Ebony Beauty Battle

What!??!? A SPF facial moisturizer that leaves No white residue!

2009-07-03T07:56:00.000-07:00

SHISEIDO

The Skincare Day Moisture Protection SPF 15

This lotion is magnificient!
I have been using it for 3 year now and still love it, especially during summer.
The lotion is light and fully moisturizing , but the best thing is it doesn't leave the ghostly hue that most moisturizers with spf unfailingly do. I always get the same thing from the agents in the store, "You need to make sure you rub it in really well..." Well I do! Despite the fact I know most days, women have to hurry up and do-the-darn-thing and go! We don't have time to dedicate to a mini facial massage to rub the spf in, ensuring the white hue is spread evenly across our face!
I rub this on after an application of acne cream and am good to go. No worries.
I've seen reports that it is greasy on some people. I don't agree at all. It does give a moist glow, due to the spf in it, but definitely is not greasy. After a minute or two, during which I begin my eye makeup application, the product is fully absorbed in the skin and you can go bare, or apply other face makeup without it rolling off.
I love a product that does what it claims.

Boscia Clear Complexion Cleanser

2009-05-30T07:43:00.000-07:00

Yeah, just a half a lippie. I know, I'm shocked too.

I really like the Boscia products. I am most interested in them because of the preservative-free ingredients they claim they don't use. I first fell in love with the Makeup Breakup Cleansing Oil. I think I've been smitten by it to the point of excess.

I tried this cleanser, but am not as impressed as most reviews I read. It wasn't drying, but other than that, I have no real praise for it.

If I use a cleanser, I believe it should clean whatever has attacked me during the day. I didn't feel that about this product. I know some cleansers are more gentle than others, but when I see so much oil yuck on a cotton pad after cleansing, I'm not happy.

Don't expect it to take off makeup. It just doesn't do it. Foundation, eyeshadow, and especially mascara are not touched by this product. Sometimes even normal facial oil fails to be moved.

This cleanser is much too gentle. I'm moving on.

Even tone disappointment

2008-06-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

Rx for Brown Skin

I keep trying products from this line hoping to fall in love. It was made by an African-American female, Dr. Susan Taylor and I want to support her since I haven't heard of any other dark-skinned scientist (Carol's Daughter isn't scientific), making products specifically targeting dark skinned women.
I really like the Bright and Even Exfoliating toner she makes

unlike most toners, it really does seem to "normalize " my face if I start getting crazy acne, other than that, not so impressed.
It seems to be just another cosmetic line.
I was initially excited about the Naturally Flawless Advanced Botanical Brightener because it was a brightener specifically targeted for brown skinned persons that might actually lighten some of those dark spots that form after you get a pimple.
Nope.

I had better luck with the Olay Definity Foaming Moisturizer.

It actually not only fades spots, but makes you glow, as the ad claims! Sis told me about this, but she got the hydrating cream that comes in a jar, but they both have the same ingredients and work exactly the same. Just a little sticky is my only complaint so I use it at night.
Even then only a couple of nights a week, this stuff REALLY makes you lighter, and I want to have an even complexion with the rest of my body, which is why I went to Rx in the first place.
I also tried the Bright and Even Exfoliating Cleanser (neutrogena works just as well), and the sunscreen, which despite it's claims, leaves chalky and white residue on my face which can be seen on dark skin.
I guess I could try the virtual peel kit, but I'm so over this line...
I'm more into the Boscia, Bobbi Brown and Shiseido, the Skincare lines now. Though I keep saying I'm going to go organic. These lines really make skin super soft, clean without stripping. Things you can't get with most drugstore lines. I just actually see and feel a difference in some of those that I haven't with the Rx line.

more to come on Boscia, Bobbi Brown and Shiseido lines, didn't mean for this to be a multiple review, but sometimes have to mention other products for comparisons....

Slip Slindin' Away...

2008-05-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

Boscia MakeUp-BreakUp Cool Cleansing Oil

This make-up remover is terrific. It does exactly what it's supposed to and more.
What's it supposed to do? Remove makeup. It does. Foundation, eyeshadows,including the glittery ones, stubborn waterproof blackest black mascara, and also stay on forever and a day candy apple red lipstick. I tried it all and it never failed, unlike the Fresh Soy Face cleanser(C2225). The Fresh has the slightest problem with removing all, it does most, but leaves the slightest bit of mascara. The Fresh is the closest other remover though.

The smell of the oil has a bit of mintiness to it that makes me feel the need to rinse 2 or 3 extra times when on the eyes, but never had any reactions with burnining or stinging like I do with other removers.

Process: Put two drops on a finger from each hand. Rub on one each eye, massaging on and around all eye areas, then rubbing gently on lashes. Keeping eyes closed, put another couple drops on hand (a whole pump is way too unnecesary and is a waste of product). Rub on face thoroughly. Rinse with water.
Believe it or not all the oil rinses off easily, there is no hazy oily finish. You are left with clean, soft beautiful skin. No crazy harshness that leaves you running for the face lotion.

Lovliness!

Luscious Lather!

2008-04-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

Bobbi Brown Lathering Tube Soap

This lathering soap is amazing!
It looks so industrial I wasn't expecting much at all. I beg to differ after using it.
It squeezes out looking like a silvery flat squiggle. A little goes a long way, so use sparingly.
Smooth on your face and smell a gentle waft of apricot as the lather foams easily and cleans gently. It all rinses off without much fuss and leaves your face soft and clean, not drying on combination skin.
The only thing that would put it over the top is if it removed eye-makeup as well.
The price is $24 for a 4 oz. tube and since you only need a bit, not even the length of tip of finger, this should last a looong while.
Lovely.

My Philosophy

2008-03-07T15:49:00.000-08:00

I wanted to love this stuff.
I reeeeeeeeeeally did.

My first week I was so happy! I told everyone about it, I gushed so much my friends asked if I got a kickback, I wish.
After a month of using this product, once a week. I saw a better complexion burst forth from my drab visage.

Then one day, about three weeks later, I noticed a tingling sensation on my face while I was at work. I was outside at the lake shooting another drought story.
I kept asking my reporter, "Does my face have flames leaping from it?" She thought I was on something I'm sure...
I had used sunscreen as usual so I was surprised. I stopped using my regular regimen of cleansers, toners, and moisturizers.
I was fine. Then I used the peel again...
I takes 3 days, but it kicks in and not subtly. Since I have dark skin, I'm sure there is a redness that I can't see, but sure can feel!
I was left with dark splotches on my skin, mostly around my mouth and on my neck and chin.

Now that I stopped using the peel, I'm fine. I tried it again last month to make sure, yep, no questions.

I had to buy La Mer moisturizer to get my face to go a little bit back to the right tone and texture. miracle in a bottle
What an expensive experiment that was!

The score went from Holy Grail to 1/2 a kiss

Ready for Paris!Wink now

2008-02-20T11:59:00.000-08:00

Makeup Forever has a contest going on right now.
If you ever wanted to go to Paris and you are FIERCE at making your lashes flutter with the best, then don't wait, faster than a blink of your eye, apply your makeup, take a picture and enter the contest.
Dry your tears, I may beat you to the Eiffel tower yet!

Urban goes GREEN

2008-01-28T20:31:00.000-08:00

It's natural (mineral Makeup)

It's pigment color (intense or subtle with a couple of strokes)

It's portable (one little spill-proof bottle)

Yaay!

Urban Decay Loose Pigments Eyeshadow.

I love pigment eyeshadows since I feel you get more bang for your buck. If going to work put it on subtly, and if going out for fun, lay it on and have fab attention-getting eyes!

I love that it's all natural. Actually they say it's mineral makeup with no dyes or pigments.

Think this is worth trying to compare to MAC pigment shadow. That one isn't natural though...

Flawless Skin

2008-01-24T10:26:00.000-08:00

We all strive for our skin to look flawless.

These are two products I use to make myself look like a walking airbrushed supermodel.

If you apply either of these to your face, even without any foundation or powder, your face will have a smooth, even appearance. I don't know how they do it, but it's fab!

Then if you choose to put on foundation or powder, mama mia!

I always get compliments.

I use them in in rotations so my skin doesn't get uses to one.

They help control shine, minimize pores, and just fives a "primed" base for makeup to be applied. I believe the Lancome tops the smashbox only in that sometimes when applying the Smashbox primer it seems the product get "ashy" and it's like you have to make sure it's rubbed in or dusted off (I know it's hard to explain).

Every so often I do notice I may have to apply a little more when I get home to combat the shine. I have skin that erupts once a month, if you ladies know what I mean, but this miracle in a jar doesn't seem to make it any worse. Kudos.

Dryness You are BANISH-ED!

2008-01-21T06:31:00.000-08:00

Aveda Caribbean Therapy scores perfect

It is the chilly side of winter and I don't know about you, but the battle of the ash makes me ti-red.

Now I have to battle no more!

*cue sunshine here*

aaaaaaaaaaaaah

Aveda Caribbean Therapy just works! Once you smooth it on you understand. It is like a grainular sand scrub with oil in it. You smooth it on and wash it off and wa-lah! Skin of the Gods and you haven't even put on any lotion yet. Any lotion works after this stuff.

I've searched the world and my sister's Christmas present finally did the job.

THANKS SISSY!

Rushamaniacs unite!

2008-01-11T06:12:00.000-08:00

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