DAB'S TALKS BEAUTY
New MUST HAVE addition to my Skin Regimen- Vit C Serum!!

 Hiya,


Been meaning to update the Dabs talks Beauty Page with this relatively new addition to my skin regimen...I am not a beauty/skin care junkie by any chance but my Mum and Sister (who is finally starting a skin care blog by the way) are, over the years they have tasked me to take better care of my skin especially as I suffer from major sun damage whenever I don't, so lately I finally heed, I've starting using the most amazing SPf spray(which I will blog about)- used it for over 6 months and I also introduced this Vit C serum to my regimen...



The thing is, when I was pregnant for my second son, my skin was in the worst shape it has ever been,  just horrible and for the first time in my life I was dealing with acne on a major scale all over my forehead, below is a picture, look closely you can see the bumps even though I used foundation to cover them up...




By the time I had Anaz, my forehead was seriously discolored due to all the scaring from the acne and melasma (pregnancy mask)...see me on delivery day as I received my bundle of joy!!


After a few months I noticed the scars fade a little but my sister was insistent that my face was darker than the rest of my body and I needed to get rid of all the dead skin....enter in EXFOLIATION which I did religiously most of last year and still do...the next step to ensuring that the scars were gone for good was to build back my collagen...enter in VIT C SERUM...

Vitamin C is a prime ingredient of collagen, the substance that binds cells together. Collagen metabolism and production are key attributes of healthy, radiant, younger looking skin. Collagen ingredients promote collagen production and depends on vitamin C. Stable collagen production fights wrinkles and ensures evenness in the skin's tone and texture.

Vitamin C is crucial to the body's immune system, it's an antioxidant and serves as an aggressive free-radical fighter. Notedly, Humans are one of the few animal species that cannot produce vitamin C internally, and must incorporate it into diets and supplements to ensure it can perform its many beneficial functions in the body. It reaches every cell of the body and fights off immune-system invaders, while also playing a key role in the body's connective tissue. 

It strengthens the skin barrier and thickens the dermis, expedites the healing of wounds and reduces inflammation. In high concentrations, it can reduce the appearance of skin discoloration. 

As you can see from my research above, VIT C is the go to vitamin for skin care especially when dealing with skin discoloration from acne blemishes and sun damage (you need to see my pictures from NYSC!!! even with all the SPF lotion, I was so sun burnt, I looked like toasted bread!!- LOL)

Anyways, so why a serum instead of a lotion or moisturizer, my research proved serums are better because  they are often lighter and thinner in consistency compared to a moisturizer which mean they absorb into the skin better without clogging the pores, I simply apply a few drops by hand to my face and neck after cleansing and then apply the SPF spray and I'm good, I don't use a moisturizer on my face(works for me). From my research serums are more potent because they are usually more concentrated and able to penetrate deep into the skin layers, while moisturizers address only the superficial surface tissue and its condition.

The particular serum I am using is called Insta Natural Advanced Formula Vit C Serum, contains 20% vit c, hyaluronic acid, argan oil, rosehip oil, ferulic acid, seaa buckthorn oil, plant stem cells and promegranate. Smells like fresh orange juice and I use it day and night...

 These days all those marks/discoloration from August/ September 2013 are gone and it's like they were never there... all thanks to sticking to this regimen of exfoliation and building my collagen!!
WITHOUT MAKEUP
WITH MAKEUP

Please let me stress this fact- as always I am merely just sharing what works for me, with skin care I am even less of an authority than with hair so as always do what works for YOU....

Anyone incorporating ViT C serums in their regimen? Feel free to share your MUST HAVE skin care product from your regimen below.


Xxx

Dabs






MY FACIAL SPONGE FROM THE SEA BED.

 Hiya,
Its been a while since I put up a post on my beauty page!! I've had quite a lot of people comment on what I do to my skin especially my face to keep it clear from acne and spots. While I have to credit a chunk of the way my skin is to genes from my Dad's side, I still make the effort...

 I recently decided to stop using my body sponge for my face after reading about the benefits of having a special facial sponge, my procedure involved completely washing out my body sponge so that the body soap which is too harsh for the face was completely removed and then I'd proceed to apply my facial wash which must have salycilic acid on my face and then use the sponge in a circular motion to scrub my face for about a minute...this procedure proved to be a hassle so at the just concluded Salon Day Out, I stumbled on the Ebony & Indigo ltd Stand and saw these sponges they said were from I think the Dead sea, I decided to purchase the smallest size and designate it as my facial sponge;

My Sponge


I can imagine the sponges come from a similar sea bed like the picture above. Mine cost N2500, It initially felt hard and small but just like a Beauty Blender, once water get in contact with it, it becomes soft and swells. It however remains firm and I like how it exfoliates my skin. I simply apply the facial wash all over my face and then I use the sponge all over my face. After I'm done using it, I rinse it out and store it in my sponge basket which has holes and allows it fully drain out as a constantly soaked sponge can store bacteria and lead to acne and breakouts.

I think its fair to say that I have found the perfect facial sponge!!

Who else has a special facial sponge? Anyone tried out these Sea Bed Sponges? Feel free to comment below!

Xxx
Dabs


 MY QUEST FOR THE PERFECT FOUNDATION
Welcome to my Beauty page!! I start off my beauty posts with a true quest that has spanned many years; The quest for the perfect foundation for my skin tone!!!



 Up until just a few months ago, finding the right liquid/creamy foundation has been a major challenge because of my complexion that is not fair or dark but somewhere between red and orange!!Haha yes I am describing my complexion not a fruit!!

Anyway's it is because of this reason I have stayed well away from foundation for all these years and just stuck with using compact powders but I always admired  the made up look using foundation tends to create so about a year ago I decided to start using foundation  but  with no luck; see a few of my foundations pics;




The very first foundation I purchased was by Maybelline Fit me in number 355;

I thought it would be the perfect 'fit' as it looked close to my complexion but unfortunately it made me look darker than I am and just gave me a masked face; See how much darker I look in those pictures( above). Then I went to the MAC counter and asked for a match and was matched with Mac's NW45- bought the liquid and creme foundations (The darkest ones on the counter in the picture above)- Same really dark look!

Was not feeling it at all then I tried Mac's NW43 liquid and creme at the suggestion of another Mac make up artist, that didn't work either-gave me an ashy undertone (see picture above),  Loreal's Magic Nude liquid powder foundation ( the one with the purple cover on the counter-love love how this feels, will do a review) came a close second but I was still not satisfied......


THEN I visited the MAC counter yet again, said a little prayer "Lord I don't want to keep wasting money on foundations I will not use, please direct me today'', then I noticed one of the artist's had my skin tone, I walked to her, brought out my NW43 foundationd and said ''Hi, everyone tells me that this is NOT my foundation color'', She said ''and they are right, have a sit, let me try something on you''-That was the beginning of the end of my quest! LOL

She took a few swatches and finally settled for Mac's NC50!!!

And just like magic it fit perfectly!!! Sephora was just a few stores away so I decided to stop by and try a compact powder from a brand called Makeup Forever because I heard rave reviews, I picked their Pro-Finish powder in 175  which has the perfect red undertone for my skin.


That very day I tried on the foundation and powder and I loved it!!

And I have been loving every minute of foundation wearing since then :)

So its settled Mac's NC50 and Makeup Forever's 175 pro-finish powder are my go to foundation and powder! The quest is over!!

What's your's? Did you have trouble finding it? 
Feel free to share your thoughts...

Xxx
Dabs



HIGHLIGHTING AND CONTOURING- TAKES SOME GETTING USED TO!! 

 Hiya,
Let me start by saying, ''The things YOUTUBE will suck you into''!! I have been fascinated about highlighting and contouring for a while since stumbling across you tube videos on them. Some ladies know how to do it right and some just look like masquerades afterwards!! After watching makeup guru after makeup guru, I went shopping for the right highlight and contour tools that will suit my skin tone and not make me end up looking like a drag queen.

So my little stash is made up of;

MAC'S Concealer in N35;
 Or for a milder highlight, L'Oreal True match concealer in C6-7-8

OR 
MAC'S Prep & prime highlight pen in Peach Lustre;


I apply the concealer/Highlight pen to under my eyes, and areas light will hit like my cheek bones, T-zone down the bridge of my nose, top  and bottom of my lip, just before my jaw line...




I use a foundation brush to smooth things out...



 Then I set the concealer with a pressed powder by MAC;



Next its time to contour using a darker powder, my choice is a dark pressed powder from Sleek, I don't use a dark foundation underneath, I just apply a foundation in my skin tone to areas I didn't' highlight.
 The dark powder goes on the hollows of my cheeks, right under my cheek bones, I suck my cheeks in for emphasis, on the sides of my nose and my temple(sides of my forehead near my hair line).  I also apply a little on my jaw line.


To finish up the process, I love to apply a shimmer blush/ bronzer on my highlighted areas especially my cheek bones and the tip of my nose, right now I am loving Maybelline FIT ME's Peach blush;

And voila;



I do realize that I still have to perfect my blending skills especially my hair line so I don't look like I have a mask on but as with most things, practice makes perfect...I've been getting better, the picture below is from last week;



If you are wondering what eye shadow I used to get that strong yellow pigment to match my dress, wonder no more, its YELLOW CHALK!! LOL

Just Kidding....its from a Shany eye shadow palette;

love this palette for the variety, mixed with a little gloss, these shadows can last all day!!!

That's all for  now on this, feel free to share your tips on highlighting and contouring!

Xxx
Dabs

MY PRESENT BEAUTY LOVES;
Hiya,
Its been a while since I updated this page!!
Well I am here to let you all in on the beauty products I am presently loving!!

BODY SCRUBS!!!
I recently became a convert! They make your face and body feel so smooth and exfoliated, I indulge everyday!! Right now I am using
KUU Spa biowoman tumeric and sea salt scrub;
 And Naturessence Orange Skin Peel & Gentle scrub
Both gotten from Ebeanor Supermarket.
When I want a super fruity smell that just puts a smile on my face, I use Anatomicals tropical smoothie body scrub! We stock it on SAVVY & CHIC HAIR BEAUTY HUB (LINK)


No lie, I have gotten so many compliments on how smooth and clear my skin has been looking even from complete strangers!



The next on the list is the KEVYN AUCOIN SENSUAL SKIN ENHANCER!


If you watch YOU TUBE makeup videos you will know that aside the  Ben Nye Banana Powder, this is the next most raved about product for highlights and concealing! I just got mine today in the color SX 12;
I tried it on and I must say a little goes a long way which made me super happy because it means this product will last a long time!! Will be doing an in depth review soon but so far so great!

The next beauty love has to be my EOS Sweet Mint lip balm!

This is another product that seems like it will last forever which is great! It soothes my lips instantly, a great base for lipsticks, tastes yum, it also is a bonus that it is organic! You can now choose from a variety of scents/flavors for yourself at the SAVVY & CHIC HAIR BEAUTY HUB ( LINK), thank me later!!

Finally I am LOVING Matte nail polishing!! 

I have always loved a matte lip now there are matte nails which I am loving. I recently bought Essie's Matte about you nail polish;
This nail polish can turn everything in its sight, MATTE! Stay tuned, the next edition of the Savvy & Chic Magazine will wow you with different creative matte nail looks to recreate!!

I have come to the end of this post, thanks for clicking this page and showing it some love!

Xxx
Dabs