Artist Spotlight – Youtubers

Anime, Apple Music, Artist Spotlight, Atlanta, Beauty, Cosmetics, Dining Out, Eateries, Google, Hair, Lupe Fiasco, Michael B Jordan, Music, NELLIEL Approved, Pharrell Williams, Reviews

I have been on a YouTube kick for many years. 10 or so years ago, I found out about vlogging. I wanted to try my hand at it, however, my life just isn’t conducive to it. I have, however, found many, many YouTubers that have brought joy and laughter into my life in ways unexpected. I really appreciate YouTube, not only for existing, but for introducing me to these good people and giving them a platform to create in such ways.

During this time, the vloggers I watch have changed, however, I have been enjoying the ones listed below for almost 5 years now. Though they may not be in my life forever in this capacity, I do really like their work and growth. I’m sharing as I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I have.

AllyiahsFace

This vlogger has a lot of travel and fashion content. I really enjoy her personality and sense of style. I would say that she fits into a more LUXE niche, however, she puts a nice mix on the types of topics that she explores via her content. There is a lot of shopping, nail, and hair talk. She is very up on the trends and fashion. I loved that she was Atlanta based, however, she is now in New York and abroad most of the time. Her aesthetic is similar to my own. She is in her early thirties and seems to be thriving. She is so fun to watch.

Instagram – TikTok – Youtube – Pinterest

KirahOmnique

Kirah makes similar content to the aforementioned vlogger, however, these two vloggers could not be more different. I love that Kirah’s honesty. She is so fun and unique. Kirah also makes a lot of travel and beauty content. I have not watched her as frequently, however, it is so dope to see the city of Atlanta feature in her vlogs so much. She is a laugh riot, insightful, always has some cool restaurants featured, and most recently worked with Beyonce (whoa!) on a Cecred campaign.

Instagram – TikTok – Youtube

Gimmick or the real deal? Face Sculpting/Wrapping

Alibaba, Atlanta, Beauty, Cosmetics, Data Science, Enhancements, Entertainment, Etsy, NELLIEL Approved, Reviews, Shein, Uncategorized

I think it is real. I say this from personal experience and use. There are a number of ways to do face sculpting – face yoga, gua sha, lymphatic drainage, which generally includes fingers and oil, and one of my favorites, just because of the ease, face wrapping. I think that this trend started in Korea, but I am not really sure. There is evidence that this is mostly related to post-op care, and Korea is VERY big into plastic surgery, but I’m all for anything that makes taking care of myself (both internally and externally, easy).

Reusable face wraps went so viral when SKIMS released their version earlier this year, but I found mine at Marshalls many years ago. I’m gonna be honest, doesn’t seem like many doctors are in favor of these. I like the one I have, however, the wrap has loosened over the years from hasty application prior to bed. I think that when combined with eating healthy, working out, and lymphatic drainage, it has great benefit.

What do you all think? Trendy accessory or beneficial? I got mine for about 4 dollars – I think it is time for a new one as it has stretched out over the years. I don’t want to spend 50+ dollars on this type of item, so I’ll do more research before a splurge like this one. One thing that I really like about the Kardashians is that they do their best to make parts of their lifestyles more accessible to the public when it comes to the beauty arena. There are similar ones on Alibaba and Shein. I’ll probably give this one a try soon.

I’m going to give this a thumbs up as a Nelliel Approved beauty tool.

Friday Listen!

ATL, Atlanta, Google, Lupe Fiasco, NELLIEL Approved, Pharrell Williams

I’m sharing Lupe Fiasco’s latest work – Samurai. He now has a deluxe version – hard to find the work as a whole together so I am just linking to the original released in 2024.

Take a look at his insta to see what he has been up to. Loved the images and video captured of him running the 5k through Japan with the ASAP crew. Check it out here.

Curlsqueen Nightmare

ATL, Atlanta, Beauty, Cosmetics, Enhancements, Entertainment, Reviews, Threads, Uncategorized

During the height of the Curlsqueen craze a year or two ago, I bought several curlsqueen products (just for your knowledge – 2c/3a curly half wigs, clipins and some straight halfwigs) When the products arrive, and you pull them out of the packaging, the hair is sooooo gorgeous! Stunning even. I thought to myself – trying to grow my hair back to waist length would be so easy!

Curlsqueen is my first true foray into hair extensions. If I can remodel my home, I can surely learn how to attach hair to my head, and make it seamless.

I was, however, very badly disappointed. After a few months of wear, the hair tangles, it no longer has body or flow, and just does not reflect the amount of money spent. Human hair lasts for forever. I know that there are not many people that feel this way online about Curlsqueen, but I do. What a waste of money. After attempting to coordinate returns or new products with the company, one gets fed up (they did attempt to rectify things a bit by sending me a free halfwig for the points status I possessed, but that one quickly tangled up as well). Is there a brand with curls just as beautiful that does not tangle? I have yet to find them. Most companies charge an arm and a leg for the length I need and the quality. I’m thinking that I’m going to have to go with a no name brand to get my new wigs made – and they will be to my specifications.

Curlsqueen is a big no for me.

Take a look at some of the others online experiencing similar issues with them. Why is this happening only to the looser textures? Very strange. As it is human hair, the hair should not tangle. Let’s be honest, if this is Cambodian/Indian hair, it would tangle on the heads of those selling the hair just as badly. Hair being attached to a weft does not mean that the hair should now tangle.

This user with a similar experience was found on TikTok

As Curlsqueen is China based, it is hard to get returns made without it costing as much as the product did! ah! I do think that the straight textures are nice – they do not tangle or shed. It is really important for products to be and perform at the level advertised and promised.

What did I do with the tangled weave? I’ve chosen to cut the hair off the weft and use the very expensive hair as bulk hair. It will be used in my twists and braids. It has been so costly.

Can you believe that those are the only negative reviews that I can find this AM?Wow. I do not think that the 2c is as popular as the coarser textures and that might be the reason that there are few updates on the loose textures online.

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. 😉

    Ft. Bliss – Nike Bliss Joggers/Trousers

    Uncategorized

    I am the type of person that likes to go from work wear to gym wear very easily. I do think that the switch is generally easy enough, but should I ever find myself in a rush, the Nike Bliss Pant Jogger Trouser combo is helps me to get through. I’d really like to think that very few people even notice that I’m wearing fitness pants to work – and I wear them, A LOT. They are so comfy, chic, and remind me of the skinny pant of yesteryear, but better, of course.

    The lovely wide band at the waist, allowing for the ultimate waist high trousers, the peak-a-boo ankles (pairing perfectly with the pointy toed flats, I love), a long with a crisp white shirt is always a win. After work, I can change my top and sneakers and run off to the gym. As someone that relies on public transport mostly, this allows for much more ease. The gym bag and the work bag were just too much.

    A few years ago, there were a few reports on the pants being badly made (I.e. the back seams were reopening), however, I have not had any such issue. They go perfectly from workwear to gym wear without issue.

    I’m unable to link to them for some reason, but check them out. They are currently in stock on Nike.com and Dicks Sporting Goods. Old Navy has some budget friendly dupes, too.

    Peanut butter hot dog

    ATL, Atlanta, Dining In, Dining Out, Eateries, Recipes

    I just wanted to talk about a strange hot dog I recently sampled. On one of my outings in the A, I stopped by an Irish pub known as, “The Nook” in Midtown. The menu is, in general, quite quirky, but the crunchy peanut butter hot dog is what I decided to try…delicious.

    So good, I’m gonna try my own at home. ?

    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.