My Bag Ladies Radio: The Reality of Life, Living and Being a Woman: beauty products

Showing posts with label beauty products. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

#HEELSTOTHEWHEELS SERIES: @LOCLOV'S HOLISTIC APPROACH TO NATURAL HAIR CARE

I've no doubt been enjoying putting #heelstothewheels in the 2014 +Kia Motors Worldwide Optima Hybrid EX. The fact that it is a Hybrid and has definitely resulted in my being more considerate of the environmental impact of not just cars but habits, products used, etc. I had a Q and A ~~sit-down~~ ride along in the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid EX with my own stylist (only the best), as well as Owner and Master Loctician, Salih Watts of www.loclov.com, for my most recent #heelstothewheels edition, to dish on the development of Loc Lov Styles 100% natural hair and body collection.

Owner and Master Locitician, Salih Watts of www.loclov.com, pictured in the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid EX as we dish Loc Lov Hair and Body collection.

Q: RUNNING A SALON IS HARD ENOUGH, WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO START A HAIR AND BODY COLLECTION?
A: I have seen the damage that unhealthy products and styling practices cause in our client's hair, so myself and my Product Manager, Zeenat Watts, developed our own line of 100% natural hair care products that are highly effective.

Q: WHAT MAKES YOUR PRODUCT COLLECTION SO EFFECTIVE?
A: Loc Lov products can restore and reinvigorate damaged or neglected hair.

Q: WHERE ARE LOC LOV PRODUCTS MADE?
A: All of our products are made in-house at our salon in Silver Spring, MD with the right combination of premium quality and 100% natural ingredients. Before introducing products to the masses, we tested and perfected over the past 5 years on our very own clients with all different textures, styles and special hair needs.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR MOST POPULAR PRODUCT?
A: That is a hard question to answer because every customer has different needs. If I had to choose, I would say our Refresh'N which we refer to as the Febreeze for hair. It's designed to be used in between shampoos to neutralize any unwanted odor in one's hair and replace with a fresh, light and natural scent. But we also have products that address common issues like psoriasis and dermatitis and the response has been excellent. Sometimes clients feel as if they have no choice but to deal with their issues not knowing there are available treatment options that are effective. We also have a shea butter product that doubles as both a hair and body moisturizer.

Loc Lov's product lineup includes a no-reside Hair Hold Polish, Refresh'N, Hair Nectar and more. Visit www.loclov.com for the complete hair and body collection.

Q: WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMON INGREDIENTS USED IN LOC LOV PRODUCTS?
A: Grapeseed oil, Aloe Vera, Rosemary, Tea Tree. But it varies depending on the purpose of the product. Our biggest thing was just wanting to be all-natural because I've seen the adverse affects of using products full of chemicals and other things that can take a toll on your hair.

Q: WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO FROM HERE WITH LOC LOV PRODUCTS?
A: Products are currently available for purchase in-house and online at www.loclov.com. But we want to be available to the masses and want to secure mass distribution in both independent and major retail outlets. The natural hair market is huge. We don't want to cater to a select few. We want to cater to the mass market and those who can truly benefit from the products we are producing so that their natural hair needs are effectively met.

Q: LAST QUESTION, WHAT IS YOUR MOST FAVE FEATURE OF THE 2014 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID EX?
A: The panoramic sunroof is amazing. It's so open and makes this ride feel even more spacious.

Do you rock eau natural? What do you look for in natural hair products?

For more about Loc Lov, visit www.loclov.com. This #heelstothewheels series continues. Follow my "Heels To The Wheels" chronicles featuring the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid EX on Instagram and Twitter @bagladies, hashtag #heelstothewheels.

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New season lineup soon to come to the online airwaves of Bag Ladies Radio. In the meantime, OnDemand/iTunes are 24/7. Check out my fave show picks and access recent shows and the full archive at bagladiesradio.com/listen. Follow on Twitter and Instagram

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Thursday, August 7, 2014

#BEAUTYTALK: I'M FEATURED BY @LOVECOCOTIQUE FOR THEIR ULTIMATE BEAUTY ARSENAL SERIES

So there's no denying that I'm a beauty junkie. I was reminded of just how much I am upon being selected by Cocotique to be featured for their Ultimate Beauty Arsenal Series. Cocotique, founded by Dana Hill is a deluxe beauty box subscription service specific to women of color which is great because while there are a lot of "beauty boxes", Cocotique is a particular fave because it meets my needs. Every month subscribers receive a box of lifestyle and beauty goodies curated just for them. And get this? You don't even have to leave the house. Your box of goodies arrives on your doorstep every month. How awesome is that? You get a monthly surprise delivered direct to you. There are various subscription options one of which allows you to cancel at anytime.
Click here to learn how Cocotique works and how to subscribe.

I was flattered to have been both asked and featured in the Ultimate Beauty Arsenal Series amongst some fab ladies. As I was responding to questions about my beauty habits, fave beauty products and more, it reaffirmed how much I love product and using product and reviewing product and of course, shopping product.

Click here for my full feature. And you be the voice of reason please. Do you think I'm a beauty junkie? Are you an admitted junkie also? Ha! You didn't think I was gonna ask that huh? Thank you for reading. Oh, and the first step is acknowledgment.

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Wednesday, July 16, 2014

MY LATEST @KLOUT PERK HAS ME GOING @COMPLETELYBARE ...WELL MAYBE

Having online influence has it's perks. A testament to that is my latest swag sent compliments of Klout featuring Completely Bare. A lineup of at-home hair removal products which includes Don't Grow There Body Moisturizer and Hair "Inhibitor", Wax Strips for face, bikini and body, Not Feeling It Spray for before and after and Bikini Bump Blaster. Now normally I turn to a professional for all my hair removal needs particularly for waxing. I have a resident Esthetician who is amazing. I've not ever done an at-home wax treatment but I'm willing to be a guinea pig for the sake of seeing how effective Completely Bare products are. If you've ever been waxed, you know it's not the most comfy so if you here a lone, random "OUCH", it's probably me.

Stay tuned for the "after."

Completely Bare is a spa founded by Hair Removal Expert, Cindy Barshop. Klout.com measures and builds online influence.

Do you wax? If so, have you ever used an at home treatment?

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Wednesday, May 28, 2014

#BEAUTYTALK: THE EYES HAVE IT ...MY FAVE #MKGLAM LOOK

I've finally had a chance to try all the goodies in my Mary Kay #MKGlam VoxBox provided me complimentary by Influenster, in its entirety. I've tried everything from the Lash Love Mascara and Bronzing Powder to the Cream Eye Color and NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss. And this is by far my fave look of all the looks I created. Why? Because of the Gel Eyeliner. Hands down, it's my fave Mary Kay product. At the moment, doing a winged or cat eye does it for me. I may be embracing another technique at any moment. But for the time being, this works. The Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner delivers such an intense color in jet black. And as I posted to my Instagram last week (@bagladies), the expendable brush allows me to get closer to my lash line than I've been able to get with any like product. And the precision of the applicator brush is excellent! I can go as thin or as thick as I like. And the gel stays put so no sliding. I'm not a makeup artist nor do I proclaim to be but what I am, is a beauty junkie and I like to make sure my face is beat aka, I'm not a makeup artist but I wanna look like one. This is not the "best" pic but my eye particularly as per this look executed so well (in my opinion). This was a quick snap in the midst of Memorial Day weekend antics. I love it because using the gel eyeliner (brush and gel below), and then layering my fave mascara created such volume. I look at this pic and my lashes appear lengthy and full almost similar to what I would look like if I were wearing falsies but I'm not! I suck at applying falsies btw. So being able to achieve that dramatic look is a win for me. I also used a couple other Mary Kay products per this look so just to breakdown this look and products used (links included), in its entirety:

FACE - Victoria's Secret Tinted Moisturizer Primer, Deep - I shine so I rarely do a full face when temps get warm. I fell in love with this product a couple years ago. It's very light and provides just enough moisture and has just enough pigment to just even out my complexion just a bit. It has a great sun kissed glow. I oftentimes will apply this and gloss and go.

CHEEKS - Mary Kay Mineral Cheek Color, Shy Blush - I actually liked that this color had staying power. For me, it was just enough color without being too dramatic. It defined my cheekbones really well. I also layered a bit of MAC's Lustre Drops (liquid bronzer) at the top of my cheeks and over the blush just to add a dewy glow which is evident in this pic and I love it. I applied to the middle of my forehead too

BROWS - MAC Fluidline in Dipdown - Everbody knows about this stuff. It's my fave cause for me a pencil doesn't work. I typically will further define my brows with concealer but on this day I was lazy. Sometimes I don't want to look so formal and precise so I used fluidline and layered lightly with a Prescriptives brow shaping powder and done!

LIPS - MAC Lustre from the Flash Tronic collection - I actually only just happened upon this color a few days before after finding a hidden stash of product in my office. I posted about it on my Instagram @bagladies. I don't even know if this color is still available cause it's from like 2009 I think. But I love it. I wore it all weekend. I lightly lined with a Mally liner in Deepest Brown.

THOSE EYES - Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner in Jet Black - I did a winged look on my upper lash and I lined my water line. I then used my fave Maybelline mascara, The Collosal in Classic Black and just on my upper lashes. I didn't apply any on my lower lashes.

FINISHING TOUCH - Mary Kay Translucent Powder - I was surprised at how effective this was in reducing shine. I wore two days in a row. One for a party Saturday nite and as stuffy as the venue got, I didn't have any unwanted shine. And then again at a couple cookouts the following day. Excellent control. And the Mary Kay powder brush makes for easy application and a subtle dusting.

And that's it! I may try to recreate this look as a Youtube video. I'm not a makeup artist as I said but maybe I can play one on Youtube LOL! What do you think of this look? Any suggestions on how to enhance? Have you used any of these products?

Follow me on IG/Twitter and Vine @bagladies.

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

WEEKEND UPDATE: BEAUTY TALK + FAB KIDS + THE SUPERBOWL

This weekend was quite a bit of ripping and running but I shall not complain because I was over the moon to finally have "non-freezing your you know what off" temps in DC. Saturday got as high as 50 and Sunday just missed the 60 degree mark. I was most excited to be able to turn my thermostat down as low as possible and still maintain comfort. Translation, save money!

Spring was definitely in the air and we all had a bit of the fever. My daughters (pictured above), had me feigning for spring that much more sporting their latest FabKids looks. The love dress worn by my youngest daughter paired with a pop of neon (links below), was the perfect ensemble. I allowed her to accessorize and that she did with an all-out feathery headband and cow-girl boots. And be still my heart, I love everything animal print and my oldest wore her ensemble well which was perfect for a surprise party had for one of her classmates. Even cuter paired with short black booties and a purple flower headband. I love the contrast of the top against the print bottoms. As I've said before, I swoon over FabKids pieces and not just because of my own children. I so wish some of the pieces came in my size.

FabKids Back Zip Love Dress / FabKids Soft Legging

FabKids Big Bright Heart Tee / FabKids Animal Print Knit Pant

So one of my resolutions for 2014 is to take even better care of not just my skin which means cleansing my face not most nights but every night and moisturizing. But also taking better care of my hair. This is my second time around having locs and I am having twice as much fun because I am working with Salih Watts who is a fantastic stylist. And the market has changed so dramatically. Brands now cater to those of us with natural hair. My scalp tends to be particularly irritated during a certain time of the month, every month (hint, hint). And so Saturday, I could not stop scratching until I happened upon some leftover swag from last year's Naturalista Hair Show of which I attended and participated in a panel discussion regarding being natural. When I say this Lavender Long Island Hair Tonic (pictured left), is the bizness, it's not doing it justice. It's by Naturally Nadine and can be used on both your hair and your body. It's made to retain moisture and can be used daily. The lavender scent is divine! Immediately upon applying, my scalp was calmed. I now have a new product to add to my beauty arsenal.

Lest I forget the Super Bowl …One word. Well three words actually. Joe Namath's coat! *Drops mic*

What did you think of "the coat"? Did you even watch the game?? Thoughts??

Weekend Update is back for the new year! What is it you ask? A theme, a weekly update during which I regale you with my weekend activities which includes what's happening and where you wanna be (or wish you were).
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