Those Pore Girls

indie makeup brands

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 06:01:00 +0000

You’ve heard of drugstore makeup and you’ve heard of high end makeup. Have you tried Indie makeup?

Indie makeup is this whole other side of the cosmetics world. They are usually operated by one or two people and work from home. Their products are usually loose minerals but many companies are starting to make things like lipsticks and pressed shadows.

So, why buy indie?
 The main reason I buy from indie companies is because I like to support small businesses. When you buy from these companies you know where your money is going to.

Face primer from Darling Girl.
Works just as great as stuff from Benefit or MUFE but for a fraction of the price.

Also, indie companies make really unique colors. The owners really challenge themselves on creating interesting products. They stay unique in order to not only compete with other indie companies, but also the rest of the cosmetics world.

 They have some really great prices! And you can order samples to try stuff out (not everyone wants to commit to a full size neon blue eyeshadow)!

I’m specially a sucker for indie brands when they do crossovers with my other interests, i.e. geeky fandoms. Many of them will make a collection around a certain theme. One of my favorite companies is Geek Chic Cosmetics who has collections from Doctor Who to Battlestar Galactica to the Princess Bride. Darling Girl Cosmetics has a shade called “My Little Pony” that rivals anything from MAC.

This is the most difficult thing to photograph. It's a pinky-mauve color with a green duo chrome.
When I wear it, I usually use NYX Milk's jumbo pencil as a base, but it also looks amazing over a black base.

On the left eye I have a quick wash of the eyeshadow. Ugh, I wish you could see the green shift!
On the right eye I patted it over NYX pencil in Milk.
Hardest eyeshadow to photograph! But I swear, it's perfect.

Indie companies also are super conscious about their ingredients and practices. Many will cater to vegan lifestyles and definitely avoid animal testing. They care about the ingredients that you are constantly putting on your face so when you read the ingredients list you will probably recognize everything they are using (or can easily look it up).

But a word of caution, like any other purchase please do your research. While there are many great companies to buy from, there are still those who look to take advantage of people. For example, glittersniffer cosmetics developed quite a negative reputation due to bad customer service, and more importantly, unsanitary practices. You also need to beware of things like repackaging. Repackaging is when companies buy mica powders (the pigments) from distributors like TKB Trading and resell them unmixed at over 100% of their cost. The beauty of indie companies is the creative ways they combine micas and other ingredients to make new colors! Anyone can buy from TKB Trading, it's not exclusive to these companies.

Anyways, here are some of my favorite tried and true companies:

Check them out and let me know if you find any new favorites!

Also, bonus points to who can name the 3 shows the eyeshadows in the first picture are from.

Hair(story)

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Mon, 19 Aug 2013 00:05:00 +0000

I had decently long hair and I really don’t know how it happened. One day it was at my shoulders and then it was at my waist. I was like, dude, calm down! As it grew, I became more and more attached to it. It came in handy that I didn’t need to do much to “do” my hair as I am lazyyyy when it comes to that part of beauty. I will spend an hour on my makeup, but no more than 10 minutes on my hair. Top buns became my favorite friend. Messy low buns and side ponytails were always the perfect backup. It was also great at hiding my face if a breakout was happening.

I forgot why I was making that face but who cares, now it
serves the purpose of showing my hair's wildness.

I used to be pretty impulsive with my hair: from dying to cutting, to even creating pigtails out of chopsticks. I’ve had a-line bobs, multiple colors, and bangs to name just a few. And these would happen within months of each other. Then I hit 21 and adulthood was on the horizon. I needed normal hair in the real world, so I dyed it dark brown and let the layers grow.

Different hair styles from the past 6 years.

Ah, girls and their hair. Hair is synonymous with femininity and desirability, not sure why but it just is (because the Patriarchy that's why!). From dad’s forbidding their wives and daughters from even entering salons (yeah, it still happens) to the “butch” and “lesbian” slurs when the pixie cuts appear in the room, this is an old problem in feminism. The policing of women's hair has been yet another tool for people to control them. And when you add race to the question, well just look up the testimonies of girls dealing with "natural hair" on blogs and YouTube.

Lately, I had been itching to hack it all off. I wanted to take off the weight, but not just literally. I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the ~sexiness~ attached to my hair. I wanted to spite all the people that congratulated me on the length, which basically translated to "Yes good, you are an acceptable girl now. Not like you used to be”. My hair was pulling me down. The longer it got, the more I hid in it.

Feminists have documented this hair dilemma for a long time, it's nothing new. Do a Google search for "feminism and hair" and you will get a reading list to last you the rest of summer. Most of us don't really think of hair as a political statement, but it definitely is. From girls cutting it off during personal crisis to punks with liberty spikes, the hair on your head (and everywhere else actually) is a huge political and public statement. Just remember, you never want to be solely defined by it, well at least I don't.

So I cut it. Hair grows back anyways.

Despite the face, I'm actually happy about this new cut.
Also, I'm wearing the new awesome Urban Decay Revolution lipstick in Turn On.

P.S. I wish I would have come up with this blog title in college, I would have written my thesis on hair just because of it.

Follow us on BlogLovin!

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Google Reader is shutting down today (it's a sad day). But good news, BlogLovin is even better. If you have too many blogs to follow and can't remember to check some of them, BlogLovin is the perfect way to keep track. Just make an account, search the blog you want, and subscribe!

Whenever you log in, all the new posts will be in a feed very much like Twitter or Tumblr, and you can just scroll down to read and catch up. My favorite part is that it is web based, so you don't have to only be on your computer when you want to check, you can check from anywhere as long as you log into BlogLovin.

It also has a great browse feature for days when you want to find some new people to read. It lists them by category, so there's more than just Beauty. I like looking through the Street Style, Photography, and Home Decor top posts.

Lastly, BlogLovin is friendly to bloggers because in order to read the full post, readers have to click through the link and read it on the blog's domain. This means we don't lose view counts. It helps us keep better track of our visitors and audience.

Click the image below to start an account and subscribe to Those Pore Girls

Top 10 Under $10

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 02:14:00 +0000

Emily over at Beauty Broadcast (one of my favorite YouTubers) started a tag called Top 10 under $10. She lists some great stuff if you want to go check it out. I thought it be fun to share what my top 10 are.

Rimmel’s Stay Matte Powder in Translucent, $5: I like this for its quality vs price value. I like to set my foundation with this when I use a full coverage one as it mattifies and sets it without caking on any more coverage. Stay Matte keeps me oil-free for only a couple of hours though, but I’m extremely oily. For the normal person, it should work most of the day.

Revlon Lip Butters, about $6: My top three shades are Berry Smoothie, Pink Truffle, and Red Velvet. These, of course, have great pigmentation and comfortable wear. If you are just started wearing lip products, this is a great place to experiment.

Wet N Wild “Comfort Zone” palette, $5 – Wet N Wild makes amazing eyeshadows under the Color Icon line, but this palette is worth its own mention. There are 8 pans, half brown neutrals and half green neutrals that can be combined to make all kinds of looks. The palette also has a dupe for MAC’s awesome duochrome eyeshadow, “Club”.

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette, $10 – I keep trying new concealers but at the end of the day I come back to this lovely little square. It comes with 2 shades of concealer, 1 corrector, and a setting powder. The beauty of the three creamy products is that you can blend them to make a shade that matches your skin tone. It’s creamy, blendable, long lasting, and very compact.

ELF Powder Brush, $3 – Simply put, you need at least 3 of these: one for powder, one for foundation, and another for blush/bronzer. It’s great at buffing in liquid foundation, using it to set powder and not move your concealer around, and fluffy enough for blush and bronzer. So yes, you need 3 of these.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Liners, $4.50-$5.00 – These are so creamy and just beautiful! I have the Nude and Brown shades. Nude is great on the waterline to brighten up the eyes and a perfect dupe for the Stila and Tarte ones. I like using Brown to line my upper lashline and then smudge it out with a shadow. They’re also great on the waterline and pretty much stay there for hours.

Milani Blushes are probably one of the prettiest drugstore products out there

Milani Baked Blushes, $9 – Pretty and pigmented blushes that rival a lot of MAC mineralized blushes. These are seriously heavy on the color, so use a light hand when applying or using something like duo fiber brush.

ELF Shine Eraser sheets, $1 – As an oily person, these are heaven sent. I use one of these to absorb the oils on my face halfway through the day before reapplying a powder to help avoid cakeyness. They are also great to freshen up before taking pictures because damn, sometimes the flash really likes to bounce off all that shine.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Shadows – Color Tattoos work great as bases for shadows to stick to or by themselves. I love wearing Pomegranate Punk on it’s own on lazy days, or using something like Bold Gold as a base for gold/rose toned eyeshadows. Seriously, you need one of these in your collection. These range in price soo much, I’ve seen them from $4 to doubling at $8. Do some research and dig up Maybelline coupons to make sure you get the best deal.

Milani Color Statement Lipsticks, $5 - It was tough picking a lipstick line (oh Revlon I’m sorry!) but these lipsticks have seriously knocked it out of the park in the last couple months since they launched. There are tons of shades and finishes, but what makes them a winner for me is the formula and comfort. I have very dry lips, so a lot of lipsticks end up doing damage to them. This is one formula that doesn’t do that. Plus they smell like jolly rangers! You also need at least one these in your collection.

Orange Lipstick Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Thu, 30 May 2013 03:41:00 +0000

It's spring time which means it is time to break out the orange lips! This season orange and coral will be very popular again, as it usually is. It's also my favorite lipstick color when it comes to brights (vampy purples are my second favorite). Orange just brightens up the face, it looks fun but not intimidating (I reserve reds for that).

1. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in “Rendezvous” - This is a chubby lip pencil that’s supposed to be a dupe for Clinique’s and Tarte’s pencils but since I have not tried those I can neither confirm or deny that.

It is a true orange with a little bit of sheerness that allows your natural lip color to transform the shade. So if you have pigmented lips, this might not look as orange as you want it to be (you can always put a little concealer/foundation on your lips to tone them down if you don’t have sensitive lips like me). It’s also super glossy and shiny that lasts about 2-3 hours. Once that’s gone you probably have about another hour or two of color left depending on factors like talking and drinking. The stain isn’t as powerful on this shade as the darker ones in the line, but it’s enough to leave that popsicle color behind.

2. Revlon Lip Butter in “Tutti Frutti” - Oh the Lip Butter. I’m pretty sure someone out there on YouTube has probably written a song about this lip product. If it does not exist, can I request Vanessa to do one? (kidding! but not really).

Since this is supposed to be more of a tinted lip balm it is actually a bit more sheer than Rendezvous. The color is definitely orange, with a little more pink in it but not a coral yet. The wear on Lip Butters is pretty terrible on me, 2 hours max. I wore this pretty much all summer last year and it’s my 2nd most used up Lip Butter. It’s a little sticky in the beginning, but that wears out along with the glossiness. I highly recommend this if you are scared of oranges but want to try it.

3. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in “Siren” - My 3rd Revlon orange shade (and my last) is Siren. The Super Lustrous line is a pretty good solid lipstick from the drugstore so again, if you are just starting to dabble in these colors, or in lipstick in general, try these as they come in 82 (!) colors, all kinds of different finishes, and are pretty affordable (especially at Target).

Siren is a creme finish meaning just that: it’s creamy, shiny, and opaque, but not glossy or 100% matte, it’s a nice middle ground. I haven’t worn this too much as I acquire it right before my lips went to hell, but it’s a pretty great color. It alone looks like a true orange, but when compared to the other colors I have (especially the next one) it leans a little more red.

4. MAC Lipstick in “Sounds Like Noise” LE: This came out in April in conjunction with Paramore’s newest album. This lipstick was 1 out of 4 items that Hayley Williams, lead singer of Paramore, put out with MAC. SLN is a damn true matte orange lipstick. It’s opaque but like many MAC mattes, it’s hella drying. The finish shows a lot of imperfections in the lips so exfoliate before using, and probably lay down a lip balm like EOS (that’s not too slippery) first. This wears a solid 5 hours for me, and can probably pull off a 6th without reapplying lipstick, just a little balm/gloss. This is Limited Edition and still available on the MAC website, but don’t know for how long, so hurry! If you miss out, there’s always Morange from MAC.

Swatches in artificial lighting

Swatches in natural lighting

Now, does a person need ALL 4 of these lipsticks? No, not really, but the fun part is in the slight differences, from finish to wear time. Also, how freaking bright is Sounds Like Noise compared to the rest?

Up next, the corals!

I have three coral lipsticks, 2 from MAC and 1 from Maybelline.

Ignore the far left one (SLN), that belongs in the oranges above.

5. MAC Lipstick in "Vegas Volt" - This is my latest addition, a birthday present from my sister. It's a pretty perfect color as it still has orange, but the pink in it tones it down for a more "wearable" color that is less bam! It's an Amplified finish so it's still creamy while having great pigmentation. I can't really comment on the wear time because I've only worn it once, and it was to a dinner. When my lips get better, this is going to definitely something I wear a lot.6. Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in "Shocking Coral" - If spending more than $10 on a lipstick just doesn't feel right but you are still craving the bold colors from high end, definitely check out this Maybelline line. It's permanent! I got this one day while out shopping with Vanessa, I was really craving a bright coral (I didn't have Party Parrot yet). It's so hard to describe the color as it's definitely not orange anymore, but not quite pink. This wears great, though a little drying. I also really don't like the plastic like scent, very lipstick smelling. And to once again bring up my lips, I'm pretty sure I had a slight reaction to this lipstick; my lips got itchy and really flaky. But if you have tough lips, this is a good place to start for bright lips.7. MAC Lipstick in "Party Parrot" LE - Another product that deserves a song, maybe Rachel at 87daysbefore will write this one. Amazing color, definitely right on the border between coral and pink, like millimeters away. I think what keeps it in the coral family is the warm undertones, as opposed to blue/cool ones which would make it more of a magenta. This, unfortunately, is also Limited Edition and not currently available. But if it's ever repromoted, jump on it! It's a matte but not as drying or unflattering as Sounds Like Noise, Party Parrot is one of MAC's better mattes. And there you have it, seven great lipsticks to fulfill your orange craving.

Any suggestions for colors I should add to my collection? Please let me know!

Seashore Frosts

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 02:40:00 +0000

I'm sure the rest of the beauty blogging world has already posted about the following product, but I love it too much to not rave about it myself too.

Maybelline released their summer collection recently. I went into Rite Aid for a quick 40% off visit to Wet n Wild when I was stopped in my tracks by the Maybelline display; I finally found them, the 8 limited edition Color Tattoos. It's those words, LIMITED EDITION, that get me every time. I had heard that Seashore Frosts was the one to get from Nouveau Cheap, so as soon as I saw it I snatched it up. What if someone had beaten me to it?

This Color Tattoo is A LOT creamier than the other three I own, it almost feels whipped. It's super blendable but does need a little bit of build to get an intense color. It makes a great base for any color, especially if you are looking for some frostiness.

More pictures after the jump!

I don't even know how to describe this color. It's a cool-toned grey with a blue, green, pink, gold multichrome thing going on. In the pot, as you can see below, it leans towards a purple-y grey. When I took the picture with flash, the blue and pink really came out.

Taken with flash

Here are some swatches on the skin. The left is heavy, the right is a little more sheered out. Also notice the color shift between the two.

Taken with flash.

Finally, here it is on my eyes, along with a little of Kat Von D's "Mi Vida Loca" palette.

I used Urban Decay's Naked on the crease to blend out Seashore Frosts. Then put some green on the outer third followed by a purple on the outer V. The inner half of my eyes is just the color tattoo.

Coconut For Your Hair

noreply@blogger.com (Vanessa) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:22:00 +0000

You know that amazing feeling when you try a new product, let's say shampoo, and your hair air dries perfectly, with waves you didn't even know you had and minimal frizz? Oh, you don't? Well, that's because you've never used a coconut milk shampoo! Seriously, I think I've found the missing link. And it's coconut.

I have thick 2a hair with loose s-waves, a mix of medium and coarse hairs, and a tendency to frizz. My waves fall out really easily, and so I've been searching for products that will help them form better and keep my hair from pouf-ing too much. For a long time, it seemed like that was just too much to ask. But then I found Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve and their amazing Coconut Milk Shampoo Bar.

Image from Chagrin Valley website

I heard about Chagrin Valley through Crunchy Betty, and decided to give them a shot. They're a small, family-owned and operated business out of Northeastern Ohio. All of their skin and hair products are made from simple natural and organic ingredients, are cruelty free, biodegradable, and minimally packaged. Basically, they're awesome and you should take a look at their website.

But, back to the shampoo bar. Holy cow! Coconut milk is known for fighting frizz, making hair soft and manageable, and even preventing hair loss. Washing my hair with that bar, even without using conditioner, made a huge difference in my hair. As in, I could actually let it air dry and it still looked good. Say what?

And then I found Shea Moisture. I think we all know where this is going...I'm obsessed! After my last Shea Moisture post I went out and bought the Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo. And I fell in love all over again.

Image from Walgreens website

All of the curly hair products in Coconut & Hibiscus line contain coconut oil, silk protein, and neem oil. And those ingredients protect, strengthen, moisturize, and smooth the hair. Again, after using this shampoo my hair was soft, shiny, and noticeably wavier. And not frizzy! I also like to put some of the Curl and Style Milk in my hair while it's still damp and scrunch it up a little, for extra moisture and to help my waves dry nicely. These are the products I use right now and I haven't had to rely on a blow dryer in weeks.

So, here is the case for coconut hair products:

Coconut milk:

fights frizz
smooths hair
prevents hair loss

Coconut oil:

deeply moisturizing
seals the hair cuticle, which keeps your hair smooth (especially if you apply while your hair is damp)
fights dandruff because it's anti-fungal, and moisturizes the scalp
protects the hair from heat damage

Convinced yet?

I mentioned some products that worked for me, but you can pick any coconut hair products that work for your hair, as long as the coconut stuff is near the beginning in the list of ingredients. (Otherwise you're probably wasting your time.) Some of you may need more intense moisture for really curly hair, so something like the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie might be good. Lush also has several coconut shampoos and conditioners like Curly Wurly, Trichomania, Big Solid Conditioner (great for fine, curly hair), and Coolaulin. And there's tons from other brands as well. For you crafty types, you can easily DIY your own coconut milk shampoo as well.

Once you've opened your eyes to the world of coconut milk and coconut oil, you just can't go back. And I don't even like coconut! In fact, I hate the smell, taste, and texture but I got over it once I realized how awesome it is for your hair (and your skin, and your body in general). And if that's not a sparkling recommendation, I don't know what is!

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Concealer

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 02:03:00 +0000

It’s concealer time!

Today I have the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Spot Concealer (doesn't that just roll off your tongue?). It looks like this.

Ulta website says:

“Revolutionary concealer and vitamin C treatment covers instantly, while fighting dark spots over time. Concentrated Vitamin C formula visibly decreases dark spots in just 4 weeks. Targets signs of aging, dark spots, acne scars and sunspots.”

Those are some pretty damn bold claims there Maybelline.

So here’s the deal, when I bought this product I actually wanted to get the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Treatment, but those long ass names just confused me and I got the wrong one. I was too lazy to go back to CVS and exchange it so I convinced myself to keep it "for the sake of the blog".

First thing I don’t like about it is the packaging, it’s convenient but pretty unsanitary. You twist the product up and it comes out of the round sponge tip. This means the sponge tip will become a breeding ground for bacteria since it is constantly coming in contact with your skin. Unlike brushes, you can’t really wash this to disinfect it. So off the bat, I’m already thinking bad things about this concealer.

Well, it turns out it’s not that bad! I’ve been reaching for this concealer quite a bit, making my beloved Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda take a break. I like it the most for under eye area because of it’s liquid consistency which means it is less likely to crease. It also works decently on hyperpigmentation, though it’s not heavy duty.

I got the shade 220, Light.

And as far as the Vitamin E actually fading dark spots? Sorry but I don’t have much to say there. I use a combination of things to help with hyperpigmentation, and while my face’s tone is evening out, I don’t really know which one of the many products is helping. Vitamin E is known for helping with dark spots, so adding this to the routine probably doesn’t hurt though.

I recommend this concealer if you don’t need a lot of coverage, want some highlighting, and you like liquid consistencies (as opposed to creamy).

Note: Product contains parabens. Remember, read the ingredients!

Spring Break!

noreply@blogger.com (Vanessa) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 03:48:00 +0000

Hey all! TPG is on Spring Break this week. We'll be back on Monday with new stuff. Until then, take a look at some of our recent posts. We're really excited about including a more holistic approach to skin care.

And check out Vanessa's guest playlist this month on Work It, Berk. It features some of our favorite lady jams from the likes of Bey, Mariah, and Lauryn.

Let us know if there's anything you'd like to see on here in the future, and see you soon! (Hopefully, with a tan!)

Holistic Skin Care

noreply@blogger.com (Vanessa) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 16:30:00 +0000

Writing a post about taking a more holistic approach to skin care is really daunting! Most of these points deserve a whole book's worth of explanation, but I'll try to consolidate a few tips, and explore them further in later posts. The important thing is to expand the way you think about acne and inflammation, and realize that your skin may be trying to tell you that something else in your body is out of whack.

Acne, and I mean inflamed or cystic acne, is often a result of your body trying to let out toxins. (Not always, but often). Sometimes this is because of poor digestion, or an overworked liver or kidneys. If you're feeling good and staying healthy, your skin should be looking good, too. But it also could mean you're stressed out. Your skin can be remarkably sensitive to stress, whether it's from something obvious like a demanding job, or an underlying stressor like low self-esteem.

I don't pretend to know everything about getting rid of acne*, but I want to list a few things that can help. And sidenote, I'm still all for well-formulated skin care products to help tackle acne while you're working on the getting healthy part, but please be gentle! And, of course, remember that everyone's skin is different, so everyone's acne and acne solution will be different.

The List:

Stop picking!

(I’m looking at you, Angie!) I know it’s hard! But I can say from experience, my skin looks better when I just leave it alone, and tends to break out more if I get into a habit of picking. Like I have right now. Oops. Try reading this if you need more motivation: Stop Picking On Me.

Eat healthy
This is a loaded topic, as it seems like everyone is subscribed to a different miracle diet these days. But I think these are the basics:

Eat whole, nutritious foods, including lots of fresh veggies and fruit
Drink more water. Drink all the water.
Avoid refined sugars and grains, and avoid processed foods
Get lots of healthy fats into your diet, including Omega-3s (found things like oily fish, avocados, almonds, flax seeds, olive oil, etc.)**

It also might be worth it to try avoiding dairy and wheat, as those are two common causes of acne and inflammation.

Exercise

It doesn’t have to be anything intense, just need to get your body moving and your blood pumping. It really does wonders for your face, and it helps with the next tip.

De-stress

Easier said than done, I know. Think about some ways that you like to de-stress and try doing them more often. I know I feel more stressed if I haven't played music in a while. And try to get enough sleep!

Get some fresh air and sunshine

Sunshine is great for your health and your skin, within your limits. It takes 5-15 minutes of sun exposure for your skin to produces Vitamin D, and longer if you have darker skin***. And what ages you and causes most sun damage is the sun reacting to/oxidizing your own sebum. If you're eating well and staying healthy, your skin should protect you better from the sun. It's all interconnected!

Be gentle to your skin

Avoid harsh skin care products and harsh chemicals, or you'll only irritate your poor skin even further.

Ok, so it can be really hard to do all these things at once. I'm still struggling with getting enough sun and fresh air, which is ironic seeing as I live in one of the sunniest places ever (Los Angeles). And don't stress out about making big changes all at once, that's just counterproductive.

Like I said before, baby steps! Be nice to yourself.

P.S. These tips also work for hormonal acne, although you may still need a little outside help. Your hormones are not independent of the rest of your body! Changing your lifestyle and getting the rest of your health under control can go a long way towards regulating your hormone levels. This topic deserves many posts, I know. Angie and I have both struggled with this stuff.

*Again, I highly recommend checking out The Love Vitamin if you're trying to tackle your acne problem holistically.

**I'm completely obsessed with healthy fats right now...Hey, any excuse to eat more butter!

***I feel like all these statistics about sun exposure are meant for people with fair skin. I know I've recommended protecting your skin from the sun, and it is important since sun damage is very real. But keep in mind it takes up to 6 times longer for someone with dark skin to get Vitamin D from sunshine. In fact I've read that Vitamin D supplements are often recommended if you have dark skin, just to make sure you're getting enough. Personally, I only wear sunblock if I'm going to be out in the sun for hours, like at the beach. I just want to make sure we're aware that sunshine, within reason, is really good for you. And blocking it out 24/7 may have some unintended negative consequences.

January Rising

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 05:34:00 +0000

Have you heard of OCC Lip Tars? They're these amazing magical concoctions that work as some kind of liquid lipstick. You need the tiniest little bead of product to get a super saturated color on your lips that's supposed to last for hours. You can watch a demo here on how to apply it (and a warning, they're not lipglosses so do not apply as one!).

Photo by Stella Rose Saint Clair. From the Indiegogo page

Ok, so that's pretty cool right? Well it gets cooler. One of their employees, January Hunt, is fundraising to have gender reassignment surgery, and OCC (along with January) have created a lip tar specifically for this cause! The color, a hot pink designed by January herself, is limited edition and will only be sold through this fundraiser. For a donation of $25 you get a limited edition lip tar and get to contribute to a great cause, 100% of the money goes to January.

This is the Indiegogo page where you can donate. There's 13 days left in the fundraiser and she's almost to her goal, let's help her get there. Head on over to read more about January, and hopefully get yourself a lip tar (I already did!). If you can't donate the $25, you can always go lower as any little bit counts.

Changing It Up

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

My biggest insecurity right now is the skin on my face. I can’t leave the house without a cake face on. It doesn’t matter if I look fake, orange, or powdery, I prefer that look over people being able to see my acne and scars. I have decently "clear" skin right now in regards to acne, I mostly just have white heads. My cystic mountains have almost disappeared but have left behind hyperpigmentation all over my cheeks and jawline. I have redness and dark spots and just overall really unhealthy looking skin. If I look at the chart from Friday, my problem areas are my liver, stomach, and large intestine. Which means I HAVE to clean up my system.

I have been talking about bettering my lifestyle for awhile now but just can’t bring myself to do it. My number one excuse is “I don’t have time”. I think it’s time I find the time.

1. Drink more water. Drink lots of more water. Currently I’m drinking about 1 cup of water a day, along with 1 of coffee and 1 of tea. My goal is to be drinking the “recommended” 8 cups (we all know that varies per person/lifestyle).

2. Cut on the gluten. As Vanessa mentioned on Friday’s post, gluten has been tied to acne quite a bit. While I’m not ready to give it up completely, I do want to try to and cut some out of my diet to see the effect on my skin. I’ve been thinking about cutting on the dairy, but you guys, I love yogurt and milk and cheese and sour cream and cottage cheese. I can’t do it yet.

3. Exercise. My eternal enemy. I can’t find anything to keep me interested. I’ve tried gym, at home videos, and group classes. None of it is as interesting to me as watching marathons of Buffy on Netflix. Currently I’m giving Cassie at Blogilates a chance. I like that she has a calendar a month with workouts she comes up with. She’s also just a very likeable person. I don’t like how the videos are scattered and it takes me longer to find them and load them than it does for me to do the workout. My goal is to start fresh in April and do at least 4/6 workout days.

So those are my baby steps. They don’t sound daunting, but on a day to day basis I lose the battles more than win them. Hopefully this time I can turn it around and eventually add more baby steps.

My face without any makeup, right after a Concha Nacar mask.
Putting this on the internet is one of the scariest things ever.

How are you living a healthy lifestyle? Any tips for a rookie?

Beauty From The Inside Out

noreply@blogger.com (Vanessa) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Image from rawforbeauty.com

This chart is really cool, and a good reminder that what goes on in the rest of your body affects your skin. Everything in your body is interconnected. What you put into it, and how you take care of yourself, will show up on your face.

While it's fun talking about different skin care and makeup (really, really fun), and important to find safe products that won't break out or irritate your skin, there's only so much you can take care of on the surface. The real work has to be done from the inside out. The best thing you can do for your skin is to lead a healthy lifestyle. You know the deal: eat well (meaning whole, nutritious foods), drink lots of water, get enough sleep, exercise regularly, get some fresh air and sunshine, and minimize stress. Sounds easy, right? Just remember--baby steps.

But, we do want to start addressing the diet and lifestyle component to having healthy skin on Those Pore Girls, because what you put on your body is not nearly as important as what you put in it. And to those of you struggling with cystic acne: these are the kinds of things you have to work on, not your skin care routine. Even if you have acne as a result of hormonal imbalances, those can also be sorted out through eating right and taking care of yourself. Often, people get acne because of allergies and reactions to food (especially dairy and gluten). Everything is interconnected! Food for thought.

By the way, if you want to get started on reading about all of this stuff, we highly recommend checking out The Love Vitamin. Tracy's blog is amazing, thorough, and inspiring. You can read all about her journey to healing her skin through making changes to her diet and lifestyle, and get some seriously awesome tips for yourself, too. (You guys, she doesn't even have to wash her face anymore!) Otherwise, stay tuned.

Drugstore Bronzer and Contour

noreply@blogger.com (Vanessa) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:30:00 +0000

I was having the hardest time finding the right bronzer for my skin tone. I needed something that would look natural and give me a healthy glow. Except I had no idea what color would work for me! Especially since most bronzers seem to be suited for lighter skin tones. But, I tried out a few things from the drugstore, and I’ve found at least a couple bronzers and contours so far that I think would work well for other girls around my color.

But first a few tips on bronzer and contour:

When picking an overall bronzer, look for something 2 to 3 shades darker than your skin tone, and warmer than your skin tone. You want something similar to how you would naturally tan.

For contours, go with something darker and cooler. You want the color to mimic the look of natural shadows on your face, and shadows don’t tend to be orange!

Bronzer should go on the high points of your face, where you would naturally be kissed by the sun. This means cheekbones, temples, your nose, and chin. I tend to use it all over the perimeter of my face as well.

Contours should go where you want to emphasize a shadow: under your cheekbones, under your jawline (my fave), the sides of your nose (if you want to slim it down), and the hairline (especially if you have a very high forehead).

And super important, always remember to bronze all the exposed parts of your skin to match your face, like your neck and chest. Otherwise you’ll look pretty silly!

No perfectly contoured and bronzed look is complete without a good highlighter, but we'll save that for another post.

And there are swatches for all these products at the end of the post. So let's get to it!

-ELF Bronzer in Sun Kissed

This bronzer cost me $1, which is hard to beat--except that it’s basically the same color as my skin, with shimmer. It’s a pretty bronze-gold, and it might work for someone more fair than I am. It could also be a golden, not too subtle, highlighter for darker skin. But I’ve ended up just using it as an eyeshadow; it actually works great as an overall lid color, especially with a natural, bronzed look.

-Milani Baked Bronzer in 05 Soleil

This one is my favorite! It’s a great, warm color a couple shades darker than my skin tone, with gold glitter running through it. The color and glitter add a subtle glow to my skin that automatically makes me look healthy and fresh. The shimmer also acts as a natural highlight. I’m kind of addicted. The packaging gets fingerprints all over it, as you can see in the picture, and is kind of bulky, but it comes with a mirror and a decent brush. If you are around my skin tone, and are not afraid of some glitter, this is the bronzer for you! It costs about $8.

Tip: If you have acne, scars, or large pores, skip the glittery stuff--it will only highlight the things you want to cover.

-NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny

Lots of beauty gurus rave about this bronzer, and it only costs about $2, so I decided to give it a try. It’s a good color, similar to the Milani one I love so much, so it works as an overall matte bronzer. I don't like it as a contour on my skin, but I know a lot of girls like it for that purpose. My favorite part is the huge mirror that comes with it. Also, the color payoff isn't amazing. But there aren’t many matte bronzers in the drugstore, so this is a good option if it works for your skin tone.

Tip: If you have oily skin, brushes and sponges can transfer oils to your powder products and cause a hard layer to form on the top. If this happens, just scrape off the top layer.

-ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in St. Lucia

This is the first drugstore bronzer I bought. I had absolutely no experience with contours, and the $3 price tag made it seem like less of a risk. It might be a good overall bronzer for deeper skin tones, but it’s too warm to be used as a contour, for my taste. And the shimmer from the blush transfers over to the bronzer, which also makes it less than ideal for a contour shade. Overall, the two colors are pretty, and I can still work with them.

-NYX Nude Matte Eye Shadow in NMS10 Underneathe It All

Drugstores don’t have the greatest selection of matte bronzers or contours. I needed a contour that would mimic the color of natural shadows on my face, and since I couldn’t find the right shade in bronzers or face powders, I decided to look elsewhere. Cue this eyeshadow, which is the perfect cool brown several shades darker than my skin. Incidentally, it’s also the perfect natural crease color for me. You may be thinking that this color is too dark, but keep in mind that I have like absolutely no cheekbones! If you have great bone structure already, you don't need to contour so much, and over-contouring will just make you look too gaunt. (P.S. I wonder if the name is a typo. Not sure, but that's the way it's spelled on the package!)

Tip: If you’re having trouble finding the right contour or bronzer color, you can try (1) matte face powders and foundations a few shades darker than your skin, or (2) an eyeshadow that’s the right color. I’m really happy with this color for me, and thinking outside the box can help you find the perfect color for your skin as well.

And finally some swatches. From left to right: ELF SunKissed, Milani Soleil, NYC Sunny, ELF St.Lucia, NYX Underneathe It All

OBSESSED: Rosewater

noreply@blogger.com (Vanessa) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:40:00 +0000

Those of you who know me in person probably know I'm obsessed with rose-flavored and -scented products. Rose syrup, rosewater, rose tea, rose candles, rose ice cream...you name it! But, rosewater happens to be a wonderful addition to skin care products, and a great toner in its own right.

I use a rosewater toner once or twice a day after cleansing. It's the very gentlest of astringents, so it's perfect for sensitive skin. Rose is also known to be beneficial for mature skin. It's softening, soothing, and smells like heaven. You can see in the picture I also have a bottle of rosewater and glycerin, which is perfect if you have dry skin or live in a dry climate, since glycerin keeps some moisture in your skin. You can use it to refresh your face during the day if it's feeling dry, without messing up your makeup.

I'm currently using a Heritage brand rosewater, but there's tons to choose from. A good and cheap option is to buy rosewater from a Middle Eastern grocery store if you have one nearby (like in the picture). Many other stores will also have an ethnic foods aisle you can check out.

A bag of dried rose petals I purchased, and some more from the garden.

What's even more fun, is it's very easy to make your own rosewater out of dried rose petals. You can order some online from somewhere like Mountain Rose Herbs, or use roses from your own garden (you'll need a lot!). If you are the DIY type, floral waters--rose or otherwise--are nice to use in place of distilled waters in toners, lotions, masks, scrubs, or anything really. Or if you have a prepackaged product that needs to be mixed with water, like a clay mask, you can easily use rosewater instead for extra softening power. And of course there's always rose absolute essential oil, but it'll cost you. It takes something like 10,000 pounds of rose blossoms to create 1 ounce of essential oil. So it's pretty expensive!

Last, but not least, rosewater and rosewater with glycerin are great makeup setting sprays! The kind with added glycerin works best for refreshing your makeup and helping it stay a tiny bit longer. Neither of these are going to work as well as something like Urban Decay All-Nighter, but they do pretty well. And they're good for your skin! My favorite method is to spray some rosewater on my face after my makeup is done, especially if I've been using powders, just to make it look less matte and more natural. And it smells amazing!

They're so pretty!

Can you see why I'm obsessed?

Packing Light

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 16:00:00 +0000

This past weekend I drove down to Rosarito for a quick two day trip (I was visiting my grandparents). As I was frantically packing Saturday morning, I started stuffing makeup into a Hello Kitty cosmetic bag. I usually stuff 2 or 3 of these with brushes, eyeshadow, and lipsticks. This time I took a second to stop and think about it. How many lipsticks have I lost? How many buttery eyeshadows have crumbled beneath the pressure? So I dumped everything and started over.

- Garnier BB Cream: Crap! Do not buy! But I reach for this when I need light coverage and these trips give me an excuse to use it up. This was $13 and I don't want to throw it away.

- Real Techniques Buffing Brush: I'm sure you've heard of the Pixiwoo sisters and Samantha's brushes. This is the only way I can make this BB cream work for me.

- Wet n Wild Comfort Zone palette: I needed something compact, easy to work with it, and wouldn't break the bank (and my heart) if damage happened. Cue in this awesome palette. I used the highlight color on the left, the lid color beneath that, and both the definer colors. Since these are all shimmer, they are easy to blend and almost fool proof (almost).

-Ecotools Highlight brush from the 5pc eye brush set: This is the only eye brush I packed! Goodness I love this brush. It's dense enough to pack color with, but also tapered and fluffy to blend.

-Revlon eyelash curler and Maybelline The Falsies mascara: Nothing special about these. I always need mascara and I just started testing out Falsies for the first time (thanks to Vanessa).

- Covergirl Instant Cheekbones blush trio: I reach for this blush a lot. I have three options of color, it's pigmented, and super portable. Also, I wouldn't cry if it broke.

-Ecotools Powder Brush: This is the brush I always use for blush. Just love.

-Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Spot corrector: I also just started testing this. I like the coverage and could have probably just used this instead of bringing the BB cream. But of course, it's on the pink side. I also have the UD concealer from this post, but I always carry that in my purse.

Things that were missing: powder to set the grossness that is this BB cream and an eyeliner. Other than that, I'm happy with the results.

This is my face (which I put together while in the passenger sit as we drove through hills. For some reason, I also took the pictures before applying the mascara. Oops).

I also put this whole post together on my Iphone on the drive back. Yay for technology!

TPG Approved: Friday Roundup

noreply@blogger.com (Vanessa) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Happy International Women's Day!

Here's a roundup of all the stuff TPG approves of this week.

Into The Gloss | Anti-Aging In Your Twenties: Too Much Too Soon?

Image from Into The Gloss

Into the Gloss did a great piece this week on anti-aging products, and when you should start using them. They get into the dangers of using things like retinols for long periods of time--which apparently end up thinning out your skin a lot. Although ITG does tend to favor expensive products and skin care, you can still take away lots of things from the post, like always protect your face from the sun!

Tracey Cox Sex Talk | 5 Sex Myths You Shouldn’t Believe

BodyTalk Daily is a premium YouTube channel for women focused on healthy living. Tracey Cox’s Sex Talk feature is so great and so refreshing! She speaks openly and honestly, in an obviously sex-positive and feminist way. This week she talked about sex myths, and let me say I learned a thing or two. Also check out her interview with Pixiwoo on their BodyTalk Daily feature. Seriously, this lady is awesome!

New York Times | The Good, Racist People
An editorial on racism inspired by Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker recently being accused of shoplifting in a New York deli. It’s a good reminder that for many people, dealing with racism is a constant and everyday struggle.

The Locals | The Best Dressed Dog

Image from The Locals

My favorite street style post of the week. What a cutie!

And thanks to Pinterest, this week I’ve been OBSESSED with smoothies. This oatmeal smoothie recipe from Martha Stewart proved to be super tasty AND healthy. You really can have it all!

-Vanessa

New Beauty Blog Alert | xoVain.com
xoJane’s beauty column just launched as it’s own site, xoVain. I’ve been pretty obsessed with it this week. My favorite posts include the Wonder Woman tutorial (of course) and the post about Mexican beauty products at the drugstore. I use the Concha Nacar moisturizer almost every day!

Emerald Eyes |Sephora @ Pinterest

Since Pantone declared Emerald the color of the year, Sephora has been pretty focused on it. I saw on their Pinterest a tutorial using this color and I really loved it because I’m always trying to figure out how to incorporate green into an eye look. It’s difficult ok?

The Hairpin | An Ode to the Diva Cup
I know we talked about the cup already here at TPG, but I just love everyone who loves the Diva Cup. So if you didn’t find our post convincing, check out this one. Heather writes a really funny and great post about it, including telling us which way her vaginal canal swings.

Hulk Princess | Fashionably Geek
Last weekend was Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle and I think this little girl wins the most awesome cosplay award. Who said you can't be a princess and superhero fueled by rage?

-Angie

Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Balancing Toner

noreply@blogger.com (Vanessa) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:57:00 +0000

Image found here.

A few months ago I had this weird urge to start trying out anti-aging products even though I don’t need them yet. I should probably take that as a sign that I’m reading too many beauty blogs. Anyway, I ended up giving most of the stuff away to my mom, but I kept this toner because I liked it a lot. I’m in my early 20s, so the most I really need to do is wear sunscreen regularly, but I this toner also helps with balancing the skin, and getting an even tone.

Some of you may be asking, “Do I need a toner? What do they actually do?” The answer is, for the most part, no. Toners were originally created to balance the pH of the skin after using a harsh soap on the face, back when actual soaps were used. Now that we have gentle, non-soap cleansers, there isn’t a huge need for them. But, a well-formulated toner can be a nice addition to your skin care routine, especially if it contains vitamins and antioxidants.

The Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Balancing Toner works like this, according to the bottle,

To rebalance skin tone and moisture levels, our pore perfecting combination of Aloe, Cucumber and Papaya Extracts purifies and hydrates while targeting areas of hyperpigmentation. Plant-derived Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant and cell energizer, helps eliminate free radical damage caused by sun exposure to help fight the visible signs of photo-aging.

Sounds pretty good to me! Like many other women of color, I’m prone to hyperpigmentation. I’ve been using this toner once a day for about a month, and I have noticed my skin looks brighter and more even. (I have also been using a BHA exfoliant, so I probably have gotten faster results than normal.) The toner is also lightly hydrating and softening. It does contain citrus essential oils and salicylic acid, so I would suggest passing on this product if you have very sensitive skin. Otherwise, it should work well for most skin types.

I have to mention that I really didn’t like the toner at first because it left my face feeling sticky. I was applying it with a cotton round and it left too much product on my face. I gave it a second chance, used less, applied it to my face with fingers, and found that it actually dries leaving my face smooth and not-sticky. So be careful of how much you use--although that might be difficult because this stuff smells amazing! Like really delicious oranges.

Unsurprisingly, a big reason I’m a fan of this toner (other than that it works) is the ingredient list:

Contains 70% organic ingredients

Made without synthetic fragrances or colors, parabens, pthalates, harsh preservatives, or sulfates
100% Vegetarian and cruelty-free
The bottle is made out of 100% recycled materials.

But even better than all that, Avalon Organics, as a company, has signed on to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. They also have their own Consciousness in Cosmetics® philosophy. You can read more about the 5 elements to Consciousness in Cosmetics® here, and you can learn about the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics at SafeCosmetics.org.

I’m pretty happy with the way this toner works, and I feel good about buying it. If you are looking for some anti-aging skin care, or are looking to even out your skin tone, give the Avalon Organics Vitamin C Renewal Balancing Toner a shot. I haven’t tried the rest of the Vitamin C Renewal products, but I’m willing to bet they’re also pretty great.

American Cream

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

As you might have noticed by now, I’m a fan of Lush Cosmetics. I usually stick to the skincare, but since I’m trying to repair my hair, I thought I would try some of those products. When I bought the Fair Trade Honey shampoo (mentioned in my February favorites) I also bought the American Cream conditioner. It’s a pretty well known conditioner among the Lushies*, and almost everyone raves about it. I bought the small bottle because I didn’t want to shell out the $30 for the big bottle. The 3oz bottle was $10, which is A LOT of money for 3oz of product when you have hair that falls more than halfway down your back.

From Lush website

The description:

American Cream is our dreamy, medium-strength for soft, shiny and bouncy locks. Softening honey, scalp clarifying lavender and fresh oranges make a conditioner suitable for all hair types to soften rough ends and keep hair calm. Not to mention the absolutely delectable strawberry vanilla cream scent.

First of all, it smells great. It smells amazing actually! And it lingers in the hair hours after you’ve used it but that’s as far as my love for this conditioner goes.

It was too light for me. I have thick, dry, and damaged long hair. I need a super strength, thick conditioner (see: SheaMoisture) that’s going to really hydrate my hair. This conditioner fell short. It only lasted me a couple of washes because not only did I have to use a lot for my long hair, I also had to compensate for how light it was. What really frustrated me was that the description on the website and on the bottle really emphasized it’s creaminess. It was not creamy.

I say skip out on this conditioner. If you need something super hydrating, this is not it. And if you need something just to detangle and keep your hair soft, this is not worth the money. There are conditioners out there that perform just as well for half the money. But goodness I will miss that scent. If I can find something else that smells like it, I will be a very happy camper.

Available at Lush Stores and websites

$9.99 for 3.3oz
$19.99 for 8.4oz
$32.95 for 16.9oz

*Lushie: people that like Lush. I hate this term. Do not call me a Lushie.

Angie's Faves- February Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 17:00:00 +0000

So February is over, and we’re onto March. Spring collections are out and lipsticks are getting brighter. Here is a list of items I enjoyed this past month. Let’s call them my February Favorites.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage foundation- I reviewed this way back in our first TPG post. I love it so much, I can’t go a day without it.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Juju- I wake up late most mornings and don’t have the time I want to create elaborate blended shadow looks. So I reach for this pencil quite often. It’s shimmery, it’s a nice neutral color, and it's long lasting (even without a primer). This shadow and some mascara will get me through the day.

Mac’s Daddy’s Little Girl from the Archie’s collection - I reviewed this lipstick (along with Ronnie Red) here. It’s kind of the perfect color for this time of year. It’s bright enough to be a spring color, but also rich enough to still be worn in the winter.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer - I never really got the hype with this bronzer until this month. I’m pretty much at my palest right now since I spend about every hour of the day indoors. This bronzer is just the right shade to make me look alive. I use it to contour mostly, but I also dust it on around my face to warm it up.

As Vanessa mentioned in the last post, we are obsessed with SheaMoisture. So I of course have to include the Restorative Conditioner in this list.

Lush’s Fair Trade Honey Shampoo- I’m using this as my clarifying shampoo to get rid of product build up. It’s made up of 50% honey, and smells delicious! It leaves my hair super shiny and big.

And that’s it! Not too much going on but I just haven’t had a chance to check out a lot this month.

Anything I'm missing out on?

OBSESSED: SheaMoisture

noreply@blogger.com (Vanessa) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 04:40:00 +0000

My SheaMoisture collection

If you’re a curly girl, you probably already know about SheaMoisture, a brand of all natural hair care sold in drugstores like Target and Walgreens. For the rest of you, I have to say, I’m OBSESSED. I’m Latina and I have thick, wavy hair that’s pretty manageable, but does get dry and frizzy if I don’t take care of it. And I feel like I’ve found my holy grail of hair care products in Shea Moisture.

Their line of hair care products is targeted towards ethnic hair, natural hair, curly girls--which I am not--but the ingredients are so wonderful I had to try them out. Their products are sustainably produced, ethically traded, natural, don’t contain any icky chemicals or preservatives, and they really work. They also have bath and body collections, skin care, baby care, and more. If you’re into natural skin and hair care, you’ll recognize a lot of the ingredients and just how great they are. And, did I mention every bottle runs for $10 at Target? Seriously.

There are different ranges of products for different hair types, separated by differently colored labels. The yellow label products are made with raw shea butter and are aimed at repairing dry, damaged hair. The black label products are made with African black soap, for dry, itchy scalp. The pink label is made for thick, curly hair, and contains coconut and hibiscus. And the green label, made with organic yucca and baobob, is for fine, thin hair. There are styling products to go with each collection, as well as bath and body products, like lotions and bodywashes. They also seem to have expanded recently: they have baby and kids’ lines, a new hair color system, and a new women’s shave and waxing collection, among others.

I want to try everything! I have yet to try anything other than their hair care products, but I’ll walk you through the stuff I have purchased and love.

African Black Soap Deep-Cleansing Shampoo

with plantain enzyme, tea tree, and willow bark extract (aka salicylic acid)
for dry and itchy scalps, dandruff, eczema, and psoriasis
“Our African Black Soap sulfate-free shampoo helps regulate sebum production, while alleviating itching and flaking”

African Black Soap Deep-Cleansing Shampoo

African Black Soap is well known for treating and healing problematic skin, from acne, to eczema, to psoriasis. I alternate this shampoo with another more moisturizing one. It’s good for getting rid of product buildup and deep cleansing the scalp. It actually balances the scalp, which is really important for healthy hair. This leaves my hair feeling clean and soft but not stripped. It doesn’t lather as much as a conventional shampoo but it does lather pretty well. The scent is a little medicinal, but I’ve actually grown to like it.

Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner

with sea kelp and argan oil
for dry, damaged hair-- heal, grow, and strengthen
“Our leave-in or rinse out detangles, moisturizes, repairs, and restores lifeless damaged hair.”

Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner

Raw shea butter is the real deal when it comes to moisturizing. This is my favorite of the products I have, and I’ve already repurchased it 3 times. It feels really moisturizing but doesn’t weigh my hair down. I love to use it as a leave-in conditioner to smooth down my hair when it’s getting frizzy. The texture feels like a lotion, but for my hair. And the smell is sweet and perfume-y, but not overwhelming. I don’t know what to say other than it’s made my hair very healthy! My split ends have disappeared since I started using this and only natural products on my hair.

Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Styling Milk

with coconut oil, silk protein, and neem oiI
for thick curly hair
adds moisture, body, and shine
“Apply as a no-rinse protective and styling cream to damped, towel-dried, or dry hair as needed. Detangles, conditions, and controls curl, while restoring body and shine.”

Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Styling Milk

My hair isn’t especially curly, my waves fall out pretty easily, but it is thick and can get frizzy. This styling milk adds the weight and moisture my hair needs to stay smooth. If I do decide to let my hair do its thing, this helps define my waves. I use it lightly, though, because it is kind of heavy. If you have really dry or curly hair, I’m sure your hair would love this stuff. But my favorite use for this is as a natural heat protectant before blow drying heat styling my hair. Coconut oil (and grapeseed oil) is so stable at high temperatures that it can protect your hair from heat. And this stuff leaves your hair super soft.

(These are the products that work for my hair, and how they perform for me. Your hair may react differently. With that said, if your hair is more dry or curly than mine, I think these products would be fantastic for you. And even if you have normal, oily, or fine hair, there’s something for you, too.)

Finally, I love what this company stands for. If you check out the SheaMoisture Facebook page, you’ll find even more reasons to support their company. Their story:

Sofi Tucker began selling shea nuts at the village market in Bonthe, Sierra Leone in 1912. By age 19, the widowed mother of four was selling her shea butter and African black soap all over the countryside. Sofi Tucker was our grandmother, and SheaMoisture is her legacy. We proudly create culturally-authentic, time-tested skin and hair care remedies from family recipes using all-natural and fair trade ingredients.

And their products don’t contain:

Parabens, Sulfates, Phthalates, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, DEA, PABA, Synthetic Fragrance or Artificial Color. The company does not participate in animal testing. All products are tested by family members and friends.

And it gets better. Each bottle states that with your purchase, “you help to empower disadvantaged women to realize a brighter, healthier future.” Their company purchases ingredients directly from women cooperatives and indigenous farmers in Africa, paying above market prices to help improve the standard of living for those suppliers. They are also working to build schools and provide access to education for impoverished girls in Africa, many of whom are suppliers of shea butter, cocoa butter, and other natural ingredients.

There are an overwhelming number of reasons to try out these products. You can feel good about what you’re purchasing, what you’re using on your body, and where it’s coming from. Plus you’ll have fantastic hair!

HAIR COLLECTIONS are available at all Walgreens stores in the U.S., select Target stores, all Duane Reade stores, all CVS stores, select Walmart stores, Ricky's NYC stores, all Harmons stores, select Bed, Bath & Beyond stores, select Buy Buy Baby stores-in-store, select Christmas Tree Shops, Sally Beauty Supply, and all Meijer stores (stores located in KY, IL, IN, MI and OH). Available online at Walgreens.com, Target.com, CVS.com and RickysNYC.com.

Note:
Angie and I have noticed that our local Targets have been selling the entire brand at buy one get one half off, and things seem to be going out of stock. We hope that SheaMoisture is just reformulating things, and not being discontinued!

Concealer Wars

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Today we are starting our concealer series! We're kind of obsessed with finding the perfect one. To kick things off, we are putting two concealer sticks against each other, one high-end and the other drugstore. We got Urban Decay’s 24/7 Concealer Stick versus Revlon’s PhotoReady Concealer. Let’s take a look.

Revlon PhotoReady Concealer

(in Medium)
$9-10, 0.11oz/3.2g
Available in most drugstores

This concealer is super creamy, medium coverage, and blends out like a dream. It’s oil free and fragrance free. It’s very yellow, which works for my skin tone and also helps to combat redness, but it might be too yellow for some (at least in the medium shade). There isn’t a huge range of shade options on the darker end, but there is a decent selection for light to tan complexions. Tip: Buy a concealer that's actually your shade, even if you're tempted to go lighter. I bought it in medium, but I easily could’ve gone to medium deep.

Packaging issues...

I love this concealer. I carry it around in my purse, I’ve almost used it up, and I’m probably going to repurchase it. It’s not amazing for covering pigmentation, which is my main issue, but it makes your skin look flawless. Whenever I use this stuff I look like I’m in soft focus! I like to use this just around my T-zone when I don’t feel like wearing a full face of foundation--actually, I never wear a full face of foundation, so you can see why I use this stuff so much! It evens out my skin tone and makes my skin look really smooth, without settling into any pores. I was out at dinner once with a friend, wearing this concealer, and our waitress actually commented on how soft and smooth my skin looked. That sealed the deal for me.

So, a few other points. It’s fairly long-lasting, especially if you set it with powder. I don’t use this under my eyes because I prefer to use an more liquid-y concealer there, and I really need a peach color corrector to get rid of my dark circles. But if your dark circles aren’t too bad, and if you’re more fair, this should get the job done without too much creasing. Same deal with dark spots; I need a little more coverage. But this does get rid of redness. I also had some packaging issues, as you can see in the picture. Part of the bottom part came off, though the product still worked fine. The concealer twists out of the package like lipstick, and it ended up all smooshed in the cap, but I’m not sure if that’s just because I did something stupid.

In any case, if you’re looking for a product that will get rid of redness, even out your skintone, give a flawless finish, and cover up not-too-intense dark circles and pigmentation, this is it.

-Vanessa

*****

Urban Decay 24/7 Concealer Pencil $19.00 0.12 oz
Available at Sephora, Ulta, and UrbanDecay.com

This concealer is a little more creamy than the Revlon one, which is not a good thing if you have oily skin (like we do). When you swatch it, it has a liquid-like sheen and blends amazingly but because of its creaminess, it has pretty weak staying power even when setting it with a powder. It has medium to full coverage, but can look cakey if layered too much. It definitely covers redness which is why I like it around my nose. It covers my scars and blemishes pretty well, but it fades too quickly for my taste. It also works around dark circles, but because of the creaminess, it has a tendency to crease.

UD says it is formulated without: Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dye, Petrochemicals, Phthalates, GMOs, Triclosan
BUT it does have a paraben

I have the NSA shade which is described as a "deep beige", but the shades run light. Since I bought this during the summer, it’s too dark for me right now. There are 8 shades in this concealer, which is a so-so selection. The undertones vary quite a bit, so I think this is where it takes a point from the Revlon one. UD uses words like neutral, orange, red, and beige to describe the colors.

The biggest struggle with this concealer is that it’s a chubby pencil that needs to be sharpen. While this can be more hygienic since you sharpen away the gross bacteria-filled top layer, you also waste product. And at it’s $19 tag, you don’t really want to waste it. With twist ups like Revlon, you can sanitize the exposed concealer with alcohol and not have to waste the product. It’s important to have clean concealers because this is going directly over your blemishes. If you don't sanitize, you will be putting bacteria directly over your already troubled pores.

I recommend this product if you don’t need long time coverage, have normal to dry skin, and have a specific undertone not found at the drugstores.

-Angie

*****

Final Verdict: If you’re looking for a portable concealer with medium coverage and want to save money, go for the Revlon one. But if you’re in need of a specific tone that the drugstore doesn’t carry, check out the 24/7 concealer pencil.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush

noreply@blogger.com (Vanessa) — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:00:00 +0000

This is my first foray into the world cream blushes, and I am definitely a convert! They’re subtle but buildable, don’t leave any harsh edges, and melt into your face to give a totally natural flush.

I was looking around for a rosy blush that would be good for a “no-makeup makeup” look and decided on Maybelline’s Dream Bouncy Blush in number 15, Rose Petal. It’s a really lovely color, a pretty pink with a hint of coral that’s just warm enough to work with my skin. I have a medium tan skin tone with mostly yellow undertones. It adds a sheer wash of color to my face that looks fresh, pretty, and healthy. It’s quickly become my new favorite blush! Also, this blush is actually bouncy. Like, if you touch it, it actually bounces back. Which is for some reason kind of exciting!

So pretty.

A swatch. It sheers out a lot.

I always assumed that since I have oily/combination skin, a cream or liquid blush would just melt off of my face. But the Dream Bouncy blush has a gel-powder texture that surprisingly holds up for most of the day. And it's small enough to toss in your purse for touch-ups. The back of the packaging says, “Feels lightweight like a powder, yet melts into skin like a cream.” It actually feels like a cream and a powder at the same time, and sets enough that it doesn’t move around too much. It feels really nice on my skin and I can see it working well on dry or combination skin types.

It comes in tons of gorgeous colors, so it wouldn’t be hard to find one that works for you. I really want to try Hot Tamale, an intense hot pink! And their plum-y shades are very pretty.

I honestly don’t have many cons to write about when it comes to this blush. It does go on fairly sheer, which could be an issue if you have deeper skin, but it’s also buildable. I’ll layer a powder blush over it if I need more color or staying power. But, basically, I’m in love.

Find it in drugstores:
$6-7 for 5.6g/19oz

Lush Skincare

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 17:00:00 +0000

The other day I got a question about the Lush skincare products I use. Currently in my routine I use Fresh farmacy cleanser, Grease Lightning spot treatment, and Tea Tree Water and Breath of Fresh Air toners.

Fresh Farmacy is a bar they sell by weight, like their soaps. It's pink and has a light lavender scent. Its goal is to calm problematic skin with ingredients that include calamine powder, chamomile, lavender, and tea tree oil. With my skin type, that sounds like a gold mine! After you wash your face with this bar, it leaves that tight squeaky feeling which some people don't like, but I'm a fan because it feels clean! This is a harsh cleanser, so use with caution. I find that Fresh Farmacy helps me with breakouts and eczema symptoms. It works slowly and you don't see changes over night, but then one day you wake up and you feel your soft face and see a glow. I think price wise it's really great because it lasts forever as long as you cut it up in pieces and only use a small piece at a time, and keep it dry when storing it (like any other solid Lush product). I recommend to definitely ask a Lush employee for a sample before committing to buying a full bar since this product is such a hit or miss for people.

After I use Fresh Farmacy, I use Grease Lighting spot treatment. Instead of using this as a spot treatment though, I put a thin layer around my cheeks and chin since those are the places I have my breakouts. This product has thyme, rosemary, tea tree oil, lavender, and witch hazel, all mixed into aloe vera gel with grapeseed oil. Hot damn! Every single one of those ingredients has anti bacterial and soothing properties. Because of that, this product is also harsh and drying. I'm pretty sure Grease Lightning has been a major player in controlling my acne. It's become one of my favorite skincare products. This is a little pricier than drugstore though. Also, if you use it like me, two times a day all over, it doesn't last long. But I bet as a spot treatment it must last forever.

On to the toners. Tea tree water is again for acne and troubled skin so it's anti bacterial, while Breath of Fresh Air is soothing. I like using Breath of Fresh Air the morning before makeup to freshen up, and then spray it again after if it looks too cakey/powdery. It's not really a setting spray, just looks more natural. I use Tea Tree Water at night after I wash my face and after Grease Lightning. I also use it for those days I lose my picking battles. After picking, you leave pores exposed, dirty, and in risk of getting infected so this toner helps prevent that. These two are not necessary to my routine, they were just impulse buys I had while at a Lush. But that doesn't mean I'll be giving them up easily.

Available in Lush stores, LushUSA.com, and Lush.co.uk

Prices in the US:
Fresh Farmacy: $9.95 for 3.5 oz
Grease Lightning: $13.95 for 1.5 oz
Toner waters: $9.95 for 3.3 oz

TPG Approves (and disapproves): Dry Shampoo

noreply@blogger.com (Angie) — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 09:28:00 +0000

Have you all experienced the wonderful world of dry shampoo? This is a list of different brands we have tried. Some we love, some we do not.

First, the good stuff

Vanessa's Fave: Batiste - Dry Shampoo - Dark and Deep Brown

One of the ingredients is rice starch, whereas most other brands use aluminum starch. I find that the rice starch works better. The Tresemme dry shampoo uses cornstarch, but that is not enough to redeem it! (Read on.)
I use the dark color for brunettes, which saves me from having white powder in my hair. There are a whole range of scents and colors available.
It has a really pleasant, light fragrance that's sweet and vaguely reminds me of cocoa.
Works way better than others I’ve tried.
$8/bottle, 6.73 oz.
find at Ulta, Urban Outfitters (they carry the smaller bottles)

Angie's Fave: Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray

Uses aluminum starch.
It leaves a white residue but blends in easily if used as directed.
Really fruity strong smell (that I like, but a lot of people say it's too artificial).
$2.89-$2.99, 5 oz
Find in drugstores.
I love it for the price. It does the job I need for the least amount of money.

The okay one

Dove - Invigorating Dry Shampoo

Leaves white residue, also uses aluminum starch.
It gets the job done, but isn't amazing.
Vanessa had to return it because she couldn't stand the smell. It smells like the kind of air freshener that you use to cover up bad smells but doesn't really work!
$5/bottle, 5 oz.
Find in drugstores.

The horrible ones we never want to see ever again

Vanessa's:
Tresemme - Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo - Oily/Straight to Normal Hair

HATED it.
It made my hair oily. Can you say counterproductive?
$5/bottle, 5.7 oz.
find in drugstores

Angie's:

Tresemme - Fresh Start Waterless Foam Shampoo for Curly/Dry hair

OMG I hate this one.
It makes my hair even more oily!
Nice smell.
It's way too much work for a dry shampoo, since you’re supposed to use a towel to absorb the foam.
$5/bottle, 5.7 oz.
find in drugstores

If you don't want to go out and buy a can of dry shampoo, you can also DIY your own. You can use cornstarch or baby powder, though we think cornstarch works better. If you have dark hair, mix it with some cocoa powder. Just rub it into your roots and then brush it out.

Angie likes the spray better than using powder because she thinks the air helps with adding volume. Not sure if that’s true, but makes sense in her head.

Vanessa has oily hair and dry shampoo makes life so much better. (1) It saves your hair from over-washing. (2) It's especially great if you do lots of heat styling, since you can keep a blow out or whatever for longer. (3) It refreshes your hair at the end of the day if you’re going out. (4) It's super handy if you’re sleeping over somewhere and don't want to bother with showering. Tip: For added volume and to prevent oiliness, I like to spray some dry shampoo into my roots before bed and sleep with my hair in a high bun.

So, there you go. Any other recommendations? We're always looking out for new ones to try!