Sometimes, I surprise myself with how bright colors look on me. To me, you have the best mood wearing bright colors and that’s how I feel wearing this pretty fuchsia dress. It is so bright and comfortable and I love the detail on the sleeves. What I love about this dress is the endless styling options you can do. You can wear heels, flats, or sandals. Instead of going the usual, black, white or nude color pallet, I wanted to do something different.
Yes. I. Did. I slid on these pretty adorable embellished denim flats and pointy toe flats are a fav of mine. I know I leave links to everything you can buy, but this dress is sold out (came from Cato) and my shoes came from Marshall’s a couple years ago. Don’t fret, bright colors are everywhere.
You’ve seen this crossbody before, of course from Kate Spade, but these earrings! Let me tell you. I was in Target looking for a birthday gift for my aunt, and I saw these gorgeous earrings for $4! I was worried that they might be too heavy, but they are not. And look, it matches my bag.
This post is dedicated to my sister in law, because she knows I love color and she’s also hired me to revamp her entire wardrobe from darks and neutrals to vibrant colors and amazing prints, thus the birth of Styled by Marisa, a personal styling service where I assist on styling services of course for all occasions. Yup, stay tuned for the official launch!
So, previously, I talked about natural hair/beauty subscription services and how they’re a good idea, but it dawned on me that a lot of people may not like the surprise that comes with a service like that. You can check that out here. I decided to share my favorite natural hair products to you in hopes you try something new. When someone sees my natural hair, they always stop to ask what products I use and it will turn into a 30 minute conversation and someone’s shopping cart full to capacity.
After 8-9 years of embracing my natural hair, I’ve managed to achieve curly girl success with affordable products that you can find at your local drug store, beauty supply store, Wal-Mart or Target. So who’s first?
SheaMoisture
Photo Credit: SheaMoisture
So, I have a holy grail product line and that’s SheaMoisture. They were the first brand that caught my attention and I still use it to this day. The products have natural ingredients and have a thick consistency for dense or thick hair. There is a hair line for every type of hair. You can find these products almost anywhere. I even found some of their products in stores like Ross, TJMaxx, and Marshalls, for a fraction of the price. You can find these products ranging from $7.99 to $12.99, but I encourage you to take advantage of the BOGO sales they have.
True by Made Beautiful
Photo Credit: True Collection
So, when I was subscribed to Curlkit last year, I got the conditioning styling cream in my box, and surprised to see a full size product, I decided to use it in a twist out. Let me tell you, the smell is amazing. I have never smelled anything this fresh for clean for my hair. It reminds me of just getting out he shower and you have that fresh clean smell that lingers for days. My hair stayed moisturized and soft and that smell lingered for days. People would try to sniff my hair. I encourage you to try the entire line (shown above) because they’re great for moisture retention and that smell…Did I mention that they are very affordable? Each product is $8.99 on their website and there are two other lines, Pure and Inspire that looks intriguing. I imagine my hair to naturally smell like the true line when I’m in heaven talking to Jesus. In fact, I imagine His hair smelling like this. It is dope. Not saying this is the best smelling product ever, but its right there. Not to mention your hair is super moisturized and soft and hydrated.
Crème of Nature Argan Oil Moisture & Shine Shampoo
Photo Credit: Crème of Nature
There are not too many shampoos out there that provide moisture and an extra set of hands for detangling, but this shampoo is the truth. I’ve never encountered a shampoo that gives so much slip and doesn’t strip your hair. I can wash my scalp and still detangle at the same time and the smell is amazing. This particular shampoo has sulfate, but never fear, there is also one without. Let me tell you, the sulfate shampoo gives lots of suds. To me that tells me my hair is getting cleaned. Normally lots of suds leads to dried out hair. Not this shampoo! The edge control here is always a plus, it lays my stubborn edges down with no problem and when it wears out, my hair softens and leaves no weird residue.
Carols Daughter Precaxi Nectar
Photo Credit: Carol’s Daughter
I’m not one to buy anything because someone said so, but I saw the advertisng on these products from their youtube channel, not to mention some of my favorite bloggers try this out and every one of them loved it. The interesting thing about the reviews was that each girl had a different hair type. So I’m like, it works for any hair type? No way. I use this for when I “wash” and ‘go.” The leave in conditioner is very hydrating and the gel gives a great hold without being crunchy. No one likes crunchy hair.
Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Leave-In Treatment
Photo Credit: Camille Rose Naturals
There’s something about coconuts. I love the smell. Have you ever tried the Kinky Curly Knot today? Its just like this, only smells better. The amount of slip that it gives you for detangling purposes is unreal. It will literally slide the knots out with no problem. It is on the pricier side ($14) but it will be the best $14 you spent. You can also use it as a styling product too. If you ask me, the entire Camille Rose Naturals lines are to die for. They are very moisturizing, and have a thick consistency so the product will penetrate your strands. Not to mention, they smell like a sweet surprise.
Throwback: Camille Rose Naturals is responsible for this style
A few other favorites includes the entire Entwine Couture line. Let me tell you. These products intensifes our curls. Its like you have super juicy moisturized curls. My aunt wanted to try those products so I gave them to her to try and she loved them! These products are definitely on the high end side in my opinion. The crème Jelle styler can cost you $16.99. However, a little goes a long way so these will last.
If you’re a fan of rod sets but benefit from a mousse or setting lotion, I recommend Lotta Body’s Wrap Me mousse. This leaves no white cast residue and gives a great hold without drying out my hair.
If you haven’t tried these, I definitely suggest you should. A plus about these brands, is they carry several other products that will work well for your hair. I have several others that I liked, but these are always in my closet
I get a few questions from friends and love ones on how to start using makeup. When I was getting into makeup, I learned the old fashion ways: looking at magazines and trial and error. Yup! I didn’t have those YouTube tutorials to help me out back then so I researched and experimented on my own. First, I used to play in my Mommy’s makeup which she only uses Lancôme. I started playing with the colors of an eyeshadow pallette and then lipstick. When I got older, I learned there was more than that so I bought one item at a time. I decided to put together a real simple basic Starter Kit you can try out for yourself that will not break you’re coins, it won’t be as confusing. Majority of these products are my favorite to use as well.
1: Foundation
My favorite foundation is shown in the picture above and it’s the L’Oreal Infallible 24 hr Pro-Matte wear. A little goes along way and this will give you full coverage with a matte finish. The color variation is excellent and is under $10.
2: Concealer
This is used to hide those imperfections that you don’t want to show, like dark circles and puffiness. My favorite concealer is actually the LaGirl Pro Concealer (not shown) and it is life! You can find this at your local beauty supply store for under $5.
3: Face Powder, Translucent Powder and Setting Spray
The NYX translucent powder is what sets the concealer in place to prevent sliding. Yo want it to stay, no slide over your face. This powder not only keeps my concealer in place, it also gives me a matte finish. A face powder is the overall finish to your look and it brings everything together. Some people, blessed people, can skip the setting spray but the purpose of this product is to keep your entire face set and on fleek! This Elf setting spray works really well and is under $5.
4: Eyeshadow, Mascara, and Eyeliner
I rarely use eyeshadow, but when I do, I always go for a neutrals. If you’re a beginner, I feel like you can’t go wrong with them and the look is easy to fix if you mess up. Elf (shown above for under $5), Maybelline, and WetnWild has awesome neutrals for an affordable price.
Even though false lashes are optional they are a great “pop” to your look and it actually takes your look to the next level. To play it safe, a bomb mascara will help too! If you already have long thick lashes, a few coats of mascara will not only make your eyes pop, but you don’t have to work about glue on them either. Eyeliner creates depth and drama to the eyes the Elf liner is of really good quality. Make sure you have a steady hand. 😀
Contouring?? Highlighting?🤔
Although these two two things create a very dramatic look, they’re optional. There’s a skill to contouring and highlighting because you can’t to make sure you don’t overdue it and look a hot mess. Contouring defines the hallow points in your face and highlighting is…well…highlighting the highest points on your face. BH cosmetics has the all in one palettes for under $20.
*with the exception of the blush/contour pallet, you can find these products in your local drugstore, Walmart, or Target. 😛
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