5 Ways to Stretch and Elongate Natural Hair

Summer is around the corner and you know what that means -- tresses flowing everywhere! When the temperatures warm up, naturalistas live for a good blowout, braidout, twistout, bantu knot-out, or even flat-ironed hair. And of course, the bigger, the better. Even though I'll always be #TeamEmbraceTheShrinkage, every once in a while I live for a good stretch because I need to remind myself that I got length (#petty lol). When I feel that itch to stretch, these are my go-to methods:

(by the way, these tips are transitioner friendly too!)

Blow Dry

Blowout details here.

Many naturals aren't a fan of blow drying, because it can be, well, drying. But for the most elongated and stretched hair, blow drying is the way to go. Just remember to deep condition your hair, and always use a leave-in and heat protectant to prevent the hair from drying out and causing heat damage. Same for diffusing. For deep conditioning, try one of my top picks listed here. Need to step up your heat protection game? These are some of my faves.

Band

#ProTip: When banding, leave the ends loose to maintain curl fullness. #trustme

Banding is another popular way to go, because it only requires two things: scrunchies and patience. Depending upon how stretched you want your hair,  you can band in as few as two sections, or as many as 10 (or more). Simply part hair into sections, and put each section in a ponytail. Move down the length of the hair, adding more scrunchies. For less stretch, space them wider apart. For more stretch, put the scrunchies close together. For hair that stretches quicker, wait until your hair is almost completely dry to band it -- or band hair that is already dry. Soaking wet hair underneath bands will take an eternity to dry. And remember -- don't cause too much tension at the roots!

My OG Banding Tutorial (circa 2013): Watch Here and Don't Judge Me

Braid

The perfect alternative to the wash n' go.

Braiding as a stretching method gives you the best of both worlds. Not only does it elongate the hair, but the end result can range from a smooth crinkly style to flowy mermaid-esque waves. For less stretch and more definition, create smaller braids. For more stretch than definition, make larger (about 4) braids. For maximum elongation, make sure hair is completely dry first. Some naturalistas love to blow dry or band, then braid!

Braid & Curl Tutorial: Watch Here
Satin Strip Braidout Tutorial: Watch Here

Bun

I think I'll be revisiting this style very soon.

For me, bunning is a great way to stretch only the roots of the hair. By creating buns with old wash and go hair, my roots and the perimeter of my hair are stretched, while maintaining the bulk and volume of my hair through the ends. Bunning is the perfect precursor to a half up, half down or pulled back style. Buns always work best on dry hair. Wet, bunned hair is an invitation for eternal dampness and tangle city. Amp up your sleekness for the bun and the takedown  style by using a little one of my favorite edge controls on your edges.

My favorite edge controls.

Bobby Pin

Twist it back with some pins and boom! You're done.

Don't want to chance ruining the rest of your style, but still want some stretch? Try bobby pins. I have multiple textures, and the front/center area of my hair shrinks significantly more than the back of my hair. To avoid mushroom hair syndrome, I almost always spend day 1 of my wash and go with a pulled back style using bobby pins. It allows the bulk of my hair to dry, and helps my hair to dry in the most shrinkage-prone areas of my hair to dry in the stretched position. Bobby pinning is also good for braidout and twistout stretching as well. Braiding the hair, stretching it across the head, and securing it with bobby pins guarantees even more stretch! For twistouts, stretch and twirl the root, pulling it downward gently. secure a bobby pin at the root to hold it stretched while it dries. This creates a twist out with more elongation at the roots.

What's your favorite way to stretch your #naturalhair?

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The #BlackHairChallenge Will Show You The Versitility Of Black Hair

The creativity of black hairstyles is legendary. Not many women can go from braids grazing your butt one day to a super short pixie the next without anyone batting an eyelid. Perhaps it’s beause the state of our natural hair lends itself so well to molding and shaping that we can’t help but be creative when […]

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[Try This] The Multi-Step Cleansing Method that Completely Clears Out Your Pores

Years ago, I had a horrific acne problem.  Luckily the breakouts have diminished over time.  But one lingering concern still persists.  Although my skin might appear clear, I'm still plagued with an issue that impacts my skin almost as much as a breakout.

My pores tend to get really congested.  Although my skin may look ok from afar, congested skin is lackluster and doesn't appear smooth.  Let's be real, blocked pores are ticking time bombs that can easily develop into breakouts at any given moment.  

I've implemented a few strategies to counteract that problem.  That's why I'm so addicted to my Clarisonic.  My skin needs the deep scrubbing action.  Although the Clarisonic does a decent job, it does not compare to my ultrasonic skin scrubber.  That thing really performs when it comes to removing gunk from my pores.  

Before the skin scrubber came into my life, I used a manual technique that was excellent at clearing out my pores.  The other day, I learned of another method that somewhat mirrored mine.   This technique is so effective that people are actually boasting about seeing their blackheads removed right before their very eyes.
This pore clearing method is discussed at length on Reddit.  It's a multi-step routine that promises to produce visible results.  People are actually sharing close up pics of their, now freed, white/blackheads  thanks to this deep cleansing process.  I've found that there are different variations that create similar results. 

Here's a breakdown of the essential steps:

1. Oil cleansing on dry skin.

2. Using a product or technique to bring "gunk" to the surface of the skin.

The good thing about this technique is that it can be adapted to fit your skin.  As I mentioned, there are multiple ways to do this.  I'll share a few examples so you can find the best method for you.

METHOD #1

-Apply oil to dry skin and leave on for 5-10 minutes.

-Massage your skin with the oil. This will bring any gunk from the pores to the surface of the skin.  

-This technique is improved by the use of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) throughout the week.  AHAs are said to "unglue" dead skin.  In essence, it helps to gently exfoliate without disturbing healthy skin cells.   I like mandelic acid but I've read where some people use a Stridex pad to loosen dirt.  

METHOD #2

-Cleanse with oil (massage oil on dry skin)

-Apply a clay mask to draw impurities to the surface.

-Complete the process with another oil cleansing massage to remove any remaining gunk laying below the surface.

METHOD #3 (MY METHOD)

-Cleanse dry skin with oil

-Use a facial steamer simultaneously during oil massage. Steaming opens the pores to allow for easy removal of whiteheads/blackheads.

-If I carry out this technique for several days in a row, my skin becomes really smooth.

The good people of Reddit recommend the use of mineral oil because of its inability to be absorbed by the skin.   This will help prevent further of clogging of pores if your skin is sensitive to oil.  Another insider tip is regarding how you massage the skin.  Some of the more savvy individuals recommend that we massage against the grain.  Meaning instead massaging our face from the nose outward (like when applying skin products) we massage from the ear inwards.  This really helps to loosen dirt and oil from our pores.  

There it is.  If you're already into oil cleansing, adding a few simple steps could really transform your skin.  The key is incorporating a way to loosen up the clogged skin and, in my case steaming while oil cleansing works like a charm.

Check out the links below for detailed explanation of the process from Reddit's discussion boards.

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27 Stunning Examples Of Long 4C Natural Hair

Some people today believe that the earth is flat. No really, I’m not kidding, the flat earth society is a real thing with members worldwide who believe that earth is actually flat and that NASA and their shills have brainwashed the rest of the planet into believing that the world is a spherical body like […]

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No lotion needed? The Supplement That Hydrates & Plumps Your Skin From the Inside Out

I've been an avid consumer of collagen supplements for years.  When I learned about how rapidly collagen levels decline starting at the age of 21, I immediately added it to my routine.  Collagen supplements have really served me well.  Within the first 30 days of regular consumption I noticed a difference.

Since then, I've graduated from collagen supplements to introducing collagen peptides into the mix. Because collagen peptides have a low molecular structure, I figured that perhaps my body would better absorb it for even more benefits.  Although I'm not 100% sure, I feel as if taking collagen has helped speed up the results of my multiple micro needling treatments.

Things are going well. But then I wondered if there was anything I could do to make it even better.  Synergistically, I needed to pair my collagen with another supplement to maximize benefits.
All this time, I had been taking collagen and forgetting to combine it with its soul mate.  The moment I realized my error, I immediately placed an order.  But not before reading countless reviews of satisfied customers who purchased this supplement for joint pain only to experience the best skin of their life.

The supplement I speak of is hyaluronic acid.

Like collagen, hyaluronic acid (HA) is something that our bodies produce naturally.  And, like collagen, hyaluronic acid production declines over time.  HA is critical because it's our main source of internal hydration and lubrication because of its ability to hold up to 1000 times its weight in water.  This keeps our skin plump and bouncy.  If you are constantly battling dry skin, you may want to approach it from the inside out.

Here are a few examples of what people experienced after incorporating HA into their diet.

--I've been taking Low-Dose Accutane (20mg/week) for the past two years. My skin was slightly dry and my joints were stiff. Within 5 days of taking this product it eliminated both of those problems.

--However, I discovered there was a delightful side effect to taking this supplement... a huge improvement in the texture and appearance of my facial skin! (Actually all my skin, but I am more focused on my facial skin). While taking it for my joints, I noticed that my skin was becoming softer, smoother, more elastic and more youthful looking.

--I take Hyaluronic Acid for cell repair, but I was shocked when a lady actually complimented me on my skin, something that has NEVER happened in my life. I immediately attributed it to good nutrition generally and the H.A. in particular.

I've been using this product for three years now. I take it everyday and my skin stays hydrated. I used to have a problem with my skin always being dry, and I always had a problem finding a moisturizer to alleviate the dryness. But since I started taking this. my skin stays hydrated and I rarely even need to lotion my hands or other parts of my body as frequently.

--I had been taking this last year for stiff joints, especially my wrists when working out. When I ran out, I didn't think anything of it since I felt better and thought it would last, but after about 60 days, my face gained about 5 years, deeper wrinkles, larger pores, a feeling of just aging badly. Nothing else had changed. I reordered it a month ago and I am pleased to report my skin is back to its dewey complexion with less wrinkles and refined pores. Even the skin on my legs is better, not so dry or ashy.

Those are just a few testimonials that convinced me that I needed hyaluronic acid in my life.   I should also mention that several reviewers spoke highly about how HA also benefited their hair as well.  Many noticed a reduction in hair loss.  Some even boasted of experiencing a faster growth rate.  This may have to do with how HA impacts the scalp.  The deeper layers of the skin and scalp are hydrated by the presence of hyaluronic acid.    When the scalp is healthy & moisturized, our hair benefits directly.

I've been taking HA for a few days and, maybe the it's the placebo effect, but I feel like I'm already experiencing a slight increase in intrernal hydration.  I feel like my lips feel a tab bit plumper and moist. If what I'm experiencing are real benefits, I'm really looking forward to a full month's worth of results.

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RAVE | Etude House's Moistfull Collagen Emulsion

After reading the findings from a NASA skin study on how to minimize the damaging effects of space travel, I decided to recommit myself to the practice of keeping my skin as hydrated as possible at all times.

In the study, researchers applied an emulsion to protect the skin from dryness related concerns.  I wasn't exactly sure what constitutes an emulsion so I skipped over to Amazon and did a quick search to find a few examples.

One of the first results was a product with over 100 reviews and nearly a 5-star rating.  I immediately wanted to know more.  What was this product and why did so many people like it?

Etude's Moistufull Collagen Emulsion is a Korean beauty product.  As you may already know, Asian women are obsessed with having moist, plump skin. Hence why there are so many layers in their beauty routine.  After skimming over a few of the reviews, I immediately purchased.

Here's short product description:

The small particles of the super collagen water and Baobab water in the Moistfull Collagen Emulsion, endlessly provide moisture and leave your skin feeling bouncy like jelly. Moistfull Collagen Emulsion has a light but firm texture that adheres moisture and nutrients to the skin.

What really sold me was the addition of a fruit extract from the African Baobab tree.  If you weren't aware, Baobab trees are known for their unusual lifespan.  Some living for over 800 years.  They survive in harsh deserts thanks to their ability to maintain hydration by storing tens of thousands of gallons of water in their trunk.  It makes sense to add this extract to skin hydration products.  Best of all, it's the 4th ingredient on the list which makes me happy.  They also included Baobab seed oil in the emulsion as well.

What makes me even happier is that collagen is the 2nd ingredient.  I know there's some debate out there as to whether topical collagen is effective for penetrating the skin but, in my experience, collagen based products tend to hold in moisture just a bit longer than their counterparts.

When I purchased Moistfull Collagen, I also decided to grab one of these mini skin moisture readers. Days later, my goodies arrived.  Immediately, I rubbed a little Moistfull Collagen in between my hands to get a feel for the consistency.  It looks and feels like a very lightweight lotion.  But when applied, it melts like water bringing a rush of hydration to the skin.  The moment I applied it, I knew that I found my newest favorite product.

Ladies, this is the perfect summer moisturizer.  It's lightweight and melts completely into the skin. There's no trace of greasiness left behind.  This is the perfect layering product.  You can use it under a sunscreen by day or layer it under a thicker cream and/or oil at night.

Sometimes, I'll randomly pull out my skin moisture meter and quickly do a reading on my face.  Whenever the numbers aren't favorable, I'll quickly apply a thin layer of Moistfull and suddenly my skin is ultra-hydrated again.  Best of all, this product is pretty affordable considering how well it works and how much product you get per bottle.  I highly recommend this Moistfull if you are looking for intense moisture in a weightless product.  Next on my purchase list is their Moistfull Collagen cream.  Can't wait to try it.

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The 7 Most Important Hair Growth Lessons You Will Learn This Year

How does your hair today compare to a year ago? Have you made fantastic progress and your hair now sits at waist length? If so then click back, I obviously have nothing to say to you otherwise if your results have been just ok or nonexistent then you are the person I am talking to. Hair growth is […]

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NASA has a SkinCare Division and They Confirmed the Key to Healthy Skin

I'm grateful for all the contributions that NASA has made to the health & beauty industry.  Some notable examples that come to mind include vibration plates and mini trampolines.  Both help rebuild bone and muscle mass because space exploration really does a number on the body.  Once astronauts return home, their bodies are ravaged by the effects of their zero gravity environment. That's when their scientists get to work on discovering ways to rehabilitate and prevent long term damage.

Obviously,  preventing the negative physical effects to the body is a top priority. Which is why rebounding and vibration plates were discovered so long ago.  But recently, NASA has also come to realize another huge issue that needs to be addressed.  Not only were there astronauts dealing with bone and muscle loss, they realized that an antigravity environment also accelerates skin aging.
During space travel, there are notable changes that occur in the skin.  They noticed a decrease in skin density & elasticity.  There was obvious thinning of the top layer of the skin and a huge decline hydration levels.  Essentially, the longer the astronauts remained in space, the faster they aged.

NASA researchers decided to combat this undesirable side effect by addressing the one area where they have the most control -- skin hydration.

They wondered if protecting the skin's level of hydration could help curb some one of the adverse effects.  They realized that treating the skin with an emulsion made a huge impact on the hydration levels of the outermost layer of the skin's surface.  An emulsion is another term for a liquidy moisturizing product.  Typical skin lotions are not considered to be emulsions because of their thick, creamy consistency.

Basically, they discoved that prepping the skin with adequate hydration made a difference a huge difference even in the most hostile conditions (outer space).

I have to be honest.  Facial skin hydration has never been a priority of mine.  For most of my life, I've battled with oily skin.  Most of the time, I'm slathering on mattefying products to help address it. I'm my mind, oily skin did not need the help of thick, creamy moisturizers.  I'm willing to admit that my thinking was highly flawed.  My skin was probably producing all that oil as a means of self-hydrating.

Once I realized the error in my ways, I took a completely different approach.  Instead of bypassing the moisturizing step in my facial routine, I fully embraced it.  I collected all of the facial moisturizers I owned and found the one that was most hydrating.  One of my favorites so far is Youth Preserve Facial Cream by Fresh.  It's light, super hydrating and seems to sink deep into my skin rather than sit on the surface.  I've paired this moisturizer with other products on in my arsenal to saturate my skin with moisture.

The results were pretty astonishing.  My skin looks and behaves so much differently when it's well hydrated.  Everything plumps up. But what's most exciting is how my skin naturally reflects light when it's super moisturized.  Not in a "greasy" way. But in a dewy, glowy, natural way.

This changed everything.

 The only thing I focused on was what I could do to elevate and maintain skin moisture levels.  Every time I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I smiled at how great my skin looked.  At the same time, I wondered why I allowed myself to forget how well my skin behaved back when I religiously followed the Korean skin multistep routine.  Why did I let the change of season deter me from focusing on hydrated skin as a main priority?

All that matters is that I'm back on track.  And it only took the help of NASA researchers to remind me of what's most important.





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DIY // How to transform your water into an Anti-Aging Beauty Tonic

It's no secret that I have a mild obsession with consuming nutrition in liquid form.  The possibility of enjoying a higher absorption rate as the nutrients bypass the digestion process excites me so much.  Last year I discovered the wonders of adding chlorophyll drops to my water. Since then, I've never stopped contemplating the idea of amassing an arsenal of powerful boosters to I can add to my water anytime.


The newest member to my water booster collection is green tea extract.  I selected it because of my brief experience in drinking green tea regularly this winter.  After learning about its appetite suppressing potential, I decided to give it a shot.    I really enjoyed my daily cup of green tea but when the weather warmed up, I couldn't enjoy a hot cup of tea like I used to.  The next best option is to add green tea drops to my water.  But adding green tea extract to your drink isn't the same as drinking a cup tea.  The extract so much more powerful.  It's like enjoying the benefits of multiple cups of tea at once.

I don't currently have anything in my water boosting arsenal that provides high levels of antioxidants.  Lord knows I need it for those times when my diet isn't as clean as I'd like.   The end goal is to acquire various high antioxidant extracts that, when combined, will transform my plain water into a super antioxidant powerhouse.   My inspiration for this comes from a product already on the market.  It was developed by one of Hollywood's top plastic surgeons.  The reviews I read were pretty favorable so I thought I'd create a DIY version.  Their main ingredients are green tea, goji, grapeseed and maqui berry extract.  All are known for their antioxidant, anti-aging properties.   Maqui berry has over 30 times more antioxidant power than the mighty acai.

Eventually, I purchase each of these extracts and combine them to make my own water booster.  The warmer it gets, the more water I consume. This is the perfect opportunity to nourish my body at the cellular level.

We're going to drink water anyway. Might as well enjoy a skin loving, appetite suppressing, antioxidant filled bottle of water.  Because liquid extracts tend to be more concentrated, I'll be sure not to go overboard.  My plan is to drink a bottle of antioxidant water either first thing in the morning or in the evening hours after a meal.  If I feel a bit queasy, I'll pair the water with a meal but hopefully, I can enjoy it on an empty stomach without any adverse repercussions.

At the very least, this water booster concoction might provide a natural energy boost and maybe it'll help increase my metabolism & suppress my appetite.  It's also good to know that, long term, my skin is nourished at a cellular level.

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Black Girls In Malden School Banned From Prom And Face Daily Detentions For Wearing Braids

I wake up to a full inbox daily, usually full of work emails, newsletters and spam. The usual. This morning however I woke up to an email from one of the students from Mystic Valley Regional Charter in Malden Massachusetts, Deonna, who wanted her story told. Students at the Malden school who wear hair extensions […]

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How Being a Future Focused Individual will Transform Your Life

One of the most positive traits I have that's allowed me to create ideal outcomes is my ability to focus on the future.  I took a personality assessment once which identified one of my strengths as "futuristic."   Here's the synopsis of someone who's strength is futuristic:

The future fascinates you. As if it were projected on the wall, you see in detail what the future might hold, and this detailed picture keeps pulling you forward, into tomorrow. While the exact content of the picture will depend on your other strengths and interests, it will always be inspirational to you. You are a dreamer who sees visions of what could be and who cherishes those visions. When the present proves too frustrating and the people around you too pragmatic, you conjure up your visions of the future and they energize you. 

Fantasizing about the future is my favorite thing to do. In the beginning, I daydreamed about the future partially as an escape mechanism.  But once I learned how to harness the power of future-based thinking, I used it as a life transformation tool.  

Whenever things aren't going well for me, I know that one or both of these are the culprit.

1. I'm thinking about and focusing too much on the past.

2. I'm thinking about and focusing on the present situation. 

If I give too much mental attention on the past or current circumstances, I know my mind isn't in the right place.  I have no ability to change the past so it makes no sense to spend too much time reflecting on it.  I can change the current circumstances but ONLY if I focus on altering it and creating a new future.  Sometimes it's hard to snap out of a current pattern of thinking.  But I know it's absolutely necessary otherwise things will continue to remain the same. 

I understand that NEW ACTION breeds NEW RESULTS.  But new actions are hard to execute if your thinking isn't aligned.   It's not easy to see solutions when problems take center stage.  They take over your mind.  They keep you locked into your current situation.  There's only one way out and that's to follow the path to freedom.  What you don't want to do is to give the present situation even more power by focusing on it.

There's a book called The Three Laws of Performance.  In it, they introduce a concept called future-based language.   Future based language is a tool we can use to "rewrite the future."  It's when we talk about how a situation will be versus how it currently is. When using future based language, we talk in specifics. We use our words to paint a clear picture.  The clearer it is, the more believable.  Once we've imagined the new future, we work to make it a reality.  If we don't envision this new future, we'll find ourselves living in a default future. The default future is the one we're creating based on our current actions.  If we stay in a negative mindset, we create an undesirable default future.  

I like to think of future based language as talking about what you want versus talking about "what is" or "what you don't want."  If using future based language isn't something part of your normal behavior I invite you to start building this habit.

One new habit I'd like to cultivate is future based action.  Meaning, I want to align most of my action with the future I want to create.  I don't want to keep doing the same things that caused my current situation.  Future based action is a step up from using future based language.  It'll transform the situation at such a rapid pace.  Which is why future based actions need to be a priority.  There are future based actions I can do right now that can instantly create different trajectory for my immediate future.    That's where I want to spend most of my time.

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Mind, Body and Beauty Connection

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How Rubbing Nails Together (Reflexology) Can Increase Hair Growth

Contents How to do reflexology to grow your hair Testimonials Best practices Let’s talk about reflexology? If I told you that you could exhilarate your hair growth by rubbing your finger nails together? You would probably think I am crazy and that’s ok, as long as you keep reading. The art of Reflexology is simply […]

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Currently Loving.

It's time for another quick roundup of recent beauty purchases that I'm currently loving.

NARS concealer
I'm losing count of the number of concealers I currently own.  I have a couple from MAC, some from Makeup Forever. I even have a few shades from the cult drugstore brand L.A. Girl.  Not to mention my all time favorite concealer, Kevyn Aucoin.  I had no business buying another one.  But time and time again, I kept hearing about NARS' concealer and how it was an absolute must have.  So I grabbed one.  Best decision I've made in a while.  I love this concealer for several reasons.  First, I like the packaging.  I don't have to get any product on my fingers thanks to the handy application brush.  Secondly, the packaging makes it extremely portable so I just throw it in my purse without having to worry about any mishaps.  But what makes me love this product more than anything is its formula.  NARS creamy concealer is a perfect consistency.  It offers the perfect amount of coverage. It blends perfectly into my skin with no creasing.   I love NARS creamy concealer so much.

L'Oreal Eyeliner
My next favorite purchase is my beloved L'Oreal Silkissime liner.  I first took notice of this amazing liner in a post I did on how to create the perfect cat eye featuring Sir John.  The color payoff seemed too good to be true.  I often struggle to find a decent liner that appears truly black on my dark lids.  I took a risk and bought it hoping that my risk would pay off.  I'm glad I did because Silkissime is now my favorite liner of all time.  This liner gives insane color and lasting coverage.  No other liner I've owned compares.  The only qualm I have is that Silkissime requires a special sharpener.  I have one from NARs which works fine.  Just know that traditional pencil sharpeners won't work as well with this type of liner.

NYX Total Control Foundation Drops
I've already featured NYX's foundation drops in a previous post so I won't go much more detail.  I just want to reiterate how much I love this product for the ultimate no-makeup look.  Whenever I'm chilling at home with nowhere to go, I apply a few drops and suddenly my face looks more polished.  I've even gotten a few compliments from hubby who usually hates it when I wear products with too much coverage.  Since foundation drops have come into my life, I've pretty much forsaken my other foundations as an everyday makeup option.

Anastasia Beverly Hills [TRUST ISSUES]
I discovered my favorite newest lip color thanks to a recommendation from a complete stranger.  We were at a beauty show when I noticed the woman standing nearby.  My first instinct was to go up and interrupt her conversation just so I could find out what lip color she's wearing.  Lucky for me, she was super friendly.  After my inquiry, she reached down into her bag and allowed me to take a pic of her lipstick.  Within a week, I own my own tube of Anastasia Beverly Hill's Trust Issues.  It's a deep mauve shade which compliments my skin so well.  Today I learned that NYX's Vintage has a suitable dupe. It's nice to know that a suitable alternative exists at a fraction of the price.  

YSL Roller Mon Paris
When spring rolled around, I began the search for a new signature fragrance.  I tend to gravitate towards scents with citrus notes but this time I wanted something a little different.  After rummaging through my collection of sample fragrances, I noticed that one stood out.  YSL's Mon Paris is a bit sweeter than what I normally like but I'm really drawn to the combination of fruity and floral notes.  To me, it's the perfect spring fragrance.  Instead of grabbing a full-size bottle, I went with a roller ball. Roller balls are amazing because of the concentrate the fragrance to one area.  I like to add a little on the wrist & neck so the fragrance surrounds me as I work throughout the day.  It's part of my feel good routine.  Whenever I'm feeling a little stressed, I take a deep breath and instantly feel refreshed.

There's another favorite product that has recently become part of my skin care routine.  I think I'll feature it in a separate post.  Stay tuned.

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#MealPrep: 10 Tips for Tasty & Healthy Grilling this Summer

Some of my best meal preps have grill marks in 'em...

If you've followed me on Snapchat for any length of time, then you know this to be true:

I love the grill.💯

It hasn't always been this way, though. I used to not understand the mechanics of grilling, and always deferred the grilling responsibilities to my dad or Samuel.

That changed about a year ago, when Samuel and I moved and inherited an almost-new propane grill. Around the same time, I got heavily invested in #mealprep life and grew weary of the number of pots, pans, trays, and oven racks required to prepare meals for two on a mass scale.

A life-long member of team #LearnSomethingNew, I took up reading blog posts and watching YouTube videos about grilling from folks who would literally fire up the pit in 4 feet of snow. As I got more comfortable with propane and propane accessories (ha), I found myself tossing any and everything on the grill - from Chipotle chicken dupes to Habachi-style teriyaki, ribs, fajita veggies, and even cabbage. Yes, grilled cabbage is excellent.

But more on that later.

Not only does the grill help me cut down on the dishes every week, grilled meat can be pretty healthy too - and the flavor options are virtually endless.

If you're ready to get down with the pit this summer, check out my 10 tips for successful, healthy grilling that tastes great:

1. Don't be afraid of dark meat chicken.
Most healthy cooks and meal preppers will try to shove boneless, skinless chicken breasts down your throat, citing it's leaner fat content. You know what else breasts are lean on? Flavor and moisture. 😂Yes, dark meat has more fat. But it also has more minerals and nutrients - taurine, iron, zinc, selenium, Vitamins A, K, B1, B2, B3, B6, B9, and B12 - just to name a few. If you check my meal preps, you'll see that i gravitate heavily toward boneless skinless chicken thighs. One, because boneless meat is easier to cook thoroughly. Two, the thigh is my favorite piece. Third and most importantly, chicken thighs are very forgiving. Where chicken breasts can dry out easily, you'd have to completely neglect a chicken thigh for it to become inedible. If you're on grilling training wheels, chicken thighs or legs are the way to go and still walk away with something digestible, lol.

2. Cut calories with grilling sprays.
Before throwing meat on the grill (especially chicken), I've seen plenty of folks coat the meat in anywhere from a few tablespoons to about 1/4 cup of oil. The reasoning is solid - the oil coating helps seal the meat on the grill and keeps it from sticking to the grill plates. However, each teaspoon of oil alone adds 120 calories. A tablespoon = 3 teaspoons. A 1/4 cup of oil adds no flavor and almost 500 calories.

As an alternative, use a grilling spray or oil the grill plates directly to keep meats from sticking, for a tiny fraction of the calories.

3. Avoid pre-made rubs (or use sparingly).
Many pre-packaged BBQ rubs are delicious, no doubt. But they also tend to be packed with salt and sugar. With a few minutes and some pantry ingredients, you can create your own rub that's lower in sodium and sugar - but equally as tasty. Try mixing up pantry staples like granulated onion, garlic powder, coarse black pepper, paprika, oregano, ground coffee, red pepper flakes, allspice, and chipotle powder to pack tons of flavor into your meat, then sprinkle in a little Himalayan pink salt and brown sugar.

You can always add in pre-mixed rubs and seasoning blends, just make your mix the star of the show! Of course, some mixes are salt-free, and you can definitely go to town with those. My absolute favorite is 21 Seasoning Salute by Trader Joe's.

Citrus marinade chicken wings. 

4. Use marinades instead of sugary sauces.
I say this with a heavy heart - because I love me some meat covered in sauce. If you open my fridge right now, I've got everything from Bourbon BBQ to General Tso. But sauces have a dark side - a carby, sugary dark side that can make your calories add up faster than your total at Whole Foods. To curb my hankering for sweet, sticky sauces, I've turned to marinades - in particular, those I can make myself.

Onions, garlic, and bell pepper make an excellent base for pretty much any flavor or style of marinade. If you want a low calorie leg up, check out Goya marinades - Pina and Mojo Criollo are my go-tos for adding an extra splash in the flavor department.

5. Try alcohol for a twist (proceed with caution).
Speaking of marinades, another great low-calorie way to boost flavor is a splash or two of alcohol. Tequila pairs really well with citrus, while rum and bourbon are great accompaniments to oranges, pineapples, and peaches. Most alcohol comes in at 60-90 calories per 1oz shot, and you typically won't need more than 2 shots to add in your marinade mix.

Just a word of caution - grilling with liquor-soaked meat is not for the faint of heart - you've gotta grill low and slow, and keep an eye on your meat at all times. Alcohol is flammable. I've definitely had meat catch on fire. 😂

6. The ideal length of time to marinate meat is...
However long you've got. The minimum amount of time I'd recommend letting meat marinate is 1 hour. There is no maximum - but the ideal time is overnight. Either way, the results will be delicious.

7. Make foil pouches for smoked flavor.
This tip comes courtesy of Mr. Samuel. One of the things that makes our favorite BBQ joints our favorites is the smokehouse flavor that flows from each bite. Mimic that same flavor without the need for an expensive smoker by making foil pouches. Simply pour some of your favorite wood chips into a piece of foil and either ball it closed, or fold it shut neatly. After the wood chips are secured inside, poke holes all over the foil with a fork or knife and place the smoke bombs inside your grill. This helps give smoky flavor without the wood chips fizzling and burning immediately.

Caribbean inspired shrimp skewers.

8. Baste as you go!
If you marinate your meat, you'll immediately see some of the seasoning you worked so hard to perfect wash off. Don't worry - it's not gone forever. Once your meat is on the grill, pour the excess marinade into a large cup or ziploc bag, and grab a measuring cup (or sauce brush). As your meat cooks, use the extra juice to baste that flavor on the meat. But because you're dealing with juice that touched raw meat, stop the basting process 4-5 minutes before you're going to pull the meat of the grill, with the most recently based side on the fire.

Note: If you're marinating with alcohol, keep basting to a minimum. Because, flammable.🚒

9. A grilling pan is your new BFF.
Remember I said earlier I grilled cabbage? This is how. I chopped cabbage, seasoned it, mixed in a few slices of fresh onion and bell pepper, and bam! Dropped it on the grill in my grilling pan. This method works for veggies that would otherwise stick to the grill, and meat that breaks apart easily or that would slide through the grill (like fish and shrimp). They're super inexpensive - mines was $7 at Bed Bath & Beyond (don't forget your 20% off coupon!)

10. Grill, then hit the oven.
Want meat that's tender and juicy, but still tastes like the grill? After grilling, put your meat in a Pyrex dish or pan, cover with foil, and let it chill in the oven on 220-260 degrees F for about an hour. The low heat and the juices from your meat will create a tenderizing steam that makes your chicken, ribs, and beef fall-off-the-bone delicious.

Will you be hitting the grill this summer? Share some of your tips and tricks in the comments below! We can all learn from each other!

from The Mane Objective http://ift.tt/2r1Nceh