This summer I’m working on finishing my Graduate Thesis and right now I’m at the final push. All my energy will be going into that for the time being. I will back to blogging in September, I know such a long time away.
Wish me luck as I finish. Enjoy the weather and the rest of summer!
Hope everyone has a safe and fun Independence Day!
Image courtesy of Vh1
So we pick up right where we left off last week with Joseline and Stevie J talking about her pregnancy. Side note: Joseline really needs a speech coach, I had to turn the closed captions on, and it’s only been two minutes into the episode. For the first time I bet Joseline is being honest with Stevie J, by telling him she going to leave him with no money after she’s through with him because he asked who’s the father of the baby.
K. Michelle returns this episode talking with a producer about her upcoming showcase.
Momma Dee also makes an appearance when Scrappy goes to his mother to talk about moving out of his and Erica’s home. Momma of course supports him as long as he doesn’t bring any woman around like Diamond. She really hates Diamond!
More foolishness after the jump.
Hi everyone, I just wanted to let you know that I have a major thesis deadline this week and all my energy needs to be focused on that. I’ll post once more before the weekend. Then its back to the regularly scheduled program!
Thank you for being so understanding.
Image courtesy of Vh1
I don’t even know where to begin with this episode. It’s only the second one and the ratchetness level has already reached critical limits.
This episode begins with Ariane and Mimi discussing Mimi’s fight with Stevie J over Joseline. In her talking head Ariane knows that Mimi isn’t gonna leave Stevie J but wants to be a good friend and support her during this time. She even suggests that Mimi should leave Stevie J and I agree since he’s running around Atlanta with his side chick on a national tv show.
Next we are introduced to the last cast member Rasheeda, she’s a “female underground hip hop entertainer.” I respect the fact that she went independent as an artist, I’m not going to listen to her music, but I respect the hustle. (So off topic but I really need to acknowledge this: why is Kirk’s Adam’s apple so prominent?) Kirk and Rasheeda discuss some stuff that has to do with her album, blah blah no one cares.
Read more of the foolishness after the jump!
This is my second summer being natural and I had yet to find a perfect summer routine. I have my winter regimen down but I am still experimenting with what will work now that it’s warmer. I figured out that I need to start deep conditioning (DC) twice weekly to keep it moisturized since I’m wearing it out almost everyday. However until this weekend I was still struggling to find the right oil to seal my hair. I normally use butters during the winter but they weigh my hair down to much during the summer. I’ve tried coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil with minimum success.
However this weekend I need to go out with friends and needed to style my hair quickly. I decided to skip using an oil so that my hair could dry faster. What I ended up with was great results. My hair was still moisturized and wasn’t weighed down by the oil. I’m super excited I finally have a daily summer routine that works and gives me great hair.
Have you stumbled on something that works for your hair?
I’ve been using Castor oil as a part of my Deep Conditioning (DC) for over a year and in that time my hair has gotten significantly thicker. But this is the only way I use it Wanting to try something different, I decided to use Castor oil to seal my latest flat-twist out. I think I got pretty decent results.
I used Carols Daughter’s Hair Milk, Curls Control Paste, and Castor oil to seal.
The Control Paste was just applied to my roots to reduce frizz. I used a nickel size amount of Castor oil to the length of my hair.
Enjoy the weekend everyone, I know I will! :)
One of the first things you realize when starting your natural hair journey, is that the whole process is trial and error in hopes of finding your Holy Grail (HG) products and methods. The next thing you’ll realize is that no two natural/transitioning heads are alike so many of the things you read about on blogs and see on YouTube will in fact not work for your hair. Below is a list of things that I have tried all in the name of achieving beautiful hair.
Making my own Products
Food as Deep Conditioner
I have tried an assortment of food as DC: bananas, mangoes, eggs, mayonnaise, etc. I would say that the lack of success on this one is my fault. I didn’t realize that the food needs to be pureed to smooth consistency so it can be easily washed out of hair. Even though I was left with moisturized hair, I’m super lazy with my hair products so the time to make and mix all the stuff together takes to much time for me. I really envy the mixtresess who make their own hair care products, I hope to buy your product line one day.
Flax seed Gel
I decided to make this after watching Naptural85’s video. I made it once and used it once to not so stellar results. Again I don’t think I have a natural talent for DIY.
Shea Butter Mix
Another failed attempt. I have watched YouTube video after YouTube video and my mixes don’t come out the same and they also didn’t work well. Again due to my lack of skills.
But I accept that this isn’t my calling and I am more than willing to pay for wonderfully made products.
Curlformers
This has to be my worst purchase yet. They cost over $80 including shipping and I used them a grand total of: once. They are not easy or convenient to sleep in and I don’t want to spend a whole day waiting for them to dry. So if anyone out there has an alternative way to use them I would really appreciate it.
WARNING: This post may trigger Product Junkie relapse
Every time I walk into a large retailer I lie to myself. I say, “I’m just going to look in the hair aisle, I won’t by anything.” This time I lied to myself in Target. Here I am walking down the hair care aisle and what do I see at the end a sign for natural hair care. As I walk closer, I can’t believe what I’m seeing, I walk faster thinking my eyes have deceived me. But no they are not the Target in my podunk town is finally carrying Shea Moisture Hair Products and in that moment I know that the hair gods have smiled upon me.
I have wanted to try Shea Moisture hair products since I first heard of them last summer. The line has been available through Target online since last year. But the Target in my podunk town just got the hair care products recently and I was so excited to see them! (I’ve only been natural for 18 months but in the beginning of my journey not many stores carried hair care products for natural hair. Or the products they did carry contained: silicones, alcohols, parabens, mineral oil, etc. So I love that many stores are starting to carry more brands with better ingredients.) I decided to pick up Coconut Hibiscus Curl and Style Milk, Deep Treatment Masque(review coming later), and since I was indulging my Product Junkism (PJism) I also purchased Curls Passion Fruit Curl Control Paste.
I was expecting great things from the Style Milk and was left feeling indifferent. It left my hair moisturized and soft and It doesn’t have much hold but I don’t look for that much in my leave in stylers. This also smells lovely its more floral scented with a slight hint of coconut. The Style Milk has a good thick consistency and a dime size amount on medium twists I found works best. I just don’t think that it’s better than Purabody Naturals Murumuru Moisture Milk or Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk. So I would purchase it again, but I don’t think it’s going to be apart of my regular routine.
Now the Curls Control Paste did surprise me and I couldn’t be happier. I’m a sucker for anything that can promise to make my hair shiny. When I saw this on the shelf above Shea Moisture I was immediately intrigued and after quick glance at the ingredients this product found its way into my cart. The pictures below can show you how much shine this product added to my hair.
The product has a very strong caramel smell in the jar but didn’t notice any smell once it was in my hair. This product is not a gel so it doesn’t have a strong hold but it does define curls and can tame frizz and fly away hairs. It has a thicker consistency then gel it’s more like an old school pomade. This will definitely be helping me add shine to my Wash n’ Go’s this summer.
Hope you’re out enjoying the weather!
Image courtesy of Vh1
The season premiere of Love and Hip Hop:Atlanta started with long-term couple Stevie J and Mimi Faust driving to the suburbs of Atlanta. Stevie J is taking Mimi to new house he just bought for her and their daughter. However Mimi isn’t falling for all the smoke and mirrors. She knows that by having her out in the suburbs it will be easier for Stevie J to indulge his other “side projects” back in Atlanta. When called on his bs, he gets mad at Mimi. Stevie J have every right to be upset, it must really suck when your plans to juggle your mistress and long-term partner seems to not be working.
We next transition to on and off couple Lil’ Scrappy and Erica Dixon and singer K. Michelle. Erica and Lil’ Scrappy are trying to salvage their relationship once Lil’ Scrappy came back after leaving Erica for local Atlanta rapper Diamond. This story line doesn’t seem all that interesting and neither does K.Michelle’s. I really hope K.Michelle’s role on the show doesn’t go the way of Reece from the last season of Love and Hip Hop.
I was over on XOJane the other day reading a post about natural hair and black beauty culture. In the comments section one reader asked, if the current natural hair movement is happening with little attachment to anything overtly political is that making it easier for more people to participate and would that kind of political attachment change it in any significant way.
First of all black hair in America is political, whether we want it to be or not. We all know the rhetoric that hair relaxers and other straightening tools/methods are a way for black women to achieve Eurocentric ideals of beauty. Also they are trying to deny their true selves. Whereas natural hair is more defiant, “real”, and “more black”. (MAJOR side eye to all of that!)
So unfortunately there are going to be some women who will make hair choices based on these ideas. I have a friend who told me one of the reasons she doesn’t want to go natural is she doesn’t want to seem more militant. (I personally think she would look fantastic.) The greater political implications within the black community and in this country will always be a factor. But on the smaller every day scale of how we each live our lives, I don’t think they play a big role in the hair choices of many woman of color.
When reading transition stories most woman want to go natural for health reasons, to better their self-esteem, and general curiosity to name few. I went natural because I was tired of damaging my hair with a flat iron. I’m glad that the current natural hair movement has no specific political attachments. Especially in today’s political climate it’s very easy to isolate people. I think that it’s wonderful that so many of us are choosing to wear our hair in whatever manner we see fit.
Hey everyone, sorry for the lack of posts these past two days. I had a huge deadline I needed to meet to for my thesis. Thanks for being understanding, and enjoy the warm weather!
Yesterday my June MyGlam Bag arrived!
MyGlam is monthly beauty subscription service created my Michelle Phan and several other beauty vloggers. “Each month, subscribers will receive a beautiful Glam Bag with deluxe samples and full-sized beauty products. Members can watch and play along with the stylists with the same products that they are using. All for only $10 a month.”-MyGlam About Page.
I have been receiving the bags since February 2012 and so far I’ve been enjoying my experience. Some of the items I have received are eyeliner, lipstick, face wash, moisturizer, eyeshadow, make-up brushes etc.
This month I recieved: Nyx Liptick(Orange Soda), Living Proof Styling Cream, Marbella Permanent Eyeliner, and Philosophy Moisturizer.
Glitter!!!!
I don’t know if I’ll be keeping the Nyx Lipstick it’s a really bad color for me.
But after some Googling I found another blogger who made it work for her. So I might give the lipstick another try.
I was excited to use the eye liner after seeing it’s pigmentation when I swatched it on my hand.
However it took two applications to get it show properly on my eyes.
The Marbella Eyeliner is more of a stain then a traditional liquid eyeliner. However once it dries it seems to stay put, but it can be easily removed with a make up remover. I don’t think this will replace my favorite eyeliner but I will definitely make it apart of my routine.
I can’t wait to try the Style Cream next time I do my hair and the moisturizer. I will let you know how that turns out, Happy Tuesday!
I hope all of you are washing your face and taking of your makeup regularly. Don’t get me started on convenience or time cause at a minimum you can always use make-up wipes, they fit in your purse! I take skin very seriously. The same way I have a great hair regimen down I have a great skin care regimen.
Make-up Removal:
3Lab Perfect Cleansing Foam-I got this in my March MyGlam bag and it’s fantastic. Just like the Neutrogena it’s very gentle. But it also has acne fighting ingredients.
Equate Cleaning Towelettes-These towelettes get my makeup off quickly. When I wear a full face it takes 2 towelettes. But at these prices that doesn’t matter.
Acne Fighting
St. Ives Blemish and Blackhead Apricot Scrub-I scrub my fave every 3-4 days because I go to the gym so often. I love the smell of this product. It works really well at being able to get all the dirt, sweat, and other nastiness throughout the day.
Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash-This product is great at getting rid of my acne. However this product is really harsh on your skin. This might not be the greatest choice if you have sensitive skin
Clean and Clear Advantage Acne Spot Treatment- I use this for when I get zits to get rid of them quickly. This product can be extremely drying if not used properly. But it get the job done.
And don’t forget to moisturize! What does your face care routing look like?
An unlimited hair budget is the wish of many. As a certified Product Junkie, I have to reign in my design to buy every new hair product/item. But that doesn’t mean a girl can’t dream! Below is a list of some the products I would love purchase, but instead prefer being able to eat.
Ouidad Curl Quencher Hydrafusion Intense Curl Cream $26
I don’t use silicone in my hair, but I can be tempted by a good review. But at $26 for only 5 ounces. I can wait till my wallet can take such a hit.
Original Moxie Hair Bling High Gloss $16 (3oz)
I love shiny hair and according to the forums this product does it in spades. However the price tag makes me hesitant to purchase.
Hair Therapy Wrap Thermal Turban $21.95
Shelli of Hairscapades reviewed the wrap. I love to deep condition my hair and pre-poo with oil. So I feel like this could really help with my hair. This one I’m actually thinking of purchasing.
What is on your wish list? Have a great weekend :)
Having a good regimen is an important aspect to having healthy hair. Your regimen should give you the perfect balance of moisture and protein. Below you’ll find my current regimen and the purpose of each step.
Clarify
I shampoo every 4-6 weeks (Now that it’s summer that number is much closer to 4 weeks) with Ion Clarifying Shampoo. This shampoo helps to cleanse my hair and scalp for product build up and sweat.
Deep Condition/Co-wash
I deep condition/co-wash once a week using Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition( I have previously lamented over the loss of my beloved product to silicone.) with Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil, and Honey.This is to keep my hair moisturized and silky soft.
Stylers
I rotate between using Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk and PuraBody Naturals Murumuru Moisture Milk as my leave-in stylers. These help to keep my hair moisturized and define my curls.
Sealers
Olive Oil or Coconut Oil to seal in moisture and add softness.
Protein
Henna once a month and Aphogee Intensive 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor 2 weeks later. Both add strength to my hair
I just love having my regimen down like this! Products come and go all the time, but the over all structure stays the same.
If you have any questions about regimen building feel free to ask. Happy Thursday!
With summer swiftly approaching, I wanted to clean out my closet for the upcoming season. While looking through my shoes I realized I needed sandals badly. However I knew I didn’t want to spend to much on the sandals. This is because I run my shoes into the ground. At the end of every summer the sandals bought at the beginning of the season are ruined.
TJ Maxx was my solution for finding affordable shoes. I was lucky and was able to find 3 pairs of shoes for under $55.
I’m most likely going to try and buy one or two more pairs in a bright color. It is summer after all!
Where do you go to find affordable shoes?
We all know that beauty is more than skin deep. We must also take care of our inner selves the way we do out outer selves. One of my favorite way of taking care of my mind is by reading. I love reading, always have since I was a little kid. One of the books that I recently finished reading was Kasher in the Rye:The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16. It’s the memoir about what growing up in Oakland in the late 80’s and early 90’s was like for Moshe Kasher, a young Jewish boy.
The book starts out with Kasher discussing his difficult childhood in Oakland. What it was like to be a minority in an urban neighborhood. He started befriending other troubled youth at his school and soon found himself experimenting with drugs at the young age of 12. He indulged his every whim and made every effort to be under the influence of some sort of mind altering substance. As Kasher spiraled downward he jumped from schools, to rehabilitation centers and one harrowing trip to the psychiatric ward.
This is an amazing read. Kasher is extremely funny and knows how to captivate his reader with his prose. I felt his joys and frustrations. This isn’t a light beach read, but it can definitely add depth toany reading list.
Overall: Pick it up ASAP
What do you have on summer reading list?
For the concert I decided to wear a flat twist out. To achieve this look I flat-twisted my hair hair into 5 sections that went horizontally across my head.
I used PuraBody Naturals Cupuacu Hair Butter and Murumuru Moisture Milk to achieve this look.
How do you achieve your favorite look?
