly girl method isn't for everyone, but you never know until you try.


Wishing you all a good hair day!

Gianna