EMPTIES: January 2024

EMPTIES: January 2024

EMPTIES January 2024 | STAINED COUTURE

As you can see, I didn’t use up that many products in January that I did in the previous. So, keep reading for a quick run down and final thoughts on my empties from January 2024.

The first product is Ouidad Climate Control Spray to revive curls. I’m dedicated to repairing and strengthening my hair, which has me wearing my natural curls. I picked up this travel size of this product, because I needed a refresher spray for my curls. However, I’ve used OUIDAD products and even the shampoo and conditioner from this collection. So, I has high hopes in this spray and it did not disappoint. This spray revived and hydrated my curls without weighing them down. I buying the full size next time.

Last month, I mentioned how this SPF 30 version of Biore UV sunscreen was going to be in this month’s EMPTIES post. As I’ve previously mentioned, this a hydrating sunscreen that almost feels like applying a light moisturizer. I highly recommend this sunscreen for almost all skin types.

Finally, OUAI North Bondi perfume finally tapped out. Since I’ve been tapping more into floral scents, this turned out to be nice floral scent to test the waters. The thing about this scent is that I forget how much I love the way it smells until I smell it again. It’s a perfect blend of floral, musk and little bergamot and lemon. Honestly, those are some of my favorite notes for summer. Currently hoping I remember this the next time I looking to buy a scent in the summer.

Thoughts on the products in this EMPTIES post? Share below.

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LINK-END ROUND-UP: February 2, 2024

LINK-END ROUND-UP: February 2, 2024

LINK-END ROUND-UP: February 02, 2024 | STAINED COUTURE

Happy Friday and first Friday of February 2024! If the first 2 days of February are an indication of the rest of the month, I’m not ready, because I’m starting to feel it already.

Yesterday I mentioned that I’m looking forward to this month. After the first 2 days of this month, at this point, all I have to do is survive it. Feels easier to say than do. Therefore, this is going to be a quick post. The reason being is because I some how have to work while feeling like I have million other things to do. Gotta love adulting!

One of the things on my head is if I’m going to resign my lease. I haven’t gotten the renewal offer yet, but I should within the next week. So, I think I’m going to see what’s out there and if I want it…lol. One place I’m think of was where I was going to move before I moved to my current location. We shall see!

Anyway, here’s to a nice weekend and check out the reads in this week’s Link-End Round-Up!

LINK-END ROUND-UP: February 2, 2024

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LUST-HAVE LIST: February 2024

LUST-HAVE LIST: February 2024

LUST-HAVE LIST: February 2024 | STAINED COUTURE

I know we say this every year, but January was long! However, I’m looking forward to February because it’s my last month of hibernation before I start preparing my yearly reset. Most people do this as their New Years Resolution, but I usually wait for spring work on my growth for the year.

As for February, it’s the month of love, Black History Month, and a leap year. So, we get one more day to bask in love and Black History. Honestly, I plan to spend most of the month dreaming about spring and it’s weather. I’m still trying to recoup from the winter weather from last month, because it was brutal. Not to mention, we probably have one more winter storm coming this month. Dreading that real bad.

The things in this month’s Lust-Have List sparked so much joy and each serve a need for me. So, keep reading to see the things I’m wanting this month.

LUST-HAVE LIST: February 2024

  • Kendrick Trunk Bag – I’ve been wanting a Blackwood bag for so long, especially a trunk bag. Safe me would usually go for a neutral, but this red cheetah print is too fab to ignore.
  • Dolce Gabbana Devotion perfume -I’m usually into clean or unisex type scents, but I’m to get into more feminine floral scents. Heard this scent from D&G would appease my usual scents and new ones.
  • Denim Pullover Shirt – I used to have a denim tunic that I would wear at least once a week. It would allow me to look be pulled together and casual. This shirt from H&M is giving me the same vibe. Easy and cute for spring. Is it too soon to be dreaming of spring?
  • FOREO UFO 2 -I was thinking about picking up a FOREO cleansing brush, but their UFO device helps to hydrate the skin and improve the look of your skin. I’m sold!
  • Nike Waffle Debut Sneaker – Another month and another pair of sneakers I’m eyeing for walking. However, I hope these will also help with my aspirations to start running in 2024. *fingers crossed*

 

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EMPTIES: December 2023 | STAINED COUTURE

EMPTIES: December 2023

Head’s up – I used up a lot of products back in December! So, this is a slightly longer EMPTIES post compared to the last few. However, I did break it up into two sections for easy consumption.

EMPTIES: December 2023 | HAIR & BODY

EMPTIES: Hair & Body | STAINED COUTURE

The hair body section is small but good! The first product up is Lume Acidified Body Wash. Over the last year, I’ve tried a couple of the Lume natural deodorants. However, this body wash was a hit because this helped minimize body order while making me feel fresh all day. Plus, it was my go-to body wash in the summer and it did not let me down. The scent was good, but I think I’ll try another scent next time. Yes, I’m buying this again.

The next 2 products were part of an Amika hydrating shampoo gift set my BFF got me for my birthday. I need a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to use in my tandem washing routine. The kit came with a deluxe sample of the Hydro Rush Leave-In Conditioner, which was lightweight and made my hair feel so soft. The Dream Routine Overnight treatment helped me wake up to hydrated feeling hair. Although, these were sample sizes, they did the job and made me want to try the full size versions, which I will.

I used up the shampoo in my Olaplex set and almost finished with the conditioner. I’m certain the conditioner will be in next months EMPTIES post. During my last hair appointment, I got some highlights to add some brightness. However, I created a bunch of breakage due to putting the wrong products in my hair. So, I’m currently in repair mode and  have the Amika bond shampoo set. Still, the Olaplex bond maintenance products will always hold a place in my heart and future shopping carts.

The ORS Oil Moisturizer hair lotion will always be one of the products I keep for my hair. However, I probably won’t buy it again until I get my hair back healthy, because it’s too heavy. Still, I’ll buy it again and again.

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LINK-END ROUND-UP: January 12, 2024

LINK-END ROUND-UP: January 12, 2024

LINK-END ROUND-UP: January 12, 2024 | STAINED COUTURE

How was your first full week of 2024? It’s that wild?! It’s really 2024 and I recently realized that I graduated from college 20 years ago. Whenever I drive pass campus, the thought that most of the students walking around probably weren’t alive when I started there. Now, I think that they probably weren’t alive when I graduated. Ooh…chile…like me gather myself real quick.

I sure I’m the only, but the first full week after the holiday season is so hard. The main reason is because the first 2 weeks are short weeks and then the first full week. As soon as you start to get back into the flow, here comes another short week for MLK day.

I’m not one of those people that does new years resolutions, which makes the beginning of the year less stressful. However, my church does a 21 day fast and this year, I decided to fast off of meat. I’ve done it before and it was rough. This time I decided to still eat seafood, because I need protein for my strength training. I also decided to not replace meat with plant-based meat. Plant-based meat usually helps me out A LOT. Thankfully, I’ve made some changes to my eating habits over the last few months and those options just sound too heavy to me now. I can’t explain, but it just does.

Although I do have a 3-day weekend, there’s been some chatter that Memphis could get crappy weather. Do I think it will happen? Not really, but I’ve been wrong about our weather before. So, we shall see, but I do have plans all day tomorrow. I’m trying to show up more for my friends/support system, because I can be very introverted. Yet, I’m still a work in progress.

While I try to figure out what I’m wearing tomorrow, please check out the reads in this week’s Link-End Round-Up.

LINK-END ROUND-UP: January 12, 2024

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