ON TWITTER....take 2!

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER!!!!

@xoA_Nicolexo

Please and Thank You!!!! :-)

FOLLOW MY TUMBLR BLOG!!

http://alexandrianicolemusic.tumblr.com

CHECK IT OUT!

THANKS!

"Where the HECK you been?!?!"

I have been neglecting this blog! :-(

Sorry....

Life is BUSY for me right now...i'm so focused, & I can't stop now!

More sales and deals will be posted in the coming weeks! As we know Halloween is right around the corner, so I want to do a "Costumes on the Cheap" series, so look for that in the first week of October!

MUAH!!!!

$5 Shoe SALE?!?!

Hey Ya'll!!!!

Go Jane.com is having a CRAZY shoe sale!!!!!

Sandals and Heels for $5 and UP...CUTE stuff too!!!

LET'S SHOP!!!!!!!

Sigma Makeup Affiliate Program!

Hey y'all!!

I know I have M.I.A for like a month! LOL

I'm back with some great news!!

Are you familiar with Sigma Makeup?!? They offer excellent, quality brushes for a steal!

I just became an affiliate with the company, and you can too! Go to sigmamakeup.com and click the affiliate program and get signed up today!! You get 10% commission off of all purchases when visitors of your blog or website click your link!!! Great way to make some extra cash right??!!! :-)

One year ago today....

Rockin' his NATURAL froooo!!! ;-)

.....The world lost a music ICON....

Rest in Peace Michael Jackson

Gone but NEVER forgotten...

FOLLOW my NEW BLOG!!

_-_-_FOLLOW!-_-_-

click link below!

~::♥ROAD 2 NATURAL♥::~

ROAD 2 NATURAL: Products!

I went to Sally's, my local beauty supply (NIXI), and Target this week to buy some products to kind of get me started on my "ROAD 2 NATURAL!".

I talked to some hair professionals and they recommended some of these products for me to try on my natural hair. They said that while transitioning, you should treat ALL of you hair as though it is already in its natural state, even the relaxed ends. When my hair gets to a length I can work with, I will cut my relaxed ends off! :-) No "Big Chop" necessary!

Anywhoo, here are the products I am going to try:

I've heard alot of good reviews about the "DOO GRO" line and thought maybe I should try it, since I DOO want my hair to GRO! (get it? DOO GRO!....lol)

I got the Anti-itch Growth Oil

and the Mega Thick Anti Thinning Formula for my temples and edges when I get twists or braids

I've always used products by Organic Root Stimulator so I picked up these:

Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner

Coconut Oil for styling

I've also read that Aphogee products are rich in protein and good for a deep conditioning, so I picked up the Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor for my breakage and chemical damage

The stylist at Sally's told me that she mixes the Aphogee 2 Min. Reconstructor and the Olive Oil Conditioner together and lets it sit on her hair for 15 minutes under a plastic cap. I think I'll try it.

My hair will love me! :-).......at least let's hope so!

MUAH!!

-The Duchess

The Duchess Presents: HAIR on the CHEAP! "Quickweaves"

If you follow me on twitter, you know that I have been really into QUICKWEAVES lately. WAIT! Before you go frowning ya nose at me, let me explain what it is!

A quickweave is exactly that, A QUICK WEAVE, tracks bonded w/ weave glue to a wig cap over your braided or molded hair. The style lasts any where from 1 week-1 month, depending on upkeep. Take it down by applying conditioner to the GLUE and GENTLY massage and pull the tracks out, or remove with BOND REMOVER, found at any beauty supply store. This style can cost any where from $25-$45, anybody who charges over this is BULLSHI**IN! LOL

EASY and SAFE right?!

Here are some of my quickweave looks!

Asymetrical "BOB"

"DEEP WAVE"

My current look: RED Asymetrical "BOB"

MUAH!!!

*Sidenote: This style REALLY helps with your transition to natural hair because NONE of your hair is out, giving it the freedom to GROW! :-)

ROAD 2 NATURAL: To be or not to be...

....NATURAL that is.

I have been going back and forth in my head about this decision.

I've always been scared to go natural because my hair is SUPER thick and it will truly be a pain in the ass to maintain.

All that doesn't matter now.

I do NOT want long term damage done by continuing to RELAX my hair.

In my short 3 months as a cosmetology student, I have ALREADY heard so many HORROR stories from girls at my school, about their hair FALLING out, or their stylists having to CUT ALL their hair OFF, due to bad relaxers and color and heat styling. I see girls at my school DAMAGING their hair everyday and wonder why they HAVE NO HAIR!

I don't want to ruin my crown of glory anymore.

If natural is the way to go to do so, then SO BE IT!

I watched "GOOD HAIR" by Chris Rock about a month ago and it SCARED me straight (or should I say "curly" LOL).

They showed how relaxers have so many HARMFUL chemicals in them and then a scientist did a demonstration on how the relaxer can deteriorate a coke can!

Terrible.

I know there are many ways of going natural, such as the BIG CHOP (going completely bald or extra SHORT! eh.....NEH!), and growing out your relaxer (which is what I'm going to do)

Guess I'll have to invest in a lot of natural hair care products, and keep my hair in natural styles (twists, braids, maybe weaves? IDK!)

It'll be worth it in the long run though! I KNOW!

I'm already 1 month without a perm, so I'll keep on this ROAD 2 NATURAL!!

ANY ONE OF MY FOLLOWERS NATURAL? CONSIDERING IT?

PLEASE lets support each other, this is truly a journey and it's better to have a support system!!

COMMENT!

:-) MUAH!

::::Earthly Body::::

Hey Everybody!!!!

It has been a LONNNNG time since I've done a post, but I have a little time on my hands so I made a video and this post!! (check BELOW for the video.) Anywhoo, I want to tell you guys about a product that I recently fell in LOVE with!! The brand is called "Earthly Body" and all the products are made from HEMP SEED. The website gives you an EXTENSIVE look into the use of hemp seed and oil, for all my people who like to "be in the know!" (http://www.earthlybody.com/)

I was recently at an Armstrong McCall hair show in Houston, and I first found these products in the VALUE section @ the back of the convention. I got a MAJOR deal on the lotions at only 1.00 a piece!! Original price: $5.99 CAN WE SAY STEAL???!!!! I got two scents: Dreamsickle and Skinny Dip. HEAVENLY fragrances and they have done wonders for my sensitive skin!

I don't know if they are available in stores but you can definitely order these lotions among other products @ the website listed above! Of course, all lotion and skin and body products aren't for everybody, I'm just telling you what works for me!!!

MUAH!!!

UPDATES for the week! :-)

***UPDATES!***

My time in Beauty School!

Hey Y'all!

Bad news, The Duchess of Cheap is putting her crown on the shelf (TEMPORARILY, of course!).

I am so busy with school, I have time for almost nothing... :-(

So once a week, I am going to do a video and post with lots of pictures about my time in cosmetology school!

I'm having the time of my life and I want to share my experience!

Hope you guys enjoy it! :-)

It might be time....

....for a BLOG SALE!!!!

I have all these unworn shoes and jewelry! Do you all want them???

LET ME KNOW!!

LOOK FOR THE SALE PREVIEW & ACTUAL SALE NEXT WEEK!! (gotta set up my paypal account!! LOL!)

MUAH!!

It's been so LONG!!!!

Hey Y'all!!!!

I know it's been sooo long since I've been on my blog....too long...it's like I just left you hanging.

I'm sorry!

Life of a busy lady!!!

Anywhooo...I am starting my video series back up on Youtube as well as daily posts on my blog. I'm not kidding...THIS IS FOR REAL!

I have a brand new concept and everything! Stay tuned!

I'm up to 90 followers now!! LETS MAKE IT 100!!! :-)

Thanks for following!!

Be back soon!

-Alex

What's Happening?!

Hey ya'll!

I have never been sooooo busy in my 19 years of life!

Let me update ya'll a little bit!:

-Well, I started COSMETOLOGY school! YAY ME! Today was my first day. I was nervous, but that passed QUICKLY, LOL. I'm looking into the future; because I've got BIG dreams! :-)

(How this ties into "Duchess of CHEAP!"? I received my SALLY'S Student Discount card! So I can get beauty products for little or nothing! AAAAHHH! Annnnd, upon my graduation I can finally apply for a MAC Pro card! Whooo! Paradise found.)

- I got a new puppy! A teacup Chihuahua named "Bisou", It means "kiss" in French! I am soooo in love with her ya'll! She's so spoiled, eats and sleeps all day...She's really the cutest little thing EVER!

-I got a job! At Crazy 8 (Gymboree sister store), so I can support my makeup obsession!! LOL

And that's all, hopefully I will find time to do more on my blog..but right now..my life is on this train that AIN'T stopping baby!!

MUAH!

:::UNDER CONSTRUCTION:::

Hey Ya'll!

I been gone toooooo long! Did ya miss me? Probably not, but ANYWHOOOOO...LOL!

I have been rethinking my blog and Youtube channel. What should I do? What do you all want to see? Should I continue to do hauls and makeup tutorials? Or should I do like daily or weekly episodes? HELP!!!!!

Any suggestions??

MUAH!

Missing. In. Action.

Hey Y'all!!!

I have been soooooo busy lately, traveling back and forth every weekend to and from Louisiana, and working, & I haven't been able to update my blog at all! Everything has died down a little bit so more post will be up this week!.....AND the video!! :-)

MUAH!

Carol's Daughter Candy Paint LipGloss...(pic heavy)

Funny story, well, to me anyway, I was in the mall and realized since I switched purses, I had left my lip gloss bag at home! Luckily, Sephora was a few steps away, so I decided to go buy some gloss. The first counter I saw when I walked in was Carol's Daughter. I LOVE their hair products so I figured lets give the lip gloss a try. (SIDEBAR: I might be late on reviewing this but WHATEVER!) It was only $6.50, that's pretty cheap! I got in the car and tried it and IMMEDIATELY wiped it off!!! Not to say I absolutely didn't like it, because I've found a solution to my problem with it (scroll down), but It went on like gum, very sticky and gooey! I was so disappointed!

Review with pics:

Clean Lips

Looks pretty right?

...And then...

STICKY, GOOEY LIKE GUM!!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

After wiping it off, I realized that I don't want to throw it away, so I needed to come up with a solution as to how to wear it. I then applied LipLicious "Orange" Lip gloss over the top of "This is Me"

A LITTLE better right?! Not as sticky I think I'll keep it.... I don't know

------------------------------------------

Anybody have this gloss?? Give me YOUR review!

MUAH!

SUPERBOWL 44 CHAMPS: NEW ORLEANS SAINTS!

WHO DAT?

WHO DAT?

WHO DAT SAY DEY GON BEAT DEM SAINTS!!!???

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WON THEIR FIRST SUPERBOWL EVER!!!

SAINTS vs. COLTS: 31-17

CONGRATS SAINTS!! CONGRATS SAINTS FANS!!!!

WHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! PARTY HARD!!

MARDI GRAS IN NEW ORLEANS HERE I COME!!!!

BREEESUS!!! HERCUBREES!!!

LOL!

WHO DAT!!

MAC @ Nordstrom!: SALE!

TONIGHT ONLY!!!

MAC is giving you ONE free eyeshadow (SHROOM) with the purchase of (2) shadows of your choice, TONIGHT ONLY!!!

GET IT WHILE IT LASTS!

http://www.nordstrom.com

Beyonce' *HEAT* Review

I AM....

...in LOVE with this fragrance, & not just because I am like the BIGGEST Beyonce' fan ever either!

MACY*S Website says:

Catch the fever with Beyonce' Heat, the first fragrance by Beyonce'. Sensual. Sexy. Sophisticated. Beyonce' Heat is an alluring, feminine fragrance featuring rare sensual flowers created for the new modern woman exuding confidence, sexiness and energy. Let yourself feel the heat!

Ingredients:

----------

Top Notes:

Red Vanilla Orchid

Neroli Orpur (orange tree blossoms)

Magnolia Delavayi

Blush Peach

--------
Middle Notes:

Honeysuckle Nectar

Almond Macaroon

Creme De Musk

---------
Base Notes:

Giant Sequoia Milkwood

Tonka Bean

Modern Amber

----------------------------------------------------------------------

My Mini Review:

Beyonce' has done it again!! I purchased this last night, Feb. 5, at Macy*s after first testing it on my wrist. I immediately fell in LOVE with this scent. It's sweet, yet sexy, sassy, and a little spicy and warm. All of the fragrance notes blend together in PERFECT harmony. The price is reasonable at $60.00 +tax (splurge for me..lol), and I got a free bag with my purchase as well. If you are as much of a "perfume addict" as I am, then you absolutely need to add this scent to your collection.

ENJOY!

muah!

~Catch the FEVER~

http://www.beyonceparfums.com

Coastal Scents 88 Palette Sale: HAUL

There was a 20% sale, recently, at Coastal Scents (http://www.coastalscents.com) on their 88 palettes! I ordered 2, the 88 Ultra Shimmer & the 28 Neutral Palette, the sale took $3.99 off of the 88 palette price (just got them in the mail today!!!). The sale is now over, :-( , but I hope you got your palettes if you didn't have them!!!

28 Neutral

88 Ultra Shimmer

--------------------------------------------------------

I am in love with the products from Coastal Scents! They really have a great selection of cosmetics and it's a perfect start for beginning make-up artists!

5 CHEAP Beauty Products I'm LOVING at the moment!

Hey Everybody!!

Hope my readers are doing well!

Just want to take the time out and welcome the new followers of this blog and my YouTube subscribers!!

I have been M.I.A on YouTube for a while, I am a busy busy bee! Look forward to videos soon!

ANYWHOOOO, I just wanted to show you all what 5 beauty items I am absolutely in LOVE with right now!

Here they are:

Liplicious Tasty Lip Color: Bath & Body Works

Original Price: $7.00

Online SALE Price: $3.00

http://www.bathandbodyworks.com

I have never been so in LOVE with a lip gloss! LOL

These are PERFECT, Kissable :-), and TASTY!!

Most inexpensive lip glosses that I've used have been really sticky and too heavy, but these are just right! I even think there may be a little lip plumping formula in them! ;-)

Maybelline EyeStudio Collection

Prices range from $6.00 - $10.00 +tax!

I am in LOVE with the colors and the professional look of this new collection! The colors are very pigmented and long lasting. The duos are like a cheaper version of MAC's mineralized duos (which I also own and LOVE!). I haven't bought the liner or the mascara yet, because I am biased to the HIP Cream Liner and Maybelline Great Lash (yes, that pink and green tube has got a strong hold on me!!), but I will be trying the rest of the line soon!

Maybelline CoverStick Concealer

Price: $6.00

This product is so wonderful! The texture is creamy and THICK, so it flawlessly COVERS any blemish or dark spot you may have. I've been using a lot of stick concealers lately, just because I haven't really found a liquid concealer that I've really just loved. I've used this in looks that I have created for others and it really does look good on all skin types! It's inexpensive and serves its purpose! Great product!

Profusion 98 Color Palette

Price: $6.50 if you can find it @ ROSS!

Online price: $9.99

I wasn't expecting this product to be that great because of the DIRT CHEAP price and it was at ROSS, but i was proved verrry wrong! This palette is highly pigmented, shimmery but not overpowering, & the color payoff is wonderful. Great product with an even greater price tag! ;-)

Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation

Price: $12.00 + tax

I have learned, in purchasing makeup, that EXPENSIVE does not always mean that its better. You have to give your drugstore makeup a chance! Well, I took a chance on this foundation and I fell in LOVE with this product! I really don't need foundation on my face, and I don't wear it all the time, but whenever I put this foundation on my face, it feels like nothing is there. It's so weightless and has exceptional coverage. Honestly, I'd rather use Revlon Colorstay than MAC foundation, unless a makeup artist applies it to my face. I use a stippling brush from coastal scents to apply. I've heard nothing but great reviews about Colorstay!

Hope you enjoy my picks!

MUAH!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!

I've been on this earth for 19 years, today, February 1st!!

"Go Shawty, it's ya Birthday, We gon' party like it's ya Birthday!!"

(No Bacardi though, ain't old enough, YET! LOL)

I'm too excited!

:-)

MUAH!

DEALS & STEALS: Coastal Scents

20% off ALL 88 Palettes!!!! (Original, Ultra Shimmer, & Warm)

Limit (1) per household, if you buy 2, only 1 gets the discount!

*UPDATE*

SALE ENDS 02-01-10

I ordered mine! Get YOURS TODAY!!

MUAH!!

A Few Things...

Hey Everybody!

Hope you're having a good weekend so far!!

Anywhoo, wanted to show y'all some clothing items that I picked up a while ago from some local boutiques and Hollister in Houston and Lafayette:

"Newport Hollister" Tee

Orig. Price: $19.50

Sale Price: $13.00 even

*Hollister is having a 40% off SALE on their winter items! Everything with a RED LINE is 40% off! WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!!*

Dress from K'Lar Collections in Houston TX.

Orig. Price: $59.99

Sale Price: $24.00

Jean dress w/ belt from Lafayette Bargain Store

Orig. Price: $29.99

Sale Price: $13.99

ENJOY!

MUAH!

:-)