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.

Bye Bye Curl Definition

Big messy braidout

Normally I'm a salve to curl definition. Gels, Denman brushes, Tangle Teezers I've done and used just about everything for that perfect curl. 

A few nights ago I didn't have any full bottle of styling products so I had to go into my stash of samples I'd acquired from different natural hair events. I asked my Instagram followers if they had ever used any of the products and I received some great feed back. One if my followers and friend in my head suggested I try a water and conditioner mixture. I was a little leery about the results so I added a little Design Essential's Daily Moisturizing Lotion, sectioned my hair into four sections, and plaited each section. 

Fast forward to the next day my hair was big and soft!!! 

I loved the amount of definition, it looked effortless. 

Within a couple of hours my hair was HUGE!!! It just kept getting better and better. That's when I decided I was over flat limp curls and would rock a mega fro for a while. 

Eve Pearl's Concealer Trio B Review

Eve Pearl Concealer Trio B and MAC Prolong Foundation applied with Beauty Blender

Concealer is set with Ben Nye's Banana Powder Foundation set with MAC MSF

If you follow me on Instagram you've seen the Eve Pearl Trio B concealer I snagged during her 40-60% sale. I've heard so many great things about this concealer and it's used by many industry professionals.

The claim

This luxurious,lightweight cream provides the most versatile sheer - medium - full coverage with a non-greasy texture that glides on the under eyes area or face, while allowing your skin to breathe. It blends into the skin and the universal spectrum of color in the pigments adapt to the skin tone and the changes caused by body chemistry, weather and sun exposure. Ideal for use when flawless precision is required with High Definition Cameras, Lights and REAL LIFE…for all ages.
CosmeNutrients®: Innovative Technology combining Vitamins, Minerals, Proteins, Peptides and Antioxidants into Multi-Functional Cosmetic Formulations.

 

Astaxanthin/AstaReal® ingredient benefits:

·       A powerful antioxidant 500 times stronger than Vitamin E

·       Packed with Omega-3

·       Hydrates,protects & rejuvenates your skin’s natural texture and elasticity

·         Anti-inflammatory properties to soothe, treat and protect against sun damage

Price: $52.00 

Pros:

• Creamy texture
• Buildable coverage 
• Pigmented

Cons:

• Too pricey 

My Thoughts

I could not wait to try this concealer after hearing so many great things about it. Eve Pearl is known for her salmon concealers that are good for correcting skin discolorations especially dark under eye circles. I ordered Trio "B" because I prefer my concealer to be a shade lighter than my actual skin tone so it doubles as a highlighter. 

The consistency is very creamy and it has great pigment. It blends really easy with a brush or a sponge. This concealer works like a charm for concealing dark circles, I instantly fell in love!!! The colors are perfectly neutral  not to warm or cool. 

The only drawback of this product for me is the cost. That's the reason it took me so long to purchase it. My only regret now is that I didn't purchase more products during the sale but I definitely will next time!

Product Review:: OCC "NSFW" Lip Tar

A couple of months back one of my Instagram luvs put me on to a daily deal from Lucky Magazine. They were offering 60% off of a Lip Tar kit which included four colors and a lip brush for $29.50!

It took me a while to get around to playing with the colors but when I finally did I fell head over heels for NSFW. 

I use to struggle finding the perfect red lip that flatters my complexion, until I met MAC's Ruby Woo and  we've been inseparable since. I hate orange based red lipsticks and I usually prefer a matte lip. 

NSFW is a blue based red pigmented gloss. If your familiar with OCC's  lip tars you know the moisturized feel they give your lips due to the Vitamin E and Hemp seed oil in them. They are very long wearing and play well with each other and other formulas so you mixologist can create many different looks.

I've worn NSFW with my beloved Ruby woo as well with a bold red lip liner (pictured below)

Earlier this week OCC announced lip tars will be available in Sephora stores nationwide Fall 2012.

Girls Night Out 

The Natural Hair Meetup:: Repost

I made the silly mistake of leaving Blogger for Wordpress. The grass wasn't greener on that side of the tracks at all so I'm back and will be moving a couple of post from that platform to blogger.

While running around the Makeup Show NYC on Mother's Day I was stopped by a woman asking to take a picture of my hair. She told me that she was having a natural hair meetup but it was in Baltimore, perfect!  Her name is Tara and she owns a natural hair salon in Baltimore, Md called the Tara's House of Style.

Fast forward to Sunday 7/1 THS's natural hair meetup was in full swing. Maryland had been hit with a horrible storm Friday prior to the storm which left over 200,000 people without power during a heatwave! That didn't stop this event, so many beautiful people came out to Morgan State University for one thing in common, Natural Hair. 

I attended the show alone so I definitely had awkward girl syndrome walking in but within minutes I spotted a couple of familiar faces. Guested were greeted with over sized bags filled with all kinds of hair goodies. Inside there was light food, jewelry vendors, and an amazing DJ.

Now I had an agenda when I got there. Tara was giving away two Huetiful hair steamers, one was for the first person at the event (I failed) and the other as a raffle prize. I needed that steamer so I did what any other logical person would do, called my sister and my man friend and told them to get there quick! Unfortunately I still didn't win a steamer but its all good because I had an AMAZING time!

                                                                   

             Youtube vlogger Karen  looked beautiful and she has the most flawless skin ever! 

I finally met my social network friend Danielle creator of Danielle Lewis Cosmetics. Her personality is amazing! Click the picture to check out her site!!

The table full of giveaways included products from Huetiful, Curls, Hair Rules, and more!

Braid out using Just For Me Curl Smoother and Vatika Oil

For more pictures check out 

http://thediaryofanaturalgal.com/2012/07/02/ths-natural-hair-meet-greet-recap/

Curly Diaries:: What I'm Currently Using:: July Edition

A few people on Instagram have been asking me what my go to products are, that's a hard question because they change frequently. I'll keep a monthly update of my go to products, this month my favs are:


1. Jane Carter's Curl Defining Cream- I really wanted to hate this product for two reasons the price and the consistency. I'd heard great things about CDC but according to Jane Carter's website it's $18 for a 6oz jar (chile please) but randomly in Target and found it for $3.74! I grabbed about 4 jars....don't judge! 
Another drawback was that it is a cream consistency, now my hair love gel consistencies because they provide a better hold. Well I decided to give the product a try and I fell in LOVE! It does exactly what it says it will do, lengthen and defines curls. Beware CDC does not play well with others, skip the leave in conditioners or other styling products. 


How I use it:: I wash and condition then apply CDC while hair is soaking wet, lastly I put my hair in 4-5 plaits with a small rod on the ends.


2. Trader Joe's Nourishing Spa Shampoo and Conditioner- This is a staple product for me I rarely switch shampoo and conditioners. Nourishing Spa is inexpensive and doesn't strip my hair. 

3. Wheat Germ Oil- Yes it smells like death however this heavy oil coats my strands and protects them from daily wear and tear. WGO is a ceramide so it lays the cuticle flat as well as helps prevent the loss of protein. 

How I use it:: After conditioning I add a little to my hair section by section. WGO does not cause buildup when paired with Jane Carter's Curl Defining Cream.

4. Vatika Oil- This is a true multitasking product, it provides UV protection, promotes growth, prevents shedding and dandruff. I'll be honest it isnt the best smelling product but the benefits outweigh the scent.


How I use it:: Apply to dry hair before bed then co wash in the morning or next wash day.


5. Biotin- I take a daily dose of this supplement to promote hair growth especially now that I want to grow out my heat damage. Be sure to consult your primary physician before taking Biotin blah blah blah :)


How I use it:: Orally take 1 pill per day.

NYX lip liner in Fuchsia 

Editorial Rewind: Grace Bol In Vogue Italia

Photography by Bryan Taylor Johnson Photography

Styled by Marc Clark

Makeup by Tinisse Buckman

Gowns by  Christian Siriano 

Sachika

source

5 Easy Steps To A Clean Face

5 Easy Steps to a clean makeup Look

1. FOCUS- Choose one feature to focus on, whether its flawless skin, a bold lip, or sultry smokey eyes, choose one feature to really focus on to prevent the face from looking cluttered. This does NOT mean you have to neglect other areas of your face.

2. GROOM your brows! Whether you have a full or sparse brow you can benefit from cleaning up you brow . Quick Tip: Brush your brows straight up to get a clear view of your shape  then shape them.

3. HIGHLIGHT AND CONTOUR- Remember foundation is one flat color unlike our natural skin. Ever wonder why you look so flat once you apply foundation? You  have to add dimension and enhance the planes of your face again.

                4. TONE down your concealer! The super bright highlight under your brow bone or eye is so passe. Instead  stick with a shade  1 or 2 shade lighter than your skin tone.

                          5. BLEND BLEND BLEND- No matter what area of the face your apply makeup to make sure it's well blended. Quick Tip: Snap a picture with your cell phone (flash on) to see what area's you've missed then go back and correct them.

D&G Ready-To-Wear 2012

Today was D&G Spring 2012 Ready- To- Wear show held in Milan. The dynamic duo behind the brand,  Domenico and Stefano, announced it would be their last collection. The collection was full of color, polka dots, butterflies,  scarves draped and ties around lean models. 

Overall a great collection to end, be sure to check out more pictures at 

Style.com

I absolutely adore the jacket Denni of Chicmuse wore to the D&G fashion show! Gorg!!!

Fall Trend My Way.....

Trend: Gold Lids/Plum Berry Lips

Products Used: NYX pigment in NUDE

MAC fluidline in Blacktrack

MAC Embark & Saddle e/s

MAC Prince Noir lipstick (Limited)

How to:

IFB Conference

Watch live streaming video from ifbconference at livestream.com




Watch the IFB conference  live!!


http://heartifb.com/

5 Youtubers You Should Know!

 I spend a lot of my time on Youtube mainly watching makeup tutorials. Here are just a few of the people I enjoy watching ;-)

1. Goss The Makeup Artist

I love Goss because he's , just a great makeup artist. He doesnt give the same generic tips he shows you what works for a variety of people. Goss also gives good product reviews and recommendation and has the cutest accent.

2. SalonCabelo

Rachel, owner of Salon Cabelo, provides healthy haircare tips that are sutible whether you hair natural, relaxed, or in between. 

3. ChicTv

Chic Tv allows to stay up to minute with fashion and beauty news!

                                                                           4. Destiny Godley
                                                   I've watched the progression of Destiny's YouTube career.                    
                                                   She gives great recommendations especially for women of color.
                                                 



                     
                                                      5. Makeup by Leina Baby
                                              Leina is a super cute makeup artist based in LA who not only              
                                           shares her favorite beauty finds but also fashion gems.