Pretty Obsessed

Archive for September, 2008

So Katy Perry has pretty much been on the top of my “id hit it” list ever since she released her famous “I kissed a Girl” song. This is the same Katy who was once a Christian recording artist. And now she’s blatantly promoting homosexuality and the message is shameful and disgusting. Actually that’s how her preacher mom feels about her ginormous hit, Katy had me at cherry chap stick!  I adore her inappropriate behavior and her outspoken attitude and on top of that she can actually sing. Now if only someone would let her know that she has a twin in the entertainment world already making waves… Zooey Deschanel ring a bell?

                 I blame the Oompa-Loompas for starting the orange skin craze. It’s mind boggling really, how can someone think they look great when their body suit resembles that of a fictional story character?

 Looking like you just came back from a beach vacation is great. Looking like you’re auditioning for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a major don’t.

If you can’t live without self-tanners then here are a few tips to help you avoid the dreadful orange streaks.

Before applying the product take time to exfoliate and moisturize your skin. This will help create an even surface. I recommend using Banana Boat’s VitaSkin Pre-Sunless Smoother Exfoliating Scrub; you can find it at your local Drugstore.

The day you plan to use the self-tanner, exfoliate the skin but skip the moisturizing to avoid interfering with the self-tanners absorption. Take your time to rub the product in completely, using a lotion with built-in tint works great and will minimize the risk of streaks. Clinique carries a few great options and won’t leave a dent in your wallet. Remember to wash your hands immediately afterwards in warm soapy water.

Worst case scenario… invest in prepackaged wipes that contain self-tanner to touch up missed areas and to blend in the stripes. Managed to look like you were burned in the sun by tanning too dark?  Don’t fret, just soak a cotton ball in hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice and wipe the entire area till you get your desired results.

Do get a healthy sunless looking tan.

Don’t forget orange is NOT a natural skin color.

You must have heard it a million times: DON’T PICK YOUR FACE! And whoever you heard that from is right, by the way. But when you’ve got a ginormous white-head on your chin that’s talking back and threatening to pop any second, a little intervention is necessary. You have to take care of it before you step out of the house, its plain rude to walk around in public scaring small children with that thing on your face. So you must soak a wash cloth with warm water for about ten minutes. Then, take two q-tips and wet the ends with warm water, gently press down on the area around the pimple. Do not squeeze the pimple itself, or you will push the bacteria down deeper and cause scarring. If the monster pimple won’t budge then simply start the process over. Soak the area for another 10 minutes, then push down around the area to coax out the offending pus filled monster. Now that’s how you become a successful pop princess!

I’m sure everyone would agree with me that having long hair takes a lot of time and effort to maintain. I have very little patience when it comes to styling my hair, so you will see me sporting one of two styles any given day: Pony tail, or half-up with a magic clip. Having long hair is hard enough, unless you are one of those gals who have already discovered hair extensions. It is the instant way to long hair. It is almost impossible to tell when one is wearing hair extensions unless you happen to be a celebrity who went from having a pixie cut to looking like Rapunzel the very next day *ahem* Paris Hilton.

It’s not just celebrities wearing add-on tresses anymore, hair extensions are popping up everywhere.

What are Hair Extensions?

Its horse hair, okay that’s not quite true. There are various materials used to create hair extensions. It can be created from 100% synthetic hair, 100% real human hair, or a mixture of human and animal hair. They come in just about any color, length and texture. You are to wash and treat the fake hair as you would your natural hair. However, as your hair grows your extensions will be affected which means a visit back to the professional will be necessary. Too lazy? You can remove your hair extensions at home by twisting the tiny braided attachments and then gently snapping the seal.

If hassle-free is more of your cup of tea then clip-on hair extensions are ideal. They will add instant volume with little or no fuss. I know a little birdy who uses them and she looks fantastic. Adding a little personality has never been easier!

Many African-American women have skin tone that is slightly darker on the forehead than on the rest of the face. It is important not to overcompensate by adding a ton of extra makeup elsewhere, instead start with a freshly washed face. Next, apply sunscreen. Yes even darker skinned people need protection from the damaging rays of the sun! Once you have applied the sunscreen use two different shades of makeup and blend well around the temples and the bridge of the nose. Cream-to-powder foundations work best and they contain less oil and will give you a matte finish.

Thought you looked radiant in your dimly lit room only to find out you resemble a clown out on the street? Don’t panic, theres no need to scrub your face down with a tissue (it will leave a layer of fuzz behind) and don’t reach for the makeup remover either because you will create a streaky mess. Instead, add a dusting translucent powder over your clown makeup and blend until you have a natural flushed look. Tadaa!

I give it a 10! That is, It’s a 10 Miracle leave in Product. My hair is getting long and its healthy and I intend to keep it this way. I’m pretty obsessed with buying beauty products and it’s been a while since I came across something that is so great. This leave in conditioner is amazing! All you need is a handful and it will keep your hair hydrated and smelling delicious. It not only keeps my hair healthy and hydrated but it adds shine, creates silkiness, and prevents split ends. I despise split ends, so this product has become my new best friend. I’ve gone through two bottles already in the span of three weeks, that’s the only downside… it runs out too quickly! So if you’re going to be a good girl and get some, get plenty. You won’t regret it.

Willie, Jada and I are not buddy buddy or anything but from a stalkerish point of view they look perfect together. Simply put, they are a perfect pair. He and his wife match beautifully with their dark gray ensembles. They look so sexy together…together and separate, they are hot.

“Everybody needs a partner to stand right by their side
Not only down for the good times
But also down through the bad times”  -Will Smith

All the man you need? I think so.

Everyone is doing it, if you haven’t tried it, you ARE missing out! Because once you learn how to it’s hard to go back! And doing it is a lot easier than you think…

 Pull it together people I’m talking about fake lashes!

For a subtle look buy individual lashes which will make your lashes look thicker and longer, but in a natural way. All you will need is a pair of tweezers and the lash kit which you can find in the make-up aisle at your nearest grocery store.

Now that you have your individual lashes at hand, start with a freshly washed face. Lashes stick better to clean lids. If it’s your first time, it might be helpful for you to keep an oil-free makeup remover close by. Now, take the glue from the kit and squeeze a small amount onto the side of your hand. Grab one lash with a slanted tweezer and dip just a little amount into the glue. The goal is to make the fakes look as real as possible so pay attention to how your own lashes are angled. Place the fake at the outer corner of your eyes (where lashes tend to be longer). Hold each lash in place for a few seconds to allow the glue to set.

Four lashes on each eye should do the trick. Use an eyelash curler to curl all the lashes in place and add two coats of mascara and you’re set.

Now get out there and fan those fakes!

Beautiful, radiant skin is one of the most common health and beauty concerns for people, and rightfully so. Our skin is our bodies largest organ, and when it’s not at its best, it is exposed for the rest of the world to see. Although salon facials are a soothing luxury, we don’t always have time to make an appointment, travel to a salon, wait for service, and sit through the relaxing but time-consuming treatment. Not to mention it can get costly!

There are a variety of at home facial treatments for a variety of skin types, and these facial treatments will provide surprising results to those who try them.

Yogurt Face Mask for Sensitive Skin:

 Ingredients:

1 Cup Natural Yogurt (I like it right out of the fridge)

½  Cup Oatmeal   (Any kind works, preferably non-sweetened)

Cook oatmeal in boiling water and wait till it cools. Mix the two ingredients together and apply to the skin for 10-15 minutes. Wash off the mask with a washcloth steamed in the microwave. Be careful not to burn yourself, a moist cloth only takes about 30-40 seconds to warm up.

At home recipe for Oily Skin:

This recipe is as simple as it gets, and it works wonders for the skin.

Ingredients: 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 egg white, and a drop of lemon juice.

Cook oatmeal in boiling water and wait till it cools. Mix the oatmeal and an egg white, once mixed thoroughly add the lemon juice drop. Let the mixture dry on face for 10 minutes. Then gently wash off with a few splashes of warm water. Follow through with a steaming washcloth to the face.

A Classic Recipe for Dry Skin:

Ingredients: 1/2 avocado (yummy!) and 1/4 cup of honey

Mash the delicious avocado in a bowl then stir in the honey. Apply the mix to the skin and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse face with warm washcloth, then follow through with a cool washcloth to rejuvenate the skin.

Those of you who are Blessed with Combination Skin:

If you have combination skin then use two types of masks. Apply the oily skin treatment mask to the t-zone and the dry/or normal skin mask to the rest of the face. Beautiful skin sometimes calls for clever solutions!