Tips, Tricks, and General Beauty Advice

As an African American woman, I am often faced with many challenges when it comes to my hair and skin.  I seem to think I have the makeup under control. :-)  But from time to time, we all can use a little change in our routines.  So, when the invitation was extended to participate in a Guide to African American Beauty, I jumped at the chance to offer my advice.  For tips on African American hair, skin, and makeup read on.......

Total Beauty Review - YSL Parisienne Fragrance

YSL Parisienne Fragrance

I was excited to receive the new YSL Parisienne fragrance in the mail. I wasn't as excited when I tried it on my skin. The rose scent was very nice, but it didn't last all day. Not only that, the rose scent did not smell as nice as it started to fade away. When it comes to fragrance, I tend to like vanilla and more subtle fragrances. Although this was subtle, I found it to be very 'loud'. For more reviews, click here...

Total Beauty Review

L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara

The moment I saw the brush of the L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara, I knew that it was going to be an interesting experience. I tried the mascara and instantly fell in love with it. The spherical brush attacks every single lash individually. It even allows me to apply mascara to lower lashes and lashes in the inner corners. There are no lashes left behind. This has been by far my favorite mascara of all time!! To read more reviews on this and other great L'Oreal products, click here ...

L'Oreal Paris Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara

When I received this product, I was excited to try it because I've seen the product and promotional photos for the product in the mass retail stores as well as ads in the magazines. The model in the ads had the longest and fullest lashes ever I wanted my lashes to be the same. So, after I tried it, I didn't have lashes like the models' but I was definitely satisfied. The L'Oreal paris Extra Volume Collagen Mascara made my lashes longer and fuller and even a little stronger. It didn't irritate my eyes when wearing my contacts, like some mascaras and eye liners do. I am definitely happy with the product and it is now my new choice for mascara. The mascara retails for $7.95 at mass market retailers. For mor reviews on this product, click here...

L'Oreal Paris Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Eye

I wasn't excited about this product in whole. The am side was fine and it has an SPF 15, so that was great, but the pm side was not moisturizing at all. And to me, that's not good because I believe the moisture is needed at night. And after using it for the required amount of time, I haven't really seen a difference. The product is available at mass market retailers for a suggested retail price of $19.99. To see more reviews, click here...

Total Beauty Product Review

L'Oreal Paris Body Expertise: Sublime Bronze Luminous Bronzer Self Tanning Lotion

I tested the product where I could. It seemed to work well, but I am not in need of a tan. My body is bronzed naturally. :-) I loved the fresh scent of the bronzer. I did notice that it contains an Alpha Hydroxy Acid, so if wearing, be sure to wear a sunscreen to prevent sunburn. A bronzer is not something that I will continue to use on myself, but I will definitely use it on my clients when the opportunity presents itself. Read more...

Total Beauty Product Review

L'Oreal EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care System: UV Protect Spray

Anything from the L'Oreal EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care system is going to be a winner for me. The UV protect spray has a wonderful fragrance...Rosemary Mint. Its lightweight and refreshing. I love it because it gives my hair added protection and the moisture that it needs to prevent breakage. Two thumbs up!!!
For more reviews on this product or other products from the L'Oreal EverPure Sulfate-Free Color Care System, check this out....

Total Beauty Review - Herbal Essences Toussle Me Softly

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly

I wasn't exactly excited when I received these products in the mail. They are nothing like the products that I use on my hair (so I thought). The products promised to 'achieve the tousled look from wet to set'. After using them, I can't say that I was impressed. My hair didn't feel as soft and manageable as it normally does. To be very honest, these products are just not for my hair type. To get a better idea of what The Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly products can do, check out, www.totalbeauty.com/previews.

Total Beauty Review - Caress Exfoliating Body Wash & Beauty Bar

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash & Beauty Bar

I love this body wash and beauty bar. They make my skin feel really soft and smooth. I love the gentle feel of the exfoliating beads. They both have the fragrance of brown sugar and karite butter which moisturizes the skin. The product is called 'Evenly Gorgeous, but I didn't see any difference in my skin tone. It sure felt good though. For more reviews, log on to http://www.totalbeauty.com/productreviews

Total Beauty Review - Q-Tips Vanity Packs

Q-Tips Review

Qtips Vanity Packs

I was shocked when I received 4 pretty boxs of Qtips cotton swabs in the mail. I thought, "They are cotton swabs, What do I do with these'? The new cotton swabs have more cotton on them. If you are one of those women who are on a budget and don't want to spend alot of money on makeup brushes, these are for you. They hold alot of product very well and are perfect for cleaning up messes around the eyes and lips. Try them out, I recommend them. For more reviews on Qtips cotton swabs and other products, http://www.totalbeauty.com/reviews

True Shimmer

I was a little curoius when I received the new Chapstick lip balms in the mail. I thought, "Wow", Chapstick is doing something different. They did something different alright. They added shimmer to the balms as well as different flavors. I tried all of the ones that I received. I didn't like the shimmer in the lip balm because it is very noticeable. It's not at all subtle the way the label stated. It also left my lips looking 'white'. Didn't like that at all!! For more reviews on this product, log on to http://www.totalbeauty.com/reviews

H.I.P. - 'High Intensity Pigment'

High Intensity Pigment was what I was expecting when I applied the color presso lip gloss, but instead I got thick, sticky gloss all over my lips. The texture of the gloss was too thick for me. It was not as bad as some lines, but I'm used to nice moisture in a gloss and not something thats going to make my hair stick to my lips. I loved the color. It was #182, Trendy. I can't really say much more about this one because it didn't really impress me. For more reviews on L'Oreal HIP, visit http://www.totalbeauty.com/reviews

L'Oreal HIP is kinda 'hip'!

L'Oreal Hip High Intensity Pigments - Kohl Eyeliner

I received a couple of cool looking products from L'Oreal HIP that I enjoyed trying out. The colors intrigued me. I received a navy kohl eyeliner that I use all the time. I wasn't so sure at first when I saw the felt tip applicator. I didn't know what to with it. I wasn't sure if it needed to be wet or not. After clearing up the confusion, I loved it. I totally recommend the eyeliner. It comes in other great colors like gold, burgundy, teal, etc. For more reviews on L'Oreal Hip and other beauty products, log on to http://www.totalbeauty.com/reviews

Total Beauty - Max Factor

Max Factor - Vivid Impact LipColor (#4 - Pin Up Pink)

After years of wearing only lipgloss, I decided that 2009 I would try wearing more lipstick. When I received the Max Factor Vivid Impact Lip Color, I thought, "now is my chance." I wasn't too crazy about the color, but I made it work. Without a lip balm, the lipstick did not add much moisture at all to my lips. I had to add a lip balm in order for the product to feel good on my lips. The lipstick was average, but I've had better. To read more reviews on this lipcolor or on any other Max Factor product, go to http://www.blogger.com/www.totalbeauty.com/reviews

Total Beauty - Max Factor

Max Factor - 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash Plumper

When I received this mascara in the mail, I thought, "Wow, another mascara. Let's see how different this one is going to be." I loved the length and especially the fullness of my lashes after application. I didn't really care for the fat brush. It felt really akward in my hand. All in all, this is a nice mascara. It does what it says it's going to do. To read more of this review and other beauty reviews, go to http://www.totalbeauty.com/productreviews

L'Oreal EverPure Moisture Shampoo & Conditioner

When I first received the L'Oreal Paris EverPure products (shampoo & conditioner) in the mail, I wasn't sure they would work well with my hair type. My hair is naturally curly and kinky. I thought that I would try the products for a month before doing the review ( I only shampoo once a week). I just figured that I would need products that were geared towards women of color. Boy was I wrong about these products!! They were amazing! The shampoo is scented with rosemary and juniper. It lathered very well ,even on the first shampoo. It left my hair feeling very soft and well moisturised without using a lot of product. The conditioner is scented with rosemary and mint. It left my hair soft and manageable and full of body. It didn't have a dull look. The great thing about these products are, they are sulfate-free, contain Vitamin E, do not strip hair of color, and they are 100% vegan. What more can you ask for??!!

For more product reviews, go tohttp://www.totalbeauty.com/productreview