The lovely Annie Kabale and her naturel/organic beauty products review.

My 3 best peeling / masks products au naturel.

 Hello to all the readers, I wish to introduce you to different products that you could integrate in your skin care regime from my home country France. So here are my 3 top preforming masks and peelings which give an outstanding result and leave a glowing skin without all those sillicones, PEG, powders synthetic perfumes etc…

1. Sampar, Equalizing Foam Peel

What they say: “This high performance 3-in-1 is applied as a mask, purifies as a peel and effortlessly rinses off like a cleanser. Equalizing Foam Peel gently exfoliates the epidermal layer, freeing the skin of deeply rooted pollutants and toxins. Grain- and colorant-free.”

What I think: This is by far the best all in one products I have ever used that leave my skin smooth, radiant and strongly helps reducing the dark stain cause by the occasional blemish. The use is very different from all other products and My favorite and must have product. It is quite expensive but does worth every euro. One word – AMAZING!

Use it with… Daily Dose Foaming Cleanser by Sampar, best of the range face cleanser.

2. Ren, Glycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask

What they say: “A potent bio active peel mask designed to renew the complexion, reduce the appearance of fine lines and dramatically improve skin tone.“

What I think: The texture is not best but 10 minutes later, the skin is very soft and dewy. It does stink a little bit while applying it but don’t let this put you off as the results are outstanding and the face is very radiant. Use it with – Micro Polish Cleanser, A two in one formula that deeply cleanses and gently exfoliates to prepare your skin absorbing the mask.

3. Doux Me – Comforting Face and Mask Exfoliator

 

What they say – “The “white rose” face mask is a comforting emulsion, created to regenerate and profoundly oxygenate fragile and sensitive skins. It is also suitable for combination skins during periods of stress and/or irritations. Sublime pleasure, comforting sensation and intense softness, your skin is hydrated and regains its softness and elasticity.”

What I think: It smells really divine and the combination of essential oils is the best by far seen into an organic product. Of all three this is the most natural and organic product where you can decide the intensity of the scrub or just a relaxing mask. It leave the skin very fresh and soft but it is a gentle product so more recommended for normal and dry skins or the winter season.

Use it with – Ultimate bliss for lips, the best lip balm (in my opinion).

 

AFROPOLITAN at the VICTORIA & ALBERT MUSEUM

A million thanks to Mo for telling me about this event at the V&A museum. A small group of us attended the panel discussion as well as the catwalk and the general exhibitions and music. The event was well attended and the women as beautiful as they were varied. There were a large number of naturals and I now have a few more ideas about how to style my hair differently.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/f/afropolitans-24-june-2011/

The gorgeous Shingai Shoniwa, lead singer of the Noisettes. She is one of the famous Naturals out there. She was gracious enough to take a picture with me. I know very little about cameras and Mo’s quick shutter clicks caught me unaware in the same pose while Shingai had a different look in each. Tyra would be proud!

Fashion

MsAfropolitan Presents the Rise of Afropolitan Fashion
Minna Salami (Founder of MsAfropolitan), assisted by creative director Ola Shobowale, presented a special, for one night only fashion show. We were treated to a wonderful fashion show showcasing pieces from our favourite girls from Mo Saique and Eki Orleans. The other designers included Duro Olowu, Tiffany Amber, Jewel by Lisa, KemKem Studio, and many more. The clothes were gorgeous and the models even more so. The show was accompanied by a Kora instrumental by Jally Kebba Susso. The only downside was the lack of information in regards to the other designers. I fell in love with one dress but have no idea about who the designer was. As soon as I find the names I will be sure to post them.

My hair

In the morning, I con-washed my hair and conditioned under the Heutiful hair steamer. I rolled my hair into a bun while at work and before attending the event shook my hair out. The curls were as usual well defined and the hair still damp and moisturised. I wore a simple dress from last year’s collection from Whistles and it got some compliments. It is one of those styles that goes well from the office to the after work event.

Art Installations

Salon by Hassan Hajjaj
Morroccan photographer and designer Hassan Hajjaj (previously shortlisted for
the Jameel Prize) has transformed the Grand Entrance into a North African-style salon where you can relax and enjoy a special cocktail from the Benugo bar.

Mr Somebody and Mr Nobody
Mr Somebody & Mr Nobody, an installation created by the South African-born, US-based design team of Heidi Chisholm and Sharon Lombard, offers a visual romp through an eclectic post-colonial landscape. Drawing on immigrant outsider experiences and playfully appropriating cultural icons from either side of the Atlantic, the designers explore cultural constructions, nationality and ex-pat identity.

The evening was great and the company even better. I can’t wait for the next installation!

Wedding Day- Cult Classic: Kinky Curly Curling Custard

With a suitcase full of clothing, I had little space for the shampoo and other hair conditioners. I opted to bring along my leave in conditioner and curl enhancer. I have found these two products to be the best thing to take on the go as my hair always looks more manageable with little effort and time.

Leave in conditioner- Giovanni leave in Conditioner (which will have its own post soon).

Curl enhancer – Kinky Curly Curling Custard

What it does: KCCC gives moisture, curl definition and gives shine. It elongates your curls and defines them and brings out your natural curl pattern.

Ingredients: It is an advanced botanical formula made with ALL NATURAL ingredients that nourish and strengthen the hair. Utilizing the humectants properties of the Agave Nectar, the custard gives weight to your hair, define your curls, remove frizz, provide long lasting hold and shine without ever being greasy, crunchy or drying to your hair.

Review: A little goes a long way and you use it on wet hair. Though you are supposed to comb it through I don’t, for fear of losing my natural curl pattern and having combed my hair in the pre shampoo detangling session I don’t want to further pull more hair out . The product is not cheap but it lasts a long time. It works much better than other products which claim to do the same. To name but a few, Mixed Chicks and Carol’s Daughter Curl enhancers have been disappointing for me. A good friend of mine however loves Mixed Chick (even though I suspect that is because she has not yet tried the KCCC). Again I repeat a little goes a LONG way! The first time I used it I literally bathed my hair in it and it became crunchy. Thankfully the lovely EarthlyColorBrown told me to give it another chance and this time use LESS.

After the KCCC, my hair will look pretty much like this after I take it down from the bun.

After the KCCC, I twist my hair in one large flat twist and pin it. This helps in keeping shrinking at bay. I keep it that way until the end of the day when I take it down and loosen my hair with my fingers and I have perfect curl definition for whatever event I am attending. Off to the wedding.

See below for a great review.

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And just for the hell of it…the wedding pictures.

The groom

Review: Bumble and Bumble Curls Conscious Shampoo

Istanbul calling! I am on the waiting lounge of the airport in Vienna, will be in Istanbul within the day and can’t wait! Having lived there for a year it is my favourite city in the world and I am going back for four days break. A good friend is getting married and anyone who has had a wedding in Istanbul knows it is no small matter.

I woke up at 3 am this morning to finish final packing and wash my hair before my 6 am flight.  When I tell my friends my hair regime they always assume that it is time consuming. Clearly taking care of your hair when bleary eyed and tired at 3 am is an indication of how simple caring for natural hair can be.

So here is a quick memo about my favourite shampoo of all times. I came

A lot of people prefer to con-wash their hair (that is using a conditioner as opposed to shampoo). I myself sometimes do that in the middle of the week if my hair is dry and I don’t have the time to wash it. However I prefer the actual feel of having freshly shampooed bouncy hair. So before you guys give up on shampoos, read on for my review on the Bumble and Bumble Curl Conscious shampoo. This shampoo is smoothing and curl enhancing. Its free of the crap you find in most shampoos and fully moisturising.
What it does:
This shampoo helps curls take shape right out of the shower so that they look shiny and frizz-free. It’s a must for anyone with naturally (or chemically) curly hair.


Ingredients:
-Transglutaminase: Forms curl-enhancing bonds.
-Moisture Complex (Panthenol/Pro-Vitamin B5, Glycerin, Trehalose, Sodium Hyaluranate, Polyquaternium-51): Aids in barrier-formation, moisturizing, and absorption of water.

My review:

This is the best shampoo for curly hair I’ve ever found. It smells nice, it’s creamy and can be used daily without weighing my hair down. It helps to define my curls and tames the frizz. You don’t need much of it and your hair is left feeling soft and shiny.

Prior to this shampoo I had seriously considered con-washing my hair even though I did not like the idea of not shampooing. This however has made my hair more manageable and will be indispensible from now on. It is a bit pricy, however you need to use very little of it and its definitely worth it.

Where:

US and Paris based curlies can find this in Sephora. The UK chicas will find it in Space NK, one of my favourite stores.

As always, let me know how you find it when you try it. xo

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