Why You Need Melanin Haircare's Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner

One thing that thrived in 2020 was my hair.  I perfected my wash 'n go (nowhere), experimented with more blonde color, and tested new products. One product that blew me away and instantly became a holy grail was Melanin Haircare's Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner. 

It retails for $18.99 on their site (and Ulta) and currently has a purchase limit of 3 bottles... which may seem like a lot, but I swear once you try this product you'll be obsessed and wanna stockpile more. Also note that there are times they're sold out, so it's not the worst idea to stock up. 

Recently Melanin Haircare featured me on their IG and while I would LOVE for this post to be sponsored lol, it's definitely not. I bought all products with my own money and genuinely love the way it works.

Have you tried Melanin Haircare yet? 

#MelaninBae @sixtwentyseven serving us DIMENSIONAL Coils this Monday morning! 😲😍🙌🏾 She writes 💬 "This style is a fluffed out, old wash 'n go (nowhere) that I did using @melaninhaircare's leave-in and almond oil." 🥳💃🏾🙌🏾 #MelaninHaircare⁠ pic.twitter.com/XYjqPtcnoN

— melaninhaircare (@melaninhaircare) January 4, 2021

The Best Dog Bed for Large and Extra Large Breed Dogs: Big Barker 7" Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed (Headrest Edition)

Khaleesi is a large dog (80+ lbs) and I'd started noticing her groan every time she got off her previous dog bed. On top of that, her breed (German Shepherd) is prone to hip-related issues as they age, and I'd become concerned about how stiff she seemed to be after laying on her bed. We'd always used the typical dog bed you find at TJ Maxx or Petsmart, which can be cute, but are admittedly not that supportive for a large dog.

Wanting to test out how her bed felt, I sat on it and sunk to the floor. Obviously I weigh considerably more than my dog, so I tried just placing a hand on her old dog bed and was shocked I could feel the hard wood floors underneath us. In that moment it became obvious that despite having what seemed to be an okay dog bed, my little pup was basically laying directly on the hard floor... thus, it wasn't a surprise that I was noticing her groan and become more stiff.

I started doing some research on orthopedic dog beds for larger breeds I could invest in and kept seeing reviews for Big Barker. The price was expensive compared to what we'd paid for a bed in the past, but I couldn't deny the fact she needed something better and this would be a solid investment.

After reading countless reviews, we decided to purchase the Big Barker 7" Pillow Top Orthopedic Dog Bed (Headrest Edition) for Large and Extra Large Breed Dogs in the size Extra Large (XL). The bed was definitely a splurge costing $279.95 on Amazon, but 6 months later is still holding up and one of the best investments I've made for Khaleesi's well-being.

The below video is a look at unboxing plus first impressions of the bed. Something particularly impressive is that the XL bed held the weight of Khaleesi, Mike and myself without sinking in! That's a whole lot of lbs on there.

If you have a large or extra large breed dog, this is the perfect dog bed for your fur baby and the only one you'll ever need!

Perks: 
1) Machine washable microfiber cover
2) 10 yr warranty
3) Calibrated for Large and Extra Large breed dogs!  (FYI: This bed is too hard for small dogs)

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils

I've previously blogged about my love of the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil line, and once again I wanted to share with everyone how absolutely amazing this product is.

Besides loving a matte lip, I like to feel confident that my lip color will not smudge, bleed, or fade out during the day. Many products claim hours and hours of wear, yet fall completely short. Even lip balms will wear away and need constant reapplication. I wanted to show everyone what my "cruella" looked like after a typical day for me.

I didn't use a filter and took the picture in natural light. At 8am it was super concentrated and rich, as should be expected since I  had just applied it. By 1pm my lip color had survived a mug of coffee, bottle of water, oatmeal and sandwich for lunch. Still looking pretty good and hanging in there. By 6pm, I had more bottled water, greek yogurt, dried fruit and candy lol. You can see the color is still bold, but a little shinier and just starting to fade a bit in the middle of my pout (top of my bottom lip to be precise).

Throughout the day there was never a need to apply. However, if I had afterwork plans I would have touched it up then been out of the door! This is an amazing product and one that I highly suggest people try out. If you aren't located near a NARS counter, you can always venture to the closest Sephora and try on the shades in the store. The pencils retail for $25 and are worth every cent! This is a pencil and lip color in one. All you need to do it prep your lips for bold color by exfoliating them prior to use (matte colors are NOT forgiving on dry, crusty lips lol).

This is a video I filmed last year showing how the product lasted for a 12 hr day. Just realized it used to be $24, but is now $25 so ignore that price I quote in the video. You all know NARS is trying to get their coins lol.

** Sidebar: I never realize how much my hair has grown until I look back and realize how short it was lol **

Updated Review: U by Kotex (Via @ubykotex)

It was 3 years ago when I did my original review on U by Kotex. At the time I was already a die hard regular Kotex fan, but wasn't really sold on the new line of tampons. Well, shortly after I made my original video review something funny happened... I ended liking the U by Kotex line. Like grew into Love and that Love into absolute adoration! 3 years later it's safe to say I'm still completely loyal to Kotex (the brand) and U by Kotex is my go to choice for tampons.

Take a look at the video below to see why I finally came around. If you want a blast from the past, check out the 2010 video by clicking here.

Best Product Cocktail for Dry Twist-Out on Natural Hair

It's natural hair time again!!! I haven't done a post re: natural hair in quite a bit of time, but wanted to share my favorite "product cocktail" with everyone.

Cooler temps are finally here in Chicago and that means less shrinkage and more dry styles. The below video is showing my favorite product cocktail to get great, consistent results on my dry twist-outs. This is actually my favorite product combo right now as well as my favorite hair style. I always get great, consistent results and consistency is something curls rarely get.

Do you have a favorite product combo?

NARS 'Dragon Girl' Velvet Matte Lip Pencil on Brown Skin (Video Review)

Since discovering this shade through a friend a few months ago, I've worn it religiously and it is my hands down #1 pick for a red lip. It beats out the other 3 red lipsticks I have: MAC's Viva Glam I, Lady Danger, and Ruby Woo. Yes, even Ruby Woo lol. It baffles my mind that every black woman is not wearing this shade religiously! It is the perfect matte, red lip with insane staying power that won't dry your lips or bleed out.

NARS has hit the jackpot with this all-in-one product. It's a liner and a color in one, and super simple to apply. The price is $24 at any Sephora or NARS counter and before you cringe at the price (because I most certainly did at first), please know that this is worth every cent. You know how there are some products you can easily get a dupe for? Well, this isn't one of them. Don't spend $5-$10 on a knockoff because that'll be money wasted. Put that change towards buying this stuff and I promise you will not be disappointed. Not sold yet? Go to any Sephora store and try it on for yourself! See how effortlessly it glides on. Walk around for a bit. Go get something to eat and be blown away that you're not having to reapply. Even after 2 meals when it felt like the product couldn't possibly be on my lips, a quick glance in the mirror confirmed I was still going strong.

Okay, okay.. I'm sounding like some on charge infomercial guy (aka Vince w/ the Slap Chop lol), but seriously... I'm just so excited to find a red lip that works. I go so hard for this... I want to scream from the roof tops that the makeup Gods have answered our prayers! They've delivered the most amazeballs matte red lip ever.

My girlfriend that told me about this shade is white, and even after letting me try the color out I was still a bit on the fence. I went to  YouTube looking for some reviews to see how it looked on brown skin and was shocked to find only 1 or 2 videos. Alas, I knew I had to record a video and share with the world so anyone that too was on the fence could get a 2nd opinion lol.

In the first part of the video I showed what the color looked like after a 12 hour day. No touch-ups. I had eaten breakfast and lunch. Had drinks out of the can and bottle. The wear was amazing. Towards the end of the video I reapply and show you what the color looks like fresh! Enjoy.

** The key to looking great in a red lip is having a great base. Be sure to exfoliate your lips and remove all dead skin so you don't look ratchet. While this product isn't drying, I do try and keep my lips moisturized and exfoliated when I'm not wearing this. So after removing the product at the end of the night, I'll wash my face lip normal and put cocoa butter on my lips. About twice a week I exfoliate with a wash cloth **

Review: Mizani True Textures line

Ahh, the Mizani True Textures line...

Like many I was familiar with Mizani products, but always associated them with relaxed hair care. NaturallyCurly.com sent me the entire Mizani True Textures line to try out and I must say, in general I wasn't really impressed.... and I know it can be annoying hearing people speak about what is and isn't "impressing" them, but I guess I should say I was very underwhelmed by the True Textures line and what it did for my hair.

Check out my full review:

Review: As I Am "Double Butter Cream"

I've been a busy bee over here cranking out my product reviews!!! I know it can seem a bit overwhelming to have so many hair posts coming out the same week, but these reviews were delayed as is, so please bear with me as I get them out :) Hopefully you're enjoying all of the wonderful feedback on the products I've tried.

On to the next one - - As I Am's Double Butter Cream!

This is a product that I was definitely on the fence about for the first few weeks I used it. I actually just became a huge fan of it the last 2-3 weeks when it dawned on me what consistent, amazing results it was giving me. As someone that loves the look of stretched out, fluffed out hair, my blow dryer is typically my best friend. I have no qualms about using my concentration nozzle and diffuser to create the looks I love... but the best thing about the As I Am Double Butter Cream was that it not only moisturized my hair, but it gave little to no shrinkage!!!

I was blown away that my twist-out was defined, stretched, and required just a bit of fluffing! Being able to skip an entire step is enough to make me buy this product again.

It's available on CurlMart.com for $15.50 which is rather steep for an 8oz jar... but we pay for the products that consistently give the results we like! I'm about 75% sure I'll be replacing this stuff. Also, Amazon has the 16 oz jar for under $30.



Check out my video for a full review (my hair was in a twist-out using the double butter cream!! )

Review: DevaCurl No Poo + One Condition

Back when I got my ends trimmed @ Flo Hair Studio they used DevaCurl's No Poo and One Condition on my hair. I remember loving the smell and feel of the products, so I was excited to see they were the next thing NaturallyCurly.com sent me to review.

Please watch the video for a complete review of both products.

N♥tural Hair Video: Product Review + Wet Twist Out

As promised, I finally finished my Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Conditioning Curl & Style Milk review for YouTube! Instead of just sitting there and telling you what my results were, I decided to walk you through my entire hair routine from start to finish. This is my first trying this out in front of the camera so be nice lol... I'd really appreciate any feedback and as always, feel free to leave any questions below.

Here's Part 1... I'm in the process of editing Part 2!!





** If you like the video please rate it on YouTube **

Product Review: Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes

Finding the perfect eyeliner can be a daunting task. You want something that is long lasting, affordable and for me, I need something that can make my upper eye pop as well as the inner rim. Every makeup aficionado knows that taking your eye from day to night is as simple as lining the inner rim!!

On my search for the perfect eyeliner I found while Kohl eyeliners were great for blending purposes (everyone loves a smokey eye) nothing can compete with Make Up Forever's Aqua Eyes.

Available exclusively at Sephora, this waterproof eyeliner is amazing to say the very least. It's the only eyeliner I've found that can handle all day wear and really doesn't come off until you use Eye Makeup Remover for waterproof makeup. Now, this stuff isn't cheap... it's about $17 but it's WELL worth the price. I haven't found a cheaper product that does the same thing. Sometimes you have to know when to splurge and when to save... and this is most definitely a splurge.

When it comes to buying a kohl eyeliner that's where I choose to save. I like Rimmel London's Soft Kohl Kajal Eye Liner. It comes in a bunch of colors and cost under $6. This is actually a pretty good product and the only one I buy. If you guys know of any other affordable, kohl eyeliners out there please share! I'm all about expanding my make up repertoire.

Product Review: Sephora Collection Smoothing Primer

During my last trip to Sephora I was given the Sephora Collection Smoothing Primer as a gift with purchase. I was a bit naive to what exactly a primer was so the sales associate told me that it was great to use as a base for oily skin. Not only would it help to set the makeup, but it would create a smoother foundation for makeup application and help you to keep your "face" longer. I don't have oily skin and actually prefer a dewy look, but my mother is the complete opposite. I know that she has issues with her makeup starting to run a bit due to the oil from her pores throughout the day so I wanted to use her as my guinea pig. She's swears by powder and never heard of primer before so I knew this product would either sink or sail in a major way.

Well, the verdict is in and my mother LOVED the product!!!!! I was acting like a semi Nazi making sure she didn't apply any moisturizer to her face prior to the primer because I didn't want to taint the process or the possible results. Within minutes of applying the primer and then her foundation the results were quite obvious. She commented that her skin felt silky and smooth and it actually looked more even with a nice matte finish. After working a 12 hr day my mom also raved that she didn't have to do any touch-ups (she's usually doing a few throughout the day) and her oil control was near non-existent.

From reading some of the reviews on the Sephora site I know many have compared this product to a primer that Smashbox puts out, but much more affordable. The Sephora Collection Smoothing Primers sells for $18 and a little does go a long way.

Do any of you guys have experience using primers? Which brands do you like?

** Sorry guys I didn't take pics. I wish I could get a before one but my mom is so hooked on this stuff I doubt I'll ever see her "before" face again **

Product Junkie: What's in my Shower

I've been trying to tame my product junkie ways... but as of right now these are my favorite conditioners (and 1 shampoo) to use on my hair. It's a bit much, but I love ALL of these products.

(Left to Right)

1. Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner - A favorite of mine when I was relaxed and works well now that I'm natural. I use this for deep conditioning. It leaves my hair feeling so moisturized.

2. Herbal Essence Hello Hydration - I jumped on the HE bandwagon a bit late but this stuff is pretty amazing. I love the smell and it has quickly replaced Suave Naturals Topical Coconut as my favorite co-wash conditioner.

3. Twisted Sista De-Frizz Conditioner - I stumbled upon this little gem while in TJ Maxx. I was unfamiliar with the Twisted Sista line but it cost under $5 so I gave it try. Plus I liked the packaging and I couldn't resist the curly haired black girl on the front. I was shocked at how well this worked and that I hadn't heard of it sooner... but I guess that's due to the product being based out of the UK. The conditioner is uber rich and feels amazing on my hair. I can feel my curls popping the moment I put it on, no joke! I bought a bunch of this stuff from TJ Maxx in case they didn't get more in... but if you get an opportunity to find this stuff by you then I think you should give it a try.

4. Moroccan Oil Moisture Repair Shampoo (Suflate-Phosphate and Paraben Free) - I've been using the Moroccan Oil Oil Treatment, but I hadn't tried their shampoo. Now that I have my Brazilian Blowout I had to use a shampoo that was sulphate free. I actually have been pleased with this product. I still prefer co-washing to shampooing, but I do use this about once a week.

5. Garnier Fructis 3 min Undo Dryness Reversal Treatment - This is my MUST HAVE product. It contains Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Shea Oil and Apricot Seeds. This is a dream mixture. It's so rich and thick. It really does feel like heave as it coats my hair. It's funny how 3 mins with this on in the shower can work wonders. I usually put it on my hair and cover with a plastic cap while I shower and shave. It's hard to describe how rich my hair feels after using this. EVERYONE needs this.

6. DevaCurl One Condition - This was on clearance at Target for under $10 so I had to pick some up. I've heard nice things about the DevaCurl line of products and I liked it. I wouldn't call it my must have item as I wouldn't pay full price for this, but it does its job.

7. Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner - This was my all-time favorite co-wash conditioner while I transitioned. After my big chop it was still good but I think HE Hello Hydration works better for me. I think Suave puts out pretty good products and they're SO affordable. It's nice.

Get that mascara off your eyes...

Mascara is one of my makeup must-haves but taking it off can sometimes be a nightmare. I quickly learned that it's best to use an eye makeup remover and not try to just wash it off. With a little trial and error I discovered that my favorite eye makeup remover was Neutrogena's Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover. This stuff works magic and ALWAYS get rid of even my most stubborn water proof mascara... all the while protecting my eyelashes.





When I was out of town last month I found myself unable to fly with my favorite bottle of stuff, so I bought the Neutrogena Ultra-Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads and the Neutrogena Make-Up Remover Cleansing Towelettes. Here's my review:



1) Neutrogena Ultra-Soft Eye Makeup Remover Pads

What they claim: Removes every trace of makeup, even waterproof mascara. No oily residue. Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens users. Ophthalmologist tested.

My thoughts: These pads are nice for removing eye makeup, but they didn't work well on my waterproof mascara. For regular mascara they did a decent job, but you had to let the pad sit on the eyelashes a bit to soften the mascara. I think these are nice to take with you when you travel because unlike the the regular bottle of eye makeup remover, you don't have to worry about finding a cotton ball to use it.

Final Verdict: I'd recommend this product for traveling but not as your everyday use, staple product.




2)Neutrogena Make-up Remover Cleansing Towelettes

What they claim: Ultra soft clothes gently dissolve all traces of make-up, ever waterproof mascara.

My thoughts: These pads are my least favorite. I use them when I'm too tired to wash my face, but I don't think they work well removing mascara. I won't be buying these again once they run out... and honestly, I use them more often to wipe my dogs butt (yes, literally wipe her butt once she's done using the bathroom... lol). On a more constructive note, they do remove face makeup well (eye makeup aside) but I don't like the way it leaves my face feeling. Like there's a slight film over it. I always follow up using these wipe by cleansing my face with astringent. I guess all the work I do using these wipes I could probably just wash my face... but it's a lot easier to do this when you're tired.

Final Verdict: If all you need is a wipe to remove makeup I'd recommend stocking up on some baby wipes.

3) Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover

What it claims: Effective and gently removes even waterproof mascara with no oily residue.

My thoughts: This is my absolute FAVORITE product to remove eye makeup... even my toughest waterproof mascara. This is like the thing I must have in my bathroom at all times. After shaking the bottle to mix the ingredients, you only need to take a cotton ball and saturate the eye area... then feel free to wipe away. Yes, it's really that easy... and yes, it really does work that well. This is the best thing out there, in my opinion.

Final Verdict: Everyone should try this product. I once tried saving a few bucks and bought the Target/Walmart version and it didn't compare. It's under $7 for the 5.5 oz bottle and should last about 2 months... depending on how often you wear eye makeup... but I love this stuff!!!

Product Review - Carol's Daughter Body Jelly

During a conversation a co-worker mentioned having bought a jar of Carol's Daughter Body Jelly and being disappointed with the results. More than happy to take it off her hands, I was thrilled when she offered to give it to me. I've heard mixed reviews for Carol's Daughter products... the biggest complaint being the fact that since having gone mainstream - - being carried in Macy's, etc - - the ingredients used have changed and thus the overall quality... but free is free.

After using the body jelly daily for nearly a week I'm pleased with the results. I've never been one to stress over the ingredients in my products but the body jelly is 100% natural, containing no petroleum, paraben, mineral oil or artificial color. I didn't even realize that I had given up using my typical go-to mix of vaseline and lotion, instead opting for a body full of body jelly after my shower. This stuff isn't for everyone, but if you're already someone that chooses to slather yourself in products I say go for it!

Carol's Daughter products can be found at many Sephora, Macy's, Dillard's and select salon and retail stores. To find the location nearest you click here.