Jessicurl Giveaway!!

Okay ladies the time has come for the Jessicurl Giveaway!!! The lovely ladies at Jessicurl have agreed to sponsor a giveaway for my readers, so here are the rules:

• You must live in the continental United States
• You must be a subscriber, or publicly follow how's my hair? Or follow me on Twitter @smasters467 If you follow me on twitter, then leave me a comment on here and let me know your following
• Enter the Jessicurl Giveaway by leaving me a comment, telling me why you want to try the Jessicurl line, or what products from the Jessicurl line you currently love.
• You can also retweet the Giveaway for an entry: RT @smasters467: Jessicurl Giveaway!! However, you must leave your twitter user name as a comment on here
• You can also post a link to this Giveaway on your blog, just make sure to leave the link to your blog in my comments
• MOST IMPORTANTLY: I need to be able to contact the winner, so if you follow me on twitter, I will DM the winner, and annouce it publicly. If your following my blog, then you either need an email address in your profile, or you need to leave me an email address in your comment. The winner will have 3 days to contact me with their shipping information, if they don't a new winner will be selected.
• Just to be clear, either way you choose to enter the Giveaway, you must leave a comment on here.
• The Giveaway starts today, and will run through November 12.

I'm so excited to be part of this Giveaway, and I hope you're enjoying my ramblings! :) Thank you all so much for stopping by and reading, I really appreciate all of you!

Repair your hair with Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor

Repair your hair with Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor

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Spotlight on acne treatment: Skin1 by Dr. Gram

Spotlight on acne treatment: Skin1 by Dr. Gram

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Review: Jessicurl Line

Hello all you lovely curlies! I'm back, it's time to talk about Jessicurl, which basically has a cult following in the curly community. Jessicurl was created by Jessica McGuinty, a Naturally Curly community member, when she was unable to find a product that gave her the results that her hair needed and she wanted. She cooked Rockin Ringlets up in her kitchen, and the company grew from there.

I reached out to Jessicurl about featuring the brand on here and Examiner, and there were more than helpful and sent me a trial kit to test out. I have fine to medium hair, it's color-treated, it's damaged from heat styling, and it's dry, so I opted for the rich collection. I tend to prefer products made for a thicker, coarser hair type. Included in the Jessicurl trial kit are: Rockin' Ringlets Styling Potion, Confident Coils Styling Solution, Hair Cleansing Cream, Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner, Weekly Deep Treatment Conditioner, and Awe Inspiraling Spray. The kit is $23 to buy, which is a bargain for everything you get!

So let's talk about each Jessicurl product individually:

• Rockin' Ringlets Styling Potion: I must admit I was skeptical about this after seeing it. It has the absolute oddest consistency that I have ever seen in a hair product. It's brown and very thin, so initially I assumed that I wouldn't like it. Well let me tell you I was wrong, I love this. It glides easily through my hair, and it helps give my curls better definition.
• Confident Coils Styling Solution: This is more of a styling lotion, it's white with the consistency of conditioner, a good conditioner anyway. It's meant to be used after Rockin' Ringlets, to help hold your curl pattern better. It worked for me beautifully, leaving me with well-defined, shiny, springy curls.
• Hair Cleansing Cream: This was another product in the line that I was initially skeptical of, it has a thin consistency like Rockin' Ringlets. Most cleansers are somewhat thick, and this isn't. Hair Cleansing Cream isn't a cleansing conditioner, or a shampoo. It's got it's own thing going on, when you first apply it to your hair is feels like it isn't really doing anything, and then you get this amazing lather. All without the use of sodium lauryl sulfate, which for curlies can be a curl killer.
• Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner: This is a super rich and creamy conditioner, which left my hair amazingly soft. I'm pretty picky about conditioners, as my hair can be finicky, and this one is definitely a keeper. If you have fine or thin hair, and thick conditioners weigh your hair down, this would be a great deep treatment option.
• Weekly Deep Treatment Conditioner: I left this is my hair overnight, since my hair is so damaged from years of pretending I don't have curly hair, and when I rinsed it out the next day my hair was ridiculously more manageable. It wasn't like magic in a bottle or anything, but my hair was easier to style, looked better, and felt super soft.
• Awe Inspiraling Spray: I'm not a 2nd day hair kind-of-girl, I completely redo my hair everyday, so this really hasn't gotten much use. I did spray it on my hair a few time, midday, just to see if I could restyle my hair with it, and it worked.

The Jessicurl Trial Kit that I got, I opted for the scented version, so I was able to try both of their scents out. I prefer products with scent in them. Both of the scents were pleasant, not overbearing at all, and didn't interfere with all the other scents I had on.

Bottom line, I really truly liked the Jessicurl line, it left my curls gorgeous, soft and manageable. I would definitely purchase for future use. The entire line is silicone free, so there's no need to shampoo occassionally to get rid of build up, which is a big problem of mine. They're also really affordable, everything is $12.75 each, for full-sized versions. You can also buy a full-sized version of the trial kit for $65.

Check everything out at Jessicurl!


Also stay tuned because very soon I'm going to be featuring a Jessicurl Giveaway, where one lucky reader will win a trial kit or 3 full-sized products. :)

Review: Sheer Cover Blush Duo in Ginger/Pinched

So this was another of the product's that Gunthy Renker sent me to try out and review for you ladies. I am a huge blush addict at the moment. My makeup obsessions are constantly changing, and currently blush is at the top of my list.

This is the Sheer Cover Blush Duo in Ginger/Pinched. I love that it has two shades in one container, you can mix them or use them alone, it just creates more options. The pink one, Pinched, is a beautiful bright pink with some shimmer to it. It's pretty much a universal blush color, I think any skin tone could wear it.Ginger reminds me of a bronzer mixed with blush, it's sort of bronze, yet still pinkish. It's also a gorgeous color, this one is a little trickier, if you're fair like me you're really going to need to use a light hand to wear this shade correctly. Both shades are beautiful, and are somewhat shimmery. I personally have found that mixing them gives more depth, and a nice finish.

Sheer Cover Blush Duo in Pinched/Ginger is a great option for an affordable blush with a lot of options. Just like all the products in the Sheer Cover line it can only be bought through Gunthy Renker's customer service line. If you're a member of the Home Delivery program you can save some money by ordering it in your kit.

I'll swatch both of these soon so you gals can get a better idea of the color payoff.

Review: Sheer Cover Mineral Powder Foundation

Hello gorgeous! I'm back with another review for you and this time it's Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation. I am an avid mineral makeup lover, and if your wondering why, then check out my post on that awhile back. I spoke with the very nice folks at Gunthy Renker and they agreed to send me some Sheer Cover to review for you dolls.

So anyway, Sheer Cover is a mineral foundation with a proprietary formula. Proprietary meaning no other mineral foundation has the exact same ingredients. I'm sure most of you have seen the infomercials, or reviews online. So where to begin?

• Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation is available exclusively through Gunthy-Renker, it can be bought through the 800 number or the website: Sheer Cover
• It comes in 9 colors, and if you order the kit you'll recieve 2 colors so you can mix if need be. We'll talk about the kit itself in another review.
• It has a less shiny finish than BE, more of a natural glow, and offers slightly more coverage.
• Sheer Cover, just like with any other good mineral foundation, won't look chalky or powdery if applied correctly. It's very pigmented, so a little goes a long way.

So what did I think about Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation? I liked it, it was sheer yet buildable, and gave me a great finish. The foundation sank into my skin and looked completely natural. If you love mineral foundations, like I do, than you should check it out. However, it does contain the dreaded bismuth oxychloride, so if you've had a reaction to it in the past, than Sheer Cover probably isn't for you.

 I happen to be the lightest color they make, so if you're pale like me, than don't order through the website, you need to call customer service and tell them so that they can send you the right shade. If you already bought it and the colors are wrong, then call customer service and they'll gladly send you the right color, at no extra cost.

Sheer Cover is, in my opinion, just as good as BE, with less shine and better coverage.

Who else likes Sheer Cover? Shecky's, where it won Best Foundation 2009!

Fight lines and wrinkles with Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster

Fight lines and wrinkles with Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster

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Spotlight on curly hair: Darcy's Botanicals

Spotlight on curly hair: Darcy's Botanicals

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Gorgeous Curly Celebrities

As we all know by now I'm a naturally curly girl, and I'm not buying into the idea that curls aren't beautiful, or should be straightened. I may style my hair all sorts of ways; curly, straight, and wavy, but I feel most like myself curly. I love my curls, they're wild and unruly, and have a mind of their own, much like I do. Curly girls should embrace their texture, and love what they've got.

So I thought I'd point out some awesome curly celebrities, who embrace their wild side.

Spotlight on curly hair: Hair Rules

Spotlight on curly hair: Hair Rules

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Ouidad Annual Deep Treatment Sale

Hey curly girls! If you're an Ouidad fan, and want super savings on Ouidad Deep Treatment Conditioner, then check out the sale! Ouidad is offering 20% savings on their Deep Treatments. The sale ends November 4th, so hurry because this sale only happens once a year.

Trick or treat with Tarte Cosmetics: Halloween makeup contest

Trick or treat with Tarte Cosmetics: Halloween makeup contest

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Review: Leslie Blodgett Perfume Diaries Bare Skin Eau de Parfum Spray

Sephora Says: Imagine you're on a tropical beach. The warm rays are beating down on you. There is nothing on the agenda for days, save for sunbathing, sipping umbrella drinks and sleeping in. Leslie Blodgett has captured the ultimate vacation through fragrance with this intoxicating blend of creamy sensuality, dreamy florals and sexy musks. Glowing, gorgeous sun-kissed skin that just begs to be touched is at the heart of this limited-edition scent, created exclusively for Sephora.

Top: No clock in sight and no reason to wake up (Black Pepper, Freesia, Anise).

Middle: Hot, hot hopping to the towel on sand (Iris, Vanilla Orchid, Plumeria, Patchouli).
Bottom: Finally, time to mingle, baring amber shoulders still warm from the day (Sandalwood, Labdanum, Musk).


Mrs. Blacksten Says: I was given the opportunity to sample Leslie Blodgett's Perfume Diaries Bare Skin Eau de Parfum Spray. I'm having trouble really describing what it smells like; it's quite musky, but in a sexy, understated way. It certainly isn't overpowering, and is truly a fall perfume. It's too heavy of a smell for summer or spring, but it is great for fall and winter.

It almost makes me think of incense and musk together, not nasty dollar store incense, the good stuff. I really like the smell, very deep and mysterious. I can't quite put my finger on it....There are a lot of notes of this and that, but nothing quite distinct. I have been walking around my house for 3 days smelling this, and I still can't quite think of the right word to describe this smell.

Bottom line, I like Leslie Blodgett's Perfume Diaries Bare Skin Eau de Parfum Spray. It's not too overpowering, or musky, it's nice blend and quite exotic. It can only be purchased at Sephora.

The New Look.........

Hello ladies, I'm sure you've noticed a HUGE change to the look of my blog. I'm not sure yet if I love it or not. I need some input, do you like it? I want something new and pretty, I'm just not sure this one is it, what are your thoughts??

Review: Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Foam Cleanser

Hi gals, I'm back with another review. This time it's Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Foam Cleanser. Typically I don't like super foamy face washes, but on yet another excursion to Wal-Mart, I wanted to try something new, and saw this.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Foam Cleanser left my skin feeling clean, without feeling dry or tight. It contains salicylic acid to combat breakouts, and blackheads. Also, it doesn't have a medicinal smell, it smells fine. I happen to wash my face when I'm in the shower, so the fact that it pumps foam out, instead of gel, is convenient.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Wash Foam Cleanser is readily available at almost every drugstore. And it's really cheap, I think it was like $5. This isn't a holy grail item, but it's a nice face wash.

DevaCurl is the brand of choice on Sex and The City 2

DevaCurl is the brand of choice on Sex and The City 2

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What Products I'm Currently In Love With

Hi ladies! I'm so sorry I haven't been posting much lately, I've been staying pretty busy with Examiner.com, and my life at home. Life gets crazy, and I get distracted, but beauty is always an obsession I keep close to my heart. So I've come across some products lately that I've added to the arsenal, and I thought I'd mention a few more of my staples. Hope you enjoy, and as always, please leave comments and let me know what you're loving, and hating!  :)

• MAC Fix+   I absolutely love this stuff. As all you ladies know, I'm obsessed with mineral makeup, and MAC Fix+ gives skin an even better finish. Simply apply your makeup like normal, and finish it off with a light misting of Fix+. It's that simple, and it works great. It's also great if you want high-impact eyes, instead of applying your eyeshadow dry, mist your brush with Fix+ before loading it with product, and BAM, full on color! This stuff has so many uses, I don't think I could list them all. If you wonna try it, head over to Youtube, and search for Enkore, he has a video about all the uses for MAC's Fix+.
• DevaCurl No-Poo Cleanser This is one of the best cleansing conditioners that I've used. The lovely folks at DevaCurl sent it to me to try for an article, and Wow! This stuff smells heavenly, and leaves my hair so soft. We all know how much I love the cleansing conditioners, so I'm alternating between this and Suave, so I don't run out to fast.  :)
• Ole Henriksen Truth Serum Collagen Booster  This is another product that was sent to me for an article. I've been using it for about two weeks, and it makes my skin glow. I love Vitamin C products because they smell like oranges, and yummy. This serum is great, and so far I absolutely love it!!

These are just a few products that I'm loving right now, and I promise there are more to come. If you've used any of these, let me know what you think.

Review: Jergens Naturals Ultra Hydrating Daily Moisturizer

Hello dolls! So on another excursion to my local Wal-Mart, I needed body lotion, and geez, prices have went up. Since when is body lotion $9 a bottle? So I noticed off to the end of the aisle, this Jergens Naturals Ultra Hydrating Daily Moisturizer for $5. It's a pretty big bottle, so at first I was skeptical that it was even worth trying, but I bought it anyway, who wants to shell out $9 for freakin body lotion? Not me!

So when my faithful Dove body lotion was all gone, I picked up the Jergens. Like I said I didn't think it would be very good, cause it was cheap. I was wrong! This body lotion first of all smells great, it's not to thick or thin, and left my skin soft all day. I hate when you use a lotion, only to be haunted by flakes mid-day. The $5 bottle I bought is also a good sized bottle, so I don't think I'll run out of it to quickly. Jergens Naturals Ultra Hydrating Daily Moisturizer is a big two thumbs up! If your running out of your favorite body lotion soon, then run down to Wal-Mart and grab this stuff!

                                                                              

Has anyone besides me tried this? What did you think? Love it or hate it?

Review: Eden Allure Argan Oil and Soap

Hi ladies! I talked about Argan Oil awhile back, and since then have had an opportunity to try some other brands. Today's post is about Eden Allure Argan Oil and Soap. I was given the opportunity to try both of these, and Wow!

 Eden Allure's Argan Oil is 100% pure, so it can be used on your body, face, and hair. Most Argan Oil treatments for your hair aren't pure Argan Oil, they're a mix, and have silicones in them, and therefore aren't a good idea to use on your skin, especially your face! Eden Allure's Argan Oil is fragrance-free, and comes in a bottle with a pump. The pump really helps eliminate messiness. I haven't tried it on my face yet, but I have used it in my hair. The consistency is a lot different than typical Argan Oil hair treatments, it's a little bit thicker. I hardly had to use any, and it left my curly hair shiny, and really cut down on frizz. It is a bit pricey at $30 for 2.2 oz., but if you want to try pure Argan Oil you should check out their site.

Now, on to the soap. Eden Allure sent me two kinds; grapefruit and lavender. So far I've only tried the lavender soap, but I really like it. The soap really smells like fresh lavender. The soap is made with Argan oil, organic coconut oil, organic palm oil, and organic sunflower oil. It has a really nice lather, and it left my skin soft without being oily. I'm kind of picky about soaps, but I have to say that I liked this one. It makes my entire bathroom smell like lavender, and I promptly need a nap. :) Each bar of soap is $8.

If you want more info, or want to check out their soaps check out the Eden Allure website.

I'm going to be posting some more reviews of Argan Oil brands soon, so stay tuned! Have you tried Eden Allure? What's your opinion?

Spotlight on Curly Hair: DevaCurl

The original Curly Girl, Lorraine Massey is a best-selling author, world famous hair stylist, and has her very own line of hair products for curly girls; DevaCurls, DevaCare, and DevaColor. I’m so jealous! Today we’re going to talking about DevaCurls!

The entire DevaCurl line is sulfate-free, as curly-girlies we should all know that sulfates are the enemy. Every product in the line is designed to give you the gorgeous, soft, shiny, bouncy curls that you crave.

DevaCurls cleans, hydrates, and styles. The best part is that the entire line is easy to use, doesn’t cost an entire paycheck, and does what it’s supposed to. Nobody wants to dish out their cash for products that simply don’t live up to the hype. Unless your looking to buy jumbo-sized, every DevaCurl product is under $25!

Cleanse
There are two Deva options for cleansing your hair; No-Poo and Low-Poo. If your like me and you don’t shampoo, then obviously No-Poo is the way to go. However, I know there are curly-girlies out there who like the lather, you need Low-Poo. Low-Poo is sulfate-free, and it hydrates while cleansing.

Condition
DevaCurl has a universal conditioner called One Condition, and holy crap, I wish every hair product I owned smelled like this. One Condition is super creamy, and left my hair feeling soft and silky. If you have incredibly dehydrated hair you may want to try Heaven In Hair, DevaCurls deep-conditioner.

Style
DevaCurl has five options for styling, they can be mixed and matched to your hearts’ content. Set It Free is a spray that locks in moisture for 24-48 hours, which helps keep your curls looking beautiful from one day to the next. AnGEL is a light-weight gel that gives great hold, and is completely water-soluble. B’Leave-In is a curl booster and volumizer, which is great for fragile or fine hair. Set Up & Above is for the ultimate hold, and it still manages to moisturize your curls. And just in case you don’t like going through the entire process everyday try Mist-er Right to rejuvenate tired or frizzy curls.

Every DevaCurl product is botanically infused, and hydrates, hydrates, hydrates. Lorraine Massey says hydration is the key to frizz prevention. When our curls are parched they reach out into their surroundings, looking for moisture from anywhere. This is seen as frizz, but Massey says if your hair is properly hydrated, it won’t go searching for moisture that it doesn’t need.

Want to know more? DevaCurl

Also, I highly recommend checking out the DevaCurl channel on Youtube!

Spotlight on Curly Hair: DevaCurls No-Poo Cleanser

The more and more research I do about co-washing, also known as washing your hair with conditioner, the more amazed I am, with what I find.

Enter DevaCurls, created by the original Curly Girl herself, Lorraine Massey. It’s called DevaCurl No-Poo Cleanser! This stuff smells like heaven in a bottle, leaves hair soft, and cleans your locks. I absolutely love multi-tasking products, especially those designed for curly ladies like myself.

DevaCurls No-Poo Cleanser is of course, sulfate-free. It’s scented with peppermint and Turkish rose. No-Poo leaves your hairs moisture balance in tact, while doing away with any dirt, oil, or grime. I cannot say enough about this bottle of joy, I think this may be love.

The best part about DevaCurl No-Poo Cleanser is that it won’t break the bank, it’s only $17.95 for a 12 oz. bottle.

Want more info? DevaCurl