Chimere Nicole

Beauty Fashion Lifestyle Blog

Baccarat Rouge 540:The Perfume That Changed My Life

beauty

 On my way to work one Tuesday morning, I stopped at the post office and there was a long line. As I stood in line there were a few people in front of me, two of which kept turning their heads to stare. I smiled in return as my casual greeting then after a few times it became a bit uncomfortable. I couldn’t understand why they were staring at me. In my mind, I wanted to believe I just looked fabulous in my work attire however if I’m truthful with myself I know that on this day that wasn’t the case. 

As usual, I’m wearing all black. I was just as casual as they come. As I made my way to the checkout counter the postal worker smiled at me and then said what are you wearing? I immediately became self-conscious as my initial thought about my outfit choice came rushing back into my mind. I asked her “What do you mean”? Insert the Chimere ain’t the one face! She responded by saying “Your perfume! What do you have on? It smells heavenly”. I answered, Oh I’m wearing Baccarat Rouge 540 and that’s when I knew then I was going to have a great day. 

You Got What?

The scent of the day was my newest purchase, Baccarat Rouge 540 Eau de Parfum. I have been eyeing this brand for a while and finally made the plunge. Listen, I don’t regret a thing and in fact, I wish I purchased it sooner. I am not an expert in the fragrance community by any means but I am an expert in people. If I walk into stores and restaurants and turn heads that’s an indication that I made the right decision with this purchase. This was not a blind per se. I had a small sample from a friend and then I tried a few dupes as well. More on that in today’s video review below.

Black women reviewing Baccarat Rouge 540

Price

Baccarat Rouge currently retails between $180 – $575 at Bloomingdales. I picked up the 2.4 oz bottle which retails for $300. Here the thing, before I purchased the actual Eau de Parfum I purchased the scented body oil. I did this for a few reasons and will go into this more in-depth in today’s video. If you’re looking to spend a fraction of what I spent, it’s a much watch. 

This is deemed a unisex fragrance, and I have a few friends who actually share this scent with their spouses. I’m not sharing lol but if you would like the larger 6.8 size bottle is a much better buy. I noticed this size is also on sale more often than the smaller sizes and saves you money over time. I will go into this a bit more in the video below. 

Do Or Don’t

As I mentioned earlier the first day I wore this perfume I got tons and tons of compliments. After I left the post office I went into a convenience store to grab some water and I had a few people offer compliments as well. Additionally, as I entered into work compliments continue for the duration of the day. Talk about smiling. It wasn’t like I had never worn perfume before. I couldn’t understand why this one, in particular, had so many people walking up to me asking me what I was wearing. I’m not complaining if anything it put a huge smile on my face. It felt great to know that I was seemingly irresistible to so many.

 Do I recommend you purchase perfume, absolutely. This has been the best buy of 2020. Honestly, the return on my investment at this point is 100%. I can’t believe I waited so long to make the splurge but I highly recommend you try either one of my buying methods above depending on your budget and what suits you best. Below I have a video explaining exactly how I purchased my perfume collection and I’m also going to offer a few tips on how to get more bang for your buck. If you don’t have $300 to spend find out how to get the scent for much less!

I hope you enjoyed this video style review of the Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdijian. To research this perfume and or purchase you can do so here.

I’m sharing all my beauty favorites this month. Make sure you read up on my favorite skincare products I’m using to fade my acne scars, HERE. Don’t say I didn’t tell you about these products when you see in on a cover of somebody’s magazine lol. Wishful thinking.

How To Use BioLumin-C Serum On The Skin

beauty

Vitamin C has been an essential ingredient in my skincare regimen for the last 3 years. I’ve incorporated it in my facial wash, moisturizers, serums, and creams. Since adding vitamin C to my skincare regimen I have noticed a 100% improvement in the texture and appearance of dark spots on my skin. I want to share with you the two newest products I have incorporated in my skincare by Dermalogica and give you the benefits of adding Biolumin C serum into my skin care each day. 

What is BioLumin-C

BioLumin-C is a high-performance vitamin C serum that enhances the skin’s natural defense system to brighten, firm, and help dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Advanced biotechnology and an ultra-stable Vitamin C complex work synergistically to enhance the bioavailability of Vitamin C to fight oxidative stress and the appearance of skin aging before it starts. An optimized delivery system combined with a peptide and AHA renews for brighter, firmer, more radiant skin.

What is Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid.  It is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant helping to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals caused by UV damage. Free radicals can build up and contribute to the development of health conditions such as cancer heart disease and arthritis. Vitamin C also helps to protect the immune system from cardiovascular disease and is also used in prenatal health. When using vitamin C for the skin it helps with collagen production. This is possible due to the thickening of the dermis of the skin which diminishes fine lines and it gives you a firm and youthful look.

Benefits of Vitamin C

The biggest benefit to vitamin C usage on this skin is that it helps to promote collagen production. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, antioxidants help to fight the free radicals within the body and skin. The most beneficial usage I’ve gotten from vitamin C has been the prevention of dark spots on my skin. I have been using vitamin C for years to help fade the brown and dark spots from my skin and also to help with the collagen production.

  • Exfoliates and reduces unbalanced pigmentation
  • Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
  • Prevents and corrects free radical damage
biolumin -c eye serum

My Results

I have written a few articles about the drastic improvements I’ve seen with my skin over the years. This vitamin C serum has given me the most beneficial around the eye and mouth areas. Since I use both the eye serum and facial serum I’m able to target these areas to reduce age spots but also tighten these areas on the skin.

Here is an updated night time skin routine. In this video, I will show you how I use both the BioLumin face serum and BioLumin Eye cream.

I was able to find both of these products in a kit for a great price. You can get it for only $89. The Brighter Together Kit is available now for purchase. To see my before and after pictures, you can visit my previous article here.

How To Use Vitamin C For The Skin: Top 5 Benefits

beauty

Vitamin C for the skin has been such a miracle ingredient for me. I have shared with you all my journey of dealing with acne, acne scars, and hyperpigmentation due to pregnancy. Vitamin C along with a change in my diet has completely transformed my skin for the better. I mean a complete 180. Today I want to discuss the benefits of vitamin C for the skin and teach you how to incorporate vitamin C into your nighttime skin routine for optimum result. Please note, you will not see results overnight. With a little patience, you will see amazing results.

What is Vitamin C

Vitamin C is also known as ascorbic acid.  It is a water-soluble nutrient found in some foods. In the body, it acts as an antioxidant helping to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and UV damage. Free radicals can build up and contribute to the development of health conditions such as cancer heart disease and arthritis. Vitamin C also helps to protect the immune system from cardiovascular disease and is also used in prenatal health. When using vitamin C for the skin it helps with collagen production. This is possible due to the thickening of the dermis of the skin which diminishes fine lines and it gives you a firm and youthful look. 

This is where we get to the meat and potatoes. The goal of skincare is to improve and or preserve the look and feel of the skin. You should have a clear understanding of ALL the products you are using on your skin.

You should know what these products will do, how to mix and match, and what products to avoid. If you are an all-natural ingredients type of person, vitamin C can also be utilized best by ingestion.

 Vitamin C can also be found in the following foods.

  •  Cantaloupe
  • Orange juice
  • Broccoli
  • Red cabbage
  • Tomato juice
  • Kiwi
  • Red peppers

Benefits

The biggest benefit to vitamin C usage on this skin is that it helps to promote collagen production. Rich in antioxidants, to help fight the free radicals within the body and skin. The most beneficial usage I’ve gotten from vitamin C has been the prevention of dark spots on my the body. I have been using vitamin C for years to help fade the brown and dark spots from my skin and also to help with collagen production.  My before and after photos are proof that vitamin C works. 

How to remove hyper pigmentation and dark marks from the skin using vitamin c
My skin after using vitamin C

Best Practices

The way that I have incorporated vitamin C into my skincare regimen has been two-fold. The products that I use under my makeup to prep my skin are infused with vitamin C. I have a video here showing you how I apply these products to my skin during the day. And for my nighttime skin routine, I like to incorporate the use of facial serums and under-eye creams.  With any skincare regimen, it is best to always use an SPF to protect your skin from UV rays from the sun as well as protect your skin when using topical medications.

 Below I have my updated nighttime skin routine. In this video, I will be showing you how I incorporate my vitamin C products into my skincare regimen to maintain an even skin tone. Although the brands that I use may change from time to time, the way in which I incorporate vitamin C into my skincare routine does not. 

My Favorite Vitamin C Products

The vitamin C I started off using has been by Pixi Beauty. I use a wide range of their products and this was my first introduction to vitamin C. Over time I have evolved into the current products that I used today those products are by Dermalogica. I will list the products that I am currently loving that contain vitamin c.

Here are some other great products I highly. I’ve personally used these products with great success. I recommend you research the ingredients before using them with other ingredients.

How To Pitch To Brands For Sponsorships and Collaborations.

lifestyle

So you have been creating the content, writing the blog post, filming and editing the YouTube videos and now you are ready to make money. No matter which avenue you’ve chosen, brand collaborations and sponsorships are a wonderful way for you to generate additional income. So, why aren’t your favorite brands contacting you?  Well, the short answer is, they may not know that you exist. Let me teach you how to pitch to brands for sponsorships and collaborations. I know this may seem scary but trust me. This simple formula will have you well on your way to writing great emails that pitch to brands for sponsorships, collaborations, and much more.

I’m going to share with you guys what has taken me years of training, expensive courses, as well as combing through online resources, to create.

At the very least this formula will get you on the PR list. At best it will get you the brand deal you’re requesting. Now, all things considered, the content must be engaging, informative, and Evergreen. I have a blog post here where I talked about creating content that is Evergreen to attract brands as well as generate residual income. The key to learning to pitch to brands for sponsorships is being able to explain in a short email how much value to offer the brand.

Before You Send Out That First Email 

 There are a few steps you need to take prior to sending out that first pitch email. Do not mindlessly email the brand. You should first figure out what you’re trying to get out of this correspondence.  

  • Is your goal to get on a PR list? 
  • Or trying to get on an email list to get invited to an event?
  • Are you soliciting a paid sponsorship? 

 This of course influences the subject line of your email.

Subject Line Of Email

You want your subject line to stand out and grab the reader’s attention. You can opt to place something like “Urgent Inquiry” in the subject line. This can be a bold yet effective move. This is sure to get your reader not only interested in your proposal but interested in you. 

learn to pitch to brands for sponsorships
Photo by Elijah O’Donnell on Pexels.com

Pitch Email Example

Here is an example of what you can include in a pitch email.   Depending on the type of collaboration you are pitching to the brand you will have to change the verbiage to suit your interest. 

Hello, (Insert direct contact name)

My name is Chimere Nicole I am a digital content creator as well as a brand strategist. Please visit my website for more information at your convenience.  I have also attached my media kit for my up to date analytics and more. 

Then Explain The Reason For The Email

I’m emailing you today because I’m inquiring about your PR list. As a beauty and lifestyle influencer, it would be an opportunity of a lifetime to create content from a brand I own and love. I could create great quality content in exchange for an affiliate link, paid collaboration, or free product. 

This again, will depend on the type of collaboration your looking for. 

Then you want to tell the brand why you are worth the rates you are charging for this collaboration. 

Why You Are Worth The Rate

This portion of the email will serve as a mini resume of previous collaborations you’ve done and an outline of your social media reach. This will help to establish brand trust and validity. 

 My content can be seen on Forbes and XM Radio. I’ve been featured in Peoples Magazine, Essence, and Vanity Fair.   

You only want a name drop for the companies and brands that align with the company you are sending the pitch too. 

Example: If I’m pitching to CVS I will talk about the campaigns I’ve done with Walgreens. 

Try to keep this portion a minimum of 2-3 sentences. 

Finish Strong

 Lastly,  you wanna end the email with a strong thank and call to action.

Here is an example.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read through my email. I trust that you will take the content of

my email and a serious consideration. Additionally, I

look forward to hearing from you at your

earliest convenience.

 Kind regards,

Chimere Nicole

(Insert your contact information)

Best Practices

concentrated young ethnic woman having phone call on couch near napping dog

Here are a few extra tips I want you to keep in mind when pitching brands for brand collaborations. 

  • Create a Media Kit. This will be a PDF document that breaks down your niche, demographic, rates, and more. 
  • Prepare to negotiate your collaboration terms. Be flexible but remain firm.
  • All collaborations should be mutually beneficial. You and the brand should benefit from the sponsorship equally.
  • Do NOT pitch to brands if you can’t provide value. Make sure your numbers and analytics are up to date.
  • Keep your correspondents professional at all times. 

Make sure you check out my article on EVERGREEN content HERE. If you want to attract brands, you will need to position yourself as a creator that provides value. Evergreen content helps you to do that, FAST.

What Products Make My Natural Hair Grow Fast

beauty

There are millions of products I can recommend for you to use that will make your natural hair grow fast and healthy. I have tried so many oils, serums, and creams to last me a lifetime. The secret to using all of these products is you have to do one thing. BE CONSISTENT. 

learning to make natural hair grow fast
Photo by Lucas Da Miranda on Pexels.com

It’s easy to tell you to buy a particular product and make you fall in love with it. I mean, all of the products I recommend work, we all know that. But if you are not consistent with the usage of them then you won’t reap the benefits. Makes sense right? That’s the secret! 

Natural Hair Can Grow

The key to making your natural hair grow fast is to be consistent in your hair regime. Give yourself a minimum of 90 days before making any significant changes to your routine. 

When helping my new clients transition and grow their natural hair fast the formula I like to use is called “The Five C’s”. This is a term I coined to help them focus on what’s important in the growth cycle of hair. This means stop buying tons of products and use the ones you have correctly.

The Five C’s Of Hair Growth:

Cleanse:

The type of shampoo you use will determine the level of cleansing you will receive. There are many types of shampoos. Clarifying, Medicated, 1st lathers, and many more. You should have at least 3 different shampoos at any given time. 

Clarifying: These shampoos help to remove product build-up and other impurities from the hair and scalp. They are great to use when treating the hair pre-shampoo and post shampoo. 

Medicated: This will include any shampoo that deals with seasonal scalp elements. Elements such as dry and itchy scalp, dermatitis, Eczema, or psoriasis. These shampoos typically have soothing and properties to not only help remove excessive bacteria but also help to heal the scalp. 

Hydrating Shampoo: This is the shampoo that all-natural hair types should own. This is a shampoo that not only cleanses the hair and scalp but also provides moisture and hydration. This shampoo will not strip the natural oils from the scalp but will provide adequate cleansing to the hair and balanced pH levels.

Condition

Remember all things are relative. So depending on the shampoo you use will determine the type of conditioning you will need. A good rule of thumb is, for every wash add 15 minutes to your conditioning time. 

How does this work?

Well, if you are using a deep cleansing shampoo like the clarifying shampoo I mentioned earlier. You will need to not only moisturize the hair but hydrate it as well. So I would recommend 15 of a moisturizing conditioner and an additional 15 minutes of a hydrating conditioner. These of course can be applied together to give you 30 minutes of deep conditioning time. Simple right? Let’s keep it, cute honey. 

YES! 

This is every time you wash your hair. 

So stop wasting time on all those extra steps on wash day and get back to basics. 

Cut:

I don’t care how long you have been growing your hair. How long it’s been in that protective Style. The fact that you think you can cut it yourself. Your ends need to be trimmed every eight to 12 weeks.

 I know that cutting your hair seems counterproductive seeing as you are trying to grow your natural hair. But I need you to trust me here. The more you cut your ends the better the quality of new growth you will see. 

Those see- through ends need to go! Trim those ends. 

Care:

Your aftercare instructions will vary depending on how you wear your hair. If you prefer to wear your hair straight you will likely need a leave-in conditioner and heat protectant. 

If you are a textured style kind of girl you may prefer creams and gels to lock in moisture and define your curls.

 No matter what style you choose make sure you lock in the moisture. I have a full video HERE explaining how to do this. 

But you need to seal in the moisture from your conditioning treatment. 

The product of choice is up to you however, If you don’t seal it up you will be wasting money on expensive products and not seeing the benefits. This is because you aren’t using the products correctly. 

Circulation:

The final step in the Five C’s method is circulation. Anything without blood flow is dead. This includes your scalp and hair. Blood circulation is important for the cell turnover on your scalp. This is what helps produce new hair bulbs within the hair follicle. 

This is where your essential oils come in. One of the reasons I Highly recommend essential oils is because of their healing properties. They are great for stimulating circulation within the scalp as well as sealing moisture into the hair.

Oils Are Essential

Oils are my absolute favorite for locking in moisture and promoting a healthy scalp. Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp you know. 

Depending on the type of essential oil you use you will also see that your hair will appear thicker, softer and have more luster in the hair.

How To Use Essential Oils

We will start by creating  four subsections within the hair. I like to take a few drops of essential oil and apply it directly to the scalp. I then massage the scalp within the small subsection to make sure that the essential oil is evenly distributed throughout the hair. You can finger comb or use a large wide tooth comb to evenly coat the hair. I repeat this step with the other three sections and then I style.

 I feel this method works best at night when preparing the hair for sleep. This is because it allows for the product to sit on the scalp and you can cover your hair with a silk scarf or bonnet to help create heat. Heat will open the pores and allow the essential oil to activate.  Thus, helping penetrate the scalp even more. 

My favorite essential oils at the moment is lavender oil. Lavender oil has been known to speed up hair growth. It is also antimicrobial and aids in a healthy nourished scalp.  A great way to mix lavender oil is by using it in conjunction with a carrier oil like olive or jojoba oil. Add a few drops to your scalp scalp while protective styling once or twice a week.

I will list some of my favorite shampoos, conditioners, and hair mask below. I encourage you to do your own research on all of these products to make sure they are right for your hair type. Although these are products I use daily on my clients. I want you to become educated on the ingredients and brands. 

The Fact Is

The take away from this article is that there is no one secret product that you can use that will grow your hair long and fast. The secret to making natural hair grow fast is a regimen and sequence of products that you use on a consistent basis that will deliver the results you are looking for. Do not believe any product that is advertised to sell you a dream. That product does not exist. What does exist is your ability to use all of the products you currently have at your disposal in the best way possible to deliver lasting results. Product knowledge is key and a consistent routine will get you there. 

Next Up: Best Shampoos For Natural Hair