Nikisha Brunson X Once Bitten Collaboration

I’m so excited to share this collaboration with you guys because the owner of this amazing online clothing boutique Once Bitten lives in my new city of Austin! Joanna Wilkinson is a writer, photographer, stylist, founder of the blog Keep Austin Stylish, and owner of the online boutique Once Bitten. When I saw her clothes I fell in love with almost everything I set my eyes on, and that’s a rarity for me! I saw my faves… velvet, blacks, whites, neutrals, grays, and mustard…and can we talk about how almost everything has pockets (for the win!!!). We spoke about her inspirations such as Twiggy and how she started her online boutique this past December and how it’s already picked up a huge buzz! So check out my shoot below in some of the amazing finds that are available in her boutique!

 

I hope to share more of Austin’s creatives with you guys, so stay tuned!

 

Photographed by Sanetra Stewart

Dusk Til Dawn Caramel Dress by Asilio

Essential Antwerp Painterly Dress

Cream and Black Striped Tunic Dress

 

 

 

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Review: Be Kekoa Be Moist Hydrating Conditioner

I'm gonna let you guys in on a little secret:

I'm in love with Be Kekoa. No like seriously, there's a legit product love affair going on. 

Ever since Be Kekoa walked into my life, wash day has been something like a dream. You know those blog posts and YouTube videos that lament wash day, or advise you to block out 18 hours of your day just to see it through? Yeah, I'll be having none of that. #noshade.


I'll tell you guys until I'm blue in the face about my undying love for Bae Clean, because of how amazing it is. You can even see it in action in my wash day video. Because I've been spending the past two months getting reeeeeeally intimate with the Be Kekoa product line, I'm going to start rolling out reviews of my faves. I'm going to try really hard to stick with products that you can access online, because Be Kekoa does offer some products as salon-only exclusives, which is no fun for you ladies living outside of Southern California. Anywho, next in line is the Be Kekoa Be Moist Hydrating Conditioner. You guys know how I roll:

Availability: Since Be Kekoa is Brandie's own salon line, products are available for purchase exclusively online at www.bekekoa.com, or directly at her salon in Temecula (for those not too far from Riverside County). She's in the process of growing her distribution, and you can catch Be Kekoa products at Angie's Head 2 Toe Salon in Hattisburg, Mississippi (for those of you reading this who live down south). Be Kekoa has recently expanded all the way in Australia -- and can be ordered at afropuffs.com.au

Affordability: At $16 for 8oz, the Be Moist Hydrating Conditioner is a little outside of that $10-$12 range for most natural hair products, but is well worth a few extra dollars.

Ingredient List: Click here for the full ingredient list.

Top Ingredient 411:

• Cetearyl Alcohol: Considered "fatty alcohol" -- NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Acts as a lubricant, thickener, and emollient. Also give conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Is additionally used to keep product ingredients from separating.
• Behetrimonium Methosulfate: Gentle surfactant made from non-GMO rapeseed (canola oil), and is one of the mildest detangling ingredients out there. It doesn't cause buildup or irritation to the scalp.
• Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that absorbs and retains moisture from the air. Makes conditioners and deep conditioners with this ingredient ideal for use with steamers
• Cyclopentasiloxane: Emollient and hair conditioning silicone-based compound. It is water-thin and evaporates easily, so it does not weigh the hair down. It gives your hair a wet, slippery, soft feel without greasiness or making it dry and crunchy.
• Cyclotetrasiloxane: Conditioning silicione
• Cocoa Seed Butter: Rich in antioxidants, vitamins A, B1, B2, and potassium which fight signs of aging and damage, promotes shine, strength, and growth. Cocoa butter also contains flavanols, which are natural UV protectants

Product Claim/Description: This radical formula combines a lightweight polymer with rich conditioning oils to enhance manageability and shine. Separates and lifts curls, leaving them with a natural, carefree bounce. Proteins and nutrients are delivered into the hair shaft to maintain smooth, individual curls that are safe from humidity. Fortified to protect color.

Performance/Delivery: First things first -- Be Moist smells heavenly. It's romantically floral and slightly sultry. If this were a perfume or body oil, I'd totally wear it every day and call it my signature scent. It's not overbearing, and doesn't break me out into the sneezes. The consistency is creamy and smooth, without being too thick. It definitely straddles the line between regular and deep conditioner (it can be used for both). The first thing I noticed upon applying this to my hair was the slip. Oh my goodness, the slip. If your conditioner is difficult to work through your hair, you're losing, period. Be Kekoa Be Moist plays no games in that area. The second thing I noticed was how my hair drank it up. It absorbed right into my hair, letting all the moisturizing goodness go to work. Be Moist is the perfect companion to Be Clean or Be Clair. I've used Be Moist so many different ways -- as a quick conditioner, as a deep conditioner, with heat, with steam -- and all around, the results are phenomenal (although my favorite experiences have been under a steamer).

Once rinsing Be Moist out of your hair, be prepared for the shine of a lifetime. I mean, epic shine. Shine that will have folks asking what you have in your hair shine. Shine that almost made me forget how dull my color treated hair actually is. Be Moist has my hair feeling smooth, sleek, and looking brilliantly shiny after every use. Don't believe me, just watch:



Drawbacks: What is considered a drawback for some of you is not necessarily a drawback for me. If you're into that type of thing, Be Moist isn't Curly Girl-friendly. It does contain silicones, but it's important to understand that all cones are not created equal. Some are heavier, some are more occlusive, and others are lightweight and evaporate. To learn more about the main silicone in Be Moist (cyclopentasiloxane), check out this quick post from The Beauty Brains. But if you're a strict adherent to the Curly Girl Method, Be Clean is out of the running for you.

Bonuses: Color. Protection. I've got to be honest -- I love my red hair dye, but having colored curls has been such a pill lately. It's a lot of work to maintain, as I can attest to here. But I am thankful for conditioners like Be Moist that work in a number of different ways to help keep colored hair on your head. One, the slip eases tangles and helps prevent breakage. Intense hydrating keeps the hair from becoming brittle and dry, and the lightweight silicones help smooth the hair shaft. It can still work wonders for non-colored hair, but if you've got dye, Be Moist is a must.

Bottom Line: If you need a multi-faceted conditioner that will work wonders whether used for 10 minutes or 2 hours, Be Moist is the one.

Overall Product Rating: 4.5 stars. I just need a bigger bottle!

Best Practices: Treat Be Moist like you would any regular or deep conditioner. No special rules here :)

Have you tried Be Kekoa Be Moist Conditioner?

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The Top 3 Hydrolyzed Proteins That Will Take Your Hair From Drab To Fab

Lately I have seen posts in a couple of forums concerning the hydrolyzed proteins that are starting to pop up in many conditioners. Now, I don’t know about you guys, but in the beginning when I really started to get into healthy hair care information, I was very confused about hydrolyzed proteins and which was Click to continue... The post The Top 3 Hydrolyzed Proteins That Will Take Your...

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4 Drugstore Product Staples Under $10

You’ve just decided to begin your hair journey – you’ve been through the blogs and YouTube videos, you’ve asked your friends for advice, and you’re super ready to begin caring for and maintaining your transitioning (or newly natural) hair. With all the product selections out there, it can get a little expensive to keep buying Click to continue... The post 4...

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When That Weave Just Won’t Blend – 15 Failed Weaves

The post When That Weave Just Won’t Blend – 15 Failed Weaves appeared first on Black Hair Information.

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The step by step guide to recreating flawless, glowing summer skin

Not long ago, I post an article sharing the story of a friend of mine who lives a wonderful life of travel and new experiences.  In that post, I used the image above of a gorgeous young lady enjoying a fruity drink beachside.  A couple of comments came in about the amazingness of her skin.  I'd have to agree. It was her stunning skin tone that led me to utilize this pic.

Since I don't know her personally, and can't ask about her skin care secrets, we can do the next best thing.  We can study and learn from her.  After a few minutes of reflection, I identified some of the characteristics of her skin that most stand out.  And, most importantly, how we can replicate these traits so we too have amazing, glowing skin.

Hydration + Exfoliation
In order to get to her level, we must first start with the basics of healthy skin.  Don't skip these steps because they're crucial to creating ideal results.   Healthy skin, fundamentally, is hydrated and exfoliated.  Water is an absolute must.   Remember that water provides the body hydration but it provides our cells NUTRITION. We want to feed our skin cells with water.  Nourished cells are the cornerstone to beautiful skin so make sure you start there.  Become one of those people who drink tons of water.  You'll be happy you did.

Once the nourishment is in place, then it's time to slough off all the old dry skin cells sitting on the surface.  Please refer to my world famous post on creating a smooth even toned body.  Sweat and slough should be your motto for summer 2015.

Your skin is hydrated and exfoliated. Next on your list is to take your skin to the level of becoming reflective.  Take a look back at the pic above. Notice how her skin easily reflects light on high points such as her knees, shins, shoulders, nose, forehead and lips.  That's exactly what we want.  Proper hydration and heavy exfoliation will help you get there.  But if you need a little more help, there are dozens of products on the market that can help you to get your shine on.

You can go the natural route by using a little coconut oil or coco butter oil to make the skin stand out. If you want to further enhance your warm undertones, invest in some bronzing products to bring out your summer glow.  Some of my favorites are Gleam Body Radiance in deep gold (this stuff is perfection on the face or all over body).  For the face, my favorite glow enhancing products are Giellea's Eye Am Glam (which was reported to be created by Kim Kardashian's former make up artist), MAC's Mineral Skin Finish, (light subtle glow), and MACs Lustre Drops, if you are looking for something a little bolder.

Here's a tip, try blending liquid bronzing products like Lustre Drops/Gleam, with your foundation.  This will recreate that perfectly even toned skin and subtle glow like she has.  Another option for creating that even toned, warm skin is to fake tan.  Celebrities do it before red carpet event. Women of all shades enjoy ultra even toned, glowy skin from pre-event tanning sessions.  But if tanning isn't your thing, stick with regular exfoliation to fade dark spots.

 Lastly, take note of how her jet black hair contrasts with her chocolate brown skin.  If you really want to go all out, consider enhancing your hair color to create additional contrast, which will really make your skin stand out.  Jet black hair also reflects light which further adds to the over look.  Oh, an make sure you sport sunscreen daily to keep new dark spots from emerging.

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5 Dietary Vitamins You Need To Have Long And Healthy Hair

We all want our hair to be long, strong, and healthy. And as the saying goes, what we put in is what we get out. Even if your diet is healthy and full of the necessary food groups, it is possible that you aren’t getting the right nutrients to grow your hair to the length Click to continue... The post 5 Dietary Vitamins You Need To Have Long And Healthy Hair appeared first on Black Hair...

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Grow Hair Faster with the Inversion Method? #TheScience

 glam idol, Kara

 by Sabrina Perkins

If you are puzzled by the title of this article then you must have missed all the hoopla surrounding this quick means to gain around an inch of hair growth in a week. Who does not want to grow their hair faster? I know many women do and a quick Google search will tell you that this is nothing new. You can find thousands, possibly even millions of articles about hair growth and hair loss.

How does hair grow?
Hair grows from the root at the bottom of the hair follicle and blood from the blood vessels in your scalp feed the root. This creates more cells and makes the hair grow. The hair is then pushed up through the skin as it grows through the sebaceous glands that add sebum to the hair to keep it soft, but too much can make the hair greasy. The hair dies by the time it protrudes from the skin so believe it or not hair is dead. Hair grows fast and the only part of the body that grows faster is bone marrow. On average, most people grow about a quarter to a half-inch a month or up to six inches a year.

What is the Inversion Method?
This is a new trend that claims to increase hair growth. The method is carried out over a period of seven days. You give yourself a scalp massage nightly with an oil and invert (tip upside down) yourself or just your head. Some choose to lean their head over the side of a bed, stand upside down, sit in a chair and lean over, or another variation of inversion for up to four minutes. Be careful as you can become dizzy, light-headed, or disoriented when trying this. This method claims to increase the blood flow to your scalp and stimulate the hair follicles, which will result in quicker growth, but does this work?

The Science behind the inversion method
This is what trichologist Dr. Kari Williams has to say about the inversion method:

“Everyone is on the hunt for the newest ‘trick’ to grow hair, when the best ‘trick’ is found in the simplicity of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise and a nutrient-rich diet. Healthy hair is a reflection of a healthy body. Increased blood circulation to the scalp can simply be achieved through scalp massages using deep rotary movements. These movements manipulate the tissues in the scalp, which stimulate blood flow, improve cellular functions and cellular regeneration. So you can stand on your head if you want to, but it's not necessary. You can simply massage your scalp and get the same benefits without the possible risks.”

Verdict on the Inversion Method
Scalp massages are great for increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, conditioning the scalp, strengthening the roots, and even reducing stress according to Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. Many do it nightly with great results so that alone is a winner in my book but coupling it with the inversion method has not been scientifically proven on humans for quicker hair growth. If you are physically fit, not pregnant, or do not have high blood pressure then you may want to give it a try, but as for me I will stick with the scalp massages. Here’s one of my favorites massage oil mixes.

My Nightly Stress Reliever
1 tbsp. of jojoba oil
Few drops of lavender oil
Extra-small ramekin

Mix oils in extra-small ramekin before massaging throughout the scalp gently and in a circular motion.


Have you tried the inversion method?

 

 

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Come Join Us This Thursday For Sunglass Hut’s “Magic Hour” Style Panel

Featured Photo: Diego Villarreal

 

Join my twin sister; TK Wonder and I for Sunglass Hut‘s “Magic Hour” style panel event this Thursday, April 30th from 7-9 PM, as we talk about how our style influenced our careers personal branding and overall confidence.

 

 

Harper’s Bazaar Senior Digital Editor Chrissy Rutherford will be moderating the panel discussion. After the panel discussion join us for complementary cocktails, snacks and music. The Magic hour will be held at Sunglass Hut’s flagship store at 605 5th Avenue in New York.

 

We would absolutely love to see you there! This is a free event but RSVP is required due to limited space. To RSVP click here

 

 

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Carla Hall Says At 50 It Is Time To Embrace Her Gray Hair – Do You Agree?

Chef extraordinaire from ABC’s show “The Chew” made the bold decision to stop coloring her hair, she made a great point. She said that after years of coloring her hair, gray was finally in so why not embrace it? We have all seen the ‘gray trend';  women bleaching and coloring their hair to get the Click to continue... The post Carla Hall Says At 50 It Is Time To Embrace...

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The Top 5 Hair Emollients You Might Not Be Using But You Should Know About

Oh emollients! Emollients are a curly girl’s best friend because when used correctly we can almost guarantee moisture retention for a few days instead of just hours. Emollients are thick oils or solids that have great sealing properties to keep moisture locked in your strands. There are a few of them on the market, some Click to continue... The post The Top 5 Hair Emollients You Might Not...

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Music Artists RAS

Your name/where are you from?
We are Riders Against the Storm.  I am from Pittsburgh (Chaka).  I am from Brooklyn by way of Haiti (Qi Dada).

 

 Photos by Gary Williams

 
What do you do?  Where can we find you and your work?
We are masters of ceremony.  Our work exists in the music, in the people, and in our art.  As Riders Against the Storm, we perform all over the map, bringing large levels of funk and dance to our audiences.  Huge festival stages, or small intimate venues are home to us.  You can also find us at our new home at Empire Control Room with our monthly dance party Body Rock ATX.  We throw this party with DJ Chorizo Funk.  Everyone in attendance speaks of the special vibes and healing that comes from being around such a positive community of people. “We like to describe Body Rock as an “all souls church.” It is the most diverse community of people you can find under one roof. We find it such an honor to bring people together through our music. It is such a magical feeling.
 

 
What inspires you?  What inspires your music?
Our music is inspired by the way we live our life.  And what inspires our life and what inspires our music are one in the same. At our core we are community advocates and I think people feel that when they listen to our music. The main component to our inspiration is freedom.  There’s an all-female acapella group from the Civil Rights Era named ‘Sweet Honey in the Rock.’  They sing an old spiritual that claims we ‘ain’t gonna study war no more.’  We took that to heart and decided to study freedom.  The kind of freedom you find in children.  The kind of freedom George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic showed us.  The kind of freedom that comes when you dance, and just let yourself go completely to the rhythm.  Our name, Riders Against the Storm, actually comes from ‘Ella’s Song’ by ‘Sweet Honey in the Rock.’  In the lyrics they talk about passing the torch to the young who will ‘run against the storm.’   We just changed run to ride.  Run Ras Run.
 
Another dimension to our artistry is our lifestyle and our style, which feed each other. From our natural hair and Afrocentric/funk inspired wardrobe to being conscious about what we choose to put in our body, we hope our commitment to taking care of our bodies and spirit and being our authentic selves inspires everyone we touch with our music and our work. Qi, use to make a lot of the clothes that we wear and we’ve sported everything from locks to fros to our shaved looks today.
 

 
Top 3 Movies
Children of Men, Coming To America, The Five Heartbeats.  No matter the day, we can watch these at any moment.

Top 3 music artists
Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone

Top 3 visual artists
Emory Douglas, Romare Bearden, Basquiat/Jacob Lawrence
 

 
How did you get started in music?
We are Black.  We are music.  It basically started there.  We released our first music in 2005. ‘Chaka came to my studio apartment, and asked me if I wanted to start making music.  So we did.’  We both were living in Providence at the time. At first, it was just a side-thing.  We performed at events and rallies for social justice.  Our music was very political at first.  We were both heavily involved in community projects.  ‘I was a high school teacher and ran an after-school program, and Qi did a lot of work in youth empowerment as well. Ultimately, music took over for both of us, and we wanted to explore the possibility of doing it full-time.’  In December of 2009 RAS moved to Austin.  And, Austin is where we really began to spread our wings and grow into what people see and hear today.
 

 
What are your hobbies?
Cooking, designing clothes, painting/screen-printing, being in nature.
 

 
What failures have you experienced?
We don’t believe in failures.  There’s just lessons.  Things may not go your way, but you get the gift of learning through that.  Negative things have definitely happened left and right.  The most difficult challenges for us can be financial.  When money has gotten low, stress comes in.  And, sometimes you begin to question your own judgments.  But, you always have to remind yourself of the vision, and be able to see the ways things are improving despite the challenges.  Oh yeah, and READ everything!  Make sure you know what your agreements/contracts say.  That can save a lot of stress!
 

 
The hardest thing about your craft?
Finding space to just be an artist. We have to wear many hats and you can spend a lot of time in executive mode.  There are times when you just want to release all that and just be an artist.
 
Equally as challenging is finding a balance. Yes, we are a music duo, but we are husband and wife first. So we also need to make room for just being friends/lovers.
 
Photo below by: Wynn Myers

 

 
What do you love about the work you do?
We love watching magic play out.  We love seeing people empowered and happy, smiling.  We love being with each other, and doing this together.  And, at the end of the day, we love getting paid for doing what comes from our hearts.

Music in 5 words or less
Refreshing magic for your soul.

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