Quick Tips On Caring For Colored Treated Natural Hair!

Hey Everyone!!

On every natural hair board I'm on, I see the same question alot: How do I take care of my colored natural hair? I've seen some great responses and some tips I personally used. I've colored my hair twice in two years without any breakage or problems. So, here are some quick tips on caring for your colored treated natural hair!!

Tip #1- Don't "coat" the problem!!

If you are having breakage problems, dryness problems, scalp issues, I suggest that you wait until you get these issues together before coloring. Coloring is a chemical process that can acerbate these problems even worse. I had dryness issues and it was until I figured out an awesome set of products that helped eliminate them, it was only then I colored my hair.

Tip #2 Deep Condition for your life!

I "DC" every week, with out fail. This helps with keeping the moisture locked into my porous hair. Its especially important to DC when you color your hair. Figure out how your hair likes a deep condition: on dry hair, overnight, steamed and implement this step seriously into your regimen.

Tip #2 Layer your moisture.

My thirsty hair loves co-washing followed by a creamy leave in, then my moisturizer and sealed with a natural pomade. Make sure that your regimen has moisturizing foundation to it, keeping your colored treated hair moisturizde is essential to its longevity and retention.

Tip #3 Don't over do it!

Over processing the life out of your color is one the main roads to breakage and damage. Unless you have a professional color treating your hair, don't color on top of color on top of highlights on top on color. Then, when your hair is at its "breaking point, you are on the hair boards begging for advice! MOST professionals know not to over process color but doing different color processes too close together in time frame. But some don't( I know a handful). lol I only color my hair once a year, in the summer. Once it grows out...I WAIT until next summer, but that is my personal preference. I remember being relaxed and a hair dresser I was going to wouldn't do so much as a rinse on my hair and  wouldn't do that until three weeks after a relaxer. She cared about my hair that even then was dry and prone to damage. Do the right thing for you!!

Now, I know there are other great tips out there about taking care of colored natural hair, let me know in the comments!

Disclaimer: I am not a cosmetologist or hair professional. 

My Favorite Pink Lipsticks!

Hey Everyone!

Since I did my favorite red lipsticks a couple of weeks ago ( click HERE to check that out!), I thought I would show ya'll my favorite pink lipsticks.

These are the pink lippies that I wear the most. I have some others that are more glosses or liquid lipsticks. If you would like to see those in a post, let me know in the comments!

 Left to right:

tarte Glamazon lipstick in Whimsy

tarte Glamazon lipstick in Inspired

N.Y.C. lipstick in Blue Rose

Wet N Wild Megalast lipstick in Mauve Outta Here

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Rosy Nude

NYX Matte lipstick in Shocking Pink

Milani lipstick in Rose Nude

Covergirl lipstick in Spellbound

Swatches!!

Left to right:

 tarte Glamazon lipstick in Whimsy

tarte Glamazon lipstick in Inspired

N.Y.C. lipstick in Blue Rose

Wet N Wild Megalast lipstick in Mauve Outta Here

Left to right:

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Rosy Nude

NYX Matte lipstick in Shocking Pink

Milani lipstick in Rose Nude

Covergirl lipstick in Spellbound

DIY Face Scrub - Only TWO Ingredients Needed!!

Hey Everyone!

I'm back with another skin DIY! This time, it's a very simple face scrub that has blown my mind with its effectiveness. And you only need TWO ingredients!! 

 What you will need:

-Baking Soda

-Water

-Scrubbing brush (optional). Your hands work good as well.

 I used about a tablespoon( I eyeballed it) in my clean hand of baking soda....

 Then, I allowed the water from the faucet to slowly stream into my hand to make a paste with the baking soda. If you want to measure it, maybe a teaspoon of water. You want the baking soda and water to make a paste texture.

 I applied the paste all over my face. O_O.

 Then, I used my Olay Scrubbing Brush. Now this step is optional. I scrub my face once a week with a scrub and Olay Brush. I like an intense scrub and my skin can take it. However, you can use your fingers to scrub for a less intense scrub. I love my Olay Brush! Its the main reason I don't have a Clarisonic because honestly, it works perfectly for me.

When I or you have felt that your skin is exfoiliated to your liking, rinse scrub off well. Your skin will feel so smooth!

The morning after I DIY Scrub and  DIY Mask, my skin feels like butter!!

If you are not sure about the effect this scrub may have on your skin, please consult a doctor. I'm not a professional esthetician, dermatologist or medical doctor. Just a beauty addict.:)

Smell This! Summer 2013 Fragrance Picks.....

Hey Everyone!!

I have been rotating four great scents all summer that I love! Yes, I wear perfume in the summer and I'm a seasonal scent wearer...it must smell "summery" and light for the summer

Check out my favorites below:

 Jennifer Aniston Eau De Parfum

I actually got this scent out of a Christmas fragrance set from CVS. The scent is light and airy and a dead on dupe of Philosophy Baby Grace.

 Marrakesh by mark. Eau de Toilette (press sample)

Marrakesh is a bit warmer in scent with vanilla undertones but the dry down boasts a hint of mint that keeps it refreshing and nice. I will be definitely transitioning this scent into the fall.

 Charleston Girl 

Charleston Girl is a scent homegrown in my home state of South Carolina. Its only found in a scattering of boutiques, online and made in Charleston SC. I waiting weeks before this scent showed back up at a boutique in my hometown before I snatched the last bottle!! Its scent is beautiful and familiar, its very similar to Victoria's Secret Sexy Little Things.

Essence of Beauty Island Dream Body Mist

I found Island Dream on clearance at CVS for $1.75. It also comes in a Eau de Toilette that I'm waiting for it to be marked down.:)  The scent is sultry without being heavy and needs a companion body lotion to match!

What is your favorite scent this summer? Let me know in the comments!

Disclosure: Product(s) were sent to me for consideration for review. I was not paid for this post and all opinions are my own and honest.

Summer Nail Polish Picks For All Skin Tones!!!

Hey Everyone!

The middle of July is here and it's time for some re-ups on summer polish colors!! Here are some of my favorites so far and some "shop my stash" colors I'll be wearing again in the next couple of weeks.

I believe that these colors would look great on a variety of skin tones, whether you wear them on your toes or on your hands. Check them out!

 Wet N' Wild Megalast in I Red A Good Book and Wet N' Wild Megalast in On A Trip

Wet N' Wild Megalast in I Red A Good Book

Revlon Brilliant Strength in Intrigue and Entice

 Revlon Brilliant Strength in Entice

Revlon Brilliant Strength in Intrigue

 Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Choco-Latte and Honey Whip

 Priti N.Y.C. City Girl Rose and Baby Blue Eyes

 Priti N.Y.C. Baby Blue Eyes

Priti N.Y.C. City Girl Rose

N.Y.C. Long Wearing Nail Enamel in Preppy Pink and Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Butterscotch

Let me know if you plan on trying any of these colors in the comments!!

Disclosure: Product(s) were sent to me for consideration for review. I was not paid for this post, it is not sponsored and all opinion are honest.

3 Primers + 1 Hot Summer!! Primer Series For Oily Skin Part 2.......

Hey Everyone:)

I have Part 2 of my 3 Primers + 1 Hot Summer for you today! In this series, I have two very interesting products that are medicinal products claimed to combat oil. Plus, I have a high end Asian product that promises the same results as the other two. If you have checked out Part 1, here's the LINK. Let's get started.....

 For the last month, I test Rice Force UV Protect Milk SPF 25, Monistat Chafing Gel and Milk Of Magnesia.

 Swatches of ( left to right) Milk of Magnesia, Monistat Chafing Gel and Rice Force UV Protect Milk

 Milk of Magnesia- Does it work?

YES! It works! I was shine free under BB Creams and Foundations with the MoM. I have a REALLY big bottle because Walmart was sold out of the little bottles.O_O. This product is under $2. I applied the MoM to clean skin with my E.L.F. Flat Powder Brush evenly all of over. It left a bit of a white cast but that was gone after I applied foundation or BB Cream over it. You only need a 1/2 teaspoon at the most for the coverage. I poured the MoM its cap to use it but I'm currently looking for a pump or a small bottle to store it in. I'll keep you updated!!

 Monistat Chafing Gel- Does it work?

YES! Its works great under my BB Cream and Foundation. I like this gel a lot. It works just like a silicone based primer like the Smashbox primer its notoriously compared to on Pinterest. Plus, you can just squeeze it out, just a dab to cover the whole face. This gel ran $8 at CVS which was pricey for a" primer" at the drugstore. The problem I had with this product is that it was very hard to find. I scored Walmart and two CVS' before I found it. In CVS, its in the area where the feminine hygiene products are.:)

Rice Force UV Protect Milk-Does It Work?

YES! It works under all of my foundations and BB Creams. Plus it has a bit of moisturizing effect on my skin.  I honestly thought that Japanese skincare catered only to Asian skin, which tends to be more normal to dry but the UV Protect Milk kept the oilies at bay while providing some excellent skin care qualities. Down side might be the price point at $40. But remember the tarte primer I tried in Part 1 that was $30? Yeah.   It's hard being an all around beauty addict, high end or low end, you still want it in your grasp!!

Disclosure: Some products were sent for consideration for review. I was not paid or sponsored for this post and all opinions are honest and my own

~Review~ Maybelline FIT Me Shine Free Foundation Stick in 340

Hey Everyone!

I didn't even know Maybelline FIT Me Shine Free Foundation Stick even existed until I walked into CVS and saw the display. How did I miss this new product launch? lol!

I picked up the color 340 because I have had FIT Me Foundation in the past in 355 and 355 is too dark.

I did a review on the FIT Me pressed powder and liquid foundation in 2011. Here is the LINK to check it out.

 FIT Me Foundation Stick is a foundation stick with a core that suppose help with shine and oil.

 When swatched and rubbed in, it feels powdery and smooth......

 Bare face with a primer and eye brows done...I'll explain the primer in a moment....:)

 With the FIT Me Foundation Stick applied all over. I swatched the stick all over then buffed it in with a flat top brush.

Face all done!

~Overall~

-I have had the stick for over two weeks and I wore it a variety of ways: with primer, without primer, just applied in certain places, and applied all over....

-Unfortunately, I can't wear it without a primer because the shine free core isn't enough to keep the oilies at bay. With a primer, the stick has great wear, just a little glow of shine after a couple of hours.

-The color is a tad bit to light for me. Just a tad. I can tell that the color is a bit off on my skin tone, especially around my mouth where I'm darker.

-The price is really good for a drugstore foundation. At my CVS, it was only $8.99, catch a good sale and you could get it for cheaper.

-I have actually wore this alot, even though the color is wrong. lol! Its easy and fast to apply being a stick foundation. I can't tell you the last time I had a stick foundation. Yeaaarrrrsssssss....literally.

-I wouldn't buy this again, I'm thinking I might put it away for the fall/winter when I'm a little lighter. I tend to get an accidental tan and my dark areas get darker in the summer time.

Have you thought about buying Maybelline FIT Me Shine Free Foundation Stick?

~Natural Hair~ I Colored My 4C Hair With Clairol Texture & Tones In Flaming Desire.....

Hey Everyone.:)

I decided to re-color my hair last Tuesday. I used the same shade and brand I used over a year ago, Clairol Textures & Tones in Flaming Desire. Here's a LINK to that very popular post!

 I sectioned my hair so I was only coloring the top half, just like I did last year. I almost did a mohawk-ish color job, but decided not to. 

 Here's the color after. This is what I did:

-I FOLLOWED the instructions on in the box. Why? Because most of the time, they are right!

-I applied the color from tip to root, so that the color would take better on my hair. That's what the instructions suggest you do.

-Then I sat under a hooded dryer for 30 minutes to allow the color to really bloom. I read and watch so many posts from natural hair women who color their hair and not sit under the dryer. I learned that step from a hair stylist and it works.

 -Then I washed the color out with Pantene Naturals Clarifying Shampoo and Co Washed with Pantene Natural Co Wash, applied Ouidad Leave In and got ready to style my hair. I didn't deep condition because I DC'd the Sunday before.

- Because some of my hair in the front is heat damaged, I twisted then perm rodded the front while finger coiling the rest of my hair with  regular black/brown gel.

Some spots in my scalp did not get colored but that's ok. Once my hair dried, you can't even see those spots, because my scalp is so dense, even though the strand of my hair is thin.

 As you can see, the back in dark and the front is colored.

 I use the clips to keep my coils and curls from being all over the place when I sleep. I gave my hair a couple of hours to dry before I went to sleep, so I did the color and coiling wayyyyy ahead of going to bed.

 Here is the finished result the next day!!

Here's how I've been wearing it all week. I love this color and it came out just as great as the first time. One day, I'll be brave enough for the whole head!! Stay tuned on how to take care of colored treated natural hair!