Best Skincare Purchase Ever!!

It's my Michael Todd Soniclear Elite! I got mine in the color 'Mint Dream' (It comes in a variety of colors), if you are a follower of my blog you already know about my love for all things colorful🌈, especially green😁.

Source: theglamorousgleam

I bought this brush around Labour Day in 2015 along with some of their other skincare products (so i got a 25% discount, btw they always offer discounts) through my friend in the USA. However she wasn't able to send down the Brush till sometime in August this year and it has honestly upgraded my 'Face-Care' Routine (I plan to do a post on what i use and how they've worked so far so stay tuned for that). I have combination acne-prone skin but thanks to cutting out cheese and severely reducing my dairy intake, i only have acne/pimples when my period is approaching or when i eat certain foods i know i shouldn't like pizza, groundnuts,etc and the scars happen when i pick my face, which i 'try' not to do.

Sept 2015 (Thanks to Pizza cheese)                                    Nov 2015

November 2015

I try to keep my product use minimalist and simple (a.k.a lazy)and this brush was exactly what i needed to achieve that, i use it in combination with my Forever Alpha-E Factor, Aloe Sunscreen and Forever Living Sonya Skincare Kit  (which was my initial Best Skincare purchase before purchasing the brush, i have practically exhausted and dreading a re-purchase thanks to the current exchange rate situation *sigh). I currently use the Boots Traditional Glycerin & Rosewater as i'm out of my Sonya Aloe Refreshing Toner from the kit, its working out well thankfully.

Sonya Skincare Kit

Alpha-E Factor

Aloe Sunscreen

Boots Glycerin & Rosewater

Empties😢

I get a good cleanse for my face using this brush and love that i can decide how intense a cleanse i get plus i feel a lil bougie and pampered every morning after use.lol. It has really helped reduce the appearance of my acne scars and i'm done battling my white heads with ACV. I have also tried out the body brush and was surprised how squeaky clean i felt afterwards and how well it got rid of my pityriasis rosea scar dry skin peels but i think i'll need to purchase the Extension Handle to use it better.

I've been getting great comments from my friends on how clear my skin is and questions on what i'm using. For me personally its a big deal to have good skin 'cos i quite like being without makeup and i believe the skin is a reflection of how healthy we are so even though i can be quite lazy, i take pride in having somewhat clear (if only i'll stop picking my face!👀), firm, glowing skin 😉

August 2016

August 2016                                     Sept 2016

Sept 2016 (Compare to 2015 above)

Oct 2016- No Makeup/Makeup

The Brush came with a bigger body brush, its charger base and plug and a manual (which my friend forgot to include, thankfully they had thought of scenarios like this and have an online manual!)

The Soniclear Elite is Sonic powered • 6 Speeds, Rechargeable, Waterproof, has a built in timer to tell you when to move the brush to another area of your face(cool feature 'cos you can easily overscrub), has C-Boost™ Technology- an additional pulsating massage mode and claims to be the World's first antimicrobial protected sonic skin cleansing system brush that guards against 99.9% of bacteria that can form on brushes between use so the brushes stay cleaner and fresher longer.

It is definitely my all-time favorite skincare 'product' and i'm glad all my research and review reading paid off in helping me purchase the best brush brand. I intend to get some of the additional accessories i can use with it in the future such as the Extension Handle, Pedi Smoothing Disc, Infuser Head and maybe a Men's face brush 'cos of hubby.

Check out their Website for more info. There's also Worldwide Shipping and Free Int'l Shipping for Orders of $75 and above.

My office looks (Oct-Nov 2016). Check out my post on Chic Schooling.

                                     Oct 2016                    Nov 2016 (No foundation or Concealer)

Nov 2016

Nov 2016

Toodles!XooX

Female Grooming

This past week i was quite overwhelmed by the amount of basic grooming i had to get done along with work and my other daily activities. I had to mentally force myself to get them done and look 'decent' and feel free and light. The most annoying being anything to do with waxing and trimming, i enjoy tweezing and have to caution myself not to overpluck. lol. Here's my list:

• Eyebrows: Grooming methods- I trace out the shape, tweeze and use a fancy blade for extra clean up if necessary. Check out my post on brows, i pretty much still use the same technique.

Tweezers

• Ears: Grooming methods- I use cotton buds to clean mostly the outer part of my ear and a bit of the entrance, Don't go poking your ears with cotton buds to get all the wax out and have it squeaky clean, it'll just make your ears produce even more wax. The wax is also there for a reason, it protects your ear canal. If you have pesky ear hairs, buy a 'Nose Ear Trimmer' to get rid of them.
• Nose Hairs: Grooming methods- I just tweeze out any pesky ones that grow way out of my nostril (very painful!). Alternatively you can use a trimmer or small scissors to cut the overgrowth
• Chin Hairs: Grooming methods-I tweeze the black obvious hairs (I have quite some facial hair but luckily the majority are pale and blend in with my skin). This method works great for me and i don't have to deal with any bumps or rash.
• Finger & Toe Nails: Grooming methods- I Cut and File as required because i keep my nails quite long and hardly wear nail polish
• Underarms: Grooming methods- Cold strip waxing & Tweeze

Cold Wax Strips

• Pubic Region: Grooming methods- I have used all sorts of methods to be rid of the hairs but was scarred by my last warm waxing experience, read here, so for now i'm into trimming with small scissors till i'm satisfied (it takes a very steady hand and a lot of time!!). I hope to get an epilator wen dollar goes down (procrastination caught up with me) or a shaver, my friend swears by her Grundig shaver, she says its stress and pain-free. I'll update you guys on how that goes. 

cuved scissors

• Legs (half-leg): Grooming methods- Cold Wax Strips
• Head Hair: Lol!! This one i have to write a different post on my regimen. I mostly DIY but on super lazy days i go to a salon for some TLC. So watch out for this post

That's it! It is a long list right and imagine all the above being due for grooming at the same time! I know typically most ladies have to deal with the stuff on my least than most guys.

Sheesh!! But when they are all sorted i feel as free as a bird in the air.lol.

Do share your basic grooming habits and methods you find easy and pain-free.

Toodles!XooX

Apple Cider Vinegar is the truth!!

Quite a number of us know Vinegar, use it for improvised home cleaning, hair rinse, cooking, washing fruits, Weight loss etc. I just found out it can be good for the skin as well!! I went for a much needed facial recently and the therapist mentioned that i have a lot of white heads and  that's because my clogs are pored and advised that i use my face scrub more frequently to unclog my pores. After the facial my face was super smooth and soft 'cos my pores had been unclogged. I have had white heads most of my life, it occurs mostly on my chin and nose and its more obvious when i skip my cleanser or scrub routine, i did not really think it was something i need to combat 'cos i thot it a norm for the oily skinned. I decided to do a bit of research to find out what causes white heads and the best way to tackle it, I found a lottttt of useful information and after sifting through decided to go with one of the home remedies i found in which the person combined Apple Cider Vinegar and Rosewater to combat hers. I also went further to find a list of comodogenic (pore clogging) oils/butter (https://www.beneficialbotanicals.com/facts-figures/comedogenic-rating.html), this was brought to my attention by Youtuber Heyfranhey in the video where she talked about her reason for going with Almond oil for her oil cleansing skincare routine.

I use Moringa oil on my face daily and it has made quite some change to the smoothness of my skin and fading of my acne scars, although i did not find it on the list of comodogenic oils, i decided to switch from using it to using shea butter which can serve as a sunscreen and does not clog the pores.

I also started using Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) as a cleanser/toner, i use the Heinz brand as it is quite diluted, most people recommend the Braggs brand for other uses as it is organic and quite potent. I have very acne-prone skin and i'm telling u guys ACV is the ish!!! My acne breakouts are wayyyy less frequent and my acne scars are fading out, my skin is smooth and soft and the whiteheads are yet to return. It has also reduced the occurence of my bacne to the minimum and totally cleared out the breakout of Keratosis Pilaris (i will do a post on this soon enough) i had earlier in the month. I've been on this ACV treatment for about 2weeks now and i'm loving it. I've also been using Epsom Salt in my bathing water and i've been eating mostly healthy home cooked meals, so these may have also contributed to the fast results!! It kills bacteria, restores the skin PH balance, combats free radicals and all that good stuff (Google it for more info). I use it after washing and drying my face or cleaning my face with wipes on my lazy days, i poured it into a spritz bottle for easier use so i just spray it from the bottle to the cotton pad and clean all over my face, it stings very very slightly (especially when my hands have been picking at my face) and the smell is awful & almost choking ( i hold my breath when using it) but d smell fades out quick. I intend to still get the rosewater once i have some free time. Try it out guys!!It is sooooo worth it!!

I'm still trying to mentally prepare myself to ingest it as i have also learnt its very good for the body or maybe i'll just find a way to incorporate it into my cooking. I'll let u guys know how that goes eventually.

Toodles!XooX

Pityriasis Rosea (Skin infection) II

Here is the link to my first post http://tamikoadyms.blogspot.com/2013/05/pityriasis-rosea-skin-infection.html 

This is just a brief update of my present condition.

4^th week-the trunk rash is slowly fading away, still itches slightly, rash has moved to my arms and thighs.using moringa oil/coconut oil @ night.

5^th week-rash on hands and thighs are drying up and the trunk rash is totally gone and the spots are scaly and fading off. The itching is way less even when I sweat. Still sticking to my regimen. Please don’t peel the dry skin/scaliness off, you may end up hurtn and scarring yourself, especially if the spot is not dry enough.

6^th week-rash all over is completely dried, scaling and the spots are still fading out. The itching is at the barest minimum.

Toodles!XooX

Chic Schooling (Living up to the 'ideal')

Two of my girlfriends felt the need to give me a chic lesson. They say I have the potential to be more of a chic but I am not seizing the opportunity. Their case against me is as follows:

1.  I do not wear makeup enough
2. I wear flats too often to work even though i have heels and fancier shoes
3. I do not fix my nails or wear nail polish
4. I don’t wear nicer clothes to work as much as I have them
5. My jewelry is not nice/solid enough
6. My bag is not expensive enough, I don’t change it often enough and the ones I have are not nice enough
7. I spend too much money on my skin
8. I don’t ‘invest’ it weaves
9. I wear only one wristwatch
10. I do not fix my hair enough
11. I tie scarves too often

I believe this "intervention" probably unknown to the culprits is a form of peer pressure, a certain look has become an ideal and because one of them felt I had the potential to live up to that ideal and the other does her best to be that ideal, they tried to pressure me into seeing the ideal from their point of view and become subject to it. Well my answer is No!

I am my own person and I have been for several years of my life, I have had to mature quickly due to some responsibilities assigned to me early on in life. I have never been one to follow trends or what is in vogue, I have my own style and way of doing things and happen to be quite content and able to make use of what is available to me. I can be a tomboy, hot chic, casual chic, just casual, rugged. It depends on my state of mind and at the end of the day I think it’s up to me to choose how I want to express myself. Of course suggestions can be made about outfits, style and the likes by friends, but when they feel the need to state it as the above, I see no point in regarding it.

My response to the ‘accusations’ leveled to me are as follows:

moi without makeup and wearing a scarf

my famous black flats and one of my bags

1.  I do not need to wear makeup if I do not want too. I think skin care is the most important, if your skin is well taken care of u’ll need less make up and I can choose to make up when necessary to look older/more mature or just glam and choose not to makeup when i don't feel like without people getting used to my made up face and assuming that’s my real face(we fit change face now with makeup techniques n products). I hate being asked if I’m ill just ‘cos I choose to go without makeup. Luckily no 1 has asked me that in years ‘cos I’m not always made up and my skin can breathe. A smile is all u need to be fully madeup. 
2. I love shoes! Anyone who really knows me knows that. That said I’m more of a comfort person whenever I can afford to be. If there is an important meeting or I’m in the mood to be extra chic, I totally rock my heels, otherwise my black flats work just fine for me and are corporate enough, sorry if they are now a bore to your eyes or don’t live up to your high heels but I do not feel the need to always add a few more inches to my height, I choose comfort over fashion as regards work. If it’s an outing and suited to any of my fancy shoes u can be sure I’ll rock them.   

   

   my heels rack with a couple of shoes missing though

3. 

   my lovely white nails

   I have beautiful nails, I am aware and people tell me all the time, they are white, healthy and I grow them a bit long and keep them trimmed. I see no reason to fix. I actually like wearing nail polish, but detest when it gets chipped or cracked and i have to take it off, so I don’t bother at all, except I have a wedding or I just feel like it. I don’t see why I should make it a regular thing though. 

4. 

   nappy hair, very mild makeup and one of nonchalant office wears

   Again, my dressing depends on me and from whose perspective it is I’m not wearing nice enough clothes (my friends can say this ‘cos they have had access to the other kinda clothes I have in my wardrobe). I admit I can be a bit nonchalant about my dressing at times and my excuse for that usually is me being too lazy to iron (I really hate ironing!!) but it’s hardly ever unofficial, just not so ‘chic’ at most. But then again I know how to dazzle (dress to impress) when there is the need ‘a meeting’ or ‘event’ or even just 'cos i'm in the mood to be fly, so I think I'll survive. I dress the way i wanna be addressed.
5.  I’m not really a jewelry person, I’m more routinely when it comes to that, I pick a set that works with most of my outfits and stick to it except I’m out to be fiery or jazz up an outfit with my jewelry. I do not subscribe to the theory that your jewelry has to be always be big or heavy or loud or blingy or whatever else they say it has to be to look nice on you. If I like it and it goes with my outfit I will wear it.
6.  I’m not a fan of bags, never have been. Left to me I’d carry a purse/wallet and be on my merry way. A bag is more of a necessity to me than an accessory. The different colors I have is just because of how much I love colors, left to me I’d rock a big black bag that can contain all my stuff all year round. One of my 'intervention' friends is a big fan of bags ‘correct bags’ i.e the Michael Kors, Prada and co. and will spend all her money on one whenever possible. My priorities are different, I have about 5 different colored bags that are functional and i doubt I’ll be adding to the collection anytime soon except I get one as a gift or I find one so irresistible that I have to have it. I interchange the bags from time to time and they function just fine for me. I doubt I will be getting any ‘correct’ bags as I cannot justify to myself spending so much on a particular item. 

   

   straightened natural hair,made up,heels,gown-close to 'the ideal'



short weave,painted nails

7.  I can justify spending money on my skin! Totally!! This is the one thing that I’m guaranteed will stay with me through my years on earth so why won’t I spoil it. I try to eat healthy, go for hammams, massages, spa treats and the likes ‘cos when I look good (my skin), I feel good. Its not only a physical thing but also mental. I can do self treats at home but I don’t consider my spa visits a waste either, as I can totally relax and be spoilt by someone else instead of doing the work myself. Oh and my fiancé also loves my skin as well!lol 

   

   very mild makeup and my natural hair stretched out

8. Weaves! Lol!! Brazillian, Peruvian, Indian, Bohemian, Nigerian?? lol etc. *rme with their super high price tags, again I do not see the point. I hardly do anything in life that I do not see a reason for or that I cannot justify to myself. I own none of the above named or the others that fall into their category and it’s not because I’m #TeamNatural! (not just with my hair but living as a whole), I have grown out my natural hair for about 4years now and I am still loving it. That aside though, there are times I braid and wear weaves, I go for the normal priced weaves whenever I want to do weaves, i look at the quality, if it suits the hairstyle I want to make, my stylist’s opinion and the price tag. Once all that is put into consideration, I’m good to go. I am very versatile with my hairstyles from super short styles to long styles, curly styles, etc. and once I’m done with the weaves I thrash them if I see they are no longer nice to serve any future purpose. Most of my friend’s that ‘invest’ in these weaves say they buy it ‘cos you can wash it, use heat on it, curl it up, It doesn't shed, looks chic, lasts longer, etc. but what I have noticed is them having just one is never enough!! They always want more even if they are doing the same hairstyle with it. If you can afford such extravagance then by all means buy away, otherwise i consider it a waste. I have a friend that spent about N150,000 to buy such a weave and ended up broke and still gave out the weave eventually!! O.o nitoripe why?! I told my friends even If I was a millionaire, I would still rather use the money to go on a trip rocking some long loose braids in Ghana, The Gambia or somewhere else I can have a nice time and make some good memories! They could not believe I was saying that *shrug* that’s how I see it though. 

   

   my famous black watch and painted natural nails

9. I did not even see the need for this point. I just dey laff as dem talk this one. No be time dem dey use watch for? Well I know people use their wristwatches as a status symbol thanks to the price tag such as the ‘Rolex’, ‘Hublot’ and co. I have a couple of wristwatches but I can’t be bothered to match them to my outfit all the time or get the overly expensive ones. I wear my slim black one unless I’m in the mood for a change (which is rare) or the battery stops. Its function to me is to tell time and occupy my wrist. Shikena.
10.  I do not fix my hair enough. *giggles. That’s part of why I have healthy natural hair, I allow my own hair and scalp to breathe and its beautiful enough for me to rock without weaves. I can braid, rock my hair or do weaves. My choice and they all look good on me. 

    

    me made up wearing a scarf and 'jewelry'

11. This one is not even a point. I tie scarves because I love scarves and also when I’m having a bad hair day. I have always loved the look on northerners and muslims, it just has this elegance to it. I don’t see why I can’t rock scarves just ‘cos I’m not a northerner or muslim. I shall drape my scarf, turban it or wear it however I please because I like them and the look they give. Oh and my fiancé likes it too :D *bonus

Geeky look, very mild makeup, glasses and nappy hair

Nappy hair,colorful outfit,one of my bags, made up-weekend outing

Having responded to all the accusations leveled against me, I hope I have been able to convince and not to confuse you with my point. Lol!! (ignore me). This 'intervention' was held at that broke period in the month when salaries have been exhausted and it was lunch time. I'm hungry and broke i heard one of my 'intervention' friends lament, i asked her what she wanted and sent someone to get us something to eat. I left their office with a smile on my face, i believe i had established my point.

dolled up with makeup,not brazillian weave, jewelry and hot outfit all done by me :D - 'the ideal'

bohemian curls,painted nails,made up and jeweled up-wedding tinz

Friday outfit-made up, wearing abaya and wearing a scarf

made up and scarf draped

At the end of the day, I think it all boils down to contentment and self-esteem. If you can afford all the above and want to use them then by all means,enjoy; but do not let material things define  you. As for me I have learnt to live with a little as well as a lot and I am happy and contented with the little and many I have. If you have followed my blog well, you’ll know I have lil/no issues with self-esteem. I learnt to love myself from an early age and that I don’t need accessories to increase/determine my worth. I want whoever meets me to like me for me and not a screensaver version of myself; when i shed all the material things, is there any substance left to my actual person? I have been blessed with someone that knows me and takes me as I am. As for the above it’s all about perspective. Eventually everything in life is vanity. Good to choose ur team well. I have chosen my team. Healthy living, running my own life race, touring the world, enjoying the simple things of life and doing what makes me happy. If you do any of the above, i'm not trying to crucify,keep it up but do it for you and not to please anyone or live up to expectations otherwise these things will consume you. Do what makes you happy (but not to ur detriment or that of others if possible) and allow others do the same. Enjoy my pics for you to draw ur own conclusion. I found these posts on BellaNaija and Diary by Emmy that kinda relates to what i'm saying, you should read the comments on the posts also http://www.bellanaija.com/2013/06/11/ten-ways-to-be-a-true-lagos-fashionista-not/ http://diarybyemmy.com/all-a-girl-ever-needs-to-be-sexy/
http://urbanbushbabes.com/2012/11/30-things-i-learned-on-my-way-to-age-30/

Toodles!XooX

Pityriasis Rosea (Skin Infection) I

Pityriasis Rosea is what my googlings and research termed the skin infection that caused these annoying papules on my skin. I love taking care of my skin and enjoy the fact that it responds well to the attention I pay it by being evenly toned, soft and supple. You can’t imagine how annoyed I am at this ‘herald christmas tree’ formation the papules formed mostly on my trunk region, Thankfully there weren’t too many discolored ones and the ones on my arms and upper section of my thigh were hardly visible except to my microscopic eyes of course! I racked my brain for what could have caused it, from my water supply, allergic reaction to clothes and bedsheets. There weren’t many culprits I could blame though, I was not the only one using the water and no one else had complained of any infections, also I wasn’t the only one who had slept on the bed, the only thing I alone use is my clothes. I can’t remember how I trailed my findings to finally figure out what it was but it was a long trip from a search on ‘spider bite’ ‘craw craw’ to ‘fungal infection’ which had a super long list until I used the signs and symptoms and many other articles I read to land on ‘Pityriasis Rosea’. I decided to do this post for the benefit of whoever might have it and decide to follow my route to discover what exactly it is. I would have been quite distraught if I hadn’t found the articles I did on it, with pictures and diagrams which really helped and also the knowledge that I was not alone and neither was mine the worst of the case.

It’s the 3rd week and some days now since I noticed it (although it probably started 1-2weeks before with the herald patch which I eventually found on my back), some of the papules have dried and are clearing up but the ones on my arms are spreading and becoming more visible though thankfully they are the same color with my skin. I am currently eating Moringa seeds and fruits (very nutritious-to help my immune system),  bathing morning and night with cold water and without using a sponge; I bathe with a soap that contains goat milk in the morning and use shea butter all over my body thereafter, at night I bathe with Dettol medicated soap and use some antiseptic in my bathing water and use pure coconut oil on my body before I go to bed. I made sure my office and home is cool as I noticed my body tends to itch less when it is, I also noticed the itching is less when I am in the sun i.e until I start sweating then it goes into a wild frenzy, I noticed that when I went partying and started sweating from dancing, it was like a million bites itching all over. I avoid wearing clothes that are too tight,I am not wearing any perfumes, body sprays or deodorant and I am not taking any drugs, although I was given Loratadine, as drugs tend to make it worse from all the articles I have read and I have no plans on helping the rash spread to my neck and face. I have read that it takes a minimum of 6weeks for it to clear up on its own so I’m patiently waiting, hopefully it’ll clear up before then. My mum said she had had it when she was much younger and she had used palm oil and calamine lotion on it to soothe the scratching and ‘chase’ the rash (those are not options for me though, as I have to go to work and can’t afford to stain my clothes and sheets). My fiancé has been very supportive all through and I’m grateful to him for that, he knows how finicky I can be over my skin. He says I should do my best to take my mind off it and try not to scratch when it itches, which is really hard to do ‘cos this stuff itches like crazy. I am trying to follow his advice though and I try to pat it through my clothes instead of scratching it although sometimes it’s so bad I just give in to scratching but carefully so I don’t open up any of them and end up scarring myself. I am sorry I can’t put up any pics up with this post, the pics I took didn’t show the problem and my fiancé refused to help take any as he felt it would just make over-analyze and obsess over it. Here are links to the articles and blogs that have helped so far and some contain pictures and diagrams, I hope they help whoever has this condition. Here's an update on my condition. 

• http://pityriasisroseapictures.net/
• http://drottematic.wordpress.com/2011/04/24/pityriasis-rosea-be-gone-itch-itch/
• http://www.aafp.org/afp/2004/0101/p87.html

Toodles!XooX