Guest Blogger: Monica Mingo's Five Faves

Smooches Divas:

If you know me, you know I don’t just know how to pamper myself – I love pampering myself. Those of you who DON’T know me? I am Monica Mingo, a diva of the t-shirt and pearls variety and I’m serious about keeping my stride stank! I am the beloved wife of The Robinator and I suffer from infertility which makes it necessary for me to take pampering to a whole new level and, my dear sweet friends, I DO!

I was asked to write about my five favorite products from Sephora. Me thinks me can do that with ease as I RAVE about these products on a regular basis.

Phytospecific Moisturizing Styling Balm
If ya girl (um…that would be me) knew she was going to be out of the country for months at a time in some remote backpacking area…I’d irritate everyone by having a knapsack full of this product. Food? pi-shaw! Water? pi-shaw! Medicine my doctor says I need to live? pi-shaw! Who wants to live with their hair a mess? NOT ME! My knapsack would be filled with this product and I’d rely on the natives to feed me. Hey. I’m cute. Being cute goes a long, long way.



RX for Brown Skin Bright and Even Exfoliating Moisturizer
This product makes me gloooow! It is the best moisturizer for my skin that I have ever, EVER used! It makes me soooooo happy that when I’m applying it in the morning and at night, smiling softly at myself, I have to fight back the temptation to blow me a kiss and wink. (Okay…so sometimes I go with the feeling…sue me.) This product is perfect for me!

In fact, before a major trip recently, the Sephora I frequent was out of this. So? I drove to the next state to get it. There was NO WAY I was going out of the country without it. No way in East Hades. I wasn’t happy until I was clutching my product in my claws and shoving it in my purse. The only thing that could make me love this product more is if they added an SPF of 15. I’ve been a fan of Dr. Susan Taylor’s since she published her book, “Brown Skin” which I consider a necessary reference in my home.



Phytospecific Intense Nutrition Mask
As a moisturizing necessity…it doesn’t get any better than this for me. I’m pretty serious about my hair and have an aversion to what I call crunchy hair. Just…ewwwwwww! This conditioner is my first defense against dry hair breakage. If you have frizzy, naturally curly, relaxed or dry hair…this product is for you. I can’t tell you how many people I have introduced to this product from all skin colors who decided they LOVED it on their hair! I love the way my hair feels after I rinse it and I love knowing that this product was created by scientists focusing on frizzy, naturally curly, relaxed and dry hair.



L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream
I’m never without a tube of this cream. I keep one in my bag, one on my nightstand and one in my office. I hardly ever have to get manicures because I use this hand cream every single time after I've washed my hands, therefore, no dry cuticles! See? Buying this product actually saves me money. (That’s for the husband’s benefit. Everyone else…just skip on by.)




Diorshow Mascara
The Sephora I frequent is in Montgomery Mall in Bethesda, Maryland. My guy, whom I affectionately call Makeup Mark, is usually right about 95% of the time with his suggestions for me. (We won’t talk about the other 5%. I mean hey…does it REALLY matter if I didn’t use the spider leg fake eyelashes? )

Because I trust Makeup Mark to get it right for me, when he suggested this mascara I bought it without blinking. When I tried it on at home I got mad at him. Why the heck hadn’t he pointed this lovely mascara out to me before???

This mascara makes me feel like an old Hollywood starlet. Like I should be wrapped in a long luxurious robe with shoulder pads and a corset choking the life outta me so I can do that tiny waistline thingy (how did they do that?), gliding around my home, talking to myself and touching art on the walls as if I’m living large (because that’s how I imagine living large to be like: Gliding, delicately touching art in appreciation, and batting around my fabulously lush lashes).


And now, attention Sephora: Please, please, PLEASE make sure that there is something for everyone in the Beauty Insider giveaways okay? I, along with lots other women, would enjoy getting offered a freebie that we could actually use.

[Editor’s note: We first discovered Monica through a blog post addressed to us discussing the need for more Beauty Insider giveaways for every skin type, color, and stage. We’re happy to say that she’s right - this month we're dishing out Dr. Brandt's Microdermabrasion testers because hey, every guy & gal could use sparkling skin, right? Stay tuned for more!]

Alrighty now. Those are my top five. I could have done my top twenty-five but hey…

Question…do YOU use any of my five? What’s your take on them?

Wishing you love and light,

Monica Mingo
aka CreoleInDC