Essential Balms Organic African Black Soap

Hi Beautiful Ones!

After a few months of using, I've decided to share on my experience with Essential Balms Aromatherapy Head to Toe Organic African Black Soap. Whew! That's a  looooonnnng name.  Lol. The description on the back of the bottle states, "organic african black soap liquid shampooing balm." So for the sake of keeping this post a short length, I'll refer to it as Essential Balms African Black Soap.

Some months ago, I won the full line of Natural Oasis & Essential Balms hair and body products. I, along with my family, are enjoying using their items. Today, I want to talk about the Essential Balms Black soap. Now I've heard alot of positive talk about African black soap on hairboards, blogs & sites. I've even had my mother tell me about it but I'd never tried it for myself. I can't exactly tell you why I'd been hesitant. Maybe it was the idea of something that looked like mud (the stuff you're usually trying to clean off of you) cleaning me. Idk.

Anyhoo, since I won it, I decided to give it a try. I was initially using it to wash my hair whenever I needed a shampoo. I actually love it. My hair feels very clean. Never stripped. After awhile, I decided to take it up on its offer of being a "head to toe" soap and started using it in the shower as a body wash. Winning!

Here are some known *benefits of using black soap:

Cleansing

As with any soap, the primary benefit of using black soap is cleansing. Black soap is a multi-purpose cleanser which can be used by children as well as adults. Black soap can also be used to remove makeup. Charcoal in soap may help absorb bacteria and body odors, providing more thorough cleansing.

Acne

Black soap can help reduce acne outbreaks by reducing oiliness and killing bacteria which cause acne. Charcoal is known for its absorbent properties. Some proponents say using black soap reduces the appearance of acne scars.

Soothing

Users of black soap report that it leaves their skin soothed, reducing irritation from rashes and skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The ashes used in black soap have been used as a traditional folk treatment for skin irritation. Some black soap formulas contain honey, also known for its healing properties. Black soap can be used by people with sensitive skin.

Exfoliation

The ash in African black soap provides gentle exfoliation. This gentle exfoliation may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and discolorations and reduce razor bumps, according to Kristin Underwood of TreeHugger.

Ingredients (per back of the bottle)
Distilled water, shea butter, virgin palm kernel oil, plantain leaf ashes, essential oils, herbal extracts & all natural fragrance.

Right now, I laugh about it taking me so long to get hip to using this stuff. Its natural. Its organic. And it gets the job done. I definitely plan on purchasing this item in the future.


*Benefit Information from http://www.livestrong.com/  

Post Title → Essential Balms Organic African Black Soap

MY WONDERFUL DC MIX

The stars of my current heavenly deep conditioning mix.

Hola Beautiful Ones!


Had to share my wonderful...heavenly, deep conditioning mix. I mix equal parts of Aubrey Organics GPB (glycogen protein balancing) conditioner & Komaza Care Intense Moisture Therapy. Maybe a Tablespoon of each. I really eyeball it. Then I add, about 1 to 1.5 teaspoon of honey to the mix. Maybe more. Again, I totally eyeball it. And yes, it is protein rich, given the fact that both GPB and Komaza's IMT both contain protein. But with the honey comes added moisture and my hair is so lo-ving it.

Anyhoo, I slather it on my hair, while mainly concentrating on the ends. Throw on a plastic conditioning cap and then slip my heat cap on. I usually leave it on my head for at least 15 minutes. If a show is on, then it stays on until I'm done watching it. Then I do a cold rinse. And when I say “cold rinse”, I mean a bring-your-portable-heater-in-the-bathroom cold rinse. Seriously. I get the water as cold as I can stand it. I believe in making sure my cuticles lay down.

And, of course, when rinsing my hair of the conditioner, I’m smoothing my hair from root to end. After I’ve made sure that I’ve rinsed all the conditioner out, I quickly turn the cold-ass water off (lol) and hop out the shower. By this time, my hair is feeling great. I then put my fav leave-in on, Mop leave-In Conditioner. I love this stuff! It is so good to my hair. And viola! My hair is in heaven and feelin’ pretty awesome. Yay!


Do you have any mixes that work for your hair? Do share.

Post Title → MY WONDERFUL DC MIX

Fashion Rules for the Mature Woman Over 40

Fashion Rules for the Mature Woman Over 40

By Geraldine Looker

Colour Trends: Be on trend with this season's colours, avoid those which make the skin look sallow and are not compatible with skin tone and can be draining and aging such as pastel shades. Eye color is usually a good guide for what suits you. Choose bolder and more sophisticated shades like this season's Rococco Red, Snorkel Blue, Gold and Olive.

Underwear: Don't underestimate the importance of what you wear underneath your clothes. Without the correct fitting bra, your clothes will not hang properly. Get measured professionally. Most women in this country are wearing the wrong size bra.

Hair. A chic hairstyle is a must have. A classic bob style suits most women. Seek advice from a professional hair stylist. Look at highlights, low lights or a colour change. A professional hair cut can take years off you.

Invest in a regular manicure and pedicure. Not only will you feel good, but well manicured nails show you care about your appearance.

Make-up. Throw away old make-up. Cosmetics should be replaced regularly and make-up brushes washed. Go for a more natural day time look. For an evening look concentrate on either eyes or lips not both. Vampish eyes and bright red lips is not a look for the over 40's.

Dresses': Nothing more sexier than a classic dress. Whether, you choose an A-line style, The Shift or a Maxi Dress. The A-line style dress is very flattering for almost any figure. This is because the waistline is raised above the natural waist and settles under the bust line. Fabulous for: shorter petite figures and those who carry a little weight around the waistline. The empire line style of this dress creates the illusion of length and skims the body, camouflaging wide hips and a thick waist. The Shift dress is a timeless classic and is one of the most versatile dress styles that has stood the test of time. It's tailored enough for business and sexy enough for evening wear. A sophisticated classic black shift is a must for every woman's wardrobe. The absolute LBD. The Maxi Dress: So versatile and flattering to most figures. Every woman should possess a maxi. It is stylish and on trend. Perfect for daytime or evening. A great holiday look. Choose a glamorous flat sandal to compliment the dress and of course a pedicure!

Handbags: choose a bag shape that is in contrast to your body type. Voluptuous or curvy women would do well to choose a rectangular, longer

shape, whereas a tall, willowy, slim figure would be better off going for a slouchy, rounded one. If size-zero celebrities can get away with wearing the latest styles in oversized hand bags then if you are slight and petite, so can you! If you want to flatter your waist then choose a bag that finishes around this part of your torso. If you want to draw attention to your bust, shoulders or neck then go for a short-handled bag or a clutch

Tops and Trousers: Choose a classic shirt or longer length tops that will make you look slimmer. Forget those tight tops where you assets are on show. Trousers: Look for fluid and feminine lines, select trousers that are cut to flatter, that give an elegant silhouette. If choosing linen make sure they are lined and are a linen cotton mix so will not crease as easily.

Finally: Walk tall, be proud and be confident in yourself. Enjoy being a woman.

"While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence - which, I believe, does make the woman."

Mary Kay Ashe

My name is Geraldine Looker. Come and share my experience, my style and ideas. Be inspired. Visit http://stylebyladyg.wordpress.com

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NATURALLY CURLY DOES IT AGAIN!!

Hola Beautifuls!

Just had to let you know that Naturallycurly.com is doing it again. Yes!  Another major giveaway! Whoo Hoo!!
Here are the deets.........


The weather is changing and frizz season is creeping up on us. Whether you wear your hair curly or straight, frizz control is always a priority!



In its quest to help curly girls find solutions, NaturallyCurly is launching 31 Days to Fight Frizz during the month of May—prime frizz weather. Each day, readers can enter to win products from some of the top frizz-fighting brands, including Ouidad, Ojon, John Frieda, Curly Hair Solutions, Carol’s Daughter and CURLS. One grand-prize winner will also receive a $1,000 gift card.



About the Contest


Readers are encouraged to take part in our frizz fighter giveaway of various hair products and styling tools from our 15 sponsors: Curly Hair Solutions, Syntonics, Design Essentials, Hair Rules, Blended Beauty, Carol’s Daughter, Alikay Naturals, Original Moxie, Keralyze, Ouidad, Twisted Sista, John Frieda, Ojon, Use Me and CURLS. In addition to the fabulous giveaways, each entrant will qualify for a chance to win $1000 to complete a frizz-free look!




How to Enter


Participants must enter 31 Days To Fight Frizz Giveaway by registering at www.naturallycurly.com/fight-frizz to be eligible. The giveaway begins May 1, 2011, at 12:00 a.m. CST and ends May 31, 2011, at 11:59 p.m. CST. Only online entries will be accepted. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.


Learn how to fight, reduce and eliminate frizz for your natural hair with frizz tips, articles, styling tips, product reviews, salons and more by visiting http://www.naturallycurly.com/.


Wishing you all the best!

Post Title → NATURALLY CURLY DOES IT AGAIN!!

OH, I'M GETTIN' THAT ITCH AGAIN......

Hi Lovelies!

Seems like the warmer it gets the more diva's I see rockin' their baldies & low-cuts and it is so givin' me that itch again. I mean, I made it through last summer after watching many bloggers, like Fleurzty of Texture Playground, bc (bigchop) again. Then recently, Laquita had to go and do another big chop.  Then I see that Youtube's Tarin916 has also BC'd. Btw, these ladies are working it.

Now please here me on this. I've been feeling another BC coming on for year or so. I made it thru last summer. And I'm trying to make it thru this summer so that I can be aligned with my original plan to do my 2nd big chop in summer of 2012. Why? I dunno. Well, hells-bells on that! If it hits me this summer, then I'll certainly go for it this summer. If not, then I won't. No biggie.

Now don't get me wrong. My hesitation has nothing to do with any fear of it. I loved my first bc.


BC - Aug. '07

 I loved the freedom of easy, tangle-free wash-n-go's.  And not having to put so much time into my hair while still looking fab. But at that time, I was on a mission to grow it out. To 1. prove that my afro-textured hair can grow and grow long. And 2., just because I wanted to see what it would do and what I could do with it.

Well, 3.5 years down the line, I am beyond satisfied with the length. As a matter of fact, just about over it. And I've done just about everything that I've desired to with it from comb coils to blow-outs, braids-outs, braids, twists & twist-outs, rod sets and so on. That is, everything outside of color it which I so desperately want but cannot do due to so many henna treatments. So yes, that's adds to my desire to BC again. But for the most part, I just wanna do the the damn thing again just cause I want to. Lol.

Another hot coal that's been & being added to my bigchop "itch-fire" is seeing so many fabulous women rocking their baldies & low-cuts so fiercely. For instance, on this past Easter Sunday, I saw many beautiful ladies working their bald heads. I was so tempted to ask one of them if I could take her picture because she was seriously workin' it from her smooth head all the way down to her haute shoes. Then I figured it might not be quite right to ask for a pic since we all were waiting to get into a packed church service that had already started. Lol.

So yes, its a strong possibility that I could go for it this year. As a matter of fact, I plan to "chop" it lower than the first time just because I find low-cuts & baldies hella beautiful.

Have your doubts?... Well check these ladies out.

Miss Tanzania (Flaviana Matata) 2007



source



Rachel Stewart of Rachel Stewart Jewelry
Btw, this is how low I plan on going. Excited!!




source



Youtube's Sunshine of SunshineLovesPeace

model at Lakme Fashion week. Photo by Rafiq Maqbool, AP



TabbytheGreat
Love the color!




source
Love' this dress!



source
Love this outfit!



source

 
For more pics of beautiful baldies, click here.
 
Peace out.

Post Title → OH, I'M GETTIN' THAT ITCH AGAIN......

Yes, Accessorize!

Yes, Accessorize!

By Tammy Ussery

You have found your dream prom dress, now what? Now it is time to coordinate what is arguably the most important step of your prom ensemble- The accessories! Fabulous prom dress shops that carry everything from the dresses and accessories to undergarment accessories are ideal for one-stop shopping. Accessorizing your perfect dress with hair, makeup, shoes and accessories is the last step, and arguably the most exciting one!

Let the fun begin! One of the most thrilling parts of putting together an ensemble is hair. One basic rule of matching hair to a dress is an up-do for halter and one-shoulder necklines and hair down for strapless and spaghetti strap. Up-do's are generally expected for dresses that include the neck in the design, like halter and one-shoulder necklines, simply because having the hair down can muddle the design and crowd the neck space. The right up-do for you and your dress can vary greatly. You might want a glamorous up-do with all of your hair up, a glamorized ponytail, or half-up half down. If you have a detailed or a revealing, open back, your might want to choose to have a complete up-do to put that on display. Two exceptions for this rule is if you have short hair or if you will wear your hair sleek, straight, and pulled straight down your back. All down hairstyles have been all-the-rage for the past few years. The beautiful famous celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Taylor Swift, and Katy Perry are all sporting fabulous long-do's. Pretty much any dress is deemed appropriate for wearing your hair styled down. The main deciding factor is personality. Girls with more of a classic, sophisticated, and or polished style and personality might prefer an standard up-do, while girls with more of a fun, trendy, and or free-spirited style and personality might prefer to wear the hair down. An ideal middle ground between an up-do and down style, is the half-up half-down style. There are many variations of the half-up half-down hairstyle, some with more hair up, as well as more hair down.

The element of your prom ensemble that is probably the most heavily reliant upon trends is makeup. Current trends recommend a focus on one key facial feature. Bold eyes are one trend where the eyes are the focal feature while keeping the face and lips neutral and simple. While the smokey eye continues to carry heavy influence in trends, another version of a classic bold eye is to do dark, bold lashes and a simple eye lid. More daring personalities might even prefer a bold color palette on their eyelids as another version of the bold eye. Another trend is to focus on the lip. A bold red lip is all-the-rage as well as classic and widely flattering on everyone. While the red can vary to pinks, or other shades, the rest of the face generally stays understated and neutral. One other focal feature is to have a strong eyebrow. The strong brow can be paired with a neutral lip, preferably with a gloss, and a eyes with bold lashes. It is always fun and exciting to get all-dolled up but it is important to let your natural beauty shine through!

Shoes are about as reliant upon your personality as they are your comfort level. With shoes, it can be easiest to take a cue from the dress. For example, if the dress is sexy, exotic, and has cutouts, it would be fitting to pair it with strappy sandals. If the dress is of a classic cut and color, it would be fitting to get a pump, either a peep-toe, close-toe, or a pump with a heel strap, or any combination of those options. High heels can be super sexy, and super painful. If you are not used to wearing high heels, it might be better to choose a shoe with a lower heel and with a lot of support at the heel and toes. Another step in accessorizing which takes a strong cue from the dress is jewelry. If the dress is heavily embellished then minimal jewelry is recommended. For a strapless sweetheart neckline dress, a drop necklace and simple earring works for an up-do. With no necklace, that same dress might call for long chandelier earrings with the hair either up or down. Bracelets and other assorted jewelry are based on personal preference. With accessories, you generally want to sparkle at every level of your body, take a cue from your dress, but remember: It's all about what you really want!

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ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

Hola Beautiful Ones!

I decided to drop a hair post only because its been ages and felt like I needed to just put an update out there. As you will see, from the following pictures, I have been up to absolutely nothing when it comes to my hair. In between race training, a cold and just sheer laziness; my hair has been in a twist-out for almost 2 weeks. I keep meaning (and needing) to wash it but the suckey cold drained that outta me. I'm feel much better now. My sense of smell is still a bit faint but I can tell I'm improving. Hopefully, I'll syke myself up enough to run some water thru it no later than tomorrow.

So here goes, if you've been wondering:

I'm trying my best to conjure up some type of "I'm good" look. Although my brows are in need of attending and my poor nose bears the marks of way too much blowing, I can thankfully breathe through it now.

I've done nothing with my hair, outside of moisturizing on an mostly daily basis.

Oh! Let me start at the beginning. I wash/deep conditioned and then plaited (braided) it up to allow it to mostly dry while stretching. Then I twisted it up with Uncle Funky's Daughter's Curly Magic. This product was nice. Just kind of shrunk it back some because it is a curl enhancing gel. I'm okay with that though. Trying to use up the products I have before making another purchase. I'm sure I'll go back to using Jane Carter Twist & Lock, Darcy's Botanicals Vanilla Madigascar styling creme or something like it.

I keep wanting to try other brands. I'm sure it's out of boredom. Which makes me wonder if I'll make it through this summer without bc'ing (big chopping) again. Lol. I know its coming. I'm trying to wait til summer 2012 but I don't know. On top of which, I really want to color my hair. And I can't do it at this time because of all the henna I've applied to it.

So back to what I've been moisturizing with. I've pretty much been sticking to Jane Carter's Revitalizing conditioner. I either top that with Bee Mine's Deja's Hair Milk or Essential Balms Organic Shea butter. And of course, seal it with an oil like Essential Balms Indian Hemp Head to Toe Balm. Lovin' the Essential Balms products.  Will work on some reviews on the new products that I've tried.

Well, that's all for know, Lovelies. Not sure when I'll do another hair post but I will definitely post on any changes I may make.


Tootles!

Post Title → ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

How to Make Your Hair Shine

How to Make Your Hair Shine

By Kristy S Lee

You have probably heard of this millions of times, "Your hair is your crowning glory." It's true. No matter how good your face looks, if your hair is a mess then you will never be truly beautiful. Hair plays a big factor in your over-all look.

Hair has become so important that there are so many beauty salons catering to the needs of women. A wide variety of products can now be bought in the market. From ordinary shampoos to specialized hair products, you can easily buy in any department stores.

These are simple must-haves every woman should have.

1. Shampoo. Sounds simple but can turn complicated with all the products out in the market first thing you need to do is to know what type of scalp you have. Is it oily, dry or normal? Be critical about your hair and buy a shampoo that will suit your scalp.

2. Blow dryer. Nobody needs to see how you look outside the shower. Set your dryer to cool air and dry your hair. A good drying can add volume and body to your hair.

3. Brush or comb? Get both. You need to use a wide tooth comb to get the tangles out of your hair. Wet hair is very brittle and it can easily break if you use a brush. Find a brush that will suit your hair. If you have the budget you can buy several types to help you style your hair.

4. Styling or curling iron. Whether you have straight or curly hair, you will always want to mix it up. Gone are the days when women use clothing iron to straighten their hair. Ceramic hair irons are now available and won't damage your hair. There are irons that can straighten or curl your hair.

5. Conditioner. Buy a conditioner that suits your hair type. If your hair is long and shiny then go for a normal conditioner. If you have limp hair then go for a conditioner that adds volume.

Tips on How to Get the Perfect Hair:

- Have a haircut every 6 to 8 weeks. Having healthy hair from roots to tips can really make your hair shine.

- Only let a professional touch your hair. Don't dye your hair by yourself or at home. There are products that only professionals can handle.

- Shampoo your hair only when it gets dirty. In tropical countries women usually shampoo everyday due to the oil in the hair. It's perfectly alright to shampoo daily if you feel the need.

- Use hair products with sunscreen. The suns rays is harmful not only to your skin but also to your hair.

Getting a Cut that Suits your Face Shape

Get a haircut that would suit your face. If you have a square face then go for layers starting at your chin. If you have an oval-shaped face then your one lucky woman! You can rock any hairstyle. A long shaped face should avoid long tresses as it can add more length to the face. A heart-shaped face can rock soft layers or short bob. Round shaped women can go for short hairstyles to accentuate your face shape.

Confidence!

Just remember to be confident in rocking your hair. The key to looking good is feeling good. Be proud of yourself and carry yourself with confidence. Look good from head to toe.

Kristy Lee loves to write articles about women. To see more of her articles, please visit Bareminerals and Smashbox Cosmetics.

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How to Look After Your Hair Whilst Travelling

How to Look After Your Hair Whilst Travelling

By James Fitch

The last thing you should have to worry about whilst travelling is your hair. While you want to look great on the road, carting around extra weight in your luggage from beauty products is not ideal. Blow driers, curling irons, hair straighteners, and your full line of daily hair products can be too inconvenient to travel with. For short business trips, where packing light is required, and for longer trips where carrying many beauty products is not feasible, you will need to know how to care for and style your hair without your full supply of tools.

Luckily, relaxed hairstyles are in vogue now. While the perfectly blow-dried and flat-ironed look is still stylish, a looser look is also quite popular at this time. This can be ideal for travelling. Skip the heavy styling products and heat treatment, and allow your hair to air dry naturally while you are away from home. Consider using a silicone-based styling cream to tame frizzy hair, or a light gel to keep curls in place. Simply towel dry your hair, apply the product, and wait for your hair to dry into natural waves or curls.

Depending on where you are travelling, you may not have the time or ability to shower and wash your hair each day. If you are in this situation, consider bringing along a few headbands for your trip. A simple headband can spruce up any hairstyle and fix nearly any bad hair day. Another quick fix for unwashed hair is a "dry shampoo." This is a product you spray into your hair that absorbs oil and restores a fresh appearance to your hair.

If your hair does not dry well naturally, or if you prefer to go with a more polished hairstyle, you still have many options for styling your hair while on-the-go. One thing to keep in mind is that many hotel and B&B rooms now have hair dryers available for guests. You can use a blow dryer and flat brush on small sections of your hair at a time, pulling it straight while drying. Some lodging facilities also have complimentary shampoo and conditioner for you to enjoy as well. Finally, if you are going to be in one location for an extended period of time, you might consider purchasing inexpensive appliances to use during your stay and then discard them before you return home. Ultimately, having great hair while travelling does not have to be difficult.

James Fitch writes about everything haircare and beauty related and works with Hair Beauty & Things who sell cheap shampoo online as well as everything from Moroccan Oil to GHD Hair Straighteners.

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Ten Commandments of Blow Drying

Ten Commandments of Blow Drying

By Catherine Alibanban

The following are the necessary tools that are needed in blow drying: a moisturizing shampoo, towel, hair moisturizing cream, brush, and of course, the star of the show, blow dryer.

Blow drying your hair may be nothing but a regular task for you. If you think it's that easy, well then, think again. You might want to know that there are numerous secrets to this. Are you itching to discover them? Listed below are the Ten Commandments every girl should dutifully obey to keep the faith in super sleek tresses.

1. Thou shall not use regular shampoo

When you wash your hair, be sure to use moisturizing shampoo. This serves as your hair's protection from the harsh damage that blow drying can do.

2. Thou shall not rub thy hair with a towel

This is a very common slip-up with most women. When they are drying their locks off, especially when in a hurry, they tend to vigorously rub their hair with their towels. The wrong notion could be that if the rubbing is fast and hard, it will dry the dripping hair easily. On the contrary, when you rub your hair with a towel, it produces friction which results to frizzy hair. The proper way to do it is to just cover all the hair with a dry towel, twist the towel, and turn it over your head. Leave it for some minutes until it's ready for blowing.

3. Thou shall not pass using blow drying products

Before exposing your hair to another torment, please have mercy. You might want to apply products that can save your hair from much more damage that it normally gets from the heat. See, a good product that can help protect your hair can really be of great aid. Mousse or gel mousse is best for fine and thin hair. For medium texture, your strands can be tamed with lighter products such as mousse or gel mousse, regular gels or creams. Now, if you have thick hair, you need heavier products. You can try gel, wax, creams or a stronger mousse.

4. Thou shall not forget to part thy hair into sections

One technique in achieving a well-blown hair is to make several tiny partitions in your hair. For those with long hair, it is advised that you make many small sections of your hair that are 2-4 inches thick. Then clip away the rest of the hair. For short hair, you can divide your hair into two to four sections. Doing these division will help you be more focused on each portion making the hair easier to manage. This technique also allows you to deal better with your blow dryer and brush because not so much hair is in the way.

5. Thou shall not keep the blow dryer close to the scalp

Keep a safe distance of around six inches away from the hair. Do not blow dry near your scalp. This dries out your scalp hence, it will not be able to provide enough moisture for your hair. Another clever reason for this is to keep any of your strands from burning.

6. Thou shall not keep it blowing in one direction

If you want to have a super straight look, position your blow dryer such that the air is blowing downwards. Slide the dryer from the strands in the roots until the end of your hair. Do not direct it in one spot for too long. Always remember that the longer you expose your hair to heat, the more damage you are more likely to do with it.

7. Thou shall not over-dry thy hair

Leave your hair a little damp. Do not dry it completely. It should be just enough for you not to have dripping hair. Anyway, your hair will eventually dry off in just a few minutes. This will help leave some moisture in your hair.

8. Thou shall not fail forget to finish off with cool air

What happens when you blow dry your hair is that it opens the hair cuticles, this helps in forming the style that you desire. Blowing cold air in each section that you are tackling will keep the straight look or new texture of the hair locked in.

9. Thou shall not forget the key

The key to a perfect blowing is to master the art of coordinating your brush and blow dryer. What best way to do it is no other than-practicing! Ever wonder why hair stylists are so good in doing this thing? The answer is simple. It's because they do this everyday to a relatively good number of people.

10. Thou shall not use the wrong brush

It would be very favorable for you if you know that some brushes are actually helpful in creating specific styles. For example, you are blow drying to have that straight look, you need a paddle brush. Experts recommend that you use a paddle brush with boar's bristles because they can cover a bigger section of the hair all at the same time. In turn, your hair is spared from longer blow drying time.

If you will keep your faith and just obey these rules, you are absolutely on your way to a perfectly-styled, healthy, and manageable hair. Don't forget to spread the word.

Catherine Alibanban is currently a writer for Blow Dryer, a website showing a wide collection of blow dryers and its prices, along with its detailed reviews. She is also a committed advocate of women empowerment in the society.

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AN UPDO THAT I'M FEELIN'

March 2011 Twist-Out Updo
What a funny angle. I discovered that I need an extra piece to my tripod so these photos are a result of me taking pics with one hand. Not fun. But I got it done.

Just sharing a simple twist-out updo that I've been wearing for about a week now. Working on mostly wearing protective styles to take better care of my ends.

It's not a perfect updo but I do like it. And by not perfect, I mean not every strand is in place. No. It's more of a "let's throw something together and see what comes of it as we go" updo. Either way, I like it.

earrings by Daisy Fuentes;Kohls

On top of which, its been going back and forth between warm & borderline hot and I hate having hair on my neck when it feels like that.

Note: I have several bobby pins, hair pins and two mini-combs (which you probably see 1 peeping out) to hold all of this together.


Hope the rest of your day is smart & lovely,
{{Hugs}},

Post Title → AN UPDO THAT I'M FEELIN'

NATURAL OASIS & ESSENTIAL BALMS PRODUCTS




Natural Oasis & Essential Balms products

 

Wow. Talk about words coming to life. Remember when I mentioned Natural Oasis & Essential Balms products in a previous post. And how I would like to try this product line again. Er, maybe I thought that moreso than mentioned it. Well, how about I got a major surprise.

I come home one day and find this package on my doorstep. Of course, I'm going thru my head thinking who it might be from. Had placed some orders and was actually expecting other stuff. Lo and behold, it was a package filled with their entire organic hair and skincare line. Whooooaa. *Big grin.

I had gone onto their website and, of course, filled out info for updates & offers and apparently won a giveaway. Talk about totally unexpected. Woot woot!!

Now bear in mind that my hair is still straight from being blown/flat-ironed/& trimmed a couple of weeks ago. But I can assure you that I was soooo tempted to wash, condition & style my hair with their products right then and there. =)

But I decided to be patient. Well, actually I'm enjoying wearing my hair straight. But believe me, in about a week, kinks, coils & curls will be back on (...and poppin') ;). Yes I went in the way-back machine and said that. Lol. I'll definitely be twisting it up since my daughter has a cheer competition in Florida. And I'm not even gonna try and play with that humidity down there.

Oh! And speaking of straightened hair, I am totally challenged to take better care of my ends. When I got it trimmed, my stylists kept saying how dry my hair was which was why it was splitting & breaking some. Which resulted in her having to cut about 2 inches off. I wasn't upset about the amount of hair having to be trimmed but for some odd reason I was a pissy about it needing to be trimmed at all. Does that make sense?  And not pissy at her but at my hair. Yes, I know how this sounds. But it really  felt like a challenge. Me against my hair to keep my ends. She thought I was gonna be bummed about losing 2 inches of length. Hell no. I got more than enough hair to manage on my head. I think what really miffs me is that, after 3.5 years, I feel like I should have a top-notch handle on successfully managing my hair. So in some ways, I took the 2 inch trim as somewhat of a failure. I know it may sound silly but that's just how I felt about it. If my hair is getting a cut or a trim, I want it to be because I want it not because I need it.

So I shared all that to say that my future hair plans have changed.  Well, somewhat changed. Since I'm focused on taking better care of my ends, i.e. keeping them moisturized, I'll be doing protective styles a bit longer and putting the "Tightly Curly" method on the shelf. I'm still getting the braids this spring but I've decided to extend my protective styling through the summer. At least until my next trim, which will probably be this fall. If not, I'll do what I've been doing and wait to trim next February. For me, success is not having to get more than a dusting (1/2 inch, maybe 3/4 inch) trimmed.  Either way, my fight to keep my ends healthy & strong is on.

Does this sound unrealistic? Realistic? What are your thoughts on this....

Post Title → NATURAL OASIS & ESSENTIAL BALMS PRODUCTS

ANOTHER HAIRSTYLE WIN

Wanna know how I got here?....

 I gave myself a left-side part and flat-twisted my hair.

Then set the ends on some flexi-rods.

 And this is how it came out. I wasn't sure if it would look nice, but ended up being pleased.



As far as products, I used Jane Carter Solutions Revitalizing Leave-In conditioner, my nearly empty jar of Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Buttercream and drum-roll please.....

Natural Oasis Hair & Scalp Conditioner

Remember the unknown "somebody's grease" that I mentioned in  my "Turning Lemons Into Lemonade" post. Well, I was reading Natural Urbanista’s blog and she mentioned using a product by “Natural Oasis”. As soon as I read the company’s name a light went off. And I recalled that this is the same company that I got my "unknown grease", which is actually known as Natural Oasis Hair & Scalp Conditioner from. Woo hoo! I was so happy to (1) get this revelation and (2) know that they are still in business. I remembered receiving the sample products from them and loving them. And seeing as I’m trying to simplify my hair product stash, this revelation is quite timely. ;) You can visit the company's webstore here.

Ttyl,

Post Title → ANOTHER HAIRSTYLE WIN

BACK TO BEING BUN-ERIFIC

Hi Beautifuls!

Just a quick pic post on the bun I did. On last week after finally, washing, deep conditioning and hennaing my hair I decided to just do a side-bun. The pics that I'm posting were a last minute attempt to get some photos of it. I'm trying to stay on top of taking photos of my different hairstyles. Especially if I like them. Just this particular day, I almost forgot about it, hence the hair photos via car.

Anyhoo, I did a wet set bun. After partially cool-rinsing the condish out, I set my hair into the side-bun. After putting it into the ponytail holder, I parted my hair into 3 sections. For each section, I applied Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream and then made two-strand twists. I sealed each twist with the "unknown" grease that smells so good. Lol. Then alternately placed them around the central ponytail, tucking the ends underneath the twists and securing them with a bobby pin.

For the top portion of my hair, I used a little Hairveda Whipped Gelly to lay down the edges and stray hairs. Then I covered it with a scarf and topped that with a bonnet and went to bed. Oh yes! I almost forgot. I did get under the dryer for about 30 minutes to get rid of the drips and most of the water.

OMG! Once I get my Nikon D "fill-in-the-blank", I'll do more & better photos. Including ones of dishes I prepare and try amongst other things.


Ttyl,

Post Title → BACK TO BEING BUN-ERIFIC