It's been so hard for me to not rave about this product constantly since I first purchased it.  The Curl Bomb Moisturizing Styling Gel is the newest member to the TGIN family and may have become my new favorite from their lineup.  I've talked up the Honey Miracle Mask for some time now and I'm still obsessed with that Deep Conditioner but THIS PRODUCT HERE... This gel, is a heavy hitter!

Let me tell you... I've been looking for a product JUST like this!  I love me some Curl Maker and I love me some Argan Oil Eco Styler gel.  I've just always wished I could combine the two.  Take the slip + definition from Curl Maker and the hold + thick consistency of the Argan Oil Eco Styler Gel.  I don't know how they did it, but TGIN made my freaking dreams come true.  As product junkies, we do this all the time.  Wish for some magical combination of products to form the perfect product but in this case I got exactly what I wished for.

THE DEETS

As I mentioned previously, the consistency of the gel is on the thicker side so I recommend applying to hair that is well saturated with water.  This is a step that is missed by many trying to achieve a Wash + Go.  Your hair should literally be dripping wet.  Although the Curl Bomb Gel is thick, it does apply like a dream.  There is so much freaking slip!!  I like to rake + smooth products through my hair when styling a Wash + Go so it's really important for those products to have a ton of slip.  Nobody has time to deal with products causing my hair to become hard or tangled.  NOBODY.  Besides a Wash + Go, I've also used this gel to set my Perm Rods and to slick my hair into a low Puff (ponytail).  I love using gel on my edges to slick them down... Normally, I grab my Eco Styler Gel for this but instead used the TGIN Curl Bomb Gel + it did the job!!

THINGS THE GEL DOES:

Defines Curls
Eliminates Frizz
Keeps Hair Moisturized (with the right products underneath)
Adds Shine
Elongates Curls

THINGS THE GEL DOES (NOT) DO:

Pay Your Rent
Get Your Man to Act Right
Pull Sallie Mae off Your Back
Stop Donald Trump From Tweeting

I purchased my bottles at both Target and Sally Beauty Supply.  When I first used the bottle I purchased from Target and saw my results, I immediately jumped in my car to grab more bottles from Sally Beauty during their sale.  If you follow me on Instagram (you should!) + watch my Stories, you probably remember this day!  LOL.  Needless to say now you can find this product almost everywhere... Amazon, TGIN Website, Target, Sally Beauty and your local beauty supply stores.  But I'm going to make it real easy for you to get your hands on it ASAP with a giveaway!  All you have to do is tell me which BOMB style you would use this gel for in the comments.  Be sure to include your Social Media Handle so I can DM you if you're the winner.  THAT'S IT.  Good luck to everyone.
XOXOMCS.


GIVEAWAY ENDS FRIDAY, APRIL 7, 2017 AT 12PM.  WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED HERE ON THE BLOG IN THE COMMENTS OF THIS POST.  PRIZE INCLUDES: (1) CURL BOMB MOISTURIZING STYLING GEL, (1) GREEN TEA SUPER MOIST LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER, + (1) ARGAN REPLENISHING HAIR + BODY OIL.  THIS GIVEAWAY IS SPONSORED BY TGIN.

Over the years I've been known to constantly be on the look out for the perfect foundation and the perfect concealer (amongst many other things).  You know how we do... find the absolute perfect concealer, rave about it to everyone who will listen only to be back at the store checking out another concealer in a few weeks.  This is me, I am her.  So, today I bring to you my TOP 4 concealers and how I use them in the hopes that maybe you won't become a hoarder of concealers like myself.  If you have already, then just keep reading... there's no hope!



LANCOME Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage (420 Bisque N):

She's the newest to my arsenal but arrived making major noise.  I've never used or had a concealer this Full Coverage before.  So out of the (4) listed in this post, she will cover it!  It's definitely a creamy and fluid application but make no mistakes, it does not move around during the day.  I like to wear it alone to cover any imperfections on my face and skip foundation on a regular occasion.  My recommendation is to start with a tiny dot and build up the coverage versus applying half of the tube and trying to blend.  I'm not trying to knock your ways if that's the application you prefer... blend on!

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer (Med/Dark2 Caramel):

This product has been in my arsenal since it's release.  In fact, it was the very first high(er) end concealer I began using and what started me on my out of control spiral.  Every girl should have this concealer in their stash just because.  We all know how easy it is to move on to the next best thing out there so when I say this is the third tube I've purchased, it should mean something!  Coverage at best is Medium for me because when I try to build it up to full coverage I find that it tends to look way too cakey and creasy.  I also like that its the perfect shade for my complexion so it allows me to wear it alone under my eyes or just to cover blemishes and forgo foundation.

BARE MINERALS Bareskin Concealer (Tan):

Somehow I keep losing and finding this concealer over and over again.  That alone should tell you that it's not one that I reach for everyday BUT it does serve it's purpose.  This is the most sheerest and skin-like concealer of the bunch and looks effortlessly gorgeous on.  It claims to be complete coverage and if you have no dark circles or blemishes then I'm sure it is.  With it being a Serum Concealer, it's super lightweight and should be used when you want that glow from within, natural skin look... at least that's how I use it.  The product looks gorgeous under the eyes after a good night's rest (minimum dark circles) OR mixed with your favorite full coverage concealer, this will give this natural glow.  It really is gorgeous!

NARS Soft Matte Complete Concealer (Med/Dark2 Caramel):

Since my love for the Radiant Creamy Concealer runs so deep, it only made sense that I grab NARS' latest concealer release and I'm damn sure glad that I did.  The products are NOT at all the same if you've been wondering.  The Soft Matte Complete Concealer is almost mousse-like and applies matte versus trying down matte.  No worries, it gives just enough to allow flawless blending with ease before truly setting.  I would say coverage is a strong Medium but can be built up easily to Full Coverage.  The only set back for me is that it's in a pot and not a tube but it's nothing that a beauty blender can't fix.  When I use it under my eyes, I make sure that my under eye area is moisturized well before applying.  With this being a Matte concealer, you can find yourself in crease city real quick if you don't prep well.  Let's all stay out of crease city... it's not a good place!

Hope you liked my round up of favorite concealers (for now).  If you know of any that totally beat these out of the water, please share with us in the comments!  Until next time...
XOXOMCS.

Last week I received a super cute package from Pixi Beauty containing all of their Face Mists.  *cue all the happy emojis*  I already had the Glow Mist in my arsenal but the other three... the Hydrating Milky Mist, Makeup Fixing Mist and Vitamin Wakeup Mist (all are $15 each) were new to me.  Obviously, they didn't stay new to me for very long because I immediately began trying to figure out how to use them... both separately and in combination.

Here's what I figured out...

1. Hydrating Milky Mist: This product is a spray on moisturizer!  Umm, can we say PERFECT for us oily skin girls who like lightweight products.  Nothing is more lightweight than something you spray on your face.  LOL.  Plus it contains Hyaluronic Acid which plumps up the skin making it look all youthful and stuff.  I've moved this one to my daily morning routine as my moisturizer to apply right before makeup.

2. Makeup Fixing Mist:  I think the title of this one is pretty self explanatory!  I've been wanting a Rose Water mist for my face and have a few in my Sephora cart currently so when I saw that this Mist contains Rose Water + Green Tea, I was all types of hype!  One spritz before applying my makeup and one to set my makeup when I'm done is all I really need.  If you're one that goes crazy with face sprays + needs a minimum of 15 spritzes then have at it!  I'm not trying to go through my bottle in a month LOL.

3. Glow Mist:  As I said earlier, I already had this Mist in my arsenal and use it almost every night as the final step in my nighttime skincare regimen.  It definitely lives up to it's title girl!  This will have you glowing in the dark which is why I use it at night or on days when I'm not wearing makeup.  Not because I'm trying to glow in the dark but because it gives me a glow that may be overwhelming during the day on top of my oily skin with makeup.  I wake up every morning with this gorgeous glowing skin that I absolutely love.  If you have dry skin, you may love this as a setting spray for your makeup though so try it out and see how it works for your particular skin type.

4. Vitamin Wakeup Mist: I've settled on using this in the morning after I cleanse my face but before I apply my moisturizer.  Pretty much like a toner that you spray on.  If you're worried about waste or getting your hair wet, just spray it on to a cotton round and wipe your face with it.  Of the (4) Mists, this is probably the one I will alternate out the most because normally my skin needs a mattifying toner depending on the foundation I'm wearing.



COMBINATIONS (multi-misting):

Morning: The Hydrating Milky Mist + Makeup Fixing Mist are perfect to add into your Morning Skincare Regimen with/before makeup.  Their lightweight consistencies are perfect to use in combination with foundation.

Night: The Vitamin Wakeup Mist + Glow Mist are great to Prep the skin and Finish your Nighttime Routine.  I know I mentioned using the Vitamin Wake Up Mist in the morning but it's great as a toner any time really.  Plus my skin tends to get tight as I remove my makeup from the day so the Vitamin Wake Up Mist is a great product to add in.  The Glow Mist... well, you already know what to do there!

All of these Mists can be alternated and used in whatever way suits your skin.  This is just what I've learned will work for me.  The ingredients are great and that's coming from a girl who also has sensitive skin!  Which are my favorites?  That would have to be the Glow Mist + the Hydrating Milky Mist... I want to buy stock in both of these!  But, I would definitely recommend giving these a try and Target is always having those $5 off sales for beauty products which include these so it's a win win.  Until next time...
XOXOMCS

Hey girls!  I've been receiving countless emails and messages asking if I'm still taking the CURLS Blissful Lengths Liquid Hair Vitamin and the answer is, OF COURSE.  Obviously when I first started taking the supplement and noticed the quick changes, I was fast to share.  That's how it is with anything really, isn't it?  There weren't many reviews out there and I knew people had questions so I jumped to providing some answers based on my experience.  Since my last video in December (check it out here), I've continued taking the vitamin and my opinion hasn't really changed at all!  I still love this product.

I've been having trouble consistently taking it daily because I forget.  Hi, my name is Candice and I have a chronic forgetful memory.  So FYI, if you ever have a secret or need to share something that you don't want anyone else to know, I'm the perfect person.  99.9% of the time I will totally forget what was I told!  Ask my friends, lmao.  After my excitement about the vitamin dropped over time, it become harder and harder for me to remember to take it daily.  Which led to skipped days and a decrease in energy... blah, blah, blah!  Hopefully, I'm back on track now since I've set a timer on my phone to take it every morning after breakfast.  The alert also pops up on my Apple Watch which is exactly what I need.  Thank you to everyone who recommended that tip when I asked on my Instagram Story.

Other than forgetting to take it daily, everything else has been cool beans.  I'm still flourishing over here!  LOL.  There's been speculation regarding the authenticity of my feedback on the vitamin because the brand sent me a few bottles.  I know, I know... someone always has something negative to say BUT, let's not forget all the bottles of this vitamin that I purchased with my own coin.  I don't know anyone who buys multiple bottles of something that doesn't work for them.  If you're not having the same experience as me, it's okay.  All of our bodies are different!  That doesn't mean my experience isn't authentic.  Instead of casting doubt, reach out and see if maybe myself or the CURLS team can provide some assistance.  That's what I'm here for...

Keep in mind, I didn't begin taking these vitamins to gain fast length because that's never been my goal.  I'm a scissor happy girl who loves a good cut!  Of course, I'll welcome additional length like any girl would and that's what I got.  Below is a 2-3 week comparison photo from back in November, soon after I started taking the supplement.  It's nothing drastic but the growth is obvious!  This isn't a miracle worker but it does work faster than other supplements of it's kind and in large part because the amazing ingredients are in liquid form.


When I purchased the additional bottles of this vitamin, it wasn't so I could hit a length goal... it was more to gain thicker edges +  hair but I realized very quickly how well it helped my energy as well.  I'm always freaking tired and feeling drained of energy.  Taking this product helped me SO much with that!  Besides energy, it has been keeping my skin in the clear of break outs.  Honestly, I have seen a pimple or two pop up since I started taking it but 1. I'm acne-prone naturally and like I said, this isn't a miracle worker and 2. My consistency in taking it has been sub-par so sub-par results are to be expected.

I hate being uber repetitive but wanted to give you all an update!  A lot of you have tried the vitamin yourself now that it's in stores, so please share in the comments what your experience has been so far.    If you've been under a rock, the CURLS Blissful Lengths Liquid Hair Growth Vitamin is now sold in Target, both online and in stores.  If you follow me on Instagram Stories, I do share when Target or the CURLS website (www.curls.biz) is having a sale because I know most of us are here for a good deal!  Until next time...
XOXOMCS

I've never known the actual date I Big Chopped but thanks to Facebook, a photo popped up this morning with a date.  I can't believe I never thought to check Facebook over the years but I'm also not a huge fan of Facebook these days so that makes sense.  Anyways, today is my BigChopaversary!!  Let's go through the years and see how this major decision changed things for me...

MARCH 17, 2005

I went to Hair Cuttery and had the stylist cut all my hair off.  She had to have asked me a million times if I was sure LOL.  But I had seen a picture of Solange that I fell in love with and I was MORE THAN sure.  Before this day, I had cut my hair into an edgy style just for fun.  If you're going to cut all your hair off anyways, why not have some fun with cuts + styles in between, right?!

My Inspo

2013

2013

Year One Straightened

(2014) Tapered Cut

The Grow Out Process of the Tapered Cut SUCKED BALLS.

2014-2015

Did Lots of Coils to Grow the Tapered Cut Out

(2015) Finally Grew it Out

(2016) So I Cut it...

(2016) AGAIN...

(2017) I'm All Good Now...

(2017) But I Kinda Want to Cut Again LOL

I know everyone is asking for a home tour but we are just not home tour ready.  Unless one of you has a connect with West Elm that you're hiding then it will be just a little while.  No worries, it is coming... I promise!  It's been nearly three months since the family relocated from Northern Virginia to Howard County, MD and man it has not been easy.  I don't know how families do cross country moves... we only moved 2 hours away. LOL.  Nonetheless, we've hit some snags and the kids already want to go back to their old schools but that's not an option at this point.  All we can do is adjust.
For starters, our community is beautiful but very quiet.  This could be because it's cold as heck outside and everyone is staying in to keep warm.  But even on the rare days where it was 70-75 degrees, there really weren't many kids out playing.  The community hosted a Valentine's Day event where we hoped to meet the residents (even us parents) but only a handful of people showed up.  This is VERY different than our neighbors at the old community.  There were always lots of kids outside playing (even in the cold), because what boy wants to stay indoors unless it's to play video games.  So, this alone has been a bummer for my kids because they love to be outdoors running around until I call them in.  Unfortunately, they don't want to be outside with each other playing either which has me questioning why I had so many of them if not to entertain each other.



The next hurdle has been the culture difference.  Our old community was predominately white with sprinkles of Middle Eastern and Interracial families.  Granted we only lived in that area for about 6 years, but even the communities we lived in prior to that were predominately white.  This is actually the first time our children have been exposed to a predominately black community.  As parents, we were actually really really excited about this because they were starting to worry us.  LMAO.  Normal worries like... the way they "Whipped + Nae Nae-d", or how they wanted to wear shorts in 20 degree weather.  Nothing crazy.  But boy, you gotta be careful what you wish for!  Now we're here in Maryland and they are being picked on left and right.  It's either because of the way they talk (they don't understand the slang), or the fact that they don't wear Jordans (so how they dress), or just the way they act (too friendly apparently).  It hasn't been easy and we've already been to the school multiple times.  I've tried to explain that the black community is just a bit more guarded when it comes to "making friends", give it a little time and try not to come off too strong.  It hasn't been a huge amount of time so I can only hope that things improve over the next couple of months.

Not having a corporate job when we first moved here has been such a blessing!  I've been here everyday when they get home to talk about how things went at school that day.  Personally, I grew up in the Bronx, NY and my husband is from Plainfield, NJ so we can virtually live anywhere and fit in.  At this point, we're just trying to keep our ears open and lend our tips from experience where we can. If you have any advice or have been through this before, please comment below Moms.  We would love to hear your feedback.  XOXOMCS

I'm sure you've seen the photos floating around and I haven't really expressed my opinion on them via social media but this here is MY site that I pay for so...



The photo of Jess Hilarious was the first one I saw.  She received a ton of negative comments but I'm sure it came as no surprise to her that this would happen.  I love the intimacy in the photo between the Mother and HER child but something about it did make me uncomfortable.  Uncomfortable enough to post hateful comments?  No.  I understand that as Americans we have this unhealthy ideology about nudity but whatever.  I'm American and this is America, so... I'm most uncomfortable with a child that age posing in a nude photo.  We all know how shoots go.  There's no possible way that the child did NOT see all of his Mother's "private" parts.  Not only that, they're being forced (because you do whatever Mommy says) to be skin to skin with their mother's private parts.  In Jess Hilarious' photo, the young boy's chest was actually physically touching her breasts and sitting on her bare vagina.  In Ciara's photo, her son is being pressed against her bare breasts (and not for feedings).  We all will have our opinions about this but I just wonder at what age is this NOT okay?  We begin teaching our children at a young age about boundaries.  Yes, my children have walked into my bedroom while I was getting dressed but I've never intentionally exposed myself to any of them past breastfeeding.  There is just as much beauty in a family photo where everyone is clothed so why the need to be nude?



Then Ciara dropped her own family photo and the world was here for it.  The same people that bashed Jess Hilarious saying she was trying to replace a man in her life with her son, applauded the Wilsons.  Ciara has a man (a damn good one at that) and still chose to pose nude with her son.  I don't see the difference.  Both photos make me uncomfortable BECAUSE the photos would still be amazing if everyone had clothes on.  This was THEIR CHOICE to do what they wanted to with THEIR FAMILY.  I think this is where we lose track of things.  Will I be taking nude photos with my children?  No.  That's MY CHOICE though.

Just as precious with clothing.

At some point we have to start remembering that just because we don't like something, doesn't mean we have to bash the person.  Keep scrolling... heck, even unfollow if you wish.  Am I here for these nude family photos? No.  But guess what?  I read the comments and kept scrolling.  LOL.  You didn't think I wasn't going to read the comments, did you?  Well that's my two cents on this topic.  What are your opinions on the photos.  Please be respectful in the comments, thanks!  XOXOMCS.

My Warby Parker frames are the Kimball Eyeglasses in Marzipan Tortoise for $95 (including lenses).  You can click on the link here to take you directly to them or click on any picture in this post.  Yes, the links provided will in turn pay me for every purchase made but hey, that's not a bad thing is it?!  I did purchase the frames using my personal coins months ago so I'm not double dipping, if that's what you're wondering.

Go ahead and support.  I have three kids who will be quite thankful!  LOL.

XOXOMCS