The Deepest Deep Pore Cleansing Treatment

I recently began using Health & Beauty Aztec Secret Indian Health Clay. I can truly say I have never had a better at-home facial treatment. This facial clay is made out of 100% Calcium Bentonite. I can definitely see a marked difference in the appearance of my skin. The clay comes in powder form that you mix with either raw apple cider vinegar or water. It only takes about 1 - 2 tablespoons of the clay with equal parts of the liquid. After application your face will begin to pulsate, when I first read that on the bottle I didn't believe it. Five minutes into my facial, pulsation was REAL! It was like a face massage heaven. With so little required to make the mask, you are truly getting a bang for your buck! And if you're anything like me, don't worry about if you make to much, just add more water and store it in a little plastic baggie for future use. It has certainly helped with the oil control, reducing my pores and removing unsightly blackheads. I'll spare you the details on how this product works, feel free to consult the Aztec Secret website but this is definitely a gold mine of a product. Additionally the website features some great "recipes" for maximizing use of the clay - you can mix the powder with green tea for an antioxidant facial, add honey for a honey mask and you can use it with your pedicures for a clay foot mask. Invest $8 (or less I found great deals by googling Aztec Health) and welcome to the world of beautiful skin. How Radiant!!!

Bernie Mac...The King Lives On

Now in a somewhat unrelated posting, I want to take a few moments to honor the life of Bernie Mac. My absolute favorite comedian. My girlfriend reminded me of my favorite part of his Kings of Comedy tour...I'm reaching for my milk and cookies now.

While not a beauty trend, laughter keeps us all Radiant. RIP Bernie Mac.

Oily Skin Be Gone!

Some of you may really think I am crazy for this post, and I am ok with that label. I have found the ultimate product in shine control. It's been in my medicine cabinet for years and only cost a measly $3.49! I have explored an all new use for Milk of Magnesia...yes I said it. That good ole laxative doubles as the best darn shine control I have ever had. Again, again I know many of you are shaking your head but I promise you it's true. A light brushing of milk of magnesia (on a cotton pad or ball) was all I needed for the perfect matte look that lasted ALL DAY. My t-zone was in check for the entire day with no need for blot powder, blot sheet or a mid-day wash.

This prime recommendation really errs on the side of "non-traditional" but it is one that is being added to my daily regimen. Definitely a must try...and for the ultimate in matte looks, mix a bit of the milk of magnesia with your favorite foundation and you're set for the day.

For those who are still on the fence about this post, here's my additional three cents:

• There is no odor from the milk of magnesia, but if you are worried feel free to mix in a little rose water to jazz it up
• Milk of magnesia goes on clear so no funny chalky looks

That's it lovelies, true **Radiance** at its 3.49 best!!!

Perfect Manicure, Anytime and Everytime

Setting: It's Friday, 5:30pm, you rush into the nail salon after work for your bi-weekly manicure. 40 minutes later, perfectly squared nails, in that hot new neon orange color that Rihanna been rocking. You think you've sat under those UV-light nail dryers long enough and you walk out the salon. As you reach for your car door, uuuggghhh you hit the middle finger nail. Dammit, you have to choose between trying to get the technician to fix you up real quick and missing the free before 9:30 special at tonight's hot party....

Well the days of the rock and hard place decision are over. Borghese has a hot product Perfecto Smudge Smoother that will definitely smooth away all your problems. This $12 solution is money truly well spent. Whether its touching up that mani from Sassy Nails or your own home done pamper treatment, this smoother is all you need. The smoother works like the q-tip trick that many of us know and love, but its simpler with less fuss. Don't let the packaging fool you, it comes in a nail polish bottle but this is most definitely oils. Not as harsh as actual nail polish remover but it smoothes the smudge, evening out and blending the colors. And you won't even have to re-apply a coat of nail polish. Lovely Radiance!!!

A Hot Homeade Facial Toner

Okay my Radiant lovelies..please forgive me for the little break. As I get used to managing the blog I promise to touch base with you all weekly.

So to start off this weeks posting, I am reviewing a new home treatment that I have been trying for the past few days. This is one part of a two-part series regarding oil control for the face, specifically that god-awful t-zone I have personally developed a love-hate relationship. I personally think I have the most oily skin known to man. Ten seconds out the shower and I have a slick of oil sprouting on my face. I have tried a plethora of oil control products and keep oil blotting sheets on lock, but I haven't given up hope, always yearning for a better tomorrow! Enter apple cider vinegar and green tea. This simple homemade toner is used after one's facial cleansing routine and is so simple and inexpensive to make! So far, I have seen the fruits of my labor with a reduction in the oiliness on my face as well as longer lasting effects of the oil control. So for all my Radiant girlies in need of a tried and true method to control add the recipe below to your daily routine.

Recipe
1 cup apple cider vinegar

1 cup organic green tea (use distilled or boiled water to steep the tea)*

*Distilled or boiled water can be used in lieu of the green tea; green tea helps with cutting down on the strong smell of the vinegar


Use as a toner after normal facial cleansing routine
Note: Some may find that this toner is very drying for their face, feel free to cut back on the vinegar if that is the case. Vinegar is acidic so you can experience some dryness of the face; but if you're truly oily like me you may even want to up the ante!!


UPDATES:

• Thanks for an excellent question regarding the previous posting on the homemade wax, click here for updates on sugar waxing
• As promised updated information on the steam conditioning at Mirror Images NY salon here

Wax Much????

So before everyone really starts bumping the summer ending classic Dear Summer, I think a thorough discussion on beach etiquette is in order. Who remembers the Wax Much scene from my super fave movie Sex and the City??? Well the honesty of it is Miranda is not the only woman who overlooks the much needed personal grooming, and while most may think that waxing is a personal grooming matter when walking around exposing your Hairy Scary you’ve just made your personal regime my personal insult. So in the spirit of keeping us all Radiantly beautiful, I have listed below a recipe that I personally use for waxing and hair removal. This recipe goes along with my long list of ancient techniques – Egyptian sugaring.

For those who have ever dared a Brazilian wax, this recipe can be used to **de-clutter** those bikini lines or for those who dare to completely bare, and don’t forget the legs, underarms or even the face. It’s an all-natural recipe, using items in your fridge/kitchen and is based off the sugaring technique. Additionally, this wax when made right is in the form of a gummy/rubbery texture that can be continuously applied to the area you are working on. What I have found is this type of wax and its specific texture is way less painless that commercial, unnatural shall we say, waxes. The sugar component allows for the substance to attach solely to the hair as opposed to the skin like regular wax. This technique is used with room temperature sugaring paste as opposed to scolding hot wax applied to some of our most intimate parts! The lemon provides citric acid, which as an astringent tightens skin making the hair removal process easier. Further, for all the home-based waxers this technique is much easier to clean than regular approaches. And the major bonus for all my Radiant and frugal is the natural recipe saves you big bucks, so we can all keep it carefree and hairless when the sun is shining and even when it is now!!!

RECIPE:
1. Two cups of water
2. Three cups of sugar or three cups of honey
3. Two teaspoons of lemon juice

PROCEDURE:
1. Place all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to boil.
2. When its color changes to golden brown, lower the heat and continue to simmer.
3. Keep a careful watch on the color. Once it starts to change to brown, turn off the heat.
4. Allow cooling a little, then pour small quantities onto heavy-duty plastic; the type that will not melt.
NOTE: It is not a good idea to use a plate, you will want a pliable source.
5. When it becomes cool enough to handle, pull a piece off the plastic and pull and stretch it. This will immediately cause it to change color, from a clear golden brown to an opaque gold. It should be easy to stretch and pull. If it is too hard, you have left it on the heat for too long and must make a new batch. If it is too liquid, it has not been heated enough and must be heated once more, or a new batch made.

If you use a candy thermometer 260 degree is the correct temperature.

UPDATE: An excellent question has come in regarding proper use of the wax. First things first, unless you have experience and/or feel strongly comfortable waxing yourself - please leave it to the professionals. That being said, when selecting a suitable waxing salon ask them if they offer sugar waxing. If you prefer self-waxing, with the recipe above, the wax will form into a putty like substance. Apply it to the are in a downward facing direction, and remove the wax in a direction going against the grain of the hair. You'll want to remove the hair quickly. Feel free to use aloe at the end of the process to reduce any temporary redness. Hope this helps, hit me up if you're interested in more detailed information.

Hair Pampering in 2008 and Beyond...

I remember back in 1996 when I was a young’n on the streets of NYC. Hair care in the 90s had a different spin, it was all about the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday $10 wash and set special at your local Dominican hair salon. In 2008, Dominican hair salons have more than blown up – while I won’t get my $10 wash with the doobie at Mirror Images (yes the original weekly client for Dominga!), with prices like $25 and $35, we can all stay Radiant in these economically challenging times.

That being said, back when I lived in area where I could walk to the shop at any time, on any day – I used to get a special conditioning treatment, that I promise is the hair pampering treatment of 2008 and beyond. For those who are well versed with conditioning – 3 Radiant points for you; for those who aren’t you are 15 years behind schedule! Steam conditioning, a technique where you sit under a steamer (clear bowl connected to a glass pot with steeping water) for 20 – 25 minutes is excellent for your hair. The ultimate in moisturizing – so for all of us naptually yours Radiant girls, this is what you need to do – but wait its NOT only for natural beauties, our lye partners can get down with the steamer too! It also helps with dandruff, increases softness of hair, and the luscious Radiant shine.

So during your next trip to the hair salon, pay a few more bucks and indulge in the steam conditioner – I mean with the money you’re saving on your eyebrows you can afford it. And if you really want a treat tell the stylist to use the Dominican conditioners and if you aren’t up on those, stop by your local Dominican shop and purchase some – your hair will thank you.

****Radiant Bonus*****
For the two cities nearest and dearest to my heart, here are some personal references of places to find this Radiant hair technique:

New York City:
Mirror Images
109th and 110th Street Columbus Avenue
NOTE: It’s been a minute since I’ve gotten my hair done at home, back when I went Dominga charged $5.00 extra for the steam machine. I’ll hit her up to get the accurate info for you Radiant girlys.

UPDATE: It has been confirmed, Mirror Images has one steam machine. $5 for steam conditioning, $5 and up for special dominican conditioners. Lovely Radiance!

Atlanta:
Lilly’s Hair Plus
5344 Jimmy Carter Blvd Nw, Norcross, GA 30093
With confirmation from the source, Lilly has two machines in heavy rotation…get on it!

Threading, Threading and more Threading....

So I’ve decided that my first inaugural post since publishing this blog will be about my absolute tried and true hair removal technique: threading!!! If you are one who has ever wondered how to achieve that razor sharp, perfect eyebrow arch without risking the botox shot to the wrong muscle look or that dang I sneezed when the razor was still moving look, then threading is the way you need to go.

Threading is an ancient, eastern hair removal technique. I mean if we are all about vintage clothing, why not be about vintage beauty techniques as well. Some say threading originated in India (my belief as well); others will list other Middle Easter countries, nonetheless, this technique has well passed the “up and coming trend” here in the US. Celebrities like Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, and dang it Oprah are sworn threaders, you should be too!

The Technique:
The actual process of threading requires a SKILLED threading practitioner. Before going on, I cannot stress that enough – eyebrows you all will learn are my favorite body part, yet can be so easily messed up with a long lasting impact. I mean how many have accidentally had too much taken off? That super thin, do you have alopecia look that will last at least a month. It’s not worth it and definitely not Radiant, so let’s always keep it professional. That being said, the process includes use of 100% cotton thread which is rolled and twisted along the surface of the skin entwining hairs and lifting them from the follicle one by one, talk about precise! In terms of pain, I personally believe it’s not much different in comparison to waxing (just a little longer), but it is all-natural so none of the weird, red eyes funny business afterwards. In fact, threading is highly recommended for those using prescription acne treatments such as Retin-A and Accutane. When your hair re-grows it will come in finer and sparser than before. Additionally there is a reduction of in-grown hairs.

Pros and Cons: I am obviously biased, but for the objective at heart here’s my attempt at a balanced perspective of this super hot and **Radiant** trend:
PROS:
• It’s all natural – not likely to have an allergic reaction here
• Less expensive – so on a personal note my first introduction to threading came from my desire to stay Radiant yet frugal when I moved to Atlanta for college, I always manage to stay within the $4 - $10 range
• More precise
• Shaped to the natural curve of your eyebrow – or – achieve other desired eyebrow shapes

CONS:
• Where can I find a place near me?

So there you have it folks, the uber Radiant beauty technique for those fabulous eyebrows. Let me know if there is anything else I can include to make this more **Radiant!!!!**