Other Side of the Game

Color, highlights and a blow-out

Straight Hair!

If you're in Atlanta, ask for Mrs. C.J at Like The River Salon, 240 N. Highland Ave.

Victoria's Secret Haul!

What are the odds that I scored a $500 card? I'll let you know April 1st.

Free SWAG from Victoria's Secret!

Sign up at VSPink.com and print a coupon for a FREE Pink tank (while supplies last) with any $10 purchase. Then, print the coupon for the $10 T-shirt dress, And receive a rewards card for $10 or more (up to $500)! Hurry, offer expires March 22! Love you, mean it!

Beautiful Skin is In!

You know I can't hold out on my fellow Curlies. I've started a new skin care routine and I'm noticing IMMEDIATE  results! Christine over at Temptalia.com interviewed Renee Rouleau, an esthetician who warns against over-exfoliating facial skin with the Clarisonic. Instead, she suggests alternating weeks of chemical and physical exfoliation, and using adequate moisturizer. Click here for the full interview.

Here's what I've been using for my dry skin. Make sure you choose products for your skin type.

Week 1
Cleanse with Philosophy Purity Made Simple
Exfoliate with Philosophy Microdlivery Peel (day 1)
Apply Reviva Labs Glycolic Acid facial toner (vitacost.com)
Moisturize with Philosophy Hope in a Jar Dry, Sensitive skin

Week 2
Cleanse using Oil-Cleanse Method
Exfoliate with Honey Olive Oil Sugar scrub, 2-3x/week  (3 TB Olive Oil, 2 TB Honey, 1/2 C sugar)
Moisturize with Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew serum and
Philosophy Hope in a Jar

My skin is so clear, virtually pore-less. My face looks healthy and glowing. Old acne scars are fading and I don't need to wear foundation, just a bit of concealer. I am sticking with this routine, and I hope it works for you if you give it a try. Always remember to eat well, drink water, exercise and rest. Vitamins can also be a great supplement. Leave a comment and let us know what works for your skin!

*UPDATE* NEW! Shea-loe recipe

I was so bummed when the last batch of shea-loe I made molded (ewww!), and the aloe vera separated from the shea butter. What a mess! I've since learned a few new things about mixing up this wonder-butter that heals my babies' eczema and softens my dry, winter skin and hair. Read on to learn more.

Recipe
1 C shea butter
1 Tb coconut oil
1/3 C combined oils- I like to mix vitamin E, a natural preservative (5,000 I.U), avocado, olive, almond and castor
1 Tsp honey, preservative
1/4 C aloe vera gel
10 drops tea tree e.o (preservative. no mold!)
10 drops rosemary e.o (preservative)
8 drops grapefruit and lavender e.o (fragrance. helps to balance the smell of tea tree and rosemary)

Create a double boiler by placing a glass bowl over a small pot of boiling water. Be careful not to let the bowl tip into the water. This will ruin your batch.

Add shea butter, coconut oil, 1/3 c oils to glass bowl, and allow to melt. Add honey while oils are hot. Stir gently. Remove glass bowl from heat and place on a surface for mixing. Add aloe vera gel to warm oil and mix using a hand mixer (often used for mixing cake batter).

The key to blending the aloe with the shea is mixing! Blend on low, then high, making sure to get air into the mix. This creates a fluffy, finished butter. Blend for about 15 minutes, then place glass bowl in the freezer for 10-15 minutes. Remove from freezer and blend again with mixer for about 2-5 minutes, or until the desired consistency. Add e.o and stir them in by hand. Transfer mixture to a clean, air-tight container with a lid. Place in refrigerator to set-up for a few hours.

I also like to label my batch with the date, so if it starts to look or smell funny, I know when to toss it. My last batch was January 12, so ar so good! Good thing everyone in my house uses it- it's almost gone!

What's in your spray bottle?

If you're leaving twists in your hair for days, or weeks, at a time, it's important to add moisture daily. Lots of Curlies mist their hair with a DIY leave-in conditioner. Recipes vary, I change mine depending on what I have on hand. This is my current mix:

6 oz. spray bottle
squirt of fave conditioner
squirt of Taliah Waajid Protective Mist Bodifier
squirt of aloe vera gel
a few drops of rich oil (avocado, olive, castor)
a few drops of fave e.o (tea tree, lavender, rosemary)
water

The ratio is roughly 70/30, with the majority being water. I spray my hair with this 2x/day, and seal with an oil at night. Let's water our garden, ladies! Until next time....

Outfit of the Day- Dad's 55th Birthday Dinner!

My father-in-law turned 55 Sunday, and to celebrate my mother-in-law invited the entire family over for a beautiful dinner. Dad was pleases, and everyone got a kick out of reminiscing with old photos. The icing on the cake- was Grandma's pineapple cake! Heaven!

Headband: BCBG
Beaded Jacket: Loehmann's
Tunic Tank: Foever XXI
Skinny Jeans: GAP
Boots: Old Navy
Bracelet: Wet Seal

FOTD- This is my 5-minute face, no foundation or concealer. I simply added eyes.

Face: No. 7 Radiant Glow Beauty Lotion, Target

Brows: Maybelline Define-A-Brow pencil, Med. Brown- Strong brows are very on-trend for winter, and in to Spring 2010
Bobbi Brown angle brush
Cover Girl e/s, Brown Smolder as brow powder
Mascara: Cover Girl Lash Blast, Very Black
Base: Loreal De-Crease
Vincent Longo Eye Shimmer Souffle, Pallido (a very soft, gold cream shadow, used as a base)
Zitomer Luminous e/s, Metropolitan on lid
Cover Girl e/s, Brown Smolder, crease
NYX l/s Echo
MAC l/g 3N


I am the Queen of mixing high and low, vintage with modern. You don't have to spend a million to look like a million! Be beautiful, Curlies!