Category: Beauty

Artist Spotlight – StylesbyNoah, RAW INDIAN BOHO FAUX LOCS – BEST FAUX EVERRRR.

Artist Spotlight, ATL, Atlanta, Beauty, Enhancements, Etsy, Hair, NELLIEL Approved, Threads

I recently starting buying things on Etsy. I love the unique pieces and how skilled the artists are. I have found many cool things on this website – aside from anime stickers, my explorations have taken me to the hair side of Etsy. Not only can you find bundles on the site, a la Elfin, Dhair, YGWIGS, UNICE, CURLSQUEEN, etc, you can also find very unique hair pieces like the faux locs I found one day created by StylesbyNoah. I balked a bit at the price and it just shuffled the lust for them to the back of my mind. However, I did one day shortly thereafter see her work again on Instagram and TickTok. Her work was soooooo gorgeous I had to buy a set of them. I have since installed them 3x over the last 6 months and they are still just as beautiful as they were when I first purchased them. I think she is so cute. The locs came smelling soooo, soooo good, soft, and packed in such cute pink packaging. I bought them a while ago, so I do not have any pictures to show you, however, I do plan to buy another, shorter set soon. I’ll update this post with those pictures once I receive the package.

Thank you, Noah. I do wear wigs, but you are right, these faux locs are good replacement. My head has been so cool as summer in Atlanta winds down – AND! My hair is so beautiful that people stare at me all throughout Atlanta. Noah is not stingy with the curls (how many bundles, at least two!) and I think that those of us that have ever gotten the real faux locs installed (no crochet) definitely appreciate someone that has taken the time to make something with such level of care and quality. They are not a soft loc base. I will say that it took about 3 hours for myself to install these. I have approximately 40 locs on my head and the set is 60 in total. What a deal. Before I found Noah I either made them myself, had another talented stylist do them for me, or perused YGWIGS trying to determine if I wanted that style of locs. I wish braids were this easy.

Anywho, if that doesn’t convince you, check her YouTube out. She works in Maryland. I have not met her yet but hope one day to have a set installed by her. In the meantime, I will be a loyal customer and fan of her work.

    Definitely NellielApproved. Thumbs upppppp.

    Check out her socials and tell her I sent ya. 😉

    Fave Grande Cosmetics

    ATL, Atlanta, Beauty, Cosmetics, Enhancements, NELLIEL Approved

    Writing out a list for my blog for those interested. I have noticed that Grande Cosmetics has been changing their product lineup – and I just wanted to let my reader base know what I love, just in case it disappears, changes names, etc. The below links are affiliate links, btw.

    GrandePout Cosmetics

    Lash Serum – I buy the 6 month supply. You won’t be disappointed. Just know that they were sued for Prostaglandins use in their cosmetics, but I have not had an issue over the years of use. My eyelashes are so lovely now – I do upkeep with less expensive versions, such as the Ordinary, but I do try to keep a tube on hand. I think that the grande conditioner is also really beneficial in ensuring that my results are lasting.

    GrandeBrow – I used this before they released their brow tints and fillers. I don’t purchase this anymore, but I do think that this was very helpful in terms of ensuring that my brows grew back in nice and full. I no longer get them arched as the salons have a tendency to remove too much hair.

    GrandeBrow 2 in 1 – why buy the serum when you can have a serum and a tint? These two products do the same things, this one just has a preferred tint. I buy the medium as the dark is much too dark for my complexion.

    GrandeLip Plumpers – These are some of the best Plumpers on the market. I LOVE THEM. This company was one of the first to promise long term plumping effects (I.e. after repeated use, the hyaluronic acid ensures that the plump is more permanent) and it delivers. As I’ve aged, I’ve lost collagen, so I’m trying my best to ensure that I’m able to maintain as much elasticity and suppleness that I can.

    Honorable mentions:

    BrowLaminate – They no longer carry this for some reason, however, if it comes back, this is definitely the brow gel to pick. Nyx has a similar one, however, the peptides are a great addition to this brow gel. I know that they also released versions that were tinted in the last year, however, this line seems to have disappeared from stores. So disappointing!

    GrandePout – I love this lip mask. I know that a lot of people swear by Laneige, however, it doesn’t make any sense. I’ve never used them and it is because of this company. I love that this Grande lip mask as it also has the long term plumping benefits.

    Anytime I’m doing something extra to my body, I want to ensure that it has a long term benefit – that is something that I TRULY love about GrandeCosmetics. They are a company after my own heart. Instead of spending thousands on invasive treatments, these products are low cost comparatively and are of great benefit in maintaining beauty naturally.

    Dollar Tree

    ATL, Atlanta, Beauty, Cosmetics, Uncategorized

    I really, really love Dollar tree. Here are some truly great dollar tree finds that I was able to score/note on my visit today. Make sure to patron them so that we can continue to enjoy these types of stores.

    I truly love them for snacks – now they have the speed stick leave in and the speed stick deodorant. ? they smell so much like sol de janiero.

    Update

    The lady speed stick does smell nice but I do not believe that it is a real replacement for the sol de janiero. My fave sol de janiero scents are the 40 and 59. The speed sticks are very nice – not to mention you can get 10 of the speed sticks from dollar tree compared to one stick of deodorant from Sephora for 15.00 dollars.

    Jeju Sauna – Atlanta, GA Review

    ATL, Atlanta, Beauty, Enhancements, NELLIEL Approved, Uncategorized

    I spent the evening at Jeju Sauna. I was once a regular here, but in the last few years have drastically tapered off, which is good for me. I think that we should allow for crowds to ebb and flow.

    Though this spa has been around since 2005 in the Duluth area, it was popularized by the Real Housewives of Atlanta maybe 10 or so years ago. I will say that the prices have gone up to accommodate its popularity, prior to Covid19, entry was 25.00, afterwards, it has gone to 40.00. I’ve been to a few other spas in the US. They all have a similar feel, but are unique to their locations. Chicago, Hawai’i, New York, LA, all that I can find in Georgia. Yeah, it was a real thing for me. Anytime I go to a new city, I try to visit the local spa, if available.

    Jeju prefers that we limit picture taking, which is not so fun as the spa is beautiful, however, it is better to be respectful. See below for a few from the evening.

    Check Jeju Sauna in Atlanta out if you’re looking for something fun and different to do for the day. $40.00 gets you in and you can stay for 24 HRS. You’ll get a wristband, an outfit to lounge around the spa in, and a toothbrush. Once you’re in the locker room, you can put your things away. You’ll quickly see how expansive and lovely the spa is. For the price, it is not too shabby if you ask me – gotta be ok with open bay sleeping, though, if you choose to stay for the entire time. Do be aware that there are portions of the spa that are nude, a la the traditional Korean spas, or kspas, as those closely acquainted with them like to call it. This only applies to the portion of the spa where people are bathing, the remainder of the spa is clothed.

    I have a quick story, I was at Jeju and someone from Korea decided to randomly tell me about what the spas are like there. They said that it is customary for people to go to the spa every week, maybe even multiple times a week. The entry fee is less than 5 dollars! That’s kind of a cool little thing to know about their culture. I do want to make those of you that are unaware, there have been some issues with these spas stateside as it relates to prostitution and other quite sad things, however. I really look forward to the day that evil leaves us. So sad that people can’t even go to bath houses in peace.

    Anywho, I still think that checking them out is worthwhile, just be as safe as possible.

    Pro tips for visiting:

    • Pack a spa kit for your visit. I take a quick trip to Dollar Tree and Marshall’s to stock up on necessary spa items (pedicure brush, scrub brushes, facial masks, hair masks) and put them in my spa basket for use. Marshall’s or TJ Maxx usually have some Dr. Jart face masks – I get these and use them at the spa as they make my visit feel more luxe. I also stock up on snacks and ensure that I have a refillable water bottle (plastic or metal, not glass) on hand. The spa charges for some incidentals, so having these on hand will make your end bill cheaper.
    • Go with a friend you trust. This can take the edge off for first timers. I mean a friend of the same gender as the male/female saunas are separate (nudity concerns)
    • Anticipate spending more the first few times you go. They offer so many services (pedicures, acupuncture, tiered body scrub services, vaginal steaming, authentic Korean eats). You’ll want to be sure you can cover a possibly heftier price tag.
    • Be courteous and respectful. All body types are on display and everyone is deserving of a safe space.

    Do you have any tips for those new to the kspa life?

    I liked this blog post and decided to share – luggage and lipstick does a great job of summing up the experience, too.

    Here are some cool videos on Jeju and Spa Land, another kspa local to northern, GA. Sundai Love on YouTube has covered this spa style in Japan. There is even a town in Japan which specializes in this type of spa.

    If nudity just isn’t your thing, you can also check out Treat your Feet. I think that the services they provide are also quite nice.

    Here is a picture of my breakfast. Yum. <3 This experience is definitely NELLIEL APPROVED.

    Bra Upgrades – Bare Necessities

    Beauty, Enhancements, Uncategorized

    My boobs have gotten so much bigger lately, but not my back. Dang it is hard to find size 30-32 bras in store. I mean, REALLY HARD. Why? Even online, at the major retailers, there are not many options. A while back, I tried Victoria’s Secret but no such luck – I guess that I’m not into their quality. I really am more of a full coverage, t-shirt bra kinda gal for most days (A New York and Company bralette works, too), and I used to be able to find some decent ones at Marshall’s & TJ Maxx (Calvin Klein, Nautica, Polo), but when I tried for my real size there were none to be found. I had to go online. Thankfully, I found Bare Necessities – I finally got my order in the mail a week or so ago. Yess! I think that they fit very well and they aren’t too hard too look at either. Here is a quick link to a sale they’re having right now – I got the Fituitive Bras. Such a good deal. Just wanted to put you all onto something great. 😉

    Oh Grande (Cosmetics) – Lashes

    Beauty, Cosmetics, Enhancements, Uncategorized

    Have any of you heard of Grande Cosmetics?

    I heard about them via KKFit many years ago, and I’ve been using their products off and on ever since – the twins had such great results but mine seem to be stagnant. Based on my research of the products, they should work pretty well. I know that there are a lot of people that generally have issues with these products, but I didn’t. My eyes didn’t change colors and I do not have a strange line across my eyelid, nor did I develop any strange eye infections. I do believe that it is very important to be careful around the eyes, but I clearly do not have those types of issues.

    Have any of you tried any other lash enhancing serums or anything that could aid in the growth of lashes and brows?

    I’ve also tried MILK, Absolute New York, Rodan + Fields, Maybelline, and Milani.

    I really liked the results I received at first, but is there a reason that they don’t continue to grow? I think it might have something to do with conditioning as well. I do not wear mascara. I’ll have to keep you all posted – might have to go back to using castor oil.

    Here is an affiliate link to the product on Amazon. I recommend the 6 month supply – with consistency, the lashes grow very, very quickly. Regardless, I had great success with this product and highly recommend the brand’s products as a whole. Once I have my store up, I’ll link to all the ones I use.