Blaq Vixen Beauty

Girl.....

Maybe what I'm about to reveal is a little too much information but I hope this will help you understand why Blaq Vixen Beauty is the way it is now. And besides, I just had to share this - anytime you pay off a huge debt such as this, you gotta speak on it, right?! This morning, I received confirmation that one of my credit cards that was in collections was finally paid off - all $1689.29 of it!! My original balance was $1349.00 but because of fees and interest, I ended up paying a little over $1700. It's still painful to think about as I'm sure you could imagine.

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Since I have about $1 to my name (ok, I'm exaggerating here and I turned off my overdraft protection), I am officially in "grustle mode" so I can at least be able to say, "Yes, I spent my $15 Sephora gift card on (fill in the blank here.)" I have my eye on the MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Puff, $9 for sure. Not such an exciting choice but it is when you finally realize that you need a better setting powder...and a better puff. MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder, $30 is on my list as well since I figured it wouldn't hurt to try anything new, right?

More Make Up For Ever...

If everything turns out well, I might have enough for these two purchases and some late night snacks!!

Hey everyone, I'm on a mini-hiatus right now since school started but I wanted to give you an update on what's been going on with me lately.

First, I got a full weave - Harlem 125 Italian Body Wave. First weave ever...and I have to say that while it's pretty (at first), after you wash it for the first time, it has a tendency to tangle. It's not as wavy anymore and it's almost like you have to constantly style it, in my opinion. Wait, let me take that back - it tangles period! So you have to constantly detangle, especially in the back. The first week or so, I felt so much like Bella from The Twilight Saga. Even though you can't tell the picture (obviously), it's actually a bit lighter in person. I got it in shade 2 since the color of my real hair is actually dark brown.

While I paid around $80 for two bags at Hair City in San Antonio, this hair is currently on sale at Hair Sisters for $14.99. What a deal, right? I should've ordered from Hair Sisters but it's been years since I've bought any type of hair from them - rather it be a wig, hair for braids, etc. The last time I ordered from Hair Sisters was back in 2007. That was when I resorted to wearing ponytails, waiting for my hair to grow out again.

First day I got it done.

Second, I finished Step 1 of the Jolie MD Metamorphosis. I still have a quite a bit left of Step 2. I know you can't see in the above picture but it did fade most of my dark spots, but not the really dark spots. Those are deeply ingrained and would require a different source of treatment. Yes, I continued to break out but it wasn't because of the product. However, I will write a thorough review on it as soon as I've had time to get my thoughts together. Just know that if you have dark scarring on the surface of your skin, you will see a difference if you use JolieMD Metamorphosis. Just make sure to follow the directions exactly and wear sunscreen/sunblock religiously.

Third, I haven't been to a dermatologist yet. Just as I was about to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist (finally after everything was approved), I learned that I'm moving to Joint Base McChord Lewis in Washington! There's been conflicting dates about when I'm supposed to move - it could be this month, August or even September but I'm not really sure yet. Personally, I didn't want to start treatment with a dermatologist in Texas, only to have to switch to a new dermatologist when I moved to Washington. So, for now, that's on hold until I get to my new duty station.

Fourth, I ordered a 12.5% TCA Peel Kit from Makeup Artist's Choice. I've always wanted to try a chemical peel so I finally ordered the 12.5% TCA solution from Makeup Artist's Choice. I'm so thrilled that I did! I did my first treatment Monday night on June 28th. I'm currently on my fifth day of peeling. I have five days ago until my skin has completely healed. I've been flaking and peeling ever since. Here's a picture of my skin right after I neutralized the peel:

I had to pull back my weave to get this picture so that's why you see my curly (and darker) sideburns! I think the Jolie MD Metamorphosis as well as the 10% Lactic Acid Roller from B. Kamins primed my skin before I finally did the peel. I could only one layer over my entire face but on the sides of my face, I attempted to do a second layer. Key word being attempted because it started to sting like crazy. I had to go sit in front of my fan until my five minutes was up. I plan to do another peel on the 22nd. This time, I'm going to do three layers so that I can peel more.

I'll be sure to take another photo when I'm done peeling. Then I'll write a post about my initial TCA peel application. Stay tuned!!

Finally, today I called to schedule an appointment at the dermatology clinic at Brooke Army Medical Center. In the middle of my phone call, I was informed that I would have to be referred to dermatology by my primary care manager/provider (PCM). Problem is, I haven't been assigned a PCM yet even though I've been here on Fort Sam Houston since May of 2008.

So the receptionist recommended that I call the TRICARE hotline to see if I could be referred a PCM. I just got off the phone with a representative of TRICARE West and she told me that I was covered under TRICARE Standard instead of TRICARE Prime. Since I can go anywhere to be seen ("self-referral") that was the reason why I didn't have a PCM. The clinic on post mainly sees patients that are covered under TRICARE Prime so it would be hard for me to be seen there.

She then told me that I could go on the TRICARE West website to see which civilian dermatology clinics are included in their directory. I have the site open now and I just tried searching for dermatologists near Fort Sam Houston. 0 clinics to be found. I guess the Dermatology Associates of San Antonio that I've passed several times isn't included.

Just now, I found out that my dad was supposed to fill out a form for me to been seen on post - I'd be covered under TRICARE Prime instead of TRICARE Standard. So I'm in the middle of trying to find out how to get that form. I'll keep y'all updated!

Edit: My mom and I found out that when I turned 22 on November 12th of last year, TRICARE automatically changed my policy from TRICARE Prime to TRICARE Standard. We were both confused as to why they would do that when I'm a full-time college student - still a dependent. In order for me to be able to schedule an appointment and to be seen in June (I hope), I have to fill out the form before May 20th.

Update: The form is in! I'll be able to see a dermatologist in June!

See complete post over at Bellasugar.

See complete post over at Makeup and Beauty Blog.

I admit that I'm a total dork. Maybe these two mentions aren't such a big idea but I've had so many visitors on Friday and Saturday from them alone. Sadly, no comments though. Sigh. But I'm still overjoyed that they found my blog and saw something worth linking. Thanks babes!

Afro Mud Flap Girl Earrings, $8.99 at Girlprops. Also available in silver.

Have you ever heard of "Happy Black Girl Day" before? I didn't until PrettyBrownGirl (of 52 Flavors and Dirty Pretty Thangs) mentioned it on Twitter. Happy Black Girl Day was created by Sister Toldja of The Beautiful Struggler back in January of this year. She originally christened the 7th of every month Happy Black Girl Day but she recently changed it to the second Wednesday of every month. So Happy Black Girl Day to all of you glorious girls out there!

In honor of this event, I decided that I would showcase some of my favorite items that I found on Etsy that "represent you and yours from day one:"

From left: Billie Holiday ring, $22.99; Dorothy Dandridge ring, $22.99 - both from PopBangles. Lena Horne Legendary Diva Button Style Pocket Mirror, $3.50 from Creative Clam.

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that I'm still doing the Clinique Even Better Clinical regimen. I just had to take a mini hiatus because I've been breaking out so much from this product! It's quite difficult to see progress when all I see is new blemishes. While some are whiteheads, I've developed cystic pimples on my cheekbones and chin. There's no way in hell that I am recommending this product. For $49.50, it's so not worth the price. I will not be repurchasing this "clinical" version or the original version.

However, for your sake, I will continue to use this product until I use the whole bottle. Most of my Clinique Even Better Clinical Spot Corrector is almost gone anyway. Afterwards, I will start the JolieMD regimen. I cannot tell you all how excited I am that I have it in my possession.

Also, recently I've decided to go schedule an appointment at the dermatology wing at BAMC here on post. I hope that they can refer me to a dermatologist off post. If not, then I'll just document my progress with whatever they prescribe me here on Blaq Vixen Beauty.

Approximately one minute ago, I sent an email to Paula Begoun's office, detailing which brands for women of color I would like to see her team review.  I emailed five brands - Steelo Cosmetics, Thevi Cosmetics, Black Radiance, Black Opal*, Iman Cosmetics*, and  Monave Minerals. Now that I think about it, I forgot Milani Cosmetics but I'll include it in the next email.

Just in case some of you were wondering why I've even considered sending over a list of women-of-color friendly brands to Paula Begoun, I figured I'd address it now. I respect that Paula Begoun has stepped up as a "Cosmetics Cop." I respect her experience and her research. I don't always agree with what she says, believe it or not. I do appreciate that she provides sources in addition to her reviews.

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