Would You Wear Kinky Hair Extensions?

I have used extensions off and on during my hair journey and I genuinely think that they are a valid way to protect your hair from the elements as you allow it to grow out underneath. Hey, we all know that ‘a good regimen’ without protective styling isn’t enough for many of us to get […]

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6 Ways To Deal With A Bad Hair Day Without Losing Your Cool

Step away from the scissors, step — away— from— the scissors! There is no way I can sit here in front of this laptop to write this post and not admit that my current situation is an epic bad hair day. I knew it would happen, sometimes we can anticipate having a bad hair day just […]

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Pros And Cons Of Texlaxed Hair

Call me greedy, but when it comes to my hair I’ve always wanted the best of both worlds. There’s nothing better than hair versatility. I’ve been caught plenty of times lustfully salivating over perfectly defined coils in great styles that could just as easily be straightened into silky straight locks. My wishful daydreaming eventually led […]

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Just Because You Can Pull Off A Wash And Go Doesn’t Mean You Should

Hair envy, hair crushes; we’ve all had these at some point on our hair journey. The way we react to watching the formation of perfectly defined curls, you would think we were having a romantic interlude. Those of us who are natural hair enthusiasts like to think that type 3 and 4 kinky curlies have […]

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8 Tips To Shave Time Off Your Weekly Hair Regimen

We have been talking about saving time a lot lately and for me it is always at the forefront of my mind on just how I can be more efficient at getting everything done but still get the same excellent results for my hair. My weekly hair regimen could get complicated if I allow it […]

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The Fall Drink that Helps You Keep Your Summer Body.

Tis the time of year when we start to notice a shift in the types of beverages we consume.  Instead of reaching ice cold water, our cravings are leaning towards warmer, more festive drinks.

Last fall, I really got into drinking a lot of tea.  I also developed a love for warm matcha lattes.  There's a slew of benefits associated with drinking matcha tea but I recently learned of another benefit that might convince me to become a daily matcha drinker.
Matcha is an ultra potent form of green tea.  Some say that consuming just one cup of matcha tea is like drinking 10 cups of green tea. I vividly recall drinking a cup of matcha every morning at the start of my day and feeling a rush of energy that would last most of the day.  Little did I know that I was enjoying the effects of the caffeine.  But the caffeine in matcha is slowly slow released in the body over time so it doesn't give you jitters nor does it come with a crash.  Matcha also contains compounds that activate alpha brain waves while helping to promote increased focus and concentration.

I noticed that whenever I consumed a cup of matcha, I seemed to be a better mood.

 If that wasn't enough, I recently discovered a new study that demonstrates how matcha could be a valuable ally in your weight management strategy.  Some of you may know that green tea has some positive effects on maintaining a healthy body weight.  What if I told you that matcha could help you take things to the next level?

According to a recent study, a matcha beverage might be the perfect pre-workout fat burning drink.  The study involved 13 women who were asked to take 30 minute brisks walks on the treadmill.  Some of the women were given a placebo drink prior to the session.  The other women were asked to drink several cups of matcha the day before.  They were then given an additional matcha drink just 2 hours before the workout.

Researchers found that no difference in the number of calories burned between the placebo group and the matcha drinkers.  What was interesting is the type of fuel the women used during the workout.  The matcha exercise group seemed to burn more fat than the control group.

To fully realize the magnitude of this outcome, we must understand how the body burns fuel.  Typically, when we workout, we're using glycogen as fuel.  Glycogen is stored in the muscle & liver and is released when the body is engaged in physical activity.  We don't usually start burning fat until ALL of our glycogen stores are depleted (about 90 minutes of endurance activity).  But, somehow, the ladies who consumed matcha were able to bypass the laws of nature and start the fat burning process a little earlier.

Why did this happen?

 Maybe because of matcha's high levels of catechins.

Catechins have the ability to actually boost the body's thermogenesis (the process of burning calories to produce heat) from 8-10% to over 35%.

Based on what we know of the study, regular matcha drinkers can benefit from this the most.  So if you're currently on a weight loss journey, perhaps matcha can give you a slight edge.  If you trade out your snacks for low-calorie matcha drinks, you could have a direct impact on your fat burning during workouts.

Typical matcha drinks served at Starbucks and other coffee shops taste amazing but contain lots of sugar.  I decided to get my taste buds accustomed to the unsweetened version and, so far, so good.  I picked up this nifty electric whisk to blend matcha powder with almond milk in seconds.  I'm definitely going to incorporate matcha into my routine as a pre-workout drink.

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Natural Hair In The Caribbean: The Truth

Clothes check, shoes check, nails check, hair double check. Caribbean women take great pride in their appearance; we love to look good. We believe in rocking the latest trends, and personalizing the fiercest styles. We take it so seriously that we often go to extremes to fit in with fashion fads (like wearing knee high […]

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3 Styles To Blend Your Hair Textures While Transitioning

A couple of months ago, we had head shots scheduled for work. I haven’t taken any professional photos since my junior year of college, so I was overdue for a new set. Even though it’d been a rainy, humid summer and I was almost 8 months post relaxer, I decided to go with a straight […]

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4 Natural Hair Care Techniques That Increase Length Retention In Relaxed Hair

We all know that natural hair in its purest form increases length retention for most of us, but that is just a fraction of the battle. When I was natural, I knew that no matter how “virgin” my hair was that if I did not implement certain techniques that my hair would break off just […]

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Rave// The Product Line I'm Counting on to Even Out My Skin

Last year, I connected with a PR agency that sent me a bunch of products from the Body Shop.  I hadn't used Body Shop products in years so it was nice to get reacquainted.  The first set of gifts I received were a wide range of masks.  That was when I was first introduced to their Himalayan Charcoal mask which, in my opinion, is the perfect GlamGlow dupe.

Their masks were incredible but I wasn't expecting to fall completely in love with their vitamin C sunscreen.  It was the only sunscreen I owned that made my skin look better.  Once I squeezed the last bit of product from that tube, I immediately rushed to replace it.  Little did I know that the rest of their vitamin C line would completely steal my heart.
It just so happened that as I visited Body Shop's site to replenish my beloved C sunscreen, they were running a sale.  Immediately I began to stockpile my cart with various products from their vitamin C line.  Although I had no direct experience with these products, I knew in my heart that I would love them.

...and I was right.

I purchased the vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturizer and the Glow Boosting Microdermabrasion.  Actually, I purchased a couple of the microderm scrubs after being inspired by Leomie's daily exfoliation routine.  My plan was to add a little bit to my cleanser each morning to keep my skin smooth.  I kid you not, this product changed the look and feel of my skin within days.  I completely understand why it averaged 5 stars based on over 250 reviews. The exfoliant grains are ultra-tiny yet effective.  It even has some shea butter in there to help soothe and nourish. If my skin is perfectly flawless months from now, I can probably attribute it to this gem.

My other favorite find was their vitamin C moisturizer.  I love, love, love, this moisturizer.  After trying a bunch of Body Shop products over the course of the year, I came to the conclusion that they really understand know to formulate hydrating products.  They make gel-moisturizers which hydrate the skin in a superior way.  Cream moisturizers just can't compare.  Gel moisturizers are lightweight which means that you can layer a cream moisturizer on top if you feel the need. When I want to kick things up a notch, I lace this moisturizer with pure vitamin C using my tiny spatula.

Today, I plan on placing a second order since the products have further gone down in price and I'm deathly afraid that they might be discontinued.  This time I plan on trying out their vitamin C Glow Revealing Liquid Peel and maybe the vitamin C cleanser.  For those of you wondering why I'm so obsessed with their vitamin C line, it's because I've never used vitamin C as a strategy to target uneven skin tone. My acne scars are faint but still visible.  I'm betting on the combination of exfoliation and vitamin C to eliminate them for good!

p.s.  When I shared the products on my IG stories, I received a reply from a friend who recommended that I try their Ethiopian Honey Mask.  You guys know that I love a good honey mask, especially for winter. 


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Yes Relaxed Girls Will Probably Have To Big Chop Too

If you Google the term ‘big chop’ the search results will almost always reference ideas surrounding starting a natural hair journey or going natural. If you put in ‘relaxed hair’ and ‘big chop’ in the search bar in hopes of finding results for relaxed hair you might still end up at a dead end. It kind of makes […]

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6 Deep Conditioners for Serious Fall Moisture and Damage Repair

Fell off a little this summer? These 6 will get you back right!

October swept in like a good reminder that even though we don't have actual, dactual, factual seasons, it's always a good idea to revisit my haircare regimen periodically.

I mean, if I'm gonna rotate my sneaker collection, I can at least swap out some of my favorite products to match, right?

Right.

For me, fall is all about rebounding from summer. The summer months place a unique set of demands on our strands - from prolonged UV exposure, to chlorine, salt water, and dry heat. From pool parties to scorching sun, summer certainly does a number - and by the time fall rolls around, our tresses are in dire need of some TLC.

Here's why.

Chlorine
It strips hair of its natural oils, and weakens the structural integrity of the hair by disrupting chemical bonds, and damaging the cuticle layer. If left uncorrected, the hair becomes dry, hard, dull, rough, and easily broken.

UV Damage/Exposure
By all means, soak up the sun you melinated queen! Just understand that excessive sun exposure leads to degradation of hair proteins and loss of pigment (melanin). This leads to thinning, weak strands that are unable to protect themselves from the impact of free radicals that damage and age hair prematurely.

A good deep conditioner makes all the difference.

Dry Air
If you've ever spent 5 minutes in Vegas, then you know what's up here. Dry air is NO kin to our curls. While humidity (moisture) in the air can wreck your style, a severe lack of moisture in the atmosphere can wreck your hair. When the air is dry, it literally sucks the water molecules from your strands - leaving them crispy and crunchy. Trifilin', huh?

Salt Water
I love the beach. I even work across the street from the beach. But what I'm not going to do is make a habit out of soaking my hair in God's saline pool. While there are plenty of "texture sprays" out there with salt in them, prolonged exposure to or immersion in salt water is a no-go for natural hair. You ever eaten a reeeeeally salty meal? You know that dry, puckered feeling you get around your lips? That's basically what happens to your hair with prolonged salt water exposure. It's dehydrated, dull, and more susceptible to breakage. Not to mention, the buildup is nothing nice.

By all means, enjoy everything listed above before S.A.D. forreal forreal sets in. Summer wouldn't have been summer without splashing in the pool or ocean, or taking advantage of extended daylight hours. Even if you've already set your tresses back a few inches with a lil' neglect (hey, we've all been there), it's never too late to turn the corner - and fall is the perfect time.

Your first line of defense is a solid deep conditioner.

Here are six picks to help you easily detangle, rebound against damage, do away with dryness, and fight frizz throughout fall and well into winter:

Be Lola was 100% worth the wait.

Be Kekoa Be Lola Handcrafted Hydrating Masque
$20 // Be Kekoa Website
First of all, can I just say I've been waiting for a Be Kekoa deep conditioner FOREVAH?! Like, forever-ever! But if Be Lola proves anything, it's that this jar of goodness was well worth the wait.

Packed with pH-balancing aloe vera, hydrating honey, and exclusively sourced kukui nut oil, Be Lola restores lost moisture, protects against damage, and brings hair back into balance. Cold pressed avocado oil, Vitamin E, and rosemary work to nip free-radical damage in the bud while rehydrating and nourishing the scalp.

15-20 minutes is all Be Lola needs to bring your hair back to life. Apply it in sections using your fingers to detangle as you go, or a wide-tooth comb. Process with heat for better penetration, and rinse with cool water to lock the nutrients in.

Be Lola is also incredibly special in the fact that Brandie's (Be Kekoa CEO) mom Lola was very hands-on in the creation of this product - from creation and ingredient selection, to fragrance, and labeling. The Be Lola Handcrafted Hydrating Masque embodies the bond between mother and daughter, while simultaneously healing and uplifting through tumultuous times. A portion of proceeds from each sale goes to support Lola's fight against cancer.

EDEN's best deep conditioner yet!

EDEN BodyWorks Almond Marshmallow Split End Repair Masque
$12 // Amazon, Eden BodyWorks Website
Hands down, this is the BEST deep conditioner that EDEN has ever dropped. Yes, you can @ me on that one. If you slept on the Almond Marshmallow collection, I suggest you wake up and cop a jar or three, ASAP.

Loaded with nourishing sweet almond oil, softening glycerin, and the restorative power of coconut oil and baobab, the Almond Marshmallow Split End Repair Mask deeply penetrates to rehydrate, strengthen, and shield against damage.

If you've got a little extra time to show your hair some TLC post summer fun, Almond Marshmallow Split End Repair Masque is the move. Curl up with a good book and set your timer for 40 minutes to allow this miracle masque the opportunity to work its magic.

This mask is clutch in more ways than one.

Garnier Fructics Smoothing Treat 1 Minute Hair Mask + Avocado Extract
$8 (or less) // Amazon, Target
If this list is starting to feel like I've been keeping a few secrets from you, it's because I have. Truth be told, this is like my 4th or 5th jar of Garnier Fructis Smoothing Treat. And here's why.

This product is truly a triple threat. You can use it as a deep conditioner, a pre-poo treatment/detangler, or leave-in. I've used it every way, and it performs beautifully. Formulated with nourishing go-to ingredients like shea butter, olive oil, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil, it detangles, moisturizes, and banishes frizz like a charm.

Let it soak in for a quick 1-10 minute restorative session, or apply and wear it as a leave-in before you head outdoors. Either way, this drugstore shelf standard is a winner.

Y'all should already know how I feel about 'Fro Despair.

Soultanicals 'Fro Despair Vitamin Hair Repair
$16 // Soultanicals Website
While the first four may be new to you, there should be no surprises when it comes to 'Fro Despair. We are in a committed, year-round deep conditioning relationship.

Something like a shot of green juice for your hair, 'Fro Despair is perfect for bringing starved, dried out tresses back from the brink. Fortified with biotin and a blend of supergreens, 'Fro Despair fights and reverses signs of damage and aging while putting a lil' bounce back in your curls. It's a must-do - especially if you've been out in the elements and/or have color treated hair.

Don't forget to read my full review here.

We've been in love for about 5 years now!

tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask
$17 // Amazon, Target, Sally's
I've been rocking with this deep conditioner since 2013, and I don't ever see that changing. tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask is like an instant makeover for dry, damaged, or overexposed strands. With an impeccable blend of raw honey, olive oil, jojoba, and aloe, it transforms distressed hair from roots to ends.

It moisturizes thoroughly, providing a decadently nourishing punch while making the hair feel super smooth and shiny. And the slip? Off the chain. I can't get enough of Honey Miracle Hair Mask - From heat damage, to healthy, to color damage, recovery, and the road back - Honey Miracle Hair Mask has seen it all. And performed beautifully in each scenario.

The whole Genedor Beauty family of products is amazing, TBH. 

Genedor Beauty Moisture Resuscitate Deep Conditioning Treatment
$21 // Amazon, Genedor Beauty Website
The Moisture Resuscitate Deep Conditioning Treatment most certainly lives up to the name. Packed with an amazing assortment of moisturizers and humectants - from aloe vera and honey to Tahitian vanilla and mango butter, this deep treatment hydrates, nourishes, and leaves hair supple and buttery smooth. Not to mention, it's packed with slip - making product distribution and removing tangles easy breezy. Don't believe me? Just watch...the video. Trust me - you're gonna wanna put this one in your rotation ASAP!

Read my interview with Genedor Beauty founder Leketia Bradley here.

It's grow + retain length season, y'all. Let's shampoo regularly, deep condition often, drink water, stay on top of our trims, and make moisture a priority! #wegotthis

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