Kelli

I met Derrick and Kelli of The Black Couple about four months ago and was instantly a fan of their blog. I even made Rashad, my leading man, read a few entries. Derrick and Kelli seem to have the same issues that I have with Rashad — but they are brave enough to talk about it on front street. LOL

I enjoy Derrick and Kelli whenever I chat with them on Twitter @theblackcouple or Facebook. I asked them to write a post for Beyond Black Beauty so that my readers can enjoy them, too.

Don’t Fall in The Toilet

Derrick: Women do some nasty things! Just as much as men do but you only focus on us!

Kelli: That’s not true!

Derrick: Uh huh! After you do your hair, the sink is littered with greases, oils, hair paraphernalia like flat-irons and combs, clips, brushes and last but definitely not least HAIR!

Derrick

Kelli: It’s hard to do a full sink clean-up when I’m rushing to work! What about the fact that you throw your boxers and socks where ever you are! Socks and drawers all on the couch, the coffee table, the bed, the kitchen, the bathroom! The laundry basket ain’t but a short walk to the room!

Derrick: Okay, part of it is pure laziness but dirty socks ain’t never hurt nobody! It’s better than when you decide that the living room is your personal shoe closet! Heels, flats, tennis shoes, flip flops all over the damn place! This is not Filene’s Basement!

Kelli: Oh you’re funny! What about the fact that you NEVER wash your dishes after you eat! You’ll let them cake up with dirt and food particles that the poor dishwasher doesn’t have the strength to wipe away!

Derrick: Dishes were made to be washed at the END of the day! And you don’t put up your work clothes! You leave a pile in the corner of the room!

Kelli: I’m guilty…I’m definitely guilty.

Derrick: What’s your biggest pet peeve with your mate? How does your woman or man violate your shared space?  At the end of the day, love transcends the dirty dishes, hair on the sink and the toilet seat being up…even If she falls in.

You can also keep up with the Black Couple on Facebook and Twitter

Brazilian Peel is the first 30% glycolic acid, medical strength peel for at-home use. It’s five times stronger than other retail products. This unique new Brazilian-style peel is clinically proven to visibly brighten, smooth, firm and tone skin for a more youthful appearance. These are all the benefits of a professional peel in an easy do-it-yourself treatment.

The preparation was easy, since the peel came with a syringe — no mixing, measuring or stirring. All I had to do was wash my face, pat dry, empty contents of syringe in my hand and mix with fingers until warm. The mixture heated in my hands almost instantly.

As I was applying, I felt a warm tingling sensation. However, the feeling wasn’t any different then I would experience at my derm’s office. My skin was not irritated at all — even after the ten minutes the concoction stayed on my face. I even noticed that my skin was glowing and pores were smaller after the first day. My skin did not peel, which is nice because the peeling is a little embarrassing. I would recommend this product for anyone who wants fast results. Make sure you apply sunscreen before stepping outside.

I complained to my BFF, Rashidah about this and she said,  “Well, you can always do your own manicure.” WHAT! Do my own nails? To make a long story short, I decided to take her advice by trying the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color . (The fast dry won me over, I liked the fact that it came with a top coat and it was only $4.99.)

I applied the polish and top coat at night to put the Insta-Dri theory to test. To my surprise, my nails were completely dried in about 15 minuets. Wow! After two days, I realized that I’d stumbled upon a good quality, affordable nail polish that maintained its shine and did not chipped. Double Wow!

Today makes five days since I applied the Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color. Although I have a few chips, I can stay that this nail polish is a contender among the nail salon greats like essie, OPI, etc.

Levi’s announced the Levi’s Curve ID jeans, a new line of custom fit jeans made to fit the curve of a woman’s body.

The jeans come in different shapes: the Demi curve, the slight curve and the bold curve. Beside the three “shapes”, the jeans come in different washes ranging from black to destroyed and ripped. They also have three different fits – superskinny and straight leg, as well as a bootcut, and in the Demi they come in a skinny bootcut, too.

Go on the site, take the Levi’s Curve ID quiz. Remember, it’s all about shape – not size. I took the quiz and saw that I was a Curve Bold.  Click here to see a short Video on Curve ID Technology

Jeans that are made to fit a real woman’s body. Time to honor our curves.

If you go online today to grab a pair or two Levi’s will pay the shipping on orders over $100.

Revlon ColorStay Ultimate

I have always been a lip-gloss girl. I love MAC lip glass and Beauty Rush by Victoria’s Secret.

I never leave the house with bare lips. One morning while rushing, I went to grab my lip-gloss that was not easily accessible on my dressing table. So, I decided to try a new tube from Revlon. I put it on and notice within a few seconds that the liquid dried to a matte finish. I looked at the tube again and realized that I was wearing the Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Lipcolor. Ladies, this was no ordinary lip-gloss. The Revlon product is actually a lipstick but the packaging is similar to a lip-gloss tube with a wand applicator. The color is in liquid form but it dries quickly into a matte finish. I like a little shine, so I applied lip-gloss on top of the color.

It stays on all day – even after you eat. (Sidebar: I fell asleep last night with my makeup on and this morning – after a cup of Joe – the color is still painted on my lips. I might have to use Vaseline to remove it. My lips do not even feel dry and the color does not peel or chip.) The lip color comes in about 20 shades (most are shades or red), so there is one to match any skin tone.

Be careful because application can be a little difficult. We all know it is easier to put on lip-gloss and go. Applying lipstick takes a little more thought and time.

I stumbled on this product by accident (well after a colleague gave it to me to try out) and I’m glad I did.

1. Makeup Remover
2. Applied under eye shadow it can create a shiny effect. Also, use with your lipstick to create a cream blusher for your cheeks
3. Defines eyelashes and leaves them with a glossy and waterproof look. It also tames unruly eyebrows
4. Can be used as a moisturizer for acne sufferers (it is a misconception that it clogs pores)
5. Helps reduce scarring
6. Helps heal and protect new tattoos
7. Prevents lips from sticking to teeth for celebrities and contestants in beauty pageants who smile a lot (It also moisturizes dry, chapped lips)
8. Used in manicures under cuticles. It also keeps fingernails pliable and resilient
9. Can be used in massages
10. Maintains perfume scent longer when applied at perfume points before spritzing the perfume

And, I don’t have a child yet, but I’ve heard that Vaseline helps heal cracked nipples caused by breast feeding.

Tell me: what’s your Vaseline secret?

Betsey Johnson Rosebud Tweezers

Betsey Johnson Babe Tweezers

According to a recent article in Women’s Wear Daily, Betsey Johnson has partnered with Tweezerman on a line of three Betsey Johnson slanted tweezers (SRP: $25.00) at Sephora stores and Betsey’s boutiques. Ladies, you have to wait until September 1 to snatch a pair.

The tweezers each have a different design: white with graphic pink Betsey rosebuds, neon pink with white Betsey skulls and black with the so-called Betsey “babe.”

Despite these reasons for wanting to remove a tattoo, the options are quite limited. Laser removal is often more painful than getting the tattoo itself and can be cost prohibitive for large designs, with most doctors charging per inch. But now, there is an easy, painless and cost-effective way to cover your tattoo, while still offering the option to display your body art when you want. Dermablend Professional, an expert in the coverage of minor to major imperfections for nearly 30 years, debuts the quickest and most painless way to cover tattoos with the launch of the Leg and Body Tattoo Primer (SRP: $25) at Macy’s, Dillard’s and select Lord & Taylor stores.

Whether for a job interview, wedding or even if a tattoo just doesn’t look right with an outfit, it can now be easily concealed with the help of Dermablend Professional Leg and Body Tattoo Primer. Applied under Dermablend Professional Leg and Body Cover SPF 15, the primer helps reduce application time and creates a more natural and flawless result. The primer is an excellent product to use when trying to hide:  

Regardless of the size of tattoo, both products easily cover large skin surfaces. The go-to product for dermatologists and professional makeup artists, Leg and Body Cover’s lightweight formula offers 14 natural skin tone shades suitable for all ethnicities.

Source: PR Newswire
Photo Credit: Dermablend

Women’s Health magazine gives you some tricks to keep it light and sweet:

Citrus Bloom Fragrance Mist

Colognes, body lotions and eau de toilettes contain less perfume oil than headier eau de parfums and parfums making them less intense. Try Citrus Bloom Fragrance Mist (SRP: $18), and  Faith Hill True (SRP: $32 at drugstores)

Look for discreet notes

Green notes (like mint or green tea) and citrus notes (bergamot, lemon or grapefruit) are the most subtle, but make sure that you test it out on your skin first because sometimes these scents can turn unpleasant depending on your specific body chemistry. Try Tocca Bianca (SRP: $68 at) and Acqua di Gioia (SRP: $62)

Tallulah Jane Misae

Natural scents are a bit lighter- best for those who don’t want a long-lasting scent. Synthetic fragrances molecules on the other hand, are made in labs where chemists can design them to pack a punch and stick around. Some naturals to try Korres Pepper/Jasmine/Gaiac Wood/Passion Fruit (SRP: $45) and Tallulah Jane Misae (SRP: $48)

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I also like Halle Berry Pure Orchid (SRP: $28), a floral, woody fragrance with notes of lemon and blackberry creme. Fragrance shouldn’t slap those

Halle Berry Pure Orchid

around you in the face.  To apply, simply mist the crook of one elbow so that the scent wafts about as you move your arms, or spray the skin between your shoulder blades to give those who hug you a faint whiff. A single squirt of perfume is usually plenty – now go out there and be beautiful.

De Odor Works (SRP: $19.95) is a new approach to odor elimination. De Odor Works is a revolutionary new deodorant product made entirely of medical grade, lightweight (approximately 2 ounces) stainless steel. Its secret is the unique reaction that occurs when ordinary running tap water and stainless steel combine to neutralize odor. Using stainless steel with running water is a recognized method of eliminating the volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) that cause odor. Chefs have been using a similar idea for years to rid their hands stubborn smell such as garlic, fish, and onion.

Make that unpleasant body odor go away for good. I used it once, but was too afraid to brave the summer heat without anti-perspirant. It may be nice to not have to worry about the aluminum (and other chemicals) in antiperspirants and deodorants. This bar can easily be added to your daily hygiene routine. Simply shower as usual with soap and water. Then rub De Odor Works across areas of concern for 30 seconds under running water. Viola… odor is gone!