Consumer Report

Neutrals
So on the anniversary you know I have to review my favorite thing:LIPSTICK!!! A couple of weeks ago I decided I wanted some new lipsticks forfall- a warm berry and a neutral with a hint of peach. I kept seeing all these Covergirl Lip Perfection lipstickcommercials and saw that as a sign. Now I haven’t been a fan of Covergirlcosmetics for some time but I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt andtry it out. First things first: appearance. I like how the shade youchoose is displayed at the bottom of the tube. I’ve been duped before thinkingthe color I see is how it’ll look on me (happens all the time with nail polish)but with this line what you see is what you get! And the names were…
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Fall Fitness Advice

Neutrals
In the last health and beauty issue The Blonde One gave some very helpful beauty advice. This week I want to give you all a few fitness suggestions that can help you get and stay healthy in the coming seasons.It is common for people to gain some weight during the fall and winter months and then struggle in the spring and summer to lose the extra pounds. We are going to put an end to that once and for all with a few tips to help us keep those unwanted pounds away! Here is what I suggest:Fall mornings and evenings are perfect for outdoor walks and outdoor exercising in general. Invest in a good pair of walking/training shoes and get moving! I have been using Reebok’s Easy Tone shoes and…
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Time to face Fall!

Neutrals
Guys your faces need to be fresh for fall as well as any time of year! Skin care is no longer just to women, in fact your skin maybe in even more need of care because of the constant shaving it requires. There are plenty of ways you guys can take care of your skin, here’s a few tips: Find a good moisturizer. Retailers are noticing the high demand for men’s skin care products so there are plenty of products to choose from. You want to stay away from heavily fragranced facial lotions and make sure they’re not oil based, that can break out your skin and clog your pores. A plus, not hard to find thanks to the American Skin Cancer Association, is one with spf. EVERY skin tone…
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SHOTS… SHOTS… SHOTS… SHOTS!!

Neutrals
An Immunization Guide for the Upcoming School Year  It’s that time of year that we’ve all been waiting for…that’s right BACK 2 SCHOOL!! I just wanted to take the time to remind you of the importance of having up to date immunizations.  This is important for those of you who will be headed to college as well as the general child and adult population as a whole. Here a few of the common vaccinations that you want to make sure you have and the reason why they are important. Most are free or inexpensive and can be received at your local health department.MMR-Measles/Mumps/Rubella Vaccine- This is a “3 in 1” vaccine that protects against all three of the viruses. This vaccine is especially important to children. It comes in two…
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Beauty Consumer Report

Plums
 Maybelline Falsies Flared I love mascara and Maybelline is one of my top favs. HOWEVER their Falsies Volum’ Express line is really about to make me change my line up. I love big lashes and since I cant stand false lashes (no offense, they're just not for me) my goal is for my lashes to look over the top so I was SO EXCITED when I saw the commercial for Falsies! Tried it out and *thumbs down* my lashes looked regular. I decided to give Falsies Flared the benefit of the doubt, thinking “Maybe, just maybe they’ve improved the formula and the flare really packs a punch!” Yeah, I wasted my money AGAIN. Falsies on left eye/ nothing on right I will admit that the unique brush really did flare…
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EAT This NOT That: Blondie’s Edition

Neutrals
I love our faithful readers so much and your advice and input is greatly appreciated. The idea for this article came from one of our loyal readers, so thank you!The popular nutritional book Eat this not That is actually a series of books that offer alternatives to some of our favorite foods. Seeing as how I am on this healthy living and lifestyle journey, I decided to share a few of my own suggestions with our readers.                                                                                             1.      One 8oz glass of 2% Reduced Fat Milk--120 Calories, 4 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein instead of One 8oz glass of Vitamin D/Whole Milk-- 160 Calories, 9 grams of fat, 8 grams of protein *Most doctors and nutritionists recommend 1% or Skim Milk, however these taste too much like water…
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HOTT Summer Health and Beauty Advice!

Neutrals
Summer is here and BA-BY it is HOTT, so I decided to compile a few health and beauty tips to help you get through the rest of these scorching summer days: *Need something to keep your skin soft, smooth, and radiant?!? Palmers Deep Radiance Oil Gel is a great product to add to your summer beauty regimen (Make sure you do not get Palmers Moisturizing Gel this one will leave you sliding all over the place) Vaseline’s Cocoa Butter Oil Gel work wonders for your skin as well. Both products are wonderful and they do not leave your skin feeling heavy, oily, or greasy. I highly recommend these products.*Are certain areas of your body unusually darker than the rest or have you gotten a really dark tan and you want to…
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Hey Pretty Lady!!

Neutrals
I’m sure the summer heat has kept you from your normal makeup regimen. Summer makeup needs are particularly different than any other season. I’m sure you are already familiar with what this heat can do to a beautifully made-up face. Here are a few suggestions for getting pretty these dog days of summer:  *Clean your face thoroughly before and after applying makeup. Make sure you use a moisturizer that has some sunscreen protection because even though African Americans have more pigmentation in our skin we still need protection from the sun. *Less is more: go for the natural look this summer which means less use of your normal foundation and more use of powder or bronzer powder. Too much foundation can cause you to look oily and could end in…
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Health tips and advice for Men

Neutrals
Father’s Day is less than a week away, and in addition to giving our father’s their favorite brand of cologne, a nice pair of shoes, or a stylish new outfit, it is also a great time to remind the special men in our lives of the importance of their health. We want them around for many more years to come. It is no secret that getting men to go to the doctor is not an easy task. Most men don’t like going. A recent CDC study states that women are 33% more likely to visit a doctor than men. The CDC also states that on average women survive men by over five years. The Men’s Health Network states that men die at a higher rate than women from the top ten…
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Why all the fuss?!? It’s just hair!!

Neutrals
The Bible says that a woman’s hair is her “crown and glory”. India Arie says “I am not my hair”. Celebrity stylist, Gabrielle Corney, says that “Hair is the ULTIMATE accessory”! Why do we put so much emphasis on our hair? I tend to agree with Gabrielle, hair IS the ultimate accessory. Regardless of if you wear your hair in its natural state, if you chemically straighten your hair, or if you wear hair extensions and/or wigs, your hair is a reflection of you and when it looks good you feel good. What does it mean to have natural hair? There are two commonly accepted definitions of “natural hair”. Some believe that natural hair is not chemically straightened OR straightened with excessive heat. Others believe that hair can be straightened…
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Plastic Surgery: Friend or Foe

Neutrals
In a world where there is so much focus on appearances, more and more people are opting out of traditional diet and exercise solutions and seeking a quick fix to get the look that he/she wants. Some people desire looks that they feel cannot be achieved with diet and exercise alone. For example, when a person loses an excessive amount of weight there can be loose skin that has to be surgically tightened. Plastic surgery was once looked at as a taboo subject, but in recent years people are becoming more open to the idea of “going under the knife”. People have their own opinions about cosmetic surgery, for the most part, and some people agree that there is nothing wrong with a few procedures here and there as long…
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