Merry ChristmaKwanzaaHannukah

Whatever holiday you celebrate, here's a gift idea to get you started! I just ordered one, and I can't wait to wear it 10 different ways!

The Unisex Circle Scarf, $28, store.americanapparel.net

Use code FSW332A73 and it ships free!!!!!!!!!!!

For ways to wear, check out this video link http://www.americanapparel.net/storefront/movies/RSA0503/

Must See T.V

Also check out kimmaytube's channel. She has a great washing and detangling video. It never occurred to me to twist my hair in the shower, to keep detangled hair from tangling again after it's been combed. Great idea.

Do you have a special method or technique for dealing with your hair? Please share it with is in a comment. Until next time....

Emerald Greene Designs in Essence Magazine!

I can not BEGIN! to tell you lovely KC Cuties how excited I am about these photos! God is so Awesome to me, and I believe He is pleased with my committment to my family, my children and my natural-haired sistahs. When we honor God, He will honor us.

I was selling my designs in a boutique in Atlanta that has since closed its doors. During my time there, a stylist by the name of Kimberey Lacy fell in love with my pieces and contacted ME to borrow them for a photo shoot. Happy to get the exposure and recognition, I signed over everything I had. Little did I know, the shoot was photographed by Atlanta's premiere photographer- Mr. Derek Blanks! and for Essence Magazine no less! This was almost 1 year ago, but these are the pics I recieved from the shoot.

I left my position in Fashion and Beauty, which was my dream job in NYC, to focus on raising my two sons. It was a decision that not many people supported, and I faced a lot of criticism and negativity from family and friends. I believe this is proof that God is pleased with my heart, and that's enough for me. This is only a taste of what's to come for me in the future!

Get your custom designs NOW, before Oprah calls. Just kidding, but not really :)

www.emeraldgreene.etsy.com

Until next time.......

A quick hair update......

You all know my current cold-weather hair routine is 1 week of wearing twists, 1 week of a twist-out or puff, wash day every 2 weeks. That's the big picture. Let me hit you with the details:

• Scalp massage on wash day using avocado oil, rosemary e.o blend
• Nature's Blessing hair dressing on scalp while twisting
• Refresh twists daily with leave-in and seal with oil
• Set twists on rollers (sponge removed) on Saturday night for church
• Twist- out Sunday, detangle and re-twist Sunday night. This is the key to fewer tangles on the next wash day.
  
• Day before washing, saturate dry hair with fave conditioner and finger detangle
• Wash day and repeat

This has helped my hair stay knot-free, and combing on wash day is much easier. I can't stress enough the importance of a GREAT arsenal of conditioners to moisturize and manage  our hair. *NOTE: conditioners that contain -cones provide excellent slip and aid in detangling, but beware. They build up on hair over time, even when you rinse thoroughly, and leave hair dried out and hard to manage. Try rotating your conditioners once a month, and shampoo or clarify your hair once a month to remove -cones.

What are some of your fave conditioners? Let us know!

Until next time....

I Like My Men and My Soap- BLACK

 African Black Soap, 100% natural


Actually, I'd be an equal-opportunity dater (if I weren't already married to a delicious Black Man), but it made a great headline.


I've been using this for a year to cleanse my face. I bought it from a woman named Zee at Discover Mills, in Georgia. She now has her own store, Zee Craft, where she sells the best Shea Butter as well. She told me Black Soap would clear up my skin, and it did. Wanna know what else? It is a GREAT shampoo! I just pinched of a small piece and lathered it over my hair in the shower. Once my hair got really wet,  I rubbed the soap directly onto my hair, and worked it in.


Product reads:
African Black Soap is made in West Africa from palm oil, palm kernel oil, and water. The aroma and deep rich color result from the centuries old extraction process that blends the two ingredients together, resulting in the finest skin cleanser available.

Usage:
Relieves acne and removes blemishes, prevents rashes, itching, dry, and scaly skin from developing
Cleans pores and rejuvenates the skin
Clears up eczema
Body cleanser

This soap is dark brown in color, like the photo above. IT IS NOT BLACK! If you are using a black (dyed) bar of soap, THROW IT AWAY! This soap is soft and maliable, like Play-Doh. You can pinch of a small piece to use. One tub will last forever.

Diary of a Kinky Curly Woman

From my friend at naturallycurly.com, to you. Thank you, S.L. :)



These are just notes I've kept for myself over the years.....maybe something will help you.

Hair Care Products
(for natural hair)
- avoid silicones which can leave the hair dry: -sane, -xane, -cone, including cyclopentasiloxane
- amodimethicone is a cone that is water soluble with trideceth-12
- look for cetrimonium chloride for detangling
- fatty alcohols (i.e. cetyl, cetearyl, stearyl, etc.) combined with hard water leave the hair feeling waxy
- avoid stearalkonium chloride (cheap softner that is toxic and an irritant)
- dannon full fat yogurt to loosen curl pattern (leave on for over an hour, lactic acid helps to loosen curls)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CLEANSING / LIGHT CONDITIONERS (for no poo method, look for ones without protein and stearalkonium chloride)
- Suave (Citrus Smoothie, Mango & Peach) => not as good as VO5
- VO5 (Vita Burst, Tea Therapy, Strawberries & Cream, Sun Kissed Raspberry - Vanilla Mint or Kiwi & Lime for clarifying) => contains stearalkonium chloride 
- Curlicious Curls Cleansing Cream => great cleansing, a little thick coming out of the bottle
- Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Shampoo => leaves a coating on hair, do not repurchase
- MyHoneyChild Olive You Scalp Cleanser
- MyHoneyChild Jamaica Island Scalp Cleanser => works well but used a whole bottle in one washing, try again
- MyHoneyChild Banana Creme Scalp Cleanser
- MyHoneyChild Jamaica Island Conditioner => good moisturizer
- MyHoneyChild HoneyNutt Conditioner
- Jessicurl Hair Cleansing Cream
- Naani's Naturals Fallen Moisturizing No Sulfates Shampoo
- Nature’s Gate Asian Pea & Red Tea Rejuvenating Conditioner  => good
- Nature's Gate Jojoba or Aloe Conditioners => do not like Herbal because of smell
- Whole Foods 365 Citrus Grapefruit Conditioner => good for cowashing
- Shikai Daily Moisture Conditioner
- DevaCare No-Poo => don't like consistency
- DevaBrown Chocolate Lust
- TIGI Bed Head Moisture Maniac Conditioner => really like, moist hair
- TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Treatment Conditioner
- TIGI Bed Head Superstar Sulfate-Free Shampoo
- Mop Top Gentle Clarifiying Shampoo
- Mop Top Daily Conditioner
- Oyin Handmade Honey-Hemp Conditioner => absorbs well, good leave in
- Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner => good conditioner
- John Masters Organics Citrus & Neroli Detangler => good conditioner
- Modern Organic Products Mixed Greens Conditioner for Normal to Dry Hair
- Wen Fig Cleansing Conditioner
- Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream => don't repurchase

DEEP CONDITIONING
take regular conditioner and add olive oil, avocado oil, coconut milk, shea butter, avocado butter, castor oil, liquid lecithin and/or honey for extra conditioning and softening
- coconut milk => moisturizes, softens, smooths, and detangles
- Hair Rules Quench Deep Conditioner => don't repurchase
- Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment => overnight treatment, smells bad, don't repurchase
- Back 2 Basics Pomegranate Moisture Conditioner
- Karen's Body Beautiful Luscious Locks Moisturizing Hair Mask => nice conditioner, use the whole jar at one time
- Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Deep Fix Moisturizing Conditioner => nice moisturizing conditioner
- Black Earth Herbal Conditioner
- Blended Beauty Herbal Reconditioner => really like but one jar equals one treatment
- Blended Beauty's Volcanic Mask => a clay mask for the hair
- DevaCare One Condition => don't like the smell but works pretty good
- DevaBrown Chocolate One Condition
- Jessicurl Too Shea Extra Moisturizing Conditioner => light conditioner
- Jessicurl Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment => good deep conditioner
- MyHoneyChild Honey Hair Mask => good conditioner
- MyHoneyChild Olive You Deep Conditioner => good conditioner
- MyHoneyChild Banana Creme Conditioner
- MYHoneyChild Coconut Papaya Hair Paste => left white pieces in my hair, must use heat, good conditioner, used the whole jar for one treatment
- Jane Carter Solution Nutrient Replenshing Conditioner => ok
- Jane Carter Solution Scalp Renew => good deep treatment oil
- Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hair Moisturizer => hard to get out of bottle
- Shikai Intensive Repair Conditioner
- Aubrey Organics Island Naturals Conditioner => very thick, didn't really like, don't repurchase
- Mop Top Deep Conditioner => ok, don't repurchase
- Generic Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm => moisturizing
- John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner
- Ion Color Solutions Color Defense Intense Moisture => use after Aphogee
- Joico K-Pak (protein)
- ApHogee Treatment (protein)

LEAVE-IN CONDITIONERS
coconut oil is very drying to the hair
- Hair Rules Nourishment Leave In Conditioner => don't repurchase, has silicones
- Giovanni Direct Leave In => one of the best leave in conditioners!!
- Black Earth Protective Mist Bodifier => absorbs well in my hair
- Oyin Handmade Greg Juice => absorbs well, smells funny, don't repurchase
- Oyin Handmade Juices & Berries => absorbs well, smells funny, don't repurchase
- Oyin Handmade Whipped Pudding => contains beeswax, smells good, a little thick
- Wild Growth Hair Oil
- Jessicurl Stimulating Scalp Massage Oil
- Jessicurl Aloeba Daily Conditioner => ok daily conditioner, doesn't absorb as well as other products, don't repurchase
- MyHoneyChild Type 4 Hair Creme => don't like the feel in my hair, don't repurchase
- MyHoneyChild Curl Activator
- Qhemet Biologics Castor & Moringa - Softening Serum
- Blended Beauty Happy Nappy Styles
- Organikah Whipped Hair Butter
- Carols Daughter Hair Milk => doesn't absorb well in my hair
- Curl Junkie Curly Boost Curl Enhancing Spray
- Curl Junkie Hibiscus & Banana Honey Butta Leave In Conditioner => very thick, doesn't absorb well, do not repurchase
- Curl Junkie Coco-Milk Conditioner
- Knot Today => okay but don't repurchase
- Curls Milkshake => okay but some cones in new formula, don't repurchase
- Jane Carter Solution Scalp Nourishing Serum
- Modern Organic Products Leave-In Conditioner
- Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Milk => contains a wax
- Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Cream => nice hair cream, lots of good scents
- Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Butter => like a pomade
- ABBA Nourishing Conditioner => not as good as KBB hair milk
- Afro Detangler => good texture, really like, great for twists
- Long Lovely Locks Curly Custard => lots of butters


STYLING PRODUCTS
- Hair Rules Kinky Curling Cream => contains mineral oil
- Hair Rules Hydrating Finishing Cream
- Curls by Sister Smith Wet Set Hair Pudding => good for twists
- Fantasia IC w/ Sparkle Lites or Color Treated (blue) => gummy, doesn't work well in my hair
- Kinky-Curly Curling Custard => too crunchy and drying on my hair
- Aubrey Organics B5 Design Gel => gummy, doesn't work well in my hair
- Crinkles & Curls by Black Earth Products
- Jane Carter Solutions Wrap & Roll => doesn't work well in my hair
- Jane Carter Solutions Nourish & Shine => good pomade
- Curls by Sister Smith Wet Set Hair Pudding
- Oyin Handmade Burnt Sugar Hair Pomade => nice pomade, good shine, like the smell
- Oyin Handmade Shine and Define Styling Serum => good for twists
- Carols Daughter Mimosa Hair Honey => greasy feeling but works well on skin
- Curly Custard Maximum Definition Hairdress (naanishoppe.com)
- Miss Jessie's Curly Products => not recommended because of ingredients
- Aveda Be Curly Curl Enhancing Lotion => too drying
- Clinique Defined Curls Curl Enhancer
- KMS Flat Out Relaxing Balm
HAIR OILS
- Castor oil, for growth - stable (no exp), cold pressed is best
- Jojoba oil - stable (no exp)
- Grapeseed oil - 1 yr exp
- Almond, Sweet oil - 1 yr exp
- Apricot oil - 1 yr exp
- Dabur Vatika Hair Oil, for growth
- Neem oil, for shedding
- Amla oil, for growth
- Tamanu oil, for inflamation - 6 mon - 1 yr exp
HAIR COLOR
- Bigen (47) => too harsh, don't repurchase
- Clairol Professional Beautiful Collection (B18D Darkest Brown)
- Robert Craig
- NaturColor (naturcolor.com)
- ColorFix (you can do a partial color correction with by mixing the solutions with shampoo. It only lightens the color & you will not have to re-color)
Curl-ease Towel (for curly hair) => great towel

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Let's shop for a cause, and a cure.
Proceeds from these items will support breast cancer research.

Pink Pony water bottle, $20, Pink Boutique at  bloomingdales.com

Lisa for Loft satin/chain bracelet, $24.50, loftonline.com Check out instyle.com for other breast cancer awareness gifts.

eyeslipsface.com, $1

Sonia Kashuk brush set, $12, target.com

Indulge your senses with Jo Malone London Red Roses Bath Oil, $55, jomalone.com. Perfect in a warm bath on a crisp autumn night.

 

Shop Avon Breast Cancer Crusade products, avon.com

Everyone Loves a Bargain

Kinky/Curly Cutie (and fellow Emory Alumnae) JT wants to know how I achieve my puff when I'm wearing a twist-out. Kerry Washington knows my secret- it's Goody's Ouchless headbands, and she's wearing one in this pic. Here's my tip: place the headband around your head, pull forward, away from your head, and cross, double around your head once more and slide back into desired position. My hair is thick and as dense as a pine forest, so I have no trouble keeping

the band in place. If you're worried about slippage, anchor the band in back with bobby pins, crossed like an X.

Goody Ouchless Headbands, $4, drugstores, Walmart, Target.

I've also seen these at the dollar store and at Walgreens for a buck! Happy Shopping :)

Atlanta Natural Hair Meet Up- The Video

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My YouTube debut, courtesy of brwnbarbie24. Enjoy!

More Pics!

The Perfect Puff: Nexxus Leave-In, and Curl Activator Gel



Get some Lil' Better Butter and a cute tee at www.knapsgirl.com



Me and Yanicka: She uses Aussie Moist conditioner and Coconut Oil for sleek, smooth, shiny curls


Please be inspired by these beautiful women. And ladies, keep doing what you're doing! Until next time.........

Atlanta Natural Hair Meet Up

Making New Friends: Lexi, Farrah, Me, Kiki, Stefanie



Kinky/Curly Cuties from all over the Atlanta area gathered at The Blackwood Pizza Bar to talk hair, products, and just have a ball. The event was organized by Lexiwiththecurls on Youtube. She is such a sweetheart and I'm glad to have met her. I also chatted with "friend in my head" brwnbarbie24 on Youtube. She's so funny and down to earth. You should definitely check these ladies' videos out. When I tell you there is nothing like sistah' hood, thesistahchick on Youtube had to give me a lift home because my car broke down :( I definitely enjoyed the fellowship of the evening! Here are some pics from the event. Enjoy!










Farrah's Fierce 'Fro using Darcy's Botanicals and KCKT










HOTD: A quick shingle using Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding. It was raining cats and dogs, so my 'fro shrunk big time and I lost a lot of curl def. I still think it looks cute!













Me and Lexi! She's my hair idol. She used Pantene Curls Gel and Herbal Essences Hydralicious conditoner to get these rockin' ringlets!


Miss Jessie's Girls: (top) Curly Meringue




(left) Her curls and coils were Awesome in person! She used Curly Pudding and Curly Buttercreme.

Emerald Greene Designs F/W '09

Earrings: Designer Original

Get Yours: www.emeraldgreene.etsy.com

Every Kinky/Curly Cutie needs these in their life! Love 'ya. Until next time.........................

I may have to eat my words.........

Solange, at the 2009 MTV VMA's, still a kinky/curly cutie!

Look Mom, no weave! :)

A Tale of Two Conditioners

I've talked about Burt's Bees and Desert Essence conditioners, but I haven't written a review.

Burt's Bees Shea & Graprefruit Deep Conditioner

I picked this up at Ulta because I had a coupon. The ingredients are just okay, and it's expensive for the size ($8, 5 oz.) However, it does work well and I would probably pick it up again- with another coupon, of course!


Ingredients: water, cetrimonium bromide, cetearyl alcohol, sucrose laurate, glycerin, honey, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), glucose, betaine, citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel oil, citrus medica limonum (lemon) peel oil, citrus tangerina (tangerine) peel oil, citrus aurantifolia (lime) oil, zingiber officinale (ginger) root extract, citrus reticulata (tangerine/petitgrain) leaf oil, acacia senegal gum, polysorbate 60, glucose oxidase, lactoperoxidase

Desert Essence Jojoba Conditioner with Organic Jojoba Oil

I discovered this jewel of a conditioner at vitacost.com ($3.51, 12 oz). It's protein and silicone free, which means it really moisturizes, penetrates the hair shaft and doesn't cause build-up. The value is excellent, the ingredients are stellar, and it doubles as my leave-in. Vitacost.com has $5 shipping, and I stock up on several goodies at a time:

Aubrey's
Oils
Vegetable glycerin
100% Cocoa Butter
Skin care

This is a must-try, and for me it's a must have!

Ingredients: Purified Water, Cetyl Alcohol (Vegetable Source), Vegetable Emulsifying Wax, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Aleurties Moluccana (Kukui) Seed Oil, Water (and) Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Grindelia Humilis Leaf, Symphytum Officinale (Comfrey) Leaf Extract, Lecithin, Vitamin A and E, Methylparaben, and Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Oil.

Support Black Owned: Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier

This product is awesome, it's an official HG product, and I will not be without it. I can pick this up at my BSS, but you can also get it online.

The claim:
Moisturizes, conditions, coats hair, stops breakage, softens, hair, detangles, removes braids

The ingredients:
Pure distilled water, wheat germ, Indian hemp, olive oil, balsam, aloe vera, bee pollen, silk protein, bay laurel, fruit bioflavenoids, Ancient African Herbal Formula

Updates :)

I've done a lot of make up posts these past couple of months, right? Can't a girl love hair AND make up?

No worries, I'm back with a hair update, pics, and recipes just for you!

New Hair Routine: Part 1

Fall is here, winter is just around the corner, and cold air is waiting to suck the moisture from our hair and skin. My first line of defense against dry locks this season will be protective styling. 2x twists on wash day, worn for 1 week. Twist-out the next week, pulled back in a puff, until next wash day.

Wash Day: Part 2

I pre-poo on DRY hair with a combo of 3-5 of my fave conditioners and seal with oil. Pop on a plastic cap, wrap a towel or scarf around that, and wear as long as I can stand it, sometimes overnight. My current pre-poo conditioners:

Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose
Burt's Bees Shea & Grapefruit Deep Conditoner
Desert Essence Jojoba Conditioner (vitacost.com)
Inecto Pure Coconut Oil Conditioner (Ulta)
Coconut Oil to seal

When I'm ready to wash, I detangle with my fingers as much as I can, then I finish in the shower. I shampoo with Aubrey Organics White Camelia (SLS-free), co-wash with Herbal Essence Hello Hydration or Hydralicious, detangle some more with a shower comb AND a paddle brush, then rinse with cold water. I use a little more of the Desert Essence (quarter size amount) over my entire head as a leave-in. I follow that with a scalp massage using any carrier oil I have on hand (avocado, olive, almond) mixed with a few drops of peppermint and lavender e.o.

New! Hair Mask/Smoothie Recipe: Part 3

I have tried Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie ($19, 8 oz.) and I don't like the wax that's in it, Jessicurl Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment ($12.75 + shipping, 8 oz.) and I hate to pay for shipping, and I've been eyeing Karen's Body Beautiful Luscious Locks Moisturizing Hair mask ($25 + shipping, 8 oz.). I simply refuse to pay that much money for product that will be rinsed out, and will only last 2-3 uses. So, a sistah got creative. I took the best ingredients from each of them and whipped up my own luscious creation. Here's what's in it:

shea butter
cocoa butter
coconut oil
castor oil
glycerin
*conditioner (cannot have silicones or protein. I use my Aubrey and Desert Essence)
almond oil
olive oil
rosemary e.o.
Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier (will post ingredients)

These are products that I use daily. I simply combined them in one product and it is the most moisturizing treat for my hair. I use it as a DT, I twist with it, I mix it in my palm with a few extra drops of oil and use it as a daily moisturizer. It is the business!

Styling: Part 4

Once my twists are done, I like to pin them up for a sophisticated look. My hair usually stays moisturized for 2-3 days using the smoothie. If it looks lackluster, I remove the pins, use the smoothie (with oil) as a daily moisturizer, seal with oil, and pin it up again. That's it!













My puff: Part 5

Kinky/Curly Magazine Celebrates One Year! and Tyra's Real Hair!

I wrote my very first blog entry on September 8, 2008. I let the entire World Wide Web know about my hair-story. Much of that story is still being written. I've fully accepted my crown, and I wear it proudly. I wear it well. My heart's desire is to now help other women accept theirs.

I think it's fitting that today Tyra Banks premiered Season 5 of her talk show by revealing her real hair (sans weave, still permed. It's about baby steps, y'all). She looked beautiful. She looked like that sistah at the mall, your child's always-put-together teacher, like YOU! It made me ask myself, If Tyra's gonna use weave, why use so much of it? Why must the transformation be so far from your original beauty, into a blonde, silky-haired stranger? It's gonna take baby steps, for real.

Tyra noted that the obsession with weave is not just a Brown Girl issue, noting that both Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton have hair (extension) lines, and that everyone in the industry wears weave. If everyone got nose jobs, Tyra, would you get one too?

Guests on her show revealed how insecure and unattractive they felt without weave. One Black woman said her weave gave her confidence, and that she "hated" her natural hair. A White guest with hair extensions stated "I am my hair." Where did the notion that long hair (straight, or natural) equals beauty come from?

Many men and women I asked said simply that long hair is more feminine, attractive and sexy. Women use it to flirt, men think it's a turn-on and want to run their fingers through it. It's what distinguishes us as the opposite sex. It's magical, the lore of fairy-tales, and it's romantic, and quite frankly, short hair is for lesbians. Not my words, Curlies. Don't shoot the messenger!

I challenge anyone reading this to question your own ideologies about hair and beauty. Can you emerge from the barber's chair rocking a Caesar and still feel FIERCE! If not, what's holding you back? Did you just "big chop" and now you can't wait for your "natural" hair to grow long so you can feel pretty again? Are you obsessed with vitamins and frequent "length checks", counting down the days until your hair is "bra strap length". If any of this rings true for you, ask yourself 'Why'.

Shaving my head made me feel strong and liberated. I defined beauty for myself, beauty was Me. Still is. I challenge you all to do the same.

Next season, Tyra? A twist-out? Can't wait! Until next time, Curlies.......

Jiggaboos and Wanna-Bees

I love Chris Rock for making this movie, exploring the topic of "good hair" in our community, and owning up to the fact that there is still self-hatred and ignorance among us. I hope this film is an eye opener, and that women see themselves in this film.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaake Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuup!"- Spike Lee's "School Daze"

Newly Natural

Pop princess and famous lil' sis Solange Knowles shaved her head recently. Here's the quote:

"I just wanted to be free from the bondage that black women sometimes put on themselves with hair. "

Please comment on this one guys. Input please! Let's just see how long before she throws a lace front back on. I'm just sayin'. I don't think she's in this for the long haul.

July Faves-Pics!

A Little Fall Face For 'Ya

Brick, Berry and Bordeaux lips are so hot for fall. So are warm lids and bold brows. Get ready!


Courtesy of Bobbi Brown:

Lipstick- Rich Cocoa

E/s- Chocolate Shimmer

Blush- Velvet Plum Pot Rouge (can also be used on lips)

Product Review: Karen's Body Beautiful

On a not-so-recent trip home to NYC (sorry I'm so late with this review), I paid a visit to my old stomping grounds in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. It's being re- gentrified, almost beyond recognition, but there have been some welcome (and much needed) additions to the neighborhood. @ 436 Myrtle Avenue stands a beautiful storefront known as Karen's Body Beautiful, with glass windows and doors, and an open kitchen where customers can watch owner Karen Tappin mix up healthy hair options for Brown Girls and Kinky Curly Cuties such as myself.


Najiyyah graciously walked me through the entire line of hair products (creams and butters, oils and hair masks), and introduced me to all the yummy fragrances! There are over ten heavenly scents (cranberry cocktail!, pomegranate guava!) and I settled on Creamy Coco Mango. I purchased a hair cream ($16, 8 oz.) and I have been very pleased. It has a whipped and fluffy consistency, and melts into your hands and hair effortlessly. A little goes a long way! This is a product I recommend and would repurchase.

Owner Karen Tappin (photo above), offers these tips for healthy hair.

Beauty Insider #4

Summer's in full effect, which means mini skirts and shaving. For a silky, smooth shave, try this tip: use an exfoliating body scrub on legs BEFORE you shave. You'll remove dead skin, and prepare legs for a smoother shave. Definitely use a hydrating shave cream, and follow up with your fave moisturizer afterwards.

That "Lit From Within" Look

Brown girls use bronzer too. To look "lit from within", not like 70's disco throwbacks. Cosmetics companies don't often think about bronzers for Brown girls. It's hard for them to get it right. Then I found a Mineralize Skinfinish Trio from MAC's new Colour Craft collection-it's really pretty y'all! Definitely a Brown girl must-have and it's limited edition, so hurry up! The collection debuted today and trust me when I say this one will sell out!


Warm Blend, $27
(Trio) Left: Antique Gold; Center: Mahogany Bronze; Right: Copper

Hair Update

I'm turning in my PJ card. No more samples, no more stock up and save, no more trying the next best thing. I've massed a good amount of product in my beauty closet and I'm really going to give what I have a chance to work and yield results. This is what I'm working with:

Shampoo
Aubrey Organics White Camelia
African Black Soap

Co-Wash
Herbal Essence Hydalicious and Hello Hydration
Yes To Carrots Pampering Hair Mud Conditioner
Inecto Coconut Conditioner

Deep Conditioner
Aubrey Organic Honeysuckle Rose
Lustrasilk Shea and Mango Cholesterol

Leave In
Talia Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier
Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee

Moisturizer
Karen's Body Beautiful Hair Cream
Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter
Shea Butter

Sealing Oil
Avocado oil
Coconut oil

Oh, Maxwell!

"Global warming aint got nothing on this chic, she's not to play with."

Great lyrics, great instrumentation (the horns on track 2 are sick), great album! So worth the wait. I just hope I don't have to wait this long again for great music.

Michael Joseph Jackson

August 29, 1958-June 25, 2009

Rest in Peace

We'll Keep Dancing........

No. 1 songs:

"Ben," 1972.

"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," 1979.

"Rock With You," 1980.

"The Girl Is Mine," 1982.

"Beat it," 1983.

"Billie Jean," 1983.

"Say Say Say," 1983.

"Bad," 1987.

"I Just Can't Stop Loving You," 1987.

"The Way You Make Me Feel," 1987.

"Dirty Diana," 1988.

"Man In The Mirror," 1988.

"Black Or White," 1991.

"You Are Not Alone," 1995.

___

Solo albums:

"Got To Be There," 1972.

"Ben," 1972.

"Music & Me," 1973.

"Forever, Michael," 1975.

"Off The Wall," 1979.

"Thriller," 1982.

"Bad," 1987.

"Dangerous," 1991.

"Invincible," 2001.

___

Albums by "The Jackson 5," the family R&B quintet that launched Jackson to fame:

"Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5," 1969.

"ABC," 1970.

"Third Album," 1970.

"The Jackson 5 Christmas Album," 1970.

"Goin' Back to Indiana," 1971.

"Maybe Tomorrow," 1971.

"Lookin' Through the Windows," 1972.

"Get It Together," 1973.

"In Japan!," 1973.

"Skywriter," 1973.

"Dancing Machine," 1974.

"Live!," 1974.

"Moving Violation," 1975.

___

Albums by "The Jacksons," which formed after the group — without older brother Jermaine — left Motown Records for the Epic record label:

"The Jacksons," 1976.

"Goin' Places," 1977.

"Destiny," 1978.

"Triumph," 1980.

"Live," 1981.

"Victory," 1984.

"2300 Jackson Street," 1989.

"We Are the World," a 1985 charity song co-written by Jackson and Lionel Richie. It reached the top of the charts, featuring the voices of Jackson, Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Ray Charles and a host of others.

Face of the Day-FOTD

It's a lazy day here at the Kinky/Curly casa, so I'm playing with my makeup. This is a natural, I'm not wearing any makeup, makeup look. It's sort of my siggie. Perfect skin, bronzer and highlight, and some gloss. If you have small eyes like me, but love the drama of eyeliner, here's a tip: Line your top lids and only the outer corner of your bottom lids. Use a bright, shimmering shadow on the inner eye/tear duct to open up the eye area.

Get the look:
Brows- Maybelline Define-A-Brow (medium brown)

Cover Girl e/s brown smolder, using an angled brush

Highlight under arch with concealer

Eye shadow- VS Cream Shadow (bronze medal)

Used Loreal Decrease as a base, to prevent creasing, especially in the summer.

Liner- NYC Brow/Eye Liner pencil #921A, $0.99 yall!

NYX eye/eyebrow pencil, white, in the water line

Vincent Longo duo eye pencil, carnaby pink, on the tear duct

Mascara- Cover Girl Lash Blast, Blackest Black, the BEST ever!

Revlon eyelash curler

Foundation- I used three mineral powder foundations to build coverage for a natural finish.
Maybelline Mineral Power (Tan)
MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural (deep dark)
Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Powder (Sunkiss)

Concealer
MAC Studio Sculpt NW 45, on blemishes

Blush
MAC Mineralize in LoveJoy, Sephora Blush Me in Corail Frisson

Contour using Iman sheer finish bronzing powder, Clay

Lips
Sephora lipgloss, Sweet Berry
The Body Shop sparkle l/g ? Sorry