It's been a while...

Hi people! Long time, no post.
I honestly wasn't sure when I would do another blog post, as to be honest, I wasn't really in a good space to keep up the blog. So many changes have happened in my life, I can't even tell you. Life is really something, lol.

But I haven't stopped writing or being interested in beauty, I just haven't been posting what I've had to say for others to read.  I do need to get some of my hair update photos up, though. My hair has grown a little bit--not as much as I was hoping, but I'm more health obsessed than length obsessed so it's all good.

So I'll be updating in a couple of days (I have an assignment for school I need to finish first) and then I'll get all caught up on here.

For those readers who still follow me, I really appreciate it. I hope that I can share more of what I've learned over the months I've been away with you. I think I may want to take this blog into a bit of a different direction as far as what I post...but we'll see.

See you in a bit!

xoxo

My Current Product Staples List (as of 5/21/11)

These are the current products I find myself reaching for on any given day to maintain and style my hair.  Because I have so many products in my stash, it's been challenging to try out some of those others because these have worked so well for me that I don't want to chance having a "bad" hair day. But how will I know if I don't experiment, right? Lol. Without further delay, here are my current "go-to" products:

Product Staples List (as of 5/21/11)

Shampoo (I'm only shampooing 1-2x/week)

MOP Hydrating Shampoo

Kenra Moisturizing Shampoo

Rinse-out Conditioner (daily)

Kenra Moisturizing Conditioner

MOP Hydrating Conditioner

Nature's Gate Aloe Vera Conditioner

Leave-in Conditoner

MOP Leave-in

Paul Mitchell The Conditioner

L'anza Daily Leave-in

Deep Treatments (protein weekly, moisture as needed)

Joico K-pak Reconstructor

Joico K-pak Intense Hydrator

Paul Mitchell Super Strong Treatment

Kenra Nourishing Masque

Paul Mitchell Super-Charged Moisturizer

Gels

Joico Joigel Medium

Redken Soft Spin

Fantasia IC

Styling Lotion

Joico Joilotion

Paul Mitchell Round Trip

Moisturizers (as needed)

Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream

Pomades (as needed)

Qhemet Biologics Tea Tree & Grapeseed Therapeutic Pomade

Qhemet Biologics Amla Oil Nourishing Pomade

Also, I have a few curl creams that I've been using, but none have really made my day so there aren't any listed yet. I think I won't really like them until the weather cools down a bit. With living in such a humid climate and having fine non-porous hair, it doesn't really benefit me to have a butter based cream as a styling product...

Will update list as needed.

xoxo,

A.

My Thoughts: Natural Hair, The 2nd Time Around

When I went natural in 2001, I was 18 years old, and didn't really have any hang ups about hair. I relaxed, colored/bleached, braided, weaved my hair all the time. I liked long hair, but I think because I was so all over the place, I never allowed my hair to grow long, or even thought about it like that--plus I loved cutting my hair short. Whenever I wanted longer lengths, I'd just wear braids for a time.

I did a big chop after 8 weeks post, right before graduating from high school. To all my friends, it was a HUGE deal, lol. They came with me and took pictures because I was "so brave" :-)  Natural hair care communities on the internet had just gotten started (the discussion forums, and trying out new styles, etc) so really there weren't the resources back then that there are now for people to look in to. So I did whatever with my hair, lol.

And for 4 years, my hair looked the same--no different from my relaxed hair except for it was curly. It was still "blah", so I continued to braid, weave, color, experiment just like I did with my relaxed hair. I didn't do any of the regular care maintenance things that I do now (though I did study the Ouidad method for a time).  In fact, it wasn't until I relaxed my hair again in 2005 that I began to invest the time on the forums and develop a regimen. And realized that if I wanted to make my hair look a certain way, I had to do the necessary work and stay consistent.  Then in 2009-2010, I realized that while all my efforts and dedication into caring for my hair was working and I was on the right track, for my situation there was one factor that was undermining my whole plan: relaxers.  I learned about hair texture, porosity, etc and determined that if I was really going to maximize my hair's potential I had to go back to natural.  So I transitioned for a little over a year (to gather more research on my hair's 'tendencies' lol) and here we are today, entering my 3rd month natural. And off to a much better start that I was the last time.

So, all that to say, I learned a lot about basic hair care by caring for relaxed hair, although that's kind of weird to me, lol.  I think it should have been the other way around, but oh well :)  Anyhoo, going into natural hair now is a walk in the park because of the [informational] baseline that I have to work with. I don't even post on forums anymore or really share in the bandwagon discussions nowadays because to me there is just no need. I am still a PJ, though--that'll never change haha. But I do look at products very differently now that I have been into hair science for over 5 years. And to me, curl type does not matter at all. I remember when I was really "forum-active", all the time board members would straight up say that they would not take the advice of someone who had 3c hair because their own curls were 4a or 4b,c, whatever, but that's just dumb.  Nowadays, I use the same kinds of products that a type 3, or even a 2 would use! What matters now (and should have always been the priority) is hair texture, porosity, density and elasticity.  But mainly texture and porosity.

By Texture, I mean the size of the individual strands of hair (fine, medium, coarse), and sometimes [but not always] the feel of of the strands (silky v. wiry).  This determines what kind of products you should be using and how frequently you use protein (if at all).

By Porosity, I mean how well your hair receives and retains moisture (and how your curl pattern shapes up). Your hair's ability to retain moisture can tell a lot about the integrity of the strand when the texture cannot.  This is vastly important if you are throwing chemicals (color and/or relaxers) into the mix.

IMO, if these factors aren't at the top of your checklist when trying out products or just handling your hair in general, then you aren't even in the game.  While it's fun and interesting to watch other people's YT videos about shingling, banding, twists/twist-outs, bentonite clay treatments, etc., I personally just cannot be bothered with all of that.  Back in the day I spent 4 years doing twists on my hair and it didn't do anything positive or negative to my hair--it was just a style. Now had I focused on the basics of hair science and hair care prior to making certain styling decisions, maybe things would've gone differently (and I probably wouldn't have even gone back to relaxers!! *Real Talk*)...

So to anyone out there looking to step their hair science game up, I highly recommend you start researching texture and porosity.  Also, a good starting off place would be Live Curly, Live Free .  I am not affiliated with this site in any way, I just value the info and am passing it along :)  Even without that, the general internet has tons of valuable information to provide those who really want to learn. Once you learn it, you'll see how simple it is, without all the over-production of some of these new marketed systems and techniques out there.  Save yourself some mental energy (and...maybe some cash lol), y'know?

Peace!

xoxo

Hair Update: 2 months post

Hey peeps! More hair update pics, Month 2. I am really enjoying the whole wash n go thing.  I've been continually trimming straight ends and rinsing and conditioning daily...And my curls keep getting curlier! Loves it.

I get quite a bit of shrinkage, but not quite as much as I remember getting when I went natural the first time, though that was years ago so it's hard to really think back. The nape area and sides have bigger curls (about 3c, I'd say) and finer/silkier there, so there is some heat damage, but I'm not too concerned with it. The rest of my hair is quite kinky (4a) and shrinks a ton, so I while I try to air dry most of the time now, I do still like to stretch the length with my blowdryer when it's dry, for more volume and shape.

Hair Update: 1 month post cut

Ok, so it's been one month since I chopped the relaxed ends and have been fully natural.  Things have been going very well, maybe better than the last time I was natural.  I feel that using salon quality products this time is a major factor, especially as far as moisture levels in the hair are concerned.  I have been doing a "wash & wear" or "wash & go" routine, and it's been working well for me.

Here's what I've been doing: Twice a week (every 3-4 days) I shampoo with Kenra Moisturizing shampoo, then condition with Kenra Moisturizing conditioner (love this!). On the days I don't shampoo, I just rinse my hair and scalp with water and then condition the hair with Kenra conditioner. I don't "co-wash" or mess with my scalp any other time except on shampoo days; I just don't see rubbing conditioner into my scalp as being useful. I also deep condition every or every other weekend, alternating protein reconstructor treatment** (Joico K-pak) and moisture deep treatment (Paul Mitchell Super-charged Moisturizer, Joico Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm, Kenra Nourishing Masque, etc).

**Even though my hair is natural now, I want to continue to ensure the strands stay in good condition, considering I did blow dry and flat iron every week for over a year prior to cutting...

To style, I choose from a variety of products, but my faves are: Joico Curl Definer Creme, Redken Curl Wise, Joico Joigel Medium, Hair Rules Curly Whip.  Each of these produce consistent results. After applying product to very wet hair, I airdry-- or if I don't have time, I diffuse dry--and then stretch curls with the blowdryer for more curl length and volume. Depending on the product and if I need it, I'll layer a leave-in conditioner (like Paul Mitchell The Conditioner, L'anza Daily Leave-in, or MOP Leave-in Conditioner) underneath the styling products, but most of the time I don't.

At night, I sleep in a satin bonnet, on a satin pillowcase :)

I can't wait for my hair to get longer so that I can get my hair in a ponytail. I can make a "puff", but I want a real ponytail :-) Patience is a virtue, though. So I'm enjoying the journey.

Here are some pics I've taken so far...

 

As I continue to rinse and condition daily, I've noticed the hair is getting curlier, which is awesome. It helps me cut off more straight ends as I find them.

NOTD: Passion in the Pacific, crackled

I am so glad I gave in to the rebooted crackle trend...this polish is bad-ass

China Glaze Passion in the Pacific with Black Mesh Crackle Glaze on top

Yeah, I am fighting the urge to put Black Mesh atop every other polish I own. I also bought the pink one, and I think I'm going back to Sally's to get the grey one, too. It's a mad-house. A maaad-house!!! LOL.

FOTD: Nars Bronze Eyes

Going out to lunch today. Went for a golden coral look. Thanks for looking :-)

Face
Laura Mercier primer
Px foundation Stick
Becca foundation stick
Becca Concealer, MAC Select Moisturecover
MAC MSF Natural Medium Dark
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Topaz
MAC Blush: Gingerly, Peaches, Pinch Me
Cargo Bronzer Dark

Eyes
Nars Primer
Nars Eyeshadow Duo: Key Largo, Cordura
Nars Eyeshadow Abyssinia
Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil Zero
Maybelline Full n Soft mascara

Lips
Nars Morocco lip pencil
Nars Outsider lipstick

NOTD: Essie Demure Vixen

Ok, I believe I am getting on my own nerves with the 3rd Essie NOTD in a row (Essie tends to chip on me crazy), but this color is too cute to not post.

Hmm, how do I describe this one? Sheer lilac-grey-mauve with iridescent shimmer. Yeah, that'll work. This is 3 coats with a coat of Barielle Camo underneath so "sheer" means "SHEER" lol.

<3

Hair Update: Transition Over!!

Um...yeah, I went to wash my hair after that twistout and it was so ugh...LOL! So I thought why not. Glad I did it, cuz I missed my curls/coils. Being that I did this in my bathroom by myself (!) I still have some more straight/relaxed pieces to cut off but overall it turned out just fine :) I transitioned a total of 15 months I think.

<3

FOTD: Teal Smoky Eyes

This look was done last week or so. My BFF (a guy!) actually asked me to do it one day. He kept saying "Green and Purple...Do eeeet!!" Appalled at the color choices...I compromised and put Cool Heat and Graphology together. Graphology is sort of purple-y, lol.

Here's the look:

 

What I used:
Laura Mercier Primer
Becca Luminous Skin Color [Tobacco]
Becca Stick Foundation, Concealer [Syrup]
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector [Topaz]
Nars Loose Powder [Jamaica]
MAC Blush [Gingerly]

Eyes
UDPP
MAC eyeshadows: Cool Heat, Graphology, Soft Brown, Shroom
MAC Smolder Eye Kohl
MAC Photogravure technakohl
L'Oreal Voluminous mascara [Carbon Black]

Brows: MAC Spiked

Lips
Nars lipstick [Dolce Vita]
Nars lipgloss [Stolen Kisses]

Holla <3

FOTD: Rihanna Inspired

I may be a bit late to the party, but that doesn't bother me, lol. I love Rihanna's video "What's My Name" and I finally attempted the lavender eyeshadow look she's wearing there. Just something different to try...And I have the colors so why not? :)

Here's a reference pic:

And here's my attempt at the look (my camera is of course not the best but here goes}:

What I used:
Face
Laura Mercier Primer
Prescriptives Anywear Foundation Stick [Antelope]
Becca Concealer [Syrup]
MAC Select Moisturecover [NW40]
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder/MAC Select Pressed Powder [NC45]
Cargo Bronzer [Dark]
Nars Albatross
Nars Blush [Desire]

Eyes
UDPP
MAC eyeshadows: Beautiful Iris, Digit, Parfait Amour, Shroom
MUFE #92
MAC Smolder Eye Kohl
Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion

Brows: MAC Spiked

Lips
Rimmel Lip Pencil [Addiction]
MAC Lipglass [She Loves Candy - Hello Kitty Collex]

If I try this again, I'll try a lipstick underneath...I'm thinking Pink Nouveau...hmmm. And more eye liner...

Take care <3

NOTD: Essie Midnight Cami

When I got this polish last year, it was intended to be an alternative to Chanel's Blue Satin...I think it works quite well in that role :) Oh and also good for those days when you want a dark mysterious yet chic color, but don't want to wear black.

Essie Midnight Cami

Two coats. This basically applied itself, too :)

<3,

A.

NOTDs: OPI It's Totally Fort Worth It & Essie Coat Azure

Hi gentle readers :)

Just posting a couple of NOTDs instead of doing some class work, lol. Team Procrastination--I am Captain haha.

Here is OPI It's Totally Fort Worth It, from the Spring 2011 Texas Collection

Silver shot through with pink shimmer. Love! If I were to design a nail polish to reflect my personality it would be very similar to this color, except it would be darker--like a charcoal grey shimmer with tiny pink shimmers shot through it. Looking like candy paint on a car. Yeah :) But this is just fine. And the wear on this was great, about 5 days or so. This was 3 coats, so it's pretty sheer. I wish you could see the shimmers better...

And next is my current mani: Essie Coat Azure, also for Spring 2011.

I had to cut my nails down AGAIN! *haz a sad* I don't know what the problem is but my left thumb nail is acting like it's on drugs or something. And I don't want all the other nails to be dramatically longer so I have to keep them kind of short till it (and my right index finger) gets on the ball and grows out normally...I want no peelies or tears this spring and summer season, that is an order! Lol, like they have ears. Anyhoo, this is 2 coats and the wear could be way better; it began peeling the day after I applied it (currently on Day 3), so I will be changing either tonight or tomorrow (depends on how much classwork I complete, right?)...But it's such a gorgeous light-medium blue (think a cousin of Essie's Lapiz of Luxury) that I'll deal.

Okay, I gotta get back to my work, peeps :) I hope to get some more makeup related posts up soon.

Ta-ta for now <3

NOTD: Essie Smokin' Hot

Here's my current NOTD. Essie Smokin' Hot, from the Winter 2010 collection.

Really feeling this color. It's grey, but has an eggplant plum-ish undertone. I think I remembered seeing RBL coming out with a color in the same family, so can't wait to see that one...Not that I need any new colors at the moment, lol!

Also want to note that this has the best formula. It was a dream to apply, in two coats, and was quick to dry. I didn't use Poshe this time, so it's not quite as shiny or flawless as I would like but that's not this color's fault, hehe. Blame it on the Orly In a Snap, grr!

Anywhoo, check this one out if you haven't yet. :-) I can see it being a timeless classic for a long while.

<3

FOTD: Prussian Parfait Amour

So here's what I'm wearing today. Some makeup, yay!! My skin's kinda dry lately so I haven't been in the mood to wear foundation, but today it's fine. Thanks for looking :-)

Face
Prescriptives Virtual Skin (Antelope)
MAC Select Cover up Concealer, Becca Concealer
Nars Loose Powder
Cargo Bronzer (Dark)
MAC Blush (Gingerly)
Nars Albatross

Eyes
UDPP
MAC Parfait Amour, Prussian, Soft Brown, Brule, Bamboo
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
Stila Eye Kohl (Sapphire)
Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion

Lips
MAC lip pencil (Hover)
Nars lip gloss (Stolen Kisses)

Take care!! <3

A Couple of NOTDs and a surprise!

Hey Guys!!
Sorry I've been MIA, I have had to take some personal time out and deal with some stuff *sigh* but I wanted to post about a lovely surprise I received in the mail last month. Totally unexpected, but can I just say that NARS does some awesome--say it again, AWESOME--customer service. I mean really, you'll see what I mean.

Look what they sent me as a free Holiday gift!!

Yes, this is the Nars Everlasting Love Palette. I think it retails for like $75 or something. Anyway, who just mails this out to people?! Hehe, who cares, I love Nars Santa :-) I haven't swatched any of the colors yet (still in shock, really) but I am so looking forward to doing an evening smokey eye (maybe for Valentine's Day??) with it.

Anywhoo, I finally pulled out Rescue Beauty Lounge polish in Diddy Mow, and I have to say it's so pretty. I had been dreading doing green for a while, but this one rocks.

And also happened to snatch up an OPI Katy Perry polish. I really didn't want any of the other colors, but this one called to me.  It's called Not Like The Movies

Aren't the shimmers and duochrome amazing?! Freaking love it! I do need to complain, though. This is two coats--it really could do for a third after taking these pics. And my workhorse Poshe topcoat shrank the top line and the tips, so I'll have to remember that the next time I wear it. But overall, I wanted a unique color and I definitely got it. No other polish like this in my stash.

Did you get any KP polishes?

I think I mentioned in my last post that I hadn't really been wearing any makeup for a while, just basic looks, if anything at all. Well, I want to get back into it soon, so hopefully I'll remember to take pics when I start. It's hard when you haven't been doing it for a while to "get back on the horse". LOL. But I'm up for the challenge :-) I have been skipping a lot of the collections that have been coming out and focusing on filling in holes of my stash. So I'll need to do a haul post of what I got soon, too.

Ok, that about wraps it up kiddos!!

Take care!

<3

Happy New Year!!! And Updates

Hi guys!
I know I have been gone for a little while, and am a bit late, but I hope everyone's having a great New Year thus far!!

Real life has been super crazy with the holidays, and I have just started my final class before I have to drudge through the internship process, so while I am very excited to be 91% complete with my Master's degree, I have been super stressed.

So here are some quick updates going on with me:

Nails:
As I've said before, just because I'm not posting doesn't mean that I'm not taking NOTD pics. So here are a few to check out:

 For Christmas, I decided to re-awaken my American manicure side (since I had the length for it, albeit short-lived, lol).
Here's Essie Marshmallow and Mademoiselle

Pretty good for freehand, right? LOL.

Essie Angora Cardi. I loved this one so much, I went back and got Island Hopping too but haven't worn it yet.
Something about plummy colors this time of year. Can't resist.

This is OPI Suzi Sells Sushi by the Seashore. Love. Perfect for everyday.

And here's my New Year's Eve Mani. I was apprehensive to do a "Glitta" nail because I hate the removal process in general (despite the beloved foil method), so this was a nice compromise. I started out with Rescue Beauty Lounge Dead Calm and was putting China Glaze Dorothy Who? on the ring finger as an accent. It was so pretty, I decided to put it on all the nails. It was a fun, festive mani for me.

Blurred this pic to show the glittery-ness, lol.

And here's my current NOTD, OPI Over The Taupe. Very surprised by this one. Undercover hit.

Ok, now for Hair:
As of this past weekend, I am officially 12 months post relaxer (whoo-hoo!). I don't have pics at the moment because I am in need of a trim, and have been going back and forth for the past few days on whether I should trim or just cut the relaxed ends off. They are ranging anywhere from 1-3" in length, so if waiting I have roughly another 6-8 months to go.  Part of me thinks it is silly to keep them at this point, since in 6-8 months my hair is going to grow regardless (and possibly more easily if I cut now?), but then the other part of me thinks there is still no rush.  My BF of course is ready with the scissors and a joke at every turn, haha. Plus with this extremely cold weather, I kind of want to wait...but then I'm not really out and about too much lately because of classes so it shouldn't matter. So, I'll keep you posted.

Skin:
I had to modify my regimen last month because I was still breaking out right before my period which was interfering with my clear skin mission (to fully rid myself of all dark spots).  So I picked up my old copy of Dr. Baumann's book to re-hash the regimen. Then I picked up Murad's Clarifying Cleanser to use at nite and continue using my Prescriptives wash in the morning. I am not using the Murad T-zone gel at all and have not broken out yet!! Coming into month two. I literally just cleanse and moisturize, and use a scrub when I remember (maybe every 2 wks!) and my skin looks great. Moisturizing with Clinique's Age Defense AM and PM moisturizers. Oh and using Bliss All Around eye cream day and night. Love that stuff, but it's looking like it's been discontinued?! Sigh...Again no pics, since I haven't been doing makeup or anything, but hopefully will take some soon.

Whew! I think that's it for right now.  Like I said, things have been crazy, but thanks so much for reading my blog, gentle readers!

Take care :-)