Let me say this: I don’t have children, so I don’t know what it’s like to bounce back after giving birth. I know not everyone has access to the money and staff that entertainers have, but gee whiz, it’s nice to dream.

First, to Halle Berry. Yes, she’s rich. Yes, she was probably kicking her personal trainer’s butt to look this good, but check this out:

Berry just had a baby SIX WEEKS AGO. Granted, she’s looking a tad bit too much on the Sandra Bullock tip (please drop the weave and rock the short cut again), but wow. She’s looks like this after having a kid at 41.

Guess there’s hope for me.

But wait…there’s more!

If there’s one woman in the entertainment industry that I hope and pray I that my pinky finger resembles hers as I age, it’s this sister right here:

All Hail Nichelle Nichols. That’s right…it’s Uhura dagnabbit! Look at her! Just look at her!!!!!! Look at that skin, that smile, the way she holds that head up!!!!!!!! WOW! Just WOW!

Images: Halle - © Chris Hatcher / PR Photos ; Nichelle - © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Oh come on, you know you do it too.

At first I thought she was planning some grout work in the shower and this stuff was for spackling. Or perhaps it was some leftover oatmeal. After explaining what this gob of something in a small plastic container was, my friend gave me a sample. After using it once, I decided to test it out for a few weeks.

Yes, upon the initial glance, Angels on Bare Skin can be a tad bit off-putting. But once you get past its looks, you’ll find that it works wonders for exfoliating and cleansing your skin.

What’s in it

According to Lush’s site, Angels on Bare Skin is a semi-soft solid concoction of ground almonds, lavender buds, glycerine, clay, lavender and rose oils and perfume. That last ingredient is bewildering to me. Lush says that the product is “natural,” but I guess natural is relative.

How to use it

The instructions for Angels on Bare Skin say to “blend a pea-sized amount with water,” rub into a paste and then apply to to a damp face using a circular motion. I’ve seen on some sites where folks have had a rough time getting the glob to make a paste: I didn’t, which is surprising since Switzerland has such hard water. Also, it seems that a little goes a long way.

I made the paste and applied it. I found that it wasn’t as abrasive as I thought it would be.

After ever-so-lightly rubbing my face with the stuff (staying clear of the eye area), I took a damp cloth and wiped it off. I didn’t splash my face with water for fear of getting the stuff in my eyes.

The after effects

My skin felt smooth and, for lack of a better word, buffed, after wiping Angels on Bare Skin off. The light scent of lavender stayed behind, which was a treat (I couldn’t detect the rose oil though).

I have combination skin, and I’m using an acne cream, so flakiness + oiliness is a big problem for me. Angels on Bare Skin seemed to exfoliate the flaky spots and calm down the oily patches in my t-zone at the same time without irritation.

I used Angels on Bare Skin once a week. I believe using it more than that may be a tad bit too much, at least for my skin.

In a nutshell

Pros: Nice lavender scent, a little goes a long way, seems to be great for combination skin. Makes a nice paste.

Cons: And this is my major con…the smallest size I could get was 100g. Since this stuff goes a long way and has a shelf life of about four months, I’ll probably have to toss the bulk of it. Also, some may be put off by the sparse packaging. I didn’t have issues with it though since Lush is big into reducing waste.

Click the thumbnails for a closer look.

Cost

CHF 12.90 (100g), US$9.50 (3.5oz)

I’m slowly, very slowly, returning to posting here, so bear with me. I will say that getting back to rashonista.com gives me a chance to have some fun on the Web. Whooda thunkit?

So, on to what I’ve dug up:

According to reports, Strangé is about to make a comeback.

The Independent says: “A music industry source claims that Jones, 59, hopes dramatically to resurrect her career and has worked on material for an album, with the help of her 39-year-old on/off fella’ Ivor Guest, the music-producing 4th Viscount Wimborne.

‘It has been touted to at least one label,” the source says, “and is meant to be a remarkable record, although I haven’t heard it.” We shall have to wait.’”

The snarky blurb on the news website also said that Jones was contemplating an autobiography. Folks can trip off of Grace Jones all you want, but I love the woman. I love her voice, style and “I don’t give a damn” attitude.

And she’s 59.

Shoot, I hope I’ll look that good.

Thandie Newton looked - interesting - last week at the Somerset House Ice Rink re-opening in London. Her outfit looks like that costume she word in Beloved when Sethe found her under the tree. Perhaps I’m jealous: I can’t pull off wearing a hat like that.

I will say though that if you’re going to dress in all black, take a note from Newton and accent it with a bright color. The shoes and the handbag (you can’t see it, but it’s red also) give what could have been mourning outfit some umph.

On another note, yes, I’m reading all of the comments on my post about Pantene’s Relaxed and Natural products. On one hand, it makes me feel better knowing that I wasn’t alone in my view that the product line - which is supposed to be geared toward women of color - is crap. On the other, this is an example of yet another company trying to jump on the ethnic bandwagon and take our money obviously without fully testing the product.

In the review pipeline: Lush’s Angels on Bare Skin and Miss Jessie’s Curly Pudding and Baby Buttercreme.

Images: PRPhotos. Click the thumbnails for large version.