~My Top Natural Hair Must Haves!~

Hey Everyone!

As the summer approaches and the heat gets unbearable here in the Carolinas, I thought I would share with you my top natural hair must haves. Matter of fact, I use these products all year around!

Hair Disclaimer:

I am not a professional cosmetologist. Just a girl with natural hair. I have 4c ( coarse, kinky, no defined curl pattern)that’s prone to dryness due to high porosity. I've been natural since 2009. No relaxer since 2008. I transitioned for 11 months before big chopping.  

 Leave In Conditioner

I can remember, when I was relaxed, I NEVER used a leave in. That was probably why my hair was constantly dry. Applying a leave in after shampooing or deep conditioning adds an extra moisture factor to help with dry hair. My hair loves creamy leave ins like Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Leave In and Dove Color Care Leave In. When my hair is in braids or twists, I used Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave In Spray for moisture after washing or a daily dose of moisture.

 Protein Re-constructor

With highly porous hair, a monthly protein treatment or re constructor is key in maintaining moisture and length. I've tried several protein treatments but Joico K-Pak works miracles on my hair. I don't have as much breakage as I use to because I learned to treat my hair to K-Pak.

 Sealant

The best thing that a dry hair natural can do is seal their hair. Find out of you have porosity issues that are hindering your moisturizer retention, find a water based moisturizer that works, and also find a sealant product that holds in the moisture. I tried EVERY oil there was until I figure it that I needed a heavier seal product. Carol's Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey is my MIRACLE product!! It hold the moisture for DAYS!!

Gentle Detangling Comb

When I first went natural, I pined over a Denman brush and comb. I bought the ever so popular Tangle Teaser. I hand detangled for an hour. Then I bought this comb at Dollar General for $2, because I need to detangle my hair better than what I was doing. This $2 comb saved the wash day! It glides smoothly through my hair and save me much needed money and time.

My Favorite Beauty Products Under $5! ~The Makeup Edition~

Hey Everyone!!

I use all kind of makeup, from high end to low end,but I'm huge fan of the pocket friendly products. You know, the ones don't spend your monthly cell phone bill on for only two products. You can be beautiful and use great products and still have money left over!!

Here are FIVE of my Favorite Beauty Products, the Makeup Edition.:)

Wet N Wild Megalast Salon Nail Color 

 Not everyone considers polish makeup, but several polishes are part of major makeup brands so I'm including one. Wet N' Wild Megalast Salon Nail Color has stolen my heart! From its opaque color to its Mani Curve Pro Brush, you are getting a great polish for under $3.

 LA Color Grafix Eyeliner and Jumbo Eye Pencil

I recently found LA Colors Grafix Eyeliners and Jumbo Eye Pencils in my local Dollar General. Both liners are $2. The Grafix Eyeliner is a felt tip waterproof liquid liner and the Jumbo Eye Pencil are very reminiscent of NYX Jumbo Pencils. Both provide great color and longevity for the price.

 NK Lipstick

Nicka K or NK Brand has stepped these lipsticks up in the past couple of years. They used to be basic reds and bronzes, now you can find several high end dupes in this collection for only $1 ( in most beauty supply stores) MAC Lavender Whip, Riri Woo, Grey Friday "dupes"....all were found in NK Lipsticks!!

 EOS Balm

I thought I would never find a basic lip balm that wasn't a greasy goopy mess until I found EOS balms! I remember when there was only one flavor of these now you have several consistencies and scents for under $4! I can't go a day without basing my lips in one of these. Its almost an essential skin care for me.

E.L.F. Brushes ($1-$3)

When I became interested in growing and improving my makeup application skills, I had no money for $20, $30 brushes. So when I saw several You Tube makeup gurus reaching for E.L.F. brushes, I bought me a couple. Not everyone will agree with me but I find that E.L.F. Studio and some of their $1 brushes are amazing for eye and face application. Their small blender brush ( last on the right) is perfect for my small eye crease and their flat top powder brush provide flawless application of  liquid foundation.

What are some of your under $5 makeup favorites?? Let me know in the comments!!!

~Fresh Coat~ Cover Girl Outlast Nail Polish in Peaches & Cream...

Hey Everyone!!

I never do "before & after" after photos with polish but when I use a polish that claims, "no chipping" or "long lasting results" or "color stay" or "outlast", B&As are inappropriate for the post.

Its taken me a minute to pick up one of these CoverGirl Outlast Nail Gloss polishes. They are really small and run $5-$6. Not a deal for me. However, blogger MissJia instagrammed her nail in Peaches & Cream and I was smitten. I went to the cheapest place I know for CoverGirl, Walmart, and picked it up.

This is two coats with a top coat and on the ring finger, Spoiled by Wet N' Wild in Jewelry Heist.

If you look closely to the ring finger, I have chip, that showed up about an hour after the manicure.

I knew this was not going to be good. LOL!

Three days later....my nails are looking dusty and rusty. I've used another drugstore brand "long lasting" polish and didn't have these chipping problems. I even double checked myself, "Were my coats thin or too thick?" "What base coat did I use?" But the reality is, the polish doesn't Outlast nothing. At least on MY NAILS.

I'm glad I only bought one Cover Girl Outlast Nail Gloss...and this will be my only one.

~Pinterest Beauty DIY~ How To Make Nail Polish.....

Hey Everyone!!

I received a wonderful request to do a popular Pinterest DIY pin, 

If you are a Pinterest junkie or at least browse Pinterest...daily, you may have seen the DIY Nail Polish pin (above). 

So....Here we go!!

Step 1

I gathered paper towel ( to protect the counter), a spoon, a eye shadow, clear nail polish, and a Styrofoam plate( for a make shift funnel)

 Step 2

I scraped and crushed the eye shadow in to the plate. I tried to get the shadow is fine as possible, so it will dissolve in the polish effectively.

 Step 3

I took the top off the polish, folded the plate carefully with the shadow in it and SLOWLY poured the shadow in. Because the polish is of a thick texture it will only go in so far. I used the polish brush to push the shadow down and add more. I would also suggest a toothpick or Q-tip to push the polish down.

 Step 4

When I had put as much shadow in as a wanted, I then put the top back on and shook the bottle to mix the color around.

 Well!! Will you look at this beauty???? I own nothing like this shade.

I applied my base coat, then three coats of the DIY polish and top it all off with a top coat.

TIPS FOR A EFFECTIVE DIY POLISH!!

-The less shadow you add, the more the polish will be sheer. The more shadow you add, the most opaque the polish will be. I added as much as I could for maximum opaque-ness.

-Let the polish set for a couple of hours to a whole day after shaking it to mix it so that the bubbles in the polish will settle. Otherwise, your polish will have bubbles on top of your nails.

-If you are making this polish for a special occasion, do it at least 24 hours in advance.

Overall...

I had soooo much fun creating this color!! Its a great project if you are in a pinch for a color of polish that you a) can not find or b) can't afford. This also a great project for a girls' night in or a  slumber party.

Have any requests for me?  Beauty DIYs? If it's something within my ability, I will do it!! Comment below or email me at ruralglamour at yahoo dot com!!!

~Swatches + Review~ Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Face Illuminator....

Hey Everyone!!

Thanks to Crystalis007 on You Tube, I got hipped to Maybelline Dream Sun Bronzing Face Illuminator. She compared it her favorite NARS liquid highlighter, so you know I was VERY interested. I love a good, inexpensive alternative or the favorite beauty word of the day..."dupe".:)

I found Dream Sun on a display at a Rite Aid. I believe that it is a limited edition product. The display only had two of these product.

The product is more of a gel than a lotion. So when it goes on the skin, you have some time to adjust and blend, then its set in the skin.  Dream Sun, on my skin, is a warm, champagne gold. 

I applied Dream Sun with a mini stippling brush I ordered from Crown Brush a while back. I don't have much upper cheek bone space, so this brush is great for applying Dream Sun.

Overall....

Dream Sun is a AWESOME product. Its really easy to look over, because its Maybelline and drugstore and it's a liquid highlighter. Most oily skin girls steer away from the liquid highlighters! lol! However, this product is more of a gel, it stays put on the skin and its goes perfectly more blushes, other bronzers and contour powders. If I find another display of these, I'm grabbing a back up!!!