Internal Skincare

Like many people, I have a couple of dark marks here and there that refuses to fade and the dreadful dark muzzle -__-

I try not to worry myself too much about my skin because I never wanted to wear makeup so much that I forget what I actually look like. 

For the past two months I've been trying to even my skin tone and improve its elasticity. The elasticity is important because I'm not the youngest gal at the ball so preventing premature wrinkles is a necessity. 

I love a natural glow to the skin but this past winter was dreadful. My skin was very dry and flaky and no matter what moisturizer I applied, it would just sit on the surface never penetrating. 

The first thing  I decided to do is evaluate what my body was lacking. After a quick visit to my doctor I found out that not only I have an iron deficiency (already knew) but my potassium levels were low, and I was dehydrated. Along with my daily multivitamin, I began taking an iron supplement. I also added fish oil to my daily vitamin cocktail, which consist of biotin, folic acid, and a multi vitamin. 

It didn't take long to see the effects of adding the supplements and increasing my water intake. My skin was much brighter. 

Around the same time my man friend decided to step our weight gainer shakes up a bit by adding soy protein, kale, bananas, carrots, flax seeds, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. My goodness This heavenly concoction changed the skincare game for me! Not only was my face glowing but my entire body felt and looked different. I had energy, my nails were stronger and grew much faster. I've always loved flax seed oil but we happen to have a whole bag of flax seeds after an attempt to make flax seed hair gel. Unfortunately what I didn't know was I needed to ground the seeds prior to blending to make them as fine as possible for absorption. However I've switched back to flax seed oil since.

So now my body was getting iron from the kale and potassium from the bananas as well as beta carotene from the carrots, and more than enough omega-3 fatty acids from the fish oil and flax oil (fiber).

The true test was yet to come, the dreadful PMS breakout. Every month I get a huge zit on the side of my cheek and no matter what I try to do it won't go away. Thankfully I haven't seen her on my cheek for the last two months! Yes yes yes! 

I'm continuously trying new shake recipes incorporating green leafy vegetables and fruits. I really love my skincare regimen. I may not have the best eating habits but I'm a firm believer that if you want clear skin you have to correct internal issues and well as topical.

**Remember to contact your Doctor before adding supplements to your diet. What works for me may not work for you. Allow 6-8 weeks to see results of any skincare regimen.

Feel free to share your favorite skin care recipes, tips, and products below :)

Natural Hair Merry Go Round // Text Only//

It has been an uphill battle with my hair. This past winter wrecked havoc causing my dry brittle strands to snap off and I retained little to no length. I usually have this hair care thing under control but much like other things in my life, it switched up on me. While I have found some products that have helped I'm still on the hunt for that one inexpensive product that will swoop in and save the day.
I'm a die hard protein user, always have been. I love how it whips my hair back into shape especially after using heat. Maryland cold weather doesn't play well with protein so I added moisture into my regimen.
Fast forward to hot dry summer days, I think I've found some promising products including Wen Conditioning Cleanser.
I was introduced to Wen back in 2008 and remember thinking there was no way I was giving up shampoo. Traditional hair washing was working just fine for me and if it wasn't broken why even bother. I finally tried Wen and my new growth melted! My hair was super soft until the next wash. The only other product that offers that kind of softness is Joico's Moisture Recovery Treatment Balm. Now I must admit, I've yet to experience the results I'd gotten the first time I used Wen, but I continue to chase the high I got the very first time by splurging on different Wen flavors.
Yesterday I cut, colored, deep conditioned, and my hair. I've also introduced glycerin based products into my regimen which have been keeping my hair moisturized and acts as a humectant so it pulls moisture from the air. The only downside to this is the added moisture from the air has no respect for curl definition no matter how many curl defining products I may use with it. Oh well, I'm willing to make sacrifices for the sake of retention.
In the future I'll have to resort back to my early natural days and find new products that work for me through trial and error. For the sake of my pockets I pray I find my holy grail products soon.

It's 5:35a I'm going to attempt to get some rest, signing off Nakira Bradshaw (Lol)

Q.U.E.E.N. Makeup Product List

Eyes:

Mac spiked brow pencil

Smashbox eye primer

Mac Saddle e/s

Mac Razin blush

NYX milk pencil

MUFE Aqua liner

NYX eyeliner pencil

Mac Zoom mascara

Lashes blue box #117

Face:

Embryolisse moisturizer

Kiss BB cream (medium dark)

Black Opal stick foundation (heavenly honey)

MAC Prolong concealer (NW40)

ELF translucent powder

Mac mineralized skin finish (medium dark/Sunpower)

MAC Razin blush

Sephora pot of gold loose shimmer powder

Lips:

Mac Night Blook lipstick

NYX Deep plum

Original look created by makeup artist Saisha Beecham for Janelle Monae's Q.U.E.E.N. video

RIP //Pour A Little Out For Samoa Silk//

Lid: Samoa Silk

Crease: MAC's Raizin Blush

Brows: MAC Brow Fluidline Deep Dark Brunette

Lashes: MAC's Extreme Dimension 

Skin: MAC's Fluid Liquid x Black Opal Foundation Stick

Powder: Ben Nye Mojave Powders (Camel, Sephia, Adobe, and Topaz)

Highlight: NYX Mink loose pigment

Lips: NYX Deep purple liner

MAQ Pro Eye Lip & Face Palette (Light pink color)

MAC's Pink Fade Lipglass (limited) 

DIY Flaxseed Gel {Review}

Lately my braid outs haven't been lasting throughout the day so I began my search for a new holding product. Flaxseed gel was on my list of things to try but hadn't gotten around to making it. Some of the claims of flaxseed gel are shinier hair, curl definition, nourishes hair, and cost effective.

What I Used:

1. 1/4 Cup Organic Flaxseeds

 2. Plastic Container w/ Lid

   3. Knee High Stockings

4. 2 Cups of Water

     5. Wooden Spoon

          6. Aloe Vera Gel

       7. Olive Oil

How To:

Combine flaxseeds and water in a pot and bring to a boil.

Stir frequently with a wooden spoon to prevent flaxseed from sticking to pot

Mixture will turn frothy white and gel like texture.

IMPORTANT: Turn off heat while gel is a thin consistency, no worries it will thicken later.

The thicker the gel the harder it is to strain.

Stretch stocking over the top of the plastic container.

Pour gel into the stockings.

Gel should strain into plastic container while flaxseeds will remain in stockings.

Add Aloe Vera Gel and/or Essential oils (Optional)

Let cool and thicken.

{My Thoughts}

I did my usual braidout however I felt the gel gave my hair a little too much hold. It really took some work plucking my hair out and making it bigger.

I believe this would work much better on a wash and go, which I will try again in the spring once my new growth grows out. The consistency reminds me of Kinky Curly Curling Custard.

On the plus side my hair held all day and was shiny.