Product review: Jordana matte lipstick in POPPY PINK

Jordana poppy pink lipstick lined with Zaron Prune juice pencil

I got this hot number from a makeup studio here in Ibadan a few weeks ago and hadn't actually had the time or motivation to use and/or review it. But today is it's day!

Ok so what does Jordana have to say about it?

Matte Lipstick

• Opaque Matte Coverage
• Non-Drying, Comfortable
• Long Wearing & Non-Feathering
• Velvety-Smooth Feel
• Made In USA

NET WT .12 OZ/3.4g

My views

Colour:

This is a hot fuchsia pink lipstick, bother-line purple, definitely not for the faint hearted.

The colour pay-off is fantastic, one or two swipes is all you need to get you popping pink!

Texture:

I don't know if i totally agree with Jordana that this is Matte,  i'd say it's semi-matte because compared with other brands of matte lipstick i've tried, this is the least drying. In fact it doesnt feel dry at all ( and this kind of affects it's opacity), and does'nt look totally dry either.

Staying power: 

I can't say this is the longest lasting matte lipstick i've used, . But it lasts about 4 hours and some before you need a touch up. 

My verdict:

I really like it, the colour is intense, though the shade is not quite right for me so i'm going to buy others and try them out. Plus i like the fact that its not so dry as to divide  your lips like a stripped shirt as matte lippies are prone to do after a while(hahaha). However, it does settle in creases as with all lippies so you might want to exfoliate your lips before using it.

As far as the price goes, bought it N500 and it's sold officialy for $1.46 or so, its a good buy.

So yes i'd recommend this to those who like how so chaud, ruby woo and co look but can't be bothered to invest N4000 in a tube of lipstick.

Throwback Thursday: Sep 2011 bride

Today i'm bringing you pictures of a bride i had a few years ago. I enjoyed every minute i had to enhance her facial features.

Like it? 

drop a comment below.

PS
IT's my Husband and mother's birthday today! (yes they are birthday mates) please say a word of prayer for them on my behalf.
xx Olubunmi

Beauty, wellness and empowerment for women: What's In (or not)!

hellobeautiful.com

As much as i don't like to follow trends ( i like to create mine), sometimes some looks can get out dated and need to be done away with or something new is so cool, you might just want to try and see if it suits you (if it doesn't, drop it like it's hot! lol).
So on Wednesdays, we will be talking about such things, and if there's none on the floor, i'd just do my own thing!

Yesterday was the 2015 SAG (screen actors guild) awards and the who is who of Hollywood was there. No serious makeup trends were created but the most prominent feature was that almost everyone went heavy on the liner matching it with either nude lips or reds and oranges. Skin trend was dewy, glowing skin.
Not everyone hit it for me though!
But all in all it was a beautiful red carpet and congratulations to the winners.

getty images

getty images

Tipsy Tuesday: Tone those arm muscles

Tuesdays are for tips!
when I ask women what parts of their bodies they would like to focus their workouts on, I mostly hear "my stomach, my laps, my arms". So today i'm going to show us a 3 exercises that will reduce the flab in your arms and generally give  stronger biceps and triceps muscles.

1. Bicep curls

womens health magazine

Hold a pair of dumbells (2 to 5kg) by your side, palms facing up then bend your arms at the elbows and bring them up to your shoulder, then put them back down to the starting position. Do this 10 times, rest 30 seconds and repeat twice.

2. wall push ups

stock photo

stand in front of a wall, put your arms out in front of you until your arms rest on the wall and are straight. make sure your back is straight as well and not bent forward, feet slghtly bent backwards. Then bend your arms at the elbows and move toward the wall until your chin touches the wall and push yourself back to starting position. start with 10 reps and increase as you get more accustomed to the exercise.

3. Tricep dips

stock photo

Sit with your butt slightly touching the edge of a chair and support yourself with your arms on the chair. Make sure your back is straight and feet bent forward. then bend your arms at the elbow and move down towards the floor keeping your back straight as you go down. Raise yourself back to the starting position. start with 5 reps and increase by 3 daily. e.g 5, 8, 11, 14...

Try them for 4 weeks and let me know what results you get
Till next time,
XX
Olubunmi

Motivational monday: Don't have to worry!

stock photo

Yesterday in church, the choir sang a song and part of the lyrics is this:

you know what's best for me
its you who supplies my every need
so i don't worry about what tomorrow may bring
since you watch over your word
and just like your word, you watch over me.

A lot of times we find ourselves in a state of frenzy! Where is my husband? where is my job? where is my business? where are my babies? where is my house? where is my car?...
And I've come to realize that no matter how hard we worry, worry NEVER has and NEVER will solve a problem. So what does? you may ask. Well with the little i have gained in my 30 something years on earth, i know that faith (a strong belief), desire and action is what solves issues.
I encourage you today to look within with the eyes of your heart and encourage yourself in the Lord like i'm doing right now. And while you are waiting for that miracle to happen, don't just sit and cross your legs, improve yourself. Study, pray, prepare and don't forget to laugh. Joy makes the devil mad!
Till next time
Have a fabulous week ahead
XX
Olubunmi

Behind the scenes: Thursday night dinner with the family.

Hi,
Today i'm giving you a sneak peep into my kitchen again, lol. Yesterday night i made a healthy nigerian dinner: oven grilled fish, baked plantain and coleslaw for dinner.
You can try this yourself, its a rather fast meal if you prepare your fish ahead of time by marinading it and putting it in the freezer till it's ready for use.
I used quite a number of spices on this one, and stuffed the fish with both the marinade and onions.

here's how i  prepared the fish:

I cut three marks on both sides of the fish for fast cooking.

Using half to one teaspoon of each spice, except the paprika; 3 heaped teaspoons and the sweet chili sauce; 2 table spoons, i mixed all the spices with a teaspoon of vegetable oil.

I rubbed both the outside and inside of the fish with half of one stock cube and a pinch of salt.
then added the marinade and left it in the fridge for about an hour.

after this i baked on a grilling rack at 220 degrees for about 40 mins.
I baked my plantain simultaneously. i cut each on in half and laid them flat in foil, then baked for about 25 minutes because i used the lower tray.
lastly i sprinkled on some suya sauce on the fish, served it in a large plate with some sauce for the plantain and garnished it with onion and tomato rings.

Pretty innit?
Don't forget to follow my blog here  or via email on the left side bar. You can also drop a comment below so i know you peeped and i'll definitely return the hello.

Do you want a meal plan?

Till next time,
xx
Olubunmi

Vacancies: Work with me!

Hello people,
I'm so excited about this post! For a few months now, I've been strategizing and trying to restructure the face of my business and it's activities, I've also been working on some certifications related to my business endeavors and I'm happy to tell you I got deliver of one of my certificates yesterday, and I'm still working hard on another. But this post isn't about me, it's about you!
If you are female, young, fit and energetic with at least one year working experience, you can join me as I start a beauty and wellness revolution for women in Ibadan very soon.
Candidates must be 27 years and below, minimum of wassce witwith a relevant certIfication, smart, good looking and fluent in English in addition to any indigenous language. You must be resident in or around Oluyole estate in Ibadan.

Vacant positions include:
Fitness traininer/dance instructor
Makeup artist
Admin officer

Please send CV, application letter and recent photograph to beessignatures@gmail.com

xx

Olubunmi

MUA alert: Beautiful skin, confident client, Less work!

Hi,

I have had to work with different clients through the years and I've seen a lot! I usually like to have a few months of skincare consultation with brides who register for such packages where we do some coaching, facial treatments, body polishing and sauna therapies to get the skin in top shape for the ceremonies.

And for those who just register for the basic "just make me up for my wedding" package, i still try to chip in some advice here and there because if their skin feels and looks great, it means less work for me when i'm doing their makeup because i can skip some products and still have my client looking great.

foreo luna deep cleanser

clarisonic deep cleanser

neutrogena wave deep cleanser

So as one colleague to another, i'd advise that even if you don't offer the above skincare services, you can have a skin therapist or spa partner to whom you refer your clients or at least educate them on how to take good care of their skin: cleansing, toning, moisturizing, exfoliation, peeling... as needed and also recommend suitable products for their skin types and conditions. By doing this, you even tend to retain such clients as they will keep coming back to you because of the added value.

Do you have any added value you give clients and would like to share?

till next time,

XX.

Olubunmi

Chicken Stewed with Tomatoes, Cinnamon, and Preserved Lemon

picture and recipe from www.thekitchn.com

Hi there,
Wow it's the third week of the year already! I hope you are keeping up those resolutions? If like me, your resolutionis simply to be better at everything, then this might help too.

Here's a healthy, easy recipe i saw on www.thekitchn.com 

Chicken Stewed with Tomatoes, Cinnamon, and Preserved Lemon

Ingredients:
Chicken thighs and drumsticks, about 8 pieces
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp. coriander seeds
2 tsp. paprika
2 tsp. oregano
1 tbsp. tomato paste
1 14-oz. can chopped tomatoes
2 preserved lemons, rinsed and chopped (pulp discarded)
1 stick cinnamon
1 cup water
2 tbsp. chopped parsley
2 tbsp. olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste

Preparation:
In a deep skillet or a French oven, saute the onion in the olive oil until soft. Add garlic, coriander seeds, paprika, and oregano. Saute for another minute.

Add the tomato paste, tomatoes, water, cinnamon, and preserved lemon. Mix well. Add the chicken. Cover the pan and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add the parsley. Taste first to see if it needs salt - it shouldn't, because of all the salt in the preserved lemons, but taste to be sure. If needed, add salt and pepper to taste. Cook another 5 minutes without the lid.

Serve with rice or couscous.

NB*

i guess as Nigerians we will use fresh lemons so you might need a bit of salt

Parsley, oregano, coriander and paprika can be bought at big grocery stores eg. shoprite, foodies, spar and co.

A deep skillet is a big, deep, non sticky fry pan.

I'm going to try this soon and post my own pictures. You can send yours to me at beessignatures@gmail.com . Are there any other recipes you'd like to share?

Till next time,

XX

Olubunmi!