Sometimes Yaya

Z Palette Review

I’m on a roll with these reviews y’all. Sooner or later (maybe before 2010 rounds the corner!) I will be up to date with all the posts I owe you!

I have been itchin’ to review the Z Palette for a while now. It’s a simple thing really, a magnetized case for your loose pans, etc. I finally got to purchase one while at the Artist Summit in Miami, and I haven’t regretted the decision!

From the site:

“This exclusive custom palette is perfect for display and color comparison. Its outstanding sleek and clean design offers an open magnetic base to fit any size eye shadow, blush, bronzer, or even foundation! So you can keep all your favorites from all different makeup brands in one place. The compact finish is made of a high quality matte paper, which is easy to clean and is 70% recyclable. Best of all with its clear window you can see exactly what’s inside! Replace colors as often as you would like to your preference.“

Here’s how many I got to fit into the sucker:

I tried to put in as many different brands and shapes as I could. Of course I remembered others once I took the photos, but I refuse to do any more takes!

It’s not that big either, a bit bigger than the MAC 15 well palette, and just as thin:

The large palettes are $20 and the small (see bottom left below) are $14.

The pros:

All orders made on the site are with free shipping to US orders! (They sell magnet squares too).
The cover lets you see through to what you have inside your palette (especially great for makeup artists).
The cover is attached to the palette – no more oopsie I dropped all my palette and now it looks like the dunes of rainbow dune on the floor!
You can organize different shaped pans into the palette & fill the little nooks with smaller pans.

The cons:
I honestly can’t see one. I had a minor concern early on about the dust pileup of when you use the shadows (in between the pans), but you can just blow lightly to clear it, or use a compressed duster can (like for keyboards).

And now they come in pink and zebra print! No more getting stickers and sitting down for arts and crafts to give your Z Palette character!

They made me want to make wiiild and craaazzy shapes in Paint (so sue me!).

Check them out on Twitter & tell ’em yaya sent ya!

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Nfu-Oh does the uhoh!

Title strike you as funny? I’m on a Beyonce streak so y’all know what the uh oh is!

Nfu oh. I have seen this polish across the net but have only experienced the joy in person. The polishes are wonders in packaging as they come like little bodies with corset handles. The polish that they are well known for are their gold fleck polishes.

The Korean brand has a pleasantly obnoxious collection of colors and products to have an over the top sculptural mani. Just check out their photo gallery and design blog.

I had recent fun with Nfuoh 51. It made me feel like a little kid seeing a magic trick for the first time, because really, I haven’t seen flecks inside polish done as well as Nfuoh does it. It looks the best covering dark polishes, but is quite the fancy pants on its own as well. But don’t believe me, read on and be your own judge…

One coat, two coat, three coat, see?

NfuOh 51 + Essie Mesmerize

Looks crazy good with China Glaze matte magic on top as well!

Nfuoh 51 + Diamond Cosmetics Matte Black
All images are clickable if you want to inspect the flecks further. My camera did this baby justice to the deepest pixel necessary. Want more? Nfuoh has a product blog here as well.

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Hydroveil Hair Oil

For years I was told that to have long hair, I needed to take care of the split ends, and dry tips of my hair. With my frizztacular curly head, I never questioned the advice because every time I got a trim, my hair was back to its bouncy and yaya lovin’ self. But then winter came and I saw flakes.

Winter snowflakes? Nope. Winter scalp flakes. It probably sounds disgusting in writing, but there’s nothing more frustrating than a desire to claw your scalp to pieces every five minutes and the snowstorm to follow. I didn’t realize that all my painstaking methods of haircare weren’t bulletproof. I thought I was finally educated, but you learn something new every day.

My scalp was a dry mess. Every time I deep conditioned my hair, my scalp was sitting in a corner (kind of) wondering ‘what about me?’ I even thought using Olive Oil in my hair would alleviate the problem, but the leaves fell and so did my assumptions. Your scalp needs attention all its own.

After attending the Hydroveil ‘Ultimate Hair Show‘ this month, I have been blessed with a solution to my scalp worries. Have you heard of their Scalp Soothing Hair Growth Oil? Amidst the hairstyles and scissors in the air, there were product giveaways, and yours truly was front and center. Both the images and extra goodies for MOJ readers will be coming soon, but the review had to be first.

I have only used the oil twice you guys. That’s how good it is.

First, I tried to use the oil without washing my hair (or in between washes, rather). The oil soothed the scalp as promised, but the next day I was itchin to scalp myself again. When I have a dry scalp, I like to do hot oil treatments as soon as possible, but I don’t have the time or funds to do that on a regular basis as if it was a shampoo time, so I decided to shampoo and condition as usual and right before styling my hair, I squeezed the oil onto my scalp. I must be a stinkin’ genius. This is the best method I have seen so far, if only because:

easier to manipulate nozzle onto scalp when hair is moist. You get to cover much more scalp and rub it in without messing up style.
rather than addressing an emergency, you are post shower and your scalp is conditioned. Using the oil becomes a preventative measure good enough to last until your next wash.

After the first wash and oil application, I had no urge to scratch my scalp. This is key to eliminating dandruff. First you don’t scratch, and second you make sure your scalp is moisturized. Lest you forget, your scalp is part of your skin! The smell of the oil is a little herby, but it is not overpowering, and goes away after the first day (or first spritz of perfume if you’re like me).

As with many companies, Hydroveil is already on the social media wagon and is present in the blog world as well as Twitter. The products are mostly sold at beauty supple stores- find out where you can purchase with the store locator. Make sure to check their events page as well so that you can make it to their next gathering!

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Talk It Out Tuesday! Gift Givers

The holidays aren’t just creeping, they’re galloping at us. But when we talk it out, it’s not to usher in some unnecessary pressure, but rather to understand each other.

I’m the type of shopper that sees and hears things year round. I pay attention to what people say in passing conversation as “oh it would be nice to have…” and continue on with my daily life. When I pass such things, be it May or December, I pick them up and store them at home.

Sometimes I store them so well that I don’t find them until next year, and for that, my listening skills come in handy, because the people I tend to give gifts to, I also happen to be in communication with.

So as I start to embark on my posting journey of gift guides and product recommendations, I want to hear about you. I don’t want to just let you know what I think is awesome, I want to help out. Chances are, my half hoarding and half psychotic habits will get my shopping nearly done before most of y’all even start. Or at least in my head (because money doesn’t always move as fast as the brain). What kind of shopper/gifter are you? Do you shop two days before, or months in advance?

Does the wishlist or the sale list dictate what your loved ones get? Are you the infamous giftcard for all occasions gifter? Everyone has a style! What’s yours?

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Beyonce Bandwagon

Come one, come all, the Beyonce bandwagon is picking up passengers and speed, and I couldn’t be left out in the dust.

Her remixed video featuring Fame Monster Lady Gaga (get it?) for Videophone is out and I’m excited as always.

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it a million times more. I love Beyonce as an entertainer, and I think she has the best team behind her. I am really loving this video and love all the new things she allows herself to experiment with. These may not all be new to everyone (i.e. the Bettie Page ref) but they rock my socks when she does it.

Lady Gaga did her thing too, but I think it was hard to keep up with B in this video. My only complaint was that the video was a little too hypno happy at times and made my eyes feel like they were having seizures.

Didn’t stop me from watching it four times though. I even started signing a package for UPS as Lady G.. and stopped myself & asked for the screen to be cleared.

See it for yourself here.

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Lipstick Queen Chinatown Glossy Pencils

I remember the first time I bought a creamy lip pencil and was mesmerized by the fact that this wasn’t just a liner. This was a tool that could apply creamy color to my lips without needing a twist cap or being careful on how to apply pressure so as not to break it.

It was like a crayon, but for big girls. I had that sucker in a berry/neutral color and I am still to this day surprised that I lucked out with such a good color at such a young and not as knowledgeable state. I used up that bad boy all day every day until the pencil would be scraping my lip and then run around seeking a sharpener to give me my fix again. But when it was done, it was done. And I haven’t seen a good product similar to my first pencil-ed love until…

Until Poppy the genius put out the Lipstick Queen Chinatown Glossy Pencils. Now I’m watering at the mouth.

I’m having a hard time choosing which one I want to take home with me. First I thought I had only three contenders, as I stick to the bright pinks and corals, until I read the color descriptions.

“Crime – sheer hot pink
Mystery- sheer vibrant purple
Thriller – sheer scarlet red
Genre – sheer bright orange
Chase – sheer lush watermelon“

$20 each. Found at Henri Bendel or on the site. They are all sheer. Which makes me want them all. Add that to the fact that they come with sharpeners (no more running around), and I’m ready to tear out my hair. That, or have a little chat with my VISA…

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Some Random NOTDs

Hey y’all. I spent the weekend trying to clean up my photo cache as well as post drafts, and I can tell you I’ve really been holding out on you!

As always – my attempts are to stick to a two a day posting schedule, but we’ll see how that goes.

Check out my NOTDs from the past that I forgot to post in a timely fashion, and let me know which colors and/or companies your nails have been itchin’ to wear!

OPI Suede Ink on left Illamasqua in Lament on right

ORLY in Enchanted Forest with China Glaze Matte Magic top coat on right

Essie in Mesmerize with China Glaze Matte Magic top coat on right
sorry for the mess of an application!

Color Club in Revvolution no flash on left and with flash on right

Which one is your fave?

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Magazine Weekend: People Style Watch November 09

How’s your weekend going so far? I’m getting caught up in American football as I spend the day watching tv flipping from channel to channel and oohing and ahhing at highlight reels and tackles. Some of the time is spent on Twitter taunting friends who like opposing teams, and the rest is spent sending my cheerleading chants to the teams I’d like to win! What do you spend your Sundays doing?

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B000P6YM08The weekend continues with People Style Watch, a favorite of mine I continue to pick snippets out of. You can see the previous features here.

Never heard of the handy dandy mag? This magazine is the fashionista sister of People magazine, with tips and features of celebrity and wallet friendly styles, along with trends, new brand features, compilations, and our favorite: coupons! The back page of the magazine is chock full of coupon codes for over 50 well known companies in this one for November, and some until the end of the year. If anything, this baby is worth the money for all the savings it’ll bring ya! (Don’t believe me? They have codes for a minimum of 20% from places such as Banana Republic, CVS, etc.)

The November issue has a bunch of tips from skincare to fashion, some from style experts and some from celebrity guests. Covergirl, Hilary Duff offers tips on how she does her own makeup and which items of clothing she invests money in, and in which she saves.

What methods do you use to save money?

Shoot me an e-mail to MyOwnJudge@gmail.com if you would like me to explore other/have topics and/or magazines, or for general opinions of what’s in magazine weekend.

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Magazine Weekend: 944 November 09

Happy weekend y’all! I am coming back with a vengeance this month trying to give you snippets from magazines that you haven’t heard of, or at least those I have yet to mention. Trust me when I say there is a monthly stack of 15 or more magazines vying for MOJ readers attention!

http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=myowju-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&md=10FE9736YVPPT7A0FBG2&asins=B001O9BXWAThis weekend starts off with 944, the Miami division. They cover a lot of popular US areas, but I must’ve developed a penchant for the sunny state as I always find the Miami read the best. This one had a great list of eating advice from Jodi Lipper and Cerina Vincent, authors of How to Eat Like a Hot Chick: Eat What You Love, Love How You Feel. The page in the magazine gave nine tips, but I compiled my top three. I especially love the last one.

The magazine always has great covers and amazing photo shoots. This issue has a “Night at the Museum” themed shoot with a model posing with animal figures and fab makeup (think leopard spots, stripes, etc.), and a va va voom shoot of lingerie in a supersexed up (but ultra classy) version of the Mad Men set in the shoot “Longing.”

Have you ever heard of these tips? What kind of chick do you eat like?

Shoot me an e-mail to MyOwnJudge@gmail.com if you would like me to explore other/have topics and/or magazines, or for general opinions of what’s in magazine weekend.

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Simon Duncan Fashion Show

I’m still catching up with posts without doing 5 a day, but I figured I’d let y’all in on something. I went to a Simon Duncan fashion show on Halloween rather than trick or treat. My adventure was most definitely a treat starting from the chic location in Brooklyn, NYC I never heard of (Kai Studios), and the fashion and beauty featured in the show was great. The highlight of the night for me was seeing models that had muscles on top of their bones (albeit still sample size slim), diversity in the ethnicities, and models with attitude. Think of your fave girl from ANTM and they probably walked like them.