November 30, 2014

The Many Beauty Benefits you'll experience from using MSM Water

This new spray bottle and I have been inseparable ever since our first encounter .  One reason I decided to move away from replenishing my E... thumbnail 1 summary
This new spray bottle and I have been inseparable ever since our first encounter.  One reason I decided to move away from replenishing my Evian spray bottle stash is because a refillable bottle would allow me the opportunity to experiment with lacing the water with various super ingredients to elevate its effectiveness.  

The very first ingredient that came to mind was powdered MSM.  There are so many reasons why MSM was my first choice.  But I'll just share a few with them with you in hopes of convincing you that MSM powder/water is your very next product purchase.

It all goes back to when I first bought MSM water from the health food store.  The intended purpose was to help nourish my eyes. I found that the best method of doing so was to transfer some of it into a spray bottle.  Then I was like, "I take MSM internally, why not use some of this on my hair?"   This was right around the time I learned of the L.O.C. moisturizing method so it made sense to experiment with my newfound MSM water.   

That's when I realized that somehow MSM water seemed to make my hair feel more moisturized then when using water alone.  Once I realized that my store bought MSM water contained only 2 ingredients, I decided make my own in hopes of increasing the amounts of the active ingredient (MSM) in my formula.  
 MSM water is multifunctional.  Like my Evian mister, I also use MSM water on my face.  Except now,  my skin is reaping the benefits of receiving the MSM which has the ability to address acne concerns by killing bacteria and drying up oil which can lead to flareups.

Not only am I using surfur rich MSM water on my face, I also plan to target my scalp.  Normally, I focus on misting the length of my hair, but now that it's laced with MSM, I want to nourish my scalp to reap some of the amazing benefits.    Using MSM topically could have an impact on, not only the health of my scalp, but also hair growth rate.  I've even read where people experienced healthier new growth texture as a result of using MSM topically.  Not to mention that MSM is also said to help combat dry scalp, dandruff and dermatitis.  May I also add that MSM could have a positive effect on shedding.  They say that MSM could extend the amount of time the hair remains in growth phase. Let's hope this liquid MSM is powerful enough to do just that.

So far I've pointed out how MSM can help create healthier skin, moisturized hair and even better growth.  One last thing I'll mention before I go is how important MSM is for collagen production.  Much like bamboo silica, MSM works synergistically with collagen to keep our skin firm, smooth and moisturized.  So, I always make sure to add some MSM powder to my daily smoothies.

Do you need any more reasons to buy powdered MSM?

November 22, 2014

Get Flawless, even toned skin all over your body using this technique.

The post is inspired by a reader who left a comment about how to get smooth, even toned skin all over.   I'm so glad this question came ... thumbnail 1 summary
The post is inspired by a reader who left a comment about how to get smooth, even toned skin all over.   I'm so glad this question came when it did because this is the time of year when most of us aren't as concerned with glowing skin.  But, now is the time to develop the routine that will have your skin flawless by spring.

The commenter made mention of how smooth my skin looked and, thinking back,  I give 100% of the credit to my daily exfoliation.  It all began when I decided to take my pumice sponge from my pedicure kit to the shower.   Exfoliating my heels became a daily habit and I never had to deal with dry, cracked feet ever again.

Then I stumbled upon a video where a woman with amazing even toned skin shared her body  routine.  She talked candidly about how vigorously she exfoliated her skin.   Her routine went something like this:

She'd get into a warm shower and allow the steam to open up her pores.  Next she'd vigorously scrub the skin on her body and rinse.  Then she'd do it again (up to several times).  Each time she scrubbed an area she would do at least 10 rigorous strokes. 

(Note this method is for the skin on the body, not the face) When I first tried her technique, I was a bit taken back.  My skin had to get accustomed to such intense exfoliation.   Once  I got used to this method, I'd up the stakes by exfoliating on slightly damp skin instead of on soaking wet skin.  Each time I exfoliated, I focused heavily on my legs and the back of my thighs as a way of warding off cellulite by promoting blood flow to that area. And, of course, I'd focus on my arms and chest  because they were the most visible parts of my body. Basically, I scrub and scrub and scrub until all the sugar dissolves (If I'm rinsing the sugar off of my body before it's fully dissolved then I have failed).

This was around the same time when I began to frequent the steam room/sauna on a regular basis.  I'm a believer that sweating helps to loosen everything up which makes it easier to remove via scrubbing.  The combination of heavy sweating and crazy exfoliation created skin like I had never experienced before.  Not to mention that I was drinking oodles of water each day.

Let me tell you ladies that everyone who came in contact with my skin has something great to say.  Hubby notices, I couldn't stop touching myself, and when I went for a massage, the therapist kept going on about how smooth and soft I was.   If you use this technique of sweating + exfoliation + water for a week or two, you'll notice smoother skin.  But if you make this a long term habit, you encourage REGULAR cell turnover which means EVEN TOONED SKIN.   Seriously, if you want even toned skin, focus on exfoliation.  And, if you want to move things along a little faster, pair this method with a lotion like Glytone which works really well because it contains ingredients meant to help fade discoloration.

Consider this an advanced technique. If you have sensitive skin on your body, ease into it. Don't just rush in and try to scrub the skin off your body.   It's a process. But one that will pay off dearly if you are diligent.

November 20, 2014

Craving | Alter Ego Hair Energizing Hair Lotion {stimulate winter growth}

I was going to save this find for an Instagram Beauty Secrets post but I got too excited to wait.   As I was bobbing and weaving through var... thumbnail 1 summary
I was going to save this find for an Instagram Beauty Secrets post but I got too excited to wait.   As I was bobbing and weaving through various pics, I stumbled upon an image that immediately grabbed my attention.  Not sure if it was a beauty or hair product so I checked out the caption to  see what she had to say about it.
via @troprouge Instagram
"I swear by this stuff. It's made my hair grow incredibly fast!! It's called Alter Ego Hair Lotion."
Ok. So a couple of things happened at this point.
#1. I immediately recognized the name of the brand from back in the day when I frequented Dominican Salons.  Then I remembered that I tried (and loved) their garlic conditioner mask to combat excessive shedding.
#2. I mosied on over to Amazon to see what others had to say about it.  Over 100 reviews with nearly a perfect 5 rating.

People who've tried the energizing hair lotion say that it tingles the scalp when applied (which is a sign that blood flow to the area has increased).  Some mentioned that they found this product via a recommendation from a hair loss specialist.  Many of the reviewers noticed an increase in their hair  growth rate.  Happy reviewers mentioned how this product helped bring their edges back to life.  Heck, a few people even boasted of stronger hair and less breakage from this wonderful hair lotion.  I also appreciate how quickly people said they started seeing results and new growth.

I could go on and on.  Point is that this miracle in a bottle seems really promising. Especially during this time of year when seasonal  shedding starts to rear it's ugly head.  Not to mention that hair growth starts to slow during cooler months.  This is definitely on my wishlist but I probably won't wait long to get it.  Especially since I'm working on reviving my nape back to it's former healthy state.  I cant totally see myself applying the lotion to my scalp once I've braided by hair in sections to moisturize and seal.

Who's as excited about this hair lotion as I am?

November 19, 2014

Style Essential | The White Blazer

I've been feening for a white blazer for the longest.  Ever since I featured this "Love Her Look" white blazer date night outf... thumbnail 1 summary
I've been feening for a white blazer for the longest.  Ever since I featured this "Love Her Look" white blazer date night outfit, I've harbored the desire for chic white blazer that would be perfect dressed up or down.

There are just too many black blazers in my closet, it's time for something fresh and new.  Looks like the day has finally arrived 'cause I've stumbled upon some promising options.  I'm really looking forward to wearing a crisp, fitted white blazer over dark colors to break up that all black looks. I've put together a collection of my favorite white blazers below in case you're on the hunt.  Which one is your fave?

November 18, 2014

Is this the most effective way to Moisturize & Seal your hair?

Psssst.  I want to let you in on something.  It's a new technique I've been using lately to moisturize and seal my hair.  From my fi... thumbnail 1 summary
Psssst.  I want to let you in on something.  It's a new technique I've been using lately to moisturize and seal my hair.  From my first couple of days with experimenting, I think I will use this technique for life.  I'll start by saying that I had done a poor job of moisturizing and sealing prior to learning about the L.O.C/L.C.O technique.  Once I got hip to that, my life changed.  Then fate led me to the Evian Facial Spray mist which changed the game.

Just recently,  I found and fell in love with these mini aluminum misters which I adore.  It seemed like everything was darn near perfect.  How could they get any better?  That's when I took a hard look at my technique and asked myself "what do I need to do differently?"  Currently, my biggest struggle was evenly moisturizing my hair.  I tend to focus on the hair I can see. As a result, some areas suffered.  I'm in the process of gingerly nursing it back to health but it takes a bit of effort for me to focus on those areas.
Rachie | Lade | Me

The solution to this problem (of evenly moisturizing in little time) was so simple I can't believe I haven't done it sooner.  All I did was section my hair into 6 or 7 loose plaits.  Once sectioned, I was able to quickly mist the length of each braid.  When braided, all the hair in that section is very accessible.  There aren't tons of layers hiding under each other.  I no longer have to lift my hair or move hair out of the way to access the deeper layers.  It worked flawlessly. It saved me time and it was really effective.  Not too mention that, overall, this technique requires less manipulation than if I were to moisturize in small sections without braiding.

Some nights, I left my hair braided and unraveled the braids the following day. But if I'm not going for the wavy look, I could easily unravel once I've completed the moisture replenishment session.  Call me crazy but my hair seems to hold moisture longer ever since I've been using this technique.  Perhaps it has something to do with my new little aluminum sprayer.  The water particles are smaller than from the Evain spray bottle.  I'm of the belief that smaller water particles are easier to absorb by the hair follicle.  This combination of deeper moisture plus the enhanced technique has been pretty amazing.  Would you like to try?

p.s. Naturals typically use this method before twistouts/etc which I think contributes to their length retention, among other things.  I'll create a post on that topic in the future. 

November 17, 2014

The Makeup Show | NARS mini haul & The method to incredibly long lashes

Most weekends, I'm closed up in my office working on outstanding items from the week prior.  This weekend, I had the amazing opportunity... thumbnail 1 summary
Most weekends, I'm closed up in my office working on outstanding items from the week prior.  This weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to attend the MakeUp Show.  It's an amazing experience to be in a room with hundreds of professional makeup artists and beauty experts.  Not to mention the exposure to dozens of brands who are the heavy hitters in the makeup industry.

Every year, I visit the event in hopes of discovering new staples. It's were I first found and fell in love with Gleam Body Radiance and Grandelash MD.  Normally, I invest most of my time between grabbing new makeup brushes and loitering at the Makeup Forever booth.  This year,  I decided that I'd branch out of my comfort zone and get familiar with some new brands.  

NARS Train Bleu + Palais Royal Velvet Lip Pencil
You guys remember when I grabbed the NARS Narsissist palatte?  Ever since then, I've been longing to try out others products from the line.  As expected the NARS booth was pretty packed.  I stood on the outskirts for a few moments before one of the NARS makeup artists walked by and said, "I love the color of your shirt."  I thanked her for the unexpected compliment.  Later, she returned and said, "would you mind if I put some blush on you?"  "Sure" I responded not knowing that she'd reach for this bright coral looking color called Exhibit A.   "It's inspired by the color of your shirt" she said as she applied the bright color to my cheeks.  I expected the worst but the color actually worked well on my skin tone.  
From there she and I began to try one different lip colors to she what would work. The entire time she worked on my face, the only thing I could think about was how amazing her lashes were. Finally I had to ask "what do you use to get you lashes like that?"  "Grandelash!"  she responded.  "I'm wearing an $8.00 drugstore mascara, and I'm Asian, these lashes are because of Grandelash."  She went on to tell me her secret.  "You gotta use it twice a day [morning and night]"  I was instantly reminded of a conversation I had in 2013 with someone who also got amazing results by using it 2X a day.  Guess, what I did last night before bed?  You guessed, I reached for my Grandelash. 

November 13, 2014

New In | Feeling Blue.

When I look at my small collection of shoes.  One thing becomes strikingly clear, it's that I'm pretty safe when it comes to my shoe... thumbnail 1 summary
When I look at my small collection of shoes.  One thing becomes strikingly clear, it's that I'm pretty safe when it comes to my shoe choices.  Everything I own falls under the two categories either black or nude (neutral).  Just goes to show you how predictable I can be.
Which is why I was stoked when I stumbled upon these Ralph Lauren Serrata platform sandals in navy blue with gold hardware.  The moment I saw them, I knew they could easily take my boring uniform of jeans and a tee to a new level. Weeks prior to discovering these shoes, I silently told myself that I needed a pair of well made, attractive, comfortable + fashionable heels that I can wear on my dress down days.  This is to avoid my habit of reaching for flats.  the moment I slipped these heels on, I knew.
[ULTRA] Comfortable and stylish would be the two words I'd use to describe them.  I read a few reviews of these heels online and others echo my perspective on how comfortable they are. Plus I love the fact that I didn't get them in black.  Blue just makes them that much more interesting.  And, yes, I do understand that Navy Blue (and gold) shoes don't exactly go with everything. Which is exactly why I decided to grab a second pair in light brown.  The neutral pair are definitely within my comfort zone.  In fact, I have a similar pair of shoes in that color that isn't as well constructed.  I grabbed these because the difference in quality between what I currently own and these was  really evident.
When I started buying designer handbags a couple of years ago, the initial motivation was so I could be rough with them and not have to worry (as much) about wear and tear.  When I took that philosophy towards investing in quality shoes, I noticed a real difference.  If I find a great pair of shoes I love, I need them to last.   That's why I'll be investing in well crafted shoes from now on.  Plus, gorgeous shoes are like a well made bag.  They can make the outfit thus saving you money on clothing in the long run.

It's not too often one finds an amazing pair of navy blue heels. I had to snag 'em and I'm so glad I did.

November 12, 2014

DIY Evian Facial Mist

When I first discovered Evian's Facial spray, I got so excited that I immediately made multiple orders.  Some, I gave away. But I kept m... thumbnail 1 summary
When I first discovered Evian's Facial spray, I got so excited that I immediately made multiple orders.  Some, I gave away. But I kept most of them for myself. Yes, I used them frequently as a facial spray. But I got the greatest benefit by incorporating Evian in my L.C.O routine.

The other day, I walked over to my stash of Evian sprays only to discover that I had only one 1.7 oz bottle left. How could this be? Have I used that many bottles?  After a few more minutes of searching, I conceded knowing that I had indeed almost run out.  That's when I realized that if my usage continues at the same rate, the cost could really add up.  My next thought was to find a way to make my own version of this wonderful mist.  A couple of searches online led me to these nifty little aluminum misters.  I like the fact that they're easily refillable and they're made of the same material as the Evian Facial spray bottle. 
Here's why I got three of them.  Do you remember my Instagram Beauty Secrets post where I featured a high end facial spray from Chanel?  Well, I actually took a trip down do the mall to test it out.  Chanel incorporated moisture binding ingredients to extend the duration of moisture.  Water on its own will evaporate pretty quickly so I appreciate that they took their formula to the next level.     
I too would like to experiment with various formula's since I now have complete freedom to do what I please.  One will be purely water but I will test out various hair mist blends as well as an enhanced facial mist.  By the way,  these bottles are ultra affordable and their mist game is on point.  As a matter of fact, they actually create a finer mist than the Evian.  I love that.


http://bit.ly/1zjA82C

November 8, 2014

Love her Look | Sophistication with an Edge

I am beyond inspired by Karrueche's look of modern simplicity paired with edgy accents.  Where do I begin? Her white Top Shop blouse is ... thumbnail 1 summary
I am beyond inspired by Karrueche's look of modern simplicity paired with edgy accents.  Where do I begin? Her white Top Shop blouse is perfection.  I adore the crew neckline and the slightly accented shoulders.  If that weren't enough, it features a split on the side which makes the blouse even more interesting.

I had this old way of thinking that whenever I wore all black and white, I'd pair it with silver jewelry. I've shifted that mindset after seeing how well the simple gold chains compliment her look.  Speaking of compliment, can we talk about black bag and how it works perfectly with what she's wearing? The simple strap pairs well with the basic top. But then we have this amazing rocker look with the fringed leather that balances the edginess of her amazing boots.  Her Tom Ford lace boots are beyond amazing. At first I thought they were too much but Karrueche does a fantastic job at making them the centerpiece of her outfit.  If I were to recreate a outfit inspired by her, perhaps I would were some shredded black skinny jeans for a more wearable look. The pairing of basic sophistication with edginess  just really works.

November 7, 2014

Deep conditioning with Heat vs Steam. Which do you chose?

Last weekend, just after I finished applying deep conditioner to my damp hair, I asked myself " should I deep condition with heat or wi... thumbnail 1 summary
Last weekend, just after I finished applying deep conditioner to my damp hair, I asked myself "should I deep condition with heat or with steam?"  Normally, I just go for the steam because steam conditioning is the ultimate in healthy hair....right?  Any other day, I wouldn't have given it a second thought but this time I felt it made sense to deep condition with heat.

Part of the reason was because I didn't feel like wheeling out the MicroMist steamer from it's resting place but, more importantly, I felt like my hair might actually benefit more if I sat under a hooded dryer. Why did I say that?  Well because things  had gotten pretty hectic with my travel schedule which meant that I was not able to pamper my hair, in the previous weeks, like I should have.  I felt like my hair need a deep conditioning treatment, not just a boost a moisture.  I wanted my strands to be saturated with the product alone without the added water particles to potentially take up valuable cuticle space.

I figured that direct heat would open up the cuticle layer and help the conditioner and protein blend better address my strands.  Then I considered that without the steam, perhaps there would be less swelling of the hair strand from the absorption of water. My hair was already feeling a little weak so I wanted to keep things from potentially getting worse.  Not to say that steaming is a bad thing. On the contrary, steaming the hair has a ton of amazing benefits. But it's our job to know what's best for our hair at what time.

Perhaps whenever we are doing an intensive strengthening deep conditioning treatment, we should allow the heat to do it's thing.  But when our hair is in dire need of a moisture boost, we reach for the steamer.   Or, in the case of next weekend, I might experiment with doing both.  Maybe I start off under the hooded dryer for 15-20 minutes then head over to seal in the conditioner with a layer of intense moisture.  The end result could be interesting.

So if you're wondering whether you should steam or use direct heat at your next deep conditioning session, consider what your hair truly needs.  Perhaps the first couple of weeks after a relaxer you might want to go for heat focused deep conditioning, then towards the middle/end of your stretch, it can benefit from the added moisture.  I know that some of us have completely moved away from conditioning with heat ever since we got our steamer. But consider that you now have two wonderful options to better treat your hair. Why not utilize both?

Which is your favorite way to deep condition?

November 6, 2014

The Warm Green Smoothie | A better way to start your morning.

Yesterday, I met a couple of friends at Panera Bread for breakfast.  Before chatting we each something to eat.  I thought I'd do the hon... thumbnail 1 summary
Yesterday, I met a couple of friends at Panera Bread for breakfast.  Before chatting we each something to eat.  I thought I'd do the honorable thing and order a healthy option to start my day.  My meal consisted of an egg with avocado slices placed on a bed of spinach and a green kale smoothie.  My friends, on the other hand,  each chose to indulge in chocolate covered pastry.   One of them looked over at my smoothie and asked "...a cold drink in the morning?"


I knew exactly why that question was asked.  They are Asian and, in their culture, it's best to start the day with a warm beverage.  This practice of drinking something warm in the morning brings multiple health benefits including boosting our metabolism, kick starting our digestive system, detoxification, increased circulation, etc.  If you think about it, warmth tends to open everything up. Steam opens up our pores and the cuticle layer of our hair.  Warm temperatures increase circulation and sweating.  All of this is really good for us.

My friend was right.  If I had a choice for my morning beverage between something hot or cold. Hot is a better option (especially during the cooler months).  So this morning I decided to make a "warm green smoothie" at home. Basically, I wanted similar benefits to the green morning smoothie while kickstarting my bodies' internal detoxification and stimulation systems.  I warmed water on the stove and removed it before it reached boiling point.  Then I added a little collagen powder knowing that the warm temp of the water would dissolve the powder in a flash.
Then I blended in a green powder fusion that is highly alkalizing.  I'm actually experimenting with this green powder blend because it will soon become a part of the Beautifully Bamboo family.  It contains super greens such as wheat, barley, alfalfa grasses and sea greens (spirulina, chlorella) along with kale and bamboo silica.  I'm still formulating so the final product may contain even more amazing ingredients when the green blend actually goes live.

Then I added a little lemon to take this blend to the next level.  Lemon also works to alkalize the body and the vitamin C works synergistically with the collagen powder and silica in the bamboo extract to help stimulate the production of collagen.
Everything blended together so easily, which is exactly what I wanted.   Best of all, the green fusion is extremely mild which makes it easy to drink without mixing it with juice.  I just add the powder to water and I'm ready to go.  Now I can have my "green smoothie" in the morning  as a way of waking up my body and flooding it with powerful nutrition in a highly absorbable, liquid form.  There's no better way to start the day.

November 4, 2014

Currently Craving | Crochet Braids + How to do it.

Many moons ago, when I was much younger, these things called crochet braids started to gain popularity.  But, back then, people for whatever... thumbnail 1 summary
Many moons ago, when I was much younger, these things called crochet braids started to gain popularity.  But, back then, people for whatever reason, opted to by these tiny crimped braids that were made of black and yellow hair that looked like multicolored Ramen noodles .  They were just awful.  But despite my disapproval, my best friend still insisted in installing them and, since she didn't have the ability to braid, I learned how to install them hooked her up with a head full of tiny, serpent-like crimped braids.

One good thing I could say about crochet braids were how easy they were to install and remove.  Plus they protected her hair much better than the glued in tracks she was so addicted to.  Fast forward many years later and crochet braids have made an incredible come back.  But this time, they are highly versatile and splendidly fabulous.  In fact, they're so perfect that I'm now dying to try them.



Can you believe all these gorgeous looks are the result of these easy to install braids?  It's been a while since I handled a crochet needle so I need a bit a practice.  Good thing for us there are plenty of tutorials for us to (re)learn from.  I love this style as an option for the winter time when drier air and fuzzy hats threaten to rob our hair of moisture. 


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