(Re-Upload) October 2010 Hair Update! Texture Shots of my Mini Chop and LOTS of Hair Whipping :)

*Please note that this video is a re-upload, and it was filmed in October 2010 when I was only 4 months into my transition to natural hair*




This is a video update showing my progress back in October 2010 when I was just 4 months post relaxer. I chopped "test patches" that month in the back, sides, and top of my head. This video shows off the test patches on the side and back. There are tons of texture shots and video footage showing that hair in its curly state(If anyone knows my hair type...please let me know). Also, I then flat ironed my hair on Friday October 29th, and it looks fabulous straight as well. It is still in great shape despite going without a relaxer for nearly 5 months. Also, when my hair is straight, the "test patches" are completely hidden. I think I need a slight trim, but other than that...it looks healthy! My hair looks just as healthy as it did before I started my transition. Please be sure to watch the entire video. Texture shots of my curls and mini chop are at the beginning, and my flat ironed hair is near the end. There is a hair whipping montage...I couldn't resist...lol.

Please feel free to chime in with comments...lol. Also, don't forget to subscribe on your way out too!

Rant of the Day: Lady GaGa, you were not "Born This Way!"

Lady Gaga is so extra! I liked her better like 4 years ago when she actually made music. Pelvic thrusting in bikini bottoms "bald eagle" is a no go. She was not "born this way." No one is born skanky, and desperate for attention...lol.I guess getting a fan base made her give up on who she really is. She was not this extra when she first came into the industry...ugh. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE individuality! I've been one to wear out of the box attire and etc. However, I just don't think she is being genuine. Her style was vastly different when she was a struggling musician. She seemed more real back in the day. Her music was better, and she looked um...normal. She now walks around with flesh toned horns sticking out of her forehead and outlandish get-ups. It's as if she took someone stoned on acid and said, "Hey...shape my image!" Her new video "Born this Way wreaks of desperation and is so weird that it is borderline creepy lol. I'm not sure what to think of her. I also think she is taking advantage of the GLBT community in order to get more publicity.

Another thing that rubs me the wrong way is her obvious rip off Madonna image. She has essentially taken Madonna's image, added a little more crazy, and then tried to use it as her own style. I'm sorry, but I know Madonna's "Express Yourself" when I hear it, and "Born This Way" is nothing more than a 2011 version of Madonna's hit song. When Gaga decides to become a real artist again, let me know. Until then, I will give this "lady", that's if she even is one...the side eye!

My "Oh Hello No!" Moment: Aphogee 2 Step Protein Treatment

Well...well...well! Okay, so I have been hearing about this protein vs. moisture thing for months now. For the most part, I thought my hair was equally balanced, but I am new to this so I wasn't completely sure. I've been using a lot of moisture rich products, so I thought...what the heck, maybe I should do a protein treatment. So a few months ago I tried Aphogee 2 minute protein treatment(which is a light treatment) and everything went fine! So a few days ago I got the "genius" idea to "kick it up a notch" and try an even harder protein treatment...the infamous Aphogee 2 Step protein treatment. This stuff has been known to make chemically treated and damaged hair bounce back to perfect health. It has also been known to make healthy hair fall out..yikes! Now, I don't have any damage. However, I DO have relaxed ends left on my head, so I thought a nice protein treatment would help keep my ends strong. Especially since I am a long term transitioner, and I need to keep those bad boys around until I am ready to cut them off. But anywho, so I tried the treatment a few days ago, and it led to a major "Oh hello no!" moment! This is how it went down...

It was a pretty simple procedure. I washed my hair as normal with Aussie moist 2 in 1 shampoo, and then applied the Aphogee 2 step to my wet hair. The treatment was very runny and I had to use 2 packs on my hair. OMG, it was soooooooo funky too! It smelled like pickled pig's feet mixed with dog poop, vomit, and spoiled milk. Yes...it was that bad! But I pushed on through it for the sake of beauty. Once I applied the product, I got under the hooded hair dryer for about 45 minutes to an hour. The treatment dried VERYYYYY hard. It was LITERALLY as hard as cement, and you could probably knock on it. My hair definitely felt like something other than hair...it was weird. In fact, it was so hard, that touching it could cause the strands to break in two.

I then rinsed the product out in the shower only to find that it left my hair feeling horrible! I certainly had an "Oh hell no!" moment right then and there lol! My hair felt very hard, but I thought that doing a moisture treatment would bring it back to normal. So I immediately did the Aphogee moisture treatment that came with the protein treatment. The moisture treatment did NOTHING for my hair. It still felt like crap! So I then tried a doing an extreme moisture treatment by Ion(which smelled like heaven btw). I left the Ion treatment on for a few hours, and only to rinse it out and discover that it also did nothing for my hair. My hair was still just as hard as it was immediately after the protein treatment. I then decided to use my staple product, Aussie 3 minute miracle deep conditioner. This product has never failed me, and it leaves my hair feeling like silk everyyyyy time. Well, that didn't work either! I decided to just detangle my hair the best I could and move on.

Detangling was HORRIBLE! My hair was so tangled and etc. It was never like this before! I can normally comb it with my fingers and be good to go in less than two minutes flat. This time it took like 5 minutes or more to comb through, and it still wasn't fully detangled. I also lost a lot of hair trying to comb through it. I was going to just wear my hair in a wet bun, but my curls were not themselves. They were hard, shriveled and dry looking lol. I then decided that the best way to style it was to just flat iron it. Whew!


So, I flat ironed it and it has been okay since. It feels a bit more "textured" than normal, but looks nice in this state. I will NEVER do another Aphogee 2 step treatment again. I guess my hair just doesn't need hard core protein like that. I will probably have to do several deep conditioning moisture treatments in the future to get my hair balanced again...sigh! I will keep you all posted on how this goes on my next wash day!

Chris Brown Goes Blonde!!

They say blondes have more fun. While I am not sure I agree with that phrase, singer Chris Brown seems to be taking the bleached look for a test run. The singer tweeted a photo of himself today rocking his new golden locks.




Since posting the tweet, people have started to compare his new look to Sisqo. You know, the "has been" who had that song called "Thong Song." Well, it is hard to tell what Chris looks like simply from this one picture, but I actually think I'm going to go against the grain and say I like this look. Of course I will need to see other pics of it before I make my final judgment, but based off this photo it doesn't look bad to me. We shall see what it looks like as more pictures float to the surface though. But for now, I grant this look...APPROVED. What do you guys think???
:)

Nude Lipstick for Brown and Dark Skin Tones...

There aren't many resources out there for "sistas" who are into wearing nude lipstick. Well, I just purchased two nude lipsticks about in January, and I have a review on them! The first is "In the Buff" 800 by L'Oreal. The 2nd is "Nude Attitude" by Revlon. I truly LOVE the L'Oreal one, and the Revlon is nice as well! Please check out my review for the full details!

How to Make Your Own Lipgloss

I know I have been M.I.A for a while, but I'm back with a fun tutorial. If you are anything like me, you probably have a hard time finding the perfect lipstick. I love heavily pigmented shades, and it is really hard to find one that meets my expectations. So, for the past few years, I have mostly made my own lipstick instead! I have purchased some store brands, but I loveeee my custom shades. This is a fun little project that can be made with most items you have just lying around the house. If you are looking to get rid of some of your eye shadows, blushes, or bronzers...then this is the perfect project for you. This can be something made as a gift, or just a small fun project for mothers and daughters. But if you just want to be fierce...check out my tutorial video! Have fun!

*The Youtube Tutorial*

*The pictures*

Shade # 1: Light pink...











Shade # 2: Medium Pink...













Shade # 3: Dark Blush Pink...

Don't Call it a Comeback...Box Braids

It was the hottest hair trend in the 90's. Brandy had me wanting to be down, and Janet(Ms. Jackson if ya' nasty) had everyone seeking poetic justice. I have spent the past few months drooling over box braids (and dreadlock extensions). And it seems like I'm not alone, in loving the braided up look! In fact, box braids are apparently on their way to making a major come back. Solange Knowles has recently been spotted rocking some super long box braids. And the braid queen herself...Brandy Norwood has even gone back to rocking her bodacious box braids. I think I might have to give in to temptation and head down to my local braid shop stat...lol. This look will probably be great for the spring or even summer. Something, cute and low maintenance would be perfect for those (like myself) who are currently transitioning to natural hair. Heck, even if you aren't transitioning, this would still be a great protective style. I'm so happy to see textured styles making a comeback! So here's my question for you guys. Do you think box braids are ready for a comeback? Would you be bold enough to rock them??

Here are some fierce box braid wearers...

The queen of braids...Brandy

-Part of me wonders if it is a lacefront. There seems to be some glue residue on her hairline. Hmmm...either way, I LOVE IT!










Solange Knolwes:

-She really seems to be coming into her own lately. I think hers might be a tad to lengthy for me, but other than that...she looks fab. I dig her messy edges!






Jada Pinket Smith:

-She rocks her box braids sleek one day and funky the next....LOVE IT!









Willow Smith:

-Little Willow's box braid "whippage" is inspiring a new generation!







Rutina Wesley, star of HBO's True Blood:

-Hers are a little closer to micros in size, but they are sooo fierce!
























XGoldn from Youtube: