Blog Posts by M.J - Fierce Beauty and Fashion

A healthy scalp is just as important as healthy hair a dry scalp could spell trouble! I'm always keeping an eye on my scalp to make sure it's nice and moisturized. I have learned a lot since I started beauty blogging and one major thing I'm doing differently is paying attention to what I really put on my hair. My hair is very fine so too much product can leave my hair limp and weighed down (and not to mention greasy!). I used to use these hair products for my scalp and though I liked it, I found them too heavy for my hair to handle! I picked up Doo Gro Mega Thick Growth Oil as an alternative to the hair grease I was using. One of the major pluses for me was that it didn't contain petroleum or mineral oil (those can clog your hair pores and therefore hinder your hair's growth process). It can be used as a daily hair and scalp treatment or as a hot oil treatment.

One thing I really liked about it was the bottle. The super thin nozzle makes it super easy to apply to my scalp as

Ugh, cellulite!

It can be such a dirty word! But much to our dismay, we ladies know that there isn't a magical cream that can completely get rid of it! So we have to settle for the next best thing - minimizing it's appearance. I personally have been dealing with that nasty C word on my thighs regardless of the 3-to-4 times-a-week gym routine. In the past I used this firming lotion from St. Ives and absolutely loved it. So I went back to the brand and picked up their Cellulite Shield Lotion . St. Ives claims that this body moisturizer will significantly reduce the appearance of cellulite in two weeks with its MicroSmooth Complex made up of green tea, citrus extracts, caffeine, and menthol.

After using it religiously for the past month, I must say that I have noticed a difference! Did that dreaded cellulite completely go away? Of course not! But it did help in minimizing the appearance and a girl can be happy with that! My skin did feel firmer and a bit smoother

It's Friend Friday again ladies! I tell you this week flew by! Last week's topic on Blogger jealousy was a major hit and the discussion was amazing! Make sure you check it out on Modly Chic to get links to all the blogger responses, and see the spotlights on Independent Fashion Bloggers !

This week's topic is Privacy, a topic that I never really sit and think about. I have my own standards and privacy that I just act on so this is great way for me to see (in writing) how I handle it! I'm also anxious to see what the other bloggers say and so should you, so check them out right here !

Do you think privacy is something we should worry about as bloggers?

I think so because we bloggers are human! Yes we may put our lives a little more on Front Street than other people who don't blog, but we are people all the same and have a right to maintain our own level of privacy.

Do you use your real name or a pen name? What was behind that decision?

I use a pen name but not

What inspired me to do this post was a recent feature I did on the Perfect Wedding Guide on getting a vintage inspired look on your big day . The three things I learned when it comes to a vintage glam makeup look are heavy liner, peachy cheeks, and a bold red lipstick. Now I'll be honest, out of the those three things, I only do a peachy blush. I never rocked heavy eyeliner and frankly, I'm intimidated by red lipstick! However, you can't knock it until you try it and after practicing for about two days, I came up with my own version of the look. Could I have gone bolder and more dramatic? Sure! But you know what they say - you gotta crawl before you can walk!

Eyes: I needed subtle colors for my eyes to counteract the heavy liner and bold lipstick I would be wearing so this is what I used (and where I used it!)

• Maybelline Give Me Gold Pallette: White shadow on my eyelids, the bronze shadow on the corners and creases.
• Wet-n-Wild Color Icon Pallete in Pride:

Looking to get that flawless, natural look but don't know where to start? Well you can start by looking out for these cute pink Quickie Vans!

Bare Escentuals , a well-known name in the mineral foundation world, is hitting the road! From August 1 st through October 31 st , three of their pinky vans will be touring the USA, giving ladies the opportunity to try out their bare minerals foundation. A roadie team of tour managers and beauty ambassadors will be offering fast and free beauty make-unders using all 20 shades of their Original and Matte SPF 15 foundations. When you're all done and beautified, you also get to take home a deluxe sample! Sweet!

Below is a listing of the cities the tour will be visiting. If you're city isn't listed, no worries! Their Facebook app will be launching real soon where you can vote for their last tour stop (we South Florida ladies need to get on the ball with that!). I will keep you ladies posted as soon as it goes live!

The beauty supply store can be a dangerous place for a beauty blogger like me and during a trip there with my Mom, I scanned the aisles looking for something else to add to my overflowing hair product collection! I eventually picked up Optimum Oil Therapy's Over-Night Hair Strengthener, a hair dress that claims to nourish your hair while sleeping as well as protect against breakage. I have been using their 3-n-1 Moisturizer for awhile now and I thought it wouldn't hurt to use this before wrapping my hair up at night.

Unlike the 3-n-1, the consistency of the hair dress is a lot thinner which I wasn't exactly thrilled about, but I learned to get used to it. After using it for a couple of weeks in the evening before wrapping my hair, I must say I am satisfied with the results! When I take my hair down in the morning, it has lots of shine without feeling greasy. It also doesn't weigh my hair down, which is a definite plus!

Another great addition to my hair product

A few weeks ago I ran out of my old makeup remover and being the beauty junkie that I now am, used that as a perfect excuse to buy a new one! (I can't help it! It's the beauty blogger in me!) So I went to my favorite drug store stomping grounds, Walgreens, and took home with me Neutrogena Nourishing Cream Cleanser, Night Calming , a cleanser and make up remover. It's oil free and works as a gentle cleanser and makeup remover, going for $7.49 a bottle.

Ladies I have to say that it turned out to be a great buy! The creamy cleanser is smooth and gentle as it effectively removes my makeup from the day. You don't need much to get the job done, and unlike the cleanser I use in the a.m. it's a nice and soft change! What I absolutely and positively love about this cleanser is the fragrance! The lavender scent is wonderful and it does have a sort of calming effect on me! What more of an incentive can I ask for to wash my makeup off before bed?

Btw: Clear Pore

It's no secret that I am a proud member of the curvy girl club! I understand the frustrations of finding fashionable clothing that will flatter my plus size figure (and the "girls"!) so I'm always looking out for plus size clothing that seem to do just that! In my search I came across the plus size line Monif C and I was instantly in love! The colors are bold and the styles embrace curves! I fell in love…..and then had my heart broken - the prices are waay out of my league! So as I sigh out of disappointment, I will perk up again, and look at these styles as a source of inspiration (and I hope you ladies will too!)

Need help dressing up those curves? We've got tips for that!

Jealous much? See how my Friend Friday bloggers and I feel about blogger jealousy!