PRODUCT REVIEW: HairZing accessories

I want to thank the folks at Hairzing for this wonderful product. The Hair Zing is the cutest and most sophisticated way to style a wash n' go on relaxed hair. It makes early morning styling so easy and I don't have to fiddle with fifty-million clips, pins and elastics. All in one. But, what makes this accessory so remarkable is the love sent around the world in every HairZing made and purchased.
It took me all of five minutes to style my hair with this doodad. Put one comb into your hair and stretch the other to the opposite side for a secure hold that lasts all day. No stray ends, and no frizzing out of the tough resin bands. Perfect for protective styling. You can wear HairZing with braids and twists, thick and curly or thin and straight, short or long hair.
Team Zing helps established business around the world for women who need them. These women weave every bead into the strong bands connected to every comb and are paid equal wages so they can help provide for their families in their homes or villages. Every item purchased from the Massai collection supports a Kenyan woman across the ocean in Africa, giving her the support she needs to make her own money without interference.

In China,mothers need jobs that don't require them to live in dormitories of factories and miss the most precious moments of their young children's lives. HairZing allots this, by paying them for an activity that can be done right in their home as the little ones hover nearby. Safe and secure.



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Is Mineral Makeup Just Made Up?

"Natural, " "Pure," "Safe" are the hot new buzzwords popping up all over your local beauty isle. Cosmetics so natural and pure you can sleep in them? Whoa! That's a pretty bold claim. But, companies are not afraid to bank on it. With talk of Global Warming and Eco-conscience sending the world in a panic everyone is trying to become more green-friendly and aware of the items that touch their hair and skin.
Mineral makeup is supposed to contain all natural elements from the earth, broken down into the smallest particles so as to be absorbed into and help heal the skin. But, according to WebMD article I found, these new lines or mineral-laden products can either be the best thing smoking or the greatest beauty scam of all time.

Not all of these Mineral come from the Earth and some can actually exacerbate your problems.
Bismuth oxychloride, the main stuff that gives your skin the "glow" while using mineral makeup, is a byproduct of lead and copper processing.

"Bismuth oxychloride is considered a skin irritant and can cause itching and rashes and in large amounts it can cause cystic acne as well – it's one of the ingredients you should try to avoid if you have acne or Rosacea or sensitive skin,"
~ Dr. Katherine Frew of Juva Skin and Laser Center and MediSpa, New York City.

Some mineral-based cosmetics still have binders, colorants and preservatives such as parabens. I did a quick search on Cosmetic Safety Database and found several brands marketing themselves as "bare," anything but. Elizabeth Arden Bare Perfection Flawless Finish Foundation got a 7-rating for the frangrance and preservatives. M.A.C. Mineralized Skin Finish is linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity.

Even those sneaky sprites at Bare Escentuals was caught red-handed profiting with a paraben-and-cancer-inducing line of foundations and powders.Tsk,tsk!

The idea of mineral makeup itself can be a cause for alarm.Breaking down the molecules to tiny particles can cause toxic reactions!

"Minerals like zinc and titanium are safe when applied to healthy skin but in a micronized nanoparticle form, there remains a concern, particularly when applied to damaged skin, or when inhaled,"
~ Jane Houlihan, research director of consumer watchdog agency,
The Environmental Working Group in Washington.

I did a quick search on Cosmetic Safety Database and found several brands marketing themselves as "bare" are anything but. Elizabeth Arden Bare Perfection Flawless Finish Foundation got a 7-rating for the frangrance and preservatives. M.A.C. Mineralized skin finished was linked to cancer and reproductive toxicity.

Even those sneaky sprites at Bare Escentuals got caught red-handed profiting with a paraben and cancer-inducing line of foundations and powders.

Not to mention, the main ingredients in mineral makeup can easily be found in any other cosmetic formulation. Dr. Ben Kasminsky, a pharmaceutical chemist and author of Beyond Botox: 7 Secrets for Sexy, Ageless Skin, calls mineral makeup "a genius marketing plan." He says zinc, titanium oxide and mica have been around in foundations, blushes, and eyeshadows forever.
Right oh! I found several companies redistributing the same ole stuff they've been selling for years under the guise of "mineral." Don't believe me? Vincent Longo's tinted moisturizer, Almay Smartshade, Burt's Bees Natural Vanishing Face Powder and Covergirl TruBlends all had the same ingredients. The first two(non- "bare")--with their preservative-using asses-- and the last two were "mineral" cosmetics. Each contain either titanium dioxide, talc or some iron minerals.
So, the lesson of today, ladies? You can fool some of the people some of the time. You can fool most of the people all of them time. But, you cannot fool Ms. LeAnne...none of the time. You're not going to die if you don't switch to mineral cosmetics right away because this gunk is no more purer than bovine fecal matter. I'm not discouraging anyone from buying mineral makeup, but don't let people sell you snake oil in a can and call it "natural" just to amuse your palatial desire for innovation.

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Steal The Look: Kimora Lee at Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala

This past weekend, the stars came out for the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala. The theme this year was Superheroes and Kimora Lee Simmons went all out. She wore a unique multi-hued, Jubilee-inspired gown with the matching eyewear that brought out the best of her uniquely shaped eyes. I tried my hardest to emulate this look and capture it with my cheap camera. A few of the items I have are no longer in production, so I've matched them with items I know are still around and work just as well.

Prep Canvas:

• I rubbed Smashbox Starlight Photofinish(discontinued) allover my face [Try Napoleon Perdis Retouch] .
• Applied two coats of concealer (I have very dark circles) around the upper lid and under eyes: Stila Eye Concealer in Bronze (discontinued) and M.A.C. Select Cover-up in NC50.
• Applied M.A.C. Shape And Sculpt in Warm Light/Definitive to contour bridge of nose, then M.A.C. Sheer Tone Blush in Peachtwist on the apples of my cheeks.
• Used M.A.C. Studio F/X in NC 50 for spot coverage (around nose, chin and forehead, as well as pimples).

Step One: The Lips


Apply lipstick first :Maybelline wet Shine in Flushed (discontinued) You may use Sephora Lip Attitude in Pink Carress and added M.A.C. Dazzleglass in Baby Sparks as a top coat.

Step Two: The Eyes



Contour eyes with L'Oreal Wear Infinite in Rich, then smeared Smashbox Single Shadow in 24 Carat.



I applied M.A.C. Pigment in Bell-Bottom Blue and Submarine on the rim of the lower eyelid. I recommend you get heavy-handed with it and and blend all the way to where the eyes and nose meet.



ow, I used a second coat with black eyeliner (Lancome Precision Point Artliner in Noir), but focused on the outer portion of lower lid. Then, I applied a coat of black liner to the lash line on upper lid, bringing liner all the way to the edge of lower eyelid. I used one swipe of Maybelline XXL Volume + Length and patted the lashes so they won't clump (this mascara is old now).






























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Do not steal these photos. I will effin' sue you.

Beauty Bargains For Mother's Day!

I'm in the NYC this week so don't expect lengthy articles. But, until I can get the free-time and motivation to post something new, here are some bargains, beauty news and giveaways for you. Spend that cash, hoe!

• Enter the Mom's Ultimate Giveaway at BenefitCosmetics.com! Entries accepted through 5.10.08.
• Spend $50 or more at Petite Sophisticate;and receive FREE Shipping + FREE returns!&nbs
  p;Offer expires 6.30.08.
• Get the latest Chi iron; T3 blowdryer and Murad products for less at Misikkos. offer runs now through May 11th.
• Carol's Daughter says you only have until Mothers Day to get free shipping on ANY order. One, two or three items, any price.
• Free value back with any Miss Jessie's purchase. That means mini sizes of the line. Whoo hoo!
• Timetospa.co.uk is offering Pro Collagen Wrinkle Smooth Pen worth £85 with every sale worth £99 or more. Just quote the code AFFWS at checkout.

Hair Updates

March-April '08

These are my results after using my Maxiglide.

REVIEW: Maxiglide Review

I want to thank Misikko for sending my Maxxius Maxiglide iron in safe and perfect condition. I could not have asked for better customer service.
Maxiglide iron is the one to beat out of all those on the market. Why? The steam feature and detangling combs are truly unique unto anything else.
The price was probably the best feature. I do love my Generic Chi Iron from Sally's Beauty Supply, but at $59 its only so much of a bargain when compared to the price of a Maxiglide iron (runs $70-80).
The first flaw I noticed with the Maxiglide iron is the size and heaviness of the unit. As I was watching 28 Weeks Later and using this iron for the first time and I couldn't help but to think: If only they had one of these! You could seriously bash a zombie's brain in to mush with this club of a straightening iron.
There's no way in heckleberry one would be able to use this with short hair. The two inch places are huge and in order to utilize the steam feature, you have to have at least an 4-6 inches of hair to use the steam feature. The packaging says you should use the steam feature only when the hair is 3 inches away from scalp. Honestly, and inch will be just fine. But, if you're have a kinkier hair texture such as mine, the whole purpose of the iron is to use the steam feature to straighten your naps.
The steam feature is also very tricky-tricky to use. You cannot close the iron all the way to use it or else nothing will come out. This is not the main component for straightening the hair. I guess the steam was created to loosen the curls so when you do close the iron it will be easier for the hair to run through the detangling pins on the hot plates.

Oh, and let me forget to mention that I totally hydro-scalped myself with the steam. Omigosh! That shit hurt like hell!

However, with all these faults I can honestly say I've never used an iron that straightened my hair as well as this one. I didn't have frazzled ends and my styled lasted for days. My family kept raving about how soft my hair was. I adored having a pouch to put the iron and that it didn't come with many accessories to lose! I liked the ridges on the back of the iron to keep it from sliding off my counter or dressers. There isn't a long cord knocking all over my bedroom, strategically discrete so I may trip and bust my head open (but, Hey! At least my hair looked great!).
I did see breakage while using this iron, but I will explain why:
I'm not sure if it was a good idea to blowdry my hair straight and then use this iron, because the course texture of the strands will cause them to become tangled in the pins on the hot plates. If you are several weeks post touch-up, I know many of the women on LHCF create fat twists with their hair the night before using the Maxiglide, just to soften the hair.
I personally used a lot of Castor oil to lubricated my strands so they would glide easier through the iron and that worked. Obviously, you don't want sticky hair so don't use more than a quarter size amount and run it through your damp hair so the oil will absorb better. I knew the steam feature was just right for me because it didn't allow my hair to scorch and sizzle because of the oil, so I didn't have to worry about my head smelling like cooked Keratin.
The best advice I can give to anyone thinking about purchasing this iron is to watch the DVD (comes in the box) on how to use it and read the directions. Don't allow the complications to immediately discourage you. With practice, I know I'm going to adore having this one.

I'll create a video soon (once I purchase a video-editing software) and post it here and on YouTube, Vimeo and Myspace--- so don't fret! For now, you can enjoy this one from the Home Shopping Network.

Anthony Dickey Hair Rules Line

Anthony Dickey, author of Hair Rules!, has expanded his curly hair techniques from bookstores to cosmetics isle. His team of stylists and hair enthusiasts alike managed to finally put their ideas inside of a bottle with his new line of products by the same name as the book.Dickey wants to encourage curly heads to embrace their god-given texture and maximize its potential and he's often remark about the small market for kinky, wavy, curly textures.

"Typically, products geared to the kinkiest of textured hair have been relegated to their own special section in the drugstore aisle and can be boiled down to two types: those that chemically alter the hair and those that try to tame it with greasy or waxy ingredients. and the products marketed to non-kinky curly hair don't fare much better; many of them cause extreme dehydration. these products reflect a one-dimensional approach to kinky, curly and wavy hair, and none of them address the multiple textures of an ethnically diverse world."

These products are dedicated to helping consumers get the best out of their curls without mega breakage. (These products can also be used in relaxed or straight hair). The line contains organic ingredients and has everything you need to get the most results from your curly hair, from clarifying shampoo to a deep conditioner. The Quench deep conditioner contains a melange of Avocado extracts, Jojoba and Shea butter.
The leave-in is a smooth emulsion of honey, ginger root, lemon and Gardenia (gosh that sounds as if it smells divine). There is an Aloe-Grapefruit shampoo and one without sulfates for gentle everyday cleansing. I may have to try this one out to see if its as good as the website says it is. If any of you have used these products, leave me a quick ditty in the comments box.