Spring Collective in DC

If you will be in the DC/MD/VA area this Friday, I would love to see you at an event hosted by my friend Alex along with Mila and Fire! I will be there doing basic eye makeup looks and brows. You can buy tickets for $8 at thespringcollective.eventbrite.com.  There will be live music, painters, make up artistry and of course vendors! If you are feeling creative and want to come network, I encourage you to come out and have a good time with us!

Hope to see you there!

(via Alex of The Good Hair Blog)

National Natural Hair Meet-Up Day

If you have ever been to a Natural Hair Meet-Up, you know it's a fun event full of great people, excellent products, and tons of networking. I LOVE natural hair meet ups and try to participate when my schedule permits.

National Natural Hair Meet Up Day is an annual one-day event. This year it is May 19th. Its purpose is to allow the opportunity for women across the country to meet in their own communities while networking, sharing and meeting (virtually) other women across the country participating in meetups on the same day. Natural hair meetups are events designed to share information, techniques, inspiration and products to aid individuals in their natural hair journey.
Attendees of the natural hair meetup will be able to:

• Meet other naturals in their area
• Gain exposure to natural hair product lines and companies
• Learn the process of planning and executing a natural hair meetup (event hosts)
• Meet natural hair and beauty bloggers and Youtube vloggers
• Network with other natural hair meetup organizers (event hosts)
• Discover resources, techniques, products and people that can serve as inspiration and information for the natural hair care journey

(From nnhmd.com)

SHOP ALS

Surprisingly, as much as I've tweeted about it and put it on Facebook and Tumblr, I haven't BLOGGED about my sis Alex's ShopALS line! *GASP* So, I want to share with those of you who may not already know about her accessories. Alex from The Good Hair Blog makes phenomenal pieces and every time I wear something, I am asked where I got it from. She's super creative and it all started with her making beaded bracelets. Now there are necklaces, earrings, etc. The two items pictured below are of me trying some new stuff on for her line. They will be available later this week on her site, so be sure to check back!!

Shop-ALS.com "Mama" Earrings

Shop-ALS.com "Spiked Dreams" Bracelets

Wearing My Natural Hair

Out to dinner with friends: Alex, Christina, and Safa

Hey Hey Hey!
Just a super QUICK post to share that I've taken out my Urban Twists from The Damn Salon. I got them done on Feb. 3 and took them out on Apr 6. I could have left them in longer (they still looked great), but I have an appointment with them on the 13th to get them done again and I wanted to let my hair breathe and give it some TLC beforehand. After taking them out I did a pre-poo (applied coconut oil throughout my entire head and let it sit for 10-15 min), then conditioned and detangled using Trader Joe's Nourish Spa Conditioner. After my hair was thoroughly detangled and and moisturized, I applied my fave leave-in and staple, Kinky Curly Knot Today, and set my hair in large two strand twists to allow it to air dry, sealing the ends with coconut oil. After it was dry, I put my hair into a high bun as pictured below. Let me add, when I initially took my Urban Twists out my hair did not feel dry at all, it was pretty soft. My hair didn't thin out and other than some growth, I don't see a difference in the way my hair was before the twists - which is GREAT. *thumbs up* I am likely to wear my hair in this bun (moisturizing at night) until my next appointment with them. And if you want to know how I did my high bun - I did it EXACTLY like "MsDanti" did in this tutorial:

Hair styled in a high bun 

HAPPY EASTER to all of you who celebrate!! God Bless <3

Baltimore Natural Hair Expo 2012

 

I had the awesome pleasure of being a Damn Girl for The Damn Salon at the Baltimore Natural Haircare Expo today. I worked with the lovely owner, Mushiya, and Dava, along with Amanda and Thara (Thara was the one who did my Urban Twists back on February 3rd). I had a great time and so much fun. I didn't get to take a lot of pics because we were working and promoting, but I did get a chance to snap a couple and take some short vids. 

I Want to Go Natural. Now What?

Taken first year natural

I get asked this question a lot, so I wanted to post a few tips that may be helpful if you've decided you wanted to go natural yet you have no clue what to do. 3 years ago, I had no clue what to do, either. I know the feeling!

Wear Bon Bon Vie!

A couple weeks ago, a few friends and I had the AWESOME pleasure of modeling for Shari Neal of Bon Bon Vie Apparel. Please check out Shari's website and buy some tees! I totally support "our" businesses and entrepreneurs. I also did the makeup for the shoot, fun times!!

My Beauty Product and Makeup Staples

I must love you all... because I'm about to share some of my secrets! People often ask me what products I use on my skin or what makeup I use... Below are some of my favorite items that I use daily, or close to it!

1. Aveeno Positively Radiant Facial Moisturizer: Has SPF 15 which is important! Also, if you deal with hyperpigmentation, sunscreen is a must. I use this every single day whether it's sunny out or not.

 2. Aveeno Positvely Radiant Cleansing Pads: One side is soft for regular cleansing and the other side is exfoliating. I use the exfoliating side twice a week. Tip: The pads are HUGE so I cut them in half to wash my face, and use the other half the next day. They last me twice as long :)

3. Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover: Shake it up and use a cotton ball for removing your eye makeup. Never EVER sleep with your makeup on, ladies. EVER.

4. L'oreal True Match Powder: My color alternates between W7 or W8. I'm an 8 in the summer, 7 in the winter. Sometimes I use "N" (neutral) if the store is out of "W" (warm). Don't know your undertone? Generally, golden undertones are Warms and cooler/blue undertones are Cool. What I love about these powders and foundations is that if you're unsure, neutral will work! :)

5. MAC Spiked Brow Pencil: I've tried many brow pencils. For YEARS. This is my fave. I guess because it's so thin and precise so I can give my brows more detail. I use this every day. Brows frame the face - there is nothing worse than a made up eye and fab lashes, and an eyebrow that isn't groomed or properly filled in. Here is a tutorial on how I do my brows.

That Awkward Moment When...

A stranger reaches out and touches your hair! Here's how I feel about it:

My Hair - One Month Later

My Urban Twists are holding up QUITE nicely, if I do say so myself. The ladies at The Damn Salon know what they're doing! As mentioned before, I got these twists put in Feb. 3rd. It is now March 3rd and they look just as good as Day 1, if not better. I'm still getting tons of compliments and people think it's all my hair. I wish! Lol Here are some pics from the last week and today of the hair:

3.3.2012

3.3.2012

2.25.2012