I just wanted to say….

Posted on December 31, 2013 by Blair

Before the champagne bottles are popped, before the New Years kisses are given, before the clock chimes 12 and 2014 is here, I just wanted to wish you all a very happy new year and thank you for your support here in 2013! Never had I had so many opportunities, and experiences before related to beauty and blogging and I’m very grateful to have been so involved this year. This was a year of self realisations, and now as we move into 2014, I want this new year to be one of growth, promotion and enjoyment.

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I was telling my boyfriend the other day that I don’t promote my blog enough to the Barbadian populace, furthermore to those around me. It’s a very well kept secret unless you’re very close to me (or so I think). So this coming year, I’m going to try my hardest to make sure I get the content I’ve worked so hard on out there. In 2013, I’ve been able to improve my posting times, and my content from that of 2012 and I aim to get even better in 2014. I no longer want to let opportunities pass me by. This may not be conventional, but it definitely is something I enjoy doing, so why not share it!

Looking forward to pushing on into 2014. Thank you all for sticking through with me! Have a safe and fun beginning to the new year!

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Oh and here’s a little something I was able to work in this year that I’m quite proud of :).

Shingles Prevention

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Blair

Shingles is a painful condition caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus, also known as the chickenpox virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 1 million cases of shingles have been reported every year in the United States, and almost 1 out of every 3 Americans will develop it once in their lifetime. In some rare cases, an individual can have a second or third episode. Anyone who has recuperated from chickenpox may develop shingles, though it is more prevalent among men and women 60 years of age and older.
Once the chickenpox virus enters the body, it remains dormant in the nerve roots and for some people, it stays dormant forever. However, in some cases it still has the tendency to act up due to aging, increased stress levels or diseases. While it isn’t life-threatening, shingles can cause painful fluid-filled blisters, red rashes and itching. Some people also experience fever, chills, headache and fatigue. Here are several recommendations that can help in preventing shingles:

Vaccination

● Chicken Pox vaccine (varicella) – This vaccine has been a part of the childhood routine for decades, and its intent is to prevent chickenpox from occurring. Not always 100% effective, the vaccine does dramatically decrease the odds of a child contracting the disease. It can also be effective for adults who have never had chickenpox. The vaccine doesn’t guarantee that you won’t get shingles or chickenpox, but it can reduce the severity of the disease as well as the complications.
● Shingles vaccine (varicella-zoster) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approves the use of Zostavax, which is a shingles vaccine for people age 60 and older. This vaccine aims to boost the immune system, and protect you against shingles, or even stop it from recurring. Shingles vaccines contain live viruses, and should not be administered to those who have weakened immune systems. This vaccine is also not recommended for those who have an active case of shingles, or those who have severe allergic reaction to some components found in the shingles vaccine. Consult your doctor before making a decision to get vaccinated.

Nutritional Supplementation

● Vitamin B12 – This vitamin can be very helpful in preventing the development of severe cases of shingles, especially if it’s injected. This can also be taken as an oral supplement, though it may not be enough to fight off the shingles virus. B12 shots work better if given early, upon the onset of the infection, and it is extremely safe even if it’s administered several days in a row. This essential vitamin helps in preventing nerve damage and mitigating nerve pain linked with postherpetic neuralgia.
● Vitamin C – Intravenous vitamin C is another treatment for more significant infections, which can also be administered along with B12 injections. This vitamin helps in supporting the immune system in a number of ways. It works by protecting the vitamin E in the body as well as an antiviral, which strengthens the functionality of white blood cells in fighting off infections. The body can absorb limited amounts of vitamin C orally, but when it is administered using intravenous treatments, concentrations can reach much higher levels in the blood stream. Bioflavonoids can also help in improving vitamin C absorption in the body.
● Vitamin E – This vitamin also plays an important part in supporting the immune system. It protects the cells against viral attacks, and acts as an antioxidant that prevents nerve damage responsible for residual pain. It also aids in tissue repair and healing, which can minimize scarring.
● Vitamin A – Vitamin A helps in fighting off infection by increasing the body’s infection-fighting cells during an outbreak. It also boosts the immune system and promote rapid healing.
● L-lysine – This amino acid has been proven effective in interrupting the virus from replicating by competing with its need for amino acids l-arginine, which result in reduced severity and duration of the symptoms.
● Selenium – Selenium used to be a toxic substance, but modern science confirms that small amount can be beneficial to our health. This mineral has been found to be helpful in fighting off infections by stimulating the antibody response and promoting more energy in the body. Selenium works better with vitamin A, E, and beta-carotene.
● Probiotics – Probiotics, or Lactobacillus Acidophilus, are good bacteria that is essential in keeping the digestive system healthy. This is necessary in having a good immune system, which can lower your risk against infections, like shingles.

David Novak is an internationally syndicated columnist, covering lifestyle and health matters. His byline has appeared in newspapers and magazines around the world. He’s an avid health enthusiast, and frequently is featured in regional and national health publications, discussing health, wellness, diet and fitness. He is also a weekly writer for Healthline. To visit his other stories on Healthline, visit http://www.healthline.com/.

Visions of Sugarplums dance in their heads | Gift Guide 2013

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Blair

Happy Christmas Eve! There are just a few more hours left before the big day, Christmas and everyone is still busy sprucing up, grocery shopping and gift shopping. Fir those of you still at a lost for what you should gift, here’s a round up of my Gift Guide for 2013 along with some last minute suggestions.

For the guys in your life click here to see all the fabulous things you could get them.

If there are a couple ladies on your list, then I would definitely click here.

Then there are those gifts that might not have crossed your mind.

Finally for the crafty ~~or those who try to be~~, here are 15 DIY gift ideas.

I don’t know if you had noticed but I completely omitted Makeup and beauty items from my ladies’ gift list this year. Truth is, I forgot, and then got just a tad too busy to post it. There were so many beautiful and interesting gift sets from the makeup world this year I can’t wait to see next year’s! I hope to get a head start on posting about them too! It would be a shame to post it know as so many of them are already sold out and since it’s Christmas Eve people are probably going bonkers to find them.

BUT, a great last minute gift idea is to get someone a gift card to one of their favourite stores. I’m sure I’ve mentioned gift cards before on my blog too. I think the least nonchalant way to give a gift card is to put it along with something else, like a stocking stuffer, a smaller gift or a very sincere greeting card. That way it doesn’t scream, “I didn’t know what to get you, so here…”

Also doing the smaller things like getting the person’s favourite movie on DVD, or perhaps buying the lip balm/ deodorant/ lotion they always use ~~or lose or run out of~~, shows you appreciate the person for the little things. Just replacing batteries on one of their watches is a good way to show you are paying attention and care. Christmas shouldn’t be only about giving the “best gift”, but also about realising the persons who are vital in your life, just as God is. He sent His own son as our gift to be a bigger part of our lives than persons back then even understood. So in celebrating with all of the gifts, food, and parties, let’s not forget the greatest gift that has been given to us, Jesus Christ. I’m not a close to God as I should be, but if it’s one thing, I always remember at Christmas and Easter, there was some one who cared so greatly for us, that He sacrificed his one and only son for me (and you too).

I probably won’t have the time to post tomorrow with all the festivities going, but I want to wish you all a Happy, Safe and Blessed Christmas!

PS: Check back Thursday for another Healthline guest post on Preventing Shingles

Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover | Review

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Blair

Howdy! Hope the Christmas holidays are going well for you all and that you’re not overworking yourselves. I did a brief review of this product on my Facebook page and here I finally am to do the full review on the blog. I purchased the Maybelline Clean Express makeup remover from Collin’s Pharmacy for $11.50BDS, in October, and I’m telling you it’s money well spent.

I was very impressed by the power of this makeup remover to get off mascara and eyeliners especially, because wipes just do not do the trick some times. I can soak a cotton ball and just leave this on my eyes for a few seconds, then wipe away the day’s eye makeup. I haven’t really used it remove makeup all over my face, as I wash my face makeup off ~~when I remember~~, but it does remove foundation and BB cream very easily for the times that I have tried it. This product is very gentle on the eyes, I’ve experienced little to no stinging even when removing eyeliner from my waterline.

Dual-phases are shown in this photo.

This is a dual phase product that has to be shaken up prior to use and although it says oil-free, I still have realised that it leaves a bit of an oily residue after use. Given, it’s probably not oil, but some other compound that works similarly to oil to remove waterproof eye makeup. Anyway, it does absorb into the skin after a while and I haven’t noticed any break outs from this product.

Both phases shaken up.

So far I’ve had this for 2 months and it’s just about halfway after using it most days of the week, especially during school days. You could say it’s cost effective depending on how much makeup you have to remove, but a little does go a long way.

The Verdict:

Pros:

Gentle on the eyes
Removes Eye makeup effectively
Able to remove waterproof makeup
Affordable

Cons:

feels some what oily after removing makeup (but this absorbs into skin within a few minutes)

The Raw Sugar:

I would definitely repurchase this product as it is very good at removing makeup and most importantly lasts long while being very affordable.

Disclaimer: This product was bought with my money. Opinions are my own.

L’Oréal True Match Super Blendable Foundation | Review

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Blair

Hey all! I know I hauled this product since September (maybe?) but, it takes me a bit longer to wear foundation as I’m hardly ever go anywhere that I would need to sport a full made-up face. I did try the L’Oreal True Match foundation a couple times and I must say, I’m in love. This was hyped by Moden Makeup and plenty of beauty Youtubers, so when I saw it in Collin’s Pharmacy I knew I had to try it! I’m happy that I did, because there was lots that it shocked me with.

The packaging is a simple glass bottle, which reminds me of those bottles the pharmacy has for their generic oils and other concoctions. There’s no pump this sadly, but I think that may be for the best as too much to the liquid would possibly be pumped out. Pouring it our onto a surface or your hand is not the most sanitary, but I don’t mind it since it’s my personal foundation. This product was $21.40BDS if I remember correctly, which is considerably affordable.

The formula is a liquid with amazing coverage and blendability for a few dots of foundation on the face. I’d say this is a medium to full coverage foundation is you layer it. Very easy to blend and surprisingly feels powdery to the touch after applying. I typically use my fingers to apply this and then blot with tissue to remove excess product, of which hardly any comes off. The colour I have is C6 Soft Sable (cool-toned shade), and it’s a very good match to my skin tone.

This has an amazing staying power and that’s saying a lot in Barbados heat. I wore this for the first time a school day and it made my skin look perfect, plus it lasted all 6+ hours of my hot, busy day. Of course the typical places like bridge of nose and around my mouth wore off, since I’m always touching my face, but everything else stayed like it was just applied. The foundation is a matte finish that depending on your skin type may look more dewy as the day goes on, but no where near grease bucket.

The Verdict:

Pros:

Blendable
Medium to full coverage
Great and varied colour selection
Matte finish
Long-lasting (even in this tropical heat)
Affordable

Cons:

Shades sell out very fast in Barbados
No pump to bottle, so a bit unsanitary and wasteful

The Raw Sugar:

I really like this foundation and I would probably repurchase it if I were to run out, but I definitely am not going anywhere to wear this as much, so I typically stick to my Garnier BB cream for daily wear. This is a great foundation for oil-control or persons living in hot humid places like Barbados.

Disclaimer: I purchased this product with my own money. Opinions are of course my own.

Natural Cold and Flu Prevention | Guest Post

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Blair

There is no known cure for the cold and flu, thus a conscious effort towards prevention is your next base option, and for that matter, your only option. The best approach is to keep your body healthy to keep you from being susceptible to infection caused by cold and flu viruses. Getting a flu shot is effective, though it doesn’t guarantee you will never get sick. Vaccinations can help in keeping the symptoms more mild, as well as shorten the duration of the illness in case you get sick. However, if you don’t want to get a flu shot, here are several natural remedies that can help you survive the cold and flu season.

Practice proper hygiene
Cold and flu viruses usually spread by direct contact, so washing your hands is extremely important. Germs can stay alive for hours on objects, and they can be easily picked up by another person just by touching that object. Avoid touching your face as well since cold and flu viruses enter the body thru the eyes, nose or mouth. Make it a habit to wash hands using soap and warm water. If you don’t have immediate access to water, you can use an alcohol-based sanitizer. When coughing and sneezing, always use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose. Avoid using your hands since this can only spread germs onto the objects you’ll touch.
Exercise
Exercising regularly speeds up the heart to pump larger quantities of blood. This promotes the production and good function of white blood cells, which attack viruses. Overall, exercise can help in keeping your body healthy, as well as lowering your risk against diseases including cold and flu. It is not necessary to do strenuous exercises. Rather, walking around the neighborhood or taking the stairs instead of the elevator will suffice.
Eat foods containing phytonutrients
Foods that are high in phytonutrients include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and tea. The natural chemicals found in these foods help in preventing disease, and keep your body in superb working condition. There are more than 25,000 phytonutrients found in plant foods, and each one has their own potential health effects.
Vitamins and Supplements
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with fortifying your body with additional vitamins and minerals. If you can’t get these nutrients from food sources, supplements are the next best thing. Here a few that will benefit you during the cold and flu season:
● Omega-3 – Omega-3 fatty acids have immune-fortifying properties that can help in lowering your risk against the common cold and flu. According to a study by Britain’s Institute of Human Nutrition and School of Medicine, Omega-3 works by increasing the activity of cells known as phagocytes, which fight flu by eating up bacteria. It also increases the airflow and protects the lungs from numerous respiratory infections. You can also obtain omega-3 fatty acids in certain foods such as walnuts, flax seeds, salmon, sardines and halibut.
● Astragalus – This Chinese root is known to help fight infection by stimulating the white blood cells. It supports and enhances the immune system, making it a good remedy for colds and flu. Research also shows that long-term use might help in cold and flu prevention.
● Zinc – This mineral helps in slowing the proliferation of the virus in the throat and nose. Zinc interferes with the ability of rhinoviruses, which are known to be responsible for 80% of all colds. It also blocks the ability of these viruses to attach to cell membranes that causes infection.
● Vitamin C – The effectivity of vitamin C in preventing cold is still vague, but several studies show that it can reduce the duration of the cold. There is no downside to consuming a lot of vitamin C-rich foods; however, avoid megadoses of vitamin C supplementation since this can cause diarrhea and even internal bleeding in children.
● Echinacea – Evidence on the effectiveness of echinacea is still unclear, though some studies show that it can reduce the severity and duration of colds. Side effects are minimal, which can include diarrhea, wheezing and rashes.
Avoid smoking
Based on statistics, smokers are more susceptible to severe colds and other respiratory infections. Smoking keeps the number of white blood cells high, which is a sign that its fighting against damage and inflammation caused by tobacco. It temporarily paralyzes the tiny brush like hairs in the airways known as cilla, which is responsible for clearing your lungs against mucus and dirt. So if you smoke, cutting back will decrease the chances of regular colds and flus.
Drink plenty of water
Water is essential to our overall health. Sufficient supply of water in the body prevents dehydration, and it also helps in lessening congestion due to colds. Avoid coffee, caffeinated sodas and alcohol since this can worsen dehydration. Alcohol also suppresses the immune system, making you more prone to cold and flu viruses.
David Novak is an internationally syndicated columnist, covering lifestyle and health matters. His byline has appeared in newspapers and magazines around the world. He’s an avid health enthusiast, and frequently is featured in regional and national health publications, discussing health, wellness, diet and fitness. He is also a weekly writer for Healthline. To visit his other stories on Healthline, visit http://www.healthline.com/.

15 DIY Gift Ideas | Gift Guide 2013

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Blair

Hey all! Around Christmas time it always seems like our budgets are the tightest. There are so many people we appreciate in our lives that we want to get them all a gift or two. However we can’t always do that with the price of some items. Here are a few affordable DIY gifts that can be small tokens of appreciation for the people in your life. Great for us students who have limited budgets! Many of them seem pretty easy, even for persons like me who can’t draw any fancy designs.

Apologies that this post is so late, I really did not get the chance to post this earlier today, but I hope you do enjoy it!

Gifts you might not have thought of | Gift Guide 2013

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Blair

Hey all! Sometimes we can be suck in a rut when it comes to gifting and end up giving the same kinds of gifts every year. It gets boring, but I’m here to help you with some gift ideas that might have never crossed your mind. I know some of these definitely hadn’t crossed mine until I researched for this post. All the things mentioned are useful pieces!

Sunglasses

Casual, cool, sophisticated, shades are a functional accessory that can do some outfits total justice. You can go affordable and buy a few pairs of inexpensive fashion sunglasses, or take the plunge to gift a designer pair of sunglasses to a very deserving person.

Roku

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I just recently learned about this and I think it’s a fantastic idea n these times of internet television. What even is this thing? Similar to your cable box or MCTV boxes we having in Barbados, this box allows you to watch tons of movies, games, TV shows via internet stream. You just plug it into your Tv, connect it to the internet and then watch your shows. (I wonder if this works in Barbados, because it seems fabulous!)

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Casual Suits (we’re going for that Neal Caffery look)

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I’m still young and inexperienced, plus I’m a girl so when I asked my boyfriend about this, he said men are into suits, which I was quite shocked by especially given that we’re in our early 20s. But it would make sense, because just like watches, smart suits really make the look of a guy. It’s that one thing that guys have to get into wearing, whether it be from church (starts from early ages here in Barbados), or in their field of work when they leave university.

Liquor Flask

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For the rough days, that are ahead. Trust that there will be those. I found these fun ones on Etsy.

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Remote Control Car

This one was brought to my attention by one of my closest guy friends, Blackman. Apparently, these are very high tech and some can go up to 80mph. Big graduation from those flimsy types we played with as children. Remember hoping not to crash into anything because the whole care would literally shatter? These more sophisticated models for definitely more durable, justifying the hefty price tag for some. You can even change parts for them!
Since I’m no expert on this, furthermore I’m now finding this out, here’s a link of the top 10 RC cars from Complex Rides.

Cooking or Bakeware

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This is perfect for avid bakers or those who love to play around in the kitchen. Sometimes you just can’t get that new pan, or even a cooking gadget that would make your life so much easier. A gift that keeps giving, especially if you’re on the receiving end of the baked goods!

Here’s a 5-piece Bakeware set from Bed, Bath & Beyond, and the 6-piece set also.

Pets

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Adopting a pet for someone who’s always wanted to get a cat, dog, hamster, iguana, etc, is a great way to show that you care. Giving them a companion who will be there to remind them of you, as well as to love. there’s nothing that beats pets… ok maybe there is but some are so cute and cuddly it’s sometimes hard to decide. I only suggest this for responsible persons though, because you don’t want to bring that pet from a what might have been bad home into another.

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Duty Free Day Lip Products (RW) | Beauty

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Blair

Hey all! It was around this time, 2 years ago that I picked up what are still some of my favourite lip products, and what I thought was the best shopping day Barbados ever had. Duty-Free day!

For us locals, there’s this steep tax on most if not all imported goods, and although that’s good for Government revenue and all that jazz, it really is a stifler to purchasing anything. Imaging a Revlon lipstick usually $7.99USD, costing you $15USD. Say what…. that aint right, but that’s what we deal with in Barbados. Sadly too, many “sales” are never really much of a deal and the stuff I really want rarely goes on sale, nor is there coupons. So imagine my glee when Duty Free day rolled around in 2011 and I was just getting into lipsticks.

Here are just a few of the items I got back then and swatches.

Revlon ColorBurst- Peach

To view the original post and all the product details, click here!

	Christina Beaute on Happy Valentines day!
	Christina Beaute on Happy Valentines day!
	Noor on Happy Valentines day!
	Melissa on Happy Valentines day!
	Christina Beaute on Coastal Scents 32 Lip palette…

	Christina Beaute on Happy Valentines day!
	Christina Beaute on Happy Valentines day!
	Noor on Happy Valentines day!
	Melissa on Happy Valentines day!
	Christina Beaute on Coastal Scents 32 Lip palette…

The Verdict:

Pros:

Cons:

The Raw Sugar:

The Verdict:

Pros:

Cons:

The Raw Sugar:

Personalised mugs/ candle holders

DIY Jewellery

Knick Knacks

Beauty

Treats

Sunglasses

Roku

Casual Suits (we’re going for that Neal Caffery look)

Liquor Flask

Cooking or Bakeware

Pets