I’m back with a vengeance! And it’s another skincare love story… 
Last Saturday I was out running errands with my little one and I needed to run into ULTA for 2 things. I promised him this would be a quick trip…and I probably should not have said that out loud. I walk in and I did not get one foot in the place before one of the lovely ULTA team members asked me if I knew anything about this brand Nyakio. I told her no and she didn’t even wait for me to tell her I wasn’t interested before she introduced me to the creator of this beautiful line of skin care products, Nyakio Grieco. The first thing I noticed was her beautiful glowing dark skin and her big, warm smile. I already knew was going to buy whatever she was selling, because I just get down like that! #blackgirlsrock
To her surprise, I knew skin and what works for me and we could just play! To my surprise, she oils and a cleansing balm and I was geeked! I went for the things that I knew would actual use or that I was running out of. Here is what I picked up:
Marula & Neroli Brightening Oil
Nyakio’s tag line is “Fight oil with oil” and I absolutely agree with her. I have very oily skin, and incorporating oils in my skincare regimen has changed the game for me. This line contains 3 fast drying cold-pressed beauty oils that target different skin challenges that can be layered or applied on their own. I chose the Marula & Neroli Brightening Oil because it claims to help brighten and refresh dull skin and tackle hyper-pigmentation. I have a lot of acne scarring from my teens and I have been working overtime to reverse the damage I have done as an habitual pimple popper! After a week’s usage, my skin looks fresher and my dark spots are continuing to fade. I love that the oil feels luxurious and rich, but it soaks in to the skin beautifully and does not leave me with an oil cast at the end of the day. And it smells LUSH! It does not compete or interfere with my makeup AT ALL and I love that! I am hooked (and SHOOK) and plan to purchase the anti-aging oil and would also re-purchase this one.
I am not a huge mask wearer. I take a lot of time taking care of my skin morning and night and I just don’t feel as though I have the time or patience for a mask. When Nyakio presenting me with this sleep mask, I liked that it was something that I don’t typically use and that I could put on like a moisturizer, go to bed, and wake up with plump, smooth skin. This mask delivered! I use acids and grainy exfoliators and this mask helps to calm my skin down after an extensive routine. Its super creamy and the scent helps me fall fast into by beauty rest. Would I repurchase? Maybe.
If I had to pick one thing that I should not have purchased, it would be this product. I don’t say that because it’s bad, I only say that because I don’t need it. The lip polish is made with I do have dry flaky lips, but I can (and have) made my own lip scrub and I always keep my holy grail lip balm on me. Simply put, it does what it says on the tube. If you like a lip scrub, go for it! Do you need a $24 lip scrub? I don’t…just saying.
This product gets an honorable mention because I got two samples of it (and am here it) and I wish I would have purchased this instead of the lip polish! I have stayed away from scrubby exfoliants for a long time because I felt as though they were only ripping my skin up and not helping anything. I went to have a facial recently, and the facialist recommended that I use an exfoliant similar to the one she used on me and it was a bit scrubby, not extremely harsh, and I could immediately tell the difference and it was something I was missing in my routine. I went to Sephora and found one that had some ingredients that were important to me and found a love for exfoliants again. I wasn’t jumping at buying this one because I am still loving on the one I am currently using…but it’s already in my cart to purchase! This facial scrub is lush, gentle, and gets the job done, I am dying over it! Get it NOW!
Overall I am absolutely enjoying the items I purchased and am interested in trying other products in the line such as the rice powder cleanser and the anti-aging oil mentioned above. The line sits under the Shea Moisture umbrella and is exclusively sold in ULTA stores and online and is at a proper mid-price point ($22-$49). It was such a pleasure meeting Nyakio and I don’t think I would ever looked at the range if it wasn’t for her being at the store that day! Get thyself to ULTA now and check this range out…you won’t be disappointed.
Until next time, peace & blessings! xoxo
