Sephora has kicked off their HOT NOW campaign, which is a collection of their handpicked most desirable beauty finds.  This year, Japan's preservative-free, botanically-based skin care line Boscia's Pore Purifying Black Strips made the list of the must haves.  Think Biore strips meets hollywood...

The Pore Purifying Black Strips are said to instantly absorb dirt and oil which clogs pores.  Due to the active charcoal in the strips it also reduces the appearance of blackheads thus clarifying the skin and leaving you with a healthy glow.   What I love the most about this over other OTC dupes is all of the wonderful, natural yummies in it to treat oilier skin.

While this reduces the appearance of blackheads and congestion from around the nose, it is equally important to make exfoliation a part of your weekly routine.  Blackheads can form anywhere on your body where there is oil and dirt build up.  So where to find you ask?  Boscia Pore Purifying Black strips can be found exclusively in Sephora as well as their company site www.bosciaskincare.com.  Keep in mind these strips carry a heavier price tag than you local drug store dupes, however I think the reviews on Sephora.com speak for itself!

Below is a list of a few of the ingredients that pack a powerful punch:

• Charcoal which draws out impurities and aids in detoxification
• Silica which helps control excess oil
• Witch Hazel Extract which is a natural astringent
• Jojoba which is an antioxidant
• Willowherb which calms skin inflammation, reduces redness and irritation

photo courtesy of saveur.com

I don't know about you, but I live and breathe for chocolate.  I can eat it all day, everyday!  Ooooh especially dk. chocolate with nuts or raisins to balance the amount of chocolate.  I'm going into a sugar coma just thinking about it.  Ok now off my soapbox.

Since Valentine's is that one occasion where it's "acceptable" to indulge in the delectable treat, I thought I would share it's benefits for glowing skin.  Who would have thought, right?   We have been brainwashed with the idea that chocolate causes breakout, but that is not entirely true.  Just remember too much of anything is never good for you.  So, Watch and listen up!

Photo by Mario Epanya 

I can honestly say I have a true understanding of finding beauty in every and anything.  As most you know, NY is the mecca of diversity and believe you me if you don't see it here you won't see it anywhere.  I love the how all things different mesh so well in this city of organized chaos.  The thing is, when you've lived here all or most of your life you don't appreciate (or may be impervious) to the heterogeneity here.  It's the nature of our busy streets...you're conditioned to view things from an off beat pair of lenses.  So today on my adventure of web browsing I came across the most amazing blog... BEAUTY IS DIVERSE.   This blog was created by a young lady by the name of Tiffany whose focus is to:

"debunk the myth that women of various ethnic backgrounds don’t receive work in the fashion industry......Beauty is more than colour, its about the beauty of our cultures, languages, and lifestyles".  

What I enjoyed the most carousing her site was how she showcased the myriad of beauty across ethnicities.   The picture above happens to be her FB profile page (thief I know, don't judge me), but I LOVE IT!  It tugged at my heart because the zest behind herSKINe comes from my passion of wanting to create and showcase a result oriented skin care line for people of color.  The cosmetic industry didn't always understand the beauty in diversity.  For many years people of color seemed to get lost in the sauce of the cosmetic world, yet we somehow tend to spend the most.  Not every colored girl is an NC45 or CoverGirl Toasted Almond ya know?  While beauty may be relative, this concept relies on the fact that beauty IS diverse!  

courtesy of LoveBrownSugar.com

I'm sure we ALL have experienced those God awful creases on our face when we wake up.  I like to call it "that good sleep"...lol.  You know what I mean; the sleep where someone has to wake you up and you're completely confused and confuddled (idk if that's a real word, but it sounds right to me, lol).  Anyhoo, ever wonder why and how we get these creases?  Well I present to you the accused...the infamous COTTON pillowcase.


There are so many articles about the adverse effects of cotton pillowcases concerning hair versus their silk and satin cohorts, but not until recently has anyone talked about the effects it has on the skin.  Based on articles I have read, there is no difference at all.   We know the creases eventually go away after a few, but some say that constant creasing can permanently break down your skin’s collagen and elastin, causing premature aging and allowing wrinkles to appear faster.  While there is not definitive, hard evidence there are some experts who support these claims, so what's the harm in trying? I mean, we already know that it is better on the hair so why not?  Additionally, cotton is dehydrating to the the skin, drawing out moisture.  This is a big deal for EVERY skin type (especially oily/acneic ones).  Remember oil and moisture are different, so when the skin is thirsty it overcompensates for it's lack out moisture and produces more oils.  


So tell me what you think...do you use satin pillowcases and if so, have you noticed a difference?  If you don't use one is it something you would consider?  

I don't know about you, but if I come across an article titled, "Drink to Your Health" the first thing that comes to mind is a smoothie packed with fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and/or grains.  SO NOT THE CASE!  According to a recent Harvard study switching to light beer not only helps skimp on the extra calories, but also improves your complexion.  Who would've thunk ( I love that word...it always makes me laugh) it.  LOL Anyhoo....

The study found that drinking at least 5 regular beers a week doubles your chances of psoriasis. Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes skin redness and irritation and people with this condition have thick, red skin with flaky, silver-white patches called scales.  The elbows, knees, and trunk are mainly affected, but can appear anywhere on the body.  Bare in mind, psoriasis is said to be hereditary.

A growing body of evidence is beginning to show that there is a connection between psoriasis and gluten intollerance (celiac disease). For a small percentage of psoriasis sufferers there exists an important connection between what they eat and what happens to the skin.  Celiac disease is a genetic condition where the body reacts to giladin, a gluten protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, by producing an enzyme, which triggers an inflammatory reaction.  (cited NCBI)

Ok so maybe you weren't ready for that medical moment... lol.  But to bring this all together, beer is made by the fermentation of barley that of course contains gluten.  However if beer is a beverage of choice, light brews are encouraged because it contains less of the grain and less likely to trigger the condition.  So bottoms up!

(image courtesy of NY Daily News)  Urslua Burns, first Black female CEO of a fortune 500 company)

So, 2010 was definitely a year of major changes for me.  Just in case some of you don't already know, I moved back to NY in hopes of getting herSKINe (my skin care line) up and running.  Believe me it has been challenging and at times discouraging.  However, I am avidly passionate about my company and our mission so there's no turning back.

On my quest to becoming a "big boss" I realized how much more introspective I had become.  I spent the last 2 years in reflection and learning how to connecting with ME.  As a young adult I sought out happiness the wrong way... through people and things.  Not knowing what it meant to have that inner joy and being completely at peace with who I was always left me in a space of discernment.  However, I am pleased to say that I am on the right path.  I am at peace with my inner circle, my surroundings are uplifting, my heart is open and ready, my spiritual journey takes precedence,  and my mind is forward focused.  So what was the problem before you ask?  You see... I had not been the CEO of me.

For many having beautiful skin, flawless makeup, the latest threads, a certain level of success, and pushing the flyest whip makes them LOOK good, but when stripped of these mundane badges of status how did they truly FEEL/THINK about themselves?  Do they use the aforementioned to define who they are?  Are these things band aids to cover up their "behind the scene" story?  That was me and I'm not ashamed to say it!  Don't get it twisted, I still like to look good, but I've learned that when you feel good you have this glow that you can't buy in a bottle and can't be found in MAC lipglass!

I just wanted to share with you all an article I came across yesterday while doing some research for my business.  I think it is pertinent that we all become what I like to call "architects" of our lives.  I encourage you to read the article posted below and let me know what you think by leaving a comment.   You may not experience a massive epiphany after reading, but it's a nice reminder that you are in control of YOU and YOUR HAPPINESS!  

It's a short read I promise....Enjoy!