Pearls Are Rare

I'm back

2010-09-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

Pearls Are Rare blog is back up and running.

After a long break from blogging oh here, i decide to get stuck back into it. I have spent the last six months maintaining a neurophysiology blog for work, so getting back to a more personal blog is a great relief. I'm in the throws of a style overhaul, so you can look forward to hearing about more of my diasters then successes no doubt.

Get a girl a cocktail...

2009-05-28T17:37:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a long overdue cocktail night. The cocktail of choice is always a french martini, and how hard is it to get a good FM, very. I have been to bars across London and the best bar for french martinis is Annex 3, i wish i could find a few more bars that can match them.

This weekend i spent the weekend drinking Lychee Champagne and Raspberry Mojitos.

I must say it has been a while since i have had cocktails and i think it's time to get back into happy hour with a little alfresco drinking.

Looking for the perfect French Martini in the name of research...

Ahh Mr President

2009-05-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

Making Your Own Facial Toners

2009-05-27T13:00:00.000-07:00

From about the age of 14 i used the clinque three step system, it is a great combo but one step that can be achieved at a much cheaper cost is the toner - step2. A few years ago i was reading the ingreients and realised that i was paying about £18 for witch hazel, alcohol and water.

So i decided to make my own. I used to use witch hazel and distilled water now i use hydrosols which i think are more effective and gentler on the skin. Hydrosols are the product of steam distillation of essential oils and have the properties of the essential oil in a milder form.

I mix 80ml rose water, 10ml witch hazel hydrosol and 10ml Geranium hydrosol. This produces a toner which is both soothing and astrigent because of the witch hazel. There is no alcohol so it doesn't strip your skin of mositure. And it works out at about £3 for100ml.

You can play around with different hydrosol according to your skin needs
e.g.
Rosemary - balancing for oily skin
Chammoile - calming, anti inflammatory, sensitive skins
Witch Hazel - astringent, calming good for control outbreaks
Franckiensce - toning for mature skins

I buy my hydrosols from Aromantic, a great website with lots of information and good prices. Or Naturally Thinking which have a larger range .

I would advise anyone to give it a try and you'll see the difference in your skin and wallet too.

Forzieri

2009-05-27T03:34:00.000-07:00

On of my favorite online shops is Forzieri . It an Italian website with mostly Italian and a few European designers. The choice of clothes, shoes and accessories is large and a good price range.

I recieved a gift card for my birthday and it has been hard work spending it because i can't choose what to buy, so i keep making wish lists then return a few days later and start the search again. I managed to spend a bit on the Bentley Googles (see last post) but still have a bit more to buy.

Here is my current saved wish list

Casedi Heels - what a heel

Quai D'Orsay - i love the pearl anklet strap

Francesco Biasia - perfect mix of causal

& chic because of the soft metallic tones

Guess- cute pink shoes always a good buy

Scooter Fashion

2009-05-27T03:17:00.000-07:00

As the weather has "improved" i'm ready to bring the Vespa out.

I love my Vespa, i get around in half the time, no congestion charge, no parking tickets (well almost none) and i love the freedom speeding down the road.

I have been looking for a retro style helmet that i like for ages but am yet to find the one that screams out to me, i'm the one u been looking for.

However i have found another accessory which i'm loving, i just ordered it from Forierzi and will get it in a few weeks, i'm so excited. They are Bentley Leather Googles, aren't they hot...

I'm not 30 am I...

2009-05-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

So this year i turned 30, in an attempt to not turn into a fanfare i left the country and all those who knew my age behind me and celebrated my birthday in a very low key way. Since then every so often i catch myself saying "well now i'm 30.." and then i stop think oh dear i'm thirty. I'm thirty not married, still grappling to get all the requistes for my ideal job, still like eating kiddies yoghurt over adult yoghurt and the list goes on...

This shouldn't be a big deal but there seems to be some universal finger that keeps pointing a finger to remind me i'm 30 and am no closer to my "30 things to do by 30," then i was at 21 when i decided those goals.

Then last week came the big hyperventilate panic, it came as i was talking about my grandchildren (i know, yes i did say i have no man, let alone no children to make the grandchildren yet, but i'm being positive) and then had an irrational panic that i wouldn't be alive to see my child's fifty birthday as i would by that time i would be at least 85. Now in hindsight this was slightly out there and crazy thing to panic about but this is what becoming 30 does to you, it appears that you fixate on the most minute detail and obsess about it.

I guess the plus side is that apparently, i don't look my age, in the past month i have been asked for id in the supermarket twice and mistaken for a 21 yr old.

Colour splash...

2009-05-21T16:51:00.001-07:00

In my newfound desire to colorist my wardrobe i've been looking online at some sistas rocking the brights..

I'm not really into neons but this is this one neon shade i do like, Rihanna lets the dress do the talking with no accesories..

I am a fan of yellow, Kelis and Kerry Washington mix it with darker tones to make it pop..

My favorite shade of blue, i always find it hard to find cobalt blue clothes, i did find a cool batwing in Uniqlo recently. The bronze accessories Keri Hilson wears are a good match, i would probaly wear more gold accesories

I have a jacket like this is mustard, but i'm loving this colour, with a little white vest..

Loving Musiq...

2009-05-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

When i love a song i can't stop playing it, right now i have Musiq on constant rewind. I love musiq his songs are just sooo smooth, i saw in concert a while back and it was an experince..

My summer wish list....

2009-05-19T18:06:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the goodies i hope summer santa will deliver to me..

Tom Ford Private Blend in Tobacco Vanille - i love the scent of tobacco flower and searched for ages to find one. It is a strong smell but the vanilla mellows it out as it warms up the scent is amazing. I currently wear Tom Ford Black Orchid.

No No! is a heat hair removal system, it is a substitute for laser hair removal which is great as laser and black skin is not a match made in heaven. I had a demo of this a few months ago and the patch of hair on my arm has not grown back - honestly. It is £140 and u have to replace the blades every couple of months, so really it is the price and blades which has stop me from going back to buy it, but the pull is getting stronger....

INA White Gold Detoxifying Crystal Salts. I have heard good things about these, they are meant to be good for jump starting a detox and leave the skin extra soft. They come as a 1kg pack which they direct to use a whole pack per bath, however at £44 i would expect to come out of the bath looking like a supermodel, i wonder whether a packet of epsom salts would have the same effect.....

And then finally Summer Santa good stop off at the YSL counter and pick me up a Tops Secret and Perfect Touch foundation in chocolate. The foundation is on a brush and you to build coverage, i had a play around with it and it if very smooth to apply and lightwieght. The top secret is a YSL "must have" apparently... i really want to try it..

Please summer santa deliver these soon...

OPI Virtual Hand

2009-05-18T19:30:00.000-07:00

I love getting a mani-pedi. Although i always end up getting the same colour i spend about 15mins standing at the nail varnish wall terrorises my therapist (don't know what else to call her) by painting her nails with the colours i like, i am still trying to figure my logic in doing this but it is my system

Now u can use the OPI virtual hand to browse colours use a hand with adjustable shade guide and nail length. The skin tone is slightly one dimensional but it works as you can see which polishs pop and which just look not good

Go have a play with it...

Move Over MAC, Illamasqua is in town....

2009-05-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I was wondering through Selfridges looking for some new cosmetics. I was in the MAC queue and those sales assistant who weren't having a good natter were just doing god knows what, with a long queue ahead and behind me i decided to give it a miss.

It was a good call because i came across a new UK brand counter called Illamasqua - the colours were amazing and a little daunting too. They have foundations from white to black.

The staff were great she gave me a history of the brand, they come from film and theatre i believe hence the strong tones. They are defined as "the makeup for your alter ego.."

I explained to her i was looking for some strong eye colours for the evening that looked like they did in the packaging on my skin. She did me some smoky eyes with graduating blues and honestly it was amazing. There are so many options and left to this sales assistant i would have left with the whole counter selection on my face. There is no hard sales drive and u can wonder at your own pace.I will be back at the Illamaqua counter this weekend so look out for my review.....

My Make Up Bag....

2009-05-18T13:04:00.000-07:00

I love make up, but as you know it can be tiresome finding shades that sit well and show up on black skin. The make up i use now has served me well. I have pretty much mastered the foundation base so over the next couple of weeks i will be venturing out to add some new colour palattes for eyes and lips..

This is my current make up selection.

Foundation -

1. For everyday natural look i use MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW45 i apply it with a MAC 187 brush to get a good coverage. The brush is a worthy investment.

2. In summer i use L'Oreal Ideal Balance Mocha - it is designed for combination skin so in the summer when the oil glands are more active i use this. It is a lightwieght foundation with good colour match. I apply it with a cosmetic sponge

3. Evenings for a heavy flawless finish which stays in place Black Up Stick Foundtion ST04.Black up is a great brand despite the name and the colour palattes are very similar to MAC. The foundation is great i apply it with fingers or a sponge. Sometimes i use it as a concealer.

Eyes

Mascara
1. Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effect i have used this for two years and it never fails, u do have to wash the bruch often to get the full effect. I use one or two coats and it really opens up your eyes. Because i wear contact lenses i am prone to irritation from mascaras but this one never causes any problems

Eyeliner
1. Rimmel Wet & Dry Soft Kohl - gives a strong thick black line and more dramatic when wet

Eyeshadow
1. Barry M Dazzle Dust 23- this aren't as dazzling as they would appear but they do produce a nice finish on the eyes which can be worn in the days. I use the gold on the brow line and alternate colours.

2.MAC Charcoal eyeshadow

Lips

1. MAC Lip Glass in Shock-A- Latte with MAC lip liner Chestnut

2. Black Up Gloss with Black Lip pencil

Cleanse first, make up after..

2009-05-18T12:11:00.000-07:00

In line with getting a new blog, i have decided to get a new make up kit. I am fairly low maintenance when it comes to make up i always choose the extra twenty minutes in bed over a beautifying regime. I am also a firm believer in spending longer preparing the base then what goes on top.

By preparation i mean cleansing etc..

My current cleansing products are

Origins "Cheeks & Balance" Face wash - this is a really creamy face wash designed for combination skin, it has wheat protein in it so it leaves the skin soft and the lather is thick and soft so wash your face is a pleasure.

Clean & Clear "Blackhead Clearing Toner" - have used this for years and it does keep the blackheads and blemishes at away.

L'oreal Refinsh "Microdermabrasion Kit" - i use this two/three times a week. This is my saviour, it this kit is the answer to how do i get soft clear skin. Don't go crazy with it as it is easy to stand there and just keep scrubbing, love it love it love it. They also have the body kit which is good for scars and stretch marks.

Estee Lauder "Advanced Night Repair" Serum Complex - i use this twice daily. This is my chicken soup for my skin, as a city slicker it is great for protection against damaging enviromental elements. It is an amazing product used under moisturiser. A little goes a long way, i bought a 50ml bottle ten months ago, duty free for £40 (which was a bargin) use it everyday and still have 1/3rd bottle left.

Moisturer i am currently using my own alchemy of orange blossom water, calendula oil and apricot oil.

Go Little Natalie Okri...

2009-05-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

I loved watching Natalie Okri on Britains Got Talent of the weekend. She is such a cutie, shaking her hips. Sing on sweetpea..

Ashy skin?????????

2009-05-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

I recently went to stay with my family in New York when i stumbled across this cream in my cousin's room. At first i thought it was just the shape and design of the label that was different from the Cocoa Butter that is stocked here in the UK. But then i looked closely, no this was Cocoa Butter for "Dry ASHY SKIN". I was and still am almost a month later in shock that this product is both stocked and bought by black americans.

So i looked again at the ingredients and i can tell you that this item can be bought in the UK, but here it is called Cocoa Butter SKIN SMOOTHING LOTION. The same shea butter and aha's, please tell me i am not the only one disturbed by this product label....

As i don't have ashy skin, i didn't use it so i can't tell u whether or not it is a good product...

Sprinkle of Gold...

2009-05-18T10:07:00.000-07:00

Today i wore my gold court shoes (£22) i bought from ASOS a while back. My camera lead is broken so i can only post the standard image. They were so comfortable and received many compliments.

Having fun with these shoes today has left me with a taste for more gold, i revisited the ASOS website and came up these little beauties which i will lust after, judging from the price it will be for a while...

Blush B-Lush Fan bag - £300

United Nude Wedge - £110

Paul & Joe Sandals - £375

Bringing Colour Back...

2009-05-18T09:47:00.000-07:00

I am unfortunately a total black girl, in that i am always in black clothes... It drives my mum crazy she is always trying to get me to wear colour. In my defence i tend to add colour to my outfits with accessories. Whenever i wear white tops people will always comment how will i look and ask have i been on holiday lately , did u have a facial, what make up are you wearing you look different..

So i decided this year to make an effort to introduce some colour into my everyday wardobe. It seems to be going well on a recent trip to New York i did not buy any black clothes and even splashed out on a bright yellow t shirt which i have worn...

I just find it hard to buy coloured clothes because i want shades that compliment my skin tone and aren't to garish...i like softer pastel tones not block colours. I do like floral prints but not overtly floral.. i don't do swirls and i don't do neons.

With the summer on it's way i'm preparing, i've added so basic white vests muscle back (it's a better cut for big bust), and bought some pastel coloured jeans from Next who do really good fitting jeans.

But the search for some more colour continues...

How Good Is Your Hair.......

2009-05-18T07:56:00.001-07:00

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So i just finished watching this piece on the Tyra Banks show about black women's hair. It is an age old debate which has been brought back into focus by Chris Rock's new doc "Good Hair".

I'm still trying to process my thoughts on this piece. But firstly i am going to start with a rant at Tyra Banks firstly. If there was ever a women who promoted eurocentric hair its Tyra Banks, this is a woman who eat sleeps and breaths weaves that are as "white styled" as u can get. Then she sits there in her convenient cornrows chastising women on owning their hair.

I am really starting to get bored of the natural v relaxed hair debate. Highlighting the fact that black women spend the most on hair products is a skewed figure, especially in relation to straightening products GHD straighteners have global annual sales of £50mil= and this is just one brand of straightener. Hence hair straightening is not a black thing.

I do know as a child people would say i had good hair, i can without a doubt confirm my good hair was actually "good care". I think that the point that is missed in the good hair debate is that the value we place on what is good hair is really what can attained from good hair grooming which has nothing to do with chemical processing.

I have spent my years styling in any which way i could, braids, weave, relaxer, curly perm, wave novuea, dyed, natural.... none of these styling feats were to be accepted in white society they were to express my style at that time.

Black women use there hair as an expressive tool, so when i see bright coloured weaves (although it is not my taste) i have to appreciate their expression. Other races use other outlets such as Japanese fashion, European make-up.

I say give up the hair debate, what ever style u choose au natural or straight as a bone, wear it with pride. A good dollop of conditonner and oil moisturier and we're good to go...

Welcome

2009-05-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

Welcome,

Thank you for visiting my new blog. It has been a long time coming and now the latest season of Lost is over, I decided to spend my web time talking about things that I love. I will try to make this blog as much a reflection of me as possible, i hope to share my experiences with you all as often as possible.

So what will i be blogging about? This is so much about be a black female but how to find the best products and style to enhance black beauty and style. Fear not it won't be a sista bashing the beauty industry on the lack of blackcentric products but how as a black female i manouever around the beauty and fashion industry, finding what works and will what clearly doesn't.

I look forward to reviewing products and sharing tips with you all.