For a while now I've been thinking about replacing all of my commercial toiletries with all natural ones.
Why? You may ask.
Well, I watched a documentary called The Human Experiment that basically went over the dangerous and harmful chemicals that are in commercial toiletries. Theses chemicals in these products have been linked to different cancers and autism.
So, I since I'm trying to live a long cancer free life and to eventually have a beautiful, healthy child, I figured why not try it out.
I am also simply in love with the simplicity of all natural products with ingredients that I know and recognize, it makes me feel earthy.
Maybe thats my inner hippie coming out.
Another extremely important thing about most of these products besides that they are all natural is that almost all of them are small business and are black owned.
I could explain to you guys the importance of supporting small businesses and black businesses but, you should already know.
The first thing I ordered was the Catherine Marion Bundle. It contains shampoo, conditioner, leave in conditioner and hair oil.
I first heard about Catherine Marion through one of my favorite YouTubers Mia Ghogho . I was inspired by her to give this brand a try! I am going to do an in depth review of Catherine Marion products in a later post featuring a wash and go using only these products so stay tuned!!
On the top left is the Coconut Lemon Grass body mist by the brand Pooka and below that is the Dead In The Dirt shower gel by Foxie. I absolutely love the smell of the Foxie shower gel as for the body mist I'm not partial to the scent but, I will probably try another scent from the many that they have.
On the top right is the Oyin Honey Stick lip balm so far it has been keeping my lips nice and moist. On the bottom is the Coco Mango deodorant also by Oyin. I have read a lot of bad reviews regarding natural deodorants in general people saying that it didn't work for them or that they were burned by certain natural deodorants. But, I used the Oyin Funk Butter and went out in the South Carolina heat for a couple hours and came back home not smelling bad. I even made my aunt and cousin smell my armpits and they can verify that my pits were not stank.
These next products I was extremely excited to try out and how I came about this brand was kind of weird. So, originally I was looking at the Bahi Sunflower Sweets serum but as I was watching some YouTube videos about Bahi, their poor customer service and their long shipping (not a dig at Bahi this is literally what everyone in their YouTube Videos were saying) I got turned off of all the negative reviews. But, in the comment section in one of the videos somebody recommended Nolaskinsentials Iconic Elixir as an alternative to Bahi's Sunflower Sweets.
After that it was history, I bought the whole Nolaskinsentials Skincare Bundle because I honestly didn't know which products to try first. But, I have used these products for 3 days so far and I already see an improvement in my skin.
But, there will be review of their products and my skin care routine using them
with before and after pictures in an upcoming blog post!!
Next are some body scrubs and butters by Skin Buttr. I ordered the Mix and Match Sample Pack and got to chose 3 of their products. I chose the Pomango Buttr, Pomango Scrub, and Ginger Lemon Scrub.
I have something to confess to you guys... I, Imani Johnson, am addicted to body scrubs. I started using them second semester of college in January and haven't stopped since. Once a week I like to give myself a spa day but I call it my " Treat Yo Self Day." If you guys wanna know all that I do on my little spa day leave a comment!
The last things that I purchased is this mouthwash and tooth paste. Being the undercover hippie that I am, I found out some of the things fluoride can do to your body and decided to try to get rid of it as much as I could ( I'm not going to stop using tap water because that's a little bit too much).
Both of these items are not from a black owned business but, I think I did a pretty good job at finding mostly all natural products owned by black businesses.
If you guys try, or have tried any of these products or businesses let me know what you think and leave a comment!!
So, a couple of months ago I ordered some glasses off of the site called Zenni Optical. I had heard about Zenni Optical from my aunt who had ordered some cool unique frames and that was something I desperately wanted. I usually only wear contacts. The last time I had a new pair of glasses was at the beginning of my freshman year of High School, and they were just plain, black, rectangular frames that made me look nerdy. So yeah, it had been a minute and I needed a glasses upgrade. I didn't want those basic frames you get from Walmart, I wanted glasses that had some sort of personality to them, so Zenni was my perfect option.
I know what you're thinking...
Prescription glasses online!?
Yes, it was a simple and easy process that I was nervous about myself when my aunt told me about it.
But, I simply put in my prescription and my glasses came in without any problems.
For these 70's inspired frames click here.
And for these simple glasses click here.
Now a while ago when I was in Korea over winter break I decided that I wanted to try eyelash extensions and I loved them! To be able to wake up and feel naturally pretty just because your eyelashes were longer and fuller was amazing to me. Every time I blinked I felt as if my lashes would give me the ability to fly.
But, I decided to take them off... myself... and that was not a good decision.
The first reason as to why I wanted to take them off was because it made it difficult to put on eyeshadow and eyeliner since they kept on getting in my way. When I would put on make up some of the make up residue would still be near my lash line and I wouldn't be able to get it completely off. Another reason I wanted to take the lashes off because they were falling out (from washing my face to vigorously) and I didn't feel like getting them redone (it costs an arm and a leg to get redone).
A picture of me with my glorious lashes.^^
Now that you know the reasons I decided to take them off let me explain to you why it was probably not the best idea to do it myself.
So, since I had in my mind that I wanted these eyelashes off I began to do research of some ways to take them off without ripping out my real eyelashes. The most common way based off of my research was to use some sort of lubricant such as oil or vaseline and massage it on the eyelashes and they would come out.
I found that to be inaccurate.
The massaging didn't take off the lashes. I don't know what type of glue was used to adhere the fake lashes to mine, but it was not letting go.
So, I bought some DIY lashes from Walmart since I knew it came with the lash glue remover. I tried the lash glue remover and still the lashes were not coming off.
By now my eyes are super greasy from the oil, vaseline and lash glue remover. So, I decided that i'll use the lash and brow comb to try and finagle these lashes off and technically it worked. But, some of my real eyelashes were still attached to the fakes and ended up also being removed from my lash line.
By the time I was done I barely had any natural lashes left. Of course now that months have gone by my lashes are almost back to the length they used to be before the fake lash fiasco.
Do I regret taking the lashes out myself? Yes, sort of.
If I could do it all over would I still do it myself? Yes, the price of getting the lashes taken professionally didn't seem worth it so, I would've probably ended up taking them out myself all over again.
Would I ever get eyelash extensions again? No, I wouldn't get them done professionally but, I would do the fake eyelash strip or fake individuals and apply them myself.
I hope you'll learn from my mistakes!!
I hope you'll learn from my mistakes!!
Within about three months I had two new piercings and two new tattoos!
On this post I'm basically going to explain why I got them and how painful it was.
So, the first piercing I got was my nose. I actually had my nose pierced my junior year of high school. But I played volleyball my senior year of high school and piercings aren't allowed and I left it out to long and the piercing closed.
The first time I got my nose pierced my Nana and I got it at the same time since she had always wanted to get her nose pierced and I really wanted nose ring. I decided to go with the stud the first time I got it pierced and the second time so I wouldn't hit it all the time when washing my face. I got my nose pierced Dec. 5.
As for the pain it isn't that bad you will tear up but it usually happens to everybody. If I were to rate it from 1-10 it would be like a 2-3.
As for my tragus piercing I got that Feb. 4. I also had this pierced before the same time I got my nose pierced with my Nana, but it fell out a couple of days later and I never went back to the place to tell them to put in another ring.
For the pain, I don't remember it hurting so much the first time but, when I recently go it pierced it was somewhat painful. I would rate it a 3-4 and it is still tender since it is still new.
So, I got my first tattoo Dec. 5, the same day I got my nose re-pierced. I've been wanting this tattoo since about sophomore year of high school. I'm off on an Adventure, is actually a lyric from my favorite Kid Cudi song Mr. Rager. For those of you who know me and have been following my blog for a while you know that I absolutely LOVE Kid Cudi. I don't consider myself one of those fans who cry upon seeing their favorite artist live or in person, but for Kid Cudi, I would be balling.
Anyways, I feel like this tattoo just reminds me of life how we are all on an adventure and we have to live life to the fullest. This tattoo also means to me my love for traveling and going somewhere new. It's almost like a statement for my purpose.
Although, if you actually listen to the song it has nothing to do with my meaning of the lyric. Providing my own meaning is me making it more personal, it is me making it mine.
For the pain it wasn't that bad, it was a good place to put a first tattoo. I would probably rate it a 2-3 on the 1-10 pain scale.
And for my last tattoo I also got this Feb. 4, when I got my tragus pierced. Why do I get a piercing and tattoo together? I really have no idea, I guess just so I can kill two birds with one stone.
I really love this tattoo and it's placement. Just a small heart on the tragus of my ear. I really truly wish there was a long winded meaning for this tattoo like there is for my first one, but I got this tattoo simply because I liked it.
I'm sure as life goes on it will develop it's own story and meaning but for right now it has none. I saw this tattoo on the model Adwoa Aboah and really wanted it so, I got it. Yes, I am a lowly tattoo copier, but if you love it f*ck it!
Now, I do plan on getting more tattoos and one more piercing. I don't want to be tatted up, but I do want more sneaky tattoos that can only be seen if I'm wearing a bathing suit.
(I also have my belly button pierced, but neglected to take a picture)
Don't forget to follow Tales of a Lame on
New palette...Who dis?
Y'all I'm late for the bandwagon again.
First ColourPop and now Juvia's Place!
I first saw The Nubian palette when one of my favorite YouTubers was using it in a make-up tutorial. When I saw the finish eye look I was in awe. And then I hopped on the website and ordered it! When I got on the website I realized how late I was for the bandwagon. They already had a Nubian 2 and a new palette called The Masquerade coming out August fifth.
If you are wondering where I am going to be August fifth, I will be ordering this palette, watching Suicide Squad, and waiting for my mom to get here from Korea.
Y'all when I say I squealed a little bit when I got it in the mail I am not playing. I was so excited. I'm a newbie when it comes to make-up. I never really had quality eye shadow or any make-up of quality truthfully. So, this eye-shadow palette is like sticking my big toe in the pool of make-up. My goal is to practice, get better at it, and to be "slayed to the gods" as they say.
Let's take a second to appreciate how beautiful the cover of The Nubian palette is.
The big reveal!
I love glowy, earthy eye looks I think it compliments darker skin tones well.
First row on the palette.
For all the swatches the bottom color is the far right and the top is the far left of the platte.
Second row
Last row
The colors are pigmented enough that I won't really need an eyeshadow primer.
But, I love how they look on my skin tone and I'm so excited to start experimenting!
Check out Juvia's Place here.
So, I figured I'd jump on the Colour Pop band wagon.
This brand is all over youtube and is most known for it's matte liquid lipsticks.
Since lipsticks are my first love I figured I'd give them a try,
and why not with each of them costing only $6!
I also decided to try the highlighters since I don't have any good quality ones.
Overall I really loved their products and the different colors they come in.
Of course with matte lip products they tend to be drying which is extremely true with this product.
In order to limit the drying I usually put on a lip balm before applying the liquid lipstick and rub the lip balm on my lips. If you don't rub the lip balm in to your lips the liquid lipstick doesn't dry well.
As for the highlighters, I find them easier to apply with my fingers rather than using a blush.
Plus, when you use your fingers the product comes out more pigmented making your highlight glow, causing you to slay even more!
But, here are some pics of how these different colors look on my skin tone.
If you want to check them out order from their website ColourPop.com
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| Highlighters:Avalon, Most Necessary |
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| Liquid Lipstick: Limbo |
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| Liquid Lipstick: Platform |
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| Since Platform was too light for my skin tone I added a lip liner to mute it. |
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| Liquid Lipstick; Beeper |
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| Liquid Lipstick: More Better |
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| Liquid Lipstick: Avenue |
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| Liquid Lipstick: Guess |
I seriously love the color burgundy for the winter months it reminds me of warmth, which is something I desperately need when going out and about in Korea!
I went from owning none of this color, to owning 5 or 6 different pieces of clothing in the color and every time I see something in this color I wanna buy it. It's only a little bit of an obsession...
At least that's what I'm telling myself!
Anyways I've mostly been wearing this color with gold and black that's why it's in the weirdly cool circle thing I made.
Stay tuned for how I wear the color combination in the next couple of personal style posts!!
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| *Pic does not belong to me* Links back to owner |
Hi, my name is Imani, I am 5'll, and I am in love with creepers.
I have yet to actually own a pair of creepers, but ever since flatforms have been hitting the fashion scene they have been in my sights.
Even though I am pretty tall, 1-2 inches taller is not going to hurt anybody!!
P.S. Birthday coming up Feb. 21st so hint hint Mommy ;)
Creepers: T.U.K