I'll Do It...Don't Come Any Closer!

After conditioning my hair, it appears that some protective styling may be best for me now. I can tell my hair is growing, but I've been doing a lot with it and it's in need of a break. I've been polling my friends and associates to see what their thoughts on braiding my hair were. Some encouraged the idea, supporting it with the season, my increased level of activity and practicality. Others shrieked at the notion. "It's not very professional!" Huh? Did they forget that I had locs and held down a thriving professional career for over seven years? There are ways to style the hair so that it is still clean and presentable...duh. Another mentioned that braids were out of style...So you mean to tell me that one of the oldest styles in our civilization is now outdated?

Get outta here...

S-T-R-E-T-C-H...The Plot Thickens!!

OohWee! I don't know how much longer I can stretch my next relaxer. My last texlax application was June 1st, and I think my hair is starting to get used to my most recent regimen - a good problem, I guess. It's really starting to grow in thicker than usual. I'm trying to push my next texlax application to August 30th (which would be 90 days)...but I don't know. I am scheduled for a deep conditioning tonight. I'll be using Shu Uemura's Muroto Volume, which works to add volume to the hair.

Giving Back: I Am B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L.

I had the awesome pleasure of being a special guest presenter for an I Am B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L. (Brave, Energetic, Assertive, Unique, Tenacious, Important, Fabulous, Unequaled, and Loved) event! Along with hanging out with the girls, we got a chance to discuss skin care, self care, makeup, hair and more girls' stuff! Afterwards, we watched the Princess and the Frog and enjoyed popcorn and snacks. Unfortunately, I had to go home :-(...but I'm sure the "girls night in" (slumber party) continued. They were great, and I hope to work with them again!

Check this organization out - what they're doing for girls (and women) is great!

Gift from the girls - thanks ladies!

Lovely Lyrics

Feels just like a weight has lifted, how can I help repay you? Help me understand currency, a fist full of tears I can afford.
...
I go insane-crazy sometimes trying to keep you from loosing your mind.
...
We gon fight the war, we gon fight our fears. The only thing I wanna throw is a fist full of tears.

There are more out there, but today this song is really getting me. I'm trying to resist what I call the "crazy rock." You've seen in portrayed in movies. You know. When someone is being contemplative about something and all they can do is rock in solidarity-in their thoughts. That's where I am right now. So thank you Maxwell and the man who wrote this song with him.

Words are some of the closest things to perfection when used the right way!

Hair-ducation: Hair Growth Support

On my quest to learn more about growing healthy hair, I've stumbled upon a universe of information. I will attempt to share the information specific to growing and maintaining healthy hair between visits/consultations with your professional hair care provider. I should provide some overview first.

The Hair Growth Cycle
Each hair on our heads has its own cycle. The cycle mainly has three phases: Growth-Transition, Rest/Sleep and Re-growth/Shed. The cycle can last anywhere from two to six years. Obviously, each hair starts growing at different times; otherwise, we would all loose a head-full of hair simultaneously (thank goodness that's not the case).

What to Do?!

Poised at a cross roads with my hair, and not sure what to do with it...I'm referring to protective styling. Protective styles are especially ideal for summer months. It will also be a great option for me since I've taken on a Healthy Hair-growth Challenge. This way I can continue my regimen without having to trouble with my hair for a long period of time. I would go with a weave, but that would be too hot. I am leaning towards a braided style. Yeah, maybe that's what I'll do...

The Eyes Have It: Eye Shapes, Placement and Dimension

This entry features similar charts to what may be used in formal instruction; no harm in sharing this information with you though, right? First things first: take a look at the charts and discover your type.

Eye Shapes

Average/Standard - For those of us who already have average/standard (sometimes referred to as "almond") shaped eyes, you have the most freedom when going for the basic application. Stick with the 3-dimension makeup application for the eyes (i.e., shade, crease color, highlight), or go crazy with color!

For the rest of us, the goal is to give the perception that we have an almond (sometimes referred to as "standard") eye shape. Yes, "perception."

UPDATE: Black Castor Oil

One of my earlier entries highlighted a product that promotes healthy hair growth. Days after my post, my sisters of blogdom from the UK (Long Hair Journal) gave the product a review and offered some alternate ingredients that are effective and not expensive. So, for those of you, who are starting on your own hair growth journeys, may find this helpful - I did. I'm still working on my own version. We'll see how things go in a month or so.

Until then...

The Eyes Have It!

Whether you believe that they are the mirror to the soul, or subcribe to accessorizing them with the hottest diva shades; we can't deny that when it comes to makeup: the eyes have it! Let me first say that there are NO RULES with makeup (well, besides making sure your foundation is the correct match and other fundamental guides)! Yep, I said it - and I know someone will remind me of that later on. 'No rules' allows for your creative liberties to be fully expressed. Besides, who am I to hinder your creative freedom?! No, seriously, there are best practices and guidelines that I think are helpful when attempting to achieve a certain look. The eyes only take up a fraction of our face, but require a considerable amount of thought and preparation for certain looks (i.e., smokey eye, everyday, evening, etc.).

Color basics
To shorten the explanation (or an entire chapter of some text books), darker shades deepen the visual perspective, as these shades absorb light. This is why we apply darker shades under the cheekbone (in the hollow of the jaw)

What Qualifies You?

Yeah...somebody did ask me that after I shopped for and dressed her sister. I suppose her sister's satisfaction wasn't enough of an explanation. If I were as presumptuous as she seemed, I'd probably tell her to ask my clients, instead I told her the following story.

The story about how I knew I loved to prepare "looks" for other people...

Well, first let me say that it's fun to me. I also believe that I have a knack for most things aesthetic. During my sophomore year in college, my cousin and I went shopping for "night-on-the-town" outfits - known then (to us) as "club gear." After perusing the halls of a popular the retail outlet mall, we came across one of my favorite stores for the hip and fashion-forward twenty-something woman. I pulled a couple of separates together and asked my cousin to get a fitting room so she could try them on. Knowing what I was up to, she was hesitant - almost refused my prodding, but eventually gave in. She stepped out of the dressing room to model the outfits pulled together for her...

"Tex"laxing Hair?

I am getting such an education about haircare techniques women are using to protect their hair from long-term damage. If you're familiar with hair relaxers, then you've probably already guessed what texlaxing is. Relaxing your hair, but not long enough for it to "take" or be bone straight. I was leery about the concept, initially, but I've been trying it and I think I prefer it. My hair doesn't look as thin as it used to and it still has the flow and bounce that I like after washing and conditioning it. The only draw-back is
what the "tex" of my texlaxed hair does in the hot humid weather...

Black Castor Oil...

This is in response to the requests for additional information about the hair oil referenced. I got the ingredients and instructions from YouTube videos. The instructions come in a Part 1 and Part 2 (watch your speaker volume). However, I should mention that I added my own twist to what is directed, and I am still waiting to see how my version works.

Basic Ingredients: