Beauty in Mahogany

Loving Michelle O

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:55:00 +0000

Okay, it's official. I'm so in love with Michelle Obama, and not just because she makes us women of color P-R-O-U-D. She's gorgeous, she's stylish, she's smarter than her husband, and she seems to handle the incredibly high-profile, super-busy life she leads with unflappable grace and elan.

Oh, and apparently, she says Hell-to-the-no to pantyhose. I'm over the moon.

I guess I'd noticed it on occasion, but I didn't realize that she totally eschews pantyhose. She may have donned some when she met the Queen of England -- it's hard to tell in the few photos available if she did or not -- and likely at the inauguration, too, but she didn't in her meeting with the Sarkozys in France, and in most events she's seen with her legs au naturel. Love. It.

I can't stand pantyhose. I can't stand the expense, the discomfort, the unnatural appearance, the feel, the efforts required to put them on without tearing them. They're the bane of my professional existence, and when I have to wear a suit I generally either just grin and bear it or I eschew the skirt altogether and don pants. Not the most elegant look -- although they're certainly more comfortable and allow for more movement than a skirted suit would -- but it gets the job done and doesn't require me to wear anything other than knee-highs at the most.

Now I think I'll take Michelle Obama's lead and just avoid pantyhose altogether. In fact, I say that all women around the world should put pantyhose makers out of business entirely. We worked damn hard to free ourselves from corsets and bone-breaking shoes and lead-filled makeup. Why torture ourselves more with such antiquated notions as pantyhose? What's wrong with our natural legs?

It'll be interesting to see the reactions (if any) from potential job interviewers, for example, if I were to come in wearing a nice suit, pumps and no pantyhose. But then again, would you want a job where your entire worth as a professional and an intelligent human being rests on whether or not your legs are encased in scratchy, itchy nylon? I don't think so.

Beauty Review: The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Night and Day Creams

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:04:00 +0000

The Body Shop can be found just about anywhere in the world...outside of the United States, that it. I knew of it when I lived in Japan, having seen it in a mall or so back in Dallas, but it enjoys enormous popularity overseas. In England, for example, they have a lovely shop inside Heathrow Airport, where you can score full-sized bottles and tubes of sweet-smelling lotions and potions for less than you would pay back home. (How they can do that, I've no clue, but it's a godsend if you forgot to pack for the cold, dry climates of northern Europe.) In shops throughout Southeast Asia (at least, in the Philippines, Singapore and Japan, where I've visited Body Shop outlets), women and men pack the aisles, trying out the different products and usually leaving with at least a bottle or two of a favorite item.

I'm not sure why it's less well-known here, but it does have a presence, albeit a small, unassuming one. The stores haven't changed much in terms of interior design -- they still sport the dark green paint and the atmosphere is reminiscent of one's fantasy of an old English shoppe -- but if there's one thing that the Body Shop is known for throughout the world, it's their fierce environmental consciousness. The late Anita Roddick -- the Body Shop founder and environmental advocate -- and her shops were proudly green long, loooong before Al Gore made the movement hip. I don't know if they still offer this service, but for years they would allow customers to bring in their empty Body Shop containers for refills. To this day they still make a point of sourcing ingredients from sustainable farms, and they still eschew flashy marketing and design to focus their efforts on the quality of their products.

My favorite Body Shop product of late is their Aloe line, specifically the Soothing Night Cream. It comes in a small pot and is especially made for those with sensitive skin. Although my face isn't very sensitive -- it's very oily and acne-prone, but not sensitive -- my neck is a different story. I've yet to find a sunscreen that it can tolerate, and forget about any kind of moisturizers. A mere drop of a forbidden lotion, and an angry red rash will flare up that won't go away for at least a day or two.

Not with the Body Shop's Aloe Soothing Night Cream, though! It's not super-rich, so if you have very dry skin you might need something more emollient, but for those with normal to slightly oily skin with dry patches, this could be the perfect solution for you if you're sensitive. With shea butter and sesame oil, it moisturizes very well but doesn't leave a greasy film; rather, it absorbs quickly and leaves your skin touchably soft. And it has never ever given me even the slightest hint of a rash. My skin has responded very well to this product.

The Day Cream, which has a slightly lighter texture, works equally well. However, the downside is that it doesn't come with added sunscreen protection at all, so you'll need to make sure to include that in your routine if you wish to use this. Personally, I don't use day creams or lotions that don't include sunscreen, since I prefer to minimize the number of products I use on my oily skin.

The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Night Cream: $20.00 for 1.7 oz.
The Body Shop Aloe Soothing Day Cream: $16.00 for 1.7 oz.

Looking for cheap, chic fashions?

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:39:00 +0000

The economy has curtailed (somewhat!) my shopping habit, which is fine with me as I'm not that big of a shopper. My sister-in-law is a pro and has scored some amazing deals, but I can't be bothered. Not just because my wallet isn't that generous, but because quite frankly, I'd rather be reading or hanging out with friends than roaming massive malls for a pair of jeans. Most of the time, they either don't fit or are way too trendy. Nothing wrong with being up with the times, but unfortunately most department stores and boutiques carry trends that are better suited to teenagers and very young adults. I'm 37, dammit, and have way more money than the average twentysomething, but I guess retailers sometimes forget that.

Instead, what I do is buy a few timeless pieces that will remain in my closet for years and which will always be in style. I'm talking about dark wash denim that sits just below the waist and are slightly flared at the leg. Sure, today it's all about the skinny jean (just like the '80s!) and bright yellow and the latest It bag, but these are momentary trends that will disappear within mere months, so why spend all your hard-earned money for something with such a short shelf life? Yes, you can always store them for a couple of decades (lots of '80s-style clothes are roaring back at the runways), but then you'll have to spend money to have that storage and space. Why not just buy clothes that you can wear year in and year out?

You don't necessarily have to buy classic-but-uber-pricey brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, either. Heck, even those lines have their share of fleeting togs. The great thing about dressing simply but elegantly is that, once you have a wardrobe rich in such timeless classics, you'll rarely have a problem getting dressed again. Streamlining can not only simplify your busy life and schedule, it can be very, very cost-effective.

My favorite place to score well-priced classic pieces is my little network of consignment shops and thrift stores. Not every town is going to have them, but most will. In Dallas you have a huge array of choices, from the enormously popular Clotheshorse Anonymous to the neighborhood Goodwill. I used to be a devoted Clotheshorse shopper, but since the early 2000's they've started pricing their goods quite high. In the late 1980's and early 1990's, I could nab a beautiful designer wool suit for less than $50, but nowadays you'd be lucky if you could escape the store spending less than $100. Want a genuine Prada for less than $300? Try eBay. If you dare.

Still, I'll go there on occasion. I check out the suits, skirts, blouses, and of course, purses. They've since relocated to a much bigger location, one that showcases more of their gems. Sometimes you'll find good deals, but be prepared to spend nearly as much as you would at the mall.

Other shops worth checking in the Dallas area include Revente on Mockingbird Lane and Clothes Circuit near Northwest Highway and Preston. The latter is similar to Clotheshorse in pricing, but if you're on the hunt for upscale designer clothing, that's a fantastic place to shop. They also have a better, larger purse selection than Clotheshorse, too, IMHO.

In Irving a decent place for an afternoon hunt is Chapter Two, located on the southeast corner of O'Connor Rd. and Rochelle. Their purse selection is so-so (rare designer finds, and many of them are of older vintage, like Dooney & Bourke handbags from the 1980's), but the staff is friendly and the selection of clothes is great.

I usually go to Goodwill for books, but if you pick the neighborhood, you can get some wonderful clothes and accessories. A while back (before designer knockoffs were common), my mom once found a slightly damaged but genuine Gucci purse at the Irving Goodwill. Minor water stains had slightly warped the interior lining, but otherwise it was in gorgeous condition. Price? Six bucks, baby. And yes, it really was a genuine Gucci handbag.

Chances are you won't be able to find such jewels very often -- if at all -- but especially in these straitened times, you might be surprised at what people have been unloading at their neighborhood thrift shop. Sure, more people are holding on to their stuff longer, but there are still lots of good buys to be had. I like to keep an eye on fashion trends by browsing through several fashion magazines a month, but then I head out to Goodwill and my local thrift shop to find some similar pieces, specifically those that might work for today's fashion but doesn't necessarily scream TRENDY. An example would be last fall's signature color, deep violet/purple. Designers came up with a lot of beautiful pieces in that shade, but a lot of them were fleeting designs that wouldn't survive another year's fashion scrutiny. You can, however search through the Goodwill racks for, say, a vintage Polo in eggplant or deep violet and be able to satisfy your sartorial demands without spending a fortune.

When searching for consignment shops near you, just Google "consignment [name of your city here]." Chances are you'll come up with several to choose from. If not, start with your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Garage/yard sales can make for great treasure hunts, too, and their prices are often the lowest you'll find anywhere, but if you're looking to save gas and drive time as well, you should definitely head out to your local secondhand/vintage/thrift/consignment boutiques and stores.

Beauty Review: Paula's Choice Sheer Matte Tint Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:52:00 +0000

Okay, if you read the previous review you know I was kind of lackluster about Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20. I tried the Sheer Beige, which was a wee bit darker than my actual skin tone; it stood out and made it obvious that I was wearing some kind of shade on my skin, which in my book is against what a tinted moisturizer is supposed to do.

I tried out the Sheer Neutral, however, on my medium-olive skin, and lemme tell ya, it's an almost perfect match. Nothing short of Prescriptives' custom-blended foundation (assuming you find a really good counterperson who knows what they're doing, which you definitely should) will likely give you the perfect match, but this comes pretty close. In the muted light of my bathroom mirror it blended perfectly and disappeared almost immediately into my skin, even with the thicker-than-recommended layer I applied (I want the full SPF without having to add an additional product on my skin!). Once I stepped outside in natural light, even my husband thought it looked really good, very natural, and he ordinarily likes me sans any makeup, even a sheer tint. It's extremely lightweight and feels like nothing on my skin, a big plus for my ordinarily oily complexion.

Bottom line: This is an excellent tinted moisturizer for folks with normal or oily/combination skin who want to eschew traditional foundation. You'll still need to tote some blotting sheets with you, especially if you live in a humid climate, but otherwise this will provide not only sheer coverage but a decent overall matte finish. And if you hate piling on the products, the broad spectrum SPF 20 will be a godsend; just wash your face, apply this tint and go.

Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20: $14.95/1 oz tube. Excellent value.

Beauty Review: Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 14:44:00 +0000

Particularly during the hot, steamy days of Dallas summer, I don't especially care for wearing makeup of any kind. Not foundation, not powder, not blush -- nothing. It worked well for me when I lived in Grand Junction, Colorado, but Dallas, however, can be a pretty demanding, high-maintenance kinda town for women, especially professional women. Even the creative artiste types tend to dress up over here. No paint-splashed smocks in public, please. We have a rep to protect. (This may be why I'm having a hard time readjusting to life back in my own hometown, but I digress.)

I reviewed some of Paula Begoun's Paula's Choice skincare line yesterday and absolutely love love love the products. They're super-light and make my skin feel so smooth and well-nourished. I do use Neutrogena's Oil-Free Acne Stress Control 3-in Hydrating Treatment (2% salicylic acid) for exfoliation and Clean & Clear's Foaming Facial Cleanser for Sensitive Skin as my cleanser, but I've added Paula's Choice toner, day sunscreen and antioxidant serum to the mix.

When I ordered the skincare products from PC (they have an awesome distribution system, so that I received the products a mere two days after I placed the order, even though I chose Standard Shipping), I also threw in a few samples, including two of their Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20. Like I said, I'm not a big fan of foundation, but I might tolerate a tinted moisturizer, especially if it has SPF. The fewer products I layer on my skin, the better, and with a tinted moisturizer, I could just wash my face, tone and put on the tint. Voila! A touch of lipstick and/or gloss, and I'm out the door.

My two cents? The sample I received was in a sweet little black pot and was enough for at least two applications. It glided on well and absorbed quickly, and the color (Sheer Beige) was pretty close to my skintone, albeit a wee bit darker. I might try the next lighter color, Sheer Neutral, the next time.

Still, it's not the perfect solution that I was (foolishly?) hoping it would be. I dream of someday having a foundation or tint that would provide the kind of sheer coverage that isn't obvious to anyone who doesn't know me. I have fairly decent skin, but I'm 37 and have had acne problems in the past, and with my brown complexion -- scars easily -- I could use a bit of coverage. The only "perfect solution" I've found is the Prescriptives custom-blended foundation, but it's expensive -- albeit totally worth it if you have the money -- and ever since I've been trying desperately to approximate its effect with cheaper solutions at the drugstore.

Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint is a decent option, but B. (that would be my husband) told me that it does tend to settle a bit around the cheek areas when I smile. I don't see it myself, but I probably needed to see it in bright, natural light. It does provide a good matte finish, but by mid-morning my nose was shinier than usual, so if your skin tends to the oily side you definitely will want to bring a powder or at least blotting sheets.

The sunscreen is excellent, with both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, so this might work for someone with sensitive skin. Paula's Choice offers four shades: Sheer Beige, Sheer Neutral, Sheer Ivory, and Sheer Fair, and the Web site points out that since it's supposed to be sheer, the shades are meant to suit all skin tones. Still, you might want to try samples of a couple of different shades to test out their look on your skin. Since they are sheer, if you rely on this tint solely for your sun protection, you'll need to layer it on in order to get the full effect. Otherwise you'll need additional sunscreen. If you have oily skin like I do, the fewer products you have on it, the better, so make sure you have a good match so that you can apply a generous amount.

Bottom line: Good option for those who don't like foundation but still want some sheer coverage, plus the added bonus of a high SPF sunscreen. Bargain priced, great shipping. Samples are offered, which you should definitely take advantage of, especially if you're going to be ordering other products from Paula's Choice anyway.

Paula's Choice Barely There Sheer Matte Tint SPF 20: $14.95 for a 1 oz. tube.

Review: Paula's Choice skin care products

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:50:00 +0000

Like tons of other women and [some] men, I've been a huge fan of Paula Begoun for at least a decade, ever since I discovered her book, Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me, 7th Edition. Cosmetics companies loathe her, some people don't trust her, but anyone with a healthy skepticism about the oft-inflated claims made by the beauty industry and its handmaiden, the women's magazine industry, should celebrate her intelligent, balanced, detailed, and often funny reviews of just about every beauty product you can think of.

Not to be outdone, Ms. Begoun has created a fairly extensive and well-reviewed product line of her own, including everything from cleansers to cosmetics. What distinguishes her from many -- if not all -- her competitors is that she's happy to recommend worthy products made by other companies. She just thinks hers is just as good, and rightfully so.

I recently tried out a number of products from her skincare line, Paula's Choice, specifically, the Skin Balancing Toner for Normal/Oily and Combination Skin; the Skin Balancing Super Anti-Oxidant Mattifying Concentrate Serum for Normal to Very Oily Skin; and the Skin Balancing Daily Mattifying Lotion SPF 15 for Normal and Oily/Combination Skin. I love them all.

Finally! I have a wonderful, affordable and effective skincare line that works with my fussy complexion. The toner, which I used morning and evening, feels silky soft and soothing to my skin right after cleansing. The serum does the same thing, depositing tons of valuable antioxidants into my skin and making it feel touchably smooth. It's the last thing I put on at night; with my oily skin, especially in this humid Dallas climate, I don't need any additional moisturizer. The daily mattifying lotion is a godsend; it's very lightweight and easily absorbed, giving my skin a clean, matte finish. I still need to use blotting sheets several times throughout the day, but hey, this is the hot and moist Southwest; I'm happy that it doesn't make my face look like an oil slick by the end of the day, which is the frequent problem I have with a lot of daily suncreens. The only thing I wish for it is that it provided a higher SPF -- say, 30 or even just 20 -- but if you're mostly officebound or otherwise spend little time outdoors in a day-to-day basis, this is perfect either under your foundation or on its own. It's probably my very favorite product in the Paula's Choice skincare line, as it makes my morning routine so much easier: cleanse, tone, lotion, voila! I'm done in less than five minutes.

The bottles are pretty simply designed, all plastic and white with either blue or green lettering, but I would guess that Ms. Begoun would rather focus her efforts on creating effective products than on pretty packaging, and that's fine with me. Antioxidant-rich products are contained have pump-style dispensers, which is ideal because open jars and bottles would expose the potent ingredients to air, rendering them useless.

You can only order these products online, but they're definitely worth the purchase. I ordered mine on Wednesday and received them by Friday via USPS, even though I only requested the Standard Delivery. Now's a good time to order, too, as Paula's Choice is offering a great sale. If you want to try them out, the company offers cheap samples (you're also offered free samples with any full-sized order). Folks with oily/acne-prone skin will especially benefit, as the PC line specifically targeting that skin type is well formulated and is the best I've seen anywhere.

Note: the antioxidant concentrate may seem pricey, but remember that you only need to use less than a pea-sized amount for your entire face. I've had mine for a week now and use it every night, and I'm nowhere near the bottom of this tube. I would guess that it will last me a month and a half, if not more.

Toner: $15.95/6 oz.

Mattifying Lotion SPF 15: $20.95/2 oz

Antioxidant Mattifying Concentrate: $24.95/1 oz

Welcoming myself back!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:44:00 +0000

I've been away for so long, I'd forgotten that I haven't blogged here in months and months!!! I'm so sorry for neglecting this wonderful site! It's been a hectic few months, what with traveling overseas in the fall (Singapore for nearly the entire month of September), running my freelance writing business, the holidays, and then...drum roll...a move to one of the fastest-growing cities in the country -- and one of my two hometowns (the other being Manila), Dallas!

Yup, my husband and I decided to head back and be closer to our families again. He landed a good job at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the area, so we're back in the arms of the Big D and are trying to get our bearings once more. (We moved here about a month ago.) We're not completely settled in yet -- our new apartment won't be ready for move-in for another two weeks -- but we're getting there. In the meantime, I'm lining up my projects and am getting back on track with some that I've neglected the past few months, including Beauty in Mahogany!

I have a backlog of products to review and am planning to concentrate on that for the next few weeks. My plan of action is to review three times a week, not including shorter, more pithy posts about fashion, events, and other articles that may be of interest to stylish, gorgeous women of color. Now that I'm back in Dallas, I'll have even more opportunity to check out the latest and best in beauty and fashion, not to mention all the fantastic cultural events that this city has to offer.

I still miss the quiet life out in the rural West, but I'm adjusting back to city life. I guess I found out that I'm really a rural girl at heart, but I'm taking advantage of all that Dallas has to offer. So far, so good.

To those of you who've stuck by Beauty in Mahogany throughout its hiatus, thank you! It's so good to be back.

Birth control for beauty?

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:02:00 +0000

I wish someone had told me about this when I was younger, so I'm going to write about it now in case you're suffering through the same problem I had when I was in my early twenties.

I'd always had mild acne when I was a teenager. Nothing serious, just the usual hormonal stuff, little pimples here and there. It was bad enough to merit a trip to the dermatologist, though, but not enough for a prescription-strength medication. Instead, she gave me a thirty-day supply of topical antibiotic (tetracycline, if I remember correctly) and a recommendation that I use Purpose facial soap as a cleanser and Clear By Design with 2% Benzoyl Peroxide as a treatment. She thought that the harsher Clearasil and Oxy products with their 5-10% solutions would be too harsh.

Sure enough, the treatment plan worked. I would go to bed with a face dotted with the Clear By Design lotion, and the next morning, voila! Pimples be gone! It was a miracle cream, although I didn't appreciate it as much at the time. All I knew was that it kept the zits at bay and left my skin relatively smooth and clear.

For whatever reason, though, my poor skin suddenly went into overdrive not too long before I moved to Japan to teach English when I was 22. Instead of the occasional little pimple, I suddenly had what a doctor later told me was acne vulgaris. Yeah, it's as nasty as it sounds. Big, inflamed acne cysts appeared on my face and would not go away for weeks. Once they did finally disappear, they left behind dark brown spots that would stubbornly stay put for at least 18 months, if not more, before finally disappearing altogether. Of course, they made sure to leave behind a much more lasting legacy: a nice little pockmark. Thanks a lot.

I'm still not sure to this day what caused all of it. The stress of moving to a different country, adapting to a different diet, the different environment and climate? Who knows? Most of my fellow Western teachers suffered through some form of skin problems throughout their tenure in Japan, so likely it was a combination of all three, which probably put our hormones out of whack. Whatever the cause, I was mortified.

To be sure, the problem wasn't as serious as I make it out to be here. I would get only 1-2 at a time, once a month or so, unlike others who suffer from this condition who have a face (and often neck) full of the cysts. Still, it was enough to make me self-conscious and desperate to find a cure. Thankfully, I was well-paid in Japan, so I could afford to try all kinds of treatments. When I visited Singapore, I even contemplated an appointment at their Skin Care Institute, but the brevity of my stay precluded that.

Finally, during my visit home after my first year, I nabbed a prescription for Retin-A. It worked beautifully, and although it left a very slight red flush on my face the first few months, the acne mercifully disappeared.

Of course, a year later, when I prepared to go home permanently, I had a two-month-long backpacking trip throughout Southeast Asia on my itinerary before the final journey back home. That meant lots of potential for incidental sun exposure, even though I'm very vigilant about my SPF. As I had been sufficiently warned by my doctor that Retin-A made my skin very sun-sensitive, I decided to forego it altogether during my trip. Thankfully, my skin cooperated and didn't act up once.

When I finally returned to the US, though, I went on birth control pills almost immediately, and lo and behold, a miracle happened: for the first time in years, my skin cleared up and never, ever gave me trouble again.

Now, I know this may sound like total BS, given all the information we know about acne and its triggers, but up until that point no one had ever pointed out to me that really severe acne could be cause by hormonal imbalances. For whatever reason, my own hormonal levels were sufficiently disturbed to give my skin all that trouble all those years. Once I got on the BCP, I never once had any problems, and my skin looked better than it had ever been.

I wish someone had told me this sooner, as I would have saved myself tons of money and heartache by going on the pill right away. If you're suffering from severe acne, the kind that can potentially disfigure your face with pockmarks and/or hyperpigmentation, you might want to talk to your doctor about this option. It's arguably safer than Accutane, and if you're sexually active (but monogamous), you could pretty much kill two birds with one stone. Plus, BCP also has the virtue of regulating your periods, so if you also suffer from heavy, painful menstrual periods, this could be a beneficial triple whammy.

Bear in mind that BCP has tons of side effects, including increased risk of blood clotting, stroke, hypertension, among a host of other symptoms. I have chronic hypertension, but that has nothing to do with my being on the pill. Rather, my family has a very strong genetic tendency towards the disease, so I'm closely monitored by my doctor and am on both the pill and blood pressure medication. You must talk to your doctor about all the risks involved and whether or not your health profile allows you to be on the pill.

If you do find that you're a great candidate for it, by all means, go for it! It may actually improve your skin, and who doesn't want that? Remember, too, that Ortho-Tricyclen, the contraceptive that's been heavily marketed the last few years as being the pill that also clears up your skin, isn't your only option. Just about any birth control pill -- by virtue of the fact that they regulate your menstrual cycle with hormones -- can perform the same miracles. It's up to you and your doctor to find out which one is right for you. For example, I tried going on Ortho-Tricyclen twice, and both times my skin broke out like crazy. Plus, I actually had my period twice in one month. I ended up going to the same pill I had when I first came back from Japan, another Ortho product called Ortho-Novum. Now I'm on the generic version, which costs $5.00 a month. Way cheaper than Retin-A, and I daresay more effective.

Like I said, it's entirely up to you and your doctor as to whether or not you're a good candidate for birth control pills. You should definitely talk to him/her before making this decision and find out all the pros and cons. If you were already thinking of going on the pill anyway for another reason -- to alleviate the inconvenience and suffering brought on my especially heavy periods, as a contraceptive, etc. -- and are also having to deal with pesky breakouts, then it just might be the answer you've been looking for.

Note: Photo taken by Stacy Lynn Baum and reproduced here under the Creative Commons License.

Where in the world is Aishwarya Rai?

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 12:15:00 +0000

Remember when the stunning Ms. Rai seemed to be everywhere? You couldn't open a fashion or beauty mag without catching a glimpse -- or a full-on view -- of those gorgeous green peepers of hers. She was a L'Oreal spokesmodel for awhile, not to mention on dozens of TV shows, including Oprah and 60 Minutes. She's been called the most beautiful woman in the world by everyone from Julia Roberts to Roger Ebert. And she's claimed -- not surprisingly -- to be the most photographed woman in the South Asia, if not all of Asia.

So what's she been up to of late?

If you've read any number of biographies and stories about her, you couldn't be faulted for guessing that she's probably busy with a million projects, not all of which are in the public view right now. She's turned down tons of lucrative offers before, she's a rich woman and is still highly sought after in Hollywood, I'm sure, so I suspect we haven't heard the last of her.

In any case, I hope to see her in more fashion and beauty ads. Rihanna, Beyonce, Halle Berry, and Queen Latifah are lovely, but they're not the only women of color in existence, folks! Let's see some more brown babes out there!

Sephora's Lancome Mascara special! Today Only!

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:41:00 +0000

Here's your chance to get in on the new, Limited Edition Vibrating Mascara from Lancome, the one you've undoubtedly read about in all the beauty and fashion mags. Sephora has a one-day only sale on this soon-to-be cult favorite, and it's today, ladies. Head on over to their site and make your purchase before it's all gone, 'cause then you'll have to wait until December (five months away!!!) before you see it on the market again.

If you do get it, let me know what you think! 'Cause you know...vibrating mascara? Really? Inquiring minds desperately want to know!

Another cool contest from Glam.com

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:24:00 +0000

Ladies, you know me and my handbag obsession. If it's a gorgeous, luxe bag in a to-die-for color and -- bonus! -- crafted by one of my fave designers (that would be Messrs. Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo, YSL, and Hermes to you, plus Chloe, Ferragamo, and Dooney & Bourke), I am so there.

If you're as obsessed as I am and don't mind giving up your name and email address to a beauty/fashion/lifestyle blog ('cause you know you can never have enough beauty info, right?), click here to enter your stats and not only receive a free subscription to Glam.com's email newsletter, Glam Today, but also enter their contest to win a Chloe handbag and $5,000.

I know. Pretty nifty, huh?

Good luck!

Giveaway winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:35:00 +0000

I so loved the answers everyone gave to the Accessories Giveaway that ended last night. You know, I was going to use Pretty Woman as another example of a "career girl" film, but thought better of it, so it was very, very cool to see a few of you guys offer that up as your fave flick. (My favorite answer? Debbie Does Dallas. Thanks, daw212!

My actual favorites are The Devil Wears Prada, His Girl Friday, Legally Blonde, Broadcast News, Working Girl (naturally!), Baby Boom, and yeah, even Out of Africa. (She was a writer and the owner/manager of a coffee farm, remember?) Love being inspired by working women, no matter the milieu.

And the winner of the Hammered Reel badge is....drum roll....agsweeps!!

The winner of the Kim lanyard is....Megan B.!

Thanks to everyone for participating, especially to BooJee Beads for the awesome giveaway prizes. If you haven't had a chance to visit their site yet, it's definitely worth checking out. If you need to wear a badge or ID around your neck or otherwise pinned to your clothing at work, this is the place to go for groovy, chic, sophisticated, and affordable accessories.

Don't forget to subscribe to Beauty in Mahogany, either via email or RSS, to be updated on the latest beauty and fashion news and reviews, not to mention future giveaways!

Free beauty products and samples from Allure

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:40:00 +0000

I've mentioned elsewhere (can't remember where) that Allure is, hands down, my favorite beauty magazine here in the United States. It's totally devoted to nothing but beauty, beauty and more beauty. No articles about female genital mutilation in Africa, child soldiers in the Congo or journalists being killed in the Philippines. Just pure, self-indulgent beauty.

Not that there's anything wrong with writing about crucial topics such as the above. I read the paper, write a regular column for the local daily and listen to NPR. I majored in political science and will return to graduate school, hopefully to study women's studies and Asian History.

When it comes to my beauty and fashion mags, though, all I want is pure escape. Give me all the latest on beauty products and Marc Jacobs' fall collection. Allure knows its core competence and doesn't dare veer an inch from it.

One of my absolute favorite things about Allure, of course, is their monthly giveaways. I've yet to win anything from Allure (although I did win an Escada purse from Elle, another great beauty/fashion rag). August is the best time to sign up, as they have tons of up-to-the-minute products, everything from skincare to haircare and fragrances. Sign up at Allure Access. Make sure that you go to Win It! Get It! to view all the current promotions.

BONUS: For a limited time only, Allure also has their great August giveaway, with dozens of designer products just waiting for eager fashionistas and beauty junkies. I signed up for just about everything! You'll have to actually sign up for each product individually, so prepare for a few minutes of entering your vital stats. But don't worry: they don't ask for your birthdate, social security number, or anything too personal. They will, however, ask for name, address, telephone number, age, household income, and email address. Just so you know, I've never received any junk calls or mail from them, save for the occasional Allure email promo.

So sign up! (The giveaways are all for a limited time only, so sign up now before it ends!) Someone's gotta win this stuff, right? Why can't it be you?

Beauty Review: Being True Dual Eyeliner

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:09:00 +0000

This one is simplicity defined. BeingTrue's Dual Eye Liner lives up to the name, with one sharp end ("reflect") serving as a highlighter while the other is your chocolate brown kohl liner. Play up your brown eyes by smudging it a bit using BeingTrue's Liner Diffuser Brush, or keep it simple and define your eyes with its rich color. Plus, it comes with a little sharpener that's perfect for stashing in your cosmetics case so you'll never have to worry about a stubby pencil!

I love this liner's slim, elegant profile and how easy it is to apply. The bold color stays put and is water-resistant, so no worries about streaking. A great tool for everyday use.

Price: $18.00. Available at BeingTrue spas around the country. Click here for more information.

Beauty Review: Kimiko Sheer Lip Tint & Plumper

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:19:00 +0000

There's a certain hard candy in the Philippines whose name escapes me but which was incredibly popular when I was a young 'un because of the deep, scarlet-red color it would leave on your lips. (And your tongue and teeth and anywhere else you let it land.) Basically, it was a little girl's lipstick and gloss; combined with the cheap price and cloyingly sweet, slightly medicinal flavor of the candy itself, it was a big hit among my set.

Not that Kimiko Beauty's Sheer Tint and Lip Plumper is anything like that. For one thing, the shade I'm trying -- Sweet Plum -- is a gorgeous and flattering color on my summer-tanned skin. No wagon-red swipes across my lips or anywhere else around my mouth, thank you very much. And for another, this comes in handy-dandy packaging, like Avon's Mark line, with the lip plumper occupying one end of the container and the tint occupying the other. Easy to toss into your makeup kit, and easy to pull out for quick touch-ups.

No, this reminds me of that forgotten sweet because it has that same scent reminiscent of cherry-flavored candies. You pull out the wand, apply it to your lips, and voila! It takes me back to summer afternoons hanging around Greenbelt Mall in Makati, Metro Manila, before it became the sprawling complex it is today.

This is the good stuff: fresh and glossy but not slick, deeply hydrating for even the driest mouth, and good for your lips, what with the collagen in the plumper, and pomegranate and berry extracts that not only provide that color boost but also give you the added benefit of antioxidant protection.

But most of all, it's just fun. Definitely give this one a try, and see if it doesn't take you back to the halcyon days of your youth.

Note: When applying, don't do as I do and layer on the plumper first. No, the tint goes first, and then the plumper after you've allowed the tint to dry for a minute or so. Stays put and gives you an even color.

Price: $37 for a 0.43 fl-oz double-sided tube. Available on their Web site.

Beauty Review: Ambi Even & Clear Daily Moisturizer SPF 30

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:12:00 +0000

I'm really loving all the skincare and cosmetic lines that are coming out specifically targeting women of color. Not that "conventional" skincare lines don't address our needs -- I've been a big fan of Neutrogena since college. Most of us will suffer through some form of acne at one point in our lives, even through adulthood (hello! me!), and for my money no skincare company comes close to matching Neutrogena's extensive selection of acne-fighting products.

Of course, one of the unfortunate byproducts of acne is potential scarring, and I think we have it harder than our paler sisters. Hyperpigmentation -- the skin's overproduction of melanin, whether as a result of excessive sun exposure or as part of the healing process -- is a big issue with us. I know it is with me, although it took some time for me to understand just how that plays into my choice of skincare products.

Ambi Skincare has been around for decades. I think I first heard about them in an advertisement they had in Essence Magazine. Still, this is the first time I've ever tried any of their products, and I'm totally sold on this moisturizer/sunscreen. It offers a generous 3 fl-oz in a good-sized pump bottle that ensures the antioxidants packed in the product aren't lost to air and light.

You know you don't need more than a teaspoon of this stuff on your face to ensure maximum sun protection right? A couple of pumps of this, and you're good to go! It absorbs super-fast, so there's no waiting around for your skin to stop looking oily -- this stuff's oil-free and dries quickly into a light, matte finish -- and you get broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection from the 3.0% Avobenzone/Parsol 1789 for an impressive SPF 30. And did I mention it's loaded with antioxidant Vitamins C & E for anti-aging as well as natural soy for its soothing properties?

Yeah, this is definitely a keeper. Even our white sisters can benefit from this, as it doesn't leave your skin looking all ghostly and ashy like a lot of high-SPF products. Great for everyday use or even if you'll be outdoors for a significant period of time. (Just remember to reapply after sweating, towelling or 2 hours out in the sun!)

Price: $10-13 for 3 fl-oz. Available at online or brick-and-mortar drugstores.

Beauty Review: Every Man Jack Body Wash

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:29:00 +0000

Yes, this is a body wash targeting men, but ohhhhhh, how good it feels when I jump in the shower after a long run.

C'mon, ladies, who among you hasn't borrowed your man's razor/shaving cream/cologne/boxer shorts/car? Why not his body wash?

Don't get me wrong: I love me my Bath & Body Works shower gels. I love all the different scents they have, the enormous collection of body washes that purportedly address every possible need a woman could have. Stressed? Try the lavender aromatherapy. Need a little pick-me-up? Feeling decadent? Try the Chocolate Mocha Body Wash. Want to feel as if you're in the tropics? Try anything they have with the word coconut on the label.

Still, sometimes a girl's just gotta feel clean. Since it's summer, and even out here in the supposedly dry desert humidity can reach a whopping 80-85% (like this morning!), my morning runs can be a real slogfest by the time I get home. Not that I mind -- I love feeling strong and powerful and all I-Am-Woman-Hear-Me-Roar, and the endorphin rush in the end can't be beat -- but one of the best things about running is the chance to sit under a rush of water from the shower and just wash off all the sweat and grime.

There's nothing inherently masculine about the Every Man Jack body wash other than its vaguely geometric, faux-wood packaging that I guess is supposed to remind men of their ancient hunting legacy. The one I'm loving is the Signature Mint scent; the peppermint feels and smells absolutely refreshing, and I'd like to believe that the mint is doing all its handy antibacterial work on all the dirt and germs I picked up on the road. Plus, did I mention that it's free of parabens, artificial colors and sodium lauryl sulfate? Yeah, this is good stuff.

The only complaint I have? The dispenser isn't the easiest to pop open in the shower. You have to flick open the lid, but it's a little tight, which can make it hard to operate when your hands are wet. But that's a small price to pay for cleanliness.

Price: $5.00 for 12 oz., although I've seen it for sale at Target for less. Worth the price.

Massage Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:01:00 +0000

No, this isn't going to be a post about how to give a massage, but something more fun: how to get one. I just got my monthly massage this morning, and Oh. My. God. It's one of the things I most look forward to after a long, hard month of working, hunched over the computer, running, sleeping poorly -- in other words, doing all the things we all tend to do when we let life overwhelm us.

Maria is my 3rd regular massage therapist. In South Carolina I relied on Aaron, a sports massage therapist who counted Olympic athletes among his clients. Aaron could literally make me cry, but his deep tissue work is still the best work I've ever had. In Dallas I went to Greg, who was the director of a local massage school and was expert at kneading out the kinks from the stressful job I had at the time. Maria is my go-to woman here, a soothing, sweet massage therapist who's also a registered nurse and is familiar with a number of different modalities, including Cranio-Sacral and Traeger.

Massage is an excellent addition to your beauty regime, and it's definitely worth the extra money if you can afford it. I don't consider it a luxury anymore than I consider my $100 running shoes a luxury. To me, it's an investment in my health and well-being, as regular massage cleans out the toxins in my body and eases all those tight muscles (including those on your face), inducing a relaxed state that contributes wonders to the beauty of your whole body.

Here are some tips to find a good massage therapist:

Ask for referrals from trusted sources. Do your friends get regular massages? Ask them for recommendations. Don't just go to a massage therapist just because your sister loves him or her, though. Call up the therapist and ask questions about his technique, his policies, his experience.

Find a licensed/registered massage therapist. My state (Colorado) only recently passed legislation requiring all massage therapists to register with the state; registration requires a minimum of 500 hours of education, among other requirements. At this time 39 states require licensure/registration, but even in the remaining 11 states you're bound to find registered/licensed massage therapists who have undergone the requisite education and adhere to the American Massage Therapy Association's code of ethics. There are, of course, plenty of practicing massage therapists who aren't registered and aren't required to do so by their state. If that description applies to your long-time therapist and you're pleased with his/her practice, there's nothing that says you should change. But know that registered therapists who have the education behind them will likely be more familiar with the anatomy and physiology of the human body than someone who does not have that background.

Tell the therapist what you're looking for in a massage. Some people like cranio-sacral, others don't. Some like deep tissue, while others prefer the lighter touch of the Swedish massage. Some want the sports massage to enhance their training regimen for whatever sport they play, while others simply want the relaxation benefits that massage affords. Whatever your reason, make sure you inform your therapist and you find out if s/he is knowledgeable and/or specializes in that technique. You don't want to go to a spa massage therapist, for example, whose expertise lies in Swedish massage if what you're looking for is deep tissue sports massage that targets the muscles you use while you're playing tennis or basketball.

Know your comfort level, but don't be afraid to discuss any concerns with your therapist. More than a few people -- especially those who've never had a massage -- are uncomfortable with having anyone touch them. If you're really unsure, talk to your therapist about your concerns. You may not, for example, want to fully disrobe during a massage and would prefer to remain in your street clothes during the entire session. A good, ethical massage therapist will respect your concerns and won't force you to do something you're uncomfortable with. Massage works best if you can at least disrobe down to your undies, but what's most important is that you're comfortable.

Try out the chair massage at your local health food store or mall if you're just wanting a "taste" of massage. Most of those who operate those by-the-minute chair massages are registered therapists (they all are if they're practicing in a state that requires licensure), so you can be assured of a good massage. This is a great way to try out massage and see if it's something you might be comfortable with. You can also "audition" the therapist; if you like him, you could ask him for his card and make an appointment for a full, private massage. The beauty of the chair massage is that there's little discomfort involved. You're fully clothed, and the session typically can last as long or as little as you want, since chances are you're paying by the minute.

If you're looking for a good sports massage, call your local university or college and ask to speak to their athletic director. Chances are, if they have a large enough sports program, they have contacts with some of the best sports massage therapists in town. I met Aaron through contact with our college's athletic director, who herself is also a runner. It turns out that Aaron specializes in professional and college-level track and field athletes. While I'm more of a distance runner and definitely on the amateur-level, he knew exactly what kind of therapy program I needed based on his extensive knowledge of, and experience with runners.

Price does not equal quality. Greg, my massage therapist in Dallas, was the director of the massage therapy program in my town, so he charged the same as those of his instructors, who themselves charged a relatively low fee. On the other hand, I've also gotten expensive massages at high-end resorts that were relatively poor in quality. You may have to audition a few therapists in order to find the one you want, but don't turn your nose at someone just because they charge less than what others do.

On the other hand, massage schools, while offering rock-bottom prices, may not offer what you want. Many of these schools charge no more than $20-25 for a one-hour massage -- a deal that you'd find hard to beat with a practicing massage therapist, but the caveat is that you'll be in the hands of relatively inexperienced students. To be honest, I've yet to get a really good massage from a student. If all you're looking for is a light, relaxing massage, the student option may be all you need, but if you have more specific issues that require the services of a specialist, you're better off finding that specialist. $20 is no bargain if you don't get what you want.

If and when you find a therapist you like, try and negotiate a lower price by offering to pay up front for a certain number of massages. For example, Aaron gave me a 25% discount if I prepaid for four massages. I never had to worry about coming up with the money each time, and I got a discount to boot. Obviously, if you don't have the money to prepay, this won't be an option, but remember that most practicing therapists are small businesses themselves. Maybe you can barter something with them, such as discounted accounting services (if you're a CPA) or desktop publishing, in exchange for free or discounted massages.

Treat your massage therapist like a professional. Most of them will be licensed/registered and have undergone an educational program that rivals those of many allied health programs. Arrive on time and pay promptly. Don't even think about asking about "extra services." If you're looking for that kind of massage, you're reading the wrong blog. As for tipping, that's a delicate issue that you'll need to feel out yourself. Since most therapists consider themselves as professionals, tipping shouldn't be necessary, any more than it would be for, say, nurses or radiologists or medical assistants. Maria, for example, graciously refuses tips. Other therapists may beg to differ. You'll need to work that for yourself on what you're comfortable doing.

What about you? Do you have any tips on finding a massage therapist or just about getting a massage in general?

Hair Mistakes You and I and Everyone in Between Probably Make

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:24:00 +0000

God bless Microsoft. I love me my open source software, but I do like MSN Central.

Anyway, did you guys catch that article last week titled "The Dirty Dozen: 12 Hair Mistakes You May Be Making?"

Lessee...

"Washing your hair everyday?" Check.

"Not getting regular haircuts?" Check.

"Using too much conditioner?" Uhm, maybe.

"Overheating your hair?" No. I almost never blow-dry my hair anymore. Thank God.

"Fighting your hair's natural texture?" Nope. I'm wash-serum-and-go.

"Choosing the wrong styling products for your hair type?" Uhm, dunno. I've only recently started experimenting with hair products, and even then I don't pile 'em on. So for now, No.

"Thinking that more is better?" Nah. I only usually use one product at a time.

"Pulling your hair back with just any elastic?" Oh God, no. I would never use a plain rubber band. Just trying it (once!) made my hair hurt.

"Getting stuck in a style rut?" Maybe, maybe not. I'm growing my hair out (again!), and am going for the beach-y, wave-y look. So far, so good. No more Working Girl helmet hair for me!

"Brushing your hair too much?" Again, I don't know. I don't really brush it often, but I do run my fingers through it now and then. No 100 strokes/day, though.

So there you go. I knew I was probably violating at least one of them. I really need to work on the haircutting schedule. It's not cheap, but for $20 for a trim, that's actually pretty good considering she's a great stylist. I think I'm actually due for one, so I'd best get that scheduled ASAP.

What about you? How did you do on the list?

Beauty Review: Nature's Gate Tea Tree Calming Shampoo

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:15:00 +0000

I seem to be on a real hair kick of late, haven't I? The desert's summer heat has really done a number on my hair recently, and the latest humidity levels haven't helped. Last night it was supposed to reach over 40% humidity -- that's like Dallas levels! So much for living in the desert.

It's made my light dandruff condition more than a little picky of late. Normally I wash my hair everyday, which both helps keep my locks from OD'ing on oil and keeps the flakes happily away. I still haven't found the perfect dandruff shampoo -- I don't like the smell of Head & Shoulders, and all others just strips all traces of oil from my scalp and hair. Not a good thing.

Aubrey Organics used to make this cade tar dandruff shampoo that didn't smell all that great but left my hair clean but well-moisturized. Now, maybe they discovered that cade tar actually makes you sterile or whatever, but I miss it so. Their new scalp treatment shampoos just don't cut it.

I've been using Nature's Gate Tea Tree Calming Shampoo the last few weeks, but I have to say that it's nothing special. It smells lovely, and I like the clear consistency. Plus, it really does help keep my scalp clear and healthy, so it lives up to its job description.

Still, it does overdo it a bit on the oil-clearing part, as my hair then requires a super-charged moisturizing conditioner to make up for the drying effect of the shampoo. Maybe that's just the nature of dandruff shampoos, and on scalps with severe cases of dandruff this might be a godsend.

I use this only every other day and alternate with a good, moisturizing shampoo so that I don't punish my strands with all these drying products before I even get out of the shower. It's a solid, inexpensive product that's a good alternative to the really harsh, drugstore dandruff shampoos that pile all kinds of high-octane ingredients on your delicate scalp. If your dandruff condition isn't that bad, though, you might want to use this only 3-4 times a week and give your hair a break by using a mild, moisturizing shampoo on the other days.

Price: $8 for 18 fl-oz. Available at health food stores and their Web site.

Reminder: Don't forget the great giveaway currently being offered by Beauty in Mahogany! I've got a couple of gorgeous BooJee Beads products on offer for two lucky winners. Click here to find out more on how easy it is to sign up and enter!

Beauty Review: Aveda Rosemary Mint Conditioner

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:18:00 +0000

I can't say I've ever been a big fan of Aveda. I appreciate that they're making serious efforts at offering environmentally-friendly and sustainable products, but I hate that many still contain irritating ingredients. Just because an ingredient is "botanical" or "plant-based," doesn't make it good for you. As a lot of people point out, poison ivy is totally natural and plant-based, but you won't catch me smearing it all over my face.

I once had a facial at an Aveda spa in Irving (TX, where I grew up), and loved it, but I think it had more to do with the facialist herself and her expertise than with the products. That can make a difference.

Anyway, I'm so not loving Aveda's Rosemary Mint Conditioner. I like the smell, as I'm a big, big fan of anything to do with mint (which annoys B. to no end, as he's the exact opposite and hates mint), but even liberal applications of the product left my hair dry. I left it on for 3-4 minutes, and even after washing it, I could feel the hair squeak in complaint. Once out of the shower, running a comb through my wet hair was the usual ordeal of detangling -- so much for Aveda's claim that the conditioner detangles and smooths hair. I used Hairplay's SEAL to calm my strands once I'd carefully combed out the tangles, and my locks finally sighed in happiness.

Price: $9.50 for 8.5 fl-oz bottle. Available at Aveda spas and salons as well as on their Web site.

Beauty Review: Hairplay Salon's SET and SEAL

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:02:00 +0000

Ohhhh...hair. I long ago gave up on mine, partly out of sheer laziness, and partly out of frustration. Some women can spend hours and hours on their hair and feel the results are worth the time investment. (My sister-in-law, who has very wavy hair and generally spends 45 minutes each day blow-drying it straight into a beautiful, thick mane, is one of them.) Others will do just enough to make their locks presentable.

Moi? Well, lessee. I have fairly wavy, dark brown hair that breaks if it's within a mile of a comb. It's picky picky picky about its products, and it hates cheap conditioner. Never mind that I have ten cents to my name. It wants to be pampered and loved and spoiled. It does not want Tresemme. It will rebel if it comes near Tresemme. It wants to the good stuff.

So generally, as a freelance writer who spends 80% of her time in front of the computer, I just surrender to the inevitable and do little upkeep on it. I wash it everyday (it's definitely on the oily side) and let it dry naturally. Once it's dry, up it goes into a ponytail. Never mind that I've spent months and months growing it out. All that work, and all I can do to it is tie it up and forget about it.

Recently, though, I had the opportunity to try out Hairplay Salon's new collection: SET and SEAL. Hairplay belongs to San Francisco-based celebrity hairstylist Fritz Clay and has been featured in various fashion/beauty mags, including Allure and Lucky. They pride themselves on being a "multi-cultural haven." Their product line focuses on SET and SEAL.

SET, obviously, is a lightweight setting lotion supposedly guaranteed to detangle uber-fussy hair and give your parched locks all the loving moisture it needs. SEAL, on the other hand, is a finishing serum to give your hair that shiny polish without weighing it down with icky residue.

Now, I'm the kind of person who starts hyperventilating the moment she finds herself in the hair products aisle at Target. I mean, who the hell knows what all this stuff's supposed to do? There are literally hundreds of products out there, all claiming to perform that amazing miracle you've been seeking for your impossible-to-care-for mane. It's enough to make me want to just plop myself down on the floor in the middle of the aisle, twist open a random bottle and just chug.

I tried SET a couple of times and wasn't too impressed with its alleged detangling properties. Maybe my hair really is just one big bird's nest, but surely a product promising to detangle will actually -- surprise! -- detangle. I still had to go through twisted strands and literally pull them apart.

Also, while the label and Web site claim that it's a "weightless" product, I didn't like the residue it left on my locks. Perhaps the fact that I was given the "Extra Hold (3)" version didn't help. It's meant for "frizzy/curly/coarse/dense" hair, but mine is actually more wavy and fragile. The hold was just too heavy for my hair.

The company also claims that the product provides sun protection for your hair. The ingredient list does include Octyl Methoxcinnamate, but as it's not an active ingredient and there are no established guidelines in the industry or provided by the FDA regarding sunscreens for hair, this is pretty much meaningless.

SEAL, however, is getting all kinds of hair love from me. I totally heart SEAL. You put a few drops into the palm of your hand, rub your hands together, then smooth the product over wet or even dry hair. I've been using it on wet hair, and I'm tellin' ya, when my hair dries, it looks gorgeous. My husband greeted me at work the other day when I went to pick him up with a big Wow.

This stuff's light, odorless and super-easy to use, even a hair idiot like me can wield it like nobody's business. Although i live in the desert, we've had 35%+ humidity the last couple of days, and SEAL helped calm the frizz without fuss or muss. My hair just looked smooth and felt silky soft. I think it may even have done a happy dance, it was so healthy.

I would definitely recommend Hairplay's Seal, especially if you're the wash-and-go type like me who doesn't want to spend too much time or money on her hair but who still wants it to look good, you know? I'm not sure about Set, but I might change my mind if I tried the Light or even Medium hold versions. I'm still not loving the mousse-like residue, though.

What about you? If you've tried either or both of these products, I'd love to hear your take on them!

Price: SET is $19.50 for an 8-oz bottle. SEAL is $22.00 for a 4-oz bottle. Available on their Web site now and in salons nationwide in early 2009.

Accessories Giveaway! BooJee Beads

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:01:00 +0000

I don't work in an office anymore (thank God!), but I know lots of my readers do. And I also know that lots of people work in companies that require their employees to hang their ID badges around their neck on lanyards, or at least pinned to their shirt. I've only ever really worked in one company that had ID badges; I hung it from a cheap lanyard issued to me along with the laminated photo ID.

I only worked at that company as a temp for about two months, otherwise I would have definitely sought out a more attractive option for such a pedestrian but necessary accessory. I've seen lots of good candidates, but these BooJee Bea ds take the award for Prettiest Lanyards. Check out this lovely and oh-so-elegant little number, the Icy White model:

These lanyards are so gorgeous, they're like jewelry for your ID. If you wear suits, they'll enhance the chic-professional look of your entire outfit, and if you wear scrubs, they'll upgrade your image from blah to beautiful. Plus, not only are they super-fashionable but affordable as well. They also come with two-way pockets so that you can insert your ID and start wearing them right away.

As a special treat to all my Beauty in Mahogany readers and to celebrate the re-launch of this blog, I'm giving away two prizes from the BooJee Beads collection:

The "Kim" lanyard, a funky-chic silvery chain that's one of the newest additions to the collection. This baby would make a fabulous addition to any outfit and will definitely turn some heads!
A Hammered Metal Reel Badge with colorful pink stones. This also comes with a two-way pocket ID that can be used either vertically or horizontally. If you don't have an ID badge, this would make an eye-catching accessory for your keychain.

Like what you see so far? So enter now, because this contest ends at 5pm Mountain Time on Wednesday, July 30th. Only one prize per winner, so in this contest, there will obviously be two winners. To enter, take careful note of the following rules:

Submit a comment to this post telling me your favorite "career film" of all time. The examples are endless: The Devil Wears Prada, Working Girl, Broadcast News, even that old classic His Girl Friday. As long as the plotline revolves primarily around the heroine's adventures at work, it counts!
Make sure that you also tell me which prize you want to win in your comment.
Only one entry per person is allowed. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
Two winners will be announced, and each will receive one prize.
You must leave basic contact information when you post your comment. Blogger can link to your blog or site if you submit that information when you comment, but otherwise you'll need to leave an email address or URL in the body of your message.
You don't have to be a resident of the United States to enter, but you will be responsible for any customs duties should they be levied during delivery by your country's port authorities.
Deadline for all entries must be received by 5pm Mountain time, Wednesday, July 30, 2008. Any entries posted after this will not be eligible.
Winners must respond to the email notifying them of their prize within 7 calendar days after the announcement, or they will forfeit the prize.

Remember to please follow the instructions, or your entry will be disqualified. The winners will be announced on Thursday, July 31st, after a random drawing.

So enter now, and good luck! And thanks for visiting Beauty in Mahogany!

Beauty Review: Dr. Susan Taylor's RX for Brown Skin Virtual Peel

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:01:00 +0000

Oooo, this was a bad one. I'll tell you right off the bat that I did not like this product. At all.

Those of you who read Essence regularly will probably be familiar with Dr. Susan Taylor. She's a renowned New York-based dermatologist specializing in the skincare needs of people of color. I personally would love to be treated by her -- I have yet to come across a dermatologist who really, truly cares about the unique needs of Asian women, and while I couldn't, in all good conscience, recommend this particular product, I will say that I'm pleased that there's finally some notice being taken of our demographic.

Anyway, having said that, on with the review of Rx for Brown Skin's Virtual Peel Ultra Gentle Mask and Booster Kit. First, what it is: the kit contains 4 mask applications and a little pump bottle of the line's Ultra Gentle Hydrating Booster with hyaluronic acid. Each mask consists of two halves: one for the upper half of the face, and the other for the lower half. You peel off the thin plastic adhesive mask from its papery backing and press it on your face. So the upper half, for example, is shaped to go over your forehead, around the hairline, and has holes for your eyes. The bottom half is shaped to go around your jawline and has an opening for your mouth.

So I dutifully read the instructions and smoothed on the mask. Now, at that moment I was already getting a little nervous. There is no product insert in the box that tells you exactly what the mask has in it that makes it so exfoliating, other than the fact that it's basically stuck to your face. The eye openings aren't big enough to accommodate the eyebrows, so I sat there wondering if they're going to end up getting peeled off, too. They weren't even large enough to leave breathing space for the skin under the eyes, which you know is super-delicate and should not be exfoliated, especially not this roughly. Everytime I blinked, I could feel the poor undereye skin stretch and whine.

The mask for the upper half of the face also too large for my forehead, so the mask actually overlapped onto my hairline. Note to those of you with regular-sized faces: do not let the mask overlap onto your hairline! You will regret it deeply when it comes time to peel it off. If you must, try and cut the mask before you peel off the backing so that it fits over your forehead without having to overlap with anything near your hair.

Anyway, so after the requisite 5 minutes, I attempted to "very gently peel each half of the mask off beginning on one side and continuing across the face," as the instructions on the back of the box said. Ooooooooooooooooooo. It. Hurts. Seriously.

As I peeled off the mask, I watched in horror as my skin actually lifted up along with the mask as I ever-so-slowly pulled it across my face. I mean, it was like watching some villain in a Marvel Comics film peel off his mask -- you see the skin actually stretch like it's being pinched and pulled hard. Oh, my poor, poor face.

When it came time to peel off the upper half, I had to actually yank my hair from the adhesive, as strands along the hairline stubbornly stayed put on the sticky surface. Again, it hurt. I was so relieved to finally be rid of the plastic masks that I threw them both in the bin.

My face? It did look smooth, if slightly flushed, but I suspect you'd get the same result if you applied duct tape all over your face. I pumped a few drops of the Hydrating Booster into the palm of my hand and applied it to my face, which did feel good. The gentle, clear fluid is the best thing about this kit, as it did seem to soothe and calm whatever trauma my skin went through with the mask. I would use the Booster again, but not the mask. That was just too much to ask of my skin.

I'm very disappointed that a dermatologist would create this product for anyone, let alone women of color. It's never ever ever good to stretch or pull on your skin, and God knows that we women of color kinda like having a lot of hair on our hairline. It seems to have been poorly formulated, and the cheap-looking packaging doesn't help boost one's confidence in the line. I know that the last thing we should worry about is the packaging, but skincare companies invest millions of dollars in ensuring that their products look as luxe as possible, as we women like feeling pampered by beautiful things. Plus, if I'm going to pay $50 for 4 treatment masks from Sephora, at least give me a sturdier, prettier box rather than this flimsy paperboard.

Bottom line: This is definitely not recommended. The Hydrating Booster is great, but you can find other, similar hyaluronic acid products (like Vichy's) without having to buy painful masks, too.

Price: US$50 for 4 mask applications and a 0.5 fl-oz/15-ml Hydrating Booster serum. Available at Sephora and at Dr. Susan Taylor's Rx for Brown Skin Web site.

Michelle Yeoh

noreply@blogger.com (Beauty in Mahogany) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:21:00 +0000

I saw this B-movie sci-fi/horror/spiritual film (yeah, it's as messy as it sounds) called Sunshine this weekend, and was shocked (shocked!) to see Michelle Yeoh in it. Not shocked in a bad way, but rather because I hadn't seen her in such a long time. I've always thought of her as being one of the most charismatic and beautiful actors in Hollywood -- Asian or otherwise -- and in this film she really shines as a scientist on board an ill-fated mission to save the world by detonating a bomb in the interior of the sun. (You have to see it to understand, and even then it might be too confusing.)

I first read about Michelle when I lived in Japan, I think, and she was slated to be in the upcoming James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies. A former ballerina and 1983 Miss Malaysia, she's since been cast in such acclaimed films as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. It's a shame that Hollywood hasn't found a good role for her, as she's a marvelous actor plus has exquisite bone structure and elegant grace. Seriously, if she were a white actor in her early twenties, Hollywood execs would be falling all over themselves casting her.

Still, it was so lovely to see her again, even in a flawed film such as this one. She has a kind of magnetism that draws you to her face, her very presence, no matter what else is going on around her. It would be a shame to overlook that kind of unique talent and beauty as she has.

Check out this Michelle Yeoh fan site. Plus, some cool paparazzi shots of her shopping in Hollywood with an unnamed companion. She may be wearing jeans and running shoes, but she still looks stunning.