Hair Queen- Annabel Onyango

Hey beautiful people,

I know I haven't featured any hair stories for a while but I'm back with a bang! Today's Bella is the absolutely talented and fabulous Annabel Onyango. Love love this girl!! Here is her hair journey and her Goldy locs...

1.       When did you decide to go natural?

Well I’ve had natural hair my whole life: in two messy braids with ribbons on the end when I was a kid, shaved to the scalp when I was a teenager, and in locks for the past 13 years. I do dye it blonde though because I think that’s what God intended for me.

2.       How did you start your dreads?

I was 18 years old and in my freshman year in Canada when I decided to lock my hair; my university was in a small town (no black hair salons) and I was totally  over having to style my short hair by myself every day. So during a summer break in Nairobi I walked into a salon and asked them to hook it up. They had no clue, and I had gooey table honey holding my hair together for a good six months. I don’t think that’s how they start dreads now, ha.

3.       What reaction did you get from family and friends?

My mother has always hated my dreadlocks (obviously) but after over a decade of torture I think she’s over it. My dad doesn’t care either way. Of course dreads have become so mainstream and popular now - everyone has them, styled in all which ways. I like subverting the idea that dreads are only for pot-heads, Jamaicans, or the homeless.

4.       What’s your maintenance routine?

I try to keep things as neat as possible, there’s nothing worse than messy/smelly dreadlocks. I wash and twist my roots about once a month. I use natural beeswax for twisting and everyday moisturizing. I colour my roots about every 2 months.

5.       What products do you always use?

I use Royal Natural Beeswax and Crème of Nature colour. I also condition heavily with Pantene. The less product I use, the better. Ideally I would like to make organic home-made shampoos and conditioners (from eggs, avocados, olive oil, etc…) but I never have that kind of energy.

6.       What is your hair goal?

I can’t say I have a “hair goal” really, I just try to be innovative in spite of having a quite rigid hairstyle. I recently shaved an undercut on the right side, and I like the contrast of having super long and super short. I probably won’t have dreadlocks forever but I certainly will never perm it or weave it, it’s just not me. From here, I’ll probably attempt a giant seventies afro, blonde of course.

You can check out Annabel's fabulous blog here   http://dressupnation.blogspot.com

Thanks and be blessed y'all

Say yes to Facials..

Hey beautiful people,
So this past Thursday I had a facial after a very long time and I swore to myself I would have regular facials again cause my skin is thanking me :)Even a few days later my skin still feels and looks great so I love me some facials!!  I had mine done at Premier Day Spa at the Mall Westlands and it took approx one hour. They used Premier Dead Sea Mineral products and this line is sooo good. Please check out their site on http://premier-deadsea.co.ke

So what's the big deal about facials you ask well here's the scoop. A facial does for your skin what a month of exercise and good nutrition does for your body – noticeably improve its look and feel.  Through exfoliation, deep-cleaning of the pores, stimulating improved circulation, and use of professional-strength products, your esthetician can make a lot of progress towards improving your skin in a single session. Like the personal trainer, that has experience, techniques, products and equipment that cannot be replicated at home.
Regular facials (especially with an active home-care regimen) will help prevent breakouts, keep your surface cells newer and healthier, and thereby ensure that your skin looks its very best. Your esthetician can recommend the optimal frequency for your particular skin - it will vary from person to person.


So the basic steps of a facial are

1. A skin analysis- using a magnifying lamp the esthetician finds out your skin type and skin condition
2. Steaming- with the use of a machine steam is used to open pores
3. Exfoliation- using a scrub dead skin is removed from the surface
4. Extraction- using an extraction tool black heads and whites are extracted from pores 
5. Facial massage- this is to relax the facial muscles
6. Face Mask- this applied according to your skin type
7. Cleansing, Toning and Moisturising with serums and creams

Although it varies from person to person one should ideally get a facial monthly because that's how long it takes the skin to regenerate. Try to have a facial at least four times a year, as the season changes. You may need it more frequently if you are trying to clear up a case of acne, especially at the beginning. Otherwise, once a month is plenty. You can overdo it, especially if you have sensitive skin.

So hope this inspires you to get a facial treatment soon.
Be blessed y'all

The Salon and ME..

Hey beautiful people,
So this weather is not happy hair weather for me.The cold just puts a damper on wash days and makes me go maybe tomorrow I'll do the wash and blah blah that takes hours to do. Anywho it can't be avoided as without the co-washing and deep conditioning my hair would be a mess as I am struggling with breakage and shedding..smh

So this last week on Wednesday night I decided to bite the bullet and do a hot oil scalp massage and pre shampoo treatment, a henna gloss and a moisturising deep conditioning. I stayed with the oil for about 2 hours then I applied the henna gloss and slept with it and when I work up I washed it out and did a deep conditioning. Seeing as my hair had been wet all night and most of the day I did not feel up to air drying my hair and decided to go to the Estate salon for a dry set with rollers.

So when I get there the owner was busy and this upset me as she seems to understand that I like my hair to be handled in a specific way. The other lady there and I had had a few run ins as she doesn't take direction well. So decided that it can't be that bad I mean its only a dry set right? Wrong...already my hair was already drying up so she needed to add some water with a spray bottle she just pumped the spray twice and my hair still wasn't wet so I told her to wet my hair more. From there she proceeded to break out a dirty afro comb...Seriously!!! No!! don't comb my hair it's already detangled I told her and besides that it gross...I showed her how to finger detangle the ends...which I later realised she had not...after showing her to position the rollers she put me in the dryer and as always she put it on the highest heat setting..After adjusting the setting I waited for this self imposed ordeal to end...when I felt my hair was dry I asked her to remove the rollers and without combing or styling I paid and left...
Wah si it is stressful to go to the salon and even if I am feeling lazy I will just have to do my own hair. Because she didn't de tangle the ends well my hair turned into a poofy fuzzy afro...with a bit of styling this is how I rocked it :)

Be blessed y'all!!

My Everyday make-up

Hey beautiful people,
So here are the make- up products I use daily...

I love love the Black Opal concealer stick I use in the colour Toast(3) I use this under my eyes to cover dark circles and spots. I bought this from Super Cosmetics for around 700/=.

I then use my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish natural in the colour Dark..I love this as it leaves a soft glow on the face and has great coverage. I use a powder brush to apply it when I want light to medium coverage and a sponge for more full cover.

I use a cheapie brown brow pencil for my brows and set this with a brown eye shadow from my Kat Hon D True Romance Beethoven palette.(my bro got this from Sephora for me:) This is my everyday palette. I use this palette alot..the black is great to smoke my colours out and the blue is great to set with when I wear my blue liner..

I love love mascara and can just rock mascara without eye shadow or kohl liner. I love to define my eyes as I feel they are my best feature. I am currently using the Estee Lauder Double wear mascara in black. You can buy this at Lintons beauty World at the Junction for around 3500/=

I don't wear blush everyday. I always use Vaseline as a lip balm and line my lips with a cheapy lip liner in either pink, purple or even brown. I use the same liner as a lipstick and finish of with a lip gloss I love pale pink glosses such as L.A. colors in the colur Just Kissed (I got this from Super Cosmetics for around 300/=)

So that's what I'm currently using ,will update as we go alongmake..

Thanks and be blessed y'all!

Face Masks

Hey beautiful people,
So wanted to give you a review on the face mask I've been using for the last couple of months..but first let's talk about face masks and why you need to use one. 


Ideally, you should already have an effective skin care regimen, consisting of cleanser, toner, moisturizer, preferably with sunscreen. A mask does not replace your existing skin care products; rather, the mask should work in conjunction with the other products. In fact, the right mask can actually improve the performance of your other skin care products. By removing impurities and opening the pores, masks allow cleansers and toners to penetrate skin for a deeper cleanse.


So the mask I have been using is the Premier dead sea Cosmetics Miracle Noir Mask which is made from the Mud of the Dead Sea. It firms, tones, and cleanses the skin while extracting any impurities from the pores. It stimulates cell metabolism by bringing oxygen to the skin in addition to the natural vitamins and minerals. It comes with a patented magnet that removes the mask while keeping the nutrients intact to continue absorbing. It is an award winning Hypo-allergenic Mask. It consists of mud base compound directly from the Dead Sea which is known around the world as one of the best treatments for any skin therapy used since biblical times. After application instead of cleaning with water it keeps the vitamins on the skin to continue working with the removal of its patented magnet stone.

Well people this product does exactly what it says it does and leaves my skin feeling the bomb! Soft glowing and rejuvenated. I highly recommend it as it has results you can see and feel. This is however not for acne or sensitive skin but for more info on Premier Dead Sea Cosmetics visit them at The Mall Westlands on the 1st floor.

Take care and be blessed!

Faster hair growth

Hey beautiful people, 

So I came across the following article from one of my fav natural hair bloggers Bella Kinks.

I've been wondering what I can do to accelerate my hair growth and retain length and this post tells it all..Hope this is as helpful for y'all as it was for me.

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbella-kinks.com%2Fno-gimmicks-how-to-grow-long-hair%2F&h=NAQGoSO7XAQEe0X9r9Z_VzXONi5MuKFbzfcswQzOC-6vbKg

One of the main reasons for slow hair growth is the body’s inability to provide the scalp with the nutrients required for proper hair growth. In such cases, the follicles become dormant. But they are still intact on the scalp. If the follicles receive necessary nutrients, new hair may grow once again at a faster rate. One of the most efficient ways of providing the follicles with the necessary nutrients is through the bloodstream. This can be achieved through taking various oral vitamin supplements. Some of the minerals necessary for healthy hair include calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, selenium, silica, sulfur and zinc.

The average hair growth in a normal person is ½ inch per month, which is around 6 inches per year. Applying various oils also has a good effect, as oil is extremely rich in essential fatty acids. It has a remarkable ability to penetrate the scalp and regenerate the hair’s root. Hair follicles become more robust when applying oil, which in turn stimulates scalp circulation and hair growth.

The reason many people have slow hair growth is due to poor nutrition, sluggish circulation and the usage of wrong products and techniques on the hair. Hair must have vitamins and aminos. Sadly today’s frenetic lifestyle doesn’t always ensure adequate nutrition. Hair is made up of 88% proteins. These proteins are chains of amino acids. A common amino acid found in hair is cystine. Stress can also play a vital role in keeping the cells from reproducing. Sebum, bacteria and dirt wrap a hair’s root and do not allow it to breathe, resulting in slow growth. Various types of hair follicle stimulators are available in the market, both oral, and external applicators to augment the natural hair growth pattern.

Rosemary is an important ingredient that promotes hair quality. Mix ½ cup of rosemary to 1 cup of water. Add this solution to half the quantity of your shampoo and cleanse your head. Rosemary helps in opening blocked pores of the scalp, thus improving hair growth. You can also make tea out of rosemary; it is useful for overall blood circulation and supports hair growth too.

A thorough massage also improves blood circulation of the scalp. When you massage the scalp, the hair follicles are stimulated, thereby increasing hair growth. Try to spend at least 10 minutes daily massaging your hair with your fingers. In fact, Yoga exercises such as the ‘headstand’ or ‘shirsana’ are recommended for proper circulation of blood to the hair follicles. This may stimulate faster hair growth.

Make a mixture of olive oil, coconut oil and castor oil and heat it. Applying this warm oil to your hair roots also stimulates faster hair growth. Massaging your head with warm olive oil also helps. Taking prenatal vitamins also help in faster hair growth. Drink lots of milk, eat sprouts, vegetable and fruits – healthy food helps your hair to grow faster and stay healthy.

  Hair vitamin

The intake of right vitamins and minerals plays a major role in keeping your hair healthy. Any nutritional deficiencies can lead to slower growth rate and thinning of hair. The bottom line is that your hair is the reflection of the overall condition of your body. If your body is healthy and well nourished, your hair will be your shining glory. But you can maximize your genetic growth cycle by the intake of a proper blend of amino acids and B- vitamins.

Beta-carotene is also essential for promoting hair growth. Green and yellow vegetables and fruits are the best source of Beta-carotene. Biotin is also very necessary for hair growth. Oats, lentils, soybeans, peas, walnuts, brown rice and brewer’s yeast are all good sources of biotin. Biotin is also used in the preparation of some shampoos, which can be used for good hair growth. Do remember that it is always best to consult your physician before taking any medications for hair growth.

Get your hair trimmed regularly, maybe once in 6-8 weeks. This will definitely help your hair grow faster. Avoid using harsh chemicals, de-stress yourself, get enough rest and relaxation, get a good night’s sleep, use a good hair brush, eat a balanced diet, avoid excessive caffeine and nicotine and drink lots of water to flush out all the toxins. These are certain general tips which not only promote faster hair growth but also improves your overall health.

Be blessed y'all.

Hair Types

Hey Beautiful people,

So since I went natural and heard about hair types I have been trying to figure out what my hair type is so that I can find the right products and also the right you tuber to get advice and tips from. I still haven't found a you tuber with the same kind of hair and until I found a page on Google after much research can I now confidently say what my hair type is. 

Hair typing of Afro/Black was inspired by celebrity hairstylist Andre Walker (Oprah's hair go to guy) and he came with a typing of hair as either wavy,curly and coily. For more on this check out http://www.naturallycurly.com/hair-types/

But like many naturals out there this chart is a tad inefficient and doesn't take into consideration of how different and unique our hairs are. Anywho this page on black hair media, goes into more detail and shows how our hair differs in these ways:

1) our hair differs in pattern - coils, springs. zig zags, s-curves

2) our hair differs in pattern size - watch spring to chalk size

3) our hair differs in density - sparse, dense

4) our hair differs in strand diameter - fine, medium, coarse

5) our hair differs in feel - cottony, spongy,silky,thready,wiry

Please check out this page on http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/what-is-your-real-hair-type-pic-heavy_topic326175.html it has great pics that will further help understand your type.

So according to this system of typing my hair is 3c,4a,4b coily,springy fine medium density silky, meaning my curl pattern is 3c at the back, 4a in the middle and front and 4b on the sides, the strands are fine and the thickness is medium and texture or feel is silky.

Be blessed y'all

Hey beautiful people,

So today I was chatting with my pal Sara and she wants to go natural..yeee!!!..but was concerned about doing the Big Chop as she's never ever cut her hair off.So this is for all you lovlies that want to go natural without the BC you need to Transition...
Transitioning

This process involves stopping the use of relaxers on your hair and allowing the hair to grow in naturally whilst trimming off the relaxed ends gradually. This method is preferred as it allows the transitioner to gain a sufficient length of hair that they are comfortable with and get to know their hair and how to care for it before taking the plunge. 

source-http://www.maneandchic.com/

One must learn how to manage both hair types. This will lead to healthy growth and minimal breakage. It is important to be mindful of the moisture/ protein balance - as is the case with natural hair. The key to balancing on this tight rope is sticking to a hair care regimen that caters for both;

Proper moisture is an integral part of caring for your natural hair. Because of the kinks in natural hair, it is very difficult for the natural oils of the hair to travel down the hair shaft and keep it pliable and moisturized. Thus, as a natural, it is important that you moisturize your hair and often. Here are some easy things that you can do to keep your hair moisturized: 

• Relaxed hair loses moisture faster than curly hair due to its porous nature. Co-washing (washing with conditioner) is a great habit to adopt right away, wash your hair with a hydrating or moisturizing conditioner as often as possible (2 - 3 a week if you please) take your co-wash sessions as the perfect opportunity to detangle your hair (when saturated in conditioner), detangle from tip to root using a wide toothed comb. Always follow up your shampoo sessions, protein and henna treatments with a conditioning session; this restores some of the lost moisture. Keep your hair moisturized every-other day with a leave-in conditioner and seal it with your natural oil of choice. Water/ aloe vera mix spritz is a great way to add that extra bit of moisture to your regimen.

•  Deep Conditioning. Your hair needs two things...protein...and moisture. You need both. Protein helps strengthen your hair. Protein deposits into your hair what chemicals take away. Although protein treatments are very much needed. They must be done the correct way and should be done every 6 weeks or so when transitioning. You MUST follow up a protein treatment with a moisturizing treatment. While protein is good for strength...it can also hurt you by making your hair hard like straw. Moisturizing treatments are needed to keep your hair strong and moisturized. Not only is poorly moisturized hair HARD but it is also frizzy. It has been my experience that the more moisturized my hair is the less frizz I have. Typically protein treatments should be done once every 6 weeks and moisturizing deep treatments should be done weekly. 

• - Cleansing -Some people wash their hair as often as once a week where others stick to their once a month rule. Whatever your preference, make sure you use a sulphate free shampoo. Alternatively, water-down your regular shampoo to minimize the drying effect. Pre-shampooing is essential in preventing extreme moisture loss (saturate your hair with a natural oil of choice- coconut or olive oil - let the oil sit for no less than an hour, proceed to shampoo). Be sure to rinse out ALL traces of the shampoo. Be sure to follow up a with a conditioning session.

• - Trimming -As you transition, the relaxed ends and the new growth can be irritating so you need to trim often. You can start trimming off the relaxed ends slowly as your new growth comes in. Some people think that just because your hair is natural there is no need to trim.. this is a myth! The ends of your hair can get knots and split ends no matter how well you take care of your hair, this means you have to trim your ends every 6 weeks if possible.

So here is the quick guide for smooth transitioning:

• Use sulfate-free shampoos when shampooing
• Detangle from ends to roots with a big toothed comb.
• Minimal styling to prevent breakage.
• Do not flat iron or press the hair to match textures.
• Deep condition every other week especially right after a shampoo.
• Keep the hair moisturized with a water based product.
• Do not use products with petroleum or mineral oil as the first ingredient.

Hope this helps ya'll out there that want to go natural without cutting it all off.

Be blessed

Hair Update

Hi beautiful people,

So here is my weekly regimen and products I'm using..

So the night before wash day I massage my scalp with Castor oil and then out the same oil on my hair and cover with a plastic cap and my satin bonnet and sleep. In the morning he hair is kinda wet but soft and oily

Afterwards I shampooed with Hollywood Beauty Argan oil sulphate free shampoo I got this in town for about 800/=

Then I mixed a protein treatment of Natural Yoghurt, Honey, Egg and Extra Virgin Olive Oil I let this sit for 30 mins then rinsed it off too and then used the Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner as a moisturising treatment

After both treatments my hair was super soft I then used Carol's Daughter Marguerite's Magic (my darling cousin in the US sent me this) as a leave in and styler sealed with Castor oil and put my hair in matuta's

Slept with them and the next morning I had less shrinkage

Decided to do a high bun and see how long my hair has grown

Me thinks I need to straighten my hair and do a length check soon :)

Be blessed y'all

Current favs- My skin

Hey beautiful people!!

So just wanted to share my current favs for my skin.
First I am loving my Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair!! This stuff is the bomb!!! I've been using it for the last month and half and the results are so visible! My skin is brighter and so clear of blemishes and oh so smooth.

Product details
This comprehensive, high-performance anti-aging serum-30 years of innovation. Inspired by groundbreaking DNA research-brings your skin a dramatic reduction in the visible signs of aging.

Now a year-long clinical study proves skin gets better and better: women continued to experience a dramatic reduction in the major signs of visible aging, day after day, month after month.*

Skin looks smoother, younger, more radiant and healthy-looking. 

Exclusive Chronolux™ Technology repairs the appearance of past damage. You'll see a visible improvement in the signs of aging-specifically lines, uneven skintone and immediate hydration.

Enhanced Environmental Repair means Advanced Night Repair neutralizes up to 90% of environmentally generated free radicals (in vitro testing) before they can affect skin's appearance.

Enjoy Continuous Hydration as Advanced Night Repair creates the optimal environment for repair with nature's long-proven moisture magnet, Hyaluronic Acid-increasing skin's levels of moisturization dramatically.

Join the millions of women around the world who use it year after year and wouldn't trust their skin to anything else.

Proven effective for All Ethnicities. 
20+ Patents Worldwide.

HOW TO USE

• Apply every PM on clean skin. Follow with your moisturizer.
• Use several drops.
• Smooth in gently all over face and throat.

NIGHTLY RITUAL 
Here's a special ritual to maximize your experience for younger, healthier-looking skin:

• Apply 5 drops of Advanced Night Repair-one on each fingertip.
• Touch fingertips of both hands together.
• Massage serum over face and neck, starting at the center, outward.

---

FORMULA FACTS

• Dermatologist-tested
• Ophthalmologist-tested
• Fragrance-free
• Non-acnegenic

I'm also loving the Estee Lauder Take it Away Make-up remover. Its gentle and very effective and I don't need to use much to remove both my eye and face make-up.

PRODUCT DETAILS
Quickly and gently removes all makeup, even long-wear or waterproof formulas.

Unique water-based creme-gel refreshes you with a crisp herbal citrus scent.

Rinses away easily and leaves skin feeling soft and smooth with no greasy afterfeel or oily residue.

---

HOW TO USE

• Apply to dry skin and massage well.
• For best results, rinse off with water.
• Follow with your cleanser and toning lotion, then your Estée Lauder Repair Serum, Moisturizer and other skincare.

Remember: Never go to bed with makeup on. Clean skin is healthy skin.

---

FORMULA FACTS

• Dermatologist-tested
• Ophthalmologist-tested
• Suitable for contact lens wearers

You can get both these products from Linton's Beauty world at the Junction

So there you have it!! What are your current favs for your skin?

Thanks and be blessed

Hair growth 101

Hey beautiful people,
So let's talk hair growth..and the myths that black (miro)hair can't grow like other ethnicities unless your multi racial. I hear many people claim that their hair doesn't grow and I can loudly state that NO that's NOT TRUE!!! Your hair is growing the issue is are you retaining the growth???


African hair can grow if properly maintained and that’s the key. The natural, coily texture of our hair is fragile and frankly many of us are very ignorant about what it takes for it to thrive. (Hence the YouTube tutorials.) So if you’re interested in hair that graze the top of your booty, here are some tips to grow and retain long, luscious African hair.

• The naturally, curly texture of African American hair makes it difficult for oils to travel from the scalp throughout the hair shaft. It’s not enough to oil your scalp. Pay special attention to the ends, seal them with natural oils like Olive oil.Our kinks, curls and coils could very well easily break if our moisture levels isn't right.Also drinking plenty of water helps to keep our hair moisturised as well. 
•  Free-flowing styles can be keeping you from the length you desire. Wearing your hair in a bun or in twists or braids will keep the ends of your hair from dragging against coats and car seats or getting tangled in the wind. The ends of your hair are the oldest and driest and need to preserved. Protecting your hair at night with a silk or satin scarf  and pillowcase is equally important.

• Our hair has a tendency to be more dry than others. By frequently using blow dryers and straighteners you could be making a bad situation worse. Air drying is the best for your hair but when you’re in the salon opt for the hood dryer instead. When you’re at home you “must” blow dry or straighten make sure you coat your hair with some type of oil  or heat protectant first.

• Shampooing cleanses your scalp while conditioning restores some the moisture lost. Just in case you haven’t noticed moisture and it’s retention is paramount to the health and length of your hair. In fact, if you’re scalp isn’t too dirty you can wash your hair using only conditioner in process is called co-washing.  In addition to the conditioner you use during your weekly washes, make sure you utilize a leave in conditioner and deep condition at least once a week.

• Products that contain alcohol strip and remove excess oils from the hair. Which is counter productive. While you can look at the ingredients and not see the word “alcohol” there are other products that can cause just as much damage. Avoid products containing:

isopropyl alcohol
propylene glycol
mineral oil or petroleum
sodium lauryl sulfate
sodium laureth sulfate
chlorine
diethanolamine
momoethnanolamine
triethanolamin
imidazolidinyl
urea DMDM hydantoin.

• Never comb or brush dry hair! This causes breakage! Use a denman brush or wide tooth comb when your hair is wet. Detangle Hair with a really good conditioner. This helps the knots to easily slip out! If you have thick, coarse hair patience is truly a virtue. While combing remember to be gentle. Comb you hair like you would a young child, carefully and patiently. Divide the hair into sections and start at the ends and work your way to the root. . Be gentle with your hair when it is wet. Don't rub your hair vigorously with a towel, gently squeeze the towel down the length of your hair. 
• The key to growing long hair is to only trim your hair when you need it. This will vary depending on how your hair grows. If your ends are prone to splitting this may be every 3 months. If you don’t suffer from split ends try to hold out to only once or twice a year.  Even if you do have to cut your ends often, remember your hair grows from your roots.
•  Don't use any harsh chemicals on your hair. Definitely no relaxers and no peroxide! Stay Natural! If you must color, use non peroxide color or 100% natural henna (henna comes in a full range of colors,)
•  Avoid chlorine and salt water. If you go swimming in either, clean your hair soon after. If you swim very often, invest in a good swimming cap (and to be really kind to your hair, apply deep conditioner and take advantage of the body heat that will be generated while you're wearing it).
• Be careful of what kind of hair accessory  you use and be sure to use only hair-safe accessories. Never use metal barrettes and absolutely NEVER use rubber bands, they will tear your hair when you try to remove them. Avoid anything that has sharp or rough edges, such as plastic combs with rough seams or hair claws with metal hinges. 
• Never put your hair in any kind of style that will put undue stress on the roots or edges... no extremely tiny braids, no extremely tight puffs or ponytails. Pulling hair tight repeatedly commonly results in thinning sides, and edges.
• Rinse your hair in as cold water as you can stand. This will make your cuticles lay flat and less likely to snag and break.
• Become familiar with the ingredients in your styling products. Once you know what affects your hair positively or detrimentally, you will be able to effectively choose products and ingredients that is best for your hair type.
•  Be sure to maintain healthy eating habits! Be sure to consume plenty of living foods. This is our source to the many needed vitamins and minerals.
• Find natural alternatives to store bought products! The benefits are amazing!

OK people there you have it, some of my tips to growing healthy hair! Embrace your natural beauty! Thanks for your support! 

Be blessed!

Hair update

Hey all,
So last week I freaked out when I saw how fine and kinda thin my hair was and decided I wanted to thicken my hair..if possible and strengthen it too as I've been experiencing breakage and shedding. So here is what I 'm doing so far... I've been massaging my scalp for 5 mins every night with Castor oil and after which I add some on my hair and then cover with a shower cap and my satin bonnet and then sleep this technique is known as The baggy Method..Find out more at http://blackgirllonghair.com/2012/02/dry-hair-solutions-the-baggy-method-explained/

Anywho I'm loving the results my hair feels kinda wet when I wake up and remove the shower cap but very soft and moisturised. I then add my water and aloe vera juice mix and shake my hair and my curls are defined and soft.

Will keep you updated on my hair growth challenge...
Thanks y'all

Eyeshadow stickers anyone?

Maybe you’re not that adept when applying eye shadow, or maybe you just don’t have enough time to apply eye color, or maybe it’s a party?. Whatever your reason might be, you’ll truly benefit from the latest cosmetic wonder available in the market: eye shadow stickers.

An eye shadow sticker is an oval applicator dabbed with eye colour. To use, you need to press the sticker on your eyelids in order to transfer the colour to your eyes.

Eye shadow stickers, also known as instant eye shadows, were created to help on-the-go women and make-up beginners to achieve beautiful eyes in just a few seconds.Every eyeshadow sticker pack contains setting powder and a brush, so you can achieve perfect make-up ASAP.

Some might claim that the  Eye shadow stickers might be a little expensive, but their benefits outweigh the cost. They are easy to use, and can transform you to a beautiful swan in a few seconds’ time. So if you want to look good but don’t have enough time or knowledge to apply eye shadow colors, then eye shadow stickers are best for you.

What do you think, would you try these?