nigerian – The Pearly Life

Chit Chat – Life Update

I’ve been away from my blog from several months and I thought it would be fitting to write a life update! As I mentioned in my New Years Post, I’m moving towards a more quality centric blog instead of quantity. The pressure to blog/vlog has had very bad consequences in the past but blogging when I feel like puts me at ease. However, I always worry that if I’m away for too long, you’ll all forget me! So a life update is awesome to just catch you up to speed on what I’ve gotten up to in my absence!

If there is anything on this list you’d love me to expand on and write a blog about do let me know!

Graduate School

I’m now in my second semester of graduate school. It still feels strange sometimes that I’m doing my masters because I never had a concept of what graduate school would be like. It’s a lot of work, but it’s given me a lot of skills in a few months. My favourite part about graduate school is learning coding/programming languages. I was excited, but nervous to learn it from scratch coming here but I’ve learnt so much and its now one of my best parts about the course. I think it’s that eureka moment I get after stumbling on a code for hours and finally seeing it work. It’s an emotional rollercoaster but I love it so far.

Move Back To WordPress.com

Earlier this year I moved from my blog, which was hosted on WordPress.com to a self hosted site. This inadvertently caused a massive amount of headache as my website crashed multiple times within this time. Also, trying to find the right themes and customizing was also challenging. However, the final nail on the coffin was the lack of engagement with the WordPress community! I hate it. I realised that I don’t care about SEO, domains, self hosted, traffic or any other blog things I “should” care about. It produces a lot of negative feelings for me and makes me unfocused on producing blog content.

I decided to move back and I’m happy and calm not caring about all the extra blogging stuff. I just want my likes and comments over blogging jargon that gives me headache any day!

My site currently looks like a headache so bear with me because WordPress is currently facilitating my transfer! Everything will be back to normal after October 5th.

Self Awareness

I’m striving to be more self-aware. I was really inspired by a Japanese TV show called Terrace House (It’s on Netflix, thank me later). Besides being amused by all the cultural differences Japanese people had with the Western world, I was particularly impressed by their self-awareness and reflection on all aspects of their life. There is also a strong desire to be better, and think of other people’s feelings and how their interactions affect people. I tend to think of how interactions affect me instead of the other way around, which upon watching this show, exposed my selfish tendencies! I know, strange. I can learn from anything, even reality TV shows. Haha

Dreadlocks

I started dreadlocks! Myself! They’re currently 4 months old and coming along nicely. I guess you could say I gave up on my natural hair this summer. The breakage and tangling was real so I decided to lock it since my hair tends to want to lock itself every 2 seconds. My locs give me even more peace of mind since I use less products and only have to deal with my hair every 2 months. I ALSO DONT HAVE TO COMB IT OMG YESSSSSSS!!

Weight Loss

I’ve lost a total of 8kg (17lbs) since the beginning of the year. I lost a lot of weight, but I lost it slowly to preserve my madness. I attribute the first few months of the journey to eating low-calorie alternatives of the things I loved like brownies, ice-cream and spaghetti. However, towards the last few kilograms, I attribute my weight loss to intermittent fasting and eating one massive, delicious, calorie dense, meal a day. I have my hangry, binge days but all in all its going pretty smoothly since I always feel very satiated after each meal.

That’s it for my life update! Theres many little other things that have happened but this is just the main stuff. Thank you for reading!

My Not So Secret Beauty Cleanser For Flawless Skin

I am one of those odd unicorns that has skin that can be classified as “Normal”. It is neither Dry nor Oily and it’s definitely not Combination. I can humbly say that I have been blessed by the skin gods when it comes to that aspect. But although I had it easier in this area, I was plagued by hyper pigmentation and millions of tiny zits on my forehead. They were even more pronounced when I wear foundation!

I tried so many different skin care products and spent hundreds of dollars on cleansers, toners and masks in the hopes that it would remove some of the acne I was experiencing. As I bought many different products, I began to realise that my skin responded better to products that other people considered harsh. Toners that would normally dry out peoples skin were absolutely perfect for me. Cleansers that were too strong were not even strong at all on my face. I came to the realisation that my skin needed a strong but natural product to help tame the horrendous acne I was experiencing. This lead to my discovery of a Black African soap called Dudu Osun!

Dudu Osun has been here for as long as I can remember. In secondary school, I saw girls use this soap religiously and I wondered why anyone in their right mind would use a soap that is black. Fast forward to my Uni days in Manchester, after spending a lot of money on a cleanser that that didn’t work, I decided to find an affordable alternative which led me to the back of an African Caribbean store where I discovered Dudu Osun!

I initially did not use it on my face, but once my cleanser ran out, in a moment of desperation I used this soap. I loved it so much that I stopped using that cleanser and started using Dudu Osun. I haven’t looked back since.

Dudu Osun is made up of all natural ingredients including shea butter, honey, aloe vera, osun (Camwood), palm kernel oil, cocoa pod ash, palm bunch ash, lime juice and lemon juice. With so many lovely natural ingredients included I am not surprised it is doing wonders on my skin.

Something that I have noticed is that Dudu Osun is a strong soap. Do not get it in your eyes. I have made that mistake a couple of times and it was not fun getting it out. It is very harsh. It’s probably the reason why it works on my skin. lol

Dudu Osun is also a pimple zapper. Once I spot a pimple and I use it, the next day it is visibly smaller. It is also a preventative measure for future acne because it has antibacterial properties. I now have virtually no acne spots on my skin and I also have minimal acne scaring! I’m assuming this is because of the lemon and lime which have natural bleaching properties.

Dudu Osun is also extremely affordable in Nigeria and abroad. In the UK, a pack of 6 costs £6. Which is £1 per soap! I am now a big believer of not spending stupendous amount of money on beauty products when you can find one just as good (or even better) in a drugstore or market.

Most skin care products are down to trial and error so even though I may be raving about this product, it may not work for you. However, since it is affordable and most people that have tried it like it, it is definitely worth a buy!

You can find Dudu Osun at most African Caribbean stores or African markets. If you’d rather not go there you can order it directly on Amazon.

I hope you enjoyed this post! This soap is really my secret weapon for flawless skin. I really don’t worry about acne anymore and it is an amazing thing to check off your list!

Thank you for reading! Have you tried Dudu Osun? What did you think of it?

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The Basic Beauty Kit For Beginners and Lazy People

The world of makeup can be very overwhelming. There is always a new product to try or one to help you look more amazing. I started my makeup journey 4 years ago, after I graduated high school. I was just 16 then and although I had a pretty late start to makeup, I am now very comfortable with doing my makeup and using most products.
I think when you are new to the world of makeup, it is very difficult to know what products you need. Makeup is a very fun way to experiment and express yourself, but it can quickly become confusing when you do not know what looks good with what. When you are starting out, focusing on the basic aspects of makeup is the best way to get better. It is amazing what a simple touch of mascara can do to enhance your beauty.

These products are what I used when I started practicing makeup. They are also all the products I use when I am lazy because I don’t like spending hours doing my makeup but I would still love to look cute and put together in the end! I’ve mentioned mostly drug store products because I don’t recommend spending too much money on makeup when you are a beginner. Some drugstore products are also pretty good! Here are the products I recommend:

Eyebrows

Eyebrows frame the face and they are arguably one of the most important makeup products anyone should have. There are brow powders, pomades and pencils but I personally use a pencil because is it easier to apply.

Keeping your eyebrows trimmed and neat makes applying brow products easier. Using the brow pencil,lightly fill any areas that look sparse until you get your desired thickness. Completely optional, but I use a concealer to tidy up the perimeter around my brows to correct any mistakes I made to make it look neater.

Brand: My absolute favourite hands down is Jordana’s Fabubrow eyebrow pencil. It is readily available in CVS pharmacy stores in US. If you live in the UK, one of favourites was Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil!

Foundation

The holy grail of makeup products! Foundation is the base for all makeup products and it covers your dark spots, circles and general imperfections. Different shades of foundation exist so finding your perfect shade takes trial and error. Starting out with drug store foundations gives you a basic idea of what colours will work for you and what won’t!

Brand: My favorite drug store foundation, which is also my all time favorite foundation, is Maybelline Fit Me foundation. It also matches perfectly with the Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder!

Lipstick

A red or nude lipstick is great for a basic makeup kit. This is because they are universally flattering colours that look good on most skin tones. Here is my guide on how to find the perfect shade of nude lipstick! I don’t have a lot of drugstore brands because I personally prefer high end brands in this aspect.

Brand: My current favorite red lipstick is Mac’s Ruby Woo and nude is Mac’s Taupe Lipstick lipstick.

Eyeliner

Eyeliner is the bane of makeup lovers existence. Using an eyeliner makes your eyes appear more alert and enhances your eye colour. It is actually one of the trickiest products to apply, even after 4 years! I believe the earlier you start learning, the better. Practice makes perfect so don’t be afraid to begin experimenting with eyeliner now.

Brand: I don’t use a specific makeup brand for my eyeliner. I actually bought this eyeliner in a Nigerian market for 400 Naira ($1.20). It’s also better than any drug store eyeliner I’ve tried so yay!

Mascara

Mascara is a makeup game changer. It makes your eyes pop! There are so many affordable mascaras but in my honest opinion, I think that high end brands offer better mascara options.

Brand: That being said, the one drug store mascara I can recommend is Sleeks Lethal Length Mascara. It doesn’t clump and it separates and elongates your lashes perfectly. The mascara is readily available in the UK but not in the US. However, they ship all over the world so you can just order for a delivery on their official website!

Brushes

A basic or lazy beauty kit needs three makeup brushes at most; the foundation brush, the powder brush and an optional spoolie brush for your eyebrows! There are many types of foundation brushes but my favourite is flat top foundation brush. It’s quick and easy to use.

Brand: Real techniques and Eco Tools are amazing drug store brands to try. They have quality brushes that can be bought as stand alones or in sets! I currently own random brushes from both brands that I bought in sets and separately. Shop the Real Techniques Starter Kit here and Eco Tools Starter collection here

That is it! These are just the basics of makeup but once you get comfortable with the basics you can begin to increase your makeup collection and fill it with eyeshadows, bronzers, concealers, contour and highlighter kits and many more. You will even find yourself going back to the basics if you are just having a lazy day like me. Thank you so much for reading this post!

What did your beginner or lazy makeup kit consist of?

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Mac Mineralized Skinfinish Highlighter in Cheeky Bronze: A Review

Ah, Summer. There is nothing like the sweltering hot sun to give you the glow of a glazed donut. Now that summer is here, it’s safe to say we all want that bronzed, sun-kissed look and highlighters are the perfect product to achieve that!

I love the light natural glow a highlighter gives you. It accentuates features of your face that make you beautiful naturally. I started using highlighters 2 years ago and I have not looked back since. I have searched low and high for the perfect highlighter and I have finally found one that fits me like a glove: Mac’s Mineralized Skin Finish in Cheeky Bronze.

This highlighter is part of Mac’s mineralized Skin Finish collection it comes in 6 shades ranging from pastel pink to khaki coloured shades. It is currently £24.50 on the Mac Website and stores!

Formula

This powder is described as a luxurious, slow-baked, velvelty soft, domed faced powder with a radiant finish. It is super pigmented you can either wear it as a sheer glow or build it up to a strong intensity. It also has a very smooth feel when you glide it between your fingers. The formula is definitely one of the best compared to the other highlighters I know. It also doesn’t drag on dry patches on your skin and glides smoothly when you apply it!

Swatches

Cheeky Bronze in particular is a soft coral with golden shimmer. This is a very versatile colour that does not clash with any makeup look you’re wearing because it matches your skin tone so closely and complements it!

Here is a swatch of the highlighter on my arm…

How Long Does it Last?

This highlighter lasts ridiculously long. I bought this highlighter a year ago and I am yet to hit the pan. For the price, it is a very good investment. It is also long-lasting when applied on your face and gives you a lovely glow throughout the day.

I have also been stopped multiple times in public and asked where I got my highlighter from. I think it is the only time I am usually asked about a makeup product I’m wearing. So that must mean something!

How To Use

I apply this product on 3-5 places on my face; cheeks, chin, nose and cupid’s bow. I also apply it on my brow bone occasionally for the extra highlight there.

Using my contour brush, I swipe it over the highlighter in three strokes and apply it to the area in light, sweeping motions. I then repeat until the intensity of the shine has built up to where I want it to be! It is pretty easy to use so this highlighter is definitely idiot proof.

Some Tips…

This highlighter is really pigmented so always start with a light strokes and build up from there!
Make sure you blend properly to avoid streaky, obvious, highlighter lines.
Cheeky Bronze is a coral colour, which may not be the perfect shade for very fair or dark skin tones. Because it is the middle shade in the collection, the pinker shades may be better suited for fairer women and the golden shade for the dark woman!

I will definitely be purchasing this again. I’m the kind of person that once I find a makeup product that actually works, I do not shift to any other brand again. I only own two highlighters now!

Thank you for reading my review! What do you think of this highlighter?

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Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation: Review & Swatch

Lancome is one of my favourite high-end brands. I grew up watching my mother using Lancome products and now I’m using their makeup and skin care products often! One of the things I love about Lancome is how the brand places a lot of emphasis on skin care. I think it’s always good to have glowing, natural, blemish free skin. Great skin is a lovely canvas for makeup!

Lancome-teint-idole-ultra-edit2

I also appreciate how much they include all shades of skin tones in their foundations and concealers. They have makeup for extremely fair skin and dark skin. It is great because it is difficult for WOC and fair-skinned ladies to find a foundation that actually caters to our skin tone.

The Formula:

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra is an oil-free, long wear foundation that offers medium to full coverage. I am a full coverage kind of girl so this is perfect for that. It covers all my dark spots, discolorations and looks somewhat matte on my skin. Most foundations are quite oily and shiny when applied so you often need a mattyfying powder to set it. However, this foundation can be used on it’s own without a powder because it is shine free. It looks very natural, does not feel cakey and heavy on my skin so double plus!

I was also pleased to know that this foundation has SPF 15 which is great because I hardly wear sunscreen even though I live in a very sunny area. This means that it will protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays while providing a smooth and flawless finish.

Swatches + Try On:

I am using colour number 10 or Beige Praline. The foundation is now available in 40 shades which means you will definitely find a colour that suits your skin tone. Here is the swatch of this foundation on my arm vs blended out. It blends perfectly into my skin and matches my skin quite well.

The Burning Question:

Now on to the burning question; does it last long? Yes it does! I apply my foundation once a day and only touch up with a powder once my face gets oily. I don’t think any foundation under this planet can survive the Nigerian weather so I am not too strict on my expectations with regards to reducing shine. Even though I may get shiny, the foundation stays put and my face is still well covered. Here is the foundation immediately when I applied it and 5+ hours later…

I have used this foundation consistently for months in the UK and Nigeria and I have had no complaints. The only reason I stopped using Lancome was because I was trying to stopping my excessive spending on makeup products and $47 was not affordable for me at that time (Funny story: I had a family intervention a few weeks ago where they promised to cut my spending money if I keep buying so much makeup. LOL)

Some Tips :

Make sure you pick a shade lighter than your actual skin tone because this foundation will oxidize and turn a shade darker!
Do not pick your foundation colour from just looking at the bottle because the colour on the bottle appears darker than the actual product.
A little also goes a long way with this foundation so do not be too heavy-handed so you will not waste the foundation and look like a cake monster.

You can purchase this foundation for just 26 pounds here!

I hope you enjoyed this review! What do you think about this foundation?

Just started a new Instagram page strictly for my blog! Please follow me for updates. Thank you! 💋

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This post contains an affiliate link!

Lancome Teint Idole Ultra Long Wear Foundation: Review & Swatch

Lancome-teint-idole-ultra-edit2

The Formula:

Swatches + Try On:

The Burning Question:

Some Tips :

Make sure you pick a shade lighter than your actual skin tone because this foundation will oxidize and turn a shade darker!
Do not pick your foundation colour from just looking at the bottle because the colour on the bottle appears darker than the actual product.
A little also goes a long way with this foundation so do not be too heavy-handed so you will not waste the foundation and look like a cake monster.

I hope you enjoyed this review! What do you think about this foundation?

Just started a new Instagram page strictly for my blog! Please follow me for updates. Thank you! 💋

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