PSA: Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival 2013

This year's staging of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival promises to be even bigger than previous years. The annual event is now in it's 16th year of operation and like fine wine, it gets better with age. This year's impressive line up showcases international talents Dionne Warwick, Monica, Mary J. Blige, KC and the Sunshine Band, John Legend, Michael Bolton and Arturo Tappin and our local artistes Rootz Underground and Third World Band.

The event takes place at the Greenfield Stadium in Trelawny, Jamaica from January 24 - 26, 2013, and like previous years this is an even that should not be missed; so will you be going?

January 24, 2013 Performers:
Rootz Underground
Third World Band

January 25, 2013 Performers:
Mary J. Blige
Michael Bolton
Arturo Tappin

January 26, 2013 Performers:
John Legend
Monica
KC and the Sunshine Band
Dionne Warwick

For more festival information or information on how to buy tickets check out the website Jamaica Jazz and Blues Art of Music 2013.

Until next time
Debbie :)

Christmas Season Fashion Happenings

During the Christmas holiday a lot goes on in Jamaica. I felt like I was all over the place with all that I had to do; however I had an amazing holiday season to say the least. These are some of the looks that I wore during the holiday season which I shared on my instagram.

This simply black outfit I wore to a dinner on boxing day. I kept it simple and added my new favourite accessory, my metal plate belt which I got from ASOS.

I partied it up at Big Cups super all-inclusive beach party and decided to go with this denim and black outfit. It was a beach party so I opted to wear my scalloped shorts which I got from ASOS. However, my favourite thing about this look has to be my lipstick. I am wearing MAC rebel which I am completely in love with! Such a great colour for the season.

The last time I celebrated New Years in Jamaica, prior to this one, was about 5 years ago. So, of course I was super excited to be ringing in the new year in Jamaica. I went to Absinthe with the hubby and friends and I must say we had a ball, besides the fact that my feet were killing me...haha. My peplum lace top is from H&M, my skirt is also from H&M and I pulled the outfit together with my metal plate belt from ASOS.


How did you guys spend your holiday season?
Shannon xoxo

My Faves 2012 Part II

Here's the part two to my my beauty obsession continues; here are my faves of 2012, I'll be featuring my top makeup and beauty tools :)

Makeup Faves:

 

• Phillips Milk Of Magnesia: Previously reviewed here

• Evian Facial Spray: Previously reviewed here

• Maybelline the Falsies Mascara: Didn't really like this one right off the bat, but now it's all I use; it makes my eyelashes look perfect!

• MAC Matchmaster Foundation & Prolongwear Concealer: I use each of these as a foundation, they give me the coverage that I need.Check out our foundation video here

• Urban Decay Naked palette: If you love neutral eye looks then this is the palette for you, you can create a number of day or night looks and the shadows are very pigmented.

• Bare Minerals Matte Foundation: This is my everyday foundation, the coverage is great and it feels very light on the skin. The minerals in the foundation are great for your skin as well.

• NYX lip pencils: NYX makes great lip pencils in a variety of colours; best of all they're all available at Significant Details

• Bobbi Brown Corrector: I use this around my eyes to cover any darkness, and it does a great job. The consistency is creamy and blendable.

• L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base: Who would have know that this primer would have worked so much wonders, it makes my makeup last and apply smoothly.

• NYX Concealer In a Jar: This has a creamy and blendable consistency and I always use it to help shape up my eyebrows.

• Trusty dusty dual sharpener & Wet 'n' Wild Eyebrow Pencil: These two go hand in hand, to have very neat brows your pencil has to be well sharpened and my Wet 'n' Wild pencil is great for filling in my brows and it's SUPER cheap (USD $0.99 cents)

Beauty Tools:

 

• Sephora Travel Bag: Previously reviewed here

• Clarisonic Plus: You need one of these in your life! Say goodbye to enlarged pores, breakouts, dirt, grime and oil. Also has a body brush attachment so it you have body breakouts this should help.

• Oral B Rechargeable Toothbrush: Having a great smile is VERY essential to looking your best and at USD $12.00 this toothbrush is way better than a manual toothbrush.

• Brush guards: I use these when I wash my brushes or when I'm travelling to protect my brushes.

• Hair Clips: I have unruly hair so these come in handy when I'm washing my hair to keep the tangles at bay.

• Makeup Brushes: Real Techniques and Eyes Lips Face (ELF) have the best brushes ever!

That wraps it up guys! One year of beauty products and tools... and it's definitely a lot :) If you need an individual review on anything let me know.
Debbie

We Are Nominated - Jamaica Blog Awards 2012

Exotic You is officially a finalist in the Jamaica Blog Awards and we have been nominated for the Fashion and Beauty category. We are extremely excited and grateful for all the support that we have received over the past year. The voting period is January 8 -14, 2013 and we ask that you continue to support us. We would also like to send out congratulations to all the other nominees and we wish them the very best of luck!

You can cast your vote here Jamaica Blog Awards

Thank you Everyone!!

My Faves of 2012 Part I

Hello everyone! I wanted to show you guys some of my favourite beauty products for the year of 2012, I have a deep obsession for all things that relate to skin care and beauty so I tried to narrow it down as best as possible to my top faves in several categories, so let's jump right into the post

Hair Faves

• Cantu Shea Butter Leave In Conditioning Repair Cream: Great leave in treatment for my natural hair

• Herbal Essences Hello Hydration: gives my hair the extra moisture it needs and it's a great price as well.

• REAL Black Castor Oil (yea I know it looks ghetto in the bottle :P): This is better than the castor oils that they sell in the beauty supply stores, it's pure black castor oil and it's great for adding to my deep conditioning treatments.

• Creme of Nature Argan Oil Shampoo: Best shampoo ever! the sulfate free formula helps to detangle and moisturize my hair all at once.

• Creme of Nature Argan Oil Treatment: great for smoothing down extensions

• Hollywood Beauty Olive Creme Hairdress: this is the perfect non greasy yet very moisturizing hair and scalp creme

Nail Faves

• DeMert Nail Enamel Dryer: I hate smudging my nails after a fresh polish, but after discovering this smudging is a thing of the past; this spray on nail dryer really helps to speed up the drying process and best of all it's quick and easy.

• Cuticle Oil: Dry cuticles are a big NO NO for me so I use a cuticle oil this on my toes everyday after I shower to seal in the moisture I'm currently using the Sally Hansen cuticle oil, but I will also make my own, check out my DIY Cuticle Oil.

• Cutex Non - Acetone Nail Polish Remover: This makes removing nail polish a cinch! no need for any cotton balls, just dip your fingers in and voila, it takes off my nail polish and moisturizes my nails as well

• Sally Hansen Diamond Flash Top Coat: Love this! it not only gives a brilliant shine to my  nails because of the micro diamond formula, but it also makes my manicures last way longer without chipping.

• Essie & Revlon Nail Polishes: These two brands are my favourite because they have a broad colour range and great opacity, two coats of either brand can get the job done.

Skin Care Faves

• Baby Wipes: I use these as my makeup wipes, they're cheaper than the typical makeup wipes and if they're gentle enough use on a baby's skin then they're just as gentle to use on your face.
• Thayers Witch Hazel: Previously featured here

• Tend Skin: Previously featured here

• Murad Oil Control Mattifier SPF15: The perfect non greasy moisturizer for my face. It has an SPF 15, oil controlling properties, and acne fighting ingredients.

• Purity by Philosophy: After I take my makeup off with the wipes I like to go in with a makeup removing cleanser just to get deep into my pores and this works excellently.

• Clinique Face Scrubs: I love mixing these two scrubs together to get the perfect consistency, using a facial scrub at least once a week is great for your skin!

• Neutrogena Face Washes: Any face wash made by Neutrogena is great in my opinion, I like to alternate between their face washes.

• Evolution Of Smooth (EOS) Lip Balm: This perfect little egg shaped lip balm does wonders for my lips and they're great to just toss in your purse.

• Homeade Body Butter: see how I make it here and why I love it so much.

Stay tuned to part two tomorrow guys!
Debbie

Style Icon: Eva Marcille Pigford

Eva emerged on the fashion scene after she accomplished the title of America's Next Top Model, but over the years she has definitely proven to be a triple threat.. model, actress and has recently added t.v.producer to her list of talents. I really took notice of her on her new t.v reality show called Girlfriend Confidential: LA; she is a fashion chameleon in my opinion as she has so many different facets to her personal style...she can make sexy look effortless by rocking a pair of cut off shorts, a button down shirt, and a killer pair of heels or she can flip the script to become a chic and sophisticated business woman, her looks are endless and I think that's what I admire most about her style; I must also add...THE HAIR, she definitely knows how to rock a short hair do and she changes it up by going from brown to platinum and back again :). She has steps out of the box and isn't afraid to mix it up a bit, and for this reason she is my Style Icon.

You can always catch up with more of Eva's fashion styles on Girlfriend Confidential: LA
 Until next time
Debbie

A Few of My Favourite Things (2012 Edition)

1. Coach Ashley Purse

2. M.A.C Matchmaster Foundation 

3. Gladiator Bangle from H&M

4. Miss Dior Perfume

5. M.A.C Russian Red Lipstick

6. Michael Kors Oversized Runway Watch

7. M.A.C Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Glorify

8. Bridget Sandals Cutaway

What were your favourite things for 2012?

Shannon xoxo