For example, I strolled into my apartment building the other day, and a normally unobservant security guard looks at me and says, “you’ve got such beautiful skin.” That was a total first. And I have one product to thank.

Jolie MD.

This two step kit has cleared most of my discoloration and hyperpigmentation, brightened my skin tone, and generally improved the texture of my skin. Not overnight, mind you. I used this product consistently for two months or so — enough to completely finish both bottles of product. So please know this about to be a thorough review.

Jolie MD is the brainchild of Beverly Hills plastic surgeons Dr. Jason Litner, and Dr. Peyman Solieman — and renowned blogger, author, and all around benevolent goddess of the beauty world, my friend Nadine Jolie. I interviewed Nadine to find out how all of this came to be.

“I partnered with the doctors and we’ve been working on it for a year. I’m the creative director, so it’s kind of their baby. From day one we wanted to make a product that is different from the samey-samey skin care that is on the market.”

And apparently, ethnic skin was a particular concern for Drs Litner and Solieman.

“They were meticulous about the ingredients. This product is really meant to address the issues of ethnic skin and it was very important to them to get it right. There are no parabens, no hydroquinone. It’s tailor made as an at-home alternative for women who can’t get chemical peels or laser treatments without fear of discoloration. ”

Step one is the Metamorphosis Softening Serum, a yellowish, clear, thin serum that spreads and absorbs into skin easily and can sting a little bit, if you’ve got sensitive skin. Step two is the Metamorphosis Enlightening Lotion, an opaque lotion that immediately reduces the sting, absorbs well, and leaves my skin feeling soft and well hydrated.

As the product details reveal, “JolieMD’s innovative Softening Serum formulation is the first line to feature a proprietary blend of slow release alpha-beta-poly hydroxyl acids for daily use allowing us to gently exfoliate and remove pigment stains and blemishes, stimulate new collagen, and improve penetration of pigment inhibitors without irritation. While other products solely address tyrosinase (a key pigment-producing enzyme) with one or two active ingredients, JolieMD’s Enlightening Lotion uses multiple melanin inhibitors working at several different points to restrain the entire pigment producing cascade. As a result, we know that with continued use you will find more even skin with gradual but consistent clearing of your discoloration. JolieMD is specifically designed with all ethnicities in mind; safe and highly effective for African-American, Hispanic, Middle-and Near-Eastern and Asian skin.”

That’s exactly what it did for me. Jolie MD didn’t lighten my skin like the “fade creams” I’d used in the past. I didn’t have to worry about using it in just one spot at a time to be effective. I used it all over my face and it just gave my skin an overall healthy glow, and over time it almost completely reduced the spots of hyperpigmentation I had along my jawline and chin area. Now I feel more confident about my skin. For a while there I literally wouldn’t leave the house without a liberal spackle of foundation and powder on, to cover my dark marks. But now I use much less foundation, and it takes me less time to get ready and go out the door. My skin is glowier and clearer than it’s been…well, possibly ever.

Now please note, it didn’t completely 100% clear my skin. I do still have some dark marks, and I do still wear makeup when I go out. In the early stages, my skin felt sensitive to the first serum. That took a little getting used to. And I did wind up with some dryness around my mouth and chin for a while there, but continued use cleared that up as well.

Nadine addressed my continued hyperpigmentation concerns in our interview.

“It’s not going to go away overnight. Or maybe even two months from now. But if you stick with it, Jolie MD will dramatically improve the quality and appearance of your skin.”

I believe her. My results speak for themselves, and I’m convinced enough to shell out the $96 for more Jolie MD. It ain’t cheap, but it’s worth it in my opinion.

Click here to buy Jolie MD.

PLEASE NOTE that what works amazing for me, may not knock your socks off in the same way. And I am especially cautious about skincare reviews. I know what it’s like to try something that promises to alleviate your problems and to see it not make a difference. So please, if you do try Jolie MD – give it time. Use the whole two bottles to the very end, then come back here and leave your review. I’m interested to know how it works for you!

Related posts:

1. My New Skincare Savior – Mario Badescu
2. Satisfy Your Thirsty Skin
3. Go ‘Head Michelle!

With all the traveling I’ve been doing, I’ve had to learn the art of packing intelligently. In these days of rising luggage fees, I need to be economical. That means packing products that are multi-use and uber-effective. Allow me to share some of my latest finds — the items that got road tested in Hawaii!

My Smokey Classics By Lauren Luke. I know, I know – I just raved about this in my Best of 2009 post. But for traveling, this collection is hard to beat. My one complaint? The blush is too pale for my needs. But having a flat package of this much makeup awesomeness warrants no real complaints. This is eye makeup at it’s easiest, and I love it. Totally getting the Fierce Violets next.

Jessicurl Trial Size Collection. I’ve heard great things about Jessicurl, but finally I got a chance to experience what the brand can do for my particular texture of natural. And I really like it so far! I used Awe Inspirialing Spray to refresh my frazzled frizzies in the Hawaii heat, and the Confident Coils Styling Solution gave me moisture that stood up against the humidity. Look out for a longer review when I’ve had a chance to review the Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner.

MAC in Lillyland cremeblend blush. I want to shout about this to the rooftops, y’all. MAC in Lillyland is a bright, resort-chic, vibrant and ultra feminine collection. When I was sent this Cremeblend blush in Joie-De-Vivre — a peachy coral that looks like the color of some houses in Miami — I gave it a suspicious raised eyebrow. Then I rubbed it on the apples of my cheeks, as I smiled at myself in the mirror. Love at first try. These colors are ideal for bringing out the glow in darker skin tones. It was so perfect for Hawaii, and now that I’m back in Chicago’s cold, a sheer application gives me a warm, sunshiny glow. Bravo, MAC and Lilly Pulitzer. Bravo.

Jordana easyliner eye pencil. Nothing sucks worse than traveling with your favorite regular eyeliner, then realizing the point’s dull or broken off and you’ve forgotten to pack your sharpener. This $1.99 drugstore pencil is just as effective as its more expensive competitors, plus it is effortless and automatic. Don’t sleep on Jordana, or its equally affordafab counterpart, Milani! You can get the look for a whole lot less!

RX for Brown Skin Protect and Defend Moisturizing Sunscreen SPF 15. Dr. Susan Taylor’s products specifically cater to our skin’s needs. I’ve tried most of the products and a more detailed review is really in order. I really dig the sunscreen. It’s thick but not opaque and heavy like some other sunscreens are. A little goes a long way, to protect my face and neck. Good stuff for facing the elements.

And last but not least — Fashion Fair Shine Eliminator. Yes, that’s right. I just said Fashion Fair. The venerable brand for women of color gets a bad rap for being old school and stuck in the past, but FYI, Fashion Fair is in the midst of a major makeover. They’ve got some great new skincare products on the shelves, and this shine eliminating mattifier got me ready for my close up in steamy Hawaii. A creamy potion with the light feel of a serum, it worked great as a foundation primer and allowed me to maintain my glow while preventing me from being shiny.

What are your must-take travel essentials? Made any cool new finds lately? Share!

Related posts:

1. Ask Afrobella – Be A Bella Bride
2. Recent Reviews!
3. Best of 2009 – Makeup

1. MAC’s Volcanic Ash Exfoliator and Naked Honey Skin Salve — it was impossible to choose one MAC product that made a notable difference to my skin care regime this year – so I’m cheating with a twofer! I am SO sad both of these products are limited edition. MAC’s Volcanic Ash Exfoliator has made such a difference to the texture of my skin. It’s a gentle scrub that quickly dissolves to ash, and it works so well for my purposes. I even use it on my dry, flaky lips. And after my lips are smooth and soft, I slather on a dab of Naked Honey Skin Salve for the ultimate kissability. This is one of very few “beauty” products my husband will share with me. Released earlier this year as part of the Naked Honey collection, this is a light moisturizer you can use ANYWHERE. I love it on my lips, and when I feel like really splurging I use some on my hands and feet (and then slip on some socks). This stuff is no longer available through MAC online, but you can find it at Nordstrom and at this site here. Please note — these items are expensive, but I try so many products and in my opinion, they’re both worth it.

2. Me! Shower Sherbert. I’m so happy to be a member of BeautyFix (click here to join!) — every season a fresh batch of tried and tested beauty products lands in my mailbox. And I’ve found some real winners here — the ME! Bath line of products stands proudly among them. The Bath Ice Cream rocks, but the Shower Sherbert rocked my world. It’s hard to find a scrub that is both exfoliating and moisturizing, and this is that item. AND it smells positively edible. Amazingness! I need more Me! time, that’s for sure!

3. 3 Lab Perfect Cleansing Scrub. It takes cojones to call your product “perfect” when there are SO many other cleansers and skincare lines competiting with you…but if anyone can do this, it’s 3Lab. Since I started using their cleansing scrub, I’ve noticed less breakouts, less blackheads, and prettier skin overall. It’s a very very gentle scrub — more of a cleanser with occasional scrubbies in the mix. I use it daily and it’s made a remarkable difference in the texture and appearance of my face.

4. Mario Badescu. SO happy I attended the Powder Group’s Artist Summit here in Chicago (and can’t wait for their glorious return!). That’s where I was introduced to the wonders of Mario Badescu. The products I’ve tried are now daily must-haves for me. The Drying Lotion is like no other zit buster I’ve tried. It works overnight to dry those suckers out, and if you’ve got a razor bump or ingrown hair it works wonders on those too.

5. Prescriptives Comfort Cream. Why, Prescriptives? Whyyyyyyyyyyyy? *picture me on my knees in the middle of an empty street in the pouring rain* — I am SO sad this brand bit the dust in 2009. But good news — the brand is leaving store shelves, but will remain online as long as products last. So you can still order your custom foundations for now – and pick up a jar of lush moisturizing Comfort Cream while you’re at it. I used to have a bedside table full of clutter, now I’ve got three things — my Bobbi Brown oil cleanser, my Ponds makeup wipes, and this night cream. Can’t do without it!

What are your thoughts, bellas? Tried any breakthrough skin products lately?

Related posts:

1. Summertime Skin -Queen Helene Mint Julep Mask
2. 5 Save Your Skin Winter Moisture Solutions
3. First Giveaway for 2009! Valana Minerals Faux Brushes

This holiday season, there’s a new spin on the classic holiday song. Instead of 12 Days of Christmas, The Body Shop is offering 12 Days of Giveaways. And I’m day #9!

Do you wanna win a specially packaged prize set of bath and body goodies valued at least $100? Or enter to win $1200 of The Body Shop’s finest offerings?

Of course you do!

The prize package you can win right here by leaving a comment is truly delish. It includes:

Merry Cranberry Body Butter
Merry Cranberry Lip Balm
Nutmeg & Vanilla Body Butter
Nutmeg & Vanilla Body Scrub
Nutmeg & Vanilla Lip Balm
Black Velvet Apricot Body Butter
Black Velvet Apricot Shower Nectar
Black Velvet Apricot Lip Balm
and the Merry Aromas holiday reed diffuser gift pack.

That nutmeg and vanilla stuff sounds DELICIOUS and the Black Velvet Apricot — to die for!

One lucky winner from the United States will win this wicked prize pack. All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me: which fragrance best describes your holiday style? What makes you a Merry Cranberry chica, a Black Velvet Apricot bella, or a Nutmeg and Vanilla mama? I love knowing how you celebrate the season! I’ll close these comments on Friday morning and choose a winner at random.

Don’t forget to click here to enter for the grand prize of $1,200 worth of Body Shop products!

Good luck, bellas!!

**edited Friday at 11:00 – comments are closed! I’ll choose a winner ASAP. And keep reading – next week is GREAT for giveaways!

Related posts:

1. Body Shop Giveaway Winner!
2. It’s the Body Shop Scavenger Hunt!
3. The Body Shop Scavenger Hunt Winner Is…

This year I plan on featuring quality, not quantity — 12 gift posts, one for each day of Christmas. Expect to hear only about the products I truly think are unique, under the radar, and totally gift-worthy. Over the past twelve months I’ve been receiving and reviewing some amazing items, and I can truly recommend something fresh and fun for every kind of bella.

My first suggestions will combat your skin’s urgent needs as the weather grows colder. Because ashy isn’t a good look for the holiday season!

For Your Girlfriend Who Enjoys Her Cocktails — ain’t nothin’ wrong with that (as long as you’re over 21)!

This year, instead of getting your amiga bar tools or a bottle of booze, serve up something saucy from Miss She. Founded by Sheila Driver, the idea behind these decadent bath and body products is, “after a stressful day, it is time for happy hour for the body.” These handcrafted treatments are so perfect for a spa-at-home experience, and SO delicious. Her Buerre Mousse is a thick, whipped moisturizing body butter. It comes in flavors ranging from Berry Perry Daiquiri to 7 & 7, and all of them are supremely moisturizing and smell good enough to taste. And starting at $6.50 for 2 oz, they’re cheaper than a drink at a fancy bar anyway! Get your girlfriend the Buerre Mousse sampler gift set for $25 — it comes in three cocktail scents. Or if she’s a chocoholic, spring for the Chocolate Martini for Lovers spa gift set. $35 for 4 oz, $45 for 8 oz, and it includes bath/body/massage oil, buttercream body wash, creamy body oil, body spritz, the beurre mousse and a feather duster for those flirtatious evenings. Yummy head to toe!

For Your Girlfriend Who Gives Till it Hurts — bless her heart, but she can be hard to shop for. Do you have a friend who swears by anything that’s all natural, organic, vegan, and/or fair trade? Then you know how hard they can be to shop for! Treat your amiga to a product that meets her standards. Shea Yeleen is exactly what you’re looking for.

Shea Yeleen is the highly moisturizing, highly effacious product made by Shea Yeleen International, a non profit organization that works with and trains impoverished women in Burkino Faso, Ghana, and Mali to produce shea butter, earn an income, and provide for their families. You can donate to Shea Yeleen here through Global Giving, or click here to purchase. The lavender and honeysuckle body butter is pure decadence in a jar. Use sparingly — a little goes a long way.

For the Bella Who Has Everything — only the best will do! You can do some high end one-stop shopping at The Organic Pharmacy. This magnificent emporium prides itself in producing only the purest natural and organic products with which to pamper your body and spirit. And it just might get a little spiritual, when you catch a whiff of the jasmine bath oil. Just two capfuls in a warm bath is enough for a transportative experience.

The Spa Gift set would thrill any bella who loves the finer things in life. The set includes Cleopatra’s Milk Bath and Cleopatra’s Scrub. The concoctions are infused with rose petals, and essential oils of rose, jasmine, and ylang ylang. $110 for the set, but the “me” time that comes with such an indulgence = priceless.

Which kind of bella are you? Which of these products sound like they’d make you smile on Christmas Day?

Related posts:

1. 5 Save Your Skin Winter Moisture Solutions
2. Ask Afrobella — Ash, Begone!
3. For The Little Afrobella In Your Life

This sparked an internal guilt trip that I won’t recount in great detail, but I want to let you all know that I’m gonna try my bestest to do better. It’s hard out here for a full time blogger, y’all. I’m trying my best to keep all the plates spinning and sometimes I lose track of my main focus. It’s extra challenging now that I’m the main hair blogger for AOL Black Voices, and contributing posts about ethnic beauty for The Fairest — I may be assigned a certain topic, or need to do a product review there ASAP, and then I forget to post it here on Afrobella as well. Or sometimes (to be really real with you), I just get burned out on writing about hair all the time and then I’ll switch it up to keep my passions burning.

Either way, mea maxima culpa and I’m gonna do better! Here are some of my recent reviews:

I love, love, love the hair products of Karen’s Body Beautiful. On my cruise, I took products from two hair care brands with me — Jane Carter Solution (review to come!) and KBB. The Hair Butter kept my hair frizz free and pretty from Chicago’s coolness to South Florida’s heat. Click here to read my whole review.

I recently did a review on luxury hair products — click here to read details on such high end brands as Leonor Greyl, Phyto, and Oribe. I’m gonna work on a longer, more detailed how-it-really-works-on-natural-hair post for y’all soon. But trust me, don’t sleep on Leonor Greyl!

And finally — let’s talk makeup!

Over on Who’s The Fairest, I break down the prospects now that Prescriptives is about to shuffle off this mortal coil. Clicky click for breakdowns of my favorite products by expected giants like MAC, Make Up For Ever, and Three Custom, as well as some unexpected recent faves like Black Opal and Fashion Fair. Yes that’s right, I said Fashion Fair! More to come on that historied cosmetics brand soon!

Related posts:

1. The Best of 2009 — Hair!
2. Who’s The Fairest? (I Am!)
3. Kinky Curly Comes to Trinidad!

When I saw the photos of Sammy Sosa that have been circulating online, one dancehall classic came immediately to mind.

There’s a few more photos on Huffington Post that show the sharp difference in his pigmentation.

The story Mr. Sosa is sticking to is that a skin rejuvenation procedure has made his skin appear lighter, and besides that the lighting made him appear significantly fairer skinned than normal.

If that’s true, then it’s a shame that Mr. Sosa had a facial treatment that resulted in such marked discoloration. Any technician worth their salt will tell you, laser treatments can be very problematic for black skin, and deep chemical peels can damage black skin. So I’m curious as to what kind of treatment Mr. Sosa may have had, so I can make sure not to ever get it myself.

Additional conjecture that Sosa may have vitiligo triggered by steroid use has been gathering steam around the blogosphere.

Among many, the concern is that Sammy Sosa is undergoing a Michael Jackson-esque makeover. He’s reportedly wearing colored contact lenses. Sadly, if Sammy Sosa has indeed been bleaching his skin for superficial reasons — he wouldn’t be alone.

Throughout the Caribbean and Africa, skin bleaching is a popular phenomenon. Products like Fair and White, So White, and Nadinola fly off the shelves throughout most Caribbean islands. Just recently in Jamaica, dancehall artist Lisa Hype defended the practice of skin bleaching and even celebrates the practice in her song Proud of Mi Bleaching. The song title alone speaks volumes, and is a mentality that I have a hard time understanding. But it’s real and it’s happening — black people around the world still seek to alter their natural beauty, often by dangerous means. Just this year reports surfaced of a black woman who underwent a questionable operation to change the color of her eyes from brown to blue. And despite the known dangers of skin bleaching — from permanent disfiguration to skin thinning to cancer — there are those who pledge undying loyalty to the practice. For more insight, check out this clip by Current TV about a Jamaican family of skin bleachers.

Sammy Sosa may not be deliberately lightening the color of his skin by chemical means — one photo can’t tell the whole story. Either way, he needs to stop whatever he’s doing that appears to be causing so much change and apparent damage to his skin color. I still want to give him the benefit of the doubt, so I hope he really isn’t using skin whiteners. But I also hope that this current outcry reaches the people out there who are risking long term health effects hoping to achieve a more light skinned appearance, and sends a direct message that the practice is sad, scary, stupid, and unnecessary.
Queen Ifrica said it all better than I ever could.

** edited November 10 at 10:39 p.m. CST — Well, Sammy’s admitted the truth during television interviews with both ESPN Deportes, and Univision. My suspicions were correct.

“”It’s a bleaching cream that I apply before going to bed and whitens my skin some,” said the former slugger during the “Primer Impacto” program at the Univision Spanish network.

“It’s a cream that I have, that I use to soften [my skin], but has bleached me some. I’m not a racist, I live my life happily,” said a smiling Sosa during the interview.”

And he’s joking about marketing the product too. I would write more about this topic, but all of a sudden I have a mysterious headache. SMH.

Photo courtesy the Chicago Tribune.

Related posts:

1. Naomi, Stop
2. Political Propaganda (It Needs to Stop)
3. A Unique Casting Call

I got lucky — by visiting their booth at the Artist’s Summit, I was able to get a skincare analysis by the lovely lady representing the brand. She gave me specific products to deal with my skincare issues, and I’m gonna review them all for you!

My current skincare issues stem directly from climate change. I moved from Miami to Chicago, so I left the heat and humidity I dealt with my whole life and now my skin doesn’t know what to do with itself. Some days I’ve got an overabundance of oil, sometimes it’s super dry. I’m dealing with acne issues regardless of my hormonal cycle — just when I thought I had zits pre-planned into my calendar, they’re just popping up whenever they want! Well, I got just the thing I need to zap ‘em but good — Drying Lotion. This stuff does NOT fool around! So funny – one of you just mentioned this in the Q-Tips giveaway comments and I was like YES she is so spot on!

Clear on top, pink on the bottom – your initial impluse might be to shake this and blend the two liquids together. DON’T. Instead what you do is dip a Q-Tip into the solution all the way to the bottom, and apply to the affected area (the big ol’ zit in question). Put it on at bedtime and let it dry before rolling around on your nice white sheets, BTW. This stuff can sting if you’ve got sensitive skin or any kind of little cut. But it WILL dry your blemish right up and leave nary a mark. LOVING it. A 1 oz bottle is $17, but I don’t think I’m gonna run out of this bottle anytime soon. Just a teeny dab, and my zit’s practically gone the next day? SOLD!

Transitioning into my first winter (the coldest winter ever?) I’ve had to come to the realization that not every moisturizer is gonna cut it. I needed more hydration. So I was prescribed Herbal Hydrating Serum, to layer with my existing moisturizers or alone if I so desired. It’s the BOMB. $30 for 1oz is a pretty penny to pay for something I’m using up so quickly, but I can’t help it! My skin just can’t get enough. I’ve tried quite a few serums and let me tell you, this is exactly the kind of density and absorption that I’ve been needing. Soothing, nourishing, moisturizing but still light on my skin. I wanna take a bath in Herbal Hydrating Serum!

Completing my perfect-so-far Mario Badescu product experience — the Enzyme Revitalizing Mask. I was told that it’d help to clear up the hyperpigmentation I was experiencing as a result of my reoccurring acne. I’d used Alpha Hydroxy masks before, but this was different from those. The masks I’d tried in the past were clear, sticky and highly scented. This is a creamy, beige mask that has a faint citrus scent.

20 minutes later, my skin was GLOWING. Noticeably fresher, brighter, softer. The package recommends using this two to three times a week, but I’d personally just use it once a week, tops. It’s quite effective and I’m interested to see if it really makes a difference in my hyperpigmentation over time.

I’ve got more winter-themed skincare information coming your way soon! Have you tried Mario Badescu products? What’s your favorite?

Related posts:

1. My Skincare Solution — Jolie MD
2. Comfortably Numb
3. Best of 2009 – Skin Edition

Afrobella’s got your back! Here are some of the latest, greatest products I have been lucky enough to review, all available on the cheap at your neighborhood drugstore.

First stop — Palmer’s. The company known best for making delicious cocoa butter-based body creams has expanded their product line. So if you don’t know, now you know — Palmer’s is making coconut oil hair products! And olive oil hair products too!

The coconut oil formula products smell INCREDIBLE. Just recently I was getting off a bus two steps ahead of my Twitter-buddy Luvvie, and she was raving over how great my hair smelled! It’s sweet coconut deliciousness. For my ingredient-conscious bellas, this may not be the best product ever…but if you’re watching your wallet and need a product with great slip for your twice-or-thrice weekly detangling, the repairing conditioner is wonderful.

If you’re more comfortable and accustomed to Palmer’s body care products, then add their lip butter to your list of gotta-have-it products. $1.99 and it’ll leave your lips tasting and smelling like York Peppermint Patties. (double score if your significant other loves that candy!)

Next up, Sally Hansen! I love their nail polishes (HELLO, HD!) but long before I even used Hard As Nails, I was on the Sally Hansen hair remover train. Woo woo, bare legs here we come! Even as we slip from fall towards winter, I’m staving off Chewbacca legs with their personal care items. Want easy breezy depilatory action? Skip the spray on, shower off. It’s slippery in the tub, sprays places you don’t want it to, runs out quickly, and only stays on your legs. Don’t even TRY to use this on your armpits, unless you want lots of stragglers. If you want a Sally Hansen product that WORKS, I recommend the Naturally Bare Creme Hair Remover for fine to medium hair.

In 3 minutes, your armpits will be silky smooth (the way nature never intended them to be, alas). Equipped with mini “moisture-lift” jojoba beads, this product might feel oddly textured, but it’s effective and that’s all that matters to me. I’ve even used it on other embarrassing-hair-removal areas (hello, sideburns) and it’s worked well.

Speaking of silky soft armpits, what’s your deodorant situation these days? I’m on team Dove! The Visibly Smooth line really has helped to soften the feel of my underarms over time. I’m not yet entirely convinced about it “lessening the look” of my underarm hair, but for sure my pits feel softer than they did when I used more harsh deodorant solids. And the Wild Rose scent is fresh, floral, pretty, and soft enough not to clash with my perfume du jour.

It’s getting cold here in the Chi, so I’m having to learn some tough lessons about my skin. Lesson #1 – ashiness is REAL! And it’s EVERYWHERE! Seriously, I am not accustomed to seeing every last scritch-scratch on my skin appear like chalk on a blackboard. To up the moisture ante to my personal hygiene routine, I’ve been using Softsoap NutriSerums. AKA, the only body wash my husband’s actually admitted that he LIKES. Is it the little gold-and-pink “softening serum pearls”? Is it the moisture-retaining Omegas 3 and 6? Is it the clean, subtly-floral scent? I don’t know, but both of us are loving this stuff (and battling to see who can finish the bottle first, apparently).

I’ve been slathering on the Softsoap with my new favorite bath accessory, the Essence of Beauty faux sea sponge, only available at CVS (and $2.79 at the moment, on sale!). I don’t know what it is about this sponge, but it absorbs and lathers like no other. Plus, it’s super soft! I might be totally spoiled for life (and not going back to the net-body wash sponges again)!

To complete my tour-de-drugstore, I’ve gotta mention my latest favorite decorative item for the dresser. Q-Tips Vanity Packs. So chic! So essential! Finally the beauty must-have that I use every day is packaged so prettily I can display it alongside my jewelry boxes. In fact…stay tuned, bellas. I got a giveaway to kick off your Monday!

Even MORE drugstore beauty finds are in store. Keep reading! And tell me – what’s your latest drugstore beauty buy? You know I always need to know!

Related posts:

1. Brilliant Bargain Beauty Buys – Hair Edition
2. Brilliant Bargain Beauty Buys
3. Ask Afrobella – Holla! Great Beauty Buys for Under Five Dollars!

Estee Lauder is closing their Prescriptives brand. Yes, Prescriptives, the brand that catered to the specific needs of customers of color, will soon shuffle off this mortal coil. My amiga Shannon, who blogs for Pierce Mattie PR, seems to think the brand can be saved.

I want to hold out hope for Prescriptives, but I think the stars have collided against it.

Brands like Bobbi Brown and MAC tend to steal the limelight as the go-to department store brands for women of color, and despite a range of excellent products that in some ways go beyond what those aforementioned brands offered, Prescriptives was never able to capture that elusive youth market that breathes eternal life into even the most classic brands. The price point factor, the unexciting packaging, the importance of the in-store experience for this particular brand, the focus on skincare and foundation versus hot hot new colors every month to dazzle the consumers… I think many factors came into play here.

But still, ain’t that a shame. Prescriptives isn’t the kind of makeup that jumps off the glossy magazine page or the computer screen and screams, “buy me.” It’s all about the in store experience, where the range of possibilities becomes instantly apparent. If ever there was a time to stock up on custom blended makeup, it’s now.

Before Prescriptives has gone completely, I will highlight my top favorites, the items you absolutely gotta get before they pack up those department store shelves for good.

1 — All Skins Mineral Makeup, SPF 15. My luck with mineral makeup has been hit or miss, but this $32 powder has saved me through many bad-skin days. The coverage is natural looking but buildable, and the range of colors absolutely cannot be beat. If you’ve got issues with hyperpigmentation, now is the time to trek out to your nearest department store and get your skin Colorprinted, so you know exactly what your shade is.

2 — Longwear Kohl Liner. When I know I’m gonna be somewhere all day under conditions where my makeup will be tested — outside at a concert, for example — I reach for my longwear liner. It’s waterproof, creamy, gives great color payoff, and when it sets it lasts for-ev-errrrrr. Plus it’s automatic so no sharpening required. $17.50, and absolutely no regrets. The blue kohl is a deep, delicious navy that makes brown eyes sparkle.

3 — False Eyelashes Plush Mascara. For $19.50, this is a teeny mascara tube. 0.35 oz of glam for $20 might be a fair price to pay for lashes like these. I don’t ever really wear fake lashes, so this is as close as I get to that kind of drama. Two coats and I’m ready to make an entrance.

4 — Good In Bed Skin Restoring Night Moisturizer. I sincerely believe that it’s never too early to start taking care of your skin. I regret not starting even earlier! Now I’m 30 and I keep a battalion of night creams near my bedside table. Prescriptives Good In Bed is among my very faves. Supremely moisturizing and luxe, it makes my skin feel velvety soft and look luminous. $65 – not cheap, but my bellas who use anti-aging creams shouldn’t sleep on this.

5 — the Making Faces Warm Kit. I used to be scared of the blush – but now I recognize its power. A little blush can go a long way in giving your face definition and adding radiance to your complexion. The Making Faces Warm kit comes with a deep, delicious brick-rust colored blush that makes my cheekbones go POW! Love it! $55 for a kit that includes the fresh to death mineral cheek color, a loose lighting powder, and an angled cheek brush for your make up pleasure.

Those are a few of my favorite things — I definitely plan to support Prescriptives in these dark days, and I am still holding out hope for some kind of comeback for the brand.

What are your thoughts on the closing of Prescriptives? Do you have any favorite Prescriptives products? Let a bella know!

Related posts:

1. Magical Minerals
2. Ask Afrobella – Be A Bella Bride
3. b.l.a.c is beautiful