Kick Ash! Body Butters and Balms for the Winter Season

The temperature has dropped to damn near freezing, so that means dry, itchy skin is here...but that doesn't mean it has to stay! Love indulging in hot showers to keep warm/? Well, this dries out the skin tremendously so it's even more imperative to moisturize daily. For those who have naturally dry skin, see your dermatologist who can prescribe medicated creams or lotions for your sensitive skin.
Below are some fantastic products that will give your skin that beautiful glow!

****BEAUTY TIP:*****

Add a little bronzer to your cream or lotion for a faux sun-kissed shimmer. Who says you can't glow in the winter?!

 

Be sure to moisturize daily and throughout the day because the skin absorbs lotions and creams fairly quickly. If you over active oil glands (oily skin) it may be best to use a fast-absorbing lotion. Nevertheless, always take care of your skin...it can get damaged easily from the everyday elements.

Steaming is also a great way to bring the moisture back to your skin. Most spas and salons offer this service, but it can be pretty pricey per session...depending on the salon you visit.

Glow on!

Hair Product Rave: Macadamia Natural Oil

 

Hey beauties! Hair care is such a MUST for any girl out there...whether it be natural, relaxed or even weaved hair. The perfect products always make a huge difference in the overall effect of your hair care process or beauty maintenance. I just started using Macadamia Natural Oil products and I must say...it's the bomb.com!!! I love the consistency of the  Healing Oil Treatment, a light oil used for hot oil treatments and overall wet or dry styling. Enriched with macadamia and Argan oils, it makes your hair shiny without the feeling of being heavy or "coated." It is great for flat irons styles, as it gives the hair a wispy and soft look. I highly recommend this product to all natural and relaxed girls out there. Macadamia Natural Oil has a full line of products including shampoos and conditioners, repair masques and hair accessories, and has been featured in a slew of beauty and fashion magazines. The line is a little costly, (ranging from $9 to $48) but it is so worth it. Products can be found in various professional salons, beauty supply stores and convenience stores.

Have any of you guys ever tried this line? If not, go out and get it!! You won't be disappointed! To learn more about the ingredients that make this product so fascinating, visit the website.

BB Creams: What's the Hype?

Hey Dolls! If you guys are all into beauty and makeup, I'm sure you've been seeing plenty of beauty companies and brands coming out with Beauty Balms or BB Creams....but you might ask, "What's the hype?" These new innovative skincare-meets-makeup is not far fetched from the tinted moisturizer, which essentially has similar ingredients and skin-rejuvenating effects, including SPF factors. Although I've never used a BB cream, I don't think it's something I will run to the nearest department or drug store for. I'd probably just go the cosmetics counter and ask for a sample! LOL Well, ladies, this is just one of those products you will have to try out for yourself in order to comment on it. Below are some of the top selling BB creams.

Of course there are tons more brands out there, but these were voted best by national beauty editors whose jobs is to be hypercritical on anything beauty related. So if these BB creams have their stamp of approval and honest critiques, they must be pretty good. Try 'em out!

Tell us what you think!

Beauty News: AZEALIA BANKS GETS HER OWN MAC LIPSTICK

Harlem-born rapper Azealia Banks joins Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga as the new face of a limited edition MAC lipstick. Yung Rapunxel, a trendy matte plum lipstick, is just in time for the Fall and I'll be sure to cop this when it hits MAC stores September 6 to 20 at MAC stores and on maccosmetics.com. 

Will you cop too?

Beautiful Bronzers

Summer is 4 days away!!!! Time is flying too fast for me...sheesh! The warm weather is here, so that means golden skin is a must! Bronzers are a great way to fake a sun kissed glow... And did you know it's a great way to hide dry skin! Those who have dry skin even in the summer can put a touch of bronzer on top of your moisturizer to achieve that sun kissed glow. So why torture your skin and burn in the sun, when you have what you need in a bottle! These bronzers are sure to get the job done!
If you are going to sun bathe, DO remember to put on sunblock with an SPF factor of at least 30 on face and body. You don't want your skin to burn and peel (like mine did on my recent trip to the Bahamas...smh).

Best Bronzers by mylifestylemude featuring a shimmer blush

Adiva Naturals Skincare

Now that summer is here, skincare is crucially important in our overall beauty regimens. My coworker introduced me to a new natural, luxury skin therapy line called Adiva Naturals, which uses all natural ingredients to help protect and treat all skin types and textures. From body to hair, Adiva has something for everyone. I tried the Crocodile Killer body cream, made with coconut and lemongrass. It smells like aromatherapy in a jar! Its creamy, smooth, and made specifically for extra extra dry skin. I would  even use this cream as a massage lotion!

Adiva's mission:
Adiva, Arabic for "pleasant" and "gentle", was created as an all-natural alternative to single-purpose products with useless additives. Our creations only enlist the very best natural components and essential oils to ensure beautiful, healthy skin and hair.

If you have problematic skin or just want it to have that summer glow, you need to purchase some products from Adiva!

Enjoy!

Trend to try: Stiletto Nails

Over the last few months many celebrities, Lady Gaga and Rihanna, just to name a few, have been spotted sporting a new popular nail trend, Stiletto nails. 

If you haven’t heard of them or seen them anywhere, Stiletto nails are when your nails a shaped and rolled tight into a narrow tip.  I’ll have to admit, I’m more of a fan for natural nails versus acrylic ones but,  I was chosen to be a part of a photo shoot for a colleague of mine and at their request I went and got them done. 

These nails make your hands look very elegant, but I feel incredibly over the top. I’m sure I’ll get a few stares and/or questions from my coworkers.

Having these nails remind me of when I was a little girl, playing dress up and putting on press-on nails. My only regret is that I didn’t get them a little shorter. It makes me wonder how people function with long nails on a regular basis. I got white polish at my friend’s request but I’m excited to try some other colors and I’m definitely looking forward to getting these shortened.

Has anyone else channeled their inner Rihanna with their nails? Tell us what you think.

{celebrity photos courtesy of necole bitchie}

Spring/Summer Hair: Go Short!

Not sure about you guys, but I'm so confused by this weather! Last week in D.C it felt like summer with highs in the 70s and 80s. This week, it's back to 30 degrees and I'm literally sitting here wearing boots. SMH. Anywhooo, just because the weather is a mess, doesn't mean your hair has to be!

Short hair has made a strong comeback, and for me, it's here to stay! I went thru the transformation of having a weave, and Yvonne (along with other people) agreed that short hair is my trademark. So, with Yvonne's suggestions, I am gradually going shorter and shorter and shorter. Not sure where I'll end up, but I can't wait for the outcome. I'm all about experimenting with hair because it'll grow back! It's not the end of the world!!

Some fabulous celebrities are even snipping and they are looking amazing! Halle Berry went back to her short hair and I'm so happy. This chic is beyond beautiful and I'm gonna try my best to look like her when I age. (I just stare at her every time the Revlon commercial comes on lol).

Would you snip snip??

Mad About Pink!!!

PINK PINK PINK....it's all about PINK! Pink Nails, Pink lips, Pink heels...the list goes on and on! To continue with our Spring postings, add this uber girly color to your wardrobe and makeup routines and feel instantly polished and Spring-y! The great thing about Fuchsia pink is that it compliments any skin tone, dark or light. Just be sure to choose the right hue for your skin, whether it's blush or lipstick.

Mad About Pink by mylifestylemude

Which are your favorite brands/hues of pink?

Beauty: Makeup Substitutes

Since Spring is rapidly approaching, I thought it would be a good idea to share some tips and advise on how to achieve sexy and easy looks without looking too overdone and cut your makeup routine in half! These are some great ways to look super cute AND  use less products on your skin since some people tend to perspire in the warmer months.

Instead of Foundation  - Tinted Moisturizer

Instead of Blush  - Bronzer

Instead of Black Eye Liner  - Colored Liner

Instead of Lipstick - Tinted or Colored Lipgloss

Instead of Black Mascara  - Clear Mascara or Eyelash Curler

Hopefully, these are of some help to your guys. Instead of using heavy makeup, lighten it up to make your look more natural. It's all showing your natural inner beauty in the Spring, ladies!!

You can buy all these products at Sephora and CVS!


Be beautiful!