#KikiThinks: IPHONE VS. ANDROID

Hey guys! I know you missed me, and I'm sorry for not posting in a while. Since we're close to the end of April, as you may know, the curriculum is getting more rigorous and I find myself swamped with papers and tests! But since I've FINALLY found some time to post, I decided to grace you guys with yet another #KikiThinks.

It's the 21st century--an era of "smart" everything. SmartTV's, Smartcars,  and of course, Smartphones. I'm sure you all are aware of the ages-old debate among people all around the world---is the Apple IPhone or Android Samsung Galaxy smartphone "better"? And you're probably expecting me to pick a side. Welp, prepare to be disappointed because in my honest opinion, it DOES NOT matter. A phone is a phone. Plain and simple. I mean think about it. There are much more important things that we as a society should be worrying about. Famine, war, disease, poverty. People are dying at the hands of corrupt governments, totally deprived of their human rights and in some countries, treated worse than animals. Only the privileged have the opportunity to debate about such nonsense as a smartphone because I guarantee you, if privileged folks lived for one day as impoverished citizens subject to torture based solely on their social class, the last thing they would even think about is how well a smartphone can perform.

Now, in no way am I bashing smartphones in general. I think they are truly amazing for their abilities to multitask. The smartphone can be used for so many great things. It may be used as a camera, camcorder, calendar, alarm clock, stopwatch, daily planner, calorie counter for fitness, etc. etc. The possibilities are endless. The smartphone makes life so much easier. However, the topic of whether one brand is "better" than the other is completely insignificant and it annoys me to no end when I see people get into this debate on social media. So my advice would be to just shut up and be glad that you're blessed enough to have a cell phone in the first place.

For those who may be curious, I myself currently own a Samsung Galaxy S5 and I am very pleased with the many functions that the Galaxy can perform. And almost all of my friends own IPhones but we never argue about which is better because we have better things to talk about. As long as the phone gets the job done, I am happy. And I am truly grateful to have the privilege of owning a smartphone because it is truly one of the greatest inventions of all time. If you have an IPhone, cool. If you have a Galaxy, cool. There are some things that the IPhone doesn't have that the Android has, and vice versa. Apple and Samsung are the top 2 competitors in technology. They both release some awesome products that are sure to get people's attention every time. But instead of arguing about which is "better", why not talk about things that actually matter and make an attempt to do something about them?

Love always,

--Kiki

BATH AND BODY WORKS VELVET SUGAR REVIEW

I don't know about you but I absolutely ADORE sugar! I just can't get enough SUGAR! Although it may be a little obsessive, you gotta admit, sugar is pretty damn intoxicating. And I'm not talking about those white crystals you see in your local supermarket. I'm talking about one of Bath and Body Works' most beloved scents, Velvet Sugar! Although Velvet Sugar has gotten plenty of great reviews on the B&BW website, as well as on YouTube and other blogs, Velvet Sugar has been discontinued, meaning that it is no longer available in stores BUT can still be purchased online. I purchased the 3 fl. oz. travel-sized body mist before it was kicked off the shelves.

According to www.bathandbodyworks.com, the main fragrance notes are as follows:

Top Notes: Wild Strawberries, White Nectarine, Pear Blossom, Apple Nectar

Mid Notes: Pink Jasmine, Golden Plum, Red Velvet Creme, Dewy Honeysuckle, Freesia

Dry Notes: Golden Amber, Vanilla, Tolu Balsam, Caramel, Baileys' Irish Creme, Sugared Musk

Before I get into the actual scent, I just want to point out that the package is uber-adorable! It reminds me of Valentine's Day! The bottle is a deep red, almost burgundy color. It has hearts and lattice patterns going all around it. And the pretty blue-laced bow in the front is a great contrast to its red background. It's gorgeous! And it's basically what drew me to this product. As for the fragrance itself, hence the name, it's really sweet. But not sickeningly sweet. It's just right. As soon as I spray this mist, I get a burst of fruity freshness coming from the strawberry and the nectarine. The floral notes are detectable but not as prominent. Then immediately after, I get the warm, delicious sweet notes such as the caramel, red velvet creme and vanilla. 

You're probably wondering what the actual heck is tolu balsam? That is exactly what I thought upon smelling this for the first time. And after some extensive research, I found that tolu balsam is actually a sticky sap-like substance from the Peruvian Myroxylon tree, literally meaning "fragrant wood". But don't be alarmed! This body mist won't make you sticky! The tolu balsam note does have a musky, amber smell that gives Velvet Sugar a bit of mystery and maturity. This is one fragrance that I think is versatile enough to be enjoyed by women of all ages. It's sweet enough to appeal to younger women but sophisticated enough to appeal to older women.

I wouldn't necessarily recommend wearing Velvet Sugar in warm weather, simply because of the musk that may become quite overpowering when mixed with high humidity. But this scent is perfect for fall and especially winter. It's one of those cozy, dessert-like fragrances that is bound to receive plenty of compliments! It's casual enough to wear during the day, but sexy enough to wear on a date night, for example. Because I have not yet purchased anything else in this scent, I wasn't able to layer it. But I will say that wearing the fragrance mist alone, the scent lasts me about 4 hours, which by itself is not bad at all! I can't wait to try out the Velvet Sugar body creams to see how long it can really last!

On a scale of 1-10, I give Bath and Body Works' Velvet Sugar an 8. Still not my FAVORITE but I REALLY REALLY like it nonetheless. It's a shame that B&BW retired it because I'm not really a fan of ordering stuff online. I'm way too impatient to wait for the mail because I want my Velvet Sugar now!
The 3 fl. oz. mist was $6. A full-sized 8 fl. oz. version is available for $14.

Peace!
--Kiki

WHAT I USE FOR MY HAIR!

Hey! Hey you! Just want to wish you a Happy April! I decided to take a mini-break from body care items and show you guys some products that I use to wash and condition my hair. As an African American female with coarse, natural hair that has never been relaxed, I have to say, taking care of my hair is one hell of a project. Even from babyhood, my hair has always been thick and abundant but two of my main problems were dryness and breakage. For a long time, I've wanted to grow my hair longer. And any time I made progress it seemed as if I took one step forward and two steps back. Why? Because the dryness of my hair caused so much breakage, it looked like I didn't grow any hair at all! I knew something had to be done.

I was just leisurely searching around my local beauty supply store and came across Shea Moisture hair care products. Mind you, I have heard of this company before and it has gotten awesome reviews from other natural gals like me. Even though the price was a bit...up there ($12 for each bottle), I chose to give this company a shot as I was desperate for a solution. I purchased the Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo and the Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner. 
Upon reading their labels, I thought these products sounded very promising. First off, Shea Moisture products are made of natural ingredients meaning there are NO sulfates, NO parabens, and NO synthetic fragrances or dyes. Shea Moisture does NOT test on animals. These are certified organic products and may be ideal for vegans/vegetarians. They consist of Shea butter (to moisturize and condition hair and scalp), sea kelp (to help strengthen hair cuticles) and argan oil (to restore shine and help build hair elasticity).

SHAMPOO: What can I say about this product? Well, I give it two thumbs up for changing the texture of my hair as soon as it makes contact. As I said before, my hair is usually dry and brittle but as soon as this shampoo hits my scalp, my hair immediately becomes so much softer, it's like magic! I enjoy running my fingers through my hair in the shower. The texture is like cotton. I love it! I also like that this shampoo doesn't burn my eyes as much. Trust me, I've had terrible experiences where I used products like Dr. Miracle, Herbal Essences and Garnier Fructis and for some reason, my eyes would burn so badly they'd turn red. This would happen even though the products themselves never actually made contact with my eyes. I don't know, maybe I was sensitive to the fumes? I made sure to never buy those items again. But Shea Moisture shampoo is a little gentler on my eyes. The only problem I have with this shampoo is that a little does NOT go a long way. This shampoo sucks at lathering. I have to use quite a bit just to get some suds. And that is a shame because I feel I like I would go through these bottles quickly, not really something I'd like from a semi-expensive product. This (and conditioner) can also be used on over-processed hair.

CONDITIONER: This is a LIFESAVER! It really hydrates my hair. My hair looks shiny and healthy! I like to use this conditioner in the shower before shampooing (a little odd, I know but it's actually better for your hair!) I've been using these products for a while now and I've noticed that for me, this conditioner can also double up as a detangler. After I blow dry my hair, of course, it still gets tangled. Soft, but tangled. I like to take a little dab of this conditioner, rub it into the strands and comb away. My hair becomes noticeably more manageable. And as a result, I experience less breakage! I finally get to retain my hair growth! As far as the smell, well, the conditioner and shampoo both smell the same. Again, they have no SYNTHETIC fragrances but they do have a smell that's a little hard to describe. The best way I can describe it is...it's earthy, kind of woodsy. A bit musky but it does have a nice natural, organic smell. However it's not fruity or floral. Although Shea Moisture was originally made for ethnic hair, it can also work well on Caucasian hair.

I just want to tell you guys about one last product that I use before AND after I wash my mane--coconut oil. Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer to help condition and nourish hair and skin. Because my scalp is so dry that I sometimes suffer from the annoying effects of dandruff, coconut oil does a great job preventing it. It also helps restore the shine in my hair and promotes growth. I usually let it sit for about 30 minutes before washing my hair. Then after the washing, I apply more. Using coconut oil is another great way to detangle your locks. And of course it smells amazing! Always use 100% PURE coconut oil for best results! It doesn't matter what brand you get, just make sure it's 100% pure. I purchased LouAna coconut oil at my local supermarket for about $6.

On a scale of 1-10, I give Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo an 8. I love how soft it makes my hair feel. The smell is very much tolerable and it doesn't sting my eyes. But I really don't like that it doesn't lather up well, for a product that costs $12. I feel the bottle could be bigger, as it is only 13 oz. Nonetheless, I will be purchasing again. The Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner gets a 9. I love everything about it, just wish I got more for the price. The coconut oil gets a 10 of course! It does the job and it does it well. No complaints! Shea Moisture can also be found at Walmart, Target and various pharmacies.

Catch you later!
-Kiki

LIPLICIOUS LIP GLOSS REVIEW (BERRY BELLINI)

I know it's been a while, I just had a lot going on from essays to midterms and so much more! And Easter was a couple of days ago, so there's that. Well, I am back and I will be reviewing Bath and Body Works' Liplicious lip gloss in the flavor/scent Berry Bellini. This is a 0.47 oz. tube. Small enough to fit in your pocket. I actually received this as a gift therefore, I did not purchase this myself but I will give the price it's selling for at the end of this post. 

So let's get into it!

As you can see from this picture, the lip gloss has a nice sleek, silver twist-able top. And when you open it, you will see a chiseled tip, which allows precision when squeezing the gloss from the tube. It doesn't come with a brush applicator. The actual product itself is a deep plum color, however, it shows up clear on the lips. THIS IS NOT A TINTED GLOSS. I love that the product has tiny specks of glitter in it, to make your lips shine brighter than my dad's bald head on a sunny day! As far as the consistency goes, it's perfect. Not too watery, not too thick. It never dries my lips out. To be honest with you, my lips feel much more moisturized. Sometimes I like to wear this as a base before I apply my lipsticks, which I will also be reviewing later on.

This lip gloss tastes and smells INCREDIBLE. It really does have a sweet, juicy berry aroma and let me tell ya, it tastes just as good as it smells. I've worn plenty of "flavored" lip glosses in the past and I would always get this weird, plastic-y aftertaste that made me want to vomit. But I 100% guarantee you, this brand of lip gloss has absolutely NO weird aftertaste. It tastes so good, you'll probably even mistake this for candy, but just letting ya know, it's not edible haha. And...if you have a special someone that you want to impress, this wouldn't be a bad idea *wink*. In fact, my ex-boyfriend was crazy about this lip gloss. Anytime I wore it, he gave me never-ending compliments. He would even lean his nose in specifically to smell my lips (a little weird, I know but that's how good it smells!). He loved it so much he had to ask what it was called and where I got it from. Now you know guys don't usually ask these kinds of questions when it comes to our cosmetics. But Liplicious lip gloss can definitely make your guy curious!

On a scale of 1-10, I give Liplicious Berry Bellini a 9. I was quite shocked at how delicious it is without a nasty aftertaste. I love the flavor, the smell, the precision tip, basically everything except the fact that it's not tinted. I would have loved for this to give my lips a pop of purple. But because it goes on clear (which I'm not really a fan of), I docked one point. Nonetheless, I totally recommend Bath and Body Works' Liplicious lip gloss! They have so many other flavors/scents, such as Cotton Candy, Fruit Punch, and Watermelon, just to name a few. Bath and Body Works does have a number of non-sheer flavors/scents. I definitely look forward to collecting them and figuring out which one I like the best!

B&BW usually sells these for around $7 to $8 but they always offer a deal of buy-one-get-one-half-off or buy-one-get-one-free.

Buh-bye!
-Kiki

VS PINK HOT CRUSH REVIEW

Hey guys! Today's review is on the Victoria's Secret PINK hand and body cream in the scent "Hot Crush". I purchased this at (of course) Victoria's Secret during one of their winter semi-annual sales. I absolutely adore the VS and B&BW 75% off sales because you can buy so much for a good bargain! The original price of this body cream was $15 but since I got it on a discount, I only paid $5.25! This is the 6.7 fl. oz. bottle.

What drew me to this product was the bright red packaging and the big bold white letters. VS definitely gets a thumbs up for creativity. This bottle is perfect for display on your dresser or vanity. You may not be able to see from this picture but it has polka dots all around it. Super cute.

The cream itself is not super thick but it does leave my skin really soft without making it greasy or shiny. It absorbs into my skin very well.

Now let's get into the fragrance. "Hot Crush" mainly consists of jasmine and caramel notes, to make you "totally crush-worthy", as said by Victoria's Secret. This is considered a warm scent, meaning that it's best suited for fall and winter.

Giving my complete honest opinion here. When I first smelled it and put it on, I liked it. I wasn't IN LOVE with it but it was wearable...at first. Upon putting it on, it reminded me a little bit of Bath and Body Works' Forever Midnight, which I really liked because they both have caramel and floral notes. The caramel really helped to make the fragrance more gourmand, ya know, smell more edible. But THEN after about a half hour, I started getting this sickening powdery smell from it. I kid you not, it went from a sexy caramel gourmand to a scent that smelled like baby powder. It was awful. I'll have you know, I am not, I repeat NOT a fan of powdery scents at all, which is why I can't stand Bath and Body Works' Moonlight Path, but I would have to say this was a lot worse. On me, Forever Midnight has never turned into a weird powdery fragrance.

Not trying to be dramatic but this scent made me gag. It made me feel sick to my stomach. And trust me, I tried to like it. I tried giving it a chance. But I just could not take it so I ended up giving it to my mother. She loves powdery scents and loves this so I guess that makes scents (sense, haha get it?)  Just not my cup of tea. So if you do like powdery scents give "Hot Crush" a try. The powder note will sneak up on you.

You can wear this any time of the day or night. The scent lasts about 3 hours on me. Kinda short amount of time, I know. But in this case, I'm glad!

On a scale of 1-10, I give Hot Crush a 4. While the cream itself is very good quality, and softens my skin, the scent is just very off-putting to me. It's great that I got a discount and didn't have to pay full price, but I will not be purchasing this again.

Hasta luego!
-Kiki

LET'S TALK: FEMININE HYGIENE (VAGISIL REVIEW)

I know feminine hygiene is something that not many women like to talk about. It's somewhat of a taboo topic of conversation. But it's extremely important and it's something that I think women should be comfortable with talking about. Now although the topic of keeping your hoo-ha clean may make people cringe and turn red with embarrassment, it's a necessary lesson that must be taught to women and young girls for the sake of themselves and erm...those around them.
So today, I'll be reviewing Vagisil Feminine Wash!
I purchased two 12 fl. oz. bottles in pH Balance and Odor Block Protection. These are safe enough to use every day.

Now before I get into the review, I just want to give a few pointers.
First off, it's a known fact that women sweat down there. We have sweat glands, so we sweat. And unfortunately, that sweat can cause odor. You don't necessarily have to have an infection for there to be odor. Even on extremely warm days, or when you're working out, there's always a chance that your natural scent can get a little stronger than usual. And that's where Vagisil comes in.

Second, there is talk going around that women only need water to wash their vulvas. No soap. And I've actually encountered quite a few who told me that they wash with just plain water and nothing else. Now I'm totally not judging them since it's their body and they may take care of it however they please. But personally, I cannot wash with just plain water alone. I need soap, of some kind. I feel more confident and much cleaner when I wash with soap because soap does a better job scrubbing away sweat and bacteria, and it also deodorizes. Water does not deodorize. I do, however, understand why some women may wash with only water. The vulva is an extremely sensitive area that does not react well to most soaps--ones with strong fragrances and dyes. There are lots of milder, gentler soaps that won't irritate the vulva such as Ivory, Dial, and Dove for Sensitive Skin, just to name a few. But Vagisil is a well-known company that specializes in that area so it's less likely to cause irritation. 

Lastly, it's very important that the vagina maintains a certain pH balance. Just giving you guys (girls) a little Chemistry 101: the pH scale measures how acidic or basic something is. The scale goes from a pH of 0 (most acidic) to a pH of 14 (most basic).The more basic something is, the less acid is present. Since the number 7 is right-smack-in-the-middle, it indicates neutrality. When something has a pH of 7, it is neither acidic nor basic. Any pH after 7 is basic and any pH below 7 is acidic. Makes sense? So a healthy vagina has a mostly acidic environment because its pH balance is normally between 3.8 and 4.5, according to www.everydayhealth.com. Now you may be shocked and curious as to why our vaginas are so acidic. Well, the acidic environment helps kill any bad bacteria that may cause infection. If for some reason, the pH increases, the vagina becomes more basic, less acid is available causing the bad bacteria to thrive. Thus, the vagina may become more vulnerable to infection.

VAGISIL pH BALANCE: You will always know what it is from the purple top. It's purpose is to keep your pH in check. I've been using this product for a few years and I get absolutely no irritation. It claims to have a "light and fresh" scent. I love it. It's noticeable but not too strong. And it has a fresh linen type of smell, which I appreciate because I don't really like to use feminine washes that smell like flowers and rain (which is why I stay away from Summer's Eve). Those floral/rain fragrances may affect pH. I love how well it lathers; it suds up really nicely and rinses off well! This may sound a little weird but not all bacteria is bad. There is such a thing as "good" bacteria--it's called Lactobacilli or LactoProbiotic. This "good" bacteria also helps to prevent the overgrowth of bad bacteria, but it can also be destroyed by the acidity of the vagina. So Vagisil pH Balance wash is infused with LactoProbiotic to replace the good bacteria that is lost. LactoProbiotic does not cause odor or infection.

VAGISIL ODOR BLOCK: You will always know what it is from the pink top. It's purpose is to prevent odor from sweat, etc. Similar to the pH Balance wash, it suds up well, rinses off well and I get no irritation. This product also has a "light and fresh" scent. I also love that a little goes a long way. Since you're only washing your vulva, which is a relatively small area compared to the rest of your body, the most you need is a quarter-sized amount to wash it completely. My daily regimen is the "wash, rinse, repeat" cycle. In the shower, I wash my vulva twice--just to make sure it's clean. One 12 fl. oz bottle may last me a few months with daily use! All washes are safe enough to use during your period, during menopause or before/after sex. I never get a smell coming from the vulva when using this or even when I wash with Dove or baby soap. I do take extra precautions to keep myself fresh during my period but I will talk about that in another review.

On a scale of 1-10, I give both washes a 10. They do a great job of keeping me clean and feeling fresh all day, every day--even in the warmest temperatures. I never worry about irritation. They have a nice, clean smell. They lather and rinse off well. The bottles are big. They last a very long time. I only need a little to wash myself completely. What more can I ask for?

I bought both bottles from my local Rite Aid Pharmacy for around $7.69 each. I totally recommend you try it if you're looking for a good feminine wash. It's worth the price!

Later, girls!
--Kiki

#KikiThinks: DONALD TRUMP

If you don't live completely under a rock, then you may have heard of the name Donald Trump countless times, especially now that the presidential election is underway. I felt an overwhelming need to write a post about him considering the fact that this man has deliberately embarrassed himself multiple times on national television. Not sure how a wealthy businessman who has little to no actual experience in politics would even be considered a suitable leader for our country.

Many people will try to bring up Ronald Reagan. Apparently Reagan was a "great" president even though EVEN THOUGH he was only an actor. Because of Reaganomics, the middle-lower classes suffered greatly. My father went to college during Reagan's presidency. Reagan stripped my father and many other students of their federal grants. As a result, my father could not pay for his education and was forced to drop out. Inflation went through the roof. Reagan made it more difficult for those who were financially struggling to acquire aid, my great-grandmother being one of them. Reagan may have been a "great" president for the upper class, but was one of the worst things to ever happen to the middle-lower class.

Okay, okay, I get it. Donald Trump "tells it like it is". He (apparently) knows how to restore the American economy just because he's a billionaire and owns many different businesses, (four of them went bankrupt, by the way). He can "make America great again". Whatever the hell that means. I wouldn't necessarily call a country that rose to power through the blood. sweat and tears of enslaved people "great" but whatever sounds good, right? It just baffles me that out of all presidential candidates, people favor the one with NO REAL PLAN for this country. I can't tell you how many times I've seen news reporters and other candidates ask him what his plans are and instead of answering the question, he would beat around the bush and verbally attack others. Watch this video closely.

Are you kidding me? THIS is the man people want as president? He's like a bratty seven year old who throws tantrums any time he doesn't get his way. Notice when he says "I don't repeat myself", but then says it again immediately after. This guy is a joke and if America elects him, this country will be the laughing stock of the entire globe. So not only does he NOT have an adequate health care plan, but he refuses to tell the world exactly where he will be getting the money to build a wall across the Mexican border to keep out "rapists" and "drug dealers". He instead just tells the media that somehow SOMEHOW he'll get Mexico to pay for it. And here's what former Mexican president Felipe Calderon had to say.

So Trump, Mexico's not paying for the wall. What are you going to do now? Trump is making it seem as if all of America's problems are caused by Mexicans. He makes it seem as if it's only the Mexicans that come into this country causing the crime rate to increase. I can see from my own two eyes that Mexicans are some of the hardest working people in this country. Many of them do menial jobs such as housekeeping and janitorial work because that is all that's available to them. And if Mexico refuses to build the wall then who will? Not American upper class citizens. Not even the middle class. So who will do it? The lower class? Mexican-Americans who are already struggling?

Donald Trump's policies are frighteningly similar to Adolf Hitler's. Hitler blamed all of Germany's problems on the Jews. Hitler wanted to "make Germany great". And he also proposed that all Jews had some form of ID. Sounds pretty much like Donald Trump's attempt to ID all Muslims in America (after terrorist attacks) and even ban them from migrating into the country. Donald Trump's Islamophobia has gotten way out of hand and it's spreading like a virus. I don't care what anyone says. Donald Trump is RACIST and PREJUDICED. He would make a horrible president.

He has said awful things about women. Who would want a misogynistic hothead as leader of our country? He has undermined the successes of U.S Army veterans just because they weren't wounded or killed. He has openly poked fun at the disabled AND he refused to condemn the Ku Klux Klan and ex-leader David Duke. Now what does THAT tell you? Look at this clip.

. 
There is just no way in hell that Donald Trump could have NOT known about David Duke and the KKK. This reporter clearly is speaking on white supremacy. If Trump was smart he would have linked white supremacy with the KKK and refuse their support. But you see, Trump did NOT do that. He knew exactly what that reporter was saying but Trump pretended like he innocently just "didn't know". He just didn't want to denounce the KKK or David Duke. Save it, Trump. We're not stupid.

Just a few more points before I go. Donald Trump opposes increasing the U.S. minimum wage claiming it would hurt the economy even more. So what are we supposed to do, just sit there and let prices of food, clothing and other necessities increase while our wages stay put? How are we going to make ends meet? Trump opposes part of the 14th Amendment which states that those born on American soil have the right to be considered American citizens. He is pro-life and opposes gay marriage. Sad to say, but people in other countries are watching as elections get closer and they are just as surprised as I am that Americans love this man so much.

Donald Trump may "tell it like it is", but sometimes "telling it like it is" is not the best way to go. There is a little thing called diplomacy and Donald Trump is anything but diplomatic so yeah he can "tell it like it is" and before you know it, we'll be in World War 3. Oh but wait, I forgot, America profits from war so maybe that's the goal here?

Americans just might be stupid enough to elect this idiot president. And if they do, mark my words, I am packing my bags and moving to Canada.

Til next time
-Kiki

BATH AND BODY WORKS SWEET PEA AND PARIS AMOUR REVIEW

What's up, guys! Happy March! In today's review I'll be talking about two 8 fl. oz. body creams that I purchased from none other than Bath and Body Works. These fragrances have been around for quite a while now and are currently listed as 2 of B&BW's top-selling fragrances. Just take a good look at the picture above (taken by yours truly). As you can see I got the Sweet Pea and the Paris Amour.

Because body creams are thicker and more emollient-rich than lotions, they are perfect for extra dry skin! Once upon a time, I used to buy B&BW's body lotions on a regular basis, but I realized that when I put them on, my skin sucks them up and starts to get dry again. After a while it would feel like I never put any lotion on at all. So ever since I switched to the body creams (which are the exact same price as the lotions) I noticed a huge difference. My skin felt so much softer for a much longer period of time. By purchasing the creams, I definitely felt like I was getting my money's worth.

Both body creams were $12.50 each.

SWEET PEA: According to their official website, www.bathandbodyworks.com, the main fragrance notes in Sweet Pea are as follows--

Top Notes: Sweet Pea, Watery Pear, Juicy Loganberry, Black Currant

Mid Notes: Sheer Freesia, Luscious Raspberry, Pink Peony

Dry Notes: Soft Musk, Plum Woods

Sweet Pea is a fruity-floral. Without a doubt, this scent leans more toward the fruity side. When I smell this, I get strong whiffs of that pear and raspberry so I don't recommend this to people who are sensitive to smells. In my own personal opinion, the floral notes should be listed as dry notes because I usually don't notice them until after the scent has faded a little. Sometimes I can't help but laugh at B&BW when they try to get fancy with certain terminology because if you shop there often you know that they list stuff you never heard before as "fragrance notes". What the heck are plum woods? Do they mean plum, like the actual fruit plum or...?

ANYWAYS, Sweet Pea is a classic fragrance that's just right for spring and summertime. This is certainly a daytime scent because it's so fresh and light and airy and bright and cheerful. Smelling this always puts me in a great mood. Strangely enough, I do get a slight hint of watermelon in there too? Kinda reminds me of the smell of Watermelon Pop Rocks, or Jolly Ranchers.
So if you don't mind smelling like a Jolly Rancher, give Sweet Pea a try!

Because this scent smells so much like candy, it would be more popular among younger customers like teens, tweens and young adults. Wearing the body cream alone, the scent usually lasts me about 3-4 hours but wearing the matching body mist makes it last an extra 2-3 hours.

On a scale of 1-10, I give Sweet Pea an 8. I like it a lot. It's juicy and refreshing. And it's casual enough to wear anywhere.

PARIS AMOUR:The fragrance notes in Paris Amour are as follows--

Top Notes: Sparkling Mandarin, Petite Strawberry, Cassis, Sparkling Pink Champagne, Apple Blossoms, Dewy Freesia

Mid Notes: Luscious Peach, Jasmine Petals, French Tulips, Water Lily, Frangipani

Dry Notes: French Vanilla, Coconut Milk, Amber Wood , Sandalwood, Creamy Musk

So as you can probably tell, there's a lot going on in this scent! Because I love anything and everything 'Paris' themed, this fragrance caught my eye the moment I entered the store. The packaging is super adorable. Paris Amour is another fruity-floral but it's a different kind of fruity-floral. It smells nothing like Sweet Pea. Paris Amour is muskier. And because of that it has more maturity to it. However, I still think it would be popular among young people because it is very sweet.

I know what you're thinking. What the heck is a frangipani? Well, I looked it up for you (no need to thank me) and turns out, it's a special name for plumeria, which is a type of flower. You learn something new every day, right? This scent smells like straight-up flowers and strawberries. The floral notes are more prominent in this one, but still not as strong as the fruit. I smell no mandarin at all though. And thank God the coconut milk is undetectable because I just do NOT like coconut. The vanilla becomes more noticeable after the scent settles on your skin for a while. Don't expect to smell it right away. Much like in Pink Chiffon I do smell a little peach, but it's not strong enough to make a difference.

This fragrance is unique because it's so classy and sophisticated that it can be worn at formal events such as weddings, proms, etc. Yet at the same time, it is casual enough that it can be worn as an every day signature scent. So honestly, this scent can be worn any time of the day...or night if you have a special occasion to attend. Paris Amour is best suited for spring. It may be too musky for some in hot, humid weather.
I don't know, maybe it's the champagne that gives it so much class? Not sure what champagne smells like...PINK champagne at that. 
My ex-boyfriend adored this fragrance. He'd give me compliments every time I wore it, so Paris Amour is a huge hit with the guys. Totally crush-worthy.
The lasting power of the fragrance is about the same as Sweet Pea if I were to wear the body cream alone. But I have layered it with the matching body mist and let me tell ya, the scent lasts nearly ALL DAY LONG when layered. It sticks to clothing too.

On a scale of 1-10, I give Paris Amour a 10! I hope B&BW never discontinues this one. The lasting power is amazing and it's sweet but not sickeningly sweet. I can mostly thank the floral notes for that. All around this scent is just really cute and girly! Aside from Pink Chiffon, Paris Amour is my SECOND favorite scent from Bath and Body Works. I can't get enough of it!

Adios!

-Kiki

VS PINK WARM AND COZY REVIEW

So I've been shopping at Bath and Body Works for almost 10 years and while B&BW is very near and dear to my heart, I noticed that I never really gave Victoria's Secret a chance. In case you guys didn't know, both stores are owned by the same company--Limited Brands. My local mall has Bath and Body Works and Victoria's Secret literally on the same floor, just a few steps away from each other! And, I hate to say this, but I ignored VS and flocked to B&BW each and every time. But it seemed as if everybody and their mother was obsessed with VS. In middle school, high school and even now in college, I'd always see girls carrying around those "PINK" backpacks and wearing those super cute "PINK" sweatsuits. I remember right after gym class, girls would take out those "PINK" body mists from their lockers and spray it all over, filling up the locker room. And I loved the smell. So when the winter 75% off sale rolled around, I decided I would finally jump on the bandwagon.

I purchased a 8.4 fl. oz. body mist and the matching 16.9 oz. bottle of lotion, both in the scent Warm and Cozy. VS describes this scent as a blend of "toasted vanilla and peony". VS can be just a tad pricey. The original price for these items was $18 each. But since they were on a discount, the lotion and spray only cost me $6.30 each, which was a steal! Doesn't get any cheaper than that!

THE LOTION: If you read my previous post about the Aromatherapy lotion, you know how much I appreciate bottles of lotion that come with a pump! I can't stand having to squeeze out lotion with my hands. It's messy and I'm always left with more lotion than I need, so it's a waste. Because this lotion comes with a pump, I always get the right amount of product. It's less messy and don't have to worry about straining my hand muscles trying to get some lotion out. The consistency of the lotion is not super thick, but it is very creamy. It does leave my skin soft for a while. When I use it, I just know I'm using a quality product. And I love that the bottle is large. Almost 17 fl. oz. of lotion is a lot. It has lasted me a few months with daily use.

THE MIST: This body mist is everything. It really enhances the fragrance by strengthening it and making it last longer. I feel that if it weren't for the body mist, the scent would die down a lot quicker if I were to wear the lotion alone. While handling some very important business, I literally had an entire room full of women compliment this scent. One of them asked me where I got it from, and when I told her she said that VS always has some nice stuff. However I did notice that wearing the mist alone would only give me about an hour or two of fragrance so it's very important that you layer your scent. Paired with the lotion, the mist would last me 4-5 hours before having to reapply.

THE SCENT: Warm and Cozy, in my opinion, is one of the best smelling fragrances in the "PINK" collection. It's a sweet, sugary vanilla that reminds me of marshmallow frosting. As far as the peony goes, I don't exactly smell it. I wouldn't consider this a floral scent at all. This scent, hence the name, is perfect for the fall and winter seasons--especially winter because it's very comforting and gets me in the mood to cuddle by the fire in my pj's and drink hot cocoa.  I believe Warm and Cozy can be worn at any time of day. It can be worn in the daytime because it is a light scent. It's not heavy or musky at all. And it can be worn at night to help you relax during those cozy nights in. I think this fragrance will appeal to just about anybody who likes sweet vanilla scents, so this would be popular to customers young and old(er).

On a scale of 1-10, I give VS Pink Warm and Cozy a 9. This scent is to die for. It's delicious and just downright intoxicating. The only problem I have is that it can last a little longer. Some B&BW products can last a good 6-7 hours on me. If this scent could do that, it would be perfect.

If you have any questions or comments, just let me know and I'll get back to you guys as soon as possible.

Bye!

--Kiki

BURT'S BEE'S LIP BALM REVIEW (PINK GRAPEFRUIT AND POMEGRANATE)

Even though it's starting to feel more and more like spring, we must face the fact that it's STILL February and it's STILL winter. Which means that there's STILL going to be those freezing cold days when the air is dry and your lips get super chapped! I've been searching around for a good lip balm to keep my lips moisturized and keep the skin from peeling. Trust me, I had a serious problem. The skin on my lips would peel, causing me to lick my lips and try to bite the skin off with my teeth (sorry if that sounds gross). As a result, my lips would get red and sore. They bled and sometimes I'd get tiny bruises on my lips from biting them! I needed a solution and I needed it fast.

Tried ChapStick, didn't really work out for me. My college gave out these free lip balms with the school logo on them, still didn't work for me. I even tried putting Vaseline on my lips! But all that did was make them greasy. I heard a lot of good reviews about Burt's Bee's lip balm, which at the time, I never heard of before. I learned of all the different flavors that Burt's Bee's came in and I thought it was pretty cool that the lip balms are made of organic ingredients like sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, tocopherol (Vitamin E) and beeswax.

I purchased both lip balms at Rite Aid pharmacy for $3.29 each. Both tubes are 4.25 grams. As you can probably tell from the title (ha), I got the Pomegranate and the Pink Grapefruit.

PINK GRAPEFRUIT: The Pink Grapefruit flavor claims to be "Refreshing", and honestly, I think it is! It has a super fresh citrus-y smell that gives me a little pick-me-up every time I wear it. I love the smell! It does come on a little strong when you first apply but I guarantee you, the smell does fade with time--probably around 10 minutes or so. My lips tingle a little when I wear it too, but it feels good actually, as if my lips are being medicated. It's quite soothing. This lip balm has a clear color to it.

POMEGRANATE: The Pomegranate claims to be "Moisturizing". And it is. I'm going to be completely honest with you, the Pomegranate took me a little while to get used to. I didn't much like the smell at first. It smelled to me like a cheap wax candle trying to smell like fruit. But then I noticed that after about 5 minutes or so, the smell oddly becomes a little sweeter and actually starts to smell like pomegranate. This lip balm has a dark reddish pink color, kinda like beets, but it shows up clear on the lips--so it's not tinted.

MY THOUGHTS: The lip balms glide on really smoothly on my lips. My lips feel like butter without being greasy or shiny. I always feel confident when facing the elements that my lips won't dry up and become sore. Ever since I started wearing these lip balms, I stopped biting my lips and they healed. These lip balms have pretty good flavor too. Now don't expect them to taste like candy, they're not sweet but you do get a slight taste of pomegranate and grapefruit, and it's really not bad at all. After about half an hour, I would need to reapply, and that is my pretty much my only problem. I'm wearing the Pink Grapefruit right now, probably my favorite out of the two, and my lips are saying ooh-la-la!

On a scale of 1-10, I give Burt's Bee's lip balm an 8. It's a really good brand, definitely worth trying out if you haven't done so already. I hope to collect all of them when I get some extra cash. I did however knock off two points because
a) I need to reapply every 30 minutes
b) $3.29 is a bit pricey for a lip balm. I think these should cost no more than $2.50. But then again, it IS organic.

Ta-ta!

--Kiki

#KikiThinks: THE PROS AND CONS OF LIVING WITH RBF

Living with RBF isn't easy. But it does have its perks. Some of us have been blessed (and/or cursed) with a condition known to this generation as "Resting Bitch Face". I've had it since birth...probably haha. And I blame/thank my mother for this rather unique quality of mine because she too possesses the face of seriousness! Ever heard of the saying "It takes more muscles to frown than to smile"? Well, in my case, it takes more muscles to smile than to frown. Seriously! And no I'm not doing that on purpose. That's just the face I'm comfortable with, but people think I'm ready to bite their heads off and spit out the eyeballs.

PROS: Resting Bitch Face doesn't have to be all bad! There are some advantages to it. Let me show you a few examples.

1) It helps prevent unwanted attention.

Guys can sometimes be a huge pain in the arse. Especially if they try to hit on you/catcall when you don't want to be bothered. Without Resting Bitch Face, you would be considered more...I don't know...approachable I guess? If guys aren't afraid of you, they would be more likely to approach you. Some can even turn it up a notch and start harassing you. And this can happen anywhere--on the street, at the store, ESPECIALLY in a club/bar. But there is just something about that Resting Bitch Face that acts as some kind of douchebag repellent. All you have to do is look at them, and they get scared, which means no creeps standing in your way! Just note that this doesn't work EVERY time. There are some guys who will try their luck regardless of whether or not you have RBF, but it does work. 

2) Some may find it sexy.

Ever wondered why supermodels always walk the runway and take pictures looking soooo serious? I know I have. It's because society teaches people that pouting is sexy. Now don't get me wrong, smiles are sexy too (especially Leo DiCaprio's), but again, we keep seeing a trend of models taking pictures and walking the runway looking like they just murdered five people. It's just part of our culture.
I don't know about you but it makes me feel good to know that even though the chance of me becoming a runway model is slim to none, the sexy supermodel pout is like second nature to me *shrugs*.

3) You can be intimidating to people you don't like.

Let's face it. Girls can be bitchy, catty, whatever. So if your arch nemesis happens to be a female, and you have RBF, chances are she may think you're crazy or that you're after her (I'm currently going through this as we speak). And, as a result, she would stay clear out of your way, which in her case, may be her best option. Of course, girls will talk smack about you behind your back but sometimes would be too scared to say any of that to your resting bitch face (again, I'm living proof). However, don't let it bother you because it just shows that you are above them. They tremble in your presence even though they may try to act tough.

CONS: Since we are focusing on the good, the bad and the ugly, let's take a look at some of the downsides of living with RBF.

1) You can be intimidating to people you DO like.

Got a crush? Your resting bitch face can hinder your chances of winning over your Prince Charming, simply because he may think you hate him. This is pretty much the opposite of PRO 1 and PRO 3. If it's a guy you actually like, if it's a guy you dream about every night, you're definitely going to want his attention! And who knows? He may be interested in you too but would be too shy to do anything about it. If he's shy, and you're shy then absolutely no sparks will fly. So sometimes, it will be up to you to make yourself more approachable and show him that you're not going to kill him. This means that you will need to try extra hard to make up for your uncontrollable bitch face. Try breaking the ice, tell a joke, talk about something you can both relate to. That's sure to get a conversation going and might eventually turn into a relationship depending on how close you become.

2) People always ask if you're okay.

Trust me, it's great that you care enough about me to show concern when you think something's wrong. But I guarantee you, 95% of the time, there is NOTHING wrong with me. Almost every day, I get tons of people asking "what's wrong? what's the matter? are you okay?" And almost every day I reply with "nothing, nothing and yes". Then sometimes I get that look, as if they don't believe me. And after a while it does get a little annoying, having to answer the same questions over and over.

3) People just assume you're a bitch without getting to know you.

For some odd reason, people tend to make assumptions about people without getting to know them first. This definitely holds true for people with RBF. Just because I look bitchy doesn't necessarily mean I am. If you actually take the time out to get to know me, you would be pleasantly surprised at how down-to-earth I am. But it's just a matter of giving me a chance to express myself. People I'm very close with always tell me that they thought I hated them when we met. And look at us now! Inseparable like peanut butter and jelly!

The point I'm trying to make here is that RBF can be either good or bad, depending on your perception of it. And if you can relate to any of what I said, chances are you have RBF too so join the club! We can't help it. It's part of who we are, so why not embrace it!

'Til next time!
-Kiki

BATH AND BODY WORKS AROMATHERAPY SENSUAL (BLACK CURRANT VANILLA REVIEW)

Hello again! Hope you all are having a great day so far. Today's review is about Bath and Body Works Black Currant Vanilla body wash/foam bath and the matching Black Currant Vanilla body lotion. This fragrance is part of the Aromatherapy line and is titled "Sensual". It's purpose is to help put you in a relaxing mood and "heighten sensuality". I actually received these two products as gifts from my sister for Christmas. She bought herself a few bottles of these and suggested I try them out as well.  

THE BODY WASH: In the shower, the body wash lathers very nicely (for best results, use a loofah sponge instead of a washcloth). It suds up so well that it only takes a little to wash my entire body. The scent fills the entire room up! It is a bit on the strong side but that doesn't bother me at all. When I leave the shower, my skin feels very soft and clean. And even before I apply the lotion, I get strong whiffs of black currant vanilla. If you want to add a few drops of this into your bath water, you totally can! Although I personally have not done that (since my dormitory hall provides showers only, no bathtubs), I'm sure this will put your bathing experience on a whole other level!

THE LOTION: I would have to say the lotion is probably my favorite of the two. I like that the bottle comes with a pump. If you shop at Bath and Body Works, you know that the majority of their body lotions do NOT come with a pump, forcing you to squeeze product out of the bottle. This can be messy at times. I don't know about you but sometimes I find myself accidentally squeezing out more lotion than necessary because the consistency is a little runny. The great thing about Aromatherapy lotion is that I am able to pump out just the right amount of product each and every time. Although the consistency of this lotion isn't nearly as thick as say, a body cream or a body butter, I find that this lotion does a great job keeping my skin hydrated. Paired with the body wash, it's pretty great. It's strong enough to last you several hours. It honestly doesn't even need a matching body mist.

THE SCENT: On the packaging of both products, B&BW claims says that this fragrance is composed of "Black Currant and Vanilla Absolute". For those who may not know what a currant is, it is a type of berry. I do smell the currant. I also get a faint citrus-y note as well and it adds a little extra zing. The fruit notes are what I smell when I first put it on. Then after a while it fades into a nice creamy vanilla. I might also add that this scent is rather musky. To me it is reminiscent of Bath and Body Works Sensual Amber, which honestly, I don't really like that much. But I guess because I tend to flock to fruitier scents, I can tolerate this one. I just wouldn't wear this in warm weather as the musk can be a bit much when humidity is high. However, Black Currant Vanilla is perfect for fall and winter. I believe this type of scent is unisex because it smells just a tad like men's cologne. It is feminine enough to wear on a daily basis, but men can wear it too. It's a mature scent. I wouldn't necessarily expect it to be popular among younger people. This fragrance sticks to my clothes like nothing else. Not problematic, just putting it out there that it does cling to fabric. You can wear this at any time of the day but I think it is best suited as a nighttime fragrance because it is relaxing and makes me want to cuddle up and watch Netflix until I fall asleep!

On a scale of 1-10 I give Bath and Body Works Aromatherapy SENSUAL Black Currant Vanilla a 7. While the quality of the body wash and lotion is great, the scent itself isn't something I would buy on my own. Now don't get me wrong, I do like it and I do get compliments when wearing it. It's very sexy but to me it's not AMAZING, probably because it reminds me of cologne. I will continue to wear it until it's gone.

Bath and Body Works is currently selling the body wash and lotion for $13 each.

See ya!

-Kiki

LET'S TALK: PERSONAL CARE (DOVE ORIGINAL CLEAN ANTIPERSPIRANT DEODORANT REVIEW)

Let's be honest. Nobody likes B.O. It's offensive and can literally leave people gagging. It can also be highly embarrassing for the person emitting the foul odor. Now, I understand that some sweat more than others. It's utterly uncontrollable and some people wreck their brains trying to find a good antiperspirant deodorant to not only keep them dry but also leave them smelling fresh for hours. If you're one of those people, then look no further because Dove Original Clean does the job and it does the job well! It is a solid formula, not a gel.

When it comes to deodorant, this is pretty much a classic. Dove is a legendary company for personal hygiene items. This company manufactures everything from deodorant, to bar soap, to body wash and more! I purchased this at my local Rite Aid for a little under $5 and let me tell ya, it's worth every penny. 2.8 ounces of product may not seem like much but with daily use, this product usually lasts me over a year. As for the scent, it's very, well, fresh! Reminds me of fresh linen. This is perfect if you want a nice basic scent that is free from any fruity or floral smells. 

One thing I particularly like about this brand of deodorant is that it is infused with moisturizers. When I apply it to my underarms, it glides on really smoothly and it leaves my armpits very soft. I shave my armpits on a regular basis. Sometimes I do get nicks and cuts here and there. On the back of package, it warns customers not to apply on broken skin. I assume it is because Dove believes it would cause irritation. Well, I decided to become somewhat of a devil and.. I guess you could say, experiment with myself. I used myself as a guinea pig to see what would happen if I did apply on broken skin. Surprisingly, I got no irritation. No stinging, no swelling. Very gentle. And I'm just speaking from my own personal experience. What works for me may not necessarily work for you. So if you are not comfortable with applying Dove after shaving, then by all means, do NOT do it!

The last few points that I want to make about this deodorant is that it leaves me smelling fresh literally all day long. I usually take my daily showers some time around 10 AM when i'm getting ready for class. I can apply Dove Original Clean immediately after showering and the scent would stay on until my next shower. It definitely keeps its promise of keeping you odor-free for up to 24 hours! Even in the most hot and humid weather, or while I'm working out, I always feel confident that this product will prevent B.O. What I do NOT like about this product: although it claims to be INVISIBLE solid, it is very much visible when I'm wearing dark colored clothing. It leaves white residue on my shirts. That's pretty much my only problem.

On a scale of 1-10, I give Dove Original Clean Antiperspirant Deodorant a 9. I docked one point because of the residue. Other than that, this deodorant is very impressive. It is my go-to brand of deodorant. I have never tried any other brands like Secret or Degree. But for the sake of this blog, who knows? I just might get out of my comfort zone and branch out. Gotta try new things ;)

Later, folks

-Kiki