Wednesday, November 30, 2016

The Pre-Night Out Skin Ritual Part 2

Ismail oubarka | 9:56 AM
Yesterday afternoon, I was minding my own business when all of the sudden, my phone buzzed.  An incoming text from my husband was the culprit.  I casually glanced at my phone and read the message.  Apparently, he stumbled upon a quaint little cajun inspired seafood bar. The online reviews were favorable and they were offering oyster specials that night.  He asked if I wanted to try it out.

After accepting the invitation, I thought for a moment and realized that I was going on a date.  He and I have been married for over a decade so going out to eat isn't anything special.  But since the restaurant was located near his job downtown, we'd meet there after work.  Meeting him there would create a whole new dynamic to our dinner date because he wouldn't have any idea what I'm wearing or what my hair would look like, etc.

This presented the perfect opportunity to try out a "pre-night out" skin ritual.  The pre-night out ritual is inspired by celebrities who often undergo various beauty treatments before hitting the red carpet.  This to ensure that their skin is absolutely glowing for the big event.


The last time I did the pre-night out skin ritual, it was a huge success. The simple act of infusing deep hydration into my skin via a Korean sheet mask gave me a subtle glow the entire night.

So, I decided to experiment with other tactics to see what was possible.  Last night, I opted to give myself a 3 step mini-facial.  Typically, if I do a facial, it's on a Sunday afternoon/evening.  My efforts pay off with brighter, healthier skin, but I don't really take full advantage of that post-facial glow.

A special occasion, like going out for dinner, is the perfect time to showcase flawless skin.  When the both of you gaze into each other's eyes from across the table, don't you want to look radiant? Nothing gives you radiance like a deep cleansing facial.  To keep it simple, I kicked off the process by doing a brief facial massage with coconut oil.  This helps stimulate blood flow to the face, causing you to look vibrant! The last thing you want after a long, stressful day is to show it on your face.

Midway through the massage, I grab a facial steamer and continue the process while allowing steam to open my pores.  After several minutes of steaming, I head to the bathroom to cleanse. Immediately after rinsing, I swipe my wet face with the Umbrian Clay Treatment Bar.  It's not the most purifying clay mask I own, but it works and it's super convenient since no mixing is required. Simply swipe over your damp face and you're done.  The clay mask dries quickly as I get dressed and rinses off with ease.  Once rinsed, I rehydrated my skin and proceed to the makeup application process.

I once believed that the purpose of makeup was to cover up all of the flaws on our face.  I've since realized the error in my thinking.  Makeup looks 10X better on pretty skin.  By steaming and applying a clay mask beforehand, I'm creating a smooth canvas.  This is far, far superior to cleansing alone.  Last night, the makeup glided on my skin.  Instead of covering my entire face with foundation, I only applied a little Kevyn Aucoin's Sensual Skin Enhancer where needed.

Now that I've experienced the difference between cleansing alone versus pre-treating the skin, I'm ready to continue the experiment.  Prior to attending my networking event tonight, I might try using a mild mandelic acid or glycolic acid peel.   Neither of these peels are strong enough to cause any skin peeling.  What they actually do is dissolve the outer layer of the skin causing an instant brightening effect.  I suspect this will give me a natural glow that'll shine through from underneath my makeup.

I'll test various treatments before makeup application to tailor fit it for the occasion.  For example, if attending a daytime appointment,  maybe I try a laxative facial or use the LED Mask in lieu of an exfoliating product.  The possibilities are truly endless. I just know that I plan on incorporating some type of skin enhancing ritual as much as possible before heading out.








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A Lesson On “Hairspiration” For All My Type 4 Naturalistas

Ismail oubarka | 7:02 AM

type-4-hairFrom a fellow type 4 something girl, this message goes out to the other type 4s who may be running out of ideas, hairstyle wise, as well as those of you who I see in the comments section of Youtubers or bloggers with type 3 hair, writing things like ‘I wish my hair texture was […]

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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

[Inspired By] The Ultra Nourishing Face Oil that will Save Your Skin This Winter

Ismail oubarka | 8:46 AM
via @aloha_dana
Last month I attended a conference in hopes of sharpening my skillset.  When purchasing the tickets, there were several options available including the VIP package which promised access to a souped up swag bag valued at hundreds of dollars.

I thought for a moment then decided to take the plunge.  What if that bag contained ultra elite beauty products that could forever change my life?  I couldn't pass that up.

The event went well but what I was most excited about was the chance to finally dig into my bag.  Some of the items were full sized hair products that I wanted to try but couldn't carry back on the plane.  Others would make for good stocking stuffers.  I was almost disappointed until I realized that they provided several products from the Biossance Line.

My first introduction to Biossance products was when I stumbled upon a SnapChat beauty secret.  That beauty secret reveal lead to one of my most beloved finds of the year.
As I dug into my crowded gift bag.  I let out a high pitched squeal after finding a full-size bottle of their "Nourisher" product which normally retails for around $72.00.  Instinct immediately took over and I flipped the package over to check out the list ingredients.

They've combined an oil soluble vitamin C, squalane, chios crystal oil and rose extract into one amazing blend.  I really love this product but I'm not sure if I'd fork out $72.00 to replace it when the time comes.

Then I wondered if I could recreate a similar blend by combining two of my favorite face oils of all time!

The oils I speak of are rose hip and squalane.
In my opinion, rosehip and squalane are ideal face oils.  Not only are they lightweight and non-greasy, but they actually add real value to the skin.  As you may recall, rosehip oil is absolutely loaded with antioxidants.  That's probably why it feels so luxurious on the skin.  But what makes rosehip so extraordinary is its ability to promote cell turnover while helping to fade discoloration and acne scars.  The vitamin A content of rosehip is responsible for the wonderful benefits to your skin.  As you may now, people pay good money for access to prescription strength vitamin A cream (Retin-A) so rosehip oil is like a dream come true.

When combined with squalane, you get an ultra-nourishing, skin rejuvenating miracle oil.  Squalane helps keep the skin soft while locking in moisture. Rosehip repairs.

Both glide effortlessly on the skin leaving behind no traces of oiliness.  When I apply my rose-squalane oil blend, the only thing I notice is a nice subtle glow before my skin drinks it up.  I understand that my squalane-rose oil isn't an exact dupe of Biossance's Nourisher. It's more of an "inspired by" creation.   If you have both of these oils in your possession, try combining them so you too can experience the best of both worlds.  With winter fast approaching, moisturizer alone may not suffice, we may need to seal in that moisture with a lightweight oil that keeps the skin supple while turning back the hands of time.





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5 Protein Rich Products You Have To Try

Ismail oubarka | 7:07 AM

protein-productsProtein is a major component for our hair. I mean technically speaking it’s essentially what it is, slender structures of keratin packed on top of each other. This is why when you notice your hair is super soft, weakened, and in many cases not holding a style, it could mean you are lacking protein. This […]

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Monday, November 28, 2016

[Monday Motivation] The Simple Strategy for Ensuring Every Year is Better Than the Last

Ismail oubarka | 8:31 AM
via spiritedpursuit
We are days away from the start of a new month.  But not just any month, the last month of 2016.  In several weeks, we'll be celebrating the beginning of a brand new year.  My goal, for nearly a decade, has been to make each year better than the last.  I'm happy to report that I've achieved this goal year after year.

The reason I've been able to do so is simple.  I have a very deliberate creation process. I also spend a lot of time setting up the end of the year to make sure I start off on the right foot on January 1rst.

The month of December is absolutely critical.  To me, this represents the perfect opportunity to finish strong.  There's plenty happening in the month with holidays and other festivities.  If we're not careful, the month will fly by and, by January 1, we'll be making (empty) promises to ourselves about what we plan on doing differently.

Why not try something different this year?   It's time to become a deliberate creator in your life.  And the next 30 days will be the key to creating a new level of momentum.

Here's what I'll be focusing on over the next 30 days.


ENVIRONMENT
One tradition I've held for many years is to do something that impacts my living environment.  For some reason, I HAVE to make changes in my surroundings to signify a change in my reality.  The Right Environment is Absolutely Everything!  For me, this means clearing major clutter, rearranging furniture or purchasing new pieces.  My goal was to clean or rearrange until the environment creates an impact.  Let me explain....

Something magical happens when we walk into the lobby or a high-end hotel or step into a beautiful restaurant or resort.  We're impacted as soon as we step in the establishment.  In the same token, when we come home of a clutter free space, we experience a similar impact.  That small jolt of energy is real and quite powerful.  I find that my creativity flows the easiest when the environment is right.  Suddenly, resistance and fear aren't as crippling and I can work on that thing that I've been putting off.  You might remember that scene from Limitless where Eddie cleans his house from top to bottom. What does he do next? He immediately works on that manuscript that he's been avoiding.  A chaotic environment consumes our mental energy and we need as much of that energy to flow as possible.

The PLAN
When I worked full-time, I didn't have the entire month to focus on my end of year goals.  Instead, I took 2 weeks off and got hyper-focused on getting a lot done in a short amount of time.  So I created a clear plan of what I'd accomplish over the next 14 days.  I knew those 2 weeks would fly by so I had to get focused.  Every day, I woke up early and stayed up late. There would be no sleeping in for me, it was game time.

This year's planning process will look something like this:

+ I'll decide which goals (outcomes) I want to achieve by the end of the month.
+ From that list of outcomes, I'll decide which can be achieved with quick action versus repeated action.  Example: One outcome is to update my countertops.  This requires "quick action" (schedule appointment to have countertops measured then approve the work.
+ I plan on doing all of the  "quick action" outcomes first!  Getting them out of the way will quickly build momentum that I can further leverage for other goals.

+ For the outcomes that require repeated action (i.e fitness goals, business projects, etc), I need to plan my daily activities.
+Repeated action outcomes call for constant motivation. This means that I'll support my intentions by fueling my desire for success.  For me, this means watching/listening to motivational videos while I work. This keeps my focus at an all time high.  When I'm focused, I'm productive.
+Repeated actions are the key to a successful 30-day challenge so fueling my motivation on a daily basis is a must.

One habit that has served me well during 30-day challenges are the weekly check-ins.  Every week, I'd take a walk in the park and do a voice recording update on my progress. When I was consistent with the weekly check-in process for several months, I was able to achieve massive results in my business.

Honestly, I don't always reach all of my goals by the end of the year. But, what I am doing is building momentum that typically lasts into the new year. When everyone else is deciding on their resolutions, I'm already experiencing amazing results and ready to start a new 30-day challenge.

There are two days left in the month. By the time Dec 1 rolls around, I'll already have a plan in place. Hopefully, I'll complete my quick action goals within the next 7 days and get a head start to a breakthrough year in 2017!



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3 Mistakes I Made Which Caused The Flower Girl’s Straight Hair To Shrink To Her Ears

Ismail oubarka | 7:07 AM

flower-girls-pink-sashWeddings are so special that we all take a ton of time to decide what hair style to wear. If you are in the bridal party you want your hair to be on point. My daughter was a flower girl at my friend’s wedding recently and she wanted her hair straightened for the occasion.  I agreed […]

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Sunday, November 27, 2016

3 Quick Moisturizing Hacks For The Lazy Girl

Ismail oubarka | 7:04 AM

afroMoisturizing is a must for healthy hair. Short, long, natural and relaxed hair all has to be moisturized. And while we all know that moisturizing our hair is necessary, we also know that it can be time-consuming and at times, a hassle. Avoiding the hassle associated with moisturizing and keeping your strands looking and feeling […]

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Saturday, November 26, 2016

White British Model Apologizes For Appearance On The Cover Of “Black Hair” Magazine

Ismail oubarka | 7:00 AM

black-hair-leadWho would have thought that you could look at a magazine cover that clearly says “Black Hair” and see a white British model with a fro? Well in this day and age you can! Model Emily Bador a model from the U.K., a White woman blew the whistle on herself and the magazine “Black Hair” […]

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Friday, November 25, 2016

3 Reasons Why Your Twist Outs Are Failing

Ismail oubarka | 7:04 AM

twist-outTwist outs are arguably almost every natural’s favorite go-to style. The ease and simplicity of the style accompanied by the fact that it typically doesn’t take long to complete are all very rewarding. However, often many struggle with waking up that next morning and finding the precious two strand twist you installed the night before […]

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Thursday, November 24, 2016

We Have Some Pretty Sweet Deals For Black Friday And The Cyber Weekend

Ismail oubarka | 7:01 AM

black-friday-saleIf you have followed us for a while  then you know that hair growth and hair health is our number one priority! With that in mind it wasn’t a stretch that one, we publish a ton of articles dedicated to both hair growth and hair health and two we would start to develop products specifically […]

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Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Meagan Good Revealed What's In Her Bag. Let's Take a Look!

Ismail oubarka | 8:15 AM
Who doesn't love a good "What's in my bag" video? They're probably my favorite thing to watch on Youtube.  Sometimes I wish more celebrities had YouTube channels so we can see what they carry with them as they travel from destination to destination.

It seems like the folks at US Magazine have read my mind.  Because they're asking the real questions by inviting celebrities to reveal what's in their bag.  Last year, they asked Meagan Good to spill the beans and here's what happened.

The first thing I need to mention is that Meagan is a woman after my own heart.  She's a member of #teamhugebag and we love to carry about everything but the kitchen sink.  It makes sense for her because her travel schedule is probably insane.  Me? I have no excuses for carrying around ginormous purses filled with a random collection of stuff, I.....I have a problem.

But I digress.  In her Louis Neverfull, Meagan carries everything from beauty essentials to her travel documents.  I suspect this isn't what she carries around with her every day. It's probably what she totes around when she's on the move.
via US Magazine
Let the analysis begin!

First, let's talk about the obvious then we'll get into the products that she mentions in the interview which aren't pictured here.

The first thing that jumps out at me is the giant bottle of Trader Joe's Tea Tree Oil Face Wash.  We all are probably aware that Meagan has oily (beautiful) skin.  I'm guessing that she carries around a full-size bottle of her favorite face wash so we can freshen her skin by cleansing prior to late day meeting or event.  This cleanser is an all natural formula loaded with herbal extracts, coconut oil, and (of course) tea tree.  One study found that tea tree oil can be just as effective in treating acne as benzoyl peroxide.  No wonder this girl's skin remains flawless.

Not far from the facial cleanser, you might notice Meagan's jar of Clearasil Hyra-Blast Oil-Free Pads. I haven't paid much attention to the Clearasil brand since graduating high school (eons ago).  But, I gotta tell ya, these look pretty interesting.  The packaging claims that these pads will "gently exfoliate & keep skin clear of breakouts."  Salicylic Acid is the hero ingredient.  As you may recall, salicylic acid can have some really positive benefits.  Hmmmm..... Maybe I should give these a shot.  Actually, I think I'll pick up their Ultra Pore Cleansing Pads.  They have a slightly higher customer review rating and (I think) I higher percentage of salicylic acid.   Are you noticing that there are not 1 but 2 acne controlling products in her bag?  I'm thinking that she uses them for oil control but both have the ability the ward off breakouts. I keep seeing examples of people with flawless skin who use acne control products.  Maybe prevention is the real cure after all.

Partially obstructed is a tube of Peter Thomas Roth's Mega-Rich Body Lotion.  It's an ultra-nourishing, long-lasting, lotion loaded with multi-vitamins & shea butter.  I'm trying to stick with natural oils instead of using lotions but a bunch of the reviewers are converts who purchased full-sized bottle after receiving a sample while staying at a hotel.  You know that this Mega-Rich lotion has to be good if a hotel sample is making all these people buy the real thing.  I'm definitely adding to my wishlist.  Thanks for the recommendation Meagan!  ðŸ˜˜

Not pictured is her bottle of Nutra Bisse Diamond Facial Mist.  For the most part, her to-go beauty items are pretty drug-store-ish.  That's a good thing, but I also wondered if she splurged on any luxury brands.  Nutra Bisse is the ultimate high-end skincare brand that many celebrities love and she is no exception.  Meagan opts to carry a bottle of their "diamond water" with her at all times.

 THIS-STUFF-IS-NOT-CHEAP.

So why would she choose to invest nearly $100.00 in a facial mist?  I scanned the ingredient list for "finely ground diamonds" but there weren't any.  But I did find pea extract which we know has some great properties.  The mist seems to "refreshen and awaken" the skin according to its product description and the reviews I've read online.  My guess is that Meagan uses this beauty mist to give her skin an awesome glow after using the Tea Tree cleanser and/or Clearasil pads.  I'm sure those products strip away some of the skin's natural luster and the Diamond Mist, brings it back to its glory within a matter of seconds.

Lastly, let's discuss the couple health related items that Meagan carries with her.  I'm sure you noticed the full-size bottle of her Whole Foods Multi-Enzyme supplements.  It's essentially a blend of various plant enzymes to help break down the foods we eat.  As you know, I've recently incorporated pineapple enzymes into my supplementation routine.  I've forgotten to take them lately because my digestion has been so good thanks to my conscious eating experiment.  Meagan reminds us that our digestive health should always remain a priority.  Proper digestion leads to healthier skin, a flatter tummy and increased nutrient absorption.

The other health related item that Meagan has on hand are to-go packets of green tea.  In the brief interview, she says green tea gives her energy but I also suspect that they help her keep her lean figure.  Drinking several cups of green tea daily can help boost metabolism and positively impact cholesterol levels.  I like the fact that she's got a mix of both health and beauty items with her.  I've just started doing that again starting with my new go-to skinny tea.  Maybe I'll add powdered green tea to either my lemon water or bamboo tea and see how that goes.






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Flat Irons Demystified – Price Points And There Performance Breakdowns.

Ismail oubarka | 7:01 AM

@mahoganycurlsHeat styling tools have come a long way. It used to be that sitting in the kitchen waiting for the inevitable burned ear was all we had. Nowadays we have the luxury of walking into a store and picking up a plug in heat styling tool and being done. The accessibility is a glorious thing, […]

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