Moroccan Red Clay Mask saved the day

Moroccan Red Clay Mask saved the day

Yesterday started like any other morning.  After waking up, well before the crack of dawn,  I made my way to the restroom where I conducted ... 1/31/2014

Yesterday started like any other morning.  After waking up, well before the crack of dawn,  I made my way to the restroom where I conducted a quick mirror check.  This is an old habit developed years ago when I was plagued with, acne riddled skin.  Each morning I would look to see how many new breakouts were developing while checking on the status of the existing ones.

I'm happy to say that, for the past year or so, these mirror checks are now used for more pleasant things like assessing my eyelash growth.  This morning, however, I was startled to see two tiny little pimples beginning to form on my cheek just an inch away from my nose.  Building within me was an intense sense of fear and dread as I was immediately taken back to the old days of finding new blemishes each morning.

After I calmed down, I remembered my Emergency Action Plan for dealing with newly formed acne.  From there, I mosied over to the kitchen to warm some water for my lemon & bamboo tea.  Then I headed over to my products in search of a clay mask.  I'm completely out of Glam Glow so that wasn't an option.  Suddenly, I realized that I had an unopened jar of Moroccan Red Clay powder.  "Why not?" I thought "Now's as good of a time as any to give it a shot."  

According to the label, this purifying clay is perfect for sensitive skin. Normally, I wouldn't consider my skin as sensitive, but during winter months, I have to be careful about using products that are too drying because that's the fastest way to trigger my seborrheic dermatitis.  I bought the red clay for a couple reasons. First, I wanted to try a milder option for instances where I wanted absorption and detoxification without over stripping my skin or hair.   I messed around and did a bentonite clay mask on my hair last year and regret it to this day.  Red clay is also said to be rich in silica, magnesium, calcium and other minerals.

I don't know if I'm imagining things, but the red clay powder granules seemed finer than bentonite Normally when I mix apple cider vinegar with bentonite clay, the mixture bubbles up a little before settling down.  That didn't happen this time.  The mixture itself seemed more orange than red.  My biggest concern was that it would stain my hand & face.  But after washing it rinsed off easily with no hint of the orange hue remaining.  I don't know if the same could be said if I got it on my clothing.

After one use, I'm confident in saying that I like it.  Shortly, after removing the mask, my skin maintained a slight glow. A day later and I wake up to calm, perfectly clear skin. The remainder of my clay mixture kept it's consistency so I covered it and placed in the fridge for another mask this weekend.  I'm completely happy with my red clay but then I heard of rhassoul clay which is said to be a better version. One that many like for their hair and skin because it isn't overly stripping. I'd love to try that one day as a scalp detox. 

Has anyone ever tried rhassoul?  Which do you like better?

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Beauty Fix | Naomi Campbell's Daily Rituals

Beauty Fix | Naomi Campbell's Daily Rituals

 I'm always scouring the internet looking for golden nuggets of wisdom from the beauty rituals of fabulous celebrities. So far we've... 1/29/2014

 I'm always scouring the internet looking for golden nuggets of wisdom from the beauty rituals of fabulous celebrities. So far we've learned the benefits of drinking a gallon of water a day from Gabrielle Union and how sauna session creates Sanaa Lathan's glow.  For the longest, I've secretly wondered what rituals Naomi Campbell practiced in order to maintain  her Super Model Status for two decades.

I'm happy to announce we've I've been given a glimpse in her daily ritual via a recent Harper's Bazaar article chronicling a day in her life.  My prayers have been answered. Finally,  a sneak peak into the world of how a stunning, world renown model takes care of herself on a daily basis.   Let's get started.

 Naomi starts off every morning by drinking a cup of lemon water & taking her probiotics. We've discussed the benefits of water and lemon water first thing in the morning. It's like a mini-cleanse that flushes away toxins.  While we're asleep, our bodies work tirelessly to restore and rejuvenate.  Early morning is the ideal time eliminate wastes and toxin.  I love the fact that she includes probiotics to her ritual first thing in the A.M on an empty stomach.  I may have to try that.

After her lemon water, Naomi reaches for a glass of tea.  Again, another cleansing and nourishing habit.  I've actually practiced drinking warm lemon bamboo tea first thing in the morning. It's like killing two birds with one stone.

What would a supermodel's routine be without physical activity.  A daily habit of practicing Yoga and/or pilates is Naomi's go to option for staying fit.  She probably doesn't have to do much strenuous exercise due to her ultra clean diet.  Having recently become a vegetarian, Naomi  focuses on eating a natural, unprocessed foods. She makes sure to have plenty of natural snacks on hand including dried fruit, nuts, tea bags, water and a packed lunch.  Several times a day, she enjoys fresh green juices. Occasionally, she does a mini-juice cleanse during the week as part of her clean eating and detox ritual.

After a long day of shooting and wearing designer heels, she likes to treat her self to therapeutic massages to bring her body back in balance.  Finally, Naomi ends every day in prayer and gets enough rest to start another busy day.

These are just some of the goodies she shared in the article. There's additional info including her favorite eye cream, her most loved designers and more.  Check out the latest issue of Harper's Bazaar to  take a sneak peak into her entire "day in the life."  One last tip not mentioned in this article was how she splashes her face with cold water to keep her pores tight and her skin taunt.  She shared that tip with rapper Pharrell and he's been applying it ever since.   For special treatments Naomi, along with most every other celeb, receive oxygen facial treatments which deliver nutrient rich serums deep below the skin's surface, creating a truly healthy glow.

Current Fave | OPI DS Classic nail color

Current Fave | OPI DS Classic nail color

I'm making sure to hold myself to the promise of taking better care of my nails .  One of the first steps I've taken recently was to... 1/28/2014

I'm making sure to hold myself to the promise of taking better care of my nails.  One of the first steps I've taken recently was to treat them to a new color.   Whenever I'm standing in front of a nail color display, my hands instinctively want to reach for nudes.

 This time, however, I noticed subtle, sparkly nude.  It wasn't gold sparkles. But more of a champagne color.....and that matters.  This shade says "I'm rocking nude nails but with a little bit of pizzaz.

OPI's DS Classic gives glam and a classic, understated, look at the darn same time.  And that makes me completely happy.

Military Chic.

Military Chic.

You might remember when I featured a military jacket in a previous "Love Her Look" post.  Ever since then, I've been on the l... 1/27/2014

You might remember when I featured a military jacket in a previous "Love Her Look" post.  Ever since then, I've been on the lookout for a military green jacket versatile enough to wear all year.

I finally stumbled upon the perfect jacket during a recent trip to Macy's. I fell in love with the length of the coat and the adjustable sleeves.  Today I decided to take full advantage of the shortened sleeves by donning a white long sleeve button up blouse.  And for a bit of "pop," I opted to accessorize with my gold accented Louis Eva as a cross body.

wearing my favorite pair of chevron earrings

This jacket is ultra light which means I can experiment with spring looks with it as well.  Still working on getting fit so I can confidently rock a crop top like my inspiration did in her look.

Military Jacket

White Blouse

Michael Kors Heels

Louis Vuitton Bag

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme Review

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme Review

Ever since I wrote this post about the best pre-poo product on the market, my mind hasn't been able to escape the desire to one day try ... 1/26/2014

Ever since I wrote this post about the best pre-poo product on the market, my mind hasn't been able to escape the desire to one day try Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Extreme for myself.

Finally, when I couldn't wait any longer, I reached out to the folks at Philip Kingsley to see if they would be willing to donate to the cause of a desperate blogger itching to get her hands on their beloved product.  Luckily for me, they granted my wish for a sample to experience.

A week later my package arrived.  On the box were some words that read:

"Intensive, super-moisturizing pre-shampoo treatment for over processed, porous hair types.  Adds elasticity, bounce and shine."

Once I opened the box, I held the 5 oz jar in my hands.  I recalled the time I used a full 16 oz bottle of Hello Hydration in one single pre-poo session and thought "this isn't much product at all.  Probably won't be enough for two full pre-poo treatments."  Little did I know how wrong I was....

After twisting off the top, I was able to visually assess the product. Virtually unscented.  Elasticizer extreme has a really thick consistency which kinda reminds me of moisturizing skin creams one would apply to their face before going to bed. Finally came the moment of truth.  I dipped my fingers lightly and began applying it to my dry hair.  Within a few moments, something magical began to happen.

The cream melted into my hair and turned into THEE BEST moisturizing pre-poo my hair ever had the pleasure of experiencing.  Whenever wash day arrives, I  normally ask myself one simple question. "Should I do a hydrating pre-poo or a strengthening one?"  If my hair is feeling extra dry, I opt of a hydrating pre-poo session. When my hair is breaking, I opt for coconut oil to help strengthen my hair.  Applying a moisturizing conditioner was my old strategy whenever I needed added moisture.  That method worked for a while but soon I wanted craved more.

Elasticizer Extreme is far superior to the old "rub conditioner into dry hair method."  Let me explain.  First, it has two types of oil high in it's ingredient list.  This means that my hair is getting both moisturizing and nourishing qualities.  Elasticizer is ultra moisturizing in my hair and, yet, it's really light and nourishing. Sometimes, I wonder if over saturating my hair with conditioner caused too much swelling in my hair strand.  This cream just melts into the hair unlike when I apply a conditioner as a pre-poo.  Because it's so easily absorbed, I can pre-poo early in the morning and go to the gym, run errands without having to hide the fact that my hair is saturated with conditioner or coconut oil.  I've actually been in public and had coconut oil run down my neck jheri curl style (sorry for the visual).

After leaving Elasticizer Extreme in for about an hour, I jumped in the shower and clarified using Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo.  I also found a sample packet of a Kerastase shampoo that I also used.  Both products together were highly cleansing.  I figured that there would be no signs of the pre-poo after my wash.  Boy was I wrong.  After rinsing, my hair was still nourished and highly moisturized. Oh, I forgot to mention that since Elasticizer Extreme is so highly moisturizing, I actually used waaaay less product than I normally do.  I barely made a dent in the 5 oz jar even thought I saturated my entire head. That sealed the deal for me.  Elasticizer is now officially my most favorite pre-poo treatment.  It's perfect for this time of year when our hair is battling with drier air and harsh winter winds.  Elasticizer is more than a pre-poo it's a way of restoring the hair on weekly basis.  Your hair deserves this.


Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Castor Seed Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Olive Husk Oil, Ethyhexyl Dimenthyl PABA, Amodimethicone, Polyquaternium-37. Silicone Quaternium-18, Propylen Glycol Dicaprylate, Trideceth-12, Diazolidinyl Urea, Thrideceth-6, Propylparaben, Sodium Benzoate, Butylparaben, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben

Raspberry Bamboo Tea & 30 Day Challenge

Raspberry Bamboo Tea & 30 Day Challenge

Last week, I returned to my local grocer where I grab my " fresh from the farm " supplies.  This time, they were offering raw milk... 1/23/2014

Last week, I returned to my local grocer where I grab my "fresh from the farm" supplies.  This time, they were offering raw milk in half gallon mason jars.  Immediately upon laying my eyes on it, I decided on it's alternate purpose.

Once the milk was gone, I'd utilize the jar to store bamboo tea, a half gallon at a time.  Something about a mason jar makes me feel like I'm in a small country town where people make fresh lemonade.  So I decided to get all fancy with it and add a bit of lime, some mint, raspberries and cucumbers which add even more silica to this already silica filled beverage.

The mix was cool, refreshing and reminded me of a decadent spa experience.   Since we are on the subject of bamboo tea, I'd like to let everyone know that  YouTuber TressedforSuccess has started her very own 30 day Bamboo Tea Challenge.  How exciting!

 Best quote from this video:  "I steeped the first glass, added the honey.... I don't really know if I ever experienced love before in my life. I thought I had but then I tried this tea, but now I'm not sure.  The flavor is amazing!  It tastes like rainbows and love." 

I nodded my head slowly as I listened to her words. She spoke no lies.  Who's ready to join in the Bamboo Tea challenge?

Not all Keratins are created equal | Get your hands on the most effective Keratin Protein

Not all Keratins are created equal | Get your hands on the most effective Keratin Protein

Sometimes I have conversations with myself.  One of my recent self inquiries involved which type of protein my hair preferred.  After a litt... 1/22/2014

Sometimes I have conversations with myself.  One of my recent self inquiries involved which type of protein my hair preferred.  After a little deliberation, I came to the conclusion that my hair typically responded well to keratin protein and, most recently, collagen protein found in Baby Face.  I believe that conversation sparked a seed that may have led me to the most exciting discovery about protein that I've had in a long while.

My world was rocked recently when I stumbled upon this article.  In information provided in just the introduction alone was enough to get me excited.  Basically, they explained that most keratin proteins found in commercial hair products have gone through harsh processes into order to achieve that low molecular weight desirable for absorption into the hair strand.  Unfortunately, the chemical process alters the effectiveness of the protein making it ineffective less effective on our hair.  They introduce a new type of patented protein known as "functional keratin" which has the amazing ability permanently attach to the hair strand.  According to the article, these functional keratins are particularly relevant to those with damaged hair as a result of chemical processing.

Moisture Retention/Softness
Women who used conditioners with this functional keratin reported noticeably softer hair.  This is due to the increased moisture retention that occurred once the strand was repaired.   Since the natural structure of the hair is better protected, it's better able to retain moisture.

Paul Mitchell Awapuhi (Ginger Keratin)

For the study, they recruited African American women and relaxed their hair.  They measured the health of the hair prior, during and after relaxing. Hair treated with a functional keratin treatment after the relaxer rinse, and prior to neutralization, demonstrated the appearance similar to virgin hair versus the untreated strand.  I repeat HAIR STRANDS TREATED WITH THE KERATIN APPEARED MUCH MORE SIMILAR TO VIRGIN HAIR THAN THE UNTREATED STRANDS.    I'm just going to stop talking while you let that statement simmer with you for a little bit......

The reason, for the drastic change in the health of the hair is due to the interaction of the functional keratin with both the inside and outside layer of the hair strand.  Meaning, if applied to the hair right after the relaxer is rinsed, before neutralizing, the keratin is better able to penetrate while the strand is swollen post relaxer.  They also noted that the strand had the ability to stretch an additional 20% when treated with functional keratin.  Functional keratin also provided greater protection to color treated hair via UV ray sun protection.

After reading this, you know I was dying to get my hands on this functional keratin.  Turns out that there aren't many brands on the market that offer this technology to at home consumers like you and me.  I already have products with Keratin as an ingredient but after doing my research, I realize that all keratin is not created equal.  Functional keratin is the equivalent of getting the raw, natural form that can easily be utilized by the hair.  The other stuff,*cough* hydrolized keratin *cough*, is a mediocre substitute.

Here's the difference according to this article:

The difference between the two is the process by which it is extracted from its source and processed. Hydrolized keratin is extracted from the horns and hooves of animals, using acid and extreme heat. During this process, the proteins degrade and denaturalize. These proteins are so far removed in form from natural keratin that they do not offer any of the same benefits.Functional keratin, on the other hand, has been extracted from sheep's wool using patented technology that does not employ heat or acid. This technology allows the keratin proteins to remain in their original form and function as the natural keratin proteins do (hence the term 'functional keratin'). These keratin proteins can work in concert with your existing keratins to repair and rejuvenate hair and skin.

Ok, ok, enough talking. Let's get to the nitty gritty and discuss how you can nurture your hair with the most effective type of keratin available.  There's a salon quality product Keraplast Hair Rescue, but based on what I found so far, the product isn't available for purchase by non-professionals.  No worries, because our peeps at Paul Mitchell have included three types of keratins, including oxidized keratin, functional keratin and hydrolyzed keratin in their Awapuhi line of products.  Luckily for us, these products are readily available via a quick trip to Amazon.

The positive reviews of Awapuhi are strong on Amazon so you know I've already placed my order.  Please come back and see me when I post my review of their Deep conditioning treatment.

Avoiding Setbacks | Keeping Consistency

Avoiding Setbacks | Keeping Consistency

I've been thinking non-stop about my goals for the year.  Obviously, I would like 2014 to be an amazing year with regards to my hair goa... 1/21/2014

I've been thinking non-stop about my goals for the year.  Obviously, I would like 2014 to be an amazing year with regards to my hair goals.  One of my intentions is to avoid set backs as much as humanly possible.  "A setback is a setup for a comeback!"  Those words are normally spoken to add a bit of inspiration to a dire situation.  Honestly, I would rather avoid a setback all together.  In the world of the hair journey, ever single inch gained counts.

Last year I suffered a pretty bad set back that required a mini chop. I'm determined to avoid a repeat of this if at all possible.  Hence the idea to create an "avoiding setbacks" series where we discuss tips and tricks to keep our progress going in the right direction.

Setbacks can occur for a multitude of reasons. For today's session, we will discuss the most obvious.  I too fell victim to this enemy last year and my hair paid dearly for it.  I'm referring to lack of action, or laziness.  Knowing that you should do something but not doing it.  In my case, I had a firm habit of deep conditioning weekly but, somehow, time seemed scarce and I thought it would be ok to skip a few sessions here and there.  I'd keep my hair in a top knot too long and, next thing you know, I'm batting serious tangles come wash day.  Little did I know how much my acts of neglect were adding up until I visited the salon and came to the realization that  a major trim would be the only method of salvation.

I've learned my lesson, since then I've been committed to consistency.  Even though wash days take even longer now then before (since adding my conditioning iron to the process).  I firmly believe that if I'm committed to executing flawless wash day rituals each week, the likelihood of experiencing a set back is slim.

 So rule #1 to avoiding a setback is:  Avoid skipping wash days and always, always deep condition when you wash.

If we give our hair 52 deep conditioning nourishing treatments a year, we can rest assured that we are promoting progress, while keeping set backs at bay.  If there was a healthy hair pyramid, deep conditioning treatments would be at the bottom supporting the entire structure.  This year, I'm making a promise to stay on course.  Another thing I'm vowing to do is utilize my steamer on the regular instead of saving it for when my hair is in need of a deep repair treatment.

Very simple, I will be following rule #1 week by week in the name of progress. Stay tuned for more tips on avoiding setbacks in future posts.

Fitness Inspo | Summer Bodies are made in Winter

Fitness Inspo | Summer Bodies are made in Winter

I experienced a bit of an epiphany yesterday I thought would be important to share.  After reflecting on how to manage all of the things I t... 1/19/2014

I experienced a bit of an epiphany yesterday I thought would be important to share.  After reflecting on how to manage all of the things I try to fit into my busy schedule, I realized that I was doing everything wrong.  Before dawn, I try to fit in as many activities as I can including blogging, personal development, filling orders, etc. By the time the evening comes, I'm pretty much exhausted.

With all of that on my plate, something usually gets placed on the back burner. Most often it's exercise that suffers.  Then I try to make up for it by fitting in workouts when it's convenient, like on the weekends.  There's something inherently wrong with that way of thinking.

@thammycaldeira

Here's what I realized. The stuff I was putting as a priority instead of working out could have been batched and done all at once.  Where as exercise & meditation requires action consistently throughout the week (if not every day) to achieve the most benefit. I can't miss a full week of exercise and hope to make up for it on the weekend.  It doesn't work that way.

So now I'm committed to doing things differently.  Everything I do in the mornings which can be done ahead of time (without consequence)  will be shifted to evenings and weekends.  This will free up space for the most essential daily rituals.  No longer will I have to worry about trying to do everything while allowing my fitness fall by the wayside.

This new way of thinking will allow me to remain consistent and ultimately reach my fitness goals.  No more running to the gym to make up for days (or weeks) of inactivity.  Now I will manage my time in a way that will allow me to be fully ready for summer instead trying to "get ready" like I've done in previous years.

Now. Right now, is the time to plant the seed that will create the future you want 3-4 months from now.  How do you want your body to look by summer?

STYLE OBSESSION | The Twisty Bun

STYLE OBSESSION | The Twisty Bun

The other day I shared this pic on my Facebook page as a testament to the versatility of a full sew-in weave install.  Like everyone else, ... 1/19/2014

The other day I shared this pic on my Facebook page as a testament to the versatility of a full sew-in weave install.  Like everyone else, I was in awe of how natural install looks.  Once over the initial shock, I fell completely in love with the look.

"Looks simple enough" I thought to myself as I pondered on recreating the style.  It wasn't until I looked more closely that I realized the difference in the braiding technique.  In fact, it wasn't a braid at all.  More like the technique one uses to create a fishtail braid.

The moment uncertainty crept in, I immediately leapt into action in the form of a simple Google search. A few clicks later and I came across a video which demonstrates a clear technique to create something similar to what we see above.  I'll be experimenting with this look within the next couple of weeks.

You can check out the video here if you'd like to know how this look was done.  Enjoy!

Love Her Look: Vanessa Hudgens

Love Her Look: Vanessa Hudgens

I have shifted the way I shop for clothes.  Years ago I would visit stores and wander around aimlessly looking for something to catch my eye... 1/17/2014

I have shifted the way I shop for clothes.  Years ago I would visit stores and wander around aimlessly looking for something to catch my eye.  It works for some, eventually, I realized that I work better with a more focused approach to shopping.

So instead of blindly walking into a store hoping I find something I love, I know identify pieces I'd like to add to my wardrobe before I even walk into a store.  This way, when I walk into a store, I already have a goal in mind.  If I happen to run into something else, great!  But at least I have an intention of something I want to build my wardrobe.

source

Just added to my closet wish list are a pair of white slacks similar to the ones Vanessa Hudgens is wearing.  Her white on white look is perfection.  It's perfect for spring.  I know that finding the right pair may take several trips but at least I have an objective.  I've always had a hesitation towards buying white shoes so I love the fact that she paired this all white look with a pair of skinny nude heels.  The white pants are a priority but I am also looking for an amazing white top to see if I can pull the entire look off. Wish me luck.

Jones New York Cropped Pants · Eileen Fisher Cropped Pants · P.A.R.O.S.H. Cropped Pants

Chloé Sleeveless Tops · Dolce & Gabbana Tops · Ulla Johnson Longsleeve Tops

Asos Sandals · Zara Platforms · Stuart Weitzman Platforms

Currently Craving | Panasonic at Home Facial Steamer

Currently Craving | Panasonic at Home Facial Steamer

During the holidays, I had the opportunity to enjoy regular visits to the gym.  Within days of going back to my old routine, I noticed skin ... 1/16/2014

During the holidays, I had the opportunity to enjoy regular visits to the gym.  Within days of going back to my old routine, I noticed skin improvement thanks to the post workout sauna sessions.

Now that I'm back to my full work and travel schedule, I won't have the luxury to hit the sauna as much as I'd like.  Plan B is to get my hands on a high quality at home facial steamer.  Years ago, I bought an entry level facial steam like this one.   It did it's job but, I really wish it was a bit more powerful.  The steaming action just wasn't strong enough to produce that amazing glow I was looking for. Plus I didn't like the fact that I had to put my face into the steamer in order to experience it's full functionality.

A quick trip to Amazon solved my dilemma.  I landed upon a couple facial steamers immediately caught my attention.

The first one is the Panasonic Pink Nano-e Facial Steamer.  It's a simple, well designed product but, more importantly, it produces ample amounts of steam.  A while back, the steam reservoir of my Conair & Caruso curlers stopped working.  My solution was so use my facial steamer to warm up my curlers.  This plan worked brilliantly.  The shape of the Pink Nano-e steamer,  will allow me to use it dual purposely as a facial steamer and as a base to warm up my sponge rollers.  I really like how much "reach" the steam has.  This means I can have the steamer going while I'm on the computer or doing my nails.  You can check out a video of it in action here.

My next crave is also from Panasonic. It's the grand deluxe version of the at home personal facial steamer.  The Panasonic NanoCare comes with additional options including a cool steam blast.  From a couple reviews, the cool blast is really cold.  I would love to do a roller steam set on my hair with cold water particles.  I'm wondering if that would seal the cuticles as it sets my curls.  Another added feature of this deluxe model is  it's ability to produce smaller size (nano) particles.  Having used a MicroMist hair steamer that also uses tiny water molecules, I know  and appreciate the difference. Tinier particles means you can steam longer without having water droplets burn your skin as well as deeper penetration.  Yes, this model is pricier than other personal steamers but you get much more for your money. This video shows the NanoCare model in action. Sorry it's in Japanese so you won't understand a word they're saying.

Just typing up this post has pretty much made up my mind on taking the plunge.  I think back to when I would do at home facials 1-3 times a week.  It was the only thing that helped me deal with breakouts and clear the congestion below my skin.  I need to get back to doing that. The strongest urge to purchase is driven by my curiosity of setting my hair using the nano water molecules.  My thought is that it would deeply moisturize my hair as I style it.    I could steam my skin and set/moisturize my hair in one sitting. How amazing would that be?  When I do decide to get one, I'll share a full review.

Why I failed at bunning as a protective style

Why I failed at bunning as a protective style

A few years ago I took on a temporary work assignment that required me to wear my hair in a bun on a daily basis.  " Great!" I th... 1/15/2014

A few years ago I took on a temporary work assignment that required me to wear my hair in a bun on a daily basis.  "Great!" I thought.."this is going to help my hair journey so much!"  You see, prior to that, I wasn't much for protective styling although I was well aware of the potential benefits.  This eight week assignment was the perfect scenerio for me to experience the wonders of daily protective styling for myself.

The assignment lasted a little longer than eight weeks and, once it was over, daily bunning had turned into a habit.  It's been over two years and I'm just now realizing that bunning may not have helped my hair journey the way I imagined it would.

Action shot taken while at a work function wearing my daily bun

The realization came to me, the other day, as I was taking my bun down to refresh it for the day ahead.  Prior to that, I was on vacation for a couple weeks and hadn't worn a bun at all.  Overall my hair was doing well. I just dusted my ends and deep conditioned a few days before.  All was right with the world.  Then, after wearing a simple bun all day, I noticed a few broken strands as I was getting ready to moisturize and seal.  Suddenly, it hit me like a ton of bricks. Have I been experiencing this type of breakage regularly for the last few years?  Why is my hair breaking when I hadn't even touched it all day? Mind you, it wasn't a ton of breakage, but it was enough to cause alarm as I thought about the long term impact if it continued to happen on a daily basis.

Immediately, my mind started racing with ideas of what may have caused the damage not just from the night before, but over the past couple of years.  First thought that came to me was about how neglectful I became when bunning.  The section where my hair is struggling the most is the back/middle part of my hair.  This probably has a lot to do with the fact that I barely focus on that area when I bun.  Sometimes, when I was feeling really lazy or if days became exceptionally long, I would do the bare minimum to keep the hair moisturized. The basic bun hid a multitude of sins (or so I thought).

I also think the way I tucked my hair away wasn't the best technique.  Looking back, I probably should have worn a looser bun. I would create a ponytail, then  grab the remaining hair and would twist it around, kinda like a cinnamon roll.  This, I believe, caused way too much tension on my ends which contributed to breakage.  I also experienced breakage when my top knot was too tight or if I wore my hair up for a couple of days without taking it down.

On the day of my epiphany, I decided to wear my hair in a loose side braid instead of a bun.  I made sure my braid was well lubricated with Gleau oil blend and went about my day. My braid was a bit frayed from rubbing against my sweater, but when I took the braid down at the end of the day, there were no broken pieces of hair.  At that point, I decided to break out of my daily bunning habit and try other styles to see how my hair responds.

Here all the things I did "wrong" when I was bunning. Maybe I can save someone from making all the mistakes I made.

+Not being consistent with moisturizing/sealing while wearing buns.
+Not alternating the direction of the twist.
+Sleeping in buns
+Not moving the bun around (wearing it in the same place day after day).
+Twisting the hair too tightly.
+Not alternating styles. Wearing buns too frequently.

Don't get me wrong, some people are able to do buns right and experience a world of retention.  For me, unfortunately, it wasn't as effective.....most of it was my fault.  I don't think buns are inherently wrong, I just was a bit negligent at times. So what I'm going to do differently is wear different styles on a daily basis.  If I need to wear my hair up, I will leverage the use of my Good Hair Day pins and my Modern Updo Pin mentioned in a previous post.  Over time, I think my hair will thrive again.  With all the lessons I've been learning from my Happy Endings series, I feel more confident wearing my hair down then continuing with daily buns.  When I do wear buns consistently again, it will be very different from the way I've been doing it before.

Do you have some tips for me on creating healthy buns?  Please share.

Staple Status | A Nexxus ProMend Review

Staple Status | A Nexxus ProMend Review

After learning that split end repair is actually possible , I immediately sought out to get my hands on this magical ingredient.  The first ... 1/14/2014

After learning that split end repair is actually possible, I immediately sought out to get my hands on this magical ingredient.  The first purchase I made was a conditioner and leave-in from the Nexxus Pro Mend Series.

Check out the product's claims according to the Leave-In cream packaging:

"Transition split ends into healthy-looking hair with Nexxus ProMend.  The first product line to focus on true split end repair. It binds split ends back together in one use.  ProMend Leave-In Creme provides daily repair for split end problem areas. Use after each shower to bind up to 92% of split ends back together before styling, so ends look beautifully healthy and strong." 

There's also a nifty illustration on the box of a hair strand with several splits throughout the shaft, then one with the ProMend Technology wrapped around the follicle, and a third image of a perfectly healthy hair strand after treatment.

You all know I can get excited about stuff but I don't think I've ever been as excited to try a product as I was with ProMend.  So far, I've used it twice, and let me tell you, ProMend will be part of my regimen for LIFE!  I can't say for sure if I actually have hairs that were once split but now fully healed.  But I can tell you that my hair has felt amazingly smooth and healthy after each wash. I feel confident in saying that my cuticle layer is much smoother now than before ProMend came along.

On wash day, I mixed the conditioner in a small bowl with my Kanechom Shea Butter, Biolage Conditioning Balm, Baby Face Pure Protein and silk amino acids.  Everything comes together to make an amazing hair treatment.  Once applied, I steamed my hair and used my conditioning iron. After rinsing, I finish off with the ProMend leave in treatment and proceed to roller set.  Based on the short video, I showed in my previous post, it appears that the technology is best used when heat is involved.  I'm only saying this because the video showed the hair being repaired as it someone dried it using a blow dryer. When I'm rolling the hair, I don't notice anything different. But when I take down my rollers, man oh man!

My hair is smooth and silky.  Before I would experience some post rollerset breakage as I ran my hands through it.  Not no more!  The most obvious change to my hair, besides the smoothness, is how soft it is.  Not sure why that is but my hair seems softer, less stiff, than before ProMend came along.  Breakage has certainly reduced. I have way more confidence now when I'm man handling my hair. Since I already know that my hair loves ProMend, my next objective would be to pick up the overnight treatment.   Everyone within the sound of my voice should go out and get this.  You probably don't have anything in your possession that claims to heal the hair the way ProMend does.

Although I am beyond pleased with ProMend, my insatiable appetite won't let me rest until I've tried the Joico Split End Mender.  Since it's a professional level product, I'm curious to see if it's even better than ProMend. The Joico is on it's way to me as we speak so look out for a follow up review in the future.

*p.s. Nexxus also has a ProMend Curl Defining Creme as well for those who rock curly hair.*

{not so} Mello Yellow

{not so} Mello Yellow

Almost a week has gone by since I've seen the sun shine.  This morning I awoke to yet another gloomy day.  So I decided to take matters ... 1/11/2014

Almost a week has gone by since I've seen the sun shine.  This morning I awoke to yet another gloomy day.  So I decided to take matters into my own hands and bring along my own sunshine.

While most others rocked fall, muted colors, I reached for the brightest article of clothing  in my closet.  When I first tried on this bright yellow blouse, I had my doubts.  I remember standing in the dressing room wondering if it would attract too much attention.  Years ago, almost every item of clothing I owned was black as I tried desperately to blend seamlessly into a crowd.  

I intentionally purchased this blouse in protest to my former self.  No longer would I purposefully try to go unnoticed.   As I strolled through the streets of downtown, I noticed the looks from others  from the corner of my eye.  But this time, I held my head up high, knowing that I brought a little bit of sunshine to their day.

Blouse// H&M// Similar

Jeans// Mossimo

Heals//Michael Kors

Bag//Chanel

Beauty Resolution | Having Flawless Nails

Beauty Resolution | Having Flawless Nails

There's something exhilarating about catching a glimpse of your fingertips and seeing strong, well polished, lengthy nails. I confess th... 1/11/2014

There's something exhilarating about catching a glimpse of your fingertips and seeing strong, well polished, lengthy nails. I confess that I've neglected the health of my nails though I've made declarations in the past about nurturing them.

Without fail, whenever I've been consistent in my vitamin and water intake, my nails flourish. A fresh coat of the perfect shade of polish is enough to make  even the worst day just a little bit better. With this in mind, I'm ready to make my first beauty resolution for the New Year.

Even if I'm wearing the most casual of outfits, if my nails are taken care of, I feel complete.  They are an amazing accessory that I have neglected for too long. 

So now I'm going back to the routine that gave me glorious nails.  It was simple really, making sure I keep snags at bay by keeping a crystal nail file handy at all times.  I vow to provide constant nutrition to support their health by regularly taking my hair, skin, and nails vitamins. Last but not least, I will promote their growth by providing them routine stimulation to increase blood flow.  I had the best nails of my life when I was "nail rubbing" daily and when I massaged my cuticles on a regular basis using a nourisher to keep them hydrated.

Well, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to give myself a mini manicure.

My Emergency Action Plan for dealing with breakouts before they start

My Emergency Action Plan for dealing with breakouts before they start

It's the absolute worst feeling in the world. You wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and see a pimple looming on the horizon.  T... 1/09/2014

It's the absolute worst feeling in the world. You wake up in the morning, look in the mirror and see a pimple looming on the horizon.  This scenario has always posed a huge dilemma for me because traditional products containing salycilic acid or benzoyl peroxide did nothing to combat my acne.   Now that I'm focusing on treating acne scars, I can't afford to let new pimples affect my progress by creating even more scarring.

source

Because of this interesting scenario, I've had to develop a different set of actions when faced with an impending pimple.  It's my emergency action plan, to avoid the worst possible outcome.  So far, this technique has been very effective for me and hopefully it can help someone else.

The first thing I do, when I see a hint of an upcoming pimple is assess it's potential risk.  It's a similar process to classify the category of a hurricane or tornado when it first formed to assess it's risk factor.  I measure the "pain factor" of the mini-bump.  This is simply where I squint my face and pay attention to see if I feel any pain beneath the bump.  If I actually "feel the pimple, it usually means that there's activity below it which can grow very big if not handled right away.

That was my mistake in the past, I would experience these potentially dangerous breakouts and not do anything about it until it was fully grown.  Then I'd try to physically reduce it and would be left with a traumatizing scar.  I've learned my lesson.  Treating it at the first signs is critical.  During the initial phase, the one thing I do is AVOID TOUCHING IT with my hands.  I've learned the hard way that messing with it, especially in the beginning stages can aggravate and cause even more swelling.  This is the exact opposite of what I used to do and it has paid off in a major way.

My next course of action is to work on an internal strategy.  One of the factors that causes acne is inflammation.  Inflammation is the result of an acidic environment in the body.   So the very first thing I do to help make my body more alkaline is warm some water, squeeze in a lemon and enjoy a cup of therapeutic lemon water.  Lemon water is ultra cleansing and has the ability to bring our bodies back in balance.  I interpret a breakout as a sign of imbalance so I do whatever to get things back in order. 

After I finish my glass of lemon water, I immediately fill up my water bottle and get back on my track with my water intake.  My goal is to facilitate internal cleansing as quickly as possible.  I'm trying to send a message to my body that I'm serious about detoxing so there's no need for detox through my skin.

Once I get my internal detoxing routine situated, I start focusing on my external cleansing.  My partner in crime, the Clarisonic Pro, works tirelessly to remove surface dirt. One thing I appreciate about my Clarisonic is that it's never aggravated my breakouts or made them worse. Since I can't use benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid,  my secret weapon are my purifying masks.  My favorites are Glam Glow clearing mud, Fresh Clay Mud Bar, Origins charcoal mask or any of my homemade concoctions.  These masks deep cleanse my skin drawing out impurities.  I can also rest assured that the longevity of my breakouts is much shorter thanks to the help of my fast acting masks.


If I didn't get to the enemy fast enough and it's increased in size, I start to work on decreasing the swelling.  I do this by applying an ice cube (wrapped in a zip lock bag) directly on the blemish.  Just like applying ice to a swollen ankle, it helps shrink down the swelling.  Finally, I will utilize my hot/cold facial treatment on very active breakouts to help shorted it's lifespan.  Luckily I haven't had to deal with fully grown pimples in a while thanks to the mastering of steps 1, 2 and 3.   So now, I'm able to focus completely on minimizing my scarring without having to deal with pimples that leave behind more spots. 

Is your heat protectant damaging your hair?

Is your heat protectant damaging your hair?

After running out of my Kerastase Fibre Architecte , I was put in a position where I had to decide if I was going to repurchase (for the 3rd... 1/07/2014

After running out of my Kerastase Fibre Architecte, I was put in a position where I had to decide if I was going to repurchase (for the 3rd time) or grab something else.

When I stumbled upon this article about the role of water in heat styling, it made me think twice about which protectant is best for my hair. I rarely use direct heat. For this reason, it's even more critical that I don't experience damage from something that I only take part in occasionally.  That would be tragic.

For the experiment, they measured heat damage from styling using light microscopy and tensile strength tests.  Some of the hair samples were treated with water based (wet) heat protectants, others with a "dry" product.

Under light microscopy they observed greater structural damage to hair treated with the wet spray.  Tensile strength (elasticity) test also demonstrated that more damage occurred to the wet-protectant treated hair.  In the end, they determined that there was "considerably more structural damage" which caused "significant changes to the physical properties to the hair."  The reason, they speculate, could be related to the "rapid evaporation of water from the hair."  Because of this, they recommend drier heat protectants without water (preferably in an aerosol spray form).

Armed with level of information, my mind started racing back to the time when I learned that water particles can actually boil in our hair causing super destructive damage to the strand. Immediately, I searched the ingredient list of many of the popular heat protectants on the market.  Nearly everyone of them had water as the first ingredient.  Heck, even my beloved Fibre Architecte fell under that category.  I stumbled upon only one spray protectant by Oscar Blandi.  It also has water but further down the list of ingredients.  Plus, I imagine that the amount of water released isn't enough to saturate the hair since it's an aerosol spray. Many of the reviews were favorable as people shared how much light and weightless it made their hair feel. Which would be great to create hair with movement.

I'm keeping my eyes peeled for other options like Redken Smooth Down Heat Glide which contains no water and has macadamia oil. Next time I flat iron, I will make sure to use a non-water based protectant on my ends.

 Do me a favor, head over to your hair product stash and check out the ingredient list of your heat protectant.  Is water the first ingredient?  If so, you may want to consider trying something different to further protect your hair.

All That Glitters | The search for the perfect bronzer is over

All That Glitters | The search for the perfect bronzer is over

For months, my radar was set to seek out bronzers, highlighters and similar products that promised to give me a beautiful glow.  For a while... 1/05/2014

For months, my radar was set to seek out bronzers, highlighters and similar products that promised to give me a beautiful glow.  For a while, I thought my search would last forever but, at last, I finally arrived at a place where I've discovered my life long favorites.

All I wanted was one product for my body and a perfect compliment for my face.  My hope was that I'd find something that would blend flawlessly into my skin, giving the appearance of a warm glow, rather than looking like someone sprinkled with fairy dust.

Pictured Above 

1| Gleam Body Radiance-Deep Gold (liquid/lotion) 

2| LORAC TANtalizer Baked Bronzer (powder)

3| LORAC selfTANtalizer (liquid/lotion)

4| RIMMEL Natural Bronzer (powder)

5| benefit Watt's Up (highlighter stick)

6| MAC Lustre Drops (liquid)

7| Giella eye m glam (loose powder)

At this moment, my hunger for glow-inducing products has been satisfied. Overall, I'm happy with my stash but some have far outperformed others and have become clear favorites.  If I had to give up all but three, I would happily hold on to my tube of gleam, the Lustre Drops and Giella eye m glam.   

Gleam Body Radiance stands on it's own because it's the most perfect body shimmer product I've experienced.  It glides on like a lotion blending into my skin leaving behind a subtle layer of golden sheen.  I fell in love when I came across this product at The Make Up show.  The minute I tested it, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for.  Although I paid a discounted price at the convention, you can find it for an even lower price here.  

Watt's Up by benefit is frostier and not as bronzy as the others but the tube packaging makes it perfect for travel or carrying in my makeup bag.  

LORAC's selfTANtalizer (lotion) smells yummy, but honestly, doesn't give the glow that I'm looking for.  The TANtalizer baked bronzer, on the other hand, is a pretty decent product.  I love that it also doubles as a beautiful golden eye shadow. 

The newest addition to my team is Giella's eye m glam.  I was introduced to this product as "the product that Kim Kardashian's make up artist developed to create her perfect glow."  Of course I had to try it.  At $35.00, it's not the cheapest product around but, let me tell you.  I think it's my favorite.  The rose gold powder works on any skin tone and it ground so fine that it practically melts into my skin.  The tiny gold specs are indistinguishable leaving behind a flawless glow.  It works on my eyes, my lips, my skin, everywhere. The difference between eye m glam and MAC Lustre drops is this: Lustre drops have a yellow gold hue while Giella is more of a rose/pinkish gold. I prefer the rose gold for a more natural glow.  

  I wanted to post on this sooner but wasn't ready to do so until I found the best of the best.  My collection is complete and I'm ready to have the summer glow all year long. 

*Watch promotional video to see gleam in action. Warning: You will be sold after seeing how perfect it is.  Notice how toned the legs look after gleam is applied.   I like the idea of having two shades, using one as a highlighter, and the other for an all over glow.