4 Reasons Why Black Women Should Wear Sunscreen

Plan on spending a day outdoors without sunscreen? Think again! Here are 4 reasons why you’ll want to give yourself an SPF rub down before heading outdoors!

Sunscreen:

1. Slows Down the Aging Process

Rumor has it that “Black don’t crack”.  Black does crack. Thanks to the generous amount of melanin in our skin, it just takes longer to do so. Regardless of our ethnicity, excessive exposure to the sun can speed up the aging process causing the skin to become thick, wrinkled, and leathery.

2. Reduces Risk of Skin Cancer

Rumor also has it that Black folks can’t get skin cancer. We absolutely can. Although our risk for developing the disease is lower than other racial groups, fatality rates are higher for African Americans. Prolonged exposure to the sun, without u/v protection, puts anyone at risk --even us.

3.Reduces Age Spots

Varying in size and color, age spots are usually found on the face, hands, shoulders, and arms –areas exposed most to the sun. To preserve your youthful appearance, and keep the boys guessing, wear sunscreen.

4. Evens Out the Skin

I’m all for color blocking but not on my skin. Black women tan quickly, and to do so in a way that compliments you, apply sunscreen to all your extremities so that your skin will look even after you tan.

It’s recommend that women of color wear a broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.

Are you taking the extra step to protect your skin?  

Closet Clear Out With Bottled Starbucks® Iced Coffee

It's been a brutally hot summer which has led me to start spending a bit more time indoors.  It has actually been a good thing because it allows me to get more things done around the house.  I've decided to tackle my closet, it isn't a mess but there are a ton of pieces hanging up and I never even think about wearing them.  You know how it is, you go to a store feeling really optimistic about each piece and think oh I normally don't wear things like this but I'm going to try it out! . . . It doesn't work out that way, keeping it in the front during the first few weeks with great hope that you'll create the perfect look and then months later you end up pushing it to the back of your closet to never be viewed. 

Lately I've been using the Vinted application to post items from my closet and other untouched miscellaneous items that could be someone else's' treasure.  This is an excellent way to get some coins back on your spent dollar.  

I am an advocate for the saying: don't buy it unless you absolutely love it.  However, I am a sucker for being openminded in hopes that it works out.  I also get rid of those items that I still love but gosh, I just have way too many photos on different dates wearing that same piece.  We can thank social media for this *ha!* it's awesome to have a go to piece, but I know when I must let another gal love on the piece as much as I did. Going through my pieces, I have learned to stay firm, stick to my guns and chillax on impulse purchases.  Speaking of chillax, after all of my closet work and organizing, of course I treat myself to my favorite bev. Bottled Starbucks® Iced Coffee!  I will forever keep these in the fridge they're a quick and delicious pick-me-up, plus they come in a variety of yummy flavors.

Bottled Starbucks® Iced Coffee beverages are the perfect blend of premium Starbucks coffee and 2 percent milk. Available in four delicious offerings: Coffee + Milk, Low Calorie Coffee + Milk, Vanilla, and Caramel, Starbucks Iced Coffee ready-to-drink beverages are the perfect on-the-go refreshment to get you through the daily commute, big projects such as spring cleaning, or an exciting road trip with friends. Look for it at major grocery and convenience stores, available nationwide.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Starbucks Coffee Company via Mode Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Starbucks Coffee Company.

SUMMER LIPSTICK TRENDS

Today I tried out a few bright and bold lipsticks for the summer with Stefani Vara of Comida Caliente! 

Lipstick #1

Ambrosia - NYX: Shocking Pink http://bit.ly/TSW05n

Stefani - Wet-N-Wild: CherryPicking http://bit.ly/1qDEb8z

Lipstick #2

Ambrosia - NYX: Addis Ababa http://bit.ly/1rrAIKt

Stefani - Kat Von D: Backstage Bambi http://bit.ly/TSWisW

Lipstick #3

Ambrosia - Wet-n-Wild: Carrot Gold http://bit.ly/1mdRlps

Stefani -  MAC: Morange http://bit.ly/1lYyrU7

Check Stefani's channel for the darker lipstick colors and let us know which ones are your favorite!

Also, there are some pretty sweet tips on lipstick applications in our dark lipstick color video and I must add, it is hilarious!

xo,

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Nailed It!

Now that the warm weather is here to stay, it is time to add mani-pedi time to our schedules and budgets! Spring and Summer are all about showing more skin! With companies such as OPI and Essie debuting new color collections almost every week, it can be a task within itself to keep up with the latest nail trends. If you are like me, a simple nude is always my go to for a manicure. I do this for two reasons; when it chips it isn't as noticeable and the perfect nude is timeless. I save the color for my toes! Since I am already a shoe girl, the perfect pedicure is essential to complete the look. Experimenting with pedicures is easier because if you don't like you can always just throw on a pair of flats! You know how it goes, "It looked good in the bottle!"

What are your favorite colors this season? Do you like to experiment or stay true to one color?

5 Summer Beauty Tips

1. Make up is fun and some of us prefer to wear it on a daily basis.  If you must wear foundation, opt for sheer coverage and use a tinted moisturizer.  There is something refreshing about seeing that a girl is allowing her skin to breathe in those 110 degree temps.

2. SPF is a  M U S T  it is important to protect your skin from the harsh sun rays.  Remember, the sun can cause some crazy premature aging including sunspots, wrinkles, gosh the list goes on!

3. Protect your hair, the sun will definitely fade those lovely tresses of yours.  If you're not wearing a protective style, treat your curs/kinks with a conditioner treatment weekly.

4. After removing all of your makeup at night, apply a generous amount of eye cream under your eyes.  It'll hydrate your under eye area and prevent puffiness leaving you looking vibrant and fresh in the morning!

5. Like any other summer related post, drink lots of water.  I can not stress enough the importance of keeping hydrated, especially to my fellow Arizonians.  As a teen I did not drink enough water and experienced fainting spells way too often.  How do I know if I'm drinking enough water? Easy answer: When your pee is clear ;)

What are some of your summer time must-have beauty products?



xo,

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Pointe and Flex

Ditch those sneakers and lace up those pointe shoes! Ballet workouts have been on high demand recently. Women have jumped at the chance to do something different than spend countless hours on the elliptical or being yelled by a fitness obsessed trainer. Not to mention ballet is the epitome of elegance and class. Feeling beautiful and working out has rarely been in the same sentence until now. Remember those dreams of being a beautiful ballerina as a child and then as we got older simply being envious of dancers' bodies? Now we can accomplish our childhood dreams and be proud of our bodies simultaneously! Pure Barre instructor Shelly Johnson says "We get so many women who come in saying they know they need to workout but they lack the motivation. Yet when they finish one of our sessions they don't want to leave!" I don't think I would mind sweating when I look down at my pretty pink ballet shoes.

Summer Gardening with Bottled Starbucks® Iced Coffee #StarbucksIcedCoffee

Summer is here and one of my new found loves has been plants and gardening.  I like to dedicate a portion of my day to get my hands into some soil and harvest!  I began helping my grandmother with her new garden a few months back and have found myself slowly taking over.  It all started as me choosing to help her out a little, no one wants to see their grandmother doing labor so I thought to give her a helping hand.  I drove to her house everyday to see the progression of growth, it baffles her that I'm so into it, she say's I've been bit by the gardening bug.

A couple of weeks back I overheard my grandmother telling her neighbor how badly she wanted to plant okra in her garden but could not find the seeds.  I found some at target and took initiative! 

Today's duty was strictly transplanting, basically transferring stems from one pot to another to create more room in the pot and to allow the plant to reach its greatest capacity and more so to avoid root rot! Look at me sounding like a gardening pioneer, I must say that this has been an excellent form of meditation.  

If feels so good to find peace in something that does a great deed to our environment, our planet.  I always feel like a deserve a treat, you girls know how much I dig Starbucks!  I decided to try out  Bottled Starbucks Iced Coffee and it is perfection, a nice daily pick me up! 

Bottled Starbucks Iced Coffee beverages are the perfect blend of premium Starbucks coffee and 2 percent milk. Available in four delicious offerings: Coffee + Milk, Low Calorie Coffee + Milk, Vanilla, and Caramel, Starbucks Iced Coffee ready-to-drink beverages are the perfect on-the-go refreshment to get you through the daily commute, big projects such as spring cleaning, or an exciting road trip with friends. Look for it at major grocery and convenience stores, available nationwide.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Starbucks Coffee Company via Mode Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Starbucks Coffee Company.

Bulgarian Rose Water

   Rosewater is exceptionally delightful for skincare. I like to use it strictly at night now that the weather is much warmer, because of its humectant properties. Humectant means that it draws moisture from the air and sucks it into wherever it's applied. This ensures it's stellar at moisturizing, which is nice before bed or during colder months but personally my skin doesn't need it during the day in warm weather. The rosewater I love currently is from a brand called Alteya and it's the Organic Bulgarian Rose Water. The Rose Valley in Bulgaria is beautiful, centuries-old, and renown for 85% of the world's rose oil supply originating there. Incorperating rosewater into your skincare regime is simple, classic, and adds a hint of old-world luxury that I find myself looking forward to.
  
It comes in a spray glass bottle to protect the rose oil from uv light. The best way I've found to apply it is after cleansing, I spray a liberal amount onto a cotton pad and tone my face. Since I use it strictly before bed during summer, I moisturize after as well because rosewater helps your moisturizer absorb even more effectively.
 
It makes skin soft and supple, and has a light and poignantly sharp rose scent. It's nice just spray your bare face and feel refreshed after being in the sun or working out. When used as a toner it also helps calm inflammation, acne, irritation, remove traces of leftover makeup, and smoothes fine lines over time. It replenishes your skin with antioxidants and is also a natural antiseptic. During winter months it can be used to set makeup if you use a very fine and light mist over your finished look.
  
It's important to remember to only use organic, quality rosewater free from additives and other unncessary ingredients that may irritate your skin and detract from the healing abilites of the rosewater itself. I recommend steering clear of anything containing alcohol especially, as this will dry your skin out and upset its ph balance drastically. If it should be mixed with anything, rosewater and glycerin is a good trusty combo, again, used in the winter months, because glycerin is also a humectant and has powerful moisture-drawing capabilities. I currently stick with simply 100% pure rosewater as the sole ingrediant. Remember to look for fresh steam distilled rosewater only as well.  It's really a phenomenal addition if your need to step your skincare up a notch, due to acne, dry patches, or uneven tone!

*You can find this product at your local Whole Foods body care section as well on Amazon.

Summer Session

We're just a few day's away from Memorial Day weekend and that means beach season is in full effect! I'm definitely excited about this because winter on the East coast was ridiculously brutal. To get ready for a day of fun in the sun, there's a few beauty must haves I must have!

Here are a few things I can't go to the beach without:

1. Tinted Moisturizer- In general, tinted moisturizers are great when you don't want to wear heavy foundations. This is usually case for most of us during the summer months. A favorite of mine is Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 20. It provides your skin with lightweight coverage and protection from sun damage. It's also the perfect moisturizer for achieving a dewy beach babe look. 
2. Sunglasses- These are a must for obvious reasons. They're needed to stare at all the guys with amazing abs and a nice tush without being too obvious (lol). Oh, they're great for blocking out the sun too. 
3. A Great Read- Perfect for beach R&R, a great book can make being at the beach even more serene. There's been so much buzz about Nasty Gal creator, Sophia Amoruso' s book Girl Boss and I can't wait to read this! I'm definitely interested in knowing how she went from selling good will finds on eBay to establishing a multi-million dollar retail giant with some of the dopest threads. 
4. Lip Gloss- For beach days I usually go for a light makeup look and NARS Larger than Life Lip Gloss in Coerce Sucre is a beautiful natural lip color. 
5. Bronzer- I like to use MAC's Mineralize Skin Finish to create an effortless glow. Using a large powder brush, I brush the powder onto practically every area of my face and body. The way this translucent powder picks up light is so gogre! Not only that, but the powder also helps to absorb moisture (a.k.a sweat). 
6. Hair Ties- If you want to take a dip without getting your hair wet these will definitely come in handy.
7. Sunscreen- Before heading to the beach or outdoors it's important to apply sunscreen to protect your skin from sun damage. I usually apply sunscreen directly to exposed body parts (mid-neck, shoulders, arms, and legs). 

What are your beach essentials?

DETOX TEA TO GET YOU GOING

Ever feel like you've over indulged in greasy or fried foods?  Your skin is oily, you feel bloated, you're sluggish and you have had --THE-- hardest time waking up in the morning.  This calls for a detox, not all detoxes are in the form of the starvation method.  I prefer detox teas throughout the week, tea has been a source of nutrition and healing throughout the world for generations. I still consume food during this time, I find that it is easier to adapt to this when you're not over-doing it with the rules.  I do recommend you eat pretty clean during this time and try to consume raw veggies instead of cooking them.  If you must have them cooked, steam them (not until they're mushy) and add a minimal amount of season.  Eventually you'll crave the uncooked taste of vegetables ... I did, at least!

BERRY DETOX TEA

Gently helps your body cleanse itself and eliminate impurities, it specifically aids your kidneys and your liver.  I personally like to have my detox tea super concentrated, I bring my tea kettle to a boil, sit my tea bag in a shot glass and allow the tea to steep for 5-10 minutes and then I throw it back.  I actually enjoy the taste of this tea, however, I find that I have better results when I have it in my concentrated form.  This tea can be used up to 30 days and may have you running to the restroom ^_~)

A good tea detox is just what you need to jump start your life and free yourself of the toxins.  Give it a try and let me know how you feel during the process, if you have done a detox share your experience down in the comments!  

xo,