NYX Cosmetics Wonder Pencil: Review and Demo

Hi my lovelies! 

Two days ago, I posted a photo of the NYX Cosmetics Wonder Pencils on my Instagram handle with a promise to review them, well here it is. 

I purchased two of these pencils, one in Light and one in Medium (I should have bought the third one too, hmmmm). NYX has a third shade in Deep. According to NYX Cosmetics, these pencils were made to be multi functional with 3 critical uses:

1. To conceal flaws and blemishes

2. To line lips to prevent bleeding and feathering; and 

3. To brighten eyes by using them along the waterline

In my personal opinion, the texture of the pencil is quite soft. Not so soft that it breaks off too easily, yet not hard that it hurts you when using it. The softness is a creamy kind of softness which is what allows it to be blended into the skin. The pencils are also affordable, retailing for $4.50 (in the States o!).

Apart from the above uses mentioned by NYX, did you know you could use it as an under brow highlighter? Yep! it works well, blends well into the brow bone and definitely saves you some concealer!

Another use of the Wonder Pencil which I absolutely love is its use as a lip 'definer'. I don't have a prominent cupid's bow, I wish I had one like Rihanna's, but since I discovered that I could use the Wonder Pencil to fake one, hey, why not? I apply a small amount on my own cupid's bow to give more definition to my upper lip and then go ahead to apply my lip color. You can also apply it after using your lip color. Just be sure to blend well. 

Watch me show you how in the video below:

Great tips? Yes please!

Till next time, stay blessed and beautiful!

Love, 

Shukshuk

In this way God, being determined to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie,
we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us -Hebrews 6:17-18 (WEB)

Auntie Maureen's Owambe!

My darling sister, Auntie Maureen asked me to glam her up for a serious owambe party two weeks ago. She doesn't like a lot of makeup but still wanted to look stunning. Dolling her up is always a joy.

Here are the list of products I used to achieve her look:

Face 

MAC NC50 Studio Fix Fluid

LA Girl concealer in Cool Tan and Dark Coffee

BH Cosmetics Forever Nude Sculpt and Glow Palette

Mary Kay Loose Mineral Powder in Bronze 1

Mary Kay Berry Brown Blush

Eyes

BMpro Mocassin Eyeshadow

BMpro Satin Sheets Eyeshadow

MAC Carbon Eyeshadow

MAC Black Track Fluid Line Gel Eyeliner

Kiss Palette

False Lashes

Brows

BH Cosmetics Automatic Brow Pencil in Dark Brunette

MAC Embark Eyeshadow

LA Girl concealer in Cool Tan

Lips

Zaron Lipstick in Dusk

BMpro Calla Lipgloss

BMpro Clear Lipgloss

Till next time, stay blessed and beautiful!

Love,

Shukshuk

The ransomed of Yahweh shall return, and come with singing to Zion; and everlasting joy shall be on their heads. They shall obtain gladness and joy. Sorrow and sighing shall flee away - Isaiah 51:11 (WEB) 

The Miracle that is Baking Soda!

Hi Everyone, have I got a load of information to share with you all!

So here I was on Instagram (as usual) looking through @hudabeauty's timeline and I come across her post on how to brighten the skin naturally. Hey, I'm not one that's into skin bleaching or brightening neither am I dark skinned but what caught my attention was the word, 'underarms'. I have wanted brighter underarms in like forever! You know, the type of underarms that Beyonce flaunts, yeah that kind. I tell myself, I gats to see this. So she does a video tutorial on how to use, wait for it...baking soda, yes, baking soda mixed with lemon juice to brighten knees, underarms, knuckles and basically anywhere on your body that you have pigmentation you would like to get rid off.  You can watch her video below. Thank you Huda Heidi Kattan!

Yes, I will definitely be trying out the formulation, I need those underarms desperately but I thought, what else can baking soda be used for beautywise? Did a little research on the internet and I found out that this inexpensive item everyone thought was only used in baking actually has soooo many uses. From beauty, to cleaning, to cooking, the list is almost endless. 

Here's how it works:

Baking soda helps to regulate pH, i.e., it helps to keep a substance not too acidic and yet not too alkaline. So when baking soda comes in contact with a substance that is either acidic or alkaline, what it does is to naturally neutralize the pH of the said substance. Apart from that, it also has the ability to continually retard changes in the substance's pH balance (known as buffering). Its the combination of its buffering and neutralizing properties that make it effective for many household and cleaning jobs.

Since I am all about beauty, I've compiled a list on how to incorporate baking soda or bicarbonate of soda into your beauty routine.

1. Use as a natural facial scrub: mix three parts baking soda to one part water, mix into a paste. Apply to the face and rub gently in circular motions for about one minute to exfoliate the skin. Rinse clean and follow up with your usual moisturiser. Note that this treatment is safe/gentle enough for daily use. You can also mix one part honey with one part baking soda into a smooth paste, rub onto face in gentle circular motions for about two minutes and rinse off with warm water. The honey and baking soda mix can also be used to treat acne, just leave it on for 15 minutes before rinsing off.

2. Use as a natural skin brightening treatment: mix an amount of baking soda with enough lemon juice to make a soft paste and then using a brush like in the video above or just with your hands, rub gently in circular motions to whatever part of your body you would like to brighten and then rinse off. This can be done 3 - 4 times a week until the desired result is achieved.

3. Use as a natural body scrub: make a paste of 3 parts baking soda, 3 parts water and one part milled oatmeal (just pop a little oats into your spice mill for this). Rub onto body in circular motions starting from the feet to boost circulation then rinse off with warm water. This leaves the skin very soft and smooth.

4. Remove product build up from hair: add a small amount of baking soda into your palm along with your regular hair shampoo. Wash as usual and rinse thoroughly. The baking soda will remove any residue left behind by any styling products you have used and your hair will be purified and much more manageable. This should not be used everyday but more like one or twice a month.

5. Use as a hand cleanser/softener: mix three parts baking soda to one part water or liquid hand wash, work in and then rinse. Follow with your usual hand lotion or moisturiser.

6. Freshen your mouth (yes, please do! What is beauty with bad breath?) by putting one teaspoon into half a glass of water, swish around your mouth, spit out and rinse (please do not swallow).

7. Use as a natural skin softener: add half a cup of baking soda into the bath tub before taking a bath for smoother and softer skin.

8. As a natural teeth whitener: apply some baking soda onto your toothpaste and brush as usual. Don't do this everyday, just say for about 2 - 3 days to whiten your teeth and revert back to your usual brushing routine. 

9. Use as a makeup brush cleaner: add one teaspoon of baking soda to a cup of water, soak your used brushes in the solution for a little while (so that the glue in the ferrule does not get weakened) and then rinse. Lay flat to dry.

10. Use during your home pedicure: mix two or three tablespoons of baking soda into water to make a foot soak. You can add any essential oil you like such as lavender oil and soak for 20 minutes. Afterwards, scrub rough spots with a paste of baking soda and water to get rid of hard skin. Follow with a soothing foot moisturiser.

I hope you guys will try out some if not all of the tips above, I know I will! Till the next post, stay blessed and beautiful! 

Sources:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/51-fantastic-uses-for-baking-soda.html

http://www.beautyandtips.com/beauty-2/14-unexpected-uses-of-baking-soda-for-beauty-and-health/

http://www.doctoroz.com/slideshow/best-beauty-uses-baking-soda?gallery=true&page=3

You can trust in Me, for I am your strength and your song - Isaiah 12:2

Review: BH Cosmetics Forever Nude Sculpt and Glow Palette

Hi Everyone!

Been ages! Was away having another beautiful baby girl, Congratulations to me! She’s the prettiest baby I have ever seen, no joke, and I’m deeply grateful to God for such a blessing.

So, she’s 12 weeks old and as such, my ‘maternity leave’ is officially over though I have been doing a little in recent weeks. I have put together a review and tutorial of the BH CosmeticsForever Nude Sculpt and Glow Palette in Medium Deep for you all. 

I am always on Instagram, going through the feeds of so many makeup companies and artists, on the lookout for new products and techniques to add to my arsenal. That was where I came across the BH Cosmetics Forever Nude Sculpt and Glow Palettes. 

They are a relatively new addition to the BH Cosmetics Forever Nude Makeup Range and come in a pretty, salmon coloured palette with a mirror. The palette is a great purchase for those who are looking for a pocket friendly product that has shades for contour, highlight and blush all in one. 

The palette is strictly made with powder products. There 2 highlight shades - a yellowy colour and a golden color, 2 contour shades and 1 blush shade in a deep berry color. The highlight shades come in a matte and a shimmery formulation and the same goes for the contour shades. The blush also has shimmer particles though I didn’t notice too much of a shimmer after using it.

I had to be a bit heavy handed when using the matte highlight and contour shades, I’m guessing this is because I am a woman of color (I am a MAC NW45) but didn’t need to do likewise with the blush as it is quite pigmented. The contour shades are not as dark as I would personally prefer but is relatively okay if you prefer subtle contouring. The matte yellow highlight shade is also a great under-eye setting powder as it goes on silkly. The golden highlight gave me a lovely glow that would rival any gold toned highlighter product.

The shades are very bendable and go on very smoothly. When using this palette, I did not use any cream based contour product on my face but used a concealer to highlight my face. I must let you know that you will experience a little fallout when using this palette.

In all, I would recommend this palette to anyone with my coloration and lighter, I am not so sure the contour shades would show on skin that is much darker than mine. Darker skin tones can also use the highlight and blush shades. As mentioned above, the palette is pocket friendly as are most of the products made by BH Cosmetics. Also a good buy if you are looking for an all-in-one palette.

I leave you all with the video review and tutorial of the palette below. Do let me know what you think of the review and the palette if you have used it by dropping your comments. Till my next post, enjoy!

Love,

ShukShuk 

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom;Yea, with all thy getting get understanding - Proverbs 4:7 ASV