Jane Carter Solution NEW Curls to GO! Review (Part 1)

I found some new favorites in Curls to GO!

Hey y'all!

So...I've been sitting on a gold mine.

About a month or so ago, you saw me and a ton of other bloggers fawn over Jane Carter Solution's new Curls to GO! care package - with jars and bottles of pretty pink products, fun accessories, and even a Hot Head Thermal Conditioning Cap.

 While everyone marveled at the newness and heavenly fragrance, I knew it was my duty to answer that one question - but does it work tho?

So let's get to answering it. You know how I do - we're going to run through each product one-by-one, so you can make the best informed decision about how to spend your coins!

In this post, we're going to break down the Curls to GO! Curl Drench Cleansing Co-Wash, Untangle Me Weightless Leave-In, and Curl Cocktail Conditioning Styling Cream. In the next post, I'll cover the Coiling All Curls Elongating Gel, Shine On Curl Elixir, and Mist Me Over Curl Hydrator.

While you're getting all the finer details about each product, check out my demo using the entire Curls to GO! collection!


Curl Drench Cleansing Co-Wash
Cost
$10.99 for 16oz

Where to Buy
http://ift.tt/1nwtTDI

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Cetyl Alcohol: Considered "fatty alcohol" -- NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Acts as a lubricant, thickener, and emollient. Also gives conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Is additionally used to keep product ingredients from separating.
• Glycerin: Vegetable-based humectant that draws in moisture to the hair.
• Behentrimonium Chloride: Quaternary ammonium compound and close cousin of cetrimonium chloride. Also penetrates the hair, conditions, and acts as an anti-static and anti-microbial agent.
• Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride: Naturally derived (guar bean) thickener and stabilizer
• Behentrimonium Chloride: Quaternary ammonium compound and close cousin of cetrimonium chloride. Also penetrates the hair, conditions, and acts as an anti-static and anti-microbial agent.

Protein Free
Yes!

Curly Girl Friendly
No. Curl Drench contains amodimethicone, which becomes water soluble (yes, a water soluble cone!) when accompanied by cetrimonium chloride and trideceth-12. In this case, amodimethicone is not water soluble (no trideceth-12 in the formula). .Although not water-soluble, amodimethicone is a deep conditioning silicone that targets the most damaged areas of the hair while resisting build-up.

The Good
Okay listen. You guys know I fell hard and fast in love with the Healthy Hair Cleansing & Conditioning Co-Wash. I thought that was the pinnacle of co-wash achievement for Jane Carter Solution. I was wrong.

Do you hear me?

I. Was. Wrong.

Curl Drench is #newcowashbae because like...it's everything. Slippier than it's Healthy Hair predecessor. Glides with even more ease over tangles, knots, and the rough ends of my hair (hi color damage). The fragrance is passionfruity-floral with a hint of pink starburst. It comes on a bit strong, but doesn't linger at all.

It makes my hair feel soft, shiny, and smooth. While removing gobs and gunks of old product buildup.

But that's not all.

When I filmed my video demo for the Curls to GO! line, it dawned on me that there was no rinse out or deep conditioner. Then I read the label: Use Curl Drench in place of shampoo and conditioner to reduce dryness, remove product build , cleanse, condition, and rehydrate your curls.

OH! So we're cleaning and conditioning with one product now? That's what we gon' do? Well aiight then.

As it turns out, Curl Drench hit the nail right on the head - I skipped deep conditioning and didn't look back.

The Bad
Given that this is #BlacknCurlyFebruary and all, I was shocked to learn (after using Curl Drench 3 different times) that it's not silicone free. This might be the first Jane Carter Solution product with a silicone in it. I ain't mad, and it ain't bad - I just wasn't expecting it. Nonetheless, the only complaint I have is, where's my flip-top lid Jane? We had a good thing going, now it's just...gone. Sigh.

The Bottom Line
If you're short on time, got crazy tangles, or battling aginst dryness on wash day, then Curl Drench is a must. I've fallen in love with Curl Drench something serious. Although I love the idea of using less products, I can't jive long-term with not deep conditioning. So I do it anyways - and just love Curl Drench all the same. It works great by itself, and with other products.

Would I Buy it Again?
Trick question! I didn't buy this one. But you better believe I'm stalking Sally's, Target, and anywhere else necessary to find Curl Drench on the ground. And don't be surprised if you see this pink jar at the end of 2017 in the Christina's Choice roundup. Just saying.

Fully dry wash and go results. More details in part 2!

Untangle Me Weightless Leave-In
Cost
$10.99 for 8oz

Where to Buy
http://ift.tt/1nwtTDI

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Glycerin: Vegetable-based humectant that draws in moisture to the hair.
• Cetyl Alcohol: Considered "fatty alcohol" -- NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Acts as a lubricant, thickener, and emollient. Also gives conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Is additionally used to keep product ingredients from separating.
• Glycerin: Vegetable-based humectant that draws in moisture to the hair.
• Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride: Naturally derived (guar bean) thickener and stabilizer
• Cetrimonium Chloride: Compound close in composition to Behentrimonium Chloride. In addition to having the same penetrating, conditioning, and anti-static properties, centrimonium chloride has been scientifically proven to strengthen the hair when activated by heat.
• Behentrimonium Chloride: Quaternary ammonium compound and close cousin of cetrimonium chloride. Also penetrates the hair, conditions, and acts as an anti-static and anti-microbial agent.

Protein Free?

Yes!

Curly Girl Friendly?

Yes!

The Good

WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN ALL MY LIFE?! No, like seriously. Easily one of my favorites in the Curls to GO! collection. It smells amazing, has ridiculous slip, and reminds me of a slightly thinner version of Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Leave-In (that I love so much). I didn't have to use 3/4 of the bottle in one run - it definitely lasts. In my book, the Untangle Me Weightless Leave-In is virtually flawless.

The Bad
Rather than virtually flawless, let's go with plain ol' flawless. I've got nothing.

The Bottom Line
WHEN CAN I FIND THIS IN STORES, JANE?!

Would I Buy it Again?
See previous comment.

Curl Cocktail Conditioning Styling Cream
Cost
$11.99 for 12oz

Where to Buy
http://ift.tt/1nwtTDI

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Coconut Oil: Oil high in saturated fats (which is why when cold, it is solid). One of the few known oils to penetrate the hair shaft and truly moisturize hair. Coconut oil helps to moisturize, seal, and prevent breakage.
• Safflower Seed Oil: Oil naturally rich in Vitamin E, which delivers antioxidant and regenerative properties to the hair and scalp. Also has been known to improve blood circulation and stimulate hair growth.
• Shea Butter: Emollient fat from the nut of the East or West African shea nut tree used to soften hair and skin, and aid in moisture retention.
• Argan Oil: Oil rich in vitamin E and contains omega 3 and omega 9 fatty acids that provide nutrition for hair. It also contains Linoleic and oleic acid that helps to hydrate and moisturize hair. Helps repair damaged follicles, imparts shine, and prevents frizz and rough ends.
• Aloe Vera Juice: Acts as a natural conditioning agent that restores the hair's sheen, luster, and shine. It not only makes the hair soft, but it also enhances strength and suppleness.

Protein Free?

Yes!

Curly Girl Friendly?

Yes!

The curly care package they sent was soooo cute!

The Good

Curl Cocktail accomplishes something that I absolutely love in a product - thick, creamy, rich, and super moisturizing without being greasy. That right there is enough alone. But Curl Cocktail goes beyond that - it's easily the most versatile product in the lineup. You can use it as a leave-in, pair it with Untangle Me (the two pair beautifully), pair it with Untangle Me and Coiling All Curls - or just use Curl Cocktail as a styler all on its own. It can even be used as a re-moisturizer for hair between wash days. It goes on super easily, has nice slip, and makes the hair feel super smooth and lush. Another bonus? A little goes a long way, so that 12oz jar will definitely last!

The Bad

Don't judge me here - but I've got nothing. Call me biased, but I love Curl Cocktail. 

The Bottom Line

If you're looking at the Curls to GO! Line like, "Ok Christina, I ain't got time to buy fifty-leven products. Which ones should I actually get?" Let me tell you sis - if you gotta only pick ONE? Make it Curl Cocktail. Trussssst me.

Would I Buy it Again?

I'm just waiting on Jane to get back to me about when I can see this in Target!

Are you seeing any products from the Curls to GO! collection that you're like ummmm MUST TRY?! Let me know in the comments below! 

Click here to read Part 2 with the Mist Me Over Curl Hydrator, Shine On Curl Elixir, amd Coiling All Curls Elongating Gel!

Per the FTC, I have to let y'all know that this post is sponsored by Jane Carter Solution. But that doesn't mean anything - I'm still keeping it 100 and giving you guys the real.

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4 Tips To Clear Up Your Itchy Scalp

Healthy hair does not mean long hair and long hair does not mean healthy hair. With that said the foundation of healthy hair stems from your scalp. We have found that one of the main reasons naturals are not seeing the hair growth results they want is because of problems with the scalp. When the […]

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Decisions are useless, you have to make a choice.

This month is wrapping up.  It's time to stop and do a little assessment on how things are going.  Remember the two months ago when you were all excited about everything you'd get accomplished this year?  How's it going so far? Sure, we still have many months ahead but we all know how fast time flies by.

At the start of the year, I set a few goals.  In actuality, I made several decisions about the direction of 2017.  Making a decision is a great starting point.  It's like getting into a car and turning the keys.  But, I gotta be honest.  Most "decisions" take us absolutely nowhere.  There is another key element required if you actually want to achieve your goal.

The critical element that we absolutely need to employ is our power of choice.

When I said that I wanted to maintain a lifestyle that creates a healthy/desirable weight, I made a decision.  Decisions are great!  But they're essentially empty promises.  They have zero substance.

In order for decisions to work, you need to invoke your power of choice.

choice

CHois/

noun

1. 1.

   an act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities.

   
   

   "the choice between good and evil"

   
   

   synonyms:

   option, alternative, a possible course of action

I know that we sometimes use the word "decision" and "choice" interchangeably.  But I want to detail what differentiates them.

Decisions- Based on the past (or at one point in time).  
Choice-Based on what you opt to do currently or will do in the near future. 

According to the Internet, we make around 35,000 choices a day.  Most (if not all of them) mirror choices we've already made in the past.  We keep walking down the exact same path even though we've told ourselves that things will be different.

This cycle keeps repeating itself because most of our actions are dictated by our subconscious.  Our subconscious is a bit lazy. It likes to use our past actions as the framework for our future.  The less mental power involved, the better.  It wants to conserve mental energy. It wants to keep things exactly the same.

But you've made the decision to change some things about your current situation.  This means you have to go against your default nature and consciously make choices that allow your desired outcome to manifest.  Creating change and making new choices isn't all that easy. We have to battle against internal resistance and well-established habits.  But, new choices have to be made on a daily basis, otherwise we'll never experience anything new.

Of the 35,000 or so choices we make every day, we only have to alter about a handful of them. If I chose to go for a walk in the mornings instead of staying in bed longer, I'd get to experience a healthier body.  If I choose to block out an hour a day to work on an outstanding project, I might be impacting my income in the months ahead.  New choices will result in new outcomes 100% of the time.

Part of the reason why I implemented the 7-day  experiment was to integrate new choices into my week.   It's a no-pressure reminder to follow through on my decision on a daily basis.  Seven days is short enough to remain consistent and just enough time experience results.  There are two types of results. First, the immediate impact of repeatedly making the choice.  Eventually, the long-term result of making that choice will surface.

Remember that with everything we do......there are countless possibilities. You can wake up at 7:00 am or you can get up 45 minutes earlier to work on something that you decided to do months earlier.  Even if your goal seems big and outlandish, all you need to do is figure out the series of choices that get you as close as possible.


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#30DaysofDope Launching March 1st, 2017! Get Ready!

Let's get ready to be dope together!

We're nearly 3 months in to 2017 - how them goals and resolutions looking?

If you're like, "ummmm...I'm just warming up this year, 2018 is gonna be lit!" - hold on for a second. There's still so much time left in this year to really make some things happen.

So that's what we're gonna do.
I'm OFFICIALLY launching #30DaysofDope on Wednesday, March 1st 2017. That's right. March is about to be off the CHAIN! We're about to push the boundaries of personal excellence. Committing to being the best version of ourselves for 30 days.

Here are the three areas we'll be focusing on starting March 1st:

• Mind
• Body
• Spirit

This time around, I'm streamlining things. The more concise the goal, the clearer the path to achieving it becomes. So we're keeping it simple, and keeping it dope.

Lifting heavy is more of a mental exercise than physical. 

Click here to learn all about what you'll need to join #30DaysofDope  this March + download the official prep list.

I hope you'll join me - that'll be crazy dope!

(P.S. Don't forget to follow @30daysofdope on Instagram and head to www.30daysofdope.com to join the e-mail list.)

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7 Amazing, Budget-Friendly Products For Hydrated And Defined Curls

I’ll be the first one to say that natural hair care can be on the expensive side if you’re looking for high-quality products with natural ingredients that will actually work for your hair type and texture. It seems like every mineral oil and alcohol-filled cream and gel is easy to find for cheap while the good […]

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The 7 Day Experiment That Saved My Skin

I had such a great result the last time I did a 7-day experiment that I decided to do another one.  The inspiration for this challenge was two-fold.  First, there's road construction just outside my home which essentially turned my street into a dirt road.  Every time I step outside, I'm surrounded by dust. The second reason why I tried a new technique for 7 days was due to a revelation I received after watching a YouTube video.
In the video, a skin expert assessed the condition of a woman's face prior to a facial.  Immediately upon inspection, she advised the client that her cleansing practices were inadequate.  Visible blackheads on her nose we a telltale sign. After the full assessment, the facialists began the treatment.

The client laid patiently as the esthetician began a cleansing massage under a professional facial steamer.  To prep the skin for what was to come, she used an enzyme based cleanser to loosen up surface skin cells. This is known as the double exfoliation method .  If you haven't tried this technique, you're missing out.  

What resonated with me is that I've never had a facial done that didn't start off by steaming the skin.  If a steamer isn't available, they usually substitute with a warm, damp towel.  They never, ever just apply cleanser and rinse.  

Yet we do this every day.  

Are we really cleansing properly?

I have very active skin that tends to get congested.  If I don't cleanse well enough, my skin starts misbehaving.  I began to wonder if I'm doing a good enough job of cleansing.  What if I were to prepare my skin for te cleansing process by doing a little steam session prior to every wash? Would it make a difference?

I dusted off my ultra-fancy steamer and made it official.  For the next seven days,  I would steam for a couple of minutes prior to cleansing.  Doing so would hopefully open up the pores which would allow for a deeper cleanse.  I also hoped that steaming regularly would also cause or promote some mild exfoliation.  

Steaming loosens up clogged pores which is an essential step prior to professional extractions. I do a modified version of extractions by gently massaging the skin under the warm steam.  Anything near the surface comes out of the pores, making it easier to remove thanks to the Clarisonic or ultrasonic skin scrubber.  

This little 7-day experiment has now become a daily ritual.  The results have been too good not to keep up.  Overall, my skin looks smoother. I no longer have all that activity beneath the surface. My cleanser takes care of the dirt/oil on the skin but steamer works at a way deeper level.  Since implementing this additional step, I've experienced zero breakouts.  A pre-cleanse steam is now a vital part of my pre-summer skin detox.  

Although my skin loves a daily steam, you might only need to steam a few times a week. Or perhaps you utilize the warm towel method.  Do what your skin loves.  

Can't wait to start a new 7-day experiment.  

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Working on Your Summer Body? The Collagen Bed May Be The Beauty Treatment You Need

Yesterday, I was strolling through a small hip part of town when suddenly I saw a building that looked somewhat familiar.  I'd never been there before. The familiarity came from having seen it online.  It's a local skin spa owned by a WOC.  When I first discovered it online, I made a little promise to myself that I would visit.  I loved the fact that she offered many "up to date" treatments like microcurrent and skin needling.

When I walked into the luxuriously decorated waiting area, I had no expectations. I just wanted to check things out.  Little did I know that I would be introduced to a full body beauty treatment of the future.

Actually, this wasn't my first introduction to this treatment.  I'd seen it featured in the Instastories of various West Coast estheticians.  My interest was sparked but I wasn't sure if this super beauty treatment was available in my area yet.
My eyes opened wide when I flipped open her marketing pamphlet and noticed that a Collagen Bed treatment was one of her offerings.  Right now you're probably like "what on earth is a collagen bed?"

Glad you asked.

A collagen bed is a contraption that looks almost exactly like a tanning bed.....except it isn't.

Instead of using potentially damaging UV rays, the collagen bed emits skin-loving LED light.  At first, LED light therapy masks were only enjoyed by celebrities.  But now, these skin rejuvenating masks are readily available.  Neutrogena makes one that you can get for under $40 bucks.

LED Light Technology has the ability to penetrate below the surface of the skin layer.  NASA utilized this technology to improve wound healing and tissue repair in astronauts. The beauty industry harnesses LED power to tighten skin, promote new collagen, correct sun damage, while addressing fine lines & wrinkles.

According to the young lady at the front desk, the LED Collagen bed could even out skin tone, improve texture and even improve cellulite/stretch marks.  Sounds pretty awesome.  I'm obsessed with the idea of being completely immersed in youth-promoting light technology.  Not only does the face benefit, but so will our scalp, and the rest of our bodies.

In my mind, this could be a perfect pre-summer skin treatment.  This time of year, I'm always thinking about what I need to do to get ready for summer.  I want to even out my skin and exfoliate to create that glow.  This technology could take my summer beauty routine to next level.  I've already made up my mind that I'm going to try this at least once.  Maybe I'll schedule a series of sessions leading up to my little summer getaway.

If I do experience the collagen bed, I'll definitely share a first impressions post.



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7 Tips To Achieving Cute and Easy Jumbo Box Braids At Home

Jumbo box braids are always a great go-to style because they protect, tame, and allow hair growth–plus they’re super cute! However, we all don’t have the time or money to sit in a salon and get our hair done all the time so sometimes we have to take the matter into our own hands and […]

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This is How to Keep Your Eyes Looking Younger Forever.

I was asked via email if I could share a few recommendations for a decent brand of eye cream.  After a few moments of reflection, I decided to respond by writing an entire article dedicated to creating a well-rounded eye care routine.
I'm sure we could all just buy some eye cream and be done with it but I'm suggesting we take a more holistic approach. There's so much more to caring for the eye area than just applying lotion over it.  The eyes are typically the first part of the face to show signs of aging so we have to be a bit more diligent to keep them young and healthy looking.

There's this debate about how we should handle the skin that surrounds the eyes.  A majority of the experts urge us to be ultra gentle around the delicate eye area.  This is because the skin is much thinner than anywhere else on the body.  This makes sense.

But, there's another small group of extreme anti-agers who believe the exact opposite.  Instead of treating the eye area with the greatest of care, they actually massage the skin using firm movements like pinching and kneading.   The theory is that this thickens the skin by causing it to create more collagen in the response.  I've read accounts of folks who used this method and rave about the results.  I subscribe to this way of thinking because it sorta makes sense.  I'm extremely diligent about my pinching massage regimen whenever I see any signs of crows feet.  I also pinch my top lids.  Pinching & massaging them on a regular basis has helped the skin thicken and kept them from becoming too hooded.

If fear strikes your heart at the thought of manipulating the skin around the eye,  then maybe you start with a standard eye massage.  One of my favorite techniques is incorporating Tanaka Massage.  The lymphatic drainage massage helps address your swollen puffy swollen eyes in an instant.  Plus the massage will increase blood flow to the area. Just remember, where there is blood flow, there is life.

One of the little-known secrets to improving the healthy appearance of the eye area is exfoliation.  If I look closely, I can tell the pores around my eyes get clogged from time to time.  That's probably a result of me avoiding getting cleanser in the eye.  We probably all do this to a certain extent.  Which is why it's important to exfoliate.  But instead of using a granular product, try a product with retinol or even retin A.  Or maybe even rosehip oil. They exfoliate by promoting cell turnover (while generating collagen growth).  In theory, these products should also help thicken the skin over time.

Lastly, let's get to nitty gritty of eye care---the creams.  After interviewing my aesthetician and watching consultations from other estheticians online, I give you this one important piece of advice.  Wear your eye cream CONSISTENTLY day and night.

Seriously.  My esthetician shared her own personal story of how diligence with her eye cream routine has helped thicken her upper lid, helping to prevent hooding. I should also mention that this girl is still in her 20's and still noticed a difference.  "I tell people all the time....when using eye cream, you have to do it every day---twice a day."  She went on to say "it takes a while for the product to impact the new skin cells forming below the surface. That's why I also recommend exfoliation to remove the dead skin."  

I watched a video where the esthetician inspected the skin of her client and immediately told the woman, "I can already tell that you're not consistent with your eye cream."  When asked how, she replied, "because you have this gray coloring around your eyes.....you need to use it twice a day." 

There you have folks!  Eye cream is an absolute must both morning and night.

I know that we typically reach for eye creams as the first option but I invite you to consider laying your eye products.  First by using an eye serum, then a cream. The serum will penetrate deeper into the skin than a cream can.   Maybe at night, you layer a serum, cream, and (rosehip) oil. As a result, you'll likely experience a greater benefit than creams alone.

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3 Ways To Escape The Comparison Trap

Do you ever scroll through some of your favorite natural hair inspiration Instagram pages, and can’t help but to stare at the number of gorgeous women with full voluminous fros in envy? Or while watching your favorite YouTuber style her hair into a head full of perfect moisturized curls, do you immediately question why doesn’t […]

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4 Natural Hair Practices That May Be Hurting More Than They’re Helping

The natural hair care wheel is one that is always spinning with new ideas and information to help us along our journeys. Like all new ideas and opinions, we have to weed through what is and isn’t right for us when it comes to our natural hair. Unfortunately, some trends from the bad side of […]

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Can the Blood-group Diet Help With Hair Loss or Longer Hair?

We always say that healthy hair leads to longer hair. We also think that a big part of any successful regimen is the nutrition. That’s what got me thinking: “Can the blood group diet help in the quest for longer hair?” I came across this diet when my sister –  also a naturalista – visited […]

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Naomi Campbell's Makeup Artist Taught Me the Secret to Perfecting My Mascara Application

I love watching beauty gurus on Youtube as much as the next guy. Even though they're a talented group of young women, there's nothing that compares to learning makeup application techniques from seasoned professionals.

They offer up simple tips and tweaks that make an immense impact on the final result.  So far I've learned quite a bit from Sir John, the man notorious for keeping Beyonce looking flawless. When I recreated a look from Kim Kardashian's makeup artist, I loved it!

This time, I learned the ultimate tip from the woman who's artistry helps to perfect Naomi Campbell's face.
I'm referring to Pat McGrath.  Who is Pat McGrath?  She's a British-born makeup pro deemed by Vogue as "the most influential makeup artist in the world."  The moment I found out who this woman was, I instinctively started digging around to see what I can learn from her.

It just so happened that I would uncover a tip that completely revolutionizes the way I put on mascara.  Maybe revolutionize is a strong term, but that's exactly the way I feel.  If you visit this site frequently enough, you might notice that I often touch on the topic of obtaining longer lashes.

I have what I call non-existent lashes.  They're short and wispy and pretty pathetic.

For a while, I debated getting extensions but I'm scared to death of becoming reliant on them and eventually thinning my already puny lashes.

The answer, in my mind, had to come from the application technique.  I needed to figure out a way to create visible spider lashes from the products I already owned.  My desire for spider lashes comes from a belief that spidery lashes give you the appearance of someone naturally blessed with length.  They make it seem as if you applied a coat of mascara to your already abundant lashes and this was the final outcome.

The intention was set.

It wasn't long before I stumbled on the answer that would change everything!

And all it took was a little tip sent to me directly from the woman works on the most beautiful faces in the industry.

//Pat's no-fail technique is this//

First Pat builds a solid foundation by applying mascara with the intention of separating the lashes.
Once that step is complete, the spider lash creation process begins.  Pat's glorious method is to add extra mascara to the individual lashes but "not necessarily on a comb through." She literally, "dabs" the formula on the lashes. In Pat's words, "you're kinda just painting the lashes."

Painting the lashes!  That's absolutely brilliant!

 The entire time, I was continuously running the mascara wand through the lash which was probably removing the added product from the lash.  Pat essentially wants us to saturate the lash.  It tried it and the results were perfect.  And because I allowed the first layer to dry, there wasn't an issue with overly clumpy lashes.  For the first layer, I used Heroine Make's mascara because the ultra waterproof formula holds my lashes perfectly in place.  To saturate, I applied Charlotte Tillsburry's Legendary Lash. This formula deposits lots of product to create a bold look. It was a match made in heaven.

This is yet another realized intention that I'll jot down in my little manifestation journal.  Try Pat's method y'all! It changes everything!

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Black n' Curly Challenge Week 2 Update: Better than Good Hair

Wash day was such a dream.

I'm a few days late on this post, but just like that - week 2 is in the books! I've been having so much fun with the Black n' Curly Challenge. Every wash day, I stand in front of the shelves housing these beautiful, Black Owned products, and marvel at how far we've come in so few years.

The proliferation of hair care products for us, by us is nothing short of a miracle of God.

I hope you're finding as much joy in using Black Owned products as I am - because it's not just about having products made by women and men who look like us, and understand the unique needs of our hair. The natural hair space is one of the few corners of industry where we're regaining our agency and self-determination. As this challenge continues on, I hope that we're able to regain our footing all the way up the supply chain - to the point where raw ingredients, containers, printers, shipping materials - everything - is created by Black Owned manufacturing companies.

That's the dream right there.

But before I go too far down the rabbit hole, let's recap week 2.

Wash n' go courtesy of Kurlee Belle

Products Used
TRoots 5-in-1 Oil
Talk about a treat for itchy scalp! I used the TRoots 5-in-1 Oil is a pre-poo massage treatment, and my scalp was in love! Thanks to oils like avocado, jojoba, and botanical extracts of yarrow, sage, horsetail, nettle, and rosemary, my itchy scalp was calmed while my follicles were nourished to stimulate blood flow and growth. Plus my hair was sooooo soft and ready for washing the next morning.

Koils By Nature Refreshing Anti-Dandruff Hair & Scalp Cleanser

I feel like I reviewed this before (yep, here) - but it's been soooo long. And I'm so in love. Koils By Nature Refreshing Anti-Dandruff Hair & Scalp Cleanser is perfect for naturalistas who love the suds, but can't get down with sulfates of any kind. This beauty is based in botanicals and castille soap, delivering just the right amount of bubbles, without drying the hair out at all. Great slip, tons of moisture, and a clean scalp. What more could a girl ask for?

Koils By Nature Replenishing Hair and Body Oil

My henna mixes call for oils, and Koils By Nature Replenishing Hair and Body Oil is all I ever wanted. A powerful blend of apricot, rosehip, calendula, argan, and more, this oil made a perfect match in my henna mix. The oil left my hair  feeling super soft, shiny, and moisturized - successfully combatting the drying nature of henna. Plus I absolutely LOVE that the oil is fragranced with only essential oils - yup! Soft notes of bergamot, rose, and vanilla all up in this thang.

Henna video coming soon!

Obia Naturals Babassu Detangling Conditioner

I used the Babassu Detangling Conditioner twice - once as a leave in while I went to the gym (it was the only product in my hair), and once again in my henna mix (video on the way). Both times, I was impressed with the Babassu Detangling Conditioner - so much so that I'm looking forward to trying it out as a leave-in (you know I'm hard-headed lol)!

Kurlee Belle Banana Nut Avocado Deep Treatment

Another transitioner throwback! I'm not ashamed to admit that I went to the dog park with Bailey while deep conditioning with Kurlee Belle. It served me well too - my hair was super soft after rinsing. Catch my throwback review here!

Kurlee Belle Thirsty Kurls Leave-In Conditioner
I love how rich and creamy Thirsty Kurls is without being super greasy or difficult to work with. In fact, it served me well as my leave-in for this bangin' wash and go! Paired with Jelle Coconut Styling Gel, I had the perfect mix of definition on day 1, and volume in the days that followed - without needing to re-moisturize my hair.

Make sure you catch the vlog!

Kurlee Belle Jelle Coconut Styling Gel
As my hair regains health, I'm beginning to have a new appreciation for products like Jelle Coconut. The gel is heavy and thick in weight, but dries to a more medium hold. It provides touchable definition, shine, and hold without the super crunch. Don't get me wrong - I still rocks with my gel cast. But having soft hair on Valentine's Weekend definitely was the move, lol.

By the way, click here to check out my Valentine's Weekend GRWM+Vlog featuring Kurlee Belle products!

Henna
I was about two weeks behind on my monthly henna treatment, and my scalp was cussin' me out! So I got on board, and while I don't have a Black Owned henna supplier (yet!), I was sure to use my Black n' Curly products in the mix - Koils By Nature and Obia Naturals. My henna mix was soft, moisturizing, and did the darn thing! I filmed the whole process - so look for that video soon!

Highlights

First things first - that henna treatment gave me life. I always feel like I have a new head of hair post henna, and this mix was no exception. Kurlee Belle allowed my wash and go to flourish in spite of the rain, and my hair is definitely turning the corner on this hydration thing. My crown area - although still immensely disrespectful, is beginning to settle down some. Hopefully by the end of the month I'll have figured out exactly why - and can report a solution to you all :)

You see that crown behaving (kinda) lol!

Challenges

Thank God for Koils By Nature and that slip in the Refreshing Anti-Dandruff Hair & Scalp Cleanser...because my hair just wasn't having it. On wash days is when I notice that my hair is in some sort of transitioning phase...again. 

I admit that while I haven't been pressed about silicone use in the past, they've definitely been my bridge over troubled water when it comes to growing out my color damage. And although I see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of the health of my hair, the absence of 'cones "unmasks" the damage cover-up job on the end of my hair. Without cones, the last inch and a half or so of my hair is...rough. Slip isn't a matter of convenience at this point, it's a necessity. 

I'm hoping that in the coming weeks, my ends will "settle down" and make things a bit easier for me. I know the cuticles are damaged from the color. I know the pH on the ends of my hair is way high. My game plan is to continue alternating between moisture and protein deep conditioning, become even more diligent in sealing my ends, keep my ACV rinses strong, and trim as necessary. 

Up Next

Next week, I'm test driving new products from Jane Carter Solution, and putting my own spin on goodies from Soultanicals, TRoots Beauty, Wonder Curl, Shecentit, and Inahsi Naturals! Stay tuned!

Oh - and did I tell y'all that I've been drowning my skin in Koils By Nature Hair and Body Butter every day? Walking around smelling like sugary sweet realness. I'll tell ya.

Shop this Post

TRoots 5-in-1 Oil

Koils By Nature Refreshing Anti-Dandruff Hair & Scalp Cleanser

Koils By Nature Replenishing Hair and Body Oil

Obia Naturals Babassu Detangling Conditioner

Kurlee Belle Banana Nut Avocado Deep Treatment

Kurlee Belle Thirsty Kurls Leave-In Conditioner

Kurlee Belle Jelle Coconut Styling Gel

Got any questions about this journey to going Curly Girl and using only Black Owned products? Leave 'em in the comments below!

Keep up with all things Black n' Curly here!

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Remove Your Self-Imposed Limitations to Make Room for the Impossible

Once upon a time, I attended a small gathering with a group of people who were on a path to personal success.  At the meeting, we were all encouraged to talk about our current intentions and share goals we achieved in our past.  

When it was my turn to speak, I felt pretty good.  For at least a year, I was hard at work on my goals and I had some great news to share.  My story began with the reveal of how I utilized the principles learned from "Write It Down, Make It Happen" to nearly double my annual salary.  In my mind, I had achieved a huge feat.  I was certain that the facilitator would use my story as an example of how to do it right.

But the exact opposite happened.

  Instead of congratulating me for achieving the impossible, he looked me intently in the eye and inquired "why don't you use this process to double your income again?" I stood there in complete silence.  Did this guy have the nerve to ask me to double my results? I tried to respond with something clever but the thought of stretching my comfort zone to that level absolutely frightened me.  

My mind was cool with the idea of going from one dollar amount to another. But when asked to double that amount again, it started to freak out.  

I hit "the limitation wall." 

The limitation wall is something we're all familiar with.  

We all carry around self-imposed, self-created limitations.  They often lay dormant until we're faced with the possibility of actually achieving our desires.  As long as you stay within your limitations, you're operating within your comfort zone.   The comfort zone feels so warm and toasty that we never stray too far away.

The limitation wall is completely invisible. We're like those dogs wearing an invisible fence collar.  We don't actually see the fence, we just know that if we get too close, we experience a really uncomfortable feeling.  And, like the dog, we run back to safety.  But if we were to persist beyond the uncomfortable feeling, we could experience so many possibilities.  

We should constantly be seeking out our subconscious limitations.  Once we know they exist, we can figure out a way bypass it.  After the guy challenged me to grow my income to six figures, I started to familiarize myself with the idea of earning large sums of money. Part of the reason why my mind rejected the idea was because it wasn't familiar with that type of reality.  So I spent a lot of time online looking for people who earned six figures.  Familiarity truly helped me lower my limitation walls.  

Some goals I set and achieve easily.  Others remain stagnant.  The reason I make no progress is because of all the hidden limitations manifesting themselves in my (in)action.  This year, I have a couple big goals. Those goals are teaming with limitations laying just beneath the surface.   They're like termites eating away at the foundation of my goals.  My job is to unearth and destroy those limitations one by one.  And that exactly what I'm going to do.  

If you are having trouble figuring out what your hidden limitations are, start with your language.  Listen for where you tend to make the most excuses.  That's where the truth lies.  Excuses are how we verbally express our limitations.  

If there are things you know you should be doing, yet you remain stuck, you've hit your limitation wall. Don't just stand there, ask yourself the important questions and start chipping away at your fears.  Limitation walls aren't really there. We've put them there in our minds. We're keeping ourselves away from our own desires.  Let's stop doing this. Let's operate with zero excuses and limitless possibilities.

from BELLEMOCHA.com http://ift.tt/2l0an6e

6 Tips To Achieving Realistic (And Long Lasting!) Synthetic Hair Looks

For a long time now, synthetic hair has had some negativity attached to it because out of all of the different types of hair extensions, weaves, and wigs, it looked the phoniest. No matter if it’s fake or not, hair that looks ridiculously unrealistic is not necessarily a good look. Not only that, but synthetic […]

The post 6 Tips To Achieving Realistic (And Long Lasting!) Synthetic Hair Looks appeared first on Black Hair Information.

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