Leahluvsbeauty

Kiehl's

2011-12-08T16:03:00.001-08:00

That's Me Going into the store. Pure Joy!

I just love Kiehl's Products, I keep coming back to them no matter what. My sister looked at me like I was a stone cold freak because I become extremely excited ~~too excited~~ to see the flagship store at the Mall of America.

My picks if you haven't tried Kiehl's products, the Midnight Recovery eye cream. It works plain and simple and a very little bit goes a long way. Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Whipped Body Butter Absolutely luxurious and smells heavenly this is my favorite winter time butter.

If your not in the Twin City area go to www.kiehls.com If your in the Twin City area these products can be found at The Garden of Eden on Grand Ave. in St. Paul, Nordstrom's and of course the Kiehls store Mall of America.

Iconic Beauty

2011-12-03T12:20:00.000-08:00

There is only one way to describe Peggy and that she is beautiful in every sense of the word. I have loved and admired her most of my life, and the best thing is that she looks like me. I know most women look to magazines and TV for images of beauty but I found beautiful images of women to immolate and admire in my church up-close and personal. I know that I base some of my personal style and flare from all of them. For instance, my stilettos Auntie Lynda, Unique outfit and panache Peggy, and hair Suge. One I haven't quite mastered is Miss Crum's hat game I'm still working on that one. One of my most fondest memories of Peggy is that one Saturday when I was a little girl, the area baptist churches were having a community softball game. This was back in the day when it didn't matter what church you belong to we all knew each other and fellowshiped together. This particular Saturday my church New Hope Baptist church was playing a game against Mont Olivet. A friend and I were playing against the wall that led out to the baseball diamond. Peggy rolls up on her bike as usual she is sporting a wide smile and she stopped to talk to us. I remember her getting ready to play and locking her up her bike and then she pulls out this thick red tube that said Bonnie Bell Lipsmaker and it has two big strawberries on it. I said" I didn't know grown women wore lip gloss" and she said "yes they do". From that point on I had to have one. I would not let up on begging my mom for one. So finally, she bought me bonnie bell lip smacker tin that slid to open with the two flavors. I was too thrilled to have one and I have never been without a lip gloss,stick, or balm since. Another thing that stand out in my mind about Peggy is her warm and kind spirit . She has a beauty that radiates from the inside out and spills out when she speaks. One Sunday she read the poem Footprints in the Sand by Mary Stevenson to this day it stays within my heart and soul, because you can tell the poem meant something to her. You could see and feel that this was not just a poem to her. It was one of those moments where you wanted to know and serve the God she served. Especially when she got to the part "During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you". Peggy reading that poem in that way I know for sure goes down in our church history finer moments and history. Peggy is iconic to because her beauty never fades, her inner beauty can be seen, and her just being Peggy my greatest beauty icon of all time.

She shared with me her beauty regimen and her it is below in her own words.

I can not say that I do anything out-of-the-ordinary. I can say, however, that I love the Lord and His Love which He poured into me I love sharing with others. I really do want to be a vessel that is fit for the Lord's use! I give Him the praise, the glory and the honor for His Spirit of LOVE! And I believe that it is His Spirit which you see shining through me ... you call it beauty! I know that it is His spirit within me.

You might also know that I am a positive individual who looks for the good in every situation and believe that “all things are working together for good” because of my love for the Lord.

Thirdly, the Lord has given me a desire to be physically fit and it is routine for me to exercise on a regular basis. I can remember back as early as when I was approximately 5 years old that I had this desire to be physically fit. And I would do that by running, jumping rope, jumping jacks, sit-ups, and other forms of exercise. I continue that desire for a temple which is fit - both spiritually and physically - for the Lord's use. I know that physical exercise has value (yes, it is a good thing!), but spiritual exercise (reading my Word, praying, attending church regularly, etc.) is much more important, for it promises a reward both in this life and in eternity. I try to maintain that balance.

Lastly, I will reiterate that (what you call beauty) that you see in me does not come from my makeup, my short hairstyle, my high cheekbones, my physical stature, or looking good in a beautiful outfit. Rather it radiates from the inside out, from a heart that loves the Lord! "It is in Him that I live, move and have my being"!

Pineapple Your Hair

2011-10-19T12:26:00.000-07:00

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, when you pineapple your hair, it’s the procedure used to preserve your curl pattern. What it entails is massaging some of your favorite hair oil my favorite is coconut into your scalp and on your ends. Then using a headband (preferably one that’s semi-worn) and using it to put your hair on top of your head-like a pineapple. Now, by doing this, you can sleep on your head however you want, and your curls won’t become flat or looked worn out. Some women use this method when they’re rocking their curls, and it’s helped preserve them for a week. Below is a video from my favorite video blogger African Export on how to do it.

Uncle Funky's Daughter

2011-10-19T11:54:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite hair care lines for natural hair. My picks are the Thirsty Curls and the Defunk. The Defunk I love because you can use it to freshen your hair anytime anywhere. I go back and forth between Defunk and Greg Juice from Oyin Handmade www.oyinhandmade.com. I love this site because it is an one stop shop for natural hair and a great resource to learn your curl pattern and what type of products go with your curl pattern. This is major because sometimes its easy to waste money on products that are not right for your curl type and pattern. The online tutorials are very helpful and bring a new dimension on education and how to safely style your hair and what to use and how to use it. Check it out at www.unclefunkysdaughter.com Or if you live in Houston, TX visit their salon and shop at 2428 Times Boulevard, Houston TX. 77005

Inner Beauty

2011-10-14T09:59:00.000-07:00

The recipe for beauty is to have less illusion and more Soul, to retreat from the belief of pain or pleasure in the body into the unchanging calm and glorious freedom of spiritual harmony.

~Mary Baker-Eddy

One of my favorite movies is Waiting to Exhale one my best friends Michelle and I would watch this movie over and over in her apartment over on Thomas Street. When either of us had a bad day or a "situation" we would pop this in the VCR along with our white zin, and it became a ritual and to this day if were getting together we ask, "is this a waiting to exhale moment". This was legendary among our male friends as well and if they came over to her house and saw the movie in I remember my friend Garland would say "are yall on one of those exhale moments?" One of the lines that stick out to me is when the Whitney character said "well if your ugly on the inside then your ugly on the outside" I still love that line because it is so true. I know from time to time the major focus is fixing whats on the outside but doing soul work and finding inner beauty requires that same amount of attention. As I form my own recipe card for what is beautiful to me and what I want to project is peace, grace and resilience instantly comes to mind. I use to hate to have conversations or be with people who have a pre conceived idea of who I am and what I'm about based on what they think to be true about who I am. Also because it was usually an onesided conversation with the tone of I'm so gald I'm not you. Being a single parent often brings an un welcomed automatic judgment, ignorance, and entitlement from those who are not single parent(s) and often this comes from people who I have established relationships with or have known for a long time. In the past I would retreat and focus on why do people think their better than me because their married. (maybe because they were literally telling me they thought so)Then it came to me that I was focusing on the wrong thing and putting energy in other's perception and pre conceived notions of me and I did not want to project that I agreed becuase I didn't and I thought the comments, assessments and diggs where some of the most ignorant self serving string of sentances that I have ever heard in my life. Once I began to boldly buffer these conversations with talking about my happiness and joy of where I am in life and love these conversations and interactions with people stopped thank God.( I guess I'm not supposed to be happy lol) I began to realize that being calm, confident and also thankful and walking in my belief that what God has for me it is for me no matter what. I began to feel a glorious freedom, spiritual harmony and beautiful.

For the No Lye Divas Hair Rules!

2011-10-12T10:03:00.000-07:00

From now until November 14th enjoy Hair Rules Special Offer of your favorite 16oz products for 24.99

Also what is excited Dickey will be on Skype for a free hair rules consultations. Get answers to all of your textured questions from one of the best textured multi-cultural stylist and nurturer of natural hair. Be sure you have a camera connection before calling in to hairrules via Skype! Don't miss this its not everyday you get a chance to get your question answered by a game changer in natural hair.

Next call dates: 10/16@5pm,10/24@11:00am and 10/30@ 5pm.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month (self exams)

2011-10-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

When I started my blog in 2009, I wanted to share about things that were important to me. Breast Cancer Awareness is one of my personal causes that I champion on the front line for prevention and awareness. Self Exams are important and should be Incorporated in your routine monthly. I always do mine the 1st Sunday of the month. It's important to set a day and time that you will remember. Breast self-exam (BSE), or regularly examining your breasts on your own, can be an important way to find breast cancer early, when it's more likely to be treated successfully. Not every cancer can be found this way, but it is a critical step you can and should take for yourself.

Try to get in the habit of doing a breast self-examination once a month to familiarize yourself with how your breasts normally look and feel. Examine yourself several days after your period ends, when your breasts are least likely to be swollen and tender. If you are no longer having periods, choose a day that's easy to remember, such as the first or last day of the month.

Don’t panic if you think you feel a lump. Most women have some lumps or lumpy areas in their breasts all the time. In the United States, only 20% of women who have a suspicious lump biopsied turn out to have breast cancer. Below is a video on how to do one properly.

Breasts tend to have different “neighborhoods.” The upper, outer area — near your armpit — tends to have the most prominent lumps and bumps. The lower half of your breast can feel like a sandy or pebbly beach. The area under the nipple can feel like a collection of large grains. Another part might feel like a lumpy bowl of oatmeal.

What’s important is that you get to know the look and feel of YOUR breasts various neighborhoods. Does something stand out as different from the rest (like a rock on a sandy beach)? Has anything changed? Bring to the attention of your doctor any changes in your breasts that last over a full month's cycle or seem to get worse or more obvious over time.

After my self exam in October, I look forward to the breast cancer research products because their pink statements, and I know some of the money is going to a good cause and helping many people. My favorite this year is the Shower for the Cure by Philosophy. You can find it all month long at Ulta or at www.ulta.com.

Primer

2011-10-02T16:11:00.000-07:00

Recently on a trip to the MAC counter on the hunt for the new Matchmaster foundation, I decided to try a primer. On occasion, I use one by Becca Cosmetics called The Resurfacing Primer which I love but ran out of, so I thought I would give MAC a shot. I was pleasantly surprised on how it made my face and foundation look. Since it is the change of seasons my skin has been breaking out and giving me the blues so instead of a little power I need a little more coverage. But adding the primer helps me keep the foundation at a minimum. The primer is in the prep and prime line and it is called Refined Zone. I applied it to my T- zone area, which for me, is the most oiliest part on my skin, especially the cheeks. I love that it is oil free, that helps to cloak visible pores while controlling oil or shine. You can apply it wet, for a gentle exfoliating, that dries instantly to create an invisible long lasting matte finish. Locally, you can find this at Macy's or Nordstoms or at www.maccosmetics.com

2011-09-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

I am excited and happy to have my blog updated with new features. A special thanks to Christina at Visual Luxe graphic design studio(www.visualluxe.com) for her fabulous work and patience with me. Please feel free to look at the new features. I will be posting a special post coming soon with one of my favorite people and my all time favorite beauty and style icon. Thanks for reading.

~Leah

Leahlovesbeauty is getting a make over

2011-08-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

Stay tuned! Coming soon Leahloves beauty is getting a make over.

DIY DIVAS Watermelon Mask

2011-07-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

Watermelon juice contain a variety of important health benefits and beauty of the chemical constituents. Watermelon of these nutrients, easy absorption by the skin, for the facial skin, have the effect of moisture, nutrition, sun protection, whitening.Skin beauty Effects: removal melasma, add Water, sedation
Method 1: cut the white watermelon skin in to 2 mm thickness slice, use the watermelon skin gently massage the face, with the effect of ease sedation and add water.
Method 2: The whole watermelon, wash clean, peel the green skin, and then cut of the white skin into slice, then apply to the face and arms, about five minutes change the new watermelon skin, a total of four times, and then rinse off with clean water.

My favorite cutting the watermelon slice in to 4 cubed chunks and mashing it with or fork or spoon until it becomes smooth. Then apply to the face for a about 20 minutes and then rinse off.

My Latest Obsession!!!

2011-06-23T19:33:00.000-07:00

There is nothing like fresh breath. As I was walking down Grand Ave in St. Paul yesterday I decided to walk into one of my favorite places The Garden of Eden. I was browsing and came across this toothpaste. It was kind of pricey but worth it at small tube will run you about 7.00 Marvis Toothpaste. Check it out! Great for late nights and early mornings.

2011-06-20T11:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend was "very different"( Tamar voice) for me I faced alot of challenges in places and relationships that I have not explored in ages. Each day of the weekend I faced a situation or person that I put in my "I don't want to deal with it box". I had to stop and think about what it meant and try to come to peace on my terms of course but when I got home Sunday, I began to think about the beauty of it and the gift of peace facing those people, places, and things. To my surprise I got up lighter in Monday and thanked God for his grace and mercy and wrote about it. I'm sharing with yall over my cup of Skin Detox by Yogi Teas. www.yogiproducts.com or at your local coop and whole foods store.

Beauty is integrity, love,kindness, and simplicity. Beauty transcends the physical and focuses on the spellbound. Beauty is the brave of heart and not the faint of heart, It does not react out of fear and does not hold grudges. Beauty is a soft hand and a warm stroke. Beauty is a helping hand and a kind word. Beauty is generous never greedy. Beauty is peace filled and not based on what is happening. Beauty is that UN- speakable joy that fills your heart and bleeds out into your family, friends and community. Beauty can be complex but understated and to understand beauty is timeless and age can never tarnish it.

Nails

2011-06-15T13:38:00.000-07:00

Right now I am in love with Vegan Nail polish. Something about the finish and the shades thrill me. My favorite is "Swagger" by Ginger and Liz. It has a nice finish and pops on any skin tones. It can be found at www.gingerandliz.com. I admire and support this company because the company was started and the brainchild of two women of color.

Some salons have not caught on or offer an alternative for those who want to have an all natural and chemically free polish. Here are some alternatives to add to your collection.

Zoya Nail polish can be found at Vizi salon in Uptown, Minneapolis or http://www.zoya.com/.

Another honorable mention is Sparitual Nail Polish line and the shade Its Raining Men. This line can be found at any Juut Salon and at www.sparitual.com.

What I'm Loving For Summer

2011-05-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

Just a couple of my picks for summer to keep your skin shine free in the warmer months.

A colorless pressed powder formulated with unique oil blotters that help control shine. It offers a matte finish without leaving a powdery residue. This is a life saver if you don't want to wear color. The cosmetic puff that it comes with is thin so I use a portable brush and buff my face when I notice that I have shine. You can find this at your local Walmart and at www.blackopalbeauty.com

Vintage Product:

Mint Julep Masque is the original natural home treatment to help dry up pimples, rinse away blackheads and shrink enlarged pores. Simply apply Mint Julep Masque to your clean face and neck. As it firms and hardens within minutes, it draws out impurities from your pores. After the masque is removed, your skin will feel clean, refreshed and smooth. Even for individuals who are fortunate to be free of skin problems, Mint Julep Masque is a refreshing facial treatment that helps relax tired muscles and ease tension lines on the face and neck. You can find this at Walgreen's and or www.queenhelene.com

Mac Fix + can be found at your local Mac Store or counter in Macy's and or other fine department store, and at http://www.maccosmetics.com/

An aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi. Adds radiance, finishes makeup. Spray it on. Skin drinks it up!

I love to use this to after I have applied my finishing power or pressed powder. I find that it gives me a natural finish and perks up my skin. I now don't use powder if I don't have this handy. I love this so much I carry It around in my purse.

Enjoy the summer and let me know what your using to keep your skin fresh for summer.

I'm on Twitter

2011-05-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

Please follow leahlovesbeauty on twitter. New posts coming soon.

I'm Backkkkkkk

2010-01-12T12:55:00.000-08:00

Hello Beauties,

I'm back with a renewed vengeance this year one of my resolutions is to be more faithful to my blog. The only thing I can't decide on the format. I need to hear from you on your thoughts about how you want to receive Leahlovesbeauty. Meaning: on a monthly, weekly, bi monthly etc. Holla back!!! Okay moving on to the Beauty. What I'm loving right now is my Clairosoinc Facial Brush. I bought the Mia and it is worth every penny. This exfoliating brush cleanses and refinishes skin like nobodies business. The Clairosonic Facial brush is proven to gently loosen dirt and oil to clear pores and the system frequency has more than 300 movements per second to clean, smooth and refine your skin. Some of the benefits to using this brush is it removes six times more make up than manual cleaning, leaves skin looking and feeling smooth, helps reduce visible pores, and it is gentle enough to use two times a day. For more information www.clarosonic.com
www.sephora.com. You can use the cleanser of your choice my fave Purity Made Simple by Philosophy. Which leaves me to my new faviorite love is Miracle Worker. This is a light anti aging mousiturizer that exfoliates and prevents damage all at the same time it is packed with anti-oxidents and veru nourishing for you skin. This is very limited in retail but if your local you can find it at Macy's Rosedale for the out of state people www.QVC.com This is all for now I jsut wanted to get back out there.

2009-08-14T07:23:00.000-07:00

Its been a while since I posted any thing some I have some interesting thoughts on beauty most recent how to be Divalicious on a budget. Since the summer is winding down and the fall fashions are coming out I thought I would talk about how to preserve your sexy as Puffy would say. But also how to do for less. I love expensive potions and lotions but my budget busts trying to fit all of in and keep up with the trends gets to be taxing and expensive. So bump the trends and lets get back to basics. Everyone give it up to my sister Shanelle who recently bought her first big girl skin care regime. HAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY:) She bought the line including the night cream from Boscia www.sephora.com. Which leads be to my first point, find a skin care regime that fits your skin type and concerns that you like and stick to it in the long run you will save money and your skin will thank you from the consistency. My picks LUSH skin care I currently use the Angles on Bare Skin and the the Eau Roma Water Toner and Imperials moisturizer this can be found at http://www.lushusa.com/ and or at most Macy's in the Twin City area. If that is not your price point let me suggest Cetaphil cleanser, witch hazel, and Cetaphil daily moisturizer that can be found at any drug store. Another drug store treasure is Cerve cleanser and moisturizer. Just recently on a trip to Target I came across this product line Boots and there is a full array of products some with botanical and also organic skin care I suggest the Boots original formula.www.boots.com. For body use coconut oil, and this can be an all over moisturizer as well as a night cream it does wonders check out your local coop for a jar. Lastly, our hair if your relaxed, braided, or natural here are a few products that your wallet will thank your for. Skip the shampoo apply coconut oil as a pre wash and or apple cider vinegar mix. mix 1 part water and 1 part apple cider vinegar. Trader Joe's Nourish conditioner great for dry hair. What I love these days are the Lush Rehab shampoo and Coolaulin Conditioner these two together fabulous. Lastly some honorable mention products Noxzema skin cream yes in the blue jar and also St. Ides apricot scrub.

Cucumber Cleansing Lotion | Toners/Astringents - Mario Badescu Skin Care

2009-07-29T08:51:00.001-07:00

Cucumber Cleansing Lotion Toners/Astringents - Mario Badescu Skin Care

Shared via AddThis

Great for combating acne break out and keeping your skin fresh, I 'm happy to announce that Mario Badescu products can be found at local Ulta the one in Rosedale has the complete line including body care products.

Bee Pollen Night Cream | Night Creams - Mario Badescu Skin Care

2009-07-29T08:46:00.001-07:00

Bee Pollen Night Cream | Night Creams - Mario Badescu Skin Care

Shared via AddThis

BREAKING NEWS

2009-07-22T07:06:00.000-07:00

THIS IS JUST IN: KIMBLE HAIR CARE SYSTEMS IS AT TARGET MIDWAY. THIS IS GREAT NEWS BECAUSE THIS IS ANOTHER HAIRCARE SYSTEM CREATED FOR OUR HAIR BY AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN. FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK ON THE LINK www.kimblehaircare.com. Stay tuned for product reviews and also hair care tips.

instuctions

2009-07-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

Click on the link that says Janelle's Beauty to read more about Diva Curl hope you enjoy.

Janelle Beauty - Hair Care, Makeup, Face Cleansers, Skin Care, All Natural Pure Beauty Products. - Janelle Beauty Smooth KIT - Celebrity Edition

2009-07-18T11:18:00.000-07:00

Janelle Beauty - Hair Care, Makeup, Face Cleansers, Skin Care, All Natural Pure Beauty Products. - Janelle Beauty Smooth KIT - Celebrity Edition

I'm so excited to share this product with you all is one of my favorites. This is the secret to my relaxed look when my hair is out of braids. If your going natural I would recommend this product. If you need a break from your relaxer I would recommend this product If your trying to wein yourself from relaxing your hair and you want to stretch your relaxer this is the product for you.

For other ideas,styles, how to's and products log on to www.missjessies.com and if you looking for a professional and your in the Twin City area log on to www.malobe.com 915 W. Lake Street Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408 Ask for Bessie.

Sunday Goodies

2009-07-12T15:29:00.000-07:00

I know that Sunday is a rest day for the majority of us after eight o' clock and eleven o'clock services at our places of worship but for some of us its the day that you get a really good meal. My Dad always makes a desert on Sunday to top off his fabulous meals. Sunday represents the day that I break out one of my masks. Recently I have gotten into the hobby of making body butters, mask, hair tonics and such. So I share with you some recipes to make your own. About a week ago I came back from Vegas and I noticed that my scalp felt tight so after I washed my hair I mixed this up and my scalp has been moisturized all week no other moisturizer needed. Here is the recipe and a few others happy mixing.

Honey and Apricot and Avocado Hair Treatment

2 table spoons of honey
1 tablespoon of apricot oil
1 table soon of avocado oil

Mix well and apply to your scalp then wrap your head in saran wrap or a conditioning cap and sit under a hair dryer for 20-25 minutes rinsing your hair is optional. If you rinse, rinse your hair with cool water and style as usual.

Avocado and Egg Conditioner

1 avocado
1 egg
1/2 of an oil of your choice I like to use avocado,almond with a little vitamin e and omega 369

this next ingredient is optional but it works: 8 oz of very strong tea for example go to your local coop and buy a loose leaf tea such as rosemary nettle proven to grow hair. Seep tea for about 30 minutes and add to the ingredients above. Mix well use a blender to make the mixture smooth and apply to your hair. Sit for 15-20 and rinse. After this conditioner you should mix a clarifyer such as apple cider vinegar and spray on to your hair and or a lemon rinse. Mix apple cider vinegar/lemon and water in equal parts.

Lastly my absolute favorite Avocado Mask for oily to normal skin

1 egg white
1 teaspoon of lemon
1 avocado

Place all ingredients into a blender and in a matter if seconds you will see a lovely green mixture don't mix too much. Place in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes so that it will cold. Apply to your face and relax with it on for about 20 minutes rinse off and apply a astringent and or skin tonic of your choice and follow with a moisturizer of your choice.

Let me know in the comments how these worked for you or if you have a recipes to share.

EXCITING NEW PRODUCTS

2009-06-24T13:25:00.000-07:00

I nearly fell of my chair when I saw this product so of course I had to order it, the name alone piqued my interest. What I love the most is its a product invented and created by a African American Woman the ex-wife of rapper/actor Will Smith. Sheree Fletcher who is now remarried has created a body butter inspired by the movie The Secret Life of Bees. What was so eye catching was the ingredients used for this body butter 99% natural and used with white honey. White Honey you ask? Here's the break down on white honey is an un heated, untreated, pure raw honey from Northern Canada. The Honey is removed from the bees without the use of chemical repellents. The result is a white creamy and thicker consistency textured goodness that is luxurious and kind to your skin. Honey is a natural healer and and very emollient and therapeutic for the skin. The name of the product is called WHOOPASH and the web site is so cute check it out and support this sista at www.whoopash.com. Stay tuned for my review I can't wait to try it.

Another African American beauty company on the rise is Kissable Couture by Keisha Whitaker beautiful wife of Forest Whitaker. Her line of Lip Glosses are beautiful and formulated for women of color. There is a boutique in the Twin City area called Lady Slipper Boutique 4940 France Ave Edina, Mn. 952-240-4719 that sells it so worth it my favorite because I love a nude lip is First Lady inspired by our very own Michelle Obama. Or if you not in the Twin City area log onto www.kissablecouture.com LOVE THIS PRODUCT again support this sista.