Friday, November 4, 2016

#ProductJunkie OVERLOAD: My Empties!

Ismail oubarka | 6:31 AM

WARNING: If you're on a no buy, use-up-the-stash, or otherwise have an aversion to purchasing hair products, body and facial care products, and supplements DO NOT watch this video.

And, if you don't like product chatter, side commentary, and my rando sense of humor - also DO NOT watch this video.

The following videos has been rated EPJ for Extreme Product Junkie-ism, adult financial situations, and brutal honesty. This video is a deep-dive into my products used from May to September 2016, filmed at the end of September! I finally got it uploaded :) Oh and by the way - pardon my busted appearance. I definitely didn't "primp" for this video - not a curl fluff, or nothin'. Just me, on the floor looking a hot mess talking about products like a fiend lmao!

Viewer discretion is advised.

As promised, here's a full list of every product (and topic) featured in this video that I've reviewed or talked about here on the blog:

PS - if you wanna see my very first empties video (circa like, February 2015 - click here!). You'll be surprised how many of the same products are in this video, lol!

So product junkies... did you enjoy this video? Let me know in the comments below if you'd like me to do seasonal or biannual empties videos!

from The Mane Objective http://ift.tt/2fKZS7N

Thursday, November 3, 2016

Moisturize, Seal, then Heat? Introducing the Deep Moisturizing Treatment

Ismail oubarka | 9:11 AM

I feel like things are headed in the right direction with regards to my skin care journey. So now I'm turning my sights back to focusing on my hair. I've been coasting for a while with my hair journey and progress has been pretty stagnant.

I figured that it's best to jump back on the bandwagon by going back to the basics. In search of a little inspiration, I headed over to YouTube. The intention was to uncover a different technique that could make a huge difference in my moisturizing and sealing regimen.

Charisse Christine (the woman who introduced me to this new method).

Little did I know that, moments later, I would be introduced to a method that I call the "deep moisturizing treatment."
The ingenious YouTuber who created this method did so because she needed something to help products to penetrate her low porosity hair. Low porosity hair can be both a blessing and a curse. We all want a tight, compact cuticle layer. Whenever we see a close-up image of a damaged hair strand, the first thing you notice is the lifted, damaged, cracked cuticles.

We try our hardest to correct that situation with healthy hair practices. We deep condition, incorporate protein and eliminate direct heat. All this we do in the name of smooth cuticles. But then something happens. It seems harder and harder for our hair to retain moisture.

How can that be?

Our perfect cuticles have now become an obstacle. Products have difficulty penetrating the strand and conditioners that we developed to bind to damaged areas of the hair, are less effective. The biggest concern with low porosity hair is maintaining daily moisture. I'd moisturize and seal, but the results never seemed to last. Luckily for me, high humidity levels in the air helped a little. But now that summer's gone, I'm even more concerned.

Which is why I'm so excited to try this deep moisturizing technique.

The process starts off like your typical moisturizing session we all would. First Charisse adds moisture by using Shea Moisture's Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner. Next, she layers on a lightweight oil. Sweet Almond oil is her current favorite. But it's what she does next that makes things interesting.

Her final step isn't sealing with a heavier product, instead, she chooses to utilize indirect heat in the form of a portable hair dryer bonnet. The heat produced by the hair dryer allows the cuticle layer to open (like when we deep condition). Lifting the cuticles allows for the product to better penetrate the thirsty strands.

According to Charisse, this simple tweak in her moisturizing regimen has made a dramatic difference in how her hair feels. She boasted that her hair seems stronger and more moisturized as a result of applying this method. One thing I picked up in the video is that she claims to wake up with soft, moisturized hair in the morning. This probably means that she uses this method before bed. Her hair is tied down while she sleeps allowing the cuticles to seal back up.

I'm only speculating but that would make sense.

Since I've just touched up my new growth, I suspect that my hair is back on the higher porosity end of the spectrum until I can fortify it again. Even so, I'm still going to try this method anyway. I think it could benefit both low & high porosity hair. If the hair is low porosity and damaged, I might reach of a moisturizer with light protein. Or perhaps, I'll mist the hair lightly with a protein leave-in before layering a moisturizing cream and oil. The key is to seal the cuticle layer once again after the moisturizing process is complete.

Take a look as Charisse explains this process in detail.

from BELLEMOCHA.com http://ift.tt/2flvL2z

Why The Perfect Mold Matters If You Rock A Pixie Cut

Ismail oubarka | 8:02 AM

Wearing a short style like a pixie cut can do wonders for your style. It’s like a statement piece to your entire wardrobe. By the same token, if you have short hair that is unkempt, you can go from 10 to 0 in no time flat. Disheveled short hair is one of the worst hair […]

The post Why The Perfect Mold Matters If You Rock A Pixie Cut appeared first on Black Hair Information.

from Black Hair Information http://ift.tt/2firqi8

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

An Open Letter: On Colorism, Representation, and Curly Privilege in the Natural Hair Community

Ismail oubarka | 11:52 AM

Try This Technique Ultra Hydrated Skin [Kylie Jenner Approved]

Ismail oubarka | 8:26 AM

Lately, I've been making small tweaks to my makeup application techniques. Some of these little shifts have made a real difference in the overall final look. One of the biggest changes I've made recently is in how I apply my foundation.

As you may know, Kevyn Aucoin's Sensual Skin Enhancer has pretty much taken the role as my number one skin care beauty product. It's performed so well that I've practically forgotten about the full bottle of NARS foundation that was starting to collect dust.

But, after trying this new technique, I've fallen in love with my foundation again. Heck, this little trick even makes my skin look great using only BB Creme.

What I'm doing differently is using an inexpensive application tool that you all have seen before. I'm not talking about the infamous Beauty Blender (although I do have a few and they are great). My new favorite makeup application tool is the wedge-shaped sponge.

I actually love the flat angles of the wedge versus the curvier Beauty Blender.

Here's why.

The flat shape of the wedge allows me to easily press the product deeper into my skin. Instead of swiping the product onto my skin (like I would do if I applied with my fingers). I pat it in using a stippling motion. By doing so, the product is fused with my skin so seamlessly that you can barely tell that I'm wearing makeup. But, at the same time, the end result is a flawless finish.

I stopped wearing foundation because every time I wore foundation, it looked like I was wearing foundation. Meaning, you could tell that my face was covered with a product to hide blemishes. With this new technique, the final result is much more natural (while still effective).

Since implementing this new technique, I haven't turned back.

But then I decided to take things to a new level.

I thought to myself, if this technique helps my skin to better absorb product? How else can I utilize it? Immediately my mind began to race and I wondered if I could "press" hydrating products deeper into my skin as well.

My first instinct was to grab a bottle of my current moisturizer and put small amounts of it all over my face. Next, I began pressing the moisturizer in using the same dabbing motion. Afterward, my skin looked really hydrated. Sometimes moisturizer seems to sit on top of my skin. With this technique, my skin seemed to drink it all in.

Instead of appearing like I deliberately added product to hydrate my skin, it looks effortlessly moisturized (hope that makes sense).

I do realize that some of the product was probably absorbed by the sponge but, I also firmly believe that it drove the product in a bit deeper than with using my fingers alone.

At first, I thought I crazy for applying facial moisturizer with a sponge but after searching online for additional validation, I learned that Kylie Jenner uses a similar technique. But instead of applying moisturizer with an inexpensive makeup sponge, she opts for one of those high-end Artist brushes which are probably made with baby mink hair or something. Thank goodness for dupes.

I may not use this technique on a daily basis, but it'll absolutely be a part of my going out routine. Or whenever I feel like my skin is feeling extra dry and I need to moisturize the deeper layers.

Give it a try and see if your skin loves it too.

from BELLEMOCHA.com http://ift.tt/2eURl0V

What Can You Do When Your Hair Has Been Over Processed?

Ismail oubarka | 8:02 AM

Over processing is a disastrous experience. I have been through it on more than one occasion. I have done it to myself while maintaining my hair at home and I have also had a licensed stylist over process my hair while applying a relaxer. There are a few things to remember when dealing with over […]

The post What Can You Do When Your Hair Has Been Over Processed? appeared first on Black Hair Information.

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Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Who Exactly Is The Face of The Natural Hair Movement?

Ismail oubarka | 8:03 AM

The other day, I ran across an article that introduced a discussion about the face of the natural hair movement. It argued that it was being “hijacked” or represented by bi or multiracial women who have wavy hair or looser curl patterns and was starting to exclude Black women with short hair or kinky, coily […]