16 Months Post BC: Clay Rinsing

Hello World and Naturalistas!

Does your hair lack movement? Are twistouts all of a sudden a FAIL? Is your hair weighed down?

Try Clay Rinsing!

I'm not sure how many of you have heard of Clay Rinsing but today I will talk a little bit about it and it's purpose and benefits and the results on my hair. 

Bentonine clay is used on the hair to clarify. Clarify meaning to remove all of the product build up that may be on your hair from using products that contain silicons constantly. Many people rely on cowashing (washing with conditioners) to avoid drying out their hair with sulfate shampoos. A lot of conditioners contain silicons. Non-Soluble silicons stay on our hair strands until washed away with sulfate shampoos but if all you use are conditioners then what happens? Your hair gets product build up. 

In this instance Clay is helpful because it removes all the products that may be on your hair strands. It calcifies so well that your curls will begin to come out.

Here's a photo of my experience:

 
How to use: Apply water to the dry powdered clay and stir (with a plastic spoon) until it is a smooth consistency. If you are having itchy scalp add Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) instead of water to assist with the scalp irritation.

I prefer to apply the product on wet hair because you don't want this stuff drying in your hair, it will be a pain to remove. I don't leave the mix in for more than 10-15 minutes. If it's your first time trying out the clay I recommend less than 10 minutes.

It is important that you make sure you remove all of the clay out of your hair, use a sulfate free shampoo or a light conditioner if necessary.

 After rinsing this product out your hair may feel DRY. You do not have to go and deep condition though. You can simply perform the LOC (Liquid, Oil, Conditioner) method to restore moisture back in your hair.

It is recommended not to use Clay often to clarify because of how drying it can be.

Have you tried it before? Did you hate it or love it? Never tried? ...Will you try it?

 Leave some feedback and let me know what you think of Clay Rinsing! :)

20 Months Post BC: Quick Way to Refresh Your Hair Color !!

Hello World and Naturalistas!!

I always have hair impulses! Meaning: I always get the sudden urge to do something different to my hair. This time it was inspired by ElleeteCreations. She had this beautiful red hair color called "Infrared" by Manic Panic. She had attempted to refresh her color once before using "Jazzing" but it washed out after one wash. At that very moment a light bulb went off in my head. I immediately wanted to go out to the hair store and buy the hair color. But something told me not to.

A few weeks went by and I thought about coloring my hair again, so I did some research. I wanted to know 1. Which dye to buy 2.How long did it last. After my research I decided to get Adore. Second best recommended semi-permanent under 10$.

Breif BackStory: June 2014 I dyed the half front portion of my hair "Magic Plum" by Dark n Lovely. 

Here's what that looked like:

After a while red dyes turn your hair this nasty brownish/orangey color, that has a tendency to make your hair look dry. The color is also really grown out, only the tips of my hair still have color. In order to get a little change without too much damage I decided to pick a red color to bring some spice for the Spring Season.

I chose: Intense Red by Adore

I loved the result and it was VERY noticeable. Quiet a few people even asked if I dyed my hair :)

 If you have an old permanent washed out color in your hair and want a color change, try using a semi-permanent for quick and less hair damaging results !

Here's the video if you want to see her process and end results :)

18-19 Months Post BC: Perm Rod Set Result

Hello WORLD and Naturalistas !!

I remember when I was about one month post BC and I bought the really skinny pink perm rods because I wanted to do a perm rod set. Let me tell you my hair was about 1 inch and would NOT stay on the rod no matter how many bobby pins I used. So I gave up struggling with that and put them away for a while. For next couple months after that I resorted to two strand twist outs and protective styles like Marley Twists.

Now that my hair is longer I decided to bust out the perm rods. I actually saw a tutorial on YouTube and went out and bought white rods forgetting that I already had pink ones. I did this over Spring Break for experimental purposes, just in case it came out bad. lol.

This time around I decided to use the spiraling method, where you spin the rod in a circle so you get spiral curls instead of just rolling it up and getting Shirley temple curls. Personally, I like to start from the top down to get the rod as close to my scalp as possible (to avoid bushy roots) and then smooth the ends down with gel. Many people recommend doing the very opposite to avoid getting frizzy ends. In my opinion, if your ends get that frizzy you may need a trim.

Here's a look at my whole head is filled with rollers. I used the bigger rollers in the middle because my hair is a completely different texture in the back and I wanted it to look fuller.

 For this rod set I just used water and Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner for a soft hold. I completed this style on old dry hair, Here's the result:

Because I did not use any holding cream or gel on this style it only lasted about 3 days (barely) before it started to look bad. I brushed up the sides and attempted to create a Frohawk with this style.

I loved this style so much that I decided that I wanted it for Easter Sunday. This time using Cantu Shea butter and EcoStyler Argan Oil Gel. Unfortunately, I did have a little bit of flaking. (I never had that issue with the EcoStyler Olive Oil Gel & Cantu Leave-In Mix).

Here's the style on Day Two:

I used Creme of Nature Argan Oil Edge control to SLAY my edges. I also used pink rods,I found that the smaller the rod the longer it lasts, I'm sure the gel helped too. 

Look out for more Natural Hair Styles in Future posts!

5 Things I Regret NOT doing in College

Hey WORLD !!

I know that people say that it's best to live your life to the fullest with no regrets and that's what I do. I don't ever regret something that I did, just things that I didn't do. This post will be about "Things I regret NOT doing in college."

Now that I have one more year left I began reflect on the last four years of my life. Unfortunately, I can honestly say that there are some things that I wish I did. 

ONE.

I should have been MORE involved.

It's not enough to go to programs and activities on campus. Be apart of them, help create and organize them. Create a group or organization and make a difference on your campus. Don't be shy! Side Note: Everyone's talented, some are passionate .. but with both? You're the perfect catch, utilize it.

How to combat: Are you interested in dance? Join the dance team! Your school doesn't have one, find a group of people who want to dance as well and create one!

TWO.

 I should have asked questions.

You're not expected to know everything but the number one way to gain knowledge is by asking questions. There are a lot of guidelines that I needed to follow for my particular major. Some things I was told and none of them were explained because I did not ask for an explanation. (Taking responsibility for your actions will help you improve who you are) I wish that I had asked questions so that I would have been aware of the circumstances I would have to deal with. I ended up learning the hard way, You don't have to.

  

THREE.

I should have made a scrap book.

Everyone is so wrapped up in technology but the truth is, if that information is lost there may not be a way to get it back. To me, physical pictures are tangible and have much more meaning. Freshman year I started collecting things that I would add into my scrapbook but never got around to creating one. I can start now but I felt like it would've been more meaningful to start from the very beginning, and by the time I graduated I would have a personal "yearbook" with precious moments.

FOUR. 

 

          I should have done my work on time.

Honestly, there were times I was capable of getting either an A or B in a class and I didn't because I procrastinated so bad and handed in work late. Procrastination is of the devil y'all, lemme tell you. I know it is easier said than done, when you're just TIRED of school altogether. 

How to combat: set a goal and be self-motivated to keep pushing to reach the goal. Whether it's a short term one like "If I finish this paper by Wednesday, I'll reward myself by going out." or a long term one like "I want dean's list" Take the necessary steps to reach it and come out of your struggle victorious. 

FIVE.

I should have saved.

I wish I would have continuously saved money from my freshman year of college so that when I graduate I could begin life on my own, go on a vacation, buy a car, etc. I will start NOW because I have one more year left. As the saying goes, "better late than never." Praying that the statement applies here :) 

How to combat: Resist the urge to spend money unnecessarily. Don't go buy fast food if there is already food in the house to eat. Instead of buying fast food buy food that will last for more than one night. Only buy clothing items when you NEED something or to treat yourself... once in a while. Not every chance you get, like me.

Hope this post was insightful to some and relatable to others. Please share if you enjoyed reading!

Spring 2015 Haul

HEY WORLD!

There are a few reasons why I sometimes I find myself "temporarily financially unstable" ... one of the reasons should be very obvious by now. That's right! You guessed it! SHOPPING!

These blog will include items that I have bought in the past 2 months to add to my spring wardrobe .. Please enjoy!

 
Item: Tribal Print Cardigan
Store: Vinted Co.
Brand: Forever 21
Original Price: Unknown
I Paid: 6.75
Like it? Similar Item

Item: Printed Chiffon Top
Store: Vinted Co.
Brand: Shrinking Violet
Original Price: Unkown
I Paid: 6.75
Like it? Similar Item

 
Item: Printed Tank Top
Store: Charlotte Russe
Brand: Charlotte Russe
Original Price: 12.99
I Paid: 12.99
Like it? Similar Item

Item: Floral Crop Top
Store: Vinted Co.
Brand: Forever 21
Original Price: 12.80
I paid: 0.50
Like it? Get it now !

Item: Orange and Black Party Dress
Store: Vinted
Brand: Papaya
Original Price: 16.99
I paid: 6.25
Like it? Similar Item

Item: Abstract Stripe Bodycon Dress
Store: Forever 21
Brand: Forever 21
Original Price: 10.90
I paid: 10.90
Like it? Get it now!

Item: Striped Racer-back Maxi Dress
Store: Forever 21
Brand: Forever 21
Original Price:15.90
I paid: 15.90
Like it? Get it now!

Item: Coral Midi Skirt
Store: Forever 21
Brand: Forever 21
Original Price: 6.90
I paid: 6.90
Like it? Get it now!

Item: Emerald Green Midi Skirt
Store: Forever 21
Brand: Forever 21
Original Price: 6.90
I paid: 6.90
Like it? Similar Item

Item: Lace Mini Skirt
Store: Forever 21
Brand: Forever 21
Original Price: 7.80
I paid: 7.80
Like it? Get it now!

Item: Ribbed Mini Skirt
Store: Vinted Co
Brand: Forever 21
Original Price: 5.80
I paid: 3.50
Like it? Similar Item

Item: Black Jogger Pants
Store: Forever 21
Brand: Forever 21
Original Price:12.90
I paid: 12.90
Like it? Similar Item

 Item: Navy Converse Sneakers
Store: Poshmark
Brand: Converse
Original Price: 50.00
I paid: 23.00
Like them? Get it now!

Item: Tan Sandals
Store: Rainbow
Brand: Rouge
Original Price: 14.99
I paid: 10.00
Like them? Get it Now!

Item: Floral Sneakers
Store: Rainbow
Brand: Twisted
Orignial Price: 19.99
I paid: 10.00
Like them?  Similar Item

 Item: White and Gold Strappy Chunky Heel
Store: Vinted Co.
Brand: Mark and Maddux
Original Price: 40.00
I paid: 12.00
Like them? Similar Item

Item: Black Sandal
Store: Rainbow
Brand: Rouge
Original Price: 12.99
I paid: 12.99
Like it?  Get it now!

Item: "A Thousand Wishes" Body Spray
Store: Bath & Body Works
Brand: Bath & Body Works
Original Price: 14.00
I Paid: 7.61
Interested? Check it out!

Item: "Sexy Tease" Body Spray
Store: Mall Kios
Brand: CJLasso
Original Price: 14.00
I paid: 5.00
Interested? Check it out! 












If you like what you saw I inserted links that should help you find a new cute item to add to your closet! Please notice how the items I got from Vinted Co. were way cheaper than the retail price. Not to mention that they're all fabulous :). Sign up today at www.vinted.com or download "Vinted" on your mobile device. Once upon a time I was able to give out a link for others to sign up and get a $5 credit but now the link no longer works.  BUT if when you sign up and they ask you for one you can use (3202017).  Interested in checking out Poshmark? Sign up online or download the app on your mobile device using promo code (BMMIX) to earn a $5 credit toward your first purchase.

Happy Shopping! Happy Spring!

NEW LOOK, NEW FEEL !

Now that I am NEARLY done with the semester I have free time to blog away! Get ready to enjoy the new posts I have for you in the near future. If you read often you know that I talk about EVERYTHING! If you're new click on a post with a topic that most interest you and read away. Don't forget to comment and share if it was insightful, inspiring, or just a good read. If you benefited from it, chances are someone else will too :D

Also,  I decided to change the look of my blog to something fun and exciting!! Something summery :) So please enjoy !