Stepha Inc.

Terressentials Pure Earth "Mud" Wash Review

2012-01-25T20:56:00.002-05:00


Post wash earlier this week (instagram pic)

Last month while on vacation and with entirely too much time on my hand I decided to go through my must try list and order some new goodies for the new year. My goal this year as far as hair products is to keep it as simple as possible ans use mainly Ayurvedic and natural products. I heard nothing but great things about the Terressentials mud wash, and thought it was a perfect product to start off with especially as it can be used as a detox. Here's are the deets:

Product description and claims:

Our revolutionary Pure Earth Hair Wash does an incredibly beautiful job of cleaning your hair without any chemical detergents, foam boosters, protein thickeners and coating agents, emulsifiers, preservatives or fragrance. Our Pure Earth Hair Wash is simple, pure and effective. Leaves nothing on your hair, so your hair will be clean, full, soft and shiny. Once you've experienced it, you'll never want to use anything else! Works well for thin or fine, normal or wavy hair, and sensitive or irritated scalps. Kids love our "mud," too!

Ingredients:

Organic aloe vera juice°, clay minerals, organic extract° of organic linden flower°, essential oils of organic lemon°, organic sweet orange° and organic lime°, extracts of organic nettle°, organic chamomile° and organic shavegrass°, essential oils of organic bergamot°, wildcrafted bay and organic petitgrain°.

°USDA Certified Organic

My Experience:

I decided to do the 5 day detox, which entailed just washing with the mud and using nothing else for 5 straight days, eek! I had just begun doing bikram, so I thought it was the perfect time to add this in the mix to wash my sweaty hair every night. I left my hair in twists to wash it to keep things relatively simple. So every night, I would get home from class jump in the shower, massage a handful of the pure earth wash into my hair and scalp, massage some more, leave on for a minute, rinse and repeat. My initial thought immediately was "Wow, my hair is soo soft!!" and of course I ran to the hubby and had him touch it, lol.

Fresh after 1st wash

The next morning however, it seemed I had lost that lovely soft feeling because when I took my scarf off, my hair was matted to the side and appeared to be dull. For a moment I panicked as I tried to figure out how I would be able to look presentable while using no product at all. My first thought was to grab some coconut oil, after all it is natural, right?!...No? Okay, okay! I probably could have used it but decided I was going to go through with the original plan, so instead I re-twisted some of the hair to refresh the style. As the days went by my hair felt softer, the morning hair didn't feel so dry and I just refreshed individual twists as needed. I did feel like a junkie waiting for next fix for the first couple days, as all I could think of is when I could use some product.

The main thing I did notice post detox is that my hair is more manageable than ever, it tangles less and retains more moisture. I spent the greater part of the last week in bed sick, and did not a darn thing to my hair which normally would mean a nightmare wash session is in store. But much to my surprise, I had no drama when I finally decided to wash it on Monday, I even washed it all at once not in sections like I normally do and let it air dry before tissues, with no issues what.so.ever!

Mud in hair before rinsing out

Verdict:

I really like this product. I've used clay on my hair before (rhassoul), and know of the great benefits, but I always used it as a conditioner, and never used it consistently. Since this is also a fairly simple DIY projects as bentonite clay and aloe are the main ingredients, I will probably experiment with making my own version adding some of my fave ingredients and save the Terressentials for lazy days or when I travel.

If you're looking for an all natural, non-chemical and fuss free way of washing your hair this is a must try. I got the Left Coast Lemon scent, which is absolutely intoxicating!! The company also does a great job with shipping, I got my product in 1 business day, now that's what I call service with a smile. For more info on the Pure Earth Hair Wash visit the Terressentials wesbsite .

In Just 2 Short Months...

2012-01-17T21:36:00.001-05:00

I will be typing this as a Mrs.!! Yes my loves my wedding is 60 days away, Crazy right?! I'm still having a hard time processing that it's literally right around the corner. I'm excited and anxious all at once. Planning has been pretty smooth for the most part, surprisingly smooth, so much so that I'm a little concerned. lol. I'm praying that the final stretch remains relatively smooth. Everything is pretty much set, just final details, the little things you never really think about, so now everyday I have some sort of wedding related task to finish, and yes I get all giddy checking each one off because it's just closer to our dream realized.

This past weekend, I went for my first dress fitting and I still liked my dress, which is good because I really was a bit worried that I may no longer like it since it had been so long. My veil didn't fair so well though, I purchased this one blusher from Twigs and Honey, after obsessing over it for months but even after some adjustments by the vendor, it still didn't feel right. So I ended up purchasing a more traditional one, something I never thought I would wear.We'll see, I still have time to change my mind lol.

Our beautiful invites c/o Beacon Lane

Today though was one of the peaks of my excitement, as the wedding invites were delivered. I would say this of all things was perhaps the most tedious and painful part of planning by far, seriously one never realizes how much goes into it until you're up at the wee hours doing spreadsheets of addresses. But all of the work was well worth it, because they turned out beautifully. I chose Beacon Lane, an Etsy vendor of course, because after looking at many of the popular sites, this was one of the few that we both really liked, and her prices were very reasonable. I'm out of town for a few days and was almost sad to leave because I wanted just a little more time to gush over them before I have to send them off .

I'm out for now, just wanted to share my joy :) I will be back soon with some of my other awesome Etsy purchases but later this week look out for my Terrensentials Mud Wash detox experience, when "natural" gets real natural.

Xoxo

Ayurvedic Haircare Made Simple

2012-01-12T01:02:00.000-05:00

Amla Fruits

Ayurvedic haircare has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, moving from discussions on hair boards to the ingredient list in some popular brands. Even with this surge in popularity there is still a lot of mystery behind this ancient practice and many women wanting to incorporate it in their haircare regimen find it a bit overwhelming. In this post, I will discuss some simple ways to add elements of Ayurveda in to your routine.

What is Ayurveda?

When broken down the words "Ayur" means "of life" and "Veda" means "knowledge" so simply put it is the knowledge of life or longevity. Ayurveda is the science of life, an ancient holistic system of well being native of India dating over 5,000 years. The practice itself involves all aspects of life, but for the purposes of this blog, I will mostly discuss haircare and beauty aspects.

Why Ayurveda?

Well for one it's completely natural, it's also fairly accessible and easy on the wallet. Many users of Ayurvedic methods of haircare have reported a total turn around in their hair especially when it comes to growth, thickness and overall health. I first tried this method in 2008 and was amazed by the changes in my then damaged, overly processed, relaxed hair. It is now my main staple.

Most Common Ingredients and Their Purposes

Amla
Conditioning agent, highly acidic and antiseptic. Purported to provide added strength to hair roots, bring luster to hair, encourage hair growth, and addresses premature greying.

Aritha
Cleansing agent, can leave hair a bit stiff. It is recommend it for use with shikakai and amla.

Brahmi
Purported to promote hair growth and rejuvenation. Brahmi is best used in combination with other powders and provide not only stronger roots, but also thicker hair and relief from itchy scalp.

Bhringraj/ Maka
Conditioning agent. Aids in hair growth. Used for prevention of premature balding, and helps with sun damaged and color treated hair.

Hibiscus
Conditioning agent with mild cleansing properties, promotes hair growth, softens and conditions. Hibiscus may stain porous hair a faint red

Kapur Kachri
Promotes growth by thickening the roots, derived from Spiked Ginger Plant, and also used for fragrance.

Methi/ Fenugreek
Very conditioning, can be used as a gelling agent in mixes for the slime factor. Gives shine to hair. Also good for dandruff and hair loss.

Neem
Anti fungal, anti bacterial herb. Aids in killing of and protection against lice, fungal caused dandruff, and any infection caused skin conditions. Helps treat eczema. Natural insecticide and fungicide.

Shikakai
Cleansing agent. Can be drying. Use with oils or a conditioning herb like Amla.

Tulsi--holy basil
Treats ringworm and other skin diseases, protects skin from environmental damage

Getting Started

As you can see from the list above there are quite a few things to choose from, but the easiest way to get started is to choose 3-4 powder and 1 oil and take it from there. I would recommend Shikakai, Amla and Brahmi as they are easy to work with and more likely to be in stock. I also would recommend using no more than 2 powders at a time when you are first starting. Allow yourself to notice what the ingredients you used did to your hair before adding something else. For oils you can try the oils of one of the herbs mentioned (Amla, shikakai, brahmi, bhringraj or neem), use plain coconut oil, or Vatika oil which is an enriched coconut oil. If you really want to get creative you can make your own as seen here.

How To Use

Scalp Massage- Scalp massages not only help you to relax, they help stimulate circulation which encourages growth. Bhringraj oil is a great oil for scalp massages as it's properties help strengthen the hair and stimulate growth.

Pre-Poo/ Oil Treatment- Use Amla oil to saturate strands, cover for 30 minutes, proceed with regular routine.

Add to favorite Conditioner- Start with 1/2 tsp of one or two of the conditioning powders, mix with your fave conditioner, add a little oil if necessary and apply to freshly washed hair, leave on for 20 mins or more. Rinse well to get all herbal particles out.

Make a paste- One of the most common ways of using the powders is to make a paste with either water or yogurt, the key to this method is thoroughly oiling the hair prior to applying the paste . For a cleansing paste, mix 1part shikakai to 1.5 part amla to create a smooth paste, apply liberally to PRE-OILED dry hair and allow to sit on hair for 30 minutes.

Final Conditioning Rinse- This recipe is easier than it sounds and can be made a day before. Add 4 Tbsp hibiscus powder and/or Fenugreek powder to a large pot of boiling water, lower hit to simmer and allow herbs to be infused for 30 minutes. Allow mixture to cool, strain with cheese cloth if needed, and add 2 Tbs of ACV and several drops of your favorite essential oil. Use as final rinse, do not rinse out.

Still too much?? Try these products which have some great Ayurvedic ingredients

Shikakai Cocasta Shampoo Bar

Chagrin Valley Ayurvedic Herb Bar

KBB Luscious Locks Hair Mask

Original Moxie: Intense Quench Deep Conditioner

Where to buy

Many of these products can be found at your local Indian grocer, some stores will even order stuff for you if it's not in stock. Click here to locate a store near you.

Online vendors include Ayurnatural Beauty and Amazon

I will be showing more of my Ayurvedic recipes from time to time, for my previous post on this topic please visit the Henna and Ayurveda section on the Hair Talk tab.

Xoxo

Monday Motivation : Choose Your Hard

2012-01-09T00:05:00.001-05:00

Happy Monday Lovelies,

I found this pic last fall when I was embarking on my new fitness journey and found it pretty motivating. Even now, whenever I have a lazy day and feel like I can just work out tomorrow, or want to overindulge in something that has absolutely no nutrition, I think of this poster. We all have hard choices to make everyday, in all aspects of life, CHOOSE YOUR HARD!

5 Tips for a Happy and Successful Year

2012-01-06T12:19:00.001-05:00

Happy Friday Lovelies!!

How has the first week of 2012 been to you? Did you set resolutions...Broke them already? No worries, there are still 360 days left to get it right :) I like to keep things simple and most of all realistic. I came up with this list based on personal experience and some of my fave motivational readings. These steps will help you focus in on what you want to achieve, simplify life and make the best of every moment.

Set out a plan

Set 2 -3 major goals, one should be long term that may take longer than 1 year to achieve, and one or two that you can achieve in a few months. Be realistic and aim to work on your goals for 1 hr every day.

The reason that most resolutions fail, is that people set them without really thinking about how they actually plan on achieving it. Let's take losing weight for example, the #1 resolution year after year. Yet only a few actually achieve it, why? Well, because losing weight is hard and requires quite a few lifestyle changes in order to be successful, if you don't prepare and set out a detailed plan of action, you will most likely not succeed. So whatever your goal is be sure to set some time aside to dedicate to it to the goal, and realize the small success as well as when the plan may need to be revamped.

Get rid of the clutter; both material and people

That blouse you haven't worn since '08? I know it's your "favorite" but seriously throw it out! The general rule is if you haven't worn in the last year or more it probably isn't your favorite anymore or you have too much stuff, either way someone else would probably do it better justice if you donate it. Now you're clutter free and charitable. Having a hard time getting rid of all of your "favorites" at once? Get rid of 5 at a time, and come back and reassess in a month or two.

Now let's talk about the people clutter, this one is a little harder to do for most but sometimes has to be done. I'm a big believer of keeping only people around you that bring out the best in you, have a positive energy and are able to uplift you. If someone doesn't fit that criteria, why keep them around? While it's nice to say you've been friends with such and such forever, in reality most friends will only be in our lives for certain epochs. Realize it, embrace it, and keep it moving.

Be your own source of happiness

Happiness breeds happiness. If you are a generally happy person, you will attract happy people, happy situations and your entire outlook on life in general will be better. Stop waiting for friends, a man, new job, money or whatever else to make you happy.

Take accountability

Nobody's perfect, we all make mistakes and are sometimes left in not so ideal situations. You need to take accountability for it all, not only successes but failures as well. Stop making excuses, stop being envious of other people's blessings. Taking ownership of failure builds the foundation for success.

Spend some time reflecting

Most of us are so busy, we rarely stop to appreciated the little things, the daily and weekly accomplishments. Ideally, it's recommended to take a few minutes at the end of the each day to do this but since any day is rarely the same I like to at least do once a week. So instead of posting the thousandth facebook message about your fabulous life, take some time for yourself reflect on the small successes of the day or week, and what you will do to build on it.

Xoxo,

Stepha

Happy New Year!!

2012-01-01T17:44:00.001-05:00

My Yummy Soupe Joumou

Happy New Year Lovelies!!

I started my celebrations with Soupe Joumou, which is a traditional Haitian soup, celebrating our independence. It was my first time attempting it by myself, and I'm quite pleased with the turn out.

More than the deliciousness of this soup however, I like what it symbolizes. The new beginning, the hopes and dreams of what lies ahead. The beginning of a new year, is a time for reflection on the blessing of years past and what we wish to accomplish in the year ahead. More than just silly resolutions, it's setting that goal and a thorough plan on how you plan to reach it. We will discuss resolutions in detail in the next post.

I hope your year has started off on the right foot and I thank all of you who have joined this blog, commented on my posts, emailed me and shown your support for Stepha Inc. I'm looking forward to another great year of healthy haircare, DIY beauty, fab product finds and lifestyle discussion.

Love you all!!

Xoxo

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Year End Hair Update

2011-12-27T19:35:00.001-05:00

Hey Lovelies,

Hope you guys had a wonderful Christmas! I straightened my hair last week for my year end progress review. Though I was happy with the progress, the hairnorexic in me would have wanted more. My ends are in need of some TLC so I'm gonna trim about an in all around and get ready for an even better hair year next year. Here are pics and the video update from my channel.

Heading out to STK with my love


Inspired by Nicole on X Factor

Xmas dinner look

DIY Beauty: Brown Sugar Shikakai Scalp Scrub

2011-12-22T19:15:00.000-05:00

A recipe I use to exfoliate my scalp. It's loaded with my fave Ayurvedic and scalp friendly ingredients. I made a larger batch in the video, but you can do this with just 2 Tbs of sugar and adjust the other ingredients as needed. Make sure you let me know if you do try it :)

Key Ingredients and Benefits

Brown Sugar- Great exfoliant

Shikakai Powder-Natural hair and scalp cleanser. Cleans the hair without stripping it of natural oils. Purported to promoted hair growth and strengten hair at the roots.

Neem Oil- A magnificent oil with numerous benefits for both therapeutic and medicinal use. Among other properties, this certified organic oil is anti-septic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal

Jojoba Oil-Considered the most favored in the carrier oil family because of its advanced molecular stability, Jojoba makes a great scalp cleanser.

Peppermint Essential Oil- Has many healing properties, used in this mix to help circulation.

Tea Tree Essential Oil- Another power house, used in this mix for its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients can be purchased online at Mountain Rose Herbs and From Nature With Love or at you local health food and Indian stores.

Stephainc is now on twitter so please be sure to follow @stephainc1

Fun Holiday Nails Courtesy of Deborah Lippmann

2011-12-17T13:11:00.000-05:00

DL colors in Bitch's Brew and Boom Boom Pow

This season I'm totally obsessed with glitter nail styles. I've been eying Deborah Lippmann polishes for a while now and recently took the plunge and added 4 to my collection. This was my first time using them and I'm pretty impressed so far. The red in 'Brew is so gorgeous, I was actually upset to putting the glitter on because it masked some the prettiness of the red. Nonetheless I still love the combo, I tried my best to take good pics but they just aren't doing the colors justice. I made this super short clip here, where you get a better idea of the richness of this color combo. I also did my nails myself , which is not something I'm talented at so they could look better in that regard. I've created a list of other drool worthy holiday inspired color below. I love the idea of taking your fave nail color and adding a little sparkle to it with one these glitter colors, but of course they can be worn alone as well. Are you ladies experimenting with new polishes this season?

Nail Polish by Deborah Lippmann
Nail Polish by Sephora

In Other News...

I posted a vlog on YT the other day just saying hello and showing off these polishes and some other stuff. If you're not already please be sure to check me out over ther and subscribe since I don't always post the videos on here.

Bad Hair Day Redifined

2011-12-08T22:53:00.001-05:00

A couple days ago I decided to wear my hair in a braid out. Lately, I haven't been getting as much definition as usual from my twists and braid outs. At first the style was defined but that all went out the window as soon as I stepped out and the rain and humidity got to it! The definition slowly went away and my fro grew bigger and bigger. Rather than fuss, I just fluffed it even more and enjoyed every bit of it. I'm sure it helped that I used my faves from Qhemet (AOHC and MTCG) and Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade. Of course I took pics at the end of the day I got home.

Next time I post hair pics, it will be of my straightened hair, yay!!

XOXO

November Birchbox Reviews

2011-11-30T23:44:00.001-05:00


November 2011 Box

LaROCCA- Champagne and Shimmer Acai Sugar Body Polish, $35

Description: This revitalizing sweet-smelling body polish buffs away dull skin with raw sugar, acai, and 24-karat colloidal gold. But that’s not all, coconut oil and shea butter work to moisturize and combat dryness so that you’re left with nothing but softness.

My Thoughts: I was skeptical of this at first because it came in this teeny little think and I was wondered what exactly they wanted me to scrub with it, but it smelled absolutely delicious so I had to try to make it work. The scrub felt rich and luxurious without being overly abrasive, and left my skin super soft and moisturized. I usually make my own sugar scrubs, but I would not mind splurging on this.

Atelier Cologne-Vanille Intensee Cologne Absolue, $60- 170

Description: Romantic and sumptuous, this scent is a worthy addition to any fragrance collection. Top notes of bright lime and coriander mingle with middle notes of jasmine and oak moss. Madagascar vanilla and amber notes anchor the scent.

My Thoughts: Romantic and sumptuous is exactly right!! I absolutely loved this, I fell in love with their Orange Senguine last year, but didn't think I would like this one as I hate vanilla fragrance. But this is not your typical bath and body-esque vanilla, it rich, sophisticated and will definitely have people asking " What are you wearing". Absolutely will add to my collection.

Chuao Firecracker Choco Pod, $6.00 Bar, $7.95 Assorted Pods

Description: Chuao’s decadent chocolates are made from cacao sourced from Venezuela’s most famous chocolate region. The artisanal bars come in a range of exciting flavors that go way beyond sweet. — think salty, crisp, spicy. You’ll be spoiled for life.

My Thoughts: Chocolate is so not my thing, I like it but I don't crave it, can go months without it and would be fine and I actually almost tossed this (gasp). I'm glad I didn't because it was pretty darn good and I actually felt little popping sensations. They sell boxes of the pods with different flavors including an almond coconut, and cinnamon one which I am dying to try. I think it's great to have around for entertaining or the occasional craving , prob not so great if you're a chocoholic because you'd eat them all!!

Tay Safflower Seed Night Cream, $112

Description: The epitome of understated luxury, this rich cream’s highly potent botanicals work together to leave your complexion velvety smooth. Some of the star ingredients include lipid spheres to increase skin’s moisture intake, safflower extract to boost skin suppleness, and organic jojoba to reverse the signs of aging.

My Thoughts: This product was loaded with awesome ingredients including as camellia oil, rosehip oil, pomegranate oil, murumuru butter etc. I loved the consistency, nice and creamy, went on smoothly and left face feeling baby soft. However, since I sometimes make my own stuff and am familiar with many of the ingredients and of wholesale prices I couldn't see myself dropping $100 on this product.

Zoya Gems and Jewels Collection, $8

Description: Zoya’s Gems and Jewels holiday collection features three metallic shimmers and three glitter glazes. Wear them alone or layer them to make your nails pop at your next party.

My Thoughts: I got the Noel which is described as "rich denim blue" and HATED it!! It looked more like a shimmery ocean blue on nails, nothing rich or denim about it. I'm partial to darker colors this time of year, so I'm a bit biased but I would have preferred a rich midnight blue. Some of the other colors in the collection look much more promising.

What's a Birchbox??

Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch. Check them out here

The Randomness

I received a "beauty bag" from Target around the same time I got my Birchbox, which I found was quite interesting. At first I wondered why and how they chose to send me "ethnic" products but then I found the note stating that it was because I was a subscriber to Essence mag. Of course I had tried all of the products included with exception of the lipstick at some point in the past. I ended up keeping the lipstick, coupons, super cute bag and tossing the rest. They get an A for effort.

How Cute is this bag?

Monday Motivation

2011-11-28T19:06:00.001-05:00

Hey Lovelies,

I came across this article about billionaire's tips for success in my newsfeed last night and found the advice to be pretty good. The first one resonated with me the most because it's a piece of advice that is as old as time, but oh so very true..."Figure out what you’re so passionate about that you’d be happy doing it for 10 years, even if you never made any money from it. That’s what you should be doing".

In order to be truly successful you must first start with something you are passionate about.

So I ask are you doing what you are passionate about?! If the answer is no, than now is the perfect time to plan an overhaul and devise a plan to go for it in the new year.

Xoxo

Happy Thanksgiving Lovelies

2011-11-24T22:47:00.001-05:00

Courtesy of Chef Stepha!! Too bad I could barely eat that big ol' leg

I'm grateful this day and everyday because I have been truly blessed to be surrounded by wonderful people and granted great opportunities. I'm also very thankful for you guys stopping by saying hello, and even sending messages for me to post more when I go MIA.

Hope you've all had a wonderful day with your loved ones and are taking the time to relax and enjoy the long weekend! For the first time in a long time I'm actually skipping Black Friday, even the online hair sales, talk about self control huh.

Have a great weekend loves, do some shopping for me, K?! :)

xoxo

Fitness Update + A New Fave

2011-11-23T23:21:00.001-05:00

My POP Pilates tank. loves it!!

Hello Lovelies,

This past September, I decided I really needed to find a better way to integrate fitness as part of my overall healthy lifestyle. I've always been fairly active, but would go back and forth between working out regularly to not doing anything for months. Top that and the fact that I'm a a borderline glutton and began eating like the Mr. the last couple years and you got an additional 12 lbs on the scale, yikes! Thankfully it all goes to my thighs and is barely noticeable unless you really know me. Still, this was not acceptable for me, I've never settled for good enough in any other avenue in life and I was not going to settle for a mediocre body.

My biggest issue has always been staying motivated long enough, I get bored I find excuses and fall off the wagon. This time around I'm determined to break the cycle by trying different workout methods every month or two and taking accountability for what I eat using my fitness pal. In the last couple of months I've done the SELF Challenge, Tracy Anderson Method, and more recently Pop Pilates. They've all kicked my arse but I've managed to follow through with the plans and am now working out 4-6 times per week. As far as the scale is concerned, I was weighing in weekly when I first started but slowed that wayy down. I've never been a big fan of scales because it really is just a number, and I prefer to go with measurements and what I look like in the mirror. At lat weigh in I lost 7lbs so far and a couple of inches all over, so I'm happy with that.

Now let's talk about my newest favouritest workout: POP Pilates! This is a channel on YouTube of course and she also has a blog aptly named blogilates. The young ladies name is Cassey Ho and she is a Pilates instructor based in San Fran. I love both her channel and blog because first it's FREE, and it provides users with great workouts from Pilates, to cardio circuit to strength training. More importantly, Cassey is highly motivating and you can tell she has a genuine, sweet spirit and I love that. I'm planning on sticking with this through the end of the year or until I master the moves, trust me it ain't as easy as she makes it look. Check out her saddlebag workout, that last squat pulse move is killer.

Bonus: I'm still loving up some Tracy Anderson Method so if you're up for it tomorrow or anytime this holiday weekend, give this a try. It's her Thanksgiving cardio workout from last year and one of my fave freestyle routines. Feel free to repeat 1 or as many time as you'd like ;)

There's also a mat workout vid as part of this series if you dare.

Gobble, Gobble. I'll be back tomorrow with what I ended up cooking. Enjoy and be blessed!!

Xoxo

Qhemet Biologics Moringa Conditioning Ghee: A Review

2011-11-22T23:22:00.001-05:00

Had a bit of spillage during travel

Hey Lovelies,

If you've followed this blog long enough, you know that Qhemet is my hair's first love. It's the ONLY line that I've used faithfully since the beginning of my journey and has always consistently delivered. Whenever I'm asked a question about a good moisturizer, I always say try Qhemet, what exactly you choose will be based on your personal preferences but this line by far has the best moisturizing products out there.

That being said, you can imagine my excitement when I noticed that my local supplier had some of their new products in stock. Was I there for hair products?! Of course not, but I couldn't resist. At first, I impulsively picked up all three products then as I continued shopping, common sense stepped in and I decided to pick the one that was least similar to what I had at home, this is how my relationship with MTCG began, and it's been love ever since.

What they say:
Our creamy, versatile conditioner nourishes, softens and detangles thick, dry hair.

Key ingredients: Contains organic, virgin Coconut Oil for lubricity, slip and emollience. Pure Moringa Oil for its smoothing and softening properties. Extracts of Oatstraw and Burdock for their scalp conditioning and soothing properties. Amla, Brahmi and Nettle for their hair conditioning, strengthening and growth properties and MSM for follicular health and nourishment.

What I say:

This product absolutely delivers. It detangles, conditions, and leaves my my strands soft for dayyys. I've applied it on both wet and dry hair and have gotten great results. The last time I used it, I had sections that were tangled something fierce, I just dabbed about a pea size version directly on the tangle and rubbed it between my thumb and index finger and the tangle either melted away or became loosened enough that I could work through it with minimal effort. I'm also loving the softness, in the pic below I hadn't applied anything for almost 4 days.

The only con I can see is that this can be a little greasy if too much is applied, so I would say start with just a tiny amount and adjust as needed. I've tried the Cocoa Tree one in the past but found it to be too thick, this is a much better detangling product in my opinion. The consistency is creamy but quite thin, easily spreadable.

consistency

I will absolutely be repurchasing, I give it an A!

Oh Jimmy....

2011-11-18T22:20:00.001-05:00

Me & Lauren from the Icons Collection <3 <3 <3

So I'm in Miami for a few days taking care of some wedding stuff and hanging out with my fam and we decided to go for stroll at the Bal Harbour shops. Why? I'm not sure, but we spent the majority of our time on a mission to find some fab shoes for my wedding. I'm leaning more towards crystals because I love all things shiney. I started of at Sergio Rossi, went to Guiseppe, and Saks (which had some great selections) then I walked in to Jimmy Choo. O-M-G literally within seconds of walking in I saw these and had an instant shoegasm. It was love. I'm not usually one to try things on if I don't plan on getting them on the spot, but my aunt told me I had to. She was right, they were even more beautiful on. The heels weren't too high so I wouldn't have to worry about taking them before I was ready and I also loved the fact that they're versatile enough to wear with a variety of looks post wedding. Only time will tell if I was crazy enough to get them, perhaps it could be on my registry?! Lol

We also stopped at La Perla, also way out of my budget but I must say that many of the pieces were exquisite. My lovely aunt was generous enough to grab me something this time, nothing crazy but I was very happy and they're comfy (TMI?). I laughed because our sales lady was so nice, even kissed us on the cheek as we left...made me wonder what the reaction would have been had I purchased a $700 set.

Hope you lovelies are having a fab weekend!

Xoxo

Of a Bad Week and Lesson Learned

2011-11-11T16:53:00.001-05:00


Lol, this makes me smile

Hey Lovelies,

So if you saw the intro to the vid in my last post, I mentioned I had a crazy week at work last week. Well that theme followed into this week, officially making it two straight weeks of fuckery. I won't bore you with the peculiar details, but chile, when I say that never in my entire 28 years of life have I had to deal with a situation like this...NEVER. I've gone from every emotion between anger, frustration, disappointment etc. Then like most things I got over it and decided I would not allow anyone to steal my joy, especially folks who knew diddily squat about me.

The lesson I learned during this time though was to reach out, and if you don't get a response reach out again. One of my biggest weaknesses is that I'm too independent for my own good. Even when the help might not be needed, it doesn't hurt to at least ask for ask for an opinion. I also learned (or rather it was reaffirmed) that the universe has a way of saying it will all be OK. Just as I was headed to a meeting which promised to be the climax of the fuckery, I got a text from someone who never usually texts me saying "Have a fantastic Friday!!!!...Don't let anyone steal your joy today...", something I really needed at that very moment. Hours later, I received perhaps the most random phone call, from someone I hadn't heard from in quite sometime, who called for no particular reason but just to reach out. I didn't bother explaining my current situation, or how that particular call made my day a lot better, but simply said thank you so much for reaching out.

So my loves, next time you're in a bind, or even if you just happen to randomly think of someone REACH OUT!! Never know who could help you or who's day you might make.

Have a fabulous weekend!!

xoxo

Flexis Part Deux- The Video

2011-11-06T22:54:00.000-05:00

This is the video I recorded for my flexi set shown in the previous post. I originally made it to showcase the style through the week, until i woke up on day 2 and looked like this...

Ok, I kid that was like day 5 but still, day two wasn't so much different. Now I'm on a mission to get this style to last. The saga shall continue...

Flexi Rod Set

2011-11-03T00:24:00.001-04:00

Hey Lovelies,

I attempted to do my second Curlformers set this past weekend, but turned into a flexi set due to technical difficulties. I also made a vid, describing what product I used etc. but need to edit slightly so that will be up soon. So here are some pics for now.
Xoxo

Used 48 curlers total, 43 flexis and 5 curlformers

Lookey here...

2011-10-28T00:06:00.000-04:00

Source: Essence

Guess who made the front page of Essence "Street Style"....ME!!! so geeked right now, ha I know it's silly, but hey I'll take my 15 seconds. Will be posting a video on the makeup next week.

Here's the link to the Essence article, so many fabulous styles in one place, definitely worth taking a look here!!

xoxo

New Henna Recipe

2011-10-24T22:51:00.001-04:00

Last weekend, I did a long overdue henna treatment. I've been wanting to tone down the red a bit, so I decided to add some indigo and Amla into the mix in hopes for a richer brown color. My natural color is dark brown but seems to take very well to henna and was getting a bit too red after the summer sun.

What I used:

1 bag Nupur Henna (150g)
100 g indigo
1 capful of ACV
2 tbs raw honey
Amla powder

I mixed the henna with herbal tea mix of marshmallow root, burdock root and coltsfoot, added acv and mixed until it had a clumpy mash potato like texture, cover it and let it sit over night for color release.

The next morning I mixed the indigo in separate bowl with a little bit of water since my FH took it upon himself to throw my tea out, and I didn't feel like making more.

I then added the indigo into the henna mixture and added about 2 Tbs of Amla powder. This aides in creating a warmer brown. I should of added more but I'm running low, and I figured the Nupur already has Amla in it so it should be fine right?!

I added more water to the mix, slowly until it had a thick batter texture, then added the honey. To make it even creamier I added some conditioner. I decided to go with this one from Dabur because I love the ingredients (egg powder,castor oil and honey) and also I had to justify why I bought yet another conditioner when I have 20 different ones already (don't judge!).

The mix looked and even smelled delicious!

I proceeded with the normal application process; leave on for 4 hours and DC, rinse and twist. I must say I was very happy with the mix, my hair felt soft, strong and did not have the sometimes hay-like feel that freshly henna'd hair can sometimes have. I think the conditioner added in the mix had something to do with that. As far as color, it did get a bit darker but still noticed more red than I would like. Next time I will do 100 g of henna, instead of the whole bag, I ended up having extra anyway and had to freeze it. All and all I'm very happy with the turn out and even noticed a boost in shine. I didn't take pics right after, but here's a pic of a few days later on my way out to the Curly Nikki NYC event.

I think it's looking darker...no?

Henna is by was one of the things i get asked a lot of questions about, so I'm planning on compiling a list of FAQ's and doing a future post. If you have any questions you'd like to ask about henna, please leave a comment or shoot me an email.

Xoxo

My Fall/Winter Hair Regimen

2011-10-21T13:29:00.002-04:00

With the cold weather fastly approaching most of us will need to adjust our routine to combat excessive dryness and give our tresses a little more TLC. Some simple ways to do this include reducing use humectant products (they tend to draw the moisture out of the hair in colder conditions), swapping out lightweight moisturizers for heavier product such as butters and oils and increasing the frequency of your deep conditioners.

In addition to the basic changes, this year I will also be fully reincorporating Ayurvedic products back in my regimen. I will be doing a separate blog about how I use the products .

My Updated Regimen

Prepoo using Cocasta oil, Aloe Vera Gel and Coconut oil as mentioned here
Wash with Shikakai poo bar or powder every 2 wks
Oil rinse with castor oil (this is new, will review soon)
DC with Ayurvedic powder mix either alone or with Aubrey Organics HSR, GPB, or KBB hair masque (almost always using a steamer)
Final rinse with ACV and Herbal Tea

Style
Leave in- Fermodyl 619
Moisturize- Amla and Olive Heavy Cream
Seal- Shea butter, KBB Butter Love, Oyin Burnt Sugar, castor oil

Treatments
Henna- every 2 months or so
Protein treatments- as needed with Nexxus Emergencee

Protective styles
I plan on wearing twists for the most part. I bought a wig last week, so I will wear that whenever the mood strikes me. I haven't worn one in a while so I'm still adjusting to the idea.

Totally Obsessed: Top 5

2011-10-14T17:48:00.000-04:00

Wearing Essie polish in "Power Clutch" and "Chinchilly"

Odd Nail Out Trend:

If you're like me and like to have a little fun with your manicure, you've probably done this at some point in the past. Well now you can go ahead and do it again without worrying about the crazy looks from from your manicurist, since it's one of this season's hottest trends. You can stay in the same color family as I did above, or choose a bolder color to add an extra punch.

Birchbox

Ever wish you could try specialty beauty products before taking the plunge? Well now Birchbox allows you to do just that. For just $10 a month, they will send you a customized set of samples of some of the hottest beauty must haves to try for yourself. If you like a product thehn you can go back and purchase the full size version on the website. Check it out at birchbox.com

My Fitness Pal App

My friend Shantell introduced me to this amazing app a few weeks ago while she was visiting and I have been hooked ever since. The app allows you to select your fitness goal, and calculates a guesstimate of how many calories you should take in daily to achieve those goals. It's super easy to use, the food database is huge so you can find just about everything ( I found haitian food) and it even allows you to scan UPC codes for quick entries to your diary. You can also enter your workouts, water intake and notes. I don't know about you but when I'm accountable for things I'm more likely to stay the course, so this is a keeper for me. myfirnesspal.com

Tracy Anderson Method - Thigh and Butt Webisode

If you haven't heard of Ms. Anderson she's a a popular celebrity trainer with an large A List following including Gwyneth and J. Lo. I became interested in her around this time last year, but never took the plunge on getting any of her DVD's because I heard mixed reviews. Well last month she came up again and I did a YouTube search and found tons of her workouts, including this one. Her big thing is "strategic muscle exhaustion" where you not only use the large muscles but the smaller accessory muscles as well for a complete body workout and "amazing" results. I started doing this workout, as well as the ab and arm webisodes and so far I really like them. I'm currently on week two and have been doing them every other day. I do notice a bit of difference but I'm gonna step it up and do it everyday next week to see how that goes. Take a look...

Trader Joe's:

Up until recently I never really payed much attention to Trader Joe's, mainly because the two locations that I know of are very inconveniently located and I couldn't be bothered. That all changed on a rainy Sunday in late August, when as luck would have it there was a parking spot right up front as we were driving by on our way to another store, so I figured we'd check it out. Much to my surprise, not only were most of the items cheaper than our usual place most of the new things we tried were delicious. My favorite things at the moment are the Channah Masala and the Old World Ginger Thins....soo good! I now go once a week and it's quickly becoming my #1 stop to get groceries.

Digital Scrapbooking Software Giveaway Sponsored by MyMemories.com

2011-10-01T02:15:00.000-04:00

Hi Lovelies,

I'm glad to be writing you today for my first official blog/YouTube giveaway.

Here are the deets

What: MyMemories.com digital Scrapbooking Software. Organize your favorite memories into a digital scrapbook you will be proud to share with your family and friends. Thousands of templates to choose from and customize based on your own personal needs, or create your own. Great features allow you to add music, create video, print out professional picture books etc.

When: The contest begins Today and will end on October 15th. the winner will be announced the week of October 17th. The winner will be receive code to download the Software for FREE directly to their PC or have shipped if they wish

Who: Participant's must be subscribers of Stepha Inc. or Joie de Vivre channel on YouTube.

How: To enter the contest participants must respond to this post OR video to say how they would use the Scrapbooking software to create a unique digital scrapbook. To get some ideas of the templates available, feel free to visit My Memories.

I've included a short sample video of my natural hair progress just to give you guys an idea of what it looks like.

Looking forward to seeing your ideas. Good Luck!

For more info about My Memories or to get ideas of how you can use this software, you can also visit their YouTube Channel or Blog.

My First Homemade Oil Infusion

2011-09-25T20:08:00.000-04:00

Vatika Infusion- day 1

Last month, I was on the market to repurchase my Vatika oil which is basically coconut oil enriched with some great Ayurvedic herbs, when the thought came to me...why not just make my own. I had read about the oil infusion process before and had always wanted to try it. Of course I happen to have had coconut oil and several loose herbs and powders in my stash (shocking!), which means I could get to customized the oil exactly how I wanted, so I was game.

What I used:

Loose herbs ready to be infused

Extra Virgin Coconut oil (I had about 80% of a 15oz jar)
1 Tbs Amla Powder
1 tsp Shikakai Powder
Peel for 1 Organic Lemon
~2 Tbs of herbal mixture of hibiscus, horsetail and burdock root.

I placed the powders in a muslin bag because I knew they would be harder to strain, then placed the muslin and all other loose ingredients in the crock pot on low. Let it sit for a few hours and voila! My very own Vatika oil. I strained it with a thin piece of paper towel, a cheese cloth is ideal but I didn't have one so I carefully split the paper towel to 1 ply and made it work. The oil was dark at first, I think due to the fact that some of the shikakai was stuck on the spoon, and I added it to the pot loose. A few weeks later once it got cooler, the oil solidified and you can see in this pic, the powder settled at the bottom.

Solidified Oil

I'm more than happy with my infusion and have been using it on my hair ever since. I'm planning on doing some other infusions soon incorporating other herbs and oils as well as different infusion techniques. The only thing I would have done different with this one is the temperature, I felt that low was a bit too hot, maybe due to my smaller amount of oil, so I will try warm next time around.

This is absolutely worth a try if you enjoy playing mixtress every now and again. It's super simple and you get to customize the product whatever way you want.

Happy Mixing!

Dry,Tangled Hair on Wash Day? Try this Pre Poo

2011-09-24T14:14:00.001-04:00

I came across this recipe from the wonderful Chicoro, on the hair forum at the beginning of the summer. I usually prepoo with just oil, but thought this was worth a try based on the feedback and of course I had all of the ingredients already. I have used this on every wash day religiously ever since. This recipe packs a serious punch adding moisture and pliability to even the most tangled strands. Trust me my hair gets tangled something serious. It also does a great job, combating any dryness caused by shampoo.

Mixing up my Aloe Gel and Hemp oil

What you'll need:

Step 1:

· ½ cup of aloe vera gel

· 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite oil (wheat germ, olive, safflower, walnut etc) I use Hemp Seed Oil

Mix ingredients together in a bowl

Step 2:

· 1/4 cup of virgin coconut oil (melted) in a separate bowl

1. Using your fingers, separate your hair into workable sections, 4-8 is usually. Begin with one section by smoothing hair down in direction. Cup your hands in the mixture in step 1 and transfer it to the section onto your hair. Work it through. Get the mix into your hair from root to tip. Make sure it is moist throughout the sectioned hair. Twist the complete section and clip it out of the way as you repeat this through all sections.

2. Once you have a head full of aloe vera mixed with oil twisted sections, go back to the first twist, undo it, pour the liquid coconut oil in your hand and work through the section. Re-twist it and repeat on whole head. Place a plastic shower cap on your head for 15-60 minutes. I've even done it over night when I'm being lazy. Shampoo and condition as usual. Your hair should be drenched with moisture and easy to detangle.

Notes:

Coconut oil should be melted at room temperature or by placing in a bowl of warm water NOT in the microwave.

Not a fan of coconut oil? Try substituting another light oil like Grapeseed or Avocado.

Find more great tips from Chicoro here

A Few My Favorite Things: Wedding Edition

2011-09-22T09:35:00.000-04:00

Personalized Picture Frame-thesugaredplums

So our wedding is a little less than 6 months away, and I admittedly have been a lazy bride. I've been doing things in spurts, where I'll have a week or 2 of wedding, wedding, wedding then go a month doing nada! Since this clearly isn't going to cut it anymore, I'm now back to obsessively looking and searching for all things wedding related. First stop was of course Etsy!! Thankfully, most of the major things are out of the way so my main focus now is the decor, what kinda of a feel we want, and stationary. I must have spent at least four hours straight on Etsy last Sunday and Oh the wonderful things I found. Take a look...


Invitesby Beacon Lane

WishingStones- thepaperynook

JustMarried Sign- MyPrimitiveBoutique

Personalized Table Cards (looove)- yinvivo

Mr. & Mrs. Parasol- Cycling4aCure

Wedding Vows Art Canvas- GeeZees

Fall Beauty Buys

2011-09-16T18:25:00.000-04:00

Wearing Smoke shadow and Poppy blush from Simplicity Cosmetics

This past month I've been adding some goodies to my makeup collection, some I needed, some not, but makeup shopping is always fun and I even found some new faves.

The Goodies

Here's what I got:

Nail Polish: Chanel FNO Edition Polish in Blue Boy and NARS Ecume (love them both, though Ecume is more of a summer color.)
Eye Shadows: 6 from Simplicity Cosmetics on Etsy: Ocean, Eggplant, Wine, Gerbera, Toast and Espresso. + a free sample of Smoke which I initially was going to buy but decided not to, and of course now I regret it because it's such a pretty color.
Blushes: Poppy from Simplicity as well (love!), and Exhibit A and Taj Mahal from my boo NARS which I love, especially Exhibit A because it's so bold.
Concealer: MUFE HD Invisible Cover Concealer in 355, I like it, but wish i would have gone slightly lighter
Mascara: they're Real! from Benefit, good but clumps a little, still rocking with my Cover Girl Exact Eyelights for the best lengthening and definition.
Liners: Kenya lip liner from Nars and L'oreal Infallible liner in Black, so much better than the Buxom Smoky Eye Pencil.

I did some swatches for the Simplicity Cosmetics products and NARS Blushes to give an idea of exactly what the colors are like.

L-R Ocean, Eggplant,Toast,Espresso,Gerbera, Wine shadows and Poppy Blush.

The top pic is without flash. So far I like the quality of the products I got from Simplicity, and was completely surprised by the blush. The color described as a warm rust red, is absolutely gawjus!! The only shadow that I don't care for is the Gerbera, I think it would look much better on someone with pale skin.

NARS Blushes: Taj Mahal and Exhibit A

Pardon my hairy arms, but aren't they pretty?? Exbit A is bright red so you need only a teeny bit to get some the effect and avoid looking like a clown. I apply my blush with a duo fibre brush, for more precise application and an airbrushed finish.

Last but no least is my favouritest buy of them all: Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color!! I picked this up last week while roaming around Sephora looking for nothing in particular. I swatched all of the colors but decided to go with Kakhi (a smoky taupe color) because I don't have anything that resembles it and thought it would be great for a quick smoky look. After getting home I washed my hands went on about doing whatever I had to do, it wasn't until the second time I washed my hand that I realized that the colors I swatched from this product were STILL there, everything else was gone and Outremer by NARS was mostly faded but these looked like nothing happened no running, no fading...NATHAN'!! The junkie in me wanted to run back to Sephora and pick all of them up but I resisted. I do plan to buy all of the color eventually, becuse I haven't found a shadow stick that good, not even from MUFE. I'm a believer Ms. Mercier, I'm a believer.

Of course I took pics!

Clockwise: Outremer by NARS and Caviar Stick in Amethyst, Sapphire, Kakhi and Cocoa


Wearing my Kakhi the next day!

Btw, the only things I'm wearing here is eye makeup and concealer for my dark circles! The Oil Cleansing Method is the truth!!

Shea Moisture Curling Souffle & Anti Breakage Masque Review

2011-09-12T18:04:00.001-04:00

A few weeks ago while I was doing my Irene stock-up, I noticed these two items in the featured product isle at Target. I had heard some buzz about the Curling Souffle so was excited that it was available a few days before it was slated to be in store nationwide. The Masque caught my attention, because I never noticed it before and was interested in the ingredients, mainly the Baobab Oil and Yucca. I used both of the products on my ash day 2 weeks ago, and also continued to use the Souffle for the next week, whenever I re-braided my hair. Here's are my initial thoughts:

Organic Yucca and Baobab Masque

This is indicated for thin, fine hair, which isn't exactly my hair but I wanted to see how it compares to others as a mild protein treatments plus the smell was heavenly.

The product claims are to "Thicken, Volumize and Soften"

Key Ingredients:

Baobab Oil- Contains Vitamins A, C, D, E and F to fortify and strengthen hair.
Yucca- thickens hair and helps prevent hair loss.
Biotin- A powerful B vitamin that strengthens the hair follicle

Ingredients:

Deionized Water , Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) , Cocos Nucifera Oil (Coconut) , Mangifera Indica Seed Butter (Mango) , Persea Gratissima Oil (Avocado) , Olea Europaea Oil (Olive) , Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract , Ammonium Salt (Conditioner) , Yucca Filamentosa Extract , Vegetable Protein , Adansonia Digitata Extract (Baobab) , Biotin , Panthenol (Vitamin B-5) , Rosemary Extract , Bamboo Extract , Sorbitol Esters , Caprylyl Glycol , Essential Oil Blend , Lonicera Caprifolium Flower and Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract (Honeysuckle and Japanese Honeysuckle) , Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

My Experience:

Initially, as I was applying the product to my hair I wasn't very impressed because it didn't feel very thick or moisturizing, which are important to me in a deep conditioner. Once I applied the product in section to my entire head, I then applied Hemp Oil on top and went under the steamer for 30 minutes. Once I rinsed it out, my hair was much softer than I expected, not drenching in moisture but soft none the less. I would give this product a C based on this initial experience because I like it but it didn't necessarily blow me out of the water. The one thing that I absolutely loved about this product is that the scent (honeysuckle) lingered for dayyys!! Even after I used other leave in's and the Souffle. I will continue to use it a few more times before determining whether or not to repurchase.

Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Souffle

This is my 3rd purchase in their Coconut & Hibiscus series, which is indicated for thick, curly hair. I have the Curl Enhancing Smoothie which I love, and the styling milk which I find mediocre. I was very eager to try this product to see what kind of results I would get and compare it to my beloved KCCC.

Product claims to provide: Moisture, Body and Shine

Key Ingredients

Coconut Oil- Hydrates and protects hair from heat and chemical damage
Agave Nectar-Naturally occurring (sugar) biopolymers provide hold, body and shine ithout silicones, chemical plasticizers or alcohol
Flax Seed Oil- rich in Omega3 essential fatty acids, Fax Seed Oil promotes strength, healthy hair growth, while imparting shine

Ingredients:

Aqueous Infusion of Agave Teqilana Leaf Extract and Sugar Cane Extract, Pectin, Vegetable Glycerin, Adansonia Digitata Pulp (Baobab) Extract, Cocos nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B-5), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E-Vegetable Oil source), Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed/Flax) Seed Extract, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Proprietary Essential Oil Blend

My Experience

So my first time using this product was with my Culformers set, and I think it affected the hold of the set as it is extremely moisturizing, much more so than Kinky Curly Curling Custard. I attempted doing a braid-out with this on Labor Day weekend, and since I was short on time I sat under the hooded dryer for a bit. I was absolutely in love my curls were defined and super shiny. I didn't take pics before leaving the house, I figured I would have time later...WRONG!! When I went to use the bathroom a few hours later, my hair had grown into a massive fro, no signs of my shiny, defined braid-out. My hair did remain so soft that I didn't have to reapply any product until I washed my hair again this weekend. So my initial reaction is that this product is great for moisture and shine, but hold not so much. It may simply be too moisturizing for that, which is odd for a gel. I also found it a bit weird to use at first, as it has a wiggly Jell-O texture, and was hard to grab compared to other gels. Overall, I do like the product and will continue to use it to see if there is some kind of magic combo where it would provide more hold. I'd give it a B+. Below are pics of the Souffle (clear), next to KCCC (opaque) FYI.

Curlformers Experience Part One

2011-09-01T19:11:00.001-04:00

I've been interested in trying these out for quite a while now and decided to take the plunge after seeing Curly Nikki's recent article about having success with them. Similar to her, one of my main goals in using these was to stretch my hair without using too much heat and reducing knotting and tangling. I purchased the narrows ones because the Sally's I went to only had 3 packs of the wide ones and I knew I would need much more.

The Process

I did a pre poo, washed and conditioned under my steamer and used that time to go on YouTube to do a little more research on Curlformers application and best practices. Once done with steaming, I did a final tea rinse and was ready to go or so I thought...

I watched this video (which give an amazing tutorial btw) for what seemed like forever, rewinding and pausing several times along the way. Still I got to my first piece and could not get my hair to go through and when I finally did it had been nearly 20 minutes and was rather painful. So I decided to take a look at the enclosed instructions to see if there was anything I was missing. Sure enough my technique was a bit off, I was holding my hair down instead of at an angle, once I changed that I was able to breeze through the process, which still took about 1.5 hours because I was working with small sections.

Once finished, I decided to go under the dryer for a bit to allow my hair to dry some and went to bed (with the curlers still in).

Results

Not the best pic, but this is what most of the curls looked like

Meh...This was a success in some ways and yet a failure in others. How so you ask? Well first I miscalculated the amounts of actual curlers I needed and as you can see in the first pic, I had to enlist some flexirods to curl the top of my head.

I've seen very limited evidence of how well this works with 4b natural hair, in regards to having smooth bouncy curls and my results did nothing to help that theory. But I will admit that I didn't use the best product for this style , nor do I think I let them dry long enough. They weren't the most comfortable to sleep, so as soon as I got up I started taking them out, I only slept for like 5 hours. I will give it a try again in 4 weeks, using products more appropriate for this specific style.

On the positive side however, my hair was stretched using minimal heat, and it remained soft and moisturized for days. I decided to put some larger twists in and leave it for the week, and you can see they're nice and fluffy.

Noted

The curlers were a bit shorter than I expected, I got the short ones to use in the back and was only able to use 3 of them, and they really only fit that one piece of hair in the back that had broken off, even with the long ones my ends stuck out in some area. These are rather pricey, so if you are considering trying them out would advise to get either long and extra long so you can get the most out of your investment.

I will be back in a few days with my review of the SheaMoisture Anti Breakage Conditioner and Curling Souffle.

Xoxo

Celeb Fab: Bey and Her BUMP!!

2011-08-29T08:21:00.001-04:00

So I was definitely only half paying attention to last night's VMA's, and missed the bump rub, though I did find it strange that Yeezy was bigging up Jay after Beyonce's performance.When I I finally caught on I started screaming and jumping like I really knew her, and immediately searched frantically for pics. Bey's first bump appearance was on the VMA black carpet and she looked absolutely STUNNING in an orange Lanvin dress. Can't wait to see all of her pregnancy looks!! Congrats to The Carters!

Karen's Body Beautiful Video Review + Hurricane Prep Hair Edition

2011-08-27T14:48:00.000-04:00

Hey Lovelies,

Earlier this week, I did a video review of some products I got from Karen's Body Beautiful after participating in their focus group in May.Check it out below

And since this weekend is a total wash due to Hurricane Irene, I decided to add a few extra item to my Hurricane Survival Kit, all new to me so I will be sure to review. Hope you're safe if you're in Irene's path, and enjoying your weekend if you're not!

Curl Formers, Shea Moisture Curling Souffle and Anti Breakage Masque and of course a bottle of rose-ay :)

Plank It Out

2011-08-23T21:20:00.002-04:00

No I'm not talking about that silly planking craze of a few months back. Planks are an absolute amazing move for fab abs and strengthening you core. These moves from SELF mag give a twist to the classic plank. Don't let them fool you though, the exercises are much harder than they looks. So far I've been mostly sticking to the just 3 of the ones I feel comfortable with (whittling walker, get-lean lift, sculpting seep) and working my way up.I tried the rear raiser this weekend and even with assistance I could barely finish 4 reps! I can definitely feel the burn with these when I'm done, so I'm hoping to see results soon. Check it out!

A Little Monday Motivation

2011-08-22T10:12:00.000-04:00

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?..." Marianne Williamson

Happy Monday Lovelies!

Love this quote. Too often we let silly doubts, rules etc get in the way of following our passions and reaching our full potential. Life's road is sure to throw challenges our way, but fighting through them only makes victory that much sweeter once we achieve it.

Make it a fab week!!

Trend Watch: Animal Instict

2011-08-18T22:58:00.000-04:00

La La Anthony rocking a fierce leopard dress

Leopard is one of my all time favorite prints!! This classic never truly goes out of style and it can be worn bold as La La did above or understated with an accessory or two. There are some great leopard inspired pieces popping up everywhere this season and I'm definitely looking forward to getting my hands on some.

Recreate La La's look or start your own with the examples below:

Cocktail Dresses by Topshop
Pumps by Tory Burch

This is more understated, I still added an orange clutch for a nice pop

Pumps by Tory Burch
Bracelets by Elizabeth Cole

Accessories to add just a touch of Leopard to your look this Fall

Cardigans by Moschino Cheap & Chic
Pumps by Ivanka Trump

No matter how you choose to wear the trend, the key is to keep it to one piece or two minor pieces, head to toe leopard is never a go.

Kitchen Adventures: Perfecting Fried Chicken

2011-08-11T23:01:00.000-04:00

It's no secret that I love food, but along with staking out the best restaurants I also love hitting the kitchen in hopes of creating some food magic. Depending on my mood I can go for something short and simple or play chef and go more intricate. I will start posting some of my favorites on here.

I've been obsessed with making the perfect fried chicken the last few weeks. I searched for some recipes and tweaked one I found in the Food and Wine 2011 Cookbook to add my own touch.

What I used:

Flat leaf parsley
3 garlic cloves
2 green onions
Kosher salt
Garlic salt
Ground black pepper
Cayenne pepper
Tabasco Sauce
1/2 lime
Buttermilk
Flour
4 lbs chicken (10 pieces drum/thigh or 15 drum/ wings)

Score chicken pieces and place in large bowl. Squeeze lime juice from 1/2 lime and make sure all pieces are coated, this is completely optional but it adds a Caribbean touch.

Using a mortar and pestle mash together a handful of parsley, green onions and garlic to make a paste, add salt to taste ( I used 2 tsp). Coat the chicken liberally with paste, making sure to get spices under the skin and into the scored areas.

Once that's done allow the chicken to marinate for at least an hour. Before placing chicken in the fridge I added pikliz to it, this is a traditional Haitian pickled cabbage concoction, adding 1 Tbs of Tabasco or your fave hot sauce will help add a similar kick.

Next is the buttermilk soak, In a separate bowl mix together 3 cups of buttermilk, 1.5 Tbs kosher salt, 1 Tbs ground pepper, and 2 Tbs of cayenne.

Pour over chicken, stir to coat all pieces. Allow to sit for 3 hours, I chose to separate this step, from the first step to allow the seasoning to truly penetrate but I'm sure combining them would be fine if time was short.

I chose to make macaroni salad because it would make for a great summer meal. I used quinoa pasta, which I love but wouldn't use again for something that will have left over off because the pasta got a little hard the next day.

I wanted the salad to have a nice a refreshing bite, so I chose to add 3 stalk of celery, copped haricots verts (sauteed in a bit of oil but still firm), shallots, and 2 boiled eggs.

Then some mayo and my fave mustard from Miller's, a sweet mustard with hot peppers, sugar, tumeric, paprika and lots of other tasty spices. It's absolutely deelish, I added about 3 Tbs of each of those.

Mixed in the chopped ingredients, added some garlic salt, pepper and a dash of smoked paprika. Mixed well, and placed it in the fridge until ready to serve.

Once I was ready to make the chicken, I made the flour dredge using 2 cups flour, mixed with 1 tsp garlic salt, 1 tsp fresh ground pepper, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. Working with 1 piece at a time, remove chicken from buttermilk soak allowing excess to drip into the bowl. Dredge the chicken in the flour mix, pressing to make sure it adheres all over, transfer coated chicken to wire rack or a plate, while you finish up the other pieces.

Heat 1 inch of oil in a frying pan, fry the chicken in batches until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side.

Transfer chicken to wire rack and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving. It looked so yummy I could hardly wait to dig in!!


Tada!!!

This was absolutely delicious!! It was my first time doing the buttermilk soak, and it the definitely made a big difference. The chicken was so tender and juicy...finger lickin' good!!

Keeping Hair and Scalp Healthy While in Protective Styles

2011-08-10T00:40:00.000-04:00

@ my 10 yr HS Reunion last weekend

This past weekend I was so ready to take out my braids, they were getting a little fuzzy and I wasn't sure it looked cute anymore. Before I took them out though, I figured I would wash and condition it take the extensions out once my hair dried and wear my hair as a braid out. I diluted my shampoo with lukewarm water, applied it to my scalp, left it on for a few minutes before jumping in the shower. Midway though my routine, I had an epiphany, this was pretty damn easy...no pre poo, no detangling, no knots...I was in hair heaven! Why in my right mind would I take this out now? And just like that I rediscovered the joys of protective styling. I once was the queen of wigs, weaves and all things in between, but chose to lay off for a bit because I wanted to learn and experiment as much possible with my natural hair. Needless to say the braids stayed and just chose to redo some of them.

Protective styles are any styles that allow you to hide your real hair. They are a great way to protect fragile hair from harsh environmental conditions, retain length and most importantly take a break from what can sometimes be a very consuming hair routine. Contrary to urban legend, protective styles will not, I repeat WILL NOT make your hair grow black folks. The possible increase in "growth" sometimes seen after an extended period wearing a PS is simply the retention of normal growth that may have otherwise broken off due to excessive manipulation of the hair. Hair grows at an average of half an inch per month (regardless of race, voodoo dolls, magic pills or what kind of Indian you have in you), the less you do to you hair the more you retain, the more manipulation the higher the chances of breakage. Coily hair does tend to be more fragile and can be more susceptible to breakage with improper care.

Ok, now that we've cleared that up let's discuss the best ways to maintain the hair while it is in a protective style. It's important to understand that though protective styles may give you a bit of a break from doing your hair, it's not a ticket to ignore your hair altogether. You must continue to maintain the hair and scalp to avoid possible breakage. I've compiled a short list of general tips I've discovered over the years that have helped me get the best out of a protective style without compromising the health of my real hair.

Shampoo

It's best to dilute the shampoo with water and apply with an applicator bottle to allow it to get to all parts of the scalp. I love using Giovanni Direct Tea Tree shampoo, because it tingles a bit and leaves the scalp clean. Adding Tea Tree and Peppermint essential oils to your fave shampoo will have a similar effect.

Condition

Some don't think it's necessary to do step because you may waste the conditioner on fake hair but I beg to differ. I have noticed first hand the difference in doing so versus not, and trust me you will want to do it. Be sure to focus on your actually hair and only use a small amount on the rest of the hair.

Other Maintenance Tips

It's important to keep your hair adequately moisturized as the add on hair can sometime cause increased dryness, a simple way to do this is by using a store bought braid spray or moisturizing leave in spray. If you're more of a mixtress like myself, a 2:1 water and glycerin mix always works, as well as a moisturizing tea mix. I've been using this Rosewater and Glycerin Spray the last few weeks, and I love it (it also works great as a facial toner).

I don't always do weekly washes when in a protective style so I use Witch Hazel applied with a cotton swab to freshen the scalp in between.

Never leave a protective style in for longer than 8 weeks and if possible take a week or two break in between consecutive installs. Also, avoid super tight braids as they can cause irreversible scalp damage that may lead to permanent hair loss.

XOXO

The Baby Debate

2011-08-04T21:31:00.000-04:00

In the last week I've seen no less than three different news segment about women/couples who choose not to have children at all. There is even a term for dual income couples who choose this lifestyle DINKs (Dual Income No Kids). The media of course has a way of blowing a things out of proportions, but I'm always amazed at people's strong opinions, and willingness to offer unrequested advice on the topic of kids.

As a woman of child bearing age it can get very frustrating when people feel the need to pry on why I don't have kids, when I plan on starting etc. Just recently I had an experience where the Mr. and I were having dinner with family and someone asked about our plans for kids, before I even got a chance to answer, they said "you do want to have kids right?!" in a very concerned tone. I smiled and nodded "yes, just not right now" as they seemed to breathe a sigh of relief that I wasn't one of "those" people. Then a day or so later I was again interrogated by someone else who after they found out I was 28, made sure to reiterate the fact that I need to hurry up and get on it (insert eye roll).

Most of the time I don't mind the baby question as I've come to expect it. What I do have a problem with however, is people's reaction or concern when you give an answer they do not expect. There was a woman in one of the news pieces I saw that was absolute besides herself that some women are choosing to this lifestyle. She thought it was very selfish and that most women could have it all (great career, social life, etc) and have kids too. Yes it might be selfish, but why does so much of the definition of being a woman has to be tied to having a child. Wouldn't it be more selfish to have a child that you couldn't or had no interest in taking care of?! And while I do agree that women can have it all, it's very difficult to have it all at once, so one must prioritize what is important in order to feel fulfilled, if kids don't happen to be in the equation, so be it.

I can only imagine what would have happened had I said "actually no, I don't want kids" in that conversation, I bet it would been quite the speech. Honestly when I was younger, I thought I would have kids by this age, but as I got older and actually started living, my priorities have definitely shifted. The only time I even get an inkling of "baby fever" is when I walk by crew cuts and see all the awesome stuff they have in their window display, I suddenly wish I had a pre teen I could dress up to look supa duppa fly...purely selfish!

Having children is a choice, not a right of passage. Most women will continue to eventually make the choice to do so once or multiple times. For those who are brave enough to make the unpopular decision not to do so because it doesn't fit their priorities, more power to them.

I love kids and hope to have some one day, but for now I enjoy my carefree lifestyle and continue to enjoy the beautiful kids around me...knowing that I can return them to their rightful owner.

DIY Beauty: Multani Face Mask

2011-07-30T12:04:00.000-04:00

Multani Mati or Fuller's Earth is a mineral rich clay with great absorptive abilities, making it it perfect for drawing out impurities in oily or acne prone skin. It's also purported to have skin lightening properties, and may help to naturally reduce dark marks and discolorations caused by acne. This has become a go to emergency face mask for me. It's cheap, fairly easy to find, and works great by itself or with some basic ingredients found right in your kitchen. I prefer to mix mine with lemon juice and honey, to provide a nice balance and avoid drying out my skin.

What I use:

1/2 tsp of Multani Powder
1/4 tsp of raw honey
Enough fresh lemon juice to make a creamy paste.

Allow to dry and rinse with lukewarm water. I sometimes even sleep in it if I feel I need a deeper treatment, or I'm just being lazy. I've also used the mix as a spot treatment overnight.

The results?

Smooth skin, with reduced or non existent pimples. If you have a whitehead, be prepared for it to come to the surface, this stuff truly draws out the impurities and you can see results right after the first use. I use it as needed, but have done it two nights in a row with no ill effects. Of course as with anything you want to make sure it agrees with your skin, and definitely avoid the lemon juice if you have sensitive skin.

At around $3 for a box, this is definitely worth a try.

Fresh tan and a new do

2011-07-25T23:16:00.000-04:00

Summer Lovin'

I'm baaack!!! I didn't intend to go so long between posts, but the time just flew. Since I last posted, I had a birthday (yay!), changed my hairstyle on a whim, and took some much needed vacation! Of course these days vacation is hardly just vacation, as we went to Miami yet again to get some wedding stuff done in between laying out.

As for my Solange inspired braids, I've been itching to do these for a little while. I bought the hair, but by the time I made up my mind to just do them, it was too late to finish up before my flight, so I took my flight with my hair literally half done! Thank god for turbans, one of which I proceeded to wear the entire first day in Miami, until I finished my hair the next day. The process of getting these in was one of the most tedious things I have done in a long while. I also made the mistake of not blow drying my hair first, big no no, it made the process even longer. I do like the way they turned out though. I'm gonna try to keep them in for a month, depending on how long I can go without fluffy.

On the wedding front, we got our photographer!! We both absolutely fell in love with his work. We interviewed another photog that was more budget friendly, and had great work, but felt that we clicked with Manolo more. So it may cost an arm, leg and maybe a spare kidney but I wouldn't have been happy any other way. Sooo excited :) Here's a link to his site, aren't the pics gorge?! We are also in the process of finalizing contracts with the videographer and DJ. I definitely feel that we got some major stuff out of the way, and hopefully by the end of this week that website I've been "working" on will be up and running.

Bonus

Pic my friend took of me swagging and surfing the night I went out for my bday! Too funny

I will be back later in the week with a couple of blogs I already had lined up.

XoXo

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A Little Inspiration For My Highly Textured Divas

2011-07-11T23:12:00.000-04:00

The Beautiful Esperanza Splading

"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

It's been quite an interesting couple of weeks in hair land. First, I had a horrific experience where I volunteered to be a "hair model" for this salon. Upon arrival I was wearing a braid-out which the owner loved but apparently still wanted to add her twist to until she got to it and realized that my hair was THAT type of hair and required much more than she couldn't handle or at least anticipated. Then was a message from one of my college friends [whom I have inspired to transition] , that her mom told her "You not gonna get a man with your hair like that". Ugh!! She brushed it off, but even for the most confident person, comments like that can have you doubt yourself. Shortly after that, saw a thread on one of the hair forums of another young lady who wanted to hear from other 4b [highly textured] naturals who"actually loved" their hair as she was getting discouraged in her transitioning journey because of some recent things she's seen and heard. And as if that wasn't enough, there was this comment from Andre Walker b.k.a Oprah's hair stylist for 25 years in this month's Elle "I always recommend embracing your natural texture...kinky hair can have limited styling options, that's the only hair type that I suggest altering with professional relaxing" Wtf??!! I just can't.

Sometimes I try refrain from talking too much about hair topics because I feel like there are quite a few blogs, and sites on the web where you can get info. But when I experience bs like this, it just shows me that no matter how far the "natural hair movement" has come, it still has a long way to go, especially if you have that extra special grade nappy hair like myself. **rolls eyes**

These are some pics from my inspiration vault, which I suggest for everyone whether you're transitioning, thinking about it, or have been natural for 5 years. We all need a little inspiration from time to time :)

Source


Model Aisha Cain

One day my fro will look like this and I will stunt on all these heaux!! Source

Singer Shingai Shoniva from the Noisettes

The Rhassoul Experiment

2011-07-07T18:07:00.000-04:00

Hair w/ Rhassoul Mix

This past Sunday wash a complete wash out, so after I had exhausted all options of curing my boredom, I gave in to the fact that I wouldn't be doing anything that night. My hair was in need of a wash, but why have a regular wash day when I could have an experiment?! The lucky ingredient was a fresh batch of Rhassoul Clay that I purchased online a few weeks back, and it began...

What is Rhassoul Clay

A mineral rich,reddish brown clay mined in Morocco that has been used for over 1400 years, as a soap, shampoo and skin conditioner. It contains a higher percentage of silica, magnesium, potassium, and calcium than other clays. Rhassoul is very easily absorbed which makes it ideal for cleansing and detoxification.

Why use it on my hair

Similar to how it works on the skin, the minerals in Rhassoul are ideal for the hair and are purported to leave it clean, shiny and more manageable. There are several companies currently marketing hair treatments that contains Rhassoul as a main ingredients, and I've heard rave reviews from those who have tried both marketed products or a homemade concoction. I mainly wanted to remove build up and experience the conditioning properties first hand.

How I used it

I went the homemade route for my first treatment, since I had recently purchased some at ayurnatural beauty. I decided to add some Ayurvedic powders to my mix, since I'm currently reincorporating them into my regimen.

The dry ingredients

My Recipe:

1/2 Cup of Rhassoul Clay
1Tbs of Amla powder
1Tbs of Kapur Karchi powder
1Tbs of Bhringaraj powder
2Tbs Coconut and aloe Vera gel mix (left over form my pre poo)
1Tbs Raw honey

Mixed all ingredients with moisturizing tea containing marshmallow root, burdock root and coltsfoot. I also added a little bit of my fave conditioner for good measure. Mix to a creamy yogurt texture.

Applied to freshly washed hair, covered with conditioning cap for an hour or so.

Results

Fluffy was happy :)

Overall I liked how my hair turned out. My hair curls were more defined and I did notice additional shine. It wasn't as soft as I expected, but was moisturized nonetheless. Next time I will add more conditioner to the mixture if it makes a difference and I also plan on trying the Rhassoul Deep Conditioner from Anita Grant sometime in the near future.

I braided my hair that night, and wore a braid out the 4th. I've been pinning the back of my hair when I wear it down because the back is longer but thinner and I'm not a fan.

Check out the red(hair) from the henna :)

XoXo

Fro at The Office

2011-06-29T16:03:00.000-04:00

One of the questions I often get from women who are considering going natural is "how do you wear your hair to work?" my answer: how do I not wear my hear to work?!

Though I do not have the pleasure of being confined in some tiny cubicle everyday [or a main formal office], I do work for a very conservative company where I am required to wear a suit a great majority of the time. Still I don't think the way you wear your hair should come into the equation unless it has something to do with your performance. I try to stay away from anything too funky, but aside from a fro-hawk and cornrows, there are not many styles I wouldn't wear. I usually stick to pinned up-dos out of shear laziness, but out styles like this one are not uncommon, especially during warmer months.

These pics were from my meeting today, I liked how the style tuned out so that's what I went with. So ladies, let go of the preconceived notions of natural hair not being professional and rock it how you please!!

BESOS!!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Spicing Up The Standard Smokey Eyes

2011-06-21T18:35:00.001-04:00

Even as a huge makeup fanatic who's not afraid of color, I still sometimes get stuck using the same old brown and bronze color. They're easy and familiar and I can practically apply them with my eyes closed. I'm challenging myself to use some of my bolder colors more often this season. This past weekend I decided to add use NARS Palladium pencil, which is a mix between teal and aqua, with silver glitter. Its absolutely gorge!! I've used this pencil before but not in this combination, I really liked the finished product and it gave me a chance to use a new color in my beloved Naked Palette.

Product used:

Face
Becca Luminous Skin Color in Nut
Becca Stick Foundation in Pecan
Maybeline FitME Concealer under eye
NARS Casino Bronzer

Cheeks
NARS South Beach Multiple
Meow Blush in Bombshell

Eyes
UDPP in Eden
NARS Shadow Pencil in Palladium
UD Naked Palette ( Hustle in crease, Buck Above crease, Naked on brow bone)

NARS Indian Summer (gold side) in inner corner
Buxom Smokey Eye Pencil in Smokin' Pistol

Lips
NYX Matte lipcream in Istanbul
Nars Turkish Delight Gloss

Happy Summer :)))

Totally Obsessed

2011-06-17T18:14:00.000-04:00

Face with Becca LSF in Tobacco, my new love!

The top 5 things I've been loving the last few weeks

1. Anastasia- Brow Wiz in Brunette

Love the thin pencil, and the creamy texture. You can go as light, or as dramatic as you please

Brows after us Brow Wiz

2. Karen's Body Beautiful- Luscious Locks Hair Mask

Just the right amount of creaminess and slip, loaded with hair loving ingredients, and leaves the hair feeling absolutely AMAZING!!

3. NARS South Beach Multiple

I have been sleeping on this little magic stick. I started using it a few weeks ago, and I absolutely love the pinky, bronze color.It may actually give my Orgasm multiple a run for its money, and that one is my fave.

2. Diane Von Furstenberg Opal Wedge-

I have been dreaming about these for months and finally decided to fork over the money and get them. I went with the burlap, because I thought those were unique and more summery. I had a shoegasm as soon as I put them on, they are just fabulous!! Comfotable and Sexy, what more can a girl ask for.

1. BECCA, BECCA, BECCA!!

Ladies, this is one of the best foundation I've tried to date. I'm so mad I only discovered it recently. Leaves me with a flawless, glowing complexion. The best part? They have 30 available shades to include just about everyone. Check out their color matching guide. I only have the Luminous Skin Colour and Foundation stick for now, but plan on returning to get the concealer and powder.

Lush BB Seaweed and Cupcake Mask Reviews

2011-06-12T21:28:00.000-04:00

Ever since being introduced to Lush products last fall, I've been a big fan, especially of the fresh face masks. I had previously tried it in Love Lettuce and Brazened Honey, and while I liked them both, I found that I couldn't use them both too close to each other, as they are very exfoliating and would dry out my skin. Last month I went back, hoping to try some of the other masks to see how they compared. After debating with the sales girl and myself for about 10 minutes, I finally decided to go with Cupcake and BB Seaweed. For the following two weeks, I included the masks in my routine, Cupcake at night, on non consecutive nights, and BB Seaweed in the morning. Happy skin ensued, Lush had done it again!

Here's what I found:

Cupcake

Description: Chocolate heaven for oily and teenage skin. Its action remove excess oil and calms breakouts. Rhassoul mud cleans and soothes, Cocoa butter, linseed and cocoa powder soften the skin. Balancing peppermint, spearmint and sandalwood oils complete this effective and delicious experience.

My experience: I'm not gonna lie, I chose this mask strictly because of the fragrance, it has a rich chocolatey smell, with hints of sandalwood that reminded me somewhat of Brazened Honey. The mask applies smoothly, and provides moderate exfoliation as you wash it off. I don't have oily skin, so understandably it left me feeling a bit dry, but nothing unbearable. I definitely noticed smoother skin right after application, and the incidence of breakouts while I was using it seemed to have been minimized. Overall, I thought it was good and did exactly as described. I am planning on trying some other masks to see which work best for me, but as it stands now, I would repurchase this one.

BB Seaweed

Description: This blend, inspired by the sea contains fresh, nutritious seaweed and seaweed absolute. Cleansing kaolin, antiseptic honey, calming aloe vera and rose absolute make this a great mask for everyone.

My Experience: This came highly recommended by the sales girl to combat dryness that may be caused by Cupcake. The smell was fresh, smelled like kaolin and seaweed so nothing spectacular. As you can see in the above picture, this mask contains chunks of seaweed, which can be annoying to apply, but honey, if you can get past that, this mask is absolutely WONDERFUL!! My fave so far, it left may skin supper soft, and drenched in moisture. I've heard other reviewer complain that they would not repurchase on the sole basis of the seaweed pieces, but I personally like it and feel that it adds to the whole "freshness" aspect of the product. This is most definitely a repurchase for me.

Next Up: I'm planning on trying out Oatfix and Cosmetic Warrior to see how they compare to the others and which will be a permanent addition to my routine.

"Esperenza" Updo Tutorial

2011-06-05T18:57:00.000-04:00

I've gotten a ton of requests about a tutorial for this style. I decided to finally record the process today as I did it. I was in a bit of a rush, but it turned out pretty good I think. Also, you get a clear shot of my humongous bald spot, just in case you thought I was exaggerating. I of course made sure it was covered before I left the house!

Hope you find this helpful. Let me know!!

Happy Friday + A Few Updates

2011-06-03T13:06:00.001-04:00

Bells @ entrance of The Mondrian South Beach

Well Hello Lovelies!

I've been MIA the last few weeks and wanted to write a quick post to check in with some hair and wedding updates as well as some of the blogs I have lined up for this month.

This past weekend was my one year Nappiverssary...(yay) and it's been a great year for the most part. The only challenge that I haven't been able to completely resolve is the alopecia, which finally seems to be getting better after taking a turn for the worse. It's been so bad at times, that I just started bawling because I felt defeated. My derm gave me a prescription for a steroid foam to incorporate whenever I feel that unmistakable "alopecia itch", and I've added Emu oil to my nightly scalp massages. They seem to be helping but honestly it could also be the passage of time. I can't remember it being this bad in the past but I honestly never cared. I'm just thankful that my hair is dense enough that I can disguise patches. All and all, I'm still very happy with my decision and can't imagine ever going back to relaxers.

My growth has been fairly good, especially when you consider that I have a whole section of hair missing in the back. I seemed to have hit partial APL (armpit length) lol. The right side of my hair falls at APL, while the left side which is more effected still has about 2 inches to go. I've also realized that the hair on the left side is super fine and prone to splits so I'm always trimming it. Back in my salon days, my stylist just attributed the difference in length to just faster growth on the right but now it's clear that I have this patch of alien hair that probably needs to treated differently than the rest of my head. Sigh!

Length on Right

Then there's the left...womp, womp.

On another note wedding plans are rolling along quite well. I got a dress at the beginning of the month!! Crazy right? I swore it was going to take me months, but nope, I fell in love and that was it. Of course I still wonder whether there might be a dress out there that might be even better, probably, but I'm not willing to drive myself crazy trying to find it. Besides, not only is my dress gorgeous it was half of my budget!! So I couldn't be happier. Wish that was the case for the overall wedding budget.

I've also finally decided on my location, we will be getting married at *drum roll please* The Viceroy Miami! Love, love, love it!! It's very modern art deco, and the ceremony space has this great whimsical feel that we both fell in love with. The reception space is 35 floors up with 360 windows, so the views are amazing! It's not at all what we thought we wanted at first, since we were looking for more of a "beachy" vibe, but the only real place that we absolutely adored that provided that, was the Mondrian in South Beach and unfortunately the headcount could be no more than 80 because of the size of the space and our list is at 100, so I didn't want to risk it. So excited to finally have that in place, the wedding is only a little over 9 months away. I'm now fully enthralled with creating the "perfect" wedding website, should be done this weekend.

Upcoming Blogs

Reviews:
Lush BB Seaweed and Cupcake
Shea Moisture Curl Smoothie
Hair Rules Blow Out Your Kinks Cream

Beauty:
Favorite Hair Products
Current Beauty Obsessions

Others:
Is it time to walk out on your relationship?
My first hairstyle tutorial featuring the "Esperanza"

Bonus Pic :

Tilly Bear!!

I finally got a chance to go visit my bro and sis in law last week to meet my niece. She is so precious!! She makes my heart sing :)

Have a fabulous weekend!!

XoXo

Summer Skin Prep Part II: Protection for Face and Body

2011-05-18T16:27:00.001-04:00

We can't talk about Summer skin without talking about proper protection. According to a recent Essence poll, less than 15% of readers were using daily sun protection.Sunscreen is a must no matter what color your skin is and should be used whenever you're going to be exposed to the sun, not just on beach days. Most women of color make the mistake of not including sun protection in their routine, and just assuming that dark skin is "already protected".While we are less likely to get skin cancers we can still get them, and let's not forget the wrinkles and dark spots associated with constant sun exposure.

I enjoy getting a tan in the summer, and allow my self one sun day each year to catch some color(naughty, I know). Aside from that, I wear sunscreen on my face year round via SPF rich make up product and primers, and apply to any exposed skin during summer months. I love spray sunscreens, as they allow you to get full coverage with less mess and faster drying time. Whatever brand you choose, make sure it is broad spectrum and protects against both UVA and UVB rays, this is an area where you don't want to skimp. I went on vaca once, and everyone ended up using my sunscreen because the cheap crap they chose did nothing for them! I usually stick to SPF 30, unless I'm in the Caribbean, because that sun laughs at SPF 30.

Protect with these great products

Love the fact that these products are light weight, and won't feel heavy in the summer heat. I prefer a tinted moisturizer or lightweight makeup with SPF over facial sunscreen as most tend to leave a white cast on darker skin. Haven't used Supergoop! wipes yet but have heard nothing but great things, perfect for the Lovely on the go !!

Face Tinted Moisturizers by Laura Mercier
SPF 15 & Above by Neutrogena

Summer Skin Prep Part I: Exfoliate and Treat

2011-05-18T15:27:00.001-04:00

Source

With Memorial Day fast approaching, so is bikini season and of course those skin bearing summer styles. While it's important to maintain a great skin regimen year round, summer is the time to step it up a notch and allow skin to shine. For me that means increasing the exfoliation to every other day and pulling out the "heavy duty" cellulite creams once it starts to get warmer.

Exfoliate and Treat

Cellulite Treatments by Bliss
Body Scrubs & Exfoliants by Dermadoctor

These are by far my favorite products to slough away dead skin, decrease dimpling and reveal smooth skin. I get little pesky bumps on my arm and legs, and the KP Duty Scrub has been my savior for the last couple of years. It is on the pricier side so I typically reserve it for late spring, early summer. Neutrogena Body Clear is a great option if you experience any sort of body acne, and can easily be found at most drugstores.

If you're looking to reduce the appearance of dimples the ones above are the best I've found and I tried quite a few. The Fat Girl series are my go to for the summer, I find that they work better and faster than others. Of course nothing can ever really get rid of all the cellulite, but exercise and the right products can make them less noticeable.

**Tips: If you have a favorite facial mask or scrub. Try it on your skin, it'll probably work just as well and will save you from having to buy additional products. I've been know to walk around the house with Lush Dark Angels slathered all over my legs. Smooth skin, every time!

If you own a Clarisonic, invest in the body brush, it will make a world of difference.

For the DIY diva, check out this at home scrub recipe

Summer Sun Protection Blog to Follow...

When Life Hands You Shrinkage

2011-05-18T01:06:00.000-04:00

Love this Turban from Babooska Boutique on Etsy

Hey Lovelies!!

You would think by now, I would know exactly what styles I should avoid. But every now and again, I get the urge to do a style that I previously failed, in hopes of getting better results. Last week was the wash and go. I've mentioned before that I just don't think I'm a wash and go type of girl, but my hair was in desperate need of a wash and I had a flight to catch within a few hours so it was my last option. So I shampooed with my beloved shampoo bar, deep conditioned for maybe 30 minutes, and applied Hair Rules Kinky Curling Cream (will review once I try again, but so far...meh!),and Kinky Curly Curling Custard for hold and did a light blow dry on cool . I used my Tangle Teezer to detangle but didn't do much manipulation other than using my hands to ensure coverage during product application. Needless to say this was a big, fat FAIL. My hair had shrunken almost 70% by the first hour.

On the plane...this is how way hair felt

When life hands you shrinkage...Strike a pose ;)

That night, afraid of getting evil knots, I did some quick twists and wore a TO the next day.


I didn't care for how it turned out, which is why it ended up pinned and tucked (1st pic)

My hair stayed in that cute turban style for two days, until Monday night, when after reading a random thread about wash and go's I decided I would give another try. I used only Kinky Curly products this time and banded my hair in sections in order to keep it stretched. I thought surely after all that mess, I would see some improvement. Nope!! It wasn't to be, but I did end up with a super cute puff style.


Loooved this accidental style!

I had to attend a couple of events a few days later and ended up going back to my tried and true "Esperenza".

Absolutely love my signature style!!

I know quite a few people who are currently transitioning or newly natural, and often get questions on what to do if their hair does this or doesn't wanna do this, and they gotta go here or there etc. and honestly there isn't really one right answer to this. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow and see what happens. In the battle of girl v. hair, hair is almost always the victor. It's good to have some pins and accessories on hand in case of styling disaster. Eventually, you'll have a g to style that when all else fails, you know you can turn to.

Chia Seeds : The New Superfood?!

2011-05-11T00:21:00.000-04:00

Yes the same chi-chi-chi-chia with the kitschy commercial, that made you wonder why anyone would ever buy it. Turns out the seeds from the chia plant are loaded with nutrients and can provide great health benefits when added to everyday food.

Chia seeds are reported to have been a staple food for the Mayans and Aztecs, providing them with sustain energy for long hunts and numerous medical benefits. Today these small oval seeds are proving to be a nutritional powerhouse with many purported benefits. Chia seeds contain the highest plant source of Omega 3s and are a great source of fiber, calcium and magnesium. Similar to flax or sesame seeds, these can be added to just about anything or eaten alone. The great thing about these is that they have a very mild flavor, so you will barely taste them.

Some of the purported benefits includes:

Weight loss due to a reduction in cravings

Protection against inflammation because of Omega 3

Combat dryness, calm rosacea and pimples, and help keep skin youthful

Supports a normal, functioning digestive tract

Improved blood sugar control

Ideas on how to incorporate:

Add to smoothies, yogurts, cereal or salad

Add to baked goods

Add to water bottle during workout to stay hydrated

I've been using the Spectrum Brand seeds for a little over a month and I actually like them more than flax seeds. I usually add them to my morning smoothie or yogurt. I only added it to my water before workout once, but I will try this more often to see if I notice a difference. I definitely get full faster when I eat the seeds and my digestive tract has been more "regulated" but that could be due to a number of changes I've made to my health and fitness regimen. If you like flax seeds or are looking for an easy, no fuss way of adding some nutrition to your diet, I would definitely give them a try.

For a great skin moisturizer containing Chia, try Super O-Mega Moisture from Dr. Perricone.

Trend Alert: The Cork Wedge

2011-05-04T22:18:00.000-04:00

Hey Lovelies,

You can't go anywhere this season without seeing a shoe with a cork heel. When I first noticed this trend last year, I mostly saw it in higher end shoes, so it's nice to see that it's finally made it out to "mainstream" shoes and is available at every price point. I absolutely love this look, especially in wedges. It's fun, effortlessly stylish and perfect for summer. It also serves as a perfect complement to the flare jean mentioned here.

Sandals by Chloé
Wedges by Topshop

Last Minute Gifts For The Fab Mom

2011-05-03T18:05:00.000-04:00

Whether you're still shopping for your mom, a good friend or even yourself, these gifs are sure to put a smile on any special lady's face :)

Wallets by Pouche
Necklaces by Nadri

Royal Wedding- FOTD

2011-04-29T09:09:00.001-04:00

I love a good wedding so you know I wasn't going to be missing this one. I got up at precisely 3:59 AM to begin viewing the festivities. Most the stuff at that hour was the pomp and circumstance of the pre-ceremony, so I decided it would be a perfect time to bust out my Urban Decay Naked Palette (which I was finally able to get my hands on), and primp up a bit for the occasion. Oh and of course I topped my do with the best hat I could find :)

Products Used

Face- Meow Cosmetics Puurfect Puss in Fierce Korat, Nars Casino, Nars Albatross as highlight on cheeks, Meow Blush in Lust

Eyes- UDPP in Greed, Smog on lids, Darkhorse in Crease, Creep in "outer V", Naked and Sin as highlight on brow bone, and Half Baked in inner corner. Buxom Waterproof Smoky Eye Stick in Smokin' Pistol and Benefit BADgal Lash in Rich Black

Brows- Anastasia Brow Wiz in Brunette

Lips- NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme in London

Happy Friday!!

Coral Lips With MAC Good to Go + Richer, Lusher

2011-04-25T22:35:00.000-04:00

Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Good To Go and Cremesheen Glass in Richer, Lusher

This season corals are all the rage for lips and cheeks. I've been wanting to try a coral lip for a little while now and I think this combo from MAC just may be it. The GTG is definitely more orange but adding a coat of the Richer Lusher makes it into the perfect coral for me. I also love them alone, especially the sheer peachy coral of Richer, Lusher. My only peeve is that it's not as long lasting as I would like, so re-application is a must. I was pleasantly surprised by how smooth and creamy the lipstick applied, and it lasts for a long time. Here are pic and swatches:


Good To Go (t), Richer Lusher (b)


GTG Alone, bright and daring :)


Richer, Lusher alone---loving my aunt Jemima look!

GTG topped with RL


Pure looooove!!!

Have you tried the coral makeup trend yet? What other makeup trends are you ladies dying to try?

Maybeline FIT Me Foundation ; A Review

2011-04-22T13:33:00.001-04:00


Wearing Fit Me in 320, buffed with a bit of Meow Fierce Persian

Happy Friday Lovelies!!

I've been sitting on this review for a few weeks because I really wanted to take my time with the product and give it a fair shot. I'm usually a make up snob when it comes to foundation, but decided to try this product out after hearing great reviews from a friend and of course their ads helped. I figured it was fairly cheap so I didn't have much to lose. I've worn it by itself, with other products in my repertoire and even did half and half comparison with my MUFE HD. Here are my thoughts, listed simply as pros and cons:

Pros: I was very impressed at how it matched my skin, even though the shade is a bit darker than my skin tone. 320 seemed to be a great match while I was at Ulta, but was clearly darker once I started applying it. Within seconds of application, the formula blended seamlessly without leaving that dreaded shadow. It's very light so it can be layered to build medium coverage. Gave me a bit f a glow. It's cheaper than dirt...seriously :)

Cons: I found it to be a bit too liquid-y. My friend described it as a step above tinted moisturizer, but I would say it's actually a step below as I prefer tinted moisturizer to be creamy. It's also a tad oilier than I'm used to. For me it gave a glow, but that can easily translate to oil slicks on someone with oilier skin. It came off on everything!! Not sure why but it really seemed to attach to any fabric it came in contact with.

Verdict: I'm actually still on the fence with this. The couple times I tried it by itself, I was not impressed (I completely wiped it off once). But in the picture above where I wore my powder, I loved the look. I will keep it around and use it a couple more times to see if it grows on me, but as of right now it's a "meh" or a 5 out 10. It doesn't compare to my other foundations from NARS and MUFE. I would say try it if you have normal to dry skin, but definitely not for oily skin.

Adventures In Dress Shopping; Volume I

2011-04-19T09:54:00.000-04:00

Dress #1, the style I think I want

Last week, I went on my my first official dress shopping adventure. Prior to that, we attempted to stop by the Filene's Running of the Brides two months ago, and the only thing that comes to mind to describe that experience is "eeeewwww". This was a much civil event,a sample sale at a small boutique in DUMBO. We walked in, signed in and waited for a room to become available. Once called, I had 40 minute to try dresses on, three at a time. Which sounded good until you realize that's no time at all. Sorry about the pic quality, poor lighting +camera phone.

#2, pretty but not me

#3, very pretty, sales girl loved it, friend loved it, I showed the Mr., he loved it but alas 'tis not the one.

#4, pretty but too wedding-y, lol

#5, this dress is FABULOUS!!... just not for MY wedding


#6, aka the Beyonce, I like it, but it was lacking a certain Je ne sais quoi?

All and all, it was a great experience and went much better than I anticipated. I was almost tempted to buy because the prices were really good, but it was my first time and I didn't want to feel as though I was settling. I have been going back to dress #1 a lot though and dreaming of what could be. Before I went, I was on the phone with a friend of mine, and she said "if you cry,you'll know it's the one", sounds silly but I'm a crier so I think I'll probably cry when I find my dress.

Oil Cleansing and Skin Care Regimen Update

2011-04-18T20:57:00.001-04:00

Hey Lovelies,

It's been a little over 6 months since I began using the OCM as my go to facial cleansing method, and my skin couldn't be happier. The main benefits I have noticed while using this method is that my skin is softer, smoother and more moisturized. I still get the occasional breakout, but it seems mostly hormonal. I've tweaked my regi a bit to reincorporate my beloved Clarisonic, and some of my favorite facial masks.I started using the Clarisonic gain, because it's honestly one of my favorite gadgets ever, and I do feel that it adds that extra boost of exfoliation needed for a glowing complexion. Besides, it was just sitting there collecting dust, and though I've gotten more than my money's worth from it, I needed to find a way to add it in the mix. Needless to say, I'm loving the slight tweak to my regimen. Funny story, I went to the derm last month and he asked what I had been doing to my skin, so I started explaining the OCM to him, he was so intrigued that he started taking notes and afterward told me " you may be on to something" lol, I definitely am! Here are the deets on what I'm doing on my quest for beautiful skin:

Nightly:

OC with a 70/30 mix of EVOO, Castor Oil and couple drops of Tea Tree EO
Tone with Rose Water (sometimes Lavender Witch Hazel)
Moisturize with Rosehip Seed Oil

Daily:

Rinse face with cool water, and repeat steps 2 and 3 from above

Alternate Nights:

2-3xs/wk I'll use my Clarsonic with Black Soap to cleanse instead of doing the OCM
I just rediscovered Aveda Embrightment in my stash, so I started alternating that as a nightly moisturizer too

Exfoliating Masks:

When time permits, I'll treat myself to an at home exfoliating mask with either my Amla or Multani mask or a mixture of both. My recipe is simple just mix 1Tbs of powder with enough warm water to create a thin paste, mix in some honey or agave and a squeeze of lemon juice. Apply to face and neck, leave for at least 10 mins, rinse and follow with toner and moisturizer. I prefer to do a thinner paste with these powder because I find that the thicker paste gets harder and is a bit more abrasive than I would like. Also be sure to add water very slowly, as it's easy to over do it and and up in an endless cycle of adding powder to water and vice versa (I learned the hard way).

I also love masks from Lush Cosmetics, because they are mostly natural and loaded with great ingredients. The only thing is because they are made fresh, you often have to use them within a week or two of purchase and keep them refrigerated,so that doesn't always work with my crazy schedule. I'm due to purchase some soon, so I will do a review.

A Lovely Spring Day

2011-04-14T20:50:00.000-04:00

Ahh the luxury of an afternoon stroll on lovely a spring day. Not to hot, perfect sunshine and a calm breeze. After several dreary days, mother nature decided to gift us one of those today. I created this look a while back when I had warm weather on my mind, but never got a chance to post it. Those pieces represent everything I love about this time of year, soft neutrals, blushes and light floral fragrances...

Evening Dresses by Asos
Pumps by Christian Louboutin

Two More Reasons To Love Williamsburg

2011-04-04T00:48:00.000-04:00

Eggs Benedict from DuMont

I've been waiting for spring to finally show for two weeks now and have been left sorely disappointed. After spending all of last week wearing my winter coat, I was happy that the weather seemed to finally have warmed up a bit yesterday. We originally had no plans, but there was no way I would let such a beautiful Saturday go to waste. Besides, I had recently purchased some deals via Daily Candy, for some eating and shopping in one of our favorite neighborhoods, Williamsburg.

Our first stop was DuMont Restaurant.The location is very unassuming when you first enter, almost looks like an old diner, then the hostess took us down this long, winding hallway to their beautiful garden area. It was a covered area, with space heaters throughout,and is about three times the size of the inside, so I'm assuming it stays open year round. I immediately loved the whole vibe and the fact that that I could smell the tulips that were in bloom. What I liked even more, is the fact that we showed up after 4PM and brunch was still being served. Though I wouldn't have minded trying their famous DuMont Burger, I was in the mood for eggs. I ordered the Benedict, and Chris had the Duck Confit Hash. The moment he took his first bite, he nodded with a smiled, then declared " this has me open", lol, I'm usually the one who gets instant foodgasms so I immediately dug in, to see if my dish was worthy. I know Eggs Benedict can seem like a pretty standard dish, but I consider myself a bit of a bennie connoisseur, since it is my favorite breakfast dish. This my friends, was great eggs benedict, it rivaled Sarabeth's which to me, is the holy grail of benedicts in NYC. This was perfectly cooked, the ham was thinly sliced, and perfectly grilled, the brioche slightly buttery without being greasy, the home fries were well seasoned with a kick of paprika, even the salad was yummy. Needless to say this is what my plate looked like about 10 minutes after I got it, ok maybe 15.

Of course, I was spying on the other people around us and their food looked just as deelish as ours, so we decided that we will be going back soon to try some other stuff.

After our meal, I wanted to stop by Life:Curated, a new boutique in the area. Originally, I wanted to check out their home accessories, since we're redecorating, but as soon as we walked in I had the hunch that I would be the one getting something out of this trip. They had such beautiful unique pieces, I wanted to try so much on, but knew I probably wouldn't be able to afford most of it, so I had to select the right pieces for my closet. The first thing that I love was this silk printed tank, it was beautiful, a forest scene in the front, and this red pattern print in the back, literally wearable art, too beautiful for word. Then of course, here come the sales rep "we have a cardigan version downstairs, that we haven't put on the floor yet, would you like to see it?", the oldest trick in the book, and I fell for it. She was right though the cardigan was beautiful, I tried it on along with this gorgeous ikat print silk tank (blush pink,turquoise and cream...gorg!!) and the super cute Dolce Vita flat sandals...they were ALL beautiful!! What's a girl to do?! I spent some time going back and forth, but at the end decided to go with the cardigan. It's the most unique and versatile one, and I can come back later in the season to get the other stuff if I still want them. I'm so in love with the cardigan, can't wait to wear it, well wear it out because I have it on as we speak, lol, a mess I know.

I took some pics, excuse the mess, in the background.

Love the sheerness on top

Gorgeous detail!!

Perfection!!

Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Renewing Treatment ; A Review

2011-03-30T22:30:00.001-04:00

A couple weeks ago, I made my first official trip to Ulta, they don't have them in the city so I was excited to see what the store was like. Of course, being the junkie that I am, I picked up a few new products to try out. I chose the Argan Oil Renewing Treatment, not really for any particular reason, I've heard great things about the organix line line and this was a new product and smelled lovely, so I figured I'd give it a try and see if it delivered on any of the claims.

Product Claims: A precious blend of Moroccan argan oil which instantly penetrates the hair shaft restoring shine and softness while strengthening. Derived from the southwest region of Morocco, argan oil protects from styling heat and UV damage while creating soft, seductive, silky perfection.

Ingredients: Water Behentrimonium chloride Cetyl alcohol , Cetearal alcohol, Dimethecone, Glycerin, Glycol stearate, Ceteareth-20 , Cyclomethicone, Polyquaternium-11, Dimethiconol Fragrance , Lanolin oil Jojoba Oil, Argania Spinosa Oil, Panthenol ,DMDM hydantoin, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone solution, red 40, yellow 5

My Experience: I'm a a sucker for great ingredients, and looking at this label left a lot to be desired since the best ingredients were listed towards the bottom, so I really wasn't expecting much from this product. The label instructs to leave the product on for 3-5 minutes, but who follows those?! I shampooed my hair in sections, towel dried and applied an ample amount of conditioner to each section as I detangled. Covered hair with plastic cap, then hat and was out the door running about town, so in total I had the product on for 5 hours. The result?? Silky, soft hair, even after it started to dry as I was twisting. I was pleasantly surprised, I didn't even need a leave in, and was almost tempted to not use any moisturizer.

Verdict: I would give this conditioner an 8 out of 10. I love the fact that it was thick and creamy and smelled great. The results were very impressive but at nearly 8 bucks a pop for 8 oz, this isn't exactly cheap stuff. I know I'm heavy handed but I nearly used up half the container in one application. Not sure where it's going to fall in my repertoire as I'm trying out several new things in the coming weeks, but it's definitely a repurchase for now.

Spotlight: Muscle Is The New Sexy Workout Series

2011-03-30T00:18:00.000-04:00

If you're still looking for that missing piece to add to your spring shape up, this YouTube strength training circuit series may be the perfect fit. I discovered it while browsing through LHCF's fitness forum looking for new ways to revamp my workout regimen, which has been beyond awful this past year. I've been doing the program for a little over a month, and plan to continue through the end. What I like about this particular series is that she really pushes you to try heavier weights. I'm not gonna lie, I've been a five pounder for as long as I can remember, even when I did my Jillian videos which are challenging, I would use 5lbs, even 3 sometimes (sad, I know). Roxie aims to change that mentality of only lifting the smaller weights, and challenges you to lift heavier weights and truly build those sexy muscles. My mentality towards strength training and wanting to "tone up" my body have definitely changed, and I'm proud to say, I'm no longer using 5 lbs for any workout.

If you're looking for new challenges in your routine, I would definitely check it out. Don't be intimidated by the fact that she's also a body builder, I know most women would say "well I don't want muscles like that", and unless you're trying to, you won't!! But I certainly wouldn't mind having a defined body like that!

Protein and The Natural Hair Regimen

2011-03-20T18:47:00.000-04:00

One of the biggest mistakes I've made since going natural, was not including enough protein conditioners and treatments in my hair care regimen. I knew building the proper regimen would take a lot of trial and error before I found one that would stick, but I think I bought a little too much into the the the idea that natural hair does not need as much protein as relaxed or processed hair. I did one protein treatment the day I chopped and could probably count on one hand the amount of times I used any kind of core protein product on my hair for the next 6 months. Eventually I started noticing the splits, some at the the end , some mid shaft that looked more shattered than split. At first, I was puzzled, I had been doing all the right things, washing and deep conditioning often, protective styles, avoiding excess heat... so what gave?! Then I remembered how great my hair felt post wash after having been straightened, and the only thing I did different was use a protein dc. I began to wonder why I ever stopped using protein in the first place, I had the products in stock. Needless to say, I've been reincorporating it into my regimen, alternating with protein based deep conditioners and treatments as needed.

Why are protein conditioners and treatments important

Proteins help to fill in the spots on the hair strand that are missing cuticles and that are damaged areas. While they can't permanently repair hair, proteins help strengthen hair and help reduce the damage caused by everyday wear and tear.

Different types of proteins

Protein products are commonly referred to as light, medium or hard, based on the amount of protein they contain. Reconstuctor products are often considered hard proteins as many of them contain mostly protein and require a two step application in which the protein is applied to the hair and allowed to harden and a subsequent moisturizing deep conditioner to replenish the moisture and pliability of the hair. Whether a conditioner is considered light or medium is based on the amount of protein and the type of protein. When looking for protein content in product labels, some key words to look for are silk protein, keratin, soy protein, milk protein, collagen and elastin. There are many more, but the ones mentioned are very common.

Some of my faves:

Aubrey organics GPB, I consider this to be light, and can easily be used weekly. My relaxer hair didn't care for it, but I'm glad I gave it another shot. Leaves my hair super soft and cut down breakage

This is my holy grail, protein reconstructor. Been using it for years and it has never failed me. I consider it to be a medium-hard product. I can leave it on for a few minutes or go under the dryer and allow it to harden for a stronger treatment. I always DC after using this product.

Protein products are an essential part of haircare and should have a place in every hair regimen. The amount and type of protein used is going to vary greatly based on individual hair needs, so be sure to do some research to find out what products best fit your needs.

Rock The Vote...CB Ultimate Wedding Vote That is

2011-03-17T20:42:00.000-04:00

Hey Lovelies,

So I finally decided to enter us for the Crate and Barrel Ultimate Wedding Contest today. At first I wasn't a fan of the fact that you had to create a registry, with a certain number of items, and a certain total etc. but I really love their stuff, and there are several levels of prizes, so even if you don't win the wedding you have a chance to win some gift cards. I've attached the link to our entry below, so please check it out, vote, and tell a friend to tell a friend :) Your support is appreciated!

http://www.ultimateweddingcontest.com/entry/155079

A Little Monday Motivation

2011-03-14T18:34:00.000-04:00

Source- Afroholic

“But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that's just fabulous.”

Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

This quote couldn't be more spot on! So many ladies spend their young years worrying about finding "the one" or holding on to a relationship that doesn't really fulfill them and very little time truly loving and appreciating the person they are. Having a great relationship with yourself will not only help you weed the losers who aren't worth your time but help you realize and appreciate how amazing it is to truly to have someone love the true you... flaws, craziness and all.

So ladies have you fallen in love with yourself yet? Haven't taken time to truly appreciate all the wonders of you lately? I know it can be hard at times, but it's never too late to start a meaningful relationship with YOU!!

Have a fabulous week!

Weekend Hairstyle: The Esperanza

2011-03-13T01:04:00.000-05:00

Hey Lovelies,

It's been a while since I did one of these. I took my twists down yesterday and instead of the run of the mill twist out I decided to rock a high pin up do a la Esperanza Splading at the Grammys. I absolutely loved it, so of course a mini photo shoot ensued, which caused me to be late but that's neither here nor there :)

What new styles have you ladies tried lately?

At Home Beauty : Sugar Scrubs

2011-03-11T22:38:00.000-05:00

Her skin is flawless!!- Courtesy of Afroholic

Sugar scrubs are one of my fave treats for exfoliating scalp and hair. This recipe is made up of my fave super beauty ingredients and will leave the skin smooth and supple. Mix all ingredients and apply to dry skin, massaging for a minute or so. I usually try to do body scrubs once a week in cold months but increase to every other day in the warmer, skin bearing months.

Lavender Citrus Body Polish

1/2 Cup Cane Sugar
2 Tbs Hemp Seed Oil
3 Tbs Grapeseed Oil
1 Tbs Raw Honey
1 tsp Fresh Lemon Juice
5 Drops Lavender Essential Oil

Cane Sugar- High in alpha hydroxy acids, helps to exfoliate skin and gently dissolve dull skin cells.

Hemp Seed Oil- Loaded with ceramides, amino acids and essential fatty acids (EFAs) this oils balances dry skin, fights skin inflammations, and contains moisture balancing properties. It's very easily absorbed and leaves skin uber soft.

Grepeseed Oil- Has great astringent properties, helps tone and tighten the skin. This oil also helps with fading dark marks and even out the skin tone.

Raw Honey- Also high in amino acids and mild alpha hydroxy acids, raw honey hydrates skin , evens skin tone and improves the elasticity of your skin. It also enhances collagen production and therefore leaving skin tighter and more youthful.

Lemon Juice- Rich in anti oxidants and vitamin C, lemon juice is also helpful in clearing dark spots and acne.

Lavender EO- besides the scent being incredibly soothing, lavender has many inflammatory properties helping to heal eczema and other skin ailments

-----------------------------------------------------
I've been experimenting with scalp scrubs as of late and I'm loving it thus far, will post a recipe soon!

Spring Trend : 70's Flare

2011-03-07T13:54:00.000-05:00

Styles inspired by the disco era are making a big comeback this spring, and I am lo-ving it! My fave of course are the flare jeans. A great pair of jeans is an investment, that can be worn in will last long after the trend, especially the high waisted trouser styles.

Here are some denim looks that really caught my eye.

Bootcut Denim by J Brand
Flare Denim by Free People

Groovy Baaby :)

Natural Hair and Perceived Attractiveness

2011-03-05T01:33:00.000-05:00

Source: Afroholic

Whether phrased as worry over what a boyfriend or family member will think, one of the major concerns I often hear ladies voice is how the look will affect others perception of their attractiveness. Silly as the idea, that simply deciding to wear your hair the way it grows out of your scalp will somehow drop you down a notch or two on the "attractive scale" might seem, it's valid to a certain degree. Even though natural hair is becoming more common place we still live in a world that considers straight hair prettier, more professional etc. Prior to going natural I heard several different perspectives on this issue, some funny, some alarming but I couldn't wait to see for myself what I would experience. Though this issue wasn't a primary concern while transitioning, we all want to feel desired at one point or another.

Here's what I've observed;

Wearing my natural hair did change the amount of time I was approached by the opposite sex, but only slightly, less than I actually hoped, lol. I honestly thought I would completely rid of the 'hood types and youngins, and that really hasn't happened. The most notable change I would say is how men approach me, I don't get much whistles and yo ma's anymore, now it's "greetings, my beautiful queen" and "I love your hair miss...can I talk to you for a minute" or my personal fave "You have a beautiful energy" flattering but how the hayyyyllll did you see my "energy" from down the block?!! lol. The drive by holla is still on and poppin' as well, thankfully now I can flash my ring and keep it moving. The only reason I even noticed that there was a slight change in the number of approaches is that when I wore my straight in December, I had all sorts of crustations spraining their necks and an increase in random facebook requests.

In the end, I don't think that wearing natural has changes mine or anyone's level of attractiveness whatsoever. You will probably be flyer with your natural hair, but if you were pretty before, you're still going to be pretty. The change in the way I'm approached, though hilarious at times, is a welcomed change.

Confidence is the most attractive trait of all, so fluff off your fro and strut your stuff as if you were walking the runway.

Everyday "Natural" Look + NYX Lipcream Reviews

2011-02-28T21:21:00.001-05:00

Hey Lovelies,

I wanted to share with you my everyday natural makeup look, and how I achieve it. I do this or some version of this look, usually adding liner and some color to the eyes, almost everyday for work. It's my go to because it's quick and a great way to look fresh faced without looking made up.

Products used:

Face: Meow Cosmetics Purrfect Puss in Fierce Persian applied with Kabuki Brush, Meow Cosmetics Immortal Glow applied with Duo Fibre (187) Brush, Nars Casino Bronzer applied lightly around contours with large tapered brush (134).

Eyes: Bobbi Brown Corrector in Dark Peach (for dark circles), Shu Uemura Cream Shadow in sand Brown and CG Exact Eyelights Mascara in Black Pearl ( the best ever!!)

Lips: I had Shea butter on my lips here, usually I apply Rosebud Salve and whatever shear gloss I can reach first.

The final look is below, still contemplating what to do with my hair, I was up super late last night doing these small twists, which I'll probably leave in for 2 weeks.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams

I mentioned in a few weeks back that I decided to purchase these during a Hautelook Sale. The creams are described as " It's not lipstick, nor is it gloss.It's like nothing you've experience before. It's lipstick cream that goes on silky but looks soft matte. One of my goals this year is to play around more with lip color and the set of 5 of these was $11.00, so I didn't have much to lose.

The creams are packaged in an opaque tube with a sponge tipped applicator.The colors included in the set are Amsterdam (bright red), Milan (bownish pink), Addis Ababba (Fuschia), Istanbul (Soft Pink), and London (nude).

Swatches

l-r London, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Milan and Addis Ababa

Pics

Milan

Addis Ababa, it reads purple with flash, but color is as seen in swatch. Wanted to show texture.

London

Amsterdam

Istanbul

Verdict

I'm really loving these. The colors are great I love the velvety matte finis, so far I'm in love with the red and nude. I also have mixed the colors on different occasions (Istanbul and London, Amsterdam and Addis Ababa) and I love the results! As far as wear, I wouldn't say they last all day but they last for a good amount of time depending what you're doing. After a few hours it dries and looks more like a lip stain and doesn't come off on clothes/ napkins. There are 11 colors in the collection and I would definitely purchase the others

To Twist or Not To Twist ??

2011-02-19T23:35:00.000-05:00

I've been getting the itch to try some twist extensions as of late. I've never had any type of twists (extensions) before, nor did I ever consider myself a twist type of girl, but I've seen some really cute styles and I'm in need of a much needed styling break. Doing twist on my own hair is a norm, but the longest I usually leave them for is 2 weeks. Anything longer starts to look raggedy. I'm most likely going to do them myself, or at least attempt to. The is a very well known natural salon literally next door to me but the price for the style I want is $325 and that's before buying the hair, which isn't cheap, so I'll pass.

I'm either going to do the fluffy twists or spring twists, I also like the gypsy twists but not sure how to do them or what hair to buy. Here are some examples of the styles, what do you guys think? Anyone ever tried these?:

Fluffy

Spring

Gypsy

The hair to do these doesn't seem easy to come by either. I'm gonna check out some local stores tomorrow to try my luck, if not I guess I'll have to get whatever I decide on online.

On another note, I did get my NYX order from the Hautelook sale, so I will be posting the review within a few days.

Vogue Italia "Black Allure"

2011-02-10T17:55:00.000-05:00

Last year, Vogue Italia did the "Black Issue", showcasing some of the most prominent super models of color. The magazine continues to embrace black fabulosity in a new spread titled "Back Allure". While I long for the days where something like this is the norm, I have to give the folks at Vogue Italia props for continuing to embrace beauty of all races.

The dress+her skin tone= PERFECTION

If only American Vogue could do the same...le sigh.

Spotlight : Rosehip Seed Oil

2011-02-08T22:19:00.000-05:00

My interest in this oil first peaked when one of our lovelies, Pilar, mentioned that she prefers to us this oil instead of olive for her oil cleansing recipe. After doing a little bit of research I found out it was the same as "Rosa Mosquita" which I've heard great things about in the past. While I was purchasing some herbal goodies from Mountain Rose Herbs, I noticed that they had it in stock so I decided to give it a try, and let me tell you this stuff is good!! So far I've used it to oil cleanse, as a facial moisturizer and combined with Shea butter as an overall body butter and I've had amazing results every time. This is a very lightweight oil, and it absorbs quickly, leaving the skin feeling soft and silky. It is now my staple facial moisturizer.

Benefits of Rosehip Seed Oil

*High in essential fatty acids, helping to combat dry, weathered skin
* Treat wrinkles and premature aging-this oil also contains vitamin A, which helps to delay skin aging, and increase collagen and elastin levels
*Helpful in healing burns, scars and pigment spots
*May aid in fading stretch marks
* Help moisturize dry, damaged hair and brittle nails

How to use
Rosehip seed oil is can be massaged unto skin directly from the bottle, or mixed with your favorite lotion or cream. I prefer the former, at least for initial application because then you get the real feel of the oil, but I do plan on experimenting and making up some skin (and hair) concoctions with it .

Rosehip seed oil is not recommend for use on acne, or extremely oily skin.

Source: Mountain Rose Herbs

Sale Alert: NYX on Hautelook

2011-02-03T16:45:00.000-05:00

Hey Lovelies,

Hautelook is currently having a sale on NYX Cosmetics. This is my first time actually buying their (NYX) stuff, but they are know for having highly pigmented makeup at very reasonable prices. I just bought the Lip Set and The All Liner Black. They have some great stuff in this sale, and the prices are really good, so if you're in the market for some new make up, it's definitely worth a try. I will be sure to review when I receive them.

Just thought I'd share!

Perfect Little Orgasmns

2011-02-02T00:57:00.000-05:00

Lol, I couldn't resist ;) But seriously Sephora is currently selling limited edition sets of this cult favorite and one of my all time fave products. If you've never experienced orgasm before, this is a perfect introduction. The multiple is the best, apply on lips, cheeks, eyes you name it!

They also have some other great Nars sets I wouldn't mind scooping up:

Oooh this one is screaming my name!! It actually has colors I don't own, so I can technically make and exception to my makeup "no buy" challenge, Nice!

Happy shopping!

RHOA Wedding : Should Cynthia Have Walked Down The Aisle?

2011-02-01T00:56:00.000-05:00

Cynthia and Peter during the ceremony

Hey Lovelies,

So, the season finale of Real Housewives of Atlanta aired this Sunday and was mostly centered around the Cynthia's much anticipated wedding. I don't know about you but this is one of the saddest, most unromantic TV weddings that I have seen in a long while. It was right up there with that episode of Bridezillas where the bride was left at the altar. I know planning a wedding can be very stressful, but one should at least have some sort of excitement leading up to their big day.

I saw the whole mess developing a couple episodes ago, when they had Hill Harper come in as a marriage counselor. While I think it's important for every couple to do some form of counseling prior to the wedding, umm when did Mr. Harper become a counselor? and shouldn't they have continued "counseling" until they resolved the pending issues. The couple clearly were having financial issues and major disagreements on how financial matters should be handled. Then came the closing of Uptown's which is Peter's major form of income, and an establishment that Cynthia has invested in. But hold up, he closes the restaurant, without warning her, no brainstorming on what the next step is, Nada!! Just walks in talking 'bout "I closed Uptown's today"--Now I don't know if Cynthia's initial reaction was edited, but she was way too calm about the whole thing. If there was ever a time to bug out, and get all NeNe Leakes on somebody that would have been it. Despite the continued unfavorable situations, Cynthia insisted on going on with the wedding because "People already booked their plane tickets, what am I gonna tell them..." For those of you not familiar with the show, this isn't some twenty something naive girl, this is a grown ass woman, getting married to an even older man. I swear I wanted to reach into the TV and shake some sense into her ass. Who cares if people are a little inconvenienced, you're not in a state to get married, let alone have a big lavish wedding just to show people!!

So finally, the wedding day comes, I'm surprised that she made it this far but it's here. I'm thinking finally she's gonna wake up, jump out of bed, eff the bs, I'm getting married today, it's gonna be wonderful etc... WRONG. The woman is miserable, I lost count of how many times she cried, her mother and sister kept insisting that she shouldn't go through with it, saying it doesn't feel right, they cry, all sorts of mess. Cynthia even had the nerve to say "I can always get divorced", who says that on their wedding day? The craziest part for me, came when she couldn't locate her marriage license, and the viewers found out moments later that the mom and sister were hiding it as part of their plot to sabotage the wedding...woooooow! Somehow though, to most people's surprise, she made it down those spiral stairs and eventually the aisle. By that time however, I was done, all the wedding magic, the romance and all the warm fuzziness I usually get when I see a bride walk down the aisle was gone. Her dress, fabulous as it was, did nothing for me, maybe if she had a veil, [or maybe some form of top hat like that girl who wore the black dress on My Fair Wedding].She was Cynthia the fashion model, not a bride.

On another note, what the hell did that wedding planner do? Seriously he's this world renowned, "celebrity" planner, but the whole purpose of a planner is to make sure that everything goes smoothly throughout the planning process and that certainly was not the case here. Any wedding planner worth their salt, would have had a checklist of things their client should have completed on the days leading to the wedding. I would imagine he would also have some kind of an assistant making sure things like the bands and marriage license make their way to the ceremony and keeping the bride calm, none of which happened. Oh the drama!!

I can't wait to see how this all unfolds next season, who knows, maybe it will work out...stranger things have happened!

Did you ladies watch? What did you think...should she have called it off or opt for a smaller event?

Lovely Stripes

2011-01-30T21:41:00.000-05:00

I don't know what it is, but I absolute love love navy blue/red stripes. Something about the nautical, classic Americana feel that I just can't get enough of, especially during warm weather months [which I'm impatiently waiting to come to NYC]. Here are some current faves;

Crewnecks & Scoopnecks by Diane von Furstenberg
Cardigans by JJ Basics

Nupur Henna Experience

2011-01-29T18:56:00.000-05:00

Hey Lovelies,

Last September, I decided to add henna back to my repertoire in hopes that it would add some strength and help reduce the knotting.Prior to that I used henna twice in early 2009, but stopped once I started transitioning. For my last three applications I used Henna for African Hair, which I've been really impressed with, it's easy to mix and rinse out, and the I love the subtle auburn highlights. But of course, being the product junkie that I am, I'm always looking to try something new. My interest in Nupur peaked after reading about it on Amazon and seeing that it was loaded with tons of Ayurvedic goodies. Before, doing the review though I wanted to discuss the benefits of henna for the hair and why I choose to use it.

Benefits of Henna for Hair

*Conditions the hair, making it heavy, thick and silky
* Henna adds weight to the hair therefore adding definition to natural curls
*Natural hair dye- Henna deposits a reddish stain on the hair, but can be mixed with other powders to virtually yield any color
*Cover up pesky grays

Why Nupur?
Nupur henna is a natural henna, that is loaded with 9 of the best Ayuvedic powders purported to have amazing benefits:
         *Brahmi- Promotes hair growth
         *Shikakai- Leaves hair clean and shining
         *Aloe Vera- Moisturizes and makes hair silky
         *Methi-Condition, nourishes and revitalizes hair
         *Bhringraj- Makes hair luxuriant
   *Amla- Darkens hair color, adds shine and luster
         *Neem- Fights scalp infection and prevents dandruff
         *Hibiscus-Rejuvenates hair, making it shiny and silky
         *Jatamansi- Prevents graying of hair

Preparation
I decided to go with my usual henna prep, not the directions on the package.
*Mix henna the night before application with cooled down nettle and marshmallow root tea
* Be sure to slowly pour the tea into the mixture, the avoid it being to liquid-y, I usually mix to a clumpy, mashed potato texture, then continue slowly until I get a thick, cake batter like mix, add a squeeze of lemon juice to aid with color release
*Cover with plastic cap or bag and let sit at room temperature over night
* Before applying the next day, I add a heaping Tbs of raw honey, mix well, and voila! it's ready for application

Application
*Detangle hair and divide into 4 section. I applied Vatika oil to my hair(overnight) this time around and it made detangling a breeze. Working with hair in detangled section, has really streamlined my henna application
*Gloves are an absolute must for henna application. I made the mistake of not using gloves in September and my hands and nails were bright orange [ looking like I just came from shooting an episode of the Jersey Shore], and though my hands were back to normal within a week, my nail, have only recently grown out the orange.
*Start with a small section at the back, apply henna from root to tip, ensuring full coverage, and work my way up. Clip hair section back up when done and move to the front section on the same side. Repeat until done with entire head.
*Cover hair with 2 plastic caps or bags in this case, I also like to add additional coverage with winter hat
* Go about my business while the henna work it's magic, usually at least 3-4 hrs

Rinse Out
*Jump in the shower, using lukewarm water, allow the water to run through hair and rinse the henna out. I do very little manipulation to hair at this time.
*Once the water starts looking a little clearer, I apply a cheap conditioner, I used Suave Ocean Breeze this time, apply very liberally to hair, massage gently and rinse.
*Continue with regular hair routine of washing with shampoo bar, and deep conditioning. Did a tea rinse.
*Style as usual
Hair directly after rinsing out henna

I thought this pic was hilarious

Verdict
This is a great henna!! It even smells pleasant. It was easy to use and rinse out. My curls were super defined and my hair didn't feel stripped as is the case sometimes right after henna. Best of all I was able to find it locally for 3 bucks!!! One thing I noticed though, is that my hair looked redder than ever. I wasn't expecting that since this formula has Amla in it, which usually makes hair brown when mixed with henna, but not in this case I guess. I will henna again in 4-6 weeks, tweak the mix a bit to see what results I get. This hasn't completely kicked my other henna out of the picture yet, but it very well could.

Tips and Additional Info
*Henna can be used by anyone to condition and/or color their hair, or cover grays. Ladies with relaxed hair must used Body Art Quality henna, to avoid reaction to additives that may be in non-BAQ henna.
*Henna application can leave hair feeling dry and straw like immediately after application, so deep conditioning with a thick, moisturizing conditioner is necessary to restore moisture levels
*Check out Henna for Hair to get additional info

New Regimen Update: Herbal Tea Rinses

2011-01-27T01:35:00.000-05:00

Source: Afroholic

After doing a bit of research I decided that I would add herbal tea rinses to my regimen. It really wasn't a hard choice to make because most of the products that I love and work well with my hair are either herbbased or infused with herbal goodies. Just by looking at the ingredients of my fave products I knew I couldn't go wrong with Burdock Root, Nettle, Marshmallow and Hibiscus. So the list started there and grew as I got some recipe ideas from several sites and blogs.

What I Got and Why:
Burdock root: Strengthens, repairs and hydrates hair while adding sheen & luster.Purported to promote growth and correct scalp issues. Contains mucilage (plant protein), a slippery substance which will aid in making detangling a breeze. ++Burdock Tea can also be used as a skin toner as it is effective in relieving dry skin, acne and eczema.

Coltsfoot: Stimulates collagen production, helps to heal dandruff, reduce scalp build up and is purported to strengthen the hair shaft adding sheen and elasticity.

Hibiscus: [First off, let me say I've been a hibiscus lover long before I even knew it was such a wonder flower, I have a hibiscus tattoo, lol, that's' another story though. I guess it reminds me of growing up in Haiti, they were everywhere. This summer I discovered hibiscus tea..LOVE...and now all these hair benefits!] Hibiscus is infused in many ayurvedic hair formulation because of its many benefits.It is purported to assist with healthy hair growth while gently clarifying build up, strengthen hair at the root, prevent premature graying, and repair damaged hair. Hibiscus also contains mucilage, therefore serving as an excellent detangler. Be sure to wear old clothes when using it as it does stain clothes.

Horsetail: This herb is very rich in natural silicon conditioning silica/minerals, sulfur, amino acids which aid in strength to hair and prevent split ends. Horsetail is also purported to help heal dandruff, reduce hair loss and improve hair elasticity.

Marshmallow Root: Yet another mucilage rich herb, marshmallow root provides an abundance of 'slip' which helps to nourish and detangle thick natural hair. It's anti inflammatory properties help alleviate itchy, dry scalp and dandruff.

Nettle : is rich in hair loving vitamins and minerals and purported to increase circulation, thus stimulating hair growth. Nettle also helps restore softness and sheen.

Tulsi aka Holy Basil: Regarded as a sacred herb in India, Tulsi has anti- bacterial properties helpful in preventing dandruff and hair loss.

Making The Tea:

Similar to making any other tea, I bring about 3 cups of water to a boil, choose what herbs I want to use, place 1/2 tbs of each in a muslin bag, add to water {never boil the herbs, as this will cause them to lose their properties}, let steep until completely cool. Apply to freshly washed and conditioned hair. I rinse over a bowl to "catch" the mixture and repeat several times to ensure all my strands get equal coverage. Style as usual. ++ I steep my tea well before I even begin the washing process to give it plenty of time to cool. I also squeeze the tea bag to make sure I get as much mucilage in the mix as I can.

What Herbs To Use:

I'm still very early in the experimental phase but I just choose based on what I'm results I'm to achieve. The first rinse I did consisted of hibiscus, coltsfoot, marshmallow root, horsetail, and burdock root. My hair stayed super soft and moisturized all week, and I did notice some sheen immediately after rinsing. The next one I did hibiscus, nettle, coltsfoot and horsetail. My hair was soft, but not as much as the first mix, probably because I didn't have the extra mucilage from the marshmallow root. I've also notice that detangling has been much, much easier and less breakage. I plan on doing these with every wash, and see how it goes. I'm very impressed so far and have been researching other benefits of these herbs and others. So far I'm loving tulsi and marshmallow root tea, yummy and good for digestion!

I purchased all my herbs and supplies from Mountain Rose Herbs

If you're looking for new ways to boost your hair regimen, I would definitely suggest looking into herbal rinses. It's fairly simple, and the benefits can be seen pretty quickly. I will of course continue to update, as I tweak the mixes and try different herbs.

Wedding Stuff: Engagement Pics Are Here!!!

2011-01-20T17:24:00.000-05:00

OMG!! I came home last night to a pleasant surprise our engagement pics were ready. I was a bit nervous to see how they turned out because though we had fun, when I was done I thought of so many things I should have done differently (typical). I'm very pleased with the way they turned out, and though I literally froze my ass off (my hands were frozen to the point where I couldn't unzip my boots or apply lip balm) but it was worth it! Check out some of my faves:

Pure Bliss!!

My Fave!!

Got him!!

GQ!!

I love the way C is juxtaposed btn the buildings

In other wedding news; we went down to Miami this past weekend, found a venue we loved and hired a wedding planner who we also love. We decided to set the date for next March on the anniversary of when we became a couple and also to give us plenty of time to plan just right. I'm thinking of hitting up a couple dress sales next month to see what I can find, wish me luck!!

Josie Maran Desert Tinted Moisturizer Swatch

2011-01-11T15:51:00.001-05:00

I received a request for reader Caneil stating:

Hello Stepha! I'm around the same complexion as you. What shade did you use? Dessert? Did you think it matched well? Would you mind posting pics?

I raved about it in this post, and am still loving it. I wore it yesterday and took some pics showing what it looks like before and after application to show Caneil. I'm always open to request like this one if you would like more details on a product I mentioned or maybe even something new that you think I'd like, I have to problem getting it and reporting back. Just send me an email or comment and I'll let you know if I can do it and when. Here are the pics:

Naked Face

With Product, No Flash

Added a bit of Color w/ Kevyn Auncoin kit (flash)

In sunlight

As you can see this product is very natural looking, and gives a nice glow. I would recommend going to a store that has it if possible to try it out and get the correct color match.

Hope you find this helpful Caneil!

What in the...???

2011-01-09T20:06:00.000-05:00

I came across this video earlier today while reading another blog . I'm already completely against using a relaxer on little girls but this right here is a whole other level of mess...WOOOOOW!!

Almost 2 Years Later, Still Dealing with Remnants of Relaxer Damage

2011-01-09T19:46:00.000-05:00

Hey Lovelies,

In my last hair post, I mentioned that in the 2009 pic there was a clear difference between the length on the left side of my hair and the right due to damage caused by relaxer burns. That left nape area has been a pain for the majority of the last decade and I just attributed it to my hair growing faster on the right side. Once I started taking care of my hair however I came to a very different conclusion. Allow me to elaborate...

In late 2006 , I started going to the dermatologist because I was having these recurring little bumps at the bottom of my nape, that cause me to lose most of the hair in the middle of the area. I tried everything known to me at that time, nothing worked! My stylist finally recommended I go see a dermatologist who started treating me with cortisone shots and Rogaine. [She forgot to mention that the Rogaine would grow my hair EVERYWHERE, especially since I'm already a hairy person. I gave it a try for a month or so, but my facial hair was outta control so I stopped] My hair grew back for the most part, but would break off almost instantaneously after I got a relaxer and that nape area was always the first to burn. It took me a while to actually put two and two together and I often wonder why my stylist or derm didn't realize it.

When I strarted transitioning in 2009, I often referred to my left nape area as the "evil patch" because I noticed that the hair growing in that area was a completely different from the rest of my hair, and no amount of moisturizer or conditioner would help it. Since then I've gotten cortisone shots in the area on a few occasions but it was very infrequent because the main area of my nape (middle) my hair had recovered almost fully.The evil patch had improved but the hair still seemed alien to me, it would break easily, had tons of splits as opposed so the rest of my hair which was virtually split free and was a nightmare to detangle. I had a small spot that had barely any hair but I didn't sweat it much. Around late October or so I noticed I was getting more an more breakage mainly in that area but figured it was due to letting my hair shrink and tangle too much. I was planning on changing up my regimen in 2011, so I just let it rock and figured all would be good.

Then December 22nd happened, I was getting my hair prepped to be straightened, and noticed this...

Well, first I noticed even more breakage than usual as I shampooed and felt the area, then I ran to hubby to ask him what he saw and take pics. I was livid!! Not this shit again!...why didn't I switch up my regi when I first noticed the breakage. I went into panic at first trying to figure out what to do, referencing an old thread on LHCF, where a member had an oil mix that worked for her. Once I calmed down, I ordered some herbs and oils that I had been planning to try and vowed to finally conquer this problem once and for all.

Some of the changes I will be making in my regimen will be: returning to Ayurvedic products, nightly scalp massages with homemade oil blend and herbal rinses. I will post more details on each topic in the upcoming weeks. I'm actually in the midst of doing my hair as we speak, and will do a herb rinse for the first time, so I'll definitely be back to report.

Realistic Resolutions For A Fabulous 2011!

2011-01-04T22:42:00.001-05:00

"Instead of resolving to lose weight, why not go with something more realistic, like your keys..."

pic source

Happy New Year Lovelies!!

That quote is from Jimmy Kimmel and I thought it was so funny but true. Every year around this time, people get excited that it's a new year and vow that this is going to be "it", the year that they finally lose the weight, get healthy, save money, quit smoking etc. But for most, by the end of the month most of their resolutions are long forgotten.Most resolutions fail because people often are unrealistic about what they can achieve and the time it truly takes to make a change, adjust to such change and have that change become part of their everyday or are unwilling to commit to it.

Before even coming up with list of things you are going to accomplish this year, take some time to reflect on the triumphs and failures of 2010. What can you sustain? What's keeping you from being where you want to be? What can you start doing differently starting right now to get there? Once you've answered those questions than you can start to come up with a list of a plan on how you will achieve these things. And who said you had ta achieve everything in one year? Some things take more time than others, there's nothing wrong with taking small steps and continuing to work on your resolution the next year.

Here are a couple things you can do to help make 2011 a better year:

*Find ways to incorporate fruits and veggies in every meal, focus on eating fresher ingredients and avoiding preservative laden foods. You'll feel better and may even lose those last five pounds without thinking about it.

* Start your day with a 5 minute workout. I have a routine that starts with jumping jacks, squats, push up and crunches 1 minute each and sit in child's pose for a minute to cool down. It's quick and easy and a perfect boost of energy to start the day!

* Surround yourself with positive people who are driven and can help motivate you. If there are people in you life that don't meet that criteria, time to let them go!

*Dare to be you!! Live your life the way you want to live it! Stop worrying about what others are going to think or say, it's your life!

*Try something different...Trapeze lessons... Rock Climbing... A cuisine you've never had...Pourquoi pas?!

*Take time to connect with YOU! So often we go through life just going through the motions and being busy that we forget to truly take some time just to be alone, gather our thought and de-stress.

Pretty doable right?!

Whatever your goals are for this year, I wish you all the love, success and blessings for a Fabulous 2011 :)