HEALTHY SMILES AND J. COLE (SMILE WITH ME)

MY SMILE!! Many of you may or may not know that this BUT the Choqolate Chiq doesn't have a perfect smile. However, I smile anyway (I have a BIG SMILE). In the past I would often cover up my smile. As I mature and get older, I tend not to care so much about covering my smile. One morning I woke up and heard J. Cole's latest song, Crooked Smile. This song had me rocking and smiling!! I LOVED IT for so many reasons!!

Smiling is good for the mind, body, heart and soul! It's really not about a crooked smile or perfect smile BUT it's all about a genuine, true, authentic SMILE!  

It is a known fact that there are many types of smiles. I tend to say we have the fake smile (I am guilty of this one in pictures) and we have the genuine smile (I am good for this one too LOL). The healthy smile is actually the true smile better known as the Duchenne smile.

French neurologist Dr. Guillaume Duchenne, investigated/studied the difference between True Smile and the False Smile.

How to recognize a genuine smile:
The genuine smile causes the Zygomatic muscles of the cheek to raise the corners of the mouth and the Orbicularis Oculi muscles of the eye (raising the cheeks and forming crow's feet around the eye). ALL of these signs indicate that the smile is genuine and that the person smiling is truly happy.           

Why do you want a genuine smile?
The true and genuine SMILE stimulates happy places in your body which cause "good" chemicals to be released, thus relieving you of stress and depression!! (I am sure when you think about it... you will agree)

I recently read an article on smiling and this description actually sums up why smiling is healthy! "On a biochemical level, smiling releases endorphins and serotonin. Endorphins are natural painkillers. The more endorphins your brain releases, the more your body can fight off symptoms of illness."

Isn't that wonderful (smile)!!

"Similarly, serotonin is a brain chemical that acts as a natural anti-depressant. Reshaping our mouth from a frown to a smile literally sparks serotonins dramatically shifting our sense of well-being from negative to positive."

PRESS PLAY AND SMILE WITH ME !!

(make sure it's a real smile)

Check out the link below for more information on smiling.
To purchase this song go onto Google Play

Thank you Underground Health Reporter for sharing & Celeste Yarnall, PhD
Read more: http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/duchenne-smile-benefits#ixzz2Xd0kzgSL
Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-health-benefits-of-smiling.html#ixzz2Xd02zrJT

Eat A Mango

I love mangoes. Mangoes have so many benefits. They are filled with antioxidants and vitamins suchas, Vitamin A, Vitamin E and are a great source of Vitamin C. This fruit aids in the prevention of certain cancers due the antioxidants found in this fruit. (That's right mangoes are known to have high amounts of antioxidants.) Mangoes contain a lot of beta-carotene. The beta carotene found in the mango is converted into Vitamin A. Why do we need Vitamin A? Vitamin A is not only good for your immune health but it also assist with repairing skin tissue (Some times we over  expose our skin to the sun's rays and this can really damage our skin). WHO KNEW... Skin health and mangoes really go hand in hand. Another vitamin that is found in mangoes is Vitamin E. Vitamin E is often called an antioxidant. This antioxidant does not only help fight free radicals in your body but it also aids in reducing the appearance of age spots, freckles and wrinkles. This is another reason why you will find skin products with high levels of Vitamin E. The same goes for the Vitamin C. Normally, we take Vitamin C for our basic immune health. Additionally, Vitamin C stimulates the production of collagen in your skin. This process will assist with giving you resilient and supple skin. Of course we cannot forget about the delicious flavor of a ripe, sweet-smelling mango. Mangoes are not only a tasty sweet treat but they are great for our bodies due to the high vitamin content and antioxidants. Mangoes are defiantly this Choqolate Chiq's favorite summer time treat.

Burberry's Rosewood Lip-gloss! I LOVE YOU!!

Hello World, recently I attended the Beauty Blush Hour at Nordstrom's in my home town of San Francisco (I love my city) with Beauty Blogger extradionaire Blinging Beauty - Tracey Brown (She is the best! Check out her review of the event at the link listed below). 
The Beauty Blush Hour at Nordstrom is what I call BIG BEAUTY FUN in an intimate setting. (Blog post regarding that event is coming soon!)
 
While attending this event I received a Burberry Beauty Box.  YES!! A BURBERRY BEAUTY BOX!!! When given this box I looked at it as if it was eatable. Honestly, I could not wait to open it! For crying out loud it's BURBERRY!! I felt like it was Christmas all over again. After the event I rushed home to open this box of sheer delight. I removed the beautiful black ribbon and began to carefully open the box. 

Once the box was opened, my face lit up! Why you may ask? How do I say this nicely... I saw fabuluos-ness!! YES BURBERRY beauty products were at my finger tips! (I did the happy dance). I promise to review each item I received later on so stay tuned. 

First I'll start off with Burberry's Rosewood No. 1 Lip-gloss. This is a must have item for every woman. If you know anything about ME then you know this Choqolate Chiq is a red lipstick addict. I'm a  proud member of #TeamRedLipstick BUT like every SASSY girl... I need variety (nod your head yes with me)! and Burberry's Rosewood No. 1 Lip Gloss was truly a necessity. 

The texture of this gloss PERFECTO. Very smooth. This lip gloss was easy to glide on. It has a creamy feel to it. Not only did my full lips looked simply divine BUT they also felt nourished (not greasy... I hate that feeling). Long wear! YES at least 6 hours ladies! The soft color of this lip gloss against my brown skin was infallible! This gloss is a *Choqolate Chiqs MUST HAVE ITEM! 

If you're going for that a bold or dramatic eye, BURBERRY'S ROSEWOOD LIP-GLOSS would be great to wear. 

OR let's just say, you want to look lively and elegant BURBERRY'S ROSEWOOD LIP GLOSS is your answer. 

If you are looking for that refreshed natural look!! GUESS WHAT?! Burberry Rosewood Lip Gloss gives you that and more!

Long story short! You'll love this gloss!!! 

Details about Burberry's Lip Gloss listed below:Formula: A creamy touch and perfectly adherent texture. Light oils and spherical powders give fluidity and comfort. 

• Benefits: Reflects light to create illusion of plumper, fuller lips. Leaves lips supple, glowing with natural highlights and subtle iconic tones. Protection: Ceramide complex recreates the intercellular cement. Hydrating formula keeps the lips replenished. Fine lines are filled from within, lips are naturally plumped. Shades featured in the Siren Red collection are No. 22 Coral, No. 21 Fondant Pink, No. 20 Pink Sweet Pea and No. 19 Mallow Pink.

To purchase this lip-gloss feel free to visit Nordstrom or go online to Burberry. The cost is  ONLY $27.00 (it's worth it)

Beauty Blush Hour article by Blinging Beauty listed below:
http://blingingbeauty.com/blinging-beauty-event-recap-beauty-blush-hour-at-nordstrom-san-francisco-city-centre/


*Choqolate Chiq - pronounced Chocolate Chick is a brown skin female whose complexion mimics the color of chocolate, milk chocolate and/or dark chocolate. 

MY DEAD LASHES CAME BACK TO LIFE FOR $ 2.99

 

I'll cut right to the chase. As usual, I was running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. While sitting at the stop light I looked at myself in my rear view mirror and realized I forgot my mascara!! ARGH!! My lifeless lashes were in need of serious rejuvenation. Time for a  beauty mission.

Mission #1 LOCATE WALGREENS AND PURCHASE MASCARA

As I drove through the uber busy streets of San Francisco I found the nearest Walgreens.  I jumped out of the car and shuffled quickly to the cosmetics section. DANG IT!! I forgot my debit card at home. I reached into my pocket and pulled out $25 in cash. Immediately, I began reasoning with myself silently on which mascara to purchase (beauty on a budget). In the end I realized there was no need to spend tons of money on mascara. After all my little lashes just needed a little pick me up for today.

I slowly walked to the Wet N Wild section. I quickly scanned the area where all of the Wet N Wild mascaras reside. Suddenly, a bright, canary yellow mascara tube jumped out at me. It read, Wet N Wild MegaVolume Mascara. I looked at the price and realized this mascara was only $ 2.99 (perfect for my budget). This mascara is inexpensive, provides natural-looking thicker lashes and no clumping. I grabbed the mascara and rushed over to the register to purchase it. I paid for my item and dashed out of the store.

Mission #2 REVIVE MY DEAD LASHES  

I ran to my car, pulled the visor down, flipped the mirror cover up and began to apply this mascara.  The Wet N Wild MegaVolume mascara was easy to apply. I normally do 3-4 coats onto my lashes BUT this time I thought because this mascara was cheaper... I would need at least 10 coats. Well guess what? I was wrong. 3 coats of the MegaVolume mascara and I was a happy chiq (chick). My lashes looked naturally fuller and I had no clumps.

This product delivered its claim: Volume-building formula, natural-looking, thicker lashes, clump-free AND it only cost $ 2.99. This is a perfect beauty on a budgett mascara. Thank you Wet N Wild MegaVolume Mascara.

Click this link to purchase or at your nearest drug store. http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/wet-n-wild-megavolume-mascara/ID=prod6162774-product#descriptionNamedTab

S/O (Shout Out) to The Militant Baker

I can’t help but SMILE!!  and send a SUPER S/O to Jes The Militant Baker!!  

  

This picture of The Militant Baker is "THE BOMB DOT COM"

We all know the old saying, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. I personally agree with that saying BUT I also believe... True BEAUTY starts from within and it manifest itself onto the outward appearance which causes ONE TO SHINE!!

Basically I am all about #TeamInsideOutBeauty    

The comments Mr. Jefferies made troubled me because it had to do with our young people. The idea of “cool kids” and the “not cool kids” can be very damaging to a young person's self-esteem. 

 

“Coolness” does not always come in a size 4 nor does it always come in a size 22. 

Thank you Jes The Militant Baker for sharing. 

Check out the letter from The Militant Baker to Mike Jefferies by clicking the link below. http://www.themilitantbaker.com/2013/05/to-mike-jeffries-co-abercrombie-fitch.html

Photo Credit: The Militant Baker website