Black Business Haul And Everything Is At Target

I’ve been introduced to some amazing brands on Target trips. Many of my favorites are black-owned. In the spirit of the times, I thought it would be cool to share some of my must-have items in a black business haul today. That they’re each conveniently available at Target is a plus.

Black Business Haul
What I’m wearing:

Sweatshirt | Faux leather leggings | Boots (also here)

Kendra Scott earrings | Kendra Scott bracelet | Kendra Scott ring/ring

Black Business Haul

First up, my sweatshirt is by Well Worn, one of the featured black businesses in Target’s Black Beyond Measure campaign. This sweater had me at the super soft fabric in a beautiful shade of brown. And, that graphic on the front of a woman’s silhouette? Icing on the cake! It’s such a winner that I ordered the men’s version of the sweatshirt for my husband. I’m wearing the sweatshirt in a size small. It has an oversized fit, so if you like that look, you can order your usual size without sizing up.

Black Business Haul

By now, you’re familiar with The Honey Pot, a black-owned, feminine care brand that’s powered by plants. I’ve never trusted a feminine wash until now. It’s the all-natural ingredients for me. Real talk, my favorite products are the sensitive skin feminine wash and the herb-infused pantyliners. I’ve also used and loved the wipes, but I think there was a formula change because I haven’t liked them as much as I did the very first batch I bought.

Black Business Haul

I don’t know why I’d never tried The Lip Bar before, but now that I have, I’m a huge fan. I’d been searching for a red lipliner to replace a discontinued fave from Mac. Y’all, I grabbed The Lip Bar Vegan Lip Liner in Straight Face on a whim, and it’s the best product ever! You know how it can difficult to apply lip products when your lips are waxy from a lip balm? That condition is not a challenge for Lip Bar products. They apply so smoothly and stay put.

Black Business Haul

Shea Moisture hair products are always an easy choice for my haircare. My current favorite collection is the Jamaican Black Castor Oil, but I often rotate new collections into the mix.

My barber uses Design Essentials hair products, and when he curls my hair, it’s flawless. So, I decided to try his go-to styler, the Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Curl Enhancing Mousse. It gives me a reliable finish every time and has officially earned a permanent place in my hair routine.

Black Business Haul

I was beyond thrilled to discover the Fresh Pawz line at Target. Nevis, my Havanese dog, is finally warming up to the idea of wearing clothes. These pieces are so edgy and cool. I had to buy the Adidog hoodie for my pup.

Bandages that match my skin tone? How could I not? Tru-Colour bandages have  a permanent place in the emergency pouch in my everyday tote. Those beige bandages are not it.

I’m excited to shop more pieces in the Black Beyond Measure campaign. My purchases so far are hits.

How To Glam Up From The Waist Up

Zoom meetings. Virtual parties. Drive-by celebrations. What a world we’re living in! I’m partnering with Kiss Products over on Instagram today to share how I get glam (that waist-up glam) for the varied occasions 2020 made the norm. I thought I’d share the look I created here as well. You may already know that I use Kiss lashes and lash glue exclusively (check out my go-to’s here and here). No doubt, they’re my favorite. This particular collaboration gave me the opportunity to try some of the Mink Effect lashes and press-on nails I’d never used before. Spoiler: I’m a fan!

waist-up glam

My Jewelry:

Kendra Scott earringsring, bracelet (c/0) | Michele watch

Makeup:

Urban Decay Foundation (70WY) | Nars concealer (walnut)

Fenty Beauty Killawatt Highlighter (Ginger Binge/Moscow Mule) | Benefit Brow Liner (#4) | Benefit Brow Gel (#4)

Juvia’s Place Chocolates eyeshadow palette | Kiss “Heiress” lash | Kiss GluePat Mc Grath Lipstick (Elson)

waist-up glam

On a typical day these days, my makeup routine is very minimal. But, some days demand that I get a bit more glam. On those days, I’ve been reaching for some key beauty products every time. Items used to create this look are linked above.

waist-up glam

A fun feature of the Instagram collaboration is I got try Kiss press-on nails. I can’t remember ever trying press-on nails before. I was blown away by how easy they are to apply. They could be a great alternative to going to a nail salon in these strange times. I love that I can apply (in just minutes) and remove them myself. Kiss sent me some really creative nail designs that’ll be fun to experiment with (no commitment). For this look, I went with an edgy, matte black nail.

Want to see even more makeup essentials? See New Products Shaking Up My 2020 Beauty Routine.

Waist-up glam essentials:

How To Achieve Effortless Fall Style In Monochrome Outfits

Rocking head-to-toe hues can be a daring choice. But, it can also be an easy choice for effortless style. And, since you can choose colors that speak to your style sensibilities, you have every reason to try it. This fall, I’m definitely favoring colors like chocolate brown and maroon. So, I’m busy planning monochrome outfits, like today’s featured look, that build around those deep tones.

Monochrome Outfits

What I’m wearing:

Maroon dress | Jacket c/o | Booties (old) | Earrings | Lip (Color: Elson)

Monochrome Outfits

This particular outfit is built around the deep maroon dress from Zara. It has an all-over wrinkled pattern, and it’s sleeveless with shoulder pads. To make it ready for fall, I added my Jacket Maker leather jacket. In addition to the custom fit on the jacket, I adore its “Smolder Black” color. It sometimes looks like a deep aubergine or even a deep brown (see what I mean here and here). All in all, it’ll be the perfect finishing touch to all the monochrome outfits I’ll create in this color scheme. Of course, tis bootie season, so I also added my old favorite, peep-toe booties.

For a pop of contrasting color, my nails (manicure and pedicure) are a beautiful light blue/mint-ish gel color. I usually gravitate to colors like black or OPI’s Lincoln Park After Dark this time of year. But, I’m especially loving how light blue goes with fall’s IT colors.

I had a blast at a spa day recently at Beauty Brands where I got my nails done. Beauty Brands is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a huge sale. I partnered with them on social media to promote a special 25% discount, good on any salon & spa service through 11/30/20. If you’re near a Beauty Brands, be sure to grab my coupon code here.

Monochrome Outfits

The Masked Face Makeup Basics I Swear By

One thing’s for sure, I’ve saved a lot on makeup in the past few months. I never wear lipstick. It’s rare that I wear a full face of foundation. I could go on. There are a few items, though, that have become more essential in my beauty routine since we’ve acquired a new accessory–the protective face mask. I have my masked face makeup routine down, y’all.

A key item in my current routine is mascara, so I thought I’d alert you to the Beauty Brands Lash Bash Sale. I partnered with them to promote the campaign on my social channels, but the sale is so good, you ought to know about it too. Big brand mascaras are marked down by 60%!

masked face makeup

I’m sporting my masked face routine in these images I shot at my local Beauty Brands store. All I’m wearing is concealer, brow liner/gel, eyeliner, mascara, and a lash. I’ll list my go-to products and shades below:

Masked Face Makeup

Spot concealer: Mac Studi0 Finish Concealer(NC50)

Under-eye concealer for highlighting: Nars Radiant Creamy (Walnut)

Brow liner: Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil (Shade 4)

Brow gel: Benefit Gimme Brow Eyebrow Gel (Shade 4)

Mascara: I rotate these faves UD Lash Freak, Too Faced Better Than Sex, UD Perversion

Eyeliner: UD liquid liner or UD Pencil

Lashes: Kiss Lashes

When I wear eyeshadow, my go-to palette right now is Juvia’s Place The Chocolates

masked face makeup

Since I haven’t been wearing a lot of makeup, I’ve been even more committed to skincare. I believe I shared some of the Murad products I’ve been loving this year. My skin has been glowing, and I’m certain those products have been contributing to that. I’ve linked them in the widget below. Gosh, the serum is pricey, but I’ve restocked twice already this year because it’s worth it.

Masked Face Makeup Essentials

Timely Sephora Buys To Grab During The Sale

Buying new stuff hasn’t been on the top of my list lately. So, I haven’t gotten new beauty products for a minute. The current Sephora spring event sale (use code SpringSave) prompted me to explore any needs I might have during this time. I’m sharing them below.

Skincare

I recently learned that the blue light projected from all our tech devices (which I’m using now more than ever) stresses the skin. I’m partnering with Murad on Instagram (read my story here) to share my experience with two new products–Murad’s Vita-C Glycolic Brightening Serum and Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector. Want the quick review? The gold-stabilized vitamin C in both products made my skin notably brighter after about 3 days.

Sephora spring event

Makeup

Honestly, I’ve only been wearing makeup for photoshoots and for important online meetings. When I do, I’ve been reaching for my Urban Decay foundation (in color 70WY) and the face primer, of course. I alternate my under-eye concealers between the Nars Radiant Creamy concealer and the Urban Decay Stay Naked concealer (70WO). When I’m feeling like doing the most, I’ve been using the blush and highlighter in this trio (Fly). One product I’ve been using more now than ever is lip gloss. Fenty gloss bombs are my favorites, and I just ordered $weetmouth.

Sephora spring event

Cleaning

It’s a great time to finally clean all our brushes. This affordable brush and sponge cleaner is top rated, and the price is even sweeter during the Sephora spring event.

Sephora spring event

See my beat-face essentials here.