Merry Christmas dearies!!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas. May the blessings and favour of God continue to follow you everywhere you go. 

 Have a fun filled day!

Lily Johnson

Trends that rocked 2012 [Fashion and Beauty]

Now this is my own opinion and what I saw which I am sure most of us did. Ladies went ‘gaga’ on these trends and I wonder if they would continue next year. Anyway, we know how these things work. New year, new trends.

#1. Pink lips [plus or minus the pout]: All of a sudden, pink lipstick, lip stain and lip gloss became essential commodity. 90 percent of the ladies you saw on the streets had a generous amount of ‘pink’ on their lips. Girls even got permanent pink lips. I am still not sure how that works but someone told me about it in a market. The pink lip thingy does look good when properly done. Really pretty actually. I have a couple of pink lips things myself. But when a sister is walking down the road with a tub of pink lip gloss on her lips, errr no. But we do see this sometimes anyway.

  #2. Stylish head wraps: I loved seeing this. Some ladies just know how to get it right. Various colours and styles of head wraps were worn with almost anything. Bad hair days were hidden stylishly. 

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#3.  Colour blocking/ Neon Colours: No, it didn’t go away. In fact, it came back strong and doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere. Who knows though.

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Dear Woman: The real reasons why some skin care and anti-aging products are all ‘hype’ and no results.

Tracy Blatter of Raisin Face did me the honor of sharing this valuable information about skin care and anti-aging products on my blog. Some of the information I got from her piece are quite revealing. Women spend a lot of money on cosmetics and most times, we are clueless about what we are buying. Now you can at least, know what you are paying for.

Here is her piece…

Skincare is a multi-billion dollar business.  There are thousands of companies producing tens of thousands of products so it’s no surprise that women are undecided regarding what to buy.  The larger companies work to entice you through expensive ad campaigns also known as 'hype'.These campaigns often use airbrushed pictures of supermodels in their late 20’s to sell anti-wrinkle creams to women in their late 30’s and 40’s

However, a list of ingredients is the first thing you should look for in a product if you plan on applying it to your face.  If a list is not available, there’s a reason why it’s missing.  Usually, it means the manufacturer doesn’t want you to see what goes into the product.  Be a wise consumer and put the item back on the shelf.  If the next product has a list of ingredients, note the order in which they are listed.  

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that ingredients be listed in descending order. The component which weighs the most is listed first, and the ingredient weighing the least is listed last. Therefore, nine times out of ten, water will be number one on the list and a healthy antioxidant or peptide will be close to last.  Although this is helpful, note that the  percentage of the ingredient being used is NOT required.  This is unfortunate, because some very expensive creams contain more than 50 percent water and just a few drops of “something beneficial”.  

Top 5 natural oils you should look out for in anti-aging and skin beautifying products.

There are millions of skin products out there in form of creams, butters, lotions etc. While some companies use mostly chemicals in manufacturing their products, others have embraced these natural goodies and use them in their products. They have been found to be effective and have no side effects unlike chemicals and steroids.

Some people just buy products without bothering to read their contents. It is a habit one must cultivate so that if you have any skin reaction, you would be able to find out why it is so. Also check out for banned and harmful chemicals. Especially in skin brightening products.

These 5 natural oils are effective when used in anti-aging treatments, skin brightening and beautifying products. 

#1 Shea butter: Shea butter is a solid fatty oil made from the nuts of Karite Nut trees that grow in the semi-arid savannah regions of West and Central Africa.

It contains beneficial vegetable fats that promote cell regeneration and circulation, making it a wonderful healer and rejuvenator for troubled or aging skin. 

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It also contains natural sun-protectants. It is very beneficial in the treatment of stretch marks and other skin conditions.

#2. Argan oil: Argan oil is produced from the kernels of the Argan tree and is one of the rarest and most expensive oils in the world. Berber women have used Argan oil for centuries to protect and nourish their skin, hair and nails from the harsh conditions in which they live. 

It has extremely high levels of Vitamin E and 80% fatty acids which make it perfect for healing many skin ailments as well as protecting against premature aging caused by oxidation.

#3: Emu Oil: Emu oil is gotten from the fat of the emu; an Australian bird. Emu oil has been shown to reduce the depth and length of fine lines & wrinkles in many studies as well being moisturizing and a natural skin softener.

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It has been proven to be the fastest and most penetrating oil into the skin, as well as a trans - dermal carrier for any other added therapeutic ingredients or skin care. 

Loving these at the moment

These are some items that I’m loving at the moment. I want some of them for Christmas and I’m expecting that all my friends and family would read this post and go shopping knowing they would get shrills of excitement from me. Yes o!

#1. This dress

Now, I put up this particular picture so I can lay emphasis on the type I want; the fabulous knee length dress on Alicia Keys. I don’t exactly like the shorter version of it. I think this dress is gorgeous. Or maybe it’s just Alicia. Lovely!

#2. Nokia Lumia 900

Adverts on TV make you sometimes want ever so badly what you might not even need. I got sold when I saw the ad of Nokia Lumia on TV. The part where the guy actually took it out of a bag of flour and washed it did it for me. I’m one of those people that go into the kitchen with my phone so that I do not miss an email. So, with this, ‘accident proof’ phone, life would be a lot easier.

Dear Woman: Have you tried Aloe Face and Hand Liquid Soap?

Aloe Hand &Face Liquid Soap is a rich, pearlescent, moisturizing hand and face cleanser with a generous amount of aloe. It creates a luxurious lather, leaving the skin feeling clean, smooth and silky, while minimizing the irritations experienced with some bar soaps. Its mild formula also makes Aloe Hand & Face Soap an ideal shampoo for children and adults alike.

Biodegradable, pH-balanced and non-irritating, it is mild enough for daily facial, hand, hair or body cleansing, and is suitable for those with sensitive skin.

• Mild formula
• Moisturizing cleanser
• Mild and non-irritating
• Pump-action dispenser

 

What do I think about this product?

Aloe Face and Hand Liquid soap can be used to wash the whole body because it is so gentle on the skin. It has this beautiful fragrance that stays a while on your skin. It is so thick that just a little on your sponge can go a long way so a bottle lasts for weeks!

Stay beautiful.

Lily Johnson

The 'valid' reasons for dating a married man

I was listening to a group of ladies at the salon a few days ago. They were talking about a woman I knew [It is indeed a small world]. One of them was the woman’s husband’s mistress who sometimes boldly picked the man’s calls to say a whole lot of nonsense to the woman when she called to speak to her husband. No, these weren’t ‘local’ ghetto fabulous women looking for a man who would take care of them and pay their bills. These were women who dressed and talked like decent people until the conversation took that direction.

So this lady and her friends said that there were ‘valid’ reasons for a woman to date a married man and not feel guilty about it.

 1.       If the man’s wife nags the hell out the man: That is, she nags him so much that he is actually seeking solace in some other woman’s arms. So she [mistress][ is actually saving a soul by dating him; helping a brother out so he doesn’t get hypertensive or so depressed he becomes suicidal. According to the lady, this woman she was dating her husband and ruining her home was a hopeless nag. The woman is one of those people that told you whatever they had in mind but honestly, I wouldn’t know if she was a nag. This reason they said, was valid. SMH

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2.       If the wife isn’t as adventurous in bed as the husband would want her to be and has no intention of improving: Yes, they said it is justifiable if a woman decides to help a sexually frustrated married man. It is his wife’s fault if she doesn’t help him achieve his sexual fantasies and yes, she was indirectly telling him to go out there to ‘get it’ so why would she feel guilty for dating such a man?

Dear Woman: To age gracefully, you need more than expensive anti-aging creams.

My guest writer Sonia Crystella, an Australian based skin care enthusiast did me the honour of sharing her thoughts on anti-aging, anti aging products and general skin care. 

Here is her piece...

In the near future more people will realize how we need a combination of body, mind and soul connection to age well. All the Botox, face lifts and expensive skin creams don’t work unless you are fuelling your body with super foods and high quality supplements.

As you know ECOCERT doesn’t guarantee all ingredients in products are organic so we need to be careful of GMO additives in skin care. Several years ago, I discovered some of the skins tightening creams make the skin less elastic, for whatever reason when you stop, the skin become worse than it was before.

 I have been studying anti-aging since I was 21. The reason for this is that I was born sick, so at 21, I stopped meat sugar and alcohol.

Every one’s DNA is different. You notice some people have no wrinkles but terrible bodies, or visa versa. The skin care market has become more about money than what is best for the body although I must say that some companies strive to formulate the perfect product.

Sonia is 56 years old! Wow! Looking good really.

At different stages of aging, your skin responds in different ways. It recovers better when you’re young this is why many products work for a while, but as you get older unless you have fuelled your body with nutrition and love, the skin care stops working  at the same level.

26 years ago I was a guinea pig for the supplement COQ10. This is the best anti aging nutrient and toner when applied to the skin, but!! MOST don’t work because of the way they have been manufactured. I was reading some blogs on skin care reviews and one woman stated that some companies use twenty year old models for anti-aging products. People are not stupid. They want to get value for their money they want to see what really works.

I have learnt that the love in one’s heart is not enough to halt ageing. People can visualize all they like but what people really need is a combination of good nutrition, love and meditation and no matter how much stress you have in your life, you have to let it go

The Friend Zone

Of course we have all heard that before. Sometimes, someone is saying it as a joke or some guy (or girl) is telling a painful story about how some girl (or guy) after a whole lot of love and affection and stress, decided to put him (or her) in the dreaded monster island ruled by a half human half dragon creature called the friend zone.

I totally understand that when a man likes a woman romantically but for some reason, the woman doesn't feel the same way but feels they could be friends; it can't be easy for the man and he may want to move on and not be friends with the lady. In fact, I think that is the best for both parties.


What is baffling and completely crazy is this: When a woman tells a man from the beginning that she can't have a romantic relationship with him probably for a good reason like she is dating or engaged or she doesn't think it would work out between them and he decided to ...well, stay friends with her. Then all of a sudden, he starts complaining to the world that she put him in the friend zone and because it is such a crazy place that only 'weak' men allow themselves to be in, he becomes a totally hateful creature to the lady.

It isn't right if it was the woman that led the man on and on and made him believe that he had a chance with her and after raising the man's hopes, tell him she can only be friends with him. Yes, that should do a lot to anyone's ego. If that's the case, the man can safely write a book on the subject and we would all buy. But feeling this way when you were expressly told from the beginning and you lingered believing that he/she would change her mind about you and it didn't happen? Honey, it is nobody's fault.

Everything does depend on individuals. Some people have good relationships with people they had thought would be their lovers. For some people, the friend zone doesn't exist. If you like a person a lot to want to be in a romantic relationship with him/her, what is wrong with being friends? Might be a tad hard for some of us though.
Friendship is indeed a beautiful thing and I am one of the people that believe that your spouse/partner should be your friend. No matter how it comes, why not open your hearts to all the beautiful things that could come out of it?

Have a wonderful week!

Lily Johnson

Featured!: Salon Task.

If you are a salon owner, then you need to check out this beautiful application Salon Task that helps you organize everything from appointments to schedules in your salon. Many salon owners would readily tell you that managing a salon isn't all about the glam; it is a tedious job. Laurel White, my guest blogger wrote a piece about Salon Task and some of the things it offers salon owners.

Salon Task
Who is stronger than an empowered woman? No one. The number of women owning businesses are growing and we hope that it does not stop any time soon! Salon Task, a scheduling application for the beauty industry hopes to encourage this growth by providing them with a simple, attractive and user friendly tool to increase the efficiency and organization within their office.

With Salon Task you can enjoy advanced CRM capabilities such as email reminders, notes, attachments and public scheduling. All of your customer and appointment information is stored in detail within the application and it is all organized in a manner that makes it easily accessible.

Schedule appointments for your team members or just for yourself with the easy drag and drop calendar feature. Salon Task also has marketing capabilities, allowing you to create a hosted web page designed to your taste in order to display your most recent work, services and contact information. Salon Task is 100% web based so you may access this on any device with an internet connection. It comes with a mobile application for yourself as well as for your employees when they need to quickly access their calendar. All employee access is customizable per your preferences.

Finally, Salon Task integrates with Quick Books so that your customers appointments and information can be linked to your finances!

To learn more about this application and if you have any questions, you can email Laurel White at lwhite@salontask.com. Also visit www.salontask.com

Stay empowered!

Lily Johnson

Salon Task website

What men really want...

So I wanted to do a post on the above subject and thought I should get a man to write a short and very personal piece about what a man wants or what he wants. I didn’t want the whole ‘step by step’ thing that makes you feel like you are in a classroom. I wanted something that flowed freely and still very sincere.
I got my very good friend Steve to write a piece off the top of his head and fast. How else would you get a very sincere piece?

Steve is a senior social work practitioner in the UK.


What men really want
Okay folks, I admit this might be from a rather narrow and biased perspective ;mine and that of some of my male friends. But this is what I have to say...

So I woke up this morning with my gorgeous baby cuddled up to me, looking amazing even as she sleeps; the peaceful serenity of her face.

I stroked her hair gently and she smiled as she always did, she leaned over and kissed me gently on the lips. Hmmm. I said ‘good morning gorgeous’ and she responded 'good morning handsome'.

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Yes she meant me.

Dear woman: Your man wants you to seduce him like right now.

When you wear a beautiful dress or lingerie or a nice new perfume and your man looks at you and smiles, pays you a compliment or kisses you or the three mentioned [Imagine the bliss of having all three], what does that tell you? He liked what he saw and probably would like to see more of that. He would like to be ‘treated’ to that more often. Now you might have worn the dress out of necessity or bought that lingerie because you wanted to give yourself a treat which means you didn’t even mean to get his attention. But you did. Imagine if you did that just to please him and doing it for him from time to time. In our busy schedules as wives and partners, we just let everything work like clockwork. If it aint broken don’t fix it yeah? But women tend to jump to say their men just stopped being romantic. Just the way you want to be ‘wooed’, the way you want him to know what you want and do it the way you want it, your man wants to be seduced. Maybe he has told you this, maybe he hasn’t, maybe he thinks he has but really hasn’t or maybe he believes you would figure that out yourself.

Imagine this: You were at your vanity table applying your night cream and thinking about a whole lot of things [as we normally do] Junior needed a new school bag, your hair needed to deep conditioned, the client you were meeting the next morning is a tough cookie, you just had to cook a big pot of soup to save cost, why on earth wouldn’t pimples just go back to hell where they came from? And your man who was on the bed looking at you the whole time just says ‘Baby, come right here and seduce me’

You might be thinking [and laughing] right now saying ‘No, that can’t happen to me. What!? Or you might just start laughing at the crazy randomness of the whole thing and say to him ‘You can’t be serious’ or well, you could be shocked. One thing is that you would really wonder how you are supposed to seduce him that is if you are not one of those women that have no problem with that issue.

Dear woman: Have you heard about Royal Jelly?

Some of us may have heard about Royal Jelly and used it. However, there are some people who haven’t. Royal jelly is a milky-white secretion produced by glands of worker honeybees to induce the superior growth and development of the queen bee. Royal jelly is the principal food of the honeybee queen. This substance is believed to be the reason the queen bee lives a long life and is so fertile it lays over 2000 eggs per day.

Royal Jelly is also believed to be of benefit to humans especially women. Listed below are some of them.

• Aids in cell regeneration, has great benefits for the skin and reduces the effects of ageing.
• Improves the skin texture and clarity.
• Boosts the immune system.
• Useful in the prevention and the management of liver and kidney disease.
• Very vital for fertility.
• A mild aphrodisiac.
• Helps to combat stress and its effects.
• It contains Vitamin A, B complex, C, D and E.
• Enhances metabolism and eliminates fatigue.
• Useful in breast health. 
• Especially useful to menopausal women

It does sound too good to be true but people who have been on Royal Jelly for months would tell you that most if not all of it is really true. It contains all the eight essential amino acids and ten secondary amino acids which is why it is dubbed ‘the complete food’.

Remember, to look good, you have to take care of the ‘inside’ just as you take care of the ‘outside’. If you go through the list of benefits again, you would see why every woman should think about having it in her cabinet.

Read more about Royal Jelly here

Keep looking beautiful and have a fabulous weekend.

Lily Johnson

**There would be a seminar on Makeup application, Facials, Weight loss tips, Cancer prevention and much more tomorrow Sunday 23^rd September by 2:30pm at Eagle hall 21/23 Aromire Avenue off Allen Junction, Ikeja, Lagos.