Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Herbal Hair Rinse for Healthy Hair and Scalp

Hey Chicas...


I've been meaning to post about herbal hair rinses for a while,
 but I've either been busy or forgetful or both - lol  




Anyway, below is a pic of my rosemary herbal 'tea' bags.  




What did you really think they were? :)




The benefits of herbal hair rinses are such that, they can:  


restore natural luster
lighten or darken hair
stimulate the scalp
prevent dandruff
etc etc 




These benefits are dependent upon which variety of herbs that you choose.


I've used rosemary & nettle.  


The former will stimulate the scalp, prevent hair loss, and minimize breakage..
The latter will treat dandruff and/or prevent it as well as stimulate the scalp...


I try (try being the operative word) to do them once a month.  
Ideally I would like to do them twice a month but.....I don't for whatever reason :)


They are very simple to do: boil water, pour over tea bag, let steep for about 20 min, then pour and rub into scalp after you shampoo and/or condition your hair - that's what I do.  


Some people rinse it out - I don't. I leave it in.
I also pour the tea into a spray bottle for easy application.


Do you do herbal hair rinses? 
Do you like them?
What are some herbs that you use?


Labels: , , , , 3 comments

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Beauty in Words

I haven't done one of these in a while.  
I'm pretty obsessed with quotes and I loved this one.


Have a GREAT long weekend!


Labels: 2 comments

Friday, May 27, 2011

NIVEA Giveaway Winners Announced!!

Photobucket

Congrats Monique & Ishah!!!
Please send me your mailing info to receive your prizes. 
 Thanks everyone for participating.
Special thanks to those of you that spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Muah!
Labels: , , 2 comments

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Giveaway Time!! Win NIVEA 4 pack Hydra IQ Gift Set


How many of you have trouble finding a body lotion that keeps your skin moisturized and also stops the itching and flaking associated with dryness?  


If you're one of these people, listen up I have some news for you.  


NIVEA, which has been around for 100 years has a new cutting-edge system called 
HYDRA IQ that delivers moisture where it's needed the most and lasts all day.


So no more looking ashy or having dry cracked skin after using the NIVEA Hydra IQ line.  


If you want to try the Nivea Hydra IQ line for yourself to see what the buzz is all about then simply enter this giveaway.  I've partnered up with NIVEA and they're offering 2 of my lucky readers a 4 pack set of the following:  






NIVEA Express Hydration Freshening Gel $7.99, NIVEA Express Hydration Body Lotion $8.99, NIVEA Touch of Cashmere Body Wash $5.99, and NIVEA Touch of Serenity Body Wash $5.99 . 


I've been using NIVEA for years and have been using the Hydra IQ line for a few weeks - 
you won't be disappointed.


To enter just like the BeautyXchange on Facebook, or follow on Twitter or Google Connect.  


Pick whichever entry method you want (but let me know which you choose)
 then leave a comment telling me how you keep your skin smooth.  


Pretty simple.  
Oh, but you only have 2 days to enter. 
So enter quickly.  2 lucky readers will win. 
Woot Woot!.

Winner will be announced Friday morning.


Contest Closed

Labels: , , 13 comments

Monday, May 23, 2011

Pretty Girls Rock at Billboard Music Awards

I happened to land on the Billboard Music awards tonight by accident, I was planning on watching Celebrity Apprentice but once I saw Beyonce performing my choice of what to watch became clear.  How many of you tuned in to the award show last night? 
What were your thoughts?  


Here are some looks that I thought were pretty worthy of some attention:


Fergie Ferg
I like this ensemble.  Very avant-garde.



Kelly Rowland
I like this color on Kelly 
but this bandage style dress is getting old.



Um.  I don't have anything positive to say so...





Moving on.....





Rihanna

Hands down my favorite look. Ri Ri worked it.




Keri Hilson looked cute. 




Any favorites?




P.S. - the highlight of the show for me was Beyonce's performance

and her speech thanking her Mom, Dad, former group members, 

and last but not least her best friend, Jay-Z.  That was too cute.


Labels: , 2 comments

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Real Housewives Hair Cocktail with Vodka?? (Video)

These Housewives are really something - check out Kelly Bensimon from Real Housewives of NY make a Hair Cocktail with actual alcohol - yep some Grey Goose Vodka to be exact.  





Kelly's Hair Cocktail Recipe :
olive oil
salt
lemon juice 
vodka 


The olive oil adds shine, sea salt removes product and residue, and the lemon juice and vodka actually work to bring out natural highlights - so which one of you will be attempting this cocktail?  ;-)








Labels: , , 0 comments

Friday, May 20, 2011

Do Business & Find a Business Better with BetterFly.com

There are a lot of men and women out there, some that I know that have side hustles, side gigs, side businesses - that want to promote their services without paying an arm and a leg for marketing or advertising - which isn't cheap, but is essential to the profitability of their business. 


On the flip side there are many men and women out there that are looking for specific types of services that are offered by individuals and not a big business.  


Why? Because lots of folks like the personalized attention they receive from a small business owner and want to support them by giving them their business which is not a bad idea at all especially if you’re small business owner.  Who doesn't want more clients?


If you fall into any of the two categories above, then the site, Betterfly is for you.  


So, what does it do?
If you fit the 1st category that I mentioned earlier, which is having a side gig or business -  then the beauty of this site is that it allows you to create a FREE, personalized page to promote your business and services, almost like having your own website except you’re not paying for it.


If any of you ladies are makeup artist, hairstylist, massage therapist, stylists, etc - this is excellent for you to promote your services. 


Men if you are barbers, coaches, trainers, handy-men etc this would be great for you also.


How much does it cost? 
It’s F-R-E-E.


What benefit do you get?  
New clients.  More Exposure.


To create your own page click Become a Betterist


If you fall into the 2nd category, which is you’re looking for a particular service like a tutor or hair stylist then this site is great for that too.  It's like an online yellow pages.  




 You can actually test out the search feature here on the BeautyXchange.  
Look to the right for the widget.  


The widget on this page is customized for this site 
so you will only be able to search for beauty related services.  


But, you can check out the full monty of search options and categories on www.betterfly.com   
==========================================================


Do you think Betterfly would be useful to a small business?
Would you use it to search for services?  

Let me know. 


Labels: , 0 comments

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Beauty Buzz: Tea and Honey Blends



The hair care industry is pretty amazing.  Don't you think? Despite the enormity of the industry – with new product lines launching almost daily - The simple fact that there is a product out there for YOU - designed to cater your hair's needs is pretty amazing especially in a relatively saturated market. 


About a year and half ago, I came across an article about Tea and Honey Blends, a hair care line catering to women of color with either natural or relaxed hair.  


The article had piqued my interest because apparently one of the ladies behind the brand is a graduate of Rutgers University, which happens to be my alma mater.  Go RU!  J




I know there are many ladies like me that are interested in learning more about the newest hair care lines that are out in the market and whether that particular brand will fill a void in terms of their hair care routine.  So here’s some info :





About Tea & Honey Blends:






"Catering to both natural and chemically treated hair and operating under the mantra “A Natural Blend of Beauty and Satisfaction,” Tea and Honey Blends has been able to utilize its founders’, Dr. Tiffani Bailey Lash and Dr. Tashni - Ann Dubroy, expertise in chemistry to generate this line of hair care products."
"The Dr’s not only found their passion in beauty care and cosmetology, but also in encouraging young women to pursue careers in the male dominated field of science." 
"The products are all uniquely designed to stimulate growth and promote healthy hair without harsh chemicals."
Price range $9.99 to $14.99



Have you tried this line? What were your thoughts?
Labels: , , , , , 3 comments

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Hair's My Natural Beauty: GG

Welcome to another edition of Hair's My Natural Beauty - a series of informative/inspiring/insightful Natural Hair interviews showcasing the various textures of natural hair.  


This week's Natural Hair beauty is...


GG 
from 
Maryland


How would you describe your hair?
My hair is free-spirited, rebellious, sensitive and more than a little bit goofy, like me.  I have fine strands, but I have a lot of hair on this big head of mine.  People have told me that it's 3C/4A, but I'm not all the way sure about that system.  It's curly in the back and on the sides, my crown is kind of wavy and frizzy and the front is just frizzy - it really doesn't have much definition at all up there.




How long has your been in its natural state?
I've been fully natural for almost 2 years.  I transitioned for 3 years prior to that.


What prompted you to "go natural"? 
I was going through big changes in my life at the time.  Some people call it a "quarter-life crisis" - that time in your mid to late twenties when you start to reevaluate your perspective on life and yourself.  I find that as women, we often look to do something different with our hair when we are going through changes.  I'd always had long-ish hair, but just like everyone else, I've always struggled with it.  My hair and I had this loving/abusive relationship.  I decided to grow out my relaxer with the hopes that my natural hair would be thicker, stronger and healthier.


In your opinion, what is the main difference between having 
natural hair vs chemically relaxed hair?
For me, the main difference is versatiility.  I can do so many different things with my hair now.  Even when it's just in a bun, I feel like it "says" more than it did when I was relaxed.  Instead of bone straight being the texture for every style I wear, my hair texture is like a chameleon and it's different every time I style it.  Sometimes it's wavy, sometimes it's poofy...it could be big curls or little curls.  Even when I straighten it, I don't do it bone straight because I want my texture to still shine through.  I see many relaxed women with unique, healthy, beautiful hair.  But for me, cutting out the relaxers really set my hair free and showed me that I was covering up all this beauty with chemicals.  I parallel my natural hair journey to my life because it taught me that the more I show the true "textures" of who I am, the more confident and self-directed I would be.




Are there any particular styles that you favor 
when styling your natural hair?
In September 2010, I decided that I want to grow my hair to waist length by December 2011.  So, I've been wearing mostly protective styles.    My most frequent styles are buns and braid outs styled in various ways.  In the summer, I rock a lot of ponytails as well.  When I feel the itch, I'll blow my hair out and set it in rollers or pin curls.  I've learned that stretched styles work better for me because my hair gets so tangled and knotty.  I adore twist outs and wash n gos but I keep them at a minimum for that tangly reason.




Do you accessorize your hair?  
I don't accessorize often, but I admire accessories in everyone else's hair!  The ones I use most often are headbands and scarves.  I've also done the occasional flower behind the ear.  When it comes to overall style, I definitely consider my hair to be my best accessory.  :)


What hair products work best for your hair?  
Answering this question could turn into a post all by itself, so I'll try to keep it brief.  I've listed most of my current favorites below.  I have my go-to's but I also like to keep a strong bench in case I run out or can't quickly replace something.  My hair loves water-based, creamy conditioners and light oils and butters.  I prefer shampoos that don't strip my hair too much.  Typically, I'll put conditioner or oil in my hair before I shampoo it to help with this. 


 Shampoo
 Curls Creamy Curl Cleanser, SheaMoisture Shea Butter Shampoo


A thick, slippery co-wash conditioner 
Aussie Moist, Tresemme Naturals, Herbal Essences Helly Hydration, Pantene Curly Series


Deep conditioner 
Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose, Pantene Curly Hair Deep Treatment 
(I typically add EVOO or castor oil to these)


Moisturizing/Detangling Spray
Jane Carter Revitalizing Leave-In, Infusium Moisturizing Leave-In, Fermodyl 619 for curly hair


Creamy Leave-In Conditioner
Kinky Curly Knot Today, Cantu Shea Butter, Giovanni Direct Leave-in, Deva One Condition, Yes to Cucumbers


Creamy Moisturizers/Styling Creams
Bee Mine Luscious Moisturizer, Carol's Daughter Hair Milk, SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie


Oils/Butters/Sealers
 Oyin Burnt Sugar Pomade, Bee Mine Hair and Scalp Moisturizer, Homemade shea butter, coconut oil, aloe mix, various other oils




What is your hair regimen? 
In the summer I wash every two weeks or so and co-wash in between as needed.  In the winter I wash once a month and rarely co-wash.  I've done two henna treatments so far (loved it!)  and plan to do treatments every other month going forward.  Everytime I wash I either pre-poo, deep condition, or oil rinse.  I also dust my ends quite often.  When I'm twisting or braiding my hair, I always cut off any hair at the end that looks scraggly. 


What resources helped you along your natural hair journey?
The first resource I found was CurlyNikki.com and it was a game changer for me.  I also used BGLHonline.com and Long Hair Care Forum to find a lot of helpful information and advice.  Nowadays, my list of natural hair blogs is crazy long but I continue to learn from the online natural hair community.


Hair's my natural beauty because.......
My hair reminds me that I'm free, I'm complicated, I'm unique and I'm loveable just the way I am.  It reminds me that I can try different things and not let the fear of failure hold me back.  It makes me feel empowered and creative.  Lastly, my hair is symbolic of that crucial time in my life when I started seeing myself as beautiful even with all my quirks and kinks and idiosyncracies.  That's something I never want to forget.  :)


============================================
GG's interview was super informative, don't you think? 
Definitely check her out at http://www.thewritecurldiary.com/

Her site is full of wonderful wisdom & inspiration
Labels: 2 comments

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Giveaway Winner Announced

The winner of the Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Instant Repair Treatment 

is 

drumroll please........





Janelle 
"I was in CVS the other day and wanted to try the Organix conditioner, but I picked up something else instead. Will love to try it."
Janelle, please email me to claim your prize 

Thank you for entering!!! 


P.S. Blogger was down Friday so I was unable to announce the winner then as promised.
Labels: 1 comments

Friday, May 13, 2011

Want to be a Nasty Gal?

Hey ladies, I came across this website, called Nasty Gal - an online shop that sells vintage clothing and accessories as well as unique designers.  


Of course, I'm in love with these....

platform wedges

and this ruffled chambray dress





this trench is love


look at the back 

If you want to be a Nasty Gal check out the site for these items + some other funky pieces


Labels: 1 comments

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

4 Major Causes of Hair Breakage

Healthy hair is important to women regardless of hair type or texture. Do you know any woman who wants to walk around with bald spots or hair that is falling out and/or shedding excessively? Chances are you don't. If not taken seriously, breakage can cause lasting affects on your hair's health.


4 Major Causes of Breakage


1. Hairstyles - If there is tightness or tension on your scalp from any style chances are you will suffer from severe breakage. Although hair is comprised of protein, keratin to be exact - it is fragile especially around the nape and crown. If there is tugging, pulling, pressure, tightness this can lead to bald patches.


From my own personal experience I can tell you that the way you choose to style your hair is important in preventing and/or minimizing breakage. Recently, I wore synthetic extensions styled in braids for two months. At the time, I had them done I was wincing in pain at the tightness of the braids on my scalp. I suffered major breakage at the crown of my head as a result.


2. Styling Tools - Excessive use of heat related tools like blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons, hot rollers, etc will weaken your hair's cuticle. Limit the frequency of usage and minimize the length of time the heat is in contact with your hair. If you are using heating tools excessively make sure to deep condition your hair on a weekly basis.


3. Manipulating Wet Hair - If your hair is wet try to minimize its manipulation. Wet hair is more susceptible to breakage than dry hair. Use a detangler to reduce tangles and knots. Also, use a wide tooth comb to section and detangle. If a brush must be used, make sure to start at the ends and work your way up while holding your hair taut at the base.


4. Styling Products - The excessive use of chemical processes like coloring, straightening, and bleaching will dry your hair out if not maintained properly which will in turn cause, brittle, vulnerable hair susceptible to breakage. Limit the use of these products and be sure to condition accordingly when necessary.


Of course there are other factors that also contribute to hair breakage - such as illness and/or nutrition. However, these four factors are controllable by you. If you are able to minimize these causes you will be doing you and your hair a great service.

Labels: 5 comments

Monday, May 9, 2011

Pretty Ballerina Flats



Back in the day (pre-motherhood) you wouldn't catch me without heels unless I was wearing house slippers,  thong sandals in the summer, or wearing sneakers to workout.


  Nowadays, I practically live in flats.  Don't call me old - haha but these days I choose comfort and practicality over towering stilts especially when I'm with the little kiddies.  


Ballerina flats are extremely versatile.


What I also love about them is that you can dress them up or down and never feel like your comprising your femininity or sense of fashion.


Pretty Ballerinas, is a Canadian line that offers a wide selection of flats that range in colors, and styles.


So many options and styles to choose from - quilted, bridal, swarovski, limited edition, etc


I might have to find my way to their shop when I journey to Canada this summer. 





















Check the link below to view the entire collection





http://prettyballerinas.ca/collection.html


Labels: 3 comments

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Take Stock of Your Lips with Lipstock Cream

   At any given time, I have at least four different lip balms in my handbag.  For the last couple of months however, I've been reaching soley for this little white tube of perfection.  


It's a lip conditioning treatment (although it could pass for a tube of lipstick) that goes on very light and smooth.  It's made of all natural ingredients that are formulated to keep your lips supple and moist.  


For those of you that suffer from extremely chapped lips regardless of the season - this is for you.  For makeup enthusiasts that want a smooth finish to complement color application - this is for you too.  For eco-friendly and eco-chic ladies that want something free of chemicals, without fragrance, and is loaded with certified organic ingredients - yep, you guessed it - this is for you as well.


Aside from the fact that it does the job of keeping my lips moisturized, it's small enough to carry in your smallest clutch and it comes wrapped like candy. 





Lippie addicts get your own here: http://www.lipstockist.com/



Labels: 2 comments

Thursday, May 5, 2011

3 Deep Conditioning Treatments for Any Hair Type

Deep Conditioning Treatments are essential to maintaining a healthy head of hair.  There purpose is to  penetrate the hair shaft and either reconstruct (if it's a protein packed treatment) or hydrate (if it's a moisturizing treatment).  


Here are 3 deep conditioning treatments that pack a pretty good punch when it comes to treating dry, brittle, or over processed hair. 


1.  Salon Care Cholesterol Cream Conditioner - This product is very inexpensive and I prefer it to the Queene Helene Cholesterol.   It's very thick and creamy and will leave your hair soft and manageable.  


Restores moisture lost during chemical services or heat styling
Prevent breakages and split ends
Reduces frizz and fly-aways
Leaves hair soft and smooth
Hair is more manageable
For all hair types


Retail Store - Sally Beauty Supply 
Retail Price - $2.50 




2. Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Instant Repair Treatment - This treatment has a nice coconut scent.  It's packed with keratin and silk proteins to repair damaged hair.  After use you should definitely feel a difference in terms of strength. The coconut milk is an added benefit that nourishes damaged hair.  


Indulge your senses with this exclusive blend of organic coconut milk to nourish your hair, while ultra whipped egg white proteins add strength and elasticity, along with weightless coconut oils to add hydration and balance. It's tropical, luxurious, silky and works to instantly repair and condition split ends. Organic coconut milk and weightless coconut oil blended with silk and keratin proteins create a silk repair therapy.


Retail Store - Walgreens, CVS, Target, etc

Retail Price - $6.99
3.  MopTop Lavendar Mint Deep Conditioner - I really really like this treatment although the price is a bit steep.  The conditioner itself is super super thick and has a light minty scent.  You can feel the coolness (almost like menthol) of the product while in your hair.  After using this your hair feels incredibly soft and moisturized. 


Made with natural humectants and rich conditioning botanicals.
Protects and tames hair using sea botanicals and honey.
Hydrates efficiently by increasing the absorption rate through hair layers.
Penetrates the hair, which builds up the moisture content and helps prevent split ends. The result is soft, silky hair.


Online store - www.moptophair.com
Price - $31.50


These treatments will work on any hair texture as the purpose of them is to treat and condition dry, brittle, overprocessed, or damaged hair.


If you've used any of these let me know your thoughts.


P.S. - I'm feeling a bit generous - so leave a comment and I'll giveaway #2 -the  Organix Coconut Milk Treatment to one lucky person. :-)  


Winner will be drawn randomly and announced Friday May 13th 


Labels: 5 comments
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...