Browsing Category: Hair

EMPTIES: January 2020

Stained Couture’s monthly series, EMPTIES, featuring beauty products I’ve used up this month.

EMPTIES: January 2020 | STAINED COUTURE

I have to be honest – I almost didn’t use up any products in January. Wild! However, I noticed there were some products in my bathroom that only had a couple of uses left. So, there was no  better time than the present to use them up. So, keep reading to see which products I used up both 3-pointing them into the garbage can in my bathroom. “KOBE!” 🙁

EMPTIES: January 2020

  • Dani Naturals Coconut Hibiscus Lotion – The scent smells like a tropical vacation. Really! Not only does it smell lovely, but it’s really moisturizing. I was sent this last year, but I’m going to order it this summer – with the matching shower.
  • Sephora Glycolic Glow Peel Pads – A couple of months ago, I picked up a few items from Sephora’s skincare line – out of pure curiosity. I picked up were these glycolic pads, because I live for a new skin treatment pads. However, these were a major disappointment. The pads were very thin and started to shred with the slightest swipe. Not to mention, I didn’t notice any changes in my skin, compared to glycolic pads I’ve tried in the past.
  • ClearProof Blemish Control Toner – During the holidays, I experienced some intense breakout. No matter the cause, this toner helped it go away and prevented some, too. I appreciated that this toner didn’t make my skin feel dry, which can be hard for some acne toners to do. I would buy this again.
  • Origins Spot Treatment – Yes, another acne product. I told ya’ll – my skin was being an utter jerk during the holidays. Thankfully, whenever I needed to expedite a pimple away, this spot treatment got it outta here. This will forever be one of my favorite acne spot treatments.
  • Sephora Clear Skin Days Toner – This other Sephora skincare product I bought. Unlike the pads, my skin actually enjoyed this toner. After using it daily for a couple of weeks, I did see some improvements. Unfortunately, I think it’s been discontinued, because I don’t see on their site. I bought mine in-store, so you may be able to find it there.
  • Pantene Leave-In Detangler Milk – The Pantene Gold Series is one of the best drugstore lines for natural hair. My favorite product from the line is the Leave-In Detangler, because it detangles and moisturizes my hair. I use it whether I plan to rock my hair curly or run the straighten iron through it. I’ve bought this numerous times.
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EMPTIES: Fall 2019

Yes, I did use up some products over the past few months and yes, I’ll share them with you. Welcome the products I emptied over the last few months – Fall 2019 Empties.

Hairpieces for men uk

As you can see from the picture, I didn’t use up as many products in the Fall, as I did in the Spring and Summer. However, I did use up enough and I’m pleased. Also, before we go any further, this will be my last seasonal empties post. Last year, I decided to try something different and do an Emptied post for each season.

Unfortunately, it was the best ideal in terms of providing reviews about the products. Sharing products that were great for summer in the fall, made some of the products expired. The other reason I’m going back to the monthly schedule is that it was so time consuming to write a post review almost 20 products. I still cringe thinking about my Spring 2019 empties – both posts!

Enough of the 2020 content changes. Keep reading to see what products I used up over the last few months.

EMPTIES: Fall 2019 (Hair)

I’m so long overdue for a hair appointment – it’s embarrassing. Thankfully, my stylist is off maternity leave and I can make an appointment, which I still need to do. In the meantime, I’ve been trying to make sure my hair always conditioned and moisturized. One I make sure this happens is with weekly deep condition treatments. One of my favorite hair masks I used last year was Eden Bodyworks Split End Repair Mask. This masks felt very decadent for the price point. Plus, not only did it make my hair feel stronger, but also soft.

I rarely use my Sephora points – I rather let them rise. However, every now and then, they have a product that I want to try and worth spending a couple hundred points. That exactly how I tried DevaCurl Leave-In Decadence Conditioner – best use of Sephora points ever! This leave-in is formulated for super curly hair, which is the texture of my natural hair. This leave-in made my curl feel and look hydrated, bouncy, and smooth. I haven’t bought the full-size yet, but it’s definitely my next hair product purchase.

The final hair product that I used up was ORS HAIRepair Intense Moisture Cream. A very wordy product name, but it’s fits. This moisturizing hair cream was great when my hair and scalp felt extra dry. However, I mainly used it on my ends at night and put my hair in a low bun with a satin scrunchie. Every morning, I would wake up to soft and moisturize ends. So, I would totally buy this again.

EMPTIES: Fall 2019 (Skincare)

I didn’t finish too many skincare products this month – I managed to use up a few. The first skincare product that I used up was a travel size bottle of Rosewater Facial Toner from the Heritage Store. I’d wanted to try this toner for a while. So, when I saw that Target had it in travel size, I felt it was perfect way to give it a shot. After using it up, this really didn’t anything for my skin – basically rose-scented micellar water. It’s good it you want a natural toner, but nothing to write home about.

Another toner I used up recently was Clean & Clear Lemon Juice toner. I bought this on an impulsive whim, because it was new. After using it for couple of days, I didn’t really feel or notice any changes in the way my skin looked or felt. Plus, the lemon scent was strong and smelled a lot like lemon-scented multi-purpose cleaner. However, I decided to give it another chance in late summer, which I’m glad I did. After a couple of weeks of use, I noticed that it made my skin appear slightly brighter. In the end, I liked the toner, but doubt I’ll buy it again. My skin needs something a little stronger. However, I would recommend this brightening toner for teenager looking for something to gently brighten their skin.

Another product that I tried, but a took a break on before picking back up months later is Urban Skin RX Even Tone Cleansing Bar. When I first started using this cleanser, I LOVED it! So much so, I made it an IOTW and used it for a couple of months before giving it a break. I didn’t stop using it because it aggravated my skin or anything like that. Instead, I started to listen to my skin and used products to address skin issues or concerns I was having.

I started using this again a couple of months ago when my skin needed some regular, gentle exfoliation. Again, this cleanser made my skin look and feel smoother and brighter, as well. I will be buying this cleanser again, because it needs to be one of my cleanser options.

EMPTIES: Fall 2019 (Makeup)

I only used up 3 products that pertain to makeup – 2 of them were lip products. The first was a lip oil by Ulta, which made me briefly fascinated with lip oils. Lip oils help moisturize your lips, but with the look of a lightly tinted lip gloss. I’ve bought a couple other lip oils since, but the Ulta one is still my favorite.

The other lip product I used up was Milk Cosmetics Kush Lip Galze. Since this balm was very thick, I mostly used it when I was really diligent in lip basting every night. In the end, it was a really good lip balm. If you like thick and shiny lips, you will love this. However, at an $18 price point, I doubt I’d buy it again.

The final makeup product that I used up was Pixi Beauty Glow Mist. You know what? I really loved this mist. It was helped set my makeup, hydrate my skin, and smelled lovely! If I was ever in need of a face mist while browsing around Target, I would totally buy mist.

EMPTIES: Fall 2019 (Misc.)

A few months ago, I went through a phase of wanting to collect different scents. That led me to pick up Whisky Noir from Urban Outfitters. This scent has a musk and vanilla scent that was perfect for fall. Unfortunately, the scent doesn’t last most of the day, which made me use it up pretty fast. I like the scent and the $20 price point. So, I would probably pick up some other scents in the future, but with the knowledge that it may not last long.

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IOTW: Maui Moisture Fortifying Hair Mask

ITEM OF THE WEEK is a weekly series on Stained Couture that highlights a product I’m currently loving. This week: Maui Moisture Thicken & Restore Fortifying Hair Mask

ITEM OF THE WEEK: Maui Moisture Fortifying Hair Mask | STAINED COUTURE

Currently, I’m in limbo with what I want to do with my hair – lighter or natural dark brown. At this moment, I want to go lighter again, but I know my hair is not ready. Therefore, I’v been trying to take extra care of my hair, which includes weekly deep conditioning. Every couple of months, I switch my between different hair masks. Recently, I’ve been using and loving Maui Moisture’s Thicken & Restore Bamboo Fibers Fortifying Hair Mask. Keep reading to see why this is my Item of the Week.

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IOTW: Dry Scalp Cream from Head & Shoulders

ITEM OF THE WEEK is a weekly series on Stained Couture that highlights a product I’m currently loving. This week: Dry Scalp Cream from Head & Shoulders

IOTW: Dry Scalp Cream | STAINED COUTURE

For the last couple of years, I’ve been having to deal with dry, flaky scalp. However, depending on the time of the years depends on what causes it. In the summer, it’s usually due to product buildup – curly hair products can be very heavy. During the fall and winter, the dip in temperatures tends to dry my skin and scalp.

I usually try to combat my dry scalp by oiling my scalp, but some oils can be heavy. Recently, I decided to try a new product aimed to moisturize dry and itchy scalp. A few months ago, I heard that Head and Shoulders finally had a line dedicated to natural, textured hair. One of the items in the line is the Royal Oil Daily Moisture Scalp Cream. In the colder months, my scalp gets drier and flakier. So, this product immediately caught my attention.

Head & Shoulders is known for hair care products for dandruff and this line is no different. Formulated with Pyrithione Zinc, this scalp cream is hydrating way to treat dandfruff without having to wash your hair.

What I enjoy about this cream is the texture. Despite it being a cream, it’s very light and melts into my scalp. Also, it feels very soothing and instantly moisturizing. The directions call for you to apply this up to 4 times a day. However, I mainly apply it at night, as part of  my nightly hair routine. Applying it at night has helped me not have to wake to a flaky hairline.

The only downside I have with this scalp cream is when my hair is straighten, it causes it to curl up. I combat that by smoothing my hair down afterwards with a brush and scarf. #BlackGirlMagic

I will say that this cream has made me want to try other products from Head & Shoulders Royal Oils line. You can find this scalp cream and other items from this line at most retailers that carry Head & Shoulders products, including Target and Walgreens.

Do you need to be shopping for dry scalp cream this winter? Share below.

 

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EMPTIES: Spring 2019 pt. 2

I’m not sure how this happened, but I’ve been going through so many beauty products lately. I was trying to do a new Empties post every season, but I have used up way too many product these last few months. Therefore, I couldn’t wait any longer and decided to take an executive decision and do  EMPTIES: Spring 2019 pt. 2. Using up so many products over the past couple of months is a good and bad thing. It’s good, because I’ve been cautious about using up products instead of buying new things. The bad thing is that I’ve now iut of different products, such as night creams. So, I have to start buying some new products soon.

EMPTIES: Spring 2019 Pt.2

Keep reading to get a complete run down of all the products that I’ve used up over the last couple of months. Don’t worry – there won’t be a part 3. 😉

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