Some of My Favourite Fenty Beauty Products

November 22, 2019November 22, 20192 Comments

So if you know me well enough, it’s pretty evident that I’m obsessed with Rihanna’s ever so popular makeup line, everything just works so well. The prices may be a bit pricey for some consumers, and just right for others, but I do guarantee that these products are completely worth it. You can really tell that Miss Fenty herself took the time and dedication to get the products efficient and well done. If you follow her on social media, you can observe that before the launch of the beauty line in the fall of 2017, that Bad Gal Riri herself was wearing some of the products to test them out (for example the Stunna Red Lip paint) before customers wearing them. And as this icon couldn’t be just a legend in music, this line has made her the richest female musician.

My favourite quote that I’ve heard from someone in person couldn’t be more factual:

In Rihanna we trust.

Here are some of my favourite products from this line. All of the products are hyperlinked so you can click and buy them on the website.

1. Pro FILT’R Soft Matte Long wear Foundation ($45.00)

What really grabbed me into Sephora to buy from this brand was the most talked about foundation from Fenty Beauty. Even though in the past, there are makeup lines that include all women, especially with brown skin, including the deeper tones, Fenty Beauty resurrected this topic in which some makeup brands do ignore. Having 40 shades is creating a new normal for all women to feel included when coming to finding the right foundation. I had to wait three weeks, both online and in person, to finally purchase the Pro Filt’r Soft Matte foundation as the tan and deep tones were sold out. Talk about setting a tone for other makeup brands (pun intended). I use the shade in 370 which is labeled as for tan skin tones with warm and neutral undertones.

2. Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer ($24.00)

Before wearing this lip gloss, it had been at least 10 years since I’d worn any sort of lip gloss as I graduated to wearing lipstick. What I love the most about this product is it leaves your lips soft and moisturized while keeping those lips glossy.

3. Stunna Lip Paint Collection ($32.00)

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Don’t you just want a lipstick to remain on all throughout the day. Stunna lip paint will do just that. Yes, it is a matte lipstick, but this does not dry out your lips and the colours are stunning to say the least. You can tell that there was not only a lot of care, dedication and perfection when conducting this product in particular, but also some fun induced with colours along with the names attached to some of them. My favourite colours are Unlocked: the vibrant pink shade, Undefeated: a sultry purple shade (and also a similar colour to an eggplant), Unattached: a bright coral shade, Unveil: a chocolate brown colour and my favourite on days when I feel like being more natural, and last but not least and certainly my favourite shade due to it being red, my favourite colour, along with the versatility since this shade is supposed to be flattering for women of any skin tone, Uncensored is a standout colour for all of the right reasons. The visual of this lip paint resembles a shape similar to nail polish and it’s so pretty to look at, like art waiting to be displayed and used. They call it the universal red, and it truly is a stunna if I may say so myself.

4. Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick ($24.00)

This I will admit is the only colour that I have from this lip line because the colour really stood out for me. I can’t rave anymore on the name of this deep, navy blue shade call Clapback. Who doesn’t like a good clapback? It is a contrast from the usual lipstick colours and the complete opposite of what’s known as a basic girl/bitch (just saying). If you’re in the mood for avant-garde makeup, Clapback is up your alley.

5. Killawatte Freestyle Highlighter ($48.00)

Highlighters on a whole is quite versatile. You can use it as a blush, an eye shadow, or combine it with your lipstick to add some glamour. Killawatte does not disappoint. Yes this highlighter in particular is quite pricey, but this is worth every penny as there is a colour for everyone. My favourite colours, as there are mostly two in one, is the Ginger Binge/Moscow Mule. It gives that extra lift that your skin needs. Your skin will thank for this.

Beauty Products I’ve Been Using This Summer

July 27, 2018July 27, 2018Leave a comment

Ah summer time.

What’s not to love about it?

Aside from the sticky weather that occurs at times, at least we don’t have to hide inside the house like a hermit. Plus you can change into lighter clothing, maybe even lighter hair (like myself), and a nice dark golden brown tan to boot. Of course the beauty regiment has to change due to the warmer season. Here are a few beauty products that I am currently using this summer.

1. Clippers

Since I am not in any way planning to grow out my hair, I have to maintain that crop style. Wahl’s clippers are easy to use, making life for me 10 times easier without heading over to a barber. All that is needed is a hand mirror just in case of any hair that is missed from cutting it.

2. L’Oreal Blue Powder Bleach

Now this right here is the gold for hair lightening products! So easy to use in my hair, plus I can hardly smell the dreaded scent of bleach. Now I have weird hair in terms of the colour. Growing up, well into me being 19, I have dark brown hair with natural red highlights, however my hair has gotten much darker over the years, and if I need to dye my hair a unique colour like for example pink, bleaching my barely there hair is a must in order to even achieve the colour. With this powder you need to mix it with a cream developer in order for the bleach to be activated. These activators come in volumes, I think 40 is the highest (and most potent), so I have volume 30 which has more than done the job! I use these tools because I know that I will be using this for the whole summer and not just one occasion. The bleach is a big tube so you will be getting your money’s worth which is about $32.00, I got it 50 percent off!

3. Kiss Express Hair Color

Okay the colour displayed above is not the right one that I am using. What I have is K51 cherry cola, and the colour is like a pinkish red combination. Since it is semi permanent, it does fade into a pinkish blonde colour, and still looks amazing! Plus this product has no ammonia along with no peroxide. The price is very reasonable at just five dollars.

4. Black Soap

This soap can save lives… or just bless the skin, one day at a time as it has so many benefits. I use this to wash my scalp along with washing my face, as it is great for dry scalps, acne, premature aging and clearing discolouration. You don’t have to pay a hefty price for such a skin miracle worker. All of the ingredients are natural (which include plantains, shea butter etc.) if the soap bar is brown, the ‘black’ colour has more unnatural ingredients that don’t have the same benefits. On a side note, this soap has been around for centuries, originating from West Africa, more so Ghana, and has a huge part in the African diaspora as countries like Trinidad, Jamaica and the U.S. (more particularly African Americans) have created beauty products based all on black soap.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

This product is another blessing for the skin! Like black soap it has all of the needed benefits to combat acne, dark marks and wrinkles, but the smell is left to be desired. I can’t wear this during the day so I use it as a toner during the night. Again, in relation to black soap, I suggest buying the organic version as it has the benefits provided above.

6. Pro Filt’r Foundation by Fenty Beauty

I finally bought the foundation from this ever growing makeup line by Rihanna, after what seemed like a constant sellout. It’s a full coverage foundation that lasts the whole day and it’s cruelty free. Now I have oily skin, and I have read many articles stating that it oxidizes, for me I have not yet run into that problem. With oily skin, there’s always a tendency to for this to happen which is a pain in the ass. However Sephora sells the upper scale product that is a descent price for this makeup store ($42), plus I can’t go any cheaper since I had struggles with it either being the right match, or worst is oxidizes within three hours in the summer. Now I will also point out that when it comes to brown skin, in order to find the right foundation, you need to know your undertone. Some people have red undertones, while others may have a pink, or even blue undertone. For me I have a yellow undertone, so a foundation may match by medium brown skin, but it is is red, blue or pink in undertone… it does not match my skin. It looks off, and can either look pasty or too dark. With Fenty Beauty, I was able to match 370 as it is a warm undertone. I can’t stress enough the importance of makeup lines being more inclusive with all skin tones. It’s a must in 2018. Thank heavens for Fenty Beauty!

7. Makeup Forever

So since it is summertime, I do tan a bit from being outside (yes black people tan also). I had to point that out since I get so much comments on if I get darker, or not, and that I don’t need to (colourism being taken place). With that being said in order to match the rest of my skin, I still have this line of foundation that I mix with Fenty Beauty’s due to it being a little darker. Plus my products last longer, and I haven’t six months of buying this product (not recommended in using).

8. Stunna Lip Paint by Fenty Beauty

For me, this lip paint is a must for everyday use! It’s such a beautiful colour that compliments any skin tone. Even though it is over $30, the matte product does not dry out your lips, and it is long-lasting. No need to redo you lips after lunch or any time.

9. Gloss Bomb by Fenty Beauty

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

This is becoming a Fenty Beauty affair! Maybe, in the near future Miss Fenty herself may hire me as a spokesperson for using her products; a girl can dream big. For me this lip gloss is a reminiscence of a throwback. As a teenager all I would wear is lip gloss, but it has been 10 years since I’ve donned the look due to my love of lipsticks. Gloss bomb creates the theme of makeup, no makeup look, equating into enhancing someone’s natural beauty. It’s pretty much for the days where you’re not in the mood for such a dramatic look that… say a red lipstick brings. This is simple and natural while still feeling beautiful.

10. Sun Screen

This is a must, I don’t care what skin tone you fall under, everyone needs to wear sunscreen during the summertime. Skin cancer is not a fun journey, plus I’ve seen people, including ones who have brown skin have skin cancer. That SPF blocks any of the harmful rays from the sun, plus you can still get darker, unless you want sun block. Please stop the nonsense of black people not needing sun screen. We can use less than light skin tones but that does not mean you don’t have to use it, plus if you have freckles, moles or any marks on your skin, this is all the more reason to wear sun screen or sun block.

11. Country Apple by Bath and Body Works

This fresh fruity scent is perfect for the summer! I’ll most likely use this all throughout the year since it’s not a strong scent. It’s evident that black people love our lotions so clearly this blog post would be nothing without talking about a good cream for the skin. Sorry I had to say it!

Enjoy the summer!

South Africa To The World In My Perspective

May 7, 2018May 7, 2018Leave a comment

If you’re like me and you have a bucket list of places to travel to, South Africa is one of those trips of a lifetime. It’s been two weeks since I’ve flown back to Canada, and even though I’m happy to be back, safe and sound, the country will always have a special place in my heart.

Now even though I love to travel, I never thought I would be traveling within the African continent in my 20’s. However, this was an opportunity that I was not willing to pass. This is one of those memorable moments that may or may not ever happen again. We only have one life, why not seize moments that create a positive memory?

So here are my moments, from the places, to the museums , the wonderful people, and anything else in between:

South Africa…

From me…

To you…

In my perspective.

A) Johannesburg

Soccer City Stadium, JohannesBurg, hosted the 2010 World Cup

Known as the modern day El Dorado due to their gold mining, this intriguing city is one the biggest cities in the world and is the capital of province, Gauteng.

1. Soweto

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The day that we had travel, April 2, was also the day that Winnie Madikazela-Mandela had passed away. We had already booked the events ahead of time, and funeral was taken place in the significant township of Johannesburg, Soweto. We just happen to be there the day of the funeral, April 14. Talk about timing! Yes, it was hectic, cops surrounded the entire area where both her and Nelson Mandela, temporarily lived at 8115 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, after he was released from prison in 1990. Now this street is known to be one of the most important streets in the world because two noble prize winners lived there. Of course you can guess Nelson Mandela is the first one, and then there’s the notable Desmond Tutu, a Bishop, who was also, like Winnie and Nelson, a big part in the anti apartheid movement. Overall Soweto has an immense amount of black people living there, one community that is the upper middle class, then another where they living in the poorest conditions. Like many city within countries around the world, Johannesburg (also known as Jo’burg) has one extreme to another. You have the rich gated Jewish community, with a bunch of security at every door entrance, and wired fences while they live in their space, then you have the upper middle class blacks living five minutes from what’s known as the slums of Soweto where the average pregnancy is around 16, with young teenage girls contracting HIV/AIDS, also resulting in violence and the list goes on.

2. Apartheid Museum

This entrance set the tone of intensity for this historic museum. As you enter, the theme gives you a taste of what it was like from 1948 to 1994 living in the times of Apartheid. For example, I got a ticket which was listed as ‘white’. My mother had one that listed as ‘non-white’. So as you can see above pictured, I had to enter the ‘white’, while my mother entered into ‘non-white’. Apartheid was all about segregation, institutionalized racism along with many other topics , if you were coloured, one of your parents were white while the other was black, or you were mixed, or another scenario would be that you were not white. For example if you were Indian, you were coloured. The blacks (indigenous people of the country) were listed as black. This terminology is still used by some today, but it is not an offensive phrase.

This is a museum you should visit before you die.

Sorry to be dramatic, but all aspects that were shown here brought all sorts of emotions out me. This was also the same day as Winnie’s funeral, there was tribute to here with music and that was it for me to cry. I can’t explain that feeling because she did a lot of wrong in the past to South African, but she also did a lot of right in which we also cannot forget. Being the ex wife of Nelson Mandela, who was 18 years older than her, he had spent the majority of their marriage in prison with two kids together. For her stance as an activist in equal rights for black people and everyone else, she is known as the mother of South Africa. The day of her funeral, was also a day of celebration of her life by many as people more particularly on Vilakazi Street were at the house, playing music and drinking on her behalf.

3. Nelson’s House Before He Passed Away

Mandela lived in this gated community just before passing away. His widowed wife still lives there. The stones are dedicated to the noble man, who was the first Black President of the country and was part of the negotiation of ending Apartheid, by people from all over the world, including myself.

B) Cape Town

Now there has to be a special mention for this city because of their water crisis. Everywhere we went, there were signs that warned tourists to be mindful of how much water to use along with how many litres to use per day. In some places where did excursions, the washrooms did not have water and instead had sanitizers in order to decrease the use of water. Think about every aspect of water usage… we had to strategize, plus there was not a single drop of rain in the city, Jo’burg got some drops.

1. Robben Island

Robben Island is where Mandela spent 18 out of the 27 years in prison. This picture listed above was his jail cell and of it was evident that I had to take this picture. Everyone did, from selfies to the Canon cameras swinging left to right, this was moment to capture. The tour guide at the beginning of the tour was also someone who spent time at this prison, speaking about what the prisoners went through. Robben Island is definitely a place where you have to visit when coming to Cape Town.

2. Bo-Kaap

This was scene necessary for the ‘gram along with Facebook, ah the colours are as unreal as the vintage car beside me. Just picturesque perfection! The eclectic area is intwined with a diverse community of people along with its rich history.

3. Table Mountain (National Park)

For all the hikers, rock climbers and anyone that loves nature, Table Mountain will not disappoint! You’re thousands of feet above land overviewing Cape Town along with the clouds. There’s a reason why it’s one the 7 wonders of nature.

More Scenery

Some pictures are just best left unexplained, but I will mention how welcoming the people in South Africa were. I cannot say that enough. From the singing, to stories along with one chef who spoke 14 languages (there are 11 official languages in South Africa and it’s almost a norm where the citizens speak at least three languages). You need to make this country one of the places to go to.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Of Course I Can’t Forget: The Animals

The pictures below are a combination of areas where we saw baboons crawling freely on the streets of the most Western part of the continent, then there were penguins! Of course this trip would not be whole if a Safari was not included. I thought I saw it all when seeing the zebras, lions, monkeys, but then it felt like a movie when seeing the elephants.