FabEllis

Perfect Locks Virgin Hair: Final Review

2013-05-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

I had a sad moment on Friday. (deep sigh) After eight weeks, I decided to take down my protective style. Throughout these weeks, I have been rocking a partial sew in with Perfect Locks Virgin Wavy Hair. This was the longest I have ever worn a sew in and my first experience with virgin hair. You may have read my first impressions and update on the hair throughout my journey and today, I wanted to give you my final thoughts on the hair.

Fixing The Issue

As you may know from my update post, I was experiencing two problems with the hair which included a heavy/greasy feeling and shedding. After speaking with Perfect Locks, they advised that shedding is normal the first two weeks and to try a sulfate-free shampoo on the hair. With their suggestion, my stylist washed the hair with Herbalife Herbal Aloe Strengthening Shampoo.

Guess what happened?!

Voila! The hair was restored and beautiful! It was lightweight and bouncy. Plus, the natural curl/wave that was produced was gorgeous.

What About Shedding?

The hair shed from day one until the day I had the hair taken out. Because our natural hair sheds, I did not have an unrealistic view that the hair would never shed; however, every time I combed the hair, it did shed. The shedding would include some long strands and several short pieces of hair in my sink each time the hair was combed.

Although I would have preferred the hair not shed as much, I can't say that it was a huge complaint of mine because the density of the hair never changed. The hair never became thin.

My Overall Thoughts

I can definitely say that I do understand now why stylists encourage purchasing virgin hair versus beauty supply store hair. Huge difference! The difference was so great that this hair actually still looked beautiful when I took it out. It was in perfect condition and can easily be reused. I thoroughly enjoyed wearing this hair.

If I Could Do It Over...

If I could do it over, I will say that I would not have left as much hair out. This is a personal preference of mine because although I was able to keep my natural hair straightened to blend with the extensions, it was difficult. I had heat put on my natural hair a total of three to four times during the process and that's more than I have ever done in a short period of time. I also wish that I had read instructions properly because if I had, I would have known to begin using sulfate-free shampoo from the beginning.

Would I Recommend Perfect Locks?

Yes! I would recommend their company; however, please keep in mind what I mentioned regarding shipping and shedding of the hair. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Are you going to try Perfect Locks?

God bless & stay fabellis,

Adventures in Thrifting: New or Barely Used

2013-05-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

I love finding great pieces at thrift stores! On my last thrifting adventure, I found a named brand blazer for the low. Over the weekend, I checked out my local Goodwill with my mom and I found even more awesome items. My grand total for three items I purchased this weekend was $8.

Check Out What I Found:

Merona Spring Blazer - Under $5

How cute is this! I love the colors and most importantly, this is a universal piece that can be worn anywhere. Plus, the best part is that it's machine washable. So, no extra expense to have it dry cleaned. Winning!

Merona Purse - $1.99

Crossbody purses are one item I don't have many of. This purse was in such great condition (and cute) that I couldn't leave it.

Hallmark Thank You Cards - $0.89

I know what you're thinking. "They have cards at Goodwill?!" Yes honey! They will sell just about anything you donate. I love having spare cards around to show my gratitude to people so I had to snatch these up. Plus, eight Hallmark cards for under $1.00 is pretty awesome.

Have you been thrifting lately? What did you find?

God bless & stay fabellis,

Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream Review

2013-05-14T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

One thing you may have learned about me recently on Facebook is that I'm passionate about skincare. I'm an advocate for healthy skin and because of this, I was excited when Influenster gave me the opportunity to review the Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream.

No matter your age, night cream is essential. To give a thorough opinion of this cream, I used it throughout the course of two weeks. Before we get into the review, let's learn more about Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream.

About Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream

Brighten and even skin tone with AVEENO® POSITIVELY RADIANT® Intensive Night Cream. Formulated with ACTIVE NATURALS® Total Soy Complex and vitamin B3, this advanced night cream leaves skin smooth and healthy looking. This oil-free night cream will help keep you looking fresh and luminous.

Photos

Pros

Extremely Moisturizing
Creamy Texture
Only Need a Small Amount
Brightens Skin

Cons

Increased Oil

My Thoughts

I was pleased to be able to review this item because Aveeno is one of those drugstore brands I have always wanted to try. After trying this product, I can say that my skin does appear brighter, but it did not reduce any brown spots on my face. I also noticed that it caused an increase in oil, which some other reviewers mentioned here.

Would I Recommend?

To be honest, it depends. If you are someone with dry to normal skin that is looking for extra moisture and possibly brighter skin, this would be great for you. However, if you have combination to oily skin, you may want to stay away.

Have you tried any Aveeno products?

God bless & stay fabellis,

Bijuju Event Recap

2013-05-08T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

Thank you to everyone who came out to Bijuju this past Saturday! Also, thank you to everyone who shared the information about the event. I had a great time meeting people in the area as well as seeing old friends. The two hour event was held at Bijuju in North Hills, an affordable, cute boutique with accessories, jewelry and soaps.

As guests walked in, they saw a table of delicious treats provided by Bijuju. There were treats for those with a sweet tooth like me and a healthy alternative! I behaved and mainly had fruit! Proud of myself.

Bijuju also provided two $25 gift cards to be raffled to guests. I also made a goody bag filled with natural hair products from Clear Ultra Shea and Beautiful Textures to be raffled off.

All guests enjoyed 30% off select items. Since it was many people's first time visiting the boutique, they enjoyed the unique atmosphere and beautiful jewels.

Thanks again to everyone who stopped by!

God bless & stay fabellis,

Event Reminder: Join Me @ Bijuju - May 4, 2013

2013-05-01T16:30:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

I just wanted to post a quick reminder of the event I am having at Bijuju in North Hills this Saturday. The event is FREE and includes three giveaways (two $25 gift cards & natural hair goodies), refreshments and 30% off select items.

Feel free to drop in any time! Be sure to bring business cards. I am always one for networking!

Want a reminder on Saturday? RSVP here.

See you Saturday!

Perfect Locks Virgin Hair: Update

2013-04-26T11:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

As you all know, I have been rocking a protective style for the past month. I decided to sport a protective style to allow the majority of my natural hair a chance to rest. If you read my First Impressions, you may know that I have been wearing Perfect Locks Virgin Hair in Wavy. I had a partial sew in installed where the edges and a front portion of my natural hair were left out while the middle of my hair was braided and extensions were sewn in.

Beyond giving my natural hair a chance to rest, I wanted to show that a non-curly sew (see my last sew-in) in can be a great option for those seeking a protective style. Since I have now had the hair installed for just over four weeks, I wanted to update you all with my experience and thoughts on the hair so far.

Washing

After a week and a half of having the hair installed, I decided to co-wash the hair at home. I decided to co-wash the hair because it started to feel heavy and look shiny. Just as I did in the pre-installation process, I co-washed the hair with Tresemme Naturals Conditioner. The hair was light and developed a nice wave. I allowed it to air dry. However, after one to two days, the hair appeared to be shiny and heavy again.

Since I never apply heat to my natural hair myself, I was also having trouble blending my natural hair back with the extensions. I decided to allow my hair stylist to wash my hair as well as the extensions. So, after wearing the hair for less than three weeks, I had my hair stylist wash and condition my hair and the extensions. She washed and conditioned the extensions with Mizani Milk Bath products.

The Results

After having my hair washed and conditioned, I noticed that the hair still appeared shiny and would not hold curls like it initially did. My hair stylist tried to curl the hair with a flat iron and it would only curl at the ends. I also began experiencing more shedding with the hair. I decided to consult with Perfect Locks and I got an immediate answer.

The company let me know that shedding is common the first two weeks. They also offered to have a licensed cosmetologist call me. I spoke to the cosmetologist and she suggested that I use a sulfate-free shampoo on the hair because the products my stylist and I have been using may be too heavy. She also suggested not using a flat iron because of the heat and to try a curling wand.

My Thoughts

Although I'm disappointed that the hair will not curl like it initially did, I am enjoying the ease of styling my hair in the mornings. Plus, I respect a company with great customer service.

Below is a quick list of the current pros and cons of the hair:

Pros

Low Maintenance
Soft

Cons

Increased Shedding
Difficult to Curl

Next Steps

Since Perfect Locks suggested I use a sulfate-free shampoo, I do plan to visit my hair stylist again and use Herbalife Herbal Aloe Strengthening Shampoo to wash the extensions. I will keep you all posted!

Do you have any tips on caring for extensions? Share!

Don't forget to come and see me on May 4th at Bijuju!

God bless & stay fabellis,

Introducing New Website: FashPlus

2013-04-22T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

Have you heard of the new, innovative website called FashPlus? FashPlus is a site that pulls plus size fashion from various companies all into one site. So, for example, if you visit the website and search for dresses, it will pull dresses from some of our favorite stores, including Catherine's, Lane Bryant, etc. It also allows you to search for clothing based upon your body shape. It's an organized approach to shopping!

Here are some of my favorites from the site:

Source

Want to stay connected with FashPlus? Follow them online!

Facebook: FashPlus

Twitter: @fashplus

I was featured on FashPlus last week! Read my feature here.

Have you heard of FashPlus?

God bless & stay fabellis,

Wet 'n Wild MegaLast Liquid Lip Color Review

2013-04-18T12:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

It seems that I just can't get enough of red and pink lipsticks! You may notice that often my lipstick reviews cover similar colors; however, I think pinks and reds are those universal colors that look beautiful on any skin complexion. Plus, depending on how deep the shade, they are completely suitable for any occasion.

As you already know, I'm a huge fan of Wet 'n Wild products and while in Walgreens one evening, I found their new Mega Last Lip Color products. I grabbed one and ran home. I have to admit, though. The first time I tried the product, it was in a different color and I didn't like it.

After some tips on how to wear them in this beauty group, I decided to try it again with the shade that appears to be the most popular. I grabbed the MegaLast Liquid Lip Color in Red My Mind.

Photos + Swatch

Pros

Affordable ($2.99)
Beautiful Color
Long Lasting
Easy to Locate
Four or More Hours of Wear

Cons

Extremely Drying
Difficult to Remove

My Thoughts

There is an upside as well as a downside to this product. If you do not exfoliate your lips or use lip balm daily, this product will suck the moisture from your lips and cause them to look and feel extremely dry while wearing this product. In order to really see the benefits of this lip color, you must apply a lip balm beforehand. I also recommend a gloss or balm on top. This lip color alone can still be drying without prior applied lip balm, but not as severe.

I truly enjoyed wearing this lip color. In fact, I wore it in my recent eShakti review. I was able to wear this color for around four hours; however, due to the gloss added on top, it did disappear once I ate lunch that day. Without the clear gloss, I know it would have lasted all day. Plus, the color is gorgeous! For removal, I highly suggest makeup remover or Vaseline.

Would I Recommend & Re-Purchase?

Of course! I feel that Wet 'n Wild is one of the best drugstore makeup brands you can find and the one reason I return to their lip products often is because of the longevity. Plus, if you don't care for the lip product, you can always return it since popular drugstores such as CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid have satisfaction guaranteed policies.

Have you spotted this in your local drugstore?

God bless & stay fabellis,

A Spring Date Night with Hanes Legwear

2013-04-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

Now that spring is finally here, I am thoroughly enjoying the warmer days. Oh yes... I have been able to put my winter coats away, stuff my tights in a drawer and embrace bare legs. Although I enjoy bare legs, I love the option of wearing pantyhose, especially for work or nights out. That's where Hanes Legwear comes in.

Their legwear is perfect for the office or nights where I may be out after the sun goes down. I loved incorporating their jet black thigh highs into my date night look. Not only were they easy to put on, but they were affordable (under $6) and best of all, stayed in place!

Plus, I enjoyed how they were there, but "not really there." The barely there look allowed the legwear to not be a distraction and still let my outfit be the main attraction.

How are you transitioning your looks into spring?

Photography: A Collected Gentleman

God bless & stay fabellis,

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective, and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Volunteer Entry for Blogalicious Five Conference

2013-04-15T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

Over the weekend, I shared on Facebook that I have never attended a blog conference. After hearing great things about Blogalicious, I made up in my mind that I wanted to attend this year. Since it is on the east coast (Atlanta) this year, I was even more excited. When I learned that I could apply to be a volunteer and not only help with the conference each day, but attend for free.

Since I am determined to go, I decided to apply to be a volunteer and create a video submission to go along with my online application.

Check it out below:

I am so excited about this potential opportunity! Please take a moment to check out the video, like it and leave a comment.

Thank you for all your support!

God bless & stay fabellis,

Join Me @ Bijuju - May 4, 2013

2013-04-11T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

After having The FabEllis Two in February, I knew I wanted to have another event soon. I'm excited to share that I will be having a Meet and Greet at Bijuju in Raleigh, North Carolina on Saturday, May 4, from 1-3 p.m. This FREE event will include refreshments, giveaways and 30% off select items.

I would love to see you there. Feel free to drop in! Also, to stay in the loop with any updates, please RSVP here.

Will I see you there?

God bless & stay fabellis,

Adventures in Thrifting: Trendy Finds

2013-04-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

I mentioned in a recent post that I'm on a quest to build my wardrobe. After cleaning out my closet a few months ago, I realized that I was missing some key items in my wardrobe, including work attire. Since I'm on a budget, building my work wardrobe may take time, but through shopping at affordable places like consignment and thrift stores, Target and Walmart, I think I will be able to build my closet in no time.

Over the weekend, after my photoshoot with A Collected Gentleman, he suggested visiting a local consignment shop in the area called Passage Consignment Shoppe. I never expected to find what I did on this trip...

The store was having a great sale with 25-75% off select items. I found this paisley J. Crew blazer on sale for 50% off making it $13.50. How gorgeous is this piece? I felt this was a steal considering J. Crew blazers retail for over $100.

I also found a floral blouse with concealed buttons for $12, which is on trend this season. Both pieces were in perfect condition. Two great additions to my closet for under $30. The quest continues...

Have you been thrifting lately? Found any goodies?

God bless & stay fabellis,

Striping Into Spring

2013-04-01T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

Spring is now here! It's still chilly where I am, but I could not wait to take one of my recent outfit inspirations and turn it into a reality. The idea of the outfit centered around a beautiful striped skirt from eShakti. This skirt was recently sent to me to review from eShakti's Spring Collection. If you aren't familiar with eShakti, be sure to check out my last review here.

The reason I chose this striped skirt was because I was inspired when I saw Garner Style rock the black and white version. I decided to go with the mustard and cream because mustard is one of my favorite colors and can be worn with a variety of colors and prints.

Skirt: c/o eShakti | Shirt: Old Navy (SIMILAR) | Shoes: DSW | Necklace: Forever 21 (SIMILAR) | Clutch: Rainbow

My experience in ordering this skirt was wonderful for several reasons, including very fast shipping. I received the skirt in less than two weeks. This is record timing because I actually chose to customize the skirt. eShakti offers customization for most of their dresses and skirts. They can be customized to fit above, at or below the knee.

I chose to have it customized to fit at the knee. I love how it turned out as well as the quality. Most of all, it again has pockets, which are a girl like me's dream in dresses and skirts. All in all, this was another wonderful experience!

Lastly, you may notice a great improvement in the quality of my photos! This is thanks to my photographer, A Collected Gentleman. He is a style blogger as well as a photographer. Be sure to check out more of his work here.

For information on my hair, please click here.

What do you think of the look? Are you rocking stripes this Spring?

God bless & stay fabellis,

Building My Wardrobe

2013-03-28T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

After doing the 30 Day Savings Challenge on Facebook a few weeks ago, I think I got a glimpse of where some of my not so cute spending habits lie. I noticed that my biggest spending habit was on going out to eat and of course, shopping. Now even though I'm still working on the eating out, I really learned a lot about myself in terms of shopping. I have always tried to be a "thrifty shopper," but I have never taken time to ask myself this question while shopping... "Do I really need this?"

I learned surprisingly that nine times out of 10, I do not need the items I pick up. I decided to clean out my closet and really take an inventory of what I needed. The top priority on my list of actual clothing needs were work attire.

Coat: Rue 21 | Skirt: Belk | Tights: Belk | Heels: ShoeDazzle (ON SALE)

So, I decided to step up my game and through thrifting and clearance racks, I'm going to build a better work wardrobe. In fact, the clearance rack at Belk is where I purchased this leopard print skirt. I'm proud of this under $10 purchase because it was originally marked at $68. Boom!

Do you ever stop to think if you really need an item?

P.S. Did you notice I changed my hair? Read the details here.

God bless & stay fabellis,

Perfect Locks Virgin Hair: First Impressions

2013-03-27T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

You all know that I am a huge fan of protective styles. Protective styling is beneficial for multiple reasons, but the main reason I turn to it is when I am in need of a break from doing my hair. When I feel like I need a break and/or something new, I turn to protective styling for fun and low maintenance.

Some of the most common protective styles I have worn are braids and curly hair sew-ins. I wanted to step out and do something different this go round. Thanks to Perfect Locks I am trying a new look. How about some wavy hair action?

When selected to review the hair, I chose the Wavy Virgin Indian Hair in two bundles of 16". I made this selection because although I have never worn virgin hair, I have heard that wavy hair is more practical. It can be worn straight, curled or in its original state as wavy. I also chose this length because I wanted it long enough to put up into a ponytail or bun, but not extremely long.

The purpose of this post is to give my first impressions. I want to break down my impressions into sections. Here are my thoughts:

Shipping

The shipping took around two weeks to receive. Depending on how quickly you need the hair, there are quicker options for you. When the package arrived, I was impressed with the packaging because beyond coming in a paper priority mail envelope, it was protected in a purple sack. The sack contained the bundles of hair, which were also sealed in a plastic bag the length of the hair. Also, each of the two bundles were clasped with purple holders and a Perfect Locks label indicating the type of hair.

The Hair

After taking the hair out of the package, I immediately noticed how soft it was. I could tell a huge difference between virgin hair and beauty supply hair. I also noticed that the wefts for each bundle were already sealed. Sealing the bundles allows the hair to last longer and shed minimally.

Prepping the Hair

At the advice of my stylist, I co-washed the hair prior to installation. Since I am supposed to treat this hair as my own, I decided to use the same products I would use on my own hair. I co-washed the extensions with Tresemme Naturals Conditioner. I then combed the hair and allowed it to air dry for two days. After co-washing the hair, the hair became much fuller and even softer. As for shedding, the hair only lost one to two hairs after combing.

Installation

I had my hair installed on Saturday. My stylist and I agreed to do a partial sew-in so my natural hair was left out along the edges and a little bit more was left out at the very top of my hair. My stylist braided the hair in the middle of my head and then began sewing in the extensions. After completing the sewing, she used RedKen Ultra Straightening Spray and flat ironed my edges. She then curled the extensions with a curling wand. My hair blended extremely well with the extensions.

Maintenance

So far, I am just swirling the hair into a low bun and wearing a satin bonnet. Both my natural hair and the extensions have remained smooth underneath.

My Thoughts

I have now had the hair installed for just under a week. Here are the pros/cons I am seeing thus far:

Pros

Minimal Shedding
Extremely Soft
Untangles Easily
Low Luster (...in turn, looks realistic)
Holds Curls Well

Cons

Small Tangles

Conclusion

Overall, I am extremely impressed with the hair. The hair is extremely low maintenance and when I take my bonnet off in the morning, it kind of just falls into place. Although it sometimes tangles where the hair rubs against my clothes, the tangles are minimal and are easy to get rid of without shedding.

I will be doing two more updates on the hair in the coming weeks. I can't wait to share more of my experience with you!

What do you think? Are you a fan of sew-ins as a protective style?

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win tickets to the Curls Gone Wild Tour. Enter here.

God bless & stay fabellis,

ROTC Presents: Curls Gone Wild Tour - Ticket Giveaway [CLOSED]

2013-03-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

One of the greatest decisions I have made in my life was to go natural. As I have watched tons of women embrace their natural hair throughout the world, I have always wanted to have more celebrations of natural hair here in my state of North Carolina. I am happy to say that more natural hair meet ups and events are coming to the Carolinas and the one I'm most excited about is the Curls Gone Wild Tour coming to Greensboro in July!

This great tour is being brought to us by Return of the Curls! The tour is not only coming to Greensboro, NC, but also to Richmond, VA in May. What's even more awesome is that Curly Nikki is a part of the tour! Before we get more into the tour, let's learn more about the purpose of Return of the Curls:

Return of the Curls is all about embracing the diversity of beauty. Whether it’s fashion, wellness or hair care for curly textures, we provide a forum for every hue, gender, size and curl to become inspired. A Richmond-based business established in 2012, Return of the Curls’ events are widely becoming known as the premier experience for consumers to receive information and products related to health, beauty and fashion.

Sounds awesome, right? Well, YOU can a ticket to the tour! The Curls Gone Wild Tour is coming to Richmond, VA on May 4th and Greensboro, NC on July 13.

To read more about the tour, click here.

Giveaway Rules

There will be two winners.
You must be able to attend the event. For Richmond, you must be able to attend on May 4; for Greensboro, you must be able to attend on July 13. Please ensure you are available to attend before entering the contest.
If for some reason you are chosen, but find out later that you are unable to attend, please notify me as soon as possible. If you are able to give the ticket to someone else, please provide that person’s name and email so that we can update the ticket information. If you are not able to find someone, I will choose another random winner.
Must complete all mandatory entry requirements below through Rafflecopter.

You will be disqualified if you do not do the mandatory requirements.

You must have Facebook and Twitter to enter this giveaway.
Giveaway is open March 25 until midnight, April 1.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Please remember to read my Giveaway Disclaimer.

The winner will be announced Monday, April 1.

God bless & stay fabellis,

Natural Hair: What I Bring While Traveling

2013-03-21T15:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

Do you travel out of town often? It seems that most of my weekends are spent traveling. I love spending time with the boo or visiting my hometown. With this in mind, I thought it was a great idea when Baby Shopaholic mentioned doing a post about what I bring with me to care for my natural hair while traveling. Surprisingly enough, I don't bring much!

The key to caring for my natural hair while out of town typically begins before I even leave. Whether I am going on a short trip or a long one, early preparation makes a huge difference.

I prepare my hair for trips in the following ways:

Short Trip (1-2 Nights Away)

I will take the style I am presently wearing and go with the flow. I typically wear my hair in a twist out so as long as I have a satin bonnet, hair pick and hair oil, I'm good to go! I will sleep in the satin bonnet and use the hair pick and oil (if needed).

In the chance that my style gets old, I tend to pack a hair elastic, gel and a brush to smooth into a puff just in case.

Long Trip (3+ Nights Away)

For these trips, I typically know in advance so I prepare my hair beforehand. Since the easiest style for me to do is a twist out, I will typically twist my hair one to two nights before the trip. To get my twist out to last longer, I will allow the twists to dry for at least 24 hours.

I can achieve this by doing the twists two days before or the night before and wearing my twists until I am ready to take them down. To protect my hair, I sleep with a satin bonnet and fluff in the morning with a hair pick and apply moisturizer if needed.

I tend to keep a travel bag prepared with all six of these items so that when I need to travel, I can grab it and go!

How do you protect your natural hair while you are out of town?

God bless & stay fabellis,

New Store: Cofre Consignment - Raleigh, NC

2013-03-19T07:00:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

One thing I have learned over the past month is that there is power in networking. I assume all of us know this, but how many of us have seen this truly come to life? I experienced this when someone I met at the Stylish Networking event last year called recently to tell me about a new store downtown that he wanted me to know about since I like to thrift. Wow!

That new store, Cofre Consignment, opened last year in the popular area of City Market in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. The store's owners, Carlton and Felicia, were aiming to create a store that has something for everyone.

The store caters to all ages with new or gently used clothing for girls, boys, men and women. I was impressed with the quality of clothing because all of the items were in great condition and some still had brand new tags.

Cofre, which means "treasure chest" in Spanish, not only has clothing, but also has jewelry, electronics and body care from Rejoice! Body Care.

With prices of less than $10 for shirts and under $40 for suits, this is the ideal place to visit in Raleigh. Next time you are in the area, be sure to stop by Cofre Consignment and tell them I sent you!

Want to stay up to date with latest news from Cofre Consignment? Follow them online!

Website: http://www.cofreconsignment.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CofreConsignment

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cofreconsign

Visit their store:

224 E. Martin St.

Raleigh, NC 27601

God bless & stay fabellis,

Spring Has Sprung

2013-03-14T20:30:00.000-04:00

Hello Beauties!

I'm back and excited to share some great things with you! During my break, I had time to relax and be rejuvenated. We all know that that's needed sometimes. I'm happy to say that along with some upcoming collaborations, one of my goals on the blog is to be more personable. I share a lot on Facebook, but I want to share more with you all here so you know more about who I am.

One of the first things I'm excited to share is that I will soon be creating a look with another piece sent to me from eShakti. You may recognize this striped skirt from a previous post. It automatically caught my eye when I saw it and I can't wait to style it.

Here is what I envision:

Skirt | Denim Shirt | Heels | Necklace | Earrings

If you didn't know, I'm a huge fan of mixing prints. There is just something about it that is fun and different. Along with mixing stripes and snakeskin, I feel that the denim shirt gives it a comfortable feel without being too dressed up.

The great thing is that you could take a white button up shirt and change the whole look of the outfit. With the white button up shirt added, it gives it a more professional look that could be worn to work or even church.

Skirt | White Shirt | Heels | Necklace | Earrings

What do you think about these looks? Are you ready for spring?

You can save 20% off any order from eShakti until March 20, 2013.

[Use Code: FABELLIS]

God bless & stay fabellis,

Be Right Back!

2013-03-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Beauties!

I realized something today. Sometimes breaks are necessary. Even after The FabEllis Two, I haven't stopped for a second. I plan to take two weeks to relax and revamp. I'm excited to share that I have some great projects coming up!

I am humbled that I was asked to try Vidal Sassoon Smooth Collection and soon, I will be changing up my hair and rocking another protective style courtesy of Perfect Locks. I definitely have some goodies coming soon!

If you want to catch me, I am always available online. By the way, I discovered this little thing called Pinterest that I love!

I'll be back soon!

God bless & stay fabellis,

Herbalife Herbal Aloe Strengthening Shampoo & Conditioner Review

2013-02-28T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Beauties!

After falling in love with Herbalife's NouriFusion Skincare System, I was excited yet nervous to try their Herbal Aloe Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner. Since the target audience for this product is all hair types, I was afraid that it may not be moisturizing enough for my natural hair. After reading the label, I found out that these easy-to-open containers are actually sulfate-free. I gave myself two weeks to try these products. Let's see how they worked!

About Herbalife Herbal Aloe Strengthening Shampoo & Conditioner

Shampoo: Strengthen and repair your hair with a sulfate-free strengthening shampoo that leaves hair 10 times stronger after just one use and reduces breakage by 90%.

Conditioner: Strengthen and repair your hair with a sulfate-free advanced protein-infused conditioner that reduces breakage by 90%.

Top: Herbal Aloe Strengthening Conditioner | Bottom: Herbal Aloe Strengthening Shampoo

Pros

Affordable (Less than $10)
Moisturizing
Easy to Detangle
Minimum Shedding
Light, Clean Fragrance

Cons

None!

My Thoughts

I was shocked by these products! In the two years of being natural, I have never used a product geared towards all hair types that actually left my hair moisturized and soft. Most products would leave my hair dry and dull. My hair was shiny and moisturized after using the products on my 3C/4A hair. I did notice that the shampoo left my hair slightly dry, but the conditioner came in and revitalized my hair so I couldn't even list it as a potential con.

Also, beyond the moisture, this product really does what it says. It claims to reduce breakage by 90%. My hair was so strong for no reason! Seriously! I always detangle my hair after washing to begin a protective style. I had little hair shedding and this is after not washing or styling my hair in two weeks. I'm still blown away!

Hair Photos (After Styling)

Would I Purchase?

To be frank, yes. Although I'm not a fan of ordering online, these products are worth it and actually come out to be a few dollars cheaper than some of my favorites.

To learn more, visit the Herbalife website.

Did you know Herbalife has shampoo & conditioner?

God bless & stay fabellis,

Product(s) in this post were provided for review consideration. See my Advertise page for additional information.

Pick of the Week: eShakti Spring Favorites

2013-02-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Beauties!

When I received my first eShakti dress a few weeks ago, their website instantly became one of my favorites. Not only was the dress beautiful and elegant, but it was practical. It came with pockets and before check out, I had the opportunity to customize the dress if desired.

Considering customization is free and most of their items are under $100, it is the ideal site for any woman. With Spring right around the corner, I wanted to share three new looks from eShakti that I love.

Check out these great pieces for under $80:

Asymmetric Collar Chambray Jacket

Her Fifties Colorblock Skirt

Butterfly Float Crepe Dress

You can save 20% off any order from eShakti between now and March 20, 2013.

[Use Code: FABELLIS]

Are you loving their Spring looks?

God bless & stay fabellis,

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Review + Swatches

2013-02-21T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Beauties!

Yesterday's Pick of the Week inspired today's review. Today I am reviewing Milani Color Statement Lipsticks. These new and improved lipsticks from Milani Cosmetics were launched a few weeks ago and ever since, makeup lovers have been scrambling to stores to find them. I was very intrigued by them after reading Nouveau Cheap's post on them and after a few trips to various stores, I finally spotted them.

I found these babies in my local CVS. After discovering that some of the shades were not sold at my local store, I decided to bring home Fruit Punch and Uptown Mauve. Can you tell I love pink lippies? Let's get into the review!

Photos + Swatches

Pros

Affordable
Great Color Variety
Highly Pigmented
Long Lasting

Cons

Difficult to Locate
Slight Fragrance

My Thoughts

What can I say? I was very impressed with what Milani has brought to the table. I didn't think their previous formula for lipsticks was bad; however, with the new case and shape, it's much more practical. I love the pigmentation and the lasting color. I could definitely go without the slight waxy fragrance it comes with, but I am not sensitive to smells so I can deal with it. I can honestly say I still like Wet 'n Wild Mega Last Lipsticks better, but these are a close second in my book.

Would I Re-Purchase?

Definitely! However, I would stick to only the cream finishes. I briefly owned Raspberry Rush, but the formula, Metallic, was too rough on my lips.

Are you going to give these lipsticks a try?

God bless & stay fabellis,

Pick of the Week: Milani Color Statement Lipsticks

2013-02-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Beauties!

It's the Pick of the Week! This week's pick is much different than last week. This pick isn't clothes, shoes or accessories, but one of my other favorite items...makeup! This week's pick is Milani Color Statement Lipsticks to be exact. If you didn't know, I'm a lipstick lover. It's probably my favorite part of makeup beyond concealer. So why are the Milani Color Statement lipsticks my pick of the week? Let's talk!

Source

I have been a long-time fan of Milani Cosmetics. They produce some of the best quality drugstore makeup you can find. Throughout previous months, they began putting some of their products on clearance. I began to wonder why only to find out through my favorite beauty blog, Nouveau Cheap, that they were relaunching some of their products including their lipsticks.

Their new lipsticks, dubbed the name Color Statement Lipsticks, are said to be sleeker, super pigmented and house a new formula.

Color Chart

Below are some of the colors that stand out to me most:

These lipsticks retail for under $6! Wondering where you can pick these up? Try your local CVS or Walgreens.

Want to see swatches? I will have my review and two swatches available tomorrow.

Have you spotted these in your local drugstore?

God bless & stay fabellis,

ShoeDazzle Review

2013-02-18T15:00:00.000-05:00

Hello Beauties!

Happy Monday! Prior to starting my Savings Challenge, I recently was in the market for affordable, trendy shoes. Although I'm not a fan of subscription services, I decided to try something new and give a shoe subscription service a try. I decided to try ShoeDazzle.

After purchasing and wearing a few pairs of their shoes, including the shoes worn to The FabEllis Two, I felt I had enough time and experience to give my review on the service and quality of shoes.

Check out my review below:

Have you tried ShoeDazzle?

To learn more, click here.

God bless & stay fabellis,