And Now... A Makeup Moment: My 1st Haul!!!!

For many ladies, make up is their friend. For me... we've been more like acquaintances. You know, we nod and chat when we see each other. We exchange updated email addresses and phone numbers and promise to keep in contact. But we never do! LOL

And I want to be friends with makeup. Makeup is a fun friend to have! I have my go-to items (pressed powder, eyeliner and clear mascara... and in the past few months, I've even ventured into bronzer territory! Ooh!) But I haven't truly experienced the artistry that can be created. I've pretty much kept it safe and simple.

With advice and encouragement from two makeup divas (Thank you Teresa and Stephanie!) in my life, I was armed with YouTube videos, blogs and magazine articles all about fun colors I can absorb. I found a constant source of inspiration and fun from one blogger in particular. Brittany over at Clumps of Mascara is amazingly knowledgeable and thankfully, she shares what she knows with her followers. As I expressed in a comment I placed on one of her posts, I've been reading through her blog like I'm studying for my S.A.T.s. (She also has natural hair, and posts frequently about hair care, which is a super double plus in my book!!)

So today... I ventured into the Sephora near my job (In the nine months I've worked there, today marked the fifth time I even went into the store and the first time I've ever made a purchase - a special thank you to Lauren who works there - she's fantastic!!). And because I realize it doesn't always have to be super-pricey, I also went to Duane Reade a picked up a few goodies there.

Here's what I got from Sephora :

After reading about it on Clumps of Mascara, (and because there's a 3 ounce size for $10.00), I bought Philosophy's Purity Made Simple. A Best of Sephora winner in 2008, the reviews I've read all rave about its soothing and moisturizing properties, and all remark on its ability to remove makeup without drying your skin.

Next I selected Urban Decay's Summer of Love Eyeshadow Palette, which includes four eyeshadows [Colors: Flash (bright iridescent purple sheen), Maui Wowie (sandy colored sheen), Chopper (shimmering fawn with sparkles), and Smog (deep coppery bronze)], a travel-sized Sin Eyeshadow Primer Potion (shimmering champagne), and a 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Bourbon (glimmering dark brown). I bought this primarily because I wanted to buy a palette and I liked the colors! LOL

I also grabbed Smashbox's Cream Eye Liner Palette because I've been wanting to try cream eye liner and I figured the colors Smashbox offered would be a great place to start. This mirrored palette holds 10 cream eye liner shades in metallic hues and a mini liner brush.

The last item from Sephora is their Professionnel Platinum Natural Medium Eyeshadow Brush #14, which I must admit to sampling already and I LOVE IT (For some reason, I didn't think to take a picture! LOL)

At the suggestion from Stephanie, I trekked from Sephora over to Duane Reade (where I must admit is my usually makeup store!) and picked up Ecotool's 5-piece Bamboo Brush Set, which includes a Mineral Powder Brush, Concealer Brush, Eye Shading Brush, Baby Kabuki and a cotton/hemp linen cosmetic bag. What I like about this set (aside from the price!!!) is that the bristles are cruelty-free, and the brushes are a convenient travel size!!!

The last product in my very first makeup haul is also my very first blush!! I purchased Cover Girl Cheekers Blush in Iced Cappuccino!! I like it because its a real simple color and since I've new to blush, I figured I couldn't possibly mess it up too much! LOL

All-in-all, I think that I managed to get some great products my first time around. I am looking forward to sampling and putting them to good use. To motivate myself, I have given myself a little challenge. I call it Miss Moon's Monday to Friday Make Up Challenge: I plan on wearing makeup everyday next week, a different look each day!! Next Friday, I plan on posting pictures of my results! "...A Makeup Moment" will also become a new feature in the blog, so any suggestions and tips you have to offer, bring 'em on!!!

Completely off topic: But I've been rocking my hair in twists for the past five days, and I took a picture to illustrate how they've held up (despite using that product I'm "Not so much...." about!).

DOPE: "The Rose that Grew from Concrete" by Tupac Shakur

Today would've been the 39th birthday of Tupac Amaru Shakur. Today is also the 69th birthday of my Father, Earl. I share this tonight to honor them both!!



The Rose That Grew From Concrete

Did you hear about the rose that grew
from a crack in the concrete?
Proving nature's law is wrong it
learned to walk with out having feet.
Funny it seems, but by keeping its dreams,
it learned to breathe fresh air.
Long live the rose that grew from concrete
when no one else ever cared.

"Not So Much...."* about Miss Jessie's Stretch Silkening Creme

For an explanation on the phrase "Not so much...", click here.

It's officially summer and for me it's time to switch my Healthy Hair Butter to lighter, more balmy substance for doing my braid-out and twists-out. As I mentioned in a previous blog, I generally use DOO GRO® Triple Strength Medicated Hair Vitalizer . But for some reason (I smell conspiracy!!!) I could not find that stuff ANYWHERE!!!

Since I'm started to dig Miss Jessie's Super Sweetback Treatment (On a scale of 1-10, I give it a 7!) I figured I would try their Stretch Silkening Creme for my braid-outs!!!



Ugh!!!! My scalp has been screaming bloody murder at me for two weeks now!! It's itchy as heck and for the first time in many, many years... I'm getting flakes. I am not heavy handed when it comes to applying my product (which, imho, attributes to 75% of the dissatisfaction people experience using hair products) so if I'm this unhappy I've come to the conclusion that this product is NOT for me at all!!!

Fortunately, I was able to snag a few jars of the Medicated Hair Vitalizer (Yay!!). This weekend I also purchased the new Avocado & Honey Twisting Cream from Darcy's Botanicals. This is my first time trying out their products, but I've heard some rave reviews online, so I am really looking forward to seeing how they may work for me.

I'm REALLY Diggin': Solange's Spin-Worthy Dress from Boxing Kitten!!

This dress is so remarkably beautiful!! And Miss Solange is looking fabulous, and so happy! I would love to hear her spin, she needs to bring her skills to NYC!!!



The dress is from Boxing Kitten and it's called Tam Tam (After the Josephine Baker movie, "Princess Tam Tam"... which is dope as hell!)


According to their online store, the dress is $315 and is available in sizes 2-10. I emailed them to inquire if they could make their designs for plus sized fans. I will be sure to email a update if and when I receive a response from them.

In the meantime Nakimuli Inc.'s True Essence Dress is very similar and is available in sizes 1x-3x


UPDATE -  I received the following response from Boxing Kitten:

"Thanks for your interest in Boxing Kitten! We appreciate your suggestion and will take it under advisement. At this time however the largest size we carry is 12. Thanks again!"

Let's hope they consider it. In the meantime, Nakimuli's dress is cheaper and its available in plus sizes!