Tag Archives: cosmetics

Pamper Yourself with Butter by Keba

by Sherria

A box of goodies filled with Butter by Keba products

I was introduced to Butter by Keba products through a friend who lived in Harlem. I have trouble with dry skin and wanted to find out more about brand. After becoming fed-up with drug store moisturizers, I contacted Makeba  Lloyd, founder of Butter by Keba, to learn more about her products. Instead of just “telling” me about the brand, Makeba hand-delivered me a box filled with Butter by Keba products. For the past two weeks, I’ve been using Butter by Keba body butters, lotions, perfumes and salt scrub. Each product is infused with a hand-made fragrance to “capture the essences of color and nature by using eclectic blends of essential and fragranced oils.”*

While using Butter by Keba, I notice that my skin stays soft and moisturized for more than 12 hours. The scent also lasts throughout the day as well. I’m a sucker for moisturizers that smell sweet, so the Georgia Tea Butter has been my body butter of choice for the past three days. I wish the body butters were edible, because they smell so delicious. If you’re interested in purchasing Butter by Keba products, please visit the website. Gift baskets are also available for purchase.

All products "enhance the quality of our skin as well as our daily living experience through the power of scent." - Butter by Keba

Butter by Keba:

Butter By Keba is “a high-end affordable personal care brand,  designed with the fast-paced individual in mind.” The brand “inspires  women and men to slow down and take personal care of themselves with our line of well formulated body care products that offer two enhancing properties, fragrance and moisture.”*

I had an opportunity to ask Founder of Butter by Keba, Makeba Lloyd, a few questions about her product line.

photo credit: ButterbyKeba.com

1)    What inspired this product line? I wanted to create a line of products that offered real lasting moisture and perfume quality fragrance in one without harsh chemicals like Phthalates. *Editor’s Note: According to online sources, Phthalates are being phased out of many products in the US, Canada, and European Union over health concerns.

2)    How does Butter by Keba separate itself from other Harlem perfume and oil vendors? We use a blend of essential oils and phthalate free fragrance oils using the technique of a perfumer by combining top, middle and base notes.

3)    In addition to ordering online, can customers find Butter by Keba in local boutiques? Yes, Polish Bar Brooklyn in Prospect Heights carries our line.

4)    You have an extensive line of fragrances. Do you have any plans to expand the products (i.e., cosmetics)? Yes, we have a healthy had care system coming out this month called MyPalmSpa.com.

5) Can you tell me a bit about your hair serum? You can go to (webstie) to find out more information on the hair serum: Fruition Hair Serum is a blend of sunflower, coconut, palm, jojoba and sweet almond oils with just the right amount of shea butter and carnuba wax to give this potion its POW.  Carnuba wax is extracted from the leaf of the palm tree  (Copernica Cerifera-also know as the “tree of life”) and grows primarily in the northeastern regions of Brazil, South America.   When used in very small quantities, it can enhance durability and elasticity of the hair because of its emollient properties.  This product was designed to use in conjunction with other hair products if desired.  Great for chemically treated and natural hair.

About Makeba:

Makeba Lloyd

In 2006, Harlem born,  Makeba Lloyd began blending and mixing fragrance with Shea Butter as a therapeutic hobby to calm and balance her senses while discovering a more convenient method of moisturizing and scenting.  It wasn’t until she traveled to ancient  Egypt on a substantive study tour that the Butter By Keba brand was created to introduce her signature blends.  She was inspired by the illuminating aromas of open air markets in Aswan and fragrant essence houses in Cairo.  Makeba continued her curiosity and fascination of the essence world in the aromatherapy and natural perfumery classrooms of the New York Open Center.  Her learning journey of the natural fragrance world continues as she expands the Butter By Keba brand.

*Quotations from Butter by Keba “About” page.

Off-Duty Looks: Purple Eye Shadow

by Sherria

Olivia: Singer and co-star of VH1's "Love & Hip Hop" Photo credit: theybf.com

The “freakin’ weekend” is here and although it’s gray outside on the East Coast, I’m planning to add a splash of color to my face with purple eye shadow. After seeing a photo of Olivia from VH1′s Love & Hip Hop on Theybf.com last night, I figured I should stop waiting around to use the purple eye shadow kit I bought by Maybelline. Below are a few eye shadows from brands that I trust as well as a couple of makeup tutorials for applying purple eye shadow. I hope you enjoy. Happy Friday!

A*cute picks:

CoverGirl Eye Enhancer, Color: Purple Pop (Any Local Drug Store, $3.19)

MAC Eye Shadow, Color: Parfait Amour (MAC, $15)

Maybelline EyeStudio Eye Shadow, Color: Purple Icon 30 (CVS, $9.99)

I usually experiment with my makeup by watching tutorials on YouTube. Here’s two that I found helpful for purple eye shadow application.

Jennifer’s Style Diaries: Pretty Bold

by Jennifer Tyre

Jennifer Tyre is a photographer and website specialist based in Washington, DC. Check out her work at www.almeniajphotography.com.
Stay tuned as Jennifer Tyre chronicles her style journey.


Simply put, my make-up routine was safe and boring. I was pretty clueless about what looked best on my face, particularly with eyes and lips. Typically, I’d go for golds and bronzes, and occasionally attempted the smokey eye look if I was feeling “adventurous” (although I never really perfected that either.) Finally, I decided it was time to spice up my look. I headed to Sephora on the hunt for something fun, vibrant and bold!

I was intimidated by these colors at first, but Jackie assured me it was the way to go for a new, striking look. I love the boldness of the palette and the colors blend well together. I always get the best results when I mix and match the colors, rather than sticking with one. By Urban Decay, at Sephora

The key to long-lasting eyeshadow is primer; this actually came with the shadows.


When I’m not in the mood for bold eyes, I go for a bold lip. Since the weather is (allegedly) warming up, I opted for a bright peach/orange tone. This color is by Sephora, which has a wide range of great colors for much less than other pricey brands. For staying power, don’t forget a liner and lil’ clear gloss to make it pop. Color G03 by Sephora


One thing I hate is cakey, heavy foundation…yuck! Instead, I opt for bronzer a lot of times. I Iove the light, shimmery glow that it leaves. True Bronze by Clinque, at Macy’s

Rain won’t get me down

by Sherria

Me!

It’s a cold and rainy day here in New York City, but I won’t allow that to put a damper on my day. In the words of Soulja Boy, I “hopped up out the bed and turned my swag on” and decided to brighten up my day with orange lipstick. Although some may consider orange a summer color, I say “wear whatever color you like during whatever season you like.”

This shade of orange is from MAC Cosmetics, Morange, AC9. To get a shimmer effect, I put a MAC Lustreglass on top- both $15 from MAC.

Inspirational Morning Music!

It’s Pink Friday…on Monday!

Guest post by Kirsten Treadwell

I hate to admit it but I am indeed a Nicki Minaj fan. What can I say? She is entertaining!  That being said, when I heard she was releasing a lipstick color with MAC cosmetics, I was extremely excited! At the time, the lip color, Pink Friday, could only be purchased online on every Friday from November 26 through December 17, 2010. After failed attempts to purchase the lipstick for two Fridays in a row, I was finally able to buy it on December 10; which I thought was perfect since it would arrive before Christmas vacation. WRONG! Pink Friday was literally out of production because it sold out every week. Needless to say, I didn’t see a Pink Friday until Tuesday, January 4, 2011.

My review:

With all the excitement and anticipation surrounding this lip color I really expected it to pop. I was so excited that I put it on at work, but was dismayed when it appeared lack luster at best. I decided to try it on again once I got home so I could use all the proper tools; liners, lip brush and gloss. When I tried it at home I used MAC Magenta liner over the Pink Friday lip color then blended it and applied a shimmery pink gloss over it and it really stood out. I was looking for a color to really stand out for a club look but it’s more of a pale pink that could be worn every day. If you’re looking for a bright pink for a bold look go with Pink Nouveau instead. Over all Pink Friday lip color was much like the album: disappointing and lack luster at first wear/listen but really stands out after playing it up with complimentary liners and glosses/more listens.

 

Kirsten Treadwell is an Event Planner for a non-profit organization in Washington DC and a fashion and beauty enthusiast.