Update: Where Have I Been?

 Since we last spoke, a whirlwind of things have been happening and though I've missed blogging I have been forced to prioritize everyday things over being able to sit down for a minute and produce content. Not to worry, they have been mostly good things but they have demanded quite a lot of my time. 

I have pondered whether I should share what's been happening, and how much I should share and I've decided to share only that which will affect this blog moving forward so as to maintain some privacy for my family and myself but still keep you guys in the loop a bit. So I'll stop rambling and give you my updates:

1. We're having a baby!!!

I learnt that contrary to popular belief, you're pregnant for more than nine months. I have found myself seeking out mommy blogs of calm mothers who juggle earning as well as being caregiver and I feel like that will be an added element of the blog in the future. I know that our lives will change beyond anything we can imagine so I am just taking it one day at a time and trying not to figure out how or who I'll be after the birth.

2.  I have closed/ put on hold my jewellery business

When I first started Namesake, I was working for myself and could handle quality control, processing and customer service because I could structure my time. Once I started working for someone else it became a definite struggle. It required using a delivery man, and someone who was unfamiliar with following up with customs and/or customers to handle queries. Further, asking clients to wait eight hours for a response to an inquiry was not a good idea. Eventually, because I could not get the help I needed, we decided to close the store for now.

3. I've been assigned more responsibility

I am now in charge of more than just myself. This means ultimately I have less time for myself at work but more things to do. This has required some massive re-organization in the way I carry out my daily tasks and requires me to learn and carry out management skills I had previously relied on infrequently. I now have to actively work on growing myself as a person and an employee and it's been quite the learning curve.

4. I'm writing a book...

Sigh. I'm writing a book I hope to finish by the end of this year. I feel compelled to write it and to finish it. I will be sharing snippets right here on the blog so you can look out for that. I really really hope you like it and will be able to see my vision and why it's so important for me to write it.

There are many more changes I wish I could share with you. Some you will notice if you pay close attention over time, others will have to remain a secret. I have a new appreciation for personal style and clothes, now that I can't fit into 80%  of my pre-pregnancy wardrobe so I know I will be curating my style and the things I talk about on this blog more carefully from here on out.

Thank you so much for sticking with me through this time and look out for more posts in the future.

'til lata,

*Jane

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Fall Favourites 2014

Fall is in full effect and I have been having a bit of fun trying out new products and trends. Here is a small list of the things I've been loving so far this season:

1- Nude heels: Nude shoes are having a moment with me. I recently added this pair of cut out pointy-toe heels I picked up in the sale at Lord & Lady's (it's still going on and they still have cute stuff!). I've been pairing them with midi and pencil skirts as well as slim fit tailored pants;

2 - Glasses: As someone who has to wear glasses I totally skipped the 'nerd' trend because who really wants to wear something they already have to wear? But, I recently chopped off my hair which makes me pay more attention to how my brows look, and I like how these frames pair with a bolder brow and a darker lip for Fall;

3- Olay Fresh Effects Satin Moisturizer: Now this right here is a game changer. It's a moisturizer that comes out like a lotion but transforms into a gel when it touches your skin. I love it because it does not melt off my face even in the super humidity we are experiencing now. I will post a more detailed review on it later on;

4 - Revlon ColorSensational Lipstick in Copper Charm: If you follow beauty trends you will have realized that the brown lip from the 90s has re-emerged. Hundreds of beauty girls are doing tutorials on how to get that grunge, Kylie Jenner lip. This ranges from deeper nudes to warm mauves. If you are looking for a neutral brown lip then I highly recommend this colour;

5 - Jordana Lip Pencil in Terra Cotta: If you are just experimenting and you want to dip your toe into the brown lip trend, a lip pencil is an inexpensive way to do this. The color payoff is excellent and it can be matte or glossy with the simple addition of a lip balm or a lip gloss;

6- Lancome Rouge in Love Lipstick #381B: The purple lip lives on in a darker tone for Fall. Most persons will go for a darker red or wine, so stand out from the crowd in a similar shade to this one. I like mixing this with deeper berry tones as well;

7- Boyfriend Watches: I am wearing the heck out of this trend before I have to kiss it goodbye for Spring 2015. I still love me some bold-face chunky bracelet watches;

1 - Monogram Jewellery from Namesake JM - I'm obsessed with personalizing things and really what is better than a beautiful gold necklace with your very own monogram? See more like this on others on Facebook and Instagram;

2- Pave Diamond Jewellery - this is a much subtler way to wear diamonds and I love it - understated and unexpected;

3 - Stacking Rings - a manicure always looks better with stacked rings and this set from Asos is perfect. They are even having a sale going on right now (and the shipping is free worldwide guys)  Check it out here ;

4- Gigi New York Datebook - I am in love with this Datebook - gilded pages, white snakeskin cover and I even got my initial engraved on it. Unlike my other datebooks it isn't heavy, doesn't take up too much space in my bag and is pretty enough for me to want to constantly reach for it. You can get yours here;

5 - Blank Notebook - I have a thing for books. I collect them and store them all over my house but I very rarely fill up any book. I solved that problem with this small chic version. Small enough to not take up too much space anywhere and the faux croc skin makes me want to write in it and to check off my to-do lists throughout the day. Plus its way chicer than random scraps of paper floating about in my bag;

6 - Covergirl Tru Blend Foundation - an affordable foundation that has yet to turn orange. It doesn't clog up my pores, doesn't sit on top of my skin and doesn't make me look cake-y. It has survived numerous nights out without smearing onto hubby's shirts or my clothes and has not broken me out. I wouldn't say this has amazing coverage - perhaps light to medium which is fine for me. I will give a more detailed review on this at a later date;

7-  We looked at this already so we'll move ahead to the next item;

8 - Pretty Jumbo Straws - I have been working extra hard these days which means I try to savor as much sleep time as possible. In order not to skip breakfast, I have been drinking my meal. Thicker shakes and smoothies require jumbo straws and I have been concerned at the amount of plastic I've been putting out into the earth because of it. I saw these gorgeous reusable straws at the supermarket and just had to have them. What utensil do you love in your kitchen?


BONUS FAVE


House of Cards: Blew my mind over and over and over again. Watch it NOW!









What have you been loving this season? Leave me a comment and let me know. 

Till later!
*Jane

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Review: L'Oreal Damage Erasing Balm

This is the last in the Deep Conditioner Series and I've been more than happy to go through these with you guys to help you figure out which one serves your interest best. The thing about buying new products is that you have no clue if you'll want to keep using it after the first time or not. So, onto this one - the claims are that this is all you need to repair super damaged hair. Summer heat and humidity along with heat styling can fry your hair so after a month of being particularly rough on my hair, I decided that I would give this a try. Here are my thoughts:

Packaging

There isn't anything particularly fancy about this packaging. It's a light yellow  thick creme that comes in a transparent tub with a black screw-off top. Again, it may slip from you in the shower,( or maybe I'm just clumsy and drop everything?) and could use some grips to be more ergonomic. It travels really well without spilling all over the place so if you carry this on vacation you won't regret it. It has a ton of product in it so you definitely get a bang for your buck and unless you're literally Rapunzel this will last you quite a while.

Pricing

This was priced at $1100 JMD which is the higher end of reasonable in my book. I have noticed that products containing protein elements are usually more costly than those that are moisturizing. I'm not sure why, but this could probably explain why it's a little more costly than the other L'Oreal conditioners. Again, this is a pretty thick and creamy product so a little goes a long way. 

Application

Alright, the first thing you will notice right off the bat is that this is very very very scented. Think of if your grandmother's strongest perfume broke and you walked into her room - this is how strong this is. Maybe I'm exaggerating but the scent is very strong. The good thing is that it doesn't last past the rinse. You will need a small blob of this about half the size of a golf ball if you have shoulder length hair; more if your hair is longer. It's a tad rubbery so you will need to massage it in into your shaft. I also recommend smoothing this along the ends of your hair, pinning it up and letting it sit under a cap for about 25 minutes so it can do its job. If you use too much it can make your hair limp and a tad rubbery but just enough adds some slip to the hair to help with detangling.

Results

This isn't a moisturizing conditioner -  however it really helps with preventing breakage quite a bit. It strengthens your hair and reduces the amount of hair you lose from combing and brushing and helps your hair stand up to heat styling. I wouldn't use this every week, in fact I alternate this with a moisturizing conditioner. I would say in order to get the proper moisture you need from your conditioner I would say use your normal conditioner before using this deep conditioner or you may end up with brittle hair. Don't be alarmed, this is a normal side effect of using a protein treatment. I would give this a 6/7 out of 10.

What do you think? Have you tried this? Did you like it? Leave me a comment below and let me know.

'til later,

*Jane

Enjoyed this post? Check out more of my Reviews here

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Get Ready Quickly Post-Workout

It's #tiptuesdays here on the Jane way and today we'll be talking about how to freshen up quickly after a workout. These are quick easy tips that will let you get in and out and back to your busy life in minutes. Make it part of your routine and see how much time you shave off your post-gym recovery.

Try these tips:

• Carry wipes with you if you don't get the chance to shower - feminine wipes and baby wipes/ wet wipes are great. If you are concerned about going green then you can carry a wash cloth and a bottle of diluted alcohol and witch hazel. wipe everywhere;
• Brush out your hair and sprinkle the wettest parts with baking soda or a dry shampoo and let it soak for a bit;
• Reapply deodorant and body spray once your skin has dried. You need the area to be dry in order for the deodorant to stick and stay;
• Wipe your face, neck and chest down with astringent to get rid of bacteria that can lead to acne later on
• Apply a gel or light moisturizer with sunscreen and re-apply lotion. Your skin is most dehydrated and vulnerable after sweating so be sure to take care of it I like this moisturizer here;
• Clean up any stray eyeliner or mascara you may have neglected to remove pre-workout with a q-tip and apply a tinted moisturizer or BB cream. I like to soak my q-tips in makeup remover and keep in a ziplock baggie in my gym bag;
• Make sure to wipe behind your neck, knees, elbows, armpits, behind your ears and between your toes to get rid of any lingering smells;
• Take care of any wet strands by tucking them under with braids or a bun but maintain a loose style so your hair doesn't smell as it dries.
• Drink plain old water!

That's it!

What are your time-saving tips? 

Thanks for reading!

*Jane

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Review: Pantene Pro-V Relaxed & Natural Intense Moisturizing Conditioner

Last week, I mentioned reviewing several deep conditioners that were readily available on the shelves now and comparing them. This week, we're looking at a pretty popular deep conditioner among persons with natural or relaxed hair. The Pantene Pro-V Relaxed & Natural Intense Moisturizing Conditioner has quite a following and I was eager to see whether this would work for me or not. These are my thoughts:

Packaging

The packaging for this product seems to keep changing every few months but when I got it, it was in a squeeze tube with a grey cap. It had the trademark purple and gold branding and the same brown colour so it wasn't that hard to find but I do know more than one persons who have totally different packaging. This is a slippery sucker in the shower and there isn't anything ergonomic about it - it will slip and slide in your hands if you're using this in the shower. I wouldn't mind if the beauty industry stopped putting products for 'brown-skinned women' in brown packaging -it has understandably tiffed a number of persons.

Pricing

This was a little over $1000 JMD which was sort of expected because Pantene is considered to be a super brand and this line is supposedly specially formulated for black hair - i.e. lots of gimmicks means it can be priced higher. It's not super expensive and you do get quite a few uses out of it but in the back of my head I feel like I can get other products for better prices.

Application

When you squeeze this out the product is white and the texture reminds me of maybe a lighter lotion. It's very slippery and one friend attributed that to silicone properties - I'm not sure how true this is. When you apply it to your hair, you definitely have to give it a few minutes to soak into the hair shaft. It has a subtle scent that smells to me like a combination of musk and gardenia, and it lingers in your hair for about a day or two before it completely goes away. It is a tad difficult to work into the roots and I have had trouble trying to get it to soak into the hair at that point. 

Results

This feels like a conditioner you use when you've forgotten yours at home - the kind that your hotel provides for you. It's not thick or rich or creamy. It does reduce dryness at the ends of your hair and gives a nice slip to the hair so your hair is smoother than if you hadn't deep conditioned. The best thing about this conditioner is the fact that it makes even muddy brown hair a little shiny for about two days after application. It's a fairly decent conditioner and if you have fine hair maybe this could be an option for you. I'm not in love with it so I wouldn't repurchase but I don't hate it either. All in all I would say this is a fair choice.

Have you tried this? Did you like it or hate it? Leave me a comment or hit me up on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with your thoughts.

'til later,

*Jane

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Friday Fix: Five Things You Should Try

This week has been a bit of a mosh pit of slow lazy unbearably hot days and super productive days when I am surprised that the sun is no longer in the sky. I did manage to carve out several moments of relaxation and pleasure and I thought I would share with you some of my favourite things you can check out for yourself.

1. Show

It isn't a full week until you've watched something on your computer or television. This week I fell in love with the movie 'All Good Things' starring Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst. 

Source

If you enjoy thrillers/mysteries that are a tad psychological with a slower build and cool cinematography then you will enjoy this movie. I thought the acting was really good and I was moved by the main characters emotions. I enjoyed putting all the pieces together, and yes it did make me cry. If you're alone at home one night and you want an option that isn't a comedy but won't give you nightmares - it's a love story gone awry and I think you'll enjoy it. Shirtless Ryan Gosling doesn't hurt either ;)

2. Book

I am an avid reader and thanks to my Kindle I finish a book every couple days or so. This week, I enjoyed a light, funny read 'In the Stars' by Whitney Boyd.

source

This is a quick light read, there are a few grammatical errors in there but nothing that will throw you off. I finished it in one afternoon - it's a story that's a little bit about coming of age, and follows a young woman as she goes on an embarrassing journey before being able to learn from her mistakes. It made me laugh and probably will do the same for you.

3. Beauty Pick

It was a low-key week so I barely wore makeup. Instead I found myself gravitating towards my nail polishes, specifically the cult classic from Essie - Mint Candy Apple :

source

This really is a colour that looks great on all skin tones. It's a brighter pastel that has a cream finish with absolutely no streakiness. You can wear it on toes or fingers and on short or long nails.

4. Deals

I get sucked in by deals and coupon codes ad I thoroughly research a store online before I make any purchase. Independence Day is here and this means the deals will be aplenty. Here are links to some stores I adore:

What did you enjoy this week? Leave me a comment and let me know.

til later,

*Jane

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My Hair Care Routine (Growing Long Relaxed Hair)

L-R: Vitamin E Oil, Organix Biotin & Collagen OIl Mist, L'Oreal Ever Creme Deep Nourishing Masque, L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Damage- Erasing Balm, Herbal Essence Strengthening Shampoo, Lusters Original Pink Lotion, Organic Root Stimulator Carrot Oil

Experiment complete! I can now say that I have my hair care routine down to a tee and I'm seeing my hair grow not just faster, but healthier than it's been in a long time. So, in the spirit of  'sharing is caring' I thought I would let you guys in on what I've been using and how I've been using it. #fabhairmob anyone?

On Wet Hair

1.    Pre-Wash Treatment: I have long learned the benefits of using hot oil on your hair before you wash it. It helps with sealing the hair cuticle as well as strengthening the hair for the rigor of washing and scrubbing. You can purchase the little VO5 hot oil hair packets or you can just nuke a little oil in the microwave instead. I rotate between Vitamin E oil (pictured above), Olive Oil, Coconut Oil & Argan Oil for this step. I apply the warm oil to the ends of my hair first then work up towards the roots, tie it up and then leave it in for 5-10 mins.

2.    Wash: I stretch the time between my relaxer for at least eight weeks. The first six weeks after I relax I just apply shampoo regularly - lather, rinse and repeat. Closer to the time when I am going to relax my hair, I go half & half with a shampoo & conditioner, to reduce dryness and frizz at the roots. This just means using half the amount I normally would for the shampoo and then compensating that by mixing it with a regular conditioner.

3.    Treatment: I always treat my hair. This may sound excessive, but the fact of the matter is that I want it to grow longer, and because it's chemically treated, it soaks in the treatment like a needy puppy. I alternate between strengthening and moisturizing treatments. Again, this is applied to the ends of my hair then I work it up to the roots. If my hair is feeling particularly dry I will moisturize the treatment into my scalp because healthy roots = healthy hair. I let it soak in for at least twenty minutes and only then do I comb it out with a wide tooth comb. Closer to my relaxer I even rub a little cheap conditioner on the comb to make sure I don't tug or pull on my strands.

On Dry Hair

 4.    Pre-Set: I use an old t-shirt to dry out as much water from my hair as possible, then I   spray in a light oil to help smooth the hair shaft even further. Why is this important?               Frizzy roughed up hair gets tangled, and tangles lead to breakage and weakening of the           shaft. I like this oil because it sprays such a fine mist, smells amazing and is absorbed by my hair quickly, leaving it shiny and smooth. Note: I don't use mousse, setting lotion or spritz because they all contain an uncomfortable amount of alcohol and I don't like the crunchy effect they have after my hair is dry.

5.   The Set: I am an advocate for setting your hair. Why? Apart from the volume, body and   shine setting gives your hair, the smooth plastic rollers help your hair to lie flat over itself letting any product you apply before setting thoroughly soak into the hair follicle. Plus, the curls from a wet set last far longer than ones formed with a hot tool and are faaaarrrrrr less damaging to your hair. I usually only blow dry for about twenty minutes to get rid of any excess water and I keep my blow dryer on cool rotating the area I point it at frequently (also a good arm workout btw).

6.    Styling & Regular Maintenance: If you want to keep your hair healthy between washes you need to use a daily moisturizer. Examine your hair, where is it driest? Where is it healthiest? Get a product that will take care of the least healthy part of your hair specifically and use it regularly. I like the carrot oil because my scalp tends to get dry in between washes but not so dry that I need a thick oil. The carrot oil still lets my scalp breathe while moisturizing it and is light enough for me to use without  weighing down my hair. Pink lotion is a long time favourite - breakage, reduction of split ends and shine are taken care of by this product and I use it to help me get a smooth dry set at night.

This is the gamut of my hair routine. Apart from a heat protectant which I use maybe once a month when I use a hot tool, this is everything. The idea is to test and see what works for you and what you want your hair to be. I would like mine to continue to grow. Right now it's happily past my shoulders (a far cry from the pixie cut I had some months back) and it will soon be 'mermaid' length hopefully. 

What have you been using in your hair recently? Do you have a routine that works for you? Leave me a comment, or hit me up on Facebook and let me know.

'til later,

*Jane

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Spring Fashion : Oh So Minty

Mint is in - still. If you have yet to hop on this trend here are three simple ways to incorporate this universally flattering colour into your wardrobe.

Casual

Update this popular pastel by pairing it with graphic prints this season. An aztec print like the one in this picture is flattering and summery and lets the mint shorts work as a neutral in this outfit. This is perfect for you ladies that prefer a more muted take on a colourful look.

Top: Macy's

Shorts: New Kingston Shopping Centre

Belt : Forever 21

Shoes : Sperry Top Siders get yours here

Shades: Aviators - Body Glove

Necklace : Claires

Work Wear

You can wear this colour to work especially if you have a piece in a button up or blouse-y style. This mint piece has subtle polka dots and is on the sheer side, which means wearing a flesh-coloured slip or tank underneath to keep things office-appropriate. A bold print like the zebra print here will perk things up while a grey plaid pencil skirt is chic and sophisticated.The studs on the collar are minimal and not spiky so they don't draw too much attention but still add some edge. The metallic mint caps on the pumps mirror the studs on the collar for a cohesive look.

Top: New Kingston Shopping Centre

Zebra Skirt: Marshalls get similar here

Grey plaid skirt: Marks & Spencers get similar here

Pumps: House of Jade Fashion Boutique

Necklace: Namesake JM

Date Night

A lace mint dress screams flirty and girly. Give it some grungy sex appeal by pairing it with a waist-nipping printed jacket, an unusual chunky piece of jewellery and high strappy sandals in shiny patent leather. I like this look because the silhouette is familiar and feminine which is important on a date (men are confused by more fashion-forward silhouettes - they want to know you have curves) but the pieces aren't necessarily what you would grab for first. The tribal vibe of the necklace goes well with the houndstooth print of the jacket because of the similar colours. The black and white are a bold contrast to the pastel but it still works.The deep v-neck of the dress keeps the look from being too bulky and the heels make everything sexier.

Dress: Macys get similar here

Jacket : vintage

Heels : Steve Madden

Necklace: gifted

Clutch : thrifted

Are you into the mint trend? How are you styling your pieces for this spring/summer season? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Peace out lovelies

*Jane

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Five Met Gala Beauty Looks You Should Try Now!

If you pay attention to the fashion/entertainment world any at all then you would know that the Metropolitan Costume Gala Ball was last night. What the heck is the Met Gala? Well wikipedia gives the simplest description:

The Met Gala, formally called the Costume Institute Gala and also known as the Met Ball, is an annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute. It also serves as an opening celebration for the institute's annual fashion exhibit.^[1][2] It is widely regarded as one of the most exclusive social events in New York and one of the biggest fundraising nights of the city with a reported nine million dollars raised in 2013.^[3][4][5] The affair, attended by personalities from the arts, fashion and entertainment, has been held at the Met since 1971 and is considered to be the fashion industry's premier annual red carpet event.^[6][7][2]

Anna Wintour, Vogue editor-in-chief and chair of the event since 1995, oversees both the benefit committee and the guest list, withVogue staffers helping assemble the list of invitees.^[8] Each year the event has a theme, and includes a cocktail hour and a formal dinner.^[9][10] The gathering rivals the West Coast's Vanity Fair Oscar Party, which is said to have more "star power" but less fashion panache.^[11] In 2014, the ticket costs $25,000 for each guest.^[12][8]

 So basically, its the celebrities' best chance to get dolled up and look super fancy. While everyone was paying attention to what dresses and tuxes were being worn, I was zooming in for beauty looks that I could replicate. Here are five of my favourite looks that I think are universally flattering and that everyone should try at least once.

 Why it's pretty: This look stems around a statemnt lip colour that's beautiful because of it's depth. It takes a modern vibe with its balance between brown and red and the fact that she paired it with super subtle eyes, lashes and brows. The creamy, almost velvet complexion and the soft contour and higlighting kept it feminine and approachable not goth.

Why you should try it: You don't need to go out and buy a new lipstick when there are a million lip pencils in this shade. Blot your lips out with a creamy concealer to ensure smooth application and layer on the pencil with a lip brush. Finish with a dab of clear lip gloss and swipe your lids with a shimmery colour close to your skin tone to mimic her eye look. Skip fake lashes and just have a go at mascara and a thin line of black liner on the top lashes. Use a shimmery light gold on the bottom lids to balance the look and a light sweep of a raisin blush on your cheeks can act as bronzer and blush all in one go.

Why it's pretty: Um, hello? This is gorgeous and freshfaced and summery and glamorous all at once. A more subtle orangey-peachy lip pairs well with the gorgeous colour of her dress and lets her lashes and brows stand out in a natural beauty kind of way.

Why you should try it: I will be trying this out immediately. The colour on her lips remind me of the texture of the NARS pencil but it can be copied with lipstick, and powder dabbed over it to matte it down a bit. The same tone of peach was used on her cheeks, with flirty lashes and a thick cat eye on her upper lashes. The bottom lash line was lined with an iridescent gold liner (trend alert!). The foundation was on the sheer side  and what looks to be a cream highlighter or even diffuser was used sparingly in her inner corners and on the apples of her cheeks. TIP: if you're struggling with finding the right orange toned lip colour for yourself the key is that the lighter you are, the yellower the orange should be, and the darker, the redder the orange. 

 Why it's pretty: This is a fresh way of approaching an old staple. Brown smokey eyes is the sultrier sister to the original  smokey eyes, but the layer of glitter over it is a young way to liven up an old faithful

Why you should try it: If you're just about tired of doing a smokey eye but are absolutely in love with the way it makes your eyes stand out, then this is your refresher. Blend a chocolate and burgundy cream eyeshadow across your lids and under your bottom lashline, winging it out along your outer corners. Then dip into your shimmer and pat it across the lid and under the eyes, avoiding the outer colours where you need more depth. Line the top water line with a dark brown, and the bottom with a bronze liner. Then use a defining and lengthening mascara to pull your lashes out and up. Finish off with strong brows, a swipe of peach blush and a lipstain in a sorbet shade.

Why it's pretty: This is an all-time classic look, red lips and big lashes. It got a punk rock flavour with the gold leaf streak along her part but the fact is a red lip is always glamorous and classically pretty

Why you should try it: If you haven't sussed out a red lip colour that looks great on you yet, shame on you! Red is like high heels for your lips, if done properly there are few things more alluring. So pucker up and give your lips some glamour. Your lashes don't need to be so bold, you can skip the strip and go for two coats of a volumizing mascara or, try clusters instead of a strip. Pair it with winged liner on the top lids, a conversation starting ear cuff and sculpted eyebrows and you will have Rita Ora's look down to a tee.

Why it's pretty: This look screams spring/summer with the bright pastels paired up. Try to ignore the headband, I would actually pair this look with something less colourful than what Lupita wore, but the eyes and lips are too gorgeous to pass by. 

Why you should try it: If you are going to wear a bright colour on your lids, this is a fail safe way to wear it. Apply it messily around your eyes like an eyeliner and then go through and blend it outwards. Finish with a light sweep of blush (I would have chosen a sheerer blush than what she is wearing) and layer this pinky shade of bronze with a light swipe of a sheer purple gloss for a pretty effect.

I will be trying out these looks in the upcoming weeks. If you try any of them, post a picture and tag me #janekoysen so I can like it!

Till next time lovelies,

*Jane

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Review : Biore 4-in-1 Detoxifying Cleanser

Guys, I finally found it. The last missing piece to a skincare routine that completely works for me. Finally! My skin has calmed down so much and I am getting daily compliments on it from random strangers. Love it!

I blogged earlier in the year that I tried and fell in love with the Olay ProX face brush and that it has made a significant difference in controlling my breakouts and improving my skin texture - that was great but this, this is my skin soulmate.

My skin can be really sensitive and it has a hard time absorbing topical products resulting in clogged pores. Add tropical heat to that and you can count on sweat, smoke and other pollutants throughout the day. So whilst I was cleansing with the brush, I also needed something a little deeper to help encourage my pores to open up and get rid of all the toxins and extra things my skin was holding onto. Those tiny little bumps that signify clogged pores and the whiteheads that often accompany them have now disappeared and I am as happy as a clam.

Let's get into the review now shall we?

Packaging

The cleanser is currently available in two different packages. The only difference is on the label but the name is still the same. It is is a white opaque bottle with a blue wide spout for pumping as it is a foaming cleanser. There is also, thankfully, a clear cap to protect the spout and to catch any product that may try to escape. You get 6.7 Fl Oz in the bottle, which is a lot more than I normally get in a bottle. The pump and the spout are an excellent pairing and you only need one pump for your entire face. I haven't experienced any spillage or leaking and I have traveled with this cleanser more than once so I think the bottle is pretty sturdy. You can also pretty much pump from any position, upside down, right side up etc. The only improvement that could be made is to have little grips or indentations on the side of the bottle because it does tend to slip if you grab for it with wet fingers.

Use/Application

I wet my entire face with water, use one pump and apply this with my fingers onto my face and neck. There is a slight cooling sensation - nothing to irritate you but you do notice it. It foams up pretty well and I rub it in lightly with my fingers so I can make sure that it gets everywhere. The foam doesn't get out of control and it does a great job of staying put on your face. I rinse it off with cold water thoroughly and then go onto the next step in my routine.

This removes makeup, sunscreen and any oils I may have applied to my face in one quick step and despite the fact that it is foaming my skin never feels tight after I wash my face. I have not experienced any irritation whatsoever or any product buildup along my hairline, ears or neck which can happen if your skin is easily irritated or sensitive. It has a barely there smell and doesn't leave behind residue or scent or that nasty white cast that some cleansers can. I use this with my cleansing brush most nights but in the morning I use it with my fingers so don't feel that you need to have a brush for this to work for you I just like the feeling of knowing I got a good deep clean in one step especially if I am removing makeup.

I can't think of anything Biore needs to do to improve the formula of this product at all.

Pricing

This was one of the cheaper products on the shelf coming in at about $800 JMD (under $1000) and it was more product than a lot of other cleansers. I bought this back in February when my other face wash finished and I think I'm barely halfway through the bottle. I love that you get so much product but I know that as soon as this is finished I will be going out and buying this again. I've already had to stop myself from stocking up and just hoarding it. In fact, I'm getting anxious just worrying that I won't be able to find it again *deep breath*  but I will practice self control...I think. 

This is worth your money, and the fact that it is affordable makes it an even sweeter deal. Don't hem and haw, just buy it you will like it.

Results

Fantastic. Clear skin, unclogged pores, great smooth texture, even complexion, and it has helped with balancing and controlling oil. I really really like this. I have the old packaging and I sincerely hope the formula has not changed with the new packaging. The blurb reads thus:

I can't say that anything that it claims to do is false or doesn't ring true for me. They've done a wonderful job with this product and Biore, you guys should be applauded. I did not even know you guys did anything other than pore strips! Bravo!

Final Thoughts

It's been quite a few weeks and I am still in love. I saw results within the first two weeks of using this and I continue to see results. My skin has returned to its former glory and dare I say, is even better than it used to look. I will be buying this again and again and again, I've already recommended it to a bunch of people and I will be trying out other Biore products I see on the shelf now.

Till next time lovelies, and remember if you have any questions you can always leave me a comment or get me on Facebook. 

*Jane

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