4 Natural Butters You Need To Be Using This Fall And Winter

Our world is full of natural wonders that give plenty of benefit to our bodies including our hair. From every inch of this planet we can find plants, herbs, oils and butters that aid our health and hair in much better ways than anything man-made. When you think of hair butters then you immediately think […]

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Found! The Detangling Brush That Made Me Love Wash Day Again.

Not long ago I promised to incorporate frequent washing into my regimen to reap all the benefits that come along with it.  Even though I knew this was the right decision, I still hesitated.  Why? Because deep down I dreaded the thought of enduring the most dreaded part of my wash day --detangling.

You see, I rarely use a comb or brush in between washes.  This means that I have my work cut out for me on wash day.  In the past, I had the support of my trusted double row Conair detangling comb.  But, after it lost a few of its teeth, that comb was no longer of any use.  Once I learned that Conair discontinued that comb, I lost all hope.

But, today is a new day. And, today, I'm here to spread the good news of a new detangling comb that has restored my faith in wash days again.
Typically, I roller set to stretch my hair after washing.  This requires a lengthy detangling process as I work in tiny sections.  If I don't have the right comb for the job, the process is torture.  Looking back, I think I started procrastinating with wash day ever since my Conair comb gave out.

Things have now changed for the better thanks to my new flexible detangling brush.  Guys, I can't really begin to tell you how much I've been enjoying this masterfully created piece of plastic.  It has everything I could ever want in a detangling tool.  It has multi rows of teeth, the bristles move and bend to accommodate my thick, curly hair.  It's gentle.  Best of all, it doesn't do any damage.  Detangling is no longer laborious and stressful. I actually take pleasure in watching this phenomenal brush glide through my hair with ease.

Although my detangling brush is darn near perfect, I have to disclose that it performs best on damp hair.  If I need to detangle my hair while dry, I rely on my fingers or my beloved Mason Pearson comb.   Another disclaimer, this brush is meant to help maneuver shed hairs from small to medium sections.  If you have serious, tight knots & tangles, put in the extra effort to finger detangle beforehand.

Because of my flexible detangling brush, I finally look forward to wash days.  Now that I'm washing more regularly, my hair is retaining moisture which makes it even easier to detangle.  Detangling with this brush saves so much time and, for that, I'm forever grateful.

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How To Achieve Coils In 5 Minutes Using A Sponge On Your TWA

There is an alternative to finger coils! We know finger coiling can take hours to do, but fret no more. With your TWA, you can achieve coils within minutes, using a sponge. SAY WHAT? Yes, just when you thought that there was not much you could do with that TWA, you were wrong. This method […]

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[try this] Use Powder Before Foundation For the Best Skin of Your Life.

The warmer it gets, the more anxious I become about how summer is going to affect my skin.  Not only do I have to worry about congestion and breakouts, I also have to contend with oil skin.  Breakouts, while frustrating, are at least somewhat manageable.  But oily skin seemed so uncontrollable.

Or so I thought....

That's until I was introduced to a makeup artist secret technique that might change everything.


There's nothing I love more than simple hacks that are low key genius.  The backstory of this discovery dates back a few days to when I landed on Mariama Diallo's IG feed.  One thing that struck me was how she was sporting a chocolate lip in all of her recent photos.  As someone who grew up in the 90's, I have a huge appreciation for rich brown lip color.

I scoured the comment section to see if she revealed the exact shade she was wearing.   Then I said a silent prayer in hopes that she had a Youtube Channel where she divulged the details of her everyday makeup routine.

Prayers answered.

It just so happened that she recently began uploading videos to her previously abandoned channel.  Coincidentally, Mariam just published her every makeup routine.

How did I get so lucky?

I clicked the video looking for intel on her lipstick but, instead, I was introduced to a hack that just might save my skin this summer.

She prefaced her makeup routine by disclosing she learned this little trick from a Fenty makeup artist.  Instead of applying primer first, they used setting powder.  Mariam doesn't explain why she does this.  She only expresses that the reason why she continues applies her translucent powder as a base is because "the results are so amazing." 

Of course, I had to do some digging to find out why applying powder before foundation is so effective.  According to the people who've tried it (and loved it).  Using setting powder first produces these benefits:

• Provides a more matte, long-lasting finish to help control oil production.
• The setting powder behaves like a primer that provides longer-lasting stay power. 
• Smoother looking skin as the powder fills in the pores, helping to provide the perfect base for the foundation.

Most people who've tried this method swear by it.  Some even take it a step further to add primer, then powder, then liquid foundation for super long wear.  Reminder: when it comes to managing oil production, dry skin is your enemy so be just to hydrate and moisturize properly so your skin doesn't have to overcompensate.   My makeup never lasts so I am dying to try this.  Although I have several foundation powders on hand, I'll experiment with Laura Mercier's setting powder in medium deep (one of my faves).  I'll try adding a light layer of foundation powder as the final step.

I hope this is the answer to oily skin that we've all been looking for.  

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5 Tips On How To Pick the Perfect Hair Products

We’ve all been there- sitting in the hair aisle at the store staring at two products trying to figure out what would be the best purchase or buying way too many products that we don’t need just because our favorite blogger raved about it in her last video. With all of the products being marketed […]

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Loungewear. But Make It Fashion.

Now that we're spending more time at home than ever, many of us have traded our normal articles of clothing for more comfortable attire. I've seen a few online boutiques send out emails urging us to grab some loungewear outfits to ride out this quarantine.  Before you pick up more sweats and flannels, I want to offer loungewear inspiration ideas that are comfortable and super cute.
[Swap Sweats for Skirts]

It's super tempting to throw on a pair of sweats or leggings and call it day. But, you know what else is just as easy?  Opting for a skirt.  Now, I know that skirts aren't traditionally thought of as loungewear, but I'm here to break that misconception.  If we're honest with ourselves, we'd admit that wearing a skirt is as comfy as a pair of sweats.  Plus, it's almost impossible to look frumpy in a skirt.  Another benefit of wearing skirts is that most of them actually zip up. This provides a layer of accountability as to whether our waistline is still intact.

Skirts also give the impression that you put in a little extra effort into your stay at home look.  Get creative by playing around with the length and style of the skirt depending on your specific vibe. 

[Whites. Beiges. Neutrals.]

a simple white cotton jersey dress is the epitome of comfort + style 

Can we all make a pact to avoid buying grey loungewear from this day forward? Let's give up the greys for creams, neutrals, and whites.  This color palette has an elevated look and feel.  Earth tones, whites, and beiges always add a hint of sophistication to an otherwise basic outfit.

[Matching Sets. ]

Typically, I'm not a huge fan of matching tops + bottoms.  But, for loungewear, it makes perfect sense.   Coordinating pieces keep us from falling into the trap of pairing randoms items together to create a semblance of an outfit.   When we're not leaving the house, we sometimes slack on what our outfit ensemble looks like.  Matching sets will essentially save us from ourselves. Bonus points if we select sets that can also be worn in public (without fear of public humiliation).

[Asymmetry]

I'm a sucker for cotton tanks and tops.  But I keep falling into the trap of buying the same boring tank tops over and over.  To correct my transgressions, I've decided to start experimenting with a little bit of asymmetry to make my dressed-down looks a little more interesting.  Basically, I'm not interested in buying anymore tops with the standard silhouette.  From now on, I'm looking for square necks, off the shoulder, asymmetrical straps, anything that adds a little something interesting to my look.


[Pretty Pajamas]

For those lazy weekends when you just want to be in your jammies all day, consider donning on your pretty pajamas.  Forget cotton flannels and other non-flattering options. Those types of outfits encourage you to lay around and do nothing. But, with your pretty pajamas, you're inspired to give yourself a facial, draft a journal entry, or experiment with trying out a new recipe.    Wear a few pieces of jewelry, lip stain, and fragrance while catching up on chapters of your favorite book.  Sometimes, when it comes to loungewear, we tend to go for oversized unflattering pieces or ultra sexy lingerie.  Pretty Pajamas fall somewhere perfectly in the middle.

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5 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Hair Color

Color can bring a little spice to our hair and along with that your can add confidence, beauty, and even attention. Most naturals I know have dabbled with a color or two from the brash; to the bold; to the subtle –  all according to the individual. There is no better time to add color […]

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Tracee Ellis Ross Inspired Twist Out

I think that every naturalista from a small curly girl to an older woman who has been natural her entire life can appreciate the beauty that is Tracee Ellis Ross’s hair. Her beautiful textured hair has been revered and loved since her days on the TV show Girlfriends, and women are still trying to recreate her […]

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[Lifestyle Design] Use Your Travel Fund to Alter Your Life

Sometime last year, my husband and I made a quick list of all the places we planned on visiting in 2020.  On Jan 1, 2020, we booked our first escapade which was supposed to take place in April.  Obviously, the trip didn't happen.  And neither will the other vacations we talked about.  Ultimately, we've accepted the fact that we probably won't travel for at least a year or two.

At first, I was really bummed.  But then I had a random thought that completely changed my thinking....vacations are great for a multitude of reasons, but they're expensive.  We would have spent thousands on flights, room & board, food, etc.  That money can now serve a new purpose.  If allocated properly, that money could be utilized to create something new.
If you were fortunate enough to maintain employment during this crisis, your income probably remained fairly consistent.  With the exception of having to buy toilet paper and groceries in bulk, you might find yourself spending a little less than normal.  Less money on gas, not as many trips to Starbucks, and fewer visits to your favorite brunch spot.  Staying at home is probably one of the best ways possible to save money.

But the real question is.  How can I allocate the money I'm saving in a way that produces the most value?

If we have to give up several months (or more) of our social life, wouldn't you want to be rewarded for the time lost?

Let's say you planned on taking a few trips this year and budgeted around $5,000 in expenses.  You technically can allocate that money in other ways. For instance, if you don't have a solid amount in savings, now would be a great time to build it up because we don't know what the future holds. Instead of doing a bunch of online shopping with the stimulus check, put that money towards your emergency fund in case the economy continues its downward spiral. 

If you're comfortable with the amount of savings you have on hand, perhaps you can brainstorm other ways to repurpose your vacation spendings.  In my case, I realize that spending a lot of time at home would be a lot more enjoyable if I invested a small budget into updating my back yard.  Whenever I book an Airbnb, I always choose a home with an amazing back yard oasis.   I'll sometimes spend a little extra just because I love the backyard design of a home.  So now I'm wondering, "what if I were to invest the money that I'd normally spend on plane tickets/housing, and invest in my own back yard?"  That would make this whole quarantine a lot more enjoyable.  Especially since they're talking about how we could be social distancing for a while longer. 

That's just one option.  Another idea I have is to buy individual stocks that have taken a huge hit.  During the last major economic crash, I bought Apple stock and a few other blue-chip companies that were dirt cheap.  This time around, I see a few opportunities in the travel, hotel, and airline industries.  I'm pretty sure that the travel industry isn't dead and will eventually bounce back. But right now their stocks are plummeting. You got to have patience and a long term vision if you plan on buying stocks. But, if you invest in times like these, it might be a decision that future you will thank you for. 

Another area where I'll be paying close attention is the housing market.

I live in a city where housing prices were steadily climbing.  Purchasing rental property or trying to upgrade to a bigger house was getting more expensive with each passing day.  I purchased my home just before the housing bubble burst so I wasn't able to take advantage of reasonably priced properties.  This time, I'll have my eyes and ears open in case opportunities start popping up.  If you were thinking of buying a house, now is the time to work on stacking up a down payment.  Yes, some mortgage providers are making adjustments for those who aren't able to make payments. But that concession won't last forever.  Some people may choose to downsize to avoid having to make large mortgage payments.   Perhaps there might be an increase in foreclosures in the future.  At the very least, we may see some lowering of asking prices for homes on the market.  I did a quick look through Zillow this morning. Some of the desirable neighborhoods in my city were already slashing prices on homes on the market.  The longer this pandemic lasts, the more the housing market will suffer.  If you've been thinking of buying real estate, the opportunity might be just around the corner.

I'm old enough to have lived through several economic downturns.  If there's one thing I know for certain, a down economy typically bounces back with a vengeance.  It may take a few years but things will eventually turn around.  Soon, opportunities will start to present themselves.  We have to be strategic and purposeful with our time and money. We will get to travel for leisure again. But since we have to be stuck at home, why not take advantage of it?

If you've been hit financially and have lost your main source of income, you can substitute your time in a way that eventually produces income for you.  If you have a lot more time on your hands due to lack of employment, you can allocate that time towards something that will still be standing once the quarantine is over.  Think of all those times when you worked a full-time job while daydreaming of having extra time to work on your passion project.  Although this isn't probably how you wanted it to unfold, you still have the opportunity to make something out of a challenging circumstance.

Time and/or Money are the ultimate accelerators.  They are the fuel needed to take you from one place to another. 

Use them wisely.

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Don’t Use That Gunky Brush! Tips For Cleaning Your Hair Tools

When was the last time you really cleaned your hair tools? I know for myself, it’s been a about month. Now, don’t act like it’s just me. We have all put in lots of time to learn how to care for our hair by moisturizing, sealing, deep conditioning, and styling effectively but most of that […]

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How To Create A Faux Bun On A TWA

So let me get this straight: you have a TWA but you want to wear your hair in a bun? Well in this life, all things are possible, so keep reading. The key to doing this is to have a little bit of length on your TWA, maybe about 6- 12 months worth of growth […]

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Five Signs That You Might Be A Product Junkie

Returning to natural hair can be one of the greatest lessons in self discovery ever, especially if you never had a lot of experience dealing with your own hair in the past. Learning how to take care of your hair, finding the best hairstyles for your length/facial features, and finding the perfect product are all […]

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