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 

MY FIRST PRODUCT REVIEW! BATH AND BODY WORKS PINK CHIFFON

Wow, two posts in one day! This is probably the only time this will ever happen. I am just so excited to get this started! I've wanted to review Pink Chiffon for ages.

When I visited B&BW last, I purchased 2 Pink Chiffon body creams (both 8 oz.), a travel-sized 3 fl. oz Pink Chiffon fragrance mist, and the 2 oz. Pink Chiffon Nourishing Hand Cream (not really big on shower gels, sorry). B&BW has been selling this scent for several years now. Not a “new” fragrance, but not “old” either.

Top Notes: Sparkling Pear, Wild Berries, Peach Nectar

Mid Notes: Tiare Flower, Jasmine Petals, Waterlily, Sheer Apple Blossom

Dry Notes: Coconut Milk, Vanilla Orchid, Creamy Sandalwood, Chiffon Musk*

*as listed on http://www.bathandbodyworks.com

What can I say about this fragrance? Well, it’s definitely a fruity/sweet scent. I think it leans more toward fruity when I put it on. And then after a couple hours or so, it fades into a mellow vanilla sweetness. Although B&BW lists pear as one of its top notes, I personally smell no pear. I don’t quite smell any of the floral notes either.

To me, this scent smells like a simple blend of strawberries and cream, kinda like those Cream Saver candies that for some reason fell off the face of the Earth. When I smell this, I think of a giant vanilla cupcake with strawberry frosting–fresh from the bakery! It’s a gorgeous scent that I think will appeal to most people. As for the musk, yes it is a tad musky but the musk is very light. Not overpowering at all.

When I stumbled upon this scent for the first time, I’ll admit I was a little worried about that coconut milk that they have listed as a dry note, simply because I’m not a huge fan of coconut scents. But I guarantee you, the coconut milk is totally undetectable. And that made me sigh in relief because honestly I think the smell of coconut would ruin this fragrance! I also smell very little peach. Maybe a bit, but not enough to make a difference. Pink Chiffon is a very girly, innocent fragrance. Perfect for tweens, teens and young adults.

This scent is best suited for Spring and Summer because it is light and fruity. Again, the musk isn’t cloying at all so it shouldn’t be a problem in hot and humid weather. It’s casual enough to wear just about anywhere! You can wear it to work, school, to a party, to the movies, to the park, to the beach, literally anywhere. And for this reason, I say this is more of a daytime scent.

THE BODY CREAMS: the body creams are amazing. They consist of Shea butter and Vitamin E to help condition and nourish your skin. If you are like me, and have dry skin, I totally recommend B&BW body creams. They are thicker and more moisturizing than the lotions. They’re not greasy at all and they absorb well into the skin. No residue either! The creams leave my skin feeling soft and hydrated all day long.

THE MIST: The mist is a nice little treat when you want to layer your scent. What I do not like is that at first I get a strong whiff of alcohol when I spray. But really, that’s with all fragrances, not just this one. After a few seconds though, the alcoholic-y smell does fade away and I get this pleasant aroma of berries and cream. It really helps to strengthen the fragrance (since, again, it is light), and make it last longer. When I layer Pink Chiffon, I usually can go a good 6-7 hours before having to reapply.

THE HAND CREAM: Works wonders for dry hands! This also contains Vitamin E and when I put it on, my hands immediately feel like velvet. The size is really convenient too, only 2 ounces, so you can put it in your purse or backpack and take it with you everywhere you go! It takes up very little space. And a little goes a long way. Doesn’t take much to leave your hands soft like a baby’s bottom. I will say however that the hand cream smells a little more lotion-y than everything else. I do get a whiff of fragrance here and there but it’s not as potent with the hand cream. Just something you should keep in mind.

On a scale of 1-10 I give Pink Chiffon a perfect 10. I adore this fragrance. I find myself purchasing this fragrance more than anything else. And when I wear it I get tons of compliments from guys and girls. Just a wonderful fragrance to have if you’re someone who likes light, fruity, sweet scents!

Both body creams were $12.50 each. The travel-sized mist was $6. The Nourishing Hand Cream was $5.

Ciao!

-Kiki

ABOUT ME

Hey guys! First off I want to start by saying Happy February! Even though it’s Winter, it’s feeling a lot like Spring outside. And that’s okay! I’m not complaining! I am so excited to start this blog because I consider myself a beauty fanatic. I love anything and everything related to beauty, fashion, and health. I have so many wonderful things to talk about on this blog. My posts will consist of mostly product reviews, but I may also share personal thoughts on trending topics, life, etc.

My name is Aqilah (pronounced “A-kee-la”), but I go by the nickname “Kiki”, with a “k”, which is the main symbol of my blog.

I am 21 years old, a native of Brooklyn, New York. Currently, I am pursuing a B.A. in Communication Studies. With that degree, I plan on becoming a journalist and ultimately a television newscaster. In my spare time, I enjoy free-writing, photography and drawing/painting. I am an avid believer in “capturing the moment”. My favorite thing to photograph is the beauty of nature: the changes that nature goes through day in and day out. The vivid and vibrant colors that emerge in the warm days of Spring and the cooler days of Autumn. The glistening white snow in Winter as well as the peachy sunsets you see at the far end of the ocean on Summer evenings.
As for now, my pride and joy is an American Shorthair named Jake. He’s what I like to call my little “fur-baby”. I adopted him almost 4 years ago at a local animal shelter when he was just a kitten. Stores that I frequent most often are Bath and Body Works, Victoria’s Secret and local beauty supply stores. I will also shop at Target and pharmacies such as Rite Aid for personal care items (cuz I’m a diva on a budget!)

I hope that you all enjoy my blog. My purpose is to share what I know and love with the world!

-Kiki

NOTE: All pictures of items shown for PRODUCT REVIEWS are taken by me only! I do NOT give anyone permission to use them!