How I Retain Moisture

I found that when I made moisture my primary goal (not length, style, etc) it made a dramatic difference. I pre-pooed to retain moisture and prevent drying shampoo, the shampoo I used was selected because of minimal stripping properties, my conditioner�s choice was targeted towards the ones that seemed to be the most moisturizing, and now my styling products that are chosen for their moisturizing properties.

I aim to implement moisture at each step of my regimen:

Pre-poo: The first step in my regimen and like so many things in life the first step is the most important step. So don�t slack at this step.

Shampoo: A stripping shampoo can make your pre-poo step almost irrelevant. First I aim at really cleaning my scalp by applying shampoo directly to my scalp. While I am massaging the shampoo on my scalp suds form and I use those to cleanse the rest of my length.

Conditioner: I used to think that any conditioner could be used as a deep conditioner until I read somewhere (that I can�t find right now) that there is molecular difference in rinse out conditioners and deep conditioners. I am still on the fence with this one but that�s a topic for another day. The goal for moisture at the conditioning step is to deep condition with a moisturizing conditioner. The way in which you do (shower cap, heat, no heat, etc) really had not shown that big of a difference to me.

Styling: You don�t want the last step of your routine to ruin all of your hard work. Selecting a styling product that contributes to all of moisturizing that you have done at each step will benefit a whole lot more than an alcohol filled drying product. I style on damp hair and seal as I go.

Special treatment, such as protein, that are done to strengthen the hair should be followed with a moisturizing treatment. Proper strength and moisturize will decrease or prevent breakage. Too much of anything can be harmful so proper balance is key.

I retain moisture by adding moisture in each step. I haven�t had a problem with dryness for almost a year.

As always, this is what I found that works for me � experiment and find what works for your hair.

strangely beautiful

"I don't like standard beauty. 

There's no beauty without strangeness."

Karl Lagerfeld

 photo source: tumblr and chicmuse

hello lovelies :)

i know that most of my posts lately are inspirations rather than my own outfit posts. i haven't been going out too much lately and if i do, i'm not in the mood to dress up or i just don't have someone to take the pictures for me. anyway, i am leaving tomorrow for ilocos and i'm sure there would be tons of pictures for me to share when i get back :) 

so bear with me just a little. 

i will be back next week. 

ciao lovelies! 

enjoy your holy week and don't forget to pray too.

xx

Bunning It!

After having my fun with the Jill Scott inspired style I decided to use the style as a starting point for this week's protective style - more buns :)

Sunday Style: Jill Scott Inspired

Jill Scott rocked this style on the red carpet of the Why Did I Get Married Too? (I can't wait to see this movie!) premier and on the Jimmy Fallon show:

Here is my interpretation:

I had to change up the cornrow pattern just a little because I don't have any hair to grip at my temples (I'm okay with that). The most challenging part of this style was parting for the cornrows while trying to look in the mirror and compare the parts to the pic. I liked the outcome of this style.

Sunday's Message:

The Man in the Middle

John 19:4-11

In this story Pilate was caught in the middle and used in ways that he did not foresee - as a result, His hands got dirty. Most of us will steer clear of troublesome situations if we see them coming. We need to recognize that God has the power to use us for honor or dishonor but He still controls the outcome.

You can get dirty hands:

1. When you put popularity before principles (doing what people want instead of what you know to be right)

2. By not using the authority you have (staying silent when God tells you to speak up)

3. By assuming power you don't have (every situation is not ours to fix)

high heels hurt

Balmain

Fact of life: 

No matter how expensive, 

at the end of the night 

HIGH HEELS HURT.

Isabelle Daza

 

Alexander Wang

Fendi

Givenchy

Jimmy Choo

Manolo Blahnik

Thakoon

photo source: tumblr

WANT: BALAMAIN AND THAKOON

 what's yours?

XX

for the love of L.C. and L.O.

Lo: I don�t wanna sleep in a rented tent. That�s gross.
Lauren: There�s not even showers. Where do you shower? It�s like, you hang in like, one of those bags from a tree. Has a little spout thing.
Lo: Are you lying?
Lauren: No, I�m totally serious. You�ve never seen those in camping stores?
Lo: Do I go to camping stores?

 

 photo source: tumblr

i love these two soooo much since Laguna Beach.

i'm going to miss The Hills, i must admit.

and oh, this post is for the best friend who's going through a tough time now.

i'm here Nez, always.

i love you, bff!

xx

Sneak peak...

Jill Scott inspired style...

Product Review: Dabur Jasmine Hair Oil

The description of this product made it sound enticing and everything that I had ever smelled that was scented with Jasmine was always nice. I decided to give it a shot.

Ingredients: Paraffinum Liquidum, Cotton Seed Oil, t-Butyl Hydroquinone, Fragrance; Colors: Yellow No. 10 & Red No. 17

They say: Nourishes hair while providing a rich silky feel and a delightful fragrance of Jasmine flowers

I say: The scent is STRONG. There is no way I could use this on a day in which I could not open up the windows in the house. It works great as a pre-poo and helped my hair stay soft after shampooing. I probably won't purchase again solely because of the strong smell. Days later after the scent has faded what remains is a nice soft fragrance.

Product Review: Soul Glo

Okay, it's really Care Free Curl Instant Moisturizer but so what - this stuff has been amazing at moisturizing my hair. It was a little odd to purchase because all I kept hearing was "drip drip Jheri curl" in my head. But if I can purchase Castor oil - I can do anything, LOL.

This past winter I was concerned that I wasn't going to find something for the spring/summer season that worked as well as Aloe Gro but, I think that have and I love that it's something I can purchase out of a store. No shopping for ingredients, no mixing, and no time consuming tasks!

Good Guide rates this product at 7.6.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearalkonium Chloride, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Fragrance (Parfum), Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Dimethicone, Silica, FIL D2549/1.

They say: Exclusively formulated for today�s �Dry Curl� style to help prevent hair breakage while providing �round the clock� moisture control without excess wetness. Excellent for body waves and natural styles.

I say: I have been using it for almost a week now and I have never felt my hair so soft. I hope this has an impact on my split ends and single strand knots. I love the smell and I think this will definitely be a staple in my product line-up.

Work it Ms. Scott!

Check out this fly hair on Jill Scott!

I will be copying this style! I have to, I love this look.

what women really want

�If you ask any lady they want to be taller, 

they want to be slimmer, you know, 

and they want a waist. 

I'm not here to make people look like a sack of potatoes.�

Alexander McQueen

photo source: tumblr

I DIED.

P.S.

so sorry for the lack of posts. 

will be back soon.

xx

Castor Oil Challenge Weeks 6-8

Been slacking with posting on this topic...mainly because things have been pretty consistent for a few weeks

My scalp looks and feels great and my root are so soft. I can't believe the difference that I am feeling.

Only few more days in March and this challenge is over. I am already proud of myself for sticking with it this long. I tend to lose interest, get bored, and stop things.

On April 1 I am going to have spa day with my hair and that includes:
Pre-poo

Shampooing the scalp and length

a long DC

and a roller-set

I am also contemplating a henna treatment

Sunday Style: BBA

BBA? Big Beautiful Afro...it came to me while I was sitting in church (lol). I never like that BAA term because well, I don't use that type of language and I don't even like to think them. So it's a BBA for me :)

BTW, have you heard: National Afro Day

Sunday's Message: "Tongue Tied"

Proverbs 18:20-21; Deuteronomy 30:11-15, 19

Instead of points the preacher of the day asked us questions. I like questions because they stimulate thinking:

1. How can the tongue bind us to death?

2. Why would we choose any other option?

3. Can we loose something that has already been bound to death?

From this message I got that we should use our tongues to defeat our situations and give life. Instead of our tongue to make our situations worse and tear people down we should be as the word says we are. The Word says we are "the head and not the tail, lenders not borrowers, and the salt of the earth." You are what you eat - including the words you speak with your mouth.

Warm Weather Regimen

This regimen is still in the making and subject to change frequently until I get it how my hair likes it.

Cleansing Routine

During the warmer months I like to shampoo weekly because I love being outside. As a result, there will be build up from sweat and outside dander and dust.

Shampoo Products
Suave Tropical Coconut Shampoo

Dudu-Osun Black Soap Shampoo

Conditioning Routine

All year long I deep condition weekly- This does not change.

Deep Conditioners
Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat

Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol

Co-washing Conditioners
Aussie Moist Conditioner
Herbal Essence Hello Hydration

Leave-In Conditioners
Shea Moisture Shea Butter Leave-in conditioner

Moisturizing & Sealing

The Sun is hot and always on my head so I still like to moisturize my hair after being exposed to the harmful rays of the Sun. Moisturizing and sealing will be done multiple times throughout the week.

Products
Kemi Oyl Conditioning Spray (moisturizer)

Moisturizing shea butter mix (sealing)

Styling Products
IC Aloe Vera Gel (for slicking back hair for buns)

Organic Root Stimulator Nature's Shine

Shea Butter (for all other styles)

Oils
Coconut Oil (used to prepoo)

Olive Oil (used to prepoo and in DC)

Peppermint Oil (used in DC)
Rosemary Oil (used in DC)

Special/Other Treatments

Protein: 1 egg & 1 tbs olive oil added to Lustrasilk Shea Butter Cholesterol

Pre-poo: generous amount of Coconut Oil or Olive Oil applied to hair and left overnight

Henna: twice a year (start of fall and start of spring)

Trims: when needed, S&D!!!

Hair Styles
Buns/Twists/Cornrows Monday - Friday

Braid Out/Twist Out/Wash N Go � on weekends

Hair Challenges

Weekday protective style challenge (self challenge) buns, twists, updos, etc

Regimen

Shampoo weekly on Saturday (if possible)

Deep Condition weekly (minimum of 30 minutes)

Protective style Monday - Friday

Co-wash � when needed

Hair out days: weekends only Pre-poo (before shampoo only) ? Friday night (overnight)

Inspired Style

Spring is here! Time to have some fun :)

Alas, my twist out was too defined! This style I will attempt again because I want it big and wild just like Yaya's.

To get this look a twist is gather in a high pony and clip (or pin) in place. Leave a little out for the "bang" and throw on some fierce earrings and you are ready to go.

pick one

Sometimes there are two very opposite directions, 

and we go with the stronger one at the end. 

It's an impulse thing, like, 

'Oh, I love both so much, but it's got to be one or the other

because the two don't work together.'

Marc Jacobs 

 

photo source: tumblr

fashion quote but EXACTLY what i'm feeling right now too.

i hate you, cause of confusion!!!

P.S.

shout out to ek and gela :)

xx

My Shampoo Routine

source

1. Separate hair in sections and wet each section thoroughly
2. Apply a small amount of shampoo to the scalp in one section and massage with fingertips
3. Rinse the shampoo out of the hair in a smoothing motion from the roots to the ends
4. Apply conditioner to the ends first and then apply the the rest of the length
5. Follow the same steps for each section

I have been following the steps above for cleansing my hair for months and the results have been great. I don't experience any drying and the detangling process has end been quicker. Rinsing the hair in a smoothing motion helps start the detangling process before applying conditioner which is usually the starting point for detangling for many of us. So there you have it - my shampoo routine, simple.

How does your shampoo/wash routine compare?

In The News:

Suit claims �natural� hair growth product really has minoxidil

A dozen Chicago area residents and patrons of the institute filed a consumer fraud suit alleging that while the company claims the products are natural and chemical-free, testing on those same products showed evidence of minoxidil � an active ingredient in Rogaine and other hair re-growth products.

American Hair Growth Centers

To read the entire story click the title above.

two toned

HELLO LOVELIES :)

so sorry if i've been absent from my blog lately. i'm now back to work after a week long vacation plus it's just too hot to dress up! to top it all of, my camera's self timer won't work. BOO! :(

nothing too special about the outfit today. just wanted to show you guys my two toned tights from Topshop. haven't really worn it cos it's really too hot in the country lately!

speaking of too hot, it's almost the holy week and that means THE BEACH!!! i'm going with my lovelies Aids, Lev, Jace, Jayvee and some other friends to Ilocos, baby :) :) :)

first time and i can't wait!!! plus i've missed my lovelies too much! last time we went out of town was 2008, i think, in Boracay. 

and as always, my question is, 

WHAT TO WEAR?

Tomato mini dress. oversized blazer from my uncle's closet. Topshop two toned tights. booties from SM. cocktail ring. thin bracelets.

am i the only one who thinks the tights make the legs look bigger?

P.S.

shout out to aids and to my imaginary bf :)

xx