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Update

2011-02-22T16:58:00.000-08:00

Hey all! My inbox was flooded today with concerned folks asking if I was ok, if I was coming back, what happened to me etc. Today happens to be one of my better days, and I was urged to post an update while I felt up to it. About a year or so ago I was diagnosed with a hereditary disease called Wilson's disease. Late last year my symptoms flared up pretty bad which caused numerous hospital visits and me pretty much sleeping or in bed all day due to extreme nausea, gastrointestinal issues and fatigue.

My mom will continue to respond to emails while I recuperate, however I will not be filling any orders until further notice [except replacement items, pieces that needed to be re-sized etc OR unless you have received an email with an expected ship date from my mother]. I do apologize for the inconvenience. Those with pending orders will receive a refund via Paypal. My mom has her hands full taking care of me, my daughter, and her other two children, so if you have yet to receive a refund via Paypal, you can also file a "non-received item" dispute via Paypal which will initiate the refund process.

I would like to resume posting this week, however until I get on the right dose of meds; I have to take it day by day!! Thank you everyone who sent prayers, offers to help, my way! It is truly appreciated :-)

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Giveaway #1: Jamila Henna + Indigo

2011-01-04T14:12:00.000-08:00

[source]

In gearing up for my healthy hair challenge, I decided to order some of my favorite products and I ordered a few extras for those that win this giveaway. I use Henna to strengthen my hair, and I use Indigo to color my hair a dark jet black color.

Jamila Henna is safe to use on relaxed, natural and transitioning hair, as it contains no added chemicals. Indigo is also safe to use on relaxed, natural and transitioning hair, and is purchased from a trusted source [Henna For Hair].

To enter:

Leave a comment with a quick blurb on what issues you have experienced along your hair journey! That's it. Three winners will be selected at random this Friday, and each winner will receive 100grams of Jamila Henna, and 100 grams of Indigo.

Interested in dying your hair jet black?

You Will Need:

Henna

Indigo

[I use two boxes of each because I have pretty thick hair and would rather have more than enough product to cover my hair liberally].

Distilled Water

The Process:

You will first need to apply a Henna application. The quickest, easiest, and fuss free way to do this would be to just apply water to your henna mixture until it reaches a thick, muddy consistency.

1. Add henna powder to a plastic bowl

2. Slowly pour in distilled water while stirring

3. Once the mixture has gotten to a thick, muddy, consistency, cover and store in a cool place for about 24 hours.

4. Apply mixture liberally to your hair, cover and allow to sit for about 2-3 hours. - Do not manipulate your hair too much over this time. Manipulating it can cause a mass of tangles and knots.

5. After 2-3 hours, rinse with water until you rinsed out most of the Henna. You can then rinse the remainder of the henna out with the aid of conditioner, OR you can immerse your hair in a tub filled with water. Either the above methods are effective in removing the tiny flecks of Henna.

6. Once you have thoroughly rinsed out the Henna, it's time to mix your Indigo.

7. In a new clean bowl, add Indigo to your bowl

8. Slowly pour in distilled water while stirring

9. Once the mixture has gotten to a thick, muddy, consistency; you can apply it to your hair! No need to wait, this stuff releases color immediately.

10. Apply it the same way you applied the Henna. Make sure you apply this mixture from the roots to the tip for nice, even coverage.

11. Allow the Indigo to sit for about 1-2 hours for a rich, black tone. For even darker tones [like jet black], leave it on overnight.

12. Rinse with water until you rinsed out most of the Indigo. You can then rinse the remainder of the Indigo out with the aid of conditioner, OR you can immerse your hair in a tub filled with water. Either the above methods are effective in removing the tiny flecks of Indigo.

13. Now it's time to condition your hair. Deep condition [with heat] using your favorite deep conditioner. This restores healthy moisture levels in your strands, making your hair supple, and full of body.

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Eat | Drink | Play: Dinner At Philippe Chow

2011-01-04T13:15:00.000-08:00

It feels like it's been forever. I've been uber sick as of late which took a toll on my blogging. I took these pics last time I met Lo for dinner, but didn't get a chance to upload them till now.

Lo and I made our way to Philippe Chow for a end of the year recap. We got together to discuss how we felt about this year, and what we can do to make next year even better. We have both pushed each other beyond the limits of what we thought was possible, and as a result we definitely feel we have evolved since our first "grind session" a little over a year ago. This year we're claiming more clarity, freedom, and continued blessings.

I wore some sort of tutu dress with a slouchy, scalloped sequined tank I picked up at Max Azria

Forgive the crappy pic quality. We were taking pictures in the ladies room, and the lighting was pretty awful.

Lo wore an all black number with a belt I hope she gives to me... lol

We both had the Beef & Broccoli; the beef in this dish are tender pieces of Fillet Mignon

If you love a good cocktail, you have to try the Philliptini - It's sweet, with a bit of a kick. - I curled my hair in gigantic curls using a 2'' barrel curling iron, then I set them on large rollers for about 20 minutes. This creates bouncy curls with a little bit of volume.

Lo did a Bantu Knot out for a change of pace from the straight hair. She uses Bantu Knots in lieu of heat in between styling visits!

I'm catching up on posts today, so check back for the remainder of the product recommendations + regimen posts, and info re the first giveaway!

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Mark Your Calendar!

2010-12-29T13:58:00.000-08:00

[source]

Good afternoon all! Just wanted to take a brief moment to let everyone know I am still here. Posting will resume this Fri with about 5 posts [the remaining posts for regimens, two giveaways, product reviews, tips etc] to get everyone geared for the challenge starting Jan 1rst. I have to take a couple of days off from blogging as my family and I are working round the clock to get those after Christmas orders filled! Thank goodness for family and 5 hour energy drinks!

Orders placed on the 25th and 26th have already shipped; orders placed on the 27th are scheduled to go out today, and orders placed on the 28th will be shipped on the 30th, orders placed on the 29th will ship the 31rst and so on!

I am also emailing those who didn't make their sizing requests in Paypal to ensure the proper fit of all custom made items.

Thank you everyone for the support! Thank you to all who have told your friends about the blog, the haircare challenge, and my line! Newsletters will go out to everyone that subscribed this Sunday! I'm excited for this challenge, and I am glad I have a wonderful, supportive group of people that are willing to participate.

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2011 Haircare Challenge: Simple Effective Ayurvedic Elements For Regimen Building

2010-12-27T09:30:00.002-08:00

[source]

This post is for those that are interested in going the Ayurvedic route for the 2011 Healthy Hair challenge. - Ayurvedic regimens typically include cleansing the hair with herbal infusions, and conditioning the hair with nourishing oils. The result is hair that is extremely healthy, thick, and full of body. Ayurvedic regimens can be as simple [incorporating a few elements], or as complex [following a strict regimen, cutting out commercial products] as you choose.

The benefit of adhering to an exclusive Ayurvedic regimen is that you will be using products free of silicones, preservatives, synthetic ingredients and harsh sulfates. I can honestly say that my hair thrived under these conditions. The drawback to practicing an exclusive Ayurvedic regimen is the amount of time it takes to prepare treatments. However, you can also decide to incorporate highly effective elements of Ayurveda into your regimen, such as Henna treatments, Coconut pre-shampoo conditioning treatments, and herbal pre-shampoo conditioning treatments. These inclusions are extremely beneficial for the promotion of healthy, thick, vibrant hair; yet require less time commitment than an exclusive Ayurvedic regimen.

Want to include simple elements of Ayurveda without committing to an entire Ayurvedic regimen?

While there are many ways to use the products mentioned in this post, the following products are Ayurvedic treatments that have been the most effective during my hair journey. These products also include numerous traditional Ayurvedic herbs which is a plus for those that aren't into complex hair regimens which requires the purchase of tons of different ingredients. Get the benefit of Ayurvedic herbs with only a few easy to find products.

You will need:

Vatika Oil: Vatika Oil is comprised of Coconut Oil and infused with traditional Ayurvedic Herbs [Brahmi, Neem & Amla just to name a few] Coconut Oil strengthens hair at the roots, promotes hair growth, and actually penetrates the shaft to repair areas of the hair damaged from protein loss. - Vatika Oil has been a staple in my home for the past two years! It makes my hair extremely soft, shiny, and manageable.

Kalpi Tone: Kalpi Tone works to strengthen hair at the root, strengthen the hair shaft, and promote hair growth. Kalpi Tone leaves your hair noticeably stronger, softer, and full of body. Those that wish to keep their regimen simple will also appreciate that this powder includes other herbs beneficial to hair care [like amla, maka, hibiscus, and methi just to name a few]. Kalpi Tone is hands down one of my favorite pre-packaged herbal hair products by Hesh.

Henna: Think of Henna like a natural protein treatment. Henna works to stop breakage by strengthening the hair shaft. Henna also works to seal and repair the cuticle which makes for more manageable hair, a plus when it comes to detangling. Although Henna is mainly known as a mega strengthener, Henna has conditioning properties as well, which leaves the hair shiny, soft and full of body.

How to use these products in your regimen:
You may notice there are two pre-shampoo conditioning formulas here. You can stick to one, or alternate weekly.

Vatika Oil/Pre Shampoo Treatment: Once weekly [on washday], oil unwashed hair liberally with Coconut Oil and cover hair with a plastic cap for about 45min-1hr. This is known as a pre-shampoo conditioning treatment. Pre-shampooing will help ensure the hair stays moisturized even after shampooing with a product that contains sulfates [which is usually drying to hair]. Another benefit to this quick and easy pre-shampoo treatment is that it also works to strengthen and nourish hair follicles; preventing hair fall and promoting hair growth.

*Coconut Oil tends to solidify in cooler climates; to use just run the bottle under warm water to bring it back to a liquid consistency.

**Vatika Oil is safe to use on relaxed and transitioning hair alike.

Lock in the moisture with Vatika Oil: You can use this oil to seal the moisture in after using your favorite moisturizer. Add a dime size amount of oil to your hands, rub hands together to distribute oil, then apply to the entire length of the hair paying special attention to the tips/ends.

Kalpi Tone/Herbal Pre Conditioning Treatment: Once weekly [on washday], add 3-4 tablespoons of the herbal product into a clean container. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time until the mixture is a thick, muddy consistency. Apply the mixture liberally [as you would a relaxer] to unwashed hair. Cover, and allow to sit for 20-30 minutes. To rinse out, add a few generous size dollops of cheap conditioner [like V05, or Suave] to your hair and work it through in a gentle, massaging motion. Rinse immediately, as the tiny flecks of herbal product should rinse clean with the aid of the conditioner.

*Kalpi Tone is safe to use on relaxed and transitioning hair alike.

Henna Treatment: You will need the following:
200G Henna [two boxes for thick hair] [100G/one box for shorter length hair]
1/2 cup Hello Hydration Conditioner
1 cup Lustrasilk Mango & Shea Butter Conditioner
1/2 cup of Coconut Oil added to mixture before applying the Henna

Check out this video for info on how to mix and apply Henna

I recommend the following brands of Henna: Jamila, Nupur, and Dulhan. If you have relaxed or transitioning hair, please use Body Art Quality Henna only [like Jamila]. You can also purchase Henna at your local Indian Grocer, or {here}.

Are you interested in an exclusive Ayurvedic hair regimen?

Check out the following posts which includes recipes for cleansing, conditioning, and moisturizing your hair.

Go Ayurvedic Part 1

Go Ayurvedic Part 2

Where to find the products mentioned in this post:

All products mentioned above can be found in your local Indian market. I recommend going to one of the larger markets for a better variety of products. If you are having trouble finding an Indian grocery store in your area, you can also purchase many of the products mentioned via vendors on Amazon or The Indian Food Store [link].

Questions are always encouraged! You can leave a comment in the comment area [I will check comments nightly], and also ask questions during the two check-ins I will have monthly.

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2011 Healthy Hair Care Challenge: Framework For Your Healthy Hair Regimen

2010-12-27T09:30:00.001-08:00

[Source]

To get the best results from this challenge, you have to first devise an effective plan of action. An effective hair regimen will ensure you prevent setbacks, and also see to it that you reach your goals on time. When choosing a regimen, it is best to take into consideration your schedule, and the amount of time you wish to commit on maintaining your hair on a weekly basis. Being honest with yourself about the amount of time you wish to spend on your hair can help prevent burnout, and resentment [trust, I have experienced this many times throughout the past few years]. It doesn't matter if you have a complicated regimen, or one that is very simple. The key to getting the most out of your healthy hair regimen is consistency.

This framework is geared to those who will be wearing their hair in it's natural state in either twist outs, braid outs, or afro's. We will discuss product recommendations, as we move through various regimens this week. For now, I want to get everyone acquainted with the fundamentals of a healthy regimen. These elements should be included in everyone's regimen no matter if you are choosing to go the Ayurvedic, Natural or Traditional route.

Your regimen should include the following:

Detangling prior to wetting hair: This is essential in reducing the amount of hair lost, and more importantly increasing the amount of length retained. Detangling prior to wetting the hair is easier on the hair shaft [as hair is in it's most fragile state when wet], which means no more splits, knots and breakage from detangling. Always detangle with a seamless wide-tooth comb. If you're on a budget, you can pick up the Jilbere shower comb which is a favorite of mine. They retail for under $2 at Sally's

Pre-Shampoo conditioning treatment: Sulfates in shampoos, and synthetic ingredients found in many hair care products can really take a toll on highly textured hair, leaving it brittle, dry, and lifeless. Pre-conditioning involves conditioning the hair prior to shampooing it. What this does is re-hydrate thirsty hair, helping it to retain more moisture after shampooing, and throughout the styling process.

Shampoo hair in sections: It may take an additional 5-10 minutes, but you will definitely appreciate the benefits. Shampooing hair in sections ensures you get your scalp clean, and keeps your hair neat which prevents knots, matting and excessive tangles.

Deep Condition: Deep conditioning the hair weekly prevents breakage from dryness, corrects issues with elasticity, nourishes the hair follicles and promotes hair growth. Keeping highly textured hair moisturized is key for maintaining, thick, healthy hair. - You can choose to deep condition with heat [using one of those inexpensive soft bonnet dryers], or by using your own body heat generated from your scalp [just cover your head with a plastic cap].

Moisturize your hair: Replenishing moisture levels throughout the week makes for happy, healthy, soft, touchable, manageable hair throughout the entire week. Often, when hair is stiff, brittle, or excessively dry before weeks end, it is due to the lack of moisture. - Keeping hair moisturized also helps prevent breakage from dryness and keeps your strands lubricated which helps keep the tips of your strands from forming knots/tangles.

Seal in the moisture: Beat moisture loss by sealing in the moisture after hydrating your hair. To lock the moisture in your hair, add a dime size amount of oil to your hands, rub hands together to distribute oil, then apply to the entire length of the hair paying special attention to the tips/ends.

Sleep in a stain bonnet or on a satin pillowcase: Cotton is not your friend. In fact cotton can cause split ends, breakage, and chronic dryness. Avoid setbacks by sleeping in a satin bonnet, or on a satin pillowcase. Your hair will thank you!

Every month consider the following:

Scalp Treatments: Scalp treatments are effective in removing bacteria and exfoliating dead skin cells [accumulation of dead skin cells and bacteria can lead to hair loss/thinning]!

Every six to eight weeks consider the following:

Protein Treatments: Protein treatments work to keep your hair healthy and strong by preventing or correcting breakage, filling in gaps along the hair shaft [which helps your hair retain more moisture] and correcting issues with elasticity.

For those that plan on wearing their hair "out" in it's natural state [like twist outs or braid outs], I recommend shampooing and deep conditioning once weekly. Use this sample regimen as a starting point when making your own:

Sunday: Detangle hair + Condition hair with a pre-shampoo treatment + Shampoo Hair + Deep Condition + Lightly detangle + Style

Monday:

Tuesday: Moisturize hair as needed + Seal in the moisture + Re-twist/Re-braid hair as needed

Wedensday:

Thursday: Moisturize hair as needed + Seal in the moisture + Re-twist/Re-braid hair as needed

Friday:

Saturday: Moisturize hair as needed + Seal in the moisture + Re-twist/Re-braid hair as needed

The regimen listed is the framework for length retention, thickness, and body. As I discuss various regimens, I will go into depth on scalp treatments, pre shampoo treatments, protein treatments, oils to seal in moisture, etc.

EDIT: Many of you are inquiring about protective styling options/regimens. A sample regimen will be posted this week with product recommendations, styling options, etc. The regimen I posted today is specifically for the people that choose to wear their hair out the duration of the challenge. - Many people ask my thoughts on "protective styling" versus wearing your hair out. I have done both, and from personal experience have retained the same amount of length doing it either way. The key to retaining length for me has been moisturizing, careful detangling, and alleviating stress placed on my follicles.

Questions are always encouraged! You can leave a comment in the comment area [I will check comments nightly], and also ask questions during the two check-ins I will have monthly.

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2011 Healthy Hair Challenge: Today's Schedule

2010-12-27T09:30:00.000-08:00

[source]

Throughout the week, I will cover information on various regimens [Ayurvedic, Traditional, Natural, DIY], product recommendations, and techniques. In efforts to make it easier for people to effectively navigate and apply the information, I decided to break everything up into chunks. Here's what is covered today:

Monday:

Regimen Building: Includes information on what the basic regimen for women/men wearing their natural hair in a free flowing style should consist of [regimens for those that are heat straightened, relaxed or braided/twisted regimens will also follow this week]. This outline will demonstrate the basic regimen without a specific focus on Traditional, Ayurvedic, or Natural. Regardless of the type of products you choose, your regimen should include the basic concepts outlined in the post, as it is geared to maximize length retention, and prevent breakage/split ends/knotting/matting.

To view the post, click {here}

Regimen Building: This installment will focus on the Ayurvedic methods of caring for your hair. In this post, I talk about simple Ayurvedic methods you can incorporate into your hair care regimen, the benefits, and list detailed product recommendations.

To view the post, click {here}

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Frank & Myrrh After Christmas Sale

2010-12-25T00:07:00.000-08:00

A big thank you to everyone who supports my small movement. It means a great deal to me! To show my appreciation, enjoy 50% off each item from Dec 26-28 with the code "DAYAFTER" entered during checkout on the Frank & Myrrh website! You can visit the shop by clicking {here}

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Product Rave: Free Your Mane Product Line Review

2010-12-24T23:07:00.000-08:00

Many people commented on the sheen of my hair in some of my straight hair pics. I tried to keep silent until I tried these products again on my natural hair [I like to test products several times before writing a review], however I couldn't hold it in. A few weeks ago, I received the entire line of Free Your Mane products for review. I tried them on my natural hair, and I used most of the line when I pressed my hair.

I also received quite a few emails about the texture of my pressed hair. So I wanted to address it in this blog post as it relates to the products I used. My natural hair texture without the addition of serums, butters, moisturizers and styling aids is coarse, kinky/highly textured. The key to "silking out" kinky hair when pressing it is as follows:

You must get the hair very clean during the shampoo phase. Hair must be free of buildup, and oils before proceeding to the next step.
Replenish moisture and elasticity by using a conditioner that hydrates, improves elasticity and promotes shine.
Use proper blow drying techniques [an outline of those techniques can be found here]
Use a moisturizing product that will protect the hair and help it retain moisture whilst blow drying and pressing/flat ironing.
Use proper pressing techniques [an outline of the proper techniques can be found here]

Your hair doesn't already have to have a very silky texture in order for your pressed hair to appear silky. In fact, the more textured the hair, the better. Hair that is very thick, textured/kinky, and dense appears very full, bouncy and silky provided you followed the steps above. -

When looking for products to use for heat straightened styles, look for products that correct elasticity issues, promote shine, and offer intense hydration. Products that correct elasticity will give the hair more body, which yields a fuller, healthier look. Intense hydration is needed to keep the hair from appearing brittle, and products that promote sheen can give the hair a "healthy sheen".

Here's the review:

Sulfate Free Shampoo

$15.95 - 10.14 oz

Product Claims:

Free Your Mane Sulfate Free Shampoo is a luxurious spa treatment for your hair. Super rich lather gently cleanses hair and scalp, while natural oils help rebuild your hair's delicate moisture balance. Free Your Mane Sulfate Free Shampoo extends color life and improves chemical treatment results.

My review:

I used this shampoo before styling my hair in a natural style, and also before straightening my hair. Each time my hair was extremely soft, shiny, hydrated and manageable. For some reason most Sulfate-Free shampoo's leave my hair feeling very "weird". This Sulfate-Free poo lathered really well [which means only a dime size amount should clean a thick head of hair], and cleansed my hair without leaving it stripped, wiry or dry.

**Note: Let the water run through your hair, saturating your hair thoroughly. This helps improve the lather of most Sulfate Free shampoos [the sulfates/surfactants are what causes the bubbly lather], and also helps reduce the amount of shampoo needed to get your hair clean.

Who would I recommend this product to?

Transitioners that are looking for a sulfate-free shampoo to help maintain moisture balance, naturals that are looking for more of a natural alternative to shampoo's containing harsh sulfates.

Daily Detangling Conditioner:

$15.95 - 10.14oz

Product Claims:

Free Your Mane Daily Detangling Conditioner is a breakthrough "must-have" for coarse, thick or unmanageable hair. Finally, here is a conditioner that magically smoothes, and softens frizz and edges, enhances curl definition and brings out maximum shine and vibrancy. Regular use of Free Your Mane Daily Detangling Conditioner actually extends color life and improves chemical treatment results.

My review:

I also used this product before styling my hair in a natural style as a 10 minute leave in conditioning treatment. I didn't use it with heat [because I wanted to test it's moisturizing properties without the addition of heat/steam], and it left my hair manageable, hydrated and shiny. This conditioner makes a great detangling agent, as I could literally glide a comb through my hair without pesky knots, and large tangles.

Who would I recommend this product to?

If you are looking for a stellar conditioner to hydrate thirsty strands, or a conditioner to aid in detangling your highly textured hair this stuff is absolutely amazing.

Hydrating Hair Masque:

$19.95 - 8.45 oz

Product Claims:

A miracle in a tube, Free Your Mane Intensive Hydrating Hair Masque was specially developed to accelerate your hair’s repair & rejuvenation process. This unique high-performance masque miraculously seals damaged ends, eliminates frizz, smoothes edges, seals plaits and works wonders on natural or processed hair. Try it overnight for wrapping/twists, too. Weekly use extends color life and improves chemical treatment results.

My review:

Probably one of my favorites of the bunch. This stuff is the answer to dry, thirsty hair that lacks elasticity. I used this as a deep conditioning treatment before pressing my hair last week. This repair mask was so good, I sent a few samples to my mom to use on my two sisters. It worked well on their hair as well. This repair mask easily makes the top three conditioners I have tried this year. It left my hair soft as butter, with an incredible amount sheen.

Who would I recommend this product to?

Anyone that is suffering from chronic dry strands, or those that are looking for an ultra hydrating, luxurious deep conditioning treat.

Reviving Spray

$14.95 - 6.08 oz

Product Claims:

A versatile and weightless refreshment for over-stressed dry hair, Free Your Mane Reviving Spray offers your hair a fresh start without starting over. Reactivate your style or curl pattern without risking the frizziness that plain water creates. Free Your Mane Reviving Spray also serves as an excellent base for all other styling products when you are starting with dry hair. Spray on before setting or plaiting hair for enhanced manageability and hold. Regular use actually extends color life and improves chemical treatment results.

My review:

I used this as a moisturizing spritz while wearing my hair in it's natural state, and also as a leave-in before pressing my hair. I like that this product is light enough so that it doesn't weigh your hair down; yet hydrating enough to keep my hair moisturized [with a slight hold] during the cold weather we've been having in L.A as of late. - This is also a wonderful leave-in option for those wearing their hair heat straightened, as it keeps your strands lubricated [which helps keep the hair free from knots and tangles] and hydrated whilst blow drying.

Who would I recommend this to?

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a light moisturizer that doubles as an effective leave in. This product doesn't leave your hair crunchy, greasy or hard, and it offers a slight hold [a plus if you're wearing a braid out, or twist out]

Free Your Mane Restorative Hair Oil:

$24.95 - 4.1 oz

Product Claims:

A natural, ultra-light formula that makes quick work of frizzy or unruly hair this super sized Free Your Mane Restorative Hair Oil™ leaves it velvety smooth and lustrous in an instant! It revives, hydrates and detangles while protecting hair from environmental factors, heat damage and over-processing. Regular use extends color life and improves chemical treatment results. Great for extensions too.

My review:

Because this product claimed to prevent heat damage, I decided to try it in lieu of my normal serum and heat protector. I applied this to wet hair [after spraying with the Reviving Spray] and began to blow dry my hair per my normal routine. After blow drying my entire head, my hair was very silky, smooth and shiny. My ends were smooth which is also a great sign after blow drying coarse hair like mine. After blow drying, I poured a dime-size amount of oil in my hands, and gently ran it through my hair for even more shine.

Who would I recommend this to?

I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a multi-purpose product. You can use this as a serum to promote shine, a heat protectant, and an oil to lock in moisture.

Conditioning Pomade:

$15.95 - 4.1 oz

Product Claims:

A truly healthy, enriching and effective finish for your hair, Free Your Mane Conditioning Pomade™ is a dramatically different two-in-one styling product. Never greasy, drying or draggy our pomade provides powerful hold for your hair while actually conditioning and polishing the most defiant frizz. Trust it to straighten, smooth and tame as well as to mold, sculpt and define shorter hair and layers.

My review:

I used this product to lay down my hair line after pressing my hair, and what I loved about it was that it didn't leave my hair stiff and greasy. It was also light enough so that my hairline didn't have that gelled down look. The pomade made my hairline lay down smooth, and it offered shine as well.

Who would I recommend this to?

I would recommend this to anyone looking for a lightweight pomade that offers hold, sheen, and hydration without the sticky, greasy feel that some pomades leave behind. This product is also a major frizz buster

My final thoughts on this entire line:

This is one of the first product lines that I had stellar results with while wearing my hair in it's natural state, and whilst wearing it pressed. I often find that products geared towards natural hair are a little too heavy to use when I want to wear my hair straight. So for those that are looking for one highly effective styling system to transition between natural styles and heat straightened styles; I definitely recommend considering this line.

For those that are on a budget, and can only pick a few products from the line; here are my favorites!

Free Your Mane Hair Masque

Reviving Spray

Sulfate Free Shampoo

-----------------

I did not purchase these products. They were sent to me for review by Free Your Mane courtesy. In order to maintain the integrity of MTM, all samples sent by PR are for consideration only. This allows me to share with you products that work well for me and are worth spreading the word about. If you would like to read my entire policy regarding product reviews, please read the Editorial Policy by clicking {here}.

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Healthy Hair In 2011 Challenge! Session #1 Who's In?

2010-12-23T13:47:00.000-08:00

[source]

Whether your goal is "bra strap" length hair, or growing out your TWA, join me for the healthy hair in 2011 challenge! No matter the state of your hair, you can turn it around by practicing healthy hair care techniques and keeping an air tight regimen [which sounds harder than it actually is]. Healthy hair isn't limited to just wearing your hair in a natural state. You can have healthy heat straightened hair and healthy relaxed as well. The key is to do everything in moderation.

In order to get the best results, it's best to start your personal hair care challenge with a trim. If your ends are in good condition you can skip this step. Trimming your hair is essential to retaining length. Here's why; ends that are split will eventually break off, and you will gradually lose length this way. Couple healthy ends and care when handling your hair and you will be able to retain that 1/2 inch of growth monthly.

There are many ways you can care for your hair during this challenge. You can go with a traditional regimen using some of your favorite products, you can opt for all natural products, and you can even take the Ayurvedic route. No matter which regimen you choose, the things you must remember are:

Proper Detangling Techniques
Keep the stress low on the hair follicles [avoid tight buns, pony's and tight braids]:
Keep your hair moisturized
Lay off the excessive heat: Excessive heat breaks down the Keratin bonds in your hair which could cause breakage and overly porous hair [overly porous hair does not retain moisture well]
Monitor temperatures if you use heat: Always make sure you are using the appropriate heat setting for your hair type.
Go easy on the products that contain alcohol [gels, setting lotions, hair spray]: These products can dry out your hair leaving it brittle, the ends split, and your strands lacking moisture.
Keep your hair protected at night: Sleep with the use of a satin bonnet, or on a satin pillowcase, not only will this help protect your strands from breakage, but it will also help stretch the life of your hair style.
Deep conditioning regularly: Hair that is highly textured needs regular conditioning intervals to help replenish lost moisture and nutrients to keep it healthy and promote hair growth.

Keeping these basic principles in mind will foster healthy hair and also keep you motivated as you start to see the health of your hair improve and also start to notice growth. Some essential tools you need on your journey are:

Wide tooth comb: For detangling
Soft/hard bonnet dryer: For deep conditioning
Conditioner
Ouchless rubberbands
Moisturizing Shampoo
Clarifying/Chelating Shampoo
Natural Oil: For sealing moisture in your hair, I recommend Grapeseed, Jojoba or Coconut.
Styling aid: For doing styles like twist outs or braid outs. You can use hair butters like Bee Mine Bee Hold Curly Butter, or puddings like Miss Jessie's

How the challenge works: The first session of this challenge will last for six months. Every month I will hold two virtual check-ins where I create a post geared towards answering questions, concerns, and talking about products. One check in will be via LiveStream, so that I can answer your questions real time, and the other check in will be via blog post for those that are unable to log on to get their questions answered.
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The goal is to create a community that encourages women to start taking better care of their hair, and get questions answered about products, setbacks, general self esteem issues, and regimens so that they feel good about themselves and their journey.

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The healthy hair care challenge is open to anyone who wants to ring in the New Year with a healthier approach to hair care. It doesn't matter if you are relaxed, natural, transitioning, or heat straightened.

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To participate in the challenge, please list your starting length and your goal length [in the comment section]. Please also list the type of regimen your going to follow. Choose from Traditional [using regular products/methods], Natural [consisting mostly of DIY and natural products] or Ayurvedic [consisting mostly of Ayurvedic Herbs/Oils]. Starting Monday, December 27th, I will list product recommendations and sample regimens for each category.
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To kick it off, my starting length is mid back length, my goal is waist-length, and I will maintain a regimen that is a combination of traditional, natural, and Ayurvedic!
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The challenge will start Jan 1rst, and will run for six months! If you're looking to turn your hair around and you don't know where to start, or you're lost in your hair journey, or simply want a little motivation, let's go!
--

If you would like to be notified of the check-in dates ahead of time, and receive a newsletter [one newsletter will go out once monthly and will cover a range of topics from protective styling options, to product recommendations, DIY hair care recipes etc], please send an email with "Subscribe" in the subject line to: mtmhealthyhairchallenge@gmail.com

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In The Kitchen: Minestrone Soup w/Black Eyed Peas & Kidney Beans

2010-12-22T15:24:00.000-08:00

I must confess that I forgot to add the Black Eyed Peas to this soup; but it still turned out well nevertheless. I found this delicious recipe in my Food & Wine magazine and I decided to make some to compliment the stormy weather.

This soup is light, healthy and filling. I love that the majority of the flavoring in this dish comes from fresh herbs!

If you like cooking with herbs, try using a freshly prepared bouquet garni in your next dish. Simply bundle your favorite herbs together and secure with kitchen twine. You can stuff them in the cavity of your chicken/hen/turkey, drop them in your favorite soup and even spaghetti sauce.

Don't forget to drain and rinse your Kidney beans :-)

Or to drain your noodles on a napkin...

Minestrone Soup w/Black Eyed Peas & Kidney Beans [Adapted from Food & Wine Magazine]

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 ounces pancetta, finely diced
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 leek—white and tender green parts thinly sliced, 1 dark top reserved
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 pound Savoy or other green cabbage, coarsely shredded
One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
1 cup dried black-eyed peas
2 quarts water
3 parsley sprigs
1 bay leaf
3 thyme sprigs
One 15-ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
2 ounces penne
1/2 cup shredded basil

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions:

In a pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the pancetta, onion, celery, garlic and sliced leek and season with salt and pepper. Cook over moderate heat, until the vegetables are softened, 10 minutes. Add the cabbage and cook until slightly wilted, 1 minute. Add the tomatoes and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the black-eyed peas and water; bring to a boil. Wrap the parsley, bay leaf and thyme in the reserved leek top and secure with kitchen twine. Add to the pot.
Cover the pot and simmer over low heat until the black-eyed peas are tender, 45 minutes. Discard the herbs. Add the kidney beans and simmer for 10 minutes longer.
Meanwhile, in a pot of boiling salted water, cook the penne until al dente. Drain and cool under running water. Slice the penne crosswise into 1/4-inch rings.
In a nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the penne in a single layer and cook over moderately high heat, turning once, until golden, 5 minutes. Drain the penne rings on paper towels.
Stir the pasta and basil into the soup. Ladle the soup into bowls, sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of the cheese and serve.

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Fashion & Beauty Ethos: My Side Swept Fishtail Pony

2010-12-22T14:04:00.000-08:00

The rain outside is relentless which means I will have to find other ways of wearing my hair until it lets up. One thing on my to-do list was learning how to do a "fishtail braid", so I logged on Youtube and checked out a few tutorials. It wasn't very difficult at all, after a couple of tries, I had the fishtail braid pictured!

This is a great alternative to rocking regular ponytails, or on those days when you want a chic, effortless look. I love hair styles that are ultra femme without looking like you're trying too hard. If you try this out, leave some hair out around the front for a messier look. The good thing about this style is that it doesn't have to be perfect. - I'm going to experiment with this style using some clip-in extensions. If it works I will have a video tutorial for the chica's with shorter hair that want to wear this look.

You can also take notes on different ways to wear this look from a few celebs:

For those with shorter hair in the front like Rihanna, curl the loose hair with a 1" curling iron for feminine face framing tendrils. - If you have longer hair in the front like Leona, loosely pin pieces back with a bobby pin for a wispy look.

Whether you're wearing it messy like Angela, or pinned back and neat like Cassie, it's definitely a refreshing change of pace from regular braids!

{photo source: style}

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In The Kitchen: Christmas Sugar Cookies

2010-12-21T11:44:00.000-08:00

Due to the rain, my internet was down almost all day yesterday. My daughter and I decided to get festive, so we baked and decorated sugar cookies. I am usually not one for sugar cookies but this recipe I found on AllRecipes.com was absolutely delicious. This sugar cookie recipe yields a perfectly crisp, sweet, buttery cookie. What I love most is that the dough isn't finicky; you literally mix a few simple ingredients together, add flour and voila. The perfect sugar cookie. For that reason, it makes the perfect project to do with little ones. Also, if you are looking for a tasty treat to ship to friends & family, or for the potluck at work; these delicious cookies ship and stack well.

I decided to forgo the traditional Royal Icing recipe and try the "Sugar Cookie Icing" recipe on AllRecipes.Com since I have had so much luck with them lately, and they definitely didn't disappoint. The mixture was a bit stiff initially, so I had to add milk 1/2 a teaspoon at a time until I got the desired consistency. You really want the mixture to resemble a thick toothpaste consistency. - The icing dries fully in about 12-24 hours with a nice glossy finish that resembles cookies purchased from specialty bakeries.

The Best Rolled Sugar Cookies [Adapted from AllRecipes]

Ingredients:

1 cup and 3 tablespoons butter, softened

2 cups white sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cover, and chill dough for at least one hour (or overnight).
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Roll out dough on floured surface 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter. Place cookies 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake 6 to 8 minutes in preheated oven. Cool completely.

Sugar Cookie Icing [Adapted from AllRecipes.com]

Ingredients:

5 cups confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon milk

3 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon light corn syrup

1-1/4 teaspoons almond extract

assorted food coloring

Directions:

In a small bowl, stir together confectioners' sugar and milk until smooth. Beat in corn syrup and almond extract until icing is smooth and glossy. If icing is too thick, add more corn syrup.
Divide into separate bowls, and add food colorings to each to desired intensity. Dip cookies, or paint them with a brush.<<--I used a Wilton Pastry bag, but it is completely optional :-)

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Hair Update!

2010-12-21T11:30:00.000-08:00

Forgive the pic quality, it's super cloudy outside.

Here's a shot of my bangs

3.25 inches until I am waist length which is my final goal

Last week I had to straighten and trim my hair for a shoot. While it was fun to go straight for a change, I didn't really have time to document the way I detangled, blow-dried, trimmed, or pressed my hair [which I will do in the next few weeks]. A lot of people ask me why I trim so much each time I straighten; the reason is that I started my hair journey with a ton of heat damage, and instead of cutting it all off at one time, I cut it gradually. After this final trim, I think I got rid of all the straight ends.

This is the longest my hair has been in my entire life, and I definitely attribute it to limiting the amount of heat used on my hair, and all of the methods/tips/techniques I share on this site. In 2011 I hope to reach my final goal of waist-length. Here's a recap of my hair journey over the past two years.

My healthy hair journey started December 2008 with this as my starting picture. As you can see, my hair was barely APL [arm pit length]. My hair at this point was very damaged. The front was breaking off [which is why it appeared layered], I had major breakage around the hairline, and nape area as well. My hair was also very thin due to excessive heat.

These were my braid outs in the very beginning [the first few months December 08-March 09]. I always wore them pinned back because my hair was too thin to wear it full. It always appeared sparse and "piece-y" so I just pinned the sides back. I had about 4-5 inches of heat damaged ends, so my ends were super straight. I had to put rollers on the ends of my braids just to get a slight curl.

During this time I maintained a strict Ayurvedic hair regimen

These were my twist outs in August of 09. I was still wearing the sides pinned because my sides were still very short.

At that time, Deva Curl products were my fave. Set it Free made my hair very shiny.

In September of 2009, I decided to straighten it for Labor Day. My hair is styled in a Caruso Roller Set here.

I trimmed my hair in October 0f 2009 to get rid of about 2 inches of heat damaged hair I was holding on to - I am almost Bra Strap Length here

After trimming those heat damaged ends, I really experienced a growth spurt; this is my hair in Jan 0f 2010 styled in a twist out

My hair in June 2010 after trimming another few inches to remove the heat damaged ends I started with. I am slightly past Bra Strap Length here.

In June of 2009, I did another Caruso Roller Set

At the end of July 2010, I decided to cut my bangs for a different look. My hair is styled in a twist out here.

My twist out in August 2010

In November 2010 I started experimenting with dry twist outs..

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New Years Make Up Idea: Dark Smoldering Eyes, Shimmery Cheeks & Pink Lips

2010-12-17T14:26:00.000-08:00

I'm really looking forward to getting dressed up and celebrating the many blessings 2010 has brought. I have been keeping an eye out for red carpet-worthy looks that translate well off the carpet. My favorite look right now is this sultry, yet playful look I spotted on several celebs and editorials. - What I love about it is how easy it is to pull off. The only trick is keeping a steady hand while rimming the upper and lower lashline. Everything else is a cakewalk.

I played around with this look until I found the best combination of products to pull it off! The key is keeping the face simple while really playing up the eyes and lips. I also have to give all the glory to Bobbi Browns Gel liner {in Black Ink}. This liner pops really well on us gals with darker skin tones. I am a fan of MAC's fluidline eyeliner in Blacktrack, however Bobbi Brown's formula is much darker, making it the perfect liner for an intense smokey eye.

Another winner was using my ULTA Electro pencil in Khaki. I used it to rim my entire eye with a pop of green color. This makes the eyeliner less harsh, and more playful, sultry, and edgy. Play with different colors like shades of purple, blue, silver and even gold. -

For the pink lippy, I used Lip Tar's "Demure". A perfect fuchsia for almost every skin tone. I topped off the look with rosey-colored cheeks. Loverush and Style were my blush's of choice by MAC.

Total Sidebar: You may notice the straight hair in these pictures! I straightened and trimmed my hair for a shoot I did, and didn't have time to film the process. I will however update in the next few days with a length update and subsequent posts about how to maintain it, as well as various styling options...and of course, a Caruso Roller-Setting Video Tutorial :-)

To get this look, you will need:
Bobby Brown Gel Eyeliner in "Black Ink"
Ulta Electro Pencil in "Khaki"
Select MAC Coverup Concealer
Lip Tar in "Demure"

Nail your smokey eyes in 6 easy steps:

Apply concealer on your eyelid and lower lashline. Try to pick a concealer that brightens like Select Coverup by MAC.
Line your upper and lower lashline with your gel eyeliner
Line your waterline with any black eyeliner pencil
With your colored eyeshadow pencil, gently draw a line underneath the black liner near the lower lashline.
Using the same colored pencil, lightly sweep pops of color on your eyelid and smudge the color over your entire lid using your finger or smudging brush
Add two coats of mascara to upper and lower lashes and that's it!

Nail shimmery cheeks in 2 easy steps:

Apply your rose colored blush to the apples of your cheeks
Apply a frosty or shimmery colored blush slightly above the apple of your cheeks. This acts as a highlighter and accentuates the contouring done by the blush.

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Model Behavior: Simple Touch Up Tips To Keep Your Makeup Flawless All Day Long!

2010-12-17T11:49:00.000-08:00

{source}

Headed to a few soiree's this Holiday Season? Keeping your makeup fresh all day long can be a pain for those of us that are always on the go. Here is a list of short yet useful tips that will keep your face fresh, dewy, and flawless all day long. Refresh your makeup after work, or in between parties with these simple tips and tools.

Your touch-up bag should include:

Clean applicator sponges

Pressed powder

Q-tips

Moisturizer

Lip color

Lip liner

Lip gloss

Pearlescent eyeshadow

Blotting tissues

Bronzer/Highlighter

Control shine: Before applying additional powder to your face, make sure to blot excess oil on your face with the use of blotting papers. Areas to pay special attention to are the eyelids, T-zone, and chin. Out of blotting papers? Take a trip to the ladies room and use the toilet seat covers. They work quite well :-)

Buff it out: After removing the excess oil from your skin, use a clean sponge to gently smooth your makeup using a buffing motion. This smooths out the harsh lines, creases, and other imperfections caused by sweat and oil.

Reapply: Reapply pressed powder as needed to mattify oil prone areas of your skin. I recommend using a small fluffy brush to apply your pressed powder. Using a sponge, or puff is great for a first time application, however for a touch up, you want something that offers a lighter application.

Eyeshadow check: Is your eyeshadow blotchy? Reapplying the color may add to your dilemma by causing additional creases and streaking. Instead, blot eyes, smooth eyeshadow with a clean sponge, then apply a tiny amount of sheer, creamy shadow [preferably a pearlescent color] all over your lid.

Under-eye check: Check under the eye for smeared eyeliner or eyeshadow. If you notice any imperfections near this area, dip a cotton swab in a dollop of moisturizer and gently remove the imperfections with your swab. Using the moisturizer helps remove the product efficiently without breaking down the foundation/concealer underneath it.

Revive lip-color: You can revive faded lip color by adding a bit of gloss. For a complete overhaul, remove lip color and liner completely and moisturize your lips for about 1-2 minutes with your favorite moisturizer. This keeps your lips supple, soft, and smooth for the next lip color application.

Highlight: To add warmth and dimension to your face [which gives a more natural look], add a bit of bronzer, shimmery blush, or your favorite highlighting product. Using a soft dusting motion, lightly sweep color on the following areas: the tops of your cheeks, the bridge of your nose, and your chin.

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Update On Lo's Hair!! + How To Get Your Stylist To Take Better Care Of Your Hair!

2010-12-16T09:57:00.000-08:00

Many of you may remember my partner in crime Lo! And those that may not know her by name may remember seeing her thick, black, curly mane on my blog! After almost two years of not pressing her hair, Lo decided to pay a trip to a stylist to get her hair done a few weeks ago to change up her mojo!

Almost two years ago, she big chopped and rocked a tiny TWA under wigs until she started wearing her hair in twist-outs as pictured above.

A few weeks ago, she decided to go straight for the winter!

Over dinner, we discussed how difficult it is finding a stylist that not only caters to natural hair, but also specializes in healthy hair care. Many stylists are thoroughly trained on how to properly execute a style to satisfy their patrons, but often techniques like blow-drying, pressing, and the use of styling aids are done without the health of your hair in mind. - It is for this reason that it is important to not only monitor the habits of your stylist, but talk to them about your goals, expectations, and hair regimen before going through with the service.

Here are some important things to look out for and discuss when choosing a stylist:

Does your stylist "scratch" or "massage" your scalp when shampooing: Scratching the hair can weaken the bond between the hair and follicle which could later lead to hair loss. Massaging or rubbing the scalp is a healthier, more effective alternative.

Bring your own products: If you notice your hair is drier than usual, or your scalp is dry and flaky after a service, it could be from your stylists shampoo or conditioner; opt instead to bring your own.

Pack your own microfiber towel: Cotton terry towels can wreak havoc on all hair types and textures, so it is important to use a microfiber towel when towel drying your hair. Microfiber towels absorb more moisture and also help cut down on frizz, eliminate split ends and damaged follicles [from towel drying]. If your salon doesn't carry microfiber towels, bring one with you!

Towel dry thoroughly: Towel drying thoroughly means less time spent blow-drying. Less time blow drying means less heat which equals happy hair. Make sure your stylist gently squeezes your hair with a towel versus rubbing hair; as rubbing can cause split ends, breakage and follicular damage.

Avoid mechanical damage: You can avoid split ends, single strand knots, breakage, and eliminate fly-aways by speaking to your stylist about the manner in which they detangle your hair. Don't be afraid to speak up, it's your hair, and you are paying for the service. Be leery of a stylist that isn't attentive to your needs. Remember to express the following to your stylist:

Hair should be detangled in small sections using a wide tooth, seamless comb [bring your own if you have to]

Hair should never be detangled while it is soaking wet, as that is when your hair is in it's most fragile state. Instead make sure hair is towel dried thoroughly.

Stylist should lubricate hair with either a light leave-in or serum to help the comb better glide through the hair.

Stylist should hold the hair closest to the roots whilst detangling to help reduce the amount of tension placed on the follicles.

Hair should always be detangled from the bottom up.

Proper blow drying techniques: Highly textured, kinky hair should never be blow-dried on high heat. However many stylist may choose to do so to get the hair as straight as possible prior to pressing. While it may make the hair easier to manipulate when pressing, it can dry the hair out, and make the hair overly porous. Overly porous hair will have a hard time retaining moisture, and breakage/split ends can occur. - Also keep an eye out for how close the blow-dryer is to your scalp/hair; a healthy distance is between 6-8 inches. If you notice your scalp is tight, flaky and dry after blow-drying, the stylist either had the blow dryer too close, too hot, or a combination of both.

Go easy on the spritz's and serums: Yes hair spray may help keep every hair in place, but they can also be very drying on the hair due to the alcohol content. Spraying each section of hair before pressing or curling it with hair spray that contains alcohol can be a recipe for disaster [breakage, split ends]. Excessive use of serums can also shorten the time span of your hairstyle. Hair that is weighed down with serums gets stiffer and dirtier quicker than hair with minimal product. - If you want to minimize the amount of time you see a stylist monthly, make sure to talk to them about going easy on the styling aids.

Heat control: This is a biggie. How much heat is your stylist using? Unfortunately it is impossible to know how hot the pressing comb is before the stylist presses your hair. You can however take note of these signs that may indicate the incorrect temperature:

You start to notice areas of hair that don't revert, or the ends of your hair may appear straight when your hair is wet.

You start to notice thinning, usually it appears first around the area that frames your face [bangs, and sides of your hair]

Hair may also be dry and brittle to the touch [keep in mind that brittle hair can also be a result of improper blow drying techniques, and the excessive use of styling aids containing alcohol.

Make sure the pressing combs are cleaned regularly: Pressing combs that are cleaned thoroughly give you a straighter, sleeker press, and are actually less damaging than combs that are loaded with buildup. If you notice your hair has a weird smell after a service, chances are the combs were not cleaned prior to using them [I typically clean my combs after each use, which completely eliminates that "pressed hair smell"].

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Fashion & Beauty Ethos: Fur Vests; Love It Or Leave It?

2010-12-14T12:29:00.000-08:00

[source]

After having heinous faux fur vest experience at one of my favorite stores, I was against the whole fur vest movement. Looking back on it, I think I over-styled the outfit. My hair was too big [I really felt like a lion with the hair and the vest], and the outfit too busy for a piece that commands that much attention.

However after seeing it on a few people, worn different ways, I think I am better equipped to revisit the trend. What I love about fur vests is that it really can up the ante on skinny jeans and a tee, flowy bohemian maxi dreses, and even slouchy boyfriend jeans and a plain white hubby beater.

For more of a funky look you can wear one open with a flirty skirt and a long sleeve shirt. Or you can belt it, throw on some leggings, boots, and a plain long sleeve shirt for a chic, yet effortless look. I definitely recommend taking cues from Kelly by keeping the pieces simple, and the patterns to a minimum because you really want the vest to take center stage.

Again I love how Ciara kept the silhouette clean by belting the vest and opting for a monochromatic color palette. For more of stylized, edgy look, you can leave the vest open and throw on some leather driving gloves, or 5-finger half gloves like these at Patricia Fields:

$48 - Patricia Fields

Arlenis wears her fur vest with military inspired pants, and buckle boots which gives this look a chic, utilitarian feel.

Fur Coats at Piperlime
Fur Coats by Kensie

The good thing about this trend is that it is accessible on every budget. The vests pictured above are all under $89, however you can find them even cheaper at the stores mentioned below! - Remember if you pick up one of these to keep the silhouette clean, accessories & hair simple, and the color play to a minimum to help you nail the look!
$18-$35
Forever 21
H&M

$65-85
Zara
Bebe
Anthropologie

Are you feeling the Fur Vest trend?

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All About Hair: Why Dandruff Shampoo's Could Cause Hair Loss

2010-12-14T11:55:00.000-08:00

[source]

Healthy hair starts at the scalp. If you're having issues with an itchy, flaky, dry scalp; chances are you may have also experienced breakage [from lack of moisture], thinning [from buildup of dead skin] and lack of luster and body. - This post is meant to stress the importance of picking and choosing healthy hair care treatments as some commercial products can exacerbate these issues.

While there are many commercial products I love, there are some that only camouflage certain issues, while causing problems in other areas. Take dandruff shampoo's for example, dandruff shampoo's do not actually correct the underlying root of dandruff. Dandruff shampoo's simply mask the issues with scalp inflammation by creating a film over the scalp thereby giving the illusion the dandruff issue was corrected. There are several problems with this; (1) that "film" on your scalp acts as a barrier from air, and moisture which makes the perfect breeding ground for more bacteria. More bacteria means more dandruff. This is why many complain that their symptoms worsen after using dandruff shampoos. The (2nd) issue is that using these products could cause hair thinning/breakage because of the buildup of dead skin cells present which clogs the hair follicle and acts as a thick barrier preventing nourishment and moisture from reaching the scalp.

Another culprit in dandruff shampoo's are the SLES [sulfates]. These are the surfactants used to strip the hair of bacteria and excess sebum. Pityrosporum Ovale [the fungus that causes dandruff] thrives off of overactive sebaceous glands; and this is why many dandruff shampoo's are formulated with harsh sulfates. The theory is that the issue with dandruff will be corrected by stripping the hair of excess oil and creating a film over the scalp preventing flakes from falling. Unfortunately though, the sulfates dry the scalp out to the point that your glands produce more sebum as a result of the imbalance. This results in a constant cycle of drying out the hair which may temporarily stop dandruff, then the reoccurance of dandruff, and possibly hair loss/breakage.

Choosing an effective hair care regimen starts by properly diagnosing hair care issues, and prescribing an effective solution. Here are some additional causes of dry, itchy scalp [not related to the overproduction of sebum]:

Hair care products: Some products contain alcohols or other harsh chemicals that are drying to the scalp. Many times the issue can be corrected by discontinuing use.

Heat: Are you blow-drying too close to your scalp? Is your pressing comb or flat iron too hot? All of the above can cause itching and flaking of the scalp.

Product Buildup: Product buildup can cause a film over the scalp trapping bacteria and dead skin cells which can eventually lead to scalp inflammation, hair loss and or breakage. Clarify your hair with a gentle cleanser or Apple Cider treatment to see if issues are corrected.

Finally, if your dandruff is related to the overproduction of sebum; here are a few effective alternatives for helping correct chronic scalp issues without the nasty side-effects:

Ion Scalp Exfoliating Treatment: This inexpensive product [$2.99] can be found at your local Sally's Beauty Supply. It is formulated to help remove dead skin cells, excess sebum and relieve issues associated with skin inflammation.

Phyto Scalp Elixir: This is a blend of essential oils mixed in a carrier oil base [corn oil]. While I do like this product, those that are handy in the kitchen can whip up their own mix using the same essential oils but in a better carrier oil like Jojoba. - With all of that being said [lol] this product can relieve scalp issues associated with skin inflammation and encourage healthy hair growth.

Jane Carter, Scalp Nourishing Serum: My favorite product for protecting and nourishing the scalp. This all natural product is formulated with essential oils that delivers nutrients deep into the cortex whilst promoting healthy hair growth. Not only does it nourish and promote growth, it also corrects chronic scalp issues naturally.

Tip: Use this product around the nape and hairline to promote growth to those areas.

John Masters Organics Deep Scalp Follicle Treatment: Another highly recommended product, this treatment can correct excess sebum production, protect your scalp from free radicals, promote growth, and correct chronic scalp issues.

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Instant Funk: Note To Self...

2010-12-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

Must play around with large scarves. Not only is this look adorable, but it protects the hair during the winter too.

Attempt different styling techniques for bigger, curlier hair

Must find long sleeve mini dresses for winter. Such a chic look

Tackle my fear of updo's and go for it!

Peruse the local thrift shops until I find a Shearling bomber similar to this one.

Pull out my asymmetrical tops & structural blazers

Experiment with scarves and turbans

Find the perfect parachute pants and a comfy grandpa sweater

Invest in some serious leopard pumps

Take a trip to Urban Outfitters to find some oxfords and chic over-sized shirts

Pick up a studded bag or two..

Photo Sources, [1], [2], [3]

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Fashion & Beauty Ethos: DIY Chic Tribal Mani

2010-12-13T12:43:00.000-08:00

Everywhere I turn, I find design speckled with tribal undertones. So I decided to do my nails in a tribal inspired mani this past weekend, and it was extremely easy! In keeping with the theme the past few weeks, I decided to use a toothpick for the line details and it was a breeze.

You Will Need:

Two Shades of Nail Lacquer; O.P.I - "The It Color" [yellow] & O.P.I "Over The Taupe" [taupe color]

Black Nail Polish: I used Rimmel in "Black Satin"

Toothpicks for nail design

Top Coat: I tried out Seche Vite, so far so good ladies!

Base Coat: I used Essie Protein Base Coat

Apply a base coat

Paint a little more than half your nail bed with two coats of your main color

Paint the remainder of your nail with two coats of your secondary color

Draw a line down the middle of your nails with your toothpick dipped in black nail polish [be careful not to drag the toothpick as it may scrape the polish; instead lightly dot it creating a solid line]

Draw several lines near the top portion of your nail bed

Draw more lines as illustrated in the photo above

Now draw dots down the nail bed using a new toothpick and black nail polish

Repeat the steps above on each nail, then seal with a top coat

Enjoy your new nails!

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Product Review: My Anita Grant Haul!!

2010-12-13T12:08:00.000-08:00

About a month ago, the gracious staff over at Hairrogant [the US supplier of Anita Grant] offered to send me some Anita Grant products. Of course I obliged. I have heard many rave reviews on Anita's goodies, and I wanted to try them out for myself! I received a package of Whipped Butter [which I haven't tried yet], Creamy Cafe Latte, Organic Sapote Castor Hair Oil & Anita Grant's infamous Rhassoul Deep Conditioning Spa Mud.

Rhassoul Deep Conditioning Spa Mud

$12.50 - 3 Cubes

Product Claims:

Our Rhassoul Deep Condishes contains Unrefined Black Cocoa Butter & natural Soya based Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols) which helps to guard scalp & hair from free radical damage. When hot liquid is added to our Rhassoul Deep Condishes, it swells & increases its surface area like a highly porous sponge. Attracting & trapping toxins into these open porous spaces so that when it comes time to rinse the Rhassoul Deep Condish from your hair the toxins are eliminated and you're left with detoxified fluffy soft tresses.

My review:

This was the consistency of my mixture

Because my hair is so thick, I decided to use two cubes. I poured about 2 ounces of hot water over two cubes and mixed it with a fork until it was a creamy consistency. I then applied the mixture to freshly shampooed hair and covered it with a plastic cap for about 45 minutes without heat. I then rinsed out the mixture with lukewarm water and the result was ridiculously soft, shiny hair. If I had to rate the softness factor on a scale from 1-10 it would definitely get a ten. No doubt about it. - I also loved that it left my hair full of body and so soft that I could actually comb through my hair using my fingers without it snagging on any knots.

Who should use it:

If you are struggling with chronic dry strands, or you just want to treat your hair to an ultra hydrating deep conditioning treat, try this out!

Would I actually purchase this?

Most definitely! This is something that I plan on using twice a month. I love that it is natural and and that it detoxifies and hydrates my hair without leaving it feeling coated or stripped.

My hair with the treatment

This was how shiny my hair was after rinsing out the conditioning cubes!

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Organic Sapote Castor Hair Oil

$27.00 - 3.38ounces

Product Claims:

All of Anita Grant's Castor Hair Oils are rich in texture but light enough to be used every day to seal in moisture, protect & restore vitality to your curls. - Product also helps eliminate issues with dermatitis, helps repair damaged and over-processed hair, and also promotes hair growth.

My review:

I used this oil on wet hair to seal in the moisture after applying my leave-in conditioner. I only used about a dime size portion on each section of hair [my hair was sectioned in four big braids; two in the front, and two in the back] and I blow-dried my hair on warm until it was slightly damp; braiding each section as I was done with it.

My hair after blow-drying and removing braids. Still very shiny, soft and bouncy!

The Sapote Castor Hair Oil made my hair easier to manage whilst blow-drying and also kept my strands very soft and full of body. - I love that this product is light enough to be used for heat styling and hydrating enough to actually deliver moisture to highly textured hair like mine.

Who should use it?

If you are looking for an oil to seal in the moisture, aid in heat styling, or looking for a product to use as a hot oil treatment, this is definitely for you.

Would I actually buy this product?

Yes. I definitely plan on purchasing this product when my bottle runs out. I love the ingredients, and I love how my hair felt after using this product. - I must admit I was a little leery of this product because I am not really a fan of Castor Oil, but this is much lighter and penetrates my hair much better than Castor Oil.

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Creamy Cafe Latte

$13 - 3.5 ounces

Product Claims:

Pure Brazilian Coffee Oil stimulates the follicles while the wholesome goodness of Organic Virgin Coconut oil, nourishes your skin and naturally curly hair. Decadent Organic, Unrefined Fair Trade Black Cocoa Butter from Ghana conditions from top to toe, and the vitamin enriched - velvety suppleness of Australian Macadamia Nut Oil lovingly caresses you everywhere. All engulfed in an abundance of delicious natural & organic skin and curly hair care loving ingredients...mmm-mmm-goodness!

Product Review:

I think I have found the Holy Grail of butters. Some of you that read my blog may know that I am not really a fan of hair butters. It seems as though they always sit on my hair, and coat the strands rather than soften and nourish them. -

So fast forward to the review: After each section of my hair dried thoroughly, I decided to cornrow my hair for a light, fluffy braid out. I took down my braids and used the Creamy Cafe Latte on each section as I braided it. Applying the Cafe Latte made cornrowing a breeze [something I absolutely hate doing on my natural hair], and gave my hair tons of sheen and softness. - I think for me this is the Mecca of hair butters because it definitely made a difference in how easy it was to work with, and how soft and bouncy it left my hair. The sheen was also a definite plus.

I am feeling very "Cleo" from Set It Off in this pic. - I cornrowed my hair using Creamy Cafe Latte, it made my hair soft and manageable, and very shiny!

I don't know how it does for curl definition, as I used this on a dry braid out in which I only left the braids in for a few hours.

Would I actually purchase this product?

Most definitely! I plan on purchasing a few more jars in the near future for myself and for friends.

Overall I was very impressed with the performance and quality of Anita Grants products. Most of the ingredients are natural and perform well on highly textured hair!

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I did not purchase this product. This product was sent to me for review by Hairrogant courtesy of Anita Grant. In order to maintain the integrity of MTM, all samples sent by PR are for consideration only. This allows me to share with you products that work well for me and are worth spreading the word about. If you would like to read my entire policy regarding product reviews, please read the Editorial Policy by clicking {here}.

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Products + Techniques That Help Prevent Shrinkage

2010-12-09T11:04:00.000-08:00

[source]

Depending on how tightly wound your coils are, your hair could shrink up between 50-80% of it's actual length when wearing it in natural styles. Check out these pictures to see how different my hair looks with different products & techniques!

Twist out done on slightly damp hair yields more of a longer, fuller twist out

Twist out on fully dry hair gave me more of a somewhat silky, wavier look

Regular twist out using Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding + Jane Carter Hold Spray

Twist out using Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie

Twist out using Eco Styler Gel

As you can see, you can achieve various degrees of length based on your techniques and product selection. Here are my recommendations for keeping as much length as possible!

Techniques:

Try one or a combination of these techniques to help prevent shrinkage!

Shampoo hair in braids: Not only does this help prevent tangles, and make styling a breeze, it also helps prevent shrinkage because your coils are kept in an elongated state while cleansing.

For thicker twists, clip roots with metal duckbill clips: Thicker twists tend to give more fullness, but you run the risk of extreme shrinkage because there isn't enough tension on your roots to keep them from shrinking. For those days you are craving big hair, secure the roots of your twists with metal duckbill clips to keep the roots from shrinking.

For thinner twists, clip ends with metal duckbill clips: Thinner twists may yield more definition overall, but they can also cause shrinkage as well. Secure the ends of each twist with a metal clip or roller to help elongate the twist as it dries. The result should be hair that is longer with more definition.

Braid hair into four cornrows and allow to air-dry until slightly damp: If you have extremely springy, coily, hair; it may be necessary to up the ante and air-dry your hair before styling. For best results, cornrow the hair because it applies the necessary amount of tension that ensures your retains as much length as possible as it dries. {be careful not to apply too much tension on your scalp} - Once the hair is slightly damp, take down the cornrows, and twist or braid the hair as usual.

Dry hair in large bantu knots: Drying hair in large bantu knots is perfect for those that are challenged in the cornrowing department, as all it requires is a bit of twisting. Drying hair in bantu knots yields the same benefits of cornrowing, only it leaves your hair curly instead of crinkly.

Twist/Braid hair, then sit under a hooded dryer for 40-60 minutes: You can always twist or braid hair per your usual styling routine, place metal duckbill clips on the ends of each twist and sit under the dryer. The metal clips will help keep your hair elongated while your hair dries. Using heat also helps your hair dry before it has a chance to shrink completely. - For the health of your ends, please use end papers in between your clips and your hair if you decide to use this method as the metal tends to get warm. - End papers and metal clips can be found in most beauty supply stores near the color isle.

If you always experience an enormous amount of shrinkage, opt for braid outs instead of twist outs: Braid outs yields more length because of the amount of tension applied on your hair as it is braided. Because of this tension, your hair does not shrink much as it dries.

Product Recommendations For Wet Twisting/Braiding:

While there are many products out there that do a wonderful job at moisturizing hair, providing great hold and definition, I have found these the best at curl elongation.

Aloe Vera Gel: Add a few heaping dollops of Aloe Vera to your favorite product to increase its curl elongating benefits. Not only does adding Aloe Gel stretch the amount of product, but it adds moisturizing benefits as well.

Eco Styler Gel: This has easily been one of my favorite products of the year because of it's versatility [I can use it for twist outs, wash and go's and sleek buns], and because of how well it elongates my curls. I use this primarily for twist outs, and it gives me definition and more length versus any other curl cream I have tried to date.

Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding: This is one of the first curl creams I have tried, and one I always go back to when I'm in a pinch and need something quick and effective. Curly Pudding gives me great curl definition [when used as a creme to twist hair], and also helps out a bit in the elongation department.

Product Recommendations For Dry Twisting/Braiding:

Karen's Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia {formally known as hair milk}: I used this in the first picture on damp hair and it was amazing. It hydrated my hair without causing it to revert, and it provided some hold and protection against the chilly NY weather I was in. I have been experimenting with many products to use for "dry-damp twist outs" but this is definitely the winner.

Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship Leave-In: Another one of my favorites, this moisturizes my hair without causing it to revert, and makes a nice product to twist dry/damp hair with.

What do you do to beat shrinkage?

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Don't Walk In Front Of Me, I Might Not Follow. Don't Walk Behind Me, I Might Not Lead. Walk Beside Me And Be My Friend.

2010-12-08T13:32:00.000-08:00

Reader Question: "I could really relate to your post about choosing your friends and cleaning house. I attempted to do that earlier this year but my friend confronted me and said I changed. How do I deal with people that think I am better than them, or say I have changed just because I want more for myself"

Truth is, if they are still stuck in a motionless state of being, it isn't in their best interest for you to become a better person. You're playing small benefits the attention-craved friend that always has to have the limelight, your depression benefits the insecure friend that never wants to see another happy. - So what happens next? You have to realize that everyone has their run in with reality when they're ready. Ideally, it would be nice for friends to grow and better themselves at the same time, but that isn't always the way it happens. Don't let the emotional blackmail keep you in a situation that isn't healthy or beneficial towards the end goal of total mind, body and emotional wellness.

For whatever reason we sometimes outgrow friends we thought were there for life. Maybe they were there to show us a reflection of ourselves, maybe they helped us through some bad times. However as we grow, mature, learn, evolve and seek a deeper understanding of ourselves; our needs and our value systems tend to change. You shouldn't feel bad for that. One of the hardest things to do is to detach emotionally, but in order for us to move on without beating ourselves up in the process; it is necessary. - There were many times I kept my "friendships" going because I didn't want to abandon them, but I began to lose myself in the co-dependent relationship. You don't have to wait until they commit a cardinal sin to give you a legitimate reason to walk away; you know you can no longer stay when you begin to resent the friendship, or it leaves you feeling drained.

One thing I wished I would have known a lot earlier in life is that it is ok to move on. We all have a right to act in accordance to our inner guidance system [which in essence never steers us wrong], and we shouldn't allow outside opinions and chatter divert us away from what our core knows is right. Untangle yourself from feelings of guilt, detach from your need to be understood by these old acquaintances and empower yourself with the permission to walk away.

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Reader Question: Will My Hair Still Grow If I Wear It Pressed Instead of Natural?

2010-12-08T11:56:00.000-08:00

[source]

In the most literal sense, your hair will grow regardless of what style you wear it in. The key to achieving your length goals lie in how well you are able to retain the hair that grows. Some of the major factors that prohibit length retention when wearing your hair straight are:

- Excess heat from pressing combs, blow dryers, and curling irons
- Breakage from detangling
- Breakage/split ends from combing/brushing while blow-drying
- Dryness from styling products that contain alcohol [setting lotions, hair spray]
- Breakage from wrapping hair the same way daily

Hair grows at about an average of 1/2 a month. With proper care, you can retain that 1/2 monthly which means you will see significant growth in as little as 6 months. To retain that 1/2 inch a month, keep the following tips in mind:

- Try to use heat no more than twice monthly

- If you are relaxed or transitioning, I recommend skipping the blow dryer. Instead wrap wet hair and sit under a hooded dryer, as it is less damaging to your hair.

- If you must use more than two heat tools [for instance a pressing comb and a flat iron, or pressing comb and a curling iron] in one styling session, opt to air-dry the hair instead of blow-dry. The less heat your strands have to endure, the better off they will be.

- If you decide to blow dry, make sure you detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb, then go through the hair once more with a blow-drying comb. This can eliminate damage from pulling and tugging on kinks and knots when blow drying. Remember the wide tooth comb gets out larger size knots, however a smaller tooth comb [passed through the hair after using a large tooth comb first] will remove smaller kinks and coils that can make blow drying a pain.

- Always deep condition with heat after every shampoo, this will help replenish moisture, correct issues with loss of elasticity, and nourish the hair follicles. The nutrients in your deep conditioner will also help strengthen your strands so that they are able to withstand heat without damaging structure of your hair.

- Use a heat protectant at all times, as it helps to absorb heat from styling tools which protects your strands from heat damage.

- Clarify then moisturize. I recommend clarifying your hair at every wash because most of the styling aids geared towards "straight" hair contain silicones. Silicones aid in easing combability, and also help act as a protective coating over hair preventing reversion and heat damage. While they offer a plethora of benefits, there are also some drawbacks as well. - We now know that silicones are wonderful at coating the hair, however that protective coating can also block out moisture molecules from penetrating the protective barrier. A buildup of products containing silicone results in hair that is unable to receive moisture and other nutrients from your favorite styling products. - Some silicones are also non-soluble in water which means you are going to need a heavy duty shampoo [usually a chelating or clarifying shampoo] geared towards removing buildup. I recommend using a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup, then following up with a moisturizing shampoo to replenish moisture and restore PH levels.

- Implement protein treatments every 6-8 weeks. This is very important as heat styling has the ability to break down the keratin bonds that fortify your hair making it strong. Protein treatments help restore strength, reducing your chances of breakage, split ends and damage from regular wear and tear on the hair.

- Alternate your wrapping patterns. If you have ever worn your hair "wrapped" for an extended period of time, you may have noticed a small amount of breakage or thinning on one side of your hair. I recommend alternating your wrapping methods, or utilizing the cross wrapping technique to prevent breakage and thinning.

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Product Review: Shea Moisture Conditioner + Curl Enhancing Smoothie + Strengthening Elixir

2010-12-07T19:15:00.000-08:00

I made my way to Target and killed some time perusing the beauty isles. I heard a lot of buzz about Shea Moisture, but I never had a chance to try it out until now! I decided to pick out three products to see how they worked before going crazy and buying everything under the moon. I settled on the Strengthening Elixir, the Raw Shea butter Restorative Conditioning Milk and the Organic Curl Enhancing Smoothie! Here is my review:

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioning Milk:
Target Stores, $9.99 - 12oz
Product Claims:
Moisturizes and repairs dry, lifeless, over-processed and damaged hair.

Product Ingredients:

Contains de-ionized water, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea butter)*, Argan oil, coconut oil*, Behentrimonium chloride, essential oil blend, vegetable glycerin, emulsifying wax, sea kelp extract, Panthenol (vitamin B-5), avocado oil, Lonicera Caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower and Lonicera Japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) flower extract, Tocopherol (vitamin E) and Daucus Carota Sativa (carrot) seed oil. *Denotes certified organic ingredients.

Product Review:
This stuff was absolutely AMAZING. Hands down my favorite of the bunch. I used this as a leave-in and added about a dime size amount per 2-inch section of hair and it was heaven for my strands. It made my hair soft, shiny, manageable, and offered slight curl definition. I give this a 10 out of 10 when it comes to moisture, as it is definitely hydrating enough for highly textured hair.

Would I buy this product again?
Most definitely; for $10 I will definitely keep this in the "leave-in" product rotation!

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Organic Curl Enhancing Smoothie:

Target Stores, $9.99 - 12oz

Product Claims:

Detangles, conditions and defines curls while restoring body and shine.

Product Ingredients:

Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Isopropyl Myristate, Sugar Starch, Silk Protein, EssenQal Oil Blend, Melia Azadirachta (Neem) Seed Oil, Caprylyl glycol, Sorbitol Esters, Algae Extract, Hyssopus Officinalis Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leafand Equisetum Arvense Extract, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E).

Product Review:

I have to admit I was a bit skeptical because most curl creams just don't work for my hair unless they are formulated with Polymers to offer hold and volume. I threw it in the basket anyway, and used this product to twist my freshly shampooed and conditioned hair. I didn't use a leave-in conditioner underneath this product because the ingredients listed could offer moisture and curl definition.

Once applying the product, I did notice some curl definition, but not enough to use for a wash and go. If you have more of a defined curl pattern, the Curl Enhancing Smoothie could really help those curls pop. - My hair was definitely smooth, extremely soft, and manageable once applying the Smoothie; and most importantly, this helped my twists stay twisted. My only qualm with this product was that I had major shrinkage, my twists were barely shoulder-length.

After untwisting my hair the next day, my hair was still hydrated, soft, and shiny. I love that this product didn't leave my hair crunchy, greasy or covered in film, a definite plus!

Would I buy this product again?

I'm honestly not quite sure. Although the performance was stellar, my hair was much shorter than normal [because of the shrinkage].

Before Shrinkage...

After Shrinkage.....

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Strengthening Elixir:

Target Stores, $9.99 - 4oz

Product Claims:

Our intensely moisturizing and penetrating all natural treatment helps repair damage and dry hair.

Ingredients:

Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Bu@er) Oil*, Argan Oil, Vegetable Squalene, Carrot Oil, Macadamia Nut Oil, Isopropyl Myristate, Avocado Oil, Castor Oil, Sebacic Acid, Sea Kelp Extract, EssenQal Oil Blend, Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower (and) Lonicera Japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) Flower Extract, Tocopherol (Vitamin E). *Denotes Certified Organic Ingredient.

Product Review:

I usually don't purchase oils from haircare companies because I find that a lot of times they are cut with cheaper oils like Sunflower and Corn Oil, however I was impressed with the ingredient list in this product so I threw it in the basket. The only "non-natural" ingredient in this product is Isopropyl Myristate which really just cuts the greasy feel of the product, leaving more of a satiny finish.

I sprayed this on my hair after my twists were complete and the immediate result was uber shiny hair. After about an hour or so of my hair absorbing the product, my hair was ultra soft, silky, and still very, very, shiny! - I like that I can get the benefits of Shea Butter without having to use it in "butter form"; for some reason Shea Butter just "sits" on top of my hair, leaving it more greasy than anything. The Shea Oil that is used in this elixir is better suited for my hair. Also, because of the lightness of this product, I would also recommend it to those that wear their hair pressed, or in roller-sets. This Elixir can help fortify your hair protecting it from heat damage and loss of elasticity from mechanical damage [combing, brushing, blow drying], it can also impart shine, softness and body.

Would I purchase this product again?

Most definitely, this quickly earned a spot in my "staple product" list.

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New Items In Stock + Restock On Sold Out Items

2010-12-06T12:28:00.000-08:00

- Cape Town "Blue" Earrings

I added a few new items to the shop! This is the last collection until the Spring line drops in Jan - For those that are thinking about placing Holiday orders, please place them no later than Dec 15th to ensure an on-time Christmas delivery. For my international clients, please place them no-later than Dec 9th. All orders placed during this time will include free gift-wrap!

Sidebar: I picked up some new hair products yesterday. whooo chile. Review tomorrow!

Tunis Turquoise Earrings

- Cape Town "Red" Earrings

I also restocked all of the sold-out items, so snag what you want now because the quantity is limited [about 15 items per style] until after the Holidays. Over the course of the week, I also plan to update each style with me wearing each piece.

- Baule Bead Earrings

- Prospect Bracelet | Spotted Jasper + Pyrite

- Africa | Beaded Hoop Earrings

- Accra Bone Chandelier Earrings

>> To view more new pieces, visit the Frank & Myrrh boutique by clicking {here}

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Epicure: Chicken Pot Pie

2010-12-06T10:24:00.000-08:00

This dish may not be that pretty, but don't let it's primitive look fool you. This recipe was absolutely delish. There were literally no leftovers. Poor pot pie never stood a chance. - I found this recipe on allrecipes.com while on my rainy-day comfort food kick. What I love about this dish is that you can completely customize it by adding your favorite veggies and spices! I think I will add corn, spinach, and squash to the next one. Feel free to customize it to your liking!

The recipe listed is my modified version, you can view the original recipe at AllRecipes.Com {here}

Chicken Pot Pie {Adapted from All Recipes.Com]

Ingredients:

1/2 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed

1/2 cup sliced carrots

1/2 cup frozen green peas

1/4 cup sliced celery

1/2 cup potatoes

4 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons butter

4 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons chopped onion

4 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon celery seed

1/8 poultry seasoning

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1/8 teaspoon garlic salt

1 can of chicken stock {for boiling the chicken and veggies}

1/2 cup chicken broth {for making the gravy}

2/3 cup milk

2 (9 inch) deep dish unbaked pie crust [one for the bottom, one for the top]

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)
In a saucepan, combine chicken, carrots, peas, potatoes, and celery. Add one can of chicken stock to cover, add salt, pepper, garlic powder and garlic salt to taste. Boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.
In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, garlic salt, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.
Place the chicken mixture in bottom pie crust. Pour hot liquid mixture over. Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape
Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

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Fashion & Beauty Ethos: DIY Black Tie Mani

2010-12-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

Something about this mani reminds me of a woman's tuxedo. The black adds a bit of masculinity, while the lace pattern gives it a dainty feel. This took little-to-no time to complete [20 minutes to paint and design], and the design is very forgiving in case you happen to mess up a little bit. - I used a toothpick for the design because it is much easier to control versus those long, thin, nail art brushes.

Tip: When making the diagonal stripe, start from the cuticle area, and drag the brush down in one stroke. Don't lift the brush off the nail until you reach the end. This helps you make a straight line.

You Will Need:

Base Coat: I used Essie Base Coat

Mauve Base Color: I used O.P.I "Barefoot in Barcelona"

Black Accent Color: I used Rimmel "Black Satin"

Black Striping Color

White Striping Color

Top Coat

Toothpick

Apply base-coat; this is important when using black, as it helps prevent staining.

Paint your nails with your base color, then draw a diagonal line with your black nail art polish

Fill in the lines with the black polish

With a toothpick, make a half-circle near the base of the black polish

Make the tiny half circles all the way down the base of the black polish

This is what the finished lace pattern should look like

Using your toothpick and white nail art polish, add white dots near the base of each arc

Seep each nail with top coat and you're good to go!

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What Energy Are You Bringing With You Into The New Year?

2010-12-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

[source]

The jealous friend, the possessive friend, the non-supportive friend, the pot stirring friend [who usually calls you just to gossip], the self absorbed friend that only wants to call you to vent, or brag [it is never about you]; are you bringing them into the New Year with you? The New Year marks a paradigm shift for many of us, and it is a great time to clean house; replacing the people in your life that sustain themselves by sucking the energy out of others.

I was guilty of keeping those people around me for quite some time and it did nothing but drain my energy, and leave me envious of people who had substantial, meaningful friendships. I had become one of those people I hated. A friend collector. Friend collectors are generally people that have about 550,000 ~~friends~~ associates; but no real friends. God, there is a difference.

Friends should never leave you feeling empty, feeling used, or feeling down. Sticking around because of "x" number of years you have been friends isn't a good trade off; considering all that you lose in the process. Energy is just as valuable as time. Like attracts like. It's no coincidence that the depression, unhappiness, and insecurity I felt at various points in my life attracted other people that were no better off than I was at the time. It became a domino effect. A vortex of negativity that manifested in every decision I made, and every new "friend" I gained. One day I asked myself why none of my friends were happy. It was a "circle" of constant drama, that played out like the juiciest episodes of Days of Our Lives. Maybe I attracted those people because of the Laws of Attraction, maybe I befriended them because no positive-minded people would spend more than 5 minutes in the room with me before realizing I was battling some serious issues, and didn't want to be the host in which I could suck their energy. Either way, a change needed to happen.

Just like that, I cut them off. It was lonely those first few months. No one to talk to on the way home, no one to talk to while I was in line at the grocery store. It was the loneliest, yet best time I could have ever spent with myself. I realized in the end that those friends were distractions from the issues I was running from. After giving myself a number of tune-ups and realigning with my true self, I started to attract people that were a mirror of me. I was better off at that time, which meant that my friends were too.

Cleanse your aura around you and you will attract individuals that live off of the vibrations of joy versus the parasitic friends that live by sucking energy. - That positive force-field of friends you create will help you attract more experiences and emotions that are in line with your vibration. Let 2011 be the year you let your light shine, and walk in truth with like minds.

What energy are you bringing with you into the New Year?

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Tone, Tighten, & Brighten Your Complexion With White Willow Bark!

2010-12-01T12:32:00.000-08:00

[source]

Herbs, natural oils and Aloe Vera have pretty much replaced all of the commercial products in my arsenal of skin care products. They are easier on my skin [no more peeling and redness], easier on my pocketbook, and much more effective. With the right combination of ingredients, you can have four-star spa quality facial treatments at home several times a week. Here are a few of my favorite White Willow Bark treatments that are formulated to help brighten those dark areas, firm up the sensitive areas around the eyes, and tone your skin which results in an even; smooth complexion.

White Willow Bark is an excellent additive for those with extremely oily skin, and those that have issues with acne, blackheads, whiteheads and inflamed skin. White Willow Bark contains high amounts of Salicin, which is the mother of Salicylic Acid [Salicylic Acid is derived from Salicin, and is used in most skin care products formulated to eliminate acne].

White Willow Bark Facial

Ingredients

4 ounces of distilled water

1 tablespoon of White Willow Bark

1 teaspoon of Kaolin Clay

1/2 teaspoon of honey

To prepare treatment:

Bring water to a boil; add herbs, then remove from heat. Allow herbal infusion to steep for about 10 minutes. Cool. Strain mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Add Kaolin clay and honey to strained mixture, and mix well.

Instructions for use:

Massage entire amount into the skin and neck area. Allow to sit for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

Recommendations:

Use once weekly for acne prone skin; use bi-weekly as a preventative treatment for normal-combination skin. This facial can be used to clear up body acne as well.

About this formulation:

White Willow Bark: Acts as a powerful antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent clearing acne, imperfections and dark spots.
Red Kaolin Clay: Kaolin Clay helps control oily skin, and the sulfur found in Kaolin Clay helps eliminate acne.<--Don't use Red Kaolin Clay if you have sensitive skin, use White or Rose Kaolin instead.
Raw Honey: Raw Honey doubles as a uber-moisturizer-extraordinaire and anti-bacterial additive that is very beneficial to your skin!

White Willow Bark Toner

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon White Willow Bark

4 ounces of distilled water

1 teaspoon of Aloe Vera Juice/Gel

To prepare toner:

Bring water to a boil; add herbs, then remove from heat. Allow herbal infusion to steep for about 10 minutes. Cool. Strain mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Add Aloe Juice {or gel} to the strained liquid. Pour into clean, spray bottle. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

** You can also add 1/2 teaspoon of White Willow Bark extract to your shampoo for those with dandruff, or psoriasis. You can even add 1/4 teaspoon of the extract to your favorite bottle of liquid body wash to combat body acne!

Where do I find these ingredients?

You can find Red Kaolin Clay & White Willow Bark at select Health Food stores, or; you can find them online here: {Mountain Rose Organics} and here: {From Nature With Love}
Alternatively, you can find the extract here: {From Nature With Love}

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Beauty Quicktip: 8 Secrets For Longer, Stronger, Healthier Nails + DIY Cuticle Oil

2010-11-30T16:43:00.000-08:00

I am loving the eye makeup and nude lip combo. [source]

You don't need weekly spa visits to keep your nails looking their best! Try out some of these easy, affordable tips and get your nails in shape just in time for the Holiday parties!

Invest in non acetone nail polish remover: All polish removers contain solvents that can be extremely drying to your nails. Reach for acetone-free nail polish remover to remove everyday polish, and save the acetone polish remover for nail art, glitter polish and other hard to remove nail lacquer. - Those that already have brittle, weak dry nails should steer clear of acetone remover until your nails are strong enough to sustain it as needed.

Use nail polish remover no more than once weekly: This helps keep your nails hydrated and less prone to chips, cracks, and thirsty cuticles.

Don't nip those cuticles: Cuticles help protect the nail from bacteria. Cuticles also help protect new Keratin cells from damage as they age. Remember the Keratin is what gives your nails the strength they need to resist breaking, chipping and cracking. Instead of cutting the cuticles, use an Alpha Hydroxy cuticle remover like OPI Exfoliating Cuticle Treatment. I find that cuticle removers that contain AHA are more effective versus those formulated without it. - You may notice a big difference in the overall health of your nails, I definitely have.

Use a clear coat when going "bare": Nail polish can help protect the nails allowing them to grow longer as protected nails are less likely to chip, break or tear.

Use cuticle oil about once weekly: Healthy, hydrated cuticles are essential to nail growth as healthy hydrated cuticles are essential to healthy hair growth. Don't neglect your cuticles, keep them hydrated, nourished and smooth with cuticle oil. Cuticle oil can also help repair cracked, cuticles and nail beds.

Grab some biotin: Biotin can be a life saver when it comes to growing longer, stronger, healthier nails because Vitamin B is known to strengthen Keratin [Your nails are made up of Keratin]. For best results, take 300 micrograms twice daily. It can also help strengthen your hair too [as hair is 90% Keratin]

File your nails like the pros: Avoid the "back and forth" motion when filing your nails. Instead, file your nails in one direction; it keeps them strong, as well as prevents damage and worn spots on the nail bed. - Also make sure to file your nails once they are completely dry. You never want to file your nails right after a shower or soaking them in water. Filing nails while wet can also cause rips, tears and worn spots.

Give yourself a nail massage once weekly: Nail massages stimulate circulation in the nail bed which in turn fosters growth! You can either do a 5 minute nail/hand massage, or you can buff your nails which also stimulates the nails as well.

DIY Nourishing Cuticle Oil

2 Tablespoons of Jojoba Oil

2 Tablespoons of Hemp Oil

1 Teaspoon of Tea Tree Oil

1/2 Teaspoon of Vitamin E Oil

*All of these ingredients can be found in most health food stores; or online here {From Nature With Love}

About This Formulation:

Vitamin E: Acts as an anti-oxidant helping to minimize the damage from daily "wear and tear" on your nails. Vitamin E also protects nails from the elements during the harsh cool winter months. Vitamin E oil also helps stabilize the other oils which will help keep them from going rancid.

Hemp Seed Oil: The omega fatty acids and proteins found in Hemp oil helps stimulate nail growth, and provide nourishment to your nails and cuticles.

Jojoba Oil: Is a non-greasy oil that hydrates and delivers nutrients to your cuticles and nails.

Tea Tree Oil: Is a great anti-bacterial and anti-fungal additive, it keeps nails clear and bacteria free.

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And The Winner Is....

2010-11-30T15:03:00.000-08:00

[source]

Thank you to everyone who entered the Pangaea giveaway!!! - The winner is: ARABA, who said:

oooh, so so pretty! I know I will rock the HECK out of the white and aquamarine hoops with a neutral outfit (black and white or gray to let the color POP) and the curliest, fluffiest, roundest afro I can manage. *Runs to twist hair in preparation*

I hope you have twisted your hair chica! LOL Drop an email to nikole@themoptopmaven with addy and name! Until next time [I have a super christmas giveaway planned. Stay tuned]

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All About Hair: Do You Experience Knots, Tangles & Matting When Wearing Your Hair "Out"? Try This Moisturizing Mist/Leave In Recipe!

2010-11-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

If you have extremely curly hair, chances are you have experienced those annoying little knots, balls, or tangles on the ends of your hair on about the second or third day of wearing your hair in natural, "free-flowing" styles [braid-outs, twist-outs, etc]. Not only can they be frustrating, but they can also cause additional tangles, knots and subsequent damage if those issues persist.

Lately I have been experimenting with different moisturizing formulas because honestly I am always searching for the next best thing. The weather has been pretty frigid as of late, and as a result, my favorite products are not as moisturizing as they once were + my ends are starting to curl up on themselves which means it is time to up the moisturizing ante. I picked up some of my favorite products and played kitchen chemist the past few weeks, and this simple recipe was definitely a winner:

Ingredients

4 ounces of Suave Almond & Shea Butter Conditioner [you can use your favorite condish]

1 vial of Fermodyl 619 [formulated for kinky, coarse hair]

2 teaspoons of Aloe Vera Juice

Enough water to make it a light, spray-able consistency

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a spray bottle, and shake to mix well!

Lightly spray on hair nightly and cover with a satin bonnet. This dual purpose spritz will help hydrate your hair during the harsh winter months; and eliminate the knotting dilemna's by lubricating your strands and keeping your cuticles flat which means little to no tangling and/or matting. This formula is light enough not to weigh your hair down, and is suitable for nightly use.

Benefits:

Ultra hydrating formula keeps your hair soft and shiny

Lactic acid found in Fermodyl 619 minimizes tangles, matting and knots; making it more manageable

Aloe Vera acts as a protective barrier against the harsh, cold weather

About this formulation:

Conditioner: Helps keep hair supple, cuticles flat, and hair ultra hydrated

Fermodyl 619: My Holy Grail in a vial; this product keeps those cuticles laying flat which means less frizz, less tangles, matting, knots and less fuss.

Aloe Vera Juice: Aloe Juice makes an excellent additive as it nourishes your follicles, protects your hair, and offers a bit of hydration as well

Water: One of nature's best moisturizers; if you have hard water, opt for bottled distilled water. Alternatively, you can use Rose Water for a luxurious treat [I love the moisturizing effects of Rose Water].

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Let The Beauty We Love Be What We Do - Rumi

2010-11-29T11:34:00.000-08:00

You were born with potential
You were born with goodness and trust
You were born with ideals and dreams
You were born with greatness
You were born with wings
You are not meant for crawling, so don't.
You have wings
Learn to use them, and fly.
~ Rumi

One of my favorite poems by Rumi, I have this plastered on my bedroom wall as a daily reminder. Sometimes we forget how great we all are and these little subtle reminders can help lift our vibration and re-connect with our inner guidance system.

I like flipping through books like "The Essential Rumi" or The Prophet [Khalil Gibran] before creating because it puts me in a better place spiritually. As a result, I am illuminated, limitless and free of censorship. - These are pieces I created over the weekend using some new raw materials and old favorites sourced from over the years. I was flipping through my daughters National Geographic book this weekend and felt inspired to create pieces for the warrior inside of each goddess. I have a few more items on my workbench that I will complete in the next few weeks. Items pictured are available in the shop now!

I added some new earrings:

Nubia Drop Earrings $35

Red Phoenix Drop Earrings $36

Isis Drop Earrings $35

Kemet Fringe Earrings $24

Byzantium Tassel Drop Earrings $28
-
And some necklaces:

Benin Tribal Necklace $44

Amina Warrior Breastplate Necklace - $65

Papua Howlite Double Strand Necklace $82

Prospect Necklace | Specimen N0. 01 - $26

Prospect Necklace | Specimen N0. 05 - $26
And some cocktail rings made from genuine gemstones

Prospect Rings - $21 each

To view more new items, or the full collection visit the Frank & Myrrh shop {here}

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In The Kitchen: Spicy Shredded Chicken Soup

2010-11-29T04:04:00.000-08:00

The weather is finally starting to get a little chilly in L.A so I wanted to experiment with more "comfort foods" using some of my favorite spices. I really love snuggling up with a blanket, my laptop, and a good bowl of soup when it's raining outside. - So I turned to my new favorite recipe database and found this amazing recipe for Spicy Chicken Soup.

This delicious dish is incredibly easy to prepare and flexible just in case you are inclined to make any type of modifications. I made a few in regards to the amount of spices and seasoning's used [original recipe can be found here], and I also used frozen corn in lieu of canned as I find it better suited for soups. One major modification I made was letting the soup simmer for about 45-50 minutes versus the 30 minutes the recipe called for; this allows for the perfect marriage of spices, yummy.

Spicy Shredded Chicken Soup [Adapted from All Recipes]

4 cups water

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons fresh parsley

1 handful of chopped cilantro

1-1/2 teaspoons onion powder

2-1/2 cubes chicken bouillon

1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil

1/2 onion, chopped

1-1/2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 (16 ounce) jar chunky salsa

1 (14.5 ounce) can peeled and diced tomatoes

1/2 (14.5 ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes

1/2 (10.75 ounce) can condensed tomato soup

1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1 small bag of frozen corn

1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

1/2 (8 ounce) container sour cream

Directions

In a large pot over medium heat, combine water, chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, onion powder and bouillon cubes. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 1 hour, or until chicken juices run clear. Remove chicken, reserve broth. Shred chicken.

In a large pot over medium heat, cook onion and garlic in olive oil until slightly browned. Stir in salsa, diced tomatoes, whole tomatoes, tomato soup, chili powder, cumin, cilantro, corn, beans, sour cream, shredded chicken and 5 cups broth. Simmer 30 minutes.

Enjoy with blue-corn tortilla chips & a dollop of sour cream!

And maybe even a little shredded cheese :-)

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Fashion & Beauty Ethos: DIY Betsey Johnson Mani

2010-11-29T04:03:00.000-08:00

This manicure reminds me of Betsey Johnson's iconic floral print. It was extremely easy, in fact I did all of the nail art with a toothpick. I find toothpicks or bobby pins much easier to control versus those long nail art brushes. The entire mani took me about 30 minutes from start to finish [not including drying time] which isn't pretty bad considering the payoff.

Betsey Johnson Mani

You Will Need:

Base Coat

Black Nail Polish <- I used Rimmel "Black Satin"

Pink Nail Polish <-- I used Sally Hansen's "Bubblegum Pink" in the Extreme Wear series

Green Nail Polish <-- I used Sally Hansen's "Going Green" in the Extreme Wear series

White Nail Art Polish

Toothpick

Topcoat

Apply basecoat

Paint nails with two coats of black polish

Using your toothpick, randomly place medium sized dots of pink nail polish

Using a new toothpick, outline your nails with the white polish. Don't make the outline perfect, follow the method that is illustrated above [two half circles]

The finished outline should look similar to this

Place green dots near each "flower"

After designing each nail, apply a top-coat and allow your nails to dry thoroughly for about 20-30 minutes!

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Instant Funk: My Christmas Wishlist

2010-11-26T13:44:00.000-08:00

Dresses with unique patterns

Flats & more eye + headwear

A nice animal print bag; preferably one with leather like this one

Colorful leather gloves & flirty tiered skirts

More scarves

Basic Tees + scarves

Dark shades

Vintage dresses + statement necklaces

Bold colors

Chunky jewelry

Hair color...although I will be too chicken to ever go through with it.

What's on your Christmas Wish List??

{Photo Source}

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Quicktip: Experiencing Breakage? Try Out These Super Herbs For A Natural Fix

2010-11-26T12:44:00.000-08:00

[source]

When I first started my healthy hair journey, my hair was breaking like crazy. Every time I would comb, brush, or style my hair, there would be tiny little broken hairs on my shirt, bathroom counter, and floor. At that time I tried heavy protein treatments [which caused some shedding], as well as hair creams specifically formulated to control breakage [which resulted in dryness]. - A few months later I began to dabble in herbal remedies, and I was hooked on Herbal Rinsing!

Herb rinsing can be done by steeping herbs in hot water, letting the water cool, then pouring it over your head after rinsing out your conditioner. You can do herbal rinses to add shine, softness, nourishment, elasticity, and my favorite; to control breakage. Here's a list of my favorite [and extremely effective] herbs you can use for herb rinsing:

Breakage

Burdock Root: This herb is known to strengthen and repair hair while adding sheen, hydration & luster. Burdock Root is also effective in reversing hair loss, correcting scalp issues, and promoting hair growth in individuals with a short growth cycle. The mucilage in Burdock Root also helps add "slip" to your hair making the detangling process a lot easier.

Rosemary: The nutrients found in Rosemary can strengthen your strands much like that of a protein treatment, minus the drying effects. Rosemary also imparts shine, body and softness. This super herb also helps to correct scalp issues like dandruff and psoriasis.

Blue Malva: Is one of my favorite herbs to use for strengthening and repairing hair. Blue Malva is extremely effective in controlling breakage, and repairing chemically damaged hair.

Hibiscus: Hibiscus strengthens hair from the papila root to the ends of the hair, and works to seal the cuticles stopping breakage in it's tracks. Hibiscus is also loaded with mucilage which means it is very effective as a detangling agent for highly textured curlies. This herbs also adds an incredible amount of softness and body to both relaxed and natural hair. **Hibiscus can stain clothes, so use caution when attempting a rinse with this herb**

Shine + Softness + Body

Horsetail: Horsetail contains high amounts of silica and cysteine which are both great at conditioning hair, whilst adding shine and body. The silica found in Horsetail also helps to strengthen the hair and improving the elasticity as well.

Nettle: Nettle is rich in nourishing minerals that work to strengthen hair, add luster, and impart softness. This herb also stimulates circulation which in turns promotes hair growth.

Coltsfoot: Coltsfoot contains an abundance of mucilage, minerals, silica, sulfur and plant proteins which all work together to help add sheen, body, repair the hair shaft, improve elasticity, and promote hair growth.

Split Ends

Burdock Root

Horsetail

Nettle

Hibiscus

Directions:

- Add 1 cup of water to a small saucepan and bring to a boil

- Turn off heat and add 2 heaping teaspoons of your herbs to the water << For best results, use herbs that have been cut and sifted [these are usually labeled as C/S on packing and websites], as they contain more essential ingredients and are usually easier to use in comparison to powdered herbs.

- Cover saucepan and allow herbal infusion to steep for about 15-20 minutes

- Remove the herbs, or strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth

- Let cool

- Pour entire mixture over your hair after rinsing out conditioner

- Do not rinse out, any smell from herbs should dissipate after about 20 minutes

How often should I do an herbal rinse?

For best results, use once weekly [or as often as you shampoo].

Where to purchase herbs?

You may purchase these herbs at your local Health Food Store, or online through the following reputable vendors:

Mountain Rose Herbs

From Nature With Love

Texas Natural Supply

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New Pieces In The Shop!!

2010-11-25T15:19:00.000-08:00

I finally received my package of trade beads so I have been in the lab making new pieces to add to the shop! Here's a portion of the new items now available in the Frank & Myrrh boutique. You can view the rest by clicking {here}

I'm currently working on some leather and chain pieces that should be available within the next 24 hours or so! - Also in honor of Black Friday, Frank & Myrrh will offer a buy 1 get one 50% [of equal or lesser value] off promotion that will run from 12AM PST Friday until 12AM PST Sunday!

EDIT: The promotion code is BLKFRI
>> For those that have already placed orders, I will be doing refunds today for the difference.

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To Be Yourself In A World That Is Constantly Trying To Make You Something Else Is The Greatest Accomplishment - Ralph Waldo Emmerson

2010-11-25T14:56:00.000-08:00

In a world that will seemingly forever pit curves vs. thin, light skin vs. dark skin, relaxed vs. natural, blondes vs. brunettes and black vs white; we must always hold on to our individuality. Staying true to our individual value system fosters a deeper sense of self-confidence that holds more weight than the praise received from trying to fit the mold.

We must remain separate from thoughts of insecurity, inadequacy, and any fear we may experience; or else we risk the consequence of being consumed by these momentary feelings. We can separate ourselves from these feelings by developing a stronger "center" that always reflects our "true" selves, and remains undisturbed in the face of adversity. - Don't be afraid to be you. Let your love for yourself flow freely; let it feed your soul, let it carry you down the path of conscious freedom.

To be content with your true self is to live in richness, truth and love. Whether you are dark skinned, light skinned, or completely lacking melanin; you were created in Divine Perfection.

I found these photos {here}, and I was enamored with all of the photos of beautiful black women, so I thought I would share!

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Does Maybelline's Colossal Volum' Express Mascara REALLY Deliver Nine Times The Volume In One Coat?

2010-11-23T13:31:00.001-08:00

{My lashes after one coat of mascara}

Here lately, I have been perusing my local drugstores trying to find products that were reasonably priced, yet effective. While in the cosmetic isle, the bright yellow packaging on this mascara caught my eye. I have never really used drugstore mascara, so honestly my expectations were fairly low. I presume the packaging, price, and lofty claims is what prompted me to toss in it the basket and give it a whirl.

Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Mascara

$6.50 Walgreens

Here are the claims:

Creates 9X the volume, instantly
Patented MegaBrush + Collagen Formula plump lashes one by one
Dramatic Volume with no clumps
Washable

My review:

Nine times the volume in one coat? Not really my experience {more like 5}, however; my lashes have never looked this long and have had this much volume with any mascara. The brush is a little big so you need to really keep a steady hand during the application process as to not ruin your eyeshadow with tiny black dots.

Also, if you are going to wear more than one coat of mascara, it is best to apply the second coat immediately after applying the first. I noticed that this product has a tendency to dry fairly quick, and waiting too long in between coats could cause a severe case of tarantula lashes.

Would I buy this again?

Most definitely! I have tried many mascara's from Benefit and MAC, to Lancome and Dior, and this surprisingly was by far my fave of the bunch.

Here are some mascara tips that will help you nail your application every time!

Use a mascara primer to coat and separate lashes

For thicker, fuller lashes; mix your mascara. Apply one coat of lengthening mascara, then apply one coat of thickening mascara.

After applying two coats of mascara, add a third coat to just the outer corners only; it will help define the shape of your eyes and lengthen your lashes.

To prevent dots on your lower lash-line; wait 5-10 seconds before blinking.

To make eyes appear brighter and wider, reach for an eyelash curler! You can curl your lashes before or after applying mascara [tip: warm the eyelash curler with a burst of warm air from your blow-dryer before using].

Apply mascara in three easy steps:

Wiggle the wand near the base of your lashes [this darkens the area near the lash-line giving the illusion of thicker, plumper lashes]
Pull the wand up the lashes still wiggling the wand as you make your way up [this helps keep the lashes separated]
With your eyes closed, apply mascara to the top of your lashes near the base of the lash-line in the same wiggling motion, bringing the wand to the tip of the lashes

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Stepping Out This Thanksgiving? 6 Tips For A Bouncin', Swingin' Blowout!!

2010-11-23T13:31:00.000-08:00

[source: Tumblr - Lindsey Mak Photography]

Get that touchable Holiday hair you have always wanted by trying these easy tips. Proper blow-drying techniques yields hair that is straighter, softer, full of body and less likely to revert. I use these methods when blow-drying my hair to press it, or when wearing a dry braid out [pictured here]. - Grab your most hydrating conditioner, your favorite light leave-in, a serum or two and your well on your way!

Condition well: This is when I break out the good stuff. It is very important to make sure your hair is ultra hydrated before blow drying. Not only will this help speed up the blow drying process [and lessen your chances of damage from combing/brushing tangled hair], but it will also close the cuticle which means your hair will be smoother, softer, shinier, full of body, and less prone to static electricity.

Here are my favorite ultra hydrating conditioners:

Macadamia Oil Deep Repair Mas <<--Hands down my fave buy of the year. Ladies, buy the samples if you don't want to splurge on the full jar.
Jessicurl Weekly Deep Treat << Another fave, specifically formulated for the needs of curly hair, this natural conditioner packs a powerful moisture punch.
Keracare Humecto
Aveda Damage Remedy

Detangle well: A large percentage of the damage from blow drying comes from mechanical damage; basically combing and brushing your hair. Your hair is in it's most fragile state when wet, so improper combing/detangling techniques can lead to breakage, split ends, single strand knots, and hair loss. - For those with thick, highly textured hair, I recommend detangling in small sections either before shampooing [as demonstrated in this video], or while your hair is loaded with conditioner. Detangling well prior to blow drying means less tension on the hair, and a quicker blow drying session.

Protect your hair: Protecting your hair from the heat will help you retain more moisture, and will also ensure that your hair remains soft, shiny and full of body. To protect my hair, I usually bring in a light-weight conditioner formulated for free-flowing styles. My leave-in of choice for sleeker styles that require heat styling is always Sebastian Potion Number 9. It's light enough so that it doesn't leave your hair stiff or dull from residue. Yet hydrating enough for thick, coarse, curly hair. I only use about a dime-size portion for each section of hair. - I also spritz my entire head with Aveda Brilliant Damage Protection. This is a heat protectant that also offers additional shine, softness and body.

Bring in the serums: If you aren't afraid of products that contain silicone's, listen up: I usually add about a dime-to-quarter size amount of Chi Silk Infusion alone or mixed with a few dollops of Aveda Smooth Infusion to my entire head {after applying my leave-in and spraying my heat protectant} before blow-drying. Not only do the silicone's in the serums absorb the heat which helps protect the hair, but they also help seal the cuticle. This means less frizz, reduced chances of your hair reverting due to moisture in the hair, and also, less tangles and knots.

The 8 inch rule: Always hold your blow dryer at least 8 inches away from your hair. This will significantly help prevent heat damage, and ensure the finished style is hydrated and full of body. Holding the blow dryer too close to your hair not only causes heat damage, but it can also make your blow-dried hair appear stiff, dull, and dry.

Point dryer towards the ends of your hair: I always hold my dryer at an angle facing downward. This makes for a much smoother, straighter, sleeker blow-out, as it encourages the cuticles to remain flat.

**Optional, ditch the blow-drying comb and use a Denman D4 brush for an even sleeker look

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My NY Diary PT. 2

2010-11-22T12:20:00.000-08:00

The second day I wore a 70's inspired outfit I picked up from Forever 21 the night before at about 1AM. Gotta love NY.

My mom and I left our hotel bright and early, hopped on a subway and headed to Williamsburg for breakfast

I immediately fell in love with this area

The buildings had so much character!

We decided to have breakfast at Egg

Egg is a quaint little eatery with very fresh, inexpensive food

The atmosphere was friendly and inviting...they even had crayons and paper on the tables. I did some doodling and people watching whilst waiting for my food...

I ordered Eggs, Toast, Hash-browns and Candied bacon...

My mom had Duck Confit...

After eating, we walked around Williamsburg and snapped pics...

After falling into a few shops, we headed back to Manhattan

We stopped in Bryant Park to drop in some of the shops...

This sandwich shop had amazing eats...

We hung out in this area for a while and took in the beautiful colors of Fall...

After making our rounds, we had to head back to Harlem to pick up more fabric....then we stopped in Sylvia's....

I had the usual...Fried Chicken, Greens & Yams - My mom and I then killed more time walking around Harlem which ultimately resulted in us missing our first flight....good times..

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My NY Diary PT. 1

2010-11-22T11:19:00.000-08:00

Last week my mom and I took a short trip to NY to pick out some fabrics and do a bit of work. I didn't have much time to visit each borough like I would have liked, but it was still fun nonetheless. - The weather was amazing compared to the last time I was in NY for the winter. I was able to get away with a cotton jacket, silk dress, tights and over the knee socks.

We spent the better part of Wed running around sourcing fabrics and tracking down my blackberry I left in a taxi..

We stopped at the bank first. While there, I ran into the cutest little boy ever. - I wanted to take him home with me...

My mom picked out some amazing wax prints & batiks!

We were in a warehouse filled with African fabric!

After hours of looking through fabric, we made our way down 125th - I am in love with the buildings...

On a sidenote.. I found these cute clogs on sale at DSW for about $20 - They were ultra comfy, I walked in them all day

My hair held up pretty well too. I was a bit hesitant to wear my hair out, as I thought it was going to turn into a big mass of tumbleweed by days end...

My mom and I made our way to Negril for dinner...I had the Village Island Punch

My mom had the mojito

After a few drinks and lots of laughs with mom, our food finally came. I ordered Jerk Chicken, and decided to also order greens, mac & cheese and yams.

My mom had the Mojito Baby Lamb Chops

After dinner we were stuffed and happy....we decided to walk off some of our food so we walked to Topshop

My mom took lots of pics for her inspiration board

We ran into a Dean & Deluca on the way...so we grabbed some Earl Grey and a few other goodies...

We finished our night with FELA - It was absolutely amazing from beginning to end :-)

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Calling All Type 4 Curlies! Eliminate Matting & Tangles With Oil Rinsing!

2010-11-17T07:40:00.000-08:00

I am loving H&M's new ad campaign [source]

If you have highly textured hair and you are looking for ways to help eliminate excess tangles and matting on wash day, try an oil rinse. Not only is oil rinsing great for cutting down [and in some cases eliminating] single strand knots, but it also helps replenish moisture lost from shampooing; leaving your hair soft, shiny and extremely manageable.

Oil rinsing is a simple step you can add in between shampooing/conditioning, and it only adds about 5-10 additional minutes on to your hair regimen. - Here are some additional benefits of oil rinsing:

Helps hair retain more moisture
Eases the detangling process
Imparts mega shine
Helps prevent knotting, tangles, and matting

To oil rinse, follow these simple steps:

Shampoo your hair
Add about 1/4 cup of your favorite oil liberally throughout your hair
Leave in for about 2-3 minutes
Rinse out thoroughly with warm water [don't use cool for this process, as the warm water ensures that all traces of oil are removed]
Condition hair as usual

Rich Nourishing Oils To Use For Highly Textured Hair:

Coconut Oil: Softens the hair, delivers nutrients to the follicles, helps correct issues with dandruff and psoriasis
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Ultra hydrating, this oil nourishes, softens and improves the elasticity of your hair
Brazil Nut Oil: One of my favorites of the bunch, this oil leaves your hair as soft as butter when used as a rinse, hot oil treatment, or even added to your favorite conditioner. - Brazil Nut oil softens, helps repair the hair shaft by delivering vital nutrients to the follicles, and helps control frizz.
Castor Oil: Another extremely hydrating oil, it also helps remove impurities from your scalp and hair shaft. Castor Oil also nourishes your follicles promoting healthy hair growth.

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My Hair: Chunky Twist Out On Damp Hair

2010-11-17T07:39:00.001-08:00

I tried something slightly new over the weekend. I decided to do a twist out on slightly damp hair in hopes that I would gain some volume and more length with this technique. Although it doesn't have a ton of definition, I like that it is full of body with a loose wave. Here's what I did:

Added dime size amounts of both Chi Silk Infusion and Aveda Destination Smooth to each 1/2 inch section of hair I blow-dried. The Chi Silk Infusion coats the strands preventing frizz, and the Aveda Destination Smooth acts as a heat protectant, and humidity blocker. Both products offer great shine!

I blow-dried each 1/2 inch section of hair until damp on a medium warm setting using my Denman brush to add some additional body.

After I blow-dried each section, I used a dime size amount of Karen's Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia to twist the hair. This has the consistency of a thin hair milk, yet it didn't make my hair revert.

I had about 15 large twists and let them sit for two hours until dry. The result was hair that is fluffy, soft, with a slight wave. If you want to try this style, keep the following in mind:

Larger twists left in a short period of time will yield mermaid-like waves
Larger twists left in overnight will yield more of a deep wave
Smaller twists left in a short period of time will yield a smaller waves
Smaller twists left in overnight will yield more of a defined curl pattern

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Hello New York!!!

2010-11-17T07:39:00.000-08:00

Sorry for my absence yesterday! I spent the better part of the day packing and shipping orders, seeing my daughter off, then running to my flight! I landed this morning at 1AM EST [I leave tomorrow evening], and against my better judgment hopped in a cab with a cabby that literally took me for the ride of my life. Break. Gas. Break. Gas, all the way to Manhattan.

I got to my hotel room by 2AM and had a taste for a burger and fries...

By 2:15 my burger was gone and I was off to sleep....

I'm going to check out FELA tonight, is there anything I should try and squeeze in while I'm here?

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All About Hair: How To Use A Denman Without Damaging Your Hair

2010-11-15T13:35:00.000-08:00

[source]

The Denman brush was undeniably one of the most hated tools in my styling arsenal. I couldn't understand the hype around something that could rip and pull your hair to shreds. Needless to say, my first experience with a Denman brush was nothing to write home about. - After revisiting this brush a few times, it has become one of my go-to tools whether wearing a twist-out, or hair that has been blow-dried and pressed. The key was learning when to use it, and how to use it properly.

Here is what I learned about using the Denman Brush

Denman D4 brush can be purchased {here}

Using a Denman brush to aid in blow-drying: Using a denman brush to blow-dry the hair makes for hair that is very silky, straight, and full of body. I use a Denman D4 for this because the rows of this brush are very close together, it aids in the sleek finish. To avoid damage, keep these tips in mind:

Make sure the hair has been thoroughly detangled with a seamless comb prior to blow-drying
Towel dry the hair carefully; the hair should be damp, not soaking wet while blow-drying
Use a leave-in conditioner [I love Sebastian Potion #9 for styles that require heat], it will help lubricate the strands keeping your hair free of tangles, matting and knots while working with your hair
Blow-dry in small 1/2 inch sections of hair
Lightly blow-dry roots and entire length of your 1/2 inch section before brushing the hair with the Denman Brush, as it is better to brush hair that is slightly damp versus hair that is wet.
Once hair is slightly damp, blow-dry hair as normal using your Denman brush instead of a comb.

Denman D31 can be purchased {here}

Denman D41 can be purchased {here}

Using a Denman brush on wet, natural hair: I use a Denman D31 to help smooth the hair out before doing a twist or braid set. This brush also helps enhance your natural curl pattern and distribute styling products evenly throughout your coarse, kinky, strands. The bristles are wider apart which means it is better for natural, highly textured hair [If your hair is uber thick and prone to excessive tangles, pick up the D41 instead]. Smoothing my hair with a Denman brush helps make my set silkier and softer. To avoid damage, keep the following in mind:

Even though this can be used on it's own as a detangling brush, I still recommend detangling with a wide-tooth comb beforehand, especially if you have type 4 hair.
Work in small 1/2 sections of hair to prevent excess tangles, knots and matting
Always detangle with product in your hair, whether it be conditioner, or a detangling mixture like the one featured in {this post}.
Brush hair from the bottom up to prevent unnecessary snagging and tension

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