Category: Beauty

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Trying the “Pink Mask”

Posted on by The Style Cake

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and I have two aunts that have had breast cancer more than once. I won’t be specific about who they are to respect their privacy but I thought it’d be cool to do something to bring attention and awareness to this terrible disease.

There are a few misconceptions out there so I’ve included some links at the end of this post to offer both clarity and information on the subject. In the meantime, I’m deciding to try out Boscia’s Luminizing Pink Mask and share my thoughts.

Recently, I’ve shared a bit of what I loved for skin care. If you haven’t read that post, click here. Anyhoo, this mask is supposed to help brighten and boost skin tone as well as remove impurities and excess oils (which I could definitely use). It boasts ingredients that help improve elasticity in the skin. Since I’m over 35, I definitely have no problem with that benefit!

To apply, you’re supposed to slap on a somewhat thick layer, avoiding areas like hair and eyes of course. After waiting 30 mins you can start to peel of the mask to see the results. The texture of this mask is tacky and kind of like liquid candy in thickness. As it dried, it started to lift a little which is okay with me. Here’s what it looked like on face when I first applied it:

After it was dry, I peeled it right off pretty easily. There’s minimal pain so you shouldn’t be screaming unless you caught hair in the mask. The results? Quite frankly, I didn’t see much of a difference in my skin. I don’t know if my expectations were just too high but in my opinion, this mask was just okay. No change in my skin except for a little softness. Here is my skin before:

The results look like this:

What do YOU think?

If you want to try this mask, it retails for $22 at Sephora and $34 at Ulta online but I only paid 13 bucks for mine at TJ Maxx!! I recommend going to your local store’s beauty department to see if they have any if you want to try it! If you try it, come back and let me know what you think! In the meantime, style posts coming soon!

Natural Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast Cancer Causes

My Slight Obsession With Colourpop…

Posted on by The Style Cake

I won’t make this a long post so let’s cut to the chase. Those blotted lip products. Pure seduction. Seriously. I check the site frequently seduced by the thought more will be uploaded as “new items”. Yea i know, almost everyone goes for their liquid matte lipstick but I have to tell you why I love the blotted liquid lipsticks so much.

It’s weird because so many people actually have said that they dislike this line of Colourop products. Well, I don’t know what they tried but I think these lip products make the perfect kissed lips. Yes. These lip products make it look like you just finished a lovely make out session. Eh, for some of you that may not matter but as married woman…this tickles me. The pigment is definitely enough to look put together and or made up while not being over done. Literally, this is the best lip for a casual but flirty outfit! If you’ve seen the Glossier craze and the lip products they’re pushing, just know these blotted lip products by Colourpop are just the same…but kinder on the pockets. I’ll pop back in with a review on some more Colourpop, I promise!

Why I’m Switching to #Scentbox and I Cancelled My Scentbird Subscription…

Posted on by The Style Cake

As you can probably tell, I love trying products and am a wee bit of a beauty junkie. I try to temper what I buy to be more on the practical side instead of just frivolously buying a ton of things that I don’t need. Trust me, I’ve been there done that. All that comes of that is clutter and a waste of money because we can never use everything we buy if we buy EVERYTHING! That had been the case with my perfume collection I needed to pare down what I had and only buy what I would actually wear (and in smaller bottles) and no more.

So when I heard about Scentbird, I was truly excited because this was an answer to my problem right? Well, keep on reading…

First Things First!

I signed up for Scentbird in September of 2016. When I signed up, I loaded my queue up with fragrances that I had been eager to both try and get a hold of without maxing out my budget. For those of you wondering, this is how Scentbird works per the Scentbird website:

Visit www.scentbird.com (ladies) or www.scentbird.com/men (guys) and click on “get started” to create an account. Enter your shipping and billing details to sign up for a subscription, and start choosing the fragrances you want to receive by adding them to your queue!

To receive scent recommendations, click on the “Recommendations” tab at the top of our page, which will prompt our scent quiz.

When you register for Scentbird, you can pre-select scents to receive each month for the following months. You can also log onto your account to edit your queue, add new scents, or rearrange your scents in the order that you’d like to receive them.

Note that your monthly fragrance selection is locked in on the 5th of the month. Therefore, any edits to your queue done after the 5th, will only be effective for the following month. (For example, if you go into your queue on June 7th you will NOT be able to change your June scent, but you will be able to edit July onwards).

Each month you will receive an 8ml spray filled with the scent of your choice. It comes out to be 120 sprays, and this is enough fragrance to apply twice daily for 30 days. Included with your first shipment, you will get a sleek case, FREE!

This all sounds simple, fun and hassle-free huh?

My Scentbird Experience

So as I was saying earlier, I loaded up my queue with four months worth of fragrances. Since I’m mildly obsessed with the Clean Reserve fragrances, two of those four fragrances were from that line. One being Warm Cotton (first in my queue) and the Skin (initially third but moved during the month of October to the fourth month which was December).  My new line up was:

September (Clean Reserve Warm Cotton)

October (Polo Red Cologne)

November (I Am Juicy Couture)

December (Clean Reserve Skin)

Every last one of these fragrances came on time as they are shipped beteeen the 15th and the 19th every month. Mine were shipped on the 15th. Scentbird boasts that they only ship authentic fragrances to their customers and as far as I can tell from my own experience, that’s totally true. I was satisfied with my experience, that is until December.

Confusion 

Upon checking my account I noticed that I had a different perfume choice in my queue than what I selected. I frequently checked my account and the last I checked in November, everything was ready and set to go. Now I sat on the edge of my bed trying to figure out what I’m the world was going on.

Disappointment

Not being able to figure out what was going on, I looked to contact the company. Since there is no listed phone number (anywhere) for this company, I used the available contact information of email. I sent the email and it took about 48 hours (which is understandable this time of year) to get a response back. They forewarn you of this timetable before you send your email. I am disappointed that this is the only communication that I can have with email. Makes me feel like my concerns is not as important to the company as they are to me.

Frustration

When I finally receive a response back, my problem is not taken care of. In fact, twice I was made aware (which I didn’t need to be) of company policy that adjustments need to be made to the queue by the 5th of the month. The only problem is, the discontinued the fragrance without alerting me. I had set my queue up months in advance so checking my queue was not in my mindset. Boy do I wish I had double checked behind this company!

My Resolve:

So since this company refuses to help or fix their fault, I decided to cancel my subscription.

Terms and Conditions 

Let me be a “big sister” and alert you to something. When you sign up for this “subscription” service, you agree to the terms and conditions that protect this company regardless of if unethical or not. Trust me, you won’t benefit a bit. Sorry guys. Protect yourself and read the fine print. DO NOT just sign up because you watch a video or read a blog and are offered a coupon code. There is no customer service number to cancel once you sign up. That is an obvious clue to your future experience with this company. At least it should have been in my case anyway. Lesson learned.

Moving on…

In the words of the singer Mya, “I’m moving on”. I truly loved the idea of trying my favorite fragrances for a portion of the price every month. I hated to cancel but just could not accept the less than satisfactory experience with customer service. It was time to do research. So I found this company that allows you to try samples of fragrances (a wider array I might add) for $13.95/month! Guys, they even have Victor & Rolf fragrance samples. They are 100% real fragrances! Just to compare value, Scentbird charges $14.99 across the board for all 0.27 oz sample fragrances. Any savings is a great one, right? The best part? You are not locked into a subscription! Cancel anytime and truly be a free bird ready to fly away whenever you want to! Pun intended lol.

The Bottom Line:

I would recommend the company below if you’re looking to try fragrance without being trapped, for inexpensive price points and for the ability to actually talk to someone in the customer service department. I will do a detailed review on my experience in a couple of months. The only downside? None so far. The good thing is, this company has a customer service number!

www.scentbox.com

(Non-sponsored)

Scentbox also has a free exchange policy where you can exchange one shipment free per month. To sign up for one month free click HERE! 

 

Feminine Care & Hygiene + Update!

Posted on by The Style Cake

I know I have yet to talk about this subject but I think there are some girls out there that may not have anyone to share valuable information about hygiene. It doesn’t seem like there should be much to this subject but feminine care can make a huge difference in you being comfortable and healthy!

What name do you use for your lady part? Coochie? Pocketbook? Couichewa? Butterfly? The best name to call it? Vagina! The pet names are cute and all for pillow talk with your hubby but in order to get aquatinted with proper care, you may need to refer to your lady parts in the accurate name. Seems stupid but guess what? Getting used to knowing all of your private last parts will help with learning your body as well as being able to easily identify potential or existing problems. There are doctor sites as well as health organization sites that show all your parts in that delicate and private area. Be sure to get acquainted.

I’m simply going to address cleanliness and in-between-showers-care so that those parts are always “fresh” and cares for properly. So the mistake that some women make is using soap or body wash to clean the vaginal area. Unless the washes and/or soaps are pH balanced, these will cause problems after continued use. These problems can include foul smells, itching, dryness, infections and unwanted discharge that indicate issues. Our vaginas are self cleaning on the inside so there’s never a need for douching. THAT actually throws off the pH balance and wreaks havoc as you clean out the good bacteria that helps keep your vaginal area healthy!

I recommend using My Honeypot vaginal cleanser. It’s pH balanced and contains all natural ingredients that won’t harm you. It’s not your typical lathering cleanser so don’t be surprised that you don’t see tons of bubbles. Instead, it’s a foam based cleanser that leaves you refreshed without drying you out.

For those times that are in between showers, grab the wipes. I love the lavender ones…they offer a tingle and warms you up! wink You can use these to wipe off after using the restroom, during menstrual periods and/or simply to be refreshed. I love these wipes and definitely recommend them. All in all, I hope that you guys are able to try the products out and hopefully this enlightened anyone that doesn’t know how to go about feminine hygiene. If you have questions or comments please feel feel to leave them below! Talk to you soon!

Update: The Honey Pot “Moisture” seems to have been discontinued. Just as well, Target now sells this brand’s line of products (cheaper than on the company’s site) and I purchased my next bottle there. I opted for “Sensitive” to replace the first one I tried. My body has been thanking me ever since I’ve been using these products!

Click HERE to try it out for yourself!

The Style Cake 💋

#Influenster Review: E.L.F. Cosmetics 

Posted on by The Style Cake

I am an Influenster and this is a sponsored post where I’ve received these products for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions that are expressed are completely my own. Now on to the review…

When I saw the Eyes Lips Face brand box come on the mail I got super excited since I wanted to revisit some of their products by recommendation of an associate. I hadn’t had any E.L.F products in a few years actually. I have a product that I bought last and I had put it away in makeup storage until this past year. That product I will discuss a little later in this post. Now, let me share what I received in my Vox Box…

Makeup: 

Mineral Infused Primer

Matte Lip Color

Baked Highlighter & Bronzer 

Skin Care: 

Hydrating Bubble Mask

Lip Exfoliator

Now let’s talk specifics. So as soon as I looked in the box my eyes were immediately drawn to the Bubble Mask. The name alone is very unique to products already on the market. I’ve never heard of a bubble mask and definitely not one sold in a drug store. 

I immediately opened it and tried it. My first time use results? My skin was actually surprisingly soft and moisturized. I must admit that I didn’t have the highest expectations (even though I was excited to try this) because this product is so inexpensive. I should also note that I tried this on day where I saw over 50 people in a enclosed setting under artificial lighting. I received so many compliments about how my skin glowed! I was extremely happy with the results needless to say. Would I buy this product again? YES! 

While I used my mask I decided it would be a good idea to try the Lip Exfoliator in Mint Maniac. Why not right? Well, I can say that I was expecting a much rougher texture grazing across my lips as I applied it but the mint infused in the exfoliator purposes to make up for “scrubbing” ability. This exfoliator didn’t remove any dead skin from my lips and my lips can get a bit flaky during this time of year. This product did feel moisturizing but that’s about it. Would I buy this product again? Meh, I don’t know. If I can’t find a cheaper alternative then I would buy there plenty of mint infused lip glosses on the market that have glazed and exfoliated my lips at the same time! 

As I’ve tried a couple of products from the skin care line, I would actually venture out and try more. Side note: I have sensitive skin. Next things I tried are all makeup. The first being the Mineral Infused Primer. So I mentioned at the outset that I would share what product I’ve recently pulled out of my makeup stash by E.L.F and it’s the tinted Mineral Infused Primer in Radiant Glow. I love that Primer and the un-tinted Primer is no different. It keeps my makeup from looking greasy/oily and doesn’t break me out. I’ve tried quite a few primers (which is why the tinted one was stashed away) and for the price, this will be a repeat buy. Would I purchase this product? YES! 

The Matte Lip Color was just okay for me. The color and the finish was not properly represented on the box that holds the product. It is described of course as having a matte finish but the finish is actually satin. Now, I’m not opposed to a satin finish however that’s not the finish that I was looking forward to seeing on my lips. That being said, if you’re looking for a long lasting lip color, look further than this product. The color appears more of a fuchsia based red than the dark almost burgundy red on the box. Since there are so many other matte lip colors on the market that are bold, this just misses the mark for me. Would I purchase this? Most likely NO! 

Lastly, I was excited to see what the Bronzer/Highlighter in Bronzed Glow was all about. I’m obsessed with a nude glossy lip paired with a nice glow (not sparkle, GLOW). I can say that I’m again pleasantly surprised! This product (including the bronzer) will be used as a highlighter. The color doesn’take me look made up or like I have a fake tan/sun kissed look. This product is light on the skin and applies without looking chalky. For reference, (in the summer I wear foundation/powder colors equivalent to NC50 and NC45 in the winter) just in case you’re wondering. It’s soft and applies easily. I definitely recommend this product. It compares very well to other drugstore bronzers on the market. Would I buy this product? YES! 
Overall, I am pretty satisfied in my revisiting of Eyes Lips Face products. Check them out for yourself. I wish I had a coupon code but they always run sales on the site, plus the price points are pretty low which is great for beauties on a budget. Check out the pics below and then let me know what YOU think! 

The Style Cake 💋 

Me wearing the highlighter below:

Laced With Style

Posted on by The Style Cake

I’m “jujjing” my style as you can see. I’ve been in love with lace, defined silhouettes and soft colors lately. I recently wore an outfit that featured a little bit of lace.

I loved that look so much! I am a big fan of lace but it’s been hard for me to incorporate it into my looks. Well, my mind would not let me go there. Lace has carried around a delicate reputation for bedrooms, special occasions and accents.


(Photo courtesy of: Wanelo)

That reputation has changed. And before it changed, I changed. I started wearing lace how I wanted to and I’m proud to say that I expanded my style. Since I’m now even more drawn to lace, I found this lace top thrifting. Now let me tell you, I am IN LOVE with this top! I wish I purchased it from a regular retail store because I would love this top in nude, pink and black as well. But, it’s a one of a kind. To feel better, I went out and purchased a lace dress (that I will share in this blog soon) lol and I love that dress but the quality of the lace is just not there. The quality of this top is impeccable. The construction is perfect and doesn’t risk easy snagging.

As you can see, I wore a statement necklace over the top. I didn’t worry about anything but whether the two were a stylish combo lol. That’s the beauty of thrifting. I’ve found some alternatives for you ladies that love the looks of this top. In the meantime, share your thoughts!

Talk to you soon,

The Style Cake 💋

Top: thrifted, similar here. Skirt: Fashion Nova, better quality version here. Shoes: Shoedazzle (sold out). Necklace: TSC. Handbag: American Apparel, similar here. 


Lunchtime @Influenster Review of the #MarcGlowStick by @MarcBeauty (and #contest)

Posted on by The Style Cake

Hi cupcakes! 

I know how Mondays can be be not the most flattering day of the week to our skin so I thought this review would be right on time! I was sent the Glow Stick, a highlighter by Marc Jacobs Beauty for review but I absolutely would have purchased this product if I hadn’t gotten it as a gift! 

I’m a huge fan of dewy, glowy skin so when I tried this product I was immediately a fan. Honestly, I figured I’d like it because I prefer a cream based highlighter over powder anyways. In my opinion, the powders generally have too much glitter, too powdery or are too extreme in shine leaving the skin looking more made up than a healthy glow. 

This highlighter adds glow, not a glittery streak. You don’t need a lot of this product because a little goes a very long way. Although the price point may be high for some, you won’t need to repurchase for a long time. The color is yellow gold based but has a bit of opalescence to it if that makes sense. I would personally apply this highlight AFTER I’ve applied all other facial products or BEFORE applying foundation for an even more natural glow. The product blends so well so you won’t see streaks nor do you have to worry about it being too thick that it applies too heavy. Lastly, the longevity of this product was fairly good. I pretty much maintained my manufactured (lol) glow throughout the day. I think the highlight looked even more natural as the day progressed. Wanna try it for yourself? Check out Sephora! 

If you have any questions let me know, let’s chat! New outfit post later but in the meantime…

Later Cupcakes! 💋

    

    

 

I used unedited selfie cell phone pics so you can see in “real life” how the highlighter performs.

   

  

 

March Style Lusts #2 

Posted on by The Style Cake

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It’s that time again…

Let’s get into this month’s second set of style lusts. I have to admit that I totally hit the ground running and shared a ton of style lusts. That being said, I am now going to share beauty lusts as well. Let’s get started!

1. Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Marine Boosting Mist

This spray is new and limited edition. Ever since I saw this I’ve been wanting to purchase it. I’m a sucker for a great facial spray because I love the way it blends and “smooths” my makeup. I hate (strong word I know but I mean it) an overly matte face, set with too much setting powder. I prefer a glowy, breezy looking face. Anyhoo, I’m itching to try this product out. Of course when I do, I will be sure to review it!!



Photo Credit: Tarte Cosmetics

2. Clean Perfume (Warm Cotton & Skin)

I am helplessly in LOVE with these two fragrances. Beyond Jo Malone fragrances, these are two of the only other fragrances I buy. One (Warm Cotton) reminds me so much of fresh clean white laundry while the other (Skin) smells slightly sweet but very calming. Both smell uncomplicated and wear nicely on the skin.


Photo Credit: Pintrest

3. Shoulder Handbags

I love a large to but as the spring starts to love in, I find myself not wanting to carry a bag as much. I mean this is the time that we love to hop around, go to events around the city and try new restaurants to name a few. Shoulder bags can be slung over the opposite shoulder for more convenience. I like the saddle bag style but I love a chic style better. Pair it with an off the shoulder ruffle top and a pair of distressed shorts for a simple but very stylish look!

Photo Credit: (coming soon)

4. Off the Shoulder Top

The shoulder and décolletage are two the most sexy areas of the body to showcase. You can be sexy, yet modest by showing off this area. Off the shoulder blouses and tops (preferably cropped) can truly show your feminine side and are effortless ways to create an outfit. I prefer a white top. Pair with a flowy maxi skirt and flat sandals for a cozy soft look!


Photo Credit: Styles Weekly

5. Gucci Horsebit Designed Heels 

I’ve been wanting to buy these for about a year now I swear. These heels are self explanatory. Pair them with a skater trench dress and oversized sunglasses.


Photo Credit: www.gucci.com

After sharing these style lusts, I’m quite sure that I will be getting a couple of things on my list. I also will be getting more Clean perfume. What are your style lusts? Anything in particular you’re eager to purchase? Please share. Tomorrow, check out another outfit post!

Later Cupcakes! 💋

[True Upload] Essence Beauty Box: Fab or Fail? (Review)

Posted on by The Style Cake

Like many of the monthly boxes of marketing’s past, I was interested in a new box that hit the scene that promised to give subscribers a taste of hot and poppin items currently and to-come on the market. That being said, when I heard that Essence would be releasing a monthly subscription for those interested in testing out products seemingly catered to ethnic groups of color and curlier hair. That piqued my interest. I signed up for the service. Here I sit 2 months later (well three really) as a canceled subscriber. Why, you may ask? Short and sweet, three reasons:

  1. (Non-unique items) In all of the two boxes that I received, most of what was in those boxes had nothing that was unique or beyond what I had already seen on the market for years. I wasn’t even remotely interested in some of the things that were sent to me. In fact, most of the things that I received I’ve tried to avoid buying for years. Honestly, I felt like I had spent my money to buy things that I promised myself I would’t spend dime on anyway. (Side eye). I guess thats the way the world works huh? One of the only thing out of both boxes that I actually liked was the sample of Smashbox Full Exposure mascara…which brings me to my next point.
  2. (Tiny Sample Sizes) I realize the box was only $15 but you CAN get this very sample (Smashbox) for free right on the website with purchase. That is a temporary offer, however, some have gotten it free with a Sephora purchase as well. See how this point ties into the first? Well, the items are so non-unique that you can literally get them anywhere…and not pay a dime for it. I guess you are getting a deal if you would really buy the travel size at Macy’s for $9. (Insert wide eyed emoji). I mean, even the Black Radiance Lipstick was not full sized and that’s normally not more than 4 bucks! Anyhoo…
  3. (There are “Better” Boxes) So I am not here to bash Essence at all. I don’t want to be fussed at via the internet because I am not supporting a “black owned business” because it is not black owned anyway. (Which is also beside the point). I am not supporting because I feel that there are other boxes that offer much more for a better price. My advice, try it. Everyone is different. One person’s glass may be another person’s diamond, I don’t know. I personally like the Target box better. It was half the price and I got two full sized products that retailed for more than the $15 that I paid for the Essence Beauty Box. The only problem with the Target Beauty Box is that you have to chase the releases every month. It isn’t a subscription. No problem to me because I don’t like to be tied down anyway.

 

Let me know if you’ve tried the box and if you have, what did you think of it? What other boxes have you tried? 

(Pictures to follow…)

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Style Lusts #3

Posted on by The Style Cake

Sidenote: This series had to briefly be interrupted pending personal obligations. It is now being resumed for regular weekly posts. Thank you all for being patient!! 

I’m totally ready for spring at this point even though it isn’t really cold here in Michigan. That being said, excuse me on this particular post because I have my mind in the gutters of spring lol.

1. Block High Heeled Sandals:

I have been so drawn to these kind of heels lately and I have no idea why. They are so sexy!!! I bought a new pair and I can’t wait to share!! Block heels generally compliment all leg shapes and sizes and a bit more stable to walk in than skinny heels. If you aren’t sure how to chose block heels, gravitate towards open toe shoes first. Other block heels can look old fashioned if you’re not careful so grab a modern design of a sandal with a block heel. You should be good to go!!

2. White Eyeliner:

It may be a beauty faux pas but I am slightly obsessed with white liner. For some reason, I have been loving the way white liner makes the eyes pop and brighten up the face. I’ve worn white liner in the past but we all know the makeup world has advanced leaps and bounds in the past few years lol. I’m going to go ahead and do a makeup look with white liner and post it on my IG. Just a tip: if you try it, draw a really thin line on your upper lash line or dab a light wash of it in the inner corner of the eyes.

3. Colorful Printed/Sequin Jackets & Blazers:

Lately I’ve been seeing an influx of something on the fashion scene that I’ve had in my closet for years: a sequin blazer/jacket. You can actually dress down a sequin jacket. Yes!! Who knew, right?!! I absolutely love the way sequin jackets look. You don’t even have to wear it to a formal event. Throw it on with a graphic tee, jeans and barely there heels for a poppin look!! My advice: hit the thrift stores and eBay for a great vintage sequin jacket!!

4. Large Buckle Belts/Wide Belts:

Who doesn’t want a cinched waist? I know I love a cinched waist!! I think wide belts and particularly ones with large buckles will make a comeback. Technically by my standards, they’ve never gone out of style. With the perfect fit and flare dress, this type of belt adds all the extra sass. I like simple yet statement belts. Sometimes it can be the single source of the wow factor in a look!!

5. Trench Coats/Denim Jacket:

Yup!! I’m obsessed!!! I love denim dresses and trench coats nowadays. I don’t know what it is but I’ve got to get my hands on both!! Both of these will transition nicely from (warm) winter right into the fall. You can take away the boots, add open  toe heels and voila!!! Instantly a hot look!! I personally love a princess cut of a trench coat and denim dress. It adds femininity to something deemed so masculine.