COUNTDOWN | TOP 10 2014 LAGOS DISCOVERIES - FINALE

Drumroll please.....   At Number one we have:





1.) THE BiL DIRECTORY

Now I know this isn't really a discovery, seeing as I created and run it. BUT, I feel as though it's still a discovery and I can't really explain it.

My initial idea was to create an online beauty directory, but I felt why would anyone trust the businesses listed? So I decided to start a blog, review beauty establishments around town, get the blog to act like a tried-and-tested directory, THEN start working on and designing my online directory.

I wish there had been something of this sort when I moved back to Lagos, and I really hope the directory has been of some use to most of you guys.

I would like to say a HUGE thank you to all the businesses that took a chance with me and decided to get listed on the directory, without you all there will be no directory, literally.

I have big big plans for 2015, already in talks to upgrade the site, going to get 100+ businesses listed before the end of 2015.

Thank you so much to every single one of you that has been part of my Beauty In Lagos journey all through 2014. I have got a 4-phase plan for BiL phase 1 is this here blog, successfully launched phase 2 in 2014, looking to launch 3 in 2015! Will definitely share all the information in due course...

Please visit THE BiL DIRECTORY for all your beauty needs. We've got hair vendors, makeup vendors, spas, nail salons etc. listed.

Be safe wherever you are tonight, be merry, be happy and most importantly remember to be extremely humbled and grateful to be here! Speak to you all in the New Year and once again THANK YOU!

Lots of love,

Ez xxX

COUNTDOWN | TOP 10 2014 LAGOS DISCOVERIES - Part 2

Hello!

Welcome to the 365th day of 2014! INSANE!!

So, carrying on from yesterday's post (which you can read here), here's my top 4 discoveries this year.



5.) HAIRVEN HAIR CARE PRODUCTS

I am a little disappointed I hadn't bothered to try these out sooner, but I am happy I finally did.

Quite a few of my friends having read my review of these products, went out and bought the entire range. They did not just buy it, they actually used it as I had directed! I was truly humbled by this, because although I type these posts advising you guys use certain products a certain way, I never actually believe anyone's going to do that! It's nuts...

These products all come with instructions on the back detailing how to use them, so if you do not feel comfortable following my guidelines, please go along with Hairvens' ;). Definitely an awesome discovery which I am taking with me into 2015 and beyond!

Where to Buy

Visit their listing page on The BiL Directory and click on their website link for more details


4.) R & R LUXURY

I am still trying to figure out how they managed to get Shea to remain in a permanent 'oil' state! . Since July, when I discovered R & R Luxury, their body oil in 'Serenity' has been all I have been using exclusively as my all-over-body moisturiser. Absolutely nothing else. And these last a long time, I'd say a good 2-3 months (I had my pesky little sister using mine  along with me, so I can't tell you exactly how long it lasts. If only she would allow me be a great beauty-blogger so I can come at you guys with facts! lol). I have even got 2 brand new ones chillin' as backup and I pray they never stop making these, because I cannot imagine using anything else at this point! So thank you R& R Luxury for your body oils!

Address:
Flagship Store: 1 Niyi Okunibi Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
Sacred Beauty: Abiola Close, Shonibare Estate, Maryland
Website: www.SheaLuxury.com


3.) SAVVY & CHIC HAIR BEAUTY HUB

One thing I always discuss with my friends is that, here in Lagos we've got quite a few hair-stylists that no how to 'lay' a weave and 'slay' your hair. But these same stylists and MORE have not got a clue how to take care of the clients' real hair. I was once sat in a salon and this customer was telling the stylist relaxing her hair about this thing her colleague mentioned called 'Moisturizing & Sealing', and asked what product could do that. This stylist goes off on an epistle, how a certain product they sell for thousands of Naira will do the job, blah blah blah. I just had to interject very politely and say that 'Moisturizing & Sealing' is just a process of moisturising your hair from root to tip with a good hair moisturizer (preferably water-based) and then sealing that moisture in using an oil or even oil-based moisturiser will do the trick in one. I just could not stand the stylists blatant ignorance and rather say she had no idea, was trying to rope the poor customer into parting with her cash.

This is why I absolutely love the Savvy & Chic salon, it is run my hair-blogger Dabs and she knows her onions when it comes to healthy hair. Every time I am around her I go straight to asking hair-related questions! If you have been after a good hair salon, I will recommend Savvy & Chic salon!

Address:
They are based on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi. But will be moving in the new year.
To stay up to date on where their new location will be,  I will suggest you follow their instagram page :@SavvyChicHairBeautyHub


2.) STELLA'S ADDICTION

I like to consider myself a bit of a personal makeup artist. And by 'personal', I mean ME, my own makeup artist. I can 'beat' my own face quite well, if I do say so myself. And because of this, I have sort of become a Makeup Artist's (MUAs) nightmare. I am that girl, who, after getting her makeup done ALWAYS goes back in with her own eyeliner, or darken the crease or waterline. I am just hardly ever 100% satisfied, until I got my makeup done by Stella of Stella's Addiction. I mean, I did STILL go over my makeup after she was done, but it was the happiest I'd ever been with an MUA in a long time. And the amount she charges for a makeover is possibly one of the cheapest out here. She starts at NGN 6,500 and then if you want extras added on, it'll cost you. For example, you want false lashes it's NGN 2000 if you haven't got your pair and NGN1000 if you do etc.

Apart from makeovers, she also grooms eyebrows by threading. Once again, thank you so much for actually taking my advice, Stella has mentioned a few times that quite a number of you have visited her studio to get your brows groomed after I published this review on the blog! I have even had a couple of you tag me on instagram! She really is a brow-whiz and if you need yours groomed please visit Stella's studio, I promise you will not regret it!

Address: 
5 Wole Ariyo Street, Off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1.



Ok, we'll take a very short breather! 

Find out what my Number 1 is in an hour...

Laters,

Ez xxX

COUNTDOWN | TOP 10 2014 LAGOS DISCOVERIES - Part 1

Hiya!

It's the 364th day of 2014 and I just can't help but feel incredibly blessed! I always get reflective around this time every single year and I thought, why not incorporate that somehow on the blog. So I decided to do a countdown of my favourite finds all around Lagos in 2014.

So, here's part 1 in descending order....


10. INGLOT STORE

The fact that an Inglot store was opening up in Lagos really got me excited and I really do believe that we will see a lot more international brands setting up shop around these parts next year!

Address:
The Palms Mall, Oniru


9. YSL STAND AT ESSENZA 

Photo cred: www.wmagazine.com

I still believe that most people are no aware that there is a fully-stocked YSL counter in Essenza stores. The YSL stand in the Essenza store at the Palms, Lekki has got everything from Touche Éclat to their variety of lipsticks. This was very much an exciting discovery for me this year.

Address:
The Palms Mall, Oniru

8. POLO AVENUE

Photo cred: www.pinterest.com

Let's be honest, luxury designer items have been sold in Lagos for years. BUT, there were always two main concerns: 1.) The exorbitant price points and 2.) The authenticity of the merchandise. With Polo Avenue, all those concerns can be left behind because they are official retailers of a few luxury brands like Gucci, Balenciaga, Jimmy Choo & Feragammo (I may have missed out a couple) in Nigeria. I have purchased a couple items from them this year and honestly the price difference when I checked a certain item I got against that of it's counterpart in the actual store online, it was just $5, no word of a lie. I need more of such stores to open up though ;)

Address:

166 Ozumba Mbadiwe, Street VI

7. SOCIAL PLACE

Photo cred: www.thesocialplacelagos.blogspot.com

This is sort of like a hidden event space in Lagos. One thing I do NOT understand is why it is still 'hidden', although I feel they have gained a lot of momentum this year with quite a few high-profile events being held there, including the launch of Nollywood actress, Genevieve Nnaji's clothing line on Jumia. I particularly love their bridal shower packages, which start from from NGN 7,500 per person. And with that, you get the venue, buffet style food, decor, cupcakes and games. They have a lovely outdoor garden which can be hired for an event and also fully-airconditioned indoor spaces. I have known about Social Place a couple years, but only made use of their bridal shower package this year and was thoroughly impressed. Not everyone's got a huge budget to hire out an event space, and it's really nice to see that there is someone in the market that offers a budget friendly service without scrimping on the quality

Address
33 Sinari Darinjo, Victoria Island, Lagos




6. TASALA HQ

Remember this post where I mentioned I had to send my hair extensions to Amsterdam to get them dyed. A few months after that I was chatting with Dabs and she mentioned this hair stylist she discovered on instagram. After going through her pictures, I decided to send her an email. One thing led to another and soon enough I was dropping off my hair extensions to be dyed. She did an awesome job, and I will be reviewing her services on the blog in the new year! Her weave installation is honestly the best I have had. The last weave I had installed by her lasted 4weeks and even at that it was still flawless, I just needed to take it down to pamper my own hair. Look out for my full review post in the new year!

Address:
Opral Benson Beauty Training Institute
9, Thornborn Avenue,
Off Otunba Tos Benson Avenue,
Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.

So that brings me to the end of Part 1 of this countdown. If you've read my blog or followed me on my social media platforms all through the year, some of these aren't news to you. But it is nice to have them all in one post which you can bookmark or save via bloglovin'

Part 2 tomorrow...

Laters,

Ez xxX


My Christmas Giveaway is still on, to participate view the post here: BiL Huge Nationwide Christmas Giveaway