Gabrielle Union is Summer Goals. Let's Discuss

Foundation Drops | A Dream Come True if You're #TeamNoMakeup

When I began my skin care journey, I've set one clear goal.  To have skin so flawless that foundation wouldn't be necessary.  I want skin that looks just as good bare as when it's camouflaged with high-end foundation.

Every day, I get one step closer.  I'm still not there yet so foundation is still a critical part of my life. I I'd like to ween myself off having to rely on a full face of foundation in order to look presentable. Seems like I may have found a product that aligns with my dream of having skin that looks incredibly natural and flawless.

While at The Makeup Show, I stopped by NYX's booth to see what all commotion was about.  The small crowd almost prevented me from taking a closer look.  But I decided that it was worth the trouble if it meant finding that one item that would change everything.

That one item is now in my possession and I couldn't be any happier.  Something told me to grab the small, unsuspecting bottle of Total Control Foundation Drops even though I didn't really need it.  I already have an ample supply of Kevyn Aucoin's Sensual Skin Enhancer, NARS' Sheer Glow, and Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation.  That's a pretty strong lineup.

But these foundation drops are different.

I predict that foundation drops will be my favorite beauty over the next few months.  At the peak of summer, I hate putting on heavy foundation.  A face full of makeup doesn't translate well in high heat, high humidity conditions.  What I want is a product that melts into my skin, blurs imperfections and looks darn near invisible.

NYX foundation drops have given me everything I asked for.   It's the most weightless foundation I own. Which is perfect for sweltering hot conditions.  With the thin consistency, I was concerned about the level of coverage possible with such a watery product.  These drops did not disappoint. My skin instantly improved upon application.  The coverage was just right. Actually, the level of coverage compared to the consistency of the product was a bit surprising (in a really good way).  Best of all, my skin looked 100% product free!

If you're team #nomakeupmakeup, foundation drops are a dream come true.

Next up, I want to experiment with other brands to test the difference in formulas.  Ideally, I'd love to have one with SPF included in the formula.  If that's not an option, the next best thing is to blend the drops with my favorite sunscreen.  These drops are formulated to blend well with other liquids. So feel free to mix with sunscreen, liquid illuminators or whatever.  Another great feature is the portability which makes it a great item to carry in your back if you want to do a quick touchup.

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7 Benefits of Coconut Milk for Natural Hair with Alikay Naturals

Creamy coconut milk in shampoo form!

I'm sure you've gotten the memo by now that Melted Coconut Oil Season is upon us. If your coconut oil hasn't completely liquefied by now, it will at least soften substantially in the coming weeks.

Coconut oil lovers, get ready - it's your time to shine (literally).

But if you're not completely sold on the tropical oil, how about its milkier, creamier, nutritious and delicious cousin - coconut milk?

Coconut milk is the liquid that's extracted from the flesh of grated or pressed coconuts by soaking it in water. It's rich in vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6, C, E, and a number of essential minerals with a whole host of benefits for the hair. Basically, it's a blessing for your hair and scalp, in liquid form.

Let's break these blessings down, one-by-one. Coconut milk:

Promotes Hair Growth
Thanks to Vitamins B1 and B3 contained in coconut milk, this creamy goodness contributes to the proper nourishment of follicles, while Vitamin C stimumates the follicles and encourages hair growth. Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), B3 (Niacin) contribute to the proper nourishment of hair follicle cells. Vitamin C stimulates the scalp and encourages hair growth.

Reduces Shedding
Because the hair is properly nourished at the root, the follicle is strengthened. When you have strong follicles, shedding and hair fall from manipulation and combing is reduced.

Prevents Breakage
Vitamin B5 is a powerhouse ingredient found in lots of strengthening formulations. Luckily, it occurs naturally in coconut milk. Vitamin B5 aka Pantothenic Acid gives hair flexibility and shine - boosting elasticity and greatly reducing breakage.

Boosts Shine
Coconut milk, like it's oily counterpart is great for adding natural luster to dry, dull hair thanks to Vitamins E and B5.

Soothes Scalp Issues
Coconut milk contains two powerhouse ingredients with major scalp health benefits. Vitamin B6 aka (Pyridoxine) helps prevent dandruff, while lauric acid gives coconut milk its antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Combined, these two help fight itching, flakes, and irritations of the scalp.

Fights Damage
Thanks to Vitamin E, coconut milk contains powerful  antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-inflammatory, properties. Coconut milk helps reverse signs of aging and damage in hair - leaving it stronger, fuller, and more resilient.

Treats Thinning Edges

Because coconut milk contains so many powerhouse nutrients for scalp health and hair growth, it makes an excellent topical solution for thinning or damaged edges. Using products with coconut milk, or massaging coconut milk itself into your edges on wash day helps stimulate hair regrowth.

Now that we know why coconut milk is absolutely amazing, let's talk about the easiest, non-messy way to incorporate coconut milk into your hair care regimen and still reap all its amazing benefits -

With Alikay Naturals!

Something about Alikay Naturals makes me always wanna go to the beach.

I've been using the Alikay Naturals Caribbean Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner - and I've fallen in love! 

Below you'll find my #AlikayWashDay in 4 easy steps:

I created a video - because I'm trying to be better in 2017 about thorough and informative content. And I wanted to show you guys how absolutely fantastic these products are.

But if you're more the reading type (I feel ya!), here's the steps I followed in the video:

Step 1

Rinse hair with water and generously apply Alikay Naturals Knots Be Gone Hair Detangler. I personally prefer to detangle on wet hair, because it results in the least amount of breakage and makes it easier to work product through my hair and release tangles.

Step 2

Shampoo with Alikay Naturals Caribbean Coconut Milk Shampoo. This shampoo is very liquidy and comes with a nozzle tip to help concentrate on the scalp. After applying throughout my scalp, I massaged it in to gently lift dirt, flakes, oils, and debris. As the Caribbean Coconut Milk Shampoo lathered, it traveled down the length of my hair, and I used the slippery suds to help keep my curls detangled.

Super thick. Super creamy. Super amazing!

Step 3

Rinse hair thoroughly and apply Alikay Naturals Caribbean Coconut Milk Conditioner throughout. Before sectioning off my hair, I used my fingertips to massage more Caribbean Coconut Milk Conditioner throughout my scalp. I then parted my hair in 4 sections, detangled with a wide tooth comb to distribute product from root to end, and twisted each section. I clipped my hair up, put on a plastic shower cap and my Hot Head, and let the Caribbean Coconut Milk Conditioner marinate for 20 minutes.

I've fallen in love...again.

Step 4

Rinse and style! Upon noticing that Knots Be Gone didn't leave a bunch of white gunky residue when it came into contact with my product buildup from a previous wash n' go, I decided to give it a whirl as a leave-in conditioner. I applied it generously to each section of my hair while it was soaking wet, and proceeded to style.

And that's it! Super easy, super simple, straight to the point - and full of amazing benefits for the hair and scalp. 

Before I close this blog post out, I'm going to leave you guys with a mini-review of each product I used. Alikay Naturals didn't ask me to do this - but these products are too good to leave you guys in the dark. For each product used, I'm going to share the active ingredients, my likes and dislikes, and where to purchase.

Knots Be Gone Hair Detangler

Active Ingredients

• Water
• 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.
• Marshmallow Root Powder: Extraction that creates a slippery, mucous-like substance that adds incredible slip (translation: awesome detangling), and contains high amounts of plant proteins for strengthening and conditioning hair.
• Cetearyl 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.
• Stearalkonium Chloride: Cationic surfactant derived from stearic acid, a fatty acid found in plants and animals. It is an antistatic agent, and positively charged salt that attracts and binds proteins, which are negatively charged. It is found to increase luster and improve the condition of wet or dry hair, often serving to detangle the hair.
• Hibiscus Flower Extract: Helps reduce frizz, boost shine, pH balances the hair and scalp, and helps to prevent split ends

The Good

I wasn't expecting Knots Be Gone to be as dope as it is. When I applied it to my hair, I didn't feel that typical slippery, slimy texture I expect in a detangler. But as you can see in the video, this jawn WORKS! I was so confident in the ability of Knots Be Gone to keep my hair detangled, that I didn't even twist and work section by section. With natural hair, you know you gotta be confident to pull that mess off. 😂

I also doubled back and used Knots Be Gone as my leave-in for my wash n' go. I LOVED the results. My hair maintained serious moisture, softness, and shine - even when used in conjunction with notoriously drying EcoStyler. Even after sitting in the dry, hot sauna at my gym.

The Bad

I've got nothin'. I love the thin consistency and super moisturizing properties of Knots Be Gone. Although I know Alikay Naturals changed the spray nozzle to the standard squeeze and pour top, I can't help but think that giving Knots Be Gone the same concentrator nozzle as the Caribbean Coconut Milk Shampoo might be the move...

Caribbean Coconut Milk Shampoo

Active Ingredients

• Water
• 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.
• Vegetable Glycerin: Vegetable-based humectant that draws in moisture to the hair.
• 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.
• Coconut Milk Powder: Concentrated dehydrated coconut milk. Same benefits listed as above - powdered coconut milk just doesn't expire as quickly.
• Rosemary Oil: Known growth stimulant and extract, used to prevent dandruff and even premature baldness, as well as enhance highlights. The leaves are known to have relatively high levels of antioxidants.

The Good

Ummmm everything. I'm actually kinda salty that nobody tried to put me up on game about this shampoo. It smells amazing, has great slip (which is always a plus for me in shampoos), cleans the scalp well, and doesn't leave my hair feeling stripped or dry. The lather is a bonus - especially if you like to see sudsing action, and it's totally sulfate free. Caribbean Coconut Milk Shampoo was so easy to use, and made my wash day a breeze. 

The Bad

Literally, nothing.

Somebody take me to the ocean already. lol!

Caribbean Coconut Milk Conditioner

Active Ingredients

• Water
• 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.
• Cetearyl 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.
• Stearalkonium Chloride: Cationic surfactant derived from stearic acid, a fatty acid found in plants and animals. It is an antistatic agent, and positively charged salt that attracts and binds proteins, which are negatively charged. It is found to increase luster and improve the condition of wet or dry hair, often serving to detangle the hair.
• Vegetable Glycerin: Vegetable-based humectant that draws in moisture to the hair.
• 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.
• Coconut Milk Powder: Concentrated dehydrated coconut milk. Same benefits listed as above - powdered coconut milk just doesn't expire as quickly.

The Good

So creamy. So rich. So thick. Soooooo good. There was absolutely no way I was gonna just let Caribbean Coconut Milk Conditioner sit on my hair for 2 or 3 minutes and send all that goodness down the drain. No ma'am! With all the amazing ingredients it contains for scalp and hair health, plus that amazing consistency - I treat this bad boy like a deep conditioner. It penetrates my lower porosity sections, has great slip, and leaves my hair feeling soft, moisturized, strong, and shiny. Which is crazy, considering it's protein free!

The Bad

I gotta be honest - it was a bit difficult to get this stuff out the bottle after the first few squeezes. Because it's so slippery, creamy, and thick, I kept loosing my grip trying to work product out of the bottle. I definitely think Caribbean Coconut Milk Conditioner belongs in a jar for ease of use.

Rochelle - can a sista get this in salon size, or nah? #askingforafriend #thatfriendisme #ineedKnotsBeGoneinsalonsizetoo

Because I normally cover this point in my full-length reviews, I need to let you guys know that all 3 products are silicone and protein free. Curly girls method loyalists and protein sensitive naturalistas rejoice!

Where to Buy

Alikay Naturals products are sold nationwide at Target stores. Click here to find the location nearest you.

For my LA ladies, I've already done the hard work for you. You can grab knots Be Gone and Caribbean Coconut Milk Shampoo + Conditioner at these stores:

Target

3535 S. LaCienega Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 95758

(Intersection: LaCienega + Rodeo)

Target

3471 W. Century Blvd.

Inglewood, CA 95823

(Intersection: Century Blvd. between Crenshaw and Prairie)

You can also find Knots Be Gone at the Hawthorne Target store on 120th and Crenshaw. 

Who's hopping on the coconut milk trend with me for Summer '17? Let me know in the comments below!

Per the FTC, I have to let y'all know that this post and video is sponsored by Alikay Naturals. And there's affiliate links in here, meaning if you click the Target link and purchase the products, I'll make a few coins. Y'all don't mind, right? Even though this content is sponsored that doesn't mean anything - I'm still keeping it 100 and giving you guys the real.

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Model Grace Mahary Reminds Us How To Get That Summer Skin Glow

@gracemahary

The warmer it gets the more I start thinking about the full manifestation of summer.  I've already begun rummaging through my drawers in search of summer gear.  The only thing going through my mind is how I can nurture a head to toe glow.  On my hit list is to one day finally experience a Korean body scrubbing but until then, I'll focus on the next best alternative.
This other option will clear out your pores in a major way.  And, when done regularly, can give you such an awesome glow.   Today,  I stumbled on an interview of former Victoria's Secret model Grace Mahary.  Grace has also strutted down the runways of major fashion houses like Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and Giorgio Armani.

Maintaining flawless skin has got to be her top priority.  I was on the edge of my seat as I read the details of Grace's beauty routine.  But, surprisingly, she doesn't really have a complicated routine like imagined.  Aside from adding a little Bio-Oil (great for scars + stretch marks) after cleansing and moisturizing Dior Hydra Life Moisturizer, she doesn't really do much else.

But Grace made sure to mention her absolute obsession which she claims is what made the difference in her pores is the reason for her glow.  Her obsession is sauna and steam treatments has paid off in a major way.

@gracemahary enjoying a relaxing infrared sauna experience

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of sauna treatments.  I've written about it countless times.  There was even the time that we discussed creating a full on sauna beauty routine thanks to some inspiration from Karrueche Tran.  Opening your pores so you can sweat is so powerful that when I do it before cleansing, my skin turns around.   Grace experienced so many benefits from steaming that she doesn't have to rely much on intricate skin routine.  When our pores are clear most of our skin worries go away.  Since our skin is such a major means of detox, we have to sweat to ensure that it's doing its job.

If you can't remember that last time you broke a sweat, you're already doing yourself a disservice.  You could be enjoying softer skin and a natural glow that comes from deep within.  I enjoy these little reminders because I sometimes forget to incorporate sweating as a regular part of a self-care routine. Yes, the external skin benefits are worth it, but there are some documented health benefits to enjoying infrared saunas including factors that directly impact our longevity.

At the very least, you should at least schedule a few sessions before your next getaway to and see if your skin likes it.  Check out Grace's full interview here.

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Controversy At Shea Moisture’s New Ad. What Do Y’all Think?

Yesterday Shea Moisture released the first of an ad series to promote their products and to say black women were outraged, might be the understatement of the year. Before I go any further, watch the ad for yourself: I was honestly truly disappointed with the ad because last week I sat and watched for at […]

The post Controversy At Shea Moisture’s New Ad. What Do Y’all Think? appeared first on Black Hair Information.

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Shea Moisture's Pepsi-esque Ad Move - How Did it Even Happen?

Back when it was all love - 3 months after seeing MahoganyCurls (again), and meeting #goalsAF Massy Arias, Shea Moisture would go on to announce their partnership with Bain Capital. Yes, I used to work for NuMe (hangs head in shame)

After yesterday's social media fallout with Shea Moisture (and the subsequent apology from the brand), many of us are left with one question - how?

How did this happen?

How did a company with such a proud Sierra Leonean legacy, led by a Black man, make such a fatal error?

We expect these sort of tone-deaf gaffes from companies like Pepsi or Vogue, who do not pride themselves on or even attempt to assert that their primary demographic is Black women.

But Shea Moisture?

The company who literally built their brand to cater to the unique needs of Black women, because we were being ignored by beauty conglomerates like Unilever, P&G, and L'Oreal?

How, Sway?

Sway don't got the answers - but LinkedIn does.

According to articles on CNNMoney, AdAge, FastCompany, and more VaynerMedia was "responsible" for bringing this campaign to life. Yes. Y'alls beloved Gary Vee & Co. I'm sure Gary has hurled enough expletives to inspire you to action - so I'll save my thoughts on his cuss & hustle methodology for another time.

But a quick LinkedIn search reveals exactly who was at the table, who made the decisions, and how Shea Moisture sent themselves to the clearance bin over yesterday's ad. And while I'm not going to blast people's names and faces across my blog (I ain't TheShadeRoom), I will say this:

Shea Moisture/Sundial Brands

• VP of Brand Strategy - white woman
• Innovation Marketing Manager - white woman
• Brand Strategy & Innovation - white woman
• Social Media Manager - white woman
• Associate Communications/PR Manager - white woman

VaynerMedia

• VP Social/Digital Strategy - white woman
• Director of Innovations - white man
• Digital & Social Media Strategy - white woman
• Senior Copywriters - white women & men + 1 Latinx
• Senior Digital Media Planner - white man

So basically, you take your brand that was built for and by Black women. And you fill the seats that create and deliver content meant interact with your core demographic - with nobody that remotely resembles said demographic.

Those key players then partner with a digital agency, in which those key players likely concepted, organized, and executed yesterday's Pepsi 2.0 campaign, which was reviewed, tweaked, and eventually approved by that first group of key players. This process went back and forth, likely through several rounds of meetings and editing sessions, in an incredibly homogeneous incubator of "creativity" and "digital savvy". I can imagine tons of high-fives, pats on the backs, fist bumps, and a cringeworthy number of "dabs".

In moments like this, it doesn't matter that the CEO of Shea Moisture/Sundial is Richielou Dennis, a Black man. It doesn't even matter that the company prides itself on being majority family owned. 

Because when you deliver content like you did yesterday, it shows who's making the decisions around the table. Better yet, it shows who's not present in those meetings and creative briefings. I don't want this to be the case, but this all feels like Carol's Daughter deja-vu. 

If you recall from this article, Lisa Price was not the CEO of Carol's Daughter at the time of sale to L'Oreal. Or owner, for that matter. Carol's Daughter Holdings, LLC (the parent company) was owned by Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P. at the time of sale. 

While Dennis and Shea Moisture insist they've learned from what happened in the Carol's Daughter fallout, the road they're traveling looks mighty familiar. A brand of products formerly marketed to only Black women now determined to appeal to a broader base, virtually abandoning the clientele that built the foundation that the business stands on.

Droves of Black women pumped the brakes on their support of Carol's Daughter, feeling abandoned and maligned by the company's change in marketing imagery and formulas. There are already murmurs from Shea Moisture's comment sections to Lipstick Alley that some of the formulas of their original products have changed, are thinner, and no longer work for coarser hair.

I can't call it one way or the other, because I stopped trying to keep up with Shea Moisture's products a long time ago.

While Shea Moisture maintains that Bain's investment is a minority percentage, a glimpse into Sundial's Glassdoor reviews/company profile paints a different picture (just google it). In the case of Carol's Daughter, Lisa Price was the face of the brand, with no control over its direction. With Shea Moisture's Black CEO and proud "minority ownership", it's about who they've chosen to outsource their decision making to.

At this point, it doesn't matter that Shea Moisture is repped by influencers like MahoganyCurls, Jenell B. Stewart, and Massy Arias (who I'm 137% sure have all been told to not directly address the matter with their audiences). There are more, I'm sure - but these are the only 3 I follow. Regardless of how well represented Black women may be on Shea Moisture's influencer roster, I care even more about how we're represented at the table - behind the scenes, in those higher-up meetings, and creative sessions. The face of the company doesn't mean a damn thing if the company as a whole aims to defines its success by its value to the mainstream.

How many times do we have to scream - REPRESENTATION MATTERS?!

Apparently, yesterday's video was a part of a larger #EverybodyGetsLove campaign. That's cool and all, but I have questions. Why in these series of videos, is the same clip of Jenell B. Stewart being recycled? Why is she the only darker-skinned Black woman featured? Were all the other kinky-haired influencers with deep complexions busy that day?

See Video 1
See Video 2
See Video 3

Why in a series of videos from a company built for Black women, and zealously supported by the same, has the Black woman become tokenized? Anybody else think that's crazy - or is it just me?

I've read all the articles, and seen the apology circuit that Sundial's PR team has sent Richielou Dennis on. An apology is fine (not really), but responsibility is shared. Is Gary Vaynerchuk going to fess up and issue a statement, too (like he did back in 2016 for some sexist ish)? Will the Sundial team rally behind their CEO and say, "hey, this is also our fault?"

Or are they gonna stand there and watch as the captain goes down with his ship?

I want Richielou Dennis to win. I want Black businesses to win. But not at the expense of the people who put them in the position to win in the first place. THAT is a recipe for failure.

Aiight y'all, I'm done talking Shea Moisture. After this post, it's back to the regularly scheduled programming. :)

********

Looking for Black owned brands to support? You're in the RIGHT PLACE! The Mane Objective has a loooooong history of supporting Black owned brands - before it became trendy or cool. Here's the 411:

9 Black owned alternatives to Lush

10 curly-girl friendly Black owned brands

Reviews on reviews on reviews for TONS of Black owned brands

The sales are off, but this is a DEEEEEP list of Black owned brands!

Let chat in the comment section about this one, fam. I welcome all sides and all opinions but I have one rule - keep it respectful. Leggoooooo!

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Shea Moisture - We Not Finna Do This.

Dear Shea Moisture,

As a blogger, writer, influencer, consumer, and most importantly Black woman - I need to let you know something, straight up.

We ain't finna do this.

Nope. Image: Shea Moisture

Not today, Shea Moisture. Not tomorrow, either. In fact, you can pretty much X out any day on the calendar before Jesus comes back.

There is no way in hell I'm going to sit back and let you so cavalierly equate "hair hate" to what Black women have endured in this country since 1619.

You probably thought you were sending a message of unity, love, and "breaking down walls" with your newest little video featuring a mixed-ethnicity looking woman (I'm pretty sure she's an Instagram influencer - I've seen her face before, but the name escapes me), alongside three other white women.

The natural girl (we'll claim her in the name of the diaspora) shared stories about picking spitballs out of her hair, and having to learn how to fully embrace her texture and volume.

I'll save my side eyes, because the fact that your representation of Blackness came only in the form of mainstream acceptability is secondary only to the gross overrepresentation of white women and the equation of their "I don't know what to do with my hair today" lamentations to being told that what grows out of our scalp isn't professional, clean, or acceptable.

Image: Shea Moisture

Mixed girl aside, we've got some bigger fish to fry, Shea Moisture.

When I first reported on your investment relationship with Bain Capital, I tried to remain optimistic. And in some ways, I've seen the fruits of that partnership in your R&D, and the proliferation of so many new lines and products, I've given up keeping count.

But since then, you've been sliding down a slippery slope on social media - and I'm not the first person to notice. The first time we saw a shift in your marketing, it was jarring - but in some ways, we tried to be understanding of your desire to grow. We gave you a little leeway (but still a strong side eye), with the Breaking the Walls campaign. Besides, we all love Mahogany Curls and Nap85.

SheaMoisture is CANCELLED http://pic.twitter.com/T4Dru1JgAq

— NANA JIBRIL 🌙🏳️‍🌈 (@girlswithtoys) April 24, 2017

Perhaps instead of seeing your shift as a desire to grow and supporting you tacitly, we should have sounded the alarm. Because it's looking a little less like you're trying to say "everybody gets love" - and more like you're abandoning the demographic that put you on the map, aka Black women.

How does one have "hair hate" when you are the literal standard of beauty in this country? HOW? Image: Shea Moisture

Trust me when I say this, Shea Moisture. We've seen it before, and we don't take too kindly to the shenanigans and disrespect. Just ask Carol's Daughter.

Other bloggers may laugh and ki-ki with you, tag you in their pics to try and get chose, or altogether ignore this issue for fear of polarizing their followers.

I. Ain't. Them.

I'm going to tell you straight up, because my loyalties lie with the women you've begun to distance yourself from. My allegiance is to my darker-skinned, kinky-haired sistas who are constantly overlooked and disrespected after being milked for support by companies. And my coins to go the brands that consistently uplift, support, encourage, and prioritize Black women unashamedly.

As much as I want to believe that you've got the best interests of Black women at heart - I'm finding it increasingly difficult to understand how a self-proclaimed minority-owned and family-operated company with a Black man as CEO could be so abhorrently tone deaf and willfully blind.

At this point, it's not a misstep because you don't have Black people in the room to pull your coattails.

It's an intentional diss of Remy Ma proportions.

Hair hate is NOT the same as discrimination. Don't get it twisted. Image: Shea Moisture

Like seriously, Shea Moisture - as a brand, how in the HELL do you story map, script, film, edit, and publish a video and:

• Overrepresent white women
• Completely omit darker skin and kinky hair
• Equate one woman's insecurity over her red hair (and subsequently dyeing it blonde)
• Exaggerate another woman's confusion over how to style her hair
• MANAGE TO TRIVIALIZE AND WHITEWASH THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF BLACK WOMEN IN THIS COUNTRY AS IT RELATES TO THEIR HAIR?

...And not nobody, not one soul at Sundial raised a concern, or gave a side-eye in the creative briefing meeting?

Because we just gonna ignore the fact that the the army gave natural hair the full-blown "nah". And that it's fully legal to discriminate against natural hair in the workplace. I guess we should just forget about the little girls being threatened with expulsions, being assaulted by students and teachers - over wearing their natural hair.

Because everybody gets love, right?

Assault, discrimination, verbal abuse, and the psychological trauma of constantly having our images reinforced as the antithesis of beauty - that's the same as "hair hate", right Shea Moisture?

I'm sure you know this based on your own market research, but the natural hair community (and your brand if we're honest) was built on the backs of Black women seeking out a space for self love, education, and sharing information about caring for afro-textured hair.

And by the way, #TeamNatural will ALWAYS be for Black women. #makenomistakes #noteverybodygetslove #andthatsok

But back to the matter at hand. I'm not mad that you want to appeal to more people. Get your coins. Hell, I'm not even mad about white women buying your products. I really don't care. Honestly, truly I don't. The problem comes when you begin to prioritize white women who (let's be honest) have entire stores, magazines, commercials, and billboards dedicated to meeting their beauty needs. Getting a section in Target, CVS, or Sally's dedicated to natural hair for Black women is only a fairly recent phenomenon.

Not a stock image. A screenshot from the video. Image: Shea Moisture

And to add a mountain of insult to injury, you attempted to align our very real struggles to embrace our hair and the discrimination we face for having the audacity to wear our hair naturally - to white women with insecurities over hair color and styling decisions.

BYE.

We ain't doing this. I tried to warn you before.

And because I'm about that proactive-speak-with-my-dollars-and-my-words life, I'm going to share with my followers a few brands that are:

• Outspoken about issues affecting the Black community domestically and globally
• Unashamed in their prioritization and valuing of Black women
• Committed to not changing their formulas to accommodate a wider diversity of hair types

Because everybody (else) getting love shouldn't come at my expense.

Signed,

Someone Who Ain't With Your (White) Nonsense

********

Looking for Black owned brands to support? You're in the RIGHT PLACE! The Mane Objective has a loooooong history of supporting Black owned brands - before it became trendy or cool. Here's the 411:

9 Black owned alternatives to Lush

10 curly-girl friendly Black owned brands

Reviews on reviews on reviews for TONS of Black owned brands

The sales are off, but this is a DEEEEEP list of Black owned brands!

Let chat in the comment section about this one, fam. I welcome all sides and all opinions but I have one rule - keep it respectful. Leggoooooo!

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Damage-Free Temporary Color on Natural Hair with Biotera Sheer Iluminator Tinted Moisture Treatment

Biotera Sheer Illuminator is the perfect gentle color tint for natural hair.

I'm no stranger to color.

Back in the day, before I knew anything about developers, pH balancing, or even the structure of hair itself - I was all up in Target and Sally's buying boxes of dye and coloring my hair all willy nilly.

I'll probably never be blonde again. And I've made peace with that.

And even after I got some sense, I couldn't stay away from the color.

After my last foray into coloring left me transitioning all over again from color damaged curls, I vowed to stay away from the strong stuff.

Clearly, I have an affinity for red hair.

But that doesn't mean the temptation isn't there.

With longer days and warmer temperatures, I've been feeling the itch to go lighter again with my hair. And I came thissssclose to picking up some Shea Moisture dye and giving it a go.

But after a lot of soul searching, and admiring the current healthy state of my curls, I decided against it. Plus, I was seeing way too many insta-curly influencers on my explore feed lamenting over the current state of their hair, and regretting their dye decisions.

I took it as a sign, said "thanks, Jesus!" and went on about my day.

Even though I was officially off the box and professional dye, I still wanted to do something. So back to the drawing board I went. I didn't want to go the eyeshadow color route, and semi-permanent bottles of color are pretty messy.

Then one fateful day, I happened to be scrolling on Instagram and I came across these gorgeous Sheer Illuminator tubes. I immediately went into product junkie/investigator mode - convinced that Jesus again was trying to tell me something. 😂

As it turns out, Biotera's Sheer Illuminator is what's called a "tinted moisture treatment" - aka shine enhancing, gentle color depositing, and moisturizing conditioner. Kinda like what I talked about here.

That was all I needed to hop in my car and haul butt to Sally's.

How does Biotera Sheer Illuminator Tinted Moisture Treatment work, and does it actually deposit color? Keep reading to find out (and watch the video!)

Cost
$9.19 for 4oz (although the container seems bigger than that lol).

Where to Buy
Biotera Sheer Illuminator is sold exclusively at Sally Beauty. Right now you can pick them up BOGO 50% off! (April 2017)

Check your local Sally's for this month's Sheer Illuminator promo!

Active Ingredients

• Water
• Dimethicone: Popular cosmetic silicone that works by coating the hair in a thin, semi-permeable or waterproof layer that reduces the porosity of hair, and makes it less likely to absorb humidity (great for straightening and smoothing hair). It reduces moisture loss within the hair, and lubricates the surface of the hair and makes it easier to comb (slip and less tangled). Dimethicone has all of these benefits, while being lightweight and not causing buildup.
• Sorbitol:  Naturally occurring element in fruits and veggies. Much like glycerin, it adds slip to a product, as well as functions as a humectant and a thickener. It helps cosmetics from drying out in their containers.
• Propylene Glycol: Humectant and conditioning agent.
• Behenyl Alcohol: Natural, vegetable-derived long chain fatty alcohol used as a thickener and stabilizer (keeping oils and water mixed). Not to be confused with drying alcohols.
• Stearyl and Cetyl Alcohols: Considered "fatty alcohols" -- NOT to be confused with drying alcohols such as ethyl. Both cetearyl and cetyl alcohol are lubricants, thickeners, and emollients. They give conditioner its velvety feel without making hair greasy. Also used to keep product ingredients from separating.
• 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.
• Raspberry Fruit Extract: Also known as raspberry fruit extract. Color and flavoring agent for food, medicines, and beauty products. Also rich in vitamins A and C, and help impart shine to hair. 

Protein Free?
No - contains hydrolyzed soy protein.

Curly Girl Friendly?
Also no - contains dimethicone.

On the fence about silicones? Read this. 

Ain't she purty?!

The Good
First things first - I'm a color fanatic. I love bright colors (what, you couldn't tell?). I was expecting a deep plum colored product, given the outside of the container. Instead, I got shimmery fuschia with Unicorn Frappuccino vibes. For a split second, I hoped it would turn my hair this color.

Then I came back down to reality.

The product itself is really easy and straightforward to use - just apply it in lieu of your regular rinse out or deep conditioner. You're supposed to leave it on for 1-3 minutes, which I did the first time around. The next two applications I did as a deep conditioning session - leaving it on and sitting under my hooded dryer for 20 minutes.

That's when I saw the most color - after those two intense treatment sessions.



Sheer Illuminator has a delicate smell that's not at all overpowering, and has a super smooth, creamy feel. It's on the thicker side, but not too thick. It has amazing slip and works really easily through my hair.

In the video, you'll see me mouth, "it's so soft!' in reference to my hair after rinsing out the Sheer Illuminator Tinted Moisture Treatment. It made my hair feel sooooo soft and smooth - and I could immediately tell the shine would be epic.

Knowing what I know about color on dark hair, I knew better than to expect Sheer Illuminator to give me color results like this:

I knew better than to expect this.

Because lightening my naturally super dark hair involves bleach or high level developer.

I expected something more of an old school cellophane - lots of shine and what we used to call "parking lot color" - aka tint that you'd see in direct sunlight, standing in the parking lot after you got your hair did.😂

And that's exactly what Sheer Illuminator delivered.

#Shoutout to Samuel for capturing these amazing direct sunlight texture shots!

After the first use, I noticed an immediate difference in shine. After 2 additional uses, I really saw the color pick up. Again, not expecting miracles that involve developers and bleach. In direct sunlight, you can see the beautiful burgundy-plum-ish tint - a nice mixture of residual henna from a few months ago, and the Shiny Burgundy from Sheer Illuminator Tinted Moisture Treatment.

I'm a happy camper!

The Bad
I only have one complaint - I wish it came in 8 or 16oz instead of 4. Because it works best after multiple uses, having one big tube or bottle instead of 2 or 3 would just make my life easier. Plus, I'm heavy-handed with products - especially conditioners. But about the product itself? I've got nothin'. It works beautifully.

The Bottom Line
Sheer Illuminator Tinted Moisture Treatment is a super gentle color depositing conditioner that's perfect for ladies looking to add a pop of "parking lot color" to their natural hair, without compromising the integrity of the hair and damaging it. It's fun to use, makes the hair feel great, and produces brilliant shine after the first use.

Samuel on the camera, Sheer Illuminator in the curls! 

Would I Buy it Again?
Absolutely! After a few more shampoos, I'm going for Shiny Red. Y'all know I have a thing for red hair.

Looking to take the forreal for serious color plunge? Read here before you make a choice. #beinformed #thingsiwishsomebodytoldmebackin2014

My Hair Color Q&A
The Pros and Cons of Dyeing Natural Hair

Will you be giving Sheer Illuminator Tinted Moisture Treatment a try? Let's chat in the comments below!

Per the FTC, I have to let y'all know that this post and video is sponsored by Naturelle/Biotera. Y'all don't mind, right? Even though this content is sponsored that doesn't mean anything - I'm still keeping it 100 and giving you guys the real. Truth be told, I bought the product with my own money and was gonna do this post anyway! Lol.

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How I came to believe that I could earn a $10,000 a month

Many years ago, I had a conversation with my brother in which I asked him to imagine what it would feel like to earn $10,000 a month.  I could see the expression on his face change as he tried to imagine the scenario.  He struggled mightily.  After a few moments of quiet and discomfort, he finally admitted that it was nearly impossible for him to imagine earning this much money a month.

Recently, I asked a few of my friends the same question.  Everyone I ask has difficulty picturing themselves earning this type of income.  I did too....at one point.  Whenever I tried to imagine the scenario, my mind drew a blank.  That's when I realized that this was a huge part of the problem.  My mind kept shutting down because it didn't believe in such a scenario actually becoming a reality.

As long as my mind couldn't picture it, I knew I would never experience it.

Every single goal we desire is something we don't yet have.  Some of them are more believable than others.  You might notice that the more believable they are, the easier it is to manifest.  Manifesting a parking space is "easier" than manifesting $1,000.  Why, because we can easily picture stumbling on the perfect parking space at the right time.  But when we think about where $1,000 will come from, we can't imagine it.  Or when we think about launching a six-figure business, we hesitate.

When our minds accept our goals as achievable, the road to get there becomes so much easier.

Although I didn't exactly know how to earn $10,000 a month, I was certain that I had to become very comfortable with the idea.

My first instinct was to look for people who had reached that level income.  I didn't know anyone in real life. Luckily for us, there are tons of examples online.  If your goal is to start a business, get out of debt, or travel the world, surround yourself with people who have gone through the same journey.

When I decided to quit my job a couple of years ago, I had such a hard time making the decision.  Quitting my comfy job was the scariest thing I had ever imagined doing.  I couldn't bring myself to do it until I dedicated hours of my time reading about and listening to stories of countless individuals who left their jobs to pursue their dreams.  By the time I sat in my boss' office to inform her of the news, I was 100% certain of my decision.  I went from being afraid to leave my job to giving my resignation with a huge smile on my face.

I've implemented the same strategy to convince my mind to believe in earning over $10,000 a month. It's a gradual process so I'm patient with myself.  I understand that resistance will rear its ugly head but I push through until the idea of earning that amount of money is not only believable but actually expected.  Once my belief got to the right level, taking the right action was so much easier.

When I think about the other goals I want to reach, before I even come up with a plan of action, I start working on ways to increase how much I believe this can actually happen.  I need to enlist the help of my mind power.  Otherwise, the right ideas (and action) don't flow.

My challenge for you is this:  play around with the idea of actually living out your goal versus admiring it from afar.  Get so familiar with it that it actually feels real.  Sometimes we idolize our goals so much that we are actually separating ourselves from it.  Stop seeing yourself as separate from your goal and start believing.  




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The Truth About Caring For 4C Natural Hair And Achieving Your Hair Goals

Contents What is 4C hair 4C hair wash day Protective styling Choosing products As I get older one of the things that hold true in my life is that there are no shortcuts when you want to be successful at any goal you might have. In my own hair journey, and I am sure in […]

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This Simple At-Home Treatment Will Remove Your Stretch Marks & Body Scars

The other day I was watching one of my favorite reality shows.  There was a scene where two of the main characters enjoyed a day of beauty treatments.  Instead of enjoying a leisurely massage, they opted for a more aggressive option.

While laying face down, the two women endured a full body micro needling treatment. By the time the session was over, their entire bodies were red with all the blood flow.  My first instinct was to cringe at how much pain they had to endure.  Then I wondered why they would even do micro needling over their entire bodies.
Honestly, it doesn't really make sense.  While needling the entire body probably is inefficient, I could see using micro needling in a targeted way to address concerns on the body.   Scar tissue is stubborn and rigid.  You can just get rid of it with topical treatments.  We develop scars because of trauma to the skin and the subsequent healing process.  The problem is that scars aren't made up of the same tissue as our skin. Scar tissue is inferior to our normal skin because it's composition is a bit different.  It's not meant to function like "normal skin," it's meant to protect against infection and further injury.

But, with "very minor lesions,"  the body uses normal skin for wound repair.  And that's the magic of micro needling.  It creates lots of micro trauma forcing it to have to repair itself with new skin as if nothing ever happened.  With scar treatments, fading isn't the right approach. We should want to regenerate the skin and that's exactly what micro needling does.

I have one of the nifty little at home derma rollers.  But I haven't put them to use ever since I started going in for professional treatments.  After watching those ladies receive the body rolling, I could see myself using the at home device for some trouble areas like the horizontal lines around my neck and to diminish old scars.

Other ways to incorporate body needling included fading of stretch marks and for skin tightening purposes.  If you have excessive stretch marks from having a baby or rapid weight loss/gain, micro needling might be a low cost easy option that actually works.


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Style Edit // Summer Festival Lookbook

Coachella is currently in progress which means the start of spring/summer outdoor season.  I figured now would be a great time to collect some style inspiration for festival outfits ideas.

I adore this black crochet top.  It's stylish, sexy and effortless.  It also gives you the option of accenting the top with either a lace bralette, bandeau or a fitted crop depending on your preference.  I didn't know how much I needed a crochet top until now.  The hunt is officially on.

Chances are you're probably gonna be rocking basic pieces to your outdoor event.  The easiest way to make your look stand out is to accessorize with a statement kimono.  I'm a huge fan of kimonos because they have the ability to completely elevate your summer look without adding heavy layers.

For most of my life, I've been completely against matching sets.  I hated them.  But I've since changed my ways.  I adore the cropped top and matching high-waisted pants.  It makes the entire look more modern and fresh.  The slight bearing of midriff adds a bit of a break to the monotonous pattern.  I'm sure it would look just as perfect if the bottom were high waisted shorts.  Either way, I'm a fan of matching sets now and I'm proud of it.

Summer festivals are the perfect time to wear bohemian statement skirts.  I love this pairing of a flirty denim skirt with a graphic tee.  It's simple yet flawless.  Can we talk about how brilliant it was for her to accessorize with a brightly colored head wrap?  This look couldn't be any more perfect.

I wanted to leave you with this cute idea on how to accessorize your hair this summer.  Try adding strips of fabric in your braids for care free look.  This is a much tamer alternative to dying your hair or doing anything too crazy.  It's non-permanent and really easy to pull off.

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This Braid & Curl with Eden BodyWorks Citrus Fusion is All You Need for #Summer17

Using The Power of Your Mind to Create the Perfect Ending for you Life.

One thing I hate more than anything is a movie ending that's completely different from what I expected. I loathe movies that end in a manner contrary to what I wanted to see. It doesn't matter if the movie was one of the most cleverly directed features ever if the ending is not up to my standards, I completely dismiss the entire film as useless.

Even when I was young, I would become extremely upset if I were ever interrupted from a pleasant dream. Whenever this happened, I would try my darnedest to fall back asleep and create the ending that I wanted. Sometimes I would even try to create alternate endings to dreams that did not meet my expectation of a suitable experience.  My number one priority was to always create the perfect result.

A few years back, I started working for a company that held extremely high standards.  As part of my probationary period, I had to go through a rigorous training and assessment process.  Here's the thing, I had to complete the training for a job that I didn't apply for.  Because my job required me to interact heavily with the operations team, I had to learn their jobs fully so I could be a better business partner for them.  I remember asking my boss what would happen if I wasn't able to pass the assessment for a job that I didn't even apply for.  Would I be fired?  She literally sidestepped my question because, truthfully, I could have lost my job if things didn't go well.

I was scared to death because I left a comfy position not knowing that my future rested on whether I could learn a completely new position in 8 weeks.  I did the only thing I could do.   I envisioned the best possible outcome.

Basically, before bed and upon waking up, I imaged myself during my final assessment.  I created a mental image of myself smiling and having lots of fun throughout the process and passing with flying colors.  Every image I created was a positive and energizing as possible.  I'm not that good at visualizing but I did it day and night.      When that day finally arrived, I wasn't nervous.  I put in tons of time studying and my mind was at ease.  Others who were taking the same assessment were super nervous.  But I had this sense of calm the entire time.  I was so at peace that I was able to help others with their last minute studying.  During our assessments, I felt completely energized!  At the end of the week-long ordeal, I was given my final score.  Basically, everyone who completes the program was rated as either red, yellow or green.  Receiving a red essentially meant that you weren't fit for the job.  Some would receive a demotion shortly after being classified as "red".  Most people received a yellow which meant that you had a decent grasp on the role but there may be a few things to work on.  A select few received a green.  

When I was told that I was rated a green, I cried actual tears.  It felt so amazing to actually be living out the outcome that I envisioned so many times before.  That day served as a clear reminder that I should always picture my perfect outcome.  

Even now, if my present reality isn't as I would hope for, I create new mental images to define my ideal ending. Without visualization,  you have to accept current results as the only available outcome. That is so far from the truth. What we are now experiencing, is only one possible outcome. Think of your life as a movie with various alternate endings. Your job is to go to the special features section and select an alternate (ideal) ending as another option. 

The main reason why you should even entertain the thought of creating mental images of ideal outcomes is because your brain can not honestly tell the difference between what is real and what is imaginary. Your mind operates in pictures and once it sees a clear picture it subconsciously accepts it as fact. Think about the times when you've had dreams so scary that you awoke with a rapid heartbeat and maybe even a little sweat on your brow. Your mind didn't know that you weren't in actual danger.  Your mind only did what it knows to do which is take mental images as fact and respond accordingly.

Tonight before you fall asleep, or just after you awaken before you get out of bed in the morning, take a few moments to dream while you are still awake. Create vivid pictures of your definition of the most perfect scenarios and let your mind soar. Let your mind fully believe that you are capable of experiencing what you saw and use your emotions to help motivate you to take consistent action towards creating it. 

In a way, you probably do some of this now. The problem with most of us is that we create mental pictures of the worst possible outcome. Today I ask you to use your mental powers for good, not evil, and create the life you've always wanted, both in your mind and in reality.

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How To Eliminate Distressed Dry And Brittle Hair For Good

Contents Deep Conditioning The LOC Method A Midweek Moisture Regimen Trimming your hair The truth about afro textured hair and dryness is that you will never find one without the other. I know that sounds gloomy but that is the reality of the structure of our hair strand. Every strand of afro textured hair has […]

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3 Ways I'll Incorporate Activated Charcoal into my Daily Beauty Routine

I've been aware of the many benefits of activated charcoal for years.  But I experiment with lots of products so I put charcoal on the backburner.  Today, I happened to stumble of Biore's Deep Pore Charcoal cleanser.  I wanted to try it so bad.

But instead pulling out my credit card, I came up with a better solution.  That moment I realized that I could use charcoal in multiple ways in my everyday beauty routine.

I could integrate activated charcoal into my routine with the greatest of ease.  All I had to do is sprinkle a tiny pinch of charcoal to my cleanser which would instantly increase its deep cleansing potential.  As you know, charcoal unmatched when it comes to its ability to trap and remove toxins.

When I brush my teeth, I add another pinch to use as an all natural whitener. I've heard the claims of charcoal's teeth whitening power for years but I've never used it consistently enough to find out.  Even if it doesn't whiten as well as commercial products, I'm more interested in the detoxing properties of charcoal.  Perhaps adding a tiny bit of charcoal cleans your mouth just a tad bit better than with toothpaste alone.  I'm all for it.

A couple times a week I like to mask.  Right now I'm really into mud masks, but who says that I can't add a little charcoal to the mix for a deeper detox?  It would only take a few extra seconds.  Since charcoal is, like, the greatest detoxifier of all time, I want it working hard on my pores.

Lastly, before jumping in the shower, maybe I do a charcoal underarm mask one or more times a week.  If you recall, adding a little charcoal paste to your underarms might not only detox your pits but also lighten them.  Again, I'm not sure how effective this is because I've only tried it one or twice myself.  But if I were to layer in activated charcoal to the activities that I do every, who knows what benefits could be had.

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