The Vanity Table: Matte About You

Matte About You by Belle-Noir on Polyvore.com

Items in this set:
OPI MATTE Nail Polish You Don't Know Jacques Matte, $6.95

One of the new trends for Fall 2009 is Matte Nail Polish. All of the popular nail polish companies from OPI to Zoya have come out with matte colors for the Fall. One of my favorite beauty bloggers, Brittany from Clumps of Mascara, did an awesome review of the Zoya Matte Velvet Collection.

The verdict is still out for me on whether matte nail polish is a trend that should make its way into Spring 2010. Personally, I love that Essie came out with Matte About You, a matte finisher that will make your favorite nail polish shade matte without having to purchase a whole bottle of a color that you may or may not fall in love with.

What do you think? Are there any matte nail polish colors you simply cannot wait to rock this Fall?

The Vanity Table: Summer Skin Care Essentials

Summer Skin Care Essentials by Belle-Noir on Polyvore.com

From Top:

Step 1: Exfoliate: It's so very important to exfoliate your skin. Your body sheds skin cells at an amazing rate every minute of every day. If you don't get rid of them, they'll just sitting on your skin making you look dull and dry. We love Carol's Daughter Sea Salt Body Scrub in Mange Melange ($28.00; carolsdaughter.com).

Step 2: Shave: Who wears short shorts? You do, when you keep your legs silky smooth! Find a good razor that won't cause razor burn and save the $1.00 store shave creams for the men in your life. Ladies, a shave lotion is much better for your skin as it will hydrate and help ward off nicks and cuts. If you are looking for a treat, check out Kiehl's "Simply Mahvelous Legs" Shave Cream ($15.50; kiehls.com).

Step 3: Hydrate: Thick Body Butters can be too much for the heat of the summer. After a refreshing showing, check out a mositurizing body oil that can be used straight out of the shower and will help lock in all of the moisture from your shower. Carol's Daughter Body & Bath Oil in Mango Melange will keep your skin moisturized and smelling sweet ($14.00; carolsdaughter.com).

Step 4: Summer Glow: Yes, even brown skinned Belles can get a deep bronze hue this summer. For added tanning with spf built in, check out Gelee de Soleil from Carol's Daughter ($16.00; carolsdaughter.com). With SPF 15 to fight UVA and UVB rays, this browning oil also has mourishing palm kernel oil and shea butter.

Step 5: Feet: Keep your feet sexy and smooth between pedicures this summer with two important items: the PedEgg to scrape away dry skin, and a peppermint lotion to soothe and revitalize tired, achy feet.

Step 6: Summer Polish: Buy a bold new polish for your toes. Toe nails can be painted a much bolder color than you would usually put on your fingernails. Pick out something that screams summer. Polish tends to stay on your toes much longer than your hands because you don't abuse your toe nails like you do your finger nails. We are crazy about Zoya's Nail Polish in Paz, a bright orange cream polish from their La-Di-Da Summer 2009 Collection and Tallulah, a bright metallic blue from their Ooh-La-La Summer 2009 Collection ($6.00 each; Zoya.com).

Step 7: New Sunscreen: Sunscreen does not last forever. Toss out last year's bottle and grab a new bottle with an SPF of at least 15. We love the sweet coconut scent and staying power of Hawaiian Tropics Sheer Touch Sunscreen SPF 50 ($10.99; Walgreens.com)

The Vanity Table: Rx For Brown Skin

Hi everyone! I am so pleased to bring you a review of Dr. Susan Taylor's new line of skincare products, Rx for Brown Skin. Several of my favorite beauty bloggers have had a chance to review the line, and I was so pleased when Ms. Jinal Shah, working with the online marketing team of Rx For Brown Skin, asked me if I would be willing to review the products here for my Belle-Noir readers.

Dr. Susan Taylor was created three different formulas especially for women of Color: Bright and Healthy Collection for sensitive skin; Bright and Clear Collection for acne prone, oily, combination or problem skin; and Bright and Even Collection for dull, uneven, mature or hyperpigmented brown skin.

I received for my samples what I considered a perfect mix of items, considering Jinal did not know my skin type:

• Bright and Clear Cleander for acne prone skin



• Bright and Clear Toner for oil prone skin



• Bright and Even Exfoliating Moisturizer for uneven skin tone



• Bright and Clear Moisturizer for acne prone skin



• Protect and Defend Moisturizing Sunscreen with SPF 15
  

I have suffered with acne since I was a teenager. And while it has gotten better as I have gotten older, anything from washing my face with the wrong cleanser, to stress, to my diet can set off a flare up that leaves me reaching for anything that might work. When I say I have tried all of the acne systems out there, believe me I truly have! So I can admit to being skeptical that perhaps, Rx For Brown Skin was going to be different.

The Good: The first two days of my new experiment, I tried a combination of the Bright and Clear Cleanser, Toner and Moisturizer. The cleanser was not what I was used to. I personally like a cleanser that I can "feel" working i.e. a tingling sensation, a cooling sensation, etc. This one did not have that, but it did lather well and after rinsing my face, it did not feel tight and dry like after using some cleansers.

The Bad: I was not in love with the Toner. At all. My skin tends to be more dry than oily, and I felt like the combination of the toner and the Bright and Clear moisturizer left my skin overly shiny and--well-sticky. A switch to my old faithful toner on day three, however, did the trick, and put me back on track. I also did try out the Exfoliating Moisturizer for uneven skin tone. It left my skin overly dry and a bit flaky.

The Overall Verdict: It's been almost two weeks and I can truly see a difference in my skin. It is exactly what the products say: brighter and more clear. I've never been a believer in having to use all products in a skin care line. I do tend to mix and match. However, I am eager to see if the Bright and Even Toner will do the trick in place of my own toner. And I am also eager to test the sunscreen once the weather warms up in NYC.

If you have had issues with acne, I would definitely check out the Rx For Brown Skin skincare line. For more specifics on the ingredients in these products, and where you can find the products for purchase, be sure to visit the website. Rx for Brown Skin also offers three Special Prescription products and a sunscreen to even the complexion, and restore flawless skin as well as a line of body care products that include Skin-evening Body lotion & Body butter! And if you have a positive experience like I did, be sure to tell them that Belle-Noir sent you!

Ladies, have any of you already tried Rx For Brown Skin? I'd love to hear your thoughts & reactions.

The Vanity Table: So Sweet

With Valentine's Day this coming Saturday, we wanted to offer up some sweet treats that are perfect whether you are preparing for some cuddle time with your sweetie or are treating yourself to something special just because.

So Sweet - by Belle-Noir on Polyvore.com

Clockwise from the top:

Limited Edition SweetHoneyDipChocolateBrownSugah Bath Bomb ($7.50 each; carolsdaughter.com) Get your chocolate fix with this sinfully indulgent bath bomb from Carol's Daughter. Pair it with the body butter and fragrance oil (see below) and your skin will smell so good, you will want to lick yourself (in a good way).

Love To Love You Limited Edition Fragrance Sampler ($36.00; carolsdaughter.com) This set contains:
Roses and Honey .17 fl. oz.
SweetHoneyDipChocolateBrownSugah .17 fl. oz.
Love Petals .17 fl. oz.
Creamy Amber .17 fl. oz.

Nars The Love Set ($49.00; sephora.com)

Limited Edition Roses and Honey Shea Souffle ($20.00; carolsdaughter.com) Treat yourself to a fluffy rose and honey-scented soufflé that smells as irresistible as it feels! Light and fluffy as a soufflé, this silky cream is packed with natural butters and oils to nourish and hydrate dry skin for a soft, smooth appearance.

Zoya Red-E-Go Color Cube ($8.00; artofbeauty.com) This red hot set contains a mini Zoya Hot Lips Glossy Lip Balm in Disguise and Zoya Nail Polish in Diana.

The Vanity Table: Skincare Tips for Women of Color

Skincare Tips for Women of Color

by Dr. Susan Taylor

The Pros and Cons of Melanin
For women of color, melanin in the skin has upsides and downsides. Have you ever noticed that you look ten years younger than many of your white friends of the same age? This is because your skin has more melanin. One of the biggest advantages of higher melanin content is the greater protection it provides from sun damage. Melanin also guards our skin from the long-term signs of aging such as deep wrinkles, rough surface texture, and age spots.

On the downside, more melanin makes our skin more “reactive.” Rashes, scratches, pimples, or inflammation trigger more melanin, which results in dark marks or patches on the skin. Changes in melanin result in hyperpigmentation (too much melanin) or hypopigmentation (too little melanin) causing light or dark discolorations that could take months or years to correct. Handling your skin gently, wearing sunscreen, and preventing pigmentation problems are the keys to good skin care.

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Article Source: InnerRewards.com