Author: Rena

Face Forward: Julep’s Mask Noir Facial Review

Julep Maven’s October box came with tons of goodies! And no, this sugar loving chick isn’t talking about the candy corn. I’m talking about the facial mask that was tucked in with the polish! Julep’s MASK NOIR with Power Cell Complex to be exact.

  • A peel-off mask of gentle kaolin clay and black volcanic ash.
  • Features and Benefits of Mask Noir:
  • Black volcanic ash boasts anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial peptides.
  • Kaolin Clay is as gentle as it is deep-cleaning.
  • Incredibly clean, visibly brightened skin upon removal
  • Enriched with Julep’s proprietary Power Cell Complex™, a trio of skin-boosting superstars:
  • Rosehip seed oil – a nourishing oil (and natural source of vitamins A and C) that helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and post-acne marks. Contains natural fatty acids that bond moisture to skin
  • Malvaceae Lipid Extract™ – a lipid complex that provides immediate and long-lasting hydration and works to rebuild skin structure from the inside out
  • Green coffee bean oil – a natural anti-inflammatory that promotes cell turnover

Now, I’m pretty decent when it comes to French…blanc is white and noir is black. Seriously, I know that — but for some odd reason, “noir” didn’t quite register in my brain as quickly as it should’ve. First squeeze of the tube and thick “black goo” comes out (insert minor freak out) then I keep squeezing…MORE BLACK GOO! Then, it dawned on me…duh, Rena, it’s supposed to be black. NOIR. We’re just gonna say breakfast was skipped that day…hence the lack of brain cells smh.

Anywho…let’s see how using the mask turned out:

I’ve only used it twice so far which isn’t enough time to see a real difference in my skin. If following the instructions correctly, the mask should be applied twice per week so I’ll try my best to add this to my beauty routine. After the first use, my skin was definitely soft after peeling the mask off. I didn’t put on any moisturizer…only because I wasn’t going out anywhere but it definitely didn’t feel dry or dehydrated.

The cons of this MASK NOIR…it is messy! My nails were black, my sink was black, my cotton face cloth was black….everything was BLACK! Once the mask dries and you peel it off, there WILL be excess “residue” on your face that should be rinsed off. I soaked my face cloth in warm water and rinsed…well scrubbed with a little arm power (tad exaggerated). Nothing too serious but the little specks of “black goo” were everywhere.

Final thoughts…

I like it! After two tries my skin did feel softer and that’s a claim to its’ fame so that’s a plus! As far as the other things its supposed to do…just gotta wait and see.

PINKTOBER: Pink for Pink Lovers and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Nail Art

It’s no secret that I love the color pink.
So displaying the color in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month during October…I jumped on it!
This weeks mani and nail art is all in the name of Pinktober!
Essie ~ No Chips Ahead (clear)
Essie ~ Mademoiselle (light light pink)
Julep ~ Natalie (bright pink)
To get the solid color pink, I mixed the two pinks plus white polish until I had the desired shade. Any white will do, I used a cheap Wet-n-Wild .99 white polish. The glitter mix was purchased from eBay awhile back and fairly cheap. Definitely less messy than mixing up a batch yourself. It’s more convenient for me to buy pre-made mixes since I don’t use them that often.
So that’s it!
Happy Pinktober!

Shopping For A Cure

 

Is there a better way to spend your hard cash than shopping for a cure?

 

I think not!

 

We all love to shop (even if you’re on a tight budget) so October is the perfect month to spend, shop, and support. Breast Cancer Awareness Month offers many deals and items for the pink lover in us all. Forget about that guilty feeling you get in the bottom of your tummy when buyers remorse kicks in. This time around, you’re shopping for a cure for Breast Cancer!

 

Here are just a few brands, shops, and stores offering pink items that will turn your cash into a donation for a cure.

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

$15

Pink with a Purpose

Limited Edition Almost Lipstick

Comes with a pink-ribbon carrying case with Clinique charm.

Your purchase includes a $3.00 donation.

 
 
 
 
 

NFL

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Sparkling PINK Collection

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

$95

foundation WRAP BRACELET

 
 
 
 
 
 

 

$14

SEPHORA COLLECTION

Purposely Pink Lip Duo

 
 
 
 

Get to shopping and feel good about those purchases! Keep fighting for a cure and help end breast cancer. I fight for a cure and in honor of my late grandmother….why do you fight?

 

Remember to visit www.curvesandcoffee.com throughout the month of October for more Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Shopping For A Cure – Pink Ribbon deals.

October Julep Maven Box

Ahhh, polish 🙂
It’s been awhile since I’ve actually accepted my Julep Maven monthly subscription. The colors in the boxes haven’t been very appealing to me. Then October happened. Not only did I accept my Maven box, I upgraded my subscription and included an add-on! Imagine that! This month features more darker and full coverage colors (I was mostly in need of darker fall tones) and came with a facial mask plus a dual eyeliner.
The theme for this month…
So, if you’re thinking about purchasing some nail polish goodies…here are the swatches for October. These aren’t the “cleanest” swatches since I’ll be taking the polish right off, don’t judge me 😉
Add-on is “Casper” a glow in the dark polish that can be worn alone or as a top coat over other colors.
You can’t really tell if there’s polish on the nail or not but trust me, it’s there. It also REALLY glows in the dark!! I tried to get a pic of it glowing but nothing came out on film. Total bummer but it glows bright green after some light of course.
The dual eyeliner is very soft and creamy…
Went on extremely smooth as I tested it on my wrist.
The brown has a slight shimmer but there’s no real way to tell on darker tone skin.
Bonus sharpener that catches the shavings = less mess!
Below are the stock photos and descriptions given by Julep.
Kendra: Army green frost   Ciara: Vampy magenta with teal microglitter  Missy: Titanium metallic
Valerie: Teal with iridescent microglitter   Cleopatra: Black latex crème
Winona: Buff greige creme   Anisa: Deep burgundy creme
Dahlia: Goldenrod microglitter     Stevie:  Concrete gray frost
Personally, I love this box. As a lover of bright and bold colors, my polish collection is kind of one sided at the moment. The “Rebel Set”  is just what I needed

Herbal Essences Wants To #BanBoringBodyWash

That’s right! Just say NO to boring body wash!
That’s the new thing and it’s what’s new at Herbal Essences! It’s definitely not a boring body wash that’s for sure! The fine people over at Herbal Essences have a new body wash and it smells sooooo good!
Usually known for their fun and fruity hair products like “None of Your Frizzness” which is infused with mandarin crème and pearl. It fights frizzy hair and flyaways (clearly one of my faves.) Their body wash won’t disappoint either!
Starting with three absolutely intoxicating scents: Body Burst, Happy Go Lather, and Hello Hydration 
They want us all to get hooked and so far, I’m almost there!
I had the pleasure of getting a “perk” from Klout (because I clearly tweet way too much lol) and Herbal Essences provided me with TWO travel sized versions of the new body wash in Body Burst and Hello Hydration. There was also a bonus Walmart gift card in the box, helloooo mini shopping spree!
I was definitely skeptical because my skin is more sensitive than a newborns bottom so I’ve gotta be extra careful when trying new products on my bod. Figuring that I’ve used their shampoos and conditioners sans any problems, I went for it! After using the Hello Hydration and Body Burst body wash wash about two to three times a week for a full month, definitely no breakouts or post-shower regret. The fragrance left my skin surprisingly sweet smelling throughout the mornings. It wasn’t a strong smell but a soft subtle scent…I found myself sniffing my wrists and arms at random moments. Maybe it should come with a disclaimer: “Warning, may cause random body part sniffing!”
Overall, I say go for it beauty buddies!
Disclosure:  I was given a free product or sample because I’m a Klout influencer. I am under no obligation to receive the sample or talk about this company. I get no additional benefits for talking about the product or company.

PFW: Jitrois


Paris Fashion Week

Ready To Wear

Spring/Summer 2014

 

 

 

 

Remember the Jitrois show for the Autumn/Winter 2013 Collection, if not, let me refresh your memory…click click. There was something about that show that took my love for fine leather to another level! Well, he did it again!

 

 

 

Meet the 2014 Jitrois Girl

 

 

 

 

 

She’s cute, sweet, and looks innocent but she knows she’s a boss and isn’t afraid to let everyone know. The line looks fresh and easy to wear for spring…taking the phrase “pret-a-porter” literally.

 

 

 

 

 

(photos via vogue.uk)

 

 

I can see this collection going from the office, to dinner with the girls, and even date night with the hubby.

 It works.

Love it.

 

Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014: Olympia Le Tan


Paris Fashion Week

Spring/Summer 2014

 

 

 

 

Curvy women ruled the OLT show once again! Think, Betty Paige and other more curvy women of the past and you’ll understand why I can’t get enough of Olympia Le Tan! The fall/winter collection only gave me a taste of what was in store…I mean, lederhosen….with heart cutouts….from leather! I absolutely adore OLT, as a designer and a brand it’s so refreshing!

 

 

Speaking of refreshing, let’s take a look at my faves from the spring and summer collection…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totes can hear the waves splashing against the cruise ship and navy boys running around whistling at the girls while docked at the port!

 

 

 

 

 

(photos via vogue.uk)

Not sure if I love this collection because I’m a Pisces/water baby or because there’s this 1950’s theme. Either way, it’s more than I ever could’ve imagined.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month


 

 

What It Is:

 

Every year, I look forward to this month for this exact reason. Even though, we’re able to fight for a cure throughout the year, October serves as a time when brands, professional sports, and many more acknowledge the fight. There are tons of ways to help fight for a cure and throughout the month of October, I will share the many ways I find.

 

 

Why It Means So Much:

 

Four years ago, I lost my grandmother to breast cancer. She fought for an incredible 20+ years after her initial diagnosis. As a survivor and a fighter, she made sure I understood the cause even as a kid. So today, I strive to make sure the world knows how important it is to find a cure. This is probably why I love the color pink so much now! My grandmother is also the same woman who made sure I was an oddball for life by making me left-handed…soooo I’m pretty sure she forced pink on me too 🙂

 

 

How To Fight:

 

The easiest way to protect yourself is to check yourself! FEEL YOUR BOOBIES! Ladies, it can’t be any easier than that! In the shower or laying in the bed, softly grab those boobs of yours and caress them like no on has ever caressed them before!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fight on!

A Coffee Break with The CEO of Camus Coffee for National Coffee Day

 

 

 

After being approached to taste the flavorful blends, a new opportunity came’a’brewing. Yours truly had the pleasure of interviewing Frank Matz, current CEO of MAISON CAMUS Coffee just for you guys!

The  MAISON CAMUS  company wasn’t always into specialty coffees, in fact, they were solely into making cognac…yes, the sweet brown goodness, cognac or brandy…whatever floats your fancy!

A company known for its’ luxury brandy, I quickly became intrigued and wondered if CEO Frank Matz would enlighten me and us to the process of running a specialty coffee brand.

Thankfully, he obliged and I was able to get the details about MAISON CAMUS, CAMUS Coffee, and does a CEO have a favorite flavor from his own brand. Via an afternoon telephone call, Frank Matz (and his great Parisian accent) opened up while we both shared laughs and a quick Q+A. I didn’t want to be known as the American blogger who kept the CEO on the phone ya know!

Here’s what transpired…..

Me (Rena): CAMUS was originally a cognac company, how did the switch to coffee come about?

Frank Matz: Yes, CAMUS is the oldest privately owned cognac house in Paris and is now 150 years old.  [We, CAMUS] was always considered to be more than just a cognac house, more of a lifestyle brand. As the fifth generation took over, we looked into extending the product line under CAMUS in order to become the lifestyle brand. After looking into many things, coffee seemed to be the best option.

Me: How long has CAMUS Coffee been around?

FM: We started two years ago with the coffee which was totally independent and wanted to demonstrate that we’re more than cognac. We wanted to give it [coffee] time to grow on its’ own and now its’ becoming very successful in Japan, China, Russia where CAMUS is really known.

Me: I received a recipe for “CAMUCCINO” that includes both of your specialty drinks. As a cognac house and coffee brand, is this an example of the two becoming one?

FM: After we began to get the name out there and started being taken seriously, we started experimenting with this cocktail “CAMUCCINO” and it has become quite popular with customers.

Me: Will there be more blended drinks in the future?

FM: We’re still a boutique brand in the coffee area and coffee is such strong market so we want to wait until CAMUS is of significant size to really branch out and will take more time to break into [mixed drinks] but yes, let’s see how the CAMUCCINO goes but there will be more to come with adding more cocktails.

Me: What has been your favorite blend/brew of CAMUS?

FM: The signature blend is my favorite but it’s purely personal preference. It’s a medium roast and it’s perfect, I even have it at home and bring it with me when I travel! It’s a best seller here in New York. I love my coffee black without creams or sugars and I think I’m alone when it comes to that choice. Our French Roast is very good too, it’s a darker roast but again, it’s total personal taste choice.

Me: How do you pick which coffee beans to include in CAMUS Coffee?

FM: We apply the same philosophy to our coffee bean as we do with our crates for our cognac. We are really really selective. They [coffee beans] have to come out of sustainable areas that grow coffee without pesticides or any other harmful chemicals. We make sure the farmers are getting paid fair wages and that they are able to do this for years to come. Guatemala, Colombia, and Costa Rica are the three countries we source our coffee from. {}



After talking with the CEO of a 150 year old specialty brand that produces luxury cognacs and now coffee, I’ve gotta say…Frank Matz is definitely one very down to earth CEO! Even though I was able to try CAMUS Coffee through my blog, I’m officially hooked and inspired.

Huge thank you to CAMUS Coffee and Frank Matz also thanks to Madeline at Deussen Global Communications for reaching out and giving me this opportunity.

Find Camus Coffee on Facebook: CAMUS-Coffee

Tweet Camus Coffee: @CamusCoffee

 

Read more about Camus Coffee.

Disclosure: I (Rena/Curves And Coffee) was contacted and provided samples to taste and was not in any way paid or obligated to do a review and/or blog post on Curves And Coffee for Camus Coffee. It was purely my choice to comment. I am not affiliated with Camus, Maison Camus, or Deussen Global. 

 

National Coffee Day 2013: Featuring Camus Coffee

It’s finally here!

Hopefully you guys are going out today, even if it’s only to grab your free cup of java!! That’s my plan at least. Free coffee might be the best beverage giveaway in this entire world next to water! National Coffee Day takes place at the end of September and continues to boost brands and businesses each year.

This year, I had the lovely opportunity to taste TWO coffee flavors from Camus Coffee. A brand that’s fairly new to the coffee world, Camus Coffee provided me with their most popular roasts…French Roast and Signature Blend. Trying a new ANYTHING can be scary but trying a new coffee can sometimes be delightfully delicious!

Pronounced KAH-MOO (use your French tongue!)
 
 
 
 
 
 

As a producer of luxury cognacs Maison Camus has now ventured into the coffee making business….pretty sweet if you ask me! “Already found in Harrods (London), Takashimaya (Singapore), and the Ritz-Carlton (Shanghai), CAMUS Coffee focuses on the highest end of the quality scale, similarly to CAMUS Cognacs which are driven by qualities XO and above.” ~ Maison Camus

Camus also has a signature “adult beverage” aptly called the “CAMUCCINO”. Fortunately and unfortunately…I was only able to try the coffees which are superb…seriously, superb! The CAMUCCINO is a blended coffee cocktail that mixes Camus Cognac AND Maison Camus Coffee (French Roast) for what I can guess is a mouth full of joy!

 
 
 
 
 

Pretty sure I won’t be staying up after having that tasty drink! More like curling up next to my honey and watching a movie for the night. So, um, hey, how can I get my hands on some Camus Cognac?! 😉

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
If you would like to get your hands and tastebuds onto CAMUS Coffee…it can be found on Amazon.com for an affordable $18 (for two boxes).

 

To learn more about CAMUS Coffee, enjoy this PDF brochure {Camus Brochure}
Find CAMUS Coffee on Facebook: Camus-Coffee
Tweet CAMUS Coffee: @CamusCoffee

Hang on to your coffee cups and enjoy Coffee Break With The CEO

Disclosure: I (Rena/Curves And Coffee) was contacted and provided samples to taste and was not in any way paid or obligated to do a review and/or blog post on Curves And Coffee for Camus Coffee. It was purely my choice to comment and share my opinion. I am not affiliated with Camus, Maison Camus, or Deussen Global.