Attn NYC Naturals.....

Are you a fan of Miss Jessie's products? Although frequently lambasted  for their high prices and use of petroleum based ingredients Miss Jessie's remains one of the top sellers for natural and texturized women. The brand continues to grow.  I recently noticed that Miss Jessie's products are now available at Duane Reade, specifically the two locations at Penn Station. On 2/22, I noticed that the Curly Buttercreme is priced at $20.96 for the 8 ounce size. It is normally $32.00. Oddly enough  the Baby Buttercreme was $32.00 at Duane Reade. The only difference between Baby and the original Curly Buttercreme is the scent. Baby Buttercreme smells like vanilla frosting, Curly had a mild peppermint smell. Not sure if the price difference was an oversight but, if you are wear your hair natural or texturized and don't mind petroleum and mineral oil in your products,  I suggest you run, not walk to the Duane Reade at 1 Penn Plaza.

What's up with that, Revlon?

Revlon has re-released its Colorstay Longwear Nail Enamel. The ads, featuring the lovely Academy Award winning Halle Berry rocking a short Amethyst mani, boast that the new nail laquer will give you 'gel-like shine' and 'up to 11 days of wear' IF used with the Colorstay Base and Top Coats.

An at-home mani with the long wear and shine of a gel without  the salon price and the time (soaking off in acetone is a drag)? Sign me up!
Here's the problem- in the stores that I visited (2 CVS and 2 Duane Reades) there was no basecoat. There isn't even a space in the display for a basecoat just the (very pretty) colors and a topcoat.

What's up with that Revlon?

I don't feel like I can give it a proper review until I have the whole system . I did buy two colors: Bold Sangria (a deep purple) and Provence (lavender, of course, points for the clever name). I used my Orly Bonder base and the Revlon Colorstay and, while the polish wears pretty well, I still have some chipping at the tips. I'm an avid typer and texter, so this may just be my lot in life. I will re-review if I can ever get my hands on the basecoat.

ZOMG- Reason #547 why I Love Trader Joe’s

I’m starting my new year’s resolutions early- and one of them is to eat more veggies.
Enter Trader Joe’s Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts. Now, I don’t think that I’ve ever had Brussels Sprouts before, I’ve seen them-  they usually look like little overcooked cabbages. But these were pre-shredded and mixed with ingredients that I love- bacon, red onion, dried cranberries and glazed nuts. It had to taste good with all that going for it right? Absolutely. And you can’t beat the ease of preparation. You saute everything for a couple of minutes and then you throw the balsamic glaze in. So yummy. Two words that I never thought that I’d pair with brussels sprouts, but there you have it.
Now if only they would start selling Two Buck Chuck on Long Island....

Might as Well Face It I'm Addicted to.....

.....beauty products. I walked into Macy’s to buy Body Jelly by Carol’s Daughter (the petro free Vaseline alternative) in preparation for winter weather and I walk out with $70 worth of stuff.
It all started when the Salesgirl told me that if I bought 3 things I’d get a free Roses and Honey Shea Souffle. Man, did they see me coming! I picked up the Monoi Repairing Hair Mask that I’d been eying for a while and the equally amazing smelling Goddess Flower Shea Souffle. It has Jasmine so I think it will complement my Lush Flying Fox shower gel.

I also bought a bunch of shower gels and creams from the VS outlet at Jersey Gardens the other day. They were 5 for $20. Like the free shea souffle, it was another ‘bargain’ that I couldn’t pass up. So my shower is getting crowded as my wallet gets lighter.

I will be super soft and sweet smelling well into spring.

Earn Reward Points and Redeem Them For Free Stuff at Swagbucks.com

Even in the summer heat, I like to wear a bit of foundation to work but I'm running out of my (very excellent) Bobbi Brown Natural Finish Long Lasting Foundation. Since blowing another 46 bucks isn't in my budget this week, I decided to take a chance at the drugstore- CVS has a very excellent return policy if things don't work out.

I had low expectations- the CVS nearest me doesn't carry the 'ethnic' make-up lines and most of the other lines consider 'dark-skinned' to be Beyonce or Halle Berry. I stumbled upon the Maybelline aisle which had foundations in Caramel, Coconut and Cocoa. I choose the Super-Stay in Cocoa. I'm acne prone and the Super Stay is 'oil-free, non-pore clogging' and promises to 'withstand heat,sweat and humidity'. Reviews on that to come. For now I'm digging the color -dark but not too red or ashy looking. And this week CVS has a buy one get one for 50% off AND a $5 coupon if you spend $20 on Maybelline so I bought the foundation and the MasterDrama eyeliner for around $11 total. Cha-ching!!

The lovely Jessica White, wearing Cocoa Superstay 24Hr Makeup, from maybelline.com

Had a great workout today at NDG Wellness. If you're in NYC look into it. I purchased a few classes of the 'Stiletto Workout' on Lifebooker ages ago and finally made time to start redeeming my package today.

As the name suggests, you do the calisthenics-based workout in your heels. Sounds strange, but just think of how you need to engage your core just to maintain your balance walking in heels versus flats. Now imagine doing squats, balance moves and kick-boxing moves- I'm already sore- in that good 'this is working' way.
Check out their website for more details on this class and other fun, sexy classes that will whip you into shape.
http://www.ndgwellness.com/