Wonders of Beauty

I know a lot of you have been waiting for this review but I wanted to make sure it was tested out for long enough before giving you my opinion. Though the Sacha Buttercup Setting Powder has been raved about by top YouTubers (in particular WOC), I couldn't seem to find any reviews before making my purchase. As you know, I use the Ben Nye Banana Powder to set my under-eye concealer and I haven't gone without using it for a very long time. In my opinion, I don't have an issue with the banana powder being too light for my skin tone but I really wanted to try this as an alternative as it's said to be a better tone and much nicer in texture. This review is based on how well it works to set my under-eye highlight although it may be used to set your whole face.

Believe it or not but I haven't once touched my Ben Nye powder since using this powder by Sacha Cosmetics. I've really been liking the buttercup powder but I may alternate between the two. I'm not sure if you can tell from the picture below but the buttercup powder is much smoother in comparison. Where the buttercup powder is more fine in texture, it literally dissolves into your skin and doesn't cake like the banana powder can have the tendency to do if you're not careful with it. It blends so seamlessly! No matter how much you pack on, it doesn't look dry or accentuate your fine lines any further and most importantly, sets areas it's applied to. I don't find that it clings to any dry areas one may have as often my Ben Nye Banana powder can cling to areas where I've applied a matting primer. If you are of a medium to deep skin tone, please give this powder a try - especially if you have issues trying to get the banana powder to work for you. For those that find they need to go over their banana powder with a powder of their skin tone to tone it down, you will prefer this powder as it doesn't really give off that white cast nor does it pull off ashy. I believe it can also be used as an all over setting powder for medium to medium dark skin tones but I have no desire to use it for this purpose. It may be a little too yellow to work well on fairer skin tones.

An issue I have with this powder is the packaging! I absolutely hate it. It has a sifter but it still can be quite messy. Even though the Ben Nye style of packaging is not great, I much prefer it to the Sacha one as it's slightly easier to control.

I will mention that I don't feel as though it absorbs oil as well as the Ben Nye Banana powder but it still does a good job in doing so. If you are really oily, you may have to blot at least once throughout the day but this may be nothing new to you.

The Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup Setting Powder is available from www.absolutekolor.co.uk (UK/EU) or www.sachacosmetics.com (US)

Price: £12.50 (1oz./28g)

Has anyone tried the Sacha Cosmetics Buttercup setting powder yet?

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Beauty - 11:47

Review | Sacha Buttercup Setting Powder

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I'm not usually one to discuss hair products as I'm not a hair enthusiast and I don't really know much about natural hair but I thought this product deserved some recognition. Many people are on some sort of hair journey to achieve healthier hair and are staying far away from relaxers as they find them damaging. Whilst being natural, it can be difficult to manage or achieve certain hairstyles without the use of excessive heat on a regular basis, eg. maintaining a bone straight weave as this requires your hair to blend seamlessly with the extensions. The use of chemical free straightening systems are becoming more popular as we're desperate to find ways which allow us to be more versatile with our hair. With these systems, your hair will eventually revert to its natural texture or you can choose to revert it yourself using specific shampoos, etc.

This straightening system is suitable for natural, transitioning or relaxed hair!

Weave is my best friend but I have natural hair so if I'm not wearing a closure, there needs to be a way for me to maintain a straight style. I discovered the use of straightening systems a few months back. I've tried one other straightening system by Beautiful Textures but maintaining straightness with this brand was too much effort for me as you needed to regularly use a specific shampoo and conditioner for best results. I will say it made my edges very straight although not for a long time. I prefer the results of the ORS system as my hair looked and felt healthier, the results last longer and it also requires less work.

The ORS Straightening and Strengthening Treatment is said to last 4-6 weeks before your hair reverts to its original texture. As I draft this blog post, I am on week 4. The pictures below were also taken at the same time. The system recommends using their HAIRepair shampoo and conditioner to maintain your straight styles but it doesn't state that the use of these products are a must. I have washed/treated my hair with my usual products and I found that as I washed my hair, it was gradually reverting to its normal texture but not fully. This could be because I didn't use the recommended products but I'm not sure. Regardless, my hair was more manageable than before the use of this product as I now have slightly stretched curls (which I'm assuming will return to it's natural state in a few weeks as it did with the Beautiful Textures system) and I was able to blow dry straight without really needing to use straighteners after. This product does require the use of heat (blow drier and straightener) after the first application of the treatment to seal in the products, so if you're someone who does not use heat at all, I wouldn't recommend this product to you.

I did find that my hairline did not stay straight for the whole 4 weeks. There appears to be reversion and as you cannot use this particular system more than once within a 4 week period, I tend to straighten my edges when necessary.

I am NATURAL. Unfortunately I wouldn't be able to tell you my hair type as I'm not really clued up about these things. These pictures were taken towards the end of week 4 and yes, my hair is due for another wash.

All in all, I think straightening systems are good for those who are 100% natural or in particular for those who are transitioning as it allows you to manage the difference in textures more easily. You are also able to maintain straight styles for a lot longer. For those who are relaxed, it gives you the option to stretch out your relaxers which could be beneficial to your hair.

Have you tried any straightening systems? If yes, which one do you recommend?

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Hair - 15:53

Hair | ORS Straightening and Strengthening System

I'm not usually one to discuss hair products as I'm not a hair enthusiast and I don't really know much about natural hair b...

I know we're approaching the end of January but as this is my first post of 2015, Happy New Year! Following from my last 'What's New' post on the Tom Ford lipstick in Deep Mink, it would only make sense for there to be a 'Lipstick Diary' post so I can share my thoughts on the lipstick so far and images for you to see what it looks like on.

As you know this is my first lipstick from Tom Ford and I was more than curious to see what the hype surrounding his lipsticks were all about. Well, you definitely know that you are wearing an expensive lipstick when you have this on. I agree that in terms of quality, there is a difference compared to the other lipsticks that I own. The texture is lovely! The lipstick feels so lightweight, smooth and luxurious on the lips - almost like a balm. I haven't had any issues with it being drying and I don't find it to accentuate any fine lines or imperfections further; your lips stay hydrated and plump. As you can see it has a creamy finish so for those who only like matte lipsticks, this one may not be for you but I do know that Tom Ford does have a range of matte lipsticks now.

My only regret with this lipstick is the shade (not a major regret). Remember I told you that I was torn between 'Deep Mink' and 'Sable Smoke'? I really think I would have preferred 'Sable Smoke'. I feel as though this shade is too 'plain Jane' for me (I could be saying that because I'm so used to lighter shades) and I only find myself reaching for it when I want to look more natural and I'm not going anywhere special. In saying that, it's a great everyday and wearable shade for most, especially women of colour but to think £37 is being spent on a lipstick I wear when I'm not going anywhere special, is it worth it? Don't get me wrong, I may not be too keen on the shade but I do love everything else about the lipstick so I definitely see myself purchasing another if I wanted to treat myself. I guess 'Sable Smoke' will be next on the wishlist.

This lipstick is available from Selfridges (link) or John Lewis (link) for £37.

What are your thoughts on this lipstick?