Thursday, October 27, 2011

Hair's My Natural Beauty: Chantel

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...

Chantel
from
Newark, NJ
How would you describe your hair?


MY HAIR HAS A MIND OF IT OWN. SOMETIMES I MANAGE TO ACHIEVE THE LOOK I'M GOING FOR AND SOMETIMES IT'S STUBBORN

How long have you been natural?


I ATTEMPTED TO GO NATURAL TWICE BEFORE I ACTUALLY STUCK WITH IT. MARCH 28, 2008 WAS THE LAST TIME I RELAXED MY HAIR (ACTUALLY IT WAS A TEXTURIZER...I CALL MYSELF WEANING MYSELF OFF SLOWLY). I'M APPROACHING MY 3RD YEAR AND I'M STILL GOING STRONG. YAY!

What prompted you to "go natural"?


I DON'T HAVE ONE OF THOSE 'I WANTED TO GO BACK TO MY ROOTS' TYPE OF STORIES. I SIMPLE HAD TO MAKE A CHOICE OF HAVING COLOR IN MY HAIR (WHICH CONSIST OF BLEACHING) VS A PERM.. I CHOSE COLOR AND GAVE UP THE PERM. IF I WOULD HAVE KEPT UP WITH THE DOUBLE CHEMICAL, I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD ANY HAIR BY THE TIME I WAS 40. ALSO, MY HAIR IS ON THE THINNER/FINER SIDE, SO WHEN I'D PERM MY HAIR MY SCALP WOULD BE VISIBLE FOR THE 1ST TWO WEEKS.

In your opinion, what is the main difference between having natural hair vs chemically relaxed hair?


FOR ME THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IS VERSATILITY. I'VE ALWAYS TOOK CARE OF MY HAIR. WHEN MY HAIR WAS RELAXED, I WOULD GET DEEP CONDITIONS, DOOBIES, AND TRIMS ON THE REGULAR.

What hair styles are you fond of using to style your natural hair?


LATER I'VE BEEN EXPERIMENTING WITH MY TWIST OUTS AND BRAIDS OUTS. I'M TRYING TO MINIMIZE ON USING MY FLAT IRONS SO MUCH...SO ONE MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS WAS TO NOT FLAT IRON MY HAIR AS MUCH AND I'VE BEEN STICKING TO IT

Do you accessorize your hair? What accessories do you use?


IN THE WINTER I REALLY DON'T. I PLAN ON USING MORE ACCESSORIES IN THE SUMMER
 
What hair products (shampoos, conditioners, styling aids) work best for your hair? Why?


I'M A HUGE FAN OF TRADER JOE'S PRODUCTS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY ARE NATURAL, THE CONDITIONER DE TANGLES MY HAIR AND THEY ARE CHEAP!!!! ALSO PANTENE FOR WOMEN OF COLOR CONDITIONER FOR THE SAME REASONS (EXCEPT FOR THE NATURAL PART)

What is your hair regimen? How often do you wash/co-wash?


CO-WASH EVERY WEEK, DEEP CONDITION TREATMENT, MOISTURIZE, AND TWIST OR BRAID WITH WHATEVER PRODUCT I GRAB OFF THE SHELF
 
What resources, tools, books, videos, etc helped you along your natural hair journey?


YOUTUBE, NATURAL VETS, CURLY NIKKI, PATIENCE, AND MY OWN TRAIL AND ERROR
 
Hair's my natural beauty because....
I CAN BE SO VERSATILE. MY HAIR CAN BE MY OUTFIT FOR THE DAY, IT CAN BE AN ACCESSORY, IT CAN STAND OUT, IT CAN BLEND IN...ITS WHAT GOD GAVE ME AND I'M PROUD THAT I FINALLY GOT OVER WHAT SOCIETY THINKS ABOUT NATURAL HAIR AND DECIDED TO EMBRACE IT. I ENCOURAGE EVERY BLACK WOMEN TO GO ON A NATURAL JOURNEY AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIFE.
 
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This interview should have been up ages ago! I've been a slacker,  anyway Chantel and I go way back, we used to work together back when I lived in Jersey.  She is super sweet. 
 
I'm pretty sure some of the above info may have changed with regards to her hair products, and regimen so be sure to check out her blog, Natural State of Mind and subscribe to her youtube channel for updates. 

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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

What are your Fall Must Haves?

This fall it's all about comfort for me and layers. I lover layering.
Two items that I'm keeping a look out for are: booties and scarves.

For cute and inexpensive booties: check out DSW they have a wide range to accomodate any budget.


For scarves: check out Target, TJMaxx, or any large department store. 
Once you have your scarves in check then you can check out this video on different ways to wear them.



What are some of your Fall must haves?

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Thursday, October 20, 2011

Treasure Our Tresses Event

Hey ladies, I want to bring to your attention a natural hair event that will take place in Chicago, IL on November 5th with internet sensation, Natural Chica, and the Mane Source blog.  If you're in the Chicago area and decide to attend; definitely share your experience with us.

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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

30 Super Simple Smoothies to Get Your Health Kick On

Hey lovelies!  Since last post I talked about Breast Cancer Awareness, I figured it would be appropos to follow it up with a health related post today.  Nothing too crazy, just some simple smoothie ideas. 
 30 Super Simple Smoothies:

1. Banana: Blend 2 bananas, 1/2 cup each vanilla yogurt and milk, 2 teaspoons honey, a pinch of cinnamon and 1 cup ice.

2. Strawberry-Banana: Blend 1 banana, 1 cup strawberries, 1/2 cup each vanilla yogurt and milk, 2 teaspoons honey, a pinch of cinnamon and 1 cup ice.

3. Strawberry Shortcake: Blend 2 cups strawberries, 1 cup crumbled pound cake, 1 1/2 cups each milk and ice, and sugar to taste. Top with whipped cream and more strawberries.

4. Triple-Berry: Blend 1 1/2 cups mixed blackberries, strawberries and raspberries with 1 cup each milk and ice, and sugar to taste.

5. Raspberry-Orange: Blend 1 cup each orange juice and raspberries, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 cup ice, and sugar to taste.

6. Peach-Mango-Banana: Blend 1 cup each chopped fresh or frozen peaches and mango, 1 cup each plain yogurt and ice, 1/2 banana, and sugar to taste.

7. Honeydew-Almond: Blend 2 cups chopped honeydew melon, 1 cup each almond milk and ice, and honey to taste.

8. Cantaloupe: Blend 2 cups chopped cantaloupe, the juice of 1/2 lime, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 cup water and 1 cup ice.

9. Carrot-Apple: Blend 1 cup each carrot juice and apple juice with 1 1/2 cups ice.

10. Spa Cucumber: Peel, seed and chop 2 medium cucumbers. Blend with the juice of 1 lime, 1/2 cup water, 1 cup ice and 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar or honey.

11. Kiwi-Strawberry: Blend 1 cup strawberries, 2 peeled kiwis, 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 cups ice.

12. Cherry-Vanilla: Blend 1 1/2 cups frozen pitted cherries, 1 1/4 cups milk, 3 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, a pinch of salt and 1 cup ice.

13. Tangerine-Honey: Peel and seed 4 tangerines, then blend with the juice of 2 limes, 1/4 cup honey and 1 cup ice.

14. Apricot-Almond: Blend 1 1/2 cups apricot nectar, 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt, 2 tablespoons almond butter and 1 cup ice.

15. Grape: Blend 2 cups seedless red grapes with 1 cup concord grape juice and 1 1/2 cups ice.

16. Blueberry-Pear: Blend 1 1/2 cups frozen blueberries, 1 chopped pear, 1 1/2 cups each maple or plain yogurt and ice, and sugar to taste.

17. Banana-Date-Lime: Blend 2 bananas, 3/4 cup chopped pitted dates, the juice of 1 lime and 1 1/2 cups each soy milk and ice.

18. Peach-Ginger: Blend 2 cups frozen sliced peaches, 1 1/2 cups buttermilk, 3 tablespoons brown sugar and 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger.

19. Grapefruit: Peel and seed 2 grapefruits, then blend with 3 to 4 tablespoons sugar and 1 cup ice. Sprinkle with cinnamon.

20. Pomegranate-Cherry: Blend 1 cup frozen pitted cherries, 3/4 cup pomegranate juice, 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, a pinch each of cinnamon and salt, and 2 cups ice.

21. Chai: Blend 1 1/2 cups chai tea concentrate with 1 cup each milk and ice. Sprinkle with chai spice or ground cinnamon.

22. Blueberry-Banana: Blend 1 banana, 1 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk, 1 tablespoon each honey and lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract and 1 cup ice.

23. Creamy Pineapple: Blend 2 cups chopped pineapple, 1/2 cup cottage cheese, 1/4 cup milk, 2 teaspoons honey, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, a pinch each of nutmeg and salt, and 2 cups ice.

24. Watermelon: Freeze 3 cups cubed seeded watermelon until hard. Blend with 1 cup cubed fresh seeded watermelon, the juice of 1 lime, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 cup water.

25. Pineapple-Coconut: Freeze about 2 cups coconut water in 1 or 2 ice-cube trays. Blend 2 cups each chopped pineapple and coconut ice cubes, 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon honey and 1/2 cup coconut water.

26. Apple-Ginger: Blend 1 chopped peeled apple, a 1/2-inch piece peeled ginger, the juice of 2 limes, 1/4 cup honey, 1 cup water and 2 cups ice.

27. Black Raspberry–Vanilla: Blend 1 pint blackberries, 1/2 cup raspberries, 1 cup vanilla yogurt and 1 tablespoon honey.

28. Creamsicle: Blend 3/4 cup frozen orange or orange-tangerine concentrate with 1/2 cup cold water and 1 cup each vanilla ice cream and ice.

29. Mango-Acai: Blend two 4-ounce packages frozen acai berry puree, 1 cup chopped mango, 1/2 cup orange juice and 2 cups ice.

30. Spiced Pumpkin: Blend 1/2 cup each pumpkin puree and silken tofu, 3 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 cup milk, 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice, a pinch of salt and 1 cup ice.

 
Source: Food Network

Get that blender out :)
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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Hair Cuts for Curly Hair



Tips for styling curly hair no matter the cut:

• Look for products that have olive oil, coconut oil, and other hydrating ingredients in them. When you hydrate the hair, it adds weight. Weight defines curls and makes it easier to manipulate them, while preventing them from exploding into frizz. 


• Apply product when hair is damp, right out of the shower, so that the product can dry with the hair and help neutralize the curls. 


• Blow dry your roots without the diffuser, then attach the diffuser for your ends, so that it doesn't take hours to dry your hair. 

++++++++

Per celebrity stylists Ursula Stephens and Kevin Mancuso curly haired girls should consider these particular haircuts to maximize their curls:

1.  IF YOU HAVE MEDIUM DENSE HAIR THAT'S WAVY or RELAXED like Jordin Sparks...

Get an extremely layered long cut.

Why the cut works: The layers begin at Jordin Spark's cheekbones, which helps to give movement to the hair, says Stephens. "It keeps it sexy, instead of just one heavy length. When you don't have layers, you have a bohemian, heavy look." Stephens says this style isn't about being neat, but about creating free, movable hair.


2.  IF YOU HAVE FINE TO MEDIUM HAIR WITH TIGHT SPIRAL CURLS like Anna Lyn ...


Get a really long haircut with layers.


Why the cut works: Mancuso says the curlier the hair, the longer the layers should be. AnnaLynne McCord's lioness mane is tamed with defined curls and tapered at the ends with layers


3.  IF YOU HAVE THICK, VERY TIGHT CURLS like Corinne Bailey Rae ...


Get a shoulder-length pageboy cut with longer layers at the ends.


Why the cut works: It's not quite a lob (long bob), but the cut is a length that sits right on your shoulders, which makes Corinne Bailey Rae's beautiful curls short enough to maintain but long enough to prevent her hair from getting too big, says Stephens.


For the full article go to Total Beauty 
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Wednesday, October 5, 2011

25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes!

Hi ladies (& gents)...I've been a bit MIA but haven't forgotten about the blog. 

Love wearing scarves but I don't have enough in my wardrobe (will rectify that soon) but this video gives me plenty of ideas on how to wear the few that I have.


How have you been?  Are you a scarf wearer?

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