Curly Hair Update: Week 2

Hey everybody. Two weeks has gone by since I started the Curly Girl Method. Last week I was amazed by how soft my hair was feeling. This week I'm sad to say I don't feel as great. My hair is still soft, but I feel like my hair isn't as soft as it was last week. I don't know. Maybe I got used to it. I'm also thinking maybe I'm using too much protein on my hair. I have no idea. Maybe it's just a normal down swing of the transition to gentle products.

Other than that, I'm happy. I'm not missing my old routine, other than my old hair mousse. My current gel (L.A. Looks Sport Gel) is fine, but I am still getting used to how much I need for my hair. There's a fine line between controlled and crunchy, you know?

I've been working out a lot this week. Pretty much every day (leaving for vacation in two days- gotta be ready!). I've been noticing that my hair doesn't feel completely clean when I co-wash after my workouts. Obviously, I'm sweating and my hair is a hot mess when I hop into the shower after some cardio. I just feel like my co-wash isn't getting my hair totally clean. Perhaps I'm not using enough product and I need to adjust the amount of Suave Naturals I use according to how dirty my hair is. I don't know! Anyways, I shampoo'ed today with my Shea Moisture shampoo and I feel fine again. It's not like my hair was greasy before or anything- the co-wash was doing an okay job -I just felt like my hair was a little weighed down. I would run my fingers through it and it felt clean enough, but there was just a little bit of residue that was bothering me.

I don't know, people; trial and error!

Anyways, I've been experimenting with plopping and I decided I like it. It defines my curls nicely. I also helps keep my hair from getting crunchy. Not mention it adds volume. It's good, I like it.

Overall, I guess it was an okay week.

Here is my hair before CG:

And here it is today:

My curls are certainly more defined, and I have more volume.

Okay, seeing the pictures side by side has made me feel better about this week.

Much love to you curly heads out there!

Gianna

London Soho Beauty Sponge Review

Hey everybody!

Okay, so we've all heard about the Beauty Blender. There's such a craze surrounding that product, it's insane. I have to admit, the Beauty Blender is pretty amazing. It applies product so lightly and beautifully. It does the work for you, really. But, like everybody else, I'm on a budget. Sometimes I just can't swing a 30 dollar sponge every three months. So, obviously, I'm on the hunt for a good beauty blender dupe. Aren't we all?

I was browsing my local Walgreens the other day and spotted this London Soho Beauty Sponge that looks strikingly similar to the Beauty Blender. I'm pretty sure it was under six bucks, so I thought hey, let's give it a go.

Apparently this product is available at both Walgreens and Walmart. And Amazon.com, of course.

Anyways, I tried applying my makeup with this little sponge and I was pleasantly surprised. Like the Beauty Blender, you get it wet and it expands. I think it holds more water in it than the Beauty Blender, because it doesn't wring out very well. You really have to squeeze it. It's no biggie, though. As far as the shape, it's different than the Beauty Blender. It's like a football rather than an egg. I pour some foundation on the back of my hand, get some on the side of the sponge, and bounce the sponge around my face to distribute the product.

When I went to put on my foundation, I have to say, it went on pretty nicely. It did what the Beauty Blender does- it applied my foundation lightly and blended it for me, pretty much. It was nice. I like the finish it gave me. Not cakey or heavy at all. It's also nice for blending in concealer around the eyes or on blemishes. Blending is the name of the game with sponges like this- if it needs blended, bounce the sponge on it a few times and you're good. I think this is a really good option if you're looking for something cheaper than the Beauty Blender.

Is it as good as the Beauty Blender?
Well...probably not quite as good. But that doesn't mean it isn't good. It does the job, and for six bucks, it does it pretty damn well. I think that London Soho could charge a lot more for it and get away with it because it's so close to the actual Beauty Blender.

There is just one downside that I have to point out.
This sponge seems to break down kind of easily. I've used mine twice, and it has a little crack in the side of it already. It probably wouldn't last three months with daily use. Maybe a month or so. But at 5 to 6 bucks every month versus 25 bucks or so every three, you're still saving money.

Do I recommend it?
Yeah, I do. It does a good job. It distributes product very similarly to the Beauty Blender. It's the closest dupe to a Beauty Blender at this price that I've found so far.

Is it replacing my Beauty Blender?
I'm not saying I'll never buy a Beauty Blender again. But I will certainly continue to repurchase the London Soho Sponge, especially when I don't feel like spending so much money on the actual Beauty Blender.


That's all for now, everybody.

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

Curly Girl Method Update: Week One

Hey guys! So it's been exactly one week since I did my last wash with a sulfate shampoo and started co-washing. It's been a really interesting week.

Here are a few things that I've noticed so far...

First of all, my hair is way softer than it was before. I did trim my hair last Sunday, so I'm sure that has something to do with it. But my hair actually feels more hydrated. It's also a lot easier to de-tangle than it ever was before. I love it. Even my best friend noticed, and let's just say if he notices something, it must be drastically different.

He said that my hair is at least ten times softer to the touch than it was before. I'm not sure if it's actually ten times softer, but it certainly feels smoother and more hydrated.

I'm not entirely sure where all this hydration is coming from, but I have a few guesses as to which products are doing it for me. My rinse-out, the Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner, makes my hair so silky soft. My leave-in, the Kinky Curly Knot Today Natural Leave-In is also lovely. I'll do a full review on the products I chose for my Curly Girl Starter Kit in another post, probably tomorrow.

Anyways, on to a little bit about what happened this week. So on Sunday I washed with my last sulfate shampoo and deep conditioned with my Shea Moisture masque. The next day, I did not wash at all, I just had my hair up. The following day, my hair felt really greasy, and I was concerned. I thought it would take my new sulfate-free shampoo to get it cleared out. But, instead, I decided to give co-washing a shot to see if it could do the job. Turns out that co-washing with the Suave Naturals conditioner was perfect. My hair felt clean and moisturized.

Here is my tip for the week: if you're afraid of co-washing, just give it a shot. I was so pleasantly surprised at how clean my hair felt. I gave my scalp a good massage with my conditioner, and it came clean, I swear.

I'm not sure why my hair felt so greasy that day. It might just be adjusting to my new routine, or perhaps I just didn't rinse my masque out well enough. Either way, it's fine now.

I also noticed that my curls seem more defined. I have no idea why. Maybe they're more moisturized, or maybe it's my new gel. It's probably a little bit of both. But seriously, my curls look nice. My best friend noticed this too. I asked him how my hair looked, and he said it looked "more curly" and, amazingly enough, he said my curls looked more "clumped together." Little did he know that he used the exact word us curlies use when we describe nice hair! I know in my last post I said I don't like my curls to be too clumped, but I think I lied.


As far as styling, it's been hit and miss. Sometimes I feel like I get the exact right amount of gel that I need, and other times I'm concerned about too much or too little.

I know I've been celebrating in this post so far, but as life goes, good is often accompanied with bad. Not every day has been a good hair day this week. Honestly, I haven't even attempted second day hair yet, other than just throwing my hair in a bun. But right now I'm just happy about the moisturization and definition that I'm starting to see.

Plopping has been a strange experience. I tried it earlier this week, and I didn't love the results. But I tried it again today, and I'm kind of really liking it. My hair isn't fully dry yet, so we'll see.


Anyways, I think that's all for my curly hair updates this week.

Here is a picture of my hair before the curly girl method:

Here is my hair today, one week into the curly girl method:

My hair isn't entirely dry in this picture. But I think the picture shows that my ends look healthier and more defined.

I'll be back next week for another update.

Wishing you all a good hair day!

Gianna

Three Must Have Nail Products

I have pretty bad nails. I really do. I work fast food part time, so I'm always dipping my hands in sanitizer water, cleaning things up, washing them, wearing gloves, whatever. My nails are quite dry and prone to peeling. I'm also not too great at painting my nails. I have improved since I have practiced more, but it's not something that comes naturally to me.

I have found three products for nail care that I love. I feel like they keep my nails and cuticles healthy and hydrated. If you have nails like mine- dry, peeling, prone to breakage- you should check these products out, especially the Sally Hansen Miracle Cure.

I use this stuff all the time. It totally seals my peeling nails with a strong layer of polish. It comes out and dries clear. It also dries really quickly, and evens out whatever ridges I have on my nails. I think it looks beautiful alone- it just makes your nails looks shiny and healthy. I also use it as a base coat, and it works great that way too. It helps my nails to stop peeling so that they can grow longer and stronger. I love it.

It's priced around six or seven bucks. I think it's pretty reasonably priced.

Next is the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat.

This stuff has replaced my Seche Vite. It makes my nails dry pretty quick, and I don't notice a lot of chipping until a few days after I paint my nails with this stuff. The best part is it doesn't gloop up or get thick half way through the bottle. I hate that about Seche Vite. I don't want to spend extra money for drops to thin that stuff out. I love the brush, it's nice and big and easy to use. This stuff is priced around six bucks. It's a good price, I think.


Last is my Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream.

I like this a whole lot. I keep it on my bed side table and apply it when I remember. It's nice to apply it before you go to bed. I notice that it just softens my cuticles and makes them look healthy and clean. My nail beds don't look dry. It helps my nails and nail beds stay moisturized. It also keeps my cuticles under control. Some people complain about the packaging, but I haven't noticed a problem with opening it. The best part about this stuff is I don't find that it stays greasy. It's a little slippery when I first apply it, but it sinks into the skin nicely and quickly. It's priced around six bucks.

There you guys have it. These are the products that help me keep my dry nails healthy and my nail polish in place.


Have a great Saturday!!


Gianna

First Impressions: Estee Lauder Double Wear

Hey everybody! Sorry I didn't post yesterday. I was trying out Estee Lauder Double Wear so that I could review it here for you guys. Before I get started, here is what you should know:

-I am very oily, especially in the T zone, namely my forehead
-When I judge a foundation I look for finish, coverage, and longevity, and overall appearance throughout the day
-Foundation does not stay on my skin very well, especially after a full day
-I hate touching up
-I did not set ELDW with any spray or powder


Okay, here we go!

Here is a picture of the product. I only have a sample, but this is what the actual bottle looks like.

The packaging is beautiful. No pump, though.

Okay, here is my skin without makeup on.

I don't have seriously problematic skin. But as you can see, I have some redness and some post-acne marks. I also have a few blemishes, but nothing major right now. Overall, I like a medium coverage foundation that's going to even out my redness and most of my spots. I use concealer, and that's fine.

Here is my skin with the foundation on.

It evened everything out and covered pretty much everything I wanted it to cover. You can still see my dark circles, but I don't take my foundation up under there. I don't like all that product on my under eye area.

Here is my finished makeup look:

Sorry if the lighting is crazy in these pictures, y'all. My camera was just not having it yesterday.

Anyways, the foundation has a matte finish, definitely. It might be a teensy bit too matte for my taste, but that's personal preference. I applied this at 1:00 in the afternoon, and I took some notes after I first applied it. I wrote that it was medium-full coverage, blended pretty easy (I applied it with my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush), and it was a good foundation for nights out, based on coverage and finish.


At 5:00, I looked at my foundation and saw a little natural shine. But I was thankful for it, because, like I said, matte just doesn't look right on my face. It wasn't oily, just a little glowy. Overall, the foundation did a good job keeping my oils at bay at this point. I didn't blot or touch up at all. What I did notice was the foundation looking a little powdery around my chin and jaw. This always always always happens to me, no matter what foundation, so I wasn't surprised. It didn't look super bad. It just looked like the foundation was sitting on my skin a little rather than blended into it. I wasn't super put off by it because I'm used to it, and I feel like it's something that only I notice.


At 10:00, I had my foundation on for a good 9 hours, and I think the coverage faded a little. My red chin was peeking through a little bit. But my blush and bronzer was still on, and I wasn't looking like a greasy mess. The problems on my chin and jaw were more obvious, I thought. I have no idea why that happens to my skin, but it does.


The bottom line.

Would I recommend this product to a friend?
Yes, I would. If my friend were looking for a medium to full coverage foundation with a matte finish that has good lasting power, then absolutely. I feel like these are qualities that tons of people are looking for in a foundation. It wore for a good 8 hours before I felt like it needed some rather serious touching up. I didn't set it with powder or spray, so that would certainly make a difference on a normal day.

Am I going to purchase the full size?
Maybe. I like this foundation, but I'm not sure if it's something I like for day-to-day. It's pretty matte, and pretty full coverage. But for special occasions, or when I want to look really perfected, I would use this foundation. I think I need to experiment with it a little more before I decide. My mom likes it, and I trust her opinion. But I'm not sure I like it more than my Shiseido.


Some side notes:
-I got it in the color 1W1 Bone
-I applied it today with a damp beauty blender, which gave me a fuller coverage than with the brush I used yesterday.


This is only my opinion, you guys. It's based on my experience with my skin, and my own personal preference. Hope this was helpful!


Hope you're having a great Fourth of July!


Gianna